Editor's Note: With the Senate confirmation hearing of Judge Sonia Sotomayor commencing today, Monday’s American Morning audience voiced diverse opinion about Sotomayor’s heritage and its impact on the court.

• Jay: If someone is invited somewhere to speak for being a wise Latina woman can you really fault them for putting it in their stump speech. Anglo Republicans are really pushing a non issue.
• Ruth: Judge Sotomayor's life is the classic American story. I do support her and have contacted my senators and my congressman. She is truly a woman of our time.
• Bil: The question is whether the public and the Senate will be willing/able to separate the implication of statements from the facts of Sotomayor’s actions and her decisions. I hope this will happen.
• Virginia: Judge Sotomayor should be confirmed with little debate. Her record is clear, her willingness to communicate with Congress unprecedented, and her background will be an asset to the bench.
• Dolores: I do believe that Judge Sotomayor should be approved for SCOTUS; I trust President Obama's prudent decision-making and her decision with respect to the firefighters was based on the law. If republicans are looking for someone who follows the law, Sotomayor is the next Justice. On the other hand, if Vice President Cheney's directive to keep a counter-terrorism program secret from Congress is found true through all due diligence, he should, indeed, have to account for such dictatorial decision-making. If true, I do believe laws were broken. He was covered in Teflon for eight years; it's time to lift that slippery coating and see what's underneath

How do you feel about a Latina woman being considered for the highest court in the U.S.? Do you feel her heritage helps or hurts her chances of nomination? How do you think her background will affect her decisions on the court: will she defer to minorities or will she treat everyone equally under the law? Comment here or follow the story.

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Editor's Note: As the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People prepares to celebrate its Centennial in New York, the city of its birth, I’m confident that we as a nation have turned an important corner on the long road toward racial and economic equality for all Americans. Now, insistent questions have arisen about the relevancy of our mission: Haven’t we entered a “post-racial” era in America, with the election of President Obama?

• Nigel: I think that when the president comes back from his trip he should go for a swim and you know where he should go, WHAT A STATEMENT THAT WOULD MAKE! MAKE IT HAPPEN GUYS

• Warren: I understand the outcry over the situation with the black kids trying to go to the swim club in Pennsylvania and think that it’s wrong. But, if the black community, NAACP and others truly want to help the overall situation then they should stop stoking the division by allowing things such as Indiana’s “Black Expo” to continue! Is it any wonder that whites don’t want to listen to the black outcry about discrimination when the black community turns right around and holds such a racist festival? Fair is fair. We’re all supposed to be Americans here, not white Americans or African Americans, just Americans!

• Michael : Discrimination started declining along time before president Obama took office but people need to realize that different races have different ways of expressing themselves this can be seen in church choirs for instance put a white church choir in a black church and a black choir in a white church the surroundings would be discontent the joining of two different races in social events is a total different environment then a work place because the agenda is coordinated with mutual feelings my point is that its going to take time to join two totally different souls .

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Editor’s Note: The economy remained at the forefront of concern for Thursday’s American Morning audience, as most felt the GOP was “playing politics” with the economy instead of working with President Obama and the Democrats to fix the problems.  Many blamed the Bush Administration for the country’s poor financial health.

• Chris: How are we to accept the fact that the GOP is the once doing the grilling, let's remember they're the ones who have [put] the world in this place and someone [who] steps up to try and fix the problem is being criticize.

• Scott:  I can't believe congress is talking about another "Stimulus Project". They are truly crazy.  They haven't really even started to spend this one.  Are they trying to see how fast they can bankrupt America.

• Leann:  I was enjoying "Roman's Numeral" this morning, following reports on how the stimulus monies have been spent or mis-spent – many states having used stimulus funds for balancing their budgets. Roman's report showed that some states have spent up to 63% on Medicaid. I am blown away that the media and hard working, tax paying citizens are not outraged by this. While I am grateful that there are programs to help the elderly and children who need healthcare coverage, there are so many illegal immigrants sucking our Medicaid program dry, it leaves the states over burdened. I cannot fathom why Medicaid reform hasn't begun by simply removing illegals from the program.  It is not that difficult to identify false documents and refuse services. Spend a day in an HR office and see how often jobs are refused until proper documentation is presented. 63%!!!!!!!! that is huge!!!! WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!! ps....love to get my AMFIX!! thanks...

On Wednesday, Congressional Republicans tore into the Obama Administration over its implementation of the economic stimulus plan, arguing that the White House is mishandling the distribution of the money while dramatically overstating the ability of the package to create jobs.  What do you think the next steps should be regarding the current stimulus or an additional stimulus package?  Is the U.S. acquiring so much debt that we’re headed for our country’s bankruptcy, or is spending the appropriate approach?  How do you feel about the stance of the GOP, saying that President Obama’s stimulus package has not created enough jobs?  Are they correct in this assertion?

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Editor's Note: With the all day Michael Jackson Memorial coverage, Some were very pleased to see the coverage and asked that CNN stay away from the “negativity” during the day. Others offered memories of the singer and what he meant to them.

• Linda T: We as fans do not want to hear all the negativity today. Pay some RESPECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In one minute you say something good about him, the next 20 minutes you degrade him. Shame on you CNN. Al Sharpton is so right!

• Joshua: Through out the years of time the world has lost many great talented artistes. It is sad to say Michael Jackson is now a part of that group. Michael's spirit will live on for ever in the hearts and minds of his loyal fans across the world. We must always remember the example Michael set by starting with the man in the mirror; and that's just what he did. We to need to take a look in our mirrors and do every day the best we can to make this ever changing world a better place for the people of today and to marrow. With Gods Help and the example Michael has left we all can help to make this world a better place...THANK YOU MICHAEL!

• Earnestine: Thank you CNN for broadcasting good things about the Late Michael Jackson. I know that his family knows that many around the world is praying for them right now. I just wish Michael could have felt the love for him and his work by his fans. If I could just get one message to the family, I would like to say "God sees all and knows all.” Let not your hearts be troubled. Everything will be alright now. Michael is at home, at peace, and resting. We loved him but God loved him best. He did so much for humanity, his reward is in heaven now. I will miss him – the man and I'll always keep the family in my prayers. My tears are just temporary, but the love will be remembered though all times.

• Linda R : With all due respect to Michael Jackson, he was a genuine gift to the arts. Talented, philanthropic, kind and gentle, terribly misunderstood and abused by hangers-on, and even by some of those he trusted. Rep. Peter King, the Republican congressman from N.Y., is an ignorant, crude individual, the personification of the "base", that tiny portion (thank God it's "tiny) of the population that still admires Bush and Palin. I read that Michael's fans are now trying to raise lots if money to defeat this moron in the next election, and I hope they succeed. His horrid insults and slanderous remarks against Michael are being largely ignored. However, having said that, I hope that after today, The 24/7 coverage will finally end, and we can get back to reporting the "real news", the stuff that concerns our survival. Also, I must add that I will really feel sorry for Larry King, who it appears has been adopted by the Jackson family. He may have to resort to "retro" stuff, like covering Elvis and John Lennon again. Seriously though, please, go back to the news.

• David: I graduated from the Boston Conservatory of Music in 1969. I appreciate the quality of music that Michael Jackson brought into this world. I am a band, strings, and guitar teacher in public school. I am also studying to be a pastor. It is a real pity that Michael and so many other gifted people have fallen pray to drugs in our society. He was brilliant to say the least! But only one thing can give you that peace that Michael was lacking, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Peace be with you all!

• Yvonne: Michael Jackson will live on in my memories, I have not gone to bed one night since, without having dreams of his death. I watched him in concert in Florida 1985, he left a lasting impression on me. He is such a talent. I mourn his loss and wish his family all the best. For those who has nothing good to say about Michael Jackson, I suggest you search your selves, something is radically wrong with your mind and the way you think about people, you obviously have racial issues.

Share your memories of Michael Jackson

Governor Palin was less a focus, while some still believed she was a “quitter.”

• Richard: Maybe it's just me, Gov Palin. Abdicating your DUTIES to the folks that elected you sure sounds like a quitter, not a fighter. Shame, shame.

After seeing the interview of Governor Palin with Drew Griffin, has your opinion of her changed? What do you think her next step will be? Would you like to see her in political office at the presidential level?

Editor's Note: American Morning’s Monday audience focused on the political machinations of Governor Palin’s resignation, with many wondering hopefully if the 2012 presidential elections would be her next stop. Most were in agreement with the Republicans who called her a “quitter,” and saw her as “irrelevant.”

Pro-Sarah

• Tom: Sarah Palin is under fire from her own party, those conservative morons can't stand a women in power with Ideas of their own..

• Stephen: The press and cable news are trying to finish the book on Governor Palin when she has just started to write it. She is using her popularity to effect change to honesty, freedom, and prosperity. If you are for these values you should be for Governor Palin. The majority of the Congress men and women are corrupt. They and the special interest have created a corrupt government system by gerrymandering and pay to play politics. Governor Palin is putting herself on the front line of a conservative movement without the comfort or guarantees of personal reward. If she can effect the election of conservative Congress and Senate men and women she will also be earning the support of those for her and the possibility of a presidential bid. I have stopped supporting the Republican Party but am supporting conservative honest individuals where I can find them. I will support Governor Palin.

• Russell: Sarah Palin has garnered what the many have not. Wisdom.

Con-Sarah

• Susan: Sarah Palin is a dominating women who is out for her own ambitions. The thing, is she don't know how to go about them, because she isn't that smart. hahahahaha. She is out for her own gain. I don't feel she is honest. She can't speak. You don't know a word she is saying. She just rambles. Watch out for someone like that. As a matter of fact most America is sick and tired of hearing about arrogant dumb people.

• Tom: I think that Gov. Palin is hurting her chances of becoming a serious presidential candidate. This is basically a child having a tantrum because she can not get what she wants from her legislature. I would not cast a vote for her.

• Jim: Sarah has quit both government jobs she has held. She quit her position at AOGCC, and she has now quit as governor. She thinks she is doing well, but she preaches to the choir for good results. She is a QUITTER, among other things. Being a quitter may not be her worst quality. No credibility is her worst aspect.

Where do you stand on Governor Palin’s resignation? Are those who are calling her a “quitter” correct or is Governor Palin truly the one with “wisdom” here? What do you this is Governor Palin’s next move or “higher calling,” as she calls it? Is she still an important political figure or is she “irrelevant”?

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Editor's Note: Canadians chastised American Morning on Thursday for misrepresenting their health care system and reporting it in a negative context. Most believed that any American would be pleased with such health care.

• Carolina: Jim Acosta's report on health care – Please DO NOT keep referring to Canada as a negative health care system. It works VERY well here. Please come to Canada and interview people, educate your own people on how well this system works. All I can say is Canada is not in the mess that the US is in and we can take care of the health of our people – how is it working for you guys????

• Edward: John, I watched your bit on the health care fight in the us. I find it funny how the one side keeps threatening that your heading toward a Canadian system and that’s just so bad. John, I remember watching you up here on city TV so you should know how our system here in Canada is. Why don’t you do a bit comparing our two countries healthcare systems because the average American doesn’t have a clue. I would bet most Americans would love to have Canadian healthcare. Thanks a Canadian fan...

How would you feel if you had the same health care coverage as is available in Canada? Do you believe their system of coverage is appropriate for U.S. citizens? What would ideal universal heath care look like to you?

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