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CNN Sunday Morning
Family, Friends React to Afghan Shooting; Interview with Jackie Cushman
Aired March 18, 2012 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANNOUNCER: From CNN's world headquarters, bringing you news and analysis from across the nation and around the globe -- live from Studio 7, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: From CNN Center, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is Sunday, March 18th. Good morning, everyone. I'm Randi Kaye.
We know his name. We know where he lives, and now, we know his wife's pain. We're talking about the U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales, who allegedly murdered 16 civilian Afghans a week ago today. We'll bring you revelations from his wife Carolyn's blog.
And Newt Gingrich, serious contender or GOP spoiler? Coming up live, we'll talk to one of the people who know him best, his daughter Jackie.
And would you look at this? All right. I can't snowboard but, yes, apparently this opossum can. We'll bring you that and much more of the best video of the morning, later this hour. Look at him go.
One week ago today, U.S. Army Sergeant Robert Bales walked off his base in Afghanistan and into a local village where he shot and killed 16 civilians. Here's the latest: Bales is currently being held in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. His defense team is set to meet with him this week as they begin mounting their strategy. We're also learning about blog postings from Bales' wife, detailing what life is like for military spouses. We'll have some of her words just a little bit later on.
And finally, reaction from those who are closest to the accused soldier, his family. A statement reads in part, "Sergeant Bales family is stunned in the face of this tragedy, but they stand behind the man they know as devoted husband, father, and dedicated member of the armed services."
Let's bring in Casey Wian, he is at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma, Washington, where Sergeant Bales was stationed.
Casey, his defense team is now starting to speak out. What are you hearing from them?
CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, part of that statement that just read, Randi, was received by us late yesterday afternoon. Sergeant Bales' civilian defense team is saying that they will travel to Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, to meet in person with their client for the first time this week. Part of that statement also reading, "Public reports that Sergeant Bales' supervisors, family and friends describe him as a level-headed experienced soldier are consistent with information gathered by the defense team. It is too early to determine what factors may have played into this incident and the defense team looks forward to reviewing the evidence, examining all of Sergeant Bales' medical and personal records and interviews witnesses."
Now, of course, Randi, the defense team is citing reports by his neighbors here in the Tacoma area of Washington state, by soldiers who served with Staff Sergeant Bales during four different combat tours, they have all described him as a good man, a remarkable soldier.
We are also hearing the same kinds of things from friends back in his home town of Ohio.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOB DURHAM, FRIEND OF STAFF SGT. ROBERT BALES: I loved the guy. He's a part of my family. He's been -- I've known him since the day he was born. It crushed me. It crushed me.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very outgoing, funny, big smile. I mean, he was just a very personable guy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WIAN: Very difficult to reconcile those statements with what Staff Sergeant Bales is accused of doing in Afghanistan.
There have been some blemishes on his record. In 2002, he was accused of assault. Those charges were dismissed after he completed anger management training.
And also, there is public records that his family, his wife and two children, the family were experiencing some financial difficulties. Their house had been up for sale, in a short sale arrangement an attempted short sale.
Also, the sergeant passed over for a promotion last year and his wife blogged about that, very disappointed that he was over here for that promotion, Randi.
KAYE: Casey Wian reporting for us this morning -- Casey, thank you. We have continuing coverage this hour on the Afghanistan shooting spree, including a live report from Kabul.
CNN Sara Sidner got an exclusive response from the Taliban and new firsthand accounts from the village where that shooting occurred. Her live that at 8:30 Eastern Time right here on CNN.
We are learning more about the brazen killing of an American teacher in Yemen. Two gunmen opened fire on the victim as he driving to work today in the provincial capital of Taez. His identified as Joel Sharm. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claiming responsibility now. It says the victim was spreading Christianity in Yemen.
The United Nations says an American believed by some to have been held captive for nine months has been turned over to the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. A Shiite militia said yesterday that it was freeing a soldier who they identified as Randy Michaels. He's on the right there in that uniform.
But a U.S. official who had knowledge of the man tells CNN the man is actually Rand Michael Holtz, a former Army soldier who served in Iraq shortly after the 2003 invasion and later returned as an entrepreneur. U.S. officials say all missing soldiers have been accounted for. We'll keep an eye on that one.
It is primaries day in Puerto Rico, and the polls have just opened. At stake: 20 delegates. Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum, each visited the U.S. territory to woe voters, even though Puerto Ricans won't be able to vote in November's general presidential election, a primary victory today could strengthen the winner's Latino support.
And stay with us, because in just about five minutes from now, Newt Gingrich's daughter will join me live right here in the studio. I'll ask her if there's any chance of her father of dropping out of the race and why he's still in it. Again, that live interview in just about five minutes from now.
Let's get a look at your early Sunday forecast now. Meteorologist Reynolds Wolf is keeping an eye on that.
Good morning, Reynolds.
REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Randi.
And as always, we've got a lot to talk about weather-wise this weekend. And I'm telling you, one of the big spots we have, at least the bull's eye in terms of severe weather, will take place in the Central and Southern Plains.
We have a lot of moisture coming in from the Gulf of Mexico. Daytime heating will contribute, plus, the jet stream might give us a chance of severe storms into the afternoon, into the evening, too. We're talking about thunderstorms, possibly some large hail, maybe even a few isolated tornadoes.
On the other side of it, the situation is very different, very dry conditions wind falling from the Southwest gives us a fire threat, some of it significant especially through the midday hours.
In the Rockies, we have the snow out to the West Coast. It's a mix of rain. And in the mountains, we have a chance of snowfall. In much of the East, it looks like we're going to see plenty of sunshine with the exception being parts of the Carolina coast.
Seventy-two is your high in Washington, D.C., 67 in Boston, working our way back to the West. In Memphis, 84 degrees the expected high, 77 in Kansas City, 71 in Denver, 60 in Albuquerque and Billings, 50 in Salt Lake City, 52 in San Francisco -- easy for me to say -- and in Los Angeles, 56 is your expected high.
That's a snapshot of your forecast. We've got more coming up right here on CNN SUNDAY.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Polls opened just a few minutes ago in today's Republican primary in Puerto Rico. Mitt Romney and his GOP rival Rick Santorum both campaigned in the U.S. territory, hoping to grab the 20 delegates at stake. It's a winner-take-all if the candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote. Otherwise, the delegates will get split. Romney is favored to win there.
It is the number games for the GOP presidential candidates, no doubt. That lucky number to hit is 1,144 delegates. Newt Gingrich has clinched 139 delegates so far, according to CNN's estimates. But you can see that he is well behind Santorum and Romney there. Santorum and some conservatives are suggesting it's time for Gingrich to step out of the race to help consolidate the conservative vote.
But take a look at this recent poll of Gingrich supporters. It suggests that Romney and Santorum are tied as their second choice for the nominee if Newt Gingrich drops out.
The former speaker's daughter, Jackie Cushman, has been a big voice in her father's campaign. She's here to answer some questions for us.
We have so many for you. So, let's get right to it. How are you, by the way?
JACKIE CUSHMAN, NEWT GINGRICH'S DAUGHTER: I'm great. Thanks for having me.
KAYE: I'm sure you're exhausted being out there on the campaign trail. But let's talk about the numbers, because they don't lie. Your father is third in the delegate race. He's only won two states in the primaries.
Why is he still in it?
CUSHMAN: Well, he's in it for a very simple reason. His goal in the end is to defeat President Barack Obama and he believes and I believe and his supporters believe, many of them, he's got over 176,000 donors, and believe he's the only one that can defeat President Barack Obama. So, it's just not about just winning the nomination.
And here's the theory, the theory is, let's say Governor Romney gets the nomination. The question is: can he actually generate support and enthusiasm? And our thought is, no, not really. You have the repeat of 2008. You have a candidate who no one really rallies behind, no one really works for. And so, they can't beat President Barack Obama. And if you have Senator Santorum, then you have someone that more to get to know them, the more you'll understand he's not fiscally conservative. He was the third ranking member in the Senate, he left the Senate in 2006 after accumulating $1.1 trillion in debt.
KAYE: All right. Let me ask you about this, because, obviously, the conservative vote here is key. And on March 13th, RedState.com, a very conservative blog, wrote this about your dad. "The time has come for Newt Gingrich to drop out. Newt's unfavorability with the general election voters is sky high. He has only around 100 electoral votes and has shown an inability to win the Northwest, Midwest, anywhere else, except for South Carolina and his home state of Georgia. The delegate math makes it impossible for Gingrich to win this race."
Is it too late for Newt Gingrich to win the conservative vote?
CUSHMAN: Absolutely not. A couple of things -- first of all, I think we've been caught up in the media about who should do what. And the reality is, until the candidate actually pulls out, they are in the race. And secondarily, it's not just about winning the delegates, if you're Newt Gingrich. But if no one, if Mitt Romney nor Senator Santorum can get the 1,144 that you mentioned, then that means the convention is wide open. You have a contested convention where anything can happen.
And as you know, some of the delegates are bound, some are unbound, some are bound for one round, some are legally bound, some are morally bound. It is just amazing how complicated these rules are.
So there really is a great race and I think Governor Huckabee said it really last week on the Laura Ingraham show that, you know what, he should stay in the race because it's good for the country and until they get out, decide to get out, they're all in.
KAYE: Well, you mentioned this brokered convention. We haven't seen it since 1976, 36 years now. I mean, is that what your father is pushing for? Is that what he hopes will happen?
CUSHMAN: At this point, yes. We're looking for a contested convention. And the reality is, really is, the delegate method is very, very interesting.
I'll give you an example. Let's look at Florida, OK? It's currently set up as a winner-take-all state, but under the rules, it should have been proportional. So, that rule committee will not decide until a week before the convention to decide how the delegates will be actually allocate. So, a lot of things are in play.
But in the end, this is what my dad, and we talk about this before the segment -- my father is a son of a career infantryman. His father served 27 years in the infantry. He understands hard work. He understands getting --
KAYE: And going all the way? CUSHMAN: And going all the way. And he's doing this -- he is a man who had businesses, he had "New York Times" best sellers. He could have sat back and done nothing. He's doing this for my children and for our country.
KAYE: I want to get back, though, to this idea of this brokered convention. Why would RNC delegates give him the nomination over candidates who had more delegates, won more delegates, have more money, have more support if we do end up with a brokered convention?
CUSHMAN: I think you got to look who wins the general election, because that will determine who gets nominated at the contested convention. And if you look at the candidates, my father is the only candidate, including Barack Obama, who has balanced the national budget for four years. He's reformed welfare where two-thirds went back to work or went to get an education. He's made real, big hard changes in Washington, and I think when people really understand what he has done and what he wants to do, the $2.50 gasoline --
KAYE: He's got big ideas.
CUSHMAN: You're exactly right. And that's so important because Americans do best when they have big goals, big ideas to strive for and he really believes in the power of the American people.
KAYE: All right. I want you to stay here, if you can, because we have a few more questions for you, we have to take a break, though. And if you have a question that you would like me to ask Newt Gingrich's daughter, Jackie here with me -- well, you can tweet me @RandiKayeCNN.
My interview with her will continue, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Welcome back, everyone.
Newt Gingrich's daughter, Jackie Cushman, is here in the studio with us.
We're going to continue our conversation about your father, about the GOP race. Your dad did say that he would get out if Romney was close to the required delegates for the nomination, to 1,144.
Is there a magic number? If he has a 1,000, if he has 1,100? No?
CUSHMAN: I think you have to wait and see. I think it depends to, how many of them were actually bound versus unbound. I never want to predict the future because you never what's going to happen.
KAYE: OK. So no magic number?
CUSHMAN: No magic number, absolutely not.
KAYE: Your dad has also said that he believes , quote, "probably nothing" could get him to quit the race before Tampa. Now, he doesn't say nothing. He says probably nothing.
So, is there a definition of the probably there? Is it how he does in the next few races? Is if the money dries up? Or --
CUSHMAN: I think it's the same thing that I said. I think he knows not to predict the future. And he's a very interesting man, where he's (INAUDIBLE) about his love for animals and zoos.
KAYE: He's got a zoo thing.
CUSHMAN: He loves zoos. He loves animals. And part of that is he has his natural curiosity. He loves to learn and that he loves to apply that learning.
And he really does -- he mentioned this last week, every day, he wakes up, he's thrilled to be alive, he's thrilled to listen to birds and listen to them. So, I think he is, again, plotting forward because his father was an interesting man, and he'll see how things turn out, but he does really love this country and he really believes that neither Governor Romney nor Santorum can beat President Barack Obama at this point. And to him, that means he must soldier forward.
KAYE: If he does go forward and soldier forward, as you say -- I mean, is he looking in the end, second-best case scenario, that he ends up with some type of cabinet position or something like that? Is he interested in something like that? Is that why he would take it all the way?
CUSHMAN: No, I mean, that's not --
KAYE: Maybe cut a deal at the end?
CUSHMAN: That's not what's driving him at all. You know, I think he's always said, even when Huntsman was in the race, right, Ambassador Huntsman in the race and some of the other candidates were giving him a hard time about serving under President Barack Obama, dad was very clear about, look, if your president asked you to serve your country, you serve your country. You don't -- you know, that's what you do as a good American. That's what you do as a good American. So, he clearly he would take that seriously.
But that's not why he is in this race. He's in this race to win this race because he believes that we are at a dire crossroads for the country and he knows that he can balance the national budget. He's done it before. He knows that he can bring real change to Washington because he's done it before. And that's why he's running.
KAYE: All right. Jackie Cushman, so nice to have you here in the studio.
CUSHMAN: Thank you.
KAYE: Thank you very much.
CUSHMAN: Thrilled to be here.
KAYE: Thank you. Nice to be here.
Presidential candidate Rick Santorum is a guest on "STATE OF THE UNION" with Candy Crowley. Stay tuned, to get his take on the Puerto Rico and Illinois primaries. Plus, other hot topics on the political trail. That's coming up at 9:00 Eastern, right here on CNN.
Count on CNN for continuing political coverage. And a reminder: for all the latest political news, go to our Web site, CNNPolitics.com.
Have you seen these bill boards? They have been making a lot of people angry. I'm going to talk to the leader of the atheist group that is putting them up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Time now for a "Morning Passport" with Nadia.
How are you?
NADIA BILCHIK, CNN EDITORIAL PRODUCER: I am wonderful, especially because I have a rather fascinating story for you.
KAYE: I know. We gave a clue to the viewers --
BILCHIK: Yes.
KAYE: -- about this very tall man. Asking them how tall do they think the world's tallest man is. So, what is the answer?
BILCHIK: Well, Sultan Kosen who is Turkish originally is 8'3", and was growing until recently.
KAYE: There he is.
BILCHIK: The news is that the University of Virginia Medical Center has managed to get him to stop growing, but you can see how tall he is. Just look at those hands.
KAYE: So -- oh, my goodness. So he was just growing and then, what, there was a medical procedure or something?
(CROSSTALK)
KAYE: Look at him with the kids.
BILCHIK: I know. He does look -- it's so large. He has a condition called acromegaly, and that is the overproduction of the growth hormone by the pituitary gland.
So, what the University of Virginia Medical Center has managed to do is actually zapped the pituitary tumor within the brain. It's called gamma ray surgery.
KAYE: Wow.
BILCHIK: So, he really is smiling now because the growth is very dangerous, and, in fact, it's life-threatening.
KAYE: Really?
BILCHIK: Because not only does the body grow, but it puts enormous strain on the heart, which then grows, and then the cardiovascular system as well as the joints. So, in fact, luckily, by stopping the growth, he will live a much longer, much healthier life.
KAYE: I wonder what he does for a living.
BILCHIK: Well, at this point he has been undergoing treatment.
KAYE: OK.
BILCHIK: People ask if he is a basketball player. No, he isn't. You can see him on crutches. It's so difficult.
KAYE: Yes, he struggled.
BILCHIK: It's difficult to walk because the bones grow, and then there's enormous strain on the joints. So, there he is, and he is very grateful to the University of Virginia Medical Center.
KAYE: I'm sure.
BILCHIK: But from the very tallest man in the world by the Guinness Book of Records --
KAYE: We have the smallest?
BILCHIK: -- to the smallest. And we go to Nepal, and we meet Chandra Dangi. And this delightful man is 72 years old, and he is 21 1/2 inches. And you can see --
KAYE: Twenty-one and a half inches. Oh, my goodness.
BILCHIK: There he is on the plane. You can see him relative to the back seat of that plane, but, you know, he is about the size of a computer monitor or scuba oxygen tank.
KAYE: Wow. And they just -- when did the Guinness book discover him?
(CROSSTALK)
BILCHIK: Only recently.
Isn't that amazing? He lives in such a remote area of Nepal that what happened was a forest contractor saw him and there he is with his two certificates, because he's not only the smallest man in the world, but he is also the smallest person in the world. And he said at that moment, "I am good. I feel happy holding my two certificates. I want to travel the world and spread the name of my country."
KAYE: So, I think what we need to get the two of them together.
BILCHIK: Absolutely.
KAYE: For some type of photo op. Don't you think?
BILCHIK: That would be very -- I mean, visually amazing. Chandra Dangi, interestingly enough, doesn't have any health issues and is very agile.
KAYE: Wow. That's good.
BILCHIK: So, the bottom line is it's healthier to be that small than that tall.
KAYE: Yes, I like being small.
BILCHIK: Yes, you are rather petite, Randi. You aren't that short. You're five foot, you're, what, five foot three and a half?
KAYE: Five foot three. So, the first guy is three feet taller.
BILCHIK: It's extraordinary. And, again, he's just so grateful for this medical treatment.
KAYE: Wow.
BILCHIK: We're grateful to the Guinness Book of World records for bringing us these extraordinary people.
KAYE: All right, Nadia. Thank you very much.
BILCHIK: Thank you.
KAYE: This billboard in Pennsylvania made someone so angry that they tore it down. An atheist group put it up. I'm going to ask about this confrontational approach with the head of the group, American Atheists.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: It is half past the hour. Welcome back. I'm Randi Kaye. Thanks for starting your day with us.
New developments in the case surrounding the U.S. Staff Sergeant Robert Bales. Here's the latest: he now sits in a prison in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, accused of gunning down 16 Afghan civilians in a shooting spree one week ago. Bales' defense team is set to meet with him this week as they begin mounting their defense strategy. We're also learning about what life is like for military spouse's blog postings from his wife are revealed.
And finally, reaction from those closest to the accused soldier, his family. A statement reads in part, "Sergeant Bales' family is stunned in the face of this tragedy, but they stand behind the man they know as a devoted husband, father, and dedicated member of the armed services."
Carolyn Bales is the woman the accused soldier left behind while stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. And this morning, we're getting her thoughts on his services and how it impacted the life that they shared. In a series of blog posts published in "The New York Times," Mrs. Bales writes about several events, including the disappointment felt when her husband was passed over for a promotion last year, saying this, "After all of the work Bob has done and all the sacrifices he has made for his love of his country, family, and friends."
Mrs. Bales also described her pregnancy with their daughter Quincy and the anticipation of her husband's return saying, "I only want the days to go by fast when it comes to Bob coming back home."
And she wrote this about her unborn child with whom she shared a certain physical condition and how it reminded her of her husband. "I get the hiccups all the time", she wrote. "These days, I always think that Bob is thinking about me, I guess Bob was thinking about her, too".
Bales' family has reportedly been moved due to safety concerns. Their home according to the realtor records was put up for sale this week.
And a man who has known Afghan shooting suspect Sergeant Robert Bales all his life says "nothing really adds up". He says the soldier accused in last Sundays house to house rampage is not the young man who has done so much for his family since he was a child.
Susan Candiotti has this exclusive report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Robert Durham remembers his last conversation with Sergeant Robert Bales who called him from Afghanistan.
ROBERT DURHAM, FAMILY FRIEND: I said, "I love you, Bobby," you know. Take care of yourself.
CANDIOTTI: That was in December, shortly after he was redeployed to the region for a fourth time.
DURHAM: A real caring, real understanding individual. Even from a real young age.
CANDIOTTI: Durham has known Bales all his life. They lived next door to each other in Norwood, Ohio. He still calls him Bobby.
DURHAM: Bobby and my son were best friends.
CANDIOTTI: An uncommonly kind friend because Durham's son Wade, two years older than Bales, is severely disabled.
DURHAM: Bobby was just a very understanding, very accepting kid. He didn't at one time point out a kids' disability. It was what they could do. CANDIOTTI: Bobby took Wade swimming, to school parties, to the zoo. Bobby made sure Wade was never left out, no matter what anyone thought.
DURHAM: And with Bobby around, there was never a question. All of Bobby's friends accepted Wade because Bobby accepted him.
CANDIOTTI: At Norwood High School, outside Cincinnati, Bales was a football captain. Year book photos show him typing and a playful side. After attending two colleges and working in finance, a fateful day, 9/11.
DURHAM: 9/11 really affected Bobby.
CANDIOTTI: Within two months, he joined the Army.
DURHAM: He was like a lot of young men and women who decided that "Not on our watch. You don't do this to our country."
CANDIOTTI: When they talked about the war, Durham says Bales empathized with civilians.
DURHAM: People are people to him. People are people. I've never heard him say that he hated anyone.
CANDIOTTI: Like most, Durham was horrified to hear about an American soldier who allegedly gunned down 16 Afghan villagers door to door.
(on camera): How did you react when you heard the news?
DURHAM: They are saying Bobby did that and I couldn't believe it. I still can't believe it. I can't believe it, the Bobby that I knew is not the Bobby that could have done that.
CANDIOTTI (voice-over): Durham suspects his friends may have snapped and he's worried.
DURHAM: I don't think he can live with it. He'll never be the same. And that -- he's such a great person, that just -- that crushes me. I don't -- I don't know.
CANDIOTTI (on camera): What questions do you have?
DURHAM: I think everyone has the same question because everyone knew the same Bobby. What happened? What happened?
CANDIOTTI: Questions with few answers.
DURHAM: I don't know what happened to my friend, Bob Bales. I hope somebody figures it out.
CANDIOTTI: And gets him help.
Susan Candiotti, CNN, Norwood, Ohio.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: The shooting of 16 Afghan villagers, most of them children, has stirred up incredible anger in Afghanistan.
CNN's Sara Sidner joins us now from Kabul. Sara you've been getting some reaction there on the ground. What are people telling you?
SARA SIDNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Look, people are extremely angry about what's going on. Though, they are not protesting like they did during the Koran burnings when the U.S. troops mistakenly burned Koran and other religious materials.
But we did hear on tape now from the Taliban talking exclusively to CNN. We asked them questions and basically they talked about the fact that they were extremely angry about this that they would seek revenge against Americans in particular but also what they called armed foreigners in this country that every foreigners should leave Afghanistan. Those are in their words.
They also talked about why the peace talks with the United States has fallen through. They suspended talks that were perhaps going to happen in Qatar at some point. They said the reason for that was two- fold. One that they said the United States was not fulfilling promises made to the Taliban about how or when they were going to let some of the Taliban detainees that are in Guantanamo Bay moved and be transfer to Qatar.
They also talked about the situation with the Koran. Saying the other reason for suspending talks was because of the burning of Korans. And they also, of course, talked about the massacre that happened on Sunday, saying they did not -- absolutely did not believe that this was the work of just one soldier. They also said that he should be tried using Islamic law and be tried right here in Afghanistan.
So very much mirroring what protesters were saying this past week, Randi.
KAYE: Yes it certainly sounds that way. What about the Taliban commander that you spoke with? Did he speak to you from Kandahar, the very province where the killings happened?
SIDNER: Well, it's interesting to note that he is supposed to be one of the commanders in the (inaudible) because it's exactly the place where the massacre took place in a couple of villages and he was not there. He was actually on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
A part of the reason that you're seeing this is that a lot of the Taliban has truly been moved out of parts of Afghanistan that used to be their stronghold. Kandahar, in particular, is known as the birth place of the Taliban. They have been moved out? Why is that? Because of the night raids that have been going on are very effective. And one of the issues that Afghanistan has had -- the government here has had -- is that now that a lot of the Taliban has actually been pushed out of the country and towards the border so even further into Pakistan is that sometimes these raids happen and it turns out that these are civilians that are being hurt but in this case, the United States has been very clear in saying that this is the work of one soldier who was not on any official mission -- Randi.
KAYE: Sara Sidner for us in Kabul. Sara, thank you.
Checking some other top stories now:
Brand new video coming out of Syria; it apparently shows opposition demonstrators coming under fire. Separately opposition activist say at least three people were killed on the outskirts of Damascus today. And they are blaming the Syrian regime for yesterday's explosions in the capital that killed 27 people.
Republican voters are heading to the polls in Puerto Rico today; at stake for the White House contenders -- bragging rights for the U.S. territory and 20 delegates. A key campaign issue has been Puerto Rico's statehood status.
And flying could become a whole lot easier for senior citizens. Starting tomorrow, the TSA is easing security procedures for seniors there, of course, in Chicago, Denver, Orlando and Portland, Oregon. Under the new procedure, some passengers, age 75 and older, won't have to take off their shoes and jackets or even get a pat-down.
We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Welcome back.
American atheists are taking an in your face approach with the recent series of billboards across the country. Have you seen any of these? This billboard in English and Arabic was erected in a Muslim neighborhood in Patterson, New Jersey. It says, "You know it's a myth. You have a choice". A similar billboard in Hebrew and English targeted a Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn but was later moved.
And this sign in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was torn down after just one day. It quotes a bible verse from Colossians that says, "Slaves obey your masters". A local atheist group put it up to protest the state legislature's designation of 2012 as the Year of the Bible. The NAACP called it offensive and racially charged.
David Silverman is the President of American Atheists, the group behind many of these billboards. He's joining me now from New York; David, good morning to you. Looking at these billboards --
DAVID SILVERMAN, PRESIDENT, AMERICAN ATHEIST: Good morning, thank you for having me on the show.
KAYE: You've been getting some pretty strong reaction to the billboards. So what -- what are you hoping to accomplish by putting them up?
SILVERMAN: Well, the purpose of the billboards is to raise the awareness of the Reason Rally which is going to be the largest atheist event in world history next weekend to the atheist and the Jewish and Muslim communities.
These communities are especially insular and the atheists in those communities are completely closeted to the point where they can't -- they don't even know if they have any friends. But there are according to our calculations, a lot of atheists in those communities and we're advertising to them to come to the Reason Rally, meet thousands and thousands of other atheists and go home the next day armed to make the decisions for the rest of your lives.
KAYE: So why do you think though -- you say they are closeted -- why do you think some atheists don't make their religious views known?
SILVERMAN: Well, because atheism in those communities is so looked down upon. It's so negatively stereotyped that it -- they think that if they lose -- and sometimes it's true that if they say that they are atheist they'll lose their family, they'll lose their relationship and they'll lose their jobs in many cases.
And that -- and in some cases that's true. But we're here to tell them you know they are not alone. We're here to tell them you have company. You have friends. And you should come to the rally and meet thousands more. And -- and the -- the religious leaders, they like the illusion of the unanimity, they like the illusion of being 100 percent close and 100 percent -- 100 percent believers. But that's not true.
KAYE: It sounds like that you want to have a conversation about religion, about atheism. But can you have a real conversation with others if -- if you just dismiss their beliefs?
SILVERMAN: Well, they dismiss ours. And we dismiss theirs. And frankly, we're not looking for a conversation. What we're looking for is equality for atheists. We're not here to convert anybody you can't convert anybody with a billboard. We are here to say there are atheists in your community.
(CROSSTALK)
KAYE: Because that's what some of your critics are saying.
SILVERMAN: There are atheists in your church.
KAYE: They are saying that you're trying to convert people with deeply-held religious belief to your own belief and you're saying that's not the case?
SILVERMAN: Well, that's -- that's silly. How would we do that? You can't -- if they have a deeply-held religious belief a billboard isn't going to change their mind. And we all know that.
What they don't like is that fact that we're pointing out that there are atheists in their neighborhood. In fact there are atheists everywhere, in your churches, in your neighborhood and in your family. And we're inviting everybody to come to the Reason Rally next weekend, ReasonRally.org.
KAYE: In London, David, there is a proposal to build an atheist temple. What do you think of that idea? We have some pictures of it.
SILVERMAN: Well you know, I don't know too much about the atheist temple, I probably wouldn't go. But hey, if it helps to give atheist a place to go and a place at the table, I know in England, they have a different situation where we are. Atheists are much more accepted in England than they are here.
In America, we're the most hated group in the country where we couldn't even get elected to an office in most states. In England it's a different, real -- it's really a different situation. I'd love to tour the place. I'd love to see what it looks like.
KAYE: All right. David, I appreciate your time. Thank you for coming on the program this morning. David Silverman, thank you.
SILVERMAN: Thank you very much. Have a great day.
KAYE: You, too.
And for much more on this story go to our belief blog at CNN.com/belief and you can also share your thoughts there as well.
Time to see what is ahead on "STATE OF THE UNION" in just a few minutes; Candy Crowley joining me now from Washington. Good morning Candy. I understand you have Rick Santorum on your show today.
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN HOST, "STATE OF THE UNION": We do, indeed. As you know, they are coming up to Illinois which is actually going to be a pretty big deal on Tuesday night simply because Illinois, if you look at it, should be more -- friendlier territory for Mitt Romney. He's done pretty well in some of those industrial northern states -- Ohio, Michigan.
But the polls are pretty close. There is a heavy contingent of evangelicals, which have tended to vote for Rick Santorum and keep him afloat in fact throughout this campaign. So we want to talk a little bit about that and about some of the -- as you know, every time Rick Santorum is out on the campaign trail, he tends to say something that catches attention. So we want to talk to him about a couple of those things.
KAYE: I'm sure he will today as well.
Listen, about 20 minutes ago, I'm not sure if you caught it but Jackie Cushman, Newt Gingrich's daughter was here in studio with us. We asked her if it was too late, if it's impossible for the former speaker to win his party's nomination. I want you to listen to what she said and then get your opinion of it.
CROWLEY: Ok.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) JACKIE CUSHMAN, DAUGHTER OF NEWT GINGRICH: I think we've been caught up in kind of media about who used to do what. And the reality is until the candidate actually pulls out, they're in the race.
And secondarily, it's not just about winning the delegates if you're Newt Gingrich. But if no one -- if Mitt Romney nor Senator Santorum can get the 1,144 that you mentioned, then that means the convention is wide open. And so you have a contested convention where and anything can happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: So Candy does Gingrich have any shot here at winning this? I mean and if not, why do you think he's still in it?
CROWLEY: Listen, the translation of that is that Gingrich at this moment looks as though he's going to stay in to try to make sure that Mitt Romney, who is the likeliest to get to the 1144, does not. Then it does go to the convention where, you know, jump ball here, who knows what is going to happen.
KAYE: Right.
CROWLEY: I mean it's very clear that what she's saying is, we intend to try to stop Mitt Romney so that we can go to the convention and win this and, in truth, that's really the only realistic path for Newt Gingrich to get the nomination and even then it's a really long shot. It's hard for me to believe that two people, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum, if it continues on the way it does, who go in with an overwhelming number of delegates both of them, although not enough either of them, that somehow the convention would turn around and pick Newt Gingrich.
But, you know, strange things happen at conventions.
KAYE: Right.
CROWLEY: All things could happen, but it's clearly the only way at this point when you add up all the delegates of Newt Gingrich looks viable.
KAYE: And do you think Rick Santorum will tell you today on your program that he would like to see Newt Gingrich step out and consolidate this conservative vote?
CROWLEY: You know, obviously he does. He's been pushing for that for some time without pushing for that. Candidates can't be telling other candidates to get out but, you know, Santorum supporters hint at it, some of them say it flat out. They clearly would like Newt Gingrich to get out because they think they would pick up the bulk of Newt Gingrich's voters.
But be careful what you wish for. Things don't always go as planned.
KAYE: Yes. CROWLEY: But at this point, it's kind of a moot question because it doesn't sound as though Newt Gingrich is planning on getting out any time soon.
KAYE: No, certainly not.
Candy Crowley, nice to chat with you on Sunday.
CROWLEY: Thanks. Good to talk to you.
KAYE: And keep it here for the "STATE OF THE UNION" with Candy Crowley. It's coming your way in just 15 minutes, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time and 6:00 a.m. Pacific right here on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Well, if you're not planning to stay inside all day, Reynolds and watch March Madness, I guess you care about what the weather is, right?
REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Pretty much.
KAYE: What do you know?
WOLF: Well, we're going to see some rough (inaudible) in parts of the country namely into the Central Plains. But I'll tell you for much of the Eastern Seaboard it will be muggy. It's going to be warm. It's going to be very spring-like; actually great conditions for running.
And if you take a look at this image that we have from outside, this is from on top of CNN Center looking down towards Centennial Park -- Centennial Park actually in the lower right hand corner. But you see a string of runners that are coming right around the corner here.
They started off earlier this morning running the marathon and half marathon here in Atlanta. And they're still out there enjoying themselves. At least we think they're enjoying themselves. Some are very happy and some are probably wondering, "Oh my gosh, can I make it another mile?" Regardless, effort is effort and we certainly appreciate theirs.
Let me show you what you're going to appreciate. Again plenty of sunshine along parts of the Eastern Seaboard mixed in with some scattered showers back in the Carolinas. But wow, when you get into the Central and Southern Plains the story because a chance of rain, possibly severe storms later in the day and with that, maybe even a few isolated tornadoes.
The other side of this, you have something very different: wind coming in not from the south or the southeast but rather southwest below; that with very, very low humidity and a strong wind gust could give us a fire threat in some places. But when you get on the other side of that system, you have this area of low pressure and the trailing cold front that means snow and even more snow for the highest elevation. Some place getting over a foot. But on the West Coast, this story is going to be primarily some rain and some snow possibly into the Sierra Nevada.
Let's talk temperatures for just a few moments: Kansas City outside Coughlin Stadium, 77 degrees; Minneapolis, 78; 63 in Billings; 71 in Denver; 51 in Salt Lake City; 44 in Seattle; 52 in San Francisco; and back to the East Coast we do, 72 in our nation's capital; 87 in Tampa and 79 in Miami.
Overall it looks like a pretty nice day out there for us. Randi, I'm going to just walk right over and hand the ball back to you.
KAYE: Come visit with me.
WOLF: Absolutely. Absolutely. What have you got?
KAYE: Join me for this --
WOLF: Ok.
KAYE: -- because this is our new little that we like to do where we pull some of the best video that we think that you and I have found.
WOLF: Yes, it's sometimes funny. It's sometimes scary. Other times it's even a bit disturbing.
KAYE: It's a little green today in honor of St. Paddy's Day. We will take everybody to Chicago first. There it is -- the green river. I guess it's been a tradition for more than 50 years there.
WOLF: Yes. It's amazing.
KAYE: They dye it Kelly green.
WOLF: Kelly green, yes. They use 40 pounds of dye just so you'll know if you're environmentally conscious, it's a vegetable dye. It's been tested on --
KAYE: Well, that is good to know.
WOLF: It's safe. It's safe. It actually dissipates. You know, it's actually a process that was used by plumbers in the city of Chicago years and years ago to detect the leaks in the sewer system but now, look, very beautiful.
KAYE: It is. It looks like it's glowing. And guess what, it's not the only river that is glowing green. We'll take you to Tampa now. Not only Chicago. That looks so nice there.
WOLF: It does, beautiful -- beautiful there.
KAYE: Yes. And you were telling me the first lady is looking at this at the White House?
WOLF: Well, absolutely. Michelle Obama originally from Chicago, Chicago is her home town actually --
KAYE: There it is.
WOLF: -- uses some of that dye in some of the fountains they have around the White House. Does the first lady go down there herself? No, come on. Absolutely. She has someone do it for her but a nice, nice surprise there.
KAYE: She says Bo. Bo goes and picks it up, trucks it back.
WOLF: I think Bo -- Bo has the run the house. He can go wherever he chooses
KAYE: Hey, look what is happening in Brazil as well. This one's kind of funny just because it's comic book-related. Yes, that is the Brazilian Batman. Police have hired him to help them battle crime in the violent streets there in Brazil. And I guess he's teaching the kids, you know, good from bad. What do you think about that? You're a little skeptical.
WOLF: I'm a little skeptical. I mean it's great. If it helps stop crime, that's wonderful. But he needs to go all hog. We need to see him with a grappling hook on the side of the skyscraper crawling up. He needs to be making phone calls to Commissioner Gordon and getting the Joker and all that kind of thing.
KAYE: Do you think they have in Brazil, you know, the bat light in the sky when the kids need help?
WOLF: If they don't -- if they don't, they do now. They should.
KAYE: That was always my favorite part of the show.
WOLF: No question.
KAYE: And this, ok, we saved the best for last. We really did. You have got to see this little guy. This is an possum. Favorite video of the day. I don't know if you snowboard but this possum snowboards. His name is Ratatouille.
WOLF: Ratatouille is his name. He's a rodent. He's a rodent.
KAYE: He is -- look at him with his little sweater. That is my favorite part.
WOLF: Ok. He is cute. He is cute. But do you think he's actually enjoying this or is he holding on for dear life.
KAYE: I think. You know, I was trying to see if he was actually, you know, like secured to it or not but it doesn't look that way. It looks like he even has a little bit of a lift ticket on.
WOLF: How do you put a lift ticket on an possum?
KAYE: Wait, this is my favorite. He's totally mugging for the camera and showing off his board. I mean is that --
WOLF: I didn't even notice the lift ticket. Good observation. KAYE: He's got a lift ticket.
WOLF: That's ridiculous.
KAYE: You think he maybe he got the child rate?
WOLF: I think so. But I mean -- if you saw him on the lift and you're going up, and you would point to it, would you want to say -- you know what guys, go and take the possum up; I'll catch the next one.
KAYE: I would share my lift seat with him.
WOLF: You're nicer than I am.
KAYE: He is so adorable. I could watch that all day. I want to just take him home.
WOLF: Have at it. Wow.
KAYE: That was fun.
WOLF: It was fun.
KAYE: Thanks for playing along.
WOLF: You bet.
KAYE: Another check of the day's top stories is next. Stay with us this CNN SUNDAY MORNING, where news does not take a day off.
WOLF: Good observation with the lift ticket.
KAYE: Checking top stories, defense attorneys for the U.S. soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan villagers plan to meet with him next week. Staff Sergeant Robert Bales remains in custody at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Family friends say he seemed to be a quiet, happy and nice guy.
More unrest flaring in Syria as this recent amateur video appears to show opposition demonstrators coming under heavy fire. Opposition activists say at least six people have died across Syria today. Syrian state television meanwhile is reporting a quote, "terrorist explosion" in one northern city.
That will do it for me today. Enjoy your Sunday.
"STATE OF THE UNION" with Candy Crowley starts right now.
