American Morning
The Legend Lives On: "This Is It" premieres
For Michael Jackson fans, today is a thriller. That's because the pop star's documentary "This Is It" premieres around the world today.
It includes hours of never-before-seen rehearsal footage of Jackson in action. Fans in L.A. got a sneak peek last night. Our Kareen Wynter was there and takes us to the red carpet.
Nickel & Dimed: How to protect yourself from bank fees
It's hard to do without a credit card or banking account, but the costs of those products – what you pay in fees – may be more than you bargained for.
CNN's Gerri Willis is kicking off our new series "Nickel and Dimed" this morning.
Brown: Public option 'right side of history'
Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman is poised to deliver a damaging blow to Democrats and to the health care reform bill they're trying to get passed in the Senate.
Lieberman says it's because there's a government-run public option in the bill that he would join a filibuster and do what he could to stop the measure from passing.
Senator Sherrod Brown from Ohio co-wrote the public option legislation. He wants President Obama to come out in strong support of the public option. He spoke to Kiran Chetry on CNN’s “American Morning” Wednesday. Below is an edited transcript of that interview.
Kiran Chetry: You've been a longtime supporter of health care reform. How concerned are you about Senator Lieberman saying he would join a filibuster over the public option?
Sherrod Brown: It’s too early to say that from his comments. I have not talked to Joe since he said that. I know Harry Reid has. He’s going to vote to put it on the floor. We’ll have the debate and we will see what happens. I think in the end people don't want to be on the wrong side of history. People want to be part of this change and this reform. You know, the opponents use the same arguments they did against Medicare 40 years ago. And I think some people after voting against Medicare kind of had buyer's remorse.
Sen. Lieberman says he'll fight against public option
Independent Senator Joe Lieberman, who usually votes with Democrats, says he'll join a Republican filibuster to kill a health care bill containing the so-called "public option."
Meantime, Democratic leaders are considering some new options in the health care fight. CNN's Jim Acosta reports. Read more
What’s on Tap – Wednesday October 28th, 2009
Here are the big stories on the agenda today:
- Breaking news this morning in two very important countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The United States has a lot riding on each one of these nations and is making that clear, especially in Pakistan, where Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is on the ground this morning. She flew in overnight on an un-announced trip. Her arrival comes at a time when anti-American sentiment is growing fast. A brand new attack overnight there killed dozens. A car bomb tore threw a packed market in Peshawar, killing least 90 people, many of them women.
- One month ago, an earthquake-triggered tsunami swept across American Samoa. The wall of water killed 34 people. One is still missing. Now a CNN investigation is uncovering evidence this natural disaster was in many ways a man-made tragedy. Why millions that we paid for an early warning system were never used for that purpose.
- “Sex for World Series tickets.” Police say a Phillies fan took her passion to a whole new level in an ad on Craigslist that read: "Diehard Phillies fan… gorgeous tall buxom blonde-in desperate need of two world series tickets… price negotiable. I’m the creative type!” Police say they then made contact with the woman and she offered to perform various sex acts in exchange for the tickets. That Phillies fan is now charged with prostitution. Game one tonight!
About this Show
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Commentary: Protecting NFL players is paramount
Editor’s Note: DeMaurice Smith is the executive director of the NFL Players Association. Previously, he was a trial lawyer and litigation partner at a D.C. law firm. Smith previously served as Counsel to then Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder in the U.S. Department of Justice before entering private practice. He will be speaking today to the House Judiciary Committee on the impact hard hits and concussions have on NFL players. Below are excerpts from that testimony given exclusively to CNN.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/10/28/smith.demaurice.art.jpg caption="DeMaurice Smith says the number one priority of the NFL Players Association is to protect those who play the game."]
By DeMaurice F. Smith
As Executive Director of the NFL Players Association, my number one priority is to protect those who play and have played this game. There is no interest greater than their health and safety. Let me repeat: protecting the players is paramount.
The House Judiciary Committee deserves immense credit and appreciation for bringing this issue of concussions and brain trauma in the sport of football to the forefront. I am confident that the Committee and today’s hearing will be a turning point on this issue and my hope is that this day will serve as a marker denoting the day that those of us that are involved in football at the highest level commit ourselves to finding the right answers.
It will not only influence this game at the professional level, but for our players in College, High School and Youth Football. I have one simple declaration on behalf of those who play and those who played this game: We are committed to getting the right answers, to work with everyone who has the goal of protecting our players and to serve as a model for football at every level.
Watch Smith discuss player safety
Given that commitment, I acknowledge that the Players Union in the past has not done its best in this area. We will do better. To men like John Mackey and Brent Boyd and to the families of Mike Webster and Andre Waters, and other players that suffered and continue to suffer daily, I commit and we commit to this as our mission. We will not fail them or their families.
Between 2000 and 2008, there were hundreds of studies highlighting this issue. I believe that the NFL MTBI Committee has reviewed many of them. Unfortunately, the NFL diminished those studies, urged the suppression of the findings and for years, moved slowly in an area where speed should have been the impetus. But as we learn more about this issue, one thing becomes clear: the days of denigrating, suppressing, and ignoring the medical findings must come to an end.
We need to share relevant information, embrace expert researchers and collectively find the right answers.
The game of football is America’s passion; it is often discussed, analyzed and debated 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And the discussions focusing on the business of football are becoming increasingly popular. Fans of our great game are fully aware that the players and the owners are negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement and that much of player health and safety will be discussed in that process. Our players, our fans and the NFL should also know that we cannot wait until an agreement is signed – or worse, perhaps, a lockout – to begin taking corrective steps today.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of DeMaurice F. Smith.
Filed under: Commentary • Sports