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Obama Speaks at National Prayer Breakfast; Detroit's Unemployed Banking on New Cash Crop: Medical Marijuana; FreedomWorks Chairman Dick Armey
Aired February 04, 2010 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Top stories now.
Prayers and politics for President Obama. He says the nation's lawmakers need to be more civil to each other. That was the message this morning at the Annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington. An ethics group has protested his appearance. The president said there's a feeling that something in Washington is broken and lawmakers aren't getting the nation's business done.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We become numb to the day-to-day crises, the slow-moving tragedies of children without food and men without shelter and families without health care. We become absorbed with our abstract arguments, our ideological disputes, our contests for power. And in this Tower of Babel, we lose the sound of god's voice.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Our Ed Henry is going to join us in just a few minutes on the controversial part of that prayer breakfast.
Toyota under the microscope. The government now taking a closer look at the automaker. The Transportation Department just announced its opened an investigation into brake problems in the 2010 Prius. Toyota previously said there were design problems with the brakes in that popular model. The government investigation will focus on allegations of brake failure over uneven roads, potholes or bumps.
James Ray under arrest. He's the self-help expert who used a sweat lodge as part of his program. Three people died during one of his retreats in Arizona last year. He's supposed to be in court today to face manslaughter charges. Ray's attorney admits it was a terrible accident but says it wasn't a criminal act.
So you're out of work, bills are stacking up, time is running out. Could medical marijuana be the wonder drug for what ails you? Pot is legally prescribed in 14 states and someone has got to grow the cash crop, right? Well, that economic opportunity has taken root in the hard-hit state of Michigan.
Poppy Harlow, CNNMoney.com, join us here with all the details -- Poppy.
POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM: It's true, Kyra. You know the auto industry in Michigan yet to show any sign of hope. Folks in Michigan down and out, highest unemployment rate in the country, so what are they doing? Looks like they're turning to an illegal drug -- pot. It might be just the jump start this state needs. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a strain they call Vietnam 1969.
HARLOW (voice-over): The weed in Travis Williams' living room isn't getting him high or arrested. As a registered care giver, it's a job in a state with the highest unemployment rate in the country.
TRAVIS WILLIAMS, MEDICAL MARIJUANA CAREGIVER: It should be a pretty lucrative industry, you know. Not street money lucrative, but enough to make a living.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've got a whole bunch of tops right here that all look the same.
HARLOW: It's here at MedGrow Cannabis College where Williams learned a new way to make a buck after his construction business fell as rapidly as the Michigan economy. He sees the legalization of medical marijuana as the quick fix Detroit needs.
WILLIAMS: As far as new industries, this is it for right now.
HARLOW (on camera): This is it, medical marijuana. What about green technology or...
WILLIAMS: Well, that's coming.
HARLOW: Or electric cars.
WILLIAMS: That's coming, but that's going to take some years. So for right now when you've got to pay the mortgage, you can't wait a couple years. You have to move right now.
HARLOW (voice-over): When Michigan voters put their stamp of approval on legislation legalizing medical marijuana in 2008, Nick Tennant saw dollar signs.
NICK TENNANT, FOUNDER, MEDGROW: Because of the economic climate in Michigan, we are poised for growth. People are looking for a new industry to get into.
HARLOW: So, in September, Tennant founded MedGrow, the first medical marijuana trade school in Michigan. Unlike most businesses here, his is booming. Since it opened, hundreds have graduated from the six-week $475 course which has been sold out for the last few months.
JOE SCHWATZ, MEDGROW STUDENT: It's a new frontier and I'm excited to see this for the state. They need help, as much as they can get.
HARLOW: But there's a clear catch-22 when it comes to what's legal and what's not. Registered patients can smoke medical marijuana, but they can't legally buy it. And care givers can plant it, but they can't buy the seeds to grow it.
WILLIAMS: It's like you think the government or the state is playing a joke on you. OK, marijuana is legal. But then they come bust you.
HARLOW: The Michigan Department of Community Health, which oversees the program, admits the law is unclear. In a statement it says, "the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act has many gray areas that are causing much confusion about marijuana usage. The largest gray area is obtaining the drug... This is a problem that only the state legislature can resolve."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARLOW: And, Kyra, we asked is the state working to fix this clear problem in the law? What we've seen is three state senators from Michigan come forward, put proposals out there for greater regulation of the program, but, Kyra, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health, there have been no other efforts to clarify this clear catch-22 in the law.
It's amazing, you can grow it but, wait, you can't buy the seeds to do it. And you can smoke it but you can't legally buy it. Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Put in perspective, how popular is this in Michigan?
HARLOW: It's incredibly, incredibly popular. More than 15,000 people have applied for applications to either be a care giver or a patient since just April when this all started, and thousands and thousands of them still haven't gotten the cards to allow them to do this.
Travis Williams, the man we profiled in the piece, he told me this morning on the phone he still hasn't gotten his care giver certification even though he applied back in November. Kyra, it all gets down there to logistics and bureaucracy. There's not enough people in the office to dole out these cards to meet the demand of people in Michigan that want a job and want to do this to make a living. Kyra.
PHILLIPS: OK. We'll see how successful it turns out. Thanks, Poppy.
So pot school, what do you think? Green thumbs up or down? Go to my blog, cnn.com/kyra and post your thoughts.
A ground roots movement spreading like wildfire.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You work for us. You work for us. You work for us. PHILLIPS: Talking about those conservative tea party protests. Tens of thousands of people have turned out for the rallies across the country. Some of the most vocal within shouting distance of lawmakers in Washington, and those lawmakers are listening.
Now the separate groups are coming together for their first convention. Tea party convention kicks off in Nashville, Tennessee, today. The keynote speaker, Sarah Palin.
Well, it's the big week, but not all is rosy at the tea party. CNN's Jim Acosta talks about the divide.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kill the bill, kill the bill.
JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Take recession raging conservatives and independents ...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think Barack Obama is anti-American.
ACOSTA: Add a Democrat to the White House ...
(on camera): Do you think having the president dressed up as the grim reaper is a little over the top?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, I do not.
ACOSTA: You think it's appropriate.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Nothing disrespectful about this.
ACOSTA (voice-over): And you get the tea party.
There's more brewing in this rebellion against bailouts and big government than just Scott Brown's tea party infused upset in the Massachusetts Senate race.
MARK MECKLER, CO-FOUNDER, TEA PARTY PATRIOTS: This is a major victory in what I would call the second American revolution.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come up, guys.
ACOSTA: Mark Meckler and Jenny Beth Martin, founders of the Tea Party Patriots want this movement to blow the lid off Capitol Hill in this year's elections. They plan to back candidates who stand for tea party principles. And it doesn't matter if it's Republicans or Democrats standing in the way.
JENNY BETH MARTIN, CO-FOUNDER, TEA PARTY PATRIOTS: I think if it had been John McCain, the same thing would have happened. I truly believe that.
ACOSTA (on camera): Really?
MARTIN: I really do. MECKLER: I do too.
ACOSTA (voice-over): In one year the tea party has gone viral from dozens to now hundreds of loosely-linked groups around the country. But Meckler and Martin don't tell them what to do. That's not the tea party way.
MECKLER: It's all bottom up. I mean, the real deal is there are millions of leaders out there leading this movement.
ACOSTA (on camera): There may be leaders in the tea party movement but nobody is in charge. In fact, rival groups from Washington, D.C. to Sacramento, California, are battling over who will carry the tea party banner. And that fight has some tea partiers feeling hung over.
What do you think is happening at the tea party?
JIM KNAPP, TEA PARTY ACTIVIST: Well, I don't think the tea party knows what's happening to the tea party.
ACOSTA (voice-over): Sacramento chief party activist Jim Knapp fears the movement is about to be hijacked by one of the established parties.
KNAPP: I don't think there's any question that the GOP has their tentacles into the tea party.
ACOSTA: Knapp points to the Tea Party Express, the conservative bus tour that crisscrossed the country last year. It run right inside a Republican political consulting firm. To the right Sal Russo runs the firm and to the left Joe Wierzbicki runs the Tea Party Express. Their offices are side by side.
(on camera): Do you think a lot of those tea party activists know that the Tea Party Express is based in an office that's run by Republican political consultants?
JOE WIERZBICKI, TEA PARTY EXPRESS: I think what you'll find is at tea party rallies a lot of those people who are mad at the Republican Party, many of them are Republicans themselves. Us, included. You know.
ACOSTA: You're Republicans?
WIERZBICKI: Yes.
ANNOUNCER: And that's why we at the Tea Party Express endorse Scott Brown.
ACOSTA (voice-over): After spending $350,000 to air pro Scott Brown campaign ads, these Republican consultants argue that the tea party's home is the GOP.
WIERZBICKI: The people who form this movement need a major political party. ACOSTA: The movement's future is on the agenda. At the tea party's first convention set for this week but even with tea party favorites Sarah Palin headlining the convention, it's being boycotted by some tea party activists scoffing at the $550 admission fee.
MECKLER: There wasn't the kind of grass roots organization we are, so we declined to participate.
ACOSTA: Despite all that in-fighting, it's clear that tea party is on a roll, where it rolls is anybody's guess.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: And joining me now from Dallas, former Congressman Dick Armey. He's now the chairman of FreedomWorks, a key organizer of some of the tea party rallies but not going to the national convention.
Mr. Chairman, I want to know why? You were a driving force in this movement and you're not going to the convention.
DICK ARMEY, CHAIRMAN, FREEDOMWORKS: Well, look, freedom works has been in the small government grassroots business since 1994. We had our hearts elevated, we were excited to see this outburst across the country, what are called tea party activists. The fact of the matter is it's the largest, broadest, most diversified grassroots uprising perhaps in the history of the country, certainly with respect to economic issues.
It is multi-facetted and nobody is in charge. When we decided in March of last year to hold an event in September in Washington on the Mall, we wondered if anybody would show up. The model was, look, we'll throw the party, we'll get the permits, we'll pay for the Porta- Potties, you all come and let's make our voices be heard on this very important subject.
The idea of freedom independence, liberation from government intrusiveness, responsible small government, these ideas were bigger than the man, bigger than the moment, bigger than any political party.
PHILLIPS: Well ...
ARMEY: Now they're trying a different model in Tennessee and we'll see what happens with that model. It's just a different approach.
PHILLIPS: And the protests have gotten bigger and there are more of them. So I guess my question to you is, you know, is this a legitimate organization or is this just a bigger protest movement?
ARMEY: It's a movement. And it's bigger than an organization. If somebody thinks they can get their arms around this and be in charge of it, I think they're really - maybe they have been to Michigan smoking medical marijuana or whatever. The fact of the matter is this movement is so large, what you have to look for, when does it make itself known and make an impact in a manner that is meaningful.
For example, in Massachusetts because the candidate was in of himself a candidate by and large agreed with the principles of small government and fiscal responsibility and took the initiative of running a grassroots campaign, he was quite attractive to the grassroots activists known as the tea party folks.
PHILLIPS: So is this movement a threat to the Republican Party? Can it co-exist with the Republican Party?
ARMEY: Well, the foundation believes in small responsible government, avoiding government intrusiveness, protecting individual liberty. These are part of both the Republican Party and this movement. If the Republican party gets back to being the party of Reagan, it will be the party that this movement can love.
And the party is finding its way back there after two or three years of frankly disappointing performance.
PHILLIPS: Then, let me ask you, should the Republican Party then embrace the tea party folks in order to, you know, win big in 2010? Is this the answer?
ARMEY: No, they should embrace the great ideas that are, for example, embedded in our constitution, that have served this nation so well, that has made this nation the greatest blessing to the world in the history of the world. The ideas of limited government, responsible government, restraint of government and defense of individual liberty and efficiency, cost effectiveness in government, lower taxes that can follow from that.
Embrace those ideas and then people across the nation who embrace them will once again embrace the Republican Party as they did with Reagan in '80, as they did with the contract in '94. But the ideas are the compelling influence over the behavior of the participants.
PHILLIPS: Dick Armey, we're going to follow the first convention. That's for sure, see what happens. Appreciate your time, sir.
ARMEY: Thank you.
PHILLIPS: The president has harsh words for a country that wants to send homosexuals to prison. We'll tell you about it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: This is what I love about CNN.com and the news pulse page. You never know what you're going to get. And now, well, with Mel Gibson, you never know what you're going to get with him.
Apparently he has made a few more remarks that are adding to a controversy. It's the most popular story right now on cnn.com. What did he say? Well, you're going to have to check out the news pulse section. Second most popular story right now, another 800,000 jobs disappearing. You know, we've been talking with Stephanie Elam about that. And she's been reporting on those jobless numbers.
And the third most popular story right now, if you haven't seen it, Jeanne Moos did a very, I guess, a very racy, well put together piece on the reporter reporting on the banking institutions and behind him, let's just say there were a couple of racy photos. You can check that out on cnn.com.
Just go straight to news pulse. It updates every 15 minutes. We'll try and stay in touch with that and what's breaking on cnn.com.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: President Obama says that Uganda just doesn't get it. He came out with some strong criticism this morning for that place. The African nation is considering legislation that would send homosexuals to long prison terms even death.
CNN's senior White House correspondent Ed Henry at the White House. So let's talk about what the president said exactly, because there was talk that there were going to be a lot of protests from gay rights groups to this prayer breakfast this morning, Ed.
ED HENRY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Kyra. There were some protesters. I think the big picture here though is that the president was getting pressure from a liberal watchdog group, CREW, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington who had been saying that the group that sponsors this breakfast, the fellowship foundation, has ties to this legislation in Uganda that would have these harsh prison sentences for people who are homosexual and it could even lead to death, some of the sentences, not just long prison terms.
And so the president had been under pressure to boycott this but this is a tradition that goes back to President Eisenhower. So rather than skip it altogether, the president went but did decide to speak out on this important issue. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: We may disagree about gay marriage, but surely we can agree that it is unconscionable to target gays and lesbians for who they are whether it's here in the United States or, as Hillary mentioned, more extreme and odious laws that are being proposed most recently in Uganda.
Surely we can agree to find common ground when possible, parting ways when necessary, but in doing so, let us be guided by our faith. And by prayer.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HENRY: The president noted that his secretary of state Hillary Clinton has spoken before him and also spoke out on this issue. What's interesting is it sort of fit into the broader theme of what the president was trying to accomplish by saying that there should be more civility in politics, more reaching across the aisle.
He's been talking about that a lot lately but obviously this is a unique forum to try to do that, a prayer breakfast that's an annual tradition where both parties do come together. A lot of Republicans on that stage with him. Also on that stage, Tim Tebow, the University of Florida quarterback, former Heisman trophy winner.
I should note that my producer, (INAUDIBLE), a Florida grad, I should also note, full disclosure, saw at one point that Tim Tebow appeared to be signing some autographs for some members of Congress. So whether the president's message about civility and coming together was heard by all these members of Congress will still remain to be seen there, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Well, we should point out too, Tim Tebow very outspoken about his Christian faith.
HENRY: Absolutely.
PHILLIPS: He's the one we see on the field with the bible verses right there in bold, black letters on his cheek.
HENRY: And at the Super Bowl, he's going to be in an ad that is causing controversy ...
PHILLIPS: Right.
HENRY: Because it speaks out against abortion. And he is very forceful in talking about that. He gave sort of the closing prayer this morning at the breakfast. So he's very much in the public eye on a lot of these big controversial issues, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Ed Henry from the White House. Ed, thanks so much.
HENRY: Thanks, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Knee deep in snow. Maybe not where you are, but watch where you travel. It's either going to be a winter wonderland or a major headache. A forecast you need to hear.
And if you've driven off a Toyota lot lately, you may soon be making a return trip. New problems and a new investigation.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Snow, ice and rain, you name it. We've got all of that pretty much all across the country today. We'll have more in a minute.
But first, take a look at this. Blinding snow did quite a number on the highways in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There were dozens of accidents, several highways had to be shut down. The weather was so bad it gave a lot of students a get out of school free pass.
The storm is expected to taper off today, right, Rob?
(WEATHER REPORT)
PHILLIPS: Well, a retreat focused on the soul. Everyone paid thousands of dollars. Some never lived to regret it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And after me giving her mouth-to-mouth, I would breathe into her mouth, her stomach would go up. And when it go back down again, she'd vomit into my mouth.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: We'll have the latest on the self-help guru now charged in the deaths.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: When it rains, it pours. Toyota in trouble again. If you own one, you almost have to be wondering what's next. Just about an hour ago, the U.S. government announced a new investigation. This time looking at brake problems with the 2010 Prius. Toyota admitted there's a glitch in the system that could cause accidents.
It's those very same hybrids that are Toyota's cash cow. New numbers just out say they made $1.7 billion last quarter, but it won't last long. For the first time, Toyota admitting it's going to take a huge beating due to this gas pedal nightmare. $2 billion for repairs and lost sales.
But those are just numbers. What about the people who plunk down 30 grand of their hard-earned money for something they're now afraid to drive?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAURA PAULSON, TOYOTA CUSTOMER: I felt it take off like a rocket, and I immediately hit the brakes hard and I was laid out, stretched out on the brakes, which had no effect.
They're recalling the throttle and the accelerator mechanism, but I -- and floor mats, but I don't believe that's the problem.
We feel it's an unsafe vehicle -- it's a loaded gun, it could happen any time. We just don't feel comfortable in it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Again, eight Toyota models recalled so far for sticky gas pedals. Millions of cars. It's unknown just how many accidents were caused by the pedal problem. Not surprisingly, Toyota says they are still safe to drive.
Making things worse and adding to the confusion is Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. On Capitol Hill, he was asked for his advice for Toyota drivers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RAY LAHOOD, U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: My advice is if anybody owns one of these vehicles, stop driving it, take it to the Toyota dealer because they believe they have the fix for it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: All right. Did he really say that, stop driving your Toyota right now? Basically telling millions of people to get right to the dealers because Toyota thinks they can fix it? With some time to ponder the point, would LaHood stand by his statement? No.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAHOOD: What I said in there was obviously a misstatement. What I meant to say, and what I thought I said was if you own one of these cars or if you're in doubt, take it to the dealer and they're going to fix it, okay? Is that good enough for everybody?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: I guess good enough for television.
In Arizona, a self-help guru due in court today to face manslaughter charges. The attorney for James Ray says he'll be cleared in the deaths of three people who were taking part in a sweat lodge ceremony last year. Investigators say that Ray encouraged people to stay in the sauna-like lodge even as they began vomiting and passing out. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MELINDA MARTIN, FORMER EMPLOYEE OF JAMES RAY INTL.: It was like an absolute mash unit. Helicopters coming down, you know. When he came out, the helicopters weren't there, but at that time it was still bodies everywhere, passed out. And then he walked out of there looking like a million bucks.
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What was James Ray doing during this time?
MARTIN: Watching. Standing above and watching.
They hosed him down and he said, "Oh, thank you." And then he walked past the guy who was screaming, saying -- he was earlier saying he didn't want to die and please don't let me die. When James walked by him, this guy said to James from his sitting down position, he goes, "I died. I literally died and I came back to life," and James was like, "Hey, all right, man." Gave him high five. It was, like, fantastic.
James, I think, was completely oblivious to the pandemonium that was taking place around that sweat lodge.
TUCHMAN: What happened during the worst point of all this, the most horrifying point?
MARTIN: My worst point, or my most horrifying point was when the ambulances arrived and helicopters arrived. And the paramedics came and they surveyed Kirby Brown and they put her in an ambulance instead of a helicopter. And that was the worst moment for me.
TUCHMAN: Because you knew that it was too late for her?
MARTIN: Yes. And after me giving her mouth-to-mouth -- I would breathe into her mouth. Her stomach would go up. When it would go back down again, she would vomit into my mouth. And this happened four times. And I really thought I was going to bring her back. I really thought that she was going to survive.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: About 60 people attended ray's so-called spiritual warrior event in Arizona last October. Ray has built a multimillion dollar empire by teaching people about financial and spiritual wealth.
We've all been all over this story for months, and tonight we'll bring you the next wrinkle. CNN's Larry King has a primetime exclusive tonight with James Ray's attorney, Brad Brian. Tonight at 9:00 Eastern, right here on CNN.
"Don't ask, don't tell," but you better be prepared to wait. The Pentagon says it's time to lift the ban on gays serving openly in the military. Time, that is, after a year-long review.
We wanted to get reaction from two career military vets. They're gay, and they're hoping that that repeal will save their futures.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, this is definitely the farthest we've come with regard to lifting the policy, but it still hasn't been lifted. We're talking about a year-long review. Victor, is that a step in the right direction? Is that enough or is that just ridiculous?
LT. COL. VICTOR SEHRENBACK, U.S. AIR FORCE: Well, like you said, Kyra, this is a historic day. This is the first time we've had senior military leaders, especially at this level, take these positive steps. I realize this is just an initial step, and we do have a long way to go.
I do agree, a review may be necessary. Just because I know that there are some important issues that are going to need to be addressed. However, I think a year-long is just way too long, and the reason I say that is, you know, we've got 25-plus allies who have done this. Some of our allies have lifted their bans 10, 15 years ago and already addressed these issues and concerns and found solutions.
So, to me it seems like we could just pick up the phone, ask those questions and find those solutions. To me, that seems like it would take 30, maybe 60 days.
PHILLIPS: Julie, what do you think?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was actually quite disappointed when Senator Gates and Admiral Mullen were talking about a year-long working group on an issue that clearly, as the lieutenant colonel was stating, we have evidence with our NATO allies the impact of allowing gays to serve openly.
I think the frustration for me in that hearing was to hear certain senators basically say that they are proud of the service that gay service members have, you know, are currently committed in doing, and at the same time they're saying, well, yes, we honor your service, we appreciate your service. But at the same time the hypocrisy of not allowing us to just be ourselves. It was extremely frustrating.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Critics of repealing the ban say this isn't even the time to consider such drastic action since the military is currently fighting wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Straight ahead, three cities, three jobs, three job seekers, one chance. We've got people from Salt Lake, Washington and Dallas ready to sell you their skills. It only takes 30 seconds apiece. Hear 'em out.
Also timing is everything, especially when your little buddy comes tumbling out of a second-floor window.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: And just think, six years ago yesterday you had no friends, no status, no walls to write on. But six years ago today, that changed. Facebook launched February 4th, 2004, from a dorm room at Harvard. It was around this time the noun friend also became a verb as in "friend me, I'm on Facebook. Today, it has some 350 million active users.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: The nation's job picture not looking so good. The government announced an unexpected jump in first-time unemployment claims. The Labor Department says it rose by a thousand. That's to 480,000. That's the fourth increase in the past five weeks.
Scott Brown about to drop the elect part of his senator title. The Massachusetts Republican will be sworn in late this afternoon to take Ted Kennedy's seat. The election results were certified this morning. Brown originally planned to be sworn in next week, but it got moved up to today.
Here's a story we think will grab you. A toddler saved by his big brother's friend. The little guy was fooling around, fell out of a second-floor window. Lucky for him, his big brother's friend happened to be outside and grabbed him just before he hit the ground. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARY CLEVENGER, CAUGHT LITTLE BROTHER: He was trying to be cute and funny and hitting the screen with his hands and putting his face against it. Then he hit it even harder and fell.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: People think stuff like that can't happen and it can easily happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Here's the good news. The family fixed that window so it can't open so far.
Okay. Out of work, looking for a job? We're here to help. Time for our "30-Second Pitch, connecting job hunters with employers.
Michael Jonas is in D.C. He's hoping to find work in communications and public interest. Doug Powers joining us from are Dallas. He's looking for a job as a manager of benefits or compensation. And Paula Lee Roberts is in Salt Lake City trying to find a job as a consultant or some type of job in management.
All right, Michael, let's start with you. What has been the hardest part of not being able to find a job, and did you see it coming?
MICHAEL JONAS, JOB SEEKER: I would say just -- preparing for education and experience and then reaching a point where everybody that applies to that job has education and experience. Just hoping to get called back -- I mean just that alone is definitely a good thing and a start in the right direction. But a lot of employers, they're getting thousands of resumes and waiting forever to call people back.
PHILLIPS: Doug, what about for you, is it the same thing? Are you seeing it tough to even get in the door and get that interview?
DOUG POWERS, JOB SEEKER: I think Michael is correct. I've gotten the interviews, but the competition is enormous. It's usually six candidates that are being interviewed relative to three years ago when it was three candidates being interviewed for a position. It's just competition.
PHILLIPS: Paula Lee Roberts, how about for you? Are you agreeing with the guys? What have you noticed? What's been the toughest part of getting that job?
PAULA LEE ROBERTS, JOB SEEKER: Good morning, Kyra. It is difficult. Like he said, there's lots of competition. I've been lucky to get some interviews, but just haven't landed that permanent full-time position yet.
PHILLIPS: Were you prepared for it, Paula?
ROBERTS: Actually no, I was not. It was really surprising to find that I wasn't able to get a job. I've never had this problem before. With the economy the way it is, it's really been really disappointing.
PHILLIPS: Well, let's get down to business and try to get you guys in some jobs. Michael Jonas, we'll start with you. Start the clock, take it away.
JONAS: Hi, everybody. I'm Michael Jonas, I'm the media and public interest guy. I have degrees in psychology and law. I have experience with reporting, event planning, nonprofit programming, marketing and various forms of other communication and conflict resolution.
If I could be like someone, it would be Oprah Winfrey. I would love to follow in her footsteps and use communication and humor to bring people together. I'm Michael Jonas, the public interest and media guy. You can e-mail be at career4jonas@gmail.com. That's career, the number four, Jonas like the brothers, at gmail.com.
(BELL RINGS)
PHILLIPS: And you're just as handsome...
JONAS: Oh, thank you!
PHILLIPS: Hopefully, Oprah Winfrey is paying attention and Oprah will call you for a job, Michael Jonas. Doug Powers, are you ready?
POWERS: Yes, ma'am.
PHILLIPS: All right, Dough, take it away.
POWERS: Kyra, I'm Doug Powers. I'm a compensation benefits professional. I do have a CPA. As benefits manager, my strengths are designing a health plan that lowers routinely decreases expense 10 percent, yet remains competitive. Managing the various vendors, decreasing premiums with financial insurance companies, and as a compensation manager increasing -- decreasing expense five percent. I'm looking for a position with a company 1 to 10,000...
(BELL RINGS)
POWERS: ... regardless of the industry.
PHILLIPS: Doug Powers. Okay.
Paula Lee Roberts, you're going to be the ringer here. You're the final "30-Second Pitch." Go ahead, Paula Lee.
ROBERTS: I'm Paula Lee Roberts. I'm a mechanical engineer with several years (ph) of experience with an MBA. I've worked in the aerospace, defense and transportation industries. I'd like to find a position in management in the United States or internationally.
My competencies are design, lean manufacturing, process improvement and technical writing. I have excellent communication and analytical skills. I'm hands-on, results oriented, strategic thinker and a team player, and I'd like to be challenged.
PHILLIPS: There you go. And two extra seconds. Right on the money. Michael Jonas, Doug Powers, Paula Lee Roberts, you can go to our blog, get your e-mails. Guys, thank so much. Please keep us updated.
POWERS, ROBERTS AND JONAS: Thank you.
PHILLIPS: You bet.
If you want to make a pitch, just send your resume and letter to 30secondpitch@CNN.com.
Okay. An express ticket to China. A couple of natives heading home. What's awaiting them? Lots of sex. If they're in the mood. Live pictures as the plane gets ready to take off.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Time to get busy! A pair of pandas headed to their native land of China. Can you believe this? We think Mei Lan and Tai Shan (ph) are actually in those FedEx boxes. They're leaving -- with holes, of course -- the zoos in Atlanta and Washington. That's Tai Shan that you're looking at right there preparing for the special ride on the Panda Express. Isn't that a Chinese restaurant?
Here's what Tai Shan looks like out of the cage. Once they get to their new homes, it's breeding time. Not with each other, let's make that clear. There could be one problem upon arrival, though. Mai Lan only understands English, so they're looking for interpreters. We're following the plane, the live pictures, the trip, the adventure.
Rob Marciano, doesn't that just tickle your fancy?
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOIST: Oh, that's just always cute stuff.
PHILLIPS: Warm and fuzzy.
MARCIANO: I think there's a Panda Express, multiple Panda Expresses and Panda Gardens in just about every city across America.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Thank you.
MARCIANO: Which implies that Americans eat a lot of panda, but I'm certain that's not the case. They are very cute and...
PHILLIPS: First you cause trouble with Punxsatawney Phil, now it's the pandas.
MARCIANO: At the very least I want to give equal time to every cute and cuddly animal out there.
(LAUGHTER) PHILLIPS: How's the weather looking?
(WEATHER REPORT)
PHILLIPS: You mentioned that the pandas are so cute and cuddly, right? Well, you know Doug Fernad (ph) our writer, he's pretty cute and cuddly. There he is right there. He loves the panda story. Doug, turn around and say hello. Go ahead. Go ahead, Doug.
MARCIANO: Doug?
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Go ahead. Now, if you could see Doug besides the silhouette, if he would turn around and smile, he is cute and cuddly like a panda.
MARCIANO: He is cute and cuddly.
PHILLIPS: Isn't he cute and cuddly?
MARCIANO: I wasn't going to say that, but I was thinking that.
PHILLIPS: Thank you, Don Lemon. Turn him around, Don Lemon. Get him! Get him to face the camera! Doug is also very strong like a panda.
MARCIANO: Yes, he is strong like a bull and strong like bear.
PHIILLIPS: All right. We're going to cut him some slack. He's on the panda beat.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Usually just a softer side to Doug Fernad. Thanks for playing, Rob.
Oh, we got him. Outstanding!
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Thanks for the investigative camera, Robert.
All right, step away from that laptop, all right? It could make you happier. Maybe we should have Doug looking at the laptop. British researchers looked at Internet use and depression levels in more than a thousand people ages 16 to 51, and guess what? The study's lead author says there's a link between the amount of time spent on the Internet and levels of depression. The author adds that it's hard to know if going online actually causes depression or if those people who are depressed are simply drawn to the Internet. Give it a try. Log off, get happy.
Marijuana. It's not just for stoners anymore. We'll tell you how medical pot is becoming a cash crop, legally. Heck, there's even a special college for it. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
PHILLIPS: You remember the movie "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." How about some fast money at Cannabis College. Oh, fictional stoner Jeff Spicoli, he's not a professor there. Instead, this course in Michigan teaches people how to legally grow pot for users of medical marijuana. Pot is prescribed in 14 states, and nowhere are the jobs more appreciated than in Michigan. The state is wrestling with the highest unemployment rate in the country.
Today's blog question, your thoughts on the medical marijuana school opening in Michigan.
Here's what Zara had to say. "Give Michigan a break. Let them grow and sell marijuana and find a way for both citizens and the government to make some money."
And from Carl, "Medical marijuana is a copout for the user to use an illegal drug without being guilty of a crime."
From Tyler, "If the amount of money spent trying to prevent these entrepreneurs from growing was combined with the revenue that could be generated by taxing its growth and sale, Michigan would find that this is a viable way of filling the void caused by the failing auto industry."
Remember, we always want to hear from you. Log on to CNN.com/kyra, share your comments.
Thanks so much for joining me. Don Lemon in today for Tony Harris. Don.
