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Pennsylvania Arson Case; Oscar Preview; Cutting the Deficit; Overpaid Severance?

Aired February 22, 2009 - 18:00   ET

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

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're raising two grandkids and only have one income. It's a big, big blessing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Right here in America for hundreds of men and women -- yes, they are refugees in their own country.

Also -- children in Ohio. How much worse can it get.

"We laid you off. We paid you. And now, give us our money back." What? A software giant says exactly that to former employees. Do they have the right to collect that money?

And another firestarter. Even after two arrests, new fires are set overnight near Coatesville, Pennsylvania. What in the world is going on?

Plus -- hooray for Hollywood. Well, maybe. We're going to take you live to the Oscars. You know, the usual escape from economic doldrums, that's what the Oscars are. But, is Hollywood immune to money meltdown? We shall see. Live from the red carpet -- all right now.

We will get to all those stories in just a moment, everyone. But we start with a new promise by President Barack Obama -- a promise to cut the federal deficit in half by the end of his first term. That is a huge challenge, a $1.3 trillion challenge, to be exact. That's how much of a deficit the Bush administration left from the last fiscal year.

Now, take a second to think about it. $1 trillion dollars is a number one followed by 12 zeros or you can look at it this way -- 1 trillion $1 bills stacked on top of each other would reach nearly 68,000 miles into the sky or about 1/3 of the way from the earth to the moon. That is the reality for Mr. Obama when he unveils his new federal budget in the coming days.

And our Kate Bolduan joins now us from Washington.

Kate, you know, what I said just now, doesn't even include all the recovery and the stimulus money on the table. How does he plan to do it now in just under four years? KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, simply put, Don, raising taxes and cutting spending. This begins as it kind of kicks off a very busy week for the president's economic agenda. He's now starting to talk more long term economy and fiscal discipline with an eye for the 2010 budget.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOLDUAN (voice-over): After signing a $787 billion stimulus package -- and announcing a $75 billion housing plan, President Obama is turning his focus to reining in spending.

PRES. BARACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES: I'll release a budget that's sober in its assessments, honest in its accounting, and lays out in detail my strategy for investing in what we need, cutting what we don't, and restoring fiscal discipline.

BOLDUAN: According to the White House, Obama's first budget to be released on Thursday promises to cut the federal deficit in half by the end of his first term. That means slashing $1.3 trillion down to $533 billion by 2013. How? Obama proposes scaling-back spending on the war in Iraq, streamlining government, and letting the Bush tax cuts expire for people making $250,000 or more a year.

OBAMA: And we can't generate sustained growth without getting our deficits under control.

BOLDUAN: A proposal that's already facing Republican pushback.

SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL, (R) MINORITY LEADER: We've got to ask yourself whether increasing capital gains taxes, dividend taxes and taxes on small business is a great thing to do in the middle of a deep recession. I think most of my members will think that that's not a smart move.

BOLDUAN: Meantime, governors set to meet with the president on Monday are still fighting over stimulus dollars.

GOV. JENNIFER GRANHOLM, (D) MICHIGAN: Most governors understand the importance of getting that money. So, for those who don't do it, I can tell you Michigan will be first in line to use the stuff that they're going to lose.

GOV. MARK SANFORD, (R) SOUTH CAROLINA: And I think that the bigger issue is, who pays for it? I mean, a problem that was created by too much debt, I don't believe will ultimately be solved by issuing yet more debt and printing more money here in Washington, D.C.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BOLDUAN: Now, in the busy week ahead, the president will be holding a fiscal responsibility summit, tackling things like trying to control the deficit. Also speaking to a joint session of Congress, where, of course, the topic will be the economy and long-term budget issues like you can expect to see things about Social Security and health care reform. And then, on Thursday, we'll see the unveiling of the 2010 dinner.

LEMON: OK.

BOLDUAN: First things first, Don, a big dinner here tonight.

LEMON: Yes, a big dinner. So, the president has a Monday meeting, though, plan with the nation's governors, Kate, who are gathering there in Washington, D.C. What does he plan to accomplish from this meeting? I'm sure there's going to be some tough talk there.

BOLDUAN: Well, you can imagine, he's going to be talking to Democratic and Republican governors about issues that they are facing right now. You heard that in the story. They're dealing with stimulus dollars. If they're going to use the money, what they're going to do with these dollars.

And you can also bet that the president is going to have some tough talk with them, because you remember, on Friday, when he talked to about 80 mayors from across the country, he said very clearly, he sent out a warning, "Be careful how you spend this money. If you spend it the wrong way," he said, "I'm going to call you out." You can expect that to be the same message he'll be sending to these governors.

LEMON: Yes, as I said, tough talk. Thank you very much, Kate. We appreciate that.

The slowing economy will soon hit America's military where it counts -- their spending budget. And Defense Secretary Robert Gates is preparing for the seemingly inevitable axe to begin swinging, the cuts could be deep.

CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr has the latest.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Don, tomorrow is that big White House summit on fiscal responsibility, and one of the biggest players may be the Pentagon. This week, the Office of Management and Budget will tell the Defense Department it can have $535 billion to spend next year. But that's going to require some scrimping and saving.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates is getting ready to swing the budget axe, telling the military he wants to make significant budget cuts. Fighter jets, new armored vehicles, war ships, all could be cut. But Congress would have to approve it, of course, and defense contractors already are lobbying Capitol Hill, saying -- don't cut my program, please, making the case, it's all about jobs.

But the bills are piling up at the Pentagon. Besides the more than $500 billion in new spending, the Pentagon also needs another $70 billion, maybe, to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that $70 billion may last only until October -- Don?

LEMON: All right. Barbara Starr, we appreciate it.

President Barack Obama addresses Congress on Tuesday night at 9:00 Eastern. Of course, you'll see him live on CNN, followed by Anderson Cooper and the best political team on television. And at midnight, a special edition of "LARRY KING LIVE." Remember, you can watch along with your Facebook friends at CNN.com/live.

The president's upcoming address seems to us like a good time to take stock of the state of the union as seen through the eyes of everyday African-Americans. Make sure you tune in on Wednesday and Thursday at 8:00 to 10:00 Eastern. That's when we're going to air "Black in America" -- an in-depth look you'll only see right here on CNN.

Let's talk more about the economy and losing jobs. Microsoft may have a glitch in its accounting software. The company says it overpaid and underpaid severance to some of the 1,400 workers who were recently laid off.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

VOICE OF LOU GELLOS, MICROSOFT SPOKESMAN: I can confirm that the -- that letters were sent to affected people whose severance package contained an overpayment and some who contained an actual underpayment. The details of this are private to the company and the people affected themselves.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

LEMON: Wow. Can you imagine? You lose your job. And now, they want the money back.

Well, for those who allegedly received too much, the company has a simple request. Give it back. No word on how much money was allegedly overpaid. No word on how the former workers will respond to this as well. We'll make sure we keep you updated on that.

Well, we're already getting a strong response on this story from you guys. Here's what PnutButter says, "That MS letter asking for part of severance is pretty messed up. I wonder if they mailed with delivery confirmation." GotSoul says, "And the boycott of Microsoft starts when?" HippiePatel says, "No, Microsoft needs to back off." "No. Microsoft needs to back off." That's how he meant it. "They don't get their money back. They should have thought about before they paid."

Tell us what you are thinking, what's on your mind tonight. You can be on our show. Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, iReport.com. We will get your responses on the air.

We told you about this story yesterday. There have been arrests in this case. And then, what happened? In Coatesville, Pennsylvania, two arrests.

The arson-plagued community had failed to halt the rash of fires. Early this morning, someone set fire to school buses at a middle school in nearby West Brandywine Township. Officials say seven buses were damaged, costing about $400,000.

Captain Brenda Bernot of the Pennsylvania State Police joins us now by phone. Captain, did I pronounce your name correctly? Bernot, right?

VOICE OF CAPT. BRENDA BERNOT, PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE: That's correct.

LEMON: OK. This latest arson has got to be frustrating for you, especially after last week's arrest. And we just did a big story last night with the senator, saying that they were going to try to get help. Do you believe, obviously, there are more people out there or is this just some sort of copycat?

BERNOT: Well, investigatively, we knew there was a possibility that there could be additional people committing arsons. But we also knew the publicity generated by the arrests would cause copycats.

LEMON: OK.

BERNOT: We're keeping open to the possibility that it could be either one of them.

LEMON: OK. And do you have anyone in your sights for this latest arson?

BERNOT: We are keeping our options open. Investigatively, we are looking at quite a few people of interest, but we have not narrowed it down.

LEMON: So, are you saying that you are not surprised that there were more fires even after the arrest?

BERNOT: No, as you know, when, you just indicated, on February 19th, the task force did announce the arrest two of subjects associated with the arsons. And at that time, we told the citizens we viewed it as a positive first step, but that we felt we had a lot of investigative work ahead of us.

LEMON: OK. What do you say to -- the country has been watching this story and especially the people who live there. We've been hearing about the fear, people are afraid to go to sleep, some people are moving out of their homes, not getting any rest. What do you say to this community?

BERNOT: We want to reassure them -- not only the citizens of Coatesville, but all the residents of Chester County. The task force will not rest until all of the individuals responsible for these heinous crimes have been brought to justice. We will not quit.

LEMON: Yes. Well, we hope -- we hope that works. Lucky, no one has been injured in this last one. Only one person has been killed. That was last year, an elderly woman. And we certainly hope you find them.

Captain Brenda Bernot from the Pennsylvania State Police, thank you very much.

BERNOT: Thank you. LEMON: All right. We move now to news from overseas. We're going to tell you about Egyptian authorities. They have two people in custody after a blast leaves one person dead and another 21 wounded. It happened about seven hours ago at a popular bazaar area in the Egyptian capital of Cairo.

Here's what investigators say. They say most of the victims are foreign tourists. But they have not yet identified the nationalities of the two people arrested. Others, other than saying they are a man and a woman. As bad as it is, it could have been even worse if you can believe that. Security officers say they found another bomb that did not go off at a nearby mosque.

Some good news from northern China -- despite the death toll rising to 74 in a coal mine explosion, the blast occurred roughly 30 hours ago at one of the country's largest mines. But we're now getting word from the "Associated Press" that all the surviving minors who were trapped have now been freed. That's good news. Some 114 miners have been hospitalized, including six who are in critical condition there.

It was elaborate, almost unbelievable, and definitely embarrassing. We're talking about today's escape by two prisoners at a high security prison just outside Athens, Greece. Guards say the escapees were whisked to freedom by way of a hijacked helicopter from the rooftop of the prison. Now, police are looking for the escapees and two suspected accomplices.

Get this. We're told this is the second time for one of the escapees. He pulled off a similar jailbreak by way of helicopter back in 2006.

Here's one that has all of you talking. A major company lays off workers and claims it has overpaid their severance. We told you about this at the top of the newscast. Now, they want their money back. Some of your reactions -- straight ahead on that.

Plus, we're headed live to the Oscar red carpet. Is that Danny Glover live, guys? Yes, Danny Glover live on the red carpet. We're going to do some star gazing.

There's the little guy. Well, that's a big guy, the golden statue. Look at that. Hollywood.

You know, the big concern this year is -- all that glitz that we expect -- will it be there this year in this economic downturn? You never know who might show up and what you're going to see -- moments away.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: "Hollywood's Gold Rush" -- tonight at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles. Stars prepare to walk the red carpet at the 81st Annual Academy Awards. And that's where we find that beautiful young lady right there.

Are you in green? What your wearing tonight, Brooke Anderson? You look fantastic. BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Yes, blue-green.

LEMON: Blue-green?

ANDERSON: Thank you, Don.

(LAUGHTER)

LEMON: You look fantastic.

ANDERSON: Blue-green. Thank you.

LEMON: So, how is it going up there? Who have you seen? What are you -- who are you wearing?

ANDERSON: It's going great. Well, lots of questions, Don.

(LAUGHTER)

ANDERSON: Virginia Madsen has just arrived. We saw Danny Glover. We also saw a gospel choir that's going to hit the stage tonight to perform their song from the nominated movie "Wall-E."

You know, take a look at this red carpet. It is pretty spectacular -- 500 feet long, 300 fans in the bleachers. And if you -- if you can believe this, in the past, up to 20,000 fans have applied for those coveted seats. So, these are some pretty lucky people, Don, in the bleachers.

But we still probably have about an hour before the huge nominees hit the red carpet. Before we see Brad Pitt, before we see Angelina Jolie, sometimes they wait until the last minute to hit the red carpet. But we'll be here and we will be talking to all of them.

LEMON: Brad Pitt is a top nominee. What about other top nominees? Tell me what you are hearing or if you are seeing anyone?

ANDERSON: Well, best picture is the category that everybody is buzzing about. The "Slumdog Millionaire."

LEMON: Because of Heath Ledger, right?

ANDERSON: It's kind of like the little movie that could.

LEMON: And then also Heath Ledger ...

ANDERSON: Heath Ledger, yes.

LEMON: ... too, right?

ANDERSON: Yes, exactly. Heath Ledger -- it's pretty much inevitably at this point he will be posthumously awarded the best supporting actor Oscar for his work in "The Dark Knight." We're seeing a clip right there. And if he does win that award, the statuette will go to his daughter Matilda. She's three years old right now. But when she turns 18, she will be the proud owner of that Academy Award. But right now, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robert Downey, Jr., Michael Shannon, those guys, I'm sorry, great performances, but they don't stand a chance in that category.

LEMON: Brooke, sorry for the delay. We have a delay here like we're, you know, overseas. Sorry about that for stepping on you.

But listen, you know, we've been talking about the economy a lot here. And you know, even Hollywood is feeling it, 90210, the address here, Beverly Hills, also part of the -- hit an economic slump. Are the producers trying to reinvent the show in any way to make up for any of this?

ANDERSON: Absolutely, Don. Nobody is immune. In fact, organizers have been scrambling because longtime advertisers General Motors dropped out this year as well as L'Oreal Paris.

And the ratings also -- that's another challenge. Not just the economy. But the ratings have been steadily declining over the years. With last year being their lowest rated telecast ever.

So they are trying to revamp the show. They want to shake things up. It's a new producer team -- the duo that collaborated for "Dreamgirls," Bill Condon and Larry Mark. And they got song-and-dance man, Hugh Jackman at the helm, he's hosting the telecast. So, lots of changes. A surprising new format, they are telling us.

I spoke with Hugh Jackman a few days ago and asked him about what we will see. And he kind of hinted that Beyonce maybe performing tonight. He also told me the stars of "High School Musical," you'll see them. So, they are trying to attract a younger audience.

And the party is the ancillary event, too, Don. They are affected. Last year, "Vanity Fair" was completely canceled due to the writers strike. This year, it's scaled down, a smaller guest list. And we're hearing that other parties are doing that as well and really watching their budgets in terms of menu, in terms of drink.

So, nobody is immune. And in terms of fashions on the red carpet, I'm sure it's going to be spectacular. But we may see more muted, more subdued tones, maybe to reflect the mood of the nation.

LEMON: Brooke, thank you very much. As we were looking at Brooke Anderson and all the stars gathering for the Oscars out in Hollywood. Brooke, thank you so much. Sorry about stepping on you again.

ANDERSON: Thanks, Don.

LEMON: We have a delay and we can't always figure it out.

Brooke is going to be back, though, this hour with more from the red carpet. You saw Miley Cyrus there. And you never know who else will show up.

Then, all the Oscar coverage, it starts at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Right after the awards, you can also tune in to Headline News for all the surprises as well -- all the controversies, all of the outfits. It's a special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," it starts at 11:00 p.m. Eastern, tonight right here on CNN. Make sure you to tune in to that.

So, if you got laid off from a company and the company overpaid your severance, would you give it back if they ask for it? Well, we're not making this up. That story -- straight ahead.

Plus, my interview with a legend. What would child safety advocate Marion Wright Edelman say to Barack Obama?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN, CHILD SAFETY ADVOCATE: To make sure that every child gets an early education that's of high quality so they can be ready for school. To make sure our schools don't continue to produce a majority of children of all race and incomes who can't read at grade level in fourth and eighth grade.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: This is part of our continuing series, it's called "Up From a Past: African-American Firsts." And the woman we're going to profile tonight, her name is Marian Wright Edelman. She was the first woman to practice law, admitted to the bar in Mississippi. That is her first.

She is also -- she also can be seen as a first because she has been championing children's rights, really, since she was a child. Before No Child Life Behind, there was Marian Wright Edelman. And now, she is part of the Children's Defense Fund. She founded that organization.

I talked to her about how to lift children out of poverty and what she wanted to see from the upcoming administration. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: So, you know, you are wearing -- you're wearing this necklace and you've got Sojourner Truth on it and you got these women who are heroes. Do you realize that you are a hero to us, to people like me?

EDELMAN: Yes, we need to do more work (ph). We need some more work (ph). Well, thank you. I'm glad -- I'm glad I'm sort of standing a little something.

LEMON: Now, I know that your motivation -- I would think that your motivation was children. And I want to talk about you, like what motivates you. What inspired you to do this? You could have done anything.

The first black woman to practice law in Mississippi -- you could have done anything. What motivated you to do what you're doing now?

EDELMAN: My parents who were great parents, my community elders who were great elders. They were people of faith. And they tried to live their faith.

And my father always said, "You follow the needs and God runs a full employment economy. And if you follow the needs that you'll never be for a lack of a purposeful life." And I tried to do that.

And they were people who tried to live their faith. They saw a need. They tried to respond.

LEMON: So when, you know, it's interesting how you met Dr. King and, you know, Senator Kennedy really inspired you to -- did he convince you in some way to work with Dr. King?

EDELMAN: No, I'd known Dr. King since I was a senior in Spelman and worked with Dr. King a lot during my entire stay in Mississippi and on the Meredith March. And I was -- it's amazing looking back at my diary and looking back at experience, how accessible people like Dr. King were to young black folk. I mean, the first time I went to Mississippi, I was a first year law student. Medgar Evers met me at the airport, drove me home to have dinner with Myrlie Evers, and then got in the car and drove me 100 miles up to Greenwood where I was going to visit with the SNCC office of Bob Moses.

And, you know, first year law student, you know, nurturing. I mean, amazing.

LEMON: Will people do that today, you think?

EDELMAN: I don't know a whole lot of black leaders who would take the kind of time that they used to take in nurturing us and engaging with us.

LEMON: So, on a Tuesday in January, which was Inauguration Day, and you were here in Washington with your entire family. You know, having worked with Dr. King, I mean, you know, this came the day after we celebrated his birthday. What were you feeling?

EDELMAN: Oh, I was just overjoyed. Amazed at this miracle that Martin said he was looking over in the road (ph) to get to the Promised Land. He wouldn't be there, but that we would get there. I also was thinking about what he told us some 40 years ago because we love to celebrate him. We need to follow him, which we don't do enough.

He warned us about the evils of racism and excessive materialism and militarism. And while he would be so, so pleased this young man has come to help us go together, but, you know, he would say, "Go back to work now and finish the job because the Promised Land is now fleshed out."

LEMON: Is that what you would say to the new president? Have you -- have you met him?

EDELMAN: (INAUDIBLE) yes.

LEMON: You've spoken to him? What do you say to him?

EDELMAN: Well, what I would say to the new president is ...

LEMON: But what would you say to him when you have a conversation as if we're sitting here with no cameras. What do you -- what would you talk to him about?

EDELMAN: The job has got to be to end poverty, to invest in every child, to create a level playing field. To make sure every child this year gets health and mental health coverage and a national safety net, to make sure that every child gets an early education that's of high quality so they can be ready for school. To make sure that our schools don't continue to produce a majority of children of all race and incomes who can't read at grade level in fourth and eighth grade.

We've got to invest in children. You know, but he gets it. The stimulus package that they've rolled up -- you know, a lot of stuff in there to try to begin to end poverty. But this is the time to end poverty in America.

LEMON: It seems like it never goes out of your head. I'm just wondering if you wake up at night or if you ever, you know, in the middle of the night or in the morning and that there's something else ever on your brain besides children?

EDELMAN: Nope. And about trying to see that every child gets what I had a chance to get, what my own children have a chance to get.

LEMON: All right. Now, think about this. Who's your hero? I'm sure you know. But who is your hero?

EDELMAN: I have a number of heroes.

LEMON: Who is your Marian Wright Edelman?

EDELMAN: Who is my Marian Wright Edelman -- I've been so blessed to have a number. It's ordinary people of grace with grit. It's the people in -- who didn't have a whole lot of education. It's Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth, these brilliant but illiterate slave women who did not lose a moment fighting against injustice. I mean, Harriet Tubman didn't wait for (INAUDIBLE). I mean, Sojourner Truth didn't wait for anybody to tell her to speak out against second class treatment. Women are slaves.

And, so, I think of these folk who have been unbelievable role models of just trying to do God's work in the world. And so, they keep me going.

LEMON: If someone is looking at a history book and there's a headline that describes Marian Wright Edelman, what do you want it to say?

EDELMAN: She tried to live her faith and create a just world that was fit for every child.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: By the way, did we tell you, she also worked with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. And we talked about her time with Dr. King and the words that he said to her that inspired her to do what she's doing today. You can see more of my conversation with Marian Wright Edelman this hour, coming up a little bit later on.

Meantime, there's another troubling sign of the times to tell you about.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sold $45, buyer number 7186.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: More and more people selling off their personal items just to be able to pay their bills -- their everyday bills. And that's not all. A small town loses 8,000 jobs. Now, scenes right out of the Great Depression -- food lines for those in need in this country.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Microsoft is supposed to be equipped with the means to facilitate proper and accurate accounting. After all, it's a software company, right? Well, it may have a glitch or two or three or four, because the company says it overpaid and underpaid severance to some of the 1400 workers recently laid off.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LOU GELLOS, MICROSOFT SPOKESMAN: I can confirm that letters were sent to affected people whose severance package contained an overpayment and some who contained an actual underpayment. The details of this are private to the company and the people affected themselves.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: For those who allegedly received too much severance, the company has a simple request of them, give it back. They want it back. No word on how much money was allegedly overpaid by Microsoft and no word on how the former workers will respond to that. This is a story we will definitely follow. It's one you are following online at Twitter and Facebook.

Alex Roderick says, "You have to be kidding me. I overpaid for a crappy Vista operating system. Can I have my money back?"

Markeez, "Microsoft is in no position to ask for even a portion of the money back. They issued it without error checking."

And Kazport says, "If Obama goes through with hiking taxes on corps and small businesses, it could get a lot worse. This is just crazy."

ShaggieShapiro says, "What's wrong with that? If you go to the bank and get the wrong money back, you don't keep it right?"

TheFullGinsburg says, "I just finished a word document and it crashed. I want my words back."

Amy says, "And that's surprising? How else are they going to pay big bonuses?"

Make sure you join our community. You can be part of our show and get your comments on the air.

Those were good ones. We appreciate your comments. Twitter, Facebook, MySpace or iReport.com is where you go.

Let's talk about another tough sign of these economic times. This is in Ohio. An Ohio town hit really hard by a recession is looking to outsiders for help. We usually see this in developing nations. We're usually the ones helping out. Feed the Children is having to help out people in Wilmington. They pulled into Wilmington on Thursday with semi trailers full of donated food and personal care items.

This is America, folks. This is America. Could your hometown be next? That's the question.

Hundreds of people stood in long lines in the cold to get their share of the food and supplies. Many families are hurting after air cargo carrier, DHL, announced plans to shut down operations there eliminating 8,000 jobs.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's what we're planning. We're just going to try to hold it together as a family and go from there.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's tough. It's just tough because we're helping support not only our family but our children's families, too.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Our next guest didn't work for the DHL, but he, too, lives in Wilmington and was recently laid off from another company after 15 years of service. Wow.

Joining me now is Wilmington city council member, Rob Jaehnig. Welcome to you, sir.

ROB JAEHNIG, WILMINGTON, OHIO, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER: Thank you, Don.

LEMON: How are you doing? Fifteen years. Just...

JAEHNIG: Well, 15 years in one place, 19 years overall.

LEMON: The days of like being in one job forever are gone. This economy is accelerating that. I've been saying, when I saw this story, you usually think about developing nations, third world countries, and America is usually the one going in for food drops and to give aid. This is happening in your own community. How do you feel about that?

JAEHNIG: Well, it's a heart-lifting thing, actually. We've had some very difficult times since May when the announcement came out. And since the piece aired on our story and Feed the Children saw it, it's kind of like giving us that first foothold, that first step back up. This is a community that is used to taking care of itself. You know, we have our own homeless shelter and community action and food bank. Sugar Tree Ministries, which is the organization that partnered with Feed the Children, you know, has a food bank and has been feeding people for a while.

LEMON: You said something very important there. It's a community used to taking care of itself. But it got this bad because of the job layoffs and it was DHL. Did it get this bad because of that or was that just one thing that added to the domino affect?

JAEHNIG: I think it was the main thing that added to the domino effect. It's a very, very hard working community. These are people that worked part-time shifts at night in the worst all kinds of weather, snow, ice, sleet, whatever, to move the product.

LEMON: Hard working Americans.

JAEHNIG: Very much so.

LEMON: So how did this come about with Feed the Children?

JAEHNIG: Feed the Children saw a piece on "60 Minutes" about our community and what we went through and what we're still going through. Layoffs are continuing. Severance packages are starting to run out. And said, you know what? We are known for what we do internationally, even though 80 percent of everything they do is in the United States. This is a good community that's a perfect microcosm of what's going on in America.

LEMON: So they decided to come there and help you guys out. Real quickly, I want to go through a couple of things. What did everyone get? They got some food and probably toiletries?

JAEHNIG: A family would show up and they would get a 25-pound box of food which would supplement and feed a family of four for about a week. Then they'd get a secondary box which had personal care items, shampoo, toothpaste, so forth. Then they went on and got a little bit of additional food. And Avon was gracious enough to give everybody a bad of the Avon products also.

LEMON: Is this a one-time thing?

JAEHNIG: No. And the nice thing, while an event like this, with 12 trucks coming in with freight or food for people, the nice thing is that our -- Your Father's Kitchen, part of Sugar Tree Ministries, is going to be a permanent member of the Feed the Children Network. So if we run low again, if Your Father's Kitchen's shelves go bare, they have to pick up the phone and Feed the Children will be there to help restock their shelves.

LEMON: Rob Jaehnig, Wilmington city council member, we really appreciate it. Keep us updated on what's going on.

JAEHNIG: I appreciate it very much.

LEMON: I wish you guys the absolute very best. Our hearts are with you. Thank you so much.

JAEHNIG: Thanks, Don.

LEMON: Lots of people weighing in on the stories we've been talking about. I know you'll weigh in on this one as well.

Here's what MissFirecracker says. "Food drops? Wow."

Few words. That says it all. Thank you for that one.

WLPerle says, "I live in a county that has been impacted by DHL. Food pantries are already low. I can't imagine how they'll be in a few months. Boy, it is really getting bad. Grim economic times in this country."

Make sure you log on to Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, iReport.com. Tell us what you are thinking. We want to get some of your responses on the air, especially when it comes to stories like that.

This next moment that we're going to tell you about was a moment some students won't soon forget, a day in the White House kitchen with none other than the first lady.

Also this. The Feds have a little talk with Illinois Senator Roland Burris. Yes, they did. What did they talk about? We'll tell you.

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(FIT FOR LIFE)

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LEMON: Federal investigators looking into the corruption case against ousted Illinois governor, Rod Blagojevich, are circling back to Roland Burris, the man Blagojevich appointed to the U.S. Senate seat. The Associated Press and Chicago media reports federal authorities have interviewed Burris as part of their probe into Blagojevich. Burris is not accused of any wrongdoing and has said repeatedly he has no plans to resign. But he is not commenting on his meeting with the Feds. Burris sparked a firestorm when he revealed Blagojevich advisers asked him for fund-raising help. Someone -- something he didn't reveal in testimony to state lawmakers. More on that we'll be following as well.

It's been a grief-stricken weekend of waiting for the family of Chandra Levy. Parents of the slain Washington intern have been told an arrest in their daughter's 2001 murder is imminent. The Salvadorian migrant, already serving time for two assaults in the park where Levy's remains were found, is reportedly the prime suspect. No word on when that imminent arrest will happen.

In rural western Pennsylvania, a jail warden will ask the courts tomorrow to remove an 11-year-old murder suspect from his custody. He says he can't adequately accommodate a child in an adult jail. The fifth grader is charged with the shotgun killing of his father's pregnant girlfriend as she slept. According to the Associated Press, the relative of the 26-year-old victim says the boy became jealous after his father became involved with the woman last May. Not the end of that one either.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is back in Washington after wrapping up her week-long four-nation tour of Asia. It was her first official trip in her new role as America's top diplomat. The new secretary of state can forget any thoughts of jetlag, though. She hosts Pakistan's foreign minister and his delegation. She does that tomorrow.

It's not exactly America's top chef, but it's actually closer to the real thing than the TV show. First Lady Michelle Obama in her continuing effort to open up to the surrounding community. She did exactly that today with the White House. The kitchen in the White House, to be more specific. Inviting students from an area culinary school into the mix. And by the sounds of it, the first lady, and this kitchen staff, is quite a challenge for any dieter.

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MICHELLE OBAMA, FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES: There hasn't been anything that I don't like. There are some mean waffles and grits that are made in the morning that has become a regular staple for some of us. I don't eat waffles every day.

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LEMON: No, she doesn't eat waffles every day. The first lady holding a taste-off at the White House.

On a serious note, the White House chef left open the possibility that some of today's culinary students could pick up a part-time gig at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. What a great opportunity. A great addition, really, for any resume. Good luck to all of them.

Jacqui Jeras, can you imagine going to the White House for a taste-off with the first lady. We saw the social secretary, Des Rogers, standing there. They may even get a job working for them.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Wouldn't that be fantastic?

LEMON: How cool is that?

JERAS: I would just like to invite all the culinary schools in the Atlanta area, if they need a place to come and practice cooking, let me know.

LEMON: I'm with you on that one, Jacqui.

JERAS: I thought you might be.

LEMON: So we're getting slammed by storms on both coasts, is that right?

JERAS: Yeah, it is.

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LEMON: If you don't like the weather, just wait.

JERAS: Just stick around for a day.

LEMON: Yeah, just stick around for a day. We used to say wait a few minutes in Chicago. It changes every minute.

Thank you, Jacqui Jeras.

JERAS: Never stop. Always strive.

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MARYANNE WRITE EDELMAN: He said, if you can't fly, you drive. If you can't drive you run. If you can't run, you walk. You can't walk, you crawl. But you keep moving.

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LEMON: Advice to live by, by Maryanne Wright Edelman. You'll hear more of the candid conversation in just a minute. Those were the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Plus, we're headed back to the red carpet for the Oscars. And you know the fashion police will join us. I may even act as one. Maybe Jacqui will help me out. Who are you wearing?

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(ON THE GO)

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LEMON: More now on our continuing series "Up from the Past." Her name is Maryanne Wright Edelman. It may not be a household name to the masses, but in certain circles, she certainly is. She is the first African-American woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar, a monumental accomplishment in the 1960s. Edelman went on to work with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and Robert Kennedy as well. She worked with Dr. King in his Poor People's Movement even picking up and forging ahead immediately after his assassination.

Take a listen.

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LEMON: This is the day after Dr. King was assassinated, and you went right to work afterwards.

EDELMAN: Of course. Of course. Of course you pick up and you go on. You go on. One of the things Dr. King taught us was to keep moving. That was the first speech I ever heard in the Spellman Chapel. That was the first time I ever heard him. He said, if you can't fly, you drive. If you can't drive, you run. If you can't run, you walk. If you can't walk, you crawl. But you keep moving. Harriett Tubman says you keep moving forward. Move forward. Keep going. That is now what we have to understand. We have to keep going. This election was the chance to begin to build the new nation and reset our moral compass and to bring everybody into the house. But we are not there yet.

LEMON: That is my favorite Dr. King quote. Do you know I have that? I have it on my mirror. If you can't fly, run. If you can't run, walk. If you can't walk, crawl.

EDELMAN: The timber of his voice. I have never -- I wrote so much down in my college diary. I have never forgotten that.

LEMON: You have your own children. Do you feel -- how do I ask you this -- I know as a mother, it is probably not -- is the love similar that you feel for all these children who are not yours, the same as you do for your three children?

EDELMAN: Well, I would look to think so. Love your neighbor as yourself. I love my children and my grandchildren. I also do want -- I don't think anybody can love children more than I love my own and my grandchildren. I do want for everybody's child what I want for my child. I want to build a community where my child can walk safely and be safe, where my grandchildren can be safe.

No child is safe in this country and the world today. It threatens us all. Violence, threatens us all. I mean children are engaged in -- in a community that doesn't care for them, doesn't value human life. So, I love, I love children. And I -- and I believe as my faith says that every child's life is of equal value. I am very pleased that awful my children are committed to giving back. They're great, great, great young people.

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LEMON: Maryanne Wright Edelman, an African-American first, we salute you.

Tune in to our series "Up from the Past, African-American Firsts," where we celebrate those who were first in their fields, first to break down barriers. "Up from the Past," only on CNN Sunday nights at 6:00 and 10:00 eastern.

I'm Don Lemon. See you back here at 10:00 p.m. Hollywood's "Gold Rush" starts right after a quick break.

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