American Morning
Nuns speak out on Vatican investigations
By Carol Costello and Bob Ruff, CNN
(CNN) – The "talk" has been "heated" of late on Sister Maureen Fiedler's WAMU radio show in Washington DC. A sample: "Some of my friends asked me whether Vatican officials suffer a deep-seated hatred of women."
Sister Maureen understands why her listeners, mostly Catholic nuns and religious women, feel the need to sound off. They've been frustrated, even angry, ever since the Vatican ordered two sweeping investigations into the religious views and lifestyles of American nuns.
"What I hear from a lot of lately with regard to this investigation," said Fiedler, "is, let me get this straight: It's priests that abuse children. Some priests, of course. It's bishops that covered it up. So they're investigating nuns?
LIVE Blog: Chat with us during the show
Editor's Note: Welcome to American Morning's LIVE Blog where you can discuss the "most news in the morning" with us each week day. Join the live chat during the show by adding your comments below. It's your chance to share your thoughts on the day's headlines. You have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules: 1) Keep it brief 2) No writing in ALL CAPS 3) Use your real name (first name only is fine) 4) No links 5) Watch your language (that includes $#&*) 6) Stay relevant to the topic.
Delaware Senate candidates set the stage for November
(CNN) – Delaware voters were treated to a markedly different tone Thursday night as they watched their two Senate candidates together for the first time since the primaries.
During a candidate's forum, Republican Christine O'Donnell and Democrat Chris Coons displayed little of the animosity that came to define O'Donnell's bitter primary battle with Rep. Mike Castle.
Rather, the night was marked by polite discourse and even agreement as the two candidates sought to lay out their position on many key issues.
Their messages did diverge, however, as the two sought to define their political narratives. FULL STORY
BP completes relief well in Gulf of Mexico
(CNN) – BP has completed work on a relief well that will allow the oil giant to permanently seal the well at the heart of the Gulf oil disaster, the government's commander in charge of overseeing response to the spill said.
"Through a combination of sensors embedded in the drilling equipment and sophisticated instrumentation ... BP engineers and the federal science team have concluded that the Development Driller III relief well has intersected the Macondo well," said Thad Allen, the appointed national incident commander, in a statement released late Thursday.
The relief well was started about 100 feet from the original well and intersects with it about 18,000 feet under the surface of the Gulf. FULL STORY
Crews clean up damage from fatal NYC storm
(CNN) – Crews in New York worked early Friday to clean up damage left behind by a fast-moving storm that killed one person when it ripped through the city.
"There have been reports of damage to school buildings. We do expect all schools to be open tomorrow, but we'll just, as the night goes on, we'll make sure that everything is safe," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said late Thursday.
The storm's strong winds and torrential rains toppled trees and left more than 20,000 customers without power Thursday. FULL STORY
Sound off: We want to hear from you this morning. Add your comments to the LIVE Blog below and we'll read some of them on the show.
Reporter's Notebook: The weather warriors
By Rob Marciano, CNN Meteorologist
(CNN) – George Washington’s troops suffered through a brutal winter in 1776, crossing the Delaware for a turning point battle through ice, wind, and snow. That previous summer he used fog to his advantage in Brooklyn and Manhattan. One more reason to love the original GW and the boys in blue! Throughout history weather has played a huge role in warfare. Whether it's a covert operation or a D-Day type invasion, an accurate forecast is critical. During World War II the United States formed a unique fighting force - special ops warriors who are also weather experts. Rambo meets rocket scientist. Love it. Sorry Kid Rock, but in my mind these guys are the real All American Bad A**.
I’d heard about this unit over the years but never read or saw anything about them. That’s the idea. Most of the missions these weathermen perform are those you don’t read about in newspapers. Often classified and always dangerous, their mission is to go into “politically sensitive” or “hostile” areas. That’s where you’ll find the Air Force’s 10th Combat Weather Squadron and their Special Operations Weather Team (SOWT). There are fewer than 100 SOWTs in the Air Force. From World War II to Afghanistan, they’ve had one of the highest deployment ratios in the armed forces. Working with the likes of the Army Rangers, Navy Seals and other special forces, their weather calls and environmental recon are key to a mission's success.
I may be a meteorologist, but that's where our similarities end. Watch American Morning this Monday and Tuesday and see what these meteorological tough guys are all about!
The ABCs of Pakistan (Automobiles, Bikes and Cars)
Editor's note: Traci is covering the aftermath of the flooding in Pakistan with correspondent Kaj Larsen. Watch their reports on AMERICAN MORNING at 6:00AM Eastern.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/09/16/kaj.transportation.cnn.art.jpg caption="Pakistani street scenes with people riding on motorcycles, bikes and car."]
By Traci Tamura, Senior Producer
(CNN) – It’s been almost two weeks since I arrived in Pakistan and everyday has been a new adventure. Whether it's meeting local Pakistanis as we travel from story to story, or visiting remote towns and villages where I learned about Pakistani culture and customs—it has all been an educational journey.
One thing that continues to fascinate me is how differently they use transportation. Maybe it's because I’m from California and the idea of carpooling is still a bit foreign. Pakistanis seem to have mastered the art of efficiency in terms of using every bit of available space in and on any mode of transportation they are using.
When I first arrived in Pakistan, I remember driving through the busy, crowded streets, and unlike the U.S., you don't see an SUV on every corner with just one passenger in it.
In Pakistan, less is more. Most people drive around in small compact cars and it is commonplace to see 6 or 7 people packed into the car, with kids sitting on an adult’s lap. No child seats required. Back home, my kids never seem to have enough space, even in a vehicle that seats seven people – and there are only five of us!
Some Pakistanis also favor riding motorcycles. When I say ride, I mean whole families up to five or even six people all seated on the back of the motorcycle, sans helmets, casually hanging on for the ride.
What is amazing to me is the ease and comfort with which they can fit an entire family onto a motorcycle, babies and all. On top of that, the women sit sidesaddle to accommodate their attire, sometimes even holding their babies while riding on the back of a motorbike. I can't remember the last time I sat on the back of a motorcycle, but I can assure you I was white knuckled and holding on for dear life.
In the U.S., we are inundated with helmet laws, seatbelt laws, baby seat laws and booster chair requirements. In Pakistan, they simply understand the need and demand for transportation in their country and give people the freedom to ride. No rules and regulations necessary.
Pakistani owners of taxi vans and transportation trucks take great pride in their rides. Each vehicle has a personality of its own. Most are custom-designed and hand-painted with vibrant colors. Vans are usually stuffed full of passengers and it's normal to see some riders standing or hanging on the back — even sitting on top of the vehicle as they travel for miles down the open road.
Back home in Los Angeles, my 5-year-old daughter is on her own new journey. Last week she started her first day of kindergarten. While I'm in Pakistan learning and observing in another country, she is busy meeting new friends and learning about her new school. As she starts her educational career, my journey continues.
31 House Dems break ranks with Obama, demand tax breaks for all
(CNN) – President Obama says he needs Republicans to support his plan to extend the Bush tax cuts for Americans making less than $250,000 a year. He has accused the GOP of holding the middle class hostage in order to also get tax cuts extended for the wealthiest Americans. But there is resistance coming from within his party. Thirty-one Democrats have broken ranks, signing a letter in support of renewing tax cuts for the wealthy. Among them is Michigan congressman Gary Peters. He joined us on Thursday’s American Morning to explain.
Sarah Shourd’s life after release
(CNN) – American hiker Sarah Shourd is free, but her fiancé, Shane Bauer, and friend, Josh Fattal, are still being held in an Iranian prison. The three Americans were detained after they allegedly strayed across an unmarked border into Iran while hiking in Iraq's Kurdistan region in July 2009. Iran accused the three of spying, a charge the United States and the hikers have denied. An Iranian prosecutor said Wednesday a trial will commence soon. Journalist Roxana Saberi spent 100 days in the same, notorious prison before she was finally released last year. She joined us on Thursday’s American Morning to help us understand what the three Americans are going through.
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