Morning Buzz: A serial killer in North Carolina?
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Morning folks...
This just in...former President Bill Clinton and Barack Obama plan to FINALLY talk TODAY and discuss Clinton's role in the election...what will Bill's role be? The two have been playing phone tag, and there was lots of speculation when Bill did NOT show up at Friday's "unity" event in New Hampshire....Candy Crowley will hopefully have some insight...
In other political news...Retired U.S. Gen. Wesley Clark, a supporter of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, took a BIG swipe at John McCain, yesterday. Clark questioned McCain's military experience and questioned whether it qualified him to be commander-in-chief. Getting "shot down in plane" doesn't make McCain qualified, Clark said....OUCH!!! The McCain campaign called for Obama to condemn the remarks. Dana Bash covers the republican riff for us today...
Will the United States enter into a third war during Bush's reign? Well, according to Seymour Hersh - the Bush administration has launched a "significant escalation" of covert operations in Iran, sending U.S. commandos to spy on the country's nuclear facilities and undermine the Islamic republic's government. White House, CIA and State Department officials declined comment on Hersh's report, which appears in this week's issue of The New Yorker. Hersh told CNN's "Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer" that Congress has authorized up to $400 million to fund the secret campaign, which involves U.S. special operations troops and Iranian dissidents....we will bring you the latest...
David Mattingly heads back to North Carolina...Authorities identified a soldier in training as a person of interest in the death of a pregnant soldier found in a North Carolina motel room, a military official said. News of the development came Saturday as a local newspaper reported that it had received a letter from someone purporting to be Spc. Megan Lynn Touma's killer - and claiming an infamous serial killer as a role model. The letter's author included in the letter the name of the hotel, room number and date Touma was found. It also mocked Fayetteville police, saying, "I basically, sat there and watch while investigators were on site." Investigators was misspelled in the letter. The author also wrote, "It was a master piece. I Confess, that I have killed many times before in several states, but now I will start using my role-model's signature. There will be many more to come." The letter has a circle with a cross in it, the same symbol used by the Zodiac Killer, who was responsible for at least five deaths in California in 1968 and 1969. The Zodiac Killer was never identified....Is there a serial killer on the loose in North Carolina?
Jamie McIntyre is Keeping them Honest for us tonight....Despite a shortage of field officers, the Army has adopted a new policy that West Point graduates can serve their country as professional athletes instead of battlefield commanders. Army football player Caleb Campbell drafted by the Detroit Lions is the first beneficiary of the policy, which will allow him to avoid going to war and instead pursue a potentially lucrative career after getting an education at taxpayer’s expanse. At the same time, the Navy is telling St Louis Cardinals draftee Mitch Harris to report for duty. The Navy believes it is inappropriate to let him out of his service. What’s going on here? Why would the Army and Navy be on the opposite side on this issue? Is it because - under pressure to fill the ranks with fresh recruits - Campbell is more valuable as a recruiter than as a platoon leader on the front lines?
AND Anderson interviews the photographer and author the National Geographic cover story who solved the mystery of the murdered mountain gorillas….Brent Stirton, photojournalist & mark Jenkins, author...
SO tune in tonight....
On Twitter
Wes Clark has no honor.
Hi, Anderson!
I'm one of your many fans in Europe! There is not a day without AC360 podcast but only now I first looked in this website. Nice – i must admit! So, you can add one more active commentator to your blog posts.
Have a nice day!
Kristaps Petersons
Latvia, Europe
I just read about the upcoming story for tonight's "Keeping them Honest" segment. A little background history...I graduated from West Point in 1988 and during my 4 years there, the Naval Academy had two players drafted professionally (Napoleon McCullum – Oakland Raiders and David Robinson – San Antonio Spurs). The Navy came up with some recruiter positions for these two to allow them to keep their professional careers. During this same time, Army had at least one player drafted that I can honestly remember – Doug Black by the Dallas Cowboys. Doug did not go to play as Army policy was not the same as the Navy's.
In the years and decades before this, no one got exceptions. Roger Staubach had to serve his time in the Navy before he was allowed to enter into the NFL even though the Navy did allow him to train with the Cowboys during the summer.Former Army Heisman trophy winners Pete Dawkins and Doc Blanchard did not have the same multi-million dollar contracts being waved in their faces and remained in the Army instead of turning pro.
As an Academy graduate and former Army officer, I have mixed feelings about the way both service academies (and the Air Force Academy as well, especially in more recent years!!!) have handled this situation but can honestly see both points of view. The Navy got tons of free, positive press and PR when David Robinson played and helped with recruitment. In these dire times, as more people are opposing the war and it is getting more difficult to attract and retain officers, this may be a valid option.
Also, for the record, we are only talking about 1 – 3 people at most a year out of 3 to 4,000+ officers commissioned each year. I don't think that people should try to make too big of a deal about this!!!
General Clark is one of a very select group that could say what he said about McCain's service. The tone and verbage may have been agressive but the message was true. No one can dispute McCain's service and courage however, they do not equal being a president. It has also been correctly pointed out that Obama does not have any type of military record. Again, this is also true but Barack is not running for president based on his military record like McCain is. As such, it is fair game for analysis and General Clark nailed him.
It's amazing that Cindy has an opinion on every single blog on here and has to post them.
Thank you Anderson for continuing to cover the plight of the mountain gorillas. Very anxious to hear this interview. All the best and have a great day.
Good Morning, People in Fayetteville are over reacting to "Serial Killer". They are scared to leave their house after 8:00 pm. I believe that this an isolated event. Her killer will be brought to justice. The killer is just taunting with the police to make a name for his or her self.
Ambassador Ryan Crocker denied any covert operations going on in the country of Iran.
If Seymour Hersh is reporting on covert operations, they would appear not to be so covert.
If any country were to strike Iran, it would be Israel.
No wonder in some places there is no regard for human life and suffering when beautiful animals ( like the mountain gorillas ) are murdered. I look forward to the interview with Brent & Mark from National Geographic.
Susan
Phoenixville,PA
Question is: Can Bush totally destroy the United States before he gets out of office? He's working on it!
Mc Cain is certainly not qualified just because he was in the military or a POW in Viet Namn.
In fact, someone who has suffered from PTSD should not be able to make the decision to wage war.
But, I'm not telling who I am voting for, I am neutral. 😉
Murdered endangered Mountain gorillias. Isn't this world insane?
It just keeps spinning around but It is spinning out of control.
Were we put here to destroy ourselves?
Did you know that when you go to a coast in th U.S. to eat seafood ( I always assumed it was fresh on the coast) That shrimp and osyters are flown in daily from the orient? Yeah, that's right. We have used our own waters for a toilet so long that our fish are polluted. That is something you don't hear about AT ALL! Our government has kept us from knowing a lot of the bull that is really going on.
Thanks for keeping them honest. I would really love for you to look into the seafood thing.
Thanks!
Any truth to the story out of London that Bill said Obama could kiss his rear? This gets more entertaining. And it's a lovely deflection once more from the real issues facing our country and how Obama and the Dems will deal with them.
Iran was going to happen at some point. Your head had to be buried in the sand not to see this one coming. So much for Congress being anti-war and looking for diplomatic solutions. Apparently Bush has more power than they'd like to admit still.
Looking forward to the gorilla interview. Apparently it's in the National Geographic story I'm about to read. Have a great rest of the day!
Bill is free to meet with Obama today because it's a Monday.
When Hillary and Obama met last week, of course Bill wasn't there: it was on a FRIDAY – Bill probably had a date.
Didn't the Clinton's lose? Why are we still dealing with them?
Good morning, Anderson,
I read the article & saw the photos on the mountain gorillas & their murder. It was a real eye-opening piece of writing. Can't wait to see your interview with Mr. Stirton & Mr. Jenkins about their take personal take on the events. It was heartbreaking to read about what happened to 7 of these gentle creatures!, & how cowardly the whole thing was done.
It will be interesting to see how Mr. Mashagiro fares in court. It is also inspiring to see how Mr. Ngobobo carries on his crusade, even after having been falsely accused.
Hopefully, the former president & Obama can 'play nice'. Candy WILL GET to the bottom of it.
Hopefully, there is no new serial killer loose. Hopefully, there is no new offensive in Bush's mind. Nothing surprises one anymore.
See you tonight–have a good day.
The Republican riff? I think Democrats, Republicans and Independents should all condemn Wesley Clark's statements. I believe going after McCain's service or even when it was done to John Kerry was and is wrong.
As far as Clinton meeting with Obama? I have a feeling, by the time all pundits weigh in on the big do, we won't, once again, have any other news reported tonight on ac360. Oh, well.
So Gen. Clark doesn't think 20 years of military experience, including being a squadron commander, doesn't help one to be qualified to be President. How does he feel Obama, who has much less experience, is even remotely qualified. he has no military experience, and about 10% of McCain"s Senate experience? Clark's comments are more damning to Obama than McCain.
Hey…I won’t read too much into Bill not showing up last week. This was about Barack and Hillary showing a united front and had nothing to do with him. I am sure even if just for show he will support Obama. These people are expert Politicians and at the end of the day they will do what has to be done. Bill did win two elections so I am sure he will be an asset to Obama’s campaign. But just to be safe I say keep him on a short leash, he is still a Clinton and they can be shady at times.
Leave McCain’s service to this country alone. He has more than enough weak spots that are fair game no need to touch his service to this country. But Obama does not owe him any apology for those comments. People are not responsible for how others think and feel.
This is becoming intriguing the death of this pregnant soldier. I knew something was not right last week when no one would talk to Randi. Look forward to hearing David’s report.
I certainly hope we as a nation are not going to take on yet another war – aren't two enough? As strapped for troops as we are where would the soldiers come from to fight this war? What excuse is Bush going to use this time? More WMDs that aren't there?
I'm looking forward to Anderson's interview on the murdered mountain gorillas. I hope it doesn't get bumped !!
Annie Kate
Birmingham AL
Morning Anderson, happy Monday, I am looking forward to a long weekend. Looking forward to your show this week. Have a great day.
In my opinion, although some still insist in seeing Bill Clinton in a negative light, he is a brilliant politician, economist and still holds a high popularity rate among Americans and Internationals. I feel he would be a definite asset to Obama's Campaign and fill the experience gap.
On the Bush Administration's third war – unforunately Bush and Cheney are foolish enough to go for a third! Heaven help us all if I am right. The only difference between Iraq and Iran is Bush's new supposition of Nuclear Weapons vs. WMD's. If George and Dick take the Fool's Leap for the History Books of America, Historians will have one more blunder to report about if we're lucky! I hope we'll all get to read the Historians take on this Administration but with George and Dick planning our collective demise at every turn, I fear we may not have the chance! Isn't it past time for House Members, Senators, et al to actually do something to earn the salaries they are receiving. Like getting these two war mongering dim wits out of the White House before it's too late! CURTAIN PLEASE!
Well I hope that there are cell phones or something in the room with Bill and Obama when they get together and talk for the first time. Now that would be something worth watching. To see their body language to see how they really feel. That would be more entertaining than when Hillary first met with Obama. You know Bill is still reeling from all of the bad stuff that was said about Hillary by Obama's camp.
I don't know why Gen. Clark wants to down McCain. At least he did serve and knows what goes on and what it is like. Obama has no clue what so ever! So yes his time in the military does count.
I can not believe that we are doing secret missions into Iran to possibly go to war with them. What I really can't believe is that congress gave them money to do it! What happened to the Dems saying that they are against war!? And I want to know who voted to OK the money...Hillary, Obama, McCain?? UMMM...seems like they can't make up their minds!
That is extremely interesting about the supposed serial killer in NC. I hope that it is just some random nut that wrote the letter to the news paper as a hoax. It'll be interesting to see what becomes of this.
So they finally figured out who killed that family of mountain gorillas huh? I hadn't heard anything about that. So I'll be looking forward to Anderson's interview with the ones who did.
Cindy...Ga.