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Summit of the Americas; Sea Captain Home; Iran Charges American Journalist
Aired April 18, 2009 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN NEWS ANCHOR: All right, signs of change at the Summit of the Americas as you heard a little bit about -- Betty and T.J. twittering about that, President Barack Obama reaching out to the Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez even before the meetings actually began, shaking hands, Mr. Chavez reportedly told Mr. Obama: I want to be your friend and at today's first gathering of the leaders, President Obama received a surprise gift from President Chavez, a book about the region's history and conflict.
More handshaking, there. President Obama says he is seeking an equal partnership with all U.S. neighbors, north and south. Let's bring in CNN's Dan Lothian who is also in the Port of Spain on the island of Trinidad.
So, Dan, it seems to be a very friendly gathering.
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right. And you know, as you pointed out, Hugo Chavez really is getting a whole lot of attention, trying to take advantage of this great media opportunity, as you pointed out. At this multi-lateral meeting this morning he did walk over to President Obama, shook his hand and handed him a book translated in English. The title of the book is "The Open Veins of Latin America" which focuses on Latin America's dependency on the north.
Now, President Obama was asked what he thought about the book and he responded with a joke. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
QUESTION: What did you think of the book?
BARACK OBAMA (D), UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: You know, I thought it was one of Chavez's books. I was going to give him one of mine.
QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE)
OBAMA: I think we're making progress at the summit.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LOTHIAN: Now, just to rewind history a bit, remember that Chavez was a controversial President of Venezuela who not too long ago called former President Bush the devil, so that puts it all in context here. Venezuela obviously wanting to move in a different direction with the United States, the united states also saying they're willing to listen to what Venezuela has to offer, but the ambassador, former Ambassador Jeffrey Davidow who is an adviser to President Obama on the summit says that a lot more needs to be done. He pointed out that Venezuela expelled a U.S. ambassador recently and he says that this diplomatic back and forth is not going to be solved with a picture and a handshake -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: But interesting Dan, and I wonder what the White House reaction is or President Obama's relationship is to just this about-face of the relations between Latin America and a North American president, because it was a bit cool as we may want to say during the Bush administration, but suddenly now it's warmed up.
LOTHIAN: It really has and not just with Cuba, it's not just with Venezuela, but what this administration is trying to do is to set a different tone, from an administration, perhaps, in the past that some viewed as always trying to be driving the bus to an administration now, as Mr. Obama pointed out yesterday, wanting to be in a partnership, that we're not here to push you around, to leave, but we want to be a partner with you on some of these big issues such as security, certainly what's going on in Cuba, but also repairing the economic situation, the global economic crisis, dealing with energy also dealing with the environment and the president saying that he wants to be on equal level with these leaders here in the western hemisphere.
WHITFIELD: Dan Lothian, thanks so much from Trinidad, appreciate it.
President Obama's 89th day in office is jam-packed with meetings and greetings. We're still waiting to get the official photo taken moments ago of the heads of state in the Port of Spain. They're getting ready for a working lunch. This afternoon, the president is scheduled to attend the second full session of the summit and then tonight there is the official dinner followed by a cultural show.
Rescued sea captain Richard Phillips had had his share of stress this week. Today, perhaps, the most stressful question for him is how and when do you want to celebrate?
CNN's Susan Candiotti is in Phillips' hometown of Underhill, Vermont.
Susan, they want to have a big welcome home party for them, but I don't know, who's willing to do that right now?
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Oh, well, if there are any plans we've want heard about them yet. You know, the family, of course, has asked for down time and they're getting it at this hour. We don't know what kind of a restful night he had, but it must have been good for the family to finally spend time together getting reacquainted after returning home.
We know that the family had some comfort food ready for Captain Rich Phillips, including homemade chicken potpie, beer and of course some homemade brownies as well, this coming after a wonderful arrival at the Burlington airport yesterday afternoon. He was greeted by well-wishers and we heard for the first time from Captain Rich Phillips as well as his wife.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREA PHILLIPS, CAPTAIN'S WIFE: We've been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, support and prayer from our friends, our fellow workers and from our community here in Vermont, across our great nation and even across the world.
CPTN RICHARD PHILLIPS, MAERSK ALABAMA: I just want to thank you for your prayers and support of my family, while I was gone. I really appreciate that. I wasn't here to do it. If you see the military, thank them for me, if you're in the airport, having a restaurant, down the street, thank them. They're doing an impossible job. I would not be here without them. I'm not a hero. It just floors me about the -- everything I've read and show of support that you've done.
Also, I want to thank my crew. We did it, I told you it wasn't going to be if, it was going to be when and we did what we're trained to do. We're just seamen and we do the best with what we've got. And my crew did an excellent job and I'm so proud of them that they're home and with they are with their loved ones. I'm not the hero, the military is the hero. Thank them. Thank you.
A PHILLIPS: Thank you.
QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE)
R PHILLIPS: Excuse me?
QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE)
R PHILLIPS: Indescribable. Indescribable. Once again, I'm not a hero, the military is. Thank them whenever you see them. The military did it. Thank you. God bless America.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CANDIOTTI: A reluctant hero, to be sure. Now, will there be a town celebration for him? Everyone thinks so, when that will be no one yet knows - Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Susan Candiotti, thanks so much for that update. Appreciate it.
All right, we've been getting a lot of iReports about the attack on the Maersk Alabama. Many praising the actions of the captain and offering support for the crew and their families.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIMMY DEOL, IREPORTER: Captain Phillips, your courage is why Americans like to say the land of the free and home of the brave. Thank you for your bravery, for risking your own life for your crew and the courage to stick it out despite difficult odds. The free world salutes you, sir. Welcome home.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Well, if you'd like to share your thoughts, send us an iReport, the address is ireport.com.
So, it's been an unbelievable two weeks for the crew of the Maersk Alabama and their families, of course. And it is safe to say everyone is quite relieved that it is over. The rest of the crew arrived back in the U.S. on Thursday at Andrews Air Force Base, right there in the cloak of darkness, they touched down on a chartered jet from Kenya just hours before the USS Bainbridge with Captain Phillips onboard, docked in Kenya.
The captain and the crew were supposed to meet up and fly home together, but the Bainbridge was diverted to protect another U.S. ship there in the Indian Ocean.
So, how did the Navy SEALs pull off this difficult rescue? Well, tonight in the CNN NEWSROOM, Don Lemon takes you inside the mission to save Captain Phillips, get a behind-the-scenes look at the elite U.S. Navy SEAL training program including the snipers, that's tonight in the NEWSROOM at 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Eastern.
All right, we've been following this story since it broke a few hours ago. An American journalist has been sentenced in Iran to eight years in prison for espionage. Roxanna Saberi's father says an appeal will be filed. Others are calling for Saberi's immediate release on bail. Saberi has freelanced for NPR and other news organizations. And she is from North Dakota.
And on the line with us, right now, is a senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota.
And so, Senator, give me an idea of what kind of leverage might the U.S. have in the case of Miss Saberi who has now been sentenced?
SEN KENT CONRAD (D), NORTH DAKOTA: Fredricka, I think it's the leverage of public opinion. This is a case of a young woman from North Dakota, in fact, a former Miss North Dakota. I know Roxanna well, she's a reporter in North Dakota, a reporter in Iran for NPR, for British broadcasting and others. You know, this is preposterous, a one-day trial.
I'm told that her attorney was not permitted to be present at the trial, and you know, if Iran wants to be part of the rest of the world, this is no way to conduct themselves.
WHITFIELD: But her fate at this point really does rely on diplomacy efforts, does it not?
CONRAD: I think absolutely. I think, again, I think in the court of public opinion, Iran is hurting themselves very badly at the very time there could be an opening, and I hope they'll think very carefully about the consequences, here. This is a young woman, I know her well and she's interviewed me many times, she's a journalist. She was in Iran writing about the Iranian people, wanted to come back to produce a book. WHITFIELD: And reporting for NPR and also, as you said, there, developing research for the book that she is to author.
CONRAD: Yeah, exactly. So I hope very much those who are running that country think very carefully about how they're going to be seen in the rest of the world.
WHITFIELD: So Senator, a few interesting things involving Miss Saberi, everything with the initial charges were that she bought a bottle of wine and then somehow the charges evolved into espionage and now we understand the U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton has released this written statement saying, I'm quoting now:
"I'm deeply disappointed by the reported sentencing of Roxanna Saberi by the Iranian judiciary. We're, working closely with the Swiss Protecting Presence to obtain details about the court's decision and to ensure her well-being. Miss Saberi was born and raised in the United States and yet chose to travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran due to her desire to learn more about her cultural heritage. Our thoughts are with her parents and family during this difficult time and we will continue vigorously to raise our concerns to the Iranian government."
What do you read in that in terms of how far the secretary of state or U.S. diplomats could go to win her release in Iran when already dialogue between the U.S. and Iran has been very selective and very careful, but we have seen an opening in dialogue between these two countries since the new administration? How might this help?
CONRAD: You know, I just talked to the State Department moments ago, and they told me, they want to express their very deep concern about this matter, and I hope it's clear that Iran can affect the way they're seen in the rest of the world, certainly seen in this country, in part by the way they conduct themselves and they have a one-day trial.
WHITFIELD: Do you see yourself being directly involved in helping to further any kind of diplomatic talks?
CONRAD: Absolutely. They have said very clearly, the State Department, that they're going to work with the Swiss, but, you know, if I were Iranian leadership I would want to think very, very carefully how this affects a lot bigger things.
WHITFIELD: In your heart of hearts are you hopeful?
CONRAD: I am because I believe -- I know Roxanna. I mean, she is just a wonderful human being, and she is a reporter. You know, in every fiber of her being, that's what Roxanna is about. She is a professional reporter, reporting for NPR, British broadcasting. You know, she doesn't deserve this.
WHITFIELD: Senator Kent Conrad, thanks for your input and we'll continue to see tabs on this to see where diplomacy might go from here. Thanks so much.
All right, well, it is the middle of April and Denver gets 30 inches of snow? What's going on? Thirty inches. When we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, sunny on both coasts, but what a mess in the middle, or I guess relatively speaking, some people might see it as a mess and some people might really celebrate all that snowfall. Reynolds Wolf is in the Severe Weather Center tracking some of it.
Is it good news, snowfall?
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You know, it is good news for some people. If you happen to have those things strapped to your feet, those skis, yeah, great news for you. But if you have those things that, like shovels, you know, and you're digging...
WHITFIELD: OK, that's no fun.
WOLF: Not too many smiles. What's interesting, Fredricka, we're seeing the snowfall in parts of the Rockies as we make our way into the central plains, certainly into the southern plains, we've got something altogether different to deal with.
We got some live video, I believe, we're going to share with you first. This video, not live, but you're seeing it there, the snow coming down in the Denver area. Some locations, Fred, get this, anywhere from one to three feet of snowfall. The snow now moving out and now the same storm system causing all kinds of problems in parts of the central and southern plains.
(WEATHER REPORT)
WHITFIELD: And it is spring and that's where we see the tornado alley just so active in everywhere nearby. All right, thanks so much, Reynolds, appreciate it.
All right, with the economy the way it is there may be no better time than the present to find a dream vacation at a fraction of the usual price. CNN's Melissa Long is on the go.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MELISSA LONG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The global financial crisis doesn't have to affect your travel plans. Now is a great time to take your dream vacation.
CHRIS MCGINNIS, TRAVELSKILLS.COM: Well, airfares have plummeted in recent months by 40 or 50 percent compared to this time last year, and we've seen the return of certain flights like $200 roundtrip, coast to coast.
LONG: Fly cheaply to locations like Florida, Las Vegas, or Hawaii. And land a few deals at a hotel when you reach your destination.
MCGINNIS: Since businesses have been slashing travels to meetings and conventions, you'll find the very best deals at big downtown convention hotels. And at resorts, you'll find big discounts at normally expensive add-ons like spa treatments or recreational activities like golf.
LONG: Also, ask your concierge about special perks such as free parking and breakfast, restaurant credits, and room upgrades.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All right, some live pictures right now, the third summit -- the fifth Summit of the Americas taking place there in Trinidad. Thirty-four leaders of these countries are gathering there and you're seeing preparations being made for sort of a class photo as you may hear familiarly labeled. And just all of them gathering right there on a very interesting day, already.
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has already, I guess, sent almost like an olive branch, if you will, to the U.S. president Barack Obama giving him a book and also telling him it was a pleasure to meet him and a pleasure doing business together in the future.
All right, we'll keep tabs on that photo-op taking place there, in Trinidad.
Meantime, he said he can, "totally understand O.J. Simpson." Our legal guys jump right into Hulk Hogan's firestorm.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, remember how just before the break I was telling you how they were getting ready for the big photo-op? Well, here we go. Now the big photo-op here taking place. Leaders of 34 nations at the fifth Summit of the Americas, right there, in Trinidad, posing for all the flash bulks going off right now. We like to call it the class photo. They refer to it that way, too, but that's what's taking place there.
And on an interesting day of already some interesting relations or maybe even some ground being laid for U.S. relations and Venezuelan relations with the two presidents chatting a bit, shaking hands a couple of times today and even Hugo Chavez handing a book to President Obama. The book called "The Open Veins of Latin America."
All right, well, U.S. lawmakers are denouncing an Iranian judge's sentence that calls for an American journalist eight-year imprisonment for espionage. Saberi father and her defense attorney contend that she was duped into confessing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ABDOLSAMAD KHORAMSHAHI, DEFENSE ATTY (through translator): I verify that according to the verdict presented to me and my defendant, Miss Saberi, she has been sentenced to eight years in jail. According to law, this verdict can be appealed within 20 days. I will definitely appeal the verdict within this period.
REZA SABERI, ROXANA SABERI'S FATHER (INAUDIBLE) was also deceived. She was deceived to talk. They told her if she says like this, they will free her and then they didn't free her. Later she found out that it was a trick.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Those are words from the father of Roxana Saberi. Saberi was born in North Dakota, she was actually Miss North Dakota at one time and she's known to be a journalist working for NPR and also some North Dakota outlets and she was apparently in Tehran most recently researching on a book she was soon to author.
So, the story certainly caught our attention. It may not be a U.S. legal matter, but it may potentially become an international one, so that's why we're roping in our regular legal guys. Avery Friedman, civil rights attorney and law professor, right here in Atlanta.
Good to see you, Avery.
AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTY: Wonderful to be with you.
WHITFIELD: And Richard Herman, criminal attorney and law professor. Good to see you as well, you're in New York.
FRIEDMAN: What are you shaking your head for?
RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTY: I should be there.
WHITFIELD: Well, we'll have the three of us together one of these days. We're getting close and closer to that happening.
FRIEDMAN: But not today, Richard.
WHITFIELD: All right, Richard, good to see you.
Avery, let me begin with you. You know, we spoke with a North Dakota senator, earlier, about what kind of leverage could the U.S. really impose to try to win her freedom? There are huge limitations.
FRIEDMAN: Well, under American law, Fredricka, there's no absolutely no remedy.
WHITFIELD: Forget it.
FRIEDMAN: The fact is that Senator Conrad was right in your interview with him, the only way we're going to free Roxana is through diplomatic efforts, the only way.
WHITFIELD: And so, Richard, we heard a statement from the U.S. secretary of state saying certainly we're saddened and disappointed that we're hoping that through -- by way of some Swiss intervention that maybe some ground could be laid, here. How do you see it playing out?
HERMAN: The timing is so horrible for the Iranian government to act this way, when our president is doing his very best to try to change the image of the United States throughout the world and give olive branches to everyone, it's just outrageous.
Fred, you know, at this trial she could not attend, her lawyer could not attend and they couldn't present a defense. I don't know what the appeal's going to be about.
FRIEDMAN: Yeah.
WHITFIELD: OK, well, let's talk about Demjanjuk and this case. All week long we're hearing all kinds of interesting motions about whether he's staying in this country, whether he's leaving. You know, he was not convicted abroad for his involvement in Nazi war crimes. However, this movement of deportation, do you see it actually happening?
FRIEDMAN: Oh, I think it will absolutely going to happen. The interesting thing about the Demjanjuk case is he has one of the best lawyers in America. He has Michael Tiger, and I say this with respect.
WHITFIELD: Tiger?
FRIEDMAN: One of the worst briefs I've ever seen claiming that putting him on an airplane...
WHITFIELD: So, he was a pussycat in this case.
FRIEDMAN: Oh, OK, the tiger became a pussycat.
WHITFIELD: Just kidding.
FRIEDMAN: Basically saying that putting him on a plane constitutes torture under international convention. A terrible argument, Demjanjuk is on his way to Munich.
WHITFIELD: And Richard, you see it how?
HERMAN: No, I agree 100 percent with Avery, he's right on the button. Just a matter of time, the clock is ticking for this guy.
WHITFIELD: OK, and then sadly, we have the case of this little girl, 8-year-old girl whose body is was found at the bottom of a pond and now we've got this young woman who was her Sunday school teacher who is being charged in this case.
So, Richard, this is a difficult one because they're also talking about the death penalty and they're also talking about an unusual set of circumstances. There's a rape charge here, we're talking about a female right here, Melissa Huckaby, who is being charged with carrying out the rape of this little girl.
HERMAN: It's not a difficult one, Fred. I absolutely expect the district attorney to bring the death penalty on this case. We have several aggravating factors, we have a minor, we have kidnapping, we have rape by an instrument, an instrument by this woman here, and the death, the homicide. It's unbelievable; this is such a tragic story. And you know, they're going to do a mental defect defense, here. They're going to say she's insane and it's just -- I eye can't watch that video of her skipping along. It's just so tragic.
FRIEDMAN: Well, legally speaking, though, simply stated, the San Joaquin prosecutor, the district attorney, has not decided to go for the death penalty, at this point (INAUDIBLE) these mental tests. So, we've got a long way to go.
WHITFIELD: OK, little Sandra Cantu and her family, they are in disbelief with all of this, too. But it seems, if you're the defense attorney, boy this is a tough one to try and tackle.
FRIEDMAN: He filed a motion to exhume the body again for another examination. So this is ugly, difficult and a virtual impossibility.
HERMAN: Fred, they found her body in a suitcase in a pond and the woman -- this Huckaby was telling everybody, "I lost my suitcase." It was her suitcase and the body was in the suitcase, unbelievable.
WHITFIELD: Oh, it is unbelievable.
Some might say unbelievable, too, Hulk Hogan's reported comments saying, oh, gosh, "I totally understand O.J., I get it." He's in the middle of a very bitter divorce, but he says now, Richard, his comments were taken out of context, but where is the attorney to say, you know what, last time you were talking outside the courtroom you got a little in trouble, maybe this time, zip it?
HERMAN: They used to have the sleeper hold in wrestling where the other wrestler was temporarily put to sleep. He needs that right now. I mean, does he really think this trial judge is not going to read this? Does he think he's going to get sympathy from anybody?
WHITFIELD: Because, there is no way to explain these comments. You know, that's water under the bridge.
FRIEDMAN: I think it's the Mickey O'Rourke defense. I think Linda, his wife going to use it to the hilt, and she's going to say, wrestlers, steroids, rage, they're out of control. He's in a world of trouble.
WHITFIELD: Wow.
HERMAN: Maybe a restraining order. That's all.
FRIEDMAN: Really?
HERMAN: He was interviewed by "Rolling Stone" magazine, come on.
FRIEDMAN: I don't know.
WHITFIELD: But it's getting us talking, isn't it?
And the courtroom is going to be talking about it further, as well.
All right, well, we've got more cases in which to delve into, Richard and Avery, we're going to have you back in a moment. All right. Meantime, talk about help finding a job. You're about to meet the creators of a bootcamp for the unemployed and get this, it's free.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Millions of laid off Americans are looking for ways to reinvent themselves and become more marketable. A Philadelphia- based company Training Camp says it wants to help and it's offering what it calls an unemployment surety guarantee.
Chris Porter is the CEO of Training Camp and he joins us from Philadelphia to talk all about this. All right, Chris. How are you?
CHRIS PORTER, CEO, TRAINING CAMP: Hi, Fredricka. Thanks for having me.
WHITFIELD: OK, people need a lot of inspiration these days. The joblessness number is huge and very depressing. How is it that you can help people better equip themselves to find and land that job?
PORTER: Well, industry certification is critical to an unemployed individual or an individual concerned about the potential risk of becoming unemployed. We've developed a number of programs for individuals to maintain a level of job readiness, job-seeking readiness.
WHITFIELD: And this is the boot camp? People for a week would spend some time at a hotel or at an office in a major city near you ...
PORTER: Correct.
WHITFIELD: ...under the guise of this training camp, right -- program and learn how to improve their skills, but wait, there's more. You're actually saying that this is something that will come free to people if they have lost their job within the past year? What's the catch?
PORTER: Well, there is no catch. What -- there really are two types of opportunities that we're offering. One, Microsoft actually has offered a program they're calling Elevate America. Elevate America, they're offering 1 million vouchers for individuals that are unemployed or underemployed seeking re-training. Training Camp is offering those types of services for the Microsoft Elevate America.
Secondly, we're offering our unemployment surety guarantee, which simply states that if you've attended any of our programs in the past or will continue in the future, we will offer you the opportunity should you become unemployed, you can attend one of our programs really free of cost to get yourself additionally more marketable to attend the program (ph).
WHITFIELD: Interesting. So really, there are two ways in which you can take advantage of this for free. You've already been through the program, you've lost your job in the past year ... PORTER: Correct.
WHITFIELD: ...and then, you can go back and revamp some of your skills and you're saying because of Microsoft's generosity, there is money available to pay for other people to get this kind of job training. Are we talking mostly I.T. jobs?
PORTER: Yes, yes, ma'am.
WHITFIELD: OK.
PORTER: Training Camp was founded as an I.T. educational services firm. We do offer additional programs for other types of curricula, like project management, information security, sales, those types of programs.
WHITFIELD: And what's the criteria to take advantage of that voucher program?
PORTER: You can actually find it directly for the Microsoft Elevate America on microsoft.com. There's a fair amount of detail.
WHITFIELD: OK, all right. So, I've lost my job in I.T. or something similar to that ...
PORTER: Correct.
WHITFIELD: ...I simply go to that Web site and how do I get onboard?
PORTER: Really, when you come to the Microsoft Web site or come to a training camp, our trainingcamp.com Web site, speak in front of our enrollment representatives. Certainly, can you demonstrate the financial need, which certainly should not be an issue. You would simply be enrolled.
WHITFIELD: Ordinarily, it could take -- it could cost upwards of a couple thousand dollars to take advantage of this week-long training program. So, that this is granted (ph), it's pretty huge. Now, tell me about the placement, the job placement effort once you've been through this program. Are you proud of the record?
PORTER: Oh, we absolutely are, yes. The nice thing about the information technology sector is that the unemployment rates are actually less than half the national average across the board. So, there is still an I.T. job shortage right now. So, an individual that is qualified has a much higher likelihood of obtaining additional employment in the event of -- you know, a more marketable or more current skill set demonstrated on a resume, so.
WHITFIELD: Fantastic, Chris. I know you've peaked the interest of a whole lot of people out there. So, one more time, the Web site location people can go to if they're in this field of I.T. and they want this kind of training for free.
PORTER: Yes. Well, come on down to www.trainingcamp.com and feel free to call and we'll be happy to help you.
WHITFIELD: Awesome. All right, Trainingcamp.com. We'll put that on our Facebook Web site as well so people know how to follow up after this interview.
Chris Porter, thanks so much with Training Camp.
PORTER: Fredricka, thanks for having me on, wonderful.
WHITFIELD: So great and glad you're able to help out a lot of people because a lot of folks could use it about now.
PORTER: You bet. Have a good day.
WHITFIELD: Thanks so much.
PORTER: Cheers!
WHITFIELD: All right, and of course, you know, a month ago we began our commitment, this series that we're calling "Jobless Not Hopeless" to track more than 10 unemployed people as they search for work. Well, coming up today at 4:00 Eastern time, a special hour where you get to hear some of their stories of survival. One of them has a surprise for you.
And also, a live mock interview with an interview coach who has valuable tips on how to nail down that job. That applies for everyone out there who is looking for a job. Some tips on how to improve your skills in that interview process. We're also going to be joined by two employers who actually are hiring. Maybe they've got a job for you.
Also, creative ways to actually find a job. You won't believe what one woman is actually doing. She's willing to pay you to find her work. So, if you have any questions for our interview coach, or perhapd even for our employers who are going to be here, maybe you want to share some of your own stories about looking for work.
Send them to weekends@CNN.com or to my Facebook page, Fredricka Whitfield. We'll read some of your comments today at 4:00 Eastern and please join us for a very elaborate, open discussion on finding, landing that job.
A reality TV for disgraced ex-governor Rod Blagojevich. What a topic for our legal eagles.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Oh, remember how just a moment ago, I talked about how there are a lot of legal cases, so we're going to have our guys back. Avery Friedman and Richard Herman, back again.
Let's talk about Ruth Bader Ginsburg because initially, she's usually pretty quiet except when talking about a case on the Supreme Court bench, but now, Richard and Avery, she's kind of speaking her heart and mind. Richard, you first, what do you think is on her mind? She says it's lonely being the only woman.
RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Well, she inflamed a lot of people by saying it would behoove the Court and Congress to look at foreign law when interpreting Constitutional issues, and that statement, I mean, caused a firestorm. All she said it was behoove, it might help in determining and understanding our Constitution.
I mean, after all, didn't Ben Franklin spend a lot of time in France and then come back and contribute? And aren't we based on the British system? I mean, it can't hurt, that's all she said.
AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: Well, you know, Richard, I bet you, you see it and there's a different way of looking at it, too. And that is when she says she's lonely and I appreciate there's criticism, but what strikes me is that 54 percent of the American population is female. And so, when she talks about the importance of having female representation on the Court, she's not kidding around. She's 5 feet tall, but she is a giant in the legal world and I think she's saying it's time to appoint another woman to the Supreme Court.
WHITFIELD: But I wonder if perhaps it was a little unusual, you know, for those who watch the Supreme Court on a regular basis ...
FRIEDMAN: Right.
WHITFIELD: ...because Sandra Day O'Connor, very seldom did you hear her talk about her position as a woman. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, we haven't really heard it from her that much either, but is this a first or is it just the moment that gets the most attention?
FRIEDMAN: We are going to see more moments because she's going to law school. She's speaking publicly about the importance of having women on the Supreme Court. It's time.
WHITFIELD: All right, choose life. Let's talk about this, license plates, this being in the state of Illinois. And the argument here being made, choose life license plates as an anti-abortion religious message. But the pro-life groups say it's their freedom of religion for the state of Illinois. So, are we looking at a potential U.S. Supreme Court case in the making? Avery?
FRIEDMAN: I love this case!
WHITFIELD: You do?
FRIEDMAN: This is a Supreme Court case in the making. The first amendment guarantees two kind of religious freedoms -- one, the government can't oppose it, but secondly, you have personal religious freedom. One federal appeals court said it's government imposed, another one said it's personal freedom. It's on its way to the Supreme Court.
WHITFIELD: Oh, boy. Richard?
HERMAN: This is so ridiculous.
WHITFIELD: Yes?
HERMAN: I mean, these people have to be miserable. You know, are license plates ...
FRIEDMAN: What?
HERMAN: ...public forums? I mean, come on, put bumper stickers all over your car. They're for vehicle identification, that's what a license plate is. What are these people, going crazy? Put bumper stickers on, it's unbelievable. Waste of everyone's time and money.
WHITFIELD: Wow. OK, well, I've heard the word crazy being used for this next case and even bold, it might be another one. Rod Blagojevich, a former Illinois governor who is now saying you know, I can't get enough of this TV thing. I think I like being on. How about a reality show? NBC says they're ready to finance it, but this is pretty bold, is it not? Richard and Avery, we're talking about an ongoing case, anything that he says if this show comes to fruition can be used against him.
FRIEDMAN: Can and will -- exactly right, which is great.
WHITFIELD: Why would he want to do this?
HERMAN: Here's a little reality for this guy, look at the federal sentencing guidelines. Look at the prison term he is potentially facing. That should be his reality check. Someone's got to reign this guy in. He's blown a fuse. I mean, it's unbelievable.
FRIEDMAN: I think there's two words we're looking at, shut up! Let him go to trial and just shut up!
WHITFIELD: Well, you know, something interesting, too. I thought I heard that this is going to be filmed or taped potentially in Costa Rica, but wait a minute, he wouldn't be able to leave.
FRIEDMAN: So what? The judge is never going to let him out of the country. Never going to happen.
WHITFIELD: No. So, maybe this is just fun talk. Not going to happen.
HERMAN: Sometimes, judges -- sometimes judges will let you go for a couple of days or a long weekend or something like that.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
HERMAN: There's no way they're going to let him go film a show in Costa Rica.
FRIEDMAN: The only thing crazier is imagine a Michael Vick reality show, that would never happen, would it?
WHITFIELD: Oh boy, we'll be talking about that ... HERMAN: It's in the works.
WHITFIELD: ...I'm sure next weekend.
All right, Richard, Avery, good to see you in person.
FRIEDMAN: Wonderful to be with you.
WHITFIELD: Richard, you're next, come on.
HERMAN: I'm coming down.
WHITFIELD: Let's all three be together, you know, in one room.
HERMAN: No, you and me first, Fred, then the three of us.
FRIEDMAN: I don't know about that. See you later.
WHITFIELD: All right, Richard, take care.
Avery, thanks so much, also.
FRIEDMAN: Wonderful to be with you.
WHITFIELD: All right. Good to see you, too.
All right, Earth Day, it's on the way. Do you have your green car yet and we're not talking about the color.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, you've heard about the talk and the buildup, well, Earth Day is Wednesday. Cities all over the world will hold events about the environment. One thing organizers are calling for is greener cars. Is that realistic? Are environmentally friendly cars right around the bend for everybody?
Our Josh Levs joins us with a look at that. It's all about affordability, too, isn't that at the root of it all?
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is, yes, making sure these things exist at all and making sure people can even buy them at all. And really good news, Fred -- you know, we've got one of the top experts to talk to and he's telling me that not only are they close, but they will be affordable.
I got to talk with him a little bit and I asked him to start off with this. Is the truly green car right around the bend?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DERON LOVAAS, NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL: We're actually very close. Plug in hybrid vehicles that can run on electricity and therefore help get us off oil and help jump-start the economy by going into technology that we can manufacture domestically are a big part of the future. LEVS: So, let's breack this down because when people think about green cars, they think electric, there are theories that you can have a car that runs on water, vegetable oil, ethanol. What is the future, what's the best hope at this point?
LOVAAS: Imagine that you're able to get into your car and it is what is called a flex fuel plug-in hybrid vehicle, and that means that it can run on a variety of fuels, including ethanol in liquid form and it can run on electricity, which means you squeeze more and more miles per gallon of gasoline that you use.
LEVS: So, the ideal is a combination ethanol and electric car?
LOVAAS: That's right, that's right.
LEVS: And ethanol, we've heard in the past, there have been some problems with ethanol. For example, the plants that turn out the ethanol were actually causing pollution and some people weren't sure it's even any better than gasoline. Is ethanol moving in a direction in which it will be truly green?
LOVAAS: Yes, and thanks to actually a new energy law that Congress passed in 2007, ethanol is headed in the right direction.
LEVS: How many years are from having a car that is, in this sense, truly green? How many years?
LOVAAS: Well, we're only a few years away. That's the good news. Actually, Ford has already come out with an Escape flex fuel, plugable hybrid and the Prius is going to be plugable as well and you have the Chevy Volt out there as well. These cars are going to be in the showrooms in just a few years. I think both domestic and foreign carmakers are going to be out at the forefront because I think everyone now has seen the writing on the wall.
You know, it's not just like -- it's not just groups like mine. It's -- most of the American public and it's also the carmakers. They realize that this is the future and to be competitive and to keep generating jobs and to stay solvent, actually, they need to invest a lot more in cleaner and more efficient technology.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEVS: And Fred, we were talking about affordability. He actually tells me that not only will he -- he thinks it will be affordable to most people in the middle class, but also he says when you factor in the amount that you save on gasoline ...
WHITFIELD: Yes.
LEVS: ...over a number of years, he says actually, some people can do a lot better with some of these new green cars that are on their way.
WHITFIELD: So, it's kind of paying forward in a way, right?
LEVS: Yes, exactly.
WHITFIELD: I mean, you know, if it may not be, you know, cheap by your standards, but maybe because of the amount of money you save in gasoline or fuel, it really does kind of pay itself.
LEVS: Exactly. The short version, he says, picture it cutting your gas bill in half ...
WHITFIELD: Wow.
LEVS: ...over the life of your vehicle.
Really quickly, I want to tell everyone, we're excited for Earth Day. A lot of stuff happening here. Check it out at CNN.com/impact. We have a whole list of ways. Let's zoom in for a second. A whole list of ways you can get involved for Earth Day. We hook you up with all sorts of organizations who do environmental projects. Earth Day is Wednesday of next week. We're going to be talking about it a lot before that. In the meantime, get a jump on it at CNN.com/impact. We'd love to have you involved.
WHITFIELD: You got any plans for Wednesday for yourself?
LEVS: I'll be right here, showing what everybody's doing for it. What about you?
WHITFIELD: Working it, OK. I'm going to plant my vegetable garden.
LEVS: Are you?
WHITFIELD: Yes.
LEVS: That's better. Good for you.
WHITFIELD: Remember, I did a piece on it last week about how everyone is doing it, and so I am, too, now.
LEVS: Awesome. All the best (ph).
WHITFIELD: There you go. Planning it on Wednesday.
All right, thanks so much, Josh. Appreciate it.
LEVS: See you, Fred. Yes.
WHITFIELD: All right, millions of acres of tropical rain forest disappear every year. Farmers say they need the land to make room for crops, but this week's CNN hero is on a one-woman crusade to rescue the rain forest and feed the hungry simultaneously. She's doing it with a plant called the Mayan nut.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NARRATOR: This is CNN heroes. ERIKA VOHMAN, DEFENDING THE PLANET, CNN HERO: People throughout Central America who are living in extreme poverty, they often don't have enough food. There are days when people will just have one meal if they're lucky.
When I first came to Guatemala, it was just incredible seeing where people were cutting down rain forest to plant food. It was devastating, so I decided to go back to school so I could help people produce enough food without destroying the environment.
I came across the Maya nut tree, it provided a staple food for the Maya civilization. For some reason, people have stopped eating this food, which is one of the most nutritious foods you can get and it's free. You just collect it off the ground and they don't eat it because they don't know.
I'm Erika Vohman and I teach people about the lost indigenous Maya nut for food and for reinforced conservation.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (SPEAKING SPANISH): We didn't know what to do with it.
VOHMAN (SPEAKING SPANISH): Now, we are going to using (ph) it to fight.
Our work shops are just for women, so they require the skills and knowledge to feed their families and better their lives. It's fun.
We're having an impact on the environment. We're having an economic impact and also, motivating reforestation. It's really amazing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Wow, and she says in a word it's fun, but look how helpful her efforts have been. If you'd like to help Erika Vohman or if you know someone who's doing something so extraordinary that they deserve to be a CNN hero, tell us about them. Remember, all of our CNN heroes are chosen from people that you actually nominate at CNN.com/heroes.
All right, slammed by more than 30 inches of snow, a springtime nightmare in Denver.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Two minutes before the hour. Breaking news we're following out of Middletown, Maryland, near Frederick. Police say the bodies of five people have been found in a house. Relatives discovered them this morning.
And U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says she's deeply disappointed by Iran's reported sentencing of a U.S. journalist. Thirty-one-year-old Roxana Saberi has received eight years in prison for espionage. The North Dakota woman has freelanced for "NPR," "National Public Radio" and was writing a book on Iranian culture while there in Tehran. American lawmakers are calling the charges baseless.
And a spring storm, snowstorm, as a matter of fact, is causing problems in Denver. Hundreds of stranded drivers spent the night at shelters after more than three feet of snow shut highways down. Meanwhile, an 80-mile stretch of Interstate 70 has reopened.
A month ago, we began a series that we're calling "Jobless Not Hopeless" to help a lot of people find work and we're also tracking the progress of about 10 or so unemployed people. Well, coming up today in the 4:00 Eastern hour, many of them will be returning and joining us again during "Jobless Not Hopeless." And they'll also be met by two prospective employers who are lookign for people to hire. They'll also meet an interview coach who's going to help that person nail down that interview to try and nail down that job.
And then beginning at 2:00 Eastern, you'll meet that interview coach for the first time who'll be helping two unemployed people do better at interviews. So, send us your e-mails, your comments, your questions and you, too, can be part of this discussion. "Jobless Not Hopeless," join us at weekends@CNN.com or join me on Facebook, FredrickaWhitfieldCNN. Much more straight ahead beginning at 2:00 Eastern time.
