Personally I'm to the point where I think they took the wrong vote in Afghanistan. The question on the ballot should have been "Do you want the United States's help or not?"

Why should WE be making the decisions about what to do in another country. Afghanistan looks more like Viet Nam every day.

rick we made alot about the white kids black facing before the game why haven't we heard anything about the black woman & kid in the holloween party at the whitehouse? it was covered by cnn. just wondered if it's a one way street? like your show anyway

Rick,

Although Scott Ritter was right on Iraq. I would lke to point out that most of the rest of the world was also right at the time. The Iraq war was not supported by most of the international community – including most western societies. It was only really the Americans and Tony Blair that were fooled into believing that going to Iraq made sense at that time.

Although Scott deserves credit – don't give him more then he deserves. Instead of labelling him as the "Man that was right on Iraq". Labelling him as the "American that didn't buy into the Iraq BS" would be a more appropriate title.

The Bush Wars are a mistake. Eight years ago, Bush declared that he would "get Bin-Laden dead or alive!" Well, 8 years later Bin-Laden and Al-Qaeda are still around to attack us again!

Bush invaded Iraq, for their OIL. He LIED to us, telling us there were nukes, WND's, etc. We found out that none of this was true!

In the meantime Bush's Wars have bankrupted our Nation, we have spent over......... $3 TRILLION........ enough to insure everyone in our Nation!

The fa-right continues to war-monger, continues its campaign of FEAR.

GET THE U.S. OUT OF AFGHANISTAN, NOT ONE MORE DEAD AMERICAN SOLDIER....... NOT ONE MORE!

Yes... It is obvious that rich communities get more attention. You say that "once a crime is committed that it gets attention" , but it has to go thru the system of checks and balances if it is from a poor community, however if it is from a rich community it is pushed to the top. Look at the hoax's that have gotten thru not only to law inforcement but the media ie "baloon boy"

On the story you are talking about police now, live, about how police don't investigate crimes and don't adequately patrol downtown areas. Well, they don't. If you complain to the Governor of a State, as in Connecticut, you the homeowner are put on a secret police enemies list, then arrested, and if you aren't willing to plead out and pay fines they put you in prison. There is an enemies list with complaining citizens, we have all been arrested and worse just for complaining.

What kind of "protection and service" is that?

rick i agree, the general should be repremended, i'm a veteran and i wouldnt have spoken out against my C.O., you are always supossed to follow the chain of command, i think people are taking advantage of the Presidents character, i gaurantee you he wouldn't have spoke to the media against president Bush, or if it would have been president McCain, instead of taking advantage of the presidents character he's taken advantage of him

Rick,
Every time I tune in, you're in the tank for Obama. Maybe I am mistaken, and wrongfully assumed you are objective? We look to the press to hold our government officials accountable. Please make that ALL the officials. –Thank you!

Ritter is a disgrace to all military members. He should be charged with treason.

If Scott Ritter is so smart, how come Obama didn't pick him to run the war? Or the world?

Scott Ritter is right on target. I was very impressed with his intelligent analysis of the Afghanistan situation. I also felt from the beginning that MacCrystal was contradicting the President.

I agree with Scott Ritter that we should focus on Al-Qaeda not t he Taliban

Not only is General McChrystal the Commander of all US troops in Afghanistsan, he is also the Top NATO Commander in Afghanistan. He not only answers to the Commander and Chief of the United States, Presidents Obama, he also answers to every country that has NATO troops in Afghanistan. What Gen McChrystal said to NATO member countries should get him fired according to Ritter.... I remember when President Obama said, "The way to make government responsible is to hold it accountable. And the way to make government accountable is to make it transparent so that the American people can know exactly what decisions are being made, how they're being made, and whether their interests are being well served." President Obama ran on the promise of transparency, but I guess that doesn't apply to negative information from the people that President Obama put in place to help protect this country and its citizens....If my troops were dying, I would my do anything to get a decision made!

Tell Scott Ritter to stay home and save us from his comments. He has no clue about nothing, no combat experience no knowledge of the battlefield, no knowledge of the immediate neccesities of the military, no clue. Stay home and let the General in command at the battlefield decide what is good for his men, and not Ritter. The president has no clue either, nor does the vice president, ONLY the local head of command, so please, and by the way Ritter should put on a uniform and go to battle, in Afgahnistan, lets hear his comments after they amputate a few limbs from his body.
Thank you,
Bernard D Rehhaut

The Cleveland Police are corrupt...that's why they didn't investigate the latest 'serial killer'. They know it...they let them get away with it...and they actually help them 'cover it up'...until they can't hide it any longer. The entire city is so corrupt it's outrageous. I speak from experience..I lived there. They think it 'keeps the economy clipping along..."...it's sick stuff, truly.

Thanks Rick ... keep Ritter in publc view ... he's making good sense

As a retired military officer, I was disappointed by
Gen. McCristal's going public with his comments. That should be for behind closed doors with his chain of command. But we do have enemies who attacked us from Afghanistan and Pakistan and are faced with failed governments in those regions.

Scott Ritter is an absolute hack who couldn't see his own military career through, and is only on TV now because he makes it a point to make outrageous statements like today. General McChrystal has more integrity and honor than Ritter ever will, which is why he continues to serve in harm's way while Ritter runs his mouth on issues that he acts like he knows about, but truthfully has no real basis of experience to talk from. Ritter is not widely respected or revered in the military community and is simply trying to keep his 15 minutes of fame going. I guarantee you the overwhelming majority of troops in Afghanistan would say off the record that they completely trust General McChrystal and know he's trying to do right by the mission and them.

I appriciate Mr Ritter's postion but I must question the accuracy of his quote about death tolls from Predator strikes. It calls into question the veracity of some of his other arguments and what they might be based upon.

I don't see the relevance in Scott Ridders' personal comments. Isn't there someone with a little more education and experience who can provide good information.

I think Scott Ritter is right on the mark. We are coninually fighting the wrong people. Such as Iraq, they didn't take down the world trade center. Why don't we ever listen to people when they have something intelligent to say. Scott Ritter was right before and he is now.

Finally there is someone that tells the truth about the 911 debockle and the wars in Iraq and Afaghanstan,

Someone move that stack of donuts from in front of that scott guy, no wait....those aren't donuts, its scotts three chins hanging over his tie.
What a pile of crap.

The wars are bankrupting this country. We are borrowing money from China to pay for these wars that GW & Dick created. I think the Taliban and alQueda are succeeding @ bankrupting us. That was there plan. Let's leave, there is nothing to gain.

I also agree with Scott Ridder regarding the Taliban. We may not like the Taliban but they are not our key enemy and lumping them in with the enemy will not win hearts and minds when America desperately needs it.

I hope Obama takes some time and interviews this Scott Ritter,

I'd like to see Scott Ritter debate Stan McChrystal on this issue. Maybe Stan could give him some perspective he can't get from his "analyst" chair.

It is about time someone spoke the truth about the insubordination of the General. Thanks to Mr. Ritter. I think and hope the strategic and long term thinking cooler head of President Obama will trun this thing around!

We created these problems and now were in a mess with not knowing what to do or where to turn except fight. We have not and did not change Iraq in any way and will not in Afghanistan either. We making our country poor by supporting these Bush War mongering Ideas..

Afghanistan and Iraq are another Vietnam. Unwinable wars! Lets get out and let them solve their own problems. Concentrate on problems at home.

Rick, I can't believe that the Taliban, etc., think that we shouldn't kill innocent citizens over there while we are getting the bad guys. They are the masters of this and are hypocritical. Remember 9/ll; they also don't hesitate to kill their own people over there, to be able to kill foreign soldiers. I am a conscientious objector but I cant stand this hypocracy and I wish you had said something along this line to Mr. Ritter.

When Bush invaded Iraq he said this was "THE GREAT CRUSADE OF THE 21ST CENTURY" . The Great Crusade wasn't a war against terror , but an invation of Islamic lands by Europeans . They pillaged , raped and stole everything of value while occupying their lands for years , just as the U.S. have done . This was when the Templar Knights stole all the history books written by the prophets . Bush didn't steal Solomon's Temple , instead he established a war zone in oil fields to cut off the supply line , thus driving up demand and prices which is great when you are invested in that industry . LOCK BUSH UP !

Remember Franco? It cost Spain 1 million deaths the lost of three generations of intellectuals,and keeping the country in the dark ages.Yes that general should be fired. Has not he an history of manipulating things to help the Republicans? And those ones who can in his assistance should have to explain Why that support? And yes, we should get out. It is not what is our strategy. It is what is the strategy of other guys, the ones who financially support the Taliban.
Coming here to terrorize us?DO NOT LET THEM IN!
MGO

Rick,
Let us not forget that McChrystal orchestrated the lie about Pat Tillman's death in his desperation to create a hero to boost public support for the war in Afghanistan. 24 hours after Tillman died the General had been fully briefed that it was a friendly fire debacle, yet he still signed off on the fictitious tale that accompanied the recommendation for a Silver Star. He then lied under oath to Congress about it. This is a General for whom the ends justify the means. Maybe we want that in a fighter, but only if he's kept under tight political control.

Rick, If it was the Bush adminstration Gen. Mc Chrystal would of been fire. The bush adminstration fire a General for saying the Iraq war need more troops.

i am an avid listener to your programme and i believe you are one of the most honest journalist out there,and scott ritter interview needs to open a new debate about afganistan.i don,t know if american are watching,but rick keep it moving .

After seeing Matthew Huh on Zareed Zakaria GPS Sunday, I did a 180 turn on Afganistan. Scott Ritter further confirms my new feelings. Should the General be fired. Probably. At the very least, the President should be listening to those outside the military.

The military is just that military. They should not be making political decisions. The President can't win. If he sends troops the right wing will change their position and say he shouldn't have or that he didn't send enough. They will really have a field day if we pull out.

The President needs to do the courageous thing and get our troops out of another no win situation.

Btw. Nice work Rick. You should be proud. I bet Ritter sells enough books to help level at least a half dozen FEmA trailers.
Keep up the good work!

Does anyone remember 9/11? That is a blood debt that has yet to be paid. To simply pull out is unacceptable. Why are we in a war of the hearts and minds of the afghan people when we need just the one. We need the heart and mind of Bin Laden.....on a platter. We hunted and found Saddam in a hole in the ground. Please let us not forget that day when we question why we are there.

It is impossible to fight a guerilla war on their territory and the al queida and the taliban will NEVER be defeated. It is impossible to defeat an ideology. It is legendary. Kill a million today and 2 million will replace them tomorrow. We tried to fight the guerilla war in Nam for decades and lost despite the enormous man and fire power. We will never win the war in the middle East. Count on it.

I think Mr. Ritters is right. We need to identify and isolate the enemy and not get caught in the intricate net of confusion created by the enemy. This is a slow process but with much better chances of success compared to a lashing out approach.

Genral McChrystal does have a responsibility to the people to report that he is executing the war as their elected representatives have set forth. This is a principle of civilian leadership of the military. Your approval of the conflict is separate discussion altogether. What would those of the opposing view think of GEN Patreus' or GEN Odierno's appearances in the public eye?

Rick,
what does she know that we don't.
The fed just loaned 2 trillion dollars out and we can't ask to who?
If it looks like a duck, it usually isone.

Why hasn't any of our Generals who request more troops for Afghanistan suggested that our congress re-instate the draft? Why hasn't our pro-war politicians also propose a draft to take off the pressure of our troops who are serving four and five tours of duty there? Would this proposal be too unpopular with the general public? Why hasn't the media brought this draft proposal up to the public and the politicians?

I believe like Scott Ritter does. Bring them all home and let the Arab's do what they do best, fight each other. The Iraq war was for Bush's daddy. The Afghan war was sort of like a pretend war, it was on hold. Mc Chrystal should have talked with President Obama and noone else. Maybe he needs to retire!!!!!!

Now there are ten bodies of dead women in Cleveland? What a gruesome discovery! The problem is that the police can't be everywhere and protect everyone; it's frightening, however, that they couldn't be bothered to check into the report of this man standing over a nude woman's body weeks ago. It might be time for women to consider going places armed because nobody's going to protect them from these male predators.

These Tea Baggers and "Conservatives" are showing who they truly are since the nomination of Pres. Obama . Virginia Fox is obviously another racist who thinks that any program Pres. Obama brings forth is a hand out to minorities . The whole Health Reform Debate is a racially motivated . Tell you what , why not bring the troops home and eliminate NASA ? They both are a waste of tax dollars that would be more than enough for "FREE" Universal Health Care . Who is the space station and hotel for anyway ? I know that no one I know can pay millions to stay there for a single day . LETS USE OUR TAX DOLLARS ON THE REAL " WE THE PEOPLE " .

Rick why are the US citizens afraid of a Gov'ment run Health Insurance. In Canada it works fine. Most of us don't have long waits..
You people are giving away your money to greedy companies.

Why are US citizens afraid of a tax hike? Where is the money for services supposed to come from?

Why are US citizens afraid of Socializm? Don't you have Goverment run schools? Unemployment insurance? Road and rail maintanence? Fire and Police?

Bush was mad at Iraq because they wanted to kill his dad. He wanted to get Sadam, After he got sadan ,his friends saw the oil and that was all they needed.GREED toke over, and then and then and then and then YOU KNOW THE REST

No one has made more sense in this Afghanistan debate than Scott Ritter - I hope someone at the White House is listneing.

Thanks, Rick, we hear you!

I believe this is the guy, Ritter, that went on the Today show way back during the WMD fiasco and said categorically that there were NO weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and then kind of disappeared. I looked for him and could have kicked myself for not getting his name back then. I could be wrong but when I saw him on your show today I took note of what he was saying and I believe he is right again about Afghanistan. I listened Sunday to Matthew Hoh on Fareed Zakaria's show and I'm even more convinced that escalating this effort is in neither our best interest, nor the Afghans.. I think the administration will come to the right decision and I'm glad they're taking their time to gather all the information, which seems to grow on a daily basis, to make sure they make it.

About the Healthcare debate: If Congress does not want to provide healthcare coverage for the American people who don't have any, let them change their own coverage-they should not have any better coverage than Medicare provides. Congress should have to pay for their own secondary insurance and Part D prescription drug plans. They can actually afford to pay for their own insurance, but if they don't provide at least as good as they have (for the average American), then they need to reduce what the taxpayers are providing for Congress and other government employees, even the President. They are so greedy that they only seem to care about themselves and what they can get for themselves, not for the American people who pay their salaries. I'd like to see them also stop getting automatic raises and even reduce their pay like so many Americans are having happen to their pay. If they are serious about wanting to reduce spending, let them begin with themselves!

We the people have no choice about the war, health care, or any other major situation this country faces. You can try over and over again to make the right choice and vote someone in but for the most part how many promises are kept by any president? The government will make a choice and we will have to abide by it like every other law. It happens at the lowest end of government to the highest end. From schools changing to school uniforms and the response that is given is, well its the law" to fighting in Afghanistan. We can complain and bicker between each other all we want but this scenario will happen again and again with another country and another country.

Me personally am tired of being the hate of many country's which the politicians do not represent the people but their own initiatives,and are bitterly divided by almost everything from the war to who should receive flu vaccinations first. Who gets hurt? Its not the politicians that get hurt in any situation, it's the innocent and the men and women doing what there told to even against there own values and beliefs.

Sorry been there done that, not again!

Thanks, Rick, for pointing out the hypocrisy of the gray-haired
legislaturer from North Carolina. She certainly is a wolf in Fox's
clothing. Fear mongoring is still the stock and trade of republicans
in order to push their tired, pointless, and useless ideology about
no taxes. The problem isn't too many taxes. The problem is
not enough for the taxes that we do pay. The Europeans pay a
great deal more taxes, but relative to our taxes get many more
benefits for themselves and their families. But of course, Fox
and other uneducated and uninformed Americans continue to
preach their misinformation and lies about what the real issues are.

Ritter clearly summarizes the military solution to the Afghanistan was – i.e., we should basically get out. I agree. Would such a solution be political suicide for Obama? And if so, would sacrificing his leadership for a second term be worth it? I hate to say it, but I believe it would

This Woman Pat sounds real crazy to me with some of the things she said regarding the Cleveland murders. We can truly see the differences between the opinions of whites and blacks about the other race.

Your reporting is one of the best on cable. You need more than one hour for your show. Talk to the bigwigs at CNN and get yourself more time. Keep up the great work.

Ritter was right about Iraq, and he is right about Afganistan. All media outlets should have him on. Rick: your smiles while Ritter is talking is disrepectful to this all the innocent people who died in Iraq and Afganistan and to all the dead American soldiers, so wipe that smile off please.

No more dead soldiers!!!!!Bring them home now. We fought our own civil war between the North and the South. Other countries must do the same.LET"S STAY OUT OF THIS CRAP AND BRING OUR MEN AND WOMEN HOME NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ritter is right!

RepFoxx is SOO right. I fear persons like her. With an irrefutable fallacy she's the enbodiment of Ostrich logic. With her head in the sand, the real truth is out in the open for all to see............

What's wrong Rick, is life looking a little bad, well guess what, you make your bed you sleep in it. What do you expect when human beings are selfish, greedy, inconsiderate, and willing to kill their fellow man for land, oil, power. We are no more then a virus, or cancer spreading over the face of this planet, killing and destroying everything in our way. NO RESPECT FOR ANYONE OR ANYTHING, and leading this march through time Is a group calling themselves CONSERVATIVES, just listen to their rhetoric. They use to rule the world, but have lost their grip hence their bloodthirsty rhetoric. They are the" ANTI-CHRIST"

Hey Rick maybe the White house doesn't respond because they know all you want to do is create controversy for your own selfish ratings

Re: Congresswoman from North Carolina

Using your figures, 2 wars over 8 years costs us $980 billion or $125 billion per year, without further escalation. Health Care, excluding savings of current programs, is budgeted for $880 billion over 10 years or $88 billion per year. Thus, COSTS OF WAR ARE HALF AGAIN MORE per yearly costs not to mention LIVES LOST IN WAR and LIVES SAVED IN HEALTH CARE!

Great reporting, Rick!

I am Vietnam vet (disabled and decorated) Our country is broke and we should be spending our resources at home. Our VA system is going to be swamped with physical and mental injuries for 50 yrs after they come home. It took me nine yrs to wait for full benefits.
Sending more troops is not an option, we should be recovering our troops. DEAD OR ALIVE
Tarp helped big banks, insurance companies and the auto industry. People(and vets) are losing their jobs, houses, savings and all hope that their lives will ever be the same.

I can see why Scott Ritter didn't make it in the real world or the Military. Very few anti-military people make it unless they can get on some talk show and put down the Troops or this country. Lately there have been an over abundance of people that want to criticize this country, our past Presidents and the Military which none of them have ever been in the Military or served this country in any way.They all act like that Jane something or other. Remember her part in the Korean Police Action ? Thank God this is a forgiving country with a Government that allows FREEDOM OF SPEECH or they may not be with us tomorrow.

Gen. McChrystal may be a good general, but obviously he's not doing a good enough job and is more than willing to throw the lives of even more Americans at the problem to cover his own inadequacies.

Rick I wonder why you would use a supposed expert Scott Ritter, a person that might have attempted to molest a child. I get it Rick, that you are against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but does that mean you have to use a potential molester like Scott Ritter. I guess even molesters should be given a break, hu? This was reported on your own CNN network Rick, how low are you willing to go to get your anti-war stance across. Are you a reporter or a political commentator? Never forget, the internet never does!

Ex-arms inspector, war foe Ritter confirms 2001 arrest
Thursday, January 23, 2003 Posted: 3:00 AM EST (0800 GMT

The source said Ritter had arranged in an Internet chat room to meet with the girl at a Burger King in Colonie, a suburb of Albany, so she could witness him masturbating. The source said Ritter was charged with "attempted endangerment of the welfare of a child," a Class B misdemeanor.

The source also said Ritter was confronted by police in April 2001 after communicating with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old

Gen McChrystal should be praised as a patriot and hero to his soldiers. If they are to stay in Afghanistan~give them what the General needs to win over there. He knows best. These soldiers deserve the best asap. Talking behind closed doors with the President will do little to help the soldiers if they don't get what they need. The General should be applauded for speaking out for his men. This is no time for hurt feelings.

I think in between the lines Mr. Ritter was saying, our president should go in today with all the planes and anything that he can put one of our men on, and pull everyone out, unannouced. Enough men have died and suffered because Bush had to get even for his father. My son just arrived home from his 2nd tour over there and I cried everyday, I prayed everyday for him not be brought home in a coffin. Please, lets get out now. Pull everyone out at one time.

I believe we as a country associate a "win" in Afghanistan with a military win, but what does a "military win" really mean? Does it mean that we crush the spirit of another country? Does it mean we capture Osama bin Laden? What is our goal in Afghanistan? Scott Ritter is correct. General McChrystal's role is to implement policy and offer his recommendations when asked or warranted. I believe he has insightful ideas which the president will thoughtfully consider. That being said, his thoughts and opinions should be conveyed in private, not through a public channel. Lead by example.

Wonder why my comment that questioned Rick never made it to this forum? Don't think I broke any rules. Or maybe CNN is just trying to keep critical comments about this guy off the wall.

The bush administration demonized Scott for telling the truth. A lot of young Americans military men would be alive if he had been taken seriously. Let bush and cheney take that to their graves.

Is this the same UN inspector in Iraq that outlined the dozens of huge artillery bunkers that contained millions of Iraqi Artillery shells and released a co-statement to the press with several US Generals, stating in effect 'there are so many other more important issues in Iraq, we are not going to place removing these multi-million munitions as a high priority'.

Well, the Taliban in a matter of DAYS removed millions of the unguarded artillery shells and began supplying IED's made from them these past many years.

What a stupid, ignorant, degrading statement to the American Public in regards to how vitally important those millions of artillery shells were in the hands of the Jihadist.

A lot of American soldiers lost their lives, limbs and sanity due to the utter incompetance by these inspectors.

A. Smith
Oregon

Scott Ritters words are amazing. First time ive heard of him and listened to his words. He belongs in the obama administration. Scott for PRES!

Pretty good red herring Rick! Throwing Ritter at the public to call for McChrystal to be fired... to divert from the real issue. Obama needs to get moving on his decision about the Afghan war. Obama is the one who diverted the focus from the war in Iraq to the war in Afghanistan. He is the one who hand picked Gen. McChrystal. Now he has done nothing but salute 14 bodies as they came in... Maybe if he were making a decision about sending more troups in instead of procrastinating from telling the public what his *NEW* policy will be you wouldn't have to put a has been like Ritter on the air to create a diversion from the real issue which points to an inexperienced president who can make a lot of small decisions but runs away from the hard press of the war.

Obama is in big trouble as a result of the elections for governors in New Jersey and Virginia.The people are angry that he is not doing what he said he would do-bring home the troops,protect the middle class and lift the embargo against Cuba,among others.He also said that he would not allow special interest groups to dictate policies,but it seems that everything is the same in WashingtonObama has to get back to his promises otherwise he will be a one term president.

hey fluffy, ritter is right. If Obama sends more troops to Afghanistan. He better send a full compliment of body bags.You see they fight for faith and their god. Americans fight with gadgets. They will win in the end.Faith always wins in the end.

hey fluff, Ritter should mention the only way leaving Afghanistan works is to close US borders and kick out the llegals. The best offense is a good defense. If no offense and no defense you are up the creek without a paddle. maranatha

it's about time we Americans started listening to saner voices like Scott Ritter.
Bush & co landed us into these messy wars by hoodwinking the public & drowning (in the cacophony of war drums they were tirelessly beating)the voices of those who pleaded for sagacity. Unfortunately the media largely went along.
Precious American lives lost , tens of thousands others in Iraq, trillion dollar bill & counting, shattered economy.Funds desperately needed at home for imperatives like,social security,health care ,homeland security,infrastructure,education ( the list could gon & on).
We must get out of Iraq soonest.Pull our troops out of Afghanistan & mount a focused covert operations with our allies to eliminate the threat.
In Iraq Saddam was a pompous arrogant fool who could have been our staunchest ally ( he was at one time) with a bit of diplomacy & manipulation. Invasions & occupation have never solved anything, history tells us.

hey rick what you think about the democratic party won conservative part of new york23rd district. that a win win for democratic party

I grew up in Northern NY in the contested congressional district. Republicans have always been moderate, thoughtful and very representative of the constituents. It doesn't surprise me that the Republicans lost that seat. Tried and true Republicans in that area even like some of Hillary Clinton's policies-she truly represented the needs of this ignored part of NYS. Good for Northern NY to say 'no' to the inflammatory nature of the Conservatives that campaigned for the losing candidate.

Why is this interview being conducted in Spanish? If she is living in this country, shouldn't she be able to speak English?

If you're interviewing someone who speaks spanish, as with Castro's sister, and she only speaks Spanish, then get someone to subtitle the both of you. Your format of speaking to her and then loosely translating was impenetrable and unprofessional.

Rick,
It was great that you interviewed Juanita Castro; however the actual interview itself was quite chaotic. I speak Spanish so I could understand, but I think you should have either had a professional interpreter or subtitles. I feel like you constantly cut her off so you could try to translate and the translations were not 100% either. It's a shame because if it had been done right you could have gotten much more out of that short amount of time you had with her.
Nonetheless it was good to hear her speak and I am a very big fan of yours
Mersedeh

Why are you speaking Spanish to Castro's sister? If she's been in this country 45 years, she should be speaking English.

Stop kowtowing to the Latinos!

rick,castros sister in this country since 63? she cant speak english.thats one of the reasons americans that were born in south fla.dislike cubans.

Can you follow on this story that came out on yahoo news. Thanks!!

The One Place on Earth Not Destroyed in '2012'

Saw the interview of Castro's sister. I understand your parents also do not speak English. With all due respect to your parents, I do not understand why there is such a resistance to learn the primary language of their adopted country. Castro has been here for 45 years. I think by this time she should be fluent. I was stationed in Berlin, we had a MANDATORY two weeks of German language schooling when we first got in-country. I learned much more on my own. I think it is disrespectful to the citizens and even the country you have adopted if you have not made the effort to speak the language. If people are unwilling to learn the language, they should live in a country that speaks their language, not the USA.

Rolan Martin is unprofessional and exceptionally biased. How on earth did he ever land a job on CNN?

The returns are those who race minded. They or most do not fit the profile of Republicans in the wallet. They only fit the profile of being racist. The ones who voted only represent a portion of the people who voted in the last election.The Democrats are lacklustered also because of the skin color and probably just sit back without voting. I think that if the Democrats are not motivated in 2010 ,Obama will not be reelected and we may be under the GOP conquestidors.

Did I actually hear you call one of your commentors a moron because he commented about Castro's sister's inability to speak English? Why is it unreasonable for US Citizens to expect immigrants who have been living in this country for decades to learn to speak English?

Vice President Biden is not in General McChrystal's chain of command. Try interviewing a more credible expert.

NEWSFLASH! Bush is not the president and has not been for nearly a year! So stop the hating, Obama got elected and as promised, got us out of Iraq...oh, I guess he didn't. Well, at least he closed Guantanamo. Nope. Well, now that Bush is gone and everyone loves us again surely he got N Korea and Iraq to drop their nuclear programs. Nyet! as our friends the Russians say..wait, they're still not acting like our friends! We can at least console ourselves that he got us out of this recession, well at least he means to, look, the stimulus kept the unemployment rate under 9% as he promised, didn't it? didn't it? Liberals are pathetic and dangerous to America's health.

Actually, Ritter was a Marine officer, who worked on Schwartzkopf's staff in Gulf War I.
Those charges you bring up? The prosecutor dismissed them completely.
Finally, he doesn't have a cushy think tank job. When he's not speaking, he works a job as a firefighter. (Which, incidentally, he wouldn't be able to do if he were a sex offender.)

Scott Ritter is an American Hero, and deserves to be heard. It's a shame Obama isn't listening to him...

A Veterans Day poem;

In Honor of Men

You picked up the shield held the rod

Lost your blood in combat on dirted
ground

In mud soaked trenches in pain you lay

Bleeding from Arteries and Viens into
earth

I pray....

No! I for one have not forgotten

From the depths of my soul
I believe for all Civilization of all Countries

I thank you!

Now for once there's a dream possible.

looking for the story, i saw this morn on nbc about corprate america like wall street recieving h1n1 flu doses ,200 just as many as the hospital, when people are waiting in line why isnt cnn discusing this i watch cnn alot and its crossing my mind ,this must be a cover up, tell me it aint so rick,you seem to me to be a go getter so go get em thanks ,judy

Yes, Afhanistan DOES look like another Viet Nam, especially IF WE FIGHT IN AFGHANISTAN THE WAY WE FOUGHT IN VIET NAM. The problem with Viet Nam is the fact that we had politicians running the war instead of soldiers. WE DID NOT FIGHT TO WIN! Can you imagine General Patton playing patty-cake with the Viet Cong OR Al Queda? We are fighting a "I MEAN IT...MAYBE" war in Afhanistan. Obama does not have the intestinal fortitude to actually make a commitment that would actually win the war. He is so busy trying to kiss the rumps of our enemies, he can't worry about destroying them. Plus, he knows if he commits 40,000 more troops, it will mean more money will need to be spent–money that the feds no longer have, thanks to his, Pelosi's, and Reids INSANE spending. We will see a solution to Afghanistan when we get a new president and a new Congress.

Imtiaskhan, I must remind you that Bush did NOT get us into war. We are in war (oh, how soon we forget) because 19 crazy Middle Eastern terrorists killed 3000 of our citizens. We should persue them to the end of the earth and, if possible, push them off it. I sometimes cannot believe the wimpy, limp-wristed talk I hear from American liberals. No WONDER, the dictators of this world are practically making fun of us.

I was enjoying Scott's openness until he made a statement so blatantly false he lost credibility with me. He was saying that the US should not get involved with the Taliban, because they were a rassroots Afghani group and stayed in Afghanistan, thereby being only the problem of the Afghan government. NOT! The Taliban has virtually taken over huge areas of Pakistan and have no paroblems killing innocent people. While the interview with Scott was going on, there was an item on the crawl at the bottom of the screen about Taliban violence in Pakistan! Scott doesn't appear to be as well informed in the area as he pretends.

Irak and Afghanistan wars could have been avoided!
Ritter is telling us the we missed after 9/11 a rendez-vous with history!!
The world was shocked by that tremendous show of power by Al Qaeda and 19 mostly from Saudi Arabia terrorists!
If they could such damage to the most powerfull nation of the world!! How do you think all those Middle Eastern leaders felt???
Don't you think that traking Al Qaeda would have been easier with their help. Even Sadam Hussein was chasing them!!
Some voices tried to warn US but were not heard!! Instead of trying to form an alliance with them! US is know perceive has an invader who kills hundres of thousand of civilians thus creating more and more terrorist!!
Yep!!! that decision will be remembered as the most stupid and tragtic decision of the century!!!
A new world of cooperation could have emerged!! Next time...may be..but frankly I doubt it!!

Rep Foxx
Did not want to post a comment.....but can't help myself!!
First the genocide of all the elders and the babies!! And know TERRORISIM!
Man oh Man!!! Sure Reps are talking of an Healt care Plan!!!
Something might be wrong with the water theiy drink or the air they inhale!!
Fema should declare a state of emergency!!! AL QAEDA is surely poisining the minds of a specific group of people!!
Sorry

hey rick,Ihave been watching about the drug war in afghanistan.Is it true that there was no drugs(herion)was coming from their before the us got ther???????

if we want to fix our unemployment problems, we must stop buying the products,or the product that has the part that we used to make in the company we used to work at before it pulled the treasonous act of moving out of our country for what ever no good reason but bigger profits.PEOPLE COME ON, STOP BUYING THOSE PRODUCTS AND THINKING IT WAS OK FOR THEM TO DO TO US. lets see how long they last. if we are not buying them.

The American CIA created and trained the Taliban to fight against the Soviet Troops in Afghanistan and topple the Afghanistan President that Russia had installed there during Bush Sr's time in the White House.

The American CIA is on record (GAO) as having helped the Taliban previously to smuggle Opium out of Afghanistan as far back as the 1980's.

During Bush Jr's time in the White House, Opium production went up 300% flooding Russia and the rest of the world with cheap Heroin.

Even thou it is absolutely self-evident that Opium is the largest cash crop for the Taliban to sell and buy more weapons to kill American soldiers and Afghanistan civilians, Bush Jr. and the American CIA appears to had in place a 'hands off the Opium Poppy Fields' approach.

All of those years of Bush Sr. and Bush Jr. berating Mexico and Columbia for drug trafficking. All of those years that Bush Jr. had a 'Drug Czar' in the White House, American citizens are slowly finding out what Interpol knew all along. Namely that the White House and the CIA were hip-deep in enabling drug trafficking, namely cheap Heroin which destroys rural cities worldwide.

Does the CIA flood of cheap Heroin worldwide promote American Values?

Thankfully President Obama appears to be slowly reversing this American Heroin Connection in Afghanistan.

A. Smith
Oregon

I guess thats what happens when you eat to many bolagna sandwiches. I quess he's now feeding his staff the same meal package.

Rick, way to go with follow the money. You are one of the very few that show us who received Health Care money, only you do it better than anyone else.
Marocpopa county s sheriffs office is nuts.

Rick,
Am super angry over the report about Senators getting so much bucks from insurance companies. Wonder how much turncoat Lieberman got?

OUR PRESENT HEALTH CARE SYSTEM HAS BEEN BOUGHT AND PAID FOR OVER MANY YEARS. CONTRIBUTIONS TO SENATORS BY BIG PHARMA,INSURANCE COS, HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT COS ETC. HAVE ALWAYS DROUND OUT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE. THIS LATEST ATTEMPT AT REFORM IS NOTHING NEW.

Great job Rick on showing how much of a sell out the GOP is with your follow the money segment. Please don't stop there, I would like to know exactly how much money each of those politians have sold their sole for. The new GOP philosophy is, " I got mine you get yours!"

Mr Sanchez.

If you want to find someone to blame for what happened at Fort Hood, all you have to do is look in the mirror. The media has turned our country into a politically correct mess. The killers fellow officers wanted to blow the horn on this guys radicalism, but were scared of being labeled a racist. And you Mr Sanchez would have been one of the first to label them in such a way. You should be ashamed of being apart of the mess you have helped to create.

Affordable Health Care for America Act ?

As a very disappointed Democrat I say that the word "affordable" in the title is not applicable. If you select the same failed, overpriced insurance system and expand it to include 36 million low income new members plus all of the high risk patients, you don't end up with an affordable system. To get that you need to cut the costs in half with a single payer system that has proven successful in all of the other industrialized countries.

Iam glad to see that we have offiers like this one to protect us I feel mush safer

No one can do CYA like millitary brass. It's in high gear now about Maj Hassan superiors who gave him his Officer Effectiveness Reports. If he were enlisted he would have already been hung out to dry.

The police officer was in the right to detain he made a lawful order for his ID and the camera man refused. Point blank the officer had the right to question his business if the camera guy was not using the subway or any other service.

I dont think politicians are afraid of black folk,they are afraid of all the unwritten rights that come to light when blacks are held to same standards as everyone else. The more politicians and advocates work for equality and unity the more the blacks try to seperate and empower themselves

New business: What happened to L. Dobbs and his 6:00 PM CST show? I am sure I am not the only person asking? Please comment? Thank you. Rick

I agree with this guy were does this McChrystal get his book on how to fight a war, certainly not America unless he studied the Vietnam war tactic were you put as many of our troops to die for nothing it was not a war that was winnable and neither is the Afghanistan war and Iraq war so lets get out of there now.