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Pakistan Next on GWOT Hit List?; City Street with 43 Sex Offenders
Aired July 22, 2007 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: The United States ready to step up its game in hunting down al Qaeda.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Are you ready, the United States government, to go in and use direct military force against -- whether Taliban or al Qaeda elements inside Pakistan?
FRAN TOWNSEND, PRESIDENTIAL HOMELAND SECURITY ADVISER: No question that we will use any instrument at our deposal to deal with the problem of Osama bin Laden, Zawahiri and al Qaeda.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: The nation's homeland security adviser telling our own Wolf Blitzer there is a new front against terrorists. Where? How does this change the workload of our military men and women?
SANCHEZ: Also, it may be a normal city, but we have found 40, count them, 40 sex offenders living there, all on one street, next to schools, next to parks. How do you know they're not your neighbors? And if one of them does live near you, what do you do?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Somebody said, you know, the only thing that could cure them is God, but I just -- I don't think they can be cured, really.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: And then later, can you get a pink slip for your ink? You may want to rethink your nine to five before getting that tattoo, sir. All this in the CNN NEWSROOM.
Hello, again, everybody, I'm Rick Sanchez. We're here in B Control. Are U.S. forces possibly heading to a new front, to Pakistan? Now that's a suggestion both from Washington and from some U.S. military officials that we at CNN have been talking to.
Here's the background. Number one, bin Laden, right? Said to be in Pakistan. Who is number two? Zawahiri, also said to be in Pakistan. And lately, gunning for President Musharraf of Pakistan, and lately, he has been making a debt (ph). So if Musharraf can't control al Qaeda there in Pakistan, then who will? The U.S. military would be option number one. We lead tonight with our White House correspondent, here's CNN's Ed Henry.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ED HENRY, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The president's top aides say U.S. military action in Pakistan's tribal areas is on the table to target al Qaeda in the Taliban.
TOWNSEND: No question that we will use any instrument at our disposal to deal with the problem of Osama bin Laden, Zawahiri, and al Qaeda.
HENRY: The White House is on the defensive after a new government report declared Pakistan has become a safe haven for al Qaeda.
SEN. RICHARD DURBIN (D), ILLINOIS: After putting massive resources into a war in Iraq, we have lost sight of the goal of capturing Osama bin Laden and closing down al Qaeda.
HENRY: Mr. Bush is walking a tightrope. He has been praising Pakistan even though a deal that President Pervez Musharraf cut last year with tribal leaders has helped al Qaeda regain momentum.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRSEIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Musharraf is a strong ally in the war against these extremists.
HENRY: Now Pakistani leaders are irked by the talk of U.S. military strikes within its borders.
KHURSHID KASURI, PAKISTAN FOREIGN MINISTER: The Pakistan army can do the job much better and the result will be that there will be far less collateral damage.
TOWNSEND: I understand their anger but of course, Wolf, the president has made perfectly clear that job number one is protecting the American people. There are no tools off the table and we use all our instruments of national power to be effective.
HENRY: The tensions come with Pakistan already in flames as militants retaliate for Musharraf, ordering an attack on the pro- Taliban Red Mosque. The chaos may force Musharraf to finally crack down in the remote tribal regions where U.S. officials believe al Qaeda has regrouped and bin Laden may be hiding.
TERESITA SCHAFFER, CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTL STUDIES: At this point he's still being pushed by the militants. They still have the initiative but he may decide if this continues that he doesn't have any choice any longer.
HENRY (on camera): U.S. officials say they're committed to working with Musharraf, and they can't push him too hard. If his government falls, an extremist regime could take over and get its hands on Pakistan's nuclear weapons, a nightmare scenario.
Ed Henry, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: Let's bring this down now to a level where most Americans will be able to come to grips with it, and especially those Americans who may have loved ones serving in the military, who may just about now be asking as they're watching these reports, is there a possibility that my brother, my sister, my father may end up next in Pakistan, instead of Iran, instead of Iraq, instead of Afghanistan?
Well, there is a top Pentagon official who is not ruling out helping Pakistan. He does rule out, though, sending any ground troops. You know the old term, "boots on the ground." General Peter Pace is the out-going chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Here is what he is telling our own Barbara Starr.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEN. PETER PACE, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN: If he needed support of fires or he needed some kind of other air support, if he were to ask that, we would certainly sit down with him and see how it's going to be used.
We're not going to be on the ground in Pakistan. We're not looking to cross any borders into Pakistan.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: During her tour overseas with Pace, Barbara Starr reported that U.S. officials do believe that Pakistan will send up to 20,000 troops to those lawless tribal areas that we've been talking about, like Wahiristan, as part of the war on terror.
Wouldn't it be something if we heard a viewer question about Pakistan on tomorrow's CNN/YouTube debates and suddenly it's in the news again? Well, the first of its type, the event is less than 24 hours away now. Your questions for the Democratic candidate for president, meeting tomorrow night in Charleston, South Carolina. With a preview for us live from Charleston, chief national correspondent, or should I say, none other than chief national correspondent John King.
Hey, John, you know what's going on, I think because the debates are separated by so much time and there's so many darn candidates out there, I wouldn't be surprised if there were a lot of people who wanted to know from you, OK, who's winning this thing on the Democratic side? Who's getting the buzz? Who's on top?
JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, right now, who's on top would be Senator Hillary Clinton, Rick. She has a prohibitive lead in the national polls, she's ahead in most of the state polls. If you look at Iowa, look at Nevada, look at New Hampshire, look here in South Carolina.
So if you're one of the other candidates in the race, John Edwards, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, on down the list of the eight Democratic candidates, you're looking for an opening to try to bring Senator Clinton back to earth. And a debate gives that opening if you can knock her off her game a little bit.
So this is an unprecedented format here, people submitting their questions on YouTube, more than 2,500 submitted so far. They're all over the map, from the Iraq War to health care to college costs to gay rights.
So she's the front-runner. It's early though, still almost six months until anybody gets to vote. So if you are a challenger, still time to try to get at her.
SANCHEZ: Yes, but you know what is interesting about her, you know this and I know this and anybody who knows or follows politics knows this, she's probably about as polarizing as those who come. Those who love her love her, those who hate her really dislike her -- or maybe I should say those who dislike her really dislike her.
How is it possible for her to have this type of lead? To what is that being attributed?
KING: Ideologically, she is in sync with the Democratic primary electorate. Obviously, her husband, the former president, is held in high regard by most Democrats across the country. She has a smart, experienced campaign team and she has raised a lot of money. And even her critics and even rivals in the field say she is running so far almost a flawless race.
Her big weakness was trying to convince the anti-war left she would stand with them in opposing the president on the war in Iraq. She has had a few dust-ups with the administration lately, saying it's time to get a plan to bring the troops home.
So she is running so far a very smart -- a very smart strategic and tactical campaign. Again, though, it's early, and they often say -- and, Rick, the last thing you want to be early in a race is the front-runner, because then everybody targets you.
SANCHEZ: It's kind of like the Sports Illustrated jinx, right? You get on the cover of Sports Illustrated, forget about it, you're losing your next game.
Let's talk about this YouTube debate tomorrow, because a lot of people are excited about it, but let's look at this from a historical perspective. We've been saying in the media that, you know what, in the next election in this country, it's the young, the youth that's going to make a difference.
And then year in, year out, we look at the numbers, and it's actually folks who are much older and afraid somebody's going to take away Social Security from them who ends up really being the big numbers out there voting. What makes this year different? Who are these YouTubers that you guys keep talking about?
KING: Well, we don't know if it will be different, and you're using your hammer to hit the challenge right on the head. Is that can you get people not only to talk on the Internet, to submit their questions on YouTube, a lot of old people and middle-aged people like myself are submitting questions, too.
But there are a lot of questions from young people. And can you get these people -- who like to talk and blog and chat and post videos on the Internet, can you then get them to organize in a campaign, support a candidate and then get them to register and turn out to vote?
You're exactly right, that is the defining question, will the young not just talk about the campaign and be active in the campaign online, will they organize and will they turn out to vote?
And all of the campaigns are trying to use this amazing, new technology to get them to do that. Can they and will they? We saw in some campaigns in 2006 they were successful in getting younger voters out. And all the candidates for president, not just the Democrats, are trying to target them in 2008.
If there is one candidate for whom this is the biggest and most important challenge is probably Barack Obama. For him to knock off Hillary Clinton, he has to bring a whole lot of new voters to the table. And one of his main targets is younger voters.
SANCHEZ: You know, I'm looking over your shoulder, that's beautiful. That's the Citadel back there. I remember visiting that campus. And you should probably tell viewers that somebody isn't firing at you, right?
KING: Nobody's firing at me. Maybe some drills on campus. As you know, Rick, this is a beautiful place. It is a military academy. This is the main quad here, where you will see in school season troops out -- you know, cadets out in their uniforms doing marching drills and everything.
It's really a fabulous place and they've been incredibly welcoming to us. So we're grateful to be here for this debate, very excited about it.
SANCHEZ: So John King is not about to become cannon fodder, they're just firing them off as they practice all the time. Hey, John, always a pleasure, you're a smart guy, appreciate it, man.
KING: Take care, Rick, thank you.
SANCHEZ: What could you ask the presidential candidates if you got your chance? Well, there is still a chance. CNN is teaming up with YouTube for the next round of presidential debates. And you can submit your videotaped questions, just go to cnn.com/youtubedebates. The Democratic candidates square off July 23rd, the Republicans in September, only at your home for politics, CNN.
News "Across America" now, beginning in the Big Apple. And a sight that you don't see every day, a truck lifted out from under a New York City Street. Yes, remember that big gas explosion earlier this week? People saw it today as the tow truck mired in the crater created from Wednesday's steam pipe blast was finally removed from the site.
In the Texas Hill country, they're drying out and they're cleaning up after days of 10-gallon torrents. The National Weather Service reports that some parts of the Lone Star State saw 17 inches of rain in just 12 hours. Some 50 flooding victims had to be rescued in and around San Antonio just yesterday.
West now, to Mt. Hood, Oregon. Searchers hoping to find the remains of two missing climbers. Believe that they have found their gear. Brian Hall and Jerry Cooke disappeared last December during their ascent. You remember we covered that story here at CNN very much. Their gear was found a few hundred feet away from where they actually started their climb.
And the adopted Mississippi baby snatched at gunpoint during a home invasion yesterday is safe and sound in North Carolina. The FBI says agents and military police found 5-month-old Madison Erickson at a residence on post at Ft. Bragg. Police arrested the child's biological mother and her sister. Authorities are still looking for more suspects.
Texas is not the only place rocked by rain. Look at this. This is not Texas, this is England.
Also, we found 40 sex offenders living on one city block, one city block, right next to a playground, right next to a school. We're going to take you there and ask some serious questions that you would want asked. Also, is there a sex offender that happens to be living near you? There is a Web site out there that can help you find out. We'll tell you what it is. You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SANCHEZ: We welcome you back to the CNN NEWSROOM. It is a soggy mess in central Britain. Large parts of the country are flooded out after days of torrential rains there. More wet weather could be on the way. Hundreds of people have been evacuated to emergency shelters there. The areas of Gloucester and Worcester, which, as you know, looks nothing like it's spelled, in the west were hit really hard. The Royal Air Force and coast guard have been using helicopters and life boats to rescue the stranded.
Heavy rainfall in China, as well, has triggered some floods, some landslides, even mud floes. Takes a look at those pictures. More than 100 people we're told have died. Tens of thousands fled their homes for higher ground. This is the deadliest rainy season in China in years. Since summer began, half of the country has been hit severe flooding.
Days of monsoon rains in Bangladesh have left half a million people stranded in their homes, more than a dozen people have died in the flooding. The streets of the capital knee-deep in rain water. Across South Asia, floods and mudslides have killed more than 770 people in this monsoon season alone. And then there is Texas, but they finally got a bit of a break today from that rain that caused widespread flooding just last week and into parts of yesterday. Remember, 176 Amtrak passengers stranded by the waters are one step closer to finally getting home. What a trip it has been for them.
Remember, we had them on the air here yesterday while they were going through their ordeal. Their train was stopped yesterday when the water started covering the tracks in front and behind them. So they couldn't move. They were about 75 miles west of San Antonio.
After several hours, Amtrak brought in some buses, carried most of them to El Paso and on to, finally, a connecting chain to Los Angeles where they wanted to have been -- where they wanted to go to begin with.
(WEATHER REPORT)
SANCHEZ: A disturbing story. This is crazy. How is it possible that sex offenders, ready for the number, 40 of them, could end up living on one street? And what does that say about how many there are out there in general?
Also, in Washington, we're going to tell you who is moving in to what was considered a traditional neighborhood. Stay with us. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SANCHEZ: Do it! We're going to do it with "Josh's Corner." Many of us would be understandably upset if we found out that there was a registered sex offender who lived right down the street from where our kids go to school, right? Well, get this, there is a street that's home to 43 registered sex offenders. Not only that, but they live illegally within one mile of a park and four schools. Josh Levs is here now to explain how this could possibly happen -- Josh.
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it's not fun to talk about, Rick, is it? And we don't like having to hit this topic, but it hits families around the country, we know it's very important. So what we want to do first is help you understand the specific example we are talking about here. We spotted a story this week out of California, where some tough, new laws were passed last year, restricting where registered sex offenders are allowed to live.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEVS (voice-over): State officials this month said as many as 2,100 California sex offenders have been violating new state laws by living within 2,000 feet of schools or parks. In the state capital, Sacramento, CNN affiliate KTXL reported that 43 of those registered offenders are listed at a center for parolees that's contracted by the state. The owner said he isn't sure what the new laws mean for the center.
GEORGE BERNARD, PAROLEE TRANSITIONAL LIVING CTR.: At this point, we don't know.
LEVS: Not all the temporary residents who pass through here are sex offenders, but residents are concerned about the ones who are.
CHERYL WOODS, SACRAMENTO RESIDENT: I don't believe that just because they did time, they're out now, that that's it, they're rehabilitated?
LEVS: The state says all parolees violating the new laws will have to move. In the meantime, Bernard said there is no cause for alarm. He said the residents are subjected to 24-hour monitoring by staff, surveillance cameras, curfew, and have five bed checks a night.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
But even still, as you can see, I mean, a lot of people in the community are still conserved. Rick, as you know, people all over the country would be in a similar situation.
SANCHEZ: But there is actually -- you can use your computer, right, go to some Web sites and find who these people are and possibly if they're near you, right?
LEVS: Yes, and it's really helpful and a lot of people don't realize how easy it is to find out where registered sex offenders are in your neighborhood -- or could be. Let's take look at a Web site here. Now you get there through the Department of Justice Web site. Just go to usdoj.gov, and type in sex offenders, it will get you here.
And you can click on your state. And then also over on the left side you are able to type in your zip code or even your county, any system you want to use to find. And it will tell you addresses, names. And it's really very empowering, Rick, to everybody around the country, because every single state is there, and it will show you the list, usually up-to-date in every state.
SANCHEZ: Is it vetted, though? I mean, you know, let's be honest about this, there is a big difference between some animal out there who is, you know, some 50-year-old guy who is taking advantage of a 5-year-old girl, and some guy who is 17 and was accused of something with his, you know, 15-year-old girlfriend, a la Genarlow Wilson.
LEVS: Right.
SANCHEZ: So if you're on this list, does it mean you're really a predator?
LEVS: No, and I'm really glad you asked that, because it does not mean you're a predator. And when you go to one of these lists, and you see on that Web site, when you click on it, you take a look, what you will actually find is it will give you the information about whether the person is considered a predator, also whether the person is considered an absconder, and that's really important.
Most of the people -- we looked at dozens and dozens, most of the people are not. They can be there for all sorts of crimes. Sometimes it's molestation, statutory rape, sexual assault, which are also serious things, but not at all, Rick, on the level of the kinds of horror stories, which are very rare that we hear about, the kidnappings and the rapes, you know, the worst kinds of offenses.
So that is important to caution people. Just because someone is on that list, doesn't mean, as Rick is saying, that they're the worst kind of monster that you've heard of.
SANCHEZ: Yes, exactly. And I think most people know the difference.
Hey, Josh, I want you to look at something, because what you and I were talking about, doing this story earlier in the week, and you and I end up talking a lot, our producers would say sometimes too much, but I wanted to see what people thought about this, because you know, when you ask people, well, what do you think should happen to somebody who does something like this to a child, it's interesting to find out. So we did something that we call "What You Say."
Here's our "What You Say" segment tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You really can't kill everybody, you know, or send them to jail because of, you know. So I feel that everyone deserves another chance.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When somebody says the only thing that could cure them is God, but I just -- I don't think they can be cured, really.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think he can be rehabilitated, absolutely.
SANCHEZ: What if he's a repeat offender?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Take him out of society. Don't give him a chance to harm someone else.
SANCHEZ: So, but if he is a repeat sexual offender, you don't want him on the street or you're still willing to give him another chance?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just depending on due process, and you know, how that plays out. I mean, you have to -- you have to, I guess case by case look at that. I mean, that's a tough one.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: You know what I found when I was asking these questions, Josh?
LEVS: What's that?
SANCHEZ: The consistent pattern was most people say first time, talk to them, maybe incarcerate them, give them a chance. Second time, as Tony Soprano would say, forget about it.
(LAUGHTER)
LEVS: Well, you know what I like about what you say is people really don't hold back, I mean, especially on a topic like this, people are very outspoken. And it's also where you and I and CNN in general can play a really good role, giving people facts, empowering them with how to find things out.
But also as you and I were doing just now, contextualizing, reminding people that just because someone is on the list, doesn't mean they're the worst. And it's important, it's relevant to keep that in mind.
SANCHEZ: It's important to do these segments, I appreciate it my friend. We'll keep doing it, all right?
LEVS: You got it. Thanks.
SANCHEZ: "Josh's Corner," you like that?
LEVS: Hey, can I claim that right now? Can I get a T-shirt? Excuse me, T-shirt over here.
SANCHEZ: On the list. Thanks, Josh.
Do some of the current presidential candidates irritate you and you don't even know why, or maybe you've just got a gut feeling about that candidate? Well, we're going to take a look at the role emotions play in politics.
Also, tattoos. More and more people have got them, and some employers think they just don't like them. Tattoos in the workplace. Are you going to lose your job if you get one? Ask this guy. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SANCHEZ: A major Pentagon figure showed this week even important military guys can sometimes cry.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT GATES, DEFENSE SECRETARY: In May, the lion of Fallujah was laid to rest at Arlington.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: That's Defense Secretary Gates, obviously. Senator Byrd also put his heart on the sleeve over dog fighting and the Michael Vick charges.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. ROBERT BYRD (D), WEST VIRGINIA: Barbaric! Let that word resound from hill to hill and from mountain to mountain, from valley to valley across the broad land, barbaric.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: That may sound and look a little funky, but joining me now is a man who says presidential candidates can learn a lesson from these guys, showing a genuine, emotional side, being real. It can even help get you elected. Drew Westen has written the new book "The Political Brain: The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation."
And you know what's interesting about this? I'm sure you know we're doing the YouTube debates, right? And a lot of the sense you get from the young people sending in questions is that they want people to be authentic. Interesting word choice, isn't it?
DREW WESTEN, AUTHOR: Yeah. I think it is. Thanks for having me on. I think this election in particular is one where people are really looking, as they were in the election after Richard Nixon, for someone who's going to speak the truth to them, and simply not lie about anything.
SANCHEZ: But I've got to tell you, for the most part, they don't sound authentic, they sound fake.
WESTEN: Yeah, a lot of them do. And you know, a lot of the counsel in the book I've just written is about how to actually not only sound authentic, but to be authentic.
SANCHEZ: Let's show you an ad. You tell me how authentic this one is, OK? All right, Roger, play it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm Barack Obama, and I approve this message. There is not a liberal America and a conservative America. There is the United States of America.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Senator Obama worked on some of the deepest issues we had and he was successful in a bipartisan way.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Legislation that he carried he believed in. He was not carrying it for a group, he was not carrying it for any lobbyist.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Republican legislators respected Senator Obama. He has negotiation skills and an ability to understand both sides would serve the country very well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: America, America, America, and all his friends say he's a great guy. Good ad?
WESTEN: Yeah. And I think it was a very good ad. What you want to do with an ad is you want to tell a story, you want it to be emotionally compelling, and you want people to like you at the end of it, if the point is a positive ad.
SANCHEZ: But I didn't get him, I didn't hear him, I didn't hear his sentiment, his gut. I mean, he was giving a speech. All politicians give speeches, where he was talking about America.
WESTEN: Well, I think the story line behind this one was, let's end the bickering and the partisanship and let's be bipartisan now and let's come together. That's the kind of story that you want to tell with an ad like this.
SANCHEZ: OK, you like him. This one's by Senator Edwards. Let's listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN EDWARDS, PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: Will we make America the country of the 21st century? That depends on all of us. It's not that we don't know what needs to be done to lift families out of poverty, to strengthen the middle class in this country. We know what needs to be done.
The strength in America is not just in the Oval Office, the strength in America is in this room right now. It's the American people and it's time for the president of the United States to ask Americans to be patriotic about something other than war. I'm John Edwards and I approve this message.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: Now, see, that felt real passionate to me. I mean, I don't know if he buys it, but he certainly looked like he's being very passionate, like he really believes what he's saying there.
WESTEN: I think that's absolutely true, and one of the things Edwards really has as a strength is he's able to say what he thinks and thinks what he says and he doesn't look like he's using scripts.
And in that one, he told a very different story than Obama told. His story was, it's not time for bipartisanship at this point, it's time to get rid of these people who haven't been telling us the truth. It's time for us to get patriotic about something other than war.
SANCHEZ: What's interesting is we just saw two guys that are pretty good at being passionate. Hillary Clinton's the front-runner right now. Her husband, obviously, all this charisma, all this way about him where he's able to win over crowds.
That's not -- she's incredibly smart, obviously, whether you hate her or like her. I think most people would agree. But that charisma thing, that Clintonian thing that her husband had, not necessarily her fort, is it?
WESTEN: No, and in fact, the two candidates on the Democratic side who have it most naturally are Obama and Edwards and both have it in spades.
SANCHEZ: But they're not winning.
WESTEN: Well, what's interesting is it's early, and it also is, frankly -- Hillary Clinton has done a terrific job in the last few debates in projecting something different than she's projected on the stump.
She's come up with one-liners that have been quite funny that are the things, the kind of things that people remember, and she has appeared very authoritative, so she's doing pretty well making up for what doesn't seem to come naturally.
SANCHEZ: But just a quick yes or no answer on this, because I'm being told by my producer that we've got to go. Doesn't she sound more rehearsed than some of the other guys to you?
WESTEN: Um, that's a tough one.
SANCHEZ: Come on.
WESTEN: Yes or no answer.
SANCHEZ: Go from the gut. That's what your book says.
WESTEN: She feels like she could use a little more work on the genuineness.
SANCHEZ: Hey Drew, you're a good guy. Appreciate the conversation.
WESTEN: Thanks for having me on.
SANCHEZ: They say home is where the heart is, but home's also got to be someplace you can afford. Lately in some cities, Hispanic home-buyers are finding well-priced housing in neighborhoods they once overlooked. Here's CNN's Gary Nurenberg.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY NURENBERG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The decades return to the city real estate boom has hit long-established Latino neighborhoods like this one in Washington, D.C.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A lot of properties have even doubled from what people bought in 2000-2002.
NURENBERG: In Washington, those out-of-reach housing prices have prompted Latinos to buy in traditionally African-American neighborhoods where homes are more affordable.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you have very or low income that is the place to buy.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (though translator): This was our dream.
NURENBERG: Flores Saremos (ph) liked the economics, but worried about buying in a quadrant of the city with a troubling crime rate. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Our friends were telling us that this was a dangerous place and that we were going to die, but the people are really nice to us.
NURENBERG: It's not always that easy.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When new groups move in who are linguistically different and culturally different and look different from area residents, there's often tension.
NURENBERG: The Garcia family felt welcomed when it moved next door to Mary Owens.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody has accepted the family very well.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bernie.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bernie.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm very friendly with the little girl, Irma, and she's very, very friendly. She plays with the dog out back all the time.
NURENBERG: The city is trying to boost the economy of the area by building a new stadium for its baseball team, the Nationals. Washington's Latino Economic Development Organization advises prospective home buyers it's not much of a gamble.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Those who are willing to take the chance to get into a unit now are going to see their wealth increase.
NURENBERG: The economics in Washington illustrate a national trend.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So lots of new communities across the country are experiencing this new migration at the same time.
NURENBERG: It's changing the look and feel of communities as merchants begin stocking products previously found only in Latin American enclaves. Economics may be spurring the migration to new neighborhoods but the real bottom line isn't just about money. For Irma Garcia, it's.
IRMA GARCIA, HOME BUYER (through translator): For my kids so they can have a brighter future and for my family to be more at peace.
NURENBERG: Gary Nurenberg, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: And tonight a look at where things stand in the case we've been following quite closely for you.
Friday, Georgia's Supreme Court took up the Genarlow Wilson appeal. State justices heard arguments from both sides in the state's appeal of the county judge's decision to let him go.
Well, that judge said that Wilson should be released from prison. Wilson, of course, is serving a 10-year prison sentence for having consensual oral sex with a teenage girl when he himself was a teen. Here is one justice's take.
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ROBERT BENHAM, JUSTICE, GEORGIA SUPREME COURT: The other argument is that the consequences can open up the flood gates for other litigants who are also in prison who would seek to come through the breach, if there is one, that will be created in this case.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: By the way, Wilson's lawyer, B.J. Bernstein, is telling justices that his 10-year sentence amounts to cruel and unusual punishment. The high court's decision isn't expected for several weeks.
Do you have a tattoo? Do you have a job? The two may not necessarily work together. Know what I mean? We'll explain. Stay with us.
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ALI VELSHI, CNN ANCHOR: Generic cholesterol drugs may be helping your bottom line, but they're hurting America's biggest drug-makers. Merck lost its exclusive right to make the cholesterol-lowering drug known as Zocor last year. Since then, consumers have been flocking to the cheaper, generic alternative. Well, this week we'll see if the loss of one of its most successful drugs will continue to hurt Merck. It reports its second quarter earnings on Monday.
Ford's earnings also come out on Monday. Ford continues to face stiff competition from non U.S. automakers and the slowing sales of gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs. Ford's been trying to unload its Jaguar and Land Rover brands to raise cash.
Now Ford and General Motors are joining Chrysler in starting negotiations with their unionized workers this week. The current contract expires in September. All three of the Detroit-based automakers say they need to bring labor, health care, and pension costs in line with their non U.S. competitors.
The United Auto Workers says it may consider making some concessions. If you want more of this sort of thing, watch me on "Minding Your Business" each weekday morning on "AMERICAN MORNING." I'm Ali Velshi in New York.
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SANCHEZ: Here is that story we've been telling you about regarding tattoos. It doesn't seem to be a big deal, but more than 1/3 of people under 30 have some type of ink done, as it's called. And most businesses don't seem to mind, as long as it's, you know, in the right place and not seen all the time. Fewer than 10 percent have guidelines on what's acceptable in tattoos and what is not. So what is it? We wanted to know. So here's our Stephanie Elam with this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Nearly 25 percent of Americans between 18 and 50 have tattoos, according to a 2006 survey.
In the 18 through 29-year-old demo, more than 35 percent of those surveyed had at least one tattoo. Tattoos are big business, and big business doesn't seem to mind, at least when it comes to the office. Maybe it's because people tend to keep them under wraps from 9:00 to 5:00.
DARREN ROSA, DRAGON TATTOO SHOP OWNER: And in general, a lot of people say, you know, I deal with the public, you know, or there is a dress code, I can't have my tattoos show. And if they, if, say, they get a tattoo like this, a sleeve, you know, we'll stop it here, which is called three-quarters sleeve.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, nice resume.
ELAM: Fewer than 10 percent of companies have established guidelines on tattoos, according to the career counseling and research firm Vault. Maybe more companies would, if a majority of companies didn't cover up.
MARK OLDMAN, CO-PRESIDENT, VAULT: There is a big difference between the angry tattoo, you know, the large, you know, skull and crossbones tattoo, and the more discrete, you know, heart or butterfly or anchor on your ankle. Still, some employers might be against that.
ELAM: Tattoos have definitely gone mainstream. For one thing, people like him, they're known as artists, and they rarely work in parlors anymore. Think studios, instead. Rosa says he feels a sense of responsibility.
ROSA: We have people come in and they want something on their hand, and I'm like, you know, you don't look like you're past 21, and you want your hand?
ELAM: So you'll actually say something to somebody?
ROSA: Oh, yes, definitely.
ELAM: And have them think about it?
ROSA: And we turn them away.
ELAM: But an artist compassion can only do so much.
ROBERT LIPMAN, EMPLOYMENT LAWYER: Employers can hire individuals to portray the image they want, and if that image doesn't include tattoos, those individuals with tattoos are just out of luck. ELAM: No wonder tattoos have spawned another industry, tattoo removal. Stephanie Elam, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: Someone wants the president and the vice president censured for the way that they've handled the war in Iraq. We'll tell you who that person is, ahead.
Also, how much do you think the war has cost so far? A few million, a few billion? How much? Well, I went out because I wanted to know if ordinary citizens, ordinary Americans know how much of their money is being spent. Should they know? Do they know? We'll be back.
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SANCHEZ: Welcome back. I'm Rick Sanchez here in B control. As if yesterday's colonoscopy wasn't enough, President Bush has another uncomfortable situation to deal with.
Upon his return to the White House today, the president learned of Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold's desire to censure him and other top administration officials.
Feingold says that he's doing it because of the Iraq war and the quote, "repeated assaults on the rule of law." At least one Republican calls it a stunt, and not all Democrats think it's a good idea. It's Feingold's second attempt since March of last year. Why now?
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SEN. RUSS FEINGOLD (D), WISCONSIN: Let me just say that it's a sad moment in our country's history when you have to think about actually censuring the president of the United States. But given the reaction to the November election, the complete disregard of the will of the American people, the misleading statements leading into the war, the inability to have our troops adequately protected.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: Speaking of Iraq and the war, I hit the streets of Atlanta to find out how many people who live in the United States actually know how much is being spent on the war in Iraq in terms of dollars and cents.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: How much money is the Iraq war costing you?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A lot.
SANCHEZ: A lot?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. SANCHEZ: Do you think it's more than $1 billion?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Probably.
SANCHEZ: Do you think it's more than $100 billion?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, yeah, I guess it would be, but I don't know for sure.
UNIDENTIIFED MALE: Billions and billions. I'd say $6 billion.
SANCHEZ: $6 billion?
UNIDENTIIFED MALE: I think it's over $100 billion.
UNIDENTIIFED MALE: $100 billion?
SANCHEZ: Higher.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 150?
SANCHEZ: Higher.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 250?
SANCHEZ: Higher.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: $300 billion?
SANCHEZ: Higher.
What does that mean?
UNIDENTIIFED FEMALE: How much cost the Iraq war?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 500.
SANCHEZ: Close.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 475?
SANCHEZ: You went down. It's higher, higher.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 525?
SANCHEZ: That's still close.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: $567 billion, according to a recent congressional report. That segment's called "What You Say," because it's what you say. We'll keep bringing it to you.
They were down and out in L.A., until they found home sweet hope. A new facility provides hope for the homeless where there wasn't any before. We're going to tell you about it when we come back. You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
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SANCHEZ: Who is helping the homeless in this country? In L.A. we know because of Kara Finnstrom.
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VERONICA DURAN-RAMIREZ, HOPE GARDENS RESIDENT: This is the kids' room, right here. They have their own bedroom. Isn't this nice?
KARA FINNSTROM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is no ordinary two-bedroom apartment.
DURAN-RAMIREZ: They have to share a bathroom with everybody and they cry when they see the bathroom.
FINNSTROM: For Veronica Duran-Ramirez and her children, this home in the 78-acre Hope Gardens facility with green hillsides, brooks, and a playground, is nothing short of extraordinary.
It's worlds away from L.A.'s Skid Row, where they slept in cardboard boxes when they couldn't afford bus rides to shelters.
DURAN-RAMIREZ: Do you feed them or do you stay the night in the street? And it's a hard decision and I'm like, well, I have to buy the 99-cent burgers.
FINNSTROM: Veronica says her family fled to the streets to escape a boyfriend who broke both her legs. For two months, her children were frightened and hungry.
DURAN-RAMIREZ: I've seen them like with the smile but all dirty and their little feet all stinky, but they're still smiling saying, hey, mom, I love you. It just made me cry. I thought I'm the worst mom there could be. And then right when I was giving up hope, they said that I got into Hope Gardens.
ANDY BALES, UNION RESCUE MISSION: Downtown Skid Row, we're surrounded by violence. We have 400 registered sex offenders around the mission within a few block area. For years, Union Rescue Mission was looking for places.
FINNSTROM: Places safe for women and their children. Now more than 20 miles away in the remote hills of Sylmar, the rescue mission has opened this facility offering childcare, job training, and counseling. It's saying, help families transition to running their own places within three years.
BALES: There is a high incidence of alcohol and drug abuse among single men on the streets, but that is not what we find among women and children. Most likely it's caused by abuse or they just don't have the skills to keep up with the housing.
MARIA DURAN-RAMIREZ, HOPE GARDENS RESIDENT: My mom wants to keep the shoe until I grow up to remember. FINNSTROM: Maria's tiny shoe completely worn down by the fearful need to keep moving on the street, a reminder of how close Veronica was to losing her children until they all got a new beginning.
V. DURAN-RAMIREZ: I was going to ask the church like, is there a family that could take my kids? I was actually thinking I can't have my kids here. I'm not doing anything. I've been in the situation too long. And then I got into Hope Gardens and I just cried and cried. Go ahead.
FINNSTROM: Kara Finnstrom for CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: All right, here's the tease. We're going to do something very special for you tonight. Everyone's asking or talking about these YouTuber. But what's a YouTuber? What's somebody of that generation all about? Show them what we're doing, Roger. Let's show them this picture. OK, we're building a set for tonight where we're going to have some of these young folks. How young is young, by the way? I know you're asking, we'll tell you later. A lot of questions, who they're going to vote for, what they think of religion in politics, today's development in Pakistan, what's going on in Iraq. I mean, it's a lot of material that we're going to try and cover with them, to get their perspective on how it might be just a little different from us old guys.
We'll have that for you right here. But next, let's take you now to this special report, it is "Ambush at the River of Secrets." It starts right now.
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