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American Morning
President Bush in Russia Celebrating Defeat of Nazi Germany; New Attacks by Insurgents Across Iraq
Aired May 09, 2005 - 08:00 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Good morning.
It is V-E Day in Moscow. President Bush in Russia celebrating the defeat of Nazi Germany. A chance to deliver an important message too to Vladimir Putin.
There are new deadly attacks by insurgents across Iraq and now a major counteroffensive by American forces already taking a heavy toll there.
And what really happens in a crime scene investigation? Dr. Sanjay Gupta, behind the scenes and underwater in a special report on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Good morning. Welcome back, everybody.
Also ahead this morning, a controversial story out of North Carolina. A Baptist preacher there is accused of basically kicking all the Democrats out of his church. Well, now he's saying it was just a big old misunderstanding. We're going to talk this morning to one of his former parishioners and see if the parishioners agree with that.
HEMMER: Interesting case. Kicked some people out who voted for John Kerry and some people who voted for George Bush. So, we'll try and figure it out for you.
Also, a missing persons case that has police baffled; a college student disappearing without a trace. We'll find out why a rock 'n' roll band may hold the best hope in finding him.
O'BRIEN: Mr. Cafferty has got "The Question of the Day" this morning and "The File" as well.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Indeed. Coming up in the "Cafferty File", Soledad, more taxes piling up on your cell phone. Not on mine, I don't have one.
We'll tell you at what age some girls start learning to be mean. It might surprise you. Some of them get a Ph.D. in this at a very early age.
And Jesus Christ having a tough time getting a driver's license in West Virginia.
O'BRIEN: Oh, is it some poor man named Jesus? That's what I'm thinking.
CAFFERTY: You know, you always ask me this stuff, and I always tell you the same thing. You have to wait until...
O'BRIEN: That is because I'm intrigued. I'm interested. Waiting with baited breath.
CAFFERTY: Well, that's the purpose of the tease is to get you interested. But if we told the whole story now, no reason for anybody to watch later.
O'BRIEN: Then why listen later, exactly. All right, Jack. Sorry. Thanks.
CAFFERTY: Don't let it happen again.
O'BRIEN: Yes, I will.
(LAUGHTER)
Let's get right to Carol. She's got the headlines. Good morning again.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN NEWS ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: You should have used your mean girl gene on him.
O'BRIEN: Next time.
COSTELLO: Exactly. Good morning, good morning to all of you.
"Now in the News": President Bush is highlighting his friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin as he wraps up his visit to Moscow. The two leaders took part in a celebration earlier today, honoring the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. They also held private talks. Among the topics: recent concerns that Russia is moving away from democracy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAN BARTLETT, COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENT: Russia's development into a strong democracy will take a very Russian flavor. That is not going to be an American democracy. It will have its own traits and its own designs, and we fully recognize that.
But what President Bush is stressing is that all democracies have some things in common -- a transparent government; rule of law, a free media. Those are things that are universal, and that's why President Bush feels strongly about discussing these issues with President Putin. And I must say that President Putin himself recognizes that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: President Bush is scheduled to travel to the former Soviet republic of Georgia in the next hour.
Another suicide attack on Iraqi security forces this morning. A car bomb detonated at a checkpoint in southern Baghdad, killing at least four people, including two police officers, and wounding eight others.
And U.S. casualties in Iraq pass the 1,600 mark this weekend when three U.S. troops were killed. Two soldiers were killed near Khaldiya and a third in Samarra. The U.S. military says all three were killed by road-side bombs.
More than 100,000 people in the Houston, Texas, area are waiting to have their power restored this morning. A line of storms pushed through there Sunday night, dropping hail and heavy rain. Strong winds knocked down trees and power lines. Parts of the state were also on tornado watch, but there are no reports of any major damage.
And a dramatic rescue on the high seas. Two men stranded off the coast of North Carolina in hurricane-like winds up to 115 miles per hour. They were plucked from the waves as high as 20 feet. And as you can see, the Coast Guard flew them to safety. Both men are recovering this morning, and Bill, they're going to be just fine.
HEMMER: Good deal. Five minutes past the hour, Carol. Thanks for that.
There's a pastor in North Carolina who might be trying to make amends with a group of is congregants he banished just about a week ago. But to hear them tell it, all is not forgiven. In a moment, we'll talk with one of the ousted member about the dispute over politics at the pulpit.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER (voice over): Nine members of a North Carolina church say they were expelled from their congregation last week, apparently because of their political beliefs. They say the pastor, Chan Chandler, expected them to pledge their support for his political views. And when they refused, they were voted out.
REV. FRANKLIN GRAHAM, BILLY GRAHAM EVANGELICAL ASSN.: For a church to say you have to support one or the other, I don't know where the pastor was coming from on that.
HEMMER: Reverend Chandler denies his actions were political. Church members point to comments he made during a sermon last October.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
The question then comes in, in the Baptist Church, how do I vote? Let me just say this right now. If you vote for John Kerry this year, you need to repent or resign. You have been holding back God's church way too long. And I know I may get in trouble for saying that, but just pour it on.
(END AUDIO CLIP) HEMMER: Reverend Chandler did not address the issue during his sermon on Sunday. He did release a statement afterward though, through his attorney, saying the church doesn't care about members' political preferences and calling the controversy a great misunderstanding.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Frank Lowe is one of those who was asked to leave the East Waynesville Baptist Church. He served as church deacon there for more than three decades. Frank is with us, along with his attorney, David Wijewickrama.
Gentlemen, good morning to both of you. We should say the Reverend Chandler and his attorney declined our invitation this morning.
Frank, the pastor says it was all just a misunderstanding. Is that OK for you now?
FRANK LOWE, EXPELLED FROM HIS CHURCH: That don't suit me.
HEMMER: Why not?
LOWE: Well, there's conflicting stories. I was told by the pastor, the church clerk and a former pastor that my membership had been terminated on Monday night.
HEMMER: Well, this what is we get from the pastor. He says, in quoting now, "No one has ever been voted from the membership of this church due to an individual support or lack of support for a political party or candidates."
Do you disagree with that statement today, Frank?
LOWE: Well, I was told that I was terminated because of my support for John Kerry, which said that I was supporting abortion and homosexuality.
HEMMER: And who told you that, Frank?
LOWE: The church clerk told me that.
HEMMER: Did you ever ask the pastor about that?
I wouldn't -- I don't remember discussing that with him, no.
HEMMER: I've heard that it wasn't just Democrats who were kicked out of the church, but people who also voted for President Bush. Is that a fact?
LOWE: That's a fact.
HEMMER: So how do we understand that then if everybody's getting kicked out, no matter who they voted for last November?
LOWE: I think that this is a political thing that's going on, and I don't think we need to sit still and accept this in the church.
HEMMER: Did you go to church this weekend?
LOWE: Yes, sir.
HEMMER: You did. And at any point did you ever approach the pastor and say hey, what the heck's going on around here?
LOWE: No, sir, I did not yesterday.
HEMMER: Would you like to?
LOWE: Well , yes, I would speak with him, yes, sir.
HEMMER: Hey, David, you're an attorney.
DAVID WIJEWICKRAMA, ATTORNEY: Yes.
HEMMER: Why is this a legal matter at this point?
WIJEWICKRAMA: Well, the congregants that came to see me wanted to speak with me for the primary purpose of using me as a sounding board to help them explore options of reunification with the church.
This isn't so much an issue that can be solved in a courtroom, as it is so much an issue that should be resolved within a family, within a church. This congregation is one big family. And right now, my clients, these congregants, feel as though they've been separated from their family. And they just want to go back to their home.
HEMMER: That's David Wijewickrama and Frank Lowe, the church deacon, there in North Carolina.
Thank you, gentlemen.
O'BRIEN: Well, the trial of the accused Ohio highway shooter has ended in a hung jury. Charles McCoy Jr. was charged in 12 shootings on or around I-270 outside of Columbus. A woman was killed during the five-month spree in 2003 to 2004.
Well, McCoy admitted to the shootings, but claimed insanity. The jury deadlocked on the insanity plea. The lawyers and the judge meet tomorrow to talk about trying him again.
Let's get right to the weather this morning. Chad Myers has the day off, but Rob Marciano is helping us out at the CNN Center. He's got the latest on the forecast.
(WEATHER FORECAST)
HEMMER: In a moment, a college student disappears after a trip to New York City. Now police are turning to fans of his favorite rock 'n' roll band for leads. We'll ask his father this morning why.
O'BRIEN: Also, a warning that North Korea may be ready to open a nuclear Pandora's Box. Is a preemptive strike necessary?
HEMMER: Also, behind the scenes with real life CSI. Sanjay Gupta exploring what happens when the investigation hits the ocean floor. The anatomy of murder ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Police searching for a missing man have turned to fans of a rock band for help. Twenty-two-year-old Patrick Welsh was last seen on April 15 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He was on his way to New York.
Welch is a fan of the band Rat Dog and so police have posted a message on the band's Web site asking if anybody has seen him. Patrick's father, Michael Welsh, is in Baltimore, Maryland.
Mr. Welsh, thank you for talking with us. We appreciate your time.
MICHAEL WELSH, SON IS MISSING: Good morning and thank you for giving me the opportunity to get my son's story out.
O'BRIEN: Absolutely. It's our pleasure.
Let's talk a little bit about police and what they're hoping could lead them in a new direction. They're now posting messages on the Web site for your son's favorite band, called Rat Dog. Why are they going that direction?
WELSH: First, I have to -- let me thank all my friends, neighbors and everybody else out there who has given me their support and prayers in the last couple weeks. Also, I have to thank the police for all their tireless efforts, especially the NYPD, Maryland State Police and the York Security Force.
Getting back to your question about the group Rat Dog, there were a couple sightings of my son at a concert two weeks ago in New York. Also a sighting of my son at a Rat Dog concert in Philadelphia.
And ever since then, the Maryland State Police posted a message on their Web site and have been asking for help from these people. And also, I have posted some messages, too. And the people, the fans of Rat Dog have been great. The people are really kind hearted and they've been giving us a lot of helpful leads and have been posting his story on other Web sites. And they also said they're going to pass out flyers at different concerts.
O'BRIEN: The last time anyone saw your son was on April 15th, when we was leaving school to head to visit a friend at Columbia University. Have police talked to that friend? Have they gotten any clues or leads from anybody at Columbia?
WELSH: No. They talked to the friend who he talked to on the 15th, and he told that friend that he was just visiting friends in New York. O'BRIEN: So none of those leads have really panned out. I know you came here to New York City in order to search for your son. What leads were you able to find?
WELSH: Unfortunately, not anything. But I felt I had to come up and do something. At that time, he was missing for about ten days. And so I went up and searched where his last phone call was made from, which was around 48th and 6th Avenue. And I just went up to the Columbia University area and basically went all around, as much of New York as I could in the limited time I had. I felt I had to do something.
O'BRIEN: Your son's cell phone was recovered in the possession, I believe, of John Kopplinger (ph), a homeless man, who said he sort of discovered it in an area in the Bronx. Have police been able to get any information from that cell phone?
WELSH: They ruled out that he just found the phone. That he did not have any contact with my son.
O'BRIEN: Your son is 22 years old, he's a senior? Is that correct? He's supposed to graduate in the spring?
WELSH: He has one more term to complete before he graduates.
O'BRIEN: Is this completely unusual for him to be out of touch for so long with you, and his family and friends?
WELSH: Yes, it is. He told us, myself and my wife, and all his friends he was going up to New York City for a couple days. And he would be back in about three or four days. In fact, he was supposed to come home the following weekend and that's when I discovered that he was missing.
O'BRIEN: Well, I'm sure this is terribly tough time for you. We wish you the very best of luck in your efforts to try to track down your son. Mr. Michael Welsh joining us this morning, looking for his son, Patrick Welsh. Thanks for being with us. Appreciate it.
WELSH: Thank you very much.
HEMMER: About 18 minutes now past the hour. A break here in a moment.
President Bush slamming the old Soviet Union before his arrival in Moscow. Did he alienate present-day Russia in the process? We'll look at that camber (ph) in May on a Monday, still to come this hour. Back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: One of the most popular stories on our cnn.com Web site right now is the story of survival from Mt. Everest. A Montreal man says an avalanche on the mountain last week swept through his base camp. He says the wall of snow and ice plowed right through his tent, throwing him 100 yards down a slope. He was buried but then was rescued. At least five other people were hurt, but no one was killed.
HEMMER: That is remarkable.
O'BRIEN: Yes.
HEMMER: Also, does Britain's Prince Harry have what it takes to get through 44 weeks of grueling military training? The prince reported at the prestigious Sandhurst Military Academy in southwest London today.
He'll train there to be an army officer. His superiors say he'll be treated like any other army cadet there. Harry says he's excited. But the bookies are now taking bets he'll drop out before it's over.
My money's on Harry.
O'BRIEN: You have to feel badly for him. Not that anyone is rooting, but they're betting that you're not going to make it.
HEMMER: He's a young, strong kid. I bet he gets through it. It's happened.
CAFFERTY: Who cares?
O'BRIEN: I care.
CAFFERTY: You care whether Harry gets through military training or not?
O'BRIEN: I think it's a little interesting, yes.
CAFFERTY: OK.
O'BRIEN: What have you got?
CAFFERTY: Not much better.
(LAUGHTER)
A majority of our high school students spend less than three hours a week doing homework, but they still get good grades. According to a study released today by Indiana University.
I apologize, I called it the University of Indiana earlier. There is no such place. It's Indiana University. I did graduate high school. However, I dropped out of college and therefore maybe that's why the error.
Indiana University, the study was done; 55 percent of students devote no more than three hours a week to class preparation. But 65 percent of them get As or Bs. And while 80 percent of these kids say they plan to attend college, research shows that many of these kids are unprepared to do college level work. The question is this. Should high school students be made to work harder? Yeah.
Emily in Massachusetts writes: "If schools only had to teach the core classes instead of how to get along, how to share your feelings, how to not insult others, sexual harassment, DARE and a whole host of time consuming extras, kids would get the education they needed without having to work harder.
Penny in Tokyo writes, "If a student can make A or B by only studying three hours a week, I think that's great. Give the kids a break."
Kevin in New Jersey, "It is my belief people like myself, in manual labor, should be guest speakers to drum into youth the importance of college, even if you have to be nerdy in high school in order to get there."
Sue in New York writes, "The students I know, all of whom are in private schools or in better public school systems work three hours a night, not a week. All this shows is that the gap between the wealthy and those who can't afford to flee the inferior public schools is widening. This education gap is what needs to be addressed."
O'BRIEN: That's an interesting point.
HEMMER: In that study, three hours a week, right? Of those kids who are only doing three hours a week, how many go on to college?
CAFFERTY: Eighty percent of them, I think.
HEMMER: Is that what they said at IU? That's remarkable.
CAFFERTY: About me?
HEMMER: No, at IU.
CAFFERTY: Oh, at IU, I'm sorry, yes.
HEMMER: At IU, that is what they said.
CAFFERTY: The Hoosier state.
HEMMER: Thank you, Jack.
O'BRIEN: Coming up in just a moment. To the real life science behind crime scene investigations. We're "Paging Dr. Gupta" for a look at underwater CSI, his special series is called "Anatomy of Murder." That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: You can get the latest news every morning in your e- mail. Sign up for AMERICAN MORNING quick news, cnn.com/am. There for you 24 hours a day. In a moment, here U.S. forces launching a major offensive as a wave of violence sweeps across Iraq. Live to the Pentagon for more on a change in what could be the coalition strategy. We'll fill you in after this, on a Monday morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Take a picture of that. Beautiful day here in Manhattan. Welcome back. Just about 8:30 on a Monday morning. Good to have you along with us today.
Good morning to you, my dear.
O'BRIEN: And I'm glad. Did you call your mom for Mother's Day?
HEMMER: Absolutely.
O'BRIEN: I forgot.
HEMMER: No?
O'BRIEN: Yes, Mom, I'm so sorry.
HEMMER: What are you talking about?
O'BRIEN: I forgot.
HEMMER: You were with her on Friday afternoon.
O'BRIEN: No, my mother-in-law. Sorry.
HEMMER: Oh, your mother-in-law.
O'BRIEN: Yes.
HEMMER: Oh, that's worse.
O'BRIEN: But anyway, I digress. Go ahead.
HEMMER: Good luck.
In a moment here, let you know what's happening in Iraq today. The U.S. military engaged in a major new offensive over the weekend. Barbara Starr is calling her folks at the Pentagon. We'll talk to Barbara in a moment here to find out what's happening over there.
O'BRIEN: Also, as you well know, Dr. Sanjay Gupta is a brain surgeon. Did you know though, that he's a certified medical investigator? I didn't know that. Well, all this week he's looking at the work of medical investigators like what you see in CSI. He's going to take us behind the scenes. Today's focus, investigations that go underwater.
HEMMER: That is some really tricky stuff, too.
In the meantime, though, back to the headlines. Here's Carol Costello.
Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: Sanjay is also a chef.
O'BRIEN: Really?
(LAUGHTER)
HEMMER: He can grill, occasionally.
COSTELLO: Just kidding.
Good morning to all of you. President Bush is wrapping up a trip to Moscow and is scheduled to leave for the former Soviet republic of Georgia. It is the final stop on the president's four-nation trip to Europe to mark the 60th anniversary of the fall of Nazi Germany.
The trip is also meant to highlight the spread of democracy. A topic that did come up as Presidents Bush and Putin held private talks over the weekend. We'll have more on the president's trip just ahead.
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Aired May 9, 2005 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Good morning.
It is V-E Day in Moscow. President Bush in Russia celebrating the defeat of Nazi Germany. A chance to deliver an important message too to Vladimir Putin.
There are new deadly attacks by insurgents across Iraq and now a major counteroffensive by American forces already taking a heavy toll there.
And what really happens in a crime scene investigation? Dr. Sanjay Gupta, behind the scenes and underwater in a special report on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Good morning. Welcome back, everybody.
Also ahead this morning, a controversial story out of North Carolina. A Baptist preacher there is accused of basically kicking all the Democrats out of his church. Well, now he's saying it was just a big old misunderstanding. We're going to talk this morning to one of his former parishioners and see if the parishioners agree with that.
HEMMER: Interesting case. Kicked some people out who voted for John Kerry and some people who voted for George Bush. So, we'll try and figure it out for you.
Also, a missing persons case that has police baffled; a college student disappearing without a trace. We'll find out why a rock 'n' roll band may hold the best hope in finding him.
O'BRIEN: Mr. Cafferty has got "The Question of the Day" this morning and "The File" as well.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Indeed. Coming up in the "Cafferty File", Soledad, more taxes piling up on your cell phone. Not on mine, I don't have one.
We'll tell you at what age some girls start learning to be mean. It might surprise you. Some of them get a Ph.D. in this at a very early age.
And Jesus Christ having a tough time getting a driver's license in West Virginia.
O'BRIEN: Oh, is it some poor man named Jesus? That's what I'm thinking.
CAFFERTY: You know, you always ask me this stuff, and I always tell you the same thing. You have to wait until...
O'BRIEN: That is because I'm intrigued. I'm interested. Waiting with baited breath.
CAFFERTY: Well, that's the purpose of the tease is to get you interested. But if we told the whole story now, no reason for anybody to watch later.
O'BRIEN: Then why listen later, exactly. All right, Jack. Sorry. Thanks.
CAFFERTY: Don't let it happen again.
O'BRIEN: Yes, I will.
(LAUGHTER)
Let's get right to Carol. She's got the headlines. Good morning again.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN NEWS ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: You should have used your mean girl gene on him.
O'BRIEN: Next time.
COSTELLO: Exactly. Good morning, good morning to all of you.
"Now in the News": President Bush is highlighting his friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin as he wraps up his visit to Moscow. The two leaders took part in a celebration earlier today, honoring the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. They also held private talks. Among the topics: recent concerns that Russia is moving away from democracy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAN BARTLETT, COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENT: Russia's development into a strong democracy will take a very Russian flavor. That is not going to be an American democracy. It will have its own traits and its own designs, and we fully recognize that.
But what President Bush is stressing is that all democracies have some things in common -- a transparent government; rule of law, a free media. Those are things that are universal, and that's why President Bush feels strongly about discussing these issues with President Putin. And I must say that President Putin himself recognizes that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: President Bush is scheduled to travel to the former Soviet republic of Georgia in the next hour.
Another suicide attack on Iraqi security forces this morning. A car bomb detonated at a checkpoint in southern Baghdad, killing at least four people, including two police officers, and wounding eight others.
And U.S. casualties in Iraq pass the 1,600 mark this weekend when three U.S. troops were killed. Two soldiers were killed near Khaldiya and a third in Samarra. The U.S. military says all three were killed by road-side bombs.
More than 100,000 people in the Houston, Texas, area are waiting to have their power restored this morning. A line of storms pushed through there Sunday night, dropping hail and heavy rain. Strong winds knocked down trees and power lines. Parts of the state were also on tornado watch, but there are no reports of any major damage.
And a dramatic rescue on the high seas. Two men stranded off the coast of North Carolina in hurricane-like winds up to 115 miles per hour. They were plucked from the waves as high as 20 feet. And as you can see, the Coast Guard flew them to safety. Both men are recovering this morning, and Bill, they're going to be just fine.
HEMMER: Good deal. Five minutes past the hour, Carol. Thanks for that.
There's a pastor in North Carolina who might be trying to make amends with a group of is congregants he banished just about a week ago. But to hear them tell it, all is not forgiven. In a moment, we'll talk with one of the ousted member about the dispute over politics at the pulpit.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER (voice over): Nine members of a North Carolina church say they were expelled from their congregation last week, apparently because of their political beliefs. They say the pastor, Chan Chandler, expected them to pledge their support for his political views. And when they refused, they were voted out.
REV. FRANKLIN GRAHAM, BILLY GRAHAM EVANGELICAL ASSN.: For a church to say you have to support one or the other, I don't know where the pastor was coming from on that.
HEMMER: Reverend Chandler denies his actions were political. Church members point to comments he made during a sermon last October.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
The question then comes in, in the Baptist Church, how do I vote? Let me just say this right now. If you vote for John Kerry this year, you need to repent or resign. You have been holding back God's church way too long. And I know I may get in trouble for saying that, but just pour it on.
(END AUDIO CLIP) HEMMER: Reverend Chandler did not address the issue during his sermon on Sunday. He did release a statement afterward though, through his attorney, saying the church doesn't care about members' political preferences and calling the controversy a great misunderstanding.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Frank Lowe is one of those who was asked to leave the East Waynesville Baptist Church. He served as church deacon there for more than three decades. Frank is with us, along with his attorney, David Wijewickrama.
Gentlemen, good morning to both of you. We should say the Reverend Chandler and his attorney declined our invitation this morning.
Frank, the pastor says it was all just a misunderstanding. Is that OK for you now?
FRANK LOWE, EXPELLED FROM HIS CHURCH: That don't suit me.
HEMMER: Why not?
LOWE: Well, there's conflicting stories. I was told by the pastor, the church clerk and a former pastor that my membership had been terminated on Monday night.
HEMMER: Well, this what is we get from the pastor. He says, in quoting now, "No one has ever been voted from the membership of this church due to an individual support or lack of support for a political party or candidates."
Do you disagree with that statement today, Frank?
LOWE: Well, I was told that I was terminated because of my support for John Kerry, which said that I was supporting abortion and homosexuality.
HEMMER: And who told you that, Frank?
LOWE: The church clerk told me that.
HEMMER: Did you ever ask the pastor about that?
I wouldn't -- I don't remember discussing that with him, no.
HEMMER: I've heard that it wasn't just Democrats who were kicked out of the church, but people who also voted for President Bush. Is that a fact?
LOWE: That's a fact.
HEMMER: So how do we understand that then if everybody's getting kicked out, no matter who they voted for last November?
LOWE: I think that this is a political thing that's going on, and I don't think we need to sit still and accept this in the church.
HEMMER: Did you go to church this weekend?
LOWE: Yes, sir.
HEMMER: You did. And at any point did you ever approach the pastor and say hey, what the heck's going on around here?
LOWE: No, sir, I did not yesterday.
HEMMER: Would you like to?
LOWE: Well , yes, I would speak with him, yes, sir.
HEMMER: Hey, David, you're an attorney.
DAVID WIJEWICKRAMA, ATTORNEY: Yes.
HEMMER: Why is this a legal matter at this point?
WIJEWICKRAMA: Well, the congregants that came to see me wanted to speak with me for the primary purpose of using me as a sounding board to help them explore options of reunification with the church.
This isn't so much an issue that can be solved in a courtroom, as it is so much an issue that should be resolved within a family, within a church. This congregation is one big family. And right now, my clients, these congregants, feel as though they've been separated from their family. And they just want to go back to their home.
HEMMER: That's David Wijewickrama and Frank Lowe, the church deacon, there in North Carolina.
Thank you, gentlemen.
O'BRIEN: Well, the trial of the accused Ohio highway shooter has ended in a hung jury. Charles McCoy Jr. was charged in 12 shootings on or around I-270 outside of Columbus. A woman was killed during the five-month spree in 2003 to 2004.
Well, McCoy admitted to the shootings, but claimed insanity. The jury deadlocked on the insanity plea. The lawyers and the judge meet tomorrow to talk about trying him again.
Let's get right to the weather this morning. Chad Myers has the day off, but Rob Marciano is helping us out at the CNN Center. He's got the latest on the forecast.
(WEATHER FORECAST)
HEMMER: In a moment, a college student disappears after a trip to New York City. Now police are turning to fans of his favorite rock 'n' roll band for leads. We'll ask his father this morning why.
O'BRIEN: Also, a warning that North Korea may be ready to open a nuclear Pandora's Box. Is a preemptive strike necessary?
HEMMER: Also, behind the scenes with real life CSI. Sanjay Gupta exploring what happens when the investigation hits the ocean floor. The anatomy of murder ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
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O'BRIEN: Police searching for a missing man have turned to fans of a rock band for help. Twenty-two-year-old Patrick Welsh was last seen on April 15 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He was on his way to New York.
Welch is a fan of the band Rat Dog and so police have posted a message on the band's Web site asking if anybody has seen him. Patrick's father, Michael Welsh, is in Baltimore, Maryland.
Mr. Welsh, thank you for talking with us. We appreciate your time.
MICHAEL WELSH, SON IS MISSING: Good morning and thank you for giving me the opportunity to get my son's story out.
O'BRIEN: Absolutely. It's our pleasure.
Let's talk a little bit about police and what they're hoping could lead them in a new direction. They're now posting messages on the Web site for your son's favorite band, called Rat Dog. Why are they going that direction?
WELSH: First, I have to -- let me thank all my friends, neighbors and everybody else out there who has given me their support and prayers in the last couple weeks. Also, I have to thank the police for all their tireless efforts, especially the NYPD, Maryland State Police and the York Security Force.
Getting back to your question about the group Rat Dog, there were a couple sightings of my son at a concert two weeks ago in New York. Also a sighting of my son at a Rat Dog concert in Philadelphia.
And ever since then, the Maryland State Police posted a message on their Web site and have been asking for help from these people. And also, I have posted some messages, too. And the people, the fans of Rat Dog have been great. The people are really kind hearted and they've been giving us a lot of helpful leads and have been posting his story on other Web sites. And they also said they're going to pass out flyers at different concerts.
O'BRIEN: The last time anyone saw your son was on April 15th, when we was leaving school to head to visit a friend at Columbia University. Have police talked to that friend? Have they gotten any clues or leads from anybody at Columbia?
WELSH: No. They talked to the friend who he talked to on the 15th, and he told that friend that he was just visiting friends in New York. O'BRIEN: So none of those leads have really panned out. I know you came here to New York City in order to search for your son. What leads were you able to find?
WELSH: Unfortunately, not anything. But I felt I had to come up and do something. At that time, he was missing for about ten days. And so I went up and searched where his last phone call was made from, which was around 48th and 6th Avenue. And I just went up to the Columbia University area and basically went all around, as much of New York as I could in the limited time I had. I felt I had to do something.
O'BRIEN: Your son's cell phone was recovered in the possession, I believe, of John Kopplinger (ph), a homeless man, who said he sort of discovered it in an area in the Bronx. Have police been able to get any information from that cell phone?
WELSH: They ruled out that he just found the phone. That he did not have any contact with my son.
O'BRIEN: Your son is 22 years old, he's a senior? Is that correct? He's supposed to graduate in the spring?
WELSH: He has one more term to complete before he graduates.
O'BRIEN: Is this completely unusual for him to be out of touch for so long with you, and his family and friends?
WELSH: Yes, it is. He told us, myself and my wife, and all his friends he was going up to New York City for a couple days. And he would be back in about three or four days. In fact, he was supposed to come home the following weekend and that's when I discovered that he was missing.
O'BRIEN: Well, I'm sure this is terribly tough time for you. We wish you the very best of luck in your efforts to try to track down your son. Mr. Michael Welsh joining us this morning, looking for his son, Patrick Welsh. Thanks for being with us. Appreciate it.
WELSH: Thank you very much.
HEMMER: About 18 minutes now past the hour. A break here in a moment.
President Bush slamming the old Soviet Union before his arrival in Moscow. Did he alienate present-day Russia in the process? We'll look at that camber (ph) in May on a Monday, still to come this hour. Back in a moment.
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O'BRIEN: One of the most popular stories on our cnn.com Web site right now is the story of survival from Mt. Everest. A Montreal man says an avalanche on the mountain last week swept through his base camp. He says the wall of snow and ice plowed right through his tent, throwing him 100 yards down a slope. He was buried but then was rescued. At least five other people were hurt, but no one was killed.
HEMMER: That is remarkable.
O'BRIEN: Yes.
HEMMER: Also, does Britain's Prince Harry have what it takes to get through 44 weeks of grueling military training? The prince reported at the prestigious Sandhurst Military Academy in southwest London today.
He'll train there to be an army officer. His superiors say he'll be treated like any other army cadet there. Harry says he's excited. But the bookies are now taking bets he'll drop out before it's over.
My money's on Harry.
O'BRIEN: You have to feel badly for him. Not that anyone is rooting, but they're betting that you're not going to make it.
HEMMER: He's a young, strong kid. I bet he gets through it. It's happened.
CAFFERTY: Who cares?
O'BRIEN: I care.
CAFFERTY: You care whether Harry gets through military training or not?
O'BRIEN: I think it's a little interesting, yes.
CAFFERTY: OK.
O'BRIEN: What have you got?
CAFFERTY: Not much better.
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A majority of our high school students spend less than three hours a week doing homework, but they still get good grades. According to a study released today by Indiana University.
I apologize, I called it the University of Indiana earlier. There is no such place. It's Indiana University. I did graduate high school. However, I dropped out of college and therefore maybe that's why the error.
Indiana University, the study was done; 55 percent of students devote no more than three hours a week to class preparation. But 65 percent of them get As or Bs. And while 80 percent of these kids say they plan to attend college, research shows that many of these kids are unprepared to do college level work. The question is this. Should high school students be made to work harder? Yeah.
Emily in Massachusetts writes: "If schools only had to teach the core classes instead of how to get along, how to share your feelings, how to not insult others, sexual harassment, DARE and a whole host of time consuming extras, kids would get the education they needed without having to work harder.
Penny in Tokyo writes, "If a student can make A or B by only studying three hours a week, I think that's great. Give the kids a break."
Kevin in New Jersey, "It is my belief people like myself, in manual labor, should be guest speakers to drum into youth the importance of college, even if you have to be nerdy in high school in order to get there."
Sue in New York writes, "The students I know, all of whom are in private schools or in better public school systems work three hours a night, not a week. All this shows is that the gap between the wealthy and those who can't afford to flee the inferior public schools is widening. This education gap is what needs to be addressed."
O'BRIEN: That's an interesting point.
HEMMER: In that study, three hours a week, right? Of those kids who are only doing three hours a week, how many go on to college?
CAFFERTY: Eighty percent of them, I think.
HEMMER: Is that what they said at IU? That's remarkable.
CAFFERTY: About me?
HEMMER: No, at IU.
CAFFERTY: Oh, at IU, I'm sorry, yes.
HEMMER: At IU, that is what they said.
CAFFERTY: The Hoosier state.
HEMMER: Thank you, Jack.
O'BRIEN: Coming up in just a moment. To the real life science behind crime scene investigations. We're "Paging Dr. Gupta" for a look at underwater CSI, his special series is called "Anatomy of Murder." That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
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HEMMER: You can get the latest news every morning in your e- mail. Sign up for AMERICAN MORNING quick news, cnn.com/am. There for you 24 hours a day. In a moment, here U.S. forces launching a major offensive as a wave of violence sweeps across Iraq. Live to the Pentagon for more on a change in what could be the coalition strategy. We'll fill you in after this, on a Monday morning.
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HEMMER: Take a picture of that. Beautiful day here in Manhattan. Welcome back. Just about 8:30 on a Monday morning. Good to have you along with us today.
Good morning to you, my dear.
O'BRIEN: And I'm glad. Did you call your mom for Mother's Day?
HEMMER: Absolutely.
O'BRIEN: I forgot.
HEMMER: No?
O'BRIEN: Yes, Mom, I'm so sorry.
HEMMER: What are you talking about?
O'BRIEN: I forgot.
HEMMER: You were with her on Friday afternoon.
O'BRIEN: No, my mother-in-law. Sorry.
HEMMER: Oh, your mother-in-law.
O'BRIEN: Yes.
HEMMER: Oh, that's worse.
O'BRIEN: But anyway, I digress. Go ahead.
HEMMER: Good luck.
In a moment here, let you know what's happening in Iraq today. The U.S. military engaged in a major new offensive over the weekend. Barbara Starr is calling her folks at the Pentagon. We'll talk to Barbara in a moment here to find out what's happening over there.
O'BRIEN: Also, as you well know, Dr. Sanjay Gupta is a brain surgeon. Did you know though, that he's a certified medical investigator? I didn't know that. Well, all this week he's looking at the work of medical investigators like what you see in CSI. He's going to take us behind the scenes. Today's focus, investigations that go underwater.
HEMMER: That is some really tricky stuff, too.
In the meantime, though, back to the headlines. Here's Carol Costello.
Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: Sanjay is also a chef.
O'BRIEN: Really?
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HEMMER: He can grill, occasionally.
COSTELLO: Just kidding.
Good morning to all of you. President Bush is wrapping up a trip to Moscow and is scheduled to leave for the former Soviet republic of Georgia. It is the final stop on the president's four-nation trip to Europe to mark the 60th anniversary of the fall of Nazi Germany.
The trip is also meant to highlight the spread of democracy. A topic that did come up as Presidents Bush and Putin held private talks over the weekend. We'll have more on the president's trip just ahead.
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