American Morning
We Listen: Your Comments – 12/21/09
Editor's Note: As the East Coast dug out of a treacherous weekend winter storm, Monday’s American Morning audience lamented Senate Democrats’ success in moving forward the health care reform bill. While some blamed Republican “obstructionism” for the lack of bi-partisan support, most were disappointed by the compromise necessary to have all Democrats support reform. Many suggested that during the next election cycle, the current Congress would be voted out as a result. Others included President Obama in the list of those likely to be removed from office.
For
- Marlin: I challenge any pundit for any of these networks who give credence to the republican complaints about them being shut out will review historic actions by the Govt over the past 75 years... I have read and for that matter can remember many of the republican utterances on such actions as Medicare, family leave and in the past social security, workmen’s comp, unemployment comp, the 48 hour work week then the 40 hour work week. Perhaps you all could contact the Wash. spectator and get past actions of the republican party and what social security and many of the above mentioned was going to do to the country./ Also I challenge all of you to check how many times the republicans have used the filibuster since losing the majority 3 years ago. If you think they are interested in bi-partisanship after checking these facts I have some ocean front property in Arizona i would like to sell you. You all are either blind to their actions or don’t want to see it. Please check these facts and prove me wrong. I submit just as when Clinton was elected they are more interested in obstructionism than getting something done for the country.
Against
- Shannon: According to your report this a.m. about health care reform, nothing has changed except now we will be required to buy it. The last 10 years I have had health care on and off don't be fooled – the insurance companies will deny you because everything will be an pre-existing cond. So what has changed for us is we have to spend money we don't have for 4 years and ultimately we will be denied coverage because of the loophole of pre-existing cond. I was so hopeful.
- Arnold: I know that we need health care BUT we do not need to give Nevada, Vermont, mass. offerings for there vote the President should not sign this bill if he does he will break his promise. The president has made a deal with the drug industry for 80 billion dollars and he said that he is going to change things in Washington what a joke. I have listen to all of the debates on health care and the senate keeps using the blame game remember that they have run the house and senate the last two years .last why is it now that they are talking about Medicare going broke why did they not do something two years ago.
Health care for Christmas?
A Senate health care reform bill is now on track to be ready by Christmas Eve. It is historic legislation to remake the nation's medical system and cover 30 million uninsured Americans. What could this mean if you get sick? CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Karen Tumulty of Time magazine spoke about the health care bill on Monday's American Morning.
Blizzard of partisanship
The Senate voted overnight to end debate on the health care reform bill. Republicans, who didn't cast a single vote in favor, say the bill and the whole process was ugly. CNN's Jim Acosta reports.
Ben Stiller – Tuesday on American Morning
Editor's Note: In an American Morning original series, “Big Stars, Big Giving,” Alina Cho looks at celebrity philanthropy and how these big stars can make a big impact. Through one-on-one interviews with Elton John, Ben Stiller, Madonna, Martha Stewart and Richard Branson, she shares what causes have become their passion, and how you can get involved.
Ben Stiller is using comedy and social media to make a difference, raising money to build schools in Haiti.
His charity name is a spoof on Lance Armstrong's foundation, "LiveStrong," with its famous yellow bracelets. Stiller came up with "StillerStrong," and his version of the bracelet is a headband.
In part two of "Big Stars, Big Giving," Alina sits down with the famous funny man Tuesday, 6-9 a.m. ET – only on CNN’s American Morning.
Counting Down Cady: Cady-in-training
Editor's Note: Cady Coleman, Ph.D. is a NASA astronaut – a veteran of two space missions, who has logged over 500 hours in space. She is assigned to the Expedition 26 crew and is scheduled to fly to the International Space Station aboard the Russian Soyuz 25 in late 2010. This is part three of our year-long American Morning original series, "Counting Down Cady."
By Kim Segal and John Zarrella, CNN
Houston, Texas (CNN) - It takes two people to help dress Cady Coleman for work.
The spacesuit she must wear for training at the Johnson Space Center here weighs more than twice the body weight of the petite astronaut.
"Some people think you might have a custom spacesuit, and you don't," she says. "They're in a generic size."
Pads are added and adjustments are made to ensure a custom, comfortable fit for each astronaut. The suit Coleman is training in is similar to the one she will wear if she must do a spacewalk next year while aboard the international space station.
In November, if everything goes according to plan, Coleman will blast off on a Russian Soyuz rocket for the station, where she will live for the next six months.
Actress Brittany Murphy dead at 32
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/12/21/brittany.murphy.art.jpg caption="Actress Brittany Murphy was pronounced dead at 10:04 a.m. PT, according to a spokesman at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She was 32."]
Los Angeles, California (CNN) - Brittany Murphy, the bubbly, free-spirited actress who appeared in such films as "Clueless" and "8 Mile," died Sunday, apparently of natural causes, the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office said. She was 32.
Murphy was pronounced dead at 10:04 a.m. PT Sunday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Sally Stewart told CNN Radio.
An autopsy had not been scheduled as of Sunday night, but Captain John Kades, a spokesman for the coroner's office, told CNN that there was no sign of foul play or trauma. He added that it's not unusual for a younger person to die of natural causes.
The coroner's office is looking into Murphy's medical history. A final report could take up to eight weeks.
The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the death, and robbery and homicide detectives will be at her home, LAPD spokeswoman Norma Eisenman said.
"The sudden loss of our beloved Brittany is a terrible tragedy," her family said in a statement issued by her publicist. "She was our daughter, our wife, our love and a shining star. We ask you to respect our privacy at this time."
Funeral arrangements are pending, the family said.
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