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Taliban Fights Back; Jackson Memorial Lottery; Rebuilding in New Orleans
Aired July 04, 2009 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MELISSA LONG, CNN ANCHOR: As Americans mark the nation's 233rd birthday, two American soldiers lose their lives in a deadly attack in Afghanistan. Several others are wounded.
In the U.S., fear in a small southern town. A serial killer is on the loose in Gafney, South Carolina.
Hundreds of thousands of Michael Jackson fans, they're waiting, they're hoping to be chosen to attend the singer's memorial service Tuesday in Los Angeles. A lottery drawing just hours from now will determine who gets in.
You are in the CNN "Newsroom," where the news unfolds live on this Saturday the Fourth of July. Fredericka Whitfield is off. I am Melissa Long in for her today.
First, let's talk about the fight for Afghanistan. It has taken the lives again of two U.S. soldiers on the Fourth of July. Taliban fighters attacked a base near the border with Pakistan. The base houses members of the U.S. military.
But the U.S. fought back, killing at least 32 Taliban fighters. CNN's Atia Abawi is covering this developing story for us. She joins us live from Baghram Air Force base which is in Afghanistan -- Atia?
ATIA ABAWI, INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT, CNN: That's right, Melissa, the attack occurred in Paktika province. That's in eastern Afghanistan. It started with the car bomb outside of the out boast, and the rockets and mortars flying in.
One of those mortars and rockets is assumed to have white phosphorous in it. It killed two U.S. soldiers and wounded at least ten.
We are hearing from the U.S. military that they did engage with the enemy, killing at least 10 and capturing one. But we also spoke to the spokesperson for the governor of Paktika who told us that at least 32 militants were killed.
Let's listen to a sound bite from the U.S. military spokesperson.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAPT. ELIZABETH MATHIAS, U.S. MILITARY SPOKESWOMAN: An outpost in these Ziraq (ph) district of Paktika province received fire early this morning from insurgent forces. They responded with fire. They actually continued to receive fire, and then had to call in close air support as well.
During the engagement that we understand to still be ongoing, a vehicle borne improvised explosive device also detonated outside of the outpost.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABAWI: Again, this occurred in eastern Afghanistan as operations are still occurring in southern Afghanistan. That's operation Kandar (ph), or Strike of the Sword -- Melissa?
LONG: Again, the two U.S. soldiers killed today on the Fourth of July.
On a much lighter note, what are people doing there on the Fourth?
ABAWI: Well you have troops and civilians trying their best to celebrate Fourth of July here in a war zone. There were music, there were games, and there was also barbecues going on all day, and some still going on through the night.
Let's listen to actually what one U.S. marine had to tell us. This is a U.S. marine who decided to reenlist on the Fourth of July here in Bagram.
Well, I guess we don't have the sound bite for you, Melissa. But they're doing their best to celebrate the Fourth of July in Afghanistan, again, in a war zone. And the festivities are still going on right now, but they are winding down -- Melissa?
ABAWI: Atia Abawi, live for us from Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. Atia, thank you.
The U.S. military is still searching for an American soldier abducted Tuesday in southeastern Afghanistan. The military says he is being held by a notorious militant clan.
He was captured by low-level militants along with three Afghan soldiers, and then sold to the clan.
Rockets lighting up the skies of North Korea, an apparent message of defiance to the U.S. on Independence Day. South Korea's defense ministry says the regime in Pyongyang launched seven missiles today over a nine-hour period of time. All were short-range. They're believed to have fallen into the Sea of Japan.
Such missile tests violate United Nations sanctions on North Korea.
South Korea's news agency says some of the missiles launched today appear to be the Rodong. The weapon has a range of 800 miles, putting Japan within its striking distance. Experts say most versions of this Rodong have poor accuracy.
The South Korean report says other missiles were probably Scud- Cs. They typically have a range of 300 miles capable of reaching only South Korea.
Vice president Joe Biden is spending the Fourth of July with troops in Iraq. He's sworn around 200 of them as new American citizens. The vice president's visit comes days after U.S. troops pulled out of Iraq's big cities.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN, (D) U.S. VICE PRESIDENT: On this Fourth of July I am reminded you are carrying the torch of our -- our founding fathers for 233 years ago. And yes, as of today, they're your founding fathers. So get used to it, guys. They're your founding fathers.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: Again, the vice president in Iraq on the Fourth in some closed door meetings. An official says Biden warned Iraqi leaders not to let the country slide back into sectarian violence, that the American people had no interest in putting "humpty-dumpty together again."
President Obama and the first lady now back to the White House this afternoon after a quick getaway to Camp David. The first family not only celebrating the Fourth of July holiday, but also the eldest daughter Malia's 11th birthday.
This evening the Obamas will be hosting a picnic for more than 1,000 military families. And then tomorrow, the president is traveling, embarking on a week-long international trip with stops in Russia, Italy and West Africa.
Political strategists of all stripes are going "hmm" today. What is Sarah Palin thinking? Palin will resign the Alaska governorship at the end of this month. This move left Republicans stunned, left them split. Does it help? Does it hurt? A possible presidential bid in 2012?
Palin said she wasn't going to run for reelection in 2010 and didn't want to be a long-term lame-duck.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. SARAH PALIN, (R) ALASKA: Though it may be tempting and more comfortable to just kind of keep your head down and plod along and appease those who are demanding, "Hey, just sit down and shut up."
But that is a worthless, easy pass out. That's a quitter's way out. And I think a problem in our country today is apathy. It would be apathetic to just hunker down and go with the flow.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: Palin went on to say "only dead fish go with the flow." Alaska's lieutenant-governor, that's Sean Parnell, will take over on the 26th of July. T.J. Holmes asked him if he would guarantee Alaskans he would complete the job. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEAN PARNELL, (R) LT. GOV., ALASKA: I will stay in this and complete the term. But I also am conscious that we don't control life. So I may be dead tomorrow. And I'm not going to commit beyond that. But you bet I will serve out the term.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Sir, that wasn't what I was meaning. We certainly hope you are going to be all right, so maybe we need to check on you every now and then.
(LAUGHTER)
But one last thing here. I know it is a little way out and you just figured out Wednesday that you got the job. Are we going to be seeing you in 2010 running for governor of Alaska for your own full term?
PARNELL: Yes. I made that announcement yesterday that I am, I am seeking election as governor in 2010.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: Lieutenant-governor, soon Governor Parnell. He tells an Anchorage television station, that KTVA TV that he expects to file the paperwork next week.
Now some analysts call Palin's move "smart." At least one labeled it stupid. Peter Hamby is a producer with CNN's political unit. He joins us live from Columbia, South Carolina. Nice to see you. Thank you for your time.
PETER HAMBY, PRODUCER, CNN POLITICAL UNIT: Hi, Melissa.
LONG: So again, this decision, this announcement yesterday creates even more questions. So what are people saying now in Washington about the potential implications of her stepping down, of Palin stepping down, when it comes to a possible run in 2012?
HAMBY: Well you said it. A lot of Republican strategists and a lot of political observers in Washington are using some pretty tough language. They're calling it nutty, bizarre, strange. Even some of her defenders are calling it unusual.
However, I just spoke to one of Palin's defenders in Washington who keeps in close with the family and just spoke with them a few hours ago. And he is saying this is one of the reasons that Palin decided to step down, was to get away from politics as usual. And they say this is just the kind of sniping they want to avoid.
LONG: Getting away from politics as usual, but the governor does have a PCA, political action committee formed.
HAMBY: She does have a political action committee. They formed it earlier this year. And the fundraising reports for that are supposed to come out, I believe, this week. So we will be getting a glimpse of what kind of political muscle she has as we move forward towards 2010 and 2012. We'll just see how formidable she is.
And this adviser, the friend of the family, also told me they have seen money and contributions tick up significantly in the last 24 hours.
LONG: We want to highlight some of the comments from senator of the state of Alaska, Senator Lisa Murkowski, who said yesterday "I am deeply disappointed that the governor has decided to abandon the state and her constituents before her term has concluded."
The word "abandon," do constituents, do people in Alaska feel abandoned?
HAMBY: Well, I haven't talked to many voters in Alaska in the last 24 hours. But I would also point out that the Murkowskis and the Palins are not particularly close. Part of Palin's brand is the fact that she came in 2006 as a Republican maverick to shake things up, as she likes to say.
She defeated Murkowski's brother, incumbent governor Frank Murkowski in that primary. And Sarah Palin and Lisa Murkowski have never really been that close. There are even whispers several months ago before Palin came out and said she would support Senator Murkowski that Palin might, you know, at some point, challenge Lisa Murkowsky.
That fell by the wayside. But those two are not very close.
LONG: You used the word "maverick" a moment ago, shaking up politics, certainly shaking up politics right now as well, with just the way the announcement came down yesterday. From what I understand, it was very short notice. There were very few people even in attendance at the news conference.
HAMBY: That's true. I believe the Palins only told very few people. There are a lot of Republicans in Alaska that had no idea. We got it, sort of a cryptic email statement yesterday -- I believe yesterday afternoon, saying that she was simply going to have a state at her home in Wasilla in the afternoon. That is sort of a strange timing on a holiday weekend, last minute.
Mark Preston, our political editor and I, heard from pretty good sources that she was going to not run for governor in 2010, which a lot of people expected. But the fact that she was going to resign in about a month came as a shock to people.
LONG: And we should point out as well, you spent a lot of time on the campaign trail with the McCain/Palin ticket last year.
HAMBY: Yes. I traveled with Governor Palin for about two months and the end of last year, yes.
LONG: Peter Hamby is a CNN producer with our political unit. Thank you so much. Appreciate your perspective.
HAMBY: Thank you, Melissa. LONG: It is the hottest ticket in town. And you have as good a chance of anyone in winning it. We're talking about Michael Jackson's public memorial set for Tuesday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LONG: One person is dead, four others critically injured after a truck loaded with fireworks exploded today in North Carolina. It happened on Ocracoke Island.
We're getting our first pictures from the area right now. This is a picture courtesy of a resident in the area. What triggered the explosion right now isn't clear. But officials say it happened as a fireworks crew was setting up for tonight's July 4th show.
Right now, it's really fair to say it's one of the most coveted tickets in the word. The public memorial for Michael Jackson set for Tuesday in Los Angeles at the Staples Center.
And you have a little more than six hours now to act if you do want in on this lottery. Already the demand far outstrips the supply of 17,500 seats.
StaplesCenter.com, that's where you can register. And yes, people are logging on.
CNN's Susan Roesgen joins us live at the Jackson family home in Encino, California. A growing show of love and support there, as well, Susan, very clear. And also clearly online with all the people logging on.
SUSAN ROESGEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is true, Melissa. We have more people. This is eight-year-old Sierra bringing cream-colored roses today. More people are bringing roses to put in the memorial, more flowers, more balloons, more stuffed animals, more candles.
And I have talked to a lot of people here who are also trying to get the tickets by logging on online. You have to register. They're free, but there are only 17,500. And you know, Melissa, there are hundreds of thousands of Michael Jackson fans all around the world.
So the organizers of this memorial on Tuesday are trying to reach out and say, look, this memorial is for all of Michael Jackson's fans wherever they are. And they want to share it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEN SUNSHINE, JACKSON FAMILY SPOKESMAN: Everything about the memorial has to do with accommodating as many fans as possible. And when you hear the details and how the tickets are going to be distributed and how we are doing this, it is all about the fans.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROESGEN: And you know one of the fans here today, Melissa, said what we're forgetting is that inside this house, inside the house where Michael Jackson grew up, is a grieving mother, his mother Katherine, whom he was very close to.
And this woman said, you know, in all the details of Michael Jackson's life that are coming out, we forget people are grieving there. So I think that's a good thing to remember.
We have had no word yet from the family, maybe today here, Melissa, on when and where Michael Jackson will actually be buried. All we know right now is that there is going to be a private memorial service for the family before the public memorial service on Tuesday.
LONG: So many unanswered questions about the burial, as you mentioned, and also the investigation into his death. We know we are waiting for toxicology reports. But what else is the latest right now with the investigation?
ROESGEN: Well, the Associated Press is reporting, and we are at CNN still working to confirm, a report that diprivan, that very strong anesthetic that is only used in surgery was actually found in the home that Michael Jackson was renting when he collapsed and later died on Thursday. The A.P. is reporting that the diprivan, this drug was there.
Our CNN sources are telling us as recently as the mid-90s, at least, Michael Jackson had what you would call sort of a mini-clinic, an IV in which diprivan, this drug, could be administered just as if he was lying in the hospital operating room, Melissa.
So we are waiting for those toxicology reports to find out if perhaps that drug was in his system, and if it contributed in some way to his death.
LONG: The drug, a fascinating new element of the investigation indeed. Susan Roesgen live for us from California. Susan, thank you.
Now on the hunt for a suspected serial killer, the victims all from one town in South Carolina. They were all killed within the past week.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LONG: Let's get you some stories that are happening across America this Saturday afternoon.
From Gaffney, South Carolina, police and the FBI on the hunt for a serial killer. Four people have been shot and killed in the past week, another victim remains hospitalized.
Gaffney is about 50 miles southwest of Charlotte, North Carolina. The suspect is believed to be driving a light gray or champagne and tan-colored two-door Ford explorer.
It is a rallying cry across the nation this weekend -- just say no to higher taxes. Protestors in Las Vegas yesterday staged a modern day tea party. The grassroots event was also designed to organize voters to make an impact in the ballot in 2010. In Purcell (ph), Oklahoma, a budget shortfall meant the ax for this city's Fourth of July celebration. So the community has stepped in. Volunteers went door to door raising enough funds to keep the annual fireworks show alive.
A new view this Fourth of July. It's one we haven't seen in eight years. We'll take you high atop Lady Liberty.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LONG: Happy Fourth of July to you. It is 2:24 in the afternoon, and here are the stories we're following for you at this hour.
They died fighting for their country on the Fourth of July. Two more U.S. soldiers were killed today in eastern Afghanistan when Taliban fighters attacked a base.
The U.S. military called an air strike, killing at least 32 insurgents. And then hours later, the military says ten more militants were killed in a separate assault.
A "provocative act," that's what South Korea is calling the latest missile launch test by North Korea. The nation fired seven short-range missiles in less than nine hours today.
Vice President Joe Biden is spending the Fourth of July with troops in Iraq. The vice president swore in more than 200 of them as new American citizens.
Step by step, people visiting Statue of Liberty are getting an incredible view from the crown's lofty observation deck.
Our Susan Candiotti decided to see for herself.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT, CNN: It's a long climb, but here we go. This part is not bad because this is the pedestal. The start of 354 steps up to the crown.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now you are going to see the actual structure.
CANDIOTTI: How do you describe that? Wow.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's just overwhelming. You can't say how wonderful it is.
CANDIOTTI: All right. Let's go.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's 24 steps and then another 162.
CANDIOTTI: These steps are not bad at all. No feeling of closeness at this point. OK.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You have four options to look up. Each yellow box represents an area that you can look up her skirt.
CANDIOTTI: So we can look up the skirt.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You can see the spiral staircase.
CANDIOTTI: Still not bad. Keep going up this way. The steps are very narrow, only a little over maybe a foot and a half.
The creases that you are looking at now, these are the wrinkles in the statue's dress. And this is what it looks look from the inside.
Also, if you have any issues with heights, it's kind of scary when you look over the side and peer down below.
The double railings are brand new. They were put in recently. And it really does help when you are going up here.
Still going. We're here. We are already up to the crown. It's magnificent. And if you thought it was going to be big, it isn't. Only ten people will come up here at a time and spent about 10, 15 minutes.
But look at this view. OK. We can see the bottom of the torch out the window, Lady Liberty's arm, her sleeve. Through the windows, you can also see some of the points on lady liberty's crown. There are seven of them, and they represent the seven continents, the seven seas, and the seven known planets at the time the statue was built.
These waves that you see in the ceiling actually represent the curls on the other side, Lady liberty's curls.
If you want to experience this, you can go online and buy tickets ahead of time. It only costs $15. They are sold out through next month.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LONG: Susan Candiotti was 354 steps up. Now she's back on the ground. Looks like a great time and got a workout too.
CANDIOTTI: Absolutely. And 240 people were lucky enough to be among the very first. That's all that will get up there today, 240 inside the crown.
LONG: I had the opportunity to climb to the top. It had to be 15, 16 years ago now. And the view is just glorious.
CANDIOTTI: It is.
And not only the view. It's just the sense of being inside her head that is probably the most memorable thing for so many people.
And you know, Melissa, we also had the opportunity today to ask the interior secretary why it was time now to open up lady liberty again. And it basically started with a study about a year ago that was completed in just April to check into the safety and security.
You know since 2004 -- I'm just going to pan over for a moment here -- you see observation deck where you see people walking around up there. That's as far as you can get since 2004.
But now the interior secretary said they made some safety improvements, including those handrails that we showed you, and the like. And since 2004 they have had in place extra security down at the base, including machines that check, those machines that you see at the airport that check for explosives, as well as x-ray machines.
And here's what he had to say about it being open again today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Security has been strengthened. We have much better security now than we did some ten years ago. And we feel confident that the security measures we have in place are sufficient to protect the people and the visitors here to the Statue of Liberty.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CANDIOTTI: And these are hot tickets. If you want to go for them, you can order them on line. They are already sold out through mid-September. And all the weekends in September are already sold out.
It is three extra dollars to get into the crown, $12 to take the ferry and walk around the island. Melissa, back to you.
LONG: It looks like a wonderful way to be spending the Fourth of July. Thank you for taking us on that tour up to the crown.
CANDIOTTI: With pleasure.
LONG: Happy Fourth.
Fourth of July fireworks, of course, backyard barbecues are how a lot of people spending the holiday today. How could the weather impact your plans and your celebrations? Let me bring in Karen McGuiness. Happy Fourth of July to you.
KAREN MCGUINESS, METEOROLOGIST: Thanks so much. I did my celebrating yesterday. But I got a couple of things to show you.
Melissa, we do have the heat, and it is on.
(WEATHER REPORT)
MELISSA LONG, CNN ANCHOR: Grieving and investigating the death of pop singer and icon Michael Jackson. Here is the very latest for you. An online lottery for the few thousand tickets available for Tuesday's public memorial closes 6:00 p.m. Pacific team tonight.
The city of Los Angeles is concerned about a massive turnout and is advising Jackson fans without tickets to stay home and watch the memorial on TV.
Meantime, more reports that drugs may have contributed to the 50- year-old's death. The Associated Press now quoting law enforcement sources that a powerful anesthetic often used in surgical settings was found in Jackson's home.
We hope you will join us Tuesday, around the clock coverage of the memorial as family, friends, and fans say goodbye to this worldwide music icon. Michael Jackson, the memorial on CNN all day Tuesday, starting on "American Morning" at 6:00 a.m.
One of the many charities Michael Jackson supported was USA for Africa, which continues to receive funds from sales of the video "We are the World." To learn how this charity is helping Africa's poor visit our Impact Your World website. You'll find it online at CNN.com/impact.
One company is getting a share of the Michael Jackson spotlight for its so-called casket fit for a king. The Batesville Casket Company is producing a custom-made, hand-polished coffin for Jackson. It will be a hand-polished, bronze casket with a 14 karat gold plate finish and a blue velvet lined interior.
It puts this small Indiana town on the map in a big way.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're like the casket capital of the world. And now we have proof because Michael Jackson will be in it. It's cool.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It doesn't make the town feel small. You know, the biggest star in the world, basically. It's pretty amazing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LONG: Again, that Batesville, the community of Batesville.
In case you're wondering, the model name of Jackson's coffin is the Prometheus. The price tag in case you're curious, $25,000.
CNN's Don Lemon has taken an in depth look at Michael Jackson's life and Michael Jackson's legacy, his childhood, his music, his finances, his influence. Don't miss the CNN presents special -- "Michael Jackson, Man in the Mirror." That's tonight and tomorrow, 8:00 p.m. eastern, only here on CNN.
Continuing to pay tribute to Michael Jackson, musicians in New Orleans are changing their tune, jazzing up some of Jackson's biggest hits in honor of the late king of pop.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LONG: In this tough economy, men have been particularly hard hit. A lot of dads have been losing their jobs, and those who still have jobs in many cases are working a lot of overtime. Of course, that means less time with the family.
Josh Levs joins us now with more on a new survey, and also some thoughts from a group of dads you had a conversation with.
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it was great. We assembled a great group of dads. And actually, when we were doing that. This new survey came out.
Let me show you one of the statistics. It's interesting. It's from career building. It talks about how often they miss significant events. And this finds that American dads, half of them have missed a significant event in their child's life in the past year.
And about 28 percent more say they have missed more than three events in the past year.
This is the kind of thing that we talked about with a group of dads. No matter how much time you may have or not have with your kids, in the end, you can hear it here. We posed what may be the ultimate question for any dad.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEV (on camera): If you succeed as a father what will you have achieved. What does success as a father mean?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think my ultimate goal is to raise three productive members of society and three kids that believe in the concept of being individuals, and believe, you know, that want to be themselves and want to be an individual.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I want her to be secure, happy, and loving, and very strong. In this world today, I think she's going to have to be strong, and we're trying to raise her to give the courage to accept other people's ignorance and, in a sense, learn from it.
Obviously, we have issues that we have to teach her, that they will be prejudices against her, and she is not part of it, but because of her dads. But we just want her to be strong, happy, and confident, and learn from other people's weaknesses.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I will feel that I have done a good job and have been successful as a dad if my kids are strong, independent, good people, and look for opportunities to make a difference in the world.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am going to steal something from my brother. Before I had my children, and he had had his girl, I asked, I asked him, I said what do you -- what do you want her to grow up to be? What profession should she choose? Who do you think she will be? And what do you hope for her?
And he just said I just hope she is happy. I hope that she -- she winds up to be happy, you know.
And I think that's so huge, because there's a lot more to being happy as an adult than, you know, being in a good mood. I just want them to be doing what they love and to love being alive and, you know, to be happy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think a picture of what would tell me I am a successful father is looking at my grandkids. Are my grandkids loving and serving of others, and being commitment for the betterment of other people?
And I skip over to my grandkids because I think I will be successful if we have adequately taught our children now to be good people and serve and love others, and they can also pass that through to their children.
And so that would tell me that I have done a good job as a father.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEVS: It was so interesting to talk to them and then learn from them. That's actually the third segment we have shown you today from the conversation.
You can see more right here. We have all three posted on our blog right there, CNN.com/newsroom. And we are hearing from you at Facebook, and Twitter/joshlevsCNN.
Melissa, I'll tell you, very interesting, this diverse panel, lots of wisdom there, lots to learn from.
LONG: Very diverse panel.
You mentioned that you learned from them. You're a young dad as well. But also, I would be interested in the conversation as they all learn from each other, too.
LEVS: Yes, yes, they all weighed in together.
It was interesting, when we first shot that, we thought we would be talking a half-hour. We went on more 90 minutes.
LONG: Men talking for that amount of time?
LEVS: And answering all these questions, talking public. Have you ever heard dads publicly talk about some of these topics?
LONG: They were very outspoken about some intimate topics.
LEVS: They were very outspoken, very respectful. We all learned from each other. We kind of gave each other ideas.
And, you know what, support, because there a lot of pressure on guys these days. You're expected to be supporting of the family when that is the situation, and still be this very active, hands-on dad. That's the new modern reality, which is great. But it also means a lot of pressure. So it's good to hear those stories.
LONG: And, of course, everybody defines success differently, not only at home but at the workplace everywhere. LEVS: That's what we just heard, exactly.
LONG: All right, Jeff Levs, thank you.
LEVS: Thank you.
LONG: A big weekend is underway right now in New Orleans.
The Essence Music Festival is known as a great party. This year's drawing a lot of celebrities, from Queen Latifah to Beyonce.
But the festival is so much more than just music. Malaak Compton-Rock has been involved with philanthropic causes around the world. She just happens to be also the wife of actor Chris Rock. She is at the festival to talk about family and children issues, family and child issues.
She joins us live from the festival. Nice to see you.
MALAAK COMPTON-ROCK, THE ANGELROCK PROJECT: Hello, how are you?
LONG: Very good. Happy Fourth of July to you. I want to find out a little bit more about what you are going to be talking about there, what point you will be driving home when talking about family issues.
ROCK: You know, I really believe in community involvement. I live by the motto that it takes a village. I believe that I'm not just a mother of my children but of any child who need help so that they can have a good education and a good chance at life.
And so those are the types of things that I am talking about down here at the Essence festival.
I am also a proponent of community advocacy, for communities to know that we cannot wait for someone else to advocate on our behalf, but we need to do it for ourselves, and teaching them how to do it.
ROCK: I know you are passionate about getting people to volunteer, people of all ages. Why is this your passion? In fact, you have even written a book about this.
ROCK: I have. It's coming out in the spring.
Service is the rent we pay for living. I believe in that wholeheartedly. I also believe that service makes us more of a global world, brings us together. brings communities together.
In times of encouraging youth, particularly, at-risk youth to serve, most of them are on the receiving end of aid. So when you put them on the giving end of service, magical things happen.
LONG: Volunteers will always say they receive more than they give. I'm curious, what was your first volunteering experience? Was it as an adult? Was it as a child? ROCK: Well, you know, I came from a family of volunteers, and really just a family of conversationalists who talked around the dinner table about issues of the day. And so serving is something I started to do as a child.
But really my life changed when I went to go work for UNICEF. I actually was in the entertainment industry, totally different. I went to work for UNICEF and really found my niche in that I always wanted to work on behalf of other people.
And that you don't have to do it as a full time job, that everybody can serve, if you have a day, a month. If you have two days a month, if you have a week.
Also, I encourage people who have different professions, like if you are a graphic artist or a photographer or an accountant, donate your time to needy, nonprofit organizations in your area. There are so many different ways to serve.
LONG: We all have talents we can share, that is for sure. Malaak Compton-Rock. Thank you so much for joining us live from the Essence Music Festival. Appreciate it.
ROCK: Thank you for having me.
LONG: Of course.
And while reporters are covering the stories that are developing every day in the black community, Soledad O'Brien has been working on stories you will see only on the 22nd and 23rd of July when CNN presents "Black in America 2." Two nights, two primetime documentaries, all new stories, right here on CNN.
Coming up we'll take you back to the Essence Music Festival and we're going talk about how the vibe of the festival has changed as the 270,000 people that are there in New Orleans are now remembering the life and legacy of Michael Jackson.
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LONG: The king of pop is being celebrated at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans this weekend. Sean Callebs is there listening to what entertainers are saying about Jackson's impact on their music.
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CALLEBS: Icons of the Big Easy, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band playing tribute to it king of pop.
Bands throughout the city are working Michael Jackson's signature songs into their sets.
TROY "TROMBONE SHORTY" ANDREWS, MUSICIAN: When I listen to his music, he has influence from jazz, rock, funk, R&B. and that's where I am in life right now. I'm a student of music first of all, and I just wanted to be able to take everything and put it all into one gumbo pot.
CALLEBS: And few can stir the pot with a horn like Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, a rising star in New Orleans. On the spot he can conjure up a soulful version of "Rock with You."
Black and white, young and old, stop a New Orleans musician and you'll hear a Michael Jackson story. Even for mainstays like Ivan Neville, who arguably comes from the first family of Crescent City Music.
IVAN NEVILLE, MUSICIAN: But being from New Orleans, we were all influenced by the sounds of the street of New Orleans, you know. But we always listen to the radio.
Even though my dad and uncles were all musicians and had their brand of music, but I listened to the radio. And what you hear on the radio, you hear what's popular. You hear Michael Jackson.
CALLEBS: Alan Toussaint was star in his own right when Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 stepped into the limelight.
ALAN TOUSSAINT, MUSICIAN: I was so extremely impressed when I heard him for the first time as such a young child, and singing with all the nuances that age is supposed to bring about.
If you're breathing during Michael's period, one way or another you were affected by Michael Jackson. I mean, there's no way around it.
CALLEBS: Through the personal ups and downs, artists say Jackson never lost the command of a front man, the consummate entertainer.
NEVILLE: When I look at him now and look at how somewhat tragic his life has been, that's all he had. And that's what he gave us. I mean, to me, he was put here to do it, to entertain us.
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LONG: Sean Callebs now joins us live from the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. And Sean, I understand just about every part of this festival is touched now by Michael Jackson.
CALLEBS: Yes, without question. It's more than a music festival. They're covering so much, social issues, cultural issues.
But last night I was at the concert with Beyonce, John Legend, and virtually all the performers paid some tribute to Michael Jackson.
But just before John Legend came on, a traditional New Orleans jazz funeral came across the stage, very somber music. And then they just burst into celebratory music, which is very difficult.
And it is interesting, because we talked to Trombone Shorty about that. He said here in New Orleans, people really don't mourn death. They celebrate life. And really that is the spirit that we are hearing here this weekend from the 270,000 or so people expected here. We certainly saw that on stage last night.
LONG: Celebrating Michael Jackson's life there, once again, at the Essence Music Festival. Sean Callebs, thanks so much. Happy Fourth.
CALLEBS: You, too.
LONG: Thank you.
Now, music has always brought New Orleans back to life. And one musician hopes his contribution will bring the Fourth ward back to pre-Katrina days at one download at a time.
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LONG: Four years after hurricane Katrina, the Fourth ward needs a lot of work. One musician is hoping music will help buy the neighborhood a new future. CNN's Fredericka Whitfield has the story.
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WHITFIELD: In the lower 9th ward of New Orleans, four years after hurricane Katrina caused the worst of damage and death, some streets remain stagnant, on others, a harmony of hammers.
Music to the ears of 7th generation New Orleanian, 93-year-old Emelda Skidmore, and 35-year-old Kansas born musician Josh Charles, who moved to New Orleans four days before Katrina hit.
JOSH CHARLES, SINGER, PIANIST: My timing was impeccable.
WHITFIELD: Charles wanted to move back months later.
CHARLES: All you see are steps leading up to grass. Or you still see the writing of the toxic floodwaters on the homes.
WHITFIELD: For this songwriter, that opened a floodgate of lyrics.
CHARLES: I walked around. And I said this is going to take a lot of healing time. And that title stuck in my head.
WHITFIELD: How did you choose the words, the thoughts?
CHARLES: Well, you're trying to make it through the pain and the sorrow. And after you make it through the pain and the sorrow, there will be a better tomorrow. And so the chorus wrote itself very quickly.
WHITFIELD: Josh Charles and Emelda Skidmore, complete strangers, decades apart, sharing a common bond with music as salvation.
EMELDA SKIDMORE: Just this old house.
WHITFIELD: Mrs. Skidmore was born in this old house. Here, in her now rebuilt kitchen, she and her daughter. SKIDMORE: The water was up to there already.
WHITFIELD: Came close to death August 29th, 2005.
SKIDMORE: I said, god is in this house, and he will deliver us. I said, now, come on, let's sing.
WHITFIELD: The hymn often sung during a new or leans funeral march.
SKIDMORE: The second line is "bringing the dead people to the grave," you know.
CHARLES: Healing time was meant to be essentially like a second line. So it starts off slow and somber, and eventually, you know, starts to rejoice. The fact that music was their salvation, it's just ever more reason for me to keep doing what I'm doing.
WHITFIELD: What's he doing?
CHARLES: I am just trying to give back to a city that has given so much to me as a musician.
You lost all your possessions
WHITFIELD: His song "Healing Time," now sold on line for 99 cents a download. His goal, one million download, not for this young artist's profits, but --
CHARLES: The entire 99 cents would then go to charity, which is the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans.
WHITFIELD: The very nonprofit organization that helped rebuild Mrs. Skidmore's old house. Preservation Resource Center, or PRC, is celebrating 35 years of helping historic neighborhoods like Holy Cross.
Lisa Ross says what Charles is doing is special.
LISA ROSS, PRESERVATION RESOURCE CENTER: It's extremely important, because most of our funding comes from private donations.
WHITFIELD: If not for organizations like this, what do you suppose the progress of rebuilding would be like?
ROSS: I think it would be a lot slower. PRC has touched, since Katrina, more properties than any other organization in the city of New Orleans.
WHITFIELD: PRC hasn't received any donations from Charles' download music promotion just yet, but along with generosities from so many.
ROSS: That we can bring back the city.
WHITFIELD: A city filled with a long history of -- and music intertwined in both good and tough times.
Fredericka Whitfield, CNN, New Orleans.
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LONG: We will have more on Fredericka's report coming up in the 3:00 hour.
How one man is bringing the music back to the kids of New Orleans one trumpet and one trombone at a time.
Good afternoon on this Saturday. Hope you are having a wonderful holiday weekend. I'm Melissa Long in today for Fredericka Whitfield. And you are in the CNN "Newsroom."
