the awesome/terrifying freedom

it was impossible not to cry watching anderson cooper's barely contained rage as he broadcast his show live from the center of a decimated neighborhood. and to see him so frustrated with himself, for being only a reporter, for not being able to help in some immediate, tangible way, and for not being able to give any of these people answers. and that frustration was reflected in the sharpness of his questions to those in charge, who should have been able to give those answers. you could feel his palpable shock - that he and many other reporters had arrived days days before troops, water, food, transportation. he was a journalist at his best, not exploiting these people, but being reinforced by their stories to demand answers, and use the camera to make something happen. he's my hero.

slate - homeland security flunks its first test. amen.