Morning Buzz: The debate over Confederate history

Caroline Shin
AC360° Intern

We’re looking into the debate over confederate history. Last week we learned that Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell designated April as Confederate History Month, but the history of slavery wasn’t included in his designation. This sparked opposition from all sides and the governor later apologized. Still, some believe Confederate symbols have denoted opposition to equal rights. What do you think?

Tonight, Joe Johns reports on the “Sons of Confederate Veterans.” Is it a hate group? It describes its mission as “preserving the history and legacy of Confederate heroes, so future generations can understand the motives that animated the Southern Cause.” Anderson talks to Nell Painter, author of “History of White People,” about Confederate groups and activism around the country.

On the political right, modern times meet history. Sarah Palin headlines as a speaker at the modern-day Tea party convention at the original Tea Party site in Boston. We’ll have the latest on the Tea Party Express tonight.

President Obama will announce his administration's plans for America's space program at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida tomorrow, according to documents provided to CNN by a White House official. The documents say the administration is committed to a “bold, new approach to human spaceflight.” The Administration is apparently increasing the NASA budget by $6 billion over the next five years. What do you think that means? How important is the space program to you?

In our Big Interview tonight Anderson talks to Demi Moore, who just returned to the United States from Haiti. She'll tell Anderson what she saw on the ground and what kind of progress is being made to rebuild the nation.

And nearly 400 civilians are feared dead and 10,000 others are injured after a 6.9 earthquake struck western China last night. Thousands of soldiers and medical workers are clearing debris with their hands and rescuing buried victims, many of whom are school children, according to the Xinhua news agency and the provincial government. We’ll have more details on the situation tonight.

Rick Hodes, an American doctor, tries to save the world one life at a time, and author Marilyn Berger recounts his rescues in a biography, “This is a Soul.” Find out about the people he met and the lives he saved when Hodes and Berger speak to Anderson Cooper tonight.

Have you filed your taxes yet? Check out our site for tips on how to avoid an audit by the IRS and how your state’s taxes rank in comparison to taxes being paid around the country.

What else are you following today? Let us know and see you at 10 p.m. ET.