Today on CNN Newsroom
Dr. Kevorkian Responds to Question about Playing God
HBO premieres a new movie next week called "You Don't Know Jack."
It's about Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the retired pathologist dubbed "Dr. Death" for his claim to have participated in more than 100 assisted suicides.
It's been almost 3 years since his release from prison, and this week he sat down for an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper.
When Anderson asked him about playing God, here's what he said.
Question: What do you think about his comment to Anderson and will you watch the movie?
Please leave your comments here. We'll read some of them on air this weekend.
Help for Homeowners
A new report out this week by the Congressional Oversight Panel says President Obama's foreclosure-prevention plan may fall far short of the 4 million troubled homeowners it hoped to help.
The panel says for every home saved, another 10 will be lost to foreclosure.
So what can you do if you're facing foreclosure?
Financial expert Ryan Mack, the president of Optimum Capital Management, will join us tomorrow in our 2pm ET hour with specific steps you can take to keep from losing your home.
We'll also discuss how to make the most of your tax refund, plus what you need to know about the new overdraft rules taking effect this summer.
Ryan is also ready to answer your $$$ questions.
Leave your questions here, and we'll answer some of them on air tomorrow.
What will you do with your tax refund?
From finance and housing expert Clyde Anderson:
The 15th has come and gone, taxes have been sealed and mailed, or extensions hopefully have been filed. You may be one of many lucky Americans who's receiving a refund - or maybe it's already arrived. The question I pose to you is what are you going to do with that refund? Have you already designated it to a cause, like paying your mortgage or maybe paying off some of that high interest rate debt?
I've compiled 5 suggestions on what you may want to use that coveted tax refund for:
1. Pay off High interest rate credit and debts
Why: Doesn't make sense to invest or hold excess money in savings when your paying 26% on a credit card. Also pay off personal loans, student loans, auto loans
2. Add money to your emergency fund
Why: You should have at least 3-6 months salary saved, especially in this economy to cover monthly necessities, in case you lose a job or income stream.
3. Have money direct-deposited to savings. Most people think twice before withdrawing from savings as opposed to checking
Why: Put some money away in savings to cover the oh yeah bills, oops bills or the forgotten bills, such as insurance premiums, home warranties, club memberships, etc…
4. After high interest rate loans are paid off consider increasing investments (IRAs, money-market accounts, 401ks – especially if they're matched by your employer)
Why: Now that your high interest rate debt is paid, put yourself in position to have compounding interest work for you instead of against you.
5. Start a business
Why: Invest in your future, if you've always wanted to start a business maybe this is the time.
The key to remember is this is your money, not lottery winnings. It's money that you have given to the IRS and haven't earned any interest on. So it would seem to me there is some ground that needs to be recovered. In order to maximize that refund I recommend having a plan and assessing those dollars to a specific cause rather than seeing it lost due to lack of planning.
Look for Clyde Anderson's Home School Segment tomorrow on CNN Saturday Morning with TJ Holmes, beginning 6am ET/ 3am PT.
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Can Prayer be Unconstitutional?
A federal judge in Wisconsin says the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional. Judge Barbara Crabb says it violates the constitutional ban on government-backed religion. She says its purpose “is to encourage all citizens to engage in prayer, an inherently religious exercise that serves no secular function.”
Conservative religious groups have criticized the decision. Joel Oster, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund says, “The National Day of Prayer provides an opportunity for all Americans to pray voluntarily according to their own faith and does not promote any particular religion or form of religious observance.”
The lawsuit against the Obama administration was brought by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a group based in Madison, Wisconsin. The Obama administration said in a Twitter message on Thursday that President Obama intends to recognize this year's National Day of Prayer, which is May 6.
So what do you think? Should we have a government-sponsored National Day of Prayer or do you think it’s unconstitutional? Leave a comment and we’ll share some of them on air in the CNN Newsroom, 11am ET – 1pm ET.
Honor student could be banned from graduation ceremonies
An honor student at a high school in Wisconsin overslept one time this semester and it could keep her from walking across the stage during graduation ceremonies this May. That’s because of Wausaukee High School’s zero tolerance policy that says "Seniors must have no unexcused absences during the second semester of their senior year or they will not be allowed to participate in the commencement exercise."
QUESTION: We want to know what you think. What are some of your “Zero Tolerance” stories?
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