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CNN Live Today

Michael Jackson Speaks Out About Trial; Mother Battles to Keep Sons Out of War; A Guide to Wireless Computers

Aired March 28, 2005 - 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, CO-HOST: Israel's parliament rejected a move for a national referendum on the Gaza strip withdrawal plan. The vote was a major defeat for Gaza settlers and their supporters. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had denounced the referendum proposal as a stalling tactic. Dismantling of all 21 Gaza settlements in the West Bank is set for this summer.
DARYN KAGAN, CO-HOST: Michael Jackson's trial is entering its fifth week today, but there may be no single day more important than this one. The judge will hear arguments on whether past allegations of child molestation can be introduced against the singer in this trial.

CNN's Ted Rowlands explains from California.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael, Michael!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael, Michael!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael, Michael!

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In what some say could be the biggest day of the trial thus far, Michael Jackson could find out whether past sexual abuse allegations will be allowed in. Jackson was accused, but never charged, with allegations of abuse in 1993 and '94.

JIM MORET, COURT OBSERVER: It's, I believe, do or die for both sides. The material is so potentially prejudicial that, even if the groundwork isn't laid sufficiently for this case, if those jurors believe the prior allegations, they may feel Michael Jackson's done this before. He's got to pay now.

MICHAEL JACKSON, ON TRIAL FOR MOLESTATION CHARGES: I'm totally innocent. And it's just very painful.

ROWLANDS: Over the weekend, Michael Jackson was a guest on Jesse Jackson's radio show, discussing a number of things, including the reason he showed up to court in his pajamas.

JACKSON: I was coming out of the shower and I fell and all my body weight -- I mean, I'm pretty fragile -- all of my body weight fell against my rib cage. And I pretty much -- I bruised my lung very badly. My lung is on the right. It's very much -- I'm in pain as we speak.

ROWLANDS: Jackson said the pain from his fall is why he was crying one day in court, not the testimony. Jackson also said that news that he may be broke is completely false and that he finds strength in other African-Americans who he says have been persecuted.

JACKSON: This has been kind of a pattern among black luminaries in this country. I'm handling it by using other people in the past who have gone through this sort of thing. Mandela's story has given me a lot of strength. What he has gone through.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(NO AUDIO)

SANCHEZ: ... always been ready to appear in court. In fact, let's do this, Kendall, before we start. Let's take a listen to Michael Jackson on "Keep Hope Alive" this weekend.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

JACKSON: I gained strength from God. I believe in Jehovah God very much. And I gain strength from the fact that I know I'm innocent. None of these stories are true. They're totally fabricated, and it's very sad and it's very, very painful. And I pray a lot. And that's how I deep with it.

And I'm a strong person. I'm a warrior. And I know what's inside of me. I'm a fighter.

It's very painful at the end of the day. I'm still human, you know? I'm still a human being. So it does hurt very, very, very much.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: He's a warrior. He's a fighter. Nothing seemingly incriminating there, but nonetheless, he did do a radio interview. How's that going to sit with the judge?

KENDALL COFFEY, FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY: I think it's a totally bad idea for a lot of reasons. One is that judges never like somebody going outside of the boundaries of the courtroom. That's where a case is supposed to be tried.

But I also wonder, from a defense lawyer's perspective, you don't want your client running his mouth off outside the courtroom. Doesn't that create an expectation that he darn well be ready to testify in front of that jury? He's willing to talk to the public. Why won't he talk to the jury and tell them what really happened?

And that can really reduce the defense lawyer's options. Many times the last thing you want to do is put somebody like Michael Jackson on the stand.

SANCHEZ: And the judge's got some important decisions he's going to be making in the next couple of days. One of them involves cases similar to this one that have been settled out of court in the past. The judge has to decide whether those cases should be heard by this jury. Tough call, Kendall?

COFFEY: I don't think so. I think it's going to be a call based on California law that's a lot easier to make than one might think. And that call is going to go against Michael Jackson.

They have gone back as far as 30 years in California. Under the new law passed in the mid '90s, they can go back 30 years to basically bring in old accusations in a current trial. So I think Michael Jackson faces the likelihood that the 1993 accuser's going to get in front of him, say, "Michael Jackson did the same thing to me. And by the way, I got paid $20 million to shut up and go away."

SANCHEZ: Let's talk about the Terri Schiavo case, if we possibly can now. And I guess here's the question that's hanging out there: does Jeb Bush have the authority to step in in this case, regardless or despite what the courts have ruled?

COFFEY: No, he doesn't. And you can understand the frustration. People look at the power of governors, many of whom can spare the life of a killer. But Jeb Bush can't do anything more than he already has.

And as we know, 17 million dollars -- I'm sorry, 17 million Floridians are expected to follow the law. How can he be an effective governor and flout the law himself?

SANCHEZ: Kendall Coffey, as usual, thanks, my friend, for hustling to get in that chair for us.

COFFEY: Thank you.

SANCHEZ: Appreciate it. Kendall Coffey, reporting to us from Miami. And Daryn, over to you.

KAGAN: Our next story is about brothers in arms bound by war and separated by logistics. All three men answered to the call of duty in Iraq. And now their mother is mounting her own battle to prevent other siblings from fighting in the same war.

CNN's Kathleen Koch has their story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's a special meal for the Swann family, the first since all three sons returned from Iraq, where they served with the Marine and Army Reserves.

ANN SWANN, MOTHER: When you went to the chapel, did you have a choice?

KOCH: Ann Swann didn't hear many details, but she knew enough to realize that her sons were in constant danger. Swann's mother had just been killed in a robbery, and without the boys she was all alone. SWANN: Ken wasn't here. Mom wasn't here. The twins weren't here. And so it was just like a kind of a big snowball. I had some concerns that I stood the possibility of my entire family being wiped out.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not going to be easy to find one particular soldier in the middle of this damn war.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's like a needle in a stack of needles.

KOCH: Like many, Swann had thought the Sullivan rule, illustrated in the movie "Saving Private Ryan," prevented siblings from going to war together. But she learned it only applies if a sibling is killed, captured, missing or permanently disabled.

SWANN: Right, well the son can be doing it also.

KOCH: So the elementary school principal wrote the president and her congressman, who's now drafting a bill to help families like Swann's.

REP. ALBERT WYNN (D), MARYLAND: When I asked for anyone to be exempted from service we're asking that they not be placed in a combat zone with the sibling if the family so desires.

KOCH: The Army secretary says he's begun examining the issue after a recent trip to Iraq.

FRANCIS HARVEY, SECRETARY OF THE ARMY: We are looking -- looking into that -- what you just mentioned, having more than one brother or sister in theater at the same time.

KOCH: But Swann's sons say if given the choice to leave their units in Iraq, they'd have said no.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because the bond that I have with my unit is almost, if not just as strong as the bond I have with my brothers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's no way I'm going to leave my Marines that I came over there with by themselves, let alone him, or let alone worrying about him or worrying about him. I mean, it's just -- it's not in our character, I would say.

KOCH: And with the twins heading back to join their reserve unit, they all know this band of brothers could be together in Iraq again.

SWANN: There is no guarantee. This is why I'm hoping that the military will take a close look and just brainstorm.

Put the seat belt on.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Love you, too. Bye, Mom.

SWANN: Call me when you get there.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will.

KOCH: Kathleen Koch, CNN, Glendale, Maryland.

SWANN: Don't forget.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: Don't forget.

KAGAN: Don't forget, call when you arrive.

Talking about cutting the cord, but a different type of cord.

SANCHEZ: Yes.

KAGAN: Just ahead, wireless Internet access certainly convenient, but it can also open up all sorts of new security issues. Up next, the dot com desk goes in search of solutions.

SANCHEZ: And then coming up in the next hour, CNN LIVE TODAY, the pope's health and the effect on events at the Vatican.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: The question is, how's business been lately?

KAGAN: Susan Lisovicz can answer that for us.

Hi, Susan.

(STOCK REPORT)

SANCHEZ: I'm going to end up with pages and pages of notes out here today.

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: At least you'll understand it, though.

SANCHEZ: Thanks, Susan.

KAGAN: Thank you.

LISOVICZ: my pleasure.

KAGAN: On this technical stuff, it's changing so quickly. Just a few years ago most of us could only dream about surfing the Internet or trolling e-mail without being tethered to a telephone line. Well, the wonderful world of wireless is now here, but there are some pitfalls. We get the details now from the dotcom desk and CNN's Veronica De La Cruz.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Imagine a life lived wirelessly. You can pop open your laptop and you're instantly connected anytime, anywhere. At CNN.com/wireless, an in-depth look at this online technology.

How do you know if your wifi's WEP is turned on? What are the differences between blue jacking and blue-snarfing? If all of this tech jargon has left your head spinning, click on wireless glossary for a full explanation.

For example, still aren't sure what wifi actually means? Well, it's short for wireless fidelity. And if you're accessing the Internet wirelessly on you computer or PDA right now, chances are you're using a flavor of it.

When you go wireless it's a whole new ball game for security because your Internet connection is broadcast outside your home. So if you don't secure it, it's like leaving your front door open for intruders. Learn how to protect yourself by changing your SSID, enabling WEP or turning off your DHCP.

You can also check out what equipment you need for a wireless network, as well as the latest wireless products, from handhelds to phones to networking.

From the dotcom news desk in Atlanta, I'm Veronica De La Cruz.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: He is the star of the weekend's No. 1 movie in America. Did you know?

KAGAN: I did know that because before the movie came out I had a chance to talk with Bernie Mac. You'll see my interview with the star of the hit movie, "Guess Who?"

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BERNIE MAC, COMEDIAN: Go to sleep.

ASHTON KUTCHER, ACTOR: Here?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: It's time now to take a look at some stories that are making news from coast to coast.

Minnesota's governor is asking residents today to remember the victims of the Red Lake school shootings. Funerals began over the weekend. This afternoon a funeral is going to be held for Neva Rogers, the teacher who witnesses say stood and prayed aloud as she was shot to death. A total of 10 people, including the gunman, were killed in this incident.

A woman whose car crashed over a Portland, Oregon, bridge guardrail says she is lucky to be alive. The 31-year-old woman was pulled out of the Willamette River by a fire department diver. The woman's car had sunk to the bottom of the river, but she was able to release her seat belt and come up to the surface.

And Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher teamed up for a big win at the box office this weekend. Their movie, "Guess Who?", came in at No. 1 with a $21 million take. The movie's an update of the 1967 classic "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?"

KAGAN: Well, funny you should mention that...

SANCHEZ: Well...

KAGAN: ... because Bernie Mac and recently I sat down for a little chat.

SANCHEZ: What timing.

KAGAN: Good timing, indeed. Let's see. We talked about the film, which is about an African-American young woman who brings home her white boyfriend to meet her parents.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MAC: Percy Jones, baby.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pleasure to meet you.

MAC: Man, look at this here. Nice strong grip. Wow, man, that's something else.

You can take that to the front door for me. Thank you.

Are you doing everything your power to make my daughter happy?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not sure if I am. But I'd sure like a crack at it.

MAC: I like that. Young man, don't worry about it. Relax.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dad, dad. Dad!

MAC: Get yourself some candy or something.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dad, Dad, this is Simon.

MAC: Simon? That's her boyfriend's name.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's right.

KAGAN: Percy Jones, that's your character. You're a know-it- all, in control dad, who's a little surprised by who your daughter's bringing home.

MAC: I think I'm more stunned that she didn't tell me who she's bringing home. I don't think Percy got a problem with who she brought home. Because it's a -- a love forged between four people.

And you can see -- I'm not going to give the movie away how that develops later on. That he and the guy start to mend. You can see the thread going into the needle, so to speak. And he begins to sew that little hole.

KAGAN: Do you consider this a remake, of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?"

MAC: No.

KAGAN: No, it's not a remake.

MAC: No. No.

KAGAN: Because this is a comedy, and the first, I would say, was more of a drama.

MAC: It's -- and the issues are much more different. The time frame is much more different.

KAGAN: The times are much different.

MAC: And don't nobody care about interracial dating. You know, that was a big thing. That was self-brought on. That was taught. Do you understand?

KAGAN: I do understand. Also, I'm trying to understand what it would be like to work with Ashton Kutcher, the king of Hollywood pranks. Were there -- were there pranks on the set, Bernie?

MAC: There was pranks; not with me. He can't get me. I can smell him a mile away.

KAGAN: OK.

MAC: I am the man. I've been doing this for 47 years.

KAGAN: You can see it coming a mile away.

MAC: I've been a comedian -- I've been a comedian since I was 4 or 5. My first monologue was 8. I'm the jokester, the prankster. I am the king.

KAGAN: Well, so did you turn the -- did you turn the tables on Ashton? Did you get him?

MAC: No, I didn't try. He's an amateur.

KAGAN: He's below even your efforts?

MAC: Not even worth my time.

KAGAN: Most people know you from your show, "The Bernie Mac Show." Now that you're becoming a big-time movie star, what's going to happen to the show that a number of magazines call one of the top ten television shows on the air today?

MAC: You know, the television show is my priority. The television show is something that I have to see through before I decide to do anything else. I've given FOX my word, and I'm going to see it through. And I think the big screen is definitely where I'm going to end up, but I have to -- I have to fulfill my commitment to FOX.

KAGAN: Our time's coming to a close. Bernie Mac in "Guess Who?" We'll look for the movie. Thank you.

MAC: Thank you, ma'am.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Just a portion of our conversation there. Funny guy.

SANCHEZ: And he calls you ma'am.

KAGAN: Ma'am. I don't think he could see who he was talking to.

SANCHEZ: Yes. It's just a correct thing.

KAGAN: He was a little surprised when it was a woman named Daryn. What's that?

SANCHEZ: How come you have a feminine voice?

KAGAN: Yes.

SANCHEZ: Rough weather rolls across the Southeast. Did you catch any of this if you happening to living in one of states like Alabama, wherever? Where is that storm heading now?

KAGAN: Jacqui Jeras will join us for a look at the nation's forecast when we return after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: These are some larger than life characters that have made it onto the White House grounds this morning. Don't know how they got past security, but they did. Apparently, they've now been declared not a security threat.

They're costume characters. They joined children for the annual Easter egg roll on the South Lawn. The event was shortened, though, because of some of the rain that we've been telling you about.

KAGAN: You want -- this must be the stuff that was in Atlanta over on Sunday.

SANCHEZ: Yes. You can't even see the top of the Washington monument, can you?

KAGAN: A little soaky in Washington, D.C. Jacqui Jeras here to tell us more about that.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: All right. Thank you.

SANCHEZ: Well, you know, when you fly, oftentimes you'd like to sit in a nice, big comfy chair and have your own drink and all assorted sundries like that.

KAGAN: Well, for you it's about the free drink. For me, it's about the leg room.

SANCHEZ: Some critics of flying coach might compare it to shipping yourself in freight.

KAGAN: Yes. But there are ways to overcome a bad seat, no leg room and that loud snoring person next to you. We'll tell you how. And the second hour of CNN LIVE TODAY begins right now.

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 March 28, 2005 - 10:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RICK SANCHEZ, CO-HOST: Israel's parliament rejected a move for a national referendum on the Gaza strip withdrawal plan. The vote was a major defeat for Gaza settlers and their supporters. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had denounced the referendum proposal as a stalling tactic. Dismantling of all 21 Gaza settlements in the West Bank is set for this summer.
DARYN KAGAN, CO-HOST: Michael Jackson's trial is entering its fifth week today, but there may be no single day more important than this one. The judge will hear arguments on whether past allegations of child molestation can be introduced against the singer in this trial.

CNN's Ted Rowlands explains from California.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael, Michael!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael, Michael!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael, Michael!

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In what some say could be the biggest day of the trial thus far, Michael Jackson could find out whether past sexual abuse allegations will be allowed in. Jackson was accused, but never charged, with allegations of abuse in 1993 and '94.

JIM MORET, COURT OBSERVER: It's, I believe, do or die for both sides. The material is so potentially prejudicial that, even if the groundwork isn't laid sufficiently for this case, if those jurors believe the prior allegations, they may feel Michael Jackson's done this before. He's got to pay now.

MICHAEL JACKSON, ON TRIAL FOR MOLESTATION CHARGES: I'm totally innocent. And it's just very painful.

ROWLANDS: Over the weekend, Michael Jackson was a guest on Jesse Jackson's radio show, discussing a number of things, including the reason he showed up to court in his pajamas.

JACKSON: I was coming out of the shower and I fell and all my body weight -- I mean, I'm pretty fragile -- all of my body weight fell against my rib cage. And I pretty much -- I bruised my lung very badly. My lung is on the right. It's very much -- I'm in pain as we speak.

ROWLANDS: Jackson said the pain from his fall is why he was crying one day in court, not the testimony. Jackson also said that news that he may be broke is completely false and that he finds strength in other African-Americans who he says have been persecuted.

JACKSON: This has been kind of a pattern among black luminaries in this country. I'm handling it by using other people in the past who have gone through this sort of thing. Mandela's story has given me a lot of strength. What he has gone through.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(NO AUDIO)

SANCHEZ: ... always been ready to appear in court. In fact, let's do this, Kendall, before we start. Let's take a listen to Michael Jackson on "Keep Hope Alive" this weekend.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

JACKSON: I gained strength from God. I believe in Jehovah God very much. And I gain strength from the fact that I know I'm innocent. None of these stories are true. They're totally fabricated, and it's very sad and it's very, very painful. And I pray a lot. And that's how I deep with it.

And I'm a strong person. I'm a warrior. And I know what's inside of me. I'm a fighter.

It's very painful at the end of the day. I'm still human, you know? I'm still a human being. So it does hurt very, very, very much.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: He's a warrior. He's a fighter. Nothing seemingly incriminating there, but nonetheless, he did do a radio interview. How's that going to sit with the judge?

KENDALL COFFEY, FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY: I think it's a totally bad idea for a lot of reasons. One is that judges never like somebody going outside of the boundaries of the courtroom. That's where a case is supposed to be tried.

But I also wonder, from a defense lawyer's perspective, you don't want your client running his mouth off outside the courtroom. Doesn't that create an expectation that he darn well be ready to testify in front of that jury? He's willing to talk to the public. Why won't he talk to the jury and tell them what really happened?

And that can really reduce the defense lawyer's options. Many times the last thing you want to do is put somebody like Michael Jackson on the stand.

SANCHEZ: And the judge's got some important decisions he's going to be making in the next couple of days. One of them involves cases similar to this one that have been settled out of court in the past. The judge has to decide whether those cases should be heard by this jury. Tough call, Kendall?

COFFEY: I don't think so. I think it's going to be a call based on California law that's a lot easier to make than one might think. And that call is going to go against Michael Jackson.

They have gone back as far as 30 years in California. Under the new law passed in the mid '90s, they can go back 30 years to basically bring in old accusations in a current trial. So I think Michael Jackson faces the likelihood that the 1993 accuser's going to get in front of him, say, "Michael Jackson did the same thing to me. And by the way, I got paid $20 million to shut up and go away."

SANCHEZ: Let's talk about the Terri Schiavo case, if we possibly can now. And I guess here's the question that's hanging out there: does Jeb Bush have the authority to step in in this case, regardless or despite what the courts have ruled?

COFFEY: No, he doesn't. And you can understand the frustration. People look at the power of governors, many of whom can spare the life of a killer. But Jeb Bush can't do anything more than he already has.

And as we know, 17 million dollars -- I'm sorry, 17 million Floridians are expected to follow the law. How can he be an effective governor and flout the law himself?

SANCHEZ: Kendall Coffey, as usual, thanks, my friend, for hustling to get in that chair for us.

COFFEY: Thank you.

SANCHEZ: Appreciate it. Kendall Coffey, reporting to us from Miami. And Daryn, over to you.

KAGAN: Our next story is about brothers in arms bound by war and separated by logistics. All three men answered to the call of duty in Iraq. And now their mother is mounting her own battle to prevent other siblings from fighting in the same war.

CNN's Kathleen Koch has their story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's a special meal for the Swann family, the first since all three sons returned from Iraq, where they served with the Marine and Army Reserves.

ANN SWANN, MOTHER: When you went to the chapel, did you have a choice?

KOCH: Ann Swann didn't hear many details, but she knew enough to realize that her sons were in constant danger. Swann's mother had just been killed in a robbery, and without the boys she was all alone. SWANN: Ken wasn't here. Mom wasn't here. The twins weren't here. And so it was just like a kind of a big snowball. I had some concerns that I stood the possibility of my entire family being wiped out.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not going to be easy to find one particular soldier in the middle of this damn war.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's like a needle in a stack of needles.

KOCH: Like many, Swann had thought the Sullivan rule, illustrated in the movie "Saving Private Ryan," prevented siblings from going to war together. But she learned it only applies if a sibling is killed, captured, missing or permanently disabled.

SWANN: Right, well the son can be doing it also.

KOCH: So the elementary school principal wrote the president and her congressman, who's now drafting a bill to help families like Swann's.

REP. ALBERT WYNN (D), MARYLAND: When I asked for anyone to be exempted from service we're asking that they not be placed in a combat zone with the sibling if the family so desires.

KOCH: The Army secretary says he's begun examining the issue after a recent trip to Iraq.

FRANCIS HARVEY, SECRETARY OF THE ARMY: We are looking -- looking into that -- what you just mentioned, having more than one brother or sister in theater at the same time.

KOCH: But Swann's sons say if given the choice to leave their units in Iraq, they'd have said no.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because the bond that I have with my unit is almost, if not just as strong as the bond I have with my brothers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's no way I'm going to leave my Marines that I came over there with by themselves, let alone him, or let alone worrying about him or worrying about him. I mean, it's just -- it's not in our character, I would say.

KOCH: And with the twins heading back to join their reserve unit, they all know this band of brothers could be together in Iraq again.

SWANN: There is no guarantee. This is why I'm hoping that the military will take a close look and just brainstorm.

Put the seat belt on.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Love you, too. Bye, Mom.

SWANN: Call me when you get there.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will.

KOCH: Kathleen Koch, CNN, Glendale, Maryland.

SWANN: Don't forget.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: Don't forget.

KAGAN: Don't forget, call when you arrive.

Talking about cutting the cord, but a different type of cord.

SANCHEZ: Yes.

KAGAN: Just ahead, wireless Internet access certainly convenient, but it can also open up all sorts of new security issues. Up next, the dot com desk goes in search of solutions.

SANCHEZ: And then coming up in the next hour, CNN LIVE TODAY, the pope's health and the effect on events at the Vatican.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: The question is, how's business been lately?

KAGAN: Susan Lisovicz can answer that for us.

Hi, Susan.

(STOCK REPORT)

SANCHEZ: I'm going to end up with pages and pages of notes out here today.

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: At least you'll understand it, though.

SANCHEZ: Thanks, Susan.

KAGAN: Thank you.

LISOVICZ: my pleasure.

KAGAN: On this technical stuff, it's changing so quickly. Just a few years ago most of us could only dream about surfing the Internet or trolling e-mail without being tethered to a telephone line. Well, the wonderful world of wireless is now here, but there are some pitfalls. We get the details now from the dotcom desk and CNN's Veronica De La Cruz.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Imagine a life lived wirelessly. You can pop open your laptop and you're instantly connected anytime, anywhere. At CNN.com/wireless, an in-depth look at this online technology.

How do you know if your wifi's WEP is turned on? What are the differences between blue jacking and blue-snarfing? If all of this tech jargon has left your head spinning, click on wireless glossary for a full explanation.

For example, still aren't sure what wifi actually means? Well, it's short for wireless fidelity. And if you're accessing the Internet wirelessly on you computer or PDA right now, chances are you're using a flavor of it.

When you go wireless it's a whole new ball game for security because your Internet connection is broadcast outside your home. So if you don't secure it, it's like leaving your front door open for intruders. Learn how to protect yourself by changing your SSID, enabling WEP or turning off your DHCP.

You can also check out what equipment you need for a wireless network, as well as the latest wireless products, from handhelds to phones to networking.

From the dotcom news desk in Atlanta, I'm Veronica De La Cruz.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: He is the star of the weekend's No. 1 movie in America. Did you know?

KAGAN: I did know that because before the movie came out I had a chance to talk with Bernie Mac. You'll see my interview with the star of the hit movie, "Guess Who?"

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BERNIE MAC, COMEDIAN: Go to sleep.

ASHTON KUTCHER, ACTOR: Here?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: It's time now to take a look at some stories that are making news from coast to coast.

Minnesota's governor is asking residents today to remember the victims of the Red Lake school shootings. Funerals began over the weekend. This afternoon a funeral is going to be held for Neva Rogers, the teacher who witnesses say stood and prayed aloud as she was shot to death. A total of 10 people, including the gunman, were killed in this incident.

A woman whose car crashed over a Portland, Oregon, bridge guardrail says she is lucky to be alive. The 31-year-old woman was pulled out of the Willamette River by a fire department diver. The woman's car had sunk to the bottom of the river, but she was able to release her seat belt and come up to the surface.

And Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher teamed up for a big win at the box office this weekend. Their movie, "Guess Who?", came in at No. 1 with a $21 million take. The movie's an update of the 1967 classic "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?"

KAGAN: Well, funny you should mention that...

SANCHEZ: Well...

KAGAN: ... because Bernie Mac and recently I sat down for a little chat.

SANCHEZ: What timing.

KAGAN: Good timing, indeed. Let's see. We talked about the film, which is about an African-American young woman who brings home her white boyfriend to meet her parents.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MAC: Percy Jones, baby.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pleasure to meet you.

MAC: Man, look at this here. Nice strong grip. Wow, man, that's something else.

You can take that to the front door for me. Thank you.

Are you doing everything your power to make my daughter happy?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not sure if I am. But I'd sure like a crack at it.

MAC: I like that. Young man, don't worry about it. Relax.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dad, dad. Dad!

MAC: Get yourself some candy or something.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dad, Dad, this is Simon.

MAC: Simon? That's her boyfriend's name.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's right.

KAGAN: Percy Jones, that's your character. You're a know-it- all, in control dad, who's a little surprised by who your daughter's bringing home.

MAC: I think I'm more stunned that she didn't tell me who she's bringing home. I don't think Percy got a problem with who she brought home. Because it's a -- a love forged between four people.

And you can see -- I'm not going to give the movie away how that develops later on. That he and the guy start to mend. You can see the thread going into the needle, so to speak. And he begins to sew that little hole.

KAGAN: Do you consider this a remake, of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?"

MAC: No.

KAGAN: No, it's not a remake.

MAC: No. No.

KAGAN: Because this is a comedy, and the first, I would say, was more of a drama.

MAC: It's -- and the issues are much more different. The time frame is much more different.

KAGAN: The times are much different.

MAC: And don't nobody care about interracial dating. You know, that was a big thing. That was self-brought on. That was taught. Do you understand?

KAGAN: I do understand. Also, I'm trying to understand what it would be like to work with Ashton Kutcher, the king of Hollywood pranks. Were there -- were there pranks on the set, Bernie?

MAC: There was pranks; not with me. He can't get me. I can smell him a mile away.

KAGAN: OK.

MAC: I am the man. I've been doing this for 47 years.

KAGAN: You can see it coming a mile away.

MAC: I've been a comedian -- I've been a comedian since I was 4 or 5. My first monologue was 8. I'm the jokester, the prankster. I am the king.

KAGAN: Well, so did you turn the -- did you turn the tables on Ashton? Did you get him?

MAC: No, I didn't try. He's an amateur.

KAGAN: He's below even your efforts?

MAC: Not even worth my time.

KAGAN: Most people know you from your show, "The Bernie Mac Show." Now that you're becoming a big-time movie star, what's going to happen to the show that a number of magazines call one of the top ten television shows on the air today?

MAC: You know, the television show is my priority. The television show is something that I have to see through before I decide to do anything else. I've given FOX my word, and I'm going to see it through. And I think the big screen is definitely where I'm going to end up, but I have to -- I have to fulfill my commitment to FOX.

KAGAN: Our time's coming to a close. Bernie Mac in "Guess Who?" We'll look for the movie. Thank you.

MAC: Thank you, ma'am.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Just a portion of our conversation there. Funny guy.

SANCHEZ: And he calls you ma'am.

KAGAN: Ma'am. I don't think he could see who he was talking to.

SANCHEZ: Yes. It's just a correct thing.

KAGAN: He was a little surprised when it was a woman named Daryn. What's that?

SANCHEZ: How come you have a feminine voice?

KAGAN: Yes.

SANCHEZ: Rough weather rolls across the Southeast. Did you catch any of this if you happening to living in one of states like Alabama, wherever? Where is that storm heading now?

KAGAN: Jacqui Jeras will join us for a look at the nation's forecast when we return after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: These are some larger than life characters that have made it onto the White House grounds this morning. Don't know how they got past security, but they did. Apparently, they've now been declared not a security threat.

They're costume characters. They joined children for the annual Easter egg roll on the South Lawn. The event was shortened, though, because of some of the rain that we've been telling you about.

KAGAN: You want -- this must be the stuff that was in Atlanta over on Sunday.

SANCHEZ: Yes. You can't even see the top of the Washington monument, can you?

KAGAN: A little soaky in Washington, D.C. Jacqui Jeras here to tell us more about that.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: All right. Thank you.

SANCHEZ: Well, you know, when you fly, oftentimes you'd like to sit in a nice, big comfy chair and have your own drink and all assorted sundries like that.

KAGAN: Well, for you it's about the free drink. For me, it's about the leg room.

SANCHEZ: Some critics of flying coach might compare it to shipping yourself in freight.

KAGAN: Yes. But there are ways to overcome a bad seat, no leg room and that loud snoring person next to you. We'll tell you how. And the second hour of CNN LIVE TODAY begins right now.

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