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Thwarting Plots against Domestic Targets; Deep Cuts Taking Toll on California Schools; Hollywood's Big Night

Aired March 06, 2010 - 17:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: First, an IRS building, then the Pentagon. New details tonight on what some call the new homegrown terror.

Would you pay a soft drink tax? You might have to if one official gets his way. We'll talk to the mayor already feeling the outrage from his proposal.

And a big catholic nonprofit takes drastic measures to deny health insurance for same-sex couples. They're taking it away from everyone's spouse.

And black fraternities and sororities say it's their thing. They're asking why whites suddenly want in on the tradition and the prize money. We're going to investigate for you.

Hello, everyone, I'm Don Lemon at the CNN world Headquarters in Atlanta.

It is a chilling reminder that we live in a dangerous world, and it could have been a whole lot worse. Today we're learning more about the man police say opened fire Thursday at the subway entrance to the Pentagon. One thing is certain, John Patrick Bedell was a troubled man. He died in that assault and two Pentagon police officers are recovering from their wounds. Bedell had battled mental illness for years, committed to institutions for treatment at least three times. He had previous brushes with police. And while his problems were known to many, few would have predicted, he might attack America's military. Bedell frequently posted disturbing internet rants warning about government power and other perceived threats. Bedell's parents have released a statement through their county sheriff, calling the incident a tragedy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHERIFF CURTIS HILL, SAN BENITO CO., CALIF. SHERIFF'S OFFICE: "We may never know why he made this terrible decision. One thing is certain, though, his actions were caused by an illness and not a defective character."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: You know, the Pentagon attack joins a growing list of recent assaults and foiled plots here at home on American soil. Some fall under the category of domestic terrorism. Others appear to be isolated plans of one person acting alone. So, let's talk about it now with Security Consultant Jeffrey Beatty, he is a Former cia Officer. And he has helped train Pentagon police officers. Can we call this homegrown terrorist, sir?

JEFFREY BEATTY, SECURITY CONSULTANT: Well, hi, Don. Thank you for having us with you. It's too early to tell. I think, Don, we have to see what are some of the writings that this individual may have left behind, and Don, this is really a continuum, and it goes everywhere from people who conduct violence at home to workplace violence to perhaps violence against the government to terrorism. We don't know yet where this is going to fall out on that continuum, but I can tell you at tssi, when we worked with the Pentagon police as long ago as a dozen years, they have been preparing for just such a scenario, and sadly, as you said, it could have been a lot worse, but the security worked here at the Pentagon.

LEMON: How long have they been preparing for such a scenario? Is this recent?

BEATTY: No. We actually started with them about a dozen years ago, right after our embassies were bombed in Africa, and tssi delivered our "Winning Against Terrorism" program there, worked with them as they were finalizing the design of the entry points. And they, of course, have continued that on and just done a great job of protecting the people that work at the Pentagon. As some reports show that this individual had as many as 250 rounds of ammunition with him. Had he able to get into the Pentagon, it could have been very, very bad.

LEMON: Yes. Let's talk about the bigger picture, because we had the irs, the plane, the guy who flew the plane into the irs building and then left, his sort of manifesto. You have this guy who left his sort of manifesto. So, the question is, here's what people are saying -- had this been someone who, you know, came from overseas, Muslim or some other religion, that it would have been deemed as terrorism. Why is this not deemed as terrorism? It seems -- this seems to be growing in nature when you have two such incidents back to back.

BEATTY: Well, generally, terrorism has a political component to it. Go back and look at the American militia movement during the Clinton administration. You know, you had people like Timothy McVeigh. He was not acting alone, but he was acting as part of a militia movement. You had people like Eric Robert Rudolph, the army of God that he talked about. That was kind of a movement. We see no indication of that yet here, Don, with this individual. Again, it all depends on what bubbles up over the next few days of the investigation to determine whether or not he was totally politically motivated or if this was, in fact, just what we call death by cop, where he was not ready to commit suicide himself, but he knew that going up against this defenses would result in his death.

LEMON: All right. And there's no connection to this sort of outrage that we have been seeing over government. Do you see that?

BEATTY: I think there's probably going to show there's some connection, just like the irs guy. An individual who was individually frustrated, but I would be surprised if we saw any sort of pulling together, any sort of movement, if you will, that would urge this kind of violence be undertaken by individuals. So, I think it's going to turn out to be individual but very, very frustrated with where they are in their life.

LEMON: Good information, Mr. Beatty. Thank you so much.

BEATTY: Thank you, Don.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: There's nothing the union can do about it. There's nothing the district can do about it. There's nothing the state can do about it unless they change the funding formula.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: A California school where the teachers are more like temps. Just some of the damage done by the state's extreme budget crisis.

Plus, bring some extra dimes for the vending machine. Philly's mayor wants a steep tax on some favorite soft drinks. How much would you pay for your favorite soda? We want you to be part of our conversation tonight. That's how you can do it right on your screen.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Budgets for education slashed while tuition still goes up. It is a growing trend from kindergarten to college, and it brought thousands of students and teachers out in protest all across the nation this week. The movement started in California, where Ted Rowlands tells us, schools are making painful choices.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Marcum Middle School sits across the street from a housing project in Watts. Children here have to deal with days like this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Get in the classroom, close the door!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROWLANDS: Two suspected gunmen police were chasing from the neighborhood might be hiding at the school, so the campus goes on lockdown for two hours as officers with guns drawn go room to room.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: There, here! Get here!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROWLANDS: All of this is happening while we're at Marcum doing a story on how California's budget mess is hitting this school harder than most. As dramatic as the lockdown is, the everyday problems inside the classrooms here are much more serious.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: We're going to continue the notes from yesterday.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROWLANDS: Thirteen year old Sharail Reed says she likes her eighth grade history teacher Mr. Mining (ph), but isn't sure how long he will be around. Mr. Mining is the tenth person to teach this class since school started in September. Ten teachers in six months. Many of them weren't there long enough to even learn the children's names.

(on camera) Do you feel like you're learning anything in that class?

SHARAIL REED, 8TH GRADER STUDENT: I feel like we learned some things, but we go over the same things over and over. I'll learn something and then I'll learn it again and then I'll fully understand it because somebody teaches it all over.

ROWLANDS: The reason Sharail on her tenth teacher goes back to last year when her eight grade history teacher lost his job because of budget cuts. This school has been hit incredibly hard. In fact, 50 percent of the teachers at this school last year lost their jobs.

(voice-over) Teachers at Markham are younger than at other schools and layoffs are done by seniority. Principal Timothy Sullivan says, replacing the teachers who were laid off, the ones who actually wanted to be here, is near impossible.

TIMOTHY SULLIVAN, PRINCIPAL: I'm going to lose 50 percent of my staff every year and there's nothing the union can do about it, there's nothing the district can do about it, there's nothing the state can do about it unless they change the funding formula.

ROWLANDS: Sullivan says, the formula of laying off teachers by seniority may seem fair to teachers, but it's killing his school. English teacher Nick Malvoin was laid off and had to come back as a permanent substitute for himself.

NICK MALVOIN, TEACHER: We see a lot of young people who want to come to schools like Markham and communities like Watts who are actively not letting them. So, I think that we do need to change the system.

ROWLANDS: The aclu and others have filed a lawsuit to ask the courts to change the system before the next round of expected layoffs.

CATHERINE LHAMON, PUBLIC COUNSEL LAW CENTER: The kind of decimation of school sites we saw last year and that we may see again this year is absolutely categorically unacceptable and is a direct result of a broken school financial government system in the state that needs to be fixed.

ROWLANDS: Sharail, who gets straight "as," says, she wants to be a lawyer some day.

REED: I'm in eighth grade, so you have to start early, you have to start focusing and learn and get good grades and doing what you're supposed to do.

ROWLANDS: She also deserves a legitimate opportunity to succeed, and that includes a school with teachers who want to be there and are able to stay. Ted Rowlands, cnn, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: Oh man, getting really, really terrible there. So, listen, we saw this protests that happened. They started on Thursday. I was actually sitting here when the protests were live filling in for Rick Sanchez that day. And you see situations like that one at Markham Middle School that really led to the nationwide demonstrations on Thursday. So, let's talk a little bit more about it.

Joining us now, two people who took part in those protests, Katynka Martinez, she's a professor at San Francisco State University, and Alex Castillo is a student at California State University in Los Angeles. Also with us, cnn Education Contributor Steve Perry from Hartford, Connecticut. He always breaks it down. Before I hear from the two students, Steve, let's talk about this Markham story real quick and then we'll get to the protests. It seems like teachers there are more like temps. When I was growing up, I remember from kindergarten to eighth grade, I had basically the same teachers for all those years, and I think it made a marked difference in how I performed as a student. What is the issue here? What's happening with our schools?

STEVE PERRY, CNN EDUCATION CONTRIBUTOR: The issue is that these teachers unions have created an issue around seniority, meaning that the first ones hired are the last ones fired. So, the ones who are recently hired, the youngest people are going to be the ones who are fired. And the reason why they're being fired is because this same organization, the teachers union, has increased the salaries, even though the revenue has not been increased. So, thereby, creating a situation where every time they have an increase in salary, they have to decrease the workforce just to provide the same level of services that they were before. They're actually cutting their own throats and killing the profession by removing the talent from the bottom.

LEMON: So, what do we do then? How is this fixable? Is it more money? Do we need to do some sort of procedural changes or process changes within the education system?

PERRY: It does need to be changed. It's not about money. The issue is that as soon as you remove district-wide seniority and you have only seniority as it relates to the particular building, or if you allow the principals to hire based upon who they think is the most talented and to promote based upon people who they think are the most talented, then and only then will you have a fair system. This system that is in place now is totally unfair, and what happens in the worst performing schools and where you have the greatest need, you have teachers who want to come in but because they are typically the most junior, they lose their jobs.

LEMON: OK. Let's go up now to higher education. Let's go to college now, because Katynka and Alex, Katynka, I'm not sure if we'll start with you. Steve says, it's not about money, but where you are for college students, it's getting more expensive to go to college. The books aren't getting any cheaper. And you're going to have -- you have to cut back. So, is it about money for you? So, do you think Thursday the protests are going to accomplish anything?

PROF. KATYNKA MARTINEZ, SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY: I think they will accomplish something, and I think what was most powerful about those protests is that it was the first time that we saw all segments of public education coming together. We saw preschool teachers, preschool parents, we saw kindergarten teachers, elementary school, high school, community college, csu, uc all coming together to express that we collectively value public education and we do have solutions. We think it's ridiculous that California is the seventh largest economy in the world, and yet, we don't properly fund our education. What is that doing for our future?

LEMON: Alex, you know, when you talk about education, for many people who, you know, don't have kids or who are not involved with our education system, their eyes may, you know, gloss over a little bit going, oh, you know, what about this issue. But this is very important because, as I said to Katynka, it's not getting any cheaper and it's going up and up and up. So, Thursday, is this the first in, I don't know, I guess a series of events that you guys plan to bring to the struggle for better education and affordable education?

ALEX CASTILLO, STUDENT, CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LOS ANGELES: Yes. March 4th was a date where public center of education united to fight against the budget cuts. We wanted to deliver the message to the governor that he needs to keep his promise on making education a priority in the state of California. We, the students and the professors and workers, have been organizing since the summer for this to happen, for us to be able to peacefully deliver this message to the governor that he needs to hear about that education is highly important and that is why it should be prioritized in the state of California.

What do you say to the governor, though? He's facing a $20 billion budget deficit. Where's that money going to come from, Alex?

MARTINIEZ: If I...

LEMON: Go ahead, we're going to continue. Go ahead, Alex.

CASTILLO: OK. The money's going to -- what I want to say is that the state of California is the third richest economy around the world, so if they can bail out failing insurance companies, and if they could save banks, why can't they save education, which should be a priority?

LEMON: Katynka?

CASTILLO: Education is really important. MARTINEZ: Yes, Alex is completely correct, education is very important, and we need to really think about who we're letting, you know, really taking advantage of the State of California. The State of California doesn't tax oil companies that come in to extract our resources. Other states like Texas and Alaska do tax those companies, and if we were to tax them just 12 percent, which is actually legislation that is being proposed right now, that would really fund public education and a lot of public services that this state really depends on.

LEMON: Would either of you pay more taxes, higher taxes, in order to have more affordable education? Because it may come down to that.

MARTINEZ: Yes, and I think that's a decision that people need to make. People watching television right now need to think about that. Historically, every generation has achieved a higher level of education than the generation that came before. This has been the case consistently in this country. And for the first time, we're seeing that reburst itself. So, we're going back. We're back- tracking and this hasn't happened since World War II, Don.

LEMON: Alex, a quick word and then I want Steve to sum it up for us. Alex?

PERRY: Yes.

LEMON: Was that Steve talking? I thought it was Alex.

PERRY: Yes, it's OK.

LEMON: Steve, sum it up for us. We talked about, you know, they may have to pay higher taxes and California faces, what, a $20 billion budget deficit. So, what gives here? What do they have to do?

PERRY: Don, the issue here is that as long as the teachers and all the employees of the public education system continue to get salary increases without an increase in revenue, there will need to be a decrease in the services, and the students have every right to be angry. I just don't think that they're angry at the right people. They need to look to the left and the right of them, the people who are on the front lines with them and ask them, did you get a salary increase over the past couple of years that continue to drive my education costs up? Because if you did, you need to stop and pay attention to the next generation, because what you're doing to improve your career is killing my opportunity to have mine.

This is not about always asking for more money for taxes. At some point, we have to be honest with ourselves and say, we have only so much money. We are in a recession. So, we have to spend more thoughtfully, which means no one should be getting an increase in their salary if there isn't more money, and we aren't getting more services. We can't always pay more money for the same services just because a year has passed. Katynka has a right to be angry, and I'm glad that the folks are coming together, but they need to come together not to point at this at the evil government, but to look at each other and ask the honest question. Are we going to continue to ask parents and students to foot the bill for educators who continue to get salary increases even though they're not getting better results and more services?

MARTINEZ: Steve, I think you really need to understand, though, that this was a collective effort between students, faculty, teachers, in you know, pre-k through 12 and staff at all of those education institutions. This was a collective effort. They had these discussions and they recognize what their pressure points are, and their pressure points are not each other. Their pressure points are rethinking the economy of California and rethinking who benefits from the natural resources of this state. And one thing that...

PERRY: So, as you do that. As you do that, Katynka, Katynka, as you do that...

MARTINEZ: And think of this as a national movement.

(CROSSTALK)

PERRY: As you do that, you have to understand, you guys got to go a little further and do a little more research and realize that the people who continue to make money while the communities continue to struggle to reach their needs, are the individuals who are being employed by the system. It's not always about taxing more corporations. OK, fine, you bring in more money, and at some point we'll spend all that, too. We cannot continue to expect everyone else to foot the bill when we don't have the money. We are out of money nationally, and printing up money from a stimulus package is not a way to do it. It is a fool-hearty way to do it and it's only sinking us deeper in the hole.

At some point, someone's going to ask us to pay up on this credit. I am saying just because people are coming together, don't allow yourselves to be manipulated into thinking that they are on your side. Until they pay their fair share, which they're not doing, until they stop receiving raises that the community cannot afford, then you do not have allies. What you have are people who have infiltrated your ranks and are not helping you.

LEMON: That's going to have to be the last word. Steve Perry, thank you very much, Katynka as well and also Alex. Very good discussion. Hope to have all of you back because this is going to continue. Thank you, guys.

A preschooler being kicked out of school, it's not because the child is mean to his classmates, it's because of having two mommies. And along the same lines, one of the nation's biggest religious charities changing its policy on benefits for employees. Why? Some say, it's, so they don't have to pay same-sex partners.

And getting ready for glitz and glamour. You know what we're talking about. We're live from the red carpet. It hasn't even started yet, but we're still live. We're ready.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) LEMON: Want to check your top stories right now. The looming final showdown over health care reform. President Barack Obama used his weekly address to once again urge Congress to hold an up-or-down vote. Republicans, meantime, used their weekly address to blast the democrats' health care plans as too big and too expensive.

Polls open in less than six hours in Iraq. Voters will elect 325 members to parliament. It's critical for the future of the country, because these lawmakers will form Iraq's new government, but Al-Qaeda has vowed to disrupt these elections. Already we've seen a series of deadly attacks leading up to the vote.

The head of the United Nations pledges major help to Chile. Ban Ki- moon paid a visit to the area devastated by last weekend's earthquake. He promised up to $10 million to support relief and recovery efforts. Chile is still getting hit with strong aftershocks after the 8.8 quake. Hundreds of people died and thousands lost their homes.

A lot of firsts happening this year at the 82nd annual academy awards show, like the expanding of the best picture nominees from five to ten. How are they going to decide that?

Our Brooke Anderson is in Hollywood. That much talent this year, Brooke, I don't know how they're going to do it. Five to ten seems like a bit much to me. Like, that's almost -- I don't know, seems like a lot to me.

BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is a lot. It's double the number of films we usually see, Don. And you know, the last time they did, that was 1944, when "Casablanca" won. So, it's been a long time. But the reason the academy has expanded that best picture's category is to appeal to more viewers, to allow more mainstream movies in and, hopefully, attract maybe those people who loved the Syfy film "District 9," maybe those people who loved the film "The Blind Side," movies that otherwise would not most likely be included in this category.

LEMON: But mainstream doesn't mean always good. It's supposed to be the best of the best. It doesn't have to be mainstream, it doesn't have to be a big Hollywood Blockbuster. Good is good, the best is the best. Whittle it down to a few and nominate it. It doesn't have to be that.

ANDERSON: You're right. It doesn't have to be ten. They're going to try it out this year, and their point is, they want the numbers, the viewership, to be as strong as it was back in 1998.

LEMON: All right.

ANDERSON: When "Titanic" dominated with 55 million people. Compare that to last year's telecast, 36 million people watched. So, they have been struggling in the ratings, Don. That's their point here.

LEMON: All right. I just went on with my rant anyway. Sorry. I know it's not your fault. You're just reporting on it. So, listen, there's something new in the best director category, right, something we have never seen before?

ANDERSON: Yes. In fact, we have never, ever, ever seen two Oscar nominees in the same category who are former spouses, and that's exactly what we've got. "Avatar's" Director James Cameron competing against his ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow, who directed "The Hurt Locker" for best director. This is huge, and these two have said they're friends. They've worked together a lot in the past. They're rooting for one another, Don. So, it's a friendly competition, and they will be fully supporting one another. And my bet here is Kathryn Bigelow, and this would be historic, because no woman has ever won the academy award for best director.

She actually just picked up the director's guild of America best director award, and she's the first woman to ever do that. In fact, only four women in the history of the Oscars -- this is the 82nd Oscars -- only four women have ever been nominated for best director. The last one was Sophia Coppola for "Lost in Translation" back in 2003. The fact remains, female filmmakers remain a minority in this industry. So, this is incredible recognition for Kathryn Bigelow and her work here.

LEMON: And good luck to everyone. Brooke, I see my Oscar's right behind you. They haven't unveiled it. They haven't taken the wrappings off yet, but can you pick it up and bring it home for me? It's right over your left shoulder.

(LAUGHTER)

ANDERSON: I'll try, yes. I'll put on my left shoulder. And, you know what? It's been raining here, so everything's tented. They've got plastic covering, the red carpet and the Oscar statues. But the forecast right now is supposed to clear up in time for the Oscars ceremony tomorrow. So, everybody's got their fingers crossed.

LEMON: Let's hope so. Nice job. Thank you, Brooke. Always good to see you.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: You raise them taxes, what do you think my husband is going to have a job?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: All right. A tax on soft drinks, it is a great source of revenue, that's what some say, or an idea sort of fizzle. Which one is it? We'll give Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter a pop quiz on this.

And also ahead, why some people want the head of the Tennessee hospitality association to apologize for an e-mail about the first lady?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: OK, like many U.S. cities and towns, Philadelphia is struggling with a major budget shortfall. $150 million, we are talking. That means either cutting basic services like trash removal or finding another source of revenue.

Mayor Michael Nutter has proposed a tax on sugary drinks, including sodas and fruit juice. It's getting a mixed reaction from city residents. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm going to buy it anyway. It's OK with me.

UNIDENTIFIED CORRESPONDENT: You don't care about the tax on the soda?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No. If it's not one tax, it's going to be another, so it's OK.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everything else is high, and to tax you for sodas, that's ridiculous.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: All right, here's Mayor Michael Nutter, joins us now from Philadelphia. He says that this is a good move. He thinks this is a good move.

Good to see you. I'm going to say what --

MICHAEL NUTTER, MAYOR OF PHILADELPHIA: Always.

LEMON: -- what people are going to say, why are you being the food police?

(LAUGHTER)

NUTTER: Well, I'm not trying to be the food police at all. What I am, though, is a mayor that cares very deeply about the health of our citizens here.

Let me give you a little bit of information. A recent study showed that, unfortunately, 64 percent of our adults and 57 percent of our children are overweight or obese. That leads to a complete negative impact on quality of life for those individuals, whether it's cancer, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and many other physical and health maladies. So this is a major public health issue. You see, of course, that First Lady Michelle Obama was in town a couple weeks ago with her "Let's Move" initiative.

LEMON: But, Mayor --

NUTTER: So, first and foremost, this is really about the public health and a massive public health information campaign that we're going to be embarking on.

LEMON: I understand that. and I'll rephrase the question, because many people will say, you know, the government should not be imposing taxes on something I should be able to do as an American citizen. It should be for parents, right, and for me to look after my own health. If I want to smoke, if I want to drink sugary drinks, whatever, then that's my business. So --

NUTTER: We tax a lot of products in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania and all across the United States of America.

LEMON: Yes. So, it's basically the same thing that happened with New York City and cigarettes. People were outraged saying, oh, my gosh, cigarettes are going to cost $10 to $12. Many people are still paying for those cigarettes.

NUTTER: Yes.

LEMON: But also, a lot of people don't buy cigarettes in New York City. They go to other places. And some people are concerned that instead of buying sodas, that it may be a loss of revenue for Philadelphia because people will go elsewhere to buy soft drinks. Do you agree?

NUTTER: Couple things. I've heard that. What's really going on here is we're trying to shift and adjust and encourage people to change some of their behaviors. As I said earlier, I have no expectation that everyone is suddenly instantly going to stop drinking soda, but if you substitute just a couple times in the course of a week for a healthier drink, whether it's water, 100 percent natural juice, other beverages, you'll have a pretty significant impact. I don't know that people are going to change all their shopping patterns.

LEMON: Right.

NUTTER: Just based on --

LEMON: Like that lady said.

NUTTER: -- just going across county lines for sodas and all this kind of stuff. Not exactly one of your life-essential items.

LEMON: Real quickly, I have just a short time left. Can we play -- you were at the Mayfair Diner, was that today or yesterday? Was that today?

NUTTER: That was yesterday.

LEMON: Yesterday. And someone had -- you got an earful from one person. Let's listen real quick.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I buy Coke myself. I'm not going to be able to afford that.

NUTTER: Of course, you do. Your husband works for the government.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you think I'll be able to buy that once it goes up a dollar?

NUTTER: Aren't you going to continue to buy that?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't know if I'm going to be able to. I'll try to do the best I can.

NUTTER: Maybe you'll buy water.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Maybe I'll buy water.

NUTTER: Or something like that.

UNIDENIFIED FEMALE: Yes, but that's not your job to make that decision if --.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Quick reaction from you, Mayor?

NUTTER: She's a wonderful Philadelphian. We had a typical, lively Philadelphia exchange. I care very deeply about her and her husband, but what I really also care about is the health of Philadelphians. We're leading the way on this particular issue. It's innovative. It's at the forefront of where we need to be, encourage healthy lifestyles, good fresh fruit and vegetables, our fresh food initiatives. And I'm just trying to be helpful as mayor of our city.

LEMON: Well, Mayor, other cities have tried it, so keep us updated. We'll be paying close attention.

NUTTER: I will.

LEMON: Come back whether it works or doesn't. We shall see.

NUTTER: All right. Thank you, Don.

LEMON: Mayor Michael Nutter, good to see you.

Still ahead, a lesbian couple in Colorado learns their child will not get an education at a Catholic school after all.

And same-sex marriage in the nation's capital causes an instant backlash in a prominent Catholic organization. Anyone who gets hired by the non-profit will soon find out what that means.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Top stories making news right now. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has left Afghanistan following a surprise visit today with British troops. The trip comes just a day after Brown testified in an official government inquiry into the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Brown defended his past role as government treasurer. And he said the British military was given all the equipment it asked for.

The world's most famous sled dog race, the Iditarod, had its ceremonial start today in Anchorage. Actual competition begins tomorrow with these dogs running 12 to 15 hours straight, nonstop, in the extreme winter elements. The entire race is over 1,000 miles long. The prize money, over $500,000.

The CEO of Tennessee's hospitality industry sent what's being called a joke e-mail to a group of his colleagues, comparing First Lady Michelle Obama to a chimpanzee. "The Tennessean" reports Walt Baker's e-mail compares the first lady to Tarzan's sidekick, Cheetah. The e- mail opens with the words "I don't care who you are, this is funny," At the bottom, a photo of the first lady caught in an awkward moment with his lips pursed. A Nashville councilman has asked Baker to make an apology.

As the nation grapples with health care reform, one surgeon cuts through the red tape. Our "CNN Hero" of the week coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: While the polarizing debate on health care reform continues, in Kentucky alone, 33 percent of working-age adults don't have health insurance. But Dr. Andy Moore, our "CNN Hero" of the week, is cutting through the red tape to reach those in dire need.

(CNN HEROES)

LEMON: So far, Dr. Andy Moore and his organization have treated more than 3,000 patients free of charge. And to see Dr. Moore and his entire family working in the operating room or to nominate someone you think is changing the world, go to CNN.com/heroes.

Let's take a closer look now at the state of gay rights in this country, particularly in relation to the Catholic Church in Boulder, Colorado. The family of a preschooler at a Catholic school has been informed the child will not be allowed to attend next year because the child's parents are lesbians. The archdiocese says the women's sexual orientation is at odds with church doctrine, and therefore, their child is not eligible to attend the school.

And in the nation's capital, the Catholic Church is fighting back against a city legalizing same-sex marriage. Rather than agree to provide health care benefits to same-sex couples who work for the Catholic Charities, the non-profit says it will not provide health insurance to any spouses, straight or gay.

CNN's Kate Bolduan has our report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Same-sex couples in Washington can legally marry in the district starting Tuesday.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're very excited.

BOLDUAN: But even before the first couple walks down the aisle, there's controversial fallout from the city's decision. Catholic Charities, the social services arm of the archdiocese of Washington, just announced it will no longer offer health benefits to spouses of any new employees or current employees who aren't already covered under its plan. As a result, the non-profit is effectively avoiding having to give benefits to same-sex partners, keeping with the church's opposition to same-sex marriage.

(on camera): How long have you and your partner been together?

CHRIS HINKLE, GAY PRACTICING CATHOLIC: We've been together for ten years.

BOLDUAN (voice-over): Chris Hinkle is gay and a practicing Catholic. He lives in Virginia and worships in Washington. Hinkle views the developments in D.C. as two steps forward and quickly two steps back for the gay and lesbian community and its strained relationship with the Catholic Church.

(on camera): Why is it disappointing to you?

HINKLE: It's a slap in the face, yes. It's prejudice.

BOLDUAN: Catholic Charities declined to comment, but the archdiocese of Washington made a point to say that less than 10 percent of Catholic Charities' employees take part in its health insurance program, suggesting that a small portion of the staff will be affected by the change in policy.

(voice-over): And in a statement, the archdiocese says "This approach allows Catholic Charities to continue to provide services to the 68,000 people it now cares for in the city, to comply with the city's new requirements and to remain faithful to our Catholic identity."

A stance some Catholics say is damaging the church's public image.

CHRIS KORSEN, DIRECTOR, CATHOLICS UNITED: They're getting a view of the church that isn't necessarily consistent with our values. We don't say that people don't deserve health insurance because they happen to be in a certain kind of marriage or a certain kind of relationship. That's just not what we teach.

BOLDUAN: The very same message Chris Hinkle is trying to send as he fights for acceptance.

HINKLE: I want people to treat others with justice. That is a message that I think Jesus Christ himself had exemplified.

BOLDUAN (on camera): In today's world, you think that applies to health care as well as the right to marry?

HINKLE: Absolutely, it does. Absolutely.

BOLDUAN (voice-over): Kate Bolduan, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: Well, try as he might, President Barack Obama has yet to conquer his smoking habit. Our Dr. Sanjay Gupta has some ideas that may help him and help you as well.

And a sorority showdown with a controversial ending inside a step dance competition that has everybody talking. You want to stick around for this one.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: As you may have heard, President Barack Obama just had his annual physical. For the most part, he passed with flying colors. But there is still that nagging smoking problem. Of course, the president is not alone fighting that battle, and our Dr. Sanjay Gupta has our "Fit Nation" report.

(FIT NATION)

LEMON: All right, thank you very much, Sanjay.

The story you have been tweeting me about, e-mailing me about, here it is. A step show competition between sororities turns controversial when an all-white step team took home the prize at an event that is traditionally African-American. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON (voice-over): This is stepping, a proud mix of tribal dance infusing military drills and popular culture, dominated by African- American fraternities and sororities for decades. Until the ladies of Arkansas' Zeta Ta Alpha (ph), an all white team, stepped into a national competition and nailed it.

Their win stunned the crowd of nearly 5,000 people. The M.C. told the audience, don't be so surprised.

UNIDENTIFIED M.C.: I saw you. I saw you. You're like -- stepping is for everybody. You can step. You can step.

LEMON: Then came YouTube and worldwide reaction. Some said it was cultural theft, quote, "I wish you white people would stop stealing everything from us. Can we just have one thing for ourselves? Stepping is for us, not them."

Others saw it differently, writing, "Imitation is a sincerest form of flattery. Black, white, green, purple, who cares? This is good stuff, by young people who have worked hard."

Deandre Clark, a former stepper, was at the show and understands why people are so passionate.

DEANDRE CLARK, GOERIGA STATE UNIVERSITY: A lot of people might feel as though someone who didn't -- does not have this background, how could they truly understand what it means to be out there stepping? At the same time, it could -- on the other hand, it can make you happy to see that stepping is starting to go farther than just African- Americans.

LEMON: Now adding to the intrigue, nearly a week after the competition, organizers said there was a scoring discrepancy. So first place, that originally went to the Zetas, will now be shared with Alpha Kappa Alphas from Indiana University. They share the title, but not the money. They both get $100,000 in scholarships. (END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: There you go. A lot of people have been asking about that. They were very good. They had a matrix sort of theme costume there. and look at them. Those girls were getting off. They were good.

So, listen, tonight at 7:00 p.m. eastern, I'll air -- some of the step captains will join us from both sororities. We'll talk about this.

You've been talking about it online. Real quickly, some of your --

(LAUGHTER)

LauraMartin says, "I was like Chris Matthews, forgot those chicks were white. They deserved to win."

She's got a picture. She looked African-American there.

"Zeta won fair and square, period, the end."

Someone talked about the story we did on the Catholic Church.

"As someone who is straight, it is amazing how twisted and demented these homophobic Bible thumpers are of gay people."

"The church is supposed to be about love and the Catholic Church's hating. Can't imagine that much hate they can exhibit"

Thank you for your comments.

Much, much more here on CNN. I'll see you back here at 7:00 p.m. eastern. I'm Don Lemon.

"The Situation Room" begins right now.