Anderson Cooper's full interview with NYPD Union President Pat Lynch
Pat Lynch is the President of New York City's Patrolmen's Benevolent Association. He spoke to Anderson at length about the Eric Garner case. He criticized comments from Mayor Bill de Blasio, denied that Officer Daniel Pantaleo's takedown maneuver was a chokehold and questioned the Medical Examiner's report on Mr. Garner's death. There was not enough time in tonight's show for the full conversation, but you can watch it here.
Part two of the interview includes Pay Lynch discussing Officer Pantaleo's feelings about the situation.
Web Exclusive: Charles Blow: You can have a life where you love yourself
Charles Blow is an op-ed columnist for the New York Times and he has shared his opinions as a frequent guest on AC360. Now, Blow is sharing how he overcame adversity and his triumphs in his new memoir "Fire Shut Up in My Bones." He speaks to Anderson about coping with poverty as a child, coming to terms with being the victim of molestation and understanding his sexuality as a young man.
Where do you draw the line between punishing and abusing a child?
Adrian Peterson's mother describes him as a loving father and says he was only disciplining his son in the same way he was disciplined growing up. Speaking to The Houston Chronicle, she went on to say, "When you whip those you love, it's not abuse, but love. You want to make them understand what they did wrong." Peterson is charged with felony child abuse. The case set off a national debate over discipling children. Gary Tuchman had a frank discussion about spanking with three generations of a family in Georgia.
Anderson discussed the culture of child discipline with CNN legal analyst Sunny Hostin, New York Times columnist Charles Blow and cultural critic Michaela Angela Davis.
Vikings clear Adrian Peterson to return to the field
Adrian Peterson will be back on the field, playing with the Vikings next weekend. The decision comes just days after he was benched following his indictment on a felony child abuse charge. Peterson released a statement on the way he punished his son, saying in part:
"The way my parents disciplined me has a great deal to do with the success I have enjoyed as a man..."
He is talking about a style of parenting that millions of Americans will recognize. It is also a style of parenting that's at the center of a national debate over what constitutes abuse. Ed Lavandera takes a closer look at the Peterson case.
NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley weighed into the controversy surrounding Adrian Peterson saying:
"I'm from the south. Whipping is…we do that all the time. Every black parent in the south is going to be in jail under those circumstances. We have to be careful letting people dictate how we..you know treat their children."
Anderson discussed all of this with children's advocate Areeva Martin, New York Times columnist Charles Blow and Senior Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin.
AC360 Exclusive: Kareem Adbdul-Jabbar on Bruce Levenson
Bruce Levenson is the majority owner of the Atlanta Hawks and he is selling the team after racially charged e-mails came to light. He was writing about why the team was not attracting more affluent white season ticket holders. In one e-mail he wrote:
"My theory is that the black crowd scared away the whites and there are simply not enough affluent black fans to build a signficant season ticket base." He added, "I never felt uncomfortable, but I think southern whites simply were not comfortable being in an arena or at a bar where they were in the minority."
Levenson had been one of the most vocal critics of Donald Sterling earlier this year. Unlike Sterling, Levenson is selling his team without a fight. But NBA Legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar told Anderson that he does not believe that Levenson was expressing hatred.
New York Times Op-Ed Columnist Charles Blow says he does not believe Levenson should get "a business waiver for bias." He spoke to Anderson in a conversation with Senior Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin.
Debating "My Brother's Keeper"
President Obama shared a very private moment today at the White House as he unveiled a new initiative called "My Brother's Keeper." It's a public-private venture that has $200,000,000 in seed money aimed at helping young black and Hispanic men to stay in school and get good jobs. He told the crowd:
"I could see myself in these young men. And the only difference is that I grew up in an environment that was a little bit more forgiving. So when I made a mistake, the consequences were not as severe.”
Anderson discussed this with New York Times op-ed columnist Charles Blow, CNN commentator Michaela Angela Davis, yourblackworld.com founder Boyce Watkins and Reverend Kevin Johnson.
Michael Dunn: "I'm the F***ing victim here"
CNN obtained recordings of jailhouse phone calls made by Michael Dunn while he was awaiting trial. He was speaking with his fiancé, and the conversations offer a unique insight not seen in court. He describes himself as both "victor" and "victim," he also calls his fellow inmates "animals."
Benjamin Crump is the attorney for Trayvon Martin's family. He spoke with Anderson after listening to the Dunn tapes.
Anderson discussed all of this with criminal defense attorney Joseph Haynes Davis, New York Times op-ed columnist and CNN political commentator Charles Blow along with our own legal team of Sunny Hostin and Mark Geragos.
Are children taking the fun out of parenting?
Is GM's first female CEO getting short changed?
Woody Allen's lawyer speaks out about Dylan Farrow's sex abuse allegations
