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American Morning

Congressional Democrats Receiving Death Threats; Social Security Already Paying Out More Than It's Taking In; Steny Hoyer on Health Care Hitting a Snag; The Talk of the Train: New Yorkers Weigh in on Health Care Reform, Politics, Economy and Tiger Woods

Aired March 25, 2010 - 07:00   ET

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

KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you. It's Thursday, March 25th. Glad you're with us on this AMERICAN MORNING. I'm Kiran Chetry.

JOHN ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you. I'm John Roberts. Thanks so much for joining us, and here are these morning's top stories.

Breaking news from a late night session in the Senate, the health care reform bill is now heading back to the House. Find out why and what this means. We're live, straight ahead.

CHETRY: Also, reports of death threats, swastikas and even a coffin put on the front yard of one congressman. Some Democrats this morning are claiming to being targeted and harassed for supporting health care reform. The FBI is now getting involved. We're live with the latest.

ROBERTS: And big change is expected today to the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is set to announce that the military will no longer investigate gays who were outed by third parties or complaints made anonymously. Barbara Starr joins us live from the Pentagon coming straight up.

And, of course, the AM blog is up and running. Join the conversation right now. We want to hear from you about health care, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, or anything in the news today. Just go to CNN.com/amFIX. We'll be reading some of your comments throughout the hour.

CHETRY: We start, though, with breaking news from Capitol Hill and health care actually heading back to the House of Representatives. Republicans in the Senate were trying to force a revote with dozens of new amendments, all of them were voted down.

Senators finally called it a night around 3:00 a.m., and while the amendments didn't force the revote the GOP wanted, republican senators did find two rule violations in the legislation. That means that senators have to make changes and then send that bill back to the House where Congress people will have to vote again on the health care bill.

The Senate is back in session 9:45 eastern this morning. Democrats say they hope to have the bill cleared through both chambers before the weekend.

ROBERTS: The message from emotional voters to Capitol Hill this morning could not be clearer, "Go to hell." From profanity-laden voicemails to faxes with Nazi insignias on them thousands of Americans are venting their anger, in some cases, extremely inappropriately.

The shouting is not bound to the Beltway. At least ten members of Congress with home districts stretching all the way from New York to Arizona have reported either vandalism, harassment, or outright death threats.

Congressman Bart Stupak singled out for supporting the measure and then sealing the deal for the bill in the House, take a listen to one of the voice mails that his office received.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (via telephone): Stupak, you're a low-life baby murdering scum bag pile of steaming crap. You are cowardly, Bart Stupak. That's what you are. You and your family are scum. That's what you are, Stupak. You're a piece of crap.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

ROBERTS: We don't know if the caller left his name and a callback number.

Joining us live from Washington, Congressional Correspondent Brianna Keilar. Brianna, people who have been observing in Capitol Hill for a long time say this is among the most divisive and dangerous climates that they've seen.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: And Democrats are being very vocal about this, John. They say they're worried what are largely threats could turn to actions. Now, their concerns are coming from voicemails like another one you're about to hear. This was also released by Congressman Stupak's office as well.

He is the anti-abortion Democrat whose last minute compromise with Democratic leaders secured the votes they needed to pass the health care reform bill. Take a listen.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (via telephone): Congressman Stupak, you are one big piece of (expletive deleted). And think about this, there are millions of people across the country who wish you ill. And all of those thoughts projected on you will materialize. We don't have to do anything but sit back and wish. Go to hell you piece of (expletive deleted).

(END AUDIO CLIP)

KEILAR: Pretty scary stuff if you're getting that.

And the latest count that CNN has done, 11 people total we believe have received these kinds of threats. Jim Clyburn, who is the number three Democrat in the House, a black congressman, he's actually received a fax with a picture of a noose. And he said that he thinks there are many more who are getting these threats or seeing the incidents of vandalism, John.

ROBERTS: You know, it's one thing to express your displeasure, but these type of threats, they violate any sense of common decency. And in fact, didn't one congressman have his home address posted online, which led to kind of a scary incident for his family?

KEILAR: Yes, that's right. We're talking about Virginia Congressman Tom Perriello. There was a line to a propane tank on his brother's gas grill. It was severed after Perriello's brother's address was posted online as if it were the congressman's address.

Then you also saw bricks thrown through the windows at district offices of Arizona Congresswoman Gabriel Giffords in Tucson and also at the office of Louise Slaughter in Niagara Falls.

At this point, Democrats are calling on Republicans to join them in condemning this spate of threats and vandalism. House Republican leader John Boehner declined CNN's request for an interview but he did release a paper statement. He said, "I know many Americans are angry over this health care bill and Congressional Democrats just aren't listening."

He went on to say, "But as I've said, violence and threats are unacceptable. Call your congressman, go out and register people to vote. Go volunteer on a political campaign, make your voice heard, but let's do it the right way."

And Democrats are putting Republicans on the spot, John, really calling for them, wanting them to condemn it, but also trying to tie Republicans to the threats and the folks who are making them.

ROBERTS: And I'm wondering, too, if many of these answering machines may have some caller I.D. on them so people that call in and leave those threats may have actually left some sort of an electronic trail that the police can follow.

KEILAR: That has happened. Congressman Clyburn's wife actually had some numbers that she was receiving and she sent it on to law enforcement. So it will be interesting to see what comes of that.

ROBERTS: Brianna Keilar, thanks so much.

CHETRY: Some of Sarah Palin's recent comments are getting more attention this morning in the wake of these reports of vandalism and threats and harassment.

On her Facebook page, the former Alaska governor put out this map with gun crosshairs targeting the districts of 20 House Democrats. Her hope is that she and other followers will put Republicans into these seats.

Palin sent out a tweet Tuesday that read, quote, "Don't retreat, instead reload." This is the kind of language that independent analyst John Avlon says is troublesome.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN AVLON, "WINGNUTS": We've seen ten Democrats say they've received death threats in the last day alone. At this point, having crosshairs on a political map seems to me not only an act of poor judgment, but I think she should be called upon to take the crosshairs off.

If she does not, it's a sign of seriously insufficient judgment. The politics of incitement are what we are dealing with, and this is evidence of that at this moment.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHETRY: So far, Palin has not commented on the recent threats of vandalism against Democratic members of Congress.

Coming up in less than ten minutes, we're going to take a look at what procedures are in place to protect members of Congress, when we talk to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. Also in our next hour we're going to be speaking to Democratic Congressman Tom Perriello of Virginia, as you heard from Brianna. His brother's home was vandalized after someone posted what they thought was the congressman's address.

ROBERTS: And border agents in El Paso, Texas, are reportedly ordered to keep their vests on and alert their families. ATF officials tell "USA TODAY" that a violent prison gang may be looking for revenge after raids targeted many of its members. Investigators were looking for information about the three people connected to the U.S. consulate just across the border in Juarez, Mexico.

CHETRY: Defense Secretary Robert Gates is expected to announce big changes to the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy later today. Sources say it will be more difficult to investigate service members and kick them out based on what a third party says.

President Obama said in the state of the union address that he wants the law that bans openly gay troops gone by this year.

ROBERTS: The dominos keep falling. After Google pulls out of China. Godaddy.com says it will not register any more websites there. It is the world's largest domain name registry. Go Daddy says intrusive new Chinese rules forcing applicants to provide personal information including photos of themselves led to its decision.

CHETRY: And another airline fighting back against a new long delay rule. U.S. Airways is asking the Transportation Department for an exemption for a hub in Philadelphia. The rule could fine the airlines $27,000 per passenger for domestic flights that sit on the tarmac for more than three hours.

Several other airlines have also said that they'll just cancel flights rather than take the fines which would have you waiting, in some cases, several more hours. ROBERTS: The people will decide whether pot should be legal in California. It's officially on the ballot in November. California could become the first state to legalize marijuana for non-medicinal purposes. The measure would legalize possession up to one ounce and allow the state, with a huge budget crisis, to tax marijuana. We're not exactly sure how, but they're planning on it.

CHETRY: Well, spring's coming early for Washington, D.C., that including the state's famous cherry trees along the Potomac River. They came out early this year. The National Park Service has moved up its blooming forecast two days which now starts April 1st and goes to the 4th.

(WEATHER BREAK)

CHETRY: Social insecurity. This year for the first time the Social Security system will actually be paying out more benefits than revenue taken being in. And that wasn't supposed to happen for another six years. At 7:11 eastern time, what does it mean for your money? Stephanie Elam is "Minding your Business."

ROBERTS: At 7:17, claims of vandalism and death threats against House Democrats who voted for health care reform. We're going to talk to Steny Hoyer about a violent turn in the health care debate.

CHETRY: And at 7:50, are women setting up their babies to have a dangerous weight problem? We'll tell you why minorities are much more likely to be obese by the time they go to preschool.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHETRY: It's 12 minutes past the hour. It's time for "Minding your Business" this morning.

New hope for homeowners struggling to make mortgage payment. If you're far enough underwater, Bank of America will offer a life line if you have a mortgage with them. The bank says it will forgive mortgage principal for borrowers who owe more than 120 percent of their home's value and also reduce interest rates for qualifying homeowners.

The Bank of America program goes into effect in May.

ROBERTS: And Social Security may be underwater. "The New York Times" reports this year the system will pay out more in benefits than it will receive in payroll taxes. According to the Congressional Budget Office, Social Security is crossing that critical threshold much sooner than expected. Officials say the change will have no effect on benefits this year.

CHETRY: But a lot of people are wondering what does it mean down the road. Stephanie Elam joins us now with more on the story. She's minding your business this morning. For people like us, can we not expect Social Security?

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: That's something that we've been talking about for a long time, way more often than just right now. There's a lot of reasons why this happened, and that's what we want to talk about today just to put this in perspective for.

Basically what you're saying is that spending is going to top the tax income. There's less people out right now. If they're not working now, you can't tax their paychecks to get Social Security money in the account. So this is what the issue is.

So it went from 2016 to 2010, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Social Security is expected to have their numbers out within the coming weeks to see what they say, but it should be in line with what the CBO is saying as well.

So now they're saying the funds will be exhausted by 2037. But remember, that's a revised number. When the recession began in 2008, the numbers were actually moved from 2041 to 2037, so showing the depletion happening earlier and earlier. So there's a few issues there.

They do say, though, that payments are up, too. Not only are people not working, they're also needing more of these benefits. And so because of that, that's also factoring in. So fewer paychecks means less revenue. More unemployed people means more demand for benefits and therefore this is the reason why we see ourselves in the situation now.

ROBERTS: A lot of budgetary implications for all this as well.

ELAM: Completely for a lot of different numbers. Of course, the shortfall this year is nowhere how much it's moving out of the system, but it still shows you it's something to keep your eyes on.

ROBERTS: Stephanie Elam minding your business this morning, thanks so much.

ELAM: Sure.

CHETRY: We're talking to Congressman Steny Hoyer in a couple minutes about these threats. At least ten members of the House of Representatives have reported either harassment, vandalism, or threats because of how they voted on health care. What's going on in Washington?

It's 14 minutes past the hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHETRY Seventeen minutes past the hour. Welcome back to the Most News in the Morning.

A small health care victory for Republicans overnight. The Senate busy plowing through mountains of GOP amendments and may hit a procedural pothole. Two flaws in the health care, quote, "fixes" will now have to send the bill back to the House where congressmen and women will have to take another vote. JOHN ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR: It comes as the health care conversation is turning awfully ugly, with House Democrats the targets of harassment, vandalism, even death threats.

Joining us now from Capitol Hill is the House Majority Leader, Congressman Steny Hoyer.

Congressman, thanks for being with us. Let's talk, first of all, about the bill coming back to the House for reconsideration after the Senate moved early this morning.

They found a couple of procedural violations related to the college loan program that got tucked in there. What does this mean in terms of re-passing the bill? And do you expect that Republicans are going to keep finding these procedural violations and kicking it back to you?

REP. STENY HOYER (D-MD), HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER: Well, my presumption is that they've found that the problems that exist, which are small, as you say, and technical, and that they will send the bill back. My expectation is, sometime this afternoon, and sometime later this afternoon is my expectation, we will pass the bill and send it on to the president.

ROBERTS: All right. But, again, so you think that this will be it? You don't think that they'll find anything else to kick it back to you for?

HOYER: Well, I don't expect so, but one never knows in the United States Senate. But I think the expectation of the Senate leadership is that it will be coming back to us sometime this afternoon.

CHETRY: And besides the delay, is there any other problem in terms of this? I mean, some of the members who had a hard time voting for it --

HOYER: No.

CHETRY: -- is there any danger that it won't pass again?

HOYER: No, I don't think there's any danger. Obviously, this bill is what we call the improvement section of the bill. It was the agreement between the House and the Senate to makes improvements in the Senate bill. The Senate bill has been signed by the president. This is effectively the amendments. If it were a conference report, this would have been the amendments. And I have no belief that we'll have any trouble passing it through the House.

CHETRY: All right. Well, let's talk a little bit about these threats. Congressman Bart Stupak out of Michigan, the pro-life Democrat who helped really seal the health care deal received several disturbing voice mails. We have a little snippet of one just so our viewers can get a sense of what's being going on. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE (via telephone): Stupak, you're a lowlife, baby-murdering scumbag pile of steaming crap. You're a cowardly punk, Stupak. That's what you are. You and your family are scum. That's what you are, Stupak. You're a piece of crap.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHETRY: You also said yesterday that roughly 10 Democrats have reported threats or forms of harassment, in some cases vandalism with members of Congress. What's going on here? And do you think congressmen and women are in danger?

HOYER: Well, I think there's certainly reason for concern. There's reason for care and both the Capitol police and the FBI are concerned, obviously, with public officials who are participating in a democracy take positions. Clearly in our country, we expect that to be done in a peaceful, nonviolent way. Unfortunately, we got to all be cognizant of the fact when we use very hot rhetoric it can be seen as incitement to people whose judgment is not peaceful, is not nonviolent and who either verbally or physically threaten people with whom they disagree. That's not the American way. I think in a bipartisan way, the leadership has a responsibility. And all members have the responsibility to tell Americans that's not the way we conduct our democracy.

ROBERTS: Congressman Louise Slaughter who had a couple of incidents, a brick thrown through an office window, as well as a voice mail left something about a sniper said, quote, "It's more disturbing to me that the Republican leadership has not condemned these attacks and instead, appears to be fanning the flames with coded rhetoric."

But the Minority Leader John Boehner did come out yesterday and did say this is not the way to do things. It's not the American way. What -- do you need to hear anything else from the leadership?

HOYER: Well, I think together, we need to make a statement that clearly indicates that this kind of activity is unacceptable in our democracy. But we ought to also conduct ourselves individually, whether it's on the floor, on the Capitol grounds, or in our districts in a way that not only says that but conveys that. That the debate is civil, constructive. It may have very serious differences of opinion on issues but we ought not to give rise to the fact that because somebody disagrees with us, they are somehow, therefore, should be subjected to either violent rhetoric or violent acts. And I think that we all have a responsibility to do that.

CHETRY: In that statement from Minority Leader Boehner, he also went on to say after condemning what's been going on, that he said many Americans are angry over this health care bill and they feel that Washington Democrats just aren't listening. How do you address that for people who are angry and feel that their voice isn't being heard? Is there anything that can be said that would help tamp down some of this rhetoric?

HOYER: Well, not to stoke it would be very helpful. The debate here has been a very angry debate, very frankly. Implications of socialism, communism taking over the government, none of which is true. But we need to be very careful, because while that may be perceived in the halls of Congress as simply hyperbole and debate which is hot, but certainly does not encourage violence or violent actions, nevertheless, can be perceived by some as doing that.

Yes, it's been an angry debate, unfortunately. It should be a civil debate. There are differences. We believe this is a very good bill. And very frankly, the polling data recently indicates the majority of Americans are supporting the legislation that was passed. But that notwithstanding, whatever those positions are, we need to all make it very clear. And I think you're right, John Boehner has spoken out on this. We need to all make it very clear that violent actions, violence directed against members or anybody else in this debate is simply unacceptable in our democracy. That's not the American way.

ROBERTS: Well, we do know, Congressman, that some of these people have left these threatening voice mails, at least, they've been tracked back. They have an originating phone number. It's been turned over to authorities, so we'll see where the investigation goes from here.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer from Maryland, thanks for joining us this morning. Good to see you.

HOYER: Thank you.

CHETRY: Thanks so much.

Well, we're hearing from you on this issue as well. Let's head to our amFIX blog and take a look from Mark this morning. He writes, "Is this behavior really all the reaction to the fact that insurance companies will no longer be able to rip us off based on pre-existing conditions? That I think is unlikely. Where was this, quote, 'tea party' when the last administration initially ran up this huge deficit and lied to get us into war with a country who did not attack us?"

ROBERTS: They were boiling the water back, I think.

From Gary, "Can't we all just get along? Threats and vandalism are not American qualities. I believe some Republicans in conservative radio talk shows are only inciting these actions. Viewers and listeners are letting themselves be manipulated."

Keep those e-mails coming CNN.com/amFIX. That's the place to be this morning.

CHETRY: All right. We're going to take a quick break. Twenty- five minutes past the hour. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHETRY: Twenty-seven minutes past the hour. Top stories only a few minutes away. But first, an "A.M. Original." It's something you'll see only on AMERICAN MORNING.

Americans have plenty to say when it comes to politics. Of course, this morning, we're trying something a little different, tapping into the feelings of everyday Americans during their commute home.

Our Jim Acosta joins us now. And this is interesting. This is a Long Island railroad, right?

JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Exactly. This is an experiment.

CHETRY: Everyday guys just hanging out, eight of them --

ACOSTA: That's right.

CHETRY: -- chatting up politics as they head back home.

ACOSTA: That's right. You know, we've heard what the politicians and the pundits have had to say. But what about the real people? What do they think about health care reform, President Obama and the economy? It does not get more real than the guys we found heading home from work on the Long Island railroad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ACOSTA (voice-over): It's 5:51 and the train is right on time. And so are eight Long Islanders -- John, Tom, Steve, Jim, Ed, Steve, Ken and Richard. It doesn't take long to figure out why they have this section of the Long Island railroad to themselves.

JIM MARRON, LONG ISLAND RAILROAD PASSENGER: You know, the passengers remove themselves from the area because they think it kind of loud.

ACOSTA: It's better that way?

MARRON: Better for them. Yes.

ACOSTA: And we should make one thing clear, this is the evening commute.

(on camera): Sometimes, politics will come up.

UNIDENTIFIED MALES: Yes. On the train.

ACOSTA: That's a good thing. I was going to be disappointed if that weren't the case.

(voice-over): They had a lot to say about health care.

(on camera): Do you agree with Joe Biden that this is a big "f- ing" deal?

(LAUGHTER)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He definitely has a way with words.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Reform is needed because you can't have 30 million people walking around with no health insurance using the emergency room.

STEVE ROEDER, LONG ISLAND RAILROAD PASSENGER: Last night I was watching a senator who said the American people don't understand. Their insurance premiums are going to go down and their taxes are going to go down. I couldn't think of two crazier things ever said.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it was necessary. I do think it was necessary.

ACOSTA (voice-over): Sounds like mostly New York Democrats, right? Wrong.

(on camera): How many -- can you just raise your hand if you voted for Obama. One, two.

REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R), HOUSE MINORITY LEADER: Hell no, you can't.

ACOSTA (voice-over): Only the politicians in Washington could get along like the guys on this train.

(on camera): They're not talking to each other, they're not compromising?

MARRON: Get rid of them all. If I did my job the way the politicians do their job, I wouldn't have a job very long.

ACOSTA: They'd throw you out?

MARRON: They'd throw me out.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At least we get on the train.

ACOSTA: That would be your solution to partisanship in Washington, the 551?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We certainly have partisanship on this group.

(LAUGHTER)

ACOSTA (voice-over): All of a sudden, the subject switched to Tiger Woods.

(on camera): Do you think he should come back to golf?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Absolutely, it's his profession.

ACOSTA (voice-over): Then back to the economy. Hey, that's train talk.

MARRON: Obama will say he's looking after the working family. Every one of us who's coming home from work.

ACOSTA (on camera): When he talks about working folks, you don't think he's talking about you.

MARRON: No, he's not. And the fact is my job's just at risk as anybody else.

ACOSTA (voice-over): But their conversations don't stop at their stop. Sometimes, they take it to a place they affectionately call "the cave."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's the bar in the back of my garage. Yes.

ACOSTA (on camera): They got a man cave that they go to after this. This isn't manly enough. They got to go to the man cave.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not every day, probably only once a week.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ACOSTA: I got to check out that man cave one of these days.

KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: They said that's for the benefit of their wives. It's only once a week we do that.

(CROSSTALK)

ACOSTA: Only once a week. Yes, exactly.

And if there was one message that they were driving home, no pun intended, it is that there aren't enough centrists in politics. They're sick of all the partisan sniping that's going on in Washington. Surely, almost all of these guys that Republicans and yet they think health care reform is a good idea. If you were to listen to what's going on in Washington, you would think there aren't any Republicans who think health care reform is a good idea.

ROBERTS: Any women who take that train as well?

ACOSTA: I think they've all been chased out of that car, John. Apparently, my producer, Laura -

(INAUDIBLE)

ACOSTA: Exactly. The day before we shot this, my producer, Laura, went on the train there was one woman poking up her head, behind the seats just to see if she could get a word in edgewise. It didn't happen.

ROBERTS: Really. Well, maybe they'll expand the group in the future.

ACOSTA: They should. I think so.

ROBERTS: An interesting look at things though. Good deal.

ACOSTA: Thanks a lot.

CHETRY: Very cool. Thanks, Jim.

Well, now, it's 30 minutes past the hour, time for a look at our top stories.

Back to the health care reform. Well, it goes back to the House. Republicans and the Senate burning the midnight oil. They uncovered two flaws in the reform bill that means it will have to be fixed. And the entire measure goes back to the House for a revote. Democrats hoping to get that done as we just heard from majority leader Steny Hoyer by the weekend.

ROBERTS: Federal agents may have hit the mother lode, in the home of Chicago's most notorious gangster, mob hitman Frank Calabrese. On Tuesday, they found three quarters of a million dollars in cash, 1,000 pieces of stolen jewelry and seven loaded weapons in a secret compartment in a basement wall behind the family portrait. They also found audio cassettes believed to contain conversations that Calabrese secretly taped with other members of the mob.

CHETRY: And a Florida jury has ordered tobacco giants, R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris to pay more than $26 million to the widow of a smoker who died of lung cancer. Phillip Morris saying it will appeal the verdict and R.J. Reynolds had indicated that they are planning to do the same.

ROBERTS: Now, to developments in the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. This morning Defense secretary Robert Gates is expected to announce changes that better protect gay service members. The latest poll by the CNN Opinion Research Corporation shows broader acceptance of the issue, with 69 percent saying that openly gay people should be allowed to serve, while 27 percent say no.

Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr is following the story for us. She's live in Washington. So what do we expect to hear today about changes in the policy, Barbara?

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, good morning. And just about two hours from now, Defense Secretary Gates will appear in the briefing room just down the hall here in the Pentagon where he's going to announce interim changes, if you will, to the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. This is not about changing the law, which is the ultimate goal, of course, for President Obama, all of that still a very contentious debate on Capitol Hill.

These are interim changes they can make here at the Pentagon. What's he going to talk about? It's going to all sound at least like a more fair implementation of the law as it exists. So some of the key changes in this interim period will be raising the rank of those allowed to begin investigation procedures. In other words, higher level officers will conduct these investigations so there will be more even application of the policy across the board.

Raising the bar for what constitutes credible information to begin an investigation of a service member. And curbing expulsions of service men and women who are outed by third parties who may hold a grudge. Again, all of this aimed at trying to establish somehow what it would - the Pentagon would consider to be more fair implementation.

What's the reaction amongst all the troops? Mixed reactions, certainly, much like many segments of society. Some fully in favor of the president's policy and say let's just get on with it. Interestingly, though, we came across a three-star general who opposes the president.

Let me read you a quote from Lieutenant General Benjamin Nixon, the head of U.S. Army forces in the Pacific. He writes, "I suspect many service members, their families, veterans and citizens are wondering what to do to stop this ill-advised repeal of a policy. If those of us who are in favor of retaining the current policy do not speak up, there is no chance to retain the current policy."

An extraordinary statement from a three-star general because he has put himself publicly at odds with the President of the United States, who says the law will be repealed, and gays will be allowed to openly serve in the U.S. military -- John.

ROBERTS: So these changes that we're expecting to hear announced today in terms of not taking disciplinary action against a member if they're outed by a third party, or if there's some other factors, like if it was malicious or whatever, will they all be going forward or will any of that be retroactive? Because we heard that case of Staff Sergeant Jenny Newsom, from South Dakota, in the Air Force, who was outed by the South Dakota Police Department. That's how the Air Force learned about it and she was kicked out of the military earlier this year?

STARR: Well, I think we're going to have to wait to hear case by case how all of these are dealt with. Certainly, I think it's expected that some people may well appeal to the Pentagon to be reinstated. And we will see how the legal authorities here deal with it.

But it's those kinds of issues, John, that you're pointing to that Gates is trying to deal with. Much of this has been very ad hoc. Not a lot of uniform application, even application across the board. That's what he wants to deal with until he can get Congress to change the law.

ROBERTS: All right. Barbara Starr for us at the Pentagon this morning. Barbara, thanks so much. Of course, we want to hear what you have to say. Are the changes to the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy going in the right direction? Go to the blog CNN.com/amFIX and join the live conversation.

It's 36 minutes after the hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHETRY: Thirty-nine minutes past the hour. Welcome back to the Most News in the Morning.

Marijuana supporters are celebrating a big political step forward. California may become the very first state to legalize recreational pot use. The measure will be on the ballot in November, and if passed it could bring in some much need tax revenue for the cash-strapped state. Our Dan Simon is in Oakland this morning. He's talking to people on both sides of the debate.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We are at a place called Oaksterdam University, a place dedicated to teaching all things about cannabis. This is the nursery and you can see this equipment behind me where they teach people how to grow cannabis. We are here because the guy who founded this place is leading the effort to get full legalization in California.

(voice-over): Our camera was rolling as Richard Lee got the news. For him, there was never any doubt that marijuana would get on the ballot.

RICHARD LEE, PRESIDENT, OAKSTERDAM UNIVERSITY: We needed 433,971 ballot signatures to qualify for the California ballot.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How many did you get?

LEE: We got 690,000 total.

SIMON: They used paid petition gatherers, but Lee says he's confident of a win in the fall that would make marijuana legal for Californians 21 and over to possess an ounce for personal use.

LEE: We're going to get our message out there. And I think people are more receptive to it than they've ever been.

SIMON: For Lee, a victory would mean public validation to a life's calling. Three years ago, he founded an Oakland school that teaches students how best to grow, sell and even consume cannabis.

It's called Oaksterdam University. Get it? A combination of Oakland and Amsterdam. Lee started the school after a trip to that city and seeing how marijuana was openly sold there.

LEE: For some people, cannabis is like a religion.

SIMON: Until now, full legalization had never really been taken seriously by voters. But Lee sees an opening with the state budget crisis and the tax revenue it would bring. Possibly hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

According to a California field poll taken last year, more than half, 56 percent of Californians support legalization. Opponents realize they have some work to do and can see they'll be outspent but think their arguments are too powerful to ignore.

JOHN LOVELL, CALIFORNIA NARCOTIC OFFICERS ASSOCIATION: Why on earth would we want to add yet another mind-altering substance to the array of legal substances that compromise a person's five senses where we know they're going to make bad decisions, some criminal.

SIMON: Richard Lee says it's about adults making their own decisions. Twenty years ago, a spinal cord injury put him in a wheelchair. He says he smokes cannabis medically and for recreation.

LEE: Well, I really see this as following the history of alcohol, the way it was - prohibition was repealed there.

SIMON (on camera): Just like any heated campaign, expect the airwaves to be filled with commercials from both sides. Those in favor of legalization hope to raise as much as $20 million for advertising.

Dan Simon, CNN, Oakland.

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ROBERTS: And we've been asking people to go to our blog at CNN.com/amFIX and talk about all the stories. We're getting a lot of comments on the legalization or potential legalization of marijuana.

Here's Jamie who writes in and says -- "Legalize weed, tax it, and will bring in billions of much needed dollars. Not even just for the money but then every day honest people will not have to feel like a criminal for buying pot in the black market."

CHETRY: And he also went on to say, "Potheads are harmless and shouldn't be classified in the same category as crack heads or junkies."

This is a good one from Robert, Rob -- "I teach at Penn State. For the past 15 years, we've been debating the legalization of recreational use of marijuana when I first began, only one or two students would be in favor. Now, all but one or two students in a class of 40 are not in favor of legalizing marijuana."

The attitudes are changing.

ROBERTS: So go to our blog at CNN.com/amFIX. Look at this, this is all the people chatting this morning. A lot of comments on the blog this morning. Here's the main page, that's what it looks like. Click on the button and leave us your thoughts.

Rob Marciano has got this morning's travel forecast right after the break. Don't go away.

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ROBERTS: Going to now at 46 minutes after the hour. Let's get a quick check of this morning's weather headlines with Rob who's in the Weather Center in Atlanta.

Good morning, Rob.

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ROBERTS: Rob, thanks so much.

This morning's top stories just minutes away now, including the FBI investigating reports of vandalism and death threat aimed at Democrats who voted for the health care bill. Is the rhetoric in Washington responsible?

CHETRY: At 15 minutes past the hour, Bank of America offering a lifeline to underwater homeowners, erasing what many people owe in some cases. We'll tell you how it works and whether or not you can benefit from it.

ROBERTS: And at 50 minutes after the hour, he started playing hockey before some of his teammates were born. Chris Chelios on what it's like to be back in the NHL at the golden age of 48.

Those stories and more coming your way at the top of the hour.

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CHETRY: Welcome back to the Most News in the Morning. Fifty-one minutes past the hour. Time for your "AM House Call" this morning, stories about your health.

And a new finding suggesting a direct link between race and obesity in children, minority mothers more worried about their children's weight even before the children are actually born.

In fact, take a look at this. Studies show that children 2 to 5 years old - here's a look at the obesity rates - nearly 17 percent of Hispanic children are considered obese according to the study. For black children, it's nearly 15 percent, and for white children, nearly 11 percent.

So why the disparities based on race?

ROBERTS: Well, joining us for some insight now on what could potentially be done about all of this, Harvard Medical School Assistant Professor and pediatrician, Elsie Taveras. She is in Orlando for us this morning.

Doctor Taveras, great to see you this morning. Thanks so much for being with us.

So this pretty surprising data that you have uncovered here.

DR. ELSIE TAVERAS, ASST. PROFESSOR OF POPULATION MEDICINE, OBESITY CONTROL, HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL: It was pretty striking, I would say. We - we knew already that there were disparities in obesity prevalence for black and Hispanic children but we didn't know that all of these risk factors were more common among racial, ethnic minority children starting so young, in infancy and early childhood. And even some risk factors that were more common during pregnancy.

CHETRY: So, you know, tell us about some of the results of this study, what you found, some of the factors that - that lead to what we're seeing here in terms of these differences.

TAVERAS: Right. So the reason why we were interested in this was because, already, by the preschool age years, black and Hispanic children are more likely to be overweight than their white counterparts. We studied risk factors in pregnancy. We found that black and Hispanic women were more likely to begin their pregnancies already overweight or obese.

During pregnancy, they were more likely to have depression. Some were more likely to have gestational diabetes.

And once their babies were born, their infants were less likely to be breast fed or more likely to be introduced to solid foods very early, before four months of age, and were more likely to have a television in their bedroom, drink more sugary beverages, eat more fast food and not get enough sleep.

ROBERTS: And, you know, we - we talked about this, and our Dr. Sanjay Gupta has - has done stories on this, Dr. Taveras.

We get so-called food deserts in many intercity areas where you - you just can't get access to good, fresh foods. Is that potentially or at least in part responsible for some of what we're seeing?

TAVERAS: I - I think, absolutely. I think, in part we - you know, as we start trying to work on how we might prevent obesity in this early childhood period, we have to think of what we might do for the built environment to prevent these desert areas where that makes it difficult not just for access to healthy foods but access to physical activity opportunities, especially for young children.

CHETRY: Some of it also is cultural, right? I mean, when you talk about things like introducing solids early, the - the varying rates of how long and for what duration and how often women breast feed, I mean, are there - are there certain ways to target certain communities to sort of help educate better about what's important when it comes to nutrition for young children and babies?

TAVERAS: Oh, absolutely. So I would say that some of it is cultural. I think some of it is also popular media and maybe the grandmother in the house.

We've heard for a long time that during pregnancy, women are eating for two. We've also heard for a long time that a chubby baby is a healthy baby.

CHETRY: Absolutely.

TAVERAS: And I - I would say that, you know, anyone who works with young families has a role in working with parents to try to help parents make the - the healthier choices for themselves during - the mothers during pregnancy and then for their infants once the baby is born.

ROBERTS: There are - a lot of childhood obesity programs, you know, are looking into this problem, but when you talk about them in schools, they don't start until age five and maybe six and lot of - you know, some other programs don't start until age three.

Is this a suggestion that you really need to push that back, these childhood obesity programs, almost from birth or - or maybe before that?

TAVERAS: Right. It's a good question. I - I think there are - it is wonderful, the national campaign that's happening now with obesity. That's really focused on school aged children.

I think that the important thing and what the evidence is showing is that we can start earlier. We can start in infancy and early childhood. We even have some evidence that we might - we might see some beneficial effects if we start during pregnancy.

So, absolutely. We might think about extending some of our obesity prevention efforts to this earlier - earlier period in life.

CHETRY: All right. Dr. Elsie Taveras from the Harvard Medical School. Thanks so much for being with us this morning.

TAVERAS: Thanks for having me.

CHETRY: It's 56 minutes past the hour. Your top stories just two minutes away. We'll be right back.

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