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Anthony Weiner Resigns; Suspicious Vehicle Found Near Pentagon; Romney Jokes about Unemployment; Saudi Women Dare to Drive; U.S. Economy Hurt by Greece; Angelina Jolie Meets Syrian Refugees; Angelina Jolie Meets Syrian Refugees; "It's Going to Take All of God's Grace"; Obama the Father-in-Chief; Newt Gingrich Defends His Wife; McIlroy Leads U.S. Open; Same-Sex Marriage Leads to "Anarchy"; Casey Anthony Trial
Aired June 17, 2011 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: I can just imagine. And yes, I was glued to the U.S. Open yesterday. I'm just going to admit it right now.
Thank you, ladies. Great to see you.
9:00 a.m. on the East Coast, 6:00 a.m. out West. Hello, everyone. Thanks for joining us.
Right now, we're actually following breaking news near the Pentagon. Police have closed several nearby streets as they investigate a suspicious vehicle. Our Barbara Starr will join us with the latest.
And earlier today, oil prices fell to their lowest levels in four months. The price had sunk to 92 bucks a barrel but have since been inched back up just a couple of dollars.
Defense attorneys for Casey Anthony will call more witnesses to the stand. She is accused of murdering her 2-year-old daughter. Forensic experts try to cast doubt on the state's evidence. We are pushing that case forward.
Well, he's out. Disgraced Congressman Anthony Weiner resigned. Now while you may still be judging him for his lewd pictures and lies, there is one place that doesn't judge him. A matter of fact, it rewards him.
We're talking about the Federal Employee Retirement System. The "Wall Street Journal" breaks down the benefits that Weiner will take with him. In just a few years he'll start taking pension payments of $25,000 to $35,000 a year. So in a nutshell he's getting about $1.3 million for 12 years of work and three weeks of scandal.
But Mary Snow, he says he didn't break any laws or rules so this is his money. Let's talk about what's next for him.
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Kyra, many pundits have written off any chance that he could be mayor in 2013. That's the ambition that Anthony Weiner had had. But not everyone is ruling out a potential comeback to politics and one of them is Dan Abrams, the founder of the Web site Mediaite.
He was on CNN last night. Take a listen to what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAN ABRAMS, FOUNDER, MEDIAITE.COM: By the way, I do think that he will be back in New York City politics within three years. He will have a leading role, I predict, in New York City politics. I'm not saying he's necessarily going to be a married man. I have no idea.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
SNOW: And, Kyra, you know, you're talking about money. Should Anthony Weiner ever decide to go back into politics, he does have a war chest. He raised nearly $5 million for the mayor's race. Has a couple of options. Obviously, he can't use that for any personal use. He could give the money back, he could donate to either candidates or committees, or he could keep it in the bank for any potential comeback if he decides at some point to run for office.
SPITZER: We'll follow it. That's for sure. Mary Snow, thanks so much.
We want to take you straight to the Pentagon. A breaking news story we've been following for just about the past 25 minutes or so.
Barbara Starr, what's latest on the suspicious vehicle that's shut down the nearby roads?
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, it is a traffic mess around the Pentagon this morning, to say the least, because of this potential security incident. This all really started overnight when a suspicious man was found in nearby Arlington National Cemetery.
Of course the cemetery is closed at night. He was found in the early morning hours. He was not responding to officers' questions. They took him into custody and he pointed them to a vehicle that was parked in the bushes near the Pentagon. And of course, Arlington and the Pentagon are right next to each other.
Police began to examine this vehicle. They called in the EOD detonation team out of concern there was explosive material inside of it. Then they began to shut all the roads down. That has kept thousands of people from getting to work in the Pentagon this morning, but the security is paramount, of course.
At this hour, the roads are still shut down. There are security sweeps going on throughout the area because there are reports which the police are not yet totally confirming, but there are reports that explosive devices potentially were placed at the Iwo Jima Memorial and in Arlington Cemetery, as well as potentially near the Pentagon.
These are the reports they are looking into and in an abundance of caution, they are conducting security sweeps throughout the area to make sure everything is safe and they will open it back up then, but really this is -- this is one of the most significant ones we've had in terms of disruption to local morning traffic and the security situation which is always on high alert around the Pentagon -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Barbara Starr from the Pentagon. We'll continue to follow the breaking news story. Appreciate the details.
Let's move on now to politics. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney stabbed at self-deprecating humor falling flat among Democrats. Listen to what Romney said yesterday to a group of unemployed people in Florida.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, I should also tell my story. I'm also unemployed.
(END OF VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, the group laughed but others are not laughing.
Senior political editor Mark Preston joining us.
So, Mark, what do you think? Is this just a blip on the campaign trail or is it going to turn into something a lot bigger?
MARK PRESTON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL EDITOR: Well, you know, Kyra, let's just stay with the whole golf theme. You know I'm sure Mitt Romney this morning wishes he had a mulligan on this comment. Not something that you want to be heard saying, especially when your whole campaign is going to be based on trying to turn the economy around.
Mitt Romney was trying to make a bit of joke there. But not a very good joke when you're talking to unemployed folks certainly who are feeling the devastation of what this economy is doing to us. In fact, Democrats are seizing on this. Let's look at what the Democratic National Committee chairman Debbie Wasserman Schultz fired back right when she heard this.
She said that -- basically that, "It was inappropriate and insensitive to the millions of Americans looking for work."
Now, Kyra, Mitt Romney has a new Web video out this morning where he is very critical of President Obama and president -- the fact that we have a 9.1 percent unemployment rate. Certainly Mitt Romney wishes that he wasn't having to have to address questions about this comment yesterday.
As you said, he says he has some self-deprecating humor and he is basically saying that the president doesn't understand the plight of the unemployed -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Mark Preston, we'll watch it develop.
We'll have your next political update in just about an hour. And a reminder for all the latest political news, of course, you can go to our Web site 24/7 CNNPolitics.com. All right, today in Saudi Arabia, women are daring to get behind the wheel and drive. It's not illegal but religious edicts there strictly limit women's activities. Just last month, a female driver was jailed.
Jonathan Mann joining us now with a closer look.
I mean we hear stories like that and think, how can that even be possible?
JONATHAN MANN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Can you imagine? I mean how did you get to work today? You probably drove.
PHILLIPS: Absolutely.
MANN: Millions of men and women do it everywhere around the world, everywhere in the Arab world except Saudi Arabia. And so that's what this is all about.
Saudi women activists try to encourage women across Saudi Arabia to get in their cars and drive. I think we have a newspaper headline that tells the story. But Saudi women basically they can't wear what they want in public. They can't go where they want in public.
The "International Herald Tribune" tell us, "Saudi women seek driver's seat with the help of social media." Now keep in mind, Facebook and Twitter have precipitated revolutions across the Arab world, well, even in those countries, women can drive. In Saudi Arabia they can't. And so they have been planning for today, trying to get women out on the streets to exercise this right to drive, which by the way --
PHILLIPS: They are taking a risk. They're taking a huge risk because we know what they face, the punishments are brutal.
MANN: Well, the truth is, to be fair, basically when women in Saudi Arabia get caught driving, they get pulled over, they get held for a few hours. Now they are getting arrested.
So the authorities who are very nervous about what's happening in Egypt, what's happening in Tunisia, what's happening elsewhere are getting nervous about this, too. And these women are calling on Hillary Clinton to say something publicly about it.
PHILLIPS: Wow.
MANN: They're calling on women around the world, they're calling on women every where to do one simple thing, which is get a video of themselves driving or at least behind the wheel honking their horn, honk for Saudi women, and put it on YouTube as a sign to Saudi authorities that women around the world think the last country on earth to let women drive, Saudi Arabia really ought to make that step.
PHILLIPS: Jon Mann, thanks.
Well Angelina Jolie paying a visit to Syrian refugees feeling months of violence. She's going to meet with refugees camped out on the Turkey side of the border.
And New York lawmakers might vote today on a same-sex marriage bill. One former football star says if it passes, anarchy could follow. We're going to interview David Tyree live.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Checking stories "Cross Country."
University of New Mexico football player's saggy pants gets him kicked off an airplane. Deshon Marman was on a U.S. Airways flight when passengers complained that his low-rise pants were revealing his underwear. Well, crew members asked Marman to pull up his pants or leave the flight. He refused and was promptly arrested for trespassing.
New York City reportedly plans to feed geese to the homeless. "New York Times" is reporting this and the city will send the birds captured around its airports to a Pennsylvania slaughterhouse. That meat will be distributed to area food banks.
Trapped in a hot tram atop the St. Louis arch for nearly an hour. That's what happened yesterday to about 40 visitors to the same landmark. A motor failed causing the tram to stall. One passenger says the temps topped 100 degrees.
Well, it's being called a modern day Greek tragedy but the financial crisis in Greece may have you shedding some tears as well. The public there enraged by the government's desperate efforts to avoid bankruptcy. Hiking taxes, slashing public jobs, eliminating programs, but guess what your retirement plans? Well, they may also feel the pain.
Christine Romans in New York.
And, Christine, we've all been checking our 401(k)s and a number of us talking this morning about the shock.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Yes. You're right, Kyra. Seven weeks now that stocks have been lower and one of the ingredients of that formula is that Greece is in trouble again.
We've been here before. It matters for so many reasons because big European banks are exposed to Greece and its financial troubles. Just this morning, we heard the French President Nicholas Sarkozy and the German Chancellor Merkel saying there is no time to lose in trying to get a bailout arranged for Greece for the second time.
It means uncertainty in the Eurozone. This is a huge trading partner of the United States. If that economy were to slow further it would be difficult for this economy. Concern over the European currency. These are, you know, 15 sovereign countries all in it together and many say it's only as strong as its weakest link, and that weak link right now is Greece, and as I said, it's the second bailout. So worried about exposure of U.S. banks to European bank to some of this debt, all at a time when the U.S. economy appears not to be as robust as many would like it to be.
Alan Greenspan, the former Fed chief, Kyra, he told Charlie Rose that if Greece fails, goes into default, it could mean a recession -- it could mean a recession here in this country.
PHILLIPS: Wow. Well, that is definitely what we are most fearful of. We'll be watching it.
Christine Romans, thanks so much.
And of course in just a few minutes we're going to live in the New York Stock Exchange as Wall Street looks to end another tumultuous week.
Well, star power diplomacy Angelina Jolie travels to Turkey's border with Syria today. She's actually going to meet with thousands of Syrian refugees who fled to Turkey to escape the government's violent crackdown on anti-government protesters.
CNN's Arwa Damon joining us now from one of those refugee camps.
Arwa, Angelina Jolie traveling in her capacity as a U.N. goodwill ambassador, correct? So what do we know about the visit?
ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, she is expected to arrive here at this refugee camp just for about any moment now. And she is going to be speaking with the refugees inside and this is a fairly unique opportunity for her.
Because up until now, the Turkish authorities have barred the media from entering inside the camp and even barring organizations like Amnesty International to be able to get a firsthand look at the conditions that the refugees are having to live in.
This particular camp that used to be a tobacco factory and the camps are stacked on two levels. There are thousands of refugees inside.
There was, earlier, a small demonstration. People chanting for the downfall of the Assad regime. People imploring the United Nations to help them.
One person was holding up a sign saying, "Our own military is killing us. Please make it stop." And also earlier, children had crawled underneath a tarp that's been placed around the camp and they were holding up signs saying, please stop killing the children.
The Syrians have been imploring the international community to pay even more attention to what is happening, using any means they can to really get their message out. But this is a crisis that now needs international intervention, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Arwa Damon, let us know with when she gets there. We want to follow-up.
Meantime, a prayer for his family as he battles cancer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICK CHARLES, FORMER CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: I know it's going to take all of God's grace, which is never in short supply, to make me live longer.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: We are talking about the courage of one of our former CNNers. Sports anchor Nick Charles in his own words.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, this is a story about hope and bravery. It's a man's fight with cancer and his prayerful message to his family.
But this story hits close to home for a lot of us here at CNN. The courageous cancer fighter is actually former CNN sports anchor Nick Charles.
And chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, actually had some time with Nick at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
And, you know, to put it in perspective, you think of Randy Pausch and the last lecture, you think of "Tuesdays with Morrie" and professor with words of wisdom, and there's Nick.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: There's no question, and the lessons that you're suddenly forced to learn because you're smacked in the face with your own mortality. We all sort of know these things intuitively, but we forget until, all of a sudden, you don't have much time left and that was Nick's story. And he was a healthy guy. He's very robust, as you saw there.
And then two years ago, about, he was diagnosed with stage 4 bladder cancer and told he had about two years to live.
The question that kept coming up, Kyra, over and over again is: what would you do if you in that situation? It's a question Nick asked me and it's made me think about these things. But the general changes that you make in your life are one thing. But also the specific things as well -- for example, he keeps a journal every day, letters to his family and his friends, notes about his day, a legacy.
Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHARLES: I know it's going to take all of God's grace, which is never in short supply, to make me live longer. I want to, for you and mommy, so we can be a family here in Santa Fe. If -- sorry about this. If God takes me home, it will be forever. Meanwhile, I'm not going anywhere today.
GUPTA (voice-over): It's so tough for Nick to write and it's tough to hear. But Nick knows he at least had the chance to leave something behind.
(on camera): How do you feel when you read those?
CHARLES: Oh, they are so reinforcing to me that I know that she's going to read them. I've talked to people that they would just long to hear their parents' voice or read something from them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUPTA: Such a positive guy, Kyra, as you know. You know, it was interesting, he's -- it's a legacy thing. And it's tough to hear still even as I am hearing him talk about it now.
PHILLIPS: How is he doing now?
GUPTA: Well, he is on oxygen intermittently. He's lost a lot of weight, as you saw there a little bit. He's at the time now where doctors thought he would not survive any longer. He stopped chemo because it was just so toxic for his body. He and his wife made that decision to do that.
But he's very positive still, remarkably so, and I don't think in any way it's insincere. He said to me, he goes live in the present, but I'm still dreaming and imagining the future. So, you know, this may surprise you -- he and his wife built a dream house after he was diagnosed.
PHILLIPS: And that's what they're doing, concentrating on.
GUPTA: Yes. Picked out the colors, designed the rooms, bought a piano -- all the while knowing that he's not going to spend much time there.
PHILLIPS: I'll tell you what? It makes us think about death in a different way and his daughter -- I mean, it's incredible to see how she is responding to him and the messages that he's writing.
GUPTA: And the relationship that she's going to have and always remember, despite the fact that it won't be a long one.
PHILLIPS: Thanks, Sanjay.
GUPTA: Thank you.
PHILLIPS: You can see more of Sanjay's conversation and what he learned from Nick Charles -- well, what we are all learning from Nick Charles. Tune in Saturday and Sunday, at 7:30 a.m. Eastern for a special "SANJAY GUPTA, M.D.," "Nick Charles: Lessons from the Fight."
Men's are like -- men, rather, are like peacocks. That's just one conclusion we are told from a new study about guys who spend some serious money to strut their stuff.
But, Alison Kosik, as you learn from checking out this study, that it doesn't always pay off! Apparently, you know, women may be attracted to the man with a Porsche, but it doesn't mean long-term commitment!
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Exactly. You said it.
So, here's a little tip for men. You don't necessarily have to spend big bucks to get the ladies. So, yes, the basis of this study, believe it or not, is peacocks and Porsches, and it found that men buy Porsches and other flashy luxury items for the same reason that peacocks show their feathers to get girls!
And you know what? It works! The study found that women found the flashy guys to be more desirable.
But you know what? There's a catch in all of this, of course. The Porsche guys -- they are more intriguing for a date but they were not considered marriage material. So, that's the difference.
And when it came to looking for those long-term relationships, women consider the Porsche drivers equally with the guys who drove Honda Civics. Makes you feel better if you're driving a junky car there!
PHILLIPS: OK --
KOSIK: One of the authors -- go ahead.
PHILLIPS: No, no! I was going to say, Sanjay is still sitting next to me and he goes, well, that's what attracted my wife to me. I'm poor. I'm broke. I ride a scooter.
GUPTA: I was going to say, why wasn't Alison telling me this about 10 years ago? I could have saved a lot of money.
(LAUGHTER)
KOSIK: There you go. And you know what? I think it's the whole ruggedness of guys that really attracts the ladies. You know, they don't have to be all the perfect and driving the perfect car.
You know, show that you're like a guy, you know? I think that's what really matters.
And, you know, it really -- the author of this study wound up saying that it makes it more attractive as a relationship partner -- meaning the Porsche men. But in truth, many men just might be sending women the wrong message.
But, then, again, Kyra, think about it. If you're the guy looking for the short-term fling, you know, maybe it is all about the Porsche. All guys aren't looking for the long-term thing, so the Porsche is the way to go.
PHILLIPS: All right. Some beat up jeans and good cowboy boots. Thanks, Alison.
(LAUGHTER)
KOSIK: I hear you.
PHILLIPS: Well, Barack Obama, president, world leader, father of two daughters, which job do you think he finds the most humbling? As Father's Day approaches, he opens up about being a dad in the White House.
And Newt Gingrich's wife is under fire. Critics blame her for his staff revolt and say she is to controlling. Is she a help or a liability in his run for the White House?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Checking top stories.
It's being called a modern day Greek tragedy. The public enraged by the government's desperate efforts to avoid bankruptcy and the financial trouble in Greece raising fears of a new economic crisis in the U.S.
Strong winds threatening to spread wildfires in Arizona and New Mexico. Eleven thousand-acre blaze in southern Arizona has already burned 40 homes and forced hundreds of people to evacuate.
And today, defense attorneys for Casey Anthony will call more witnesses to the stand. She's accused of murdering her 2-year-old daughter Caylee. Yesterday, forensic experts tried to cast doubts on the state's evidence.
Barack Obama may be one of the most powerful men in the world, but you can bet, behind closed doors at the White House, his daughters subject him through the same things that any other dad goes through.
Dan Lothian here with a closer look at the father-in-chief.
I would love to know if they sass back to their dad!
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Oh, I'm sure they do. I'm a father, and sometimes my kids do talk back to me. So, I have to expect they roll their eyes and do all those same things to him as well.
But, as you know, the president has been pushing his fatherhood initiative for quite some time, talking about the importance of fathers in the home. He has made this argument that sometimes when fathers are not engaged, it can lead to problems in school for the kids or problems with drugs.
And so, the president sat down with "Good Morning America" this morning and talked about a whole host of issues, some of the triumphs and challenges of fatherhood. He said that sometimes when he is focusing on what to do in his parenting skills, he would think back on what his mom would do.
The president said it's important to set limits, to instill values, but he also is bracing for the teenage years.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I could not ask for better kids. I'm not anticipating complete mayhem for the next four or five years, but I understand teenagehood is complicated. I also should point out that I have men with guns that surround them often. And a great incentive for running for re-election is that it means they never get in the car with a boy who had a beer. And that's a pretty good thing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LOTHIAN: It's a big advantage of being the president of the United States. Now, you might recall late last year, the president released a book that was inspired by Sasha and Malia. It was a attribute to ground-breaking Americans.
But the bottom line is, the president says, it's not what you do for your kids in terms of throwing big birthday parties or giving them big gifts, but it's about the quality time that you spend with them -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Wait until those girls start dating, Dan. That should be very -- can you imagine? I'm going to pick up the president's daughter, or the former president's daughter. Yes, exactly.
LOTHIAN: If you're that guy, you're trembling.
(LAUGHTER)
LOTHIAN: It's going to be a difficult situation. Yes. Intimidating.
PHILLIPS: Dan Lothian at the White House.
Well, let's talk about a man who wants to knock President Obama out of the White House and that's Newt Gingrich. Could his biggest obstacle to winning the white house be the Mrs.? Well, those are the whispers right now. Carol Costello is joining us. So, Carol, what the heck is going on?
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Whispers? Did you say whispers?
PHILLIPS: OK, shouts.
COSTELLO: Shouts, that's more like it.
PHILLIPS: Over his shoulders.
COSTELLO: Exactly, because those accusations are getting louder and louder. Newt Gingrich's campaign is not so much about the man who would be president but about the would-be first couple. They do just about everything together. One of their business ventures, producing and starring a documentary celebrating conservatism and conservatives. They're latest is about Ronald Reagan.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CALLISTA GINGRICH, WIFE OF NEWT GINGRICH: Thirty years ago, America was confronted with a bad economy, a serious energy crisis, and foreign enemies who threatened our freedom.
NEWT GINGRICH, (r) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: At the time when Americans were told there was a crisis of confidence, one man changed history.
CALLISTA GINGRICH: That man was Ronald Reagan.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Callista Gingrich is also featured prominently on Gingrich's campaign Web site. Not so unusual but not necessarily a good thing either for Mr. Gingrich. She wears awfully nice jewelry, Kyra. So, when word that Gingrich has had half-million dollar account at Tiffany, Gingrich was put on the offensive.
Other rumors about like Mrs. Gingrich controls Newt's schedule, that she pushed him to take that two-week Greek cruise which prompted half of his campaign staff to quit. Gingrich pushed back on, where else? Fox News.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NEWT GINGRICH: For all of my years in public life, I don't mind people attacking me. I'm the candidate, I'm a big guy, I can take it, but to go after anyone's wife, I think, is pretty despicable.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Gingrich says Callista is being treated like Nancy Reagan. After all, he says, Callista and Newt are a lot like Ronnie and Nancy.
PHILLIPS: Just imagine having dinner with them. That could be very interesting. Carol Costello, thank you.
COSTELLO: Sure.
PHILLIPS: Rory McIlroy bounces back from his Masters meltdown. Coming up, we're going to show you how well he's doing at the U.S. Open.
Also, David Tyree was known for his great catches with the New York Giants. Now, he's catching some heat for some comments that he's made about same-sex marriage. He's joining me live.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) PHILLIPS: It's U.S. Open weekend, but Saturday, the big golf event is Obama/Biden versus House Speaker John Boehner and Ohio governor. "Golf Digest" ranks Barack Obama number eight of presidential golfers. His handicap, 17. President Obama, of course, swings left. John Boehner has an impressive 7.9 handicap, and the speaker, as you know, swings right.
So, the last time most people saw Rory McIlroy, he had a hideous final round at the Masters. Now, forget about it because McIlroy was masterful at the U.S. Open's opening round and that's what CNN's Patrick Snell is following today. So, what do you think? Is he keeping up the momentum?
PATRICK SNELL, CNN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Well, talk about a comeback, Kyra. Fantastic stuff from the 22-year-old from Hollywood, Northern Ireland, producing a blockbuster of an opening round. He went out and shot a sizzling 65 at six below par. I can tell you, he's already out on the course away to my left here, and he, a short time ago, was at seven under par, so he really is putting that Masters misery behind him.
Just a recap, he went out and shot 80 on the final day and blew a four-shot lead and the green jacket promptly went to a close and fear's rival. So, let's just say that Charles Schwarz will be benefited from that. Now, McIlroy undergoing bit of a cleansing process, I think, it's fair to say. Very recently, taking a trip to Haiti, and he's been talking about that really has kind of restored him and given him a fresh sense of perspective.
He saw things there firsthand which he said, look, it doesn't matter if I go and blow a lead at the Masters. I saw cholera, I saw kids suffering, I saw a nation trying to rebuild itself. I think that has helped him immensely, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Well, and don't forget, we got to keep our eye on the 16-year-old that everybody is turning heads and watching as well. Beau is on the course as well.
SNELL: Yes. Young Beau Hossler, Jr., shooting a five over 76 on that first round Thursday. He's out on the course as well. He's got to go a little bit if he's to make the cut and what an achievement that would be. This is a high schooler from California. Last day of a sophomore year.
Listen to this, not only does he learn that he's qualifying for the U.S. open, but he also gets his driving license in the bag as well, and just to give you some perspective of how young he is, he was born in 1995, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Oh, my gosh.
SNELL: The oldest player in the field, Fred Funk, born in 1956. Sixteen-year-old, 55-year-old, he's quite a talent. We wish him well. And when I saw him on the range, he didn't even have a caddie. Let's hope he can make a cut. What a story that would be going into the weekend -- Kyra. PHILLIPS: Getting ready to drive the car, but boy, he can drive that ball already. Patrick, thanks so much.
Well, New York lawmakers might vote today on the same-sex marriage bill, one former NFL star says if it passes, anarchy could follow. David Tyree joins me live coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Former Super Bowl star is in the middle of a controversial battle over same-sex marriage in New York. The State Senate could vote today on that bill while former New York Giants star, David Tyree, shocked some fans with this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID TYREE, FORMER NFL PLAYER: If they pass this gay marriage bill, you know, and, you know, I guess, you could say my peace is in God's sovereignty, you know, but what I know what happened if this does come forth is this will be the beginning of our country sliding toward, you know, a strong word, but anarchy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: David Tyree on the phone with me now. David Tyree, it is a strong word and tell me what you mean by anarchy.
TYREE: Oh, definitely. No problem. You know, my definition, at least when I'm using anarchy is in the sense of morality and, you know, and --
PHILLIPS: All right. We lost David Tyree there. We're going to try and get him back on the phone. Do we have him?
TYREE: I'm back. How are you doing?
PHILLIPS: Are you still there, David?
TYREE: I'm back. Sorry about that.
PHILLIPS: OK. Got you. I was asking you, lead to anarchy. Same-sex marriage leading to anarchy. What exactly do you mean by that?
TYREE: Yes, I'm saying that in the sense of, you know, basically, morality. You know, if there is no basis of, you know, a moral fiber in a community, you know, and we continue to slip away from that, I believe that that will essentially lead to lawlessness. Does that mean that, you know, there'll be riots? That's not necessarily what I'm referring to.
PHILLIPS: But that's what anarchy means. It means it's social and political disorder due to the absence of a government or control by the government, so I'm --
TYREE: I think if -- if we look up the word of anarchy, there are a few different definitions, but I want to really focus on -- I'm focusing on that I speak heavily in favor of marriage. I speak heavily in favor of one man and one woman. As far as nuclear family, that's the ideal, that was the way a family was intended to be shaped and molded in marriage is the backbone of society. I don't think anyone would disagree with that.
PHILLIPS: Where is the evidence, though, that gay marriage has any negative impact on other marriages or the sanctity of marriage or culture or children? Where is your evidence?
TYREE: Where is the evidence? I will be -- I'm sorry. I can't necessarily get into statistics. That's not my voice, but I do know that marriage necessarily didn't start with our country. I've said this in the video as well. I'm not interested in (INAUDIBLE), but in marriage with long existed before our country. I don't think that we are -- you know, we are messing with something that God has actually ordained, set in order.
And, you know, if we have adopted into our government, that we should adopt it in a sense of just like you adopt a child. You adopt a child and change their name. So, redefining marriage changes everything. You know, it changes everything. How we educated our children. And I'm not, you know -- I really, you know, believe that you should have the choice to make their lifestyle choices, but marriage is something that is holy. It's something that is sacred, and I believe it's something that should not be tainted with.
PHILLIPS: So, let me ask you a couple of questions. First of all, I'm thinking of a segment, David, that I did months back, and it was about this study that came out of the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, and I had to go back and review my facts. It was 23 years that they did this study and what it proved was that kids raised by lesbian parents had actually gained more respect for diversity, more respect for differences, and I'm just curious as an African- American male, can you appreciate that?
TYREE: Well, I can certainly appreciate that. I think those are qualities to be applauded. I still don't necessarily think that has any, you know, reflection on my -- my views and my beliefs and what I believe to be true as far as what marriage is.
That's, you know, essentially that's irrelevant as far as what the picture, what is a marriage. A marriage is between a man and a woman. That is -- that has always been the backbone of, you know, our society, our culture and moving forward, you know, I'll do everything in my power and my voice to preserve that and protect that. And I think it's worth fighting for.
PHILLIPS: But in the research, David, also shows that -- that two men and two men -- or two women and two men also have very strong marriages and raise kids very well in addition to that.
And I'm just curious. You know, you talk about your dad not being in your home while you were growing up and that had a big impact on you. You know, what if you were raised by two women that loved each other and loved you, or two men that loved you and raised you in a very committed relationship? Are you saying that that's worse than a single parent home?
TYREE: No, I never said anything -- I never said anything of the sort. But what it is, it's unnatural. You know? I don't think that -- you know, I don't think that is necessarily a healthful model.
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIPS: Explain that natural to me. David, explain unnatural -- explain to me.
TYREE: Well, you know essentially, well, if you look at what a man and a woman, a marriage, what is the -- that the original intent of a marriage is to procreate, is to -- is to spawn our family and to continue, you know, to be the reflection of God in that sense of creation and multiplication and being fruitful.
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIPS: Ok, you are going into -- you're going into your religious perspective, you're going into your religious perspective. But what you have come out --
(CROSSTALK)
TYREE: No that's not -- that's -- that's just if -- if that is the makeup of every home, that this is, you know, then can we procreate as a country?
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIPS: It's not the makeup of every home, though. There are many -- there are many same-sex marriages and relationships that have a very happy home and are raising very successful children.
TYREE: That doesn't mean that it's natural.
PHILLIPS: I'm still -- I still am trying to understand what you mean by it not being natural.
TYREE: I don't -- I don't understand why it's difficult. A man and a woman actually come together to procreate. A man and a man will never procreate. So, you know, can they -- can they actually have values and sense of raising -- raising children? Most certainly.
PHILLIPS: What about infertile couples? Infertile couples have children all the time. Is that unnatural?
TYREE: How is that -- what is that? That actually has no bearing. That makes no sense. A man and a woman are still coming together to raise a child which actually paints a nuclear family.
PHILLIPS: There are women and women come together and raise a family as well and a man and a man come together and raise a family as well.
TYREE: Well, I understand. I understand your views.
PHILLIPS: Oh, no, I'm not expressing my views. I'm just stating a fact.
TYREE: Yes, well, I understand your adamant, you know for -- for equality, I understand -- I even actually understand their -- their battle. But you know to redefine marriage it did not start with our country. It has always been throughout ages between a man and a woman and that is the central theme.
I believe that a man and a woman, you know, raising a child has the best chances and I believe that there are studies that would -- that would also say that, as the best chances for that child to do well in its upbringing and as they mature as a person to be fruitful in our society so I'm telling my beliefs on my views and my beliefs.
PHILLIPS: David, real quickly.
Well, by just finally, a number of your fellow athletes have come forward disagreeing with you. Even former teammates, a man just I look to the list: Charles Barkley, Steve Nash, Michael Strahan and Sean Avery. All of them have spoken out for marriage equality and they're in support of gay and lesbian friends and neighbors and fans.
What's your response to that?
TYREE: Well, I love them. They are entitled to their -- you know they are entitled to their opinion and that's -- that's fine.
But I believe that, you know, if you remove marriage, if you redefine marriage, you are tinkering with the moral fabric in our society that opens up the gateway for everyone to, you know, basically was to stop polygamy from come in? A polygamist to say, well I believe I should have my five wives. It opens up the door to a whole other sense of what I believe to be lawlessness.
And so you know, so yes, it was a very strong word, but essentially that's what, you know, it leads to. It's not about having a riot or you know, but I do believe that that is social disorder where we are actually redefining the family.
PHILLIPS: David Tyree with his opinion. The vote could come down today on the same-sex marriage bill in New York. We'll be following that story of course. David Tyree, thanks for calling in.
TYREE: Thank you.
PHILLIPS: Casey Anthony's lawyers have kicked off their defense by going on the offensive. They are focused on the forensics as we follow the live pictures.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Casey Anthony's lawyers kicking off the second day on their defense case. You're looking at live pictures now from her murder trial in Orlando, Florida. Yesterday's witnesses answered questions about DNA and other trace evidence. Expect more about forensics today.
Even three weeks in, this trial is still a hot ticket and it sparked some more hot tempers as well.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don't. Let him go. Let him go. Let him go. Let him go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: There were a number of fights outside the courtroom, this one this morning. According to CNN affiliate WKMG, it all started after two men cut into the long line for trial tickets.
Investigative journalist and syndicated columnist Diane Dimond joining us. She's actually covering that trial for "Newsweek" and the "Daily Beast".
So Diane, you know, we keep hearing that -- that Casey's lawyers are working to free her or at the very least, quote/ unquote "save her life". Realistically which strategy is it at this point?
DIANE DIMOND, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, NEWSWEEK/DAILY BEAST: Well, I think every defense attorney would tell you that they're out for a full acquittal. But I think in this case, this is a defense that has already admitted that their client is a known liar, a repeated liar. She has imaginary friends. Her car smelled like a damn dead body, and that according to her own mother.
I think really realistically at this point Kyra, they're just trying to keep that lethal injection needle out of her arm.
PHILLIPS: It's interesting what you said about the terms being used. I mean, we've heard the defense raise issues of incest, paternity, cover-ups. They're really trying to plant some seeds, provocative seeds shall we say in the jurors' minds. I mean you wonder what could be next.
DIMOND: Yes, reasonable doubt. Yes, they are as they say in my business, throwing a lot of spaghetti on the wall.
Here's the deal. They said all of that in the opening statement. Their -- their case just opened yesterday.
But in the opening statement they did talk about incest, and a meter reader who stole the little girl's remains to try to wait for the reward to get bigger. And just all sorts of things.
So now they have to prove what they said. Now, they're not legally bound but you know if you're a juror sitting there listening you're waiting to hear about the incest and the meter reader and why your client is such a liar and that's not what they're doing. They instead of saying, no, no, that's not what happened what the state says, here's what happened, instead they're chipping away at the forensics of the state's case. And you know, frankly it's pretty boring stuff. This morning you see the live feed they're talking about, blow flies and maggots again. We had days of this already.
So I keep waiting for them to say, "And now we call to the stand Casey Anthony." That would be a real bombshell. But I don't know, Kyra, I don't think it's going to happen.
PHILLIPS: Diane Dimond is watching it for us. Thanks, Diane.
Back to Afghanistan for another tour. We're going to tell you about Prince Harry's future plans.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: It was definitely one of the most bizarre endings to a baseball game, Jeff Fischel, you'll ever see.
JEFF FISCHEL, HLN SPORTS ANCHOR: You flinch and it was gone, and the game was over. And the pitcher was just standing there with the ball --
(CROSSTALK)
PHILLIPS: Holding the ball.
FISCHEL: -- in his hands.
The Braves beat the Mets. With the pitcher there just holding the ball in his hand and it ended on a balk. Basically a pitcher can't make any awkward movements when he's standing on mound so watch Mets pitcher D.J. Koroskow (ph) and you might miss it.
You know when I write my sport proposed handbook, I'm including a chapter on balks. I'm telling you, you flinch and it happened. It's gone. That's it. The Braves win on the balk, right there.
All right. Four members of the Tampa Bay Lightning traded in their hockey sticks for baseball bats at least long enough to take batting practice with the Rays. Star forward Steven Stamkos almost reached the seats. The biggest hit comes from the goalie, Mike Smith. Look at that cut. 400 feet.
Flips a bat like Big Papi Smith (ph). Grew up a Toronto Bluejays fan and played fast pitch softball. But he probably never got a shaving cream pie in the face before last night.
Watch as he comes home, celebrates and then the interview, yes. That's how you do it in baseball.
All right. Dallas mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki is so happy about winning an NBA title, he has to sing. Listen to him at yesterday's parade and celebration. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DIRK NOWITZKI, DALLAS MAVERICKS: One, two, three -- we are the champions. We are the champions.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FISCHEL: Oh, yes. Sing it, Dirk.
PHILLIPS: That is painful.
FISCHEL: At least he's coming out of his shell.
PHILLIPS: Yes. Ok. Go back into your shell.
Thank you, Jeff Fischel.
No "AMERICAN IDOL" there, that's for sure.
