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Artist Paints Fallen Soldiers Portraits; Beautifying Baghdad; YouTube Debate Rejects.
Aired July 04, 2007 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Hello everyone, I'm Don Lemon live at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Kyra Phillips. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, ideals cherished like never before by a British journalist.
LEMON: Alan Johnston savors independence after 114 days as a captive of Islamic militants. You're live in the CNN NEWSROOM.
PHILLIPS: What a difference a day makes. 24 hours ago, Alan Johnston was four months into a hostage ordeal. Today, he's breathing fresh air.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALAN JOHNSTON, FREED BBC JOURNALIST: It's hard to sum up quite how good it feels to be standing here instead of lying in that room that I was lying in this time just yesterday. It just is unimaginably good to be free. You know, it was, as you can imagine, the most appalling experience. On and on, as I said before, felt like I'd been buried alive, removed from life, and sometimes, occasionally quite terrifying and always frightening in that I just didn't know when it would end or how it would end. And when you're laying in one of those hideouts for three months, you wonder why you shouldn't maybe be lying here in nine months or 18 months. And just such relief that it's over.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Alan Johnston, the BBC journalist, posted to the Gaza beat became a victim of the instability there. Here's a time line of his ordeal from CNN's Cal Perry in Jerusalem.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CAL PERRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A military takeover June 14th by Hamas. Gunmen ushered in a new era for Gaza and provided Hamas with a great photo opportunity, posing for pictures inside the Fatah presidential compound. The green flags of Hamas waved with pride. Hamas promised law and order and vowed to resolve the Alan Johnston situation. The BBC reporter kidnapped by Palestinian militants believed to be members of a little-known terror group, army of Islam. On Wednesday, Hamas made good on its promise, forcing Johnston's release and parading him in front of the cameras, creating yet another photo opportunity. Even Johnston himself was quick to credit the Hamas takeover for his freedom.
JOHNSON: The change in Gaza when Hamas took control that changed the atmosphere completely. Hamas was a huge law and order agenda, and they wanted to stop the kidnapping and the kidnappers were nervous from that point on. From that point that they began to -- made the video which I was put on this explosive vest.
PERRY (on camera): Of course, Palestinian society is in the midst of a power struggle. Politics is everything, and the Fatah party, which is at odds with Hamas, was quick to question their motives.
RIYAD AL-MALKI, PALESTINIAN JUSTICE MINISTER: It's very clear that you know we do believe that Hamas stands behind his abduction and his release. Hamas used its own proxies to abduct him and to use his -- him as a bargaining card to gain political gains.
PERRY (voice-over): Hamas has another potential bargaining card, (INAUDIBLE), the Israeli soldier kidnapped over a year ago.
GHAZI HAMAD, PALESTINIAN SPOKESMAN: We are interested now to release (INAUDIBLE) but also not to release our Palestinian prisoners because they have 10,000 Palestinians in the Israeli jails.
MARK REGEV, ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTRY: Israelis understand the pain of having a hostage, one of our own servicemen is being held hostage by Hamas for more than a year. And just as we hoped for Alan Johnston's safe release, we hope that our own servicemen held now for more than a year will be released shortly, safely back to his family and friends.
PERRY: By engineering Johnston's release, Hamas demonstrates its control of Gaza. Unknown as yet whether it will use this control to offer Israel a deal for (INAUDIBLE) freedom.
(END OF VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Cal Perry now joining us live from Jerusalem. Cal, the Alan Johnston release, you touched on it a little bit there, but how much of this do you think was a PR ploy for Hamas?
PERRY: I think a lot of it was. I think Hamas has something to prove. Since they took over Gaza on June 14th, they really want to show the international community that they can control the population, that they can stop the rockets from firing into Israel, and that they can create calm in Gaza. Before June 14th, there was massive street fighting between Fatah and Hamas. Hamas now owns the entire Gaza strip. And this is really an organization that's evolving. On the one hand, they're a political organization, they want to stay in political power, and of course on the other hand they're a military organization who are fighting for independence against Israel. So, they're really walking a fine line. One thing that's very important to Hamas, and we can tell this from the Alan Johnston release, is they want to open up the borders for the international press. They want to be able to tell the story of the suffering that Palestinians are going through in Gaza, and in order to do that, they have to show that these journalists will be protected. Kyra?
PHILLIPS: You talk about journalists, but also you wonder about the Israeli soldier, (INAUDIBLE) and if he will be released and has there been any reaction to that, and also more Israeli reaction to the release of the journalist?
PERRY: Well, this is really the back story of today's release of Alan Johnston. We heard the Israeli government saying we have our own still missing for over a year. We know there was an audiotape from Corporal Shalit about a week ago, and we know from sources inside the Israeli government that there is some backdoor talking. The issue at hand is really a prisoner swap. Israel has literally thousands of Palestinian prisoners in jail, and the question at this point, and we'll see how this develops in the coming days, is who is released, how many people are released, and is Hamas willing to release Corporal Shalit. What the Hamas spokespeople and what Hamas is trying to do by releasing Alan Johnston is to show the Israeli government that they are reasonable, that they do want to release this soldier and hopefully get something in return.
PHILLIPS: Our Cal Perry reporting from Jerusalem. Thanks Cal.
LEMON: The discovery of a suicide note, it may give British investigators new insight into the recent terror plot. Sources tell CNN the note was written by one of the suspects in Saturday's attack at Scotland's Glasgow Airport. CNN's Phil Black joins us now from London with an update. Phil?
PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello Don, that's right. First of all, off the top though, some breaking developments in this story. British home secretary Jacki Smith has announced the official threat level in this country is being downgraded from the highest possible level, critical, which means that it is no longer considered imminent. But the British government is keen to point out that the threat has not gone away. That official threat level now sits at severe, which means an attack is considered likely. Now, as you touched on some interesting developments in this story, sources close to this investigation have told CNN the detectives investigating the attempted attacks in London and in Glasgow have found a suicide note. We don't know where it was written or by who, but the language in it is said to be powerful and strong, detailing grievances and motives for these attacks. Now, keeping in mind that police believe the same two people placed those bombs in London are the same two people who drove into Glasgow. It confirms what many believe from observing that Glasgow attack and that is that they did not intend to survive. Another development, sources have told CNN that those two people who drove into the Glasgow terminal were carrying their passports. This isn't considered unusual. The same happened in the July 7, 2005 attacks. The theory goes that these people wanted to be identified, they wanted recognition for their work. Don?
LEMON: CNN's Phil Black in London. Thank you for your update Phil.
PHILLIPS: Back here, sizzling in the desert southwest even more than usual this time of year, an excessive heat warning is in effect for Arizona where temperatures could reach 115 degrees today. Everyone's urged to stay indoors if possible, otherwise in the shade and to drink plenty of water. It's also dangerously hot in southern California inland. Red flag warnings are posted in the parch mountain and foothill areas. The danger there -- fire. The forest is certainly no picnic for a lot of folks, right, Reynolds Wolf?
(WEATHER REPORT)
LEMON: Playing with fire sparks a holiday tragedy. A Michigan woman dies while trying to set off fireworks. Reporter Michael Rosenfield of CNN affiliate WXYZ has this story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She was a good person. She was fun, funny, fun-loving, great sister. Best mom. Would do anything for her children.
MICHAEL ROSENFIELD, WXYZ (voice-over): Grief stricken family members after the devastating death of 27-year-old Danielle Barr.
DEBBIE HALL, MOTHER OF VICTIM: She would never do anything like last night to put her children through what happened to her. And by the grace of God, I am so glad that they didn't see their mother, this beautiful girl get violently -- died.
ROSENFIELD: The Taylor woman was killed last night when she leaned over this box of 25 cylinders, each of which contained three- inch mortars. Police say it was lit, but didn't go off immediately so Danielle looked right into it. One of the cylinders launched the explosive in her face. No one could even help until the remaining 24 fireworks discharged.
HALL: I haven't seen my baby -- they won't let me see her because it's bad.
ROSENFIELD: Danielle was dead an arrival at Detroit Receiving from catastrophic head injuries.
HALL: I just want you to get the word out and try and find why this happens and that nobody else has to go through what we've been through, losing our baby.
ROSENFIELD: The accident happened at this car wash in Melvindale where Danielle was a cashier. She and her co-workers organized the display. The fireworks were professional quality and should never have been in the hands of the car wash employees. A license is required and the ATF is trying to determine who sold the fireworks, who bought them, and who could face charges.
GEORGE KRAPPMAN, ATF SPECIAL AGENT: Essentially it's a display mortar, it is something you would see at a municipal show. It's that kind of caliber of firework.
(END OF VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Barse's(ph) funeral is scheduled for Friday.
PHILLIPS: Straight ahead, inspired by respect and moved to pay tribute, a Utah artist pains portraits of fallen soldiers.
LEMON: And going solo on the campaign trail. Presidential candidate Bill Richardson knows you can't take New Hampshire for granted.
PHILLIPS: And taking competition to nauseating extremes. Apart from onlookers, who choked this year? You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in hot dog news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Bill Richardson has the state of New Hampshire to himself today. Many of the other Democrats running for president, well they're in Iowa. But New Mexico's governor decided to go a different route. Here's CNN's Mary Snow.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Here in New Hampshire, the state has been pretty much left wide open for presidential politicking as most of the major candidates are in Iowa. That's left room for Bill Richardson, the Democratic presidential hopeful, trying to break out from the pack, he's considered a second-tier candidate. To get some attention here, he's made some noise, literally. He was at the Greenville pots and pans parade ushering in the Fourth of July holiday, this as he's trying to build up grassroots momentum, pressing the flesh, getting his message out. Richardson raised $7 million in this quarter, which is seen as an improvement from the first. To put it into context, Barack Obama, who leads the Democratic presidential pack in terms of dollars raised, has raised more than four times than Richardson. So, really have to be aggressive in trying to get that message out. Here in New Hampshire also on the Republican side, Congressman Duncan Hunter is also going to be spending the day here in New Hampshire. Mary Snow, CNN, Manchester New Hampshire.
(END OF VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: All right, take a good look at this. Do you recognize that guy? You may not recognize the man in the white headband, but that's former governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee. Lately, he's usually running for president, but today the Republican hopeful is running the annual firecracker fast 5k in Little Rock. Say that fast. Huckabee ran the race for the first time three years ago just after he lost 100 pounds. And for good measure, he wore the number 8 because that stands for --
PHILLIPS: '08.
LEMON: '08, you got it, you're so smart. Once again CNN is raising the bar on the presidential debate and you can take part on Monday, July 23rd. The Democratic candidates square off in a CNN YouTube debate. Anderson Cooper will host, it's the first of its kind event, live and interactive on TV and online. You can see the Republican candidates on Monday, September 17th. You can submit your own questions right now. Just log on to cnn.com/americavotes. CNN is your political headquarters.
PHILLIPS: 2:17 eastern time right now. Here are a few of the stories we're working on in the CNN NEWSROOM. British journalist Alan Johnston says he's insanely grateful to be free. The BBC reporter was released today after almost four months as a hostage in Gaza. Security is tight for a Fourth of July celebration in Washington. As in previous years, the National Mall is fenced off and visitors have to walk through the checkpoints.
Trouble today for the Gore family. The former vice president's son, Al Gore III has been arrested in southern California. Police say he was pulled over for speeding and they found marijuana and prescription drugs in his car. Al Gore III, who's 24, is in jail now in Santa Ana. Bond is set at $20,000. So far, no public comments from the family.
LEMON: You've already seen the exploding watermelon video to warn you about fireworks. Well, up next, more must-see Fourth of July TV. Frankly, it's hard for us to stomach too. Kyra and I have a big bucket of hot dogs in the back. We're going to have a contest coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: A new champion, fierce competition, even allegations of doping. Those were among the ingredients at this year's annual hot dog eating contest in New York. The results are just in, CNN senior correspondent Allan Chernoff for some reason is completely infatuated with this story. He joins us live from Coney Island. Hi Allan.
ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, mark this day in history, July 4th, 2007, a new world record set in competitive hot dog eating. It happened here at Nathan's Coney Island. 66 hot dogs eaten in only 12 minutes by 23-year-old Californian Joey Chestnut. Chestnut bringing the mustard yellow belt back to American soil. He fought back a challenge from the six-time defending champion Takeru Kobayashi. Going into the competition, in fact, there had been a question as to whether or not Kobayashi would be able to compete. He had a jaw injury and only last week a wisdom tooth was extracted. But Kobayashi did, in fact, compete and very strongly, eating 63 dogs. In fact, at the very buzzer, the two competitors appeared to both have 63. It turned out Joey Chestnut had a few extra in his mouth. He was able to swallow them and declare the winner. Kobayashi now saying he will be back next year in an effort to reclaim his belt. Kyra?
PHILLIPS: Allan, please, please, please explain the fascination with this. Help me. Help me understand, Allan. Bring he into the story.
CHERNOFF: Kyra, this is a Coney Island tradition only here in Coney Island would people actually take a hot dog bun and dunk it into water and then -- swallow it just like that. The guys up on the stage, my goodness, they can just do it instantly. It's astounding. Thousands of people were here cheering them on.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen of Brooklyn and the world, in second place, with 63 hot dogs and buns, Takeru Kobayashi! However -- in first place. In first place with 66 hot dogs and buns, Joey Chestnut! Joey Chestnut!
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
CHERNOFF: You can hear how the crowd was just going wild. I mean, it was honestly the greatest day in competitive eating ever seen on this planet, and it all happened right here, Coney Island, Brooklyn. And, Kyra, that is perhaps one reason that I'm so into this, because I am a Brooklyn boy, a Brooklyn native.
PHILLIPS: All right. I felt like I was at a WWE wrestling match, but ok, Allan. Appreciate it. Love the energy, Allan. Love the energy.
LEMON: Loved the energy and loved Allan dipping his buns in water. Thanks, Allan.
We've been talking a lot lately about skyrocketing food prices, and if you're hosting a Fourth of July barbecue this year, it's not only the burgers and buns that will cost more. Your beer bill, oh, my gosh, it's probably going to be higher. Stephanie Elam, that's some hard to swallow news.
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: I know. And I can't stop laughing at you guys laughing at the story before me. I'm sorry. That's just funny. That is hilarious to look at that.
LEMON: Well you said veggie booty, remember?
ELAM: Yes, I know, but still. The announcer telling the guy what to do, very funny stuff. All right, so now the people are probably wondering ok if we can't have hot dogs, maybe we'll have some beef. But Don it's going to cost you some more. Food is going to cost you more, everything, and now it's going to cost you a little bit more for a cold one as well. "USA TODAY" says beer prices were three percent higher in May compared to a year earlier. That's higher than the inflation rate for the overall economy. It's also the biggest increase in 2 1/2 years, as well, Don.
LEMON: All right. So, seriously though, what's behind this rise?
ELAM: Well, it's actually one of the same factors that's actually behind the jump in prices for other foods. That would be rising ethanol demand. Here's what's happening. One of the main ingredients in beer is malt and barley, but farmers have been devoting less space to the grain, planting more corn instead because it's used to make ethanol. That causes malt prices to surge 9 percent in the past year, plus the cost of the glass and metal used for bottles and also for cans along with the cost of energy and labor, all of those are on the rise Don, so that's all adding to everything.
LEMON: That's the high metal prices, that's causing a problem, too, right, is that because of the cans?
ELAM: Yeah, it's for the cans, exactly. Because if you believe it or not, people also keep stealing the kegs and selling them for scrap. It's kind of a funny little thing. I wouldn't even have thought of this, but it's estimated that an empty keg could fetch up to $55 at scrap yards. Most retailers only require customers to leave between $10 and $30 as a deposit, so while the profit is small, it's still enough to create a market for keg thieves. The "Associated Press" says beer makers lose hundreds of thousands of kegs and millions of dollars every year because of the problem. So that's one thing that you just never know to think about. Back to you Don.
LEMON: All right Stephanie Elam, we'll check back with you. Thank you.
PHILLIPS: Raising kindness to an art form.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't know how political I am. I don't get into all that crap. I just love freedom, ok?
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: And we love her. She may talk tough, but this Utah artist paints compassion in every stroke. She captures the faces of fallen soldiers and send them home. You're going to meet her straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Hello everyone, I'm Kyra Phillips live at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta.
LEMON: And I'm Don Lemon.
An artist in Utah finds a special calling by giving back to grieving families.
PHILLIPS: A portrait in compassion. You're live in the CNN NEWSROOM.
LEMON: As Americans celebrate the Fourth of July, almost 160,000 U.S. troops are on duty in Iraq. Some will make the ultimate sacrifice. Back home, an artist has found a unique way to honor their memories. Reporter Boyd Huppert of CNN affiliate, KARE has that story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BOYD HUPPERT, CNN AFFILIATE KARE: Bad news rolled into Northome, Minnesota on November 17th, 2003. It stopped for directions at the post office, headed east out of town, passed the high school, and then bad news turned in the driveway of Arland and Karen Panchot.
ARLAND PANCHOT, FATHER OF FALLEN SOLDIER: I seen two soldiers there and I knew what had happened.
HUPPERT: Arland and Karen both knew.
Left to tell, were the details of how their son, Dale, had died in Iraq. The Bradley fighting vehicle he was riding in, the hit from the rocket-propelled grenade.
KAREN PANCHOT, MOTHER OF FALLEN SOLDIER: Our son was the third soldier killed from Minnesota.
HUPPERT: And now, three years later, the same rural roads that carry bad news to Northome, in a sense, are bringing Dale Panchot back home.
A. PANCHOT: It's going to be a surprise when that truck pulls up.
HUPPERT: Eyes would be wider still, if they could back up the truck two weeks and somehow see the woman delivering their son.
KAZIAH HANCOCK, ARTIST: Oh, yes. Whooo! That cooks. She starts cranking. She cooks.
HUPPERT: Colorful as the palette she paints from, Kaziah Hancock shares a ranch with 100 goats at the base of a mountain in Utah.
HANCOCK: I don't know how political I am. I don't get into all that crap. I just love freedom, OK?
HUPPERT: Here, 1,200 miles from Northome, Kaziah is enjoying the company of Staff Sergeant Panchot.
HANCOCK: What a sweet guy. I believe he is a guy that would give the shirt off his back. I really like that one.
HUPPERT: Kaziah should know. As an artist with a flair for giving.
HANCOCK: Now that I can dance.
HUPPERT: It started three years ago, when she tearful Kaziah painted a portrait of Utah's first fallen soldier, then kept going.
HANCOCK: I so appreciate good guys.
HUPPERT: Fifty, then 100, now nearly 250 service men and women from nearly every state, brought back to life on canvas in Kaziah's bedroom studio.
HANCOCK: At least it's a way to say, hey, I love you, kiddo. So that you may never be forgotten. HUPPERT: And when their time at the ranch is through, Kaziah Hancock sends them home. Painted, framed, packed and shipped.
HANCOCK: OK, sweetie. You get to go home to mama.
HUPPERT: And Kaziah will accept not one cent from a soldier's family.
HANCOCK: Dear Knowles family, I picked this one because this shows such a wonderful personality. There is a face anyone could love. Love, Kaziah.
OK. There's definitely a lot of love going in that box, too.
HUPPERT: Kaziah can't begin to estimate the income she has forfeited, painting sons and daughters.
HANCOCK: Beautiful, fun lady.
HUPPERT: Instead of the landscapes and portraits she normally sells for thousands of dollars.
HANCOCK: Given James Colbrunn.
HUPPERT: Yet all Kaziah has to do is read her mail.
HANCOCK: Given is still right here, watching over me and my family.
HUPPERT: And her inner banker goes on permanent Memorial Day.
HANCOCK: I just love them. It's OK. And it's not this big gosh darn sacrifice. It's not this pain and misery that I have to go through. Hell, I'm not in misery. I'm looking for a friend. They're my buddies. We got a good thing going. This is a partnership. This is a team.
HUPPERT: Tough as a sailor, hindered as a mom. Though long ago, a bout with ovarian cancer left Kazaih unable to have children of her own.
HANCOCK: Last name, Penchot.
HUPPERT: Minnesota's Dale Penchot is just her latest adopted son.
HANCOCK: That is not half bad.
HUPPERT: A relationship that will leave her both happier and sadder.
HANCOCK: Because he just should have been a daddy. Should have been a husband. By the time he's 80 years old. That would have been good. So loved not to have painted him.
HUPPERT: Kaziah figured out years ago that an artist can do little to stop a war. Her gift would be the deliveries to the people left to battle at home.
K. PENCHOT: Wait a minute. Do you want to see it?
A. PENCHOT: Oh.
K. PENCHOT: That is awesome.
A. PENCHOT: Oh, boy.
K. PENCHOT: Oh, man.
HUPPERT: Arland and Karen Panchot have never met Kaziah.
A. PENCHOT: Well, I'm just going to see what it will look like ...
K. PENCHOT: Up there.
HUPPERT: Probably never will.
K. PENCHOT: May you feel your son's love every day. God bless you. Love, Kaziah.
HUPPERT: But two parents who can't pull their eyes off the image of their son is proof.
A. PENCHOT: She even got his crooked tooth in there, a little bit.
K. PENCHOT: Uh-huh.
HUPPERT: That a hug can extend from Utah, all the way to the land of 10,000 stories.
K. PENCHOT: He's here and that's important to me.
HUPPERT: Kindness is a virtue. And on a ranch in Utah, compassion is an art.
HANCOCK: There's nothing I'll ever paint that will be more appreciated than that.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Amazing story. You go, Kazaih. You can make a tax deductible donation to help Kaziah Hancock finish more portraits. Information is available on the web at www.heropaintings.com.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Enemies foreign and domestic.
CHANTING MEN: All enemies foreign and domestic.
(END VIDEO CLIP) PHILLPS: In Iraq, U.S. troops, almost 600 of them, marking independence day by raising their right hands and signing on for another hitch. Top American commander in Iraq told the reenlisting troops that they're doing, well, it can't be bought or sold.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEN. DAVID PETRAEUS, CMDR., MUTLI-NATL. FORCE - IRAQ: I know the extra money will come in handy, but I also know your decision to reenlist, a decision made while serving in a combat zone far from home on a second or third tour for many of you. Is based on far more than any bonus you may receive.
For no bonus, no matter size, can adequately compensate you for the contribution each of you has made and continues to make, as a custodian of our nation's defenses. Nor can any amount of money compensate you adequately for the sacrifices you make serving here in Iraq or the burdens your loved ones face at home in your absence.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLPS: It is a day for military ceremony in Baghdad also raising their hands, 161 uniformed men and women who took the oath of citizenship.
You don't have to be an American citizen to serve in the armed forces. And rallying the troops, President Bush celebrates his Independence Day in West Virginia with members of the Air National Guards 1-7th airlift wing. CNN's Kathleen Koch travelled with him.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: President Bush got an enthusiastic welcome today from the National Guard's 167th airlift wing, here in Martinsburg, West Virginia.
This is the fourth time during his presidency that Mr. Bush has spent July 4th here in West Virginia, a key political battleground state. The implications in a new poll for victory in Iraq and to urge Americans to give his troop increase there a chance to work.
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH, U.S.: If we are to quit Iraq before the job is done, the terrorists we are fighting would not declare victory and lay down their arms, they would follow us here home.
If we were to allow them to gain control of Iraq, they would have control of a nation with massive oil reserves which they could use to fund new attacks. And exhort economic blackmail on those who didn't kowtow to their wishes. However difficult the fight is in Iraq, we must win it. We must succeed for our own sake, for the security of our citizens we must support our troops. We must support the Iraqi government. And we must defeat al Qaeda in Iraq.
KOCH: President Bush said that U.S. troops in Iraq on this Fourth of July are serving in what he calls, a cause that is vital and just. President Bush thanked the military families present in this crowd of some 2,000 for their sacrifice and support. And President Bush himself will spend the remainder of July 4th in Washington at the White House watching the fireworks on the National Mall with friends and family.
Kathleen Koch, CNN, Martinsburg, West Virginia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: A playground, set against a backdrop of a war zone. Some people try to make Iraq beautiful again, they're up against some really huge odds. That story and their challenges, straight ahead, in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEVIN STEVENS, LT. CMDR: Hi, I'm Lieutenant Commander Kevin Stevens. I'm here in Kandahar, Afghanistan. I'm from the U.S. joint forces command out of Northern Virginia. I'd like to say, Happy Fourth of July to my family living in Chesapeake, Virginia, to Anne, Jack and Luke. Thanks for your support. I hope to be home soon. I love you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLPS: Well, today is Independence Day, and there's no way to celebrate our freedom here without thinking about the men and women fighting and dying in combat overseas. The Iraq war, four years old, and still the people of Iraq are not safe. U.S. troops are not safe. And as I saw for myself this spring, the smallest step toward progress are hard won and a simple pleasure to you and me is anything but simple there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS (voice over): This is a moment no one takes for granted in Baghdad.
"We all love beauty, and you can see I'm comfortable talking to you because we're sitting in a nice garden," Baghdad's governor, Hussein al-Tehan tells me.
"The environment creates relaxation, so if we increase the gardens and parks in Baghdad, this will help the Iraqi people."
In Iraq, in this war zone, a park, fresh flowers, new paint are considered gifts.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Instead of planting bombs, we plant flowers. It's beautiful. It makes me feel comfortable.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Thank God for the flowers, grass, even cleaner streets. It just makes me feel better.
PHILLIPS: And that's exactly what the Governor al-Tahan wants. He's spending millions of dollars, trying to replace the destruction of bombs with beauty.
Now painted with the Iraqi flag, these columns used to be covered with quotes from Saddam Hussein.
Hundreds of gardens are blooming. Fountains, art, street work, even blast walls are becoming beautiful murals.
HUSSEIN AL-TAHAN, IRAQ GOVERNOR (through translator): The security situation forces us to put up blast walls, the governor explains. Not everyone wants to except this military environment, so we're changing colors, avoiding the ugly appearance and painting positive pictures.
PHILLIPS: However, that ugly picture of war still makes these projects brutally difficult and deadly.
(on camera): You've had 300 workers and engineers die trying to do this job. How do you keep workers coming back?
AL-TAHAN (through translator): We are trying to coordinate more security for them.
PHILLIPS (voice over): Their job is more dangerous than being a minister in Iraq. Dangerous for garden supervisors, like Monof Tehrun (ph).
"I just want to defy the terrorists and add something to our country," Monof tells me. "This regains the beauty of our past."
Beauty and bravery, still hard for many Iraqis to believe in.
(on camera): This is Ziuna (ph) park. It cost a half a million dollars to build this, and it's the first recreation area of its kind since the fall of Saddam Hussein. It has two soccer fields plus a volleyball, handball, and basketball court. It has a garden and a brand-new restaurant. It's beautiful. The only problem is, Iraqis are still afraid of the terrorists, which means they're still afraid to come here.
Today, it's empty.
So, how are you going to get the moms and the kids to the park?
AL-TAHAN (through translator): We believe that behind every man there's a great woman. And those women are led by their children. The children will convince the women to visit these parks and gardens.
PHILLIPS (voice over): Familiar sounds of sirens, now combined with samples of new scenery. One more creative attempt at peace in Iraq.
(END VIDEOTAPE) PHILLIPS: And U.S. troops on this Fourth of July that are still trying to keep those streets safe, so those workers can try and rebuild and beautify the streets of Baghdad and on the outskirts.
LEMON: Well they are giving Iowa a try on the Fourth of July. And our Candy Crowley is watching every move. Hillary Clinton and Mitt Romney, and patriotic politics ahead, in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Mitt Romney's there, so are Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Chris Dodd and Sam Brownback.
It's hard to get anywhere in Iowa this Fourth of July, without bumping into a presidential candidate. And all of them have opinions about President Bush's decision to commute Scooter Libby's prison sentence in the CIA leak case.
Romney, a Republican, took a few jabs at Bill Clinton's record today. The former president signed 140 pardons in his final hours in office. But in a radio interview on WHO, Clinton fired back, saying that was entirely different.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President, I have to ask you this question since it's timely. What is your reaction to President Bush's commutation of Scooter Libby's prison sentence? You had some controversial pardons during your presidency. What's your reaction to what President Bush did?
BILL CLINTON, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT: Yes. But I think the facts were different. I think, you know, there are guidelines for what happens when, you know, somebody's convicted. And I think that, you know, you've got to unction, I think that this is consistent with their philosophy.
They believe that they should be able to do what they want to do, and that the law is a minor obstacle. I think that's what I think. I think that, you know, it's wrong to out that CIA agent and wrong to try to cover it up. And wrong that no one was ever fired from the White House for doing it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Well, this is the former president's first campaign trip with his wife. Iowa holds its caucuses in January.
Well, forget about the polls. Take a look at these new numbers for '08 presidential campaign contributors in the second quarter. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani leads the GOP pack with $17 million in the second quarter. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is second with $14 million and John McCain reported around $11 million. But says he only has $2 million in cash on hand. He just announced he's laying off half his campaign staff. Democrat Barack Obama is out pacing everyone and set a new record for a Democrat in the second quarter, raising $32.5 million. Hillary Clinton is second with $27 million.
PHILLIPS: Well, if you ever wanted to ask the presidential candidates your own questions, now's your chance. CNN and YouTube are soliciting video questions from the public, for our upcoming debate. Just go to CNN.com/Americavotes.
For now, Jeanne Moos has the submissions that probably won't make the cut.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Move over, moderators. Wait till you see who wants to grill the presidential candidates at the next debate.
BJORN VENNSON, VOTER: Greetings. I am Bjorn Vennson.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My question is ...
MOOS: Oh, they have questions all right.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: About aliens.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And this question here is for old John Edwards.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you think you're cute?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Going for it.
MOOS: These YouTubers are whispering, they are leering.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello, Hillary.
MOOS: They're whining.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Can you answer my question?
MOOS: CNN and YouTube are asking you to submit videotaped questions. Questions each candidate will watch on a monitor built into his or her podium.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I want to know what you think is, you know, the greatest invention heard of.
MOOS: Toothpicks and visual aids are encouraged. This guy waved around a Social Security statement.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But seeing that Social Security is going to be extinct in the near future, why am I still getting these?
MOOS: That's the kind of serious question CNN honchos probably will choose to include. The ones we're highlighting are what you probably won't see.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: CNN will never use that.
MOOS: There's no such thing as a dress code among those submitting questions for this debate.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I call myself the anonymous American.
Will you right then and there, sign an executive order beginning the withdrawal of troops from Iraq?
VENNSON: How do you plan to deal with illegal immigration?
MOOS: This guy tried a little show and tell.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, science.
MOOS: Demonstrating how little money goes to science, compared to weapons research.
Some are questions candidates don't normally get asked.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If they have donated blood.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In God we trust. What do those words mean to you?
MOOS: And then there was the do ask and do tell, teddy bear.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'd like to keep my name and hometown anonymous, because I am in the military and I am gay.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm a middle of the Democrat. Do you feel the terrorists will come here? Oh, my God, there is one here right now. Stop, please.
MOOS: My question to you candidates, do you regret agreeing to do this debate yet? Even a real cat submitted a question. How can you protect my food in the future? What with the contaminated pet food scare.
A pair of comedians had a question for John Edwards.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you think you're better looking than Barack Obama? Tell you what! Shirts off!
We're going to count down. We'll have an ab counting contest.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't want nobody taking off their shirt.
MOOS: Especially not any female candidates.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Take that, CNN.
MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Once again, CNN is raising the bar on the presidential debates. And you can take part Monday, July 23rd. The Democratic candidates square off in a CNN YouTube debate, minus those questions.
Anderson Cooper hosts the first of its kind event, live and interactive on TV and online. You can see the Republican candidates debate on Monday, September 17th and you can submit your own questions right now. Just log on to CNN.com/Americavotes. CNN is your political headquarters.
LEMON: Captive reporter, Alan Johnston is freed in Gaza. Of course his family is relieved. So are his colleagues and his friends. CNN's Ben Wedeman shares his reaction, straight ahead in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Hello everyone, I'm Kyra Phillips at the CNN center in Atlanta.
LEMON: And I'm Don Lemon. And this is Alan Johnston.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALAN JOHNSTON, CAPTIVE JOURNALIST: It is the most extraordinary Fourth of July, for me that I could imagine.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: He may not be an American, but after 114 days as a hostage in Gaza, Johnston is celebrating freedom today.
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