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CNN Sunday Morning

Brown v. Board of Education, 50 Years Later; Same-Sex Marriage to Become Legal in Massachusetts Monday

Aired May 16, 2004 - 09:30   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.


SOPHIA CHOI, CNN ANCHOR: Well, despite often fierce resistance, school doors once closed to African-American children opened to them, after the Supreme Court outlawed racially segregated public schools. And that was 50 years ago.
Well, now as CNN's Dan Lothian reports those school doors are still open but it doesn't mean integration has reached the classroom.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LATONYA MILLER, NAT'L PARK SERVICE: We know that really, a lot of chaos happened after 1954. That's really when it really erupted.

GOV. GEORGE WALLACE (R), ALABAMA: In the United States, segregation now, segregation tomorrow and segregation forever.

MILLER: Brown versus The Board of Education, the case was the corner stone of the civil rights movement.

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Fifty years later that cornerstone is etched in the classroom and halls of Monroe Elementary. The once segregated black school, where this young girl at the center of the landmark case was first enrolled. The struggle to integrate across America is graphically displayed in black and white.

MILLER: The Hall of Courage is significant because it basically will take visitors and put them in the front lines of segregation in the riot with the epitaphs being screamed out, with the bulldogs.

LOTHIAN: Are you trying to give visitors the emotion of the moment?

MILLER: That is correct. It is.

LOTHIAN: Are you not opening some of the wounds that a lot of people have wanted kind of put behind and say, OK, this was tough, but we have gotten over it?

MILLER: There are a going to be a lot of people who come through this particular exhibit with all -- with the range of emotion from anger to resentment, to being happy that it is over, that we made it through to victory. And that's the goal of it.

LOTHIAN: This is just one of four exhibit rooms highlighting the different stages of the Civil Rights Movement. A movement that gained unstoppable momentum on May 17, 1954.

(on camera): This was the headline.

MILLER: This was the headline that came out.

LOTHIAN: The seventeenth in Topeka?

MILLER: That's correct. "Supreme Court Refutes Doctrine of Separate but Equal Education." And school segregation bans.

LOTHIAN (voice-over): The old fireplace is still here. Everything else has been removed renovated or recreated.

(on camera): Can you imagine what was happening in this hallway back in 1954?

MILLER: I can just imagine all of the African-American students, you know, yelling and screaming, and running up and down the halls. The bell ringing with the echo.

LOTHIAN (voice-over): While much of the museum is about the past, it is also about the future.

MILLER: Along this wall here, of course you find unfinished business of Brown. A lot of work has been done in the last 50 years but there's still a lot more work that needs to be done. It's a reminder of where we've been and it's also a reminder of where we don't want to go in the future.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LOTHIAN: Again, that's Latonya Miller with the National Park Service. That's the organization that owns and operates the museum. Now, some people might be surprised to learn that the museum focuses much more on the overall Civil Rights Movement rather on the Brown case. Officials saying the reason for that is because they believe the story is bigger than just one person -- Thomas.

THOMAS ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR: Dan, thanks very much.

And Dan Lothian's full report, called "THE GAP, 50 Years After the Brown Ruling." That airs tonight on "CNN PRESENTS," which takes an in-depth look at the complex subject. Again, that's at 8:00 Eastern Time.

CHOI: Let's fast forward now to see what is coming up this week.

On Monday, a state Supreme Court ruling goes into effect that legalize same sex marriage in Massachusetts. But even then the legal wrangling will not be over.

On Tuesday, the 9/11 Commission begins two more days of hearings. This time the focus is on the emergency response to the terror attacks.

And in Iraq on Wednesday, the first court-martial related to prisoner abuse begins. Specialist Jeremy Sivits is facing three charges and could spend up to a year in prison if found guilty. The military is providing broad public access to the trial and is inviting the Arab news media.

ROBERTS: Well, in the heart of one of the busiest cities in the world, a place of refuge and reflection. Usually not open to the public, a new Mormon temple has opened its doors in New York City. And for a short time only anyone can visit the holy site where the most solemn rituals are performed.

CNN's Alina Cho has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For the Mormon faithful, a chance to be in what they call the "House of the Lord."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's unlike anything on earth.

CHO: For non-Mormons, a lesson in a different faith.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't intend to convert. No one asked me to. But it's just a wonderful opportunity to learn more.

CHO: This woman, from Bolivia, was overwhelmed.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have no way to express myself how I feel inside. It's like I'm shaking.

CHO: From the stained glass windows to the gold leaf columns, this Mormon Temple is a series of rooms designed within an existing building in Manhattan.

EARL TINGEY, MORMON CHURCH LEADER: New York is the center of the media world, it's the center of the financial world, and we have many, many members of the church here. And we feel we need a temple where they live.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When you are out on the streets in New York and Manhattan, it's organized chaos, kind of crazy. When you come in here and it's just calm and peaceful.

CHO (on camera): Mormon Temples are only open to the most devout members of the church. This temple will be open to the public until it's dedicated next month. Then the door will close to all nonmembers.

(voice-over): For now, anyone who puts on white booties to keep the carpet clean, can take a peek at the hand painted murals in the Instruction Room. And the Celestial Room, where members are urged to be silent to give them a sense of what it's like to be in the presence of God. There's the Bride Room, where the wedding party gets ready. And the Ceiling Room where weddings are held and mirrors symbolize eternity.

JOHN STONE, PRESIDENT, MORMON TEMPLE, NEW YORK: It's overwhelming in a way.

CHO: A place Mormons call sacred not secret.

Alina Cho, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHOI: So beautiful in there.

ROBERTS: It really is, well done.

Well, just ahead, leaving this reality behind to live the American dream. We're going to talk to a family that is doing just that, taking it on the road.

CHOI: Plus, under fire for how he plays the game. How Oakland A's general manager Billy Bean does it.

You're watching CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHOI: Many would call it an American dream. Leaving the stress of everyday life behind to hit the open road, and find out what else is out there.

As Suzanne Kelly reports that's exactly what one family from California's Silicon Valley is doing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUZANNE KELLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Tired of this, and these? And the stress of balancing work and family? Is being constantly plugged in causing an overload?

STEVE SPRY, DESTINATION UNKNOWN: Our plan is really to -- the next 60 days, is really to detox from the, you know, the high tech pressure cooker.

KELLY: Meet the Sprys, an average America family, if you will, fed up with the everyday stress of normal life in California's Silicon Valley. So they've sold the house, left the business, they are packing up and moving on. Going where, you ask?

SPRY: We don't know.

COLEEN MURPHY, DESTINATION UNKNOWN: I mean I've lived here all my life. So I don't know.

KELLY: Steve and Coleen are setting off for the open road to learn something about living again. Fed up with rising housing costs and the financial pressure just to keep up, now they say they are driving home an important lesson for their 4-year-old son, that life is too short to waste on the rat race. So far, they spent the first few days of their journey showing Ryan the finer points of American culture. And who knows what is next. There's no master plan; just going from one place to another to see what is going on. But there is an end to this road. Eventually they say they will settle down again, once they find a life they are looking for.

MURPHY: A community place would be nice, where you have -- where you can buy an acre and a half for maybe a couple of hundred thousand dollars, you know, and have a community pool.

KELLY: If you can think of a list of reasons why you would never be able to do what the Sprys are doing, you can travel along with them via their Web site, where they are keeping a daily log of what else you could have been doing today.

Suzanne Kelly, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHOI: And this morning the open road has led Steve, Coleen and their son Ryan to Sedona, Arizona. That is where they are joining us from now by telephone.

Good morning to both of you.

MURPHY: Good morning.

SPRY: Good morning.

CHOI: Steve, let me start with you. OK, you got sick of the daily grind. But what was that Aha moment that made you do this?

SPRY: Well, I mean it was -- it wasn't just a decision that was made. You know, it evolved over a few months. But you know it was, I think, when, you know, in the Bay Area when -- you know, it's like what -- the amount of time you spend just keeping up versus being able to spend quality time with your family. And -- that really drove us to this decision.

CHOI: Coleen, it must have taken a lot of planning. I mean you have you to have money to do something like this, right?

MURPHY: Well, actually, we did it because of lack of money. So we got some money out of our House. But you know, we didn't have a choice. But we had to sell our house.

CHOI: Well, have you learned anything about yourselves from this journey so far, Coleen?

MURPHY: There's more to life than Silicon Valley.

(LAUGHTER)

CHOI: And who have you met and who have you seen?

MURPHY: What's that?

CHOI: Who have you met and what have you seen so far?

MURPHY: Oh, gosh! We have met a ton of people. Ryan has met a ton of dogs.

CHOI: Your son, Ryan.

MURPHY: Yes. He friendly, he waves to everybody. Says hi to everybody. It's been great.

CHOI: Steve talking about your son, how is he handling this? I know he has got a playmate with him all time. Traveling Travis the teddy. We see a picture of him right there.

SPRY: You know, one of the things that has been really enjoyable is being out of the metropolitan kind of setting is seeing Ryan play. Kind of like as we can recall from when we were his age, when you know you weren't in a highly urban setting or playing when it is starting to get dusk. And then in the RV, I mean we have all of our -- he has all of his stuff with him. So it's been really enjoyable.

CHOI: When life was simpler is what you're referring to, huh? SPRY: Exactly.

MURPHY: Right.

CHOI: So what are your plans the rest of this summer?

SPRY: Well, our plans are we're heading -- we're going to make our way to Florida. We are planning on spending a couple of weeks down there. I have always wanted to observe that area firsthand. And then we're going to head up the East Coast up ultimately to the Boston area. We have some friends there that we're planning on meeting in July. But along the way, taking notes and really seeing what it's like, you know, outside of Silicon Valley things. So...

CHOI: And we should mention that if people want to keep track of you that they can do that at your Web site, that's luvtohave fun.com. That's L-U-Vtofun.com. And you've got all kinds of pictures, journal, and even a map of your travels there. So that will be fun to keep up with you.

In the meantime, how long do you plan on doing this? Until the money runs out?

MURPHY: Well, we want to just take a couple months and relax. And then find out what is next. So maybe Steve can get a job in Florida. Maybe it will be Chicago, New York, who knows?

CHOI: What about schooling for Ryan?

MURPHY: Well, we've got a little ways to go. but maybe a home schooling will be an option.

CHOI: Ah! Didn't even think about that. That probably is a good option for you.

So Steve, what's the favorite part of your journey so far? Favorite thing? SPRY: The favorite thing has been just being -- you know, forgetting about the watch. Forgetting about the calendar, I mean down to, you know, moving from worrying about minutes and hours to, you know, hours and days. Really learning how to, you know, live in a more simpler setting. It's just -- it's hard to get used to that.

CHOI: And as people run into you along your travels, are they jealous of what you're doing?

MURPHY: Oh, they think it's great. And we have met so many nice people. And the nice thing is about these RV parks that we've been staying at, you know, I feel totally safe about Ryan.

CHOI: It is a hoot talking about your RV. You named it, right?

MURPHY: Well...

SPRY: Well...

(LAUGHTER)

CHOI: Isn't it called "The Whale?"

MURPHY: Well, no.

CHOI: No?

MURPHY: We need to come up with another name. As a matter of fact, we were thinking maybe to put that on the Web site. Maybe people can help us name it.

CHOI: Oh really? Well, we've got a picture, I think, a beauty shot with your RV way in the corner. It's like a little dot. If we could put that picture up, it's an interesting shot. There it is. It's just a little silver dot way up there. And we had named it "The Whale," because we had understood that's what you named it earlier. But I guess you're looking for some tips on how to name that, come up with a new name.

Any advice for others considering doing the same thing; either one of you?

MURPHY: I'd say go for it.

SPRY: Go for it. And...

MURPHY: We haven't looked back. It's been great.

CHOI: And we want to remind our viewers that we're going to be following your travels this summer as the Sprys make pit stops. They will call us via phone and keep in touch with us here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. So we'll see where this trip takes both of you, both physically and emotionally. We look forward to that.

And in the meantime, I want to mention again that you can check up on them up on them, on their daily progress at lovtohavefun.com. ROBERTS: Probably get a bunch of hits on that web site now.

CHOI: Yes. It's great web site. They have all kind of pictures. So far they've been to the Hoover Dam, and in the Sedona area meeting all kind of people. They've even got a map of their little travel so you can follow it.

ROBERTS: Hopefully on the way to Florida they can pit stop in Atlanta, come see us here at the CNN center.

CHOI: Why not? Why not?

ROBERTS: Bring some pictures first hand.

CHOI: Why not?

ROBERTS: A great family, great story.

CHOI: Thanks to them.

ROBERTS: Stay with us everybody. You know, he uses facts where some use emotion. And his techniques are catching. How Billy Bean plays ball.

CHOI: Good morning Seattle, your complete weather forecast is coming up. CNN SUNDAY MORNING continues in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHOI: Here's a quick update now of our top stories.

A damning accusation; a story in "The New Yorker" magazine says Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld authorized a secret program that encouraged the humiliation and abuse of Iraqi prisoners in order to obtain intelligence. The Pentagon is strongly denying those accusations.

Secretary of State Colin Powell meantime, apologized for the abuse of Iraqi prisoners at the hands of U.S. soldiers. The apology came in Jordan, where Powell is attending the World Economic Forum.

ROBERTS: Seabiscuit may be among the most celebrated names in horse racing history, but he never won the Triple Crown. Smarty Jones though, has a chance to become just the 12-horse after capture the crown, after winning The Preakness yesterday. Now, the colt pulled away from the field to win by a record 11 1/2 lengths. Look at that, couldn't be caught. Now all that's left is the Belmont Stakes and that is June 5.

CHOI: Well, winning the Triple Crown earns a $5 million bonus. That's a lot of money for you and me, but in the world of sports millions of tossed around like well baseballs.

CNN's Jeff Greenfield takes as look at one innovator who is making every dollar count.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEFF GREENFIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's a perfect night for baseball in Oakland, California. And more than 43,000 fans have come out to watch a classic David and Goliath battle against the mighty New York Yankees. But this man, Billy Beane, the A's 42-year- old general manager won't be there.

BILLY BEANE, GENERAL MANAGER, OAKLAND A'S: I think I know myself well enough to know, when I watch a game I think unemotionally. And I really don't want to do that.

GREENFIELD: In fact, substituting hard facts for emotion is the key to Billy Beane's success. With one of the smallest payrolls in baseball, Beane had to look for low cost talent, and found an approach, developed by analyst Bill James among others, that argued that some of baseball's most cherished assumptions were dead wrong.

BEANE: Essentially, this is a business that has been around for over a hundred years. And it really hasn't changed much.

GREENFIELD: For instance, sacrificing a runner to second base is almost always dumb? Why? Because the key to offensive success is void avoiding outs. Don't look at a player's physique. Look at the numbers. How often does he get on base? How often does a pitcher throw strikes? That's why a less than supple, journeyman catcher named Scott Hatterberg was turned into a valuable first baseman for the A's. And why a submarine pitcher named Chad Bradford became the A's middle reliever despite a slow moving fastball. And above all, use the numbers, not your hunches.

BEANE: A guy hits, and goes to blackjack table and has a 17, and hits a four. Well they film it, they show it on TV. And everyone goes, that's just good aggressive play. That's a fool.

GREENFIELD: The success of the A's, four straight years in the playoffs, despite one of baseball's smallest payroll, drew a lot of attention to Billy Beane. but last year he and the A's became the subject of a huge and controversial best seller by author Michael Lewis.

MICHAEL LEWIS, AUTHOR, "MONEY BALL": I have written about lots of other things, Wall Street, presidential politics. I have never had this kind of violent response.

GREENFIELD: More than anything else, critics point to Oakland's post-season failures. The last four years, they've never moved past the first round. Proof, say the critics, that Billy Beane's approach doesn't really work when it counts. Proof, says Beans, that the short playoff series is a crapshoot, where probability doesn't work.

BEANE: What I find sort of interesting is the idea that the way we build a team is the reason for losing on the last pitch of Game 5. You know, it makes no sense at all.

GREENFIELD: In fact, Oakland's success has impressed even its richest competitor. New York Yankee general manager Brian Cashman, whose payroll of $184 million is more than three times Oakland's.

BRIAN CASHMAN, GENERAL MANAGER, NEW YORK YANKEES: I know I've riled a lot of old traditionalists, and that's fine. But you know, there's a lot of things in the books that you might not agree with, but there are certain truths in there, as well.

GREENFIELD: And that may be Beane's biggest problem now.

BEANE: Would it be the Yankees in baseball?

GREENFIELD: The big market teams have caught on.

LEWIS: If Billy Beane with $50 million is doing exactly the same thing as Theo Epstein of the Boston Red Sox, who has $130 million, Billy is going to lose every time.

BEANE: It forces you to have to be better. Because let's face it, whether it's us or the Twins having 45 or $50 million is a lot tougher than having 150 million, no matter what anybody tells you.

GREENFIELD: And with more and more teams learning from Oakland's past victories. The job of turning theory into success on the field this year may be Beane's biggest challenge yet.

Jeff Greenfield, CNN, Oakland, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROBERTS: Stay with us everybody. When we return, what's ahead for you this morning right here on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHOI: Here's what is coming up later today on CNN.

Up next, "INSIDE POLITICS SUNDAY," explores the battle for the White House. Representatives from the Kerry and Bush camps will debate campaign strategies.

Then at 11:00, a special one-hour live edition of "RELIABLE SOURCES." At issue, media and images of war.

And that's followed at noon by CNN's Wolf Blitzer will talk to "The New Yorker's" Seymour Hersh about new accusations about what Donald Rumsfeld knew in the time before the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal.

ROBERTS: Should be a really good interview. Again, coming up at 12:00 Eastern today.

But for us, we're done for this morning. Since we like this so much, what do you think? We'll make a date to do this next weekend?

CHOI: Yes.

ROBERTS: You like that? CHOI: Starting at 7:00 a.m. Saturday. We'll be here Saturday bright eyed and bushy tailed. We hope you join us too.

ROBERTS: We'll at least be here.

(LAUGHTER)

ROBERTS: I'm Thomas Roberts.

CHOI: And I'm Sophia Choi. We hope to see you next weekend. Take care.

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 May 16, 2004 - 09:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOPHIA CHOI, CNN ANCHOR: Well, despite often fierce resistance, school doors once closed to African-American children opened to them, after the Supreme Court outlawed racially segregated public schools. And that was 50 years ago.
Well, now as CNN's Dan Lothian reports those school doors are still open but it doesn't mean integration has reached the classroom.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LATONYA MILLER, NAT'L PARK SERVICE: We know that really, a lot of chaos happened after 1954. That's really when it really erupted.

GOV. GEORGE WALLACE (R), ALABAMA: In the United States, segregation now, segregation tomorrow and segregation forever.

MILLER: Brown versus The Board of Education, the case was the corner stone of the civil rights movement.

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Fifty years later that cornerstone is etched in the classroom and halls of Monroe Elementary. The once segregated black school, where this young girl at the center of the landmark case was first enrolled. The struggle to integrate across America is graphically displayed in black and white.

MILLER: The Hall of Courage is significant because it basically will take visitors and put them in the front lines of segregation in the riot with the epitaphs being screamed out, with the bulldogs.

LOTHIAN: Are you trying to give visitors the emotion of the moment?

MILLER: That is correct. It is.

LOTHIAN: Are you not opening some of the wounds that a lot of people have wanted kind of put behind and say, OK, this was tough, but we have gotten over it?

MILLER: There are a going to be a lot of people who come through this particular exhibit with all -- with the range of emotion from anger to resentment, to being happy that it is over, that we made it through to victory. And that's the goal of it.

LOTHIAN: This is just one of four exhibit rooms highlighting the different stages of the Civil Rights Movement. A movement that gained unstoppable momentum on May 17, 1954.

(on camera): This was the headline.

MILLER: This was the headline that came out.

LOTHIAN: The seventeenth in Topeka?

MILLER: That's correct. "Supreme Court Refutes Doctrine of Separate but Equal Education." And school segregation bans.

LOTHIAN (voice-over): The old fireplace is still here. Everything else has been removed renovated or recreated.

(on camera): Can you imagine what was happening in this hallway back in 1954?

MILLER: I can just imagine all of the African-American students, you know, yelling and screaming, and running up and down the halls. The bell ringing with the echo.

LOTHIAN (voice-over): While much of the museum is about the past, it is also about the future.

MILLER: Along this wall here, of course you find unfinished business of Brown. A lot of work has been done in the last 50 years but there's still a lot more work that needs to be done. It's a reminder of where we've been and it's also a reminder of where we don't want to go in the future.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LOTHIAN: Again, that's Latonya Miller with the National Park Service. That's the organization that owns and operates the museum. Now, some people might be surprised to learn that the museum focuses much more on the overall Civil Rights Movement rather on the Brown case. Officials saying the reason for that is because they believe the story is bigger than just one person -- Thomas.

THOMAS ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR: Dan, thanks very much.

And Dan Lothian's full report, called "THE GAP, 50 Years After the Brown Ruling." That airs tonight on "CNN PRESENTS," which takes an in-depth look at the complex subject. Again, that's at 8:00 Eastern Time.

CHOI: Let's fast forward now to see what is coming up this week.

On Monday, a state Supreme Court ruling goes into effect that legalize same sex marriage in Massachusetts. But even then the legal wrangling will not be over.

On Tuesday, the 9/11 Commission begins two more days of hearings. This time the focus is on the emergency response to the terror attacks.

And in Iraq on Wednesday, the first court-martial related to prisoner abuse begins. Specialist Jeremy Sivits is facing three charges and could spend up to a year in prison if found guilty. The military is providing broad public access to the trial and is inviting the Arab news media.

ROBERTS: Well, in the heart of one of the busiest cities in the world, a place of refuge and reflection. Usually not open to the public, a new Mormon temple has opened its doors in New York City. And for a short time only anyone can visit the holy site where the most solemn rituals are performed.

CNN's Alina Cho has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For the Mormon faithful, a chance to be in what they call the "House of the Lord."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's unlike anything on earth.

CHO: For non-Mormons, a lesson in a different faith.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't intend to convert. No one asked me to. But it's just a wonderful opportunity to learn more.

CHO: This woman, from Bolivia, was overwhelmed.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have no way to express myself how I feel inside. It's like I'm shaking.

CHO: From the stained glass windows to the gold leaf columns, this Mormon Temple is a series of rooms designed within an existing building in Manhattan.

EARL TINGEY, MORMON CHURCH LEADER: New York is the center of the media world, it's the center of the financial world, and we have many, many members of the church here. And we feel we need a temple where they live.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When you are out on the streets in New York and Manhattan, it's organized chaos, kind of crazy. When you come in here and it's just calm and peaceful.

CHO (on camera): Mormon Temples are only open to the most devout members of the church. This temple will be open to the public until it's dedicated next month. Then the door will close to all nonmembers.

(voice-over): For now, anyone who puts on white booties to keep the carpet clean, can take a peek at the hand painted murals in the Instruction Room. And the Celestial Room, where members are urged to be silent to give them a sense of what it's like to be in the presence of God. There's the Bride Room, where the wedding party gets ready. And the Ceiling Room where weddings are held and mirrors symbolize eternity.

JOHN STONE, PRESIDENT, MORMON TEMPLE, NEW YORK: It's overwhelming in a way.

CHO: A place Mormons call sacred not secret.

Alina Cho, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHOI: So beautiful in there.

ROBERTS: It really is, well done.

Well, just ahead, leaving this reality behind to live the American dream. We're going to talk to a family that is doing just that, taking it on the road.

CHOI: Plus, under fire for how he plays the game. How Oakland A's general manager Billy Bean does it.

You're watching CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHOI: Many would call it an American dream. Leaving the stress of everyday life behind to hit the open road, and find out what else is out there.

As Suzanne Kelly reports that's exactly what one family from California's Silicon Valley is doing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUZANNE KELLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Tired of this, and these? And the stress of balancing work and family? Is being constantly plugged in causing an overload?

STEVE SPRY, DESTINATION UNKNOWN: Our plan is really to -- the next 60 days, is really to detox from the, you know, the high tech pressure cooker.

KELLY: Meet the Sprys, an average America family, if you will, fed up with the everyday stress of normal life in California's Silicon Valley. So they've sold the house, left the business, they are packing up and moving on. Going where, you ask?

SPRY: We don't know.

COLEEN MURPHY, DESTINATION UNKNOWN: I mean I've lived here all my life. So I don't know.

KELLY: Steve and Coleen are setting off for the open road to learn something about living again. Fed up with rising housing costs and the financial pressure just to keep up, now they say they are driving home an important lesson for their 4-year-old son, that life is too short to waste on the rat race. So far, they spent the first few days of their journey showing Ryan the finer points of American culture. And who knows what is next. There's no master plan; just going from one place to another to see what is going on. But there is an end to this road. Eventually they say they will settle down again, once they find a life they are looking for.

MURPHY: A community place would be nice, where you have -- where you can buy an acre and a half for maybe a couple of hundred thousand dollars, you know, and have a community pool.

KELLY: If you can think of a list of reasons why you would never be able to do what the Sprys are doing, you can travel along with them via their Web site, where they are keeping a daily log of what else you could have been doing today.

Suzanne Kelly, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHOI: And this morning the open road has led Steve, Coleen and their son Ryan to Sedona, Arizona. That is where they are joining us from now by telephone.

Good morning to both of you.

MURPHY: Good morning.

SPRY: Good morning.

CHOI: Steve, let me start with you. OK, you got sick of the daily grind. But what was that Aha moment that made you do this?

SPRY: Well, I mean it was -- it wasn't just a decision that was made. You know, it evolved over a few months. But you know it was, I think, when, you know, in the Bay Area when -- you know, it's like what -- the amount of time you spend just keeping up versus being able to spend quality time with your family. And -- that really drove us to this decision.

CHOI: Coleen, it must have taken a lot of planning. I mean you have you to have money to do something like this, right?

MURPHY: Well, actually, we did it because of lack of money. So we got some money out of our House. But you know, we didn't have a choice. But we had to sell our house.

CHOI: Well, have you learned anything about yourselves from this journey so far, Coleen?

MURPHY: There's more to life than Silicon Valley.

(LAUGHTER)

CHOI: And who have you met and who have you seen?

MURPHY: What's that?

CHOI: Who have you met and what have you seen so far?

MURPHY: Oh, gosh! We have met a ton of people. Ryan has met a ton of dogs.

CHOI: Your son, Ryan.

MURPHY: Yes. He friendly, he waves to everybody. Says hi to everybody. It's been great.

CHOI: Steve talking about your son, how is he handling this? I know he has got a playmate with him all time. Traveling Travis the teddy. We see a picture of him right there.

SPRY: You know, one of the things that has been really enjoyable is being out of the metropolitan kind of setting is seeing Ryan play. Kind of like as we can recall from when we were his age, when you know you weren't in a highly urban setting or playing when it is starting to get dusk. And then in the RV, I mean we have all of our -- he has all of his stuff with him. So it's been really enjoyable.

CHOI: When life was simpler is what you're referring to, huh? SPRY: Exactly.

MURPHY: Right.

CHOI: So what are your plans the rest of this summer?

SPRY: Well, our plans are we're heading -- we're going to make our way to Florida. We are planning on spending a couple of weeks down there. I have always wanted to observe that area firsthand. And then we're going to head up the East Coast up ultimately to the Boston area. We have some friends there that we're planning on meeting in July. But along the way, taking notes and really seeing what it's like, you know, outside of Silicon Valley things. So...

CHOI: And we should mention that if people want to keep track of you that they can do that at your Web site, that's luvtohave fun.com. That's L-U-Vtofun.com. And you've got all kinds of pictures, journal, and even a map of your travels there. So that will be fun to keep up with you.

In the meantime, how long do you plan on doing this? Until the money runs out?

MURPHY: Well, we want to just take a couple months and relax. And then find out what is next. So maybe Steve can get a job in Florida. Maybe it will be Chicago, New York, who knows?

CHOI: What about schooling for Ryan?

MURPHY: Well, we've got a little ways to go. but maybe a home schooling will be an option.

CHOI: Ah! Didn't even think about that. That probably is a good option for you.

So Steve, what's the favorite part of your journey so far? Favorite thing? SPRY: The favorite thing has been just being -- you know, forgetting about the watch. Forgetting about the calendar, I mean down to, you know, moving from worrying about minutes and hours to, you know, hours and days. Really learning how to, you know, live in a more simpler setting. It's just -- it's hard to get used to that.

CHOI: And as people run into you along your travels, are they jealous of what you're doing?

MURPHY: Oh, they think it's great. And we have met so many nice people. And the nice thing is about these RV parks that we've been staying at, you know, I feel totally safe about Ryan.

CHOI: It is a hoot talking about your RV. You named it, right?

MURPHY: Well...

SPRY: Well...

(LAUGHTER)

CHOI: Isn't it called "The Whale?"

MURPHY: Well, no.

CHOI: No?

MURPHY: We need to come up with another name. As a matter of fact, we were thinking maybe to put that on the Web site. Maybe people can help us name it.

CHOI: Oh really? Well, we've got a picture, I think, a beauty shot with your RV way in the corner. It's like a little dot. If we could put that picture up, it's an interesting shot. There it is. It's just a little silver dot way up there. And we had named it "The Whale," because we had understood that's what you named it earlier. But I guess you're looking for some tips on how to name that, come up with a new name.

Any advice for others considering doing the same thing; either one of you?

MURPHY: I'd say go for it.

SPRY: Go for it. And...

MURPHY: We haven't looked back. It's been great.

CHOI: And we want to remind our viewers that we're going to be following your travels this summer as the Sprys make pit stops. They will call us via phone and keep in touch with us here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. So we'll see where this trip takes both of you, both physically and emotionally. We look forward to that.

And in the meantime, I want to mention again that you can check up on them up on them, on their daily progress at lovtohavefun.com. ROBERTS: Probably get a bunch of hits on that web site now.

CHOI: Yes. It's great web site. They have all kind of pictures. So far they've been to the Hoover Dam, and in the Sedona area meeting all kind of people. They've even got a map of their little travel so you can follow it.

ROBERTS: Hopefully on the way to Florida they can pit stop in Atlanta, come see us here at the CNN center.

CHOI: Why not? Why not?

ROBERTS: Bring some pictures first hand.

CHOI: Why not?

ROBERTS: A great family, great story.

CHOI: Thanks to them.

ROBERTS: Stay with us everybody. You know, he uses facts where some use emotion. And his techniques are catching. How Billy Bean plays ball.

CHOI: Good morning Seattle, your complete weather forecast is coming up. CNN SUNDAY MORNING continues in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHOI: Here's a quick update now of our top stories.

A damning accusation; a story in "The New Yorker" magazine says Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld authorized a secret program that encouraged the humiliation and abuse of Iraqi prisoners in order to obtain intelligence. The Pentagon is strongly denying those accusations.

Secretary of State Colin Powell meantime, apologized for the abuse of Iraqi prisoners at the hands of U.S. soldiers. The apology came in Jordan, where Powell is attending the World Economic Forum.

ROBERTS: Seabiscuit may be among the most celebrated names in horse racing history, but he never won the Triple Crown. Smarty Jones though, has a chance to become just the 12-horse after capture the crown, after winning The Preakness yesterday. Now, the colt pulled away from the field to win by a record 11 1/2 lengths. Look at that, couldn't be caught. Now all that's left is the Belmont Stakes and that is June 5.

CHOI: Well, winning the Triple Crown earns a $5 million bonus. That's a lot of money for you and me, but in the world of sports millions of tossed around like well baseballs.

CNN's Jeff Greenfield takes as look at one innovator who is making every dollar count.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEFF GREENFIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's a perfect night for baseball in Oakland, California. And more than 43,000 fans have come out to watch a classic David and Goliath battle against the mighty New York Yankees. But this man, Billy Beane, the A's 42-year- old general manager won't be there.

BILLY BEANE, GENERAL MANAGER, OAKLAND A'S: I think I know myself well enough to know, when I watch a game I think unemotionally. And I really don't want to do that.

GREENFIELD: In fact, substituting hard facts for emotion is the key to Billy Beane's success. With one of the smallest payrolls in baseball, Beane had to look for low cost talent, and found an approach, developed by analyst Bill James among others, that argued that some of baseball's most cherished assumptions were dead wrong.

BEANE: Essentially, this is a business that has been around for over a hundred years. And it really hasn't changed much.

GREENFIELD: For instance, sacrificing a runner to second base is almost always dumb? Why? Because the key to offensive success is void avoiding outs. Don't look at a player's physique. Look at the numbers. How often does he get on base? How often does a pitcher throw strikes? That's why a less than supple, journeyman catcher named Scott Hatterberg was turned into a valuable first baseman for the A's. And why a submarine pitcher named Chad Bradford became the A's middle reliever despite a slow moving fastball. And above all, use the numbers, not your hunches.

BEANE: A guy hits, and goes to blackjack table and has a 17, and hits a four. Well they film it, they show it on TV. And everyone goes, that's just good aggressive play. That's a fool.

GREENFIELD: The success of the A's, four straight years in the playoffs, despite one of baseball's smallest payroll, drew a lot of attention to Billy Beane. but last year he and the A's became the subject of a huge and controversial best seller by author Michael Lewis.

MICHAEL LEWIS, AUTHOR, "MONEY BALL": I have written about lots of other things, Wall Street, presidential politics. I have never had this kind of violent response.

GREENFIELD: More than anything else, critics point to Oakland's post-season failures. The last four years, they've never moved past the first round. Proof, say the critics, that Billy Beane's approach doesn't really work when it counts. Proof, says Beans, that the short playoff series is a crapshoot, where probability doesn't work.

BEANE: What I find sort of interesting is the idea that the way we build a team is the reason for losing on the last pitch of Game 5. You know, it makes no sense at all.

GREENFIELD: In fact, Oakland's success has impressed even its richest competitor. New York Yankee general manager Brian Cashman, whose payroll of $184 million is more than three times Oakland's.

BRIAN CASHMAN, GENERAL MANAGER, NEW YORK YANKEES: I know I've riled a lot of old traditionalists, and that's fine. But you know, there's a lot of things in the books that you might not agree with, but there are certain truths in there, as well.

GREENFIELD: And that may be Beane's biggest problem now.

BEANE: Would it be the Yankees in baseball?

GREENFIELD: The big market teams have caught on.

LEWIS: If Billy Beane with $50 million is doing exactly the same thing as Theo Epstein of the Boston Red Sox, who has $130 million, Billy is going to lose every time.

BEANE: It forces you to have to be better. Because let's face it, whether it's us or the Twins having 45 or $50 million is a lot tougher than having 150 million, no matter what anybody tells you.

GREENFIELD: And with more and more teams learning from Oakland's past victories. The job of turning theory into success on the field this year may be Beane's biggest challenge yet.

Jeff Greenfield, CNN, Oakland, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROBERTS: Stay with us everybody. When we return, what's ahead for you this morning right here on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHOI: Here's what is coming up later today on CNN.

Up next, "INSIDE POLITICS SUNDAY," explores the battle for the White House. Representatives from the Kerry and Bush camps will debate campaign strategies.

Then at 11:00, a special one-hour live edition of "RELIABLE SOURCES." At issue, media and images of war.

And that's followed at noon by CNN's Wolf Blitzer will talk to "The New Yorker's" Seymour Hersh about new accusations about what Donald Rumsfeld knew in the time before the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal.

ROBERTS: Should be a really good interview. Again, coming up at 12:00 Eastern today.

But for us, we're done for this morning. Since we like this so much, what do you think? We'll make a date to do this next weekend?

CHOI: Yes.

ROBERTS: You like that? CHOI: Starting at 7:00 a.m. Saturday. We'll be here Saturday bright eyed and bushy tailed. We hope you join us too.

ROBERTS: We'll at least be here.

(LAUGHTER)

ROBERTS: I'm Thomas Roberts.

CHOI: And I'm Sophia Choi. We hope to see you next weekend. Take care.

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