Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 04/03/09
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Tonight on AC360°, new details on the shooting rampage in Binghamton, New York. Plus, is it missile test or a just a communications satellite? Why North Korea has the world on edge tonight. And, Iowa's Supreme Court strikes down the state's ban on same-sex marriage.
Don't miss Erica Hill's webcast on the same-sex marriage ruling during the commercials. Do you agree with the justices decision in Iowa? Sound off below. Watch our WEBCAST
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How many Binghamtons, Blacksburgs, Paducahs, Columbines, Lincolns, Garfields, McKinleys, JFKs, Martin Luther Kings and tens of thousands of other Americans will it take before we revise the second Amendment.
I am so proud of our President and First Lady...I think they are doing a wonderful job of changing the image of America overseas! 🙂
Go Iowa lead the way all will follow!
Q5
Jo Ann:
he's a pragmatist and a politician. It's his job to win ppl over to get his policies done. He's smart and for as long as he doesn't lie like the Bush administration I'm supportive.
Yeah, David Gergen - I agree that this trip should be a confidence booster for President Obama. I have been very proud of our president and First Lady Michelle on their first overseas trip....
Yeah to Iowa for recognizing the separation of church and state.
Michael and Andrew from Binghamton, I can't imagine entirely what you are going through, but know it would be shocking and very sad, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your city.
The French President's wife is beautiful!!! She looks like a beauty queen! Super elegant.
Hi Anderson, I Love your show , Q- how did a guy with all these weapons get into a Govt,run building in the first place ? I mean ,if you go into any Govt,building there is a screening area and Armed guards,so how did this guy evade scrutiny ?????? Thanks ,John
I'm very thrilled by Iowa's decision. Nice to have such an incredible bright spot on such a somber day as this.
40 states have legislation banning same-sex marriage, though...we have a long way to go.
congratulations Iowa!! and Vermont State House (who also passed a bill to legalized gay marriage).
Equal rights to all!!
President Obama was doing good with the Town Hall Meeting in France. He knows where he stands and seems to know what he was talking about. Michelle Obama looked nice as always.
Good evening David Gergen. Love to hear your point of view. I agree with you that he was not tough enough in the meeting. He could show them more that he was really in charge.
It is gratifying to see President Obama receive such a warm reaction on his European visit – it's quite a remarkable change from the reputation of the last administration, hopefully America's standing will improve over the next few years.
I never knew Iowa was 1 of the states in the forefront of making gay marriage legal. That's great news.
@Beth
I thought Obama said WE ALL share responsibility. Both America and Europe????????
Great decision in Iowa, now it is time for the rest of the country to get on board!
It is really nice to see our president finally willing to join the world instead of being arrogant! What a breath of fresh air...
Thanks Chris.
@Jo Ann...we now live in a global world. We need the rest of the world and they need us. Our image outside of the U.S. has been tarnished and Obama in the matter of just a few days has made a huge impact on turning that around. He is so much more than "his image".
the change i believe obama has always mostly referred to, is the change of intention. he may do something that prior administrations have done, but his intentions are likely not even close to the same.
I don't agree with David Gergen. We should not "push" ourselves on other countries. That is what W did.
As someone who was born and raised in Iowa, I've never been more proud of my home state than I am today because of the Iowa Supreme Court ruling that made gay marriage legal!!! Many thanks to all of the lawyers, judges and legislators that made today's ruling possible. As an attorney myself, I'm very pleased that the justices of the Iowa Supreme Court used sound legal reasoning to rule on this matter. Now all of my gay and lesbian friends in Iowa can FINALLY get legally married and for that I'm happy and thankful!
When it comes to human rights,they should never be put to a vote (like what happened in CA).we would still have slavery, or Jim Crow, No voting rights for minorities or women. When it comes to human rights, it is the courts' job to make sure they happen–not put it up to a vote.
I think that you have to create relationships before you can persuade people to do things for you. Does that ever happen right of the bat in these international situations with world leaders? I mean, these countries are in much better situations than they once were and we don't have the same "big hill" we once did. I would be interested to hear Mr. Gergen's take on this.
What a great trip for the U.S. Our President and First Lady were amazing.
Yes Karen T,
They are! awesome couples!
I love you David Gergen-Always so calm and articulate.
Miranda
@ David Gergen,
Good point about this being a confidence booster.
Missile or Communication satelite? search me! If it is a missile then God save us, the weapon is in the wrong hands!
@ Zach - yes, it will take time for the shock of the event to fade for you. I'm sure your community will hold several services and vigils - and other communities will reach out to you - I recommend attending a service or vigil - it helps the healing begin.
President Obama should be the most popular man in the world. All nations clap for him.
I wonder if Obama will be able to sustain his energy, stamina, etc. He has been doing so much so soon. I hope he dosen't burn out...
As a resident of Binghamton, it pains me to think that the world now knows our beautiful city because of this. Just a few weeks ago, Binghamton University entered the NCAA tournament for the first time.
The last time that Binghamton made the national news was a back in 2006 when the city was taken over by the flood.
Please keep our neighbors in your prayers. It's been a trying day for many of us here trying to understand why this happened in our beautiful little city.
I watched the town hall meeting. He's just an amazing speaker. He can connect to the crowd and just be himself..not everybody can do that.
If Obama is going to blame America and continue to speak as he does of our country- then he should do it here in American. Not in another country! I believe he craves adoration and will throw our country under the bus if that will accomplish his goal. I bet the Russians were falling off their seats laughing when they were alone, after the arms discussion with him.
@Zach, Andrew and others from or near Binghamton. My thoughts are with your and your community, families and everyone touched by this tragedy. I'm so very sorry.
I can't get past the feeling that Obama is pandering to the Europeans in order to hold onto his popularity. I don't think he would do or say anything that would put that in jeopardy.
Wow! Everytime that man opens his mouth, he underscores why we are the smartest people around: We voted for him!
Annie & Taylor,
My prayers and thoughts with you……. I am shocked and sad for you and your friends love lost ones…… I hope all will be change your life. Thank you coming on AC live blog tonight
@Karen – I've been extremely impressed by the President and First Lady's ability to reshape our image abroad. It is much needed.
It has been a very sad day here in Binghamton! I work next door to the American Civic Association. It is an organization that not only helps the immigrants but helps the community at large by holding craft fairs and things that bring us together. May your thoughts and prayers be with us.
The media really ought to get the word-out, taking other Souls with you is a cowardly way to commit suicide. Needless murder, so one can feel better about killing themselves is surly a one-way ticket to hell.
The FBI and psychologists give the media "text-book" opinions as to why this happened, and needless rampages such as today continue.
I think the shooters decision to go on his stupid rampage was a sure way for him to commit suicide, by first committing mass murder. Now he has screwed up his life to the point of no return, and thereby had to commit suicide because he was too chicken to kill himself without first committing mass murder.
I hope President Obama does not regret never ... lol ...
I am saddened by this massacre in Binghamton. When is all this killing going to stop. It seems that springtime brings out these individuals who commit these massacres. Columbine, Virginia Tech, and now this...its all in the springtime. Please we need to change the laws for obtaining guns, so that its harder to buy guns and ammunition. Guns should not be easily accessible either in person or from the internet.
We need peace, and we need a safer place for our families. May God be with those families affected by this senseless act of violence.
north korea should be able to launch a satellite without bullying and retaliation from the us or any country. they have a right to exercise their technology like any other country
About people who kill others before killing themselves ... not all suicides stem from depression. Some come from anger, intense rage coupled with overwhelming hopelessness. That mindset becomes a frankly delusional state.
The meeting at the border between France and Germany was a new test for the foreign policy adopted by the government Obama, which has yielded good progress during the passage through London.
What a great trip for the U.S. Our President and First Lady were amazing.
Our President did us proud today! He was absolutely Electric! It is such a relief to have an American president who can represent us overseas as intelligent, caring people (&his honesty is absolutely fantastic – and true.!
The questions that he was asked were also excellent!
@ Heather – Detroit, MI
Beautifully stated. Yes I am happy to see that Iowa has taken a step toward equality.... I only wish California would have done that too
President Obama sounds too much like Bush when he talks about Al Qaeda! That's frightening..
@Heather, I agree. It seems like every time there's a shooting people always say the gunman was quiet, kept to himself, etc.
Erica, I have to agree with you on the Twitter/Facebook thing. Its absolutely amazing how fast we can be in contact with people in other countries. It just doesn't matter how many miles away somebody is, in this world of technology they can be at our fingertips.