Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 01/18/10
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Tonight, live from Haiti, gunfire in the streets as looters target a store in Port-au-Prince. Plus, the medical crisis. Dr. Gupta steps in to perform surgery on a 12-year-old girl and when doctors abandoned their patients. Plus, there's still hope that survivors will be found in the rubble.
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Anderson – Tonight your coverage was disheartening and heartfelt at the same time. Today I found out that one of my cousins was found in the rubble and yet I still find comfort in knowing that there's still rescue attempts and determined folks working through this devastation together.
I have been watching all week. Anderson, does it seem like the situation is more stable now than a week ago?
Anderson-keep asking questions about the decision making! You're right, Doctors without Borders should have been allowed to land before Ed Randel. Stay safe and take care!
Anderson-You are the biggest HERO here. Without question I cannot believe how brave you are and how you are telling the TRUTH. Millions raised so far and people are still dying? Can you call the White House-seriously...
You are not alone. I have the same questions, Anderson.
Another question I had since last week, is, couldn't all these great minds figure out a landing schedule for all the relief plains coming in? This is the 21st century and they can't even figure out a communications system. So much for modern technology and advancement .
Anderson, you're absolutely right about the lack of priority and coordination. Given the devastation, letting a plane with a surgical unit land in Haiti would seem to be a no brainer.
Great reporting
Thanks to all the CNN reporters especially Sanjay for what you're doing
Anderson, it would be cool if you guys could head up hwy 201 to Jimani on ther DR side, and report too. Lots of surgeons doing surgery there. My husband is there and they are working around the clock. Many amputations going on. Haitians are pouring over that border. Many doctors from cuba and the USA and all over the world. Check it out!
CNN, ANDERSONCOOPER, and others - should investigate why our paratroop specialists and forces werent dropped in??? the greatest military in the world could have accomplished that... why not. why not. they could have found a designated area.... too long/,.
I would like to donate to an organization that is helping the elderly in Haiti. What organization is focusing on this group of people?
I understand that children cannot be legally adopted quickly, nor should that process be rushed, but what about bringing some of these poor Haitian children who are defenceless and perhaps have even been orphaned this week, to the United States for interim fostering? Just until their communities are up and running again.
– Lou
As I read comments here, from other nurses, who want to help in Haiti, I want to let them know that the Red Cross and the RNRN/california nurses association are coordinating. They want us. Just contact them.
Blessings to all. Adene RN
The Haitian President should be working with the UN, and other charitable organizations to "triage" the airport situation and some others.
There isn't anyone at the helm, that is why Chaos is happening.
Yes, good that 28 orphans are headed out but 26 are staying. And untold more still waiting for medical and food/water/diapers.
Medical supplies in, people out on the empty ships.
Why not use a bull dozer and create another landing strip somewhere else? Clear the ground, pack it down....like a place just outside of the city.
Organization and leadership are needed here.
thank you for asking the hard questions about priorities. we all love orphans, but the system does seem a bit chaotic. who is in charge? be well, melody hanson
Anderson- You rock!!! Doctors Without Borders has gotten my measley donation and they are incredible! Who the devil made the decision to not let their plane land in Haiti. You have every right to ask that question....repeatedly!!
Anderson, Dr Gupta, Tuchman and Soledad..thank you so much lending a hand. Will someone please point out that the reason a certain governor can fly on a private plane and drs can't land...is strictly for political gain.
Anderson, I love the questions you are raising on Haiti. The broadcast is compelling and much needed. The plight of the Haitian people right now is something that needs to be told and broadcast. I would just like to thank you for, once again, bringing us a relevant and important news program. Thank you.
Anderson, I share the concern about the Montana hotel....... please follow up on that story......there are Americans there...please go! A concerned American.....
Thank u Anderson, Sanjay,Soledad Please, Please keep up ur reporting on the orphans. Everyones support is needed to get a humanitarian parole for these kids. "Gods Littlest Angels".
Glahaiti.org in Petionville is running out of supplies too. It is a bright light at the end of this dark tunnel if we can get these kids out to their loving new families. Thx again 4 great, honest reporting..
M.A.S.H. units, people...M.A.S.H. units......remember them? Get some in there...
Sorry had to leave to answer phone call.
Good night Isabel, good night everyone
I love those photos of Gary with the children.
I don't know what the other networds are doing. Maybe they have their own heroes, but Anderson Cooper and Sanjay Gupta have been stellar. I've seen a great balance between reporting and helping. I think it's time though to give them a break. As riveted as I am by what they are doing, I wonder how much more they can take. Yes, they have become my heroes, but they are only human.
i was absolutely HORRIFIED when i heard that the crew of doctors had pulled out on friday night. all i could think was that the tent hospital was going to be looted for medical supplies, thinking there was no one there except helpless patients. i CANNOT believe they all left.
i know it is easy to think about what we might have done in that position, but i DO NOT think i would have left - how could they just show up and then abandon those dying people there all alone in the dark. i hope whoever made the call to leave, and made the whole team leave feels SO EMBARRASSED. i was up all night i was so worried for sanjay and whoever else was there. i am SO GLAD they were all safe.
Mr. Andersom an Dr. Grupta. your compassion, is a testiment to god wil to all men. I take off he that to thank you in your efforts. A good effort and deeds for those less fortunate.
Perhaps, they will come along and build up the code. So many needlees deaths.
Thank you for the great coverage of this event, Anderson. I really appreciate what you do.
The boy he picked up was great media. I wish the boy well. I also noticed the cameraman pick up the camera AC put down to carry the boy.
AC and DR G ROCK!
CNN Rocks!
My Goodness:
Does the right hand know what the left had is doing? It appears to me that the organizations created to help in disasters are disorganized.
Tell them to drop flyers asking all ablebodied men to report to one area. Ablebodied teen boys to another and abled bodied women to another. Then begin the food and water distribution.
Thank you for all the media coverage about Haiti. I have been watching you Dr. Sanjay and the other reporters all last week . You guys have done a great job informing us about what is going on with the people there. You guys not only reported the catastrophic you became change agents by helping those around you. Thank you! Thank You! I am proud to be an America and God bless all of you.
well said Marijana
I heard that the US is controlling the airport in Haiti now.I don't know if they decide when people are allowed to land or not.
good evening all...just busy watching AC do his report on TV these past few days... it's tough to see what is going on in Haiti–we can do our part by giving money. This is the best thing we can do.
Anderson, I understand what you are saying. It sounds like total chaos.
I thank you and Dr Sanjay G for the outstanding & life-saving work that U both are doing. I am so desperate to get the info out about the elderly nursing home residents, that are dying on the streets of PaP, that I apologize for any capitol letters and the link posted. I emailed, then read the rules. I will comply from now on, of course. Blessings for your safety while there. Adene
It's scary to think about where orphans end up. Someone needs to put the brakes on so that GOOD families are allowed to adopt, not just anyone and certainly not anyone who is looking for an easy way to exploit a child from this chaos!
You ask great questions Anderson!
Anderson, you are the best reporter on CNN, I listen to you all the time. You are so brave and caring to save that little boy and get into the line of fire. Our hearts are so touched at the devastation in Haiti and especially the orphaned babies. You and Dr. Sanjay Gupta are angels of mercy. Thank you so much. Stay Safe and God Bless.
It is stupid, ridiculous& upsetting to hear that help is being delayed or derailed because of unnecessary bureaucracies. So many people are donating money & supplies for the people of Haiti. It is unacceptable & upsetting to hear about the suffering and the "stupid deaths" due to those unnecessary bureaucracies. Very dissapointing. Saving lives should be the top priority here, not stupid bureaucracy,
Some families in the Netherlands are also adopting the children, right?
Anderson and Sanjay , what would happen if you went to the airport with a vehicle and asked for medical supplies to deliver to one of the many makeshift clinics or food for a orphanage? You will probably find they wouldn't let you do that because it would be to dangerous, my guess.
Who is holding-up the delivery of aid?
Anderson, Dr. Gupta,
Please let me know about the Israeli Hospital in Haiti.This is a very interesting how they made it before us the Americans .We need to learn their secret and how they managed to be SO organized.
Thank you Anderson.
Mr. Cooper's coverage is right on and I am glad that he is sharing his true feelings and frustrations because we need people to tell us how it is and not sugar-coat it. Mr. Cooper is a great journalist and a hero.
the sights and sounds from this show are just heartbreaking. God bless you for helping that young boy and keep safe to your staff and yourself. You do not see this on any other show or network.
Anderson i am heavy equipment operator ,one of the best. Who &how can i get ahold of so i can put my skills to work .Helping the people there PLEASE PLEASE get back to me THANK YOU stay strong your doing a great job and stay safe
Anderson, what is that tent city behind you? Is it at one of the gold courses?
We have lost our friends from Curacao in Hotel Montana. We would like for AC to go there and do a report on the rescue operation there. If not found alive we would like to at least take there body's home. Yhere names are Francisco and Isenia
Anderson please get word out that Passionist priest & doctor Fr. Rick Frechette is in desperate need of med. supplies & help . He is the founder of St. Damien's Pediatric Childrens Hospital not too far from the airport. He has been operating round the clock without sleep & had 700 people waiting to be seen & operated on with little or no anesthesia.May God Bless you & watchover you & all of the CNN staff for your unselfish work for the least of our brothers & sisters. Stay safe!
It is also disturbing to see that some doctors have abandoned their patients? What happened to the Doctor's Oath? What happened to helping a person in need? What happened to honour and humanity? Dr. Gupta is a true hero in every sense of the word, and more doctors should follow his example.
I think it's important to remember (as I understand it) there is virtually no leadership infrastructure to speak of, so it's not surprising there would be hiccups in getting necessary items/supplies to where they need to be, efficiently. I mean it's really like everybody is flying by the seat of their pants, isn't it?
his is an opportunity for these children!
It's great to see these adoptions!