American Morning
S.C. Republicans want Sanford to step down
Some Republicans are calling for South Carolina governor Mark Sanford to resign. One of his closest political allies says Sanford is "incapable of leading."
The governor now admits he's "crossed the lines" with other women, and he's admitting to more encounters with his Argentine mistress this year. The state's attorney general wants Sanford's books reviewed, to make sure the public didn't pay for his affair.
Gina Smith is the reporter with the South Carolina newspaper "The State" who first broke the story. She spoke to Kiran Chetry today on CNN's "American Morning."
War over parking tickets
Do parking tickets make you mad? Listen up.
Washington, D.C. raked in more than $67 million in revenues from parking tickets last year – and in the first five months of 2009 has already taken in $45 million in fines.
Washington is cashing in on your, shall we say, "inability to park legally." D.C. issued 1,465,394 parking tickets last year – in a city with just under 600-thousand people.
"To say that D.C. has an aggressive ticket-writing campaign of picking motorists pockets would be an understatement," says Lon Anderson, AAA's mid-Atlantic representative.
It's a cash bonanza not lost on other cities. Last year, Dallas took in $5.2 million; L.A., $120 million; New York, $624 million. So many parking tickets are being issued, for lawbreakers it's become a sport.
And on TV the tension between ticket-giver and scofflaw has become war. The A&E reality show "Parking Wars," set in Philadelphia, pits real life, aggressive parking ticket agents against people who park illegally. The show has meant cash for Philly, but also some bad PR.
Prospective tourists have sent angry emails to Philadelphia tourism officials. One comment: "Hey I was thinking of coming to Philly. I hear all the great things that are happening there, I've seen their ads, but then I saw 'Parking Wars' and I don't wanna be treated like that, I don't want my car to be treated like that. I'm never coming to your city."
Meryl Levitz, president of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, says the city came up with a new Web marketing campaign to combat the fear of aggressive ticketing.
But there is no such PR fear in Washington D.C. Parking officials have come up with yet another way to catch "illegal parkers." They've mounted cameras on street sweepers to snap scofflaws. That ticket will come in the mail, costing you $60.
A&E had no comment on the controversy in Philadelphia over "Parking Wars," but you'll see the show again in the fall after it wraps up production in Detroit.
What's on Tap – Wednesday, July 1st, 2009
Here's what's on the agenda this morning...
A nurse who claims she treated Michael Jackson is telling her shocking story. Cherilyn Lee says back in April Jackson begged for a powerful intravenous sedative used in operating rooms so he could sleep. That nurse spoke exclusively to CNN overnight. You'll want to hear her story.
Details are also trickling out about Michael Jackson's will, which could be made public today. We're also learning there will be a public viewing and private memorial service at Neverland Ranch later this week. Londell McMillan, the Jackson family attorney, will be joining us live.
California's state senate shut down overnight! Lawmakers couldn't find the 24-billion dollars needed to fix the state's budget. Several state governments facing budget deadlines could be on the verge of doing the same. Could your state be next? Pennsylvania's Gov. Ed Rendell joins us live to talk about his state's possible shutdowns.
President Obama is taking the fight over health care reform out of Washington and on to your laptop. The president will be taking your questions about his plan from Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Meanwhile, lawmakers on Capitol Hill are still wrangling over details of the plan.
We Listen – Your Comments 6/30/09
Editor's Note: American Morning's Tuesday viewers were glad to see Madoff sentenced and none cared how he would fare in jail.
- Nick: Why would anyone be worried about bernie after he ripped off so many people,who cares what is life would be like in prison. he did not care about the people he ripped off.
- Drew: Your interview with Larry Levine on how life in prison will be with Madoff I felt was pretty weak. Where were some of the harder questions, such as should he stake out the biggest guy in prison and start a fight...or should be become someones bitch in order to get protection. Larry Levine's insight in the prison was pretty weak.
- Julio: I just heard a "Prison Consultant" speaking on what Bernard Madoff should expect in prison. This guy is more of a con than anything else and should probably be returned to prison for his bogus consulting business. Although not impossible it is highly improbable that any harm will come to Bernard Madoff from other inmates as he will most likely be in protective custody or a form of it. An if the consultant want to argue the point, I too spent time behind bars a combined total of 11 years and 9 months in 3 different states. Shame of this so called Consultant for getting on National Televison and talking as if he were an authority in the matter subject. Are there murderes and rapist in prison? Of course, but I stand on my ground that Mr. Madoff will not be allowed to interact with most of the population. Federal Prison Officials will not just carelessly put Madoff in harms way and it would be ridiculous to think so unless you want attention or are coning people by means of fear.
Do you believe Mr. Madoff should receive special protection in jail because of the nature of his crimes? Comment here or follow the story.
The pastor supporting guns in church was poorly received, as most felt church was no place for guns.
- Gary: God and Guns. Just shows how some Christians have perverted the teachings of Jesus. Arent ministers supposed to be Christlike? I cant even imagine Jesus carrying a gun, concealed or otherwise. It is totally contrary to what he taught.
How would you feel in a church where everyone was openly carrying guns? With the recent shootings in churches, is this an appropriate alternative?
Anti-social networkers
You might say they are an endangered species. Folks who could care less about twitters, tweets and pokes. They're the last of the social network holdouts and they're proud of it. CNN's Christine Romans has the story.
About this Show
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Pro-gun pastor says come armed to church
Editor’s Note: Kenneth Pagano is pastor of New Bethel Church in Louisville, Ky. On Saturday, he sponsored an “open carry celebration” at his church and encourages his congregation to embrace their Second Amendment rights by coming to church armed.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/06/30/intv.pagano.art.jpg caption="Pastor Kenneth Pagano is a gun rights advocate who encourages his parishioners to bring their firearms to church."]
By Kenneth Pagano
Special to CNN
One year ago I began thinking of creative ways that we as a church could host events that would give us opportunities to meet some new people and create venues with which we could share our faith in Christ. All things would be considered but everything would be implemented.
However, since I have been a sport shooting enthusiasts for as long as I can remember and a certified pistol instructor I came up with the idea of an open carry celebration.
As one who has been in public ministry for almost 30 years and having obtained my doctorate, I am not unfamiliar with theology or church history. Since I know that not all Christians are pacifists and that Christian pacifism in an option not a requirement, I knew this event was not unbiblical.
Being raised in New Jersey and familiar with the American Revolution, I knew that this event was not unhistorical. Pre-Colonial America had laws that required people attending worship to bring their firearms and ammunition or face a fine.
Being a certified concealed carry deadly weapons instructor with the Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Justice, I knew this event was not illegal.
And being a former Marine who considers himself a patriot, I knew this event was not unconstitutional. I thought everyone knew these things. Boy was I wrong.
FULL POST
Filed under: Commentary • Gun rights • Religion