On Monday, more than 100 law enforcement officials, including four SWAT teams, stormed the home of U.S. native Daniel Patrick Boyd, 39, and Boyd's sons, Dylan Boyd, 22, also known as "Mohammed," and Zakariya Boyd, 20.

Daniel Boyd had fought against the Soviets in Afghanistan.

Authorities are not saying how they learned of the alleged conspiracy, but they have been watching Daniel Boyd for three years.

Now, authorities are searching for an eighth alleged member of a North Carolina group that authorities say plotted "violent jihad" overseas, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Along with Boyd’s and his sons, the other members of the group include Mohammad Omar Aly Hassan, also a U.S.-born citizen; Hysen Sherifi, identified as a native of Kosovo who is a legal permanent resident of the United States; and Hiyad Yaghi and Anes Subasic, both naturalized U.S. citizens.

All seven are accused of engaging in weapons training and military tactics in North Carolina, the Justice Department said.

According to an indictment released Monday, the eighth suspect, described as a North Carolina resident, traveled to Pakistan in October 2008 to "engage in violent jihad." It offered no other information.

Seven other men have been arrested on charges of supporting terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder abroad.

If convicted, the men could face life in prison. They are due to appear back in court tomorrow.

The small town of Willow Spring, North Carolina, where the men live, doesn’t seem like a place you’d expect to find terrorists. The Boyd family’s neighbors are shocked to hear about the charges. People describe Daniel Boyd as a quiet, family-oriented man.

One neighbor even said, “If he’s a terrorist, he’s the nicest terrorist I’ve ever met in my life.”

Authorities believe that Boyd’s terrorism roots run deep, and that he trained in terrorist camps in Pakistan. Boyd’s wife however, has asked the public to suspend judgment and maintains her family’s innocence.

Have a question about this case for Richard? Leave it in the comments field below!

As Sarah Palin handed over the Alaska governorship this weekend, the wear, tear and resentments of a year on the big stage were evident for the former GOP vice presidential candidate.

Sarah Palin on Sunday says she'll continue to fight 'for what is right, and for truth.'

Her parting words Sunday included a parting shot at the media:

"So how about in honor of the American soldier, you quit making up things. And don't underestimate the wisdom of the people. And one other thing for the media - our new governor has a very nice family, too, so leave his kids alone," she said as she handed off power to Sean Parnell, the lieutenant governor.

Palin's farewell to the governor's office was a three-day rolling picnic, from Wasilla to Anchorage to Fairbanks. Palin, a mother of five, was surrounded by friends and supporters.

We asked Morning Express viewers to weigh in on Palin's resignation, and what they think her future role in politics will be.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments field below.

- Sarah Palin is right and she should move on to bigger and better things. I am a firm supporter of her values and of her mission! ~Randi in Aztec, New Mexico

- Smart? SMART?! Are people really trying to use this word in the same sentence as "Palin"? – JF in Oak Ridge, Tennessee

- If Palin cant finish one term as governor why would anybody elect her for any job?

- Palin started her national exposure looking like an idiot so it is appropriate she do the same now. – Jess in TN

- Sarah Palin's not the first to get bad press and wont be the last! – Stew in Las Vegas, Nevada

- Sarah Palin comparing herself to a US soldier? Another disjointed speech! She is done.

- Palin just wants attention. And she knows all she has to do is open her mouth and it becomes breaking news she is old news.

- Leave the poor woman alone. She was a mother before governor. Any mom wants to protect her children. – Imelda, Mom 2 an Angel

- I think Palin resigning is the best thing to happen to Alaska. We all think of her as a quitter! – Rebecca

- Palin should just stay in Alaska and take care of her kids. The world has heard enough from her.

- She should have finished the job the voters elected her to do. No one likes a quitter! Voters will remember the slap in the face to all "lame ducks" in office.

- Thank God Palin is out of office and I pray she never returns to politics. She managed to sound worse with each speech she gave.

- Keep your eyes on her she may just be the real change we so disperately need. – Jerrie in South Carolina

- Palin made a choice she felt was right for she and her family. Personally, I think you need to see your commitments through. It's time to let this go.

- Everyone I know admitted they never heard of Sara Palin until the elections so no hearts broken that she's gone and soon forgotten. – Lynda in Georgia

- Just leave Palin alone she s trying to get her family out of the spotlight and put her priorities in order (Family first). – Jen in Virginia

- Palin has not made a smart move in her entire life. She is an embarrassment to women everywhere. – Christy in Tennessee

- People talk about Sarah Palin running for President. We deserve someone extraordinary in that chair, and she is not it!

- I think Mrs. Palin is just saying what many Americans would if they had a national platform. We should be able to protect our families just like famous people.

- I say good riddance! It's probably the first smart move she's made. Good luck to her and her fight for truth. – Ciara in New Jersey

- A great % of Americans are not interested in "polished". We want straight answers that PALIN is known for. She'll have my vote for president. – Joann

- Good move for Palin. Was only way she could battle the biased news media that continues to attack her unfairly. – Mark in Tennessee

- Palin should be quiet. Each time she speaks, idiocy spews forth. And my eyes are tired of the involuntary rolling. – Jen in Illinois

- I say congrats to Palin. I think she was treated unfairly in the media and Hollywood. Look at the mistakes others have made yet did not have the ridicule.

- Palin hasn't made a smart move yet! She's so unpolished, so small-time ... this behavior will never win her the ticket. – Suz in Chicago

- Smart move if Palin wants to run for president. It will allow her to stay in the spotlight in the lower 48.

TV/Web Producer Kate

A suburban Philadelphia swim club faced allegations of racism after a group of children from a day-care center that had paid for access to the pool were privy to racist remarks while swimming there.

Later in the day, the Valley Club terminated it's contract with the day-care center.

With the children terribly upset and their contract terminated with no explanation, the day-care center brought the incident to the public eye. The Valley Club responded by saying that the contract termination was not the result of racism, but due to the fact that there were too many children in the pool with the day-care there. However, to help smooth the incident over, the club invited the children back to swim.

We asked Morning Express viewers for their take on what the day-care center should do next. Should they accept the clubs offer to return, even after many children suffered such a terrible experience there? Or should they find somewhere else to swim? Or do you think there is another solution entirely?

See what Morning Express viewers have to say below, and share your own thoughts in the comments field.

- I think the kids should decide whether to go or not, as several were very upset. Plus have the attitudes of their regular patrons changed?

- Teach the daycare kids that even racists at the swim club can change & do the right thing by them. Go back & swim! – Sharalee in Santee, CA

- I think nothing short of giving those kids a PRIVATE DAY at the pool each week, would be right to smooth feathers again. – Steve in Alabama

- I feel they shouldn't accept the invite. There will still be members to speak out, so why put kids through that?

- The children should go back, it would send a clear message that racial discrimination is not tolerated in the USA period. – Kelly Trammell in Fort Worth, Texas

- I think that a positive approach will overcome all negativity. They should return and stand in the face of racism. – T Smith in Jackson, Mississippi

- I would not take my camp back there. It took too much to get the club to recognize they did wrong. If I were them I would find a new more welcoming club.

- There is no advantage to the little campers. They would just be swallowing their pride, and providing a kind of therapy for the pool-club's intolerant members. It's a sad life lesson that needs not to be taught. – Arnie in Ottowa

- Not going back would perpetuate mutual bad feelings. If kids OK with going, this would be a great healing opportunity for everyone. – Scott in Rochester, New York

- They should take the offer. They were over-reacting either way ...

- I'd tell them to kiss my bass. Thanks. – Chuck in Toledo

- I do not think the camp should go back to the pool, obviously the staff and guests there have issues ... my heart goes out to the day camp. – Lindy, TX

- I would not take the kids back, they only want them back because they're scared of a lawsuit. – Alesia in North Carolina

- I would as long as they get those white people out of the pool. Then they can see how it feels to be treated like trash. – Mike in Texas.

- I believe that the children should go back and swim. Be the bigger person in this case and show others that they accept the apology of those at fault.

- ABSOLUTELY NOT! The ignorance of people nowadays is shameful. The daycare should take their money somewhere else! – Amanda in Niagara Falls, NY

- They should ask the kids how they feel, if they'd like to go back or find another place to swim for the summer.

- Concerning the swim camp issue: I thing the camp should return and take the opportunity to show the children that although racism still exists, that there are also people that will do the right thing when it is brought to their attention. Racism is like abuse, it should not be hidden. Change occurs when things are brought to the forefront. The children have an opportunity to be part of something that started out negative and turns into something positive. It can be a great opportunity to stand strong in faith ... – Donna Medlin in Tappahannock, Virginia

- ABSOLUTELY NOT. I'm half American Indian and would NEVER take a chance of re-exposing my children. I taught mine to respect WHO YOU ARE! – Rebecca in Everett, Washington

- It is difficult to see the swim club doing anything else here but "sugarcoating racism" even a tearful apology on TV doesn't cut it. – Columbus Ohio

- The club should not have invited the camp back. Over crowding is not safe and if something were to happen, the club would be liable. Kaivon-Orlando

- No way would I send a child of mine to suffer that hurt again. THE ATTITUDES OF THE PATRONS HAVE NOT CHANGED – IT'S JUST BEEN EXPOSED. SHAME. – Linda W.

- These are adults, they should know better than to make those kinds of remarks. Those kids should not return there.

- There's no point in fighting for something if you're not going to reap your reward after fighting. This is what they wanted, isn't it? – Randy

- I think that the day camp should stay away from that pool. This should have never happened. – Sylvia

- What a shame. I hope the reason and the offer 2 have them back is genuine, I hope this can be resolved.

TV/Web Producer Kate

With 18 months left to serve in her term as Alaska governor, Sarah Palin announced on Friday that she would step down from her post, in order to serve what she cryptically referred to as a "higher calling."

Palin will step down as governor of Alaska this month.

It remains to be seen whether Palin's 'calling' will consist of a bid for President in 2012. Palin explained that she is resigning because she doesn't think it would be good for Alaska if she served her last 18 months as a lame duck.

Critics of Palin's decision say that whatever her reasons for resigning, walking away from her responsibilities as an elected official is a questionable move, at best.

We asked Morning Express viewers for their take on Palin's resignation. Below are a selection of their responses, some of which have been edited for length and clarity.

- I certainly would not vote for someone who quits on her voters because she has a "higher calling." Thank goodness she is not our VP ... would she leave that post for Hollywood? If the media attention is too much, then politics is not for you, Sarah. Maybe Rush can give her a job. – Joanie in Peoria, Illinois

- I think she should've stayed in office cause she might have a better chance at a nomination for president.

- Sarah Palin makes very intentional moves, this is what she needed to do in order to clear a path & set the stage for what will be a very public next year!

- I think Gov. Palin resigned due to all the negative media coverage of her and her family. She has been repeatedly attacked by the Democrats and supported very little by her own party. – Randy in Alpharetta, Georgia

- I bet a baby with special needs is harder than she thought. – Julie

- I think Palin should move to South Carolina and replace Gov. Sanford so he can move on with his life. – Concerned resident of South Carolina

- Regarding Palin – Sounds like a great Presidential candidate, the people vote her in and then she quits before serving her term. – Matt in North Carolina

- Governor Palin could have made a substantial presidential run, but people won't vote for a quitter, so I hope her reasons are for it are adequate.

- I am tired of hearing about Palin, an inexperienced politician who was LUCKY to be chosen to represent Alaska & only received notoriety by her looks. – MiMi

- She is a quitter. She was elected to be the governor of Alaska and she is quitting. Guess that is better then quitting as vice president.

- I don't care why she quit but I'm sure this is the end of her political career. I won't vote for someone who might quit.

- Palin's resignation, on the surface, is merely a demand for attention. Beyond this shallow pursuit of her 'higher calling', she's relying on what?

- I am THRILLED that Palin is leaving office! Hopefully, the execution of wolves will stop with her out of control!

- It's a sad day for this country when we need people like her.

- I wish people would leave Sarah Palin alone. She said she was leaving for a higher calling. Being a mother is often referred to as a higher calling, maybe she just wants to be more hands on with her kids. – Connie in Frisco, Texas

- Palin quitting early is a BAD MOVE. If she quits Governor how can the people trust a quitter to be elected as a President?! - Brian in Ft. Myers, Florida

- Palin flying the coop just makes me more comfortable that there's less of a chance she could ever get into the white house! – J Roach in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania

- Palin rocks! Dems are just afraid of her! – Kathy in Virginia

- Sarah Palin is too much of a freak show for America to trust. – Stuart in Iowa

- I think Sarah Palin realized she should quit now instead of continuously embarrassing herself as she is not a great speaker.

- Sarah Palin has done yet another silly thing that makes her even more unelectable at the national level! – Martha in Kentucky

- I think if Gov. Palin felt it was time to go then she did the right thing and the Dems should just back off and leave her alone.

- Something more has to be brewing for her to just quit like that ... there will probably be a scandal soon.

- I can't understand why someone who wants to be considered for national office would quit in the middle? Would she have quit if VP job was too hard?

- Sarah P. is a very smart lady. I support her decision. – Vic in Lubbock, Texas

- Sarah Palin should run as a third party. Enough of the republicans and the democrats voting as a block instead of what is in the interest of the American people. – Katie in Wild Rose, Wisconsin

- I hope Sarah Palin is running our country in the future.

- I think that this another publicity stunt. She wants to keep her name out there. – Juanita in Arkansas

- Palin once again showed poor judgment. Why not finish what you started? Would she quit again if elected to another office? Who knows. – Cathy

- I think we need to remember that she is human and she should know what's best for her and her family and life.

- Good! I'm glad she's leaving office. I'll bet it has to do with personal family reasons. Hopefully she'll disappear into obscurity! – Dee in Dover, Delaware

- What happens if she's elected President in 2012 and then when she's a lame duck in 2016 – is she going to just walk away then? No one likes a quitter. She was elected Governor for a full term. Not just elected Governor until she is no longer interested in it or she feels she has something better to do. - D.L. in Crescent City, Florida

A California teacher put together a class highlights DVD for her students, but it included 6 seconds from the teacher's own personal sex tape. Watch as Natasha Curry, fill-in anchor for "Morning Express with Robin Meade" explains:

Apparently, since the it was an unintentional mistake, the teacher won't face charges. What do you think??

Leave your thoughts in the comments field

TV-Web Producer Kate

Last week, South Carolina governor Mark Sanford disappeared after a tough session in the state legislature. His constituency was alarmed by his disappearance, and his staff released a message saying that the governor was hiking on the Appalachian Trail.

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford chokes up on Wednesday as he admits to having an affair.

Then, Gov. Sanford's car was spotted at the airport in Columbia, South Carolina.

The whole caper came tumbling in when the governor was spotted at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta. The governor admitted that, in fact, he had been in Argentina, visiting his mistress. See a timeline of Sanford's activities.

Sanford held a news conference in Columbia, South Carolina, where he announced his resignation as head of the Republican Governor's Association.

Sanford also addressed how he and his wife were handling the situation.

Sanford had been mentioned as a potential Republican presidential candidate in 2012, after his current second consecutive term as governor ends.

What do you think? Have political sex scandals gone too far?

Is this behavior befitting of a governor? What should Sanford's next step be? Share your views in the comments field below.

TV/Web Producer Kate Taylor

Today GM filed for bankruptcy protection after many months of speculation that the company was going under.

After giving GM a $19.4 billion bailout a few months ago, the US government is again stepping in with $30 billion - to fund the company's operations during its reorganization.

While taxpayers undoubtedly consider the near $50 billion the government has poured into GM a heavy load to shoulder, the company's tumble is an infinitely more crushing blow for GM employees.

According to CNNMoney:

"Nearly a dozen plants will be identified for closure by 2010, resulting in 20,000 job losses. Three more plants are set to be idled and put on stand by status in hopes for a rebound in sales that may never come.

GM will also shed its Pontiac, Saturn, Hummer and Saab brands and cut loose more than 2,000 of its 6,000 U.S. dealerships by next year. That could result in more than 100,000 additional job losses if those dealerships are forced to close.

More than 650,000 retirees and their family members who depend on the company for health insurance will experience cutbacks in their coverage, although their pension benefits are unaffected for now."

GM was founded in 1908 in Flynt, Michigan, according to the company's Web site. At its inception, GM held only the Buick Motor Company, but it soon acquired Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Pontiac and more than a dozen other small companies.

As cars ballooned in popularity, GM remained at the forefront of American automobile innovation, producing cars that people didn't just drive, but loved and defined themselves by.

In recent years, GM has faced greater losses in sales than its competitors. Critics blame GM's failure to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles. See some of GM's "lemons" : http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/autos/0905/gallery.gm_problem_cars/index.html

GM's bankruptcy filing marks the most drastic move by a company vying to stay afloat.

What do you think? Does the company have a shot at coming out on top?

This week we've been following s story about a thirteen-year-old boy, Daniel Hauser, diagnosed with cancer, who, along with his mother, decided to refuse chemotherapy.

Daniel Hauser responded well to a first round of chemo, then disappeared with his mother.

A Minnesota judge scheduled a court hearing to review an X-ray and assess whether the boy's Hodgkin's lymphoma was worsening.

Daniel and his mother did not attend the hearing, and the judge issued an arrest warrant. District Judge John R. Rodenberg of Brown County, Minnesota, said that the boy's "best interests" require him to receive medical care. His family opposes the proposed course of treatment, which includes chemotherapy.

"It is imperative that Daniel receive the attention of an oncologist as soon as possible," the judge wrote.

Daniel and his mother, however, are nowhere to be found.

We want to know what you think. Does the Hauser family have the right to refuse treatment for their 13-year-old son? Does the judge have the right to impose treatment? Morning Express viewers sent us their thoughts via text message, many of which are included below. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments field.

- While I feel the parents are wrong in the treatment, I have to side with them vs. the courts. It's their right to refuse. – Ray in Kentucky

- It's up to the parent. The government is just becoming more and more totalitarian, and this proves it. – Mike Sz

- Mom and son should decide, depending how advanced it is. Doctors save lives, but if the quality of life is so low, it should be the patient's choice.

- The thirteen-year-old boy should be able to decide his own treatment. It's his body, no one else's. – Lea in Maryland

- I think the mother should choose because she is his mom and knows him better than anyone.

- I believe they should let them reject treatment. Just because they are different we should not punish them. – Saul

- I think the boy should listen to the doctors because they went to schooling for many years and know what they're talking about. – Leanna

- The mother should definitely be able to decide the care for her child, not the government. – Steve in Virginia

- My husband and I have 8 children and 5 grandchildren and I cannot imagine letting them suffer through cancer. My mother is a 26-year cancer survivor.

- I could understand running with my child if he was terminal. She should be grateful that he has a type of cancer that is curable. – Joy Graziano

- Parents should have the only say in medical treatment. Not government. I worked in medicine for 25 years..

- At 13 with learning disabilities, I believe it's parental neglect. As a survivor
later in life, I don't think the young man would be angry he's alive! – Rebecca in Washington

- I feel mom has the right to treat as they wish. But this is a treatable cancer so should she keep him away from treatment, knowing he will get better?

- Allowing this mom to deny chemo will open the floodgates for other parents to deny their children necessary medical help, okaying a degree of neglect.

- The government requires children to get shots. They sure require this treatment too! – Andrew in Florida

- Parents are allowed to decline vaccinations due to religious reasons, placing not only their children but others in danger. What's the difference?

- Wow, I know I will never have chemo again or ask any one I love to have it.

- This is America; each person should have a chance to decide what he or she wants. I'm with the mom. – Dieter in Tennessee

- It's a tragic situation but other people including judges should not force their opinions on anyone. It's not illegal to find alternate treatment. – Nathan in New Jersey

- The decision should be left to the doctors. They are in that profession for a reason; they are the ones that save lives. – Brittany in Sarasota, Florida

- The case is supposed to be about the child but the mother seems to be shifting the focus to herself. Hats off to the judge! – Meg in Conyers, Georgia

- Suffering through cancer IS a difficult ordeal but so is suffering through chemo. The parents and child are obviously aware enough to make their own decision.

- As the foster mom of a special needs child, I agree 100% to removing a child from home if they are not receiving the care they need. – Melissa in Fairmount, Georgia

- It should be the mother's decision especially if it's based on religious beliefs. – Stacy in Pensacola, Florida

- It is the parents choice. The court has no right to impose its view on this subject! – Chele in Alexandria, Virginia

- Unless there is some evidence of neglect or mental handicap, the courts need to stay out of personal medical decisions, it is his life and his choice.

- I think that in life threatening events, those with experience and sound judgment should make the decisions. - J. Satterlee in Pennsylvania

- As a nurse, I believe that the patient always has the right to choose their heath care; however when it's a child's life, advocates should step in! – Amy

- A precedent has already been established – you have to vaccinate your kids, put them in child car seats, etc. Child welfare is everyone's responsibility!

- After having 3 children I don't think a 13 can truly make a decision regarding life or death. – JWW Jocelyn in Chattanooga, Tennessee

- She needs to hit her knees and BEG GOD for forgiveness! My 15-year-old daughter (a cancer survivor) and I watched this, and she cried and prayed!

- Not everyone want to go through all the sickness that chemo brings. I think they should be able to choose what kind of treatment they want. – Teresa in Illinois

As a way to get the goods they want without shelling out big bucks, shoppers are turning to swapping as a way to keep their closets (and bookshelves, and gamerooms) stocked.

As the trend has gained popularity, swapping Web sites have cropped up for everything from books to music and games to clothes.

The Star Tribune interviewed Anneli Rufus, co-author of the book "The Scavengers' Manifesto," who explains that while people may have some reservations about swapping instead of buying, those reservations soon turn to a sense of satisfaction once people get what they want without paying any money.

Interested in doing some swapping of your own? You can check out websites like

Meetup.com – "Do something. Learn something. Share something. Change something"

Swaptree.com – "Swap books, trade CDs, DVDs and video games with other users for free."

Totswapshop.com – "An online marketplace for new and used children's goods"

Are you already a swapper? What are some of your favorite Web sites or ways to swap? Let us know in the comments field below.

President Obama will announce tough new fuel standards today, and they may end up costing you more money.

According to administration officials, Obama's proposed changes, along with the cost of already enacted fuel economy standards, will add about $1,300 to the cost of a vehicle by the year 2016.

However, the fuel efficiency regulations could make up for the cost in the money you'll save on gas.

Writer Lauren was kind enough to do the math for us.

- 10,0000 miles per year divided by 27.5 miles per gallon = 363.6

- Multiply that times today's average cost for gallon of gas: $2.31 x 363.6 = $840
gas per year.

- 10,0000 miles per year divided by new standard of 39 gallons = 256

- Multiply that times today's cost for a gallon of gas: $2.31 x 256 = $592

Under Obama's plan, in a passenger car that gets 39 miles per gallon, you'd get a 30% savings on the cost of gas for your car.

Is it worth it to you to spend a bit more on the initial cost of the car if you cut back on gas costs over time?

Let us know what you think in the comments field below!