American Morning
We Listen – Your comments 9/24/09
Editor's Note: Thursday’s American Morning audience commented on the possible troop buildup in Afghanistan. Recognizing the dilemma President Obama faces with this war, some defended Mr. Obama’s decisions to-date, asking why the Bush administration and Republicans didn’t finish the 7 1/2 year war on their watch. General McChrystal received support for his assessment that more troops were needed in Afghanistan.
- Joan: When you interview people regarding the Afghan war strategy or any security issue, you should state their political leaning before they speak because that greatly influences their viewpoint. A case in point is Fran Townsend who gives security briefings. She is so negative about anything that is going on now but she worked for Pres. Bush so that is predictable. Also, who leaked the general's report from the pentagon? That person should be fired. Please ask any of the Republican pundits, journalists, etc. who are criticizing Pres. Obama's handling of the Afghanistan war why they didn't finish this war off years ago? For 7 1/2 years they dropped the ball on Bush's first war and instead focused on Iraq which had NOTHING to do with 911. Pres. Obama is trying to clean up another mess left by the last administration. The NATO countries who were left out to dry there know that and appreciate Pres. Obama’s pragmatism and common sense. If the Republicans who are now so critical had all of these great ideas why didn't they use them during the last 7 1/2 years?
- Tom: CNN's misrepresentation of General McChrystal's analysis of the war in Afghanistan is deeply disturbing. Within the first few paragraphs of his assessment, General McChrystal states, and I quote, "Success is achievable, but it will not be attained simply by trying harder or ‘doubling down’ on the previous strategy. Additional resources are required, but focusing on force or resource requirements misses the point entirely. The key take away from this assessment is the urgent need for a significant change to our strategy and the way that we think and operate." Making General McChrystal out to be a simpleton who simply wants to funnel more troops into Afghanistan is inexcusable and certainly poor journalism.
- Judi: It amazes me when you, John, don't have a question to that man who said we need to fight in Afghanistan? And then we could win if we provide the resources. What resources?????? Our budget for War is overspent in Iraq. The military is over worked. Where are the fresh troops going to come from? We can't protect people from themselves. They have to stop the Taliban's control. Keep Al Qaeda on the run. Terrorists are our modern day Mobsters. We have a more serious problem with White Supremacist terrorists here in the USA. Should we send troops to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan where the terrorists are?
What do you think about a troop buildup in Afghanistan?
Security Council aims for nuke-free world
UNITED NATIONS (CNN) - A rare meeting of U.N. Security Council heads of state, led for the first time by a U.S. president, adopted a resolution Thursday focused on stopping the spread of nuclear weapons.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/POLITICS/09/24/obama.un.nuclear/art.obama.un.wed.afp.gi.jpg caption="President Obama is the first U.S. leader to head a United Nations Security Council meeting."]
President Obama challenged the gathering, which included leaders of nuclear powers including Russia, China, Great Britain and France, to overcome cynicism against the goal of ridding the planet of nuclear arms.
"We harbor no illusions about the difficulty of bringing about a world without nuclear weapons," Obama said, adding that Thursday's meeting signaled a significant step forward in cooperative global action.
The resolution, which was adopted unanimously, calls for tighter controls on nuclear materials to prevent them from being stolen or used for military purposes. It also encourages enforcement of international treaties and U.N. resolutions regarding nuclear non-proliferation, particularly when nations such as Iran and North Korea are in violation.
"The world must stand together," Obama said. "We must demonstrate that international law is not an empty promise."
It was the first Security Council summit chaired by a U.S. president, and only the fifth time that Security Council heads of state have met. Obama led the meeting because the United States holds the revolving presidency of the Security Council in September.
U.S. terror suspect indicted on bomb conspiracy charge
NEW YORK (CNN) - A Colorado man arrested in a U.S. terror probe has been indicted on a charge of conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction - explosive bombs - against persons or property in the United States, the Justice Department said Thursday.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/CRIME/09/24/terror.indictment/art.zazi.gi.jpg caption="Najibullah Zazi, 24, has been indicted on a charge of conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction in the U.S."]
A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of New York on Wednesday returned a one-count indictment against Najibullah Zazi, 24, of Aurora, Colorado - a Denver suburb.
The Justice Department said FBI agents in Colorado first arrested Zazi on Saturday in a criminal complaint that said he "knowingly and willfully" made false statements to the FBI involving international and domestic terrorism.
In addition, others arrested included Zazi's father - Mohammed Wali Zazi, 53, also from suburban Denver, and Ahmad Wais Afzali, 37, a Muslim cleric and funeral director from Queens, New York.
All three - arrested in what the Justice Department has said was a plot to detonate bombs in the United States - were charged with lying to federal agents during the probe of the alleged plot.
Guitar hero: Scientists are real rock stars
Joe Perry, lead guitarist of Aerosmith, is joining a star-studded lineup including Will.i.am, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban, and Seal for a good cause. The group of musicians is calling themselves Rock Stars of Science.
They're heading to Capitol Hill today to raise awareness for critical, life-saving medical research.
Perry spoke to John Roberts and Kiran Chetry on CNN’s “American Morning” Thursday. Below is an edited transcript of the interview.
Kiran Chetry: We know you're in Washington. Today's the day of the big concert kickoff. What are you guys hoping to see happen with all of your efforts and all of your star power combined?
Joe Perry: Well, I think the whole thing is to show that there's a lot of glamor behind the career of being a scientist. And we clearly need scientists. A lot of studies have shown that America is falling behind in turning out scientists. There are a number of countries that are like far surpassing us in that and we need scientists and we need them now. I mean, they're the ones that are leading the charge in medicine and everything from global warming to having enough food on the planet, everything. And it's just a very important, very important cause.
New breast cancer PSA is an eye-grabber
We've all seen our fair share of shocking ad campaigns. Flip through any fashion magazine and you'll see all kinds of edgy ads from designers.
But now a public service announcement, or PSA, for breast cancer is really drawing attention to the cause.
It's called "Save the boobs" and you have to see it to believe it.
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