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Remember the Victims of 9/11; Security Heightened and Terror Alert; GOP Hopefuls Ready to Rumble; NASA Off to the Moon; 9/11 Memorial

Aired September 10, 2011 - 19:00   ET

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

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. Thank you so much for joining us. I'm Don Lemon live in Tampa, Florida, for Monday's CNN Tea Party Republican debate. We're going to have more on that in just a little bit.

But, first, want to get you caught up on the day's news.

The nation pauses this weekend to mourn the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives 10 years ago on the morning September 11th.

(VIDEO CLIP PLAYS)

Today, in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a solemn ceremony for the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93. It crashed after the passengers stormed the cockpit and fought off the hijackers. Their heroic sacrifice no doubt saved many other lives.

Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, along with Vice President Joe Biden, were there today to dedicate a memorial.

President Obama has declared this weekend National Days of Prayers and Remembrance. He and the first lady spent time today at Arlington National Cemetery and visited a section for U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan and Iraq.

A short distance away, at the Pentagon, former President Bush and his wife laid a wreath of flowers at the site known as the 9/11 Stone. One hundred and eighty-four people died at the Pentagon on 9/11 when American Airlines Flight 77 smashed into the building.

At St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, a service was held for the 343 New York City firefighters who lost their lives at the World Trade Center when the Twin Towers collapsed. Ground Zero where the Twin Towers once stood high above the skyline is now a large memorial plaza. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano walked through it today ahead of tomorrow's formal dedication.

Let's go right now to today's dedication ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. CNN's David Mattingly joins us live from that site.

David, you were there 10 years ago, tell us what's going on today.

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Don, it's a very different place today. Ten years ago, this was the site of a terrible tragedy, an act of violent terrorism. It was surrounded by fear and uncertainty.

And today, it is a memorial to the people on board Flight 93 who rose up against their hijackers, and it is a tribute to their courage. It is a national park, but it is not finished yet. In fact, it was Bill Clinton today who got up to the microphone and got the most applause when he called attention to the fact that 10 years after 9/11 this memorial to Flight 93 is not done. It is still $10 million short of the money it needs to complete everything they have planned for it, and here's what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WILLIAM J. CLINTON, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT: Since I am no longer in office, I can do unpopular things. I told the secretary of the interior, the head of your development program, that I was aghast to find out we still need to raise $10 million to finish this place. And Speaker Boehner and I have already volunteered to do a bipartisan event in Washington. Let's get the show on the road.

(APPLAUSE)

CLINTON: Let's roll.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MATTINGLY: Let's roll. The former president borrowing a line from Tom Beamer, one of the passengers on board who was part of the attempt to retake the plane. And, of course, their efforts bringing the plane down here in this empty field. It is now a very beautiful place covered with grass and wild flowers, a place to come and remember for generations to follow of the bravery on board that airplane -- Don.

LEMON: Hey, David, talk to me a little more about this. You said -- I think you said $10 million more they need to complete it. How much more do they have to go in order to get it done, and how are they going to raise this money? What are their plans?

MATTINGLY: They have been seeking private donations, but this is -- of all the 9/11 sites, this is the only one that is part of the national parks system. It has not received the same kind of corporate sponsorship that other sites have from 9/11. But what they hope to do, they hope that this, the 10-year anniversary will draw more attention nationwide and perhaps bring more money in to put them over the top and to get this site completed.

A lot of people feel like that there was so much done on board that airplane to save lives on that terrible day that these people who sacrificed their lives need to be remembered, and that they're hoping that that thought will push people to get this monument done the way it's been planned to. There's several other features that haven't even been erected yet because of that lack of money.

But right now, you heard the former president just standing up there and saying this has got to be done. Let's roll. And perhaps with this anniversary that will get done -- Don.

LEMON: All right. David Mattingly, thank you very much. We appreciate it.

All right. We have some developing news just in to CNN, and this is just coming from our sources in Washington. Here's what we're hearing. There's a security alert at Dulles Airport outside of Washington, D.C., right now. This is according to a TSA spokesman.

A TSA spokesman is saying a dog trained to sniff explosives alerted personnel to a suspicious package in a cargo area. And right now, part of Terminal B -- part of Terminal B at Dulles Airport outside of Washington, D.C., has been evacuated, has been shut down, I should say shut down just as a precaution. Again, this is just as a precaution.

They're checking it and we're going to bring you the very latest information just as soon as it becomes available.

Now back to our coverage of 9/11.

Hours away from the anniversary of the September 11th attacks, and there are worries about another threat. Susan Candiotti at Ground Zero for us now.

Susan, are people there worried about this terrorist attack? Are they going about their business and really just remembering people who lost their lives there today?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I would say both of those things are happening, Don. Certainly, people who are worried about the terror threat. And how can you not be?

But there are also New Yorkers who have seen this kind of thing before and they are moving on.

I want to show you, Don, right now what is happening at Ground Zero as part of the security sweep that is going on as we speak by the New York Police Department. Again, this is at the World Trade Center site and the site of the memorial and where the ceremony will be. You've got a lot of cars lined up going around. There are 10 extra officers that are part of the sweep.

And it is -- what also is happening right now is an extra -- in addition to that, a show of force that happens all the time in the city as New York Police Department goes around the city as part of their regular ongoing training. But it certainly looks very impressive.

Now, Don, as part of the terror investigation, there are a few more details to tell you about, mainly having to do with timing. And CNN has learned that U.S. authorities are looking at whether at least two of the three people that are believed to be part of this possible plot already are headed to the United States.

However, we will add this -- we are also hearing from a federal law enforcement official that so far nothing is panning out at this time in terms of whether anyone is confirmed to be in the United States. But, of course, investigators are continuing to track down leads and are working under that assumption. We asked one of the assistant directors of the FBI about this development tonight. He declined to comment on it directly but did say this --

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES MCJUNKIN, FBI ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: As far as I know, this threat hasn't changed from what it was yesterday. And that is -- and what was reported by us Thursday evening -- is that it's credible but unconfirmed. So -- which, translation for that is that we have not focused to my knowledge on any specific individuals.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: Don, you were asking me about how New Yorkers are adapting to the new world in which they live. And as we said, they are putting up with it, no real complaints. We asked some of them about it.

LEMON: Susan, let me ask you -- I know that you showed before the security sweep, but are you above the West Side Highway? Yes, that's OK. That's OK.

CANDIOTTI: Yes.

LEMON: We know how they're dealing with it. You've explained that clearly. You're above the West Side Highway.

Tell us about the security sweep and how far it stretches and how long it's going on again. I think it's interesting that just the day before they're doing that.

CANDIOTTI: Well, certainly this show of force they do on a regular basis. The security sweep has been going on, I would approximate, for about a half-hour or so. This is in fact the West Side Highway which, of course, rims the west side of this Ground Zero site which covers about 16 acres. And mainly they've been at a standstill for about the last half-hour with the lights flashing and the like.

Occasionally, you see one of the squad cars driving by. But for the most part they are there, and they are there to, of course, give an impression -- an impression for New Yorkers to see and certainly by way of our coverage for the world to see, that they are well-prepared for this memorial tomorrow, a very important and somber event. We've been seeing all kinds of security checks going on throughout the day and dress rehearsals for the ceremony, as well.

So, Don, this is a big part of it.

LEMON: They call that the security ring around Ground Zero. Great job of explaining it. Susan Candiotti, thanks for taking us there and showing us what's going on at Ground Zero because we know the world's eyes are really on it now, but even more so tomorrow.

Susan, thank you very much. Stand by.

Coming up, we're going to talk about Libya. Libya's opposition fighters go after one of Gadhafi's last strongholds, but they get some resistance. A live report from Tripoli is coming up next on CNN.

Also, tensions ease in Egypt after an attack on an Israeli embassy kills three people and injures more than 1,000.

That report right after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Libya's new government faces a tough test of its power in Bani Walid, the city supported Moammar Gadhafi during the rebellion. Now that he's out of power, loyalists are reluctant to lay down their weapons.

Our foreign affairs correspondent Jill Dougherty joins me now from Tripoli with the very latest on that.

Jill, we heard from our Ben Wedeman just over an hour ago. Update us on your front now.

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN FOREIGN AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, yes, I'm here in Tripoli. And Ben is the person who's actually been right down outside of Bani Walid. And he's saying, and the reports are coming in that the rebels began an approach toward the town, and then they came under very heavy fire. There were snipers, there were rockets and mortars. And so, they pulled back. So, they've been encountering problems.

Now, they also -- Ben says that they believe that there are trained troops loyal to Gadhafi. Not just, you know, a pickup band of fighters but trained troops who are in Bani Walid, and also notably that the rebels do not have any heavy artillery or tanks. So, right now, they have pulled back and are waiting.

Also, there has been some fighting, although we don't have the latest reports on exactly what is happening in Sirte, another stronghold of Moammar Gadhafi -- Don.

LEMON: All right. You mentioned that some didn't really have any weapons. Is there any chance of the town surrendering peacefully, Jill, or this will inevitably end in a bloody fight?

DOUGHERTY: You know, I think you'd have to say that this is -- does not look as if it would end peacefully because after all, these are the people who have been loyal to Moammar Gadhafi, both the tribes and people in general who have supported him. If they are the trained fighters that we believe they are, and if they have the weaponry which also we believe they have, this could be difficult. In fact, the rebels were telling CNN that they think it could take one day, two days, maybe a week, and that probably is very optimistic.

So, at this point, they're not just going to walk in there. It could be a real fight.

LEMON: I have to ask you this, Jill -- any word on the hunt for Moammar Gadhafi? DOUGHERTY: Not really. That remains a mystery precisely where he is. Bani Walid is where his sons have been seen. And so, that's a possibility of something happening.

But, certainly, Gadhafi himself, it is unclear where he is. But, Don, you know, you'd have to say that in spite of that, things seem to be moving forward. Life here in Tripoli is moving forward because the regime is over even if they have not caught Gadhafi.

LEMON: Jill Dougherty, thank you very much.

The violence in Egypt swirling around the Israeli embassy has largely subsided to the relief of authorities in Cairo and Jerusalem. The mayhem left three people dead, and more than 1,000 injured. Egyptians demonstrated again today, demanding that Egypt severe relations with Israel. Israel officials say a deputy ambassador will stay in Egypt to keep a presence in that country.

When we come right back here on CNN, a preview of the GOP contenders who will take the stage right here in Tampa on Monday for the CNN Tea Party Republican debate.

Our senior political editor, Mark Preston -- yes, that guy -- joins me.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Texas Governor Rick Perry has a dilemma on his hands. He's expected to appear at Monday's CNN Tea Party Republican debate right here in Tampa. But with the state facing catastrophic wildfires, critics are already hitting him every time he leaves Texas to campaign.

Our senior political editor, Mr. Mark Preston, is here with a preview of the debate. And also, a preview of Rick Perry, first.

I want to talk because he got I saw a lot of criticisms of him and then, day or two later, I see him on television. And when people asked him about the campaign, he goes, I don't want to talk about that, I just want to talk about the fires. Someone got to him, some of his press people.

MARK PRESTON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL EDITOR: Sure. Look, it's always tough when you have a natural disaster in your state that he's having right now with these wildfires that he has to deal with. But, at the same time, if you're running for president, you have to show that you can multitask.

LEMON: Right.

PRESTON: So, can Rick Perry come here on Monday night and appear at this debate, at the same time monitoring what's going on in Texas?

LEMON: He's going to be here.

PRESTON: He is going to be here. But the fact is, if he couldn't be here, there would be a question, could he be president? Can he multitask?

Look, he'll be here.

LEMON: Yes. I wonder -- listen, this strategy, what if he said the people of my state are facing devastating circumstances right now. I'll get back to the campaign once this is done, but I got to worry about the people I represent right now. Is that a bad strategy?

PRESTON: Yes. I mean, he could do it, but let's go back during the 2008 campaign when we had that big financial crisis and John McCain was not going to show up at the debate down in Mississippi when he was a general election candidate. And he came under a lot of criticism to say, Mr. McCain, you can't do both? And he ended up coming to Mississippi.

LEMON: OK. You handed this to me. And this is being handed out in Tampa. Tell me what this is. And it's Rick Perry there. It says two candidates.

PRESTON: It is. In fact, take a look. We should be able to pull up a graphic of it.

This is literature there, Don, that is being handed out in Florida as we speak right now. And it is Mitt Romney going right after Rick Perry when it comes to the issue of Social Security. A huge issue here in Florida. In fact, he says in this piece of literature that's being handed out, it's not being mailed out -- Rick Perry, how can we trust anyone who wants to kill Social Security?

So, there's been a lot of talk -- will this be a big issue Monday night?

LEMON: I'm sure -- yes, it's going to be a big issue.

PRESTON: It's got to be an issue, right? It has to be a big issue.

LEMON: So, who's getting this, is it older constituents, older voters who are getting this?

PRESTON: The targeted people are getting this primary Republicans --

LEMON: OK. There you go. Listen, there are more than two people in the race. But everyone's saying -- that's what all the pundits are saying, it's a two-person race.

So, listen, I'm going to ask you, I'm going to rail up some names here. And tell me what these names have to do -- what you think they have to do for Monday. Rick Perry?

PRESTON: It has to remain steady. It has to show that he's presidential and perhaps he has to affix this problem of what he said about Social Security, at least clarify it.

LEMON: Michele Bachmann?

PRESTON: Has to show that she's presidential and she has to appeal to Tea Party voters that really helped propel her candidacy. But haven't been (INAUDIBLE) since Rick Perry got in the race.

LEMON: Mitt Romney?

PRESTON: Has to continue to be presidential and at least appeal to the Tea Party, as well as appealing to these middle-of-the-road Republicans that he's been trying to do since he started running.

LEMON: Ron Paul?

PRESTON: He just has to be Ron Paul, right? You can't change him.

LEMON: You can't change him. You know, I know people are -- there's something lovable about him. He's like, you know, he's like everybody's dad or --

PRESTON: Look, and you know what? He's a very nice guy. And he does OK in the polls. Can he be president? No.

LEMON: I know. We got a lot of criticism, or at least I should say the media, not we. But it's been said that we didn't give Ron Paul his due after the Iowa straw poll. And what I tried to explain to people is that there are other metrics that play into it besides a straw poll as to whether you think someone can be a viable candidate or not.

PRESTON: And what we should say about Ron Paul, Ron Paul, even though he might not win the nomination, he really has helped steer the conversation towards fiscal issues.

LEMON: OK. I want to get others just real quickly. Newt Gingrich, what does he have to do?

PRESTON: Stop attacking us in the media.

LEMON: Rick Santorum?

PRESTON: Rick Santorum has to show that he's the conservative, that he is true conservative in the race.

LEMON: Jon Huntsman?

PRESTON: Has to show that he can attack and attack sharply and show that he is the middle-of-the-road candidate.

LEMON: And Herman Cain to show up. I don't know.

PRESTON: Herman Cain, he was peaking. And now, he's starting to go down again.

He has to show that he's a conservative.

LEMON: He's also very likeable, too. But I think so. I think -- you know, what you say about Newt Gingrich is right because when I hear that, it makes me think of the '90s all over again and we want to move forward, when the media was an easy target.

PRESTON: He should be able to take tough questions.

LEMON: Yes. They all should.

PRESTON: Absolutely.

LEMON: Mark Preston, good stuff. Thank you very much.

And this is a programming reminder for you, the viewer. CNN, along with the Tea Party Express, will co-host the debate among the Republican presidential candidates here in Tampa. That's Monday night, 8:00 p.m. Eastern, right here on CNN. The CNN Tea Party Republican debate.

The nation mourns the nearly 3,000 people who were killed 10 years ago on 9/11. We'll have an update on those ceremonies and the latest headlines right after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SUSAN HENDRICKS, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Susan Hendricks at the CNN world headquarter in Atlanta. Back to Don in Tampa in just a moment.

But, first, a check of the top stories. People gathered to remember today in Pennsylvania.

(VIDEO CLIP PLAYS)

HENDRICKS: All 40 names being read, including an unborn baby at a dedication ceremony in Shanksville on the eve of the 10th anniversary of September 11th. Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, as well as Vice President Joe Biden were there to honor the heroic actions of passengers and crew on board United Airlines Flight 93. The marble wall that now stands there is inscribed with the names of 40 passengers and crew members who fought the hijackers and prevented the plane from reaching its targets.

Now to a possible terror threat aimed at Sunday's 9/11 anniversary. I want to take you now to live pictures out of New York where they are doing a security sweep of Ground Zero. Again, a lot is planned for tomorrow on the 10-year anniversary of 9/11. And, of course, they can never be too careful.

Again, a security sweep of Ground Zero, live pictures there that you're looking at.

And police in suburban Washington, they're being careful, too. They're hunting for two missing U-haul vans. A lot going on. A police spokesman says they are not viewing this, though, as terror related, but there is an abundance of caution being taken because of the intelligence out of Pakistan indicating a terror plot may be in the works. Hence, the security sweep at Ground Zero.

Police in New York are also looking for three stolen trucks. Two of them belonging to a company that works at Ground Zero. A spokesman says whoever took the trucks cut phone lines surveillance camera to hide the crime. We are on top of this story. Also, a security alert at Dulles Airport outside of Washington. It has forced an evacuation at one of the terminals there. A TSA spokesman says a dog train today to sniff explosives alerted airport personnel to a suspicious package in the cargo area. Several gates at Terminal B right now have been evacuated. Again, Terminal B at Dulles Airport.

We'll bring you more information as it comes in to us right here at CNN.

To Pennsylvania now where the floodwaters are starting to recede in the Northeast, and evacuation orders may soon be lifted. They can breathe a sigh of relief. But Pennsylvania's governor warns many families have nothing to go back to. Their homes wiped out. Many neighborhoods are still under water, and more rain is in the forecast.

The flooding from tropical storm Lee killed at least nine people and forced the evacuation of 100,000 in central Pennsylvania, also Upstate New York.

From too much water to not enough -- Texas is going through its driest period, really ever, since the record books, 1895. Today, firefighters say they have spotted 24 new fires. That is in addition to the 179 fires crews battled this past week that have charred more than 170,000 acres and destroyed 1,400 homes.

President Obama just declaring a state of emergency in Texas, making federal funds available for recovery.

And NASA again is shooting for the moon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Two, one, zero, and liftoff of the Delta two with "Grail," a journey to the center of the moon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENDRICKS: It makes you feel good, doesn't it? A lunar research rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral this morning after two weather delays. Two washing machine-sized satellites will examine the moon to study how it was formed. This is the first mission to determine the internal structure of the moon.

I want to go back to Don now out of Tampa. Hey, Don?

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Susan. Stay with me here. Let's talk about what's happening at Ground Zero right now, what's going to be happening tomorrow. Susan Hendricks mentioned those live pictures, the security sweep that's going on around Ground Zero now.

Our Susan Candiotti talked about them a little bit earlier. And Susan, you know, the world's eyes are on really on Ground Zero right now even, even more so tomorrow. So they're trying to make sure that everything is safe there and we heard about this credible but unsubstantiated terror threat that's going to be happen tomorrow. You can just imagine all the security and all the people involved in this -

HENDRICKS: Yes, there has been questions, Don, about whether they should alert the public. But officials say we want people to know because we want them to know if we see something to say something in that area. So I think it's a good thing to have people on high alert and again they're doing a security sweep there at Ground Zero. Live pictures.

LEMON: Yes. Looks like the traffic, Susan, is starting to move. Earlier it was just really a wall of red flashing lights there. And that's the west side highway down in Manhattan and on the other side of that you have the Hudson River which is close. And again you see, you know, the buildings, where the buildings once stood. And again we don't have the control of pictures of photographers there. And they're zooming in.

But again, a security sweep going on down by Ground Zero in anticipation of tomorrow's events. And of course, you can't be too careful. That's what we've been hearing from officials.

HENDRICKS: Very true.

LEMON: Susan Hendricks, thank you very much.

HENDRICKS: Thank you.

LEMON: We'll get back to you soon. Appreciate you helping me out here.

In the meantime, let's move on and let's talk about some politics. The reason I'm here in Tampa. You know, presidential candidate Ron Paul goes after fellow Texan Governor Rick Perry. Could feuding rivals hurt the party's presidential hopes? We'll examine that right after the break.

But first, I want to tell you this.

A New Orleans mom on a mission fighting for the rights of special needs kids. You know it all stems from the struggles she went through helping her own son. And CNN's education contributor, Steve Perry, has her story in tonight's "Perry's Principles."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEVE PERRY, CNN EDUCATION CONTRIBUTOR (voice-over): When Karen Harper-Royal's oldest son, Chris, started kindergarten 20 years ago, she got an earful from his teachers who didn't understand his behavior was masking ADHD.

KAREN HARPER ROYAL, PARENT ADVOCATE: He's always getting put out of class. He's always getting punished. They're giving all these negative messages. At some point, you know, that kid's going explode.

PERRY: Things got so bad the New Orleans mom felt she had to take drastic action.

(on camera): You were at the point where you thought you'd have to quit your job?

ROYAL: To be there.

PERRY: Really?

ROYAL: Yes.

PERRY: Your plan is to quit your job to go into the school with your child?

ROYAL: I went - I was at school every day. They ended up making me a substitute teacher.

PERRY: Come on.

ROYAL: No, seriously.

PERRY (voice-over): Extensive testing showed Chris had ADHD and a high I.Q., which meant he was both learning disabled and gifted. Armed with the diagnosis, Karen made it her mission to get him the classroom resources he needed.

ROYAL: So I started going to school board meetings. I prepared some documents to show them -

PERRY (on camera): They must have loved you.

ROYAL: Oh, they have come to love me. They have come to love me.

PERRY: She spent over a decade teaching other parents of special- needs children how to navigate the system.

ROYAL: The reason I help parents now is because I didn't have anybody there to help me. Make yourself an expert on what's going on with your child and what the school - the school don't have all the answers.

PERRY: How's Chris doing now?

ROYAL: Chris works here in New Orleans now as a professional musician. He travels around the world. He's very good at what he does.

PERRY: He's happy.

ROYAL: And he's happy. And he says he's living the life he wants to live. He's happy.

PERRY (voice-over): Steve Perry, New Orleans.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul is from Texas and he went after a fellow Texan and new presidential rival, Governor Rick Perry in this week's debate. I want you to take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. RON PAUL (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You know, the governor of Texas criticized the governor of Massachusetts for Romney care but he wrote a really fancy letter supporting Hillary care. So we truly ought to ask him about that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Ouch. Linking a Republican to Hillary Clinton. That's an old standby for GOP candidates who, you know, really want to tarnish their rivals.

Let's talk about that now with Maureen O'Connor. She is a staff writer for Gawker.com. So Maureen, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, they have the makings really of a feud brewing here. It started on stage. I mean, a few photos surfaced. What's going on?

MAUREEN O'CONNOR, GAWKER.COM: Well, this is a pretty delicious rivalry. They're both fire brand Texans and from really different ideological background. There were pictures that emerged during the commercial breaks during that last presidential debate where Rick Perry had his hand on Ron Paul and was pointing at him. And based on that, a rumor sort of emerged on RonPaul.com that Rick Perry was being too aggressive with poor Doctor Paul. And Ron Paul actually addressed this at a campaign event the other day and he made a big joke that "The governor of what? What was it? Texas? I don't even remember his name."

It sort of coincides now with Ron Paul actually launching attack ads against Rick Perry in New Hampshire and then Iowa this week.

LEMON: Very interesting. I saw some in the paper where Perry was sort of motioning like, you know, giving the sort of pose and tough guy pose actually standing right next to Ron Paul. So I'm just - everybody is wondering what's going on. You know we're going to see here on Monday night what happens.

Hey, I want to turn now, Maureen, to Louisiana Republican Senator David Vitter. You know, you put the word out that not only was he going to not attend the president's speech, he was going to host a party to watch the New Orleans Saints take on Green Bay instead. OK. That's a great game but what is he thinking because it all fell apart. What happened?

O'CONNOR: Well, Reid's spokesperson took a bunch of hits against Vitter. He was saying it was disrespectful (INAUDIBLE) he can't get off his couch for a couple of hours and what Harry Reid actually did was reschedule a vote that was supposed to have on the morning of that Thursday to right after Obama's address. Consequently, Vitter was forced to stay in D.C. because he had to be there for the vote. So after that, David Vitter sent out an e-mail blast lambasting Harry Reid scheduling (INAUDIBLE) how he forced him basically to be there for President Obama's speech.

LEMON: Maureen O'Connor from Gawker.com. We always appreciate you. Thank you very much. O'CONNOR: Thank you, Don.

LEMON: Coming up next here on CNN, we'll look at the unique way Facebook is honoring the victims of the 9/11 attack.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Facebook didn't even exist when the September 11 attacks happened. But in the years since, social media have become an integral part of many of our lives this. And this weekend, Facebook has come up with a unique way to honor the victims. I want to bring in now CNET senior editor Brian Tong to talk about all of this for us. So Brian, how can people at home use their Facebook page as part of the memorial?

BRIAN TONG, CNET SENIOR EDITOR: Hey, Don. This is really cool stuff. So people at home, they can go to 911memorial.org, and from their Facebook page, they'll allow you a few options to honor the memory of September 11. So you can do one thing where you can change your profile picture to this 9/11 logo or can dedicate your status to one of the victims of 9/11. There's - it will randomize it, or you can choose someone specifically, someone that you knew or someone that was close to you to also honor, as well.

It's really using social media and just pasting it on your wall. 750 million users on Facebook, so this is a great way for those of us who have some type of connection to the tragedy out there to really showcase it in - you know, express ourselves on that day.

LEMON: OK. Thank you, sir. Because I'm sure a lot of people at home are wondering about that. We're going to make a drastic turn here for topics. Because this is a pretty interesting one. I want to talk to you about something that's going on in the tech world. I think what do they call this - is it location? I forget who they call it, some sort of location, promotion or whatever. I'm talking about grinder for a minute. It is a hookup app that's popular in the gay community, but now there's a version for straight people, as well. What's going on here?

TONG: So the name of the straight version of the app is called Blender. It kind of plays off the Grinder name. What it uses is geolocation and people that are using the app can pretty much broadcast their location and their status. When someone opens up this app, they can see people near them, and if they have interests, they can actually chat with them instantly through the app. It might be someone as close as like 300 feet away from you or a block away. But they're using technology here to really find people that - whether it's friends or more than friends, this app is one of the ways to do it. It's really opening the audience. It's not mixing the gay community with the straight community. They're creating two separate apps. This is another way, you know, to make some friends.

LEMON: All right. So do you think women - I mean, you know, guys, do you think women are actually going to use this Blender, or will it turn out to be a singles bar with way too many guys? TONG: Well, you know, let's not - girls have to get theirs, too. I mean, if you want to put it that way. But here's the thing - it's true. But people are going to be using these type of services for more than just hook up really. Now it may have started in its roots, but Blender is really trying to change that image. We'll see as long as both sides of the table are there, you know, male and female and straight, if they want to interact and mingle, by all means go ahead and do it. Technology has almost separated us. But this is one where technology is now bringing us back together. So -

LEMON: Is this - I don't know. Is this like a stalker app? I mean do you really want people knowing where you are and that close to you?

TONG: For - it might be kind of weird, but see, the thing is it's - you voluntarily put your information out there. So people that want to be found, are going to be found. They're going to be using this app. So that's why it at least breaks down that wall and makes it - OK, we're all here for the same reason. Let's see if, you know, we can make some magic happen.

LEMON: All right. You know what, pretty soon this is going to be like "Star Trek." You'll be able to beam over to people's houses. What's next, who knows? Thank you, Brian Tong. We appreciate it.

TONG: All right.

LEMON: Next, we're going to look at how some celebrities are remembering 9/11.

But first, I want to tell you about this. A group of ladies really making their mark every Tuesday morning since the 2001 terrorist attack. The Freeport Flag Ladies have waved the American flag at motorists in Freeport, Maine. Elaine Green, Joann Miller, and Carmen Footer say they're showing support for their country. Elaine remembers that first time, just three days after 9/11.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ELAINE FOOTER: I decided to come up here, and I brought my flag with me. And - it was a heavy time for everybody. I didn't know if it was proper to raise the flag up or not. Finally I did. When I did, people beeped their horns and yelled "God Bless America." And that dark, heavy feeling that was around every one of us just lifted. I said, "This is what I need to be doing."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: The ladies of Freeport, Maine, waving their flags to a very appreciative audience.

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LEMON: They're in the business of make-believe but many celebrities are now focusing on the real life impact of 9/11.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) MARISKA HARGITAY, ACTRESS: I will volunteer in our local domestic shelter so that women and children know that they're not alone and that their healing is our priority. What will you do?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: That's Mariska Hargitay, the lead actress in the series "Law and Order SVU." She joins a band of stars on a voluntary campaign to remember the attacks. More on that in just a moment but first a film just debut that follows Paul McCartney in the weeks after the national tragedy. Here with the details now CNN's entertainment reporter Shanon Cook. So Shanon, what is this documentary about specifically?

SHANON COOK, CNN ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER: Well, in an attempt to boost morale right after the September attacks Paul McCartney organized this massive concert in Madison Square Garden in New York. You might remember it. Elton John was there, Billy Joel, Mick Jagger, James Taylor. The documentary basically follows McCartney in the few weeks leading on to this concert as he prepares. And we see his really candid rehearsal moments, some behind the scene interviews with celebrities as well as a recap of the concert itself. And it's called, the "Love We Make." It was co-directed by Albert Masels whose name might ring a bell to some people. He also made the very famous 1964 film that documented the Beatles first trip to the United States. And this documentary has the same black and white grainy look as that film. It really captures the mood of New York at that very harrowing time.

LEMON: Let's talk about the 911.org effort. We saw a clip. Who and what does that involve?

COOK: This is part of a campaign called "I Will." And some 30 celebrities are appearing in these PSA type videos. Basically they're encouraging people to answer the question, what will you do to remember? We've got Lady Gaga, Jordan Sparks, Fran Drescher, Samuel L. Jackson just to name a few of the celebrities who are involved. And it's kind of just a campaign to encourage people to jump online and post tributes, if you will.

LEMON: You know, tomorrow celebrities will be taking part in the 9/11 remembrances, like all of us. Tell us who is performing though. We don't get to perform on stage, but a lot of them are. Who's performing?

COOK: Well, if you're going to check out a concert for hope, which is being televised nationally, it's being staged in Washington, D.C., you will get to see Patti Labelle perform and also country singer Allan Jackson. He will be singing his 9/11 tribute-inspired song "Where were you when the world stopped turning." The president is also going to be speaking at this event. Speaking, not singing, I should clarify.

LEMON: Yes. But you know, obviously we all have been impacted but the September 11th attacks, but now some stories are coming out about the close calls that some celebrities had on that fateful day. Many of them I find interesting. The one with Gwyneth Paltrow. That's very interesting.

COOK: Yes. Gwyneth Paltrow apparently was driving around on her Mercedes on the morning of September 11th. She stopped for a jay walker. She and this jaywalker make eye contact, and they had this kind of who is going to go first moment. The jaywalker credits Paltrow for essentially saving her life because that moment slowed her down on her journey to work at the Twin Towers. She said that had that not been for that moment she would have caught her train which would have got to her death right before the planes hit.

And also there's an eerie story from actor Rob Lowe who says that about 10 days before the attacks he was on a flight with the terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui. Apparently he was on a test run flight for 9/11 hijacking. So yes, eerie brushes. But as you alluded to, ordinary people had some similar experiences.

LEMON: Shanon Cook, always appreciate it. Thank you very much.

And now we want to check on your headlines right now. We want to go back to Atlanta and CNN's Susan Hendricks. Susan.

HENDRICKS: Hi, Don. A lot going on right now. First, we start with this. The 10th anniversary as you know of 9/11 just hours away. Today in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a memorial was dedicated to the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93. Former Presidents George W. Bush, also Bill Clinton, vice president Joe Biden, they were all there to honor their memories. A long marble wall as you see here holds the names of all 40 people on the flight who fought back against the hijackers.

A security alert at Dulles Airport outside of Washington has forced an evacuation at one of the terminals. Terminal B, this is a live picture of Dulles. A TSA spokesman says a dog trained to sniff explosives alerted airport personnel to a suspicious package in a specific cargo area. Several gates at Terminal B have been evacuated as a precaution. You can imagine how the people feel, the eve of 9/11, the 10th anniversary. We'll have more information for you as it comes in to us here at CNN.

Also at Ground Zero in New York, a massive security sweep ahead of Sunday's dedication to the memorial there. A possible terror plot has put police on high alert. And they are telling you if you see something, say something. Live pictures there out of New York. They are searching right now officials are, for three stolen trucks, two of which were taken from a company that worked at Ground Zero.

Again, live pictures of New York a couple of hours before the memorial. And police in suburban Washington are hunting for two missing U-Hauls, as well. A police spokesman says right now they are not viewing this one as terrorist related.

Fighters loyal to Libya's new government are on the outskirts of Bani Walid, town loyal to former leader Moammar Gadhafi. The town's tribal leaders refuse to surrender despite the threat of a new military offensive if they don't. Military commanders face heavy fire when they tried to seize the town today. A house of worship is really a house of prostitution. You heard right. That is what police are saying about the Phoenix goddess temple which they've just busted arresting 20 men and women. Investigators say they seized photos showing church members doing sexual acts in exchange for "donations." Phoenix police say the church made tens of thousands of dollars in a month.

Now back to Don in Tampa. Don?

LEMON: All right. Susan, thank you very much. Susan, we're going to leave our audience. You just talked about what's happening at Ground Zero, that security sweep. Of course, they are taking no precautions here because Ground Zero some very big festivities are happening or should I say remembrances are happening, services, and they want to make sure that every one is safe when it comes to Ground Zero and really beyond around the country, Washington, D.C. as well. So we're going to end on that.

I'll see you back here at 10:00 p.m. Eastern "CNN PRESENTS" is next.

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