From last night’s program (and beyond):
Anderson was on tape last night for most of the hour, with John King filling in for bulletins and a couple of interview segments. Anderson announced during the program that he would be broadcasting live from Pakistan tonight, and we have since learned that there is an additional AC360° broadcast scheduled for tomorrow night (8:00 PM EST) as well.
Anderson talks with Wolf (Blitzer): Anderson talked with Wolf about the e-mail that he received from Benazir Bhutto, via Mark Siegel, which stated that if she were killed, President Musharraf would bear partial responsibility for not providing the level of security which was needed. They also discussed the present nuclear arsenal located in Pakistan, and the problems which the world will face if (or when) Musharraf is no longer in charge.
As a side note - it’s obvious that Wolf and Mrs. Bhutto had great respect for each other. Earlier in the day, as I was listening to coverage on satellite radio, Zain Verjee made a point of letting Wolf know that during her most recent interview with Mrs. Bhutto, she spoke in very admirable terms about Wolf.
Anderson talks with Peter (Bergen): The majority of their discussion centered around possible al Qaeda and Taliban involvement in the assassination.
Peter also reported separately on how well (or not) Pakistan has fared as a true ‘partner’ with the US in the war on terror. And a post-Musharraf Pakistan creates a scenario where the country is at much greater risk of being infiltrated by al Qaeda and Taliban forces, until it very closely resembles a pre-9/11 Afghanistan.
As a side note – I’m not sure why, but it’s comforting that Peter Bergen is part of the AC360° “team” that went to Pakistan. Not that he’d be a bodyguard, mind you, but he’s knowledgeable enough in the culture and customs of Pakistan – that he’ll be able to help ‘negotiate’ any minor ‘conflicts’ that the crew may encounter while there – particularly during this time of heightened turmoil.
John King spoke via telephone to Shahan Mufti, Pakistan correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor. Mufti gave a brief on-the-ground report about riots and other violence in Rawalpindi and the Sindh province, homeland for Benazir Bhutto.
John also interviewed David Gergen and Richard Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations, They discussed foreign policy implications, and options for action still available to President Bush at this time.
Shame, shame, shame: Candy Crowley had the unenviable task of ‘rounding up’ the political candidates’ “spin” on this tragedy. And how utterly crude and distasteful most of them have been. And I’m including even those that otherwise have legitimate foreign policy credentials, like John McCain and Bill Richardson.
Although I do have to admit that one of the worst moments was hearing just how delusional and arrogant Mitt Romney can be at a time like this – to very little surprise, I assume. During his interview with Anderson, he characterized Musharraf as “a faithful ally in the war on terror and has done a very extensive effort to round up al Qaeda and Taliban operatives." Say what??
The arrogance speaks for itself: “Well, if foreign policy experience were the measure for selecting a president, we'd just go to the State Department and pick up one of the thousands and thousands of people who've spent their whole life in foreign policy, and frankly, becoming a United States senator does not make one a foreign policy expert, either." Mitt is obviously either not existing in the present time, or not living on this planet. But perhaps he has a partial point - probably any level of junior analyst at the State Department would make a better President than - Mitt Romney.
A special “SIU” report aired at 11:00 PM EST – Nic Robertson hosted “Pakistan – Terror Central” – a report about the conditions present in Pakistan which has led to the country becoming a haven for al Qaeda and Taliban terrorists.
Latest news and notes: Reports from Pakistan this morning are claiming that Benazir Bhutto died from a blow to her head when she ducked the shots that were fired at her, and hit her head on some kind of lever attached to the sunroof of the vehicle she was in. As opposed to dying from a bullet wound or shrapnel from the suicide bomber firing the shots. Now I ask this honestly – does it really matter at this point? The woman is dead and buried – her family and her country are grieving – and the world is on edge because a nuclear-armed Islamic nation is poised to become even more immersed in chaos and violence.
One additional note about the SF Zoo tiger attack – it’s being reported that the barrier keeping the tigers in their enclosure was 4 feet lower than what is ‘standard’. And zoo officials are now trying to tap-dance their way out of this ‘revelation’ by saying that the AZA never ‘told’ them that their barrier needed to be higher. Another example of negligence and ignorance at its apex.
I’m not a gambler, so I’m not sure if I should place any bets as to whether or not there will still be a “New Year’s Eve – Live with Anderson Cooper” broadcast – or whether there will have to end up being a substitute host. Any suggestions? I like most of the ones mentioned at the AC360° Yahoo group so far – Jack Cafferty, Gary Tuchman, Tom Foreman and yes – even Rick Sanchez! I’m just wondering if Kathy Griffin would still show up if AC won’t be there?? I mean – we know that she took the gig solely for that reason, right?
Anyway – here’s hoping that the AC360° crew stays safe during their Pakistan trip – I would imagine that Americans are not the most welcome sight in that area right now.
Thanks for visiting – updates posted as needed – have a terrific day!
2 comments:
Newsblooz: I thought the discussion between Anderson and Wolf was very informative and interesting. I can always sense mutual respect whenever I see them together. I have to admit that it was Wolf who got me interested in following politics so closely! I heard Zain’s comments about Benazir Bhutto’s great respect for Wolf. Keith Olbermann seems a little jealous of that e-mail. "Eat your heart out Keith!"
I also feel a sense of comfort that Peter Bergen is a part of the AC360º team. I feel the same way about Michael Ware. It is always a benefit to have people like Peter and Michael on your side if any conflicts should arise.
Anderson’s blog was a little frightening; I could sense genuine fear and uneasiness in his words. I can’t blame him because, like I said in my comments to Thursday’s blog, I think that aside from the usual suspects Ms. Bhutto’s supporters may consider any American citizen responsible for her death because of Bush’s support of Musharraf. Although I am sure CNN supplies their people with excellent security I reminded Anderson to be vigilant no matter what because sometimes journalists are so focused on what they are covering that they let their guard down and we know how focused Anderson can be when he is covering a story.
Just as I feared, the candidates have begun to use Ms. Bhutto’s death for their own political needs. Have they no shame? What am I saying!?! Of course they don’t!
If Romney thinks he is qualified to become president he is living in fantasyland! Every time he opens his mouth he reminds me of Forest Gump’s box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get!!
Nic’s SIU report on Pakistan was excellent. I think everyone should take the time to watch it. He brought up some excellent points that really need to be considered.
Is there anyone left with even half a brain that believes anything the government in Pakistan says? They have changed Ms. Bhutto’s cause of death at least three times since the assassination. I agree with you; it doesn’t matter how she died the result remains the same. Of course we know this is being done to try to downgrade her status as a martyr and to take the heat off of that bozo Musharraf. No matter what, there is probably going to be an upheaval in that country.
Keith Olbermann has a long way to go before anyone will think of him as anything other than a has-been sportscaster.
I guess I understand to some extent (now) why there is such controversy surrounding how Benazir Bhutto died - it revolves around the government trying to diminish her image as a martyr. But what can we expect from the Musharraf dictatorship? I can't even imagine him relinquishing any miniscule amount of power and authority to anyone else, regardless of what the citizens want. Which elevates the possiblity of another assassination, or another coup (where he is the victim instead of the victor). Which, in turn, elevates the concern about the security of their nuclear weapons. And on and on ...
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