Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 09/30/09
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/02/liveblogfinal.copy.jpg]
A double dose of tragedy in the South Pacific. Another earthquake strikes. Thousands of people are reportedly trapped. We'll take you inside the rescue effort. Plus, a five-year-old takes on an alligator. A 40 pound boy versus an 800 pound gator. This kid isn't shy.
Want to know what else we're covering? <strong><a href="http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/category/the-buzz/" target="_blank">Read EVENING BUZZ</a></strong>
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
Good night Anderson, Erica, Ed Henry, David Gergen and my friends Twitter/Facebook Bloggers!!!!!
See you Friday night!
Have a great night and sleep tight everyone!!!! 😀
Day of the shot with
I had a breast MRI at the Mayo Clinic because my old sister has breast cancer. My insurance company didn’t want to pay for the bill. They said they weren’t sure my sister had cancer. Really? My sister has had both breast removed and has been on chemo for most of 7 years. What a scam! After a lot of work on my end they finally paid the bill.
@Erica Hill, If all of Hollywood isn't behind Polanski, where are the ones who want him to serve time? Are they afraid they'll be blacklisted if they speak out?
The people that attend the tea parties and are so against health care reform, have they never had to fight to get a claim paid? How can they not want things changed?
I think, as citizens of America, really need to start speaking up on the poor quality of our justice system.
@ Erica
That is truly heartbreaking to hear! I'll be praying for the situation.
@ Jo Ann, North Royalton, Ohio
Your family was very wise. Mine moved to Hawaii for that same reason.
Hi Anderson and Erica,
This one is a real downer tonight... The devastation in the Pacific, killings in Chicago, and anger against President Obama. I had to turn the show off-getting sick of seeing what is happening in our country. How did we become so angry and hateful?
Does anyone REALLY believe that insurance companies are actually interested in looking out for consumers? Wendell Potter is right.
I'm glad Lisa got her view across on Polanski. I agree that the rich and famous think they are above the law or scrutiny and he should be held accountable if he didn't fulfill his plea deal.
Excellent report by Tom Foreman.
Insurance co.'s exist to make profits. As a nurse who worked as a medical consultant for insurance co.'s, i can tell you some adjusters act as though the insurance money is theirs. They very often do not want to pay out. And, often bonuses are gfven to adjusters who save the insurance company the most money.
Hey Anderson, nice stripes! (though you look better in solids)
Receiving no tips at all is such a strange (non-) occurance, but the investigation should be able to rely on more than just a few phone tips – haven't they identified 4 of the participants already?
How is Washington going fix this? Let's hope our policymakers come up with a better solution, because the effectiveness of their past 100$ million is certainly questionable.
Thank you, Erica. It's wrong to generalize about any "group" of people, and it's just irrational.
Erica!
Yes... I completely agree. Very dangerous to lump everyone together and draw assumptions from that strategy.
Does no one understand that, regardless of whetehr Polanski is guilty or innocent, his crime now is that he fled the court's jursidiction. He had no right to do that. He has lived over 30 years in freedom, and now people want to protect hi because "the judge was not going to honor the deal." Whatever happened to the rule of law? How can anyone defend this man's unilateral decision to flee to live a life of luxury without the guts to face whatever the judge decided – with the right of appeal?
A broken wrist is an existing condition? On what planet.......?
that's it, that's the best you can do. these earthquakes need to be taken a little more seriously than this. look at history to understand.
"You have to have lived in an inner city high violence to know that."
@Dodie, California, That is why my family moved to the suburbs.
Interesting point Lisa brought up about the feelings of the French toward Polanski.
My sister lives in France, my brother-in-law is French, and the outrage from both of them tonight watching people defend Polanski on the news and on a debate show was intense. Another reminder of how important it is to not generalize and lump people into one category. I think it's safe to say all of Hollywood is not behind Woody Allen et al, as well.
Polanski should have been sent to trial and jail all those years ago. The fact that people and Hollywood elite believe we should allow him to remain free sends a blaring message to children their victimizations don't have value. What a sick society?
Statutory rape is consensual with someone underage. This wasn't consensual so yes it really was 'rape rape'.
No public option = No health care reform
So sad about these earthquakes and tsunamis.
My heart goes out to them and their loss.
yes they do.i broke my neck at a wal-mart and they screwed me around for 6 years.i lost my job an insurance,so for 3 of those years i had to just deal with it.
I really love the unity of you citizens to uphold our laws and defend women in our country. Thanks to all of you! That is one thing which sometimes makes us different from other countries. Sometimes.
Two great guests.
Someone need to get Lisa Bloom on The View.
She can definitely hold her own. I love it.
Thanks for laying down the facts. : )
I feel that Polanski should serve his time and said so on set Thursday...maybe that is why I have not been on set since....lol...Or there just isn't work right now.
I can't believe the twisted thoughts of those in my town.
HE did the crime, he was allowed out of the country to finish a film and ditched....I think they would call that bail jumping in any other terms.
HE needs to do the time he was sentenced to...Do the crime, do the time.
"Whoopie and the rest of the Hollywood crowd are all morally bankrupt."
@Mike, Syracuse, NY, I agree completely! I am not surprised by their attitude because this is acceptable behavior for that bunch.
30 years later how important is it to punish someone for not serving a 90 day sentence? Or is the sentence longer now?
Hi everyone.
What time did this new earthquake just strike? What was the magnitude?
@Anderson: You've been to Sri Lanka after the tsunami in 2004, what was it like when you went?
How much damage can a ten foot tsunami cause?
I agree with Joy...so what,he should be prosecuted.If all the people that have gone through this called out their molesters,there would be a lot more people in jail,trust me! Perhaps if he does serve time it may deter others from seeking out victims for their own exploitation and save some one a life time of heartache and confusion.
I also agree that stars need to quit getting 'star' treatment.
Its ridiculous what our 'justice' system allows.
Not to mention the cash flow 'under the table'.
The American justice system really disgusts me sometimes.
Polanski should be prosecuted for his crime, and if found guilty should go to jail. What he did was inexcusable.
Joy and Lisa, right on!
If the girl was accusing him of rape NOT just statuatory, then it needs to be taken as rape.
Let's all hope for strength and resilience for the earth quake victims to fight against the odds until help arrives to meet their direct needs...
And I wonder how many children in Switzerland were also abused by this guy. That behavior does not stop with one child!!!
Time to pay the piper, Roman!
My opinion of Joy has gone up a notch.
I seriously think Woody Allen should not be doing any talking on this subject!
Polanski should have long ago, gone down like any other rapist, he should pay for his crime. He pleaded guilty
The video is itself a tip, there must've been tips that helped police arrest the four suspects they've arrested, but maybe there's something I'm not understanding.
What a mess. Dude needs to be in prison. He raped a child.
.fin.
He raped and drugged a 13 year old child! End of story!!!
If we reward people who run to another country... everyone would take off
I guess Polanski is getting a lot of support from the Hollywood community because this is acceptable behavior for that bunch.
True point, a judge is under no obligation to honor any plea deal. Polanski should be charged with all the original felony charges.
Not Rape? Really? A grown man having sex with a 13 year old is very wronge!
What? They are looking for a part in his next movie or what?
I can't imagine how those celebrities can seriously defend what Polanski did. "Protecting their own" is not a good enough reason, what Polanski did was reprehensible and he needs pay for his crime.
Hi Erica,
Yes, Very sad for mothers lose their babies, durning earthquake..... I agree with you....Very hard for moms lose love ones, I knew what god need help moms to cope/confortable lose.