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President Obama to Address Gay Activists; Americans Warned of Possible Retaliation

Aired October 01, 2011 - 19:00   ET

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

SUSAN HENDRICKS, CNN ANCHOR: Joe Johns, thank you.

I'm Susan Hendricks, in for Don Lemon at the CNN NEWSROOM in Atlanta.

A lot going on right now. I want to get you caught up.

In just 20 minutes from now, President Obama will have all eyes and the ears of some 3,000 gay and lesbian activists in Washington. The president is the keynote speaker tonight at the Human Rights Campaign dinner. The president is coming off a major gay rights victory, the repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

But then, it may not be enough for many advocates in the crowd.

I want to bring in our Athena Jones standing by live in Washington.

Athena, the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" is certainly huge, a long time coming. A lot of people happy about that. But what else tonight do you think the crowd wants to see and hear from President Obama?

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you're certainly right about the idea that "don't ask, don't tell' is a big victory and we expect the president to touch on that tonight when he addresses this huge crowd, as you said, nearly 3,000 people, at the convention center. This is the 15th annual dinner, national dinner of the human rights campaign. It's largely a group of supporters in many ways.

I spoke with the leadership on Friday and they've already endorsed the president for reelection. They said that this president has accomplished more for the LGBT community in the last two years than has been accomplished in the last 40 years.

But, of course, the big issue that a lot of people in the gay community want to hear the president speak about and come out firmly in favor of is gay marriage. We don't expect any big headlines on that tonight, though, Susan. The president has said that his opinion, his feelings on gay marriage have been evolving.

But you have other groups, like the Log Cabin Republicans and group Freedom to Marry, who haven't been quite as widely supportive of the president as the Human Rights Campaign. They want to see him come out and be much more firm, much more public in his support for gay marriage. But again, we don't expect that tonight.

HENDRICKS: Three thousand-plus expected to be there. We shall see. As soon as the president starts to talk, we'll take you back to the event. Athena Jones, thank you.

JONES: Thanks.

HENDRICKS: The U.S. government believes the killing of a high- level al Qaeda leader in Yemen could provoke revenge attacks against Americans. A CIA drone attack is credited for killing American-born cleric, Anwar al-Awlaki, and several others. The FBI and the State Department are warning the killing could incite anti-American attacks inside the U.S., also around the world.

Also killed in Friday's drone attack was another American who joined al Qaeda. Samir Khan was considered vital to al Qaeda's propaganda efforts and produced an online English language magazine called "Inspire."

Some more information for you now on just who Anwar al-Awlaki was. In recent months, the American-born Muslim cleric had been called "the new bin Laden" and "the bin Laden of the Internet" even. The U.S. says he was a master at online recruiting, finding and motivating new radicals to kill Americans around the world, inciting that, inciting anger. He was linked to a number of terrorist attacks.

U.S. officials say he was a spiritual advisor to three of the 9/11 hijackers. And he had also communicated recently and frequently to the American accused of the deadly shooting spree at Fort Hood. He is also linked to the so-called underwear bomber in the 2009, and the attempted car bombing of Times Square last year as well. We're still getting information on exactly what he was connected to.

Even though Anwar al-Awlaki was a U.S. citizen, the U.S. considered him a threat to homeland security.

Civil liberty groups say his killing violated U.S. and international laws.

Our chief White House correspondent Jessica Yellin takes a look at the legalities.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's President Obama's latest successful strike on a wanted al Qaeda terrorist.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The death of Awlaki is a major below to the most active operational affiliate. Awlaki was the leader of external operations for al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

YELLIN: But this time, it's different. Awlaki was an American. This may be the first U.S. killing of an American target with no trial, no indictment. VINCENT WARREN, EXEC. DIR., CTR. FOR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS: The problem here is that the U.S. has done something that I don't think it's ever done before. It has killed one of its citizens somewhere else around the world without any due process at all. This is about rule of law and this is about rules to keep us all safe.

YELLIN: Warren's organization sued to take Awlaki off a terrorist kill list and lost. The White House wouldn't offer a legal justification for targeting an American.

JAY CARNEY, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: This goes to the assumptions about the circumstances of his death, and I'm not going it to address that. I'm not going to speak hypothetically.

YELLIN: An adviser to the U.S. State Department explained the government's logic for killing anyone on the terrorist capture or kill list regardless of nationality.

HAROLD KOH: A state that has engaged in armed conflict or in legitimate self-defense is not required to provide targets or legal process before the state may use lethal force.

YELLIN: There's no question this administration viewed Awlaki as a threat for some time.

MICHAEL LEITER, DIR., NATL. COUNTERTERRORISM CENTER: Actually consider al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula with Awlaki as a leader of that organization probably the most significant risk to the U.S. homeland.

YELLIN: Politically, the White House has support from both parties. Republican Congressman Peter King says, quote, "It was entirely legal."

And from a top Democrat --

REP. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER (D), RANKING MEMBER, INTELLIGENCE CMTE.: It's legal. It's legitimate and we're taking out someone who has attempted to attack us on numerous occasions.

YELLIN (voice-over): So why won't the White House explain their legal justification for the killing? Well, that would be a tacit admission that the U.S. was involved in the killing and it would seem the Obama administration wants to distance itself from an action that the Yemeni people could perceive as foreign intervention in their country.

Jessica Yellin, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HENDRICKS: Now, drone attacks have been a game changer in the war on terror.

CNN senior international correspondent Nic Robertson filed a story two years ago about how a drone or UAV can deliver a kill shot even though the person pulling the trigger is thousands of miles away.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): Watch these two men in Iraq. They have no idea they're being hunted by a deadly UAV. It is following their every move, even recording them fire their weapons.

They have no idea their insurgent activities have been spotted and no idea the UAV operator thousands of miles away is about to fire a missile at them. It's what makes UAVs or drones a must-have for the US military.

DAVID DEPTULA, GENERAL, US AIR FORCE: The real advantage of unmanned aerial systems is they allow you to project power without projecting vulnerability.

ROBERTSON (voice-over): This is Creech Air Force Base, where drone pilots remotely fly missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. These pilots saw a surge in mission requests from front line commanders after weapons were first installed on drones.

CHRIS CHAMBLISS, COLONEL, CREECH AIR FORCE BASE: When we put Hellfire missiles on a Predator, now you've got these airplanes that are capable not only of providing the pictures, the full-motion video that you need, but now they're also capable of taking out targets where there may not be any other assets available.

ROBERTSON (voice-over): An estimated 40 or more countries, including China, Russia, and Pakistan, are also developing drones. Even Hezbollah, the Lebanese-based political party and paramilitary group, has used them against Israel.

No one feels the urgency of staying ahead of the competition more than the personnel at Creech Air Force Base.

CHAMBLISS: Right now, we're hanging onto everybody in this system. We've mobilized the Air National Guard, mobilized reservists. If you are assigned to Creech, right now, we don't allow you to move out.

ROBERTSON (voice-over): Already, commanders are considering ways to cut out pilots altogether.

DEPTULA: We're looking at a future where we can program unmanned aerial vehicles to operate autonomously and within groups among themselves.

ROBERTSON (on camera): With weapons?

DEPTULA: With weapons or without weapons.

ROBERTSON (voice-over): Unimaginable a few years ago, new weapons appear destined to work with less and less human input.

PETER SINGER, AUTHOR, "WIRED FOR WAR": There's nothing that is a technologic barrier to using armed autonomous systems. And there's -- we think about it as a never-ever-ever thing, and yet, it's not the technology that's holding us back. It's trying to figure out the applications of it.

ROBERTSON (on camera): Unmanned technology is here to stay. Wars will never be the same again. If ever there's a moment to borrow a line from a science fiction movie, now is it. Mankind is "boldly and irreversibly going where man has never been before," towards an uncharted era of warfare.

Nic Robertson, CNN, Creech Air Force Base, Nevada.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HENDRICKS: As we told you at the top of the show, we are waiting for President Obama to speak at the Human Rights Campaign national dinner. President Obama is the keynote speaker. We'll bring it to you live when it happens.

Also, Amanda Knox is just days away from learning her fate. Her parents have been waiting years for her freedom. Could it happen? She's appealing her murder conviction in Italy.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HENDRICKS: Welcome back.

Checking some of the top stories now:

Police in New York have arrested at least 50 Wall Street protesters today as they have blocked traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge. Hundreds of protesters chanted, "Whose bridge? Our bridge," as they walk on both the pedestrian and vehicle levels. Those arrested were charged with disorderly conduct and blocking traffic. The so-called "occupy Wall Street" demonstrations are entering their third week now protesting social inequities resulting from the financial system.

Amanda Knox could learn her fate as soon as Monday in a murder case that has drawn international attention. The 24-year-old American is appealing her murder conviction in Italy. She was found guilty two years ago of killing her roommate brutally, Meredith Kercher, and sentenced to 26 years in prison. Her lawyers say she's innocent. Prosecutors say Amanda Knox and her former boyfriend are killers and their conviction should stand. Her mom says she has hoped but is not celebrating just yet.

We have new images for you of Casey Anthony from the moment she learned that remains had been found in the search for her 2-year-old daughter Caylee, in that specific vicinity. This is security video from a county jail medical facility in 2008. You see Casey on the right.

It shows Anthony hunched over and rocking back and forth after seeing the news on TV. About a week later the remains were identified as her daughter Caylee. Anthony's attorneys have this video sealed for trial claiming that it was inflammatory. But a judge overturned that ruling on Friday, clearing the way for you to see it now.

As we wait for President Obama to address 3,000 gay and lesbian activists at the Human Rights Campaign national dinner, I'll sit down with one of those activists to find out what he wants to hear from the president. That is coming up next.

Don't go anywhere.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HENDRICKS: Welcome back.

You're looking at a live picture right now, right on side of your screen, I believe, from Washington where President Obama will walk out any moment now and speak to some 3,000 gay-rights activists. He's the keynote speaker at tonight's Human Rights Campaign dinner.

The president last spoke at this event back in 2009. Since then, he scored a major victory for gay rights with the repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. This is huge.

I want to welcome John Aravosis, gay rights activist and editor for "AMERICAblog," a political Web site that often focuses on gay issues.

John, great to have you with us. Thanks for joining us.

JOHN ARAVOSIS, EDITOR, AMERICABLOG: Thank you.

HENDRICKS: First, I want to ask you. What are you hoping to hear from President Obama tonight? Anything different from President Obama?

ARAVOSIS: Yes. I think the number one thing folks are hoping to hear is that the president comes out in favor of same-sex marriage which isn't such a strange thing to ask because he was in favor of it in 1996. He just sort of changed his mind afterwards.

HENDRICKS: How did you feel when you heard that the "don't ask, don't tell" policy was repealed? It was designed, it was first brought up on December 21st, 1993, designed to prevent discrimination. But what I believe -- and I want your opinion on this, is that it almost did the opposite and where people were afraid and they were hiding who they really were.

How do you feel about it?

ARAVOSIS: Yes. I mean, I was there in 1993, basically volunteering at Senator Kennedy's office when they passed "don't ask, don't tell." You know, they might have tried to tell people they were doing this, you know, out of the goodness of their hearts, to help those gay soldiers.

What this was, was an attempt to basically keep gay people out of the military. I mean, they claim, oh, you can stay as long as nobody finds out who you are, but then we started to have witch hunts where the military was, you know, interrogating soldiers because they I don't know, you know, women we were playing softball. I mean, crazy things like that.

So, the policy didn't work. We ended up telling -- some estimates are 60,000 soldiers perhaps, or I should say servicemembers, are gay and lesbian. You know, telling them that they've got to keep the secret, they can't share who their family members are, you know, a work function. You know, where do they go last night? I can't say I went to -- you know, my mother-in-laws. Where did I stay? I stayed home?

You know, I don't know. It created a lack of trust which is the -- sort of inimical to being in the military. They kept telling us, you needed this unit cohesion. You needed soldiers to be able to trust each other. They couldn't trust each other for the last 17 years, and now, they can.

HENDRICKS: John, exactly. And not to mention, you should never have to hide who you really are. But these men and women were fighting for our rights, were fighting for our country.

What I found really poignant, I wanted to ask you if you saw this, on YouTube, where a young gentleman was afraid to show his face. So, he showed himself from here down. And, finally, he called his father on YouTube and said, "Dad, will you still love me?" And he came out and his father said, "Yes, I do."

And I thought he was so brave to do that because he was an example to say, this is who I am. Accept me for who I am. I am fighting for my country.

ARAVOSIS: All right. Do you have the video or are you --

HENDRICKS: We have that video, I believe.

ARAVOSIS: OK. I didn't mean to cue it up myself.

(LAUGHTER)

ARAVOSIS: Take it away.

HENDRICKS: You're hired it, John. You're hired.

The video is poignant. So, for folks at home that want to see it, it is on YouTube, you can find it like that. But isn't it wonderful to see?

ARAVOSIS: I saw that video the night that the ban was going to -- excuse me, the repeal was going into effect at midnight. And, you know, I stayed at home and I was on my computer, and I was surfing around and saw this video. I don't know if a reader sent it to me or what.

And like you said, it was this guy showing his face, military army shirt, I believe. Said he was in Germany, you know, from Alabama, and he had, you know, cute Southern accent, saying called him my daddy.

HENDRICKS: Yes.

ARAVOSIS: And you're watching it going, oh, my God. This guy -- it was true. He was calling his father to come out to him and telling, you know, dad, I am in the military and I'm stationed in Germany and I'm gay.

HENDRICKS: Yes.

ARAVOSIS: And it was -- he posted it within a couple of hours of calling his father. It was the most amazing thing. And as you said, he had been basically chronicling his life for the last several months, coming up to colleagues and filming it and showing it on YouTube.

I think, you know, you watch a video like that. You know, you see this guy, not only is he -- you know, he's one of our heroes. I mean, one of what I guess 1.5 million active duty, I believe we got, service members. But at the same time, just nice, human being. He's a real person.

HENDRICKS: Right. Exactly.

ARAVOSIS: And you see that this is important. These aren't -- you know, we're talking about real people. We're talking about our military members.

HENDRICKS: We are. We are talking about -- they are brave. They are fighting for our country.

ARAVOSIS: Right.

HENDRICKS: John, we know you're standing by. You're going to stick with us. We're awaiting the president's keynote address at the annual national dinner.

Stick with us. Stay here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HENDRICKS: How about this out of Italy? It's a new one. The trial of seven people accused of manslaughter in connection with the 2009 earthquake. It's been delayed to the middle of the month.

Here's what happened. The defendants were members of government panel that met on March 31st, 2009, to address concerns about recent seismic activity. They are accused of giving a, quote, "rough generic and ineffective assessment of the seismic risk." Meaning, they didn't predict it.

One week later, a quake struck and killed more than 300 people. A city near the epicenter is also asking for $68 million in damages.

(VIDEO CLIP PLAYS) HENDRICKS: You hear the gunfire. Thousands of civilians are fleeing the fierce battle near Sirte, Libya. Groups are trying to deliver desperately needed supplies to the city without much luck. A Red Cross boat had to turn away from Sirte because of the violence. Some 5,000 fighters loyal to former leader Moammar Gadhafi are thought to still be there in the city. Sirte is Gadhafi's hometown and one of the last places held by his supporters.

Imagine this: a marriage with an expiration date. A bill in Mexico City would allow engaged couples to decide how long their marriage will last, kind of like leasing a car here. More traditional couples can choose "Until death do us part" for their contract. Those who don't want to be tied down can pick as few as two years and then reassess. The bill is designed to solve a problem of painful and costly divorces by letting marriages end easily.

The Catholic Church is appalled by the idea, calling it absurd.

Stay with us. As you know, we are waiting for the president to give his keynote address at the Human Rights Campaign's national dinner expected to start at any moment now.

Stick with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HENDRICKS: Welcome back.

As he normally does, President Obama starting with a couple of jokes. I want to take you convention center in Washington where President Obama is addressing a gay rights annual dinner. More than 3,000 people are listening and watching President Obama.

The picture is a little fuzzy there, but he was talking about, first, he introduced Lady Gaga, he said he met with her. He also says Cyndi Lauper is in the house.

Guys, do we have it?

OBAMA: Lesbian, bisexual, transgender, every single American --

HENDRICKS: Let's listen in.

All right. Obviously, we are having some technical difficulties. We're going to go to a quick break and then bring you right back to President Obama. You won't miss a thing.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HENDRICKS: Welcome back. As we wait to get back that signal of President Obama in Washington, D.C., we have other news for you. The U.S. government believes the killing of a high-level Al Qaeda leader in Yemen could provoke revenge attacks against Americans. A CIA drone attack is credited with killing an American-born cleric, Anwar al- Awlaki and several others too. The FBI and the State Department are warning the killing could incite anti-American attacks inside the U.S., also around the world. A government official says al-Awlaki has been under surveillance in Yemen for two weeks when the opportunity arose to kill him with a missile.

Another American who is among those killed in Friday's drone strikes, Samir Khan. He was considered vital to Al Qaeda's efforts and produced an on-line English language magazine called Inspire. Khan used to live in Charlotte, North Carolina. Molly Graham of our affiliate of WBTV spoke to people who knew him and asked this how she was able to track down Khan last November but the federal government could not.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MOLLY GRAHAM, REPORTER, WBTV (voice-over): We started off by ringing the door bell of Samir Kahn's parents house. No answer. So we talked with Jibril Hough, he is the spokesperson for the family.

JIBRIL HOUGH, FAMILY FRIEND: As you can imagine if it was your child, a number of emotions, embarrassed. Frustrated.

GRAHAM: he said the ideology that Samir promoted and wrote about was wrong. He said Samir was dangerous but he won't take the next step.

(on camera): Was Samir a terrorist?

HOUGH: That's a good question. He definitely was a terrorist supporter.

GRAHAM: But you wouldn't say he was a terrorist?

HOUGH: Did he actually commit an act of terror? You know, I don't think it's ever been proven that he has.

GRAHAM: Would propaganda, the words he used against people online, would that not be considered an act of terror?

HOUGH: I don't know, because he was doing the same thing while he was here.

GRAHAM: So he was backyard terrorist while he was here.

HOUGH: While he was here, I would say he should have been arrested and tried for that.

GRAHAM (voice-over): The federal government might agree with him on that one. At one point Kahn was listed as the number two guy in Al Qaeda when it came to propaganda. Last year U.S. representative Sue Myrick said she couldn't believe we could track them down yet they couldn't.

If he was the number two guy, how did they let him get away, move from Charlotte, hop on a plane, go to Yemen, when I could find him in a parking lot?

REP. SUE MYRICK: I know Molly those, it's crazy. And that's the same - those are questions I'm asking right now.

GRAHAM (voice-over): Jibril said he tried to council Samir years ago as with other Muslim-Americans in the Charlotte community, including Samir's own father. It didn't work. Even so Jibril says this is not a day to celebrate.

(on camera): There are some Americans who say this is a huge day to rejoice, because he was dangerous, he was a terrorist and now he's taken out along with al-Awlaki.

HOUGH: Yes, but I'm not one who rejoices in the loss of a human life, regardless if they had it coming or not.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENDRICKS: Our thanks to Molly Graham in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Checking some of our top stories, police in New York arrested at least 50 Wall Street protesters as they blocked traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge. Hundreds of protesters chanted, "Whose bridge? Our bridge," as they walk on both the pedestrian, vehicle levels. Those arrested were charged with disorderly conduct and blocking traffic. The so-called occupied Wall Street demonstrations are entering their third week. Protesting social inequities resulting from the financial system.

Amanda Knox could learn her fate as soon as Monday a couple of days away in a case that has brought international attention. The 24- year-old American is appealing her murder conviction in Italy. She was found guilty two years ago of killing her roommate, Meredith Kercher. She was brutally murdered and sentenced to 26 years in prison. Amanda Knox was. Her lawyers say that she was not guilty. Prosecutors say Knox and her former boyfriend are killers and that their convictions should stand. Her mom she has hope but she is not celebrating just yet.

New images of Casey Anthony from the moment she learned that the remains had been found in the search of her two-year-old, Caylee. You can see her on the right there. That is security video from a county jail medical facility. It shows Anthony hunched over and rocking back and forth after seeing the news on TV. About a week later the remains were identified as her daughter, Caylee. Anthony's attorneys had this video sealed for the trial claiming it was inflammatory but a judge overturned that ruling on Friday clearing the way for you to see it.

Coming up, a warning from the CDC about a cantaloupe recall. You could be part of a new food-borne bacteria-borne outbreak and you don't even know it.

Also, a story that is nothing but a miracle. A man accidentally drives off a cliff and survives six days in a ravine. You won't believe how his own family found him.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HENDRICKS: On the political radar, Sarah Palin calling Republican candidate Herman Cain the flavor of the week. Cain joked about Palin's comment on Jay Leno.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HERMAN CAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The fact that she called me flavor of the week, if you look at what happened, that might be true with some people. But I happen to believe that there's ice milk and there's Hagen Daas black walnut. Substance here. That's the difference. I got substance. (INAUDIBLE) It lasts longer than a week. OK?

JAY LENO, HOST "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO": The black walnut, isn't?

CAIN: I'm the black walnut. It lasts longer than a week.

LENO: OK.

CAIN: All right.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENDRICKS: He's a good sport, isn't he? For the latest political news, you know where to go? Cnnpolitics.com.

Former president Bill Clinton is celebrating the 20th anniversary, believe it or not, of his first bid for the White House this weekend. Events are being held in Little Rock, Arkansas. Bill Clinton was announced his candidacy there on October 3rd, 1991 in the middle of his fifth term as governor. I can't believe it's been that long.

Former president Jimmy Carter has two reasons to celebrate in Atlanta today. That's because it is his 87th birthday and the 25th anniversary of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. A film about the former president will be screened in a brand new exhibit on the Secret Service is opening as well.

And it's the first day of October and it feels like it across much of the country. Some cooler and wetter weather is hitting the East Coast. Meteorologist Jacqui Jeras joins us. We all know how hot it was this summer, Jacqui, people are enjoying these seasonal temperatures. We all love bringing out the sweaters and the turtle necks, right?

(CROSSTALK)

JACQUI JERAS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Not everybody is loving it though, believe it or not.

HENDRICKS: Not the wet weather.

JERAS: Exactly. It's so cold we're getting some snow showers, believe it or not, across parts of the Appalachians. It's out there. This has been a really vigorous system that doesn't want to go away anytime soon. It caused problems in the midwest yesterday. Take a look at these pictures that we've had from Lake Michigan, around the Chicago area yesterday afternoon. The winds were so strong they brought these huge waves. They caught some of the joggers off guard.

Now they tried to close off this area and warned people to stay away but apparently they didn't get the message. They just decided to go out in it any way. A couple of people were injured but not seriously. It just shows you how dangerous and how strong those waves are. Amazing pictures out there.

Well that along across parts of the east today, it's not nearly as strong in terms of the wind but it's still bringing in that rain and there you can se the snow. We've seen a couple of inches already in Snowshoe, West Virginia. You can see the pink and as temperatures continue to cool down tonight, we'll see more of that turn into the white.

Now the big cities for the most part have been OK. Just a little bit of light rain in D.C. and Baltimore. Sprinkles, and that's about it into New York City as well as into Boston. So watch out for the cold temperatures across parts of the east and on the reverse of that, Susan, we're temperatures well above average in the Rockies and western high plains.

HENDRICKS: All right. Jacqui, thanks so much.

As you know, we want to go live to President Obama. He is at the Washington Convention Center. He is wrapping up. We had some trouble with the signal. Let's listen in.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: ... progress not led by Washington but by ordinary citizens, not propelled not by just politics but love and friendship and a sense of mutual regard. It's playing out in legislatures like New York and courtrooms and in the ballot box but it's also happening around water coolers and at the Thanksgiving table and on Facebook and Twitter and at PTA meetings and potluck vendors and church socials and VFW halls.

It happens when a father realizes he doesn't just love his daughter but also her life. It happens when a soldier tells his unit that he's gay and they tell them, they knew it all along and they didn't care because he was the toughest guy in the unit. It happens when a video sparks a movement to let every single young person know that they are not alone and things will get better. It happens when people look past their ultimately minor differences to see themselves in the hopes and struggles of their fellow human being. That's where changes happen. And that's not just the story of the gay rights movement. That's the story of America.

The slow (INAUDIBLE) march towards a more perfect union. You are contributing to that story. And I'm confident that we can continue to write another chapter together. Thank you very much, everybody. God bless you.

HENDRICKS: You can see president Obama there. Boy, he had some strong statements there. We had a rough signal but here's what he said progress is led by ordinary citizens. He said it's led by love and progress and regard. He said it happens when a father loves his daughter and also his daughter's wife. He also mentioned that video that I discussed.

Up next, gay-rights activist John Aravosis tells us what he thought about what he heard from President Obama. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HENDRICKS: Just moments ago, President Obama wrapping up a speech to thousands of gay activists. Just moments ago he was the keynote speaker in tonight's human rights campaign dinner. We had a little bit of trouble with the signal. We were able to listen to some of it. I want to bring in John Aravosis, a gay rights activists and the editor for America blog.

John, powerful statements from what we heard. Here's what stood out to me. He said, "progress is led by ordinary citizens by love, by regard. Regard for other people." What did you think of it?

JOHN ARAVOSIS, EDITOR, AMERICABLOG: No, I think it was a good speech. I think it was the speech that I expected, perhaps not the speech that I would have liked. Meaning, I think the president did a victory lap. I got to follow a lot of the speech on Twitter and he talked about some of the successes, don't ask, don't tell, you know, hospital visitation rights, passing the health crimes bill and things that are very good and important.

He didn't really lay out a road map as to what is he planning on doing for example for the next year. He's got another year in office, hopefully another four years. Is he planning on doing anything about marriage again? You know, is he planning out I coming out and saying that he's for same-sex marriage? Is he planning on doing anything about non-discrimination with federal contracts. I mean, one thing he could do is issue an executive order that says we won't do business -- the federal government will not do business with anyone who doesn't adopt the non-discrimination policy covering gay and lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. There are a number of steps you could take things that you take to I think really solidify the vote with progressive, particularly with the gay community. It might have been nice to have heard that in the speech.

HENDRICKS: So you're thinking it was more on the surface in terms of his speech, there is no doubt that President Obama is one of the best speakers. Do you think this will become a wedge in the 2012 election? Do you think this will be a problem? Because as you said, he didn't lay out anything, really specific that you wanted to hear.

ARAVOSIS: Well, I think there are two wedges, perhaps. OK. One wedge which I think that none of us expected totally was the president mentioned during the speech again tonight how a gay soldier was booed during the last Republican debate.

HENDRICKS: I remember that. ARAVOSIS: They showed a YouTube clip of him asking a question and he said, "I'm a soldier serving in Iraq and I am gay. Steven Hill was his name, and the audience booed and none of the nine Republicans on stage said anything.

The president has not brought this up - two or three times, VP Biden has brought it up two or three times. Speaker Pelosi has brought it up on the "Ellen" show. Clearly, the democratic leadership sees it as an opportunity to show how the Democrats are different than the Republicans. And ironically, basically, you have gay soldiers becoming wedge issue to make the Republicans look bad.

I think it's great but it also shows to what degree I think the gay issue has changed over the years where now it is an issue that really isn't as dangerous for Democrats. They are actually able to use it positively to rally their own base but it actually makes the Republicans look bad when any kind of an anti-gay (INAUDIBLE) is shown on their side. So I think that's the first wedge.

The second wedge is look there has been a lot of conflict with the president and the gay community over the last three years that has certainly started the turn around, the repeal of don't ask, don't tell, historic and very important. I mean, I have been a critic of the president and also strong supporter, that really mattered to me that he pulled that off. That was great.

HENDRICKS: John, I know it's early and he just wrapped up the speech, what do you expect to hear on your web site and your blog?

ARAVOSIS: Well, I expect to hear my readers say that he didn't come out for marriage, he didn't say anything on this executive order on nondiscrimination and they're going to think it's problem. I think it briefly - a lot of concern the left has had the last few years is that the president is a great speaker. But they heard a lot of speeches and they would like to see a lot of action now.

We have begun to see the president act on a number of things these last couple of weeks. I think he really has turned around in many ways and become a fierce advocate on a number of issues. Something the American people want. He wanted to stand up and fight. He's starting to do that. But I think he needs to not just give speeches, he needs to prove to people he is a fighter and he's starting to do it with the best that we want to see over the next year on gay issues and all issues nationwide.

HENDRICKS: Earlier tonight before you heard him speak and we're following him on Twitter, did you anticipate anything different? Were you hoping?

ARAVOSIS: I didn't anticipate anything different. You know, I would have liked to have heard him talk more about marriage in general. He mentioned he doesn't like the ballot initiatives to ban gay marriages in the state but he didn't mention which states. They are actually happening in North Carolina and Minnesota. It might have been nice to get more detail and say "I am against what's happening in Minnesota and North Carolina." That would help. I think that it would have been nice for him to talk, he says he's "evolving on gay marriage," a quote he actually gave to my deputy, Joseph (INAUDIBLE) in an interview Joe did with him. He is evolving. That's good but maybe to hear him talk a little bit more about his, you know, his evolving on gay marriage and how evolved he has gotten.

I just think it's a topic that's hard to ignore now. Gay marriage really has become sort of a number one topic in gay politics whether intended or not. The recent victory in New York, my gosh, that's just - it just put it front and center as no longer sort of a dream. It is something real that we can achieve. I think it may have been nice to hear more a little bit about that.

HENDRICKS: We only have a couple of seconds left. It seems like the politically correct thing to say these days is that people are for civil unions as I mentioned earlier, Governor Chris Christie who says "No, I'm not running for the president." He's from my home state, New Jersey. He said he is for civil unions. So it seems as though that's what people are saying and they don't want to cross the line into accepting gay marriage. What do you think?

ARAVOSIS: Well, it depends. That was the politically correct thing in 2000. Now you got Republicans like Dick Cheney saying he is OK with gay marriage. I think that in the Republican Party it has really evolved now. Ken Mehlman, the former party chair who now is openly gay and helping raise money for the gay marriage. I think it's no longer politically correct to say you're facilitating unions. If anything, it's politically incorrect for any politician but particularly for a Democratic politician, who is expected to be at the forefront of civil rights and you've got to be for same-sex marriage now or I think you're getting a little out of touch.

HENDRICKS: John Aravosis, great talking to you, great conversation.

ARAVOSIS: Thank you.

HENDRICKS: Great ending. Appreciate it. Thanks.

We are checking some more headlines for you now. Let's take a look at what's going on.

A CIA drone attack in Yemen is credited with killing American born cleric Anwar al Awlaki and several others on Friday. Al-Awlaki is considered one of the most important terror figures to be killed since Osama Bin Laden. Born in New Mexico, al-Awlaki used his fluency in English and knowledge about American culture to recruit westerners to join the terrorist cause. Three other high profile Al Qaeda members also were killed in the strike.

The U.S. government believes al-Awlaki's death could help provoke revenge attacks against Americans, both inside the U.S. and also around the world, they're saying. A bulletin from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security warns of homegrown violent extremists may seek retaliation. Those are their words. The FBI, the State Department also urges overseas travelers to register with the government so that they can be contacted in case of an emergency.

More than 1,000 family members and supporters of an executed Georgia inmate gathered today in Savannah to celebrate his life. Those in attendance at his funeral chanted this - "I am Troy Davis, many of the speakers used the occasion to speak out against the death penalty." Davis was put to death last week despite doubts among many about his guilt. He was convicted of the 1989 killing of an off-duty police officer. Denying it the entire time.

The E.R. doctor who pronounced Michael Jackson dead testified the pop superstar had signs of a dying heart and was clinically dead upon arrival. Ted Rowlands has a recap of all the drama of week one and a look ahead to week two of Dr. Conrad Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Week two of the Conrad Murray trial will likely be picking up right here where week one left off. Friday we heard from the paramedics that reported to Michael Jackson's house after the 911 call was made and the paramedics told the jury that when they arrived Michael Jackson was cold to the touch and that never throughout their resuscitation process did they ever feel a pulse or see one on the heart monitor but the most damning evidence against Murray from those paramedics was that they asked him what drugs were in Jackson's body and Murray never mentioned propofol.

We started to hear from one of the emergency room doctors at UCLA on Friday. We will extend that testimony starting early next week. The doctors at UCLA are going to tell much the same story as the paramedics that they, too, asked Murray what was in Jackson's body and again no mention of propofol at all. Well, also likely we'll start to hear from the detectives that were assigned to the case. They will determine or detail to the jury their investigation throughout this. They have been sitting in the courtroom throughout the week.

Jurors are starting to get to know them because they have been referred to a couple of times by the attorneys. Well now they will really get to know them because they will be on the stand for quite some time and then later in the week we may hear from of two of Dr. Murray's girlfriends. One of the girlfriends lives here in the Los Angeles area. That was the apartment that Dr. Murray was sending the propofol to throughout this. We will hear from her likely and then we will hear from the other girlfriend in Houston, Texas. This was the woman Dr. Murray was on the phone with when he realized that Michael Jackson was in trouble.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HENDRICKS: All right. Ted Rowlands, thank you, in L.A. there. Covering the Michael Jackson death trial.

You know what you may want to check your cantaloupes. Here's why, the CDC said that if it came from Jensen Farms in Colorado throw it away no matter what. Fifteen people have died from an outbreak of Listeria linked to the tainted melons. More than 80 people have gotten sick. In fact, the CDC says you may already be infected with bacteria and you don't even know it yet.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THOMAS FRIEDEN, DIR., CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL: It can take a week to three weeks after you eat contaminated product before you become ill and can take as much as two months to become ill. Furthermore, some people may still have the Jensen's farm cantaloupe in their refrigerators. If you have cantaloupe that's labeled as something other than Jensen farm, then it is okay to eat. But if the label looks like this, that's what the (INAUDIBLE) far, then it's OK to eat. But if the label looks like this, that's what the Jensen Farm label looks like and then it is not safe to eat, throw it out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENDRICKS: The Listeria bacteria usually causes flu-like symptoms but infection can also be deadly. As we mentioned Jensen Farms recalled it's Rocky Ford brand cantaloupes more than two weeks ago. All of the tainted melons are probably off the shelves by now. Listeria fears are also behind a recall of bagged lettuce from a California company. True Leaf Farms is recalling tens of thousands of bags of their shredded Romaine lettuce that was shipped to 19 states and Canada. It had a use by date of September 29.

A California grandfather is recovering after spending six days trapped in a ravine. His name, David Lavau, he drove off the road in the Angeles National Forest and landed about 200 feet below, if you can imagine. If that wasn't bad enough he ended up next to a dead driver in another car and it turns out a man drove off the same spot two weeks ago, no one knew that guy was there. Rescuers found both men because that one man, his children refused to stop looking for their father and found him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LISA LAVAU, VICTIM'S DAUGHTER: We stopped at every ravine and looked over every hill and then my brother got out of the car and we kept screaming and the next thing we heard dad say "Help, help." And there he was. My dad wouldn't never not call his kids there are four of us. Just by the time the fourth day that the - that day and six days we knew something was wrong. Supposedly just lost control. There was a bright car. As you saw where the accident happened several cars have gone off. The cars, horrific. I don't know how he survived. He got out. He has been living on water from the stream. And leaves.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENDRICKS: He broke several bones and fractured his back in the crash but he is OK.

I'm Susan Hendricks. "Latinos in America in her Corner" starts right now.