American Morning
What's on Tap – Wednesday September 30, 2009
Here are the big stories we'll be breaking down for you this morning:
Paradise pounded. Tsunami waves triggered by a powerful earthquake flatten villages on the Samoan islands in the South Pacific. More than 80 people killed. Dozens injured. Telephone service cut. Homes and government buildings destroyed. We have the latest. Read more
A setback for the president and his plans for a public option in the debate over health care reform. A key Senate committee rejecting two Democratic proposals that would create a government-run insurance program to compete with private insurers. Does this mean a public option is no longer an option for the White House? Read more
An urgent summit meeting in Washington to address the dangers of distracted driving. It will focus on everything from texting to talking on a cell phone while behind the wheel. And what kinds of laws are need to keep drivers safe. Our Jason Carroll is following developments for us.
Shorter summer breaks. 9-hour school days. Kids may hate it but would you support more time in school? The president argues American students are way behind, compared to students in other countries and longer school days and a longer school year is a way to level the playing field. What do you think? Sound off below.
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Q13 Fox News in Seattle is using and airing your CNN iReporter's video on this morning's news! Isn't that odd? Do you and FOX News have a cozy relationship? Please do not spam me like Rich Sanchez did with 10 billion emails!
I agree with going to school longer into the summer and extending the school day another hour. In WI our school goes 7:50 to 2:30 and if there was one more hour they wouldnt have to eat lunch in 15 min(which my 5 year old cannot do so doesnt eat) and be able to extend each subject a few more minutes each day. I hope they look at Hawaii when they are looking at hours and days, I have a friend there in the military and they are cutting the school days to save on the state budget.
Regarding the story of the woman abducted her children to Japan, how did she get them out of the country? My minor daughter traveled to Japan for a school trip and could not leave without a notarized statement from both parents for exactly this reason.
Ms. Chetry-please stick to reporting the news and leave the comedy to the professionals. The scarcastic comment about the police never breaking the law was pretty lame. People love to complain, but the fact is that officers go into situations that everyone else runs away from. I think that deserves a bit more respect.
I don't have a problem with a shorter summer break or even having year round schools, but a longer school day is not the way to go. I had the opportunity to teach in China and the school I taught at had classes/required after school study hall from 7:00am-10:00pm, Monday-Saturday and 7:00am-1:00pm on Sundays. These students lost valuable time to interact with other children outside the school day thus weakening their interpersonal skills. At some point, we need to understand that a score on a standardized test doesn't necessarily tell us how well our schools or our children are actually doing. Education is much more than choosing A, B, C or D.
As a retired teacher, I am fully aware that our students are far behind educationally than many other countries in the world. I feel that President Obama's plan to extend the school day and shorten summer vacation is extremely important to our students. We cannot continue to play catch up. We will only fall further behind if something is not drastically changed.
I predict that a public option WILL be included in the final bill.
As a Canadian, I would not trade my excellent health care service for anything, (in spite of the misinformation freely spread out there by opponents of the option).
The negative action taken by the Senate Finance Committee yesterday will throw a visible spotlight on those against the option (in particular the Democrats) who, I believe, will feel resounding wrath.
BTW, I find it interesting that the Iraqi Constitution, 2005, drafted with the Bush Administration, provides for UNIVERSAl GOVERNMENT FUNDED HEALTH CARE FOR ALL IRAQIS – AS A RIGHT!.. Why then would this benefit not be extended to U.S. citizens? Just wondering.....
I cannot belive that any parent would have a problem with a full day of complete education for our kids in this country . Access to whole learning is rare for most kids in public schools . I live in Gainesville Florida home of UF a college town and the kids go to school @ 7:45 – 1:45 pm and every Wed. they get out @ 12:30 pm . The daycare system in this country is raking us over the coals charging outrageous rates for after school care , I agree with Obama that are kids are so important to us that we should be willing to give them the best education possible not more time off.
Alisha S.
Obama has no business promoting Chicago for the Worlds Fair! He should have a lot more important things to be doing, like not taking my money I have earned and giving it to people who dont or wont work period! Ivoted for him but I can clearly see I made the wrong choice! Redistributing Americas wealth is NOT the American way, Its what Communists do not free marketeers, he`s a sham and needs to stop feeling sorry for everyone who cant afford a new car or home, they must earn it just like he did!