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American Morning
San Bruno Damage; Iran to Release U.S. Hiker; Top College Towns To Retire; Fashioning A Fortune; War in Afghanistan Becoming More Violent; Protests Around the World Over Threatened Burning of Korans; Boxed In By Crime
Aired September 13, 2010 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JIM ACOSTA, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. It's Monday, September 13th. I'm Jim Acosta in for John Roberts this morning. We're happy to have Candy Crowley with us as well.
Good to see you, Candy.
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN ANCHOR: Well, I'm in for Kiran this morning. It was tough getting up but nice to be with you.
ACOSTA: Exactly. That's right.
CROWLEY: Nice to be with you all as well
There is lots to talk about this morning so let's get right to it.
Returning to the ruins in San Bruno, California. Victims going back in their neighborhood after last week's deadly gas explosion and fires. Plus some really scary new video taken moments after that huge explosion.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) is that? Was that a plane crash?
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
CROWLEY: Whoa. California regulators ordering PG&E to inspect all its natural gas lines in the state.
ACOSTA: Tracking what could be trouble in the Atlantic. Hurricane Igor now a category 4 storm and continuing to gain strength. Our Rob Marciano is tracking the storm's every movement. We'll have new information on whether the East Coast could be in line for a direct hit.
CROWLEY: And we are also on freedom watch this morning. U.S. hiker Sarah Shourd could heading home within hours after spending more than a year of her life alone in an Iranian prison. But will Iran make good on its word?
ACOSTA: And of course the "AM Fix" blog is up and running. Join the live conversation right now. Lots to talk about on this Monday. Just go to CNN.com/amFIX.
CROWLEY: And new developments in the neighborhood just decimated by a deadly gas explosion and fires in California. Residents in San Bruno returning home for the first time and they are finding their block in ruins.
ACOSTA: State regulators are now ordering a complete inspection of PG&E's natural gas system. And as Ted Rowlands reports, an incredible home video has surfaced showing the moments just after the explosion. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This incredible home video was captured moments after the explosion from a house balcony just behind the blown gas pipe. The voice you hear belongs to Walter McCaffrey. He had one hand on his video camera, the other on his phone, telling his wife not to come home with their three children.
This is the view from that deck now. Walter and his wife Cherry (ph) were allowed back Sunday afternoon to their house for the first time since the explosion.
WALTER MCCAFFREY, SAN BRUNO RESIDENT: Just looking at all this. I mean, I saw all of this from the news, but being here and the first time coming up here and looking at all of this, it was just -- no words. I can't really explain.
ROWLANDS: Teams are still sifting through ash, searching for remains of people still listed as missing. As investigators try to learn what caused the explosion, questions have surfaced about the section of pipe that blew, a PG&E document outlining costs to replace the pipe says, quote, "the likelihood of a failure makes the risk of a failure that the location unacceptably high." That doesn't mean that PG&E thought there was a chance the pipe could explode.
But Mark Toney, executive director of the consumer watchdog group Utility Reform Network, says it's important if reports that residents smelled gas before the explosion are true.
MARK TONEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK: Nobody, PG&E included, could have imagined something as horrible and terrible as the San Bruno blast and fire as happening. But the fact remains that when PG&E got the report of gas leaks from several customers over several days, they should have realized that this was an area that was old, that was at high risk that they identified as high risk.
ROWLANDS: Federal officials leading the investigation are looking into the reports about the smell of gas in the days before the explosion and how PG&E responded.
CHRISTOPHER HART, NTSB BOARD MEMBER: We would ask anybody who says that they smell gas and called it in to let us know.
ROWLANDS: The McCaffreys plan to move back when they are sure it's safe to do so. While their home suffered only minor damage, their neighborhood will never be the same.
(on camera): There's no comment from PG&E on the history of this gas line. They say, because it's an ongoing investigation, they can't publicly comment.
The NTSB is the lead organization in this. They say they may not be able to determine an exact cause of the explosion for months -- Jim, Candy.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ACOSTA: Thanks, Ted.
Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf, the man behind the proposed Islamic center and mosque near Ground Zero, says Sarah Palin and politicians like her, he says, are to blame for the growing Islamophobia in this country. Imam Rauf calls Palin's protest disingenuous and claims her opposition to the Islamic center is politically motivated.
Right now, you're looking at live pictures of the Council on Foreign Relations here in New York. We're waiting for the imam's speech coming up later this morning. That was the president of the Council on Foreign Relations, Richard Haass, just speaking there a few moments ago.
And it looks like the imam is getting ready to address that audience there. And we'll be monitoring that and getting back to you on that in just a few moments.
And a programming note, be sure to catch Donald Trump tonight on "LARRY KING LIVE." Donald has offered to buy the site near Ground Zero where the Islamic center might be built. He will tell us why coming up tonight at 9:00 Eastern.
CROWLEY: Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says Americans will never be immune from threats to our national security. The secretary appeared yesterday on CNN's "STATE OF THE UNION." And on a day after we marked nine years since 9/11, she told me there's no guarantee we won't be attacked again.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JANET NAPOLITANO, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: The United States, we're not immune, and we do se U.S. persons who, for whatever reason, have been radicalized to the point of violence, maybe violence in the name of Islam. And, you know, they travel to the FATA, they train, they learn the trade craft, they come back. And that is something that is relatively new in kind of the known threat stream that we've been dealing with. But it's -- but it's not unique, and nor was it unanticipated, really, that could occur.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CROWLEY: Secretary Napolitano says America is safer now, but the risk of attack can never be eliminated.
ACOSTA: And Rob Marciano is in the extreme weather center this morning. Rob's looking at a lot of stuff happening in the tropics this morning. Potentially another tropical system may be in the works besides Hurricane Igor. Rob's going to talk about that and everything else that's popping up out there, hopefully this morning.
How's it going out there, Rob?
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes. We've got Igor which is out there, hurricane, category 4 status. And we also have Julia, which is over my right shoulder there. That's a tropical storm with 40-mile-an-hour winds. Both of them are way out there. But Igor is terrifyingly strong and is expected to be strong.
So, that's the one storm that we're most concerned about. And then this other area which is closer to home in the central Caribbean, because it's so close, we're a little more worried about this one because if it does develop in the next day or two. And this orange box indicates the National Hurricane Center thinks that it has a chance of doing that. Well, it could be in the Gulf of Mexico within a couple of days.
So, we're in primetime hurricane season and Mother Nature is certainly not disappointing. Meantime, a couple of fronts rolling across the eastern coast this weekend to provide some action and some pleasant weather. We'll talk more about that later on in the program -- guys.
ACOSTA: Thank you, Rob. Appreciate it.
And we got a follow-up on a story that Candy has been watching closely. That's right. It sounds like Taylor Swift has forgiven Kanye West for interrupting her speech at last year's MTV Video Music Awards.
Last night, at this year's VMA, Swift took to the stage to premier her new song "Innocent."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ACOSTA: Swift went on to sing "32 Is Still Growing Up." It sounds lovely there.
CROWLEY: Yes. And Swift wasn't the only one to keep the past alive. Actress Lindsay Lohan poked fun at her own struggles with host Chelsea Handler.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHELSEA HANDLER, COMEDIAN: Hey, Lindsay.
LINDSAY LOHAN, ACTRESS: Have you been drinking?
HANDLER: No.
LOHAN: Really? And why is your ankle bracelet going off?
HANDLER: Oh, that just means my table's ready at the cheesecake factory.
LOHAN: Wake up, Handler. Pull it together. You're a mess. You think anyone wants to work with a drunk? Take it from me, they don't.
HANDLER: OK. OK. You turned your life around. Maybe I can, too.
LOHAN: That's the spirit, kid. Now go get 'em.
HANDLER: Thanks, Freckles.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ACOSTA: Inspiring stuff there.
CROWLEY: I'm not really sure how I feel about that, nor am I sure you understand it.
Anyway --
ACOSTA: Yes.
CROWLEY: -- is that the beginning of a come back?
ACOSTA: You're not the only one, Candy.
CROWLEY: We really don't know. Stay tuned.
ACOSTA: And Lady Gaga ruled the MTV Video Music Awards. Must we talk more about the VMAs? Yes. The fashion and dance diva took home eight trophies last night, including Video of the Year for "Bad Romance," and also Hair of the Year. Gaga did not disappoint with her choice of outfits.
Check out the new 'do. Yes, that would be about a pound of ground chuck on her hairline there. Not exactly sure why she went with that hair style. Putting the gag in Lady Gaga you might say -- if you don't mind me saying.
CROWLEY: Yes. I can't tell if that's real meat or not. I don't think it is.
ACOSTA: We hope it's not.
CROWLEY: Ick.
ACOSTA: Yes, exactly.
CROWLEY: On a little more serious note, maybe a hopeful one -- Iran may be getting ready to free one of the three American hikers that are being held as spies. They are awaiting. They say $500,000 bail. But the question is whether Iran will make good on its word.
Reza Sayah live next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ACOSTA: Welcome back to the Most News in the Morning.
Freedom could be a few hours away -- at least we hope so. We're waiting for word from Iran this morning that Sarah Shourd, one of the three Americans held prisoner for a year, is out of jail and heading home.
CROWLEY: Right now, it appears to be just a matter of money. This morning, anyway, Iranian media is saying the country is waiting for her half million dollar bail to be deposited.
Reza Sayah is monitoring the situation for us live from Pakistan this morning.
Reza, is there -- are there new developments?
REZA SAYAH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: No new developments at this point, Candy. We spoke to the lawyer representing Sarah Shourd several times over the past few hours. He's also the lawyer representing the other two hikers. And he tells us that Sarah Shourd is still in Iranian custody because the half million dollars in bail money has yet to be posted.
The lawyer says he's in contact with officials at the Swiss embassy in Tehran, as well as officials at the prosecutor's office in Tehran, and they're basically waiting for that money to be posted. Because Tehran and Washington do not have diplomatic relations, it's the Swiss embassy in Tehran that's going to play the role of mediator in this matter.
This whole thing has been a bizarre case over the past few days with all of the waffling by Iranian officials. Initially they said last week that Sarah Shourd would be released, then they said she wouldn't.
Yesterday, a senior prosecutor came out once again and said she can be released in exchange for half a million dollars in bail money. The lawyer has told us he met with them yesterday.
They're all doing well. Sarah Shourd is happy with the possibility of her release, Candy, but her reference is for all three to be released.
ACOSTA: And, Reza, just a follow-up question. I mean, why -- are we actually talking about the Iranians demanding money for her release? The Iranian government demanding -- I mean, that's -- that just sounds very strange. I mean, how long could this go on? I mean, it just sounds like this must be agonizing for her family.
SAYAH: No question about it. This has to be a difficult process for her family. According to the lawyer that we spoke with yesterday, he said it could take place by today.
Now, it's looking more and more that there is a possibility it's not going the happen today. He said if it doesn't happen today, it could happen within the next couple of days. Technically, this is bail money, according to the judiciary -- $500,000 collateral, insurance that she's going to come back and face trial. But in all likelihood, she will pay this money and she's going to leave Iran and never come back to Iran.
Foreign nationals who have arrested by Iranian officials faced the same situation where they posted money, they left, they never come back. Maziar Bahari, the Canadian Iranian journalist, last year, he posted bail, he left, he was convicted and sentenced in absentia. It's likely that Sarah Shourd is going to face the same scenario.
ACOSTA: And nobody would blame her.
Reza Sayah joining us live this morning on that developing story. Thank you, Reza. Appreciate it.
Well, improve your golf game, take up a new hobby, expand your intellectual horizons, the top five best places -- the college towns we should mention -- the top five college towns to retire in America. It's coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ACOSTA: Welcome back to the Most News in the Morning. It is 8:17, time for "Minding Your Business." And everyone retires to Florida, right? No, not the case. In fact, many retirees are now looking for cheaper, more interesting places to spend their golden years and CNN and "Money" magazine are focusing on the best places to retire.
And joining us now, "Money" magazine's Amanda Gengler. And Amanda, you're talking about college towns, the best college towns to retire in. And I should note that this is not a bad college town to retire in. Harrisonburg, Virginia, home of James Madison University, which beat Virginia Tech this weekend -- not that we're taking notice of that, or at least I am.
Thanks for joining us, Amanda. I appreciate it. I wanted to ask you, in terms of these college towns, I mean, you picked the best college towns to retire in. How did you arrive at this? Because, as we all know, there are lots of college towns out there.
AMANDA GENGLER, WRITER, "MONEY" MAGAZINE: Sure. Well, these college towns have the traditional traits that retirees would look for, in terms of low taxes, affordable housing, good health care. But on top of that, each local college or university has a specific program that allows retirees to go back to school, to take courses in everything from the arts, language, literature, history. So seniors love these programs. They are using the courses to fill in the gaps from their education, from their undergraduate years.
ACOSTA: It is more than just being out on the golf course, right?
GENGLER: Exactly. You can't golf every day.
ACOSTA: Exactly, and as Candy Crowley puts it, lots of keggers. But, anyway, let's get to the top five. Starting at number five, let's put that on screen if we can, Bellingham, Washington, population 80,000, home of Western Washington University. Why there?
GENGLER: Well, this is a vibrant city that's tucked between Vancouver and Seattle. So you have access to two major metro areas which is nice, it provides an international airport. Yet the area has its own distinct feel. There's a vibrant downtown harbor scene. And there are also a huge number of retirees here, that's probably partly to do because the state has no income tax.
ACOSTA: Oh, well that is a big plus for retirees. All right, let's take a look at number four. Because a lot of these surprised us, but this one I have to tell you, retiring in Arizona does sound pretty nice. Prescott, Arizona, population 40,000. And help me with the pronunciation of this college here.
GENGLER: Yavapai College.
ACOSTA: Yavapai College. Am I getting that right?
GENGLER: I think so.
ACOSTA: Okay.
GENGLER: And what is neat about this is, it's an hour north of Phoenix, yet you're at an elevation that is about 5,000 feet so you actually get four distinct seasons and another plus for retirees today is that it used to be a little pricey but housing prices are down about 35% since 2007.
ACOSTA: Oh, yes. Big bargains there.
GENGLER: Exactly.
ACOSTA: And gorgeous scenery. I mean, you just can't get enough of the desert. Let's look at number three, because this one also I think surprised me a little bit. Lexington, Kentucky, population 290,000. Why Lexington? I mean, I've been there. It's a cute town. A lot of charm.
GENGLER: Well, Lexington is nice because it has the regular program where seniors can take courses with other seniors, yet it also has something unusual where seniors can actually take courses with the undergraduate students if there is space available. If the course isn't full. When it comes to the area, downtown Lexington is vibrant, there is plenty to do, dozens of restaurants and you can always drive through the nearby horse countryside, which is beautiful. ACOSTA: I can hear all those SCC sport fans right now, saying, no, not Lexington, my town, my town. Please send your letters to Amanda. No. All right. Let's move up to number two, because this one I think was the most surprising one. Hanover, New Hampshire, population 8,500, home of Dartmouth, of course, but also very, very cold.
GENGLER: Dartmouth was one of my favorites in Hanover, New Hampshire, just because it's a unique blend of rural New England.
ACOSTA: It's a beautiful town.
GENGLER: It is just a picturesque village, yet it also has intellectual and cultural activities. So it sort of has --
ACOSTA: This is an intellectual choice.
GENGLER: Yes, it has the beauty, the natural beauty, it also has the brains. There are art museums, operas, ballets, too plenty of options to choose from. You either embrace the cold and go skiing, you know, go hiking, or you escape south for a couple of months.
ACOSTA: Okay, I won't be there. It was a nice try but I will not be there. All right, let's go to a number one. Is there a drum roll? I don't think there is a drum roll. Durham, North Carolina, population 220,000. That is a great town. Duke University is there. That's a no-brainer.
GENGLER: And Durham along with nearby Chapel Hill and Rawly.
ACOSTA: The research triangle.
GENGLER: Exactly. And it would rank as the retiree Mecca even without Duke's stellar lifelong learning programs. It's one of the oldest in the country. Retirees can choose from between 100 courses, there are 1,500 members in it. On top of that, you do once again get all four seasons yet milder versions. You're not going to have frigid New England winters there.
ACOSTA: And Amanda, the Blue Ridge Mountains are also lovely this time of year in Virginia. Harrisonburg, Virginia, also a nice place to retire, also has an up and coming football team to boot. So, you may want to put that on the list as well. Think about that for next year, would you?
GENGLER: Plenty of athletic events at all of these colleges, there too.
ACOSTA: All right. Thanks a lot. Amanda Gengler with money. And to find the best story on the places to retire, just check out CNNmoney.com and check out the list there. There are some surprising finds there and you might want to check them out and consider them for your retirement. Candy.
CROWLEY: Thanks, Jim. You know, we all watched last week as the plans by an obscure pastor in Florida to burn the Koran sparked international demonstrations. Demonstrations of that Koran burning plan which never took place turned deadly in Afghanistan. It causes Americans to wonder how deep and how wide is that resentment of the U.S.
Coming up, Bobby Ghosh, Deputy International Editor for Time Magazine.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CROWLEY: We'll have our top stories here in just a couple of minutes. But first an A.M. Original, something you will see only on "American Morning." Jessica Simpson is back. The actress and singer is working on a new Christmas album.
ACOSTA: And some of us are wondering where did she go? But if you have been living on the moon you might not know she has been a fashion mogul in the making lately, her label quickly becoming coveted by fashionistas everywhere. But does she really have that fashion street cred? Our own fashionista, Alina Cho, who has spent time with - oh come on, it is true. You spent some time with Jessica Simpson recently.
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I did.
ACOSTA: And you have the answer to this question. This burning question out there.
CHO: Well I mean, you know, listen. Will her collections grace the pages of "Vogue"? Probably not. But does she care? Probably not. You know Jessica Simpson has been called a lot of things but fashion mogul, generally not one of them. But Simpson is a fashion mogul and a future billion dollar girl.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JESSICA SIMPSON, CO-CREATIVE DIRECTOR, JESSICA SIMPSON COLLECTION: No one else, I think I'm in love.
CHO (voice-over): Jessica Simpson is an American sweetheart, the girl known for her gaffes --
SIMPSON: I know it's tuna, but it says chicken by the sea.
CHO: -- good looks.
SIMPSON: You all ready to order?
CHO: -- and turning the tabloids. But Jessica Simpson is also a mega fashion brand.
(on camera): You've got sweaters, shoes, jewelry, handbags, hats. I mean did you ever think?
SIMPSON: No. Honestly, this isn't even like a dream I had. I mean, I played with Barbie's and I like to dress them up.
CHO (voice-over): Now she's dressing up real people head to toe. A full fashion line named after, who else, but herself.
PHILLIP BLOCH, AUTHOR, "THE SHIPPING DIET": She could end up selling food, selling housewares, she could sell cars. She's like the next version of Martha Stewart.
CHO: Before you doubt it, get this. Just five years after its launch, the Jessica Simpson Collection has 21 different product categories. Everything from butterfly pattern dresses to boots -- definitely not made for walking -- to perfume, even luggage. With well over $500 million in annual sales, on track to be $1 billion brand by 2012.
SIMPSON: It's the most lucrative thing I do.
CHO: How does she manage it all? Lots of help from her co- creative director, her mom.
(on camera): What's most important for you?
TINA SIMPSON, CO-CREATIVE DIRECTOR, JESSICA SIMPSON COLLECTION: That it's real for Jessica. You know that it's real to her. Nothing goes through approval with us that isn't like something that Jessica wouldn't be interested in. Wouldn't love.
J. SIMPSON: I like that doesn't have the collar.
T. SIMPSON: Uh huh, that's a great jacket.
J. SIMPSON: I'm definitely a girly girl so it was fun for me to, like, even put together color palettes or like create some pair of jeans that a woman would feel comfortable in.
CHO: That's right. The latest venture is a full line of jeans.
JEFF GENNETTE, CHIEF MERCHANDISING OFFICER, MACY: She's a curvy fit. There's a lot of women that are looking for a jean that fit as curvy woman.
CHO: Something the tabloids taunted her about, making light of her weight battles.
J. SIMPSON: I don't like to read that stuff. Yes, the world doesn't like me. They think I'm a size 100.
CHO: But it's this relatability that industry insiders say consumers love.
(on camera): Where do you want to see this brand go? Five years from now, ten years from now.
SIMPSON: Oh, I'm thinking even after I'm gone I would like for it to be around.
CHO: You are that all-American girl, aren't you.
J. SIMPSON: Well, I hope so. I hope I'm the all-American girl. I think I am.
CHO: I think you are. I think I'm in love
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHO: She most certainly is. You know if you ask people why Jessica Simpson's clothes, bags, and shoes sell so well, they will tell you, three C's: cost, comfort, and credibility. Her shoes and bags, for example, start at under $50. Her shoes are so comfortable that flight attendants actually approach her on a regular basis and say these are the only I can wear walking up and down the aisle all day.
You know, if you ask people why Jessica Simpson's clothes, bags and shoes sell, you know what? Fashion stylists and experts will say is that she is relatable but she's also glamorous. So every time she has a weight battle, she breaks up, we say I've been through that, so she is relatable. She is also glamorous, so we aspire to be her. And her clothes are inspiring to a lot of teens out there and people all the way into their 40s, 50s and 60s.
ACOSTA: She is going to afford a lot of chicken of the sea.
CHO: Hey, you know what, you people laugh but you got to give her credit. I mean, she's got her name on a lot of products and her business is worth nearly $1 billion. She's laughing all the way to the bank.
ACOSTA: Absolutely. I wish I was. My own clothing line coming out. Thanks, Alina, appreciate, great stuff.
A new fashion favorite isn't exactly something you wear. Guilt Group is an online site that offers sales on the popular items. It's addictive to designers and shoppers alike. And Alina tells us about fashion's next frontier on tomorrow's show. It should be interesting.
CROWLEY: It is 8:31. Time for this morning's top stories.
Returning to ruins in San Bruno, California for the first time since the deadly gas explosion and fires, victims are going back into their neighborhoods and finding there is little left. Plus, some really startling new video taken moments after that huge explosion.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(SHOUTING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CROWLEY: California regulators have ordered PG&E to inspect all of its natural gas lines in the state.
ACOSTA: Waiting for word from Iran. The American hiker Sarah Shourd is a free woman this morning. She is one of three who were captured along the border and thrown into an Iranian jail more than one year ago. The other two could still stand trial on spying charges.
CROWLEY: Rescuers in Chile are sending the 33 miners trapped one of the things they crave the most -- cigarettes. The men will share two packs a day. Officials had been supplying them with nicotine patches and gum. They miners also received a power line that will let them install lights.
ACOSTA: On to Afghanistan. Despite the surge of 30,000 new U.S. troops, a security expert tells "The New York Times" the country is more dangerous now than in the past nine years. In August alone insurgents launched 1,300 attacks, that's 700 more than during the same time last year.
CROWLEY: Our Jason Carroll spent just about three weeks on the front lines talking to troops, seeing the dangerous conditions firsthand. Jason joining us live in New York. Does it feel -- it's got to feel, obviously, it feels dangerous on the ground. What does it feel like to the troops?
CARROLL: I think for them it feels like a little bit of Russian roulette, because whenever you head out an a combat patrol or to meet local villagers, you never quite know when this is going to be the moment when you hit an IED, which is an improvised explosive device.
I say that because when most people when they think of war, they think of two sides sort of lining up and firing at each other. That's not the way this war is being fought because obviously the Taliban and the insurgents, they can't match the coalition forces' firepower.
So what they do is plant these bombs along roadsides, so when U.S. forces go out and try to interact with the Afghan people they get hit with these roadside bombs and then attacked. So, I think that's really how it is whenever forces go out. It's just a matter of is this my time, is this the time when it will happen to me?
CROWLEY: You know, one of the things I think we spend so much time not being in danger back here saying, oh, is this worth it, is it worth it? Then when you get over there, get the sense from you, that that's really not on their agenda. Their agenda is doing their job and staying alive.
CARROLL: It really is. Basic and simple -- it's getting out doing what you're supposed to do, and a real sense of, especially those who have been on multiple deployments like the soldier we're following, Sergeant Randy Shorter. He has been to the area before, southern Afghanistan. He wants to complete the mission.
And that's the real sense that you get from these guys, a very tight bond they have. They want to get in there, and complete the task that they have been required to do.
CROWLEY: Jason Carroll, welcome home. I know you want to go back but good to see you.
ACOSTA: Good to see you, Jason. Thanks. ACOSTA: Well, demonstrations against that Florida church's Koran burning plan that turned deadly in Afghanistan this weekend. Who are these protesters? Were they moderates or extremists? Up next, Bobby Ghosh for "TIME" magazine breaks it down for us. It's 34 minutes after the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ACOSTA: Welcome back to the Most News in the Morning. Florida Pastor Terry Jones called off his Koran burning ceremony this weekend, but some would argue the damage was already done.
CROWLEY: We have seen worldwide protest this is weekend from England to Pakistan, two demonstrators were killed in Afghanistan. So is there any way to tamp down all of the anger that has built out there? Bobby Ghosh, deputy international director for "TIME" magazine is with us this morning.
I talked myself this weekend to Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano, and said you know, we look at it here, many of us, say OK, there is this obscure preacher in Florida who threatens to burn the Koran and suddenly it becomes the source of street protests. And is it not understood that there's 315 million people in the United States and not all burning Korans. I want you to listen to her answer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JANET NAPOLITANO, U.S. SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY: It goes across the internet and across the globe as an accelerant. They don't appreciate that we're a country with freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of religion. This is just one small minister we all disagree with on a values basis, but it gets interpreted abroad very differently.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CROWLEY: First, do you agree with that, and is there any way to combat the idea that this is America, that this is how we are over here?
BOBBY GHOSH, DEPUTY INTERNATIONAL EDITOR, "TIME" MAGAZINE: Well, look at it in context. If Reverend Jones said this six months ago, a year ago it might not have gotten attention. But this is at a time of when we had other indications of a rising Islamophobia. So in this context people are looking at the United States around the world and they see this preacher stand up and say he's going to burn the Koran, and it takes on a greater meaning.
It's also important, it doesn't mat here it is. Burning the Koran, the Koran is divine. If you're a believing Muslim it's not just a holy book, it's directly the word of god. If you took the cheapest Koran in the market and threatened to set it afire that would be, to a devout Muslim, not necessarily extremist, that would be tantamount to say for a catholic saying you are going to burn down the Sistine chapel. It is the word of god. So it is very important and people take it very seriously. CROWLEY: Sure, but it was one man or one man and his small following that was threatening to do this. But it seemed as though it was taken as the protests were anti-U.S.
GHOSH: The protests were anti-U.S. and it was part of other protests, protests in Afghanistan we've seen in the last few days were also anti-Afghan government, protesting against corruption, against the American military presence.
This is not being taken in isolation. This is happening in the context of unhappiness in Afghanistan over the American military presence, over how corrupt their government is. It's important that a lot of these protests are taking place in front of Afghan government offices. Not in front of American embassy or the American military bases, in front of the Afghan police station, Afghan government office. Those people are protesting several things.
They are also protesting what they think is sort of sacrilege against their religion but also a bunch of other things, and clear I in a couple of case this is got out of hand, a couple of people are dead, and that is tragic.
ACOSTA: And this could have been much worse, correct, if the pastor had gone through with his plans, I mean, this could have touched off these sorts of demonstrations all over the world.
GHOSH: Absolutely. The potential for angry, much angrier protests was enormous. If there were video images going around of this man actually burning the Koran it would be terrible.
But a genie has been let out of the bottle here and is not going to come back.
ACOSTA: What do you mean by that/
GHOSH: I mean that we've seen smaller scale burnings that took place in other parts of this country, including here in New York. I worry that lots of other people -- lots of people have seen what the attention that Terry Jones has got and probably coming to the conclusion that that's a good way to get attention.
And just like, as you remember -- I'm not saying this exact same thing, but similar when the Iraqi journalist threw a shoe at President Bush. Now shoes are thrown all over the place. I really worry that Koran burning is going to become the thing to do in protest that may have little to do with Islam.
CROWLEY: Do you have a sense of the people that we have seen in the demonstrations, who are these people? Do they represent a faction, or do you think it's broader than that, that it's across the Muslim world and they tend to actually speak for a broad and deep cross section of the Muslim world?
GHOSH: Well, as I said, you don't have to be an extremist to be offended by what Terry Jones is proposing to do. So I'm sure many people who come to the protests are perfectly otherwise rational, moderate, and sensible people.
As often happens in these cases, an extremist faction will speak the loudest, will seize the microphone, the attention and the camera. But let's not forget that even if that is true, that many perfectly moderate mainstream Muslims are just as alarmed looking at this country to see how Muslims are treated.
ACOSTA: And Bobby, you hear so much about the importance of the moderate Muslim, moderate Arab. Do they get that Terry Jones is not Billy graham? That this is just some extreme guy who is from the fringes who is not from the mainstream religious life in America?
GHOSH: Some of them do get it, of course. But they are also seeing that this preacher, pastor, speaks and the president of the United States is responding. The president of the United States goes on television saying to respond to Terry Jones.
ACOSTA: Doesn't that mean something?
GHOSH: That means two things -- that America takes religious freedom seriously, America is concerned about the repercussions, but it also means to people who don't have that sophisticated media view, it may mean, well, if this guy is drawing the response from the president of the United States, he must be an important person.
CROWLEY: Bobby Ghosh, deputy international editor for "TIME" magazine, thank you so much for your insight and your time, appreciate it.
Up next, there is some stormy weather moving east right now. Plus, hurricane Igor is in the open Atlanta, or is it Igor, as a powerful category four storm. Rob Marciano is tracking it all for us, next.
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MARCIANO: Well, just as residents of west of Boulder were allowed to go back to their homes, after that fire burned.
And now another fire north of that area, about 30 miles just west of Loveland, Colorado and this -- this blaze consumed about 700 acres and firefighters had to scramble. They are moving the assets from Boulder north to Loveland now.
There was one home that was burned, then several others threatened and evacuations under way, only about 10 percent containment at this hour.
Good morning everybody. Again, I'm Rob Marciano. The weather for that fire, it doesn't look to be too bad, we're not going the see a lot of moisture but not going to see a tremendous amount of wind. The weather actually across much of the country is fairly quiet. Cool fronts have been all the way down to the south.
And that lowering humidity across parts of the south -- that is certainly welcome. All right, the front that moved through New York last night with the heavy rain just sporadic rain showers mostly upstate today. And that will be about it as far as the active weather across the lower 48, but very active in the tropics right now.
This is Hurricane Igor, winds of 150 miles an hour, look at the size of that eye, it continues to barrel off to the west. And also to the west or moving west is this, this tropical storm Julia but we don't think that Julia is going to do a whole lot.
Let's talk about the track of Igor, expected to remain a major hurricane, maybe getting to Category-5 status before it's done. And then starting that northerly progression toward Bermuda in the general direction of the U.S., whether it gets this way we'll have to wait and see. Keep your fingers crossed and hope that -- that doesn't happen.
A little bit closer to home, this is a little bit more concerning, because it's so close. This is the central Caribbean. And there's Cuba, Florida; this has a decent chance of becoming a tropical cyclone here in the next day or two. The National Hurricane Center is watching that.
You're update weather-wise. AMERICAN MORNING is coming right back.
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ACOSTA: Still hard at work?
CROWLEY: They are, they are. I appreciate that.
Time for "A.M. House Call:" stories about your health.
Working long hours increases your risk of death from heart disease. But staying in shape can eliminate the risk.
A new study says a work week longer than 45 hours doubles the risk of fatal heart disease. The National Institutes of Health recommend as 30-minute workout three times a week.
ACOSTA: With the kids back in school a Canadian safety group is experimenting with new speed bump technology to keep them safe at busy intersections. Check this is out, this is unbelievable stuff.
This is what drivers are seeing. It's an illusion created by a 3D decal on the road. It's designed to make it look like a child is running into traffic. And my goodness that is frightening to look at.
Safety officials hope it will get drivers to slow down near schools. They are monitoring the program right now to see how effective it is. And it looks pretty darn effective to me. I don't know.
CROWLEY: It is but you worry that they might think every child on the street is fake. That's sort of scary even looking at it.
It is about 52 minutes after the hour.
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ACOSTA: Welcome back to The Most News in the Morning. Studies show there is still discrimination against minorities when employers hire. But if you are a black male and have a criminal record getting a job is even tougher.
CROWLEY: But our Stephanie Elam found some state and local governments are trying to change that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GENE MAYS, FORMER FELON: Here is a basketball.
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Gene Mays knows all too well what a criminal record can do to a job search. Once the top of his class in high school Mays dropped out of college and began selling coke to support his habit.
MAYS: Once I started doing cocaine, it just shot straight to the top as far as my priority list.
ELAM: In 1989, he went to jail for drug trafficking. He served his time, paid his dues.
MAYS: October 7, 1997. And that's the day that I got clean.
ELAM: Flash forward a decade, Mays now married and a father was studying to become an electrician to better provide for his family.
MAYS: I did something that they said had never been done. And that was I got 100 on each of the 12 tests during my first year.
ELAM: Despite this, the city of Cincinnati revoked its electrician job offer. David Singleton is Mays' lawyer.
DAVID SINGLETON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OHIO JUSTICE AND POLICY CENTER: The city looked at Gene, saw that he had two felony convictions in his past and said therefore you can't work for the city. It didn't care about his rehabilitation. It didn't care that he was ranked number one in his class each of the five year of the electrician's training program.
ELAM: Singleton successfully fought to get Cincinnati to ban the box, removing the criminal history question from its job applications. Employers are still free to ask the question later in the hiring process. The point is to give ex-offenders a chance at an interview.
SINGLETON: It's not felon first, employment programs. What it is, is it's giving people a fair shot to compete for jobs where they are qualified.
ELAM (on camera): So this box issue, is it more of an issue for people of color, for black men? SINGLETON: Statistics bear out that if you're a person of color, you are more likely to be the focus of the police. You're more likely to wind up in the criminal justice system.
ELAM (voice-over): This summer Connecticut joined Minnesota and New Mexico in banning the box on state job applications while Massachusetts and Hawaii banned all employers from using the box. Massachusetts State Representative James Miceli is against softening the laws.
JAMES MICELI, MASSACHUSETTS STATE REPRESENTATIVE: I want to give everyone access to all of the information regarding someone's criminal record that they can get. Why not disclose everything up front?
ELAM: But Victor Garcia, a professor of surgery in Ohio believes there is a direct correlation between unemployment and the young people who end up in his emergency room.
VICTOR GARCIA, SURGERY AND PEDIATRICS PROFESSOR: Chronic joblessness is a direct cause for the growth of the illegal or informal economy and with that is a culture of gunshot wounds.
ELAM: Now clean for nearly 13 years, Mays is working for a transit company but he never did get that electrician's job.
MAYS: Once a felon, always a felon. So that's what generally leads a person back to the life of crime because they feel like once they committed a crime, that it's no use now. What I hope can come out of this is that those same individuals that were thinking like that can now have a sense of hope.
ELAM: Stephanie Elam, CNN, Cincinnati.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CROWLEY: And please don't miss a "BLACK IN AMERICA" special: "Almighty Debt." It airs October 21st right here on CNN.
ACOSTA: And continue the conversation on today's stories, go to our blog at CNN.com/amfix.
And it's time to turn it over to "CNN NEWSROOM" with Drew Griffin. He is down in Atlanta. He's got the latest on everything that's going on today.
And Drew, good to see you this morning.
