Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 04/08/09
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Tonight, we're trying something new. It's your first chance to text 360°. Do you think same-sex marriage is gaining momentum? Vermont has become the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage. The state legislature voted Tuesday to override the governor's veto of a bill on the issue. CNN Senior Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin will answer your questions. Text us your name, location and question to 94553.
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I think Obama watches CNN. All day. Just like the rest of us. 😉
This country was founded on specific principles........ one of these is the right to the pursuit of happiness...................in this case---marriage. But I think the main reason for the push in "legal" marriage is so that "partners" can share marital benefits that are only afforded with that "piece of paper." With over 50% of broken marriages........I quander its value for anything else.
Hey everyone – What does the Somali government have to say about all these piarate attacks and does anyone know to where these $millions are being funneled?
Anderson: The international community must take the fight to the pirates and their strongholds. In addition, international commercial ships crews should be trained and provided arms to defend themseives. Enough is enough. Take the fight to the pirates now!
Acceptance of and support for same sex marriage is gaining momentum. It's palpable. And it's about time that all of us have the same civil rights. Clearly, the foolish concern that same sex marriage is a threat to "traditional marriage" is based in fear and ignorance and is owned largely by older generations and not shared by those under 30. It's disappointing to me. One would think that as people grow older and prepare to face their "maker," they would be more loving and accepting of others and less hate-filled. Love transcends gender and we should appreciate, respect and support it always.
These ships should string razor wire around the outside of the deck and that would be a very good deterrent against those half naked pirates climbing aboard!
Mike, Syracuse, NY, I didn't hear that, but you might be right. I am surprised that they haven't surrendered yet! Ha!
I think you are going to find that the Maersk Alabama is carrying US government cargo. This ship is part of the Maritime Security Program administered by US Maritime Administration. Foreign shipping companies provide foreign vessels, agree to reflag to US and employ US crews. In exchange they have priority to move US DOD/US Govt cargo and receive an annual subsidy.
These guys were not testing to see how Obama would respond. They were doing this before the election. They do it for a living in between fishing.
josh, it's not about money. it's people's lives here. what if it were a member of your family? would you not want them to do what they could to save them?
Welcome back Anderson! Big Hello to Erica, the girl with the beautiful smile.
Al quaida operatives in UK.... How interesting is that. Let's hear all those details, what is the UK government doing about it?
Obama may like Entourage, but I think he should watch Strangers With Candy....
Levi Johnson is scummy for kissing and telling all family secrets please don't give him more air time please.
Wow. That is an incredible story about the
terrorists arrest in Great Britain.I can not
believe the list was not in a briefcase.
@Josh – "Maybe a few people die." Think you just answered your own question. If not, I think I would be terrified to have you as a boss need I ever take to the high seas on business. 😉
Lori... LOL The story that keeps on giving... too cute
Jo Ann, Mike:
are you guys expecting a war to start over a single kidnapped person?
Wow, he definitely dropped the ball on that one. A bit irresponsible of him to keep that page where it could easily be decoded, for lack of a better word.
I am glad terrorists arrest by police in England..... good job for them.
They are lucky that nothing happened while all of the world leaders were in town.
Oooooops What a blunder! Why is he carrying this type of papers not enclosed in something!!!
@ David, Indiana
I read today that the hostages are usually well treated because the kidnappers want to receive the ransom.
But it is absurd that things happen and the crew is at the mercy of their own fate.
I'm really glad they caught this group of crazy people, preemptively or not. Good on you, England!!!
My drivers pick-up Maersk containers everyday at the pier in Jersey. I just don't think it would be a good idea to have men with loaded guns on container ships or tanker ships. How could we know for sure who the men are?
@Rick, this Bainbridge is not the same ship as the nuclear powered cruiser in the 1960's
I agree with the act of two same sex couples loving each other it's healthy .i respect thier love and comittment
The UK has been a hot bed for radical islamic elements, plannig terrorist attacks. Remem ber the ring of doctors about 2 years ago?
really creepy how the documents were sought out in a photo.....
Great show Anderson!
I am so proud of the people of Conn, Mass Vt and IA. The rest of the state needs to follow suit. There is no harm to allowing people to marry and express their love for one another. Have we forgotten that only a few hundred years ago this country was founded on the separation of church and state? The time for far right wing thinking is over.
How is it possible that commercial ships carrying millions of dollars in cargo, don't have security agents and go unarmed?
They are walking into trap for these pirates to hold hostage and they don't have atrms this is unheard of right ?
rite now you are talking about the Somalian (if that's how u spell it) Pirates. If I was one of those captains that had to sail around Somalia, I would ask for a couple of machine guns on the deck of my boat! If any pirates got near me and my crew, they would sink! Just common sense! FIGHT BACK!
You need a multi-pronged solution implemented in paralell to solve the Somali piracy problem:
1- Multi-lateral effort to create stability and a central government in Somalia
2- Multi-national effort to break the logistics and execution capability of the pirates while protecting the shipping lines
This costs money and requires a lot of political will but is cheaper than not doing it.
These companies need to acquire heavily armed private security. 5 well trained men on these vessels can put a big dent in the number of pirates out there. Even the pirates are smart enough to stop when there is a chance they could be blown out of the water. I am sure this would be cheaper than paying ransom and raising the prices of the goods to cover it.
Why don't these ships off the coast of Somalia arm themselves with security and fight back? Seems it would be easy to sink those little skiffs on aproach! Obviously it would be self defense......just shoot the pirates and sink the mother ships!
Good evening Anderson, Erica, AC360 team, Panel members, and all bloggers.
The pirate situation is scary. Hope all the crew is safe and released soon.
The pirate ship is so small. When I think of pirate taking a ship, I think of the big ship with arms like in the movie. How did they take over the so big ship with that tiny boat and just 4 people? I do not quite understand.
Rafael, I have worked on a ship from the same company as the Alabama. Its parent company is a Danish company and it vehemently against war, so they do not allow guns on their ships. Some ships do usually carry one gun in the Captain's cabin (room) just in case, but with long periods a sea you can never really trust people with weapons. I have seen men go after others with fire axes.
Oh no ... the Palins and Levi Johnston ... the story that just keeps on giving!
Interesting reporting on the pirate ships - hard to believe this is happening in 2009!
Entourage is Obama's tv fave .
@Jo Ann, Hillary Clinton made a statement that they are 'gravely concerned'. I'm sure that terrifies the pirates.
So which of our allies is coming to our rescue?
Alabama.
The President's favorit show is Entourage. Emanuel's brother is an agent in Hollywood, and its said that Ari is based on him.
I'm so pleased with the recent same-sex marriage rulings. I've already been invited by dear friends to attend their ceremony!
I read an analysis that said my state, Kentucky, would allow same-sex marriage by 2020. I work with the Fairness Campaign here and only hope we can beat that goal.
There's a great bunch of people working very hard to improve the rights of gays and lesbians in Kentucky. It's been a tough go of things so far, but hearing about progress in other states makes it all worth it.
The captain is being held by these pirates they must rescue him they are using him as leverage in the war against Obama 's admoinistarion.
@ Erica Hill
I can’t send by my mobile. Nevertheless, I think a great novelty we can send SMS. 🙂
I ask you to keep the two fronts to viewers (web and SMS) for all matters.
@Isabel Yes I wonder about how the situation in Somalia is conducive to piracy and an "uptick" in piracy as Kaj Larsen is saying.
Does seem like there shld be a continuous presence to protect shipping in and out of the Gulf of Aden and far from shore in the Indian ocean off the coast of Somalia.
Re same sex marriage. so many states now show themselves to be more enlightened than california. i have just begun to read this week's newsweek. their lead article says we (in the 21st)century are now post-christian, just as we are post-racial with the new presidency. Same sex marriage may be very hard for fundamentalist christians to accept. it is such a paradigm change. but whether we accept it or not, it is here, and we must not turn it into an insidious threat but rather a blueprint for a new world of true diversity.
I feel like there are more important things Americans should be concerned about other than what Pres. Obama's favorite TV show is.
Hey Erica do i have to text my question right now. I text it earlier about 6pm est but am not sure if AC 360 crew receive my text question.
Anderson,
I am for gay marriage but I have a question.
If gay people are allowed to get married and therefore get the marriage tax credit from both the state and federal government, could that lessen the credit for all married people?