American Morning
PolitiFact Truth-O-Meter
Editor's Note: PolitiFact.com is a project of the St. Petersburg Times that aims to help you find the truth in politics. Every day, reporters and researchers from the Times examine statements by members of Congress, the president, etc. They research their statements and then rate the accuracy on their Truth-O-Meter.
Murtha claims the U.S. will have more troops in Afghanistan than Russia
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/12/07/murtha.john.gi.art.jpg caption="Rep. John Murtha claims the U.S. will have more troops in Afghanistan than Russia."]
Rep. John Murtha, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee who chairs its defense subcommittee, is one of the Democrats concerned about President Barack Obama's plan to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan.
On Hardball with Chris Matthews on Dec. 2, 2009, Murtha said he was worried about the cost and complexity of Obama's strategy.
"This is a very complicated thing and very costly operation," said Murtha, D-Pa. "So you know, we got a lot of problems facing us, 104,000 contractors already in Afghanistan, in addition to the 68,000 troops. We're going to have more troops, Chris, than the Russians had in Afghanistan."
Murtha said "Russians," but it was clear that he was referring to the Soviet Union, which was still intact when its troops invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Murtha's comments got us wondering whether the United States would have more troops stationed in the country than the Soviet Union did after it invaded.
The Truth-O-Meter says: BARELY TRUE
Read more: Only if you count NATO, too
Obama says 'extremists' sent to U.S. from Afghanistan-Pakistan border area
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/12/07/obama.west.point.art.gi.jpg caption="In a speech at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point President Obama made the case for a troop increase in Afghanistan."]
President Barack Obama has decided to increase the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and he made the case for the increase in a speech at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.
"I make this decision because I am convinced that our security is at stake in Afghanistan and Pakistan," Obama said. "This is the epicenter of violent extremism practiced by al-Qaida. It is from here that we were attacked on 9/11, and it is from here that new attacks are being plotted as I speak.
"This is no idle danger; no hypothetical threat. In the last few months alone, we have apprehended extremists within our borders who were sent here from the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan to commit new acts of terror. And this danger will only grow if the region slides backwards, and al-Qaida can operate with impunity. We must keep the pressure on al-Qaida, and to do that, we must increase the stability and capacity of our partners in the region."
The Truth-O-Meter says: MOSTLY TRUE
Read more: Accused, but not convicted
Obama said cap and trade would increase electricity rates
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/12/07/palin.getty.art.jpg caption="In her new book, Sarah Palin claims President Obama admitted a cap and trade plan would cause electricity bills to "skyrocket.""]
In her new book, Going Rogue, Sarah Palin said President Barack Obama's support for a cap and trade plan was "misguided."
"The president has already admitted that the policy he seeks will cause our electricity bills to 'skyrocket.' Sadly, those hit hardest will be those who are already struggling to make ends meet," she wrote.
Here, we're looking at Obama's comments on electricity bills.
First, though, here's a quick summary of cap and trade for those who aren't famliar with it: To slow climate change, the government would set a cap on carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions. To comply, companies such as electric utilities must either upgrade to cleaner technologies or buy credits — also known as allowances — to continue polluting. Companies can buy and sell the credits as necessary to conduct their business.
We were familiar with Obama's original quote from his campaign for president. It came from a videotaped interview he did with the San Francisco Chronicle editorial board very early in the campaign in January 2008.
"Under my plan of a cap-and-trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket," Obama told the Chronicle. "Coal-powered plants, you know, natural gas, you name it, whatever the plants were, whatever the industry was, they would have to retrofit their operations. That will cost money. They will pass that money on to consumers."
The Truth-O-Meter says: TRUE
Scientists 'cooking the books' on global warming?
The climate change summit that starts today in Copenhagen is bringing together officials from nearly 200 nations, including President Obama, who will fly there next week. One of the goals is to get countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions, which scientists say are heating up the Earth and doing damage to the world our kids and their kids will inherit.
But is the problem as bad as some people make it sound? Critics say e-mails swiped from a British university suggest researchers could be putting their own spin on reality. The controversy is creating political fireworks all the way to Washington. Our Jim Acosta has the report.
Companies need confidence to hire again
The Labor Department released November unemployment numbers today. The report showed 15.4 million Americans are now unemployed and seeking work. That's down 325,000 from the October reading.
And while President Obama is brainstorming with his finest economic minds to find jobs for them, the fact is few firms have the cash or the confidence to add staff right now. Our Allan Chernoff reports in this American Morning original.
Read more: Job market shows big improvement
Exclusive: One-on-one with Secretary Clinton at NATO
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is visiting NATO, meeting with world leaders to get their support for President Obama's surge strategy in Afghanistan.
Our John Roberts is there as well and had the chance to sit down, exclusively, one-on-one with Secretary Clinton. It was a wide-ranging talk. How many NATO troops will member nations commit? What can be done about the violence across the border in Pakistan? And what will the changes mean for U.S. forces already on the ground?
First up, Secretary Clinton talks about how many NATO troops are committed and what that will mean for U.S. forces on the ground.
Next, how the 18-month time line will play out. Plus, the challenge of transitioning power to Afghan forces, and Secretary Clinton responds to criticisms that the U.S. is going to "cut and run."
A Soldier's Story: 24 hours in the Army
Editor's Note: "A Soldier's Story" is a new original series by CNN's "American Morning" that will track three military recruits from their final days as civilians through deployment. Our Jason Carroll has been given unprecedented access by the Pentagon as the president outlines a new strategy for the war in Afghanistan. In part two, a new recruit spends his first 24 hours in the Army.
By Adam Reiss
As 18-year-old Will McLain leaves home for the first time there are tearful goodbyes with his parents. His mother Lori certainly did not want this day to come.
Will and his recruiter Sgt. Sheldon Rivers take the two hour drive to the processing center in Los Angeles where Will registers for the Army. He is asked about his tattoo and his medical records are thoroughly checked before he heads into the seminar to learn proper procedures for standing at attention.
"Sir yes sir!" Will is taught how to keep shoulders back and his stomach tucked in.
"I'm anxious, but I'm glad it's finally starting – like one of those days you don't think it will come and like bam it's here," says Will.
"Does anyone have any doubts, reservations or restrictions about joining the military?" shouts the drill instructor. "No sir" is the response from everyone.
"When I tell you to you are going to exit this bus quickly and safely, but the key word being quickly. Do you understand!," barks drill sergeant Crystal Scott as Will's bus arrives at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. It's two hours outside of St. Louis and a world away from his home outside Los Angeles. More than 200 soldiers reported for duty with Will on his first day. 30,000 a year go through the 43rd AG Reception Station, at 600 a week.
Stricter rules for NFL concussions
The NFL is set to enforce its toughest rules yet for when players can return to games or practices after suffering head injuries. The new guidelines go into effect this week in the latest move by the league to address a hot-button issue.
For an analysis of the new concussion policy we spoke with Dr. Julian Bailes, chairman of neurology at the West Virginia School of Medicine and former team doctor for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He spoke to Kiran Chetry on American Morning Thursday.
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