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Rocker Puts Star of David on a Pig; Amanda Berry Honored at Concert; "I Have No Trust in Him"; Rick Warren Returns to the Pulpit; Amazon Hiring 7,000 Workers; Man versus Raccoon; FBI Rescues Kids from Sex Trafficking

Aired July 29, 2013 - 10:30   ET

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

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CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. I'm Carol Costello. Thank you for joining us. Checking our top stories at 30 minutes past the hour, a wild night in Huntington Beach, California, a very large fight broke out at the end of a skating and surfing event. Officers were able to restore order. No injuries were reported but eight people were placed under arrest and people are looking for more suspects.

There will be a memorial tonight for the 79 passengers killed last week in the Spanish train crash. The driver of the train, the conductor of the train has been charged with homicide in those deaths. About 70 people injured in those deaths are still in the hospital this morning.

A new round of Israeli Palestinian peace talks begins tonight in Washington. On the eve of those talks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu releases some prisoners.

Amid this new peace talks comes a new controversy this one involving Pink Floyd's Roger Waters. It's no secret Roger Waters is an outspoken supporter of the Palestinians and of a Palestinian state but some people are outraged by his latest stunt -- a giant inflatable pig hovering above the crowds at a concert during his iconic song "The Wall". Look, closely there you can see a star of David on the pig along with fascist symbols. And then there's this --

Waters dressed up similar to a Nazi firing off a machine gun. Now to be fair both the pig and the uniform are routine at Pink Floyd's concert. It's part of Roger Waters anti-war stance. But Jewish leaders say this time Roger Waters has gone too far. One rabbi writing, quote, "Waters deployed a classic, disgusting medieval anti- Semitic caricature widely used by both Nazi and Soviet propaganda to incite hatred against Jews," end quote.

Joining me now to talk about all of this Dean Obeidallah a Muslim and Scott Blakeman, a Jew they are both political comedians and they do a show together called "Stand-up for Peace". Welcome to both of you.

DEAN OBEIDALLAH, POLITICAL COMEDIAN: Thank you.

SCOTT BLAKEMAN, POLITICAL COMEDIAN: Thank you.

COSTELLO: You're welcome. So Scott let me start with you. Has Roger Waters gone too far? Is the rabbi right?

BLAKEMAN: Absolutely not. I don't think that what Roger Waters did was anti-Semitic and the anti-Defamation League agrees with me. As you pointed out, the pig which the Simon Wiesenthal Center objected to has been a part of Roger Waters act for more than 30 years going back to Pink Floyd. It has nothing to do with Judaism or the State of Israel. And the scene you've shown -- and by way as a performer no one wants to be judge by a 20 second clip. The context is, this is part of the wall. Roger Waters is playing a dictator and in this particular song, as is shown in "The Wall", the movie, the angry mob goes out and destroys the homes of black people and Jewish people. That is the context in which the Star of David is used here. It's not anti-Semitic.

And I would like to say that Roger Waters is not anti-Israel for criticizing some of Israel's policies. He's pro-peace as I am. We want a peaceful political resolution of the crisis and I'm very hopefully that today negotiations are starting.

COSTELLO: Well at one point Roger Waters was calling for a boycott of performances in Israel, right? So as a Jewish guy --

(CROSSTALK)

BLAKEMAN: I disagree with that.

COSTELLO: Well wait a second we got the Jewish guy's perspective. But Dean, as a Muslim, you have a far different perspective on Roger Waters' concert?

OBEIDALLAH: I do. First of all it's great to see you again Carol. It's been a while. So I'm glad to see you.

I think that for me I think that the Star of David there becomes so inflammatory and so insensitive. It ends any kind of constructive conversation on the issue of the Palestinian Israeli resolution of the conflict there. Even liberal Jews would be supportive of the Palestinian right when they see a Jewish star on the pig and even though it's part of Roger Waters you know for years using the pig. I think it pulls people back and it shuts people down. We need to encourage people to get together and find common ground.

If you're going to help the Palestinian cause, this does not help, to be quite honest.

COSTELLO: Well you know what Scott, I was -- I was surprised that so many musicians and big-time musicians are pro-Palestinian and I'm talking groups like Cold Play, Elvis Costello, Annie Lenox, Santana even Stevie Wonder.

BLAKEMAN: I can't hear.

COSTELLO: Oh can you hear me Scott.

OBEIDALLAH: I mean Carol, I mean it shouldn't be surprising one way or the other. It doesn't mean you're pro-Palestinian or anti-Israel, frankly. And Roger Waters and many of these people make the point that all they are against Israeli policy with the settlements and it's usually specifically about the settlement building in the West Bank which is an obstacle to peace. Everyone agrees -- everybody who wants peace agrees with that proposal.

So the idea that they are against that settlement though, it doesn't mean they are anti-Israel. I love America. I do criticize our policy many times on different issues. I'm not anti-American in any way, shape, or form. So I think that's -- there's a line. That you know we can have a constructive criticism and debate and within Israel they have a great deal of debate that we do not even see in America on the issues of settlement building, on peace negotiations, on borders.

So I think it's healthy to have a discussion.

COSTELLO: OK. Scott is back. So I guess I was just saying that it's really not exactly politically correct to be pro-Palestinian in the United States. I guess that's why I'm so surprised that so many of these big time musicians are coming out on the Palestinian side.

BLAKEMAN: Well, I just quarrel with that term pro-Palestinian. I am a proud Jew. I support peace in the Middle East. You cannot be one or the other. I support Israel, I support the Palestinian's right to have a state. It's not either/or.

Roger Waters is I think he's just pro-peace. And let me just say, I oppose the boycott movement. I opposed cultural and academic boycotts.

What Dean and I do, our "Standup for Peace" show, is a great way of using comedy to build bridges to promote peace. So I think we should encourage cross cultural collaboration, what Dean and I do with our "Standup for Peace" show.

So I disagree with Roger Waters. Those are respected artists. You know he's been criticized across the Web for people who haven't seen the show or watch a 20-second clip. He is a brilliant artist. He supports peace in the Middle East and we should not judge an artist by little clips.

COSTELLO: All right Scott Blakeman and Dean Obeidallah thank you so much for an interesting conversation this morning. I appreciate it.

BLAKEMAN: Sure.

OBEIDALLAH: Thank you so much.

COSTELLO: Cleveland kidnapping victim Amanda Berry making a surprise appearance over the weekend. Watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I -- I want to bring out a family that you probably know.

(END VIDEO CLIP) COSTELLO: See her there screaming loud and looking great? We'll tell you how it all went down next.

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COSTELLO: One of Ariel Castro's victims, you know what let's not call her a victim anymore because she's certainly not acting one. It's obvious she does not consider herself to be a victim. I'm talking about Amanda Berry she was honored at a concert this weekend in her home town of Cleveland.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Give it up for Amanda Berry.

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COSTELLO: And there she is, on the screen on the left. Berry and her family attended the annual Roverfest contest which is put on by a local radio station.

CNN's Nischelle Turner is live with more on this. It was so nice to see her looking so healthy and happy.

NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Yes exactly. And like you said just nice to see her. You know she didn't say anything publicly Carol but she gave everyone a big smile and a big wave you saw there.

You know she had been publicly invited to this concert by the radio station that was putting on this show but she reportedly surprised everyone by actually showing up. And you can see at least one of the other women that were there with her, they were getting pretty emotional there on the stage.

Now the local DJ who introduced Berry to the crowd said she had some time to make up for in terms of partying and he wanted the crowd to help her out. She came back to the stage a little later during a Nelly performance and he dedicated one of his songs, "Just a Dream" to her.

And of course all of this comes just a day after Ariel Castro was sentenced to life in prison plus 1,000 years without parole.

COSTELLO: Oh gosh -- she seems to be doing great but I know it's a long road for her and the other victims. I also understand that one of Ariel Castro's children was on the "Today" show.

TURNER: Yes.

COSTELLO: What did he say?

TURNER: Well you know he had some interesting things to say about his father and interesting things to say about the sentencing. Let's just listen to a little bit of what he said.

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ANTHONY CASTRO, ARIEL CASTRO'S SON: I think it's the best possible sentence. I think that if he really can't control his impulses and he really doesn't have any value for human life, the way this case has shown, then behind bars is where he belongs for the rest of his life.

Right now I can't see any scenario where I would go visit him, you know. He's been lying to his family for the past 10, 11 years at every possible turn. I have no trust in him. I can't see myself going to visit him and giving him the opportunity to face me and lie to me again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TURNER: And you can't blame the way he feels there, Carol. You know it was very interesting where he said jail is the place where he believes his father belongs.

But I just want to go back to Amanda Berry really quick. And you know she was at this concert, Carol, and most of us take that for granted. Going outside and listening to some music. But can you imagine how big that was for her? Being free to just go outside and listen to music?

COSTELLO: Oh, no. It just brings tears to your eyes. It's just --

TURNER: it gives you goose bumps. It really does.

COSTELLO: It does. Thank you, Nischelle. We appreciate it.

TURNER: Absolutely. Any time.

COSTELLO: Still ahead in the NEWSROOM, Derek Jeter is feeling oh so much better, thank you. The Yankee Captain he got back to work and he got work -- he got to work in a big way. We'll show you next.

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COSTELLO: Pastor Rick Warren returned to the pulpit Sunday for his very first sermon since his son's suicide in April. You can hear the worshippers of southern California, Saddleback Church, greeted the pastor and his wife with a warm welcome. During Warren's sermon, he talked about the shock he felt when he found out about his son's suicide.

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RICK WARREN, PASTOR, SADDLEBACK CHURCH: When Matthew died, the shock was not a day, not a week, it lasted at least a month. And sometimes I still feel shocked by this thing that happened in my life.

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COSTELLO: CNN's Paul Vercammen has more on Warren's return.

PAUL VERCAMMEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, an emotional Rick Warren was greeted by overflow crowds. And the pastor told his congregation, "Buckle up, we're shifting into hyper drive. I'm back."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WARREN: In the past 16 weeks since mental illness took my son Matthew's life --

VERCAMMEN: An impassioned Rick Warren delivered his first sermon since his son Matthew killed himself at age 27 in April. With his wife, Kay, at his side Warren told his Saddleback Church congregation Matthew suffered from mental illness since childhood.

WARREST: We had gone to the best doctors money could buy. We had gotten the best medications. We had the best therapy. We had the best people praying, thousands of people praying. We have an incredibly strong family with deep, deep faith. It just did not make sense.

VERCAMMEN: The grieving couple's influence reaches far beyond the walls of this church. Warren is the author of the mega bestseller "The Purpose Driven Life". With Kay at the forefront, Saddleback Church launched a global initiative to provide help for people who are HIV positive and removed any associated stigmas.

After their son's suicide, the Warrens' new pledge is to erase any shame associated with mental illness.

WARREN: It's amazing to me that any other organ in your body can break down and there's no shame and stigma to it. But if your brain breaks down, you're supposed to keep it a secret. Huh? There's no stigma. You get diabetes, no problem. You get heart disease, no problem. Your lungs don't work -- no problem. You break a bone, break a back, your liver stops working -- no stigma. But if your brain doesn't work right, why should you be ashamed of that?

VERCAMMEN: Warren credits relatives especially Matthew's surviving older siblings Josh and Amy with leading the family through its darkest moments.

WARREN: I'm in a family of spiritual redwoods. I mean they are giants of faith. It is a rock-solid family and actually when Matthew died, Amy said, "You know Daddy," she said, "Satan picked the wrong family to pick on. He's going to lose big time on this one."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VERCAMMEN: Saddleback Church officials say that Rick Warren will not grant any interview soon but they say we will hear a lot from him especially as he begins his mission to remove the stigma of mental illness.

Back to you -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right. Paul Vercammen, thanks so much.

Checking our top stories at 48 minutes past the hour: from buried alive to full recovery in just two weeks. Six-year-old Eric Wayner (ph) returned to church this weekend after being buried alive under 11 feet of sand for more than three hours. His parents say his survival is proof miracles do happen.

Still no word on the cause of death for a nationally known morning radio host who passed away over the weekend. David "Kidd" Kraddick died Saturday while in New Orleans for a charity golf tournament. In a bit of irony, Kraddick did a humorous segment on his radio show last where he talked about what he would say in his final moments on earth. Kraddick was just 53.

Rescue teams have been busy in North Carolina. Dangerous flash floods shut down roads and are now being blamed for the drowning deaths of a 10-year-old girl and a 48-year-old man.

In sports, Derek Jeter back from the disabled list with a bang. The Yankees captain received a standing O as he came to the plate at the bottom of the first running. And his first pitcher (inaudible) of the race, Matt Moore -- gone. Solo home run. Bottom of the ninth, Alfonso Soriano back in his strike -- he wins the game with a walk-off single. And Yankees avoid the sweep. Jeter was happy to be back and contributing.

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DEREK JETER, NEW YORK YANKESS: The first of everything is difficult to get the first hit, first home run, first RBI -- first game was difficult for me to get. But it feels great to contribute. But more importantly, we want -- I wouldn't feel good if we lost this game.

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COSTELLO: Amazon is planning to hire 7,000 workers in the United States saying the paid benefits will be far above typical retail wages. Sounds good, right? Alison Kosik is here to tell us more. Tell us.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, you think about what is happening at Amazon these days, Carol, and customers now have the option of getting quicker delivery, you know, so more people are needed just to fill these orders faster. So what Amazon is doing is it's hiring 7,000 people in total -- 5,000 full-time warehouse workers; 2,000 customer service workers and those are going to be a mix of full and part-time.

Now it's even better -- Amazon is saying that the warehouse jobs are actually going to pay about 30 percent better than traditional retail jobs. And also offers stock grants and tuition reimbursement for college degrees as well. Talk about perks. It's a 95 percent reimbursement with that, no matter what you study.

So it's part of a major expansion going on at Amazon right now. It's growing its network of (inaudible) centers and warehouses so we can offer more of that next day and even same day deliver. This announcement, interestingly enough, comes on the heels of the company reporting a surprise loss last quarters even though sales were up 22 percent. But investors are not too worried. The stock is up 23 percent year- to-date. The stocks went up after the earnings report because of the impressive sales growth and prospects for the future. I guess the old motto for Amazon these days is you've got to spend money to make money. At least that seems to be Amazon's thinking at the moment -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right. Alison Kosik, many thanks.

It's a concrete jungle out there, complete with wild animals. We'll show you what happens when a man takes on a raccoon. Next in the NEWSROOM.

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COSTELLO: How far would you go to protect your pooch? One man took on a raccoon with his bare hands. Jeanne Moos has the story.

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JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Toaster the labradoodle could have been toast if his owner hadn't saved him. Kevin Rose let his dog out of his San Francisco home. Then heard frantic yelping as a raccoon tangled with Toaster. Kevin sprinted down the stairs, grabbed the raccoon and hurled it.

KEVIN ROSE, DOG OWNER: I was just scared that he was getting shredded up. You can tell he freaked out.

MOOS: Here's the replay from another security camera. Check out those eerie flying raccoon eyes.

Kevin said he had no choice.

ROSE: I wanted to get them separated. I didn't want to kick because I'd probably kick my own dog.

MOOS: Kevin is the founder of Digg, a social news Web site that spawns viral videos. And he found his own video going viral, but what did he find when he went warily down those stairs?

(on camera): Kevin says the raccoon definitely survived the toss, that he saw it get up and take off.

ROSE: It actually fit through those gate bars there.

MOOS (voice-over): Now it's even got its own fake Twitter account, @tossedraccoon.

Toaster the labradoodle came out of it with some scratches, and Kevin came away looking like a Major League pitcher. Admirers have put the toss to music.

Kevin told Twit TV the raccoon weighed about 25 pounds.

ROSE: It felt very greasy. MOOS: Last time we saw a toss like this was when a raccoon stumbled into the chimp enclosure at the St. Louis Zoo. What a wind up.

And how did this raccoon wind up? Mad in the drainage pipe. We're told it eventually got out alive.

Kevin Rose came out of his encounter smelling like a rose.

(on camera): Believe it or not, even PETA gave Kevin a pass for hurling a raccoon.

(voice-over): PETA said "It was a crazy move that could have gone very wrong for man, dog and raccoon. But you can't fault a man for reacting to save his dog."

ROSE: It was just kind of one of those things where you care so much about an animal. They're like a family member.

MOOS: Strike three, raccoon. You're out.

Jeanne Moos, CNN -- New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: I would save my dog, too. Raccoons can be nasty.

Thank you for joining me today. I'm Carol Costello. CNN NEWSROOM after a break.

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