American Morning
Battle of the census
By Carol Costello and Bob Ruff
Ever wonder why we have a census? The answer is right there in Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution of the United States:
"Representation and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers ... The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct."
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/03/census.art.jpg caption="The short form of the 2010 census has just 10 questions, but it is controversial."]
Monday, August 2, 1790 marked the start of the first census. It was then, and still is now, used to determine each state’s allocation of members in the House of Representatives. But as the country has grown from just under the 4 million people counted in that very first census, to the nearly 300,000,000 counted in 2000, so too has its uses. Today the census also helps determine how many federal dollars go to which states, and it gives agencies national social and health statistics that are used for policy purposes. And in addition to the short form that counts every American, there are longer, much more detailed forms that go out to smaller numbers of Americans each year.
The short form of the 2010 census has just 10 questions, but it is controversial.
Minnesota Rep. Michelle Bachmann has been among the most vocal critics. She says the census questions represent government intrusion, such as Question 4 on the form: “What is your telephone number?” Bachmann told CNN she only plans to list the number of people in her household on her 2010 form because the Constitution doesn’t require any information beyond that.
CNN’s Carol Costello spoke with one census worker, who preferred to remain anonymous so that he could speak more freely, to see what kind of response he gets when he asks questions of people who share Rep. Bachmann’s privacy concerns.
“Carl”, the census worker, said he’s concerned that Bachmann’s objections reinforce the fear that some Americans already have about the census: “Some of them are pretty blunt.,” said “Carl.” “They say I’m not talking to you. I don’t want to have anything to do with the government. I’m not talking to you or anything. Get off my property or I’ll call the police.”
What’s on Tap – Tuesday November 3rd, 2009
Here are the big stores we’ll be talking about today.
- America heads to the polls. The results in a number of key states could signal how voters feel about President Obama, his policies and whether they think Republicans can do better. We're live in one of the battleground states.
- A little measure on the ballot in Denver has the nation's attention this morning. It makes it mandatory for cops to take your car if you can't produce a license. But is it about safety or a backdoor way to enforce illegal immigration? You will hear from both sides right there.
- We don't know how many there are, where they are or what they're doing. A new report says the U.S. can't keep track of thousands of contractors on the payroll in Iraq and Afghanistan. Where is the accountability? And how much could they be costing us.
- They started before he was a candidate. Then they realized a guy named Barack Obama was running for president. It’s an incredible case of being in the right place at the right time for a group of filmmakers who ended up being eyewitnesses to history. HBO will debut that documentary tonight. Actor Edward Norton is among the producers. Our Alina Cho talked to him and has a sneak peek.
We Listen – Your comments 11/2/2009
Editor's Note: With the announcement that Afghanistan’s run-off elections were canceled, Monday’s American Morning audience strongly urged President Obama to bring the troops home from the country. Those supporting troop withdrawal had various reasons, including the “waste of taxpayer money on war,” and the need for President Obama to ignore “advice from Republican war-hawks, and those in his own party who are terrified of appearing ‘weak.’”
- Linda R: It must be obvious to anyone with half a brain, that we have a history of propping up corrupt governments. Why would we be spending blood and treasure, precious resources that we desperately need here at home, on a hopeless situation?? Karzai is about as legitimate and honest as Bush/Cheney. Maybe worse, if possible. Karzai is being supported by the very people we are fighting against. If the Taliban were not supporting him, they would not be "involved" in trying to stop a legitimate election. President Obama would be both wise and courageous if he would bring our troops home. All of them. Now. There are other ways he could deal with the "bad guys". Special forces, targeted drones, etc. It does not take a military genius to see that our troops are in harms way for naught. We also need to get completely out of Iraq. Pakistan is probably our biggest worry. They have nukes, the other guys do not. Please stop talking about the current "wars" as if President Obama would be wrong to pull our troops out. He has enough wrong-headed advice from Republican war-hawks, and those in his own party who are terrified of appearing "weak". No more war.
- Francis T.: I have repeated myself to you so many times that it's ridiculous. "stay away from Afghanistan, period.” Let the people kill themselves. How many American and Canadian soldiers have died without even firing a shot. The suicide bombers are selfish "Bastards" who have been brain washed and are prepared to kill themselves and innocent individuals. This is the 21st century and is worse than past centuries. Stop wasting taxpayers money to go to war. Has the U.S. not learnt from past mistakes. It failed in the Vietnam War, the Korean War and even the Iraq War. Deal with all the major internal problems at hand, health care reforms, financial institutions problems, auto industry and so on. Tell the Democrats and Republicans to stop bitching at each other. Remember, their salaries come from taxpayers. Finally, do away with the Space program. So much money have been wasted. Who cares what is outside of our world. How many billions have already been spent. I wish President Obama could see what I have written. He will learn much from me.
What do you think of the war in Afghanistan now that Hamid Karzai has been officially declared the president?
Lance Armstrong art exhibit benefits cancer research
Legendary athlete Lance Armstrong beat cancer and conquered the cycling world's biggest challenge, the Tour de France – 7 times.
But Armstrong is more than just an inspirational figure, he's become a full-time lobbyist for cancer research.
Our John Roberts had a chance to talk with Lance in an art gallery in New York about his latest project that brings together more than 20 of the world's top artists.
Afghan war veterans debate merits of troop surge
President Obama is expected to make a decision on troop levels in Afghanistan in the coming weeks. His top commander in Afghanistan wants at least 40,000 more soldiers. Is that the right number? Should we be sending more troops at all?
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/02/afghan.troops.panel.art.jpg caption="Veterans Thomas Cotton and Jake Diliberto debate opposite sides of the troop surge divide."]
Two veterans of the war, Thomas Cotton and Jake Diliberto, will be lobbying Congress on opposite sides of the troop surge divide. They spoke to John Roberts on CNN’s “American Morning” Monday. Below is an edited transcript of that interview.
John Roberts: Thomas, let's start with you. What's the pitch that you're going to make in favor of General Stanley McChrystal's call for some 40,000 additional troops in Afghanistan?
Thomas Cotton: I'm going to tell Congress that we need every last one of those troops. That's based not only on my experience over the last year in Afghanistan, but also on General McChrystal's reputation and expertise. He has spent a career in the Army Special Operations community and he's looked at this situation carefully and knows that we can't win with a counterterrorism strategy only.
We need a full-spectrum counterinsurgency that can secure the south and the east while mentoring and training the Afghan national army. And 40,000 troops is the absolute minimum with which he can accomplish that mission.
Roberts: Jake, you heard Thomas' argument. What's your argument against the surge in troops in Afghanistan?
Jake Diliberto: Well, Tom's right – if you want to do a counterinsurgency campaign, you absolutely need 40,000 troops. But that's not enough. You're going to need another 100,000 troops on top of that. And all counterinsurgency experts will pretty much agree that another year is going to look like another 15 years. And so the idea that another counterinsurgency campaign in Afghanistan is in our best interest as Americans, I don't think, is the right answer.
RI closes loopholes on minors stripping, indoor prostitution
Editor's Note: These are new developments to a story American Morning first brought you over the summer.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/02/cheaters.wpri.art.jpg caption="In June, police found a 16-year-old Boston runaway working as a dancer at Cheaters, a Providence strip club."]
By Beth Rotatori
CNN
A legal loophole that allowed minors to perform at strip clubs in Rhode Island has been closed, according to a Rhode Island state lawmaker.
State Representative Joanne Giannini (D-Providence) tells CNN that legislation she introduced to bar anyone under 18 from working in adult entertainment establishments in any capacity was approved by the Rhode Island General Assembly Thursday.
The bill, which takes effect upon passage, is now headed to the desk of Gov. Donald L. Carcieri (R), she said.
“Children should not be publicly performing in any sexual way, ever,” said Rep. Giannini. “It’s called ‘adult entertainment’ for a reason. Minors aren’t supposed to be admitted to those clubs, so they certainly shouldn’t be working in them.”
Before this new legislation, teenagers could perform at strip clubs as long as they were 16, had a work permit and were home by 11:30 p.m. on school nights.
“Having underage girls or boys performing in this way is child exploitation and corruption,” Giannini went on to say. “We’re fixing this law to make it clear that it’s not allowed.”
Watch State Rep. Joanne Giannini discuss the loophole in July 
The loophole came to light in June when Providence police found a 16-year-old Boston runaway, who had been working as a dancer at Cheaters, a Providence strip club. When police investigated her employment at the club, they found there was no law under which they could charge anyone for employing a minor as a stripper, Giannini explained.
Rhode Island lawmakers also passed a bill banning indoor prostitution, which, until Friday, had been legal in the state. Before passage of the ban, another loophole on the state’s books permitted prostitution, as long as solicitation didn’t occur outdoors (ie: as long as prostitutes were not walking the street trying to strike up business).
Giannini said the two issues are closely intertwined, because the indoor prostitution loophole allowed exotic dancers – including any minors who may have legally been working in strip clubs – to engage in prostitution without breaking the law.
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