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Biden Visits Iraq; Petraeus in Afghanistan; Alabama Tourist Business; World Cup Soccer Finals
Aired July 03, 2010 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN NEWS ANCHOR: All right straight ahead here in the Noon Eastern hour, let's talk about Vice President Biden who is in Iraq now, this July 4 weekend. He arrived there this morning on an unannounced trip to visit the troops there and he was greeted by top U.S. lawmakers, as well. CNN's Arwa Damon is live in Baghdad with more details on this -- Arwa.
ARWA DAMON, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning and the big part that came as a surprise to all of us was the fact that he arrived here with his wife, Jill Biden. Now, he is her, they are both here in fact to celebrate Fourth of July with the troops. Vice President Biden will also be meeting with senior Iraqi government officials as well as with the leaders of the political parties here. Everyone has been watching the negotiations between the various political powers, as they try to form a government especially since the March elections here were largely inconclusive and there are great concerns about the political vacuum that has been created.
Mrs. Biden will also be meeting with the troops, and with civilian embassy officials and she is going to be conducting a teacher roundtable with Iraqi women who teach English in the Baghdad area. This trip coming as a surprise, as we have been saying, especially because Mrs. Biden has come along with Vice President Biden. As far as we're aware, it's the first time we've seen this type of a senior official visiting with his spouse -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Arwa Damon, thanks so much, appreciate that on that surprise visit from the vice president and other congressional leaders, here in this country.
All right, U.S. secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, stopped in Poland, today. The two countries amended their missile defense agreement and she also announced a major pledge, $15 million to help preserve one of the more notorious concentration camps in Europe.
More than one million people perished at the Auschwitz-Birkenau camps during World War II. Congress still has to approve that donation.
And after the deadliest month in Afghanistan and the removal of General Stanley McChrystal, a change of command. General David Petraeus is now officially on the job. CNN's Atia Abawi has the latest on the general's arrival and a message to the troops. She is joining us now from Kabul.
ATIA ABAWI, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Fredricka, it was General David Petraeus' first full day on the job, here in Afghanistan, as the top NATO commander. It started as a daily briefing held here in Kabul at ISAF headquarters where a NATO spokesperson said that General Petraeus was fully engaged, asking questions and trying to get a lay of the land.
That was followed by a trip to the embassy for festivities and for the Fourth of July celebration. He actually stood side-by-side with the U.S. ambassador, Karl Eikenberry, shaking hands and greeting 1,700 dignitaries whether they be Afghan, Americans or internationals. But, he also had a message to them and he said that unity is key when it comes to winning the war in Afghanistan.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEN DAVID PETRAEUS, U.S. COMMANDER IN AFGHANISTAN: I'm reminded that this is an effort in which we must achieve unity of effort and common purpose. Civilian and military, Afghan and international, we are part of one team, with one mission. In this important endeavor, cooperation is not optional. This is a tough mission, there is nothing easy about it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABAWI: Well, after the embassy events, General Petraeus was said to have detailed discussions about the ISAF campaign plan with key officials including his commanders on the ground here who have been here for some time, now. But his most important meeting came with the president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, because that's going to be key in showing unity between the Afghan government, the coalition forces and the international community. That's something that General Stanley McChrystal spent a year working on and he built a very strong relationship with President Karzai and now it's General Petraeus' turn to do the same -- Fredricak.
WHITFIELD: Atia Abawi, thanks so much for that update coming from Kabul.
All right Argentina has suffered a painful loss at the world cup. We'll have a live update from South Africa. And later, you know her as an actress, an icon, Pam Grier, an icon of the '70s in particular and a star of the most well-known black sploitation (ph) film, she reflects on her career and some painful memories, as well, including several sexual assaults in real life.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAM GRIER, ACTRESS: I had an instinct for survival. And throughout these instances, the third time changed me into this I'm going to risk my life to save my life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Face-to-face with "Foxy Brown" star, straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) WHITFIELD: All right, let's talk about stormy weather and the gulf oil spill how both are coming together. Very stormy season from Hurricane Alex which means that It will indeed impact the spill taking place in the gulf. Forecasters say there is a 60-80 percent chance tar balls now, will hit south Florida before the summer's out. Along the gulf, right now, many beaches are open, but that doesn't necessarily mean that people are partaking. Reynolds Wolf is in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
And it's looking awfully lonely there, Reynolds.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, I got to tell you, there are quite a few people out here. In fact, if we pan around a little bit, you'll see a couple families out and about here, but there's something else you're going to see, you're going to see some of this earth-moving equipment. And this isn't something that's just happened in the last 20 minutes, these guys, Fredricka, have been out since the overnight hours. They were here when we came in around 3:00 this morning. Non-stop, they've been moving on to the sand, making sure that if oil comes up, they move very quickly.
But something else that these earthmovers are doing is they're creating a barrier, in fact, a couple barriers to try to keep that oil back should it come ashore and it had made its way on shore, not just here in Alabama, but also in Florida into Mississippi, even into Louisiana. So, they're doing what they can to hold that oil back and hopefully draw in more people.
I tell you, that's the key thing. I mean, they have to have the people come in. Last year, Fredricka, you couldn't find a hotel in this town, you couldn't find a room because everything was booked up. This year, not so much. Many of the high-rise places that we have, have quite a bit vacancy, in fact some places are only 50 percent to 70 percent full. They've actually lowered the prices. Last year, rooms were going for $225, this year it's down an average of about $150.
And when it comes to dollars and cents, tourism for this 32 miles of white sand beach can bring up to $1.1 billion. That's billion with a "b." So, again, with all of the bad things that have happened in terms of the economy, the high unemployment rate, and of course, with this spill, it's kind of a catastrophic effect. So what they're trying to do is make the most of a bad situation and part of that comes to cleaning up these beaches.
It's a tall order, they've got a lot of great plans, they've got a heck of a fireworks show is expected for tomorrow night. There are people coming out, not as many as they had last year, but they're bringing some in and they're certainly happy about there.
You know, one of the big fears that have is that people will take their money and go elsewhere, maybe to Virginia Beach, perhaps even out to say other parts of the Carolina coast. So they know they're going to be competing with those different places, so, a lot of concerns, but they're trying to make the best. WHITFIELD: Yeah, so I guess it means when people do come to the Gulf Coast beaches, they got to, I don't know, be willing to improvise. Maybe they're not going to get in the water because of the concerns about the tar balls, but maybe there'll be other thing to do, near the beach that will lure them and their dollars.
WOLF: Absolutely. You are bringing up a good point when it comes to the beach. People cannot get into the water. There are red flags that are up. Not one, but two of them and that's a two-fold purpose. What that does is tells people to get out because of not only the oil in the water, but also the rough surf, so, they can't get in the water, but they can see a lot of great things.
WHITFIELD: Yeah. All right, Reynolds Wolf, thanks so much. Gulf Shores, Alabama is the place, right.
Bonnie Schneider, right here in the Weather Center and boy, this is what people were concerned about, this storm and the gulf oil spill coming together and here it is the holiday weekend when the beaches are supposed to be packed with people and instead they're worried about both of these things, now.
BONNIE SCHNEIDER, CNN METEOROLOGIST: That's right. And Reynolds mentioned the rough surf. You know, we had Alex that kind of rolled through and no the remnants are working its way further northward towards Oklahoma into Texas. But there is a new area of concern that we have been monitoring here. This area of low pressure here, it is south of the Mississippi River and what it's doing right now is really kicking up the moisture for the west coast of Florida, a little bit for the south eastern perishes extreme areas towards southern Louisiana.
But the main thing to note is the hurricane center is monitoring this, we could see tropical development, but it is very highly unlikely, in fact that's exactly the terms they use, less than 10 percent.
We're watching those, certainly. This time of year, we tend to get a lot of activity. Here's all that heavy rain. This is Alex, what's left of it, working its way across Oklahoma. Some drenching rain there, but Florida, I think over the next few days, we will continue to see, rain, rain, rain, Tampa, Cape Coral, down through Fort Myers, lots of rain coming up from this system.
And here's a look at the beach statuses as Reynolds had been reporting. We have advisories in Florida, speaking of Florida, Panama City beaches are open, but they do say there have been tar balls spotted there, so watch out for that. We're also getting reports across Alabama. Here is a look at some of the advisories, as you heard earlier, many of the beaches are open, just no swimming or of course, closed completely. You can see Fort Morgan is closed completely and finally as we check the status of some of the beaches in Mississippi, you'll find similar to Alabama, what we're looking at is advisories with gulf shores closed, so use caution, certainly avoid any contact with any oil at all times. Most people know that, but it's always good to mention. Well, the Fourth of July is tomorrow and it is heating up. I'm not just talking about these great fireworks, here on my map, but heat is building in the mid-Atlantic and the northeast. Today will be fine, maybe 85, 90 degrees, nice, hot summer day, but I'm going to pull up the forecast now for one of those cities where it's going to be super hot. Philadelphia, look at that, Sunday 97, then if you have Monday off, a lot of people do, 98 degrees. So, it's going to be one hot barbecue for the fourth for the fireworks.
WHITFIELD: Sizzling. All right, well, that is the way people like it on the Fourth of July weekend. No fun if it's raining, but if you got, you know, heat and sun instead, that's all right.
SCHNEIDER: Sounds good.
WHITFIELD: No matter how hot it is. Thanks so much, Bonnie.
SCHNEIDER: Sure.
WHITFIELD: All right let's talk about World Cup soccer. Yes, it is still going on. We're talking about the quarter finals, now, right around the corner. Germany has now defeated Argentina in these quarter finals. Let's see what is going on there, Johannesburg with Isha Sesay joining us now -- Isha.
ISHA SESAY, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Hi there Fredricka. Yes indeed, Argentina has been dismissed from this tournament, Germany giving then a solid thrashing it has to be said. The final score 4-nil, it's kind hard to believe, had to be said, though, that Germany made a very quick start for this match getting their first goal inside three minutes.
And Argentina trying to get back into the game. They did have periods of possession, but Fredricka, bottom line is German speed, the youth of this team seemed outplay (INAUDIBLE) side and the goals kept coming in the final score 4-nil to Germany. It's hard to believe that these sides have been so evenly matched in the past.
The last time they met was at this very same stage in 2006. In the quarter finals in Germany again emerging victorious. But that match ended with a massive brawl on the (INAUDIBLE) between the two sides. Two Argentine players ending up with (INAUDIBLE) bands, this time no fighting, but Argentina are heading home -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Oh boy, I know are so disappointed and stunned that Argentina would be out.
SESAY: Yeah, no, without a doubt, I mean, (INAUDIBLE) -- so, go ahead, Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: No, go ahead continue. You've much more to say than I do about the topic.
SESAY: No, no, noI was going to make the point that you are absolutely right. People will be stunned to hear that Argentina, which, you know, is considered to be a footballing powerhouse, is out of this tournament. But they have to remember that the Argentina's path to get to South Africa was rather rocky. They didn't have the smoothest qualification, in fact, it came down to the very last match to ensure that they made it here to South Africa. So, even though they've had a good showing here in South Africa, I think their paths have caught up with them and they've been shown up and they are heading home -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, very exciting time there in Johannesburg, thanks you so much Isha Sesay, Isha sashay.
OK, let's talk about the former vice president now and the massage therapist. Our legal guys will be weighing in on the Al Gore sex allegations and why that case is being revisited. There they are. Talk to them right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right the U.S. Supreme court strikes down Chicago's gun ban, so the right to bear arms prevails. Let's check in with our legal guys to see how this came to be. Civil rights attorney, Avery Friedman and New York defense attorney, Richard Herman.
Good to see you both from your regular locations.
AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTY: Hey, Fredricka.
RICHARD HERMAN, DEFENSE ATTY: Hi Fred.
WHITFIELD: OK, so we're talking about a 30 year ban in Chicago which is struck down, Avery, how did this happen? After 30 years.
FRIEDMAN: Well, no one was really surprised because two years ago the Supreme Court said there is a right to bear arms. This came down very quickly. As a matter of fact, last -- yesterday, Fredricka, Chicago re-enacted a gun restriction law which says among other things, you can have one gun and have it in the house, but if you take it outside the house in the car, in the garage, that is a crime in Chicago. So, we're only at the beginning. The only Chicagoan on the Supreme Court who retired this week, John Paul Stevens said, it's going to be an avalanche of litigation.
WHITFIELD: Wow. So Richard, I wonder too if this opens up the floodgates for more aggressive background checks on gun purchases et cetera. This is far reaching.
HERMAN: Buzz words, Fred, floodgates. It is going to open the floodgates. You know, You know, on one of the rare occasions where Avery and I do agree, we did predict several months ago that the Supreme Court rule in this manner. It's going to be unconstitutional to completely ban someone's right to have a gun; however, what the Supreme Court is saying is that each jurisdiction has the right to legislate restrictions on that and those very restrictions that are implemented are going to be challenged, they're going to be litigated and that's going to be the floodgate litigation.
WHITFIELD: Wow, so this is going to be some time then before this decision actually come to fruition, right Avery?
FRIEDMAN: Well, it actually has to be remanded back to the trial court for the judge to say that the ban is unconstitutional. But you know what, Fredricka , Chicago already understands that they passed new legislation and we're going to see city after city, state after state trying to enact new legislation and you're going to have gun rights people bringing lawsuits that's what Justice Stevens meant by an avalanche of litigation.
HERMAN: And some of the litigation like this, Fred, is where a jurisdiction says you can't bring a gun into church, you can't bring a gun into a restaurant or bar, you know, certain -- or schools -- certain limitations on the right to bear arms, that's where the litigation is going to be.
WHITFIELD: OK, let's more onto guns in the wrong place, the wrong time especially as it pertains to a NFL quarterback, Michael Vick. Maybe the wrong place at the wrong, now he's in trouble again, possibly a violation of his probation. Is that right, Richard? For being at a restaurant, there was a shooting, he was there, and now law enforcement is trying to connect the dots, meaning law enforcement trying to connect the dots.
HERMAN: Well, you know he and his lawyer ran in to try and do the right thing and speak before the videotape was turned over to law enforcement. So there's a question of whether or not he was there when the shooting took place or not and what information he gave the law enforcement. But moreover, Fred, there is a provision in this probation that he cannot associate with convicted felons.
FRIEDMAN: There you go.
HERMAN: And clearly in that bar at the time there was one of his co- defendants who plead guilty who was a convicted felon. This is a big problem.
WHITFIELD: But if they weren't interacting? What if he just both happened to be there?
HERMAN: Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter.
WHITFIELD: So you can't be in a place and you have to there be responsible for checking out everybody else's background if you're in a public place? Huh? Huh? What?
FRIEDMAN: Fredricka, Quanis Phillips was very well known to Michael Vick. Michael Vick, at least for purposes of what we do is the gift that keeps on giving. Sooner or later he does things like this. He knew Quanis Phillips was there. Now whether or not there was a dispute over that remains to be seen. But, he knew he was there. He said look, the shooting that took place occurred 10-20 minutes after I left. Actually, the video shows it was three minutes. But, it's not only law enforcement, it's the NFL, and it's also his federal probation officer, that he's going to have to convince, as Richard pointed out, he didn't know that the convicted felon was there and that's going to be a problem. WHITFIELD: I think if I were Michael Vick, I think I'd just stay home and rent a movie or something.
FRIEDMAN: You know what, that's right. Go rent a movie, that's exactly right.
HERMAN: Fred, the NFL said in order to continue to play in the NFL, you have to abide by the terms of your probation. If he violated here, he's not going to be allowed to play in the NFL. And right today there are news reports that the Eagles are looking to ship him out.
WHITFIELD: Oh my gosh, all right. Well all right, let's talk about something else, this is a strange relationship now, that is being brought together in a court of law at the Hague now, we're talking about Naomi Campbell, now she is being subpoenaed to testify in the former Liberian president Charles Taylor's trial at the Hague. Why? Because apparently she accepted a rough diamond from him during an event, star studded event in South Africa. But this subpoena comes with a heavy hand. Right? If she does not testify, if she does not show up to testify, it would be in England by the way, right? She would be facing jail time, Avery?
FRIEDMAN: Well, not just jail time and I think she is going to cooperate and the U.K. is actually a participant with the international court in the Hague. More importantly, let me explain why this is important. Charles Taylor is one of the real monsters of the 20th century and 21st century, 500,000 people dead, mutilation, torture and he testified in court that he had nothing to do with uncut -- or so-called blood diamond, never had anything to do with it. The blood diamond that he gave to Naomi is important. She's going to say, oh, what a nice dictator man, that he gave me these diamonds. Well that testimony is going to show that he's being untruthful under oath. Very, very important.
WHITFIELD: So, she may not have known that this was, you know, at the time he was president and she didn't necessarily know that he may have had a hand in the blood diamond industry, that she received. So, she's not in trouble necessarily, Richard, for accepting the diamond.
FRIEDMAN: No, she's not in trouble at all.
WHITFIELD: The problem is this will prove that Charles Taylor did have something to do with the transfer of something like a blood diamond.
FRIEDMAN: Exactly right.
HERMAN: Precisely, Fred. Charles Taylor said "I was not in possession of any blood diamonds" the prosecution rested their case a year ago, February; however, they've moved to reopen it based on Mia Farrow's testimony, that there were discussions of blood diamonds and Naomi who -- there's an allegation that he gave her one. They want her to come on the stand and say, yes he did. That will disprove is position that he never had them. But they better check the cell phones at the door if she comes to testify. Got to check those... WHITFIELD: I was wondering how or who was going to bring up the cell phone on this one.
All right, meantime, let's talk about the U.S. Supreme Court and this point forward Elena Kagan, in your view, does it seem like a pretty easy confirmation? Were there any real fireworks that you were surprised by this week? Because if there were any then you're informing all of us for the first time -- Richard.
HERMAN: Princeton, Oxford and Harvard, that's her credentials plus U.S. solicitor in general. Come on, you know, where were they going to go with her? It's President Obama has the right to appoint, he did, she's intelligent, she's brilliant, she handled them impeccably, unlike the Robert (INAUDIBLE) fiasco. She's in, we predicted she'd be in and she's going to be a balancing force on this rather conservative bench
FRIEDMAN: Bottom line is we're still seeing the partisanship. I'm disappointed that we're seeing people like Specter likely, (INAUDIBLE) going to vote against her, you know they shouldn't, but she should slide in. I think it's a done deal going to the Senate and that is it.
WHITFIELD: OK, and we're going to see you again later on...
HERMAN: It's history. It's history, Fred.
WHITFIELD: It is history.
FRIEDMAN: Absolutely, historical, absolutely.
(CROSSTALK)
HERMAN: ...three women on the U.S. Supreme Court bench.
WHITFIELD: Yeah, but for many reasons too and that this president within just a year and a half time be able to see two Supreme Court justices.
FRIEDMAN: Right place, right time.
WHITFIELD: Wow, that's extraordinary. OK, we're going to talk to you again. And when we come back we are going to talk about Al Gore and a case that's being reopened because of procedural issues. Can't wait to find out more about this, about, well more about this by virtue of you guys. And you guys know Pam Grier right? Foxy Brown, Jackie Brown?
FRIEDMAN: Sure.
HERMAN: Foxy, Foxy Brown.
WHITFIELD: Yeah, I have a face-to-face interview with her later in the hour.
FRIEDMAN: That's exciting. WHITFIELD: And I know you guys are looking forward to hearing from this icon, as well.
FRIEDMAN: Absolutely, wouldn't miss it.
WHITFIELD: All right, see you again in a few minutes.
FRIEDMAN: Right.
WHITFIELD: All right GOP chairman, Michael Steele, well he's in hot water again. We'll tell you why some fellow Republicans actually want him out.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right let's talk politics, now. Republican chairman, Michael Steele is under fire from members of his own party again after comments he made this week about the Afghan war and after those comments showed up on YouTube.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL STEELE, REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: Keep in mind, again, for our federal candidates this is a war of Obama's choosing, this is not something that the United States has actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: All right, a little grainy there, but you understand especially with the transcription there, the U.S. actually went into Afghanistan when George W. Bush was president. And most congressional Republicans still support the war. Critics say Steele is off message and has to go. CNN deputy political director, Paul Steinhauser is standing by.
So, is this the straw that's breaking the camel's back, as it pertains to Michael Steele, Paul?
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Not yet, but let's stay tuned on this one. Fred, it seems that Michael Steele in his year-and-a-half as Chairman of the Republican National Committee has either found trouble or trouble has found him and this is the most latest case.
In fact, you know, he'd been -- it's been kind of quiet for him the last couple weeks. He hadn't been in the news. That is obviously all over with already, so far since Friday morning when this thing erupted. After it got on YouTube, the Democrats obviously, they found this as a political gift, Fred, and they were out with this story big time.
We've had two top conservatives here in Washington, William Kristol, who's the editor of "The Weekly Standard" and Liz Cheney, the daughter of the former vice president, both calling for Steele to resign. We've also heard a former South Carolina Republican party chairman call for Steele to resign. And reportedly, the North Dakota current Republican chairman up there of the party is troubled by the comments.
But there has been no overall chorus yet for him to go, either by lawmakers -- Republican lawmakers in Congress or more importantly, members of the Republican National Committee. Those are the people who would have to oust Steele if it ever got to that, Fred.
WHITFIELD: The ones that matter. All right, let's talk about Bill Clinton and him making headlines again, this time for his endorsement of a particular candidate in Colorado and how that might be at odds with the administration.
STEINHAUSER: Yes, with the administration and with the Democratic National Party. It's interesting. What happened this week? The former president endorsed a guy called Andrew Romanoff out in Colorado. He's the former House Speaker out there and he is running for the Senate.
The problem is there's already a Democratic senator. His name is Michael Bennet and he was named a year ago to replace Ken Salazar when he stepped down to be Interior Secretary.
So, here's Bill Clinton endorsing Romanoff who is at odds with the White House and with his own party. Remember, Barack Obama went out to Colorado himself earlier this year to help fundraise for Bennet.
Why is Clinton doing it? Well, you go back two years, Romanoff was a big supporter of Hillary Clinton when she was running for the White House and maybe Bill Clinton is returning a favor. But it got a lot of us interested when we heard the story.
WHITFIELD: So, any response from the White House or is the White House saying you know what, we actually promote that he's an independent thinker and he doesn't necessarily -- just because his wife is, you know, leading the State Department that he doesn't necessarily have to think and do as Obama says?
STEINHAUSER: Yes, they are staying kind of quiet on this one. The primary is next month. It's somewhat competitive, though Bennet, the person the White House and the Democratic Party are endorsing is considered the favorite.
But you know, Bill Clinton has been a very big help so far this campaign season to the White House and to the Democratic Party. He went to Arkansas to help the -- Blanche Lincoln win her primary battle and he also helped out in Pennsylvania. So, I think the White House would like to see Bill Clinton continue to be out there to help out, especially in these moderate to conservative areas where maybe Barack Obama is not so popular, Fred.
WHITFIELD: All right, Paul Steinhauser, thanks so much in that nation's capital. Have a great holiday weekend as well.
STEINHAUSER: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: All right, major league baseball at minor league prices? Why not? Ayesha Tejpar explains how in today's "On the Go." (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
AYESHA TEJPAR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Baseball season is in full swing and you can enjoy America's favorite pastime without breaking the bank.
JASON SHEETS, TRAVELZOO.COM: Experts actually found some amazing values in ball parks for baseball tickets, the Oakland A's on Wednesdays $2 tickets for games as well as $1 hotdogs.
TEJPAR: If you're planning a baseball trip, catch specials on sites like baseballtoursusa.com or jaybuckley.com or book your own getaway.
SHEETS: We're finding in major markets like Chicago, Washington, D.C. and southern California that hotel prices are about 60 percent off.
TEJPAR: Make your trip a triple play by visiting regions with several themes.
SHEETS: In the Chicago marketplace, you could see three games in three different ball parks and also, just buy a one night at a hotel.
TEJPAR: For the best deals, check out mid-week games. And if you strike out at the majors, try the minors.
SHEETS: You'll see some up and coming stars, you'll have better seats than you would at a major league baseball park, it's much more intimate.
TEJPAR: Either way, you're sure to win.
SHEETS: There isn't a bad time to see a baseball game.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, making headlines this week, a sex case more than three-years-old against former vice president Al Gore. Portland police have reopened their investigation and CNN's Joe Johns explains why.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The allegations against the former vice president are solacious and shocking. Here's the woman making the accusations. CNN does not normally identify anyone alleging sexual assault unless the person comes forward themselves. In this case, Molly Haggerty, a 54-year-old massage therapist in Oregon is telling her story to the "National Inquirer."
In an interview she gave to the Portland police department in 2009, Haggerty says she was the victim of unwanted sexual contact by Gore. She said it happened three years earlier on the night of October 24th, 2006 here at the Hotel Lucia. She said Gore was staying at the boutique hotel under the name of Mr. Stone and had requested a massage.
At approximately 11:00 p.m., the woman said she entered Gore's hotel room, suite 903. Gore opened the door with a big smile and said call me Al the woman alleges. She claims Gore made her uneasy from the start. "He began dimming the lights way down to near darkness" she told police. She said she started to massage Gore, but claims "it appeared he was demanding sexual favors."
According to the police, she said Gore "grabbed my right hand and shoved it down under the sheet to his pubic area." She called his behavior angry and intimidating. She said she then tried to leave, but alleges Gore "wrapped me in an inescapable embrace and caressed my back and buttocks and breasts." She also said Gore "forced an open mouth kiss on me."
Haggerty said she was afraid she was going to be raped. She said she eventually left the room, but not before Gore allegedly told her quote, "you know you want to do it."
(on camera): That interview took place last year. Early last month, Portland police say the woman contacted them and said she wanted to edit her statement. They say she also told them she was planning on taking her place to the media. Haggerty's attorney apparently contacted police about the case as early as 2006, but police say the attorney cancelled three meetings that had been scheduled with detectives. The attorney also said they plan to take their case to civil court.
(voice-over): On June 23rd, just last week, the police said quote "The case was not investigated any further because detectives concluded there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations." Now, the police say they're reopening the case because of procedural issues in last year's investigation.
Reached by CNN for comment, a spokeswoman for the former vice president said the decision to reopen the case "will only benefit Mr. Gore." The spokeswoman added the following -- "The Gores cannot comment on every defamtory, misleading and inaccurate story generated by tabloids."
Mr. Gore unequivocally and emphatically denied this accusation when he first learned of its existence three years ago. He stands by that denial.
Joe Johns, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: OK, there's a lot to talk about there. That's why we're calling upon our legal guys one more time on this case and more. They can't wait. Avery and Richard will be right back right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: OK, this caught our attention, so you know we've got to talk more about it. A massage therapist calling the former vice president, Al Gore, a sex-crazed poodle? What's going on here?
Civil rights attorney Avery Friedman and New York defense attorney Richard Herman are back with us, both of them professors.
FRIEDMAN: Yes.
WHITFIELD: OK, so Avery, so the Portland police said, and we saw this in Joe Johns piece, there was insufficient evidence years ago. What could be this procedural error that they need to revisit this case?
FRIEDMAN: Yes. What the police department is saying is that in order to close the case, there's supposed to be a higher level review. Apparently, that didn't happen. I don't know what it has to do with the fact. Actually, the most intersting thing to me was the spokeswoman for Al Gore who said we're glad this is moving forward, it will only help Al Gore. Like really, really?
WHITFIELD: That got my attention, too. I'm confused.
FRIEDMAN: I mean, OK. I mean, here's the two words, reasonable doubt? I would say so.
WHITFIELD: OK. Richard, how do you see this? I mean, is this a -- gosh, is this a nightmare for Al Gore or might this, you know, case just simply go away?
HERMAN: Well, no, I think it's adding to his list of nightmares these days.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
HERMAN: But you know, why did she wait so long to do this? The attorney is saying we're going to go to civil court here. Most jurisdictions have like a one year statute of limitations ...
FRIEDMAN: One or two years, right.
HERMAN: ... for intentional torte (ph). Why didn't they bring this case civilly before it didn't, you know there's ...
WHITFIELD: Could it have anything to do with the Gores splitting?
FRIEDMAN: But that was four years later, Fredricka.
HERMAN: No, I don't know, look.
FRIEDMAN: Four years later, so maybe it motivated her, right.
HERMAN: Hey Fred, what we ought to -- this was a $540 massage at 11 o'clock at night in his hotel room. Now, I'm hearing she's a licensed massause, but you know, one of the issues is whether a licensed massouses work at 11 o'clock in hotel rooms.
WHITFIELD: Oh boy.
HERMAN: I don't know. I don't know what happened here. Allegedly, she has DNA. If she does ...
WHITFIELD: Oh lordy.
HERMAN: ... and it's corroborated somehow, some way, they may bring him in and ask for a DNA swab and this is going to go on and on.
WHITFIELD: But then, that would be evidence that would be sufficient and credible back in the day.
FRIEDMAN: Right.
WHITFIELD: Three or four years ago.
HERMAN: Well, it will corroborate her version. Yes, it'll help corrborate her version of events.
FRIEDMAN: Look, the police already said three years ago that her testimony explanation was erratic. I think it is a very problem. Again, reasonable doubt. I'd say so, and again, I represent victims of sex crimes. I think this is a very difficult case and I also agree with Richard. If she was going to do something, whether or not the Gores are splitting, this should have been done a long, long time ago.
WHITFIELD: OK. Well, let's move onto this other case that's catching a lot of people's attention. We're talking about Russian spies, people who are living their lives just like everybody else. The neighbors thought they were, you know, normal folks, the kids apparently even thought they were normal folks.
Now, come to find out they're being charged with espionage or at least helping to provide information to Russian intelligence that could have then lead to some sort of recruitment here in the U.S. It is very sordid and you know, just crazy stuff.
But Avery, try and make sense of it for us.
FRIEDMAN: All right. Actually, it is a complicated casae. Let me explain. The reason this is happening is because of the new relationship between CIA and now FBI ever since 9/11. There's sharing of information. Therefore, espionage cases are very much treated like terrorism cases. So therefore, much of the evidence which has been developed over the last couple of years has been developed in this case.
And actually, it is not surprising because most people don't know that espionage is more common during peace time that war time. This really shouldn't be a shock, but there are many, many more details that remain to be seen here.
WHITFIELD: Wow. And so Richard, it's been a while since we've had a really good espionage case. But you know, this one, I mean, involves so many people, families as well. Apparently, even the kids had no idea what mom and dad were doing in many circumstances here and some arrangements are being made to send the kids off to relatives overseas. I mean what?
FRIEDMAN: What?
HERMAN: Fred, you know, this thing looks ridiculous to me. They were charged with obtaining political gossip and policy talk in the United States. That's what they were asked to do as big spies. You know, you could go on the internet from Russia and gauge this. I don't know, there's no evidence that they supplied any information or any material information to their Russian sources here. This is a big bomb. This is going nowhere.
WHITFIELD: Really? Going nowhere?
HERMAN: You know, they're going to get them on some sort of money laundering. That's going to be it, money laundering. But as far as espionage, this is not the case there. (INAUDIBLE).
FRIEDMAN: Yes, let's see.
WHITFIELD: This better go somewhere with this kind of publicity, right?
HERMAN: Russian and Chinese -- it's not happening, Fred. You're going to see, this is going to blow up in their face. It's only going to be some -- you know, a collateral money laundering that's going to stick on them, but not espionage. They didn't divulge any secrets because they didn't have any secrets.
FRIEDMAN: Let's see what happens, Richard. Let's see.
WHITFIELD: OK. All right, well, let's talk about maybe trade secrets that are involved in this next case, divorce case.
FRIEDMAN: Love this.
WHITFIELD: Yes, we're talking Michael Douglas, "Wall Street 2" is coming out. But his ex-wife Diandra said wait a minute, you know, I need to get -- I don't know, I guess she needs to get some residuals from "Wall Street 2".
FRIEDMAN: Sure.
WHITFIELD: Just like she did from 1 when they were married and she got a really nice handsome divorce settlement. But she wants more. Is this "greed is good" in the making, Richard?
HERMAN: Oh this is great. You know, I tip my hat to her lawyer for putting this provision in their divorce decree. This is spectacular.
FRIEDMAN: Sure.
HERMAN: She's entitled to collect a certain amount of money based on his exploitation or spin-off of any movies he made during the course of their marriage. Well, a fair reading of that is "Wall Street 2" is part of "Wall Street 1" ...
WHITFIELD: Well, that's simple.
HERMAN: ... which was done when they were married. So ...
WHITFIELD: Case closed, then?
FRIEDMAN: Yes, I think I agree. I think case closed, exactly right.
HERMAN: Case closed. I think she's going to collect big time.
WHITFIELD: Oh my goodness.
FRIEDMAN: Yes, I think that's right. The difference between spin- off, which is provided for in that decree and sequel. You see, Catherine Zeta-Jones is a sequel. So, the difference here -- the difference is it doesn't derive from the original, that's a spin-off and actually, Diandra does have a shot at this.
WHITFIELD: Diandra.
FRIEDMAN: I'm in a court, a comprehensive divorce decree providing for that, she's likely to collect.
WHITFIELD: Oh, I mispronounced her name. So, you know ...
HERMAN: It'll also depend ...
FRIEDMAN: (INAUDIBLE)
WHITFIELD: ...I wonder how common is this for Hollywood marriages, I mean knowing that there may be a spin-off or a sequel, etc. How smart is this?
HERMAN: Oh, this is a brilliant move. But the issue is going to come down to how they define exploitation in the marital decree, if they defined it. That's what it's going to come down to, that interpretation, Fred.
WHITFIELD: Wow, that's intense stuff. All right.
FRIEDMAN: Red hot, absolutely red hot.
HERMAN: This si great.
WHITFIELD: You know, I don't know, don't get married, don't get divorced in California. I mean, you know, that whole 10-year statute thing. You know, I guess if you're together for 10 years, then you get -- you split it in half, but there could be more ...
HERMAN: Common law.
WHITFIELD: ...especially if you're -- yes.
FRIEDMAN: Well, absolutely and will every movie that he makes hereafter be a spin-off or be a sequel? And that's going to be an important issue that will get resolved in this instance of the case.
HERMAN: If it says "Wall Street," yes, she going to collect.
FRIEDMAN: If it involves "Wall Street", I think it's a spin-off. What do you think?
WHITFIELD: OK, all right. I say you better know what you're doing out there, right. Or anywhere, that's for sure.
HERMAN: Absolutely.
WHITFIELD: All right, Avery, Richard, thanks so much. Appreciate it. Good to see you guys. Happy 4th.
FRIEDMAN: Good to see you. Happy 4th to you, too.
HERMAN: OK, Fred. Happy 4th. Have fun with Foxy.
WHITFIELD: Thank you. Oh, I know. You're going to love it. And I love your red, white and blue.
FRIEDMAN: It'll be great, it'll be terrific.
WHITFIELD: She really is very fascinating, so we'll have much more from Pam Grier later on in the hour. Thanks so much.
All right, coming face-to-face with the star of the '70s iconic film, "Foxy Brown," Pam Grier reflects on her career and painful moments that you perhaps never knew about, including several sexual assaults.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAM GRIER, ACTRESS/AUTHOR: I had an instinct for survival, and throughout these instances, the third time changed me into this I'm going to risk my life to save my life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Candid face-to-face talk with Pam Grier straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, it's not often you have a face-to-face conversation with a true icon of the '70s. But I actually got to sit down with the first female action hero of blaxploitation films and beyond, Pam Grier. She's probably best known for her role as Foxy Brown back in 1974, but her career spans four decades.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Pam Grier, "Foxy, My Life in Three Acts." Three acts, but there seems to be this continuum, this thread that really says you've been a survivor from the very beginning.
GRIER: I -- they will see that. I can share my intimacies and hope that others will learn from them, that I can give them that great gift of life. And being a cancer survivor, tomorrow is not a guarantee, I'm a gift that I'm here. And you'll read about intense pain and struggle and abandonment.
WHITFIELD: People look at Pam Grier, they think of Foxy Brown. GRIER AS FOXY BROWN: OK, thanks.
WHITFIELD: They think of coffee and they think they know Pam Grier. They think those characters are you.
GRIER: They do.
WHITFIELD: This strong woman, take no prisoners, I'm not going to take anything from anyone, but little do people know until they read this memoior that the pain that you experienced, you mentioned your childhood at the early age of six as a rape victim. And it's repeated again when you're 18.
GRIER: What I realize is that even -- there was the first event, the molestation, the rape and then the second -- the third one was the one where I fought and I could trigger something in this man that he could take my life.
I had an instinct for survival and throuhgout these instances, the third time changed me into this I'm going to risk my life to save my life. Now, I have already suffered pain, I've already been there. And it was not easy or effortless to portray those characters in the films again, but I had already suffered the pain, so it wouldn't be so bad.
WHITFIELD: How did you make it look so effortless because I think people who watched you thought that -- you are that woman, that it is effortless?
GRIER: Not at all. I was frightened underneath.
WHITFIELD: The blaxploitation, there were a lot of different connotations that came with that. Sometimes, it was very liberating and then, there were people who felt very uncomfortable with it.
GRIER: How do we get the people into the seats to see these messages? Well, the movement was mini skirts and burning of bras, and Woodstock, and nudity, love our bodies, free love, love, love, love, body and love and that was one of the messages. Then, we had the Black Panther message which was very empowering to learn how to fish for yourself. They didn't want affirmative action, they didn't want to be given to another message.
And then, you had several films before mine done, shot with male leads. They were, you know, sports figures, quite a few were done but they weren't called blaxploitation until a woman steps into the men's shoes. So, a woman steps and she's posturing like a man. Negative ...
WHITFIELD: So, did you feel uncomfortable with this?
GRIER: I said OK, everybody, just -- let's dialogue, let's talk, let's get in here.
WHITFIELD: So then, how about if I have you read a portion where you kind of describe what blaxploitation was all about. You talk about, you know, the plot, kind of what blaxploitation ...
GRIER: You mean when I stepped in the room that you hear waka, waka, waka, you knew it was me? You knew a black person stepped into the thing?
WHITFIELD: Here she comes, Pam Grier.
GRIER: OK, "the black characters were wildly colorful, hood garb and the plots nearly always resembled old Warner Bros. melodramas with dashes of MGM fashion glamour via the street thrown in. It is common for the persecuted female character, angry and less conflicted than her male counter-part to destroy a white-faced power structure that had caused pain and harm to herself and her family."
WHITFIELD: So then, why did being in that for you feel good, feel powerful, help change?
GRIER: It didn't feel good.
WHITFIELD: It didn't feel good?
GRIER: But it made people feel uncomfortable if you show the problem as opposed to ignore it and keep it under the rug. Then, you can heal, you can say it's time to stop. Look what we're doing. We had -- we're in a land of abundance, the Civil Rights Movement, we should be celebrating all of the things -- the rights won and we're still going through that, the hypocrisy, I see it in my kitchen.
WHITFIELD: Do you think people got that message?
GRIER: They did. Oh no, they got it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All right, tomorrow Grier opens up about the men in her life, Kareem Abdul-Jabar, Freddie Prince and Richard Pryor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GRIER: Richard starts spouting out dialogue from "Foxy Brown" and I'm like yes, yes, hi, how are you?
WHITFIELD: That would be me.
GRIER: Yes, that's that and he knew the dialogue. He says you do know this blank blank beep beep. And ...
WHITFIELD: All affectionately, of course.
GRIER: Yes, all in affection.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: All right, face-to-face with Fredricka and Pam Grier tomorrow, 2:00, 4:00 and 5:00 Eastern. You don't want to miss it. You will see her talk about -- just about everything under the sun. And then today, 2:00 Eastern hour, heading out on the road perhaps this holiday weekend? Well, don't grab that twinkie. We'll show you the healthy way to fast food on the road.
Stay with CNN. "YOUR MONEY" starts right now.
