Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 02/18/10
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We have breaking developments on the pilot who crashed his plane into an Austin, Texas office. We take you inside the Conservative Political Action Committee convention in Washington, where Dick Cheney inspired the crowd. Plus, why 96 hours proves to be a crucial when it comes to tracking accused Taliban spies in Afghanistan.
Want to know what else we're covering? Read EVENING BUZZ
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Did you know the Dutch gave Pakistan its nuclear technology thinking it was peaceful?
Maybe our government should look a little more closely in the mirror when asking why a man would break when pushed to the edge.
I would guess the IRS was trying to take everything the man had earned over his lifetime. It would be too much for most to handle.
~K
We seem to want to call any bizarre attack 'terrorism'. This was a very disturbed person who 'went postal'.
JoAnn,
Absolutely right! You have good point.
My condolences to all who knew Mr. Stack of Austin, TX. It's a shame when people get so troubled by government that they have to resort to domestic terrorism. (Yes, I consider what he did an act of terrorism)
I don't think Stack was crazy, but he sounded desperate.
When a person is put under alot of pressure they will break – Cause & effect.
Sometimes it is the only way to get your point across to alot of people at one time. Look at the coverage he is getting. Is his point across? Is everyone talking about it? Would anyone have listened if he shouted from the top of the IRS Building? I think not. I feel for the people who died or were injured, they did not deserve that. But he is getting exactly what he wanted. His message is out there.
I would put this man's actions in the category with the DC sniper, and the teacher who recently stood up in a staff meeting and opened fire on her coworkers. This man was clearly unbalanced.
Hi everyone – Poppy Harlow here from the set at CNN in New York. Anderson makes a great point - was the suicide plane crash in Austin, TX today an act of terrorism? What do you think?
I hope we hear more information on what drove this man to kill himself and involving others
@Debbie, Austin tX
I can only imagine how frightening and upsetting a day your city and people have had.
God bless you and your city's citizens.
Good evening Anderson, Isabel, Emily, Starr, Megan, everyone. This is so senseless. Why was Stack so upset at the IRS? I didn't catch David Mattingly's rept on the online postings. But how could that comment you just read Anderson be considered shining any light on why he burned down his house and committed suicide?
I think he falls into the category of a disturbed individual. What was the domestic situation? Did his friends ever talk with him about what going on with him emotionally?
Thank goodness Ms Townsend call the senseless act in
Texas what it was pure and simple : terrorism.
wondered what drove him to do it - was IRS agent insensitive – DID IRS push a small business already struggling to breaking point? so many have lost jobs, homes – was it just too much for him to loose more?
Indeed, it's like a cliche since in most cases it is always a shock to friends. However, it appears that this was thought through; so where are the signs missed? This is just a very tragic way to die and at the same time innocent lives becomes victims.
The IRS can drive you nuts; but this is over the top.
@ Megan and Emily
Yes, it's horrible, I don't know what could cross the mind of a person, and what problems somebody can have to do something like that!!
The people said that a suicide person is really Brave or really coward!! I don't know wich one of them is the right one!!!
Obviously this is a copy cat terror act. I love you guys at AC/360 but remember the more you talk about it, the more likely you might influence another copy cat.
I am not implying what the man did was right because he was in the wrong; however, I do believe that IRS should take a better approach when dealing with private citizen.
I'm sure that all those that work in that building or live in the neighborhood would call it "terror" ....
This has been a terrible day for our city. Thank you for your thorough and sensitive coverage of this awful event.
hmmm? is America still 10 years behind Europe now or is America 10years ahead on terrist attacks?
Mr. Stack was certainly emotionally disturbed and if there were domestic issues, it could only make it worse.
I would Never condone what he did, but some of us can understand his frustration with beuracracies (sp??). I know i have had absolute insane dealings with State gov. and other issues with gov. It can push you to the edge.
Frustration or Not, he did Not have the right to kill innocent people at their employment.
what kind of problem did this man have with the IRS? it was reported that he is self-employed.
"nothing chances unless there is a body count...."
that's an eerie statement.
After seeing these pictures, it is amazing that their were only two deaths. Two to many, but I was afraid there would be a lot more.
Kim,
He had problem finance IRS and pay them back, he don't have anything like that.
friendly and warm? I knew a man who was prominent and witty and fun and smart. He killed himself. Boy, were we shocked. NO warning at all. So strange!
Crazy people! why cant America create better anti-Terrist programs?
If you have ever owed the IRS even a small amount of money they are relentless. And because they are THE IRS, you have no recourse. They are frightening and not easy or willing to work with you!!!!!
@Gabriela,
It's very crazy indeed...and odd that no one knew or suspected anything...
...and to hear that the set his house on fire before going to the airport to slam the plane into the building w/all the IRS....
This is only February. So far 2010 has been a year of deaths and tragedies.
Gabriela,
Yup, That is so horrible. Agreed! 🙂
Very tragic...what would drive someone to fly a plane into a building.
so what drove this man to commit suicide????
Anderson,
Hi! It's great to see you back.
The plane crash in Austin, Texas is such a terrible and sad event.
Good evening. Glad to see you back Anderson. Wolf did his best!
I can not believe that yet another bizarre happening in Texas. WoWzA! there are a lot of nice people here but a lot of crazies too. lots~
That was awful that he slammed his plane into the side of a building!
Very disturbed.....
Oh My God! What a crazy history about this suicide guy!!!!! Its horrible, the people is crazy!
Hallo is there ever a happy news story =/?
Yeay! Anderson is back!
Hello! everyone!...Hi Megan! 🙂
Welcome back Anderson!
Good evening everyone. Alot going on. Very tragic about the suicide plane crash. He certainly planned to go out with a bang and in his mind finally be heard.
Hello Anderson...hi everyone
Hello Anderson and Entire Team 360
Hi fellow bloggers & friends.
What a day!!
Good evening Anderson, Devna, 360Team, Megan, Starr, Gabriela, Dodie, Mike, David & Isabel, Jo Ann, Gloria, Casey, Adelaide & Bloggers!
So glad to see you back AC.
Good evening Anderson, 360 crew, Emily, Dodie, Isabel, Heather, Megan D and bloggers!
I hope you had a great Thursday!!! And the weekend is coming!!!!
Helloooo Anderson, Megan, Poppy, Jessica, Candy, David G, Ed Henry, Emily, Gloria, Dodie, Mike, Casey, Milan, Vivan, Gabriela, Cessy, Paula, Isabel, David-Indiana, JoAnn, Monica, Kathy, Gayle, Renee, Caroline, Danie, Lori, Adelaide and my friend Twitter/Facebook Bloggers!!!!
Thanks for coming in to join us tonight!
Happy Thursday night!!!
This morn ing I turn on my tv watch CNN and small plane crashed into building, It was so burning, 2 unaccounted for confirmed and brought to hospital. That is so distrubing to see this sucide notes on internet. Wow!
Good Evening Everyone!