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American Morning
Dangerous Rain; Bush in Europe; Author Hunter S. Thompson Dies
Aired February 21, 2005 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Now there's a question.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: There you are. I don't know if I'd call Vin a thousand times.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Now that should be the "Question of the Day."
CAFFERTY: He actually is pretty cool. I saw him...
S. O'BRIEN: Fabulous.
CAFFERTY: I was watching a movie on cable, I guess, over the weekend. He's pretty good.
S. O'BRIEN: Yes, he's great.
CAFFERTY: I like him.
S. O'BRIEN: And a great guy.
CAFFERTY: Yes.
S. O'BRIEN: Great guy.
M. O'BRIEN: Got the endorsement.
S. O'BRIEN: Thanks, Jack.
CAFFERTY: Sure.
S. O'BRIEN: I liked "The File" today.
M. O'BRIEN: His career is going to skyrocket now.
(LAUGHTER)
(CROSSTALK)
S. O'BRIEN: Ahead this morning, going to take you live to southern California. Serious stories there. Brutal weather beating down on that region. It's threatening homes. Is there a break in sight? A look at that's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
S. O'BRIEN: President Bush in Europe this morning, speak in Brussels and issuing another challenge to Syria and Iran.
Southern California soaked to the bone and watching the hills. Pounding rain making for another dangerous day fighting the elements.
And journalism's greatest outlaw, Hunter S. Thompson, is dead. "Fear and Loathing" on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.
S. O'BRIEN: Good morning. Welcome, everybody. Yes, we got snow. Not too much, though. Just a few inches overnight.
M. O'BRIEN: Mostly slush.
S. O'BRIEN: A lot of slush. It's kind of warm now. Bill Hemmer's got the day off.
Miles O'Brien -- you know, I once called you my brother, Miles, and you realize that people actually thought I was being serious. And so Miles O'Brien, another journalist.
M. O'BRIEN: Notice the resemblance, yes. "Breakfast with the O'Briens" we'll call it.
S. O'BRIEN: Thanks for joining us.
M. O'BRIEN: Yes.
S. O'BRIEN: Nice to have you -- thanks.
M. O'BRIEN: Good to be here.
S. O'BRIEN: Let's get right to our top stories this morning. Heidi Collins has the latest headlines.
Good morning.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Team O'Brien. I guess Collins is out on the end.
S. O'BRIEN: We can make you an O'Brien if you want.
COLLINS: All right. OK, good.
Good morning, everybody.
"Now in the News" this morning, U.S. and Iraqi security forces launching a new offensive against insurgents near Baghdad. The operation under way as a U.S. military convoy came under attack in southern Baghdad. Witnesses say an improvised explosive device blew up and flipped over a Humvee. No immediate word on casualties.
Thousands of people in Beirut, Lebanon, turning out in a mass protest this morning. They're chanting "Syria out" and waving Lebanese flags. The demonstration aimed at Syrian forces in Lebanon, it comes one week after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Some leaders excuse Syria of involvement in the deadly explosion. Syrian officials deny those claims.
The parents of Terry Schiavo will ask a judge in Florida today to delay the removal of their daughter's feeding tube. They're calling for more medical tests.
A court order preventing feeding tubes from being removed expires tomorrow. Schiavo is brain damaged and has been on the feeding tubes since 1990. She's not likely to survive if the tubes are removed.
And in Melbourne, Australia, an investigation under way right now into a suspected gas leak at the city's airport. Some 2000 people were evacuated after dozens complained of nausea, dizziness and shortness of breath. Emergency crews are reopening the main terminals now. They're shut down, delaying, though, hundreds of planes. Officials say some 20,000 people are affected.
S. O'BRIEN: Wow, what a big mess.
COLLINS: Yes, no kidding.
S. O'BRIEN: All right. Heidi, thank you.
In southern California now, brutal storms battering the region are show no signs of letting up this morning. The intense weather, causing landslides and flash flooding throughout the region, is also being blamed for two deaths.
Miguel Marquez is tracking the storm. He's in Laguna Beach, California, this morning.
Miguel, good morning.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you. And we're hearing reports of a third death now from these rains. I want to show you where we are in Laguna Beach, normally a beautiful place overlooking the Pacific Ocean here.
This is what someone's backyard looks like when it slid down a hill and into the street below it. Up above, you can see the hillside covered in enormous sheets of plastic, trying to protect it from the rain that continues to fall. And above that, one of the four houses that is teetering on the brink at this point and has been evacuated. This is just one of the places that has been hit hard over the weekend.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARQUEZ (voice-over): A waterspout just south of Los Angeles, a tornado north of San Diego...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I heard thunder. And then the house started shaking. MARQUEZ: ... a weekend of severe California weather. East of Los Angeles, hillsides poured into backyards as heavy rains turned streets into rivers. In Long Beach, south of L.A., several homes were evacuated. Homeowners slept while the water rose around them.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stepped out of my bed into water.
MARQUEZ: In true California style, rescuers paddled out on surfboards to save a woman who disregarded a barricade and found herself in the deep end.
CAPT. JIM ARVIZU, LONG BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT: When our swift water rescue team got here, the water level was up above her -- right about her neckline.
MARQUEZ: North of Los Angeles, a creek, normally dry, turned into a raging torrent, cutting off a trailer park from all but the determined. Whether from rain or a broken sewer pipe north of L.A., a huge section of road gave way after the earth below it washed out.
In Cerritos, a warehouse became a waterfall after its roof collapsed. This followed the collapse of a roof of a Virgin Record store in Burbank.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MARQUEZ: Now, there have been three deaths that are being reported right now. One a 16-year-old girl in Orange County, another one, possibly a man buried by mud. And a third, a worker who fell into a sinkhole up north of Los Angeles last night. All of this, and rain is still in the forecast.
Back to you.
S. O'BRIEN: What a mess. Miguel Marquez for us this morning. Miguel, thanks.
And, in fact, let's get an update on the weather. Chad Myers is at the CNN Center with the very latest.
(WEATHER REPORT)
M. O'BRIEN: President Bush says fighting terrorism and spreading liberty is not just an American or European strategy but -- we quote him now -- "a cause for all mankind." This morning he is speaking with European leaders in Belgium. Suzanne Malveaux joining us live now from Brussels.
Hello, Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Miles.
This is really billed as one of the two significant speeches that he'll be giving to the European community in his five-day European trip. The president, of course, calling, saying that the friendship between the United States and its European allies is essential. He also said that no power on earth will divide us, specifically saying this is a new era of transatlantic unity.
One of those examples, of course, to help build Iraq, asking for greater help in that area. Also, of course, tough words on some of the hotspot issues on Iran, saying very clearly to Iran that it must end its support of terrorism, not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. Also, as well, a message for Syria, saying that it must get out of Lebanon.
Now, the president also addressed some things that the European audience was looking for. First and foremost, the president talked about the United States' commitment to the Middle East peace initiative.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: When Europe and America stand together, no problem can stand against us. As past debates fade, as great duties become clear, let us begin a new era of transatlantic unity. Our greatest opportunity and immediate goal is peace in the Middle East.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: The president also, of course, addressed what many people were looking for, and that is what is he going to say privately and publicly to Russian President Vladimir Putin? He'll be meeting with Putin on Thursday in the Slovak Republic. Many people concerned about what they see as a slide-back of democratic reforms.
Also, of course, Russia's cooperation and Iran's nuclear program. The United States believes it's a weapons program. Russia says it's an energy program. And also, the sale of missiles to Syria.
President Bush also a direct message to Putin rather delicately, of course, first saying he believes European allies should support Russia's membership into the World Trade Organization, but then a stern message to Putin.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: We recognize that reform will not happen overnight. We must always remind Russia, however, that our alliance stands for a free press, a vital opposition, the sharing of power and the rule of law. And the United States and all European countries should place democratic reform at the heart of their dialogue with Russia.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: And Miles, this afternoon, the president's going to be meeting with one of the harshest critics of U.S. policy when it comes to Iraq, and that is, of course, French President Jacques Chirac. The two will have a private dinner.
On their lists of subjects, of course, some of the shared goals and values, work within Syria, as well as Haiti. But also, they're going to be talking as well -- there's a different approach between the United States and the European Union when it comes to Iran. The European Union wants to offer diplomatic and economic incentives, negotiations for Iran to abandon its nuclear program. The U.S. does not think that that is the right approach -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Suzanne Malveaux in Brussels. Thank you very much.
Author and journalism pioneer Hunter S. Thompson has died. Thompson helped create gonzo journalism, in which writers included themselves in the story. His best-known work was the 1972 book "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."
Family members say it's unclear why Thompson fatally shot himself yesterday. CNN pop culture correspondent, "Rolling Stone" contributor, editor, Toure, joining us with some thoughts on Hunter S. Thompson.
Gonzo is gonzo. It's really a kind of sad moment and end of an era.
TOURE, CNN POP CULTURE CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Yes. I mean, I learned a lot from reading his work.
Gonzo journalism is first person super participatory journalism. Hunter S. Thompson, along with Tom Wolfe, George Plimpton and Norman Mailer, showed us how writers could insert themselves into the story and still inform.
Thompson was not only in the story, he was the center of the story a lot of the time. So in writing about the Kentucky Derby, you get not just the horses, but Thompson at the racetrack bar meeting other derby fans. Or in writing about the Hell's Angels, you get him being beaten up by them, right? Something you'd never see in "The New York Times."
He was the epitome of the "Rolling Stone" writer, the hard- living, hard-partying guy who still delivered a great story. Much of Thompson's work seemed like the late-night ramblings of an old school scribe high on several hallucinogens at once, and he portrayed himself as always drunk and/or high, especially while out on assignment. And yet the sharp observations and clear storytelling was always there.
"Fear and Loathing" on the campaign trail of '72, about Nixon, McGovern and the presidential campaign, is perhaps his best book. Thompson's last column for espn.com was about shotgun golf. A game that he, a gun enthusiast, invented in which one golfer tries to shoot his opponent's ball out of the air. I love that!
My favorite quote of all time from Thompson is, "I hate to advocate weird chemicals, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they always worked for me."
(LAUGHTER)
TOURE: And they did work for him. Thompson was a writer who many tried to copy, but that is impossible because his style is so completely his own. M. O'BRIEN: All right. Quick final thought here, though. His insights were always so canny, and I often wondered how much of the chemical dependence was kind of a put-on. Because if you really were that stoned, you couldn't write that way.
TOURE: Well, I mean, I don't know. If you're constantly in that state, then perhaps you get used to it and being able to write.
I mean, he's very much a post-'60s figure. So, I mean, I don't know how much those guys were, you know, doing something while they were writing. But I think a lot of them were. And it's the classic portrayal of the writer -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: I can't write when I'm stoned that way, although I never tried it. So anyway...
(LAUGHTER)
M. O'BRIEN: All right. Toure, thank you very much -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Circling the drain, Toure.
All right. Serious stuff to talk about ahead.
Mixed signals on Vioxx, pulled from the market because of the links to strokes. The drug could be back in pharmacies. What do you really need to know about the side-effects? That's ahead.
Also, the secret tapes of George W. Bush before he was president. Jus what do they reveal about his feelings on everything from drug use to homosexuality?
And rising tensions between Lebanon and Syria. Will Syria withdraw it's troops? A Syrian official joins us.
Those stories as we continue right here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BOUTHEINA SHAABAN, SYRIAN MINISTER OF EXPATRIATES: ... relationship, and bringing (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to Syria and Lebanon just as it was in Iraq.
S. O'BRIEN: Yes. There's certainly no question that that assassination has raised the tensions. President Bush, who is obviously traveling now, has said that he's going to await the words of a final investigation before he makes an assessment on who was responsible for the assassination. Who do you think is responsible, Syria?
SHAABAN: You know, no wise person could ever assume or think that Syria could be responsible. Syria lost a lot by this assassination. Prime Minister Hariri was a basic part of the solution. Now, the unfolding of events shows that the terrorists attack on al-Hariri is only the first step of a scenario that is targeting the unity of Lebanon, stability of Syria, and the relationship between Syria and Lebanon and the entire world.
O'BRIEN: You seem to hint that you believe it's either Israel or the United States in some things that you have previously said. For example, at one point you said, "The main incentive behind the assassination is a strategic objective of continuous military presence in all of the countries in the region." You talk about the U.S. expedition into Iraq being, you say, about neither freedom or democracy.
Are you saying that you think the United States or Israel was behind that assassination?
SHAABAN: Well, I would like to quote to you what the BBC said two hours after the attack. That the material used and the way the attack is planned is so sophisticated it needs really very advanced, you know, international body to be able to carry out the attack.
On the technical level, neither Syria nor Lebanon can do that. On the political level, Syria is the most badly affected and harmed by the attack. It is no way Syria would ever think of such a thing. It's deeply against the interest of Syria.
But we'll see who has an interest in stabilizing the region. It's not Syria. Syria has the interest in making peace in the region and making stability in the region. It has demonstrated that in reality, and it is reiterating that every day. But others do not want that.
O'BRIEN: If the opposition wins a majority in the upcoming parliamentary elections, and they say, we want this schedule that you talk about of the troops to be moved up, we want them out, we want them out now, if the opposition wins and requests that, will the troops go?
SHAABAN: The troops will redeploy. And there was a plan, and there is a plan for the troops to redeploy. And for the elections, Syria said that we will not interfere in the Lebanese elections.
I think, as I'm telling you, the issue is not here, is not the troops. The issue is not the assassination of al-Hariri. The issue is to take Syria and Lebanon into a very unstable, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) future, and this is what the people in this region fear most.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
S. O'BRIEN: Boutheina Shaaban is the minister of expatriates.
Meanwhile, the United Nations is sending a team to investigate the Hariri assassination -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: The man who invented gonzo journalism is himself gone. We'll look back at the life and the legend of Hunter S. Thompson, reporter who covered the 1972 presidential campaign. Alongside him, CNN's own Bruce Morton will be our guest. That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
M. O'BRIEN: "Question of the Day." Jack's here.
CAFFERTY: Thanks, Miles.
President Bush gets ready for a summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week. Pressures mounting to do something about Russia's increasingly undemocratic behavior these days.
Putin backed the original winner in that crooked election they had in the Ukraine. They did it a second time, they got it right.
This past week he announced he doesn't believe that Iran presents a nuclear threat. They're selling missiles to Syria, they're doing a lot of stuff that's chapping people around the globe.
Senators John McCain and Joseph Lieberman have introduced legislation calling for Russia to be kicked out of the group of eight industrialized democracies. And that's our question, do you think they ought to be shown the door?
Doug in New Jersey, "Russia, though not economically qualified, was invited to participate in the G8 in 2002 with the idea the membership would help foster strong relations and understanding. We all need to continue in that direction and toss in a bit of intelligent diplomacy along the way. Threats and sanctions will not help Russia build its fledgling democracy."
Jim in Alberta, writes, "Russia should not be removed from the G8 group based on Putin's controversial economic polices. His popularity in Russia is at an all-time low, and it appears he may not be in office much longer. Russia is a very important ally in the war on terror."
Ishan writes, "Yes, I definitely believe Russia should be suspended from the G8. The thing that puzzles me is why the world's largest democracy, India, is not part of the G8."
Well, that's not the question. So try to stay on top of it.
(LAUGHTER)
CAFFERTY: And Richard writes from Chicago, "McCain, Lieberman, news report of anti-democratic developments in Russia? Forget about it. All our president has to do is look into Vladimir's dreamy eyes and he'll know the truth about democracy in Russia."
S. O'BRIEN: Look into his eyes.
M. O'BRIEN: You can see his soul. CAFFERTY: Look into his eyes, yes.
M. O'BRIEN: Remember that. Yes. Yes.
S. O'BRIEN: That was good. All right. Good letters.
CAFFERTY: Nothing's going to happen. I mean, nobody's got the -- what do they call them, cajones, to say, by the way, you're out. That's not going to happen.
S. O'BRIEN: I'm sure our Spanish-speaking audience appreciate that.
(LAUGHTER)
CAFFERTY: Well...
S. O'BRIEN: Thank you, Jack. We'll end it there.
M. O'BRIEN: No need to translate. Put it that way.
S. O'BRIEN: That was my point exactly.
A revealing look at the man who would be president. Secretly taped conversations with George W. Bush before he ran for the White House. Mr. Bush's early take on faith and marijuana and gays and government ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired February 21, 2005 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Now there's a question.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: There you are. I don't know if I'd call Vin a thousand times.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Now that should be the "Question of the Day."
CAFFERTY: He actually is pretty cool. I saw him...
S. O'BRIEN: Fabulous.
CAFFERTY: I was watching a movie on cable, I guess, over the weekend. He's pretty good.
S. O'BRIEN: Yes, he's great.
CAFFERTY: I like him.
S. O'BRIEN: And a great guy.
CAFFERTY: Yes.
S. O'BRIEN: Great guy.
M. O'BRIEN: Got the endorsement.
S. O'BRIEN: Thanks, Jack.
CAFFERTY: Sure.
S. O'BRIEN: I liked "The File" today.
M. O'BRIEN: His career is going to skyrocket now.
(LAUGHTER)
(CROSSTALK)
S. O'BRIEN: Ahead this morning, going to take you live to southern California. Serious stories there. Brutal weather beating down on that region. It's threatening homes. Is there a break in sight? A look at that's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
S. O'BRIEN: President Bush in Europe this morning, speak in Brussels and issuing another challenge to Syria and Iran.
Southern California soaked to the bone and watching the hills. Pounding rain making for another dangerous day fighting the elements.
And journalism's greatest outlaw, Hunter S. Thompson, is dead. "Fear and Loathing" on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.
S. O'BRIEN: Good morning. Welcome, everybody. Yes, we got snow. Not too much, though. Just a few inches overnight.
M. O'BRIEN: Mostly slush.
S. O'BRIEN: A lot of slush. It's kind of warm now. Bill Hemmer's got the day off.
Miles O'Brien -- you know, I once called you my brother, Miles, and you realize that people actually thought I was being serious. And so Miles O'Brien, another journalist.
M. O'BRIEN: Notice the resemblance, yes. "Breakfast with the O'Briens" we'll call it.
S. O'BRIEN: Thanks for joining us.
M. O'BRIEN: Yes.
S. O'BRIEN: Nice to have you -- thanks.
M. O'BRIEN: Good to be here.
S. O'BRIEN: Let's get right to our top stories this morning. Heidi Collins has the latest headlines.
Good morning.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Team O'Brien. I guess Collins is out on the end.
S. O'BRIEN: We can make you an O'Brien if you want.
COLLINS: All right. OK, good.
Good morning, everybody.
"Now in the News" this morning, U.S. and Iraqi security forces launching a new offensive against insurgents near Baghdad. The operation under way as a U.S. military convoy came under attack in southern Baghdad. Witnesses say an improvised explosive device blew up and flipped over a Humvee. No immediate word on casualties.
Thousands of people in Beirut, Lebanon, turning out in a mass protest this morning. They're chanting "Syria out" and waving Lebanese flags. The demonstration aimed at Syrian forces in Lebanon, it comes one week after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Some leaders excuse Syria of involvement in the deadly explosion. Syrian officials deny those claims.
The parents of Terry Schiavo will ask a judge in Florida today to delay the removal of their daughter's feeding tube. They're calling for more medical tests.
A court order preventing feeding tubes from being removed expires tomorrow. Schiavo is brain damaged and has been on the feeding tubes since 1990. She's not likely to survive if the tubes are removed.
And in Melbourne, Australia, an investigation under way right now into a suspected gas leak at the city's airport. Some 2000 people were evacuated after dozens complained of nausea, dizziness and shortness of breath. Emergency crews are reopening the main terminals now. They're shut down, delaying, though, hundreds of planes. Officials say some 20,000 people are affected.
S. O'BRIEN: Wow, what a big mess.
COLLINS: Yes, no kidding.
S. O'BRIEN: All right. Heidi, thank you.
In southern California now, brutal storms battering the region are show no signs of letting up this morning. The intense weather, causing landslides and flash flooding throughout the region, is also being blamed for two deaths.
Miguel Marquez is tracking the storm. He's in Laguna Beach, California, this morning.
Miguel, good morning.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you. And we're hearing reports of a third death now from these rains. I want to show you where we are in Laguna Beach, normally a beautiful place overlooking the Pacific Ocean here.
This is what someone's backyard looks like when it slid down a hill and into the street below it. Up above, you can see the hillside covered in enormous sheets of plastic, trying to protect it from the rain that continues to fall. And above that, one of the four houses that is teetering on the brink at this point and has been evacuated. This is just one of the places that has been hit hard over the weekend.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARQUEZ (voice-over): A waterspout just south of Los Angeles, a tornado north of San Diego...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I heard thunder. And then the house started shaking. MARQUEZ: ... a weekend of severe California weather. East of Los Angeles, hillsides poured into backyards as heavy rains turned streets into rivers. In Long Beach, south of L.A., several homes were evacuated. Homeowners slept while the water rose around them.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stepped out of my bed into water.
MARQUEZ: In true California style, rescuers paddled out on surfboards to save a woman who disregarded a barricade and found herself in the deep end.
CAPT. JIM ARVIZU, LONG BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT: When our swift water rescue team got here, the water level was up above her -- right about her neckline.
MARQUEZ: North of Los Angeles, a creek, normally dry, turned into a raging torrent, cutting off a trailer park from all but the determined. Whether from rain or a broken sewer pipe north of L.A., a huge section of road gave way after the earth below it washed out.
In Cerritos, a warehouse became a waterfall after its roof collapsed. This followed the collapse of a roof of a Virgin Record store in Burbank.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MARQUEZ: Now, there have been three deaths that are being reported right now. One a 16-year-old girl in Orange County, another one, possibly a man buried by mud. And a third, a worker who fell into a sinkhole up north of Los Angeles last night. All of this, and rain is still in the forecast.
Back to you.
S. O'BRIEN: What a mess. Miguel Marquez for us this morning. Miguel, thanks.
And, in fact, let's get an update on the weather. Chad Myers is at the CNN Center with the very latest.
(WEATHER REPORT)
M. O'BRIEN: President Bush says fighting terrorism and spreading liberty is not just an American or European strategy but -- we quote him now -- "a cause for all mankind." This morning he is speaking with European leaders in Belgium. Suzanne Malveaux joining us live now from Brussels.
Hello, Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Miles.
This is really billed as one of the two significant speeches that he'll be giving to the European community in his five-day European trip. The president, of course, calling, saying that the friendship between the United States and its European allies is essential. He also said that no power on earth will divide us, specifically saying this is a new era of transatlantic unity.
One of those examples, of course, to help build Iraq, asking for greater help in that area. Also, of course, tough words on some of the hotspot issues on Iran, saying very clearly to Iran that it must end its support of terrorism, not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. Also, as well, a message for Syria, saying that it must get out of Lebanon.
Now, the president also addressed some things that the European audience was looking for. First and foremost, the president talked about the United States' commitment to the Middle East peace initiative.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: When Europe and America stand together, no problem can stand against us. As past debates fade, as great duties become clear, let us begin a new era of transatlantic unity. Our greatest opportunity and immediate goal is peace in the Middle East.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: The president also, of course, addressed what many people were looking for, and that is what is he going to say privately and publicly to Russian President Vladimir Putin? He'll be meeting with Putin on Thursday in the Slovak Republic. Many people concerned about what they see as a slide-back of democratic reforms.
Also, of course, Russia's cooperation and Iran's nuclear program. The United States believes it's a weapons program. Russia says it's an energy program. And also, the sale of missiles to Syria.
President Bush also a direct message to Putin rather delicately, of course, first saying he believes European allies should support Russia's membership into the World Trade Organization, but then a stern message to Putin.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: We recognize that reform will not happen overnight. We must always remind Russia, however, that our alliance stands for a free press, a vital opposition, the sharing of power and the rule of law. And the United States and all European countries should place democratic reform at the heart of their dialogue with Russia.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: And Miles, this afternoon, the president's going to be meeting with one of the harshest critics of U.S. policy when it comes to Iraq, and that is, of course, French President Jacques Chirac. The two will have a private dinner.
On their lists of subjects, of course, some of the shared goals and values, work within Syria, as well as Haiti. But also, they're going to be talking as well -- there's a different approach between the United States and the European Union when it comes to Iran. The European Union wants to offer diplomatic and economic incentives, negotiations for Iran to abandon its nuclear program. The U.S. does not think that that is the right approach -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Suzanne Malveaux in Brussels. Thank you very much.
Author and journalism pioneer Hunter S. Thompson has died. Thompson helped create gonzo journalism, in which writers included themselves in the story. His best-known work was the 1972 book "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."
Family members say it's unclear why Thompson fatally shot himself yesterday. CNN pop culture correspondent, "Rolling Stone" contributor, editor, Toure, joining us with some thoughts on Hunter S. Thompson.
Gonzo is gonzo. It's really a kind of sad moment and end of an era.
TOURE, CNN POP CULTURE CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Yes. I mean, I learned a lot from reading his work.
Gonzo journalism is first person super participatory journalism. Hunter S. Thompson, along with Tom Wolfe, George Plimpton and Norman Mailer, showed us how writers could insert themselves into the story and still inform.
Thompson was not only in the story, he was the center of the story a lot of the time. So in writing about the Kentucky Derby, you get not just the horses, but Thompson at the racetrack bar meeting other derby fans. Or in writing about the Hell's Angels, you get him being beaten up by them, right? Something you'd never see in "The New York Times."
He was the epitome of the "Rolling Stone" writer, the hard- living, hard-partying guy who still delivered a great story. Much of Thompson's work seemed like the late-night ramblings of an old school scribe high on several hallucinogens at once, and he portrayed himself as always drunk and/or high, especially while out on assignment. And yet the sharp observations and clear storytelling was always there.
"Fear and Loathing" on the campaign trail of '72, about Nixon, McGovern and the presidential campaign, is perhaps his best book. Thompson's last column for espn.com was about shotgun golf. A game that he, a gun enthusiast, invented in which one golfer tries to shoot his opponent's ball out of the air. I love that!
My favorite quote of all time from Thompson is, "I hate to advocate weird chemicals, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they always worked for me."
(LAUGHTER)
TOURE: And they did work for him. Thompson was a writer who many tried to copy, but that is impossible because his style is so completely his own. M. O'BRIEN: All right. Quick final thought here, though. His insights were always so canny, and I often wondered how much of the chemical dependence was kind of a put-on. Because if you really were that stoned, you couldn't write that way.
TOURE: Well, I mean, I don't know. If you're constantly in that state, then perhaps you get used to it and being able to write.
I mean, he's very much a post-'60s figure. So, I mean, I don't know how much those guys were, you know, doing something while they were writing. But I think a lot of them were. And it's the classic portrayal of the writer -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: I can't write when I'm stoned that way, although I never tried it. So anyway...
(LAUGHTER)
M. O'BRIEN: All right. Toure, thank you very much -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Circling the drain, Toure.
All right. Serious stuff to talk about ahead.
Mixed signals on Vioxx, pulled from the market because of the links to strokes. The drug could be back in pharmacies. What do you really need to know about the side-effects? That's ahead.
Also, the secret tapes of George W. Bush before he was president. Jus what do they reveal about his feelings on everything from drug use to homosexuality?
And rising tensions between Lebanon and Syria. Will Syria withdraw it's troops? A Syrian official joins us.
Those stories as we continue right here on AMERICAN MORNING.
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BOUTHEINA SHAABAN, SYRIAN MINISTER OF EXPATRIATES: ... relationship, and bringing (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to Syria and Lebanon just as it was in Iraq.
S. O'BRIEN: Yes. There's certainly no question that that assassination has raised the tensions. President Bush, who is obviously traveling now, has said that he's going to await the words of a final investigation before he makes an assessment on who was responsible for the assassination. Who do you think is responsible, Syria?
SHAABAN: You know, no wise person could ever assume or think that Syria could be responsible. Syria lost a lot by this assassination. Prime Minister Hariri was a basic part of the solution. Now, the unfolding of events shows that the terrorists attack on al-Hariri is only the first step of a scenario that is targeting the unity of Lebanon, stability of Syria, and the relationship between Syria and Lebanon and the entire world.
O'BRIEN: You seem to hint that you believe it's either Israel or the United States in some things that you have previously said. For example, at one point you said, "The main incentive behind the assassination is a strategic objective of continuous military presence in all of the countries in the region." You talk about the U.S. expedition into Iraq being, you say, about neither freedom or democracy.
Are you saying that you think the United States or Israel was behind that assassination?
SHAABAN: Well, I would like to quote to you what the BBC said two hours after the attack. That the material used and the way the attack is planned is so sophisticated it needs really very advanced, you know, international body to be able to carry out the attack.
On the technical level, neither Syria nor Lebanon can do that. On the political level, Syria is the most badly affected and harmed by the attack. It is no way Syria would ever think of such a thing. It's deeply against the interest of Syria.
But we'll see who has an interest in stabilizing the region. It's not Syria. Syria has the interest in making peace in the region and making stability in the region. It has demonstrated that in reality, and it is reiterating that every day. But others do not want that.
O'BRIEN: If the opposition wins a majority in the upcoming parliamentary elections, and they say, we want this schedule that you talk about of the troops to be moved up, we want them out, we want them out now, if the opposition wins and requests that, will the troops go?
SHAABAN: The troops will redeploy. And there was a plan, and there is a plan for the troops to redeploy. And for the elections, Syria said that we will not interfere in the Lebanese elections.
I think, as I'm telling you, the issue is not here, is not the troops. The issue is not the assassination of al-Hariri. The issue is to take Syria and Lebanon into a very unstable, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) future, and this is what the people in this region fear most.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
S. O'BRIEN: Boutheina Shaaban is the minister of expatriates.
Meanwhile, the United Nations is sending a team to investigate the Hariri assassination -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: The man who invented gonzo journalism is himself gone. We'll look back at the life and the legend of Hunter S. Thompson, reporter who covered the 1972 presidential campaign. Alongside him, CNN's own Bruce Morton will be our guest. That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
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M. O'BRIEN: "Question of the Day." Jack's here.
CAFFERTY: Thanks, Miles.
President Bush gets ready for a summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week. Pressures mounting to do something about Russia's increasingly undemocratic behavior these days.
Putin backed the original winner in that crooked election they had in the Ukraine. They did it a second time, they got it right.
This past week he announced he doesn't believe that Iran presents a nuclear threat. They're selling missiles to Syria, they're doing a lot of stuff that's chapping people around the globe.
Senators John McCain and Joseph Lieberman have introduced legislation calling for Russia to be kicked out of the group of eight industrialized democracies. And that's our question, do you think they ought to be shown the door?
Doug in New Jersey, "Russia, though not economically qualified, was invited to participate in the G8 in 2002 with the idea the membership would help foster strong relations and understanding. We all need to continue in that direction and toss in a bit of intelligent diplomacy along the way. Threats and sanctions will not help Russia build its fledgling democracy."
Jim in Alberta, writes, "Russia should not be removed from the G8 group based on Putin's controversial economic polices. His popularity in Russia is at an all-time low, and it appears he may not be in office much longer. Russia is a very important ally in the war on terror."
Ishan writes, "Yes, I definitely believe Russia should be suspended from the G8. The thing that puzzles me is why the world's largest democracy, India, is not part of the G8."
Well, that's not the question. So try to stay on top of it.
(LAUGHTER)
CAFFERTY: And Richard writes from Chicago, "McCain, Lieberman, news report of anti-democratic developments in Russia? Forget about it. All our president has to do is look into Vladimir's dreamy eyes and he'll know the truth about democracy in Russia."
S. O'BRIEN: Look into his eyes.
M. O'BRIEN: You can see his soul. CAFFERTY: Look into his eyes, yes.
M. O'BRIEN: Remember that. Yes. Yes.
S. O'BRIEN: That was good. All right. Good letters.
CAFFERTY: Nothing's going to happen. I mean, nobody's got the -- what do they call them, cajones, to say, by the way, you're out. That's not going to happen.
S. O'BRIEN: I'm sure our Spanish-speaking audience appreciate that.
(LAUGHTER)
CAFFERTY: Well...
S. O'BRIEN: Thank you, Jack. We'll end it there.
M. O'BRIEN: No need to translate. Put it that way.
S. O'BRIEN: That was my point exactly.
A revealing look at the man who would be president. Secretly taped conversations with George W. Bush before he ran for the White House. Mr. Bush's early take on faith and marijuana and gays and government ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
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