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Bomb Scare Closes Down LaGuardia Airport; Severe South Texas Drought Threatens Farmers; California Looks at Legalizing Marijuana for the Taxes; Female Gator Trapper Breaks the Ceiling in Florida
Aired August 01, 2009 - 16:58 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Right now in the news -- air travel disrupted nationwide. We're live at LaGuardia. Shut down for a time because of what one passenger tried to take from security.
Stuck in an enemy state. American tourists arrested in Iran. We'll tell you if they're going to become the next political pawn for an anti-American government. We'll take you to the Middle East, as well.
Clunker confusion. Well, you can still get cash for your clunker but for how long is the question. We go straight to the dealership and an auto expert answers your questions live here in CNN.
And refer madness. California says, if you got them, smoke them. But they want in on the deal.
Plus, cover your ears. Why all the screaming in Thailand today?
The news starts right now.
Hello, everyone. I'm Don Lemon. An intoxicated man, a mysterious backpack and an airport security checkpoint. It all added up to travel chaos today, at New York's LaGuardia airport. And the ripple effects disrupted travel nationwide for hours.
Our national correspondent Susan Candiotti is at LaGuardia Airport.
Susan, we're learning new information about the man in custody. Tell us what you have learned.
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We are, Don, and it's very curious. We're now learning from New York's Port Authority Police more about this suspect. And they are saying that he has been homeless for at least a year, he appeared and showed up at the airport here dirty and disheveled. And in a near catatonic state. That's how they describe it. But he surely caused a lot of confusion.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): Hundreds of passengers were hurried outside one of LaGuardia's terminals by a bomb scare that disrupted flights for hours.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's sad. It's sad that we live in a society that people are like that.
CANDIOTTI: At 5:00 a.m., passengers were just starting to arrive when suspect 32-year-old Scott McGann approached this security checkpoint.
(on camera): A law enforcement source tells CNN McGann appeared intoxicated, and was carrying a backpack. Attached to its outside, in plain view, were two square batteries with wires sticking out. When asked not to move, McGann allegedly failed to comply. He looked as though he was trying to push a switch, but nothing happened.
(voice-over:) McGann was arrest and the terminal evacuated, sending scores of air travelers dragging suitcases into the hot sun. Outside, New York's bomb squad used a water cannon to detonate the device. It was fake.
DAVID GINZBERG, PASSENGER: A bomb scare is a bomb scare. They can't hope it's a false alarm every time, because some time they will be wrong.
CANDIOTTI: Passengers were on standby while flights were delayed or canceled, before the terminal fully reopened after about six hours.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CANDIOTTI: Law enforcement authorities also tell us this man, McGann, has three prior -- at least three prior New York City arrests. And he now faces state charges as well, including planting a fake bomb and making terror threats.
We have some more questions about him. How did he get his hands on boarding passes? We are told he had passes for connecting flights from New York to Chicago to Denver and on to Oakland, California. Don?
LEMON: All right, Susan Candiotti at LaGuardia Airport in New York. Susan, thank you.
The man who threat to, quote, assassinate the new president of the United States has heard from a federal judge. Under a plea bargain, 21 year old Timothy Ryan Gutierrez has been sentenced to four years probation, with ten months of house arrest. Gutierrez pleaded guilty back in May to making threats by e-mail. He also threatened to blow up the Mall of America outside Minneapolis. Gutierrez could have gotten 18 months in prison.
Not one motive, but two, behind the murder of that couple in the Florida Panhandle a few weeks ago. A source tells CNN prosecutors believe it was not only robbery, but a contracted hit and only the alleged organizer, Leonard Gonzalez Jr. and a yet to be named suspect, knew about the planned hit. The motive behind the hit? No one is sure.
Sources also say a second safe has been found at the home containing 100,000 dollars. Scambia County investigators are not commenting. The couple were known for a adopting special needs kids. To Iran now and word that three American tourists have been arrested and detained by the Iranian government. It happened along the border with Iraq, where the Americans apparently went hiking. Senior State Department officials say the U.S. has identified the three detainees and that their families have been notified. CNN's Arwa Damon has an update from Baghdad. Arwa?
ARWA DAMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The U.S. Department of State has asked Swiss diplomats to look into reports on Iranian TV that they have, in fact, arrested three Americans, and if this is true, to see if they could gain counselor access. Iranian TV is reporting that the three were detained by the Iranian military along the border with northern Iraq for illegally crossing into Iran and failing to heed the border guard's warnings.
The three's journey started in Syria with a fourth companion. From Syria they want to Turkey, and then crossed into northern Iraq and arrived on Thursday. On Friday morning, three of them -- one stayed behind because he was sick -- traveled to an area called Ahmed Awa (ph), right up against the Iranian border. This is a beautiful tourist destination. Very popular for hikers and people who admire nature alike.
The three were in regular contact with their friend until 1:30 p.m. on Friday. That is when the last phone call was made, saying we are surrounded by the Iranian military. Local police in Ahmed Awa did say that they warned the three, because of the close proximity that they were in to Iran, saying these are tense times; you are Americans, not Iraqis.
Kurdish officials are scrambling to try to figure out exactly what happened, dispatching a patrol to the area where they say the three disappeared. They said they found a backpack that appears to belong to one of the Americans.
The concern right now is that this could escalate to an international incident, especially given the tension between the Iraq- Iran-America triangle.
Arwa Damon, CNN, Baghdad.
LEMON: Arwa, thank you very much. Also in Iran today, more than 100 people who took part in June election protests are on trial, accused of trying to overthrow Iran's government. The defendants include a former vice president and other pro-reform political leaders. Some of the defendants were brought into court handcuffed to each other in pairs.
A prosecutor accused the defendants of being tools of foreign powers. Reformists are blasting the trials. They say the defendants have been denied access to lawyers.
Make sure you join us right here on CNN at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. I'll discuss the group trials in Iran with Karim Sadjadpour. He is a researcher and scholar with the Carnegie Endowment. He's got insights that you won't hear anywhere else. Make sure you join us later here on CNN.
It's been a deadly day for US and NATO troops in Afghanistan. Three American service members died when two road side bombs struck a patrol in southern Kandahar Province. Meantime, the French government says one French troop died in a battle with insurgents. Two French troops were wounded in that attack.
Did al Qaeda infiltrate the British Secret Service? One British law maker says it might have, and he is demanding an investigation. The law maker claims the country's elite MI-5 intelligence agency recruited two men who attended al Qaeda training camps in Pakistan. The "Daily Telegraph" reports the men received several weeks of training before being ejected from MI-5. The law maker, who is head of the Parliamentary Subcommittee on terrorism, believes the men got into the agency because of a rush to beef up intelligence following the 2005 suicide bombings in London. There are also concerns about the past activities of four other members of that MI-5 unit.
Capitol Hill is clearing out for the August break right now. But lawmakers are leaving with the health care work on their mind from the president. He is urging Congress to keep up the momentum after a sweeping health care reform bill, one a critical thumbs up from a House committee. Elaine Quijano live at the White House.
Elaine, explain to us what the president is saying today?
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, the president obviously wants to make sure, Don, that Congress stays on track to get health care reform done this year. You mentioned that key House committee passing its own version of health care legislation. That is a victory for the White House.
So in a written statement, the president said, quote, "this historic step by the House Energy and Commerce Committee move us closer to health insurance reform than we have ever been before. The bill that they have passed will strengthen consumer protections and choice, while lowering costs and improving care."
But the White House know it is in for a tough fight. Take a listen to the Republicans' argument of why they say Washington needs to slow down on this issue.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN JOHN THUNE (R), SOUTH CAROLINA: In this difficult recession, Americans and our government are already over-extended. 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 two trillion dollars, and further increase 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 argument that Republicans are making. This month of August is going to be critical in this fight. What lawmakers basically are going to be hearing back in their home districts could really determine whether or not health care reform gets done this year.
Don?
LEMON: All right. Listen, the administration is just passing the six month mark, Elaine. What are White House officials doing? Are they busy assessing the term so far, how well they've done, what they should be taking care of?
QUIJANO: Exactly. In fact, today was day two of this White House retreat, if you will; 22 cabinet ranking members gathering on the White House campus. Yesterday it was at Blair House. Today it was here at the White House campus. Basically doing just that, sitting down now that it's been a little more than six months, and assessing how they think they've done so far.
It was also a chance for them to come together and make sure they're all on the same page, in terms of moving forward on the president's agenda.
LEMON: Elaine Quijano at the White House, thank you very much. So what's the best way for millions of uninsured Americans to get health care? Our conversation is just getting started tonight. Coming up in our 10:00 p.m. Eastern hour we're posing tough questions to Dr. Peter Thomas, who advocates for uninsured black men. We want you to weigh in on this. Send us your question, comments and concerns. We will get them on to our expert here.
Have the president's second 100 days have been like the first, better than the first? Here's your chance to weigh in. Starting tomorrow, you can vote at CNN.com. And be sure to tune in Thursday night, 8:00 pm Eastern, to see the president's final grade. It's part of CNN's national report card, the second 100 days.
She was ushered into office after her husband was murdered. The world mourns Philippines political icon Corazon Aquino. Also, so many clunk, so little cash; so the government comes to a rescue. Auto expert Lauren Fix on the future of this popular project. How long can it last? Plus this.
Some people will do just about anything to get your attention. Find out why.
Also, weigh on the stories you see on the air, what you want us to cover, what you think about our reporting here at CNN, whatever it is. Twitter, Facebook, MySpace or iReport.com.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: If you drive a certain model Honda Accord, Acura or Civic, yours and about 440,000 others are being recalled for faulty air bags. This is in addition to recalls announced back in November. The models include -- pay close attention here -- 2001 to 2002 Accords, 2001 Civics, 2002 to 2003 Acura TLs. Honda says, in rare cases, the air bag inflators have ruptured when the air bag was deployed, causing injuries and at least one death.
Well, call to the government, a program -- call it a government program that is a victim of its own success. So many of you signed up for Cash for Clunkers, the rebates there, that the well has simply almost run dry.
Yesterday, the House approved another two billion dollars for it. But as our Kate Bolduan explains, until the Senate approves it, some dealers are becoming wary. Kate is in Gaithersburg, Maryland, at a car dealership. Kate, can you still get cash for those clunkers through the weekend? I imagine, right, after that we're not so sure.
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is a question mark after that. But the Obama administration assures through this weekend, clunker deals will be honored. I've talked to a lot of customers who have been coming here to this dealership throughout the day. They're all looking for a deal, looking for that up to 4,500 dollar rebate. But they're all also wondering how long these deals will last.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BOLDUAN (voice-over): Auto dialers saw it as the deal they couldn't and wouldn't pass up.
(on camera): What was the reaction amongst you and your employees when this program really starting moving?
ALEX PERDIKIS, 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 one billion dollar was already running out of cash, leaving dealers, as well as members of Congress scramble.
REP. NANCY PELOSI (D), HOUSE SPEAKER: To help our auto industry, to help consumers, to grow our economy, to do it in an environmentally sound way, I this a perfect message for us to take home for august.
REP. DAN MAFFEI (D), NEW YORK: This is a god send 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 two billion dollar extension of the Clunkers program. Happy with its success, the White House is also piling on the pressure.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: So we're now working with Congress on a bipartisan solution to ensure that the program can continue for everyone out there who is 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, KING PONTIAC BUICK GMC: It affects us right now because you're just so scared. You're not sure what exactly to do or what's going to happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BOLDUAN: Now, the bill to extend more cash to this program, it still needs to make it through the Senate. And that's not a slam dunk. On the right, fiscal conservatives don't want to spend more taxpayer dollars. On the left, some liberals don't think this goes far enough to increase fuel efficiency. And Senate aides, they said late this week that they just aren't sure quite yet. It's too soon to tell if the Senate will take action next week, or if they'll have to wait until September, Don, when they come back from the recess.
LEMON: Kate, what kind of business are you seeing at these dealerships today? I would imagine, at most, it's kind of robust.
BOLDUAN: I'll tell you, we were are at this dealership all day long, indoors. It's very warm here. It has been packed indoors. I just went inside and talked to gentlemen in there. They tell me they've done nine clunker deals, as we're now starting to call them, just today. The general manager says that's about half the business that they've seen across their eight locations in various states.
They say that's great. They welcome this business. The one question really is what happens after this weekend. And there are also some concerns about the computer system, having to put this information in and apply, and try to get these people into the computer system to be approved by the government.
But, all in all, really, Don, they say they welcome the business, no matter what. Bottom line is getting people on the lot to look at cars.
LEMON: All right. Don't buy a car, OK? Wait until you get home.
BOLDUAN: It's been hard. I've been looking.
LEMON: Buy a car, but wait until you get home to buy it, so you don't have to drive so far. Thank you, Kate.
You know what? Some people really like this program, this Cash for Clunkers program. Lauren Fix is the author of "Lauren Fix's Guide to Loving Your Car." She joins us from Rochester, New York. Thank you so much for joining us. So what's not to like about this, Lauren?
LAUREN FIX, "LAUREN FIX'S GUIDE TO LOVING YOUR CAR": I think that it's not fair. It's a favoritism program. Think about the fact, first off, if you always leased vehicles, you have nothing to trade in. So you're ineligible. If you've always been smart about getting good fuel efficient cars, or purchasing a hybrid, you're just not eligible.
The reason people have clunkers, in most cases, is because they can't get the credit or they can't afford a car payment with additional insurance payments. That's what you forget. You buy a new car, your insurance payment will definitely go up. Those are things that people don't think about.
Isn't that how we got here in the first place, buying more than we can actually afford?
LEMON: Right. So make sure you can afford it. Can I give you some viewer questions or comments and you can take care of it. This one is from Twitter. Infuego4 says, "if I'm not ready to buy a new car, should I still turn in my clunker for the voucher now before the cash runs out? Or do I" -- and that was it. Do I wait, I would imagine, is what he said. He only 140 character and he ran out.
FIX: Well, I think that's a big question. If you owe money on this vehicle, just so you know, you can't trade in that car, unless it's a clean title. It can't have a loan against it. That's another thing that people aren't aware of. So if you've got a loan on your car, you've got some sort of UCC filing, you're not eligible.
The other thing is to find out if the car is even eligible to begin with, go to the cars.gov website. Be forewarned, hundreds of cars that were eligible when this program started are no longer eligible. So that's the other thing.
LEMON: That's a thing. The next, Brother Grimace says, "Don, what is the description of a clunker. If my clunker is paid for, what's the incentive to get a meager down payment for a new car?"
FIX: Right. That's the other thing. If your car is worth more than 4,500 dollars, you're better off trading it in or selling it on your own. It would be absolutely silly to take 4,500 dollars on a car that's worth 6,000. But if you can trade that in, and get that 4,500 dollar voucher before this weekend is out, it might be a good idea, because the Senate still has to pass that two billion dollar additional insertion of cash. If they don't and the policy ends -- if this program end, then you'll have missed your opportunity.
So if you're in a position to do it, I would absolutely get online, look at the details and take advantage of it. Because, you know -- the problem is, though, if you need that car for somebody else, you might be better off giving it to them, because that car will be in a salvage yard.
LEMON: What is it, 25 years?
FIX: It can't be older than 25 years. I'm actually part of an after market industry. We were against older cars being crushed because I collect old Mustangs. A lot of people collect older cars. And we didn't want to destroy the collectibles.
LEMON: That was my question. I have a 1984 Cadillac Sedan Deville that's just sitting there. I was wondering -- FIX: You missed it by one year, just like those people that miss it by one mile to the gallon. But believe it or not, there is someone out there who will want that car.
LEMON: So this is what the next person says, Lauren -- I think her name is Ann. She says, "why can't the clunkers be older cars that get good mileage? I can afford a new car, but not going to buy it if I can't." They're shortening this for Twitter. If I can't get the same deal --
FIX: Right, that's the whole thing. If you had an old Honda Civic, for example, like one of these ones that are under recall, if you wanted to trade in, you're not eligible. You don't get poor fuel economy. Why would you trade it in to get another vehicle unless you really have the money. If you've got the money, financially, your job is secure, you can afford it, you own the car, now is a great time to make a deal on a 2008 or 2009 car, because in September, just a month away, we're going to be getting the 2010 cars in.
And believe me, they're going to want to get rid of those old cars on the lot. But look for a certified pre-owned if you are going to do that. It's a really good deal. The Cash for Clunkers is only on new car. But if you're looking to trade in, I love certified pre- owned.
LEMON: Amen to that. I do too. It's great. I don't know if I have ever bought a new car. I think it's always certified pre-owned.
FIX: That's my favorite choice, because you always get the guarantee and not have to take the initial hit off lot.
LEMON: Even from the same year.
FIX: Right. I actually did that for my daughter's car and it was a great purchase.
LEMON: Thank you, Lauren. We appreciate it.
FIX: Thank you.
LEMON: Well, you know it's hot and dry outside when you see a group of people huddled together praying for rain.
(WEATHER REPORT)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: All right, are you wishing, hoping for rain where you live? In Texas, they are praying for it. Take a look.
Well, Texans are looking to a higher power to open up the skies. Months of extreme heat and bone dry conditions are quickly making for one of the worst droughts in Texas history. Losses of crops and cattle in the state have reached an estimated 3.6 billion dollars, and the numbers just really, really keep on growing. Boy, that is off -- Jacqui Jeras recently spent some time down in south central Texas this week. Jacqui, it sounds awful, miserable to feel. But also the financial part of it is just terrible, as well.
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It is. It's just amazing. You know, people who make their living off the land have always struggled at the mercy of mother nature. But this time around, they're not just worried about losing their cattle or having a poor crop. This time they are worried that they may have to give up their profession altogether.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATT HUIE, FARMER: Come here, girls.
JERAS (voice-over): Matt Huie's family been raising cattle and cotton on this Bee County, Texas land for four generations.
HUIE: The status of the ranch is sort of on hold. We've got 45 more days to try to figure out what we're going to do for the next year. If we don't have any rain, we're just kind of in a holding pattern until we give up, you know, somewhere around the first of October.
JERAS: Huie is one of many Texas cattlemen who may have to sell of the heard in order for his ranch to survive. He's already sold a fifth of his 500 cattle, because he can't afford to feed them. In good years, Huie's heard graze on hay and plentiful corn from his own field. He sells the surplus for profit.
But this year, he's had to resort to protein pellets to keep them alive. He calls it cow candy.
HUIE: You can see some of them don't look too great. You can start counting ribs.
JERAS: The drought in south central Texas is considered exceptional. There has been no significant rain for nearly a year, and searing temperatures are drying up the water supply.
(on camera): How high is this usually?
HUIE: Usually it's up to about here. This is kind of the edge of the -- this is usually the water line.
JERAS (voice-over): Huie says he's lucky. Many of his neighbors have no water at all.
(on camera): If the cattle situation sounds dire, the cotton crop is even worse. While these have reached maturity now, they're very poor. These plants should be so thick that I can't walk through the rows.
HUIE: We've got 80 acres out of cotton out of 1,000 we planted. And this is the best 80 acres, and it's the worst cotton I've grown in 12 years. JERAS: Cotton is usually his cash crop. Now it will cost more to harvest than he'll make. The corn is no better.
HUIE: This ought to be up here. And this ear ought to be up here.
JERAS: He'll yield about 15 percent of his corn and cotton crops.
HUIE: Is this depressing? Yes, this is sickening.
JERAS: Huie is counting on crop insurance pay outs to get through this year. A federal emergency disaster fund was approved in 2008, but so far nobody has gotten any money. Severe drought is gripping nearly half of the state. Texas Agricultural Commissioner Todd Staples says the consequences will be felt nationwide.
TODD STAPLES, TEXAS AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER: This economic crisis and this drought is only compounding and making matters worse. If we don't see some immediate action to have some relief, it is going to impact the long-term security of our nation's food supply.
JERAS: For Matt Huie, the money can't come soon enough. In the meantime, he's praying for rain.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
JERAS: Surprisingly, with the grim outlook, Matt Huie is actually really optimistic. He's hoping to keep it doing together. It's been his life-long dream to be a farmer. So he says he's not ready to put in the towel just yet.
LEMON: They are going to have to. There's really no relief, as far as money. What did the story say 2010 before --
JERAS: Yes, there was a bill passed in 2008. They hopefully should get that money by 2010. But Matt Huie says that by October, if he doesn't have it, he's probably done.
LEMON: He needs it yesterday. They need. Another fix would be rain.
JERAS: Rain.
LEMON: Lots of it.
JERAS: Right.
LEMON: Can it happen?
JERAS: Well, maybe, well see. Let me show you a couple of different things if we can. This is the U.S. Drought Monitor. Just to put it in perspective for you, show you how much of the state. This about 20 percent of the state. It is the worst type of drought imaginable. And about a quarter of the state is under extreme conditions. Now if we check out radar map over here, Don, you'll see, yes, there's a couple of showers and thunderstorms. But the way our weather pattern is set up, everything is going into the northern parts of the state. And we really need it down here. Beeville is right in this area where Matt is.
LEMON: Nothing over there.
JERAS: He said he's had 0.3 of an inch of rain since Hurricane Dolly last year. There's two things that could help you out. We want a tropical storm. He wants a tropical system to come into this area and bring heavy rainfall. You don't want an Allison, where you get two feet of rain, but certainly they hope that will bring something.
And a little bit of potential is El Nino. In an El Nino type year, it tends to bring in more active weather across the state of Texas, bring in wet and cooler conditions. But that doesn't usually happen until late fall, into Spring. Like we said, they need it now.
LEMON: And irrigation is very expensive. Usually, they get rain there, so they don't have to deal with this much. Wow.
(WEATHER REPORT)
LEMON: Here goes.
(SCREAMING).
(LAUGHTER)
LEMON: Sounds like my bratty little sister. That is enough of that. In Thailand, ear-splitting contestants are trying to break the Guinness world record for, you guessed it, the loudest scream. 1,500 people entered, 11 got to the final. The winner, a Russian guy with a scream topping 116 decibels. What is the equivalent of that? Let's look that up. That's well-short of the 129 record decibels set by a British woman back in 2000.
Ouch. I want to know what 116 decibels sounds like. We'll look that up for you.
Well, you might need one of those after hearing that. After you pass the joint, you're going to have to pay up. But will that be the new mantra in California? We'll tell you what you might have to pay even though you may be able to smoke it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: President Barack Obama is touting positive economic numbers in his weekly address, saying there are increasing signs that the recession is easing, but he acknowledges the challenges are far from over.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Business investment, which had been plummeting in the fast few months, is showing signs of stabilizing. This means that eventually day businesses will start growing and hiring again. And that's when it will really feel like recovery to the American people.
This won't happen overnight. As I said before, it will take many more months to fully dig ourselves out of a recession, a recession that we've now learned was even deeper than anyone thought. But I'll continue to work every day and take every step necessary to make sure that happens.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: All right. Remember, the big brouhaha made about the first 100 days? The president's second 100 days have been better than the first? Here's your chance to weigh in. Starting tomorrow, you can vote at CNN.com. And be sure to tune in Thursday night to see the president's final grade, as part of CNN's national report card, the second 100 days.
You know, since the recession started, California has been in a financial --really -- mess, a basket case there. There's nothing like money to get people to ease their stances on some things. So the Golden State now, people there, well they're seizing on the opportunity to help the state get out of that slump by legalizing and taxing marijuana.
CNN's Dan Simon reports from San Francisco.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAN SIMON, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Marijuana is California's biggest cash crop, valued at $14 billion, worth more than grapes and vegetables. But the state doesn't get a dime from it. State lawmaker Tom Ammiano wants to change
TOM AMMIANO, (D), CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY: There are a lot of very hard second looks now, particularly the way the economy is here in the state.
SIMON: Ammiano has sponsored a bill to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana. According to the state tax board, legal pot to California's 21 and older could bring the cash-strapped state $1.4 billion in revenue.
AMMIANO: I think, you know, you would have some kind of retail outlet and it could be a Walgreens. It could be a hospital.
SIMON: The idea got a boost from governor Schwarzenegger who has spent months trying to avert a budget catastrophe.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, (R), GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA: I think we also study very carefully what other countries are doing that have legalized marijuana.
SIMON: Most lawmakers do not support broad legalization. So advocates are also working towards a 2010 ballot initiative to let videoers decide. According it a field poll, 56 percent of Californians support legalization.
On the local level meanwhile, the easiest way to cash in is by taxing medical cannabis. Oakland, last week, became the first city to directly impose a tax on dispensaries. City councils in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Santa Cruz are discussing similar measures.
It might seem odd for dispensaries to back the idea and want to pay more in taxes, but they welcome the chance to be seen as legitimate, valuable businesses.
Steve DeAngelo runs a dispensary in Oakland.
STEVE DEANGELO, HARBORSIDE HEALTH CENTER: Criminals don't pay taxes. Citizens do pay taxes. And our hope is that the movement will be seen as a group of citizens rather than a group of criminals.
SIMON (on camera): Given the political environment, if it does make the ballot, it's possible voters could legalize marijuana in California as early as next year. Of course, then all the details would have to be worked out -- how you regulate it, tax it and where it would be sold. Then there's the question of the federal government. Right now, it doesn't even recognize medical marijuana.
Dan Simon, CNN, San Francisco.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Thanks, Dan.
There's some very interesting responses on this coming from the social networking sites. A couple of these are from Twitter.
Here is what Kiashuchick says, "Legalize marijuana in CA and end the budget deficit."
Ken718 says, "Why has this taken so long? Just like liquor back in the days, they should handle this in the same manner."
And alapapa says, "It's a no-brainer. Kill the dangerous black market and turn it into revenue. The infrastructure is even already in place."
Quick says, "So drug dealers are supposed to just set up a store front and start sharing profits just because the government wants taxes? Get real."
I don't think they're going to do it that way.
Indigonight says, "Think it's a great idea but just don't tax the medical type. Legitimize and tax for recreation purposes only. Past due."
Thailand says, "Well, they should tax marijuana because it costs them more enforcing the law than to regulate it and bring in the revenue." Mafiosologic says, "And it's going to get sold and smoked anyway, might as well. To issue it legally for medical use is just a smoke screen. Tax the ganja."
Twitter, Facebook, MySpace or iReport.com is how your responses get on. Every time we do a pot story, Twitter lights up. I wonder what that says about Twitter.
Her call led to the arrest of Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates and sparked a racially charged national debate. Now she's gotten flowers courtesy of Gates himself. He sent a bouquet to the 911 caller, Lucia Wayland, along with a note, which her lawyer wouldn't reveal. An officer, responding to a report of a possible break-in at Gates Cambridge, Massachusetts home, arrested the professor on July 16th for disorderly conduct. The charge was later dropped.
She was a former housewife who became the most powerful woman in her nation, we'll remember Corazon Aquino.
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LEMON: Former world boxing champ Arturo Gatti's family wants a second autopsy, and they're going to get it. Police found his body at a seaside resort in Brazil last month. There were strangulation marks on Gatti's neck and a blood-strained purse strap near his body. Brazilian authorities have ruled Gatti's death a suicide but his family isn't convinced. A coroner confirms that Gatti's body will be exhumed for the second autopsy, but it could take several weeks before the released. Police had earlier arrested Gatti's widow as a suspect, but later released her.
In the Philippines, mourners are paying their respects to former President Corazon Aquino who died today of colon cancer. She's being remembered as an icon who brought a dictator and sustained democracy against great odds. Aquino led a so-called people-power uprising in 1986 that ended the 20-year regime of Ferdinand Marcos. She battled cancer for a year. Aquino was 76 years old.
There are dare devils and there are people who are just plain crazy. You decide.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: You've got to watch this video. Every time I see it, I can't believe it. A daredevil skater in Germany strapped on some modified blades for a quick trip on a wooden rollercoaster. His name is Dirk Hour (ph). He hit speeds up to 56 miles per hour on the half- mile of steel rails. This earned him a world record. The ride was over in about one minute. Our previously set -- Hour (ph), his name is again -- previously set a speed skating record of 190 miles per hour while being toward behind a Porsche. Why? You will have to ask him. I'm not quite sure.
When civilian contractor, Brad Blauser, went to Iraq, he found out that one in seven Iraqi children live with a disability. So he decided to stick around, even though U.S. troops are withdrawing. And he has a new mission now. I want you to meet our hero.
(CNN HEROES)
LEMON: You, too, can nominate a "CNN Hero" of your own. Our website is CNN.com/heroes. That's where you can go. Remember, nominations for this year close today. So go there and nominate a hero.
She is taking on gators and good old boys as well.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JULIE HARTER, GATOR TRAPPER: He's a male, uncooperative.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: That's not the only cranky male that this lady's been facing. She's breaking the glass ceiling in a big way.
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LEMON: The staff at Florida's Veterinary Hospital is used to working with big animals, but they were blown away by this guy. Look at this. It's a super-sized Burmese python who slithered onto hospital grounds last week. Boy. A veterinarian shot the 17-footer, which tipped the scales at, get this, 207 pounds. This guy is the biggest snake bagged so far in the snake sanctioned hunt that got under way last month. Wildlife authorities are aiming to curb the Python population in the Everglades, which is growing out of control very quickly. They think it's going to spread to the rest of the country. So, look out.
Snakes, alligators -- catching Florida's scaly wildlife is enough to rattle anyone's nerves. That's why one female gator trapper is making waves.
John Zarrella shows us how she's breaking a glass ceiling in Tampa's murky water.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Once in a while, Julie Harter still gets snickers and behind the back laughs from, of course, men.
HARTER: You just take it in stride. Like today I think I had a few Doubting Thomas' around here. But...
ZARRELLA (on camera): Didn't think you could do it, huh?
(LAUGHTER)
ZARRELLA (voice-over): It's understandable, says Harter, because she's the only woman contracted with the state of Florida to trap alligators. Yep, Harter catches gators. Here territory, Tampa and surrounding Hillsborough (ph) County. HARTER: Better not have got loose. Somebody is going in after him. And it ain't me.
ZARRELLA: Late on a Monday afternoon, she heads to a backyard pond. Earlier, she baited a hook for a nuisance gator that had taken a dog.
HARTER: Trapper tires out before the gator.
ZARRELLA: The gator breaks the surface. He's seven, maybe eight foot. With her southern brand of humor, Harter adds.
HARTER: He's a male, uncooperative.
ZARRELLA: Harter started catching gators with her husband back in the mid-1990s. On their first date, he got a call for a nuisance gator. She went with him. After his death years ago, Julia applied for and got his trapping contract.
HARTER: This afternoon, I'm like, OK, tell me where to put it. Thinking, maybe I should have listened to him a little bit more.
ZARRELLA: By the looks of the trophy catches inside her home, Julie learned just fine. Her biggest one, over 800 pounds.
(on camera): So you had some help.
HARTER: I'm not stupid.
(LAUGHTER)
ZARRELLA (voice-over): Not every nuisance gator is a monster. That shadow on the bottom of the pool, yep, gator. The family had just moved here from Boston. The kids spotted it first.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Daddy, there's a gator by the pool. I'm like, what? I really didn't expect to see one back there, but...
ZARRELLA: For Harter, these are the easy ones. But even at just two feet, he would have left a nasty bite. With his mouth taped, the kids get a little education from Julie.
HARTER: See all of these, are little bones all over him?
ZARRELLA: The big gators Julie catches are processed for meat and hide. The little ones, under four foot get relocated.
HARTER: See you, baby.
ZARRELLA (on camera): You wouldn't dream of doing anything else?
HARTER: Never. Never. I'm pretty damn good at it.
(LAUGHTER)
ZARRELLA (voice-over): And she proves it every day. John Zarrella, CNN, Tampa.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: That sounds like a job that I know someone here could probably do. You think...
(LAUGHTER)
Jacqui, that's a tough job. But the story before that, too, the pythons are out of control. So you should do that story. Will you go out on that story and catch some pythons?
JERAS: You know, I would go out and report on that story. (LAUGHTER)
You know, I'm a tough chick, but there's something about gators. I could even deal with a snake. Gators, not so much.
LEMON: Not so much.
JERAS: Oh, look at that thing.
LEMON: Oh, that's a python.
JERAS: How about you?
LEMON: I'm so afraid of snakes. I can't even look at the picture. I had a garden snake in my yard and freaked out. The neighbors are like what are you screaming about. I'm like, there's a snake in my yard.
JERAS: Thank goodness there are people to take care of that for us.
LEMON: OK, thank you.
Hey, you know, it's hot. A lot of kids want to be outside, Jacqui. You know. You report on the weather. Stick around. This is a neat little story.
Look at these guys, the 65 kids, Jacqui, who were barred from a suburban Philadelphia swimming pool? They went to Disney World instead. Look who they're with. They were the guest of filmmaker, Tyler Perry. We can call him a movie mogul, right?
JERAS: Absolutely.
LEMON: He saw the news reports about the children and he actually contacted us and said, hey, I want to get in touch with those kids. Perry thinks the kids were barred from the pool because of racism. The pool operators say it was because of a matter of overcrowding. That was the issue there. So whatever it was, we hope they're rectified.
JERAS: Yeah, a wonderful opportunity for them. LEMON: They got to hang out at Disney with Tyler Perry.
JERAS: That's better than the pool anyway, isn't it? Come on.
LEMON: Yeah. No gators inside and no pythons.
JERAS: This is true.
LEMON: Let's read some tweets here, Jacqui.
Htowng is talking about legalizing marijuana. "They should legalize and tax marijuana. As it is now, the law is just making us spend money to barely contain it."
Wickedlet says, "I think the whole United States should follow California's example and tax it and let us smoke it. Marijuana is less harmful."
Castleview says, "Is there a downside to legalizing marijuana? It's a great idea to get the state out of debt."
And abaxter1 says, "Sure, tax it. Alcohol, cigarettes, they're taxed. Maybe this will discourage some from buying."
As I'm reading this, someone is in my ear, going 10 seconds, 15 seconds.
Anyway, join us tonight at 7:00 p.m. Eastern here on CNN. I'm Don Lemon. I'll see you back here. We're going to have a special talk on racial profiling tonight. We'll see you. Plus, your iReports. Have a good one.
