Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 09/23/09
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Big-name speeches at the U.N. We've got the raw rhetoric mixed with raw politics. Pres. Bush's former speechwriter speaks out and shares what his ex-boss thought of Sarah Palin, Hillary Clinton and candidate Obama. Plus, actor John Travolta shares heartbreaking details on the death of his son Jett in court. Find out why he's in the middle of a legal fight. It's all part of our "Prime Suspects" series.
Want to know what else we're covering? Read EVENING BUZZ
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RE: Travolta Case. Sad story. That should not be forgotten during what will probably be a long, public affair. What, also, should not be forgotten? John Travolta is an award-winner actor.
Poor Dr Gupta! Feel better, Anderson.
That Phillips story is just sick.
Have a tiny sore on my upper pallet, is that a symptoms of swine flu?
I watched Oprah today and Mackenzie's story brought tears to my eyes. I can't believe a father could do that to a child.
Dr. Gupta and Anderson,
Take care! 🙂
Erica
Stay away from them, please! Lol ...
I'm glad you've recovered from Afghanistan–it was getting progressively uncomfortable that week just thinking of the conditions there.
Get well soon, Anderson! I had something like that for about a week...yours sounds worse.
ah Dr. Gupta and those other globe-trotting types... i suppose exposure to viruses and bacteria is just par for the course, when it's more like a lifestyle than a job. good to hear everyone seems to be fine. i guess good old common sense is what continues to reign.
Discretion is needed by Presidential advisers and speechwriters.
Anderson and Sanjay, Im glad both of you and your crew are feeling better. Its crazy and amazing at the same time that something like H1N1 can spread so fast like it did there and to as many people it did.
Anderson, how on Earth does a virus make it to the middle of a desert region where very few people go in and out of and happen to affect new people entering the region and not the other way around?
JW
The CNN Team was a very professional & did a GREAT job there despite the H1N1 flu!
You both have a good sense of humor regarding this.
That is a GREAT Blog Dr.Gupta!
Dr.Gupta you look much better now, than in that photo.
I am not a big fan of the Bush administration, but I believe that what President Bush may have said in the privacy of his office or anywhere else should not be repeated. This is very unfair to the President or any other President past or present. obviously this is all about making a buck!
I just read or perhaps heard on a radio program on H1N1 that some people have had it without the high fever you mention.
Of course the speechwriter should write about his experiences.It is part of our history. As with any elected leader, you should not say it if you would not want to see it end up in print.
i think mr. bush said some terrible things about mr obama and hillary and the gentleman have all right to write about it. that is to show that no one is perfect. i hope those boys over on fox tv will ialk about it.
Thanks for having Fareed Zakaria on tonight, to echo some earlier comments. I have a lot of respect for him. Coverage of Ahmedinajad’s speech was excellent.
I think the speech writer's book was met with harsher questions than was necessary, though. He had an golden opportunity to show a more candid Bush, and took it. Does it hurt the president if he has to constantly worry what he says in fear of books like this? That awareness of overexposure comes with the job. Would Obama make joking comments about Hillary Clinton's figure?
I feel horrible for the Travolta family. For someone to want to extort money from the family is cruel and inhuman. Do these people have no souls?
My nephews have H1N1. They both attend UW-Madison. I think they are feeling better. A temp of a 102. No thank you!
It was not ethical to publish Speech-Less. President's are human. This will inhibit Presidents from speaking freely with trusted friends.
Holding all their farustraitions and concerns inside is not good for the President or for the nation....shame on this author...whatever his name is. Nargaret
The former Bush speechwriter is only trying to use his minor relationship with President Bush to get rich quick. He needs to learn some loyality and keep his mouth shut. Bush has been unfairly bashed enough!
We'll have to see what happens with M. Latimer after this.
Being M. Rumsfeld, I don't think I would keep him. but, only time will tell.
Haha this interview with Dr. Gupta is funny.
Anderson is great...you could really tell what he thought of that guy at the end of the interview
I would not hire him if I wanted confidentiality in my work place. lol
The gentlman that wrote the book about Bush did it for the money. Why did you not ask him howmuch he was going to make.
Anderson, as I've mentioned earlier I thought that you were looking pale and sounding sick while overseas. You should go see your doctor! We dont to see you get sick!
Lecture Bush's speech writer on what's morally and socially acceptable!?! Bush and entire staff should've been lectured following the Iraqi War. Opps, that's right, we're still actively fighting that war
Jamaica
We all want to know the inner thoughts of President Bush. Writing is about telling the truth and we are going to see a lot more books on his presidency. I would definitely hire the author of Speechless. I can't wait to download this book on my Ipod; I will be paying for it.
Anderson
I felt that your questions were a bit tough when you interviewed the writer of Speechless but I still love you.
On Latimer – I'm "Speech-less" that after working for Bush many years he goes out and writes this book. It's probably for money or attention – or he just got really angry at him. Who would want to hire him now if they can't even talk freely without him publicizing it? I think his political career is over.
Well ,if Anderson and Sanjay both had it...Then they will both be protected and not need the vaccine,right?
Whether or not you actually had H1N1, I'm glad you guys are feeling better now!
Hi Everyone
Regarding Lattimer-I feel he's profiting from the opportunity to write a book.
The coverage concerning H1N1 is interesting but may provoke anxiety.
Good Nite
Ivan
Writing a book like that is such a betrayal of trust, I would never hire this man no matter how competent since I would have zero trust in him!! I am shocked at how many people are willing to betray others simply to make a buck!
Dr. Gupta,
I wonder about the reliability of tests of H1N1. I had the symptoms, but the test was negative for me, but I can say I had a cold unlike anything I've ever felt!
Poor Dr. Gupta and Coop! So, you are saying we should get a vaccination?
Bush's ex speech writer should be applauded for writing his book, maybe it'll keep politicians speaking honestly about their colleagues and opponents. Frankly, I'm tired of politicians padding the back of someone in public and then stabbing them in the back in private.
I think it's time for people to hear the truth about what's going on in Washington no matter who it is about. Most of us know that Washington and the media is playing word games with the public.
I wonder why Presidents don't require key staff to sign nondisclosure agreements. The Queen of England does that, so there aren't many if any tell-all books from insiders over there.
AC: i think you had pneumonia ; )
Yay!!!!! Nice to see Dr. Gupta, is doing great!!!!! as Anderson too!!!! 🙂
@Sharon Hastings, you're right about that, when someone I care about is sick like that I want to be right there at their door.
Hope Sanjay and his cameraman are feeling better. Thanks Sanjay for the post, mentioning the sore throat, I'll be looking out for that.
Oh, all you guys were sick. I'm glad you're all better, very tough to get sick when you're travelling esp in Afghan desert region.
I'm surprised the WH does not have its staff members and attached officials sign non-disclosure agreementns (NDAs) for their posting within the WH, OEB, or other placement within proximity to POTUS' inner circle. Perhaps it does and I'm not aware? Or maybe not applicable in this instance....
Is there a law, statue, or regulation that prohibits enforcement of this delimiter, and subsequently subject an individual's draft for review by the WH before publication?
I wonder how on earth did H1N1 reach Afghanistan?
President Obama’s UN speech is right on target for the United States to recover form the tactics of the way the Bush Administration treated world allies. The Republican tactics, do what we say or else, is now gone. The President let the world know change has come and foreign policy toward them has changed with the Obama Administration. It's to bad the President's political party doesn't have the spine to stand up for what the President is doing.
The Speech-less author seems a little shady.
How are you feeling Anderson?
if that had not been John Travolta, and just some guy, that whole extortion incident would have never even taken place. i'm sure it is nice to have lots of money, but over and over again you see how it seems to complicate people's lives. usually it is greed that rears it's ugly head.
On Travolta: I am sickened and maddened by people who try to take advantage of those in difficult situations. It's just despicable. The times of our country create an atmosphere where people often try to find the easiest way out. What I've seen in recent times is quite alarming... morals are by the wayside for too many folks, when we should be banding together. My heart is with the Travolta family. I've been a fan of his since I was a kid. The pain they must be in...