The AC360 Weekly Buzz

August 2nd, 2012
07:10 PM ET



.. Deena Sami reports.

The AC360 Weekly Buzz: Fast and Furious, Bachmann, Reid, Romney, Syria, Aurora shooting warning, holograms

What everyone’s talking about:

A new scathing report on the failed Fast and Furious gun program points the blame at five ATF officials Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, a member of the House Oversight Committee spoke with Anderson about his criticism of the ATF and the Justice Department for their flawed decisions and lack of communication.

Newt Gingrich voiced his support for five members of Congress, including Michele Bachmann, who claim the Muslim Brotherhood is infiltrating the U.S. Government. The Republican lawmakers have specifically named Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Deputy Chief of Staff Human Abedein as someone with ties to radical Islam. We’re Keeping Them Honest. CNN’s Dana Bash and Salon.com’s Alex Seitz-Wald also discussed how Bachmann was using the campaign as a fundraising tactic.

Doctors are amazed by Petra Anderson’s recovery. The 22-year-old musician was shot four times in the Aurora, Colorado theater attack last month; one bullet entered her brain. Yet she’s already walking and talking. CNN’s David Mattingly has the story. Anderson also spoke with CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta about how music is helping her heal.

Today’s Scoop:

According to CNN’s Denver affiliate KMGH, the psychiatrist that treated the suspect who killed 12 people and injured many more in the Aurora, Colorado shooting said she contacted the University of Colorado threat assessment team with concerns about him. Anderson spoke to John Ferrugia, a KMGH reporter, HLN’s Dr. Drew Pinsky, and Brett Sokolow, the executive director of the National Behavioral Intervention Team, about the warning signs. More tonight on how to recognize threatening behavior, and lessons learned from the attack. Tune in at 8 and 10 p.m. ET.

Kofi Annan resigned today as the United Nations and Arab League joint special envoy to Syria. The announcement comes after he lead a failed initiative to bring peace to the embattled country. At least 130 people were killed in Syria on Thursday, according to the Local Coordination Committees of Syria.

Earlier this week, two sources said President Obama signed a secret “finding” authorizing support for Syria’s rebels. Bob Baer, former CIA officer, and CNN’s National Security Contributor Fran Townsend explained exactly what kind of support Obama gave and discussed America’s involvement there. And tonight Anderson speaks with Sen. John McCain who has been vocal for months about offering support to the Syrian opposition.

A look ahead:

Jason Puracal, an American who has been sentenced to 22 years in one of the world’s most dangerous prisons in Nicaragua, said he’s “not sure why” he’s in jail. After speaking with Anderson in June, prison authorities had a strong reaction to the interview. We’re trying to get Puracal on the phone again to talk about what’s happened since then in the infamous La Modelo prison.

Just for laughs:

For all the humans out there – find out why a New Jersey airport just landed you on the RidicuList!