American Morning

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March 5th, 2010
03:00 PM ET

We Listen – Your comments 3/5/2010

Editor's Note: President Obama’s health care reform call to action for Democrats sparked varied feedback from Friday’s American Morning audience. Some thought the Republicans should retreat from the argument if they were so confident of the Democrats’ future failure. Others suggested the U.S. look at new sources of revenue to fund the program. A third group was perplexed as to why so many were against “mandated” health insurance, when such programs already exist for car insurance.

  • George: If the Republicans are so sure that the Healthcare bill will doom the democrats in November, why are they still fighting the bill?
  • Dwayne: All This Squabbling is Over How We Are Going to Pay for It- Health Care-Education- etc. When Really The USA Needs Another Source of REVENUE other that TAXES or HIGH TAXES! Why Not REVENUE from SELLING OIL from Federal Lands? Then, How about DISCOUNTED PRICE for Gas, Natural Gas, Heating Oil & Diesel OIL On Our Way to GREEN SOURCES of ENERGY! That would Be Like Giving Everyone a Raise in UTILITIES ALONE! […]
  • Sydney: I don't understand why people are so afraid of "mandated" health insurance. We already have mandated insurance–auto insurance. I can't drive my car without at least collision insurance or I will be fined. Also, what is the difference between the government outlining coverage and the insurance companies outlining what they will cover. Would a Republican please explain these differences to me.

How do you feel about the president’s call to action on health care for Democrats? Continue the conversation below.


Filed under: We Listen
March 5th, 2010
02:00 PM ET

'Half the Sky' fights oppression of women

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/05/care.art.jpg caption="The humanitarian organization CARE held their second annual International Women’s Day event Thursday."]

By Dashira Harris, CNN

“Women hold up half the sky” – Chinese proverb

Woishenet was just 13-years-old when she was abducted from her village in Ethiopia by four men and raped for two days.

Bride abduction is a practice in which a man who cannot pay high bride prices abducts the woman he wants to marry, rapes her and then consequently marries her. Once a girl is abducted, she becomes "soiled" or "tainted" and her parents often consent to the marriage at a reduced price.

The rape is not considered a crime if the two marry. Woishenet’s father, Zebene Negash, vowed to take the case to court. The accused, Aberew Jemma Negussie, was released on bail and then kidnapped Woishenet and raped her again, this time for 15 days.

Last year, Negussie was sentenced to 10 years and released after serving only one month. Woishenet and her father are now appealing to Ethiopia’s highest court.

Woishenet’s story was just one of the many illustrated in the New York Times bestseller, “Half the Sky,” written by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. The humanitarian organization CARE held their second annual International Women’s Day event, Half the Sky Live, Thursday to bring the book to life onscreen for a special one-night-only event in movie theaters worldwide.

Half the Sky Live featured musical performances, book readings, a panel discussion on the future of “turning women’s oppression into opportunity” and the world premiere of “Woishenet,” the on-screen adaptation of her story, a short film directed by Marisa Tomei and Lisa Leone.

The forthcoming short film is the first of future films inspired by the book. Kristoff affirms he will not stop with the book and is calling to action anyone who believes in human rights.

To find out what you can do, visit CARE.


Filed under: World
March 5th, 2010
12:00 PM ET

Health care: Your stories of medical waste

(CNN) – This week we've been telling you how fifty cents of every dollar we spend on health care is wasted. Many of you have experienced this first-hand. Hundreds of you have been sharing with us your own stories about medical waste.

Our senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen joined us on Friday's American Morning to tell us about your response to her series, "Health Care: Prescription for waste?"

March 5th, 2010
11:00 AM ET

Have things become lax with air traffic safety?

(CNN) – There have been a number of eyebrow raising events involving air traffic controllers and pilots in the last year.

The most recent, an air traffic controller let his two kids direct planes at New York City's JFK. That air traffic controller and his supervisor have been suspended with pay while the FAA completes its investigation.

So what's going on here?

For reaction, on Friday's American Morning we spoke with Bob Richards, a retired air traffic controller, and Captain Jack Casey, a former airline pilot.

Read more: Controller blasted over 'kids' incident


Filed under: Airline safety
March 5th, 2010
10:00 AM ET

Dept. of Justice witch hunt?

(CNN) – A new political ad is asking Attorney General Eric Holder to name DOJ staffers who have represented terror detainees in the past.

Some lawmakers on Capitol Hill say that's a fair question. But on the other side, legal experts and politicos, both Republicans and Democrats, are calling it a witch hunt. Our Jeanne Meserve has the AM Original report.


Filed under: AM Original • Controversy • Justice
March 5th, 2010
09:00 AM ET

Pentagon gunman disliked government

Washington (CNN) - A man who was shot after calmly opening fire on two Pentagon police officers died early Friday, authorities said.

The gunman was John Patrick Bedell, a law enforcement source said. At a Friday morning news conference, Pentagon Police Chief Richard S. Keevill referred to him only as Bedell.

The 36-year-old man lived with his parents in Hollister, California, said Terry Sutherland, a Pentagon spokesman.

Bedell had "no real emotion in his face" as he approached the officers Thursday evening, Keevill said. He pulled a gun out of his pocket when asked for identification to enter the Pentagon, the chief said.

Keevill praised Officers Jeffrey Amos and Marvin Carraway for acting "quickly and decisively to neutralize him as a threat" without hurting anyone else. FULL STORY


Filed under: Crime
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