Tag Archives: Anderson Cooper

CNN Commentator Embarrassed By Zimmerman Verdict

By Cliff Kincaid

sunny CNN Commentator Embarrassed By Zimmerman Verdict

After the not-guilty verdict was handed down, George Zimmerman attorney Mark O’Mara strongly criticized the media’s role in getting his client charged in the case.  He compared the media to “mad scientists” who had turned Zimmerman into a “monster.” He said the media “took a story that was fed to you and you ran with it and you ran right over him and that was horrid to him.”

But the false story line—that Zimmerman was a racist who shot a black man for no reason—continued during the trial, especially in the reckless and wild CNN commentaries of Asunción “Sunny” Hostin.

Hostin boosted the prosecutors throughout and wanted viewers to believe a guilty verdict was a slam-dunk. “I think that they [the prosecutors] put the pieces of the puzzle together for this jury extremely well,” she told Anderson Cooper on Thursday night, July 11.

What was astonishing about Hostin’s commentary during the trial was her inability to find much of anything wrong in how the prosecutors presented it. She was sometimes in the courtroom and pretending to pay attention to what was going on, with a focus on jury reactions. She claimed to have somehow divined what some of the jurors were thinking.

She said of the prosecution’s closing argument: “It was passionate. It was convincing. The jury was watching everything he was doing. And what was terrific, I think, about this closing argument is that they brought the focus back to Trayvon Martin, the victim here. They brought the commonsense argument to this jury.”

Fortunately, another CNN commentator, criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos, was usually on hand, taking strong issue with what Hostin was saying. “There’s reality and then there’s Sunny-ville,” he said. Mocking her rosy view of the prosecution’s extremely weak case, he said, “So I’m going to start believing what Sunny tells me and I’m going to start ignoring everything that I watch on TV.”

Earlier, he told her, “Sunny, you have been bringing your own stuff to the table in this case and you know it.”

Whatever she was bringing to the table, it was not an objective analysis of what was taking place in front of her own eyes. Yet, she carried the title of “CNN Legal Analyst.”

An attorney, she calls herself a “multi-platform journalist” who serves as both a CNN legal analyst and anchor for ABC News. “Before joining CNN, Sunny could be seen on the Fox News Channel, where she was seen weekly on The O’Reilly Factor’s ‘Is It Legal?’ segment, sparring with Megan [sic] Kelly and Bill O’Reilly on various provocative issues and high-profile cases,” her bio says.

Regarding prosecutor John Guy’s rebuttal to the closing argument of defense attorney O’Mara, Hostin said on CNN, “John Guy hit it out of the park, he did great.”

She added, “If people were calling him ‘McDreamy’ before…they’re calling him ‘McBrilliant’ now. It was one of the best closing rebuttal arguments I have seen. The jury was riveted, they did not take their eyes off of this man. And what was so important …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Western Journalism

Alternate juror in Zimmerman trial says he agrees with the verdict

An alternate juror in the George Zimmermanmurder trial says he supports the six female jurors’ decision to clear the former Florida neighborhood watch captain of all charges in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

In an exclusive interview with MyFoxOrlando.com, Juror E54, who was one of four alternate jurors in the case, says he felt the injuries Zimmerman sustained during the altercation were the most convincing piece of evidence in the trial. He also said he believed it was Zimmerman who was screaming for help in a 911 call played during the trial, not Martin.

Jurpr E54, who asked that his name not be released and his face be obscured during the interview, also tells the station he relied on the testimony from the witnesses who heard Zimmerman and Martin fighting the night of the shooting.

“I call them ‘ear-witnesses,’ the ones who heard the noises and which way the noises were going. They helped me fill the gap,” he said.

The alternate juror is speaking out after four of the six female jurors in the case distanced themselves from statements one of the other jurors made in an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper.

“The opinions of Juror B37, expressed on the Anderson Cooper show were her own, and not in any way representative of the jurors listed below,” said the statement, signed by Jurors B51, B76, E6 and E40. The six-sentence statement did not specify what parts of the other juror’s comments they disagreed with.

Juror B37 told Cooper she believed the actions of Zimmerman and 17-year-old Trayvon Martin both led to the teenager’s fatal shooting last year, but that Zimmerman didn’t actually break the law.

The four other jurors said in their statement that Martin’s death weighed on them.

“Serving on this jury has been a highly emotional and physically draining experience for each of us,” the statement said. “The death of a teenager weighed heavily on our hearts but in the end we did what the law required us to do.”

They also made a request for privacy. The court has not released the names of the jury, which included five whites and one woman who appeared to reporters to be Hispanic. B37’s face was obscured by shadow during her interview.

In a statement to CNN released Wednesday, Juror B37 said she prayed for those who have the power to modify laws that gave her “no verdict option other than `not guilty’ in order to remain within the instructions.”

Juror B37 had an agreement with a literary agent to explore a book deal. But under pressure from critics in social media, that relationship ended when she realized the emotions tied to the case once she was out of the bubble of sequestration, she said.

“My prayers are with Trayvon’s parents for their loss, as they have always been,” she said.

Court officials also released the questionnaire given to potential jurors on Wednesday. The six-question form asks if they had heard about Zimmerman or Martin; if they had formed an opinion as to Zimmerman’s guilt or innocence; and if …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox US News

Juror: ‘No Doubt’ Zimmerman Feared For His Life

By Breaking News

George Zimmerman SC Juror: No doubt Zimmerman feared for his life

One of the six jurors in the George Zimmerman trial said Monday that she was certain Zimmerman feared for his life during the confrontation with 17-year-old Trayvon Martin that ended in the teenager’s fatal shooting in February 2012.

“I have no doubt that George feared for his life in the situation he was in at the time,” the woman known as Juror B37 told CNN’s Anderson Cooper.

“I think both were responsible for the situation they had gotten themselves into,” the juror added. “I think they both could have walked away.”

Martin Literary Management announced Monday that it was representing B37 and her husband, who is an attorney. The names of the jurors have not been released due to a court anonymity order, but during jury selection it was disclosed that B37 works in an unspecified management position and has two adult children.

But agency head Sharlene Martin released a statement late Monday saying she was no longer representing the juror and that the juror had dropped the book idea. It included a statement that she said was crafted in conjunction with the agency in which the juror explained that being sequestered had kept her shielded “from the depth of pain that exists among the general public over every aspect of the case.” The juror said that the book was meant to show that our justice system “can get so complicated that it creates a conflict with our `spirit’ of justice.”

 Read More at Fox News .

…read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Western Journalism

NBC Wants Anderson Cooper in Lauer's Seat

By Kevin Spak NBC must be kicking itself for giving Matt Lauer a $25 million-a-year contract. Top NBC executives recently approached Anderson Cooper about taking the embattled Today host’s job this year, anonymous sources tell Deadline . Separately, they reached out to Lauer to get his blessing for the swap—but Lauer didn’t grant… …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Newser – Home

Anderson Cooper Kisses “Boy Scout” To Offend Traditional America

By Cliff Kincaid

Anderson Cooper SC Anderson Cooper Kisses “Boy Scout” to Offend Traditional America

The headline says it all: “Anderson Cooper Kissed Madonna, Dressed In Boy Scout Uniform, at GLAAD Media Awards.” The CNN host did something that was sure to offend the millions of parents who are resisting the homosexual campaign to force homosexuals into the Boy Scouts of America as Scoutmasters or leaders. But in today’s media world, when even some conservatives are losing the will to resist and throwing other conservatives under the bus for standing strong in defense of traditional values, this extremely offensive stunt will be treated as amusing or funny.

“Madonna smooches Anderson Cooper” is one of the headlines. “Anderson Cooper Honored by GLAAD, Good Scout Madonna,” is how Reuters news agency put it.

One story said that Madonna was dressed in a Boy Scout uniform as she presented the Vito Russo Award, which goes to “an openly gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender media professional” who has made a significant difference in “promoting equality.” Madonna’s outfit was designed “to protest over the organization’s national ban on gay Scouts and Scouts leaders.”

This was a deliberate effort to mock the Scouts for standing for traditional values and instructing young men to be “morally straight.” Anderson Cooper went along with the gag by “kissing” the faux Scout.  It was supposed to be cute.

As an Eagle Scout and father of three boys who also had some fun in Scouting, I don’t think it is right to mock this worthwhile program. On Sunday, a young man, 16, was given some time at the pulpit by our priest to announce an Eagle Scout building project on church grounds that he needed support and funds for. His collection baskets were almost overflowing, mostly with $20 bills, from people who wanted to help and see him achieve his desired Eagle Scout rank. This is America at its best. It is something to be promoted, preserved, and protected, not mocked.

But if you make fun of the homosexuals, or call attention to their offensive conduct, you come under attack from GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, and its allies.

Just days before Cooper and Madonna staged their stunt, GLAAD President Herndon Graddick attacked the new pope of the Roman Catholic Church for saying gay adoption was “discrimination against children.” The pope is old-fashioned and believes that every child has a right to a mom and a dad, and that two lesbian “mommies” or two homosexual “daddies” don’t make a real family.  This is offensive to GLAAD and their allies like Anderson Cooper. I suppose Cooper’s next stunt, with the help of Madonna, will be to make fun of the Pope himself.

In fact, another line of attack on the GLAAD website is the claim that Pope Francis has “reputed ties to the military junta” that once ruled Argentina, where he was a Cardinal. There is no evidence for this charge, but it has already surfaced on many different left-wing websites, and anti-Catholic media bias has returned with a vengeance. The Vatican has <a target=_blank target="_blank" …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Western Journalism

Anderson Cooper Honored By GLAAD At 24th Annual Media Awards In New York

By The Huffington Post News Editors

(Reuters) – Pop star Madonna on Saturday presented CNN anchorman Anderson Cooper with a gay media watchdog’s top honors in recognition of his stature and accomplishment as an openly gay journalist.

“Love thy neighbor as thyself,” she said, decrying anti-gay bullying that sometimes has led to suicide. “It’s an atrocity to me, and I don’t accept it,” she added to enthusiastic applause.

The annual Vito Russo Award is named after the activist and film historian who was one of the founding member of media watchdog group GLAAD, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

Read More…
More on Anderson Cooper

…read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Huffington Post

Anderson Cooper Mocks Sexcereal On ‘Ridiculist’ (VIDEO)

By The Huffington Post News Editors

We are totally with Anderson Cooper on the target of his latest Ridiculist segment: Sexcereal, a new breakfast food designed to enhance performance in the bedroom.

The cereal, which debuted last May, is a mix of granola that claims to support testosterone for men and hormonal-balance for women. Cooper was highly amused by it on Thursday night.

“I know what you’re thinking,” he told viewers. “Why oh why did they not call it ‘Porn Flakes’? I don’t know the answer to the question. Seems like a real missed opportunity if you ask me.”

Read More…
More on Food

…read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Huffington Post

Matt Lauer To Jeopardy?

By The Huffington Post News Editors

“Who is Matt Lauer?” The answer to that clue could be, “Jeopardy’s newest host.”

After taking a serious beating in the press this week, the New York Post reported on Friday that Lauer is the favorite to replace “Jeopardy’s” Alex Trebrek when he steps down as the game show’s host in 2016.

Sources told the post that Sony, who owns the classic game show, is also considering CNN host Anderson Cooper as Trebek’s replacement.

Read More…
More on Today Show

…read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Huffington Post

Economy Plummet In 3,2,1

By Breaking News

Honey I Shrunk The Economy SC Economy Plummet In 3,2,1

In case you were wondering when the brand new economic failure would settle in… well, wonder no more! The most recent reports show that it has already begun since January. So, to all those thinking all the “fuss” about a new financial crisis in 2013 is just fear mongering… here`s some bad news: the FACTS prove not only that it`s going to happen this year…. but that it`s already happening and it`s only getting worse.

Unfortunately, these people don`t read this site unless it`s by accidents. I know the MFSP community is made of concerned Americans, who are very aware of the realities of our times and try their best to protect their families against the looming crisis. On the other hand, most Americans are completely ignorant to these events and here`s the best example of their ignorance:
A decline in incomes was expected in January, but the estimated numbers were wrong. According to WSJ, personal incomes dropped 3.6% in January, as the Commerce Department said Friday. However, economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires expected a 2.5% decline. This marks the most dramatic decline since January 1993.

Now, what`s troubling is not the income plummet itself. The fact that numbers are bigger than expected is not all that surprising. In December, the monthly income was unusually high, because companies preferred to pay out early dividends to avoid 2013 upcoming tax hikes. A lot of $billion companies, such as Wal-Mart, Oracle, and Costco Wholesale Corp chose to pay dividends to their shareholders at the end of 2012 and not wait until 2013 and pay more on taxes. Therefore, when you compare January 2013 to December 2012, it`s absolutely natural for the numbers to be bigger than estimated. So the problem doesn`t necessarily lie here, but in what`s to happen in the next three to four months. And by that, I`m referring mainly to consumer behaviour.

Read More at The Daily Sheeple . By Todd Walker.

Photo credit: terrellaftermath

…read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Western Journalism

Mountain manhunt underway for ex-cop accused of killing 3 after burned out truck found

Officers are going door to door in a Southern California mountain community attempting to track a fugitive former Los Angeles police officer suspected in three murders after finding his burned out truck in the area, as thousands of officers searched for the suspect across three states and into Mexico.

The suspect has been identified as Christopher Jordan Dorner, 33, and he is considered extremely dangerous and armed with multiple weapons, authorities say. He is accused of killing a college basketball coach and her fiance last weekend, then following through on a vow to kill police by opening fire Wednesday night on three officers, killing one.

The killings appear to be retaliation for his 2008 termination from the Los Angeles Police Department for making false statements, authorities say. Dorner posted an online manifesto that warned, “I will bring unconventional and asymmetrical warfare to those in LAPD uniform whether on or off duty.”

It also asserted: “Unfortunately, I will not be alive to see my name cleared. That’s what this is about, my name. A man is nothing without his name.”

Los Angeles police believe the manifesto posted to Facebook was written by Dorner because there are details in it only he would know.

“In this case, we’re his target,” Sgt. Rudy Lopez from the Corona Police Department told reporters Thursday morning after an attack on the department’s officers.

Law enforcement officials are also inspecting a package CNN anchor Anderson Cooper apparently received from Dorner at the beginning of the month.

CNN spokeswoman Shimrit Sheetrit said Thursday that a parcel containing a note, a DVD and a bullet hole-riddled memento were sent by Christopher Dorner and addressed to Cooper’s office.

LAPD Cmdr. Andrew Smith says LAPD robbery-homicide detectives will inspect the package for clues. The package arrived Feb. 1, days before the first two killings Dorner is accused of.

It contained a note on it that read, in part, “I never lied.”

Dorner’s pickup truck was found burned out near the Big Bear ski area Thursday morning about 80 miles east of Los Angeles. A 10-man tactical team arrived to search the surrounding area. Several Big Bear schools were put on lock-down, and the ski resort closed its slopes, as FBI agents manned a checkpoint to question drivers leaving the area.

San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon said 125 officers were going door to door and attempting to track the suspect, and that a SWAT team was providing added security to those in the community.

“Certainly he could be anywhere at this point. That’s why were searching door to door,” McMahon said.

A U.S. Marshals Service official says the search for Dorner has expanded from California to Nevada, Arizona and Mexico.

The massive manhunt began after Dorner was linked to a weekend killing, in which one of the victims was the daughter of a former police captain who had represented Dorner during his disciplinary hearing. Authorities think Dorner followed up that attack by opening fire late Wednesday on police in cities east of Los Angeles, killing an officer and wounding another.

‘I never had the opportunity to …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox US News

LA Fugitive Sent Package to Anderson Cooper

By John Johnson As police in Los Angeles continue to hunt for a former cop accused of turning into a murderer, CNN’s Anderson Cooper says he received a package from fugitive Christopher Dorner last week, reports the LA Times . (That’s before any of the three killings took place.) “Inside the package was… …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Newser – Home

Cooper: Who Cares if Beyonce Lip-Synced?

By Rob Quinn Amid the “did she or didn’t she” debate surrounding Beyonce’s alleged lip-syncing of the national anthem on Inauguration Day, Anderson Cooper has weighed in on the side of “so what,” reports Mediaite . “I’m releasing a statement right now saying I just don’t care,” the CNN host said on the “Ridiculist”…
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Newser – Home