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President Obama Visits Ford Plant; U.S. Citizens Face Terror Charges; Naomi Campbell Testifies; Anne Rice on Faith; Reactions to Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

Aired August 05, 2010 - 11:00   ET

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

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Live from Studio 7 at CNN world headquarters, the big stories for Thursday, August 5th.

Gays celebrating this huge ruling, the judge's ruling in California on same-sex marriage. Opponents calls the decision horrendous and plan their appeals strategy today.

Also, BP beginning a sealing process with the cement on that oil well, deep, deep down in the Gulf. The government says most of the leaked crude is gone, but there are definitely still some doubters out there.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who picked it up? We didn't. I mean, you know, where or when is still left.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: And Naomi Campbell certainly no stranger to the courtroom. But this is a first, at least as far as we can tell -- a supermodel on the witness stand out a war crimes trial.

Good morning, everyone. I'm Brooke Baldwin, in for Tony Harris.

Those stories, your comments, right here, right now in the CNN NEWSROOM.

Want to begin though with jobs and the economy. It affects every single one of us. New numbers out this morning highlighting really the struggle for out-of-work Americans, what they're facing right now in this job market, in critical condition.

I want to you take a look at some of these numbers with me.

First-time claims for unemployment jumped unexpectedly last week. Economists had predicted a small drop, but the Labor Department says 479,000 Americans filed jobless claims in the week that ended on July 31st. By the way, that is a jump of 19,000 from the previous weeks.

Folks, this is the highest level in three months since the week that ended on April 10th.

And speaking of jobs, where is the president today, this day after his 49th birthday? Still in Chicago, talking jobs, talking economy. This hour, he is visiting a Ford plant that is actually adding jobs, some 1,200 jobs, in fact.

The president will be highlighting, of course, the big turnaround in the American auto industry, and as soon as we see him, right around 11:15 Eastern, we will bring you his remarks live.

Meantime, this is President Obama's third stop on his tour of U.S. automakers after visiting -- it was GM and Chrysler in Detroit last week.

White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is traveling with the president today in Chicago.

And Suzanne, as we mentioned, I'm sure the president will be talking job creation, which is something many of us were hoping for, what, a year ago?

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: You're absolutely right, Brooke. And, you know, it's back to business.

You mentioned his 49th birthday. He did go out to dinner with Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King. I thought you might want to know that.

BALDWIN: Thanks.

MALVEAUX: It was actually interesting to see.

But it's back to business. He's at the Chicago plant.

He's emphasizing the fact that the auto industry is coming back. Last week, we saw him in Detroit. He was highlighting GM and Chrysler. They got bailout money from the government. They're now paying it back.

Ford is different here. This Ford plant, they never borrowed from the government in that big bailout. So why is he here? What is he highlighting?

Well, they did receive a loan from the Department of Energy to help build these new fuel-efficient, smaller SUVs, the 2011 Ford Explorer. It is set to create some 1,200 new jobs here at this Chicago plant.

This is a part of the president's goal, the overall goal of doubling the number of exports in the next five years. All kinds of different goods, and one of the things that they want do is take the Ford Explorer and export it to at least 90 countries. That is the goal. That is what the administration is saying they will be able to do.

So, not only are they creating these jobs through the loans to the Department of Energy, but they're also increasing these exports of American goods.

Brooke, it's one of the examples that the president, the administration feel is a good story, that it's an economic recovery story that isn't getting enough attention. That's why you've seen the president out there just within the last week, the third plant, the third highlight to show, look, the three big U.S. auto companies are turning around and they're doing well -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: So, he's pushing this positive message. I guess the question though, still here in August of 2010, is are Americans buying it? Or are we still skeptical really of the economy? We'll be hearing from you -- go ahead.

MALVEAUX: And whether or not these jobs are actually being created fast enough, whether or not people are feeling it. And there is still a big question about GM and Chrysler, whether or not they are going to be able to pay back all of that money to the taxpayers.

We know a big chunk of it came from the Obama administration, but another chunk of it came from the Bush administration. It is unclear, Brooke, whether or not that money is going to be fully refunded back to the taxpayers from those bailouts.

So, there's still a lot of unanswered questions, and just how much these plants are going to make up for those job losses.

BALDWIN: We will wait to see what the president plans to tackle coming up next hour there at the Ford plant behind you.

Suzanne Malveaux, thank you. Thanks for the skinny on the president's birthday as well. Good to see you.

Also, want to get this to you right now. We're getting some new information here into CNN. It has to do with this case that more than a dozen U.S. citizens are indicted on terror charges.

Homeland Security Correspondent Jeanne Meserve has been digging on this story for us from Washington.

And Jeanne, tell me what you know.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, Brooke, the attorney general, Eric Holder, is going to be holding a press conference one hour from now to announce this.

What we're told by a law enforcement source is that indictments will be unsealed against more than a dozen individuals for providing support to forces in Somalia. Specifically, al-Shabaab, which is an affiliate of al Qaeda. In addition, a different law enforcement source tells us that there will be some arrests of people who did some fund-raising for that organization.

Of course, there's been tremendous concern about the number of Americans going over to Somalia to fight and train with al-Shabaab. There's been concern that they might be able to make their way back into this country and could stage some kind of attack here.

In fact, within the last couple of weeks, there have been two arrests. Just yesterday, Shakr Masri (ph), his arrest was announced out in Chicago. He's 26. They said he was just about to board a flight to make his way to Somalia, where he wanted to be a suicide bomber.

In addition, last month, Zachary Adam Chesser (ph), a Muslim from northern Virginia, was arrested. And also, the allegations were that he wanted to go to Somalia to fight.

So, a lot of concerns about that part of the world and about the interface with Muslims in this country and other individuals in this country. We're going to learn more about the specifics of this indictment in an hour's time.

Brooke, back to you.

BALDWIN: Jeanne, quick question for clarification. And forgive me if you said this and I missed it.

But of these 12-plus people arrested -- and we'll be hearing from Eric Holder next hour, we'll bring it to you live -- are these individuals Americans? Are they Somali-Americans? Do we know their ethnicities?

MESERVE: Well, let me clarify. What I've been told is that there will be indictments unsealed against more than a dozen people. In addition, there will be some arrests. And we don't know the number of arrests. I'm led to believe it's only a handful of arrests.

As to their ethnicity, no, we don't know what that is right now. We have been told that these people come from three different jurisdictions.

There's a clue in the press release for the attorney general's press conference. U.S. attorneys from Minnesota, the southern district of Alabama, and the southern district of California are all going to be there for this event association, so this would indicate that those are the communities where these individuals lived.

BALDWIN: Got it. Jeanne Meserve, thank you.

I have the DOJ press release in my hand. Attorney General Eric Holder to hold that press conference noon Eastern, and we will bring that live.

Jeanne, if you get more information, definitely bring it back to us here at CNN.

(NEWSBREAK)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: You know her face, supermodel Naomi Campbell. She is reluctantly taking to the stand in The Hague. Prosecutors have called her to testify after reopening this war crimes trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor.

What's this whole thing about? They're trying to determine if Taylor ever handled so-called blood diamonds that were at the center of this civil war in Sierra Leone.

And Campbell, she's involved because she said she was given "dirty-looking stones" after a dinner with Nelson Mandela in South Africa, presumably from Taylor.

Here's what she told the court she did with those stones.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NAOMI CAMPBELL, SUPERMODEL: I wanted to find my friend who's someone I trust and does great things in South Africa for charity, to give them to him to do something with. I didn't want to keep them. And that's exactly what I did.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: And Josh Levs now joining me a little bit of background and some of the courtroom drama today.

Josh Levs, how is it in there?

JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: There were some real fireworks in there. I mean, it's been interesting to follow this throughout the day. Yes, let me talk to you about some of the basics.

First of all, how often do you even see anything remotely like this? You've got a supermodel, testimony at The Hague, and this is the war crimes trial of Charles Taylor. Let's recap who he is.

He's the former ruler of Liberia. He's accused of stirring up a civil war across the border in Sierra Leone from '91 to 2002.

About 50,000 people would killed there. All sort of atrocities have been reported from what happened there.

And prosecutors argue that he paid for what he did using diamonds. Prosecutors actually rested their case more than a year ago, but they reopened it now to subpoena Naomi Campbell. And here's how she fits in.

It was back in '97. She was with him at this event, along with other dignitaries. And she says it was later that night that these two mystery men gave her these rough, dirty diamonds that she assumed came from Taylor.

And she has said that the next morning, she was with Mia Farrow and her former agent Carol White (ph), and she said that someone -- she doesn't remember who -- suggested the diamonds came from him. Prosecutors want to link Taylor to those diamonds.

So here, today, is Naomi Campbell being grilled by Taylor's defense.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Neither of the men told you that these diamonds came from Charles Taylor. Is that right?

CAMPBELL: Correct.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Furthermore, the next morning at breakfast, you did not tell either Mia Farrow or Carol White (ph) that the men said the diamonds came from Charles Taylor, did you?

CAMPBELL: No, I did not.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The suggestion about Charles Taylor came from one of them?

CAMPBELL: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And so, consequently, it is pure speculation that these diamonds came from Charles Taylor. That's correct, isn't it?

CAMPBELL: I just assumed that they were.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But it's pure speculation, isn't it?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEVS: All right. Now listen to more.

The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund has now denied getting diamonds from Naomi Campbell hours after she testified today that she had given some to its director. Plus, more fireworks expected.

Our reporters on the ground are saying her former agent, Carol White (ph), will be providing a different version of events that could draw a stronger link between diamonds and Charles Taylor.

And, Brooke, one more thing.

I want to remind everyone of the special interest that our country, the United States, has in Liberia. Let's go to Google Earth.

You know, this country was set up in the 1800s as a refuge, as a home for freed slaves. And there were various reasons for that.

I mean, there were some Americans who wanted freed slaves to have a home. And there were others who said, well, ,if they're not going to be here as slaves, send them back to Africa.

But Liberia in that way was set up in the early 1800s. And it was, I believe, in 1822 these large numbers started to come.

Ever since then, the United States has had an important relationship to and responsibility for Liberia. That's one reason the U.S., Brooke, is so interested in what happens there in this case.

BALDWIN: So, real quickly, just because I have you, do we know what she did with the diamonds? Did she give them back? LEVS: She says that she passed them along. She says that they were dirty, rough-looking stones, and that she, herself, never declared even that they were diamonds.

But one thing that we did hear is that she was saying that they were passed on and she had presented some of these to a charity. But now they're saying, no, that never happened.

So, exactly what came of these dirty, rough stones that she says she was given, not clear at this point, because they're saying they never got any.

BALDWIN: Interesting. He said/she said.

Keep following it.

LEVS: You got it.

BALDWIN: Josh Levs, thank you.

LEVS: Sure.

BALDWIN: We are also following President Obama, still in Chicago the day after his birthday, speaking shortly at a Ford Motor assembly plant in Chicago.

Take a look there. Packed house. We're expecting him potentially, we hope, any minute now. As soon as we see him talking economy, jobs, auto industry, we will bring it to you live.

You are watching CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Got some new information for you from BP. You've been following the static kill, right, deep down in the Gulf of Mexico?

Here's what BP is saying, that it actually started pumping the cement into the busting oil well in the Gulf. That happened right around 9:15 local time, 10:15 Eastern.

This is the second phase in that static kill procedure. Government scientists are saying most of the oil -- I think it's 74 percent they're saying that's flown out of the well -- is gone. But people who live along the Gulf Coast, talk them, they're still a little skeptical.

CNN's Jim Acosta reports now from New Orleans.

JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Brooke, down here on the Gulf Coast, it's a question of who do you trust, the government officials who say the oil disappearing, or the local residents who say it's still coming ashore?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) ACOSTA (voice-over): Yes, the people in Louisiana have seen the latest video of the mostly clear blue waters in the Gulf of Mexico. And yes, they've heard the latest government report, all but roughly 25 percent of the oil spilled into the gulf is gone. That doesn't mean people like Louis Molero are going to believe it.

(on camera): What do you think when you hear all that?

LOUIS MOLERO, COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN: Where is it? Where did it go?

ACOSTA (voice-over): A life-long commercial fisherman, Molero now coordinates disaster response teams for St. Bernard Parish. And its response teams are made up of fishermen who are also skeptical.

JOHNNY NUNEZ, FISHERMAN/CLEANUP WORKER: Where it went? Who picked it up? We didn't. I mean, you know, where it went is still a laugh.

OBAMA: The long battle to stop the leak and contain the oil is finally close to coming to an end. And we are very pleased with that.

ACOSTA: The latest White House message from the president right down to the press secretary --

ROBERT GIBBS, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Many of the doomsday scenarios that were talked about and repeated a lot have not and will not come to fruition because of that.

ACOSTA: Along with BP's new found confidence that its damaged well is no longer a threat sound like a political mop-up operation to St. Bernard Parish president Craig Taffaro.

(on camera): Is it possible that people along the Gulf Coast are just so weary and so beaten up that it's difficult to believe their own eyes?

CRAIG TAFFARO, ST. BERNARD PARISH RESIDENT: No, I don't think so, because we believe what we see. And that's why we continue to have some concern.

ACOSTA (voice-over): So Taffaro's staff still goes out every day to capture images of the oil still rolling into his parish in part to convince BP its clean-up operations are sorely needed.

(on camera): That BP says, well, guys, we don't you need anymore.

TAFFARO: That puts us in a position of having an entire part of our community in no man's land.

ACOSTA (voice-over): No man's land because commercial fishermen could end up stopped with no clean-up work and no markets for their seafood. It's no wonder Louis Molero wears the fisherman's prayer around his neck. MOLERO: Continue to give us hope and courage to face the challenge that lie ahead, reminding us always that you are by our side. Amen.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ACOSTA: In the end, government officials may find it tougher to kill the skepticism down on the Gulf Coast than it is to kill that damaged well. Down here, taking the government at its word is just as slippery as cleaning up all that oil -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: All right. Jim Acosta for us in New Orleans.

By the way, if you're still curious about this whole cement process, what does it mean, what else do we have to look forward to permanently seal that well, we'll be hearing from the national incident commander, Thad Allen, speaking right around noon Eastern Time. And we will bring that to you live.

Checking some of the top stories this hour.

In just a couple of hours, the Senate is expected to confirm Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court. She could be sworn in maybe within a couple of days.

Also, South Korea has started massive anti-submarine drills in the Yellow Sea. They say this is a response to the sinking of a warship blamed on the north. But North Korea and China, they are upset about all the drills.

And 45 brown pelicans rescued from the Gulf oil disaster are being returned home today to finally be released back into the wild. They birds were rehabilitated at Miami's Pelican Harbor Seabird Station. And this news comes on day 108 since the oil started gushing into the Gulf.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

BALDWIN: Meantime, renowned author Anne Rice says the Christian rights stance on gay rights and women's issues has forced her, she's saying, to leave the church.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANNE RICE, AUTHOR: I read scripture every day of my life. I can't find a basis there for most of the stance that churches and denominations take today on civil rights of gay people, on women and reproductive rights, on the questions of how you vote in our society. I mean, I can't find it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: It's a pretty compelling, pretty fascinating interview. You can hear the rest of it coming up here in the CNN NEWSROOM. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: And as promised, we've been keeping our eye inside this Ford motor plant in Chicago, watching, waiting for President Obama. Guess what? He is there. He has started speaking.

Let's take a listen.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: That's not how you build a better America. We don't give up. The United States does not quit. We always compete. That's what we do. And that's what we're doing with the U.S. auto industry.

So, I refuse to walk away from this industry and American jobs. I put my faith in the American worker. I believe the American worker is the best worker in the world. And if we were willing to work hard together and rebuild and sacrifice in the short term, it would be a great beginning for a great American industry. If we could just get a sense of common purpose, we could once again see the best cars in the world designed, engineered, forged right here in Chicago, right here in the Midwest, right here in the United States of America.

(END COVERAGE)

BALDWIN: President Obama rallying the troops, saying essentially he's putting his faith in American workers. He is there. He was in Detroit last week with GM, Chrysler. He's at this plant specifically, because it is adding some 1,200 jobs all thanks to this Department of Energy loan. They're also talking about how this is one of the plants. Thanks to that loan, it's retooling, pumping out more of those fuel efficient vehicles.

Of course, President Obama defending perhaps his choice that federal government cash injection that we, the taxpayer, federal government paid for. But some people still kind of skeptical about where the jobs are, when they'll happen. We'll still listen in, let you know what he's saying they're in Chicago. The president now 49 years of age.

Also, a huge story out of California. The question is, what is next for same-sex marriage? A federal judge striking down a ban but don't mail those wedding invitations just yet.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's just a terrific moment today because now we're a giant step closer to restoring that basic freedom to marry in California.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As soon as Prop 8 passed, they knew they were going to overturn it. So the trial, the so-called trial was just theatrics in order to accomplish that to make it look like there was some semblance of legality behind it. So it's a great tragedy, it's a fantastic attack upon on nation, our children, and on our families. So hopefully we'll have to rely on the Supreme Court now to save the nation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: A tragedy, he says, he would be a supporter of California's Proposition 8 or Prop 8. They are getting ready to begin that appeals process, and as that man indicated, it is one that will likely end in the U.S. Supreme Court.

A federal judge says this ban on same-sex marriage, though, is unconstitutional.

Here's CNN's Ted Rowlands.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In San Francisco's Castro district and L.A.'s West Hollywood in downtown, the party went late into the night.

Lisa Bartoli (ph) and Anita Zubere were married two years ago.

ANITA ZUBERE, SUPPORTS GAY MARRIAGE: We're in it in the end if it's going to go to the Supreme Court. And I think Americans are going to understand that we are people. We lead exciting lives, boring lives. We love our family, our friends, our children. And so it is a great day.

ROWLANDS: David Boies and Ted Olsen the attorneys that faced off against each other in 2000 for Bush v. Gore, teamed up successfully to argue this case.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the man who did that.

ROWLANDS: Last night, they took the stage at a rally in West Hollywood.

TED OLSEN, ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFFS: We're a part of the way to the end. But it is a very, very important first step.

DAVID BOIES, ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFFS: We're a nation of a culture. And that culture is the culture of equality.

ROWLANDS (on camera): Their mood may be festive here in West Hollywood, but the bottom line is, Prop 8 did pass in the state of California. And there are a lot of people, not only here, but across the country, that are very upset with the judge's ruling.

RANDY THOMPSON, SAVECALIFORNIA.COM: Mark my words. If marriage can mean anything, then marriage will ultimately mean nothing.

ROWLANDS (voice-over): In the ruling Judge Vaughan Walker wrote that Prop 8, quote, "Does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite sex couples are superior to same-sex couples."

MAGGIE GALLAGHER, NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MARRIAGE: Seven million Californians believed that we had a core civil right to organize, to donate, to vote for marriage. One federal judge in San Francisco has stripped us of that core civil right.

ROWLANDS: The judge also issued a stay, meaning same-sex couples will have to wait to be married until after the appeals process, which both sides say they are looking forward to.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROWLANDS: And Brooke, the first thing that needs to be dealt with here, as this is appealed to the ninth circuit court of appeals is the stay that judge in this case has implemented.

Basically right now, if you're a same-sex couple you cannot get married until the stay is lifted. So both sides are going to argue that this week, and Judge Walker who issued this ruling will also make a decision on how long the stay will be intact. The prevailing wisdom is that it will likely be intact until at least the ninth circuit enters the fray.

BALDWIN: And Ted, a stay is important in this discussions as this process of appeal. But just in terms of sheer emotion. You saw the video of you, just really in the thick of things, yesterday.

What was your sense from the people you talked to? Is this really a major victory or are people really incredibly upset the bill?

ROWLANDS: Both, really. It depends on where you were on this and how passionate you are.

One of the things that's interesting is we've been covering this since 2004, when San Francisco started issuing the licenses. There's been so many victories and defeats, depending on what side you've been on over the years. The one thing that I think was universal about this decision is both sides are very in tune to the fact that this was step one in the federal process.

So the elation was tempered and the disappointment also tempered, looking forward to the eventual Supreme Court hearing and decision, which of course, will be the final say.

BALDWIN: Right. The final, perhaps on victory or defeat depending on your perspective.

Ted Rowlands, thank you.

Throughout date here on CNN, of course, both sides of this issue will be getting their say in this debate over same-sex marriage.

And Austin Nimocks supports Prop 8, he's a senior legal counsel at the Alliance Defense Fund, ADF, I spoke with him about the issue a short time ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AUSTIN NIMOCKS, THE ALLIANCE DEFENSE FUND: It's really disappointing anytime a single federal judge takes it upon themselves to cancel out the voices of over seven million Californians. We know that Californians turned out in record numbers after having a full and fair debate, hearing both sides of the issue, and making the decision that they wanted to make. And for a single federal judge to throw out that entire process is really a tragic day for America.

BALDWIN: Why decide in the first place, sir, to take this case on?

NIMOCKS: Well, when Californians get together and decide that they want to vote on an public policy important issue that's important to them, that's part of the Democratic process in California and in so many other states across the nation. That vote and their voice deserves to be upheld. This is America, the home of the free, where our government is of, by, and for the people, and that's exactly what Californians did. And that vote and their voice deserves to be defended in a court of law.

BALDWIN: You mentioned the seven million Californians referencing that the ballot in '08, when 52 percent of voters voted to overturn the ruling six months prior that had extended the marital rights to same-sex couples.

But, let me get this to you. This is from a "San Francisco Chronicle" article saying, a field poll last month found that the majority of California's registered voters approved of allowing same- sex marriage which boosts the chances possibly of a 2012 initiative.

Yet, I imagine, you, ADF, planning to file an appeal?

NIMOCKS: Well, we're going to file an appeal in this case. When we talk about polls, the only poll that really matters is the one on election day because that's where the people who matter come to the ballot box and make their decision.

So while that poll is the law of California, it deserves to be defended. When you have the governor and attorney general refusing to do their constitutional job and not defend the law that Californians have enacted, that's a real tragedy. If the Californians want to put it on the ballot again and revote on it, that's their constitutional right.

But we should never have a single federal judge, telling California, especially in the record numbers that they turned out, that their vote doesn't matter.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: As I noted earlier, we will be hearing from both sides here. Coming up next hour, two of the plaintiffs from the lawsuits, Perry v. Schwarzenegger. I'm going to get some reaction from a couple called Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo. That is next hour, here in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: All right. Let's get a quick check of the top stories now.

This deadly heat wave stretching all the way from Texas, way up to New York. Heat advisories now in effect. 20 states in total. Weather watchers say it will feel like 115 degrees in some places today. Yikes.

British supermodel Naomi Campbell taking the stand in this reopened war crimes trial for the Liberia's former president. It's still not clear if the prosecutors at the Hague got what they wanted from Campbell, proof that Charles Taylor was lying when he said he never handled so-called blood diamonds.

And First Lady Michelle Obama taking a little vacation in Spain with her youngest daughter Sasha and a couple of friends. They are staying, we're hearing, at a 5-star hotel the Mediterranean Coast, under, as we can imagine, pretty tight security and no media access.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Have you ever heard of novelist Anne Rice? She's pretty well-known. She's turned heads recently when she announced she's quitting Christianity. To be clear though, Rice says she remains committed to Christ. It's organized religion that has her fed up.

Rice spoke with CNN's Don Lemon about that, and specifically about California's ban on gay marriage.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNE RICE, NOVELIST: After 12 years of study, I can't find in scripture any basis for many of the things that organized religion does today. I can't connect them back to Christ.

I've -- I read scripture every day of my life, I can't find a basis there for most of the stands that churches and denominations take today on civil rights of gay people, on women and reproductive rights, on the questions of how you vote if our society. I mean, I can't find it. So certainly, theological decisions lie behind my decision to step away.

Now, I would not say churches need to modernize. That's not the question. The question is what is the authentic message of Christ for us?

And -- you know, we exist in time. He put us here. Two thousand years has passed since he died on Golgotha rose from the dead. Now, there's got to be a reason for this that we're moving through time. There have to be some implications. Are we really meant to simply cling to the interpretations of the Bible that we had in the first century? Have we clung to them? I mean, these are very complex issues. I'm somewhat overwhelmed by those issues. But I know this, I have to walk away.

DON LEMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: OK. We're going to talk about -- you're saying some very subversive things. Are you prepared for the possible backlash for any of the things that you're saying?

RICE: I have to be prepared for that. You can't make a statement like this without expecting something of a whirlwind. I made it because I felt I had to. There was a lot of toxic anger in me and toxic pressure. I couldn't go on as a public Christian, being implicated in the things that churches were doing.

So yes, I'm prepared for a backlash. I'm prepared for whatever happens. Is it going to be difficult? Yes, it's somewhat difficult.

Right now, what I'm getting is overwhelming support. I mean, the e-mails coming in, the blogs being written, the public statements being made are very supportive.

LEMON: Your son, Christopher, is gay. Did this factor into your decision at all?

RICE: Right. No, no. But certainly, gay rights have mattered to me all of my professional life. I've always been for complete equal rights for gay people. I felt that way before Christopher was ever born.

LEMON: What would you like to see the -- what would you like to see Christianity do as far as women, as far as gays and other people you feel that they are -- and I don't want to put words in your mouth -- being hypocritical towards, is that correct?

RICE: I'm not somebody that can seek to reform these institutions. I can just say, again, that I can't find in scripture a basis for persecuting gay people.

I can't find a basis for singling out them in the secular society for a -- you know, as a target for the hatred of Christians against them and for trying to deprive them of their civil rights, or interfere with their civil rights revolution. I can't find the basis.

So maybe if the churches had not been so strident about these things, if they hadn't been so outspoken about political matters in this country, it would have been easier for somebody like me.

When I spoke out about issues that concern me like gay rights or many different issues, I got a lot of pressure from Catholics and from Christians, not to do this.

I mean, they would go on my Facebook page and they would say, if you're going to criticize the Catholic Church for the clergy abuse scandal, what kind of Catholic are you? How can you do this?

How can you post a link to a "New York Times" story that criticizes Pope Benedict? How dare you do this? OK, well, I've come out now and I've said, I'm not part of your group. So I feel free.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: So that was novelist Anne Rice. We're hearing from some of the plaintiffs in this case.

We're also hearing from you, a lot of you very engaged in this issue on both sides. Ines Ferre joining us with your comments coming up after the break.  (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Well, here's one thing we figured out with the whole Prop 8 story -- you have a lot to say about it. Ines Ferre has been looking over some of your comments at our CNN.com blog and a couple of other places.

And as you know, sometimes it's tough to find out what people are saying, but that is not the case here. What are you hearing?

INES FERRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, so many people are sounding off.

Let me start with Twitter. Actually, the mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa says, "Prop 8 wasn't just unconstitutional, it was un-Californian."

Also, on CNN, we've got Highstakes saying, "It doesn't (Prop 8) violate the Constitution because marriage is not defined by the Constitution. It is up to the states to define."

Also, you've got Jeff saying, "I'm not against gay marriage. I'm against the whole idea that one couple, married or not, has more rights than the other or individual. Take married off the tax forms."

So you can leave your comments to us on CNN.com. Lots of people that are commenting on this, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Yes, a lot of people, a lot of officials, a lot of celebrities. Lots and lots. Keep them coming, folks, keep them coming.

Ines, thank you.

And as we noted, look, here at CNN we're fair, we tell both sides of the story. You heard of those Austin Nimocks with the Alliance Defense Fund in favor of Prop 8. Coming up next hour, two of the plaintiffs from the lawsuit, Perry versus Schwarzenegger, will be talking to me. I'm going to get some reaction from this couple. It's Paul Katami, Jeff Zarrillo next hour. You won't want to miss it here in the CNN NEWSROOM.

Also in the next hour of CNN NEWSROOM, a tipping point for Social Security. Starting this year it's expected to take in less revenue than it must pay out for benefits. So our question is, is Social Security going broke? We'll go over some of the suggestions to fix it.

Plus, bomb and mortar attacks leaving U.S. troops with critical injuries, but their journey home is faster than at any time in history. CNN's Barbara Star has this exclusive look at their amazing medical care.

Stay right there.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: There are millions and millions of people all around the world who have been forced from their homelands under the threat of persecution and violence. And in this week's "Impact Your World," Queen Noor of Jordan is talking about why it is so important to support refugees.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

QUEEN NOOR, REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL: I'm Queen Noor and we can make an impact on refugees around the world.

I've lived and worked with refugees in Jordan and in the Middle East. As a trustee of Refugees International, I'm trying to strengthen our ability to act on behalf of those who have been displaced from their homes, and that they return home as soon as possible.

Join the movement. Impact your world, CNN.com/impact.

(END VIDEO CLIP)