Hearing from these boys has been heartbreaking. They truly were heroic last night

Good Evening,

The weather situation is horrible. Oh no more rain???

Hey guys, hope everyone had a good tuesday, looking forward to a great conversation tonight. Good to see you again tonight Campbell.

Hey Campbell and all...seems we are starting off the same as last night unfortunately!!

Cindy..Ga.

Good evening Campbell. Those poor boys killed. They are heroes. An inspiration.

Everytime they go to Gary, he is wetter and wetter......thanks for taking it to bring us the story Gary.....you are awesome!!!!

The pictures of Cedar Rapids are hard to comprehend. What a terrible loss of property.

It sue does seem like it is startin off the same as last night, but hopefully not as tragic

Hi all,
Gary looks soaked. He's a good sport.

Hello all, hope you had a great day...terrible situation for the boy scouts...really a sad situation...

Man that flooding is just horrible. I feel so bad for those people!

Cindy...Ga.

I hate to say it, we could use some of that water in Iowa here in eastern NC...horrible forest fires here, smoke all across the city. Prayers go out to those affected by the flooding.

Hi Campbell,

Has there been any reaction from World Scouting Associations?

Michael...I did not know you folks were have draught conditions...I knew that parts of Alabama were pretty dry.

That is a lot of tornadoes....over 1500

Planet in Peril – American Edition

wow, it's crazy about that flooding record. it seems like there's flooding from rivers all the time.
but that guy said it looks like new orleans after katrina.
how about NO. that's a slightly different story.

Hello Campbell, Erica, and Bloggers!!!!
Nice to see Gary Tuchman on AC360!
Wow! too bad for people in Iowa! I never seen that before like thiis! over flood in the river!

You know thinking about it......after politics, weather in the US and around the world is probably the next biggest covered story so far this year. It is almost like this weather is epic

Those poor people! I don't know what I would do in the same situation. Even if they had time to prepare what could they have possibly done? Gary is doing a great job interviewing them; he is always sensitive to people in difficult situations.

It's just terrible, my prayers go out to all in our country that are suffering due to this strange weather.
~Peace~

I wonder if FEMA will react this time

@ Michael,NC...we need that water here too in Georgia!

BTW 360...LOVE the new look to the blog!

Cindy...Ga.

Our weather here in Wisconsin is horrible,but my heart goes out even more so to the families of those children.

Michael in NC,
Wow! I am sorry hear that your state....... I agree with you too.

Hi, everyone.

Those storm chasers are crazy!! No way would I chase a tornado!

Cindy..Ga.

my uncle was in Salina, kansas when a couple or tornados came dangerousley close to the hospital that he works in. They had no power for the longest time which was dangerous for the people inside. Now that th storm is over, they have power and everything is slowley getting better. i'm just glad their all safe!

I hope Gary is all right, being out their in that kind of weather and electrical equipment.

I grew up in Cedar Rapids and have 2 grown sons living there now. It's a great town. It is just hard to believe what I'm seeing.

When you look at the pictures of the tornado that affected the boy scouts it is hard to beleive that they went to work to help all the others and helped to rescue another family. They truly are heroes

I wonder if they will start equiping camp sites with underground shelters.

It is sad about those 4 and the others were incredibly brave

Erica,
I love new blog! that is so change everthing! that is cool blog!

weather sucks

Jana; That is a good point; I thought about that myself! Gary better be careful!

Evening Erica..........

It is sad what happened to those boys but it is also great that they took control of the situation and saved others lives.

Cindy...Ga.

Hi Bloggers and Erica! Storm chasers provide such a public service by letting us know where the bad storms/tornados are. I don't consider them crazy as much as lucky!

Lots of faith amongst that group of kids.....

The repubilcans are confused. Respect for our woman should be a paramount goal for respect

I'm from Lawrence KS, and we just got cleared from a storm that had tornadoes around Topeka, and around De Soto and we are due for a round 2. Right now we are in a flood warning. I feel like when is this weather going to end.

@ Cindy,
I agree with you too, I cannot chase tornadoes at all, too dangerous for them to chase tornadoes!

I don't think that attacking Michelle Obama will work at all. However I do think that she is fair game as she speaks for her husband

Michelle in Ks.......stay safe, I would say dry, but I am not certain that is possible

I feel for the people and those poor boy heros(scouts) in the mid west, but for a terrible year with weather, waht does the very near future hold for Florida with hurricanes?????????

we need not to be political teleguided and stooges. We need to respect the value of our women despite of our political differences.
wee need to attach the crucial issues, like high gas prices, job lost, mortage break-down and be responsible

I am glad to hear that the President is going to finally respect something that the Justice Department has rule on.

If Michelle Obama makes controversial statements out stumping for her husband then she is fair game.

It's about time those detainees get some rights back.
People are being held for years without being charged.

@ Michelle Odgen,
my thoughts and prayer with you in Kansas tonight......... I am praying for your whole state.

I am from Iowa but live north of the rivers that are flooding. We've had alot of rain and tornado weather close to us last week. My daughter lives in Cedar Rapids on the NE side so has not had to evacuate. But it has been raining there all day. Heavy, heavy rain. It's pretty hilly in her neighborhood and the water rushes down the streets like they are rivers and pools at the bottom of the hills. It is a terrible tragedy.

Robert: Respect for all people, women and men, regardless of their political persuasion should be a goal for us all.

I agree with the idea that if a candidate's wife campaigns and discusses issues, then those comments, words and intentions are open..............but the attacks that are out there now are not related to anything she has actually said

I lived in Iowa City IA and Cedar Rapids IA the majority of my life recently moved to MN many family members still there including my daughter, my heart goes out to my family as well as others who are dealing with the devastation, and to the families of the brave boyscouts .

They need all this rain in CA!! They are in drought conditions plus all those wildfires.

It's amazing those boys kept their heads and put all their training to good use. They are to be commended on their bravery and heroism and quick-thinking.

Then, Cindy McCain and her drug problems are fair game too!!!

Those attacks that focus on ethinic differences are just bad......

If Michelle is out stumping then she is very fair game.

Cindy...Ga.

I agree that if a candidates spouse is out campaigning, she is fair game. Michelle Obama's comment certainly qualifies as something you can attack.

Fox News is so stupid....between the "terrorist fist jabs" and "Obama's baby mama"............I am so glad I don't get Fox

Way to go Obama camp...these people need to be held accountable for these smears...everyone knows this is just the beginning...it's pathetic!
Of course they are going to take on Michelle...they have little else!

I believe those young Boy Scouts for their heroic deed should receive the highest civilian medal from President Bush.

If Michelle Obama chooses to put herself out there to get her husband elected, she is absolutely a fair target in the game of controversy.
For her to think otherwise is very naive on her part, and on Barack's – just one more example of his inexperience. He does not get to "have his cake and eat it too" on this one.

I agree, if Michelle puts herself out there then she has to roll with the punches. But I do agree that it is getting too nitt-picking and it's sooo early in the race to be this way. I will be totally tired of the "small stuff" in the months to come.
Let's blow away the smoke screen and talk about the issues, otherwise, we won't "change" at all, no matter who's promising what.

No candidate's wife is fair game.
'Baby Mama' was extremely DISRESPECTFUL and as usual it came from Fox news.
Do they still use the tag line FAIR AND BALANCED???
I don't think I have ever seen a candidate's wife attacked like this, EVER.

If Obama's wife is going to express her opinions I don't see why others have to agree with her or not comment.

On one level, Barak Obama is right....the baby mama line is just wrong. However, when she discusses policy, then those statements are open for criticism....

Oh boy! I never seen Michelle Obama pick on people, I thought she must have fair game...........

I am glad that the Obama's are fighting back, and I agree that Cindy McCains issues are fair game too...

I agree with Cindy from GA...if she says something while on campaign...those comments are fair game...but her personal life should be off limits.

Dee, Cindy McCain has come out in public about her past dependence on pain killers.

One of these women will be the First Lady and privy to a lot of high level information and decisions. A certain amount of scrutiny is to be expected.

Good to see John King........and he is right about what to talk about and not to talk about.

People who resort to name calling have nothing substantive to say. That includes using terms like Billary and calling voters "rednecks," but most people didn't have a problem with any of that.

Fox News is racist and has no class. I am glad CNN is not like this! You operate a fair and balanced news organization

I absolutely agree with what John King just said

I really agree with John King. The media has to raise the bar on this election. Gossip isn't news, no matter who the canddiate is.

They go after Michelle Obama and I will personally go off on them.
I will show them what a french temper is all about.
Michelle is a wonderful, classy woman and does not deserve the dirt of the gop and their slime.
There will be alot of howling on the left if they go after her. The left is already angry and ready to go at them if they don't watch it.

Fox is just a bunch of hate!! She is fair game I agree, however, these racially charged smears just show how desperate the GOP is ...and will continue to be in this election.

The difference between McCain and Obama is that Obama will NEVER attack McCain on personal things. He would never allow his campaign or the DNC to go after Cindy McCain.

So will that Fox Producer get fired for the Obama "Baby Mama" controversy or just get smacked on the wrist for bad judgment? Hmmm.

Yeah Dee,
I agree with you, I don't like her comment baby mama. she is not respect other people.

How is someone's wife an issue in this election?

I agree, Michelle Obama has a lot of class, smart, knows herself. She and her husband seem to have a very strong marriage.

Race is not an issue??? Do you think anyone would ever refer to Cindy McCain as a baby mama? Of course not!

I also agree with John King what he said to the viewers.

Jo Ann, I agree with you. Name calling does nothing to move a true conversation to any new level.

One has to appreciate that the Obama campaign has never sunk to levels previous campaigns have – I think the American public appreciates this.

Shannon: I have never heard Senator McCain attack Obama personally. In fact, I have heard him challenge other Republicans who have done so.

This tragedy of weather, floods, fire and unfinished past cleanup (Katrina, etc) is happening to ALL of US, even if we are not IN the AREAS.

I pray that OUR Country puts these repairs, rebuilding and issues in the top most priorities.

I want to know how attacking Michelle Obama is going to lower gas prices, bring our children home from Iraq, pay for education, and control inflation.

My hope is that the Republicans continue these personal attacks – reminds me of the mistakes the republicans made in the 90s when they went after Clinton – Republicans seem to forget that its the economy stupid!!

Kim-Chicago,
I agree with you too.... not issue racist at all.

I find it interesting that democrats attacked Obama personally during the Primary...now that the general election is underway it is those evil Republicans.....give me a break!

"there's a difference between 'smear' and 'fair game' ". Amen, John King!

Michelle Obama said "for the first time in her life she's REALLY proud" ... why is everyone omitting the word REALLY? It makes a big difference. Even Laura Bush said that she understood that Michelle was saying that she was PROUDER ... not that she never had been proud before. Seems like Republicans just don't want to talk about the REAL problems this country is facing.

Hannah, I think the weather is epic as well. Michelle Obama seems sophisticated and thoughtful to me. John King is right the media can't just rush whatever onto the air. On the other hand it does expose some of the rumor mongering that goes on and that maybe helps voters identify things as rumors that otherwise they might not.

attacking Michelle will not do any of those things however it does divert attention from the real issues

I think both candidates have strong wives and either wife would make an excellent first lady.
Let us concentrate on the issues: recession, home mortgages, oil, natural disasters, war......

I would like to hear more of a discussion on how Obama and McCain will address the problems facing us today – unemployment, gas prices, and so on.

I have to agree with Roland Martin, the Democrats opened the door on some of this stuff. Reagan at least had justification for the phrase "Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican". It cannot be used against you later....................

Whatever happened to the Golden Rule? Is this how you'd like your family to be treated?

John makes a great point about the blurring of lines in this campaign.

It's also interesting what many people see as "the media" nowadays – it's no longer made up of just objective journalists, but for many people "the media" also includes commentators, bloggers and some very opinionated folks. This blurs people's perception of what is "news" and "reporting" these days.

Michael Ware has so many connection in Iraq.....this piece is very interesting

Well, for a small period, we were hearing the candidates talking about the issues, not it's smears and rumors. I'm waiting for the presidential debates. What is said during those is what will have meaning to me.

That is why al Qaeda Iraq has turned Sunni Iraqi's against them.......

Oh my gosh,
that is so distrubing to me!!!!!!! that is so awful to kill people.......

Erica, you are right on the money when you speak of "the media." My boyfriend is a news reporter and he says, for him, it's about two things. One, being a journalist is about finding the truth for a higher purpose. The other, is making a news story more about the story than about himself. Some people who are reporters forget that the pictures and sound tell the story so much better than we can.

I'm glad that people turned against them after witnessing and hearing of the public executions. It shows that despite of all the violence they have had to endure, they're still not numb. They care for human life!

Go to fight the smears website and see the lies hate-mongers spread about the Obamas. People are too ready to believe any rumor or urban legend spread about anybody. The web site is a great idea – should have been thought of years ago. Leave it to someone as bright as Obama to think of it. He's the new Robert Kennedy and the last best hope for this cynical country.

Michael Ware being Australian gives him some objectivity in regards to the Iraq situation........and he does have an incredible quantity and quality of contacts in Iraq.............

Erica,
I am glad someone finally said it like it is. I commend you for expressing a honest and correct opinion.

that is so sad for people who killed!!!! I don't understand this why Militlia have to shoot people without help???

Mic's report was great! He always tells us how it is no matter what the others are saying. Gotta love that!

Cindy...Ga.

Is Michelle Obama's thesis fair game for discussion?

I thought it was brave of Roland to throw some of the smears back on the democrats.

With the dems in control of the senate & Congress, can't they just refuse to keep funding the war?

Ware really lays it out as it is........he is incredibly objective.

Michael Ware seems to be the only one reporting the news in Iraq. How come there aren't more reporters and more daily reports? I wish we'd get more actual information. Ask the people you know when the last time they saw live footage from Iraq on TV and they'll probably have to think about it. And I don't mean the footage of some politician walking around with tons of security.

Oh no, not the tape of the helpless puppy! That just makes me sick to my stomach. Harming innocent beings, whether human or animal, is just wrong.

Thanks, Michael Ware.....
Thanks for information from Iraq......

I don't think of Michael Ware as objective, myself....but yep, he lays a lot out there!

You will always get the truth from Mick. He doesn't tell you what you want to hear but like it is.

Those poor people of Iraq...children watching that brutality...what a mess!

Anne, that's a great point about reporting the story - not the reporter

@ Catherine – Arwa Damon does alot of reports during other CNN programs and Kyra Phillips was just there for a month......but Michael is the man when it comes to Iraq

With that much money available to him, I am not sure that he is not quietly living somewhere..........

Missy-
too true. He shows the world exactly what is going on there, and I appreciate his honesty to the public.

Samuel faked his death for sure! He is probably in another country by now.

Cindy...Ga.

I am glad that he kicked out of Marines, who throw so cute puppy on the ground, That's so horrible tragedy for puppy who hurt.......

No way did this guy jump! Why was he ever allowed to drive himself to jail, anyway?!

Good night everyone. As usual, very good stuff.

They threw that soldier out of the Corps? Good! I do believe it's called "conduct unbecoming." What's more, it is documented that one of the first signs that you are loosing your moral compass is torturing helpless animals. Our soldiers have enough trouble in Iraq already without letting a developing psycho go.

Well Night Campbell and all...great show! Have a great night and I'll see ya tomorrow!

Cindy..Ga.

Good night all.

The picture of the puppy just turned my stomach inside out.

Thanks, Campbell.

Seadragon sex....hmmmm....that is a refreshingly different report.

Not just torturing animals but laughing at it and filming it....scary. I hope the family members of that guy watch their backs.

great show, great blog conversation

have a great Friday everyone!!!!!

Nice show everyone...

I live in Des Moines and spent the day filling sandbags with people of all ages and shades. Thankfully we have not seen the devestation they have seen in Cedar Rapids but we expect record flood crests here tomorrow and Sunday. I can attest that our sense of comunnity here in Iowa combined with competent and strong government leadership at the local, county, and state levels has positioned us to deal with this catastrophe as best as humanly possible. I'm proud of my state.

Interesting fact about the Sea Dragon! Now I'm going to attempt to pop some popcorn with my cell phone! Nite all!

I often wonder how these journalists survive mentally and physically being in a war zone. They have my deepest respect.

Good night Campbell, Erica, and Bloggers!
Have a good night, Sleep tight!!!!!
Congrats Lorie Ann on beat 360!!!!! See you later!!!!
( I hope Anderson Cooper will doing fine too)

Good night everyone!

Good Thursday evening...cell phones pop, popcorn! Believe it or not...night all