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Poll Shows American Against Stimulus; Haitian Orphans Come to U.S.
Aired January 24, 2010 - 18:00 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 on CNN: A huge political week to come, President Obama's agenda on the line.
Another big aftershock just within the last hour in Haiti, and what's happening now with all those orphans.
Plus, one big American city suddenly finding itself with no bookstore -- are people really not reading anymore?
Hello, everyone, pay close attention, because what we're about to show you here tonight could change the way that you view your government.
Starting right now and every day this week, CNN is going to be your watchdog, holding government officials accountable, taking a comprehensive new look at the $787 billion stimulus package. Where has all of that money, your money gone? And is it working?
Let's take you through it now. We're previewing what you're going to see next week. This is our CNN stimulus desk. They are getting it ready right here. This is the command center.
We want to know what's happening with the president's biggest legislative agenda achievement yet, what's going on with all that money that you gave -- your tax dollars here. We have assign a number of -- you can really say hundreds of producers, anchors, reporters, photojournalists, to find out what's going on with your money. We're going to answer your questions. This is where the stimulus desk is going to be manned by a number of our anchors.
So, listen, Josh, what are all these binders right here?
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We're going to be camped out here around the clock because what we have here are 57,000 projects around the country that have already gotten funding, $158 billion in funding from that whopping pile of the stimulus.
Let's just have Wes zoomed in for just a second.
I want to show you all that I'm serious -- every single project that has got funding, billions and billions of dollars. We're chasing how much money, what was done.
And also, Don, one of the big things we're going to be looking at throughout this week is jobs, how many jobs were created and how long did they last? "Jobs" is a great term, but some jobs last two weeks. What was done? What's expected? What's ahead, all of it, for the billions and billion dollars in stimulus.
LEMON: Not only jobs, talking health care, because they're saying -- that is on the line. And also, the Fed chair, is he going to be reappointed? It's all coming down to the wire, only within -- within just the next week, next couple of hours.
LEVS: Exactly. And we're going to be getting new information later, less than seven days from now, looking back at how this money has been spent so far. And our goal for this week is to get you all the facts we can about these projects in your communities and all over the country.
LEMON: You got 11 or 12 binders here and more coming in -- a week from yesterday, more coming in.
LEVS: Yes.
LEMON: So, listen, it's going to start at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning...
LEVS: That's right.
LEMON: ... on "AMERICAN MORNING," someone will be manning this -- this stimulus desk.
So here is the question. Here's the question here, how do Americans feel now about what's happening to their money?
I asked our deputy political director Paul Steinhauser.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Yes, our brand new polls, Don, this is the CNN/Opinion Research National Survey, take a look at this. We put it out this morning.
Fifty-six percent of Americans oppose the federal stimulus package; 42 percent in favor of it. That's a big change, Don, from back last March, just weeks after President Obama signed the stimulus into law, when a majority of people favored the stimulus package. The tide has definitely turned when it comes to public opinion on the stimulus.
LEMON: Yes. And, you know, this marks his one-year anniversary in office. He got the State of the Union on Wednesday. But then also a big game-changer, Massachusetts -- I mean, this has spread across the country.
STEINHAUSER: Oh, yes. First of all in Massachusetts, Scott Brown becomes the first Republican to win a Senate election up there since 1972. But as you say, it's got national implications. Scott Brown will now become the 41st Republican in the U.S. Senate -- bingo! That means the Democrats just lost their 60-seat supermajority.
As you and I know, it takes about 60 votes to get almost anything done in the Senate. This is going to make it much harder for President Obama and the Democrats to pass their agenda. LEMON: Well, you know, pass their agenda but also health care, because he said -- he's promised to vote against it. Some people are saying health care is dead. Is it really dead? Is this the end of reform for the president and the Democrats?
STEINHAUSER: It makes it a lot tougher. There are a bunch of options for the president and for the Democratic leadership and none of them really are good right now.
But Barack Obama says he is not giving up on health care reform. We saw him on Friday at a town hall in Ohio and he was very adamant that health care really goes with economic reform and he says he's going to continue to fight for it, but the options are tough. It means now the Democrats are going to have to negotiate with Republicans.
Do Republicans want to negotiate with Democrats? Stay tuned.
LEMON: Stay tuned and what a week to come. Thank you, Paul Steinhauser.
STEINHAUSER: Thanks, Don.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: We want to turn now to the situation in Haiti. Aftershocks rumble through the Haitian capital almost daily -- one measuring 4.7 hit just a short time ago. It is an unnerving reminder to survivors of the massive 7.0 quake that leveled parts of the country just 12 days ago.
One of those survivors is Wismond Jean Pierre, who spent 11 days buried alive before he was rescued yesterday. This is exclusive video of the tiny space where he was trapped. He worked as a cashier at a food store inside a hotel in Port-au-Prince. And, luckily, he escaped serious injury in the quake and had had access to some food and drink while he was confined.
He's now recovering at a field hospital. Jean Pierre tells the "Associated Press" that the first thing he wants to do is find a church to give thanks.
CNN international correspondent Christiane Amanpour spoke with the French rescue team who pulled him from the ruins.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LT. COL. CHRISTOPHE RENOU, CHIEF OF OPERATIONS: Actually, after rescue, we had a chance to get into the hole and to have a look, and we found out that he had access to cookies, beer and coke.
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: How is that possible?
RENOU: The building was a grocery shop and he was a very lucky man because he fell down on the food side of the grocery shop.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: And CNN's Hala Gorani was on the scene when Wismond Jean Pierre was rescued. He will join us live from Port-au-Prince right at the bottom of the hour.
We have been following what is happening to all those orphans from Haiti. We are checking on that. Our Martin Savidge will have a report for you coming up shortly.
Say you're trapped under rubble for 65 hours and there's no one around to treat your wounds, but you, it turns out, really, there's an app for that.
And the possibility of some tornadoes in parts of the country. Right now, we are keeping an eye on the sky for you.
An actor, comedian, Andy Dick, under arrest again. This time, accused of getting a little too friendly with a bouncer.
Also, we want your feedback. What's on your mind tonight? Make sure you log onto the social networking sites. We'll get your comments and questions on the air.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: So what now about all those children, orphans in Haiti? The January 12th earthquake fast-tracked many of them for adoption.
Yesterday, 80 of those children arrived in Orlando, Florida, only to get entangled in bureaucratic red tape. For the adoptive parents who had waited years for this moment, their new children were achingly just beyond reach.
Martin Savidge has been covering this story and he joins me now from Orlando with an update.
Marty, what can you tell us?
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Don, well, as you pointed out, it was about 26 hours ago that a military transport, a C-17, much like the one over my right shoulder here, showed up from Port-au- Prince, Haiti. And on board were the 80 Haitian orphans that you mentioned.
For the adoptive parents who've been waiting for years for this specific day, it was the peak of joy. However, 26 hours later, nearly half of those families are still waiting to see their children and the children are still being held inside of the customs area of the Orlando Sanford Airport here.
And the problem appears to be two groups that have the very best of intentions but seem to be moving in opposite directions. One of them is, of course, the adoptive parents who believe the moment they get that child into their arms, the healing after the horror of the earthquake can begin. On the other side is the federal government that says, "Look, first, we have to look out for the welfare of that child, make sure that the child is who they are said to be, to make sure that they truly are orphans and to make sure the family that's waiting to receive them is really a good family.
All of that has taken time, a long time, but emotions have been strained in the meantime. One of those that we have been following is Katy Hansley, and she talks about her 3-year-old daughter, Gracie, whose she's waiting for but still has not been able to see.
Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KATY HANSLEY, ADOPTIVE PARENT: It is very hard, knowing that she's back there and I can't be with her. It's almost like somebody just holding a cookie out in front of you and not letting you have it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAVIDGE: You have this very strange scene now, this drama that's playing out inside the airport terminal. The family members are refusing to leave until they get their child. They are sleeping each night on the floor of baggage claim. The children that are still waiting to be released, they are being cared for by the Red Cross, sleeping on blankets in the customs area.
Right now, the government says it's doing all that it can to speed up the process, but it's certainly not moving fast enough for the families here. And they fear perhaps they may have to go home without that child and that is something they don't want to think about -- Don.
LEMON: Martin Savidge -- thank you very much for that, Martin.
The Coast Guard is using skimmers and sheets of plastic to try to contain a crude oil spill in Port Arthur, Texas. New aerial video gives a clearer video of that spill. The 800-foot tanker leaked about 450,000 gallons of crude yesterday when it collided with a towing vessel. The two separated overnight without losing more crude. The spill has been contained in a two-mile area and is not believed to have hurt wildlife.
We turn now to the weather happening right here in the country. Our Jacqui Jeras joins us.
Jacqui, there was an aftershock we reported on. Also, we have some bad weather moving through the country.
JACQUI JERAS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, that's right, a 4.7 aftershock. So, that certainly was felt there in Haiti and we are going to continue to get these, Don, so as they come along, we will bring them to you. So, that's a little bit of a stronger one than we have in had in a couple of days.
Now, in the southeast, we've been dealing with strong to severe weather, a couple of tornado reports. One was actually in the Doraville (ph), Tennessee, damaged a couple of barns there. That's all that we've heard for actual touchdowns, but there is ripe conditions here across much of Georgia, northern have a Florida and on into the Carolinas for the threat of tornadoes. So, watch this line as it continues to move on through the area.
We also have some heavy rainfall associated with it -- and this entire system, as it pushes into the northeastern corridor, this is going to be moving into places like D.C., Philadelphia, New York City overnight tonight and last into tomorrow morning.
If you have travel plans, really pay attention here. It's really ugly. They just lifted a ground stop for Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and look what the average delays are right now, nearly five hours -- yes, five hours. So, make sure you call ahead for your carrier.
Look at this live picture out of Atlanta, and you'll see why we have problems at the airport. A very heavy rainfall, 57 degrees is the temperature, visibility down to about three miles at best. And take a look at how low that cloud deck is.
We also have delays across the northeastern corridor and, you know, the west is going to have problems as well. Both coasts of the country, we've got a pretty good break yesterday in California, northern Cali getting it again today, as well as into the Sierras.
Southern California, you're going to watch that rain move in for tomorrow. So expect delays, San Francisco and L.A., both. This is not as strong as the storm as what we saw the last three. So, that's a little bit of good news. But at this point, we don't want anymore rain, as we know some of that ground are really unstable at this time.
Our storm in the east continues to push through, so expect problems in New England and even some of the Mid-Atlantic States. Windy, cold conditions and snow showers into the upper Midwest.
So, a whole lot of messy weather conditions across the country tomorrow -- Don.
LEMON: Jacqui Jeras, you're going to be busy, huh, this evening and we'll check back. Boy, oh, boy. Thank you, Jacqui Jeras.
You know, a lot of people say they couldn't live without their cell phones, right? But that's quite literally the case for one Haiti survivor. Our Josh Levs got this amazing story for us and he joins us right now.
Josh, it turns out there is an app for that, right?
LEVS: I can't believe I'm saying that on TV, but there actually is an app for that. What happened is this is a man who is at the Hotel Montana. He was walking through when the building basically fell down onto him. And he was trapped in the dark and he discovered that he was bleeding from his head and his leg, and then he realized that if he pulled out his cell phone, he might be able to save his own life.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) DAN WOOLLEY, HAITI EARTHQUAKE SURVIVOR: I was not going to let, you know, a mistake I might make trying to treat my wounds. I have basic first aid knowledge but not advanced and I did want to in my disoriented state just make a mistake. So, I know I had my iPhone. I opened it up, and I had an app that had pre-downloaded all this information treating wounds. So, I looked up excessive bleeding and I looked up compound fracture. Later, I looked up...
LEVS: I got it here actual lines, I'm looking at it right here. I know it's going to be tiny on your screen, but I'm looking at it here. It's a basic first aid and CPR application that talks you through various things. And I understand what you did was you use this to make sure that you weren't going to hurt yourself, that you were going to do it right.
WOOLLEY: Yes, that's right, and just knowing that I had the confidence to treat my wounds properly.
LEVS: Well, listen, there is something else did you while you were down there and that is that you wrote notes to your family when you thought you wouldn't make it. And I understand you have with you right now the journal that you kept. And you can read us a passage there of something that you wrote your family?
WOOLLEY: Yes, I was there for several days and I thought I might be rescued and I might not, so, I wanted to leave some notes to my family. So, here is one of the notes.
"I was in a big accident, an earthquake. Don't be upset at God. He always provides for his children. Even in hard times. I'm still praying that God will get me out, but he may not. But even so, he will always take care of you."
LEVS: Dan, could you turn that around so our viewers could see it? I understand, obviously, your handwritten in there, I know there are some pages that have your blood on them as well. This is something you are going to hold on to for a long time.
And I want to show everyone the pictures of you and your beautiful children that we have here. You are reunited in Denver there with your wife, Christina and your two sons, right, Josh and Nathan, a 6- year-old and a 3-year-old son. And there's you, back with your beautiful family.
You must be appreciating life in a whole new way right now. I know the gratitude you have.
WOOLLEY: Absolutely.
LEVS: All right. Well, listen, thank you so much for joining us. Really a powerful story. Thank you.
WOOLLEY: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE) LEMON: Wow, Josh, that was amazing. People, you know, always make fun of us in this business for never going anywhere without our cell phones or BlackBerrys. In this instance, it paid off.
LEVS: Yes. And you know what? There's even more to tell. It's the top story on CNN.com right now. We wrote even more. He set his alarm to go off every 20 minute so he wouldn't fall asleep because his app showed him that if you're in shock, you don't want to let yourself fall asleep.
It is pretty impressive what he had there in the palm of his hand. And, you know, in the end, it's about technology. Yet another way that technology has changed what's happened in the wake of this disaster.
LEMON: We needed some good news and Josh Levs delivered. Thank you very much for that, Josh.
You know, if you're looking for a way to help the victims of Haiti earthquake, CNN has covered it for you. Tune in tonight, 8 p.m. Eastern, for a special two-hour "LARRY KING LIVE," Haiti, how you can help. The program will feature a powerhouse group of leaders and celebrity activists, including Mick Jagger, Jennifer Lopez and Colin Powell -- tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.
They tested the limits of segregation in the early 1960s. Now, their story is being told in one of the documentaries that's a favorite at the Sundance Film Festival. The director of "Freedom Riders" is joining us live from Park City.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: As we reported to you at the top of this broadcast, it is now one year since President Barack Obama took office. We decided to see how his presidency is playing around the world.
Atika Shubert has the view from Britain.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Here on the streets of London, President Obama's first year in office generally gets good reviews. Here's what some people had to say.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hopefully, he is going to do a good job, a better job than Bush. And if he can pass through his reforms for the national health system out there, he's done a good job.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think he's done a good job, yes, yes. I'm happy that he is president.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's got the gift of the gab, he got the TV thing all sorted out. Is he any good in real life? I think it's way too early.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're not hearing as much about him as I thought we would. And we kind of waiting to hear all these massive things but I guess it all just takes time, doesn't it?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can't say too much.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anyway, after the one before, he is wonderful.
SHUBERT: Some say it all depends on how President Obama handles the crisis in Haiti but also how he handles health care reform, and whether or not the prison in Guantanamo Bay will eventually be closed.
Atika Shubert, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: A view of the president from overseas.
We want to update you on a story that we first reported to you last night. A man accused of trying to open an exterior door on a jetliner in-flight apparently had been drinking. United Flight 223 was en route from Washington to Las Vegas yesterday when a disturbance erupted and the man allegedly tried to open the door. The plane carrying 124 people was diverted to Denver and the man removed from that plane. Authorities say he had been drink before and during the flight. No word yet on any possible charges.
You know, you won't find the next "Avatar" at the Sundance Film Festival, but you might find the next little movie that could this week. And one of the films building buzz is a documentary "Freedom Riders," the story of a legendary civil rights journey.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, COURTESY AMERICAN EXPERIENCE FILMS)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tuesday, May 16th, 1961. We held two meetings today. The first was at 6:00 this morning, the second from 7:00 to 1:00 tonight. After much discussion, we decided to continue the freedom ride.
Of the 18 who volunteered, 10 were chosen -- three females and seven males. We will leave on the greyhound bus tomorrow morning at either 5:15 or 6:45. We were all, again, made aware of what we can expect to face: jail, extreme violence or death.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Man.
You know, Stanley Nelson wrote, produced and directed "Freedom Riders" and he's joining us live from Park City, Utah, tonight.
Good evening to you. It looks like an amazing documentary. Why did you decide to chronicle the 1961 freedom rides?
STANLEY NELSON, DIRECTOR, "FREEDOM RIDERS": Well, I think it was a story that hadn't been told. You know, we know a lot about the civil rights movement as it moved on, but this is a story about the civil rights movement as it was really beginning and I think it was a story that really hadn't been told and I was really excited to tell it.
LEMON: And you talk about, you know, people coming together really, the freedom riders, that was, you know, people who were -- a diverse group of people who decided that they wanted to see change in this country, banded together and took their -- really, their lives in their hands by doing this.
NELSON: Yes. It's the story of really -- in 1961, 12 people, both black and white, decided that they would test the segregation laws in the South and just got on buses, six on Greyhound buses, six on fairways buses and they would sit together and they would use the restrooms, the white people would use the colored-only restrooms, the black people would use the white-only restrooms. They would sit together and eat together and they would test it and see what happened.
LEMON: And you...
NELSON: And that they had no idea -- go ahead, I'm sorry.
LEMON: No, go ahead. I want you to finish your sentence.
NELSON: They had no idea that they would receive the kind of violence that happened and that it would finally become this movement that was much bigger than the 12 who started it.
LEMON: Do you think that an audience here -- and especially young people in 2010 -- can relate to this documentary?
NELSON: Yes. I think that it's really a film that will really, hopefully motivate young people, because it's about what, you know, you can do if you just kind of get out there and do it.
You know, these 12 people, they went on the buses, they had no backup. There were no police, you know. The Army wasn't with them. They had very little press when they started and, you know, they made change just by taking action and by believing that they could make change.
LEMON: The power of the people and only really in America is this story even possible. Here's what I want to ask you: when you -- I want to know what changed, if anything, about your life, when you think about the issues and the problems that we have now, "Oh, someone yelled at me at work, "or, "I'm having a hard time looking at this" and you look at fires, video, the hoses on the dogs for people there, did this, by doing this documentary, did it change your life or your view on anything?
NELSON: Well, it really made me see, you know, that movements start with every day people. You know, one of the most amazing things about this film is that they asked Martin Luther King twice to join them on the rides and he refused. You know, the Kennedys both, Bobby Kennedy and John Kennedy, are not the kind of civil rights heroes yet that they become later on. You know, they are very ambivalent about the civil rights movement.
But it's these people, you know, every day people, who take a stand that really made this. And those are people that made the movement, you know, and I think it's really important that we understand. I mean, so much -- so many times in school, you know, I have young kids and they are taught about Martin Luther King and there's almost this sense that, you know, that movements and change happens because one saintly person gets it in their heart and does something. But, you know, the film really shows you that it's every day people who really make change.
LEMON: It's called "Freedom Riders" and his name is Stanley Nelson. He wrote, produced and directed it.
Best of luck to you. Thank you.
NELSON: Thank you so much.
LEMON: You know, what is believed to be fresh threats from the leader of al Qaeda who calls the would-be Christmas Day bomber a hero.
Also coming up tonight -- a live report from CNN's Hala Gorani in Port-au-Prince. She was there yesterday when a young man yesterday was pulled out alive from earthquake rubble after 11 days.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Top stories right now on CNN.
A fresh aftershock today in Port-au-Prince -- this one measured 4.7. Shaking ground has been a daily occurrence in the days since the massive quake claimed an estimated 150,000 lives. Geologists say the aftershocks could continue for months.
About 20 Haitian orphans are still awaiting permission by the U.S. government to join their adopted families. Eighty orphans arrived in the U.S. yesterday, but immediately became entangled in bureaucratic red tape. And since then, about 60 orphans have been processed and cleared to start new life with their new families.
A new audiotape is out, supposedly from Osama bin Laden. The voice on it claims responsibility for the failed bombing aboard Northwest flight 253 on Christmas day, and threatens even more attacks. A Nigerian man, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, is charged with the botched attack. The tape calls Abdulmutallab, quote, "a hero fighter." U.S. intelligence linked him to bin Laden's al Qaeda network in the Arabian Peninsula.
The search is on for a missing Navy pilot who crash landed his plane outside New Orleans. The plane went down in Lake Pontchartrain last night. The Coast Guard is searching with boats and also a helicopter. two pilots were on board at the time. One was rescued and taken to the hospital.
We told you about yet another aftershock in Haiti today, a magnitude 4.7 one. Well, this was felt in Miami, we are told.
And CNN's Hala Gorani is in Port-au-Prince now. Hala, I'm sure you felt it. You felt that. And also, you have been speaking to that man who was rescued 11 days ago, correct, after 11 days, I should say?
HALA GORANI, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, absolutely. Well, first off, regarding the aftershock, we did feel it here in the building. I happened to be on the balcony and I never felt an aftershock. As a result, I got a little bit scared and kind of ran out of the room I was in. I was told it was 5.5 and then it was downgraded to a 4.7, but the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center magnitude was different from the actual magnitude of the quake. So yes, we did feel some shaking, but it wasn't one of the big aftershocks that some of my colleagues have felt in the direct aftermath of the earthquake.
Now, regarding the survivor whose story we covered yesterday, absolutely, we went to the hospital today, a French hospital where he is being cared for. Wismen Jean-Pierre, 24 years old, with no visible signs of injury, physical injury on his body, just dehydrated. He was sort of on a hospital cot. He had a drip in his arm and he spoke in a sort of a slow, hushed voice, and he told me he never lost hope, that the entire time he was under the rubble, that he would be rescued. We also spoke to his brother, who is the one, by the way, who alerted rescue workers. And frankly, without the determination of his family, it's anybody's guess what would have ended up happening to this young man, who was pulled out alive in the end -- Don?
CNN's Hala Gorani. Hala, before I let you go, he is doing well and you talk to him about his amazing story. What did he say? What did he talk about? We talked about the claustrophobia, and him surviving on beer and those kinds of things.
GORANI: Well, he didn't talk about the claustrophobia. He was sort of -- not in an upright position, not entirely lying down. He was kind of in a three-quarters sitting up position when he was entombed, encased, if you will, under the rubble of this hotel. You know, there is no telling what kind of trauma he's going to suffer down the line.
But what's important to know, Don, isn't the immediate good-news story. It is when you speak to his family, his brother who is now living in a shack underground, ironically enough, with a tin roof over his head, that they don't seem to have that kind of hope for the future that they would have had potentially before the earthquake. He's saying, look, I have nowhere to live. I have four children. I'm sharing this underground room with, you know, 10 to 12 of my family members and I have no job.
So after all this is said and done, after everyone celebrated this rescue, the reality for this family and so many others is not the brightest reality you can hope for them.
LEMON: All right. Hala Gorani, we appreciate it. Thank you very much.
If you're looking for ways to help victims of the Haiti earthquake -- everyone has been asking -- we have you covered here on CNN. Make sure you tune in 8 p.m. eastern for a special "Larry King Live," called "Haiti, How You Can Help." The program will feature a powerhouse group of leaders and celebrity activists, including Ringo Starr, Ben Stiller and Premanya (ph) of Jordan. That is tonight at 8 p.m. eastern right here on CNN.
He is the point man on managing the American economy, but could Ben Bernanke soon find himself without a job? We will gauge his support in the Senate.
And later, professional athletes, including many with ties to Haiti, responding to the earthquake with cash and pleas for fans to also contribute.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: We often talk about the big salaries that athletes make. What are they doing with that money when it concerns Haiti? Pro sports teams and leagues are responding to the crisis in Haiti with cash and appeals by big-time sports celebrities for donation. Those efforts included raising money through television promos, some of which have been airing during NFL playoff games.
We go to Palm Beach and our sports business guru, Rick Harrow, who is joining us tonight.
Rick, so what are athletes, what are leagues doing to help the folks in Haiti?
RICK HARROW, CNN SPORTS BUSINESS: Leagues, of course, Major League Baseball contributed $1 million. The NFL is contributing PSA, Public Service Announcements. The Super Bowl two weeks from now will follow that closely when in Miami. By the way, silver lining on the NFL cloud, Pierre Garson, a Haitian-American, probably the MVP for the Indianapolis Colts, 11 passes, 150 yards. They're in the Super Bowl. They just won their game 30 minutes ago. Haitian flag. A very small silver lining in a dark cloud.
LEMON: That is good news. Listen, this is the story, it could turn things around for this city. This weekend, it's an emotional sports story taking place in New Orleans, a city still really recovering from Hurricane Katrina. Almost similar circumstances to what happened in Haiti. The city's NFL team, it's a rallying point for resident there who suffered through Katrina. And the Saints are a step away from the Super Bowl. What does this mean for New Orleans right now, Rick?
HARROW: It means a tremendous amount emotionally, economically, as well. Let's remember the Saints themselves have struggled, have been one game away. Ironically, the Bears beat them in the NFC championship a few years ago to play the Colts. The Saints are now playing the Vikings with Brett Favre from Kiln, Louisiana. If he goes -- everybody is excited about him. But more important, if the Saints beat the Vikings, then it's Saints playing those Colts in Miami, and a significant economic boost.
Let's remember something else. 2013, the Super Bowl goes to New Orleans. That is a big deal. But here's the other issue, Don. We now know how to raise money better than ever before. The telethon a tremendous thing two days ago. But Katrina evokes memories of how the country responded, raising significant dollars five years ago. And now we are practicing all over again under dire circumstances to help our brothers in Haiti.
LEMON: Rick Harrow, thank you very much. Rick, we usually have a fun time at this, all serious stuff, what is going on in the world today. We wish the Saints luck. We wish both teams luck, but this could mean a lot for the people of Louisiana, New Orleans. Thank you.
HARROW: A lot to them. And we will talk about the Super Bowl raising dollars a couple weeks from now in Miami. Get on that story as well.
LEMON: Thank you, sir.
So many of you gave money to Haiti charities. I talked with three donors and we traced where their money went.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: There's Melissa Stanport (ph) right there. She donated $25 to UNICEF. Right?
MELISSA STANFORD, HAITI DONOR: Yes.
LEMON: Reginald Prince (ph) donated $20 to Yele Haiti and says he will do so every month through the end of the year, right?
And Jamie Culvert (ph), $10 to the Red Cross via the 90999 text.
Thank you for joining us and telling your story.
REGINALD PRINCE (ph), HAITI DONOR: Thank you, Don.
JAMIE CULVERT (ph), HAITI DONOR: Thanks for having us.
LEMON: Every little bit counts, even if it is $1. We talked about how much money to give, 25, 15, whatever. That's -- in this economy, right?
STANPORT (ph): It's tough. I'm a college student, I mean, you know.
LEMON: You're a college student?
STANPORT (ph): It's definitely tough.
LEMON: Concerns from many of you when you sent the money about where it was going to go and whether you were going to be scam?
STANPORT (ph): I was definitely worried at first because you can hear about crazy scams and people doing anything these days.
LEMON: Reginald?
PRINCE (ph): Also, like she said, I was concerned. I wanted to make sure the money was actually going to help the individuals of Haiti.
LEMON: And what about you? Same thing?
CULVERT (ph): I worried about the same thing, because all the time you hear that the money is actually going to fund administration and those kind of things. So I would really like to know if my money reaches the Haitian people.
LEMON: Jamie, let's get do it then.
Talk about the first thing. Let's bring in Yele to show where the money from Yele is going to. And this is the information that we got from Yele. So, Yele says, "100 percent of the Haiti relief, they are going to go to medical supplies and security for the Yele team. It also goes to food and water." They tell us 100 percent of this. And this is what they are buying, medical supplies, security for Yele team, food and water.
You gave to Yele?
PRINCE (ph): I did.
LEMON: You gave to Yele. So do you feel -- are you satisfied?
PRINCE (ph): I'm very satisfied.
LEMON: You're going to continue to give and follow-up?
PRINCE (ph): I will.
LEMON: Let's move on now and talk about the Red Cross, the Red Cross.
Melissa, you donated -- did you donate to the Red Cross?
STANPORT (ph): Jamie.
LEMON: Jamie, you donated to Red Cross?
CULVERT (ph): I did.
LEMON: Red Dress, wearing a red dress, Red Cross. Here is where your money, whatever you donated. So 91 percent of this goes to Haiti relief. 50 percent, right, that is 91 percent pretty much of what you give, it says. 50 percent goes to food and water, right? 30 percent for blankets, first aid kits, hygiene kits, tents. 20 percent, trucks, airplanes. 9 percent, Red Cross administrative fee. That is why 91 percent actually goes to Haiti relief, 9 percent goes to Red Cross administrative fees.
What do you think of that? Are you OK with that?
CULVERT (ph): I'm satisfied with that because I know that the Red Cross helps so many people, and just to keep the Red Cross afloat, I'm definitely satisfied with that.
LEMON: OK. Let's talk UNICEF. UNICEF, which I have done a lot of work with UNICEF.
STANPORT (ph): Yes.
LEMON: Let's find out where UNICEF goes. 100 percent of UNICEF's, all the money that you give, will go to Haiti relief. Here's what they do: tents, school in a box, water purification tablets, blankets and protein biscuits. They are going to need that water and those -- the purification tablets and the protein biscuits.
What do you think?
STANPORT (ph): I really admire UNICEF because they focus on the children. And you know, something we take for granted every day that they need. And that was one of the reasons why I chose them.
LEMON: Is there something that you would like to see when it comes to -- Melissa, when it comes to where the money comes from, 100 percent? Other things would you like to see your dollars go to when it comes to relief?
STANPORT (ph): Shelter. You know, making sure they have shelter, and anything from, you know, vaccines, you know, immunizations for the children, I can't imagine the amount of disease that is going to occur.
LEMON: Reginald?
PRINCE (ph): I would like to see the money go toward education and building of the schools. Because it is education that the kids need as well.
LEMON: What about you?
CULVERT (ph): I agree. Especially as far as the diseases go and the immunization, it is so important right now.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Dollars, hard-earned dollars, doesn't matter how much you give, every little bit counts.
So far, Yele Haiti has raised over $1 million. The Red Cross raised $34 million; UNICEF, $26 million. And it is important for you to check out where your money is going. Go to CNN.com/impact. You're Impact Your World, and you will see a list of reputable agencies where you can send donations.
And if you are looking for a way to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake, CNN has you covered. I'm going to tell you tonight, 8 p. m. Eastern, you want to stay tuned for a special "Larry King Live." It is called Haiti, how you can help. The phone lines will open and we will be taking your calls and donations. The program will feature a powerhouse group of leaders and celebrity activists, including Ringo Starr, Ben Stiller, Premanya (ph) of Jordan, and many, many more, tonight, 8 p.m. eastern, only here on CNN. Again, the phone lines will be open to take your calls and, of course, your donations. An ominous sign for the printed word in Laredo, Texas. Ominous. If you want to walk through a book section bigger than a supermarket aisle, now you have to drive 150 miles. A visit to the largest American city without one single book store.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: It is one of those big Washington votes that really could have a direct impact on you and your money. It is all about this man, Ben Bernanke, and whether he should keep his job as chairman of the Federal Reserve. His term expires at the end of the month and President Obama wants Senators to give him a second term. As of now, he is expected to be confirmed, but it's not a slam dunk.
Senators started taking sides today on CNN's "State of the Union."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. RICHARD SHELBY, (R), ALABAMA: I believe if you look at his record objectively, you shouldn't vote for him. I voted against him in the committee. I believe that the Federal Reserve is part and parcel of the whole problem. They helped create the problem by loose money and too little regulation. Now, they want to ride to the rescue with the taxpayer's money. I believe that that's not a good record for the Fed, led by Ben Bernanke. I intend to vote against him.
SEN. ROBERT MENENDEZ, (D), NEW JERSEY: I have had concerns, as I expressed to the Banking Committee, with Chairman Bernanke, about consumer protection, of being ahead of the curve on the economy and particularly on mortgage foreclosures. I think he has learned from those lessons. I give him credit for making some significant moves to -- along with President Obama, from stopping us and going to a deep depression. So, yes, I will support Chairman Bernanke and I believe that his confirmation will be assured.
ANDERSON COOPER, HOST, STATE OF THE UNION: You on the same page?
SEN. ORRIN HATCH, (R), UTAH: Yes. In all honesty, there are some things I don't agree with that have been done, but I think he basically has all of the ability to do it. I would be terrified of having him replaced by this administration. You never know what you're going to get. This man knows what he is doing. Yes, can he improve? You bet your life. But I'm going to vote for him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: All that on "State of the Union" this morning. The signs of growing opposition to Bernanke helped send the stock market lower this week.
Ben Bernanke is credited with helping prevent an economic depression. But his support of Wall Street bailouts is one of the issues that have angered many Senators.
Ben Bernanke's future, it's just one of the big political issues I'm going to talk about it next hour with Mark Preston, CNN's political editor.
If you have a question for us, log on to Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, or iReport.com. Prestononpolitics, time to take your thoughts and your questions. I'm checking them right now.
Before that, Laredo, Texas, is in a county where nearly half the people can't read and now it is the largest city in the U.S. without a bookstore.
But as Ed Lavandera tells us, many hope this isn't the final word on the subject.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ED LAVANDERA, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: For as long as anyone can remember, the only bookstore in Laredo has been in this mall. And sandwiched between a hip-hop t-shirt store and a fun land play area for kids is where you'll find the B. Dalton Bookstore.
(voice-over): It's small. But inside, Swara Reveta (ph) discovered the world.
SWARA REVETA (ph), READER: This is my bookstore. This is my home.
LAVANDERA: The store is closed. Barnes & Noble, which owns B. Dalton, says it is shutting down its small stores. And that means Laredo, Texas, population 250,000, is a city without a bookstore.
REVETA (ph): I love reading. I serious I don't understand why people don't like reading that much.
(LAUGHTER)
LAVANDERA (on camera): So the idea of not having a bookstore here in your hometown in.
REVETA (ph): It hurts.
LAVANDERA: Your mom told me you cried a couple times.
REVETA (ph): Yes.
(LAUGHTER)
Maybe.
Hi. Excuse me. I'm collecting signatures to see if we can open a new bookstore here in Laredo.
LAVANDERA (voice-over): Swara (ph) and dozens more are collecting signatures, trying to convince book sellers that a big store can thrive in this border town.
REVETA (ph): If you don't know how to read, you're not going to get very far in life. You know, there's letters everywhere. I mean, obviously. LAVANDERA (on camera): How old are you?
REVETA (ph): Turning 15.
LAVANDERA: Turning 15. You've got to be kidding me. That's impressive.
(voice-over): Swara (ph) and many others here fear the bookstore's demise gives the city an ignorant, back-water image.
XDCHITL MORA, SPOKESWOMAN, CITY OF LAREDO: Just assuming we don't read because we're Mexican or immigrant or poor, that's not the case. It does hurt us.
LAVANDERA: Now that the bookstore is closed, this HEB Grocery Store will pass as one of the biggest bookstores in Laredo. That book sitting in the cart with tortillas and potatoes was written by Oscar Cesares.
UNIDENTIFIED STORY WORKER: Thank you so much for coming in.
LAVANDERA: Cesares grew up in south Texas where bookstores are hard to find. He's written two books and pushed to sell them in grocery stores. He wants books to have a true place to call home in Laredo.
(on camera): What do you think it does to a spirit of a city to not have a bookstore?
OSCAR CESARES, AUTHOR, "AMIGOLAND": I think it creates a void and it's a void that isn't instantly recognizable. But it's one that, over time, I think does -- is deflating.
LAVANDERA (voice-over): Laredo does have two libraries but it won't be able to handle demand for popular books. Librarians are looking to add more books to the shelves.
MARIA SOLIZ, MANAGER, LAREDO PUBLIC LIBRARY: I'm hoping that the circulation at the library will go up because of that, and maybe that will be a way to convince the big book sellers to come to Laredo, that there is a need.
LAVANDERA: Barnes & Noble wants to re-open a bigger store in Laredo. No one knows when that will happen.
Swara Reveta (ph) waits, heartbroken.
(on camera): Do you think a book store will come back here?
REVETA (ph): We should have one! Yes, I really do hope so. That whoever is able to see, it's motivated, and see that we can actually have one here if we were to just push a little harder
LAVANDERA: Well, I think after a bookstore sees you, that should happen.
(voice-over): Ed Lavandera, CNN, Laredo, Texas. (END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Unbelievable. I wonder if that's a trend across the country. Let's hope not.
Let's get your feedback. We appreciate your feedback. I want to get as much as it on as possible. Some from Facebook, some from Twitter.
Someone says, "They said there was no hope for finding anyone else alive. Who made that decision? Only God can call the ending of something like this."
Appreciate that one.
Here's one that they're sending around. This is like a wave. It says, "This is the Saints' lucky text wave. Keep it going. Send it on. Help our boys keep marching on."
Another one says, "How much damage will the Republicans cause this year"?
Marcus Laughlin (ph) from Hudson, Massachusetts, sent that.
"It is 1994 all over again with the Democratic president fighting against resurgent Republicans and Independents."
"What POTUS (ph), Obama should focus on now that the honeymoon is over and my own others' feelings about the recent Supreme Court vote."
Also one more here. "There is no comparison." They're talking about to Scott Brown and President Obama. "He's not a good candidate in the first place. Scott Brown took advantage of a lackluster candidate."
Appreciate your feedback. We're going to have our Mark Preston coming up in a bit. Prestonofpolitics. He is going to take your questions and comments. We're going to talk about it right on the air. So make sure you send us your comments, coming up in a little bit here on CNN.
Let's talk about Andy Dick. When will he learn? We'll tell you about the comedian's latest performance, and, according to police, no laughing matter.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: It has been one year since President Obama took office. We're taking a look tonight at how his presidency is playing around the world.
Reza Sayah is in Pakistan, tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
REZA SAYAH, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: When President Obama took office, he called Pakistan's tribal region along the Afghan border the central front in the war on terror. He said America's enemies were there. He put some serious pressure on Pakistan to go after militants. Pakistan seemed to respond with two major offensives against the Taliban. And Washington didn't sit back either, really picking up controversial U.S. drone strikes, targeting militants on Pakistani soil. The result has been the death of several top al Qaeda operatives and the leader of the Pakistani Taliban Betula Meseud (ph).
But here's the problem. The Taliban haven't backed down, launching a fresh wave of suicide attacks under a new leader. And those drone strikes have really fanned anti-Americanism here. A new poll shows America the number one enemy here, not the Taliban.
Mr. Obama's promise of billions in economic aid have been slow to develop. For Mr. Obama, a lot of work remains here in Pakistan, in what is a complicated and important country.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Reza Sayah reporting.
Somebody needs to tell comedian Andy Dick that crotch-grabbing is not funny. Dick was arrested early today in Washington, West Virginia, and charged with two felony accounts of sexual abuse. He's accused of grabbing a bouncer's crotch at a bar and groping and kissing a male patron. He is out on bail now and apparently will make his scheduled appearance tonight at a comedy club. Dick is still on probation for an incident in 2008 where he got himself in trouble for groping a teenage girl.
