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President Defends Private Party's Plans to Build Mosque Near 9/11 Ground Zero; President t Vacation in the Gulf Area; "American Idol" Winner Being Sued For Having Affair With Married Man; Dr. Laura's Use of Racial Slur Causes Controversy; Ken Green Plays PGA Tournament After Loss of Leg

Aired August 14, 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: Well, next on this CNN Saturday morning, President Obama stepping into the controversy over a proposed mosque and Islamic center near ground zero. He says he supports it.

Also, the doctor and the N-word. Talk show host Laura, Dr. Laura you know her as, she's igniting a firestorm when she repeatedly used an inflammatory term on the air. This hour a conversation with a Harvard profession who was written a book with the N-word in the title, and also a writer who says that word should be abolished.

And some are calling it Pakistan's Katrina. Already 1,400 people dead in the flooding and what's being called a second wave is on the way.

From the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia, this is CNN Saturday morning, good morning to you all, I'm T.J. Holmes. Those are just a few of the stories we're keeping an eye on.

Also something we're going to be telling you about this hour, you may not know his name but you won't forget his story. Ken Green plays on the PGA senior tour despite having a leg amputated after a car accident last year. His brother and girlfriend died in that accident. His son died of an accidental overdose not long after.

Despite of all that tragedy in his life, Green says golf keeps him going. You'll hear that story.

Also this story, singer and "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino still recovering at home. She was hospitalized after overdosing on aspirin and sleep aids on Monday. She has admitted to an affair with a married man. Publicists say fantasia was heartbroken and sorry for any pain she may have caused.

Also, Americans will celebrate the first national day of remembrance for the World War II generation. No image may be more famous than the one you see, the statue of the famous kiss in Times Square. That famous photograph -- a lot of people are going to gather today in Times Square to relive that moment. They're calling it a kiss-in in Times Square. We'll be telling you more about it.

But meanwhile, let me tell you about the big story of the day that's got a lot of people's attention right now. The president, President Obama, coming out and endorsing the proposal for an Islamic center and mosque about two blocks from ground zero. The president was speaking at a White House dinner yesterday, marking the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The president there acknowledged the controversial nature of the project, but he argued American ideals and the constitution demand that the project proceed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, (D) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Ground zero is indeed hallowed ground. But let me be clear. As a citizen and as president, I believe that Muslims have the right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country.

(APPLAUSE)

And that includes, that includes the right to build a place of worship in a community center on private property in lower Manhattan in accordance with local laws and ordinances.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: The president's endorsement drew praise from the New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. He say, quote, "As I said last week, this proposed mosque and community center in lower Manhattan is as important a test of the separation of church and state as we may see in our lifetime. And I applaud President Obama's clarion defense of the freedom of religion tonight."

But a Republican congressman who has been very outspoken on this, Peter King, he's taken a much different take. He's quoting in response to the president, "The right and moral thing for President Obama to have done was to urge Muslim leaders to respect the families of those who died and move their mosque away from ground zero. Unfortunately, the president caved in to political correctness."

Meanwhile New Yorkers are still kind of split on whether the president should get involved in what some called a local matter.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not wise to interject yourself into a local issue that's very visceral here for obvious reasons. Obviously, we all believe in freedom of religion, but it's sacred ground for New Yorkers and Americans. So it's difficult topic for New Yorkers and Americans. I don't know how wise it was for the president to necessarily interject.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm glad he's doing it. It's very civilized. It doesn't matter whether you're Muslim or Jewish or Christian, you should be able to -- this country stands for freedom of religion and we should be able to express our faith.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: So you're hearing from New Yorkers and politicians, but what do Americans really think about the building of this Islamic center and mosque near ground zero?

Our deputy political director Paul Steinhauser here to help break down some of the numbers for us. Paul, good morning to you. Before you actually get into the numbers, give our viewers perspective here. The president and the White House were staying away from this topic for the past several weeks, but now they jumped right into it.

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: T.J., yes, they really have. So what do Americans think about all this? As you said we just did a recent poll, a national survey, August 6th through 10th and take a look at this. Americans seem to be united our poll suggests on this issue.

Take a look, nearly seven in ten Americans, nearly seven in ten, oppose the mosque. And I believe you have that graphic. Specifically we asked, you may know, a group of Muslims and the U.S. plans to build a mosque where the New York Trade Center used to stand. To you favor or oppose, 68 percent oppose, 29 percent favor.

One thing we should point out, the mosque was only one part of a 13-story complex that the builders, the developers say will be -- they call it an Islamic center -- T.J.

HOLMES: Now, usually Democrats and Republicans see things differently. Is there a stark difference in how Democrats and Republicans view this issue?

STEINHAUSER: You're right. Usually Democrats and Republicans don't see eye to eye on just about anything. But on this issue, on this specific issue they seem to be in agreement. We broke it down by party, and a majority of Democrats, a majority of Democrats do oppose the building of this mosque down two blocks from the World Trade Center.

You can you see, though, that the number grows for independents and grows much larger. The opposition grows to more than eight in ten Republicans when we asked this.

One other thing, we broke it down by age and there does not seem to be a generational divide. Those under 50 years old, more than six in ten oppose. If you look at those people 50 and older, that jumps to more than three out of four, T.J.

HOLMES: Interesting to see those numbers and breakdowns. Our Paul Steinhauser, we always appreciate you bringing those numbers to us. Paul, thank you, as always. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

STEINHAUSER: Thanks, T.J.

HOLMES: The president is going to be headed for another vacation, at least that's how it was billed a couple of weeks ago, a vacation to the Gulf. The first family, minus the older daughter, Malia. She's still at camp. But the president, first lady and the younger daughter Sasha will be heading to Panama City today, actually should be there within the next hour or so. The White House saying this symbolizes the president's commitment to the region. The president is going to meet with business owners while he's down there in the Gulf. Again, expected to get there shortly and is going to be there just for the next 27 hours. They're going to be leaving tomorrow but still taking a quick trip to the Gulf.

CNN's Dan Lothian and other reporters at the White House briefing yesterday posed what may seem like a trivial question to the White House press secretary about the president's trip.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: The president's trip this weekend, this was asked a couple of days ago, but any plans to get in the water?

ROBERT GIBBS, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: I'm -- I'm -- I doubt that that will go out specifically on the guidance, but stay tuned.

QUESTION: Why don't you just tell us?

GIBBS: Of course they're clean enough to get into. I know it's Friday, we have to preview whether or not the president will go swimming. I'm going to -- I -- I'm going to let that --

QUESTION: That's the biggest tourism pull.

GIBBS: All right, you guys maybe get together and figure out what -- what would appropriately check the Aquaman box.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Again, may seem trivial, but a lot of people think that could be a very symbolic gesture, just a picture of the president of the United States getting into the gulf waters, certainly a sign that it's OK, it's safe to go back to the Gulf and get into the water.

A lot of people have a lot of questions about what's happening in the gulf. What's happening to the tourism industry there, things getting any better for the folks? Reynolds Wolf live for us in Gulf shores again this morning.

Reynolds, good morning to you, once again. I'm making that point, it seems kind of trivial for White House correspondents to be asking whether or not the president's going to go swimming, but that could be a big deal for the folks in the gulf.

REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Oh, man, no question about it. Seeing the president of the United States going into the gulf of Mexico, get out there in the water and enjoy it would really send a strong signal. It'd be a great shot in the arm, a lot of people would like it for the symbolic gesture.

But I can tell you it all comes back to dollars and cents. We've been talking about how money is such a big deal. It's a $1.8 billion industry in terms of tourism for the Gulf coast. We're talking about Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and, of course, Florida.

Florida today of course the president's going to be making his way there to Panama City, Pensacola may get in on the visit. Both of those places have been hammered really hard in terms of tourism and certainly closer to our specific area.

Orange Beach, here in Gulf shores, there's no doubt at all that they've had a very, very tough time. And I can tell you that we spoke with the mayor earlier and he told us that this entire ordeal has been a major obstacle.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR ROBERT CRAFT, GULF SHORES, ALABAMA: It's been a rough year, obviously, from start to finish. It was really though. But it is getting better. Once the well was capped, the confidence came back, we started seeing more people show up.

But the big event was a couple of weekends ago when the state health department lifted the swimming advisory and people could get back in the water. That was a big deal, because now it sent an all- clear signal to our visitors that it is safe to come back, and that was the big concern I think people have, was safety.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WOLF: You know, T.J., having this thing take place, no doubt, was a catastrophe. But having it take place this time of the year when it first happened in April and then feeding into the summer months, the peak time where they make all their money, was really just a nightmare.

Had this happened in December, maybe even November, that would have been bad, too, but at least you would have missed out of course during the fourth of July, those huge weekends where they really depend on the crowds to come in, the millions of people where they make all that money. But unfortunately timing did not work out for them.

But they're trying to recoup, they've got all kinds of festivals planned and expecting a very big end to the summer and, of course, will try to bring in the snowboarders, the folks in the north for the winter months. T.J.?

HOLMES: Thanks, Reynolds. Thanks for holding on out there. I know you've been dealing with rough weather and the wind is kicking up on you down there. We'll check in with you again here shortly. Our Reynolds Wolf, buddy, we appreciate you as always.

Coming up here in just a moment, we're going to head over to Pakistan where we have been keeping an eye on what many are calling "Pakistan's Katrina," the worst flooding, the worst disaster in that country's history. We're live in Islamabad after the break. It's 11 minutes after the hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HOLMES: It's about 14 minutes past the hour now, and that massive flooding in Pakistan has essentially brought the country to a standstill -- 1,400 people so far have died, another 2,000 are injured. CNN's Reza Sayah has been covering this for us all morning, joining us once again from Islamabad. Hello again to you once again, Reza. And it's amazing that this was supposed to be a day of celebration for that country.

REZA SAYAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, this is independence day here in Pakistan, but because of these floods and their aftermath they've canceled events and the government says they're going to take the money saved from those events and contribute it to flood recovery and relief efforts.

This is a good way of putting into perspective the scope of this disaster for our U.S. audience. The U.N. says one-fifth of Pakistan is now underwater. That's like the entire state of Florida being underwater.

These floods came about when Pakistan's notorious monsoon rains started coming down 15 days ago, and for a good 48 hour period, they didn't stop. I mean, I've really never seen this much rain in a two- day span in my life.

And the results, the aftermath, was catastrophic. You have part of the Indus river maybe a mile wide, today they're 12 miles wide. Under those waters are scores of settlements and villages, many people to this day are trapped -- 15 million people affected, nearly 1,400 people killed.

Over the past several days, the pace of international aid seems to be picking up. The U.S. is stepping up with pledges of more than $70 million in aid. They've also donated services of about 19 military helicopters, donated water filtration systems, prefabricated bridges, more than 90,000 pounds of food.

But, T.J., based on what we're seeing on the ground here, that help is nowhere near enough. This is an ordeal that for many people here is going to continue for weeks, maybe months to come.

HOLMES: All right, good to hear at least like you say it is picking up at least a bit, that international aid. But one thing quickly, and we heard in your live shot earlier, it was still raining. What's the forecast in the coming days? It is the monsoon season, but are they at least getting a break from the moon soon rain?

SAYAH: It's rain, rain and more rain for the next several weeks. This is monsoon season, and monsoon rains are not scheduled to end until September. If anyone's been to this part of the country, they know what monsoon rains are like. When they come down, they come down hard. And again, it's in the forecast for the next several weeks, T.J.

SAYAH: Reza Sayah for us in Islamabad. Thanks so much.

To find out how you can make a difference and maybe help the flood victims in Pakistan, you can visit our "Impact your world" page, that's at CNN.com/impact.

Well, 17 minutes past the hour now. Suing the mistress -- a woman in North Carolina possibly going after "American Idol" winner Fantasia after she claims the singer ruined her marriage. We'll explain a little known law called "alienation of affection." It has a whole lot of people talking. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Well, we saw an admission and what some are calling a bizarre meltdown from "American Idol" winter Fantasia Barrino. She's out of the hospital today after overdosing on aspirin and a sleeping aid. But the problems might just be getting started here.

A court document accuses Barrino of carrying on a year-long affair with a married man. She says she believed that the man had separated from his wife. In fact, she was so distraught over the accusations that she apparently overdosed that same day. She read the court complaint. Here now is part of the 911 call after she was found.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tell me exactly what happened.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: An individual took a bottle of aspirin and she's slowly losing consciousness.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. Are you with the patient now?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm outside but someone else is with her inside.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. And is she awake?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She's slowly losing consciousness.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Well, the court petition also allegedly describes a phone conversation in which Barrino back in July told the wife allegedly, quote, "He doesn't want you. Maybe the next time that you get a husband you'll know how to keep him. That's why he's here with me," end quote.

If she did in fact say that, she might have to explain herself to a judge. Her case could become a precedent setter for a law that empowers the victims of spousal infidelity. It's called "alienation of affection." And those laws are in place in several states, at least seven. You see them here.

But wait, before you roll your eyes and think this isn't, you know, the real deal here, a woman has actually won in the past a $9 million settlement because of this alienation of affection law.

We bring in Lee Rosen. He argues these types of cases. He's an attorney in Raleigh, North Carolina. Sir, good morning to you. A lot of people are fascinated by this and not that familiar with it, so let's start with just a quick basic. What is alienation of affection?

LEE ROSEN, DIVORCE ATTORNEY: Well, if a third party comes along and interferes with your marriage, if you had a good marriage and they come along and destroy it, you can sue them and can you ask for lots and lots of money.

HOLMES: Now, it doesn't necessarily, according to the law, have to just be a lover. Can you sue over a friend or relative that tried to talk your spouse out of being with you. Is that right?

ROSEN: Yes. We have lots of third parties, but by in large it's the girlfriend or boyfriend of your husband or your wife that we're after.

HOLMES: Are these just archaic laws? Do these need to be done away with? Why are they still on the books?

ROSEN: I think probably in the grand scheme of things we need to get rid of things, they do a lot of damage to a lot of families, especially families with children.

But these are cases we're dealing with every single day in North Carolina. This comes up all the time. We -- like you mention, we have some big judgments. We have lots and lots of little settlements that are done secretly so a married person's spouse won't find out about it.

HOLMES: How difficult is this to prove, alienation of affection?

ROSEN: You know, unfortunately people don't think very clearly when they're running around with somebody, and they leave lots and lots of evidence, so it's often not that hard to prove.

In sort of perfect cases, a husband and wife were sending each other valentine's day cards and anniversary cards, so we have that documentation that the marriage was going along pretty well, and then we've got credit card receipts for hotel rooms and Victoria's Secret underwear being sent to a girlfriend or boyfriend, you know, and it's kind of case closed. Let's settle this thing.

HOLMES: I guess what kind of damages -- we heard this $9 million settlement, but what kind of damages can you seek, and what are your chances of actually collecting?

ROSEN: Well, you know, the average person running around doesn't have lots of money in their bank account that we can go and take, so many of these cases get settled for relatively small amounts. I see them settled for $20,000, $30,000, $40,000, $50,000. I think sometimes people get a cash advance on their credit card to get it resolved.

But when they get in front of a judge or a jury, really, that's where you see the big numbers. Every year we have a big number from a jury in North Carolina. HOLMES: Now, in your opinion, I mean, a lot of people scratch their heads about this. Yes, there are two parties. If there was cheating going on, two people had to agree to do so.

But should the mistress, should that third party in your opinion, now, just be held responsible for it when it's essentially the spouse who is the one that made the vow to their husband or wife? Should it really be on the mistress or whoever else, that other party, they shouldn't have to be responsible and pay for anything?

ROSEN: You know it doesn't seem fair one person would be held responsible and the other wouldn't. But let's say in this case with Fantasia, you've got a beautiful, famous, probably pretty wealthy singer. She's almost a lethal weapon to some guy out on the street. She sticks her head out the window of her car, he's going to melt and jump right in.

(LAUGHTER)

HOLMES: That's a good point you make.

One more thing I want to hit on before I let you go, there's also another law called criminal conversation. Now, this is one in particular that deals with sex versus alienation of affection that doesn't necessarily deal with sex.

ROSEN: Right. This one is straight up, if you sleep with a spouse of a married person, can you get sued by their spouse. And it doesn't require showing the damage of the marriage. So it's what they call a strict liability tort, and it's really pretty easy to prove.

HOLMES: Alienation of affection -- has there been a push at all in your state at least to get this law off the book like we show, only seven states do have it. Do you think it will be with you for some time in North Carolina?

ROSEN: I'll tell you what, every year they try to do away it and every year the legislators keep it because they don't want to be the people who voted to legalize adultery in North Carolina, so I think we're stuck with it.

HOLMES: All right, Lee Rosen, sir, we appreciate you. This is a fascinating topic a lot of people just aren't aware of in a lot of ways. But we appreciate you and your expertise this morning. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

ROSEN: You too.

HOLMES: All right, we're coming up on the bottom of the hour here now, and take a look at what we saw out of Minnesota. A tornado touching down and once again, somebody is out there, crazy enough to get close enough to catch it all on tape. We'll tell you what happened here. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HOLMES: Bottom of the hour here now, this CNN Saturday morning.

And it is arguably the most famous kiss in our history. There it is, a soldier, planting one on the nurse in Times Square to celebrate the end of World War II, the moment forever immortalized there in that photo that was taken in 1945.

It's also going to get memorialized today to mark the first national day of remembrance for the World War II generation. A group kiss-in is going to be recreating the moment. It's scheduled to take place beside the 25-foot statue of the couple down in Times Square. A lot of folks going to get together and just kiss down there in Times Square today.

Our Reynolds Wolf is down in gulf shores for us today. Reynolds, hello to you once again. The wind was kicking the last time we talked to you. What kind of -- are you having some weather issues down there?

REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You know me, I always have issues, T.J. Come on, let's be honest here. It's always fun on Saturday and Sunday, keeps it interesting and fresh and we're having fresh and fun showers coming on through. A few thunderstorms, too, and we've been doing a little bit of a rain dance this morning.

(WEATHER BREAK)

HOLMES: A lot of you saw this story, a listener calling in to Dr. Laura's show couldn't believe what she hear from Dr. Laura.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I can't believe someone like you is on the radio spewing out the (bleep) word and I hope everybody heard it.

DR. LAURA SCHLESINGER, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: I didn't spew out the (bleep) word. I said that's what you hear --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: What is Dr. Laura saying now about her choice of words? The controversy is generating on the Internet and it's starting some conversations that many say we should be having. It's 34 minutes past the hour. Stay here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: It's 36 minutes past the hour. Taking a look at some of the stories we are keeping a close eye on.

And we're getting more details this morning about an overnight shooting in Buffalo, New York, a deadly shooting at a restaurant that left four people dead, another four are injured. The shooting was at a downtown night spot not too terribly long ago.

Police got the phone call around 2:30 in the morning. I did speak with the spokesperson for the Buffalo police department a short time ago and he says so far, there are no arrests.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKE DEGEORGE, SPOKESMAN, BUFFALO POLICE DEPARTMENT: There's nothing else. A good number of the individuals involved were probably tied to the party, yes.

HOLMES: And, sir, where is, or where are the shooters?

DEGEORGE: Good question, and you termed it correctly, because it's not known just yet if there is just one shooter or more than one shooter, and police right now are talking to witnesses and asking the public to come forward. If anybody has any information and as you might expect, the search is on.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Well, it was already a controversial topic before, and now the president has stepped in it. Last night President Obama said he does support the idea of that proposed Islamic center and mosque to be developed just blocks away from New York's ground zero.

He said he supports the idea, citing the nation's history of religious tolerance and freedom. New York's Republican congressman Peter King says the president is flat out wrong.

Also, are you familiar with the morning after pill? It's been out for some time now, but you can add to that now a new five-day after pill, if you will. The FDA has approved a new emergency contraceptive called Ella that can be used up 120 hours or five days after unprotected sex. It should hit the shelves sometimes later this year. It has been available in Europe since last year.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: It's 39 minutes past the hour now.

As we know, Dr. Laura is supposed to be giving advice to people on her radio show. Well, she gave one caller a whole lot of something else this week. She had a jaw-dropping exchange with an African- American caller. The woman was calling concerned about her own interracial marriage. She had some questions.

Things turned a little testy when the N-word started to fly.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was a little caught aback by the N-word that you spewed out, I have to be honest with you, but my point is brief relationships --

SCHLESINGER: Well, I guess you don't watch HBO or listen to any black comedians.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But that doesn't make it right.

SCHLESINGER: Yes, I think you have too much sensitivity and not enough sense of humor. It depends how it's said.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is it OK to say that word? Is it ever OK to say that word?

SCHLESINGER: It depends on how it's said. Black guys talking to each other seem to think it's OK.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But you're not black. They're not black, my husband is white.

SCHLESINGER: Oh, I see. So a word is restricted to race. Got it. Can't do much about that.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I can't believe someone like you is on the radio spewing out the N-word and I hope everyone heard it.

SCHLESINGER: I didn't spew out the (bleep) word. Right, I said that's what you heard.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody heard it.

SCHLESINGER: Yes, they did.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I hope everybody heard it. So what makes it OK for you to say it?

SCHLESINGER: I'll say it again. (bleep), (bleep), (bleep) is what you hear. Why don't you let me finish a sentence? Don't take things out of context. Don't NAACP me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: As can you imagine, that exchange ignited a lot of criticism, and it came from all over the place. And Dr. Laura the next day issued an apology. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCHLESINGER: I talk every day about doing the right thing. And yesterday I did the wrong thing. I didn't intend to hurt people, but I did. And that makes it the wrong thing to have done. I was attempting to make a philosophical point and I articulated the N- word all the way out more than one time. And that was wrong. I'll say it again. That was wrong.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: This is the first time to step into some controversy or ignite some outrage for Dr. Laura. She referred to homosexuality once as, quote, "a biological error." She also at one point said women may share the blame if husbands cheat on them.

I want to get into a conversation now with Harvard law professor Randall Kennedy. He is the author of a book that has the N- word in the title of that book. He's here with us.

And also Sophia Nelson, she opposes the use of that word. She's founder of politicalintersection.com and contributes to CNN.com. Lady and gent, thank you both for being here this morning. Sophia, let me start with you. I'll ask the question to you both, but Sophia, you can answer it for me first. Is it ever OK for anyone to ever use the N-word?

SOPHIA NELSON, FOUNDER, EDITOR POLITICALINTERSECTION.COM: Well, T.J., let's be realistic. People use the N-word. Black people use the N-word most of all as a term of affection and endearment in our community. I know I've done it, I know it's been done in my presence and we kind of give ourselves a pass.

But I think the answer to your question is it's not a word that we ought to use in the culture, in the way that Dr. Laura used it for example on international and national radio saying "n, n, n, n," as if it was a matter of fact.

The word has very ugly connotation connotations, as we know. It has historical, denigrating, dehumanizing connotations. And the issue on the table now is should black people be using this word as we do as a term of endearment or in our rap music and then be angry when whites use it? I think that's really the challenge.

HOLMES: Randall Kennedy, sir, you tell me, when is it OK for anyone to use that word?

RANDALL KENNEDY, AUTHOR, "RACE, CRIME, & THE LAW": Well, it all depends on how the word is used. It's been used in an anti-racist way. For instance, Dick Gregory titled his autobiography "Nigger." It's been used by all sorts of people to attack racism. It's sometimes used as a term of endearment.

But of course historically it's been mainly used as a way to insult, humiliate, to terrorize black people. And, of course, that's why people are so concerned about its use.

HOLMES: How --

KENNEDY: So whenever anybody uses it, it should be used very, very carefully.

HOLMES: Very carefully. But Mr. Kennedy, I will say to you that there are plenty of people in this studio right now and around the country who can see a black man sitting on TV right now, and just to hear you say that word they cringe.

How can we ever get past that point where -- how can it be OK in some context, but then to Dr. Laura's point, she's saying, I'm a white person, I'm using it in a context as well, which was her point she was trying to make, how do you -- are you supposed to reconcile those two ways?

If it's OK for you to say it right here on national TV, why is it not OK for her to say it if she's not calling somebody that and trying to put somebody down? KENNEDY: It might be OK for her to use it. There have been people like I say who have used it in an anti-racist way. Mark Twain uses it 213 times in "Huckleberry Finn," and he uses it in a way to attack racism as have other people. So I think that people ought to get over their -- you know -- should realize that words and other symbols can be used in a variety of ways.

HOLMES: But do you think a lot of people are just too sensitive?

NELSON: T.J. I think another thing we need to talk here, this is generational. If I take my parents, who are baby boomers or my grandparents, the greatest generation, to use the N-word in the generation they came from, Jim Crow segregation, degrading, dehumanizing, ugly.

This new generation, the 20-somethings or younger, they hear Jay-z and others throwing it around, and it's a term of endearment. I've seen young white children in my neighborhood, not the current one I'm in now, but in other contexts calling each other the N-word like it's a term of endearment. And I almost fell off the chair.

So it's something younger people are embracing clearly as it's OK. I don't think it is OK, and I think it's something that we as black folks ought to start at home first and we ought to cut out using it and we ought to stop glorifying it, if you will, and making it OK.

And I think that was Dr. Laura's point. By no extreme at all, am I trying to say she was OK. I disagree with her wholeheartedly in the way she used it. I thought she was combative with the caller.

HOLMES: Can we, Sophia, can we make an argument -- like you said black, people need to stop doing it as well, but can black people in your opinion make an argument about someone else using it if we continue to use it in the way we do it, a term of endearment? A lot of people don't buy that argument.

NELSON: No, I think it's a double standard. It's the same thing we do when we talk about "Essence" magazine for lack of wading into another controversy, we say that they can't hire a white woman because it's the black woman's job, but we don't want to be discriminated by white magazines. It's the same thing. You can't use the N-word and say you don't like it when somebody else uses it. It kind of falls flat.

HOLMES: And Mr. Kennedy, back to you, now, a lot of people knowing we were going to do this topic today, a lot of people had that opinion of, not that again. Do we have to talk about that again? I'm over it, let's move past it.

But is that part of the problem, when things like this do come up we want to brush past them and we don't talk about them enough and have enough cultural education for maybe somebody could learn here, oh, actually that word is really offensive. I shouldn't use that. Or do we miss opportunities oftentimes? KENNEDY: Well, first of all, I think we in fact do talk about this an awful lot. I think people make a fetish out of symbols, out of words. Certainly this is not the most important subject to talk about, and I think there are many more that are far more important, but insofar as we're talking about this, this word like many words can be used in different ways.

You know, the word "Yankee" was used as a word to humiliate and put down people, but then obviously people flip it and use the word "Yankee" as a symbol of pride. So all symbols can be put to all diffuses, and people ought to understand that.

HOLMES: You think we'll ever get to a point, Mr. Kennedy, where the word, the N-word will be thrown around as common as something like "Yankee"?

KENNEDY: In certain -- in certain communities it already has come to that. And I don't think that's necessarily a terrible thing.

HOLMES: Well, Mr. Kennedy and also Sophia Nelson, we appreciate having you guys on, and that's certainly what we wanted was a well thought-out and reasoned conversation this morning about it, and we'll see where it goes from here. We appreciate you both so much for being here. You two enjoy the rest of your weekend.

NELSON: Thanks, T.J.

KENNEDY: Thank you very much.

NELSON: Coming up here, the world has been focused on many of Tiger Woods' problems, but we've got a story of a man, he's out there playing on the PGA as well. He's overcome so much in life and he continues to play. It's 48 minutes past the hour here on this CNN Sunday morning. It's Saturday. I'm sorry. I'm a little off.

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HOLMES: Well, from a pint in the pub to the poorest places on earth, this week's CNN hero turned a beer-inspired idea into a program feeding hundreds of thousands of school kids. Here's how a single act of kindness took on a life of its own.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MAGNUS MACFARLAND-BARROW, CNN HERO: I never expected my life to change in this way. My brother and I were having a pint in our local pub. We'd seen a new report about a refugee camp in Bosnia, and we began saying, wouldn't it be wonderful if we could just do one small thing to help? We gathered food and blankets and clothing and drove them out there.

I'm Magnus MacFarland-Barrow. I sold my house to help the people in Bosnia. Out of that has grown the organization that feeds thousands of children each day in 15 different countries.

We buy the food locally and then we ask the local community to take responsibility for the daily cooking and the serving of the food. By far our biggest project is in Malawi, where we feed about 350,000 children every day. Our part is to allow those young people to realize their potential through feeding them, through keeping them alive, and through getting them into the classroom.

We began working in Haiti in 2006. In addition to feeding children we've been feeding the elderly. Since the earthquake we've been involved in providing health care, we've been helping with the rebuilding of the schools.

When I think of it, I think of it as a series of lots and lots of little acts of love. I've learned every small act of kindness does make a difference.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: And to see how he's helping Haiti or help him deliver some meals, can you go to CNNheroes.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Professional golfer Ken Green lost his leg after an accident last year. The swing is just fine, though, even without a leg. The five-time PGA winner is back out on the green.

CNN Sports Correspondent Patrick Snell joining us this morning with his story from the course out at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin. Good morning to you, Patrick.

PATRICK SNELL, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Hi, T.J. Yes, welcome to Wisconsin. You know, T.J., fog delays, huge downpours, torrential outbursts, frustrations for the players, fans, and media alike.

But it all pales in significance when you think about it, particularly when you factor in the thought, really, of the trials and the tribulations of one former PGA tour professional in particular. More from our Mark McKay.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KEN GREEN, FIVE TIME PGA WINNER: One of those days that will live with you forever. I have no memory of the accident. All of a sudden you're there and somebody says, you know, they're gone. Boom, boom, boom, you just lost your three best friends.

MARK MCKAY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Ken green was the only survivor that day. The RV crash killed his brother, bill, his long-time girlfriend, Jeanie, and his dog nip.

GREEN: I don't know if it will ever make any sense. You know, it's been a lot. And it -- I can't see me ever saying, hey, I understand why this happened, or this happened because of this.

MCKAY: Green, a professional golfer for 30 years and a five-time winner on the PGA tour, was in Mississippi on his way from a tournament. The crash left him without so much, and then without one more thing.

GREEN: When I try to regroup, you say, OK, I'm going to use golf to regroup. Then I'm like, well, OK, maybe I'm not going to use golf because, you know, I've got the leg.

MCKAY: Doctors removed his right leg. He might have been able to keep it, but then he never would have been able to play golf again. So his choice was easy.

GREEN: I can honestly say that if I wasn't trying to play golf, that this -- I don't think this is an issue, but trying to play golf -- it's an issue.

I'm not an idiot. I'll never be the player I was, but I still believe there's some tournaments there. I'm probably three or four shots worse every time. You know, so if I battle hard and shoot 73 or 74, that would have been a 70, a 68, 69. And it's hard to say because every day's a little different, but let's face it, I've lost my career.

You never expect to get a call that your son has died.

MCKAY: Green had barely gotten over the shock of the accident when in January his son Hunter was found dead of an accidental overdose.

GREEN: I thought I was -- you know you're starting to climb the hill again, and then all of a sudden it just -- you know, you're just falling straight down again.

MCKAY: He has seen such deaths before, suffering from depression earlier in his career, Green now fights every day to avoid slipping back into it.

GREEN: The love, you know, the enthusiasm everybody has, you know, this keeps me from going into that depression. Everybody that's come up to me has, you know, just sometimes they give you a hug and a squeeze and they tell you how much I've meant to them. And I'm like, you know, it's the other way around. You know, it's you guys that are keeping me going.

MCKAY: Mark McKay, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SNELL: A true inspiration indeed, no doubt about it.

Now, T.J., a quick word about what's actually going on, on the course. I can tell you Matt Kucher of Florida is still leading the way here at the season's final major he's at eight under par, yet to start his final round.

Tiger Woods, though, not going away. He's 2 under par, and he is six shots back as he nears the end of his delayed round two -- T.J. back to you.

HOLMES: Some severe delays there, because of fog. Patrick Snell, we appreciate you.

All eyes still on Tiger to see if he can possibly win the last major of the year. You enjoy the rest of your time out there. We'll talk to you again, soon.