Editor's Note: Health care reform remained the topic of focus for Friday’s American Morning audience. Senator Baucus’ health care proposal, unveiled earlier this week, was criticized for claiming to be “bi-partisan” when neither Republicans nor Democrats had supported the plan. Many remarked that Senator Baucus had lost all “credibility” because of his push for inappropriate homeland security funding for his state.

• Dan: Why do you keep referring to the Baucus bill as bi-partisan? NOT ONE Republican supports it. Hopefully, no Democrats will support it either, since it is nothing but a giveaway to the insurance industry. I guess it's too much to expect that you corporate tools at CNN would want to explain these facts to your viewers.
  Jerry: Sen. Baucus lost all creditability when he supported giving 15 million to built/upgrade border crossing stations in his home state. A public option is the only way the American people will come out ahead in the health care bill, anything else we lose.

Many viewers perceived the "Wingnuts" segment as too “right-leaning,” and asked the President Obama be given a “fair shake.”

• Armando: Horrified by the "Wingnuts" of the week segment. I work across the street from you folks here in DC. There is literally a mob mentality in the right wing right now....open racism towards our President and you folks try to make it funny? And act like there is an equal amount of lunacy on the right and left? Come on. This type of belittling of racism and extremism will lead toward violence toward our President and the left. Pelosi's speech the other day should set off alarm bells...The real nuts out there with guns here the Republicans yell at the President, talk about going toward Socialism…there are many who would commit violent acts to stop that. Wake up CNN and stand for something!. Stand for a civil discourse, and not yield to the mob. You can start by giving Lou Dobbs a pink slip. This Mexican American will never watch CNN when that nut is on.
• Joe: Just when I'm starting to think that CNN is reporting more factually and less right-leaning (which you began during the Bush W reign), you do it again. The Wingnut segment was totally right leaning. There is NO excuse for Joe Wilson lashing out at the President, I don't care which party you are, but all you said was that he collected a ton of money over it and became a hero, etc., with no mention even of his opponent raising a ton of money, as well, or that MANY Americans are outraged over what Joe did. Then the host said several times that he attended the 9/12 rally and talked very positively about that along with your never ending clips of those Obama-bashing rallies attended only by the radical right, always showing that disturbing banner of Obama made up to look like the Joker. For years, I counted on CNN to simply give me the news in a factual, non-biased way and you need to get back to that. We Americans MUST, AT MINIMUM, give Obama and the Dems a FAIR SHAKE after 8 years of almost losing everything due to Bush & Cheney!

President Obama has been in office for less than a year. Is he being judged too harshly by conservative critics? How do you feel about the strong opposition to many of his policies? Should he be given a “fair shake,” as the viewer above requests?

Editor's Note: Former President Carter’s remarks on racism continued to resonate with Thursday’s American Morning audience. The majority were in agreement with Mr. Carter’s assessment. Others objected, believing President Obama’s policies were at fault; and blacks, not whites, were using the “race card,” rather than concentrating on the issues.

Agree

• Dorothy: The sad state of America is the fact of the disbelief and the realization that RACISM is a fact in the US. RACISM is alive and when you do your jobs and investigate RACISM. President Carter is correct.
• Douglas: I am a white male baby boomer that grew up in the deep south (Mobile), and presently live in North Carolina. I heard someone mention that former President Jimmy Carter was irrelevant. Not so! He hit the nail square on the head and for those to deny what he said as true are living in a world that is far removed from reality. I was a 'freedom fighter' and crossed race lines during the sixties to fight for civil rights, knowing that not only was I fighting against Jim Crowe, but also for future generations against bigotry, hatred and oppression and for equal rights for all. The vitriol that has continued no matter how subtle it may seem to have been is there in the back roads of minds of small minded, undereducated people. The fight continues against such issues; anyone who spouts a belief in GOD and continues to do such does not understand GOD's love for all and thank GOD for persons like Jimmy Carter for taking a stand and telling it in the bully pulpit that he has access to, as we out here who do fight daily against those attitudes know exactly what he means. He is not our black president (Obama); he is our president!! Take out references to color!! +thank you.
• Bahe: My comment is for the question regarding Pres Jimmy Carters statement RE racism. I think the president is right. Racism is "bubbling" to the top in politics and in the news media, i.e., Lou Dobbs, RushBo, etc. I am Native American. I have lived through racism. I know what it's like. President Carter also has lived in an environment of racism. When you are a part of it either as it's victim or live along side it, I think you can tell what it is. Pres Obama tries to deny it because I don't think he has lived in a racist area. Or has never been affected by it up till now. Maybe his upbringing by white mom and white grandparents shielded him from much hate. But now he's in the real world. And Joe Wilson just showed him up front and personal about racism. I don't care much for either party, but I can admit to what I see. It's Racism!

Disagree

• Yvonne: It is NOT racism, it's the issues of Government control and the background and associations this President has! For Pete's Sake, just look at the issues and his background!!!
• Sharon: The only "racists" that I know are "black". THEY are the ones that keep playing the "race card". Many "whites" supported and voted for Obama. I even sang his praises in the beginning and made the statement that he could be the best president we have ever had. Then came the "czars" with their radical beliefs and agendas. Pelosi is brain dead. Obama is anti-American with his actions and agendas. Race has nothing to do with it. Government corruption, lies, deceit, and agendas has everything to do with Obama's falling popularity. We no longer trust or can believe that the White House has America's best interest at heart. I have never seen so much betrayal by an American administration nor "mainstream" media.
• Theresa: Mr. Carter and the rest who are promoting the racism card are off base, & are making fools of themselves & are creating division. Assuming the worst because of a few idiots makes a fool out of those who say this. I am insulted by such statements and views. I disagree with Pres. Obama's policies: abortion, immigration, health care take over, Medicare reduction of services. He is the most liberal person ever elected and his Senate record is more liberal (progressive) than Kennedy. I felt the same way with the previous Dem that ran for President if these were their policies. I would not vote for Ted Kennedy for the same reason. Does that make me prejudiced against Catholics? Oh, I am one. My daughter is the same race as Obama what difference does that make. It isn’t just Carter it is the media who keep raising this "possibility" to see if it has legs. YOU are supposed to be critical of the powers that be.. You had no problem with Bush why can't you investigate, check out and "pretend" that you are objective! Is there anyone there that can be an Edward R Morrow????

Who’s right in this debate? Is there a possibility that BOTH sides could be correct in their assessments on race?

Editor's Note: Former President Jimmy Carter’s remarks on racism towards President Obama dominated Wednesday’s American Morning viewer response. The majority were in agreement with Mr. Carter, stating “you have to be blind not to see it.” Those opposed to Mr. Carter's assessment noted that every time something “is not going how the Democrats would like…they [make] racism a big issue.”

Agree

• Lee: To argue that disrespectful behavior shown to the president, like that of Joe Wilson or the "tea baggers" comparing Obama to Hitler and Stalin, isn't racist is to be an ostrich with its head in the sand! Racism is deeply entrenched in our society and people's willingness to undermine Obama's administration at every turn is symptomatic of this racism.
• Gabe: Jimmy Carter is certainly right about racism figuring in the Washington demonstration. You have to be blind not to see it. (Look at those awful signs deriding Obama.) Certain white people have suddenly discovered that there's a black man in the White House and it scares them. Wilson, too, was being racist, if only unconsciously, in his outburst in Congress. Alas, all is not well with the nation.
• Sandy: Today race still plays a subtle and underlying influence in the lives of most black people. It is my belief that people who would never consider themselves racist are doing so unconsciously because its interwoven into our present society in such a quiet and sometimes no so quiet way. I have observed this trait in many of my white friends who would never consider themselves racist. I've had them apologize to me after they spoke to me in a demeaning way.

Disagree

• Rosemary: In response to former Pres. Carter's remarks about the discord toward Pres. Obama being about race, this is not true. Pres. Carter is from another generation where racism was a much larger problem. This is not true today. Racism does still exist in small pockets, but the larger problem with Pres. Obama is not the color of skin; it is his infringement on the Constitution of the United States. [...]
• Anthony: Jimmy Carter says that race is the issue. Good grief. I am sick of this liberal crap. The Democrats put an African American up as their candidate so they could use the race card anytime someone disagrees or opposes their agenda. Are you all blind to this? Try doing some journalistic work for a change. Jimmy Carter is the worse president ever to occupy the White House and you feature his words. Democrats have made one mistake. The American people are wise to this tactic and unfortunately for a future American of African descent who deserves to be president, he or she won't make it to the white house for fear of having this race crap used against them again.
• Ginspelts: Here we go again. The healthcare reform is not going how the democrats would like so they are now making racism a big issue. They do this every time something is not going their way.

What do you think about Carter’s remarks? Is he stating a truth that Americans are afraid to acknowledge, or is this a way for the Democrats to change the subject, as some viewers feel?

Editor's Note: The recent behavior of some public figures had the majority of American Morning's Tuesday audience lamenting the loss of manners, yet questioning the “double standards” that seemed to be imposed against different races. Many suggested that Kanye West and Serena Williams were treated more harshly for their inappropriate behavior than Rep. Joe Wilson or tennis player Roger Federer.

• Dorothy: Where was your rage about civility when Cheney cussed out on the floor of the senate?
• Sandra: How come you weren't talking about manners when those students stormed the stage for a Tancredo speech? How come you didn't blast the Dems when they BOOED Pres. Bush during a State of the Union speech? What is so different?
• Carl: Nice to talk about Serena again and not talk about Federer's outburst during his finals. The blatant racism in the level of coverage is once again embarrassing for America. People have forgotten about McEnroe and ignore Feder...they simply say he is "competitive" and it is understood...
• Freeman: Kanye West is a child who needs to grow up. His fans are angry at him and that will hit him in the pocket. Serena Williams had a bad day. Was she wrong, yes. She'll recover eventually. Why don't you have the same disdain for Wilson. Everyone seems to want to move on from this white man's tirade. Hold him up to the same standards you are putting these two people. The difference between them and him is Wilson did it in an important meeting to the President of U.S. in front of the world. All you've done is dismiss it and certainly emphasized the other two. Double standard.
• Rose: I just watched your segment about Serena and her apology. According to John Roberts, Serena exhibited "bad behavior" and it's becoming an "epidemic". Then lo and behold who shows up talking to John, Elliot Spitzer. Does John criticize Elliot's bad behavior before he interviews him. Very hypocritical to criticize Serena, and have praise for Elliot who was breaking the laws that he was sending other people to jail for. It's not acceptable for a woman to lose her temper, but acceptable for a man to have sex with hookers, and humiliate his family in front of the nation. Am I missing something? Double standards?
  I've noticed that our society all disapproves of Kanye West’s behavior and so do I. I feel that there's a double standard. Kanye was wrong; what he did was distasteful, disrespectful – nothing good should be said about his outburst, but congressman Joe Wilson disrespected our president, yet the media show and emphasize the support he has. It was just as bad, don’t care how you put it!!!

Has “freedom of speech” become “freedom FROM civil conversation”? Is there a way to express disagreement (freedom of speech) without disrespectful behavior? What do you think about the “double standard” suggested by the viewers above?

Editor's Note: On the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Friday’s American Morning audience appeared cynical and skeptical about the country’s ability to unite as it did on that tragic day. Most faulted the “divisive” media, greed, and racism as barriers to unification.

• Anthony: The division we have is severe, you will see this country break up, like the USSR, no one thought the Soviet Union would implode. We’re next.
• John: It is shameful and embarrassing that American's can not come together to resolve the nation’s issue. Churches need to step up to the plate take more of a leadership role in our communities, instead of preaching hate and pushing political agendas of their own, that divide people.
• Stacee: America will never come together because of the greed and the racism of the wealthy people as you can see Congress don't ever have respect for the President of the USA and the white people in this country want the rich to stay rich and the poor stay poor just remember Katrina in New Orleans that is what this country is built on and it will never change sad to say but it is true.

Do you believe the country can unite as it did on 9/11/01? What do you believe are the barriers to this unification? How can we again bring that cohesiveness to our nation and keep?

Editor's Note: SATs remained the hot topic for Tuesday’s "American Morning" viewers, who did not anticipate such testing to end. Others did not believe testing was an indicator of future success.

• Joshua: I have been a full-time SAT professional for 10 years, having spent years with a cooperate company and years as a high-end Los Angeles tutor. I am thankful that CNN is taking a serious look at the test; however, there was a fair amount of misinformation and error by omission in today's broadcast. First of all, the ACT is poised to overtake the SAT nationally in number of test takers this year. The differences go WELL beyond region, and students should know that every 4-year school in America accepts either test. And while I see the commercial appeal of shedding light on the seedy underbelly of the test prep world, cuts in high school budgets, which often have devastating impacts on college counseling offices, are leaving students SERIOUSLY unprepared for the testing process, which, while hardly perfect, is not going anywhere anytime soon... and telling students that 800 schools are SAT optional is, sadly but truly, misleading. I'm looking forward to the rest of your story... I am a loyal CNN watcher and would be happy to share the high-end tutor prospective with my favorite news network. Thanks again.
• Stephanie: Why does our media focus only on the higher education process in the USA? We are loosing an international battle over the education of our young and future leaders. Over seas children are subjected to more intense tests in preparation for higher education and spend more per capita on studying for tests than we do in the USA. Why are we looking to soften our countries standards and weaken our children, by making testing organizations out as enemies and suggesting to adults and children that stress and hard work studying are not virtues we as americans treasure?

How do you feel about ending SATs as a measure for entrance into a university or college? Is there a better indicator for success? What do you think: considering the College Board (the organization that develops the test) is a non-profit organization, are senior executives earning salaries appropriate or excessive?