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Six Americans Killed in Separate Attacks in Air Force; International Protests Erupt Against Death Sentence For Woman in Iran For Adultery; New Orleans Businesses Still Not Heavily Impacted by Gulf Oil Spill; Hispanic Organizations Protesting New Arizona Immigration Law

Aired July 10, 2010 - 10:00   ET

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

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, there, everybody. From the CNN center, this is CNN Saturday morning for July 10th, I'm T.J. Holmes.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Kate Bolduan, it is 10:00 a.m. in Atlanta, 7:00 a.m. in San Francisco. Thanks for joining us.

HOLMES: We do need to talk about breaking and sad news out of Afghanistan. Six U.S. service members have been killed in Afghanistan today. Our Atia Abawi is live for us in Kabul Afghanistan. Atia, good morning to you.

When we first heard this number six had been killed on the same day, a lot of us made the assumption there was one battle and one strike they were all killed in. But the interesting thing here, these were all for the most part separate attacks.

ATIA ABAWI, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, T.J. It is another grim reminder of what's going on in Afghanistan. The fighting is going on throughout the country. We got word that two U.S. service members -- at first, we just knew they were service members were killed in two separate IED strikes in southern Afghanistan.

Then we got word of four more casualties later confirmed to be U.S. service members in the eastern part of the country in different attacks, one by small firearms fire, one by an insurgent attack in the east, one by an IED strike in the northeast, and one by another accidental explosion, not even an attack.

It's another very grim reminder about what is going on in Afghanistan. This is following the month of June where we had the highest ISAF death toll since the war began with 101 service members killed in the country -- T.J.

HOLMES: This also comes at a time when General David Petraeus is just now taking over operations in Afghanistan as well.

Remind our viewers, because you talk about the numbers from last month, the most coalition forces we have seen in one month, the deadliest month there. We are not used to seeing, six, not a huge number, but that is a lot to hear in one day. Remind our viewers here in the U.S. what has been happening there as far as the ramped up coalition operations there and going after insurgents, but also the insurgent activity and the violence we have been seeing over the past weeks and months?

ABAWI: Well, sadly, T.J., this higher death toll amongst American forces was not unexpected. Last year when this new counterinsurgency strategy was in place on the NATO force here with the increased troop level, with more troops, the insurgency will plan more attacks.

They are using their favorite tactics, the IEDs, killing the majority. Over 80 percent of NATO forces killed by these roadside bombs. The insurgency has been gaining ground.

Back a few years even, most of the fighting we saw was in the east and south of the country bordering Pakistan. But in the last year, two years, we have seen the insurgency growing throughout in the west, in the north of the country, the north which was once considered the safe part, and the war in Afghanistan has obviously shown that it is also now a volatile part with the Taliban, the insurgency growing, the troops coming in. We see the surge coming in. The fighting is increasing.

So, obviously, what NATO said last year was that this year, we would be seeing more ISAF casualties, but in the hopes it would die down as they gain ground and momentum as they won the trust of the Afghan people.

HOLMES: Our Atia Abawi, thank you for that. Again this morning, just getting word, six U.S. service members have been killed today in Afghanistan for the most part all in separate attacks, and in one of those incidents, I should say at least, one service member was killed by an accidental explosion.

All of these taking place in different parts of the country, the north are the east, and the south as well. But again, no rhyme or reason. No one incident, I should say here, but several incidents. Six U.S. service members were killed. We will continue to follow and check in with our Atia Abawi.

BOLDUAN: Our top stories, the U.S. Justice Department confirms the well publicized swap of U.S. and Russian espionage agents has been completed happening yesterday afternoon in Vienna, Austria. The Russians get ten alleged spies returned for four Russian nationals who were convicted for working for western intelligence agencies.

And from California, a written apology from the Bay Area Rapid Transit officer convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of an unarmed man. Johannes Mehserle says he is truly sorry for shooting Oscar Grant back on New Year's Day of last year.

The incident was caught on tape by a passerby's cell phone camera. Mehserle faces sentencing August 6th.

And in Brazil, a soccer star named by police in the disappearances and murder of a woman said to be his former girlfriend is refusing to answer question. Bruno Souza is one of seven people arrested in the case. T.J.?

HOLMES: It is now day 82 of the Gulf oil disaster. Got some big changes coming, including some changes from above, some change from below. Let me get you updated on what we know and what is going to be happening and what could be a big day and a big weekend in this gulf oil disaster.

BP plans on removing the current cap that's on. When they do that, you will see more oil flowing. Still, they are taking it off and they are going to put on a cap with a better seal. When you take that down, the oil will be gushing unabated for a couple of days until they have the other one in place. The new seal will be able to collect more oil, we've been told.

Also new today, a big eye in the sky in the form of a 178-foot blimp. This is a Navy blimp. Officials hope this thing, which is scheduled to begin flying today, will provide a better aerial view of the disaster, and this is the important part, help reduce the time it takes to get skimming water craft out there to certain areas.

They can see this on high, see exactly where the oil sheen is, and immediately radio back and say, hey, you need to get these skimmer boats out to this area.

Back on shore, BP firing back on allegations they have been slow in paying claims related to this disaster.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DARRYL WILLIS, VP RESOURCES OF BP AMERICA: We have a lot of work to do. The spill in the Gulf of Mexico is unprecedented much the response is unprecedented. I wish I could tell you everything has been perfect. It hasn't. When things don't go well, we are working hard to get them fixed. We have a lot of work to do in this response.

We realize we will be judged by the quality of the response. We are committed to doing that and staying here until it gets cleaned up. We are going to pay the claims that need to be paid to get people the resources they need to help with their daily lives.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: They say they are trying to help out the best they can. They are getting tougher with some of the restrictions. If you show more evidence, more proof that maybe you should get more than the $5,000 check that should be going out so they could help some people that are getting hurt as well.

Still, we're talking about the cleanup efforts, so much in the Gulf, but the businesses, you can't forget about them down there in the gulf of Mexico. They are still assessing the damage, not out there in the gulf but the damage to their bottom line.

Our Reynolds Wolf has been there for us today, New Orleans live for us. Good morning to you once again. And Reynolds, sometimes you can't see the disaster if you just set foot in New Orleans. Until you start talking to people about how their lives are being changed, that's when you really see the impact this oil disaster is having on businesses and everyday lives.

REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You are right, T.J., no question about it. When you talk about business, and you think about tourism, we are talking about a multibillion dollar industry for much of the Gulf coast. When you get to the heart of it, the heart of the Gulf coast and the tourism, it is going to be right here in New Orleans.

This morning, we are lucky enough to have Ti Martin. She is the co-proprietor of Commander's Palace. How has business been since all this has taken place? We are talking about a bad economy, rising unemployment, and the oil spill out in the gulf. How has that been affecting you?

TI MARTIN, OWNER, COMMANDERS PALACE RESTAURANT: We can take a lot of hits, can't we? New Orleans is on a roll. I know this is hard to stand. We are not on the coast. The coastal communities are devastated. And our hearts are broken. These are our friends and suppliers.

But the city of New Orleans, everything you can do, you can still do. We have been on a roll since October before that football game we won. That football game was a symbol to us of the accomplishments of the last five years in this city.

And if truth be told, right now, New Orleans is good. We are scared to death about the short-term and long-term future. But right now, we are on a roll. We just had a sold out essence festival. The jazz fest was fantastic. We have details of cocktail convention. You should come.

Really, I don't want to make light of the oil scare, because it is scaring us to death. But, so far, things are good. Last night, I'm eating seafood in my restaurant. It's amazing.

WOLF: We have seen communities like Gulf shores, Alabama, Biloxi, where there are fewer people and hurting. Still, the people continue to pile into New Orleans.

MARTIN: There are so many misperceptions. So many of these areas are right on the coast. That's water but that is not a beach. That would be the mighty Mississippi right behind us. Don't go swimming in there.

What's happening to us, things here are not like that. The misperception is there is oil dripping off the balconies. The only oil is on the marinated crab salad at Commander's Palace.

WOLF: I need to ask you about that right now. We were talking during the break about how there is that misconception and its oil on seafood. You said in some respects, this may have been advantageous for people in restaurants. MARTIN: What people don't understand, seafood is not inspected. Meat is. If you process meat in any time or way there is a USDA inspector at your plant. That's not the case with seafood. Our seafood from the gulf is being inspected by five government agencies. So this is the most inspected seafood there is.

And anywhere near the oil, there is a massive buffer zone. There haven't been any areas closed due to tainted fish being found. There have been over 15,000 animals have been tested and it is going to keep going. Literally last night, crabs, crawfish, drum, pake, it is all still here. If you are getting it in a restaurant or grocery store, it is safe.

WOLF: One last question. Let's say we have someone from the Twins Cities, in New York or L.A., and they are thinking about coming here. Again, it is that perception. What would you tell those people?

MARTIN: Come. Everything you want to do is still here, the food, the music, the architecture. This nation came and helped this city after the storm. Don't let us down now. If you come to this town and you don't have a good time, there is something wrong with you.

WOLF: That's right. Ti, thanks so much for your time. Have a great morning.

That's the latest from New Orleans. If you have the opportunity, come on down. Conditions could not be better in many ways.

HOLMES: Reynolds, don't let her go. She was great. She needs to run for mayor of that city. She was great. She needs to be their spokesperson or something. She made so many great points there including the fact that ...

WOLF: They just elected a new mayor. She can't run this time, but maybe so. As a spokesperson, I think she is there. She is hitting all the cylinders. We love her, absolutely. But maybe long- term, maybe down the road. But she has definitely got it.

HOLMES: Get some more details too about the cocktail, some cocktail festival they said is going to be taking place as well. Maybe we will get back down there, Reynolds.

WOLF: Absolutely. You bet.

(LAUGHTER)

HOLMES: Our Reynolds Wolf.

WOLF: Take care.

HOLMES: Again, folks, she made the great point that the seafood out there from the point it is plucked out of water until it gets on your plate it is tagged and has an inspection. They can show you exactly where that food was taken out. They told me down there, a chef said, if you are eating it here, it is probably the safest seafood you can get in the country because of all the inspections it is going through right now.

In addition to what we are hearing from folks like that, we are also seeing something new, a new angle of the oil spill. Our Amber Lyon, who is an accomplished diver, takes the crew under the oil spill, a view you will only see right here on CNN. You will see it for yourself. That's coming up -- Kate.

BOLDUAN: Number one, we are hungry now. Number two, there is some good news with the weather. There is some -- it also comes with a cost, but a break from the searing temperatures that we are all feeling in the northeast.

(WEATHER REPORT)

BOLDUAN: If a woman commits adultery in Iran, she can be sentenced to death by stoning. It is amazing to even imagine that. As you can imagine, it is a law that is sparking outrage worldwide. We are going to take you live to London for more on that.

HOLMES: Also this morning, a story a lot of people are keeping an eye on the past couple of weeks. The country was fascinated by this whole thing, and now we are seeing the first pictures of LeBron James in a new uniform -- the reaction, the story from Cleveland and Miami. It's quarter past the hour here on this CNN Saturday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: Hundreds of people in capital cities around the world are protesting Iran's policies on stoning, really, international outcry. It comes after the sentencing of a woman convicted of adultery. Atika Shubert is outside the Iranian embassy in London.

Atika, what's the latest on this situation as well as on the fate of this woman?

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the latest is that Iranian state media are reporting that her case is now under review by the Iranian government and the Iranian courts.

However, that doesn't mean that she will not be stoned. This is why activists are on the streets, why they are protesting not just here in London in front of the Iranian embassy behind me but also in Sweden, in Denmark, there are protests scheduled for L.A. and Washington, D.C.

Basically, they are saying they have to keep the pressure on, because it has been the case in the past that Iran has said they would not stone somebody for adultery but then that person was executed by another method.

And this is something that the activists absolutely don't want to see. They say it is essential to keep the pressure on the Iranian government. BOLDUAN: This may be a very difficult question to answer. I think I was reading that there were at least six other cases of stonings in Iran since 2006. What are the chances, if you have any idea, of this woman being able to survive here? Clearly, we are not getting a lot of information. But what are the chances here?

SHUBERT: You know, we really don't know. Each case is individual. And her children have really hoped that with this international public pressure, they are going to be able to convince the government not to go ahead with this.

What they fear now, though, is that they may not do stoning, but it has been the case that they have hanged people in the past, they have used other methods. Her children are saying, no, they don't just want to see her not stone. They don't want to see her executed in any form.

And not just her, but for another dozen or so people that are also in line for the same crime of adultery. This is something they want to see banished completely. Whether or not the Iranian government reacts to that international pressure is something else. As you know, the Iranian government is not known for reacting to international pressure.

BOLDUAN: You can only hope this international outcry, all of this protesting as well as the pleas from her children will have some effect and change the situation. Atika Shubert, thank you so much for tracking this from London for us -- T.J.?

HOLMES: Thank you.

It is their chance to speak out. The largest Hispanic civil rights group in the country meeting this weekend. You can imagine what's at the top of the agenda. We will be taking you there live coming up. It's 20 minutes past the hour on this CNN Saturday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: It's 24 minutes past the hour. Taking a look at some of the stories making headlines, including the breaking story we are just getting a short time ago, confirmation that in fact six American service members have been killed today in Afghanistan. They were among nine people who were killed in pretty much separate attacks.

These attacks happened in different parts of the country, different types of attacks as well and also including one person who was killed, one American service member killed by an accidental explosion. Our Atia Abawi is following this for us in Afghanistan. We'll continue to check in with her.

Also, California is going to pay Jaycee Dugard some $20 million. Governor Schwarzenegger there signed the order yesterday. Dugard was kidnapped at the age of 11. During her 18 years in captivity, at least three parole officers spotted her at the home of convicted rapist, Phillip Garrido, but did nothing about it. Also, here we are, day 82 of the Gulf oil disaster, which could bring some big changes. BP says it plans on replacing the current cap on the ruptured wellhead with another one with a tighter seal. It should be able to collect more oil. But more crude oil will be gushing into the Gulf while they take it off for the installation. Kate?

BOLDUAN: This weekend, some 20,000 Hispanic leaders and community activists are meeting in San Antonio, Texas. One of the things they will be talking about, Arizona's controversial immigration law.

And Janet Hordia is president and CEO of the National Council of La Raza, which is hosting the event, it is an annual conference. Janet, thank you so much for joining me this morning. Tell me, it's a huge gathering, your annual event. What is the number one issue for you and for your members that you are really taking on this year at the conference? What's the big issue?

JANET MURGUIA, PRESIDENT/CEO, NATIONAL COUNCIL OF LA RAZA: Sure. There are so many important issues to the Hispanic community. We care about education, health care, jobs and the economy. But there is no question that there is a lot of focus both at our conference and within the Hispanic community around the Arizona law.

And we want to do everything we can to combat that law and ultimately see it repealed.

BOLDUAN: I actually was reading and I believe what I was reading, I thought it was very interesting that they are holding a session that is titled, "What's the matter with Arizona?" What is the stance of the NCLR on this immigration law in Arizona, and what effect do you think this piece of legislation, this law has had on the overall debate over immigration reform in the U.S.?

MURGUIA: Well, we are clearly opposed to the Arizona law. We see it as an affront to the civil rights of so many, including the Hispanic community. It is inconsistent with the constitution and with the values that we've had as a country for over 200 years.

So we oppose the Arizona law because we see the fact that it would require law enforcement to basically ask anyone when they have reasonable suspicion, to ask them for their papers, ask them to see if they are here in the country present legally.

For us, you know, when they are trying to look at who is here legally and who is not, it is very hard to distinguish that. And we believe that that role is best left with the federal government.

And the need for having a reform of our immigration system is key. We can't have states, even though they may be well-intentioned, taking on a reform of our immigration laws. That really is the purview of the federal government, and our constitution is pretty clear about that. So we believe that the real solution lies in comprehensive immigration reform. BOLDUAN: And one big thing that we have to talk about and we are talking about mid-term elections coming up, but it is also a very big- time in Texas where you are going to be holding this event.

The Latino vote especially as it pertains to the Texas gubernatorial election as well as all national elections is so essential and very interesting that both Governor Rick Perry and his opponent, Houston mayor Bill White, will be speaking. What are you hoping to hear from them?

MURGUIA: Well, I think it is pretty clear. Texas is the second largest Hispanic population in the country. We have grown our political and voting power in the last decade. That's pretty clear. The Hispanic vote made a difference in key states across the country when it came to the outcome of this presidential election.

And with so many Hispanics in Texas, it will be interesting to hear from the governor, from his opponent, Bill White, what are they intending to do about the future of Texas, and how will that affect Hispanics?

I'm concerned that of all of the state legislature in Texas, all the state representatives that we have in Texas, there is not one Hispanic Republican. And I am very concerned that the Republican Party hasn't been reaching out to the Hispanic community as well as they could.

It is best for us when both parties have Hispanics working within them. And I'm concerned about some of the trends that we have seen in the Republican Party in the last few years clearly around the positions that they have taken on immigration. It has alienated many in the Latino and Hispanic communities because so many see those as extreme positions.

BOLDUAN: Well, if we can bet that immigration reform is going to be a huge issue, this election, and you can bet -- I know it is going to be a big issue at your conference, looking forward to seeing all the issues that come out. Thanks so much, Janet Hordia, president of the NCLR. Thanks so much for joining us.

MURGUIA: Thanks, Kate. Appreciate it.

BOLDUAN: T.J.?

HOLMES: So exactly what is the best time to campaign in a race for the White House? The answer for some Republicans is right now. We'll explain. It's the bottom of the hour here at CNN Saturday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Good morning. It's the bottom of the hour here now. And this week's CNN hero is helping critically ill patients on a wing, a prayer, and a full tank of gas.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) KATHY BROUSSARD, CNN HERO: My name is Kathy Broussard. I started the Houston Ground Angels. And we provide free air transportation and free ground transportation for medical patients coming in and out of the Houston area.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They have nothing like this where I live. I would have died a long time ago.

BROUSSARD: There's probably about 300 people volunteering their car, their gas, time. The volunteers, some of them have had cancer.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When I see them, they gave me hope. They stay there with us fighting. And I have been doing it.

BROUSSARD: God has bypassed me and cancer. If I can help somebody -- and I'm sorry for crying -- but if I can help somebody make their life a little better, then that's what it is all about. It is not about me.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: Kathy and her volunteers have made about 6,000 air missions since 2001. To nominate someone you think is changing the world, go to CNN heroes.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: So wait a second. We are in the middle of the summer of 2010. So would you believe we are already looking at the race for the White House that is coming up, not soon, in a couple of years.

CNN deputy political director Paul Steinhauser is joining us live from Washington to try to help us make sense of it all. Hi, Paul. So what are we talking about? We have people going through the motions at least it seems of campaigning. What is going on?

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Yes. You know what, Kate, consider this the pre-game show. Once the midterms are over, that will be the real deal. Right now, we are in the pregame show.

You have a lot of Republicans who may, may want to run for the party's presidential nomination next time around, they are making the rounds, Kate. Take, for instance, Newt Gingrich. The former House speaker was in South Carolina yesterday. He is going to be helping fellow Republicans out.

Those states run pretty high in the presidential primary calendar season. Another state, New Hampshire, also runs pretty high in that calendar. That's where Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty will be there today and go to Iowa later in the month.

Mitt Romney, he ran last time around. He may want to run next time around. He's making the rounds.

So, Kate, they don't want to jinx it. They think they are going to make big gains in the November midterms. Once those are over, that's when the real deal starts.

BOLDUAN: The real deal. Someone else who is -- you like to call her the wild card. Sarah Palin, she has an ad out, could be campaigning, maybe not. I want to skip over it and talk about the ad. I want to talk about the time willing of this. If people are going through the motions, why don't they formally come out and announce?

STEINHAUSER: As you said off the bat, 2012 is a long way away. They have the midterms coming up. They don't want to jinx things. The Republicans think they are going to win big in November when it comes to taking back could Congress. I think they are going to focus their energy now and are laying ground for things to come, Kate.

BOLDUAN: They like to tease us. I am considering my options, whatever that line is they always say. Not ready to commitment. Paul, thanks for joining us.

STEINHAUSER: Thank you.

BOLDUAN: So a star soccer player accused of murdering a former girlfriend. Yes, it is a scandal that has rocked the crazy country of Brazil. Salacious details next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: This is a top story. A Brazilian goalkeeper is being questioned by police under very disturbing circumstances. Police there say he watched as his girlfriend was being murdered and then fed her body to dogs.

Senior Latin American Affairs Editor Rafael Romo has been following this very difficult story from Rio de Janeiro.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN SENIOR LATIN AMERICAN AFFAIRS EDITOR: Bruno Souza, the Brazilian football star, will remain behind bars while the murder investigation continues. Brazilian police say the 25-year-old is the main suspect in the disappearance and apparently murder of his former lover.

The police commissioner called Souza a monster. Authorities say they suspect Souza orchestrated the disappearance and murder of Alisa Samudio, a 25-year-old student from Rio de Janeiro who met the football star last year at a party.

PEDRO DANTAS, JOURNALIST: You have to understand that a crime against a woman in Brazil is shocking.

ROMO: In this photo taken last year in August, Samudio shows the first signs of a pregnancy, according to her the product of her relationship with Souza. Months later she would claim in front of cameras that he had forced her to take a pill to induce an abortion. Even so, she gave birth to a baby boy in March.

DANTAS: Souza always refused to do the DNA tests. It is a mystery. But she was very sure that the baby was from him.

ROMO: A judge issued an arrest warrant after a 17-year-old cousin of Souza's told police the woman had been abducted and murdered under the suspect's orders. Through an attorney representing the football club, Souza says he has no knowledge of the alleged acts and he is astonished and scared by his cousin's testimony.

After turning himself into authorities late Wednesday, Souza was first transferred to a maximum security prison in Rio and then to where the murder investigation is taking place. Once the captain and starting goalkeeper for the Flamingo football club, the current champion of the Brazilian league, police say he will be kept behind bars until their investigation is complete.

The club suspended his contract pending the results of the investigation.

Souza has yet to be charged, but police say it is only a matter of time. Several other people have been arrested in connection with the case, including Diana Souza, the goalkeeper's wife, who is accused of hiding the victim's four-month-old baby from police after she disappeared.

Rafael Romo, CNN, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: We have seen out there the resentment, we've seen anger, we have seen criticism, confusion. We have seen tears even, all this stuff we've seen since Thursday night. It all led to what? Just a guy putting on a different uniform. Seriously? We are learning more about exactly what is going on now in Cleveland.

Also, another sporting story, if you will -- a lot different, this one. We are keeping an eye on a 60-year-old woman. She is practicing for a swim you will not believe. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Oh, no, say it ain't so. They are happy in Miami. They should be. They just landed not only the reigning two-time MVP. They also got Dwyane Wade there, arguably one of the best three players in the league and Chris Bosh, another all-star on the U.S. Olympic team, and they got, of course, LeBron James.

It seemed much different in Cleveland, Ohio. This is what's going on. They are burning LeBron James' jerseys. They feel betrayed, anger, resentment. They celebrated, if you will, his departure, in some ways. This made them feel better also.

It was destined, wasn't it, for the rafters a few days ago, destined to be the hometown hero. Bring a championship possibly to Cleveland. That's all gone. It was just a few words to transform what was really a national sports icon. He was a beloved hometown hero. Some say he is a villain now. Cleveland Cavaliers owner, Dan Gilbert, released a team. This is part of it. He said, "If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland," talking about a championship, "I can tell you this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our motivation to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

I personally guarantee the Cleveland Cavaliers will win an NBA championship before the self-titled former "king" wins one. You can take that to the bank."

Bob Finnan, I don't know if you'll take that to the bank, but he is with us. He has covered the cavaliers for some 15 years. And also David Hyde, a sports columnist with the "Sun Sentinel" in Ohio. Gentleman, this goes beyond. It felt like, do you think some people felt betrayed by LeBron James?

BOB FINNAN, NEWS HERALD CAVALIERS BEAT REPORTER: Absolutely. It is like an open wound to the fans here in Cleveland. We've been scorned before but this is -- might be the worst.

HOLMES: Scorned before, but how much more do you think LeBron James owed the city? Could people understand if he decided to go to another team? Is it just way he handled the whole situation?

FINNAN: Obviously, he didn't owe the Cavs anything. But he did owe them to at least call them and let them know what was going on. They didn't find out he was leaving until 9:01 p.m. Thursday night. That's not the way to do things.

HOLMES: David, let me bring you in here. Much different feeling down there. You know, put it in a word for me. How are people feeling down there in Florida?

DAVID HYDE, SPORTSWRITER: I think right here, we feel like we are combining the '27 Yankees with the circus, with Facebook, with the coliapi (ph) is playing in the background. The entrance the three players made last night was nothing you have ever seen before in sports.

HOLMES: Don't you feel like you are rubbing it in the face of some other teams?

HYDE: Everybody feels bad seriously for Cleveland because last weekend at this point, the heat in south Florida woke up to the realization they might lose Dwyane Wade and tumbleweeds would be blowing through the basketball arena.

So people feel bad for Cleveland. People down here, nobody really embraced the way LeBron announced his decision. But the Heat are the winners. In Cleveland, there is a funeral today. Down here, there is a celebration.

HOLMES: Bob, let me bring you back in here. Will people forget about this in a year or two and we will all move on and right now it just hurts? Or do you think he has done some damage long-term to his image? He might have a hard time walking around Cleveland again.

FINNAN: I think he has burned that bridge all together. I can't see him coming back here.

HOLMES: Really, ever? You don't think people will get over it.

FINNAN: I think eventually they will. Right now, it hurts. It really hurts. And he has acted with class his whole career up until the time he left.

HOLMES: David, do people down there even mind? Do they even care about what kind of baggage he might be bringing and what kind of image he might have anywhere else? They are just happy they have LeBron James?

HYDE: Yes. And I think it just shows how irrational people get in sports and how over the top feelings get. The Cleveland owners say, now they are going to try to get a championship beyond what they have ever done. They should have done it the previous seven years.

I mean, the Heat has won a championship in the last seven years, and they have also rebuilt to get this free agent class in the last seven years. In one night, LeBron James got a better team than he did in seven years in Cleveland. And ultimately, that's what his decision came down to. They are paying him less money.

HOLMES: You say less money on that point there. At the same time, he is going there to win a championship. A Championship is going to bring more endorsements and more attention.

HYDE: Isn't that what we always ask of sports heroes, though?

HOLMES: To bring championships.

HYDE: To value winning more than dollars. That's what ultimately these three have done. They are all taking $2 million to $3 million less than they could have made.

HOLMES: But Bob, they are going there to get the winning and know the dollars are going to come.

FINNAN: Sure. He has taken a couple million dollars less than he would have. But I don't know how much of a sacrifice he is going to make.

HOLMES: And again, is that much of a sacrifice if he goes to Florida where there is no state income tax, by the time it balances out. It is not as bad maybe as a hit as some might say.

Last thing to you, bob, should we put this in perspective. Could you say something to the people of Cleveland and maybe all of us learn a lesson here that maybe we should just elevate these guys sometimes a little too high and we need to go on with our lives. It is going to be OK, folks. It is just basketball player.

Obviously, life will go on. The cavaliers will have to play an 82-game schedule next year. He just won't be there. You know, I did my part of elevating this guy and putting him on a pedestal. Maybe it wasn't the right thing to do.

HOLMES: Bob, I will end on that. Bob Finnan, David Hyde, really a tale of two different cities. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. We can't wait to talk to you guys when the NBA season kicks off. Have a good one. Kate?

BOLDUAN: A unique angle of the Gulf oil spill, the oil disaster, you will see only on CNN. Our CNN cameras go under water so you can get an exclusive close up view of what's causing all the problems you haven't seen every before.

Plus, take a look at this swimmer. She is 60-years young and preparing to do something pretty fabulous.

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HOLMES: She calls it the swim of a lifetime. We have a marathon swimmer. Her name is Diana Nyad. She is taking a practice run right now to do something you won't believe that's coming up later. Our Matt Sloane is out there in the water, in the boat, I should say, where she is taking this swim.

Matt, she is practicing now but remind our viewers or tell our viewers what is this lady practicing for?

MATT SLOANE, CNN PRODUCER: She is practicing, T.J., for a Cuba to Key West record-breaking swim. She attempted it in 1978, and she got 42 hours into the swim. She was still about 50 miles from shore when they had to pull her out because of bad weather. She is going to attempt it 30 years later. She is 60-years old.

Today is a 24-hour long practice swim. She has been in the water for about 24 hours swimming. She has been in the water for three and a half hours now, and we are 44 miles south of Key West at this very moment.

HOLMES: I assume she is going strong, doing well in her practice right now. But 60, how in the world is she supposed to do this at 60 years old?

SLOANE: She is an amazing woman. We had some briefing meetings with her yesterday. She said, you know what, I feel stronger than I did when I was 30 years old. She said, I'm probably not as fast but I feel much stronger.

We got out in the water and did a couple of prep swims. I think you have some video of that. And she has the determination. That's what's going to make the swim for her. We have about 20 more hours left out here, T.J.

HOLMES: And 20 more hours. Again, you are just watching. Hopefully, you can stay up for 24 hours just to watch her do the swimming for 24 hours. Matt Sloane out there. We are going to continue to follow her along the way. But Matt, thank you for hopping on the line here. We will be checking in with you guys.

Again, folks, we're talking about a 60--year-old woman, Diana Nyad, who is going to attempt to swim 100 miles from Cuba to Key West. We are following her along the way.

BOLDUAN: You will only find this -- also another great water story -- you will only find this unique view of the oil disaster in the gulf on CNN. Our Amber Lyon took a deep see dive with environmentalist, Philippe Cousteau.

Amber, I love to scuba dive. I was just doing it a few weeks ago. But that was pretty extreme.

AMBER LYON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, slightly extreme, Kate. But unfortunately, that is the new reality of what it takes to dive in certain areas of the Gulf of Mexico these days because of the unknown. People don't know how contaminated this water is or the long-term effects it could have on humans.

You have to strap on one of those hazmat suits to enter the water. And that's what we did yesterday because we wanted to give you a perspective of what's going on beneath the surface.

We have seen so many images of these blobs of oil floating on the surface, but we kept thinking, what's going on underneath there with what many environmentalists are calling BP's hidden oil, BP's out of sight, out of mind oil, the oil that's been dispersed.

As we've said many times, dispersants break up oil into little tiny drop lets that are now floating in the water column. BP has bumped millions of gals of dispersants into the oil since very early on in this spill.

If you take a look at some of the video we shot yesterday, it looks pretty cloudy, because you are seeing the millions of tiny drop lets of oil that are floating in that water column. And it is something that amazed us as divers to see how prevalent that was. That particular patch, the dispersed oil went on as far as the eye could see.

Environmentalists are saying this could be more dangerous for the Gulf than the big chunks of oil because it can't be cleaned up with skimmers.

I spoke with BP's chief operating officer Doug Suttles on Monday and asked them what they plan to do with all this dispersed oil. He said they are relying on nature to do that. That scared a lot of environmentalists like Philippe Cousteau, who came along with us yesterday. Kate, T.J.?

BOLDUAN: The video, you just can't stop looking at it. It is fascinating. Normally, the water can be so clear. Anyway, we have much more we want to talk with you about it. We are going to hear more in the next hour and looking forward to speaking with you again. Thanks a lot, Amber.

We'll be back right after this.

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