Moyers and Company: When Nuns Get Political

Nuns hit the highway on a road trip of faith and politics. The full episode can be viewed at Moyers and Company.

Air date: August 24, 2012. 

Today in History: August 27th

Highlights of this day in history: Krakatoa erupts in South Pacific; President Lyndon Johnson and Mother Teresa born; America's first successful oil well; Britain's Lord Louis Mountbatten killed; Beatles manager Brian Epstein dies. (Aug. 27)

RNC Reveals Revised Schedule as Isaac Heads to Gulf Coast

Sources:WBNSNBCWTXLFoxNewsCNN 

By Christina Hartman
Anchor: Christina Hartman
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Other Newsy videos will play following this report. 

Jordan Appeals for Syrian Refugee Aid

As the uprising against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad continues, more and more citizens are fleeing the country. The UN says that number of refugees is now at more than 200,000. Most have fled to Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. For new arrivals at the Jordanian refugee camps, conditions remain difficult. The government has called for international aid to help it cope with the influx. Al Jazeera's Jane Ferguson reports from Amman, Jordan.

U.S. Arms Sales Shoot to Record Levels

U.S. weapons sales more than tripled in 2011, reaching a record high, according to a new congressional report. The country sold $66 billion worth of arms last year, up from $21.4 billion in 2010. The previous record had been $31 billion in 2009; global arms sales declined slightly after that because of the economic crisis. Al Jazeera's Gerald Tan has more.

Tea Party Advances Ahead of Tropical Storm Isaac

Tropical Storm Isaac may mean a shorter convention for the Republican Party - but it didn't stop the conservative wing of the party from gathering as planned. The Tea Party movement pushed ahead and brewed their own storm with Ron Paul's refusal to respond to the Republican's olive branch. Al Jazeera's Andy Gallacher reports from Tampa.

Salafis Blamed for Libya Mosque Destruction

A mosque containing Sufi Muslim graves has been bulldozed in the center of Tripoli, Libya, a day after Sufi shrines in the city of Zlitan were wrecked and a mosque library was burned. The demolition of the large Sha'ab mosque happened in broad daylight on Saturday, drawing condemnation from government officials and Libyans across the country and abroad. Witnesses say a group of Salafi Muslims who disapprove of shrines and tombs were behind the attack, and that it took place as security forces looked on. Al Jazeera's Omar al-Saleh reports.

Google Gives Assist to Nigerian Businesses

Google is helping young entrepreneurs in Nigeria expand their businesses by putting them online. While many legitimate ventures are launching websites and thriving as a result, the country's reputation for internet fraud remains an obstacle. Yvonne Ndege reports from Lagos.

FEMA: 'Teams Have Been Deployed to Florida and States Along the Gulf Coast...'

As Tropical Storm Isaac Nears, FEMA Urges Florida and Gulf Coast Residents to Monitor Conditions 

WASHINGTON - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal partners, through the FEMA Regional Headquarters in Atlanta, Ga., and Denton, Texas, continue to monitor Tropical Storm Isaac and remain in close coordination with local officials and emergency management partners in Florida, and other southeastern and Gulf Coast states. 

Earlier today, President Obama was briefed by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and National Hurricane Center Director Dr. Rick Knabb on the projected track and timing of the storm as well as steps being taken by the Administration to support potentially impacted states. 

Tropical storm conditions are already being experienced along the Florida Keys and the Florida East Coast.   

According to NOAA's National Weather Service advisory at 2:00 p.m., a Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Florida Keys including the Dry Tortugas, the west coast of Florida from Bonita Beach southward to Ocean Reef and the Florida Bay. 

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for east of Morgan City, Louisiana to Indian Pass Florida including Metropolitan New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain. 

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Florida east coast from Sebastian Inlet southward to Ocean Reef; the Florida west coast and the Florida Panhandle from north of Bonita Beach, FL to Indian Pass, FL including Tampa Bay; and Lake Okeechobee.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Florida east coast north of Sebastian Inlet to Flagler Beach.  Hurricane conditions are possible in the Hurricane Watch area along the North Coast on Tuesday, with tropical storm conditions possible by Monday night.

"As Tropical Storm Isaac continues towards Florida and the Gulf States, local residents need to monitor storm conditions and follow the direction of local officials," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.

"FEMA and its federal partners remain in close coordination with states and tribal governments across the Southeast as Tropical Storm Isaac continues to move toward Florida and the Gulf States.   Teams have been deployed to Florida and states along the Gulf Coast to provide support as needed, and additional teams have been placed on alert."

FEMA has deployed an Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) to Florida and a liaison is on site at the Florida emergency operations center.

A Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) team is also being deployed to support the state with secure and non-secure voice, video, and information services, operations, and logistics support to state response operations, and with any potential requests for assistance.  

An IMAT team is already on the ground in Louisiana and today, at the request of the states, FEMA is deploying IMAT teams as well as liaisons to the Alabama and Mississippi emergency operations center in advance of the storm.

Other teams have been identified and will be deployed as needed and requested to southern and Gulf Coast states. 

At all times, FEMA maintains commodities including millions of liters of water, millions of meals and hundreds of thousands of blankets, strategically located at distribution centers throughout the United States and its territories, to support states if needed and requested. 

FEMA has distribution centers in Atlanta, Ga. and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, and in coordination with U.S. Northern Command, has prepositioned supplies closer to potentially affected areas in Jacksonville, Fla. and Montgomery, Ala. 

More than 436,000 meals, 1.1 million liters of water, 2,000 cots, 4,600 blankets and other supplies are on the ground in Jacksonville and supplies will be arriving in Montgomery, Ala. today.

FEMA urges coastal residents in Florida and the Gulf Coast states to monitor NOAA Weather Radio and local news for severe weather updates and warnings, and follow instructions of state and local officials. Tropical weather systems can bring heavy rains, flooding and flash flooding, tornadoes and high winds.

According to the National Weather Service, isolated tornadoes are possible over portions of Central and Southern Florida and the Florida Keys today, and flooding is likely to occur. 

Coastal residents are urged to ensure that you and your family have an emergency plan, including your local evacuation route, where you will go if you need to evacuate or seek shelter, family contact information and important paperwork and nearby shelter information. 

Also be sure to fill up your tanks with gas and get cash in case ATMs are unavailable due to power loss.  If you haven't already, visit www.ready.gov and www.listo.gov (para español) for additional tips on creating your family emergency plan, getting an emergency kit and taking other steps to prepare.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends coastal residents include food safety as part of their preparedness plans. 

Power outages and flooding that often result from weather emergencies compromise the safety of stored food, and planning ahead can minimize the risk of food borne illness.

USDA food safety tips include having a cooler on hand to keep refrigerator food cold in case of power outage, and to group food together in the freezer; this helps the food stay cold longer. Additional food safety preparedness tips can be found at USDA Food Safety Inspection Service's website www.fsis.usda.gov.

As is always the case, local officials make decisions on issuing evacuation orders, so FEMA advises residents to remember to listen to the direction of their local officials, and to learn where evacuation routes and sheltering locations are located, in case evacuation orders are given.  

The New York Times: 'The Old Gray Whore'

Decision to Run Graphic Photo Has Disgraced the Publication and Stripped Ercolino of His Right to Die with Dignity

The New York Times decided to publish the death photo Steven Ercolino on its front page, and From The G-Man is publicly challenging its decision by asking three simple questions. 

Question 1: Would any member of the New York Times editorial board have run the photo if they discovered the victim was their husband, wife, son, daughter, granddaughter, grandson, grandmother or grandfather? 

Question 2: Did anyone on the New York Times editorial board stop to consider the level of pain that may have been inflicted on Mr. Ercolino's extended family members, even if a few members of the family may have granted consent to having the photo published?

Question 3: If you published a death photo on the front page of your newspaper, does that mean you would publish a graphic photo of a Manhattan socialite being brutally raped or a group of tribal warlords beheading an 11-year-old Sudanese boy who refused to maim or kill fellow villagers?  

If the editorial board's answer is no to each question, From The G-Man would like to know why you published Ercolino's death photo... but would not publish photos from the three scenarios that have been presented? Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't someone from the Times editorial department say Ercolino's photo was published because it was "newsworthy"? 

If the New York Times editorial board's answer is yes to all of the questions posed, then the title of this article is fitting, and From The G-Man would be convinced that the only reason the death photo was published was because, as ghoulish as it may sound, the Times wanted to have a big exclusive, in this case a photo, in order to sell as many papers as possible. Period!  

Based on the degrading and disgusting actions of the publication, From The G-Man believes the "Old Gray Lady" has withered into an old, gray whore whose sole interest is reaping as much profit as possible -- any way possible -- with no regard for ethics or the tried and true standards and practices of journalism. Unfortunately, because they are guilty by association, the reputation of many outstanding journalists and writers at the newspaper has been tarnished, and From The G-Man suspects a number of them are just as incensed at the editorial board. 

From The G-Man would also like to pose "Question 1" to all mainstream news sources, as well as members of the public, that are defending the actions of the old, gray whore. If someone you cherished and loved was brutally murdered, would you want to have their death photo published on the cover of the New York Times, the New York Daily News, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times or the Chicago Tribune? 

Everyone deserves to die with some sense of dignity, especially if they were viewed as good and loving people. The Times editorial board blatantly disregarded the victim and stripped him of his dignity, and it ought to be ashamed of itself and called out for it! Steven Ercolino's family and friends suffered on two accounts: they had to deal with the fact that he'd been killed and the fact that a group of heartless bastards at the New York Times broadcast his death photo to the world. Listen up, Times editorial board. Karma... is.... a.... bitch!

The commentary is from the heart and......from The G-Man.

Image courtesy of http://www.pureclipart.com.

Weekly Address: Preserving and Strengthening Medicare

'Neil Was Among the Greatest of American Heroes - Not Just of His Time, But of All Time'

Statement by the President on the Passing of Neil Armstrong

Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Neil Armstrong. 

Neil was among the greatest of American heroes - not just of his time, but of all time.  When he and his fellow crew members lifted off aboard Apollo 11 in 1969, they carried with them the aspirations of an entire nation.  They set out to show the world that the American spirit can see beyond what seems unimaginable - that with enough drive and ingenuity, anything is possible. And when Neil stepped foot on the surface of the moon for the first time, he delivered a moment of human achievement that will never be forgotten. 

Today, Neil's spirit of discovery lives on in all the men and women who have devoted their lives to exploring the unknown - including those who are ensuring that we reach higher and go further in space. That legacy will endure - sparked by a man who taught us the enormous power of one small step.

Astronaut Neil Armstrong Passes Away

US astronaut Neil Armstrong has died at the age of 82. He attained worldwide fame after becoming the first man to set foot on the moon back in 1969. He is reported to have recently had heart surgery and is believed to have developed complications. Al Jazeera's Rob Reynolds reports.

Attorney General Eric Holder on LGBT Issues

Attorney General Holder talked about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights issues. He talked about the Obama administration's pro-equality successes including the Justice Department Civil Rights Division's work with local law enforcement on LGBT discrimination, and filing the first indictment under a federal hate crimes law. He also reminded the lawyers that much work needed to be done, and challenged them to use the current "momentum" to win equal rights

Today in History: August 26th

Highlights of this day in history: American women gain the right to vote, as the U.S. Constitution's 19th Amendment takes effect; Investigators pinpoint the cause of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster; Aviator Charles Lindbergh dies. (Aug. 26)

New York Times Runs Graphic Photo of NYC Shooting

Sources:NewYorkTimesWHTMOnTheMedia
PoynterInstituteBuzzMachineAmericanPhoto
Mashable

By Steven Sparkman
Anchor: Christian Bryant
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Other Newsy videos will play following this report. 

Syria Accused of Massacre Near Damascus

Several hundred bodies have been found in a town near Damascus after a ferocious assault by the Syrian army, according to a watchdog group, as activists accused government forces of a gruesome "massacre". A grisly video issued by the opposition showed bodies piled up wall-to-wall in a mosque complex in Daraya after a massive offensive by troops battling to crush insurgents who have regrouped in the outskirts of the capital. Al Jazeera's Gerald Tan reports.

South Sudan Refugees Running Out of Food

In a refugee camp in South Sudan people are facing a serious shortage of food. There are more than 60,000 refugees and aid groups warn there's only enough food to last another month. In the latest of Al Jazeera's Feeding the World Series, Anna Cavell reports from the Yida refugee camp in South Sudan.

Sufi Shrines Attacked in Libya

Witnesses have said an armed group, claiming to be Salafi's, carried out the assault on a Sufi shrine, it is the tomb of al-Asmar-the last resting place of a 15th century Muslim scholar. Mohamed al-Teer, a witness, have said:"A group of criminals who have committed crimes against people inside and outside Zliten, entered and took cover in the mosque and fired at the revolutionaries. So the revolutionaries fired back. They killed and captured some of them and the others escaped." The attackers have also set fire to a historic library, reducing years of academic and religious writing to ash. While the official line from the government is condemnation, there are reports security forces stood by and just let this destruction go ahead. Al Jazeera's Caroline Malone reports.

Families of Slain South Africa Miners Struggle to Cope

Last week, South African police shot and killed 34 striking mine workers who were protesting for a pay increase. Many of those killed were the only breadwinners in their extended families, and their widows are now struggling to cope. Government officials are trying to calm a disgruntled working class, promising to do more for them. But anger among the poor has been mounting for years, and many feel very little has changed for them since the end of apartheid in 1994. Al Jazeera's Haru Mutasa reports from Marikana.

Samsung Bites Back After Apple Victory

South Korean technology giant Samsung says consumers will now face fewer choices, less innovation and higher prices. That is after a US jury ordered the company to pay more than one billion dollars to Apple for stealing its technology. It is only one of the many international legal battles between the two, all of which could change the industry. Al Jazeera's Nadim Baba reports from London.

'Our State Has No Tolerance for Senseless Acts of Violence That Harm Our People...'

Statement from Governor Andrew Cuomo on the Shooting Near the Empire State Building

"Today's shooting near the Empire State Building is a tragedy for New York City and our entire state. My administration, including members of the State Police, is actively monitoring the situation and working closely with city law enforcement agencies to ensure that the safety of New Yorkers and those visiting New York City comes first. I commend members of the New York Police Department, as well as the first responders and civilians, who acted bravely and took swift action to save the lives of others and prevent this tragedy from becoming much worse. Our state has no tolerance for senseless acts of violence that harm our people, and we will do everything possible to ensure that law enforcement officials have the tools they need so residents of the city and tourists can enjoy everything New York City has to offer without fearing for their own safety and security. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I send my condolences to the friends and family of the innocent victim who died in this attack, and wish those who were injured in today's shooting a speedy recovery."

Photo courtesy of http://www.streetsblog.org.

Bloomberg, Kelly Speak on Shooting Near ESB

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Several People Shot Near Empire State Building

Developing Story

Details are available in this New York Daily News article. From The G-Man will provide more information on the midtown shooting as it becomes available. 

Update: 10:22 am - More details provided via the following NY1 News video report:

http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/167513/developing--police-respond-to-shooting-outside-empire-state-building

West Wing Week 08/24/12

White House Briefs

President Obama Engages with Youth with Disabilities

Recently, President Obama met with some youth with disabilities. He wanted to hear their thoughts about the future of disability policy. So, he sat down with participants from the American Association of People with Disabilities internship program.

First Lady Michelle Obama Speaks at a Joining Forces Hiring Event

The First Lady announces that more than 2,000 businesses participating in her Joining Forces initiative have hired or trained more than 125,000 veterans and military spouses in the past year and have pledged to hire or train 250,000 veterans and spouses in the coming years.

Extended Preview: ‘Nuns, Faith & Politics’

Watch early clips from this weekend's Moyers and Company about outspoken nuns on a road trip addressing faith, politics and Paul Ryan's budget.

Women and the 2012 Election

Terry O'Neill talked about the issues that the National Organization of Women (NOW) believes will influence women voters in the 2012 elections. She also responded to telephone calls and electronic communications. Topics included the economy, Medicare and Medicaid, reproductive rights, and controversial Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin's inaccurate statement on rape and pregnancy. 

Hurricane Irene, One Year Later

Watch live streaming video from newyorkstateofficeofthegovernor at livestream.com

Today in History: August 24th

Highlights of this day in history: Mount Vesuvius erupts, burying two Ancient Roman cities; Hurricane Andrew hits Florida; British troops burn Washington in War of 1812; Pluto demoted as a planet; Pete Rose banned from baseball for life. (Aug. 24)

Musicians Versus (Republican) Politicians

Sources:CurrentTVFoxNewsTIME
TwitterTheWashingtonPost 

By Adam Smith, Daina Schnese and Veronica Polivanaya
Anchor: Christina Hartman
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Other Newsy videos will play following this report. 

South Africa's Zuma Outlines Mine Protest Inquiry

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has outlined the details of a commission being set up to investigate last week's violence at a platinum mine that left 44 people dead. Nationwide memorial services have meanwhile been held for those killed. Al Jazeera's Haru Mutasa reports from Marikana.

Neo-Nazi Music Popular in U.S. Military

White supremacist and neo-Nazi rock music is flourishing worldwide. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups, music sales are a primary source of income for racist groups and a rich recruiting ground for new members. The SPLC says the number of hate groups it monitors has exploded to over one thousand in the years since Barack Obama's election. Al Jazeera's Rob Reynolds reports from Los Angeles.

Norway Rules Mass Killer Breivik Sane

Court sentences Anders Breivik to 21 years in prison for the massacre of 77 people in 2011 gun and bomb attacks.

Clashes in Damascus as Shelling Continues

Clashes have broken out in Damascus, with Syrian government forces firing mortar rounds on rebel positions, activists say, in what they describe as some of the heaviest fighting in the nation's capital this month. The violence on Thursday coincided with the departure from the country of UN monitors, whose mandate expired and was not renewed due to deteriorating conditions that have dragged Syria into civil war. Al Jazeera's Rula Amin reports from Beirut.

Petrol Supplies Across Nigeria Threatened

Nigeria may be rich in oil, but parts of the country are in the grip of a major petrol shortage. A disagreement between oil companies and the government has led to a halt in deliveries. Supplies across the whole nation are now threatened. Al Jazeera's Yvonne Ndege reports from Lagos.

West Nile Virus Outbreak on Track to Become Worst in U.S. History

The mosquito borne West Nile virus has killed more than 40 people and infected nearly 1,000. The latest outbreak is set to become the worst ever in U.S. history. Almost half of the reported cases have occurred in the state of Texas. Dallas county has responded by launching an extensive West Nile education program campaign. Al Jazeera's John Terrett reports from Washington.

Budget and Economic Outlook

Doug Elmendorf spoke about the new Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report on the budget and economic outlook. The CBO predicted that the budget deficit for fiscal year 2012 will be $1.1 trillion, and warned Congress of the urgency of addressing the "fiscal cliff," the combination of tax hikes and spending cuts that would take place on January 1, 2013, unless new budget agreements are reached. If Congress does reach an agreement, the CBO estimated gross domestic product (GDP) growth of around 1.7 percent.