Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Leadership of Egypt's Ruling Political Party Resign; Health Care in the Nation's Highest Courts; Latest Ruling in Tucson Shooting; Congressman Sues For Big Bucks Over Olive Pit

Aired February 05, 2011 - 12:00   ET

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

RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: You'll take it from here, Fred?

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: I will, indeed. Thanks so much, Randi, have a great day.

Of course we're going to tackle now that breaking news coming out of Egypt, word that President Hosni Mubarak has resigned, not as president, but resigned as head of his political party.

Arwa Damon is on the phone with us, right now.

So Arwa, explain what this means.

Oh, it looks like we lost Arwa Damon there in Cairo, Egypt. OK. It sounds like we have her now.

OK, Arwa, if you're able to hear me, explain, what does this mean that Hosni Mubarak has stepped down as head of the national democratic party, but still remains president.

ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: All right, Fredricka, we're actually trying to confirm the exact logistics and the mechanics of what happened and whether or not Hosni Mubarak does remain as head of the party. What we do know so far is that the ruling council of the national democratic party has resigned including Gamal Mubarak, Hosni Mubarak's son. This council includes some of the most hated faces of the party, and to quote one analyst, he is saying that this could be the first step before Mubarak "submits his resignation as president or is ousted by military." This analyst believes Mubarak is taking steps to save the party by removing what many people perceive as the ugly faces of the party.

Now, this is also something of a political move, a very significant one, and (INAUDIBLE) the national democratic party, it effetely has ruled this party for the last three decades. But in terms of this being something of a solution for the standoff that we're seeing down in Liberation Square, not likely. The demonstrators are not looking at the inner mechanics and workings of the national democratic party. They still have that one goal in mind, and that is the resignation of the president himself from the presidency -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: So, Arwa, if he were to indeed, if he's the one who stepped down from that post, who would step in and does that change the face of this democratic party?

DAMON: Well, it would really depend on who they would then nominate or elect into that role, whether or not he was someone who was strong enough to actually hold the party together, whether or not he was someone who would be viewed as a Mubarak puppet, as well. But when it comes to what's happening here and bringing about some sort of revolution, again, it's not about who's leading the party itself, it's about who's leading the country.

The demonstrators out there have made their demands very clear. They want the president to step down, they want constitutional amendments that would curb the powers of the presidency, they want true economic and social reform.

So in terms of appeasing the masses down in Liberation Square that have effectively started to bring this country to its knees, this is not likely to do much in that direction, unless of course it is as this one analyst believes it could be, the first step towards Mubarak then resigning as president -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, Arwa Damon, thanks so much from Cairo on that update. So, a lot of diplomatic maneuvering taking place to try to end this crisis overall in Egypt, and much of it is actually coming from the U.S.

Our foreign affairs correspondent, Jill Dougherty.

So Jill, what is the U.S. doing right now to try and stay ahead of what could or could -- may not be taking place involving this transfer of power?

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN FOREIGN AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Right. Well, first I'll give you, Fredricka, an update over at the White House, the president's deputy national security adviser, Denis McDonough, met with the deputies this morning, and then the president, Obama, will be meeting and be briefed with his senior national security staff.

And then in Munich where there's a security conference going on, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been meeting with a lot of different world leaders, and top of the agenda, of course is Egypt.

Now, it's interesting to listen to her comments, we're going to play them in a second here, because she is now really putting focus more, not so much on President Mubarak, but on his vice president who is leading up the government, Vice President Suleiman. Let's listen to what Clinton says.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON, SECRETARY OF STATE: There are forces at work in any society, and particularly one that is facing these kinds of challenges that will try to derail or overtake the process to pursue their own specific agenda. Which is why I think it's important to support the transition process announced by the Egyptian government, actually headed by now Vice President Omar Suleiman.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DOUGHERTY: Right, actually headed by. And then also Secretary Clinton really is saying the U.S. is pushing or pressing for President Mubarak to follow through on what he has pledged, and that includes he will not run, his son will not run, and the transition, he's directed his government to lead and support that transition process.

So, Secretary Clinton went through some of these steps now that the U.S. is pressing Egypt to take, and those would be constitutional reform, No. 1, nonviolent political parties, and then finally free and fair elections. That is the main thing. And steps already are being taken in that direction. You've had meetings today with the vice president of Egypt Suleiman with opposition parties, so there appears to be some progress in that direction -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: And then, I wonder, Jill, do you know anything about how the U.S. was able to get these opposition groups to the table, if the U.S. was particularly involved in trying to coordinate this meeting with Suleiman? Or was it simply a suggestion by the U.S.?

DOUGHERTY: Yes, that is very delicate. You know, the U.S. is not trying to orchestrate this, because that could backfire. It would look like the U.S. is trying to run the show. That's not what they want to do. But they have been encouraging, behind the scenes in a lot of meetings with both sides and also publicly, as you heard from Clinton, as you've heard from president Obama, driving home the same point that now, right now, those two sides, the government and the opposition have to come together. But, they're not reaching in and cracking heads at all. It really has to be an Egyptian process.

WHITFIELD: Jill Dougherty in Washington, thanks so much for that update. We'll check back with you throughout the afternoon.

Also, straight ahead, lots of folks looking forward to this in this country, the Super Bowl. But guess what? It's a pretty dangerous situation at the site of tomorrow's big game. You see the ice right there forming. Well, ice actually slid off the roof of the Cowboy's stadium in Arlington, Texas, and one man was hit in the head. He is in stable condition and he's in the hospital. Five other people had minor injuries.

The Dallas/Ft. Worth area got hit with snow and ice and of course we'll be taking you live to CNN's Mark McKay in articling don in just a minute. But first, Karen McGinnis is here with us in the Weather Center.

Oh my gosh, it gets cold in Dallas/ Ft. Worth area sometime, but this is very strange.

KAREN MCGINNIS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: This is just kind of a series of systems, not just for Texas, but for the Midwest, the Ohio River Valley, everybody has struggled this winter and into the northeast. And for the forecast, at one time it was icy snow, then it was maybe just ice, and then we were looking at the possibility of it just being rainfall coming up for Super Bowl Sunday. Nothing very dramatic, it would be just a little bit, move in, move out. Well, now it looks like it could be some ice, some snow, not much in the way of accumulation, but it's just going to be kind of a dreary forecast, but not as we take a look at a picture of Dallas, right now.

Take a look at this live picture, the live view of Dallas. Yep, that's pretty spectacular, going to be a great, fun game to watch. And we're looking at temperatures right now around 37 degrees, should be around 40 by the afternoon. The same for tomorrow, it's going to be hovering around 40 degrees, so above the freezing mark. Well, it's going to struggle to get there. And I do think you'll see some sort of mixed precipitation.

All right. Well, enjoy the game, and it does look like Dallas, as we head towards Wednesday, you won't believe this, we could see another snow or ice storm.

WHITFIELD: No!

MCGINNIS: Wednesday. Yep.

WHITFIELD: My goodness.

MCGINNIS: We'll have to watch it.

WHITFIELD: It's just never ending. This is like the longest, most brutal winter.

MCGINNIS: It is.

WHITFIELD: I think, most people can remember.

MCGINNIS: Absolutely.

WHITFIELD: Oh, gosh. All right. Thanks so much, Karen. We'll check back in with you. Appreciate that.

WHITFIELD: All right, so let's go to Dallas now or to the Arlington area and check in with CNN's Mark McKay.

So, Mark, what's it like there? How are you? Wait a minute. It must be warm, because you're not that bundled up.

MARK MCKAY, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: I took off the big overcoat for the first time this week, Fred, and I am loving it.

WHITFIELD: You're loving it.

MCKAY: Super Bowl weekend has arrived and so has the thaw here in the Arlington, Dallas/Ft. Worth area. The activity is now ramping up for the game tomorrow night. Until then we're looking forward to all of the snow and the ice, not necessarily melting away, it will stay on the grassy areas and such, but the roadways will improve greatly. It's been very difficult to navigate around the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, but outside the Arlington Convention center today, we're seeing more and more people out, a lot more activities ramping up outside Cowboys Stadium. On top of the roof, you did see the pictures and Fred, you mentioned the issues yesterday with the initial burst of sunshine we had yesterday afternoon, melting a good portion of the snow and ice that had formed on the top of Cowboys Stadium, cascading down, injuring people below. They do have the plaza area around Cowboy area shut down this morning. A little more ice and snow left to melt away. I think that will be gone before the afternoon is out, as the sun is out, I don't see a cloud in the sky -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: You are kidding me. Well, that's nice. That's a beautiful picture. I know the fans are very happy about that. Was there some real expressed concern that folks felt like they may, even though they had tickets to the game, they might miss it because of this weather?

MCKAY: I think certainly the past couple of days, Fred, with the situation at Dallas/Ft. Worth airport and Love Field, but everything, if not back to normal to normal, certainly close. Hundreds of cancellations yesterday at the height of the snowstorm, so folks trying to come into the area, but you know, they're also driving. We met a Green Bay fan this morning, he loaded six buddies up into his yellow and green van, made his way down from Wisconsin to Arlington, OK? Usually an 18-hour drive, Fred, it took them 26 hours and listen to this, they don't even have tickets to the game they're here just tailgating and soaking up the atmosphere.

WHITFIELD: And they're happy, nonetheless, they still got there faster than a lot of people with plane tickets in the end. All right, well something tells me they just might be able to get a ticket or two, because maybe there's going to be some no-shows there. Mark McKay, thanks so much, appreciate it.

OK. Back to our focus overseas in a moment, the attacks, the roundup of journalists. The Egyptian prime minister denies the government is actually hindering the media from covering the events in Egypt. We'll talk about media coverage right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, time to check with our legal guys. We love to check in with them every weekend about this time. Health care in the nation's highest court is on the docket, the latest rulings in the Tucson shooting case, and the story of a congressman and an olive pit. We'll get to all that. Our legal guys are ready.

Civil rights attorney, Avery Friedman is in Cleveland and New York criminal defense attorney Richard Herman in Las Vegas.

Good to see you, gentlemen.

RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Hi, Fredricka.

AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY:

WHITFIELD: OK, let's talk about the turn for health care reform, at least 27 states now have filed challenges to the health care reform law, and now Virginia wants the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on this.

Richard, you first. While Virginia wants this to happen and the request has been made, the U.S. Justice Department is saying, no, don't even consider this request. What's going on here?

HERMAN: Well, this is slightly an important piece of legislation. I mean, any time the Supreme Court has an opportunity to overturn another body of government, it's very important, so they're not going to short circuit it. They're going to let all of the circuits weigh in that are going to weigh in on it and then make an informed decision down the road.

But, Fred, it's definitely going to end up in the United States Supreme Court. There's going to be a decision made on the constitutionality of it. The swing votes, I think Avery will agree with me, Justice Kennedy, and believe it or not, Justice Scalia, because if they vote the way they have in the past on the power of the government and Congress to regulate, they should approve this package.

WHITFIELD: Avery, how do you see it playing out? I mean, just because the request has been made of the U.S. Supreme Court doesn't mean the Supreme Court is going to take it. Do you see the Supreme Court would take this case?

FRIEDMAN: Well ultimately, but this is Ken Cuccinelli who's the attorney general of Virginia, and he wants to skip over the federal appeals process. He's got about as much chance as Hosni Mubarak sticking around in Cairo until September. That ain't going to happen. Richard's right, the fact is that this is a deliberate process.

Although to Cuccinelli's credit, he convinced the court of appeals to expedite hearings, and that's coming up in May, but the supreme court is not going to permit a review of the case until all the courts of appeals have rendered a decision. I'm also in accord that Justice Anthony Kennedy will be the key person. Not sure I agree Scalia will be, but certainly Anthony Kennedy, and I've got some thoughts that we're probably looking at a 5-4 decision in 2012 in favor of the constitutionality of this law.

WHITFIELD: All right. Let's move on to Arizona now and what's taking place there. We're talking about Jared Loughner he's the accused shooter of that massacre that took place there in Tucson. So, the case was taken by a San Diego judge. It was moved to Phoenix, and now, gentlemen, it's going back to Tucson. Avery, what turn has taken? Why did this judge decide, if it's the judge's decision, why take it back to the place where the scene of the crime happened?

FRIEDMAN: Well, it's a fascinating ruling, isn't it? Because both Richard and I predicted this case is going to be outside of Tucson. But here's the reason, we're early on in the case and what's going on is the federal district judge is concerned about witnesses, concerned about the attorneys, and round-trip back and forth between phoenix and Tucson is about a four-hour drive. That inconvenience compelled the judge, Larry Burns, to kick it back to Tucson, but in his opinion, this week, he said that he still was reserving the power of the defense counsel to move it out of Tucson. I'm sticking to our -- to my guns here and saying ultimately it's going to be outside of Tucson.

WHITFIELD: Yes, I don't see how in the world you could find a non-prejudicial jury in Tucson -- Richard.

HERMAN: But incredibly, Fred, the government, which is empowered to find and search for the truth, they're opposing the defense request to have the venue changed from Tucson because they feel they can get a fair trial in Tucson. That's actually a position with a straight face by the government in this case. It's ridiculous, it's going to be out of Tucson, it's going to be out of Arizona, and he's going to get convicted wherever it is.

WHITFIELD: OK, and then, you know, a couple weeks ago we talked about this case that maybe brought a chuckle or two from some folks saying, no way, there's not a chance, Ohio congressman Dennis Kucinich said he damaged his tooth while biting into a sandwich wrap and there was an unpitted olive, it chipped his tooth and so he was taking that cafeteria on Capitol Hill to task. Well, guess what? There has now been a settlement, gentlemen, three years later. I think most of us thought that he didn't have a chance of this one. That's my nonlocal opinion. But I heard it from you all that it didn't seem like he had a, you know, snowball's chance. So what in the world happened here, Avery. Why did they settle?

FRIEDMAN: Well, you know, I have known Dennis Kucinich and I've known his teeth for many decades. I think he's a principled guy. I think he was injured and you know what? Why should a congressperson be any different? I think what outraged people is a $150,000 lawsuit and I think after all the kidding and high publicity, probably what Dennis did was say settle the case. So it did settle, he did get some money, he didn't get $150,000, and I think I know how much he got but I'm not going to say, right now.

WHITFIELD: You're not going to say? And is it also because of the --

FRIEDMAN: We'll see what Richard says.

WHITFIELD: Oh, OK, well Richard, is it because of the lapse of time, that's why people thought maybe they weren't ready to take it seriously because so much time elapsed?

HERMAN: Well no, he was going through oral surgeries and all kinds of procedures on his teeth. But here's the thing, Olivegate is over so we can rejoice it's over, finally, and as far as the case goes, Fred, it's settled, it's confidential. You know, these dental cases do not bring big money. He sued for $150,000. Avery, I'd be floored if he got more than $10,000. I don't believe it.

WHITFIELD: Oh, wow.

FRIEDMAN: Oh. Well, I think he got 30.

WHITFIELD: OK, so somewhere between 10 and 30, maybe. How about that, split the difference.

FRIEDMAN: And the attorneys took a third of it.

WHITFIELD: That's right, you attorneys. Oh well, you make sure you get paid, right? Well, Avery, Richard, thanks so much. We're going to talk to you.

HERMAN: Oh, Fred.

WHITFIELD: I'm just saying, you brought it up.

HERMAN: OK.

WHITFIELD: Nothing's worse than mouth pain, though, that's for sure. We're going to talk to you again, we're going to talk about Lindsay Lohan, what's going on, what is it that she borrowed the necklace or was it that she took the necklace from a jewelry store? That case and more with our legal guys when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All eyes are on Egypt, and the media is right in the middle of it all in the Egyptian government is being called into question following a rash of attacks on journalists. Rasha Kamhawi who is a communications expert and professor, joins me from Cairo.

So, the Egyptian prime minister denies any claims that the government tried to hinder coverage and says the media has full freedom to do anything they want. And so is that true? If, Professor, the world is seeing journalists being detained, roughed up, robbed, that certainly doesn't say freedom to do anything that they want. What do you suppose happened, from your vantage point?

RASHA KAMHAWI, UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR: Yes, the vice president and the prime minister have assured in their interviews that foreign crews are welcome and there are orders to the military to make sure that they are safe. However, in down in Tahrir Square, the situation is a little bit different, foreign reporters are welcomed by protesters, but still it is very hard to get in the square with cameras or any kind of recording equipment.

We still see most of the reporting that takes place is almost always far away from Tahrir Square and the camera zooms in on what's going in there.

WHITFIELD: So, that's what you see -- sorry to interrupt you -- that's what you're seeing when you're watching state television, that it is a wide view. You don't necessarily see the close-up views that might show protesters or even journalists being roughed up?

KAMHAWI: No, the irony is if you open state television right now the picture from Tahrir Square is very foggy, all you can see is just the outline of buildings and lights. You can't see anything down there and maybe the idea that they want to give to the audience is that there are protesters or if there is protesting, is very limited.

WHITFIELD: So, does it seem a little perplexing or confusing that the government is saying one thing, that we want people to be able to assemble, we want them to be able to express their views, but then you see these clashes taking place and when the clashes are involving people who are helping to disseminate that information, are Egyptians in general feeling like they're seeing a confusing message being conveyed or is this business as usual?

KAMHAWI: Yes, the -- it is definitely a confusing message. The message through state television and in interviews from the officials is that they are fine, they'll be protected, it has been for some time. However, you see the clashes on Wednesday and Thursday, there are still reports of thugs around areas where there are demonstrations, they are kept at bay. The armies at the entryways trying to keep everything safe and protected, but still some of the entry ways to Tahrir Square are a little bit dangerous to get through to the square.

There seems to be some confusion within the government (INAUDIBLE). What is said is something and what happens on the ground is something else. State television has been playing the propaganda role, of course, which you would expect in times of crisis, trying to maintain the status quo, and trying to present what the other stations are saying, and saying they are rumors, they are lying, they have ulterior motives to report these lies, but of course we see the (INAUDIBLE) and we know what other stations are reporting is true. It is the government channels are trying to block most of the coverage of what is happening in there.

WHITFIELD: OK. Professor Rasha Kamhawi, thanks so much for your time, and continue to be safe there in Cairo.

KAMHAWI: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: And, of course, you've been seeing these pictures on the streets of Egypt. It's been a popular revolt. Well, one analyst saw reform coming to Egypt three years ago. Ahead, her prediction and what the world, including the U.S., should be doing now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Well before these 12 days of protests, violence and revolt in Egypt, at least one expert on the region says she saw this coming. In 2008 Michelle Dunn wrote this in the "American Interest Magazine" quoting now, "When it happens, it will rock the world, at least briefly: Octogenarian, Hosni Mubarak, president of the largest Arab country for over a quarter of a century, will leave office either by his own decision of that of Providence, probably within the next three years.

So far, few in the West have paid much attention. But, Egyptians certainly are getting ready and we should do so, as well," end quote.

Again, those prophetic words, again written not today or last week, but three years ago by Michelle Dunne. She is a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and joins me now from Washington.

So what made you say this back in 2008? MICHELLE DUNNE, CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INT'L. PEACE: There have been changes under way in Egyptian society that I, and other scholars as well, have been following. There's a youth bulge in Egyptian society, as in a lot of other Arab societies, and this young generation has grown up with satellite television, with Internet. They've become increasingly active in social and political causes. And, frankly, they just weren't really willing to play by the old rules, to play by the rules of authoritarian government.

So it was clear there was a growing gap between Egyptian society, particularly between this younger element in Egyptian society and the Egyptian government, a widening gap. And I think it was only a matter of time until it broke wide open. And we saw that 12 days ago.

WHITFIELD: So you also wrote that the Western world has not been paying attention. What were some of the things that the Western world has overlooked?

DUNNE: I think that what happened was in the West, you know, we're used to dealing pretty much government to government with these governments in the Middle East, and Hosni Mubarak was a close ally of the United States throughout his presidency. President Mubarak was himself pretty deaf to the demands that were rising up within his society. The United States did try to nudge him a bit. President Bush, particularly, for a few years during his administration tried to persuade Mubarak to carry out some political reforms. Mubarak did a couple small things, but then really started resisting. The Bush administration backed off. And the Obama administration, too, made some sort of I would say timid efforts to persuade Mubarak to undertake reforms, but he just wasn't hearing it. He really turned the Obama administration down flat. And so I think --

WHITFIELD: But then something happened in the last week where the Obama administration changed its tone, initially, as you mentioned it, kind of tepid, saying you should allow people to protest peacefully. And then it became, we need to see a transition of power. And then it became a transition of power now, not yesterday, but now. So what happened in that week that would make this administration or the U.S. posture different?

DUNNE: Well, they saw the writing on the wall. They saw that change is coming. It's coming fast. No matter what kind of a transition is worked out, Egypt is not going back to the way it was before. And I think President Obama did not want to be on the wrong side of history here.

Now, I was critical of some of the statements the administration made a week or so ago, but I think particularly in the statement that Obama made yesterday, he finally nailed it. You know, the importance of a transition to real democracy, and that the United States would not stand by and approve it if this just -- if all these protests were to result in nothing more than, say, a different version of the Egyptian authoritarian regime.

WHITFIELD: If today's report is true that Hosni Mubarak has resigned as head of the National Democratic Party, would it be, if that were indeed the case, would it be your judgment that this would be a first step before he were to step down? Or be ousted by the military, by the army?

DUNNE: It's an important concession. It's been one of the opposition demands for a long time. They considered it improper that the president and the rule, as head of the ruling party in effect the government and the ruling party are one. So they've called for that separation for a long time. It's also very important that the person who is elevated to become the new secretary general of the party, Hossam Badrawi, is a very respected figure, among the ruling party figures he was clearly the liberal, and the one pushing for reforms inside the party. Safwat Sharif, who was the secretary general of the party, who has resigned, was a hated figure in Egypt.

WHITFIELD: Interesting. All right. Michele Dunne, senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, joining us from Washington. Appreciate your time and insight. Thank you.

DUNNE: You're welcome. >

WHITFIELD: All right. The custody battle over Halle Berry's daughter, well, it's getting rather nasty. That's just one of the legal briefs our legal guys will be tackling in just two minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. This development we continue to watch now, we understand that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has resigned, not as president, but reportedly as head of the National Democratic Party. Our Ben Wedeman is in Cairo.

So, Ben, is there any truth to this report?

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, there is certainly a lot of confusion to this report. What happened is that the general secretary of the ruling National Democratic Party resigned en masse, this includes the son of Hosni Mubarak, Gamal, who resigned all his leadership positions from the party, therefore, rendering him ineligible to run for president of the republic.

However, President Hosni Mubarak, who is the president of the ruling party and the head of the higher council of the party remains in his positions as of this moment. The significance of course for most Egyptians is that most of the leadership of this party, which many Egyptians consider to be corrupt, nepotistic, characterized by cronyism, is gone. And all ambitions or suspicions, or fears that Egypt, which is a republic, would become a monarchy in effect by president Mubarak's son, Gamal succeeding him as president of the republic, those fears have not been put to rest.

The Mubaraks as a political dynasty, it appears, are no more. President Mubarak will, at least according to him, serve out his term until September of this year, and then step down. And there is no possibility under these changes that his son in any form, shape, will succeed him. Fredricka? WHITFIELD: Ben Wedeman, thanks so much for that clarification. Appreciate that, on this story, which continues to have lots of developments throughout the morning and afternoon.

When we come back, we'll have time for some of your favorite celebrity cases, we're looking at Charlie Sheen, Halle Berry, and Lindsay Lohan. All of them are part of this panel when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Back with our legal guys now. We have some very fascinating cases involving some familiar faces. We're looking at Charlie Sheen, he's back in rehab, sort of, right? Halle Berry fighting for her daughter, and Lindsay Lohan in possible trouble again, this time over a necklace. Was it hers? Was it borrowed? What?

Our legal guys are right here. Civil rights attorney Avery Friedman in Cleveland and New York criminal defense attorney Richard Herman in Las Vegas. Let's begin with Charlie Sheen. He's taken a little time off for rehab, but wait a minute, Avery, is this rehab at a facility or at his house, his compound? Straighten this one out for me.

AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: I don't know what it is. He's holed up in his home. It's really not legitimately rehab. But here's the key in understanding what's going on, $100 million. That's what CBS says they make after they pay Charlie $2 million per episode. Reuters reports they've ordered up, CBS has, extra episodes of "Mike & Molly." Oh, no. But there is no way they'll get the remaining 24 done. And so $100 million, CBS is going to show tolerance.

WHITFIELD: Interesting, Richard. So he gets a lot of second chances, doesn't he?

RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: I mean, talk about celebrity justice, this guy announces I'm going to have a hooker blowout party this weekend and they're going to bring suitcases of cocaine to my house. And we're going to party like crazy, and he does that, he gets rushed to the hospital half dead probably. He doesn't get charged. As far as I know none of the entertainment are interviewed. I mean, "Two and A Half Men"? It's going to be "One and a Half Men" soon. This guy has a death wish. He's going to get it. He's completely out of control. We should stop giving him all these second chances. Anybody else situated in his shoes would be in prison right now.

WHITFIELD: OK. Now, let's talk about this custody battle. They're in California, this involving Halle Berry and her ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubrey, and now, you know, over the custody of their daughter, Nahla. Now it's gotten so ugly, apparently, Richard and Avery, that Halle Berry is saying that he is a racist. That he used some foul language and she's very concerned about the safety of Nahla. So, Avery, they already had shared custody after their split. Now it's a struggle over sole custody? FRIEDMAN: Well, no, no, no. They want -- Gabriel wants shared custody. The problem is Halle was about to make a movie in South Africa that would keep her away for three months. Part of the contract, interestingly enough, was that Gabriel was going to go along with, but it was only two weeks. He got mad, now there's allegations and counter allegations.

He says Halle is treating him like a sperm donor. And the fact is that Nahla deserves a mom, deserves a dad. Ultimately if I were the judge, you'd have to work something out. But the allegations going back and forth is no good for Nahla, who is going to be three years old next month.

WHITFIELD: Wow, Richard, pretty serious, because Halle Berry pulls out of that movie in South Africa. Somebody else is now in for her, so she is standing by her claim, isn't she?

HERMAN: She's standing by her claim. And I don't think we should shed a tear for her financially. There will be other movies for her. But, you know, Fred, this area of law, this domestic relations area, this is the highest level of just vicious commentary back and forth between the parties of any other area of law. And, you know, at the end of the day, the best interest of the children are what is paramount. That is what a judge will weed through. A lot of these comments being made in the press are just going to be discarded as just hurt feelings and just ridiculous statements. The courts will deal with that.

WHITFIELD: And now Lindsay Lohan, back in the spotlight in the legal spotlight once again, but this time over a necklace, this $2500 necklace. Did she borrow it? Did the jewelry store legitimately give it to her, thinking they'd get it back? And there was a search warrant about to be executed, Avery. They were ready to go into her home and grab this necklace, but then she or her peeps decided to return it voluntarily.

FRIEDMAN: Yes. I'm starting to lose faith in her.

WHITFIELD: So is there still going to be a case? Could this jewelry store end up, you know, trying to press charges or accuse her of trying to steal it?

FRIEDMAN: Well, they have. They have video that she took it. There are no insurance release forms. She has it. The only evidence she has that it was lent to her is her own word.

WHITFIELD: Does that video kind of demonstrate that maybe word of mouth, somebody said, OK, we know you, you can just borrow this. And she put it's on and walks out.

FRIEDMAN: I don't think so. It doesn't work that way.

WHITFIELD: Doesn't work that way?

FRIEDMAN: I think it's a serious, serious matter. She's on probation. She screws up, six months in jail. She's got a hearing coming up later this month. I think it's a great big bowl of trouble for her right now. I don't know what she's going to do about it.

WHITFIELD: Richard, how do you see this playing out?

HERMAN: Well, she has a history of sticky fingers from among other things, stealing fur coats and jewelry. I mean, they have her dead to rights. The store said it's very, very difficult to borrow from our store. And leave it at that. So they didn't give it to her to borrow. If the Betty Ford clinic is going to have any credibility and if Judge Fox is going to have any credibility, they must violate her on the probation. She must go to prison. She is completely again, out of control.

WHITFIELD: It's so sad.

HERMAN: Celebrity justice.

FRIEDMAN: Ouch! Harsh!

HERMAN: She's gone, she's a train wreck, she needs to really -- they need to put her away for a long time, Fred.

WHITFIELD: OK, Richard, Avery.

FRIEDMAN: She needs help, that's all.

WHITFIELD: That's tough.

Richard, Avery, good to see you all. Appreciate it.

Avery, you should always wear green, I can see your green ties because that green tie is so pretty.

FRIEDMAN: Oh, really?

WHITFIELD: Sorry, just had to say that. It's been a rough day.

FRIEDMAN: I like your green jacket.

WHITFIELD: Oh, thank you.

HERMAN: Those are contacts. Those are contacts, Avery. Come on.

WHITFIELD: Oh, Richard. You all have a great one, appreciate it. See you next time.

All right. People across the U.S. expressing solidarity with the protesters in Egypt. Next we'll take you live to rallies in Washington and New York where supporters are demanding change.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Here's the latest on the crisis in Egypt. The state-run television reports the leadership of the ruling National Democratic Party has resigned, that includes the son of President Hosni Mubarak, Gamal Mubarak has stepped down from all his official posts within the party. This political move, while seen as significant, is not expected to satisfy protesters, who are demanding Hosni Mubarak step down as president.

Demonstrations supporting the uprising are planned today around the globe and there are two big rallies taking place right now in New York and in Washington. CNN National Correspondent Susan Candiotti is in New York, and Sandra Endo is in Washington.

Let's begin with you, Sandra, in Washington.

SANDRA ENDO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fred, I can tell you this protest is in full swing right now outside the Egyptian embassy here in the nation's capital. You can see the crowd behind me. They have been chanting for an hour or so, carrying signs, chanting, as you mentioned all in solidarity for the uprising in Egypt. You can see they're waving flags as well.

Interesting to note, this time, they're also passing out white bands for peace. They're passing these out around the crowd. I have to say this has been a whole movement kind of facilitated by Facebook, Fred. And this time I've seen a lot of protesters, all ages, all ethnicities coming out in support, and their main message is to get Mubarak out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's a horrible person for what he's done to the country, because he's just hoarding all the money to himself. And everyone else is so poor. And there's no jobs, and no like opportunities for anyone.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't trust what they're saying. The people want change. They've tried just to have some type of propaganda, to calm people down. But I don't see change unless you change the whole regime. It's not only the regime, it's Mubarak, about him and everyone around him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ENDO: And the plan from here at the Egyptian embassy is to march down to the White House, to rally in front of the White House. And their message to the White House is to make sure that President Obama, and the Obama administration, takes a tough stance against President Mubarak, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Sandra Endo outside the embassy, there, in Washington. Thanks so much.

All right. Susan Candiotti in New York, what's happening there?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fred.

As you can see, we're again across the street from the U.N., as we were last Saturday. Last Saturday it was very cold, but more than 600 people showed up. Here it's about the time when the rally is supposed to start. As you can see, very few people are here. There is a cold steady rain right now, so the conditions really are not very good. But they have set up a sound system and they are ready to go.

I spoke a little while ago with one of the organizers who said in response to the resignation of President Mubarak as heading up his party, it's purely cosmetic. It doesn't mean a thing. The main message here remains the same. They want Mubarak to go and they want him to go now. Back to you, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Susan Candiotti in New York, appreciate that.

When older baby boomers lose their jobs, finding another one is tougher than you can imagine. I'll show you why next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: The oldest baby boomers turn 65 this year. While older workers aren't more likely to be laid off, a new study shows they have a tougher time finding a job after losing one. Christine Romans reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

E. VON MCCANTS, JOB SEEKER: I'm not trying to move up the ladder.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Von McCants is a 27-year telecom veteran, with an MBA, a baby boomer, who's been looking for a job since July.

MCCANTS: If I had to describe how it's been going, it's not been very fruitful.

ROMANS: She's followed all the advice about networking, the resume, and online job searches.

MCCANTS: I spent a lot of time looking at jobs, looking and saying, is this something I really want to do? Do I have the skills that this employer is looking for?

ROMANS: The good news for Von, the jobless rate for boomers is lower than the national average. The bad news, once out of work, it's harder for a boomer to get a new job. Men, aged 50 to 61 are 39 percent less likely to get a job each month than younger workers. Women, 18 percent less likely. For even older workers that number jumps to 50 percent.

Glenn Grossman found himself in Von's position 10 years ago.

GLENN GROSSMAN, FOUNDER, DINOSAUR SECURITIES: I actually had no real opportunities. I got very depressed about it. And, you know, you've got to take control.

ROMANS: Now he is the one hiring. With his background in finance and accounting, he started Dinosaur Securities, pun intended.

(On camera): You've got bestially four generations at work here, they're working for you, then, is that right?

GROSSMAN: I think more generations, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s.

ROMANS: Yes it's hard to be an out of work boomer, but he says, ideas, contacts and sales are what counts, not age.

GROSSMAN: It's not about age. It's about working. And just forget about, you know, gender, age, anything like that.

ROMANS: Recruiters see better days ahead for boomers. Boomers have experience and less turnover.

FORD MEYERS, AUTHOR, "GET THE JOB YOU WANT": That means ultimately less cost for the employer. So it's good to have some adult supervision around the office and employers are finally beginning to realize that.

MCCANTS: All right, then, let's start over again.

ROMANS: Von McCants is an adult ready to supervise again.

MCCANTS: It's a new year, I feel like, OK, it's a new year and a lot of new things are going to happen.

ROMANS: Christine Romans, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Checking today's top story. Protests in Cairo have been relatively peaceful today, with the exception of a standoff between the military and protestors demanding the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak. Demonstrators formed a human chain to prevent tanks from crossing through their barricades. Scuffles did break out when soldiers knocked down some of the barricade.

That's going to do it for us. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. "YOUR MONEY" starts right now.