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CNN Sunday Morning
2 Killed in Shooting at Graduation Party; Weather Again Threatens Shuttle Landing; N.J. City Mourns Soldier Murdered in Iraq; Phoenix Is America's Kidnapping Capital
Aired May 24, 2009 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Yes. Hey there, everybody. From the CNNC enter in Atlanta, Georgia, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING for the 24th of May. I am T.J. Holmes.
ALINA CHO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
HOLMES: How you doing?
CHO: Good morning, everybody. I'm Alina Cho. Betty has the morning off. We are so glad you are with us on this day before Memorial Day.
Here's what's ahead:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(SINGING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: Yes, that's what you call a colorful preview of tonight's annual Memorial Day concert in the nation's capital.
Plus, the crew of the space shuttle Atlantis is hoping the third's time's a charm. Will they come home today?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: How many times you have been arrested?
(LAUGHTER)
HOLMES: Do you have a good count?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Yes, if you're about to go away to prison for a year, what would you do on your last days? Throw a party, of course. That's what rapper T.I. is going to be doing tonight. He has to report to prison. He's going to from a 10,000 square-foot mansion in Atlanta to a prison cell in Arkansas.
You will hear his farewell interview of sorts with me coming up a little later this morning. CHO: Looking forward to that.
Also, something special is happening in Iran. Take a look at that. One woman at the center of the euphoria, and she's being called "the Michelle Obama of Iran." Wait till you hear that story.
But first, we are following a developing story, a deadly standoff happening right now at a home in Mesa, Arizona. Several shots were fired there late last night. Police say two people are dead, as many as six others are wounded. One police officer also suffered a gunshot to the arm. Investigators are still trying to sort out exactly what happened.
HOLMES: And listen to this and watch this -- it sounds worse than it really is, I guess, when you hear the two school buses crash into each other. But this happened at a track at Columbus, Ohio's, motor speedway.
Now, this is the video we've seen -- you see that? Those are two school buses. This from a cell-phone video. But they were participating in a derby, one of these derbies where they crash into each other -- these demolition derbies. So these two buses were racing each other in a figure-8 confirmation. The collision sent concrete chunks from a retaining wall into the crowd, and we know at least 11 people were injured. Some had to be taken to the hospital, but none of the injuries described as lift-threatening.
Also, President Obama says he wants his Supreme Court nominee to be someone with "intellectual firepower" and also a little bit of a common touch. CNN has also learned that the president could name that choice as early as Tuesday. The president telling CSPAN he'll choose someone who will look after the interests of the American people.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: My job is to just find somebody who I think is going to be make a -- a -- make a difference on the courts and -- and -- and look after the interests of the American people. And so -- so I don't feel weighed down by having to choose a Supreme Court justice based on demographics.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Well, more on the president's timetable for naming a replacement for Justice David Souter when our deputy political director joins us, coming up next hour.
CHO: The guessing game continues.
HOLMES: Yes.
CHO: You know, another story we're watching very closely on this Sunday morning: Will the space shuttle Atlantis finally get to land today? Third time may be a charm, you know?
HOLMES: Maybe.
CHO: And of course, as always, it all depends on the weather. The landing had been pushed back for two days straight due to the bad weather in Florida. But NASA is going to try again this morning.
HOLMES: Yes, first attempt scheduled to happen just after 10:00 Eastern time at Kennedy Space Center. If the weather still not looking good, and it looks like that's going to be the case, they may have to move that landing to California, which we knew they just hate to do because they -- it takes time to get the shuttle back, it costs money to get it back to Florida.
CHO: It's an expensive Plan B.
HOLMES: It is.
CHO: It would cost $2 million to bring that shuttle back.
HOLMES: Pretty much.
CHO: You know, I have the inside track. I -- I talked to Reynolds in makeup.
HOLMES: Ah.
CHO: So I know that there's more rain the forecast for Florida today.
It's not looking good, Reynolds.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Absolutely.
You know, if they were able to land right now, conditions might be OK. And here's what I'm talking about.
If you took a look at radar, we do have plenty of activity there in Florida, but most of it is way offshore. So, right now, that being said, right near the launch-and-landing facility, right near the Banana River in Cape Canaveral, it looks pretty good. But still, later on today, around 10, 11, or later this morning, that's where things are really a little bit more disconcerting in terms of the weather.
And take a look at what that weather has done just over the last couple of days. And this is a shot that we have, I-Report, from the Daytona Beach area. This I-Report sent in from Star Woods, and you can see the mailbox there, halfway in the water, halfway out. You see more of the -- the -- the floodwaters rising in a few places, affecting these communities. And certainly rough conditions they're going to be dealing with possibly for some time to come.
But it is going to be very interesting to see what is going to happen not right now, but in just a matter of hours as they try to -- to put the Atlantis down, the shuttle landing facility. So we'll have to keep a very sharp eye on what's happening.
I can guarantee you this though: If they were to go out West -- I know, it's a pain, I know it's an inconvenience for them. But the landing conditions out at Edwards Air Force Base couldn't be better. I mean, just pristine out there. Very dry, perfect, skies are clear. Couldn't be better. Just kind of an expensive problem they have to deal with.
What? -- Several million, guys? That's what it is? Two million or something?
CHO: Yes.
HOLMES: Couple million to get it back.
CHO: That's the beauty of California though, you know?
HOLMES: Yes.
CHO: Weather is often nice there.
HOLMES: It's always nice.
WOLF: Exactly. Yes.
(CROSSTALK)
WOLF: And you know, you land the shuttle, you go over to Hollywood, you take -- you know, go look up -- do some sightseeing. It's always a good time.
CHO: Well, you know, I -- I just got this e-mail, and it was sent a little while ago, from our producer, Deanna (ph). But it says that the crew has begun de-orbit preparations. And they listened to Wagner this morning. So...
WOLF: And who wouldn't?
CHO: So way to come home.
WOLF: Who wouldn't?
CHO: Who wouldn't do that?
WOLF: I mean seriously -- I mean, you have to have your own Wagner each morning. I mean, know. With orange juice and Wagner, I mean, how can your day go wrong, right?
CHO: T.J. (INAUDIBLE)
HOLMES: He makes a point.
CHO: But, yes.
WOLF: Exactly.
CHO: But that is a good point, Reynolds.
HOLMES: All right. Thanks, Renny. We'll talk to you here soon, buddy.
CHO: You know, once again, the first opportunity for the shuttle Atlantis to land is at Florida's Kennedy Space Center at 10:11 a.m. Eastern time. Now, if that doesn't work because of the weather, the next landing opportunity is out west, Edwards Air Force Base in California. And that is at 11:40 a.m. Eastern time.
CNN will bring that landing to you live wherever it happens.
HOLMES: It's a weekend of remembrance and reflection across the country. U.S. troops have, of course, been fighting in Afghanistan almost eight years now. Been in Iraq for more than six.
Well, at the Army's West Point commencement this weekend, Defense Secretary Robert Gates talked about the sacrifices that are party of daily life for U.S. service members.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT GATES, DEFENSE SECRETARY: As the class of 2009, you made your decision to serve knowing not only that America was at war, as did every many or woman who joined the military after September 11, but that this war would be bloody and difficult, of indefinite length and uncertain outcome.
In doing so, you showed courage, commitment and patriotism of the highest order.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: And there it is, the money shot, if you will. The traditional hat toss for the cadets at West Point. Commencement was outside; the packed stadium is always at the academy.
The cadets enlisted and began their military and academic training in 2004. Now, that was at the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. So they signed up at a time they knew they might be called to serve in some of those war zones. And they did it anyway. And Secretary Gates mentioned that service yesterday.
CHO: That's quite a celebration, I have to say.
I've been to more than one West Point graduation. Covered it; I covered it.
HOLMES: Hey, I -- I wasn't about to say anything.
(LAUGHTER)
CHO: It's a -- it's quite a celebration. And what an honor to have Secretary Gates there.
HOLMES: Of course.
CHO: Moving on now, this Memorial Day weekend, President Obama and members of Congress agree that America owes a debt to men and women in uniform.
HOLMES: But that debt getting harder to pay because of the struggling economy.
Our Elaine Quijano now explains from the White House how some veterans groups are getting a bit worried here.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Four months after becoming commander in chief, President Obama, in his weekly address, vowed to stand by America's service members and their families.
OBAMA: We have a responsibility to serve all of them as well as they have served us.
QUIJANO: For Ryan Galluci, an Iraq war veteran and now spokesman for the veterans group AMVET, it's an incomplete picture, especially on the president's planned multibillion-dollar budget increase for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
RYAN GALLUCI, ARMY VETERAN: Since this budget proposal has come out, we -- we haven't really seen, line by line, where this money is going to be spent.
QUIJANO: Galluci, who served for a year as a civilian-affairs specialist in Iraq, notes another problem: skyrocketing unemployment that recently hit 11.2 percent for Iraq and Afghanistan war vets, higher than the national average.
GALLUCI: In the early stages, we haven't seen too much out of the administration in particular to help veterans find jobs.
QUIJANO: Republican Congressman Brian Bilbray says while he understands the president's need to revive the broader economy now, he hopes veterans don't get shortchanged in the long run.
REP. BRIAN BILBRAY (R), CALIFORNIA: We just got to remember that this is not a luxury to provide the services to the veterans; it is an obligation or responsibility. No matter what the condition of -- of the economy, we have an obligation to do what we have promised for these men and women. This is a contract we can't walk away from, even in bad times.
QUIJANO (on camera): Veterans groups do give the president high marks for announcing he wants to streamline the transfer of service members' health records, from the Defense Department for an active- duty member to the Veterans Affairs Department once that person leaves the service.
Elaine Quijano, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHO: Pakistan is in a fierce fight right now with the Taliban. We're going to go live to Islamabad to check in on what's being called "the most important phase" of the offensive.
HOLMES: Also this morning, he wasn't born in this country, but he fought and died for this country. One soldier recently killed in Iraq buried this Memorial Day weekend.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REBECCA GERVASI, FROM DENVER, COLORADO: Hi, this is Rebecca Gervasi. I'm a DOD civilian serving in Baghdad, Iraq, with a defense- contract management agency. I'm also a member of the 140th wing Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado. And I just want to say thank you, happy Memorial Day, for all your support. Love you guys. Bye.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHO: Welcome back.
We have this just in to CNN: New developments in that Arizona standoff we told you about at the top of the hour. It happened at a home in Mesa, Arizona. At least two people dead, six others injured. That standoff is apparently over right now.
On the phone with us, we have Sergeant Ed Wedding of the Mesa Police Department in Mesa.
Bring us up to date, sir, on -- on the very latest developments.
VOICE OF SGT. ED WESSING, MESA, ARIZONA POLICE: Well, what we have now is, fortunately, our suspect gave up without further incident. Our negotiators were able to talk him out of the house.
What we have been able to confirm is we do have one officer who was responding initially who was shot through his left arm. He is in fine condition.
Another officer's vehicle was shot when he responded as well.
We do have two adults that are deceased in the front of the residence. And four other victims, including a 10-year-old and three other adults who had minor gunshot wounds from this incident.
And this all stemmed from an argument that happened during a graduation party or celebration at this residence.
HOLMES: Sir, do you have reason to believe -- you said an argument there. This person, this suspect -- can you tell us the age of this suspect? Do you have already a -- a name that you can release as well? And was this person specifically targeting a couple of individuals?
WESSING: Well, this suspect is 37 years old. We're -- we're not releasing his name yet. He is known to the folks at the party. He was there as an invited guest. An argument broke out, and -- and for some reason, he chose to go retrieve a firearm from his vehicle and start shooting.
They had been there for several hours, so we're not sure yet why or what their actual relationship is. But this wasn't just an individual who was targeting one person.
CHO: Sergeant, do you know the -- I know it's early, but do you know the -- the motive or the nature of that argument that sparked all of this?
WESSING: Well, our preliminary find -- you know, what we're hearing so far is that there may have been a past relationship with one of our victims who is deceased, and our suspect. They have been married in the past. I can't confirm that yet. But that may have played some part in -- in this incident.
CHO: And you can confirm that -- that it was two people that were killed, six others wounded? And does that include the police officer?
WESSING: There's actually two people that were deceased, and a total of five victims. And that does include the police officer.
HOLMES: All right. Sergeant Wessing -- again, Sergeant Ed Wessing of the Mesa Police Department. Sir, we appreciate you giving us our -- your time and an update on what has been a -- certainly a sad day, what was supposed to be a graduation party there in Mesa, Arizona.
Sir, we appreciate your time. Thank you so much.
WESSING: You're welcome.
CHO: Sadly, the news of another military death in Iraq is not new. But Army Sergeant Christian Bueno-Galdos was not killed on the battlefield. He died allegedly at the hands of a fellow soldier.
HOLMES: Yes, his family mourned his death in Paterson, New Jersey, yesterday.
And as Matt Murphy (ph) from affiliate News 12 New Jersey tells us, making for a painful Memorial Day weekend.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATT MURPHY, NEWS 12 NEW JERSEY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Full military honors is what Christian Bueno-Galdos receives, as a community comes together to remember this 25-year-old Army sergeant at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson.
Those who knew him personally too distraught to describe their sorrow.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm sorry, I can't. It's too much pain. I'm sorry for that.
MURPHY: Listen did the Bueno-Galdos family, which includes his wife, parents and siblings, think just two weeks ago that their loved one would be among the members of the U.S. military we all honor this Memorial Day.
JACK SHINN, MILITARY VETERAN: This is a sacrifice for all of the veterans, for all of the wars, for this weekend. And it's rather poignant, that -- that this is going on today. But that's why we're here.
MURPHY: It was on May 11 that the Army sergeant was shot and killed, along with four others, at a stress clinic in Baghdad. According to officials, a distraught fellow soldier was the gunman.
Bueno-Galdos was born in Peru, but immigrated with his family to Paterson when he was 7 years old. He joined the Army right out of high school.
A number of Peruvian-Americans who did not know the slain soldier personally attended the funeral service.
DAVID TOLEDO, MOURNER: He's a hero for the Peruvian and for American community. I feel sorry with the -- the pain they have now -- now, the family.
MURPHY: Bueno-Galdos was buried in Totoa (ph) following the funeral service.
In Paterson, Matt Murphy, News 12 New Jersey.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHO: The kidnapping capital of the U.S. -- that's what it's being called. One city has had more than one reported kidnapping a day since 2007.
HOLMES: Our Josh Levs following this story for us.
Good morning, Josh.
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning to you, too.
This is all part of the fallout from the drug cartels that are infiltrating the United States. We're going to show you that kidnapping capital and we're going to show you how your city is affected.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHO: Welcome back. Twenty minutes after the hour.
The recession is causing more of you to become delinquent on your credit-card payments. Sound familiar?
Well, we talked with one woman who is paying down her debt with a little help. And it's something you can do, too.
Here's CNN's John Zarrella.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Last summer, Maria Calderon was overwhelmed with credit-card debt.
(on camera): So you ha -- what? -- one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine different credit cards?
MARIA CALDERON, GETTING HELP WITH CREDIT CARD DEBT: Yes.
ZARRELLA: And you had -- when you went to them, you owed $21,000.
CALDERON: Mm-hmm.
(voice-over): She was laugh being it when we talked to her in February.
But last August, she was so worried about her debt, she couldn't sleep.
CALDERON: Nights crying, thinking -- I'll say, "God, help me." And now I can say, "Thank you."
ZARRELLA: Thank you because she found help. Maria called Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Palm Beach County.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Have you talked to the creditors?
ZARRELLA: CCCS is a non-profit agency that counsels people in financial trouble. Maria's counselor negotiated lower interest rates with her creditors and put her on a repayment plan.
JESSICA CECERE, CCCS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY: This plan helps her get control of her debt so that she can repay her debt within 36 to 48 months, three to four years.
ZARRELLA: Credit advisers say choose your counseling program carefully.
STEVE BUCCI, AUTHOR, "CREDIT REPAIR KIT FOR DUMMIES": First, it should be a non-profit agency.
Second, it should be absolutely free to get your counseling and to get your advice.
And third, you want to make sure that the agency is accredited and the counselors are certified by an independent third party.
ZARRELLA (on camera): With her repayment plan, Maria sends about $300 less each month to her credit-card companies. How does it work? Lower interest payments mean more of Maria's money goes to paying off her balance.
Well, I guess under 10 percent now, right?
CALDERON: Yes.
ZARRELLA: And what were they charging you before you went to the Consumer Credit Counseling...
CALDERON: This specific one, I believe it was 23.
ZARRELLA: Twenty-three percent?
CALDERON: Yes.
ZARRELLA (voice-over): In February, Maria told us she wanted to buy a home once she paid off her debts, and she hoped this experience would teach her children to make smart financial decisions in their lives.
(on camera): Just to be clear, Maria did pay a monthly fee to participate in the debt-repayment program. Since we first spoke with Maria, we've learned she's run into some financial troubles. The Consumer Credit Counseling Service tells us that due to circumstances beyond Maria's control, her income has been reduced, and she's no longer able to make her payments.
John Zarrella, CNN, Miami.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Well, the kidnapping capital of the U.S., a major city that's had more than one reported kidnapping every day since '07.
CHO: That's right. It's -- it's part of the fallout, really, from drug cartels extending their reach inside the United States.
Our Josh Levs is here to explain.
So what city is it Josh?
LEVS: It's amazing, isn't it? I had no idea until I learned this from CNN.com. It's Phoenix. More than one every day since 2007.
We'll zoom in; I'll show you. CNN.com set up this -- this whole spread this week about drug cartels in America. And this explainer here talks you through the various steps. It's almost always people who are somehow connected to the drug trade. And this is just one of the many cities that's being very seriously affected.
And this spread here talks you through the kind of violence and what happens along the way and how these kidnappings often turn out. Many of them are resolved, but only after ransoms are paid.
You know, as part of this, one of our CNN.com reporters, Eliot McLaughlin, went out to what looks like any suburban street corner. And the police tell him -- an officer told him, that's a perfect example of where this kidnapping takes place.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELIOTT MCLAUGHLIN, CNN.COM: He encouraged me to drive through this neighborhood. The reason, he said, is because he though the recent kidnapping epitomized much of the drug violence that's been making its way over the Mexican border into U.S. cities.
As you can see, this is just a average middle-class neighborhood. It's quite picturesque, actually.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEVS: It is; it could be anywhere. And we also hear there from a police officer who talks about how difficult it is to crack down on these kidnappings.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LT. LAURI BURGETT, PHOENIX POLICE: There's so much money to be made in this that you can't stop it. But you can try to reveal it, and then you can try to do something about it. And the problem that you have is, the victims aren't always willing to come forward.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEVS: And I'll tell you something, you -- a lot of people want to know how their city's affected, right?
Well, take a look; we're going to zoom back in on the board for a second. I want you to see this map. Everywhere that you see a white dot or a red dot, it's influence of a drug cartel in your city. And you can see all this at CNN.com/crime. When you click on some of these red marks, you can hear specific stories from specific cities about what people are going through in all these various areas. It really is a huge problem that is infiltrating the entire country.
Unfortunately, it's growing. And guys, it's one of the big things that's going to face this administration in the coming years.
CHO: Yes, you think of it just affecting, really, the south -- southern border. But -- but you see how far it extends...
LEVS: Working its way up north.
CHO: ...up the country. Yes. Josh Levs, thank you.
LEVS: Thanks, guys.
HOLMES: Well, a mother in Portland, Oregon, facing serious charges this morning. Police say she tried to drown her two children.
Portland authorities say Amanda Jo Stott-Smith -- you see here there -- dumped her two young children in the Willamette River, killing one of them. The body of her 4-year-old daughter was pulled from that river. Her 7-year-old son was rescued, but remains now in serious condition.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's basically complete shock.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My heart still sinks, because of the children.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't think a mother would do that. That's really out of character, especially being a mom myself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Well, Stott-Smith is charged with murder and attempted aggravated murder.
CHO: We're in the middle of two wars this Memorial Day weekend. So what do Americans think about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan?
HOLMES: The latest poll numbers to share with you; see if you agree with the rest of the country.
CHO: Plus, the woman being called "the Michelle Obama of Iran." We're going to introduce you to her.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHO: Welcome back on this Sunday. This is the day before the Memorial Day. Good morning, everybody. Glad you're with us. I'm Alina Cho.
HOLMES: And hello to you all. I'm T.J. Holmes. Coming up this hour, what would you do if you were going to be going away for a year? Well, throw a party, of course. But not quite like the one that rapper, T.I., will be having this evening.
CHO: That's right.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: How many times have you been arrested?
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Yes, a farewell concert before he has to go to prison for a year. And you will hear one of his farewell concerts coming up in just a bit.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: And take a look at this picture. Something special happening in Iran . And that's the woman at the center of the euphoria. She is being called the Michelle Obama of Iran. And we're going to tell you who she is.
HOLMES: Also this morning, in just a few hours, there is a really big "if" to tell you about today. If the weather cooperates the Space Shuttle Atlantis could finally land after being waved off yesterday, also waved off on Friday. The first attempt scheduled for just after 10 o'clock Eastern Time, in Florida. If that doesn't work out, NASA says it may move the landing to California, or they may have to push it back one more day.
CHO: Hidden camera video of a security breach at Buckingham Palace. Take a look at this. A British tabloid says $1,500, that is all it took to get an undercover reporter past security at the palace's royal garage. Now London's "News Of The World" has this report. And it says the reporter paid off a royal chauffeur, got a tour of the royal fleet, even sat in one of the queen's cars. Buckingham Palace is investigating.
HOLMES: And President Obama returns from Camp David for Memorial Day tomorrow. He'll start off with a breakfast with Gold Star Families. That is an organization made up of people who's loved ones have died in action. Than at 11 o'clock, Eastern Time, the president will participate in that wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Then shortly after that he'll be making some remarks and we will bring that to you live tomorrow.
There are two active wars going on right now adding to the list of those that we honor on Memorial Day. It's growing longer and longer every year. Our CNN Deputy Political Director P Paul Steinhauser joining us now live from Washington.
Paul, good morning to you. New numbers here to show just what Americans are thinking about the wars these days.
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Yeah, our T.J, CNN/Opinion Research Corporation, a national poll. We took it this week. You know what, it shows, when it comes to public opinion, very different views of these two wars. Take a look at this. We asked a very straightforward question: Do you favor the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq? You can see Americans are pretty much split on Afghanistan. About half support it, about an equal amount do not. And that number has kind of been inconsistent in the last couple years.
Iraq, a very different story. Americans, most f them do not favor the war in Iraq. And it has been that way for a number of years, T.J.
HOLMES: They don't favor it, but how do they think these two wars are being handled? STEINHAUSER: Again, a very different story. And it's just kind of like a mirror image. Take a look at this. We asked, just that. And you can see right there only about 35 percent think things are going well for U.S. force right now in Afghanistan. That has been kind of consistent the last year or two, as well.
Iraq is a different story. They may not support the war in Iraq, but Americans now think things are going well, 52 percent, according to our latest numbers. That's the highest it has been in a number of years, T.J.
HOLMES: Are we seeing, as well, that Pakistan -it's been in the news a lot lately -- is that getting more and more on Americans' radar?
STEINHAUSER: It seems to. And we asked about Pakistan, specifically, the Taliban. And if perchance the Taliban were able to wield power, takeover power in Pakistan. You can see, almost three out of four Americans say that would be a major problem for the United States if the Taliban were able to do that.
And we also asked about if we needed U.S. ground troops into Pakistan to deal with the Taliban, you can see here, almost six out of 10 favor that idea. So, yes, it is on American's minds. And it seems like, right now, at least according to this poll, maybe they want to take some action.
HOLMES: All right, Paul, I know we are going to be talking to you again a little later this morning, certainly about the Supreme Court nominee. The possibility of an announcement coming up on Tuesday. Also, some interesting comments the president made in interviews just this weekend. So we'll see you here shortly, buddy.
STEINHAUSER: Thanks, T.J.
CHO: Stick around because coming up a little bit later this morning, a unique way to entertain war brides while their husband's are off serving their country. You have to hear -- you've got to hear this story! It's called Operation Bombshell and it is the brainchild of that woman there, Lily Burana. The former stripper, now writer, is the wife of an army intelligence officer and she is teaching a class on burlesque for military wives. And she says it helps morale of the woman left behind for months. My interview with the founder of Operation Bombshell, that is live at the 8 o'clock Eastern hour.
It's about finding your inner bombshell, is what she says.
HOLMES: Is there videos to accompany that story?
CHO: We are hoping that there will be, yes -- for you. That's for you.
HOLMES: I'm just curious.
CHO: We have some stills, I'm told.
HOLMES: OK. OK, only so much you can do on a Sunday morning.
All right. Well, there is a rare sight in Iran to show you this morning, where it is illegal to dance and celebrate.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(CROWDS CHEERING, CHANTING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: So why exactly is everyone so happy and what are they cheering about? Well, they're crazy about a candidate's wife. In fact, they are calling her Iran's Michelle Obama.
HOLMES: Also, will today be the day that astronauts aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis make it home? We'll see.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STAFF SGT. LEO ALLEN, U.S. ARMY, FROM TESQI, ARIZONA: Hello, and I am Staff Sergeant Leo Allen. I'm with 639th Quarter Master here in Baghdad, Iraq. I want to say hello to everybody in Arizona and the Navajo Nation. You all have a good, safe Memorial Day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAJ. JEFFREY O'DONNELL, U.S. ARMY, FROM PHILADELPHIA, PA.: Hi, my name is Major Jeff O'Donnell. I am stationed down here in Menstiki (ph) in Baghdad. I would like to give a shout out to my wife and kids in Germany for Memorial Day. And I would also like to wish my wife an early 10th anniversary. Love you and miss you all. Take care.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Well, you may have noticed you are not hearing from your FaceBook friends in Iran right about now. It's off limits there. The government blocked access without explanation, but it's believed to be related to the country's upcoming presidential election. And opposition candidate, who is considered a strong threat to the current president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, quickly gathered thousands of supporters when his campaign created a FaceBook page. Soon after FaceBook was blocked.
CHO: Well, the opposition candidate in Iran is a former prime minister, but it is his wife who is getting all the attention these days. In fact, some are calling her Iran's Michelle Obama. CNN's Reza Sayah reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
REZA SAYAH, CNN INT'L. CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Dancing in public is not allowed in the Islamic Republican of Iran.
(On camera): No dancing? But thousands could hardly contain themselves at a raucous campaign rally in Tehran. On this day the deafening cheers were not for presidential hopeful Mir Hossein Mousavi. In a rare break from tradition, the cheers welcomed Mousavi's wife, Zahra Rahnavard, a woman some call Iran's Michelle Obama.
SHAKIBA SHAKERHOSSEIE, MOUSAVI SUPPORTER: We look at her, and we see that we will be like her in future.
SAYAH: Never in the history of the Iranian presidential elections has a candidate put his wife in the forefront of his campaign. But where the centrist candidate goes, his wife is usually nearby.
FARHAD HAHMOUDI, MOUSAVID SUPPORTER: This is the first time after the revolution, we see a lady in front, or behind the president. And this is why we are so happy.
SAYAH: At this rally the writer and art professor did the speaking for her husband, who was campaigning elsewhere. Wearing a traditional black chador and not so traditional floral headscarf, Rahnavard called for freedoms she says were lost during President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's term.
ZAHRA RAHNAVARD, IRANIAN CANDIDATE'S WIFE (through translator): I hope freedom of the speech, and freedom of the pen, and freedom of thought will not be forgotten.
SAYAH (on camera): An estimated 12,000 people packed into Azahdi (ph) Arena for what was a very loud rally; the women sat on one side, the men sat on the other. The overwhelming majority of people here are young voters, 20-somethings who are calling for change. And many say they are here because of Mousavi's wife.
SHAKERHOSSEIE: The most important reason that I'm working for Mr. Mousavi is for his wife.
SAYAH: How much are you supporting Mr. Mousavi because of his wife?
SAGHAR KOUHESTANI, MOUSAVI SUPPORTER: Really much because I am really, really angry about the traditions here in Iran as a female.
PROF. MOHAMMAD MARANDI, TEHRAN UNIVERSITY: I think Iranian elections are always intriguing.
SAYAH: Political Science Professor Mohammad Marandi says Rahnavard's role is to win over reformists and women voters. But Marandi downplays her impact. What will win the election, he says, is a solution to a floundering economy and strong debates.
MARANDI: If Ahmadinejad does well in the debates, I don't see anyone being able to defeat him. SAYAH: Tell that to Zahra Rahnavard's energized supporters who say if her husband becomes president, she will have had a lot to do with it. Reza Sayah, CNN, Tehran.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHO: Some young girls getting involved, too.
Pakistan's security forces have launched what could be their most crucial offensive against Taliban fighters in the battle to gain control of one of the country's largest cities. Tens of thousands of citizens have already fled the city of Mingora after fierce fighting there put an estimated 300,000 civilians in harm's way.
Military officers say it is the most important phase in their battle to remove the Taliban. The army says it has killed about seven militants in the troubled region. They have also seized caves that are holding munitions and other supplies for the Taliban.
HOLMES: Well, they are now on a two-day flight delay. We are talking about the Space Shuttle Atlanta.
CHO: Special flight delay.
HOLMES: Yes, not a Delta flight here, we are talking about. They are trying to land today.
Is the weather, Reynolds, going to cooperate? Well, maybe in one spot, but not in the other?
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Exactly. That looks like the way it is going to be today. We will give you the exact details coming up in a few moments.
And for those of you wanting to know how your outdoor barbecue will launch for Memorial Day, we will let you know coming up in just a moments. We've got your Memorial Day forecast. See you in a few.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SPEC. ANDY ARTHUR, U.S. ARMY, FROM FORT RILEY, KAN.: This is Specialist Andy Arthur from 118. I'm in Baghdad. I just want to say happy Memorial Day to my lovely wife, Stephanie Arthur, and my loving daughter, Evelyn Arthur. I hope you guys have a great Memorial Day. I love you and hope to see you soon.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: That's so sweet. Isn't it?
HOLMES: Hope they got to see that. I know it's early, but hopefully they are up and watching this morning.
CHO: I love these. HOLMES: On this Memorial Day weekend we will bring Reynolds in. A lot of people trying to cook out and whatnot this weekend. It's hard to cook and get that flame going if there is rain.
CHO: Reynolds, T.J. needs and hour. He needs an hour to fire up the grill today.
(WEATHER FORECAST)
WOLF: Hey, let me show you something else right here. We're going to pull out this iReport. This is from Joann Mason (ph). This is Angia (ph). You can see two waterspouts. Basically in the most rudimentary sense we're talking about two tornadoes that formed right over the bay. And you see over the open waters, certainly, kind of a spooky looking picture, but pretty cool nonetheless. And there is a chance we could see some of that activity, waterspouts possible, right along the Florida coast today, where they are still trying to get that possibly have Atlantis land today at the Kennedy Space Center.
But I'm telling you it is going to be kind of iffy with today's forecast. Better chance of it occurring out towards the West, where in today's forecast, at the high desert of California, at Edward's Air Force Base, it should be absolutely perfect. Pristine conditions, but also pretty expensive conditions. Let's send it back to you guys.
CHO: Did you say a George Foreman grill?
WOLF: Yeah, you have to go George Foreman. I mean, come on. You have to. You plug it in, you put the stuff on, you do it. I mean, personally, I like charcoal or gas but, you know.
HOLMES: Reynolds, you know better to suggest that I would use a George Foreman grill.
CHO: Questioning his manhood.
WOLF: But you are also the type of guy who improvises, you adapts, you overcome.
(LAUGHTER)
CHO: Ah!
WOLF: That's what you have to do, man.
CHO: See how he's turning it around?
HOLMES: Got to.
CHO: He's turning it around, making it a positive.
WOLF: T.J., you always make it happen, man. You always do.
HOLMES: Yes, we'll make it happen today. Reynolds, appreciate you, buddy. We'll talk to you again soon.
CHO: Thanks, Reynolds.
You know, he was once named to Forbe's top earning rappers list. He was the star of his own MTV reality show, even the star of a Chevy commercial. This week Grammy winning rapper T.I. heads to federal prison.
(BEGIN MUSIC VIDEO CLIP)
T.I., RAPPER (SINGING): Baby, you can have whatever you like.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: You might, you might not recognize that song, but if you have anybody in your house that is in their teenager years, they know exactly who this guy is and he is on their iPod. Before he goes to prison, though, he is saying good bye in a big way, a big party, a big concert. Watch his farewell interview with me, coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHO: I'm guessing that's T.I.
HOLMES: That is.
CHO: You know? It's probably going to be the last time hip hop and R&B fans will get to see the rapper T.I. live in concert, at least for a year or so.
HOLMES: He's going to be tied up for a year. Scheduled to report to federal prison of all places, in Arkansas, on Tuesday to begin serving his year sentence on weapons charges; he'll have one last performance. He's calling this a good-bye bash. Doing it for his hometown fans in Atlanta's Phillips Arena tonight.
(BEGIN MUSIC VIDEO CLIP)
T.I., RECORDING ARTIST (SINGING): Baby, you can have whatever you like.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: That you heard there was one of his biggest hits of the past year. But he has been at this for years. Six albums, a multi- platinum artist here, "Whatever You Like" one of his more popular songs there, just telling you about. Well, he pleaded guilty in March to trying to buy machine guns and silencers, which he said he needed for protection. I had the opportunity to talk with T.I. in one of his final farewell interviews. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: This is Clifford Harris, as a free man. Better known as rapper T.I. he has been at the top of the music world for years now. His sixth album, "Paper Trail" was one of the top selling albums of 2008 and his fourth straight to go platinum. He picked up his most recent Grammy award in February. He also is on Forbe's list of highest paid hip-hop stars. So what is next for T.I.? Prison.
(On camera): How many times have you been arrested?
T.I., RECORDING ARTIST: Whew!
HOLMES: Do you have a good count?
T.I.: You know what, I don't have an actual, factual number, so I won't just throw speculative, you know.
HOLMES: OK?
T.I.: Speculative numbers out there.
HOLMES: I will throw one out there that I read.
T.I. Yeah? OK.
HOLMES: Somebody decided to do a count and they said 32. Would you argue with that too much one way or the other with that?
T.I. I cannot confirm nor deny.
(LAUGHTER)
HOLMES: Right. But it has been more than once or twice.
(Voice over): But his latest arrest in 2007 threatened to end his career and put him in jail for up to 30 years. He was busted in his hometown of Atlanta trying to buy machine guns and silencers hours before he was set to perform at the BET Awards.
(On camera): Are you ever going to feel a sense of safety that you don't feel like you need to protect yourself or carry a gun?
T.I.: I have made it through some very extreme circumstances, and I did not always have firearms to protect me. And I am still here. So if I was supposed to be gone, I would have been gone.
HOLMES: So, you tell me you have come to a place of peace and that paranoia has subsided?
T.I. Absolutely.
HOLMES: And you don't fee the need for it anymore?
T.I.: Absolutely.
HOLMES: To be carrying guns?
HOLMES: He pleaded guilty to weapons charges in March of last year. His plea deal allowed him to delay his jail sentence for 12 months, but he has been far from a free man.
(ELECTRONIC BEEP, COMPUTERIZED VOICE)
HOLMES: That's you?
T.I.: Yeah.
I am actually doing an interview with CNN, and as soon as I am finished, I will change the batteries.
HOLMES: Our conversation was interrupted by his ankle monitor telling him he had five minutes to change the battery. Also part of his plea deal, 1,000 hours of community service, much of that community service talking to kids around the country about his success and failures.
(On camera): A lot of young people, you know, of course, idolize you, look up to you in a lot of ways. Should they? Should they look up to you?
T.I.: You shouldn't take the things that I have gone through and the negative parts of my life and admire me for that. If anything, admire me for how I have accepted responsibility for the part I have played for placing myself in these situations. And what I have done to overcome from it.
HOLMES: What assurance can you give that over time, once you get out of jail, you can prove to people you have changed. And this is totally different, but right now, what can you say to people to let them know that, OK, he has learned his lesson?
T.I.: I cannot say any words to convince you, you know, that I have changed, that I have learned a lesson. That comes with time.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Yes, so Tuesday is the day. He actually tried to get a delay because he wanted to go to prison closer to Atlanta, to his home, he has kids there, has family here. It doesn't look like that will happen. So he is going to Forest City, Arkansas. This is a town about 35 miles from my hometown.
CHO: I was going to say, it is very close to where you are from.
HOLMES: Of West Memphis, not much there, charming little place. But they are not used to seeing anything of the likes of something like him.
CHO: Just 28 years old, one of the top earning rappers. I mean, incredible to see that ankle monitor battery sort of thing go off. Really interesting. I've never seen that before.
HOLMES: Yeah, one of the most human moments I have seen ever with him. It was like almost as though he was genuinely embarrassed. I have to do this. He tried to kind of play it off, but you know it has been tough for him for a year. A lot of people say he got off with a great deal, looking at 30 years and only doing a year.
CHO: Right.
HOLMES: He got a pretty sweet deal there. But it has been a long tough road and he's got another year.
CHO: He does. But there is going to be one last hoorah tonight.
HOLMES: Tonight. Big bash. All right, we'll see what happens there.
But stick with us here. We are just getting started really on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING. The next hour is starting for you right now from the CNN Center in Atlanta. It is the 24 day of May. Hello to you all. I'm T.J. Holmes.
CHO: Good morning everybody. I'm Alina Cho. Betty has the morning off. Well deserved this Memorial Day weekend. I'm sitting in. It's always nice to be here.
HOLMES: Good to see you, always.
CHO: Here are some of the stories we are following for you on this day before Memorial Day.
That's your sneak peak, there, at the Annual Memorial Day Concert in the nation's capital. Some familiar faces. There's Gary Sinise.
HOLMES: Also, some more familiar faces here, for you. The justices of the Supreme Court. Well, a step closer, maybe, to the name of a candidate who could be joining that group. They are going to be replacing Supreme Court Justice David Souter.
Also, well, that looks pretty good right there. Those are the skies -I believe those are the skies over Florida this morning.
CHO: That's right.
HOLMES: So, maybe there is a break in the clouds and the Space Shuttle Atlantis could come home today. They will try again to bring that space shuttle --
CHO: That would really be something, wouldn't it?
HOLMES: They have been trying for the past couple days.
CHO: Want to go home to Florida.
HOLMES: The weather has not permitted. And 10 o'clock this morning their first window, 10 o'clock Eastern Time. So we shall see.
First, another of the top stories we are following this morning. More than a dozen U.S. soldiers had swine flu when they showed up at an Air Force base in Kuwait. That is according to a Kuwaiti health official. He says the soldiers were treated at a U.S. military health center, however, and recovered before leaving the country. Told, they are just fine.
CHO: Partners of gay American diplomats may be getting similar benefits to those received by their heterosexual counterparts. The State Department has been in discussions with the American Foreign Service Association, the union that represents diplomats. And Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has drafted a memo on the matter. The State Department has been withholding these benefits citing the Defense of Marriage law.
Well, President Obama has nominated a former shuttle commander as NASA's first African-American administrator. His name is General Charlie Bolden. He is a Vietnam vet and appears to have a groundswell of support from most NASA officials. He flew two space shuttle missions as pilot and two missions as commander after he was selected as an astronaut back in 1980.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: As we just mentioned, NASA, hoping to catch a break in the weather and land space shuttle Atlantis this morning in Florida. The first attempt's supposed to happen just after 10 o'clock Eastern this time -- again, it all depends on the weather. And the other options, NASA could move the landing to California or they could postpone it again.
But they feel pretty good about bringing it home today. They really want to bring the astronauts home, like they told us yesterday. And they're kind of just up there hanging out right now. The mission is complete. They're just waiting to be home.
CHO: Enjoying the view, listening to Wagner.
HOLMES: Enjoying the view.
CHO: Preparing for de-orbit.
HOLMES: Yes.
CHO: So, what are the chances that a Sunday landing in Florida? Or is it going to happen at Edwards Air Force Base out west in California? Reynolds Wolf is tracking it all for us.
Hi, Reynolds.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You know, it would be perfect, you can land in Florida, you get out and you go to Disney, you know? Because everyone is going to Disney ...
CHO: Because that's what everybody does.
WOLF: Oh, yes, no question.
But right now, the issue is that, well, we got some scattered showers and some thunderstorms that right off the coast, and they need about a 30-mile space of clear air where you don't have any of those storms, you don't have the heavy cloud cover. And I'm telling you, things look pretty good.
In fact, we have a tower cam in Orlando that looks pretty good for the time being. And it's fine. I mean, in the interior part of the state, but it's going to be along the coast where you're going to have more of those issues. So, if they were able to land right now, they might have an easy time. But as it stands, it looks like it's going to be really iffy as we get to the 10 o'clock hour. I think, 10:00 and 11:00 Eastern Time is the expected landing time, if it does indeed. It looks like they're headed towards Florida.
You know, Florida really could use a break because -- take a look at some of these pictures we have for you, these iReports that were sent in. This particular one is by Star Woods (ph) in the Daytona Beach area. It's inundated with heavy, heavy rainfall. Some places up to two feet of rainfall. They need a break, and today, it looks it's not going to happen for them.
At least a chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout much of the Sunshine State, and into the southeast, this area of low pressure -- which is just yesterday, it looked like it might become a tropical depression -- is now moving farther inland, taking a lot of moisture with it. It's going to be that combined with daytime heating that maybe pretty rain out your barbecue chances in parts of the southeast.
When you get up to the Great Lakes, there's chance of scattered showers into the afternoon. But as we get even more into the Memorial Day weekend itself, high pressure is going to be building to the northeast, including the Great Lakes.
Here in New York, maybe Long Island, on the Hamptons, conditions will be just picture perfect for you on Monday. Same deal up in Boston and into Maine. However, when you get back to the nation's midsection, it's scattered showers. And then out to the west coast, conditions are going to be perfect, out in Redondo Beach -- no complaints there at all.
That is a look at your forecast. Let's send it back to you, guys.
CHO: You are killing me. The Hampton's forecast, Reynolds.
WOLF: It's going to be nice up there.
HOLMES: We should worry about the Atlanta forecast.
CHO: You're right. You're absolutely right.
HOLMES: Right here with us.
WOLF: I know. You enjoy the things that, you know -- you know are going to be good.
CHO: That's right.
WOLF: You don't worry about the things you can't control.
CHO: That's right.
WOLF: And that maybe at work here (ph). CHO: Well put.
HOLMES: All right. Thanks, Reynolds.
CHO: Thank you, Reynolds.
You know, once again, the first opportunity for the shuttle Atlantis to land is at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. That comes just 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Now, if the weather is not cooperating -- as you heard Reynolds talking about -- the next landing opportunity really will be at Edwards Air Force Base in California. That's late in the 11 o'clock Eastern hour. But no matter which landing site NASA picks, CNN will bring it to you live.
HOLMES: And President Obama is spending most of the day with his family at Camp David. But he'll be back in time for a Memorial Day tradition, laying of a wreath, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery. On Tuesday, he leaves for Las Vegas, also is going to be stopping in Los Angeles, on a west coast tour, doing some fundraisers out there and other events as well.
Then Thursday, the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, will visit the White House. And there is something major missing from the official schedule, but we're hearing it could still happen this week. The president is expected to nominate a replacement for Supreme Court Justice David Souter as early as Tuesday.
CNN deputy political director Paul Steinhauser is joining us once again live from Washington.
All right. Let's take a listen here first to the president, in an interview -- talking about the need to name somebody soon.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, C-SPAN)
PRES. BARACK OBAMA, UNITED STATES: It's safe to say that we're going to have an announcement soon. And my hope is, is that we can have hearings in July so that we can end up before Congress breaks for the summer -- have somebody in place.
One of the things I would prefer not to see happen is that these confirmation hearings drag on, and somebody has to hit the ground running and then take their seat in October without having the time to wrap their mind around the fact that they are going to be a Supreme Court Justice. I'd like to give them a little bit of lead time so that they can get prepared.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: All right. He said soon. You work closer to the White House than I do. So, Paul, what does soon mean up there?
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Soon could be this week. You know, just about every Friday this month of May, Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, has been asked -- is there going to be an announcement of Supreme Court in the next week? And every Friday he said, "No." This Friday, he asked that question, he didn't answer.
So, it could come this week. Let's take a look at the calendar here, T.J. As you mentioned, tomorrow, of course, is Memorial Day. He's not going to do that on a holiday. But Tuesday, yes, he could do it on Tuesday. He doesn't leave for Las Vegas for that fundraiser for Harry Reid until the middle of the day. So, maybe.
And then he's out in California after Nevada, and he comes back. As you mentioned, Thursday, he's got the meeting with the Palestinian president, maybe later on Thursday -- or Friday.
If it doesn't happen this week, let's look forward to next week -- Monday and Tuesday, he's here in Washington. But then on Wednesday, he leaves for that trip. Remember, he's going to Egypt and then he's going elsewhere over to Germany and France, T. J.
HOLMES: All right. And the president, we're going to listen to him again here. Everybody is speculating, everybody almost agreed it's going to be a female that he nominates. But this is what he had to say -- again in that interview -- about his potential pick.
Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, C-SPAN)
OBAMA: Actually, I can't tell you the number of women, including Michelle, who say choose the person you think is going to be best. If I -- you know, if I end up having more than one nominee, I am pretty confident that, you know, that there would be reflected there some diversity. I think on any given pick, my job is to ...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: All right. Well, hello there. He was still talking, but you see -- sorry about that. But as if ...
STEINHAUSER: A little rude of us there, huh?
HOLMES: Yes, we cut the president off. But, he's essentially saying that he's not beholden to a demographic. A lot of people would hear that and say, whatever. Everybody just assumes he's going to pick a woman here.
STEINHAUSER: He's getting a lot of pressure. Yes, because there's only one woman on the High Court right now. There used to be two. He's also getting pressure from African-Americans, and since he's the first black president, to name an African-American -- and from Hispanics, to make history, to name the first Latino or Hispanic.
Is it important with Americans? Take a look -- this is a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation national poll. We asked that. And you can see these answers right here. Only four in 10 say it's important that the president nominate a woman. And 26 percent say Hispanic and only 22 percent say an African-American.
What is important to Americans? Take a look at the next question. You can see here. Nearly nine out of 10 say it's important that who ever he nominates, that person has experience as a judge. About half of those we polled say it's important that person has experience as an elected official.
But, again, T.J., regardless of what the American people say, remember, this is his choice. It's not a vote here. This is the pick of the president.
HOLMES: This is the pick of the president. You could see it on Tuesday. Our apologies, again, to the president for cutting him off this morning.
Paul, always good to have you. We'll talk to you again soon.
STEINHAUSER: You got it.
CHO: He's at Camp David, and he doesn't know (ph).
(LAUGHTER)
CHO: Talking to the enemy. A former detainee of Guantanamo Bay talks with our Stan Grant about the Taliban and the war in Afghanistan.
Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STAN GRANT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It has been said that Afghanistan is going to be Barack Obama's Vietnam, that U.S. troops would be bogged down here. Is that what you think?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: We're going live to Kabul for the answer to that.
And another name is added to the Vietnam Wall, rare that a name is added. We're going to tell you how the family of one Vietnam vet who died during the war made it happen.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC)
CHO: Well, country music for you this Sunday morning, the day before Memorial Day. That is Trace Adkins rehearsing for today's big Memorial Day concert in Washington. We got to get our ticket (ph) here in the area.
HOLMES: Are you Trace Adkins' fan?
CHO: I am now.
HOLMES: You are now.
(LAUGHTER) HOLMES: Maybe you will be more after the concert.
CHO: You're right about that.
You know, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to pack the west lawn of the Capitol tonight for a big Memorial Day concert for the veterans and their families, for everyone really.
HOLMES: And a lot of people are expected to be watching the concert from home. We got some video here for from last night's dress rehearsal of it. It would be hosted by actors, including Gary Sinise. He's, of course, from the TV show, "CSI: New York" and he does a lot of advocacy work for our soldiers, for the military.
Also, retired Army General Colin Powell will be there along with some from Hollywood types. Laurence Fishburne you see there. Also ...
CHO: Katie Holmes.
HOLMES: Katie Holmes.
CHO: Mrs. Tom Cruise.
HOLMES: In the picture as well.
CHO: You know, we're still getting some fallout from the battle of the titans as some call it -- this week's back-to-back national security speeches by President Obama and former Vice President Dick Cheney. One of the key points of contention, of course: closing the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Cheney says closing Gitmo could put the country at risk, but the president calls Gitmo a taint on America and plans to shut it down by January.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: We are cleaning up something that is, quite simply, a mess -- a misguided experiment that has left in its wake a flood of legal challenges that my administration is forced to deal with on a constant, almost daily basis.
RICHARD CHENEY, (R) FMR. VICE PRESIDENT: I think the president will find, upon reflection, that to bring the worst of the worst terrorists inside the United States would be cause for great danger and regret in the years to come.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: Many of what some called the worst of the worst terror suspects had been housed at Guantanamo. Our Stan Grant interviewed a member of the Taliban who spent three years there.
Stan joins us now live from Kabul.
So, Stan, what did he say? GRANT: Alina, Abdul Salem Zaif is his name. He's a mullah, a religious scholar with the Taliban. He was a former confidant, very close to Mullah Omar, who is the leader of the Taliban here in Afghanistan. During the Taliban regime, he was actually ambassador for the Taliban in Pakistan.
Now, he was arrested and sent to Guantanamo Bay for more than 3 1/2 years. He's been released now. But he said that he believes that closing Guantanamo Bay will not actually bring justice to the detainees. He says that the detainees -- including himself -- deserve apologies from the United States.
He also went on to say that yes, some of the people who are released return to Afghan pick up weapons again and join the Taliban to fight U.S. forces here.
Here's a little of what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MULLAH ZAIF, FORMER TALIBAN OFFICIAL: When they are releasing the detainees, they are not sending anything. They are releasing with shackled hands, sending to the government which is more cruel than Americans. Without any charge, of course, and for five years, say, one year, six years, spending time with Americans, and after that, that's the time that they are losing everything after (INAUDIBLE), house, money and property. They have nothing after that.
GRANT: It has been said that Afghanistan is going to be Barack Obama's Vietnam, that U.S. troops would be bogged down here. Is that what you think?
ZAIF: I think they are not able to win the war. The hate of our people is increasing day by day. And people of Afghanistan joining with the Taliban. And ideologically, they are feeling this war is responsibility for Taliban. There is no other way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GRANT: As he points out there, he believes that the U.S. is losing the support of the civilian population here in Afghanistan. Now, Mullah Zaif says that he's no longer member of the Taliban, but he did say to me that he supports the Taliban, still, and he said the supports the war against the U.S. He believes they must fight to drive the United States out of Afghanistan -- Alina?
CHO: Fascinating interview, Stan. And good for you -- good on you for getting that. Listen, I want you to follow-up with us on some other bit of news out of that region, about some drugs being seized by U.S. troops. What can you tell us about that?
GRANT: Yes. This is the biggest drug haul the U.S. has ever made in Afghanistan -- more than 100 tons of hashes, opium and heroin. It was seized in the southern part of the country, Helmand province. Now, this is Taliban stronghold. It did not come without a fight. A four-day bit of a battle with the Taliban, including air strikes. The U.S. military saying 60 insurgents left dead.
They said this is going to disrupt funding to the Taliban. Afghanistan is the biggest exporter of heroin in the world and it's a major source of funds for the Taliban. This is what the U.S. is going to continue to focus on, cutting off the funding and driving back the supply of drugs in this country -- Alina?
CHO: It's long been a problem in that region. Stan Grant, live for us in Kabul, Afghanistan -- Stan, thank you.
HOLMES: And on this Memorial Day weekend, we are hearing from many of you about our nation's veterans and how the country treats them. Josh Levs is looking into that.
Good morning, again, Josh.
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning to you. I'll tell you, our viewers are fired up about these issues and actually debating it online right now, even throughout this morning. We're going to show you how to have your voice heard.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My father is Michael Dunak. He was part of the 463rd bombardment group of the 5th Wing of the 15th Air Force, active 1943 through 1945, based in Foggia, Italy, part of the 773rd squadron. He flew in a B-17 plane, which were called "Flying Fortress." He was very, very loving and very smart.
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CHO: We are glad you are with us on this day before Memorial Day. And imagine, adding a name to the Vietnam Wall. It is rare. And for four children of one vet who died during the war, that's exactly what happened.
HOLMES: Yes. Paul Courson now reporting for us that after years of effort, they are finally getting to see his name on the Vietnam Memorial in the nation's capital.
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PAUL COURSON, CNN PRODUCER (voice-over): Fifteen years after his death and nearly 40 years after he was wounded, the name Enrique Valdez has been added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The children of the Marine Corps gunnery sergeant are experiencing a victory on his behalf.
LYNDORA VALDEZ, DAUGHTER OF VIETNAM VETERAN: We did not know that he could be put on the wall after he died. We thought that the wall -- the only -- the only people that went on were the ones that were actually, you know, killed in Vietnam. COURSON: Valdez was wounded by shrapnel in 1969 combat that left him a quadriplegic, died in 1994. A Pentagon panel took the next 14 years to consider his family's request to include him on the wall.
ENRIQUE "RICK" VALDEZ, SON OF VIETNAM VETERAN: This is an example of persistent paying off, never taking no for an answer, and just -- just trying to honor our father.
COURSON: Symbols next to names on the wall are updated when somebody missing in action is confirmed as killed in action. But adding a name takes a special review and careful measurements to make it fit with the others.
JIM LEE, ENGRAVER, VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL: When we trip that stencil off, we are shooting for an average 24,000 steps (ph) for the name Enrique Valdez.
COURSON: The four kids now grown-up, some with the touch of gray, watched the name go up and will return to Washington for Memorial Day ceremonies honoring their father and others. They took time to reflect on the man who almost didn't make it home from the war, and how he lived the rest of his life.
TINA VALDEZ, DAUGHTER OF VIETNAME VETERAN: Is that there are people that are worse-off than I was. You know, when I enlisted and I served, I knew what I was getting into, and this is the worse that could happen to me, well, then, so be it.
COURSON: Visitors to the Vietnam Memorial may notice the fresh lettering, the only named added to the panels for 1969, joining 58,260 comrades also honored.
Paul Courson, CNN, Washington.
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CHO: Yes, we remember those service members who gave their all on this Memorial Day weekend. Let's not forget about the care that vets receive when they come home from war.
HOLMES: And many of you are out there saying the country is failing the veterans. Josh Levs with that for us.
Hello, again, Josh.
LEVS: Hello to you, guys. Yes, this is really interesting to see how fired up people are about this. Let's actually zoom in on the board -- I want to show what's going on. We are getting a lot of iReports about this, from ceremonies, and over here, you can see just few of the many that are coming in about veterans.
We can start off one here with a video we got from a veteran.
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DONNELL NICHOLS, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: I love coming home and I love sleeping. But I would love more to come home to a veterans office that helps me get a job or help me re-adjust, help me deal with the stress, things that I had to see, the friends that I lost -- Michael Kings, Scott Halverson (ph), to name some. Those are the things that are most important.
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LEVS: Here is one more from Jean Lindsay who talks about the era after Vietnam.
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JEAN LINDSAY, WESTERN NEW YORK: The Memorial Day parade, I've gone to it every year since I was a kid. It took 10 years before the crowds along the streets clapped just loudly for these men and welcomed them home. I want to say thank you to the Vietnam vets for all they lived through over there, but throughout what they live for -- through when they came home.
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LEVS: And, quickly, I want to show you the debate that's going on online right now. You have our Web site, which is the "NEWSROOM" blog, CNN.com/newsroom. We have been talking about honoring men and women in uniform.
Here is a good example. Kevin saying that when the holiday is over, he really encourages people to go out and do more than just saying "thank you," by actually show "thank you."
We're also finding that at our Facebook, take a look at this. Michael is saying, all these things, jobs, housing these kinds that veterans need should just be guaranteed by the government." And then, you get the debate going, which is, Jimmy, who says, "You know what, even if you have served, do something about it." He says, "Stop crying about our Congress, start pointing out which senators and House members are to blame," so they can be targeted.
A lot of people are weighing in on this. And, guys, as you know, a lot of passion on this kind of initiatives.
CHO: Yes. And I mean, clearly, the blame game is under way. But we want to talk about how these vets can get some help. There are lots of Web sites out there, aren't there?
LEVS: There are, yes. And there's a few that I want to focus on right here that are actually really helpful.
Let's zoom back in. Some of which we're just learning about now. RecruitMilitary.com is a specific Website that no matter what your background is or your interest, if you're a veteran, it can help you find a job. Also this one right there: IAVA.org. It's Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, set up in recent years to help them find housing.
Now, I don't expect you to memorize all of this, you can actually find links to this on the blog, on Facebook and over here at "Impact Your World." Always this kind of things, more information on how you can help veterans and the families of fallen servicemen -- just go there, CNN.com/impact. We'll hook you up to a dozen organizations that allow you to help them as well, guys.
CHO: Great, Josh. Great information.
HOLMES: All right. Josh, thank you.
LEVS: Thanks a lot.
CHO: All right. So, of course, you heard of that collection plate at church.
HOLMES: Of course.
CHO: You pass it around, you give money.
HOLMES: You give money to your church. Yes.
CHO: That's right. And that's always a good thing. What about a reverse collection plate?
HOLMES: What does that mean, I can take money out?
CHO: Well, you're going to have to stick around to hear the story, aren't you?
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HOLMES: Well, there's a church, in fact, that's passing around the plates for you -- yes, to take from. How the church ended up getting more though that it's started with. This is in our "Faces of Faith" in the next hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
CHO: (INAUDIBLE)
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My Uncle Walter Anthony Kozikowski was a staff sergeant with Company E in 168th Infantry. He served into the North African campaign. He received the Silver Star for gallantry where he wiped out a German machine gun nest to save his platoon. A few days later, he tried to do the same thing and was killed in battle. I'm just fortunate that at 62, that I can still remember him and still carry on his name.
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CHO: Don't go anywhere, because T.J. and I will be back at the top of the hour with more of today's top stories.
HOLMES: Yes. But right now, we're going to hand it over to "HOUSE CALL" and Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
