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Democratic Health Care Reform Concessions, President Obama's Approval Rating Dropped, LaGuardia Airport Delays, Cash for Clunkers Program Frustrations, Iranian Authorities Arrest Americans
Aired August 01, 2009 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICK WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: All right, President Obama -- he's calling it a historic step, but he knows it's just one step in his push for health care reform. Late yesterday a key House committee passed a reform bill that includes major concessions for conservative Democrats. It will be combined with two other versions to produce a final House bill. We won't see a vote, though, until at least September. Members of the House are off until Labor Day.
Senators are in session for yet another week, but won't vote on health care reform until after the break. So, you can be sure lawmakers will get an earful from voters on this issue, at least over the next month. The president is also keeping up the pressure. CNN's Elaine Quijano is at the White House.
So, Elaine, the president staying on message today, and likely at least for another 30 days?
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, that's right. We should tell you that president Obama, as you might guess, certainly expressing his pleasure at the fact that the House Energy and Commerce Committee actually did go ahead and pass his version of the health care legislation.
He said as much in a written statement which said went on to say that this bill will strengthen consumer protections and choice while lowering costs and improving care.
Now, in his weekly radio and Internet address, the president also prenewed (ph) a trip that he'll be taking, coming up here next week to Elkhart, Indiana. And that's a community that's been hit especially hard by the recession. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: For communities like Elkhart to thrive, we need to recapture the spirit of innovation that has always moved America forward. That means, once again, having the best educated, highest skilled workforce in the world. That means a health care system that makes it possible for entrepreneurs to innovate and businesses to compete without being saddled with skyrocketing insurance costs.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: So, as the country tries to climb out of the economic doldrums, President Obama, there, trying to make the case once again that part of what will help the recovery is to overhaul the nation's health care system. The president basically saying, look, that is a way to aleve (ph) some of the economic pressure facing America's businesses -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And what about Republicans? What's on their agenda?
QUIJANO: Yeah, well, as you can imagine, Republicans are continuing to say what they've said all along here, when it comes to the health care debate, they say, look, let's get this thing done right, let's not rush it. That's essentially what we heard in today's Republican address. Also, Republicans raise the issue of cost. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN JOHN THUNE (R), SOUTH DAKOTA: In this difficult recession, Americans and our government are already overextended. The Democrats who control Congress have been spending money and racking up debt at an unprecedented pace. And their plan for government-run health care would only make things worse. Once implemented, the democrat plan would spend more than $2 trillion in further increasing our exploding deficit. Their plan would pile up higher costs, create new Washington bureaucracies, and burden every state through new requirements on Medicaid.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: So, that is the Republican line. But, as we know, Fredricka, the deep divisions really in this debate have been within the Democratic Party. And as we mentioned before, and throughout the morning, you know, lawmakers are going to have an opportunity to go back to their home districts and hear firsthand from constituents how they feel about this health care reform issue, what it is that they would like to see. It remains to be seen how those particular opinions, how those views, those constituents' feelings are going to shape not only the debate itself, but perhaps affect the timeframe of these discussions.
WHITFIELD: All right. Elaine Quijano at the White House, thanks so much. Of course, we're not done talking about this topic. You talk about how members of -- congressmen go back, they want to hear from their constituents. Well, even at 4:00 Eastern today, we have a special report covering America, what's in it for you? We know that you have a lot of questions about what this health care reform plan might be about. So, we want to hear from you in the form of comments, and questions on my blog at CNN.com/Fredricka or on Facebook at Fredricka Whitfield CNN.
We'll also have a couple lawmakers with us. And even an uninsured patient, as well as someone who is currently on temporary insurance. We're going to have a nice exchange between all these folks about what they want to see in health care reform.
You can also call us at 1-877-742-5760. We just might be using your comments on the air to help drive this discussion. So, what do Americans think about the job that President Obama is doing, particularly as it pertains to health care reform? CNN's deputy political director, Paul Steinhauser has the latest polls.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Fred, this week Barack Obama marks 200 days in office and one of the big questions, of course it, how's he doing? One way to gauge that is take a look at his approval ratings. This past week we had a slew of national polls asking just that. And what we did here at CNN is we put together a CNN Poll of Polls, which is an average of those national surveys.
Take a look at this, on the approval rating in our survey, in our average, 54 percent of Americans are giving Barack Obama a thumbs up, they approve of how he's handling his duties in the White House, 37 percent disapprove.
That 54 percent is a pretty good number. But check this out, it has dropped seven points from late last month. It was at 61 percent in our Poll of Polls in late June.
What's the reason for this drop? Well, two-fold, one, the economy, and also health care reform. Remember, that has been the big thing this White House has been dealing with the last couple months.
Take a look at our CNN Poll of Polls on specifically how Barack Obama is dealing with health care and you can see Americans are split, 43 percent giving Barack Obama a thumbs up on how he's handling health care reform, 45 percent disapprove.
So, does this drop in approval rating mean a rise for the Republicans? You would think if something goes down, something goes up. No. In this case, no. The Republican numbers are really not jump that much over the last couple months. And most Americans still think the president would do a better job on the economy and health care reform than Republicans in Congress -- Fred.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All right, thanks, Paul. So, has the president's second 100 days -- have they made you a little more frustrated, or much more relieved. It's your chance to actually weigh in. Starting tomorrow, you can vote at CNN.com and be sure to tune in Thursday night at 8:00 Eastern to see the president's final grade. It's part of CNN's "National Report Card: The Second 100 Days."
All right, confusion, frustration, and a lot of disruption at New York's LaGuardia International Airport. This morning, before the sun came up, the terminal was actually shut down. And the Ports Authority officials, they point to a man with a duffel bag.
CNN's Susan Candiotti is at the airport.
You were in the midst of it all, lots of confusion, huge crowds, but what's happening there now? SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Well, things slowly appear, Fredricka, to be getting back to normal, here. As of about 11:00 this morning, central terminal appears to be completely reopening, including concourse C within it, where all of this occurred.
Again, it started at 5:00 this morning when, according to a law enforcement official -- we have some new information for you -- a suspect by the name of Scott Mcgann, who is believed to be a resident of New York City, but initially gave a fake address.
He showed up, and according to this source, had a backpack at a security checkpoint. Attached to the backpack, and in plain view, according to the source, were two six-volt square batteries taped together with wires protruding from it. This man was told by Port Authority police not to move, he didn't comply. The TSA had called in the Port Authority to check things out. And then they said this man appeared as though he was trying to push a switch, but that nothing happened.
The device was then -- or suspicious device was seized. The New York City bomb squad arrived on the scene. They blew it up with a water cannon, blew it apart, and determined that this was a fake device. But, it certainly did cause a lot of disruption, as obviously hundreds of people, even at that early hour, and eventually thousands were pushed out of that entire terminal until authorities could figure out what was going on. Our producer Ross Levitz (ph) spoke with one of those passengers who had been evacuated.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PATTY RAGAN, PASSENGER: Yeah, nobody had said anything. It's been total chaos. It's absolutely bizarre. I've never experienced anything -- I've talked to agents. Nobody seems to know what's going on. I wanted to go to Kennedy to rebook my flight, they said, we don't know if you can do that. I'm so frustrated. I don't live here, I live in Oregon, and I can't wait to get home. This is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CANDIOTTI: And we also have some new information about the suspect who is in custody, at this time. We are told, according to a law enforcement source who is close to this investigation, that Scott McCann has three prior arrests as recently as last month, and two priors in last year, March and April of last year.
The address -- or the arrest, rather, last month had to do with resisting arrest and tampering with evidence. That is all the information we have at this time. Also, he held boarding passes to get on United Airline flight from LaGuardia to Chicago O'Hare, transferring Chicago O'Hare to another United Airlines flight, from Chicago to Denver, and then going from Denver on to a final destination, Oakland, California. We're still waiting to hear at this hour precisely what this man may be charged with. It is likely it may not be only state charges, but possibly federal charges as well. But for now, you can see how much disruption this caused, starting at 5:00 this morning. Eventually the terminal reopening about 11:00, and still flights, of course, are getting back on track. That could take quite a long time, Fredricka, to get back to normal.
WHITFIELD: Oh yeah, that ripple effect is always a nightmare. All right, thanks so much, Susan Candiotti, there at LaGuardia and all the best to the folks who are trying to get from point A to point B.
All right, the government's popular Cash for Clunkers program may soon get another boost of cash. The House has approved another $2 billion for the rebates. But as our Kate Bolduan explains, until the Senate signs off on it, some dealers are becoming a little wary.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Auto dealers saw it as the deal they couldn't and wouldn't pass up.
BOLDUAN (on camera): What was reaction amongst you and your employees when the program really started moving?
ALEX PERDIKIS, VICE PRESIDENT, KOONS AUTOMOTIVE: Well, when we saw the influx of business, the people coming in that were actually ready to buy, it was very exciting. I mean, we had a huge weekend.
BOLDUAN (voice-over): Alex Perdikis of Koons Automotive says they have sold 290 cars at their 16 locations thanks to the Cash for Clunkers program. And they've seen a 40 percent jump in sales compared to the same time last year.
But then reports the $1 billion program was already running out of cash, leaving dealers as well as members of Congress scrambling.
REP NANCY PELOSI, (D-CA) HOUSE SPEAKER: To help our auto industry, to help consumers, to grow our economy, to do it in an environmentally sound way, I think it's a perfect message for us to take home for August.
REP DAN MAFFEI, (D) NEW YORK: This is a godsend for the auto dealers in my district. Don't stall what's working. Give it a fill up, and let's get Cash for Clunkers back on the road.
BOLDUAN: The House quickly passed a $2 billion extension of the clunkers' program. Happy with its success, the White House is also piling on the pressure.
OBAMA: So we're now working with Congress on a bipartisan solution to ensure that the program can continue for everyone out there who's still looking to make a trade.
BOLDUAN: But the back and forth, the threats of stop and go, have some dealers nervous and searching for direction.
BILL ASCHENBACH, KLING PONTIAC BUICK GMC: It affects us right now, because you're still so scared. You're not sure what exactly to do or what's going to happen.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All right, Kate Bolduan is joining us now from a car dealership in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
So Kate, the administration says deals will be honored through this weekend. But does it look like the Senate will actually give the green light to extend the program well beyond? What happens after this weekend?
BOLDUAN: And that is a big question. And something we're hearing people are asking while they're here even shopping. In the Senate, it's not a slam dunk. On the right there are some fiscal conservatives who are very concerned about spending more taxpayer dollars. And on the left, some liberal senators are concerned that the program they don't think goes far enough to increase fuel efficiency. They think the standards that go into this program need to be a little more strict.
But, Senate aides say that really, the reality is, it's just too soon to tell if the Senate will take action on this next week, or if we'll have to wait until September, Fredricka.
And as you and I have been talking, who knows how much money, if any money will be left by that time.
WHITFIELD: Yeah, and for the most part, Kate, does it seem like dealers and even buyers that you've come across this weekend, they like this idea, they like the idea of getting some money for the clunkers that they want to trade in.
BOLDUAN: Yeah, I mean, I have to tell you, I've talked to a few dealers over the past couple days about this program, and they say, look, we love the business. We need people to get out here, this is an incentive. As I've talked to the consumers, the incentive, they're looking for finding a new car, more fuel efficiency, but this is a good incentive to get them out the door and into the lot.
But, dealers are also saying, without fail, with every dealer I've talked to said, they are getting bogged down with the paperwork that is required. They just don't see -- the computer systems keep crashing and it's been really, really difficult to get these applications in to see if these customers can get approved. So, there is some concern and frustration, there.
WHITFIELD: All right, Kate Bolduan thanks so much. A lot of folks who love it, and as you underscored, some critics. We're actually going to be joined by a critic a little bit later on. Why wouldn't you like this trade-in, your clunker for cash idea?
All right. Americans arrested in Iran, also this on our radar. Caught on the wrong side of the border, but why were they there in the first place?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) WHITFIELD: All right, let's talk some stormy weather, which nobody wants to talk about on a Saturday. But Reynolds, that's what we've got.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yeah, I mean, the weather's going to have its own schedule. I mean, whether we like it or not, you're either going to have good weather, bad weather, it's happening.
(WEATHER REPORT)
WHITFIELD: Oh, I like that little whizzy, kick it out of there.
WOLF: Just for you, Fred.
WHITFIELD: All right, thanks Reynolds, appreciate that.
All right, well still lots of unrest and unease in Iran. The trials for some 100 Iranian protesters are actually reportedly taking place today in Tehran. These are the men and women arrested in the streets following the disputed re-election of Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad. Among the charges, writing and conspiring against the ruling system. Some key members of the government complained today's hearings began without their knowledge. Iranian officials say nearly half the detainees arrested during the June street protests were already freed this week.
And three Americans are under arrest in Iran. They weren't taking part in any protests, instead they may have just mistakenly crossed the border from Iraq. We just received this statement from the U.S. State Department saying that they have heard the reports and they're working with Swiss contacts in Iran to actually confirm. They also stress that the protection of American citizens is the highest priority.
CNN's Arwa Damon joins us now from Baghdad.
So Arwa, what's the latest on what you're hearing from there, and help us understand how it is that these hikers, these tourists just happened to end up in the wrong country?
ARWA DAMON, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka. Well, Iran press TV is now reporting that three Americans are in their custody, in the custody of the military, saying that they were detained for illegally crossing the border between northern Iraq and Iran, also because they failed to heed warnings by Iranian border guards.
Now, this is what we know about their journey over the last few days. Four Americans started out in Syria, two of them are students there, headed off to Turkey and entered northern Iraq on the 28th of July. They made their way from the city from Irbil (ph) to (INAUDIBLE) arriving there on Thursday, and then Friday morning, three of them, because -- went to this place called Ahmed Awa, one stayed behind because he wasn't feeling well.
The three at Ahmed Awa was there because it is a very popular tourist destination, a lot of mountains, hiking routes, waterfalls, it's absolutely stunning. But it is also right up against the Iranian border.
They stayed in regular contact with their friend who had remained behind, but then placed a very disturbing phone call at 1:30 on Friday saying we are surrounded by the Iranian military. And that is the last that anyone has heard from them.
Now, local tourist police in the area apparently did spot the group of three before this time, and warned them about the proximity that they were into Iran, about the fact that they should be careful, because they were, after all, Americans, and not Iraqis, and that these are very tense times. Kurdish officials are scrambling now to try to get even more information about exactly what happened, and make sure that these three do come home safe. Because the last thing that anyone wants is to see this blow up into some sort of international incident -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Arwa Damon, thanks so much for those details and of course, we'll keep tabs with the State Department, too, as they try to sort out details and trying to get the Americans out.
All right, the custody battle over Michael Jackson's kids, apparently it's over, at least for now. We'll talk about it with our legal guys.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, as the King of Pop, Michael Jackson wished he wants the custody of all three of his children to go to his mother, Katherine Jackson and so far, it looks like his wishes will be provided there.
Let's talk to our legal guys, Avery Friedman, a civil rights attorney and law professor. Richard Herman, a New York criminal defense attorney and law professor, good to see you both.
OK, well, there were some starting and stopping on this of the custody. Now it looks like Michael Jackson's wishes indeed will be honored. But, you know, his mother is in her 70s and I wonder, and a lot of people wonder, whether we'll revisit this again in the near future -- Richard.
RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTY: Well, Fred, you just...
WHITFIELD: Not too near, but you know what I mean.
HERMAN: Yeah, I mean, you nailed it. She's really 80 years old. And the youngest child is five. And Debbie Rowe, who still has this magic parental rights, which some lawyer messed up in 19 -- in 2001, didn't terminate it properly, but she has shook down the family for another $4 million, and continuing payments to walk away at this time, and consent to Katherine. You know, God forbid when the day comes Miss Katherine Jackson passes away, Debbie Rowe is going to surface again. It's not going to be for money, but in the end it will be for money.
WHITFIELD: Avery, isn't that being disputed in terms of that money, though, it's more like the spousal kind of, or payment that goes in alimony, but not necessarily payment for children. Can you offer some clarity on that one?
AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTY: Yeah, yeah, there is a big difference. Debbie Rowe is getting spousal support, which is very different than child support, two very different things. But you know, my perspective, Richard seems to be a little skeptical about this thing. I have to tell you, when they got together this week, and I think this is a big deal, they all agreed, let's get a psychologist involved, let's see what's best for the children...
WHITFIELD: Because the children don't really know her that well, right? There has not been that kind of interaction between mom and kids.
FRIEDMAN: That's exactly right. They know Debbie, but she really isn't a mother, she's been part of their lives, but what's going to result as a function of this agreement which presumably will be approved in court on Monday is that she will become part of the lives, again, guided by the psychologists. I think it's a win-win for all three children.
HENRY: Avery, it's a lose-lose. When these children, are able to digest the fact that their mother was a test tube for them and sold them for $8.5 million, they're going to walk around with that the rest of their lives.
FRIEDMAN: That's a very cynical approach to this. I think, my view, and I think a lot of people think this, is that let's see what's in the best interests of the children. If the psychologist says it's bad for them, then it will be diminished. But, let's look at the value of what it is for the kids.
HERMAN: Michael's father told him he had a bad nose, a big nose, look how he mutilated himself.
FRIEDMAN: But, Joe Jackson is not involved in this thing. It's going to be Katherine. And when Katherine's gone, whenever that happens, you know, who's next.
WHITFIELD: And let's at least hope, at least for now, that the children are happy, at least they are still with family and a lot of cousins and relatives that they've had interaction with.
Let's talk about now Louisiana Democrat William Jefferson, this corruption. The cold hard facts and cold hard cash. At first it was said, what, $80,000 in the freezer and now I hear at least 90 and now apparently even more than that. But the jury is now going to be dealing with the cold hard facts. So, Avery, how does it look for Mr. Jefferson?
FRIEDMAN: Not good. Here's the deal. There's a foreign corrupt practices act, there's racketeering RICO fraud. And his defense, interestingly enough, that look, I really didn't do an official act, but that isn't what the law says. If there was an intent to do so, the defense argument has been, look, he's a really unethical guy, but what he did was unlawful. I think it's a terrible argument, but that's all they've got.
WHITFIELD: OK, and Richard, real quick, because I want to squeeze in this other situation, which I know you guys have been hot on. These hot $54 million pants. But anyway, let's talk about Jefferson. What do you suppose the jury may do or think?
HERMAN: Well, Jefferson's history, because he's, not like a rock star in California is going to trial in one of these cases. He's a congressman, he's a corrupt congressman. His family members benefited. He shook down people, it's on tape, it's on video. The bills in his freezer were marked bills.
FRIEDMAN: In Virginia.
HERMAN: Yeah, it wasn't -- he's in Virginia, right. It's not a mistake. It's not recklessness, it's not carelessness, it's a criminal act. He's going down.
WHITFIELD: OK, all right, Richard, Avery, we're going to have you back, because we must talk about the $54 million pants.
HERMAN: We got to do it, got to do it.
WHITFIELD: Because it's too interesting and we've been talking about it, it seems like for years now, and now finally, possibly we're going to button it up, so to speak.
HERMAN: Maybe, button it up.
WHITFIELD: All right, Avery, Richard, thanks so much. Talk to you again, soon, in minutes.
All right, so what is fact and what's fiction as it pertains to health care reform. We'll show you where you can actually find answers. Get some clarity on all this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, 31 minutes after the hour right now. A bomb hoax, that's what New York police call an incident that forced passengers at LaGuardia Airport to evacuate for several hours today. One man has been arrested. Police say wires were sticking out of his duffel bag, and apparently they were hooked up to batteries. Officials say the man appeared intoxicated.
And just before members of Congress return home to face the public, a key House committee has passed a health care reform bill. The bill will have to be merged with versions in two other House committees. Prospects in the full House and in the Senate remain uncertain.
All right, part of a compromise plan in the Senate calls for a new tax on insurance companies. More precisely, on one special health care plan they offer.
CNN congressional correspondent Brianna Keilar explains. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They're the best health insurance plans money can buy. In Washington, they have a name.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Super gold-plated Cadillac plans.
KEILAR: What makes them so great?
PAUL FRONSTIN, EMPLOYEE BENEFITS RESEARCH INSTITUTE: No deductible, no co-payments, no co-insurance, unlimited choice in drugs, no restrictions on network.
KEILAR: These plans are often marketed to the wealthy. They cost as much as $40,000, far above the national average of $12,000. And critics say they encourage the overuse of doctor visits and procedures. A Democratic proposal to tax insurance companies that provide these pricey plans is gaining bipartisan support in the Senate, as a way to help pay for health care reform and keep costs down.
SEN. RON WYDEN, (D) OREGON: You can tax insurance companies, and that that will then put pressure on them to try to make sure that people look for more cost-effective health care packages.
KEILAR: Some lawmakers say a tax on plans with premiums over $25,000 could raise as much as $90 billion to reform health care. The insurance industry, which opposes the tax, insists it would hit the policies of middle-class Americans and not just the rich.
Economist and insurance expert, Paul Fronstin, agrees.
FRONSTIN: But you may also fine a plan that costs $25,000 because the average age of the workers is 55. And because they use a lot of health care, the cost of the plan is very high.
KEILAR: Labor unions, a powerful Democratic ally, also opposed the tax. The nation's largest union for public employees and health care workers says insurance companies will pass the cost on to consumers.
STEVEN KREISBERG, AFSCME: Well, we think that any plan involving taxation of health care reform should not make health care more expensive. So alternatively, we think taxing income levels is a better way to go. Another way to do this is to tax capital gains.
KEILAR (on camera): Senator John Kerry is behind this proposal to tax these so-called Cadillac plans, and it's getting a close look from Senator Charles Grassley, Republican of Iowa, a key negotiator in these bipartisan talks going on in the Senate. It's also no coincidence that top Democrats in the House and Senate have stepped up their rhetoric against insurance companies in recent days, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling them immoral villains.
Brianna Keilar, CNN, Capitol Hill.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: So, as the debate rages over health care, it's easy to get lost in all the rhetoric and the rumors. So, we turn to our Josh Levs to sort out some facts. Or maybe facts and fiction, plural on all that, on the internet.
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, you do get some of those, too. You know, Fred, I mean you know me, I like to show up with the hard facts and say here's what the bill says, right ...
WHITFIELD: Yes.
LEVS: ...and be really specific. But as we know, it keeps changing. You've got all these different versions as we're here and here, it keeps moving. So, what I want to do is point to some awesome Web sites or some important Web sites at least that can help you keep track of some of the facts as the story keeps moving.
Let's zoom right in. The first place I'm going to show you is at our Web pages, CNN money.com is one of our sites here. And they've done a great job. I'm going to zoom down quickly. Every time you see a blue line, that's another updated story from the CNN money.com, seems focusing specifically on health care. Sometimes you get five, six stories a day.
Now, a lot of people ask where does President Obama really stand? What has he actually said? You can go to healthreform.gov, and this brings you to where the White House stands, the administration's statements, and what they're calling for. And it brings you to this map in which they give you an argument for why they believe this plan would benefit your state.
I clicked on Nevada as an example. You can see here. They're giving the argument for why Nevada, just one random state, they think would benefit from the plan.
On the flip side, one place to see the GOP position here is gop.gov. And the most popular thing they have at their Web page is this. You might have seen this.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
LEVS: They're calling it the organizational chart of the House Democrats' health plan.
WHITFIELD: You need a little time to navigate that.
LEVS: Yes. Well, they're saying basically it's this crazy, ridiculous bureaucracy that House Democrats are trying to create. They're kind of making fun of the system being proposed by House Democrats by putting this crazy flow chart here.
But on the flip side, you've got some Democrats fighting back with what are these question marks here, saying that's the Republicans' plan. That's from Talking Points Memo. And quickly, the fact checking sites which I love, politifact.com doing a great job of looking at this. Also, Factcheck.org. A great job of looking at this.
Now, there's no way you got all that, which why you don't need it. Go to the graphic. I just -- everything I've just showed you I have listed for you. You can just click on it. CNN.com/newsroom has that whole list. I've also put it on my Facebook ...
WHITFIELD: Perfect.
LEVS: ...and my Twitter, /joshlevscnn.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
LEVS: Fred, we've got the whole list right there.
WHITFIELD: Yes, that's perfect because that's what people need. They need kind of a shortcut ...
LEVS: That's right.
WHITFIELD: ... help them navigate and ...
LEVS: Quick version, yes.
WHITFIELD: ...get a clear understanding. And we're going to do that again, right, at the 4:00 Eastern hour. You're going to be with us. We're going to have a special report covering America. What's in it for you?
We want to hear from you as it pertains to your questions, your comments. What do you want to know about health care reform? Is it even necessary? We're already starting to hear from you.
Theresa Hall (ph) writes on my Facebook, that's one place that you can send us information, question. She says, "We need help, and America needs to start to help all Americans, not just the loudest and the most fortunate."
We're also hearing from you on my blog as well, CNN.com/fredricka. So, please weigh in. We want to hear from you. Also by way of the phone, 877-742-5760. That's the number right there. Give us a call. We'll get you on 4:00 Eastern time.
By the way, you need to watch what you tweet these days. It could land you in legal hot water.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, watch what you tweet. Your comments could get you in legal trouble. CNN's Jessica Gomez tells us about a Chicago woman facing a defamation lawsuit after allegedly complaining about a moldy apartment, and she did it on Twitter.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) JESSICA GOMEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The whole story started here at this luxury Chicago apartment complex with a dispute between a landlord and a tenant.
Horizon Realty Group, which owns this apartment complex, says the tenant wasn't happy about a leak in the roof. That tenant took her complaints to the social networking site Twitter, tweeting that there was mold in her apartment and that her landlord was OK with it. Just 16 words later, and they slapped her with this, a $50,000 lawsuit.
Horizon refused to talk to us on camera, but issues this statement saying simply, "They're trying to protect their reputation."
So, we wanted to sort of find out whether or not this lawsuit has any legs.
PROF. JIM SPETA, NORTHWESTERN UNIV. SCHOOL OF LAW: I don't think at the end of the day it has any legs. Sometimes people bring defamation suits because they just want to clear their names, and that may be what the realty company is thinking about. But I think they'll have a very hard time winning the lawsuit. In this country, we really like free speech. So, we make it very hard for plaintiffs to bring defamation suits. They have to prove it was false.
GOMEZ: All right. Next stop? Internet cafe. Let's go check out what social networkers are saying.
Do you ever think about what you say, that it could offend somebody, or it could be grounds for a lawsuit?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, absolutely. I think there's a level of censorship with that type of media, and it's sort of a new -- it's a new thing that people have to sort of monitor themselves.
GOMEZ: What are your thoughts about this? You're on Facebook, you're on some of these social networking sites. What do you think?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think that people should have right to say what they want to say. But you know, if she was already suing them, then maybe she was kind of digging a hole for herself.
GOMEZ: The tenant has since moved to a new neighborhood. We tried to get a hold of her, but were unsuccessful.
And her Twitter account has been closed down. Experts say while this might be one of the first few cases of its kind, it certainly won't be the last.
Jessica Gomez for CNN, Chicago.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: OK, let's find out if our legal guys tweet. Avery Friedman, a civil rights attorney and law professor and Richard Herman, a New York criminal defense attorney and law professor as well. Do you guys tweet? RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: I don't even know what tweeting is. I'm bad.
WHITFIELD: You don't know how to spell it?
HERMAN: I'm so bad. But you don't tweet either, Fred. So, I heard that.
WHITFIELD: I know, I know, I'm in that camp, too. OK, so I wonder, Avery, is this the first of many cases to come before the legal courts because of saying too much?
FRIEDMAN: Well, it may be. But let me just be very clear. One of the things that was left out of this package is that Jeffrey Michael, who owns this big real estate company, said after he was sued, we're a sue first and ask questions later kind of organization. Let me tell you ...
WHITFIELD: Oh, just a little advertisement, too.
FRIEDMAN: Well, yes, but wait 'til the jury gets their hand on this case. It's going nowhere fast. Seven tweets, this case should be dismissed. I hope the tenant prevails.
WHITFIELD: Wow, OK. Richard, you can weigh in quickly.
HERMAN: Yes, in that -- look, Avery's right, and that professor that we just saw, he's so right. Defamation cases are so difficult to prove, Fred.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
HERMAN: And you know, just because she made a comment, maybe there was water damage in her apartment, truth is a defense.
FRIEDMAN: Yes.
HERMAN: I mean I don't know where it's going.
WHITFIELD: All right, well, let's go to the Guantanamo case. And we're talking about a federal judge who says you know what, young man, young detainee, at this point, he needs to be freed. Avery, why, and on what grounds?
FRIEDMAN: Yes. Mohammad Jawad who might have been as young as 12-years-old has been held in GITMO for almost seven years, Fredricka. And quite frankly, Judge Huvelle who decided this case said, you know what, enough is enough. Even the prosecutor said he was embarrassed about what happened. He's on his way back to Afghanistan.
WHITFIELD: So, he allegedly caused some problems in Kabul.
FRIEDMAN: Maybe.
WHITFIELD: Yes, allegedly.
FRIEDMAN: Yes, yes.
WHITFIELD: And so, the judge is saying at this point, it's just been too long. So Richard, is there sympathy because this was a young person, 12-years-old at the time, that same kind of, I guess courtesy is not being -- or concern is not being extended to other detainees.
HERMAN: Yes, I think what the softness about the case is the fact that there's no evidence against this guy. That's where it's at. And all the evidence they have against him was obtained as a result of special tactics used on him to elicit this information or these confessions.
So, even the government says we have nothing except his confessions. We have no independent corroboration. We're really not ready for trial. The judge has said seven years, Avery's right, I've had enough. He's gone. I want him to go back home to his mama. That's what's going to happen.
FRIEDMAN: America's better than this. It really is.
HERMAN: Yes.
WHITFIELD: OK, well, let's talk about a couple more lawsuits because I guess the theme here is America's a little sue-happy, huh? This one involves Nascar and it involves a small track. And they're saying you know what, they're being squeezed out of the business because Nascar is not signing them up. Avery, do they have a case?
FRIEDMAN: We'll find out. The argument is on this Thursday. Basically, turns on the expert for the small independent track on whether or not it's anti-competitive, anti-trust. I think they're going to lose.
WHITFIELD: Oh, really?
FRIEDMAN: Yes.
WHITFIELD: Richard?
HERMAN: Yes, I think they're going to lose. I think Nascar made an independent determination whether or not to go to this Kentucky speedway. They decided not to. Their schedule was booked up and that's not grounds to sue under a monopoly.
WHITFIELD: OK, now we'll talk about the $54 million pants, the case that I just cannot ...
FRIEDMAN: We've been waiting for this one, Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: ...wait for. Yes, exactly. All right, so finally ...
HERMAN: You have those pants, Avery.
WHITFIELD: Oh right. Well, you know what, by this point now, the guy could have bought, you know, a whole slew of pants, the amount of money that he's spent on this.
FRIEDMAN: That's for sure.
WHITFIELD: So, where are we now? And this is a Washington, D.C. Case. The guy gets upset that his pants, he says, got damaged in a dry cleaners, and so he's suing, doggone it. Now what?
FRIEDMAN: Right. Well, I mean, he's 0 and 4 right now. No. 1, he lost these, remember, his pants.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
FRIEDMAN: Then, he lost the case about the pants.
WHITFIELD: And now, he needs a shirt.
FRIEDMAN: Then, he lost his job and then he lost the case about the job. And the same federal judge, Judge Huvelle, wrote a 39-page opinion, well reasoned. And you know what, believe it or not, I don't think this case is over.
WHITFIELD: Gosh.
FRIEDMAN: I don't think it's over. I think he's going to keep going in the state court. The superior court in D.C. on whistle blower. Crazy.
WHITFIELD: All right, oh OK. Richard, we're done. We're going to have to zip it up.
HERMAN: It is has to go to the Supreme Court. It's not going. This case is over. This guy's ticket should be punched. He doesn't belong being a lawyer. It's ridiculous.
WHITFIELD: OK.
FRIEDMAN: Richard's almost right on that.
WHITFIELD: All right. Richard, Avery, thanks so much. We had so many cases and so little time, once again.
HERMAN: I know.
WHITFIELD: But you know, I love seeing you guys. Have a great weekend.
HERMAN: Bye, Fred. Take care.
FRIEDMAN: Here we are.
WHITFIELD: All right, a decorated Green Beret soldier dies in Iraq. Not at the hands of the enemy, however, but electrocuted in a shower. The contractor cited for failing to ground the equipment gets millions of dollars in bonus money. How some are fighting to get the cash back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Outraged over millions of dollars in bonuses, two senators are demanding that the Pentagon get the money back from a military contractor criticized for shoddy work.
Abbie Boudreau with CNN's "SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT" has this story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ABBIE BOUDREAU, CNN INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT: Subcontractor KBR received $83.4 million in bonus payments for electrical work it performed in Iraq during the past several years. Now, there's a push for KBR to give that money back.
SEN. BOB CASEY, (D) PENNSYLVANIA: These are just absolutely stunning conclusions about failures by KBR, as well as failures by our government.
BOUDREAU (voice-over): U.S. Senators Bob Casey and Byron Dorgan join Sergeant Ryan Maseth's mother at a news conference. Her son was a highly decorated Green Beret who was electrocuted in his shower on a U.S. base near Baghdad last year.
The senators harshly criticized both the Defense Department and Houston-based KBR, the top contractor specifically named in the IG report. They are now demanding that DOD officials take back the $83.4 million in bonus payments the army headed out to KBR for the work it performed in Iraq.
SEN. BYRON DORGAN, (D) NORTH DAKOTA: The question for us is when will there be accountability, accountability that requires contractors to measure up? And how do we get that from both the Pentagon and contractors? We're not going to let go of this because something's dreadfully wrong here.
BOUDREAU: The inspector general's report found that a water pump installed by KBR was not properly grounded, leading to Sergeant Mace's electrocution after it short-circuited. The inspector general also found that electrical conditions are still dangerous for U.S. soldiers at war, even in Afghanistan.
Ryan Maseth's mother says she talks to soldiers who are still getting shocked.
CHERYL HARRIS, RYAN MASETH'S MOTHER: I think we really need to focus on the safety of the troops and the electrical conditions in Afghanistan. And I do know firsthand that our troops are continuing to be shocked even in showers in Afghanistan. I still have contact with a lot of soldiers on the ground over there.
BOUDREAU (on camera): Earlier this week, a KBR spokesperson told us that "While the death of Staff Sergeant Maseth was tragic, KBR continues to maintain that it was not responsible for his death or for any other electrocution." Company officials say the building where Sergeant Maseth lived was a pre-existing building and it was not properly grounded by contractors who built the structure in the first place.
Now, KBR also told CNN "The senators are wrong in their assertion that we have been derelict in our duties to protect the troops." Now, two wrongful death lawsuits were filed against KBR by families of electrocuted soldiers. This week, KBR was dismissed from a lawsuit in one of the deaths. The lawsuit by Ryan Maseth's family is still in court.
Abbie Boudreau, CNN, Atlanta.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: A look at our top stories right now. Passengers are back inside LaGuardia Airport's central terminal. The terminal was actually evacuated this morning after a man walked in with a bag full of wires and two batteries. He has been arrested. Police say the device was a hoax.
And three U.S. troops have been killed in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province today. Roadside bombs hit their patrol. July was the deadliest month for international forces in Afghanistan since the war began.
And taking on the neighborhood. One young man finds his purpose in life by turning crime-ridden streets into a place African-American entrepreneurs can call home.
CNN's Soledad O'Brien has this "Black in America" story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARCEL DEALO (ph): We're standing in front of 1048 Peralta, which was one of the headquarters for the Black Panther Party back in the days. And it's still located right here in the Bottoms.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Today, this symbol of black power comes with flowers and fresh paint for a private family home. Now, part of the rebirth of a community which had been a battleground marked with drugs and despair.
DEALO: Me and Marcel were here one time, and AK-47 bullets rang out. We had to lay all the children down on the ground.
O'BRIEN: Marcel is Marcel Dealo, the man who's trying to turn the Village Bottoms area in West Oakland, California, into an oasis of black economic power. Growing up in a dangerous neighborhood, he said, has helped.
DEALO: It particularly sharpens your senses to how to solve problems. You know, I made it out of that situation myself. So, I'm able to pretty much help a neighborhood make it out of that same situation pretty easily.
O'BRIEN: In the last couple of years, as a landlord and business owner, Dealo has helped at least two dozen black families move back into the Bottoms in restored houses. There's an art gallery now, and a curio shop.
DEALO: We're holding the keys to the neighborhood, right?
O'BRIEN: This cultural center, a community garden.
DEALO: This used to be an old auto wrecking yard. And we're transforming it into a working farm.
O'BRIEN: His own Black Dot Cafe where Dealo meets with urban planning consultants.
DEALO: And the rest of it is vacant land that could probably be used to build up.
O'BRIEN: Dealo's goal? A thriving black presence amid an area already starting to yield to gentrification.
DEALO: My vision of West Oakland is a West Oakland that, of course, it's going to be affected by gentrification and it probably will be one of the most integrated neighborhoods in the Bay area. I just would like to see that the long-time black inhabitants are participating in the new-found wealth.
O'BRIEN: Problems persist. Dealo says he still gets stopped by cops who see a black man, not a businessman. His original financing came from Asian-American bankers. They gave him a better deal, he says, than the black bank officials.
DEALO: Take you out here to my ...
O'BRIEN: Dealo is not slow to take matters into his own hands.
DEALO: This house is from -- predates to 1860s.
O'BRIEN: This historic house was scheduled to be demolished.
DEALO: So, I grabbed a forklift and just moved it.
O'BRIEN: This was the first black family home in the Bottoms, even before emancipation. Now, it sits in Dealo's grandmother's backyard, a bridge between past and future.
DEALO: I come from the bottom. And I believe that true change happens from the bottoms up.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: So, tonight at 8:00, Soledad O'Brien and Roland Martin lead a panel of some of the most influential African-American voices. They'll examine unique and innovative solutions to critical issues facing African-Americans. CNN and "Essence" magazine present "Black in America, Reclaiming the Dream." That's tonight, 8:00 only on CNN.
And coming up today at 4:00 Eastern, we have a special report covering America. What's in it for you? We want to hear your thoughts on health care. And already we are, you're posting your comments on our blog at CNN.com/fredricka or on Facebook.
Already, Marie Dee (ph) says "If people think that Medicare is a successful government program, then ask why are they going bankrupt?" Your comments and questions 4:00 Eastern time.
Right now, time for "YOUR MONEY."
