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FDA Releases Cold Medicine Warning; Celebrity Politics: Does Star Power Win Votes?; War in Afghanistan: Allies Miffed at Gates

Aired January 17, 2008 - 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: What's worse than sniffling, sneezing, a toddler doing that, who can't sleep for coughing? A toddler in the E.R. with side-effects from over-the-counter meds, that's what's worse. The FDA is warning parents to just say no.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Anything goes in Vegas, right? Well, maybe not. A federal judge is deciding whether casino caucusing stacks the deck against certain Nevada voters and Democratic candidates.

Hello, everyone. I'm Kyra Phillips, at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta.

LEMON: And I'm Don Lemon.

You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

Well, with another cold and flu season upon us, the FDA wants parents to know the dangers of giving over-the-counter cold remedies to children younger than 2 years old.

CNN Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen has the very latest for us on that.

This is something that every parent -- and if you take care of a kid, a child -- you should know about.

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Oh, absolutely. And you know what, Don? It's a big blow to a lot of parents, because parents have really grown to rely on these over-the-counter cold medications for kids. But the FDA is saying no more for children under the age of 2, and here's why.

There are statistics that show that children -- 1,500 children in the past two years, babies and toddlers, have been sent to emergency rooms because of over-the-counter cold medications. Another study finding 123 deaths over the years because of these medications, and that's why the FDA, after looking at this data, says not for kids under the age of 2.

LEMON: OK. I'm going to do something, because the air- conditioner is blowing right on your microphone.

COHEN: Oh. And it blew it right off my shirt. Oh.

LEMON: So I'm just going to turn it over -- yes, there you go. COHEN: Thank you. A little moment here.

LEMON: No. It's just -- it just sounds really weird, and people need to know this information, so I don't want them to be distracted.

So, say no to the drugs, you said. What are the alternatives to all of this?

COHEN: Right, there are alternatives, and parents sometimes forget because they are so used to using the medications, they forget there are other things that you can do.

So, first of all, you can put a humidifier in your child's room. That's really crucial. It will make them breathe much easier.

Also, there are saltwater nose drops that will help get all that guck out of their nose, for want of a better word. And then you take a rubber nose bulb and you suck all of that stuff out of their nose. They hate it. Parents hate it, kids hate it, but you've got to do it.

Chicken soup actually helps. Yes, all those Jewish mothers are right, chicken soup really does help.

LEMON: And you should know.

COHEN: And I should know being one and having one. And you should also, of course, consult your pediatrician.

LEMON: Yes. And I know that big bubble thing, every parent's used to that, I know. When you don't have a kid, you go, ooh.

COHEN: When you're a parent you know how much it helps them.

LEMON: Yes. So, this is information for younger kids, but what about older kids?

COHEN: You know what? The FDA is still looking at that. And we expect the FDA might come back in the next couple of weeks or months and say no more medications for children, say, ages 2 to 6. They are still looking at older children.

LEMON: All right. Very good information, as I said. And I'm glad we can hear you now.

COHEN: That's right. Now you can hear me.

LEMON: The air conditioner -- I didn't want people to think I was doing something weird.

All right. And of course, Elizabeth, again, thank you.

For more information on the dangers on giving over-the-counter cold remedies, go to cnn.com/health.

PHILLIPS: Another jittery day on Wall Street. The Dow industrials right now down 164 points, despite reassurances from Fed chairman Ben Bernanke that America will avoid a recession. Bernanke did say, however, economic growth will be slower this year and said that an economic stimulus program would help, but only if Congress acts fast.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BEN BERNANKE, FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN: To be useful, a fiscal stimulus package should be implemented quickly and structured so that its effects on aggregate spending are felt as much as possible within the next 12 months or so. Stimulus that comes too late will not help support economic activity in the near term, and it could be actively destabilizing if it comes at a time when growth is already improving.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Bernanke again promised to cut interest rates as needed to keep the economy moving.

President Bush wants a stimulus package, too. A spokesman says that Mr. Bush thinks a short-term incentive is necessary to deal with what the White House cause this softening in the economy. The president is conferring with congressional leaders on the details, and there is some discussion of issuing rebates to taxpayers similar to those in the 2001 recession.

And get more on how proposals to stimulate the economy could affect your taxes and your wallet at cnnmoney.com.

LEMON: It can only happen in Las Vegas. A plan to set up Democratic caucus sites inside casinos has landed in federal court. And we expect to learn in the next few minutes, just in the next few minutes, whether it will be allowed.

The idea was to make it easier for casino workers to take part in Saturday's caucuses. But here's the rub -- the union representing most casino workers has endorsed Barack Obama. Six people and a teachers union with ties to Hillary Clinton's campaign filed that suit, claiming the caucus sites give casino workers an unfair advantage over others who also have to work on Saturday.

The Clinton camp itself, including the former president, vigorously denies any role in the suit.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON, FMR. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We had nothing to do with that lawsuit.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I understand.

CLINTON: I read about it in the newspaper.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But people who have supported her...

CLINTON: All right. So, when you ask me that question, your position is that you think the culinary workers' vote should count -- A, it should be easier for them to vote than for anybody else in Nevada that has to work on Saturday? That's your first position.

Second, when they do vote, their vote should count five times as much as everybody else? That's what the teachers have questioned.

So, if that's your position, you have it. Get on your television station and say, I don't care about the home mortgage crisis. All I care about is making sure that some voters have it easier than others, and that when they do vote, when it's already easier for them, their vote should count five times as much as others.

That is your position. If you want to take that position, get on the television and take it. Don't be accusatory with me. I had nothing to do with this lawsuit.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: And here's a reminder for you. We expect to hear a decision any minute now on Democratic caucuses inside Las Vegas casinos. We'll bring it to you just as soon as that is announced.

And when the presidential hopefuls descend on a state, they often bring people they know voters will want to see, like the folks you see there in the piece. Celebrities create a buzz, that is for sure, but do they increase a candidate's political support?

Our Suzanne Malveaux looks at how the Democratic hopefuls are trying to leverage their access to Hollywood.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Cue the campaign theme songs, because look out, South Carolina. In days, Hollywood's biggest stars will be descending on you.

HILL HARPER, ACTOR, OBAMA SUPPORTER: We're going to go to churches, we're going to go to beauty shops, barber shops. And that's going to be great. But it's not just me. There are many people from Los Angeles.

MALVEAUX: Actor on "CSI New York" and best-selling author and youth activist Hill Harper will be just one of many campaigning in South Carolina, going after that hot commodity, young folks who could tip the balance of power and determine who gets the Democratic nod.

OPRAH WINFREY, TALK SHOW HOST: Thank you, South Carolina.

MALVEAUX: There's fierce competition for their attention. On Barack Obama's side, Oprah Winfrey, Scarlett Johansson, Will Smith, Halle Berry, and Harper, who was one of Obama's secret weapons in Iowa, where he was a big hit recruiting college students.

HARPER: So we want to find out if they're registered, are they going to vote, who are they going to vote for, what are the issues they care about? And educate them about the senator if they're not already committed to voting for him.

Fifteen million people watching a week. It creates a platform. We know that young people in particular pay attention to celebrities.

MALVEAUX: Actors Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins have been frequent traveling companions for the trailing John Edwards. Hillary Clinton's big-name backers tend to be older, reflecting the Democratic establishment with deep pockets, and President Bill Clinton's close ties to Hollywood, like Barbara Streisand, Ted Danson, Quincy Jones and Magic Johnson.

While Hollywood stars can raise lots of money, the question is, who will be more successful in the fight over fresh voters?

Clinton supporter Anthony Singleton (ph) is not that much impressed with the star power.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think to me it's a gimmick.

SAMUEL ROBINSON, AWENDAW, SOUTH CAROLINA, COUNCIL MEMBER: It's a hodgepodge. It's a hodgepodge.

MALVEAUX: Obama supporter Samuel Robinson also downplayed the celebrity influence.

ROBINSON: I am a free thinker. I think for myself.

MALVEAUX: Predictably, older voters are more dismissive. Cheryl Mack (ph) is a grandmother and Clinton supporter.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think the bottom line is that people are going to make decisions based on what they think Hillary brings to the table.

MALVEAUX: But getting young voters to the table in South Carolina is key. Many who are still on the fence.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I guess Hillary or Obama, mostly.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is important because of the election, but I haven't been following it that closely yet.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I -- at this point, I have not chosen a candidate.

MALVEAUX (on camera): And what is unique about South Carolina is nearly 50 percent of the likely Democratic voters are African- Americans, which means winning over the young voters in that group will be critical to the winning candidate.

Suzanne Malveaux, CNN, Charleston, South Carolina.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: And this just in to the CNN NEWSROOM, breaking news. We told you we'd tell you about that caucus battle going on in Nevada, a plan to set up Democratic caucus sites inside casinos that landed in federal court. Well, CNN is just confirming, getting from a judge, the federal judge ruled that the Democratic Party can, can go ahead with nine at-large caucuses for shift workers on the Las Vegas Strip during the Saturday Nevada caucuses.

Of course, this is a victory for culinary workers which endorsed Barack Obama. That union did.

Of course, Hillary Clinton's campaign, and also the former president, not happy about this. You heard sound from them just moments ago.

We're getting our Jessica Yellin, who is our Capitol Hill correspondent, up and ready for you to talk about this, and she's going to update us with this information about a federal judge saying it is OK to go ahead with nine at-large caucuses for shift workers during Saturday's caucus in Nevada. More on that to come in the CNN NEWSROOM.

Time is winding down and the race is heating up. For the freshest polls, the latest fights, the political ticker blog, and more, check out CNNPolitics.com.

PHILLIPS: Damage control by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who upset some of the allies that answered America's call to send troops to Afghanistan.

Joining us now from the Pentagon, CNN's Jamie McIntyre -- Jamie.

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: It's been an interesting day for Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who has tried to smooth over some of the ruffled feathers of U.S. NATO allies after his published comments yesterday suggesting that some NATO troops deployed to Afghanistan don't have the proper training.

Secretary Gates went out of his way today to explain that he was not referring to any specific troops, but to the NATO alliance in general, including, he said, the United States, which could learn some more counterinsurgency lessons. And he especially said that this comment did not apply to U.S. allies Britain, Canada, and the Netherlands, which are doing the bulk of the really heavy fighting down in southern Afghanistan.

Speaking of troops, by the way, Secretary Gates said that the U.S. is on track to withdraw those five brigades from the so-called surge. In fact, he mentioned one of them is already back. The other four should be back by July.

And now the big question is whether there should be further troop cuts by the end of the year. Secretary Gates making clear that that decision is going to rest almost entirely with General Petraeus.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERT GATES, DEFENSE SECRETARY: I've asked General Petraeus to make his evaluation of the situation in Iraq and what he needs and the situation on the ground completely based on what's going on in Iraq. That he doesn't need to look over his shoulder, think about stress on the force or anything else. What we need from General Petraeus is his view of the circumstances in Iraq and what he thinks can happen in the second half of 2008.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCINTYRE: Now, obviously the final decision has to be made by President Bush, the commander in chief. But when he was in Iraq, he also made it clear to General Petraeus that he will get what he needs.

Now, that said, there's a big tension going on in the Pentagon between the generals who are anxious to get some of those troops out, a peace dividend, give the troops a break, perhaps even free some up for possible deployment to Afghanistan, and the war fighters, like General Raymond Odierno, who we heard from just a few moments ago at a Pentagon briefing, who made it clear their big concern is withdrawing the troops too fast. He wants to see a very gradual withdrawal.

And even as the Iraqis take over the mission, General Odierno believes that U.S. troops are going to need to stay in the background to back them up. Something that Secretary Gates calls strategic oversight.

So you can just see how the year is playing out. The hope is by the end of 2008, the U.S. will have about 100,000 troops at the end of the year, but that's by no means certain.

PHILLIPS: It will all play into the election in an interesting way.

Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon.

Thanks, Jamie.

LEMON: Taking on Tom Cruise. Andrew Morton makes some explosive allegations in his new book about the world-famous actor, his wife, and also his church. We'll tell us -- he'll tell us why he went after Cruise. Cruise and the church are denying Morton's claims.

PHILLIPS: Some friendly fire incidents from the Vietnam War weren't really friendly at all. We're going to tell you about a determined enemy from decades ago, and some of its tricks.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(NEWSBREAK)

PHILLIPS: When those two Colombian hostages were freed last week after years of rebel captivity, they didn't leave the jungle empty- handed. They brought back letters and photos from other hostages, proof of life for the captives' long-suffering families, but also proof of heartrending misery.

CNN's Karl Penhaul reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A letter and three Polaroid photos prove police colonel Luis Mendieta is still alive. Colombian rebels took him prisoner nine years ago.

This is the first news his wife, Teresa, and daughter, Jenny, have received in more than five. The letter dated December 21st makes grim reading.

TERESA DE MENDIETA, WIFE OF HOSTAGE COL. LUIS MENDIETA (through translator): "My darling, I send you infinite kisses and hugs. I had trouble finishing the last letter because it was raining heavily, and under this plastic sheet, it's very dark and difficult to write."

PENHAUL: The rebels published these images of their hostage concentration camps in 2000. Judging by Colonel Mendieta's missive, conditions and his own health have gone from bad to worse.

DE MENDIETA (through translator): "Some blood vessels broke and the blood drained into my legs and turned them black. They gave me anti-tetanus and penicillin shots, and I slowly began to recover. Because I was sick, they unlocked the chains and the padlock from around my neck."

"I wasn't able to walk for five weeks. And they carried me in a hammock across rivers and through swamps. I had to drag myself through the mud to the bathroom, using only my arms."

"Amid all those difficulties, there was some kind of misunderstanding with other hostages in my group, and the guerrillas chained me up again. They chained me by my neck to a tree."

PENHAUL: Colonel Mendieta complains his bones ache from forced marches through the jungle and he's been infected with malaria or parasites. But he's lucky to be alive.

Guerrillas of the revolutionary armed forces of Colombia, or FARC, videoed these images the day they attacked Colonel Mendieta's police boat in November of 1998.

DE MENDIETA (through translator): That day it was like they ripped my life away from me. I heard the explosions and the tragedy of war over the phone because Luis managed to phone me to ask me to pray for them.

JENNY MENDIETA, DAUGHTER OF HOSTAGE COLONEL LUIS MENDIETA (through translator): So many people under my father's command were killed. I don't know how he survived so many bombs and bullets. It's incredible they survived. And I believe God saved him from death, but now they're kidnapped. They're the living dead.

PENHAUL: Colonel Mendieta is the highest-ranking police or army officer held by the FARC. They want to swap him and other hostages for jailed FARC guerrillas. But after years of political wrangling between the government and the rebels, there's still no prospect of a deal.

T. MENDIETA (through translator): The FARC is very radical in some things, and the government is very radical in some things. We have to look for a midpoint where people can compromise. PENHAUL: Colonel Mendieta's letter revealed the horror of his hostage ordeal, but his family see a glimmer of hope.

J. MENDIETA (through translator): He's worn down and sad, but he has a flame in his heart that tells him he will come out alive.

PENHAUL: His body may be weak, but maybe the rebels have not yet crushed his soul.

Karl Penhaul, CNN, Bogota.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: America's mortgage meltdown going south. We'll take you to Atlanta right here, where we are, where real estate speculators hope to cash in on the rising tide of foreclosures.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BUSINESS REPORT)

PHILLIPS: Well, one person's loss is another's gain. Just ask the real estate speculators looking to cash in on the glut of foreclosed homes. Atlanta is a prospector's paradise this week, with more than 500 foreclosed homes up for auction.

CNN's personal finance editor, Gerri Willis, live in our New York studio to talk more about this.

I'll tell you, it's the talk of Atlanta. That's for sure.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Well, you know, Kyra, this is amazing. The foreclosure auction company Hudson & Marshall does three to four auctions a month across the country. This week, as you said, they're in Atlanta. They're selling 527 homes.

They were in Atlanta back in August and sold 325 homes. They had four auctions in Detroit last year, selling around 1,500 homes total, and they sold 800 homes in California in November. So, you can see the numbers are big.

Now, these are homes that banks own after foreclosure. They've tried to sell them at sales and no one bought them. They tried to sell them through a traditional real estate agent market, but still no buyer. So, now the banks, they've bundled them up all together and they hire an auctioneer to try and unload them.

Now, when you consider there were more than two million foreclosures last year, it's not surprising to see auctions with, well, a lot of houses for sale.

PHILLIPS: Well, is this a good option for people who want to get a good deal on a home right now?

WILLIS: Well, these homes are up for auction after the banks have tried to sell them for six months to a year. The banks are desperate to get them off their books, so, hey, there's a good chance you can get a deal. The auction company says it's not unusual for people to get homes for 20 percent below market value.

Now, the good news for buyers is, unlike a sheriff's (ph) foreclosure sale, you can actually look at these homes, inspect them with a real estate agent. Title insurance is also included with the home, so you get a clean title and you can close quickly, they say, within 30 days.

But, there are caveats: you have to be careful, always be sure to check out the home before you buy it. You can even hire an inspector, but that can be pricey for a home you might not even win in the auction. The home sells as-is, so be prepared for surprises after you buy.

And as soon as you win the bid, you're under contract. Know when the closing date is. Often, it's just 30 days and you need to have your financing in place. Plus, often you'll have to have a big down payment ready for the day of the auction. So, be prepared for that. For this auction, it's five percent of the purchase price or $2,500, whichever is most.

PHILLIPS: So what type of homes are up for auction, then?

WILLIS: There's a huge range of prices in the Atlanta area. From $5,000 -- $5,000! -- to nearly $700,000 a home. So, big range. Some are fixer-uppers, some are really up scale, one home has an indoor swimming pool, tennis court, media room. And well, some are in bad shape.

There's always been a stigma associated with foreclosed homes, that there was something wrong with them. You still need to be careful because some, while they may be in disrepair, but with so many homes going into foreclosure now, there's some really nice, well-kept homes on the market that you might want to take a look at because you could get a very big deal.

PHILLIPS: Well, we've been talking about how we'd like to get some good deals around here. There's a lot of people that are wanting to sell, wanting to buy, and it's a tough time. It's hard to make the decision.

WILLIS: Well, it's hard to make a decision, so you need to get good information. Be sure what you're buying and understand the terms -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: And agents are aggressive right now, I tell you what.

WILLIS: Yes.

PHILLIPS: Gerri Willis, thank you.

WILLIS: That's right. My pleasure.

PHILLIPS: All right, you can see Gerri's show, "OPEN HOUSE" Saturdays 9:30 a.m. Eastern on CNN and Saturdays and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. on "Headline News."

LEMON: Tom cruise and the Church of Scientology, both the subjects of a controversial new biography by Andrew Morton. We'll talk with Morton straight ahead in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Baby, it is cold out there, all the way from the Rockies to the Appalachians -- it even snowed here in Atlanta, Chad Myers. Can you call it snow, that was just like freezing rain.

CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: I'm not sure you can call that snow, considering I grew up in Buffalo, where all of our snowmen had to be pristine without leaves and twigs and grass.

LEMON: The snowmen here -- they were all of mud.

MYERS: Let me show you this picture of the snowman out of Dahlonega. Now, come on, you got to work a lot harder to get the dirt out of that snowman.

LEMON: There, look at that snowman.

MYERS: What was that ...

LEMON: Aw.

PHILLIPS: Aw.

MYERS: It looks like -- like a mulch man.

(LAUGHTER)

LEMON: It was what -- at Hartsfield, less than a half inch, right, yes.

(WEATHER REPORT)

MYERS: And remember, we have a football game in Green Bay this weekend, as well. But you know what, they don't mind it when it's cold. i don't know how they do it. I would never live in Minneapolis, I'm afraid. But here's what they do in Minnesota when the ice gets thick and the wind starts to howl ...

LEMON: Yes.

MYERS: ...they put skates on their boats ...

LEMON: Have you done this, Kyra?

MYERS: ...and they go like crazy. And I think that's the most fascinating thing you can possibly do as long as you are bundled up like these guys are. Man, oh, man.

LEMON: Oh, that's amazing. And you know what's amazing when you see it because the lakes -- the Great Lakes, I mean, it works a lot like the ocean. When you see those Great Lakes freeze over, you know it's cold. And then, you see all this kind of stuff happening out there -- amazing.

MYERS: Isn't that just fabulous video? I was just -- it's the same as doing it in the British Virgin Islands only it's 100 degrees degrees colder.

LEMON: Oh, sure. Yes, you can't quite wear, you know, a two- piece or a speedo.

MYERS: All right, Don, we'll keep you up to date.

LEMON: All right. Chad, thank you very much for that.

MYERS: Sure.

LEMON: We'll check back.

PHILLIPS: New support for Barack Obama leads our political ticker today. It comes from Obama's Senate colleague Patrick Leahy, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Obama has received several endorsements from fellow Democratic Senators in recent days, the most notable being John Kerry of Massachusetts, the party's 2004 White House nominee.

LEMON: And Kyra, Obama also received an apology today. Clinton supporter and fundraiser Bob Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television apologized for comments he made last weekend. He apologized. Johnson made an apparent reference to Obama's acknowledged drug use as a teenager. In a letter to Obama obtained by CNN, Johnson calls his remarks very inappropriate.

PHILLIPS: Republican John McCain has assembled a so-called truth squad to counter any negative ads or attacks that might come his way this week. In 2000, McCain was hit with a barrage of anonymous attacks in South Carolina. But some of his opponents are questioning the need for such a bigger counteroffensive. They say that they, too, are being hit with negative attacks. Even an aid to Fred Thompson says McCain's staff is "trying to make McCain the victim."

LEMON: And a light moment on the campaign trail. Check this one out. Hillary Clinton found time to have a little fun onboard the jet her staff has nicknamed Hill Force One. She played the role of flight attendant while flying between Las Vegas and Reno. And she welcomed the reporters aboard.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Once we reach cruising altitude, we'll be offering in-flight entertainment, my stump speech, in its many variations. Once again, thank you for joining us on Hill Force One. We know you have choices when you fly, and so, we are grateful that you chose the plane with the most experienced candidate. Thank you all, have a great flight.

(END VIDEO CLIP) LEMON: Well, sensing an opportunity, Clinton also asked her passengers not to use electronic devices during the flight, especially those that could, "transmit a negative story."

PHILLIPS: A softer Hillary, a tougher Obama. What kind of America do the candidates stand for? Next Monday, January 21st, the Democrats may face their toughest questions yet when they debate before the Congressional Black Caucus. That's Monday night, January 21st, 8:00 Eastern, right here on CNN.

LEMON: And from politics to celebrity, Tom Cruise and the Church of Scientology, both the subjects of a controversial new biography by Andrew Morton. We'll talk with Morton ahead in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: O.J. Simpson back in Miami, he returned less than hour ago, one day after being lectured by a judge in Nevada. She doubled his bail to $225,000 for violating terms of his earlier release. Simpson has pleaded not guilty to charges that he planned the armed robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers. The former football star got out of jail late last night after five of his friends reportedly put down 15 percent of his bail in cash. His trial is set to begin April 7th.

LEMON: New and explosive allegations about world-famous actor Tom Cruise, his wife Katie Holmes, and the Church of Scientology. They're all part of an unauthorized biography by controversial author Andrew Morton. Morton makes personal claims about Cruise's high profile role in the church and about his marriage. And while Morton stands by his claims, both Tom Cruise and the Church of Scientology deny those allegations.

Recently, I spoke with Morton about why he chose to write a book about Cruise and why he writes so critically about the actor's faith.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDREW MORTON, AUTHOR, "TOM CRUISE": This is a towering figure on the international scene, someone who's been in the film industry for 25 years, has his own studio and even -- and "Forbes" magazine calls him the most powerful celebrity in the world. I mean, he's a very suitable case for biography.

LEMON: Yes, and unauthorized. And here's what he is saying, I mean, he is -- his rep and also the Church of Scientology totally discrediting this book. Here's what Tom Cruise's rep says, he says "The author never interviewed anyone close to Tom, including his business partners, his agents, actors, directors, studio executives, friends, family members. The list could go on ..."

Why didn't you interview those people and who did you interview?

MORTON: Well, I spent two years researching this book. I spoke to many, many people, well over 100, old school friends, teachers, scientologists, directors, producers. The list could go on. They're all -- many of them are listed in the book.

But obviously, given the litigious nature of Tom Cruise and the fact that -- the -- he's someone who wants to control every aspect of his life, some people spoke to me off the record, as they do for any biography, whether it be celebrity or political.

LEMON: And, Mr. Morton, you're saying now that this book has come out and that you have received so much attention, especially from the media and so much criticism, you're saying that you've heard from the people that you spoke to off the record and now, they're wanting to go on the record. Am I correct in that?

MORTON: Yes, you're absolutely right. I've had a number of messages over the last couple of days from former scientologists who recently left in high positions, from people who are close to Tom Cruise, who are saying "I spoke you to off the record. Now, given all this flak you're taking, I'm prepared to go on the record. I'm prepared to name, be named and go forward."

LEMON: Let me get to the statement from the Church of Scientology. They went on the record saying, "For the last two years, the Church of Scientology requested to be interviewed or presented with any allegations so we could respond. Morton refused despite our insistence at offering our cooperation. And at no time did he request interviews nor did he attempt to get any information from us. Accuracy and truth were not on Morton's agenda."

Are you afraid of litigation?

MORTON: Well, accuracy and truth were very much on my agenda, given the fact that Tom Cruise and the Church of Scientology have a notorious history for litigation, and so, this is very carefully researched and very carefully vetted, I might say. I also, for the record, did approach the Church of Scientology for an interview with their leader, who is a very good friend of Tom Cruise, a man called David Miscavige.

LEMON: You make certain, I guess, allegations, or you assert certain things that seem a little bit odd or maybe unusual, surprising. You say that Tom Cruise is a second-in-command in the Church of Scientology. What is your evidence of that?

MORTON: Well, I say de facto second-in-command. That is to say, in all but name. And more than that, he's someone that if it wasn't for him, the Church of Scientology would be a shadow of what it is today. He is effectively chairman of the board, which is COB, for celebrities. He's in charge of bringing in celebrities. He proselytizes on behalf of his church.

And people this week have come forward and said, you're absolutely accurate. David Miscavige, the head of the Church of Scientology has said to me, he said, if I could, I'd make him inspector general of the church.

LEMON: OK, stop right there because I want to tell you the Church of Scientology says, "Insinuations that Mr. Cruise is second- in-command of the Church are not only false, they are ludicrous. He is neither second nor is he 100.

MORTON: Well, it is ludicrous for them to say that. I've just said to you he's effectively second-in-command, that is to say, without the title.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: In his book, Morton also delves into Cruise's family life and the Church. You'll here that part of our interview next hour in the NEWSROOM.

Also next hour, CNN's David Mattingly joins us to talk about a video surfacing on Web sites in which Tom Cruise talks about Scientology.

PHILLIPS: A federal judge has ruled on whether the Democratic party can set up caucus sites inside casinos in Las Vegas. We're going to take you there live.

And a deception that cost American lives in Vietnam is just now coming to light.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, we have a decision on that plan to set up Democratic caucus sites inside Las Vegas casinos. Jessica Yellin is at the federal courthouse in Las Vegas. Not a bad place to be.

Hey, Jessica.

JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's a little cold here, surprisingly, Kyra. But it's an exciting time to be here. A federal judge has just ruled that the nine caucus sites taking place inside casinos on Saturday can go forward as planned. This is a big victory for the Obama campaign, because so many of the workers who staff the casinos and would be expected to turn out for that caucusing, they have belonged to a union that has endorsed Senator Obama.

Now, the suit was brought by a group of people, but includes a teachers union, that says it's not fair that those casino workers who have endorsed Barack Obama get an advantage. They get to caucus during their work hours, at their place of work. It would turn -- increase their turn-out possibly. And they say this should apply to all people at other parts of the state.

They also object to the fact that those caucus sites, you are getting more delegates to the convention than at other sites. So they argue, the teachers did, that the culinary workers, and others on the Vegas strip, well, basically their vote would count more. A judge said, though, these are decisions up to the Democratic party. It's not for a judge to weigh in.

And he made a joke referring to Mark Twain. He said Mark Twain once said, I don't belong to any organized political party. I belong to the Democratic party. So, the joke there is that there's a lot of disorganization. But this is the Democratic's rule -- the Democrats' rule and, again, a victory for the Barack Obama campaign -- Kyra?

PHILLIPS: Just wondering if Mark Twain would pick Blackjack or slots.

YELLIN: I don't know. He didn't weigh in on that.

PHILLIPS: Jessica Yellin, all right, we're tracking it. Appreciate it from a cold Las Vegas.

LEMON: In all these years after Vietnam, we're still learning things we never imagined, such as the apparent ability of the Vietcong to use the American troops against themselves. Friendly fire of distinctly unfriendly origins.

Here's CNN's Brian Todd.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Chilling new information that one of America's most notorious enemies tricked U.S. forces into firing on their own troops. It comes from a newly declassified report from the National Security Agency. Mid-1960s, north Vietnamese intelligence units infiltrate American radio communications dozens of times. On eight occasions, the report says, "the Communists were able, by communicating on Allied radio nets, to call in Allied artillery or air strikes on American units."

STEVEN AFTERGOOD, FED. OF AMERICAN SCIENTISTS: I can't think of a single documented case where an opposing force was able to use Allied communications against U.S. forces. I just -- I'm not sure it's ever happened before. And it shows tremendous sophistication on the part of the north Vietnamese.

TODD: Experts are not sure if the north Vietnamese spoke English when they called in the air strikes, or spoke Vietnamese to south Vietnamese forces who were American allies. It's also not known how many Americans were killed or wounded in those air strikes. But it's believed friendly fire accounted for roughly 15 percent of all U.S. deaths in Vietnam.

The report was made public by a branch of the Federation of American Scientists that works to get government documents declassified. This report also backstops an extraordinary finding by the NSA two years ago, about the key second north Vietnamese strike on the U.S. warships in the Gulf of Tonkin in 1964, which brought the U.S. in into the Vietnam War.

AFTERGOOD: There was no second attack. And so in a sense, the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was built on an error, a misunderstanding, with tremendous consequences as we all know.

TODD (on-camera): How did that mistake happen in the Gulf of Tonkin? The report says, basic miscommunications. That U.S. signals intelligence picked up something from the north Vietnamese indicating something had happened, but ambiguous language on the part of translators led to a critical misinterpretation. Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Boys versus burglar, boy beats him with a bat. What the burglar did, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Home alone and a burglar's target. It was no movie, but real-life danger for a young boy who actually took on this burglar. Here's a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PETER BUSH, KPHO REPORTER: The bad guys on the other side of the door. You've run out of time. What do you do?

9-1-1 OPERATOR: Are you still locked in your room?

MICHAEL SIX, ATTACKED BURGLAR: He's breaking in.

OPERATOR: In your room?

M. SIX: Yes.

OPERATOR: You need to get out the window.

M. SIX: I can't.

BUSH: At first, 14-year-old Michael Six did what most of us would do. He hid in his closet. But with the burglar now in his own bedroom, just a few feet away, he did what most of us would only dream of. He took a Louisville Slugger and let the burglar have it.

M. SIX: This is the only thing I had to use. So I just decided to hit him.

BUSH: You can hear the ensuing tussle loud and clear on the 9-1- 1 tape. But then the call goes silent.

OPERATOR: Michael?

BUSH: Michael's parents hadn't heard the harrowing tape until we played it for them tonight.

RANDY SIX, FATHER: I don't know how I would have reacted if I would have been in the same situation and standing in my bedroom.

M. SIX: He turned around, and he had, like a screwdriver or like a knife or something, and then he said he was going to kill me.

BUSH: In retrospect, Mike was lucky to be telling this story. The burglar was twice his size. And when the police nabbed him running from the house, they found out he had a big rap sheet to match. (END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: That was reporter Peter Bush, from CNN affiliate KPHO. Thank you to KPHO for bringing us that story. That suspect, by the way, has been linked to other burglaries.

The next hour of CNN NEWSROOM starts right now.

You've got to know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em, and you got to also know where. Can Las Vegas Democrats hold presidential caucuses in casinos? Hold your bets, we have a decision.

LEMON: When it comes to long odds and big losses, Vegas has nothing on Wall Street. The whole economy is on a cold streak, now Washington wants to heat things up. It could mean cash in your pocket.

Hello, everyone, I'm Don, live at the CNN World Head Quarters in Atlanta.

PHILLIPS: And I'm Kyra Phillips. You're live in the CNN NEWSROOM.

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