American Morning
Biden puppy haunts breeder
From CNN's Melissa Morgenweck
There was no need to ring a doorbell when we pulled up to the Wolf Den kennel in Chester county Pennsylvania. At least a dozen German Shepherds announced our arrival.
Linda Brown greeted us and introduced us to the pack including her favorite, 13 year old Hans. Most of the dogs in this section had once been breeders. Now she keeps them as her personal pets.
They are just one grouping of the approximately 80 adult dogs that she says live on her property. “German Shepherds look into the mirror of your soul. They are intelligent and protective and your animals for life.”
Brown told us that she had been up since 4am helping deliver a litter of puppies. “They like to give birth in the middle of the night when it’s quiet and still.”
As we toured the property Brown recalled the day last December when Vice President Biden came to pick out a dog. “He picked the puppies up and literally kissed them all over. And when he did finally select his puppy he just wouldn’t let him go.”
But Brown says she has paid a big price for the publicity. Soon after the visit she claims she received death threats from animal-rights groups. Dog wardens from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture also made multiple visits to inspect her kennels. (The state told one of our producers that inspections typically take place twice a year.)
Brown was cited for poor record keeping, dirty housekeeping and mistreating her dogs. Last month she was cleared of all citations. “It hurts the depth of your soul that they would even have the nerve to call me and tell me that I’m inhumane with my dogs. My dogs are treated better than most children are treated.”
Fast Forward
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Some of the stories that will be making news later today:
At 10am ET, a government watchdog group releases its annual report on pork barrel spending better known as the congressional "pig book." The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste is expected to include some 340 pet projects in this year's budget totaling more than four-billion dollars.
At 11am ET, First Lady Michelle Obama will visit the Department of Homeland Security. She'll be joined by Secretary Janet Napolitano. The first lady's office says the goal of the agency tour is simply getting to know the community.
At 11:30am ET, President Obama will give a major speech on the ecomony. He'll talk about how the specific steps the administration is taking fit the broader vision of economic recovery.
Later today in Washington, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attends a conference focusing on Haiti. She will discuss how the U.S. and other countries can provide aid to the poorest country in the Americas. Secretary Clinton travels to Haiti on Thursday to meet with that country's president.
All day long we're keeping a close eye on the flooding in North Dakota. The National Weather Service says the Sheyenne River is headed for a crest at around 22 feet in the next couple of days. That river empties into the Red River near Fargo, which is also in danger of reaching a second flood crest this week.
What’s on Tap – Tuesday April 14th, 2009
Here are the big stories we're watching for you right now:
- President Obama set to give what the White House is calling a “major speech” on the economy today. The President is expected to talk about how each step his administration has taken to confront this economic crisis, fits his broader vision of how to move the economy from recession to recovery. He’ll also talk about the significant work that remains to get the economy moving forward once again. We want to hear your ideas and thoughts about whether the president has gotten it right. Call us at 877-MY-AM-FIX and we’ll try to put you on the air today.
- Going to war with pirates: As the crew of the Alabama heads home, we look at the options President Obama has for going after pirates on LAND, in lawless Somalia.
- Drug Nation: With the president heading to Mexico this week, we’re taking a serious look at how America’s demand for drugs is funding a bloody, ruthless war south of the border. Today: Pot. Think it’s the victimless drug? It’s generating more cash for murderous drug traffickers than coke, meth and heroin combined. Does that mean we should legalize it to take away their power? We want your thoughts.
- Your taxes: The Real Deal: It’s tax day-eve and we’ve decided to show you how far we’ve come since The Boston Tea Party. Think of all you spend on food, clothing and housing, now consider that Americans on average spend more on taxes, than all of that COMBINED. We’re still better off than most developed nations, but for how long??
Kiran: The debate over the legalization of drugs
Good Monday to you,
Hope you had a wonderful Easter and/or Passover weekend. Looks like our prayers were answered! Captain Richard Phillips rescued by our brave Navy Seals. He is now safe and getting ready to be reunited with his family and loved ones. Read the story
All this week on American Morning we are taking a look at America’s drug addiction and how it's fueling the growing violence at the Mexican border. We're calling it “Drug Nation."
This morning we had a debate over legalizing hard drugs – substances like heroin and cocaine. It's a position advocated by Jeff Miron, an economist from Harvard University. Former DEA agent Bob Stutman had plenty to say about why that would be a huge mistake. Watch the debate
Arm civilian ships?
“Armed security detachments” to protect civilian ships at sea. That’s the recommendation of the admiral in charge of U.S. Naval operations off the coast of Somalia.
Vice Adm. William Gortney, appearing on American Morning today, left little question as to what he thinks shipping companies should do to fend off piracy.
The idea of sailors, or shipboard security personnel carrying weapons is a controversial one. Might it provoke shootouts on the high seas? Would it increase the likelihood that acts of piracy could have deadly consequences?
Adm. Gortney views the issue pragmatically. These companies hire armed security to “protect their property on the beach,” he says, so why not extend that to the oceans?
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