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CNN Sunday Morning

Six Killed at Off-Road Race; Mosque Flap Follows Obama to Gulf

Aired August 15, 2010 - 08:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everybody. From the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING, 8:00 Eastern Time. I'm T. J. Holmes.

We need to start with a developing story, just a tragic one we are watching out of California, developments still coming in. But an off-road race in the Mojave Desert has resulted in at least six people being killed with one of the vehicles involved in the race plows into a crowd that it just feet away, as you can see, in the video. We will show more of that in just a second.

Also, the picture that a lot of people wanted: the president on vacation in the Gulf, albeit, brief, but he gets in the water. And a lot of people are saying that could have a real impact on the Gulf Coast and on tourism in the Gulf Coast. We'll be talking more about the president's travels, his trip, and where he's headed -- be next.

But, first, let's get to that developing story out of California. Again, the pictures are a bit chilling. This is happening in Lucerne Valley. You see it there in Southern California. But this is an off- road race, a sanctioned off-road ace.

You see the vehicles going by, the crowd here. But the third one that's going to come by, the white one is the one that goes off road. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, everybody off the track! Wave them down! Wave them down!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: You hear the crowd react and hear somebody yelling, "Wave them down," "Wave them down" -- trying to tell the other vehicles that are coming behind to stop because that white one that you saw, it went over a hill, it went into the crowd, killing at least six people, several others were injured.

Now, you maybe looking at this and this does not look like -- this might just look like a bunch of guys getting together on the weekend for some kind of a race, but no, these are sanctioned events by an organization called MDR, the Mojave Desert Racing. And what this was in particular, last night, was a race that started late in the evening, not too late in the evening on the West Coast, but probably after a lot of you went to bed on the East Coast and Central Time.

But it's a seven-hour-plus race. So, these vehicles are on the track for sometime. It's a 50-mile course as described, and these vehicles go around for some four laps. So, you can do the math there, it takes quite a while. But these vehicles are retrofitted so that they can handle these bumps and the off-road races.

These are trucks. These are also buggies that go around the course.

But this one went over one of the hills, which are built into the course, or were meant -- I should say -- to be part of this type of racing. And it plows into the crowd.

Now, the first that jumped out at so many of us when we first saw this video, and probably jumped out at you, these vehicles are going up to 100 miles an hour, and spectators literally are standing so close that all you have to do is take a step or two out and they would be able to touch one of those vehicles. They are right there on top of the course.

This is not something you're used to seeing in racing at tracks, at NASCAR, the Indy Car Series, things you're used to seeing on TV. This is a different kind of racing where tens of thousands -- these are big events -- tens of thousands will show up in the desert and line this 50-mile course and just hangout. You see people in their vehicles out there, hanging out on the back of their trucks, on top of vehicles to watch this.

So, this is a big deal. And there's a culture for this in Southern California.

We talked to one of the people who happened to be at the race last night and described what happened at the scene.

Let's take a listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a sad day for off-road racing. I have been doing it since the early '80s. And this is probably the -- probably the worse accident that I've actually heard in off-road racing.

Typically, it's a safe atmosphere. It's, you know, it is open desert. And, you know, the racing is unbelievably tight and stuff. But, you know, normally, you don't hear about people getting hurt, let alone fatalities.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Yes, it's open desert, but you see the course. It's hard to make out a real course. All you can see is that people are lined along this particular course. Now, we spoke there about safety. It's usually safe. They've never known of something like this to happen.

Even though you see the people standing that close, Josh Levs, they're not supposed to be standing that close?

JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They're not supposed to be standing that close.

I'm going to tell you about the rules in just a moment. But let's take a look at the map behind me. I want to show you something here. I want you all to see where this is taking place in the United States.

Let's zoom right in. We are going to California here. It's in this section. And what we're going to go as we zoom, it's east of L.A., east of San Bernardino.

We're going to go down so you have a sort of parallel view to this area where it takes place, where this race is -- Soggy Dry Lake. That area now -- as T.J. were saying -- it's 50 miles long. And they go around four times.

Now, what we are hearing about this area, "The L.A. Times" describes this as a mecca for off-road racing. And can you see from the terrain why it would be used for off-road racing, why it's so popular for that. There are a lot of races that take place in this area throughout the year.

All right. Let's get to some of that video. I'm going to tell you now about the rules. These are written rules and you can see them for yourself on the Web site, MDRRacing.com.

And look at what some of them say. First of all, it says: Do not spectate within 100 feet of the course. Looking at what we are seeing here, it's clear that these people are way, way within that. Now, exactly how many feet are considered the course, we don't know for sure. But it's clearly seem anyone of them could jump out, lunge to the car and touch it as this going by.

It also says: Spectate only on pit side of course. Now, when we're looking here, we're seeing people on two sides. Does that violate this rule about the pit side? We need to learn about that.

It says: Do not stand or drive on the course. Well, it looks like some folks may be standing on the course at least, at some point, during it.

Do not spectate on the outside of the curve or turn -- is another one of the rules.

Another rule I'll tell you here: Do not park with your lights on and facing oncoming race vehicles.

That's a couple of the many rules there. Now, I'll also tell you that there are a lot of rules surrounding the vehicles that do these trips. They talk about what kind of cages they need to have, what kinds of nets they need to have, safety precautions, certain fire extinguishers onboard, safety harness, these five point safety harnesses that can't be any older than three years from the date of the present race.

There are a lot of rules surrounding this. So, this is not the kind of thing that you hear just sort of happens organically, and people decide they're going to do it and do it. There is an organization here and they do operate.

So, what we have right now are a lot of questions about something like this happens, about who is it up to to enforce certain rules. Are there supposed to be barricades everywhere? Is it up to the people who show up to know what all these rules are and follow them? And also, is there anyone who checks the entire length of the course?

When you have these things that can go on for hours and hours and hours, there are some races that go on for days, literally. This is a 200 because you have 58 miles and they do it four times. So, at some point, maybe barriers come down. At some point, maybe things get closer. We don't know at what times there might be any kind of enforcement that's taking place at these things.

But, where things go from here, as a result of this tragedy, with people dying now, and we're hearing these horrible stories, is a further look into the rules surrounding off-road racing in that area, specifically in the section we were just looking at, where it's so popular. And what needs to be done, T.J., to prevent a recurrence of this kind of tragedy.

HOLMES: All right. And to our viewers, I know it's hard to -- I mean, we are so used to so much racing and so much emphasis put on safety when we talk about racing. But this is a different kind of racing. When you talk about a 50-mile course, you can imagine, it's pretty much impossible to try to put up fencing and barricades, like you see at a NASCAR race or something like that at a 50-mile course. That's not the point. This is a different kind of racing and a different kind of spectator who goes out to have a different experience at these things.

And also, the drivers -- and we have no idea about the drivers who were injured in this particular race -- can be as young as 15 years old in some of these races. They do have to have their parents' consent to race. But still, they're just a totally different of racing, but a popular type of racing, at a different kind of culture there.

So much more to come out of this and so many questions to be answered.

To our Josh Levs, thank you for that breakdown and the locater there as well.

We're not going to go too far away from that story. We'll continue to get updates -- we'll bring it to you as we get it.

Also, our Reynolds Wolf back in Gulf for us this morning, in Gulf Shores in particular -- still doing double-duty for us. Reynolds doing a little weather and also doing a little bit about the Gulf Coast recovery -- a recovery still on schedule in some ways.

REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Absolutely. But it looks like we may be finally going down the homestretch. Looks like the "bottom kill" procedure may be coming up in a couple days, but not without a few delays from tests and maybe a few wrinkles caused by the weather. We're going to have that story for you coming up.

You are watching CNN SUNDAY MORNING from sea to shining sea. See you in a little bit.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Ten minutes past the hour on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

President Obama is hitting the road in a major way this week. Here's a look at his schedule, heading to Menominee, Wisconsin, tomorrow, going to be speaking before a company that makes sustainable energy technology. He's also going to visit Milwaukee for a Democratic fundraiser. And then later, going to Los Angeles for a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee event.

Then, Tuesday, in Seattle, to talk about the economy and creating jobs.

Wednesday, more comments about the economy and a visit to Columbus, Ohio. Later that same day, heading to Florida for some more fundraising.

And after that week, woo, you just need some time off. Yes, the president and his family are going to be taking a vacation, and this time going to be in Martha's Vineyard, I believe, for 10 days or up to 10 days.

Today, though, the president is still in the Gulf region showing everybody, hey, come on in, the water is fine. Took his daughter, Sasha, out into the water and that was the picture people wanted to see. They said it could do wonders, if you will, for the Gulf Coast economy, for tourism down there, the image of the president at least in the water in the Gulf.

Still, that wasn't the biggest story. It turns out our Ed Henry might have been talking to the president about what has become now the biggest story of the weekend.

You know, they know this at the White House, Ed, if you want to get some information out that you don't want everybody to talk about so much, you do it on Friday night. That's the president did on Friday night, talking about this mosque controversy. But this story is not going away.

ED HENRY, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: You're right. I mean, on Friday night, in the White House's defense, they had, you know, a celebration that the president hosted. It just happened to be Friday night, in honor of Ramadan. And so, they thought that was a good point for the president to finally address this mosque controversy.

But you're absolutely right. When you reveal big news like that late on a Friday night, it tends to get buried a little bit in the news on Saturday. But I was able to catch up with the president yesterday here in Panama City and press him just a little bit on, you know, what he thought about what was some real strong reaction, especially from Republicans feeling like he was insensitive. Congressman Peter King of New York charging the president had caved into political correctness by essentially throwing his support behind this project.

The president did not directly say he was behind the project, but he kept saying on Friday that the principle of religious freedom was unshakeable, suggesting that this project should move forward. So, when I asked him about it yesterday, after all of this controversy, he seemed to try to clarify a little bit.

Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HENRY: What do you think about the reaction to your speech about the mosque? What about the reaction to your speech?

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, my intention was to simply let people know what I thought, which was that, in this country, we treat everybody equally, in accordance with the law, regardless of race, regardless of religion.

I was not commenting and I will not comment on the wisdom of making a decision to put a mosque there. I was commenting very specifically on the right that people have that dates back to our founding. That's what our country is about.

And I think it's very important that, you know, as difficult as some of these issues are, we stay focused on who we are as a people and what our values are all about.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENRY: That back-and-forth on CNN has sparked a mountain of stories today, some critics of the president raising questions about whether he was backpedalling a bit when he specifically told me that he had not been commenting Friday night on the wisdom of this particular project. But I can tell you, White House Spokesman Bill Burton put out a statement last night insisting the president was not walking back the comments at all, he's still firmly behind what he said Friday night.

The problem and the challenge for the White House moving forward, though, is that there are going to be a lot of nervous Democrats with those midterm elections coming up, already worried about how the economy is going to play -- all of a sudden having this issue pop up that Republicans are eager to exploit right now, T.J.

HOLMES: OK. Ed, I sense another clarification to the clarification of the clarification because the president is saying there, not commenting on the wisdom. A lot of people going to take that and you could take that to mean, "I'm not saying whether or not this is a good idea or not, I'm just saying they have a right to do it."

HENRY: Right.

HOLMES: And I don't know, do you -- does Bill Burton, the White House spokesman, does his clarification necessarily clear that up?

HENRY: It doesn't necessarily clean it up, because the White House is correct to say that on Friday night, the president did not directly say I endorse this project, this is a great idea, let's do it. But by going on and on about the principle of religious freedom, and basically saying it was a bedrock principle, that it was unshakeable, I think, was the exact word he used. It certainly, at least, implied that he would -- was behind the project. Even if he didn't think it was the greatest thing in the world, he was saying the principle of religious freedom is so unshakeable you got to even support things that you don't necessarily like.

Now he seems to be hedging that ever so slightly, and I think that's what's caused maybe a little confusion. I mean, the other part this is that for a couple of weeks now, the White House has been insisting, "This is a local issue, we're just not going to comment on it." Why, then, did they weigh in now?

They basically say the president had this forum speaking to Muslim-Americans on Friday night and he could hardly ignore it then. And secondly, they say, he realized the politics are bad here, that it's very unpopular, but bottom line is: he does think this is a principle and he's going to stand behind it whether or not people are going to criticize him, T.J.

HOLMES: Yes, when you say, you understand how unpopular -- our own CNN poll showing about 70 percent people oppose having that Islamic center and mosque built so close to Ground Zero.

Ed, buddy, always good to have you with us on a Sunday morning.

HENRY: Good to see you, my friend.

HOLMES: Good to have you, buddy. We'll talk to you again here soon.

We're going to stay in the Gulf region. Our Reynolds Wolf is not too far away from Ed. He's in Alabama, Gulf Shores -- talking to us this morning.

Reynolds, we could, in a week, you and I could be talking about this well-being dead once and for all.

WOLF: I know. I mean, we have been so ready for this day. We have been so looking forward to this opportunity to finally kill this well altogether. And it looks like we've had a few snags due to a tropical depression number 5, which is now onshore in parts of Alabama. It brought some rainfall there.

We may have a few other delays to deal with, and that's plain and simple, due to some interesting developments that took place yesterday. There was a teleconference with admiral, the retired admiral, Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen, where he mentioned, first and foremost, that the game plan is to finish the relief well and then to perform the bottom kill.

The problem is: before we get to that measure, he is issuing an order to BP to conduct some tests about the pressure inside the well, to make sure that it's safe to proceed with the "bottom kill" and the relief well procedure. The results on those tests may come into Monday and Tuesday, and then only after that point that the test come in, if they're favorable, then they can proceed with the relief well drilling and with the bottom kill.

What's amazing about that, you still as well remember that they are going down about 2.5 miles, and the target they have to hit, T.J., is about the size of a dinner plate. It's a very, very small target. So, it's one of those things where they have to kind of stop and go, just edge very, very carefully. It's almost like surgery.

And when they finally get to the point, that's what they're going to inject, that combination of both mud and they're going to inject the combination of cement. And in that point, the well will be considered dead.

However, the weather has got to be perfect. It's certainly wasn't perfect last week when we have the tropical depression 5. Tropical depression 5 is now circling over parts of Alabama. It may actually re-enter the Gulf of Mexico behind me, and there's about a 20 percent chance that it may actually reform and become a tropical depression again, maybe even a named storm somewhere down the line, which could cause even further delays -- last thing we want to deal with.

But in speaking of that tropical depression, it actually brought some oil up along this coastline just a few days ago, but things are relatively clean. We actually have some video that we took yesterday. I didn't take it. The photojournalist (INAUDIBLE) went out there and saw the waves and saw the people out here enjoying the conditions.

And many people are doing more of the same up and down the coast, in places like Florida and back over to Mississippi. In parts of Louisiana, it's fine. But you have to remember, Plaquemines Parish, in places like St. Bernard's Parish, they still have a lot of oil inundated in many of those pristine marshlands. So, that's going to be a problem.

But the people who are able to get out there and enjoy the water, they certainly are, including the president, which is certainly a good thing.

Let's send it back to you, T.J.

HOLMES: Yes, as we saw the president in the water yesterday with his daughter, Sasha. That was off of Panama City Beach. We'll be sharing that picture at some point at this hour as well.

Reynolds, we appreciate you, buddy. You're going to be talking to you about some weather here in a little bit as well.

If I tell you that police are chasing down two escapees and those escapees are wearing black and white stripes, you would probably jump to a natural conclusion -- until you see this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my God!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Yes, not what you were thinking, was it? Two zebras are the escapees. They make a break for it and they just about get away. We will tell you what neighborhood this was taking place in.

It's 19 minutes past the hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Yes Something in black and white stripes escapes, and you are not thinking zebra, you might be thinking prisoner. No, these two things, these were actually pet zebras. I didn't know you could even have a pet zebra.

But they hopped a fence and scaled new heights of popularity though with the local people out there. Look at this - they are celebrating the escaped zebras. But some folks recorded some of the moments on their cell phone cameras. One of our iReporters got some of the video. We appreciate them for it. But this went on for a couple hours actually out in the California area, Sacramento, to be precise.

Our CNN affiliate KTXL, reporter Kathy Paez has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHY PAEZ, KTXL REPORTER (voice-over): For all of you who are wondering -- yes, this was a zebra you saw and, yes, there was a happy ending.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I got one running really far away!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A zebra!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a zebra.

(CHEERING)

PAEZ: After a tense chase around town, it all ended at this El Camino Avenue apartment complex where they safely got the zebra into a trailer. But earlier tonight, people along Fair Oaks, Arden (ph), and Manzanita, to name just a few streets, watched as the zebras gallop along sides and visited neighborhoods.

Deputies thought they finally got things under control at this Carmichael house until it decided it wanted to leave coming straight out towards our photographer, Josh Barr (ph).

After following it around town a little more, deputies got it cornered at the apartment complex. It tried once again to break free but changed its mind after seeing the patrol cars in its path. Then it ended up in the swimming pool.

These deputies could not have guessed as they got dressed for work they would be battling a zebra. After carefully prodding, they got it safely tucked away.

This was its relief owner.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're just taking her home and get her under control in a safe environment.

PAEZ (on camera): She's trying to break free? And where do you say, you were trying to get them out of California? Is that what happened? She got away from you when you guys were trying to move them?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

PAEZ: Where were you trying to move them from?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: From Carmichael.

PAEZ: From Carmichael.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have a good night.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: OK. A few questions about pet zebras, I didn't know you could have pet zebras. I'm sure the officers -- they can catch criminals just fine, zebras something else together. We're told that one of the zebras is doing all right. The other one actually had to be taken to the vet to be checked out. But who knew? I've only seen zebras in zoos and in Tanzania once in a while, but never on the streets.

Well, a sure sign for you that summer is winding down -- you know, you are starting to hear the sounds of the school bells out there. Students across the country are heading back to class. Some already are doing some home work right now about.

So, it's time for us to bring back our Carl Azuz, who has been on the long vacation. He's got some extra credit for you this morning.

It's 24 minutes past the hour. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: All right. Twenty-seven minutes past the hour. It is that time of year, it's back to school time. That means back to Carl Azuz time.

Good to have you back, my man.

CARL AZUZ, CNN STUDENT NEWS: Thanks, T.J. Thanks for having me.

HOLMES: Our CNN Student News, back with us today.

You know, school is getting started, and a lot of scared freshmen out there right now.

AZUZ: They are, but we are going to alleviate their fear.

HOLMES: Really?

AZUZ: We got to put aside, we've got some great advice for incoming high school freshmen. And this is stuff that can be used, you know, for incoming college students and incoming middle students even.

We spoke to a group of 21st century leaders, some of the brightest students in the state of Georgia, and we asked them what sort of advice they'd have for incoming freshman, and the two words we heard often were "time management."

HOLMES: Wow! There. I heard that a lot in college. I don't, but even from younger kids, they have the same thing.

AZUZ: Especially in high school, and now more so than we were in school.

HOLMES: Wow.

AZUZ: Because now, there is more competition for scholarships. In the recession, people looking for financial aid. So, colleges aren't just looking for that high GPA, that 4.0 you had. They're looking for students who had extra curricular activities, students who were involved in band and that sort of thing.

So, that's why it's so important from high school seniors and juniors that high school freshmen know they need to manage all of these things. They need to juggle all these activities.

HOLMES: That is amazing to hear, because you do hear that going into college about managing time. But, now, kids go to balance, whether you're doing a little football, you're doing a little Glee Club, you're doing a little this, a little of that, little band, you got to have all that stuff?

AZUZ: Oh, yes. And I mean, if you want to go even deeper that that, beyond time management, let's talk specifics. Let's see what they had to say. If you're talking to students and you want them to know what the keys are to high school success, listen to this segment and py special attention to the last girl who speaks.

Here it is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)

ALFONZO WASHINGTON, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT: Definitely staying motivated and staying true to yourself. Not trying to get caught up in other people.

SHAUYAN SAKI, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT: Being well-rounded and being on top of everything, and really looking for the future and studying from day one.

ZACH DRAKE, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT: It's all about dedication and hard work. You can have all the skills in the world, but if you don't put them into action, they do you know good.

BRITTANY GRIFFIN, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT: The key to success is getting into as many clubs as possible. I mean, you get to be introduced into so many things, you get to meet new people, you get to know how to interact and you just learn a lot of new skills that you might need in the future.

LINDSAY COHEN, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT: I think the key to success in high school is remembering that high school should not necessarily be the best time of your life and working hard enough that it isn't.

(END VIDEO CLIPS)

HOLMES: What is she talking about?

AZUZ: You got to love that comment!

HOLMES: Oh, my goodness. She's a little too mature.

AZUZ: I thought so too. I was like, what high school student said that, to recognize they're not the best years of your life. But when you think about it, to think that those best years are behind you at age 18, that's pretty pessimistic.

HOLMES: That is brutal. But you do, I mean, that's kind of what people often say about work. I mean, I've heard that response sometimes, "I hate working." Yes, it's work, it's not supposed to be a good time. You're supposed to go to work and do your thing.

AZUZ: Except what we do, this is fun.

HOLMES: This is a good time for the most part.

AZUZ: Being here with you, T.J., is always a good time.

HOLMES: I like the little -- the half little bump you gave me there, and not a full.

But really CNN Student News --

AZUZ: Yes.

HOLMES: -- again for our viewers as a reminder, if you can't remember, we've had him for some time now but you're getting back into it because of -- because kids are back in school. Where can they find out more?

AZUZ: First day back is tomorrow. You can find out all about us at CNNStudentNews.com. You can also catch us starting tomorrow on HLN, 4:00 a.m. Eastern and we are a free downloadable PodCast and iTunes, everything CNN Student News offers is totally free. And we are commercial free on our show as well, so check us out, CNNStudentNews.com.

HOLMES: Yes it won't be long before you all start charging and I know it's coming.

AZUZ: No sir.

HOLMES: It's not going to happen.

AZUZ: We're committed, 21 years commercial free news.

HOLMES: Well, there we go. Carl, it's good to have you back.

AZUZ: Thanks.

HOLMES: It's good to see you buddy.

AZUZ: I appreciate it T.J.

HOLMES: All right, 30 minutes past the hour.

A quick break and we're going to be right back. Stay with us on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Hello there everybody. Welcome back to this CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Thirty-four minutes past the hour.

This video you're seeing is of a tragic accident that took place out in California. At least six people have been killed. This was an off-road place that took place in Lucerne Valley in the Mojave Desert.

Essentially this third vehicle, you see it there, it goes over that hill, plows into a crowd killing six spectators. You see how close they are to the race. They are not supposed to be that close according to the rules of the sanctioning body, the MDR, the Mojave Desert Racing.

Again, at least six people killed, and several more were injured. We are following that story. Developments continue to come into us.

Also President Obama was in the Gulf. He was there to take a quick visit with his family and take a dip into the water, but some of his comments about that proposed cultural center and mosque at Ground Zero are still stirring debate.

The president tried to clarify some remarks that he made -- remarks that he made on Friday at a dinner at the White House saying that they have the right to build that mosque but now the President yesterday saying that in fact, he wasn't endorsing the logic of the particular mosque.

So a little back and forth, the President still clarifying the comments. He's going to be in the Gulf for the next several hours before he and his family head back to Washington.

Also in China, more flooding and still dozens missing in the Sichuan Province (ph). A national day of mourning has been declared after all of this flooding; 1,200 people killed across China, that number is expected to go higher. The flooding may have affected as many as 400 million people by some estimates.

Also we turn to Pakistan now where we have been keeping an eye on the devastating flooding there. The U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki- moon is urging the international community to help the millions of flood victims in Pakistan.

The U.N. Secretary General is in Pakistan to meet with the President and Prime Minister also to take a tour, but our Reza Sayah is live for us in Islamabad. Yes, we're talking about the U.N. Secretary General part of his mission is to have a couple meetings, but he's also trying to draw some international attention.

REZA SAYAH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: No question about it. That's why he is here. I think a lot of international aid groups are in agreement that the aid from the global community has been slow in coming in. And that's why the U.N. Chief is here to draw the world's attention into a situation that's becoming increasingly dire.

It's become clear over the past several days that the situation here is not improving. It's actually getting worse. Mr. Ban arriving today on the flight over; a CNN crew was aboard and the Interior Minister of Pakistan briefed Mr. Ban about the situation here. They used maps to show him the flood areas as they extend all the way from northwest Pakistan to central Pakistan.

One-fifth of this country according to the U.N. is under water. That's the equivalent of the State of Florida under water, and based on the figure of 15 million people at least affected. This is one of the worst natural disasters in recent memory.

Mr. Ban saying this disaster in Pakistan is worse than the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the '05 earthquake here in Pakistan combined and he's here to see the devastation for himself.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BAN KI-MOON, U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL: I have seen many scenes of natural disasters in the past. But this is much more than that. We need the strong and urgent -- we need your support from the international community. (END VIDEO CLIP)

SAYAH: The U.N. meeting with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari as well as the Prime Minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani. He also took a helicopter tour of the flood area. He's making an appeal for the international community to increase aid he's holding another news conference T.J., in about 30 minutes. Look for that appeal to be repeated then as well.

HOLMES: All right, we'll look forward to hearing what he does have to say there. Our Reza Sayah covering the story for us in Islamabad; Reza we appreciate you as always.

Well, coming up at 38 minutes past the hour. Now, getting closer to God from a distance; more and more worshippers are choosing to stay home from church, opting for online sermons instead, like this one that's going on, I believe -- is this one right now? If not, we will show you one that's happening right now.

But yes, that's a live service going on right now. Folks, we're going to be logging on and taking you to church right after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Logging on to worship. Yes, welcome to the digital age where an increasing number of people are including the Internet as part of their religious experience. And online churches are the focus of our "Faces of Faith" this morning.

Take a look here: this is going on right now; this a live service online that's happening online. Yes you can log on and go to church. The pastor or one of the members here says that nearly 100,000 people in 200 different countries visit this particular site.

It's called LiveChurch.TV, it's a Web site they have and that many people visit every single week. And joining us this morning, is Pastor Bobby Gruenewald, he's Innovation Leader at the church, joining me from Oklahoma City this morning to talk about this.

Sir, good morning to you and let's -- let's be clear here. There are a lot of churches out there who have their building and they preach every single day and then they'll put that online for people to be able to see. But we're not talking about that kind of thing with you all?

BOBBY GRUENEWALD, PASTOR, INNOVATION LEADER FOR LIFECHURCH.TV: Yes, absolutely. Thank you T.J. for having us.

And -- and this is actually a little different from that. This is -- you definitely can see a message just like you would see from other churches, but this is an environment we created that allows people to interact, to connect with each other, to -- to chat and with people from all over the world.

So it's very interactive experience that -- that's really is designed to create an opportunity or an environment for people to gather together online for church.

HOLMES: Now, how is this environment -- I guess, how does it compare, if you will, because a lot of people talk about the fellowship you get out of going to a national church building and sitting in a pew next to your neighbor essentially.

So how would you compare the experience, you say, you're creating online versus that experience in an actual church building?

GRUENEWALD: Well, there's definitely some differences. I mean, there -- there are going to be things that you don't have; some of the same types of interactions and some of the face-to-face interaction that you would have in a physical building. What you do get is this global experience where you can actually be chatting and then talking about the -- the message with someone from France and from Indonesia at the exact same time.

So it creates some new dynamics I think that are pretty neat. But it's really -- the focus is really on people, it's not on technology or on content. We're actually excited about creating an environment that actually does connect people together through these interactions they can have online.

HOLMES: Now, we are watching it, and we can leave this picture up for a second of the actual -- I'm not sure what the pastor is doing, he's -- he's putting on a little bit. But still, a live sermon is going on right now. Where is he physically as he is doing this?

GRUENEWALD: He's -- he's that particular service you are watching right now is actually in Oklahoma City is where you're seeing that message come from right now. But we actually have content throughout the video segment that will come from different parts of the world, so -- so it really is something that we put -- kind of put together that's a collection of content from around the world.

But the message you're seeing right now is actually coming from Oklahoma City.

HOLMES: Now, do you find that people and again, I think the right side of the screen where seeing there is where people can interact and put comments up. Do you find that this kind of environment actually works better for some people who might be too shy to reach out if they're sitting in a church or something like that? So this is actually an environment that works better for them.

GRUENEWALD: That's exactly right. And it's part of the reason we designed it because we wanted to create an environment where people could have a new opportunity to interact. And there's some things -- I mean right now, you can, in this environment you can actually talk while church is going on, which is not usually common in a traditional church environment, where you're having a conversation about what is being said while it's happening.

So it actually creates some -- like such new opportunities. But we also wanted to create an environment for people that might be skeptical about church, skeptical about organized religion, about whether church has a role in their life. We felt like this would be a great anonymous way, a non-threatening way for them to come and experience that and explore that in an online context.

HOLMES: And it's hard compare. I don't think it's really fair to do probably to say one is better than the other. But I guess though there's some things -- do you worry that some people might not be paying close enough attention if they're sitting at a computer screen, they could get up and get distracted by other things. They could be sitting there and drinking a Bloody Mary for all we know?

GRUENEWALD: Yes, that's true. Definitely -- there definitely is an opportunity for people to not be as engaged. But I think the tool actually creates more engagement. Sometimes they have been in a physical church environment, I know that people have a tendency to sometimes doze off or to get distracted. Well, in this environment because there is a lot of conversation taking place about what people are experiencing, it actually pulls people in further and gives them more connectivity, more interaction.

HOLMES: All right. Well, I'm going to let you go there. But are you still expanding? Do you think this could possibly be the next wave that could continue to grow and be the next wave possibly of people going to church?

GRUENEWALD: We have seen tremendous growth in the 4 1/2 years that we have been doing it. Like I said, like you mentioned earlier, we see over 100,000 people every week come to 50 different services that we have online. It happens day and night at our Web site, at lifechurch.tv. And it's definitely something we feel like has a lot of growth potential

HOLMES: Well, lifechurch.tv; that is where you can find it. Again, Pastor Bobby Gruenewald with the church; sir, we appreciate you taking the time with us this morning. You enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

GRUENEWALD: T.J., thank you so much. Appreciate it.

HOLMES: All right. Well, coming up here, President Obama, you know, he has been on vacation, a beach vacation, but he is actually -- he steps back into the controversy, the controversy over that proposed Islamic center and mosque near Ground Zero.

We're going to be talking about that and so much more with our Candy Crowley, host of "STATE OF THE UNION". She is coming up for us right after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Ten minutes until the top of the hour. Always proud here to be the warm-up act for "STATE OF THE UNION WITH CANDY CROWLEY" that's coming your way at the top of the hour. Candy good morning. Just first of all, how are you doing this morning?

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN HOST, "STATE OF THE UNION": I am great this morning. First of all, it's cooler in Washington. And second of all, I get to talk to you.

HOLMES: Well, this is always one of the highlights of the morning. But help us, maybe you can, we need some clarification to the clarification of the clarification now.

The President on Friday stepped into it, this controversy over that proposed Islamic center and mosque. Let me start, first of all, did he or didn't he, I guess, say he supports the building of the mosque or their right to build the mosque? What was it necessarily?

CROWLEY: Well, let me see if I could -- listen, it seems to be -- look, the White House says he said the same things both times. But I think where the nuance came in, if you will, that's one of the words for it, is that the President explained that when he talked at the White House Friday night, he was standing up for the principle of freedom of religion, and the ability to assemble on private property and that kind of thing.

Everyone took it -- he did not flatly say I want -- I support them building it here. He just said this is freedom of religion. He sort of seemed to back off, and then that set off a flurry of activity from the White House. They came back and he said no, he said the same thing all along. But it does seem to be that the President articulated a principle but did not totally get into the specifics of this particular site saying, we'll that's a local issue. But we'll -- you know, maybe a distinction with very little difference.

HOLMES: Why would he want to get into it now after for the past several weeks they kept saying local issue, staying away from it? Why now?

CROWLEY: I can only tell you what the White House says and they told our Ed Henry among others that once Mayor Bloomberg came out and supported the idea of the mosque and Islamic center being built there that the President felt free to go ahead and do it. And once the local commissions had decided it was ok to build there, now that they decided that he wanted to speak out.

HOLMES: Well, the President is well -- I mean what kind of a fine line is this for him in trying to navigate this particular issue now, an issue that is certainly an emotional one for not just New Yorkers but the whole country in this heated political time, at a time when, I mean in this day and age some people out there in polls still believe the President is a Muslim in some cases as well? How does he navigate this very sensitive issue now and how will it play out politically?

CROWLEY: Well, first of all, I think the people that you're seeing in the polls who still believe the President is a Muslim will not change their mind. So I think, that's just sort of a group -- they have to say, no matter what I do, get in or get out, they are going to believe that.

The White House says the President wanted to stand on this principle of the religious freedom and et cetera, et cetera. And I think when you look at -- look this is a huge firestorm and the President is totally running against popular opinion at this point. Republicans, Democrats, Independents, majorities of them on our latest poll were opposed to this particular site being used for a mosque so near two blocks away from Ground Zero in New York.

Having said that, listen, it still does not compare to 9.5 percent unemployment when it comes to the politics of things. That's what they will carry into November. And while this is going to take up some time in some air space and all of that, I just don't think it's what voters are going to vote on in Peoria when they go in November.

HOLMES: Well, I know you are going to talk about that a bit coming up at the top of the hour. But also, we are talking about what can possibly get done in the fall agenda; you talk about the economy there. So what do you have coming up? What are you going to be talking about today?

CROWLEY: Well, we have to talk about, specifically, the New York thing. We have Congressman Peter King, Congressman Jerry Nadler; both of them talking about, both of them from New York, obviously talking about something that is -- if it's emotional for us, even more emotional for those in new York.

But then Kevin McCarthy, Republican Chris Van Hollen, both of them leaders in the efforts -- political efforts on the Democratic and Republican sides to try to keep their guys and put new guys into office this fall.

And then we're going to talk about the weather with a NASA scientist, Tom Wagner, who has been sort of tracking what is going on here. So we are going to talk to him about what's actually going on here. What it means for future building and that kind of thing, what we should be preparing for.

HOLMES: Great topic with all of the catastrophes, quite frankly, we have been seeing.

CROWLEY: Crazy, yes.

HOLMES: Candy, thank you so much. Always good to see you and we'll see you at the top of the hour.

(CROSS TALKING)

HOLMES: All right. And, of course, both "STATE OF THE UNION" with our Candy Crowley starts at the top of the hour, in just about six minutes from now, 9:00 Eastern, and 6:00 Pacific, right here on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: As we get close to the top of the hour, let's check in with Reynolds Wolf in the Gulf Coast for us once again. It has been kind of questionable down there, some of the weather you have been getting and you've been reporting down there. REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Absolutely, man. We've been seeing some scattered showers right here; actually remnants of tropical depression number five which actually caused some delays with the "bottom kill" operation.

Let's go right to the radar and show you the, really the splash of showers we have mainly offshore at this time, maybe even south of I-10. We might see those circle backs so expect a rainy day possible along parts of the coast.

As we advance the maps, we're going to be showing you the national perspective is basically, another hot day with a few scattered storms, possibly -- it looks like most of the best chance for clear weather is going to be in the eastern half of the Great Lakes. So, Buffalo look out; for you in Cleveland, same story. Perhaps even as far south as (INAUDIBLE) and the Buck Eyes; be prepared, thunder boomers for you, especially by late in the afternoon.

The heat's going to continue back from Austin, Texas if you're taking that walk on 6th Street today, it's going to be very hot for you, very warm times if you can't stay inside.

Las Vegas, out on the Strip, 108 the expected high, 82 in Denver. Anyone making that drive from Jackson, perhaps up to the Grand Teatimes and maybe over to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, it's going to be beautiful. Temperatures in the 70s; 75 in Billings; 89 in Seattle; 58 in San Francisco; and 81 in Los Angeles. Tampa, it's going to be warm for you, maybe a stray shower in the afternoon might help things cool off.

In New York and Boston mainly some (INAUDIBLE) 80s, Washington, D.C. 86; a humid day along the Potomac; Raleigh, 91, and Dallas again back in the 100s. It's going to be very, very warm for you in parts of the center of the U.S., mainly the Central Plains, on the Gulf Coast through the weekends.

So just keep that in mind and into next week more of the same. All right. You are up to speed. T.J., let's kick it back to you my man.

HOLMES: Reynolds, we appreciate you, as always, buddy. Appreciate you doing the double duty there in the Gulf Coast once again. We will see you back here in Atlanta, soon, buddy. Thanks so much.

WOLF: You bet.

HOLMES: Before I hand this thing back over to Candy Crowley, just reminding you, a developing story we will be updating you on throughout the day here on CNN. The tragedy out in San Bernardino County where a race -- off-road race in the Mojave Desert ended in tragedy; 6 people dead after one of the vehicles in the race -- this white one you see go by right there goes over a hill and into the crowd killing at least six, several others were injured. We will follow that developing story all day here on CNN. Right now, we hand it over to Candy Crowley in "STATE OF THE UNION".