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White House Hosts Correspondents Association Dinner Tonight; White House Aide Resigns Over Air Force One Fly-Over; A Debate Over Legalizing Marijuana Begins; NASA Makes 1st-time Rescue Plans for a Shuttle Launch.
Aired May 09, 2009 - 17:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: A mother's love, priceless. But can kids and dads afford this mother's day? I hit the road with the delivery man to get some answers. The news starts right now.
Hello everyone I'm Don Lemon. Violent springtime thunderstorms and tornados killed at least four people last night and it is not over yet. A second round is tearing across Arkansas and it's happening right now. The path of destruction stretches from Kansas to Kentucky. Homes are flattened, vehicles tossed right through the air. Thousands could be without power for days. One man had to cling to his doorknob just to keep from being blown away. That storm hit so fast, some Kentucky residents had little time to even react.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I went around to make sure everybody was ok and I come out here, everybody hollering and screaming. She was in here on the floor.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As I stepped away from the door all my windows started going off like bombs.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I remember it thundered and all of a sudden, the shingles come off the house and the roof almost come off.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: In Tennessee, a tornado picked up an entire house and moved it about 15 feet. Look at those amazing pictures there. Luckily, no one inside was seriously hurt. But it was a terrifying experience all the same.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERRI BIRD, STORM VICTIM: I just thank God that my husband -- his nephews and the people that was helping him in the garage was ok, because I knew the garage was gone.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: We might hear similar headlines soon out of Arkansas.
(WEATHER REPORT) LEMON: In southern California, a new hot spot to worry about. This is the north end of Topanga Canyon, the video that you're looking at there. Firefighters and helicopters rushed to the scene when a blaze broke out on a ranch quickly spreading to three acres. Elsewhere in that area, crews in the air and on the ground are taking advantage of moderately better weather to attack fires that have burned nearly 9,000 acres and damaged or destroyed about 80 homes. But fire officials warn the fire remains extremely dangerous.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREW DIMZIO, SANTA BARBARA CITY FIRE CHIEF: It was characterized as a sleeping giant. Particularly on the eastern flanks. So we can't afford to let our guard down. We have to keep going all-out on this fire. And make sure that it doesn't come out towards the citizens again.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Reporters, residents, everyone in the area is in the line of fire. On the phone now we're joined by Patricia Wheatley, she's a spokesperson for the Santa Barbara County Emergency Operations. Thank you so much for joining us. We're hearing it's really about 13 square miles and we heard thousands and thousands of acres there are being burned. Luckily so far though Ms. Wheatley, no one has died in this, right?
PATRICIA WHEATLEY, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS (via telephone): That is correct. That is correct. We've had 13 firefighter injuries to date. Three of whom were severe burns. But beyond that, we are moving forward and the combined efforts of all of the personnel have been tremendous in keeping people safe.
LEMON: We're hearing that the moderately better weather, the firefighters and the people who are on the front lines are taking advantage of that, we're also hearing that there is possibly fog rolled through is that correct, that helped these fires?
WHEATLEY: Yes, it was wonderful to wake up this morning to see the marine layer over our city and area, because it allowed the firefighters the opportunity to really get on the offensive of this fire.
LEMON: Ok, Patricia Wheatley, thank you very much. She's a PIO from the Santa Barbara County Emergency Operations. And again, everyone, reporters, residents, everyone in the line of fire.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Basically, it was a full twister. I mean, it was just going and going and going up. Just getting bigger and bigger and it's hopping. I mean, 200 yards, 300 yards and all of a sudden -- we were almost -- I think we were pretty much enclosed. We couldn't get out of here if we wanted to.
JANA KATSUYAMA, KTVU REPORTER: The smoke from this fire has really expanded across Santa Barbara. Anywhere you go, you can breathe it, you can see it, and it really is stinging the eyes and the lungs of people even in downtown areas.
KARA FINNSTROM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Overnight the winds whipped up here in Santa Barbara pushing this already destructive fire into some new areas and threatening more homes.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: That's our reporters covering the story there throughout the California area where these wildfires are going on. You know, containing these fires often depends on the weather, specifically the winds. Our Jacqui Jeras is joining us again. You heard me say to Miss Wheatley and her as well saying that some of the fog that rolled through helped out a little bit, and there's moderately better weather that's helping just a bit.
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yeah, it makes a big difference. You know, that fog or that marine layer moved in this morning. But it was only around 1,000 feet and below. You get into some of those peaks and they didn't get in on the benefits of some of that moisture. The winds were calm this morning but we still have enough of a gradient between our area of high pressure and low pressure that those winds have been kicking up in the last couple of hours. Now that we're getting some of that maximum daytime heating, and we've been seeing some winds in here on the range around maybe five to 10 miles per hour sustained. But we have been seeing a couple of gusts just beyond that.
This heat still remains very intense. There you can see the signatures from this heat, from space. That's what we're detecting here on radar. You can see this orange outline that includes this area down towards the coast where critical fire danger is in effect throughout the day today. So Don, the next couple of hours are going to be really important in terms of those winds accelerating and moving down the mountains once again. But we do expect that those winds will slack off a little bit again late tonight, early tomorrow morning, and we'll start to get some of that marine layer or that low level fog begin to push into the area once again tomorrow morning.
LEMON: All right, Jacqui let's hope it gets better for those guys. Jacqui Jeras standing by, thank you very much for that Jacqui.
We have some breaking news to tell you about this hour. It is from Georgia. This was our lead story last Saturday here on CNN. Police believe they have found the body of the university professor who's been the subject of a nationwide manhunt. George Zinkhan is suspected of killing three people including his wife at a community theater two weeks ago. The body was reportedly found in some north Georgia woods about a mile from where the professor's jeep was discovered last week, not far from Athens.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF JOSEPH LUMPKIN, ATHENS-CLARKE CO. POLICE DEPT.: It's a male, white male. And the body in general fits the description. We have some decomposition. In general, the body fits the description of the individual that we are looking for.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Police have been looking for George Zinkhan ever since those shootings. They say two guns were found near the body and those guns are consistent with the weapons used in the shootings.
We also have some breaking news for you out of Tampa, Florida this Saturday. A terrible boating explosion involving young children. It happened shortly after noon in Tampa Bay. Our affiliates report 11 people including six children were injured when the 35-foot pleasure boat blew up. The most seriously injured victims were airlifted to a nearby trauma center and different trauma centers in the area as well. It is not yet known what caused that explosion.
Just minutes ago we received audio of the 911 call from the scene and we will have that for you in just a little bit here on CNN.
He's usually taking heat from the media but tonight President Obama gets to have some fun at the expense of reporters and his critics. It is the annual black tie, White House correspondents' dinner happening in Washington. And it is full of reporters, celebrities, and politicos of all types. Including a celebrity politico -- well, he's in Los Angeles he's having his own dinner. Our senior political analyst Bill Schneider joins us here to share about the event, again joins us from Los Angeles. Give us a perspective on all of this, Mr. Schneider.
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, this is the ultimate Washington insider event. It has all the Washington celebrities and they invite Hollywood celebrities and there's competition among news organizations to see who can produce the hottest media or entertainment celebrities. It's a very big deal. The problem is there are two audiences for this event. The president, of course, will speak. There will be an entertainer. But the audiences are not just the people in that room. Something like 3,000 press people and their guests. It's also the viewing public in the country as a whole which can see this broadcast, I believe some of it's going to be broadcast on CNN, and a lot of the dinner is broadcast on other outlets.
People are watching. Sometimes what works in that room does not work outside that room. I remember President Bush once made jokes about his search for weapons of mass destruction. It was kind of an insider joke. It shocked and horrified Americans who were watching on television. And sometimes something that does not work in the room -- Stephen Colbert was the entertainer, he gave a comedy routine and people did not think it was funny in the room, but it was a big sensation for the audience outside. You've got to balance those two audiences.
LEMON: Know your audience, right? Bill, the president, we got a taste of his rumor last fall. He shows a sense of rumor all the time. We did get a taste last fall at a similar dinner. Take a listen and then we'll talk about it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: Who is Barack Obama? Contrary to the rumors that you've heard I was not born in a manger. I was actually born on krypton. And sent here by my father to save the planet earth. Many of you -- many of you know that I got my name, Barack, from my father. What you may not know is Barack is actually Swahili for "that one." And I got my middle name from somebody who obviously didn't think I'd ever run for president.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: All right, so that was very funny. But again, he has to be very careful, considering what's going on with the economy, what's happening in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He's got to be careful tonight.
SCHNEIDER: Yes, that's right. This audience, this spectacle on television with all these press people dressed up in gowns and monkey suits, very fancy dinner, it could alienate a lot of viewers who say, what are they doing celebrating with this lavish affair, the country is suffering, people like me are having trouble making ends meet. It intensifies the feeling in the country, that this is us and them. We're in the country, they're having this big dinner. The president when he speaks tonight has to make it clear, I'm one of you out there in the country. I'm not one of them here in Washington.
LEMON: All right, our senior political analyst Mr. Bill Schneider, enjoy California. Thank you sir.
We have a quick reminder for you. We expect President Barack Obama to take the microphone at tonight's dinner during our 10:00 hour right here in the middle of the CNN NEWSROOM. Make sure you join us then because we are going to have the president's remarks. Join us when the president speaks. You'll see it right here on CNN, 10:00 p.m. eastern.
At the White House today a special honor for the captain of the U.S. cargo ship held hostage by Somali pirates last month. President Obama welcomed Captain Richard Philips and his wife to the oval office. Look at that, it's a nice picture. Phillips was held hostage as you know on a lifeboat for five days before he was freed when U.S. navy snipers killed three of his captors. Phillips is in Washington to attend the White House correspondents association dinner. What a nice family, what a nice photograph that is.
A suspected drone attack in Pakistan killed at least five people today. Thousands are running from the fighting between Pakistan's military and Taliban forces.
Mother's day is tomorrow. In case you didn't know, especially you guys. I know you forget about those things. Are moms getting their due in this recession? I hit the road with the men, the women making mother's day deliveries to find out. And you'll get some moms' reactions as well as they were surprised.
Also twitter, facebook, myspace, ireport.com. That's how you can get in touch with me, get in touch with us here at CNN and you can be part of our show. Won't you join us?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: A suspected U.S. drone attack in Pakistan is said to have killed at least five people. That's according to Pakistani intelligence officials tonight. The area known as Waziristan is a Taliban strong hold along the Afghan border. This report comes as Pakistani troops continue their offensive against Taliban forces in the Swat Valley. Pakistani forces say they killed at least 45 fighters over 24 hours. But there's no way to confirm that, because reporters have been barred from the area.
The U.S. and Afghanistan are accusing Taliban rebels of using innocent civilians as human shields. Coalition officials are investigating U.S. air strikes in Afghanistan's Farah Province this week. They're confirming reports that civilians died but they're blaming the Taliban. They say Taliban fighters forced villagers into houses then used those houses to stage attacks on coalition forces. The coalition says it can't tell how many civilians died.
Pope Benedict XVI is sounding a conciliatory note on the second day of his Middle East trip. He toured the biggest mosque in Amman, Jordan today with the king's top religious adviser. The pope stressed the shared harmony of Christians and Muslims which he said is so often marked by misunderstandings. Earlier I spoke with our Vatican expert, at least someone in the NEWSROOM did, about the pope's mission.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN ALLEN, CNN SENIOR VATICAN ANALYST: Start with the fact that there are 2.3 billion Christians and 1.2 billion are Catholic and there are about 1.6 billion Muslims in the world. That's over 50 percent of the human population. By definition, relation between Christians and Muslims are enormously important. Beyond that, I think Benedict XVI has a grand vision of a Muslim/Christian alliance to promote a positive role for religion in the world, which he sees opposing kind of strains of secularism in the west that are overtly hostile to religion. I think he badly wants that to work. So I think for him there's a great deal at stake in this trip in terms of trying to get Christian Muslim relations back on track.
WHITFIELD: So he stands a lot to gain. Does he also stand a lot to lose by making this foray?
ALLEN: Well, sure. I mean in many ways, this week one trip in the Middle East is the pope's ultimate high wire act. Because let's not forget. It's not just Christian/Muslim relations that are in play here. Particularly when he gets to Israel next week, he will also be dealing with Christian/Jewish relations, which have had their own ups and downs in recent months.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: That was CNN's Fredricka Whitfield earlier today. Monday the pope flies to Israel to meet with Jewish and Palestinian leaders. Jailed Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi is scheduled to have an appeals hearing tomorrow. Saberi was sentenced to eight years in an Iranian prison last month on espionage charges. The trial lasted one day. Iranian authorities say she confessed. But her father believes Saberi was coerced into making damaging statements. Now an Iranian court is promising that she'll have a quick and fair appeals hearing. Saberi was detained in January, accused of working without proper press credentials and spying for the U.S.
A mother's love. In these troubled times will the kids come through for mom on mother's day? I hit the road with the delivery man to find out. You may want to check this one out.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Ok everyone, guys especially, you know who you are. I'm pointing the finger at you. Tomorrow is mother's day. Which means a lot of fresh flowers will be delivered. So I went on a trip with Federal Express at the center here in Atlanta to see for myself how holidays like this can boost the economy, and if people can still afford to give mom a gift on mother's day. Here's what I found out.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON (voice-over): Before mom's flowers end up on the big, white truck and at her front door, chances are they go through a sorting center in Miami, where Michael Conner is a FedEx senior manager.
MICHAEL CONNER, FEDEX SENIOR MANAGER: If you look at these belts that are behind me, you see there's flowers coming off every belt, it's consistent flow of volume.
LEMON: And then Atlanta, where couriers are scrambling to keep up with extra planeloads of packages. Most of them mother's day gifts and flowers.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE Everybody wants to take care of their mother on mother's day.
LEMON: The recession has hit just about every industry hard. The national retail federation does expect mother's day spending to drop from an average of $139 a person, to $124. People are still buying flowers. Just less expensive ones.
CONNER: I don't know if anything's recession-proof. But because it's based on a mother, I think it's as close to recession-proof as we can get.
LEMON: There's nothing like a mother's love.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, nice to meet you.
LEMON: So I took a ride on the big white truck to make sure that even in tough times moms were getting their due.
Let's go, you ready?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm ready, let's go..
LEMON: How many you got to deliver?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Got about 65.
LEMON: You'll be doing most of these by yourself. Let's go. We're out. First stop. No one home.
So she'll be surprised. She'll have a surprise waiting for her at her door.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh yes.
LEMON: Off to the next one.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She's not home.
LEMON: It's Brito right? Ok, tell Jennifer we said happy mother's day.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ok, I will, ok
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you. Bye-bye.
LEMON: Bye-bye.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What is going on?
LEMON: Can you open the door? Why is Jodi so popular with flowers for mother's day?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She's a great mother.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm a disaster right now.
LEMON: That's ok, you look great.
JODI DONALDSON, MOTHER: Oh, these are from you! Did you send these to mommy? I never get flowers. No offense but I never get flowers. And yeah, this is definitely way up for us.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's why this job is great, days like today.
LEMON: The economy is not great but we're still delivering a lot of stuff for mom today.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Moms are recession-proof. You can't not stop sending mom a gift.
LEMON: Do you know what a doghouse looks like?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh yeah.
LEMON: Do you know what it feels like?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. And we stay out of it. Make mom happy, have a happy home.
LEMON: Yes dear.
(END OF VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: That was fun. I can always work as a FedEx delivery man if this doesn't pay off. My mom got her present, I hope, mom. Happy mother's day, I love you so much. All right so on twitter I asked if the recession was affecting what you spent this mother's day. And here's what some of you had to say about this, tray21 said cash for mom so she can get whatever she wants. I like that idea Tray. Ufrattler says mom loved the flowers that I sent, think I'll do these instead of trinket gifts from now on. Moms love flowers. Yes.
Vonnykim says no more massages, facials, too much money. But manicures, pedicures, dinner or a trip to the museum will do. Katbug says no, you can't skimp on mother's day. That's right. And moms like flowers. Especially if you deliver them to work so then all of her work buddies and friends can make over her and see what a great kid you, are or husband. Twitter, facebook, myspace, ireport.com, make sure you send us your comments, we will gladly take them.
A bus trolley crashes injuring nearly 50 people. What happened? Text messaging. That's a clue for you.
Plus, a picture's supposed to be worth a thousand words, right? But is any picture worth about $330,000, a White House job, and thousands of scared people? We can finally show you the picture and then you can decide for yourself.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
DON LEMON, CNN NEWS ANCHOR: We want to check your headlines for you. The rough weather just keeps coming for people in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Kentucky. And there is a state of emergency in Missouri and Illinois after the same system damaged hundreds of buildings and knocked out power to tens of thousands of people.
Police in Athens, Georgia, also tonight believe they have found the body of George Zinkhan, the University of Georgia professor suspected of killing his wife and two others two weeks ago at a community theater event. The body was found outside Athens not far from where Zinkhan's jeep was discovered last week.
The U.S. military says its investigators have concluded that Taliban fighters deliberately targeted civilians during a recent battle in southern Afghanistan. Local officials have said up to 147 civilians died in the incident. The U.S. says that number is exaggerated.
He's usually taking the heat from the media, from inquiring reporters. Tonight, President Obama gets to have some fun at the expense of those reporters and his critics. It is the annual black tie White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington. It is full of reporters, celebrities, politicos of all types.
Our Kate Bolduan.
Wow. Wow, Kate, I'm speechless.
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN NEWS CORRESPNDENT: Hello, Don.
LEMON: Look at you. Can we get a wide shot and see what you're wearing?
BOLDUAN: I'm blushing.
LEMON: You look fantastic. Have the photog pull out. We want to see the whole outfit there.
BOLDUAN: Doug, they're asking you to pull out.
LEMON: Yeah, let's see. Kate. You look fantastic.
BOLDUAN: Hello, Don. Thank you.
LEMON: I'm sure there are lots of folks who are dressed up just like you and look just as wonderful as you do tonight. It's going to be fun.
BOLDUAN: It's going to be a lot of fun. You can see a lot of people are across the way just waiting to get a glimpse of, you said that, Washington elites, journalists, and a little bit -- a little dash of celebrity. A little Hollywood glamour will be coming here tonight.
This is an annual event. It's a lot of fun. It gives journalists a chance to kind of let loose with the people that we cover and also see some celebrities.
There are going to be some A-listers coming through. Just today, Don, when I was working at the White House early today, I saw celebrities myself. The Rock was in the White House briefing room. He was getting a tour, as well as Jason Bateman and Bradley Cooper. So the celebrity sightings in Washington have already gub. And they're going to start coming through on the red carpet. We're going to be here to cover it. The program doesn't start for a couple of hours and it's going to be a late evening with Wanda Sykes, the comedienne. She's going to be the featured entertainment. I'm very excited to hear from her. She's hilarious.
Everyone is waiting to hear from President Obama. We know he's been funny. You've played clips from past dinners. This is going to be his first chance, Don, to speak in front of the White House Correspondents Association Dinner, a perfect opportunity to kind of break out and show us his comedic side.
LEMON: OK, Kate. I hope I didn't catch you off guard and embarrass you too much.
BOLDUAN: I'm blushing, you know that. LEMON: I know Wolf is going to there be. Say hello to Wolf, get him to come over and talk to us?
BOLDUAN: Of course.
LEMON: Wolf is my favorite guy.
OK, thank you, Kate Bolduan, check with you later.
We're going to take the president's comments at the White House Correspondents Dinner live when they happen during the night's 10:00 edition of the CNN "NEWSROOM" right here with me. You'll be able to see it. Make sure you tune in.
Speaking of Wolf Blitzer, "The Situation Room" with Mr. Wolf Blitzer is up after this show.
Wolf, what do you have?
WOLF BLITZER, HOST, "THE SITUATION ROOM": Don, thanks very much.
Coming up right at the top of the hour, three presidents, the president of Pakistan, the president of Afghanistan, and the president of Israel, they're all here in "The Situation Room."
Also, a special interview with the first lady of California, Maria Shriver. She has a very personal documentary on her dad's struggle with Alzheimer's.
All that, Don, and a lot more coming up here in "The Situation Room."
LEMON: We will be watching. Thank you, Wolf.
Now to the fallout over that photo op fly-over last month in New York City. The director of the White House's military office, Lewis Caldera, he has resigned.
Ed Henry has the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ED HENRY, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): What's significant is this is the first forced resignation under fire involving a White House aide in these early days of the Obama administration. This stemming from that Air Force One fly-over that cost U.S. taxpayers more than $328,000.
The president accepting the resignation of Lewis Caldera. He had been running the White House military office. He's now taking the fall for this incident that caused so much panic in New York and New Jersey. People there thinking that this low-flying plane had something to do with a terror attack late last month.
This internal review by the White House suggesting there was a complete communications breakdown. Not enough local officials being warned about the fact that this was essentially a photo op, not a terror attack. And the whole incident was not properly vetted.
White House aides say the president has ordered the Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, to make sure things are restructured, the military office and other areas to make sure this never happens again. What's also interesting is the White House chose late on a Friday afternoon to release this internal investigation. Typically, White House officials over the years have chosen that time frame when they want to try and bury bad news and they think people are not paying attention.
This whole mess, of course, was sparked by a desire to snap a new publicity photo for Air Force One. So as part of this investigation, the White House released one photo, really a beautiful photo of Air Force One flying near the Statue of Liberty. But of course, White House officials now say they have no plans to use this publicity photo because it's become so tainted.
Ed Henry, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: All right, Ed, thank you very much.
Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board are in Boston tonight after a pair of trolley cars collided, injuring nearly 50 passengers. You won't believe what might have caused it. It happened last night on the city's Green Line, which is now shut down for the investigation. The transit authority's general manager suspects one of the trolley operators may have been texting at the time of that collision. Goes to show you, don't text if you have other lives that could be at risk.
Still ahead, the debate over legalizing pot in the U.S. and whether it is a good idea for the economy.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: A pregnant British woman jailed in Laos could be transferred to Britain to serve out her sentenced if convicted. Samantha Orobator has been jailed in Laos since August on a drug charge. She is five months pregnant. The drug charge carries a death penalty in Laos. Officials there have said she could escape the sentence because the country's criminal code prevents executing pregnant women. Orobator's mother is begging officials there for mercy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JANE OROBATOR, MOTHER OF SAMANTHA OROBATOR: Please show my daughter some mercy. I beg you. I'm on my knees, please.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: It's tough to watch that. Britain's foreign affairs office says the final decision about whether to hand Orobator back to Britain lies with Laotian authorities. We'll continue to follow that story for you.
The debate here in the U.S. is whether legalizing pot, marijuana, is good for our economy.
Check out what CNN's Tom foreman found out.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOM FOREMAN, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Nearly 15 million Americans smoke marijuana each month. The U.S. government says 44 percent of high school seniors have tried it. And some adults openly use it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I do. I'm not afraid to admit that.
FOREMAN: Now, amid rumbles that legalizing and taxing marijuana could bring California $1.3 billion a year, lawmakers there are considering just that.
A poll shows voters favor it. And the governor wants to talk it over.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, (R), GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA: And I think that it ought to be studied very carefully, what other countries are doing that have legalized marijuana.
FOREMAN: In New York, the Drug Policy Alliance, encouraged by more than a dozen states that have already approved medicinal marijuana, has long argued for full legalization, comparing the costly war on drugs to prohibition.
ETHAN NADELMANN, DRUG POLICY ALLIANCE: The number one, two and three factors that brought alcohol prohibition to a rapid end in 1933 were the Depression, the Depression, the Depression. And what's driving things quickly right now with ending marijuana prohibition is the recession, the recession, and the fear of another depression.
FOREMAN: Drug opponents disagree saying any new revenue could be swallowed by new problems for law enforcement and health officials. Because as the marijuana trade has grown lucrative, the drug itself has been re-engineered to be stronger.
Drug Watch International is a nonprofit group against legalization.
JOHN COLEMAN, DRUG ATCHER INTERNATIONAL: No question about it. I mean, it's the difference between having maybe a four-ounce glass of beer versus an eight-ounce glass of Jack Daniels. It's far more potent today than it was back in the '60s.
FOREMAN: The president himself doubts the positive economic impact of legalization.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I don't think that is a good strategy to grow our economy.
FOREMAN: But the drumbeat to consider it is growing.
Tom Foreman, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Speaking of that drum beat, we want to welcome California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano. He joins me now from San Francisco.
You have presented a bill or legislation to essentially decriminalize marijuana where you are. Why are you doing that? Tell us about it.
TOM AMMIANO, CONFLIFORNIA ASSEMBLYMAN: Well, I think what gave birth to the bill was two things, our failed drug policy. I think both sides of the aisle feel that the drug policy has hemorrhaged millions and millions of dollars and has not been effective.
The other thing is that economy, the post-AIG economy, particularly here in San Francisco and California in general, is really in bad shape. So there is some ability to harness what is an illegal business, $14 billion, I understand, and deregulate it. Also, decriminalize it. And then be able to do some taxing that could be put into programs that would be great for drug abuse. Also reduce some of the incredible costs that are not effective in law enforcement.
LEMON: Here's the issue here. Because I'm sure maybe you were surprised, maybe you weren't. But Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is siding with you. And he believes that what you say has some merit.
AMMIANO: Yeah. You know, I'm, of course, obviously, very pleased by that. I think that the idea that the governor is open to a discussion like this is really the first part of the attempt to get people to look at this in a different way.
And it's never been all about the money. It's also been about our very, very maladroit drug policy. There's been some messaging from the Obama administration through Holder in regards to revisiting drug enforcement, perhaps even in the matter of states' rights.
LEMON: Let me jump in here, Assemblyman.
AMMIANO: Sure.
LEMON: Because you mentioned that. I know they stopped raids, unannounced raids on medical marijuana clinics that had happened during the Bush administration. The Obama administration stopped that since you were mentioning the attorney general here.
But I want to go back to something that you said earlier. I wanted to get the governor thing in there. It's surprising to a lot of people that a Republican conservative governor is siding with you on this, says there is some merit to your bill. But people will say there are other ways to fix our economic problems, and other ways for you to fix your economic problems, post-AIG, as you said, in California, than allowing a drug that they see as a gateway drug to harder drugs to become decriminalized.
AMMIANO: We're not saying that this is the whole answer. But it certainly would produce enough income that could be very helpful to, for instance, drug enforcement programs. What I think the gateway drug argument, there's always going to be opposition. There's always going to be controversy. We do have medical marijuana here in California. And I think they have put to rest many of those arguments.
But not to be able to have this discussion in the chamber and the state capitol, that would be wrong. Because I think you can find a way here towards consensus and some beneficial legislation. And again, I'm very happy that the governor enunciated that. The critical spectrum is covered in this issue, by the way. Conservatives support it as well.
LEMON: Yeah. To have an adult conversation about it, rather than just talking at each other and really getting down -- talking about the benefits and the potential stumbling blocks of marijuana. What do you think your chances are here of getting this passed?
AMMIANO: Well, you know, I've made it two-year bill because I wanted to prepare my colleagues in the legislature, educate them, share polling information with them so that they could be reassured about having such a hearing. I'm elected for six years. Sometimes these things take longer than they should. Sometimes we have a perfect storm. But for the current projection is we're looking at two years. Obviously, we'd be open to options.
LEMON: Assemblyman Tom Ammiano in California, in San Francisco. He has introduced a bill to decriminalize marijuana where he is. And the Republican governor there, Arnold Schwarzenegger, supports him. It's an interesting topic. We'll continue to follow it.
We appreciate you taking part of your day and coming to talk to us, OK?
AMMIANO: Thank you so much, Don. I really appreciate it.
LEMON: Thank you very much.
We're going to have a panel to discuss this later on tonight here on CNN. And someone from the other side who says that this drug should in no way, no form, ever be legalized.
I want to tell you what some of you are saying about this issue. You've been sending your thoughts to us.
Here's what DeliaTheArtist says, "Marijuana can definitely help the economy in many ways through medicine, recreational use, and hemp products."
AstonArcega says, "Too much circulation of money underground. Share the money with the rest of the economy."
Softcrush says, "Oh, sure, turn everyone into non-plused paranoid stoners. It might help with all the fast food businesses though."
And cynicalredhead says, "It could help the economy. The whole war against drugs has failed horribly and does nothing but waste money."
Appreciate your comments very much. Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, iReport.com. If you're not following us on Twitter or Facebook or MySpace or iReport, sign up because you can be a part of our show.
A last place finish to tell you about. Nearly two weeks after the race ended, but for a disabled soldier, it was the win of a lifetime.
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LEMON: Well, some students look at college as four years of classes and parties, but tonight's "CNN Hero" transformed his college days into a life-changing experience, rallying thousands of young people in the process. Shin Fujiyama (ph) is a student who is giving back. He took a crash course in philanthropy 101.
ANNOUNCER: This is "CNN Heroes."
(CNN HEROES)
LEMON: If you would like to help tonight's "CNN Hero," or if you know someone who deserves to be a "CNN Hero," Go to CNN.com/heroes. Remember, all of our heroes are chosen from people you nominate. So make sure you tell us about yours. We'd like to know.
It may be the most inspiring last-place finish that you will ever see. Pay close attention to this, please. If someone ever tells you you can't, you need to hear this. A disabled British soldier finished a London marathon this morning two weeks after the race ended. British Army Major Phil Packer walked on crutches for two miles a day, the most his doctors would allow. Packer suffered a spinal injury in the Iraq war and was told he probably would not -- wouldn't -- would not walk again. He hopes his marathon success will help raise money and awareness on the plight of British war veterans. Congratulations to him.
OK, let's get you to Washington now. Check it out. We told you about all the stars and dignitaries who are going to be at the White House, the White House Correspondents dinner, the black tie dinner tonight. You know who that is, right? It's one of the most influential people from "Time" magazine. She's one of the women of "The View," and much, much more than that. That's Barbara Walters arriving just moments ago in Washington. We're going to have live coverage for you of this event, including the president's remarks, tonight at 10:00 p.m. eastern. You're not going to miss any of it.
You see the space shutting sitting there and the astronauts. It's the big backup plan that we're going to tell you about. We'll show you NASA's elaborate plan to rescue the astronauts just in case, and explain why this plan is a first.
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LEMON: Ahead of Monday's shuttle Atlantis launch, NASA is releasing rescue plans for the back up -- shuttle Endeavour, just in case.
Here's John Zarrella with the details.
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JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For NASA, the U.S. Space Agency, this is a first. On one launch pad sits the shuttle Atlantis, on the other is Endeavour, ready to go.
TONY CECCACCI, FLIGHT DIRECTOR: We are well prepared. And we don't want to use it, but we're prepared.
ZARRELLA: If something goes wrong, endangering the Atlantis crew on their mission to service the Hubble space telescope, Endeavour would be launched within days of a last-ditch attempt to save them.
CHRISTOPHER FERGUSON, ENDEAVOUR COMMANDER: I feel as confident about our ability to pull this off, if need be, as I would any other mission.
ZARRELLA: The need for a rescue vehicle standing by at the ready grew out of the Columbia disaster. But until now, there's been no need. All the previous missions since Colombia have to gone to the international space station. The crew of a damaged shuttle could take refuge there for months if need be. But Atlantis won't be anywhere near the station and can't get there.
FERGUSON: In this case, it's a much shorter fuse, because the shuttle crew, the Hubble crew would only have their vehicle to survive aboard.
ZARRELLA: Consumerables like food and oxygen would run out quickly.
For Atlantis Commander, Scott Altman, it feels good to know that Endeavour is ready.
SCOTT ALTMAN, ATLANTIS COMMANDER: Even in the worst possible imaginable case, we can stay up there and last until somebody comes up and gets us. So it feels like we have got all of our bases covered.
ZARRELLA: But the rescue would not be a cake walk. It would be a series of space walks. Endeavour would come up underneath Atlantis and hook on using it's robotic arm. Over the course of two days, the seven astronauts would space walker to Endeavour holding on to a tether line strung between the two vehicles.
FERGUSON: The space walkers can come out of Atlantis and go hand-over-hand on a rope.
ZARRELLA (on camera): The seven Atlantis astronauts and the four on Endeavour would then all head home together. Atlantis would be put into what's called a disposal burn, burning up as it re-enters the earth's atmosphere, and whatever's left falling harmlessly into the ocean.
John Zarrella, CNN, Miami.
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LEMON: John Zarrella, thank you very much, sir.
I'm Don Lemon at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta. It's time now for "The Situation Room" with Mr. Wolf Blitzer.
