Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 03/11/09
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Tonight on AC360°, recession news flash: the rich are getting poorer. Just hours ago, Forbes magazine published its 2009 list of the world’s top billionaires. The take-away: there are fewer of them, and their fortunes are shrinking. It’s not a story that will generate much sympathy. We get that. But it’s still an interesting look at the recession’s reach. We’ll tell you who has lost the most and who has fallen the furthest. Tonight we want to keep the live blog on this one topic. So, please share your thoughts with us.
And, don't miss Erica Hill's webcast on billionaires during the commercials. Watch our WEBCAST
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Good evening Anderson and Erica.... I hate to say it but President Obama...lied about the earmarks...
It would be nice for someone at the top to have some courage.
It doesn’t matter if Obama is signing this “earmark bill” behind closed doors or in front of an audience, he still takes the responsibility for it by signing it.
Is this a part of his new transparency?
I've been thinking the same thing about the earmarks. Maybe this was started with the last administration, but this is a new administration. I think this would have been a good time to look at those earmarks beofre proceeding.
Anderson, the President "went along with it this time" because it's the leftovers from last years' budget process.
"Mostly written during the Bush Admin". Republicans need to cut out the complaining since they are part of the darn problem...
This Alabama story is as much about the lack of available mental health care in some parts of this country as it is about death. Someone knew this guy had issues but I'll bet that there was nowhere to go. People still have a stigma about recommending that a family member get some help.
The German boy had parents who had lots of weapons in their homes. Gun laws are very strict in Germany, but you can still get licenses under certain circumstances.
David Gergen, Obama has absolutely not done right signing this bill. The claim it was 'last year's business is bull. Dems have controlled Congress for two years now, so it was written by them, passed by them, and signed by them. It's like a murderer saying I'm going straight right after I kill one more person. Count this as a broken campaign promise. They could have passed a continuing resolution with no earmarks.
Hi All
I totally agree with Lori, most of the billionaires money is not cash. It is in real estate, stocks, etc. I can honestly say that I do not feel sorry for them.
Greetings all!
Too sad. These shootings are happening every day. But it is not mental. It's spiritual. These people aren't crazy. They are evil. Calling them crazy is to give them an excuse. But then again, the body, mind, heart and the spirit are connected. Therefore, if the spirit isn't right, none of these things can be.
Good evening Anderson, fellow bloggers and others at CNN....
I'm curious to know how big the shooter from Alabama his family is? Obviously he did something horrible to his family and I just wonder how many people are there left to suffer through this lose? My heart goes out to them! And even more to the deputies family for the lose of his wife and child. I can't even imagine the pain that he is going through, it's just horrible.
Hellooo David G....
I think our president Obama is doing right thing to do for earmark to save our money bonuce up......
Wnytime we experience a mass killing, we all don't even discuss gun control anymore. What a shame. We have capitulated to the NRA.
It always rings true, criminals prefer unarmed targets.
@ Mike
Let’s think this American man or this young German. Let’s think that the despair was at the edge of the unbearable, the pain was more intense and live becomes a heavy burden and distressing. His pain has become incommunicado.
Do these people tried to express the sadness they felt, and nobody heard or understood? Why that life loses direction?
@Gary- Yes I am very happy that I voted for POTUS. This wasn't even his bill, this was last years business. Would you rather the focus be on this old bill or on the task at hand which is fixing the economy?
@David Gergen: The President was correct to sign the bill. It's a balancing act; kill the bill and lose real funding for real things we really need – like Pell grants, etc. Throwing the baby out with the bath water is a tired poitical choice. He kept the baby this time.
David Gergen
In response to your question...i wrote to my senators and the Pres. re: the earmark issue. I requested that he make a stand and VETO the bill.
However, i do realize that this was a bill that was constructed by the last Pres. and i think Pres. Obama may be "picking his battle". That is to say that maybe this was a fight he did not want to take on now.
As he himself remarked...Congress cannot be "bogged down" right now and i'll take him at his word...but i am disappointed he did not take a stand on this bill
It seems to me that these shooting rampages are a relatively modern occurrence. I mean, that didn't happen in the 50's, or did it? What's up with our society? We've never lived in more comfort than today, and we have the highest amount of suicides and homicides and depression.
What a sad note to start the night on! Oh well it can only get better from here right?
On whether the gunman was "normal," "normalcy" is often assumed from stereotype. Stereotypes are often wrong.
I knew Michael McLendon my mother and his mothre were friends for years. i am saddeded to learn what he done, yet not surprised. Yes he was depressed, but he had a very bad home life. I know that doesnt defend him, but it explains him. If you only knew what his home life was like you could/would understand. as they say yes he "snapped". He should not have taken innocent lives at all, his family was the root of his issues.
Good evening, Anderson, Erica, 360 crew and best bloggers
I was so mortified to hear of the shooting in Germany today. Right on the heels of this tragedy in Alabama too.
I'm troubled about in the Alabama case, how they're talking about how these things never happen in small towns. In the last few years, it's always been in small towns. I understand the disbelief of it happening in *their* small town, but still.
It will be interesting to see what the German shooter's "motive" will be, when they claim one.
Why don't people value life anymore?
It's all over the media in Germany now, too. Media is lurking for a new "highscore" in that.
I'm utterly disgusted by how much the media pushed these both stories in the past hours. In both countries.
Second time I see First Lady Michelle with a clothing color of eggplant ... I like!
@ David Gergen I do believe Obama could had fought to not sign this bill like come on 8,500 earmarks that's a lot and aren't we trying to remove earmarks from our government.
It would be better for all if we can catch the clue of this horrible behavior before the killing happens.
People are killing people everyday. Please take care of yourself and the one around you. A little caution would not hurt.
I hope AC360 makes a point that, yes, while President Obama signed the bill, let's look at who said they didn't want any "pork," but loaded the bill with it themselves.
I call shenanigans!
Now, Germany has much stricter laws about firearma. A nuts finds his/her ways with or without the second amendment
I honestly don't care how Oprah Winfrey is doing financially. Why is this a story?
Hello bloggers: Not a surprise that the Gates and Buffett's of the world lost some wealth this year, where did Donald Trump land on the list?
thanks Anderson for mentioning Germany.
David, your question doesn't surprise me. It is very clear that Obama had no intention from the beginning to end ear marks. This is another example of how he deceives the American people. I hope you are all happy that you voted for him.
This isn't normal for Germany, luckily all my friends there are fine, but mein Gott!
Being a police officer or corrections officer is often also driven, not just by the desire to serve and protect, but to direct and control, Many people need the structured environment of a rule-driven daily experience. Thankfully, these individuals are frequently found out and washed out – as McLendon apparently was.
@David G.
I believe that POTUS will try to do earmark reform in the future. This bill is last year's business. Yes he could have vetoed it, but then it would have to go back into the congress and that will create more focus on that bill other than what needs to be done in regards to this economy. So i'm fine with him signing this bill and moving on with what he needs to do.
Yesterday much sadness in Alabama. Today more death and despair in Germany.
@ Mike
I agree some people are just crazy, trying to figure out why, well its too late now isn't it.
Esma and others appaled at the shooter's decisions... there _are_ people who occasionally only think of themselves. Those who do it all the time are considered psychopaths... and they're not always the ones who act out in public acts like these.
hello david gergen!
i want to know what the earmarks were for before i bash the POTUS for signing it. change takes time, and apparently some compromising.
<3
@Mike: i disagree. i think this guys rampage will be quite explainable.
Anderson,
The intonation of your voice, sad and tense, represents the feeling of all...
These deaths frighten us, hurt us, and silence us – the silent empty.
Good evening everyone!
This is just to depressing Anderson. I will see you guys tomorrow night. To much sadness and violence going on now. I need a break.
Have a good night all Anderson, Erica, and all Bloggers.
@Minou, actually I was at home today all day and the Germany shooting was on a lot. In the evening I presume folks focused upon the domestic shooting which is pretty major.
hello everyone! Hows everyone today?
WOW, i cant believe that man killed all those innocent lives. what was his motive anyways?
We can dissect this guy's mentality and not being happy with his status in life but we will never really know why this guy did what he did.
Kris has it very right. Glad they have a forensic scientist on the show. So many people misunderstand the reasons behind these horrible crimes, and as such have a hard time preventing their recurrence.
You cannot deny the reality that each of our personal bad economic situation casts a very big shadow on our behavior (and deperation in some cases).
Thank God that women saved that baby. She's a hero to that small community and to that baby.