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Anti-War Protests in Washington; New Candidate for Attorney General?; Lesbian Parents Film Causing Controversy; Jena Youth Charged in Beating to Be Tried as Juvenile
Aired September 15, 2007 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ABBY: My name is Abby, and I'm nine years old. This is my mom. Her name is Betty. And this is my other mom. Her name is Kim.
ALINA CHO, CNN, ANCHOR: One school showed this video to third graders. Are they old enough to handle it? Some parents don't think so. That story is coming up in the NEWSROOM.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is excellent (inaudible) because it overturned the entire conviction. And now we get a chance to start over with a new trial in juvenile court.
CHO: A huge victory in Louisiana for one of the young suspects in the so-called Jena Six case.
And who will replace Alberto Gonzales as attorney general? We've got the name of the leading candidate and it's our top story.
You're in the NEWSROOM. I'm Alina Cho. Fredricka has the day off.
We continue this hour with some news on the White House's search for a new attorney general. We're hearing it's winding down and an announcement could come this week. Sources also tell CNN that retired federal judge Michael Mukasey is the newest name on the list of leading candidates. He stepped down last year as chief judge of the southern district of New York. President Reagan appointed him to the bench nearly 20 years ago. Mukasey handled some high profile terrorism trials including a plot to blow up New York landmarks in the 1990s. It was a hometown case for the judge. He was born in the Bronx in 1941.
Meantime, tomorrow is the last day for outgoing AG Alberto Gonzales. He gave a farewell speech yesterday at the Justice Department. He announced last month that he was stepping after months of bi-partisan criticism.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
So if Michael Mukasey is announced as the president's choice, how might congress react? Our chief national correspondent, John King is on the phone with us with details.
So, John until you mentioned his name a couple of hours ago, I had not heard of Michael Mukasey. What can you tell us about him?
JOHN KING, CNN, CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Alina, you just hit on the key point of this. Alberto Gonzales is leaving after months of partisan rancor. The Democrats didn't like him for the longest time. The Republicans on the end said he had no creditability. If the president is looking to pick somebody with impeccable credentials -- a former federal prosecutor, a former federal judge, somebody who's viewed as very likeable, very knowledgeable, a man of incredible integrity by Democrats and Republicans alike. Then Michael Mukasey is his man by all of our source accounts today.
18 years on the federal bench, a federal prosecutor before that, in private practice up in New York. As you mentioned, handled high- profile terrorism cases. Morale at the Gonzales' Justice Department is incredibly low right now. This is a man who can step in, boost morale, probably be confirmed by an overwhelming margin. Many Democrats in the Senate have already, on record in the past saying 'this is a man of great integrity and great credentials.' The question is will President Bush do that -- take the safe middle of the road approach with somebody of great stature or will he pick a more conservative candidate and pick a fight with the Senate Democrats. That is the big question as they we wait the President's pick and we're told it could come Monday or Tuesday of this coming week.
CHO: Well, John, Mukasey is certainly a well respected and not known as far as the national stage. Does that help him in terms of confirmation?
KING: In some way it helps him in that he doesn't have very well know controversial views. One of the other leading candidates is the former Solicitor General Ted Olson, someone who has been a conservative activist for many, many years. Served in the Bush administration early on and has served in the Republican administrations in the past, has been associated with many conservative groups - the right wing, if you will, the right of the judicial wing of the Republican Party very much likes him, wants President Bush to nominate him. The Democrats have already warned that would bring a bloody confirmation battle. Some Democrats, Alina, have gone as far as saying they would not confirm him. They would not even get him to the Senate floor so the President has a fundamental choice to make with 16 months left in office. Does he want an attorney general who can step in on day one, be welcomed in the department and step in the political world on day one and be welcomed or does he want to have a fight with Democrats at this moment? A very tough choice for a president many would describe as a lame duck. Very tough choice for him to make.
CHO: Another name being brought up Michael Chertoff, Homeland Security Secretary. He is seen by some as a company man. So, we'll see what happen in the coming weeks with that. CNN Senior National Correspondent John King on the story for us. John, thank you very much. We'll check back with you later.
Moving on to other news - now the final chapter of the Jena Six story is still to be written but there's a new twist today in a case that's resurrected some troubling questions about racial justice in the south. With Michael Bell's conviction tossed out, five other defendants still face possible trials for beating a high school student in a mostly white town in central Louisiana. The initial charges of attempted murder struck some as out of proportion and a sign that black defendants are systematically singled out for harsh treatment.
Live for us now with the latest on the story is CNN'S Keith Oppenheim. So, Keith what has the reaction been there?
KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, pretty divided. It really depends on how people feel whether the charges were appropriate or excessive and sometimes their own racial background. I'm standing in front of the courthouse where Michael Bell is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday for aggravated battery charges but not now because a state appellate court has ruled. Because Michael Bell was 16 years old at the time of the school yard beating of a white student, it was improper for him to have been charged in an adult court on aggravated battery charges. The appeals court said the case should go to the juvenile system. We're going to get some reaction now from one of Michael Bell's attorneys, Carol Powell Lexing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CAROL POWEL LEXING, MICHAEL BELL'S ATTORNEY: This is an excellent victory because it overturned the entire conviction. And now we get a chance to start over with a new trial in juvenile court. For that in itself, that's an amazing victory.
OPPENHEIM: Some quick background of racial tensions at Jena High School. Last year there was a black student that sat under a tree that was traditional gathering spot for white students. Next day, there are three nooses hanging from that tree. Then, three white students are suspended. After that, six black students attacked a white student and were originally charged with attempted murder. For four of those students, including Michael Bell, those charges were reduced. And now, in Michael Bell's case that case will, it could go, I should say, to juvenile court. We have some reaction now from Michael Bell's mother, Melissa, who is concerned about her son who is still in jail.
MELISSA BELL, MICHAEL BELL'S MOTHER: It's very difficult. It's more so when I'm getting ready to leave. Because I put it in my mind I never turn around and look at him because if I turn around and look at him, I probably wouldn't able to leave him in there. So I put that in my mind and never tell him bye. So, I hug him and tell him I love him and (inaudible). That's the hardest part of it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
OPPENHEIM: The district attorney in this case, Alina, has two weeks to take this overturned conviction and bring it to the Louisiana State Supreme Court. I should point out what is scheduled to take place here on Thursday even though there is not supposed to be a sentencing hearing on Thursday, there's apparently still going to be a very large rally led by Reverend Al Sharpton and others. We've heard estimates between 5,000 and 30,000. Honestly, we don't know exactly how big this thing is going to be but it could very well be much larger than the entire population of this community which is just 2900. Alina.
CHO: I know you'll be watching the story for us. CNN's Keith Oppenheim, live in Louisiana for us. Keith, thank you.
CHO: O.J. Simpson back again today in a place he knows all too well, a state of legal limbo. Simpson remains a possible suspect in what police in Las Vegas has continued to call an armed robbery. With us now is CNN's Ted Rowlands. He is live in Las Vegas.
So Ted, the alleged victim said guns were drawn. He said that Simpson was screaming, 'that's mine! That's mine! That's mine!' Simpson told you quite a different story. What did he say?
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, O.J. Simpson says basically he got wind that there was going to be a sale of his personal items. So, he set up a bit of a sting. He had a buddy pose as a buyer.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROWLANDS (voice-over): They met at a hotel room here in Las Vegas. And he says that they simply went into the room and he took his possessions back - the possessions that were rightfully his. He said, he went in there, got his stuff, says there were no guns involved at all and that this is all being blown out of proportion.
What is a bit murky here and it started to emerge even more today is that Simpson knew the two people that were the alleged victims in the case. He had done business with them over the years. And now we're hearing, talked to O.J. on the phone again this morning. He says that one of the victims has reached out to him and that they both now agree that this has been blown out of proportion. Al Beardsly, that individual, one of these victims, confirmed that with a celebrity website. He basically has the same story that he and Simpson have talked, and they agree it's been blown out of proportion. The problem is that both Beardsly and the other witness in this case went to police. Here's part of what the other witness told police and told us about what happened.
BRUCE FROMONG, MEMORABILIA SELLER: It's just like a home invasion. They came in quick. They came in fast. And people moved in to where they should be. I mean...
OPPENHEIM: And O.J. was there?
FROMONG: O.J. and the last person coming in was O.J. yelling.
OPPENHEIM: That's Bruce Fromong and he, Bruce Fromong, claims that O.J. was with these four guys, and two of them had guns and they were pointing the guns at the two individuals that were selling memorabilia. O.J. is claiming that this was personal stuff including photographs that his ex-wife, Nicole, took. She was a photographer. He wanted it back because it was, there were photos of himself and his family, his children. He wanted to get those things back and that's why he went up there and that's why he got his, "stuff back." Police, meanwhile, is trying to piece this together. They're looking at surveillance tapes from the hotel, talking to witnesses, and trying to figure out exactly what happened. They say if guns were involved, O.J. is in trouble.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHO: Oh, yes. No question about it. He would be considered a participant in that even if he didn't have the guns himself. You know, investigators have called this very preliminary. The next 48 hours are going to be critical, Ted. Are you getting a sense there's going to be an arrest?
ROWLANDS: No sense that there will be an arrest necessarily, no sense that there won't be any arrest. Basically what we've been told by police is that they are in the infancy of this investigation. They say that O.J. has been cooperative. O.J. claims he's been cooperative as well in phone conversations with him. And it's just a matter of them piecing together those other individuals, talking to them and trying to figure out if they can get hard proof that there were guns involved, figure out what basically happened here. They realize they are dealing with O.J. Simpson and they realize that people around the world are watching this and they are going to take their time and make sure they get it right.
CHO: CNN's Ted Rowlands live for us in Las Vegas, doing some great reporting. Ted, thank you very much. We'll check back with you later.
No two ways about it, a story like this involving O.J. Simpson is sure to get people talking and e-mailing. Stay tuned because we're going to read some of the comments we got during our 5:00 p.m. hour.
And this evening, Denise Brown joins Larry King; the sister of Simpson's late ex-wife discusses the controversial book her former brother-in-law wrote at LARRY KING LIVE, 9:00 p.m. EST.
A new wrinkle today in the case of Madeleine McCann or young Maddie - the family of the missing four-year-old has announced an ad campaign to keep her name in the news. That's even though police in Portugal seemed to believe that the parents know what happened, and had a hand in the disappearance.
The story now from Emily Chang in northern England.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
EMILY CHANG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In Glasgow, Scotland, Gerry McCann's brother announced that the family is revving up its search for Madeleine with a massive new ad campaign paid for by the Find Madeleine Fund.
JOHN MCCANN, GERRY MCCANN'S BROTHER: The main objective, I just like to remind people again of the fund, is to leave no stone unturned in the search for Madeleine. OK. We want to refocus on that main objective.
CHANG: He said the ads will run on newspapers and on billboards primarily in Portugal and Spain at a cost of up to $160,000. The fund has raised more than $2 million in the four months since Madeleine disappeared.
MCCANN: It is so important to remember, don't you forget about me, lovely Madeleine McCann who is still missing?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHANG (on-screen): This announcement comes after days of what seems to be growing speculation in the press. Today, Madeleine is again on the cover of almost all of the British tabloids with new reports about how she may have disappeared.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHANG (voice-over): None of these headlines have been independently verified by CNN but they do show interest in this case is only getting stronger despite the fact that Portuguese police aren't saying much. The McCann's say they won't comment on speculation.
MCCANN: What really worries us is that things start off in Portugal with no accreditation to an official source and end up being reported here as if they are the truth. There's so much rumor and speculation, as you rightly see. That's just crazy. Why are we spending so much energy and time negating rumors and speculation? We're happy to deal with facts. Rumors and speculation help no one.
CHANG: Kate and Gerry McCann believe Madeleine is still alive and that they will continue to do everything they can to find her. Emily Chang, CNN, in Rothley, England.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHO: In Washington today, angry words from both sides of the Iraq debate. We'll go live to the nation's capital in the NEWSROOM.
And having problems with your teenagers. Well, you might have an easier time if you all sit down for dinner.
Also a case of mistaken identity, what now for this man falsely accused? All of this ahead in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHO: Welcome back, protests and counter protests, the war in Iraq - the focus of a day of demonstrations in the nation's capital. Anti-war protestors are holding a rally followed by a March to the capital, groups that support the war also gathering today in Washington. Let's get the very latest now with CNN's Kathleen Koch. She's live in the nation's capital with more so. So far, has it been peaceful? KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN, GENERAL ASSIGNMENT CORRESPONDENT: It has, indeed. It was a scene actually, Alina, very reminiscent in the '60s -- peace signs, people wearing tie-dyed t-shirts, young, old. Thousands actually gathering in Lafayette Park, across from the White House, all of them calling for an end to the war in Iraq. It was again largely peaceful. No arrest that we know of, followed by a march to the capital where the plan was for protestors to actually lie down on the ground for a (inaudible) symbolizing the nearly 4,000 U.S. troops that have been killed in Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're asking the question, will this ever end, occupation of Iraq. What is it next? Is it Iran?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My nephew just got back from his third visit to Iraq. He was in the Air Force. No, they don't need to be there.
KOCH: Along the way, there was a protest supporting the troops, nearly a thousand attending that gathering, many of them veterans. Their goal - to send a message to the protesters and to U.S. forces in harm's way.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Today, I want you to raise your voices so loud that not only those people hear us but our brave warriors in Iraq and Afghanistan hear us. And no, we got their backs.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOCH: It often happens when we have a weekend of protest here in the nation's capital, President Bush was not in town. He is actually spending the weekend with the First Lady at the presidential retreat at Camp David. Alina.
CHO: That is good timing. CNN's Kathleen Koch live for us in our Washington Bureau. Kathleen, thank you very much.
President Bush said he wants to bring some U.S. troops home. Democrats say well that's too little too late. Josh Levs will add it up in a REALITY CHECK. That's coming up in about 25 minutes.
What about the weather, Jacqui Jeras is in with that. Hey Jacqui, what are you watching?
JACQUI JERAS, CNN, METEOROLOGIST: Hey, Alina. A bit on the chilly side out there, isn't it. Fall doesn't officially arrive until September 23rd but it came about nine days early for plenty of folks. Find out how cold it's going to be tonight and frost and freeze warnings have been posted too.
CHO: Yes, 30s in the midwest. All right. Jacqui, thank you. We look forward to that.
A fire on board a navy ship leaves several people hurt. Details straight ahead. You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHO: Checking news across America now, a fire and possible explosion on board a navy ship in Norfolk, Virginia today. Investigators are trying to discover the cause. Five civilian contractors suffered minor injuries. Officials say there's no sign of terrorism on the (inaudible) missile cruiser. It's been in a ship yard getting upgrades since the spring.
Chrysler is recalling around 300,000 new and-year-old SUVs to fix a brake problem. Some drivers say their brakes sometimes hesitate or don't work properly on hills. The problem is linked to a computer that controls the anti-lock braking system. Chrysler is sending letters to people who own the SUVs in question.
And a Kodak moment in Rochester, New York. Several loud explosions this morning triggering the implosion and meaning the end of one of Kodak's original manufacturing plants. The end of an era. The building was built in 1918 and was used to make film. Remember those days? It's being cleared for a new industrial park.
Lots of weather to watch today including some chilly temperatures in the midwest. Jacqui Jeras in the Weather Center with that. Hey, Jacqui.
JERAS: Hey Alina. Yes, really cold out there for a lot of people. You know, you really can't leave the house without a jacket today across much of the upper midwest through the Great Lake and into the northeastern quarter. Just look at this Toronto, 55 degrees, that's 54 up there in the U.P. of Michigan and Marquette, we got 50s and 60s across the Ohio Valley in the midwest, Minneapolis at 61.
Temperatures here are about 10 to 20 degrees below average, even below average across the southeast. 81 in Atlanta, that feels like a big breath of fresh air, doesn't? And check out Memphis at only 74 at this hour. Temperatures tonight are going to be cooling down big time. In fact, colder tonight than they were last night for those of you in the interior parts of the northeast. Frost and freeze warnings had been posted from Grand Rapids, Michigan, extending on up near Burlington, Vermont.
Most of these are in outlying areas so a lot of the big cities are kind of missing, for example, Detroit. Look at that urban heat dial effect where it's a little warmer in the city. You get away from the city. And those temperatures are colder. It's going to be the end of the growing season for many. A very powerful cold front has dropped through the area. High pressure is building in so once this builds in a little bit stronger throughout tomorrow, those of you dealing with the cloudiness right now, at least you're going to be seeing some really gorgeous conditions.
Temperatures this morning at record levels for Spencer, Iowa at 28 degrees, Dubuque, Iowa, 32. It was your record low this morning, not only a record for the day but also the coldest you've been this early in the season. Here's your high temperatures for tomorrow - moderating just a little bit, the air will be very dry. So we have a big range in temperatures from where you start out and to where you end for tomorrow. We'll take a look at warm me up a little bit with the tropic. Tropical depression now, Ingrid really weakening and moving into kind of a volatile environment. It's expected to stay at tropical depression over the next couple of days and stay out over the open waters and not really bother anybody. And also the remnants of Humberto now offshore, so looking for quieter conditions across the Carolinas in Georgia. Alina, back to you.
CHO: That's great news about Ingrid, particularly after Humberto was such a surprise. All right. Jacqui, thank you very much.
A painful testimony from a former child bride forced to marry at 14.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I cried and I was like said please, I don't know what you're doing. It doesn't feel right. Please stop, please quit.
CHO: Troubling and emotional testimony from a trial of a notorious polygamist coming up. A warning to our viewers, some of it is graphic.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Also ahead, imagine seeing your face on national television and hearing that you're wanted in a cop killing case. That's what happened to this man. Up next, we're going to tell you what he plans to do about this big mistake.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
We have this just in to CNN from Philadelphia, Mississippi. Nine people injured in a natural gas explosion, which leveled a medical clinic. That happened about 11:50 a.m. just before noon today. The fire was brought under control, rather, thankfully about an hour later. A beauty shop suffered some major damage as well.
Again, nine people injured in this natural gas explosion. Thankfully those people were treated and released. And again, this happening in Philadelphia, Mississippi. We're watching this story very closely. We'll bring much more when we have more information on it.
And now a case of mistaken identity that had police hunting down the wrong man. Officers incorrectly ID'd Kevin Wehner as a suspect in the shooting of four Miami police officers. His picture was broadcast on local and national television. It turns out Wehner was a victim of identity theft. Police say the real suspect, Shawn Sherwin Labeet, had been using Wehner's identity, even buying nine guns in his name. Officers say they found Wehner's driver's license in Labeet's car. They also say Labeet's girlfriend intentionally mislead officers identifying Labeet as Wehner. When Wehner found out he was being ID'd as the suspect, he immediately contacted police. His uncle spoke to the media.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN WEHNER, UNCLE OF KEVIN WEHNER: I knew right away that had to be a mistake. He's not that type of person. He's not into those things. It's a good thing that he wasn't on the road at the time, that he could have lost his life. If he was any place driving or on the road in a super market, and they would have saw him, they would have probably killed him on the spot, an innocent person.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: Labeet, the real suspect, was eventually tracked down and killed in a shootout with police late Thursday. Police say earlier in the day Labeet killed one police officer and wounded three others during a traffic stop.
Chilling testimony at the trial of polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs. A former follower leader told a Utah jury Jeffs forced her to marry her cousin when she was just 14 years old. The woman, who is now 21 years old, says she was trying to save her "eternal salvation" by obeying Jeffs' order Prosecutors asked her how she felt on the eve of her wedding. And we warn you, some viewers may find her testimony graphic.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you sleep that night?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I didn't. I did everything I could to pretend I was asleep. But I didn't sleep. He was beginning to touch me on my private parts, and under my clothes. He was not shy about feeling those areas.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: Jeffs is charged with two counts of rape as an accomplice for allegedly using his religious authority to force the girl into marriage.
Yesterday's ruling that vacated the conviction one of the so- called Jena 6 sparked celebrations and promises of more protests. Michael Bell had been convicted of aggravated battery in a fight with a white student, but an appeals court ruled Friday he shouldn't have been tried in adult court. Prosecutors say they will appeal that decision, but for now, Bell's legal team is thrilled.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This was an excellent victory because it overturned the entire conviction and now we get a chance to start over with a new trial in juvenile court. So that in itself -- that is an amazing victory.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: The legal future of Bell and the other five black teens charged in the beating remains murky. And for some insight we're joined by former U.S. Attorney Kendall Coffey.
So, Kendall, thanks for being with us on this. You know, this case is so racially charged, a lot of critics, including a lot of people in the black community had said that the blacks were being treated more harshly than whites. And so is this the case of public pressure sort of making the difference in this case?
KENDALL COFFEY, FMR. U.S. ATTY.: Well, let's start with appeals court, because there are certainly a lot of public pressure and public interest. While that kind of public interest could change the velocity which the appeals court moves, they move very, very fast in this case, it isn't going to change the result. This was really pretty cut and dried. He should not have been prosecuted as an adult. He was 16 years old at the time of the so-called aggravated battery.
So that was an easy one. The really difficult part begins now, because you have got four other defendants who are going to be charged as adults. And they are charged for the crime of aggravated battery, which I think represents maybe an overcharge of a case. The prosecutor's theory is apparently that the sneakers were dangerous weapons that were being used in this fight that occurred in the school.
And the last thing you need in a racially charged situation is an overcharged case where the crimes being alleged are more serious than what really happened.
CHO: I'm curious, because you mentioned something, Kendall, that struck me. You know, you are a former U.S. attorney yourself. You said that this was pretty cut and dry, this kid should have never been tried as an adult. So why was he tried as an adult?
COFFEY: Well, it really suggests that we have a case here of prosecutorial extremism. The first charges, believe it or not, were attempted murder, where you had a fight at a school. It was clearly something that was criminal. You don't have six teenagers gang up on another teenager, beat him into unconsciousness, and call it a schoolhouse scuffle.
But that's different from calling it an attempted murder, which is what the prosecutor began with. So from day one you had a very difficult situation in a community. And instead of a prosecutor going down the middle, being fair and even-handed with the law, he became rather than somebody who was stabilizing things, somebody who was polarizing the community with extreme charges.
He dropped the attempted murder, that was a step in the right direction. Now the appeals court has thrown out the one conviction against the only one convicted so far. But this thing needs to get straightened out. And it begins with the prosecutor rethinking the kind of charges that he has brought and coming up with something that's more reasonable that can get this case to a fair result. CHO: Well, and it's not over yet. Clearly Michael Bell could be tried in juvenile court. So we'll have to wait to see what happens with that. But former U.S. attorney Kendall Coffey, we thank you for your insights.
COFFEY: Hey, thank you.
CHO: Thanks for joining us.
Coming up, a tape has some parents in New Jersey upset.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My Name is Abby (ph) and I'm 9 years old. And this is my mom, her name is Betty (ph). And this is my other mom, her name is Kim (ph).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: Are grade school kids really ready for this? Some parents say no way.
And hey there, Dr. Bill, what's up for today? Talking about healthy eating.
DR. BILL LLOYD, SURGEON: We sure are. It's food for thought. When you eat with your family, you're going to live healthier. I'll tell you about it when we return to the NEWSROOM.
CHO: And you won't believe how many people are actually doing it. That's surprising too. Thanks, Doc. You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHO: Welcome back. The traditional family dinner, well, sometimes it falls victim to hectic schedules and takeout food. Now a new study confirms what your mother has been saying all along. Family meals can have long-term positive health effects. Dr. Bill Lloyd joins us now to talk a bit about this.
So I was struck, Dr. Bill, about this fact, 58 percent of the American teens have five meals or more with their family?
(CROSSTALK)
CHO: Yes.
LLOYD: Yes, over the past 10 years, that number has actually gone up about 11 percent. And intuitively, you would think our crazy world would cause it to be just the opposite. In our own household, my wife is insistent that everybody is there every night for dinner. And now there's new information that says there are powerful health benefits to children and teenagers who spend five or more nights per week having dinner with their family. CHO: That is right. They are eating more fruits and vegetables. They are drinking less soda. They are less likely to pick up bad habits like smoking or drinking. So what is it about the family meal? Is it the act of sitting down or is it what they're eating? It has got to a combination, right?
LLOYD: Yes. These researchers who looked at 2,000 young people, they interviewed them in high school and came back to them at age 20. And they discovered all the things that you talked about. And some of their theories are, first of all, when you eat at home, you're eating better food, better food than you could ever get in a restaurant.
And in fact, this study talks about home-cooked family dinners, not like you see those commercials for bring a bucket of chicken home. No, we are talking about home-cooked family dinners. The food is also prepared in a healthier way. Like you said, there are lots of social interactions. This is where parents get to learn about their children. And anyone who ever watched an episode of "Leave It to Beaver" knows what we're talking about.
All kinds of shared behaviors, children get to see what their parents do with regard to portions, whether how much salt they put on, how much sugar they put into their iced-tea, et cetera. They learn all kinds of neat nutritional habits, and they learn about healthy choices, so that when they are by themselves later in life, they're going to grab for a piece of fruit instead of a sack of potato chips.
CHO: Well, I'm glad you brought up Beaver Cleaver, because I was going to do that coming out of it. Listen, something I did when I was growing up, I know this isn't bad, my parents are going to kill me for saying this, but I used to grow up at meal time watching TV. They let me do it. But that's not such a good thing, is it?
LLOYD: Yes, that's the second important point. We've already mentioned about the take-home food. The second point is the TV set. Turn the TV set off because there's a strong correlation between obesity in children and watching the TV while they eat. This probably connects to the sedentary habit of people who sit by the sofa all day watching their TV than when dinner comes, they merely transplant their bodies over to the dinner table.
So TV off, maybe a little music, if you'd like. (INAUDIBLE) those healthy choices, plenty of stimulating dialogue and good interaction between parents and children, sharing good habits with one another.
CHO: All right. That's some great advice. Dr. Bill Lloyd, thank you for joining us.
LLOYD: We'll talk again soon.
CHO: All right, great.
Suzanne Malveaux here now with a preview of what is to come in the next hour of NEWSROOM. You're my pal, I don't get to see you that much. (CROSSTALK)
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: Yes. You got to watch TV and eat at the same time you lucky dog? I can't believe it.
Well, we've got a great show coming up. We are going to talk to our top legal analyst, Jeffrey Toobin, about a new name that has come up for the possible leading candidate for attorney general. He knows him very well. And he is actually going to tell us why he thinks he can win over some of the Democrats as well as the Republicans.
Another thing you might notice and you might wonder, is like all of those pennies everywhere that UNICEF is collecting them, where do they go? You know? I mean, do they actually...
(CROSSTALK)
MALVEAUX: Do they actually add up and make a difference? We're going to have a chance to talk to the CEO about that and just where your money is going.
CHO: They say all those pennies do add up, if you put them in a piggy bank. They add up, you can save for a trip or something.
MALVEAUX: It's amazing what has happened around the world. And it deals with young children. So it's going to be really exciting.
CHO: All right. Suzanne Malveaux, I'll be watching.
MALVEAUX: OK.
CHO: I won't be on the set, but I'll be watching. All right. Good, thanks.
The president talked again today about his plans for the troops in Iraq. He has been talking about troop withdrawals. So how many can we really expect? A "Reality Check" coming up. You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
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CHO: President Bush revealing more details about his plans for U.S. troops in Iraq. In his weekly radio address today, Mr. Bush said over time, more troops will be moved out of leadership roles and into support roles with Iraqi forces. The president also talked about General David Petraeus' recommendation to reduce the number of brigades in Iraq from 20 to 15 by next July.
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GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I've accepted General Petraeus' recommendations and I've directed that he and Ambassador Crocker deliver another report to Congress in March. At that time, they will provide a fresh assessment of the situation in Iraq and of the troop levels we need to meet our national security objectives. The principle that guides my decisions on troops levels is return on success. The more successful we are, the more troops can return home. And in all we do, I will ensure that our commanders on the ground have the troops and flexibility they need to defeat the enemy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: Many Democrats say President Bush's plan from bringing some U.S. troops home from Iraq is too little too late. By CNN's calculations, the president plans to withdraw about 21,500 droops by July. That's the count, but is that something we can count on? CNN's Josh Levs joins us now with this "Reality Check."
So what's going on here?
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. And you see, what we're trying to do here is just emphasize to people that all we know right now is what the president is talking about, maybe expecting to happen, and what the recommendations are. And we really cannot give a very concrete figure right now. And it's important to understand that these are expectations at this point, they are not guarantees.
The president said General Petraeus and also Ambassador Crocker will speak to Congress again this spring.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: At that time they will provide a fresh assessment of the situation in Iraq and of the troop levels and resources we need to meet our national security objectives.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEVS: OK. So it's out there in the future to decide what is going to happen. And what I want to do now is take you all through some of the reporting that we at CNN have done over the years about troop levels based on what military officials were telling us at the time. Here's one from just last year.
We reported that, according to military sources, the U.S. commanding general in Iraq. George Casey, was "mulling a cut that would gradually reduce at most the equivalent of as many as two brigades," that is an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 troops. So they were talking about a troop reduction last year.
Now I think we have a screen for this one from 2005. And this one says: "The military may reduce the number of U.S. troops in Iraq after next week's parliamentary elections." Now some of those troops had actually been scheduled to come home even before that.
One more, let's go all the way back to 2003 now, year the war began. Here's a quote from then: "Pentagon officials say the rotation plan will actually reduce the overall number of U.S. troops in Iraq from 130,000 to close to 100,000. And even at the time, we were saying, Alina, that it would be based on the security situation on the ground. So what you can see is throughout our coverage of Iraq, ever since the war began, there has always been times when officials have said, hey, we are going to bring home tens of thousands of troops, didn't happen. So the president now is saying, let's expect this for July. But that's all we have got is an expectation. No guarantee. We just don't know.
CHO: It's a best guess. He calls it "return on success." And Republicans of course support that. Twenty-one thousand five hundred troops home by July is the estimate. And yet what a lot of people don't recognize or realize is that even after those troops come home, there are still 137,000 troops left in Iraq, 7,000 more than before the surge.
LEVS: Exactly. More than before the surge. And I'm glad that we're talking about that, because it's another important element for people to understand here. That it is not about reducing the number of troops all the way back to what it was before what the department calls the surge -- what the administration calls the surge.
As Alina was saying, about 30,000 troops were sent in as part of what is called the surge. They're talking about pulling back about 21,000. That leaves another -- a little more than 8,000 troops there. They were combat support troops and the combat troops. So the administration is talking about pulling the combat troops. But then you've got the support troops, which is about 8,000. Last we heard, they're still going to be there.
So even based on what the president has said, Alina, you're right. Still next July even more than before the surge.
CHO: That's the fine print.
LEVS: Yes, it is. It is. And he didn't give the number, so we had to crunch it ourselves. But that -- we got it right. That's what it is.
CHO: I'm sure you did. Good job crunching the numbers. All right. CNN's Josh Levs, we thank you for that "Reality Check."
A major endorsement for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Today retired General Wesley Clark announced his support for Senator Clinton's campaign. Clark, you will recall, is the former supreme allied commander of NATO. He also himself ran for president in 2004. He calls Clinton "a remarkable person who would make a great commander-in-chief."
Hear why General Clark decided to pick Clinton over the other candidates. That's tomorrow on CNN's "LATE EDITION." Clark will also talk about Iraq and the progress report from General Petraeus. That's tomorrow morning at 11:00 Eastern time.
So how soon is too soon to teach your children about same sex couples?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My name is Abby, and I'm 9 years old. This is my mom, her name is Betty. And this is my other mom, her name is Kim.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: What about third grade? The controversy, up next in the NEWSROOM.
But first, today's news quiz, in a 1997 civil trial, O.J. Simpson was found liable for the death of Ronald Goldman. How much was Simpson ordered to pay Goldman's family? The answer on the other side of the break.
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CHO: Before the break, we asked you how much was O.J. Simpson ordered to pay the family of Ron Goldman once Simpson was found liable for Goldman's death. The answer, $33.5 million, $25 million in punitive damages and $8.5 million in compensation.
Now a look at the most popular videos on cnn.com. A possible sighting of James "Whitey" Bulger, an alleged mobster on the FBI's 10 most wanted list. The FBI has released new video and pictures of someone they say could be him. The shots were taken in Sicily, Italy, in April. Officials are urging anyone who recognizes the man to call authorities.
Another mystery in Florida. Eight skeletons found in a wooded area of Ft. Myers. Police say there are no missing person reports and right now they have no idea how the people, all adults, were killed.
And finally, apparently everyone loves a good old-fashioned implosion. A lot of you are clicking onto this video of an Eastman Kodak building in Rochester, New York, rumbling into rubble.
Teaching children tolerance, that is what this video is supposed to do. But some New Jersey parents say it also pushes a whole other message that the they don't want their kids to hear.
CNN's Mary Snow reports.
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MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is the film one school district in New Jersey doesn't want their kids to see.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My name is Abby and I'm 9 years old. And this is my mom, her name is Betty. And this is my other mom, her name is Kim.
SNOW: The film, from Women's Educational Media, is called "That's a Family." It aims to teach diversity, but it made for some heated reactions.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We don't watch crap on (INAUDIBLE) TV because it's crap!
SNOW: It all started last December when a third grade class was shown "That's a Family." Along with kids of mixed race, adoption and parents who are divorced, the film features children talking about their gay parents.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's really cool to have two gay dads because they brought us into a home and they adopted us and they love us.
SNOW: The school district formed a special committee of parents, teachers and others who reviewed it and recommended the film. Instead of being shown to third graders, it could be moved to the fourth grade, and parents could opt not to have their children see it. But the school district voted to ban it.
Some opponents argued it wasn't age appropriate, others protested the film itself.
REBECCA NUGENT, PARENT OPPOSED TO SHOWING FILM: It's too political and it's getting into sexuality issues that aren't necessary to teach children to be kind, respectful and to get along with different people.
STEVEN GOLDSTEIN, CHMN., GARDEN STATE EQUALITY: Listen, there's such homophobia on the part of some of these parents, it's disgraceful. Never in my life have I seen parents so afraid and so vicious toward gay people.
SNOW: The gay rights group, Garden State Equality, plans to file a lawsuit to get the film reinstated in the Evesham Township Public School District.
The film's creator, an Academy Award winner who's also a board member of the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, says it has been shown in hundreds of districts around the country. She says this is the first ban of its kind.
(on camera): As for the Evesham Township School District, a spokeswoman defended the film, but school officials declined our interview request. They have said that they'll look for alternative ways to meet state mandates to teach third graders about diversity and families.
Mary Snow, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHO: And from the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Alina Cho, we're watching many stories for you this hour. O.J. Simpson, a fire on a Naval ship, and a lot more the next hour of NEWSROOM with Suzanne Malveaux, starts right now.
MALVEAUX: It looks like a real disaster, but this is just practice. The real-life air disaster 25 years ago that inspired this drill today in Washington. O.J. Simpson says he just wanted to get his stuff back. Are police buying his story? The latest on the robbery investigation live from Vegas.
And who will be the next attorney general? CNN has learned the name of a leading candidate.
I'm Suzanne Malveaux, and you're in the NEWSROOM. First up at this hour, a new name, one at the top of the list of candidates to replace Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. He is retired federal Judge Michael Mukasey, first appointed back in 1988 by President Reagan. He is well known to conservatives. You see him here swearing in New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
But some conservatives might not be too happy that his name has come up. The reason, Mukasey has gotten high marks from some liberals over the course of his career.
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