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Rick Perry Unveils Energy Plan Soon; Cain: Message Outweighs Money; 'Occupy Wall Street' Showdown Avoided; Russell Simmons Offers to Clean Park; Dewey Bozella Fights as a Free Man; U.K. Push to Change Royal Succession; MLK Memorial Dedication; Obama Hosts South Korea's President; Georgia Teaching Certificates Revoked
Aired October 14, 2011 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: This hour, Texas Governor Rick Perry delivers a major speech aimed at reigniting his presidential campaign. His focus? Creating jobs for as many as 1.2 million Americans by ramping up the nation's production of gas and oil. Here's what he said earlier on CNN.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. RICK PERRY (R-TX), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We're sitting on a treasure trove of energy in this country, 300 years worth of energy. Yet we're sending hundreds of billions of dollars out of this country every year to foreign sources of energy. Americans are ready to make what Americans buy, buy what Americans make, and sell the rest of it to the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, CNN's Jim Acosta joins us now from Washington. Jim, Perry's looking for a campaign jolt. So is he hoping this speech will be a pivotal point for him?
JIM ACOSTA, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Kyra, he's hoping that this speech will provide some energy to his campaign, no question about it. You know, he's giving this speech in about half an hour from now in Pittsburgh.
And it's no mistake that he's making this speech in Pennsylvania. It is a state that is sitting on top of a lot of natural gas reserves. It is the subject of a lot of energy exploration, as we speak and so this is a subject Rick Perry knows about.
He's been governor of Texas for 10 years now and they know something about energy exploration down in the lone star state. So we were expecting Governor Perry to talk about this today although in his speech, or in his debate performance on Tuesday night, he really talked about a larger economic plan.
He disclosed earlier this morning on "AMERICAN MORNING" that he's going to be talking more about tax reform and other aspects of his economic agenda in a couple of weeks. So this will really focus on energy exploration. We've obtained excerpts of his speech. I just want to go over some of the finer points with you in terms of what he would like to do. He's talking about something that Republicans have longed for, for years. And that is, tapping into the arctic national wildlife refuge. He would like to expand exploration in the Gulf of Mexico.
And so these are the types of things that Republicans have been talking about for years. And Rick Perry is talking about doing them, if he's named president. And he is also doing something that a lot of Republicans are talking about these days out on the campaign trail.
He is going to be advocating some pretty stiff weakening of EPA regulations. He definitely wants to take a meat ax to the environmental protection agency. That is something you also hear out on the campaign trail from the various candidates.
So the speech is about 30 minutes from now, Kyra. And, you know, Rick Perry, he has said in interviews since that debate performance on Tuesday night that perhaps he's not the best debater, but he does give a pretty good speech.
I would expect the Texas governor to come out and give a pretty forceful speech this morning laying out this agenda -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Jim, thanks. We encourage all of you to stay with us. We will take live coverage of Perry's speech from Pittsburgh. It's scheduled for the bottom of the hour, 10:30 Eastern Time.
In just a couple of hours, presidential candidate Herman Cain kicks off a two-day bus tour of Tennessee. He's hoping to get some mileage out of his recent surge.
Several polls show him in a dead heat for Republican frontrunner. That surprised many pundits, but not Cain himself. Listen to what he said last night on CNN's "ERIN BURNETT OUTFRONT."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HERMAN CAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The message is more powerful than money. I have not spent, nor have I been able to raise the kind of money that my major competitors have, but yet we've been competitive because of the strength of my message and the specificity of the solutions that I put on the table.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: New polls also show Cain leading in two critical primary states, South Carolina and Florida. Don't forget next Tuesday night live on CNN, the Republican candidates for president gather in Vegas to debate the issues, hopefully sway some voters, the Western Republican President Debate on CNN Tuesday night 8:00 Eastern.
In New York, a showdown is avoided, at least for now. Police will not evict protesters from a park near the New York Stock Exchange. Susan Candiotti is there. So why did police change their minds? SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: They changed their mind because protesters say because of people power. People that are supporting this group including as we point out here, some unions, you can see them listed here. You got the hard hat here.
If we could make our way through the crowd, a lot of other people who are here -- the park was swelling just before 6:00 in the morning, while it was still dark. Normally people are sleeping at this hour. But at that hour, it was teaming with people.
You could hear a buzz in the air and you got the word that the city is backing down. Backing down, they're saying, because protesters, they say, flooded the internet with the names, 300,000-some names on a petition.
And also because a lot of people called in to complain to the owners of this park, and to the city, that they should back down and not move people out, seeing it only as a veiled way, not to clean up the park, but to stop this protest from going on.
As of now, Kyra, things are back to usual. You've got people here setting up a chess game. You have people making speeches from time to time. You've got the drumbeat going on at the other end of the park.
And they're planning more protests throughout the weekend. They said some 900 cities across the country, and 80 countries around the world -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Susan Candiotti, live from New York. Susan, thanks.
In the hours leading up to the expected showdown, business mogul Russell Simmons said he would pay for the cleanup himself if the city backed off and didn't evict the protesters. This morning, he was actually one of those in the crowd.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RUSSELL SIMMONS, CHAIRMAN RUSH COMMUNICATIONS: Yes, I'll go to jail. The fact is, the government is controlled by corporations and the people want the power back here them. They want the power to the people, simple. They want a democracy that works.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Last night, Simmons sent this tweet to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Dear Mike, I have long supported you and you have been a good mayor. Don't take me to jail tomorrow I'm not 22 I don't want to go, but I will.
Well, this morning, in Colorado, police in riot gear have been clearing the "Occupy Denver" protest near the capital. Demonstrators there had set up dozens of tents in a park and they refused to leave when they were ordered to. There were a few minor skirmishes, and witnesses say that a handful of people have been arrested.
Will and Kate's baby girl could be a queen. And no, I'm not announcing a pregnancy, but possibly a new deal in London. Max Foster, tell us more about this royal succession buzz.
MAX FOSTER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, we're waiting for that story, aren't we? But because of this looming issue, politicians are getting a bit concerned. Whoever takes the throne is not decided by the queen, it's decided by the system.
At the moment, ancient laws dictate that if Katherine had a girl followed by the younger brother, the younger brother would become king over his older sister. She wouldn't be queen. It's fundamentally sexist and the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, wants to change it.
But he can't change it on his own. He has to change it along with 15 other prime ministers around the world who also have the queen head of state. It's slightly complicated, but there is growing pressure to get this changed.
The "Economists Today" writing here in London, the idea of tweaking centuries-old rules, succession rules has been raised by previous governments, but it's always being shelled on grounds of complexity. For simplicity sake, best to agree a change before Prince William and his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, announce they are expecting a child.
The Toronto "Star" in Canada, one of the government grounds where the queen is head of state, the present queen with 59 successor years on the throne has established beyond doubt that there's no reason to put barriers in the way of women wearing the crown.
The "Sydney Morning Herald" in another realm, Australia, saying act is not only sexist, but entrenches religious discrimination, too. It should not be amended to remove gender discrimination. It should be repealed in its entirety.
But Kyra, it has to be done in 16 countries, has to be done, though, before Kate and William have their daughter. If it's a boy maybe it wouldn't become a big issue, but people still think it should be changed out of principle.
PHILLIPS: Well, the times have changed, as you and I have talked about. It's kind of need to see the glass, see the royal glass ceiling being broken there. Max, thanks.
Well, just ahead, the ring of redemption, boxing freed his mind. Eventually the court freed his body. His unforgettable story and the live interview next.
Look who's in first in line for the new iPhone. Recognize that guy? Yes, Apple's co-founder. He even loves to camp out before the big sale. We'll talk to him coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, even if you're not a boxing fan, a match tomorrow night deserves your attention. When Dewey Bozella step into the ring at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, he will have already won. Dewey, who's 52, spent half of his life in prison for a murder he didn't commit. He became a champion boxer inside Singh prison and Saturday night marks his first and only professional fight as a free man.
Dewey joins me live from Los Angeles. Even the president called you. What did Obama say to you, Dewey?
DEWEY BOZELLA, EXONERATED OF MURDER AFTER 26 YEARS: He wished me well, wished me luck, he congratulated me that I'm a free man. And, you know, to take the time out to just -- to honor me like that was -- wow, amazing. I find that to be a great honor and I just want to say thank you to the president of the United States for giving me that call.
PHILLIPS: Well, you deserve it.
BOZELLA: That's something that's once in a lifetime.
PHILLIPS: Of course, well, I think a lot of things that have happened to you are once in a lifetime, Dewey. And this fight will be once in a lifetime, too.
You know, your trainer is quite a trip. He says that you're going to go out there and make some noise. That's a quote from him. And he also says that 52 is the new 25. So is he right?
BOZELLA: I'm going to do my best to not prove him wrong, you know. The whole thing about this is that Danny Davis is a trainer of Bernard Hopkins. And so to take the time out to, you know, to do what he did, is an honor.
But not only that, you know, just to take the risk with a person like me over 50 years old. I think that, you know, I don't want to prove anybody wrong, but as well as myself. That's what this whole thing is about, one-shot deal, in, out. And to be able to say that I went all out to say that I was a pro one time in my life. And I'll be happy about that.
PHILLIPS: Well, you actually had a chance to be set free, if you confessed to that murder. Why didn't you do it, Dewey?
BOZELLA: Well, first and foremost, I didn't do it. It took me 32 years to prove my innocence. It was something that happened when I was 17, just turned 18 and I had that New York attitude. And put me in a bad situation and one thing led to another.
Where I got arrested, I said, hold up, I didn't do this, you know? So they offered me 7 to 14. I could have got out and went to the parole board. I didn't take that deal. Then they offered me time served. I didn't take that deal.
And all I had to do is sign a piece of paper and I could walk out of the courtroom and I said I can't do it. You know, I'd rather die in prison than to admit to something I didn't do. I went to four parole boards, and every time I went to the parole board, they added two more years added on to my sentence.
It hurt. I went through a lot of stuff with this, you know, it wasn't easy, but it made me a better person. It made me understand the value of freedom and also made me understand the value of other people.
PHILLIPS: Yes, and you definitely didn't let prison destroy you, and make you bitter. It's unbelievable the attitude that you kept. So I'm curious now, Dewey, of course, we're all talking very positively here, no offense to Larry, I'm sure he's a nice guy, but you're going to win this fight.
So after you do that, what are you going to do with the rest of your life now, Dewey? How are you going to make those 26 years in prison mean something?
BOZELLA: Well, the first thing I would love to do is let people know, never give up hope, you know? Don't let fear determine who you are and be positive about who you are as a person. Never let where you come from determine where you're going. That's my motto.
And then my Dewey Bozella Foundation, you know, is to get my own gym started. While I was in Newburg, New York, the gym that I was working out in has been shut down. So I would like to have my own gym and to work with kids.
You know, to give them moral obligations, responsibility and discipline, and to let them know what worked for me can also work for them, but not only as a fighter, but in your everyday activities in dealing with life as a person.
You know, you can use this art of science to deal with life in general. That's what this is all about. This isn't about, you know, just me trying to get out here, and be a pro. This is about for the kids, the kids to let them know that there's a better choice in life. There's a better way of living life, you know? And that's what I'm really all about right now.
PHILLIPS: Boy, would I love my kids to be coached by you. I'm going to encourage everybody to look up the Dewey Bozella Foundation -- donate, volunteer.
Dewey, you're a true gentleman, but I know when you get in that ring, you're going to let it rip. We'll be watching. Thanks so much, Dewey.
BOZELLA: Thank you very much. Thank you for having me on your show.
PHILLIPS: It was an absolute honor. Thank you. Thanks, Dewey.
BOZELLA: Thank you.
PHILLIPS: Well, Apple is selling its latest iPhone today. As always, it's not just a product launch. It's a camping adventure. It's also one of the last products developed under Steve Jobs. The buzz on the 4s straight ahead. But first, if you want to make a career change, check out "Money" magazine's list of the best jobs in America, this year featuring fast growing jobs. Let's take a look at the one at the top.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Being a tech geek can boot up a solid career. With all the smartphones, iPads and apps out there, there's a big need for software developers, which is why it's the fastest growing job on "Money's" best jobs list.
Software developers make an average of $82,000 a year and getting a bachelor's degree with some programming courses can get you connected to this booming field and a big paycheck.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: If you've got an iPhone 4, you are behind the tech curve. Apple's new iPhone 4S went on sale this morning. Lots of people camped out overnight so they could get it. Get this, recognize that guy? Yes, that's right, Apple's co-founder, Steve Wozniak.
He was actually first in line. He says he already has his new phone, of course, but he just enjoys the whole experience. CNN's Joe Carter spent time with Apple campers in Atlanta. Joe, what do you think?
JOE CARTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. You know, Kyra, this group that decides to either miss work or late to work or miss school to get here at the wee hours of the morning, you know, it's like the techie crowd. You're either in that crowd or you're totally not.
And we met a guy early this morning who's standing in line who's definitely in the Apple fanatic crowd. He said that he's been waiting in line for Apple products or iPhones since -- every single one, since the very first iPhone was released years ago. Here he is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JUDD LORMAND, APPLE CUSTOMER: It's kind of like the shopping thing. Once you've done it once, it becomes addictive. I can't stand the thought of everyone else having a new one and me not.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CARTER: All right. So the phone looks a lot like the 4, the 4S does, but it's the inside that is the game changer, and the thing everyone is talking about is the SIRI. It's the voice-activated personal assistant.
It will place calls for you. It will tell you the weather. It will give you stock updates. It will give you a list of restaurants if you need it. One tech expert called it the intern of your dreams.
So Kyra, the game-changer with this iPhone 4S is SIRI, the voice- activated personal assistant.
PHILLIPS: Unbelievable. I just can't wait to see what it comes up next. Pretty soon we'll be able to launch into another time zone, like "Star Trek." Thanks, Joe.
Well, the biggest names in fashion, the biggest secrets of the season, the shoes -- the shoes. Alina Cho has a sneak peek at her weekend's special backstage pass from Paris.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This week, it's been my pleasure to introduce you to some of the people that I think are the creme de la creme of French fashion.
Tomorrow it all comes together in my half hour special "FASHION BACKSTAGE PASS FROM PARIS." We'll take you inside the world of Chanel and its iconic designer, Karl Lagerfeld.
CHO: What makes you do that?
KARL LAGERFELD, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, CHANEL: I don't know. I don't ask questions. Thank God I get answers I don't know from where. When I make big efforts, it's for the garbage, and suddenly when it happens, it's much better. But you cannot count on it.
CHO: And the biggest fashion story out of Paris, who will replace John Galliano as the next designer of Christian Dior. We're backstage with the frontrunner, Mark Jacobs and also the decision-maker himself, Dior's CEO.
CHO: You know who has magic hands is Mark Jacobs.
SIDNEY TOLEDANO, PRESIDENT AND CEO, DIOR: I heard about it.
CHO: Have you made a decision, may I ask you that?
TOLEDANO: As I say, for people who know I'm not talking and the ones who are talking are not knowing. So no, no, I cannot make any comment.
CHO: And last, but certainly not least, the man behind those iconic red-soled shoes, Christian Louboutin.
CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, SHOE DESIGNER: You know, it comes from the person, from head to toe.
CHO: We're also backstage with the hottest makeup artist, the hottest model, and my pick for designer to watch.
All tomorrow, "FASHION BACKSTAGE PASS FROM PARIS."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Alina's special "FASHION BACKSTAGE PASS FROM PARIS" airs tomorrow, October 15th, 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. You won't want to miss it.
Major players in the Republican Party foresees what will happen if Herman Cain gets the nom. Basically, he says the south would be Cain country. We're going to have that story by our buzz panel coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Checking top stories now. A possible showdown averted in New York. The cleanup and eviction of a Manhattan park where "Occupy Wall Street" protesters have been camped out in has been postponed. Late word this morning that police have arrested 14 people near Broadway.
Thousands of people are expected in Washington this weekend for the official dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial. It was postponed back in August due to Hurricane Irene.
And today, President Obama taking South Korea's president on a trip to a car plant in Michigan. This week Congress approved a trade deal with South Korea that could boost the economies of both countries.
"Political Buzz," your rapid fire look at the best political topics of the day. Three questions, 30 seconds on the clock and playing today, CNN contributor, Maria Cardona, Republican strategist and political columnist for the "Hill" newspaper, Cheri Jacobus, and D.C. Bureau Chief for the Comcast Network, Robert Traynham.
All right, guys, first question, any moment now, Rick Perry's going to unveil his energy plan. His wife, Anita, as you know, is making other headlines.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANITA PERRY, WIFE OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Eaten up and chewed up in the press. We've been brutalized by opponents in our party.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: So is Anita Perry helping her husband here or becoming a distraction, Maria?
MARIA CARDONA, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: She's certainly not helping him. It's even more than a distraction, Kyra. I think if she continues in that vein, which now I think she's pulling back a little bit, she's going to hurt him.
Because look, as Tip O'Neil famously used to say, politics isn't a bean bag. Welcome to the big leagues. You know, quit whining and try to do something to get your campaign the way that it needs to go from here on out.
If she continues to say things like that, it's going to, again, really put into the minds of voters that neither she nor her husband are ready for the big-time.
PHILLIPS: Cheri? CHERI JACOBUS, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Well, I'm going to have to agree with Maria on some of this. I think it really is a distraction. It sounded like the type of conversation you might have when you're venting a little bit in private to friends and family.
It's unfortunate it's gone public. I think her husband needs to focus on policy, particularly after he put out a very hard-hitting negative ad against Mitt Romney last week, that I think was a little bit early. I don't think Republican primary voters take kind to that, no matter how clever and effective it might be in general.
PHILLIPS: Robert?
ROBERT TRAYNHAM, D.C. BUREAU CHIEF, COMCAST NETWORK: This is Anita Perry 1.0. Anita Perry 2.0 will probably be much more polished and much more dignified.
Look, every single presidential spouse out there or candidates out there has gone through this. We saw this with Hillary Clinton, when she said that she perhaps should stay home and be baking cookies.
We saw this with Michelle Obama when the Obama campaign had to go in and try to retool her image to a certain degree. So this is normal on a presidential scale. It's unfortunate. But, look, she's being human and she's defending her husband.
JACOBUS: I agree with that too.
PHILLIPS: All right, Cheri's got a double agreement going on here.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: All right. Mississippi governor, guys, and Republican power house, Haley Barbour, sees big things for Herman Cain now, apparently. Listen to what he told Laura Ingram.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. HALEY BARBOUR (R), MISSISSIPPI: If Herman Cain is our nominee running against Barack Obama, I think he'll sweep the south. He is likable. He does not give you the impression that he's full of himself, but rather, that he is a straight-talking person who will tell you like (ph) he sees him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: So, do you agree? Is Cain the man to beat Obama? Cheri.
JACOBUS: Yes, I think if he's the nominee, he most certainly can. And, you know, Haley Barbour is one of the smartest guys in politics as most people in Washington in Mississippi know, at least. Cain could really do very well with this. Establishment folks are still getting used to the idea of Herman Cain, but the grassroots have been on to this guy for quite a long time. So, he did not just show up overnight.
PHILLIPS: Maria?
CARDONA: I think the enthusiasm over Herman Cain has much more to do with the unenthusiasm about Mitt Romney. Look, I like Herman Cain. I think he's affable. He's funny. He'll bring a lot of humor, but in both what Haley Barbour said and what others are saying, if he wins the nomination, that is a huge if, Kyra. I don't think he's going to win the nomination.
He doesn't even seem to be seriously putting forward the effort of organizing in all of the key early states. He's got no organization. He was in Ohio yesterday in a book-signing ceremony. I think he's out to sell books. I think his surge even took him by surprise.
(BUZZER)
PHILLIPS: Robert.
TRAYNHAM: You know, Kyra, I'm a bit surprised that the former Republican National Committee, Haley Barbour, shrewd in the smart as he is, kind of put all of his eggs in one basket. I'm just very surprised for that. Herman Cain reminds me a lot of Allan Keys (ph) in 1996. very, very smart, very articulate, very personable, and also has the ability to connect with the major audience out there.
But the question becomes is, can he resonate with independents out there in Michigan, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, some of those other battleground states. And that's why I'm a bit surprised by Haley Barbour, because the jury is still out as to whether or not he can seal the deal in the general election. (BUZZER) We don't know yet.
PHILLIPS: All right. Our final question, guys. CNN.com this morning, James Carville said that this candidate GOP candidate is, quote, "not just week, it's a joke." So, will the joke be on the Democrats if they underestimate their opponents? Maria.
CARDONA: I think I agree with James in that. I do think that it is weak, and I think their policies are a joke, and that they do absolutely nothing to help the middle class and workers, or absolutely nothing to create one job, continue to protect the wealthy, continue to protect corporations.
But, we absolutely need to take anybody who's a nominee seriously. And that's exactly what President Obama is doing. He said himself the other day -- (BUZZER) -- that he considers himself the underdog.
PHILLIPS: Cheri.
JACOBUS: James Carville is a really smart guy, really great strategist, and he's clearly frustrated that he's out there having to try and defend Barack Obama with record unemployment, regulations coming out there going to kill this (ph) even more and prevent job creation, a trillion dollar waste (ph) of stimulus.
There's nothing to say good about the Obama presidency. James has to (INAUDIBLE) and generically slam the entire GOP field because full show that any generic Republican -- (buzzer) -- is going to be Obama. I feel sorry for James.
PHILLIPS: Robert.
(LAUGHTER)
TRAYNHAM: In 1979, Democrats said bring Ronald Reagan on please. He is the person to beat. In 1988, the Democrats out there said please bring George H.W. Bush. He is the web (ph). Bring him on. He was the person to beat. In 2000, Democrats said that George W. Bush was not very smart upstairs. Bring him on.
And look, all of those individuals won. So be very, very careful what you ask for, because the underdog in those presidential elections -- (BUZZER) -- they actually won.
PHILLIPS: Thanks, guys. Have a great weekend.
JACOBUS: Thanks, Kyra.
CARDONA: Thank you.
TRAYNHAM: Thank you.
PHILLIPS: All right. We're waiting to hear from another GOP candidate this hour, Texas governor, Rick Perry, delivers a major speech aim to reignite his presidential campaign. We'll carry it live as soon as he steps up to the mic.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Actress, Hilary Swank has apologized for a controversial party appearance, and now, she's going a step further. "Showbiz Tonight" host, A.J. Hammer joins us. So, A.J., what she's doing? A little extra damage control here.
A.J. HAMMER, HOST, HLN "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT": Yes. I think that's the right thing, too. Hilary Swank not only deeply regrets attending this big birthday blowout in Chechnya for a leader accused of horrific human rights violations, Kyra, she is now putting her money where her mouth is. This is what her spokesperson is telling "Showbiz Tonight."
"Hilary is donating her personal appearance fees from this event to various charitable organizations." Now, this comes day after the Oscar winner issued that apology for her appearance at the lavish party in Chechnya. For Chechen leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, who, according to human rights groups, has been linked to torture, abductions, and killings.
The groups blasted Swank and the other celebrities, including Jean- Claude Van Damme and Phil for appearing at the bash with Kadyrov. It is not uncommon at all for some stars to get enormous fees. I'm talking big money for just showing up at these kinds of events.
HILARY'S spokesperson didn't say how much Swank received or which charitable organizations are getting the money that the actress is donating. But known a little something about Hilary Swank, Kyra, I am sure she was mortified when she became aware of what this guy is accused of. So, I think she's doing the right thing.
PHILLIPS: To your background before you do events like that. That's for sure, A.J.
HAMMER: Yes.
PHILLIPS: Now, Whitney Houston got herself into a little scuffle on an airplane. What's going on with her?
HAMMER: Oh, Whitney, Whitney, Whitney.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: She can't behave.
HAMMER: She lost her cool a bit. No. She nearly missed the first day of shooting for her long-awaited return to the movies because of an incident on a plane this week. Now, apparently, Whitney boarded a Delta flight out of Atlanta, headed for Detroit for her movie shoot, but overlooked the standard procedure of fastening her seatbelt before takeoff.
Now, according to TMZ, Houston refused one flight attendant's request to buckle up after another attendant threatened to remove Whitney from the flight. We hear that Whitney allowed a crew member to buckle her up. TMZ is quoting a source close to Whitney who is saying that Whitney overreacted a little bit after missing an earlier flight, but she's still 100 percent sober and was on the way to Detroit for her first day of shooting a new movie.
That new movie is the remake of "Sparkle," by the way. It's Houston's first film since the "Preacher's Wife" back in 1997. You've got to buckle up, Whitney. Come on!
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Oh, boy. All right. Well, I hear former President Clinton is going to be hanging out with a bunch of big musicians. I guess, we shouldn't be surprised, right? He's actually being celebrated with a charity concert. Is he going to play the sax?
HAMMER: I wish I could be there. And I'm not sure if the press is going to pull out his saxomophone.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: This is I like to call it, but he's got a great line of backs (ph) coming up to the Hollywood ball on Saturday. This is called a "Decade of Difference." The concert is celebrating 10 years of the William J. Clinton Foundation. The concert's headliners include, are you ready, Lady Gaga, Kenny Chesney, Juanes, Bono, Usher, and of course, the former president will be there as well. So, maybe, he'll play. Who knows?
All proceeds from the show go to his foundation. According to foundation's website, by the way, still some seats available. If you can't get there, it's all being streamed live on Yahoo.com, 10:00 p.m. eastern, 7:00 p.m. pacific. Sounds like a great little moment for the weekend, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Yes. A.J., I wish we could go. We would have a blast.
HAMMER: No question about it.
PHILLIPS: All right. Want information or anything breaking in entertainment world, A.J.'s got everything every night on "Showbiz Tonight." I was kind of worried there. He had a delayed reaction. I guess, A.J. wouldn't want to go with me, but you can watch him every night on HLN, 11:00 p.m. eastern time.
All right. Let's check some stories making headlines across the country.
The first round of punishment going out in the Atlanta test cheating scandal. Georgia revoked the certifications of three administrators and imposed two-year suspensions on eight teachers. Almost 200 other cases are still under review.
And hundreds of students stopped, dropped, and roll at the Indiana State Fair ground. The fire department put 1,600 first and second grades through several drills as part of the fire safety Olympics.
And syrup, a serious business in Vermont. U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy says he will introduce a bill making it a felony for people to sell fake stuff for real maple syrup. He said it's needed to protect Vermont's farmers and a crop from fraud.
Each week, we're calling on friends of CNN Heroes to shine a spotlight on our top ten honorees and their work as you vote for the one who inspires you the most. CNN Hero of the Year. Well, today, television funny man, Rainn Wilson, introduces you to a CNN Hero who's building a brighter future for Haitian kids after being diagnosed with an incurable cancer. Patrice Millet use a soccer to bring life lessons to the children of Haiti's slums.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RAINN WILSON, ACTOR: Hi. I'm Rainn Wilson.
As a longtime supporter of CNN Heroes, I'm also personally involved with charities that are committed to saving lives. Through my work with the Mona Foundation and planting peace, I've seen heroism take place all over the world. And now, I'm thrilled to help introduce one of CNN's Top Ten Heroes for 2011.
PATRICE MILLET, CHAMPIONING CHILDREN: In Haiti, every day of your life, you are seeing poor kids. When the earthquake came, it became harder. There is no water, no electricity. You have to fight for everything. In 2006, the doctor told me that I have a cancer, and it was not curable. But I wanted to do something good for my country, for the kids.
My name is Patrice Millet, and I give education to soccer with Haitian kids. In soccer, you have everything in life. If you need to give, you need to receive. You need same spirit, discipline, sportsmanship. This is the way you win in life. Whatever I can do, I help some of the kids out there to school for them.
We also have the food program. They can eat for two days. This is a lot for them. I enjoy so much to teach them to learn from them, to see the joy, the face of a kid, you know, that makes me happy.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Well, you can meet all the top ten CNN Heroes for 2011 and vote for the one who inspires you the most at cnnheroes.com. All ten will be honored live at CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute on December 11th, hosted by our Anderson Cooper right here on CNN.
Coming up, we're going to show you how Alabama's tough new immigration law is working. Supporters say it will save jobs. Critics say it's created a culture fear as families prepare to leave the state at a moment's notice.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Here's a look at stories making news later today.
At noon, Republican presidential candidate, Herman Cain, kicks off a two-day bus tour in Tennessee.
Then at 1:30 eastern, President Obama tours a General Motors assembly plant in Michigan along with South Korea's president.
And at 2:00 eastern in Southern California, the police chief of seal beach will discuss Wednesday's shooting rampage that left eight people dead at a beauty salon.
Well, Alabama might have the toughest immigration law in the nation. Supporters say it's needed to save jobs, but critics say it's having other consequences. That story now from our David Mattingly.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This is it over here?
(voice-over) He was just two months away from graduation, but now, Alabama high school student, Roman Lovera, is afraid to go to school.
(on-camera) As we drive down this road, what are you thinking?
ROMAN LOVERA, UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT IN ALABAMA: I was so close. One little piece of paper kept me from graduating.
MATTINGLY (voice-over): That piece of paper is the new Alabama immigration law that supporters and opponents alike call the toughest in the country. For the undocumented, a simple traffic stop could lead to deportation. Roman Lovera's family immigrated to Alabama illegally ten years ago. Today, he likes hunting, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Alabama football. (on-camera) If I didn't know better, I'd say you were a good old boy.
LOVERA: I've grown up with southerners my whole life. Some people even call me a Mexican redneck.
MATTINGLY (voice-over): And yet Lovera and hundreds of other Hispanic students are fleeing Alabama schools. Their families making plans to flee the state. Others feel trapped.
(on-camera) If you could speak to the people who passed this law, what would you say to them?
"ARELI," UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT IN ALABAMA (through translator): Don't be selfish. We all have and want an opportunity.
MATTINGLY: Twenty-seven-year-old Areli immigrated to Alabama illegally from Mexico 11 years ago. She and her husband say they can't move because she's almost seven months into a high-risk pregnancy. And every day, they stay they risk deportation. They asked that their full names and faces not be revealed.
"ARELI": We are not stealing anything from them, simply asking them to let us work.
MATTINGLY (on-camera): Families living in fear, children being pulled out of schools. Was this the intent of this law?
SCOTT BEASON, ALABAMA STATE SENATE: There's no intent for families to live in fear.
MATTINGLY (voice-over): State Senator Scott Beason led passage of the Alabama law in the state legislature. He tells me the focus is on jobs.
BEASON: Our responsibility is to the people that elect us, the people of Alabama. If there are other states out there who want to welcome any illegal work force and displace their own workers, they should invite them in.
MATTINGLY: In the meantime, Roman Lovera says his dreams of graduation and college are fading. In his family's two-bedroom apartment, the blinds are drawn and their bags are packed, ready to run if needed at a moment's notice.
LOVERA: My parents gave me the option to stay. And I told them we came as a family, and we'll leave as a family.
MATTINGLY: David Mattingly, CNN, Birmingham.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: All right. Texas governor, Rick Perry, getting ready to deliver a major speech aimed at reigniting his presidential campaign. His focus, creating jobs for as many as 1.2 million Americans by ramping up the nation's production of gas and oil. He's going to speak right there in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania at the U.S. steel plant. We're going to cover it live as soon as he steps up to the mic.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Straight to West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, Texas governor, Rick Perry, delivering his major speech at a steel plant.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
PERRY: For 45 million Americans on food stamps, 48 percent of the households in this country, at least, one resident is receiving government benefits. And our president has labeled Americans as soft. Well, I believe our people have toughed it out the best that they can, but they're looking for leadership. And they're looking for optimism, which is all too rare in Washington, D.C. today.
And what I'm proposing today is the first part of an economic growth package that will reveal the engine of American prosperity. And a plan that I present this morning energizing American jobs and security will kick-start the economic growth of this country and create 1.2 million jobs. And it can be implemented quicker and free of Washington gridlock, because it doesn't require constitutional -- or I should say Congressional action.
We're doing it through a series of executive orders and other executive actions. And we'll begin the process of creating jobs soon after the inauguration of a new president. This is, of course, an important role for Congress to play as well. In a matter of a few days, I'm going to offer to the American people a broader package of economic reforms that will require Congressional action when I'm elected president of the United States.
But my complete economic growth package will tackle tax reform, entitlement reform, and real spending reductions in order to address our growing debt crisis. But today, today, I offer a plan that will create more than a million good paying American jobs across every sector of the economy and enhance our national security. And the best news is, it can be set in motion in the first 100 days of my administration.
And my plan is based on this simple premise. Make what Americans buy, buy what Americans make, and sell it to the world. We're standing on top of the next American economic boom, and it's the energy underneath this country. And the quickest way to give our economy a shot in the arm is to deploy the American ingenuity, to tap American energy.
But we can only do -- we can only do that if environmental bureaucrats are told to stand down. And my plan will break the grip of the dependence that we have today on foreign oil, from hostile countries like Venezuela, those unstable Middle Eastern countries. It will allow us to grow jobs in our economy here at home. You know, America has proven, but untapped supplies of natural gas, of oil, of coal. America's the Saudi Arabia of coal.
We've got 25 percent of the world's supply. Our country contains up to 1. -- or excuse me, 134 billion barrels of oil. Nearly 1.2 quadrillion cubic feet of natural gas. We have the resources that we need to fuel our cars, our homes, our power plants. And those resources can be found in Pennsylvania, in West Virginia, in Ohio, in Texas, in Oklahoma, North Dakota, New Mexico, Alabama, Kentucky.
Throughout the American west, and of course, up in Alaska. But President Obama and his overreaching environmental agency, this environmental protection agency won't allow American businesses and American labor to draw on even a fraction of this domestic energy, from reserves on government-owned land.
You know, on the one hand, the Obama administration opposes fossil fuel development at home, and then on the other hand, they encourage countries like Brazil to drill offshore and sell it to American consumers. We're creating foreign jobs. They're creating foreign profits. I happen to think that's wrong, that's hypocritical, and that's unfair. America should not be -- and when I'm the president of the United States -- will not be held hostage by foreign oil and federal bureaucrats.
(APPLAUSE)
The American economy shouldn't be beaten into the ground when greater energy independence and lower energy costs lie right under American soil. And my plan will create jobs in every sector. It will revitalize manufacturing, contain the cost of electricity and fuel through four concrete actions. First is, we'll open several American oil and gas fields for exploration that are currently off-limits because of political considerations.
The current administration has restricted exploration in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, and the mid-Atlantic area. In the Gulf of Mexico, for instance, the median time for the review of permits, for combined deepwater exploration and development, it's increased by 400 percent. While the deepwater development plan approvals have decreased by nearly 80 percent.
The Department of Interior has stopped offshore exploration off the coast to Virginia. I might add, over the objections of the governor of that state, their Congressional delegation, as a matter of fact, they passed --
(END LIVE COVERAGE)
PHILLIPS: Governor Rick Perry delivering a major speech aimed at reigniting his presidential campaign, focusing on jobs, energy. He's speaking there in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, at a steel plant. We're going to continue to monitor that for you.
Well, that does it for us. We'll be back here bright and early on Monday. We hope you all have a great weekend. But you can still hold on, Fredricka Whitfield is here, there's more.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: In the meantime, you start your weekend. Have a good one.
PHILLIPS: Thanks, Fred. See you.
WHITFIELD: Maybe we'll tune in this weekend, too, huh?
PHILLIPS: Of course.
WHITFIELD: We'll be here.
PHILLIPS: I always watch you.
WHITFIELD: OK. Kyra, have a great one.
PHILLIPS: All right.
(LAUGHTER)
