Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Soldiers, Families React to End of Deployment in Iraq; GOP Candidates React to Iraq, Gadhafi

Aired October 22, 2011 - 12:00   ET

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

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: This Sunday part of a special "CNN PRESENTS" hour, 8:00 and 11:00 Eastern time, "The World of KISS, Inc."

Were you a KISS fan, Fredricka?

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: I think I liked the artwork that came with KISS more than probably the music. I think I'm just not well-versed on all the music.

HOLMES: Yes, respect the band...

(CROSSTALK)

WHITFIELD: But I know the brand.

HOLMES: Yes, the brand. That's a good way to put it.

WHITFIELD: Yes. It's fun.

HOLMES: They tell me I need to go.

WHITFIELD: Darn.

HOLMES: Yes.

WHITFIELD: Oh, well.

HOLMES: All right. The Razorbacks play in a few minutes anyway.

WHITFIELD: Oh, you can't wait to get out of here. You kill me.

HOLMES: See you, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks so much. Have a great day.

We've got a lot straight ahead, including, let's talk about a lot of great news coming to the way of military families across America. They are gearing up now to celebrate the holidays with their loved ones who are now serving in Iraq. One of the nation's longest wars will be over by the end of the year and nearly 39,000 troops will be heading home.

The Iraq War started nearly nine years ago and President Barack Obama says now it is now time to end it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We've already removed more than 100,000 troops and Iraqi forces have taken full responsibility for the security of their own country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: The next couple of months will be filled with welcome home ceremonies as the troops start leaving Iraq. But for those who have lost sons and daughters, mothers and fathers in Iraq, it is bittersweet. Reporter Dan Ponce with our affiliate WGN has reaction from some families and troops in Chicago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELIE BITTON, FALLEN SOLDIER'S FATHER: This one -- this picture in the house.

DAN PONCE, WGN REPORTER (voice-over): Every wall of this home in West Rogers Park is covered with pictures and paintings of Army Corporal Albert Bitton, who was only 20 years old when he was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq three-and-a-half years ago. His parents, Elie and Sylvia Bitton, had mixed reaction. They are relieved for the families of troops who are currently serving in Iraq, but regretful the full withdrawal didn't happen sooner.

BITTON: It's too late for my son. It's too late.

PONCE: Fighting back tears, he recalls the moment he found out his son had been killed and says no family should ever have to experience that kind of pain. His message to the troops who finally get to come home?

BITTON: They are the lucky people in the world. They are very lucky. My son was not lucky.

PONCE: Soldiers we spoke with who are serving in the Illinois National Guard are also happy about the president's announcement.

SPC. MICHAEL ROSE, ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARD: It was a good feeling. It was definitely a good feeling.

PONCE: Specialist Michael Rose from DeKalb served in Iraq for 10 months.

(on camera): You know a lot of people who are still serving over there?

ROSE: Yes, currently my unit's sister unit is over there. They took over for us when we left. And they are, from what I hear, doing a great job.

PONCE (voice-over): More reaction from families of soldiers serving in the Illinois National Guard, Sandy Holz's son, Staff Sergeant Adam W. Smith (ph) from Hanover Park, returned home from his second deployment to Iraq last month. SANDY HOLZ, SOLDIER'S MOTHER: I'm very happy because a lot of families will be thankful that their soldiers are coming home. We put out a sacrifice as well. Our children aren't home during holidays, or home with us getting on with their lives. But we're glad. We're glad that they are all coming home.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: So two major turn of events for the U.S. military this week. The president's decision to officially end the war in Iraq, and NATO scaling back operations in Libya after the death of Moammar Gadhafi. CNN's Athena Jones standing by live at the White House.

So, Athena, tell us more now about whether the White House is releasing any more information about the immediacy of this troop withdrawal in Iraq first.

ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fred. Well, you know, the withdrawal is going on right now. There's still this 39,000 more troops to come out over the next couple of months. They have already withdrawn something like 1.6 million pieces of equipment. There's another 800,000 or so pieces of equipment to go.

So we're talking about a massive operation. We don't have a list of exactly the infantry divisions that are expected home on what date, but I can tell you that it's going on right now and that most of those people are supposed to be out by the end of the year.

WHITFIELD: And so, Athena, is the White House feeling torn at all between either responding to what Americans want versus Iraq's stability and if this is indeed the best time and thing to do?

JONES: Well, it's interesting you say that, Fredricka. Because on one hand the president sees this as fulfilling a promise that he made during the campaign. He ran on the idea that we needed to wind down the war in Iraq in order to focus more on the war effort in Afghanistan.

But it's also not necessarily a matter of what the public wants. We know that support for the war in Iraq has fallen, opposition has risen a great deal since 2003, up to 69 percent of people oppose the war now.

But at the same time, this December 31st, 2001 (sic), date was set by security agreements reached during the Bush administration back in 2008. So in many ways, this is part of the president fulfilling a commitment that was made by a previous administration, it just also happens to coincide with his promise to bring the war to a responsible end.

WHITFIELD: OK. And now let's turn to Libya. Is the White House saying anything about whether the way in which this operation ended, is it all what the White House had envisioned?

JONES: Well, I think certainly on some level the White House sees this as a certain kind of vindication for the president's approach. You'll remember he came under a lot of criticism several months back when this operation began for "leading from behind."

There were questions about whether this was in the U.S.'s national interest. He went and gave a speech to the National Defense University here and talked about why it's important for the U.S. not to let us see a massacre happen.

But let me let you know some of the sound he talked about this morning in the weekly address, on Libya.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: In Libya, our brave pilots and crews helped prevent a massacre, save countless lives, and give the Libyan people the chance to prevail. Without putting a single U.S. service member on the ground, we achieved our objectives. Soon our NATO mission will come to a successful end.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JONES: And so that NATO mission is to end this month. As far as the White House sees it, their approach worked in this case -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Athena Jones, thanks so much, from Washington.

Moammar Gadhafi's death is pivotal for Libya and other Middle Eastern countries, including Iran. CNN's Fareed Zakaria scored an exclusive interview with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran. And this comes from Tehran.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FAREED ZAKARIA, HOST, "FAREED ZAKARIA: GPS": Moammar Gadhafi is dead. What is your reaction to the news of his death?

MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD, PRESIDENT OF IRAN (through translator): I wish everybody would respect justice, freedom. There was no need for any conflict or clash. In the beginning we recommended dialogue between the two sides and all parties. But they did not pay attention to our recommendations. Of course, NATO intervention was effective in exacerbating the conflict.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: So that's Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaking to CNN's Fareed Zakaria in Tehran. Watch the full interview Sunday on "GPS" at 10:00 a.m. Eastern and 1:00 p.m. Eastern.

All right. Let's talk politics now. The Republican presidential candidates are reacting as well to Gadhafi's death. CNN's Joe Johns has that view.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Pattern, perhaps? Republicans running for the White House praising elimination of yet another bad guy in yet another country. But so far this time at least they were kind of quiet about whether the guy they want to run out of office should get any of the credit.

MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The world is a better place with Gadhafi gone.

JOHNS: Rick Perry, when asked about Gadhafi, talked about what's next, the need to move to elections and democracy in Libya and securing Gadhafi's weapons. Jon Huntsman called it positive news but just one step, though he was once sharply critical of the administration's decision to get involved.

JON HUNTSMAN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: There is no defined national security strategy in play. There is no defined exit strategy. I say, what are we doing?

JOHNS: As for Michele Bachmann, seems incredible for a member of the House Intelligence Committee, but she suggested in the CNN debate this week that she didn't know where Libya is, though took issue with all the money the U.S. has spent there.

REP. MICHELE BACHMANN (R-MN), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Defense spending is on the table. But, again, Anderson, now with the president, he put us in Libya. He is now putting us in Africa. We already were stretched too thin and he put our special operations forces in Africa.

JOHNS: Libya is in Africa, by the way, North Africa. But when Bachmann was speaking here, she was apparently talking about the administration's recent decision to send 100 troops to Uganda in West Africa (sic) to deal with a notorious gang of thugs called the Lord's Resistance Army.

But putting geography issues aside, Bachmann was also sharply critical of the administration's position on Libya from the very start.

BACHMANN: Our policy in Libya is substantially flawed.

I believe that it was wrong for the president to go into Libya.

JOHNS: Sentiments echoed by presidential candidate Ron Paul, who even asked how many dictators the president is planning on helping to take out.

REP. RON PAUL (R-TX), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: There are a lot of bad people in the world. Does he want to do that in every dictatorship around the country?

JOHNS: Herman Cain tweeted after the death of Gadhafi that the question now is, what's next? Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has both supported and opposed the administration's Libya policy on occasion.

Joe Johns, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: The crown prince sultan of Saudi Arabia has died in a New York hospital. He was defense minister and in line for the throne. He was also one of the most visible members of the royal family. The prince was thought to be in his 80s. The Saudi government says he died from an illness but they wouldn't be specific. He had reportedly battled cancer.

A criminal posing as a doctor brings a frightening twist to the term "house call." The story straight ahead.

Also details about a shake-up by Michele Bachmann's staff, a live report from the campaign trail, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Turning now to the race for the White House and an event in Iowa that nearly all the Republican presidential candidates are attending, the conservative Faith and Freedom Coalition Forum in Des Moines. Noticeably absent, front-runner Mitt Romney. CNN political reporter Shannon Travis live from Des Moines right now.

So, Shannon, why isn't Romney there?

SHANNON TRAVIS, CNN POLITICAL REPORTER: That seems to be the question of the hour, Fred. I spent a better part of the day yesterday trying to put that question to the Romney campaign.

Let me tell you why organizers of the event think that he isn't coming. Steve Scheffler, he's the president of the Iowa Faith and Freedom, they're the organization putting this on, he says that he believes that Mitt Romney is not comfortable in this setting. When I pressed him, I said, what do you mean by "this setting"?

He said, a setting of social and economic conservatives. Take a listen at this quote from Steve Scheffler. "Tell me what there is to fear by coming to this event and making their case," he's talking about Romney there. "Why have the six other candidates accepted and the perceived front-runner decided not to come?"

After that, Steve Scheffler then answered his own question. Take a listen at this, Fred. "Apparently Romney does not want to be in a setting with social and economic conservatives."

Now I pressed Scheffler and said, hey, Mitt Romney has gone to these kind of gatherings of -- large gatherings of social conservatives before. Just two weeks ago he was at the Values Voters Summit in Washington, D.C. And Steve Scheffler said, you know what, it's not Iowa, and if he wants to win the either caucus or the general election in Iowa, he will need to come here and have face time with these evangelical Christians, about 1,000 of which will be at this event -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: And so are his folks even commenting or saying there is any kind of correlation between this Faith and Freedom Coalition? You talk about Christians and his faith as a Mormon has become a lightning rod in some circles and perhaps that has a lot to do with his not being there. TRAVIS: Yes, you're absolutely right. That has become a lightning rod. His campaign though is largely mum, Fred, on why they are not attending this event. Now, again, in fairness, he has been to these kinds of large gatherings of social conservatives before, but they are not really talking about why he isn't coming to this.

Some people are speculating that Mitt Romney is going after economic conservatives, even disgruntled Democrats here in Iowa, and he is leaving this core group of evangelicals to be split up among, say, Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann and maybe even Herman Cain -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: OK. So, Shannon, Michele Bachmann is there. She was the winner of the Iowa Straw Poll. She has also been spending a lot of time even since that straw poll in Iowa. What does she have to say during this event today?

TRAVIS: Well, she has to basically continue to reiterate her message, her message of economic, fiscal conservatism to this group. But also she has to stress -- continue to stress her social bona fides, because that's what this group will want to hear -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: And then what's going on with her staff shake-up?

TRAVIS: Yes, she has got a little bit of a staff shake-up in New Hampshire. We are reporting that one of her staffers is leaving to go and work for Rick Perry up there in New Hampshire. And WMUR is reporting all five of her paid staffers in New Hampshire will soon be leaving -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: Oh my. All right. Shannon Travis, with a whole lot of movement going on as it pertains to the candidates in the race for the White House. Thanks so much.

And join us every Sunday at 4:00 Eastern time where we dedicate an entire hour to the presidential contenders in the 2012 election. Don't miss it tomorrow.

Meantime, the names of every juror in the Casey Anthony trial about to be made public whether they like it or not. Our legal guys weigh in on the implications of that, especially as it pertains to high-profile cases.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Coming up, rocker Jon Bon Jovi talks about his Soul Kitchen in New Jersey this week. Customers can pay what they can afford or volunteer in the kitchen for a free meal. We'll have that in about 20 minutes from now.

Meantime Halloween is fast approaching. It's only about a week away. So that means it's also a perfect time right now for some frightful travel. Reynolds Wolf is on the go with some seasonal ghost hunting.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm coming from Savannah, Georgia, which is what some consider to be America's most haunted city. Now we're currently outside Colonial Park Cemetery, the final resting place of 11,000 souls. What better place to be to get into that Halloween spirit.

(voice-over): If you're searching for a trip with chills, the first step is to see if your destination, like the city of Savannah, is truly haunted.

(on camera): What makes a haunted city?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Savannah has got a lot of tragic events that have happened here. You've got fires, you've got fevers, you've got plagues, you've got wars, and that spurs a lot of hauntings.

WOLF (voice-over): One of the best ways to connect with the history of these is with a ghost tour.

(on camera): What advice would you give someone who goes on one of these tours?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you let the storytellers' words have an effect on you, then you can experience something that happened hundreds of years ago.

WOLF (voice-over): Some cities even offer places for you to drink and dine with the past.

(on camera): Now one of the coolest things about going on a ghost- hunting tour in Savannah is the idea that if you have a non-breakable cup that's about 16 ounces or less, pick it up at any bar, you can actually take your spirits with you out on the streets as you learn about spirits.

(voice-over): And if you're looking to extend your fright all night long, search for hotels or bed and breakfast with an eerie past.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You can even call and ask if they have a haunted room.

WOLF: Just don't just watch the movie "The Shining" before your trip.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Jurors in the Conrad Murray trial are about to hear from the defense. Find out who just might take the stand first when our legal guys join us right after the break. There they are. They are ready to go.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Conrad Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial takes a major turn next week when the defense presents its case to the jury. Prosecutors wrapped up their presentation this week with compelling and potentially damaging testimony from an anesthesiology expert. Let's bring in our legal guys, Avery Friedman, a civil rights attorney and law professor in Cleveland. Hello. AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: Hi, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Richard Herman, a New York criminal defense attorney and law professor, joining us from Las Vegas. All right. Good to see you as well, Richard.

RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Hi, Fred.

WHITFIELD: Richard, you first. We heard from Dr. Steven Shafer, at least, the jurors, the courtroom, everybody who was watching it, heard from him. He talked about that kind of system that Dr. Conrad Murray kind of created to get this Propofol to not just drip but almost pour into the body of Michael Jackson. How damaging was that?

HERMAN: Well, when you're on the prosecution's case and you're led with the questions and you do what you've practiced to do in front of the jury, it comes across very compelling, Fred.

But the great equalizer of cross-examination that takes over. What we find early in the cross-examination of Dr. Shafer is that the setup he used in front of the jury to demonstrate all the cords and the wires which made up the IV was improper. It was not as it was depicted in the room with Michael Jackson.

So premise number one is wrong. Now don't get me wrong, he gave compelling testimony, he was a very powerful witness for the prosecution's case. But let's get the defense case in. Let's not jump to conclusions like everyone did in Casey Anthony.

WHITFIELD: And in large part you're saying, because he wasn't there, and only Michael Jackson and the doctor were there, and as we've heard from previous testimony, Conrad Murray had everything moved out of the room, so who would know exactly how it was set up.

So actually is that a pretty strong point, Avery? You were shaking your head no in disagreement. But that does kind of set up, perhaps, the defense has to come up with something to say. You know what, let's try and knock that testimony down. How will they do that?

FRIEDMAN: Yes, that's about all they are going to be able to do. Let me tell you something. The jurors were enraptured with the way this doctor testified as an expert. He talked about...

(CROSSTALK)

FRIEDMAN: I beg your pardon? He talked about pharmacological "Never- never-land." I mean, those are phrases that seared into the soul of these jurors. And, you know, let me tell you something, he used science, Fredricka, to take it back to 12:45 on the 25th of June, 2009, to demonstrate that if Dr. Murray were simply monitoring breathing, monitoring what was going on, he would know what to do.

That was the very time he was talking to his girlfriend. Very compelling testimony. I agree, time to put the defense on. But there is no way you're going to be able to minimize the significance. WHITFIELD: OK. So, Avery, if you were part of this defense team, what's the first type of witness that you're going to bring to testify to try to recreate in the minds of the jurors what may or may not have happened?

FRIEDMAN: Well, you can't put on Dr. Murray. He's never going to take the stand at this point. That will not happen. The best they have is Dr. Paul White, who is a colleague of Dr. Shafer's. He's going to try to paint a very different picture. That's all the defense has. Remember, we've had cardiologist, we've had sleep experts, we've had the Propofol expert, that's all they have left. That's it.

WHITFIELD: All right. So real quick, Richard, how do you see it? What would you do if you were on the defense team, who do you need to bring to paint a new picture for the jurors?

HERMAN: I'm going to shift the focus a little bit, Fred, in defense, to show the jurors just how strung out and just how bad Michael Jackson was taking Propofol for some 40 years, addicted to pain meds...

WHITFIELD: So it's the victim's fault.

HERMAN: ... addicted to...

WHITFIELD: That's what you...

HERMAN: Well, I'm going to put it on him and I'm going to say, you know, we're not going to blame Conrad Murray for this person. And we don't know what happened in that room when Murray stepped out of the room. And the jurors don't know. And if they pause to hesitate on answering that question, that's reasonable doubt. You can't convict.

WHITFIELD: OK. Let's talk about another high-profile case. And oftentimes you have got high-profile cases, you have got a jury, they are sequestered. Not in the case of Michael Jackson, but yes in the case of Casey Anthony.

And these jurors were a little concerned about their anonymity. They wanted that preserved. So the court -- the judge said, I'm going to preserve that for you so that people aren't hunting you down, especially after there is a verdict. Well, now, Richard, in that Casey Anthony case, come Tuesday that protection is being lifted.

How might this impact later high-profile cases? Does a judge kind of keep that anonymity in perpetuity or is this appropriate, is this exactly how it usually pans out, the judge eventually says, OK, there is a cooling off period?

HERMAN: Yes, no there's no "in perpetuity" here, Fred. And there's not in any courtroom in the United States. These names get released to the public. That's just how it is. Judge Belvin Perry made that period of time last a little longer because there were mental cases down there in Orlando threatening to do everything under the sun to these jurors. But these jurors, they did their job and they did it well. And anybody who goes after them or harasses them is going to violate the law and be prosecuted. Most of these jurors in high-profile cases, Fred, they want to get their names in the press because they make money on it.

WHITFIELD: Yes? OK. So real quick, 10 seconds...

HERMAN: So that's what it's about.

WHITFIELD: Ten seconds only, Avery, you know, do they -- is it kind of the discretion of the jurors to continue to try to protect their, I guess, secrecy? Or that's it, their names are out there, they are not going to be able to avoid any kind of press or anybody else, right?

FRIEDMAN: Well, that's right. That's right. I mean, Chief Judge Perry did a wonderful job in talking about Casey Anthony and the case devolving, as he said it, into cheap soap opera entertainment, is how he put it. And you know what, that cheap soap opera entertainment wound up resulting in 5.5 million viewers watching the verdict coming in over down at HLN.

WHITFIELD: Interesting.

FRIEDMAN: But the bottom line is the jurors have no control, the judge does. Don't be surprised to see a slight extension. But ultimately there is no secrecy. It will go public, no doubt about it.

FRIEDMAN: All right. Thanks so much. We're going to see you again in a few minutes, gentlemen, because we're going to talk about Lindsay Lohan, and a second chance, community service, what's happening with that. We're going to talk about that a little bit later.

Also ahead, we look at the best way to pay for college tuition.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Military families across America get ready to welcome their loved ones home from Iraq. The war draws to a close just over two months from now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GARY SYMONDS, SON FOUGHT IN IRAQ: (INAUDIBLE) not only is my son to come home safe and sound, to us, as a family, my family is whole again. And I'm very thankful for the job that him and all his fellow soldiers have done for us.

SGT. JERRY RUPPELT, U.S. ARMY: Time to bring our boys home. It's time for them to come home to their families. They shouldn't have to be over there.

SPC. TIM KOSTER, 362ND MOBILE PUBLIC AFFAIRS DETACHMENT: Especially coming home around the holiday times, it's going to be great.

(END VIDEO CLIP) WHITFIELD: And we'll have more reaction straight ahead.

Meantime, student loan debt topped a trillion dollars for the first time ever. It's the fastest growing debt right now. Kids are graduating with a record amount of loans, and many are wondering, is it worth it? And how can you afford to even save for it? Christine Romans reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Most of us aren't saving enough for college or starting early enough. It's easy to see why. You're already spending $227,000 to raise a kid from birth to 18. This according to the USDA. That's up 40 percent since 2000. And that doesn't include the cost of college. That's another 21,000 for a private four-year college room and board every year.

The debate shouldn't be, is college worth it? It should be, how are you going to pay for it in a smart way? According to the government, a worker with a college degree will make a million dollars more than a high school graduate over the course of their lifetime. And the unemployment rate for a college graduate is only 3.4 percent.

CARMEN WONG ULRICH, AUTHOR, "THE REAL COST OF LIVING": If you look at the data, this country is going to require that college degree like a high school degree. You really absolutely need the degree. But what are you going to do with it and how are you going to pay for it is really the important question.

ROMANS: Time is your best friend, even saving a little when your kid is still in diapers is better than taking out boatloads of loans later. Now 529 plans help you to do this with tax breaks for the investment in some states.

But you don't have to save for all of the college and you shouldn't. You should save for your retirement, too, don't forget. Ulrich recommends saving a third, borrowing a third with student loans, and then getting scholarships and grants for the final third.

Now the resource fine.org (ph) has this rule of thumb, don't borrow more in loans than the graduate is expected to earn in the first year working. So an engineering major can tolerate more loans than, say, a social worker education major who will be paid less.

And that means choosing the right school for your finances and ambitions, community college, state school, or private liberal arts college only if you can afford it. For more on how to save for college and retirement at the very same time, check out more in the book "Smart Is the New Rich."

Christine Romans, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right. For more on finance, check out Christine Romans's book "Smart Is the New Rich." Moammar Gadhafi and the link behind the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, two decades ago, straight ahead. The brother of a man killed on that flight speaks out.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: A look at our top stories right now. One of America's longest and costliest wars is drawing to a close. President Barack Obama is ending the war in Iraq. At the end of the year nearly 39,000 men and women in uniform will be home for the holidays.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's wonderful.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's no better feeling in the world to know that you're fixing to go back home and just get to reconnect.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think that there is a time and a place for war, and I wasn't opposed to it when we were first there. I am happy to hear that they will be coming home to their families.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So it's good to get them home. We just need to get them back from Afghanistan now. It's basically transferring from one war to the next. So the point is to get everybody back.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: After the pullout only a small number of U.S. troops, around 150, will be left in Iraq to assist in arms sales.

The worst flooding in almost a half a century has hit Thailand. More than 113,000 people are in shelters and almost 400 have already died. The Thai prime minister today warned Bangkok to brace for more flooding all triggered by months of monsoon.

The burial of former Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi is on hold. His body remains in cold storage. The United Nations and two human rights groups want an investigation into his death. The National Transitional Council says its forces captured Gadhafi alive but he was fatally shot in combat crossfire. Others have suggested Gadhafi may have been executed.

So days after the death of Moammar Gadhafi, loved ones of the many who died in Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, have very strong feelings. Our CNN national correspondent Susan Candiotti discovered that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: When you heard the news, what did you think?

BRIAN FLYNN, PAN AM 103 VICTIM'S BROTHER: I was thrilled. I didn't expect to have that reaction. I've been dreaming about this for more than 20 years but it was always with the sense that you don't want to be the vengeful one that thinks, I want my brother's murderer killed, but in a way you do.

CANDIOTTI (voice-over): Flynn's big brother J.P. was coming home for Christmas after studying abroad when a bomb killed 270 people over Lockerbie, Scotland.

(on camera): To you and to the other families, what did Gadhafi represent?

FLYNN: He was an unrepentant murder of these innocent kids coming home for Christmas. So he did represent the essence of evil to us.

CANDIOTTI (voice-over): We showed him video of Gadhafi's body for the first time.

FLYNN: It's too bad they couldn't kill him more than once.

CANDIOTTI (on camera): On a personal front, what are your reflections on this day about your brother?

FLYNN: I remember promising my brother that I wouldn't let it go unanswered, that I would do what I could to get him. I definitely believe that I've honored him and fulfilled my promise by doing what I could.

CANDIOTTI: You know, I look at his picture over your shoulder.

FLYNN: Yes. That's where he usually was, so it makes sense, he was a classic big brother. And today I feel as if hopefully he's proud.

CANDIOTTI: Susan Candiotti, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: A man allegedly posing as a doctor goes door to door offering free breast exams. Details of this bizarre case when our legal guys return, after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Lindsay Lohan found herself in trouble again this week. This time violating her probation. Our legal guys are back, Avery Friedman in Cleveland, Richard Herman in Las Vegas.

OK, Richard, you first, Lindsay Lohan didn't show up or -- well, I guess there are two different versions, probation officers say and the morgue says that she didn't show up in time for the community service. She says she did but there was a communication error. So what did this bring her?

HERMAN: Well, it brought her what she wanted. She's getting no publicity. She's not in any magazines these days. She can't make movies. She can't sing. She can't ac. She can't do anything. So she has to thumb her nose at the law and that's what she did.

So now she's back in court again, in the limelight, new wardrobe, new everything here. And she's going to go to jail. I mean, that's what's going to happen right now. As crazy as it is in California, they are going to put her in jail for a little bit, probably like a day or two, and then let her out again.

It's the biggest, ridiculous thing I've seen. She just continues to ignore the law. She's out of control. She's in the morgue now supposedly doing community service. That's where she's going to end up obviously soon. It's just ridiculous.

WHITFIELD: So, Avery, this really does seem like a broken record. I feel like we have these conversations often about -- involving Lindsay Lohan. So how is it that this keeps going object and on and on? This is kind of a broken record. How come there isn't any change in whether it be the response or whether it be on her end or the law's end? What's going on here?

FRIEDMAN: Yes, I think what you said is exactly right. I mean, any other normal person would be in jail right now. Her argument was that she showed up for her second form of community service, she screwed up her first at a women's center, to report to clean up at the morgue.

That's an awful job but it's the appropriate one. And she showed up late, she claims the media blocked the way. And so now the judge has required her posting $100,000 bond to keep her out.

And you know, let me tell you something, I actually saw her in a movie recently with Robert De Niro, and she didn't do a bad job, to be honest with you. If someone can just get their hands on her to get her help, maybe something can be done.

But I think you're exactly right. Other people go to jail, for some reason she keeps beating the system. I think sooner or later the time is going to be up unless she gets some serious help.

WHITFIELD: Yes, it's sad, because no one disputes that she's a talented actress. But the problem is all this other stuff that has her going in and out of court and, you know, I guess her brushes with the law. That just seems to take away from the talent that she has.

FRIEDMAN: Like I say, she's an annuity for us every week, I mean, she's into something new.

WHITFIELD: Yes, it's too bad we have to talk about her a lot.

(CROSSTALK)

WHITFIELD: Yes, go ahead, Richard.

HERMAN: When she was young she was a good actress. When she was younger she was a good actress. She hasn't done anything. She's really just pathetic.

WHITFIELD: OK.

FRIEDMAN: Oh, take it easy.

WHITFIELD: OK. Well, let's talk about somebody else whose acting skills apparently were pretty convincing. We're talking about a man who allegedly...

FRIEDMAN: Yes, well, to a couple of people.

WHITFIELD: To a few people, enough to actually get himself into the homes of some people who -- this man, apparently, Phillip Winikoff, allegedly knocked on the doors of some homes. He's 81 years old. He convinced a number of people that he was a doctor and actually carried out, allegedly, some breast exams.

Well, now he got himself in trouble. But then, Richard, wait a minute, there's a plea deal that's involved. We don't know the details of the deal. But apparently he did admit, correct, to this offense and now I guess it's just a mystery as to what happens next.

HERMAN: Yes, he was charged with nine counts, including battery and impersonating a doctor. And he was facing 55 years in prison, this 81-year-old man. So they cut him a deal where he's only going to get probation and have to pay like a $250 fine or something, Fred.

But he's running around Fort Lauderdale area. He's knocking on doors. It's Breast Awareness Month. And the Women's Health Initiative was also going door-to--door advising women of this. And what's up with the women down there allowing this guy in their home to examine their breasts?

(CROSSTALK)

WHITFIELD: He apparently was very convincing.

(CROSSTALK)

WHITFIELD: He apparently was very convincing, Avery.

FRIEDMAN: Wait a minute, Fredricka, I mean, listen...

WHITFIELD: What?

FRIEDMAN: ... to me. You know what this guy does for a living? He's a shuttle guy for an auto dealership. And he goes out and he buys a little black bag and he knocks on the door and he puts on those like grandpa glasses, or whatever those things are, and somehow these women are convinced.

Look, don't forget, and we all know people who have suffered like this, they are vulnerable, they are looking for help. A guy comes to the door, frankly, it was a foolish thing to do.

Let me tell you something, once they get this conviction, I want these women to go after this guy, 81 years old or not. He's a reptile. And he should be accountable for what he did to these women. It really makes your blood boil what this guy has done here. A minor fine just doesn't cut it.

WHITFIELD: OK. Thanks so much, Avery, Richard. Always enjoy it. Sorry we're out of time. It feels like we didn't have as much time as usual, but we have got so much going on. (CROSSTALK)

FRIEDMAN: Just goes so fast.

HERMAN: But, Fred, don't believe T.J. that it's jet lag, the redness in his eyes. Just don't believe that, OK?

WHITFIELD: That's right. You all spent a little time together in Vegas. You know the back story. All right. Thanks so much, gentlemen.

(CROSSTALK)

FRIEDMAN: Yes, but I got to spend -- I got to spend time with Fredricka, though, so it all balances out.

WHITFIELD: Yes, that was great. I know, we had a good time, Avery, last week and then next time it's your turn, Richard.

HERMAN: Next week. Yes.

WHITFIELD: I'm really looking forward to it. And it's Halloween, so, ooh, it could be spooky and creepy, right? Or really exciting.

HERMAN: We'll see. We'll see.

WHITFIELD: All right. Gentlemen, thanks so much.

All right. Players in slam-dunk contests, they will go to extremes sometimes to try and claim that top prize. We'll show you a player who puts his mom to the test. That's coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Reynolds Wolf with me now. Because moms will usually say yes to just about anything, right?

WOLF: Yes, they will say that, sure.

WHITFIELD: OK. So in this viral video we are going to see an interesting slam-dunk contest. This player decided to involve his mom. There his mom is under the net. I think she knows what's coming. Don't you think?

WOLF: I hope so.

WHITFIELD: Wouldn't that be fair? And this is at Wagner College. And, wow. He jumped over his mom. (INAUDIBLE) the shoulder or something like that to get a little extra edge. He cleared his mom there and he also cleared the dunk.

WOLF: Fred, there's a razor's edge difference between success and failure.

WHITFIELD: Oh yes, true.

WOLF: And had somehow he just missed just by a half inch or so, look, here we go again. That could have gone so badly.

WHITFIELD: She new (INAUDIBLE) had a little bit there.

WOLF: I hope so.

WHITFIELD: Because otherwise, you're right, it would have been ugly to knock over your mom.

WOLF: But imagine if she had hiccupped or just jumped a little bit? This story could be entirely different.

WHITFIELD: So that means they rehearsed this.

WOLF: Let's hope so. Let's...

WHITFIELD: Yes. We love moms all the time. But that was nice.

WOLF: Mother's Day...

(CROSSTALK)

WHITFIELD: That was a nice slam-dunk contest.

WOLF: A great mother-son moment.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: Fun stuff. You know what I forgot to mention? So that was the "Madness before Midnight" dunk contest. So you're doing that and you're pushing midnight? Pretty remarkable.

WOLF: And madness, yes, pretty...

WHITFIELD: And it's mad, that's why it was viral. And it has gone viral, 400,000 hits on YouTube. All right. Thanks so much, Reynolds. Appreciate that.

All right. Something else that caught a lot of people's attention, a New Jersey rocker feeding the hungry. We'll tell you how Jon Bon Jovi is putting food on the tables of those who can't afford to pay.

And an accomplished journalist who also happens to be a CNN executive opens up about his long trip home, coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Rocker Jon Bon Jovi opened his Soul Kitchen in New Jersey this week. Customers pay what they can afford or volunteer in the kitchen for a free meal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JON BON JOVI, MUSICIAN: The idea that you go and you participate in some way, like I said, if it was cleaning the kitchen with us at the soup kitchen when we were running it out of there or working in our gardens here now that we're in our retail space, empowerment is what this is all about.

You know, it's really important that people participate in the solution.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Bon Jovi says it's a restaurant whose time has come when one in five households are below the poverty level.

He's an accomplished journalist whose reporting around the world helped him rise to become editor-in-chief of Newsweek magazine, then NBC News executive, and now managing editor of CNN worldwide. Add author to Mark Whitaker's body of work. In his book "My Long Trip Home" he reveals candidly how troubles as a kid in his bi-racial family and then later a persistently rocky relationship with his alcoholic father became driving forces to his journalistic success.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: In a big way, it's overcoming. And so one has to wonder if you're as successful as you are because along the way you were kind of overcompensating, maybe replacing a lot of those feelings of depression or feeling out of place or feeling disconnected with your father, working so hard at something else to kind of distance yourself from that pain.

MARK WHITAKER, AUTHOR, "MY LONG TRIP HOME": Yes, yes, no, there's no question about that. But the interesting thing, Fred, is that all those years I thought that I was constructing a life for myself as an adult by trying to avoid all the mistakes that my parents had made and do everything completely differently.

But one of the things that I discovered in going back and reporting the story is that there was a lot of the sort of basis of the things that I drew on as an adult that were actually there in the story.

I mean, for all of their problems, my father's alcoholism, you know, a lot of the dysfunction, there was always an emphasis on learning. Both of my parents were scholars. Obviously that's something that I've drawn on in my career.

There's also really stories of survival that go back to my granddaddy was born on a tenant farm in Texas, the 13th son of a former slave made his way to the steel plants in Pittsburgh, became an undertaker. My grandmother, who was like an incredibly strong person.

So a lot of the things I thought that I was doing for myself to get away from my path actually had deep roots in the family story.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: More of my conversation with Mark Whitaker, author of "My Long Trip Home" in the 2:00 Eastern hour. He also reveals the multifaceted meaning behind that title, "My Long Trip Home."

It's election day in Louisiana. The state is holding its gubernatorial primary with voters deciding whether Governor Bobby Jindal gets to keep his job.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is hoping to hold onto his job today. The state is holding its gubernatorial primary. It's a nonpartisan contest where all candidates compete and whoever gets 50 percent or more of the votes wins the race.

Coming up in the 2:00 Eastern hour, what's next for Libyan people after the death of Moammar Gadhafi? I'll talk to an expert in the Middle Eastern region.

Plus at 4:00 Eastern, we'll go over "Fortune" magazine's top 40 under 40 list. "YOUR MONEY" starts right now.