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A Legacy of Help; News of the World Prepares to Close; The Future of NASA; Only 18,000 Jobs Added in June; Gender Gap in Hiring; Casey Anthony Acquitted; Strauss-Kahn Case Not Dropped
Aired July 09, 2011 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Meantime, a very somber morning. Lots of reaction pouring in to the death of former first lady Betty Ford. In a statement last hour, her four children said the former first lady died peacefully at the Eisenhower Medical Center in California.
They recalled her love, candor, devotion and laughter. Ford was thrust into the limelight when her husband, Gerald Ford, became president in 1974 after Richard Nixon resigned.
She was known for her candor on issues like abortion, equal rights and her own battles with breast cancer and addiction to alcohol and pain medication.
Upon learning of her death, President Barack Obama released this statement which reads in part, "Today, we take comfort in the knowledge that Betty and her husband, former President Gerald Ford, are together once more. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to their children, Michael, John Steven and Susan," end quote.
And this from former first lady Nancy Reagan, quote, "She was Gerry Ford's strength through some very difficult days in our country's history, and I admired her courage in facing and sharing her personal struggles with all of us," end quote.
Celebrities are also paying tribute to the former First Lady, among them those who benefited from a stay at the substance abuse treatment center that bears Betty Ford's name.
And that's where we find our Thelma Gutierrez today. The Betty Ford Center was - has quite a reputation in helping so many people.
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Fredricka.
You know, when you talk about the former First Lady's legacy, without doubt, everyone here will tell you, it is the Betty Ford Center. It is a place that opened in 1982, and, since then, Fredricka, 90,000 patients and their families have been treated right here, many of them, very well known.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
STEVIE NICKS, SINGER (voice-over): I'll miss her. I didn't know her, you know, but I did get to spend a few minutes with her and I did get to watch her speak two or three times. So I'm glad that I was, you know, able to do that.
I don't think she even really realized the impact that she had on so many lives. You know, she started her - her place and she got people there. And - but sometimes I think that great people, truly great people, don't really even realize how truly great they are.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
GUTIERREZ: And, of course, that was singer Stevie Nicks of the group Fleetwood Mac. Stevie Nicks talked to our Denise Quan, as you heard in that interview, and she said that she credited Betty Ford with saving her life.
Also Aerosmith's frontman Steven Tyler came out and he also said very recently that he was treated here for a drug addiction and said that Betty Ford actually took a risk at the very worst time of her life and came forward to share a message of recovery in order to serve others. So many people now speaking out, Fredricka, on - on her wonderful legacy.
WHITFIELD: Her courage being remembered in so many different ways. Thanks so much, Thelma Gutierrez.
Meantime, let's talk about some news overseas now. The United States has officially recognized South Sudan as an independent nation.
The new African nation celebrated its independence from Sudan today after a long and bloody civil war spanning 50 years. President Obama says it's a reminder that after the darkness of war, the light of a new dawn is possible.
And despite today's celebrations, the new nation will face some big challenges. We'll have a live report from South Sudan at the half hour.
And brand new U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta jumped right into the fight for Afghanistan today. He landed there just hours ago, promising to take the fight to al Qaeda. He says since killing Osama Bin Laden, quote, "We have them on the run," end quote.
Panetta says by applying maximum pressure now, we can, quote, "Cripple al Qaeda as a threat to this country." Panetta says the U.S. will begin drawing down troops in Afghanistan this month.
The Dalai Lama is in Washington, D.C. today, beginning a 10-day spiritual ritual. With thousands gathered on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, the leader of the Tibetan Buddhism discussed the importance of individual peace of mind and offered a personal perspective.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DALAI LAMA, TIBETAN SPIRITUAL LEADER: I lost my own freedom at the age of 16. Then, age 24, I lost my own country. A lot of sort of (ph) difficulties and a lot of responsibilities. However, I think, comparatively, I can sustain peace of mind. (END VIDEO CLIP)
The Chinese government is taking a dim view of the Dalai Lama's visit to the nation's capital. It dismissed him as a political exile engaging in Tibetan separatist activities under the guise of religion.
And now off to London where the scandalized "News of the World" tabloid is getting ready to shut its doors for good. The final edition of the best-selling tabloid is being prepared right now. The last edition comes out tomorrow.
Rupert Murdoch, who owns the paper, decided to close it down after allegations surfaced that its journalists illegally hacked phone messages belonging to murder and terrorist victims. Murdoch is expected to arrive in London tomorrow to deal with the crisis.
And I recently talked with Howard Kurtz, host of CNN's "RELIABLE SOURCES." I asked him if the scandal will likely put Murdoch's media outlets here in the U.S. - like "The Wall Street Journal" and FOX News and the "New York Post" under increased scrutiny.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HOWARD KURTZ, HOST, RELIABLE SOURCES: I don't think it's fair to take the obvious, outrageous tactics that "News of the World" used, and you'll remember that, you know, lying and having people being impersonated, the famous shake sting was carried out against Fergie. This is all standard procedure at Rupert Murdoch's London tabloid.
But since, you know, FOX News, "The Wall Street Journal," "The Times of London", also Murdoch properties with very different cultures operate independently, I don't think it's fair to tarnish them, although the Murdoch brand is certainly tarnished by this scandal.
WHITFIELD: So then why would Rupert Murdoch be so quick to let this newspaper fold?
KURTZ: Well, Fredricka, my reporting suggests that he - it had become such a liability that he may be trying to protect some of his top executives, for example ruining Rebekah Brooks, who's the chief executive of Murdoch's "News International" based in London. She had been the editor of "News of the World" during some of these crucial years when the phone hacking took place, and I just think this was a form of damage control, a desperate move, to be sure, by Murdoch to say, this paper is so tarnished and is - is the focus now of so much outrage in Britain over the targeting of people who are terror victims and not just celebrities, that why not get rid of it?
And, here's the last point, and that is Murdoch is trying very hard to salvage a major media deal he wants to do in Britain, taking over British Sky Broadcasting. It's a $12 billion deal, and he wants to make this "News of the World" scandal just go away.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: And Howard Kurtz will be talking again about the scandal in much more greater depth on "RELIABLE SOURCES" tomorrow, Sunday, 11:00 A.M. Eastern.
All right, keeping up with the royal couple on their whirlwind three-day visit to the West Coast, California, well, it's not going to be easy. Prince William and Catherine went straight from the airport to a technology conference in Beverly Hills.
And in a few hours, West Coast time, the prince will play polo in Santa Barbara, and then tonight the couple will rub elbows with the Hollywood elite at a dinner honoring British television and films. Busy day.
All right, the final U.S. Shuttle mission is underway, but NASA says it still has plans to send people to space. Josh Levs is back with us to tell us more about this - Josh.
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Hey there, Fred.
That's right, NASA wants to send people to space in one of these. Take a look.
And also, how about sending some more robots to space? I will show you what the U.S. is doing to try to maintain the lead in the solar system.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Shuttle Atlantis is in the middle of its last trip to the International Space Station. The final Space Shuttle mission began yesterday with a flawless launch from the Kennedy Space Center.
The astronauts woke up today just before 4:00 A.M. Eastern time when Mission Control played "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay. Atlantis is scheduled to dock with the Space Station tomorrow.
So this final Shuttle mission is underway, ending 30 years of Shuttle flights, but what's next for NASA? They're not done yet. Just taking a pause for the cause.
Josh Levs is here to explain how and why. What's next for NASA?
LEVS: I think that's just what they want to hear, taking a pause for the cause.
WHITFIELD: Yes. Pause for the cause.
LEVS: Yes. I mean - and this is what NASA is trying to emphasize when they talk about this. They say this is not even the end of sending people to space, and they have a lot of efforts.
Take a look at these pictures right here. This is what NASA is calling - I'm going to use their words here - the flagship of the next generation space fleet, pushing the envelope of space flight far beyond low-earth orbit.
What these -
WHITFIELD: Looks like the old capsules.
LEVS: You know, that's exactly what it is. This is based on the Orion. It's called the Multipurpose Crew Vehicle, and it could take four astronauts on 21-day missions. So they're -
WHITFIELD: Oh, that's (INAUDIBLE) -
LEVS: They're working toward that. So they said, look, human space flight, we've still got some plans.
They're also working on new technologies to get people to Mars. NASA says it's absolutely committed to staying in the lead on that effort. Check out this video.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOBBY BRAUN, NASA CHIEF TECHNOLOGITS: What we're doing is we're investing in a broad portfolio of technology. Some of those technologies are risky. Some of them will pan out, others will not. But, in the end, we'll have the technological capabilities to go to places and to explore, both with robots and humans, that we can't do today.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEVS: Some design and renderings, what they're trying to create.
And Fred, what you just heard him say there, humans and robots.
WHITFIELD: Oh, my goodness.
LEVS: That's another part of what they're working on, more of these Robonauts.
Take a look at these things. The Robonaut that NASA's been developing together with GM. Right now, it's just a torso, but -
WHITFIELD: Oh, my goodness. Very humanlike.
LEVS: Very humanlike.
WHITFIELD: Fingers?
LEVS: Yes. It has - it has the five fingers, just like - I mean, it's based on the human body. They're working to add legs, and then they say eventually they'll add wheels, too.
And I was wondering, why would it want a human shape? Is that the best shape in space? But they say everything about the Space Station and everything about the Shuttle was designed for people so it makes sense to have robots that are shaped like people. And even mundane tasks, like fixing a screw or a wheel, by doing it this way, you know, they'll be able to have it function.
Also, they're hoping eventually to send some of these guys on, you know, what is a nine-month or so trip out to Mars to explore Mars and elsewhere. One was actually sent up to the Space Station earlier this year. That's this. That was -
WHITFIELD: Yes. Testing it out?
LEVS: Yes. So - but that's just the torso, right there.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
LEVS: But I will tell you that even with all of this going on, there are a lot of people who are very concerned that the U.S. will not be dominant in space. They say with the end of the U.S. Shuttle Mission and some clear budget cuts that are coming, the U.S. could easily fall behind other countries and that's, you know, what scares them.
WHITFIELD: Yes, and that's the concern for a lot of people because the - the whole race, you know, to be first in really the innovation of space exploration -
LEVS: Exactly.
WHITFIELD: -- the U.S. was very much out in front after the Russians got the first, you know, start on it. But now it looks as though the Russians will be out in front -
LEVS: Or another country. Exactly.
I mean, it's interesting you bring up the Cold War, because that's how far back this basic idea goes that a lot of people still believe, that whoever controls the future will be the one that controls space. So obviously a lot of people pushing on that front.
Let me tell you this. Everything I just showed you, these amazing new technologies, I've linked for you online. They're all up at Facebook and Twitter.
WHITFIELD: Oh, good.
LEVS: And there's one more thing to tell you about. NASA says it is working on something that will affect all of us right now, which is better ways to fly. We've got some pictures of what they've put together.
WHITFIELD: Oh, really?
LEVS: They want to create better airplanes that they say could look like that. They will be greener, faster, better in every way. And they're trying to work - serious work by NASA scientists to fix the mess that is air traffic in this country.
So when NASA talks about what it's got going, why it still needs this budget, don't think we're done, they're said, look, some of these things could have a profound effect on the way you live right now, including efforts to fix our air travel.
WHITFIELD: It's the next chapter for NASA.
LEVS: Yes, and it's obviously a great way to do it, using the imagery from space to improve what we do down here.
WHITFIELD: Wow.
LEVS: Yes.
WHITFIELD: That's incredible.
All right. Thanks so much.
LEVS: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: I'm already having visions of kind of the Jetsons. We're getting closer.
LEVS: Someday -
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: All right, Josh, appreciate that. Thanks so much.
LEVS: Thanks.
WHITFIELD: Good to see you.
OK, guess what? Men are getting hired faster than women these days, even in fields traditionally dominated by women. What's behind this gender gap?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: The economic recovery is now moving at a snail's pace. The Labor Department says just 18,000 jobs were created last month, a much lower number than economists had expected, and the unemployment rate inched up to 9.2 percent.
So let's turn to CNN deputy political director, Paul Steinhauser, who's live from Washington right now. So Paul, jobs and the economy can have a very huge impact on the elections. How much of an issue is this latest finding?
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: The economy, Fred, has been the issue, the top issue with Americans, issue number one since December of 2007 and, you know, nothing has changed. And when you look at the economy, what's the top issue on the minds of Americans on - among the economy? Jobs, jobs, jobs. No surprise whatsoever, and it hasn't changed.
Let's take a little trip down memory lane. In January of 2009, when President Obama came into the White House, the economy was in a freefall. Unemployment level already jumped up to 7.8 percent and it continued to rise. It topped out at 10.1 percent in October of 2009, slowly, slowly getting down to 8.8 percent earlier this year, in March, and now back up to 9.2 percent, Fred, where it stands today.
WHITFIELD: OK. So what do voters think about overall President Obama's performance, especially as it pertains to the economy? STEINHAUSER: Well, they always say the buck stop there at the White House, right? And it's true.
So take a look at this number here. This is the most recent national poll on how the president is doing on jobs. It's a Bloomberg poll from a few weeks ago.
Only 38 percent of Americans approve of the job the president is doing. Creating jobs, you could see almost six in 10 disapprove. That approval rating on just jobs and the economy is a lot lower than his overall approval rating, which is in the mid upper 40s.
But go to the next number. This is also interesting, the blame game, as you - I guess you could say, a New York Time/CBS poll that just came out in the last week or two. Look at that, who's to blame for the - mostly to blame for the current economic conditions? The Bush administration, still two and a half years later, about a quarter of Americans say that; another quarter say Wall Street; Congress 11 percent; the Obama administration, according to this poll, only at 8 percent, Fred.
WHITFIELD: OK, so how might this issue impact the upcoming election?
STEINHAUSER: Oh, big time. Yesterday, you know, my BlackBerry and everybody else's in this town was going crazy with the responses from the GOP presidential candidates.
Remember, though, this - this is not just a - a national story, it's also a state story. We've got those battleground states, and next year will be so crucial to determining to who wins the White House.
Check this out, some of those battleground states have unemployment levels way above the national average, starting with Nevada, which is at 12.1 percent; Florida, a huge state with a lot of (INAUDIBLE) at 10.6; Michigan, 10.3; North Carolina, 9.7. So look at the national average, but Fred, also look at some of these crucial battleground states as well.
WHITFIELD: All right, Paul Steinhauser, thanks so much, from Washington. Appreciate it.
We're going to stick with jobs here, and let's talk about this. Men are now being hired at a faster pace than women, and it's happening even in fields where women traditionally have been dominating.
Mary Snow takes a look at what's behind this gender gap in hiring.
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, the people who are getting hired, men are dominating, getting more jobs than women since the recovery began.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) SNOW (voice-over): The health care industry has been a rare bright spot in a dismal jobs market, and it's one of the reasons why 47-year-old Stephen Waugh switched careers from a major tech firm to nursing. He landed a job at the Stony Brook University Medical Center where he saw an opportunity in a field traditionally dominated by women.
STEPHEN WAUGH, STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER: I don't know if I was foolish or not, but I did, partly because I did come into the workforce as, you know, a - you know, man in his 40s going into this field where, you know, I knew there wouldn't be a lot of men my age that I would be competing for jobs with.
SNOW: Health care is one field where the Pew Research Center found that men are finding jobs at a faster rate than women. Since the recovery started two years ago, men gained 805,000 jobs while women lost 281,000 jobs in that same period. It's a major shift from the start of the recession.
Economist Heather Boushey says then men lost seven out of 10 jobs and says it's not surprising they are now gaining jobs faster. A pick-up in manufacturing earlier this year helped put men to work, but there's another reason for the gender gap.
HEATHER BOUSHEY, CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS: Because of all of the cutbacks in government, that's had a huge impact on women's employment overall. Women make up the majority of state and local government workers and especially at the local level we've seen very sharp layoffs that have disproportionately affected women workers.
SNOW: Layoffs for teachers and librarians are hurting women more.
On a broader scale, one network helping put women to work sees an uptick in job seekers.
ELIZA SHANLEY, WOMEN @ WORK NETWORK: Absolutely. More women are seeking our services and have been seeking our services in the past year. And, more often than not, their reason for seeking our services is because it is taking them a long time to get back into the workforce.
SNOW: While women may be getting hired at a slower pace, the unemployment rate for men is still higher, at 9.1 percent compared to 8 percent for women. And with no dramatic improvement expected soon on the jobs front, one newcomer to the health care profession isn't complaining about making less and working harder.
WAUGH: I'm incredibly grateful for what I get to do every day. But, secondly, I feel like I dodged a bullet.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SNOW: Stephen Waugh, for one, is betting that an aging baby boomer population will create demand and thus job security, and he's not the only one. A forecast by Moody's: Economy.com expects 4.3 million more health care jobs to be added until the year 2021 - Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, thanks so much, Mary.
Casey Anthony has been acquitted of murder and will soon be released. Are her legal problems over? Our legal guys are next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: In Orlando, signs of a family feud between Casey Anthony and her mother, Cindy. A Florida correctional official says Casey refused to let her mother visit her in the Orange County Jail last night.
On Tuesday, the 25-year-old was acquitted of murdering her little girl, Caylee. Casey was sentenced to four years in jail for lying to law enforcement, however. But she is being given credit for time served.
So she'll be getting out possibly next Sunday. In fact, Casey Anthony is now apparently hopeful that the court has its addition right that she will be let out of jail next Sunday.
Let's bring in our legal guys, Avery Friedman, a civil rights attorney and law professor in Cleveland; and Richard Herman, a New York criminal defense attorney and law professor, joining us from Las Vegas.
They say they're hoping that they got their math right because first they thought she'd be out Wednesday, now they recalculated so it looks like next Sunday she'll be out of jail. But her legal problems are not over, are they, Richard?
RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: No, they're not over. And, by the way, as far as the calculations go, Fred, my calculations, which I confirmed with a judge in Orlando as well as a Bureau of Prison personnel, she should be out already. This all may be a ruse.
I mean, people are threatening to kill her, so who knows what's going on down there? She should be out (ph).
WHITFIELD: Oh, maybe so it's for her own protection?
(CROSSTALK)
HERMAN: Already out.
WHITFIELD: Maybe for her own protection? She continues to be in jail because where -
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: -- to go?
HERMAN: Let's see what happens.
WHITFIELD: OK. Well, clearly there are some - HERMAN: Right. Exactly.
WHITFIELD: -- problems with the - the relations in the family. We saw that while some were taking the stand and now even after the fact, she may not necessarily want to go straight home or be welcomed to go straight home, Avery.
AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: Right.
WHITFIELD: So when she does get out of jail, there are other legal cases that might come to the surface. A civil case by this nanny or this woman that was named as the nanny, Casey Anthony blaming that she may have Caylee all that time.
FRIEDMAN: Right. Well, you know, the amazing thing about that, Fredricka, is everybody was assuming, including us, that there was going - going to be a conviction. So when Zenaida Gonzalez, "Zanny the Nanny", brought her defamation action, it struck me as principled but futile. Now, Casey Anthony is going to be making a lot of money and indeed, she has already been noticed for a deposition by the lawyer of Gonzalez, and so that case actually has merit because Casey published a falsity, said that Gonzalez engaged in a felony, you know, criminal kidnapping.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
FRIEDMAN: So it's going to be one of a number of things that we're going to be looking at.
WHITFIELD: But does it matter?
FRIEDMAN: Casey Anthony is far from out of the woods.
HERMAN: Fred -
WHITFIELD: But wasn't it - does it matter whether they knew each other or not, that apparently, Richard -
HERMAN: That's the whole point.
WHITFIELD: -- if there's no relationship, they didn't know each other, they were strangers, there really is no case? It was just an arbitrary name?
HERMAN: There is no case.
FRIEDMAN: Right.
HERMAN: This case is - this case is going to be dismissed.
FRIEDMAN: What?
HERMAN: Casey - Casey couldn't talk while the criminal case was pending for fear of waiving her Fifth Amendment rights. Now she's going to give an affidavit and say, I don't know this woman. This is not the woman I was referring to. I never had any intent to defame her because I never knew her, I never met her, and, you know what? The case is going to be dismissed. Absolutely.
FRIEDMAN: Oh, my goodness.
WHITFIELD: OK. Richard, you see differently. Real quick, you think there is a case -
HERMAN: Yes. I mean -
WHITFIELD: Avery?
HERMAN: There is no case. She doesn't know the woman. This is not -
(CROSSTALK)
FRIEDMAN: Of course there's a case.
HERMAN: -- imaginary. (INAUDIBLE) her.
FRIEDMAN: Oh, my goodness, not at all.
WHITFIELD: But it's such an unusual name to just imagine too.
FRIEDMAN: She knew exactly what she was doing.
WHITFIELD: Yes?
FRIEDMAN: Well, I mean, this is all going to come out in discovery, many other things, including some of the things that didn't come out in the criminal trial. It wouldn't matter because she's not going to be charged again, Fredricka, but there are going to be a multitude of issues - I mean, she couldn't have made the name up. It's ridiculous. Of course it's going to come out, and I - and I believe there is a case there. Absolutely.
WHITFIELD: OK. Let's now move on to Dominique Strauss-Kahn and that case, and apparently prosecutors and his attorneys talked this week and his attorneys say, no. No deal. There will be no plea, Avery.
So, if there's no plea and that offer was made, then prosecutors are now kind of backpedaling, saying, well, we do think our case is strong now, that we can proceed?
FRIEDMAN: Well, there - there is nothing there. The fact is it's the same problem when Cyrus Vance realized that there was the crumbling credibility and the bottom line on this, Fredricka, is there's no way that - that Cyrus Vance and - and the prosecutors are going to move forward.
It is a physical impossibility. They will never meet its burden of proof. And, believe me, the complaining witness, there may be something there, but when it comes to the criminal case, it's going nowhere. Nowhere.
WHITFIELD: Interesting. And so this accuser, Richard, is now trying to step out front in yet another case, say, you know, I'm going to sue the "New York Post" among others who claim that -
HERMAN: Yes.
WHITFIELD: -- you know - well, she claims that they defamed her -
HERMAN: Yes. That's right. That's -
WHITFIELD: -- by calling her a prostitute.
HERMAN: Yes. Defamation cases in New York are really not well- received. They're very difficult. The burdens are very difficult to sustain on behalf of plaintiffs.
The issue also would be whether or not she sustained any damages to herself, which doesn't look like she has. And, in addition to that, truth is always a defense. This woman has a heap of problems building up for her. Most importantly, she may be deported.
FRIEDMAN: Oh, my goodness.
HERMAN: So there are a lot of problems she is facing - well, based on her asylum application, if she gave material and misleading, false information on that, i.e., whether or not she was gang raped or not back at home, whether that's true or not, is an issue now. If it's proven to be false, then she lied, she's going to be deported.
So there's a whole slew of problems and there's no way this prosecution can go. Then she has - this Dominique Strauss-Kahn has veiled himself with some of the finest lawyers in New York and they're not going to -
FRIEDMAN: So - yes, but that's got nothing to do -
HERMAN: -- the misdemeanor offer was rejected -
FRIEDMAN: Richard, that - that has nothing to do with the - with the defamation action. You're right that it's not going anywhere, primarily because of crumbling credibility and her asylum and her naturalization issues. It's going to open her life.
She can't afford it. I can't believe they filed the case in the first place. It was just a very bad judgment.
WHITFIELD: Oh, so ultimately it sounds like, Avery, you think this case is going to be dropped?
FRIEDMAN: Or thrown out.
WHITFIELD: Or thrown out. Richard?
FRIEDMAN: Or thrown out. I mean, one or the other. It can't go forward.
WHITFIELD: OK.
HERMAN: Yes, I - I think there's no way they can go to trial on the criminal case against him because she's going to get annihilated on cross-examination. She just have no credibility and it's her word against his.
FRIEDMAN: That's right.
HERMAN: That's a problem.
WHITFIELD: OK.
HERMAN: And that doesn't mean she wasn't raped. It does not mean that she wasn't, you know, harmed and assaulted.
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: It doesn't mean the case is not sound.
FRIEDMAN: That's right. Exactly.
WHITFIELD: OK. Richard, Avery, thanks so much. We're not done because we're going to be back and we'll talk about an American hero, American sports hero. We're talking about baseball legend Roger Clemens.
HERMAN: Sad.
WHITFIELD: Yes. I know you have strong feelings about this, Richard, because we talked about this at the beginning stages after his testimony in front of Congress, and now we're going to talk about what that has led to after this.
And the birth of a new nation. South Sudan celebrates today. We're live from the world's youngest country, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Checking our top stories, Americans are mourning Betty Ford. The former first lady died late yesterday at the age of 93. Her family was at her side. The four children say her death was peaceful. Ford is being remembered as a champion for women's health and women's rights. No word yet on funeral arrangements.
And our other top story, new Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has some strong words for al Qaeda today. He landed in Afghanistan on his first official visit as America's top military man. He tells reporters since killing Osama bin Laden, quote, "we have them on the run," end quote.
And even as we begin drawing down troops, Panetta says the U.S. can cripple al Qaeda as a threat to America by pressuring them now.
Every map you own is incomplete today. That's because the world officially has one more country than it did yesterday. It is on the continent of Africa. Sudan, as we knew it, is no more. A new international border now splits the country in half. South Sudan is now Africa's 54th country. It is a breakaway that more than 99 percent of the people of South Sudan voted for. And it comes after 50 years of deadly conflict between the north and the south.
Let's go straight to the capital of the now independent nation of South Sudan, Juba. Nima Elbagir is there. Nima, what has this day been like?
NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, the stands you see behind me are empty now. But I promise you, earlier on today, there was quite some party here. People have just been dancing and celebrating. In fact, I can hear some stragglers who are still celebrating just now while I'm talking to you.
They've been celebrating since the clock struck midnight, since they knew that the dawn of the birth of their new nation was finally at hand after over half a century of conflict. And many people believe that this could not have happened if it wasn't for the sustained U.S. support over the lifetime of the Bush administration and now during the Obama administration.
A very high-level U.S. delegation was here led by Ambassador Susan Rice. And we spoke to them earlier. They told me that they're really optimistic about the prospects for South Sudan -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: So I wonder, Nima, what are people looking at as they try to paint their future for this new country? It doesn't have much infrastructure. Yes, there are a lot of natural resources. But what are they hoping to tackle first to make it their own?
ELBAGIR: Well, they definitely will have to start work tomorrow in earnest. This is a country that at the moment has a yearly budget of about $1.5 billion. To put that in context for you, just to deal with their infrastructure needs, just to be able to bring this country into the 21st Century after all these decades of conflict, they're going to need to raise about $500 billion over the next five years.
There really is outside of this capital of Juba very little. Out of every one in seven children that are born in the South of Sudan -- sorry, out of every seven children that are born in the South of Sudan, one will not make it past the age of 5. It has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.
So a lot of excitement, a lot of hope, a lot of dreams being fulfilled today. But really they know that the challenges ahead are going to be immense -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Quickly, now as we look at the pictures of people celebrating, there's also another incredible image, that of the new president, Salva Kiir, who is always wearing a cowboy hat. Apparently that's a real nod to former President George W. Bush.
ELBAGIR: Yes, absolutely. He is never seen without it. He considers himself, he says, a little bit of an honorary Texan. He says he admires the qualities that makes Texas men quite what they are. He has never really elaborated what makes Texas man quite what they are. But he says that they're admirable qualities and he'd like to see that reflected in himself -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right. Nima Elbagir, thanks so much. Appreciate it, from Juba in the new country of South Sudan.
So we're going to talk more about South Sudan, and next hour on CNN, the new country from Washington's perspective. Stay with us for that.
All right. Clipping coupons out of a newspaper, many of us do it. So when and why would it be against the law in Texas? Our legal guys can't wait for this case.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: He's a baseball legend. And now Roger Clemens finds himself defending his record in a court of law. Our legal guys are back. Avery Friedman in Cleveland and Richard Herman in Las Vegas.
All right. Gentlemen, so Roger Clemens, he went on Capitol Hill. He testified. And now he's being accused of perjury, making false statements and obstruction of Congress. And we're talking about testimony that didn't even have to happen, Avery. And now he is fighting for his life. He was on the road to the Hall of Fame. But maybe now, no. What is --
(CROSSTALK)
FRIEDMAN: That's for sure. You actually nailed the issue. His deposition was taken, sworn under oath, by lawyers who worked for Congress, worked for that subcommittee. And the purpose was to get information about drug culture in Major League Baseball.
Once he testified, even the lawyers for Congress said, Mr. Clemens, you don't have to testify before a hearing because there may be some inconsistencies, you're going to put yourself at jeopardy.
Either it's raging ego, Fredricka, or bad legal advice or good legal advice that he ignored and decided to take the chance. That's why he's in the soup right now. That's why the case is in front of Judge Reggie Walton in the federal court in the District of Columbia.
WHITFIELD: Richard, this is going to be so uncomfortable on so many levels because not only his former trainer, Brian McNamee, is going to be testifying, but possibly even his best friend and someone who really looked at him as a mentor, Andy Pettitte.
HERMAN: Yes. I mean, that's his battery mate, his dear friend. They both left New York to go out to Texas and play together for a year. Andy Pettitte has been the pristine gentleman of baseball.
And he, too, came to an acknowledgment that he may have dabbled with something at one point in time. But he's going to give it to them in spades, Fred. He's going to say, unequivocally, Roger told me he was injecting himself with steroids. That's going to come out of Andy Pettitte's mouth. That's pretty damaging testimony.
WHITFIELD: There's no way around that?
HERMAN: I don't know how Clemens gets around that. No. I don't see it. And the judge is limiting the double hearsay. He's delimiting what other people are going to say McNamee told them about Roger and steroids so far.
FRIEDMAN: Andy Pettitte isn't hearsay. Andy Pettitte isn't hearsay. It's what --
HERMAN: No, no. I was saying, this is direct.
FRIEDMAN: -- Roger Clemens said.
HERMAN: This is -- right. This is 100 percent coming into evidence. I'm saying the double hearsay statements down the road are not coming -- unless Clemens's lawyer opens the door with some sloppy questioning. Then who knows? The floodgates could open.
WHITFIELD: Oh, it's going to be so uncomfortable to watch on so many levels. All right. So now let's talk about another very sticky situation. This one out of Battle Creek, Michigan.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sticky.
WHITFIELD: This one is just so nutty on so many levels. Because we're talking about a woman who is accusing --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, Fred!
WHITFIELD: I couldn't resist. She's accusing her husband's ex of sending a letter that is just coated in peanut butter and she apparently is fatally allergic to peanut butter. So, Richard, this is so unusual, but you have to wonder if this is a case that, I don't know, I guess the judge or any courtroom would really want to put its hands on.
HERMAN: Fred, these nut allergies have come to the forefront the last 10 years or so. People's awareness of them, I should say. They cause shock, they cause people to have to be rushed to the hospital and their throats to close up. It's so serious. And for this ex --
WHITFIELD: So at issue here, who would want to mail peanut butter on an envelope or anything? What's your intent?
FRIEDMAN: Oh, well, that, yes, I mean, not only was it in the envelope, Fredricka, it was leaked through. There was oil on it. And the new wife actually picked the envelope up. Now, she has been charged with an assault that is reckless intentional -- placing someone in imminent fear.
She actually touched it. I actually think that the individual who sent it is -- that's statutory slathering, I guess. I don't know. But it's serious, very serious.
WHITFIELD: OK. And then there is what turns out to be a very serious case, this in Texas, OK, you go to a machine to get your newspaper, but don't go messing with the other stuff, the other newspapers that you're not going to purchase. If you take those coupons, the coupons that everyone covets from a newspaper that you didn't buy, you could face four years in jail and you could face a fine.
This is happening to a single mom in Denton, Texas, Richard. Is that "don't mess with Texas" going a little too far here or is this apropos?
HERMAN: Don't mess with Texas. You can't open up these newspapers, take out all of the advertisements and run away with those advertisements and those coupons. She's going to get more prison time than Casey Anthony or Lindsay Lohan for stealing that necklace.
(CROSSTALK)
FRIEDMAN: She's involved in extreme couponing and she may actually be convicted of a crime. That's right.
WHITFIELD: Oh my goodness, and I actually inverted the number. So it's actually a fine of up to $4,000 and up to one year in jail, Avery.
FRIEDMAN: Four thousand bucks, right.
WHITFIELD: Oh my -- well, everything is big in Texas.
FRIEDMAN: And a year in jail. Unbelievable, unbelievable.
WHITFIELD: Unbelievable is right.
(CROSSTALK)
FRIEDMAN: People can look at this as extreme couponing. But rather it is a crime. She opens up the vending box and starts yanking out all these other coupons. The owner of the vendors found her, caught her, turned her over to the cops. She's in a world of trouble, believe it or not, yes.
WHITFIELD: Aw, and so that's all in the effort to save some money and ends up costing so much more. All right. Richard, Avery --
HERMAN: That's right.
FRIEDMAN: Well, there was a coupon for a bail bondsman in there, I think. So I think she'll be fine.
WHITFIELD: Oh, man. It's no laughing matter. I'm not laughing. This is sad.
HERMAN: Peanut butter and jelly.
WHITFIELD: Yes, thank you so much. Appreciate it. Good to see you guys. Have a great weekend.
FRIEDMAN: See you later.
HERMAN: Take care, Fred.
WHITFIELD: OK. You are about to see one tuckered-out kitty. It has gone viral, coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: That music means we're going to have a little "chit- cat," get it? We're going to talk about kitty cats. Reynolds Wolf is with me now. We just had an interesting conversation about how much you love kitty cats. I'm being facetious.
REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: I'm a huge fan. No, I do like cats. I think cats are like people. There are some you like, there are some you don't like. This cat, I understand, is adorable, we're going to tell you about.
WHITFIELD: I know, this one is very cute. Let's talk about this one right here. It was a little pooped. A little tired. Someone said this is actually very genuine. That it just suddenly takes a serious cat nap. Does that look real to you?
WOLF: That was cute.
WHITFIELD: OK. It's cute but it does not look real to me. I'll say it. I've never seen anything like that. Of course, that's why it has gone viral. Folks are fascinated with the fact that this kitty cat can just like, you know what, I'm going to take a nap like now. Right now just like that.
WOLF: That cat looks the way I feel. It really does.
(WEATHER REPORT)
WHITFIELD: Cool. I like cats so much, I had two. A Cocoa and a Fifi.
WOLF: Very nice.
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: Isn't that cute? And had there been viral videos back in the day when I had Cocoa and Fifi, I think Fifi, may have made it. Because Fifi, this is a little TMI here, actually used the toilet, not the kitty box. I thought I'd share, because I know how much you like --
WOLF: I'm going to go --
(CROSSTALK)
WOLF: That's a special cat, seriously. That is. Any time you have to go near the cat box and the cat can do it --
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: That was hilarious.
WOLF: -- that is one awesome cat.
WHITFIELD: That's right. May they rest in peace. All right. Reynolds, have a great day.
WOLF: You bet, Fred.
WHITFIELD: Try and keep cool. He's out.
All right. Hollywood, well, you know, they're used to a little star power here and there, but not stars with royal ties. Tracking the royal couple, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Royal watchers will get their fill in Los Angeles over the next 36 hours. But on the other hand, William and Catherine plan to do the same thing. They're getting a lot into their little bit of time in Southern California.
Let's check in with our Casey Wian. He is live from Santa Barbara where, at the Polo and Racquet Club, William will be getting on a horse there.
He'll be playing a little polo, but it's going to be a little different than what he's used to, right?
CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. What we're expecting here is that the duke and duchess of Cambridge will be arriving here at Santa Barbara at the polo grounds by helicopter. That's because Prince William, as you mentioned, will be playing in a polo match that's intended to raise money for charity.
Now, there's a lot of interest in this event. The cheap seats here, across the way, you can see the grandstands over there, those cheap seats, $400 apiece. If you want a VIP seat, $4,000 apiece. And they've already sold 400 of those seats.
Now the causes that they'll be raising money for today, Fredricka, include at-risk youth, support for international military families, and also the environment. The charity is actually a foundation that is run by Prince William and his brother, Prince Harry.
There's also some corporate sponsors who are here, Tiffany, Audi, American Express, expecting a lot of money to be raised for those charities. Now later today after these polo matches are concluded, the duchess of Cambridge herself will be presenting the trophy to the winning team.
So, Fredricka, you have to wonder if the fix is in on these matches.
WHITFIELD: That's right. The pressure is on them. Prince William better be the winner, right? Because I bet you when he gets that -- or he's hoping that he'll get that trophy, he and his team, that is. Casey Wian, thanks so much. We'll check back with you throughout the afternoon.
WHITFIELD: All right. Guess what? There is a new nation on the map today. That and other top stories next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: A look at our top stories right now. Across the U.S., Americans are mourning Betty Ford. The former first lady died late yesterday at the age of 93. Her family was by her side at the hospital in Rancho Mirage, California. The four children say she died peacefully. Betty Ford is being remembered as a champion for women's health and women's rights.
(VIDEO OF CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
WHITFIELD: And this is what the beginning of a new nation looks and sounds like. South Sudan celebrated its independence from Sudan today after decades of civil war. Despite the jubilation, the new nation faces major challenges. South Sudan will be one of the world's poorest countries.
New U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta landed in Afghanistan today on his first official visit as America's top military man. He had tough words for al Qaeda, telling reporters since killing Osama bin Laden, quote, "we have them on the run," end quote. But the U.S. will begin drawing down troops this month.
And coming up in the 2:00 Eastern hour, surviving joblessness and debt: We're going to talk about the correct way, the most responsible ways to use your credit cards when money is tight.
I'm Fredricka Whitfield, "YOUR MONEY" starts right now.
