Anderson Cooper Goes After ‘Anonymous Internet Trolls’ Pushing Conspiracies About Newtown And Gun

Mediaite ^ | 1/15/13 | Josh Feldman

[Nachum]

Last week Anderson Cooper took on some of the more ridiculous conspiracy theories about the tragic Sandy Hook shooting, one in particular claiming that the shooting simply never happened. But tonight, Cooper took on perhaps one of the most shocking theories of all: the whole shooting was a gigantic conspiracy to take away people’s guns.

Cooper reminded viewers of the Florida professor who has been pushing the conspiracy theories, and revealed that said professor reacted to his initial report with a blog post attacking Cooper for “wanting to cause him harm.” Cooper said that the professor has his rights to free speech, and just wanted to hold him accountable for his comments. The professor is also part of a growing conspiracy that the media is falsely reporting on the shooting in a concerted effort to take away people’s guns.

Cooper patiently debunked theories about the media coverage of the shooting, and brought on two guests, one of whom was the family member of an Aurora shooting victim, to address the conspiracies. Cooper pointed out much of the evidence cited is based on initial reporting, which Cooper admitted can often be inaccurate. Alex Seitz-Wald said many conspiracy theorists are taken in by confirmation bias and ignore any evidence that contradicts their conspiratorial beliefs.

[wtc911]

My mom is a psychologist and my first wife was a genuine nacricissitic personality as is one of my daughters. I recognized the behavior right away.

It seems to me that if one suffers from the disorder and is of above average intelligence then the table is set for a very successful life...a life that relies on dishonesty, manipulation and the destruction of others but still, in the secular societal sense, successful.

[potlatch]

That’s sad. I hope you are able to get along with that daughter. I found an interesting article while ‘wondering’ about nature versus nurture.

http://www.daughtersofnarcissisticmothers.com/cause-of-narcissistic-personality-disorder.html

[wesagain]

We’ll see.....

[wtc911]

Yep...into every life, etc...as you well know.

The silver lining is that we are raising her son (from day one) and that is one of the greatest gifts of my life.

[potlatch]

I am happy for you wtc, he’s a lucky boy.
I’ve had a lot of rain, but I’ll make it through to sunshine again.