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CNN Live Sunday
Deadly Attacks In Iraq Kill 6, Wound Over 50; Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Advocates For Private Screener At Airports
Aired April 24, 2005 - 16:00 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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: A series of deadly attacks today in Iraq leaves dozens dead or wounded. We'll got live to Baghdad to the latest on the bombings and which groups might be behind these attacks.
Also, hundreds of thousands officially welcome a new pope. In depth on the pomp and pageantry of the centuries old tradition behind the inauguration mass.
And later...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It took a while to get here, but I made it. It's over and done. Feels pretty good.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: yes!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: One of the true American heroes from the war in Iraq. How an insurgent attack changed his life and how he's trying to help other soldiers face a similar fate.
Hello and welcome to CNN LIVE SUNDAY. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. All that and more after a look at the headlines.
Searchers are combing Eastern Georgia for two missing toddlers. Authorities are using dog teams and helicopters to help scour the area for siblings Nicole and Jonah Cane. Their mother reported them missing last night from their home in Warren County.
Under the heading "Every Penny Counts," motorists are getting some relief from high gas prices. According to the Lundberg Survey have dropped nearly a nickel in the last two weeks. The average price of a gallon of self serve regular is now at $2.24.
Ecuador's ousted president is in Brazil beginning his asylum. Lucio Gutierrez sneaked out of the Brazilian ambassador's residence in Quito under the cover of darkness early this morning. He avoided protesters wanting him tried for corruption. Brazil's Air Force flew Gutierrez and members of his family to Brasilia.
More tough talk from North Korea today. And a new warning about plans to bolster its nuclear might. U.S. diplomats have been scrambling to get the North Koreans back to the bargaining since they announced they were boycotting disarmament talks. They're concerned the North Koreans may now try to add to their nuclear arsenal.
We begin with carnage in Iraq. For weeks, the violence seemed to be on the decline, but in the last few days, the U.S. military has been closely watching a surge in the attacks. Today, insurgents struck again and in a big way in Baghdad.
CNN's Ryan Chilcote is in the Iraqi capital and joins us live with details.
RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that recent -- the most recent attack, Fredricka, took place just about three hours ago, it was a double bombing what until now had been a relatively quiet Shiite neighborhood. The first attack took place about 9:00 p.m. It was about 150 yards from a Shiite mosque right next to a very busy marketplace.
The first bomb went off. People rushed in to help the wounded there. That's when the second bomb went off, Iraqi police telling CNN they believe that that second bomb was a remote controlled bomb. Now, they say that those two bombs killed at least 16 Iraqis and wounded 57 more.
And Fredricka, that was not all. This morning, there was another double bombing, this time in the city of Tikrit. A Sunni area. Two suicide bombers targeting Iraqi police. They detonated themselves about 15 minutes apart from one another right outside of an Iraqi police academy as these were preparing to go to the country of Jordan. Iraq police often go to Jordan because it is considered to be safer to train in that country. That attack killing at least six Iraqi police. Wounding 26 more -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And Ryan, what about who or group just might be responsible for this spade of attacks? Does it seem like there's any real common denominator?
CHILCOTE: That's a very good question, because although the methods in both of these attacks are similar, the fact that they were double bombings, the targets are clearly different. This evening's target clearly was targeted at Shiites, suggesting sectarian violence, perhaps Sunnis trying to attack Shiites, or at least terrorists looking like Sunnis attacking Shiites. And then in the north, in Tikrit, that was an attack clearly targeting Iraqi police.
So, what's interesting in Iraq is that you have a lot of different violence. And you have a lot of different agendas, not necessarily one group of people carrying out or responsible for all these various attacks -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right. Ryan Chilcote in Baghdad, thanks so much.
Also in Iraq, the U.S. military has detained four more people in connection with the crash of a helicopter last week. That brings the number of suspects in custody to ten. Two militant groups say they shot down the civilian chopper near Baghdad on Thursday. There were 11 people on board including six Americans, three Bulgarians and two Fijians. The insurgents released videos of the attack and video of the killing of the lone survivor of that crash.
Turning now to the events here in the U.S., politics and religion don't mix, or at least that's the saying and that's how it goes, but the fight over President Bush's judicial picks came to churches across the country today. A conservative Christian group billing this as "Justice Sunday" and it's recruited a prominent Republican for the cause. But that's not sitting very well with everyone.
CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is following the story from Crawford, Texas -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well Fred, very interesting the show down between Republicans and Democrats over President Bush's judicial nominees in playing out in church today. This is in Louisville, Kentucky. This is where two different religious groups are holding competing rallies over the filibuster -- yes, that's right, the filibuster.
And what this is essentially is that Senate procedure that Democrats are now using to block President Bush's most conservative judicial nominees from getting a vote on the full Senate floor.
Now at this hour, one religious group is rallying in support of the filibuster. Later this evening, there's going to be another more conservative religious group that is going to rally against it, saying get rid of the filibuster.
Now, their main speaker is Majority Leader Bill Frist. Now, he has prepared remarks, pre-taped remarks that will be telecast for that event. His office has released excerpts. Let's take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BILL FRIST, (R-TN) MAJORITY LEADER: My Democrat counterpart, Senator Reid calls me a radical Republican. I don't think it's radical to ask senators to vote. I don't think it's radical to expect senators to fulfill their constitutional responsibilities. I don't think it's radical to restore precedence that worked so well for 214 years.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now Fred, this is just a small part of his speech that is going to be simulcast on Christian radio, television and churches throughout the country later this evening. It is all part of an aggressive movement by Christian conservatives to portray blocking President Bush's judicial nominees as what one group is calling against people of faith -- an act against people of faith.
Now, key players on both sides of this issue today in this debate -- the filibuster debate -- were urging their parties to simply take a step back and compromise.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. ARLEN SPECTER, (R) PENNSYLVANIA: My Republican colleagues ought not to vote for the nuclear option as a matter of party loyalty. And the Democrats ought not to be voting in lock step in filibusters as a matter of party loyalty.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE:
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: And Fred, of course those competing rallies today on underscores the importance that religion is now playing in politics. And of course the battle that is taking place in this country over the federal courts. Those courts, those judges, of course, making key decisions on such controversial hot button issues as abortion and gay marriage -- Fred.
WHITFIELD: All right. Suzanne Malveaux from Crawford, Texas, thanks so much.
New potentially damaging details about Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist counterpart in the House. Congressman Tom DeLay has been is under intense scrutiny for alleged ethics violations. Today, the "Washington Post" reports the airfare for a trip DeLay took to London and Scotland in 2000 was charged to a credit card issued to Jack Abramoff. He's a powerful lobbyist now under criminal and congressional investigation. House ethics rules forbid lawmakers from accepting travel expenses from registered lobbyists. DeLay has denied any wrongdoing.
The flowers are blooming, the gardens are growing and in the north, it's snowing. This is not an illusion.
More than a month into spring, a major snowstorm has dumped as much as 8 inches of snow in Cleveland, Ohio. Michigan is digging out from the snow, as well just days after the mercury hit 80 degrees there.
Our meteorologist, Orelon Sidney just us to explain what in the world is going on, very strange spring.
(WEATHER REPORT)
WHITFIELD: Well, lots of wacky weather across the country, all week. A tornado raced across Southeast Kansas Thursday evening, damaging or destroying five homes there. Tornado warnings in Kansas City forced travelers at the international airport to evacuate the terminals and then wait out the storm in airport tunnels. The same storm system pummeled Northeastern Oklahoma where heavy rain and hail fell the size of a quarter fell in Mays County. No injuries, however, were reported there.
Well, the latest battle of gay rights puts children right in the middle. Ahead on CNN LIVE SUNDAY, the legislation in one state that would prevent gay men and lesbians from becoming foster parents. You'll hear both sides of that debate. Also, the fall of Saigon in 1975. Some of those aboard the last commercial flights to leave war-torn Vietnam reunite and remember.
(NATIONAL ANTHEM)
WHITFIELD: Well, she started out strong. But then this performance proved to be rather painful, literally. We'll show you that.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Airport security has undergone radical changes since 9/11. One of the largest undertakings was federalizing most airport screening. Well, congress is now looking into the performance of federal screeners. And one congressman, Aviation Subcommittee Chairman John Mica is saying private screeners under federal supervision actually do a better job than federal screeners.
What does this say about security? Here to answer that is CNN security analyst Clark Kent Ervin. He's a former inspector general for Homeland Security.
Good to see you, Clark.
CLARK KENT ERVIN, CNN SECURITY ANALYST: Good to see you, Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right. Well, you have a chance to look at the report. Are you convinced from that report that private screeners do about the same job as federal screeners?
ERVIN: Yes. I'm convinced from that report that private screeners don't do any better or worse than federal screeners do, so I'd be concerned about going to a system, again, where we have a privatized work force throughout the country.
WHITFIELD: Well, how can that be when everyone experiences when going through the airport seeing that weapons, everything from fingernail files to small knives and much more obvious and larger weapons are confiscated? How can the comparisons be made that before 9/11 and post 9/11 that security really hasn't improved at airports?
ERVIN: Right. Well, there actually have been some improvements since 9/11. And that's important to stress. Cockpit doors are hardened, some pilots are armed, that number of air marshals has significantly been increased. And generally speaking, airport screeners are better trained and more sensitized.
But that said, this report that was released by the office of inspector general last week shows that on the third try -- there have been three such undercover tests -- airport screeners are no better able than they were on 9/11 to detect deadly weapons sneaked by passengers on their persons or in their luggage.
So, there's a way to go before this critical layer of security is as secure as I it can be. WHITFIELD: So, as a former inspector general you have been quoted as saying you think that it -- that the private and federal screeners are equally doing a poor job. What are your observations?
ERVIN: Right. They are doing about the same. Neither is doing as well as they should.
We made, when we last did this testing in '03, we made a number of recommendations that should, I think, be fully implemented. And if they are, I'm convinced that screeners can do a better job. We can never have 100 percent accuracy, but we can get better than we are presently.
WHITFIELD: But what is missing? Is it strictly an issue of finance? Of money being allocated?
ERVIN: Money is...
WHITFIELD: Updated technology.
ERVIN: Money is part of it. Technology's the key part of it, though. There are a number of technologies like, for example, like back scatter. It's an X-ray system where you can see through the clothing of passengers and you can tell whether there are weapons hidden on the body, or weapons hidden in elsewhere.
Also, there's multi view X-ray technology that can reconfiguration a bag on the X-ray screen so that however the bag is positioned, hidden weapons can be found.
So, this kind of technology needs to be deployed at airports throughout country.
WHITFIELD: So, what's the problem with deploying this kind of technology? If $170 million, reportedly, is being used from the TSA for studying some of these options, why not use that same amount of money to actually finance the technology that you just described to make it better?
ERVIN: I couldn't agree with you more. TSA needs to take the money given to it and deploy as much of that money as possible to make sure that this technology is available in airports throughout the country.
And TSA has been challenged, actually, in spending money. Just this week, also, a report was released showing that about $19 million was spent on a state of the art operation center with half a million dollars spent on art work and silk plants. So, the expenditures need to focus on equipment and technology so that we can be safer in terms of aviation security.
WHITFIELD: Clark Kent Irvin, a CNN security analyst: Thanks so much for joining us.
ERVIN: Thank you. WHITFIELD: Well finally, some encouraging news on gasoline prices. The Lundberg Survey finds gas prices have dropped more than four cents over the past two weeks. It's the first time this year that survey has shown prices dropping at least a penny. The average price of self serve is now $2.24 a gallon. Drivers in San Francisco are paying the most, apparently $2.64 a gallon. The lowest price, $2.04. And that was found in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Well speaking of money, Americans are becoming more pessimistic about the economy. The latest Gallup Poll finds 31 percent of Americans believe the economy is getting better, 61 percent say it's getting worse. That's up sharply from 50 percent in March and continues a worsening outlook on the economy.
Pomp and circumstance today at the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI is invested with the power of the papacy. How he paid respect to the predecessors straight ahead on CNN LIVE SUNDAY.
And later, it's art therapy with heavy emphasis on art. A program that gives those suffering from mental illness a chance to express themselves.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: History made at the Vatican today: A massive crowd, some 350,000 pilgrims and dignitaries, gathered to watch Pope Benedict XVI formally become the new head of the Roman Catholic Church. 50,000 others saw the event unfold on large screens at squares around Rome. The pope's first message to the faithful seemed a cautious one. His open manner comforting those who worry that Benedict, with his reputation as a traditionalist, might be too stern. Our Jennifer Eccelston explains all the details of the new pope's investiture.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JENNIFER ECCLESTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The solemn inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI drew from centuries of tradition, but proclaimed a modern message: That the Catholic Church is a living vessel for the young and an instrument for dialogue with other faiths.
It began with a procession of the 78-year-old pope and his cardinals at the tomb of St. Peter, the first pope, underneath the majestic Basilica. Then, the open air mass began. And Benedict as he entered St. Peter's Square, was greeted with applause, given his fisherman's ring and a woolen pallium, or shawl, both symbols of his papal authority.
Then 12 people for Christ's 12 disciples knelt before him, pledged obedience and kissed his golden ring. Benedict greeted each one, grasped their hands, and chatted for a few seconds.
The mass and Benedict's homily offered a platform not only to outline the tone of his pontificate, but to give other religious leaders an opportunity to assess any new directions in the Vatican.
POPE BENEDICT VXI (through translator): I also greet all those who have been reborn in the sacrament of baptism but are not yet in full communion with us. And you, my brothers and sisters of the Jewish people to whom we are joined by a great shared spiritual heritage.
ECCLESTON: At several times, applause interpreted Benedict's homily. No more so when he mentioned the close friend and predecessor, Pope John Paul II whom the new pontiff said was at home with the saints.
(on camera): Over a thousand volunteers have been drafted to manage this enormous crowd, including many from a German-speaking region of Northern Italy here to help the tens of thousands of pilgrims from the pope's homeland.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): You can't real he see that much but there's a great atmosphere here. Everyone's enjoying themselves, spirits are high. It's been really fantastic.
ECCLESTON (voice-over): But it was not only Germans coming to welcome the pope. Alongside their flag, pilgrims from Brazil, Lebanon and Poland waved their own national emblems while thousands of Italians joined the crowd.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): He seems like a man who's really open to the youth. And it seems he is also trying to get close to the Italians. He is really making an effort to speak well in our language.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through Translator): I think he is really open to the young. Really friendly.
ECCLESTON: Emergency medical staff were also present, lending a hand to this teenager overcome by the heat.
Security measures were tight with 7,000 police on duty and air space over the city closed. Rome and Vatican officials well prepared for the onslaught of pilgrims and dignitaries, including the Chancellor of Germany, the king and queen of Spain, Britain's Prince Phillip and a sizable American delegation including members of Congress and the governor of Florida, Catholic convert Jeb Bush, the brother of the U.S. president.
Leaders of other faiths were in attendance including the Archbishop of Canterbury, the first sitting lead Anglican leader to attend a papal inauguration since the Reformation.
Pope Benedict XVI invited Rome's chief rabbi, but he sent his regrets, because the mass fell on the first day of Passover.
The highlight of the inauguration, at least for the crowds, was Benedict's first extended interaction with his flock. Driving in an open top pope-mobile through St. Peter's Square, waving and smiling. The final transformation of a curial cardinal into a pope, the face of Catholicism worldwide.
Jennifer Eccelston, CNN, at the Vatican. (END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: A check of the headlines. Straight ahead on CNN LIVE SUNDAY.
Then, children caught in the middle of the latest gay rights battle. Both sides debate the issue.
And this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was reaching over there to try to, you know, like ease his fall, you know, I just like collapsed, I just dropped. That's because my leg, it was gone.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: He lost a leg in battle, but became an inspiration to fellow soldiers in recovery.
(ALLERGY REPORT)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired April 24, 2005 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: A series of deadly attacks today in Iraq leaves dozens dead or wounded. We'll got live to Baghdad to the latest on the bombings and which groups might be behind these attacks.
Also, hundreds of thousands officially welcome a new pope. In depth on the pomp and pageantry of the centuries old tradition behind the inauguration mass.
And later...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It took a while to get here, but I made it. It's over and done. Feels pretty good.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: yes!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: One of the true American heroes from the war in Iraq. How an insurgent attack changed his life and how he's trying to help other soldiers face a similar fate.
Hello and welcome to CNN LIVE SUNDAY. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. All that and more after a look at the headlines.
Searchers are combing Eastern Georgia for two missing toddlers. Authorities are using dog teams and helicopters to help scour the area for siblings Nicole and Jonah Cane. Their mother reported them missing last night from their home in Warren County.
Under the heading "Every Penny Counts," motorists are getting some relief from high gas prices. According to the Lundberg Survey have dropped nearly a nickel in the last two weeks. The average price of a gallon of self serve regular is now at $2.24.
Ecuador's ousted president is in Brazil beginning his asylum. Lucio Gutierrez sneaked out of the Brazilian ambassador's residence in Quito under the cover of darkness early this morning. He avoided protesters wanting him tried for corruption. Brazil's Air Force flew Gutierrez and members of his family to Brasilia.
More tough talk from North Korea today. And a new warning about plans to bolster its nuclear might. U.S. diplomats have been scrambling to get the North Koreans back to the bargaining since they announced they were boycotting disarmament talks. They're concerned the North Koreans may now try to add to their nuclear arsenal.
We begin with carnage in Iraq. For weeks, the violence seemed to be on the decline, but in the last few days, the U.S. military has been closely watching a surge in the attacks. Today, insurgents struck again and in a big way in Baghdad.
CNN's Ryan Chilcote is in the Iraqi capital and joins us live with details.
RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that recent -- the most recent attack, Fredricka, took place just about three hours ago, it was a double bombing what until now had been a relatively quiet Shiite neighborhood. The first attack took place about 9:00 p.m. It was about 150 yards from a Shiite mosque right next to a very busy marketplace.
The first bomb went off. People rushed in to help the wounded there. That's when the second bomb went off, Iraqi police telling CNN they believe that that second bomb was a remote controlled bomb. Now, they say that those two bombs killed at least 16 Iraqis and wounded 57 more.
And Fredricka, that was not all. This morning, there was another double bombing, this time in the city of Tikrit. A Sunni area. Two suicide bombers targeting Iraqi police. They detonated themselves about 15 minutes apart from one another right outside of an Iraqi police academy as these were preparing to go to the country of Jordan. Iraq police often go to Jordan because it is considered to be safer to train in that country. That attack killing at least six Iraqi police. Wounding 26 more -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And Ryan, what about who or group just might be responsible for this spade of attacks? Does it seem like there's any real common denominator?
CHILCOTE: That's a very good question, because although the methods in both of these attacks are similar, the fact that they were double bombings, the targets are clearly different. This evening's target clearly was targeted at Shiites, suggesting sectarian violence, perhaps Sunnis trying to attack Shiites, or at least terrorists looking like Sunnis attacking Shiites. And then in the north, in Tikrit, that was an attack clearly targeting Iraqi police.
So, what's interesting in Iraq is that you have a lot of different violence. And you have a lot of different agendas, not necessarily one group of people carrying out or responsible for all these various attacks -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right. Ryan Chilcote in Baghdad, thanks so much.
Also in Iraq, the U.S. military has detained four more people in connection with the crash of a helicopter last week. That brings the number of suspects in custody to ten. Two militant groups say they shot down the civilian chopper near Baghdad on Thursday. There were 11 people on board including six Americans, three Bulgarians and two Fijians. The insurgents released videos of the attack and video of the killing of the lone survivor of that crash.
Turning now to the events here in the U.S., politics and religion don't mix, or at least that's the saying and that's how it goes, but the fight over President Bush's judicial picks came to churches across the country today. A conservative Christian group billing this as "Justice Sunday" and it's recruited a prominent Republican for the cause. But that's not sitting very well with everyone.
CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is following the story from Crawford, Texas -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well Fred, very interesting the show down between Republicans and Democrats over President Bush's judicial nominees in playing out in church today. This is in Louisville, Kentucky. This is where two different religious groups are holding competing rallies over the filibuster -- yes, that's right, the filibuster.
And what this is essentially is that Senate procedure that Democrats are now using to block President Bush's most conservative judicial nominees from getting a vote on the full Senate floor.
Now at this hour, one religious group is rallying in support of the filibuster. Later this evening, there's going to be another more conservative religious group that is going to rally against it, saying get rid of the filibuster.
Now, their main speaker is Majority Leader Bill Frist. Now, he has prepared remarks, pre-taped remarks that will be telecast for that event. His office has released excerpts. Let's take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BILL FRIST, (R-TN) MAJORITY LEADER: My Democrat counterpart, Senator Reid calls me a radical Republican. I don't think it's radical to ask senators to vote. I don't think it's radical to expect senators to fulfill their constitutional responsibilities. I don't think it's radical to restore precedence that worked so well for 214 years.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now Fred, this is just a small part of his speech that is going to be simulcast on Christian radio, television and churches throughout the country later this evening. It is all part of an aggressive movement by Christian conservatives to portray blocking President Bush's judicial nominees as what one group is calling against people of faith -- an act against people of faith.
Now, key players on both sides of this issue today in this debate -- the filibuster debate -- were urging their parties to simply take a step back and compromise.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. ARLEN SPECTER, (R) PENNSYLVANIA: My Republican colleagues ought not to vote for the nuclear option as a matter of party loyalty. And the Democrats ought not to be voting in lock step in filibusters as a matter of party loyalty.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE:
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: And Fred, of course those competing rallies today on underscores the importance that religion is now playing in politics. And of course the battle that is taking place in this country over the federal courts. Those courts, those judges, of course, making key decisions on such controversial hot button issues as abortion and gay marriage -- Fred.
WHITFIELD: All right. Suzanne Malveaux from Crawford, Texas, thanks so much.
New potentially damaging details about Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist counterpart in the House. Congressman Tom DeLay has been is under intense scrutiny for alleged ethics violations. Today, the "Washington Post" reports the airfare for a trip DeLay took to London and Scotland in 2000 was charged to a credit card issued to Jack Abramoff. He's a powerful lobbyist now under criminal and congressional investigation. House ethics rules forbid lawmakers from accepting travel expenses from registered lobbyists. DeLay has denied any wrongdoing.
The flowers are blooming, the gardens are growing and in the north, it's snowing. This is not an illusion.
More than a month into spring, a major snowstorm has dumped as much as 8 inches of snow in Cleveland, Ohio. Michigan is digging out from the snow, as well just days after the mercury hit 80 degrees there.
Our meteorologist, Orelon Sidney just us to explain what in the world is going on, very strange spring.
(WEATHER REPORT)
WHITFIELD: Well, lots of wacky weather across the country, all week. A tornado raced across Southeast Kansas Thursday evening, damaging or destroying five homes there. Tornado warnings in Kansas City forced travelers at the international airport to evacuate the terminals and then wait out the storm in airport tunnels. The same storm system pummeled Northeastern Oklahoma where heavy rain and hail fell the size of a quarter fell in Mays County. No injuries, however, were reported there.
Well, the latest battle of gay rights puts children right in the middle. Ahead on CNN LIVE SUNDAY, the legislation in one state that would prevent gay men and lesbians from becoming foster parents. You'll hear both sides of that debate. Also, the fall of Saigon in 1975. Some of those aboard the last commercial flights to leave war-torn Vietnam reunite and remember.
(NATIONAL ANTHEM)
WHITFIELD: Well, she started out strong. But then this performance proved to be rather painful, literally. We'll show you that.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Airport security has undergone radical changes since 9/11. One of the largest undertakings was federalizing most airport screening. Well, congress is now looking into the performance of federal screeners. And one congressman, Aviation Subcommittee Chairman John Mica is saying private screeners under federal supervision actually do a better job than federal screeners.
What does this say about security? Here to answer that is CNN security analyst Clark Kent Ervin. He's a former inspector general for Homeland Security.
Good to see you, Clark.
CLARK KENT ERVIN, CNN SECURITY ANALYST: Good to see you, Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right. Well, you have a chance to look at the report. Are you convinced from that report that private screeners do about the same job as federal screeners?
ERVIN: Yes. I'm convinced from that report that private screeners don't do any better or worse than federal screeners do, so I'd be concerned about going to a system, again, where we have a privatized work force throughout the country.
WHITFIELD: Well, how can that be when everyone experiences when going through the airport seeing that weapons, everything from fingernail files to small knives and much more obvious and larger weapons are confiscated? How can the comparisons be made that before 9/11 and post 9/11 that security really hasn't improved at airports?
ERVIN: Right. Well, there actually have been some improvements since 9/11. And that's important to stress. Cockpit doors are hardened, some pilots are armed, that number of air marshals has significantly been increased. And generally speaking, airport screeners are better trained and more sensitized.
But that said, this report that was released by the office of inspector general last week shows that on the third try -- there have been three such undercover tests -- airport screeners are no better able than they were on 9/11 to detect deadly weapons sneaked by passengers on their persons or in their luggage.
So, there's a way to go before this critical layer of security is as secure as I it can be. WHITFIELD: So, as a former inspector general you have been quoted as saying you think that it -- that the private and federal screeners are equally doing a poor job. What are your observations?
ERVIN: Right. They are doing about the same. Neither is doing as well as they should.
We made, when we last did this testing in '03, we made a number of recommendations that should, I think, be fully implemented. And if they are, I'm convinced that screeners can do a better job. We can never have 100 percent accuracy, but we can get better than we are presently.
WHITFIELD: But what is missing? Is it strictly an issue of finance? Of money being allocated?
ERVIN: Money is...
WHITFIELD: Updated technology.
ERVIN: Money is part of it. Technology's the key part of it, though. There are a number of technologies like, for example, like back scatter. It's an X-ray system where you can see through the clothing of passengers and you can tell whether there are weapons hidden on the body, or weapons hidden in elsewhere.
Also, there's multi view X-ray technology that can reconfiguration a bag on the X-ray screen so that however the bag is positioned, hidden weapons can be found.
So, this kind of technology needs to be deployed at airports throughout country.
WHITFIELD: So, what's the problem with deploying this kind of technology? If $170 million, reportedly, is being used from the TSA for studying some of these options, why not use that same amount of money to actually finance the technology that you just described to make it better?
ERVIN: I couldn't agree with you more. TSA needs to take the money given to it and deploy as much of that money as possible to make sure that this technology is available in airports throughout the country.
And TSA has been challenged, actually, in spending money. Just this week, also, a report was released showing that about $19 million was spent on a state of the art operation center with half a million dollars spent on art work and silk plants. So, the expenditures need to focus on equipment and technology so that we can be safer in terms of aviation security.
WHITFIELD: Clark Kent Irvin, a CNN security analyst: Thanks so much for joining us.
ERVIN: Thank you. WHITFIELD: Well finally, some encouraging news on gasoline prices. The Lundberg Survey finds gas prices have dropped more than four cents over the past two weeks. It's the first time this year that survey has shown prices dropping at least a penny. The average price of self serve is now $2.24 a gallon. Drivers in San Francisco are paying the most, apparently $2.64 a gallon. The lowest price, $2.04. And that was found in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Well speaking of money, Americans are becoming more pessimistic about the economy. The latest Gallup Poll finds 31 percent of Americans believe the economy is getting better, 61 percent say it's getting worse. That's up sharply from 50 percent in March and continues a worsening outlook on the economy.
Pomp and circumstance today at the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI is invested with the power of the papacy. How he paid respect to the predecessors straight ahead on CNN LIVE SUNDAY.
And later, it's art therapy with heavy emphasis on art. A program that gives those suffering from mental illness a chance to express themselves.
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WHITFIELD: History made at the Vatican today: A massive crowd, some 350,000 pilgrims and dignitaries, gathered to watch Pope Benedict XVI formally become the new head of the Roman Catholic Church. 50,000 others saw the event unfold on large screens at squares around Rome. The pope's first message to the faithful seemed a cautious one. His open manner comforting those who worry that Benedict, with his reputation as a traditionalist, might be too stern. Our Jennifer Eccelston explains all the details of the new pope's investiture.
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JENNIFER ECCLESTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The solemn inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI drew from centuries of tradition, but proclaimed a modern message: That the Catholic Church is a living vessel for the young and an instrument for dialogue with other faiths.
It began with a procession of the 78-year-old pope and his cardinals at the tomb of St. Peter, the first pope, underneath the majestic Basilica. Then, the open air mass began. And Benedict as he entered St. Peter's Square, was greeted with applause, given his fisherman's ring and a woolen pallium, or shawl, both symbols of his papal authority.
Then 12 people for Christ's 12 disciples knelt before him, pledged obedience and kissed his golden ring. Benedict greeted each one, grasped their hands, and chatted for a few seconds.
The mass and Benedict's homily offered a platform not only to outline the tone of his pontificate, but to give other religious leaders an opportunity to assess any new directions in the Vatican.
POPE BENEDICT VXI (through translator): I also greet all those who have been reborn in the sacrament of baptism but are not yet in full communion with us. And you, my brothers and sisters of the Jewish people to whom we are joined by a great shared spiritual heritage.
ECCLESTON: At several times, applause interpreted Benedict's homily. No more so when he mentioned the close friend and predecessor, Pope John Paul II whom the new pontiff said was at home with the saints.
(on camera): Over a thousand volunteers have been drafted to manage this enormous crowd, including many from a German-speaking region of Northern Italy here to help the tens of thousands of pilgrims from the pope's homeland.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): You can't real he see that much but there's a great atmosphere here. Everyone's enjoying themselves, spirits are high. It's been really fantastic.
ECCLESTON (voice-over): But it was not only Germans coming to welcome the pope. Alongside their flag, pilgrims from Brazil, Lebanon and Poland waved their own national emblems while thousands of Italians joined the crowd.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): He seems like a man who's really open to the youth. And it seems he is also trying to get close to the Italians. He is really making an effort to speak well in our language.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through Translator): I think he is really open to the young. Really friendly.
ECCLESTON: Emergency medical staff were also present, lending a hand to this teenager overcome by the heat.
Security measures were tight with 7,000 police on duty and air space over the city closed. Rome and Vatican officials well prepared for the onslaught of pilgrims and dignitaries, including the Chancellor of Germany, the king and queen of Spain, Britain's Prince Phillip and a sizable American delegation including members of Congress and the governor of Florida, Catholic convert Jeb Bush, the brother of the U.S. president.
Leaders of other faiths were in attendance including the Archbishop of Canterbury, the first sitting lead Anglican leader to attend a papal inauguration since the Reformation.
Pope Benedict XVI invited Rome's chief rabbi, but he sent his regrets, because the mass fell on the first day of Passover.
The highlight of the inauguration, at least for the crowds, was Benedict's first extended interaction with his flock. Driving in an open top pope-mobile through St. Peter's Square, waving and smiling. The final transformation of a curial cardinal into a pope, the face of Catholicism worldwide.
Jennifer Eccelston, CNN, at the Vatican. (END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: A check of the headlines. Straight ahead on CNN LIVE SUNDAY.
Then, children caught in the middle of the latest gay rights battle. Both sides debate the issue.
And this.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was reaching over there to try to, you know, like ease his fall, you know, I just like collapsed, I just dropped. That's because my leg, it was gone.
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WHITFIELD: He lost a leg in battle, but became an inspiration to fellow soldiers in recovery.
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