Here’s your daily recap of the best feedback we got from YOU today. Continue the conversation below. And remember, keep it brief, and keep it clean. Thanks!
On Tuesday, AM viewers voiced their enthusiastic approval of marijuana legalization. The few dissenters lobbied fervently against such change:
What’s your take on the argument in favor of drug legalization? Is it the best way to solve our deficit issues and get farmers working again? Do you believe that law enforcement officials want to keep drugs illegal to provide “job security” for themselves? Are you in agreement with the second viewer above who worries that people will be come “zombies”?
The segment on the supposed rift between President Obama and Vice-President Biden was angriy received by viewers:
How did you feel about the segment regarding the “rift” between President Obama and VP Biden? Do you believe such an issue exists or are you in agreement with the viewers above that the problem is “manufactured” by the media or right wing conservatives?
Lastly, the segment on other countries’ tax structures was blasted by the audience:
Do you feel Americans pay too much in taxes for the services we receive? Is the tax stucture in our country unfair? Would you be willing to pay substantially more in taxes if you could be certain of receiving such services as free college and health care?
Happy Tuesday. All this week on American Morning, we're breaking down America's drug addiction and how it's helping fuel the violence spilling over the border.
This morning we looked at the 8.5 billion dollar business of marijuana.
In her report this morning, Jeanne Meserve dug deeper into the issue and found marijuana is the cash cow for cartels with revenue eclipsing cocaine, heroin and meth combined. Watch the story
But how do you stop the supply when there's such a massive demand? Opinions are mixed. There's a small but vocal lobby to legalize marijuana, tax it, and cut out the cartels by bringing the dealing and regulation to Main Street.
Others say it has to start with education about the dangers of drug use, tougher enforcement and targeting of the actual cartel king pins. That's where enhancing our relationship with Mexico comes in.
Here's a look at the debate this morning with Juan Hernandez, who once advised former Mexican President Vicente Fox. He also wrote "The New American Pioneers". We were also joined by Bob Strang, a former special agent with the DEA. Watch the debate
We also got some great comments from our viewers following us on Twitter and calling into the show hotline.
Our amFIX poll asked, do you think the United States should legalize drugs? Here are the results so far:
Don't miss tomorrow when we bring on Congressman Ron Paul in our 7am ET hour. He's a fierce advocate for personal liberties. Paul says we should legalize drugs and that personal freedom means we are also free to make bad choices. Do you agree? Please weigh in as always.
See you in the morning,
Kiran
From CNN's Jeanne Meserve
And all this week we're breaking down America's drug addiction and examining how it's helping fuel the violence spilling over the border.
Today we're looking at the 8.5 billion dollar business being made off marijuana. How do you stop the supply when there's such a massive demand?
What do you think? Is marijuana a victimless drug or is it fueling the violence in Mexico?
From CNN's Melissa Morgenweck
There was no need to ring a doorbell when we pulled up to the Wolf Den kennel in Chester county Pennsylvania. At least a dozen German Shepherds announced our arrival.
Linda Brown greeted us and introduced us to the pack including her favorite, 13 year old Hans. Most of the dogs in this section had once been breeders. Now she keeps them as her personal pets.
They are just one grouping of the approximately 80 adult dogs that she says live on her property. “German Shepherds look into the mirror of your soul. They are intelligent and protective and your animals for life.”
Brown told us that she had been up since 4am helping deliver a litter of puppies. “They like to give birth in the middle of the night when it’s quiet and still.”
As we toured the property Brown recalled the day last December when Vice President Biden came to pick out a dog. “He picked the puppies up and literally kissed them all over. And when he did finally select his puppy he just wouldn’t let him go.”
But Brown says she has paid a big price for the publicity. Soon after the visit she claims she received death threats from animal-rights groups. Dog wardens from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture also made multiple visits to inspect her kennels. (The state told one of our producers that inspections typically take place twice a year.)
Brown was cited for poor record keeping, dirty housekeeping and mistreating her dogs. Last month she was cleared of all citations. “It hurts the depth of your soul that they would even have the nerve to call me and tell me that I’m inhumane with my dogs. My dogs are treated better than most children are treated.”
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Some of the stories that will be making news later today:
At 10am ET, a government watchdog group releases its annual report on pork barrel spending better known as the congressional "pig book." The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste is expected to include some 340 pet projects in this year's budget totaling more than four-billion dollars.
At 11am ET, First Lady Michelle Obama will visit the Department of Homeland Security. She'll be joined by Secretary Janet Napolitano. The first lady's office says the goal of the agency tour is simply getting to know the community.
At 11:30am ET, President Obama will give a major speech on the ecomony. He'll talk about how the specific steps the administration is taking fit the broader vision of economic recovery.
Later today in Washington, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attends a conference focusing on Haiti. She will discuss how the U.S. and other countries can provide aid to the poorest country in the Americas. Secretary Clinton travels to Haiti on Thursday to meet with that country's president.
All day long we're keeping a close eye on the flooding in North Dakota. The National Weather Service says the Sheyenne River is headed for a crest at around 22 feet in the next couple of days. That river empties into the Red River near Fargo, which is also in danger of reaching a second flood crest this week.