Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Today
39th Witness for Defense in Peterson Trial Perhaps the Most Important; A Look at the Word 'Dude'
Aired December 09, 2004 - 10:30 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.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Police have identified a Columbus nightclub shooter as a 25-year-old man from Marysville, Ohio, but they have no motive yet in last night's shooting during a heavy metal concert. Four people were killed, two wounded before a police officer responded to a call for help, gunned down the suspect. We are expecting a live update from the police at the top of the hour. As soon as we see it, as soon as we are able to do, we will bring it to you live.
A terror drill is going to take place in Los Angeles about an hour and a half from now. The exercise is going to include simulating the detonation of a dirty bomb during a public rally. And we're going to be following this story and certainly have more for you later right here on CNN.
And the extension of the ban on flu vaccine production could potentially threaten next year's supply. British health officials extended the ban imposed on in October at Chiron Corporation's Liverpool plant. Pardon me, that's the Chiron Corporation. I mispronounced that. The extension will begin when the current order expires next month, and is not the result of newly found safety issues. The original ban stopped the shipment of 48 million vaccine doses to the United States.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Closing arguments are to begin today in the sentencing phase of Scott Peterson's murder trial. One more witness could take the stand after yesterday's testimony ended with Peterson's mother making a tearful plea for her son's life.
Our Rusty Dornin has been covering the case. She joins us once again from Redwood City, California.
Rusty, good morning.
RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, the jurors were told to have their bags packed. In fact, they went to a hotel about a half hour ago. They will arrive at the courthouse in a bus. Of course, they will be sequestered for the deliberations about Scott Peterson's final fate.
The 39th witness for the defense in this trial perhaps was the most important to plea for Scott Peterson's life.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DORNIN (voice-over): This was the Scott Peterson his mother Jackie told the jury about, describing a gentle, loving, caring boy. For nearly an hour, she answered questions in a soft voice, weeping often.
Jackie Peterson told the court about her own troubles, how her father was murdered. She was in an orphanage and had to give up two children for adoption. And she told the court about her eight-year relationship with Laci Peterson. Quote, "I loved Laci like Sharon loved Scott."
But it was when she thought about the possibility of a death sentence Jackie Peterson broke down. It would be a whole family wiped off the face of the earth. I beg you, she cried.
Laci Peterson's family showed no emotion and only one juror wiped her eyes during Jackie's testimony. Not an encouraging sign for the defense, say legal analysts.
DEAN JOHNSON, LEGAL ANALYST: This jury was cold, it was stone- faced, it was stoical. When a mother is begging for her son's life, to see a jury that cold, it's a very bad sign.
DORNIN: By law, the jury is forbidden to consider impact on a family, but nearly every witness called by the defense described the anguish they believe the Peterson family would suffer.
The other common theme? Scott Peterson is a good guy who deserves to live.
JIM HAMMER, LEGAL ANALYST: The jury can say you know what? This guy is not thoroughly evil. He has a little bit of good left to do on this earth. The jury could decide based simply on that to say I'm going to let him live out the rest of his days in prison.
DORNIN: Peterson's mother told the jury her son was painted as the devil and when the family left the courtroom Wednesday, Lee Peterson gave a parting shot to the news media.
LEE PETERSON, FATHER OF SCOTT PETERSON: When are you guys going to hold your next lynching.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DORNIN: As you can see, the tensions are mounting really on both sides. Laci Peterson's family sat through Jackie Peterson's testimony, and appeared unmoved, very stone-faced during her very tearful speech. Both sides are expecting to take about two hours to present their final arguments. The judge told the jury he thinks they'll be instructing them for their final deliberations on the sentencing about 3:30 local this afternoon -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Rusty Dornin from Redwood City, California.
SANCHEZ: Let's turn now to today's legal briefs. Prosecutors in Pontiac, Michigan delivered an unusual play-by-play analysis of last month's NBA brawl. Using a giant screen and slow-motion tape they explained the criminal charges they filed against five players and five fans. Prosecutors say the fan accused of throwing the very first drink is most accountable. The one that threw it on the player when he was on the court. And the spectator accused of throwing a chair faces, by far, the most serious punishment. He could face at least four years in prison if convicted.
Former heavyweight boxing champ Mike Tyson, he's in legal trouble again. Police in Scottsdale, Arizona arrested Tyson yesterday after he reportedly jumped on the hood of a car outside of a nightclub. He was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor criminal damage. Tyson moved to Scottsdale early this year. The 38-year-old boxer has been training for a return to the ring. That was scheduled for March.
KAGAN: Anybody missing hockey this year? Team owners of the National Hockey League will meet with the players' representatives today in what would be a last-ditch effort to end the lockout and salvage at least some of the season. The two groups have not met since September 9th. One week before the NHL shutdown over the lack of a collective bargaining agreement. The NHL has lost 84 days, and almost 700 games.
The players who came to represent women's professional soccer, and sports in general, has hung of her cleats. Mia Hamm, the United States most prolific scorer,played her last competitive game last night. Along with team captain Julie Foudy and Joy Fawcett, the trio played together in three Olympics, three World Cups, including their 1999 championship. Excellent, excellent role models for young girls out there representing sports, just going and getting what you want, and being fantastic young women.
SANCHEZ: Darn good athletes.
KAGAN: Absolutely.
SANCHEZ: Let's take a look at some of the other stories that are now making news from coast to coast.
KAGAN: A labor dispute hits home in Deltona, Florida, where some parents are protesting their son's refusal to help around the house. Harland and Cat Bernard moved out of their house and into a tent in the front yard. They said they won't cook, clean or carpool until the 17-year-old and 12-year-old boys start helping out around the house.
SANCHEZ: Now to Phoenix, Arizona, some Salvation Army workers are going to ring in the season with a new gadget. The bell ringers will be given swipe machines to accept donations from credit cards and debit cards, as well. And they're trying to offset the loss of donations, in part from people who no longer carry cash on them.
KAGAN: Not the same jingle as when you drop it in the can there. To Washington State, the final counties will begin their hand recount of the governor's race. The initial machine recount showed Republican Dino Rossi within a razor-thin advantage of 42 votes. The first county in the state to finish showed no change in the tally.
SANCHEZ: Common language and common values do tend to hold people together, but immigrants to the United States are no longer under a great deal of pressure to learn English and integrate into the American culture.
In our series culture in decline, CNN's Peter Viles explores whether this is the best interests of the country, or the newcomers.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Soy (ph) George W. Bush. Ya probe esta mencaje (ph).
ANNOUNCER: (SPEAKING IN SPANISH)
PETER VILES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Whether we like it or not, we have no common language. You can see it on television. You can hear it on the radio. The number of American whose speak a language other than English at home now stands at 47 million. That's up 47 percent in just 10 years. And 21 million of those speak English, quote, less than very well.
K.C. MCALPIN, PROENGLISH: If it continues, there's no question we're headed for something of a crisis in terms of our unity, linguistic unity as a country.
VILES: If this is a crisis in the making, the government is responsible. From bilingual education to ballots, it sends the message that assimilation isn't necessary, you can speak whatever language you like.
JIM BOULET JR., ENGLISH FIRST: What we have is the government is saying, don't bother to learn English. We'll tell you everything you need to know. If you want to vote, here's your bilingual ballot. If you want to apply for welfare, here's your Spanish language form.
VILES: Bilingual education is such a disappointment, that many Hispanic families fought to end it in California.
VIVIAN MARTINEZ, COMMUNITY ACTIVIST: They want their children to learn the language of English, and to be successful because that's why they're here. They want an opportunity for their child, and that child's opportunity comes in the form of English language. And that's where they want their children to go.
VILES (on camera): California law now says that all students must be taught in English unless they get a special waiver. But federal policy couldn't be more different. It says that all government services must be made accessible to those who do not speak English. Peter Viles, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: CNN's culture in decline series continues as it examines reality TV, and what the appetite for shows like "Wife Swap," and "The Swan" says about our nation. This is all coming up on "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT," at 6:00 Eastern, right here on CNN.
KAGAN: There's a new word that's taking over, and it's not just among young people. Have a listen. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Oh, dude. You got a tattoo.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: So did you, dude.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Okay. So still to come, who's considered a dude, dude? And how many ways can the word be used? A linguist breaks it all down.
SANCHEZ: Culture in decline?
Anyway, and be careful where you place that laptop. It may hinder your productivity. Details straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Some videotape that was shot at the White House. Here's President Bush.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's been my honor to welcome the Social Security trustees here to the Oval Office. We had a good discussion about the problems that face the Social Security system. And there is a recognition among the experts that we have a problem, and the problem is America is getting older and that there are fewer people to pay into the system to support a Baby Boomer generation which is about to retire. Therefore, the question is, does this country have the will to address the problem? I think it must. I think we have a responsibility to solve problems before they become acute.
And therefore I want to thank the trustees for their understanding and their work. I want to thank them for their recognition that this country must deal with this issue now.
I look forward to working with the members of Congress to do just that. I had a meeting earlier on this week with members of the United States House and Senate to discuss the importance of the Social Security issue. I fully recognize it's going to require a bipartisan effort to address this issue.
I have articulated principles in the course of my campaign that I think are important. And it's very important for those who have retired to recognize that nothing is going to change when it comes to Social Security.
BUSH: And it's very important for those who are near retirement to understand nothing will change.
But for the sake of our younger workers, for the sake of younger Americans, we must be willing to address this problem. And I think it's vital to consider allowing younger workers, on a voluntary basis, to set aside some of their own payroll tax in personal accounts as part of a comprehensive solution to dealing with the Social Security issue.
So I want to thank the trustees for their hard work.
I want to thank you for your understanding of the issue. And I appreciate your willingness to go out and help explain to the American people that the time is now, the time is ready for us to solve this problem.
I'll answer two questions.
QUESTION: Thanks, Mr. President.
Secretary Rumsfeld heard some complaints from soldiers yesterday who said, among other things, they've got inadequate armor as they head into Iraq. Do you know how widespread this problem is and what are we doing about it?
BUSH: First, I appreciate the fact that the secretary went and visited our troops and took questions from the troops. I had the honor of visiting with our troops at Camp Pendleton on Tuesday.
BUSH: And it's such an uplifting experience to be able to speak directly to the troops. And I had the honor of meeting with families of the fallen, as well.
The concerns expressed are being addressed, and that is we expect our troops to have the best possible equipment.
And if I were a soldier overseas wanting to defend my country, I'd want to ask the secretary of defense the same question, and that is, are we getting the best we can get us? And they deserve the best.
And I've told many family I've met with, "We're doing everything we possibly can to protect your loved ones in a mission which is vital and important." And that mission is to spread freedom and peace.
And I want to thank all the troops who will be spending their Christmas season overseas away from their families for their sacrifice. And I want to thank the families once again for the sacrifices they have made, as well.
QUESTION: The transition to the personal accounts may cost $2 trillion. Can the country afford to borrow that much?
BUSH: I think what's really important in the discussions is to understand the size of the problem, and that is we are faced with a present value of unfunded liabilities of about $11 trillion. And what's important is before we begin any discussions to understand the scope of the problem. And that's why these trustees are vital in helping educate the American people and Congress as to the size of the problem.
And I will not prejudge any solution. I think it's very important for the first step to be a common understanding of the size of the problem, and then for members of both parties in both bodies to come together and to come and listen to the options available.
We have got a member of what was called the Moynihan commission with us. They studied this problem in detail. They made some suggestions about how to move forward in solving the problem. Much of my thinking has been colored by the work of the late Senator Moynihan and the other members of the commission, who took a lot to time to take a look at this problem and who came up with some creative suggestions.
And so I look forward to working with Congress to address this issue in a straightforward manner. Thank you all.
QUESTION: Are you deadset against any withholding tax increase to pay for the transition, sir?
BUSH: We will not raise payroll taxes to solve this problem.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: President Bush at the White House. That videotape shot just a few minutes ago. Looking at Social Security. One of the promises President Bush making for his second term, he wants to privatize parts of Social Security. Critics say that that could bankrupt the system.
The president also looking at complaints from some soldiers. He says the U.S. doing its best, he believes, to protect the soldiers the best that it can right now.
We're going to take a break. Coming up, we're going to lighten things up a bit. We're going to talk with the professor who actually wrote a paper about the word "dude." Why? How? And how do you use it? We're going to talk about that, just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dudes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: What is in a word, especially a four-letter word? So rich in meaning. Used mostly by guys in a variety of ways to convey, well, just about anything.
With us today, Scott Kiesling, he is the dude who decoded the subtleties and the many meanings of the word dude. He's a linguist, and associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh.
Professor, good morning.
PROFESSOR SCOTT KIESLING, UNIV. OF PITTSBURGH: Good morning.
KAGAN: Or should I call you dude?
KIESLING: Well, you're not supposed to call your professor dude.
KAGAN: OK, well, thank you for straightening me out on that one. We will stick with professor then. But you got to -- you wrote a paper on this? I mean, you actually -- this was enough to write a whole paper on? The meaning and the importance of "dude?"
KIESLING: Yes. And I think after a little bit of this publicity, I'll be able to write some more. It's a very interesting word.
We look at these things all the time in linguistics, address terms. So whether you call somebody, professor or doctor or Scott or something like that, and it really tells us a lot about the relationships that we're taking with somebody.
KAGAN: So as part of your research, we looked at the different ways that it's used. As a greeting, as in what's up, dude. As in exclamation, as in -- help me here.
KIESLING: Whoa, dude!
KAGAN: Very good pronunciation.
To commiserate, as in dude, I'm so sorry.
KIESLING: Bummer, dude.
KAGAN: Yes, bummer, dude. And to one-up someone, trying to one- up somebody?
That's so lame, dude?
KIESLING: Yes. That's lame, dude. I think when you're in the -- you say it a lot when you're -- when you see somebody not driving very well, like nice turn signal, dude, or something like that.
KAGAN: And this also in your research, this is more of a male- to-male thing.
KIESLING: So far. It seems to be expanding to all genders, and you can use it even with lots of different people. You can say it to a group of people, and just say, dude, to get their attention.
KAGAN: Like, the word dear, the plural of dude is also dude?
KIESLING: Dude, yes.
KAGAN: How does one research the word dude?
KIESLING: Oh, well I actually got my students involved. And that was the best thing that I could do. I often have students go out and experience language in the field since they're using it. And I had them go and gather some instances of it and ask some of their friends how they use it. And came up with a lot of different instances so I could generalize from all those. And I also happened to have done some research in a fraternity in the '90s. And I got a lot of stuff from there, too.
KAGAN: I know some guys that did some research in fraternities, but I don't know that they got credit for it.
KIESLING: Hey, I got a doctoral degree out of it.
KAGAN: That's what you should be writing a paper on, because a lot of people want to read how you do that.
Going back with the word dude, what -- the meaning, back like in 1800s, where does it even come from, the original meaning of the word?
KIESLING: The original meaning of the word has to do with clothes. So it was dudes, they were rags, they were something to do with clothes, and then it became to mean a snappy dresser, and it was used for people who actually were snappy dressers, and then among groups who were snappy dressers, they would use it, and it became a term of address. Instead of referring to someone as "a dude," someone would just call each other as a dude, and then it becomes an address term, and that's what I'm interested in is this address term, not necessarily what we call a referring term, where you're just talking about somebody, but where you're I'm talking to you, sir, ma'am, that kind of thing.
KAGAN: Sir, ma'am, dude or whatever.
KAGAN: Now you say with the attention you're getting for doing -- writing this paper, you could go and write a whole bunch more. What does one go and research after you conquered "dude?"
KIESLING: Well, it's changing. So that's the thing that's interesting about it. I didn't do any research on whether there were any differences in -- across the country in, say, if it's used more on the West Coast, or ethnically, whether it's used more in African- American community or in the white community. So I'm interested in finding that out. And whether it's actually is expanding, and I'm getting a lot of people, a lot of women who are saying yes, I use "dude" all the time. So it really does seem to be expanding.
And there also seems to have been a bump in dude use in the late '60s and early seventies that everybody is telling me about, and then it died down again and came back in the '80s.
KAGAN: So you have some more dude work to do before you move on.
KIESLING: I do have more dude work, yes.
KAGAN: To say, "like." That's a whole other paper.
KIESLING: I think "like's" been done.
KAGAN: Oh, has it ever been done.
Well, professor, thank you for your time, and good luck with your future of dude research.
KAGAN: Thanks.
KIESLING: That's cool. Professor Scott Kielsing, from the University of Pittsburgh, joining us from Pittsburgh this morning.
SANCHEZ: The professor's a mellow dude.
KAGAN: He is a mellow dude. And young. It's a little disconcerting when the professors look younger than you think the students look.
SANCHEZ: Disconcerting?
KAGAN: Feel a little old right now? Help me, dude.
SANCHEZ: Speaking of young, how about sports star David Beckham? How about President George Bush? Exercises, looks young. British Prime Minister Tony Blair. What do they all have in common, we ask?
KAGAN: Well, apparently, they all make one interesting scene when posed together. Still to come, recasting the moment around the birth of Jesus.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SANCHEZ: And here we go, getting into the spirit of Christmas, the spirit of debate we might add, as well. Madam Tussaud's Waxworks in London took what some might say is a cheeky approach with the traditional nativity scene.
KAGAN: Standing in for Joseph and Mary, soccer star David Beckham and his wife Victoria.
SANCHEZ: Some church leaders call the celebrity heavy display cheap and extremely in bad taste. Take a look at the wise men. Do you recognize them? They are British Prime Minister Tony Blair, President George W. Bush and queen Elizabeth's husband, Philip. KAGAN: Visitors and church representatives call it a mockery, and Madam Tussaud claims it is an amusing way to bring the nativity to a wider audience. It worked. We just brought it to CNN.
SANCHEZ: To a wider audience, exactly.
(WEATHER REPORT)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired December 9, 2004 - 10:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Police have identified a Columbus nightclub shooter as a 25-year-old man from Marysville, Ohio, but they have no motive yet in last night's shooting during a heavy metal concert. Four people were killed, two wounded before a police officer responded to a call for help, gunned down the suspect. We are expecting a live update from the police at the top of the hour. As soon as we see it, as soon as we are able to do, we will bring it to you live.
A terror drill is going to take place in Los Angeles about an hour and a half from now. The exercise is going to include simulating the detonation of a dirty bomb during a public rally. And we're going to be following this story and certainly have more for you later right here on CNN.
And the extension of the ban on flu vaccine production could potentially threaten next year's supply. British health officials extended the ban imposed on in October at Chiron Corporation's Liverpool plant. Pardon me, that's the Chiron Corporation. I mispronounced that. The extension will begin when the current order expires next month, and is not the result of newly found safety issues. The original ban stopped the shipment of 48 million vaccine doses to the United States.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Closing arguments are to begin today in the sentencing phase of Scott Peterson's murder trial. One more witness could take the stand after yesterday's testimony ended with Peterson's mother making a tearful plea for her son's life.
Our Rusty Dornin has been covering the case. She joins us once again from Redwood City, California.
Rusty, good morning.
RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, the jurors were told to have their bags packed. In fact, they went to a hotel about a half hour ago. They will arrive at the courthouse in a bus. Of course, they will be sequestered for the deliberations about Scott Peterson's final fate.
The 39th witness for the defense in this trial perhaps was the most important to plea for Scott Peterson's life.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DORNIN (voice-over): This was the Scott Peterson his mother Jackie told the jury about, describing a gentle, loving, caring boy. For nearly an hour, she answered questions in a soft voice, weeping often.
Jackie Peterson told the court about her own troubles, how her father was murdered. She was in an orphanage and had to give up two children for adoption. And she told the court about her eight-year relationship with Laci Peterson. Quote, "I loved Laci like Sharon loved Scott."
But it was when she thought about the possibility of a death sentence Jackie Peterson broke down. It would be a whole family wiped off the face of the earth. I beg you, she cried.
Laci Peterson's family showed no emotion and only one juror wiped her eyes during Jackie's testimony. Not an encouraging sign for the defense, say legal analysts.
DEAN JOHNSON, LEGAL ANALYST: This jury was cold, it was stone- faced, it was stoical. When a mother is begging for her son's life, to see a jury that cold, it's a very bad sign.
DORNIN: By law, the jury is forbidden to consider impact on a family, but nearly every witness called by the defense described the anguish they believe the Peterson family would suffer.
The other common theme? Scott Peterson is a good guy who deserves to live.
JIM HAMMER, LEGAL ANALYST: The jury can say you know what? This guy is not thoroughly evil. He has a little bit of good left to do on this earth. The jury could decide based simply on that to say I'm going to let him live out the rest of his days in prison.
DORNIN: Peterson's mother told the jury her son was painted as the devil and when the family left the courtroom Wednesday, Lee Peterson gave a parting shot to the news media.
LEE PETERSON, FATHER OF SCOTT PETERSON: When are you guys going to hold your next lynching.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DORNIN: As you can see, the tensions are mounting really on both sides. Laci Peterson's family sat through Jackie Peterson's testimony, and appeared unmoved, very stone-faced during her very tearful speech. Both sides are expecting to take about two hours to present their final arguments. The judge told the jury he thinks they'll be instructing them for their final deliberations on the sentencing about 3:30 local this afternoon -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Rusty Dornin from Redwood City, California.
SANCHEZ: Let's turn now to today's legal briefs. Prosecutors in Pontiac, Michigan delivered an unusual play-by-play analysis of last month's NBA brawl. Using a giant screen and slow-motion tape they explained the criminal charges they filed against five players and five fans. Prosecutors say the fan accused of throwing the very first drink is most accountable. The one that threw it on the player when he was on the court. And the spectator accused of throwing a chair faces, by far, the most serious punishment. He could face at least four years in prison if convicted.
Former heavyweight boxing champ Mike Tyson, he's in legal trouble again. Police in Scottsdale, Arizona arrested Tyson yesterday after he reportedly jumped on the hood of a car outside of a nightclub. He was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor criminal damage. Tyson moved to Scottsdale early this year. The 38-year-old boxer has been training for a return to the ring. That was scheduled for March.
KAGAN: Anybody missing hockey this year? Team owners of the National Hockey League will meet with the players' representatives today in what would be a last-ditch effort to end the lockout and salvage at least some of the season. The two groups have not met since September 9th. One week before the NHL shutdown over the lack of a collective bargaining agreement. The NHL has lost 84 days, and almost 700 games.
The players who came to represent women's professional soccer, and sports in general, has hung of her cleats. Mia Hamm, the United States most prolific scorer,played her last competitive game last night. Along with team captain Julie Foudy and Joy Fawcett, the trio played together in three Olympics, three World Cups, including their 1999 championship. Excellent, excellent role models for young girls out there representing sports, just going and getting what you want, and being fantastic young women.
SANCHEZ: Darn good athletes.
KAGAN: Absolutely.
SANCHEZ: Let's take a look at some of the other stories that are now making news from coast to coast.
KAGAN: A labor dispute hits home in Deltona, Florida, where some parents are protesting their son's refusal to help around the house. Harland and Cat Bernard moved out of their house and into a tent in the front yard. They said they won't cook, clean or carpool until the 17-year-old and 12-year-old boys start helping out around the house.
SANCHEZ: Now to Phoenix, Arizona, some Salvation Army workers are going to ring in the season with a new gadget. The bell ringers will be given swipe machines to accept donations from credit cards and debit cards, as well. And they're trying to offset the loss of donations, in part from people who no longer carry cash on them.
KAGAN: Not the same jingle as when you drop it in the can there. To Washington State, the final counties will begin their hand recount of the governor's race. The initial machine recount showed Republican Dino Rossi within a razor-thin advantage of 42 votes. The first county in the state to finish showed no change in the tally.
SANCHEZ: Common language and common values do tend to hold people together, but immigrants to the United States are no longer under a great deal of pressure to learn English and integrate into the American culture.
In our series culture in decline, CNN's Peter Viles explores whether this is the best interests of the country, or the newcomers.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Soy (ph) George W. Bush. Ya probe esta mencaje (ph).
ANNOUNCER: (SPEAKING IN SPANISH)
PETER VILES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Whether we like it or not, we have no common language. You can see it on television. You can hear it on the radio. The number of American whose speak a language other than English at home now stands at 47 million. That's up 47 percent in just 10 years. And 21 million of those speak English, quote, less than very well.
K.C. MCALPIN, PROENGLISH: If it continues, there's no question we're headed for something of a crisis in terms of our unity, linguistic unity as a country.
VILES: If this is a crisis in the making, the government is responsible. From bilingual education to ballots, it sends the message that assimilation isn't necessary, you can speak whatever language you like.
JIM BOULET JR., ENGLISH FIRST: What we have is the government is saying, don't bother to learn English. We'll tell you everything you need to know. If you want to vote, here's your bilingual ballot. If you want to apply for welfare, here's your Spanish language form.
VILES: Bilingual education is such a disappointment, that many Hispanic families fought to end it in California.
VIVIAN MARTINEZ, COMMUNITY ACTIVIST: They want their children to learn the language of English, and to be successful because that's why they're here. They want an opportunity for their child, and that child's opportunity comes in the form of English language. And that's where they want their children to go.
VILES (on camera): California law now says that all students must be taught in English unless they get a special waiver. But federal policy couldn't be more different. It says that all government services must be made accessible to those who do not speak English. Peter Viles, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: CNN's culture in decline series continues as it examines reality TV, and what the appetite for shows like "Wife Swap," and "The Swan" says about our nation. This is all coming up on "LOU DOBBS TONIGHT," at 6:00 Eastern, right here on CNN.
KAGAN: There's a new word that's taking over, and it's not just among young people. Have a listen. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Oh, dude. You got a tattoo.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: So did you, dude.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Okay. So still to come, who's considered a dude, dude? And how many ways can the word be used? A linguist breaks it all down.
SANCHEZ: Culture in decline?
Anyway, and be careful where you place that laptop. It may hinder your productivity. Details straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Some videotape that was shot at the White House. Here's President Bush.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's been my honor to welcome the Social Security trustees here to the Oval Office. We had a good discussion about the problems that face the Social Security system. And there is a recognition among the experts that we have a problem, and the problem is America is getting older and that there are fewer people to pay into the system to support a Baby Boomer generation which is about to retire. Therefore, the question is, does this country have the will to address the problem? I think it must. I think we have a responsibility to solve problems before they become acute.
And therefore I want to thank the trustees for their understanding and their work. I want to thank them for their recognition that this country must deal with this issue now.
I look forward to working with the members of Congress to do just that. I had a meeting earlier on this week with members of the United States House and Senate to discuss the importance of the Social Security issue. I fully recognize it's going to require a bipartisan effort to address this issue.
I have articulated principles in the course of my campaign that I think are important. And it's very important for those who have retired to recognize that nothing is going to change when it comes to Social Security.
BUSH: And it's very important for those who are near retirement to understand nothing will change.
But for the sake of our younger workers, for the sake of younger Americans, we must be willing to address this problem. And I think it's vital to consider allowing younger workers, on a voluntary basis, to set aside some of their own payroll tax in personal accounts as part of a comprehensive solution to dealing with the Social Security issue.
So I want to thank the trustees for their hard work.
I want to thank you for your understanding of the issue. And I appreciate your willingness to go out and help explain to the American people that the time is now, the time is ready for us to solve this problem.
I'll answer two questions.
QUESTION: Thanks, Mr. President.
Secretary Rumsfeld heard some complaints from soldiers yesterday who said, among other things, they've got inadequate armor as they head into Iraq. Do you know how widespread this problem is and what are we doing about it?
BUSH: First, I appreciate the fact that the secretary went and visited our troops and took questions from the troops. I had the honor of visiting with our troops at Camp Pendleton on Tuesday.
BUSH: And it's such an uplifting experience to be able to speak directly to the troops. And I had the honor of meeting with families of the fallen, as well.
The concerns expressed are being addressed, and that is we expect our troops to have the best possible equipment.
And if I were a soldier overseas wanting to defend my country, I'd want to ask the secretary of defense the same question, and that is, are we getting the best we can get us? And they deserve the best.
And I've told many family I've met with, "We're doing everything we possibly can to protect your loved ones in a mission which is vital and important." And that mission is to spread freedom and peace.
And I want to thank all the troops who will be spending their Christmas season overseas away from their families for their sacrifice. And I want to thank the families once again for the sacrifices they have made, as well.
QUESTION: The transition to the personal accounts may cost $2 trillion. Can the country afford to borrow that much?
BUSH: I think what's really important in the discussions is to understand the size of the problem, and that is we are faced with a present value of unfunded liabilities of about $11 trillion. And what's important is before we begin any discussions to understand the scope of the problem. And that's why these trustees are vital in helping educate the American people and Congress as to the size of the problem.
And I will not prejudge any solution. I think it's very important for the first step to be a common understanding of the size of the problem, and then for members of both parties in both bodies to come together and to come and listen to the options available.
We have got a member of what was called the Moynihan commission with us. They studied this problem in detail. They made some suggestions about how to move forward in solving the problem. Much of my thinking has been colored by the work of the late Senator Moynihan and the other members of the commission, who took a lot to time to take a look at this problem and who came up with some creative suggestions.
And so I look forward to working with Congress to address this issue in a straightforward manner. Thank you all.
QUESTION: Are you deadset against any withholding tax increase to pay for the transition, sir?
BUSH: We will not raise payroll taxes to solve this problem.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: President Bush at the White House. That videotape shot just a few minutes ago. Looking at Social Security. One of the promises President Bush making for his second term, he wants to privatize parts of Social Security. Critics say that that could bankrupt the system.
The president also looking at complaints from some soldiers. He says the U.S. doing its best, he believes, to protect the soldiers the best that it can right now.
We're going to take a break. Coming up, we're going to lighten things up a bit. We're going to talk with the professor who actually wrote a paper about the word "dude." Why? How? And how do you use it? We're going to talk about that, just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dudes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: What is in a word, especially a four-letter word? So rich in meaning. Used mostly by guys in a variety of ways to convey, well, just about anything.
With us today, Scott Kiesling, he is the dude who decoded the subtleties and the many meanings of the word dude. He's a linguist, and associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh.
Professor, good morning.
PROFESSOR SCOTT KIESLING, UNIV. OF PITTSBURGH: Good morning.
KAGAN: Or should I call you dude?
KIESLING: Well, you're not supposed to call your professor dude.
KAGAN: OK, well, thank you for straightening me out on that one. We will stick with professor then. But you got to -- you wrote a paper on this? I mean, you actually -- this was enough to write a whole paper on? The meaning and the importance of "dude?"
KIESLING: Yes. And I think after a little bit of this publicity, I'll be able to write some more. It's a very interesting word.
We look at these things all the time in linguistics, address terms. So whether you call somebody, professor or doctor or Scott or something like that, and it really tells us a lot about the relationships that we're taking with somebody.
KAGAN: So as part of your research, we looked at the different ways that it's used. As a greeting, as in what's up, dude. As in exclamation, as in -- help me here.
KIESLING: Whoa, dude!
KAGAN: Very good pronunciation.
To commiserate, as in dude, I'm so sorry.
KIESLING: Bummer, dude.
KAGAN: Yes, bummer, dude. And to one-up someone, trying to one- up somebody?
That's so lame, dude?
KIESLING: Yes. That's lame, dude. I think when you're in the -- you say it a lot when you're -- when you see somebody not driving very well, like nice turn signal, dude, or something like that.
KAGAN: And this also in your research, this is more of a male- to-male thing.
KIESLING: So far. It seems to be expanding to all genders, and you can use it even with lots of different people. You can say it to a group of people, and just say, dude, to get their attention.
KAGAN: Like, the word dear, the plural of dude is also dude?
KIESLING: Dude, yes.
KAGAN: How does one research the word dude?
KIESLING: Oh, well I actually got my students involved. And that was the best thing that I could do. I often have students go out and experience language in the field since they're using it. And I had them go and gather some instances of it and ask some of their friends how they use it. And came up with a lot of different instances so I could generalize from all those. And I also happened to have done some research in a fraternity in the '90s. And I got a lot of stuff from there, too.
KAGAN: I know some guys that did some research in fraternities, but I don't know that they got credit for it.
KIESLING: Hey, I got a doctoral degree out of it.
KAGAN: That's what you should be writing a paper on, because a lot of people want to read how you do that.
Going back with the word dude, what -- the meaning, back like in 1800s, where does it even come from, the original meaning of the word?
KIESLING: The original meaning of the word has to do with clothes. So it was dudes, they were rags, they were something to do with clothes, and then it became to mean a snappy dresser, and it was used for people who actually were snappy dressers, and then among groups who were snappy dressers, they would use it, and it became a term of address. Instead of referring to someone as "a dude," someone would just call each other as a dude, and then it becomes an address term, and that's what I'm interested in is this address term, not necessarily what we call a referring term, where you're just talking about somebody, but where you're I'm talking to you, sir, ma'am, that kind of thing.
KAGAN: Sir, ma'am, dude or whatever.
KAGAN: Now you say with the attention you're getting for doing -- writing this paper, you could go and write a whole bunch more. What does one go and research after you conquered "dude?"
KIESLING: Well, it's changing. So that's the thing that's interesting about it. I didn't do any research on whether there were any differences in -- across the country in, say, if it's used more on the West Coast, or ethnically, whether it's used more in African- American community or in the white community. So I'm interested in finding that out. And whether it's actually is expanding, and I'm getting a lot of people, a lot of women who are saying yes, I use "dude" all the time. So it really does seem to be expanding.
And there also seems to have been a bump in dude use in the late '60s and early seventies that everybody is telling me about, and then it died down again and came back in the '80s.
KAGAN: So you have some more dude work to do before you move on.
KIESLING: I do have more dude work, yes.
KAGAN: To say, "like." That's a whole other paper.
KIESLING: I think "like's" been done.
KAGAN: Oh, has it ever been done.
Well, professor, thank you for your time, and good luck with your future of dude research.
KAGAN: Thanks.
KIESLING: That's cool. Professor Scott Kielsing, from the University of Pittsburgh, joining us from Pittsburgh this morning.
SANCHEZ: The professor's a mellow dude.
KAGAN: He is a mellow dude. And young. It's a little disconcerting when the professors look younger than you think the students look.
SANCHEZ: Disconcerting?
KAGAN: Feel a little old right now? Help me, dude.
SANCHEZ: Speaking of young, how about sports star David Beckham? How about President George Bush? Exercises, looks young. British Prime Minister Tony Blair. What do they all have in common, we ask?
KAGAN: Well, apparently, they all make one interesting scene when posed together. Still to come, recasting the moment around the birth of Jesus.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SANCHEZ: And here we go, getting into the spirit of Christmas, the spirit of debate we might add, as well. Madam Tussaud's Waxworks in London took what some might say is a cheeky approach with the traditional nativity scene.
KAGAN: Standing in for Joseph and Mary, soccer star David Beckham and his wife Victoria.
SANCHEZ: Some church leaders call the celebrity heavy display cheap and extremely in bad taste. Take a look at the wise men. Do you recognize them? They are British Prime Minister Tony Blair, President George W. Bush and queen Elizabeth's husband, Philip. KAGAN: Visitors and church representatives call it a mockery, and Madam Tussaud claims it is an amusing way to bring the nativity to a wider audience. It worked. We just brought it to CNN.
SANCHEZ: To a wider audience, exactly.
(WEATHER REPORT)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
