Stop fighting the Taliban? Fire Gen. McChrystal? Really?

Rick's fascinating conversation with Scott Ritter went on after the TV show on our Internet-only aftershow called "The Conversation Continues".

Click here to join us every day at 4:00 PM ET.

Rick presses Ritter, the former U.N. weapons inspector in Iraq, on the current state of U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, and where he thinks it should be heading.

If you've ever heard Scott Ritter, you know that he speaks bluntly and unapologetically.

He tells Rick why the current military leadership in Afghanistan should be fired, and where U.S. strategic policy is missing the boat.

Watch.

My guest in this clip: Scott Ritter.

I'm no Mark Antony, but I do know when someone has been made out to be a tragic figure (a la Caesar) whether they deserved it or not.

Here's the fact, in "Regular Joe" terms, not like a Shakespearean scholar: Scott Ritter tried to warn us to stay the hell out of Iraq.

We didn't listen. Now, he's warning about Afghanistan.

Should we listen?

This subject REALLY has you talking!

A man who owns and operates a hotel in New Mexico insists his Spanish-speaking employees use "Americanized" versions of their names when dealing with customers. Oh, and can they speak Spanish around the boss? Or around hotel customers? No.

Is that unreasonable? Is that unfair? Is this man denying his workers the right to speak their native language?

Interesting conversation.

In this clip, Rick tackles this debate with CNN's Latin American Affairs Editor Rafael Romo.

Oh, they also talk about NFL great Bob Greise's "having a taco" joke that got him suspended for a week.

You've GOT to let us know your feelings after watching this discussion.

CNN USA's Deputy Managing Editor Jim LeMay with Rick Sanchez

oooh!

Oh, the time does fly!

A newly-minted Rick Sanchez arrived at CNN (from wherever they make TV anchormen) FIVE years ago this week.

And look at him now!

Pictured above is CNN USA's Deputy Managing Editor Jim LeMay presenting a humbled and perspiring Rick Sanchez with a rare and priceless artifact, emblazoned with the network's solemn words of sincere appreciation.

Happy anniversary, Rick! Let's do five more!

Rick Sanchez @ CNN En Espanol Studios

Rick took to the CNN Radio airwaves October 22nd & 23rd for two interactive hours of live call-ins and conversation during the week dedicated to "Latino In America"

If you missed the shows, you're in luck! We have them here for you to listen on your computer, or you can download them (they're in MP3 format).

Click the links to listen, or right-click to save.  Each is about 44 minutes long and commercial-free.

CNN RADIO – RICK SANCHEZ "LATINO IN AMERICA" October 22, 2009

CNN RADIO – RICK SANCHEZ "LATINO IN AMERICA" October 23, 2009

Imagine having a front row seat to history, and being able to grill and give grief to America's historymakers.

That is Helen Thomas, she's been giving it to these guys since 1961, John F. Kennedy's first year in office. AND she was the only woman! She taught the menfolk a thing or two, and she's still doing it.

Helen thomas has some advice for the leader of the free world. She's put it all together in "Listen up, Mr. President!" a book she's written along with veteran political writer Craig Crawford.

Rick talks to them both in this clip that aired exclusively on CNN.com/live.

He's fighting extradition.

Can you imagine, Roman Polanski, finally being brought back to the United States?

Read the latest on the Polanski case by clicking here.

Can you imagine the scene when, I guess if, that actually happens?

Guess what? As of today, it's a step closer to happening.

31 years ago, he pleaded guilty to having sex with a 13-year-old girl in Los Angeles, but he never did the time.

Instead, he skipped town.

The facts of the original case are keeping the story in the headlines, which is a problem for Polanski. Like the fact that he got the little girl drunk and got her high with quaaludes.

Polanski was busted last month when he went to Switzerland for a film festival.

He's desperately trying to fight extradition, but experts say it doesn't look good.

As of today, the U.S. has officially filed papers to have Polanski brought back to face justice.

We'll keep you posted.

This clip is tragedy plus outrage plus allegations of corporate greed and indifference.

American oil giant Chevron (relatively new parent company of Texaco) is being blamed for a major ecological emergency in another country. A rainforest in an area the size of Rhode Island in northern Ecuador is struggling after decades of oil drilling by, among other oil interests, Texaco. Swaths of land are useless. More than a thousand people have died from cancers blamed on the crude oil introduced to the drinking water and ecosystem.

This is bad. Chevron is being sued for $27 billion.

Rick Sanchez interviews two women here. It's the quest for justice and accountability on one side, and a sympathetic, but defiant corporation on the other.

We want to know: how does this issue grab you? After you hear both sides of this argument, does a big bad oil giant still look so big and bad? Leave a comment below.

This clip is from Rick's exclusive, web-only, commercial-free "post-show show" called The Conversation Continues. You did not see this on TV.

It's Rick continuing his discussion with Andy Bichlbaum, the man behind a well-planned phony news conference aimed at embarrassing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

It worked.

Oh, and check out Rick's daily 15-minute interview segment The Conversation Continues. It's every day at 4 PM ET. Click here for the link.

You gotta admit: these guys pulled off a pretty elaborate prank!

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce called a news conference Monday at the National Press Club. It was attended by several newspaper reporters and television camera crews. What they announced sent shock waves through those attending.

The man who stood behind the podium announced that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, long opposed to ANY action on climate change, had changed its stance, and would now drop opposition to the Boxer-Kerry climate change bill.

Some news networks interrupted regular programming, and breathlessly treated the announcement as BREAKING NEWS.

But it was a fake. Read a CNN blog about it here.

Fake news conference. Actors pretending to be newsmakers. Real reporters. Real embarrassing.

In this clip you'll see these pranksters busted by an ACTUAL member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Also, Rick interviews the man who pulled off a major GOTCHA.

Why did he do it? What statement was he trying to make? Watch.