So rather than start with news stories such as the recently uncovered Al Qaeda plot to blow up the Brooklyn Bridge before the Sept. 11 attacks; the beating and robbery of a Chinese food deliveryman in upper Manhattan; the new détente between Hamas and Fatah in Gaza; the execution-style murders of nine American soldiers in Kabul by a member of the Afghan air force; even the Royal Wedding - the so-called "birther" issue gets top billing.
What a remarkable sight, a sitting President producing his birth certificate. Did I say remarkable? Perhaps I should have also said sad, pathetic or infuriating. Donald Trump is taking "credit" for the President's birth certificate release today, but I'm not so sure it's much of a feather in Trump's cap. The vitriol spread over the Internet by these birthers seems to be driven by some deep-seeded hate of Mr. Obama that transcends just political differences.
And so when the President appeared to sigh heavily and wonder with more than an ounce or two of frustration why people are so interested in this when there are so many real problems to tackle, that "hallelujah" you might have heard were cheers from millions of Americans who would like some answers to the economic malaise, and the frightening world order, and the military conflicts that don't seem to be ending. And they were cheering for one more thing, perhaps: That this non-issue issue will be finally put to rest.
I'm just sayin'.
As it happens, the President is in New York tonight, raising money. Again. one billion dollars. That's his reported target for next year's election cycle. No wonder some Republicans have decided to sit out the race and perhaps wait till 2016. We're with the President tonight at 11, as he attends three different events here.
Also at 11, we'll have the latest on the aforementioned stories - the execution of nine Americans at an Afghan air force base in Kabul, and the search for the men who attacked a food deliveryman in Morningside Heights - an area already underserved by home delivery services.
And we're taking a closer look at another way you can save money during these tough economic times: Smart shopping for pet food. Consumer Reports shows us ways to look for the best pet food prices.
Liz Cho continues to anchor our coverage of the upcoming royal wedding, from London. We'll also have any breaking news of the night, plus Meteorologist Lee Goldberg with his AccuWeather forecast, Rob Powers with the night's sports. I hope you can join us, tonight at 11.
