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States Look to Ban "Synthetic" Marijuana; Catholic Charities Cuts Benefits; Protests Over Education Cuts and Tuition Fees
Aired March 06, 2010 - 22:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Tonight, fake marijuana spreading across America. It's legal, and chances are the teens you know have come across it.
A big cap that non-profit takes drastic measures to deny health insurance for same-sex couples. They are taking it away from everyone's spouse.
Black fraternities and sororities say it's their thing. They're asking why whites suddenly want in on the tradition and the price money. We investigate.
Would you pay a softdrink tax? You might have to if one official gets his way.
Plus, we will tell you how to get in on the CNN Oscar party. And the presidential parody that has most people laughing, except for maybe a few real-life presidents.
Good evening, everyone. It looks like marijuana. It can get you high like marijuana, but it is totally legal. It's often sold as innocence with brand names like K2. It is a blend of herbs and plants sprayed with chemicals, and even minors can pick it up without breaking any laws. But Kansas lawmakers have passed the ban on K-2 and others may soon follow suit. Officials are alarmed by reports of users ending up in the emergency room after smoking the synthetic blend.
Now earlier, I spoke with Dr. Anthony Scalzo, a pediatrician and officer of toxicology at St. Louise University. He has treated users of K2, and I asked him just how similar it really is to marijuana.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. ANTHONY SCALZO, TOXICOLOGY PROFESSOR, SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY: Well, the affect on the brain is different than marijuana in a sense that it does cause psychotropic types of activity. In other words, it makes you more --
LEMON: High.
SCALZON: -- high. Yes, exactly. But it does not do exactly same thing as marijuana to mellow you out. It's causing these patients -- typically, the ones I've been seeing are 14 to 21, a 30- year-old, a 35-year-old, a 39-year-old are the oldest I've seen. And they're getting agitated, anxious.
LEMON: Because marijuana typically does not make you anxious. It just makes you want to sit on the couch and maybe watch more TV.
SCALZO: No, it makes you mellow and relaxed. And, in fact it, might lower your blood pressure. It might lower your heart rate, not raise it to dangerous levels that we've been seeing like 140 beats per minute. This is not just a few beats per minute, you know, like you work out, you do more exercise. In fact, with exercise you lower your blood pressure.
LEMON: So, then why are people comparing it to marijuana if its similar effects, THC, similar effects to marijuana? It does seem like the opposite effect to me.
SCALZO: Well, you know, the situation is this, that we -- the sky is not falling. We don't have 10,000 individuals around the country coming in with these adverse effects. But we have a large number of them and it may be a situation with a batch of these substances or it may be what I refer to in toxicology as a simple property of dose -- the term is toxicity. There maybe some that are sprayed with two much of these synthetic cannabinoid, as you say, legal cannabinoid are marijuana-like substance.
LEMON: OK. But it is -- you are seeing people coming in and I think the danger is that it's legal, especially young people are going to smoke it and it's perfectly legal. That's your concern. You said you're not seeing tens of thousands --
SCALZO: Right.
LEMON: -- but you're seeing the numbers --
SCALZO: Right. And we may be seeing those thousand that are not reporting themselves. I was talking to a couple of physician colleagues in E.R.s and they said they had a couple of patients just like the other night, who didn't admit to smoking it, but they suspected after talking to me that's what the agent was.
They're not cocaine. They're not -- you know, they're not marijuana positive on the drug screens. They're not PCP or methamphetamine.
LEMON: OK. Here's a question then. As people are going to say it's a slippery slope as with cocaine --
SCALZO: Yes.
LEMON: -- and then cocaine turned into crack, synthetic, people want to increase it. Marijuana, in some ways, may be turning into this. This is an argument for some people who want to regulate marijuana in some sense, because they will say if you do that, then you may not get all of these other side drugs that will potentially increase your heart rate and have these symptoms that you don't want.
SCALZO: Yes, I don't disagree with that. I think the problem is that these synthetic chemicals were not developed to be exactly like marijuana. They were developed for many useful medical purposes to help with appetite for cancer patients or to help with the immune system. And they actually, in proper doses, do these effects.
But the situation we have is that there's unregulated amounts of these chemicals in these products, and we're seeing individuals reacting negatively to them for their heart rate and their blood pressure and all the nervous system effects that we're seeing.
LEMON: Yes. Doctor, we appreciate it. Good information. Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: So you've heard the medical opinion on substances like K2. But there are some who might say the fears over this are just a new reefer madness without the actual reefer.
Ethan Nadelmann is the executive director of the Drug Policy Alliances in favor of legalizing and taxing marijuana. At least the real stuff. And he joins me now by telephone.
So, listen, there are people who are saying, this is one argument about regulating marijuana.
Do you agree?
ETHAN NADELMANN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DRUG POLICY ALLIANCE (via telephone): Well, I think it surely is. But there would be no interest in this K2 stuff basically if marijuana were legally available.
And also one of the appeals of this case, as I understand it, is that you're unlikely or not likely to be detected in a drug test. And since so much of drug testing isn't actually about detecting people impaired in the workplace, it's much more about finding out what you did over the weekend or in your private time. I actually think if marijuana were legal, and drug testing were a more fair-minded employment practice, I think that you wouldn't see any market for K2 whatsoever.
LEMON: Well, I don't know if you can say that. I think people are always going to definitely going to always try some drug, because K2, it's not exactly like marijuana. Marijuana actually lowers your heart rate. This increases your heart rate. So I'm not sure if I get it, except that you smoking it.
(CROSSTALK)
NADELMANN: No, no --
LEMON: So I'm not sure if I get the similarity. But, listen, let me ask you this --
(CROSSTALK) NADELMANN: No, but I'm saying, what I'm just saying is that with the toxicologists before was saying is making a lot of sense. I mean, my basic recommendation to young people or anybody else is really don't play around with this stuff. What's the point?
I mean, from what I've heard for many people is that marijuana actually provides a better high than this stuff does. So there's not much reason to get involved with this stuff. Nobody has told me it's better than marijuana. But on the other hand, I have to say, that when you see these legislators in Kansas or whatever sort of jumping up, they just heard about a new drug, and the first thing they're going to do is pass a criminal law and criminalize it, it just -- to me it just strikes me as another indication of the foolishness of the people serving.
LEMON: You think they're moving too quickly to ban this so called fake pot?
NADELMANN: I think it's ludicrous, because --
LEMON: We lost Ethan. We'll try to get him back. But, listen, as we try to get him back, I'm going to show some of you have been tweeting us earlier. Some says, "Don, the legalization of marijuana would solve the current California budget crisis with $20 billion increase state revenue."
Also someone says, "Yet another reason the government needs to legalize MJ. I would smoke it if it were legal and cut back on alcohol. More harmful."
"How about we make the real pot legal so people won't need K2 and the like. Much safer."
Thank you for your comments. If we can get Ethan back, we will.
In the meantime, thank you very much, Ethan, for calling in.
Still ahead, emotions bubble over at a proposed tax hike over soft drinks.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You raise on taxes? What are the chances you think my husband is going to have a job?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Philadelphia's mayor says it's really a public health issue not just tax revenue. Listen for yourself and then you decide.
Also coming up, a small child is no longer welcome at its Catholic school because of the sexual orientation of his parents.
And a story you won't believe. A couple accuse of paying so much attention to a make believe child in a viral game, their real child died of starvation. Also, it's your chance to be part of the show tonight, part of our conversation. Make sure you log on to the social networking sites. We'll take your comments.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: 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 a women's sexual orientation is at odds with the church doctrine and, therefore, their child is not eligible to attend the school.
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: Political pressure on the president from an unexpected source. A civil liberties group takes on the administration tomorrow with a full page ad in a major newspaper. We'll have that first look at it.
And a showdown over step dancing competition. It's sparking a discussion about race.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Checking your top stories right now. The ACLU is losing patience with President Obama. The civil liberties group has purchased a full page ad in tomorrow's "New York Times," blasting the president for reportedly planning to reverse a plan to try 9/11 terror suspects in civilian courts. The ad includes four images that depict President Obama morphing into a long-time target of ACLU criticism former President George W. Bush.
Now to the looming showdown over health care reform. President Obama used his weekly address to once again urge Congress to hold an up or down vote. Republicans used their weekly address to blast the Democrat's health care plans as too big and too expensive. They argue it's time to start all over.
Polls open in less than an hour in Iraq. Voters will elect 325 members to parliament. It is critical for the future of the country, because these lawmakers will form Iraq's new government that al Qaeda has vowed to disrupt these elections. Already we have seen a series of deadly attacks leading up to the vote.
The head of the United Nations has pledged major help for 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.
Let's turn now to the weather in our country. Our Jacqui Jeras, our meteorologist.
Can we say our resident meteorologist standing by?
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I live here.
LEMON: Yes. I know where you live. I have an apartment upstairs, yours is you know --
(CROSSTALK)
JERAS: Got a couch in my office to close it up.
LEMON: Sometimes you actually feel like it.
JERAS: Every now and then, yes.
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: It's good to have a job, though, on these days.
JERAS: It is.
LEMON: So what's going on with the weather?
JERAS: Well, you know, we're watching things out west today. We've got lovely conditions out east. And we're also keeping an eye on what's been happening internationally as well. We've got big story today out of Australia. And I want to show you these pictures from the Melbourne area. This is a hail storm. Severe weather moved through the area on Saturday. And you can see the hail accumulated enough that it covered many of the streets. The result is quite a bit of flooding there as well.
Now in another part of Australia, includes the town of St. George. They have record flooding here. There was concern that the river was going to peak today and bring 80 percent of the city under water. Fortunately that river has peaked just shy of that, but you can see they still have a big mess to clean up there overseas.
Now here at home, what we're dealing with is an area of low pressure, offshore here off the California Coast. You can really see that spin here, and that's been bringing overcast conditions today as well as showers and even some isolated thundershowers. So far the rain hasn't been terribly heavy. We've had a tenth of an inch to two- tenth of an inch in the Los Angeles area. But the chance of showers remains in the forecast at least through tomorrow. So we're watching that area, of course, for the Oscars.
Now in the nation's midsection, we have a disturbance here as well. Relatively light weather overall. We've had freezing rain across the Dakotas, as well as northern Minnesota and into northwest Iowa. So that's creating some big problems with travelers.
The big picture then for tomorrow shows the weather across the west and into the four corners, and we'll see a little bit of wet weather here across the great lakes. High pressure will end on a good note, Don. Controlling the east, which means that temperatures are on the up and up, about five degrees above average. But it looks great with all that sunshine out there.
LEMON: Jacqui says it's on the up and up, that means it's on the up and up. Very good.
JERAS: It's good.
LEMON: Time to start using the backyard pool and land on barbecuing and everything, right?
JERAS: Maybe not quite yet. Maybe a barbecue.
LEMON: All right. Come on, Jacqui. Get our hopes up.
Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
How much would you pay for a soft drink? If you think sodas are expensive now, just wait until a proposed new tax takes effect in Philadelphia.
And a racist e-mail about the first lady has put a Tennessee state official in serious hot water. That's all coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: A nationwide outcry over education budget cuts and tuition hikes. Students, teachers and other supporters out of the classroom and in the streets protesting on Thursday. Earlier, I had the chance to speak with a student and a professor who took part.
CNN education contributor Steve Perry also joined the conversation, and they didn't see eye-to-eye on who's to blame in this situation.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALEX CASTILLO, STUDENT, CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LOS ANGELES: The state of California is the third richest economy around the world. So, if they could bail out failing insurance companies, and if they could save banks, why can't they save education, which should be a priority? Education is really important.
LEMON: Katynka?
PROF. KATYNKA MARTINEZ, SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY: Yes, Alex is completely correct. Education is very important.
And we need to really think about who we're letting, you know, really take advantage of the state of California. The state of California doesn't tax oil companies that come into 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 -- 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 first time we're seeing that reverse itself. So, we're going back -- we're back tracking, and this hasn't happened since World War II.
LEMON: A quick word -- Alex, a quick word and I want Steve to sum it up for us -- Alex.
CASTILLO: Yes.
LEMON: Is that -- I thought -- was that Steve talking? I thought it was Alex.
CASTILLO: Yes.
LEMON: OK. 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?
STEVE PERRY, CNN EDUCATION CONTRIBUTOR: 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 need to be a decrease in the services and the students have every right to be angry. I just don't think they're angry at the right people. They need to look to the left and the right of them, the people on the front lines with them and ask them: did you get a salary increase over the past couple of years and continued 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 is 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 enemy of the government, but to look at each other and ask the honest questions -- 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 and, you know, pre-K through 12 and staff at all of those education institutions.
PERRY: Have they -- have they decided that they're going to --
(CROSSTALK)
MARTINEZ: They put the collective effort. They had this -- 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.
PERRY: So, as you do that -- as you do that --
MARTINEZ: And the one thing I -- one thing I would add is that this is a national movement.
(CROSSTALK)
PERRY: Katynka, as you do that -- wait a minute -- as you do that --
LEMON: Katynka, let him get in there.
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 -- 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 up 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's a full hardy way to do it and it's only sinking us deeper in the hole. At some point, someone is 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 they -- that the community cannot afford, then you do not have allies. What you have are people who infiltrated your ranks and are not helping.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Steve Perry, everyone.
Emotions are running high in Philadelphia over a proposed hike in the cost of soft drinks. Mayor Michael Nutter wants a hefty tax on sugary drinks to help cover a $150 million budget deficit. If approved, a 12-ounce can of Coke would costs about a quarter more. The American Beverage Association already gearing up for a fight saying the tax could cost jobs.
In the statement, the lobbying group said, "At a time when Philadelphians are struggling through a tough economy with double- digit unemployment rates, this tax will threaten 2,000 well-paying beverage industry jobs in the Philadelphia area.
Earlier, I spoke with Mayor Michael Nutter who portrays the issue not so much about money as about public health.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL NUTTER, MAYOR OF PHILADELPHIA: 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.
(END VIDEO CLIP) LEMON: Well, the mayor said he didn't expect the new tax if approve to radically change consumer habits, but he said, if people choose water over sugared drinks even once or twice a week, it could make a big difference.
(VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: I really can't get enough of this story. I wish I was there to see it. They won fair and square, and then all of a sudden there's an issue with scoring. And two first place winners? How did that happen?
You guys have been tweeting up a storm on this story. And you'll hear both step team captains in a few minutes to give their sides of the story.
And you probably heard of robbers leaving behind key evidence at the scene of the crime. But what some alleged robbers left behind after a heist at a jewelry store is a first as far as we can tell.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: OK, a step show competition between sororities turns controversial when an all white step team takes home the prize in an event that is traditionally African-American.
(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's Zeta Tau Alpha, an all white team, stepped into a national competition and nailed it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who you all think it is? That's right. It is the Zetas. Zetas, zetas, zetas, first place.
LEMON: Their win stunned the crowd of nearly 5,000 people. The emcee told the audience, don't be so surprised.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 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. "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 the 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, GEORGIA 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 further than just African-Americans.
LEMON: Now adding to the intrigue, nearly a week after the competition, organizers are said there was a scoring discrepancy. So first place that originally went to the Zetas will now be shared with the Alpha Kappa Alphas from Indiana University. They share the title, but not the money. They both get $100,000 in scholarship.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: I spoke earlier with the captains of both step teams.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: How did you guys learn how to step? Because I have to be honest with you, that isn't something traditionally that sororities, that white sororities and fraternities usually do. How did you guys learn?
ALEXANDRA KOSMITIS, ZETA TAU ALPHA SORORITY: Right. Well, on our campus, the Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter holds an annual unity step show and this started about 16 years ago and we began stepping then. So it has been a tradition that we have been doing for a while, but this past year we decided to take it to a different level and enter to the Sprite competition.
JASMINE STARKS, ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY: Well, I understand that they are saying that the art of stepping is culturally African- American, and it's been in the Greek sororities and fraternities. But Sprite wanted to put on a multicultural step show, and I think that they did what they went out for.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: All right. Let's look at some of your comments here. Let's see.
Someone says, "The dance debacle looks like a case of reverse racism that we blacks refuse to admit."
OK, listen, I get your point. There's no such thing as reverse racism. Racism is racism whether it's directed towards white person or black person. Reverse racism is not a real term.
And then one person said, "The white sorority outbid the AKAs. Precedent of two first places is wrong. We have suffered from this. Don't need to replicate."
Thank you so much for your comments. We will get them on. Appreciate it.
As the nation grapples with health care reform, one surgeon cuts through the red tape. Our CNN hero of the week is coming up.
And the head of hospitality for southern states sends out a very inhospitable e-mail about First Lady Michelle Obama.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Well, the polarizing debate on health care reform continues in Kentucky alone, 33 percent of working aged adults don't have health insurance. But Dr. Andy Moore, out CNN hero of the week, is cutting through the red tape to reach those in dire need.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When I went to go see Dr. Moore, this is what he seen. Would you like to see it?
I developed skin cancer from too much sun exposure. When I see this, I have a hard time looking at this photo right now.
DR. ALAN MOORE, CNN HERO: This cancer was so far advanced eventually it would have killed him. He felt that he could not afford to have the surgery. In this economic time, our friends and family can't wait. They need this health care now.
All right, bud. How are you doing?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A little nervous.
MOORE: You'd be a little crazy if you weren't nervous. That's OK. He's now back for the operation to reconstruct his nose. We're going to give you some joy juice. Take care of that.
I'm Dr. Andy Moore. I'm a plastic surgeon. We perform free surgical procedures on people that have no health insurance.
OK. Let's start the good times rolling.
When I started 26 years ago, now we just simply make the call to the hospital and say I've got somebody I'm going to do for free. It became more complex with computers and HMOs and insurance company. These people don't have health insurance, and I think it's our duty to reach out and help those type of people as often as we can.
Yes, we just finished up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's all right.
MOORE: It's about what I went into medicine for. It's about taking care of people and not necessarily expecting something in return for it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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.
Some of you top stories right now. The CEO of Tennessee's hospitality industry sent what's being called a joke e-mail to some colleagues comparing First Lady Michelle Obama to a chimpanzee. A Tennessean newspaper report Walt Baker's e-mail compared the First Lady to Tarzan sidekick Cheeta. The e-mail opens with the words, "I don't care who you are. This is funny." In the bottom, a photo of the First Lady caught in an awkward moment with her lips pursed. A national councilman has asked Baker to make a public apology.
And a disturbing story tonight out of South Korea. Media reports said a couple has been arrested for neglecting their 3-month-old daughter while they spent hours playing games on an Internet cafe. Their child died of extreme malnutrition.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I wish that she hadn't gotten sick, and that she will live well in heaven forever. And as the father, I am sorry.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Police said the couple bottle fed their child just once a day. One of the games the couple allegedly played at the cafe involved raising a virtual child.
They are often running at Iditarod, the world's most famous sled dog race. A ceremonial start was held Anchorage. Actual competition begins on Monday. These dogs went 12 to 15 hours straight, non-stop, in extreme winter elements. The entire race is over 1,000 miles long. The prize money more than $500,000.
Lights, camera, action! It's almost time for the gold in Hollywood. We're talking Oscar gold. And there's a live blog show for you folks who want to chime in in real time on all the happenings.
And the best known presidential impersonators come together for a cause and a good laugh. We got to laugh, laugh, laugh.
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LEMON: With the big show less than 24 hours away, we're not talking about our next show. We're talking about the Oscar. There's quite a bit of buzz about the Oscars on line. And "AC360's" Jack Gray is the host of the "AC360" Oscars Live Blog.
People from all over the world will submit their comments live as they watch in real time.
LEMON: Jack, what will you be talking about? Tell me about the live blog. You do it every year, right?
JACK GRAY, HOST, "AC360" Oscars Live Blog: Yes. Well, this is our second year. It is fun. We keep it kind of light. You know, people -- I kind of guide things along and people from all over the world really submit their comments as they watch it. We talk about the winners and the losers and the nominees and hopefully some outbursts that happen along the way. And everybody, you know, everybody puts their two cents in as well and it's fun.
LEMON: So you're not going to go?
GRAY: And I'm at home. You know what I mean. Yes, you know, I'm not there. The great thing is it's kind of the antithesis of Hollywood glamour. It's almost we're kind of watching it together.
LEMON: No, no, I wasn't asking you if you were going or you're going to do a Joan Rivers and critique everybody on their clothes and talk about how bad they look are you? Or is that going to be some of that?
GRAY: Well, we are going to start with you and then we'll go from there.
LEMON: You know what, you are a smart you know what. Anyway, so listen, I like your co-host this year.
GRAY: Yes. My co-host.
LEMON: But I hear, she is a bit of a diva. Is that correct?
GRAY: Yes, she is. She usually shows up kind of drunk to the show, to the sofa rather. There she is. She spends most of the night really trash talking celebrities. I don't want to mention any names, George Clooney, but that is basically what happens.
LEMON: OK. So listen, you know, quickly -- listen, Jack, predictions about who is going to win. Do you have a best actor?
GRAY: Best actor, I think definitely the sentimental favorite is Jeff Bridges and his beard.
LEMON: Actress?
GRAY: And I think the best actress Monique, probably is a locked up. Although I'm always up for a Meryl Streep win.
LEMON: What do you say of people who I have heard a lot of people say, you know, not that Monique is not deserving, but outrage, but people who are upset to play that kind of role is very easy, that sort of emotion is easy in movies.
GRAY: You know, I don't know. That is their opinion. I don't really know. I'm not a film expert. She seems to have it locked up, though. She's won pretty much every major award up until now.
LEMON: Yes, she has.
GRAY: If she doesn't win this it, I think will be a huge upset.
LEMON: Good luck to her. Good luck to everyone else. And thank you, sir. We will be watching "AC 360".com. Is that where we're going to find you're little live blog. Your big live blog, I should say.
GRAY: Yes, tomorrow night.
LEMON: All right.
GRAY: It's huge. Thanks, Don.
LEMON: Thank you.
LEMON: Jack Gray, everyone.
And tomorrow night it's Hollywood's biggest night. An event so big, so provocative, it takes two shows on two networks to cover it all in one night. First at 7:00 on CNN. We're live from the red carpet. Then at 11:00, live on HLN. The night's biggest showdowns and controversies. Watch "Road to Gold" live at 7:00 Eastern and on HLN at 11:00 p.m. Eastern.
Leaving behind key evidence at the scene of a crime. Dumb, but not that unusual. But you won't believe what some robbers left behind after a jewelry store heist in Philadelphia. We're going to tell you.
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LEMON: OK. Every weekend, we bring you a handful of interesting stories. News items that you may have missed in recent days. So check this one out, will you?
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CAPT. LAWRENCE NODIFF, PHILADELPHIA POLICE: I've never been exposed to a crime where part of your plan, your definitive plan is that you utilize a child.
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LEMON: In hindsight perhaps not the best plan. The four-year- old boy was ditched by mom and dad after they allegedly snatched at least $50,000 worth of rings from a Philadelphia jewelry store. The store owner was wounded by a knife after he caught up with a fleeing family. In making their escape, the couple abandoned the boy on the street. The kid quickly told police his parents' names. Mom and dad were later arrested at a motel. Police say the parents never even asked about their son. They have been charged with robbery, child endangerment and attempted murder.
Do you remember Mark Foley? Well, he is the Republican congressman who was forced to resign a few years ago because of sexually explicit e-mails to pages. Foley has now opened a consignment shop in West Palm Beach. The store is full of furniture, knickknacks, mementos from Foley's time in Washington. He says it serves a need in the current economy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARK FOLEY (R), FORMER FLORIDA CONGRESSMAN: People are looking to downsize because they're moving from smaller homes and they're looking for cash. That's their new reality. (END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Foley says his notoriety has helped attract customers and he's not ruled out a return to politics.
Everybody has heard of Google, right? But did you know there is a city in Kansas with that name? It's true. You probably know it best as Topeka. For the month of March, the city has officially changed its name to Google. Why? The giant Web company is looking for places to install its new ultra high-speed Internet service. Topeka hopes the name change will make it a good candidate.
Performer Ben Vereen recently undertook one of the most controversial stage roles of his career, portraying the black actor Lincoln Perry, better known to millions of white Americans as Stepin Fetchit. The play revolves around the relationship between Perry and heavyweight boxing champ Muhammad Ali.
Well, the genesis for the role began years ago at a benefit at McCormick Center in Chicago. And I recently spoke with Ben Vereen about the play and the relationship with Perry and Ali.
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BEN VEREEN, PERFORMER: McCormick is a large auditorium.
LEMON: It's huge, yes.
VEREEN: And only about 400 people showed up. And there on the stage with Muhammad Ali standing behind him with a tear in his eye. And that's when I saw that there was a connection between the two of them. And this gentleman Will Powers has written a play, which I'm doing right now, directed Dess McAnuff. And we hope to bring the Broadway about Stepin Fetchit and Muhammad Ali.
LEMON: And Muhammad Ali is in the play. Talk to me about -- at least his character. Talk to me about him.
VEREEN: Well, Muhammad Ali in this play, what Will Powers has done is brought their relationship together. And, you know, the punch, that knocked out Sonny Liston --
LEMON: Yes?
VEREEN: Well, he credits Stepin Fetchit for teaching him that punch. And there's a film where Malcolm, where Muhammad Ali and Stepin Fetchit are walking after the fight on a balcony, and Muhammad turns to Stepin and says, well, he can't get past that punch, that anchor punch really work. And Stepin turns to him and says nobody can get past that slider. And that's the -- the plays is based on that conversation.
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LEMON: Ben Vereen said he took on this controversial role to tell the forgotten chapter of African-American history about being a black movie actor in a time of deep racial segregation and prejudice in America.
Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Carter. Maybe we should say, Reagan, Bush, Bush, Clinton, Carter. "Saturday Night Live" has parodied every president for more than a quarter of century. Don't forget President Barack Obama. Now some of SNL's best known alums are at it again. This time for serious reasons. We'll tell you what issue brought them all together.
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LEMON: The ghosts of president's past and a few former commanders in chief who are still around have some serious advice for President Barack Obama. They want him to pass financial reforms, but they look suspiciously like some comedians we've seen before. Here's CNN's Jeanne Moos.
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JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If a get-together featuring five live presidents was a big deal --
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This is an extraordinary gathering.
MOOS: Yes, well then so is this.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now listen Borat --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Barack.
MOOS: The most famous presidential impersonators of all-time gathered in one room to offer advice to the Obamas.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Man, and Michelle's got some legs on her.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How did you two get in here?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The security code is still 1234 from when I was prez. Only took me 5 times to remember it.
MOOS: "Saturday Night Live" stars like Will Ferrell --
WILL FERRELL, AS GEORGE W. BUSH: Betty, did you change the locks again?
MOOS: -- And Chevy Chase doing Gerald Ford.
CHEVY CHASE, AS GERALD FORD: Well, if you had listened to me, it would have raised taxes.
MOOS: And Dana Carvey doing George Bush Sr.
DANA CARVE, AS GEORGE H. W. BUSH: Yes, that second term of your was a real victory lapper, wasn't it Nebersch?
MOOS: Topped off with Jim Carrey as Ronald Reagan. JIM CARREY, AS RONALD REAGAN: To help "Mr. Reach Across the Aisle" grow up.
MOOS: It was a reunion of the presidents of comedy says director Jake Simansky (ph).
JAKE SIMANSKY, DIRECTOR: Absolutely, it was incredible.
MIKE FARAH, PRODUCER, FUNNYORDIE.COM: And they're just as excited as everyone else. I mean they're all friends and know each other, but they haven't anything like this before. So everyone is kind of just looking around and saying, you know, I cannot believe this is happening.
MOOS: The comedians donated their time to make this funny or die video to push for financial reform in the creation of --
CARREY: The Consumer Protection Agency.
MOOS: The video, shot in a day from noon to midnight was directed by Ron Howard.
FERRELL: When I put the Iraq war on my credit card, I never dreamed I would be paying 28 percent in interest rates.
GEORGE W. BUSH, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I want to thank the President-elect for joining the ex-presidents.
MOOS (on camera): Occasionally the real presidents were unintentionally almost as funny as their impersonators.
(voice-over): For instance, when George Bush Sr. almost shook hands with his hanky or when Bill Clinton got lovey-dovey about the Oval Office rug --
BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I love this rug.
MOOS: Of course, only the impersonators could bring back departed presidents.
CARREY: I'm dead, but I am going to be a guest on "Dancing with the Stars" this season.
MOOS: Both the real presidents and the impersonators took a group photo, and should you decide to do what the video says and call your Senator, make sure you use the phone, not the glass.
Jeanne Moos, CNN --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: President Barack O'Donnell --
MOOS: New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: I love this work.
I'm Don Lemon in Atlanta. I'll see you back here tomorrow night. Good night.
