American Morning
Maya nut changes lives while aiding the rain forest
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/04/17/art_vohman_cnn.jpg caption="Erika Vohman's Equilibrium Fund teaches women how to reap the benefits of the Maya nut."]
FLORES, Guatemala (CNN) - In the rain forests of Central America grows the nutrient-rich Maya nut. The marble-sized seed can be prepared to taste like mashed potatoes, chocolate or coffee. To those who stumble upon the nuts on the ground, they're free for the taking.
The problem, however, is that many people living in areas where the Maya nut grows abundantly don't know about it.
Erika Vohman is trying to change that - and improve rain forest conservation and women's status in the process.
"People are living right there, in extreme poverty, not even eating more than one meal a day and there's Maya nut lying all around," Vohman said. "They don't eat it because they don't know."
Vohman has traveled to Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador, conducting workshops that teach women how to harvest, prepare and cook or dry the prolific seeds into tasty, hearty foods.
The 45-year-old biologist first encountered the Maya nut while visiting rural Guatemala a decade ago for an animal rescue effort. An indigenous colleague told her of the native resource, once an essential food staple of his Mayan ancestors; the civilization had widely cultivated the large tropical rain forest tree, the Brosimum alicastrum, that produces the Maya nut.
That colleague prepared a Maya nut soup for Vohman and she found it delicious.
UK singer 'gobsmacked' by overnight stardom
(CNN) - Overnight singing sensation Susan Boyle says she's overwhelmed by the attention coming her way through millions of views on YouTube.
"I'm gobsmacked, absolutely gobsmacked," she told CNN Friday morning. Watch her sing
The 47-year-old shocked and inspired the audience, judges and Web watchers after she powered through "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical "Les Miserables" on the TV show "Britain's Got Talent."
A clip of Boyle's performance had more than 15 million views on YouTube by Friday, and the world's media have beaten a path to her door in Blackburn, West Lothian, Scotland.
"I'm enjoying every second of it," she said of her sudden fame, but said it won't change her.
"I wouldn't want to change myself too much, because that would make things a bit false," she told CNN's "American Morning." "I want people to see the real me, the real person."
What's on Tap – Friday April 17, 2009
Here are the big stories on the agenda today:
- President Obama is heading to Trinadad and Tobago this morning for a Summit of the Americas. The weekend gathering is expected to tackle issues such as the drug wars, global warming, and the recession. The President also hopes to improve relations with America’s neighbors – relations that deteriorated during the Bush presidency. The big question many people have – will the President meet with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez? According to the White House, there is no “one-on-one” meeting currently scheduled. What will the two leaders say if they happen to bump in to each other? We’ll have live coverage.
- So how did the President’s trip to Mexico go? We know he and Mexican President Calderon talked about a wide range of issues from the deadly Mexican drug trade seeping across the border, and global warming, trade and immigration. But what did the huddle really accomplish? Both leaders agree that reintroducing a ban on deadly assault-style weapons in the United States could help reduce violence on both sides of the border. President Obama says he has not backed off a campaign pledge to try to restore the ban – although political observers in the United States say the President will not attempt to tackle the thorny issue any time soon.
- We’re also wrapping up our series called “Drug Nation” and what can be done to better protect our borders.
- Also today, Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at how addicts often don’t check into a rehab center until it’s too late – so how do you get ahead of the problem and how do you choose the right center for you? Dr. Gupta has the answers in his series “Addiction, Life on the Edge”.
- And an unassuming, unemployed 47-year-old woman from Scotland opens her mouth and shocks the world. We’ll introduce you to singing sensation, Susan Boyle. How’s she handling the meteoric fame and what will she do if she’s offered a big-time recording contract that is already rumored to be in the works?
Vote! Should drugs be legal in the U.S.?
Mexico drug trafficking, cartels and killings. All driven by America’s addiction to drugs. How did it get this bad? All this week we are reporting on America's drug addiction in our special series "Drug Nation."
So, what do you think? Should the United States legalize drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and heroin? Vote now!
And don't miss:
Commentary: Obama’s actions favor Castros, not human rights
By Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)
Special to CNN
Editor’s Note: Chris Smith is a Republican congressman from New Jersey’s Fourth District. He is a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Ranking Republican of the Committee's Africa and Global Health Subcommittee.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/04/16/intv.smith.chris.art.jpg caption= "Chris Smith is a Republican congressman from New Jersey’s Fourth District."]
On a recent April morning, I joined a group of former Cuban political prisoners and family members and human rights activists at a rally to voice concerns about human rights violations in Cuba, and to caution the Obama administration not to extend benefits to Cuba without the prior release of all political prisoners.
Days earlier, seven Democratic members of the House returned from Cuba having met with Raul and Fidel Castro. They gushed with praise for the Castros and their regime. But I, and many others, were profoundly disappointed that once again members of Congress traveled to this totalitarian country and failed to visit prisoners of conscience, all of whom are systematically abused, tortured, starved and degraded.
Commentary: Public is in no mood to legalize marijuana
By Asa Hutchinson
Special to CNN
Editor's note: Asa Hutchinson is former Director of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and served as the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/04/16/intv.hutchinson.asa.art.jpg caption= "Asa Hutchinson is former Director of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration."]
When it comes to the debate on legalization of marijuana, we can all have confidence in the greatness of our democracy. Ultimately the voters decide the direction of our country. Thus far there is no evidence that the public is in any mood to legalize marijuana or other currently illegal drugs.
In Arkansas, a few years back, a statewide ballot initiative could not even get on the ballot because the proponents could not garner enough signatures. Nationwide, recent ballot initiatives have focused on medical marijuana or enforcement policy.
The advocates of legalization are trying to chip away on the fringes of the legalization debate but they know there is not a sufficient popular movement for legalization. Parents are in no mood to make another harmful drug more accessible and socially acceptable for the youth.
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