Editor's note: All the big news networks, including CNN, land on our RidicuList for missing out on the talents of Snookie – the newest news anchor.

Editor's note: Anderson Cooper challenges congressional remarks that additional funding for FEMA would require budget cuts elsewhere.

President Obama will be traveling to Paterson, New Jersey on Sunday to get an up close look at the flooding damage after Hurricane Irene. We'll have a live report from New Jersey on the crisis. Plus, the state's governor blasts his party in Washington for the fight over FEMA funding. His anger directed at House Majority Leader Eric Cantor who wants to offset FEMA spending with budget cuts. We're Keeping Them Honest. Plus, tonight's other headlines.

Scroll down to join the live chat during the program. It's your chance to share your thoughts on tonight's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules.

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Reporter's Note: President Obama wants to talk to Congress, and oddly enough, at least part of Congress seems a little hesitant. Here is today’s letter to the White House…ready or not.

Dear Mr. President,

I am a tad surprised to hear that Congressional Republicans are balking at your request to make a speech to them next week on the day of your choosing, and are pushing you to take the next day instead.

I suppose I should not be startled. Whether it is out of pure politics or heartfelt opposition, they seem to oppose everything you try to do these days, so I don’t see why scheduling an appointment would be any different. I saw a funny headline the other day (I think it was in The Onion) that said something like, “President Turns 50 Despite Republican Opposition.” Ha!

But like I said, that is the way of the world these days. It seems as if both parties are so hell bent on refusing to let the other gain any kind of edge, sometimes it leads to what…at least from a distance…looks like pointless niggling.

I can just imagine how upset DC would be if any normal citizens tried such a measure.

“Hey, Tom, I’m back from my vacation, the hurricane has passed, and I could eat a whole side of beef! How about we grab a burger next Monday?”

“Monday? Hmmmm. Not sure I can make that work.”

“Do you have other plans?”

“The Secret Life of the American Teenager is on, and you know Amy and her pals are going to that party by the lake!”

“You’re going to miss dinner with me for a TV show?”

“Well, Adrian might show up and try to steal back Ricky! I mean, everyone knows that whole ‘Omar’ thing is just a fling.”

“Oh.”

“And you know security with you is always an issue.”

“O.k. Well, maybe next time.”

Anyway, I hope you sort it out with the Congressional crowd. After all, I don’t give DC much hope on agreeing about anything these days, but you would not think the calendar would be an issue!

Regards,

Tom

Ready for today's Beat 360°? Everyday we post a picture you provide the caption and our staff will join in too. Tune in tonight at 10pm to see if you are our favorite!

Staff
Sam Meyer
"Love-all"

Viewer
Shawn Hendricks
"They call Hilaria Thomas's yoga pose Upward Digging Gold."

Editor's note: Texas republican congressman Ron Paul says that if he's elected President, he'd do away with FEMA.

Editor's note: Hurricane Irene brought out a fan who wanted to "bare it all" during the news.

Editor's note: Warning: Graphic Content
Syria's dictatorship denies killing children, but video evidence tells a different story.

Reporter's Note: The president is being hammered by Republican contenders for his office, chiefly on the economy. Meanwhile, I keep pelting him with daily letters. I’m not sure which is worse!

Dear Mr. President,

I went for a most excellent, very long run along the river this morning before heading into work, and you should have been there. Saw some great views over the Potomac, mockingbirds all over the place, many Great Blue Herons, and more than a few “almost” car crashes. All in all, a great trot through the nicely cool air that has come into town behind the big storm.

I was on Mitch Gibb’s radio show out of New Orleans last night and we were discussing the upcoming election, unemployment, and other matters of importance such as the Saints’ chances of winning another Super Bowl trophy in the next few years (I’m going with “excellent!”) Then Mitch said something along the lines of, “I think the president is still saying that this economy is the fault of President Bush, but I don’t think voters are buying it.”

And I think he is right.

Sure, the economy was nose-diving hard when you took the rudder, and I’m not sure anyone could have pulled it out quickly. But in our fast-moving, short attention span world, I suspect a lot of people already consider that yesterday’s news. And after you’ve spent a few years sitting in one of the most powerful seats in the world, whether you are Democratic, Republican, or Independent, let’s face it: You’re going to have a hard time not being tagged with some of what has gone wrong. It is human nature.

So the advice I would give you or any president is to embrace it. Stand up proud and tall and say, “We were handed an economy in flames, and I’ll be the first to admit that some of the things we thought would douse the fire just haven’t worked. I like to think we made some things better, but that does you no good if you are broke, our of work, and watching the value of your house slide down the hill. Here is the thing though: We’ve learned from our mistakes. So do you want to bet on the ability of someone else who has never dealt with these issues; who is precisely where I was three years ago, or do you want to keep me here building on the knowledge I have gleaned?”

Again, this is the advice I would give to any president from any party, and I’m not choosing sides, but I think it might work. It involves risk, in that the GOP’ers will certainly crow, “Why even the president doesn’t think this policies have worked!” but it is a risk worth taking. Because I think American voters can deal with mistakes a lot better than they can deal with feeling misled, or like they are being sold a bill of goods.

Just a suspicion, but if you want to keep you job, I think it may be work considering.

Btw, did you try to call late last night? I woke up and thought the phone was ringing, but then decided it was not.

Regards,

Tom

New evacuations orders are in effect for parts of New Jersey tonight due to the flooding in the wake of Hurricane Irene. We'll check in with our reporter on the scene. Plus, Texas Republican Congressman Ron Paul talks about why he thinks FEMA needs less funding. And, we're Keeping Them Honest in Syria where the government insists it's not killing it's own people, including children. But wait till you hear what the U.N. is saying tonight.

Scroll down to join the live chat during the program. It's your chance to share your thoughts on tonight's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules.

Here are some of them:

1) Keep it short (we don't have time to read a "book")
2) Don't write in ALL CAPS (there's no need to yell)
3) Use your real name (first name only is fine)
4) No links
5) Watch your language (keep it G-rated; PG at worst - and that includes $#&*)