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Fast Forward
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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.
What’s on Tap – Tuesday April 14th, 2009
Here are the big stories we're watching for you right now:
- President Obama set to give what the White House is calling a “major speech” on the economy today. The President is expected to talk about how each step his administration has taken to confront this economic crisis, fits his broader vision of how to move the economy from recession to recovery. He’ll also talk about the significant work that remains to get the economy moving forward once again. We want to hear your ideas and thoughts about whether the president has gotten it right. Call us at 877-MY-AM-FIX and we’ll try to put you on the air today.
- Going to war with pirates: As the crew of the Alabama heads home, we look at the options President Obama has for going after pirates on LAND, in lawless Somalia.
- Drug Nation: With the president heading to Mexico this week, we’re taking a serious look at how America’s demand for drugs is funding a bloody, ruthless war south of the border. Today: Pot. Think it’s the victimless drug? It’s generating more cash for murderous drug traffickers than coke, meth and heroin combined. Does that mean we should legalize it to take away their power? We want your thoughts.
- Your taxes: The Real Deal: It’s tax day-eve and we’ve decided to show you how far we’ve come since The Boston Tea Party. Think of all you spend on food, clothing and housing, now consider that Americans on average spend more on taxes, than all of that COMBINED. We’re still better off than most developed nations, but for how long??
Kiran: The debate over the legalization of drugs
Good Monday to you,
Hope you had a wonderful Easter and/or Passover weekend. Looks like our prayers were answered! Captain Richard Phillips rescued by our brave Navy Seals. He is now safe and getting ready to be reunited with his family and loved ones. Read the story
All this week on American Morning we are taking a look at America’s drug addiction and how it's fueling the growing violence at the Mexican border. We're calling it “Drug Nation."
This morning we had a debate over legalizing hard drugs – substances like heroin and cocaine. It's a position advocated by Jeff Miron, an economist from Harvard University. Former DEA agent Bob Stutman had plenty to say about why that would be a huge mistake. Watch the debate
Arm civilian ships?
“Armed security detachments” to protect civilian ships at sea. That’s the recommendation of the admiral in charge of U.S. Naval operations off the coast of Somalia.
Vice Adm. William Gortney, appearing on American Morning today, left little question as to what he thinks shipping companies should do to fend off piracy.
The idea of sailors, or shipboard security personnel carrying weapons is a controversial one. Might it provoke shootouts on the high seas? Would it increase the likelihood that acts of piracy could have deadly consequences?
Adm. Gortney views the issue pragmatically. These companies hire armed security to “protect their property on the beach,” he says, so why not extend that to the oceans?
Commentary: Legalize drugs
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/04/13/miron.jeffrey.art.jpg caption="Economist Jeffrey Miron says legalization of drugs makes more sense than prohibition."]
By Jeffrey A. Miron
Special to CNN
Editor's note: Jeffrey A. Miron is senior lecturer in economics at Harvard University.
The CNN story that provided the hook for my debate with former DEA official Robert Guttman might appear at first glance to make a convincing case against legalizing drugs like heroin or cocaine; the story recounts the tragic death of a teenager from heroin use. Read the story
In fact, the story illustrates perfectly why legalization makes more sense than prohibition, even for hard drugs.
The incident recounted in the story occurred under current policy: prohibition did not prevent this teenager from using heroin.
As the story emphasized, moreover, heroin prices have fallen dramatically over the past several decades to the point where heroin is available in a relatively pure form at prices most teenagers can afford. This shows that government anti-drug policies have been a dismal failure, since the express purpose of those policies is to raise drug prices and reduce use. Federal and state government have spent hundreds of billions of dollars attempting to enforce prohibition, yet availability and purity are higher than ever while price is at record lows.
Thus prohibition has failed to accomplish its stated goals, and it generates enormous negative side effects.
Counterpoint – Drug legalization: "A great idea whose time has not come!"
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