American Morning
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
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.
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
Iraq vet overcomes PTSD to run for office
(CNN) – After coming home from war, it can be hard for soldiers to adjust to normal life again, especially when dealing with post traumatic stress disorder.
That was the case for Army Captain Shannon Meehan. He's moved on from Army life, but still says he wants to serve his country. He talked exclusively with our Barbara Starr for this AM original report.
Do Dems have enough votes to pass health care reform?
(CNN) – While Democrats are trying to put a happy face on health care reform, the truth is they may not even have enough votes to get a bill to the president's desk.
As our senior congressional correspondent Dana Bash tells us, you don't take anything for granted these days in Washington.
Read more: What's next for health care reform?
Avlon: 'Wingnuts' reinforce partisan stereotypes
Editor’s note: John P. Avlon is a senior political columnist for The Daily Beast and author of "Wingnuts: How the Lunatic Fringe is Hijacking America." Previously, he served as chief speechwriter for New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and was a columnist and associate editor for The New York Sun.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/04/gop.politico.art.jpg caption="The RNC presentation, discovered by Politico.com, encourages fundraisers to stoke the fires of "fear." "]
By John Avlon, Special to CNN
Washington’s partisan stereotypes got reinforced this week by a dean of the liberal House leadership and a stunningly cynical PowerPoint presentation to RNC fundraisers.
Congressman Charles Rangel has been a fixture on the Democratic scene for four decades, finally rising to the powerful chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee, overseeing U.S. tax policy. Nothing grates Americans more than hypocrisy from politicians. Months ago, Rangel came under scrutiny for failing to disclose income in excess of $500,000 and failing to pay taxes. Allegations included paying below market rate for four apartments in Harlem and not disclosing rental income off a cottage in the Dominican Republic.
This week, the Ethics Committee found that Rangel had accepted gifts of travel to the Caribbean for conferences without appropriate reimbursement and Rangel offered to temporarily step down from his chairmanship. It wasn’t just the ethical lapse that elevates this to wingnut levels, it’s the way it confirms the worst stereotypes of big city Democrats – Rangel’s predecessor in his congressional seat, the pioneering Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. was laid low by a scandal involving misappropriation of funds.
This new round of charges also increased heat on Democratic congressional leaders – especially Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had previously stood by Rangel. After a series of Republican congressional scandals, she had famously promised to preside over “the most honest, most open and most ethical Congress in history.” When even the man in charge of the tax code has trouble with its compliance, Rangel’s troubles reinforced the feeling that government is broken.
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