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Brutal Heat Wave Across 25 States; Libyans Cast Vote in First Ever Free Election; British Terror Arrest; Afghanistan Designated U.S. Ally; Malware Infected Computers Could Lose Internet on Monday; Russia Flooding Kills Over A Hundred People; 61 Cambodian Children Killed By Mystery Illness; The Roots of Scientology; High Tech Ways To Get In Shape; Former Battleship Opens as New Museum; Summer Movie Releases
Aired July 07, 2012 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN ANCHOR: You're in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Gary Tuchman in for Fredricka Whitfield. Let's begin with history being made today in the nation of Libya.
After 40 years of Moammar Gadhafi's rule, Libyans lined up to vote in the country's first free election ever. They're electing a national assembly that will be responsible for appointing a transitional government.
CNN producer, Jomana Karadsheh is live in Tripoli. Jomana, thank you very much for joining us. The polls closed about an hour ago. We're hearing the turnout was very heavy. Is that what you've been seeing?
JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN PRODUCER: Well, Gary, the polls might have closed, but the celebration is not over. People are out on the streets driving around, their horns, as you might hear right behind me to the tune of lift your head up high. You are a free Libyan.
A lot of jubilation and celebration on this day for Libyans and yes, the turnout according to electoral officials has been really high.
About five hours ago, the Electoral Commission announced that 1.2 million, that is, out of 2.8 million registered voters did turn out and vote.
There were a lot of people who turned out last minute to vote. And they said it was, the polling took place at 98 percent of the polling centers. So for many officials here, this day has been a great success.
TUCHMAN: Jomana Karadsheh, thank you very much for joining us. It's quite a duty, a very historical day in the nation of Libya.
In the United States, 115 million people are sweltering in a heat wave that has lasted more than a week now. Take a look at today's predicted highs.
Triple digit temperatures from the Midwest to the eastern seaboard. Boston looks good though at 87. Several deaths are being blamed on the heat wave. Keeping safe, keeping cool, it's especially hard for about 350,000 people who lost power during a freak storm one week ago and still at this hour don't have it back.
CNN's Emily Schmidt joins us live from Virginia, a state that has been hit hard by the power outages. Emily, how are people coping there?
EMILY SCHMIDT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Gary. It has been a long week for people here. These toppled trees went down when the winds blew through just over a week ago and it turned that was only the beginning of the problem.
Then came the heat, this is tenth straight day that the thermometer has reached at least 95 degrees. Today, the temperature here is going well into the triple digits. The storm impact just keeps piling up.
We were driving through another part of the community here in Springfield, Virginia. We saw some man who was out working on his deck in the middle of the day. We said why are you doing it today?
His answer, he's renovating his house and last weekend's storm kept him from working then. Now he has to catch up to try to get ready for his contractors.
Those contractors happen to be in the front yard. They were hauling 150 pounds of concrete one wheelbarrow at a time. That's hard work any day, let alone on this day, which could very well break heat records.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As soon as I got cold, I would drink one and drink another. Soon they would pile up to around ten. I think I might get another one soon.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCHMIDT: This heat especially dangerous. We know there are hundreds of thousands of people all across the country who are without power right now.
Metro running -- Metropolitan D.C. reports that they believe heat was to train for three train cars that derailed during rush hour yesterday.
In the state of Maryland, Gary is now saying they are blaming nine deaths on the heat. All of these deaths during since July 2nd. Back to you.
TUCHMAN: Emily, does anyone keep track of how much this cost in terms of damage, in terms of lost work, the economy?
SCHMIDT: You know, it's an easy question to ask. It turns out it's a pretty hard question to answer. We called around to a lot of government agencies who that it is too early.
They're still working on the cleaning up everything to be able to add up how much this is costing them. But then we talked to experts who look at weather events.
They analyze how much this cost. They say it could be about a month before we have any dollar totals, but say it is fair to compare what has happened here and across the region to hurricanes or even the snowmageddon that we had a couple of years ago.
I can tell you something that we saw on a very small scale. We went to suburban Maryland. Chevy Chase Supermarket, they've been around for decades, fourth generation business.
Well, they lost power on Friday then their refrigerator truck blew up, the compressor on it so basically they lost all of their fresh produce, all of their frozen food.
They couldn't pay their employees, 60 employees for the days that they weren't able to work. They did not have any customers, didn't have any sales, and couldn't buy anything from the supplier.
Then we went to the supplier. They lost hundreds of thousands of dollars because of all the food they had piled up. That's five days worth of business lost not to be recovered -- Gary.
TUCHMAN: Snowmageddon, that sounds very refreshing right now.
SCHMIDT: We remember it well.
TUCHMAN: Yes, we remember it well indeed. It's nice seeing you and thank you very much.
It is incredibly hot in the United States, but relief is on the way for much of the heat zone. Meteorologist Alexandra Steele is in the CNN Weather Center.
Alexandra, where is the cooler, I'm not saying cool, where is the cooler air headed?
ALEXANDRA STEELE, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, I love it. You're calling snowmageddon refreshing. I was calling 91 degrees refreshing. All right, it's all relative, isn't it?
Hi, everyone. Hope you're having a great afternoon. It is a steamy one out there. I mean, this heat wave has some legs. This is the same heat wave just kind of to give you some perspective.
Two weeks ago this was the heat wave on the west coast and exacerbating those wildfires, the Waldo Canyon fire. Then the heat wave moved into the Midwest. It helped trigger that Derecho that left all those people without power.
Now it is in the east coast. So for today, right now in Washington it feels like, which is more important than the number, right, 107 degrees, currently at 102. This is, though, kind of the apex of the heat in terms of this heat wave, 103 today in K.C., 100 in Lexington.
Here comes the relief, the relief in the form of a cold front, or a cool front, cooler air coming in behind it. You can see Washington still 100 tomorrow. So Washington stays hot.
But Chicago, that was at 100 degrees yesterday. Gets to 82 by Sunday and we continue in that. That cooler air dropping south behind it. Washington gets into the 80s by Monday and even cooler still throughout the Ohio Valley and Tennessee Valley by Tuesday.
But this heat relief is coming at a price. What that price is with all that heat in place, now we've got that lifting mechanism and this is what we've got, showers and thunderstorms firing off.
We do have severe thunderstorm watches posted. You can see including New York City and you could see half of Long Island, Southern New York through the Hudson Valley of New York, West Chester County and all the way from Williamsport and Pittsburgh in through the Ohio Valley.
What this means is the potential for thunderstorms to develop today, we're certainly seeing that. Also today, which we've seen with those two Derechos we've seen in the last week and a half the potential for some very strong winds and thus tomorrow, I bet, we'll be at a path of destruction from winds.
So this is problem. This is what we're seeing now. Here's where we can see it today. Hail up to about 2 inches and wind gust to about 70 miles per hour.
You can see all the northeast, including Boston Philadelphia, Washington, Pittsburgh, all impacted by this with the severe weather threat. So yes, cooling down is coming, it certainly is today, the top of the heat. We will cool down.
TUCHMAN: Alexandra, I get this question from a lot of people. I don't know if there's an easy answer.
STEELE: I'm putting on my thinking cap.
TUCHMAN: Is it on?
STEELE: It's on, half on.
TUCHMAN: The question is, it's so hot this summer. It was so warm this winter. What the heck is going on? Can you answer that?
STEELE: Well, I mean, climatologists would say, as is always the case, one heat wave cannot portend what the rest summer will be, right? But in the world of weather, things are incredibly cyclical.
If you get into a heat pattern, you stay in a heat pattern and heat does beget heat. Because with the heat it becomes incredibly dry, which we've seen around the country. When it is so dry, there's dry soil.
The moister values are so dry that all that heat is radiating so it is not absorbing the temperatures. So heat begets heat. This has been an incredibly hot summer and there is another heat wave.
Once we shake off this heat wave through the east, there is another area in the west. That too will move east baffle tend of the summer we won't be having the conversation, boy, it was an awfully cool summer, that 2012 summer.
I would say we're going to really, this will be a record one for sure, which it already has been so I don't see the heat nozzle coming down per se.
TUCHMAN: Alexandra, keep think thing cap on. We'll have more questions later.
STEELE: All right, gotcha.
TUCHMAN: British police have arrested a seventh person on suspicion of terror offenses. The British Counter Terrorism Command arrested six others on Thursday, all on suspicion of terrorism. No one has been charged.
As Nic Robertson explains, all this come three weeks ahead of the start of the Olympics.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The police appear to be taking no chances with any terror groups that they're coming across right now. Although the threat level is substantial, that is the third below the top level.
It hasn't changed and it hasn't gone up. There is a very real acceptance that al Qaeda or another organization want to target the Olympics.
And inside Britain, they have perhaps some of the operatives who could make that possible. So the concern and the threat are very real and that's what we're seeing happening on the ground.
TUCHMAN: Police say they are still questioning the woman arrested this morning. A new chapter in relations between the United States and Afghanistan, the U.S. has named Afghanistan, quote, "a major ally."
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made that official designation during a surprise visit to Kabul. It clears the way for the two countries to maintain the defense and economic friendship after U.S. troops have withdrawn.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HILLARY CLINTON, SECRETARY OF STATE: Our strategic partnership agreement is not aimed at any other country. Our goal is to work with the region and the international community to strengthen Afghanistan's institutions. So that the transition is successful and the Afghan people themselves can take responsibility and the future of Afghanistan will be safer and more secure.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TUCHMAN: Almost all U.S. troops are set to leave Afghanistan by 2014. Japan, Pakistan and Australia also have the ally status.
Well, there is a mystery illness and it is only killing children. How they're trying to solve the deadly mystery.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TUCHMAN: Most of us use the internet, but come Monday, some of us may not be able to logon. Tom Foreman explains.
TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is what you need to watch out for this weekend. The FBI went after this virus called the "DNS Changer" through a thing called "Operation Ghost Click."
Why did they call it that? Because this virus targeted about 4 million computers worldwide, a half million in the U.S. and what it did was, if you click on a web site, something you wanted to go to. It simply took you to another site.
Sometimes it looked a lot like it. For example, you went to iTunes. You wanted to buy some music or a movie or something, and all of sudden you found yourself that look kind of like it where they might steal directly from you. They were stealing ad space.
The bottom line is they ripped off about $14 million this way. These were some eastern European criminals according to the FBI. They were picked up, but the virus is still out there. So that's the real danger.
And the big problem comes on Monday when if this is inside your computer. There is a very good chance you will find that you simply cannot get on to the internet at all. So what can you do about it?
Well, some of the biggest names out there on the internet have been trying to help. Facebook has been sending notices to people who sign on whose computers act like they might be infected. You might have seen one of these. Same thing from Apple. Same thing from Google letting people know that maybe there's a problem.
What to do if you think you have a problem is simple in many ways. Just go to www.dns-ok.us. This was setup with the FBI and the bottom line is when you go to that website, it automatically either shows you either a green indicator here or a red indicator.
Green means you're clean generally. It not a guarantee, but that says your computer doesn't seem to be a problem. If it comes up red though, you need to act quickly.
In any event, check out all of your spyware malware indication, your protections on your computer. Get all the updates this weekend. Make sure that your security system is working as well as possible to help assess this thing out and get it out of your computer and take a little bit of time.
Go to that website and just make sure because you don't want to find that it is Monday and the ghost got you.
TUCHMAN: Thank you very much, Tom. If you're thinking about a movie tonight, we've got some help for you. Our Grae Drake joins us to tell you if the new Spider-Man film is worth your money.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TUCHMAN: It's time for some international news. In Southern Russia, flash flooding has killed more than 100 people. Homes were flooded while people were asleep. Some folks had to be rescued by police after seeking refuge on roofs and trees.
And in Pamplona, Spain, the annual running of the bulls is on. Six runners, we hear it year after year, were hurt including this time a 73-year-old man. This is the first day of the running. The races will be held for eight straight days, ending on July 14th.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is scheduled to be extradited to Sweden today. It hasn't happened yet because he is hold up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. And he has applied for political asylum. The Swedish authorities want to question Assange about sexual assault allegations.
The World Health Organization is tracking a mystery illness that is killing children in Cambodia. So far at least 61 children have died.
In fact, only one child admitted to the hospital has survived the symptoms, which include respiratory problems and swelling of the brain. Most of the cases have hit children under the age of 3. It is very sad.
Fionnuala Sweeney is joining me right now. The parents of the children in this country must be so worried right now.
FIONNUALA SWEENEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Not only the parents in this country, Cambodia, but in the countries around it and the World Health Organization. What we do know is that it is not happening in clusters.
In other words, it doesn't seem to be spreading at the moment. The kids all felt ill together. They first had severe swelling on the brain. That led to pneumonia and it was untreatable.
So essentially what doctors are trying to find out now is what is causing this. Until they find out what causes it, they can't treat it.
TUCHMAN: But they have no idea right now. It's a total mystery to officials?
SWEENEY: They know what it is not. They know it is dengue fever. They it is not bird flu. They have problems in Cambodia periodically, maybe every 10 years or so where many, many people get ill.
So what they are trying to do now is give chemicals, a larvae eating chemical that will allow people to remain healthy themselves would be affected by the larva.
People are being asked to once again use mosquito nets until the World Health Organization can get to the bottom of it.
TUCHMAN: Last question for you, what's the next step? I mean, obviously to find out what's going on, but what are parents supposed to do?
SWEENEY: Well, parents are taking their children to clinics all over the country and you can imagine how nervous they are at the moment. When they see their children begin to feel ill at the beginning of any slight illness whatsoever.
They're being urged to stay away from the water. The WHO are working overtime. They informed the Cambodian authorities about this some time ago.
They're informing neighboring countries. Everybody is being told to make sure cleanliness and hygiene are the most important things and if your child is sick, to take your child to the hospital.
TUCHMAN: Fionnuala, thank you. You can watch my friend, Fionnuala Sweeney on CNN International. Thank you for joining us. It is really a sad story. I hope they find out quickly what's going on.
Well, the divorce of one of Hollywood's most famous couples, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. It is all raising up questions about scientology. We'll dig deeper into the secret of church's finances valued in the millions of dollars.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TUCHMAN: It's been a violent 24 hours in one Ohio town. Police are investigating four deaths in Newton Falls, Ohio. That's about 60 miles from Cleveland to the east.
They're trying to determine if three bodies found in a home and one found nearby are connected to another man who apparently committed suicide in a cemetery. Police say a child was able to escape the shootings in that home.
We now officially know how Mary Richardson Kennedy died. Medical examiners say the estranged wife Robert F. Kennedy hanged herself and died from asphyxiation.
Toxicology reports say there were no traces of alcohol in her system, but the report did find there were three anti-depressants. Mrs. Kennedy took her own life back in May.
George Zimmerman is a free man. One day after a Florida said that he was a flight risk, Zimmerman was able to post $100,000 bond and he got out of jail for the second time.
He was ordered back there after a judge said he lied about how much money he had at a previous bond hearing. He is charged with second- degree murder in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.
Serena Williams is a grand slam winner again. She won her fifth Wimbledon singles title today after a hard fought battle. This is Serena's 14th grand slam crown. Congratulations to Serena.
As the world economy sputters, not even the Vatican is immune to money problems. The autonomous Catholic state is reporting it is nearly $19 million in the red this year.
While millions of paying tourists continue to flock tots holy monuments like the Sistine Chapel, the cost of employing its 3,000 staff during the Eurozone crisis has led to its worst financial year on record.
Going up against the Vatican in the teachings of your own religion, one prominent Catholic woman is making it her life's mission to see that all women have access to birth control.
Our Dr. Sanjay Gupta spoke with Melinda Gates about how tough it is to face off against her critic critics who say her foundation violates the sanctity of sex.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: If you are meeting with the pope, what would you tell him?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I would tell him that I think this is right for all women. If you believe in helping poor women, if you believe in children living and thriving, I think this is a necessary tool in this day and age.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TUCHMAN: To hear more about this Catholic controversy as it all unfolds, watch "Sanjay Gupta MD" about one hour from now, today at 4:30 Eastern Time or tomorrow morning at 7:30 A.M. Eastern Time.
Now, to scientology, a lot of people have been talking about this controversial and secretive church recently after the news about Katie Holmes divorcing Tom Cruise.
As you know, cruise is one of scientology's most famous celebrity members. The church brings in millions of dollars each year. CNN's Alison Kosik takes a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: The Church of Scientology is known for its celebrity fire power, but beyond that is a sprawling empire that began more than 60 years ago. Dollar figures are hard to come by.
It is a non-profit organization granted tax-exempt status by the IRS in 1993 and its structure is complicated. The Church of Scientology International headquartered in Los Angeles oversees all religious activity.
But there are other corporations including the Religious Technology Center and the Church of Spiritual Technology. They own and oversee the trademarks and copy rights of "Scientology and Dianetics," the bestselling book written by Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard.
Its publishing houses can turn out 67 million copies a year. They go for $20 a paper back on the scientology web site. No doubt you've seen pictures of the celebrity center in Hollywood. That's just one of the vast real estate holdings.
It says it has acquired more than 70 new buildings since 2004 and that its total assets and properties internationally have more than doubled in the last seven years. The Church of Scientology says 4.4 million people sign up every year.
But scholars say the membership numbers are much lower likely in the hundreds of thousands. So where is the money coming from, mostly its member. The church is primarily funded by contributions usually in exchange for church services like spiritual counseling and training.
According to the "St. Petersburg Times," Scientology's spiritual headquarters in Clearwater, Florida, brings in $100 million a year. But the churches sometimes hefty fees have raised eyebrows.
Some former alleged the church coerces its flock into making donations and buying scientology materials and it sells a lot of materials everything from online courses to DVDs with most of the proceeds going back to the church. The church strongly denies coercion. In New York, I'm Alison Kosik.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TUCHMAN: Every step you take can save a rain forest. We'll show you a new gadget that can help you get in shape and save the planet.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TUCHMAN: Many of us ramp up our workout routine for the summer to get ready for the beach. If that swimsuit isn't enough motivation, there are some high-tech gadgets and apps that can help.
Our tech expert, Marc Saltzman is her via Skype from Toronto, Ontario to break it down for us. Mark, thanks for joining us. First let's talk about walking. There's a pedometer that really changes the way you think about exercise, right?
MARC SALTZMAN, SYNDICATED TECHNOLOGY WRITER: Sure. So a lot of our viewers know what a regular pedometer is. It's a little gadget that simply counts your step. This is one that is quite special. It is called "The Striiv."
And it is dubbed a smart pedometer. So not only does it count your steps, but it gives you challenges. It awards you with trophies. There is a game element where you earn coins that you can spend on this little game and play it with a little touch screen.
It is really a lot of fun. The whole idea is to motivate to you exercise. It might give you a challenge like climb 25 sets of stairs in 5 minutes.
And if you do that, you get a trophy that shows on your little virtual wall. You just wear this little gadget on your hip. You can clip it to your key chain. The idea is it is light weight. It charges through your computer.
What I really like about it when you connect to it your computer. You do need to download some software first. The company is rewarding you with your step and actually partnering with corporate sponsors to make donations to charity.
So there's a lot more to learn about "Striiv" so I would check out the web site. It is a great little gadget about $100.
TUCHMAN: Marc, let's say you want to pick up the pace. There is one app that kind of scares you into running faster, right?
SALTZMAN: I think this is genius. It is an app called "Zombies Run." It is essentially a smart audio book that works with iPhone, Android and as of last week, Windows phone devices.
And it tells you this creepy story in your ear phones while you're out walking or jogging. And you play as a runner in this story. It is a zombie infested future.
And while you're running, you are, of course, staying away from the flesh eating undead, but also helping survivors in this fictional world.
But again, you're being entertained because it is a story and you're being asked to pick up the pace. And this is all tied to the audio book that you're hearing.
And it is a great idea to stay motivated and you know, zombies are all over pop culture. It is about $8 and you can find it at your favorite app store.
TUCHMAN: Zombies and fitness, what a great mixture?
SALTZMAN: Who knew?
TUCHMAN: So what can you do, it is hot in pretty much a lot of North America right now. What can you do if the heat is too much? What's a good way to get some good quality indoor exercise perhaps without zombies?
SALTZMAN: Sure. The third and final way to stay motivated as you're exercising is through a game like your "Shape Fitness Evolves 2012." This is a sequel to a game that came out about a year ago.
It's from a company called Ubisoft and it works with the Xbox 360 and more importantly, that connect sensor that is optional. You plug it in and it monitors your movement. So you play these games and do these exercises hands-free.
In fact, there are so many activities in games and exercises on this one disk. It totals more than 90 hours of routines. That's everything from kickboxing to Latin dance, aerobics, muscle strengthening.
You're not holding anything in your hands. You're doing these fitness exercises and playing these mini games in front of your television in the privacy of your own living room.
A lot people don't want to work out in a gym because they're a little intimidated. You're staying motivated. It counts your calories. It gives you lots of challenges so it is a great way to stay in shape privately and it is $49.
TUCHMAN: Marc, good information. Very interesting, thanks for joining us this weekend.
SALTZMAN: Thank you. Cheers.
TUCHMAN: For more high-tech ideas and reviews, just go to cnn.com/tech and look for the gaming and gadget tab. Hopefully without zombies.
Every day, 10,000 Americans turn 65 years old. This week's CNN hero got tired of seeing his elderly neighbors fall victim to crime, abuse and neglect.
Police Officer Zach Hudson decided to organize the community to help. Here's a look at what he is doing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ZACH HUDSON: I've been a police officer for a little over 10 years. We see people at their worst. The one thing I've seen over and over again is victimization of the elderly.
They are the forgotten portion of our society that nobody really thinks about. They are alone. Yet they don't ask for help.
Buddy, you got a flat tire going there.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know. I don't have the money to fix it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a not good. They are that much easier to victimize. If I can help you with that tire, give me a call. I realized something had to be done. I had enough.
I'm Officer Zach Hudson. I was raised by my grandmother and great- grand mother. I'm bringing this community together to help keep seniors safe.
Cops and firefighters come across seniors with various problem, able to call us and seniors reach out directly to us.
How is your floor looking?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My floor getting mushy. I was scared I'd go right down through it.
HUDSON: We get it taken care of for free. If we can get the tile down, the wheelchair won't take a toll like it did. There's no job too small. We have 25 yards to do. It takes commitment from the community. Nice and solid.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love it. HUDSON: Elderly people rescued me in a lot of ways. What do you think?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't want to leave my bathroom.
HUDSON: This is simply an opportunity for me to give back to them.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TUCHMAN: Remember, all of our heroes come from your nominations. If you have someone you would like to tell us about, go to cnnheroes.com.
Major Dan Gade lost a leg in the Iraq war, but he did not lose his ability to inspire others in the army and his competitors in endurance racing. We'll bring you his story.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TUCHMAN: The battleship "USS Iowa" fired in dangerous waters and even served as a taxi for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Today the ship that was once the crown jewel of the U.S. Navy was opened to the public as a floating museum in San Pedro, California, near L.A. A Navy veteran who served on board gives us a unique tour.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MIKE MCENTEGGARD, U.S. NAVY VETERAN, USS IOWA: Hi. I'm Mike McEnteggard. I'm a ship operations lead with the Pacific Battleship Center here on the USS Iowa. She is a gorgeous ship.
She is an engineering master piece and she is one of our nation's treasures. Watch your step! I first came on board the Battleship Iowa in November of 1985.
We had anywhere between 1,300 and 1,900 guys on board the ship. We went through the Persian Gulf. We did a lot of cruises, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, the North Atlantic, 35-foot seas.
That was exciting. She is a battleship. You take a look around and you will see why. This is where all the big decisions of the war were made back in World War II in the '40s.
You get chills coming into a place like this. We helped to shell Korea, the Russians were like, look at that ship. Back in the '40s, during the conference, President Roosevelt was on board the ship so he took this and used it as his taxi to go across the ocean to meet with Churchill and Stalin.
He was in a wheelchair, as you know. This was where he stayed because this is the only ship in the navy with a bathtub, past, present and future. President Roosevelt took a bath in this bathtub.
In the '80 they retro fitted the ship and these are for anti-aircraft and we could bombard the shore, too. They would fire 15 rounds a minute. Here's one of her guns, 16 inch in diameter. I could fit in there. Each one of these barrels, 67 feet long. Fire a projectile 24 miles. One day I fired the guns, too. I did not hear the boom like you would out here but I felt the concussion of it. Wow, I just shot the gun.
So the last gun I ever shot in my life was this gun. One day I had the pleasure of actually driving. I remember making a turn to starboard which is right. And the whole ship just went.
Wow, this works. I'm driving a battleship. We're doing everything from deck work. We have the mast up. We got a lot of money from the state of Iowa to get the painting done. The ship sat for 20 years.
So to look at her the way she looked a couple months ago compared to now. It is just amazing. I hope everybody enjoys it when they come out.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TUCHMAN: What a great story. It cost $18 to tour the USS Iowa, but it is free to children under 6. This is great. If you're from the state of Iowa, it is also free. It costs nothing.
This week's "Human Factor," Dr. Sanjay Gupta brings us the story of Army Major Dan Gade who was wounded in action twice in Iraq in 2004 and 2005.
He is still an active duty military man teaching politics at West Point. He also inspires a lot of people as an endurance athlete. He just completed a 3,000 mile bike ride across the United States.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: When did you know you wanted to be in the army, to be a military person?
MAJOR DAN GADE, U.S. ARMY: Well, my dad had fought in Vietnam. My older brother was a '94 West Point graduate. I'm a '97 West Point graduate, and my younger brother is currently serving in the Army.
GUPTA (voice-over): But it wasn't until January 5th, 2005 when his convoy was hit by a roadside bomb when he realized just how dangerous war could be.
Three weeks after the incident, Gade woke up in a hospital bed, recovering from many injuries and missing his entire right leg.
GADE: I'm laying there and I'm just thinking, my gosh, how much worse could this the get?
GUPTA: He spent some time feeling sorry for himself, to be sure, but it was his 2-year-old daughter who snapped him out of it. She was 2 and she wanted me to play with her on the ground and I was in a power wheelchair with a broken pelvis and all that stuff.
And she said, Daddy, can you play with me? And I said, no, baby, I can't, I can't sit on the floor. And she turned around and said under her breath, my Daddy can't do anything. And I crawled out of the wheelchair and sat on the ground on my broken pelvis and played Legos.
GUPTA: Since that day, Gade has become an "Iron Man" triathlete completed a one-mile swim and just finished a relay bike race across the Unites States pedaling six hours a day with just one leg.
GADE: It's a neat ride because you're kind of going through the rural parts of America and to me that's the heartland.
GUPTA: The ride was grueling, but yet for Gade, it was about more than just finishing.
GADE: You have a setback, and it could be something dramatic like the setback I had when I got hurt in Iraq, and the important thing is that you kind of find a new normal and that you go forward from wherever you are and do the very best with the things that God has given you.
GUPTA: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, reporting.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TUCHMAN: Major Gade has a lot of experience overcoming adversity and he thinks we all have it within ourselves to do the exact same. You can read more about his experiences and advice at cnn.health.com.
The "Amazing Spider-Man" is the latest version of the superhero epic. Is it the best yet? We'll tell you.
Plus our film critic is astound to talk with pop Katy Perry about her new movie.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TUCHMAN: Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, now Katy Perry. Her new film is the latest in the trend of concert based movies. "Katy Perry Part Of Me," is out this weekend.
Our movie critic, Grae Drake, sat down with her for a one-on-one interview. Grae joins us now from Los Angeles. Grae, it's nice having you with us. What color is your hair today in?
GRAE DRAKE, FILM CRITIC, FANDANGO AND MOVIES.COM: Today it's pink.
TUCHMAN: Today it's pink. It's very beautiful, Grae. I must say. I'll to have try that sometime.
DRAKE: You would look lovely.
TUCHMAN: I think so. Before we get to your Katy Perry interview, let's talk about this weekend's other huge release, "The Amazing Spider- Man."
There was a Spiderman movie in 1977 which was 35 years ago and a three-part series which started in 2002 and now this version. How is this one different from the rest?
DRAKE: You know what? It is a little bit darker and I think that with the addition of Andrew Garfield who loves Spiderman more than life itself.
Him being Spiderman really brought a whole new level to the movie itself so it is good. It's a good bet. I'll tell you what. I liked the movie 10 years ago when it was called Spiderman.
Like when you put an adjective in the title of a film, it doesn't automatically make it so different. I have no idea what's going on. It is a little bit --
TUCHMAN: Let's watch, Grae, if we can, a clip from the newest 2012 version of "Spiderman."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You have to get out there right now, OK? No, no, no. Conners is on the way. He's coming through right now.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's 8 minutes left.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TUCHMAN: All right, Grae, your grading scale is A through F. What do you give "Spiderman"?
DRAKE: Well, I gave this movie a "B" because it's better than the last one, OK? Anybody who remembers "Spiderman" 3 doesn't want to essentially.
And what I was going to say was, this movie is too similar to really kind of blaze a trail. They did a good job. It's a mature version of "Spiderman", but overall did we need it? I've got to say, no.
TUCHMAN: Well, time to move on then to our next movie and that's "Katy Perry Part Of Me." Grae, you talked to her a couple weeks ago. Let's watch a clip from your interview with Katy Perry.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DRAKE: Used whip cream bra to put whip cream in someone's hot chocolate?
KATY PERRY, ACTRESS: Not yet. Yet is the key word in this answer.
DRAKE: What is the sound that a peacock makes when you finally get to see it?
PERRY: Sounds like a cat.
DRAKE: What?
PERRY: Yes. A peacock is so fascinating, sweetie. That's why I wrote song because they are such a weird animal. They can't fly. The males have beautiful feathers and then they sound like cats.
DRAKE: What traits do you share with your adorable grandmother that is in the movie? PERRY: Well, my grandmother, who is in the movie, who is 91 and lives in Vegas, she has the driest sense of humor.
DRAKE: A lot of people come to your shows, inspired by you, dressed like you. Does that ever creep you out at all?
PERRY: Creep me out? No. I mean, if they had my face tattooed on their face maybe that would be the line that would be crossed. But until then, it's fine.
DRAKE: Is my wig on straight?
PERRY: It's not.
DRAKE: Terrible, right?
PERRY: Is my wig on straight?
DRAKE: Yours looks perfect.
PERRY: OK. Good.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TUCHMAN: Grae, to be honest with you I was very perplexed. Your hair was changing colors. I could barely keep my mind on Katy Perry but I did eventually. The hair thing, that was really interesting. I have to tell you, unique style.
DRAKE: Thank you. You know what? She has a spinning peppermint bra and I have changing hair colors. I'm a huge fan of hers. I had to do it in tribute. Love her.
TUCHMAN: Well, I was going to ask you about that next. You can tell me a little more about your interview and the film. Is it just another concert movie?
DRAKE: Well, lucky for us, no, it's not. Usually these kind of end up feeling like the music industry's way of getting just a few more dollars out of people when they're having a really hard time with that.
But she actually has a lot to say and she's a pretty interesting person. So watching this documentary taught me that there's more to this woman than meets the eye and then getting to speak to her personally it cemented that even more.
I started off as a fan with her CD in my car, but I'm leaving like a lifetime best friend. I'm sure she is going to name her next album after me, I think. Yes.
TUCHMAN: She'll name it the Grae album after the Beatles' White album.
DRAKE: Right, exactly. She's sharp and I just had a such a -- I had so much fun, and it's not often that you can walk into an interview like that and have the star just totally play ball with you. And that fits the same personality she shows in the film. I just love this movie.
TUCHMAN: Is she doing okay by the way after her high profile separation from Russell Brand?
DRAKE: It was really hard on her and that's something that they don't shy away from in the movie. They tackle it. They show her. It's really intimate.
And I don't even know how she had the strength to let people see her in that state because when I go through a horrible breakup all I want to do is hide from the world not show it to them in 3D.
So she's, you know, really got a lot of strength and like I said, man, I like her a million times more than I did before. It's so exciting to be able to have that feeling about someone whose music makes you dance.
TUCHMAN: Well, I have a feeling what you're going to say, but I'll let you say it. What's your grade on this movie?
DRAKE: I gave this movie a whole hearted "A" because it's not just a 3D version of her phenomenal stage show. It's actually a really good look at someone who has something to say. Loved it.
TUCHMAN: Grae Drake, I enjoyed meeting you and talking with you and I do love your hair just to let you know.
DRAKE: Likewise I love your hair. I'm trying yours next.
TUCHMAN: Thank you, Grae. I appreciate that. Remember, you can get all of Grae's movie grades at fandango and movies.com.
Extreme heat is still punishing a lot of the United States. Some communities still don't have power a week after damaging storms, one week, no power. We'll see if there is any relief in sight.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TUCHMAN: Political debates and American talk shows can get heated but nothing like in Jordan.
Yes, that man pulled a gun out of his pocket on a live television show in Jordan. He's Member of Parliament, threw a shoe, pulled out the pistol, when a discussion with a former MP got heated on the television show.
It seems he was accused of buying his way into Jordan's parliament. The host stepped in to break up the fight. A police report has been filed. Unfortunately, nobody was hurt. Don't know if the gun was loaded.
Checking stories happening around the country now. California is on its way to building the nation's first dedicated high speed rail line after strong lobbying by Governor Jerry Brown.
State lawmakers approved billions to start building it. Eventually plans call for the bullet train to connect Los Angeles and San Francisco. It's about 350 miles apart.
Voters approved the project four years ago, but support for it has fallen along with the state's economy.
In Las Vegas, it's time to shuffle up and deal. The world series of poker's main event is under way. It costs $10,000 to buy in but the winner's payout could be about $10 million. I'd like to play in that game, but I don't have the $10,000 to spare.
Should convicted players be provided air conditioning? What if the temperature in their cell is over 100 degrees? Our legal guys Richard and Avery give us their take.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RICHARD HERMAN, LAW PROFESSOR: I don't think that the circuit court is going to come down as hard as Avery thinks. I think they may make some remedial suggestions to provide fans, but this is Texas. Don't mess with Texas. It's a very, very tough sentencing state.
You know, I don't know what percentages of people in Texas have fully air conditioned homes. These individuals are incarcerated. There is a purpose for incarceration. Deterrence, protect the public, should be a just punishment. I understand that. But whether it really rises to the level --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TUCHMAN: You can watch the rest of my conversation with our legal guys in the 4:00 Eastern hour of CNN NEWSROOM.
