“Before each and every program” – at least that’s how he responded to Stephen Colbert last night during the AC 360° preview on Larry King Live ... too funny ... :-)
I’m glad that there were a few moments of levity before the program started, because it didn’t get easier anywhere during the next hour ...
- from last night’s program:
Possible school shooting plot uncovered ...
One more time ... David Mattingly reported on a 14-year-old who had a cache of guns, swords, knives and explosive devices in his bedroom, in preparation for a possible Columbine-like attack on his high school in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. As more information has been revealed today - the boy’s mother, Michelle Cossey, had purchased a .22-caliber handgun, a .22-caliber rifle and a 9mm semiautomatic rifle for her son. Today, she’s been charged with unlawful transfer of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a minor, corruption of a minor, endangering the welfare of a child and two counts of reckless endangerment. Dillon’s father, Frank Cossey, had attempted to buy a .22-caliber rifle for his son back in 2005 and ended up under house arrest, due to his prior felony conviction. I guess this means we’re well past the days of buying a 14-year-old boy a new mountain bike or a new baseball mitt to ‘indulge’ him, huh??
Anderson conducted a very interesting interview with Dr. Steven Pitt, a forensic psychiatrist, who advocated a more holistic approach to identifying “warning signs” that might signal potential violent behavior in teens. He said that teachers, parents, counselors and even other students need to be communicating “in sync” when there is concern about a specific teen who may become violent. He didn’t give suggestions for a system that would work – difficult to do in such a short time frame – but he also suggested that preventive identification isn’t always about a standard “checklist” of tendencies or characteristics – it’s about examination of the entirety of each individual’s life circumstances.
Philly murder upswing ...
The segment about the increase in Philadelphia murders continues to be disturbing. The combination of the use of deadly force to resolve minor conflicts, combined with violent acts being committed by younger participants, are two major factors in this significant murder increase.
And we saw a repeat of the ever-so-clueless, and dangerously so, State Senator Vincent Fumo – one of the supporters of "tying the hands" of local governments regarding their ability to pass gun control laws that would at least assist with stemming this marked crime increase.
But there was some hopeful news – a mapping program called “Pinpoint” is being utilized in the Philadelphia area to help locate those near areas of violent crimes who may have outstanding warrants and therefore a reason to cooperate with police about these crimes. This helps to combat the ever-increasing “stop snitching” message that is hampering police efforts to solve crimes throughout the country.
However, it provides little comfort to Shaunta McDuffie, whose 14-year-old son Tykeem was murdered in July while riding his bike – apparently a little too slowly for one driver - who ended up shooting and killing the teenager.
Well, not to end on a “down” note, but those are my comments from last night – and here’s tonight’s preview for the Friday edition of Anderson Cooper 360°:
Thanks for visiting – updates posted as needed – have a terrific day!
1 comment:
Newsblooz: That is a great cap of Stephen and Anderson! I know it was a difficult choice. These two men clearly like and respect each other.
These school shooting incidents are becoming more and more frequent! You won’t believe it, but our high school used to take high school kids out to teach them how to shoot! It was around the time of Columbine and when we complained people harassed us. I don’t think schools should be teaching kids to like guns or to feel comfortable using them.
That mother in Philadelphia should be held responsible, but the parents of Asa Coon here in Cleveland are just as responsible. The “Stop Snitchin” message that Anderson has been talking about for some time, even back to "Hollenbeck" is becoming more and more of a problem.
When is this country going to stop idolizing guns?
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