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Nicholson In at VA; 'Idol' Runner Up DeGarmo Talks New Songs
Aired December 09, 2004 - 14:29 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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Well, welcome back. From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is LIVE FROM. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Kyra Phillips. Here's what's all new this hour.
President Bush taps Jim Nicholson to be the new secretary of Veterans Affairs. Just ahead, some of the unique challenges he'll be facing in helping America's fighting men and women.
WHITFIELD: And later, singing sensation Diana DeGarmo, the "American Idol," has a new CD, and she's getting all dressed up for a special occasion, including a coming up LIVE FROM interview. But first, here is what's happening "Now in the News."
Police in Columbus, Ohio, still searching for answers in a rock show shooting that left five people dead. They say 25-year-old Nathan Gale charged on stage at a packed nightclub and fatally shot one of the band members and three other people before police shot him to death.
The jury in the Scott Peterson trial begins deliberations today on whether he should get death or life without parole. Peterson was convicted of the murder of his wife, Laci and their unborn son. Closing arguments are wrapping up right now.
Disaster upon disaster. A U.S. Coast guard helicopter crashed off Alaska's Aleutian Islands while attempting to rescue crew members from a grounded freighter. Four were rescued, six are still missing. The it had already evacuated most of the crew when it went down. Officials are concerned the ship may spill its nearly half million gallons of fuel.
And north of the border the Canadian Supreme Court clears the way for legalize gay marriage. The court ruled a federal measure to guarantee marriage rights to gays would not violate the constitution. The government plans on introducing laws to legalize civil marriage for gays and lesbians.
President Bush says the shuffling is complete and just hours ago announced what he said will be the last cabinet change ahead of his second term. He Announced he appointment of Jim Nicholson as the next secretary of veterans affairs. He served with distinction in Vietnam, has a law degree and has been U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican since 2001. Nicholson replaces Anthony Principi who yesterday became the ninth cabinet member out of 15 to announce that he won't be sticking around for a second term. Nicholson takes over a department that some say isn't getting the money or attention it deserves. Steve Robinson is a former airborne ranger, an expert on Gulf War illness and an advocate for veterans affairs. He joins with us Washington with a closer look at the issues confronting the VA. Good to see you, Steve.
STEVE ROBINSON, VETERANS ADVOCATE: Good to see you.
PHILLIPS: Well, Principi leaves behind a pretty strong legacy in your eyes, right?
ROBINSON: Absolutely. I think no one can say that he wasn't a good secretary of veterans' affairs and he certainly laid a great foundation for the nominee that should be appointed and will take over the VA.
PHILLIPS: Now he passes the torch to Jim Nicholson. He was a Vietnam vet, an army ranger like yourself. What is it that Jim has that he possesses that will make him a strong leader?
ROBINSON: Well, he's obviously got great organizational skills. His role working with the State Department as a liaison to the Vatican, also having served in combat, I think is a very important key factor for anyone who is the secretary for the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Those strengths will help him through his own personal experiences remember what it was like to be a soldier and make sure that soldiers get the things they need.
PHILLIPS: All right. Speaking of soldiers getting the things they need, you have addressed pretty compelling situations with me. First of all, the injury rate. I was astounded when you told me that injuries from Afghanistan and Iraq are actually coming or running hand in hand with injuries Vietnam?
ROBINSON: Yeah, the some of the data that's coming out right now says that for every soldier who dies in combat, a greater number of them are wounded. I think it's like one to four. And that rate really should worry the Department of Veterans' Affairs because if we look at how much it costs this nation to take care of veterans after Vietnam for the war wounds they received, which include psychological and injuries from bullets and bombs, we're still to this day very strapped taking care of those veterans.
PHILLIPS: Well, there have been a lot of questions and a number of questions were addressed as you know to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in Kuwait that soldiers are not getting what they need whether it's armored vehicles or it's loans, funding. And now we're hearing more and more about veterans not getting the care or money they need. Is that true, is it that devastating to where they can't live a normal life after they come back fighting for this country?
ROBINSON: Yeah, I think there's a very strong red flag. Just yesterday, UPI broke a story on homeless veterans, Mark Benjamin wrote the story. We're starting to see homeless "Operation Iraqi Freedom" veterans. It's just way too soon to see homeless people who have served in this war and an indication of a failure on someone's part whether it be DOD and their disability rating system or the speed at which a veteran can get into the VA health care system. We should not be seeing homeless veterans from this war.
PHILLIPS: Steve, I'm looking at that report from Mark Benjamin. I'm glad you brought it up. It says top line, "U.S. veterans from the war in Iraq beginning to show up at homeless shelters around the country. Advocates fear they're the leading edge of a new generation of homeless vets not seen since the Vietnam era." What kind of numbers are we talking about when we look at Vietnam and now the numbers of homeless vets? I guess a lot of people can't imagine that's happening already because of Iraq.
ROBINSON: Yeah, I mean, what we see with the returning veterans now that concerns us is that so soon they have become destitute. Remember these are people who were either on active duty and then were discharged from the military or people who were National Guard or reserve soldiers who became active duty for a period of time and then were released back to their units. And so somehow, we've got to figure out why right now, about 50 or so veterans are reported to be homeless and you've got to remember that the major rotation from Iraq is about to occur again where a lot of people come back home. It should really be a red flag to everyone that people are starting to show up in homeless shelters.
PHILLIPS: Final question, Steve. I want to make sure I ask you this. Because you are a strong advocate there in Washington, you meet with these veterans on a daily basis. If you could sit in front of Ambassador Jim Nicholson and say, "Sir, this is where you have to start," what would you tell him? How would you advise him.
ROBINSON: Well, the first thing is that the VA has to be properly funded. There has to be mandatory funding. If the secretary of the VA says I need x amount of dollars to do my job now, which is currently serving previous generations of veterans and I need x amount of dollars for future generations coming, then it should be given to them. That's the commitment that this nation makes when it sends people to war. George Washington said it best. "The willingness of future generations to serve is dependent on how we treated veterans from previous wars." And if we don't take care of them in a meaningful way bringing all the might of the government to bear upon this program, people may not want to serve.
PHILLIPS: I can understand that. Just imagine being in Iraq right now. If you don't get what you need, it's hard to I guess defend why you're even there. Steve Robinson, thanks you so much. Appreciate your time today.
ROBINSON: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: Scott Peterson's attorneys are close to finishing their closing arguments in the penalty phase of his murder trial. All are at a lunch break right now and soon jurors will be given instructions from the judge, then will determine Peterson's fate. The task jurors face and the crime they must judge is very similar to another California case that ended three years ago. Here's CNN's Ted Rowlands.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Fred Castagna can relate to the life or death decision facing jurors in the Scott Peterson murder trial.
FRED CASTAGNA, JURY FOREMAN: What stands out in my mind is actually having to sign the document that condemns the man to death.
ROWLANDS: Castagna was the injury foreman in the case against Todd Garton who like Peterson was seemingly happily married before being accused of killing his pregnant wife. Garton, a business owner in the Northern California city of Cottonwood also had a girlfriend who testified against him. Carol Garton was eight months pregnant when she was shot five times at close range in her rural California home. She was shot by Norman Daniels who also testified against Garton. Prosecutors say Garton hired Daniels as part of an elaborate and twisted plot to get rid of his wife and avoid fatherhood. Gregory Gaul, the prosecutor said he focused on the web of lies Garton used to recruit his girlfriend and others to participate in the killing.
GREGORY GAUL, SENIOR DA: That's the kind of evidence we presented, a to his background and how he convinced the conspirators to go along with him.
ROWLANDS: The jury found Garton guilty of two counts of first degree murder and sentenced him to death.
(on camera) Like the Peterson case, there was more than five months of testimony here in Shasta County for the Garton case and like the Peterson case, it took the jury about six hours to come back with a guilty verdict. What is different is that Garton put up absolutely no defense during the penalty phase.
(voice-over) Jurors in the Peterson case have heard more than a week of defense testimony his attorneys and family hope will help save his life. Castagna doesn't think friends and family have much effect on jurors contemplating death.
CASTAGNA: Yeah, he's got friends and family that will stand up for him and that's good, but really, you've already established the man's a murder and so now it's just a matter of whether he's evil and vicious enough.
ROWLANDS: Castagna says if and when Todd Garton is put to death he won't lose any sleep because he thinks he made the right decision. But he says sentencing someone to death is a very difficult thing to do, something he'll live with for the rest of his life. Ted Rowlands, CNN, Redding, California.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: And, again, as for the Peterson jury, they are in a lunch break right now before hearing the defense attorney's arguments as to why the jurors should spare his life stay tuned to LIVE FROM as we bring you live updates on what's being said.
PHILLIPS: NHL players are looking for a thaw in standoff with team owners today hoping to save the season.
WHITFIELD: And "American Idol" finalist Diana DeGarmo drops by LIVE FROM in just a few minutes.
PHILLIPS: Cell phones during flight? Think about it. You could hear your neighbor's conversation from here to Miami or Topeka or LA. Or Atlanta or the CNN set.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Team owners in the National Hockey League are meeting with team representatives today in what would appear to be a last- ditch effort to end the lockout and salvage at least some of the season. The two have not met since September 9th, one week before the NHL shut down over the lack of a collective bargaining agreement. The NHL has lost 85 days and almost 700 games.
The player who came to represent women's professional soccer has hung up her cleats. Mia Hamm, the United States' most prolific scorer played her last competitive game last night along with team captains Julie Foudy and Joy Fawcett. The three played together in three Olympics, three World Cups, including their 1999 championship.
WHITFIELD: Earlier this year, a 16-year-old from Snellville, Georgia, went from obscurity to ubiquity thanks to a gorgeous voice that was very ready for primetime. "American Idol" runner-up Diana DeGarmo has a new CD that's hitting stores this week already and it's called "Blue Skies," and it's a collection of her favorite songs. It includes her new hit single, as well, "Emotional." Diana DeGarmo is now 17. She joins us to talk more about what - all grown up -- this whirlwind year, how incredible. You've got a solo album, you're working with a producer extraordinaire, Clive Davis and you're even gracing the front pages of "TeenProm Magazine." What has had this year been like for you?
DIANA DEGARMO, "AMERICAN IDOL" RUNNER UP: It's been great. It's definitely, like you said, a whirlwind, kind of serene to think that only at 17, I have a cover of a prom magazine and my own CD out. It's amazing appear a great way to top off a wonderful year coming out with a great CD.
WHITFIELD: So this album showcases a lot of your favorite tunes. How did you go about picking them?
DEGARMO: When I first, at the beginning of the summer, I met with Mr. Clive and we sat down and we talked which direction we wanted to go with the album and everything. By this time, they have about 20 songs and they say, OK, these are ones we really like. Which ones do you like? And I went through and I said this one and this one. And "Emotional" is the first song I picked for the album, ended up being the first single which is always exciting.
WHITFIELD: Wow. How different was that getting direction from a Clive Davis versus you were getting a lot of direction from Simon and Paula and Randy on how to look, how to sound, what to sing. Do you feel a little bit more free that you're perhaps revealing a lot more about your personality?
DEGARMO: Definitely. While you're on the show, you almost have like a character that you playing. Now with my album I'm able to be my own person and show me and all my songs. Great things are I love every one of them which is always awesome and they all show a different little side and different little personality of me.
WHITFIELD: We're listening right now to one of your singles. That's "Emotional" ".
DEGARMO: Yes.
WHITFIELD: And so how nerve-wracking is it in part to reveal yourself as an artist and as a person?
DEGARMO: It is. It's kind of hard. Because you go on "American Idol," you have to have a tough skin about being on the show and getting talked about every week right in front of everyone. But now it's a little more difficult to kind of say here I am. But the easiest thing was that the producers were amazing to work with and they were really able to sit down with me and let me give my own interpretation of each song.
WHITFIELD: Well that's wonderful. Here you are on this emotional high, so to speak, the song called "Emotional," and at the same time, now you're thinking about your brother ...
DEGARMO: Yes.
WHITFIELD: ... Who is in the army getting ready to go to Iraq just days from now, right.
DEGARMO: Correct, yes.
WHITFIELD: What's that been like for you since you learned he would be deployed?
DEGARMO: It was really hard to hear that he would be deployed and especially that he will be gone for a year. So we're going to really especially take time and enjoy being together for this Christmas and New Years and celebrate together as a family you know, because you never know what might happen out there. I just hope that he and all the rest of the people in the military can come back safely.
WHITFIELD: Well, our thoughts with him.
DEGARMO: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: Diana Degarmo, best of luck to your brother and you.
DEGARMO: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: Your new CD "Blue Skies" featuring the song that you're hearing right now, "Emotional." Thanks so much for stopping by.
DEGARMO: I appreciate it. Thank you very much. WHITFIELD: Thanks a lot. Good luck to you -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Spending the holidays away from family can be tough. Just ahead, Kris and John Miller share their story and have a chance to talk to each other across the continents.
"Shrek" takes a holiday of sorts. Why you might have to wait awhile for the next ogre installment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Straight to the UN. Now, UN Ambassador John Danforth addressing questions from reporters listening in to see if he shows continued support for Secretary-General Kofi Annan despite the oil for food scandal taking place right now.
JOHN DANFORTH, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UN: Anybody as to the personal integrity of the secretary-general.
QUESTION: Numbers of nations here and numbers of national leaders from around the world have taken the occasion during the last week of the calls on him to resign from a United States senator to send messages of support to back him, to express confidence in him. Is what you're saying today, is that saying the same thing? In other words, are you now joining with other nations around the world in expressing confidence in Kofi Annan continuing in office?
DANFORTH: We are expressing confidence in the secretary-general and in his continuing in office and also saying that the investigation is critically important, that there is a cloud over the United Nations. There's no doubt about it. That the only way to dispel the cloud is to let the sunlight in. And that means a thorough investigation and objective investigation, no preconceived ideas. And total cooperation with the investigation.
PHILLIPS: UN Ambassador John Danforth there addressing the question live that we were wondering if he would address, and that was a number of calls for the resignation of Secretary-General Kofi Annan over the oil for food scandal plaguing the reputation of the UN right now. Right now, UN Ambassador Danforth saying that he expresses confidence in Secretary-General Kofi Annan and also the UN is supporting his copied service there as Secretary-General. However, they are in support of an objective investigation into the oil for food scandal that's taken place and it is casting quite a cloud over the UN. We'll continue to monitor his comments.
Now there is no mistaking. It is the holidays. The bright lights, Christmas music, too much food but spare a thought for the thousands of service hen and women on the front lines especially in Iraq. We are going to pay tribute to some of them today and tomorrow. Here's CNN's Jack Cafferty.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The holiday season getting underway. A lot of servicemen and women are learning they won't get home as soon as they thought. Tours of duty being extended. The Miller family is dealing with that. Kris Miller is in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her husband, SSG John Miller is deployed in Iraq.
SSG JOHN MILLER, DEPLOYED SOLDIER: Yeah, it never gets easier. Kosovo was the first time i was away during the Christmas and New Year holidays, well, Thanksgiving, as well. And I had a hard time getting through it, but my family was there supporting me, sending me care packages. I call and they would send letters back and forth. So it wasn't so bad. Here in Baghdad, it's a totally different situation. A lot of the unknown out there, and I'm just looking forward to having Christmas here with the family that I do have on this end that I know that my family back home will be thinking about me and I'll be doing the same from this end.
CAFFERTY: How are you going to spend Christmas Day in Iraq? Do you know yet?
JOHN MILLER: No, I have no idea. Christmas Day will probably be a workday just like any other for us, depending on our mission tempo. If I am fortunate enough to be one of the people who does have a down day at that time, I'll probably catch up on a little bit of paperwork, maybe watch a couple of DVDs and call home.
CAFFERTY: And call home. I imagine Kris and your daughters will look forward to that. Kris, let me talk to you for a couple minutes. Your husband is in Iraq. But your job is no less difficult, I wouldn't think, being a father of four kids myself. You've got two little ones at home. The holidays are coming up. Your husband is not with you. How are you handling all of this?
KRIS MILLER, WIFE OF DEPLOYED SOLDIER: Well, like John said, this isn't our first time around. We just do our day-to-day activities and try and get through them the best we can.
CAFFERTY: At this point, if I were you, I'd probably be tired of talking to me and want to talk to my spouse. So I'm going to step out of the way and let the two of you visit a little bit if that's all right, but we're going to eavesdrop.
KRIS MILLER: We wish you were going to be home.
JOHN MILLER: Yeah, me, too.
KRIS MILLER: I have a package to mail you. From Santa.
JOHN MILLER: I thought you had already mailed it.
KRIS MILLER: No. Sorry.
JOHN MILLER: All right, listen on behalf of the folks here at AMERICAN MORNING, let me wish you both a happy holiday season and John, once again, our thanks from the united states here for all that you people are doing. We're all very proud of you and we hope you stay safe. Thanks for visiting with us here.
JOHN MILLER: Thank you. It's my pleasure. (END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: A sentimental side of Jack Cafferty. We're going to continue bringing you stories like the one you just saw throughout the holiday season.
WHITFIELD: Well, lawyers are making their final arguments to save Scott Peterson's life today. Then it's up to the jury. We'll go live to the courthouse coming up next.
PHILLIPS: John Kerry may have lost the election here in the U.S. but he still has another big election on his mind. Find out where.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: One fan is calling it the worst day in metal history. Police are looking for a motive in that deadly shooting at a Columbus, Ohio nightclub last night. The guitarist for the heavy metal rock band Damageplan was killed along with three others. Police then shot and killed the gunman. We'll have a report coming up.
Seeking an arsonist or two. Investigators say they believe more than one person set fire early Monday to a number of homes under construction near the Washington, Dick Cheney, area. Officials are offering $82,000 for information leading to an arrest.
Overhauling Social Security -- President Bush says it's a top priority in his second term but he promises a solution will not involve a tax hike. To save the system from bankruptcy, he has suggested letting workers set aside tax money into an investment accounts.
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Aired December 9, 2004 - 14:29 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Well, welcome back. From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is LIVE FROM. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Kyra Phillips. Here's what's all new this hour.
President Bush taps Jim Nicholson to be the new secretary of Veterans Affairs. Just ahead, some of the unique challenges he'll be facing in helping America's fighting men and women.
WHITFIELD: And later, singing sensation Diana DeGarmo, the "American Idol," has a new CD, and she's getting all dressed up for a special occasion, including a coming up LIVE FROM interview. But first, here is what's happening "Now in the News."
Police in Columbus, Ohio, still searching for answers in a rock show shooting that left five people dead. They say 25-year-old Nathan Gale charged on stage at a packed nightclub and fatally shot one of the band members and three other people before police shot him to death.
The jury in the Scott Peterson trial begins deliberations today on whether he should get death or life without parole. Peterson was convicted of the murder of his wife, Laci and their unborn son. Closing arguments are wrapping up right now.
Disaster upon disaster. A U.S. Coast guard helicopter crashed off Alaska's Aleutian Islands while attempting to rescue crew members from a grounded freighter. Four were rescued, six are still missing. The it had already evacuated most of the crew when it went down. Officials are concerned the ship may spill its nearly half million gallons of fuel.
And north of the border the Canadian Supreme Court clears the way for legalize gay marriage. The court ruled a federal measure to guarantee marriage rights to gays would not violate the constitution. The government plans on introducing laws to legalize civil marriage for gays and lesbians.
President Bush says the shuffling is complete and just hours ago announced what he said will be the last cabinet change ahead of his second term. He Announced he appointment of Jim Nicholson as the next secretary of veterans affairs. He served with distinction in Vietnam, has a law degree and has been U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican since 2001. Nicholson replaces Anthony Principi who yesterday became the ninth cabinet member out of 15 to announce that he won't be sticking around for a second term. Nicholson takes over a department that some say isn't getting the money or attention it deserves. Steve Robinson is a former airborne ranger, an expert on Gulf War illness and an advocate for veterans affairs. He joins with us Washington with a closer look at the issues confronting the VA. Good to see you, Steve.
STEVE ROBINSON, VETERANS ADVOCATE: Good to see you.
PHILLIPS: Well, Principi leaves behind a pretty strong legacy in your eyes, right?
ROBINSON: Absolutely. I think no one can say that he wasn't a good secretary of veterans' affairs and he certainly laid a great foundation for the nominee that should be appointed and will take over the VA.
PHILLIPS: Now he passes the torch to Jim Nicholson. He was a Vietnam vet, an army ranger like yourself. What is it that Jim has that he possesses that will make him a strong leader?
ROBINSON: Well, he's obviously got great organizational skills. His role working with the State Department as a liaison to the Vatican, also having served in combat, I think is a very important key factor for anyone who is the secretary for the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Those strengths will help him through his own personal experiences remember what it was like to be a soldier and make sure that soldiers get the things they need.
PHILLIPS: All right. Speaking of soldiers getting the things they need, you have addressed pretty compelling situations with me. First of all, the injury rate. I was astounded when you told me that injuries from Afghanistan and Iraq are actually coming or running hand in hand with injuries Vietnam?
ROBINSON: Yeah, the some of the data that's coming out right now says that for every soldier who dies in combat, a greater number of them are wounded. I think it's like one to four. And that rate really should worry the Department of Veterans' Affairs because if we look at how much it costs this nation to take care of veterans after Vietnam for the war wounds they received, which include psychological and injuries from bullets and bombs, we're still to this day very strapped taking care of those veterans.
PHILLIPS: Well, there have been a lot of questions and a number of questions were addressed as you know to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in Kuwait that soldiers are not getting what they need whether it's armored vehicles or it's loans, funding. And now we're hearing more and more about veterans not getting the care or money they need. Is that true, is it that devastating to where they can't live a normal life after they come back fighting for this country?
ROBINSON: Yeah, I think there's a very strong red flag. Just yesterday, UPI broke a story on homeless veterans, Mark Benjamin wrote the story. We're starting to see homeless "Operation Iraqi Freedom" veterans. It's just way too soon to see homeless people who have served in this war and an indication of a failure on someone's part whether it be DOD and their disability rating system or the speed at which a veteran can get into the VA health care system. We should not be seeing homeless veterans from this war.
PHILLIPS: Steve, I'm looking at that report from Mark Benjamin. I'm glad you brought it up. It says top line, "U.S. veterans from the war in Iraq beginning to show up at homeless shelters around the country. Advocates fear they're the leading edge of a new generation of homeless vets not seen since the Vietnam era." What kind of numbers are we talking about when we look at Vietnam and now the numbers of homeless vets? I guess a lot of people can't imagine that's happening already because of Iraq.
ROBINSON: Yeah, I mean, what we see with the returning veterans now that concerns us is that so soon they have become destitute. Remember these are people who were either on active duty and then were discharged from the military or people who were National Guard or reserve soldiers who became active duty for a period of time and then were released back to their units. And so somehow, we've got to figure out why right now, about 50 or so veterans are reported to be homeless and you've got to remember that the major rotation from Iraq is about to occur again where a lot of people come back home. It should really be a red flag to everyone that people are starting to show up in homeless shelters.
PHILLIPS: Final question, Steve. I want to make sure I ask you this. Because you are a strong advocate there in Washington, you meet with these veterans on a daily basis. If you could sit in front of Ambassador Jim Nicholson and say, "Sir, this is where you have to start," what would you tell him? How would you advise him.
ROBINSON: Well, the first thing is that the VA has to be properly funded. There has to be mandatory funding. If the secretary of the VA says I need x amount of dollars to do my job now, which is currently serving previous generations of veterans and I need x amount of dollars for future generations coming, then it should be given to them. That's the commitment that this nation makes when it sends people to war. George Washington said it best. "The willingness of future generations to serve is dependent on how we treated veterans from previous wars." And if we don't take care of them in a meaningful way bringing all the might of the government to bear upon this program, people may not want to serve.
PHILLIPS: I can understand that. Just imagine being in Iraq right now. If you don't get what you need, it's hard to I guess defend why you're even there. Steve Robinson, thanks you so much. Appreciate your time today.
ROBINSON: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: Scott Peterson's attorneys are close to finishing their closing arguments in the penalty phase of his murder trial. All are at a lunch break right now and soon jurors will be given instructions from the judge, then will determine Peterson's fate. The task jurors face and the crime they must judge is very similar to another California case that ended three years ago. Here's CNN's Ted Rowlands.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Fred Castagna can relate to the life or death decision facing jurors in the Scott Peterson murder trial.
FRED CASTAGNA, JURY FOREMAN: What stands out in my mind is actually having to sign the document that condemns the man to death.
ROWLANDS: Castagna was the injury foreman in the case against Todd Garton who like Peterson was seemingly happily married before being accused of killing his pregnant wife. Garton, a business owner in the Northern California city of Cottonwood also had a girlfriend who testified against him. Carol Garton was eight months pregnant when she was shot five times at close range in her rural California home. She was shot by Norman Daniels who also testified against Garton. Prosecutors say Garton hired Daniels as part of an elaborate and twisted plot to get rid of his wife and avoid fatherhood. Gregory Gaul, the prosecutor said he focused on the web of lies Garton used to recruit his girlfriend and others to participate in the killing.
GREGORY GAUL, SENIOR DA: That's the kind of evidence we presented, a to his background and how he convinced the conspirators to go along with him.
ROWLANDS: The jury found Garton guilty of two counts of first degree murder and sentenced him to death.
(on camera) Like the Peterson case, there was more than five months of testimony here in Shasta County for the Garton case and like the Peterson case, it took the jury about six hours to come back with a guilty verdict. What is different is that Garton put up absolutely no defense during the penalty phase.
(voice-over) Jurors in the Peterson case have heard more than a week of defense testimony his attorneys and family hope will help save his life. Castagna doesn't think friends and family have much effect on jurors contemplating death.
CASTAGNA: Yeah, he's got friends and family that will stand up for him and that's good, but really, you've already established the man's a murder and so now it's just a matter of whether he's evil and vicious enough.
ROWLANDS: Castagna says if and when Todd Garton is put to death he won't lose any sleep because he thinks he made the right decision. But he says sentencing someone to death is a very difficult thing to do, something he'll live with for the rest of his life. Ted Rowlands, CNN, Redding, California.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: And, again, as for the Peterson jury, they are in a lunch break right now before hearing the defense attorney's arguments as to why the jurors should spare his life stay tuned to LIVE FROM as we bring you live updates on what's being said.
PHILLIPS: NHL players are looking for a thaw in standoff with team owners today hoping to save the season.
WHITFIELD: And "American Idol" finalist Diana DeGarmo drops by LIVE FROM in just a few minutes.
PHILLIPS: Cell phones during flight? Think about it. You could hear your neighbor's conversation from here to Miami or Topeka or LA. Or Atlanta or the CNN set.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Team owners in the National Hockey League are meeting with team representatives today in what would appear to be a last- ditch effort to end the lockout and salvage at least some of the season. The two have not met since September 9th, one week before the NHL shut down over the lack of a collective bargaining agreement. The NHL has lost 85 days and almost 700 games.
The player who came to represent women's professional soccer has hung up her cleats. Mia Hamm, the United States' most prolific scorer played her last competitive game last night along with team captains Julie Foudy and Joy Fawcett. The three played together in three Olympics, three World Cups, including their 1999 championship.
WHITFIELD: Earlier this year, a 16-year-old from Snellville, Georgia, went from obscurity to ubiquity thanks to a gorgeous voice that was very ready for primetime. "American Idol" runner-up Diana DeGarmo has a new CD that's hitting stores this week already and it's called "Blue Skies," and it's a collection of her favorite songs. It includes her new hit single, as well, "Emotional." Diana DeGarmo is now 17. She joins us to talk more about what - all grown up -- this whirlwind year, how incredible. You've got a solo album, you're working with a producer extraordinaire, Clive Davis and you're even gracing the front pages of "TeenProm Magazine." What has had this year been like for you?
DIANA DEGARMO, "AMERICAN IDOL" RUNNER UP: It's been great. It's definitely, like you said, a whirlwind, kind of serene to think that only at 17, I have a cover of a prom magazine and my own CD out. It's amazing appear a great way to top off a wonderful year coming out with a great CD.
WHITFIELD: So this album showcases a lot of your favorite tunes. How did you go about picking them?
DEGARMO: When I first, at the beginning of the summer, I met with Mr. Clive and we sat down and we talked which direction we wanted to go with the album and everything. By this time, they have about 20 songs and they say, OK, these are ones we really like. Which ones do you like? And I went through and I said this one and this one. And "Emotional" is the first song I picked for the album, ended up being the first single which is always exciting.
WHITFIELD: Wow. How different was that getting direction from a Clive Davis versus you were getting a lot of direction from Simon and Paula and Randy on how to look, how to sound, what to sing. Do you feel a little bit more free that you're perhaps revealing a lot more about your personality?
DEGARMO: Definitely. While you're on the show, you almost have like a character that you playing. Now with my album I'm able to be my own person and show me and all my songs. Great things are I love every one of them which is always awesome and they all show a different little side and different little personality of me.
WHITFIELD: We're listening right now to one of your singles. That's "Emotional" ".
DEGARMO: Yes.
WHITFIELD: And so how nerve-wracking is it in part to reveal yourself as an artist and as a person?
DEGARMO: It is. It's kind of hard. Because you go on "American Idol," you have to have a tough skin about being on the show and getting talked about every week right in front of everyone. But now it's a little more difficult to kind of say here I am. But the easiest thing was that the producers were amazing to work with and they were really able to sit down with me and let me give my own interpretation of each song.
WHITFIELD: Well that's wonderful. Here you are on this emotional high, so to speak, the song called "Emotional," and at the same time, now you're thinking about your brother ...
DEGARMO: Yes.
WHITFIELD: ... Who is in the army getting ready to go to Iraq just days from now, right.
DEGARMO: Correct, yes.
WHITFIELD: What's that been like for you since you learned he would be deployed?
DEGARMO: It was really hard to hear that he would be deployed and especially that he will be gone for a year. So we're going to really especially take time and enjoy being together for this Christmas and New Years and celebrate together as a family you know, because you never know what might happen out there. I just hope that he and all the rest of the people in the military can come back safely.
WHITFIELD: Well, our thoughts with him.
DEGARMO: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: Diana Degarmo, best of luck to your brother and you.
DEGARMO: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: Your new CD "Blue Skies" featuring the song that you're hearing right now, "Emotional." Thanks so much for stopping by.
DEGARMO: I appreciate it. Thank you very much. WHITFIELD: Thanks a lot. Good luck to you -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Spending the holidays away from family can be tough. Just ahead, Kris and John Miller share their story and have a chance to talk to each other across the continents.
"Shrek" takes a holiday of sorts. Why you might have to wait awhile for the next ogre installment.
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PHILLIPS: Straight to the UN. Now, UN Ambassador John Danforth addressing questions from reporters listening in to see if he shows continued support for Secretary-General Kofi Annan despite the oil for food scandal taking place right now.
JOHN DANFORTH, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UN: Anybody as to the personal integrity of the secretary-general.
QUESTION: Numbers of nations here and numbers of national leaders from around the world have taken the occasion during the last week of the calls on him to resign from a United States senator to send messages of support to back him, to express confidence in him. Is what you're saying today, is that saying the same thing? In other words, are you now joining with other nations around the world in expressing confidence in Kofi Annan continuing in office?
DANFORTH: We are expressing confidence in the secretary-general and in his continuing in office and also saying that the investigation is critically important, that there is a cloud over the United Nations. There's no doubt about it. That the only way to dispel the cloud is to let the sunlight in. And that means a thorough investigation and objective investigation, no preconceived ideas. And total cooperation with the investigation.
PHILLIPS: UN Ambassador John Danforth there addressing the question live that we were wondering if he would address, and that was a number of calls for the resignation of Secretary-General Kofi Annan over the oil for food scandal plaguing the reputation of the UN right now. Right now, UN Ambassador Danforth saying that he expresses confidence in Secretary-General Kofi Annan and also the UN is supporting his copied service there as Secretary-General. However, they are in support of an objective investigation into the oil for food scandal that's taken place and it is casting quite a cloud over the UN. We'll continue to monitor his comments.
Now there is no mistaking. It is the holidays. The bright lights, Christmas music, too much food but spare a thought for the thousands of service hen and women on the front lines especially in Iraq. We are going to pay tribute to some of them today and tomorrow. Here's CNN's Jack Cafferty.
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JACK CAFFERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The holiday season getting underway. A lot of servicemen and women are learning they won't get home as soon as they thought. Tours of duty being extended. The Miller family is dealing with that. Kris Miller is in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her husband, SSG John Miller is deployed in Iraq.
SSG JOHN MILLER, DEPLOYED SOLDIER: Yeah, it never gets easier. Kosovo was the first time i was away during the Christmas and New Year holidays, well, Thanksgiving, as well. And I had a hard time getting through it, but my family was there supporting me, sending me care packages. I call and they would send letters back and forth. So it wasn't so bad. Here in Baghdad, it's a totally different situation. A lot of the unknown out there, and I'm just looking forward to having Christmas here with the family that I do have on this end that I know that my family back home will be thinking about me and I'll be doing the same from this end.
CAFFERTY: How are you going to spend Christmas Day in Iraq? Do you know yet?
JOHN MILLER: No, I have no idea. Christmas Day will probably be a workday just like any other for us, depending on our mission tempo. If I am fortunate enough to be one of the people who does have a down day at that time, I'll probably catch up on a little bit of paperwork, maybe watch a couple of DVDs and call home.
CAFFERTY: And call home. I imagine Kris and your daughters will look forward to that. Kris, let me talk to you for a couple minutes. Your husband is in Iraq. But your job is no less difficult, I wouldn't think, being a father of four kids myself. You've got two little ones at home. The holidays are coming up. Your husband is not with you. How are you handling all of this?
KRIS MILLER, WIFE OF DEPLOYED SOLDIER: Well, like John said, this isn't our first time around. We just do our day-to-day activities and try and get through them the best we can.
CAFFERTY: At this point, if I were you, I'd probably be tired of talking to me and want to talk to my spouse. So I'm going to step out of the way and let the two of you visit a little bit if that's all right, but we're going to eavesdrop.
KRIS MILLER: We wish you were going to be home.
JOHN MILLER: Yeah, me, too.
KRIS MILLER: I have a package to mail you. From Santa.
JOHN MILLER: I thought you had already mailed it.
KRIS MILLER: No. Sorry.
JOHN MILLER: All right, listen on behalf of the folks here at AMERICAN MORNING, let me wish you both a happy holiday season and John, once again, our thanks from the united states here for all that you people are doing. We're all very proud of you and we hope you stay safe. Thanks for visiting with us here.
JOHN MILLER: Thank you. It's my pleasure. (END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: A sentimental side of Jack Cafferty. We're going to continue bringing you stories like the one you just saw throughout the holiday season.
WHITFIELD: Well, lawyers are making their final arguments to save Scott Peterson's life today. Then it's up to the jury. We'll go live to the courthouse coming up next.
PHILLIPS: John Kerry may have lost the election here in the U.S. but he still has another big election on his mind. Find out where.
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PHILLIPS: One fan is calling it the worst day in metal history. Police are looking for a motive in that deadly shooting at a Columbus, Ohio nightclub last night. The guitarist for the heavy metal rock band Damageplan was killed along with three others. Police then shot and killed the gunman. We'll have a report coming up.
Seeking an arsonist or two. Investigators say they believe more than one person set fire early Monday to a number of homes under construction near the Washington, Dick Cheney, area. Officials are offering $82,000 for information leading to an arrest.
Overhauling Social Security -- President Bush says it's a top priority in his second term but he promises a solution will not involve a tax hike. To save the system from bankruptcy, he has suggested letting workers set aside tax money into an investment accounts.
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