Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Today
Protesters at Schiavo's Hospice Create Chaos; Marines Move Into Al Anbar Province
Aired March 28, 2005 - 10:00 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.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR: And here's what's happening right now in the news.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: The spiritual adviser for Terri Schiavo's parents says the family still holds out hope that Florida's governor will intervene on her behalf. Jeb Bush tells CNN he has no legal options available. Terri Schiavo is now entering her 11-day without a feeding tube. Adviser Paul O'Donnell says she's still alert.
Prosecutors in Iowa could file more charges today against a registered sex offender, who's accused in the abduction of a 10-year- old Cedar Rapids girl. Her body found inside the mobile home where Roger Paul Bentley was arrested. Jetseta Marie Gage died of asphyxiation. Police say Bentley had been at the little girl's home to work on her mother's car.
At this hour, at the U.S. State Department, the nation's top diplomat issues a report sure to ruffle some international feathers. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will release the State Department's annual report on human rights and democracy.
Mission accomplished outside the International Space Station. The two inhabitants of the craft today installed antennas and released a baby Sputnik during a successful space walk. The men, one American, another Russian are now in their 165-day in orbit and are to return to earth next month.
Good morning to you on this Monday morning. I'm Daryn Kagan.
SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez. And we're going to begin with the last-ditch plea in Washington, D.C. Most legal options are exhausted in the effort to keep Terri Schiavo alive. But some supporters of her parents are going to Washington today to try a different approach.
We're going to begin our coverage outside Schiavo's hospice. This is in Pinellas Park, Florida with CNN's Bob Franken who has been following the story for days now.
Good morning, Bob.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Rick. And the group departed from here to go to the halls of Congress to try and muscle members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, to back up the subpoenas that they had issued during the huge debate a little bit over a week ago. They're going to make the argument that they were either playing politics or it really was a matter of principle.
While that is going on, family members are concerned that there is a consensus among the politician that it may be too late, that they can't really do anything. Or that it may be an excuse not to do anything because Terri Schiavo no longer can respond to treatment and to the feeding tube. So they've had a considered campaign to try and correct that impression.
A while ago, one of the Franciscan monks who has been a family spokesman, came to cameras to talk of a session inside Terri Schiavo's room where some old high school classmates were able to get some reactions from her. As an effort, as I said, to try and make sure the politicians know they're not off the hook.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRO. PAUL O'DONNELL, SCHINDLER'S SPIRITUAL ADVISER: Everyone is willing to write this woman's obituary except one person. And that's Terri Schiavo herself. She is alert. She's awake. And she's fighting for her life. Bob and Mary Schindler are begging, begging, Governor Bush to step in and take custody of Terri.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FRANKEN: The comments, of course, are really aimed at the media so they can be broadcast around the country and around the world. And perhaps respond -- cause a response from the politicians. However, the pressure of those who are here protesting has diminished quite a bit. There's just a small crowd. As a matter of fact, Rick, they're hugely outnumbered by the member of media here -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: How is the relationship between the protesters and Schiavo's family. Which seemed at times, Bob, in your reports this weekend to be a little tense.
FRANKEN: Well, as a matter of fact, the family is concerned that the merits of their arguments are overwhelmed in the public perception, by some people who are really negative about what they view as religious extremists who are out here driving this. The family has been very concerned about that. On Saturday, as a matter of fact, Bob Schindler who is the father of Terri Schiavo, asked the demonstrators to stay away, be with their families on Easter.
But the result was a more intense effort yesterday at demonstration. Some real confrontations that caused the brother of Terri Schiavo to come out and, in effect, say cool it down a little bit. So they are very worried about that. But the demonstrators seem to have gone away, at least for now.
Bob Franken, following that story for us from Pinellas Park. We thank you, Bob.
Daryn, over to you. KAGAN: Some of the supporters of Terri Schiavo's parents are still demanding that Florida Governor Jeb Bush intervene to save her life. But the governor says he has done all he can do.
Our Ed Henry spoke with the governor and he joins us now from the state capital of Tallahassee.
Ed, good morning.
ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. That's right. The governor faced intense pressure over Easter weekend, since he's Catholic to step in and try and save Terri Schiavo's life. In fact, Schiavo's parents were saying that they wanted him to intervene to try to take custody of Terri Schiavo, move her to a hospital and reinsert the feeding tube.
There were protesters on Good Friday outside the governor's mansion holding up signs, like "Don't be a Pontius Pilet." "Jeb shall not murderer." Some really tough stuff. So yesterday when I caught up with the governor outside Sunday Mass, he was looking a bit wary and very emotional.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HENRY (on camera): I just want to ask you a couple of questions, if that's OK. What are your thoughts about Terri Schiavo in?
(on camera): On this Easter, what are your thoughts about Terri Schiavo?
GOV. JEB BUSH (R), FLORIDA: It's sad that she's in this situation that she's in. I feel bad for her family. My heart goes out to the Schindlers, and for that matter to Michael. This has not been an easy thing for any member of the family. But most particularly, for Terri Schiavo. I think there's enough uncertainty for people to have doubt, and I do.
HENRY: If she dies, are you at peace with the fact that you feel you've done all you can.
BUSH: Absolutely.
HENRY: What do you say to the parents who feel you can do more and should do more.
BUSH: I can't. I'd love to, but I can't.
HENRY: And why is that? Because your interpretation of the state law is that you cannot...
BUSH: It's not a question of interpretation. I mean I cannot violate a court order. I don't have powers from the United States Constitution, or for that matter, from the Florida Constitution that would allow me to intervene after a decision has been made.
(END VIDEO CLIP) HENRY: But there are some conservative activists who insist that the governor does have the power to move in to override the courts. In fact, one of them, Larry Klayman yesterday called the governor to resign from his office, saying that he should have stepped in a long time ago.
While there is divided legal opinion over whether or not the governor has that power, all sides do agree that if actually used such a maneuver it would spark yet another nasty legal showdown. And the governor was making it clear in that interview he is not going down that road -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Maybe not down that road. But a lot of people looking and speculating about the legacy of this story on Florida politics, and some laws that might be changed.
HENRY: Oh, absolutely. I mean we already saw the governor pushing really hard last week to try to get the state House and the Senate behind me here to change the law in order to make it such that if someone does not put their wishes in writing and they do not have a living will, like Terri Schiavo in this case, regardless of what the husband, what the spouse says it doesn't matter. If you don't have a living will, they could reinsert the feeding tube.
You're going to see a new effort undoubtedly to push that legislation here, and obviously, potentially nationally, but also politically. A lot of Speculation about how to this may affect the governor. People in his inner circle say they note he's not running for re-election. He doesn't care about the politics here. And they also say he's been insisting he's not running for president in 2008. But others in Florida are saying he does have national ambitions and this case is going to have a big impact on those ambitions -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Ed Henry in Tallahassee, Florida. Ed, thank you.
SANCHEZ: Here's something that plays into the political conversation. Polls are finding that most Americans disapprove of President Bush and the Congress even getting involved in the Terri Schiavo case. For example, a "Time" magazine poll finds that seven out of 10 people say it was wrong for the president to intervene.
Three-quarters of those polled faulted members of Congress. The "Time" poll also found a majority of all Americans and even a majority of those described as evangelicals agreed with the decision to remove Schiavo's feeding tube.
KAGAN: And the story behind the story that hasn't been told. There are -- excuse, 69 other patients besides Terri Schiavo at this Pinellas Park hospice. And the loved ones of those patients have not had easy access due to the intense security. In fact, one woman says she was not able to spend the final minutes with her dying grandfather.
Jennifer Johnson said two police officers delayed her. And one asked for I.D., the other conducting a weapons search.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENNIFER JOHNSON, GRANDFATHER DIED AT HOSPICE: I had went through the process with the police officer and a metal detector test. I ran down the hallway, flew open the door. And the nurses who were attending to my granted father told me he had missed it by one minute.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: There are other disruptions in the neighborhood. Police have blocked the road in front of the hospice and an elementary school next door won't be opened today.
SANCHEZ: One lawmaker who has strongly supported keeping Terri Schiavo alive had a difficult family decision to make himself in 1988. "The Los Angeles Times" is reporting that House majority leader Tom DeLay's father was in a coma following an accident at home. After consulting with doctors, the family decided against prolonging his life.
An aide to DeLay says unlike Schiavo, the congressman's father was connected to a ventilator. Last week, DeLay called Michael Schiavo's attempt to take his wife off life support, quote, "barbaric.
KAGAN: There is nothing hospitable about this southern visitor. A nasty storm system heading north after soaking the southeast. Boy, did we get a lot of rain here in Atlanta. We're going to tell you what's expected.
SANCHEZ: And that moping up the insurgent mess in western Iraq. We're on the ground with the Marines as they go in search of foreign fighters.
Also still to come, this...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I believe do or die for both sides. The material is so potentially prejudicial.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Why today's proceedings in the Michael Jackson criminal case could be a key factor in determining the pop star's fate.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: As we continue our coverage of the Terri Schiavo story, I wanted to share with you sound we're getting in from Florida Governor Bush who said previously there's nothing more he can do legally to save Terri Schiavo's life. The governor, making comments a few minutes ago. Let's listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: An issue that is complicated because there's a contested guardianship issue. And it's gotten obviously a lot of attention just given its unique nature. But from a personal perspective it just breaks my heart that we're not -- we've not erred on the side of life. While I'm respectful of the judiciary's decisions, it just seems that having a fresh, a de novo look if you will, would have made sense.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: And that's Governor Jeb Bush with the latest comments on Terri Schiavo, going into her 11-day without the feeding tube.
SANCHEZ: Here's another story we followed throughout the weekend here at CNN. It was a soggy Easter for many parts of the southeastern United States. Powerful thunderstorms plowed across Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas. Montgomery, Alabama, for example as you can see in some of these pictures, had to deal with some pretty serious flash flooding and some high winds.
KAGAN: And what can the country expect today? Jacqui Jeras here a look at that.
(WEATHER REPORT)
SANCHEZ: some more violence in Iraq today. This time, it's not just police, but also religious pilgrims targeted. At least two people were killed and nine others wounded in a car bombing on the road to Karbala. Hundred of thousands of Shiites are traveling to the city for a religious observance this week.
Then in Baghdad, two separate attacks against police killed three people and wounded five. A roadside bomb exploded near a patrol in one incident. In the other, a police colonel and his driver where gunned down in a drive-by shooting.
KAGAN: Well, you might call Anbar Province Iraq's Wild West. It's a vast area that insurgent leaders moved into when Marines were deployed for the Battle of Falluja. Well, now the Marines have returned and they're looking to crack down on a terrorist network.
CNN's Jane Arraf went along on a mission.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): In western al Anbar Province, stretching hundreds of miles to the Syrian border, there are lots of places for people to hide. This is one of the areas where troops, like the Marine's First Force Reconnaissance Company are focusing their search for insurgent leaders. Untangling the web of foreign fighters and former regime loyalists, they believe will bring them closer to Abu Musaab al Zarqawi.
COL. CRAIG TUCKER, U.S. MARINE CORPS: And now we're at the point we're able to get the guys who are actually doing the coordination and doing the -- facilitating the cooperation. As we bring them in, we're able to talk to them, you know, interrogate them. And they start talking, it does give us a better picture of what we're facing out there. ARRAF: When the Marines here left to fight the bat of Falluja last year, they believe insurgent leaders moved in to re-establish cells. Fighting them is often a matter of keeping them moving.
TUCKER: Just frankly, you know, a terrorist organization out here in west is dangerous to the people in the cities its in, in terms of the larger national perspective. As long as we keep them out here and they can't influence Ramadi or influence Baghdad, then their powers diminish significantly.
ARRAF: Marine units deployed in Falluja recently moved back to these cities and town as long the Euphrates River. The Iraqi police and army, just beginning to get on their feet, had disintegrated while they were gone.
(on camera): Marines have taken up positions here because they believe there might be explosives buried just up ahead. The street is eerily deserted. And it's not clear whether it's because there might be insurgents in the area or because the Marines are here.
(voice-over): Here in Hadifa, General Fayed Abdel Aziz oversees one of a last remnant of the Iraqi National Guard. It was merged with the Iraqi army months ago in the rest of the country. He tells the Colonel Tucker they've just arrested a major cell leader. He says he confessed to being sent by Syria. This car, he says, was meant to launch rockets. It's a rough neighborhood, he tells us.
GEN. FAYED ABDEL AZIZ, IRAQI ARMY (through translator): We're bordered by through countries, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia. There are cars, mines, rockets coming from these countries and there are also terrorist groups coming to destroy Iraq.
ARRAF: The General Fayed used to have 1,000 men under his command. The rest quit or were killed when the Marines left. He says he has 300 remaining. The Marines say there are a few dozen. But the general says those numbers will grow again as U.S. forces back in al Anbar work with Iraqis to retake control of Iraq's western frontier.
TUCKER: We're here now, right?
Jane Arraf, near Hadifa, Iraq.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: One mother's mission could change the way siblings are deployed in the military. Still ahead, the Maryland woman who turned to Capitol Hill after her sons were sent to Iraq.
KAGAN: And up next, paying for your child's higher education. We'll run down the "Top Five Tips" to make it happen.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: It's that time of year. A lot of high school seniors still wait organize doing the spring break thing. Yet their parents might be fretting over what might be the biggest test of all, paying for the upcoming college education.
Here's CNN's personal finance editor, Gerri Willis with her "Top Five Tips" on paying for college.
Gerri, good morning.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN-FN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hi there, Daryn. Good to see you. Don't panic over the dollars. That's the first thing I want to tell you. We all know that college isn't going to be cheap. And if you look at the numbers, people pay $11,000, actually more than that to get into just a state school. If your child gets into the Ivy League, forget about it. It's going to be $40,000 a year. Lots of money there.
But keep in mind here, Daryn, most families don't pay full price. In fact, just about 70 percent of families pay less than $8,000 a year in tuition and fees. So there is a way out.
KAGAN: Yes. But that still is a big chunk for a lot of families. I don't know what a FAFSA but I apparently know you have to fill it out.
WILLIS: Boy, you need one of those. It's called a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The government gives them out. We're going to show you right here on the screen how to get one of your own. That's how you're going to get some free money. Or money that you can at least pay back over time.
You want to fill this out. In two weeks you'll get something back called the "Student Aid Report." And here's what you're looking for. Bottom line is the expected family contribution. This is how much money your family's on the hook for, providing on your own. Check it out. And be sure to get the FAFSA.
KAGAN: So the private schools might be more expensive but you might actually get more help in.
WILLIS: That's absolutely true. You're going to get different pack annuals from different schools. If you're like most families, the kid is going to choose the school with the worst package, right?
Yes.
(LAUGHTER)
WILLIS: So you need to be able to understand the packages first and compare them. There are a couple of Web sites we want to send you to find that out. Lunchmoney.com, collegeboard.com can help you make those comparisons. But beyond that, if they do pick the school that doesn't have the most fabulous package, realize you can kind of negotiate that. You can go back to those school and say, hey, we got offered this fabulous package from college X, can you meet or beat that in.
KAGAN: And don't just keep it at the school for what kind of scholarships you're looking for. WILLIS: No, you've got to look other places as well. As a matter of fact, collegeboard, the Web site that I just talked about a second ago, they will give you ways of finding other scholarship dollars. And frankly, Daryn, you can just go to Google and put in the word "scholarship," and maybe some of your kid's favorite activities maybe if they're a great football player. and you'll start finding other scholarships as well if they might be available.
KAGAN: In the end, just don't give up.
WILLIS: Don't give up. You know why? Because a college education is a great investment. People with a bachelor's degree earn 70 percent more than people with just a high school diploma. So it really makes a big difference. It's a really great investment.
KAGAN: Hmm. Gerri Willis, thank you.
WILLIS: Thank you.
SANCHEZ: I was busy taking notes during that conversation.
KAGAN: You have four kids to put through college.
SANCHEZ: Four. Yes. I was doing the math and it scares me.
KAGAN: Not good. Not good.
SANCHEZ: Can I get some overtime tonight?
KAGAN: Exactly.
(LAUGHTER)
KAGAN: Should siblings serving in the military be stationed in a war zone all at the same time?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I had some concerns that I stood the possibility of my entire family being wiped out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: How one Maryland mother is taking political action to try and protect her three sons.
KAGAN: And are you still wondering the big question, why did Michael Jackson show up to court one day in pajama bottoms? Well, you're going to hear his explanation next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: We're coming up on the half hour, waiting for a critical decision in the Michael Jackson trial.
Good morning, I'm Daryn Kagan. And I'm Rick Sanchez. And here's what's happening right now in the news.
First of all, a leading figure in the effort to try and keep Terri Schiavo alive is going to be heading to Washington today. The Reverend Patrick Mahoney is pleading with the congressional leaders and the Bush administration. Mahoney wants them to enforce a subpoena issued by a House panel for Schiavo to appear before Congress. Court rulings have thrown that subpoena out.
The Supreme Court is meeting this hour to try and consider a death penalty question. Can states execute foreigners convicted of murder especially those who say that they were denied access to legal help interest their own countries. The specific case involves a Texas death row inmate who is from Mexico. Prosecutors say the defendant never raised the issue during his trial.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired March 28, 2005 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR: And here's what's happening right now in the news.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: The spiritual adviser for Terri Schiavo's parents says the family still holds out hope that Florida's governor will intervene on her behalf. Jeb Bush tells CNN he has no legal options available. Terri Schiavo is now entering her 11-day without a feeding tube. Adviser Paul O'Donnell says she's still alert.
Prosecutors in Iowa could file more charges today against a registered sex offender, who's accused in the abduction of a 10-year- old Cedar Rapids girl. Her body found inside the mobile home where Roger Paul Bentley was arrested. Jetseta Marie Gage died of asphyxiation. Police say Bentley had been at the little girl's home to work on her mother's car.
At this hour, at the U.S. State Department, the nation's top diplomat issues a report sure to ruffle some international feathers. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will release the State Department's annual report on human rights and democracy.
Mission accomplished outside the International Space Station. The two inhabitants of the craft today installed antennas and released a baby Sputnik during a successful space walk. The men, one American, another Russian are now in their 165-day in orbit and are to return to earth next month.
Good morning to you on this Monday morning. I'm Daryn Kagan.
SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez. And we're going to begin with the last-ditch plea in Washington, D.C. Most legal options are exhausted in the effort to keep Terri Schiavo alive. But some supporters of her parents are going to Washington today to try a different approach.
We're going to begin our coverage outside Schiavo's hospice. This is in Pinellas Park, Florida with CNN's Bob Franken who has been following the story for days now.
Good morning, Bob.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Rick. And the group departed from here to go to the halls of Congress to try and muscle members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, to back up the subpoenas that they had issued during the huge debate a little bit over a week ago. They're going to make the argument that they were either playing politics or it really was a matter of principle.
While that is going on, family members are concerned that there is a consensus among the politician that it may be too late, that they can't really do anything. Or that it may be an excuse not to do anything because Terri Schiavo no longer can respond to treatment and to the feeding tube. So they've had a considered campaign to try and correct that impression.
A while ago, one of the Franciscan monks who has been a family spokesman, came to cameras to talk of a session inside Terri Schiavo's room where some old high school classmates were able to get some reactions from her. As an effort, as I said, to try and make sure the politicians know they're not off the hook.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRO. PAUL O'DONNELL, SCHINDLER'S SPIRITUAL ADVISER: Everyone is willing to write this woman's obituary except one person. And that's Terri Schiavo herself. She is alert. She's awake. And she's fighting for her life. Bob and Mary Schindler are begging, begging, Governor Bush to step in and take custody of Terri.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FRANKEN: The comments, of course, are really aimed at the media so they can be broadcast around the country and around the world. And perhaps respond -- cause a response from the politicians. However, the pressure of those who are here protesting has diminished quite a bit. There's just a small crowd. As a matter of fact, Rick, they're hugely outnumbered by the member of media here -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: How is the relationship between the protesters and Schiavo's family. Which seemed at times, Bob, in your reports this weekend to be a little tense.
FRANKEN: Well, as a matter of fact, the family is concerned that the merits of their arguments are overwhelmed in the public perception, by some people who are really negative about what they view as religious extremists who are out here driving this. The family has been very concerned about that. On Saturday, as a matter of fact, Bob Schindler who is the father of Terri Schiavo, asked the demonstrators to stay away, be with their families on Easter.
But the result was a more intense effort yesterday at demonstration. Some real confrontations that caused the brother of Terri Schiavo to come out and, in effect, say cool it down a little bit. So they are very worried about that. But the demonstrators seem to have gone away, at least for now.
Bob Franken, following that story for us from Pinellas Park. We thank you, Bob.
Daryn, over to you. KAGAN: Some of the supporters of Terri Schiavo's parents are still demanding that Florida Governor Jeb Bush intervene to save her life. But the governor says he has done all he can do.
Our Ed Henry spoke with the governor and he joins us now from the state capital of Tallahassee.
Ed, good morning.
ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. That's right. The governor faced intense pressure over Easter weekend, since he's Catholic to step in and try and save Terri Schiavo's life. In fact, Schiavo's parents were saying that they wanted him to intervene to try to take custody of Terri Schiavo, move her to a hospital and reinsert the feeding tube.
There were protesters on Good Friday outside the governor's mansion holding up signs, like "Don't be a Pontius Pilet." "Jeb shall not murderer." Some really tough stuff. So yesterday when I caught up with the governor outside Sunday Mass, he was looking a bit wary and very emotional.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HENRY (on camera): I just want to ask you a couple of questions, if that's OK. What are your thoughts about Terri Schiavo in?
(on camera): On this Easter, what are your thoughts about Terri Schiavo?
GOV. JEB BUSH (R), FLORIDA: It's sad that she's in this situation that she's in. I feel bad for her family. My heart goes out to the Schindlers, and for that matter to Michael. This has not been an easy thing for any member of the family. But most particularly, for Terri Schiavo. I think there's enough uncertainty for people to have doubt, and I do.
HENRY: If she dies, are you at peace with the fact that you feel you've done all you can.
BUSH: Absolutely.
HENRY: What do you say to the parents who feel you can do more and should do more.
BUSH: I can't. I'd love to, but I can't.
HENRY: And why is that? Because your interpretation of the state law is that you cannot...
BUSH: It's not a question of interpretation. I mean I cannot violate a court order. I don't have powers from the United States Constitution, or for that matter, from the Florida Constitution that would allow me to intervene after a decision has been made.
(END VIDEO CLIP) HENRY: But there are some conservative activists who insist that the governor does have the power to move in to override the courts. In fact, one of them, Larry Klayman yesterday called the governor to resign from his office, saying that he should have stepped in a long time ago.
While there is divided legal opinion over whether or not the governor has that power, all sides do agree that if actually used such a maneuver it would spark yet another nasty legal showdown. And the governor was making it clear in that interview he is not going down that road -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Maybe not down that road. But a lot of people looking and speculating about the legacy of this story on Florida politics, and some laws that might be changed.
HENRY: Oh, absolutely. I mean we already saw the governor pushing really hard last week to try to get the state House and the Senate behind me here to change the law in order to make it such that if someone does not put their wishes in writing and they do not have a living will, like Terri Schiavo in this case, regardless of what the husband, what the spouse says it doesn't matter. If you don't have a living will, they could reinsert the feeding tube.
You're going to see a new effort undoubtedly to push that legislation here, and obviously, potentially nationally, but also politically. A lot of Speculation about how to this may affect the governor. People in his inner circle say they note he's not running for re-election. He doesn't care about the politics here. And they also say he's been insisting he's not running for president in 2008. But others in Florida are saying he does have national ambitions and this case is going to have a big impact on those ambitions -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Ed Henry in Tallahassee, Florida. Ed, thank you.
SANCHEZ: Here's something that plays into the political conversation. Polls are finding that most Americans disapprove of President Bush and the Congress even getting involved in the Terri Schiavo case. For example, a "Time" magazine poll finds that seven out of 10 people say it was wrong for the president to intervene.
Three-quarters of those polled faulted members of Congress. The "Time" poll also found a majority of all Americans and even a majority of those described as evangelicals agreed with the decision to remove Schiavo's feeding tube.
KAGAN: And the story behind the story that hasn't been told. There are -- excuse, 69 other patients besides Terri Schiavo at this Pinellas Park hospice. And the loved ones of those patients have not had easy access due to the intense security. In fact, one woman says she was not able to spend the final minutes with her dying grandfather.
Jennifer Johnson said two police officers delayed her. And one asked for I.D., the other conducting a weapons search.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENNIFER JOHNSON, GRANDFATHER DIED AT HOSPICE: I had went through the process with the police officer and a metal detector test. I ran down the hallway, flew open the door. And the nurses who were attending to my granted father told me he had missed it by one minute.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: There are other disruptions in the neighborhood. Police have blocked the road in front of the hospice and an elementary school next door won't be opened today.
SANCHEZ: One lawmaker who has strongly supported keeping Terri Schiavo alive had a difficult family decision to make himself in 1988. "The Los Angeles Times" is reporting that House majority leader Tom DeLay's father was in a coma following an accident at home. After consulting with doctors, the family decided against prolonging his life.
An aide to DeLay says unlike Schiavo, the congressman's father was connected to a ventilator. Last week, DeLay called Michael Schiavo's attempt to take his wife off life support, quote, "barbaric.
KAGAN: There is nothing hospitable about this southern visitor. A nasty storm system heading north after soaking the southeast. Boy, did we get a lot of rain here in Atlanta. We're going to tell you what's expected.
SANCHEZ: And that moping up the insurgent mess in western Iraq. We're on the ground with the Marines as they go in search of foreign fighters.
Also still to come, this...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I believe do or die for both sides. The material is so potentially prejudicial.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Why today's proceedings in the Michael Jackson criminal case could be a key factor in determining the pop star's fate.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: As we continue our coverage of the Terri Schiavo story, I wanted to share with you sound we're getting in from Florida Governor Bush who said previously there's nothing more he can do legally to save Terri Schiavo's life. The governor, making comments a few minutes ago. Let's listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: An issue that is complicated because there's a contested guardianship issue. And it's gotten obviously a lot of attention just given its unique nature. But from a personal perspective it just breaks my heart that we're not -- we've not erred on the side of life. While I'm respectful of the judiciary's decisions, it just seems that having a fresh, a de novo look if you will, would have made sense.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: And that's Governor Jeb Bush with the latest comments on Terri Schiavo, going into her 11-day without the feeding tube.
SANCHEZ: Here's another story we followed throughout the weekend here at CNN. It was a soggy Easter for many parts of the southeastern United States. Powerful thunderstorms plowed across Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas. Montgomery, Alabama, for example as you can see in some of these pictures, had to deal with some pretty serious flash flooding and some high winds.
KAGAN: And what can the country expect today? Jacqui Jeras here a look at that.
(WEATHER REPORT)
SANCHEZ: some more violence in Iraq today. This time, it's not just police, but also religious pilgrims targeted. At least two people were killed and nine others wounded in a car bombing on the road to Karbala. Hundred of thousands of Shiites are traveling to the city for a religious observance this week.
Then in Baghdad, two separate attacks against police killed three people and wounded five. A roadside bomb exploded near a patrol in one incident. In the other, a police colonel and his driver where gunned down in a drive-by shooting.
KAGAN: Well, you might call Anbar Province Iraq's Wild West. It's a vast area that insurgent leaders moved into when Marines were deployed for the Battle of Falluja. Well, now the Marines have returned and they're looking to crack down on a terrorist network.
CNN's Jane Arraf went along on a mission.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): In western al Anbar Province, stretching hundreds of miles to the Syrian border, there are lots of places for people to hide. This is one of the areas where troops, like the Marine's First Force Reconnaissance Company are focusing their search for insurgent leaders. Untangling the web of foreign fighters and former regime loyalists, they believe will bring them closer to Abu Musaab al Zarqawi.
COL. CRAIG TUCKER, U.S. MARINE CORPS: And now we're at the point we're able to get the guys who are actually doing the coordination and doing the -- facilitating the cooperation. As we bring them in, we're able to talk to them, you know, interrogate them. And they start talking, it does give us a better picture of what we're facing out there. ARRAF: When the Marines here left to fight the bat of Falluja last year, they believe insurgent leaders moved in to re-establish cells. Fighting them is often a matter of keeping them moving.
TUCKER: Just frankly, you know, a terrorist organization out here in west is dangerous to the people in the cities its in, in terms of the larger national perspective. As long as we keep them out here and they can't influence Ramadi or influence Baghdad, then their powers diminish significantly.
ARRAF: Marine units deployed in Falluja recently moved back to these cities and town as long the Euphrates River. The Iraqi police and army, just beginning to get on their feet, had disintegrated while they were gone.
(on camera): Marines have taken up positions here because they believe there might be explosives buried just up ahead. The street is eerily deserted. And it's not clear whether it's because there might be insurgents in the area or because the Marines are here.
(voice-over): Here in Hadifa, General Fayed Abdel Aziz oversees one of a last remnant of the Iraqi National Guard. It was merged with the Iraqi army months ago in the rest of the country. He tells the Colonel Tucker they've just arrested a major cell leader. He says he confessed to being sent by Syria. This car, he says, was meant to launch rockets. It's a rough neighborhood, he tells us.
GEN. FAYED ABDEL AZIZ, IRAQI ARMY (through translator): We're bordered by through countries, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia. There are cars, mines, rockets coming from these countries and there are also terrorist groups coming to destroy Iraq.
ARRAF: The General Fayed used to have 1,000 men under his command. The rest quit or were killed when the Marines left. He says he has 300 remaining. The Marines say there are a few dozen. But the general says those numbers will grow again as U.S. forces back in al Anbar work with Iraqis to retake control of Iraq's western frontier.
TUCKER: We're here now, right?
Jane Arraf, near Hadifa, Iraq.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: One mother's mission could change the way siblings are deployed in the military. Still ahead, the Maryland woman who turned to Capitol Hill after her sons were sent to Iraq.
KAGAN: And up next, paying for your child's higher education. We'll run down the "Top Five Tips" to make it happen.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: It's that time of year. A lot of high school seniors still wait organize doing the spring break thing. Yet their parents might be fretting over what might be the biggest test of all, paying for the upcoming college education.
Here's CNN's personal finance editor, Gerri Willis with her "Top Five Tips" on paying for college.
Gerri, good morning.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN-FN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hi there, Daryn. Good to see you. Don't panic over the dollars. That's the first thing I want to tell you. We all know that college isn't going to be cheap. And if you look at the numbers, people pay $11,000, actually more than that to get into just a state school. If your child gets into the Ivy League, forget about it. It's going to be $40,000 a year. Lots of money there.
But keep in mind here, Daryn, most families don't pay full price. In fact, just about 70 percent of families pay less than $8,000 a year in tuition and fees. So there is a way out.
KAGAN: Yes. But that still is a big chunk for a lot of families. I don't know what a FAFSA but I apparently know you have to fill it out.
WILLIS: Boy, you need one of those. It's called a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The government gives them out. We're going to show you right here on the screen how to get one of your own. That's how you're going to get some free money. Or money that you can at least pay back over time.
You want to fill this out. In two weeks you'll get something back called the "Student Aid Report." And here's what you're looking for. Bottom line is the expected family contribution. This is how much money your family's on the hook for, providing on your own. Check it out. And be sure to get the FAFSA.
KAGAN: So the private schools might be more expensive but you might actually get more help in.
WILLIS: That's absolutely true. You're going to get different pack annuals from different schools. If you're like most families, the kid is going to choose the school with the worst package, right?
Yes.
(LAUGHTER)
WILLIS: So you need to be able to understand the packages first and compare them. There are a couple of Web sites we want to send you to find that out. Lunchmoney.com, collegeboard.com can help you make those comparisons. But beyond that, if they do pick the school that doesn't have the most fabulous package, realize you can kind of negotiate that. You can go back to those school and say, hey, we got offered this fabulous package from college X, can you meet or beat that in.
KAGAN: And don't just keep it at the school for what kind of scholarships you're looking for. WILLIS: No, you've got to look other places as well. As a matter of fact, collegeboard, the Web site that I just talked about a second ago, they will give you ways of finding other scholarship dollars. And frankly, Daryn, you can just go to Google and put in the word "scholarship," and maybe some of your kid's favorite activities maybe if they're a great football player. and you'll start finding other scholarships as well if they might be available.
KAGAN: In the end, just don't give up.
WILLIS: Don't give up. You know why? Because a college education is a great investment. People with a bachelor's degree earn 70 percent more than people with just a high school diploma. So it really makes a big difference. It's a really great investment.
KAGAN: Hmm. Gerri Willis, thank you.
WILLIS: Thank you.
SANCHEZ: I was busy taking notes during that conversation.
KAGAN: You have four kids to put through college.
SANCHEZ: Four. Yes. I was doing the math and it scares me.
KAGAN: Not good. Not good.
SANCHEZ: Can I get some overtime tonight?
KAGAN: Exactly.
(LAUGHTER)
KAGAN: Should siblings serving in the military be stationed in a war zone all at the same time?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I had some concerns that I stood the possibility of my entire family being wiped out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: How one Maryland mother is taking political action to try and protect her three sons.
KAGAN: And are you still wondering the big question, why did Michael Jackson show up to court one day in pajama bottoms? Well, you're going to hear his explanation next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: We're coming up on the half hour, waiting for a critical decision in the Michael Jackson trial.
Good morning, I'm Daryn Kagan. And I'm Rick Sanchez. And here's what's happening right now in the news.
First of all, a leading figure in the effort to try and keep Terri Schiavo alive is going to be heading to Washington today. The Reverend Patrick Mahoney is pleading with the congressional leaders and the Bush administration. Mahoney wants them to enforce a subpoena issued by a House panel for Schiavo to appear before Congress. Court rulings have thrown that subpoena out.
The Supreme Court is meeting this hour to try and consider a death penalty question. Can states execute foreigners convicted of murder especially those who say that they were denied access to legal help interest their own countries. The specific case involves a Texas death row inmate who is from Mexico. Prosecutors say the defendant never raised the issue during his trial.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
