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Chile Mine Breakthrough; California's Marijuana Vote; Father's Crusade Against Bullying

Aired October 09, 2010 - 11:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: And hello there, everybody. Top of the hour here now, 11:00 Eastern Time here at the CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. I'm T.J. Holmes. Celebration broke out just a little bit ago.

Now, why are they celebrating? Well, not because the miners are rescued. But there has been a significant breakthrough. A rescue drill has broken through to that underground mine where 33 miners have been trapped since August the 5th. We are going to take you there live.

Also legalizing and taxing marijuana: a controversial proposal to help fill state coffers; just how big an economic impact could one single cannabis operation have? We'll have that answer. It might surprise you. It's coming up.

Also we are just 24 days until Election Day. Politicians are ratcheting up their rhetoric and attacking their rivals and ad that some say are crossing the line here.

But let me get back to the story we're seeing out of Chile. Celebrations this morning, it has finally happened. No, not that they've been rescued, but a rescue drill, that drill has broken through to where the 33 miners are trapped. They're about a half mile underground. Again, that's about 2,300 feet.

Our Patrick Oppmann has been at the mine during this entire situation, pretty much since this happened back in early August. Patrick joins me now. Patrick, we can -- like I say, get into the details of how the rescue is going to go. But you've been there when it's been different moods and emotions. What was that mood and emotion just a few hours ago?

PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN ALL PLATFORMS JOURNALIST: And there have been so many swings back and forth. And I've never seen an explosion of such happiness and such joy. It just broke out across the camp while we were reporting here this morning. We knew being in touch with the drillers meter by meter how they were going. We knew they were on the cusp of a breakthrough, and then it happened and things just exploded here. What an amazing moment for these families.

But of course, as you said, it's not the end. In fact, we're moving onto the most dangerous and difficult part of this rescue plan. Getting these men aback above ground and that should begin in the next several days, T.J. It's going to be another part of this ongoing ordeal and families hope that it will the last chapter of -- of this incredible story.

HOLMES: Well, the last chapter. Again, there's still another chapter that needs to be written.

One more thing, have you gotten word, have you gotten word out there yet Patrick whether or not they are going to go ahead and use this casing down that tunnel? I know that would prolong how much time it will be before they actually pull the men out.

So have we gotten word? Have they made a decision yet about whether or not to use that casing in that tunnel?

OPPMANN: Here's what's going to happen. We know that they have to put casing over the top hundred meters, about 300 feet or so, a little more than 300 feet of that hole that's just been drilled. It's just too ragged and rocky. It could catch up that rescue capsule. It's just dangerous, they needed four to five more.

The rest of that hole, though, it remains to be seen how much more casing will need to go down to that hole. That's a project that could take several more days if they decide to case more or in fact all of that hole. So a camera will be put down the hole possibly as early today, probably tomorrow. Inspect that hole. But this is really going to be -- the -- the major decision which will effect (ph), how soon the rescue operation takes place potentially how soon those miners could be back aboveground with their families here.

HOLMES: All right, our Patrick Oppmann who has been on the story, have been reporting for us here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING all morning long. Patrick, we absolutely appreciate you. Thank you so much.

Well, we're going to talk about now -- we talked about a little of the emotion and the casing of that tunnel.

Chad Myers is here --

CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes.

HOLMES: -- he has been pretty much engulfed in this story since this thing happened two months now, August 5th.

All right, we've telling people -- and people are seeing the pictures of them celebrating out there.

MYERS: Right.

HOLMES: It was a big deal they broke through. But we're not going to see a miner possibly up to another week or so actually come out of thing possibly.

MYERS: We've only seen the jubilation on the surface. Could you imagine what those miners are feeling right now? But let me tell you, when -- when the whole thing happened and the -- and the drill broke through, it was dangerous for those miners to be in that room. Because literally the top of this room probably at the last few -- few feet, maybe even few meters collapsed with rocks coming down.

The entire room filled with dust. As the bit was down in the room when they knew it was all the way there, it basically let go. That's how the drillers up above knew that they had hit something, they had the hole.

(CROSSTALK)

HOLMES: They knew what it was.

MYERS: Now, you can hit empty spaces on the way down. And that's the thing. This is not like taking a wood drill bit and drilling through a 4 by 4 and having a nice smooth hole. Let me show you what this hole looks like, all the way down there are different sand stones. There's quartz, there's granite, there's any type of different -- this is not homogenous surface all the way down. So the roughness and the rocks that are following out and falling down on those men --

HOLMES: Yes.

MYERS: -- right now, they're probably not even in that room. There's probably -- the air is probably not even breathable for them right now just considering all the dust that's down there as all this stuff continues to fall.

The problem is this. This is the size of the casing that they want to put in. It's bigger than the hole. And the hole is rough. Right? The hole is probably going to be four inches bigger than this. The casing is almost the exact same size as the chamber that we go up within. Right? As it goes up.

So -- why they do that? Because if we lose or dislodge a rock, let's say it's an inch rock, as one of the men would be coming up, it would trap that cage between the wall of the side of the hall and the rock itself. And so this tube, this capsule going up could literally be jammed in that hole forever. They wouldn't be able to go up. They wouldn't be able to go down. There would be no force to be able pull it up hard enough. There would be no way to push it back down.

So the risk is, hey, let's get these guys in these capsule today. Let's get them all up.

HOLMES: You can't do it.

MYERS: You can't do it. You cannot do it for the risk of the debris falling in that hole while they are bringing these men up.

(CROSSTALK)

HOLMES: Now we just heard --

MYERS: And the risk -- the risk of it jamming on the way up because of the rocks and stones of the -- you know, just random, you've got to believe that this is not just some drill bit that's a beautiful nice metal hole going through.

HOLMES: Jesus.

MYERS: Random rocks all the way down. And random -- even directions, they're going to smooth that whole thing out with this casing especially on the top.

HOLMES: And again, people have patience, they've been waiting this long. They certainly don't want to screw this thing up now.

MYERS: Exactly.

HOLMES: But there's so many other dangerous facets to this story still. And we could be -- again folks, this was and we tried to make sure we were clear with our -- our viewers, that yes, you see the celebration, but let me be clear, folks, it could be another ten days dealing with that casing before they get these guys out. And what -- 15 minute ride --

MYERS: Remember, though, it could be up to an hour. We figured about six inches per second would be the maximum speed. Six inches per second as that thing is going up. That's still pretty fast. And so that would -- and that would be nearly 60 minutes to get it up there.

Now, and that's -- that's a lot faster than they -- they even brought the men up on Cue Creek. Remember Cue Creek Mine in Pennsylvania?

HOLMES: Yes.

MYERS: The men were down there. The water was flooding it. And they were bringing them up in this capsule. And they were all muddy. It was a yellow capsule. Well, they could have -- they could have used that capsule. That capsule is still there. It's in a museum in Pennsylvania. And Chile said, we want to build our own for good, for good. Thanks.

They have -- they built their own and it looks greats.

HOLMES: We have been learning a lot. A lot of people are going to be studying this case for quite sometimes. Chad Myers helping us out as he has been since this story first happened, a fascinating human drama.

MYERS: And the national pride that will come out of that country in the next ten days will be phenomenal.

HOLMES: Chile has been hit with some -- what? We've had earthquakes.

MYERS: Yes.

HOLMES: They could use some good news right now. We thought this was going to be a disaster. But it could be exactly the opposite. Like you said --

MYERS: All right.

HOLMES: -- a national pride. Chad, thank you, buddy. Thanks so much.

MYERS: You're welcome.

And still on this story, the miners underground. Like we said, 2,300 feet down. Over two months now. They've only been able to communicate and get emergency supplies through a small tube. But spirits are still high, can you imagine that?

Here now is CNN's Karl Penhaul.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KARL PENHAUL, CNN VIDEO CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Trapped in the depths of the earth, but spirits are high.

"We're proud to be Chilean and even prouder to be miners. You can see things down here have changed," he says.

In this new video send to the surface, miner Mario Sepulveda wanders through the cabin half a mile deep showing how he and his 32 comrades are holding up.

Since rescuers found the men alive, survival rations are being delivered by narrow bore holes. In these metal tubes -- the miners are getting food, water, medicine, clean clothes and (INAUDIBLE) and even music on MP3 players.

"The music has arrived, and we're organizing today's party. We're super happy and we've been dancing to a couple of songs", he says. Off camera miner could be heard joking, "We still want a blow- up rubber doll."

Aboveground seeing the new video stirred mixed emotions.

"Of course I'm said, I miss him so much", she says.

"They're happy, they're content," she says.

"We're very grateful to all the worker who are above and making a great sacrifice. We know the problem is pretty big, and it's hard work," he says.

Johnny Bareos an explosives expert with nursing experience is keeping close watch on the men's health.

NASA experts reached the San Jose Mine Wednesday to share lessons they've learned about keeping astronauts alive in outer space.

MICHAEL DUNCAN, DEPUTY CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, NASA: And we've been very impressed also with the courage and the organization that the miners have provided themselves in this very difficult circumstance.

PENHAUL: After 23-minute tour by the light of a head lamp, the miners bid farewell.

"The little guys want to say good-bye now. I say good-bye to my beautiful family. I love them very much. And down here, we 33 miners are walking hand in hand with God", he says.

Karl Penhaul, CNN, San Jose Mine, Northern Chile.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: I want to turn back now to the scene -- live to the scene. Our Patrick Oppmann who has been doing our reporting for us there; he is standing by with one of the people who has been helping to actually drill down to those men. Patrick, take it away.

OPPMANN: Good morning again. And when people ask down the road who did this, they will talk about this small drilling operation for Berlin, Pennsylvania. The gentlemen and the lady behind me they are the small team that did it. And this morning they've come to talk to us even though they've been up all night drilling.

Brandon Fisher, the team leader, I'm just going to come to you directly. How tough was this? And how did you pull it off this morning?

BRANDON FISHER, OWNER, CENTER ROCK INC.: Well, this project was unbelievably challenging. But the team work, I guess, is the keyword. Everyone stuck together. Fought through the battles and even right there at the bitter end it just seemed like the -- the last angles that we were passing through and everything. I know we looked at each other at different times and thought is this thing ever going to give up? We need to get this thing -- get this drilled. And that's just -- everyone gave a good effort.

OPPMANN: I was talking to you this morning. And it really seemed like it was meter for meter, you never seemed like it was in the bag. You -- you were -- you were probably going to think the very end.

FISHER: No, no it wasn't in the bag until we were through. Absolutely.

OPPMANN: What was it like when you finally broke through and you knew the weeks around the clockers (ph) and you've done the joy you came here to do?

FISHER: That was -- it was just a huge sense of relief and then joy. It's hard to explain all the emotions that we felt at that time. And the emotions just still -- they are just -- everything is just crazy right now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The best part is now when someone asks when we're going to breakthrough, we already have.

FISHER: Yes, that question is answered now. Honestly answered.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

OPPMANN: The question -- the question is answered. For you, day in and day out, how did you keep your spirits up as -- as part of this very small drill team? How did you back each other up?

FISHER: Yes, we did -- we did that. I'll tell you that what got me through it is the support from my family. I mean, they never once said, "when are you coming home?" We missed -- you know they said -- they obviously miss me. But -- just keep hang in there, dad. And my wife was behind me 100 percent. And I'll tell you, that's what I needed. I needed support from back there. I knew what I was doing here.

OPPMANN: We were just joking a moment ago that this are like turn the corner when -- when you got down here. What's been like for you? Because I know you work with your husband, that can't be easy at some days. You know, you -- you were in there this morning. What was it like to see that breakthrough? To see it finally all come together. You know how much it means for these families?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, I think it was a -- an emotion that I can't describe when you know the hard work these guys went through, the ups and downs that they went through. And to see it come together for them was priceless.

OPPMANN: Brandon, I'm just going to ask you. You know, you gave up a lot. You had work to be done already, you know, you're coming from Pennsylvania down to a desert piece of earth that not a lot of people have come to. Why come here and sort of put everything, your life on hold for so many days for 33 guys you haven't met?

FISHER: Well, we've felt from the beginning that we could make a difference. Or at least we hoped we could make a difference. And -- and we're just glad to come down here and actually make a difference. I mean, that that's why we came. I mean, we --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Christmas wasn't an option.

FISHER: Yes, Christmas wasn't an option. When we first heard about how long it's going to take and we really felt that we could help out. And we're -- we're proud of everybody who came down and we're very of everyone back home in Berlin. Family members, everyone at CRI for what they've done I mean, the -- the things they've accomplished and equipped.

OPPMANN: And guts.

FISHER: Yes.

OPPMANN: What are you going to ask the miners when you finally meet them when they come above ground and you're going to be there and handshaking and hugging them?

FISHER: Yes, unfortunately I won't be able to say much in Spanish, because I don't speak Spanish. So I think it's pretty much just going to consist of a handshake and a hug.

OPPMAN: T.J., as you've heard here, it's going to be a message when we finally have this meeting that words won't be necessary for. They've worked with these miners to get them aboveground. We're one important step closer to getting these men aboveground. It was this team behind me that helped make that happen today.

HOLMES: You know what, we're so glad that we got a chance to hear from them. We have been hearing from so many who are a part of this. And they have been a big part of it as well. They sound exhausted, Patrick. But it sounds like they're proud of the work they were able to do.

Thanks. We appreciate you so much once again. We'll continue to check in there live at the scene. He probably summed it up best. They have been at their work for some time there. You heard the driller there say the best part of it may be that when somebody asked him the question, when are you going to breakthrough, he can now just say he we already have. A lot of people were asking about that timeline.

We'll continue to keep an eye on that story. We won't go too far away from that as developments continue to take place.

But also never too far away from politics here at CNN; how many of those independents out there who voted for Barack Obama back in 2008 possibly switching to the GOP this November? Some important poll numbers coming your way next; it's 16 minutes past the hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Well, 19 minutes past the hour now.

We have 24 days and counting before Americans cast their votes in one of the most critical midterm elections we've seen in quite some time. The outcome could alter President Obama's agenda.

We want to check in with CNN deputy political director Paul Steinhauser. He's in Pennsylvania for us. And as always he has interesting political poll numbers. Paul, get off the bus please and come out here and work.

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Hey, sorry, T.J. Hey, man. How are you?

HOLMES: You taking a bathroom break in there or something?

STEINHAUSER: No, no, we're working; I was working on the computer. I was checking to see what you were going to ask me, but we're in Pennsylvania, obviously like you said -- crucial state.

What's going on, T.J.? What do you want to talk about?

HOLMES: You know, you're in Pennsylvania there -- always a critical state. We talk about it being such a critical state during the presidential election season. But it's playing a pretty significant role for a lot of reasons here now in this midterm.

STEINHAUSER: you are so right. That's why we came here. We're in Harrisburg. That's Harrisburg right behind us downtown. The state capitol is here.

In this state you've got about -- let's say if the Republicans win back congress, they're going to have to do it right here in Pennsylvania. Republicans think, T.J., they can win back four to six Democratically-held House seats. Remember they need 39 house seats and that gain of 39 re-controls the chambers there.

And in the Senate, same thing; they need ten seats T.J. That's a tall order. But if they do it, one of the places they'll do it is right here. They are very confident, Republicans they think they can win back the Senate seat. This is Arlen Specter's seat. He lost in the primaries. And Republicans think they can win this seat back.

And the governorship at stake here as well; the two-term Governor Ed Rendell, term-limited, not running again. Republicans think they can win it back.

Look, I guess you could say Pennsylvania is a good representation of what may, may happen in the midterms on November 2nd.

HOLMES: And Paul, one of the more interesting polls we saw from you guys over the past couple of days. I can't remember when this one came out. But people are kind of divided now about who they think was the better president; President Obama or former President Bush.

STEINHAUSER: Oh, yes. This is a fascinating number. We put it up online. The numbers came out just -- probably 24 hours ago not even. And it's really been trending online.

This is from CNN Opinion Research Corporation. It's a national survey we did the last couple of days. And you're right T.J. We asked who is the better president? Look at that -- 47 percent now saying Barack Obama; 45 percent saying his predecessor George W. Bush. But look on the right on that poll graphic there. A year ago when we asked the same question a lot more people said Obama than Bush.

Why does this matter for the midterms? Here's why. Republicans are trying to make these midterms election where the president is not on the ballot, but they're trying to make it all about him in a referendum of what Barack Obama's done in the White House. And they're trying to tie Democrats to him. So these kinds of numbers, plus an approval rating for the president which is still below 50 percent -- that is troubling for Democrats -- T.J.

HOLMES: We know where the independents went. They went for Barack Obama back in 2008. He's not on the ballot now. But still where are they going right now? And what are they concerned about?

STEINHAUSER: Yes. Our poll numbers indicate that independents are now going for the Republicans. We asked what we call the generic ballot; would you vote for the Democrat or Republican in your district.

Overall, among all voters, Republicans have a seven-point advantage right now. But if you break it down just among the crucial independent voters, it's about a two to one swing, Republican over Democrat. And that's troubling.

What's their top issue? Just like you, me and every other American -- it's the economy. They're not happy with the way the economy is right now, T.J.

HOLMES: All right Paul Steinhauser. And I forget, I know that bus well. It is a rolling office. So you can go back into your office now and actually get some work done. Big work space in that CNN election express bus. We appreciate you all morning.

Go ahead. What were you saying?

STEINHAUSER: We're going to see you back on this bus real soon, right? We had you on there a couple of weeks ago. I hope we get you back.

HOLMES: Yes, I think we're going down the East Coast this time, I think, in just about a week's time. So Paul, I'll see you shortly, buddy.

STEINHAUSER: Ok.

HOLMES: Also we're going to see Paul here again shortly. He's going to tell us why we should care so much, once again about what's happening in Pennsylvania.

Reynolds Wolf can tell us why we should care so much about what's happening in the Pacific Northwest.

REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, they're getting hammered. No buses involved in the weather scenario. That was interesting how it started. You never know. Busy times on the bus.

We have busy times in the Pacific Northwest -- there's the reason why. Not really that yellow. That (INAUDIBLE) rather represents a fairly potent storm system that's going to be ramping up. It's going to be bringing some strong winds and heavy wave action along parts of the Washington State and back into parts of Oregon coastline. Also some heavy rainfall.

It's going to lift up that Pacific Moisture. As it interacts with the higher elevations and cascades and even to the Olympic fountains, you're going to have some heavy rainfall. Some place it's possibly over 8 inches of rainfall from now all the way to early Monday morning.

To the center of the U.S. it's pretty good.

Get back into the Rockies, some scattered snow showers but everything is relative. You happen to be scared, you don't love seeing that snow. Only a light touch though. And you are from say three to six inches of snowfall.

Back into parts of the great lakes, it's going to be dry and cool. Nice and warm for you in the southeast. In fact, high temperatures today -- pardon me for a second -- we're going are going back up in the 80s. Seems like we just had a nice cool down of fall. Now it's going to feel like a little bit like spring out there. 85 in Atlanta, 82 in Washington D.C.; 61 in Boston; 71 in New York.

Very quickly let me show you something else. You'll see something those else other than the colors of the rainfall on the radar? Take a look at this. Fall colors look very good, especially in the Great Lakes, Upper Michigan, the northern Half of the State. Even back to the area (ph) of Minnesota, you're at your peak.

Also for the central Appalachians, up in the Catskills and then (INAUDIBLE) should be spectacular. That's where your best fall colors will be this weekend. We have so much more coming up. T.J., let's kick it back to you.

HOLMES: Reynolds, I think that might be the prettiest map you've ever created.

WOLF: You think so.

HOLMES: That's special.

WOLF: Coming from you, that does mean a lot. Ok. It really does.

HOLMES: And again, for you as well. You have some good maps. But that one was outstanding. Good deal. Thank you, buddy.

HOLMES: All right Reynolds. We'll talk to you again here shortly.

Well, coming up, taxing and legalizing pot in California. Supporters of the idea say it could generate jobs and also generate billions of dollars. But how exactly? 25 minutes past the hour. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Coming up on the bottom of the hour here now. California may be a trail blazer once again. In 1996 the state was the first to legalize marijuana for medicinal use. Well, in November California voters will decide on Prop 19. And if that's passed that would legalize marijuana for recreational use. And it could prove, some say, a California's crippling budget deficits.

Earlier today I talked about the economic impact of this potential industry with Jeff Wilcox, he's the director of Agrimet, that's a non-profit company that grows medical marijuana now. He commissioned a study to show just how much revenue and how many jobs a single marijuana facility could generate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) JEFF WILCOX, DIRECTOR, AGRIMET: If you look at how cannabis is managed in our society, I think we can do a much better job.

HOLMES: Much better job -- it sounds like yours is primarily an economic argument. Fair to say?

WILCOX: When I looked around the city of Oakland and what the current economy was doing, the unemployment, the lost houses, I approach the community leaders and leaders at city hall with an idea. If cannabis wasn't going to be eradicated from our society through the war on drugs, should we tax and regulate it and make jobs for the city of Oakland and provide a new tax revenue for the city?

HOLMES: What were you able to find? Let's say Prop 19 goes through and you're able to expand a medical marijuana facility or growing operation into one for legal, recreational use.

How massive of an operation, and how much money could be generated for a city or for the state?

WILCOX: It was amazing, what the economic report showed. I have a property that's approximately seven acres. If we looked at that property, we would produce approximately 316 jobs, union jobs. The average pay across the board is $83,000 per individual.

The special tax that this would provide to the city of Oakland would be in excess of $5 million a year. So when you look at the city licensing for facilities like mine, you're looking at over 1,200 jobs and $20 million of tax incentive for the city, not to mention another economic benefit of a resource to provide revenue for the city of Oakland for after-school programs and child care activities.

HOLMES: Now, what is the danger as you see it in expanding the use, ,the legal use of marijuana for legal purposes? Do you see some downsides? And like you say, a lot of people might be looking out at California. The governor there even said, "It would make us a laughing stock."

WILCOX: Exactly. And that's the downside. It's this old idea that eradication is the only way that this is going to work.

I think the downside is the public perception that we've bought into this mismanagement is the approach. If you're going have a war on drugs, eradicate it, let's get it over, and move on. Wars can't carry on a hundred years.

I think -- I'm a pragmatist. I think we should manage this better. As a patriot, I think it's a better way for our society.

HOLMES: And you absolutely think, Mr. Wilcox, just to wrap it up, you think it would expand, I guess, the potential users out there? Plenty of people in this country smoke marijuana. They get their hands on it, even though it's illegal for recreational use. If it becomes legal for recreational use out there, how much is it going to expand possibly the number of people who want the stuff? WILCOX: I don't think it will expand it, because if you want it now, you can get it. You've always been able to get it in our society. The only question now, are you going to buy it through criminals or are you going to buy it through a licensed regulated facility?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: We will have much more here on CNN all next week as we continue to take a closer look at this Proposition 19 which could change the landscape, certainly in California, but also across the nation about the legalized use of marijuana for recreational purposes. We'll have a series of reports.

Again, you can stick with CNN for that next week.

Also, people around the world watching the mine rescue efforts happening in Chile, including miners in Pennsylvania. They've been in the same spot, and they've got some messages for those trapped miners.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Well, in Chile just a little while ago, sirens blared, the rejoicing began. There's actually some more rejoicing that needs to be done, because the celebration here was simply for, which is a milestone and a big breakthrough, is that the drill that they have been using to drill down to those 33 trapped miners, they finally were able to pierce the mine where those men are. So the next phase of the rescue can begin now.

That part of the rescue, just days away. The miners have been down there, a half mile underground for some 65 days now. At first it was thought they wouldn't be rescued until Christmastime.

You may, of course, remember the Quecreek miners. Do you remember them, nine of them trapped in a Pennsylvania mine? Four frantic days later, rescue crews found them, found them alive. Their memories now and some encouraging words for their fellow miners in Chile.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wednesday night in 2002, when the accident happened, an engineer showed up on the farm very late at night with flashlights. And I came up to see what was going on, and they said, "There's been in an accident in the mine and nine guys are missing. And we think they're trapped under your farm."

TOM FOY, RESCUED MINER: We were there within a day we heard the drilling. I mean, that was our ticket right there. We knew we were going to make it. But then the water kept coming up, and we didn't know if we were going to make it or not.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I remember it was very uneasy the whole time through the rescue because we had so many factors in this rescue that were not in our favor. We were fighting water. We were fighting air conditions. We were fighting extreme cold. We were fighting the fact that we had no communications with the men. So we had a lot of things not working in our favor that they do have working in their favor in Chile.

FOY: These guys over here have a little different situation. They have a big room and it's not cold. It's 85 degrees there. Ours was 55 degrees, and we were soaking wet. I mean, it was hell.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We didn't have too good of spirits that way. We just wanted to try to keep warm.

FOY: When they broke through, one happy feeling. I was about 55 feet away from it when it broke. The best day of my life.

It's like being risen again. I mean, we came out -- it took us maybe 10 to 15 minutes to get us out, each one of us. Then we just came out and there were all kinds of lights everywhere. They got us out, put us (INAUDIBLE).

Fortunately, with the Chile mine rescue there was enough time because of the long distance that they had to drill down. There was enough time that they could build a specialized capsule for that very unique kind of rescue.

They built a capsule that they're calling the Phoenix. And hopefully that will be used to bring 33 men back to their families. Certainly the Quecreek mine rescue was one of the greatest rescues in recent history.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All nine are alive.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And we would love for Chile to kind of take that banner from us and say that they've done one better.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not sure how it's going to be for some of the guys coming out. Some of the guys are going to be all right, some guys are not. I mean, they've just got to hang in there and do their best.

I mean, don't quit. Just keep on trucking, is all you can do. I mean, there's no giving up.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: And again, we will continue to follow what's happening with those 33 men trapped in that mine in Chile as they move to the next phase of the rescue.

Well, coming up, we've got a story of a father's crusade against bullying. He's keeping a promise even though it's too late to help his little boy.

It's 40 minutes past the hour. Stay here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HOLMES: Well, seven people have been arrested in New York, and police are still searching for two more in a series of brutal anti-gay hate crimes against four men. Police say the attack started last Sunday when members of a street gang in the Bronx found out that a member was gay. One of the victims was hit with a chain and sodomized with a baseball bat.

The attacks come after the death of a New Jersey college student last month. He jumped off a bridge when he realized that a sexual encounter with a man was secretly streamed online.

Now, the battle against bullying a very personal one for a father whose little boy committed suicide. Our Carol Costello has his story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Kirk Smalley is on a mission. There he is an honored guest at Oklahoma City's Western Heights High School, trying to put a stop to bullying.

KIRK SMALLEY, TY SMALLEY'S FATHER: I have to make a difference. I promised my son on Father's Day this year I'd stop this from happening to another child.

COSTELLO: For years Smalley's son Ty struggled with a bully at school.

(on camera): And when you say he was picked on, how was he being picked on?

SMALLEY: Name-calling. Ty was always kind of small. A shove here, a push there.

COSTELLO (voice-over): His father says Ty was a typical kid with typical grades who took the abuse for two years. On the day Ty finally decided to push back physically, he got into trouble. He was suspended from school.

For Ty, that was too much to bear. On that day, last May, he killed himself. He was 11 years old.

SMALLEY: Ultimately, my son's safety rested in my hands. I was responsible for my son's safety. I don't hold --

COSTELLO (on camera): That's a harsh thing to say about yourself. I mean --

SMALLEY: I'm his dad.

COSTELLO: I know. But he's out in the world.

SMALLEY: It's my job to protect him. No matter what, no matter where he was, it was my job to protect him.

COSTELLO (voice-over): But how do you protect your child from a bully? Assistant Deputy Education Secretary Kevin Jennings was appointed by President Obama to keep kids safe at school. Ty's story could easily have been his own.

(on camera): Were you bullied in school?

KEVIN JENNINGS, EDUCATION DEPT. OFFICE OF SAFE & DRUG FREE SCHOOLS: Like many kids, I was bullied very severely when I was in junior high and high school. And the first day of 10th grade I actually refused to go back because I simply wasn't going to go back to a place where I got bullied every day.

COSTELLO (voice-over): Jennings organized the first ever bullying summit, but even he admits it's a baby step. Experts can't agree on how to define bullying. Is it physical, electronic, psychological, non-verbal, or all of the above?

(on camera): When might something happen? When might the federal government act and say these are the guidelines we want to put in place, do it?

JENNINGS: I think that it's taking us a long time to develop a bullying problem, and it's going to take us some time to solve it.

COSTELLO (voice-over): It's why there are no federal guidelines schools must follow to deal with bullying. They are on their own.

In Smalley's home state of Oklahoma, each school district deals with bullying in different ways. It's something else that infuriates Smalley.

JENNINGS: A lot of schools around the country the answer to bullying is they threat victim leave a little early. They let them go home early to get a head start on the bully. You're singling this child out. This child has been picked on and you're singling him out now.

COSTELLO: Real solutions will come too late for Ty. But Kirk Smalley is on that mission. It's why he organizes vigils at the Oklahoma state house. He thinks bullying ought to be a crime. And it's why he tries to convince other kids to stand up for the bullied.

SMALLEY: Save their fragile self-esteem. Save their lives.

COSTELLO: It's his promise to a boy who loved his family, hunting, and the St. Louis Cardinals.

SMALLEY: We haven't done Ty's last load of laundry because it still smells like him. We haven't washed his sheets because I can go in there and lay on his bed and still smell my boy. You want to learn what bullying and suicide's all about? You talk to the people directly who it affects the most.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: I'm sorry. I'm just so excited to have my dear, dear friend. Randi Kaye is here for Fredricka. It's good to have you in Atlanta.

RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: It's good to see you. It's been a while.

HOLMES: It really is. What have you been up to? "AC 360" won't let you out. We tried --

KAYE: They only let me come and see you every so often.

HOLMES: Yes.

KAYE: So here I am.

HOLMES: Yes. It's not that often.

KAYE: And we don't even have time to catch up, really, because I have to tell you what's going on in the next few hours.

HOLMES: Yes. All right.

KAYE: After you hand it off after your very long morning.

HOLMES: It's been a busy morning.

All right. What you got?

KAYE: First of all, we have a great legal segment coming up. We have a segment that we're going to talk about with our two legal experts about Steven Hayes. That's the case, the Connecticut home invasion, which has been a really tough trial to watch.

He was convicted last week. And his defense lawyer actually had a client once before that he was able to get him off from the death penalty. So, Steven Hayes is facing the death penalty. It will be interesting to see what his defense lawyer has to say to try and help him avoid the death penalty, also what prosecutors are going to say.

But on a lighter case, have you been following the "Dora the Explorer" case?

HOLMES: But isn't this a child that's suing? Is that right?

KAYE: Fourteen-year-old New Jersey girl. She says that she was cheated out of millions of dollars. I mean, you know "Dora the Explorer."

HOLMES: That's odd. I never knew that was the girl behind the voice.

KAYE: Yes, there she is. She was the voice. And "Dora" has made billions of dollars around the world -- DVDs, toys, et cetera.

Well, she was paid about $5,000 an episode. And when she traveled, get this, $40 a day when she would go promoting. So she said she just had a few minutes to sign a contract, she didn't have a lawyer. So we're going to talk about that.

At 2:00 p.m., we have a great segment coming up on money fears for women.

HOLMES: OK.

KAYE: We're going to talk about some women have this fear of the bag lady syndrome, that they're not going to have enough money, and the swindle syndrome of getting scammed.

HOLMES: Do you have anything for men?

KAYE: No.

HOLMES: Just for women?

KAYE: All about the ladies today.

HOLMES: OK. Normally that wouldn't have been a problem.

KAYE: And plenty more. That's all I have time for since you and I needed a little time to catch up.

HOLMES: We have to. Randi, it is so good to have you here.

KAYE: Thanks. Good to see you.

HOLMES: Always a pleasure to have you. We're going to try to get you out and away from those guys a little more often in New York.

KAYE: Yes. Good luck with that.

HOLMES: Yes. All right. I know, we always lose that battle.

All right. We'll see her in just a second.

But coming up here at 53 minutes past the hour, 24 days until the midterm elections. Washington casting a long shadow on a lot of local races.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But when he's with Obama --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He turns into "Washington Joe."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And "Washington Joe" does whatever Obama wants.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Now, this ad you're seeing was actually pulled, but not because of the words, not because of anything you heard them say. We'll tell you why some Republicans are red-faced over this thing.

Stick around. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Well, 24 days now until the midterm elections. We're keeping an eye on all the latest headlines at CNNPolitics.com. Here is what we've got crossing the "Ticker" right now.

California gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown, he is getting a key endorsement. The state's National Organization for Women announced they will back the attorney general in his race against former Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman. Meg Whitman, not Hewlett- Packard.

In other endorsement news, the National Rifle Association is backing candidates from both sides. They're supporting 200 Republicans for Congress, 64 Democrats. But some of those Dems are in vulnerable districts the GOP thought they could capture.

Also, former president bill Clinton heading out on the campaign trail next week. He'll be in West Virginia to support Democratic Governor Joe Manchin. He is in a tight battle to fill the Senate seat left vacant by the death of Senator Robert Byrd.

Well, again, 24 days to go. Time short, tone ugly. But as we all know, bare-knuckle tactics can backfire, as our Dana Bash now reports.

BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Obama's messing things up.

DANA BASH, CNN SR. CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A GOP ad aimed at many West Virginia voters' concerns about Democratic Senate candidate Joe Manchin.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEE AD)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Joe is not bad as governor, but when he is with Obama.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He turns into Washington Joe.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And Washington Joe does whatever Obama wants.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. Well, we better keep Joe Manchin right here in West Virginia.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: But get this. Those men are not in West Virginia. They are actors 250 miles away in Philadelphia.

Republicans paid a talent agency to hire them for the ad, and the casting call obtained by CNN asks for a "hicky blue-collar look. These characters are from West Virginia, so think coal miner, trucker looks." (on camera): Not only that. It asks the actors to bring specific wardrobe items, including a trucker hat, not brand-new. It says preferably beat up. You can see that here. Flannel shirt, check. And a Dickies type jacket with a T-shirt underneath. Well, here's the T-shirt.

(voice-over): A spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee says they did not know about the casting call language and pulled the ad.

The irony is, Republicans didn't have to use actors in Philadelphia to capture concerns about Manchin. We went to this real West Virginia diner this week and heard the sentiment unscripted.

NATHAN ROSE, WEST VIRGINIA: Seem to be generally happy here in the state, but I won't be voting for him for senator. I would be more voting for someone who is just going to straight-up oppose Obama's agenda.

BASH: No trucker hat, no flannel. In fact, the real foul play with this ad seems to be stereotyping West Virginians.

TODD WEBSTER, DEMOCRATIC MEDIA CONSULTANT: Somehow they were hicks and rednecks.

BASH: Even Democratic ad-makers admit both parties use actors.

WEBSTER: If you have to go to paid actors as a second or a third resort, then, because of tight timelines, you may have to go there.

BASH: Take this Democratic Senate ad now running against Missouri Republican Roy Blunt.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, AD)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Roy is the life of the party on TV. His wife, great.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: That woman is an actress.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: And, of course, for all the latest political news, you know where to go, our Web site, CNNPolitics.com.