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Discovery Channel HQ given 'all clear'
(CNN) - Authorities gave an "all clear" early Thursday after sweeping the headquarters of the Discovery Channel in Silver Spring, Maryland, where police shot and killed a man who was holding three hostages.
Montgomery County Police said no active explosive devices were in the building, but authorities didn't say if any bombs had been found there. Earlier, Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said a number of devices in backpacks would have to be rendered safe.
The suspect killed by police was identified by Manger as James Lee. The hostages were unharmed, he said.
Manger said hostage negotiators negotiated for almost four hours by phone with Lee on Wednesday afternoon while police officers watched and listened to Lee on the building's surveillance system.
"At times during the negotiations, he was calm, but I wouldn't call him lucid. The conversation was indicative to me he was dealing with some mental issues," he said.
Manger said the three hostages were lying on the ground, but were not otherwise constrained. He said Lee mainly dealt with the hostage negotiators and did not communicate with the hostages. Read more
Earl strengthens, heads toward East Coast
See local coverage from CNN affiliate WVEC. Is Hurricane Earl affecting you? Share images and information with CNN iReport.
(CNN) - Hurricane Earl took aim on the Outer Banks of North Carolina early Thursday as the powerful storm prepared to take a swipe at the Eastern Seaboard.
Hurricane warnings and watches stretched from North Carolina to Delaware, and covered parts of Massachusetts as Earl strengthened late Wednesday.
President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration for North Carolina on Wednesday evening.
"The president's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures," a FEMA statement said. Read more
A Soldier's Story Update
As the U.S. military forges ahead in the final wave of the surge CNN's Jason Carroll shows us how one soldier is making the last few preparations before his mission gets underway, in our ongoing series, A Soldier's Story. Follow his updates on twitter, @jasoncarrollcnn
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Could you make the banners, advertisements and news info any larger on the screen. I bought a big screen TV to see the scene a continually flashing Breaking News, CNN Live, swirling hurricane and other usless info.
The "mosque" isn't really a mosque at all. It's a community center, with a prayer room.
Now. I wonder how the people of that neighborhood would feel about a topless bar being built on the same site the community center may, or may not be built on? Probably wouldn't hear a peep outta anyone, especially the men.
Of course the people of New York City don't want the Mosque built there. NYC is the largest Jewish city in the world.
Go Figure.
Please stop saying people have Islamphobia. Just because people don't want a Mosque built down the street from ground zero does not mean they are afraid of Muslims. People in this country have every right to be upset about this just as muslims have every right to build where ever they want. Is putting a mosque down the street from ground zero in bad taste? Yes I think so. Is it wrong? No I wouldn't say that. Should muslims expect protest from people? Of course they should. They would be stupid not to think people in this country would be upset about this. A little common sense goes a long way in life. I think we should all start to pay a little more attention to it.
Ali Velshi asks the question why are Americans Islamophobic? Yet seconds before he couldn't accept that US and Dutch authorities had cleared two Yemini air travellers of anything terrorist related or illegal without implying there is something sinister yet to be known.
I have also noticed that CNN gives Mosque proponents a hard time about their financing etc but does little digging into the backgrounds of the anti -mosque organizers and their associations, beliefs, integrity etc.(ie Anderson Cooper).
A report came out yesterday showing that the ceo's of the top 50 co's that laid workers off received an average of $12 million more in compensation last year. The rich keep getting richer & the average American continues to suffer.
The GOP wants to reward these ceo's further by extending the Bush tax cuts.
I moved to the US 1990 and became a citizen 5 years ago. I watch CNN since the first day I came to thus country. I can tell you guys are good journalists. But I believe you are losing your compass, I'm ashamed in the way you spin this Vanity Fair fantasy about Governor Sarah Palin.
Is CNN now participating in speculations based on anonymous witnesses to destroy the character and reputation of a public person? What kind of journalism is this? For sure is not the journalism that I expect from you guys! This is a Fox News strategy. Shame on you! Shame on Kiram! If you continue in this path of journalism I'll go else where.
@Jane, no I have not, but I just did a quick look up of George Soros and will do a mini-study before I pass personal judgement. Incidently, I just read 'A Road to Serfdom'. And I recognize were the so called 'true conservatives' are coming from. Bottom line, if the ordinary Americans choose to follow this 'right-wing' dogma, they will be highly disappointed in the endgame. The only winners will be the ultra-wealthy and the currently wealthy. The rest of us will be screwed.
@Jane
I'm pretty left-wing, and population control isn't even on the far horizon of my awareness.
However. Lee's "immigration perspective" would resonate with any conservative.
Go figure.
@Tom
Good points, all.
But I have to say the conservative "talking points" sure do have a way of finding those who are willing to act in accordance with the message- through fear and violence. Divide and conquer at all costs has long been the GOP's "manifesto," and what we witnessed yesterday was nothing more than the next evolution of the abortion clinic bomber.
I have a message for the conservative extremists in this country. If one of us is left behind, none of us have arrived. In other words- the promise of America will have failed. Your candidacies will, too.
You know CNN doesn't "report" the news but practices " biased fear-mongering" in an attempt to protect and promote the Socialist/Communist (democratic) agenda. CNN censors do their best to delete any view that doesn't follow their party line.
@Ginger, I agree that James Lee was a far-left liberal, maybe better put a left-wingnut and perhaps an Al Gore follower. But what set him off? Who set him off? What can we do to diffuse volatile situations in the future by the things we say and write? That's the challenge.
Re: Islam in America
Islams are making a big deal about the mosque? How come no one talks about Islamic run countries like Saudi Arabia where there are NO churches/synagogues allowed to be built. You can't even give someone a bible in those countries or you will be put in prison. Islam does not tolerate the other religions in countries where Islam is law but they cry foul when they come here. Give me a break. Courtesy is a 2 way street... let them make changes in their own countries first.
francnnam,
So Mr.Gross followed Ms. Palin around the country for several months. Did he request an interview? He seems like a stalker. He could talk to any number of people who have interactions with other politicians as well and I'm sure get those people to say negative things as well. We'd also learn alot about these other politicians if we got "unnamed" people around them to tell us things about the side of them that is not made public. Why the obsession by the liberal media with bringing down Sarah Palin? And why does CNN give people like the so much air time?
Tom in Ohio,
Have you done a mini-study on the left wing George Soros and his extreme ideas, as well as his financial support of far left organizations and the Democratic Party? How much cash has he funneled into left wing causes, yet the left is suddenly worried about the Koch brothers?
Note: The guest who discussed former Governor Sarah Palin was Vanity Fair writer Michael Joseph Gross. Mr. Gross followed Ms. Palin on the road over several months, and completed a recent article about that experience.
If the writer from vanity fair writes the way he talks I can see no reason to purchase that magazine. So now it's EVIL, if you only tip a bellman or maid just $5......come on. His hypothesis must really lack substance if he must report unsubstantiated heresay. Having him on your show gives him some validity, which he clearly lacks!
Sorry, Art, limiting population growth seems to be the rants of a left wing, environmental extremist, not a Tea Party member.
Was wondering why CNN gave so much air time to the writer from the liberal publication, Vanity Fair? His anti-Palin article could have been written about many other politicians as well. Has he done similar investigations into HIllary Clinton or Bill Clinton as far as their tempers and treatment of others around them? How about Barack Obama or MIchelle? We have seen many puff pieces about this couple, but few in depth exposes of their behavior and temperament, as well as any deep investigations into their backgrounds and personal connections. This article about Sarah Palin seems to be yet another hit piece by a liberal media outlet who is terrified of Sarah Palin and her power.
When speaking of her connection to people and how they respond to her, your guest compared her unquestioned hold over people to Ronald Reagan or Fidel Castro. Another politician who held a cult like hold over people is Barack Obama, yet your guest did not mention how people responded to the celebrity which is Barack Obama.
Having this author on seemed a bit over the top. I wonder why we never see a guest like this on your show who has written an unfavorable article about Mr. Obama or Bill or Hillary Clinton?
James Lee & the nut who stab the muslim in NY were both big time liberals. Lee was a Al Gore follower. I bring this up because when a conservative commits a crime the mainstream media is quick to point out that they are conservative or a far right extremist. Then they blame everybody on the right for the crime. But when a liberal commits a crime they mention nothing about the person's background or beliefs. The bottom line is I don't think either side should be blaming someone's crimes on other people.
who is that little gossip on the american morning show? Iam not a fan of Sara Palin but this guy sounds like she may have gave him the smackdown and now he is getting back at her by writing this garbage. Why would you have someone like that on your show?
@FRANK SAGE; Why on earth are you trying to spin Lee's reasons for his actions was because of some Al Gore documentary? I just did a mini-study on the conservative Koch Brothers and your comment comes out of their 'playbook'. They are extremely anti-environmentalists, anti-tax, anti-entitlements, anti-almost everything that might even come close to hindering their billion dollar profiting machine. I often wonder if this country would not have been in better shape economically and environmentally had Al Gore became President in 2001 as opposed to Bush. That's in spite of Al Gore's short comings.
I listened to your piece on Gov. Palin.
Why are you so afraid of her?
Yesterday while the Discovery thing was playing out I kept seeing this thing scrolling underneath that was saying " The U.S. was launching a jobs program in Pakistan for the flood victims. My question is how is this possible? When the U.S. can't even launch a jobs program right here in the U.S.!!!
Regarding 'Lee' at Discovery HQ: Within the left-wingnut & right-wingnut groups, I often wonder how many 'off-balanced' people, who would take severe action if provoked enough, exist. Quite frankly, it's quite disturbing. That's why, influential public speakers and the media need to be very carefull in their respective daily presentations and the prospective consequences of what is said. As the economic situation continues to decline, there will be more folks thrust into hopelessness and that's not good, because one never knows what action, a deranged individual might take. Rest assured, maybe better attention should be paid attention to the irrational web chatter the seems to be prevailent everywhere these days. Freedom of speech & press is a virtue, however it can be abused through provocations by influential peoples.
As a survivor of hurricane Katrina..a word of advice get ot of dodge...its better to be safe than sorry..the most frightening time of my life..i'll never do it again..i will leave...
I think its interesting that there's so much focus on how many college kids move home after graduation. To me, what seems surprising and indicates how bad it really is, is the sheer number of students graduating with professional degrees who are unemployed and end up moving home. I recently graduated from a top tier law school, and the number of kids graduating with out jobs is truly shocking.
Awful quiet here this morning....
Has anyone begun connecting the dots with regard to the "manifesto" of James Lee? He reads like a right-wing extremist (Tea-Bagger?) to me...
"Programs must be developed to find solutions to stopping ALL immigration pollution and the anchor baby filth that follows that. Find solutions to stopping it. Call for people in the world to develop solutions to stop it completely and permanently. Find solutions FOR these countries so they stop sending their breeding populations to the US and the world to seek jobs and therefore breed more unwanted pollution babies."
When exactly this storm hit the cape and the Islands and Boston?
Should I go to my house and take some precautions?
Should I be worried?
what is missing in all your reports/comments on James Lee is the tragedy that there was no one to pull him from the darkness of mental illness. any family member of a mentally ill person can tell you Lee's bizarre behavior isn't that much of a shock. He's been active for at least 2 years, where were the mental health professionals? His behavior should never have gotten to the point it did. People in the coffee shop considered him "crazy", who was there to help him? The depths of mental illness is a frightening place and our society must step up to this illness, as we have with so many physical illnesses. we must seriously consider mental illness an affliction and treat it with compassion and not as an idiosyncrasy of some "crazy".
I'm glad no one was hurt yesterday at the Discovery Channel bldg. But why won't the "Media" acknowledge the fact this guy was a 'Friggin Nut Job" who acted out his frustration with the world as he saw it. The fact that he was talking about limiting children being born but that he made references to the books Ismael and its' sequel but it also sounds like he was reading material from some of John Holdren's dribble.
My question is why you did not report that hostage Lee reason was Al Gore documentary.
there has been a lot of news about the trapped miners. news consisted of everything from talking to their families, getting food to them, keeping up morale, etc. the one thing i am curious about is why there is no mention of sanitary conditions. these guys have to relieve themselves daily and i was wondering how they would have some kind of bathroom area, etc. can a report include that? thanks, bob