Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 9/8/09
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/02/liveblogfinal.copy.jpg]
Anderson reports from Afghanistan tonight. He takes you along on the most dangerous job for U.S. forces – the search for IEDs. And, 360 M.D. Sanjay Gupta takes you inside a battlefield hospital. Meet the only cardiovascular surgeon on the frontlines. And, see how Dr. Gupta helped in the OR.
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 $#&*)
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
Wow!!! That's so scary for me, I can't watch Anderson Cooper walks with our troops very dangerous mission for IED........... I hope Anderson is stay safe on the road.
Erica, yes, I found Anderson's article on the blog today informative and thoughtful.
Anderson, are the people in Helmand province, where all but one area have been cleared of the Taliban, feeling any relief?
Everyone should listen to the president when he adddress' the country in any form. It is the right thing to do so individuals can make their on decisions about what they support.
Anderson, don't these marines have jammers to render IEDs inoperative? I know there are many electronic warfare systems that have been fielded for that purpose.
Well I plan on having my child write a letter to the president on ideas on how she could help him anyway.....I think its a great idea that I wish could have been included in his speech!
Good Evening. I am Kristal. I am glad to see that someone is covering this story. My husband is actually currently over there in the Helmand proviance and I believe something could have gone wrong with the elections because of the taliban. but who knows. i just think obama needs to bring the troops out of there and bring my husband back home to me and our kids!
..he escaped with "just" a concusion. That's some "just."
I am relieved to see that Anderson decided to wear his helmet. I was a little concerned about that yesterday.
God Speed to our Troops, to Anderson and all those in harms way tonight
AC's piece on the "on point" position is a sobering, stark reality check
Anderson..how do you get a dinner with you and Erica and Michael and David. You all have such insight to everything. I would just like to sit and listen.
oooh my! it's Howie!!! He works with my hubby. Our prayers are with you guys 🙂
I can’t wait hear from our president Obama, what will he to say to congress and us for healthcare tomorrow night.
The issue was never the speech per se; it was the lesson plans calling for students to write President Obama with how they could help him. The implication being help him implement his agenda, clearly inappropriate.
Like so many others on the blog, i found Michael Ware's report scary. We (family & friends) are so grateful to Anderson Et Al for sending us the important information from Afganistan. I pray that they stay careful and protected!
This is really wild and daring dangerous there, and it is worst than in Iraq. I am not that surprise to bring more our troops especially, I imagine foreign troops. What can they do to rebuild a strong leadership and better security against Taiban?
What on the menu? "Bear!"
Jim Greer obviously didn't endear himself to Anderson's heart. AC's usually so calm, kinda amusing to see when that wears off.
Nice to see part two of the shut-down as well. "Altered the speech due to controversy"? *sigh*
Did i hear that correctly? Win a chance to see sarah palin eating???
What is wrong with people when they refuse to allow their children to hear what the President of the United States has to say to them. All this fear and paranoia that people have. Hysteria is a good word for it.
HI Anderson & Dr.Jupay... And the rest of the team...
Every single one of you are so brave...heroes ...I'd say !
Keep up the good work and be safe !!!......Real safe !
God speed...
Barbara
All the distractions about the speech is just one more thing to take the focus off health cafre. Its a shame in my opion.
The concerns were not really about the speech, it was based on the lesson plan sent out by Arne Duncan. Had the speech been released earlier I think the controversy would have been avoided.
Regarding the President's speech to school children: What are people really afraid of....the President possibly inspiring many to become better thus windening the field of capability – not socialism. This county has sold to much of itself to become socialist.
I am glad Michael Ware really safe, too close call! I am enjoy his reporting there......
So, is the President syaing to all of the conservative extremists they have to stop blaming everyone else for their "issues," and maybe grow-up and accept reality, and be a part of the solution?
IM soooo mad the school board here wouldnt let my child watch it it wasnt allowed in the schools here thank God for youtube!
Sounds like the parents need educating.
Anderson and everyone, thank you for being so brave! I also wanted to wish the Afghan people lots of luck! They are REAL people too as are our troops. As a woman who was born and raised in Kabul, I know first hand what life is over there and I have great sympathy for my people . And about the election? Come on it is nothing but a "fixed" election. Be safe AC and all.
That is really good advice – a bad grade doesn't make you stupid, and a mistake doesn't make you a failure.. I'm 41 and still trying to internalize this...
@Samuel M'boro, TN, It doesn't help that for many Afghans their religious beliefs are tied up in their national ideology.
My son is with Bravo co 1/5. This has been a blessing to be able to watch Anderson, to see where my son is and understand how he has been living. Thanks for reporting..
Anderson, thanks for the hard work you are doing.
Words of encouragement are always welcome.
I thought it very wise for the President's speech. He speaks of the hardships of school life and how young people must avoid the easy solution of abandoning the studies to make money.
I honestly have to say that I have pretty much tuned-out the whole health care "debate" for at least a month now. The whole dynamic (and facts) change everytime I turn around, so why bother paying attention until we get close to something that can actually make it to the finish line.
Don't you think that all of these fees and fines will be passed down to the consumer? I think that they should continue to work on this health care plan.
Thankyou so much for this report my son is there as well in 1/5.
"Gender testing"? I concur with Anderson's dismissive chuckle. Ridiculous.
What the President said is a speech that all parents give to our children. Let's not think less of our President. Have faith.
Like someone said last night, you can't expect us to go in there and just have them change their way of life and turn their nation around. It just won't happen. Like @JoAnn said, our cultural differences are very vast.
Thank you for the reports from Afghanistan. You (Anderson Cooper) and Michael Ware are doing such a good job. We need to be out of there. Of course, after seeing the film The Hurt Locker, which starts out with the statement, "War is a drug," i have no idea what the function of the military would be,after a war, probably just re=building and defense. But we need to be out of those two countries Iraq and afghanistan; we need to stop being the saviors of the world before we become the destroyers of the world.
That report from Michael Ware is harrowing. Those are narrow confined streets, totally unlit very hard to see. Incredibly dangerous. I said it before, but stay safe you guys.
Michael Ware's pt about Afghanistan being in limbo during the election challenge shows the urgency of the situation in that country. With an elected govt in place, there'd be stronger leadership in security and dealing with the Taliban.
@ sarah
I also like to know, if it isn't confidential, if Anderson was just going to be staying at Jaker Patrol on the whole time.
Greetings from Pittsburgh tonight – Glad that Michael Ware and crew are safe.. please all be safe.
How many troops do we still have in Iraq? Could Afganistan become Obama's Iraq?
Wow what a makeover, but when will we know the results if she is really a "he"
What do they need ? Do we have enough troops and support ? From what we're seeing it looks like positive changes have begun. Intense coverage and God Bless America !
@Casey Jones-Palm Springs – I am feeling exactly like you do.
God Bless you all...my son is there in 1/5. It is great to see where he is and what he is facing.
Afghan election fraud? Well, the U.S. had that in 2000 when Bush stole the election from Gore. After that our finger-pointing credibility has suffered a bit.