We Listen!

American Morning’s new segment, “Wingnut,” generated strong positive viewer response, with some asking for it to return on a daily basis.

• Eric: What a hoot! Whether you are left, right, red, or blue, imagine seeing your own ridiculous words & behavior contrasted against the other side’s equally silly actions. Keep it up, I wish it were a daily event. There's certainly enough material.
• Steve C: While it's absurd to blame swine flu on a political party, as your wingnut of the week did, it may have some validity in my case. As a recruit in US Army in 1976, I received a swine flu vaccination at the order of Republican President Gerald Ford, in his attempt to prove the vaccine was safe. It worked perfectly, and thousands of soldiers including me contracted the flu. So, there's a tiny grain of truth in her theory, but she managed to blame the wrong party.
• Steve K: Keep doing the WINGNUT report! As a staunch moderate, I am convinced they carry more weight with both parties than they deserve. Placed under the harsh spotlight of reason and knowledge hopefully their views will be shown for what they are.
• Todd: Love the new segment! I hope you will continue to report on the important issue of idiots in politics. I wonder how these people ever got elected.
• David: I appreciate your efforts to be even-handed in your weekly selection of wing-nuts from the right and the left. As you move forward with this piece however, I believe it is important to put your selections in perspective by describing the influence that they have within their own parties. I would predict that there are far more Democrats who would agree with your left-wing selections than there are Republicans who would agree with your right-wing choices.

So, what did you think of AM’s new “Wingnut” segment? Tell us what you’d like to see on this segment. We’d love to hear your ideas and stories.

First Lt. Dan Choi’s battle with the military over his firing for violating “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” had many viewers questioning the Army’s policy. “The Army should do all it can do to retain standout individuals that are willing to serve admirably.” Some viewers were totally opposed to gays in the military. Others questioned the validity of Lt. Choi’s story.

• Alessandra: This is a joke...moral dereliction? So many who cheat on their wives with babies out of wedlock still serve...give me a break!! He is a hero willing to lay down his life for us. THANK HIM!
• Ryan O.: I recently completed my 3 year obligation on Active Duty Service in the Army and I would like to wish you good luck in challenging of the "Don't ask don't tell Policy". You appear to represent all the core values of the Army and represent the best of the best in the Junior Officer rankings. The Army should do all it can do to retain standout individuals that are willing to serve admirably. Good luck in your battle.
• Kevin: Re – First Lt. Dan Choi 1) Why is he a National Guard Lieutenant when he graduated West Point? You have to serve in the Regular Army for 6 years when you graduate The USMA, and he would at least be a Captain when he finished his Active commitment unless he had been reduced in rank for some reason. 2) The Oath he referred to includes: “will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice". He knew the regulation regarding don't ask don't tell. He violated it. It is a ridiculous policy, but it is the regulation. It was the regulation when he decided to become a military officer and swore to follow the regulations. It doesn't mean you can't serve if you're gay; it just means you can't be asked and in turn you can't make it known. As an NCO in the Army, I have to hold myself and my soldiers to the highest levels of integrity, and I think he was not telling the whole truth about his situation. I hope you will investigate further and get the whole story.

Do you believe the armed forces should keep this policy or change it? With the military currently an all-volunteer force, is the armed forces decision to discharge openly gay soldiers the correct one?