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Chandra Levy Case Arrest; Unemployed Veterans
Aired February 21, 2009 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Waiting for justice.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SUSAN LEVY, CHANDRA LEVY'S MOTHER: We have a life sentence of hurt.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: The mother of slain Washington intern, Chandra Levy, tells me what police told her about a possible arrest in her daughter's eight- year-old murder case.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's gone. It's just completely gone.
(INAUDIBLE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: $1,200 taking out of here. Oh, my God.
(INAUDIBLE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Fire starter. The heartache lingers for victims of serial arsonists. They're fighting for financial help. We'll talk to a lawmaker with the power to do it -- live this hour.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED KID: Daddy, you've got to get a job.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(LAUGHTER)
LEMON: Well, the youngest faces of recession. Children are taking matters into their own hands, harassing parents to pound the pavement.
All on the broadcast for you right now.
And good evening, everyone. I'm Don Lemon.
We start tonight, of course, with the economy and a pay raise. President Barack Obama says he has one for you.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) PRES. BARACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES: Because of what we did, 95 percent of all working families will get a tax cut -- in keeping with the promise I made on the campaign. And I'm pleased to announce that this morning, the Treasury Department began directing employers to reduce the amount of taxes withheld from paychecks -- meaning that by April 1st, a typical family will begin taking home at least $65 more every month. Never before in our history has a tax cut taken effect faster or gone to so many hard-working Americans.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Well, you know what? It may not seem like a whole lot of money, but some economists believe smaller amounts are much more likely to be spent immediately, and thereby help stimulate the economy.
All that and the inside foreclosure capital -- is your neighborhood next? That's what we want to know now.
The stimulus package is vitally important to all 50 state governors. They are meeting this weekend in Washington for the annual governor's convention. Here's what a couple of Democratic governors said about it today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. ED RENDELL, (D) PENNSYLVANIA: The states are not off the hook. We are doing difficult and challenging things ourselves. We are assuming the burden and this doesn't get us off the hook. This helps us. This stops us from having massive layoffs, incredible reductions in services that would have exposed our citizens to tremendous personal risks.
I was asked by somebody, "What's the mood in Pennsylvania about the stimulus package?" And I said, "10 percent of the people don't like it very much, 10 percent of the people are enthusiastic, and the other 80 percent are waiting to see how it works."
GOV. JOE MANCHIN, (D) WEST VIRGINIA: The direction I gave everyone in my agencies is to make sure, first of all, that when you spend a dollar, are you saving a job or creating a job? If not, are you digging a hole deeper?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Well, that stimulus bill will pass with almost no Republican support. Republicans say they want to work with the Obama administration, but they're waiting to see if the president's new budget next week -- to see if he is committed to controlling spending.
Now, the latest CNN/Opinion Research poll -- here's what it says. It breaks down like this: 89 percent of Democrats surveyed support the stimulus. That's compared to 52 percent of independents and only 22 percent of Republicans. Overall, about six out of 10 Americans surveyed say they support the stimulus package. But only about three out of 10 believe the plan will help them personally. President Barack Obama addresses Congress on Tuesday night. He'll do that at 9:00 Eastern. Of course, you'll see him live on CNN, followed by Anderson Cooper and the best political team on television. And at midnight, we've got a special for you, a special edition of "LARRY KING LIVE." Remember, you can watch along with your Facebook friends at CNN.com/live.
We want to tell you now about dramatic new developments in a mystery that many people thought might never be solved. Eight years after the brutal murder of Chandra Levy, her mother says police are about to make an arrest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Forget missile defense, forget the Patients' Bill of Rights, the only thing anybody in Washington is talking about these days is the case of the congressman and the missing intern.
LEMON (voice-over): It was a case that shocked the nation in 2001. Twenty-four-year-old Chandra Levy, graduate student at the University of South California and a federal government intern who disappeared in Washington on May 1st of that year. Levy's remains were found a year later in Washington's Rock Creek Park.
Now, eight years after the trail seemed to have gone cold, a potential break in the case. A source close to the investigation confirms that the suspect in the Chandra Levy case is Ingmar Guandique. He is a laborer from El Salvador who's already serving a 10-year prison sentence for two assaults in Rock Creek Park that same year. Guandique has denied any involvement in her death.
For Chandra Levy's parents who have been told an arrest is imminent, it is a glimmer of hope in the search for justice.
S. LEVY: It's very hard not having your child with you.
ROBERT LEVY, CHANDRA LEVY'S FATHER: Yes.
S. LEVY: I mean, you want justice, you want the person, you know ...
R. LEVY: Imprisoned.
S. LEVY: ... incarcerated and you want justice.
R. LEVY: Want him put away.
S. LEVY: This shouldn't happen to anyone.
LEMON: Much of the media attention on the case was because of Levy's involvement with then-U.S. Congressman Gary Condit. Condit, a seven- term Democrat, was then having an affair with Levy, who was from his California district. Police never named Condit a suspect, but he was defeated in his 2002 re-election campaign. Condit now lives in Arizona.
In a statement, he says he's grateful that the Levy family is getting the answers they deserved. He went on to say, "It is unfortunate that an insatiable appetite for sensationalism blocked so many from searching for the real answers for so long. I had always hoped to have the opportunity to tell my side of the story, but too many were not prepared to listen. Now, I plan to do so."
For the Levys, one chapter might be closing, but the sorrow lingers.
It's more towards ...
S. LEVY: No matter what ...
R. LEVY: Yes, it's painful.
S. LEVY: ... your child is dead and gone.
R. LEVY: Until we get over there and see him again.
S. LEVY: It's painful, but we're glad that the police and people are doing something and investigating, and making a difference so somebody's not on the street to do it again.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: And Susan Levy, Chandra Levy's mother, speaks out about this imminent arrest that we're being told it is. We'll talk to her at the bottom of the hour. Meantime, Susan Levy has tried to turn her loss into an opportunity to help others. She helped create a support group for people with missing loved ones.
Meantime, we want to move on now and talk about a shocking story, it's out of western Pennsylvania. Double homicide charges have been filed against an 11-year-old boy. He is accused in the shotgun slaying of his dad's girlfriend who was eight months pregnant. She had two other children.
Police have offered no motive in this case. The boy's jailed on charges of criminal homicide and criminal homicide of an unborn child. The woman's body was found by her four-year-old daughter in their rural home. The boy has been arraigned and is in a county jail tonight.
Two 19-year-olds are in custody in those arsons that have plagued the Coatesville, Pennsylvania area. Mark Gilliam of West Chester was arrested Thursday on a federal charge of attempted arson. Police describe him as a wannabe firefighter and prosecutors say police found a accelerants, firefighting equipment, and a newspaper article about the fires in Gilliam's home.
Gilliam's former vocational school classmate, his name is Roger Barlow; he's also under arrest charged in several of the blazes. The string of fires this year and last, terrorized the area. One woman was killed and the investigation is not over yet.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAURIE MAGID, ACTING U.S. ATTORNEY: This guy has been arrested for nine fires. There's a lot more than nine fires. Somebody committed those fires and the goal of everybody up here is to get every single one of those fires solved.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Well, Senator Bob Casey has been following this story very closely. The victims are some of his constituents and he wants them to get more federal help. As a matter of fact, they said they need a lot of help themselves. He joins us now from Pottstown, Pennsylvania.
Hey, thank you for joining us, sir.
SEN. BOB CASEY, (D) PENNSYLVANIA: Thank you, Don.
LEMON: It must be very tough to sit by and watch your constituents, really, have someone who had the capability of coming in in the middle of the night and taking their homes and their families. How are you planning -- they've already gotten federal assistance, but you think they need more on top of that. What are you going to do?
CASEY: Don, I've spoken to Attorney General Eric Holder about this, and we're going to try to get more help from the Justice Department or more help from any federal agency that can provide help, because one of the short-term and long-term problems they have will be to pay for things like police overtime. But I have to commend the work that's already been done by the attorney general's team. The Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, ATF, the federal prosecutor, Laurie Magid and her team, the Coatesville police force, the state police -- they've done a great job to get two suspects, but there's still more work to do.
LEMON: Senator Casey, you visited the folks there last week, I believe it was, toured the area and talked to some of the people. What are they saying? Obviously, your heart has to break as you're talking to these people and they're standing in the rubble of their homes. What are they saying about this?
CASEY: Well, Don, even though there hasn't been a death since the latter part of 2008 when an 83-year-old woman died, in calendar year 2009, there have been no deaths, but despite that, these families have lived with the horror of not being able to sleep at night because of the fear of arson. So, the person or persons that have done this have done more than just destroy these homes, they've destroyed lives. People haven't been able to sleep, they've been worried. People have literally had their bags packed to leave in the middle of the night.
So there is some peace of mind now that there is the two arrests. But we have to make sure that people remain vigilant ...
LEMON: Yes.
CASEY: ... because this community is very strong and it's been one family, but we have to keep helping.
LEMON: Real quickly before we move on, I've got to talk to you about this, because the economy is so bad. Coatesville, of course, is struggling like many cities around the country and communities.
CASEY: Yes.
LEMON: This has also been a financial nightmare, not only for the city, but for the residents there as well.
CASEY: Absolutely. And, in this time of having a recovery bill in place, in digging the economy out of the ditch, so to speak, places like Coatesville that have suffered economically over time with the loss of steel industry jobs and the changes in our economy, we have to pay very close attention to these kinds of the communities, especially when they've been hit by the added trauma of an arson.
LEMON: All right. Senator Bob Casey, we appreciate you joining us. We know it's a tough time for the community there and you're very busy. Thank you for taking some time for us to tell us what's going on.
New Orleans is a city that knows economic strife all too well. It is still suffering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. But it's Mardi Gras season and that always offers a boost to city coffers there. The question is: Is it working this year? You may be surprised. We're going to take you to New Orleans.
Also, please become part of our show, part of our community. Log on to Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, or iReport.com. Nothing is off-limits. We'll get your responses on the air.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, IREPORT)
UNIDENTIFIED KID: You have to (INAUDIBLE) your network. Are you on Facebook? You have to tell everyone you know -- you have to tell everyone you know that you're looking for a job. But don't seem desperate. Don't be a nuisance.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: You know what, a laid off father takes advice from his children and his family finds humor in a horrible crisis. Their story will warm your heart. We're going to give that story to you in a little bit.
But first, I want to -- I want to share some of the comments that you have been giving to us.
Bebeisis says, I guess -- I don't know how you want me to pronounce it -- "Less withholding would make a difference." Ctguy2675 says, "Reducing taxes are important. However, I believe the real stimulative effects will come from infrastructure and other spending. A_picazo says, "The oversaturation and public obsession with the stimulus bill is creating more havoc than good. Enough already! Just let it be!" Lovepgh says, "Every little bit helps. Have you seen the food pantries lately? Lines are long for the food." Great comments there. Thank you so much. Become part of our community. Get on our show. You can be a member of our team here. Go to Facebook, MySpace, iReport.com -- click away, get your responses on the air.
Oh, look at that. A very familiar sight for me. Lesse le bon ton rolle. Let the good times roll. This is New Orleans, ahead of Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras. But despite the recession, at least for this week, people are throwing caution and a little money to the wind for a good time down in the Big Easy. Susan Edwards from New Orleans affiliate WWL takes to us Mardi Gras.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUSAN EDWARDS, WWL REPORTER (voice-over): These ladies are first-time visitors from South Dakota. They saved up their money for two years to make it to the Crescent City and experience Mardi Gras in all its glory.
DONNA PASSICK, TOURIST: Well, we just got done walking down Bourbon Street, which was kind of a culture shock for us conservatives from South Dakota
(LAUGHTER)
EDWARDS: I see you have some beads.
PASSICK: Well, we got them illegally -- you know, like buy them or pick them up.
(LAUGHTER)
EDWARDS: They are among the thousands of visitors who, despite the struggling economy, are helping New Orleans buck the trend as a destination city during one of its busiest and most exciting times of the year, on a trip that doesn't break the bank.
MARY BETH ROMIG, NEW ORLEANS CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU: You have to pay to spend the night in a hotel, obviously, pay for your food. But in essence, the show is right here in front of you and all free.
EDWARDS: Many hotels here are overbooked through the weekend, and on average, all of them are more than 90 percent filled.
ROMIG: I think we're going to top the numbers and have the strongest Mardi Gras we've had since Katrina this year.
EDWARDS: It's news that leaves Gregory Wilson beaming. Originally from the West Bank, Wilson lives in Grambling, Louisiana and tries to come back for parades and weekend celebrations every year.
GREGORY WILSON, GRAMBLING, LOUISIANA RESIDENT: It is surprising, but New Orleans is almost like one of the biggest free parties in the world to me. You know, we do the red bean, the rice, the hot dogs, basically just show up. If you get to New Orleans, you'll have a good time. EDWARDS: The crew from South Dakota vows to make generous contributions.
SHAWN SANDNESS, TOURIST: I haven't spent a lot of money, but we have some to spend. So, that's good for the economy.
EDWARDS: While others hope this year's turnout will be a sign of even better news ahead.
ROMIG: It's going to be a while before we get to those pre-Katrina numbers, those big numbers, when the predictions were that a million would turn out for the whole carnival season. But, if we can get above where we were last year, we would be thrilled.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Well, that was Susan Edwards from our affiliate WWL. We'll be taking you back to Mardi Gras once the party really starts. We'll tell you.
You know, it was perhaps a long shot of long shots -- the longest of long shots. But now, a film about the boy from the slums of India could be headed for Oscar gold. We're talking about "Slumdog." It is no longer an underdog.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: They could read that. It says Don, OTS. That means "over the shoulder," OTS. Don means, I supposed talking to me. As Hollywood rolls out the red carpet for the biggest show of the year, movie lovers will watch to see if the story of a young man from the slums of India can continue its winning streak.
CNN entertainment correspondent Kareen Wynter has more on the Oscar buzz behind "Slumdog Millionaire."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When you start a film, there's always what I call the bathroom moment, where you stand in your bathroom alone in front of the mirror and you think, this is one. This is the one. But it never is, of course, normally.
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This time, even Director Danny Boyle can't deny, this is the one. "Slumdog Millionaire," the British filmmaker's tale of a poor Indian boy who seeks wealth, fame, and love against all odds, has earned top honors from nearly every award show this season.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think anything else out there can beat it.
You have somebody who is, you know, a fresh filmmaker telling an old story in a way that feels different, and also setting it in a setting you really haven't seen much on screen before. He takes a lot of stuff from Bollywood, from Indian movies and puts his spin on it.
WYNTER: Oscars expert (INAUDIBLE) adds that best picture winners often reflect global sentiment, and right now, people want to smile.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is a story that makes you feel good. I mean, somehow, he pulls off the trick of having a movie that wallows in squalor and yet leaves you exhilarated.
WYNTER: The road to gold has not been without its bumps. Just last month, Boyle countered charges that he underpaid the film's youngest stars, and he's also had to defend the movie's title which some protesters in India call derogatory.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a hybrid of that word "underdog" and it comes from the slum. So, it's not meant in an insulting way at all -- absolutely not. And I'm very sad that that's upset people.
WYNTER: (INAUDIBLE) says this kind of backlash is accepted.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was inevitable that there were going to be controversies. When you become a front-runner in the Oscar race, you automatically become a target.
WYNTER: Still heavily favored to win, it would appear "Slumdog's" journey from underdog to top dog remains on track.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know it's only entertainment, but it feels kind of historic to me. It feels like, you know, the world's got a bit smaller suddenly.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I went on a show because I thought she'd be watching. She's my best thing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WYNTER: So, there you have it, Don. So many have their bets on "Slumdog," but I got to tell you, it's up against really stiff competition. For example, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" starring Brad Pitt, "Frost/Nixon," "Milk" with Sean Penn as well as "The Reader." What a category for best picture. We'll have to see who takes home the gold -- Don?
LEMON: Yes, some really, really good movies this year. And you know what? Almost as, I don't know, intriguing about who's going to win is to who the presenters are going to be this year. The Academy has really keeping us kind of, you know, guessing about this, Kareen.
WYNTER: They are. They're trying to create some element of suspense here, surprise, if you will. And that's because the ratings over the past couple of years, they haven't been stellar. For example, last year, the Academy Awards only pulled in about 32 million viewers for the network. That compared to the year the "Titanic" won, 55 million.
So, they're hoping to jazz things up a little bit because let's face it, that's what people look forward to, right? They want to see their favorite stars walking down the red carpet, seeing what they're wearing. You'll know who the nominees are, but usually, the presenters stroll down here, it won't happen this year. You'll have to tune in to the show to see what they're wearing -- Don? LEMON: Yes, folks, especially now, need a little bit of a distraction, a break from the economic woes that we've been getting.
WYNTER: A little bit -- a little.
LEMON: Thank you. Kareen Wynter standing on the red carpet, which is now covered in white, but when we see her tomorrow, it will be a full red carpet. Thank you, Kareen Wynter.
WYNTER: You're welcome.
LEMON: Hit the red carpet with CNN. That's tomorrow tonight, all your Oscar coverage starts at 7:00 Eastern. After the awards, make sure you tune in to Headline News for all the surprises, all the controversies and all those outfits. Who are you wearing, you look awful, you look great, blah, blah, blah. A special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" starts at 11:00 Eastern tomorrow night here on CNN.
We have been asking you about -- what do you think? Time to share.
This one is called BarackLaRock. All right. That's interesting. "What good are tax cut ifs you don't have a job?" That's from BarackLaRock. Jennyjenjen says, "Having less money withheld will help me at least while I'm a student. Sometimes that extra 20 bucks a month does wonders."
Keljo1991 says, "What is $65 extra a month going to stimulate? $2.17 a day isn't much for people who are really struggling." Hey, give it to me. I'll take it. Every little bit helps.
We want you to be part of our community, part of our show, make sure you log on to Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, iReport.com. Tell us what you're thinking. We're going to get your responses on the air.
You know what? They are some of the people hardest hit by the economic crisis, this horrific economy here. And I'm talking about America's war veterans. They put their lives on the line for this country. We thank them for that, but now, they need help. See if we can get some help for them.
Straight ahead, you'll meet a man who is deciding his life to giving America's, you know, veterans another chance. Here he is right there. I want to give him as much time as possible. We're going to talk to him. He's on a mission here. He's one of our heroes.
We'll get to you in a second, sir. Thank for joining us.
But Jacqui Jeras is checking the weather for us and she is smiling as well.
Jacqui, what do you have?
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I love your red carpet stuff. I'm still thinking about that.
LEMON: Did you? JERAS: Yes. But you know, there might be raindrops on the red carpet. We'll talk about the latest storm to move into the west plus wintry weather impacting your travel. The nation's forecast is coming up.
LEMON (singing): Raindrops keep falling on my head.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: So, if you are just tuning in to us, here are some of the day's top stories for you. A possible break in the eight-year-old murder of Washington intern, Chandra Levy. I talked to her mom, Susan, tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: I know it's hard. What can you tell us about what you know and what police have told you?
VOICE OF SUSAN LEVY, MOTHER OF CHANDRA LEVY: I got a call last night from a lieutenant from the "Washington Post" - excuse me, Washington police department and from Chief Lanier, just to give me a heads up that there is a warrant out for an arrest. And they have not told me who it was or anything.
LEMON: So you don't know anything about this El Salvadorian suspect or anything?
LEVY: No.
LEMON: They haven't said anything.
LEVY: No. They haven't said anything.
LEMON: OK.
LEVY: Just that there's a warrant out for an arrest and that they have substantial and probably convictional - enough evidence to convict somebody.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: A source close to that investigation now tells CNN that the suspect is El Salvadorian immigrant, his name is Ingmar Guandique. And he is already serving time for two assaults in the Washington Park where Chandra Levy's remains were found at Rock Creek Park.
Then Congressman Gary Condit had been questioned in the case and it was revealed that the two were having an affair back then. We'll look for a modest - we'll talk a little bit more about that later. I'm going to talk a little bit more about that later.
But I want to tell you, move on now, look for a modest bump in your paycheck. That should begin on April 1st. President Barack Obama has authorized the Treasury Department to reduce the amount of withholding tax in most paychecks. It should total at least $65 a month for most families. $65 bucks a month for most families.
And an 11-year-old Pennsylvania boy has been charged as an adult with shooting his mother's girlfriend to death with a shotgun while she slept. The 26-year-old woman was eight months pregnant. She had two other children. We have no word on a motive in that case, but we will follow that one for you as well.
They served their country, but after spending time on the front line, many veterans are now joining the unemployment line, unfortunately. CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr shows us what two vets are doing about it.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Tom Tarantino led patrols through the most dangerous neighborhoods of Baghdad. Steven Tyler flew Navy reconnaissance planes over Iraq. Both now civilians, walking the halls of Capitol Hill to make sure that Congress understands that veterans are struggling in the economic downturn. Taylor is unemployed, Tarantino, after 10 months, found a job with a veterans' advocacy group.
TOM TARANTINO, IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN VETERANS OF AMERICA: I might have been about a month away from not being able to pay any of my bills.
STARR: Both men say the military isn't doing enough to get troops ready for tough times in the civilian job market. Taylor is a Naval Academy graduate. His final tour of duty was the White House operations center.
STEVEN TAYLOR, VETERAN: I might not be actually taking the job that I actually think that I'm qualified to take, because of the economy.
STARR: One estimate says unemployment among vets is more than eight percent.
TARANTINO: I think you're going to find a lot of corporations are a bit more reticent to hire, because they're afraid of things like post traumatic stress.
STARR: And on the street, veterans are falling between the cracks.
IM There are 2,000 homeless Iraq and Afghanistan veterans on the streets right now.
STARR: To keep that from happening, these vets want more funding for programs to help veterans make the transition from the front line to the assembly line or even the boardroom.
TARANTINO: I got lucky. I can only imagine for the people that are really facing it, facing the end of the rope and figuring out what their options are.
STARR: Barbara Starr, CNN, Capitol Hill.
(END VIDEOTAPE) LEMON: There are people out there who are trying to help. His name is Roy Foster. There you see him there on your screen. He is committed to giving back to the men and women who served our country, one veteran at a time. That's really the only way you can do it. That's why he's a CNN hero and we appreciate him. Thank you for joining us.
ROY FOSTER, CNN HERO: Thank you, Don.
LEMON: You know all too well about this, because it happened to you.
FOSTER: Yes. For quite some time, I was actually homeless. I was addicted to drugs and alcohol. Really didn't have an idea as to how I was going to make the next day. And it is unfortunate in this country and in this day and time that veterans are faced with these issues.
LEMON: When you - you managed to pull yourself together, right? Did it take a lot of help from folks, or did you sort of do it on your own, realized that, you know, I've got to stop this?
FOSTER: Well, it did take a lot of family support. But unfortunately, by the time that we come to the realization that we are - have this massive problem or you know, the acceptance of it, we've pretty much torn our families apart.
LEMON: So you say that there are at least, you believe, 150, if not more, homeless veterans in this country, and especially now with the economy, you think it's going to get much, much worse.
FOSTER: Any given day in this country, we could be anywhere from 150,000 to 200,000, on the streets. Is it going to get worse? Absolutely so. We are talking about the young men and women that are fighting today that will soon be coming back into this country, and they're going to be faced with the challenges that we are looking at right now. The economics, just being able to transfer those skills that they have in the military, how does it translate into society here. It's going to be quite a challenge for them.
LEMON: You know what, you bring up a very, very good point, because people are doing longer tours of duty now and going over. And sometimes when they go over and come back, it is a different place than when they left. The economy is much worse, you know, problems with homes, not being able to get a job. So that's a very good point. How have you decided to help out? Tell us what you're doing.
FOSTER: There are a number of things that we're looking at here. As we - at this point, we are beginning to receive the Iraqi veterans, and as well as those that are returning from Afghanistan. And it is a different population here. We are talking about young men and women that are at a - 25, 26 years old that are energetic. They are still looking to conquer the world, but yet they're faced with their own challenges. You know with their post traumatic stress syndrome and their addiction coupled with that, it is going to be quite challenging.
LEMON: OK, all right. Roy, listen, before you leave, I know it's going to be quite challenging, but I just want to tell people what you do. In case we didn't get in. You started Stand Down House, which is a transitional housing and support program for veterans that you opened in 2000. It took you six years to do it. It was named for the military command that gives troops time to rest after arduous duty. The program gives homeless male vets food, shelter, the tools they need to conquer their personal problems. The organization has been doing this since 2000 and we applaud you. That's why you're a CNN hero. Thank you, sir.
FOSTER: And thank you for the opportunity.
LEMON: Appreciate it.
Jacqui, Jacqui Jeras, we're going to go to the weather center. Stories like that really just warms your heart. It breaks your heart to hear about, you know, our veterans being on the street, but when someone who rose above that, and then they give back, it sort of, it warms your heart, because you can make a difference as well.
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I think it gives hope to those veterans as well, to say, hey, if he can do it, I can do it. So wonderful. Great story. Thanks for sharing that.
LEMON: I hope the weather's great, but probably not.
JERAS: You know, it's not terrible. We've had a lot worse going on. It's been really active in the west as of late, and now we've had a little bit of a lull and unfortunately, things are changing once again. We've got a pretty powerful series of storms that are going to be moving on through, bringing in wet weather and also, of course, bringing snow into those higher elevations.
It's just kind of getting started here today, but this is going to be continuing at least through Tuesday. We're talking two to four inches in the valley, several feet of snow into the Sierras. In fact, we just got upgraded here to a winter storm warning now in effect Sunday morning, going on into the early part of next week.
All right, that's what's going on across parts of the west. We've had some problems in the midwest today as well. Check out these pictures that we had from KARE 11 in Minneapolis, St. Paul. The snow coming down throughout the overnight and early this morning. On average, we saw about four to seven inches in the twin cities metro area. But we had a lot of blowing going on too. So very difficult travel. Places like Milwaukee, Chicago, Madison and Detroit got in on this action today as well and things are starting to wind down a little bit more across parts of the midwest and our system kind of separates itself out, just a little bit.
Still having trouble though at the airport, even though the snow is winding down. We've got a ground stop in effect now at O'Hare. Midway, you're waiting over an hour to get there and Toronto also looking at a ground stop, which means no one's taking off to arrive in that area. If you're traveling in the northeast tomorrow, this system heads into your neighborhood. So beware of those delays and you can see some of the snowfall totals, seven almost 7 1/2 inches in Madison. Don.
LEMON: Thank you, ma'am. Appreciate it.
JERAS: You're welcome.
LEMON: It was a rejected suitor's final good-bye. An acid attack. Now a woman seeks punishment through the courts for that, an eye for an eye. A story you won't soon forget.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: He wanted her hand in marriage, and when she said no, he took her eyes instead. An Iranian woman blinded and disfigured from an acid attack fights for justice. So no one will have to suffer like she did. Her story contains graphic images which you may find disturbing and our Reza Sayah has the story for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
REZA SAYAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Ameneh Bahrami says her big brown eyes used to be the envy of her friends, but this is what a jilted suitor did to Ameneh's eyes when he threw acid in her face.
AMENEH BAHRAMI, ACID VICTIM: I was just yelling, I'm burning, I'm burning, for god's sake, somebody help me.
SAYAH: The attack has made headlines in Iran, because Ameneh, now 31 is demanding an eye for an eye.
BAHRAMI: People like him should be made to feel my suffering.
SAYAH: In accordance with Islamic law, Ameneh wants to blind Majid Mohavedi, the man who blinded her. The two met in college in 2002. First came his unwanted advances, says Ameneh, then came the threats.
BAHRAMI: He called me every day and harassed me. He told me he would kill me. He said, you have to say yes.
SAYAH: In this corner that you're looking at right now, that's where her jilted suitor, Majid, used to hide. And a couple of days before this incident, she said, look, I don't want to marry you. But Mohavedi wouldn't take no for an answer.
November 2004, as Ameneh walked home from work, the threats turned to violence. This is her Ameneh's first visit back to the scene of the attack in Tehran.
She said she went up a little bit and then she sensed someone was right behind her. The moment she looked back, she says, Majid attacked.
What felt like fire on her face was acid searing through her skin. So these are the clothes that Ameneh was wearing that day and her mother has kept them. This is the coat that she was wearing. Just look at it. It is just absolutely shredded. I can right now smell the acid. Yes. I have trouble breathing. Attack victims in Iran often get what's known as blood money from the culprit, a monetary fine in lieu of harsh punishment.
With no insurance and mounting medical bills, Ameneh could have used the cash, but said no.
BAHRAMI: I don't want to blind Majid for revenge. I'm doing this to keep this from ever happening to someone else.
SAYAH: Ameneh's demand has outraged some human rights activists, usually they support victims of acid attacks but on internet blogs they criticized her. Her determination to blind her attacker is as barbaric as the crime, they write. Late last year, a court in Tehran handed down the sentence, acid in each of Majid's eyes. He has appealed the decision, but this month the court ruled the sentence stands.
Today she is remarkably self-sufficient, but challenges remain. She says she can't afford to pay for her medical care, so she's turned to the internet to ask for help. She's lost her big, brown eyes but her smile is still there. Determined, she says, to get justice.
BAHRAMI (through translator): If I don't do this and there's another acid attack, I will never forgive myself for as long as I live.
SAYAH: Reza Sayah, CNN, Tehran.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Boy, it is the editorial cartoon that is not so funny to a whole lot of folks. Now there's a call for heads to roll or else. You know, we're going to delve into the heart of this controversy.
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LEMON: You guys are really commenting a lot today on twitter, Facebook, and myspace. Here's what WLPerry says, "Wow, I feel so terrible for that woman," talking about the Iranian woman. "I certainly hope justice is served and that she gets what she wants."
Zafak(ph) says "It seems the stimulus package is getting confused with the huge tax refund, like 2008. This one is about long-term, not a check." Afreshmusic says, "stimulus doesn't mean anymore money for me unless they are hiring college graduates again. Nothing for me."
Meggypoo, says, "yeah, there will be more money if we all get stimulus checks. I'd rather we focus on finding people jobs instead, though." Hey, good one.
Fitbusinessman says "our focus should be on strengthening production and exports and not so much on infrastructure." Really great comments. We appreciate it. Be a part of our community, part of our show. Twitter, Facebook, myspace, ireport.com. We'll get your responses on the air.
The controversy over a "New York Post" editorial cartoon will not go away anytime soon. It seems to be building and you can see you. If you've just seeing this. It is a picture of a police shooting a chimp with the caption. "I guess they'll have to find someone else to write the stimulus bill."
This has sparked a new debate on race relations in this country. As many feel this cartoon is a blatant attack on President Obama, a blatant racist attack on President Obama and invites terrorism, invites someone to try and shoot him. The NAACP is calling for the firing of the cartoonist.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JULIAN BOND, NAACP CHAIRMAN: This was an invitation to the assassination of the president of the United States. And anyone who is not offended by it doesn't have any sensibilities. We were offended by it. I think millions and millions of people around the country, around the world, in fact who saw it, were offended by it and we're going to try to do all we can to correct their insensibility and give them some guidance on how to behave.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: We've been saying that a lot of people have been offended by it. And those who weren't offended, most of them thought it was just a stupid idea, anyway. It's dumb. We're talking about it. You are. So we're going to do it as well tonight at 11:00 Eastern, the issue of race in America.
Make sure you join our national discussion right here in the CNN NEWSROOM. It is a no holds bar conversation about race. You know how we do it here. We don't hold anything back. We'll take all your comments. We won't judge you castigate your point. We want to hear your voice. If you think it's racist, fine. If you don't, hey, join our conversation and tell us.
OK. Yes, the economy is in shambles but their is one family who found a way to laugh about it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Daddy, get out of bed.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get out of the bed.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You need to find a job. You're burning daylight.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You're burning daylight.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Dad, get out of bed.
A laid off father takes advice from his kids. You don't want to miss it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: You know what? It is bad everywhere but it's even worse in Fort Myers, Florida. It has become known as a foreclosure capital of this nation. And the way cases are racing through court shows just how many people are losing their homes on a daily basis. CNN's Gary Tuchman reports on the rocket docket.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ten more to go.
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's a court that operates in fast forward. So fast the dockets have become known as the rocket docket, handling up to 1,000 cases a day.
It's the rapid conclusion into an agonizing foreclosure process.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My husband passed away.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm sorry to hear that.
CASEY MCLEAR: And the debt just kept getting higher and higher.
TUCHMAN: Casey McLear just lost her home.
MCLEAR: They told me my best option was to refinance but they wouldn't do it.
TUCHMAN: The judge asks his final questions.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So you acknowledge that you're behind in the payments.
MCLEAR: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're not in the home, and it needs to go into foreclosure?
MCLEAR: Yes.
TUCHMAN: And then judge's order -
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And it's my job, an unhappy one, but it's my job to enter the final judgment of foreclosure.
MCLEAR: I understand.
TUCHMAN: This is Fort Myers, Florida, also known as Foreclosure Myers, one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country. Home values have plummeted by as much as 50 percent since the height of the market in 2005. Unemployment has reached 10 percent, leaving houses overgrown, abandoned, up for auction. For sale signs in lock boxes are everywhere.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can't believe that I'm 60 years old and I'm losing my home today.
TUCHMAN: Foreclosures in Florida sometimes take a year and require a judge's approval. Here that's usually just a quick one over and signature. Nowhere is it quicker than in this courthouse where judges preside over the rocket docket.
JUDGE HUGH STARNES, LEE COUNTRY, FLA. CIRCUIT COURT: Do you have any questions, ma'am?
TUCHMAN: Hugh Starnes is a retired judge brought back to help move the backlog of 30,000 cases, often dispensing with them literally in seconds.
STARNES: It is a legal procedural response to an overwhelming number of filings that unfortunately is necessary.
TUCHMAN: But this day's news wasn't necessarily bad for everyone. Patricia Valverde, a laid off mortgage broker, thought she was about to be foreclosed but her bank gave her some more time. She says she hopes Barack Obama's housing plan succeeds.
PATRICIA VALVERDE, HOMEOWNER: I'm so happy with his ideas and, you know, everything. I think everything is going to change with him.
TUCHMAN: Most cases in Fort Myers involve homeowners who were speculators or out-of-towners. They don't bother showing up. But for the other 40 percent, this lightning quick court action marks a surreal change in their lives. They have been part of the rocket docket. Gary Tuchman, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: All right. Let's talk about the lighter side of this recession. It's kind of light. But it's still serious because, you know, there are some people who don't have jobs, obviously. Yes there is a lighter side.
An unemployed Georgia man hopes to land a job with his children's help, of course. I-reporter Jason Young says his two-year-old daughter and five-year-old son have been harassing, wranging him about getting work. The kids get their messages across in this humorous home video? Take a look at it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Daddy, you've got to get a job.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You've got to get a job.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Daddy, you got to get a job.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Daddy, you've got to get a job.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Daddy, you've got to get a job. Get a job.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Get a job, Daddy.
Daddy, get a job.
Daddy, get a job.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Daddy, you've got to get a job.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Got to get a job, Daddy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: I wonder where they heard that from. Could it be mommy?
All right. Well, Young says he's been out of work since November but hopefully not much longer than that. We really hope that he's not out of work any much longer.
Jason is not the only husband who's household role is changing because of the layoff. Tonight at 11:00 p.m. Eastern, we're going to talk more wives who are bringing in the bread instead of baking it. More wives were really controlling paychecks.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My role now, in addition to looking for a job, I'm a house dad. My wife is now instead of being the house mom, she's now the bread winner.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Well, the economy is changing the family structure. Tonight, right here in the NEWSROOM at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and 8:00 p.m. Pacific, we're going to talk about that. A good conversation for you. Here's what some of you are saying. Rachel(ph) says, "where are the green jobs? Where are the investments in green technology? That's what's on my mind."
And Tara says, "creating green energy jobs fast will resolve the economic crisis." Amaduli says "the stimulus will only pop up dysfunctional inflated economy."
Dbgoudile says "I'm fortunate to still have a job and an affordable mortgage but we're all in this together. Only one economy."
Raebersole says "Every penny counts but it is not enough to stimulate the economy." Twitter, Facebook, myspace, Ireport.com is where you can get your comments on the air. I'm Don Lemon at the CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta. I'll see you back here at 11:00 p.m. Eastern. Our race discussion. You don't want to miss it.
CNN's "Money Summit" starts right now.
