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Najibullah Zazi Associate Defends Himself; Virginia and New Jersey Gubernatorial Races; Socialite's Son Accused of Grand Larceny; Hostages Held Rawalpindi; Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize
Aired October 10, 2009 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN CENTER: All right, we got lots going on here beginning with some breaking news this morning. A standoff, right now, at the Pakistan army headquarters in Rawalpindi, south of the capital of Islamabad. The Pakistani military tells us four or five armed militants are holding as many as 15 people hostage, right now, and there are civilians among those being held.
The whole thing has been going on for more than nine hours, now. It's all happening after gunmen attacked an army checkpoint earlier today. Six army guards and four gunmen died in the fire fight.
Also, the security watch in this country with new questions surrounding the investigation of that alleged terror plot possibly targeting New York. That's where reputed associate of 24-year-old terror suspect Najibullah Zazi is set to talk next hour. CNN's national correspondent, Susan Candiotti, is there.
So Susan, do we know why this man may be speaking out, now?
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Fred, we have an idea of it. This man is a man by the name of Naiz Khan and CNN has spoken with him many, many times. The purpose of this news conference today where he's expected to attend is to try to fight to get his reputation back. He's arguing that he is an unfair focus of this ongoing FBI investigation.
Mr. Kahn is a childhood friend of the key suspect in this ongoing terror case, and he also attended a mosque with him, he went to the same high school as did Mr. Zazi. And he's repeatedly denied he's known anything about a terror plot. He does acknowledge, according to authorities, that Mr. Zazi did stay at his apartment just before Mr. Zazi was arrested, but for example, Mr. Khan denies that he knew anything about an electronic scale that was found in his apartment with Mr. Zazi's fingerprint on it.
Now, this is not the only thing that CNN has been learning lately. We have also learned about the names of more people that have been questioned as part of this ongoing investigation. As the FBI tries to pin down some of the so-called associates that traveled with Mr. Zazi to and from Pakistan.
Mr. Zazi, as you know, has admitted to, according to the FBI, that he attended an al Qaeda training camp in Pakistan. So, again, this news conference is going to be happening in about an hour from now. Also attending this press conference will be members of this community and people who are saying they are tired of the round the clock surveillance that's been going on in many parts of this neighborhood saying that people are being unfairly targeted and that it has also adversely impacted the number of people who have been going to mosques in this Queens neighborhood of Flushing. So we'll get back to you as soon as that news conference is over with, Fred, to tell you more about what happened.
WHITFIELD: All right, Susan Candiotti, thanks so much for that update.
Meantime, a peace signing delayed in Switzerland. It involves Turkey and Armenia. An agreement has been reached to re-establish diplomatic ties and open their border, but at the last minute concerns were raised about what the foreign ministers of both countries were going to say after the signing. So, we'll keep you updated on that.
Roadside bomb blasts killed three more service members in Afghanistan. Military officials say an American was killed by an improvised explosive device in eastern Afghanistan, today. Two other troops died in another IED attack in southern Afghanistan.
Figure out strategy first, and then decide on the resources? The White House says that's how President Obama is approaching whether to send more troops to Afghanistan. Mr. Obama met with his advisers yesterday and plans a fourth meeting next week. His spokesman says a decision on troop levels is going to take another couple of weeks.
President Obama says we're approaching the final days of the health care debate in this country, and the momentum is on the side of reform.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA (D), UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: After evaluating the Finance Committee's bill, the Congressional budget office, an office that provides independent nonpartisan analysis, concluded that the legislation would make coverage affordable for millions of Americans who don't have it today. It will bring greater security to Americans who have coverage with new insurance protections and by attacking waste and fraud within the system; it will slow the growth in health care costs without adding a dime to our deficits.
This is another milestone on what's been a long, hard road towards health insurance reform. In recent months, we've heard every side of every argument from both sides of the aisle and rightly so. Health insurance reform is a complex and critical issue that deserves a vigorous national debate and we've had one. The approach that is emerging includes the best ideas from Republicans and Democrats and people across the political spectrum. In fact, what's remarkable is not that we've had a spirited debate about health insurance reform, but the unprecedented consensus that's come together behind it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: The Senate Finance Committee votes on that bill Tuesday. And with the debate soon heading for the full House and Senate, Republicans are saying don't rush it, that no plan is as simple as it sounds. Estimates show the one before the Senate Finance Committee would help cut the federal deficit, but Republicans see more taxes and program cuts.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN GEORGE LEMIEUX (R), FLORIDA: Unlike the federal government, our states have to balance their budgets, and they can't print more money to pay for programs they can't afford. Piling on additional obligations would mean even more severe cuts to roads, schools, law enforcement, and other essential state services.
Budget neutral doesn't mean forcing states to cut vital programs to make up what the federal government isn't willing to pay. That is why America's governors, both Democrat and Republican alike, have voiced their opposition to this plan.
The plan being pushed by Democrats in Congress also adds a new tax burden to our families. President Obama said families earning less than $250,000 a year would not be subject to any tax increases. But this proposal contains a mandate for families to buy insurance. Failing to comply would mean every adult would have to pay a $750 penalty. The president says this isn't a tax. I don't buy it. The penalty is paid directly to the IRS when you pay your taxes and it's certainly not optional.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Republicans also say the price tag is going to be quite hefty, their estimate, $1.8 trillion over 10 years.
All right, lots to talk about with our deputy political director, Paul Steinhauser, joining us from -- you're in Boston, right?
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIR: I'm in Boston, Fred.
WHITFIELD: I was going to say Washington, but instead you're in Boston this time. We could talk about health care reform, but there are other things on the plate of the White House and other folks in Washington. Let's talk about the Virginia and New Jersey governor's races which really might mean that the president of the United States might find his way getting involved in those races. Why?
STEINHAUSER: Oh, definitely. The White House is keeping a close eye on these two elections. We're 3-1/2 weeks away from election day 2009, if that sounds weird, there are elections in Virginia and New Jersey are the only two states across the country holding gubernatorial contests.
And Fred, these races, they're about the candidates in those states and the issues about those states, but they're also seen as I guess the first referendum or first test for Barack Obama on how he's doing on his presidency. That's why you saw the president up in New Jersey, he's going to go up again to campaign with the Democratic candidate there. He's been in Virginia. You've seen the vice president there, as well. Both these seats are controlled by the Democrats. The Republicans would love to grab one or both of these away to say that the president -- Americans aren't happy with what the president is doing. If they do that, if they grab some seats away, they will say they have the momentum going into next year's big and crucial midterm elections -- Fred.
WHITFIELD: Is there a particular worry about Virginia and does the White House feel a little more pressure that more is at stake because Virginia being in the backyard of the white house, that the president would want to show some leverage?
STEINHAUSER: Yeah, and Virginia also is of the two races is the one with no incumbent. So, it's really the one, I guess you could say, of those two races, this is really the race that's being portrayed as a referendum on Barack Obama. The latest polls in Virginia show the Republican candidate pulling further ahead of the Democrat. So, the president, the Democrats, they have their work cut out for them in Virginia.
WHITFIELD: All right, New York Congressman Charlie Rangel in some hot water. It's been talked about for quite some time now in terms of him not declaring earnings from rental properties, but it seems to be blossoming even further and now his position in the Ways and Means Committee in jeopardy, too. What's at stake for him?
STEINHAUSER: There's a lot at stake for him. As you said, he's the chairman of that very powerful committee. That's the committee of the House that writes taxes, so Republicans are saying the guy who is the chairman of the committee that writes taxes is having problems with his own taxes. They tried to -- they pushed a vote this past week to strip him of his chairmanship. Democrats came to his aid and voted down that bill. But just in the last day or two, the Ethics Committee, which is investigating, says they are going to expand their investigation. So, trouble ahead for Charlie Rangel.
And this is trouble for all Democrats. Remember, in 2006 the Democrats were in the minority, they won back the House partially by going after the culture of corruption saying the Republicans who ran the House were corrupt. Now it seems the sides have switched, the roles have switched, and the Republicans will go after the Democrats saying they are now running the shop, they are now corrupt.
WHITFIELD: All right, deputy political director, Paul Steinhauser. Thanks so much, enjoy Boston.
STEINHAUSER: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: A former judge accused of sex crimes with the inmates. Our legal guys will be weighing in on this case.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, one of my favorite parts of the hour, and yours too, because we get to talk to our legal guys who are oh so smart, we've got so many interesting cases this hour which to delve into. Avery Freedman, a civil rights attorney and law professor, coming to us from a very sunny, beautiful picturesque Cleveland, right?
AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTY: Yeah, you got it.
WHITFIELD: Wow, I like that backdrop.
FRIEDMAN: Thanks a lot.
WHITFIELD: And Richard Herman is a New York criminal defense attorney and law professor coming to us from a very lovely scenic New York City, right?
RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTY: Absolutely, Fred. I'm glad this is one of your favorite portions.
WHITFIELD: Oh, it is, always. Every weekend I look forward to talking to you guys. All right, let's talk about the Brooke Astor case. Richard, this is right in your backyard. A New York socialite, a $200 million estate, she died a couple years ago at the age of 105, but sad news this week that her 85-year-old son actually be found guilty of grand larsy, stealing from her when she was most frail, right?
HERMAN: Stealing and defrauding her in the estate. The issue came down to the execution of a power of attorney and the issue was whether or not this happened in 2002 or 2005, did he take advantage of her, and was she really in her right mind when she's documents supposedly were executed. The attorney who was involved also got convicted here.
So -- and you can imagine on this five-month trial since she was such a philanthropist, all of these charities were participating, because they're potential recipients of these funds. So, it was really a circus down in criminal court in New York. It's going to play out in Surrogate's Court in Westchester County before a Judge Scarpino. That will be very interesting.
WHITFIELD: Wow, and Avery, that in part because of all of these places, these people that Richard was mentioning, they want to know whether or not they might be the beneficiaries of what's left, of what, $180 million of that estate, because she was such the philanthropist before her death giving a lot of money to various charities and they want to know now if they could -- if all this will be resolved and if that's where she's bequeathing the money.
FRIEDMAN: Well, that's right, because the convictions actually will affect the disposition of this estate, $180 million. Fredricka, you're exactly right. And now institutions like the New York Public Library and others, they may actually gain as a result of this conviction.
WHITFIELD: And now for the son, Mr. Marshall, he's facing what, between one and maybe 25 years in jail. Do you think they'll really go that direction given he's 85 years old. Any empathy, any sympathy coming from the court -- Avery.
FRIEDMAN: Well, you got 14 counts that came back guilty. He's got a big problem, but the fact is that it really came out of a challenge of the will. It's these institutions that went forward. I mean, I don't think an 85-year-old is going to be looking at 25 years, but he's going to jail.
HERMAN: If he gets a year, it's going to be a lot, Fred.
FRIEDMAN: Yeah, it is a lot. OK, well let's talk about this other case. This is kind of seedy, isn't it? All right, we're talking about an Alabama -- former Alabama, mobile county circuit judge. Herman Thomas who's accused of having sex with inmates in exchange for leniency on their time served.
Richard, I don't know where to begin with this one. First of all, we're talking about a judge, a former judge, who is now being accused of these charges. Does he have a case? He's saying he is, you know, the subject of a smear campaign.
HERMAN: Well he says because he's the only black judge in Mobile County, they're coming after him based on that alone, except, Fred, except that this was 105-count indictment. Some of the charges were dismissed due to statute of limitations. He apparently was taking -- he's allegedly taking prisoners out of incarceration, bringing them to his chambers, opening up some closet with paddles and things, engaging in all kinds of sexual activity with these people, and then returning them and nobody seems to see these 15 victims coming out of prison into this judge's chambers one-on-one. It's unbelievable, Fred.
WHITFIELD: So you're both in agreement there that this is not going to be -- I don't know -- an easy case in which to defend. I'm afraid to say anything on this one.
AVERY: I know.
(LAUGHTER)
Well, you know, I mean, think about how broad, how wide this is. Oh, my gosh. I mean, 105 reduced to 80 counts. Jury selection started this week. Here we go.
HERMAN: Fred, here you go. This is what you're waiting for. They found a semen stain from one...
WHITFIELD: Not really what you were waiting for.
FRIEDMAN: Richard, you don't have to go there. Come on.
HERMAN: But, from one of the prisoners in the judge's chambers.
WHITFIELD: Oh, boy. OK, well, we've got other cases we want to delve into.
FRIEDMAN: We sure do.
WHITFIELD: Including David letterman, which you think, Richard, that really may be finding its way into court. We're going to talk with you all about that. Meantime, what happening to David Letterman or what is happening to David Letterman, and some others involving some sexual relations in the workplace has now precipitated an interesting segment for us in the 4:00 Eastern Hour.
We want to hear from you. Is it appropriate to have an office romance? Is it ever appropriate or are there certain rules of engagement? We're going to be exploring all of that in the 4:00 Eastern Hour, right here on CNN. We want to hear from you on my blog and FaceBook, so send us your comments and your thoughts.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right now, let's look at some other top stories. We're monitoring an armed standoff in Rawalpindi, Pakistan where as many as 15 hostages are being held by Taliban militants inside Pakistan's army headquarters. Both sides have been trading gunfire for the past few hours. Ten people, six belonging to the Pakistan's army, have been killed in the fire fight.
And a Web cam captured part of a murder/suicide involving gun toting soccer mom Melanie Hain Wednesday in Pennsylvania. Police say hain and a friend were video chatting online when the friend heard a gunshot, then saw Hain's husband firing multiple rounds where his wife was sitting. Scott Hain was found dead in another room. The couple had reportedly been having marital troubles.
What's the president going to say? That's what supporters of gay rights are wondering. He is scheduled to address the human rights campaign dinner in Washington, tonight. That's the nation's largest gay rights organization. Some gay right supporters have criticized the president's lack of follow through on campaign promises to the gay community. We'll have another check of the top stories in about 20 minutes from now.
President and peacemaker. The Nobel committee awards Barack Obama the Peace Prize for what it calls his promises of diplomacy and disarmament. Hear what people around the world have been saying about that.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: After an Olympic defeat in Europe just a week ago, now President Obama is celebrating a victory. He's considered a big winner, right? He'll go to Norway in December to pick up his Nobel Peace Prize. The president says he will accept the award at a "call to action." So, how do people around the world see it? We asked our correspondents to check it out, our focus this morning, Moscow, Kabul, and Nairobi, so first let's go to Russia.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Matthew Chance in Moscow. Even though the result isn't known yet, already Barack Obama has had a profound impact on often touchy relations between the United States and Russia. His rhetorical offer to press the reset button in the relationship between the two countries has been backed up with concrete steps, not least his decision to abandon plans to deploy elements of the missile defense system of the United States in eastern Europe. That was a plan which the Russians strongly objected to, and that move has in itself opened up a whole range of possibilities for diplomatic cooperation, not least over how to tackle Iran's very controversial nuclear program.
ATIA ABAWI, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: I'm Atia Abawi n Kabul well we're getting a very interesting reaction from the Afghan people on President Barack Obama's win for the Nobel Peace Prize. They say that they appreciate his efforts to try to bring peace in Afghanistan, but they are still waiting for that peace to come. This also comes at a time where President Obama is mulling over the decision to send 40,000 additional troops to the country. For the most part, the U.S. troops are confident that their commander in chief will base that decision on being the president of the United States and not by being a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: I'm David McKenzie in Nairobi, Kenya. We've come to the streets to tell people and ask people what they think about President Barack Obama winning the Peace Prize. There's certainly diverse opinions, but it is a proud day for many Kenyans.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a prize for all the world. I mean, he came on a platter -- on a platter offer peace for the world and during his campaigns he was this guy who came out as strongly wanting peace in the world. So, he's (INAUDIBLE) and for those people out there who are out making people suffer with war, hey, Barack has won. We could win. I mean, whatever happen (ph), peace wins.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I think it's very exciting for myself as a Kenyan and also for Americans all over the world and for him as a black man. I am happy about it and I think it's interesting times for us as Kenyans.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He has revolutionized Africa and Kenya and he has put Kenya to a world map so now the world knows that Kenya gives back to leaders of the world.
MCKENZIE: Kenya, of course, has its very own Nobel Peace Prize winner in Wangari Maathai, who won it for environmental activism some years ago. But still, they call President Obama their favorite son, so a lot of excitement here in Nairobi.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: So we also heard from Russia's president who has offered congratulations, and then some Americans say President Obama has not accomplished enough to justify the honor. So, why the different reactions at home and overseas?
David Mark joins me to talk about that. He's a senior editor of Politico.com. Good to see you.
DAVID MARK, POLITICO.COM: Good to be here.
WHITFIELD: OK, so very interesting. When the chairman of the Nobel committee says, "He captured the world's attention and has given its people hope for a better future." Even French President Sarkozy says this marks, "America's return to the hearts of the people of the world."
So, what's the message, in your views, that's being sent around the would that there so much dissension, particularly in the United States about whether this president is deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize.
MARK: Even President Obama yesterday said he was surprised that he was awarded this Nobel Peace Prize. He said he's still a work in progress trying to hash out these plans internationally, trying to push forward these agreements with Russia...
WHITFIELD: Yeah, but to express being surprised is one thing. For others to say he's not deserving at all. We're talking about Americans who are not embracing this win of America's leader, that's another message being sent to the world, isn't it?
MARK: Well, most certainly. You had the leader of the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele, saying essentially the president was undeserving, that this presentation should not have been made to President Obama. You got other Republicans in Congress who are making a similar claim, but in a sense it's not too surprising. After all, one of the issues the international community cares most about, climate change, the president is having a very tough time pushing through, not just Republican, but with Democrats, back home. So, there's still a lot of concerns about what he's doing internationally in his own country.
WHITFIELD: You bring up Michael Steele. Let's look at what he said exactly. Here's a quote from him, he says, "The real question Americans are asking is what has President Obama actually accomplished. It's unfortunate that the president's star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights."
Is that really the tone of politics as usual? This is the resistance that this president has been receiving, particularly from the Republican Party, since he got into office. Is this just another, I guess, platform in which to use to further that message?
MARK: This attack line has been used against President Obama before he was president. We heard this a lot from the 2008 campaign, that President Obama -- now-President Obama was a celebrity, that he was all sizzle and no steak, that there wasn't a lot of there, there. So, we've heard this line of attack, and I think it's a way of resurrecting it, and now here is something tangible to go after him with.
WHITFIELD: Well, here's what the "New York Post," they had an interesting headline, it said: "Burden or Benefit," in respect to this Nobel Peace Prize winning. And one of your writers says this award seems to open him up to criticism from the right, that he is too much of an internationalist. What does that mean?
MARK: Well, this is a line of criticism we've heard for a while, that he's much more interested, apparently, in courting a public opinion in Europe, in the Middle East, rather than doing what's right for America. That's a very debatable point, but that's what we've heard many times over, whether it comes to climate change, other nuclear arms agreement, that he's more interested in international opinion than that in America.
WHITFIELD: So, in your view does this mean that this, I guess, adds pressure on the president or perhaps does this open doors that the world has recognized him as being a peace laureate?
MARK: I don't think President Obama is going to change his actions one way or another. As you were just reporting, he's still contemplating how many troops, if any, more to send to Afghanistan. I don't think this is going to change his view there, Iraq, Middle East peace negotiations, or anywhere else for that matter.
WHITFIELD: OK. All right, David Mark, senior editor of Politico.com. Thanks so much, Good to see you this morning -- or afternoon, isn't it?
MARK: My pleasure, Thanks. Yeah.
WHITFIELD: All right, thanks a lot.
All right, new questions about earmarks and campaign contributions. We're asking questions on Capitol Hill.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Pakistan, the scene of so much bloodshed this week. Today, the scene of a standoff. Four to five Taliban militants are holding 10 to 15 hostages at a Pakistani army headquarters in Rawalpindi. That's just south of the capital of Islamabad. The hostages are Pakistani military personnel.
Pakastani troops were tracking the rebels after a gun battle at an army checkpoint earlier today. Militants wearing camouflage and traveling in a minivan opened fire, killing six army guards. Four gunmen were killed in the attack.
And more bloodshed in Afghanistan. An American and two Polish troops were killed in separate attacks involving homemade bombs. The American died from wounds he received in the blast in southern Afghanistan yesterday. The other two troops were killed by a bomb in the eastern part of the country.
A key moment for health care reform come Tuesday. That's when the Senate Finance Committee finally votes on its bill. It's the only version without a public option, but it also has the best shot at Republican support. After Tuesday's vote, Democratic leadership in the House and Senate will craft a single separate proposal for floor debate.
And it looks like business as usual in Washington. Well, new questions about earmarks linked to campaign contributions to powerful senators.
Our senior congressional correspondent Dana Bash reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DANA BASH, SR. CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A promotional video for Infinia Corporation, developing a solar powered engine to produce hot water and electricity for troops in the field. Infinia is headquartereded in Washington state. A Washington senator, Democrat Patty Murray got a $3 million earmark to fund Infinia's project. It turns out Infinia executives have given more than $10,000 in campaign contributions to Murray in the last two years.
(on camera): People looking at this might say quid pro quo?
SEN. PATTY MURRAY, (D) WASHINGTON: Absolutely not. I work hard for my state, for everyone who comes to me. We work hard to make sure that the appropriations requests we ask for create jobs and are good for the people in our communities.
BASH (voice-over): But the watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense says it's a problem.
RYAN ALEXANDER, PRESIDENT, TAXPAYERS FOR COMMON SENSE: And when we see big contracts, big earmarks going to private companies that have also happened to have made large campaign contributions, it raises real questions in the mind of the public.
BASH: Ryan Alexander's group looked at senators on the powerful committee in charge of defense spending and compiled a lengthy list linking hundreds of millions of dollars in pet projects to campaign contributions. Republican Richard Shelby topped that list.
For example, $3.2 million for radiance technologies in his state of Alabama to develop new sensors for unmanned aerial vehicles. That company's employees donated $38,500 in campaign cash to Shelby since 2007. The senator refused an on-camera interview and when CNN caught up with him in a Capitol hallway, he said this.
SEN. RICHARD SHELBY, (R) ALABAMA: I don't even know who I get earmarks for and I don't know who gives me money.
BASH: But Shelby's spokesman did give us a statement, saying he does know and defends it, saying "He secures appropriations based on merit, not contributions, and provides a full justification for his requests on his Senate website." Shelby's office also said his projects contribute to national security.
(on camera): Hi, Senator.
(voice-over): That's what Maine Republican Susan Collins said when we asked about $10 million she got for Maine's General Dynamics to make lightweight machine guns and grenade launchers. She says the Pentagon needs them.
SEN. SUSAN COLLINS, (R) MAINE: My motivation is to help fill the gaps, the gaps in weapons and equipment that our troops need.
BASH: Collins got nearly $60,000 in campaign contributions from General Dynamics employees. No quid pro quo she insists and no apologies.
COLLINS: The workers and executives who have contributed to my campaign have done so because they feel that I represent the state of Maine well. They have never, ever implied any kind of condition.
BASH (on camera): A spokesman for General Dynamics tells us they give campaign contributions to Senator Collins because she's a quote "strong backer of national defense." I also spoke with a top executive at Infinia in Washington state who's contributed the maximum amount to Senator Murray's campaign. He says he only does it because of her, quote, "commitment to green jobs, not because of an earmark."
Dana Bash, CNN, Capitol Hill.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: More visual evidence of the destructive power of nature. This newly-released FBI video shows -- take a look at that -- the tsunami hitting a parking lot outside a building where the FBI has offices in America Samoa. Just see as those vehicles are just kind of swept away there. In all, more than 180 people were killed last week when the tsunami hit the Samoan Islands and Tonga.
Our Reynolds Wolf has been keeping an eye on the global weather outlook. Some pretty dangerous, severe, I mean really gives you an idea of the force of nature, period.
(WEATHER REPORT)
WHITFIELD: Oh, so thanks to David Letterman, we've been hearing a lot about workplace relationships, romantic and maybe not so romantic. Just how much of this is going on perhaps in your workplace? Our Josh Levs has been looking into it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: After nearly a century of the diplomatic cold shoulder, relations between Turkey and Armenia are apparently thawing out, but they have delayed signing a new peace accord. Today in Switzerland, there's some concern about the wording of the statements that will be made after the document is actually signed. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is helping in those negotiations.
And North Korea back to the nuclear bargaining table? Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao says it's time to seize the opportunity amidst renewed interest from Kim Jong-Il to resume the stalled talks on denuclearizing the Korean peninsula. Well, China is hosting three- party talks with Japan and South Korea in Beijing.
And the Centers for Disease Control in this country is reassuring the public that the new swine flu vaccine is safe. Many people are lining up for the nasal spray. Even amidst public skepticism, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says clinical trials of the H1N1 vaccine have shown no adverse side effects.
All right, David Letterman's admissions about his relationships with some women at work has gotten a lot of people talking about the whole idea in general. Is it OK? Workplace romance, how often does it actually happen in your workplace?
Our Josh Levs has some numbers and surprisingly, maybe it's not so rare, huh?
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's really not. You know, when I heard about this, I was looking for these numbers and what we found is that CareerBuilder carried out this survey in which people were guaranteed confidentiality, so they felt they could speak honestly. They spoke with 8,000 respondents out there.
Let's get straight to the numbers, Fred. How often does office romancing happen? Forty percent said they have dated a co-worker. Eighteen percent said they've done it more than once dating a co- worker.
The survey -- this is kind of interesting. On the next screen, they looked at how they met each other, how the spark ignited romantically for them. Twelve percent when it was outside of work, 11 percent when they were at work, they were working late. Ten percent at a happy hour for work and another 10 percent when they shared lunch.
That part not surprising, but the last thing here is what I was looking for, and these are the numbers there. How often did it involve someone who was their superior at work? About a third of these relationships involved someone in a higher position and of those, 42 percent dated their boss.
So, Fred, not unusual at all here.
WHITFIELD: Wow.
LEVS: I know. And it was in -- go ahead.
WHITFIELD: Well - no, I'm saying what's surprising though -- I guess that a lot of folks participate in this anonymously though.
LEVS: Right.
WHITFIELD: So, if many people who were engaging in this feel like it's really OK, what's the big secret? Why wouldn't they want that revealed?
LEVS: And some do. In some -- in fact, let me show you something here about this. This is interesting. Here's the survey over here. Here -- a third of them, 31 percent said that they went on to get married. So, they're perfectly willing to talk openly about it. But the survey offered the people confidentiality to ensure that they'd be willing to be honest about it. But yes, you can see a lot of the time, people get happily married off those work relationships. And we know of some cases like that.
WHITFIELD: We do. I think everybody has it in their workplace, particularly sizable workplaces. It's bound to happen I suppose. And earlier, you punched up a picture, it was Robin Bunn (ph), she's actually going to be one of the people that's going to join us in the 4:00 Eastern hour as we talk about workplace romance.
Is it all right and if you are going to engage in it. She's actually going to help people I guess break down: here are some of the dos and don'ts or here are some of the parameters if you are thinking about getting involved with somebody at work. These are things you need to consider.
We're going to have a great conversation in the 4:00 Eastern hour, Josh.
LEVS: Yes, we're going to talk it out. That's how to reach you. You got your Facebook. Unless you have one on the second screen, too. You got my Facebook, my Twitter, also our blog at CNN.com/fredricka or CNN.com/josh. And yes, we have a series of guests here. We're also going to talk to the ethics guy and I got a picture here. Nicole Williams who's an author about this and Rosemary Aganito (ph) I believe is how you say it?
WHITFIELD: Yes, I'm going to pronounce it that way. I hope that's the right way.
LEVS: Unless she corrects us.
WHITFIELD: Unless she corrects us. OK, thanks so much, Josh.
LEVS: Thanks for that. You got it.
WHITFIELD: OK, well, it is meant to honor our nation's war dead, but now, this memorial is all boarded up. It's at the center of a fight that the Supreme Court - the U.S. Supreme Court has to figure out now.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: It's an issue that always stirs passion in the United States, the separation of church and state. Well, it's back in the spotlight with the U.S. Supreme Court hearing a case involving a cross on public land.
Details now from CNN's Kate Bolduan.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Henry and Wanda Sandoz are the unofficial caretakers of this cross, boarded up by order of a federal judge. It was first erected 75 years ago as a war memorial.
HENRY SANDOZ, MOJAVE CROSS CARETAKER: It was put here by the veterans for the veterans of all wars and that's where it should stay.
BOLDUAN: The cross stands in the middle of 1.6 million acres, now a federally owned desert preserve and the Sandoz's came to Washington to help defend the cross against efforts to have it removed.
PETER ELIASBERG, ACLU OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: Our veterans fight and are honored under one flag. They are not honored under the religious symbol of one religion. BOLDUAN: The ACLU is representing the former park ranger, a Catholic veteran, who filed the original lawsuit. Jewish and Muslim veterans groups support their argument the cross is an unconstitutional government endorsement of religion. But the Obama administration, backed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, says it's a traditional memorial to honor war dead, not a religious symbol.
KELLY SHACKELFORD, DIR., LIBERTY LEGAL INSTITUTE: This was not put up by the government. It was put up by veterans. This is the symbol they chose.
BOLDUAN: The nine justices seem split along ideological lines. Justice Antonin Scalia, "It's erected as a war memorial. What would you have them erect?" he asked. "Some conglomerate of a cross, a Star of David, and a Muslim half moon and star?"
Other conservative justices suggested Congress had come up with a valid solution in 2004 when it tried to transfer the one acre around the cross to private hands. But liberal justice Stephen Breyer argued that didn't cure the problem. Visibly animated, he said the government ignored a federal order the cross be removed saying, quote, "You are violating that injunction."
(on camera): Supporters of the cross fear a ruling against them could threaten a range of religious displays on government land, memorials and beyond, but the Supreme Court in recent years has taken a case by case approach on this issue and it seemed clear from the questions in court the justices will likely continue this narrow approach.
Kate Bolduan, CNN, at the Supreme Court.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: OKay. Let's ask here, so here they go again. Our Avery Friedman and our Richard Herman. So, Avery, let me begin with you. Might this impact -- that particular case -- impact many other cases where there are crosses on federal land or some memorials perhaps to our war dead?
AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: Well, I don't think so. I think what we're dealing with here is an unusual situation where a real hero, a guy named Frank Bono, Fredricka, who's a veteran and an observant Catholic, and he works for the parks system or he did, and he said, you know, how come we're only honoring Christian war heroes? And that was his argument essentially.
There was a cooked up deal in 2004 between the VFW and the federal government saying, look it, let's slide that cross in there and we'll get around the injunction. That's the issue before the Supreme Court.
WHITFIELD: Well, it's interesting that even Justice Scalia's already saying you know, what instead should be there? Should it be some sort of hybrid or conglomeration? But shouldn't the argument then I guess go can there be a symbol that doesn't have any kind of religious undertones or underpinnings at all, Richard?
FRIEDMAN: Yes.
RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Yes, well, that would satisfy everything, Fred. You know, religious displays on government property, this is what's been fought in the Supreme Court over the past few years, it's going to continue. The only other insight I can give is Justice Sandra Day O'Connor did not go for these types of displays. She was replaced by Justice Alito, who I think will go for this type of display. Let's see what happens.
WHITFIELD: OK. Now ...
FRIEDMAN: Wait a minute, wait a minute.
WHITFIELD: Oh, what?
FRIEDMAN: One thing, there is a symbol, Fredricka, and that's the United States flag, and there's no reason we can't put that there.
WHITFIELD: Oh, there you go. Why didn't I think of that? OK. That's a pretty simple solution.
All right, let's talk about this other case, a sad case. A Wisconsin family loses their child to an undiagnosed diabetes, but the parents then find themselves in court and the court actually says they were responsible for the death of this child. In what way, Avery?
FRIEDMAN: Well, they were convicted of reckless homicide. Little Kara Neumann literally fainted after being able to eat, drink. Instead of calling the doctor, they got church members, circled her and circled her and started praying for her. Well, the child died, of course.
And I think, again, talking about heroes, the judge here after the convictions, instead of putting them away for 25 years, which was my initial reaction, what he did is he's going to say I'm putting you in jail for one month for the next six years. Keep you on probation so the other three children won't be victimized by this incredible misbehavior.
WHITFIELD: Richard ...
HERMAN: The judge is a complete abomination. He should retire from the bench.
FRIEDMAN: What?
HERMAN: This poor 13-year-old girl never had a chance. Her parents failed to take care of her. They let her die with diabetes undiagnosed. They prayed and prayed and she died. If they want to pray for themselves and heal themselves, they can do that, but this is a child, and this child deserved medical treatment and they didn't allow it, and now she's dead, and this judge copped out. How he still allows them to have the other two children is beyond belief.
WHITFIELD: Oh, so you think this should lead to some other ...
FRIEDMAN: Put them in jail and deprive the parents of -- these children of parents in the future?
HERMAN: Yes, yes.
FRIEDMAN: Ridiculous.
HERMAN: So these children can live, not die by these parents.
WHITFIELD: So yes, I see. Richard, you're saying this needs to lead to some other kind of custody battle, but is that a moot point at this juncture?
HERMAN: Yes, it's ...
FRIEDMAN: No, there's going to be an appeal of the case. They are appealing the decision. I think these people should drop the appeal and thank God that they're only going to suffer a month in jail.
WHITFIELD: A month in jail over a six-year period and then there's a 10-year probation.
FRIEDMAN: Over six years. Right.
WHITFIELD: OK.
HERMAN: Unbelievable.
WHITFIELD: All right, well, let's talk about something else going on here, which some people find unbelievable, and it involves Congressman Charlie Rangel and the ethics probe and whether he is still suitable to be on the Ways and Means Committee. They actually help write laws, and now he's being accused of being very abusive of them.
So, we know what kind of, I guess, possible path he's going to lead in Congress, whether he will be removed of certain powers. But now, let's talk about the potential of this being a legal case. Richard, do you see that Charlie Rangel may find himself in court, particularly for tax evasion?
HERMAN: I don't think so, Fred. He's amending his tax returns. He's disclosing the income. That's the issue. You know, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee that writes tax laws, and he's failed to disclose a half a million dollars in 2007 ...
FRIEDMAN: Well, holy smokes. I mean, look, this is a case -- doesn't this sound familiar? Doesn't this look an awful lot like Ted Stevens? I mean, we're dealing with financial disclosure responsibilities to the Congress, and I mean I hope you're right, Richard. I hope it's going to be cleaned up, but you know what? He failed to report half of his income, not a little bit, half of his income. I think it's a significant legal issue.
WHITFIELD: Wow. All right, Avery, Richard, thanks so much. I've been promising you guys are going to talk about Letterman, but real quick. I know, Richard, you think this case is going to court in terms of some sort of whether it's sexual harassment or some sort of inappropriate relations in the workplace. Avery, do you see this Letterman case potentially going to court?
FRIEDMAN: No.
WHITFIELD: OK.
FRIEDMAN: That's it.
WHITFIELD: In a word, no. All right, that's it because I know we're going to talk about it again and that's kind of a prelude to the next time we meet again.
(CROSSTALK)
HERMAN: I'll give you top 10 reasons why he's not going to be convicted.
FRIEDMAN: Yes, that's right.
WHITFIELD: Oh, we'll have to put that on our blog.
FRIEDMAN: All right.
HERMAN: Absolutely.
WHITFIELD: You'll have to share. All right, Richard, Avery, thanks so much. Good to see you guys. Have a great weekend.
FRIEDMAN: All right, take care. Thanks a lot.
WHITFIELD: We always run out of time. So much to talk about. Much more straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, comedian David Letterman's admission that he had sexual relations with female staff members raises a few questions about sex and romance in the workplace. What's appropriate, what's inappropriate? We're going to be delving into that 4:00 Eastern hour. We hope you're part of the conversation. You want to know the rules of engagement? We're going to have a great host -- great guest panel that's going to be joining us at 4:00 Eastern hour. We hope you'll be there, too.
"YOUR MONEY" starts right now.
