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Closing Arguments: Bernie Behind Bars

June 29, 2009 11:39 PM

As we reported tonight, disgraced financier Bernard Madoff today was sentenced to the maximum of 150 years in prison.

U.S. District Court Judge Denny Chin said that considering the enormity of Madoff's crime, he both wanted to punish him and send a message to would-be copycats.

Madoff's defense attorney had argued for just a 12-twelve year sentence, urging the court to not get swept up in a mob mentality.

The 71-year-old Madoff will almost certainly die in prison.

So tonight, we ask you: Was Judge Chin's sentence the right one? 

Tell us what you think.

You can follow "Nightline" anytime on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Nightline.

June 29, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (1)

Closing Arguments: Your Health Care ?s for President Obama?

June 23, 2009 11:49 PM

President Obama said today he is confident sweeping health care reform legislation will be passed by the end of the year.

But he has many obstacles ahead and critics are ready to pounce. And tomorrow night, he will face many of those questions when Charlie Gibson and Diane Sawyer host the primetime special on health care -- "Questions for the President: Prescription for America" -- inside the White House. 

So tonight, we ask you: What are your concerns about the president's health care plan? What questions would you like him to answer?

Tell us what you think.

You can follow "Nightline" anytime on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Nightline.

June 23, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (32)

Closing Arguments: Obama Ramps Up Rhetoric on Iran

June 22, 2009 11:48 PM

Officials in Iran today admitted irregularities that affected some three million votes in 50 voting districts.

The problem? More ballots were cast than there were eligible voters.

Even so, Iran's Guardian Council insists the outcome of election -- the victory of sitting President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was not tainted.

After a bloody weekend, the military used force and tear gas today to break up several protests. A general strike is planned for tomorrow.

President Obama, meanwhile, took a sharper tone, calling on the Iranian government to end the violence and respect the free speech of its citizens.

So, tonight we ask: Has President Obama's approach so far been too soft; too tough; or just right?

Tell us what you think.

You can follow "Nightline" anytime on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Nightline.

June 22, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (23)

Tony Hawk Twitterview Post-White House Shred

June 19, 2009 8:41 PM

Skateboard legend; family man; video game star; a mega-brand unto himself. Forty-one-year-old Tony Hawk fits all of the above.

Today, he rode the halls of the White House after receiving an invitation to a Father’s Day event from President Obama. A cool honor for a very cool guy. And he Tweeted about it all the way.

Tonight, he will be featured in a “Nightline” profile by correspondent Neal Karlinsky. And the two set up the show just a few minutes ago with a Twitterview.

It went a little something like this:

NealKarlinsky: @Tonyhawk A quick Twitterview if u please. So, did you leave any marks behind while shredding in the White House?

Tonyhawk: @NealKarlinsky haha no, but I was trying to get one good skating picture on the way out and I got shut down

NealKarlinsky: @Tonyhawk we know he can shoot hoops, but does POTUS have game on the board?

Tonyhawk: @NealKarlinsky I didn't get to ask, but he did apologize for not having any ramps to skate on the grounds during our brief chat.

NealKarlinsky: @Tonyhawk at home w/ u for we saw a pretty normal family guy who couldn't believe his good fortune. Now WH. All from board. Message to kids?

Tonyhawk: @NealKarlinsky believe in yourself especially if you are doing something different. Follow your passion, work hard at it and you'll be happy

NealKarlinsky: @Tonyhawk thanks Tony. I'll leave u to enjoy your night and rest up for @nightline. Any last advice for aging boarders?!

Tonyhawk: @NealKarlinsky buy some pads and get out there! Just go at your own pace and enjoy the ride.

We’ll see if Neal takes him up on the challenge. Tune in tonight for the full report.

June 19, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (1)

Closing Arguments: Too Much Regulation in Obama Plan?

June 17, 2009 11:13 PM

As we reported earlier, President Obama today laid out his proposal for increasing regulation over the financial industry to prevent a future economic crisis.

The plan would, among other things, give more power to the Federal Reserve and create a new agency to head up consumer protection.

But critics, including many conservatives, are already calling the proposal an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy.

So tonight, we ask you: Is the president's proposal based on sound reforms? Or is it an example of government getting in the way?

Tell us what you think.

You can follow "Nightline" anytime on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Nightline.

June 17, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (42)

Closing Arguments: Obama's Approach to Iran

June 16, 2009 11:34 PM

While expressing concern for the way protestors are being treated in Iran, President Obama has said that he does not want it to appear like the U.S. is "meddling" in another country's affairs.

But his administration has already said that it wants to improve America's dialogue with Iran -- particularly in light of concerns about that country's potential to build nuclear weapons. 

So tonight we ask: Should America's approach be affected by the outcome of Friday's election, whether deemed to be fraudulent or not?

Tell us what you think.

You can follow "Nightline" anytime on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Nightline.

And see a slideshow of images from the protests in Iran HERE.

 

 

June 16, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (7)

Closing Arguments: Capping Executive Pay

June 10, 2009 11:07 PM

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner today talked about addressing exorbitant executive compensation on Wall Street -- something he called a contributing factor to the financial collapse.

In addition to a compensation czar to monitor the pay of executives at companies receiving government TARP money, a broader reform proposal that looks at all compensation practices is expected Wednesday.

So tonight, we ask you tonight: Should the federal government have a say in setting the salaries and bonuses of employees at private companies, even if the company does not need government help? 

Tell us what you think.

And you can follow "Nightline" anytime on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Nightline.

 

June 10, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (96)

NighTline Faceoff: Obama's Speech in Cairo

June 10, 2009 11:13 AM

Obama's speech at Cairo University last week has been discussed, debated, lauded and dismissed.  Did he make strides in bridging the West and the Muslim world, or no?  Was the speech an overwhelming success or a massive flop.  Today at 12:30pm, "NighTline" invites you to join in on the debate for a NighTline Faceoff: Obama’s Speech in Cairo.  Did it work?

Our first panelist is Fawaz Gerges, a Christian A. Johnson Chairholder in Middle Eastern Studies and International Affairs at Sarah Lawrence College.  Gerges thinks Obama's speech was a success, and believes that it was the most strategic move by the U.S. Since 9/11.  He admits that his efforts are just the beginning of a long journey, but that his speech planted an important seed. Mr. Gerges will join us in New York.

On the other side of the issue is Jed Babbin, Editor of Human Events, a weekly conservative magazine.  He believes that Obama's speech was apologetic, and said that it isolated Israel.

So who do you agree with?  Start tweeting your thoughts now, and join the debate this afternoon. The Face-off airs LIVE at 12:30pm E.D.T. and can also be watched live at the Nightline page at ABCnews.com.

June 10, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (3)

Closing Arguments: North Korea's Hold on U.S. Journalists

June 08, 2009 10:58 PM

American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee were sentenced this weekend to twelve years in a labor camp by a North Korean high court.

Tonight, the families of the two women -- arrested three months ago while working along the China-North Korea border -- issued a statement pleading with the North Korean government to "show compassion" and release them.

The case comes at a particularly sensitive moment, after President Obama and the U.N. condemned North Korea for testing a series of powerful weapons.

So tonight, we ask you: What should the U.S. government do to secure the safe release of the journalists?    

Tell us what you think.

And you can follow "Nightline" anytime on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Nightline.

 

June 8, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (27)

Closing Arguments: Obama's Muslim Message

June 05, 2009 12:24 AM

President Barack Obama made a major address today in Egypt -- aimed at the world's 1.5 billion Muslims.

"I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world," Obama said. "One based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition."

Over 55 minutes, the president spoke about the common ground shared by Americans and Muslims and the respect he has for the Muslim faith. His stated goal: foster peace by challenging extremism. 

So tonight, we ask you: Will the speech achieve a new beginning for the U.S. and the Muslim population around the world? Or will the rhetoric fail to bring peace?

Tell us what you think.

And you can follow "Nightline" anytime on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Nightline.

June 5, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (22)