Is the Internet a secure place to transact business?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Before you go online to shop, pay your bills, check your bank statement, or even send an e-mail... stop and consider this:
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More than 75,000 computer systems at 2,500 companies worldwide have been hacked. A Virginia security firm - Net Witness - says it could be one of the largest and most sophisticated cyber-attacks ever discovered.
It began late in 2008 and wasn't found out until last month.
The attack targeted everything from corporate information to e-mails, credit card and login information.
Hackers went after companies in the health and technology sectors... educational institutions, energy and financial firms, ten government agencies and Internet service providers.
It's very scary, when you consider some of these industries should know a thing or two about computer security.
It's believed the hackers got employees at these targeted companies to download infected software - or got them to open e-mails with infected attachments. From there, the attackers could commandeer the users' computers - stealing passwords to banking and social networking sites, which then helped them hack into other computer systems and on and on...
Experts say this attack points up that traditional security approaches just aren't working anymore.
Meanwhile news of this attack comes after it was revealed computer networks were compromised at Google and more than 30 other big companies.
Google says that attack originated in China.
I wonder how safe the computers that have to do with national security are?
Here’s my question to you: How confident are you that the Internet is a secure place to transact business?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
What if U.N. is right about Iran building a nuclear weapon?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Same old, same old from Iran... we're not seeking nor do we believe in nuclear bombs.
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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the Islamic Republic's religious beliefs consider weapons of mass destruction to be "symbols of genocide," and therefore they are forbidden.
How different from a draft report from the UN nuclear watchdog suggesting just the opposite. The international atomic energy agency report says Iran may be working secretly on a nuclear warhead for a missile - and lists ways the country has been defying UN orders.
For the first time, the IAEA states concerns that Iran may be trying to develop nuclear weapons right now.
Iran continues to insist its nuclear program is meant only for civilian energy and for medical use. Sort of like, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman."
The UN keeps passing resolutions against Iran - three so far - and some nations are pushing for another resolution. What do these resolutions mean exactly? I don't understand. Pres. Obama gave Iran a deadline of the new year to show they were making progress. What did that deadline mean exactly? I don't understand.
A new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll shows 6 in 10 Americans think the U.S. should take economic and diplomatic efforts to get Iran to shut down its nuclear program. Haven't we been doing that? Only about a quarter want the U.S. to take immediate military action.
But if diplomacy doesn't work, nearly 60 percent support military action. 71 percent think Iran already has nuclear weapons. Swell.
Here’s my question to you: What now if the U.N. is right about Iran building a nuclear weapon?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
What do you see as future of the Tea Party movement?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Sarah Palin is telling Tea Partiers they have to pick a party - either Republican or Democrat.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/02/18/art.tea.jpg caption="FILE PHOTO: Tea Partiers protested Congress' and Pres. Obama's health care reform efforts back in September."]
Speaking to Republicans in Arkansas, Palin started by praising the Tea Party, calling it a "grand movement" that she loves because it's "all about the people."
But she was quick to say tea party candidates won't win in our two-party system unless they join an established party. No surprise which one Palin thinks they'd be better of with.
Meanwhile there's a new poll that sheds some light on who actually makes up the Tea Party movement.
The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll shows activists are mostly male, rural, college-educated and overwhelmingly conservative.
The survey shows about 11 percent of Americans say they've actively supported the Tea Party either by giving money or going to a rally; and another 24 percent say they favor the movement but haven't taken any actions to support it. That's a total of 35 percent who could be described as Tea Party supporters. Not an insignificant number....
Which is exactly why it could be a problem for the GOP. If the Tea Party movement succeeds in getting candidates on the ballot, they could wind up splitting votes with the Republicans - and ultimately help the Democrats win.
Which is probably why Sarah Palin is asking them to pick a side. Meanwhile not such a great turnout for Palin at that Arkansas event. Reportedly less than half of the lover level seats were occupied in the 18,000 seat hall and the entire upper level was covered in black drapes.
Here’s my question to you: What do you see as the future of the Tea Party movement?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Now the time for U.S. to irritate China by meeting with the Dalai Lama?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
In a move sure to get the Chinese all riled up - President Obama met today with the Dalai Lama at the White House.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/02/18/art.dalai.dc.jpg caption="The Dalai Lama draws in the snow with his finger outside the White House after meeting with Pres. Obama earlier today. The meeting drew angry protests from China."]
The president commended the Tibetan spiritual leader's commitment to non-violence and stated his support for the preservation of Tibet's identity and human rights.
After the meeting, the Dalai Lama told reporters he was very happy with the session; and that Mr. Obama was very much supportive. The exiled leader says he admires the U.S. as a champion of freedom and talked about promoting religious harmony and human value.
Here's the problem: China warned ahead of time that the meeting would damage relations with the U.S. The Chinese view the Dalai Lama as a separatist who wants to overthrow Chinese rule. The Dalai Lama insists that's not true. And - critics are after the president for not meeting with him last fall when he came to Washington.
All of which is why the White House kept today's meeting very low key - it wasn't held in the Oval Office where presidents usually meet with world leaders, and there were no reporters allowed. The White House only released a single photo.
Meanwhile it might not be the best time to tick off the Chinese. Relations are already strained between the two countries due to trade disputes, a recent U.S. arm sales deal for Taiwan, and a censorship disagreement over Google. Not to mention the fact that the Chinese hold a staggering amount of U.S. debt - hundreds of billions of dollars worth.
Here’s my question to you: Is now the time for the U.S. to irritate China by meeting with the Dalai Lama?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
How can Tiger Woods rehabilitate his image?
(PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
So Tiger Woods has decided to talk… just in time for the Masters.
Woods is scheduled to speak publicly for the first time tomorrow at PGA headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
But there will be no questions allowed; and only a select few members of the press will be permitted to attend.
Woods will say what he has to say about the total collapse of his personal life and professional career - and then walk away, presumably expecting that to be the end of it. No questions, no need to admit more than the bare minimum - and then, bingo. Back to the business of playing golf, making millions and rescuing television's golf ratings.
Piece of cake. But my guess is it won't work.
If he's looking for forgiveness, he has to ask - humbly and with contrition. He has to answer questions about why he decided to throw away his marriage and arguably the most successful career in the history of sports for a few stolen moments. Well, a lot of stolen moments actually - with a bunch of bimbos.
In other words, he has to convince the sponsors, his fans, and his fellow golf pros that he is something besides an artificial, superficial, spoiled athlete.
If he doesn't do that, it will be a short comeback.
Here’s my question to you: How can Tiger Woods rehabilitate his image?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Why are some Obama '08 'blue' states turning 'red' again?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Everything blue is red again... well, sort of.
Politico reports that the electoral map - which Pres. Obama remade back in 2008 - is returning to its old patterns.
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During the presidential campaign, there was lots of talk about how Barack Obama had changed the playing field and put several so-called red states into play.
By winning in places like Indiana, North Carolina, Virginia and the Mountain West, Obama didn't need to rely on states that had decided previous elections, like Florida and Ohio.
Fast forward a year and a half... Democrats are facing some tough races for Congress and governorships in November in these very same states. No doubt Republicans are loving it, with one congressman saying: "One election doesn't make realignment."
But Democrats insist these states that used to be red will be competitive now, although some worry that without Pres. Obama on the ballot, young voters and African-Americans are more likely to sit this one out.
Meanwhile a new poll suggests trouble for any incumbent - red or blue - come the midterm election. And that's exactly as it should be. Vote them all out and start over.
The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll shows only 34 percent of voters think most members of Congress should be re-elected; that's the lowest number ever in this poll. 63 percent say send the incumbents home.
As for Pres. Obama, a majority - 52 percent - say he does not deserve a second term in office. The American people are angry.
Here’s my question to you: Why are some of Pres. Obama's 2008 "blue" states turning "red" again?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Should euthanasia be legal?
This photo, taken in Brussels, Belgium shows a so-called euthanasia kit, which is available to doctors in some countries, but not in the U.S. The kits must be ordered, picked up, and administered by the doctors themselves. (PHOTO CREDIT: ETIENNE ANSOTTE/AFP/Getty Images)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Some Canadian doctors want their government to decriminalize euthanasia.
They say that euthanasia is already widely practiced in Quebec's hospitals; and the government should stop ignoring it. They say doctors know when death is "imminent and inevitable" and suggest there should be guidelines for medical professionals to follow in such circumstances.
Those who support what they call dying with dignity say it could apply to patients with a terminal disease like cancer, or babies born with serious medical conditions or seniors whose bodies are simply shutting down on them.
Euthanasia is legal in some countries - including the Netherlands and Belgium - while Switzerland allows doctor-assisted suicide.
Here in the U.S., Washington state and Oregon have laws that allow doctors to prescribe lethal drugs to terminally ill patients. They must be at least 18 years old and mentally competent. There is some support in Montana for a similar rule.
Euthanasia has long been a controversial issue - much like abortion - especially among religious groups. Critics worry that doctor-assisted suicide will pressure people with terminal illnesses - who may be poor or disabled - to end their lives early. Supporters insist it is a dignified way for people who are suffering to go in peace.
One of the most well-known supporters of euthanasia is Jack Kevorkian - who was dubbed Dr. Death. The Michigan doctor served eight years in prison after saying he had assisted in at least 130 suicides.
Here’s my question to you: Should euthanasia be legal?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 6pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
@jackcafferty on Twitter
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