Lidle, Politics, A Disturbing Report About North Korea and Adorable Pandas (Thursday's First Hour)

Hi guys. Now this is more like it. Much better than last night. Let's start, shall we? We kick things off with a Mary Snow piece on the Lidle crash. The question on everyone's mind is why are the planes allowed to get so close? Even Pataki was surprised and he's calling on the FAA to review the rules. However, he questions tighter restrictions because that could overwhelm the system. Hmm, well maybe we need a new system. After this we have CNN's own Miles O'Brien flying above NYC on the same route Lidle took. Okay, that's kind of creepy. I don't know about you guys, but I am never getting in a little plane. I can name way too many famous people that have died in them and that's just the famous people. In other words, many, many more people die in them that you never even hear about.

Anyway, Miles says the flight was intense and he later joins Anderson in the studio for an interview where they both sit on abnormally high stools. Am I the only one that found this funny? Also, during this interview Miles gets to sport the snazzy title of "Space Correspondant." I guess he doesn't get to use it when he's only gabbing with Soledad. Next we have a piece from Allan Chernoff that contains more eye witness accounts and informs us that the initial impression is unlikely engine failure. After the piece Anderson mentions that it wasn't just Lidle who lost his life. Really? Because judging by your coverage yesterday it did look like it was just Lidle. Anderson then very briefly tells us a little about Tyler Stranger, the instructor that was also killed. Wow. A whole 20 seconds or so compared to hours and hours of CNN coverage. Yeah, I guess that makes up for it. Geez.

Transitioning now to a Dana Bash piece on the Foley scandal. This scandal just keeps chugging. Foley's former chief of staff, Kirk Fordham has given testimony that contradicts Hastert's timeline. Fordham states he tried to get something done about the situation three or four years ago after seeing a report that said Foley has shown up drunk at the page dorm. Hastert of course denies this happened. We then have a piece from Ed Henry on Bush's support of Hastert. Yes, he's apparently standing by his man. Ed explains that Bush needs Hastert to get things done and Hastert has delivered before.

Next up we have a John Roberts piece on how sucky things are right now for the republicans. I like the sound of that. The democrats are even leading now for the first time on the issue of terrorism. Yippee! This is making the republicans go crazy. Well, crazier. They are of course attacking Clinton (at this point it's almost like breathing to them) and the normally sane moderate Chris Shays has even brought up Chappaquiddick. Geez. Should we start throwing Nixon at the GOP now? It's been over 30 years. Let it go dude. Anyway, there's a big wave of voter discontent that the democrats hope to ride into office on, but the republicans have a better GOTV campaign and more money. Right now they're using their secret weapon Laura Bush because, unlike her husband, people actually still like her. The Bush's were in my city Thursday and one guy on the radio actually said, "Laura Bush will be here with her husband." He's just a husband now.

On now to an interview with David Gergen and A.B. Stoddard ("The Hill") on the election. A.B. notes that the republicans are really good with getting their people to turnout, but The Gerg seems to think it might not be enough this time. Anderson want to know if bringing up Chappaquiddick and other things make them look desperate. Uh, yes. It makes them look unbelievably desperate. I'm surprised we're not hearing about the evilness of Michael Moore at this point. The Gerg states that Bush is trying to scare people with the idea that the democrats will raise taxes, but no one really cares about that. Anderson points out that the Foley scandal has taken away their gay hating card. I didn't even think about that. How ironic. Now they can't go scaring people with the evil gay agenda because as it turns out, uh oh, a lot of republicans are gay too.

Transitioning now to a disturbing piece from Tom Foreman on North Korea's practice of kidnapping people from neighboring countries. The piece focuses on a 13 year old Japanese girl that years ago never came home from school. It turns out that she and others like her were snatched by North Korean agents and forced to work as slaves teaching language and cultural skills to Japanese spies. These spies then impersonate average Japanese people in order to carry out attacks, such as bringing down an airliner. The 13 year old would be in her 40's today, but the North Koreans claim she committed suicide. Her family is not convinced. It is believed that scores of people are still in custody. Wow. Not to give North Korea any ideas, but I don't understand why they don't just use Japanese television to learn what they need to know.

Next up we have a Dan Rivers piece from the DMZ where the South Koreans have increased their soldiers. The Shot tonight is a 36 day old Panda cub. Aw. Anderson is not impressed. Panda hater. Oh Anderson, this is why you and I could never be. One of many reasons. Erica is also upset by the Panda no love and presses him on the issue. Basically he just doesn't get it. What, pandas are a conspiracy? So suspicious. I think Anderson has been hanging with Stephen Colbert too much. The bear hatred is rubbing off. Anyways, tonight was much better. B

Screencaps by stillife and liberation337.

So what are your thoughts on the election? Will the democrats take back congress or will they find a way to screw it all up? Do you think Rove has something up his sleeve?