American Morning
House members report increased threats since vote
By Carol Costello, CNN
(CNN) – Some conservatives have made pro-life Congressman Bart Stupak a verb.
Stu-packed. Definition? Betrayed. And, for some, that sense of betrayal has become visceral. Ever since the health care reform bill passed the House of Representatives, angry, and sometimes threatening calls, have been coming into Stupak’s office.
A sample: “You are a cowardly punk, Stupak. That’s what you are. You and your family, scum.” Another caller left this message: “Go to hell, you piece of ***t!”
Stupak has also received thousands of letters and faxes. One fax shows a picture of a noose, with the words, “All baby killers come to unseemly ends, either by the hand of man or the hand of God.”
The calls and letters kept coming as Stupak and other pro-life Democratic lawmakers gathered Wednesday to witness President Obama sign an executive order. An order, pro-life Democrats insist, confirms the ban on federal funding for abortions in the new health care law.
Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, a pro-life Democrat from Ohio, says the mood was “joyous,” with “everybody clapping.”
Kaptur has experienced some push-back for her support of the health care bill too, but not like Stupak. She finds it disturbing, and says it has little to do with the abortion issue. “There were a lot of individuals who didn’t want this bill at all, and I think that’s where the vitriol is coming from,” says Kaptur.
Democrats facing death threats
(CNN) – The message from emotional voters to Capitol Hill could not be clearer: "go to hell."
From profanity-laden voice mails to faxes with Nazi insignia, thousands of Americans are venting their anger. And the shouting isn't bound to The Beltway.
At least ten members of Congress, with home districts stretching all the way from New York to Arizona, have reported either harassment, vandalism, or death threats. Our Brianna Keilar has the report from Capitol Hill.
LIVE Blog: House Dems report increased threats
Editor's Note: Welcome to American Morning's LIVE Blog where you can discuss the "most news in the morning" with us each and every day. Join the live chat during the program by adding your comments below. It's your chance to share your thoughts on the day's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules: 1) Keep it brief 2) No writing in ALL CAPS 3) Use your real name (first name only is fine) 4) No links 5) Watch your language (that includes $#&*).
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/25/capitol.police.hcr.gi.art.jpg caption="Capitol police officers stand watch in front of the U.S. Capitol on March 21, 2010 in Washington, DC."]
(CNN) - Democratic congressional leaders Wednesday demanded Republicans join them in condemning a spate of threats and vandalism that has followed Sunday's vote on a sweeping overhaul of the U.S. health care system.
More than 10 Democrats have reported trouble since the weekend vote, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters. Windows have been smashed at Democratic offices in at least three states, and federal agents were investigating whether a cut gas line at the home of a Virginia congressman's brother was related to the lawmaker's yes vote.
Democracy "is not about violence," Hoyer said at a news conference with South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn, the No. 2 Democrat in the House of Representatives. FULL STORY
Other top stories:
California could legalize pot
It's an historic step forward for pot supporters – California could become the first state to legalize marijuana for non-medicinal purposes. The measure will be on the ballot this fall. Our Dan Simon is in Oakland talking to people on both sides of the issue.
Relaxing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'
Big changes are expected to the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. The Pentagon is set to announce this morning that the military will no longer investigate gays who are outed by third parties or complaints made anonymously. We'll get reaction from soldiers in the field.
Sound off: Join the conversation on today's top stories. What do you think about health care reform threats, relaxing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," or legalizing marijuana? Add your comments to the LIVE blog below and we'll read some of them on the show.
Are You Smart? College essays via YouTube videos
Editor's Note: Think you're smart? That depends on what it means to be smart. And how do you become smart – if you're not there yet? This week, in our special series "Are You Smart?" our Alina Cho takes an in-depth look at all aspects of intelligence.
By Alina Cho, CNN
(CNN) – We all know that the college admissions process is competitive. You have to be smart, have good grades, good SAT scores, and if you're applying to Tufts University – a personal video can help too. It's actually part of the application.
So does a YouTube video measure a different kind of smart? You be the judge.
Tufts University near Boston is now accepting personal videos as part of the application process, among the first in the nation to do so. The videos do not replace essays, grades or SATS, but are meant as a supplement. The videos are not required, but students are getting into it.
Already almost 1,000 students have taken part out of the 15,000 applications submitted. Some on YouTube have been viewed by thousands. The videos demonstrate creativity in animation, wilderness survival skills, and in Rhaina Cohen's case, a twist on a familiar phrase: "walk a mile in my shoes."
Meals get bigger in 52 'Last Supper' works
(CNN) – Has the meal in the "Last Supper" reached biblical proportions?
Two brothers, both college professors, think so. Using computer technology they compared the size of Jesus and his disciples to the size of their food.
And what they found is that in more than 50 of the paintings over the last 1,000 years the food got bigger and bigger with the main dish growing by 70-percent.
The study was published in April's International Journal of Obesity. Craig Wansink, the co-author of the study and a professor of religious studies at Virginia Wesleyan College, joined us on Wednesday's American Morning.
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