Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 6/12/09
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/02/liveblogfinal.copy.jpg]
Tonight on 360°, a special report. A rifle-wielding white supremacist entered Washington’s Holocaust museum on Wednesday afternoon, fatally shooting a security guard. What fuels this kind of violence? Was this an isolated incident? Who are these ‘lone wolves’ that perpetrate these hate crimes?
Scroll down to join the live chat during the program. It's your chance to share your thoughts on tonight's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules.
Here are some of them:
1) Keep it short (we don't have time to read a "book")
2) Don't write in ALL CAPS (there's no need to yell)
3) Use your real name (first name only is fine)
4) No links
5) Watch your language (keep it G-rated; PG at worst - and that includes $#&*)
And take a look at our live web camera from the 360° studio. Watch the WEBCAM
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
Hi Anderson, we love having you in California. Your closer, but it sounds like your New Yorkers really miss you. Youre so popular my friend.
For those who actually learn something in school, it is a well-known fact that people with skin other than white are the majority around the world as a whole. And it might come as surprising to those white supremacists, but this fact is not a result of those others taking over. It's geography people!
Many of the issues she cited are legitimate concerns. Illegal immigration IS out of control, violence in the black community is out of control, and Affirmative Action has become reverse discrimination as demonstrated by the New Haven firefighter case..
Martina Ilstad Germany
Anderson will be back to NYC next Monday and next week.
Lori – IL
I don't understand the desire for semi automatic weapons either. These guns have no other function use that to kill people
I think some people want to "target shoot" with these weapons, perhaps to feel like "soldiers" or powerful.
You my have noticed that when Eric Holder even mentioned a possible change in the law for semi automatic weapons, the NRA and others went a little nuts.
The price of freedom sometimes is a crazy person abusing it.
Thank God its friday,no day longer,a lot of really bad storrys happened last week.
I can't wrap my mind around these hate groups. How and when had history taught us that such actions actually lead to a better future? If you ask me, ignorance about other cultures and different ideas and ways of life is what leads to continued hatred. Education is definitely the key.
@Glenn, the Black Panther didn't just incite violence, they DID violence. All speech, even hate speech is protected by the 1st Amendment.
Hey Anderson
Nice show tonight,but when will you back in N.Y?
It's the mishandleing of guns which is the problem.
Even the FBI classified the assassination on Wednesday as “domestic terrorism” and the FBI waving with a warning.
Why are hate groups in the us able to have web sites and other prominent means to encite hatred and violence-when groups like the "Black Panthers" were put down like dogs for fear they would
encite violence.
The government, authorities and people have to quote and not allow such thoughts take power, despite the freedom of expression.
Bad thoughts or concepts precoceituosos should be repudiated.
God bless Mr. Leyden because it is education that will really help many people to truly understand that ALL of us have rights and we must learn to live together!
I've found that people who have predjudices often can't explain , with any credi bility, why they don't like whatever race or religion that they "hate".
I also found that it is almost Alway fear and ignorance that fed their predjudices.
@Isabel, I guess any news about the white supremacist movement is bad news, but it is good to learn that the groups themselves seem to be dying out. Unfortunately there are the lone wolves and splinter groups left as a continuing mess, that dangerously crops up. I believe pursuing an ever more civil society and loving world is the best way to prevent these groups from coming to exist. Thanks for noting the Washington Post article. I'll check it out.
Oh, no, not the former skinhead segment shown last night - the guy just bothers me -
It's so good to see a former skinhead who is redeemed
So sad that some people are lonely and rejected by others in life and use their strong beliefs against others. They are craving for attention. I believe we need more love in this world, not hate.
Isabel – Brazil
You make an excellent point regarding the balance of freedom and protection of innocents.
And your mention of the Washington Post article was enlightening. Thank you.
Evening Anderson and everyone on this great show
Great Show topic for tonight Yes it is one law enforcements biggest problems with these lone wolfs. They are the USA's number 1 domestic terrorist
It is about time the FDA was given the right to regulate tobacco products hopefully it will curve the underage smoking that is going on in USA towns and cities.
@ star formerly known as vincent - I'm not against people owning guns for sport or self protection - (however, I don't understand why any individual needs to own a semi-automatic weapon) - but where are the gun owners who are stock piling ammunition get the idea that President Obama is going to take their guns away. I just don't understand it.
This is not a "lone wolf" even if he acted alone. He is part of a national disengaged population either alone or grouped in small portions throughout our country that are just waiting for prime conditions (our first African-American President; not so great economy; bickering on Capital Hill about multiple issues because Obama is too smart for them and wants to move quickly; angry comments from foes abroad; etc.) to act out with violence.
In discussing the unabomber, it's important to remember that he has a serious mental illness (I believe he was diagnosed with schizophrenia). The reasons for his behaviors are therefore drastically different than the other "lone wolves" out there. Anyone who has schizophrenia and is left untreated is much more likely to commit violence than others in the general population.
@Isabel It's also important in looking to acts of violence committed by extremists to not in the rush to find the culprits also rush to judgment and wrongfully impact an innocent person. Initially, Richard Jewell was believed to be the perpetrator of the Olympic Park bombing. I'm not sure when or how law enforcement figured out it was Eric Rudolph, but they finally got it right.
All seek for signs of a change of attitude in Tehran, whose relations with Washington got worse with Ahmadinejad
@ David, Indiana
Today in the Washington Post there is a article that comments that the white supremacist movement has changed in profound ways since the 1990s. Charismatic leaders of the largest groups have gone to prison or died in recent years, producing more Lone Wolves and splinter cells that Recruit new members using the Internet.
We can anything to do prevent ourselves without violence problem growing big to stop hate crime.
There has been a great deal of reporting in all media that Pres. Obama is going to take our guns away.
Some suppliers have run out of ammunition at times.
Although i am a gun rights supporter (for those who take the time to train with guns), i believe "responsible use of guns for sport / hunting is what Most gun owners believe in.
Self defense is another. It's heartening that the large amount of gun owners Do No use their weapons the way these lone wolves do.
There is the dilemma of U.S. authorities – both the Department of Homeland Security as the FBI – on which the limits for the police intervention in cases of radical Extremist groups when the speech is of Propagator with hatred and intolerance for certain groups of society.
@Isabel domestic terrorists can be just as dangerous as external terroists. Some of these people though can be called violent extremists.
Evening Anderson, Erica, Isabel, everyone. Happy Friday all.
Yes, it's important to come to a better understanding of the lone wolf problem, to learn if it's really expanding, to figure out the motives to see if we can prevent the crimes lone wolves commit.
Good evening everyone. Anderson, as scary as these lone wolves are, I thank you for bringing this special report to us tonight. We need to be aware so that they may be stopped!
The daily challenge of the authorities today is to find the balance between civil liberties of American citizens and the need to investigate activities that could lead to criminal conduct.
After all there is freedom of expression. How not to harm freedom of expression, but also protect the innocent citizen?
Happy Friday Anderson, crew, bloggers. I don't think it takes much to fuel these haters. Which is scary because now I'm sure they perceive there is much to hate, not the least of which is that we have an African American president. I'm not sure what can be done to stop a "lone wolf". I'm sure there's a profile but I bet an 88 year old is not part of that profile.
Just recently found out there is at least one white supremacy group in my University. Are they more likely to be in around college campuses?
Sad to see President Obama's name dragged into this - his demeanor is so "no drama" - not sure why he would excite anger. Not sure where all these "gun owners" are getting all riled up about him taking their guns away - he has made no effort to do so -
A very interesting article in the Washington Post today shows the dilemma of US authorities – both the Department of Homeland Security as the FBI – on which the limits for the police intervention in cases of radical extremist groups when the speech is propagator of hatred and intolerance with for certain groups of society.
Wow i'm glad AC brought back Potok and Gletty back on. This problem is a huge hidden issue and these men know a lot about it.
How interesting!
Hello Fellow Bloggers -
Yeah, we get to blog tonight! Hope everyone had a good day -
This lone wolf stuff is pretty scary -
Excellent topic for tonight! I'm enjoying it.
Of course the election of our first African-American President has put these white intolerant smoldering extremists over the top. They need to stop, wake up, take a look around, and give him some time. He is actually helping your life in my view. He is doing a great job considering the cards he was dealt (my 401K is back on the way up). I am not Black, but I am very proud to have hime as our President (smart as a tack and pragmatic).
Helloooo Anderson, Erica, Edurrado(Ed Henry) David Gergen and my friends Twitter/Facebook Bloggers!!!!!
Happy Friday night!!!! Can't wait forward this weekend!!!
I am glad James Von Brunn charged his murder.
Good evening Anderson & 360 team.
Good evening fellow bloggers.
Anderson, thank you so much for devoting a show to this very serious and dangerous issue. We are really looking forward to what you have found out.
domestic terrorism ... as frightening as terrorism 'external'
Good Evening Everyone!
Helloooo Anderson, Erica, Edurrado(Ed Henry) David Gergen and my friends Twitter/Facebook Bloggers!!!!!
Can't wait forward this weekend, Happy Friday night!!!!!!!
Welcome to Lone Wolf .......... I can seeJames Von Brunn is charged his murder tonight! What do you think people.
Good evening Anderson!
Happy Friday!
Hi, friends, David (Indiana), bloggers, 360 team, everyone … Happy Friday!
Heey Yalll!
cant wait to see what tonite's segment is all about