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Murdoch Empire Under Fire; Understanding the Debt Talks; Betty Ford Motorcade; Obese Children Proposal; All Eyes on Women's Soccer; Harry Potter's Future

Aired July 13, 2011 - 12:00   ET

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

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: Top of the hour. I'm Suzanne Malveaux.

Want to get you up to speed.

Three bombs shake Mumbai, India. Police say at least 13 people have been killed, another 81 wounded. The explosions happened during Wednesday evening rush hour, putting the entire city on edge. Now, you'll remember terrorists carried out a coordinated assault on Mumbai back in 2008, killing close to 170 people.

CNN's Mallika Kapur, in Mumbai.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MALLIKA KAPUR, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: There is a palpable sense of fear on the streets at the moment. People are still waiting to find out how many people have been injured, how many casualties.

The government has not categorized this as a terrorist attack yet. And at the moment, nobody is saying or speculating about who might be behind these attacks. It's still too early. At the moment, they're just focusing on getting people to hospitals, getting people out of these areas, and making sure that Mumbai residents (ph) are safe.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. dropped plans today to buy BSkyB, a British satellite channel. The company drew heat from the public and politicians after allegations its three British newspapers hacked phones and bribed police.

Revelations the "News of the World" tabloid hacked the cell phone of a kidnapped girl, giving her parents false hope, igniting the firestorm. Well, Milly Dowler's parents met with Prime Minister David Cameron today. The Dowlers' attorney says they are happy with the wide-reaching government investigation that Cameron has set into motion.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) MARK LEWIS, DOWLER FAMILY ATTORNEY: The Dowlers are delighted that the prime minister has announced a full judge-led inquiry, and they are particularly pleased that politicians for all three parties have liaised and reacted so quickly in response to the outrage of the public in respect not only of Milly, but all the victims of such unlawful practices by the press.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: The president and leaders of Congress meet again today, looking for a deal to cut the deficit and raise the debt ceiling. After days of negotiations, there is little movement to speak of, much less a deal, with the debt ceiling deadline August 2nd. A key Republican is offering a backup plan just in case to keep the government out of default. It essentially gives President Obama the power to raise the borrowing limit in increments.

Well, a panel appointed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is out with recommendations. The taskforce says that U.S. nuclear plant operators need to learn from the disaster that hit Japan. That means plants should rethink earthquake and flood protection and upgrade. The panel also says that nuclear plants must be able to operate on backup generators for much longer periods than anticipated.

Well, there is new legal trouble for Casey Anthony. A Texas organization that helped search for her daughter Caylee is now suing for more than $115,000. The group says Anthony convinced searchers to look for Caylee when she knew the toddler was already dead. A Florida jury acquitted Anthony in the girl's death last week. She is scheduled to be released from jail on Sunday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JENNIFER FORD, JUROR: I think everyone will tell you the same thing, it's just lack of hard evidence. Like I said, the Duct tape and the chloroform and things like that, you could -- if you took a good, hard look at it, you could kind of -- there was a lot of doubt surrounding all of those certain things, so there's not enough to make anything stick.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: The body of former first lady Betty Ford will be flown to Michigan this hour. You are looking at live pictures at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, California. Friends, family, and first ladies past and present honored Mrs. Ford at a funeral in Palm Desert, California, yesterday. There's going to be a second service in Grand Rapids, Michigan, tomorrow, when Mrs. Ford will be buried next to her husband.

Well, game on in Germany right now. The U.S. women's soccer team is taking on France this hour in a World Cup semifinal. The U.S. team has never lost to France. If the Americans pull off a victory, the women will face either Sweden or Japan for the World Cup championship on Sunday. Rupert Murdoch's media empire is now under fire. And now the News Corp. head is bowing to the pressure. Prime Minister David Cameron sounded off on the company's decision to drop a bid to buy British television station BSkyB.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID CAMERON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: Well, I think this is the right decision. I've been saying that this company clearly needs to sort out the problems there are at News International, at the "News of the World." That must be the priority, not takeovers.

So, the right decision, but also the right decision for the country, too. But we've now got to get on with the work of the police investigation and the public inquiry that I've set up today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Dan Rivers is in London with the latest.

Dan, first of all, News Corp., it's lost billions of dollars since the scandal broke. So how much of this do we think the deal fell through because of financial reasons, or because of public pressure from the parliament, as well as others who are not happy with what has gone on?

DAN RIVERS, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Oh, no, it's completely about the public pressure and the politics. Nothing to do with the finances, as far as I can understand.

Just before they announced this, the House of Commons behind me, the British parliament here, was about to have a debate about whether that BSkyB takeover should be able to go ahead. And all of the main political parties here were going to vote against that deal being allowed to go ahead, an unprecedented amount of unanimity inside parliament here. Everyone opposed to this takeover being approved, and that's perhaps why Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. then just announced look, we're going to pull out of this. I think they realize the writing was on the wall for them and there was no point at even trying to --

(CROSSTALK)

MALVEAUX: Sure. And Dan, we're actually taking a look at some live pictures there of that debate that is going on. Tell us what this would mean, if that deal went through, owning BSkyB? What kind of power would that have given News Corp.?

RIVERS: Well, News Corp. already has three major newspapers. It used to have four, of course, but the "News of the World" has been closed down.

But they have got the biggest circulation daily newspaper, "The Sun," which is another tabloid newspaper here. They've got "The Times of London," a very famous, old newspaper with a great reputation, and a Sunday edition, "The Sunday Times," as well. If he got BSkyB, he'd have the biggest satellite broadcaster here as well, which would include a news channel which was going to be spun off. That's in addition to all of his American holdings, things like Fox, and "The New York Post," "The Wall Street Journal," and a whole slew of Australian papers as well. So he would have had massive amounts of the media market her here, and I think that's what many people were so concerned about in light of all these allegations about illegal activity at some of his newspapers.

MALVEAUX: All right. Dan Rivers, thank you, out of London.

(NEWSBREAK)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: Just in, we're told that the U.S. women's team for the semifinals of the World Cup just scored -- just scored against France. We're in the lead. We're excited.

We're going to keep you updated on what's happening with that game, but team USA just scored its first goal.

Well, a reminder for today's choices for today's "Choose the News."

First, a one-man protest is drawing attention to a building boom in China. He is not willing to give up his home even though all of his neighbors have left.

Second, a study over nine years found a hedge fund managed by women out-produced those run by men, yet women run only three percent of all hedge funds in the United States. Poppy Harlow follows one woman who may be one of the best at picking stocks.

And third, the final "Harry Potter" film is in theaters. And there are no more books coming out, but still a lot planned for "Harry Potter" fans.

So, you can vote by texting 22360. Text 1 for "China's Building Boom"; 2 for "Money Pro"; or 3, "Harry Potter's Future."

The winning story is going to air later this hour.

Well, the president and top Republicans have been fighting for days over the debt ceiling. So, what does each side want? Why is this fight so important? These are very important questions.

Our Carl Azuz is here to break it down for us.

Tell us -- you know, obviously there are a lot of numbers here, but what is this really meant to accomplish here? What do they hope to do?

CARL AZUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, we've had to raise the debt ceiling time and time again. So they're trying to come to an agreement about, do we continue to raise it? Do we take measures that keep us from having to raise it in the future? But when you start looking at the numbers in this debate, Suzanne, get ready for a great deal of zeros.

We have almost $14.3 trillion in debt. That's where the debt ceiling is set right now. You can think of this as our national credit card, and it's maxed out.

To get more money to run the government and the services that it provides, we have got to raise that credit limit. If we don't, we can't pay our bills.

MALVEAUX: So, Republicans are not going to allow the debt ceiling to actually be raised until they get a deal, some sort of deal. And they do not want tax increases.

AZUZ: That's exactly right. And there are a couple of ways that you can sort of reach an agreement on this as far as the debt is concerned. One of them is to cut spending. Or the other, you can raise taxes.

Now, there's this philosophical divide here, and this is where things are getting kind of ugly. Republicans say they don't want to see taxes go up in the recession, period. And any deal with any tax hike for anybody is off the table as far as Republicans are concerned.

Their argument, tax hikes are job killers. And they have signed this pledge saying they are not going to do it.

Now, the president wants both cuts in spending and tax hikes in order to lower the debt as much as possible. So, on top of cutbacks, the president wants to raise taxes for what he calls the wealthiest Americans. These are people making over about $250,000 a year. And he wants their tax levels to go back to what they were before the Bush-era tax cuts. That move could raise roughly $700 billion over the next decade.

Also, President Obama wants to close what he calls tax loopholes. These are tax breaks for oil and gas companies and for buyers of corporate jets. Together, those changes could add up to around $50 billion over the next 10 years.

So, you combine those, total it up together, we're looking at roughly $750 billion in tax revenue, on top of spending cuts, and that would add up to what the president hopes would be $4 trillion over the next 10 years in debt reduction.

Republicans say not a chance. This is a core issue for them. They don't want to touch, they don't want to raise taxes.

They're telling the president to forget about the $750 billion in taxes and focus on spending cuts. The problem here is, time is running out. These two sides have got until August 2nd to come up with a way to raise the debt ceiling, because that credit card has hit it.

MALVEAUX: So we know that if August 2nd comes around, nothing's done, that there could be disastrous consequences for our economy and for our country. We know that Republican Mitch McConnell seems to be offering a way out, an exit here, a Plan B, if you will.

What does his proposal say?

AZUZ: You're exactly right. I mean, he is trying to come up with this plan that says, look, guys, we're not going to see eye on eye here, but somebody has got to blink. So, McConnell is saying that we should allow the president to raise the debt ceiling on his own, save the economy from a possible collapse, and then worry about the debt after the next election, when McConnell is hoping a Republican would be in office. The catch is, President Obama would have to raise the debt ceiling in three stages, totaling up to about $2.5 trillion there.

MALVEAUX: This is not a simple solution though.

AZUZ: No.

MALVEAUX: What would have to happen in order for that deal to go through?

AZUZ: Well, like everything in Washington, Suzanne, it's simply complicated, if that makes any sense at all. You have to have two- thirds of both chambers of Congress, and they would have to sign off on this plan by Mitch McConnell.

That's going to be a hard vote to get. What we know is there aren't any easy outs here, and somebody is walking out of these negotiations with mud on their face. It ain't pretty.

MALVEAUX: Somebody is going to have mud on their face. Well, hopefully we get all of this revolved though by August 2nd.

AZUZ: Best-case scenario, yes.

MALVEAUX: All right. Thank you, Carl.

AZUZ: Thank you, Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: Well, now to the fierce -- we're talking fierce summer heat that is gripping a huge portion of our country.

(WEATHER REPORT)

MALVEAUX: Well, the motorcade carrying the body of Betty Ford is making its way to Palm Springs Airport to send her back to Michigan. We have live reports from California and Grand Rapids, her hometown.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: A motorcade carrying the body of former first lady Betty Ford is now on its way to a California airport for a special ceremony. Afterwards, she will be flown to Michigan for a private service tonight.

CNN's Sandra Endo is in Palm Desert now. And Ted Rowlands is in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Sandra, let's just start with you. Who do we expect to attend this beautiful ceremony at the airport?

SANDRA ENDO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Suzanne, we saw family members arrive here at the church just about half an hour ago. They went inside, had some private time inside the church before her casket was moved.

As you mentioned, it's right now going to Palm Springs International Airport. Later, Betty Ford's remains will be transported to Grand Rapids, Michigan, which will be her final resting ground.

Now, yesterday was the public tribute for the pioneer and former first lady. Rosalynn Carter gave her eulogy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROSALYNN CARTER, FMR. U.S. FIRST LADY: She was the tallest advocate for those struggling, some struggling alone, ashamed to seek help. It was a privilege to work with her to bring addiction and mental health problems into the light.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ENDO: Now, today's departure ceremony only includes family members and invited guests before the casket makes the four-hour flight to Grand Rapids -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: Thank you, Sandra.

Want to go over to Ted Rowlands, who is in Grand Rapids, where another memorial service is going to be held tonight.

And Ted, if you can set the scene for us.

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Suzanne. Well, tonight and tomorrow.

You know, the Fords, after the presidency, spent most of their time in California and in Vail, Colorado. But they were absolutely from Michigan. And tens of thousands of people are expected here over the next couple days to pay their respects here at the Ford Museum.

She's going to arrive here with her family at about 5:15. They're going to have a small ceremony here. The governor is here, the mayor.

And following that small ceremony at the museum, she will lie in repose into the evening tonight, until 11:00 tonight. And then early tomorrow morning. And that is when the public is welcome to come here and pay their respects to Betty Ford.

When Gerald Ford died in 2007, over 60,000 people came to Grand Rapids to pay their respects. They are expecting tens of thousands again to come tonight and tomorrow.

Then, tomorrow, there will be a private funeral service here in Grand Rapids. President Bill Clinton is expected. Other attendees include the Rumsfelds, the Cheneys, Barbara Bush. Lynne Cheney will deliver a eulogy.

Then, following that service, Betty Ford will be brought back here one final time, and she will be laid to rest next to her husband, Gerald Ford, ironically on what would have been his 97th birthday here at the Ford Museum -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: All right. Ted Rowlands.

Thank you very much, Ted.

Well, any parent knows the price of education is pretty high, but now get ready for even more sticker stock. California State University schools are raising their prices, and by a lot. And that school system is not alone.

Alison Kosik, she's at the New York Stock Exchange.

Alison, let's start with California State. Tell us what's happening.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Oh, yes, Cal State just announcing, Suzanne, a 12 percent tuition hike for the upcoming year. Guess what? It's on top of a previously announced 10 percent hike for the year.

Here's how it looks. It means that tuition is now almost $5,500 for in-state students. So, if you're a full-time student, that's $1,000 more than you paid last year.

Why is that this happening? It's because of those state budget cuts. This is to offset that.

California is giving Cal State University $2 billion, but it happens to be the lowest level of state funding in more than a decade. The reason why you're seeing these really big tuition hikes -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: Do we think that's even going to be enough, Alison?

KOSIK: Well, that's what is frustrating, because it may not be. It really depends on how much revenue the state winds up taking in. And if it's not enough, tuition, guess what? It could go up even more in the coming years, or they'll have to cut costs.

And, you know, they've already made cuts. They've cut enrollment, overall campus budgets. And they've laid off professors.

And you know what? These problems, they aren't confined to these California State schools. Twenty-five governors proposed cutting college funding this year. They include universities in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Washington as well -- Suzanne. MALVEAUX: And Alison, I understand stocks rallying quite well at this hour. What do we know about that?

KOSIK: Yes, we are seeing a rebound in stocks. The Dow right now, up 150 points. The Nasdaq, better by 41.

Fed chief Ben Bernanke is testifying on Capitol Hill. He's saying that the Fed is willing to offer up more stimulus if the economy slows even more. And more good news as well. He did say that the pace of the recovery, he expects, is going to pick up as the year goes on.

It definitely is giving a boost to stocks today. Once again, the Dow, up 150 points -- Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: All right. Alison Kosik.

Thank you, Alison.

Well, the stars of the TV reality show "Sister Wives" are challenging Utah's anti-bigamy law. We're going to take a look at the case.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: Well, the man accused of killing six people in Tucson and trying to kill Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords cannot be forced to take anti-psychotic drugs. That's the ruling from a three-judge federal appeals panel.

Sunny Hostin, legal contributor for "In Session" on CNN's sister network, truTV, joins us from New York.

Sunny, good to see you.

SUNNY HOSTIN, CNN LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR: Good to see you.

MALVEAUX: The government hoped that medications would make Jared Lee Loughner competent, right, to stand trial? So why is the appeals court essentially letting him off the hook here?

HOSTIN: Well, it's interesting. Basically, the court found him incompetent to stand trial on May 25th. And a sort of private administrative hearing was held inside of the prison without a lawyer, and that administrative hearing found that Jared Lee Loughner was a danger to himself and others, and thus need to be medicated.

Well, the defense says that was a ruse. That was a ruse, and it was aimed solely at not protecting himself or others, but solely at making him competent to stand trial. And they brought this appeal of that administrative decision. Now this federal court appeal says - appeals court says, you know what? We're going to extend the injunction, which was granted July 1. We're not going to force him to take these meds, and we're going to let the legal process, that challenge to the alleged ruse, take its course. The next hearing is August 29. I will say this, Suzanne. This does not mean that Jared Lee Loughner will not be forced to take medication to make him competent. It just means the legal challenge has to take its course.

MALVEUAX: So, Sunny, what do we expect to see in the case? Is he eventually going to face justice?

HOSTIN: I think so. There are two ways to force somebody to take medications. One is that administrative hearing that obviously perhaps didn't work. The other is to have a court hearing. And so perhaps what this federal appeals court will determine is that a court hearing needs to be held. Once that is held, I can't imagine that he isn't going be forced to take medication to make him competent to aid in his defense because he is facing so many serious criminal charges.

MALVEUAX: OK, another case generating interest involves this family, this reality TV series "Sister Wives." They're filing a lawsuit today against the state of Utah, challenging the state's anti- bigamy law. Explain to us, do they have a legal leg to stand on in this?

HOSTIN: You know, it's a very interesting case, because they are not even necessarily asking the state to finds polygamy legal. What they really are doing is asking the state to stay out of their lives. And they are sort of piggy backing on a Supreme Court case that said that states can't be involved in the intimacies that a couple have inside of their home.

But you know, I've got to say, that's sort of a strange way of trying to legalize polygamy because states certainly have a genuine interest in regulating marriage.

This is a case, however, Suzanne, that I think we will perhaps see in front of the Supreme Court because that is where, you know, these sorts of issues are really best decided. So, this is going to be a very long, long case. We're not going to see a decision made in this, I suspect, for several years.

MALVUEAX: OK, Sunny Hostin, thank you very much. Very interesting and fascinating cases. Thanks again.

HOSTIN: Thanks.

MALVEUAX: Don't forget to Choose the News. Vote by texting 22360. Text 1 for China's building boom. A man in Beijing refused to move out of his house to protest a building frenzy. Text 2 for the money pro. A successful female hedge fund manager. Or text 3 for Harry Potter's future. What can fans look forward to? The winning story will air later this hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: A Christian clinic run by Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann and her husband is now under scrutiny. The counseling service appears to suggest that gays and lesbians can change their sexual orientation through religious-based therapy. This story from CNN's Jim Acosta.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REP. MICHELE BACHMANN, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Hi, everybody.

JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In her campaign for president, Michele Bachmann touts her background as a small business owner.

BACHMANN: As a mom of five, a foster parent, and a former tax lawyer and now a small business job creator --

ACOSTA: That business is Bachmann and Associates, a Christian counseling service outside Minneapolis run by her husband, Marcus. They're both pictured on the clinic's Web site.

In recent years the clinic has faced accusations that it encourages gay and lesbian patients to change their sexual orientation, a practice that is frowned upon by mental health experts. Back in 2004 Andrew Ramirez at the urging of his mother turned to Bachmann and Associates to talk about his own homosexuality. The 17- year-old said he was skeptical of what one of the clinic's counselors told him.

ANDREW RAMIREZ, FORMER BACHMANN AND ASSOCIATES PATIENT: It was therapy that would help me change from being homosexual to straight.

ACOSTA (on camera): That's how he described it?

RAMIREZ: Yes.

ACOSTA: He basically said if you do this, what? You wouldn't be gay anymore?

RAMIREZ: If I did this and worked his therapy program that could perform a miracle and could no longer be gay.

ACOSTA (voice-over): Ramirez said he was assigned a therapy program consisting of prayer and reading Bible passages. He also says he was told he would be mentored by an ex-lesbian minister. And if none of that, Ramirez said the counselor had another idea.

ACOSTA (on camera): He suggested to you what?

RAMIREZ: Not acting out on my same-sex attractions and living a life in celibacy.

ACOSTA: That was an alternative to being gay?

RAMIREZ: Right.

ACOSTA: After the second session, Ramirez told his mother he wanted to stop.

BETH SHELLENBARGER, ANDREW'S MOTHER: And I could just hear his voice quiver. I just said, you know, Andy, if you're good with being gay, then I am too.

ACOSTA: The American Psychological Association is sharply critical of what is known in the mental health community as "reparative therapy," saying in a recent report "There is insufficient evidence to support the use of psychological interventions to change sexual orientation."

But in a talk radio interview last years, Marcus Bachmann compared gay teenagers to barbarians who must be disciplined.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What do you say when your teenager says she's gay? What do you say to Christian parents who come up with this?

MARCUS BACHMANN, MICHELE BACHMANN'S HUSBAND: Well, I think you clearly say what is the understanding of God's word on homosexuality. And I think that this is no mystery that a child or preadolescent, particularly adolescents, will question and wonder. Certainly, there is that -- there is that curiosity.

But, again, we -- like, you know, it is as if we have to understand barbarians need to be educated. They need to be disciplined. And just because someone feels it or thinks it doesn't mean that we're supposed to go down that road.

ACOSTA: Back in 2006, Bachmann denied his practice engaged in reparative therapy, telling a Minneapolis newspaper "That's a false statement," and went on to say "If someone is interested in talking to us about their homosexuality, we are open to talking about that. But if someone comes in a homosexual and want to stay homosexual, I don't have a problem with that."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What would you suggest to me like a treatment plan type of thing?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You definitely pray.

ACOSTA: This week a gay right group, Truth Wins Out, released its own hidden video camera recorded by one of its activists who posed as a patient at Bachmann and Associates.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can you actually leave homosexuality completely and become heterosexual?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, yes, definitely. I have seen it. It has happened. It really has.

ACOSTA: In the full five sessions of footage captured by Truth Wins Out, while the counselor at time suggests homosexuality can be treated at the clinic, he also concedes he is not an expert on the subject.

Michele Bachmann has a long history of views on homosexuality. She recently signed a pledge to defend marriage that compared same sex couples to polygamist. That's a comparison Bachmann made as a state lawmaker in 2004 when she called for amendment to block gay marriages in other states from being recognized in Minnesota.

MICHELE BACHMANN: If we allow this to happen, group marriage, polygamy, and things much worse may not be far behind.

ACOSTA: Both Bachmanns declined a request for interviews. Her campaign released a statement to CNN that says "The Bachmanns are in no position ethically, legally, or morally to discuss specific courses of treatment concerning the clinics patients." When a local TV station in Iowa tried asked Bachmann whether her family clinic engages in reparative therapy, she dodged the question.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is it something that is conducted at that center?

BACHMANN: Well, I'm running for the presidency of the United States and I'm here today to talk about job creation and also the fact that we do have a business that deals with job creation. We're very proud of the business that we have created.

ACOSTA: The latest polls show Michele Bachmannn has a serious shot at winning the Iowa caucuses where social conservatives will be a decisive factor and who just might consider the Bachmann counseling center a potent political asset.

Jim Acosta, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEUAX: Dr. Drew Pinsky of our sister network, HLN, weighs in on the controversy over counseling to change a person's sexual orientation. On CNN's "ANDERSON COOPER 360," he explains the distinction between the goal and the therapy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. DREW PINKSY, HLN HOST: The treatments are legitimate. I mean, for instance, when I talked to the guys that have either been through these treatments or use them, they're talking about trauma treatments and talk about trauma therapies. And I understand that. That's a legitimate thing to do if somebody has had trauma.

But with the goal of changing someone's sexual orientation, now you've gone completely off the rail. I mean, the medical - the medical establishment is going to great lengths to sort of atone for having pathologized this for many years. It was not correct. It is not a pathology. There's nobody in established medicine that believes it is.

ANDERSON COOPER, HOST, "ANDERSON COOPER 360": You interviewed a lot of people who have gone through this treatment. I've interviewed people over the years who have gone through the treatment, and even the ones that claim that they are no longer gay, when you really push them, they will admit that everyday, they still have the fantasies. They still have the thoughts. They are just forcing themselves on what to act on what appears to be their natural inclination.

PINSKY: That is precisely what I've found. That is exactly what I've found with those people.

Now, they will also then so, well, OK, are you saying that people shouldn't have a choice to do something if they want to change? That's sort of what they'll hide behind then.

And the fact is, again, it's exactly what you've described. It's living a life not consistent with their biology and who they are. And it's pathologizing something that's not a pathology. I am not saying there shouldn't be choices for people. I am saying that having those choices might have a very significantly negative impact on people and we need to take a look at that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEUAX: A Harvard study shed new light on severely obese children. The authors are proposing a controversial plan to save them.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: The authors of a Harvard University study say that in some cases, severely obese children may have to be taken away from their parents into state custody to save their lives. Our senior medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen, is here.

Elizabeth, you and I were talking about this during the break. It seems rather like an extreme idea, but what is the thinking behind this?

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Right. I've got to say, I've been reading, you know, articles and commentaries about childhood obesity for, you know, two decades now and I was very surprised to see this. This is a pretty radical notion for what to do about childhood obesity, which everyone agrees is a huge problem.

MALVEAUX: Sure.

COHEN: The biggest public health threat to our kids today. So what these researchers are basically saying is that in some cases where parents have not been able to help their kids lose weight, the states should step in and take those children away and put them in foster care where perhaps they would have a better chance of losing weight.

MALVEAUX: What has been the response to this suggestion from this Harvard study?

COHEN: There has been a real outcry. And some people support what these researchers are saying and other people say, wait a second, it's not necessarily the parents fault that these children are heavy. And getting someone to lose weight is extremely difficult. I mean well- meaning, smart people have trouble getting -- you know, losing weight themselves, let alone getting a child to lose weight. And who's to say the child's going to be better off with a foster parent? I mean they still live in the same world. They still live in a world of junk food. They still live in a world where kids stay inside and play computer games and don't go outside to play. Why would a foster parent necessarily be better?

MALVEAUX: Well, so if a state thinks it's a good idea, this suggestion, can they actually do this legally? Can they take a child from their parent, put them in a foster care situation?

COHEN: It would be -- a state would be on relatively shaky ground if they took an obese child, and against the parents' wishes, put them into foster care. And here's why. The standard has generally been that you only take a child away under dire circumstances. The parents are severely beating this child and their life is in danger. Or let's say a child has type one diabetes and he needs insulin to live and the parents refuse, for some crazy reason, to give them insulin, then you can take the child away and be on firm, legal ground. An obese child, it's not good to be obese. That child is at a pretty high risk for diabetes and heart disease down the road.

MALVEAUX: Absolutely.

COHEN: But they're not necessarily in imminent danger. So it would be tough to do this from a legal point of view. But you have to wonder if we're headed in that direction given how bad the situation is.

MALVEAUX: OK. Elizabeth Cohen, thank you very much.

COHEN: Thanks.

MALVEAUX: Appreciate it.

Well, suddenly everybody's talking about women's soccer. No wonder U.S. women's team is in the final four playing right now. Richard Roth is going to join us with the play by play.

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MALVEAUX: One-half down, one to go in the U.S. Women's World Cup soccer match against France. It is half time and the U.S. is up one nil right now. A win means they play in the finals this weekend. The team captured the nation's attention with a miraculous last-minute tying goal against Brazil in the quarter final game. They won the game on penalty kicks. I got a chance to see some of that. It was very excited. Now eyes are all glued to the TV sets in the sports bars across the country. Richard Roth in New York at one restaurant where fans are there to root USA.

Richard, what's it like?

RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, there's no doubt there are still some French supporters in the United States also. Somehow they got in. But, for the goal (ph), that was what gave the U.S. the lead within eight minutes of the game starting. Let's listen to the fan reaction here in the Australian Bar in Manhattan.

(AUDIO CLIP)

ROTH: The fans here gathered to really follow-up on that biggest U.S. win you talked about on Sunday against Brazil. Last minute tying the match. A real incredible match.

Molly (ph) watched that match I'm sure. What were your reactions and how do you think that's helping the U.S. team today?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They're doing very, very well. They're adding a lot of chances at goal and they're up 1-0. So, really excited. It's very great.

ROTH: You played soccer. Ilene (ph), you paid soccer. What do you think of the way the U.S. was playing?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I would like to have them keep more possession. They have a one goal lead. They need to relax a little bit on the ball, keep some possession and with counter attacking get another goal.

ROTH: Lyndell (ph), do you think that the win on Sunday, the big rally, has helped draw more viewers to this sport, or, once again, will it peter out and there will be four more years of ignorance in women's soccer?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I hope that it helps to advance and bring some more visibility to the women's game. And absolutely the game on Sunday was fabulous and I think it's a good step in the right direction for more visibility for American soccer.

ROTH: Oh, thank you.

We've been talking all day to women. How about some men.

You're Australian, but you're rooting for the United States. Why are you watching women's soccer?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why not? We love sports in Australia. I've been living here many years, though, so I love the U.S. as well. And after the Australian team got knocked out in the quarter finals to Sweden, why not cheer for the U.S.

ROTH: Is there something in this game that you've noticed the way the women play? I mean is there less faking of injuries? Studies show than the men in sitting on the ground, trying to stall for time. Any comparison in the two squads?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, based on the first half, we were actually just talking about how fast-paced it is. It's been really fast. There's a great goal. I mean I'm very impressed by their skill level. And, I mean, to be honest, I don't watch a lot of women's soccer. I mean I love soccer. I love, you know, the men's World Cup. But this is fantastic. Very impressed.

ROTH: Maybe you'll watch some more?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why not. Let's see if USA can go all the way.

ROTH: Thank you very much. France had some real shots there. There was a near goal that hit the post. It's one nil, as we say in the soccer community, at half time.

Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: Love those Australian accents too, Richard. That sounds great. You know, so many of us played soccer as kids. We're all looking with a great anticipation to see how this all goes.

Thanks, Richard.

Well, you told us what you wanted to see. Your "Choose The News" story just moments away.

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MALVEAUX: Time for your "Choose The News" winner. The final Harry Potter film may be in theaters, but there's still a lot planned for Harry Potter fans. Here's CNN's Jim Boulden.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIM BOULDEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The tag line for this, the final of the eight Harry Potter films, it all ends here. That may be the case after seven novels, but Harry will live on in the form of a new website coming soon, pottermore.com.

JK ROWLING, AUTHOR: Back in 1998, I knew I was generating a lot more material than would ever appear in the books. It was simply ridiculous that anyone -- to me at the time I thought, who will ever want to know the significance of all these different wand woods. This was all in my head.

BOULDEN: Now, author JK Rowling has joined up with Sony to create a home for the background Potter material, Potter discussions and games. Potter fans, once signed up, will answer questions, which will place them in one of the four Hogwarts houses, and there will be room for users to have their own Potter pages. Though everything will be free, Rowling says it's her way of giving back to fans.

ROWLING: You don't have to pay to get the extra material. You don't have to buy a single thing to go on to PotterMore and have the whole experience you've just seen. And that was really important to me.

BOULDEN: Though the site will be the only place to buy Potter e- books. Rowling has kept the digital rights to her material. She never before allowed e-books. Though these e-books will not be tied to a certain kind of electronic reader.

TAREK NSEIR, CEO, TH NK: People are asking for these e-books and their audio books. There's a big demand for them. I think what's incredible is that this digital experience that's been created, you know, it really allows you to accompany the reading in a really sort of interactive and innovative way. BOULDEN: And, of course, there is the official Potter theme park in Orlando, Florida. And from spring next year, at the Harry Potter Experience Tour at Leavesden Studios outside London where Potter was shot. It's being built now by CNN's sister company, Warner Brothers. And then there are all of those unofficial tours in London. Clearly, Potter mania will not disappear amongst the deathly hollows.

Jim Boulden, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX: If your choice did not win or you just want to check out the runners up, we'll have the links to them on my page at facebook.com/suzannecnn.

CNN Newsroom continues right now with Randi Kaye.

Hey, Randi.

RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Suzanne. Thank you.