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U.S. Sailor Killed During Abduction; Ships Back at Well Site; Seeking Path to Citizenship; Rumblings on the Left; CNN 100; The Saga of Shirley Sherrod; U.S. Sailors Abducted in Afghanistan; Homeless Kids of Orange County
Aired July 25, 2010 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: We begin in Afghanistan and tonight where one American soldier is reportedly dead. Another is believed to be in the hands of the enemy. The Taliban say they tried to take both men alive in the Logar province, but a firefight broke out and one of them was killed.
U.S. military officials tell CNN the other sailor was wounded. So far the Taliban haven't made any demands for his release.
Our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr is closely following it all for us.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Very few statements from the U.S. military at this hour because by all accounts they are still pulling out all the stops to search for the sailor who is still missing and believed to be in Taliban hands.
Afghan government officials in the province where all of this took place south of Kabul, the capital, say that the body of one of the sailors has been found. That he was apparently by all accounts killed in the firefight that broke out. The other sailor may be wounded.
But at this hour, in fact, they are still searching urgently for him. Posters have been put up. Rewards have been offered. And they are scouring that region south of the capital looking for any leads that they can.
LEMON: Barbara, thank you.
This year is shaping up to be the deadliest for U.S. forces since the war in Afghanistan began. Fifty two Americans have died there this month. The high was 60 last month. We should also point out that the U.S. has more troops in Afghanistan than ever before; the death toll for the year so far, 253.
BP's Chief Executive, Tony Hayward reportedly is on his way out. That is according to new accounts in the British media which say Hayward is negotiating the terms of his departure. No confirmation however from BP. A company spokesman says Hayward has quote, "the full support of the board". That board meets tomorrow, by the way. Hayward has been under fire for his handling of the Gulf oil disaster and gave up leadership of the response effort back in June.
Service vessels that were chased away by tropical system Bonnie are now back at the well site and getting back to work. They hope to begin a procedure called "static kill" by next Sunday which should be the beginnings of the end of this disaster.
Our David Mattingly today flew over the well site. David -- David, where is all this oil?
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's a good question, Don. We went up there. We didn't see a lot of it. Thanks to this well being capped, there are no big patches of thick black crude out there that we've become accustomed to seeing over the summer.
So that in itself was good news and I in fact I asked did the tropical wave that came through there have anything to do with clearing that oil out, and I was told no. This storm really had no good effect on this oil.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REAR ADMIRAL PAUL ZUKUNFT, FEDERAL ON-SCENE COORDINATOR: This oil is rapidly breaking down. And there's very little oil left. We have a few streamers that we located earlier off of Grand Isle that perhaps can be skimmed, but right now we're not seeing many targets for our skimming fleet of 780 skimmers.
MATTINGLY: You realize when say that it's so hard for people to believe that this spill was so enormous and yet you're having trouble finding the oil to skim?
ZUKUNFT: Well, it's not for lack of trying. We have 50 aircraft saturating this -- this very location where satellites indicate there could be oil sheen in the area. And so we're going to look just like we would during search and rescue to see where any possible target pocket of oil might be over this area.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MATTINGLY: Now there's still plenty of sheen out there throughout the Gulf. There are also areas of emulsified oil that's been churned up in the waves out there. But none of those thick patches of crude oil that we saw hitting the marshes of Louisiana.
So that's -- that's good news. But the skimmers -- they are not very effective on that sheen. They're just going to have to rely on Mother Nature to cause it to dissipate and evaporate -- Don.
LEMON: David, the reaction down there from Tony Hayward reportedly possibly stepping down?
MATTINGLY: Yes, everyone watching that news very closely to see if that's actually the case here. He did not make a lot of friends while he was down there with some of the statements that he made about wanting his life back.
Even though he apologized later, the damage was already done. And leaders here looking at the possibility of a change in leadership for that corporation as a chance they say, to get things moving forward.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MITCH LANDRIEU, MAYOR, NEW ORLEANS: BP's got some international concerns. Obviously Mr. Hayward's initial foray into helping resolve this issue met with some negative response. I expect that BP has hopefully gone in a different direction as it relates to creating better partnerships with not only the United States government, but also the people in all of coastal Louisiana.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MATTINGLY: Tony Hayward and his future with BP are a big topic of conversation here. All eyes are still on that operation out in the Gulf. People anxious to see that drilling operation get back and get going again so that they can intersect this well and shut it off.
Right now we're looking at some time next week possibly early next week where they're going to try that static kill. But the actual cementing of the well, as they've called the bottom kill, that's going to come sometime after.
And this entire time now, they're prepared to play what Admiral Allen is calling this game of cat-and-mouse with the elements out here during this hurricane season. They felt like that this -- this operation, what they did in evacuating the area as this tropical wave was coming in was good practice. They feel confident that they'll be able to get out of the area quickly and back in quickly if they do have a true tropical storm or a hurricane.
But they're hoping that they don't because just this one set them back almost a week.
LEMON: Fingers crossed. David Mattingly, thank you very much.
Tens of thousands of undocumented young people graduate from Americans high schools each year. For those who entered the U.S. before age 16, there is now a renewed push to give them a shot at becoming U.S. citizens. We'll tell you about the dream act.
And don't just sit there. Become part of the show. You can. Talk to people online all the time. I'll do it in the commercial break, join us on Twitter or Facebook. Check out my blog at CNN.com/don and look for us on FourSquare as well.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: For months now the nation has been debating whether Arizona's controversial immigration law is fair. In four days people will start seeing for themselves when SP 1070 goes into effect.
The CNN Express is traveling across the country and beyond to gauge just how people are reacting to this.
And CNN En Espanol's Gabriela Frias joins us now live from to then El Pas Paso. So what have you've been hearing about the -- this new law?
What's the reaction?
GABRIELA FRIAS, CNN EN ESPANOL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Don, from a very windy El Paso this afternoon. We've been hearing opinions from all sides of the spectrum. People who are in favor of SP 1070 or -- an immigration or a comprehensive immigration reform and also people who do not favor this law because they say they would just -- it would just curtail their economic problems for them and their families.
We decided to start this tour here in El Paso because you can see the contrast of two cities. Behind me is Juarez one of the most violence cities in the world nowadays. Two drug cartels fighting for this important entry for drugs; and in Paso Conchita, one of the three safest cities in the United States.
Are there are deep roots, history roots, family roots, cultural roots in these two places, Mexico and the United States. When it comes to securing the border, we decided to talk to the major of Juarez, Jose Reyes and talked to him about what immigration and the immigration reform means to him.
He's concerned about one specific point. The fact that undocumented workers might be deported and taken to U.S. jail where that could mean the beginning of a career in or with the --
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: All right, Gabriela thank you as you said, it is very windy there in El Paso. We appreciate your reporting and again, we'll be reporting on this law all week here on CNN.
Arizona's controversial immigration law, as we said, is scheduled to go into effect on Thursday. The law is an attempt to crack down on illegal immigrants. But critics say it should be easier for immigrants to become U.S. citizens.
CNN's Kate Bolduan reports on a bill aimed at helping young immigrants do just that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's a dream these young people are fighting to make a reality, becoming U.S. citizens.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For me, it's to -- to keep going -- to keep going with my life, to have a future.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am an undocumented student, I've been here since I was six years old.
MATIAS RAMOS, UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT: In our hearts and in our minds we feel that we're American.
BOLDUAN: Twenty year old Matias Ramos, an undocumented immigrant and activists from across the country are gathering in Washington to put a new face on the fierce debate over immigration reform.
(on camera): Matias why now? Why mobilize now? Why is this critical for you?
RAMOS: Well, now -- now is the time because -- now we're -- we're headed into a summer where there's a lot of action on immigration. We're seeing a debate around immigration that -- that really it's been all about gangs. It's all about criminals. And we've got to show the other side.
BOLDUAN (voice-over): With little chance Congress will act on comprehensive immigration reform this year, a pared-down measure targeted towards young illegal immigrants is being touted as the only proposal with any shot at winning enough support on Capitol Hill.
(on camera): The Dream Act, as it's called, would offer undocumented young people a way to become U.S. citizens with conditions. Including they graduate from an American high school, have lived in the U.S. for at least five years and they must attend college or join the military.
RAMOS: For thousands of people the Dream Act is our only hope, that immediate hope, a bipartisan bill that is in Congress.
BOLDUAN: So how many people are we actually talking about here? The Nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute estimates that while about two million people would be eligible under this legislation, less than 40 percent, a little over 800,000 would actually obtain legal status.
Critics of the measure warn it's a slippery slope.
BOB DANE, FAIR: The so-called Dream Act is an amnesty plan disguised as an educational initiative. And like all amnesties it simply rewards illegal behavior and encourages more.
BOLDUAN: That is a debate Ramos says they are ready for.
RAMOS: This is about giving them an opportunity to prove that that -- they're -- they're what this country needs.
BOLDUAN: Kate Bolduan, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Keep fighting for change. That was the message at this weekend's Net Roots Convention in Las Vegas. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was one of the speakers, appealing to hundreds of liberal activists. We'll look at whether this convention will help Democrats hold onto Congress come November. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: President Barack Obama taking heat from his political base. And as of today we are 100 days away from the midterm elections.
Let's bring in our man in Washington; CNN's political editor, Mr. Mark Preston -- excuse me, senior political editor Mr. Mark Preston.
Mark let's start this with the Net Roots Conference that's out in Vegas -- Net Roots Conference of liberal bloggers and activists. A lot of them aren't happy with the President. They see him as too accommodating to Republicans.
I want you to listen to Al Franken warning activists about the compromises to come if the GOP takes control of the Capitol in November.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. AL FRANKEN (D), MINNESOTA: If Republicans take back Congress they'll implement a truly dangerous agenda. Everything is on the table from repealing health care reform to privatizing social security. We have seen what happens when Republicans take control of Congress with a Democratic president, and it isn't pretty.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Ok. So what of it, Mark? What about Net Roots? Why are they unhappy? Does the President really have something to worry about it when it comes to progressives?
MARK PRESTON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL EDITOR: Well, you know, Don, high expectations from these liberal activities that really helped President Obama win back in 2008, and in fact, really helped bolster the congressional majority both in the House and in the Senate.
What you're seeing is a level of frustration amongst these activists who don't think the White House or Congressional Democrats are pushing hard enough on agenda items that they feel are important.
First and foremost, look at the public option during the health care debate. These progressive activists were very angry, Don, that the White House didn't push very hard to make sure that was part of the health care bill. And in fact, not only are they frustrated that they think that President Obama and these Congressional Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill are working too closely with Republicans to try to curry favor with them, they think that they're working too closely with conservative Democrats to try to get things done.
So what we've seen over the past three days was Democratic leaders out there -- we saw Al Franken speaking right there. President Obama addressed these Net Roots activists as well Don via video telling them, look, we're on your side. But you have to understand, we're trying to get things done here. So yes, they're very much concerned about this. LEMON: Well, let's dig and drill in a little deeper on this especially since what happened this past week. The question is, the President too accommodating and too sensitive to his critics?
The quick firing of Shirley Sherrod -- that sparked similar criticism. Now Newt Gingrich is mocking the President, telling Fox News, saying that if the President is afraid of Glenn Beck, then how will he deal with the Iranians? Is that a legitimate concern and question though?
PRESTON: It's a great talking point by Newt Gingrich and it's something that is very easy for us to bite into and to talk about. But you know what, Don, it's really two separate things. I mean the fact that President Obama might be willing to work closely with a Republican on Capitol Hill or that one of president Obama's cabinet secretaries is quick to fire somebody without getting the full story and what we saw this past week in the Department of Agriculture. We saw that play out.
Two different things; but you know something, if you talk to the Net Roots activists, though, just going back to that, they'll say that he is too accommodating and that he's too willing to work with them.
So, you know, when you're the President of the United States, Don, you're going to take fire on both sides. And that's what is happening right now.
LEMON: All right. Let's turn the page.
And I guess it all has to relate to the elections. But let's talk specifically about November, the midterms; 435 House seats up for grabs. CNN is launching what it has called "The CNN 100", the top 100 races that will decide who controls the house. So give us a preview.
PRESTON: Yes, Don. So we're launching -- this is one of our great features that we're doing on CNN.com and doing it here on television where we're really trying to tell the viewers, look, this is what is at stake here. We talk a lot about on TV, about numbers without really drilling down and giving you names and really explaining what the races are.
So starting today Don, if you got cnn.com, one of our colleagues Robert (INAUDIBLE) has really helped and really marshaled behind this idea of "The CNN 100". He has a story up right now that talks about David Obey who was once seen as someone who there's no way that he could ever be knocked out of power, that he would ever be run out of congress. He was the chairman of the appropriations committee.
But you know something Don. David Obey is stepping down. He has decided not to run for re-election. He did so publicly about 6 weeks ago, two months ago. We have a story online right now that previews that race.
These are one of the key races Don that Democrats are very watching closely because while we're looking at 100 races right now at CNN, Republicans probably only need about 44 wins, 43 wins to take back the congressional majority in November, Don. And I'll tell you, right now if you talk to Democratic activists and more importantly the strategists who are behind all this, they'll tell you that Democrats think that they're at least going to lose 25.
So if you look at those numbers, it is very close for Democrats perhaps losing control of the House in November.
LEMON: Mark Preston, and of course, everything we need to know as you saw there is on CNN.com. Hey Mark, thank you.
PRESTON: Thanks, Don.
LEMON: We want to check some of your top stories right now. People in and around Chicago are recovering from fierce storms that dropped more than 5 inches of rain in some areas, causing widespread flooding and power outages. Ten towns in Cook County declared their communities disaster areas and up to 50,000 people lost power.
Flood waters have been receding throughout the day and utility companies say electricity was restored to most customers by morning.
In northeastern California, firefighters are battling a pair of wildfires. In Lassen County a 250-acre blaze burned at least one home and two other buildings. Officials say they have it about 30 percent contained. To the south, a 525-acre fire is burning near Bridgeport. It's only about 20 percent contained but it's not threatening any structures.
North Korea is furious as the U.S. and South Korea carry out joint military drills. The North threatened a nuclear response if these drills went forward. U.S. Defense officials say these exercises are a response the sinking of a South Korean warship in March. Both the U.S. and South Korea believe the north was behind that attack.
You know, it is a story that swept the nation this week. We're talking about the controversy surrounding Shirley Sherrod. She was thrust unfairly into a media fire storm that cost her, her job through no fault of her own. And coming up, our panel of experts will take a closer look at this controversy.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Make sure you join me tonight at 10:00 p.m. for our special. "Who is Shirley Sherrod?" It is a revealing and insightful look at the woman who suddenly found herself in the middle of a media fire storm. Even though the facts vindicated her, she still lost her job with the Agriculture Department.
I want you to listen to our panel discussion from last night as we discuss this injustice.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BEV SMITH, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: I think that Shirley Sherrod is the voice of the people who have been silent too long. She's fearless because fearless means nothing to fear. She has nothing to fear. She told the truth. And she told the truth about what's been happening to blacks in America at a time when no one wanted to talk about it.
But you know, it's funny; she tells the truth, and she gets criticized. Andrew lies not once but twice. And Rush Limbaugh thinks he ought to be a hero. Help me, Jesus. I don't understand that.
She is a voice -- why are you laughing? She is a voice of reason.
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: And that was Warren Ballentine. I think I could recognize his voice. He was laughing when you said Andrew -- you were talking about Andrew Breitbart, the ultra conservative blogger who put the short clip on his Web site and really started this whole controversy.
SMITH: You say Breitbart. I say bright brat. OK.
LEMON: To April and Warren, just a little bit. But Tim, you heard what Bev said. Has Shirley Sherrod become the accidental modern day civil rights activist? Has she ripped the bandage off race; at least talking about race and discrimination?
TIM WISE, AUTHOR, "COLOR BLIND": Well, I don't think that she's ripped it off but because the right has been trying to race-bait this administration and everybody affiliated with it for the last year to 18 months, it has now provided an opportunity for us to actually look at what the real face of racism in the country is.
It certainly is not Shirley Sherrod. It's not the administration, which Rush Limbaugh says is trying to purposely destroy the economy to pay white people back for slavery. And that's supposed to make some kind of sense. Or, you know, these right wing talk show hosts that actually are saying that the tax on tanning beds in the health care bill is an anti-white racist tax.
I mean this is the kind of crazy talk that passes for intellectual commentary on the right. And now we have a chance to push back. Shirley Sherrod is pushing back. Those who have been in the movement for years are pushing back. I hope that the administration will now push back and call these folks out for who they are and what they're doing.
We cannot allow the folks on the right side of history, not the right politically, but the right side of history to stand back and remain silent in the face of these kinds of constant, incessant attacks. If you do that, it's like a kid in the playground that's being bullied who never stands up; eventually they end up on their rear end.
LEMON: And I'm going to play for you in just a bit what she had to say about the President and how she feels he should be talking about race or handling the race issue. But first, Warren, might the handling of this affect the President's appeal among African-Americans?
WARREN BALLENTINE, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: It's a possibility, very much so, Don. But I don't think African-Americans need to look to the President to come in and be the savior here. I mean if we're going to have a real discussion about race in this country -- and let me say this, I applaud you, Don, because you're doing something that most people in mainstream media will not do. Outside of Bill Maher and even Howard Stern who said let all the poison out when it comes to race relations.
You may be the only one dealing with this. And if we're going to talk about race, it doesn't have to come from the President. We can have the conversation in the media. And we need to talk about it on two levels. Institutionalize racism that is still effective today through the penal system, through the mortgage system, through the debt collection system.
And then we also have to talk about accountability in the black community. Look, we know who the kids are on the corner selling drugs and doing other things. And we also have to have elders coming out to our community and be just that -- elders. Teach us, open doors. But we have to have this discussion now because what Shirley Sherrod went through was because she was African-American and partly because of another network's venom towards the President and the NAACP.
LEMON: Well, April, as part of the press corps, is the administration concerned about this story? If not, should they be?
APRIL RYAN, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, URBAN AFFAIRS NETWORK: Oh, yes. This administration is very concerned about the story. I mean, so concerned, in fact, I was e-mailing late last night, all day yesterday, and into this morning senior administration officials about the fallout; about things possibly at the USDA, things happening at the NAACP, trying to fact check.
But the bottom line is, Don, this issue of race is something that will always follow this President because of the fact that he is the first African-American president, that goes without saying. But this administration understands that if they tackle the issue of race, it will be polarizing. They will lose their white constituency that put this President into office. But the --
LEMON: And April --
RYAN: Go ahead.
LEMON: Hold that thought. Hold that thought because you guys are going to want to weigh in on this.
SMITH: Yes.
LEMON: And I think you're getting to the next subject. I asked Miss Sherrod why she asked the President to visit her in Georgia when she spoke to him on the phone. Listen (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERYL SHERROD, FORMER GEORGIA DIRECTOR, RURAL DEVELOPMENT USDA: I would like to show him some of the hard-fought battles in the places where they took place.
LEMON: Why? What could --
SHERROD: He didn't live that kind of life. You know, I think he's a black man who lived mostly in a white world. He hasn't had the kind of experiences we have had. I think if he can at least talk to a few people. You know, you should look at this for by faith, where you know, that is what brought us forward. And you'll see some of the people in Baker County in that documentary. You need to hear from some of these people about what the struggle is like.
LEMON: Do you think it will make him a better president, leader, person?
SHERROD: I think he could grow from it.
LEMON: In what way?
SHERROD: I think it would help him to be able to see that, you know, race is an issue we need to deal with, and not just throw it under the rug.
LEMON: Do you think he should be stronger on issues when it comes to race?
SHERROD: Yes, I do.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: So guys, what do you think? As a matter of fact, hold that thought. Hold that thought. We'll get your answers after the break.
What do you think of this Shirley Sherrod firestorm? Make sure you be a part of our conversation, viewers. Send me a message on Twitter and Facebook. Check out my blog at CNN.com/don and Look for me on Four Square. We want to hear from you. More of our discussion, moments away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: OK. We want to continue our discussion now. We're talking about the Shirley Sherrod story. OK. Our panel is back. So listen, you guys, wanted to weigh in on this. I asked Shirley Sherrod about what she thought about why she wanted the president to come to Georgia. Basically what she said to me was the truth will set you free. That's really the gist of it. Tim Wise, what do you make of her comments?
TIM WISE, AUTHOR "COLORBLIND": I think she's absolutely right. The danger of not talking about race, whether it's us as individuals or whether it's the president, who I realize has to walk gently on the subject, but without talking about it, we end up reinforcing the denial, especially in the white community, that racism is still a problem.
And frankly we cannot afford to allow people to believe that we're in this post-racial era when every week there is a new story and every month new data or some new study suggesting just how not post- racial we are. So we have to speak up and we have talk to about the elephant in the room, especially when folks are uncomfortable about it. They've never wanted to talk about it at any point in history but we have to do it.
LEMON: Bev Smith, you are about to jump through the television when I said hold on, we have a break. Go ahead.
BEV SMITH, "THE BEV SMITH SHOW": That's right.
Well, first of all, I want to thank CNN for playing Miss Shirley. And I don't call her Shirley. I call her Miss Shirley because that's what we do when we respect someone like her. I think that she was chosen for this time to remind us, you ask a question. What about the voice, to remind us of what we're going through.
You see last Saturday in South Carolina, people were marching about the killing of Anthony Hill. Now most major Americans didn't cover it. We marched in South Carolina because he was dragged by a white man who has not been charged with anything.
The police down there are still trying to figure out if it's a hate crime. And this man lost his head, his arms, his leg. He was dragged through the black community, Anthony Hill was. So that the black community could be intimidated. What Miss Shirley did was she showed us the intimidation. And black people have been talking about this race issue because we're at the bottom of it. We need white folks to start talking about it.
LEMON: I want to get Warren in here. Warren, because, you wanted to weigh in on this as well but also, is it just the president? What about the NAACP? Some people say they threw her right under the bus.
WARREN BALLENTINE, HOST "THE WARREN BALLENTINE SHOW": Well, they didn't do her due diligence. That's what everybody did who reacted to this. In fact, when this story first broke, on my show, I came out publicly and said I'm not going to do anything. Because this is the same thing that they did to Jeremiah Wright. They played a clip without the whole context. But I want to say this, Don, about this whole race issue.
There's two things that we need to concentrate on. One is this tea party movement. And I'm saying it in a sense to all the tea party movement out there. Black folks don't think you're racist, we think your ideology is racism when you hollering state rights. Because, you know, the history of this country, the reason Dr. King marched on the federal government was to stop states rights because we were having Jim Crowe laws put into place. So when you start hollering state rights, we start thinking Jim Crowe.
Also, one other thing that we have to do in this country, we have to talk race. Because you know what we are all brothers and sisters. No matter what nationality you are.
LEMON: You're right.
BALLENTINE: If you believe in god and you believe in Christ, and we are children of god, we are all one. We have to get passed this. We got all this technology and we're too stupid to get along.
LEMON: And America, even if you don't believe in whatever, if you're an atheist, we still are supposed to accept everyone.
BALLENTINE: That's right.
LEMON: Hey listen. April, real quick.
APRIL RYAN, W.H. CORRESPONDENT, AMERICAN URBAN RADIO NETS.: OK. Really fast. I think one of the reasons why race has stuck like glue to this president especially right now is because a Democratic source said this poignantly. There have been major milestones with this administration but blacks do not feel like they're very linked to it.
And I think there will be the milestones. There will be a litmus test for this administration. I don't think I know. It's the black farmer's settlement. President Obama put $1.25 billion in this 2011 budget. And we'll see if Congress does push through this money. If not, the president can just go on and do it through the judgment fund as well. He can do it on his own. So we'll see what happens.
LEMON: You guys --
BALLENTINE: Yes, that's going to be the measuring stick, April, right there.
(CROSSTALK)
SMITH: The Senate. Let's not forget the Senate. The Senate has the responsibility.
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: Hey guys, we're talking over each other. And I don't want that to happen. We only have a few seconds left and in that time I want to thank you all for coming on and being so candid about this issue. I wish we could talk much, much more about it. As a matter of fact, I promise to invite you all back.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Again, thanks to our panel there. You can see our special report, "Who is Shirley Sherrod." That is tonight at 10:00 p.m. Eastern, right here on CNN.
You know, they call America the land of opportunity. But for some it's literally a world of slavery. Coming up, we'll meet a man who was the victim of a slavery ring busted in New York. And take a look at how much his life has changed.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: All right. It's time for our top stories. One American sailor is reportedly dead in Afghanistan and others believe to be in the hands of the enemy. The Taliban says they tried to take both men alive in the Logar province but a fire fight broke out and one of them was killed.
U.S. military officials tell CNN the other sailor was wounded. So far the Taliban haven't made any demands for his release. A spokesman for Iowa's governor says at least 200 structures were destroyed and 1,100 were damaged when the Lake Delhi Dam failed.
A massive wall of water poured right through the area yesterday about 45 miles north of Cedar Rapids. Governor Chet Culver tells CNN the area received nearly 10 inches of rain in a 12-hour period. No injuries to report there.
BP oil company is expected to post a healthy profit on Tuesday. That's when it releases its quarterly earnings report. Analysts project about $4 billion in profit. Just slightly less than the same quarter a year ago. That's despite the company's stock losing nearly half its value since the gulf oil disaster began on April 20.
You know, this story broke hearts in the late 1990s. A deaf-mute slave smuggled here and forced to sell trinkets on the streets. A story that's worst than fiction. So even more fantastic, more than 10 years later, this story has a happy ending. Here's CNN's Adriana Houser.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ADRIANA HAUSER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A deaf-mute immigrant, Jose Gutierrez's journey began in Mexico, 13 years ago with a dream to come to the United States for a better opportunity.
JOSE GUTIERREZ, SMUGGLING VICTIM (through translator): My parents said no. We decided to trick my parents and told them that I was going to be going to play soccer.
HAUSER: Gutierrez who speaks through an interpreter was packed into a bus full of other deaf immigrants.
GUTIERREZ (through translator): They sort of tricked me. They told me I would get work here. And you know, they told me I would be able to see my parents. But I wasn't able to see my parents. My papers were gone.
HAUSER: Gutierrez, just 15 at the time, was the victim of a major smuggling ring whose leaders were arrested and convicted of extortion and are serving prison terms of nearly 13 years.
Gutierrez was one of more than 50 deaf children forced to sell trinkets on streets and subways.
GUTIERREZ (through translator): We would arrive back at the house in the evening. The boss would come and meet us and collect and take all the money from us. And I was the frightened, you know, I thought this should be for us. It was a very tough life. It was very hard. And inside, I just felt very stuck and didn't know what to do.
HAUSER: He and the others were virtual slaves, living in squalor. Two of the children ultimately filed a complaint with New York City police, CNN covered the story.
RUDY GIULIANI, FORMER NEW YORK CITY MAYOR: People should be able to exercise the choice about whether they want to go back to Mexico and what other rights may be available to them here in the United States.
HAUSER: As a crime victim, Gutierrez was allowed to stay in the United States. And since those dark days, his life has turned around.
GUTIERREZ (through translator): I work here. And I work at the Statue of Liberty. And I'm very happy with this work here. I've been working here for three years. And it gives me great joy.
HAUSER: That's right. 13 years after losing his freedom, Gutierrez works on Liberty Island as a janitor. He has a girlfriend and a daughter and he just received his green card. But even though Gutierrez has found something close to happiness all these years after leaving Mexico, he still hasn't been able to get back in touch with his parents.
GUTIERREZ (through translator): I know my parents have been worried about me all these years. I can't contact them. I don't know how. I want them to know that I'm here in New York now and that I'm working. I want to let them know that.
HAUSER (on camera): He plans to head back to Mexico in the fall in hopes of being reunited with his parents. A trip that will bring this incredible journey back to where it all began.
Adriana Hauser, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Orange County, California. One of the most affluent areas in the country. The site for reality shows like "The Hills." But there's a different reality that you don't see. The lives of 30,000 homeless people in this country.
Now, a new documentary takes a look at what life is like for the poor surrounded by a world of privileged. We'll take a look.
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LEMON: One of the poshest zip codes in the country has poverty that rivals any inner city.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What is home to you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Home? I don't really know what that means.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Those kids right there, they live in motels in Orange County, California. That's right. That's the site of shows like "The Hills" and "The OC" and tomorrow, they will be the stars of an HBO documentary called "Homeless: Motel Kids of Orange County."
Alexandra Pelosi made the film. Thanks for being here. Good to see you.
ALEXANDRA PELOSI, DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER: Thank you. Thanks for having me, Don.
LEMON: Your mom is speaker of the House, of course, Nancy Pelosi. She is someone who is actually has --
PELOSI: She is.
LEMON: She has the power and the influence to help these families. What did she think of this documentary? You know, she has plans to respond to it.
PELOSI: Well, you know we had a screening in Washington last week. And she got to see it for the first time. And this isn't new to her. I mean, she's been working on this for decades now. So I think a lot -- everyone in Washington knows this is a problem.
The one thing I think all Republicans and Democrats can agree on, and there are not many things they can agree on. This is the one thing I think they can all agree on is that, if you're working more than 40 hours a week in America, you deserve to have a roof over your head.
And this is a movie about the children of the working poor, whose parents actually have jobs and are working and are trying to have the best lives they can for their families but there's not enough affordable housing in Orange County for them to do that.
LEMON: Obviously, you grew up with a mom, a working mother, right? I understand that your mom babysat as you were shooting this documentary. She got to know some of the kids and families and you did as well. You spent time with them as well as her.
PELOSI: Yes. I took my own kids. You know, I have two kids. And I took them down with me to Orange County. And my parents live in northern California. So, you know, it's a real sort of bad atmosphere, I think, for kids to be around a long. A lot of swine flu spreading around. A lot of bed bugs, lice and things you don't want your kids to be exposed to.
So after a while I did end up taking my kids up to San Francisco to leave them with grandma for a little while, while mommy goes back to work. Because you don't want your kids get too exposed to it.
LEMON: Right.
PELOSI: At one point, I took my son to a soup kitchen. And he said to me, "Mommy, I don't want to eat in the soup kitchen again tonight. I want to go to a real restaurant." I said, do you know how lucky you are you even have that option?" So --
LEMON: You're absolutely right. So parents, you know, parents want to hide these things from their kids. And it's good you give them some exposure. As you said, Alexandra, but you know, the children seem to know exactly what's going on, especially in this documentary. They always know what's going on. I want you to take a listen and then we're going to talk about this. All right.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PELOSI: If you could have one wish come true this summer, what would it be?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Redo my life.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: So, you're a mom. And I'm sure there were times when you broke down.
PELOSI: Well, can you imagine hearing a child say he wants to redo his life? It's heartbreaking. I mean, think of that. All parents that are watching, you have to imagine. Imagine if your child said that to you. So, yes, this is tough stuff. This is not, you know, even though this is in the background of Disneyland, this is not the happiest story on earth.
LEMON: So here's what I don't understand. Like, why don't these families move? Like people wonder like if, you know, if you're homeless and this is -- I'm just being honest. Why don't you live somewhere warm? Why don't you live somewhere that's less expensive? I mean, paying $870 a month for a hotel room, that's a mortgage to a lot of people. Why don't they just move?
PELOSI: Because they have jobs. And in this recession economy, they're lucky to have jobs. They're happy that they have the jobs that he have. So if they moved, they wouldn't even have any job. So all they're trying to do is just get a little more money together so that they can afford to put a roof over their head. They're hoping that they can sustain a lifestyle in Orange County. They haven't given up. I mean, they still have hope.
LEMON: Yes. I'm not a parent, but I work with a lot of parents. There's always a concern about child care during the day. So who's watching these kids?
PELOSI: Well, that's the best part about this film is that we follow the kids to school. And they go to a special homeless school in Orange County called The Hope School. And that's what gives these kids their hope. They watch the kids from the morning until 5:00 at the end of the day. They hang out at the Boys and Girls Club.
And they have options so that their parents can be working. And it's, you know, part of what's important for people to realize is that there are a lot of homeless families in America. And it's closer than you think.
LEMON: Yes.
PELOSI: And we need to try and figure out how we're going to educate, you know. Everything -- I was watching CNN today and all these stories about hurricane and home foreclosures and every story you have to think, it's pushing more and more people out on the street. And we have to figure out how we're going to be able to help those kids.
LEMON: Alexandra Pelosi, thank you so much. We'll be watching.
PELOSI: Thanks for having me.
LEMON: Until recently, hundreds of New York City teachers accused of wrong doing or incompetence got paid to do nothing while under investigation. They spent their days in temporary reassignment centers, better known as rubber rooms.
Our education correspondent Steve Perry investigates.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID SUKER, NEW YORK CITY TEACHER: It's such a waste of resources.
STEVE PERRY, CNN EDUCATION CONTRIBUTOR (voice-over): David Suker is a teacher but he has no students.
(on camera): So you've been a teacher for 12 years?
SUKER: Yes.
PERRY: For the last year and a half, what have you been doing?
SUKER: I've been sitting in a rubber room.
What did I do today?
I just packed up my stuff, played some spades and left.
PERRY: And your salary is?
SUKER: $80,000.
I mean there are lots of teachers --
PERRY (voice-over): About 500 New York City teachers like Suker were assigned to rubber rooms when school ended in June. Together, these teachers earned and estimated $30 million a year to simply show up and sit in a room for eight hours, according to the city's education department. Some of them, including Suker, claim they don't know what their charged with.
SUKER: I don't deserve to be treated like this.
PERRY: He said he shouldn't be there but should be back in the classroom teaching his students.
SUKER: This process should have taken, at most, two to three weeks.
PERRY: So how could the nation's largest school district afford to let a teacher sit in a rubber room.
MICHAEL BEST, GENERAL COUNSEL, DEPT. OF EDUCATION: We didn't really have an agreement with the union as to where we could put these people if they weren't teaching.
PERRY: Best says all of that will change when a new agreement with the teacher's union takes effect in the fall.
BEST: We effectively modified the contract in ways to make the process move more quickly. We have 60 days once they're reassigned to get the investigation done and then 60 days after that to do the formal charges and a hearing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... the education of young people.
PERRY: Department officials say they expect to rule on hundreds of backlogged cases by December but until them, teachers like Suker will not be in the classroom. They'll be assigned administrative duties.
SUKER: Am I outraged by that the taxpayers are paying, footing this bill? Yes, I am outraged. But should you blame me? I don't think you should blame me. I think you should blame the Department of Education that has let this bureaucracy flounder for so long.
PERRY: Steve Perry, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: All right. Steve, Thank you.
Baseball season is in full swing. But I bet you haven't seen America's pastime played like this before. We'll show you what makes this game so special.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: It's Sunday. We always try to catch you up on some of the news you might have missed throughout the week. It's called "News You Missed."
Police departments around the country could soon be phasing out standard issue flash flights for a new device called the dazer laser. It can function as a high tech flashlight but in a tense situation it can become a tactical weapon, temporarily blinding a person without damaging their eyes.
A laser energetics in New Jersey is now marketing the device to police, military and prison guards. The goal is to diffuse volatile situations with non-lethal force, both in daylight and darkness. The dazer laser will not be sold to the public.
Maybe it was karma. Who knows. But a Rhode Island woman who lost her wedding ring while clamming on her honeymoon, 27 years later, has found a giant pearl inside a clam. The woman and her husband are life long clammers and collected a half bushel for dinner. And she says at first she thought she had broken her tooth. Instead it turned out to be a large tear-drop shaped pearl. The pearl will be made into a pendant or a necklace. Nice.
They say seeing is believing. But not on this baseball field. These Georgians are playing with blindfolds on. And it's called beep baseball because you have to listen for the ball, which emits a beeping noise. Among the groups that are arranged for this game, the Federation of the Blind, supporters say that the beep baseball gives people a sense of what it's like to be blind. It allows you to hone your other senses. Very interesting. Beep baseball.
Thanks for watching, everyone. I'm Don Lemon at CNN World headquarters in Atlanta. "Rescue: Saving the Gulf," a CNN special report with Rob Marciano starts right now. We'll see you at 10:00 p.m..
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