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Russian Invasion: Offensive Into Georgia Expands; Convention Countdown: On the Road to Denver; Remembering Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes

Aired August 11, 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: All right. Well, the Russian invasion of the Black Sea region is escalating this hour. We want to tell you, it's escalating because the U.S. and others are demanding the Russian stop. And the Russian army is advancing on multiple fronts in Georgia.
Russian tanks rumbled out of two disputed provinces, and now they have taken control of several Georgian cities, including the town of Gori, not far from the Georgian capital. The State Department now says it's evacuated 170 Americans from Georgia.

Joining us now with the latest from our international desk is CNN's Hala Gorani -- Hala.

HALA GORANI, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Don.

Well, interestingly, just a few minutes ago, the Russian Department of Defense through the news agency of Russia, Interfax, said there are no Russian troops in Gori. We just saw it on the map there.

We have heard though from witnesses on the ground there are Russian military troops there. So that's something we're working on clearing up for you. And we have our Matthew Chance and our Frederik Pleitgen, two reporters there in that region, the only U.S. network to that have kind of presence there.

Frederik Pleitgen joins us now live from Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.

And there is Frederik -- I understand, that Tbilisi is next and the Georgian military is fortifying positions. We don't have them, but this is the fear, that Tbilisi, the capital, is next. In other words, that that capital city of Georgia is having it's perimeter re- enforced by Georgian troops.

Now, let me tell you exactly what happened over the last day.

The Russian military operation has expanded into the Republic of Georgia, and we have seen several towns taken by the Russian military. And what you're seeing there are pictures of Mikheil Saakashvili. This is the president of Georgia.

He was huddled away by his security detail and flak jackets were thrown on him and on his head, as they feared an attack on the life of the leader of Georgia. A very tense situation.

If you look at it from a wider regional context, this is a situation where Russia wants to control part of Georgia, Georgia wants to be close to the United States.

There are two forces here, Don. On the one hand Russia, on the other hand, western countries.

LEMON: All right. Hala Gorani reporting from our international desk.

Hala, we appreciate your reporting.

And late this morning the State Department announced it's sending a diplomat to try to arrange a cease-fire there. Our Zain Verjee touched on that.

And this is Washington and Moscow. Exchanged some very harsh words. At the U.N. yesterday, U.N. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad accused the Russians of waging a terror campaign against Georgia.

President Bush was a bit more restrained before leaving for the Olympics.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I expressed my grave concern about the disproportionate response of Russia, and that we strongly condemn, you know, bombing outside of South Ossetia. It was just interesting to me that here we are, you know, trying to promote peace and harmony, and we're witnessing a conflict take place.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin fired back. He did that today. He slammed the U.S. for flying hundreds of Georgian troops out of Iraq, back to their homeland. He says the U.S. is hampering efforts to work things out.

The two main presidential candidates are condemning Russia's invasion, and Republican John McCain had this to say this morning in Erie, Pennsylvania...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Our united purpose should be to persuade the Russian government to cease its attack, draw its troops, and enter into negotiations with Georgia. We must remind Russia's leaders that the benefits they enjoy from being part of the civilized world require their respect of the values, stability and peace of the world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: From Democrat Barack Obama, he says, "I condemn Russia's aggressive actions and reiterate my call for an immediate cease-fire. As I had said for many months, aggressive diplomatic action must be taken to reach a political resolution to this crisis and to assure that Georgia's sovereignty is protected."

Now, this just into the CNN NEWSROOM. This is according to The Associated Press. The U.N. Security Council is calling another emergency session Monday at Georgia's request. Again, that's according to The Associated Press.

We are working to get Richard Roth at the U.N. to try to get us some information on that -- Brianna.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Well, police in Montreal are rounding up suspects from last night's riot. Cars were torched, police were pelted with beer bottles, at least two officers and a paramedic were hurt. This happened in a multiethnic neighborhood known to have an uneasy relationship with police. Police believe that the shooting death of a teen on Saturday while they were attempting to arrest someone else sparked the violence there.

Also in Canada, a giant fireball lit up the sky over Toronto. The explosion that you see here, this happened at a propane facility. It spawned fires that are still burning at this very moment. At least one firefighter died in this.

Many of the thousands of residents who were forced to evacuate their homes are returning today, and some say that the blasts were actually so forceful, they felt their homes -- they felt as if their homes had been hit by an earthquake. Several homes were damaged, some residents were hurt by flying glass and debris.

Three days, three bus crashes. Three people were killed early yesterday when their casino bus overturned south of Memphis. This was headed to Harrah's Tunica Casino.

More than 30 survivors are planning to fly home to South Carolina today. No word on the cause of that crash.

But tire failure may be to blame for another bus accident. And this one outside of Nevada. Almost 30 casino employees were hurt, four critically, when their shuttle bus crashed last night. Investigators say they found evidence that tread had separated from the left front tire.

Something similar may have happened in Sherman, Texas. Investigators there say it appears a recapped tire may have blown, causing the crash that killed 17 passengers on Friday. Federal investigators say the charter company operating that bus was unlicensed. It and a related company have been ordered to stop operating immediately.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KEILAR: Don, we have breaking news into the CNN NEWSROOM.

In the days-old war between Russia and Georgia, Americans stuck in the middle of all of this. Our State Department Correspondent Zain Verjee in Washington.

Zain, I understand you have some new details.

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN STATE DEPT. CORRESPONDENT: Some new details, as well as a little more on the evacuation of American citizens from the Republic of Georgia.

They left, 170 of them, on a convoy -- on two convoys, actually. There's going to be another one tomorrow. They're going from Tbilisi, the capital of the Republic of Georgia, to Armenia.

Over the weekend, the State Department had said that anyone who wants to go can go. And so they have arranged this and will continue to take American citizens that want to be evacuated.

Now, the deputy spokesperson at the State Department, Robert Wood, also said that the U.S. envoy that's been dispatched, Matthew Bryza, is going to be in Georgia for the next several days. He's going to be trying to get both parties to agree to a cease-fire, and also set up some sort of international mediation mechanism for the process to happen so that all sides can talk to each other. The U.S. and Europe, he also added, are calling on Russia to accept this mediation effort and to accept an immediate cease-fire and stop Russian aggression.

Another development, Brianna, is that the U.S. has begun to provide humanitarian assistance to the Republic of Georgia. The embassy in Tbilisi has declared a disaster situation on the ground, and it's authorized about $250,000 in an initial funding. That's going to help around about 10,000 people. They're also going to preposition things like blankets and tents and food supplies for a humanitarian disaster situation.

One last thing. We're learning from a State Department official that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has really been working the phones since the weekend. She has made more than 90 calls to President Saakashvili, to Foreign Minister Lavrov, as well as to the French foreign minister, the U.N. Secretary-General. So really at the State Department this day, there is an enormous sense of urgency and a real commitment to try to get all sides to back down -- Brianna.

KEILAR: Our State Department correspondent, Zain Verjee.

Zain, thanks for those developments.

Just want to remind our viewers, this is a very fast-moving story. Stay with CNN as these details basically come pouring in right here to the CNN NEWSROOM.

Meanwhile, the veepstakes buzz gets louder as John McCain campaigns in Pennsylvania. A whole lot of eyes focusing on a man who is traveling with him.

And two prominent Democratic women get starring roles in the party's upcoming convention. We'll tell you what Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton will be doing and when.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: All right. We want to get you up to speed on our breaking news coming out of Georgia today.

We have been telling you about the U.N. Security Council calling another emergency session on Monday at Georgia's request, and we've been talking about peacekeeping teams going over, someone to be a mediator over there.

Joining us now from the U.N. is Richard Roth with the very latest on this.

What are you working on, Richard? What have you found out?

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Well, the United Nations Security Council in a couple of hours will hold closed-door consultations. Now, this could go in several directions.

There could be an open meeting involving speeches -- and we saw a flurry of very passionate, angry series of speeches on Sunday inside the Security Council chamber -- or this is a simple consultation where this proposed resolution primarily aimed at Russia, in a way, would be considered for the first time. But this is a very slow, sketchy process right now.

People here are watching for peace envoys doing their thing overseas, they're waiting to see what happens to the Russian acceptance of any cease-fire proposal signed by Georgia. They don't want to put too much pressure on at the wrong time. And also, they know here, Don, that any resolution would have to pass Russian approval, and Russia has veto power as a permanent member of the Security Council.

Now, a few years ago, and even right behind me now, there are still some demonstrators in favor of Georgia. They're Georgians who have been protesting outside U.N. headquarters in the rain, in pelting thunderstorm. They have been out there yelling, chanting, screaming at the United Nations. They say the Russian ambassador is arrogant, they say the United Nations must come to the rescue of Georgia against Russian aggression.

Right now at the United Nations, though, they're still in flux, looking for some type of diplomatic solution. But I don't think it's going to come out of here. It's going to be up to the main players over there -- Don.

LEMON: All right. Thank you very much.

Richard Roth at the U.N. -- Brianna.

KEILAR: In the race for the White House, John McCain has the spotlight to himself today on the campaign trail. While Barack Obama vacations in Hawaii, McCain is stumping in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, and his visit is creating more buzz about a potential running mate.

Campaigning with the Republican candidate, former Pennsylvania governor and former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. A short time ago in Erie, the two men toured a General Electric plant where McCain talked about the country's energy crunch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MCCAIN: I paid attention to one of the -- some of the Boone Pickens commercials that you've seen, and I agree with him that wind and a partnership and association with natural gas is a big part of the problem. Where I have somewhat of a disagreement, I don't think it's the only answer. I think that there's lots of other answers.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: And as Barack Obama vacations in Hawaii, he's mulling over his choice for a running mate. When he decides, his supporters will decide via e-mail and text messages.

In an e-mail to supporters last night, campaign manager David Plouffe says, "You have helped build this movement from the bottom up, and Barack wants you to be the first to know his choice."

Well, for Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama, starring roles at the Democratic National Convention for both of them. The wife of the party's presumptive nominee speaks in primetime on the convention's first night.

Then on Tuesday, the senator from New York will address the party faithful. Wednesday night, Obama's vice presidential choice will speak. Don't know who that is yet. And Thursday night, Obama accepts the party's nomination.

LEMON: It was a weekend of losses. Two huge talents are gone. Friends and fans alike remember music pioneer Isaac Hayes and actor/comedian Bernie Mac.

(BUSINESS REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: Hi there. I'm Brianna Keilar, in for Kyra Phillips.

LEMON: And I'm Don Lemon, live here at the CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta.

You are in the CNN NEWSROOM.

It is a very busy day here in the CNN NEWSROOM, especially internationally. We are following developing stories.

Russian tanks rumble across Georgia. The Russian offensive is expanding, with Georgia's capital city, Tbilisi, potentially under threat. A nervous night looming on the streets of Montreal. The city hopes to avert a repeat in the riot that occurred last night. Tensions are running high in a multiethnic neighborhood after a fatal police shooting. That happened on Saturday night.

A prosecutor alleges Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has violated bond again. He says that over the weekend, Kilpatrick spent time with his sister, who happens to be a witness in the assault case against him.

KEILAR: Well, the curtain goes up on the Democratic convention two weeks from today. And the CNN Election Express is on the road to Denver.

CNN's Tom Foreman on the Express as well, joining us now.

Hi, Tom.

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, hi, Brianna. How are you?

We're on our way to Denver already. If you take a look out the front of the Election Express, you can see right now, we're cutting through the Allegheny Mountains. We left Washington, D.C., this morning, came up through Maryland, entered Pennsylvania a while ago. And now we're on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, headed over toward places like Lancaster and Harrisburg.

And we're going to be talking to a lot of voters all along the way, because you know, this is one of the battleground states that everybody's going to be watching by the time they get to Denver and all the other (INAUDIBLE) for the Republicans as well, as people try to figure out where the voters here are going to come down, particularly those moderate and Independent middle voters who aren't really committed one way or the other (INAUDIBLE), Brianna. That's who we're going to be talking to all along this road as we take the CNN Election Express right into Denver.

KEILAR: All right. Tom Foreman on the CNN Election Express.

And if you see Tom and the CNN Election Express, make sure that you go up and tell him what is on your mind this election cycle.

LEMON: I'm sure he'll love that.

Let's talk about a female terror suspect caption in Afghanistan -- is scheduled for a detention hearing in a U.S. court at this hour. Aafia Siddiqui is accused of trying to kill her American interrogators while in Afghan custody last month. Allegedly, the U.S. educated scientist was arrested with documents showing how to make bombs and chemical weapons and describing various U.S. landmarks, including New York City.

KEILAR: New pressure on Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. A provincial assembly passed a resolution today calling for him to step down. This is non-binding, but three other assemblies are expected to vote on similar measures, and the next step could be impeachment. So far, Musharraf is refusing to go quietly. Pakistan's ruling coalition accuses the president of corruption, mishandling the economy, and also violating the Constitution.

LEMON: The Supreme Court of Thailand has issued arrest warrants for the deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife. They have been allowed to travel to Beijing for the Olympics, provided they return for a hearing today on corruption charges. Instead, well they fled to London. Thaksin says there were threats on his life and he couldn't expect a fair hearing in Thai courts. Prosecutors are considering whether to ask for the couple's extradition.

Something is brewing in the Atlantic and it is not good. Our Bonnie Schneider is keeping an eye on it in the CNN Severe Weather Center.

What is brewing in the Atlantic?

BONNIE SCHNEIDER, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, Don, we're watching a broad area of low pressure, some thunderstorms. They are way, way out, more close to Africa than to the U.S. mainland for sure. But, it's one area that we're watching and there is a second one where there has been tropical cyclone formation alerts passed along from the National Hurricane Center.

Now, what's happening with this system is, on the north and west side we're getting a lot of that haran dust (ph) coming in, so that limits development of this system. However, the water temperature through this region is still very, very warm. And as the storm slowly works its way west, it will actually encounter even more warm water and we're likely to see it come through an area of more relaxed wind shear as well. So we will be watching for that.

So overall, not much in terms of development in the immediate future, but it is possible that this region could see tropical development in terms of maybe getting upgraded to a depression over the next couple of days. You have to realize that this time of year we tend to see a lot of activity through much of the eastern sections of the Caribbean, all the way through the central Caribbean and especially along areas of the Gulf stream and into the Gulf of Mexico because the water temperature is warmer.

We're still not yet in the peak of tropical season. That will be coming to us in about a month from now as we get towards the beginning of September. But we are keeping a very close watch on this for you.

LEMON: All right. Bonnie Schneider in the Severe Weather Center.

Bonnie, we appreciate that. Thank you.

Prosecutors have put the ultimate penalty on the table for a man charged with killing a college student. In court today, Demario Atwater learned he could face death if convicted of murdering of Eve Carson. The University of North Carolina student body president was kidnapped, dragged around to ATM's and then fatally shot. That happened in March. A 17-year-old who is also charged isn't eligible for the death penalty because of his age. Also, an 80-year-old Florida woman can't believe what happened, and neither can anyone else. Take a look at this mess. A pick-up truck smashed into the back of Joan Hartman's house in Bradenton yesterday. And state troopers says the driver didn't stop there, she backed out of the house, hit a tree, then a light pole and ran over a sign and fence before stopping.

She is in the hospital. The Hartmans are assessing the damage.

KEILAR: A limited time offer to illegal immigrants, pick a day to leave the U.S., or wait to be arrested and deported.

CNN's Chris Lawrence has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A brutal highway crash kills nine people and injures 10, all in the same SUV. Police say 19 people were crammed inside this Suburban Thursday, suspected illegal immigrants being smuggled into Arizona. The accident is just part of a larger issue -- what to do with an estimated 12 million immigrants illegally living in the country.

The government is offering a new deal to some fugitives with no criminal record, give up, turn yourself in and we'll schedule your departure.

KELLY NANTEL, IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT: These are individuals who have had their day in court and they have been ordered removed by an immigration judge and they have defied that order.

LAWRENCE: But why would anyone risk their life to get in the U.S. and then just hand themselves over? Immigration agents have been raiding homes and businesses, nabbing tens of thousands of fugitives. They were also criticized for breaking up families. But volunteer for Operation Scheduled Departure, you get up to 90 days to get your affairs in order without worrying that agents are about to come through the door.

CLAUDE PILLER, IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY: Well, I guess if you have two months say goodbye to your children, as opposed to a couple of hours, that's more humane. But at the end of the day, you're still saying goodbye to your children.

LAWRENCE: Immigration attorney Claude Piller says the real reason for the government's offer is overcrowding. He says even with expansion, officials don't have the money or manpower to detain so many immigrants.

PILLER: So if you don't show up voluntarily, they don't have to arrest you, that means they're going to have to find a place to put you.

LAWRENCE: The program is being offered in San Diego, Santa Ana, Phoenix, Chicago and Charlotte. About a half million immigrants are eligible. But since it started Tuesday, only three people have volunteered.

(on camera): The offer, so to speak, stands until August 22. But after that, Immigration Enforcement Agents say all bets are off.

Chris Lawrence, CNN, Eloy, Arizona.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KEILAR: Feeding our need for oil with fruit? Well, yes. It's already used to make biodiesel in other countries, and now scientists here are tinkering with the recipe.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Shaking the trees for a new energy alternative.

CNN's Susan Candiotti takes a look at one burgeoning biofuel and the effort to grow more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The fruit is the size of golf balls and grows on trees some 25 feet tall. But the prize is what's inside the shell, and you don't want to eat it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These are chock full of oil.

CANDIOTTI: Black seeds the size of garlic cloves contain oil that could run diesel engines, without any refining. Jatropha can power diesel cars and trucks and tractors, either straight or a 20 percent blend stretching, regular diesel.

University of Florida researcher Roy Bedford is looking for the best strain of Jatropha. On average, a tree yields only a gallon of oil each year.

ROY BEDFORD, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA: Next four or five years, I think we're going to get to the point where we're not only going to increase the number of fruits per Jatropha tree, but we'll also increase the amount of oil in each of those seeds.

CANDIOTTI: China and parts of Africa all are heavily investing in Jatropha as an alternative biodiesel fuel. In the United States, researchers and farmers have only just begun testing it. In Florida, Jatropha stands up to insect attacks, drought, frost and lousy soil.

(on camera): Scientists stuck this plant right in the middle of a foundation where a house used to stand. So you can see the concrete is still here, the roots are growing, it's just dirt and rocks down here and yet, the plant appears to be thriving.

BRYAN BEER, CITRUS FARMER: We were always so dependent on oil.

CANDIOTTI (voice-over): Citrus farmer Bryan Beer also wants in. Driven by exploding diesel prices, Beer is growing 75,000 plants on 30 acres. The oil could help power his tractors that each inhale 120 gallons a day during peak orange harvest.

BEER: Any kind of relief or help that we can get from a cheaper source of oil could impact the agricultural industry tremendously throughout the country, throughout the world.

CANDIOTTI: Planes could be next. Air New Zealand is planning a test flight this fall powering one of four 747 engines on Jatropha.

Susan Candiotti, CNN, Lavelle (ph), Florida.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: U.S. farmers are facing a dangerous shortage. We're talking about a lack of qualified veterinarians. And you may soon see the effects on your dinner table.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KEILAR (voice-over): This is the classroom for Suzanne Gregory (ph), a fourth year veterinary medicine student at Virginia Tech. She's helping Dr. John Curran do ultrasounds on dairy cows.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That right there is the baby.

SUZANNE GREGORY, VIRGINIA TECH, VETERINARY MEDICINE STUDENT: Proudest thing (ph) of becoming a veterinarian is a dirty, physical job. It takes dedication because you have clients that are relying on you to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

KEILAR: It was a natural choice for Suzanne, she comes from a family of farmers in southern Virginia. But her fellow students are increasingly choosing to care for household pets instead, deterred by long hours, the rural location of jobs and modest pay.

By 2025, the American Veterinary Medical Association expects the vet shortage to grow to 15,000, most of them large animal doctors. That could leave farmers like Marion Phillips without essential care for their livestock.

MARION PHILLIPS, FARMER: In most cases they're our lifeline. If we did not have these vets out here, we would lose a lot of money through death of cows -- for different problems.

KEILAR: Congress has taken note as experts warn a vet shortage could also weaken the security of nation's food supply against threats like foot and mouth disease or even cripple the nation's defenses against bioterrorism.

SEN. WAYNE ALLARD (R), COLORADO: Anthrax has been a long time disease that's been around for a long time and veterinarians are the ones who have primarily had to deal with it. So veterinarians are very familiar with these types of diseases.

(END VIDEOTAPE) KEILAR: And that was Colorado Senator Wayne Allard. He's a vet himself. He sponsored legislation that gives grants to schools preparing large animal vet students for jobs in the public health sector. It passed recently and so did the Farm Bill, which kick starts a program to forgive school loan debt for new vets who go to work in underserved rural areas. But many in the profession tell me they're grateful for what they're calling steps in the right direction here, but they say they need much more to be done.

LEMON: OK, just say the words nuclear power and you're bound to get a response, one way or the other. Some say it's safe, clean, reliable and necessary. Others are concerned about the risks and the costs. CNNMoney.com's Poppy Harlow has our "Energy Fix" from New York to tell us about all the risks and the costs and what folks are saying about it.

Hi, Poppy.

POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM: Hi there, Don.

While a lot of people like nuclear energy, I think the word carries some negative connotations in this country, some warranted, some unwarranted. The presumptive Republican nominee, John McCain, sure likes nuclear power. He is calling for more of it. After all, as you said, it's clean, it doesn't produce any greenhouse gases, it's reliable, right? You don't need the sun to shine or the wind to gust for it to work.

France -- keep in mind that country gets about three quarters of its electricity from 59 nuclear plants. The country, though, is just about the size of Texas, and it makes so much energy out of nuclear power, it sells electricity to its neighbors.

The U.S., on the other hand, has about 104 nuclear plants, but we only get about 20 percent of our power from those plants. And a new nuclear plant has not been built in this country since the 1970s. John McCain would like to change that. He wants 45 new ones by 2030.

Obama -- he is kind of on the fence on this one. He says nuclear power needs to be a part of our energy equation, but he's not, Don, he's not as aggressive about it as McCain is.

LEMON: Yes, and you know many people remember this -- that accident at Three Mile Island and wonder, is nuclear power safe?

HARLOW: You bet, that's what I was saying at the top about the concern over just the word itself. Safety is a key concern. The nuclear industry, though, points out, hey, there hasn't been a U.S. death from nuclear power ever. The French, they haven't had an incident with it either. But the Soviet Union, of course, did -- Chernobyl, that accident happening in 1986, causing 56 deaths, thousands of cases of cancer and the contamination of just a huge area.

But safety -- that is not the only concern when it comes to nuclear power. Nuclear plants are expensive to build. Estimates say they range from about $6 to $8 billion. That's about four times the cost of a comparable coal plant.

There are also some major environmental and health issues, including the impact of mining for Uranium. Also, what do you do with all the nuclear waste that's produced? And, of course, Don, this is key, I don't think a lot of people think about this, but the potential for nuclear plants to be targets for terrorists.

What we want to know is what all of you out there think. Please let us know, send us your opinions, your videos, your pictures, to ireport.com/energyfix -- Don.

LEMON: All right -- Poppy Harlow. Thank you very much for that, Poppy.

We're going to move on now and talk about some sad news, influential singer, Isaac Hayes has died.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ISAAC HAYES, SINGER (singing): He is the man that would (INAUDIBLE) for his brother man. Shaft.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: That song is a classic.

His unmistakable voice changed music forever.

And remembering a soul legend, and a king of comedy. Your i- Reports filled with love for Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac as well.

LEMON: Gone, too soon. That's the only way you can put it. Friends and family can't believe Bernie Mac is no longer with us.The award winning actor/comedian died early Saturday, at the age of 50. He'd been in the hospital three weeks battling pneumonia.

Born in poverty on Chicago's South Side, Mac became a star of stand-up comedy. And later on both television and in the movies, he became a star as well. A public memorial is planned for Saturday at the House of Hope in Chicago.

Bernie Mac's friends and classmates were shocked by his passing. From "Ocean's" co-star George Clooney, quote, here's what he said, "The world just became a little less funny. He will be dearly missed."

Comedian Chris Rock says, he appreciated Mac's friendship even more than his humor. Quote, "Bernie was one of the greatest friends a person would have. Losing him is like losing 12 people because he absolutely filled up any room he was in. I'm going to miss the Mac Man."

KEILAR: And a distinctive voice silence. Singer Isaac Hayes died at his home. He was found unconscious Sunday, next to a still running treadmill.

CNN's Rick Sanchez has more on Hayes' career and contributions.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): My kids generation love this is Isaac Hayes. My generation grew up to the soundtrack of this Isaac Hayes.

That voice, that cool, that hot buttered soul, disco, Isaac Hayes was pre-disco. He helped invent it. Urban contemporary, R&B, hip hop. Every artist in those categories owes their sound and any success to the ground work laid in the early and mid '70s, by Isaac Hayes. Who was rapping before anyone thought to call it that. And oh, and then there was this little number.

Do you know that song, this international super smash, spent two weeks on top of Billboards's Charts and won Isaac Hayes an Oscar? His fame, name recognition and charisma led quickly to movie roles, most of which proved he didn't take himself that seriously. "The Blues Brothers," "I'm Going to Get You Sucka," and "Robin Hood: Men in Tights."

Then super-stardom once again in the late '90s, thanks to that voice. The wise, ladies man, chef, always good for a word of advice to the kids of South Park, Isaac Hayes; dead in Memphis. He was 65.

Rick Sanchez, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KEILAR: The loss of two greats, actor and comedian Bernie Mac and of course, award winning singer, Isaac Hayes. Our i-Reporters are paying tribute to both them.

And Veronica De La Cruz joining us now, with what you all have been sending in -- Veronica.

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, let's go ahead and start with our first i-Report, Brianna.

This is what Nia Marie and this is what she had to say. She said, "Whenever I see the sun shining just a little bit brighter, I'll think of you. I'll smile to myself and quietly say, that must be Mr. Bernie still telling those jokes and making them laugh up in heaven."

And this is Sharon Akaiwa and her daughter. This next one. This photo, taken the night she went to see the Kings of Comedy tour with Bernie Mac. Her daughter took her on her 50th birthday and she says, "The night with Bernie Mac on stage was something to remember. He told old jokes and new jokes. I laughed so hard -- a button popped off the back of my dress. I have never enjoyed myself more." And again, that was from i-Reporter Sharon Akaiwa.

KEILAR: And what are they saying about Isaac Hayes, Veronica?

DE LA CRUZ: Well, it was actually also a birthday present, Brianna, that gave Brandon Judkins the opportunity of meeting Isaac Hayes. He was able to meet him back stage after a concert. He has this to say. He says, "I'm only 24, but I have loved his music since I was little and to meet him was amazing. I got a chance to tell about all the work of his I loved. And he just was the coolest cat you could ever met. I am going to miss him."

Brianna, Beverly Crockett had this to say, "After winning his Academy Award in 1972, he came back to Memphis and gave a free concert so all Memphians could celebrate with him. What a voice and what a night. He loved this city and we loved this gracious man."

And then filmmaker Devo Cutler-Rubenstein had the chance to work with Isaac Hayes a couple of different of times and she says this: "His soul translated beyond his skin and he just was inspiration. A huge talent, a national resource and now a great loss to celebrate and remember."

So, how are you remembering Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac? You can go ahead and let us know by logging onto our web site at ireport.com

KEILAR: Great memories, Veronica.

Thank you to our i-Reporters for sharing them with you and thanks, Veronica, for that report.

LEMON: Absolutely.

Four American swimmers pull their talents for gold, but it was the guy on the anchor leg that really proved his medal.

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LEMON: OK. Brianna has Olympic fever. So, you're going to have help me out with some of this because she is raring you. If you want to read it, go ahead, I know.

KEILAR: No, go ahead.

LEMON: All right. You sure?

KEILAR: Yes.

LEMON: All right. After three full days of competition, team USA -- is that enough enthusiasm for you?

KEILAR: That's great.

LEMON: -- Is holding in the No. 2 spot in the Olympic medal count. Let's take a look at the board after today's events.

Host nation China is still on top with 14 medals, nine of those are gold. The Americans are right behind them with 12 total medals, three gold. We're going to catch up, don't worry about it. South Korea and Italy both have eight medals overall.

And helping the Americans keep pace in pocketing a world record in the process of doing that -- the men's 400 freestyle relay team. They toasted the favorite French -- toasted the favored French swimmers by .008 of a second for the gold. Brianna was watching. I saw that too, by the way.

And it was 32-year-old Jason Lezak who brought it home. He's from your county, right?

KEILAR: Yes, Orange County, California.

LEMON: OK.

KEILAR: Irvine.

LEMON: He started the anchor leg a body length behind, Brianna. But, he pulled even and just out touched his French rival at the wall. Lezak's winning sprint kept teammate Michael Phelps in the hunt for a record eight golds at the games.

KEILAR: I mean, this is such the water cooler moment, because it was -- he pulled ahead in the very end by about a fingernail. And everyone favored the French to win and the U.S. won. And they were I think, as surprised as anyone.

LEMON: You OK?

KEILAR: I'm sorry, I'm crying.

LEMON: You know what's amazing, though? I got to say this. When they do, you know -- when they talk about this and they do the wingspans of the guys and it's like 6'7, 6'8. It's like taller than most people.

KEILAR: Yes. There are some amazing athletes. Amazing athletes.

LEMON: Amazing athletes.

KEILAR: Well, despite the battles on the ground between Russia and Georgia, there was a moment of sportsmanship and camaraderie between the enemies, if you will, at the Olympic games.

Russia's silver medalist, this is in women's 10 meter air pistol, she put her arm around Georgia's bronze medal winner. This was a moment, Russia's medalist on the left, Georgia's on the right. Then the rivals kissed each other on the cheek. They call each other friends. They say this conflict between their countries doesn't get in the way. And by the way, it was China that took the gold in that event -- 10 meter women's air pistol.

The next hour of the CNN NEWSROOM starts right now.