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IMF Chief Faces Sex Charges; U.S. to Sanction Syrian President; Flooding: Impact on Animals; Oprah's Star Studded Farewell; CIA Wants Help
Aired May 18, 2011 - 11:59 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: Top of the hour, I'm Suzanne Malveaux. Want to get you up to speed.
The president's plane misses it's mark. Look closely and you can see Air Force One skirting the clouds, flying past an airport in Connecticut. That happened just a short time ago. Pilots on approach to Windsor Locks had to scrub the first shot at landing due to nasty weather. The president's plane circled and landed safely.
And you are looking at live pictures now. President Barack Obama delivering the commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. That is in New London, Connecticut. Live pictures you are seeing there.
Al Qaeda named a caretaker leader to fill in for Osama bin Laden. A source with detailed knowledge of the group says that that man is Egyptian Saif al-Adel. Al-Adel is on the FBI's most wanted list for his role in the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in eastern Africa. He has a $5 million bounty now on his head.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FRAN TOWNSEND, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CONTRIBUTOR: Well, he's a well-established senior person within the ranks of al Qaeda. He goes back to pre-9/11 being with bin Laden in Afghanistan. He was a trainer in training camps in both Afghanistan and Somalia.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Mississippi River nearing a historic mark in Vicksburg. It is expected to crest a foot above the record that was set in 1927. The Mississippi touches 10 states, impacts big cities from St. Paul, Minnesota to New Orleans, and, of course, little towns.
That is where CNN's John King is, in Butte La Rose, Louisiana.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This water is not supposed to be here. Right now, up to about my chest.
If I walk out here, it drops off pretty quickly. As you see, it goes down. It's pretty slushy and mushy underneath me. It drops off pretty quick as you go down this way.
If you look at this deck right there, that's where the river is supposed to begin. The river is supposed to begin right there, and all of this land on this side would be dry.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Some in Washington are kicking around the idea of a national driving tax. You pay for every mile that you drive. Because fuel economy is increasing, the federal government says that the gas tax does not generate enough money to build and maintain the nation's highways. There is no formal legislation yet.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Standing by for contact and capture.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Endeavour parked at the International Space Station for the final time today. The astronauts' main job, to anchor a physics experiment to the space station's exterior. That's going to look for the origins of the universe, the Big Bang, of course. One more shuttle mission is planned this summer before the fleet is retired.
Well, the powerful international finance man charged with attacking a hotel maid is now under pressure to resign. Dominique Strauss-Kahn is jailed without bail on attempted rape and other charges. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and others now say that Strauss-Kahn should step down as head of the International Monetary Fund.
While he waits for his next court appearance, the woman he's accused of attacking is facing her own problems.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEFFREY SHAPIRO, ATTORNEY FOR ALLEGED VICTIM: Her world has been turned upside down. This is a person who was a hardworking woman. She's a single mother supporting a 15-year-old young woman. They live together, and she was grateful to have a job for which she could provide food and shelter for her, the two of them. Since this has occurred, she has not been able to go home, she can't go back to work, she has no idea what her future is going to be.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Joining us on the phone to talk about the case is our CNN senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin.
Jeff, first of all, Strauss-Kahn's attorneys, we have head, have offered two different defenses here, one that says he was having lunch with someone during the time of the alleged attack. And the second explanation was is that the sexual act was consensual.
So it really doesn't make sense. You can't have both. Has he already in some ways hurt his case?
JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN SR. LEGAL ANALYST: Well, I think it's very important to take a deep breath and recognize that the defense has not publicly asserted anything. There have been leaks, there have been suggestions. But this case is in the very early stages.
The timing will certainly be determined by outside factors. Are there surveillance camera? What do the records show of when the doors were opened and closed? All of that will be available to the defense soon, and to the prosecution, and then we'll figure out if there is a defense to this crime and what it is.
MALVEAUX: And Jeff, the French, we have heard, they're outraged at the way that Strauss-Kahn is being treated. They think that the perp walk and the handcuffs particularly makes him look already guilty. Some have even suggested that there is a conspiracy that is at work set up by his political enemies.
Is there any chance that Strauss-Kahn could either, A, get diplomatic immunity, or, B, is there any other legal move from his team that could change the course of how he's being prosecuted or treated?
TOOBIN: Well, based on what we know now, I think the issue of diplomatic immunity is a nonstarter. Whether he has it and whether it would cover the crime with which he's charged, it really seems like it's out of the question.
As for the French being outraged, well, the French are frequently outraged. But I don't think that matters much in the context of this case.
As far as I can tell, he's being treated the way all suspects are treated. Remember, this is New York. A lot of people who are non- citizens are arrested here every day. Their embassies are allowed access to them. But in terms of their legal treatment, they are simply being treated like everyone else.
Lots of people who have been perp-walked wind up being acquitted. It doesn't mean that you're guilty. It may be different from the French system, but there are a lot of things that are different from the French system, and that doesn't make our system any worse.
MALVEAUX: And Jeff, in following this case, how difficult is this going to be for the alleged victim? Does she have a strong case here, or does this look like an uphill battle, a he says/she says?
TOOBIN: Well, again, there's lots of evidence that needs to be disclosed to both sides. Is there physical evidence? Is there DNA? Were there scratches, marks on either person? How does the timing work out?
I mean, this is not going to be easy for this woman. Unfortunately, being a crime victim, if that's what she appears to be, is a difficult thing. It looks like the main defense available to the defense here might involve attacking her character attacking her veracity, attacking her motives. That could be very difficult.
But she doesn't have to defend herself. She was not accused of doing anything wrong. She's not a defendant here.
So I'm sure that the public scrutiny is very unpleasant, but I don't see that she is going to have her life turned upside down. Certainly, that shouldn't happen to her, because it shouldn't happen to any crime victim.
MALVEAUX: All right. Jeffrey Toobin, thank you very much.
Here's your chance to "Talk Back" on one of the big stories of the day.
President Obama is going to deliver a speech tomorrow detailing his policy in the Middle East and North Africa. So, today's "Talk Back" question: Should the United States play a major role in the Middle East?
Our Carol Costello is here with that.
A lot of people have different opinions about this.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A lot of people. I mean, the major question here is, can Middle East peace really be achieved? And can the United States help? And that's what we based our "Talk Back" question on today.
President Obama, like many presidents before him, says it's time to bring peace to the Middle East.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Because of the many changes that are taking place in the region, it's more vital than ever that both Israelis and Palestinians find a way to get back to the table and begin negotiating a process whereby they can create two states that are living side by side in peace and security.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Oh, but we've heard this before, haven't we? President Carter had Camp David. President Clinton, the Oslo Accords. Then the Mideast roadmap for peace from President George W. Bush. And then the secretive Geneva Accord between Israel and the Palestinians.
Four major plans, but none has led to a permanent solution.
In the meantime, a Pew Research poll shows that the Muslim world continues to have a very low opinion of the United States, as Arab- American comedian Dean Obeidallah told me.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) DEAN OBEIDALLAH, ARAB-AMERICAN COMEDIAN: America's like the cool kid in high school, and the Arab world wants to sit at our cafeteria table with us and be our friend. And they see Israel sitting with us all the time. They want to sit down. They want to swap the falafel and apple pie and have a good time together, and sometimes I think that they feel that they're kept at arm's length.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Left out of the picture.
Now, don't expect President Obama to break any new ground on Israel in his speech tomorrow. And some say it couldn't have come at a worse time.
Israeli forces have clashed with protesters crossing its borders. The Palestinian Authority has joined with the Islamist militant group Hamas. So, at what point should the United States take a step back?
So, today's "Talk Back" question: Should the U.S. play a major role in the Middle East?
Facebook.com/CarolCNN. I'll read some of your comments later this hour.
MALVEAUX: You have got to wonder if the president steps back, if that will be seen as a failure, because that one of the things he made a very big deal of come the first weeks of his presidency.
(CROSSTALK)
MALVEAUX: You know, Middle East peace, I can do it. The other guys can't. I can.
COSTELLO: Well, one of the things he's supposed to talk about is sanctions against Syria, and that may appease factions in the Middle East. But who knows how strong those sanctions will be and if that will make any difference at all.
MALVEAUX: Right. And it really looks like it's the Middle Eastern people who are making a difference on the ground, that they are changing their lives.
COSTELLO: Yes. So why do they need the United States?
MALVEAUX: Good question, Carol. Always a good question. We're going to see.
COSTELLO: Thanks.
MALVEAUX: Tune in for special coverage of the president's speech beginning at 11:30 Eastern. CNN's Wolf Blitzer, he's going to join us as well. We'll have expert analysis.
Live coverage, right here on CNN.
Well, here's a rundown on some of the stories that we're covering at this hour.
Snakes, bears, oysters, alligators, how flooding along the Mississippi is affecting wildlife.
Also, slip-sliding away. People in a New York neighborhood are watching the ground beneath their homes shift three inches a day.
Plus, new guidelines for kids and Tylenol, what every parent has got to know.
And where the jobs are. We're going to break down the specifics.
And finally, saying good-bye to Oprah Winfrey.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MADONNA, SINGER: The great thing about Oprah is that even if you don't know her personally, you feel like you know her personally. And that's a talent that she has. She's very accessible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Stars turning out for the taping of Oprah's final talk show, including Maria Shriver.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MALVEAUX: This just in. We're getting word new sanctions against Syria's president. The Obama administration making some tough decisions there.
I want to go to our White House correspondent, Dan Lothian, who is traveling with the president in Connecticut, for the very latest, the details on this.
Dan, what do we know?
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, still don't know specifically what those sanctions will be, but our State Department producer, Elise Labott, confirming that the Obama administration, sometime today, will be issuing new sanctions on Syria, this time specifically directed at President Assad. As you know, there have been sanctions in place for an asset freeze and a travel ban on other Syrian officials, but this will be the first time the president, himself, President Assad, has been targeted.
Why is the administration planning to do this? Take a listen to what Secretary of State Clinton said yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HILLARY CLINTON, SECRETARY OF STATE: In response to the continued violence, both the United States and the EU have imposed sanctions against senior officials. And today we discussed additional steps that we can take to increase pressure and further isolate the Assad regime. Our message has been clear and consistent from the beginning: stop the violence and the arrests, release all political prisoners and detainees, and begin to respond to the demands of the people by a process of credible and inclusive democratic change.
We will be taking additional steps in the days ahead.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LOTHIAN: Suzanne, as you know, there have been a lot of questions aimed at the White House and other administration officials as to why there has not been sort of a tougher stance against President Assad. We have not heard President Obama or other senior administration officials come out and talk about how President Assad has lost the confidence of his people, how he should step down.
We have not heard that from this administration. But clearly, this move, aimed at putting more pressure on the Syrian government and Assad himself in an effort to stop the violence there.
MALVEAUX: Dan, thank you. I'm taking it we're going to hear more about this in the president's major speech that he's going to be giving tomorrow in the 11:00 hour. So we're not going to miss that.
But Dan, thank you very much for the very latest information regarding specifically Syria.
Well, you don't hear this often, a snake advisory issued to residents in Louisiana. That is right. Flooding around the Mississippi River is not only forcing people from their homes, it's also forcing animals from their habitat.
Joining us from Baton Rouge is Chris Macaluso. And he is a member of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, longtime Louisiana outdoorsman as well.
Chris, thanks for joining us on CNN NEWSROOM.
First of all, give us a sense of how dangerous the situation is. What are we talking about when we hear that there are animals essentially that are loose and trying to find dry ground?
CHRIS MACALUSO, LOUISIANA WILDLIFE FEDERATION: Well, I think the danger is more for the animals than it is the people.
MALVEAUX: How so?
MACALUSO: But there are a lot of animals coming out of our spillway. Well, you know, these animals are under stress.
I mean, they live in a waterlogged environment already, so they're used to ebb and flow. But I don't think these animals or many of the people around here have seen water levels of these heights. And certainly we haven't seen the Morganza Spillway opened up here in almost 40 years. So that's putting water into areas that we're not used to seeing.
Those animals are going to be trying to escape that floodwater, and basically seeking refuge on the levees on the outside, or any other higher ridges within the Atchafalaya basin. And those animals are going to have to swim a long way, they're going to be under stress, they're going to be displaced from their homes. And so the Department of Wildlife and Fishery here is urging people to give them a wide berth, to let those deer, hogs, pigs, bears, whatever is coming out of the spillway, seek refuge on the levees and make their way into other wild areas, and just kind of leave them alone right now.
MALVEAUX: Sure. And Chris, it's one thing to let the bears and the deer kind of run and give them some space. But if you're talking about -- you're looking at an alligator or a snake, what do people need to do? I mean, are there certain areas they should just, like, high-tail it out of there?
MACALUSO: Well, I say give them a wide berth as well. Those animals, just like the mammals, are going to be seeking higher ground. They are going to be seeking areas where they can sun themselves or get out of the floodwaters.
Some of them can seek refuge in debris, some of them are going to seek refuge on the levees again. But in terms of snakes, you know, obviously the biggest threat is going to come from water moccasins or cottonmouths.
Those creatures like to get into wood piles, like to get into sheds. So if you have got a back yard that's going to flood, and if your property is going to see water from this flooding, just be aware that those snakes are going to seek refuge in debris piles, wood piles, backyard sheds, places like that. Just be aware that those animals are going to be displaced and they may very well be in your back yard.
MALVEAUX: Sure. And Chris, any impact on some of the food supplies, the oysters?
MACALUSO: Oysters need fresh water. You know, the oyster beds in Louisiana are here. The reason Louisiana has such a healthy seafood population is because of the Mississippi River, not in spite of it. And this -- certainly, this is a flood of historical proportions. But river flooding is something that the creatures in Louisiana have been accustomed to.
MALVEAUX: And Chris, real quick, if we could wrap here, is there any need to have any kind of animal rescue team out there to help these animals, the bears, the deer who are looking, seeking for dry ground?
MACALUSO: Well, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries here in Louisiana, and the sheriff's departments and the parishes that are being flooded are urging people to stay off the levees to allow those animals to come and get some rest and seek refuge on those levees, and then make their way into wooded areas and other places. So leave the animals alone. If you do have a nuisance animal, a nuisance alligator or a bear in your back yard that is not making its way somewhere else, contact the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. They will be there as soon as they can to assist you in the removal of that animal. MALVEAUX: All right. Chris, thank you so much. We really appreciate it.
MACALUSO: Thank you.
MALVEAUX: I want to go directly to President Obama. He's delivering the commencement speech. This is in New London, Connecticut, before the Coast Guard Academy.
Let's take a quick listen.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I just want to thank you and your wife Betsy for 34 years of distinguished service to our country. We are grateful.
(APPLAUSE)
I have to say, by the way, he looks a little younger retired. So you don't want him roaming around the house. Make sure he's doing something.
Although my understanding is she is not here today, I also want to acknowledge your next superintendent, Admiral Sandra Stosz. She will become the first woman ever to lead one of our nation's military academies.
(APPLAUSE)
That's an incredible tribute to her, but also a tribute to the opportunities that the Coast Guard affords women of talent and commitment, including the class of 2011, which has one of the largest numbers of women cadets in the history of this academy.
Cadets, today is your day, but it's also a testament to those who supported you every step of your journey. When you chose this life of service, your families backed you up. When you thought you couldn't go on, they bucked you up. I suspect when things got a little tight in the money department, they coughed it up.
(LAUGHTER)
So, Cadets, you are here because of them. And I ask you in joining me in honoring your remarkable families.
(APPLAUSE)
I have to say it's a personal pleasure to be here because since the day I took office, the United States Coast Guard has played a special role in my presidency and with my family. I have seen the Coast Guard's precision when some of you, the class of 2011, marched in the parade during my inauguration. You looked pretty good on that day, too. It was a little colder that day, if you'll recall.
I've seen your devotion to duty all along the Gulf Coast, when the Coast Guard, including members of this class, worked day and night, tirelessly, as you led the largest environmental cleanup in our nation's history.
I've seen your pride when I was in, of all places, Afghanistan. I was in Bagram thanking our troops for their service, and I was giving a shout-out to every service, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines. And then way in the back of the crowd a voice shouted out, "And Coast Guard!"
(LAUGHTER)
There was no ocean in sight.
(APPLAUSE)
Not a body of water visible anywhere. But the Coast Guard was there serving with honor, as you have in every major conflict that our nation has ever fought.
In fact, I see the professionalism of the Coast Guard every day in the officers and enlisted personnel who serve with us at the White House. And they include Admiral Stephen Rochon, who wore the uniform for 36 years, then became the chief usher at the White House responsible for keeping us running smooth day in, day out. His grandson Patrick is graduating today, and I'm told that Patrick's classmates have a bet on whether his grandfather can still fit in his old uniform.
Well, Admiral Rochon is here. I want to thank him for his outstanding service to our family and our nation. And by the way, the uniform still fits. So we are proud of him.
(APPLAUSE)
MALVEAUX: You've been listening to President Obama there before the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, giving their commencement speech, giving them credit for the hard work that they do.
Also, a nod to Admiral Rochon, who is the chief usher at the White House, also a New Orleans native.
Well, we are going to be paying close attention to President Obama, his major speech that is taking place tomorrow. Tune in for special coverage beginning at 11:30 Eastern.
Our CNN's Wolf Blitzer will join us as well. We're going to have expert analysis, live coverage, right here on CNN. He's going to be talking about the future, the vision of the United States and its relationship with the Middle East.
We'll have more after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MALVEAUX: President Obama discusses the dramatic changes reshaping the Middle East and North Africa in a speech tomorrow. You're going to see it live here on the CNN NEWSROOM.
Today we want to talk about the expectations in the region ahead of the president's speech.
And for that, we want to bring in CNN's Arwa Damon. She's in Beirut, but she's focusing on the view from Egypt.
Mohammed Jamjoom, focusing on Yemen. He joins us live from Kabul.
And Kevin Flower is in Jerusalem.
I want to start with you, Arwa.
What do the people of Egypt need or want to hear from President Obama?
ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Suzanne, the Egyptians are at a stage right now where, by and large, the euphoria of the moment that their revolution succeeded has begun to recede. And now they are confronted with the very difficult task of trying to cobble their broken nation back together.
They not only have to put forward free and fair democratic elections, but they also have to figure out a way to put their economy back together again. And so what one Egyptian businessman I was talking to was saying, what they want to hear Obama say is not a pledge to support the revolution or the revolutionaries in Egypt, but somehow a package of financial assistance, some sort of a package whereby which that would help the Egyptian economy get going once again. Because the realization is that that is going to be a key component to ensuring that the overall revolution there does succeed.
MALVEAUX: And Mohammed, what about the people in Yemen? What do they need or want to hear from the president? Is it about money?
MOHAMMED JAMJOOM, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: No, Suzanne. Anti-government demonstrators in Yemen have been out on the street now in several provinces in the country for going on four months.
I spoke to many members of the youth revolutionary movement in Yemen today, and what they were saying is that they want President Obama to support their call for regime change. They feel that President Obama supported the uprisings in Egypt, supported the uprising in Tunisia, that he was behind the people there and their call for regime change. They want to hear President Obama say it's time for President Saleh to step down.
Even though President Obama and members of his administration have been supporting the people in Yemen in their effort to gather, to assemble, to demonstrate, they want President Obama to say enough is enough, Saleh should step down, and they should get on with business -- Suzanne.
MALVEAUX: OK.
And Kevin, what about the folks in Israel?
KEVIN FLOWER, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: Well, Suzanne, the Israelis are going to be looking to hear words of assurance about maintaining the close security relationship between the two countries. They also want to hear words of support for the Israeli position of opposition to any Palestinian efforts to win independent statehood -- or recognition of independent statehood from the U.N. in September.
And for their part, the Palestinians, they want to hear words of encouragement, serious words of encouragement from the Obama administration, about establishing that Palestinian state. And hear words of pressure from the Obama administration about Israeli concessions in the form of settlement building in the West Bank -- Suzanne.
MALVEAUX: All right.
Real quick, back to Arwa.
Early 2009, the president garnered a lot of support from people in the region when he pledged to reset relations with the Middle East.
Do the people there, Arwa, still believe in him, the Egyptians?
DAMON: Well, when it comes to the Egyptians, if President Obama does in fact put forward some sort of a concrete package that is going to help them really move this very difficult process that they are in forward, most certainly the perspective towards the president, towards the United States, could possibly change on one level. But one has to realize that when it comes to America and how he's viewed not just Egypt, but in the region as a whole, the perception is that U.S. policy is constantly skewed towards Israel.
The perception outside of Egypt, for example, here in Lebanon, is that the U.S. continues to be selective where and when it is going to choose to support these types of democratic movements. And so, for the region as a whole, it's going to take a lot more for the U.S. to really push that reset button. One Lebanese man we were speaking to earlier said that he would love to see the U.S. apply the same type of compassion to Arabs as they do to Israelis.
MALVEAUX: Mohammed, what about the people in Yemen? Do they still believe in President Obama?
MOHAMMED JAMJOON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, in a word, Suzanne, not really. The people in Yemen, I was there in February when the protest movement, the anti-protest government movement was really kicking off. They were hopeful that President Obama would support them, that the American government would support that movement, would ask President Salah to step down. They've not seen that. Unless they hear something dramatically close to that, their (INAUDIBLE) in President Obama will deteriorate even further.
MALVEUAX: And Kevin, finally you. What about the Israelis? Do they believe in President Obama, that he can get anything done? FLOWER: Deeply skeptical here, Suzanne. Both sides believing that President Obama has not delivered on promises made about delivering peace, about delivering stability in the region. So, again, deep skepticism. They are waiting and watching.
MALVEUAX: All right. Thank you, all of you, for your insights there. Obviously, President Obama has a big speech to deliver and big expectations to meet there. Thank you very much.
President Obama to give an address tomorrow on the recent dramatic developments in the Middle East, the future of U.S. policy in the region. Want you to tune in for our special coverage on CNN NEWSROOM. That's starting at 11:30 a.m. Eastern. That is tomorrow. Our own Wolf Blitzer, he'll be joining us. We'll have expert analysis, live coverage of President Obama's address. You're not going to want to miss this.
Well, summer break means it is time to find work for many students. We're going to tell you some of the most promising places to start the job hunt.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MALVEAUX: Here's a rundown of some of the stories we're working on. School year is almost over. Summer jobs already now in short supply. So, where do you have to go to find work? We're going to break down the top states looking for employees.
And in 15, the last episodes of Oprah. That's right. We're going to tell you who was at the final tapings.
This week, CNN's In-Depth Focus is on America's job hunt. We're collaborating with CNN, Money.com and "Time" magazine to look at where the jobs are, how to get them, how to keep them. We want you to watch our week-long coverage. Log on to CNN.com and Time.com for more reporting on America's job hunt.
Well, they call it the summertime blues. School almost out. A lot of students are looking for summer jobs. They are going to have a hard time finding work. That's right.
Alison Kosik is live from the New York Stock Exchange with more on this. And Alison, the job market here this year, what is it like for students just trying to make a little bit of money before classes start up again?
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESOPNDENT: Yes, you know, no sugar coating this one for you, Suzanne. It's going to be real tough. CareerBuilder saying that only 21 percent of employers are planning to hire those so-called seasonal workers this summer. It was the same as last year. And more bad news for you: they are getting a lot of applications. About half of the companies they are saying, they get about 50 applications for one job.
But 21 percent does mean that there are some positions. You may be able to find some in customer service, I.T. areas, and a lot of seasonal jobs like landscaping, construction, and camp counseling.
But you know what? The key is that most employers consider these summer workers for their permanent positions. So, if you're lucky enough to get a summer job, go ahead treat it as an extended job interview and then you may land it as a permanent job. Suzanne.
MALVEUAX: Alison, you have any advice for folks, young folks who are looking for work?
KOSIK: Have you looked at the calendar? You know, get moving! I mean, most summer hiring is done in May. Submitting that generic cover letter as well and that resume - it's just not enough these days. In this cover letter and this resume, you have to be more specific about your accomplishments that may fit each employer. For instance, how did you contribute to your school organizations? Have you taken any relevant class work. And if you solved a problem at a previous job, say so, maybe in the cover letter.
Also, if you're looking at a specific company, it definitely doesn't hurt to get a referral, somebody on the inside to kind of pass your name along.
Also, it's all about networking, baby! Work those connections. Use social networking, too, to make new connects. But know that most recruiters are saying that face-to-face connections are really most important. So, if you're tweeting people back and forth, try to make it a real-world relationship as well.
And finally, one little last bit of advice for you, Suzanne, if you're interested in a long-term position, say so. Take the initiative and be direct. It shows that you take your job seriously. Suzanne?
MALVEUAX: All right. Alison, great advice, as always.
Good luck to all those looking for work.
New guidelines for kids and Tylenol. What every parent should know.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MALVUEAX: Every parent worries about it, how much acetaminophen can I give my baby? Well, that's the medicine in Tylenol and other drugs, and there's never been a recommended dosage for kids under two. That could be changing. Our senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen is here. Elizabeth, tell us what is the FDA's big concern about this?
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: I will tell you from a very personal point of view. OK, any parent can tell you this story, I'm sure. Many can, right.
Got four kids. You know, your one-year-old has a fever. It's the middle of the night. You reach into medicine cabinet and you look up the dose because they list it by age and weight. And you see under 2 years of age, ask a doctor what dose to give.
It's 3:00 in the morning, all right? So, you look at the next one, try to calculate it from there. What happens is parents sometimes end up giving overdoses. I mean, this can be really toxic to a child's liver if they get too much of it, and it's a big problem.
MALVEAUX: So, the pills of acetaminophen come in different concentrations. So, how can you tell one from the other? I mean, how do you figure this out?
COHEN: Right. The pills are a different situation. So, I'll talk about that in a minute. But what the FDA advisory committee decided to do with this is they decided to list what kind of dosage a child under the age of 2, between six months and two years ought to get. So, the parents of a one-year-old won't not be going in the middle of the night and pointing to it and saying what am I supposed to do? So, they're hoping that by listing a dose, that'll help the parents.
Now, you asked a good question about the tablets. The way that it is now, you can get acetaminophen tablets that an older child would take, and some of them are 80 milligrams and some of them are 160. So, one tablet is 80, one is 160. You know, that can get very confusing. You think you're grabbing an 80 and grab a 160 and you give that to your kid. Again, you've overdosed them on acetaminophen, which can be very toxic.
MALVEAUX: So, what is your recommendation here? Is this good news? Do you have more information that - information you feel you need?
COHEN: Yes - no, this is going to be great, I think, for parents. And pediatricians have been pushing for this kind of labeling. So, I think it's going to be great, again, when your one- year-old is sick you'll have a little bit more guidance here. If your child is under six months, then I think it gets a little bit trickier.
The other thing that the doctors emphasize is when you look at this chart, it's a chart that shows age, weight, and how much to give them. And a lot of parents go by age. And that's a mistake. You're supposed to go by weight. That's something that pediatricians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and others have really pushed. Go by the weight. The age is less important.
COHEN: Okay. Great advice. Great information. Thanks, Elizabeth.
Well, a big surprise? Look who joined Oprah Winfrey and other stars at the taping of Oprah's farewell show. Live report from Chicago.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MALVEAUX: A star-studded farewell for Oprah Winfrey, the queen of talk, was taping two of her final shows and in walks Maria Shriver. Despite all the media frenzy surrounding her family. Well, CNN entertainment correspondent Kareen Wynter inter was there for all of us -- joins us from Chicago.
Kareen, tell us first of all what kind of reaction did Maria Shriver get and how did she seem?
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: It was so warm, it was one of the most heartfelt moments of the night, Suzanne. And I have to say that there were so many of them. I mean imagine an arena here, the United Center in Chicago, jam-packed with nothing but love for Oprah, her fans, her famous friends.
And it's really hard to believe that on one of her biggest nights, right, of her career that Maria Shriver would steal some of that spotlight and she did just that. She walked out on stage and, you know, she had some really touching words for Oprah. They go way back. They've known each other for more than 30 years.
It was such a surprise to see Maria really -- you know, show on that night, with everything that she's going through, the very, very scandalous split from Arnold Schwarzenegger. The big fallout from that.
But she was there. And it shows her love really for her good friend. She talked about, you know, thanking her for her friendship over the years. She thanked her for teaching her the truth. And one of the most poignant moments of the night, Oprah -- Oprah chimed in and said, here's to the truth. And that's really when the crowd went wild.
You know Oprah pumped her hand in the air, she embraced Maria. Everyone gave so much love for this woman who is obviously going through one of the most challenging times of her life.
MALVEAUX: Real support there. And I understand that Maria Shriver, she wasn't the only big name there, as well, huh, a lot stars?
WYNTER: And we don't have time to go through the long list, but the famous Toms, Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Will and Jada -- oh my gosh, so many to name and we had such a great spot backstage.
We're talking to all the stars who told us why they were why they were there last night, what Oprah meant to them.
Here's what they had to say, Suzanne.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MADONNA, ENTERTAINER: The great thing about Oprah is that even if you don't know her personally, you feel like you know her personally, and that's, you know, a talent that she has. You know she's very accessible.
ROSIE O'DONNELL, ENTERTAINER: I've watched every single episode. I taped it back before TiVo. I used to tape it on VHS tapes, right? (LAUGHTER)
ALICIA KEYS, MUSICIAN: She's someone that I've always looked to, to know that you can be a very good stand-up person and achieve everything you dream.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
WYNTER: So she's saying goodbye to her daytime talk show after 25 years. But don't worry, Oprah will have her hands full. The next big chapter in her life, her big channel that she launched in January, the Oprah Winfrey Network.
She was quite frank, quite candid, in a recent interview, saying, you know what, I haven't given enough to this network. The numbers aren't where they should be. And so she's hoping that after this phase in her life she'll be able to focus on that and make it, perhaps, Suzanne, we'll have to see, if it will be as successful as her long-running daytime talk show. We certainly hope so -- Suzanne.
MALVEAUX: Most everything she touches turns to gold so we'll give her some time. We'll see.
WYNTER: Turns to gold.
MALVEAUX: Yes. It looks like a great, fun evening there. Thanks, Kareen.
We've got more details on Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger later on "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" with A.J. Hammer. That's at 11:00 p.m. Eastern on our sister network, HLN.
Getting a lot of responses to today's "Talk Back" question. We asked, should the United States play a major role in the Middle East?
Dana says, "I am an Arab American. They're hard headed. Unless they ask for help, let them be. And Arabs don't hate Americans. Trust me."
Carol Costello is back with more of your responses.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MALVEAUX: President Obama will deliver a speech tomorrow detailing his policy on the Middle East and North Africa. That brings us to today's "Talk Back" question and Carol Costello with the responses.
(LAUGHTER)
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, will there ever be Middle East peace? I think it's become the punch line to many jokes these days.
The "Talk Back" question, should the U.S. play a major role in the Middle East? This from Rob. "The U.S. already plays a huge role in the Middle East through its unwavering support of Israel. If the U.S. ever wants to see peace over there, we need to end our favoritism of Israel and treat all people the same."
This from Sean. "If they don't want to help themselves, then we should stop spending money and lives. We don't have to, to help a bunch of people that for the most part hate us."
This from Ben. "The principle of democracy is the hallmark of America. And with all the civil unrest sprawling throughout the Arab world, it is America that is needed more than ever to provide guidance and direction for this new way of life, simply ignoring it without any guidance would be foolish."
This from Brian. "There will never be peace for Israel. We are going against God's word by telling Israel to give up land for the Palestinians. God promised that land to Israel. We need to stop helping those who are against Israel."
Please continue the conversation, Facebook.com/carolCNN. And thanks as always for your comments.
MALVEAUX: No middle ground folks there. Very strong opinions.
COSTELLO: No. Mostly either we have to continue helping Israel because a lot of people think it is God's will that we help Israel. That's why a lot of Christians back Israel. And a lot of people say, you know, there will never be peace in the Middle East so why bother?
MALVEAUX: Yes. Well, President Obama is going to try like many others before him.
COSTELLO: Exactly.
MALVEAUX: All right. Thanks, Carol.
COSTELLO: Sure.
MALVEAUX: Tune in for a special coverage of the president's speech beginning at 11:30 a.m. Eastern. That's tomorrow. CNN's Wolf Blitzer, he's going to join us as well. We're going to have expert analysis, live coverage right here on CNN.
So you told us what you wanted to see. You choose the news story. Just moments away. But, first, are you a Guinness drinker? If so, you're not alone. So is the queen of England.
She's touring the brewery at St. James Gate today as part of her landmark trip to the Emerald Isle. And in honor of Ireland's number one export, we thought we'd give you some facts about the beer.
The world drinks more than 10 million glasses of Guinness a day. That is 1.8 billion pints a year.
So which country drinks the most of the barley brew? We're going to tell you after the break.
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MALVEAUX: Queen Elizabeth II is in Dublin today for a historic visit. No tour of Ireland's capital city would be complete without a trip to the Guinness brewery. Especially for the queen for England? Why? Because of all of the countries that enjoy the beer, no one drinks more Guinness than the Brits.
(LAUGHTER)
MALVEAUX: Well, you told us what you wanted to see. Here's your "Choose the News" winner.
The CIA is looking for people with diverse background.
Our CNN's Barbara Starr reports that the head of the CIA is asking for people to apply and the agency has launched TV ad campaigns to get folks interested.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The CIA's job market for secret operatives has never been more open.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our working hours can change instantly. The mission is a constant but every day is different.
STARR: These new ads are an unprecedented effort to make the CIA a more diverse workforce.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Global careers in CIA's National Clandestine Service. Don't just watch the news. Live it 24/7.
STARR: And television commercials are just the beginning.
Director Leon Panetta is making the pitch himself here at Moore House, an historically black college.
LEON PANETTA, CIA DIRECTOR: Our clandestine service officers must be able to collect intelligence overseas. By speaking to sources in their own language, by blending in with local people.
STARR: The CIA is on an all-out effort across the country to recruit culturally and ethnically diverse candidates. One target audience, American Middle Eastern communities. And with global threats, it's also looking for Americans who speak Chinese, Pashto and Dari as a start.
Patty Brandmaier runs the CIA's recruiting center. She says it's no longer the traditional Ivy League employer.
PATTY BRANDMAIER, DIR., CIA RECRUITMENT CENTER: We are looking at different populations in terms of education. People who don't -- didn't go to school or grow up on the East Coast.
STARR: But at the University of Maryland, the agency has a long way to go in convincing these two students who are studying Arabic.
MARYAM ELBALGHITI, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND STUDENT: I would have moral qualms with working with the CIA, for example, because I would not want to be directly or indirectly involved with anything that would be of violent origin or have violent effects.
STARR: Iman knows some fellow students may go to work for the CIA, but not him.
IMAN TSZ YUN NG, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND STUDENT: The CIA has, you know, a reputation of being secretive, of being -- doing -- you know, doing spy work. Spy work is not something that I would like to do. Diplomacy is my passion.
STARR: The CIA accepts that convincing young people to think about the agency is a challenge.
BRANDMAIER: It takes a long time to persuade people, one, that we're a good place to work, that they should think about us as a diversity employer of choice. You need to overcome a lot of skepticism.
STARR: And speaking of foreign language still isn't a job guarantee.
BRANDMAIER: We look at the whole person. So what I am looking for in my people are character integrity, initiative, and I'm looking for leadership.
STARR (on camera): CIA officials won't say how many people they want to hire or how successful they've been in their diversity effort. They will only tell us that in the last year they've increased by 25 percent the number of officers proficient in a language other than English.
Barbara Starr, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX: If your choice did not win or you just want to check out the runners-up, I'll have links to them on my page at Facebook.come/suzanneCNN.
CNN NEWSROOM continues right now with Randi Kaye who's in Los Angeles.
Hey, Randi.
RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: Hi there, Suzanne. Thank you very much.
