After a week of “pandemic” discussions, American Morning viewers were confused by the ongoing “Swine Flu” coverage, questioning how serious the virus outbreak really is. V.P. Biden was heartily praised for his “honesty” regarding concerns about travel and the flu.

• Sandy: You have told us that Joe Biden is over reacting on the flu outbreak; you say that it is stupid to panic. Yet all your lead ins are about the pandemic, the swine flu update, the announcing voice referring to the flu in a ominous voice. Which is it? You seem to be speaking out of both sides of your mouth....keeping us stirred up and the headlines of swine flu prominent and then saying it is no big deal.
• Beth: I am so glad to see that the V.P of the United States spoke his beliefs that he would not have his family travel on a plane. I cannot believe that a spokesperson from the White House has to change what Biden said. The spokesperson actually looked stupid. People need to stay home. Why don't they and why is it spreading? Because people listen to the news and listen to all the updates and listen to what the "officials" say and think it’s OK to travel. Gupta says that you can still be on a plane or a subway but stay away from people who looked sick!??! Well, I’m not quite sure how you would do that if you are in an enclosed space for a period of time and you are sitting with "0" space between you and another traveler. So thank you, V.P Biden for speaking the truth, and helping me to know that I have made the right decisions on not flying for the next couple of weeks. Shame on us for not for speaking the truth. We are actually letting economy rule instead of being worried about illness and a possibility of our children getting sick (that’s who is getting the brunt of it so far) as well as everybody else. Thank You for Telling the Truth, Joe Biden. I think you said the right thing!

Do you believe the H1N1 is a series heath issue, or just another seasonal virus? Who do you feel is to blame for the “hype” of the Swine Flu? Share your thoughts with us.

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Swine flu remained top of the mind for most American Morning viewers. Many were wondering “at what point would the border with Mexico be closed” due to the pandemic, while uninsured viewers were concerned about access to healthcare in the event they contract the virus.

• Richard: Realistically at what point would the border with Mexico be closed if the U.S. won't close it during a Pandemic that can potentially kill a lot of Americans?
• Unknown: There are a mess of individuals who are concerned about the H1N1 Flu not only due to its potential fatality, but really because we are uninsured. For instance, I am a grad student, cannot afford health insurance, and am very poor. Will the US allow the flu to spread simply because poor individuals do not have the money to seek treatment? What are people like me to do if we suspect contamination? Is there protection for us to (and believe me, I'm washing my hands like never before).
• Edna: Will the governments provide Tamiflu to people who can't afford it? Why don't we just close all U.S. schools for the summer give the kids an extra month of summer break and help stop the spread of the virus?

Should President Obama close the borders to prevent further spread of the H1N1 Flu? Do you believe that such an action would help stop spread of the virus? How would such an action affect you and your family?

With President Obama’s First 100 days behind him, response to Republicans’ grading of Mr. Obama was negatively received. Others were angry that Mr. Obama continued to place budget blame on former President G.W. Bush.

• Isieis: The C- rating given by the GOP did not surprise me, but the B- rating given by the American people did surprise me. No doubt, negative media influence over the last 100 days was a factor. CNN’s guests and so-called experts who give their opinion or assessment have definitely influenced Americans, but it does not mean that they are RIGHT about President Obama and his Administration. I gave President Obama an 'A.’ The reason: I took into consideration his SINCERITY, his GENUINESS, and his WILLINGNESS to accept blame. No other President in history has had so much on his plate coming into office. The GOP has no right to even criticize him based on their performance over the last 8 years during the Bush Administration.
• Gina: Obama was in Senate since 2006; sorry but, it was a DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS & SENATE that FORMED this Budget. This idiotic conclusion is OBAMA’s; he voted for it when he was still a Senator! We are not stupid! It is Pelosi that is stupid!

Do you believe, as viewer one states that media influence is to blame for President Obama’s B- rating by the American public? Is President Obama incorrect in placing blame on former President G.W. Bush for the budget crisis? Give us your thoughts on these issues.

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With President Obama’s first 100 days in office now complete, the majority of American Morning viewers graded him with positive marks. Some were more cautious, noting that “the changes he makes are exactly what we voted him to do.”

• John: I like Obama's priorities, especially his priorities on making the US less dependent on foreign oil and fossil fuels. I don't like his financial crew which seems to be among the Wall Street idiots who created our current financial crisis. I think he is too afraid of proposing the big tax hikes that will be necessary to get US finances in order, and it is the President's job to take the lead on this. Democrats in Congress won't do it because they got burned for doing so in 1993. It is Obama who must take on those who complain about deficits and debt and give them a moment of truth by proposing tax hikes sufficient to put the US back on the track to paying down the national debt. Cutting deficits and paying down the debt would do wonders for domestic net business investment and the job market. I despise the Republican version of fiscal responsibility, which is synonymous with being stingy and only interested in the wellbeing of the very rich.
• Pebbleshart: President Obama's first 100 days has a 76% approval rating from me. The changes he makes are exactly what we voted him to do. I am proud of how he is dealing with the unethical behavior and selfishness of Wall Street and those who feel they are worth millions and they are not. The President is right when he is working to create friendship with the world and help solve challenges throughout the world. America has to set the example for the world to follow and no one should be above the law when it comes to torture and inhuman treatment. Thank you, Mr. President, keep up your good work! I trust you to lead us into the future!

Grade the president and tell us why you believe he deserves the grade you give him. What has the president completed that has directly affected you and how? What has disappointed you about his first 100 days? What do you hope to see him achieve in the next year? In the next four years?

Some viewers were displeased by the Republican comments on Mr. Obama’s first 100 days.

• Richard: Someone who was thoroughly REJECTED in his bid for the presidency should not be commenting on the one who WAS ELECTED.
• Carl: Why do you let people who have an axe to grind, vent their comments, about our President? To make statements without foundation is irresponsible.

Tell us your thoughts. How do you feel about letting those who oppose the president to express their opinion? Do you believe it’s appropriate for former candidates to weigh in on the current president’s progress? What would you like to hear from the Republicans and independents?

Here’s your daily recap of the best feedback we got from YOU today. Continue the conversation below. And remember, keep it brief, and keep it clean. Thanks!

Reaction to the low flying planes over New York and New Jersey elicited mixed response by viewers. Some were deeply concerned about the event taking place without warning, causing “public alarm.” Others felt “there are a bunch of whiners living in New York” who need to “grow up, quit whining and move on” from the tragedy of 9/11.

• Raymond: I certainly understand the public alarm created by the “photo-op flyover”. Nine eleven will always be a “watershed” incident for our nation, and it is obvious that more thought and judgment should have preceded the incident as it was being conceived. In fact, only last night I met a gentleman who was with the NYFD as it responded to the tragedy, and the pain and horror he felt then and still feels even now, was evident ,”in spades”. However, I do hope that there were also New Yorkers who, when they looked up and saw a large commercial type aircraft flying low over Lower Manhattan, also noted that there was a jet fighter plane right on the tail of the large aircraft. A moment or two of reflection on the situation should have resulted in one of two possible conclusions being reached. One, that the fighter was a valid escort; or two, that the large aircraft was about to receive a rocket in the rear; and that, yes, our government is trying to look after us!
• Ken: Your story about all the upset people over a plane flying over New York reinforces for me that there are a bunch of whiners living in New York. So are planes to never fly over New York again? Look at all the other people in this world who have had bad stuff happen to them. Grow up, quit whining & move on.

Recognizing that Americans are still very sensitive to the tragedy of 9/11, do you believe NY / NJ overreacted to seeing the low flying planes in their skies? How would you have reacted in a similar situation?

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Here’s your daily recap of the best feedback we got from YOU today. Continue the conversation below. And remember, keep it brief, and keep it clean. Thanks!

American Morning viewers emailed numerous questions about Swine Flu. With news of the EU suggesting limited travel to the U.S. and Mexico, some viewers encouraged the U.S. government to close the border with Mexico.

• Eileen: With the swine flu coming from Mexico, do you think the US gov. can finally close the border?

With a potential worldwide pandemic, should the United States take the drastic measure of closing our borders with Mexico? Do you believe this would be the most effective way to stem the rise in Swine Flu cases in the U.S.? The U.S. has already seen a number of reported cases of Swine Flu, so what do you believe should be the next important action for the new Obama Administration regarding this outbreak? Let us know your thoughts.

Regarding the Obama Administration’s First 100 Days, President Obama’s time in office was given an A+ by viewers, who were concerned that CNN would “nitpick everything he has done or tried to do.”

• Sandra: I see that you are gearing up to do your check list on President Obama's first 100 days and are probably going to nit pick everything he has done or tried to do in the short time he's been in office. Well in my opinion he's been more active and accessible in 3 months than Bush was in 8 years. I think it would be in the best interest of the country for you reporters to ask yourselves "What have I done in the last 100 days to help my country and fellow man?" rather than look for every small opportunity to make the President look bad just for ratings and your own personal agenda. We finally have an actual "HUMAN BEING" in the White House who is working for the average citizen and I for one grade him an A+ and wish him and his family all the best and much success in the future. Sandy

Tell us how you would grade the President and his administration on their first 100 days in office. Is President Obama living up to your expectations or are you disappointed in his performance so far? Share your opinions with us.

Here’s your daily recap of the best feedback we got from YOU today. Continue the conversation below. And remember, keep it brief, and keep it clean. Thanks!

American Morning viewers remained divided regarding the torture memos released by President Obama. Those for exposing the information and prosecuting the former administration felt that “no matter how misguided the terrorists are, they are human beings and when they are in our custody, we still uphold the law of our land.”

• Bernadette: With all due respect to Sen. McCain his political career has been based on the fact that he was captured during the Vietnam War, held prisoner and tortured. We have been constantly reminded of his sacrifice and suffering at the hands of our then enemy. To my way of thinking he is covering his political rear end, the Bush/Cheney administration and his Republican party. It seems that when we do the dirty stuff to others and hide behind legalities it is okay, but when other countries do it to us we have to retaliate! Doesn't seem like quid pro quo to me.
• Tony: Terrorism is not only fought by guns and bombs but also on moral ground. Torture of human beings in the custody of our authorities is illegal in our country as well as immoral by any religious or human rights standard. No matter how misguided the terrorists are, they are human beings and when they are in our custody, we still uphold the law of our land. If they are actively fighting us, we kill them just as the enemy at war. People who used their authority to break this country's law and perpetrated torture of detainees not only fueled the hatred against our nation but also made us indistinguishable from the rogue terrorist states. What sets US apart from the dictatorships and terrorist organizations is that we lead our lives in freedom and no one is above the law of the land, not even the presidents and their staff. Authority corrupts and absolute authority corrupts absolutely. Bush administration officials governed as if that during war times they have absolute authority. Now they do not want to be tried for breaking the law of the land. Only the constitution is absolute authority in our nation and every citizen has rights and obligations to uphold its authority.
• Linda – Lou: People can come and attack our country killing thousands of people, take into custody civilians cut them, drown them, break bones, drag their bodies through town, cut their heads off and we should be against torture? I AM NOT OPPOSED TO TORTURE to gain information that will better position our troops in times of war. Should we invite them to tea?
• Jeremy: This torture or water boarding issue is getting blown way out of proportion. Does everyone remember that a lot of these terrorists they were dealing with were and are fine with chopping off heads and blowing people up on TV to show everyone? Should we just ask them nicely to tell us when the next attack will be or maybe we could say please?

Where do you stand on the issue of torture? Are we no better than our enemies if we implement such actions to gain information? Is the issue of torture “getting blown way out of proportion” as the first last viewer believes, or is there a double standard for the United States as viewer one believes when she says that “It seems that when we do the dirty stuff to others and hide behind legalities it is okay, but when other countries do it to us we have to retaliate!” Give us your opinion on this controversial issue.

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