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President Obama, In Lisbon, Comments On G20 Summit That Addressed Important Economic Issues In Europe

Aired November 20, 2010 - 12:32   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: All right. President Barack Obama there wrapping up his comments there in Lisbon, Portugal and wrapping up this NATO summit he describes as being extremely productive. He's received, quote, "overwhelming support" on many issues. They came to agreements on a few. They have nailed down Afghan security transition, and also modernizing defense capability, and the development of a missile defense system.

You also heard the president commenting on air travel in this country as we're embarking on one of the busiest air travel seasons of the year. There's a lot to be said about the TSA security measures now in place. The president defending it, while in Lisbon. Saying our TSA personnel is under intense pressure to keep the planes flying safe. We'll have more on the latter in the NEWSROOM. "TSA Security Myths Versus Reality" after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Hello, again, everyone. I'm Fredricka Whitfield in Atlanta. You're in the NEWSROOM now.

There's so much talk about the pat downs and full body scans that we'll be seeing at airports this holiday season. In fact, President Obama just talked about it moments ago, in Lisbon, saying TSA is under pressure to keep planes, and you, safe. Still there seems to be a lot of confusion about what is fact, what is rumor. To help us answer all of these questions, CNN's Kate Bolduan joins us from Reagan National Airport, just outside Washington.

So, what's taking place there and what are the grumblings. What are people saying?

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, Fredricka.

You set up the debate really well. It seems to be there's a big question of what's thorough and too thorough. You have everyone from privacy rights advocates, civil rights advocates, to pilots and passengers, themselves, complaining and criticizing the security procedures, that they are too intrusive and excessive.

At the same time TSA has come out to defend the security policies saying they are both necessary and safe. There's been a lot of talk about it. A lot of stories, a lot of headlines. We wanted to clear up a few questions for viewers as they get ready to head to the airport for this very busy holiday travel season. One of the things people should probably know is, they ask if everyone is going to encounter these full-body scanners. The answer is actually no. There are many places they don't actually have scanners quite yet. There are 400 machines, of these full-body scanners, according to the TSA, in about 69 airports, commercial airports throughout the airports. That's 69 airports of the more than 560 commercial airports there are in the country. Only about 12 percent of commercial airports have these scanners in them.

If you encounter one of these full-body scanners, many are asking, are they safe. This coming from complaints and concerns that there is a health risk, to the exposure of low-level radiation that could be coming from machines, both pilots unions and professors in California asked to suspend the program until further testing can be done on the health risks. The TSA, Fredricka, says these machines are safe. There's less radiation exposure in one scan than one encounters in two minutes of being on a flight at attitude. They are trying to dispel that saying they are absolutely safe from their type of testing.

If you opt out from these scanners, there's the other thing raising eyebrows, right now and getting a lot of attention, these enhanced pat down techniques. That have been put in place since November 1st. Does everyone get a pat down, people are wondering? No, they actually do not. You will encounter and be subject to these enhanced pat downs, if-as I mentioned, you opt out from one of these full-body scans, from going through the technology, or if you go through the full-body scan and metal detector and the alarm goes off and there's a need for secondary additional screening.

There's also, Fredricka, a chance for random selection in terms of randomly being selected to have one of these pat downs. That being said, the TSA says a small percentage of people actually are subjected to these enhanced pat downs. But the people complaining about it, that sure doesn't make them feel any better.

WHITFIELD: So, Kate, I'm looking at the line behind you as folks get ready to go through security. Is the line particularly long? Is it impacted at all by the changes here, the options people have?

BOLDUAN: We've been talking to a few people. Right now it seems like a normal security line, 100 percent. It is actually, it's been going, you know, Saturdays I don't think are the busiest travel days in general in terms of the weekly travel schedule at an airport. But the line has seemed nothing to really complain about in terms of we know what a security line can look like. We've been talking to some people and we've heard really every side of the debate, Fredricka, people saying it's completely intrusive, they don't think that they need to be-it's excessive. They don't think they need to be groped, in their words, to be safe on a plane. Others saying as long as it gets them to their destination safely they are fine with full body scans and the pat downs. But it is definitely something people are talking about and wondering about these days.

WHITFIELD: OK, even those who flying for a living are talking about it. Kate Bolduan, thanks so much from Reagan National Airport, there in Washington, D.C. OK, speaking of which, two pilots who refused the body scans and the more intrusive pat downs are suing over a violation of their constitutional rights. Our legal guys are standing by, Attorneys Avery Friedman and Richard Herman. There they are. And they will be sounding off on this topic and others, right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. The first Guantanamo detainee to be tried in civilian court is acquitted on all but one of 285 terror-related counts. Let's get right to our legal guy, civil rights attorney Avery Friedman, in Cleveland, and criminal defense attorney Richard Herman, in Las Vegas. Both professors, I might add.

Gentlemen, good to see you. What happened here? This has to be an incredible defeat for the Obama administration that wanted to try these detainees in civilian court. First up acquitted on almost everything except one.

Richard, how did this happen? Was it a matter of evidence that's admissible in a military tribunal that isn't in a civilian court? What happened?

RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Why don't we celebrate our system in the United States? Why don't we celebrate the fact we're a civilized nation unlike the majority of nations in the world. This guy got a fair trial in the United States. Anywhere else it would have been a kangaroo court. He would have been convicted before the trial began.

And that is what opponents of the president were seeking here. They wanted a conviction without any evidence, with nothing. Judge Kaplan (ph) ruled that the evidence that was obtained to present in this case was obtained illegally, which meant it would not be allowed to be used; i.e., it was obtained through torture. That's bedrock in United States criminal law, civil and federal. If you obtain evidence illegally you can't use it.

That's what happened here. The government got their hands tied. They could not use evidence that they obtained through torture methods, and therefore this courthouse, which has about a 93 percent conviction rate, he got acquitted on almost all the charges.

WHITFIELD: So, Avery, you're in agreement with some of this but not all, just based on your nods, and your level of exasperation.

AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: Well, listen. I actually 100 percent agree with Richard. The fact is that this is getting spun the wrong direction. We got Ahmed Ghailani. We got him convicted. He's going to spend the rest of his life in the penitentiary. The fact is that if it went to a military tribunal they couldn't do any more than that. It's nonsensical --

WHITFIELD: And that one conviction, that is guilty on the conspiracy charge, being involved with the planning of the bombings of the U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya. FRIEDMAN: Exactly right. And the fact is, it will be the most extreme penalty. He will spend the rest of his life in jail. Congratulations to the Department of Justice. The commentary from the left and right this is not the way to go, they are both wrong. It's exactly where this case belongs.

WHITFIELD: OK. Now let's talk about something impacting whole lots of people right here in this country as they get ready to travel for this big holiday season. You've got two pilots that say, wait a minute, this TSA, these increased security measures, they are a violation of my rights, my privacy rights. So Richard, where does this go, especially since now we hear pilots won't be subjected to the same security measures as regular flyers. But where does this case go, if anywhere? Does it take off?

(CROSSTALK)

HERMAN: It's a case and it is going and it will probably go on appeal. These pilots said there was no suspicion of wrongdoing, they should not have been requested to do these types of pat downs. Fred, just because the TSA says low-level radiation won't affect you, come on. We're not going to be that naive to believe it, just because they say it. There are scientific reports to say that that level of radiation is not healthy. Are you going to put your children through that scanner? I don't think so. I'm not.

WHITFIELD: The pilots' argument, they travel, go through these screenings a lot more often than the regular traveler. That's at the crux of their argument. Beyond the fact they are saying this system is forcing travelers to decide between the lesser of two evils, as it is for these pilots or any other personnel?

FRIEDMAN: I studied their lawsuit Fredricka, it's basically a Fourth Amendment on unreasonable search and seizure. I think, I'm the first guy to say it. It doesn't violate the Fourth Amendment. The fact is this lawsuit will be dismissed by Judge Henry Kennedy in the District of Columbia. The fact is now pilots are exempt so they don't even have a claim here. Most importantly, most importantly, the issue is whether or not a violation of Fourth Amendment. You're going to find federal courts throughout the country will rule that this enhanced pat down and full-body scanners does not violate the Fourth Amendment.

WHITFIELD: All right. Avery-

HERMAN: Fred.

WHITFIELD: Yeah?

HERMAN: Look at the progression. Fred, look at the progression. First it was the show bomber, so now we take our shoes off. Now it is the underwear bomber so we getting full pat downs. What happens on a full body cavity search, what is going to be next? Is that going to be next? I don't think so.

FRIEDMAN: Come on! WHITFIELD: All right. We're going to see what's next. Hopefully- maybe we won't. We don't want to see what's next. Maybe we just stop right here.

FRIEDMAN: That's right.

WHITFIELD: All right, Avery, Richard, thanks so much. Good to see you all. Have a great weekend. Am I going to see you next weekend?

FRIEDMAN: Happy Thanksgiving, Fred. To you and to Richard.

HERMAN: Happy Thanksgiving, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Happy Thanksgiving, gentlemen. Appreciate that.

HERMAN: Absolutely.

WHITFIELD: Thanks for being with us in our truncated version of our legal segment.

All right. Russell Simmons, he is credited with bringing hip-hop into the mainstream. I asked him "Face-To-Face", what he thinks of today's performers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD (on camera): Are there ever moments in today's hip-hop where you think certain risks are taken in the lyrics that perhaps weren't taken in the early '80s?

RUSSELL SIMMONS, HIP-HOP ENTREPRENEUR: No, we took risks. We set after police when they are abusive to the community.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: He doesn't end up talking that loud, it was just an audio problem.

So, Simmons also tells me why he thinks hip-hop artists face more criticism than other performers. "Face-To-Face" with Russell Simmons next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Man's best friend is going bionic. A British veterinarian is giving some pets prosthetic limbs with technology that rivals what's used on humans. Rob Marciano explains in today's "Edge Of Discovery".

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROB MARCIANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Mitzi Davis is walking again. After being trampled by a horse in June her owner was left with a tough decision.

VIV DAVIS, MITZI'S OWNER: The options were three legs, euthanasia, or give her a chance to walk. We had to give her a chance to walk.

MARCIANO: Mitzi is just one of the few dogs in the world that can be labeled bionic. On this day, the Noel Fitzpatrick is taking off the Mitzi's bulky leg brace and replace it with a sleek, permanent prosthetic foot.

DR. NOEL FITZPATRICK, FITZPATRICK REFERRALS: Down, down, down, down.

MARCIANO: He did this using a revolutionary device called ITAP, a custom-built metal rod place inside Mitzi's leg.

FITZPATRICK: It's a permanent fixture, it is part of the dog's body. The dog just gets on with life.

Before ITAP came into being there was no way to give an animal a prosthesis.

MARCIANO: ITAP technology has also been tested on humans. Fitzpatrick says traditional prosthetic devices for humans can sometimes be painful and difficult to use. He says ITAP could be remarkable alternative for people and pets.

FITZPATRICK: If what I do helping patients in their needs, help other patients that are animals, or human, excellent. I think it is the future, yes.

MARCIANO: Rob Marciano, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Russell Simmons, a business mogul who does it all, conquering not one but several industries. Right now he's out with a new fashion line, a new book, and a new reality TV show, "Running Russell Simmons."

But his roots are in hip-hop. He co-founded Def Jam recordings and is credited with bringing hip-hop into the mainstream. I asked him "Face-To-Face" what he thinks of the music today.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD (on camera): In music, there are messages. I know you're not as involved in hip-hop in particular, as you once were. But you are still--

SIMMONS: I still love hip-hop and artists. I still work with the hip-hop audience.

WHITFIELD: So, I wonder do you like how hip-hop has evolved? Do you like the product of hip-hop today versus --

SIMMONS: It's the same.

WHITFIELD: Is it the same?

SIMMONS: It is the same voice for people. Here we are 20 some-odd years later, 30 years later, they still got a voice.

(HIP-HOP MUSIC)

SIMMONS: Still people who were being shut down and shut out are still talking. And now they're talking to the kids, if you live in the suburbs or White House, you've got to hear it. That's great.

WHITFIELD: So, the hip-hop of the '70s, when-

SIMMONS: Well, '79 was my first record.

WHITFIELD: Yeah. You think there are strong parallels between those late '70s and 2010 hip-hop?

SIMMONS: Yeah, the same thing.

WHITFIELD: So you like it?

SIMMONS: I don't listen to as much hip-hop as I used to.

WHITFIELD: That would be because?

SIMMONS: I listen to different kinds of music more often than I used to. I don't have the time. I'm not in the music business, I'm not as invested. Unfortunately, I miss that joy, that additional joy I had.

WHITFIELD: Are there ever moments in today's hip-hop where you think certain risks are taken in the lyrics that perhaps weren't taken in the early '80s?

SIMMONS: No, no, we took risks. We said F to police when are abusive to the community.

WHITFIELD: We're not talking about social issues, I just mean language.

SIMMONS: Language?

WHITFIELD: Example, N word. N word used a lot more now.

SIMMONS: They always said the N word sine I was a kid. We always said N word in rap records, and in rap, before they were records. I don't remember them not saying it. That's just language.

WHITFIELD: Doesn't matter?

SIMMONS: It doesn't matter to me. I recommend bleeping it before. They made a big thing that I was against it, the language. Say what they want. They are poets. I don't want to tell them what to say. They are more insightful than we are in most cases. I don't judge the poets for what they say. I'm more concerned with the way they vote.

They never liked the poets no matter what century you pick up in, they will never like the poets reflection or their truth --

WHITFIELD: Who is "they"? I mean, I'm just talking about- SIMMONS: No, no, the gatekeepers of culture are never going to like the poets and they never have, in history.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are inherent carriers of the words of the earth. For what it's worth, y'all call us poets.

SIMMONS: The poets, are the progressive thinkers. The poets are concerned with the animals, the abuse of the environment. They are concerned with the lack of compassion. They are concerned with the lack of love that we give each other. They are concerned with subjects we go cold on, that we get numb on. It's interesting that rap has stayed in the hands of those people who normally would never have had a voice.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Other cats who claim our vibe (ph) view they subscribe superficial with selfish needs. See behind the mic our soul believes life lessons-

SIMMONS: I hear old records are sometimes are more inspired and I kind of don't want to grow old. I like to say when people say what's your favorite record, I like to say the one on the radio. I like to say that.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: More "Face-To-Face" with Russell Simmons at 3:00 Eastern Time today. He tells me about his latest fashion venture and why he coaxed a retired supermodel, look familiar, to get back front of the camera.

Next week, "Face-To-Face" with Salman Rushdie, the highly acclaimed author is now living a full and very public life after spending nearly a decade in hiding. It was the result of a fatwa, a death wish being put on his life, for writing the "Satanic Verses" back in 1989. Rushdie has penned a new children book, it is a second one. And this one about a dangerous, at times, scary journey into the world of magic.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: This interesting approach you have in this children's book, 12, 13, the ideal age group you're thinking of. It does need to be a sophisticated young reader. The language, you have hieroglyphics, you have these very imaginative characters. They are kind of framing them, in terms like the Jaguar Man.

SALMAN RUSHDIE, AUTHOR, "LUKA AND THE FIRE OF LIFE": Yes, but frightening is good. There's no kids out there dressing up as Luke Skywalker. They are all dressing up as Darth Vader. It's just a fun fairytale. You know what I mean? People are so used to fantasy writing these days, there's so much of it around. This falls into that kind of category. The thing that I liked about the first book in the sea of stories which I hoped would happen is that grownups came and got a lot of pleasure from it from one direction.

(END VIDEO CLIP) WHITFIELD: "Face-To-Face" with Salmon Rushdie next weekend right here in the NEWSROOM.

In such a struggling economy every penny counts. A financial expert joins us with tips on investing in 2011 that is at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. Then at 3:00, Chef Anthony Bourdain travels the world tasting all kinds of exotic foods. I'll ask him about the strangest meal he's ever had, and find out what he is planning for Thanksgiving.

I'm Fredericka Whitfield, "YOUR MONEY" starts right now.