Erica’s News Note: A Whole Lotta WOW
Erica Hill
AC360° Correspondent
Some days, I have to make sure I didn’t lose a contact or inadvertently click on the wrong link. I am increasingly amazed by the stories I read, yet they’re true! I thought you’d be up for a trip down Wow Lane today, if you can peel your eyes from the election coverage. Fasten those seatbelts and grab a helmet, we’re off!
__________
First stop, China, where now even the EGGS have melamine. How is this chemical – used in plastics and fertilizer – finding its way into food? First the pet food, then tainted baby formula, milk…what’s next, asparagus? At this point, I wouldn’t be shocked by the asparagus headline.
__________
In Connecticut, where tainted candy was pulled recently, the latest concern is toddler cereal from Brazil, laced with pesticide.
__________
Clear across the country, some “WOW” of a different sort – the kind that make you smile, rather than cringe.
Cancer is a nasty, cruel disease that is very close to my heart…a little too close. The Oregon Health and Science University Cancer Center wants the state to have the lowest cancer rate in the nation, and they may be getting closer. Nike founder Phil Knight and his wife, Penny, are donating $100 million dollars to the UHSU Cancer Center. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Knight.
__________
Also in the spirit of giving, a little wealth spreading; and for the first time in weeks, “spreading the wealth” has nothing to do with partisan politics or a certain man from Ohio. This is sharing in its purest form. Anyone who thinks it’s a bad idea needs a reality check. After winning a Powerball jackpot worth nearly $207 million, the New Mexico group that hit the magic numbers is spreading the wealth to the clerks who sold them the ticket.
__________
And if you really want a “WOW”, don’t miss the live webcast tonight during the 10pm ET hour of AC360, when none other than Jack Gray, the wittiest blogger around, will be my special guest. Sadly, Sammy the dog was not available – her people make it nearly impossible to book an appearance, but maybe if you all send a request, we’ll have better luck.
|
|
Filed under: Erica Hill • Erica's News Note |
About this Show:
Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news. Tune in weeknights at 8 and 10 ET on CNN.
Questions or comments? Send an email
Want to know more? Go behind the scenes with AC361°
Subscribe to the podcast
On Twitter
Search the AC360 blog
Erica: When I read your post tonight, I have to admit, I kept saying WOW!. Those are some great examples of "spreading the wealth" especially when you have the freedom to decide who or where you want to spread it to. It's nice that to see such charity coming out of Americans especially during these tough economic times.
I'm also looking forward to tonight's webcasts. If I could suggest that not only Sammy be a special webcast guest some night but also your dog?
Our nations food supply is in danger. More and more seafood and food stuff is being imported from China. The country of origin is being printed on many of bags of single ingredient items. Like another blogger said it is difficult to desern the origin on all the ingredients.
How many time do you have to hear about lead toys, melamine in dog food and human food just to say forget it and I will spend my food dollars elsewhere? Everytime I think about Chinese food and seafood I just think about Dr. Gupta on PIP 1 and the iron ore and chemicals running down the rivers it is enough to make me sick. I looked at a turkey in the grocery recently and thank goodness I will not have to eat a Chinese turkey for dinner.
The Chinese people and the world should demand more from the government environmentally and socially. Maybe the modified adaption of western reporters being able to "roam free" in China will give us a more fair and accurate assessment of one of the most interesting countries in the world.
Maybe Dr. Gupta can get over to China soon!
Hey Erica,
Is there any chance the webcast maybe archived for later viewing? It's kind of hard when your PC and TV are in totally different areas of the house.
Well us loyal viewers who do not live on the north american continent cannot watch the webcast....so there you go
Hi Erica,
So Sammy the dog's people, couldn't come to terms with your people?
Was it a contract dispute over the low thermostat levels on the set? Thanks for the Wow stories today. It's always nice to get a reprieve from the campaign concussions. Good Wednesday evening.
Lorie Ann, Buellton, Calif.
As a rule, I try not to buy any food made in China. I say try because manufacturers are not required to state where each ingredient came from. So who knows, some of those melamine laced eggs may be hiding in our food supply.
That's good news and bad news for me........ I can't wait see Jack Gray on webcast tonight...... I wish I see Sammy the dog..... Oh boy! I hoping Sammy will come other time...... I will see you tonight Live Blog and program... See you there!
This Stuff Really Blows My Little Mind. I am 15 yrs old here & i think that this whole cancer thing is scary. i have been through alot that's another thing for everybody to worry about!
Rashelle Emblen.
Clarksville, IN/VG, Ky
Thank you for the post, We should all remember that it is better to give then to receive.
Hi Erica
Amazing stories – I like the upbeat ones and the one about the person who shared her lottery winnings with the clerks that sold her the ticket was fantastic. Its nice to know there are still people out there that would do something like that – inspiring too.
Looking forward to seeing Jack on your webcast. I wish Sammy would be with him – maybe another time??
Annie Kate
Birmingham AL
Hello Erica!
You know I dont know about the rest of you, but I will never forget the nationwide panic all of us with our beloved animal companions went through when news of this melamine(sp) spread. The Chinese government said our reaction was an attempt to slander them etc. I make absolutely no apologies at all! What do they expect us to do. It's ok for us to just suffer silently, but when it happens to them, then its a real problem. You would think with our lovely one sided trade policy that makes "made in china" on almost every product we purchase a normal thing. That they would take the money and develop the same high standards for product safety that we do. It makes me angry. We shouldnt have to live with it because of them and either should the chinese people.
On a lighter note, I look forward to Jack's comings and goings. I think Sammy should hold out for the super special AC360 roving reporter from the pawspective of all animinals. So Sammy has people. Perhaps Sammy could have a pawdcast. Sorry couldnt help myself.
Bio cycle advancing composing organics in China ? Prions have not been detected in waste water entering treatment plants but........? Enter green chip stocks for national security and energy independence ! See DATCP and Roger Kasper of the state's dept. of Agriculture,trade and given agriculture compatibility with renewable energy. Bio energy ! Don't send those eggs here and we had enough worry with the tomatoes which turned out to be the water used with peppers and shipping ! Our planet is a jam ! The eggs ? What happens when the polar ice caps melt ? Call IBON ! Got my helmet but the seat belt broke and we'll hang glide in .
Perhaps you can entice Sammy with the promise of a treat-filled gift basket. Doggy swag, if you will.
Three cheers to that New Mexico group. It reminds me of a story I read on CNN yesterday involving a good Samaritan who saved a stranger's foreclosed home from being auctioned off. I'd leave you a link, but I don't want my comment banished to 360 purgatory for breaking the rules. 😉
Hi Erica,
Those are great WOW stories – how do you find them all? You're good. Hope you're having a great evening. I hope to see your webcast with Jack Gray tonight. He is the wittiest blogger around that's for sure! I LOVE reading his blogs – he has quite the following. Have a great show tonight – See you later.
Right now, we are going to carve some pumpkins (one scary, one cute) – then roast the seeds – yummy!
Oh, and I wanted to see Sammy too. 🙁
Jack is very talented. Seems like a nice guy too. He has a very bright future ahead of him.
See? Spreading the wealth isn’t so bad, right? I bet if Joe the Plumber (sorry to bring him up) got a piece of that $207 million, he wouldn’t be complaining too much about “spreading the wealth.”
See you later,
Lilibeth
Edmonds, Washington
Erica, it's about time you posted again.: ) I know you've been busy working on those stories but it is always good to see your informative and delightful news notes.: ) Hope your evening is going very well.: )
So Jack Gray is really going to be on the live webcast?!?! Woo Hoo!! Maybe next time Sammy will join the webcast, right?