American Morning
Arctic explorer making way to top of Mt. Everest
Editor’s note: Arctic explorer Eric Larsen is trying to make it to the North and South Poles and the summit of Mount Everest in 365 days as part of an effort to raise awareness about climate change. Larsen joined us on American Morning before he set out on his Save the Poles expedition – and just launched the final leg of his journey to Mount Everest. Below is an excerpt from his online journal.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/09/08/eric.larsen.art.jpg caption="The last suspension bridge before Namche Bazar, on the way to Everest base camp."]
By Eric Larsen, From EricLarsenExplore.com
I'm not sure how to actually start my updates as I am nearly speechless. None of my previous expeditions have prepared me for my hike to Everest base camp. I have long since run out of adjectives to describe the grandeur and beauty of this place.
I'm trying not to gush, but it's difficult. In only a few days, I'm positive that Tshering has already tired of the unending string of wow's and amazing's that keep coming out of my mouth. This is such a far cry from the landscape of ice and snow of the poles.
We left Lukla two days ago on a winding trail through a steep valley. I am surprised at the lushness of the terrain. Nearly vertical mountain slopes are covered with thick green vegetation. Waterfalls spill downward hundreds of feet starting from such great heights that their source, I can only imagine, must be the clouds themselves.
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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.
Imam: We are proceeding with NYC Islamic center
CNN's Soledad O'Brien has an exclusive interview with Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf on "Larry King Live" Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET. Submit questions for the imam via iReport here.
New York (CNN) - The imam at the center of an ugly controversy over an Islamic center near New York's ground zero broke his silence Tuesday, just hours after a broad coalition of Christian, Jewish and Islamic leaders denounced what they described as a rising tide of anti-Muslim bigotry across the United States.
"I have been struck by how the controversy has riveted the attention of Americans, as well as nearly everyone I met in my travels," said Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf in an editorial published online by The New York Times Tuesday night.
"We have all been awed by how inflamed and emotional the issue of the proposed community center has become," wrote Rauf, who has just returned from a State Department-sponsored Middle East trip to promote U.S.-Muslim relations.
"The level of attention reflects the degree to which people care about the very American values under debate: recognition of the rights of others, tolerance and freedom of worship."
The imam was clear about his intentions.
"We are proceeding with the community center, Cordoba House. More important, we are doing so with the support of the downtown community, government at all levels and leaders from across the religious spectrum, who will be our partners. I am convinced that it is the right thing to do for many reasons," he wrote. Read more
BP to release results of investigation into oil spill disaster
(CNN) - BP on Wednesday is expected to release findings of an internal investigation into the Gulf oil disaster, the oil giant said.
The report comes nearly five months after an April 20 explosion aboard an oil rig left 11 men dead and spewed millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico over an 87-day period.
A federal task report on Tuesday said scientists have found a decline in oxygen levels in the Gulf following the BP spill, but no "dead zones."
Levels of dissolved oxygen in deep water have dropped about 20 percent below their long-term average, according to data collected from up to 60 miles from the well at the center of the worst oil spill in U.S. history.
But much of that dip appears to be the result of microbes using oxygen to dissolve oil underwater, and the decline is not enough to be fatal to marine life, said Steve Murawski of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the head of the Joint Analysis Group studying the spill's impact.
"Even the lowest observations in all of these was substantially above the threshold," Murawski said.
The samples were collected from 419 points at varying distances from the ruptured well at the heart of the disaster and at depths as far down as 4,800 feet, the group reported. The task force is made up of NOAA, the Environmental Protection Agency and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Read more
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.
Cutting to the carbs: animal-based vs. plant-based diet
If you're on a low-carb, high-protein diet a new study suggests you may live longer if that protein is vegetable-based rather than animal-based. CNN's Elizabeth Cohen reports on the benefits.
Soldiers meet the village elders
Editor's Note: As part of an ongoing series “A Soldiers Story,” CNN's Jason Carroll follows Sgt. Randy Shorter and his unit as they head into Afghanistan. Catch their stories on our AMfix blog, CNN.com and CNN's American Morning in September.
Even before the day came, several soldiers warned me ahead of time, it might not happen for me. "The elders might not agree to see you..." I took my chances and headed out with Sgt Randy Shorter, First Lieutenant William Weber, second Lieutenant Chip Evans and at least a dozen other soldiers to attend the Shura. The Shura is a gathering of village elders. In basic terms, the elder is much like the unofficial leader of a village and he holds a great deal of influence often having the final say on important matters facing a village. In the battle over winning the hearts of the Afghan people, one must get the support of village elders. A meeting with one is an important step. A meeting with a room filled with village elders from across Paktika Province is a giant leap toward diplomacy.
I headed out with Sgt Shorter and his unit on guard. We walked outside the protective perimater of Foward 0perating Base Rushmore and headed for what looked like a rundown strip mall about ten minutes away. I waited outside with Sgt Shorter, while Weber and Evans headed inside for the initial greeting. Evans had attended several Shuras in the past and wanted to introduce weber to the group of elders. Then came the word, Weber waved me in. I walked in with my photographer, Dominic Swann and humbly introduced myself saying Salam Alaikum. Everyone sits on the floor.. Weber immediately warned not to show the soles of my feet (a cultural insult). I then sat and listened as the elders voiced their concerns and needs to the two representing US forces. The elders main demand, focused on releasing several people arrested on suspicion of being affilitated with the Taliban. The elders argued their innocence stressing if they were guilty, the elders would be the ones to punish them. Their way.
Sgt Evans patiently took it all in, while making sure not to promise to release them. Later telling me, a man's promise here is like a binding contract. Telling me, "never make a promise to an Afghan you cannot keep."
Finally, after much back and forth he explained through his intrepreter he would bring their request to his commanding officer. Then I had the opportunity to speak to the elders. I told them who I was and why I was in Afghanistan explaining I followed a soldier here for a story I was doing for CNN. They smiled and stared. I took it as a cue to pose a question asking, who was doing a better job at reaching out to the Afghan people, U-S forces or the Taliban?” The response was overwhelming. The elders said the Afghan people had suffered under both.
Given their response, clearly, US forces have their work cut out for them in this region. Still this was progress. The elders did agree to meet U-S soldiers, and engaging the Afghan people is a major part of how coalition forces hope for success here. The thought is if US troops can help meet the concerns and needs of the people here maybe they won't turn to the Taliban for those same needs.
In the end, the elders ended the meeting by agreeing to meet U.S. troops again.
We walked back to forward operating base Rushmore and I asked Weber and Evans how they felt about the Shura. Both expressed frustration saying it was hard to hear the elders mention US troops and the Taliban in the same sentence. I could see their disappointment. But could also see the resilience in them. Giving up for them was not an option.
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