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California Same Sex Couples Plan Marry; A Look at Father's Day; Bicycle Riders Take Off Clothes to Protest High Gas Prices; Tiger Woods on the Hunt for Championship.

Aired June 15, 2008 - 17:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: And move over, Tupperware. A shocking new craze is sweeping the country. The taser party is here.
Welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

Back to the severe weather in the Midwest. Evacuees in Cedar Rapids cued by the thousands today for wrist bands that they need to return to their homes. National Guard troops are forming a ring around flooded neighborhoods to prevent any looting. And authorities said today the record flooding to hit this city exceeds 500-year projections.

In Iowa City, the Iowa River crested early today at a record 31 1/2 feet. This, that you're looking at, is the University of Iowa where more than a dozen buildings have been flooded, including the school's historic chapel.

Also today, there is trouble along the mighty Mississippi. The river has jumped its banks in parts of Iowa and Illinois, and now Missouri is bracing.

Well, standing by for us in Iowa City, reporter Chris Farr.

But we're going to begin in Cedar Rapids with CNN's Jim Acosta -- Jim.

JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka.

On a normal Sunday, this would not be a good idea. I'm standing right in the middle of downtown Cedar Rapids on a road that would normally be filled with cars. But as the flood waters are receding here, we should note that they're receding significantly here in Cedar Rapids, we're starting to see some of the damage that people here will be dealing with for days and weeks, probably months, here in this very large city here in Iowa, 121,000 people.

This Merrill Lynch office building behind me was almost completely gutted by these flood waters. You can see the high watermark reaches to these green awnings. Because you can see the mud coating on these green awnings. Now, it's just showing you actually how high this water rose, some eight feet here in downtown Cedar Rapids.

And as you were mentioning, Fredricka, you're right, people are just starting to get a sense as to what kind of damage they have back at their homes. Some 24,000 people evacuated.

Thousands of those people went to checkpoints that were set up by the National Guard and local police at neighborhoods that were the hardest hit by these floods. People had to line up, put on wrist bands, check in with the police, give their address, just to go back to their homes. And those weren't even the hardest hit homes.

And when we talked to some of those residents, they were telling us exactly some of the things they were supposed to bring out. We talked to one woman who told us what her kids wanted her to take out of her home.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KARLA MORFORD, CEDAR RAPIDS FLOOD VICTIM: If we can get in, what's the one thing you want us to grab? And my daughter wanted her 50-cent pieces from her lunch buddy at school because her school is under, she's afraid she's never going to see her lunch buddies again. Our son wants his stuffed toy animals. But he said, "Don't go up on the second story because it's not worth dying."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ACOSTA: And we should note that even though those people are getting wrist bands and going back into their homes, they're not exactly able to stay in those homes. What those residents are doing is that they're taking sometimes trash bags, sometimes laundry baskets, going back inside of their homes and just getting what they can find.

But as we're walking here at the streets of downtown Cedar Rapids, it's basically like a ghost town at this point, Fredricka. We're finding street signs that were essentially yanked out of their spots and just tossed around. These are some of the pieces that officials here in downtown Cedar Rapids will have to be putting back in place for this city to get back in business, which will be a while from now, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Yes, it's going to be a long road ahead. Thank you so much, Jim. Appreciate it.

Well, east of Cedar Rapids, the Iowa River crested earlier today, a little lower than expected. That's kind of good news. The bad news -- the river's still at record flood levels. And parts of the University of Iowa are under water still.

Christian Farr is there for us -- Christian.

CHRISTIAN FARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, the good news is this, the river has crested and they don't think it's going to get any higher. So, that is good news here. But the sad news is that the university is under water.

We're going to cut to a second camera to give you the vantage point that we have on this parking structure at the University of Iowa. A lot of people are walking up here to take a look at the devastation at the university. Several buildings are under water. One of them is the performing arts building. There are other buildings as well as the technology building, a residence hall -- and one building in particular that I want to focus on, the art museum building. And this is where $300 million to $400 million worth of art is stored.

Well, before the flood waters poured in, the university went in there secretly, didn't tell the media, didn't tell anyone, and hauled all of this artwork out so it would not be damaged. They took it to Chicago where it is hidden right now and they haven't told us where they are keeping it. But, of course, it is safe. The building is another story, a lot of damage here.

We spoke with the facilities manager on the university campus a short while ago and he talked about community involvement being overwhelming.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID JACKSON, FACILITIES MGR., UNIV. OF IOWA: There has just been a Herculean effort and the outpouring of the community. We've had the armies (ph) working next to prisoner inmates, sandbagging. And students, faculty, and staff, leaders of the university, the president of the university -- out sandbagging.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FARR: Again, we want to show you another picture from our live camera, our second live camera, from this parking garage, to show you the vantage point that people are seeing of the university. Several buildings are under water. Summer session was supposed to start tomorrow but that has been deferred for several weeks.

Again, it has crested. We don't believe it's going to get any higher here at the river. But that water is not going to start to reduce probably for another week. And by then, hopefully they can start to recover -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Christian, just looking at this water, this is raging, fast-moving water. And when you talk about the buildings damaged on that campus, they're mentioning the number 20, but that constitutes about how much of the campus? How much of this campus is really in trouble, under water?

FARR: Well, you know, there are hundreds of buildings here. So, we may be looking at somewhere maybe around 10 percent, 15 percent of those buildings. We were told that of the nearly 20 buildings that are damaged, 13 might be damaged beyond repair, meaning there's a lot of water in there.

But they haven't been able to get in there to assess, especially at the art museum building, the performing arts building, the technology building.

But, again, this has crested. They don't think it's going to get any higher. We've got sunshine right now but we've had these passing thunderstorms. Hopefully, those will stop and they'll be able to recover.

WHITFIELD: Yes. All right. Well, it's going to take time, we know, in that area as well. Christian Farr, appreciate it. Thank you so much.

Chad Myers is in the severe weather center. And while we talk about the water receding, you know, when you look at the images, and you're already talking about 10 feet of water in some cases, boy, is it going to take a long time.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You know, damage beyond repair, that's the first time I've heard that. And that's pretty an amazing statistic on what that's going to cost to rebuild that campus. And can they rebuild it in time for the fall semester? I mean, they really only have -- you have to wait for the water to get out of there, first of all. Then you have to do all the demo. And then you have to try to put it all back together.

WHITFIELD: Yes, it's going to take some time, serious time.

MYERS: And wow, it is going to take some time and there may be some more problems, too, because, you know, you've got the water, you've got the electricity. You have to rewire the whole place. You just have to get the drywall out. I've seen so many floods and there's never a good end to a good flood. And this is just a record flood, just an amazing thing.

Now, they're not going to get a lot of rain in those flooded areas today, worried about a couple of passing showers, they are not going to get those. Well down to the south now, that is great news, into Illinois, although parts of Indiana and Illinois are under water here. At least, not as bad as maybe as Wisconsin and up into Iowa. But we will get about 2 1/2 inches of rain just to the south of Kansas City. Joplin, like Myama (ph), Oklahoma, and back into Pittsburg, Kansas, you could probably see a couple of inches today.

And then we have a moderate risk of severe weather although I'm not really seeing the threat of tornados today, just some damaging winds and probably some hail -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks so much, Chad. We'll check back with you.

Torrential rains are also creating misery not just from this country but overseas. You're looking at the scene in southern China right now. Hopes inundated with flood waters there. State media reports at least 55 people have died and more than 1 million people have been forced from their homes. The situation could get even worse. Heavy rain is forecast for the next 10 days.

President Bush is on the final leg of his farewell tour of Europe. He arrived in London today, meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The president also had tea with the queen.

And tomorrow, Mr. Bush meets with the former Prime Minister Tony Blair. Blair was one of the president's chief allies supporting the war in Iraq.

Meantime, anti-war protesters did turn out in full force to greet President Bush today. He was expected to discuss the Iraq troop levels and strategy with Prime Minister Brown.

All right. National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley today refuting a report that Washington and London are split on pulling troops out of Iraq. Hadley said, quote, "There is no disagreement between the president and Prime Minister Brown on this issue, period."

Red-faced British officials are dealing with another security breach. For the second time in less than a week, classified government documents turned up on a public train at the Waterloo Station in central London. These papers outline how trade and banking systems can be manipulated to finance terrorist activities.

And the documents were turned over to a London newspaper before being returned to British treasury officials. There were also notes and drafts of speeches for an international conference on financial crimes.

Escalating tensions between two U.S. allies in the war on terror. Today, Afghanistan's president said his troops have the right to cross into Pakistan, to go after Islamic militants who launched the attacks in his country. Well, Pakistan's prime minister fired back saying, his government won't allow the Afghans in.

And another pressing security matter for Hamid Karzai, the president of Afghanistan. Hundreds of Taliban militants are still on the run after suicide bombers sprang them from prison on Friday. Well, today, coalition and Afghan forces say they killed about 15 insurgents and captured five others. But it's still unclear if those militants were escaped prisoners.

Coming up, in this country, Barack Obama's question to his wife.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BARACK OBAMA, (D) PRESUMPTIVE PRES. NOMINEE: I said, "How come Father's Day doesn't seem to be as big as Mother's Day?" She said, "Let me tell you."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And the list is long. Michelle Obama gave him an earful. That's coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Tributes are pouring in for veteran journalist Tim Russert who died Friday of apparent heart attack. Today, a special honor from his hometown. The mayor of Buffalo, New York is declaring this "Tim Russert Day." And tomorrow, New York lawmakers plan to introduce a resolution on Capitol Hill that calls for part of U.S. Route 20 to bear Russert's name. That section of the highway runs past the Buffalo Bills stadium, Russert's beloved NFL team. And Russert's chair on "Meet the Press" was left empty this morning, a nod to the huge absence that his death leaves. NBC veteran Tom Brokaw offered heartfelt words about his colleague, remembering Russert as a devoted husband and father.

And in today's edition of the "New York Times," there is a full- page memorial to Russert from NBC and Universal.

And rocker Bruce Springsteen, the boss, sent this tribute to Tim Russert from a gig in Wales, quote, "He was always a strong voice for honesty and accountability in American government." Springsteen went on, "He was a regular at many E Street Band shows and I'm going to miss looking down and seeing that big smiling face in the crowd."

And we've talked a lot this weekend about the loss of Russert. But here at CNN, we lost one of our own last week. Every day, Bob Coleman took CNN's journalism and nurtured it into something better. Chances are if you saw a report on CNN, Bob had checked it, polished it, and just simply made it sing.

Bob died earlier this week. His list of professional accomplishments was quite impressive, from St. Louis to San Francisco to CNN's world headquarters in Atlanta. Bob brought his good judgment and his wry, gentle wit to the everyday business of covering the news. His passion was the foundation of great journalism -- get the story right and tell it in a way people will remember. And he always left those he touched with a smile.

But it was his wife Adrienne and his daughter Nancy who made him smile. His pride in his family was as big as his heart. He held all those he knew, both near and far, very close. He was a gentleman and a gentle man. And we will miss him dearly.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Senator Barack Obama has been spending time this weekend in his home state of Illinois. Yesterday he got a firsthand look however at the flood damage in Quincy, Illinois. He also helped fill a few sandbags to hold back the waters of the Mississippi River.

Today, Obama and his family attended church in Chicago. It is his first big church appearance since leaving Trinity United over the Reverend Wright controversy. He spoke to the congregation today about Father's Day.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: I'm grateful that they give me attention on Father's Day because I remember one time, I was teasing Michelle about how on Mother's Day there's a lot of hoopla.

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: There's a lot of stuff going on Mother's Day. I said, "How come Father's Day doesn't seem to be as big as Mother's Day?" She said, "Let me tell you. Every day is Father's Day. Every day you're getting away with something."

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: So, you're running for president, don't talk to me about -

(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right. Senator John McCain met this morning with Iraq's foreign minister Hassad Zabari (ph). They discussed security improvements in Iraq. And negotiations over the long-term presence of U.S. forces there.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, (R) PRESUMPTIVE PRES. NOMINEE: I'm pleased to visit the foreign minister who I've had the honor and privilege of knowing more than a decade. He was one of the leaders and his opposition to Saddam Hussein long before the conflict began and has continued to play a key role in the leadership of Iraq. We've had a very good discussion about the challenges that have been overcome and the challenges that lay ahead.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And some items on CNN's Political Ticker. Pay attention. The host committee for the Democratic National Convention could be in financial trouble. The "Associated Press" says the committee faces a deadline tomorrow. It has been told to come up with $40.6 million to finance the Denver convention in late August. The committee has reportedly raised only about $25 million.

And black conservative talk show host, Armstrong Williams, tells the "Associated Press" that he doesn't know who he's going to vote for in November. And he says that's a remarkable thing. Williams says he's never voted for a Democrat for president, but says that could change with Barack Obama as a Democratic Party nominee

And, where in the world is Hillary Clinton? The New York senator hasn't made a public appearance since she suspended her White House bid last Saturday. Members of her campaign staff say that she's simply enjoying some much-needed family time. But they won't say exactly where that is.

And, you want to check out our political ticker for all the latest campaign news. Just log on to CNNPolitics.com, your source for all things political.

And, guess what? It's a new craze that's bringing women together across the country.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ready? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right there, yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right there? Oh!

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: A taser party. Why? In the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Evacuees in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, were cued by the thousands today for wrist bands that they need to return to their homes. National Guard troops are forming a ring around flooded neighborhoods to try to prevent any looting. Authorities said today the record flooding to hit this city exceeds the 500-year projections.

And in Iowa City, the river crested earlier today at a record 31 1/2 feet. This is the University of Iowa. Live pictures right now, where some 20 buildings have been flooded, including the school's historic chapel.

Chad Myers is in the severe weather center.

And, Chad, while in some of these cities the water is receding -- hello, it's got to go somewhere. And we know it's also going down river along the Mississippi, which means a lot of other folks are potentially in trouble.

MYERS: It is going to go to Hannibal, it's going to go Quincy, it's going to go to St. Louis -- and those are all going to be flooded areas. Now, the good news is that this bubble is going to kind of stretch itself out. So, there's going to be a long time where there's high water but it's not going to get a lot higher. It's not going to be a sharp peak like Cedar Rapids had.

Gary Tuchman (ph) was talking about it, the water went up like seven feet in one day in Cedar Falls and also Cedar Rapids. So, as this bubble kind of flattens out a little bit, yes, the water's coming up but it isn't going to be this stark peak.

And you know, talking about Cedar Rapids, just to give you an idea, the old record flood was 20 feet from the base line, 20 feet high, that was the old record flood in 1851 and 1929. This flood was 12 feet higher than that old record flood. So, is that a 1,000-year flood?

You know, you wonder how much of it maybe could be manmade because we're maybe paving so much. But how much of Iowa is paved? It's a lot of corn country in there. And obviously, some of that is the reason why the corn prices went up on the markets on Friday as well.

Another little bit of a risk for some flooding tonight from Kansas City southward. Not that there's going to be a lot of water, but in places where the water just can't run anywhere except off, because it can't soak in, that's going to be the issue for later on tonight, if it does rain anywhere, it could be on the severe side. It could be heavy enough to make some rapidly rising - you know, could be -- even a foot of water over a roadway can take your car away if it's moving very fast. So, you have to watch it.

Also, we're watching some thunder and lightning tonight from Springfield down to the Ozarks, and also back up into northern Illinois and Indiana, maybe even up to Detroit.

WHITFIELD: Wow. Gosh, it's just never-ending, isn't it?

MYERS: It sure is. Keeps me busy, let me tell you.

WHITFIELD: Yes, you have been very busy, as has the rest of the weather team. We thank you for that. All right, Chad.

Well, if you want to help the flood victims, I mean, we know you do, here's how you might be able to do that. The Red Cross is accepting cash and blood donations. Just call1-800-REDCROSS or you can log on to RedCross.org. For information on giving blood, call 1- 800-GIVELIFE. That information is also available online.

A dramatic rescue in Australia. Two truck drivers are trying to cross a flooded river are caught by rising waters there, a precarious situation that could have been deadly. But a jet skier rushed to the scene right there and managed to pull the men out of the water and get them to safety.

Well, when the walls of your house ooze, who are you going to call? It's kind of creepy, isn't it? Well, guess what, that oozing turns out to be honey. So, you call beekeepers.

Sixty thousand bees were found inside the walls of this house in the town of Concorde. And believe it or not, it wasn't a buzzing sound that actually tipped the owners off, it was the honey dripping through the walls. The owners hired beekeepers to relocate the insects. They actually finished the job with just four stings.

Well, speaking of stings, forget about Tupperware parties. Let's try something like taser parties. It's something that a lot of folks are doing. It's apparently a stunning new craze that is sweeping the country. Women get to try out the stun guns for their own use, and so do journalists.

Walter Tyson Paul with CNN affiliate WXIA attended one near Atlanta and brings you, the dare we say, the shocking results.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It gives the people a chance to see what kind of self-defense item they're buying, instead of just buying it off the shelf.

Crime doesn't get better and everybody knows there's going to be more bad guys out there. And if you've got a way of putting that bad guy down on the ground without having to take his life, I think it's just a win-win situation.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ready?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right there, yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right there? Oh.

(LAUGHTER)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When they're going to get to fire, they get to see what the energy does on the practice target.

They get a chance to actually see what it feels like. The taser affects the skeleton muscles.

As soon as he feels reaction, you know, just go ahead and lay him down.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lay him down, lay him down.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It doesn't affect any of your involuntary muscles. It won't affect your lungs. It won't affect your heart. It only affects the muscles that your mind can tell to move.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stand up.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, geez.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. You all right? Feel light- headed, anything like that?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A little.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It does give me a certain amount of time period to get away from the attacker. And also knowing that I'm not lethally hurting them. It's just something for me to be safe and them to have a second chance. I can't carry a cop with me so I carry my taser.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN NEWS ANCHOR: OK. Whatever floats your boat, right? Shocking stuff. Tasers are legal by the way to consumers in 43 states. Right now more than 168,000 civilians actually own one.

They have been waiting a long time. But same-sex couples in California will finally be able to tie the knot. We'll talk to two people right there. We're talking about Stephen Weir and John Hemm, who are looking forward to tomorrow. We'll talk about what they anticipate.

First, tennis fans will love today's "On the Go" segment. Here's Mark McKay. (ON THE GO SEGMENT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Massachusetts Governor Duval Patrick marching in Boston's Gay Pride Parade this weekend. At his side, his 18-year-old daughter, Katherine, who came out last week as a lesbian. Many spectators said they hoped the governor's public support would encourage other parents to accept their gay children.

California is preparing for a rush of same-sex marriages. Starting tomorrow, county clerks across the state can issue marriage licenses to gay couples. Massachusetts is the only other state that does.

CNN's Ted Rowlands has the story of a California couple who plan to be almost first in line.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED ROWLANDS, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For the past 19 years, every marriage license issued from northern California's Contra Costa County has had Stephen Weir's signature on it. As county clerk, he also performs weddings.

STEPHEN WEIR, COUNTY CLERK: For that magic period of time you're assisting them with something that's really deeply, deeply personal for them. And I get emotional doing that.

ROWLANDS: Last month's California Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage has had Weir scrambling to prepare for a flood of marriages, including his own.

WEIR: And I promised myself and my partner and the community that when this was legal, I'd be first in line.

ROWLANDS: Weir and his partner John Hemm, who live with their two dogs in this suburban home, have been together for 18 years. They say ever since they had this fake wedding photo taken as sort of a joke years ago, they've actually been serious about wanting to get married. But never thought they'd have the chance.

JOHN HEMM, WEIR'S PARTNER: Didn't think it would ever happen.

ROWLAND: The plan is for the couple to be the first in the county to fill out one of the new marriage forms which says party A and B, instead of bride and groom. Then, in front of family, friends, and all of Steve's colleagues, get married in the county wedding room.

But there could be uninvited guests. Outspoken Kansas Reverend Fred Phelps has said he will be there to protest. The local sheriff is planning for trouble. Steve says he's not worried.

WEIR: These folks want to come here. They're exercising their constitutional rights. And I'm exercising my constitutional rights. And my family and friends are going to be there to celebrate this and there isn't anybody that's going to take any of that away from us.

ROWLAND: Weir, 59, says he knows many people, including some in his office, are uncomfortable with same-sex marriage. He says he also knows that John, who's 53 and has been battling aids for more than 10 years, is, without a doubt, the person he wants to marry.

WEIR: Finally, after 18 years, getting the chance to do something that's good and right and proper for us to do.

HEMM: Just tell the man that I love that I love him in front of everybody, and just have a wonderful time, and just have that experience everybody else has.

ROWLANDS: Ted Rowlands, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And remember the scene just from last month, supporters of same-sex marriage reacting happily when the California Supreme Court struck down the state's ban.

For more, we're joined from San Francisco by Stephen Weir and John Hemm. You just met them in Ted Rowland's report.

Glad you could be with us.

I said, leading into this piece, you will almost be first in line because you guys have let me know you'll try to get in line, so to speak, on Tuesday to start the process of you all getting married.

So I wonder, Stephen and John, we all remember that day in San Francisco when Mayor Gavin Newsom, you gave blessings for same-sex marriages, but shortly thereafter many of them were nullified. Do you have any fears that this just might happen one more time, despite this Supreme Court decision by the state?

WEIR: This is going to be legal. And the thing that Gavin Newsom did four years ago, starting Valentine's Day, was testing the legality of the system, but really had no authority to issue those licenses or do those ceremonies.

When we start Monday night or Tuesday morning, depending upon the county, we're going to be engaged in a lawful activity that would be recognized by the courts of California. So I'm not that concerned about having this invalidated.

WHITFIELD: And so John, you two have been together, what, about 18 years now? Why is this so important to have this union being recognized by the state in this way?

HEMM: I just feel like I want to be that part of the fabric of the American life that you feel good about, that is something that is a memory for those that came before us, and those that are among us today, that we're just good American citizens that just want to live the American life. You know, and even if they voted out, it's something they still can never take away from me is my relationship with Stephen. They can never take that away.

WHITFIELD: Stephen, what do you suppose this does in terms of paving the way for other state? Massachusetts first, now California. What states potentially next?

WEIR: You know, I can't even think about that. To be really honest with you, this thing came down so fast that we're only thinking about caterers and florists and all the other things that go with it, including rings. We've got the rings.

WHITFIELD: OK.

WEIR: So I can't tell you what's going to happen in the other states.

WHITFIELD: Elaborate. Tell me about your plans come Tuesday.

WEIR: Well, we're going to be in line right at 8:00. And we're going to get our license. And as soon thereafter we have a wedding party and we have bagpipes. John's going to be in a nice cream- colored tuxedo and I'm going to be in my Scottish kilt.

WHITFIELD: Wow, you guys are really doing it up.

WEIR: It's coming.

HEMM: I have a bridesmaid. I have a flower girl. I have ladies that are standing up with me. You know. I have my side of the party. Steve's got a best man. It will be great.

WHITFIELD: You're really going for the gusto. So many people approach their wedding day wanting to make it really very private. It's important both of you to make this very public, not just to incorporate and invite all of your friends and loved ones, but you are trying to make a pretty profound statement to the general public as well, aren't you?

WEIR: Well, we've been waiting 18 years. I've been issuing licenses and conducting ceremonies. And it's going to feel a lot different now that we've had the chance to go through all of those emotions and the wonderful parts of going through the ceremony. So I'm looking forward to it.

WHITFIELD: That's really interesting, to underscore that again, Stephen. Here all this time for many years you've gone signing these marriage licenses. Not being able to partake yourself. You won't be actually signing your marriage license. But give me an idea what that has been feeling like, knowing that you are signing these certificates for the privilege that everybody else has been able to enjoy, except you, until tomorrow?

WEIR: Well, I took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of California. And my job has required me to issue marriage licenses and conduct wedding ceremonies. It's going to be different now, though, having gone through this myself. And I'm really looking forward to this. Stephen Weir and John Hemm, congratulations on your impending nuptials.

HEMM: Thanks.

WEIR: Thank you very much.

WHITFIELD: A poignant Father's Day at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the nation's capital. Among the visitors sons and daughters of men who died in the Vietnam War. Fathers lost in Iraq and Afghanistan were also honored.

We want to bring in our Josh Levs for a closer look at Father's Day.

Happy father's day to you too.

JOSH LEVS, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Thank you very much. Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there. A poignant moment as you said.

Another thing to think about on Father's Day is the economy and the way the economy is impacting families and dads. So I saw an interesting survey. I think you'll take an interest in this. It shows just how often men feel they've had to miss significant moments in their kids' lives due to work. There it is right there. From Harris Interactive for careerbuilder.com, they're saying 46 percent, close to half of men, working guys in America, have missed a significant event in the past year.

On the next screen we're going to show you how many have missed more than three significant events. Folks, that's just in the past year. About a quarter of working dads out there. That can have a lot to do with the economy, working a lot of overtime, taking fewer vacations. It is impacting families this way.

Here's something interesting too. How many would leave their jobs if their wives could comfortably support the family? A little more than a third, 37 percent of men told this poll they would do that.

Also, how many would be willing to take a pay cut -- on this last screen here -- for more time with their kids? Again, 37 percent. A little insight into conditions working dads are facing, what they're looking for.

Fred, we're also getting great I-reports. I want to show you one today. You're going to love this. This is an I-report we received from Stephanie Hunter, showing their little daughter, Scarlett. She is wish a happy Father's Day to her dad, Sergeant Stephen Hunter, who is in Iraq. We're told he's an explosive ordnance disposal sergeant. So his wife wanted us to get a chance to show these and we're happy to. Hopefully he'll be seeing them through our ireport.com. There she is, the beautiful 7-month-old Scarlett. She wishes her daddy happy Father's Day. Interesting note, Fred, a lot of people don't know this, Father's Day was created to celebrate a military war veteran. The person who created it had seen her dad raise six kids, wanted to celebrate that, created Father's Day.

There's a lot of resources on cnn.com, you can see. I don't know if you can see this picture well. See the dad holding his baby. Throughout cnn.com we've got a bunch of interesting facts about the history, where it comes from.

And the guess is, Retail Federation is saying they think about $100 will be spent on each dad today, Father's Day. The next couple of days we'll know whether that's true or not.

WHITFIELD: That's nice. Well, special happy Father's Day to so many dads out there, including my husband, my dad, my brother, my brother-in-law, all the other dads we all know.

LEVS: There you go, you got it all in. Good job.

WHITFIELD: Happy Father's Day to everybody, including you, Josh.

LEVS: Thanks, Fred. Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Let's talk economically. most of us are feeling the pain at the gas pumps these days. And some folks are simply fed up. They're taking off their in clothes, in fact.

Plus, he's limping along the golf course at the U.S. Open. And if you haven't seen what an injured Tiger Woods did on the golf course yesterday, we've got a treat for you.

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WHITFIELD: This is a hard truth. When a parent is sent to jail, innocent victims are left behind, their children. Well, our latest "CNN Hero" is trying to keep that critical bond between incarcerated moms or dads and their kids.

(CNN HERO)

WHITFIELD: It was a viewer like you who told us about Caroline LeCroy. In fact, this year all our "CNN heroes" are extraordinary people that you have nominated on our website. So go to cnn.com/heroes if you'd like to see someone specially recognized. You never know, you could see your hero right here on CNN.

Coming up next, people so upset over the cost of gas that they're taking off their clothes and hopping on bicycles.

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WHITFIELD: Gas prices are up again today. AAA says the national average for a gallon of regular is almost half a cent higher than yesterday, now $4.07. Yes, another record.

And if you plan to fly this summer, you might want to pack a few extra bucks. Today is a day that American Airlines starts charging ticket buyers for their first checked bag. United Airlines and U.S. Airways are following suit. All three want $15 for the first bag, and even more for each additional piece. The airlines are looking to offset the soaring costs of fuel.

We're all complaining about high gas prices. But how many of us are trying to do something about it really? Well, here's a shot. In Boulder, Colorado, about 100 demonstrators took to their bicycles and took off their clothes to protest high gas prices. The protesters said the point of the ride was to encourage people to use bicycles as a form of transportation. They wanted to get your attention.

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BRETT AMOLE, BIKE RIDING PROTESTOR: They're doing great. It's been a great ride so far. Lots of good reception from the people we've seen. Hopefully they're getting the message. We're still going to smile and have fun anyway.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: That can't be a comfortable ride.

Police say the protest did go peacefully. The bikers did slow traffic. As for bystanders, most smiled, many laughed, some were just downright shocked.

No pain, no gain the saying goes. Tiger Woods has had both at the U.S. Open. He hobbled across the links yesterday, suffering obvious discomfort from his recent knee surgery. But guess what, it didn't stop him. He surged into the lead anyway and hopes to maintain that momentum today.

Let's check in with Larry Smith in sunny San Diego.

I saw that red shirt. Just a little while ago. So he are now in the running once again, right?

LARRY SMITH, CNN NEWS CORRESONDENT: That's right. When you see him wearing red on Sunday, you know what's coming. Tiger is in the hunt for a championship. Right now, we're waiting to see maybe some blood seeping out of his pants. That knee is giving him a lot of problems.

A few minutes ago, on 6, he teed off and immediately winced. That surgically repaired left knee that he had taken care of two months ago. He is just trying to limp to the finish here, trying to get this elusive third U.S. Open championship and his 14th major title.

Tiger began the day with a double bogey on 1. If you don't know golf, that is not good. He bogeyed 2. Gave three shots back to the course. Pars on the four holes since then. Even par, one shot behind his playing partner for the day, Lee Westwood, the great European Ryder Cup player right now with the 1 under par, both through six holes. Jeff Ogilvy, who won the open two years ago, is even par, as well as 45-year-old Rocco Mediate, who's trying to become the oldest open winner ever -- Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: Wow. While we're looking at the images, we're looking at yesterday's shots. That's the way it goes with the network that's running the match today. We can't show the today. So we refer to the red so people believe it when we say he is wearing his lucky red.

Meantime, let's talk about him never having really lost a major when he's leading at the start of the day on that final day. But today really could be different?

SMITH: Well, you know...

WHITIFIELD: Anything could happen, obviously.

SMITH: Right. Nobody is taking off or doing anything. Lee Westwood bogeyed his first hole, so he is over par for the day. Tiger, despite his early struggles, still is only one shot off the pace right now.

But you're right, he is 13-0 in majors when leading or tied for the lead entering the final round. The reason why is because golfers who play right with him, it seems that the pressure, instead of going on Tiger, all eyes and attention are on him. He deflects that pressure off onto everybody else. And so usually they wilt under pressure. That's why he's been so successful. Don't count him out right now even though he has struggled. He's still only one shot off.

WHITFIELD: Do you know much about the medical situation and the recovery from the knee surgery as to why it is causing him so much pain right now? Did he get out on the course far before his doctors actually advised him to? Is that what is at issue here?

SMITH: Well, he was going -- his plan back in April, and through his rehab, was to come back at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio two weeks ago. He skipped that because the knee was still too sore. He knew there would be some pain from. He does have a great pain threshold. He's been undergoing treatments on this. But he did not -- had not walked 18 holes before the round one here on Thursday. He's getting treatments on it every night as best he can.

Tiger's goal in his career is to win majors. And you know, just he came back after his father's death two years ago to play. you knew he was going to try to play in this. We may not see him again after this until the British next month.

WHITFIELD: Wow. Fascinating stuff. Thanks so much, Larry Smith there out of San Diego.

Thanks for joining me the last couple of hours. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

Rick Sanchez is up next with more on the Iowa flooding.

Plus, new secret documents with fascinating insights about how al Qaeda does business. The next hour of the "CNN NEWSROOM" begins right after this.

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