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"Major Operation" in Pakistan; Obama's European Tour; Arrest in L.A. Dodger Stadium Beating Case; Article on Black Women in "Psychology Today" Causes Uproar; Few Americans Recognize Name of French Open Tennis Champ; Lance Armstrong Denies New Doping Accusations
Aired May 22, 2011 - 18:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Don Lemon in Los Angeles.
A savage beating and now a big arrest in the city. A Giants' fan at Dodger Stadium beaten into a coma on opening day. Police hunting the culprit since March. Tonight, a suspect and others are being questioned right now. We are live in L.A. and we have team coverage for you.
Plus, the pictures are remarkable. A major terrorist attack in Pakistan on the naval base. Right now, commanders tracked down militants who used heavy firepower. We are live in Pakistan with dramatic pictures and the details.
And, Mr. Obama goes to Europe. One Irish town prepares for his presidential visit. We'll have more on the trip and why today he had to explain his recent remarks on the Middle East.
"The Best Political Team on Television" live in Dublin for you.
I'm Don Lemon reporting from Los Angeles. The news starts right now.
And in just a short time, I want to tell you the LAPD will hold a news conference -- a news conference to announce the arrest, to announce the arrest in the horrific beating that shocked the nation, an arrest that reportedly came via tip from a parole officer. Right now, police are keeping details very close to the vest. A slew of officers made an arrest just hours ago at an east Hollywood apartment complex just five miles from that stadium.
You are looking at new pictures now just into CNN. And we are also learning that a search warrant was served at another location that has been issued. It has been more than seven weeks since Giants' fan Brian Stow was nearly beaten to death by nearly two out-of-control Dodger fans on opening day, March 31st. The suspects, now one of them is custody.
But the nation, you know, won't soon forget the face of the victim here. And since it happened, his family has wanted the world to hear his story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) LEMON (voice-over): A packed opening day at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. A tense confrontation in the parking lot described by witnesses.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The next thing I know, I hear a punch, a solid punch. He just went down cold.
LEMON: San Francisco Giants' fan Brian Stow hit from behind, police say, by two men -- kicking him, punching him, yelling profanities about the Giants. His only offense, according to his mother Ann, his team spirit.
ANN STOW, MOTHER OF BEATING VICTIM: I think it was a random act of violence against somebody who was wearing Giants' colors.
LEMON: Los Angeles police launched a manhunt, releasing these sketches of the suspects. They put 17 detectives on the case. A billboard campaign, more than 300 of them, all over the city pleading for leads.
CAPTAIN BILL MURPHY, LOS ANGELES POLICE: We still need the public's help. If you know any information whatsoever, please come forward.
LEMON: The Dodgers joined the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco in offering a reward.
CHIEF CHARLIE BECK, LOS ANGELES POLICE: I am announcing an additional $100,000 in reward being put up by the Dodgers organization.
LEMON: Now an arrest in the case. But Brian Stow, 42-year-old father of two, remains in critical condition. His sister Erin Collins in utter disbelief.
ERIN COLLINS, SISTER OF BEATING VICTIM: We all love each other and love him. It has just been so hard.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: And again, this story is just developing. And we are in Los Angeles covering it for you live. We have team coverage.
I want to go now to our affiliate KABC. This is unedited video coming into CNN. And these are people reacting to this arrest. Listen in.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It is really scary to have somebody live that close to you because it is -- in a world, it is very quiet around here. As you can see, it is always like this, it's nice and quiet. So I'm very surprised.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Great. Thank you so much for talking to us. You have such a cute dog. Adorable. What's the dog's name?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Romeo.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Romeo. He's adorable. Hi.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: And, again, we want to tell you that this video is coming in from our affiliate of KABC. That is their feed that they taped earlier, and they are feeding it to us. It is unedited tape. And as you could hear, people were just shocked out here, especially about this rivalry, this rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. It really goes back before either team even moved to California. There are many indications here that some fans just couldn't leave it on the field.
The Giants, the team, Brian Stow roots for, released a statement. I want to read it to you. It says, "Today's arrest in the Brian Stow case is welcomed news in what has been a very difficult time for the Stow family. We commend the Los Angeles Police Department for their hard work and we are confident that they will continue to dedicate themselves until all of those responsible for this senseless act of violence have been brought to justice."
Again, that is from Brian Stow's family.
We are still awaiting a statement from the Dodgers here and we should tell you that Los Angeles police are saying no interviews with the Stow family. They don't want the media to reach out to them. And they are also saying that they're going to hold a press conference shortly to announce an arrest and other details in this case.
So, let's go now to where Brian Stow is from. And that's San Francisco.
Our Dan Simon joins us now via Skype.
So, Dan, listen, what do we know about the man, if anything, taken into custody? What information are you getting?
DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Well, that's a great question, Don. Joining you by phone here in San Francisco, we know that this went down about 7:00 this morning. Police there in Los Angeles raiding an east Hollywood apartment complex.
You know, there are a lot of reports that the man taken into custody had a bald head and tattoos on both his neck and arms. And that seems to match a vague description of the composite sketches that police have put out there in the Los Angeles area. We know that the suspect did not appear to resist being taken into custody. At this point, his name is being with held, but obviously, a tremendous amount of relief both here in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
This has been basically front page news in San Francisco since this happened back on March 31st.
The fact that it happened at 7:00 in the morning, obviously, shows this was a well coordinated kind of takedown, if you will, the fact that it happened early in the morning. They police, they had a good idea that the suspect was at the apartment complex. And again, taken into custody, but no details on his name or age, Don.
LEMON: All right. Dan, if we can come back -- Dan is talking about this, so our viewers can see it. This is the composite sketch that has been released from the Los Angeles Police Department. So, one of these two people -- there it is right there on the screen, one of these two people is a person in custody, and one of them is possibly the suspect in this case. The other suspect that they're talking, I should say other people of interest that they are talking to.
And we're talking to our Dan Simon who is on the phone, in Brian Stow's hometown, which is San Francisco.
Dan, when we get the press conference in just a bit, some really heavy-hitters here -- the mayor, the police chief, other high-ranking officials in the police department, as well as a Dodgers' representative. It's really just unbelievable here. Any word on how police cracked this case because we are hearing that it was possibly a tip from a parole officer?
SIMON: Well, it will be interesting to hear the authorities when they talk about it. But "The L.A. Times" report that the cops got a tip from a parole agent. And that this agent allegedly turned in this guy. How that all came to fruition, we don't know. But, you know, we should point that this is the kind of case that is big for any community. And it was especially big for Los Angeles.
Here you have this guy basically regarded as a hero, a paramedic, a guy with two young children seen here as an everyday hero in the San Francisco Bay Area, and just savagely beaten for no other reason than wearing, you know, a Giants jersey. And so, police wanted to solve this.
So, this was, you know, one of the top priorities within the Los Angeles Police Department. There were countless billboards all throughout Los Angeles showing them, you know, the composite sketches that have been on local news basically every day since March 31st. So, police desperately wanted to solve this case and were waiting more details, but obviously, what we are hearing sounds very promising, Don.
LEMON: All right. Dan Simon, thank you very much. Dan Simon, reporting to us there from San Francisco.
And we have a reporter at Dodger Stadium as well. We're going to join that reporter -- that reporter is going to join us in a little bit.
Dan said this was big news in San Francisco and here in California. It's really big news all over the country. People were horrified by this case. And I'm sure some people will be happy, especially the family, to know that there's now an arrest in the case. More details to come in just a moment.
We're going to turn now to some severe weather in the United States, popping up across the upper Midwest right now.
Jacqui Jeras joins us from the CNN severe weather center. Jacqui, that system that came through yesterday -- my, oh, my, and now again.
JACQUI JERAS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, today, it's more widespread. And we've had confirmed tornadoes on the ground, many of which have caused damage. These are pictures from our affiliate KART-TV in Minneapolis, where a tornado touched down several hours ago, causing quite a bit of damage.
Trees are down everywhere. About 20,000 people are without power. Lots of homes did sustain quite a bit of damage. Mostly second-story damage and roof damage from what I understand. This was a relatively brief touchdown that lasted about six to seven minutes. It moved through north Minneapolis, over towards Fridley and then continues to push up north towards the Anoka area. Some damage at the airport there as well.
Amazingly at this time, as of right now, no serious injuries. So, hopefully, that will continue to be the case. Now, the severe weather threat still stretches some 1,000-plus odd miles with watches in effect from northern Wisconsin and Minnesota, all the way down into parts of Texas. Most of the rotation has been in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.
But we've got two warnings still at this hour with tornadoes confirmed by trained storm spotters. One in Sparta, Wisconsin, and then we also had one down in Missouri -- in Slater, Missouri. So, you need to be seeking shelter now. This severe weather will continue through the night tonight.
And we are also concerned that a lot of these storms are moving over those flooded areas, Don. So we'll be watching the Mississippi River, but more importantly, some of the smaller tributaries and streams leading into the Mississippi and Ohio for possible rises.
LEMON: All right. So, if you are anyone where Jacqui Jeras told you to be safe, you need to heed that warning. Thank you, Jacqui. We appreciate it.
JERAS: Sure.
LEMON: A gunman attack on a naval air station in Pakistan. Explosions are heard and a large fire is being seen from the base. We'll have a live report from Islamabad coming up in just moments.
Plus, President Obama speaks to Israel's lobbying group in Washington, on the heels of the controversy surrounding his speech on Mideast peace and the border between Israel and Palestinians. A live report is straight ahead here as well.
And many of you are asking for information about the stories we have on air. You've been doing it through social media. You can reach to us on Twitter, on Facebook, CNN.com/Don and Foursquare.com/DonLemonCNN. We are back in just moments.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) LEMON: TV reports right now out of Pakistan showing militants have launched an aggressive, surprise attack at the Pakistani military base in the coastal city of Karachi.
CNN's Stan Grant live now from Islamabad where it's now early Monday morning.
So, Stan, what's happening where you are?
STAN GRANT, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: An operation still ongoing here, Don. We understand that these gunmen are still holed up inside the naval aircraft base and commandoes have been sent in to try to root them out. Now, according to a naval spokesman, two military officers have been killed and two others injured in this assault.
Now, he also confirms that about a dozen gunmen stormed this military complex that were heavily armed with hand grenades and rockets. Their target was a P-3C Orion Plane. Why? We are not quite sure at this point. But that plane, according to the naval spokesman, has been destroyed.
Now, there have been multiple fires. You've seen these dramatic pictures of the fires billowing from this military base itself. And this operation, as I say, is still ongoing.
Now, the militants struck on Sunday evening. The fact that they were able to get inside a facility such as this, of course, is raising a lot of questions. It also fits with warnings that we have had from the Taliban just in the past few days that they are going to step up their attacks aiming at the U.S. interests, NATO and Pakistan. They are showing the capacity to do that once again -- Don.
LEMON: All right. Stan, live in Pakistan -- Stan, thank you very much.
President Barack Obama heads to Ireland where if you didn't know he has ancestry. But first, he addressed to an Israeli lobby group about the controversy over this week's Mideast speech and comments about the Israeli-Palestinian border. Live reports from Dublin, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: You see these people? They have nooses around their neck. In Israel today, protesters accused President Obama of promoting a peace plan that they consider suicide.
The president, meanwhile, spoke to Israel's lobby in Washington explaining what he meant when he discussed a final border between Israel and the Palestinians in a speech on Thursday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: By definition, it means that the parties themselves, Israelis and Palestinians, will negotiate a border that is different than the one that existed on June 4th, 1967. That's what mutually agreed upon swaps means. It is a well- known formula to have who have worked on this issue for a generation. It allows the parties themselves to account for the changes that have taken place over the last 44 years.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Well, the president angered the Israeli prime minister on Thursday by announcing the 1967 borders. Today's gesture led Benjamin Netanyahu to state that he shared the president's will to promote peace.
CNN's Brian Keilar is in Dublin where the president arrives on Monday on a six-day trip to Europe.
What happens when he gets there, Brianna?
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the first stop is going to be Ireland, of course. And one of the big things that we are waiting for here in Ireland is the president reconnecting with his ancestor roots. As you know, Don, because the president is the first African-American, his Kenyan heritage has gotten so much attention, but he is actually a little bit Irish. This was uncovered by genealogists when he was campaigning for the presidency.
He's only 1/32 Irish. It was his great-great-great-grandfather, Fulmoth Kearney, who moved from a tiny little place called Moneygall, Ireland. It's on the road between here and Dublin and Limerick. And there's only about 300 people who live there. But they're very excited about the prospect of President Obama coming.
And even though it's not official, Don, that he is going to come there, they certainly are holding him to the that he said he was interested in coming and to hoist a pint. There's two pubs in town. They've got all kinds of Obama gear decked out in there. They're really looking forward to this and hoping that he makes the trip, Don.
LEMON: Wait, just two pubs in town. But in all seriousness here, the president upset --
KEILAR: One and a half, really, to be honest.
LEMON: One and a half. Listen, I want to get to the serious stuff because the president spoke out today to upset Mr. Netanyahu with his comments on Thursday, tried to explain them today. I was watching it. I'm sure many people around the world were watching. But he didn't change much from what he originally said.
Did he do enough to mend fences with the prime minister and Israeli supporters here in the U.S.?
KEILAR: He made some steps in the right direction. He was inconsistent that his stance is not a threat to Israel and he was trying to make more clear than the pre-1967 borders are a starting point, that Israelis and Palestinians would negotiate borders that ultimately looked very different. And that the prime minister is concerned that some areas would be indefensible if you were to go to those pre-1967 borders, that ultimately, that wouldn't be an issue, because they would be different.
We've have heard reporting from State Department producer, Elise Labott, that the prime minister was encouraged particularly because of the president's stance on Hamas, that he was very strong on this as the Israelis saw it because he said that, of course, Israel wouldn't be expected to negotiate with Hamas if Hamas decided that -- if Hamas continued to say Israel doesn't have a right to exist.
But you should expect, Don, on this trip that the president will also be going to the U.K. He'll end in Warsaw, Poland. But in the middle there, he'll be going to Deauville, France. And you should expect these issues to come up, especially at that coalition government in Palestine is looking for recognition before the U.N. in September. You're going to -- this is definitely going to be a topic of conversation between President Obama and some European allies.
LEMON: Hey, Brianna, really quickly, it's a beautiful shot where you are. Where do you stand there? What's that behind you? It's just -- it's magnificent to look at.
KEILAR: The wheel -- the wheel behind me, this is called the "revolver" and it's right next to the river that separates the north and south side of Dublin. I have not had a chance to go up on it, but I think I'm going to try to go up tomorrow because, apparently, it's the best view you can get of Dublin. And it's pretty late here as you know. In fact, all the pubs are starting to close, I should tell you, Don.
LEMON: Brianna Keilar, that's why we love you. Thank you very much. Be safe and have a great time. Appreciate your reporting.
OK. Back now to our breaking news. Los Angeles police arrest a suspect in connection with the brutal beating of a San Francisco baseball fan at Dodgers Stadium. A live report from the stadium is next.
But, first, more factory jobs and more electronic distractions at work. Alison Kosik has the details in this week's "Getting Down to Business."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALISON KOSIK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Some good news on the jobs front as factories have been hiring lately, increasing manufacturing jobs for the first time since 1997. But many of the 250,000 jobs that have been added since the beginning of last year don't pay what they used to. And while it may sound like a big increase, the new hires have only restored about 13 percent of manufacturing jobs that were lost during the long running recession.
Electronic distractions from Facebook to e-mail reminders could be costing our employers millions of dollars a year. According to a survey from UStamp and (INAUDILBE), most of us waste an hour or more a day on distractions around the office. And 45 percent of workers say they can't go more than 15 minutes without being interrupted. And speaking of distractions, here's one that's not OK for work. "Playboy" has announced a new web-based subscription service that other magazines may follow. The service at iPlayboy.com gives access to every page of all 682 copies of the magazine ever issued. For some, it's all about the articles. Others want nostalgia. And, oh, yes, they have pictures, too.
That's this week's "Getting Down to Business."
Alison Kosik, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: We want to check your top stories right now here on CNN.
Police have arrested a suspect for the March 31st beating of a San Francisco Giants fan at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. And right now, they are talking to a number of other people who are in custody. The victim, Brian Stow, was in a coma and is now listed in critical condition.
Investigators have been looking fur for with two men, so one more arrest could be coming. Police will release details at a news conference in just a matter of moments.
The airspace over Iceland's main airport is closed following a volcanic explosion on Saturday. There's been no impact on European flights yet, but ash could reach Britain and northern Europe by Wednesday. Another eruption in Iceland caused chaos by shutting down Europe air travel that was last year, you might remember.
Even the dead can't escape the flooded Mississippi. You can barely see the headstones in this cemetery in Yazoo City. Several caskets actually floated out of the ground but were recovered, as the cresting river slowly winds south toward New Orleans. Residents are warned the high water will stick around for weeks.
Health officials also warn the floodwaters are full of dangerous microbes and bacteria.
A lot of violent weather today across the Midwest. You heard our Jacqui Jeras talking about it. This is new video just into CNN of a severe storm that passed through Minneapolis. It did just a short time ago. And as you can see here, a lot of downed trees, roof damage and debris tossed all about. No deaths or serious injuries have been reported.
One person died last night when a twister ripped through eastern Kansas, a town of Reading near Emporia, took a direct hit from an EF-1 tornado. At least 20 homes were destroyed and nearly 200 were damaged.
Black women, uglier than other women? A shocking statement on any level, but it was made in an article that says it was based on science. Next, we are going to examine it.
But, first, we want to tell you about this. Many cruise lines are offering great deals right now to get you onboard this summer.
(ON THE GO)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: All right, breaking news to tell you about. We told you about the arrest in that beating that put a man in a coma at Dodger Stadium. The Los Angeles police are about to hold a press conference along with the mayor of the city.
We want to go now to a reporter from our affiliate, KTLA, Cheryl. She is at Dodger Stadium.
Cheryl Getuiza, what are you hearing there at the stadium about this press conference?
CHERYL GETUIZA, KTLA REPORTER: Well, Don, yes, the press conference is starting in about 30 minutes or so. But the LAPD has made this case a top priority since March 31st. 17 detectives have been working around the clock on hundreds and hundreds of leads. Today, they can say, we gotcha.
A tip from a parole agent led the LAPD police to one of two suspects in this brutal beating of Giants fan, Bryan Stow. Around 7:00 this morning, LAPD SWAT descended on an east Hollywood apartment complex. They had their guns drawn and they used the loud speaker to talk to one of the occupants in the units. When all of those people came out, one of the men was bald and hat tattoos on his neck and arms, similar to one of the sketches of the suspects leased by LAPD.
Now, LAPD says they have been working numerous leads, about 500 of them, since this incident happened on March 31st here at Dodger Stadium. Bryan Stow was wearing his Giants' gear, walking into the parking lot with several of his friends, and police say two suspects started taunting him, and then one of them blindsided him and hit him in the back and neck. And it didn't stop there. Police say, when he was on the ground, they started kicking and punching him. Then finally, they fled in a car that was driven by a woman.
Again --
LEMON: Hey, Cheryl?
GETUIZA: -- we have one suspect in custody right now. Bryan Stow still in critical condition.
LEMON: Cheryl, Cheryl, can I jump in here quickly? I want to ask you about --
GETUIZA: Sure.
LEMON: -- are you hearing details -- I know police are keeping this close to the vest, but there are details that are leaking out about these suspects. Are you hearing anything about them? One, it seems to be particularly close in description to that police sketch. And we are also hearing that there is a warrant, a search warrant served on another area, but police won't say where that area is. What do you know about that? And what's leaking out about the other suspect?
GETUIZA: Don, the person that walked out of the apartment complex definitely matched one of the sketches of the suspect. He was bald and had tattoos on his arms and neck. They did walk into that apartment complex with two warrants, one on an apartment complex that the suspect walked out of, and another warrant for another apartment unit in that same building. But police won't say exactly what they found there or what led them to those two apartment buildings.
Right now, we are still waiting on word from the LAPD and the mayor as well as the Dodger officials. In less than 30 minutes, we'll find out much more on today's takedown.
But one suspect is still on the run. We'll find out more about the hunch for the one suspect.
LEMON: We are waiting for that press conference as well.
There's Cheryl Getuiza with our affiliate, KTLA.
She's live there at Dodger Stadium. You can see around her, they are preparing for the press conference. This is going to be big news. The mayor is coming out as well as high-ranking members of the police department. We'll have details for you here on CNN.
Now I want you to listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(MUSIC)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: You sho' is ugly.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: OK. So remember that scene from "The Color Purple"? It is funny. It is fictional. But a scientific article, presumably based on fact, makes a similar statement that black women are uglier than other women in other races. And a lot of people are not finding anything funny about that. An evolutionary psychologist wrote the article which appeared on the web site of "Psychology Today." A huge uproar followed. Would you expect anything less? The web site then pulled the piece.
Tonight, we are going in-depth about this study, if it is a part of a pervasive message that black women are not as good.
So joining us now is Sofia Nelson, founder and editor-in-chief of politicalintersection.com. She's gorgeous.
(LAUGHTER)
She was definitely not in the study. She also wrote "Black Woman Redefined."
Also, L.Z. Granderson, of cnn.com contributor and writer for ESPN.com; and Beverly Bond, who started Black Girls Rock, Inc. to empower young people.
Beverly, most of us don't know the details of this study. Obviously, they didn't look at you when they did the study as well. We just know the title, "Why Are Black Women Less Physically Attractive than Other Women"? I'm not even going to ask you the impact on young people. What the heck is going on here?
BEVERLY BOND, D.J., BLACKS GIRLS ROCK, INC: You know, people -- this study uses science to justify a racist viewpoint. But I think what's more important is that it brings it back to -- it gives us, much like the Don Imus situation did, it makes us look at this issue of standards of beauty and how it affects young women and girls of color.
LEMON: Yes. Actually --
(CROSSTALK)
BOND: There are so many message that are -- sorry.
LEMON: No, that's OK. There's a delay here. I'm in L.A. You are in New York. I'll let you finish your thought and then I'll --
(LAUGHTER)
BOND: I think that there are -- this adds to the many messages that devalue and dehumanize and insult and disrespect black women. And oftentimes, these messages go unchecked without repercussions, which is why I started an organization like Black Girls Rock, to reinforce to our women that we matter and are important, like everyone else.
LEMON: So, Sofia, our first lady is black. Obviously, Oprah Winfrey is black. And you can't get more high profile than these two women. So aren't these role models enough to counter something like this, because beauty really is in the eye.
SOFIA NELSON, FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, POLITICALINTERSECTION.COM: First, thank you for the kind compliment, Don. Secondly, you showed the clip from the movie "The Color Purple." It is one of my favorite clips in the movie because what it does is, it is two black women talking to each other. Sug is talking to the Whoopi Goldberg character. She says, you sho' is ugly, and it reinforces that darker- skinner black women aren't as attractive. It fits into this whole paradigm, as Beverly said, about who is beautiful and who is not; light is better; certain features are better.
I read the article before it was pulled. I was one of the people to help get it pulled. And at the end of the day, that article was based on subjective factors of "what you like versus what the standard beauty is." It was not based on science. But here's the issue I want us to think about at home. Why would somebody put an article like that up in the first place? Particularly, someone that calls himself a scientist? And I'll tell you why, because it is OK to talk about black women that way. And whether it is us throwing a Pepsi can at somebody and hitting them in the head, and we are angry, we are violent, we are emasculating, now we are ugly on top of it. And these are the type of things that is black women are grappling with in the workplace, in relationships. Stereotypes are not funny when they follow you everywhere, as I like to say.
LEMON: Sofia, you showed a passion that many black women are showing about this story. There's another beautiful black woman in the studio today who is upset about it. This just really sort of is a gut-punch here. And by saying that you two ladies are beautiful, don't send me the "you're a sexist tweet." I am just saying they are beautiful.
(LAUGHTER)
I didn't say it to L.Z. --
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: -- because he's not a woman. The study was not on men.
Listen, I want to say that CNN reached out to "Psychology Today" and the researcher and neither one responded.
L.Z., to you now. Who do you blame more, the researcher for writing it or "Psychology Today" for putting it on their web site? Honestly, I had people who were saying this study shouldn't see the light of day anymore, Don. Don't do a report on it.
L.Z. GRANDERSON, CNN.COM CONTRIBUTOR & WRITER, ESPN.COM: Well, I definitely will have to point the finger at "Psychology Today." You can't control how somebody thinks or how they justify their own biases. But for them to not put the brakes on this is disturbing. It is sort of reminds me back when "Golf Week" had the noose on the cover in relationship to Tiger Woods, where you wonder, where in the editing process did this not stop? How come there was not a voice in the room that said, this is not fair, this is racist, this is not what we are about? That process didn't happen until after the outcry. That's far more disturbing than some racist who decided to try to justify his racism with science.
LEMON: L.Z., I have to ask you this because your article also placed a lot of emphasis on the role of black men and their responsibilities. What do you mean by that?
GRANDERSON: Well, first of all, when he says black women are ugly, he's not talking about people that are on the outside that we don't know or see. He's talking about our mothers. He's talking about our sisters. He's talking about our lovers and cousins. He's talking about people that we know and love. And so I think it is our responsibility that when someone is attacking somebody who s close to us that we stand up and say something. And to make a generalized statement that black women are ugly, he's talking about my mother. So I have a beef with that. And that's why I wrote the piece.
LEMON: You don't talk about a black man's momma. That is not good.
(LAUGHTER)
GRANDERSON: No, you do not.
LEMON: So, listen --
(LAUGHTER)
Right?
(LAUGHTER)
So, Beverly, real quickly, give me a short final statement on this study.
BOND: Well, I think that this is completely racist. It is insulting. It is disrespectful. Black Girls Rock. Black women, our features are -- people are paying top-dollar to go to plastic surgeons to get our features, from our hips to our lips. So --
(LAUGHTER)
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: So I'm going to let Sofia jump in.
(LAUGHTER)
I'm going to let Sophia jump in.
I need a short closing statement from you, Sofia, as well.
NELSON: Don, I agree with Beverly and with your gentleman there. I think the most important thing that we, as black people, have to figure out is why this is happening. I'm a lawyer and I like to get to the why he felt like he could put this up. That's what troubles me.
LEMON: OK. I'll say this, everybody is. You remember the old saying? We have to go back to it, black is beautiful.
(LAUGHTER)
Thank you, guys.
(CROSSTALK)
We'll be right back.
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LEMON: An Indiana town is building up its economy by making the daily commute faster and more fuel-efficient. CNN's Tom Foreman explains.
(BUILDING UP AMERICA)
LEMON: All right, Tom.
The French Open got underway today in Paris, and there's a man who is dominating tennis many Americans don't even know. We'll ask "Sports Illustrated's" Jon Wertheim about him. That's coming up next.
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LEMON: If I asked you who the most dominant athlete in the world is, who would you think? This person is, according to "Sports Illustrated." Yet, many Americans have never even heard of his name. Meanwhile, the most famous cyclist anywhere is denying new doping accusations.
So let's talk about all of this with "Sports Illustrated's" Jon Wertheim.
Good to see -- oh, you put on a tie for us. Look at that.
(LAUGHTER)
JON WERTHEIM, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: For you.
LEMON: Jon, thank you very much.
This is a new issue that includes a profile of the best tennis player in world, heading into the French Open, which started today.
OK, who is this guy? I can't even really say his name, Jon.
WERTHEIM: Novak Djokovic, who is from Serbia. He is ranked number two, but he hasn't lost a match so far in 2011. It's one of these cases in tennis, if this guy were from Omaha or Wichita, we would know all about him. But he is playing on the other side of the world. He's from Serbia, so still a little bit of an unknown in the U.S. I think if he wins the French Open, which is lot of people think he will, his profile will rise. But he is having a sensational year.
LEMON: How good is -- is it -- I'm going to try to say it -- Novak Djokovic, I think that's right. How good was he before this year, and did he come out of nowhere -- Jon?
WERTHIEM: No, he was really sort of a third wheel to Roger Federer and Rafael Midol (ph). They were the two top dogs and had a duopoly in men's tennis. Djokovic was third for a long time. We sort of -- a lot of us thought he would be the player that would crack that. But I don't think anyone saw him going six months without losing a tennis match. He has beaten everybody. He has beat them about four times running. This is just a sensational run he is on.
LEMON: Who are the favorites in Paris? And while we are on it, where are the American players?
WERTHEIM: Check under the couch for the Americans.
(LAUGHTER)
No, I think the favorites are Djokovic and Rafeal Midol (ph), who has won this thing five of the last six years. The Americans, I mean, it's an interesting question. Some of this is globalization and the world is flatter and this product, in this case, good tennis players are produced everywhere. But the Williams sisters aren't playing. Andy Roddick is not playing. It is not a good scene. If you go and root for the Americans at the French Open, you better fly that flag early. The way it is now, American tennis, not in a great place.
LEMON: Let's go to another sport and talk about a name everyone knows, Lance Armstrong. Another former team mate, Tyler Hamilton, accusing him of doping during his record-breaking run for seven Tour de France titles. I want you to listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TYLER HAMILTON, FORMER TEAM MATE OF LANCE ARMSTRONG: I saw it in his refrigerator, you know. I saw him inject it, more than one time.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You saw Lance Armstrong inject EPO?
HAMILTON: Yes, like we all did, like I did many, many times.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: OK, so Armstrong is again denying it, Jon. Here is what he is tweeting. He's saying, "20-plus-year career, 500 drug tests worldwide, in and out of competition, never a failed test." Then he ends it by saying, "I rest my case."
Anything new here?
WERTHEIM: I think what's new is that -- I mean, this isn't the first teammate or first person that's come forward. First of all, this is the context of a federal investigation. This is serious. This is under penalty of perjury. And also, these concentric circles, the people that are starting to turn on Lance Armstrong, we are getting closer and closer. These are teammates. This is the inner sanctum. There are a lot of people that don't want to believe this for a variety of reasons. But, boy, the circumstantial case against Armstrong is mounting. It is true he never failed a test, but never did McGuire or Marion Jones. That is no longer an absolute defense.
I just think that a lot of people want to believe Lance for a variety of reasons, not least, his work with cancer. But you lay out the evidence in the circumstantial case against him and it gets worse and worse.
LEMON: Does it tarnish his image permanently, these allegations?
WERTHEIM: You know, I mean, I think -- I think the camps are already divided. Some people say, look, what he has done for cancer, it doesn't matter. It is petty compared to all the great things he's done. I think the other camp has convicted him already. It doesn't look good appearance wise, but I feel like not a lot of people aren't being swayed any more.
LEMON: OK, so I want all of our viewers -- it is Jon, J-O-N, underscore, Wertheim.
And that's your Twitter.
I want you to tweet him and tell him how much you like the suit.
Jon Wertheim, thank you.
WERTHEIM: Thanks, Don.
LEMON: Let's check your top stories before we get out of here on CNN.
Police arrested a suspect for the March 31 beating of the San Francisco Giants' fan at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Right now, they are talking to a number of other people in custody. The victim, Bryan Stow, was in a coma and is now listed in critical condition. Investigators had been looking for two men. At least one more arrest could be forthcoming. Police will release more details at a news conference in a matter of moments.
CNN's Alan Duke is at Dodger Stadium for the news conference and he is on the phone with us now.
Alan, what are you hearing?
ALAN DUKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm standing very close to L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who is about to speak, as is the L.A. police chief. They are going to tell us, I expect, the name of the person they arrested at 7:00 this morning in an apartment about five miles from Dodger Stadium, where we're standing in the parking lot, which is also not far from where Bryan Stow was beaten barely seven weeks ago. We'll also find out about the search for the second suspect. The mayor is just about to speak.
LEMON: And our Alan Duke is there.
They you see the mayor is about to give his press conference there. They are setting up at Dodger Stadium. Again, there's been an arrest in the 42-year-old single father, Bryan Stow, who is from San Francisco, a Giants' fan, beaten in the parking lot on March 31 at Dodger Stadium, believed supposedly by a Dodger fan or fans. And we're awaiting this press conference. We may get a second or so in here as he starts to speak. But again, a representative from the Dodgers there as well, as well as high-ranking officials from the police department.
Our Alan Duke is on the phone.
So, Alan, stand by. We will have you update us at 10 p.m.
DUKE: Yes. LEMON: And, again, I thought we would get the mayor.
Anyway, we will see you back here at 10 p.m. eastern. We will have that breaking news for you.
I'm Don Lemon at the CNN center in Los Angeles. A special report, "Patrick Kennedy, Coming Clean," Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports.
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