Morning Meetings

Recently, Kyra Phillips has been giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the morning meetings where program content is decided. What do you get when you fill a room of news junkies (and their Blackberrys!) and ask what stories need to be covered? Well, these clips will give you an idea.

This first clip is a discussion about about Governor Palin's excellent UN adventure:

The next clip focuses on the economic meltdown:

Will the debate happen or not?

The Katie Couric interview of Palin:

Citizen protests nationwide over the planned Wall Street bailout:

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Baghdad Correspondent Michael Ware was part of "The Best Political Team in the World" (nod to Jeffrey Toobin) following Friday night's debate, but got far more air time on Saturday, when both Roland Martin and John King had him on their respective specials looking back at what was and wasn't said.

On John's special, Michael spoke first about Iraq:

...and then about Iran:

(Michael's segment on Roland's show also delved into Afghanistan; you can head over to my site if you want to check that out, since I neglected to split it in two before trying to entice Blogger into uploading it...)

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This press release came out today -- great idea to have the General on board for more than just the hurricanes:

Lt. Gen. Honoré Joins CNN as Emergency Preparedness Contributor

               

Retired Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré, best known for his service as commander of Joint Task Force Katrina in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina three years ago, has joined CNN as the emergency preparedness contributor to CNN Worldwide, it was announced by Nancy Lane, senior vice president of newsgathering for CNN/U.S.  He appeared on CNN most recently amid the network’s coverage of Hurricane Ike.

In this role, Honoré lends his expertise and inside knowledge while assessing government efforts amid crises and recovery efforts. Through his reports and assistance, CNN will continue to keep government officials accountable in those situations.

He also contributes his expertise on disaster preparedness, response and recovery activities to CNN’s leading reports throughout the hurricane season and other potential crisis situations.  His reports appear across CNN’s numerous networks and services including CNN/U.S., CNN International, CNN.com, CNN.com Live, CNN Radio and CNN Newsource. They provide viewers with practical tips for preparing for and surviving disasters as well as keep government officials and agencies honest when it comes to dealing with large disasters and crisis’s.

 “General Honoré brings to CNN’s global audience an intimate knowledge of managing crises and executing emergency preparedness,” Lane said. “After Katrina, the general was universally viewed as a hero, and our viewers will no doubt trust and connect with him as he contributes to our up-to-the-minute coverage.”

As commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, Honoré led the Department of Defense’s response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita across Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, which included the operations of more than 22,000 military personnel, 200 aircraft and 20 ships.  Additionally, as vice director for operations for the Joint Staff and as commander of the Standing Joint Force Headquarters-Homeland Security, U.S. Northern Command, Honoré’s focused his work on defense support to civil authorities and homeland defense. For four of the past six hurricane seasons, he supported the Department of Defense’s planning and response for hurricanes on domestic and international soil.

“I’m delighted to be able to join CNN and take advantage of the network’s vast resources and services and be able to address the audience in those areas affected,” Honoré said. “Everyone needs to be prepared for unexpected and uncontrollable events, and CNN is an ideal platform to inform and educate.”

In a previous role as commander of First Army – the command responsible for mobilizing and training National Guard and Reserve troops – Honoré oversaw the training and deployment of more than 500,000 military personnel across all services.  This effort comprised the largest military deployment since World War II and focused on the Army’s combat medical capability, as well as the overall medical readiness of all personnel mobilized in support of operations in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Egypt, Guantanamo Bay and Iraq.  

After retiring from the Army earlier this year with 37 years of active service, Honoré now speaks and consults nationally about emergency preparedness.

A native of Lakeland, La., Honoré was commissioned as a second lieutenant of infantry after earning his bachelor’s degree in vocational agriculture from Southern University and A&M College.  He also holds a master’s degree in human resources from Troy State University and honorary doctorates from Southern University and A&M College and Stillman College.

That's it for me this week. Our Keeper of the Calendar, Ms. Sapphire, alerted me that tomorrow is CNN International's Anniversary, so a big shout-out to all the CNN/I staff, and I hope you guys get cake! 

Also, today is Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) so I'd like to wish all observers Shana Tova! 

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