Should Pres. Bush Pardon American Taliban Lindh?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The parents of John Walker Lindh, the American-born Taliban fighter, held a press conference pleading with President Bush to pardon their son before he leaves office next month.
The 27-year-old San Francisco man was captured in Afghanistan by Northern Alliance forces in 2001 after he was shot and wounded during a prison uprising. He was turned over to American authorities.
In 2002 Lindh was sentenced to 20 years after pleading guilty to serving in the Taliban Army. He's currently at a federal prison in Indiana.
His parents asked the President to show mercy for their son during the Christmas season. His father repeated what he's said in the past, that his son ended up in Afghanistan during a civil war while studying Islam abroad, saying he joined the Taliban with no intention of fighting against America.
While in office 10,000 petitions have been filed requesting pardons from the President. Fewer than 200 have been granted. Lindh's request is in a pile along with those for former Illinois Governor George Ryan, and junk bonds salesman Michael Milken. There's speculation that Bush may pardon former Cheney Chief of Staff Scooter Libby. He already commuted Libby's prison sentence. Libby was convicted in connection with the Valerie Plame CIA scandal.
Here’s my question to you: Should President Bush commute the sentence of John Walker Lindh, the so-called Taliban American?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Too Late to Save Auto Industry as we know it?
(PHOTO CREDIT: BILL PUGLIANO/GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The White House continues to drag its feet on a bailout for the auto industry in the wake of failed attempts to get help from Congress. The impasse came when the United Auto Workers Union refused to agree to wage cuts.
This morning President Bush said he still hasn't decided what to do but his press secretary later said he's considering an orderly bankruptcy. Of course the point of the automakers begging for a bailout was to prevent bankruptcy and the collapse of the industry.
Chrysler announced plans to close down all 30 of its manufacturing plants for one month effective tomorrow. Their finance division says it may have to stop making loans to dealers.
Ford had previously announced their own plans to close 10 factories to cut first quarter production in 2009. In the meantime, the Wall Street Journal reports that GM and Chrysler are rethinking the possibility of a merger, although sources tell CNN that is not true.
Here’s my question to you: Is it already too late to save the auto industry in its present form?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Dem. Backlash if Caroline Kennedy Appointed to Senate?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Caroline Kennedy is positioning herself to be appointed to fill the Senate seat that will be vacated if and when Hillary Clinton is confirmed as the Secretary of State.
The daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy called New York Governor David Paterson, who will be appointing someone to the seat, to express her interest. Yesterday she traveled around upstate New York for closed door meetings with Mayors, Union leaders and other officials. Along the way she touted her devotion to public service, her books on the Constitution and raising her family. And today she had lunch in Harlem with the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Although it seems like a campaign, it's not. There's no election, at least not until 2010 when whoever is appointed can run for the seat.
According to the New York Times, Kennedy is winning hearts but some Democrats worry about her sense of entitlement and the message that politics is reserved for the upper class. That's leading to some grumbling among some Democrats.
According to a poll by Siena College, Kennedy is not a clear favorite - 26% favor New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo compared to 23% favoring Kennedy. However, 31% believe Governor Paterson will give the seat to Kennedy.
Here’s my question to you: Could appointing Caroline Kennedy to fill Hillary Clinton's Senate seat cause a backlash within the Democratic Party?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
What Should Happen to Iraqi Shoe Thrower?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush during a press conference in Baghdad went before a judge last night. A source at the Iraqi Central Criminal Court told CNN he will likely be charged with assaulting a foreign head of state.
According to wire reports, Iraqi law dictates that he could face seven years in prison. And whether you agree with the war in Iraq or not, it probably saved this man's life. If he had thrown his shoes while Saddam was in power he likely would have been executed on the spot.
Instead he was arrested and promptly put in jail. Thousands of Iraqis are calling him a hero and are rallying for his release.
When asked by CNN's Candy Crowley yesterday what should happen to the man, President Bush said authorities shouldn't overact. He called the incident an interesting form of expression and added that it's part of the free society emerging in Iraq.
The man will stand trial, perhaps as early as next week, and reportedly be represented by a lawyer who said he will file a request to have his client released on bail.
Here’s my question to you: What's the appropriate punishment for the man who threw his shoes at President Bush?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Will History Be Kinder to Pres. Bush or V.P. Cheney?
(PHOTO CREDIT: SAUL LOEB/AFP/GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Vice President Dick Cheney gave an interview to ABC's Jonathan Karl in which he defended the administration's decision to invade Iraq, the war on terror, water boarding, Guantanamo and more. Yesterday President Bush gave a similar interview to our Candy Crowley.
With only 34 days left in office both men are reflecting on the past eight years and perhaps thinking about their legacy and how they'll be remembered. It's a time to talk up their accomplishments in the hopes that critics attention will be diverted from the other stuff.
Bush and Cheney are leaving Washington in the middle of two wars and the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.
There is certainly no shortage of memories of our 43rd president. Everything from speaking at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks to the time he choked on a pretzel and fainted while watching Sunday night football.
Then there's the Vice President. He has redefined the role of the Nation's second in command. He will long be remembered for that but also for shooting his hunting companion in the face in 2006.
Here’s my question to you: Who will history be kindest to: President Bush or Vice President Cheney?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
How Can GOP Help Pres.-elect Obama?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wrote a letter to the Chairman of the Republican National Committee voicing his disapproval of a three-minute video they put together aimed at linking President-elect Barack Obama to allegedly corrupt Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.
Gingrich wants the video pulled and says this is the kind of attack ad that voters rejected in 2006 and again this year. He calls the ad a "destructive distraction." Instead, he suggests the RNC focus on helping Obama successfully meet the serious challenges that face the nation. Now there's an idea: bipartisan cooperation. Gingrich says the Republican party should offer better solutions instead of just opposing Obama.
Sen. John McCain also called for the ad to be pulled during an interview and said his party should, instead, focus on the financial crisis.
Most Americans might agree. According to a Gallup Poll, Republicans in Congress are getting lower approval ratings than President Bush. Only one in four approve of the job Republicans are doing in Congress. That's the worst rating they've had since Gallup started keeping track in 1999.
Here’s my question to you: What should Republicans be doing to help President-elect Obama?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Internet better than sex?
(PHOTO CREDIT: JUSTIN SULLIVAN/GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
There's no denying that the internet has changed our lives. Information is just a click away and people get less sleep because they are logged on.
In fact, the internet is so popular that a lot of people prefer it to sex. Say what?
More than 2,000 adults were questioned in a survey by Harris Interactive. 46 percent of women said they'd rather give up sex for two weeks than give up internet access. Men, apparently, prefer sex a little more, only 30 percent were willing to practice abstinence versus losing their internet access.
But it's not just about sex - although without that hook we probably wouldn't have done this story. TV is loosing ground too... respondents said they'd be willing to give up two weeks of TV over one week of Internet use.
The survey was commissioned by microchip maker Intel to gauge America's reliance on the Internet. 87 percent of those questioned said the Internet saves them money - which could make the world wide web even more popular since we're in the midst of a recession and everyone is looking to save money any way they can.
Here’s my question to you: Which would you be willing to give up for two weeks: sex or the Internet?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Caroline Kennedy qualifications for Senate?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Caroline Kennedy says she wants Hillary Clinton's Senate seat. Her resume is long on politics and short on public office. She hasn't had a full time job in years and has never held an elected office.
Last week New York Representative Gary Ackerman, a Democrat, said Kennedy's only qualification was name recognition. In a radio interview he said she is no more qualified than Jennifer Lopez to be a Senator.
According to the New York Times, Kennedy worked 3 days a week as director of strategic partnerships for the New York City schools for just under two years.
Other than that, most of her time has been spent on boards for various non-profits, which has included raising millions of dollars for some causes.
But the usually private 51-year-old daughter of the late President Kennedy feels this has prepared her for the job and she has asked New York's Governor David Paterson to appoint her.
Critics have been quick to note her lack of experience but friends and family are coming out too saying her behind the scenes work over the years is exactly what has prepared her for this job.
Here’s my question to you: What qualifies Caroline Kennedy to suddenly become a member of the U.S. Senate?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Blagojevich scandal: Illinois moving quick enough?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
We're now entering the second week since Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested by FBI agents who arrived at his home to take him into custody. Released on $4,500 bail, Blagojevich is charged with practicing pay for play politics including trying to sell President-elect Obama's vacant Senate seat. The evidence against him includes numerous federal wiretaps of his home and office.
Everyone from local leaders to the President-elect have called for Blagojevich to resign but he hasn't done so or given any indication he intends to. On the contrary, with an arrogance that is breathtaking, he goes to work each day as though nothing has happened. And pretty much nothing has happened.
An Illinois House panel met today to decide whether or not to impeach the Governor. But they adjourned almost as quickly as they convened and said they'll meet again on Wednesday when the Governor's lawyer can attend.
Even if impeachment goes forward, it could take weeks or months.
Yesterday the Illinois House of Representatives delayed revoking Blagojevich's power to name a replacement for Barack Obama's Senate seat. No explanation - they just didn't do it.
Here’s my question to you: Is Illinois moving quickly enough to deal with the Gov. Blagojevich scandal?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Shoes thrown at Pres. Bush: What does it say about U.S. image?
Like father like son. Just as President Bush's father will forever be remembered for throwing up on the Prime Minister of Japan at a state dinner in Tokyo, so will this weekend's video of our beloved President follow him for the rest of his days.
An Iraqi reporter threw his shoes at President Bush yesterday while he was holding a press conference in Iraqi with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. It was a deliberate insult directed at President Bush. For Muslims, sitting with the soles of your shoes facing someone or hurling them at someone is a sign of contempt.
The reporter, who works for an Egyptian based television network, yelled "This is a farewell... you dog!" in Arabic. He was put in jail where he remains while Iraqi officials decide whether or not he'll face charges for assaulting an official.
As for President Bush, he made light of it and announced to reporters that the shoes were a size 10.
Questions have been raised about the seemingly delayed Secret Service response and why the man was able to throw his second shoe after throwing the first, but President Bush apparently waved off Secret Service officers at first.
Thousands of Iraqis rallied in support of the reporter's actions. Some said he shouldn't have thrown his shoes at President Bush in the presence of the Iraqi prime minister.
Here’s my question to you: What does it say about our image when a foreign reporter throws his shoes at President Bush?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
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