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Author Anne Rice Gives Up Christianity; Usher's Foundation Gives Out Awards; Elena Kagan Sworn in to the Supreme Court; Medical Team Massacred in Afghanistan

Aired August 07, 2010 - 17:00   ET

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

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: And out of the kindness of their hearts, they braved a mission to save the wounded in war and said the Taliban took them out. Ten members of a Christian medical team including women and Americans ambushed and killed in Afghanistan. We'll have the story.

An announcement angering Christians worldwide. One of the most influential authors of our time, a born again Christian, denounces Christianity in the harshest of terms.

And my one on one interview with super star entertainer Usher, he talks about Justin Bieber, Bill Clinton helping and how they're helping him to save America's youth.

Hello everyone, I'm Don Lemon. Elena Kagan is the newest member of the United States Supreme Court. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath of office today making her the 112th justice and only the 4th woman to sit on the nation's highest court.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN ROBERTS, CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES: I Elena Kagan, do solemnly swear.

ELENA KAGAN, UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT ASSOCIATE JUSTICE: I Elena Kagan do solemnly swear.

ROBERTS: That I will administer justice without respect for persons.

KAGAN: That I will administer justice without respect for persons.

ROBERTS: And do equal right to the poor and to the rich.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Elena Kagan's long legal career expands post in the White House and Harvard Law School but she's never been a judge which sets her apart from most Supreme Court appointees. She won Senate confirmation two days ago by a vote of 63 to 37, Kagan replaces a long-time liberal justice John Paul Stevens. Her appointment is not expected to alter the court's current ideological balance.

A telling attack in Afghanistan may test relief groups' willingness to work in that country. Ten members of a medical team are dead now, six of them are Americans, victims of a roadside execution carried out by Taliban militants. The Taliban says, the victims were carrying bibles, a claim denied by the group that organized the mission. CNN's Jill Dougherty tells us how this bloody massacre unfolded.

JILL DOUGHERTY, FOREIGN AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Don, here is what we know. There was a team of 12 medical workers, some of them doctors, others medical assistants and some translators who were going in to a very remote area of Afghanistan called Nuristan. They worked for the International Assistants Mission, that is a humanitarian organization that brings together various Christian groups. The team went into the area and was coming out after having performed the operations, eye operations and other help for Afghans there. They were stopped by the Taliban, we understand from the police. They were forced out of their vehicle. All of their possessions were taken and then they were severely executed.

There were ten who died. Six Americans, one German, one British and two Afghans. Two other Afghans were allowed to be freed. They were not killed. Now, the Taliban claimed that this group were actually spies that they were trying to spy on the Taliban. They say that they wanted to take them alive. The team began running and the Taliban claims that they had to kill them at that point. Of course, there are various versions. An investigation will be carried out. The bodies, however, still have to be identified officially. Now, the details are coming out of who was in that team. The team leader confirmed was Tom Little and his wife talked about her husband.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LIBBY LITTLE, WIDOW OF TOM LITTLE: He gave his life, the best years of his life, you know, to bring medical care to Afghan people. And he'll be buried in a Christian cemetery right there in Kabul. And we'll be there and we'll be surrounded by people that have been our family and our friends for years.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DOUGHERTY: Another member of that team was Dr. Karen Woo, she was a British citizen, a specialist in maternal and child health. She said that she was a team doctor. She was running the mother-child clinic. A friend of hers who also co-founded an organization that she was a member of and that was the Afghanistan bridges organization, spoke with CNN about Dr. Woo's work.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FIRUZ RAHIMI, FRIEND OF KAREN WOO: It's a tragedy that happened. And she was a lovely person, as human being, a very kind person and as a good colleague to work with. And very dedicated person in the cause that she believed in. And she was in Afghanistan to help and to do something.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DOUGHERTY: Dr. Woo had a blog and on that blog, she admitted she knew that it was dangerous to go to the area that she was going to but she wrote that she believed that providing medical care and assistance to the people is a fundamental importance, as she put it, and the effort is worth it, she said, in order to assist those who need it most -- Don.

LEMON: All right. Jill Dougherty, thank you very much.

In Iraq, the withdrawal of American troops is going according to plan despite concerns about violence. The U.S. military handed over control of all combat duties to Iraqi security forces today. The ceremony included demonstrations by those soldiers of vehicle checks and security measures. Even after the combat mission completely ends at the end of the month, six U.S. brigade will stay in the country to train and support Iraqi forces. So, is Iraq ready? The general in charge of U.S. troops in Iraq, he thinks so.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEN. RAY ODIERNO, CMDR., U.S. FORCES IN IRAQ: I would tell them that for the last six to eight months, the Iraqis have been in fact providing all the security. U.S. forces have been providing support, training and advising just like we'll do post one September. So, you know, and I would argue security has continued to move forward about the same, a little bit better, depending on which area you're at. So, they have done it. What I would tell them is we're still here. We are not leaving completely. We are still very committed to Iraq. We are still going to have 50,000 troops on the ground for a significant period of time to continue to help them build the confidence between them and the Iraqi security forces.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Of course security isn't Iraq's only problem. A political stalemate persists five months after the national election.

BP will get back to drilling its relief well in the gulf tomorrow, now that the Static Kill spill has finally plugged the massive oil leak. It's good to say those words. The relief well has taken months, but it is supposed to seal the leak permanently. Meantime, BP is playing down another controversy over whether it will drill for oil again at the site of the disaster.

Reynolds Wolf is standing by for us live in Pensacola Beach, Florida. Hello. Reynolds, hello to you. What's the company saying about this?

REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, yesterday there was a bit of, I guess a mishap in terms of words. Doug Suttles had mentioned that there was a possibility that they may return to that site. It's an area which segment of course, the area of the deep water horizon. And that site is a very rich in oil. That below the surface -- below the surface of the ocean, there is certainly some places where they've got very, very high amounts of oil. In fact, a reservoir of oil that may be worth billions of dollars. That's something that they may revisit in the long term. In the short term however, they want to clear up, the top priority is the restoration and the recovery of the Gulf of Mexico including the digging of that relief well. From what we understand Don, they are going to continue with the progress of digging the relief well tomorrow. They are only 100 feet away from completion. And that is to get to that point I say, by Friday, that's right, this coming Friday, Friday the 13th, and in that point, they're going to continue and push forward on the bottom kill process which is basically injecting a concentration of mud and cement into the well, killing it all the other -- Don.

LEMON: Some people like to see Friday the 13th as a lucky number instead of unlucky day -- lucky day instead of unlucky day. Let's hope that so. Well, listen, I know people have been asking you about this. You have been covering the story since the very beginning. Where is the oil gone? We can't find it. No one seems to be able to find it. So, where did it go?

WOLF: There are some scientists from the Federal government that addressed that very thing Don. Well, earlier this week, they were talking about how of course, much of the oil has been recovered. Even all kinds of ships, all kinds of booms that have been bringing a great deal of it. But 26 percent of the oil spilled still remains out in the Gulf of Mexico. Some in the form of tar balls, some in the form of sheens, some expected just to dissipate by the sun's race, by the wave action breaking it up. And we have to remember also, salt water is a very, very corrosive agent which will help break it up. But I have to tell you, there are some places though, although they haven't had oil stay here in Pensacola beach in weeks and weeks, there is still plenty of it, especially in southeastern Louisiana. Spots like Plaquemines Parish. It can also stay in St. Bernard's Parish, just in the last 24 hours, they've had 26 different spots where oil has been reported. And it has got many people, many fishermen very angry.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ACY COOPER, LOUISIANA SHRIMPER: That's oil. That's straight up oil. That's crude. There's no doubt in my mind that's crude. You can look it. It makes me sick to see something like this. I know we can come out in working this. (INAUDIBLE), this is what's going to come out. It's going to come out in our nets, in our fish, in our shrimp. We can't let anybody come in here and do this. I'd say this because look, I'm a fisherman. I like to sell my seafood. I need to make money. And this is what I do, but health is more important. Before we risk getting any family or kid sick we, need to think about what we're doing here. BP's trying to get out of here. They're trying to leave us. If they leave now, we'll going to be in deep trouble because (INAUDIBLE), we're going to be the one's suffering for all of this. They need to make sure that they stay here and clean this up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WOLF: Don, I know you're from Louisiana. Lots of people in your home state certainly having a rough time, especially those fishermen but your neighbors too. A little more of the -- Mississippi, it's great news for them because the waters there -- both recreational and of course commercial fishing areas have been opened up which is wonderful. But it only can includes some fish. Shrimp, also some of the fin fish so to speak. But in terms of oysters and crabs, they're still going to conduct few tissue sample tests, hopefully the areas will be opened in both crabs and oyster fishing in the coming weeks.

LEMON: Let's hope too to everyone, to everyone. Thank you very much for that Reynolds Wolfs down at Pensacola Beach, Florida.

Hey, you know, this is a celebrity story unlike the others you have been hearing about lately. No angry audio tapes, no jail terms, just plenty of goodwill.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: It's amazing. You know, you got to have a mentor, you got to have someone to look up to, you know, so you can better yourself. So, you know, I'm glad to be here and support my mentor.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: That's right. His mentor, the Bieb, Justin Bieber learning a lot from this man. And Usher's charitable work reached a major milestones this week. My conversation with him coming up right here on CNN.

And a rare glimpse into another side of the war. We'll take you on board, the military's life-saving flight in a CNN exclusive, the incredible journey home for U.S. troops wounded in war.

And don't just sit there. If you want to be part of the show, send us a message, you can go Twitter, you can go on Facebook, and e-mail me if you have my e-mail. You can check out my blog at cnn.com/don. And look for me on foursquare as well. We want to hear from you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele is rarely at a loss for words. But in recent weeks, he's been unusually quiet. He is facing criticism from within his own party over finances and other issues. And he's taking heat for comments about President Obama's policy in Afghanistan. Steele tried to rally the party faithful yesterday. And afterwards, our own Mark Preston asked Steele about his future as party chairman.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARK PRESTON, CNN POLITICAL EDITOR: It sounded like you're going to run for second term. I mean...

MICHAEL STEELE, REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN: Oh, my goodness. Can we get through? Can we just finish this one first?

(CROSSTALK) PRESTON: So you are -- are you thinking of running for a second term?

STEELE: Do you know what I'm thinking about right now? Lunch.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: OK. Thinking about lunch. Let's bring in this guy that you see right there standing in front of the CNN -- it's still the election express, right? Is that what we call it? Our Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser standing by. Paul, Michael Steele didn't want to talk about a second term there. He wanted to talk about lunch, he said, people there say, they stood behind him in Kansas City. Is he really in trouble though with fellow republicans?

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: You know, it's funny because like you said, it's rare that Michael Steele is at a loss for words. But Mark really got him -- kind of got him in the road steer. Don, listen, Michael Steele for year and a half, head of the RNC. They've had some great electoral successes. They've won all three state live contests. Since Steele is been there, they feel great about this November. But you're right. There have been a lot of controversies. His comments have gotten him in trouble. But also the way he's raised money and how he spent money at the RNC has troubled a lot of people. And there is a lot of question as to whether he will run again next year. If he does run, two other republicans, some top republicans say, they may go after him, they may challenge him next January when his term is up -- Don.

LEMON: OK. Let's talk about someone else, a very high profile in the Republican Party. Sarah Palin. Where is she on all of this? Is she doing anything for the party?

STEINHAUSER: Yes. This is great stuff that Mark and our Peter Hanby got out there in Kansas City yesterday. Sarah Palin is going to fund- raise for the Republican National Committee. She's going to help them raise money to help get out the vote for republicans in November as they try to win back Congress. Why is this interesting? Because Sarah Palin and Michael Steele have definitely not seen eye to eye over the last year and a half. She's kind of been at a standstill against the RNC. So now, she's coming back into the fold. And remember what happens soon after November, the next race for the White House. Maybe she's interested, maybe not. But she's coming back into the party full -- Don.

LEMON: Yes, certainly a beautiful shot where you are there. So, why are you in Utah this afternoon? Why are you out west?

STEINHAUSER: You know, I'm in Beaver County, Utah, right now, were on interstate 15. And why are we here? It's a beautiful shot, but why we're here because the CNN express was in Phoenix, Arizona over the last two weeks for our network's coverage of the immigration law there. We are getting the bus to Denver. Because come Tuesday, there are some crucial primaries in Denver, some real hitted primaries in Denver. So, we're on the road to Colorado and we're talking to voters along the way -- Don.

LEMON: Thank you, Paul Steinhauser. We appreciate it. We'll check back in with you.

Injured and just hours removed from the front lines.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SPEC. JAMES DENNIS, U.S. ARMY: When you're near death that close, I mean, I literally thought I was dead when the impact happened. I thought I was dead. But -- you really don't know what you've got until it's almost gone.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Trust me. You really don't want to miss this story. Next, an exclusive look at the servicemen and women returning from war on their long journey home.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: After almost ten years of conflict in Afghanistan, we are used to hearing about U.S. troops wounded in battle, sadly. But what happens to those troops once they are rescued? How do they get the treatment they need?

CNN's Barbara Starr has an exclusive behind the scene's look at how America's wounded warriors make the journey home. It is a delicate and efficient operation carried out with military precision and human compassion.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's before dawn in the Trauma Bay at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. Another soldier wounded in the fighting down south. Surgeons, nurses doing everything they can.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: One, two, three.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: The journey home starts here. In Vietnam, it could take weeks, but now wounded can be home in days. CNN was granted exclusive access to see the medical care that makes it possible and to injured troops, some hours off the front line.

(on camera) The doors have just shut on this air medical evacuation flight here in Bagram, Afghanistan. The wounded have already been. You can see that medical staff is already taking care of them, even before we take off. We are about to go on an eight-hour flight back to Germany. These troops are going to launch to a regional medical center for further treatment.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: You're going from bleeding to hugging your wife and daughters. There's a smile.

DENNIS: It's going to be awesome, you know, it's...

STARR: Yes?

DENNIS: When you're near death that close, I mean, I literally thought I was dead when the impact happened. I thought I was dead. But -- you really don't know what you've got until it's almost gone. (END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR (voice-over): Eight hours after leaving the war zone, words of comfort.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Welcome. You're safe now. And we're going to take good care of you. OK?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: For some, the rush into intensive care, even as stretchers keep coming off the overnight flight from Afghanistan. Specialist Gary Davis arrived here from Afghanistan just a couple of days ago. He survived a massive roadside bomb. Portions of both legs have been amputated.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SPEC. GARY DAVIS, U.S. ARMY: We flipped over. Everybody had their seat belts and stuff on. But, you know, we were in pain. I got out of the vehicle, undid my seat belt and I just, you know, flopped onto the ground. With all the adrenaline going through me, I did notice that my legs were messed up. But I crawled as far as I could to a door. That's all the energy I had. And I just kept on yelling "help me, help me."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DAVIS (on camera): This is what it's really all about in the world of the air medical evacuation community. You can see the plane now is full of the combat wounded from Afghanistan. These troops have all suffered injuries from IED, roadside bomb explosion, mortars, artillery, small arms fire, gunshot wounds. They have gotten their initial treatment here in Germany. Now, we are about to make a nine- hour flight back to the United States. Finally, they are getting back home.

(voice-over) Specialist Aaron Knuckols and his buddies were on patrol in eastern Afghanistan when their vehicle hit a 300-pound roadside bomb.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SPEC. AARON KNUCKOLS, U.S. ARMY: Everything got red and we went upside down.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: After a near death experience like that, Specialist Knuckols says, he could not imagine going home without his friends.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KNUCKOLS: We have been together the whole trip. It's awesome. STARR: Yes. You keep an eye on each other.

KNUCKOLS: Yes, ma'am. I know my two guys back there I can't see are getting the same care I'm getting. That's a very good feeling.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: And that is just the beginning. Barbara Starr and some special guests will join me at 7:00 Eastern for more on the journey home for wounded American troops. CNN is the first network to make the entire trip. Along the way, she'll introduce us to some inspiring and courage use young troops. Make sure you join me at 7:00 right here on CNN.

Taking a look right now at some of our top stories here on CNN.

Former President Fidel Castro spoke to the Cuban National Assembly today for the first time in four years. Castro wore his trademark military uniform and entered the hall to a loud ovation. He spoke out against nuclear war urging President Obama not to fire the first shot in a confrontation. Castro turns 84-years-old next Friday.

Some of the victims of a deadly shooting spree in Connecticut were laid to rest today. Eight people were killed Tuesday when a gunman opened fire at a beverage center. He also killed himself. The gunman was an employee who had been forced to resign that day. He had been accused of stealing from the company.

Right now, in the International Space Station, astronauts are in the middle of a complicated spacewalk, they're removing and replacing a heavy ammonia pump that failed a week ago, setting up warning alarms and shutting down part of the cooling system. Today's spacewalk is supposed to last seven hours, but the crew will have to do another one Wednesday to finish the job.

A New Orleans mom took drastic action when she found out her son was acting up in kindergarten. She became a fixture at the school and he's used the experience to help others.

CNN Education Contributor Steve Perry has more on what she's learned in tonight's Perry's Principles.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(SCHOOL BELL RINGS)

KARRAN HARPER ROYAL, FARMER ADVOCATE: When Chris was in kindergarten, every day I would go to pick him up and the teachers would say, Ms. Royal, Chris did this, Ms. Royal, Chris did that.

STEVE PERRY, CNN EDUCATION CONTRIBUTOR (voice-over): When Karen Harper Royal found out her son was acting up at school, she took drastic action, she quit her job and went to school with him.

ROYAL: I was at school every day. They ended up making me a substitute teacher.

PERRY (on camera): Come on.

ROYAL: No, seriously.

PERRY (voice-over): Chris qualified for special need services but his case was complex. Not only that he was diagnosed with ADHD, his high I.Q. classified him as a gifted student.

(on camera) So truly was an exceptional learn.

ROYAL: Yes. He was exceptional.

PERRY (voice-over): The New Orleans mom struggled with red tape to get classroom resources for her son.

ROYAL: I also started going to school board meetings. I prepared some documents to show them what I needed -- the trouble I had in getting services for my son.

PERRY (on camera): They must have loved you.

ROYAL: Oh, they have come to love me. They have come to love me.

(LAUGHTER)

PERRY (voice-over): Today, Chris is all grown up and Karran is using her experience to show other parents the ropes.

ROYAL: If their child needs special education services, we walk them through that process one on one. We help them understand what the law says that the school district is required to provide and we do workshops to help them understand behavior. You're the expert in your child and make sure your child understands what's going on.

PERRY: Steve Perry, New Orleans.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: Thank you. Author Anne Rice, best known for her vampire novels grew up a Christian, then she quit the church, rejoined and now, she is quitting again.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANN RICE, AUTHOR: There was a lot of toxic anger in me and toxic pressure. I couldn't go on as a public Christian being implicated in the things the churches were doing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

She has a lot more to say. We'll going to hear more from her, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Before "Twilight," before "True Blood" there were "The Vampire Chronicles," the series of best-selling novels by Anne Rice. She was the queen of the undead. But in 1998, she returned to Catholicism, the religion she abandoned at age 18. But now, 12 years later, Rice says she's quitting Christianity all together.

The famous author explains why it was time to part ways with the church.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNE RICE, AUTHOR: I can't find in scripture, after 12 years of study, I can't find in scripture any basis for many of the things that organized religion does today. I can't connect them back to Christ. I have read scripture every day of my life. I can't find a basis for most of the stands that churches and dominations take today, on civil rights of gay people, on women and reproductive rights, on the questions of how you vote in our society. I mean, I can't find it. So certainly a theological decisions lie behind my decision to step away.

Now, I would not say churches need to modernize. That's not the question. The question is what is the authentic message of Christ for us? We exist in time. He put us here. 2,000 years has passed since he died on Golgotha, since he rose from the dead. There's got to be a reason for this, that we are moving through time. There have to be some implications. Are we really meant to simple cling to the interpretations of the Bible we had in the first century? Have we clung to them? I mean, these are very complex issues. I'm somewhat overwhelmed by those issues. But I know this. I have to walk away.

LEMON: You're saying very subversive things. Are you prepared for the possible backlash for any of the things you're saying?

RICE: I have to be prepared for that. You can't make a statement like this without expecting something of a whirlwind. I made it because I felt I had to. There was a lot of toxic anger in me and toxic pressure. I couldn't go on as a public Christian being implicated in the things the churches were doing. So, yes, I'm prepared for backlash or whatever happens. Is it going to be difficult? Yes. It's somewhat difficult.

Right now, what I'm getting is overwhelming support. The e-mails coming in, the blogs being written, the public statements being made are very supportive in the main. Of course, there is criticism. There's definitely criticism. But the overwhelming support is what I'm hearing more than anything. People saying, thank god you said this, I felt this way for a long time, et cetera, et cetera.

LEMON: And essentially giving voice to the voices. Here's what I want to say. Your son, Christopher, is gay. Did this factor into your decision at all?

RICE: Right. No. No. But certainly, gay rights have mattered to me all of my professional life. I have always been for complete equal rights for gay people. I felt that way before Christopher was ever born.

LEMON: How is this going to change your writing, if at all?

RICE: I think it will give it a renewed burst of energy. I think I have been blocked for a while. I have been confused and stymied. Now I feel like I'm sane again for the first time in a very long while. I feel like I'm talking the truth instead of remaining silent in a state of anger or making excuses for my brothers and sisters who are followers of Christ.

LEMON: What would you like to see Christianity do as far as women, as far as gays and over people you feel that they are -- and I don't want to put words in your mouth -- being hypocritical towards. Is that correct?

RICE: I'm not somebody that can seek to reform these institutions. I can say again, that I can't find in scripture a basis for persecuting gay people. I can't find a basis for singling them out in a secular society as a target for the hatred of Christians against them, and for trying to deprive them of civil rights or interfere with their civil rights revolution. I can't find the basis.

Maybe if the churches had not been so strident about these things, if they hadn't been so outspoken about political matters in this country, it would have been easier for someone like me.

When I speak out about issues that concern me, like gay rights or many different issues, I got a lot of pressure from Catholics and Christians not to do this. I mean, they would go on my Facebook page and say, if you're going to criticize the Catholic Church for the clergy abuse scandal, what kind of Catholic are you? How can you do this? How can you post a link to a "New York Times" story that criticizes Pope Benedict? How dare you?

OK, well, I have come out now and I've said, I am not part of your group. So I feel free.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: Anne Rice. Even though Rice is leaving Christianity, she says she's still committed to Christ.

A riddle for you. What's four times the size of Manhattan and could keep the Delaware River flowing for two years? That's next.

Plus this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LINDA FONDREN, CNN HERO: Walking is cheap. Your life is priceless.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Getting an entire city off the couch and trimming the fat. I could use some motivation right now. Meet this week's very determined "CNN Hero" when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) LEMON: Let's check the top stories on CNN.

An enormous island of ice has broken away from the arctic ice cap. That's right, an enormous island. Researchers say a chunk measuring 100 square miles separated from the Peterman Glacier in Greenland this week. It's four times the size of Manhattan and about half as tall as the Empire State Building. Scientists believe it could reach the Atlantic Ocean in the next two years. That's a lot of water.

Moscow is suffering under a blanket of smog that has authorities urging people to stay indoors. Carbon monoxide levels in the Russian capital are five times higher than what is considered safe. Health officials say inhaling the air is like smoking several packs of cigarettes a day. Nearly 600 wildfires are pouring smoke into the sky. And Moscow could see temperatures reach 104 degrees tomorrow for the first time in recorded history.

A new era begins in Colombia as President Juan Manuel Santos is inaugurated in the capital. President Santos has his work cut out for him, beginning with mending relations with neighboring Venezuela. That nation sent a foreign minister to the ceremony. Mr. Santos won with the highest vote total in Colombia's history. He's pledged to make security his priority.

Maryland police say a drug sale gone-bad may be what prompted the murders of four people, including two young children. It happened in Prince George's County, Maryland. Two women and two children were found dead in what police describe as filthy and deplorable living conditions. According to "The Washington Post," the home had no air conditioning, running water or toilets. The bodies were found amid piles of trash. Two suspects have been charged with first-degree murder.

A Mississippi woman took a look around and realized so many people she knew -- friends, family, neighbors -- were overweight. So she decided to take action, challenging the people she knew and loved to change their lives. Some would say saved their lives one pound at a time. That makes her the "CNN Hero" of the week.

(CNN HEROES)

LEMON: All right, get this. So far, Vicksburg residents have lost almost 15,000 pounds through the weight loss initiative. Good for her. To see one woman's journey to banish the bulge or to help Linda and the fight against obesity, go to CNNheroes.com.

Usher's on the red carpet, not because he's getting an award, but because he's giving them. His way to pay it forward, coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: "The Situation Room" is straight ahead.

Wolf Blitzer, what do you have for us?

WOLF BLITZER, HOST, THE SITUATION ROOM: Don, thanks very much. We have a very packed hour coming up at the top of the hour in "The Situation Room." Carol Browner, the president's energy adviser, on what's going on in the Gulf of Mexico. Is it really over, over, over? Stand by. We'll talk with her.

Also, we'll get the latest on the move to rethink the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina is here in "The Situation Room" and has some strong views.

What's happening in Iraq, Afghanistan and with Iran? The chief of staff of the National Security Council, Denis McDonough -- he's very close to the president. He is here as well.

Lots more coming up in "The Situation Room."

Don, back to you.

LEMON: Looking forward to it. Thank you, Wolf.

If you're trying to lose weight, lose some pounds, there are two ways to go, you can cut down on carbs or cut down on fat. But is one diet better for you than the other? We put that question to Dr. Sanjay Gupta in this "Fit Nation" report.

(FIT NATION)

LEMON: Thank you, Dr. Gupta.

He's sold 45 million albums, but success comes with major responsibilities for singing star, Usher.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

USH, SINGER: Everybody's not going to be the answer for everybody. Everybody may not be Usher, everybody may not be Colby Bryant, may not be Lebron James, may not be Shaq, but there are so many things they could be motivated to do.

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LEMON: He talks about him, Justin Bieber, former President Bill Clinton. Hear about his efforts to do more than just give money to help at-risk kids. It's just as important to get them to pay it forward. See how he does it on the other side of this break.

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LEMON: You want to watch this next story. Look at that, Usher, the music mogul, the dancer, the singer, he experienced a first this week. Instead of getting an award, he gave them out. Last night, his New Look Foundation presented its first World Service Award. Bill Clinton received the Service Legacy Award for his work with youth.

As Usher prepared for this event, he spoke with me about his drive to help young people. He knows they are the source of his success and he hopes his foundation can be the same for them. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON (voice-over): Where Usher goes, the cameras and crowds follow. And while he can control his environment, he knows that plenty of kids have to fight theirs.

USHER: We can either be a product of our environment or a product of our experience. I'm giving them a new experience to rise above whatever they are dealing with.

LEMON: That's why, 11 years ago, the entertainer set up his New Look Foundation that provides programs like sports lessons and business training for kids who are dealing with a lot.

"New Look" says one in three of the children have a parent in prison, and more than half of "New Look's" kids have a family member or friend in a gang.

(SINGING)

LEMON: Instead of surrounding himself with only the good life, the five-time Grammy winner immerses himself in their lives.

USHER: Started a small reciprocal thing and it would grow and grow.

LEMON: Through efforts like his powered by service initiative which he launched. It's a day dedicated to taking kids to places like the Georgia Aquarium and teaching them about the environment so they can turn around and teach others.

I caught up with him at a safe driver training session.

USHER: That's what power by service is ultimately. Being able to take them out of the environment, give them a voice, to hopefully make a difference, you know, in their region.

LEMON (on camera): Why do you have contact with the kids? Not every celebrity makes themselves available like you? And I'm just being honest.

USHER: They have a dream, they have an idea, but they don't necessarily have the means or the understandings of how to implement a plan to accomplish whatever it is that they need to do.

LEMON: You know, it's going to sound like a weird question, because Justin Bieber is successful, but you saw this kid and you wanted to nurture his talent, and look where he is now. Is that the same sort of spirit that led to Justin Bieber's success?

USHER: That same passion that was in Justin Bieber is in a lot of kids who are dealing with real issues.

LEMON: (voice-over): Usher is a mentor to teen sensation Justin Bieber. And not everyone can find the success, Usher admits, but will have the confidence to present their ideas and develop plans as all "New Look's" young people have to do, including Amy Gomez, who was once homeless.

AMY GOMEZ, FORMER HOMELESS: I campaign as part of the evolutionary "New Look," where you have talent and ideas, to bring creatively together to perform shows and raise awareness about malaria, to help benefit the community, to keep people off the streets.

LEMON (on camera): How old are you?

GOMEZ: 17.

LEMON: How do you get an idea like that at 17?

GOMEZ: I learned this at "New Look" last year.

(LAUGHTER)

LEMON (voice-over): The foundation says 8700 young people across the country have gone through Usher's program.

GOMEZ: It's actually a life experience.

LEMON: Is that where the name came from?

USHER: The "New Look" came from, you know, my hopes of being able to offer a new look on life.

(SINGING)

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LEMON: Thanks to Usher and "New Look" producer, Tina Kim, for that. That was a very nice job.

Among recipients of "New Look's" awards last night, a woman named Hital Moaja (ph). She donates her own money, aiding and educating poor young people and commercial sex workers in Kenya.

Nice job, Usher.

I read this yesterday, and it really made me mad. I just kept going around the newsroom saying, "Is this the face of a criminal"? A little girl asked to shut down her lemonade stand by the health department? There's a happy ending to the story. That is next.

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LEMON: It's time now for "News You Missed." We're going to start in Portland, Oregon. And this ticked me off. That's where a county inspector ordered 7-year-old Julie Murphy to shut down her lemonade stand at an arts fair because she didn't have a restaurant license. He even threatened a $500 fine. I'm not kidding. The whole episode caused an uproar, not surprisingly. Everything is settled. The county chairman has even called to apologize. Good!

A Minnesota man is enjoying his first weekend of freedom in more than two years after serving prison time for a deadly Toyota crash in 2006. A judge ordered the release of Koua Fong Lee on Thursday. Lee claimed his 1996 Camry was accelerating out of control when it crashed, killing three people. Prosecutors originally claimed he had his foot on the accelerator and Lee was sentenced him to eight years. The recent recall didn't include the 1996 Camry, but it was enough to get the court to re-examine Lee's case. Now he's adjusting to life from behind bars -- not being behind bars anymore. So there you go.

Thanks for watching, everyone. We appreciate it. Join us at 7:00, 7:00 eastern. I'll introduce you to some inspiring and courageous young troops. Barbara Starr jumped aboard the military's life-saving flight transporting wounded U.S. troops from the battlefield. CNN is the first network to make the entire trip. Again, that's coming up in one hour here on CNN.

But first, Wolf Blitzer now with "The Situation Room."