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CNN Talkback Live
Search for Maryland Sniper Continues; Charles Barkley Speaks
Aired October 09, 2002 - 15:00 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.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ARTHEL NEVILLE, HOST: Hello, everybody, and welcome to TALKBACK LIVE. I'm Arthel Neville.
A tarot card, shell casing and note tantalize police desperately searching for the Beltway sniper, but police Chief Charles Moose is ticked off at the media. We'll start with a live report. Then stay tuned to find out how the sex scandal in the Catholic Church is changing the way Little League Baseball looks at its coaches.
First, let's check in with CNN correspondent Kathleen Koch in Montgomery County, Maryland.
And, Kathleen, a lot of activity in that area today. If you would, give us the latest.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, first I'll off touch on what you did.
And that was the angry tongue lashing that the media got from Montgomery County police Chief Charles Moose this morning. He was simply lived when he learned that it had been leaked that apparently a tarot card which law enforcement sources described to CNN as bearing the symbol of death, a skeleton on horseback, was found on the site of the shooting in Prince George's County on Monday.
Now, police will say only that there is nothing -- they can't confirm at this point whether or not it was left by the killer, simply that it was found there. But police Chief Moose said that it was borderline interference in the investigation. And he says, because of this leak now, that law enforcement authorities have had to change the way they process evidence, that they've had to tighten up their procedures. Angry as he was, though, he said it has slowed, but it has not stopped the investigation.
Another step forward in the case: The shell casing that was also found in Prince George's County, Maryland, it has turned out that it was ammunition the same as has been used in the other cases, .223. So that's another small step forward.
A big development today was a search, a huge search that took place south of here, also in Prince George's County, in an area called Ft. Washington, Maryland, where apparently a resident saw a man wearing a dark blue hat and a dark blue jacket go into some woods. But the thing that caught her attention, he was carrying a large black or a large dark bag.
So she called authorities. And for several hours, dozens of police officers swarmed over those woods, searched them thoroughly and really turned up nothing. And, Arthel, what we're hearing from residents there is that apparently, in the last few days, some surveyors have been in the region. And they carry their tripods in similar dark blue bags.
But it was just yesterday in Prince George's County that authorities laid out a number of bags, not only perhaps surveyor bags, rifle bags, even instrumental cases, trombone cases, things that they think that the killer or killers might use to hide the gun when they're transporting it to or from wherever they're carrying it from, from a home or from an apartment into a vehicle -- Arthel.
NEVILLE: Kathleen Koch, thank you very much for the update.
And with us now is CNN law enforcement analyst Mike Brooks. Mike is a former Washington, D.C. police detective. Also with us is forensic psychiatrist Dr. Helen Morrison. She is the director of the Evaluation Center, a diagnostic treatment center in Chicago.
I want to welcome both of you to the show.
DR. HELEN MORRISON, FORENSIC PSYCHIATRIST: Thank you.
MIKE BROOKS, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Thank you, Arthel.
NEVILLE: To Mike Brooks, I want to start with you.
Police found the tarot card, the shell casing, and discovered that a portion of the grass near that wooded area had been flattened by what looks like a full-body impression of maybe someone who had been laying there for a while.
BROOKS: Right.
NEVILLE: If you would, what do you make of all these pieces?
BROOKS: Well, again, it's just some possible evidence.
We're not really sure -- law enforcement is not really sure if the tarot card was placed there by someone after the incident happened or if it was placed there by the gunman. It's yet to be determined. So, again, it was leaked to the press by someone in either Prince George's County or Montgomery County Police Department or one of the federal agencies that's involved in the investigation.
But right now, it's still a little bit early to tell whether it is connected or not. There are no fingerprints. They have no fingerprints to connect anything that could have been on the card, any of the evidence that could have been in that area. But they did find a shell casing in that same general vicinity. So it would lead people to speculate that it could possibly be associated with the gunman.
NEVILLE: And, Dr. Morrison, from your perspective, what do you make of all of these pieces? And, as Mike was saying, listen, we don't even know if this tarot card was placed there by a prankster or not.
MORRISON: No, we don't. But, again, it's a piece of information that's come to light in this investigation. Odd that, of course, it would be addressed to someone called, "Dear, Mr. Policeman." It sounds more as if a child could have written that.
But the card of death itself, I think, is being misunderstood. The tarot card of death is one of the reaper. And this can be both the individual who is choosing to lead to death or is a harvest individual, a person who is using his sickle to do a harvest. So, what that card means -- it's associated in astrology with a Scorpio -- nobody can say. But we're looking at that.
NEVILLE: And at the same time, Doctor, we don't know who put the card there.
MORRISON: Not at all.
NEVILLE: Moving on, though, I wanted to ask you about the psyche of the public. Is it more damaging for an attack to happen every day or this sporadic shooting?
MORRISON: The sporadic, intermittent type of behavior is always more difficult to manage.
For example, if you're in a situation where you know you're going to get beaten every day, you can almost handle that better than having two or three days of no problems and then a sudden surge of a problem.
NEVILLE: Interesting.
What do you think it says about this killer or person, persons, that nothing has happened in the last couple of days?
MORRISON: Well, I think the individual is doing what they did before, which is taking a bit of a break, reading the media, reading whatever is going on outside, and perhaps involved in his own things, and is not going out to take the time to go after other individuals.
NEVILLE: And, Mike, what do you think about this?
BROOKS: It could also have something to could with the large police presence. There are a lot of police out on the streets.
People were commenting yesterday on yesterday's show that they've seen a larger police presence in and around Montgomery County, Prince George's County, D.C. And I think that could possibly could be it, as part of the preventive, kind of proactive measures that the police officers, that the police departments are taking right now.
NEVILLE: Dr. Morrison, did you want to add something?
MORRISON: Yes.
It also could be another way that he's using the time lag to lead to increasing terror and fear on the part of the public.
NEVILLE: Listen, I have to take a break right now.
But, as you heard Kathleen Koch say earlier, police Chief Moose says, "Back off" to the media. We're going to hear why. Also, later in the show, you can talk to Sir Charles. He has a new book. And you'll want to hear what he has to say, because it's always controversial, interesting.
Give me a call at 1-800-310-4CNN or e-mail TALKBACK@CNN.com.
Don't go anywhere. TALKBACK LIVE continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NEVILLE (voice-over): Right now on TALKBACK LIVE: Police Chief Charles Moose loses patience with the media.
CHARLES MOOSE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE CHIEF: Retired law enforcement people that have not been privy to the details or any of the information of the case, if you want Channel 9, if you want "The Washington Post," if you want CNN to conduct this investigation, let me know.
NEVILLE: Is media attention interfering with the Beltway sniper investigation?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NEVILLE: And welcome back to TALKBACK LIVE, everyone. I'm Arthel Neville.
The police chief in Montgomery County, Maryland, has had it up to here with profilers, analysts and former investigators trying to piece the sniper investigation together in the media. Chief Charles Moose is also none too happy with reporters and let them have it during one of his news conferences.
Let's listen in.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOSE: I beg of the media, let us do our job. If the community wants you to do it, they will call today and we will have a vote. And if it's decided that Channel 9 is going to investigate this case, then so be it. So be it. I don't think that's going to happen. And I beg my community to make their voices heard, because I am convinced that we're approaching interference. And interference is unacceptable.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NEVILLE: OK, now, Charles Moose, he is upset, because, apparently that tarot card that we were reporting about earlier, that information was leaked to the press.
And, Mike Brooks, that was leaked to the press by someone in their department. So the question is, how could Chief Moose get upset with the press for reporting it? Apparently that person did not say: "Listen, this is what happened. We have a new lead, but hold off on reporting it," because, as you know, the police and the media do work in concert sometimes.
BROOKS: Right, on a regular basis.
NEVILLE: Exactly.
BROOKS: I think, right now, Chief Moose is tired. He's probably very fatigued, extremely frustrated. And I think this was his lashing out, his coping mechanism, because many, many times, a police chief, a public information officer will take the media aside, off of camera, and say: "Look, we have got some information. We don't want you to release this right now because it really will hamper the investigation."
That could have been done at this time. It could have been done. I think he was lashing out in particular at one of the TV stations in Washington, D.C.
NEVILLE: WUSA, Channel 9.
BROOKS: WUSA, Channel 9, that actually broke the story last evening and came out with this. And they were able to confirm it, though, apparently through law enforcement sources.
So, you know, I think he has to also take a look at the leaks within his own department, within Prince George's County, and possibly the federal agencies, because there's many things. There are some things I know about this particular investigation that I'm not going to bring out, because I don't think it's the time nor the place to air this kind of information.
NEVILLE: Sure. Sure.
BROOKS: But I can see his frustration. I've been on the other side of that for many years, 26 years with the metropolitan police, many cases on the terrorism side, in other cases, where you say the media might -- you know, all the time, with Joe Gentile and Chief Ramsey, wanting information, because they want to know.
The public also wants to know. The public will say: "Well, we want law enforcement to do their job. The media ought to back off." But they'll be the first ones to say, when the information isn't given to them, "What's going on?" And a lot of the information that is given to them by the press is for their own good. It's to help them and for their own safety.
And I think you have to draw -- it's a fine line to walk between the media and law enforcement. But we work together on a regular basis. And I think we'll continue to do that.
NEVILLE: OK, listen, I want to go to Minnesota right now, where Chris is standing by on the phone.
Go ahead, Chris. What do you have to say about all of this?
CALLER: Good afternoon.
Well, I agree that, in some instances, the press is valuable in helping the police, such as the recent kidnappings we've had across the country, I just feel at this time the press could be hurting the investigation concerning the sniper. And I'm personally tired of hearing of the tarot card. And until this is proven that this actually was found, we don't know for sure.
I think the police chief is right about what's happening in the press, and that they're not the investigating body, and let the police and the FBI do their jobs.
NEVILLE: OK, Chris, thank you for calling in.
And I have Katherine here.
What do you say?
KATHERINE: I agree with the caller and I agree with Chief Moose. There is certain information that we do not need to have as the general public, that we need to be told pertinent things, but not every single fact.
NEVILLE: Right.
Now, what do you say to the police officer or officers who leaked that information to the press in the first place regarding the tarot card?
KATHERINE: Shame on him.
NEVILLE: Let's see what your husband says.
Sir, what do you say?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In part, I disagree.
I think to reveal profiled information or specific information would not be relevant. However, I do believe that the information about the card is relevant, in that someone might have witnessed him practicing shooting at a card, such as that one. And it could have his initials on there trying to tantalize the police.
NEVILLE: Interesting. Thank you very much.
Let's see, I also want to talk about -- Chief Moose had something to say about profilers and police analysts, people like you, Mike and Dr. Morrison, coming out, talking about this case on the air.
Let's listen to what he had to say regarding that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) MOOSE: I would hope that those police professionals would realize that maybe they don't live here. Maybe they don't have children that live here, and so it's all fun to be on television. But maybe they need to come here, live here, sit outside and have coffee. And then let's see how open they'll be to ranting and raving and calling the suspect or the suspects names.
If they're putting people in this community at risk so that they can have the pleasure of being on TV, it is so sad.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NEVILLE: Dr. Morrison, I'd like to hear your response.
MORRISON: Well, I do television. I wouldn't say it's all fun. But I will say that, if it weren't for the capacity to spread information to the public, this whole program, such as AMBER Alert, would not exist. The fine line, obviously, is to use information that's available and not to jeopardize an investigation.
But, as you've pointed out, it wasn't the profilers. It wasn't the commentators who were saying: "Guess what? We found this tarot card." It was in their own police department. And if, just by chance, one individual thinks, "You know, this reminds me of what such-and-so did; maybe I should call someone," then it's worth it.
NEVILLE: Dr. Morrison, let me pop up an e-mail here coming in right now I want to share with everybody. It's from Hal in South Carolina. He says: "Moose needs to get off backs of the media and get to work. There's a killer that needs catching."
And, Mike Brooks, I want to get your response to Chief Moose's comments.
BROOKS: Well, again, I think it's a lot of frustration. And it sounds like it was focused at maybe one particular person who may have made some comments about the unknown victim -- or the unknown perpetrator on a particular television show.
You know, I -- as a talking head, as he calls us former law enforcement professionals, I have a cousin that goes to Tasker Middle School. My mother still lives in the Washington metropolitan area. I live in Atlanta now. And I'm concerned because my friends and my former colleagues are still working out there. And they're still also possibly victims of this perpetrator.
And I'm very guarded about what I say, as are most of the other law enforcement professionals who deal in television. Bo Dietl was on yesterday. He is an extremely gifted professional in what he does now, excellent detective in what he used to do. There's a lot of us out there that are analysts and talk about what goes on. But we are very guarded in what we have to say.
And, you know, we try not to speculate. Every time that we are talking about things, I'll say it's pure speculation.
NEVILLE: Absolutely.
BROOKS: And that's one of the things we have to be careful about. There are some news agencies -- and I do admit that sometimes they run with a story before they get all the facts. During the Chandra Levy case, there was a report that they found bones. There was one news agency that says they found human remains in Rock Creek Park. It was totally wrong.
So I think it's a responsibility also on the media, because the media also has to be fair, balanced and objective.
NEVILLE: Listen, Mike Brooks, Dr. Helen Morrison, I want to thank both of you for joining us here on TALKBACK LIVE today.
Excuse me, Robert.
We do have to take a break right now.
And next up: Little League Baseball orders background checks. We're going to ask the organization's president who and what they're looking for.
TALKBACK LIVE continues after this break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NEVILLE: And welcome back, everybody.
Under a new policy, all Little League managers, coaches and volunteers will be checked to see if their names show up on state lists of convicted sex offenders and possibly have deeper background checks done on them. It's the first time the league has ordered mandatory screening.
And here to explain why it's happening now is Little League President Stephen Keener.
Welcome, Mr. Keener.
STEPHEN KEENER, PRESIDENT, LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL: Hello, Arthel.
NEVILLE: This is a great idea. Tell us why now.
KEENER: Well, why now?
Really, technology will allow us to do it now. In 42 states, sex offender registries are available online and free of charge. So in the remaining eight states, Little League programs will be required to do the full criminal background checks. But we believe that this issue is certainly in the public mind today. And because the technology will allow us to do it in a cost-effective manner and an efficient manner, it's the right time to do it.
NEVILLE: Now, Mr. Keener, if you could -- I'm sure parents have a lot of questions regarding this whole process -- give me some of the more frequent questions that they ask and give me some brief answers.
KEENER: Well, the question is, you know, who is going to pay for it? We're cash-strapped as it is to run a local Little League program. But we believe that the minimal cost when a background check is done is a cost that certainly can be incurred by the individual who wants to be a volunteer coach.
NEVILLE: And it's only, what, about $18?
KEENER: It ranges in a number of states.
NEVILLE: From like $5 to $18?
KEENER: But $5 to $18, right. It's certainly not a real cost burden.
NEVILLE: I have some more questions, but I want to take a phone call now from Eric, who is standing by on the phone in Iowa.
Go ahead, Eric.
CALLER: Yes.
I think, honestly, this stuff needs to happen, because these kids are our future. And God forbid something bad happens to our children, you know, just because a background check couldn't be done. It's not that expensive to do. These guys are playing with our kids. And state-certified baby-sitters and so on and so forth, they have to have mandatory background checks to become this way.
This is something that needs to happen. These are our future. I would feel very bad if something happened to my 6-year-old son who plays Little League and gets molested or something just because some guy 15 years ago got molested and I couldn't fork up $18 to pay for a background check.
NEVILLE: Eric, thank you very much for calling in.
And I have Margie here in the audience.
MARGIE: Hello.
NEVILLE: Hi.
MARGIE: Hi.
I come over from England. And we've just had Jessica and Holly murdered. And, allegedly, the caretaker of the school did this crime. And I wholeheartedly agree with everybody in contact with children should be checked.
NEVILLE: Thank you very much for standing up and speaking out.
Again, Mr. Keener, I mean, you were talking about a lot of things here. One issue I want to cover with you is that, are you saying that no former criminal can work with these kids or only sex offenders? KEENER: Well, the new regulation effective for the 2003 season will state very clearly that anyone convicted of a crime involving a minor will be precluded or prohibited from being a volunteer in the local Little League program. So whether it's a crime of a sex offense or physical abuse or some other crime which would deem that individual unfit to volunteer to coach or be involved in a Little League program is who this regulation would cover.
NEVILLE: OK, now, this is all going to start for the 2003 season. But what happens if I had a coach, first of all, or a volunteer, somebody who has already been a part of the league now for 15 years, will they be subjected to the background checks now?
Or the second part of the question is, what if there is someone who came in from another state? He has now moved to my state. What do we do? Do we get the background check transferred from state to state? How does that work?
KEENER: Well, to answer your first question, the regulation applies to everyone. No one is excluded from having the check done. So whether you've been a Little League manager for one year or 25 years, the regulation will require that everyone be screened.
Secondly, we're going to institute the mandatory use of a Little League volunteer application, which will ask for appropriate information from the volunteer, including -- it will also include the submission of a government-issued identification, a driver's license or some other I.D., so that the most current address can be checked.
It's my understanding -- and I'm certainly no legal expert -- but in the states that have the sex offender registries, the convicted sex offender is required to register in that particular state within a certain time period after taking residence there. So the application will provide the information that the league will need in order to complete the check. And we don't think they'll have to go back through other previous residences.
However, it will also ask for references. And we certainly encourage those references to be checked as well.
NEVILLE: I understand.
Stephen Keener, thank you very much for joining us.
And up next, the man who is not afraid to call it like he sees it speaks out from everything from Little League to war in Iraq.
So get those phones going, send those e-mails, and get ready to talk back to Charles Barkley next on TALKBACK LIVE.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(NEWS ALERT)
NEVILLE: And welcome back, everybody. Right now I would like to welcome a new addition to CNN and TALKBACK LIVE. Say hello to Charles Barkley. He will be a contributor to CNN, and this show, in particular.
Charles has a new book. It's called, "I May Be Wrong, But I Doubt it." It has major attitude, of course.
And, Charles, welcome. Nice to see you again.
CHARLES BARKLEY, TALKBACK LIVE CONTRIBUTOR: What's up, girl? How you doing?
NEVILLE: I am great. We're going to get right to it. I know you just heard us talking about the background checks for the little league volunteers, right? I just wanted to know what do you think about that idea?
BARKLEY: Well I think that's just a no-brainer. I think anybody who is working with kids you've got to check out everything about them. And with all the technology we have available today, I mean we should be able to find out everything about anybody.
NEVILLE: And you also know what's on everybody's minds, particularly the folks living in the Maryland area. These sniper shootings, wondering if you had any thoughts you want to share with us on that story.
BARKLEY: Well, I think the number one thing, it just makes you sad. Because to know that there's a person capable of doing that, as a human being, you just feel like, I can't believe somebody that's living in my country and my world is that evil. So I just feel great sadness.
NEVILLE: Hey, listen, OK, so the name of your book, "I May Be Wrong, But I Doubt It," it's a little cocky title, by the way, Charles.
BARKLEY: Well, I'm a little cocky.
NEVILLE: Yes? I think so. A little bit?
OK. So what do you talk about in this book? You talk about everything. Give us an idea what you talk about, and who do you think will read this book?
BARKLEY: Well I think the book is really good. And I'm saying that -- I had a great guy writing it for me: Mike Wilburn (ph). We just talk about life. I talk about not graduating from high school and how bitter I was for a long time because they did not let me graduate.
I was bitter at my father. And I just talked about I wasted all that time and energy being mad at my high school and being mad at my father. And I didn't enjoy the first few years of my career because I was...
NEVILLE: Charles, why do you say they didn't let you graduate from high school?
BARKLEY: Because I flunked Spanish.
NEVILLE: Porque?
BARKLEY: I don't know why the hell I was taking -- I don't know why the hell I was taking Spanish in the first place.
NEVILLE: Hey, you know it's very good to have a foreign language as something that -- I actually wish that here in America that, unlike over in Europe, that it became mandatory a second language when you're eight years old. That's how you really learn a second language.
BARKLEY: Well, I think it's good to learn a second language. But I just was mad because I had accomplished a lot of great things in high school. But not to graduate, I was so bitter and angry.
And I actually went and watched the whole ceremony from next door. And it was -- and I was just mad. I just wanted to be successful to prove to all those people and stick it to them.
NEVILLE: Right. But at the same time, Charles those were the rules. The rule was you had to take Spanish, you had to pass it in order to graduate.
BARKLEY: Well I didn't have to take it. I was just stupid enough to take it.
But the thing I wanted to talk about in the book was I spent all of that time being angry at my father and being angry at my high school, and it was unnecessary, because that's the point I want to make: it was my fault.
NEVILLE: Yes, anger is not a good thing. It's bad for the soul, right? We're going to move on now.
Harry Belafonte let everyone know what he thinks of Secretary of State Colin Powell during an interview on KFNB (ph) radio in San Diego. Let's listen to what he said.
(BEGIN AUDIO TAPE)
HARRY BELAFONTE, SINGER: There's an old saying in the days of slavery: There are those slaves who lived on the plantation and there were those slaves who lived in the house. You got the privilege of living in the house if you served the master. Colin Powell is permitted to come into the house of the master.
(END AUDIO TAPE)
NEVILLE: OK. That is the quote from Mr. Belafonte. And wanted to know, Charles, if you had any response to that at all.
BARKLEY: Well, it's unfortunate, because I have -- I love Colin Powell. He's one of my heroes. He's somebody I really admire. I honestly have great respect for Mr. Belafonte also.
I think one of the things I talk about in the book is black people, we should not -- just because we disagree with each other, we shouldn't make one right or one wrong. It's all right to be different, to have our own opinions. Just because Mr. Powell is a Republican, that does not make him bad. We, as black people -- one of the things I say is we are never going to be successful because of stuff like this. We treat each other so bad.
It's not always -- I guess he's referring to the white man. Everything bad that happens to black people is not the white man. We treat each other like crap.
Until we address our own problems, which is black on black crime, teenaged pregnancies and single parent homes, we're never going to be successful. And it's not fair for whites and people or black people to get mad at each other because we disagree.
Mr. Powell happens to be a Republican. I could care less who is a Republican and who is a Democrat. And until we as black people especially -- one of the things I talk about, I don't feel like I have to speak for poor black people, poor white people and Hispanics, because those are three groups I feel like get treated like crap in this country.
But what happens is they make us pick and choose, like now this is going to be a big deal, them criticizing each other. And it doesn't solve anything. But I admire Colin Powell.
And just because -- you know, one thing in the black community when black people started trying to be successful, a lot of black people resent them. They treat them bad. And that's wrong.
NEVILLE: OK. Listen, Charles, I have to take a break right now. And by the way, everyone else, you will get a chance to spar with Charles. After this, I have some people in the audience with questions or comments for you, Charles.
TALKBACK LIVE continues in a moment. Don't go anywhere.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NEVILLE: And welcome back, everybody. I'm Arthel Neville. We're talking with TALKBACK LIVE's new contributor, Charles Barkley. Hey, Charles, I have several audience members who want to ask you a couple of questions, starting here with James (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, Charles. The movie "Barbershop" is out and a number of black leaders have been saying that Rosa Parks and, of course, Martin Luther King, have been stepped on. I would like to know have you seen the movie? And I would like to know when do we separate reality from comedy?
BARKLEY: That is an unbelievable point. I did go see the movie. I saw it the first day it was out because a couple of my friends are in the movie.
I wish they hadn't said anything about Rosa Parks because she is somebody I really admire. But I think you have to really -- your point is well taken. See, that's what we all talk about, political correctness. I think we have to be smart enough to decipher between what's comedy and what's serious.
And so I had no problem with the movie. I wish they hadn't said the thing about Dr. King or Rosa Parks. But I'm smart enough to know that it's just comedy.
NEVILLE: OK. And we have Susan (ph) from Alabama.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, this is really exciting that I get to speak with you. I wish it could be in person. I would like to know what ties you still have with your home town, especially since I just learned that you were really upset about not getting your high school diploma at that time?
BARKLEY: Well I got over that. It took me a long time to get over that. But as far as my ties to my home town, this is one of the things that I talked about...
NEVILLE: Lees (ph), Alabama.
BARKLEY: That's it, baby. One of the things I talked about, I gave my high school $1 million -- I'm giving them $1 million. I'm giving my college $1 million. And I'm giving another inner-city school in Birmingham, Cornerstone (ph) schools, I'm giving them $1 million over the next few years.
As far as my hometown, right now I'm in the process of buying 10 houses and renovating them. Because I think that if kids live in a good neighborhood and don't have the rundown, abandoned and beaten down houses, I think it will improve their pride and self esteem.
So hopefully in the next two months we'll have all ten houses remodeled -- excuse me -- paid for and remodeled by next summer or by next Christmas hopefully. And just improve my neighborhood, because I think that that's a really big deal to me, to improve my own neighborhood first.
NEVILLE: OK. Hey, Charles, we have an e-mail coming across now I want to share with everybody from Larry (ph) in Oregon. He says, "Charles Barkley as a commentator on current news issues? You have to be kidding. What is CNN thinking?"
BARKLEY: Well, see, Larry is interesting because Larry is one of them guys who thinks his opinion is more important than mine. Everybody in this world has an opinion. And when somebody like myself, who has got no (EXPLETIVE DELETED) on the table, people get offended. But, Larry (ph), we played your stupid opinion and if my opinion is stupid, it's going to get played too.
NEVILLE: All right. Listen, I have Kevin (ph) here from Alabama.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, like one year ago when Michael Jordan came back to the NBA, like all of my friends and people I know, they were like, I can't believe it, he's playing for another team because of his age. And I was wondering if you had any chance of playing professional basketball again.
BARKLEY: No. You know last year I wish Michael hadn't come back, because I said I thought he was going to get hurt. And that was unfortunate, because I love Michael like a brother. He's been my friend through this entire, obviously professional life, and he's been there for me in a lot of crucial situations.
But I didn't want him to come back because, number one, I knew he couldn't be as good as he was and I knew he was going to get hurt. And I'm really worried about him this year, because I think, as well as I know Michael, it's going to be tough on him coming off the bench from a -- because he is the most competitive person I've ever met in my life. And he's not going to be happy coming off the bench.
I know they can say all the good things they want to and they can make it like everything's going to be fine. But Michael is not going to be happy coming off the bench. I know him better than that.
NEVILLE: OK. Hey, listen, Charles, we have to take a break but we're not finished with Mr. Barkley just yet. After the break, we will continue, so get the questions ready and we'll continue in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NEVILLE: And welcome back, everybody. I'm Arthel Neville.
We're talking with TALKBACK LIVE's new commentator, Charles Barkley.
OK, Charles, Johnnie Cochran is going to sue the NFL because there are not enough black coaches. And he spoke with CNN's Connie Chung. And I want to play a little bit of that. Let's take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONNIE CHUNG, HOST: I know one of the issues that you're very passionate about and have stepped forward regarding is the lack of African-American NFL coaches.
JOHNNIE COCHRAN, ATTORNEY: Yes. I am. And I'm a sports fan. And this is not anything where you -- you know, I'm trying to get a lot of money or get any publicity out of this, especially after Dennis Green (ph) was fired by the Minnesota Vikings. Here was a guy who had a remarkable career. He had one games. He had one bad season and he was out.
We commissioned a study by economist who came back with a report that showed the black coaches did generally better than the white coaches, they got the playoffs -- in terms of comparing their records.
They had more winning records, more times in the playoffs and that sort of thing. But they were still the last hired and the first fired. Four hundred NFL coaches in history, only six are black. Seventy percent of the players are black. So these guys will have no place to go to be coaches, and so I'm saying -- but these owners have a lot of money and do what they want to do. So we've asked to meet with the commissioner. And I think he's been very progressive about this. They need to improve this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NEVILLE: OK. Charles, would you like to expound on what Mr. Cochran just said?
BARKLEY: Well, I totally agree, we need more black coaches in the NFL. Obviously, we have a great deal in the NBA. We have a lot of guys in great positions. So they need more NFL coaches.
But the bottom line is, man, a lot of those guys are rednecks and they don't want brothers coaching. And I like Johnnie Cochran. I know if I ever kill anybody, I can call him and he'll get me off. But, you know he's got a point.
They need more black coaches in the NFL. And the main thing, we need some black owners in sports, period. That's one of the things I talk about in the book. It's a disgrace that there are no black owners in sports.
I mean there should be, because that's where the money is made. People talk about how much money the players make, but if you want to make a ton of money, it's best to own the team.
NEVILLE: OK. Another question regarding sports. The Augusta National Golf Course, you know women's groups, are trying to -- they're fighting to get women admitted as members. Do you think women deserve to be members there?
BARKLEY: No, because it's a private club. It's not a public place. And that goes back to what I just said about -- those guys are rednecks. They don't want brothers there; they don't want women there, and they probably don't want Jewish people. Most of the golf courses I play have no black members, a lot of them don't have Jewish members and some of them don't have women.
They don't want them. I mean that is the ultimate probably good old boy network.
NEVILLE: You know Augusta does have one black member.
BARKLEY: That's another -- that's a funny thing. I have to laugh when people say that. They've got maybe -- I think they might have two black members. And even if they admit one woman that still doesn't make them discriminatory.
That's the whole thing that makes me laugh about this was she wants them to have a woman. First of all, if they do get a woman there, that doesn't do anything. And first of all, it would be a famous woman.
NEVILLE: Charles, I have to take a break. We will continue with Sir Charles after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NEVILLE: Hey, everybody. I have 30 seconds for a question and an answer combined. Go ahead, Bud (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Charles, great player, great career. How much does it hurt that you never won a championship?
BARKLEY: It bothers me that I didn't win a championship, but it will bother me a lot more if all I'm known for is being a great basketball player and having a lot of money. I'm at a great time in my life and I'm taking it to the next level.
NEVILLE: All right, Charles. We're out of time for today, but I know you're going to come back. Glad to have you on board. And we're going to see you back here in Atlanta next time. I want you here, Charles.
BARKLEY: I look forward to it.
NEVILLE: All right, October 30, when you're bringing your weekly segments with us here on TALKBACK LIVE.
So thanks to all of you for watching. I'm Arthel Neville. We'll see you again tomorrow 3:00 Eastern. "INSIDE POLITICS" is up next.
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Aired October 9, 2002 - 15:00 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.
ARTHEL NEVILLE, HOST: Hello, everybody, and welcome to TALKBACK LIVE. I'm Arthel Neville.
A tarot card, shell casing and note tantalize police desperately searching for the Beltway sniper, but police Chief Charles Moose is ticked off at the media. We'll start with a live report. Then stay tuned to find out how the sex scandal in the Catholic Church is changing the way Little League Baseball looks at its coaches.
First, let's check in with CNN correspondent Kathleen Koch in Montgomery County, Maryland.
And, Kathleen, a lot of activity in that area today. If you would, give us the latest.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, first I'll off touch on what you did.
And that was the angry tongue lashing that the media got from Montgomery County police Chief Charles Moose this morning. He was simply lived when he learned that it had been leaked that apparently a tarot card which law enforcement sources described to CNN as bearing the symbol of death, a skeleton on horseback, was found on the site of the shooting in Prince George's County on Monday.
Now, police will say only that there is nothing -- they can't confirm at this point whether or not it was left by the killer, simply that it was found there. But police Chief Moose said that it was borderline interference in the investigation. And he says, because of this leak now, that law enforcement authorities have had to change the way they process evidence, that they've had to tighten up their procedures. Angry as he was, though, he said it has slowed, but it has not stopped the investigation.
Another step forward in the case: The shell casing that was also found in Prince George's County, Maryland, it has turned out that it was ammunition the same as has been used in the other cases, .223. So that's another small step forward.
A big development today was a search, a huge search that took place south of here, also in Prince George's County, in an area called Ft. Washington, Maryland, where apparently a resident saw a man wearing a dark blue hat and a dark blue jacket go into some woods. But the thing that caught her attention, he was carrying a large black or a large dark bag.
So she called authorities. And for several hours, dozens of police officers swarmed over those woods, searched them thoroughly and really turned up nothing. And, Arthel, what we're hearing from residents there is that apparently, in the last few days, some surveyors have been in the region. And they carry their tripods in similar dark blue bags.
But it was just yesterday in Prince George's County that authorities laid out a number of bags, not only perhaps surveyor bags, rifle bags, even instrumental cases, trombone cases, things that they think that the killer or killers might use to hide the gun when they're transporting it to or from wherever they're carrying it from, from a home or from an apartment into a vehicle -- Arthel.
NEVILLE: Kathleen Koch, thank you very much for the update.
And with us now is CNN law enforcement analyst Mike Brooks. Mike is a former Washington, D.C. police detective. Also with us is forensic psychiatrist Dr. Helen Morrison. She is the director of the Evaluation Center, a diagnostic treatment center in Chicago.
I want to welcome both of you to the show.
DR. HELEN MORRISON, FORENSIC PSYCHIATRIST: Thank you.
MIKE BROOKS, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Thank you, Arthel.
NEVILLE: To Mike Brooks, I want to start with you.
Police found the tarot card, the shell casing, and discovered that a portion of the grass near that wooded area had been flattened by what looks like a full-body impression of maybe someone who had been laying there for a while.
BROOKS: Right.
NEVILLE: If you would, what do you make of all these pieces?
BROOKS: Well, again, it's just some possible evidence.
We're not really sure -- law enforcement is not really sure if the tarot card was placed there by someone after the incident happened or if it was placed there by the gunman. It's yet to be determined. So, again, it was leaked to the press by someone in either Prince George's County or Montgomery County Police Department or one of the federal agencies that's involved in the investigation.
But right now, it's still a little bit early to tell whether it is connected or not. There are no fingerprints. They have no fingerprints to connect anything that could have been on the card, any of the evidence that could have been in that area. But they did find a shell casing in that same general vicinity. So it would lead people to speculate that it could possibly be associated with the gunman.
NEVILLE: And, Dr. Morrison, from your perspective, what do you make of all of these pieces? And, as Mike was saying, listen, we don't even know if this tarot card was placed there by a prankster or not.
MORRISON: No, we don't. But, again, it's a piece of information that's come to light in this investigation. Odd that, of course, it would be addressed to someone called, "Dear, Mr. Policeman." It sounds more as if a child could have written that.
But the card of death itself, I think, is being misunderstood. The tarot card of death is one of the reaper. And this can be both the individual who is choosing to lead to death or is a harvest individual, a person who is using his sickle to do a harvest. So, what that card means -- it's associated in astrology with a Scorpio -- nobody can say. But we're looking at that.
NEVILLE: And at the same time, Doctor, we don't know who put the card there.
MORRISON: Not at all.
NEVILLE: Moving on, though, I wanted to ask you about the psyche of the public. Is it more damaging for an attack to happen every day or this sporadic shooting?
MORRISON: The sporadic, intermittent type of behavior is always more difficult to manage.
For example, if you're in a situation where you know you're going to get beaten every day, you can almost handle that better than having two or three days of no problems and then a sudden surge of a problem.
NEVILLE: Interesting.
What do you think it says about this killer or person, persons, that nothing has happened in the last couple of days?
MORRISON: Well, I think the individual is doing what they did before, which is taking a bit of a break, reading the media, reading whatever is going on outside, and perhaps involved in his own things, and is not going out to take the time to go after other individuals.
NEVILLE: And, Mike, what do you think about this?
BROOKS: It could also have something to could with the large police presence. There are a lot of police out on the streets.
People were commenting yesterday on yesterday's show that they've seen a larger police presence in and around Montgomery County, Prince George's County, D.C. And I think that could possibly could be it, as part of the preventive, kind of proactive measures that the police officers, that the police departments are taking right now.
NEVILLE: Dr. Morrison, did you want to add something?
MORRISON: Yes.
It also could be another way that he's using the time lag to lead to increasing terror and fear on the part of the public.
NEVILLE: Listen, I have to take a break right now.
But, as you heard Kathleen Koch say earlier, police Chief Moose says, "Back off" to the media. We're going to hear why. Also, later in the show, you can talk to Sir Charles. He has a new book. And you'll want to hear what he has to say, because it's always controversial, interesting.
Give me a call at 1-800-310-4CNN or e-mail TALKBACK@CNN.com.
Don't go anywhere. TALKBACK LIVE continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NEVILLE (voice-over): Right now on TALKBACK LIVE: Police Chief Charles Moose loses patience with the media.
CHARLES MOOSE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE CHIEF: Retired law enforcement people that have not been privy to the details or any of the information of the case, if you want Channel 9, if you want "The Washington Post," if you want CNN to conduct this investigation, let me know.
NEVILLE: Is media attention interfering with the Beltway sniper investigation?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NEVILLE: And welcome back to TALKBACK LIVE, everyone. I'm Arthel Neville.
The police chief in Montgomery County, Maryland, has had it up to here with profilers, analysts and former investigators trying to piece the sniper investigation together in the media. Chief Charles Moose is also none too happy with reporters and let them have it during one of his news conferences.
Let's listen in.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MOOSE: I beg of the media, let us do our job. If the community wants you to do it, they will call today and we will have a vote. And if it's decided that Channel 9 is going to investigate this case, then so be it. So be it. I don't think that's going to happen. And I beg my community to make their voices heard, because I am convinced that we're approaching interference. And interference is unacceptable.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NEVILLE: OK, now, Charles Moose, he is upset, because, apparently that tarot card that we were reporting about earlier, that information was leaked to the press.
And, Mike Brooks, that was leaked to the press by someone in their department. So the question is, how could Chief Moose get upset with the press for reporting it? Apparently that person did not say: "Listen, this is what happened. We have a new lead, but hold off on reporting it," because, as you know, the police and the media do work in concert sometimes.
BROOKS: Right, on a regular basis.
NEVILLE: Exactly.
BROOKS: I think, right now, Chief Moose is tired. He's probably very fatigued, extremely frustrated. And I think this was his lashing out, his coping mechanism, because many, many times, a police chief, a public information officer will take the media aside, off of camera, and say: "Look, we have got some information. We don't want you to release this right now because it really will hamper the investigation."
That could have been done at this time. It could have been done. I think he was lashing out in particular at one of the TV stations in Washington, D.C.
NEVILLE: WUSA, Channel 9.
BROOKS: WUSA, Channel 9, that actually broke the story last evening and came out with this. And they were able to confirm it, though, apparently through law enforcement sources.
So, you know, I think he has to also take a look at the leaks within his own department, within Prince George's County, and possibly the federal agencies, because there's many things. There are some things I know about this particular investigation that I'm not going to bring out, because I don't think it's the time nor the place to air this kind of information.
NEVILLE: Sure. Sure.
BROOKS: But I can see his frustration. I've been on the other side of that for many years, 26 years with the metropolitan police, many cases on the terrorism side, in other cases, where you say the media might -- you know, all the time, with Joe Gentile and Chief Ramsey, wanting information, because they want to know.
The public also wants to know. The public will say: "Well, we want law enforcement to do their job. The media ought to back off." But they'll be the first ones to say, when the information isn't given to them, "What's going on?" And a lot of the information that is given to them by the press is for their own good. It's to help them and for their own safety.
And I think you have to draw -- it's a fine line to walk between the media and law enforcement. But we work together on a regular basis. And I think we'll continue to do that.
NEVILLE: OK, listen, I want to go to Minnesota right now, where Chris is standing by on the phone.
Go ahead, Chris. What do you have to say about all of this?
CALLER: Good afternoon.
Well, I agree that, in some instances, the press is valuable in helping the police, such as the recent kidnappings we've had across the country, I just feel at this time the press could be hurting the investigation concerning the sniper. And I'm personally tired of hearing of the tarot card. And until this is proven that this actually was found, we don't know for sure.
I think the police chief is right about what's happening in the press, and that they're not the investigating body, and let the police and the FBI do their jobs.
NEVILLE: OK, Chris, thank you for calling in.
And I have Katherine here.
What do you say?
KATHERINE: I agree with the caller and I agree with Chief Moose. There is certain information that we do not need to have as the general public, that we need to be told pertinent things, but not every single fact.
NEVILLE: Right.
Now, what do you say to the police officer or officers who leaked that information to the press in the first place regarding the tarot card?
KATHERINE: Shame on him.
NEVILLE: Let's see what your husband says.
Sir, what do you say?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In part, I disagree.
I think to reveal profiled information or specific information would not be relevant. However, I do believe that the information about the card is relevant, in that someone might have witnessed him practicing shooting at a card, such as that one. And it could have his initials on there trying to tantalize the police.
NEVILLE: Interesting. Thank you very much.
Let's see, I also want to talk about -- Chief Moose had something to say about profilers and police analysts, people like you, Mike and Dr. Morrison, coming out, talking about this case on the air.
Let's listen to what he had to say regarding that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) MOOSE: I would hope that those police professionals would realize that maybe they don't live here. Maybe they don't have children that live here, and so it's all fun to be on television. But maybe they need to come here, live here, sit outside and have coffee. And then let's see how open they'll be to ranting and raving and calling the suspect or the suspects names.
If they're putting people in this community at risk so that they can have the pleasure of being on TV, it is so sad.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NEVILLE: Dr. Morrison, I'd like to hear your response.
MORRISON: Well, I do television. I wouldn't say it's all fun. But I will say that, if it weren't for the capacity to spread information to the public, this whole program, such as AMBER Alert, would not exist. The fine line, obviously, is to use information that's available and not to jeopardize an investigation.
But, as you've pointed out, it wasn't the profilers. It wasn't the commentators who were saying: "Guess what? We found this tarot card." It was in their own police department. And if, just by chance, one individual thinks, "You know, this reminds me of what such-and-so did; maybe I should call someone," then it's worth it.
NEVILLE: Dr. Morrison, let me pop up an e-mail here coming in right now I want to share with everybody. It's from Hal in South Carolina. He says: "Moose needs to get off backs of the media and get to work. There's a killer that needs catching."
And, Mike Brooks, I want to get your response to Chief Moose's comments.
BROOKS: Well, again, I think it's a lot of frustration. And it sounds like it was focused at maybe one particular person who may have made some comments about the unknown victim -- or the unknown perpetrator on a particular television show.
You know, I -- as a talking head, as he calls us former law enforcement professionals, I have a cousin that goes to Tasker Middle School. My mother still lives in the Washington metropolitan area. I live in Atlanta now. And I'm concerned because my friends and my former colleagues are still working out there. And they're still also possibly victims of this perpetrator.
And I'm very guarded about what I say, as are most of the other law enforcement professionals who deal in television. Bo Dietl was on yesterday. He is an extremely gifted professional in what he does now, excellent detective in what he used to do. There's a lot of us out there that are analysts and talk about what goes on. But we are very guarded in what we have to say.
And, you know, we try not to speculate. Every time that we are talking about things, I'll say it's pure speculation.
NEVILLE: Absolutely.
BROOKS: And that's one of the things we have to be careful about. There are some news agencies -- and I do admit that sometimes they run with a story before they get all the facts. During the Chandra Levy case, there was a report that they found bones. There was one news agency that says they found human remains in Rock Creek Park. It was totally wrong.
So I think it's a responsibility also on the media, because the media also has to be fair, balanced and objective.
NEVILLE: Listen, Mike Brooks, Dr. Helen Morrison, I want to thank both of you for joining us here on TALKBACK LIVE today.
Excuse me, Robert.
We do have to take a break right now.
And next up: Little League Baseball orders background checks. We're going to ask the organization's president who and what they're looking for.
TALKBACK LIVE continues after this break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NEVILLE: And welcome back, everybody.
Under a new policy, all Little League managers, coaches and volunteers will be checked to see if their names show up on state lists of convicted sex offenders and possibly have deeper background checks done on them. It's the first time the league has ordered mandatory screening.
And here to explain why it's happening now is Little League President Stephen Keener.
Welcome, Mr. Keener.
STEPHEN KEENER, PRESIDENT, LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL: Hello, Arthel.
NEVILLE: This is a great idea. Tell us why now.
KEENER: Well, why now?
Really, technology will allow us to do it now. In 42 states, sex offender registries are available online and free of charge. So in the remaining eight states, Little League programs will be required to do the full criminal background checks. But we believe that this issue is certainly in the public mind today. And because the technology will allow us to do it in a cost-effective manner and an efficient manner, it's the right time to do it.
NEVILLE: Now, Mr. Keener, if you could -- I'm sure parents have a lot of questions regarding this whole process -- give me some of the more frequent questions that they ask and give me some brief answers.
KEENER: Well, the question is, you know, who is going to pay for it? We're cash-strapped as it is to run a local Little League program. But we believe that the minimal cost when a background check is done is a cost that certainly can be incurred by the individual who wants to be a volunteer coach.
NEVILLE: And it's only, what, about $18?
KEENER: It ranges in a number of states.
NEVILLE: From like $5 to $18?
KEENER: But $5 to $18, right. It's certainly not a real cost burden.
NEVILLE: I have some more questions, but I want to take a phone call now from Eric, who is standing by on the phone in Iowa.
Go ahead, Eric.
CALLER: Yes.
I think, honestly, this stuff needs to happen, because these kids are our future. And God forbid something bad happens to our children, you know, just because a background check couldn't be done. It's not that expensive to do. These guys are playing with our kids. And state-certified baby-sitters and so on and so forth, they have to have mandatory background checks to become this way.
This is something that needs to happen. These are our future. I would feel very bad if something happened to my 6-year-old son who plays Little League and gets molested or something just because some guy 15 years ago got molested and I couldn't fork up $18 to pay for a background check.
NEVILLE: Eric, thank you very much for calling in.
And I have Margie here in the audience.
MARGIE: Hello.
NEVILLE: Hi.
MARGIE: Hi.
I come over from England. And we've just had Jessica and Holly murdered. And, allegedly, the caretaker of the school did this crime. And I wholeheartedly agree with everybody in contact with children should be checked.
NEVILLE: Thank you very much for standing up and speaking out.
Again, Mr. Keener, I mean, you were talking about a lot of things here. One issue I want to cover with you is that, are you saying that no former criminal can work with these kids or only sex offenders? KEENER: Well, the new regulation effective for the 2003 season will state very clearly that anyone convicted of a crime involving a minor will be precluded or prohibited from being a volunteer in the local Little League program. So whether it's a crime of a sex offense or physical abuse or some other crime which would deem that individual unfit to volunteer to coach or be involved in a Little League program is who this regulation would cover.
NEVILLE: OK, now, this is all going to start for the 2003 season. But what happens if I had a coach, first of all, or a volunteer, somebody who has already been a part of the league now for 15 years, will they be subjected to the background checks now?
Or the second part of the question is, what if there is someone who came in from another state? He has now moved to my state. What do we do? Do we get the background check transferred from state to state? How does that work?
KEENER: Well, to answer your first question, the regulation applies to everyone. No one is excluded from having the check done. So whether you've been a Little League manager for one year or 25 years, the regulation will require that everyone be screened.
Secondly, we're going to institute the mandatory use of a Little League volunteer application, which will ask for appropriate information from the volunteer, including -- it will also include the submission of a government-issued identification, a driver's license or some other I.D., so that the most current address can be checked.
It's my understanding -- and I'm certainly no legal expert -- but in the states that have the sex offender registries, the convicted sex offender is required to register in that particular state within a certain time period after taking residence there. So the application will provide the information that the league will need in order to complete the check. And we don't think they'll have to go back through other previous residences.
However, it will also ask for references. And we certainly encourage those references to be checked as well.
NEVILLE: I understand.
Stephen Keener, thank you very much for joining us.
And up next, the man who is not afraid to call it like he sees it speaks out from everything from Little League to war in Iraq.
So get those phones going, send those e-mails, and get ready to talk back to Charles Barkley next on TALKBACK LIVE.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(NEWS ALERT)
NEVILLE: And welcome back, everybody. Right now I would like to welcome a new addition to CNN and TALKBACK LIVE. Say hello to Charles Barkley. He will be a contributor to CNN, and this show, in particular.
Charles has a new book. It's called, "I May Be Wrong, But I Doubt it." It has major attitude, of course.
And, Charles, welcome. Nice to see you again.
CHARLES BARKLEY, TALKBACK LIVE CONTRIBUTOR: What's up, girl? How you doing?
NEVILLE: I am great. We're going to get right to it. I know you just heard us talking about the background checks for the little league volunteers, right? I just wanted to know what do you think about that idea?
BARKLEY: Well I think that's just a no-brainer. I think anybody who is working with kids you've got to check out everything about them. And with all the technology we have available today, I mean we should be able to find out everything about anybody.
NEVILLE: And you also know what's on everybody's minds, particularly the folks living in the Maryland area. These sniper shootings, wondering if you had any thoughts you want to share with us on that story.
BARKLEY: Well, I think the number one thing, it just makes you sad. Because to know that there's a person capable of doing that, as a human being, you just feel like, I can't believe somebody that's living in my country and my world is that evil. So I just feel great sadness.
NEVILLE: Hey, listen, OK, so the name of your book, "I May Be Wrong, But I Doubt It," it's a little cocky title, by the way, Charles.
BARKLEY: Well, I'm a little cocky.
NEVILLE: Yes? I think so. A little bit?
OK. So what do you talk about in this book? You talk about everything. Give us an idea what you talk about, and who do you think will read this book?
BARKLEY: Well I think the book is really good. And I'm saying that -- I had a great guy writing it for me: Mike Wilburn (ph). We just talk about life. I talk about not graduating from high school and how bitter I was for a long time because they did not let me graduate.
I was bitter at my father. And I just talked about I wasted all that time and energy being mad at my high school and being mad at my father. And I didn't enjoy the first few years of my career because I was...
NEVILLE: Charles, why do you say they didn't let you graduate from high school?
BARKLEY: Because I flunked Spanish.
NEVILLE: Porque?
BARKLEY: I don't know why the hell I was taking -- I don't know why the hell I was taking Spanish in the first place.
NEVILLE: Hey, you know it's very good to have a foreign language as something that -- I actually wish that here in America that, unlike over in Europe, that it became mandatory a second language when you're eight years old. That's how you really learn a second language.
BARKLEY: Well, I think it's good to learn a second language. But I just was mad because I had accomplished a lot of great things in high school. But not to graduate, I was so bitter and angry.
And I actually went and watched the whole ceremony from next door. And it was -- and I was just mad. I just wanted to be successful to prove to all those people and stick it to them.
NEVILLE: Right. But at the same time, Charles those were the rules. The rule was you had to take Spanish, you had to pass it in order to graduate.
BARKLEY: Well I didn't have to take it. I was just stupid enough to take it.
But the thing I wanted to talk about in the book was I spent all of that time being angry at my father and being angry at my high school, and it was unnecessary, because that's the point I want to make: it was my fault.
NEVILLE: Yes, anger is not a good thing. It's bad for the soul, right? We're going to move on now.
Harry Belafonte let everyone know what he thinks of Secretary of State Colin Powell during an interview on KFNB (ph) radio in San Diego. Let's listen to what he said.
(BEGIN AUDIO TAPE)
HARRY BELAFONTE, SINGER: There's an old saying in the days of slavery: There are those slaves who lived on the plantation and there were those slaves who lived in the house. You got the privilege of living in the house if you served the master. Colin Powell is permitted to come into the house of the master.
(END AUDIO TAPE)
NEVILLE: OK. That is the quote from Mr. Belafonte. And wanted to know, Charles, if you had any response to that at all.
BARKLEY: Well, it's unfortunate, because I have -- I love Colin Powell. He's one of my heroes. He's somebody I really admire. I honestly have great respect for Mr. Belafonte also.
I think one of the things I talk about in the book is black people, we should not -- just because we disagree with each other, we shouldn't make one right or one wrong. It's all right to be different, to have our own opinions. Just because Mr. Powell is a Republican, that does not make him bad. We, as black people -- one of the things I say is we are never going to be successful because of stuff like this. We treat each other so bad.
It's not always -- I guess he's referring to the white man. Everything bad that happens to black people is not the white man. We treat each other like crap.
Until we address our own problems, which is black on black crime, teenaged pregnancies and single parent homes, we're never going to be successful. And it's not fair for whites and people or black people to get mad at each other because we disagree.
Mr. Powell happens to be a Republican. I could care less who is a Republican and who is a Democrat. And until we as black people especially -- one of the things I talk about, I don't feel like I have to speak for poor black people, poor white people and Hispanics, because those are three groups I feel like get treated like crap in this country.
But what happens is they make us pick and choose, like now this is going to be a big deal, them criticizing each other. And it doesn't solve anything. But I admire Colin Powell.
And just because -- you know, one thing in the black community when black people started trying to be successful, a lot of black people resent them. They treat them bad. And that's wrong.
NEVILLE: OK. Listen, Charles, I have to take a break right now. And by the way, everyone else, you will get a chance to spar with Charles. After this, I have some people in the audience with questions or comments for you, Charles.
TALKBACK LIVE continues in a moment. Don't go anywhere.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NEVILLE: And welcome back, everybody. I'm Arthel Neville. We're talking with TALKBACK LIVE's new contributor, Charles Barkley. Hey, Charles, I have several audience members who want to ask you a couple of questions, starting here with James (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, Charles. The movie "Barbershop" is out and a number of black leaders have been saying that Rosa Parks and, of course, Martin Luther King, have been stepped on. I would like to know have you seen the movie? And I would like to know when do we separate reality from comedy?
BARKLEY: That is an unbelievable point. I did go see the movie. I saw it the first day it was out because a couple of my friends are in the movie.
I wish they hadn't said anything about Rosa Parks because she is somebody I really admire. But I think you have to really -- your point is well taken. See, that's what we all talk about, political correctness. I think we have to be smart enough to decipher between what's comedy and what's serious.
And so I had no problem with the movie. I wish they hadn't said the thing about Dr. King or Rosa Parks. But I'm smart enough to know that it's just comedy.
NEVILLE: OK. And we have Susan (ph) from Alabama.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, this is really exciting that I get to speak with you. I wish it could be in person. I would like to know what ties you still have with your home town, especially since I just learned that you were really upset about not getting your high school diploma at that time?
BARKLEY: Well I got over that. It took me a long time to get over that. But as far as my ties to my home town, this is one of the things that I talked about...
NEVILLE: Lees (ph), Alabama.
BARKLEY: That's it, baby. One of the things I talked about, I gave my high school $1 million -- I'm giving them $1 million. I'm giving my college $1 million. And I'm giving another inner-city school in Birmingham, Cornerstone (ph) schools, I'm giving them $1 million over the next few years.
As far as my hometown, right now I'm in the process of buying 10 houses and renovating them. Because I think that if kids live in a good neighborhood and don't have the rundown, abandoned and beaten down houses, I think it will improve their pride and self esteem.
So hopefully in the next two months we'll have all ten houses remodeled -- excuse me -- paid for and remodeled by next summer or by next Christmas hopefully. And just improve my neighborhood, because I think that that's a really big deal to me, to improve my own neighborhood first.
NEVILLE: OK. Hey, Charles, we have an e-mail coming across now I want to share with everybody from Larry (ph) in Oregon. He says, "Charles Barkley as a commentator on current news issues? You have to be kidding. What is CNN thinking?"
BARKLEY: Well, see, Larry is interesting because Larry is one of them guys who thinks his opinion is more important than mine. Everybody in this world has an opinion. And when somebody like myself, who has got no (EXPLETIVE DELETED) on the table, people get offended. But, Larry (ph), we played your stupid opinion and if my opinion is stupid, it's going to get played too.
NEVILLE: All right. Listen, I have Kevin (ph) here from Alabama.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, like one year ago when Michael Jordan came back to the NBA, like all of my friends and people I know, they were like, I can't believe it, he's playing for another team because of his age. And I was wondering if you had any chance of playing professional basketball again.
BARKLEY: No. You know last year I wish Michael hadn't come back, because I said I thought he was going to get hurt. And that was unfortunate, because I love Michael like a brother. He's been my friend through this entire, obviously professional life, and he's been there for me in a lot of crucial situations.
But I didn't want him to come back because, number one, I knew he couldn't be as good as he was and I knew he was going to get hurt. And I'm really worried about him this year, because I think, as well as I know Michael, it's going to be tough on him coming off the bench from a -- because he is the most competitive person I've ever met in my life. And he's not going to be happy coming off the bench.
I know they can say all the good things they want to and they can make it like everything's going to be fine. But Michael is not going to be happy coming off the bench. I know him better than that.
NEVILLE: OK. Hey, listen, Charles, we have to take a break but we're not finished with Mr. Barkley just yet. After the break, we will continue, so get the questions ready and we'll continue in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NEVILLE: And welcome back, everybody. I'm Arthel Neville.
We're talking with TALKBACK LIVE's new commentator, Charles Barkley.
OK, Charles, Johnnie Cochran is going to sue the NFL because there are not enough black coaches. And he spoke with CNN's Connie Chung. And I want to play a little bit of that. Let's take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONNIE CHUNG, HOST: I know one of the issues that you're very passionate about and have stepped forward regarding is the lack of African-American NFL coaches.
JOHNNIE COCHRAN, ATTORNEY: Yes. I am. And I'm a sports fan. And this is not anything where you -- you know, I'm trying to get a lot of money or get any publicity out of this, especially after Dennis Green (ph) was fired by the Minnesota Vikings. Here was a guy who had a remarkable career. He had one games. He had one bad season and he was out.
We commissioned a study by economist who came back with a report that showed the black coaches did generally better than the white coaches, they got the playoffs -- in terms of comparing their records.
They had more winning records, more times in the playoffs and that sort of thing. But they were still the last hired and the first fired. Four hundred NFL coaches in history, only six are black. Seventy percent of the players are black. So these guys will have no place to go to be coaches, and so I'm saying -- but these owners have a lot of money and do what they want to do. So we've asked to meet with the commissioner. And I think he's been very progressive about this. They need to improve this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NEVILLE: OK. Charles, would you like to expound on what Mr. Cochran just said?
BARKLEY: Well, I totally agree, we need more black coaches in the NFL. Obviously, we have a great deal in the NBA. We have a lot of guys in great positions. So they need more NFL coaches.
But the bottom line is, man, a lot of those guys are rednecks and they don't want brothers coaching. And I like Johnnie Cochran. I know if I ever kill anybody, I can call him and he'll get me off. But, you know he's got a point.
They need more black coaches in the NFL. And the main thing, we need some black owners in sports, period. That's one of the things I talk about in the book. It's a disgrace that there are no black owners in sports.
I mean there should be, because that's where the money is made. People talk about how much money the players make, but if you want to make a ton of money, it's best to own the team.
NEVILLE: OK. Another question regarding sports. The Augusta National Golf Course, you know women's groups, are trying to -- they're fighting to get women admitted as members. Do you think women deserve to be members there?
BARKLEY: No, because it's a private club. It's not a public place. And that goes back to what I just said about -- those guys are rednecks. They don't want brothers there; they don't want women there, and they probably don't want Jewish people. Most of the golf courses I play have no black members, a lot of them don't have Jewish members and some of them don't have women.
They don't want them. I mean that is the ultimate probably good old boy network.
NEVILLE: You know Augusta does have one black member.
BARKLEY: That's another -- that's a funny thing. I have to laugh when people say that. They've got maybe -- I think they might have two black members. And even if they admit one woman that still doesn't make them discriminatory.
That's the whole thing that makes me laugh about this was she wants them to have a woman. First of all, if they do get a woman there, that doesn't do anything. And first of all, it would be a famous woman.
NEVILLE: Charles, I have to take a break. We will continue with Sir Charles after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NEVILLE: Hey, everybody. I have 30 seconds for a question and an answer combined. Go ahead, Bud (ph).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Charles, great player, great career. How much does it hurt that you never won a championship?
BARKLEY: It bothers me that I didn't win a championship, but it will bother me a lot more if all I'm known for is being a great basketball player and having a lot of money. I'm at a great time in my life and I'm taking it to the next level.
NEVILLE: All right, Charles. We're out of time for today, but I know you're going to come back. Glad to have you on board. And we're going to see you back here in Atlanta next time. I want you here, Charles.
BARKLEY: I look forward to it.
NEVILLE: All right, October 30, when you're bringing your weekly segments with us here on TALKBACK LIVE.
So thanks to all of you for watching. I'm Arthel Neville. We'll see you again tomorrow 3:00 Eastern. "INSIDE POLITICS" is up next.
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