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!
American Morning viewers remained divided regarding the torture memos released by President Obama. Those for exposing the information and prosecuting the former administration felt that “no matter how misguided the terrorists are, they are human beings and when they are in our custody, we still uphold the law of our land.”
- Bernadette: With all due respect to Sen. McCain his political career has been based on the fact that he was captured during the Vietnam War, held prisoner and tortured. We have been constantly reminded of his sacrifice and suffering at the hands of our then enemy. To my way of thinking he is covering his political rear end, the Bush/Cheney administration and his Republican party. It seems that when we do the dirty stuff to others and hide behind legalities it is okay, but when other countries do it to us we have to retaliate! Doesn't seem like quid pro quo to me.
- Tony: Terrorism is not only fought by guns and bombs but also on moral ground. Torture of human beings in the custody of our authorities is illegal in our country as well as immoral by any religious or human rights standard. No matter how misguided the terrorists are, they are human beings and when they are in our custody, we still uphold the law of our land. If they are actively fighting us, we kill them just as the enemy at war. People who used their authority to break this country's law and perpetrated torture of detainees not only fueled the hatred against our nation but also made us indistinguishable from the rogue terrorist states. What sets US apart from the dictatorships and terrorist organizations is that we lead our lives in freedom and no one is above the law of the land, not even the presidents and their staff. Authority corrupts and absolute authority corrupts absolutely. Bush administration officials governed as if that during war times they have absolute authority. Now they do not want to be tried for breaking the law of the land. Only the constitution is absolute authority in our nation and every citizen has rights and obligations to uphold its authority.
- Linda – Lou: People can come and attack our country killing thousands of people, take into custody civilians cut them, drown them, break bones, drag their bodies through town, cut their heads off and we should be against torture? I AM NOT OPPOSED TO TORTURE to gain information that will better position our troops in times of war. Should we invite them to tea?
- Jeremy: This torture or water boarding issue is getting blown way out of proportion. Does everyone remember that a lot of these terrorists they were dealing with were and are fine with chopping off heads and blowing people up on TV to show everyone? Should we just ask them nicely to tell us when the next attack will be or maybe we could say please?
Where do you stand on the issue of torture? Are we no better than our enemies if we implement such actions to gain information? Is the issue of torture “getting blown way out of proportion” as the first last viewer believes, or is there a double standard for the United States as viewer one believes when she says that “It seems that when we do the dirty stuff to others and hide behind legalities it is okay, but when other countries do it to us we have to retaliate!” Give us your opinion on this controversial issue.
Credit card users shared their stories of “abuse” by banks and credit card issuers, including rate increases and fee hikes for such things as paying bills by phone.
- Sy: I am starting to send [credit card offers] back to them, the postage paid envelopes they send to me empty. I am sealing the envelopes and writing on the envelope my disgust of their new fees. Now they can help the postal service out.
- Lori & Jeff: We have a very small business. 2 part time family members. We use our credit cards a lot. We keep getting notices on our credit cards of increased rates. Which I feel is totally wrong. Then if my due date is getting close I will pay by phone to avoid late fees or increased rate. Now some of them are charging $ 14.95 to pay by phone.
- Mr. Ed: I basically think the banks need to be clamped down as what the President is doing. My wife and I have had outstanding credit and pay each bill off at the end of the billing cycle, have since 1998. Now you got Mr. Lewis, which I'm calling him a Jerk! They are punishing the good people for doing nothing wrong. But taking bailout money, giving big bonuses and big parties on our money, then raising the rates is wrong. Tag the people that abuse credits, but support customer that manage their credit right.
What’s your history with credit cards; have you been fairly treated or do you have similar stories to the viewers above? Do you believe that a person who gets in trouble with credit card debt should be held responsible, as the banks contend, and required to pay higher fees, or is this the banks’ way of increasing their bottom line? Tell us how you feel.