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CNN Live Saturday
Republicans, Democrats Politically Batter Eachother; Police Officer Killed In Standoff With Tennessee Teen; Robots Race Across California Desert For $1 Million
Aired March 13, 2004 - 12:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WHITFIELD: Here's a look at the latest developments out this hour. No word yet from Fresno, California, police what led to multiple homicides in a single family home. Officials are searching the crime scene where nine bodies were found, including an adult, a teen, and seven children. A man said to be the children's father surrendered to police yesterday.
The first funerals are held in Spain for some of the 200 people killed in this week's train attacks, no arrests so far, 266 of the wounded remain hospitalized today. U.S. State Department says three Americans were among the injured.
Police are trying to sort out the fact in a deadly shooting A Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Michigan. A man and a woman were killed, another man was critically wounded. It's not clear at this time if one of the victims was the gunman. The school says, it doesn't believe the victims were students or had any connection to the college.
More election year verbal bashing. The president called his opponent's ideas tired, old, and ineffective. While the Democrats say Mr. Bush has a credibility problem. Let's check in now with White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONENT: Well, Fred, really both sides have come out swinging on this. President Bush using a Saturday weekly radio address to make the point that, yes, that the economy is facing challenges, but that the picture is not as bleak as the opponent would like people to believe. He goes on to argue, he says that home ownership up, that inflation is low and unemployment is steady. And the president argues that it's his economic plan, namely making tax cuts permanent that will eventually create these new jobs that Americans are looking for.
The Democratic response is too little, too late.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Some politicians in Washington see this new challenge and want to respond in an old, ineffective way. They want to increase federal taxes. Yet punishing families and small businesses is not a job creation strategy.
SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: Job creation in America is in the basement. Last month, the economy created only one new job for every 390 out of work Americans. And not one of those new jobs was a private sector job. President Bush's only economic policy is tax breaks for the wealthy. He said he would create 300,000 jobs last month. The actual number was 21,000.
(END VIDEO CLIPS)
MALVEAUX: Now, President Bush and his campaign are not only defending his economic policy, but this week, talking specifically about Iraq. And it's going to be the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. We expect the president to travel to key battleground states, that is Florida as well as Pennsylvania. He's also going to be making a major speech at the White House, updating on the condition of the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. And of course, he is also going to be putting out those ads -- Fred.
WHITFIELD: All right. Suzanne, thanks very much from the White House.
Well, nearly eight months left in the presidential campaign and we're already getting negative ads from both the candidates as you just saw.
A fact check now from Howard Kurtz, however. He host of CNN's "RELIABLE SOURCES."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HOWARD KURTZ, HOST, "RELIABLE SOURCES" (voice-over): In launching the first attack ad of his re-election campaign, President Bush's charging John Kerry with being a big tax and spend man, and weak on terrorism and defense. How do the claims measure up?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice-over): John Kerry's plan, to pay for new government spending, raise taxes by at least $900 billion.
KURTZ: That's misleading. Kerry has no $900 billion tax plan. The only taxes he says he'll raise are on the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans to raise, which would raise about $250 billion over 10 years. What Kerry does have is a health insurance plan to cost $900 billion over the next decade. The Bush ad assumes that Kerry would have to raise taxes to cover the rest, which the Democratic senator denies. Though he hasn't fully explained how he'd finance the health proposal.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice-over): On the war on terror, weaken the Patriot Act used to arrest terrorists and protect America.
KURTZ: The ad tries to make it sound like Kerry is soft on terrorism. Kerry voted for the Patriot Act, but charges that Attorney General John Ashcroft has abused it. And wants to replace the law with a new Patriot Act that he says would better protect individual privacy.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice-over): And he wanted to delay defending America until the United Nations approved. KURTZ: Kerry has slammed the president for rushing to invade Iraq without exhausting all diplomatic efforts at the U.N.; but never called for U.N. approval of war.
The Kerry campaign wasted little time in throwing together a counter attack spot. Although, with only a fraction of the Bush team's $100 million war chest, it's not clear the senator will be able to match the president's advertising buy in 18 battleground states. The ad's message, Kerry doesn't want to act last the last nominee from Massachusetts, Michael Dukakis, who didn't respond to many attacks by Bush's father.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): Once again, George Bush is misleading America. John Kerry never called far $900 billion tax increase. He wants to cut taxes for the middle class. Doesn't America deserve more from its president than misleading, negative ads?
KURTZ: Kerry's response ad, of course, is also negative. And it's true that the senator suggested a further cut for middle income tax payers. But some budget experts say Kerry's overall figures don't add up; that he can't cut taxes further, pay for healthcare and other social programs and hold the line on the deficit as he's promised to do. A "The Washington Post" analysis says Kerry would boost spending by $165 billion.
(on camera): The Bush campaign knows that most voters don't read the fine print; and that charging Kerry with a $900 billion tax plan, even if it doesn't exists will raise doubts about him as a liberal big spender. The Kerry campaign knows that it can't let the charges stick, and that its ad will raises doubts about the president's credibility.
What's clear is that the ad wars have already turned combative, and only the middle of March.
This is Howard Kurtz of CNN's "RELIABLE SOURCES."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Another top story we're following for you, a police officer is dead as a tense, armed standoff with a teenager continues in east Tennessee.
For the latest on the situation unfolding there, we go to a reporter Tearsa Smith of CNN affiliate WATE.
TEARSA SMITH, WATE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, we're staged about two miles from the home that SWAT team members and police are surrounding. If you take a look over my left shoulder, you will see one police officer that's being used to keep the media and homeowners away from that area. If you take a look at this area that this home is in, it's a rural, upscale neighborhood, a lot of wooded areas. Police want to make sure that this young man does not get out into these areas and try to escape.
Of course, we had a press conference a few minutes ago with Loudon County, Sheriff Tim Guider, who said that they haven't had any movement -- seen any movement from this young man in this home for quite sometime. There is some concern that he may not alive. But that's the worst-case scenario they're hoping for. They're hoping to get him out and not loose any more lives, thus far. This morning, around 7:30, they tried tear gassing the home. That didn't work.
Fredricka, back to you.
WHITFIELD: All right. Tearsa Smith, thanks very much, of our affiliate WATE.
Well, U.S. Marines on parole in Port-au-Prince.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAJ. RICH CRUSAN, SPOKESMAN, U.S. MILITARY: We are here to make the streets safer for Haiti and to provide for a more secure and stable environment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: So exactly what steps are taken to keep the streets safe? We'll explain.
And still to come, summer travel plans. Where should you take the family this year?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: U.S. Marines shot and killed two Haitian gunmen after coming under fire in the capitol of Port-au-Prince. It's a city where security remains an elusive goal, despite the presence of the U.S. Marines.
CNN's Harris Whitbeck is in the Haitian capital.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): U.S. Marines on patrol in Port-au-Prince arrest a young man suspected of making death threats against international peacekeepers. Handcuffed, thrown to the ground, he is held for questioning. Some passersby react angrily to the show of force. Necessary, the military says, in the current environment.
CRUSAN: We are not here for sides. We're not going to get into a contest between sides trying to say, you know, which side is right, which side is wrong. We are here to make the streets safer for Haiti and to provide for a more secure and stable environment.
WHITBECK: Secure and stable it is not. This is all that is left of an auto dealership located in a rough neighborhood in Port-au- Prince. It was attacked by a gang of local thugs, according to local Marines on the patrol at the time. The Marines responded to the attack with heavy fire leaving the store front in shatters. Its owners say they have been threatened three times before. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know why any of these businesses are being attacked. I mean we've never really done anything or taken any political position.
WHITBECK: They say they've never seen the levels of destruction unleashed in this latest crisis. Even after 1994, when 20,000 U.S. troops were sent in to keep the peace, after the end of the military dictatorship that had overthrown President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Troops then stayed in country for little less than 18 months. Even the United States now says they left too soon.
JAMES FOLEY, U.S. AMBASSADOR, HAITI: We tried this 10 years ago. I think it was not adequately done and not enough follow through; though, certainly, good effort and good intentions. But we have to learn those lessons and do it right this time. This is really maybe the last chance for Haiti.
WHITBECK: But more follow through means that this time around, the international community must stick around a lot longer.
Back up.
Harris Whitbeck, CNN, Port-au-Prince.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Time to start thinking about summer vacation, it's right around the corner. But where should you take your family this year? We've got some interesting ideas that won't break your budget.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CRUSAN
WHITFIELD: Well, the school year will be over before you know it. Time to start thinking about summer camp get a ways for the kids. Well, our guest has a few great ideas. And guess what? Mom and dad can actually come along going back to camp.
Pauline Frommer is the executive editor of "Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel" magazine online. She joins us from New York.
All right. I have great memories of going to camp as a kid. But I don't know if I want to take the whole family along. Why should I?
PAULINE FROMMER, "FROMMER'S BUDGET TRAVEL" MAGAZINE: Well, its a wonderfully inexpensive, wonderfully fun way for the entire family to go out into the wilderness, but not have the responsibility for planning all the activities, making all the meals, or even pitching a tent. A family of four can vacation at a family camp for as little as $1,000 per week. And that covers food, all activities and your lodging. It's unbeatable.
WHITFIELD: Heh, and I guess it really encourages some great bonding experiences as well, wouldn't it?
FROMMER: Absolutely. I mean it is fun, G-rated stuff that you do together.
WHITFIELD: All right.
FROMMER: You do arts and crafts. You do relay races. You go on nature walks and it's a wonderful way for people to bond. Some people use the family camps for family reunions, because often there'd be a lot of different cabins on sight, where one can do that.
WHITFIELD: All right. So I take that back. Maybe I do want to involve the family then.
Well, let's talk about some of the package deals and some of the destinations that you all are recommending.
FROMMER: Sure.
WHITFIELD: In California, Feather River Camp. It is in Quincy, $790 a week. Is that including -- is that per person?
FROMMER: That's per person. It's less for the children. And that's a wonderful place for people who really want to challenge themselves, because they have a ropes course, where you can learn new skills and test your...
WHITFIELD: Or trust.
FROMMER: ... courage and skills. It's a terrific thing for families to do together. And it's -- and the nice thing about it is you know have a nurse on duty 24 hours. There are different levels of activities for different ages. You can either do activities with your children or without. They have all kind of programs.
WHITFIELD: Now, that's a pretty fancy camp then for that kind of price. Because that really can add up if you've got a big family. But however, if you go over to Colorado, at Estes Park Center, I understand you get a cabin experience for a lot less.
FROMMER: Yes. It's only about $350 a week per person there. And it's in one of the most beautiful settings in the United States. Estes Park, Colorado is absolutely gorgeous. And on site, they have a 4,000 square foot arts and crafts center, where with different areas for the adults and the children. The children -- the adults can do silk painting, they can do woodworking. Whereas, the children might work on lanyards and more traditional arts and crafts type stuff. So it's a wonderful place. They also have a mini golf course, and indoor pool for the days when it rains.
WHITFIELD: Wow. OK.
FROMMER: For $350 a week, that's darn good.
WHITFIELD: That's a lot of fun.
FROMMER: Yes.
WHITFIELD: All right. Taking us now to the Four Corners area of Utah, Colorado and Wyoming, you've got the Four Corners School of Outdoor Education.
FROMMER: Yes.
WHITFIELD: And that really is to bring out the naturalist in you.
FROMMER: This is a little more pricy. It's about $150 per person a day, but it's a true educational...
WHITFIELD: The rich naturalist.
(LAUGHTER)
FROMMER: Right. Well, you get people -- your guides are not just going to be your standard guides. Most of them have Masters and PhDs in archaeology, biology; and they take you into these areas and really teach you about not only the natural history, but the Indian history. You see archaeological sites. It is a truly educational experience.
WHITFIELD: Hmm. And a lot of this crafts are our vacations around our stomach. You know, we're led by our stomachs. And there's actually camp, so to speak, for vegetarians so they can think about their diet firsthand. And that's called Camp Common Ground near Burlington.
FROMMER: Yes. It's on the shores of Lake Champlain, and it's for people who want to have the camp experience but don't want the wieny roasts, unless you've got tofu wieny pops. It's for people want to take their life styles with them when they camp and meet other like-minded families.
WHITFIELD: All right. Lot's of fun. Pauline Frommer, OK. Well, I'll reconsider. Maybe I'll recruit the family and going on a nice, little camping trip this summer.
FROMMER: Terrific.
WHITFIELD: They would not buy it. All right. Thanks a lot, Pauline.
FROMMER: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: Well, the story for a young authors with big dreams. Next, how Anthony Hamilton beat the odds.
DANIEL SIEBER, CNN TECHNOLOGY CORRESPONDENT: I'm CNN's technology correspondent Daniel Sieberg. A few hours ago, 15 autonomous robots started a million dollar race here in the Mohave Desert. Coming up, we'll tell you how many of them are still going.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Well, now the amazing story of a once illiterate man, who turned his life around to become, of all things, an author. Anthony Hamilton's book is called "Shattered Lives." He joins us now today from Mountain View, California, where he works as a barber.
Well, good to see you.
ANTHONY HAMILTON, AUTHOR, "SHATTERED LIVES": Nice to be here.
WHITFIELD: Anthony, congratulations on being a first-time author. We'll talk a little bit about the content of your book. But first, let's talk about your plight, your experience, 26 years not being able to read. Talk to me about how you were able to kind of get away with that, go to school; fool your family and everybody around you for 26 years.
HAMILTON: Well, I think the reason why I was able to get away with it is because I've always wanted to be a part of a group. So I always -- I guess, pretended to be able to read. I would always walk around and just try to be just one of the guys. And I think that if it were not for me being able to play sports I would have never be able to do that.
WHITFIELD: And you were able to then pursue college as a result of?
HAMILTON: Yes, I was. I was able to catch the ball and run real fast; so it gave me an opportunity to get past a lot of things that most of the students wouldn't be able to get away with.
WHITFIELD: But looking back then, does it kind of upset you that there were so many people who didn't notice that you were unable to read? That you were able to fool everybody including yourself?
HAMILTON: Yes, it really frustrates me now that I look back on it. I wish that they would have taken more time out to help me and to guide me, as far as my education was concerned. But I've made it over that. And I don't want to blame anybody for my misfortune.
WHITFIELD: So what point did you say to yourself, you know, I'm tired of this? I want to change things around. I want to figure how to read. I want to be honest with myself?
HAMILTON: I think it was back when all of my friends were reading and they were -- they were advancing in life, and I wasn't going anywhere. My life was just dormant. And I got to a point to where I just said I just can't take this anymore. And I wanted to be able to -- when I had children, I wanted them to be able to read and for them to be proud of me.
WHITFIELD: And so, now in this discovery process of yourself, you also found that there were other people who were beating the odds? So you decided to compile up these short stories, put in it a book. And therein lies your book, "Shattered Lives."
HAMILTON: Exactly.
WHITFIELD: Tell me a little bit about it.
HAMILTON: Well, "Shattered Lives" is a compilation of short stories. And it takes you on a journey through a lot of the sorrows, and in the end, there's always a message. Always something positive. And I -- the people that come into the shop now that I've -- you know, that I let read the book, they all tell me that this book has helped them. That it is therapeutic to them and I really appreciate that. And I'm just having a lot of fun writing with just right now.
WHITFIELD: And that has to be the most gratifying thing of all, knowing how many lives that you're able to touch, by being able to share your personal story and other peoples' as well.
HAMILTON: Exactly.
WHITFIELD: Anthony Hamilton, thanks very much. And congratulation again on your book, it's called "Shattered Lives." And that's for joining us.
HAMILTON: I appreciate it. Thanks for having me.
WHITFIELD: All right.
HAMILTON: All right.
WHITFIELD: Well, the Pentagon now could have award a million dollars to the teams whose robotic vehicle covers a rugged desert course, from Barstow, California to Primm, Nevada. But there are obstacles that could keep anyone from claiming the prize at all.
Our technology correspondent Daniel Sieberg is in Barstow with the very latest.
That doesn't seem fair. They make a course so difficult that you know what? They may not even have to hand out $1 million.
(LAUGHTER)
SIEBERG: That's right. Well, actually Fredricka, we can illustrate just how difficult this course. If you can see over my left shoulder here, this is team from Palos Verdes High School in California. They've just crashed into the barrier over there and unfortunately; will have to withdraw from the race.
The whole idea behind this race, as you've pointed out, is it's sponsored by a research branch of the Defense Department known as DARPA, it's known as the Grand Challenge Race. It's going over 200 miles approximately of the desert terrain out here in the Mohave Desert, from Barstow to Primm, Nevada; just outside of Los Vegas.
About 15 teams -- well, 15 teams started earlier today. We've had a lot of excitement around here this morning as the teams left the start line. There was a crowd here cheering, about several hundred spectators. Helicopter overhead, some vehicles following behind them as they left the course.
Now, some of them only got about 20 feet or so. Others had a technical problem called a crash, which we just saw with the Palos Verdes folks. And only about a handful of vehicles still out on the course right now.
Why is this so impressive? Because the catch here is that the vehicles are autonomous. That's why the military developing this technology. They're looking for the vehicles that could replace soldiers in situations that are dull, dirty or dangerous. These vehicles are using GPS lasers, a sonar, computer programs to navigate this desert terrain. There's no human help whatsoever once they get on to the course here.
They have under 10 hours to complete this course, which is more than 150 miles, maybe 200 miles. Many of them are still within about the 10-mile range of us, the few that are left out on the track. So there's a chance that no one finish this race today, and that the million dollars is pretty safe. So we will have to wait and see. But that's the whole plan behind this. And we'll be here for at least the next few hours, assuming they keep going.
WHITFIELD: All right, Dan. And you know, I was joking with you at the top. They make this course difficult because in the reality is in the future, the course might be much more dangerous and much more serious in the event of, say, war. These vehicles would be used.
SIEBERG: Exactly. And similar to this terrain, they're saying, too. Perhaps that in Afghanistan or in Iraq.
WHITFIELD: All right. Dan Sieberg, thanks very much.
SIEBERG: All right.
WHITFIELD: Well, there's much more ahead on CNN SATURDAY. In a few moments, "IN THE MONEY" with Jack Cafferty at 2:00 Eastern, we'll take you live to Madrid on the latest on the weapons investigations there. And at 3:00, it's "NEXT @ CNN."
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Police Officer Killed In Standoff With Tennessee Teen; Robots Race Across California Desert For $1 Million>
Aired March 13, 2004 - 12:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WHITFIELD: Here's a look at the latest developments out this hour. No word yet from Fresno, California, police what led to multiple homicides in a single family home. Officials are searching the crime scene where nine bodies were found, including an adult, a teen, and seven children. A man said to be the children's father surrendered to police yesterday.
The first funerals are held in Spain for some of the 200 people killed in this week's train attacks, no arrests so far, 266 of the wounded remain hospitalized today. U.S. State Department says three Americans were among the injured.
Police are trying to sort out the fact in a deadly shooting A Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Michigan. A man and a woman were killed, another man was critically wounded. It's not clear at this time if one of the victims was the gunman. The school says, it doesn't believe the victims were students or had any connection to the college.
More election year verbal bashing. The president called his opponent's ideas tired, old, and ineffective. While the Democrats say Mr. Bush has a credibility problem. Let's check in now with White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONENT: Well, Fred, really both sides have come out swinging on this. President Bush using a Saturday weekly radio address to make the point that, yes, that the economy is facing challenges, but that the picture is not as bleak as the opponent would like people to believe. He goes on to argue, he says that home ownership up, that inflation is low and unemployment is steady. And the president argues that it's his economic plan, namely making tax cuts permanent that will eventually create these new jobs that Americans are looking for.
The Democratic response is too little, too late.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Some politicians in Washington see this new challenge and want to respond in an old, ineffective way. They want to increase federal taxes. Yet punishing families and small businesses is not a job creation strategy.
SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: Job creation in America is in the basement. Last month, the economy created only one new job for every 390 out of work Americans. And not one of those new jobs was a private sector job. President Bush's only economic policy is tax breaks for the wealthy. He said he would create 300,000 jobs last month. The actual number was 21,000.
(END VIDEO CLIPS)
MALVEAUX: Now, President Bush and his campaign are not only defending his economic policy, but this week, talking specifically about Iraq. And it's going to be the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. We expect the president to travel to key battleground states, that is Florida as well as Pennsylvania. He's also going to be making a major speech at the White House, updating on the condition of the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. And of course, he is also going to be putting out those ads -- Fred.
WHITFIELD: All right. Suzanne, thanks very much from the White House.
Well, nearly eight months left in the presidential campaign and we're already getting negative ads from both the candidates as you just saw.
A fact check now from Howard Kurtz, however. He host of CNN's "RELIABLE SOURCES."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HOWARD KURTZ, HOST, "RELIABLE SOURCES" (voice-over): In launching the first attack ad of his re-election campaign, President Bush's charging John Kerry with being a big tax and spend man, and weak on terrorism and defense. How do the claims measure up?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice-over): John Kerry's plan, to pay for new government spending, raise taxes by at least $900 billion.
KURTZ: That's misleading. Kerry has no $900 billion tax plan. The only taxes he says he'll raise are on the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans to raise, which would raise about $250 billion over 10 years. What Kerry does have is a health insurance plan to cost $900 billion over the next decade. The Bush ad assumes that Kerry would have to raise taxes to cover the rest, which the Democratic senator denies. Though he hasn't fully explained how he'd finance the health proposal.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice-over): On the war on terror, weaken the Patriot Act used to arrest terrorists and protect America.
KURTZ: The ad tries to make it sound like Kerry is soft on terrorism. Kerry voted for the Patriot Act, but charges that Attorney General John Ashcroft has abused it. And wants to replace the law with a new Patriot Act that he says would better protect individual privacy.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (voice-over): And he wanted to delay defending America until the United Nations approved. KURTZ: Kerry has slammed the president for rushing to invade Iraq without exhausting all diplomatic efforts at the U.N.; but never called for U.N. approval of war.
The Kerry campaign wasted little time in throwing together a counter attack spot. Although, with only a fraction of the Bush team's $100 million war chest, it's not clear the senator will be able to match the president's advertising buy in 18 battleground states. The ad's message, Kerry doesn't want to act last the last nominee from Massachusetts, Michael Dukakis, who didn't respond to many attacks by Bush's father.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): Once again, George Bush is misleading America. John Kerry never called far $900 billion tax increase. He wants to cut taxes for the middle class. Doesn't America deserve more from its president than misleading, negative ads?
KURTZ: Kerry's response ad, of course, is also negative. And it's true that the senator suggested a further cut for middle income tax payers. But some budget experts say Kerry's overall figures don't add up; that he can't cut taxes further, pay for healthcare and other social programs and hold the line on the deficit as he's promised to do. A "The Washington Post" analysis says Kerry would boost spending by $165 billion.
(on camera): The Bush campaign knows that most voters don't read the fine print; and that charging Kerry with a $900 billion tax plan, even if it doesn't exists will raise doubts about him as a liberal big spender. The Kerry campaign knows that it can't let the charges stick, and that its ad will raises doubts about the president's credibility.
What's clear is that the ad wars have already turned combative, and only the middle of March.
This is Howard Kurtz of CNN's "RELIABLE SOURCES."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Another top story we're following for you, a police officer is dead as a tense, armed standoff with a teenager continues in east Tennessee.
For the latest on the situation unfolding there, we go to a reporter Tearsa Smith of CNN affiliate WATE.
TEARSA SMITH, WATE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, we're staged about two miles from the home that SWAT team members and police are surrounding. If you take a look over my left shoulder, you will see one police officer that's being used to keep the media and homeowners away from that area. If you take a look at this area that this home is in, it's a rural, upscale neighborhood, a lot of wooded areas. Police want to make sure that this young man does not get out into these areas and try to escape.
Of course, we had a press conference a few minutes ago with Loudon County, Sheriff Tim Guider, who said that they haven't had any movement -- seen any movement from this young man in this home for quite sometime. There is some concern that he may not alive. But that's the worst-case scenario they're hoping for. They're hoping to get him out and not loose any more lives, thus far. This morning, around 7:30, they tried tear gassing the home. That didn't work.
Fredricka, back to you.
WHITFIELD: All right. Tearsa Smith, thanks very much, of our affiliate WATE.
Well, U.S. Marines on parole in Port-au-Prince.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAJ. RICH CRUSAN, SPOKESMAN, U.S. MILITARY: We are here to make the streets safer for Haiti and to provide for a more secure and stable environment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: So exactly what steps are taken to keep the streets safe? We'll explain.
And still to come, summer travel plans. Where should you take the family this year?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: U.S. Marines shot and killed two Haitian gunmen after coming under fire in the capitol of Port-au-Prince. It's a city where security remains an elusive goal, despite the presence of the U.S. Marines.
CNN's Harris Whitbeck is in the Haitian capital.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): U.S. Marines on patrol in Port-au-Prince arrest a young man suspected of making death threats against international peacekeepers. Handcuffed, thrown to the ground, he is held for questioning. Some passersby react angrily to the show of force. Necessary, the military says, in the current environment.
CRUSAN: We are not here for sides. We're not going to get into a contest between sides trying to say, you know, which side is right, which side is wrong. We are here to make the streets safer for Haiti and to provide for a more secure and stable environment.
WHITBECK: Secure and stable it is not. This is all that is left of an auto dealership located in a rough neighborhood in Port-au- Prince. It was attacked by a gang of local thugs, according to local Marines on the patrol at the time. The Marines responded to the attack with heavy fire leaving the store front in shatters. Its owners say they have been threatened three times before. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know why any of these businesses are being attacked. I mean we've never really done anything or taken any political position.
WHITBECK: They say they've never seen the levels of destruction unleashed in this latest crisis. Even after 1994, when 20,000 U.S. troops were sent in to keep the peace, after the end of the military dictatorship that had overthrown President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Troops then stayed in country for little less than 18 months. Even the United States now says they left too soon.
JAMES FOLEY, U.S. AMBASSADOR, HAITI: We tried this 10 years ago. I think it was not adequately done and not enough follow through; though, certainly, good effort and good intentions. But we have to learn those lessons and do it right this time. This is really maybe the last chance for Haiti.
WHITBECK: But more follow through means that this time around, the international community must stick around a lot longer.
Back up.
Harris Whitbeck, CNN, Port-au-Prince.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Time to start thinking about summer vacation, it's right around the corner. But where should you take your family this year? We've got some interesting ideas that won't break your budget.
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CRUSAN
WHITFIELD: Well, the school year will be over before you know it. Time to start thinking about summer camp get a ways for the kids. Well, our guest has a few great ideas. And guess what? Mom and dad can actually come along going back to camp.
Pauline Frommer is the executive editor of "Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel" magazine online. She joins us from New York.
All right. I have great memories of going to camp as a kid. But I don't know if I want to take the whole family along. Why should I?
PAULINE FROMMER, "FROMMER'S BUDGET TRAVEL" MAGAZINE: Well, its a wonderfully inexpensive, wonderfully fun way for the entire family to go out into the wilderness, but not have the responsibility for planning all the activities, making all the meals, or even pitching a tent. A family of four can vacation at a family camp for as little as $1,000 per week. And that covers food, all activities and your lodging. It's unbeatable.
WHITFIELD: Heh, and I guess it really encourages some great bonding experiences as well, wouldn't it?
FROMMER: Absolutely. I mean it is fun, G-rated stuff that you do together.
WHITFIELD: All right.
FROMMER: You do arts and crafts. You do relay races. You go on nature walks and it's a wonderful way for people to bond. Some people use the family camps for family reunions, because often there'd be a lot of different cabins on sight, where one can do that.
WHITFIELD: All right. So I take that back. Maybe I do want to involve the family then.
Well, let's talk about some of the package deals and some of the destinations that you all are recommending.
FROMMER: Sure.
WHITFIELD: In California, Feather River Camp. It is in Quincy, $790 a week. Is that including -- is that per person?
FROMMER: That's per person. It's less for the children. And that's a wonderful place for people who really want to challenge themselves, because they have a ropes course, where you can learn new skills and test your...
WHITFIELD: Or trust.
FROMMER: ... courage and skills. It's a terrific thing for families to do together. And it's -- and the nice thing about it is you know have a nurse on duty 24 hours. There are different levels of activities for different ages. You can either do activities with your children or without. They have all kind of programs.
WHITFIELD: Now, that's a pretty fancy camp then for that kind of price. Because that really can add up if you've got a big family. But however, if you go over to Colorado, at Estes Park Center, I understand you get a cabin experience for a lot less.
FROMMER: Yes. It's only about $350 a week per person there. And it's in one of the most beautiful settings in the United States. Estes Park, Colorado is absolutely gorgeous. And on site, they have a 4,000 square foot arts and crafts center, where with different areas for the adults and the children. The children -- the adults can do silk painting, they can do woodworking. Whereas, the children might work on lanyards and more traditional arts and crafts type stuff. So it's a wonderful place. They also have a mini golf course, and indoor pool for the days when it rains.
WHITFIELD: Wow. OK.
FROMMER: For $350 a week, that's darn good.
WHITFIELD: That's a lot of fun.
FROMMER: Yes.
WHITFIELD: All right. Taking us now to the Four Corners area of Utah, Colorado and Wyoming, you've got the Four Corners School of Outdoor Education.
FROMMER: Yes.
WHITFIELD: And that really is to bring out the naturalist in you.
FROMMER: This is a little more pricy. It's about $150 per person a day, but it's a true educational...
WHITFIELD: The rich naturalist.
(LAUGHTER)
FROMMER: Right. Well, you get people -- your guides are not just going to be your standard guides. Most of them have Masters and PhDs in archaeology, biology; and they take you into these areas and really teach you about not only the natural history, but the Indian history. You see archaeological sites. It is a truly educational experience.
WHITFIELD: Hmm. And a lot of this crafts are our vacations around our stomach. You know, we're led by our stomachs. And there's actually camp, so to speak, for vegetarians so they can think about their diet firsthand. And that's called Camp Common Ground near Burlington.
FROMMER: Yes. It's on the shores of Lake Champlain, and it's for people who want to have the camp experience but don't want the wieny roasts, unless you've got tofu wieny pops. It's for people want to take their life styles with them when they camp and meet other like-minded families.
WHITFIELD: All right. Lot's of fun. Pauline Frommer, OK. Well, I'll reconsider. Maybe I'll recruit the family and going on a nice, little camping trip this summer.
FROMMER: Terrific.
WHITFIELD: They would not buy it. All right. Thanks a lot, Pauline.
FROMMER: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: Well, the story for a young authors with big dreams. Next, how Anthony Hamilton beat the odds.
DANIEL SIEBER, CNN TECHNOLOGY CORRESPONDENT: I'm CNN's technology correspondent Daniel Sieberg. A few hours ago, 15 autonomous robots started a million dollar race here in the Mohave Desert. Coming up, we'll tell you how many of them are still going.
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WHITFIELD: Well, now the amazing story of a once illiterate man, who turned his life around to become, of all things, an author. Anthony Hamilton's book is called "Shattered Lives." He joins us now today from Mountain View, California, where he works as a barber.
Well, good to see you.
ANTHONY HAMILTON, AUTHOR, "SHATTERED LIVES": Nice to be here.
WHITFIELD: Anthony, congratulations on being a first-time author. We'll talk a little bit about the content of your book. But first, let's talk about your plight, your experience, 26 years not being able to read. Talk to me about how you were able to kind of get away with that, go to school; fool your family and everybody around you for 26 years.
HAMILTON: Well, I think the reason why I was able to get away with it is because I've always wanted to be a part of a group. So I always -- I guess, pretended to be able to read. I would always walk around and just try to be just one of the guys. And I think that if it were not for me being able to play sports I would have never be able to do that.
WHITFIELD: And you were able to then pursue college as a result of?
HAMILTON: Yes, I was. I was able to catch the ball and run real fast; so it gave me an opportunity to get past a lot of things that most of the students wouldn't be able to get away with.
WHITFIELD: But looking back then, does it kind of upset you that there were so many people who didn't notice that you were unable to read? That you were able to fool everybody including yourself?
HAMILTON: Yes, it really frustrates me now that I look back on it. I wish that they would have taken more time out to help me and to guide me, as far as my education was concerned. But I've made it over that. And I don't want to blame anybody for my misfortune.
WHITFIELD: So what point did you say to yourself, you know, I'm tired of this? I want to change things around. I want to figure how to read. I want to be honest with myself?
HAMILTON: I think it was back when all of my friends were reading and they were -- they were advancing in life, and I wasn't going anywhere. My life was just dormant. And I got to a point to where I just said I just can't take this anymore. And I wanted to be able to -- when I had children, I wanted them to be able to read and for them to be proud of me.
WHITFIELD: And so, now in this discovery process of yourself, you also found that there were other people who were beating the odds? So you decided to compile up these short stories, put in it a book. And therein lies your book, "Shattered Lives."
HAMILTON: Exactly.
WHITFIELD: Tell me a little bit about it.
HAMILTON: Well, "Shattered Lives" is a compilation of short stories. And it takes you on a journey through a lot of the sorrows, and in the end, there's always a message. Always something positive. And I -- the people that come into the shop now that I've -- you know, that I let read the book, they all tell me that this book has helped them. That it is therapeutic to them and I really appreciate that. And I'm just having a lot of fun writing with just right now.
WHITFIELD: And that has to be the most gratifying thing of all, knowing how many lives that you're able to touch, by being able to share your personal story and other peoples' as well.
HAMILTON: Exactly.
WHITFIELD: Anthony Hamilton, thanks very much. And congratulation again on your book, it's called "Shattered Lives." And that's for joining us.
HAMILTON: I appreciate it. Thanks for having me.
WHITFIELD: All right.
HAMILTON: All right.
WHITFIELD: Well, the Pentagon now could have award a million dollars to the teams whose robotic vehicle covers a rugged desert course, from Barstow, California to Primm, Nevada. But there are obstacles that could keep anyone from claiming the prize at all.
Our technology correspondent Daniel Sieberg is in Barstow with the very latest.
That doesn't seem fair. They make a course so difficult that you know what? They may not even have to hand out $1 million.
(LAUGHTER)
SIEBERG: That's right. Well, actually Fredricka, we can illustrate just how difficult this course. If you can see over my left shoulder here, this is team from Palos Verdes High School in California. They've just crashed into the barrier over there and unfortunately; will have to withdraw from the race.
The whole idea behind this race, as you've pointed out, is it's sponsored by a research branch of the Defense Department known as DARPA, it's known as the Grand Challenge Race. It's going over 200 miles approximately of the desert terrain out here in the Mohave Desert, from Barstow to Primm, Nevada; just outside of Los Vegas.
About 15 teams -- well, 15 teams started earlier today. We've had a lot of excitement around here this morning as the teams left the start line. There was a crowd here cheering, about several hundred spectators. Helicopter overhead, some vehicles following behind them as they left the course.
Now, some of them only got about 20 feet or so. Others had a technical problem called a crash, which we just saw with the Palos Verdes folks. And only about a handful of vehicles still out on the course right now.
Why is this so impressive? Because the catch here is that the vehicles are autonomous. That's why the military developing this technology. They're looking for the vehicles that could replace soldiers in situations that are dull, dirty or dangerous. These vehicles are using GPS lasers, a sonar, computer programs to navigate this desert terrain. There's no human help whatsoever once they get on to the course here.
They have under 10 hours to complete this course, which is more than 150 miles, maybe 200 miles. Many of them are still within about the 10-mile range of us, the few that are left out on the track. So there's a chance that no one finish this race today, and that the million dollars is pretty safe. So we will have to wait and see. But that's the whole plan behind this. And we'll be here for at least the next few hours, assuming they keep going.
WHITFIELD: All right, Dan. And you know, I was joking with you at the top. They make this course difficult because in the reality is in the future, the course might be much more dangerous and much more serious in the event of, say, war. These vehicles would be used.
SIEBERG: Exactly. And similar to this terrain, they're saying, too. Perhaps that in Afghanistan or in Iraq.
WHITFIELD: All right. Dan Sieberg, thanks very much.
SIEBERG: All right.
WHITFIELD: Well, there's much more ahead on CNN SATURDAY. In a few moments, "IN THE MONEY" with Jack Cafferty at 2:00 Eastern, we'll take you live to Madrid on the latest on the weapons investigations there. And at 3:00, it's "NEXT @ CNN."
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