Today on CNN Newsroom
Wake up with CNN Saturday Morning...
Producers, writers and bookers are hard at work preparing a great show for you this weekend. Here's a little bit of what we have on tap... A weekend of protests. We'll take a look at what we can expect when the "Tea Party express" rolls into Washington to rally against what they call out of control government and "Obama care".
As you know President Obama gave more details about his health care plan earlier this week. Did his speech change your opinion either way? What did you think of Republican Congressman Joe Wilson's outburst? It came after Obama said extending health care to all Americans who seek it would not mean insuring illegal immigrants. We want to hear your thoughts. We may read some of your responses on-air.
Plus, our T.J. Holmes talks with Jeanne Ashe, the wife of late tennis great Arthur Ashe. They discuss the U.S. Open and her husband’s impact on the game and the diversity within the sport.
And, this weekend marks the one year anniversary of Hurricane Ike. Our Betty Nguyen traveled to Galveston, Texas. She spoke with the city's mayor about recovery efforts and how much longer it will take to fully rebuild.
Also on our radar, the gender controversy surrounding world-champion South African runner Caster Semenya. Should she be disqualified from future events? Is she being treated fairly? Tell us what you think. Weigh in on our our blog.
You can see these stories and so much more Saturday starting at 6am ET/3am PT right here on CNN Saturday morning with T.J. Holmes, Betty Nguyen and Reynolds Wolf.
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President Obama originally wanted a Single Payer Plan, then compromised for a Public Option (for conservatives that means “choice”), then compromised to include some conservative pork. Where are the compromises from the right? All I hear is let’s slow down and do this right. Like we did with the Weapons of Mass Destruction? We’re spending too much money. Like we did in the illegal war in Iraq? You’ve had 90 years to do it right. ENOUGH! President Obama wants the plan to be implemented by 2013 based on an infrastructure already in place, but that’s not enough time for conservatives. I know, I know GO (pea) brains… it’s PotaTOE.
.. Joe “The Dummy” Wilson can’t even put together an insult properly.
“You Lie?!” How embarrassing! LOL
Sounds like a segment of Jay Walking with Jay Leno or Jerry Springer.
And these imbeciles have the nerve to deprive their children of objective encouragement? That’s child neglect in my book.
Most American’s have enough intelligence to realize most of the issues conservatives have raised are valid. “What about Acorn… what about Van Jones?” – as if the rest of us aren’t just as outraged. It’s just the double standard. For instance, far more people were affected during Katrina than 9/11, but was the response equal? Where was the Tea Party then – Or when Greenspan blew up the Dot Com & Housing Bubbles or when Bush gave over a trillion in tax cuts to the wealthy ?
Most of America’s working two jobs while trying to raise a family under very challenging circumstances and do not have time for this nebulous bickering. On the other hand, we will not tolerate a handful of people being divisive and embarrassing our country.
if "tea party" members did not have camaras on them, there would not be "tea parties".
Why will you not report on the ACORN scandal?
Wake up CNN.
By hiding the ACORN story you will only destroy what is left of your dignity.
Why waste valuable time on the "express?" They are just a bunch of right-wing flakes who are only interested in complaing about Obama. There are many more important issues to cover.
Looks like Jerry Springer is going to be booked up for years with the ignorant, fat, ugly acting GOP representatives of the GOP in the "Tea Party Express". Screaming and yelling doesn't make the message correct.
Rep. Wilson only proved that the GOP and the "Tea Party" goers are desperate and have lost control...all control. Their slimy responses remind me of the character 'The Grinch' in how they communicate. That ugly sneer you can never trust.
Don't they realize that we know they are lying? How dumb are they?
Rep. Wilson showed disrespect in the wrong forum. The "Tea Party Express" just magnifies and shows the true face of the lies and ignorance the GOP spreads.
They must have had to scour the trailer parks down South like crazy to fill those buses.
No one believes them. No one believes their lies.
I DO believe in President Obama. And he WILL get my vote for another term. Health care for all. Push it through, with or without the GOP. Their lack of participation only shows they have no interest in a constructive bi-partisan solution. So factor them out since they don't want to help, only hurt.
If the GOP is so "pro-life", then let them be pro-life for all citizens, not just the unborn. People are sick and dying right now, while they try to stop health care for all. This, while they get their pockets (or get to spank) special interest groups.
Obama all the way!
A "Tea Party" ? That is one of the silliest Movements since McCarthy tried to find communists in these United States. People–get over it-Obama is everthing I hoped for in getting this country moving upward and citizens to work for solutions and that means working together. If there are people trying to make a side-show & get they're 15 minutes, do something constructive. Has anyone else tried to do the thankless job that Obama inheirted? So many opinions are okay. Our freedom of choice is what makes this country so great. All I want to see is our citizens working toget her with positive endeavors. Stop being fooled by talk show entertainers who wants to stir the pot until it overheats. These talk gurus are more interested in lining their pockets. And the real story gets gets lost in all the rhetoric.The More screams-the more money they get. Please pay attention to speeches & decide for yourself. And never, never mistake these blow-hards for the Real Deal.
No way did his speech tell me he was ATTEMPTING for me. I do not trust him, have never trusted him, will never trust him. I know CNN always have GOOD remarks for Obama, why??? because CNN does not report fairly. I still refuse to watch CNN and have shown all my friends how bias CNN is and will always be. No, I am not a republican, but, does that matter? No way, I just do not trust or even like the man they call president, he is too radical and has told too many lies. The biggest one is about his birth certificate, Oh well, the truth always come out, just wait and I will prove to you that I am 100% correct. Betty
Good for Representative Wilson for telling supporters he will continue to speak loudly about the issue and "not be muzzled."
He only spoke the truth! He should have yelled, “You lied, people died, and puppies cried!" This would have shown how ridiculous this entire feigned outrage actually is. Harry Reid said the same thing several times when Bush was president…. Where was the feigned outrage back then!
I am a law-abiding, voting, thinking citizen of the USA. Number one: Has anybody taken it into consideration that the Coast Guard exercise was really a diversionary tactic to avoid any terrorist attacks? You see, what real, self-respecting terrorist would dare try to pull off some awful deed when there are FBI, Coast Guard and all other armed and swarming security types buzzing around? They would just wait and see what's going on like everybody else. Number Two: I take offense when someone disrespects my President. It doesn't matter who it is at the time. Respect costs nothing but is priceless. Besides, the Congress has been trying to "fix" Health Care since the stone ages. Let's help them by listening, thinking and VOTING in each election.
I'm still awake at 12:47 a.m. on 9/12 feeling all the emotions of 9/11. I know there are plans to make 9/12 into a day of giving, but I was trying to think of what else we can do on 9/11, in addition to recognizing those who lost their lives, that would uplift our spirits and make us think of this country as the beautiful place that it still is. My idea is to make 9/11 a day of "From our mourning, grows our adorning." I thought if we could all do something this day to make things beautiful, it would uplift our spirits. We could adorn the homes of the families who lost someone, or anywhere else that needs some beautification. Fall is a great time to plant, so perhaps it would be a great time to do that. And clean up the neighborhoods, or even just our own homes. We really need something to lift us up on this day of mourning, so we can get back to our love of country again. And we can dedicate it all to the families, in whatever way we know how. God bless them all.
When thousands of people poured into the streets to protest the Iraq war CNN barely mentioned it. When people like Michael Moore came out with books like Fahrenheit 9/11 (all of which turned out to be true) CNN treated them like a bunch of left winged whackos. For 8 long years half of us (if not the majority) lived in utter OUTRAGE of the actions of a truly illegitimate president who was not elected. But OUR voices were stifled. If we said anything bad about Bush we were called un-american and un-patriotic. Under CNN's watch Bush got away with war crimes and several abuses of power with little or no investigation. Now when a small group of right wing, racist extremists are talking secession and some even civil war (who is un-patriotic?) CNN is giving them the largest voice of all! This the day after 9/11 when we should be remembering that which brings us together. CNN is painting a picture that Americans don't want health care reform even though the MAJORITY still do. CNN is not covering the numerous rallies going on TODAY in support of health care reform. What is wrong with this picture? Even when my party is in power my voice is being silenced. I thought when Obama was elected I would be able to quit living in OUTRAGE and ANGER but I guess not. You should not even be giving these whackos a voice CNN! They only represent a small group of stupid people and you are contributing to the dumbing down of America every day!
Most republicans are like some used car salesmen. Many of their products are good; it’s just their poor delivery. They bash the competition, and rather than giving us the information so we can make an intelligent choice, they embellish the truth. They ignore President Obama when he says he doesn’t want huge government, if they listen at all. Most of his decisions are the lesser of two evils due to what he inherited.
@ Betty Phillips – Saying you NEVER trusted the President only shows your ignorance and lends credence to my previous post. Anytime anyone disagrees with you conservatives, you throw tantrums like a four year old; like you’re doing now with CNN, and like you do with members of your own party. For instance, Colin Powell, a man who has done more for his country that all of you combined – and Meg Whitman just because she chooses to base her assessment of someone she met on the actual experience rather than on the Fox News perspective. To say you wing nuts eat your young would be an understatement.
Come on conservatives, let’s have a real debate. There has to be a few out there that can put two sentences together with solution oriented arguments. And, don’t bring up issues that we all agree with like Acorn, Van Jones or anything you heard on Fox News yesterday, unless you need them to tell you how to think. We can call each other names all day and get nothing accomplished. Oh that’s right, that’s your goal. Here, let me give you a topic. Did you know Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly 2 to 1 for the demographic under 40 years old? I for one don’t think that’s a good thing. Balance is good and important.
To Betty who mentioned the BIRTH CERTIFICATE he DID produce one. It was shown on national news. He was born in Hawaii and I have seen the copy as shown on the news. You prove my point on my previous blog that mentioned the dumbing down of America!
You know what this recession has taught me? CAPITALISM SUCKS. Nothing will change greedy profiteers from hording their profits and finding tax loopholes. Meanwhile, your neighbors can't find a job, can't afford to go to the doctor and some are even loosing their homes. I say drastic measures are needed here and I don't care if they seize the health insurance companies and take a fine tooth comb through their financial records...PROVING to Americans why it is so expensive to go to the hospital for care. But I can already tell you this: 1. the need to cover uninsured patients treatments 2. nursing/healthcare worker shortage requiring soaring unchecked salaries 3. Soaring medication costs 4. Malpractice suits with awards into the millions
I support healthcare for ALL in America. Find a way to make it work!
The Tea Party is a perfect name for the protesters.
an eighteenth century event to describe an eighteenth century protest defending an eighteenth century constitution and eighteenth century ideals. they need to get real and join the modern world. I saw one of there leaders interviewed and he was scarcely coherent.
Freedom of speech, freedom to protest...what a wonderful thing it is to be an American. As an RN, I've seen first hand the struggle hospitals face caring for the uninsured. I've heard first hand surgeons completing surgery on a patient say, "Good enough for government work". I also know that many Americans could afford health insurance if they budgeted their income properly, i.e., spending their income on cell phones, cell phone plans, cable tv, eating out, shopaholics, ETC.
I say again, CAPITALISM is turning American against American. Americans, whether they are tea partying or not, are proving Karl Marx was right.
Joe Wilson's apology means nothing. The damage he did is done. If a congressperson can't respect our President, how can he respect his constituents?
AMEN! to Mr LaDrew!
as far as Joe Wilson ,could have been very up tight sitting on pins and needle right off the bat on the Presidents speech, Joe could have a deep seeded rescentment on who the Presidents make up is, to show him whos boss, sad to only he knows, Our President graciously accepted his appology and thats is what we all should do, we all like he said makes mistakes. Lets get on with the reform.
I was disturbed to watch the end of your piece on the TEA Party protests in Washington. You gave what amounted to a free commercial for the group by reading their printed literature, complete with bullet points on the side of the screen. That's not your job.
President Obama is once again talking out of both sides of his mouth! The deficit language in his speech to Congress on Wednesday is most interesting. He tries to be definitive:
“I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficits – either now or in the future. Period.”
But then, he immediately follows this statement with language that undermines his avowed commitment to us!
“And to prove that I'm serious, there will be a provision in this plan that requires us to come forward with more spending cuts if the savings we promised don't materialize,”
Well, which is it Mr. President? If you now do as you have given your "word" you will do, then the second statement is redundant and unnecessary and should not have been included!
Obviously, you are anticipating that the Congressional Budget Office will continue to score your legislation as increasing long-term budget deficits by a larger and larger amount each year. … Otherwise, you would not have been compelled to make this second statement! …. Double-speak from President Obama once again!
Where is CNN's coverage of the March On Washington to Protest Deathcare?
Where was the outrage about decorem when President Bush was booed by the liberal left wing kooks? Remember the one about the Goose and the Gander? I think we know who the gooses (geeses) are.
T. J. Holmes appeared to be so overjoyed and gleeful when he interviewed the Democrat campaign manager of the candidate running against the Obama speech disrupter. He could barely contain himself when he discussed the million dollar campaign war chest that will support the Democrat. So much for unbiased news casting. The news media, the Democrats, and the Republicans are all fiddling while Rome burns with all of this "I got you" attitude.
So what's up with the all this coverage of 30,000 TEA party protesters? Where was the "Corporate News Network" when 500,000 anti-war, anti-torture protesters gathered in DC...and the pentagon and New York....again and again....year after year?
I do not understand the agenda for the Tea Party. All I see are a group of disgruntle White people. Where were they when President Bush was in office and got this country into this current mess? I do not see any Blacks or people of other persuasion praticipating. Does this mean that they donot care or is th a Black/White issue because of the current president?
OK. Guys, after listening intently to his speech Wednesday night, I don't know which of President Obama's positions to believe!
On the one hand, he tells us Medicare is a shining example of Government cost containment and efficiency in controlling health care costs. Its administrative expenses are only 8% of its authorized budget. By comparison, he tells us the administrative costs of private insurance companies run about 20-30%.
On the other hand, he tells us he can pay for the enormous costs of his new health care plan by eliminating $900 billion of the rampant waste, fraud and abuse that exists in the Medicare system.
OK, Mr. President, which of these two stories is correct and which one are we to actually believe? ... When it comes to these opposing statements, you cannot have it both ways!
CAN YOU HELP ME?
Am I wrong to think that the government option for health coverage would compel the insurance companies to lower their rate coverage in order to compete? I don't feel the insurance companies are nieve. Competition is competition.
I remember the Bell Telephone monopoly which no longer exists. My husband and I were bombarded by promotions from numerous new companies. We had many choices.
Can someone clarify this next question? Companies will drop their insurance coverage for their employees. I don't think so. Here's why. In my 35 years of teaching, I have been covered by many different ins. companies. What I didn't know until I retired early(age 59) just how much my company was paying for us. When my husband and I started paying the premium, it was $1200 a month. What an eye opener. I soon understood why our raises were 2%-3% . One year it was none. In negotiations we chose health coverage. I think most companies negotiate this same way. We had a say.
The Republican Party of "No" needs to be stopped. I realize their principles are based on tradition and social stability. But we are in the 21st century. Tradition and social stability are not occuring now. The conservatives stress these established institutions and prefer gradual development to abrupt change. We are in the present. They prefer an existing situation to change. Get Real! Caution and discretion is not an option right now.I'm a 65,caucation Democrat who voted for Obama . Love him and proud of it. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. YES WE CAN!
Joe Wilsons statement was no worse than when Bush was booed during his state of the nation a few years back and he was booed by more than one person.
He never should have apologized. I saw Pelosie and Biden looking over there like they were going to do something.Please! Well at least Obama is on video saying no covereage for illegal immigrants. Now if he goes ahead with it he will be a liar.
when I was growing up I was told you are judged by the company you keep, that birds of a feather flock together. Well if you look at the people who have flocked around Obama yu can see what kind of man he is. The reverand and professor from Chicago, his chief of staff, the attorney general, Acorn, and who knows who else? If they were all kids on the playground I would not let my kid play with them.
Let me just admit that, I am a white middle aged woman. Wow, that was hard!
Here is my question? Why is it when I see coverage of these tea party protest, I see a sea of white people? The hatred they are teaching their children for our leader will only set us back a hundred years! I didn't know Halloween came in September.
So scary!
I have done my share of complaining to CNN when I thought you weren't being balanced. Today I send you big, big kodos. I was at the Tea Party event in DC ,and after wondering how CNN's coverage at 7PM would track with what I saw, I was very impressed with your coverage. Don Lemon continues to impress me as a rising star within the entire industry (having the same independent persona that Dana Bash and Heidi Collins convey) and I thought he was so straight down the middle and fair that I felt compelled to write this. In fact, I know Wolf Blitzer is a treasure at CNN, but replace him with Don Lemon and I'll be watching CNN a lot more in that key time slot. Please let him know that he is appreciated by viewers craving an indepent press. I also watched your crew at the event take a tongue lashing (I even thought it was unfair at the time) from the protestors, who felt they would get very little coverage today. But when I watched you at 7, it was exemplary journalism on a number of fronts. Good job today CNN.
Where's any coverage of the community organizer's group ACORN? Don't you care about government corruption? Why are you portraying honest hardworking Americans who see through this government, Republican and Democarat, as crazed lunatics? Your reporter was obviously nervously reporting this because he knows it is not true. Many who oppose our wanting honest answwers from this government about the corruption have infiltrated, posing to be us, and have been exposed. America and the world needs honest reporting from you, not biased.
Canam,
The tea party event was posted under CNN's "Political Ticker." The coverage on tv was great.
Don,
You just had a very good discussion about race. Let me tell you my perception as someone who attended the protest today. For people who are color blind like I am, that question is offensive to me. Afterall, about 80% of the country supported President Obama at inauguration. For me, as an economist, this protest is about the ridiculous amount of debt that should be alarming EVERY single American. I don't see how ONE American can NOT be upset about our level of debt. Now were there people there- who in addition to their legitiate concerns- who may have racists leanings? Could be. I won't deny that. But even if I could verify that a few people there had those leanings, I believe 100% of the people there had concerns that were legitimate from an economic, constitutional, political, and cultural standpoint. If someone had shown up there with a completely racist agenda and poster that had the N word on it....I believe the rest of the protestors would not have tolerated them, and in fact would have been the first to denounce and brow beat them. What I'm trying to say is that I can't tell you racism doesn't exist, but try looking at the legitimate concerns that every single person there had instead.
Obama needs to quit trying to get health care passed and start worring about the job lost's in the U.S. thousands & thounsands of people out of jobs and jobs being lost every day due to the economy and all the goverment can think about is health care! that really makes me wonder about this goverment!