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President Obama Returns Home from Summit Trip; Early Start on Earth Day

Aired April 19, 2009 - 16:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: On his way home from South America, President Obama lays out his path for improved relations with Cuba and Venezuela.

Decades after serving together in Vietnam, two war buddies make good on a promise.

And an early start on earth day. Just three days away now. You won't believe what they can do with old candy wrappers.

Hello everyone, I'm Fredricka Whitfield and you're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

President Obama is flying back to Washington at this hour after wrapping up the Summit of the Americas. He says the 34-nation talks were productive. CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux covered the summit. I spoke with her just as the meeting ended.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Fred, one of the things that he really emphasized in this closing news conference is that this is really a different kind of relationship that he's trying to establish with Latin America. Not a junior and a senior partnership but really equal partners. And he was asked about this. The changing nature perhaps of relations with Cuba as well as Venezuela to take on his critics. So what does he think of his notion that perhaps talking to arch nemesis Venezuela's Hugo Chavez gives him that leader certain credibility if you will, legitimacy that some critics say is not warranted here. That perhaps it's even dangerous?

President Obama says, look, it doesn't cost the United States anything. We've seen these pleasantries, handshakes, gift giving, that type of thing. Even an offer, perhaps, to reinstate ambassadors in both of those countries and he believes that despite the rhetoric of Hugo Chavez and despite the past, perhaps there is an opening now to change that relationship. I want you to take a listen, Fred, to what he said.

OBAMA: It's unlikely that as a consequence of me shaking hands or having a polite conversation with Mr. Chavez that we are endangering the strategic interests of the United States. I don't think anybody can find any evidence that that would do so.

MALVEAUX: And, Fred, bottom line he says, look, you know you take a look at Venezuela's defense that they don't have any kind of defense, compared to the United States. They don't pose any kind of military threat and they are the third largest exporter of our oil. So this is a relationship that is very important. If there is an opening, a way to change the tone or change the rhetoric with this fiery, you know, fierce critic of the United States, then he's going to go ahead and accept that opening. Fred?

WHITFIELD: So here's something else. Of the 34 nations, Cuba was not there. However, Cuba was on the table of talks. Exactly what is being said or what is the agreement in terms of what other Latin countries seem to think needs to happen and what the U.S.' stance is?

MALVEAUX: Well, Fred, all of the Latin American leaders universally, they unanimously were saying, look, we believe that you should bring Cuba back into the fold when it comes to this summit, it should normalize relations, that you should lift the embargo. We've heard from President Obama saying we are not yet at that point, we're not there, but he certainly is encouraged by some of the things we've seen just over the last week. When he lifted some of those restrictions for Cuban-Americans and Raul Castro responded saying he does want to go ahead and talk to the president about everything, about human rights, political prisoners, all those kinds of things.

That was really kind of an extraordinary breakthrough that we saw, and President Obama says, look you know, there will be some conditions to these talks that he wants to see some action before those two leaders get together, but he is hopeful that that is a sign of progress, and, Fred, that really was what he was trying to do here in Latin America, was breakthrough in some way, to start a dialogue, a dialogue that just didn't exist under the Bush administration. Fred?

WHITFIELD: And the dialogue is now ongoing. Suzanne Malveaux, thanks so much.

(END OF VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And new developments in the case of an imprisoned American journalist in Iran. Roxana Saberi was sentenced to eight years in prison after an Iranian court found her guilty of spying. We're now getting word that Iran's president has interceded in the case. More on that in a moment. But first, CNN's Kate Bolduan has the latest now from Washington.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Wrapping up a trip centered on the U.S. and its regional neighbors, President Obama turned his focus a world away saying he is gravely concerned for Roxana Saberi's safety and well-being in Iran.

OBAMA: I have complete confidence that she was not engaging in any sort of espionage. She's an Iranian American who was interested in the country which her family came from. And it is appropriate for her to be treated as such and to be released.

BOLDUAN: The 31-year-old journalist's father says he's visited her in prison, says she's very frail and is begging for his daughter's freedom.

REZA SABEIR, ROXANA'S FATHER: She is completely innocent and she should be freed. If there has been any suspicion, if there has been any misunderstanding, we all forgive them.

BOLDUAN: Iranian officials initially said Saberi was detained in January for buying a bottle of wine and later held for reporting without proper press credentials. Then Saturday, Saberi was convicted of espionage, the charge announced on state-run TV.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (translator): She collected classified information through some connections she had with the personnel of some of these centers and submitted to the American intelligence agencies.

BOLDUAN: This case is unfolding at a critical time for U.S./Iranian relations. The Obama administration is working to repair ties with the country's leaders, even signaling the possibility of direct diplomatic engagement. It's unclear what political fallout might result from Saberi's case. At least right now, the president and his administration are staying focused first on securing her release.

OBAMA: We are going to be in contact with -- through our Swiss intermediaries with the Iranian government and want to ensure that we end up seeing a proper disposition of this case.

(END OF VIDEOTAPE)

BOLDUAN: Now Saberi's family is appealing this conviction. Iran's state-run news agency reports that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent a letter today to tell the prosecutor of the case that Saberi should be allowed to offer a full defense in her appeal. Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: All right, Kate Bolduan, thanks so much from the White House. Appreciate it.

Meantime, CNN's chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour had this to say on the Iranian president's letter to the Iranian prosecutor.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): I was hearing from Iranian officials that there would be a public statement from President Ahmadinejad calling this an internal Iranian matter. And then I was waived off saying that no, in fact President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is going to change that statement and he's going to do a different one.

So then we see on the Iranian state news a letter from the president to the state prosecutor calling for quote the administration of justice in dealing with this case not just with Roxana Saberi but also another journalist who has been held for a long time Hosein (INAUDIBLE). According to this presidential office in Tehran, the letter has called on the prosecutor to precisely handle the case and observe the administration of justice and "ensure that the accused can freely and legally defend themselves."

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Saberi's attorney has 20 days to file an appeal with the Iranian court. Of course, we'll keep you posted on any developments in her case or that of Isha Momani, another journalist who has been in the custody of Iranian authorities since her arrest last October.

Now to Oklahoma City and the 14th anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Some 400 people gathered at the granite memorial to remember the hundreds killed and wounded in that attack.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Survivors and victims' family members read the names of each of the 168 people who were killed. Timothy McVeigh was executed in 2001. Terry Nichols is serving multiple life sentences for his conviction in the bombing.

About three hours from now, residents in Littleton, Colorado will gather to remember the victims of the Columbine High School shooting rampage. That was 10 years ago tomorrow. Twelve students and one teacher were gunned down by classmates Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. The two shooters then committed suicide. A memorial has been built on a hill overlooking the school. Classes will be canceled there tomorrow for another memorial service.

And a little later on in the hour, we'll hear from the parents of some of the Columbine victims and take a closer look at the memorial overlooking that school.

Meantime, let's talk about some pretty severe weather hitting parts of the country. Namely, in Oklahoma. Look at the debris right here from a pretty severe storm that took place. Still unclear whether or not this was, indeed, a tornado that took place.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: There has been a commuter train crash in Mexico. Officials say at least 50 people were hurt when two trains collided on the outskirts of Mexico City. Officials say one train ran into the back of another train that was stalled on the tracks.

And North and South Korea are getting ready for their first official talks in a year. North Korea proposed the talks which are scheduled for Tuesday at a border town. The meeting comes amid rising tensions over the north's recent rocket launch and decision to restart its nuclear program.

A feel-good story that was 42 years in the making.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We'll tear this in two and we'll each sign it and when we get back to the states someday we'll meet up and we'll put that dollar bill back together.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Wow, two Vietnam vets putting it back together after all these years.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Stop for a minute and enjoy this next story it was more than 42 years in the making. It brings two Vietnam war buddies and two halves of the same dollar together again. Ed Shadisky of our Seattle affiliate KING has their story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What time is it?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: 11:53.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He should be getting here any time.

ED SHADISKY, KING REPORTER (voice-over): A lifetime ago, Gary Watson served in Vietnam. He now scans the Seattle Center for the soldier just a teenager then, who served by his side. His best buddy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am sure I'll probably recognize him when I see him.

SHADISKY: They made a simple promise when they parted.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let's tear this in two and we'll each sign it and when we get back to the states some day we'll meet up and put that dollar bill back together.

SHADISKY: Time slipped away. But not Gary's or his buddy's half of the dollar.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I had this in my billfold for 32 years and carried it and not spoke to one another in that length of time.

SHADISKY: Gary would marry and have a daughter. A daughter who would eventually move here to Washington state, the same state as Gary's buddy Ron Bauer.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And I think within maybe five minutes of us getting on the computer and putting his name in, we had a phone number.

SHADISKY: A phone call that brought them together here today. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I see him, there he is. Ok.

SHADISKY: Two American soldiers separated in Vietnam in 1967 meet for the first time on American soil.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How in the world are you? Can you imagine that?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got it hidden between some pictures so it kind of preserves it.

SHADISKY: In seconds, a faded dollar and lost friendship are whole again.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You haven't changed a bit. You still look like about like you did back then.

SHADISKY: The torn dollar goes back into separate wallets but Gary and Ron say their friendship won't fade again.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Maybe it will inspire somebody else to do it because he's a great friend. Always has and always will be.

SHADISKY: And it won't end here. There's one more torn dollar in Gary's wallet. One more lost friend to find.

(END OF VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Tough advice in a tough economy. How to put your best foot forward in a job interview.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Another sign of the tough economy. More than 300 city workers, about half of them police officers, are being laid off in Toledo, Ohio.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKE COLLINS, TOLEDO, OHIO CITY COUNCILMAN: It's totally irresponsible of the mayor to even consider such a thing. It will reduce our number of officers to about 1.5 per thousand in this community. And at that level, we will not be able to even do the basic police work that's necessary.

DAN WAGNER, PRESIDENT, POLICE PATROLMAN ASSN.: When you look at losing one-third of your police force, it's obvious what's going to happen. I don't have to sit there and tell people what's going to happen. Crimes are going to go up, people aren't going to feel safe and they're going to move out of the city.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Toledo's mayor says the cuts are needed to balance the budget. Those keeping their jobs will work fewer hours. In effect, a 20 percent pay cut. The unemployment picture keeps getting worse. People are having to interview for jobs for the first time in years. And it's a pretty scary process. If you were with us this time yesterday, in our continuing series, jobless, not hopeless, we actually brought together a career coach with several job seekers. The coach got right to work helping Bruce Brinson who joined us from Detroit.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRIS IANSITI, CAREER COACH: What top two or three results have you brought in terms of actual numbers, sales numbers, customer service numbers, tangible results that you have been able to create?

BRUCE BRINSON, UNEMPLOYED: Well for Compus Consulting Enterprises within a very short period of time I reached revenues of over $2 million a year for several years. I employed up to as many as 24 individuals for the company. I delivered ions of computers and solutions to my client over the years. Reaching back to my IBM career, my team was responsible for making over $12 million in quota for multiple consecutive years running. Also again delivering substantial results to my clients.

IANSITI: What makes you want to enter in from going from your own business back into the workforce?

BRINSON: Chris, running your own company is extremely challenging and one thing that I've learned is that I was able to either learn or be taught all aspects of running a company. But unless you have the resources within your business to handle all of those on an ongoing basis, it really takes a lot out of you. I think if I could focus in on a specific line of business, I would be much more productive for an employer today than when I started my career several years ago.

WHITFIELD: All right Bruce and Chris, great job there. Bruce, how are you feeling?

BRINSON: Feeling pretty good Fred, thanks.

WHITFIELD: I know we really put you on the hot rocks there, but you did a great job. That's my non professional point of view. Chris, do you give me an idea, give Bruce an idea what worked here?

IANSITI: You did a great job and I was asking questions that commonly you are going to see in the interviewing process. Which is, tell me about your top two or three skills, what do you bring to the table and why do I want to hire you, what are the results you bring to me? So very behavioral-based and also very much results based. I need to be able to see as a hiring manager what are you going to do for me. Why are you successful? Why do I want you on my team?

WHITFIELD: One thing that I thought was really fascinating to, is you looked at Bruce's resume which if it's an attachment online in the computer it comes out to about 10 pages. If you print it out it's about two pages, very comprehensive but you have some ideas about how to help yourself in your resume. Real quickly, how would you do that with Bruce?

IANSITI: Bruce, real quickly. You have a lot of experience, you have a lot of information. A little bit too much information. You are making that recruiter work a little too hard to discern exactly what it is you bring to the table. So what I'm going to coach you on is I want you to reduce the number of words on the page, ok, and I want you to go and add a little bit more results, percentages, you just told me wonderful results that you brought. I want to see that more on your resume. I want you to shorten it up a little. It's a little bit too much for a recruiter today to go through all the language that you have here, ok.

WHITFIELD: Real quick and I know all of you have lots of questions here. Seven of you here are ready to just kind of chomping at this bit, Josh Levs has

also been receiving questions from people via e-mail and Facebook. What might be a question to Chris or any of our panelists here?

LEVS: Yeah, I'll tell Chris first of all really quickly, you have actually answered several because we got a lot of people saying I need interview pointers. So Chris you're already tackling some, thanks for that. Quickly, we found one here, I think you might be able to help some people with. A lot of people bring up the word internships. I've got one behind me from B. Smith who says you know, she says, she hears a lot that it's a good idea to get an internship if you can to get some experience. Where do you go to actually get these things? She's hearing about them, doesn't know where to go? Is that true, are internships a good way to go and how do you chase them down?

IANSITI: Internships, I've always been a fan of internships. Why? It's going to give you valid experience, it's going to allow them to see who you are. You're going to be able to produce and show your results. If it's successful, 80 to 90 percent of positive internships they give you a job. They give you a full time job. Obviously Josh you want to be able to go after and seek them.

LEVS: Where do you go, where are they?

IANSITI: Go in typically the HR department of every company, typically on websites it has information about internships. But I want to tell our viewers look at how you can create your own internship if they don't have it. How can you put together a proposal, a one page document that says this is what I would like to offer you.

WHITFIELD: So almost like saying, try me out.

IANSITI: Try me out.

LEVS: I'm guessing you're thinking free internship at this point.

IANSITI: Well, listen, it's a way to get your foot in the door and do a couple of days a week and if you get a job, to me that's the best investment. Because you can get a job that last for years and years.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: This is a portion from our continuing series, "Jobless, Not Hopeless." What you saw there at the beginning of that segment was kind of a mock interview taking place between Bruce Brinson who had his own IT company for 12 years before it folded. Now he's back into the fray and Chris Iansiti there who was an interview coach who was helping him through. It was instructive for both Bruce. He told us later as well as the other panel of guests who were all jobless, all looking for work and say they could use all the help they can get now that they are back into the fray of interviewing and looking for jobs.

We're committed to helping to show you what it's like out there looking for a job and we're committed to being there every step of the way of all of our jobless folks. Thanks to them for participating in our jobless, not hopeless. Each Saturday at 4:00 eastern, we're spending a full hour on focusing on one topic. Yesterday it was jobless, not hopeless. Next Saturday, it is Cuba. If the U.S. is really seeking what President Obama is calling a new beginning with Cuba, what will it mean? There are more questions than answers right now. Next week we hope you have some input as well. Join us in the conversation next Saturday at 4:00 p.m. eastern. We're going to be encouraging you to send your e-mails via weekends@cnn.com and also Facebook, Fredrickawhitfieldcnn. Hope to see you next Saturday, 4:00 p.m. eastern.

Meantime, some live images right here of the nation's capital. Right on the mall where people are already gathering for an earth day concert, even though earth day is just a few days away. Other events are taking place throughout the weekend. We'll tell you about a green business that may have you thinking twice before throwing out that candy wrapper.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Happening right now, remembering the Oklahoma City bombing. Fourteen years ago today, about 400 people gathered to pay tribute to the 168 people who were killed and hundreds wounded. Survivors and victims' family members read the names of those who died.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We remember the children and workers in the American Kids Child Development Center, second floor. Colton Wade Smith, Chase Dalton Smith, Dominique Ravae (Johnson)-London, my little brother Tevin D'Aundrae Garrett.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Both Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols were convicted for the attack. McVeigh was executed in 2001. Nichols is still serving multiple life sentences. A decade ago tomorrow, a nation watched in horror as the tragic events unfold at Columbine High School. By the time the shooting rampage ended, 12 students and one teacher at the Littleton, Colorado, school were dead. As well as student gunmen Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, who committed suicide. Tonight and tomorrow night, a vigil and memorial service will be held for the Columbine victims. The past decade has been a very long one for the parents who lost their children. Some of them explain how they are coping to Adele Arakawa of CNN affiliate KUSA.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAWN ANNA, CHILD DIED COLUMBINE: I mean, the emotions have been all over the place, but always Lauren's there, always. I know that people will probably say it's been 10 years. How can you still be thinking of her every day, or why are you not over it? Or why -- you still cry, or but, you know, yeah, you still think of her every day, she's my daughter. You know? I love her. Why would you ask me not to love her every day? Or think of her every day? But I likened it to, if I had lost an arm, and if I would get up every day and try to go about my day without the use of an arm. Even if I had a prosthetic to strap on, I would still have to function in a new normal, and I think that's what all of us have learned to do and that's what all of us go about doing, always, always thinking of the one that we've lost.

ADELE ARAKAWA, KUSA CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): That's the common thread among the families. When you think of Columbine, don't think of the ugly images. Think of those who died, with sadness, but peace.

PHYLLIS VELASQUEZ, CHILD DIED IN COLUMBINE: I want them to think of the names, but not just because they were named as victims. They were so much more than that. They were beautiful children and a wonderful father and teacher. They had so much to offer, and their lives were cut short way too soon. I think when we reflect back on that we need to reflect on their lives, and what they accomplished to that day, and the gifts that they left us her here. Not just their families, but I think they touched the entire world.

ARAKAWA: The Columbine Memorial stands as a symbol of those lives lost. It also stands as a reminder of what's important in life.

AL VELASQUEZ, LOST CHILD IN COLUMBINE: I think what I would really like is for people to take this day and to show the love for their kids, just on this date, because it was such a tragedy, you know, to have your child go to school one day and not come back anymore. But if it would be a day where they could, you know, spend time with them, set aside their busy day, whatever, but just spend time with their kids and know how lucky you are that you still have your kids.

BRUCE BECK, LOST CHILD IN COLUMBINE: The world lost 12 wonderful, growing, expanding souls that were going to make a difference in so many lives, and that's the most disappointing thing.

ANNA: But I will never forget to, coming back down the street after missing Lauren for the first time, it took five days to be able to see him but we came down the street and the flag was at half-mast. And I grew up in the military, and the flag at half-mast to me meant the president had passed away. When I was growing up, that's what a flag meant, flying at half-mast, and this was just such a personal tragedy and it was such a personal loss.

I saw that flag at half-mast, and I turned and said oh, my gosh, something horrible's happened, and we've been so wrapped up in our own lives that, you know, we hadn't read papers. I turned to him and said, what's happened? And he said, Dawn, that's Columbine.

I was shocked that it impacted the nation. To me, it was our community. It was our house. It was our family, it was our community, and to see the flag that way and to realize it had struck not only our home but the nation and the world, was just -- I couldn't speak.

ARAKAWA: They will never forget, and they hope you won't either.

P. VELASQUEZ: It's still a very beautiful world. It's still wondrous and a nice journey, and I think that if we can continue that journey with joy and hope that we will come to the end of our days and look back and say, yes. It was peaceful. It was joyous. And we have hope.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: President Obama says he's concerned for the safety and well-being of a U.S. journalist jailed in Iran. He also says she's not a spy. Roxana Saberi was convicted of espionage and sentenced to eight years in prison. Her one-day trial was closed to the public. She denies the charges. Her family plans to appeal. Her father is in Tehran and talked with CNN earlier today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REZA SABERI, FATHER OF IMPRISONED JOURNALIST: All we want is our daughter's freedom and healthy because we find that our daughter's health is waning and it's very dangerous for her to stay in prison. We see that she's very frail and she cannot withstand with that kind of physique, she cannot stand the rigors of the prison.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Another pirate attack has been foiled. This one involved a Norwegian tanker in the Gulf of Aden between Yemen and Somalia. A Canadian warship spotted the pirates and other NATO ships joined in pursuit. The pirates were disarmed after a seven-hour chase. But they had to be released. NATO forces have no power to imprison pirates who attack ships belonging to other countries.

President Obama is flying back to Washington at this hour. He left Trinidad and Tobago today following the end of the Summit of the Americas. The president says the U.S. could be on the verge of better relations with some longtime foes. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: Over the past few days, we've seen potential positive signs in the nature of the relationship between the United States, Cuba and Venezuela. But as I said before, the test for all of us is not simply words, but also deeds.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Thirty-four nations participated in the Summit of the Americas. President Obama says that talks proved progress is possible is nations agree to put aside stale debates and old ideologies. President Obama heads into a pretty busy week as soon as he gets back from Trinidad. He's expected to meet with his cabinet -- full cabinet, to find ways to cut government spending. Congress reconvenes Monday after a two-week recess and tackles more of the president's agenda. And then on Wednesday, President Obama will travel to Iowa to celebrate Earth Day.

So a little advice now before you toss out that candy wrapper. Just wait a minute. Earth Day is just right around the corner this week. And we have a few innovations for you. CNN's Elaine Quijano is on the National Mall in Washington. So, Elaine, show us what can be done with those candy wrappers. Surely not all the merchandise you've got there.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, OK. Well first of all, I decided to do some window shopping, Fredricka. What do you think? Lovely?

WHITFIELD: It is very lovely, I love colors.

QUIJANO: For the spring, matches the sweater. And you mentioned this off the top but the surprise here, take a closer look. We've got 4,000, yes, 4,000 candy wrappers, cookie wrappers. There are even some UPC bar codes all part of this one purse. And they are sold by Stella Mirkovich who is the owner of Shop by Stella. It's a New Jersey based retail company. Stella is joining us now. Thanks for being here, Stella.

STELLA MIRKOVICH, SHOP BY STELLA: Thank you.

QUIJANO: So tell us about some of these products. It's amazing, 4,000 candy wrappers, cookie wrappers. These are bags that I understand are made by Mexican craftsman and craftswomen.

MIRKOVICH: They are. They're made in Mexico. These are all the candy wrappers that would have gone into our landfills. They are taking what would have went into our landfills, recycling it and making it into a beautiful fashion piece, fashion accessory and fashion trendy, forward looking products.

QUIJANO: And so tell me. You decided you are someone who sells other products. But you decided to go into this eco-capitalism venture just recently, in January. How has business been? What has the response been? MIRKOVICH: Business has been unbelievable. It's been booming. These bags focus on children from two to 60, 70, all different sizes, shapes and everybody loves it.

QUIJANO: Tell me about this one. There's a special connection.

MIRKOVICH: This bag was featured on "Desperate Housewives." Eva Longoria did have it. And they're worldwide, and they are very popular.

QUIJANO: So fashionistas don't have to worry about that element to it. It's very fashionable if Eva Longoria is carrying it.

MIRKOVICH: Very fashionable and they are very popular.

QUIJANO: So in terms of costs, Stella, tell me about how much you charge for anything like this, cell phone holders to some of these larger items here.

MIRKOVICH: The cell phone holders are about $33. And I have the little wallet pieces here are about $22. So very reasonable, a great price range. And then we go over here about $45 for the longer ones. And the bigger bags take longer to make, so they are $100 and above.

QUIJANO: I just have to show this one, Fredricka. I really like it because black and white goes with everything. But from far away, very stylish and chic. But up close, you can see bar codes. Bar codes. Who knew they could be so adorable, right?

WHITFIELD: Who knew? We're all going to think twice about the trash we're throwing out, candy wrappers.

QUIJANO: Hey, you know? And that's the thing. Stella has really seen the market and a demand for this. So this is just an example of the kind of exhibits that we're seeing here on the Mall on Earth Day. Obviously, she sees this as a very good investment.

WHITFIELD: So something tells me Stella is looking for all of our trash, too. We could help out in her effort if we have our candy wrapper trash? Is there a place that we need to be sending it?

QUIJANO: You know, that's interesting, Stella. Fredricka, our anchor in Atlanta was asking about, if people have candy wrappers, is it the kind of thing where they mail their candy wrappers or how does that work? Where do these candy wrappers come from?

MIRKOVICH: Most are from manufacturers that will not be using them and they send them over to the place where they actually make them. So they pull them. So the fold them, they weave them, they sew them.

WHITFIELD: All right, well that makes sense. I guess they wouldn't want the chocolate on those wrappers.

All right, Elaine Quijano, thanks so much. And Stella, thanks so much as well. Now on the right-hand side of your screen you were seeing right on the Mall, concerts that are ongoing in celebration of Earth Day, even though it's right around the corner. There you go, that live picture. Now you understand why. Lots of performers there on stage.

And of course you can find out more about Earth Day and ways that you can help the planet at CNN.com/impact.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: More American teens are being lured by the promise of easy money running drugs for Mexican cartels. They are finding the dangers can far outweigh the benefits, however. Here's CNN's Ed Lavandera.

BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Danny Santos is chasing golden dreams in the boxing ring, a long way from the days of this American kid working for a Mexican drug cartel.

DANNY SANTOS, FORMER TEEN DRUG SMUGGLER: I just didn't care, I had like no -- I had no conscience.

LAVANDERA: Santos is one of thousands of American and Mexican teenagers recruited by the cartels, Santos says that at age 15 he was introduced to the drug world at a party.

SANTOS: It was a friend, had a cousin that knew a guy. And that's where it all started.

LAVANDERA: Santos says that guy connected him to drug kingpins in Juarez, Mexico. He started as a driver for a mid-level cartel member.

SANTOS: People feel they can trust you, right? So, then you move on up to something bigger.

LAVANDERA: Something bigger was becoming a cross-border drug smuggler or a mule. The pay, $4,000 for one run.

(on camera): And you weren't scared about driving these drugs across the border? You could just make yourself do it?

SANTOS: Yes. I mean, I was -- I can't say I wasn't nervous. But you just can't show it. I mean, you still know you're driving. You still know what you're doing, an American citizen, all that, right? But you've just got to forget about the fact that you have something illegal in the car.

LAVANDERA (voice-over): That started a four-year smuggling career. Santos is 21 now. He says in all he pocketed about $50,000, making about 20 runs, right through customs checkpoints.

(on camera): Here in El Paso, some 35,000 cars a day cross into the United States. And it's here where drug smugglers are counting on teenagers to blend into this scene.

SANTOS: We've been getting people with drugs on their bodies.

LAVANDERA (voice-over): Customs and border protection officials say in recent months, they've seen a rise in the number of teenage drug smugglers, girls and boys alike, many from well-to-do families, mostly American kids with drug bundles, usually marijuana, strapped to their bodies.

When we watched this girl wearing a bulky sweatshirt on a warm day in El Paso, hands shaking, it raised intense questions from the customs agent.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She was so nervous, she was shaking.

LAVANDERA: There were no drugs, but El Paso port director Bill Molaski worries the cartels are refocusing on recruiting kids.

BILL MOLASKI, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION: So, wherever they believe that they could be successful or they find a weak point in our defense of the homeland here, they're going to attempt to exploit that.

JOSE RODRIGUEZ, ATTORNEY, EL PASO COUNTY: I think the cartel is always looking for ways...

LAVANDERA: El Paso County Attorney Jose Rodriguez prosecutes juvenile smugglers. He says teenagers don't understand the danger.

RODRIGUEZ: We had a kid here who lost a load and who had some of his toes chopped off.

LAVANDERA: Danny Santos is lucky. He got out. He says he was only arrested once, with little jail time. He spent away most of the $50,000 he made. But others are ready to take his place.

SANTOS: Let's just say they catch them all tomorrow. You know, the day after tomorrow there's going to be 30 new ones.

LAVANDERA: For many teens along the border, fighting off the temptation never ends.

Ed Lavandera, CNN, El Paso.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Reality TV for a disgraced ex-governor? What a topic for our Chat Room.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Welcome back. Bonnie Schneider in the Chat Room with me now. Our little foray into pop culture, at least for a couple of minutes. So tomorrow, big day for Beyonce fans. All the single ladies, tickets go on sale for her world tour tomorrow. It's going to be crazy, you know.

BONNIE SCHNEIDER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, but they're not going to be that expensive. A lot of fans will get tickets at least 2,000 of them for only $20 each. They're all available for U.S. venues. That's a good price.

WHITFIELD: Oh, it's a great deal. She's very cognizant of the recession, what people are going through and she's doing this for them. And along the way, she's going to be a doing a lot of charity events as well as she tours the country. So June 21st is when the concert begins, Madison Square Garden and then ends in August with Las Vegas, big old bang.

SCHNEIDER: Yes, and a lot of other music festivals are doing that too. One of them in California, the Coachella Arts Festival has a layaway plan. They're doing it right now.

WHITFIELD: Oh, I like that.

SCHNEIDER: So if you can't find a ticket, put a little down and then pay later.

WHITFIELD: OK, good bargain there. Speaking of big bangs, I guess with Beyonce's tour, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, he says he's not going away. Yes, he still has his legal battle but reality TV, here I come, he said.

SCHNEIDER: Oh, gosh.

WHITFIELD: Maybe. Maybe, of course, a judge has to weigh in on that. But he's hoping Costa Rica will be the place to tell his old story. Or his adventure, right. It's sort of Survivor-esque.

SCHNEIDER: It is. "I'm a Celebrity. Get me out of Here." I guess he wants to get out of the U.S. and go to Costa Rica for the show. And I love reality TV, I'm a huge fan, but I can't say I'd be drawn to that one.

WHITFIELD: Well how about Michael Vick, former NFL player, he's shopping around looking for a network for a reality show. Get me out of jail and get me into TV.

SCHNEIDER: That's right.

WHITFIELD: What do you think?

SCHNEIDER: I think it's interesting that producers were actually approaching him while he was in prison and they were shopping him. I didn't know you could do that.

WHITFIELD: There might be an audience. It's amazing, reality TV, people are fascinated with watching other people's lives evolve. So who knows. It could happen.

And another person people are very fascinated with, Scottish singer. You like her?

SCHNEIDER: I've probably watched that video 10 times along with 30 million people that have watched it on YouTube. WHITFIELD: Yes?

SCHNEIDER: Yes, Susan Boyle is reportedly coming out of her shell. The 47-year-old amateur singer who wowed fans when judges on a British talent show is going to be on "Oprah."

WHITFIELD: Well, if it's Oprah, then you have made it, right?

SCHNEIDER: Absolutely.

WHITFIELD: So she has really legitimately made it. Yes, people think she has made it because of the British reality show or singing show. But now it's legit for her. Congrats to her. All right, thanks so much for being in the Chat Room.

SCHNEIDER: My pleasure.

WHITFIELD: We were like speed talking, weren't we? But we got it all in. All right, thanks so much, Bonnie, appreciate it. Have a great week, too.

All right, Senator John McCain's daughter Megan has some tough words for Republicans. Coming up at 6:00 Eastern Time, we'll hear what she said to gay and lesbian activists.

Also in the same hour, why some of the world's most gifted songwriters decided to pool their talents. "GPS WITH FAREED ZAKARIA" begins right now.