We Listen!
Here's your daily recap of the best feedback we got from YOU on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Email. Continue the conversation below. And remember, keep it brief, and keep it clean. Thanks!
American Morning viewers were split regarding Secretary Clinton's statement that the U.S. was in part responsible for the Mexican drug problem. Some in agreement noted that U.S. drug demand would decrease dramatically if marijuana were legalized. Those opposed wanted to hear more "proactive" solutions to the issue.
Dominic – Hillary is correct when she says that the U.S. is partly to blame. We can discourage the violence by removing profit from the equation which is why it makes sense to legalize marijuana. Not only would the taxes on it help us in our current fiscal crisis but it would also stem the tide of violence by taking away the incentive of selling it in the U.S.
LJ – I am in Phoenix, AZ and do not accept the fact that it is US demand. A few years ago in Northern AZ, a gang was busted for PUSHING drugs on grade school kids. Hey, how about militarizing the border? DO ya think it might slow down the drug flow? Did Hillary Clinton explain the sophisticated drug bust in Australia two months ago when Mexican Nationals were arrested? They are all over the place, not just the United States. I am from AZ and it is very sad that we are now the kidnapping capitol of the United States. The war on drugs is worthless, and way too many lives have been taken. I do not know the answer, but it is not having a few agents on the border. in the 1990's, 340,000 Mexicans a month were coming over the border. Governor Jane Hull went to Washington to seek help, but nothing happened. Now we have 900,000 people on government Healthcare and welfare and are going bankrupt.
Tony – Thank you Mrs. Clinton for blaming Mexico's dysfunctional, corrupt governments inability to handle their internal drug problem on the U.S.. Here's an idea...stop the butt kissing, finish the fence and secure the border in and out! Stop being reactive and start being proactive.
Tell us your thoughts. Is the drug problem one that crosses borders or is Mexico responsible for its own issues? What solutions would you offer?
Filed under: We Listen
Kiran: Find your passion
CNN's Kiran Chetry speaks to management consultant Peter Bregman about how to start a business in this economy.
It's a recession. If you find yourself without a job, well you aren't alone and it doesn't mean you can't find a way to success.
Bill Gates, Jim Henson, Walt Disney, just to name a few, all took a chance and hit it big during an economic downturn.
Instead of waiting around to get a call back from one of the hundreds of resumes you've sent or posted online, why not start your own business? Is it possible if you've never done it before and haven't the slightest idea where to begin? Yes, says Peter Bregman, a business management consultant who joined me on the show this morning. He says find your passion and go from there! Watch the interview.
On Twitter this morning, I asked people to tweet about their passions. We got some great answers; cooking, working in the field of green energy. News is my passion and has been since I was a kid. But if I had to try to start up my own business on the side, I'd probably do some photography. I love taking pics of the kids, gorgeous landscapes, everyday objects seen through an artistic eye. I'm also not bad with doing people's makeup. Among my friends, I'm the go-to gal if they need to get glam for a party.
Everyone's got a knack for something beyond what they get paid to do. Our guest today says it's just a matter of taking a risk at a time when you probably have a little less to lose.
Filed under: Roundup
An SUV is home for jobless duo
Richard Barboza, left, and John Nilsen are among those struggling in the current economic recession.
By John Zarrella
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida (CNN) - Richard Barboza sits behind the steering wheel, patiently working a crossword puzzle. There's no rush. Time is one thing Barboza has plenty of.
It's just after sun-up. The streaks of light shimmer off the car windows. In the back of the Ford Explorer John Nilsen stirs. This is home. Clothes are kept in a suitcase. Food is wherever they can find it.
"It's definitely not something that you ever see yourself being, homeless," Nilsen says.
But homeless they have been for the past six weeks, ever since the money ran out and they were evicted from the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, apartment they shared. Nilsen had lost his job, and Barboza is waiting for disability checks to start arriving.
The line of homeless men and women has already started to form at the food bank when the two men walk up. The faces are always the same, with a few more added every day.
Keep reading this story
Filed under: Economy
America's appetite for drugs
Former DEA Special Agent Robert Strang speaks to CNN's John Roberts about America's appetite for illegal drugs.
Mexico's army is pouring into towns struggling to stop drug cartels' bloody tactics.
Washington is pledging cash and manpower – but the violence is threatening to tear Mexico apart.
Former Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent Robert Strang joined us live for reaction.
What do you think? Is America's appetite for drugs fueling the violence?
Filed under: Crime • Drugs • Mexico
Mr. President, you've got mail
John Roberts speaks to Nicholas Thompson of Wired Magazine about President Obama's online town hall meeting.
President Obama - open for questions.
He'll be fielding them, not from the press, but from you... in an online, town hall meeting beginning at 11:30 am eastern time today. And, the president is making a direct video pitch to the public for those questions. 75-thousand questions have already been submitted.
Nicholas Thompson, "Wired" Magazine Senior Editor, joined us live.
Filed under: Politics • Technology
Mexican drug crackdown
Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon discusses illicit drugs coming into the U.S. from Mexico.
This is a developing story we've been covering for you. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Mexico – as violence threatens to rip that country apart.
65-hundred people were slaughtered last year as rival drug cartels battled each other and the authorities. 800 killed so far this year. Many – beheaded to send a message. And the misery is heading north along with the drugs.
Phoenix is now America's kidnapping capital. Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, who testified on border violence Tuesday on Capitol Hill, joined us live.
Filed under: Drugs • Mexico