Anderson, Is the White House hosting a State dinner or a steak dinner? I thought the Hindu did not consume beef..

Larry King said on his show that he did not think he would have any controversy on tonight's show and on the topic of Obama's first state dinner. Oh really?!? Well, you do know that the fist thing you will hear from the Republicans' side in tomorrow's news will be something to the effect whether the White House is setting the right tone by having invited such a big crowd when the economy is down and people in this country are struggling. Just out of spite and just so they can put down the president yet again. You can bet on this!

I heard it's a vegetarian dinner

I'm interested in what the President is going to say about our Goals and purpose in this war.

Hi Erica & Team 360.

Hello fellow bloggers.

Did everyone see the First Lady's dress? Exquisite!

I really enjoyed both the President's and PM Singh's toasts. Made me feel very proud and hopeful.

Thanks to CNN for bringing us this coverage.

Why can't the Obama administration ask India for Military help as India have a 30 odd years of experience of Insurgency and experience in terrain like that which exist in Afghanistan. This could extremely useful as sending more troops doesnt seem to be very popular in the US.

We need to stop the madness in Afganistan. We should not send more troops!!! Please President Obama. Stop the madness!

Good evening everyone

Evening, everyone. Interesting juxtaposition tonight – the first state dinner honoring a major ally and word we will finally get an answer on troops for Afghanistan. Two events closely connected yet so very different

Michelle Obama looks amazing.

This investigation must be harder if you give them what they need.

@Steve & @Clay:

On LKL the menu was revealed to be a vegetarian option and Green Curry Prawns as a meat entree. Should be acceptable to most.

what I want to know is what is "the job"? President Obama stated he is going to "finish the job". At this point what is the actual definition of "the job"

If Obama gives McCrystal the troops he needs it will be the first correct thing he's done as President.

USA and India have the ability to transform the world with strategic cooperation.

I still support the war in Afganistan IF there is a clearly defined mission and IF we can find a way to afford to continue our assistance in both military and civilian people and money for providing basic infrastructure to pull the Afgan people together and get them participating in their own country & government.

It is a highly complex set of problems, but does affect our national security in a very profound way.

I hope that India is willing to provide both manpower and money as well as all of the countries in NATO!

If 34,000 new troops means a faster exit strategy, I wish President Obama the best of luck.

Hello everyone and good evening!

India does not want any intervention of foreign powers in Kashmir. Pakistan is playing games in asking that if India move their troops away from the border, they will use those troops in Afghanistan. On the record, India has never attacked Pakistan, it has always been the other way round. End the terrorism in Pakistan, world will be terror free.

I know this might sound very ignorant, but I tend to trust our leaders regarding things like troop levels. I can't possibly even begin to second guess that kind of decision. I don't have the information or expertise to form an intelligent argument either way. Sure, personally I don't care for war, but since we're there, it needs to be addressed.

@Kedhar, Hindu's (most of India) and Muslims (most of Afghanistan) don't get along very well. Hindu troops deployed to a Muslim country would be a lightning rod.

Good evening Erica and bloggers. I'm so worried about Afghanistan. It's going to take alot of explanation before I'm going to feel comfortable with troop increases. It seems like we will be there forever. Look what it's already doing to our troops. And what will we have when we're done? Hopefully the President can answer this.

Good evening Erica, David in Indiana, friends and bloggers!

I wonder if we ever could finish "The Job" in Afganistan when the Russians never could.

Good evening Erica, Isabel, everyone. It seems like the US presence needs to be in there, in Afghanstan alongside the public, ensuring that the people of Afghanistan can move toward progress begin improving their lives and towns and cities. That strategy needs to get down on the ground as far as builidng helpful alliances Michael Ware is say, and must address the pressing issues faced by the public as Atia Abawi is saying, and both these pts of vw fill in what Fareed Zakaria is saying about increasing troops alone won't be the only thing needed to help the country of Afghanistan.

Michelle Obama's dress is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Can't think of any style or colour that would have been more beautiful or appropriate for the occasion.

well i votd for obama, and back him in what ever he does. i dont sgree with the troop dedployment for afganistan, my son is a marine, but he has not let me down yet. hopefully he wont now. we need to be there but we need to be there for the right reasons

If everyone has problems with the war, talk to someone who has been their. My husband(USMC) is currently serving in the Southern Hemland Province. And I asked him if he believes he is doing a great thing, and he replied "I know we need to be here. When I got to this outpost, we never saw kids playing in the streets, now we see them outside, enjoying childhood".
So, please next time, ask out troops what their views are, and stop looking at people who haven't served. Thanks.

We do not need to send more troops. What is the plan and strategy? We need to let these Countries run their own Country. We were supposed to teach Iraq to govern themselves what happened to this? We need to start bringing back our troops in increments. Where is the common sense?

Recently India indirectly participate to destroy L.T.T.E terrorist group in Sri Lanka

No 1 terrorist group in the world

If Pakistan work with U.S.A and India we can destroy Al-Qaida

I totally agree with Freed and Michele

I have been behind Obama 100% the whole time before he was elected and since he has been our President. This is the first most dissapointing decision he has made in my oppinion. I think every day we are in Afganistan is is another day of wasted American tax dollors, or should I say borrowed Chineese debt. The Afganies need jobs??? We need Jobs, its crazy for us to be over there, as if we are ever going to make them change who they are. We are doing what we have seen other countries try to do, and we don't learn. We don't learn from wasting American $$$ and American lives over and over and over and don't ever seem to learn. We have enough to deal with here at home. Bring the focus back here. Wake UP President Obama, don't just tow the line. President Obama has changed from who he was when he was running for President.

@Dan, the Russian's 'job' was to install a puppet regime in Afghanistan. Our 'job' is to defeat the Taliban and establish a peaceful society. Big difference.

Perhaps the military bases on the island Diego Garcia play a certain role in determining India's Afghanistan policy....

Looking good and telling everyone what they want to hear is all obama ever dose. If the generals say we need more troops...... we need more troops.... and every second you wait... You are killing solders. I wonder how many he has killed so far.

So 49% of Americans do not support sending more troops to Afganistan, so what they are saying is, the 3500 troops that have already gave there lives for there country and America's freedom died in vein?? all should remember the 90s when the Soviets finally left battered and broken, we should all support the President, and him send these troops to get the job done..

I have been a solid supporter of Obama a year before his election as President. But now, I cannot support his decision to send more of our boys and girls to a slaughter field for which we will never win. It will just be another Viet Nam. I am very sad tonight.

Erica, excellent panel discussion.

Michael Ware always cuts to the chase and tells it like it is!

@Diana there are plenty of people who have served who don't understand why they are there. Infact it's a big issue throughout the troops....I was in the Navy and worked with many Marines. I was onboard two amphibious ship's that transport Marines...and I have to say a lot of them don't really feel great about this war.

Michelle Obama did look majestic.

There is so much discussion on the subject of AFPak and India's role in Afghanistan. What does America really want from India or the role it would like India to play in America's success in Afghanistan?

Michael Ware has the analysis of Afghanistan down pat......sounds like this war is not about winning .....but helping Afghans via Pakistan/India

@Mike – Syracuse, , Might be different but no easier to obtain.

No I think Afghanistan has it's own set of circumstances.

It does give one pause to think India's 9-11 was a year ago this week. Am I wrong though to think Pakistan and India are moving closer on issues between them?

Thanks for a taste of the musical entertainment from the State Dinner this evening.

Boomerang kids, yes, I have had a boomerang moment or two in my life.

@steve – virginia beach the menu is not totally vegetarian – green curry prawns are being served

Tax away...out of everything they've thought of taxing for this reform bill this is probably the best idea.

Good health and exersise is out the window I suppose? I'm sure there are plenty of women out there that compete just fine without adjustments to the way they look that comes from an unatural source.

Well, havn't had any surgery yet, but will have to weigh the costs in the future. Why are they throwing women under the bus? Obama doesn't need the women's vote?

Yet Another "hit" on women under this proposed healthcare reform bill!

Surely there isn't enough nipping and tucking and whitening to help us very much with health care or our debts.

I am amazed at the outcome in NJ and really wonder whether the Senate took a serious look at how the tax turned out in that state.

Botax away.

I'm against the "Botax". Why – because it opens the door to a federal sales tax!

Dr. Foss

I can't believe Obama is sending 34,000 troops to Afghanistan. What is our mission? Al Qaeda isn't in Afghanistan anymore Are we going to occupy every country that doesn't have a stable government? . How are we going to pay for escalating this war?

@Sharon Hastings, you are exactly right. There are Not enough of these procedures being done to even make a dent towards paying for healthcare reform.

I do support the tax on elective cosmetic procedures. How are these procedures different from purchases made in stores, which are affected by a sales tax?

You'd be surprised how many people get these procedures...I mean they are including things like whitening teeth. It may not completely fund it, but it would help. I don't see how this is a hit on women...Maybe society can make a change on emphasising the importance of the way a woman looks based off the covers of magazines, movies, or models. You'd think women would want a reason to get away from this image. In the end these procedures are not necessary ...

We Americans are the most vain people on earth. Hopefully the "botax" will make people rethink their priorities. This is a no brainer.

Taxing cosmetic surgery that is not medically necessary seems logical to me since whenever one of those surgeries goes bad it winds up as a medical case that has to be solved by the family doctor or a an emergency clinic. The tax would offset the cost of dealing with those complications.

Brandon I would agree with you about this being the best idea out of all the things they've thought of taxing but when you look to see that it mostly effects the middle class it gave me a double take. That bit of information was hard for me to take (seeing all the shows where you see "real housewives' with their bleached teeth, and implants).

I'm with a number of people here – I don't think a tax on cosmetic procedures will net us much revenue. People already go to Mexico and Costa Rica for less expensive cosmetic procedures. Might as well fit in a vacation while you're there.

Plus, the sales tax affects teeth whitening strips... doesn't it?

Erica & Anderson...

If we're going to have a Botax, why not also a ViagTax? That should even things out, shouldn't it?

A.

I will say you @ least explained where the 'plastic surgery tax' money went, ie to the next state. So obviously, this would be different on a federal level.

I've been a Dem all my life, but I don't agree with much that Obama has done. I am slipping to the right on many issues.

@Ricky you're right...It may effect the middle class the most but...don't get unnecessary surgery then I guess you're good to go then? It effects them because they choose to allow it to do so.

@El James

Any teeth whitening stuff you buy in the store would already be taxed by your state or locality. Would there be an additional federal tax tacked on? Dunno, but I don't think it'll amount to much on a $20 package.

I can't believe the "new" criteria for being a Republican.

I am an Independent and Not particularly "impressed" with this "new" Republican criteria.

I am also not thrilled with Democrate either.

We need a 3rd Party of Centrists (which is what the majority of Americans are).

You already pay a sales tax on teeth whitening strips according to where you live. (They don't really work anyway)

Paul Begala, what is 'dark ages' about smaller government, lower taxes, less spending? It sounds like being responsible to me.

@Kathy Chicago, welcome to the dark side.

With even Sarah Palin gaining in popularity on Obama, it would seem the Democratic Party is losing support from the Independent voters. Even Paul Begala cannot change the facts.

@Dulcie I would hope at home kits wouldn't count as a procedure, but considering how desperate we are becoming I wouldn't be surprised.

The failure in NJ is all relative... $50M is still a lot of money. Sure, it didn't reach their forecast of $120M, but at the federal level people couldn't travel across state lines to get the unnecessary procedures.

@Dulcie they are talking about a procedure that people get done to have their teeth whitened...not a product they go out and buy...so no I don't think it would add an extra federal tax on top of the state tax...

@Erica, that sounds incredibly good. I'm hungry again.

Ha! @Steve – me, too!

Erica, a important pt to note, two events quite different, and yet closely connected. Those juxtapositions, always food for thought.

Good evening Randi Kaye. A great report on the proposed botax as it is called. Is there any tax at all on medical services already? Why did the tax on cosmetic procedures not generate the projected revenue in NJ?

I would say the Democratic party and the Republican party are both stubbornly sticking to the middle ground. I didn't know though that the Republican party did not recognize photosynthesis.

I wish all the wars would end. Then the $1million/soldier could be used for health care and the other things this county needs.

@Adryan, i like the way you think. Let's get both sexes paying taxes. I bet there are more Viag purchases than there are cosmentic surgeries!

Great show Erica. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and if you're traveling, please be safe. I'll continue searching for my pie recipes that I put somewhere. Looks like great fun at the White House tonight.

Wow! What a great sight to see at the White House.

The 1st Lady looked fantastic. The President's toast was excellent. And the guest list was awesome.

It's nice to see some "class" and yet within reason from the White House. (Reminds me of the Kennedy days).

I forgot to add that it was really wonderful to see Dr Gupta was invited.

Perhaps Anderson was there too??

A Viag tax is hardly the same thing. You're comparing something that changes the way you function to something that makes you more appealing.

Incredible example of a true hero!

About botax:
Why can't we make sacrifices anymore? We are in a crisis. There are millions of people in our country without adequate health care. I think the Botax is a small sacrifice to make, to insure more Americans.

The bus driver feeding the hungry is inspiring.

There is so much we each can do to help others even if it's just something small, like helping your neighbors with babysitting, or having a dinner at your home and inviting neighbors and aquaintances that you Know are having a rough time.

Good evening! Great show as always. RNC seems to be alienating more people away with their so-called "purity test". Can they just go out and say what they stand for?? Troops surge in Afghanistan is much awaited. I hope the strategy is great as it feels when rolled out.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Your story on Mr. Jorge was incredible. He really is a true hero. I would love to donate some money to his cause!

Thank you!

No he's getting a nun's purse in his stocking...

Good night Erica and David (Indiana)!

See you tomorrow!