American Morning
The Obamas' love, partnership & politics
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/23/barack.michelle.obama.gi.art.jpg caption="Author Chris Andersen's new book gives an inside look into Barack and Michelle Obama's partnership."]
They are a power couple, a partnership and about as A-list as you can get: President and First Lady Obama.
No matter what you think about his policies, they are an intriguing team. So what makes this relationship tick?
In a new book called "Barack and Michelle: Portrait of an American Marriage," New York Times bestselling author Christopher Andersen gives a peek into some of the Obama's most pivotal moments as the future first couple.
Swim club penalized over racism complaint
(CNN) - The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission issued a finding of probable cause Tuesday that racism was involved in the decision last June by a suburban Philadelphia swim club to revoke privileges of a largely minority day care center.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/US/09/23/pennsylvania.swim.racism/art.pool.campers.pdn.jpg caption="Some kids from the Creative Steps Day Care center say club members made racist remarks."]
The commission ordered monetary damages for humiliation and embarrassment and a civil penalty of not more than $50,000.
The decision noted that none of the club's 155 paid members this year was African-American.
Last year, according to the decision, there were "179 paid memberships, none of whom were African American."
In addition, the decision noted that in 2009, the Valley Club "made a concerted effort to expand the geographic range of its membership by engaging in a marketing campaign.... The Respondent efforts were mainly directed at areas with overwhelmingly Caucasian populations.... The Respondent made no effort to direct such marketing efforts at areas with significant African American populations...."
Initial findings don't link Garridos to other girls
ANTIOCH, California (CNN) - Investigators who completed their search of the California property belonging to kidnapping suspects Phillip and Nancy Garrido said initial findings do not connect the couple to the disappearances of two young girls.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/CRIME/09/22/garrido.search/art.missing.girls.jpg caption="Ilene Misheloff, left, has been missing since 1989; Michaela Garecht disappeared in 1988."]
But police said that they have not eliminated Phillip Garrido as a suspect in the decades-old cases.
Bone fragments found on the couple's property near Antioch could be human but are "far too old to be relevant in our cases," said Lt. Chris Orrey of the Hayward police department.
Teeth found on an adjacent property are most likely from an animal, she said. And some anomalies found by ground-penetrating radar uncovered "chunks of concrete, tree roots, and in one case a floor mat," Orrey said at a news conference.
Investigators had already found bone fragments at the property in unincorporated Contra Costa County, but have not said if they are human.
"Although nothing [was found] that would definitively link Phillip and Nancy Garrido to the disappearance of Ilene Misheloff or Michaela Garecht, we're going to continue to follow up on the evidence that we have recovered," Lt. Kurt von Savoye of the Dublin Police Department said at the news conference.
What’s on Tap – Wednesday September 23, 2009
Here are the big stories on the agenda today:
- Outrage in a New York City suburb over Libyan Leader Moammar Gadhafi pitching a tent on property Donald Trump owns. He's in the New York area for the United Nations General Assembly this week. The State Department says he'll use the tent for entertaining. Full story
- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is promising to seek leniency for three American hikers who've been held captive in his country for more than seven weeks. He'll be addressing the U.N. General Assembly tonight. Those hikers’ mothers sent a letter to Iran’s president. Did he respond? One of them will join us live, with her plea.
- New warnings about an alleged terror plot that targeted trains and subways in New York City. Authorities say stadiums, hotels and entertainment complexes should also be on high alert... so- called “soft targets.” We pride ourselves on being an open society. So, how do we protect these wide open spaces with lots of people coming and going, every day? Jason Carroll is digging deeper this morning. Full story
- It’s the video you can’t miss this morning. A parking pole saves a child’s life. It was the only thing between the car, and a little girl. The car ended up stuck in the air! And the girl ended up... OK! And everyone will be talking about her today. Watch
We Listen – Your comments 9/22/2009
Editor's Note: Tuesday's American Morning audience reacted strongly to Carol Costello's exploration of the gun control debate. Many angry gun owners expressed opinion on why they support the right to bear arms. The majority viewed ownership as a “constitutional right,” for protection and enjoyment.
- David: I have been raise around guns all my life. I was taught how to handle them and respect them. The people who want to put restrictions on them need to step back. If guns are a problem where you live (such as crimes and etc.... then make tougher laws and quit slapping criminals on the wrist. The Constitution says I have a right to bear arms. I also have a right to protect my self, from anybody that might break in my house and also to protect my family. Charlton Heston said it best, The day they take my guns will be the day they pry it from my cold dead fingers. Parents need to take the upper hand and learn about guns and teach their children. IF you commit a crime with a gun you should do the crime. That’s why its up to the parents to teach their kids about guns the same as you would about all the other wrong things in the world. I also support the NRA. Thank you.
- Jason: Personally gun control really needs to switch gears. Clearly it's in the Constitution, the right to own a gun. I recently have changed my views on this. I feel we should have the right to own a gun for protection and for sport. I personally don't hunt, but I really don't see the sport in using a AK47 and mowing down a city block in 2 seconds. chances are you're going to hit something, but whatever. What gun control should do, is actually do just that. control who can buy the guns and where they can buy them. every gun that is produced needs to be accounted for. it seems that guns were important enough to the founding fathers, to put it in the Constitution, but also they stated in the Declaration of Independence, all men are created equal. All these gun owners who are against equal rights and state the bible says that homosexuality is wrong, but no where does it say go out and buy a gun. They need to decide whether we are going to live by the bible or the documents that formed this country. they can't have it all.
- Angel: Owning a weapon in the us is a right given to all Americans through the constitution, there are groups and individuals that use weapons to correct problems that is wrong . A person has the right to bear arms.
- Fred: Regarding gun control. Firstly I am an Expert with a machine gun and a Sharpshooter with a Carbine according to the US Army. I have been taught about firearms since I was 12 years old. I have protection. No one needs an automatic weapon but the military and Federal Agencies. Pistols should only be in the hands of licensed people and bond holders of $2,000,000 or more with a State issued license. With no guns in our possession America would already have been invaded and wild animals would kill in some circumstances.
Why do you think some gun owners are angry? Where do you stand on this issue?
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