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Satellite Plunges to Earth; Eyeing A Partial Government Shutdown; GOP Hopefuls Court Florida and Michigan Conservatives; Palestinian Push for Statehood; American Hikers Get Engaged; Finding Adventure On Vacation; Jaycee Dugard Sues U.S.; Children Exposed to Lead Paint; Dating in Today's Economy; Bartering Growing in Popularity

Aired September 24, 2011 - 12:01   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: And you wouldn't have to walk out doing this with your hands over your head, because that defunct satellite has made its way down to Earth. We've been talking about it all week long, and it crashed in hopefully tiny pieces. NASA says it fell somewhere over the vast Pacific around midnight. But the space agency hasn't pinpointed the exact location.

There have been lots of reports of possible sightings from Texas to Hawaii, and Reynolds Wolf has been following the developments of this, and hopefully it means that no one has been hurt.

REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: As of right now, I think we can breathe easy.

WHITFIELD: Good.

WOLF: I think we're going to be OK.

WHITFIELD: Because I think NASA and others would let us know.

WOLF: I think - I think so.

WHITFIELD: By now.

WOLF: And there was a tweet earlier this morning, an official tweet that came in from NASA, saying that it actually had made its way through the Earth's atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean -

WHITFIELD: Yes.

WOLF: -- early this morning.

The Pacific Ocean is the largest single geographical feature on the - on the entire planet. You can take all the continents together, slam them together, and still have plenty of room in the Pacific Ocean for anything, even space junk.

Twenty-six separate pieces, they believe, were - made its way through the atmosphere. Some of these, Fredricka, could be over 100 pounds, some of them much lighter. And the idea is that hopefully as these were coming through the atmosphere, some of them began to break up, and hopefully, if they hit water, hit whatever, they would disintegrate rather quickly. But there is a very good possibility, let's say a very strong possibility, that we will never really know where every single piece of this satellite went.

But take a look at some of the video that we have. This was actually taken in Hawaii, where you see a little bit of a contrail in the sky. Could that be a contrail from a jet, from some kind of a plane? I don't know. Could it be from the satellite? Well, that's a possibility, but you have to remember, as we wrap things up, you have on average about 20,000 things that come from out of orbit into the atmosphere. Twenty thousand each year.

WHITFIELD: Oh, my goodness.

WOLF: So it means things are pretty busy out there, so -

WHITFIELD: I don't think most of us realize that.

WOLF: Yes, fairly (ph) - some of these things, like say this iReport sent by Kris Rakowski, could that be part of it? It could, but it also could be something else, too.

WHITFIELD: OK. Well, nonetheless, it was all very fascinating, and it was -

WOLF: Oh, yes.

WHITFIELD: -- an interesting build up, and I think we all learned something, a few things from it all.

WOLF: We're better people for it.

WHITFIELD: We are.

WOLF: Yes.

WHITFIELD: And I'm glad that we, so far, can report that nothing severe has happened, as we know.

WOLF: We're doing OK. Everything's all right.

WHITFIELD: Excellent.

All right. Thanks, Reynolds.

WOLF: You bet.

WHITFIELD: Thanks so much. We'll see you again.

All right, meantime let's go to Washington, where all eyes are on the U.S. Congress. Lawmakers have only one week left to pass a new spending deal, otherwise some government agencies could shut down. No one is working on it this weekend, however, but there is word that we might see a vote in the Senate come Monday.

Our congressional correspondent Kate Bolduan looks at what is at stake.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With lawmakers heading for the exits and after a long week of heated debate --

REP. MIKE SIMPSON (R), IDAHO: That's the danger to this country is the $14 trillion deficit and the $1.6 trillion we add to it every damn year.

REP. ED MARKEY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: Wake up. Wake up. You can't kill these programs. This is the solution you are killing.

BOLDUAN: -- Congress leaves Washington with no agreement on how to avoid another government shutdown.

Why the holdup as the September 30th deadline looms? Neither side is backing down. Top Republicans and Democrats continue pointing fingers at each other.

REP. ERIC CANTOR (R-VA), MAJORITY LEADER: Harry Reid is holding a bill up with full funding of what is needed right now for no reason, no reason but for politics. Again, this is why the people just don't have the respect for this institution and this town anymore.

SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV), MAJORITY LEADER: I can't understand their logic. Do they want the government to shut down? Do they want FEMA to close and FEMA will close.

BOLDUAN: The House late Thursday night narrowly passed a short- term spending bill that would keep the government funded through mid- November. The measure also includes what both sides say they care about most, urgently needed money for Federal disaster relief in the wake of the recent floods, storms and wildfires.

REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R-OH), HOUSE SPEAKER: It is a reasonable, responsible approach.

BOLDUAN: But that plan was quickly rejected by the Senate. The Democratic majority strongly opposed to House GOP demands the disaster aid be paid for or offset by cutting money for clean energy programs including one linked the now bankrupt solar company Solyndra. Yet Democrats contend these programs are creating jobs.

REID: Is it really fair that to fund disaster relief, we take American jobs?

BOLDUAN: Senator Reid has countered with what Senate Democrats call a compromise, saying they'll go along with the House measure providing $3.6 billion in Federal disaster relief, less than Senate Democrats wanted, but they will not go along with the offsets in the House measure.

The stalemate now forcing at least the Senate to put off part of its scheduled recess next week. We'll see about the House. Kate Bolduan, CNN, Capitol Hill.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right, let's talk about the race for the White House now. If you're a Republican running for president, you want to be in either Michigan or Florida this weekend. That's where two major straw polls are being held.

CNN political reporter Peter Hamby is joining us now from Orlando, Florida. So, Peter, why is the contest there - Florida, Florida, Florida - considered so important?

PETER HAMBY, CNN POLITICAL REPORTER: I mean, Florida will be the state in the general election, no doubt, next year - one of them, at least, you know, one of these major swing states in the general.

But the State Republican Primary will be pivotal. The candidates believe that, people here in Florida believe that it was for John McCain in 2008 when he defeated Mitt Romney here and really catapulted himself to the nomination.

So Presidency Five is the name of the confab here. It's a three- day event, started with a debate on Thursday night. There was a conservative conference yesterday, where all the candidates spoke. And then, today, like you said, there will be a straw poll where 3,500 or so Republican activists will cast votes in a straw poll and pick their choice for president.

Rick Perry is the only major candidate who's really competing in the straw poll, kind of courting the delegates, so he's expected to win. If he doesn't win, that would be a big surprise, Fred.

WHITFIELD: OK, and then let's talk about another straw poll, this one being held in Michigan. What's at stake there?

HAMBY: Yes, Mackinac Island is this - is this beautiful resort area in the northern peninsula of Michigan. They always have this big Republican conference out there.

It's a lot of Republican activists and insiders up there. You know, but influential people, not - not your regular voters, but your donors, your influential party activist types.

Mitt Romney and Rick Perry, the two frontrunners for the Republican nomination, are both speaking there. Perry spoke here in Florida this morning and flew up there. So they will also have a straw poll, so two - two important tests of support.

Very informal, not decisive, but it will give you a good sense of whether or not that debate the other night really had an impact on the thinking of - of these Republican activists.

WHITFIELD: So, at that conference in Michigan, what's the message that needs to be hit home? HAMBY: Well, I think the - the debate again on Thursday really kind of reframed the contest, the presidential contest, at this point because, as you saw, Rick Perry really took some elbows on issues like immigration, social security, federal education policy. He was kind of on his heels.

Mitt Romney was thought to have a very good debate, so he's kind of trending upward. So you're going to see Perry kind of aggressively go after Romney a little bit more. He spoke here in Florida today, and I was there, and he really criticized Romney for being inauthentic and slick. So expect to hear more of that, Fred, in Michigan tonight.

WHITFIELD: All right, lots more fighting words, I'm sure.

Peter Hamby, thanks so much, in Orlando.

All right, let's move across seas now to the Middle East. The Palestinian Authority's foreign minister said that he's hoping for quick action on the Palestinian push for full United Nations membership at the United Nations.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas put forth the request yesterday in a speech. The Authority's foreign minister tells "The Voice of Palestine" the U.N. Security Council will discuss the request come Monday and he's hoping a vote will come soon.

And this empty blue chair, right there, resembling one that you see at the U.N., has turned into an emotional symbol of the Palestinian bid. It has been on tour at the U.N. this week.

Both Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Palestinian statehood issue during their time at the podium.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAHMOUD ABBAS, PRESIDENT, PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY (through translator): This is a moment of truth. Our people are waiting to hear the answer of the world. Will it allow Israel to continue the last occupation in the world?

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: The Palestinians should first make peace with Israel and then get their state.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: CNN senior State Department producer Elise Labott is with us now from New York.

So, a big question now, Elise, you know, how has a crisis been averted, or has it?

ELISE LABOTT, CNN SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT PRODUCER: Well, it's been averted temporarily, Fred. You know, UNGA, U.N. General Assembly Week, where all the world leaders are here in New York, is considered a big week, and the U.S. was desperate to avoid a U.S. veto this week, but also, in the - in the long-term because it really doesn't think that that's the best way to go to negotiations and they're afraid that this will raise Palestinian expectations and if they're not met that there could be violence in the region.

So, what he did was President Abbas left this kind of sword hanging over the neck of the international community, didn't force a vote. But now the U.N. Security Council is meeting Monday and Palestinian officials do tell me that they expect a quick vote at the U.N. Security Council, maybe not two weeks, but - but in the near future.

And they think that they have enough votes - you need a nine vote majority in the council to put it to a vote, and we know the U.S. is going to veto. But they say, U.S. vote be dammed, we want the council to make an action and then we'll decide on our next steps.

WHITFIELD: All right. We will see what happens come Monday.

Thanks so much, Elise Labott, in New York.

Shane and Sarah - you've come to know the names, two of the American hikers once held by Iran. Well, they're planning for a future together. We'll take you live to Oman.

Also, my interview with Levi Johnston about his book, "Deer in the Headlights." Levi will give us insight into life inside the Palin home.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: In Yemen's capital, more violence after the country's president returned home, and there are reports of more than three dozen deaths during protests today. Government guards have also clashed with soldiers who support the opposition.

Yemen's president returned after three months in Saudi Arabia. He was treated for injuries he received in an assassination attempt back in June.

The two American hikers released just days ago by Iran are still in Oman, celebrating their freedom, and one of them has taken a rather big step.

CNN's Mohammed Jamjoom is in Muscat, Oman. This is quite a love story, isn't it, Mohammed?

MOHAMMED JAMJOOM, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, Fredricka. And, you know, the initial engagement between Sarah Shourd and Shane Bauer happened when they were still in prison, in Evin prison. But, last night, we got word and we got an exclusive image that - that the - that a new engagement had happened, and official engagement had happened here at the Al-Bustan Palace Hotel.

There's a picture showing Shane Bauer putting a ring on Sarah Shourd's finger, and actual ring. This is unlike the makeshift ring that he made her out of threads from a shirt when they were still in prison, then he proposed to her. And can you see it in the smile on her face. That really says it all.

Now, Sarah Shourd told CNN last year in an interview that they had gotten engaged while in prison to basically sustain themselves while they were in prison, to hope for their future together. Well, now that couple is reunited.

We saw the other night, when they arrived on Wednesday, one of the most anticipated reunions. All eyes were on Shane Bauer and Sarah Shourd, that they were embracing and kissing on the tarmac after Shane Bauer got off that plane. They even gave each other flowers.

So, a - a very romantic reunion and an engagement that has taken place now in a much more romantic setting than the initial engagement that they had when they were in prison together.

WHITFIELD: Oh, that's beautiful. Of course, everyone wishes them well.

So then, as it pertains to, you know, Shane and Josh, the two most recent hikers released, when might they, along with everybody else, be coming back to the U.S.?

JAMJOOM: Well, Fredricka, we're still not sure. Shane and Josh and Sarah and the family have all been pretty quiet while they've been here in Muscat. We were told that the first day they were here that Shane and Josh were getting medical tests done, they were having quiet time with their families. And then, we heard after this engagement ceremony, what had happened. This was last night.

The Omani officials here told us that they expected that Shane and Josh would be here 24 to 48 hours, so we anticipate that they'll leave fairly soon and head back to the U.S.

But we've heard from officials here that - that basically Shane and Josh and Sarah have really enjoyed being reunited. And we should add that Josh Fattal, the third American hiker who was released and who was on that plane with Shane the other night, that he is planning to be the best man at the wedding when Shane and Sarah finally do get married - Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Mohammed Jamjoom, thanks so much. It's nice to see all the smiles and all these still pictures that we're all able to enjoy right now. Thank you.

All right, meantime, this was quite the horrible nightmare. She was kidnapped and held captive for 18 years by a convicted rapist. Now Jaycee Dugard wants the government, the federal government, to pay for her lost childhood.

Our legal guys take on this latest lawsuit.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: OK, so vacation. It's a time for rest, relaxation and, increasingly, exhilaration. Adventure tourism is on the rise as many vacationers dive, zip and climb to new heights. Alison Kosik has tips to help you make the most of that experience when you're "On the Go."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm coming in hot, baby.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If you are thinking about adding adventure to your next trip, you're not alone. Many people are taking their vacation to the edge. But you need to be prepared if something goes wrong.

STEPHANIE OSWALD, TRAVELGIRL MAGAZINE: People don't realize that their normal medical health insurance doesn't always cover what you're doing on an adventure.

KOSIK: Supplemental insurance can be purchased online up to an hour before you leave.

If you want to bring your own gear, it can cost you. Airlines charge for equipment that's more than 50 pounds or longer than 62 inches, like a surfboard or skis.

OSWALD: When it comes to big gear, I generally recommend that people rent on location.

KOSIK: When you get to your destination, you may need time to get acclimated, especially in the mountains.

OSWALD: You want to make sure that you've got enough time for your body to get used to the new oxygen levels.

KOSIK: If you are diving, take a break before the flight home.

OSWALD: The general rule is 12 to 24 hours after your last dive. That's when you're going to be safe to fly.

KOSIK: Consider the extra time a chance to relax "On the Go."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, remember the name Jaycee Dugard? Well, she is suing, and she's not suing the people who kidnapped her and held her captive for 18 years. They're actually behind bars. Well, she's actually going after the United States government.

Let's bring in our legal guys. Avery Friedman, a civil rights attorney and law professor in Cleveland. Hello.

AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: Hello.

WHITFIELD: And Richard Herman, a criminal defense attorney and law professor, joining us from Plantation, Florida.

OK, gentlemen. Good to see you.

RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Hi, Fred.

WHITFIELD: New location for you there, Richard, today.

FRIEDMAN: Nice to see you. I call - I call your name. I call your name. All right.

WHITFIELD: I knew you going to do that.

(CROSSTALK)

HERMAN: -- Avery. Come on, Fred.

FRIEDMAN: There's no escape.

WHITFIELD: I'm not doing it.

FRIEDMAN: No escape.

WHITFIELD: You do not want to hear me sing. Not again.

FRIEDMAN: Hey, we'll - we'll be your backup. We'll be your backup. (INAUDIBLE).

WHITFIELD: Oh, and I'm sure you will, when - when the cameras are off and the mikes are off, too. How about that?

OK, let's talk about -

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: (SINGING ON STAGE).

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Again. I'm hearing the voice. OK.

FRIEDMAN: No escape.

HERMAN: There we go.

WHITFIELD: I'm trying. I'm trying to escape. What was I thinking?

FRIEDMAN: All right.

WHITFIELD: OK. Now, let's talk about Jaycee Dugard. Now, she already won a settlement of $20 million from the state of California for the oversight, for the neglect, she says, for not coming to her rescue when all the signs were there. Now she's going after the federal government. In what capacity, Avery?

FRIEDMAN: Under the Federal Tort Claims Act - when I saw this initially, Fredricka, I was very skeptical about where it's going, but when you see what happened, that there was only a 35-minute interview back 12 years ago and parole essentially ignoring - the therapist and the other probation officers recommended he be let out, the parole commission bought it.

Fifty-year sentence, they let him out after 10 years, and look what happened. That's the underlying argument here.

WHITFIELD: So what are the chances of this argument, Richard?

HERMAN: Well, this argument is going to be great, Fred because, in addition to what Avery just said, apparently the feds forgot to communicate with the state concerning everything they knew about Garrido. Now, as we know, she already settled with the state for $20 million, so now she's going after the feds and she has said, whatever I win against the United States, I'm going to donate this to charity to try to help so this situation never occurs again in the future.

So that's her goal. It's pretty stellar, and it's going to be very difficult if she gets up in front of a jury. I don't believe this case is going to go to trial. I absolutely believe there's going to be a resolution here.

WHITFIELD: So what kind of money are we talking about? What kind of potential settlement from the federal government might there be?

HERMAN: Multiple millions of dollars. Multiple million of dollars, Fred.

WHITFIELD: Really?

HERMAN: This is horrific enslavement, child abuse, rape --

WHITFIELD: Is this kind of an unprecedented attempt at, you know, finding responsibility or claiming some responsibility in the government arm of - of trying to enforce and protect others from becoming victims like this?

FRIEDMAN: That - there, you nailed the issue. That's exactly what's going on here.

But this is Federal Tort Claims Act. They're procedural issues. The judge may not even let it get to that resolution.

But, I do agree. I think this matter is going to get resolved, and we'll never see a verdict. There'll be a - a resolution (INAUDIBLE).

WHITFIELD: Oh, interesting. OK. And, like you said, Richard, yes, she says if she is to be awarded some finances from the federal government, it would go to her foundation which she has set up to help other young children who've endured or are enduring the same things that she encountered over that 18-year period.

All right, let's move on now to - this is a very interesting case, this lead paint. Some argue it's kind of reminiscent of the Tuskegee experiment of the 1940s, but children in this case being used as guinea pigs in a lead paint study conducted by the Kennedy Krieger Institute. People are claiming that they were enticed, Richard, into living in lead paint housing.

HERMAN: Well, they went for treatment because they were not feeling well and they were showing symptoms of lead paint in their system. So they went to this facility to be treated and apparently what the facility says is during in the early '90s, when we took all these children in and we established them in low income housing under the guise of our experiments, many of them showed lower levels or stay the same, so we were helping them.

But, as we see now, some 10 years - 10 years plus, these children are now of age. They have to file lawsuits because the statute of limitations are going to run and they are, because they were -

FRIEDMAN: Right.

HERMAN: -- not - there was no disclosure. They were not told what their blood levels were. They were not told that they were constantly being exposed to lead in their blood. And, look -

FRIEDMAN: Well, it was - it's -

HERMAN: -- they have.

FRIEDMAN: Yes.

HERMAN: Go ahead, Avery. Yes.

FRIEDMAN: It's a little bit more complicated, I think. I think it's a little bit more complicated, that because the Kennedy Krieger Institute was engaged to funnel money to landlords to abate iron and lead and part of the responsibility was once the landlords represented they were lead-free, they made referrals.

So it's - it is by no means a slam-dunk. A very important case, a - an appeals court, Fredricka, you're exactly right -

WHITFIELD: Yes?

FRIEDMAN: -- compared it to the infamous Tuskegee syphilis testing -

WHITFIELD: Yes.

FRIEDMAN: -- which was just a horrendous chapter in America.

WHITFIELD: But of course -

FRIEDMAN: And -

(CROSSTALK)

WHITFIELD: And the Krieger Institute is saying, though - the Krieger Institute saying that that analogy is misplaced.

Meantime what's John Hopkins -

FRIEDMAN: That's right. That's exactly right.

WHITFIELD: What's the link between this Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins? And, once you explained that link, why would Johns Hopkins not be part of this lawsuit? Avery?

FRIEDMAN: Well, KKI was a function. The treatment part of it was through Johns Hopkins.

The reason they're not a defendant, they should not be. And, secondly, KKI primarily funded getting rid of lead and - and the treatment was merely a secondary thing. The referral was what happened.

If there's liability, remains to be seen. This is not an open and shut case by any means.

HERMAN: Fred, Johns Hopkins -

WHITFIELD: Yes? Rich?

HERMAN: Fred, Johns Hopkins approved this. Every step of the way, they approved it. But Kennedy Krieger performed - their scientists were monitoring, and they knew what was going on to these children, and they failed to disclose it to the children.

That's the big issue here, and that's going to give them the liability. Their utter failure to advise these children and their families what they were being exposed to, to give them an opportunity to get away from it - that's where the liability is going to come from.

FRIEDMAN: Nothing to do with Johns Hopkins.

HERMAN: I think there's going to be a liability.

FRIEDMAN: Nothing to do with Johns Hopkins.

WHITFIELD: Interesting. All right -

FRIEDMAN: Nothing to do with Johns Hopkins.

WHITFIELD: Well, we'll see what the outcome ends up being.

FRIEDMAN: We'll see. We'll see.

WHITFIELD: I know we're going to follow up on that.

Thanks so much. OK, we're going to see you again. We will not be singing, I promise. It's not going to happen.

HERMAN: Come on, Fred, sing us out.

FRIEDMAN: Speak for yourself.

HERMAN: Sing us out now, Fred. Come on.

WHITFIELD: No way.

FRIEDMAN: Speak for yourself.

WHITFIELD: No way. But we've got other legal cases -

HERMAN: Roll the tape. Roll the video.

(CROSSTALK)

WHITFIELD: And I wouldn't be singing.

No, we're going to talk a little bit later about SeaWorld and, again, this time it is in court. We're going to talk about what's taking place, and this linking back to the death of one of its whale trainers. You remember that.

We'll get into that case right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Has the sluggish economy affected the rules of dating? Christine Romans and Ali Velshi ask matchmaker Patty Stranger, who is the star of the reality TV show, "The Millionaire Matchmaker." That's this week's "Smart is the New Rich."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: If you're out there in the -- out there in the world, you've got millions unemployed, struggling to pay down debt, if you're out of a job, do you let your date know that? Do you let them know that you've got $35,000 on the credit --

ALI VELSHI, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: They're going to find out at some point.

ROMANS: Do they need to know the 580 credit score?

PATTY STRANGER, "THE MILLIONAIRE MATCHMAKER": Well, the problem is going to be that the women, OK, if you're downtrodden, a man wants to rescue you. So, that is attractive sometimes to the millionaire man. He likes the women that doesn't challenge his opinion, doesn't have a better job than her -- him.

ROMANS: That's boring.

STRANGER: I know, but, that is biology. Now, if you're a man, if you said that to a woman, what would we do? We'd run. We'd run for the nearest exit.

VELSHI: Has that changed in this economy?

STRANGER: No. No. No.

VELSHI: With more people with debt? How do you discuss that? I mean, we talk about it all the time --

STRANGER: You shouldn't be dating anyway because if you can't take a girl out for dinner or cocktails or even Olive Garden then you shouldn't be dating.

VELSHI: Now, here's the -- what -- to what degree do you -- are you honest about your financial situation.

STRANGER: And you know that's the truth because she laughed.

VELSHI: I like Olive Garden. What --

STRANGER: I like Olive Garden too --

VELSHI: How much do you talk to somebody about your financial situation and your debt? I mean, we're trying for date one when you don't want to overshoot because you may not be able to do date two that way.

STRANGER: Have you ever dated -- when you were dating successful guys they would whine and complain they had no money and you would hear it all the time and they would look at the bill at the end. Never, ever do that. You want to be able to be generous and you want to be able to like, you know, say, oh, I'm into this hobby, maybe it's wine, maybe it's, I don't know, becoming a helicopter pilot --

VELSHI: Right.

STRANGER: -- which is saying, I spend a lot of money, but not leading with your money. When you lead with your money you attract a gold digger.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: OK, some startling advice. All right. Weighing in now on the Palin family, Levi Johnson, where he does not hold back in his tell all new book. Hear what he has to say about Sarah Palin's possible White House run and who he would vote for.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Closing arguments are underway in the Amanda Knox appeal trial in Italy. She's the American college student convicted of murdering her British roommate in Italy. Our legal guys are back, Avery Friedman in Cleveland, Richard Herman in Plantation, Florida.

All right, Richard, you say you see Amanda Knox making her way back to U.S. soil.

HERMAN: Well, I kind -- I kind of think so at this point Fred because, you know, and Avery, how -- how weird does this sound? There's going to be a verdict on the appeal next week. The jury -- the six jurors and two judges are going to come to a resolution next week. Apparently, Fred, 50 percent of the cases that go on appeal in Italy have some form of reversal in them.

WHITFIELD: Wow.

HERMAN: The United States has put tremendous pressure on the Italian government on this case due to the perceived lack of evidence, even though she does not have an alibi for that evening but the DNA was knocked out. That was a substantial blow to the prosecution's case and I just kind of believe the mood and I can just feel a little sense that there's going to be a substantial diminishment of her prison time or she just very well may be cut free next week.

WHITFIELD: So, Avery, why are you so skeptical, even with the -- the diminishing of the DNA evidence that helped convict her?

FRIEDMAN: I'm not skeptical but I'm thinking I'm hearing a reversal on -- on my colleague's part. I thought, and I've been consistent and yes I thought Richard said there's definitely going to be a conviction. But, you know, look, as it evolves we have changing opinions. Mine has not. I predicted an acquittal or substantial reduction of time. The prosecutors argued, you know, remember the victim.

They're not arguing remember the evidence. They're even coming up with things that aren't even in the record like she had -- had a flight going on home and they're claiming openly to the jury and the judges that media is interfering in so many -- I think these are basically desperate arguments, Fredricka. The bottom line is substantial reduction or acquittal and I think she's coming back home.

WHITFIELD: And so what -- and you do, OK, so, but, what we've seen in Italy with this appellate process, this is fairly typical or is this atypical because of this high profile case, Richard, in Italy?

HERMAN: It's --it's, Fred, it's completely foreign -- foreign to me, Italy, but it really is. I've never read anything like this. This has been my first experience with any type of appellate procedure like this but, apparently, again, when they drink their espressos with their biscotti's everyone is talking about this case in Italy and, you know, there's a lot of pressure to let her go. When that DNA got knocked out, Fred, that was a terrible blow to the prosecution's case. There's not going to be an acquittal, Avery, but there could very well be, as we said, a substantial reduction where she very well, Fred, she could be gone, next week, on -- on the plane coming home.

WHITFIELD: Wow.

HERMAN: And the poor -- the victim's family and the torture continues for the victim's family.

(CROSSTALK)

FRIEDMAN: There are arguments --

WHITFIELD: Yes, but what happens in the case thereafter if she were to be released?

FRIEDMAN: -- well, actually, the arguments are not done. They're -- we're going to hear from the victim's lawyer, Meredith Kercher. We're going to hear from Amanda's lawyers and, listen to this, Amanda may very well be presenting, personally, an argument to the jury. We never see that in America. We're going to see it in Italy, right.

WHITFIELD: OK. All right, well, quickly, let's -- OK, very, very fascinating, quickly, let's move on to case involving Sea World and here we're talking about, everybody recalls what happened in 2010, the killing of a trainer by a killer whale. Now Sea World is in court facing allegations by the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

So, OSHA is saying you owe it to your employees to insure their safety but Sea World is saying you don't understand sea mammals, you don't understand these creatures and it's really not that plain and simple.

HERMAN: Well, Fred, you know -- yes, go ahead Avery.

FRIEDMAN: Well, yes, I mean, a $75 fine, three citations. In one sentence, Fredricka, they're saying inadequately trained and their key witness is Sea World's former trainer curator so they have a good shot at affirming this. They're really not worried about the $75,000. They're worried about the wrongful death suit by the estate of Don Brancheau, who was the trainer who was killed.

WHITFIELD: Richard, how do you see this?

HERMAN: Fred, the issue is whether or not Sea World kept accurate records of the behavior and propensity of this "killer" whale. I mean, at the end of the day, no one forced this trainer to jump into a swimming pool with a "killer" whale. These are not like little puppy dogs. These are wild vicious animals and she's intentionally on her own with knowledge and intent jumping into -- into this swimming pool with them.

You know, it's -- there's a Chris Rock, it's a tragedy that she died but, you know, Chris Rock talked about with Siegfried and Roy, the lion -- the tiger did what tigers do. Well, this whale is in captivity. You can't train these animals to act every way you want them to do. They have certain propensities --

FRIEDMAN: But there are safety precautions -- you can't ignore the safety precautions. Terrible. Terrible.

WHITFIELD: And this is exactly how heated that case is going to be.

HERMAN: -- there's an assumption of the risk here, Fred, there's an assumption of the risk here --

WHITFIELD: OK.

HERMAN: -- and, you know, I -- I don't know where it's going.

FRIEDMAN: I disagree, I disagree.

WHITFIELD: All right, we're going to see how it all unfolds. Thanks so much, Richard, Avery. Always good to see you.

HERMAN: I'll call your name, Fred. I'll call your name.

FRIEDMAN: That's right, we're going to get El DeBarge on this show, that's right, no doubt about it. No doubt.

WHITFIELD: All right. Dynamite, you guys. Have a great one.

FRIEDMAN: Thank you too.

WHITFIELD: And we'll be right back with much more of the Newsroom.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, that defunct satellite we've been talking about all week has finally crashed into Earth in pieces. NASA says it fell somewhere over the Pacific around midnight but the agency doesn't have the exact location.

CNN Meteorologist, Reynolds Wolf, has been tracking this and now we've, you know, got it down to a science, pieces.

WOLF: Absolutely, well, look at that video, Fred. Tell me the truth. Does that now look like it could be a kid with a flashlight up in a tree? T.J. and I were joking about that (INAUDIBLE).

WHITFIELD. I guess it could.

WOLF: It could be.

WHITFIELD: But, because we knew all this was coming, I'm going to think, yes, maybe that's the space junk.

WOLF: You know, the thing is, there's just so many things up in orbit that are coming back to Earth, you know. We were talking about it earlier in the show, about 20,000 on average per year make their way to the -- to Earth. With this situation they thought there were going to be about 26 pieces that actually would survive going into the atmosphere and coming to Earth, surviving parts made of titanium, mostly stainless steel, which they believed could make it all the way through.

Heaviest piece -- this is where it gets a little bit frightening, 350 pounds is what they were guessing. We are hoping that landed somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. Over nine of the pieces a little bit less. But, still, if you're hit by a projectile that weighs 55 to 130 pounds that could do some damage, 16 pieces less than 12 pounds and I'm telling you, as these things are falling from the atmosphere --

WHITFIELD: Twelve pounds may feel like 100 pounds at velocity.

WOLF: -- absolutely, absolutely. But -- but, so far, there haven't been any reports of anything specific from these satellites. You've seen these pictures like this sent in by an iReporter out of -- let's see, Maple Grove, Minnesota --

WHITFIELD: Minnesota.

WOLF: -- from Kris Rakowski. Great shot. Yes, but do we know -- is that definitely part of that satellite, we'll never know.

WHITFIELD: I know. We all want to believe it and so does Kris.

WOLF: Great shot. Wonderful shot. Certainly, something weird to see.

WHITFIELD: Yes. That's fascinating.

WOLF: But, yes, we're very fortunate, very, very happy to report, I think we're in the clear.

WHITFIELD: So far, so good. All right. That's excellent. All right, I know you've been, you know, very busy looking at this satellite that's been breaking down but here's something to think about. I know you're a big Auburn fan.

WOLF: Yes.

WHITFIELD: Huge.

WOLF: Yes. Tremendous.

WHITFIELD: Are you into bartering? Because that's all the rage right now.

WOLF: It depends. It depends. For the right thing, maybe so. But, I don't know if I could part with any Auburn stuff. I just don't know.

WHITFIELD: Would you -- would you trade a little Auburn stuff so, maybe, you know, with maybe my El DeBarge album that you heard us singing a little bit earlier?

WOLF: See, now you're upping the antes. That's very possible.

WHITFIELD: Oh, I would not give that up, no. OK.

WOLF: OK.

WHITFIELD: Equals. My Howard University sweatshirt for your Auburn sweatshirt.

WOLF: I'd switch now.

WHITFIELD: OK, how's that.

WOLF: I would. I'd trade it.

WHITFIELD: OK, good.

WOLF: I would do it. WHITFIELD: All right, so this is a part of a business that people are into lately. They're bartering big stuff. We're going to tell you more about that right after this.

WOLF: There you go.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: As an increasing number of Americans try to do more with less an old-fashioned practice is making a comeback. Bartering is now all the rage.

Poppy Harlow with CNNMoney tells us how all this trading is taking place.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM (voice-over): It's as old as time. Before Benjamins and plastic there was bartering.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Swap. Swap. Swap. Yes, everything I'm wearing is swap.

HARLOW: And it's back in fashion. Craigslist is seeing eye- popping growth in bartering citing the lousy economy as the catalyst.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh I love it, it's like a (INAUDIBLE) velvet.

HARLOW: Swap.com says it's seen more than 4 million barter exchanges since last year and BarterQuest says its seen 150 percent increase in users in that time.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We believe that it is a multi-billion dollar market. We think it's the third leg of the economy after buying, selling, and auction. You're going to find people looking more and more to trade.

HARLOW: The latest numbers from the International Reciprocal Trade Association value the barter market in North America alone at $12 billion.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a new way for some people to think about how to get the things they want today.

HARLOW: And people are bartering for almost anything.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We had a trade for a 300 years old bible, for example.

HARLOW: And then there was this engagement ring recently offered up on Craigslist in exchange for cars, trucks, jet skis. You get the idea. It's now even en vogue in high fashion and on display during New York City Fashion Week.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I found this sequined blazer, very chic, which came from one of our swap hooks in Atlanta so a good barter, a good barter.

HARLOW: Is this all because of the state of the economy?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, not at all. I mean, it's a confluence of factors. It's because of the recession, you know, we've all become so digital that we need -- because we want to meet in real life.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) let's do a spread right in here.

HARLOW: For some business owners, though, it's old hat. How many T-shirts a day do you pump out of here?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It could be thousands, it could be hundreds.

HARLOW: Harvey Pulvin (ph) has been bartering his custom T- shirts for 25 years. What do you get out of this?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I get some of these Broadway -- all the Broadway shows. I love Broadway, travel, professional services, personal stuff, work around the office if it needs, all that has -- barter has made that easy.

HARLOW: But, he warns, it's important to use a reputable bartering service to prevent getting ripped off by someone who doesn't fulfill their end of the deal.

In New York, Poppy Harlow, CNNMoney.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Poppy getting into the action there. Well, he's not bartering, as far as we know but actor Gary Sinise is one busy man. I got the chance to talk to him about his work with American troops and their families. Hear what he has to say straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: If you're a fan of actor Gary Sinise you probably saw him last night on the season premiere of CSI New York. Well, he's also busy touring with his band to a variety of USO and Wounded Warrior events.

I recently had a conversation with Gary Sinise. He's so dedicated to American troops and their families that he is also the National Spokesperson for the new American Veteran's Disabled For Life Memorial.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GARY SINISE, ACTOR: This is to honor all the disabled veterans who have sacrificed over the years in service to our country and given up pieces of themselves and had to -- to live with those scars of war for the rest of their lives and to honor them and their caregivers.

You know, if you have somebody who is paralyzed for life, you know, that -- there is a lot of responsibility placed on the caregiver of that person to -- to help them through life for the rest of their lives because of what they sacrificed in defense of our country.

So, now, there will be a permanent national monument to honor the sacrifices of our disabled veterans. Very, very important for them in their healing and -- and ongoing care. There's, like I said, there's many, many different ways that you can serve and -- and help and to remember the sacrifices of these -- these great defenders of ours.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And, there's more of our conversation. You can hear more of that interview with Gary Sinise at 2:00 Eastern, right here in the NEWSROOM.

Also coming up in the 2:00 Eastern hour, if you've lost your job, could you afford to keep your home. Tips from an expert who has some ideas that can help you keep your home.

I'm Fredricka Whitfield. "YOUR MONEY" starts right now.