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Controversial Anti-Gay Comments from Carl Paladino; Chilean Miners Prepare for Rescue; Spiked Drinks Investigation; Hungary Could Face Second Toxic Spill; Inside North Korea
Aired October 11, 2010 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Twenty-two days until elections, and the talk this morning, all about the blistering new accusations of "stunning homophobia" in the New York governor's race. Democrat Andrew Cuomo is blasting Republican Carl Paladino for remarks that he made to a group of Orthodox Jews.
Paladino says that Cuomo set a bad example for children by marching in a gay rights parade.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARL PALADINO (R), GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE, NEW YORK: I didn't march in a gay parade this year, gay pride parade this year. My opponent did. And that's not the example that we should be showing our children and certainly not in our schools.
(APPLAUSE)
PALADINO: And don't misquote me as wanting to hurt homosexual people in any way. That would be a dastardly lie. My approach is live and let live. I just think my children and your children will be much better off and much more successful getting married and raising a family, and I don't want them to be brain washed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid or successful option. It isn't.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: All right. But there's some other comments, and Paladino is vehemently denying the other remarks that went even further. They actually come from a written political statement handed out at the same event, but Paladino says that they never came out of his mouth. Here's the statement, "in my speech, I noted my opposition to gay marriage inspired by my Catholic beliefs. I also oppose discrimination of any form. I did not say this phrase, 'there is nothing to be proud of in being a dysfunctional homosexual. That is not how god created us.' I do not agree with this passage, nor did I say that."
Paladino says that the remarks attributed to him actually came from the synagogue that hosted his speech, and he says that the comments were added and given to reporters after he left the gathering.
Now, Paladino has a colorful history of winding up in the headlines and maybe not always in the most positive light. Here's some other examples. He has acknowledged sending e-mails that are considered racist and sexist. Paladino promised to convert empty New York prisons into housing for people on welfare. They could volunteer for job training and lessons in "personal hygiene."
And Paladino prides himself on his shoot from the lips style. He scoffed at his critics who say that he's too blunt. He says he doesn't apologize for being an angry man. Paladino has plenty of company. He has tapped into voter anger and is hoping to ride that anti-Washington backlash all the way to Capitol Hill. Let's get more perspective from the best political team on television, CNN's senior political editor Mark Preston in Washington at the political desk.
So let's talk more about who is this guy, and what impact do you think all of these comments, in particular these ones about homosexuals, will have on the race, Mark?
MARK PRESTON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL EDITOR: Well, you know, Kyra, let's just set it up. Right now, if you are to look at polling, including CNN's most recent poll from last week, it shows that Mr. Paladino is down 14 points to Andrew Cuomo, who is the Democratic nominee. As to who is he, he is the Tea Party favorite that came out of nowhere, a very successful businessman from Buffalo, New York. Came out of nowhere, beat the Republican establishment candidate, as you so eloquently pointed out.
He's not afraid to make some charged remarks, and we saw that yesterday when he was speaking to this Orthodox Jewish community up in Brooklyn. You know, just a few weeks ago as well, Kyra, that he threatened to take on a reporter from the "New York Post." So he doesn't shy away from controversy, I think, is the simplest way to describe Mr. Paladino.
PHILLIPS: And it's not just Paladino, but it seems like politicians are making a lot of extreme comments within this election period. Have you noticed that? And why do you think - even John Avalon said there is no such nothing as too extreme anymore.
PRESTON: Well, you know, what's happening right now is what we are seeing in politics is really the polarization. Now, of course, you can go back to any election and find the polarization of Democrats and Republicans but we're seeing that even more so right now. And even if you talk to some of the more centrist Republicans, there's concern that they feel that the real conservative wing of the party, the social conservatives of the party are shifting control of the party more their way.
Some of that has to do with the Tea Party influence on the Republican side. Now, on the Democratic side, talk to centrist Democrats as well, and they'll say that the liberals are trying to pull their party a little too far to the left.
You know, when you talk about elections, how are you going to win, how are you going to lose, in the end, on election day, Democrats vote for Democrats, and Republicans vote for Republicans, but it's that middle ground that both parties are striving to get. That's how you win elections. So it's really the independent voters that these politicians should be trying to reach out to.
PHILLIPS: Mark, thanks so much.
You know, gay rights supporters have found plenty of ammunition in Paladino's comments. Even just the ones that he doesn't deny saying. Gregory Angelo was the chairman of the Log Cabin Republicans of New York City. He joins us now by phone from New York.
Gregory, first of all, your response to Paladino's statements this past weekend, these homophobic comments.
GREGORY ANGELO, LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS (ON THE PHONE): Yes, well, I mean Paladino's statements portray certainly an ignorance about what it means to be gay in 2010. I don't think it's a winning strategy if we're really trying to get independent voters and moderate voters.
PHILLIPS: You can see that Gregory is actually on a cell phone. What we're going to do is see if we can get him to call back in, get a better connection, and we did lose him. All right. We'll try to get him back and get a chance to get the reaction there on Paladino's statement regarding gays from the Log Cabin Republicans. We'll work on that and try to bring it right back.
A lot of people are saying that this is one of the nastiest elections ever. Some candidates are waging personal attacks while otherwise are flooding the air waves with downright nasty ads at their opponents. So will these tactics and ads actually deter you from going to the booth and voting? Do you even watch them? Go to my blog. Tell me what you think. I'd love to see your comments and I'll read them, Cnn.com/kyra.
Now take a look at what is probably the most welcome site in Chile. That site of a hole coming from a drill. That's what 33 miners trapped in the ground since August saw this weekend, their escape route ready. Now, the trick, getting their bodies ready.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: You can just imagine how families and friends of those 33 trapped miners in Chile felt on Saturday when the rescue hole broke through. They're cheering. Flags were waving. Hugs, tears. You're seeing it all there. Huge breakthrough after a couple of pretty tense months. Now the exit route is ready, and it's time to get these guys ready for their half-mile trip to the surface.
CNN' Patrick Oppmann has more on the next steps of this rescue process.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN ALL-PLATFORM JOURNALIST (voice-over): There's only one thing everyone wants to know. When will Chile's trapped miners be freed. Mining Minister Laurence Golborne has an answer - at long last.
LAURENCE GOLBORNE, CHILEAN MINING MINISTER: We are going to have another three days. So that's why we are foreseeing that probably we will initiate the rescue process this Wednesday.
OPPMANN: Despite the long hours, rescuers have already put in, their boss says they are up to the final challenge.
GOLBORNE: This is the most important task that we ever had in our life, so I think the human group is easier to motivate than I ever faced in my life.
OPPMANN: Officials concede the rescue will be an ordeal for the miners. One man at a time, they will be hoisted to the surface by the Phoenix rescue capsule. Rescuers up above will watch the miners ascend over a live video feed to deal with any possible medical emergencies. The capsule was outfitted with an escape hatch and enriched oxygen, and a giant winch will have to lower and gently raise the half ton capsule with its human cargo.
(on camera): When this winch behind me lowers the Phoenix capsule into the mine, that's when the rescue operation begins, but there is a debate brewing deep underground over the order in which the men will leave.
JAIME MANALICH, CHILEAN HEALTH MINISTER: They were fighting yesterday because everyone of them wants to be at the end of the line, not at the beginning.
OPPMANN (voice-over): Above ground, miners' families make their own final preparations. Magdalena Lobos sends a last encouraging letter to her brother awaiting rescue.
MAGDALENA LOBOS, SISTER OF TRAPPED MINER (through translator): I write him to have faith and trust in god and for that everything to turn out well he needs to be strong.
OPPMANN: And strength is what all of the miners will need to end what seems like an eternity hundreds of meters beneath the earth's surface.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
OPPMANN: As you can imagine, this is an incredibly tense time as families wait, so hopeful that this rescue operation will go off without any hitches. Government officials have said, "yes, this is the most dangerous part of the process of getting these men to the surface and that any mistakes, any problems, any injuries that these miners suffer are unacceptable." All have to be brought back safely or the operation will be a failure. Kyra.
PHILLIPS: And Patrick just quickly, I mean, they've had to go on these liquid diets so they can fit in this capsule, right? Are they going to be given anything else to remain calm, not have anxiety because that's about a 20-minute trip straight up in a very tight atmosphere?
OPPMANN: There have been some discussion, Kyra, about giving the men sedatives, calming them down, and government officials have decided, no, they need these men sharp. They need to be aware of the surroundings and they may need them to help get this rescue capsule if there are any problems, any snags, they need these men at their best. They can't cloud their judgment. These men will help, as they have with their own rescue throughout this.
PHILLIPS: Got it. Patrick Oppmann. Can't wait for the moment when they start coming out from that mine. We'll be taking it live, of course. Last hour, I actually got to talk with one of the Americans who drilled that rescue hole. Jeff Hart went to Chile from Denver to help out. I asked what happened when the drilling team finally broke through and saw those miners.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEFF HART, OPERATIONS MGR., LAYNE CHRISTENSEN CO.: The few moments before that were real stressful as we said. You can spend all those time on a well and in the last meter have something fail and lose the entire thing. And so when we actually broke through, it was more of a sigh of relief. Jim Stefanik (ph) was actually on the phone with the miners, and we had a video next to the rig so we could actually see it penetrate. And so it was one of those things, I just turned to Jim Stefanik (ph), and I shook his hand, gave him a hug and I said, "we did it, congratulations, we're there."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, how a house party turns into a nightmare for some college students in Washington state. Drinks spiked and dozens of people sent to the hospital.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Dow 11,000, and we're waiting for it all last week. Then on Friday, it finally happened and that's good news for your investments, but will that rally continue or was it just a one-hit wonder? Alison Kosik at the New York Stock Exchange with more. Hey, Alison.
ALISON KOSIK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra. Now that's the question. You know, today, don't expect any huge moves. We got a light trading day because of the Columbus Day holiday, but, hey, stocks are rising right now ever so slightly. The Dow industrial up seven. The Nasdaq is about five points higher.
You know, this whole 11,000 thing, it's pretty bittersweet, at the same time that we're heading higher, Wall Street is betting that the fed is going to do something more to help the economy. It's really a sign that the economy is in one of those really rough spots. Wall Street is also going to be listening to Fed officials this week. They'll be speaking out, including Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke. He's speaking later on the week. And even if stocks rise, Kyra, we're still going to have a ways to go from where we were before.
Take a look at this, the Dow is down 22 percent from 2007. Its record high of 14,167 that was hit in October. So you know, we got 3,000 points to go to hit that record high again, but, still, let's all cheer the 11,000. Kyra? PHILLIPS: No kidding. All right. When we talk about the recovery slowing down, we have to talk about foreclosure. Several major lenders are freezing foreclosures. So what effect will this have?
KOSIK: Well, it's a good question because in the short-term for the foreclosure freeze that's in effect right now that's going to have a positive effect because home prices will stabilize, there are going to be fewer foreclosed properties on the market diluting prices. Also, some of those troubled homeowners will get to stay in their homes longer, buy them some time.
But analysts are saying this is really a false positive because the reality is these foreclosures will continue to pile up, and those foreclosures are eventually going to hit the market, and when that happens, prices are going to fall. People will still lose their homes, and it also brings down the value of those people living next to those homes, those neighboring properties. Bottom line, Kyra, it's really going to delay a housing recovery which could also delay a robust recovery in the overall economy. Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Alison, thanks.
Let's go check some of our other top stories now. Police in Cle Elum, Washington trying to determine who spiked drinks at a party Friday attended by Central Washington University students. 11 female students were taken to the hospital after the off campus incident. Police suspect that someone spiked those drinks with roofies (ph).
Smooth sailing for billionaire businessman Richard Branson's dream of affordable space travel. It's his video from a test flight. The VSS Enterprise in July, this space ship passed all its tests again yesterday over California's Mojave Desert. Branson says that the test flight means the sky is no longer the limit.
PHILLIPS: Well, Democrats and gay rights organizations accusing New York Republican candidate for governor Carl Paladino of stunning homophobia after he condemns gays' rights and the politicians who support them. The remarks weren't off the cuff. They were actually prepared. You know, gay rights supporters have found plenty of ammunition in Paladino's comments.
Gregory Angelo is the chairman of the Log Cabin Republicans of New York state. We lost him a few minutes ago, by phone. I think he's back with us. Gregory, we have a good connection?
ANGELO: I think we do, Kyra. Thanks a lot (INAUDIBLE).
PHILLIPS: And I appreciate you calling back in. All right.
ANGELO: My pleasure.
PHILLIPS: All right. Let's get your response now to Paladino's comments. We heard what he said on tape, and now he's vehemently denying these other comments that came in a written form. He says that comes from the synagogue from which he gave his speech. But overall, his statements that he did say were very clear on tape. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOICE OF GREGORY T. ANGELO, CHMN. LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS OF NY STATE: Paladino (INAUDIBLE) this is an ignorance of what it means to be gay in 2010, and regardless of what was said or not being said is that it was implied in his statement that being gay is a choice, it was an option, and that's certainly not a position that Log Cabin Republicans support and the majority of voters in new York support and it's necessarily not a strategy for winning if he wants to be the next governor of the state.
PHILLIPS: Now, he said that his intention was not to add fuel to the fire of gay hatred.
ANGELO: Yes, I certainly don't think that his intention was to incite violence, to incite hatred, to promote hatred and I would even go so far as he say that he wasn't advocating homophobia. I think it's dangerous to say that as these remarks as homophobic. Again, I really do think that what is at the heart and the core of his statements is a deep misunderstanding of what it means to be gay and a lack of sympathy for the gay community.
PHILLIPS: Interesting. You're saying he is not homophobic. He just doesn't get it?
ANGELO: Look, I have met Carl Paladino. We had a very civil conversation several weeks ago. When you talk about homophobia, he wasn't afraid to meet me. I do know there are gay people who are working on his campaign, so I wouldn't go so far to say the man is homophobic but he truly believe that gay men and women are equal and that we deserve the same rights, including marriage rights, he does not and that certainly something we take issue at the Log Cabin Republicans.
PHILLIPS: So do you think this is being taken a little too far or do you think it's fair the criticism that he's getting?
ANGELO: I think (INAUDIBLE) certainly the criticism that he is getting. Again, what is at the core of his statement is a misunderstanding of what it means to be gay, and also a - the comments that he said about being brain washed, I think. That's not a message that needs to be getting out there right now.
PHILLIPS: So it's interesting. Gregory, you said you met with him and had conversations with him. What have you said to him to try and educate a very archaic thinking, as you well put it?
ANGELO: Well, let me just say that I have met Carl Paladino. We have not had any formal meetings with him as an organization but I did have an opportunity to meet him and had the opportunity to introduce myself as chairman of the Log Cabin Republicans of New York state, and at the time he seemed open to dialogue and I think it's important to underline the fact that we are still open to dialogue with the Paladino campaign. That's the work we are doing in Log Cabin Republicans and obviously we still have a lot of work to do on our side of the aisle in order to make the case for equality. I will also add that here in New York state where we have a big victory event that's coming up tomorrow night in New York City, where we are celebrating two Republicans, Janet Duprey and (INAUDIBLE) two Republicans in the New York State Assembly who have gone on record and voted yes for marriage equality. So I think it's important to note there are fair-minded Republicans out there. We support them, the Log Cabin Republicans and as far as Republicans like Carl Paladino, we are open to dialogue with them.
And it's important to maintain that dialogue moving forward. The statements that he made yesterday are certainly not helping along any positive endorsement from our organization.
PHILLIPS: And in light of those comments, final question, Gregory, will you push for that meeting now, will you push to have a sit down with his camp and have a discussion about this?
ANGELO: I think it's important to have a dialogue with Carl Paladino, with all Republicans who are running in this state and you are running nationally. We really need to put a face on what it means to be a gay man or a lesbian woman in 2010, and I'm happy to meet with Carl Paladino and his campaign and I just want to say here on air, the offer is on the table. We'd be happy to meet with him.
PHILLIPS: We'll follow up. Gregory Angelo, chairman, Log Cabin Republicans. Thank you for calling back in, Gregory.
ANGELO: Thank you, Kiran.
PHILLIPS: You bet. In 22 days, voters in nearly two dozen states will decide on changes in their marijuana laws. A closer look at what's being proposed and what it means for you.
And also, America's best jobs, they offer great pay. Their work is satisfying. There's growth opportunities. We actually got the list of the best jobs in the country. The top 100, coming in at number two, physician assistant. Just ahead, I'll show you what's the best job in America or you can just visit cnnmoney.com and check out the entire list.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Our daily dose. A few walnuts a day may help keep the stress away. That's according to a new study. Researchers found that people who ate about an ounce of walnuts and a small amount of walnut oil actually reduced their bad cholesterol and it also showed a drop in blood pressure under mild stress, and people who added flax seed oil along with the walnuts, improved vascular health.
We're going to keep reminding you, 22 days away from the highly anticipated midterm election. In addition to all the candidates running for office, some say they're voting on changes to marijuana laws. California, going the distance with a proposal to make smoking pot legal whether it's for medical purposes or just for pleasure.
Our Joe Johns has more.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Twenty-two days until elections, and the talk this morning, all about the blistering new accusations of "stunning homophobia" in the New York governor's race. Democrat Andrew Cuomo is blasting Republican Carl Paladino for remarks that he made to a group of Orthodox Jews.
Paladino says that Cuomo set a bad example for children by marching in a gay rights parade.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARL PALADINO (R), GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE, NEW YORK: I didn't march in a gay parade this year, gay pride parade this year. My opponent did. And that's not the example that we should be showing our children and certainly not in our schools.
(APPLAUSE)
PALADINO: And don't misquote me as wanting to hurt homosexual people in any way. That would be a dastardly lie. My approach is live and let live. I just think my children and your children will be much better off and much more successful getting married and raising a family, and I don't want them to be brain washed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid or successful option. It isn't.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: All right. But there's some other comments, and Paladino is vehemently denying the other remarks that went even further. They actually come from a written political statement handed out at the same event, but Paladino says that they never came out of his mouth. Here's the statement, "in my speech, I noted my opposition to gay marriage inspired by my Catholic beliefs. I also oppose discrimination of any form. I did not say this phrase, 'there is nothing to be proud of in being a dysfunctional homosexual. That is not how god created us.' I do not agree with this passage, nor did I say that."
Paladino says that the remarks attributed to him actually came from the synagogue that hosted his speech, and he says that the comments were added and given to reporters after he left the gathering.
Now, Paladino has a colorful history of winding up in the headlines and maybe not always in the most positive light. Here's some other examples. He has acknowledged sending e-mails that are considered racist and sexist. Paladino promised to convert empty New York prisons into housing for people on welfare. They could volunteer for job training and lessons in "personal hygiene."
And Paladino prides himself on his shoot from the lips style. He scoffed at his critics who say that he's too blunt. He says he doesn't apologize for being an angry man. Paladino has plenty of company. He has tapped into voter anger and is hoping to ride that anti-Washington backlash all the way to Capitol Hill. Let's get more perspective from the best political team on television, CNN's senior political editor Mark Preston in Washington at the political desk.
So let's talk more about who is this guy, and what impact do you think all of these comments, in particular these ones about homosexuals, will have on the race, Mark?
MARK PRESTON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL EDITOR: Well, you know, Kyra, let's just set it up. Right now, if you are to look at polling, including CNN's most recent poll from last week, it shows that Mr. Paladino is down 14 points to Andrew Cuomo, who is the Democratic nominee. As to who is he, he is the Tea Party favorite that came out of nowhere, a very successful businessman from Buffalo, New York. Came out of nowhere, beat the Republican establishment candidate, as you so eloquently pointed out.
He's not afraid to make some charged remarks, and we saw that yesterday when he was speaking to this Orthodox Jewish community up in Brooklyn. You know, just a few weeks ago as well, Kyra, that he threatened to take on a reporter from the "New York Post." So he doesn't shy away from controversy, I think, is the simplest way to describe Mr. Paladino.
PHILLIPS: And it's not just Paladino, but it seems like politicians are making a lot of extreme comments within this election period. Have you noticed that? And why do you think - even John Avalon said there is no such nothing as too extreme anymore.
PRESTON: Well, you know, what's happening right now is what we are seeing in politics is really the polarization. Now, of course, you can go back to any election and find the polarization of Democrats and Republicans but we're seeing that even more so right now. And even if you talk to some of the more centrist Republicans, there's concern that they feel that the real conservative wing of the party, the social conservatives of the party are shifting control of the party more their way.
Some of that has to do with the Tea Party influence on the Republican side. Now, on the Democratic side, talk to centrist Democrats as well, and they'll say that the liberals are trying to pull their party a little too far to the left.
You know, when you talk about elections, how are you going to win, how are you going to lose, in the end, on election day, Democrats vote for Democrats, and Republicans vote for Republicans, but it's that middle ground that both parties are striving to get. That's how you win elections. So it's really the independent voters that these politicians should be trying to reach out to.
PHILLIPS: Mark, thanks so much.
You know, gay rights supporters have found plenty of ammunition in Paladino's comments. Even just the ones that he doesn't deny saying. Gregory Angelo was the chairman of the Log Cabin Republicans of New York City. He joins us now by phone from New York.
Gregory, first of all, your response to Paladino's statements this past weekend, these homophobic comments.
GREGORY ANGELO, LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS (ON THE PHONE): Yes, well, I mean Paladino's statements portray certainly an ignorance about what it means to be gay in 2010. I don't think it's a winning strategy if we're really trying to get independent voters and moderate voters.
PHILLIPS: You can see that Gregory is actually on a cell phone. What we're going to do is see if we can get him to call back in, get a better connection, and we did lose him. All right. We'll try to get him back and get a chance to get the reaction there on Paladino's statement regarding gays from the Log Cabin Republicans. We'll work on that and try to bring it right back.
A lot of people are saying that this is one of the nastiest elections ever. Some candidates are waging personal attacks while otherwise are flooding the air waves with downright nasty ads at their opponents. So will these tactics and ads actually deter you from going to the booth and voting? Do you even watch them? Go to my blog. Tell me what you think. I'd love to see your comments and I'll read them, Cnn.com/kyra.
Now take a look at what is probably the most welcome site in Chile. That site of a hole coming from a drill. That's what 33 miners trapped in the ground since August saw this weekend, their escape route ready. Now, the trick, getting their bodies ready.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: You can just imagine how families and friends of those 33 trapped miners in Chile felt on Saturday when the rescue hole broke through. They're cheering. Flags were waving. Hugs, tears. You're seeing it all there. Huge breakthrough after a couple of pretty tense months. Now the exit route is ready, and it's time to get these guys ready for their half-mile trip to the surface.
CNN' Patrick Oppmann has more on the next steps of this rescue process.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN ALL-PLATFORM JOURNALIST (voice-over): There's only one thing everyone wants to know. When will Chile's trapped miners be freed. Mining Minister Laurence Golborne has an answer - at long last.
LAURENCE GOLBORNE, CHILEAN MINING MINISTER: We are going to have another three days. So that's why we are foreseeing that probably we will initiate the rescue process this Wednesday.
OPPMANN: Despite the long hours, rescuers have already put in, their boss says they are up to the final challenge.
GOLBORNE: This is the most important task that we ever had in our life, so I think the human group is easier to motivate than I ever faced in my life.
OPPMANN: Officials concede the rescue will be an ordeal for the miners. One man at a time, they will be hoisted to the surface by the Phoenix rescue capsule. Rescuers up above will watch the miners ascend over a live video feed to deal with any possible medical emergencies. The capsule was outfitted with an escape hatch and enriched oxygen, and a giant winch will have to lower and gently raise the half ton capsule with its human cargo.
(on camera): When this winch behind me lowers the Phoenix capsule into the mine, that's when the rescue operation begins, but there is a debate brewing deep underground over the order in which the men will leave.
JAIME MANALICH, CHILEAN HEALTH MINISTER: They were fighting yesterday because everyone of them wants to be at the end of the line, not at the beginning.
OPPMANN (voice-over): Above ground, miners' families make their own final preparations. Magdalena Lobos sends a last encouraging letter to her brother awaiting rescue.
MAGDALENA LOBOS, SISTER OF TRAPPED MINER (through translator): I write him to have faith and trust in god and for that everything to turn out well he needs to be strong.
OPPMANN: And strength is what all of the miners will need to end what seems like an eternity hundreds of meters beneath the earth's surface.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
OPPMANN: As you can imagine, this is an incredibly tense time as families wait, so hopeful that this rescue operation will go off without any hitches. Government officials have said, "yes, this is the most dangerous part of the process of getting these men to the surface and that any mistakes, any problems, any injuries that these miners suffer are unacceptable." All have to be brought back safely or the operation will be a failure. Kyra.
PHILLIPS: And Patrick just quickly, I mean, they've had to go on these liquid diets so they can fit in this capsule, right? Are they going to be given anything else to remain calm, not have anxiety because that's about a 20-minute trip straight up in a very tight atmosphere?
OPPMANN: There have been some discussion, Kyra, about giving the men sedatives, calming them down, and government officials have decided, no, they need these men sharp. They need to be aware of the surroundings and they may need them to help get this rescue capsule if there are any problems, any snags, they need these men at their best. They can't cloud their judgment. These men will help, as they have with their own rescue throughout this.
PHILLIPS: Got it. Patrick Oppmann. Can't wait for the moment when they start coming out from that mine. We'll be taking it live, of course. Last hour, I actually got to talk with one of the Americans who drilled that rescue hole. Jeff Hart went to Chile from Denver to help out. I asked what happened when the drilling team finally broke through and saw those miners.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEFF HART, OPERATIONS MGR., LAYNE CHRISTENSEN CO.: The few moments before that were real stressful as we said. You can spend all those time on a well and in the last meter have something fail and lose the entire thing. And so when we actually broke through, it was more of a sigh of relief. Jim Stefanik (ph) was actually on the phone with the miners, and we had a video next to the rig so we could actually see it penetrate. And so it was one of those things, I just turned to Jim Stefanik (ph), and I shook his hand, gave him a hug and I said, "we did it, congratulations, we're there."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, how a house party turns into a nightmare for some college students in Washington state. Drinks spiked and dozens of people sent to the hospital.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Dow 11,000, and we're waiting for it all last week. Then on Friday, it finally happened and that's good news for your investments, but will that rally continue or was it just a one-hit wonder? Alison Kosik at the New York Stock Exchange with more. Hey, Alison.
ALISON KOSIK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra. Now that's the question. You know, today, don't expect any huge moves. We got a light trading day because of the Columbus Day holiday, but, hey, stocks are rising right now ever so slightly. The Dow industrial up seven. The Nasdaq is about five points higher.
You know, this whole 11,000 thing, it's pretty bittersweet, at the same time that we're heading higher, Wall Street is betting that the fed is going to do something more to help the economy. It's really a sign that the economy is in one of those really rough spots. Wall Street is also going to be listening to Fed officials this week. They'll be speaking out, including Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke. He's speaking later on the week. And even if stocks rise, Kyra, we're still going to have a ways to go from where we were before.
Take a look at this, the Dow is down 22 percent from 2007. Its record high of 14,167 that was hit in October. So you know, we got 3,000 points to go to hit that record high again, but, still, let's all cheer the 11,000. Kyra? PHILLIPS: No kidding. All right. When we talk about the recovery slowing down, we have to talk about foreclosure. Several major lenders are freezing foreclosures. So what effect will this have?
KOSIK: Well, it's a good question because in the short-term for the foreclosure freeze that's in effect right now that's going to have a positive effect because home prices will stabilize, there are going to be fewer foreclosed properties on the market diluting prices. Also, some of those troubled homeowners will get to stay in their homes longer, buy them some time.
But analysts are saying this is really a false positive because the reality is these foreclosures will continue to pile up, and those foreclosures are eventually going to hit the market, and when that happens, prices are going to fall. People will still lose their homes, and it also brings down the value of those people living next to those homes, those neighboring properties. Bottom line, Kyra, it's really going to delay a housing recovery which could also delay a robust recovery in the overall economy. Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Alison, thanks.
Let's go check some of our other top stories now. Police in Cle Elum, Washington trying to determine who spiked drinks at a party Friday attended by Central Washington University students. 11 female students were taken to the hospital after the off campus incident. Police suspect that someone spiked those drinks with roofies (ph).
Smooth sailing for billionaire businessman Richard Branson's dream of affordable space travel. It's his video from a test flight. The VSS Enterprise in July, this space ship passed all its tests again yesterday over California's Mojave Desert. Branson says that the test flight means the sky is no longer the limit.
PHILLIPS: Well, Democrats and gay rights organizations accusing New York Republican candidate for governor Carl Paladino of stunning homophobia after he condemns gays' rights and the politicians who support them. The remarks weren't off the cuff. They were actually prepared. You know, gay rights supporters have found plenty of ammunition in Paladino's comments.
Gregory Angelo is the chairman of the Log Cabin Republicans of New York state. We lost him a few minutes ago, by phone. I think he's back with us. Gregory, we have a good connection?
ANGELO: I think we do, Kyra. Thanks a lot (INAUDIBLE).
PHILLIPS: And I appreciate you calling back in. All right.
ANGELO: My pleasure.
PHILLIPS: All right. Let's get your response now to Paladino's comments. We heard what he said on tape, and now he's vehemently denying these other comments that came in a written form. He says that comes from the synagogue from which he gave his speech. But overall, his statements that he did say were very clear on tape. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOICE OF GREGORY T. ANGELO, CHMN. LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS OF NY STATE: Paladino (INAUDIBLE) this is an ignorance of what it means to be gay in 2010, and regardless of what was said or not being said is that it was implied in his statement that being gay is a choice, it was an option, and that's certainly not a position that Log Cabin Republicans support and the majority of voters in new York support and it's necessarily not a strategy for winning if he wants to be the next governor of the state.
PHILLIPS: Now, he said that his intention was not to add fuel to the fire of gay hatred.
ANGELO: Yes, I certainly don't think that his intention was to incite violence, to incite hatred, to promote hatred and I would even go so far as he say that he wasn't advocating homophobia. I think it's dangerous to say that as these remarks as homophobic. Again, I really do think that what is at the heart and the core of his statements is a deep misunderstanding of what it means to be gay and a lack of sympathy for the gay community.
PHILLIPS: Interesting. You're saying he is not homophobic. He just doesn't get it?
ANGELO: Look, I have met Carl Paladino. We had a very civil conversation several weeks ago. When you talk about homophobia, he wasn't afraid to meet me. I do know there are gay people who are working on his campaign, so I wouldn't go so far to say the man is homophobic but he truly believe that gay men and women are equal and that we deserve the same rights, including marriage rights, he does not and that certainly something we take issue at the Log Cabin Republicans.
PHILLIPS: So do you think this is being taken a little too far or do you think it's fair the criticism that he's getting?
ANGELO: I think (INAUDIBLE) certainly the criticism that he is getting. Again, what is at the core of his statement is a misunderstanding of what it means to be gay, and also a - the comments that he said about being brain washed, I think. That's not a message that needs to be getting out there right now.
PHILLIPS: So it's interesting. Gregory, you said you met with him and had conversations with him. What have you said to him to try and educate a very archaic thinking, as you well put it?
ANGELO: Well, let me just say that I have met Carl Paladino. We have not had any formal meetings with him as an organization but I did have an opportunity to meet him and had the opportunity to introduce myself as chairman of the Log Cabin Republicans of New York state, and at the time he seemed open to dialogue and I think it's important to underline the fact that we are still open to dialogue with the Paladino campaign. That's the work we are doing in Log Cabin Republicans and obviously we still have a lot of work to do on our side of the aisle in order to make the case for equality. I will also add that here in New York state where we have a big victory event that's coming up tomorrow night in New York City, where we are celebrating two Republicans, Janet Duprey and (INAUDIBLE) two Republicans in the New York State Assembly who have gone on record and voted yes for marriage equality. So I think it's important to note there are fair-minded Republicans out there. We support them, the Log Cabin Republicans and as far as Republicans like Carl Paladino, we are open to dialogue with them.
And it's important to maintain that dialogue moving forward. The statements that he made yesterday are certainly not helping along any positive endorsement from our organization.
PHILLIPS: And in light of those comments, final question, Gregory, will you push for that meeting now, will you push to have a sit down with his camp and have a discussion about this?
ANGELO: I think it's important to have a dialogue with Carl Paladino, with all Republicans who are running in this state and you are running nationally. We really need to put a face on what it means to be a gay man or a lesbian woman in 2010, and I'm happy to meet with Carl Paladino and his campaign and I just want to say here on air, the offer is on the table. We'd be happy to meet with him.
PHILLIPS: We'll follow up. Gregory Angelo, chairman, Log Cabin Republicans. Thank you for calling back in, Gregory.
ANGELO: Thank you, Kiran.
PHILLIPS: You bet. In 22 days, voters in nearly two dozen states will decide on changes in their marijuana laws. A closer look at what's being proposed and what it means for you.
And also, America's best jobs, they offer great pay. Their work is satisfying. There's growth opportunities. We actually got the list of the best jobs in the country. The top 100, coming in at number two, physician assistant. Just ahead, I'll show you what's the best job in America or you can just visit cnnmoney.com and check out the entire list.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Our daily dose. A few walnuts a day may help keep the stress away. That's according to a new study. Researchers found that people who ate about an ounce of walnuts and a small amount of walnut oil actually reduced their bad cholesterol and it also showed a drop in blood pressure under mild stress, and people who added flax seed oil along with the walnuts, improved vascular health.
We're going to keep reminding you, 22 days away from the highly anticipated midterm election. In addition to all the candidates running for office, some say they're voting on changes to marijuana laws. California, going the distance with a proposal to make smoking pot legal whether it's for medical purposes or just for pleasure.
Our Joe Johns has more. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Not one, not two, not three, but four states have initiatives on the ballot this fall that would change their marijuana laws in big ways, and one of those initiatives, the one in California, Proposition 19, it's called, would pretty much legalize retail sales of the drug for recreational use. That's right, if the voters go for it, what once was called the gateway drug, the so-called evil weed that led to cocaine, heroin, ruined lives and sent thousands upon thousands to jail, could suddenly after all these years become OK to do for fun in California.
The three other states with pending legislation - Oregon, South Dakota, and Arizona, are looking to either legalize marijuana for medical purposes or to modify the medical marijuana laws they already have in place. It turns out, coast to coast, 14 states and the District of Columbia already allow medical use, which is something a former national anti-drug czar sees as a problem.
To him this stuff is like booze and if legalized, it will have the same negative effect on society.
JOHN WALTERS, THE HUDSON INSTITUTE: An intoxicant does make people feel usually euphoric, in fact, it's part of the pathway to addiction. But it doesn't mean there's medical jack Daniels or that there's medical meth or medical crack or medical heroin. This is a sham.
JOHNS (voice-over): OK. So how did we get here anyway, especially considering all of the reminders we've had about the evils of marijuana, the old black and white movie "Reefer Madness" warning the public about it.
NANCY REAGAN, FMR. U.S. FIRST LADY: Just say no.
JOHNS: Or former first lady Nancy Reagan's famous "just say no to drugs" campaign in the 1980s.
Criminologist Peter Reuter says attitudes have changed about marijuana especially since medical marijuana, though controversial, has become a legal reality.
PETER REUTER, EXPERT, DRUG MARKETS & DRUG POLICY: It does give an aura of usefulness to this drug which previously in every public presentation by any official agency was always very negative.
JOHNS: Use of the drug hasn't exactly skyrocketed recently, but the one thing that has changed is the economy. Money-hungry states are looking for new sources of revenue and already wondering whether pot is the next cash crop.
REUTER: Governments certainly, if they become promoters of legalized marijuana, the legislature start (INAUDIBLE), it's clearly for - in most cases it will be for revenue reasons.
JOHNS (on camera): Still, some predict legalization in California could cause chaos starting in the courts. Such a state law, if passed would clash with federal law, launching a big battle that could end up in the Supreme Court.
(voice-over): But for now, it's all just a pipe dream with a lot of speculation, though the world of drug enforcement could look a lot different when the smoke clears on election day.
Joe Johns, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Thousands of Hungarians waiting for the inevitable, a cracked reservoir about to unleash a giant wave of toxic sludge on their village. We're going to take you there live.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: All right. Let's get to Hungary and the threat of another environmental crisis. We just learned that an eighth person has died after a toxic flood poured into a village in Hungary last week.
CNN's Diana Magnay is on the phone with the latest on this pretty intense time -- Diana.
DIANA MAGNAY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Hi, Kyra.
Yes, we just spoke to the spokesperson of the catastrophe protection unit here in Hungary. They were originally a death toll of seven and one person still missing and she confirmed that they have found that final person, a body. So, the death toll now stands at eight. And, of course, more than 130 people injured by the alkaline burns that you get from being exposed to this toxic sludge.
And there is concern there will be another release of toxic sludge because the reservoir walls from which the sludge came appeared to be cracking. There was a crack that authorities found over the weekend which is about half a meter wide and 20 meters long, so, really quite a giant crack. And if that reservoir wall does give way and there is a possibility that around 500,000 cubic meters of red sludge. So, all of the sludge remaining in this reservoir could be unleashed down into the villages.
And authorities are trying to work really against the clock, to build up an emergency dam to try and protect those villages should the sludge come out. And they say that that dam should be about ready by -- in a couple of hours' time -- so, by tonight. So, they're hoping that that is measure enough to keep people safe, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: And can you give us an idea of the type of toxins that we're talking about and where they have come from and accumulated from? Because it's hard to even imagine that that type of threat would be so close, even though the reservoir has these cracks, but so close to so many humans and homes and livelihoods.
MAGNAY: Absolutely. This red mud is highly alkaline and, of course, is the byproduct of aluminum and it contains also with it various heavy metals, lead and arsenic, some really unpleasant chemicals. And, of course, it was meant to stay within this reservoir. After the first 1 million cubic liters were leaked, there was huge concern that it would actually trickle downstream from tributaries of the Danube into the Danube itself, poisoning all life in the waterways and is one of the mightiest rivers in Europe.
But tests have been made on that water, and it seems that the measures put into place, dumping things like plaster and acid onto the water to try to neutralize the pH value have worked and that the Danube isn't as badly contaminated as people had worried about, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Diana Magnay, appreciate you calling in. We'll continue to follow this story, of course.
And North Korea is among the world's most sinister places -- a place foreigners rarely see. But what we do know is pretty scary -- exploding nuclear devices, testing long range missiles. So, who's in charge is crucial. And this weekend, in a rare public appearance, Kim Jong-Il's son was as the new heir apparent, at some pretty spectacular mass rallies.
CNN's Alina Cho in the middle of it all in Pyongyang.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, good evening from Pyongyang, where North Koreans are in the middle of a week-long celebration marking the 65th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers Party. But this is also a coming out party, giving us a rare glimpse inside one of the most secretive societies in the world.
(voice-over): The most reclusive dictator in the world opens his arms and his doors to the world, an unofficial and elaborate coming- out party for Kim Jong-un, the hermit nation's hidden prince, the son of Kim Jong-Il, who one day will become its leader. This is the world's first glimpse of him in action, after being named a four star general last month.
Just after touching down, we're whisked to Pyongyang's May Day Stadium for the first event, the mass games.
(on camera): There are more than 100,000 people performing in a massive display of coordinated song, dance and gymnastics. They practiced eight hours a day every day for a year, and there's never a guarantee that Chairman Kim Jong-Il will be in attendance. But tonight, he is.
(voice-over): What's different this time is that Kim Jong-Il appears alongside his son. When the show is over, North Koreans in the audience applaud not for the performers but for their leader.
Next up, a massive military parade, billed as the country's largest ever -- a goose-stepping show of firepower by one of the largest armies in the world. Kim Jong-Il, said to be in frail health and rarely seen in public, shows up again, for the second time in two days, walking unaided but with one hand on the railing. (FOREIGN LANGUAGE) this woman says, "Long live the general, and long live his son." Here, Kim Jong-Il flashes a rare smile as his son jokes with elders. The crowd goes wild, jumping, clapping, even crying.
Then as night falls, yet another spectacle.
(on camera): Tonight's event called the soiree is the third such event in less than 24 hours and it is pure pageantry. Take a look behind me: the colors, the choreography, literally thousands of dancers in traditional dress.
The media has been invited as guests. This is the invitation. But make no mistake: the real guests of honor are up there in the balcony, Kim Jong-Il and his son, the heir apparent, Kim Jong-un.
JOERGEN MELSKENS, ACTOR/VISITING FROM DENMARK: I think it was fantastic.
CHO (voice-over): This man, an actor from Denmark, one of a handful of private citizens invited by the North Korean government is among those watching.
(on camera): What about all of the reports of oppression and the people starving and --
MELSKENS: I can't see it. Maybe it is there, but I can't see it. I can just see lucky people.
CHO (voice-over): This secretive nation will soon close its doors again, leaving many questions about its future. How will the young son rule? How long can North Korea continue as an isolationist state?
The world's eyes are watching as North Korea begins its transfer of power.
(on camera): And for all this talk about transfer of power, it's incredible to note that we actually know very little about Kim Jong- un. He is said to be 27 or 28 years old. He went to boarding school in Switzerland as a teen and he knows some English, German and French.
And, Kyra, he's also said to be a chip off the old block, that he not only looks like his father but acts like him, too -- Kyra.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: All right. Straight ahead, we're talking gay bashing, something that gang goons, right wing Serbs and a guy running for New York governor all have in common, on some level. But I'm thinking that one of them knows better.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Checking top stories -- we are actually waiting to hear from the president any minute now. He'll be stepping up to that podium in about eight minutes, talking about infrastructure. He's going to be meeting with various governors, mayors, also, the head of transportation. We will bring that live as soon as it happens.
Other stories that we're following right now -- Chile, the final steps are under way to bring 33 trapped miners to the surface. Rescue crews have finished drilling and reinforcing that escape shaft. Those men could probably brought up as early as Wednesday.
In Afghanistan, the governor of a Kunduz province was assassinated during Friday prayers. Nineteen other worshipers also died in the explosion. A few days earlier, he had warned CNN in an interview that 40 percent of his province was under Taliban control.
Democrats and gay rights organization accusing New York Republican candidate Carl Paladino of stunning homophobia after he condemns gay rights and the politicians who support them. The remarks weren't off the cuff remarks, however. They were prepared.
(MUSIC)
PHILLIPS: Now, we know how New York's Republican candidate for governor feels about gays, as I just mentioned. But here's Carl Paladino in his own words.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARL PALADINO (R), NY GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: I just think my children and your children will be much better off and much more successful getting married and raising a family. And I don't want them to be brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option. It isn't.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, in this climate, where you have gay kids feeling so ostracized, so distraught and shamed that they're driven to suicide, is it really necessary to make statements like that, to use words like "brainwashed," when talking about people, many of them young, who are being who they are, many of them struggling to come to terms with it?
And then listen to this: there is now at least eight suspects of a New York street gang accused of horrific crimes targeting gays.
And it doesn't stop in the U.S. You've got gay-bashing thugs in Serbia, trying to break off a gay pride march, tossing Molotov cocktails and chanting "Death to homosexuals."
You don't expect much civility from extremists or street thugs, but from a man who wants to be governor of New York, you'd expect him to be above gay-bashing. What would be his solution to anti-gay bullying? Does he think that these kids, like Tyler Clementi, choose to be gay? That they would rather be harassed to the point where they decide it was better to jump off a bridge?
This whole bullying problem is sad proof that words can do unspeakable damage. A man who expects to govern all of the people of the Empire State should know that.
Twenty-two days until the midterm elections, even though Barack Obama is not on the ballot, he's looming large in many races and you maybe surprise who's defending that tactic.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Only 22 days until Americans cast their votes in the midterm elections, and the control of Congress could be hanging in the balance.
Mark Preston, part of "The Best Political Team in Television" -- what's crossing now, Mark?
MARK PRESTON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL EDITOR: Well, Kyra, you know, Democrats have talked about running local elections, meaning they don't want to nationalize this election. And really that was -- a top Democrat really put a point on that thought yesterday on CNN's "STATE OF THE UNION" with Candy Crowley.
Chris Van Hollen, who oversees the Democratic campaign efforts for House Democrats, said that it's OK for Democrats to run away from President Obama. In fact, he said that by doing so, they're talking about their independence on certain issues. He also said it's a sign of the party's strength that Democrats can disassociate themselves from President Obama. They're highlighting their independence and shows how ideologically the House Democratic Caucus is.
Of course, if Republicans are able to pick up more than 39 seats on Election Day, Republicans will take back control of the House. Democrats are doing their best to stave that off.
Speaking of President Obama, as we speak, he is meeting with governors and mayors in the White House. We should hear his remarks from that meeting very shortly. He is talking to them about a $50 billion infrastructure plan to not only create jobs but also to help rebuild roads, rebuild bridges, rebuild rail across the country. A story that certainly will get some blow-back probably from Republicans who say that there's been too much spending so far or too much bad spending so far.
And let's close it out with this. We talk about 39 House seats that Republicans need to pick up. Well, Democrats are hoping that a loss in a primary early this year will help them hold onto a West Virginia seat. In fact, Alan Mollohan who was a Democratic -- 14-term Democrat lost to state senator, Mike Oliverio, and he is considered to have a better chance of holding onto this West Virginia seat. The Republican is David McKinley.
This, of course, is one of the CNN 100. It really is the roadmap to the midterm elections. If you want to get an idea of how Republicans think they can take back the House, how Democrats feel they can defend it, you need to check this out on CNNPolitics.com -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Mark, thanks. We'll have more political news next hour. And reminder: if you are away from the TV, just go to our Web site: CNNPolitics.com.
Christine O'Donnell, one of the big stories of this year's political season and she's been a hot topic for the host of CNN's newest program, "PARKER SPITZER."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELIOT SPITZER, "PARKER SPITZER" CO-HOST: When you look at the substance of what she says here, a lot of people are going to say we're not so sure she's ready for the Senate.
KATHLEEN PARKER, "PARKER SPITZER" CO-HOST: You know, I happen to -- I feel for the girl a little bit. I mean, she was a -- she was a sweet girl when she was on the Bill Maher show, right? She was 20 years old. And she actually, if you look at some of those tapes, she had a lot of personality, she's spunky and cute. And that, you know, she was just saying things I don't think she intended to be taken terribly, seriously.
SPITZER: I agree with you on that.
PARKER: And now, that's taken a life of its own.
SPITZER: I think all that is not only fair to her but accurate. And I even defended her with that sort of crazy ad, "I'm not a witch," because you know what she's trying to defuse a tough situation, but then when you step back and as you get closer to November 2nd, then you say, wait a minute, there are some serious issues.
PARKER: Oh, sure.
SPITZER: I don't think she passes that threshold.
PARKER: Now, there are a lot of people who are cute and spunky that I don't want running the country.
SPITZER: That's right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: For more opinions, ideas and analysis, don't miss CNN's newest show, "PARKER SPITZER." That's week nights at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.
So, what makes a good job, salary, stress, growth level? CNNMoney.com actually compiled a list of the best 100 jobs in America.
Here's the job that topped it. Five: environmental engineer. Number four: physical therapist. Number three: management consultant. Number two: physician assistant. And number one: software engineer.
You can check out the entire list on CNNMoney.com.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) PHILLIPS: Every day at this time, we honor the men and women in uniform who have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan for us.
Today, we're lifting up Master Sergeant Robert Horrigan of Austin, Texas. He was killed in 2005 near the border with Syria. His younger brother Dan created a memorial outside his home in Texas to honor Sergeant Horrigan. It's a sculpted bronze statue that you see here.
Sergeant Horrigan could do it all. He was a Special Ops soldier, an airborne ranger and medic, and a diver. Service for the country was long and dangerous, three tours in Afghanistan and four in Iraq. He was killed on his fifth tour on duty there.
He leaves behind a widow, a daughter, his mom, a sister and two brothers. Master Sergeant Robert Horrigan is buried in Arlington National Cemetery and we remember him today.
If you have a loved one you'd like us to honor, here's all you have to do. Go to CNN.com/HomeandAway, type in your service member's name in the upper right hand search field, pull up the profile, send us your thoughts, your pictures, we promise to keep the memory of your hero alive.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Pretty troubling story out of Central Washington about a college party that went horribly wrong. Police in the town of Roslyn say that someone spiked drinks causing a massive overdose. Most of the victims: young women who had to be hospitalized.
Ted Rowlands is on it.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The party was thrown by a college freshman here at a second home owned by his parents. According to police, 11 out of the 12 victims were girls, all of them were between the ages of 18 and 21.
(voice-over): Students at the party say it was clear something was wrong.
KATELYNN ALLEN, CWU FRESHMAN: Everything was going fine. The music was playing, people were having fun, and all of a sudden, all of the girls were puking everywhere, girls outside like on their back and people were so drunk they didn't know what to do.
ROWLANDS: Police believe the victims were drugged without their knowledge.
CHRIS UNGER, CWU FRESHMAN: They were saying, "Don't drink out the red cups, don't drink out of the red cups." And I know I had saw someone drink out of the red cup. I took one sip of it, I immediately threw up without even a single drink. I mean, that's how powerful it was.
ROWLANDS: For police, the night started in this grocery store parking lot. A girl was unconscious in a car. Officers traced her condition back to the party. They had to break down the door because nobody would answer.
CHIEF SCOTT FERGUSON, CLE ELUM-ROSLYN POLICE DEPARTMENT: I would hate to think what could have occurred had there been another 15, 20 minutes that would have passed.
ROWLANDS: Police detained a man who was having sex with a semi- conscious female. He was released after it was determined the two were dating. The man may still face charges.
(on camera): Blood and urine samples have been taken from the victims in an effort to figure out exactly what they consumed. Police plan to interview everybody who attended the party to try to figure out who drugged the students.
Ted Rowlands, CNN, Roslyn, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, that does it for us. We'll be back here tomorrow. Thanks for joining us.
Tony Harris picks it up from here -- Tony.
