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Cash For Clunkers Program to Continue Through Weekend; July Deadly Month for International Forces in Afghanistan; Iranian Authorities Take Americas into Custody; LaGuardia Airport Evacuated Due to Fake Bomb; House Passes Health Care Bill Out of Committee Before August Recess; Michael Vick Representing the Humane Society

Aired August 01, 2009 - 14:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Do you own a clunker? There's still time to cask in on the government's Cash for Clunkers program. We're live at a dealership in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

And a security scare at LaGuardia Airport today. We'll tell you who was arrested and why.

And Michael Vick is back -- at least part of the way. And the U.S. Humane Society is forgiving him. Why? I'll ask the CEO.

You're in the CNN NEWSROOM where the news unfolds, live this Saturday. I'm Fredrick Whitfield.

Call it a government program that is a victim of its own success. So many of you signed up for cash for clunkers rebates that the well is almost dry. Yesterday the house approved $2 billion for it, however. But as our Kate Bolduan explains, until the Senate approves it some dealers are becoming wary.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATE BOLDUAN CNN CORRESPONDENT: Dealers sought of 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: 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.

BARACK OBAMA, (D) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: 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, our Kate Bolduan joining us now in Gaithersburg, Maryland at a car dealership. So, Kate will the program indeed be extended?

BOLDUAN: It is not a slam dunk, Fredricka. The bill that passed in the house still has to pass in the Senate.

And this is what's going on there. On the right, fiscal conservatives, they don't want to spend more taxpayer money. And on the left, some liberals, they don't think that this program as it was passed originally goes far enough to increase fuel efficiency.

And Senate aides tell CNN very simply they don't know. It is too soon to tell if the Senate will take action next week or if they'll wait until September, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: OK. And what do most of the dealers think about this idea? Do they like it? Certainly they're now seeing customers that perhaps they weren't seeing before the cash for clunkers program.

BOLDUAN: You won't find a dealer who isn't happy with a bump in business. We have been talking to customers, the general manager here at the Fitzgerald auto mall here in Gaithersburg. They're happy with the business and hoping customers come in and see signs just like this -- "Cash for clunkers, government offer."

Customers we've been talking to, their saying they've been the market looking for cars, but this was the incentive, exactly the point of it, to get out and to actually look and see if they could make a deal.

But on the flip side, the dealers, they are concerned they're getting bogged down with the paperwork required to even submit for approval. And that is a problem. The general manager here said they have had people almost working 'round-the-clock. There has been some problems with computer systems, and that's a big problem.

And then again there is what happens after this weekend. Everyone says that is still a big question mark.

WHITFIELD: All right, Kate Bolduan, thank you so much. Appreciate that from Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Off course, not everyone is a fan of the cash for clunkers program. It seems hard to believe. In ten minutes we'll ask an auto analyst Laurie Fiks, you're familiar with her, why she thinks this program itself is a clunker.

Let's talk about some international matters before we get back to the domestic issues.

As President Obama beefs up U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan, America's losses are growing. July was the deadliest month for international forces since the war began.

And three more U.S. troops have been killed today. Our Ivan Watson is in Kabul -- Ivan?

WATSON: Hi, Fredericka.

Yes, it was a bloody day here. Three American servicemen killed in southern Afghanistan of Kandahar in southern Afghanistan, killed when their patrol hit two roadside bombs.

These improvised explosive devices, they have been the number one threat to U.S. and NATO forces. They are what helped make last month the deadliest month yet of this eight-year war.

And in a separate incident, a French soldier was killed, another wounded in a battle with Taliban insurgents in a province directly to the north of the Afghan capital.

One point here, though -- his has been a deadly month, July, for NATO and U.S. troops. Their numbers are ramping up here to now more than 100,000 boots on the ground.

In addition to that, the Afghan civilian population is really bearing the brunt of this conflict. The United Nations released a report this week saying that Afghan civilian casualties were up 24 percent in the first six months of the year over last year.

More than 1,000 Afghan civilians killed. The number one cause of death for them, Fredericka, is roadside bombs and suicide attacks carried out by the Taliban. The number two cause of death, air strikes carried out by U.S. and NATO planes.

WHITFIELD: Interesting. And so now we are talking about presidential elections right around the corn. You have to wonder how all of this may be impacting the elections. IVAN WATSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well that is a very important question right now. Right now you do have some 41 Afghan presidential candidates that are out stumping, putting up their posters, out trying to win votes.

And we have been following some of them around. The interesting thing is that very few are talking about this Taliban insurgency killing American and NATO troops on the ground. Instead they're focusing on issues like unemployment, a very difficult economic situation that many Afghans are in right now.

And also, the opposition candidates lobbing accusations against the Afghan president, incumbent president, Hamid Karzai, who's favored to win on August 20th, accusing his government of corruption and inefficiency. Very little comment on this Taliban insurgency.

So very interesting development here in this political, political campaign here -- Fredericka?

WHITFIELD: Ivan Watson in Kabul, thanks so much for that.

Three Americans have reportedly been arrested in Iran for illegally entering the country from Iraq. Iran's Press TV reports the Americans are backpackers, warned not to hike in the mountains of Iraq's Kurdistan region because of how close it is to the border of Iran.

CNN Arwa Damon is in Baghdad with the very latest. So Arwa, were there clear markers? Is it fairly understandable how one can cross into the border and not know it?

ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Actually, Fredericka, there aren't any clear markers in the area. It is very much a natural border. And so police in the area had also warned these three about the proximity that they were in to Iran, and saying you should watch yourself, because these are tense times, and you are Americans and not Iraqis.

Now the State Department has issued a statement, saying it is asking Swiss diplomats to look into these reports on Iranian TV and if in fact the three are being held by the Iranians to see if they can gain consular access.

What we're hearing from Kurdish officials is that they believe they are still being held at the border post up north near to the border with Kurdistan.

Here is what we know about the journey these three took. In fact, four Americans started out from Syria, where two are believed to be students. They went from Syria to Turkey and then crossed into northern Iraq.

It might seem a bit strange that they were coming to a place known as a war zone, but northern Iraq is very different from the rest of Iraq. It hasn't been plagued by the levels of violence and sectarian infighting that has caused much of the bloodshed here and is in fact thriving.

So they arrived, and then one of them fell ill. And on Friday morning, the other three went to this area called Ahmed Awa near the border, kept in regular contact with their friend, who stayed behind, until they placed a phone call at 1:30 local time on Friday saying we're surrounded by the Iranian military.

And that is last that anyone has heard from any of them. The concern, of course, is that this could escalate into an international incident, especially given the tensions between the U.S./Iraq/Iran triangle -- Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: All right, Arwa Damon. Thanks so much, hoping the best for the hikers. Appreciate that.

In the meantime, the trials for some 100 Iranian protestors are reportedly taking place today in Tehran. These are the men and women arrested in the streets following disputed reelection of the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Among the charges, rioting 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 free this week.

Cash for clunkers, more on that. It seems to be a pretty popular program. Dealers seem happy. People are buying cars. So what's not to like? We talked to an auto analyst who said there are lots of problems.

Also big problems at LaGuardia airport earlier today. We'll explain why one terminal was evacuated and how traveling is going now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: He had a ticket to ride, but he didn't make it past security. And neither did a lot of people at New York's LaGuardia International Airport today.

Before the sun even came up a terminal there was shut down, all because of what one passenger allegedly was carrying.

CNN's Susan Candiotti is at the airport. Well, tell us about the suspect, this person, and what kind of charges he is now facing?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Fredericka, let's start off with how they found this guy in the first place. And it appears from all accounts that he stuck out sort of like a sore thumb.

Here is what we are learning from a law enforcement source close to this investigation. A man approached a security checkpoint around 5:00 in the morning. At that time, according to the source, he was wearing a backpack and attached to the outside of it were two square, six-volt batteries with wires sticking out of it. So the TSA immediately contacted the port authority, the police here. They told him to stop. They said that he didn't comply. He wouldn't stop and appeared instead as though he was trying to push a button or a switch. But nothing happened.

So at this point, the suspicious device was seized. The New York City police department bomb squad appeared on the scene, took it outside, secured it, and blew a water cannon at it, blew it up, and determined that it was a fake device.

WHITFIELD: Sounded like he wanted to get caught?

CANDIOTTI: I'm sorry, Fredericka?

WHITFIELD: It sounded like he wanted to get caught?

CANDIOTTI: Well, of course, there is no way of knowing that. We certainly have no way of knowing that directly. But it does appear as though the he didn't tried to hide the device in any way given how the sources describe it.

Also, it appeared as though they said it appeared to be a bomb and therefore, according to the source, it certainly looked as though he was trying to blow something up.

The question, of course, is, who is this person? He has been identified to us by again a law enforcement source with information about the situation, that he's Scott McGann, in his early 30s, apparently a resident of New York. He gave them a fake address at the beginning.

And he does have three prior arrests on record, including one for what seemingly minor charges just last month.

Currently he is being charged by New York State on three counts. We understand they are carrying a false bomb, planting a false bomb in an area of mass transit, and also making terrorist threats.

So again, these are state charges, and he does -- is expected to make a court appearance either tonight or tomorrow morning.

WHITFIELD: Yes. And, of course, it caused a real mess for so many travelers who were trying to get out that terminal, ended up being evacuated, and it meant a lot of folks were late and planes were grounded for some time. The ripple effect we know what happens after that.

Susan Candiotti, thanks so much from LaGuardia. Appreciate that.

Cash for clunkers seems to be getting Americans back into the auto show rooms these days and doing something they haven't been doing in a while, buying a new car. So in dealerships across the country it seems like a win-win.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It would probably be a good idea for the government to get these less fuel-efficient cars off the road. It would reduce our dependence on foreign oil to some extent, you know.

TONY AKINS, CONSUMER: It will give me more money than what my car is worth. And I don't have $4,500 to put down on a new car.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right. A lot of folks are very happy about it.

But not everyone is happy. Auto analyst Lauren Fix, you know her, seen her a lot. We talked to Lauren on so many different occasions about all things vehicles. "Lauren Fix's guide to loving your car" is one of her books.

She's joining us from Buffalo, New York. Good to see you. OK. You are going to rain on the parade here, because we are hearing from all sorts of folks across the country, from car buyers to even the dealers who say we love this. It means that people are getting new cars. People are spending money, and they're getting a break by doing so.

What's not to like about this?

LAUREN FIX, AUTOMOTIVE ANALYST: Well I think a lot of people were discriminated against. Think about it. If you have always leased a car, you are not eligible. If you have been wise about saying I will buy a great fuel efficient car or maybe even a hybrid, you are not eligible.

If you don't have the credit rating, the last thing you want to be doing is purchasing a new car with higher insurance payments. Isn't that how we got here to begin with?

WHITFIELD: My gosh, Debbie Downer here.

FIX: Sorry.

WHITFIELD: So you leased a car. That's your choice. But now for a lot of people who have an old car they, you know, haven't been able to afford, a larger down payment on getting a new car, the incentive is you turn in your old car, and you get $4,000 or something to that effect as credit?

FIX: You end up with like $4,209 because it is a taxed incentive.

But you would think it is a great incentive, but then you have to look at why do we have this? The goal was to get 2008 and 2009 cars off the road.

And it's almost like another automotive bailout but from the consumer side. You think we created all this demand. You didn't really create demand. You had people waiting. If you look at the sales for April, May, June they were absolutely dismal. The reason they were, they were people leasing, people that weren't eligible, or people said I don't want to be part of this program.

And what's happening is now you are going to watch July and August sales just be absolutely fantastic and the government is going to take credit for it. The truth is consumers sat on their hand and waited.

WHITFIELD: But isn't this good news for the so many car dealers who, you know, squeezing every penny and every dime to try to stay open? We know that so many car dealers in huge numbers had to close down earlier this year. Now you have a few car dealers saying we are so glad people are finally making their way in. What's the matter with that?

FIX: That is the best part of the thing is those little dealers in those towns, the people who have so much invested in their community and in cars in the industry and in their businesses, that is the best part of the whole thing. They're getting rid of the 2008, 2009 models, and they have 2010s coming in a few weeks. So they want to be able to get the cars off the lot.

However, we are never going to sell in the next year 16 million cars again. We will be lucky if we make 10 million cars. So because they overproduced, this is the back side. It's advantageous to some consumers but not all. I actually advocated that instead --

WHITFIELD: Is there a plan that would be advantageous for everybody?

FIX: I think we should be $1,000 towards every new driver. I am looking to buy a new car for my son. If I got $1,000 toward a new car, I might look at a Kia or a Ford Focus for him. That might be an option.

But if I don't have anything coming and nothing to trade in, a lot of people are ineligible.

I would also have like to see $1,000 towards car maintenance, because the goal was to make the cars more environmentally friendly. And that's because people who buy new cars don't maintain them, and many people who have older cars don't maintain them, which is why they're clunkers.

WHITFIELD: So are you at least hopeful that somewhere down the pipeline there may be some efforts like this or programs underway. We know that particularly with American car dealers, or with American car manufacturers, there are some more energy efficient, hybrid type vehicles down the pipeline. And that in turn is something that might be able to benefit everybody if you, again, can afford to buy a car.

FIX: Right. There is a lot of repercussions. People think you are getting all the clunkers off the road. Isn't that awesome? We have safer cars on the road. People that can't afford to purchase new cars are.

While, those recyclers we're sold a bill of good. These people that are taking the cars and shredding them, they're making $80 a car at the most. People are trading in cars without hoods, doors, back seats. center consoles, and they're taking them.

We also don't know if they're being shredded, because there is no used car czar. Do we need another czar? I don't think so.

WHITFIELD: Lauren Fix, maybe you will be getting a call.

FIX: I hope not. It would be a nightmare for me.

WHITFIELD: Thank you so much. Thank you for being with us this lovely Saturday, joining us from Buffalo.

FIX: Thank you, Fredericka.

WHITFIELD: Appreciate that.

FIX: You are welcome.

WHITFIELD: OK, well, it's hard to forget what Michael Vick's dogs were forced to do, right? so does the U.S. humane society. Why are they now considering Vick an ally.

The head of the organization answers some of your questions live in 20 minutes from now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(NEWS BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Debating health care -- what do you want to see? Perhaps you are looking for a chance to ask your congressman or woman directly. We'll get you a status report from Washington.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Here is what is happening right now.

Three U.S. troops have been killed in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province. Roadside bombs hit their patrol.

A French soldier was killed in a separate attack.

July was the deadliest month for international forces in Afghanistan since the war began.

And trials began today for some 100 Iranian election protestors. They were arrested following the disputed reelection of the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Among the charges, rioting and conspiring against the ruling system.

And LaGuardia airport's central terminal somewhat getting back to normal after that scene earlier today. Some flights however, are still delayed.

The terminal was actually evacuated this morning after a man walked in with a backpack full of wires and two batteries taped together, allegedly. Authorities say it was not a bomb, but a hoax.

The suspect has been arrested on several charges including carrying a fake bomb into an airport.

Expect to hear a lot, a lot more about health care reform this month. Your congressman and women and senators are coming home. And most likely you'll get a chance to tell them exactly what you think. After all, there are lots of proposals still floating around.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN THUNE, (R) SOUTH DAKOTA: I hope that as we continue this important debate, we can put aside the politics of Washington and tackle health care reform in the bipartisan way that Americans deserve.

It's time for real reform that works, not the same old answers of more money and more government. Real health care reform should cost Americans less money, not more. It should provide better quality, not worse. And it should empower patients, not government bureaucrats.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: CNN's Elaine Quijano is live at the White House with more on this. So Congress recessing for about a month, but the president still will be full steam ahead, right, on his message?

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's exactly right.

And you know, Fredricka, we should tell you the president obviously, first of all, is pleased the House energy and commerce committee last night passed its own version of health care legislation.

In a written statement, the president said "This historic step by the House energy and commerce committee moves us closer to health insurance reform than we have ever been before. The bill that they have passed will strengthen consumer protections in choice while lowering costs improving care."

But the White House knows it is in for a tough fight. The month of August, as you noted, is going to be a critical time, because what lawmakers hear back in their home districts could make or break health care reform and whether or not it gets done this year -- Fredericka?

WHITFIELD: Elaine Quijano, thanks so much.

And I know that a lot of his aides are hunkering down this weekend trying to talk about the next step. He is at Camp David. But I guess, how are they all trying to make sure that they are on the same page? QUIJANO: Yes, that's exactly right. They are trying to do just that. In fact, we saw a bunch of vehicles, we should tell you, just behind the camera, actually, on West Executive Avenue, leaving.

It was day two, basically, today of this White House retreat where we saw 22 cabinet-ranking members come in, sit down to discuss how they think they have done basically over the past six months. We're just passed that mark.

They are also looking at what their goals and priorities are going to be moving forward. Obviously the economy and health care two big issues the administration is dealing with right now.

WHITFIELD: All right, Elaine Quijano, thanks so much, from the White House.

A little bit more on the president's schedule as we get into a new work week. On Monday, President Obama attends an event celebrating the new G.I. Bill. It gives major new incentives to our active duty troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And then on Wednesday, the president heads to the Midwest where he is expected to talk about the economy and, what else? Health care. He will be in Elkhart, Indiana. It is his second trip there as president.

So, have the president's second 100 days been days of change or days of frustration, or perhaps both? It's your time to weigh in. Starting tomorrow, you can vote at CNN.com. And be sure to tune in on Thursday night at 8:00 eastern to see the president's final grades.

It's part of CNN's "National report card, the second 100 days."

With competing visions and versions of health care reform, it is easy to get tripped up by misinformation. So our Josh Levs sifts through the confusion with a little help from a politically savvy friend.

JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, guys. The health care debate is heating up. And obviously right now we have claims flying back and forth left and right, metaphorically and literally, and we need to reality check them.

So in order to do that, we are bringing in Bill Adair form politifacts.com. Bill, how are you?

BILL ADAIR, EDITOR, POLITIFACT.COM: Good. Thanks for having me.

LEVS: I want to start off today with something interesting. One of the latest ones you all have on politifacts.com you are giving him a full flop on health care. What's that about?

ADAIR: It has to do with something he said back during the campaign. Back in the early part of the campaign for the Democratic nomination, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards mandated that people get health insurance coverage as part of their health coverage plan. That was what led to be universal.

Obama did not. In fact, he made a point the he would not mandate it because he was afraid people could not afford it.

Fast forward to today, Obama is now supporting a mandate.

LEVS: Actually one of the most memorable Clinton versus Obama moments of the campaign last year, when she was waving the fliers saying, "Barack Obama shame on you," and he had ads out about her. That's what he was getting at, this idea of a mandate for everyone to have health insurance.

ADAIR: Exactly. And he criticized her for having that mandate. And that led to the big "shame on you" response.

So in our view that makes this really a full flop. So that is how we rated it on our flip-o-meter. Obama has acknowledged that much, and so a full flop for this one.

LEVS: Got to love politics.

Let's look at the other side, now. You have one on Republicans, that's interesting. This began, as I understand it, as an editorial, but was picked up by a lawmaker. You are giving this your "pants on fire" rating. What is this about?

ADAIR: The claim is on page 16, very precise, of the health care bill is a provision that would outlaw private individual health insurance.

And that was in "Investors' Business Daily" in an editorial and then has been picked up by Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and many blockers and say look, this health care bill that's pending could be disastrous and would outlaw your coverage, they say.

It is not true. If you go to page 16 as we did, it has no such thing. It is so ridiculous we gave it our lowest rating, "pants on fire."

LEVS: Bill Adair, thanks so much.

ADAIR: Thank you, josh.

LEVS: All right, guys, back to you.

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks, Josh, and Bill.

American soldiers and their families are finding it harder and harder to get timely access to routine care at army medical centers and clinics. In fact it has reached a five-year low.

A study provided by the army to "USA Today" shows 16 percent of army patients can't get appointments with their primary doctors. So they are sent to doctors off base.

The study also shows that 26 army medical facilities don't meet the Pentagon standard requiring 90 percent of patients get routine care appointments within seven days.

All right, 4:00 eastern time. We will talk about covering America. What is in it for you? Want to hear your thoughts on health care. Post your comments on our blog, CNN.com/Fredericka or on Facebook at Fredericka Whitfield at CNN. Or call us. We might be using your comments on the air. We'll share some of your comments throughout the day as well.

Could animal lovers really forgive Michael Vick? With the dog fighting conviction behind him, the former NFL quarterback is teaming up with the U.S. Humane Society.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Convicted dog fighter Michael Vick is now lending his voice to the Humane Society and its campaign to stop dog fighting in this country.

Wayne Pacelle is president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States. He joins us from Washington. Good to see you.

WAYNE PACELLE, THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Good to see you.

WHITFIELD: Folks may be able to see what Michael Vick may be able to get out of this being a poster child of the U.S. Humane Society. It is helping him in part, maybe, kind of redeem his reputation. But what does the Humane Society get out of this?

PACELLE: Really, Michael Vick came to us. He came to us precisely because we were his toughest critic. We advocated for his prosecution under federal laws we help to draft. We did lots of things to advance the case, as did, obviously, the federal prosecutors.

WHITFIELD: And he knew that. He knew you were all big advocates on, you know what, he is going to made an example. This is what happens when you carry out this kind of activity.

PACELLE: Exactly.

WHITFIELD: So then why did he turn around and want to do you a favor, perhaps, or are you doing him a favor?

PACELLE: I think that his intentions are his intentions. I am sure he will be speaking out soon.

But for us, our goal is not to endlessly flog Michael Vick or any single individual. Our goal is to have a full court press against dog fighting. And we're targeting professional dog fighters, making busts every week with law enforcement officials.

But the one growth area for dog fighting is street fighting -- young, urban kids in urban communities who are involved with pit bulls and fighting them to the death.

We think that Michael Vick, after he approached us, could play a potential role in combating that problem.

WHITFIELD: And how would that happen? Can you describe what you have in mind how he would be that conduit? Would he actually be the one to go and talk to some of the young people directly?

Or is it simply a continuous reminder that he got busted for it and this is what happens, you could ultimately almost lose everything then have to find a way to get back on your feet?

PACELLE: I think it is a continuous reminder.

But also, we have community based programs where we actually have ex-dog fighters, ex-gang members do outreach on the street to at-risk kids who are really kind of getting their first touch with this world of dog fighting. We try to pull them back. We try to steer them away from it into more productive activities, like behavior training for pit bulls or agility testing for their pit bulls.

We are doing this in Atlanta and Chicago. Hope to expand around the country. When Vick approached us, I thought we don't want him doing a PSA or just speaking in general. We want him intervening on the streets because he had this experience. He started as a young boy in Newport News involved in dog fighting.

WHITFIELD: That was at the core of your opinion, your op-ed that you wrote for the Humane Society's publication.

I will read a little bit of it. It says "Maybe if there had been an intervention program in Newport News 15 years ago, a young Michael Vick would have grown to love and respect pit bulls and he would not have done these terrible things to dogs."

You feel wholeheartedly you have got to reach young people or you have got to help break this cycle of what some say is a culture of dog fighting or finding it acceptable.

PACELLE: Right. It is really -- Michael Vick served time. He has been punished. And obviously we don't condone in any conceivable way what he did.

The goal is not about him only. It is this larger issue. There are tens of thousands of kids getting involved in dogfight.

So we thought we could leverage his interest, because of his celebrity and status and his story of having such a fall, in order to reach these kids and intervene.

Yes, maybe a 10-year-old, or 12-year-old who is thinking about this might get a hand from Michael Vick in pulling them out of this world. That's what we think is the benefit of the program.

But it remains for Michael to do this. He just got out of home confinement. It will be up to him. He essentially pledged to do two events a month with our community -based programs. And that's what we're excited to see if it makes a difference.

But it is up to him. We are not vouching for his character. We're saying let's get this done together.

PACELLE: This certainly caught the attention of a lot of people including myself, because usually you see celebrities that are attached to the Humane Society.

We pulled a list that you advertise on your Web site, and pulled pictures. We are talking about, Ed Asner, Jenna Elfman, Jessica Biel, Candice Bergen, Alicia Silverstone, now add to the list, Michael Vick.

You had a chance to meet with him even though you were one who was advocating full-bore prosecution of him. What was the takeaway, what did you feel about him once you met him? Did you feel his efforts are genuine, or do you feel that it was not?

PACELLE: Let me just say he is not really a spokesperson for us. Those folks you mentioned do speak out, they are really advocating for the broader set of principles. This is almost a community service sort of engagement that he is doing.

He is not speaking out as a -- as a person in PSAs or other settings. But we are going to give him a platform to get involved in our community based programs, just like some of the other folks who do the outreach on the street, and outreach at the churches, and boys clubs, because we have got so many kids unfortunately who are touching this world of dog fighting.

It is the one growth area of dog fighting, called street fighting, as compared to professional dog fighting where people are paying attention to the bloodlines and selling dogs to into the world of dog fighting.

But you asked about his sincerity. He said all the right things to me when I met with him in prison and then subsequently. But it is only going to be his deeds we will measure. He said the right things, which obviously he had to do for us to give him this opportunity. But it is really going to, going to be determined in the weeks ahead.

PACELLE: Wayne Pacelle, CEO, we appreciate your time, CEO of the Humane Society of the United States.

And of course, this has elicited quite the response from people all week long. We have actually asked your opinions as well on our blogs and iReports. And so here's what some of you had to say.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Those of us that speak for the animals, woof, don't care if he plays football again, because I can assure you, there are many like myself that would never even watch on television a game by a football team that would allow a man who has so little regard for other beings to play on their football field.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There are many NFL players who have extensive rap sheets and are still allowed to lace up. If Vick proves he has learned from his past mistakes, has changed personally, and that he will continue to be a better teammate as well as member of the community, he should be allowed to play.

What team decides to pick him up, however, is a different story.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks to the iReporters out there.

And we also heard from you via Facebook and blog. From Rohan on my Facebook, "Vick has done enough to redeem himself and I'm sure he will continue to do more." And Joy also writes on Facebook, "He should work full time for the Humane Society. He is not a role model our youth should look up to and wear the jersey of."

And a few of your thoughts there on Michael Vick. Thank you for sharing with us.

All right, meantime, let's talk other investigations that are ongoing right now and taking place.

Investigators looking into the reselling of burial plots at a Chicago area cemetery have made yet another discovery. They found a second site where remains were dumped.

Workers have a tedious job removing soil, using hand tools to look for bones in the dirt. Police say it's going to be hard to identify them.

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STEVE PATTERSON, COOK COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: We don't know if they're from 1,000 people or 100 people. That's part of the problem that we are having in identifying so many of these is they just have all been mixed up.

Some of them have names on them. Some have serial numbers on them. We are using those to match up against cemetery records to find out who should be, who those belong to.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Four cemetery workers have been charged with a single felony count each.

And new evidence in the Michael Jackson case suggests the pop star shopped around for a doctor who would give him the powerful anesthetic Propofol. That's the drug a source close to the investigation says Dr. Conrad Murray is suspected of giving Jackson hours before he died.

This latest piece of information comes from a search warrant which names another doctor who says he previously denied Jackson's request for that drug.

PACELLE: Learning how to be a man, it's no easy task, especially if your dad is not even there. But one Canadian is taking it seriously. Learn why he is inviting boys to Harveytown. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Harveytown is more than a place on a map. The brain child of comedian Steve Harvey, it's a spot where the African-American sons of single moms can learn what it takes to be a man.

CNN's Soledad O'Brien takes us there.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you. Good morning. Time to get up.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT: Bertha Harris has her hands full every morning.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have to go.

O'BRIEN: A single mother of four, she works full time and goes to college. So she relies heavily on her 14-year-old son Xavier to help with his younger brother and sister, to help with the chores.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I vacuum and I clean off the counters, and stove and microwave.

O'BRIEN: Xavier often has to bear the responsibilities of manhood, but he does so without a guide. His last adult male influence, his stepfather, left in 2006. And his absence weighs heavily on Xavier.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I wish he was here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In four, and three, and two, and one. We up, guys. We up.

STEVE HARVEY, COMEDIAN: I want to talk to you about the big weekend coming up on Father's Day weekend.

O'BRIEN: Steve Harvey is famous for being funny. But he couldn't be more serious when it comes to the mentoring weekend at his north Dallas ranch, Harveytown.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We going to fish.

O'BRIEN: One hundred young African-American men have been chosen to participate in this first-time event, and Xavier is one of them. All are being raised by single mothers, or other single women. All are looking for positive male role models.

And each one is in for Harvey's tough takes on what it means to be a real man.

HARVEY: I want these boys to walk out of here and go, you know what? Real men go to work every day. Real men respect women. Real men talk to god. Real men are responsibility for their families. Real men have jobs. That's what manhood is. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the barrel stock in the gun when not playing or ref tells you, just keep your barrel stock on for your safety.

O'BRIEN: Over four days there's a lot of fun, but also plenty of plain talk.

HARVEY: "Millionaire" and "thug" does not go in the same sentence.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Soak up everything you can get.

O'BRIEN: There are seminars are getting into college.

HARVEY: People respect you when you use your mind.

O'BRIEN: On the importance, even on learning how to tie a tie.

HARVEY: You want to get a job, you've got to look like you're hirable. So let's teach a guy how to tie a tie. You can lose a job just on your appearance. It happens all the time.

So come on, man. Let's get in there and let's teach these boys the things that men have to do.

O'BRIEN: Someone to show him what to do and how to do it -- that's what Xavier wanted. And after a little patience and guidance, that's exactly what Xavier got.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's how you tie a tie. Excellent, man.

O'BRIEN: At Harveytown.

HARVEY: The majority of you in here will become businessmen, CEOs, entrepreneurs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I wanted to be able to meet a successful man, let them tell us about their lives and what they did and how they came from somewhere small. I learned that, do what you want to do, follow your dreams.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And 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 at 8:00, only on CNN.

Who in the world would poison horses, and why? That's what investigators in California want to know.

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