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Memorial for Michael Jackson; Was Sailor's Death a Hate Crime?; Pushing Deeper Into Taliban Land

Aired July 03, 2009 - 14:00   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: We are pushing ahead with the slaying of an American sailor, not on the front lines of some faraway war, but on the base that he called home, and allegedly by someone he called a comrade. The slaying of any serviceman is horrific enough, but in this case, it might have been downright hateful.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS (voice-over): The Navy called him a rising star, getting ready to deploy overseas. But 29-year-old sailor August Provost will never make it there. Provost was found dead Tuesday morning, shot several times while on guard at Camp Pendleton near San Diego. His guard shack, burned. His family, distraught.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He was just an honest man. He used to never get in a fight, never -- just wanted to serve his country.

PHILLIPS: Gay activists believe the slaying was a hate crime, possibly at the hands of a fellow serviceman.

According to TV station KTTV, Provost talked about same-sex dating on his MySpace page and identified another man as the love of his life. The sailor's family tells other TV stations personnel at Pendleton were harassing him. Now California Congressman Bob Filner, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, is calling for a Pentagon probe. However, Navy spokesman, Matt Brown says investigators believe the killing was apparently a random act.

MATT BROWN, NAVY SPOKESMAN: A specific sailor has been linked with the commission of this crime through both physical evidence and his own statement.

PHILLIPS: Naval investigators say they have one person in custody but have not filed any charges.

Meanwhile, August Provost's family is left with disturbing questions and very few answers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: After everything, like, part of my heart just went away.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Now, just minutes ago, we received a statement from Navy Region Southwest that says, "There are no indications that the body of Seaman Provost was bound, gagged or mutilated, as some media have reported. There was a fire set in an effort to cover up the evidence. The specific cause of death will be addressed once the autopsy report and toxicology reports have been completed."

"There was a person who was initially held as a person of interest. He is no longer being held. And there is now a second sailor who was not previously identified to the media who has been linked to the commission of the crime through both physical evidence and his own statement. The second sailor is being held. His name has not yet been released."

Joining me on the phone, California Congressman Bob Filner, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.

Congressman, we're learning that you happened to be at Camp Pendleton just six hours after this sailor's death, but at that time, no one said a word to you about it. Do you find that suspicious?

REP. BOB FILNER (D), CALIFORNIA: Yes, I -- by the way, Kyra, we miss you in San Diego.

PHILLIPS: Thanks, Congressman.

FILNER: I mean, this -- you know, it's in the pattern of the way the Marines and the armed forces in general handle such things that they don't tell the truth. And we want the truth, whatever that is.

And when I was on the base for another event, the commander of the base was sitting right next to me and never mentioned a word, which I find very strange. But what we are asking is -- and I've asked the commandant of the Marine Corps, I've asked the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, I've asked and the secretary of defense -- just give us the truth of what happened. You know, we are going to ask, if I may coin a phrase, and we hope that they tell.

PHILLIPS: Do you believe he was murdered because he was gay?

FILNER: There are indications that that's the case. His family says he was harassed. You know, the burning, we don't know yet the exact details. Maybe some indication of that.

But Kyra, I think this illustrates not only the immorality, but the stupidity of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. As you said in your opening, here was a man who was on the way up, but he couldn't be honest about his sexual orientation. And if you could believe this, because he couldn't say that out in public, the military had no connections with his partner, and the partner found out about his death from a newspaper reporter. That is, you know, a respectful call from the Marines was not made because he is not recognized as the partner of this slain guy.

PHILLIPS: So, Congressman, how will this Pentagon probe go down, this one that you are asking for?

FILNER: Well, we just want to make sure that everybody understands that this is -- whatever they do normally, they have got to be far more public. They have got to tell us all the information, and make sure they have looked at the fact that could this be a hate crime?

It shows, again, the immorality of the "Don't Ask, Don't tell" policy, because if nobody is honest about what's going on, and everybody is repressing their questions and maybe their antagonism and hostility, that always explodes in violence. And we have to say -- find out how this policy maybe contributed to that violence.

PHILLIPS: Congressman Filner, has there ever been a problem with the harassment of gays, gay minorities, any issues with possible hate crimes or proven hate crimes at Pendleton in the past?

FILNER: We have had numerous instances in the city. Of course, throughout the country. But at all the military bases, you know, of racial intolerance and also hostility towards gays. And the hundreds and the thousands, really, of gay Marines and soldiers and sailors who had been released not because they weren't competent, but because they were gay.

This is hurting our national security, keeping this whole part of life a secret. And there have been homicides here. There have been beatings that we can attribute to gay hostility.

PHILLIPS: Well, Congressman Bob Filner, I have known you since I have grown up in San Diego, and I know you of all people will find out the truth and find out what happened. And we will definitely follow up. I appreciate you calling in.

FILNER: Thanks so much, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Thank you.

By land and by air, the search for an abducted American soldier growing by the day. The center of that search, the Paktika Province, in southeast Afghanistan. More troops have come in from nearby areas to help, along with helicopters and Afghan army support.

The unidentified soldier vanished from his outpost on Tuesday, and U.S. military sources believe he is now in the clutches of a militant clan. They also believe that video of him could surface at any time.

Also in Afghanistan, thousands of U.S. Marines are pushing farther into enemy territory, and the enemy is pushing back. The offensive is called Strike of the Sword, and it's striking deeper right now. Helmand Province, U.S.-led forces trying to root out and hunt down Taliban militants.

Our Atia Abawi is in the Afghan capital of Kabul.

Atia, are the Marines gaining any ground?

ATIA ABAWI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, when we spoke to a U.S. Marines spokesperson in Helmand Province, they said that, yes, they are gaining ground. They are clearing and holding certain areas.

They are meeting with the Taliban. They are engaging in battles with them, but it's light and sporadic. But we were told on day one of the operation, in Garmsir District, that the southeastern sector of the province of Helmand, they have engaged for several hours with the Taliban.

It was an on-again, off-again site. They said the situation has been abated, that the situation is under control. But yet, again, it is light, sporadic fire.

We have to remember, this is an area entrenched with the Taliban, villages that have been under Taliban rule, villagers who are afraid of people other than the Taliban. They're afraid of the Afghan government right now. They are afraid of U.S. and coalition troops, because what they know with U.S. and coalition troops is civilian casualties.

And with this mission right now, that's exactly what the Marines want to prove, is that they will not harm the civilians, that they're actually there to help. And they will stay there in the long run to build institutions and improve their lives -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Atia Abawi, thanks so much.

And more missile fire, but this time it's not North Korea, but apparently U.S. forces targeting one of Pakistan's most wanted Taliban commanders.

We're live in Islamabad with the latest.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, as we've been telling you about all the details for Michael Jackson's memorial service, it will be held Tuesday at the Staples Center. At the same time, we got word through The Associated Press that a law enforcement official was reporting that the sedative Diprivan was found in Michael Jackson's home.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta has been reporting on just the back and forth of what could be true, what is still rumor to Michael Jackson's use or abuse of prescription drugs.

Sanjay joining me now live from Charleston.

You heard the news, Sanjay. What are your sources telling you?

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, first of all, when we're talking about Diprivan or Propofol, as it's also known, this is a medication -- an i.v. medication that is typically used in hospitals or some sort of medical setting. As a starting point, I have never heard about a medication like this being used outside those settings. And i.v. medication has to be given continuously.

Having said that, Kyra, I had a source -- sources tell me that back as long as 12 to 13 years ago, there was evidence that an anesthesiologist had traveled along with Michael Jackson on tour, the History Tour at that time, and seen lots of anesthesia equipment in hotel rooms. And an anesthesiologist, according to one source, had told him that he puts him down at night and brings him back up in the morning, referring to Jackson. There was no mention specifically -- I want to be clear on this -- of Propofol or Diprivan, but just this idea of using some sort of anesthesia to try and create -- you know, allow him to go down at night and then wake up in the morning.

PHILLIPS: Now, you know, Diprivan, it's used in the operating rooms to induce unconsciousness, like you said. And all these reports have been coming forward, as you know, about Michael Jackson complaining that he couldn't sleep and he was so desperate to sleep. And he was looking for ways to do that.

This is only administered intravenously, right?

GUPTA: Correct. And not only is it not only administered intravenously, but this is one of those medications, Kyra, that has an extremely short half-life. And what the relevance of that is that it has to be administered continuously. As soon as the infusion stops, the person is no longer under the effects of this medication and essentially wakes up.

So, this involves lots of machinery, including pumps and monitoring, and various other things. So it's quite, quite involved.

PHILLIPS: We need to follow the reports.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, appreciate you calling in for us.

And the other big development today, some details of Tuesday's public memorial for Jackson have finally been released.

Here's what we know -- 17,500 tickets will be available for the service, 11,000 of those for the main venue, the Staples Center. Then the rest will get you into the Nokia Theater that's just across the street. And there, you will watch a simulcast on three big screens.

Now, fans can register for the ticket lottery at staplescenter.com. The tickets are free; however, there is no surprise. We hear the site has already been overwhelmed by traffic.

We're going to have more details from one of the people helping organize the memorial right here.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TIM LEIWEKE, PRESIDENT & CEO, AEG: Thank you for being patient with us.

As you would imagine, we have an enormous amount of details we are trying to go through at this point to plan the memorial service on Tuesday.

First off, our thoughts and our prayers are with the family, all of the Jackson family, and in particular with Michael Jackson's fans.

It is the family's wish to create a service and a celebration that all of Michael's fans around the world can be part of. Thus, the family has made arrangements to provide a worldwide pool feed from the services for every network for free.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, the latest now from our Susan Roesgen, live at the Staples Center in just about half an hour.

Now, on Tuesday, stay with CNN for around-the-clock coverage of the memorial celebrating the life of this worldwide pop icon. His family, friends and fans say good-bye. Michael Jackson, the memorial, CNN, all day Tuesday, starting on "AMERICAN MORNING" at 6:00 a.m. Eastern.

What's old is new again in cash-strapped California. The state's finances are so bad that they have had to resort to printing IOUs in lieu of money that the Golden State just doesn't have.

The current deficit runs into the billions of dollars as dwindling tax revenues have thinned the state's financial coffers. This isn't the first time California has had to do this. They issued similar vouchers in 1992.

Now, Wednesday, Governor Around Schwarzenegger declared a state of fiscal emergency.

Well, America owes a big debt to its veterans. They have sacrificed for our country. And for some of them, the challenges just begin when their service ends.

And today, we are giving jobless veterans a chance to do our special edition of the "30 Second Pitch."

Margie Talavera is a Navy veteran. Chris Knierim served in the Air Force, gathering intelligence in the Middle East.

They join me live from San Francisco.

Good to see you guys.

MARGIE TALAVERA, JOBLESS VETERAN: Hi.

CHRIS KNIERIM, HOMELESS, JOBLESS VETERAN: Hi.

PHILLIPS: Sorry about the breaking news yesterday. I appreciate you both coming back.

TALAVERA: No problem.

PHILLIPS: As we continue to talk about jobs, we continue to follow up on fighting for our veterans, you know, Chris, let's start with you.

You don't expect somebody with an intelligence background, someone that held a key position while in the military, to be out of a job. Tell me what happened. KNIERIM: Well, I got out of the military back in September of 2007. I served for eight years and I decided to take a year off to travel around the world.

Once I was done with my travels, I decided to start my life over again. Unfortunately, it was my bad luck that the economy went down the toilet. And that's where I am right now.

PHILLIPS: So even with your experience -- and it's not like you weren't trying to find a job -- did you find that you were overqualified or your specialty was too narrow? What was making it difficult for you to land a job and still is?

KNIERIM: Right now, it's just that it's really, really competitive out there for everybody. It's not just veterans. I have friends on Wall Street that are unemployed. I have friends back home that are unemployed. It's really affecting everybody.

PHILLIPS: All right. Now, you are with the Air Force.

Margie Talavera is a Navy veteran.

Margie, tell me what you've experienced and how tough it's been for you. And what's been the biggest challenge trying to find work?

Well, I haven't been a full-time employee for almost a year now. And like Chris said, the competion is fierce. But we're not discouraged.

However, with his educational background and mine, you would think that someone would give us a job. But unfortunately, as we said, so many people are trying to find work.

PHILLIPS: What about the Navy, though? Have they been able to offer you any type of support trying to find something? I mean, you have served your career for the Navy.

TALAVERA: Oh, yes, that's correct. Swords to Plowshares, which is who we are representing today, a nonprofit organization, provides a job placement agency. So I have been going to them daily to help me with my resume, sending me out. Very supportive.

PHILLIPS: Well, they are an incredible veterans group, I agree. And privately funded. And I know that even the head of the V.A. has been looking at Swords to Plowshares to try and get government-funded organizations to run that well.

Well, let's get to the "30 Second Pitch," you guys.

Margie, let's go ahead -- actually, Chris, let's go ahead and start with you. You will have 30 seconds.

Are you ready to give us your resume? We're going to put your e- mail up on the screen, and get ready to go. Are you ready?

KNIERIM: Ready to go. PHILLIPS: All right, Chris. Go for it.

KNIERIM: Hi. I'm Chris Knierim. I'm a former Air Force intelligence officer.

I have eight years of experience leading highly-trained technicians and serving as a project manager for some very sophisticated military equipment. I would like to get into the renewable and alternative energy industry, whether it's in the private sector for a nonprofit or for government.

I'm highly organized, highly self-motivated. I've got tons of leadership experience. I've worked with complicated technology, so I would be a great fit in that industry.

PHILLIPS: Excellent.

Go ahead. You had one more second. What were you going to say?

KNIERIM: Oh, I was going to say that I have traveled the world and I speak four languages also.

PHILLIPS: Oh, my gosh. You know what? I would put that right at the top.

"Chris Knierim. I speak four languages." Boom. There you go.

All right. Christian.Knierim@yahoo.com.

Outstanding, chris.

All right, Margie. We're going to get your e-mail up on the screen there.

Are you ready to go? .

TALAVERA: Yes, I'm ready.

PHILLIPS: OK. Fire away.

TALAVERA: Hi. My name is Margie Talavera.

I served in the United States Navy from 1973 to 1979 as a corpsman and a psychiatric technician. I have a bachelor's degree in park recreation and leisure, an associate degree in university studies, and an American Humanics certificate for nonprofit management.

I am currently seeking full-time work in the recreational community service. And I would be a very valuable asset to your organization.

PHILLIPS: Yes, you would. And right on time.

Margie Talavera, Chris Knierim, I appreciate both of you for what you have done for our military. And we will do everything we can to try and help you guys find a job.

TALAVERA: Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

KNIERIM: Thanks for having us on.

PHILLIPS: Oh, it's been my pleasure.

And we want to thank also the veterans group. You heard both Chris and Margie mention them, Swords to Plowshares, for connecting us with Chris and Margie.

Their pitches will be up on our blog as well, so you can check them out. You can also let us know if you want to be a part of our "30 Second Pitch." Just send us a note at CNN.com/kyra.

Well, he's a big hit this holiday weekend at Disney World. President Obama takes his place in the exhibit, and he's drawing a pretty big crowd.

We'll take you there live.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

PHILLIPS: The Hall of Presidents is a big attraction at Disney World this Fourth of July weekend. And this year, there's a new face at the exhibit.

CNN's Rob Marciano is there.

Hey, Rob.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra.

As you mentioned, the Hall of Presidents is behind me. It's been a long-running show, attraction here at Disney World in Orlando for, well, over 30 years, in some cases -- 1971. So the math is bad there, but regardless, this would be the 44th president, President Barack Obama.

So they took that as an opportunity not only to add Mr. Obama, but to renovate the entire exhibit. So it's a brand new deal.

Twenty-five minutes brings you back 220 years of presidential history. And it's a great deal of fun learning while these animatronic things talk to you about their presidency. So that grand opening happens this weekend.

What was neat this morning, on the steps of Cinderella's Castle was the swearing in of immigrants to become naturalized citizens, 1,000 of them from 100 different countries, aged 18 to 82. Kind of a neat thing to see.

Got to talk to a number of these newly sworn-in citizens. Check out what my friend Abdel had to say. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ABDEL SHABANEH, NEW U.S. CITIZEN: I came from (INAUDIBLE) dreams come true, but it will never happen but in the states. So that was my big thing. So working my dream. You know, own your own business. You know, your school, finishing up. Trying to raise a family here.

And that's the base of this atmosphere, to raise a family in the states. You can't ask for more.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARCIANO: Abdel and his parents moved here about 10 or so years ago. He and his brother started a business selling beauty products, and it's expanding.

There is one thing that I am looking forward to doing, this Italian pilot mentions that, Do become a citizen and vote. Whatever it is, if it is the presidency or local representation, vote, vote, vote, vote.

Every person we talked to said just that: they want to have that right to vote, a right, quite frankly, Kyra, that folks like you and me in this country maybe take for granted.

So a couple of things that are happening on this Fourth of July weekend here at Disneyworld, the magic kingdom, a little bit of breaking news, I have seen a large rodent running around with big, black ears. He looks friendly, but I am trying to stay away from him.

(LAUGHTER)

I am told if you don't wear one of these, you are OK.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN HOST: Please, do not poison him. Please do not poison him. Just for the sake of You Tube and bloopers and the late night shows, put it on for you us, Rob.

MARCIANO: That's a career killer and you know it.

PHILLIPS: Happy Fourth, pal.

MARCIANO: See you later.

PHILLIPS: All dressed up with somewhere to go.

They call themselves furries. Easier to say that than anthropomorphics. But we'll enrich your vocabulary and tell you why these party animals are Pittsburgh bound.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is in Pakistan and talking terrorism, her visit coinciding with the suspected U.S. missile strike in Waziristan this morning and a helicopter crash that has claimed the lives of at least two dozen Pakistani security forces.

CNN Senior National Correspondent Nic Robertson live now from Islamabad, where he spoke with Secretary Napolitano. Nick, what is she saying?

NIC ROBERTSON, SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT, CNN: What she wants to develop more cooperation with the Pakistanis. She says her philosophy is you can't start protecting the borders of the United States at the borders of the United States. You have to come to the places like Pakistan where the problems are.

And what she is looking for specifically, exchanging details on international travelers traveling from Pakistan to the United States to other places in the region. She said this information is vital for both countries, so both countries can track terrorists and other criminals when they're moving.

She wants to improve border security and help the Pakistanis tighten their border controls into Afghanistan. One of the reasons she said for that is that Pakistan is on this sort of international transportation network, a criminal network, not just terrorism and the Taliban, but human smuggling.

She said, there are human smuggling rings that bring typically young females to the United States, opium, heroin being smuggled out Afghanistan on these transnational roots through Pakistan, a lot of it ended up on the streets of the United States.

So these were some key issues. But fundamental to all of this, trying to do anything to assist in closing down the Taliban training camps, because she said she is aware that some American citizens are seeking out to come to those Taliban training camps here in Pakistan to learn terror tactics and take that back to the United States to try and have terror attacks right there on homeland soil -- Kyra?

PHILLIPS: Enough to make your skin crawl. Nic Robertson, appreciate your report. Tensions

between Iran and Britain are rising after the arrest of staff members at the British embassy in Teheran. CNN's Reza Sayah keeping track of the latest developments. He joins us now from our international desk -- Reza?

REZA SAYAH, INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT, CNN: Yes, Kyra, things getting downright nasty between Tehran and London.

Of course, for the past week or so, the Iranian government has made an all-out push to blame all the post-election turmoil on the British government, saying they had designs on a velvet revolution. That push, that campaign kicked into high gear today during Friday prayers.

Speaking at Friday prayers, hard line Cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati. To give you some context, earlier this week, Iranian authorities arrested a number of local Iranian employees of the British embassy, saying they played a significant role in the postelection violence.

Today, Jannati said some of those employees would be put on trial. Here is Jannati really going after the U.K. in his speech. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AYATOLLAH AHMAD JANNATI (via translator): Do you expect that by staging a street riot after the election, Iran would become like Ukraine and Georgia, and that a government will be toppled and that a government assigned by you would take over? Your idiocy and stupidity is really limitless.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAYAH: You just heard a senior cleric in Iran essentially call the British government stupid. That's how ugly things are getting.

It's not clear how many local employees of the British embassy are in custody. Iranian officials say one. The British foreign office tells CNN two, those two people caught in the middle of an ugly diplomatic face-off -- Kyra?

PHILLIPS: Reza Sayah, appreciate it.

She turned tragedy to inspiration, sorrow to hope, and she has come a long way from 9/11. She is our hero, a CNN hero, and you'll meet her.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Brace yourself, Los Angeles, they're coming. Tens of thousands of Michael Jackson's fans expected to swarm the area around the Staples Center on Tuesday to say good-bye to the pop star. Lots of potential for logistical and financial nightmares, as you can imagine.

CNN's Susan Roesgen right there at the arena in downtown L.A. We are learning more of the details, but still not a lot about what's going to happen inside that memorial service -- Susan?

SUSAN ROESGEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, we don't know what's going to happen inside. But the word is, yes, thousands of people are coming. Please, don't come.

The city of Los Angeles is very concerned about people just coming around hoping to get anywhere close to this area, because they are only going to give away 17,500 tickets, Kyra. They are going to do it by a random drawing tomorrow night at 6:00 local time.

And what people have to do to get one of these free tickets is to go online and register for them.

But again, it's only 17,500. Michael Jackson has tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of fans all over the world. And in fact, Kyra, earlier this morning, that Web site server crashed because so many people tried to get on at the same time and register for those free tickets.

So what the city is saying is, look, very few people actually when you think about it are going to be inside the Staples Center or nearby the Nokia Center watching. In fact, they are not going to have any of the big screens, none of those jumbotrons so that people could normally watch interest the sidewalk and see what's going on.

None of that, because the city doesn't want people who cannot get inside to come down here. They are going to block off all the streets in this area, Kyra, and then they're going to make sure that people wearing wrist bands and have legitimate tickets.

So they are very concerned that so many people will want to be just anywhere close to the action that the city won't be able to handle it --Kyra?

PHILLIPS: And we still don't know if, indeed, Michael Jackson's body is going to be at this memorial service, right?

ROESGEN: We don't know, Kyra. The only thing that the spokesman for the family would say is that there is not going to be a funeral procession, which of course begs the question, is there a funeral before this thing? We still have not heard when or where Michael Jackson will be buried.

They took very few questions, wouldn't put that information out there.

Conceivably, Kyra, there could be a funeral earlier on Tuesday morning. The body, Michael Jackson's body will be buried there conceivably, and then the family and the entertainers and the fans would come here to the Staples Center to have this public memorial.

But we don't know about that. We are not even told, in fact, they specifically said we are not going to give you the details of who is performing or how this memorial is going to go.

So, really, sketchy today, Kyra. You know people right now online trying to get those tickets.

ROESGEN: All right Susan Roesgen, thanks so much. It's going to be a crazy day on Tuesday, that's for sure.

And stay with CNN for around the clock coverage celebrating the lfe of this worldwide pop icon as family friends and fans say goodbye. Michael Jackson, the memorial, all-day Tuesday, starting on "American Morning" at 6:00 a.m. eastern.

Carolyn manning lost a loved one 9/11, and that tragedy linked her to many others struggling with loss and eventually connected her to a worldwide crisis. Her work, helping refugees coming to America, makes Carolyn Manning this week's CNN hero.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is CNN news.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have an explosion. There is smoke all over the place.

CAROLYN MANNING, WELCOME TO AMERICA PROJECT: My brother-in-law was killed in tower one on September 11. After September 11th, I saw a picture of an Afghan family that had lost a member because of the Taliban, and they had to flee their country.

Our family had five kids. We lost a family member too. We just naturally went from that to let's show the refugees that we welcome them.

My name is Carolyn Manning, and I started the Welcome to America project to help refugees in Phoenix, Arizona.

The families that we help come from places where there has been war and genocide. Some refugees have never lived with indoor plumbing and have never flushed the toilets.

The Welcome to America Project is the community, and it operates by community volunteers. My husband and I have many a time been out here pulling furniture in before work, after work. This is our life.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you very much for all your help.

MANNING: When they step foot in the United States, they have been invited here. I want the refugees to feel that this is their home. And that's what America has been built on. It's our history. It's who we are. And they are part of it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: For more about the Welcome to America Project or to nominate your own CNN hero, logon to CNN.com/heroes. July is the last month to get your nominations in, so don't wait to tell us about your CNN hero.

Neverland Ranch, it was Michael Jackson's dream home. We are going to unlock the doors and take you inside for a rare look at the king of pop's former home.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: President Obama is spending part of the Fourth of July weekend at Camp David. He left the White House this morning for the presidential retreat in Maryland.

He is going to help celebrate his daughter Malia's 11th birthday, and then it's back to the White House where he and the first lady will hold a barbecue for 1,200 military families.

Sunday, the president leaves Washington for a trip to Moscow, a summit in Italy, and his first visit to Africa as president. PHILLIPS: And Vice President Joe Biden will be celebrating America's birthday with U.S. troops in Iraq. A special treat this morning, he got to have breakfast with his son, Bo, who is serving in Iraq with the Delaware National Guard.

During his visit, Biden will underscore President Obama's commitment to a drawdown of the U.S. forces to Iraq. This week marked a major milestone in the war when US troops pulled out of main Iraqi cities.

She was accused of tormenting a 13-year-old girl on MySpace, tormenting her to death. Now a California federal judge has thrown out the conviction of 49-year-old Lori Drew.

A teenage girl committed suicide and a jury later convicted Drew of misdemeanor computer crimes. But the judge is now challenging the law that she was prosecuted under, saying it's too vague.

Prosecutors say they may pursue other charges. They say Drew used MySpace to pose as a boy and gain interest in the alleged victim, then send her humiliating messages. Drew allegedly believed the girl had spread rumors about her daughter.

As always, team Sanchez, back there working hard for the next hour of "Newsroom." Rick, what have you got going?

RICK SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: I just got a hold of Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Apparently there is some new information coming out on Michael Jackson. Just when you think that the story is not going to be changing that much, apparently it is.

Sanjay has got an interview with someone, who, Kyra, amazing, is reporting that Michael Jackson traveled with an anesthesiologist, and ths anesthesiologist had one of those IV pole, the IV pole that puts the IV in your arm whenever you want to go, quote, and this is the word actually used in the report, "under."

It's a startling revelation considering all the things that we have been hearing, many of which we haven't reported.

The other thing that goes with that story now is that the Associated Press is reported that diprivan has been found in Michael Jackson's home, again, according to the Associated Press.

Now, you put these two things together -- and diprivan, by the way, is the one that's used only by anesthesiologists to put people out if they are having a major operation. It is not like a drug you take or something you get over or under the counter, for that matter.

So this is significant. We are going to have Sanjay take us through this.

The other big story we are working on, too, and this is also a CNN exclusive that we are going to put together, is a big to do over at Georgia State University. A young lady there war her hajab on her head. A member of the staff and insulted her, accused her of being a terrorist, failed to apologize.

Now a huge brouhaha at the university, and we're going to take you through that story as well. So those are two of the big stories that were going to have for you as we work through it.

PHILLIPS: Sounds great, Rick. Thanks.

Attention, this is your pilot speak. It is sunny, 75 degrees at our destination. Oh, by the way, I'm not wearing any pants.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The bare essentials is actually aboard this flight.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Even if I was quite a lot, and we'd appreciate if you take a second look.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All Megan should be tucked overhead.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Yes, that's body paint folks, Bare Essentials. Check out this ad from Air New Zealand with crew members wearing body paint that looks like their uniforms.

Don't you love the way the minds of my team work?

It's part of a campaign called "Bare Essentials of Safety," and it has already gotten over 2 million hits on YouTube.

Forget the buff. These guys and gals have a ball by dressing up as their favorite party animals and partying down in costume. Their 12th annual convention is this weekend in Pittsburgh. Participants call themselves "furries."

But they are also known as anthropomorphics, which, we're told, are animal characters with human personalities and/or characteristics. Whatever they are, the convention is a cash cow for the Steel City, with a huge economic impact.

Most of us have only seen Neverland Ranch like this, from the air, on the merry-go-rounds, the roller coasters. But there is also the dream home, and you won't want to miss this peek inside.

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PHILLIPS: Neverland Ranch is based on the fictional fantasy island in the story Peter Pan. And last night, during Larry King's prime time exclusive, Michael Jackson's dream home was open to CNN.

Here is Ted Rowlands.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Miko Brando, the son of the late actor Marlon Brando, spent much of the last 20 plus years at Michael Jackson's side. He was our guide, taking us though Neverland Ranch.

ROLAND (on camera): Miko, you spent a lot of time up here. This place is so big that obviously this isn't just for decoration. This train station was a real train station with a real train.

MIKO BRANDO, MICHAEL JACKSON'S FRIEND: Real train, steam engine train, a large one. He used it for years to get from the residence up to the theater and the zoo.

ROWLANDS: Which is about a quarter-mile away.

Michael would put on videos on each of the monitors, the same video.

BRANDO: He would put videos or cartoons for whoever wanted to watch them on all these screen and sit here and eat candy, eat all the sweets that you'd want. And the kids would just hang out here and watch videos all night long.

ROWLANDS: And this is just a miniscule part obviously of the compound here, one small portion of it where people would come and hang out. The outside, here is where the train would come through.

Miko, this room is what?

BRANDO: This is the living room. The piano used to be here, with a bunch of photos on the piano, a castle he had built sitting over here, living room chairs, furniture, sofa, the TV on the wall.

He had a beautiful marble front here in front of a fireplace. He had the Oscar that he hand standing on the right side of the fireplace.

ROWLANDS: The Oscar from --

BRANDO: "Gone with the Wind."

ROWLANDS: -- apparently paid $1.7 million for.

BRANDO: Yes, sir.

ROWLANDS: Inside the house, 13,000 square feet. As for Michael Jackson's bedrooms, you are looking at the doors, and you can see the locks on the doors. Miko, privacy was key in this room, obviously.

BRANDO: Yes. He loved his privacy. When the doors were open, it was OK. But when he locked it, he wanted his privacy, he had his privacy.

ROWLANDS: This is one of the bathrooms. There are two bathrooms in this suite. And this is the area where Michael Jackson also slept sometimes. There's a staircase up there in the small bedroom upstairs. You say he slept on both levels.

BRANDO: He slept wherever he felt like sleeping. He would crash out, so he had a choice of two.

ROWLANDS: There has been a lot of talk about this closet. It is massive. In the corner of it is a secret compartment, or secret little area. And Miko, you said this was sort of a safe room just in case.

BRANDO: Yes. This was some place to go. In case something ever happened, it would be where he would go.

ROWLANDS: When you look at the house, Miko, it is unfurnished, obviously. Give us a sense how different it was fully furnished.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was the place. I have seen a lot of houses in my life, but this was the house.

ROWLANDS: Ted Rowlands, CNN, at the Neverland ranch.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Another reminder, CNN will have around the clock coverage of the Tuesday memorial celebrating the life of this worldwide Pop icon. His family, friends, fans all gather to say goodbye. Michael Jackson's Memorial, all day Tuesday, starting on "American Morning" at 6:00 a.m.

Have a great holiday weekend. Rick Sanchez takes it from here.