I was in the car, driving somewhere I didn’t want to go to, to do something I wish I didn’t have to do…
When, one of those talking heads on the radio related a story about Anderson Cooper in Haiti. The talking head said that Anderson witnessed crazed looters throwing cinder blocks off a building, down into the crowd on the street, and a boy was hit in the head. It seemed the blow to the boy’s head caused him to be so unsteady on his feet--he could not stand up--let alone run for cover. More cinder blocks were poised from above, and nobody was doing anything to help the injured boy. If he didn’t move he would be hit a second time. Anderson Cooper rushed to his side and helped the boy to safety. News reporters don’t do that kind of thing, they just don’t.
The talking head started laughing and mocking Anderson Cooper, saying that everyone in Haiti has AIDS, and just wait, when the do-gooder reporter returned to the USA he would be shunned by all his buddies, because nobody would want anything to do with a guy that had been covered with the blood of a Haitian boy.
If I could have reached through the radio I would have socked that IDIOT smack dab in the kisser.
Look, I’m not Anderson Cooper fan. I don’t watch the news all that much. But I have to ask, how many people do you know that would rush to help that boy, putting their own life in jeopardy, in such a manner? Could you be so brave?
I had no idea that Anderson Cooper was gay, (for the record I almost feel as if the radio guy was holding that against him, GAG.) I had heard that his mother was Gloria Vanderbilt. I once saw a movie about her childhood, seemed the heiress had a tumultuous beginning. She married several times, and had Anderson and his brother later in life. His brother committed suicide right in front of her. It must have been horrifying to see her own son jump out of the window while she tried in vain to stop him.
Anyway, that’s about the extent of what I know about Anderson Cooper—except this—he’s obviously a better person than most. He did what so many would never do. I am a fan now. A big fan.
All Rights Reserved. © 2009 by Elizabeth Bradley.
23 comments:
I know absolutely nothing about him, so the little bit you shared is news to me. And obviously I don't know him personally. What he did was awesome. I hope I react the same way if I'm ever in a similar situation.
So much hate in the media. Why do some see that as entertainment? I try not to watch tv or listen to talk show radio as much as possible.
I remember Anderson Cooper when he was on ABC late night news. He has a great sense of humor. I really like him, and now I like him even more.
That's a heartwarming story. I am so glad that poor boy was escorted to safety. Good for Anderson Cooper for stepping up.
I saw Anderson Cooper once on Oprah and I thought he was lovely. He talked a bit about his brother's suicide. He jumped off a balcony from a highrise in NYC. His mother reached out for him and he just went. The image is one of those that just rests on the surface of the folds in your brain popping up every once in a while as clear as ice. Imagine what his mother lives with. Bravery might be genetic. I'm not sure I could have taken the next step after seeing something like that.
I find some of the crap people are saying to be reprehensible. Free speech is one thing but what about some common human compassion. I doubt "everyone" in Haiti is HIV positive and besides, even if Anderson Cooper was covered in blood, he'd have to have open, fresh wounds on his body to get infected.Stupidity is another thing.
(I am not shitting you- my word verification word in SWINE- even the internet has an opinion on this!)
I don't know the giy either, but I am a HUGE fan. More people should be like him.
Funny how those who never would are the ones to sit in the side lines and mock.
I haven't heard about this and Anderson Cooper isn't known over here. But I've become a fan anyway. So glad there are still people in the world like him.
As for all the crap about HIV, why is there still so much ignorance and stupidity around? Aaargh.
PS - Love Lauri's word verification
Thanks for sharing the story with us, Elizabeth. I'd like to think I'd have done the same thing, but I just don't know.
I didn't know his background...what an interesting man he is!
Elizabeth
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What a great thing for Anderson Cooper to do. I'm impressed. I don't understand the radio guy at all. It's so sad that someone with that kind of attitude is getting air time.
Goodness trumps all else, always. Kudos to Cooper.
I know just about the same about him and I always like him when I see him on an interview. I find it completely repulsive that this idiot on the radio would bring up AIDS in telling this story. More people need to do instead of watch.
He's certainly more man than the one mocking him.
Elizabeth, I am a HUGE FAN of Anderson Cooper. His story is an amazing one and he is as genuine as they come. He sat with a dead womans body in Bay St. Louis, MS for 3 days after Katrina till he got help to remove her from a roadside ditch. I would help you sock that idiot myself! :)
I did know about his background, but what counts is that this is a smart man with integrity. Everything else is noise.
Several years ago, I saw a panel of reporters...well known reporters...field a hypothetical question similar to this. The gist of the question was, do you insert yourself into a life-saving situation and become part of the news...or do noting and dispassionately report what happens?
I thought it was a no-brainer, you help. Nope. Most of these reporters said they'd be limited to reporting.
What's that great line from the Hindenburg disaster, "Oh, the humanity."...or lack thereof.
Best Wishes Galen.
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I am a fan of his. Now it is more thrue than ever. The media is like high school all too often and it is a sad thing to see.
I'm a big fan and I'm even more so now.
Warm regards and a lovely weekend to you,
Simone
I hadn't known that Anderson Cooper was Gloria Vanderbilt's son. I've always liked him as a reporter and newsman, and after reading this, I respect him all the more. That radio guy... his ignorance, callousness and lack of human feeling is stunning.
it's the things people do in those flash-quick moments that show us the heart of a person. In my eyes, his is not just a rare kind of heart, it's the best kind.
I never knew anything about him. I too am now a fan. He is a hero all b/c he chose to do something....to reach out...to help another. Great post. Sarah
Galen I've often wondered about photo journalists who just stay safe behind their lens and bring us heart wrenching photos of people dying of hunger when they might have a loaf of bread in their bag. But perhaps we need to be a bit careful.If journalists become part of the story as Anderson Cooper tends to do, are they not failing at their jobs?
It's an interesting debate I think. For me the vileness was the radio presenter. Yes, Anderson Cooper did a good thing but from a journalist's point of view was it the correct one? His job is to bring the story, clear, objective and honest and the listener or reader needs to act. Once he steps into the story his objectivity is marred. Would we really want journalists to get invovled in this way? What would happen to the news? What would happen to them as people? Could they continue to do their job if they did not lean heavily on their journalistic obligation to truth? Imagine being in their shoes- seeing all of those sufering people everywhere you go- you must maintain that distance just to function. They need to hope if they get the story out others will step in and fix things.
I don't watch his network so don't know him, but I heard this story, too. I'm glad he did this for the bou's sake, and for anyone else nearby who might have been hit, as well. I wish more reporters and cameramen would do the same. I know they're trying to record events, but that should be secondary in an emergency or cirsis situation.
I'd wondered about it, but for some reason it never matter much to me. I have respect for anyone traveling to a war or disaster zone unarmed.
Excellent post...thanks.
Wow what a remarkable story. I knew A.C. was involved with Earth Hour because as a Greenie I tend to seek out anything environmentally related but knew nothing otherwise. This entire thing made my head spin. I mean, good for him, helping another human in a time of need is the most selfless act anyone can take part in. The news personality is likely not going to enjoy the karma associated with what was said on the air. How sad for them but how wonderful that this boy will have a chance to make a life for himself now due to just one person's efforts. I wonder if the news caster would have been singing a different tune if it had been a random person that helped? They probably would have been dubbed a hero.
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