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CNN Saturday Morning News
Bahrain Crown Prince Calls Back Military, Police Forces; Overnight Budget Vote in the House; The Rising Cost of Consumer Goods; Staying Safe Online; Wisconsin Budget Battle; Berlusconi Faces Trial; What You Don't Know about MLK; This Week's Wow Moments in Sports
Aired February 19, 2011 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: An overnight budget vote on Capitol Hill sets the stage for a bruising battle between Republicans and Democrats that could shut down the government. We're headed there live.
Also, breaking news out of Bahrain. Reports of tear gas thrown into crowds of demonstrators as we see no sign of a let up from protesters. We have some dramatic video of the standoff just ahead.
It is early and we're on it. From CNN Center, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It's February 19th. Good morning, everyone. I'm Randi Kaye. Thanks for starting your day with us.
We start in the Middle East where antigovernment protests are getting ugly in Bahrain. Just moments ago, we saw police firing tear gas into a crowd of protesters. This new violence comes a short time after the country's crown prince ordered the military off the street.
Our Tim Lister is in Manama, Bahrain.
Tim, good morning to you. What is going on there right now?
TIM LISTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Randi, I'm at Pearl Square. There has been conflict and confrontation over the last week, but now it's a scene of celebration and pure joy. Several thousand demonstrators with more coming to the square all the time swelling the numbers, carrying flags saying peace, carrying the Bahrainian flag, all celebrating, praying, kissing the ground, applauding the ambulance services. They have taken over the center of Bahrain after the crown prince instructed the military to leave.
And after the military left, suddenly less than an hour ago, the police detachment that's been here for the last week got in their buses and disappeared. And within seconds, hundreds and then thousands of demonstrators -- and you can hear them -- poured into this square. And they are -- some of them still calling for the downfall of the King Hamad. Others, more moderate, just want a changed (ph) government and reform -- Randi.
KAYE: And how large of a crowd are we talking about, Tim? Tell us, are the numbers growing? And I know they're celebrating, but is there also anger among them?
LISTER: There is anger. There's anger amongst them because of the way they're treated in Bahrain as they see it. Most of them are Shia. The Shia are in the majority here, but they've long felt discrimination by Sunni royal family. The better jobs go to Sunnis here, and a lot of Shia live in very poor little villages; we were in one just yesterday.
But there is more a sense of celebration here because this has taken a lot of bloodshed to reach this point. We were at a hospital last night, protesters, scores of them being brought in injured. Five or six of them very badly injured. One died while we were at the hospital.
So the scene today couldn't be more different from what we were seeing last night. This is unbridled celebration amongst the people of Bahrain who have converged on the Pearl monument -- Randi.
KAYE: Tim Lister for us this morning in the capital of Bahrain. We will continue to watch this and we'll bring you more from there in just a few minutes.
Meanwhile, let's turn to Capitol Hill where it is all about your money. Earlier this morning, the House ended a marathon passed a budget slashing more than $60 billion from this year's budget. The House trying to beat a March 4th government shutdown.
CNN congressional correspondent Brianna Keilar in Washington for us this morning.
Brianna, a government shutdown would affect benefits for veterans, Social Security checks, maybe even airport security. So how likely is this with that March 4th deadline approaching so fast?
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, I think it's really a concern. I thought Candy Crowley put it very well when she said there's only two weeks until March 4th and there's a lot of discord between the Senate and the House.
And she actually said that two weeks in congressional time is kind of like a nanosecond. Is that enough time for the Senate and the House, Randi, to really get some sort of agreement on this? I think a lot of people have concerns that there isn't.
So what would that mean? Yes, that would mean if they couldn't come to any sort of agreement that there would be a government shutdown March 4th.
But I think there's also some concern among House Republicans that this could be politically very dicey. But on one hand, you have House Republican leaders who are also dealing with the conservative contingent in their conference, specifically, these new freshmen who have said we want these spending cuts. We promised the voters these spending cuts, the voters that put us in office. And they're indicating that they're going to be unbending on it.
But I did speak this morning with the House Republican leadership aide who said that leaders have been talking now for a week with this freshmen contingent and really trying to communicate to them that maybe the best way to go about this and truly get some of the cuts that they want is to perhaps approve a short-term funding measure that does have some cuts in it, something that would get them by, perhaps, for another few weeks following March 4th -- Randi.
KAYE: And there were hundreds of changes on the House floor. So what exactly did this bill end up even looking like?
KEILAR: This was amazing. This wrapped up this morning, Saturday, in the 4:00 a.m. hour. This is really unusual for the House of Representatives and this wasn't the only late night that we saw this week, hundreds of amendments.
The overall bill cut $60 billion for the remaining seven months of the current budget. And there could be some more cuts in that. We don't have the math yet because there were so many changes. There were also a whole lot of changes, as I mentioned.
The most controversial was one, it was a vote that passed to defund health care reform. Republicans had said if the repeal, the outright repeal didn't work, this was something they were going to try to do, defund health care reform.
There was also a vote that succeeded to cut Federal funding for the remainder of the year for Planned Parenthood. Republicans saying they didn't want government money going to an organization that provides abortions. Democrats saying that organization also provides very important family counseling, HIV/AIDS testing.
And there were also a number of kind of offbeat measures. There was one in particular that caught my eye that failed, and it would've told the Pentagon they couldn't sponsor NASCAR race teams. Again, that did fail. So the Pentagon can continue to do that, Randi.
KAYE: That's important stuff to be debating. That certainly doesn't mean this is a done deal, right. The Senate has to look at it, the White House of course, they're not real fond of this.
KEILAR: No, and this is where some of the sticking points are going to be. Of course, Democrats control the Senate, President Obama, you know, has issued really a veto threat on this bill as it stands. And there are a lot of cuts to get to that more than $60 billion that were pushed by House Republicans that Senate Democrats certainly are not going to be fans of.
Just a couple off the top of my head. One, it would cut some funding for the nutrition assistance program for women, infant, and children. You may have heard of it, it's called WIC. There are a number one that cuts or there are actually a number of cuts in the underlying bill, billions of dollars worth of cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency. You can see Democrats are not going to look favorably upon that. There's this wide chasm that would need to be bridged between the Senate and the House.
KAYE: Brianna Keilar, Capitol Hill for us this morning. Thank you, Brianna. Another budget battle, this one in Wisconsin and its impact could have implications for the rest of the nation. Massive demonstrations at the capitol in Madison where Democratic lawmakers yesterday delayed a vote on the governor's budget plan. The plan removes most collective bargaining rights for public workers.
Even President Obama is commenting. He calls the governor's proposal an assault on unions. At the bottom of the hour, we'll have a look at why the Wisconsin vote is in the national spotlight.
A hijacking on the high seas. Somali pirates this morning are holding four Americans after boarding their yacht in the Indian ocean. U.S. military officials confirm the four were kidnapped Friday when the pirates seized their boat.
The identities of the Americans are not known, but a piracy watchdog group identifies the seized vessel as one that does belong to Jean and Scott Adam. They were on a seven-year, around-the-world voyage. U.S. military officials are looking closely at the situation.
In Libya, the city of Benghazi, a doctor tells CNN the situation is critical right now. The city is quote, effectively under siege. He tells CNN helicopters are shooting at demonstrators and dozens have been injured. Government forces in Libya have killed at least 84 people in three days of clashes across the country. That's according to Human Rights Watch.
Demonstrators are voicing outrage against the country's long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi . The protest erupted Tuesday after the arrest of a human rights lawyer. Libya has barred international media from reporting in the country. Many of the images coming out of the country are just amateur video.
Meanwhile, state-run TV shows images of Gaddafi surrounded by adoring crowds, in fact they're singing to me in some of the videos. Gaddafi has ruled the country for more than 40 years. U.S. President Barack Obama has condemned the government crackdowns in Libya and other Mideast countries where protests are surging.
And time now for our weekend wheel, a look at other stories on our radar.
A former Pennsylvania judge has been found guilty of a number of charges related to a so-called kids for cash scam that supposedly netted him almost $3 million. Mark Ciavarella allegedly sent juvenile offenders to a for-profit detention center in exchange for kickbacks.
Can you believe this stuff?
A federal jury found him guilty of racketeering, fraud and money laundering conspiracy, but one mother thinks that's not enough. Her son committed suicide after being sent to one of those centers. She confronted the former judge outside.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My kid's not here! He's dead because of him! He ruined my (EXPLETIVE OMITTED) life! I'd like him to go to hell and rot there forever!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: The maximum sentence for Ciavarella is 157 years. He's also been ordered to forfeit almost $1 million.
Fans of racing legend Dale Earnhardt turned out in Mooresville, North Carolina to mark the tenth anniversary of his death. They visited his former race shop and got to see some of his old cars. Earnhardt was killed on the final lap of the Daytona 500 back in 2001. Fans of the Intimidator will also remember him at the track during tomorrow's Daytona 500.
Well, it is T-minus five days and counting. NASA says the space shuttle Discovery is good to go. It's scheduled to launch Thursday for its final flight. The launch has been pushed back several times because of problems with the external tank. Discovery has made more flights than any other shuttle with 38 missions under its belt so far.
Thinking of joining the millions of people who are dating online? A warning you want to hear when we come back. And Reynolds?
REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, we've got interesting weather to talk about. Out west, we are watching a mammoth snowstorm that may bring one to two feet of snowfall for parts of the Rockies which is a dream come true for skiers. But for travelers, looks like it might be a nightmare. We're going to talk about that coming up.
KAYE: Also next, we know he can sing and dance. But Justin Bieber, the NBA star? Really? What's that about?
And, of course, the bleacher put out a list of the top rivalries in sports history. I know Auburn and Alabama are huge rivals, but a big factor in making this list is how long the rivalry has actually been going on.
At number five, the Green Bay Packers versus the Chicago Bears. It's the oldest and longest running rivalry in the NFL.
Number four, the Los Angeles Lakers versus the Boston Celtics. Most of us remember one of their greatest showdowns in the 2010 NBA finals.
And in third place, a head-to-head match-up that's lasted more than a century, the Dodgers versus the Giants.
So do you know who are the two toughest rivals in sports history? We'll have that answer for you right after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Before the break, we took a look at the toughest rivals in sports history, and now to the teams hitting the number two spot. The Boston Red Sox versus the New York Yankees. A match-up if you're counting, it lasted since 1901.
But nabbing the best or the worst, however you want to look at this in rivalry history, the Ohio State Buckeyes versus the Michigan Wolverines. Yes, they have been battling it out on the turf since 1897.
You can check out the entire list, if you want at bleacherreport.com.
It is just about quarter past the hour. Let's check in with meteorologist Reynolds Wolf live in the CNN severe weather center for a look at your Saturday forecast. Hey there Reynolds.
(WEATHER REPORT)
KAYE: The White House presented its budget this week. And as you might guess, the Republicans found little humor in the Democrats' proposal. That doesn't mean, though, that it isn't funny. See for yourself in our morning laugh courtesy of David Letterman.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST, CBS "LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN": You know the folks (INAUDIBLE) the Federal budget. You know what I think about this? Yes, me neither, $3.7 trillion, $3.7 trillion. That's the Federal budget.
Why are we buying everything from the mini bar? What is that? Come on! $3.7 trillion. That's not a Federal budget, that's a Tiger Woods prenup, you know? What do we get for $3.7 trillion? We get a computer that plays "Jeopardy!" that's what we get!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Very funny.
So Justin Bieber gets shutout at the Grammys last week, but he wasn't about to be shut out on the basketball court. The vertically challenged 16-year-old pop star was named the MVP at a celebrity basketball game in Los Angeles last night. That was despite playing for the losing team, of course. He did have, though, eight points in the game, four assists and two rebounds. Must have had a little help there, I would imagine.
You may have noticed that you're paying more at the pump and the grocery store, but the question is, do you know why? We'll tell you why and what else you're going to be paying more for coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Eighteen minutes past the hour, time for "Parenting Pop" now. And anyone with children at home knows how expensive raising a family can be. Have you noticed the price of groceries lately? How about gasoline? Yes they are all going up. But why? CNN's Lisa Sylvester has a look for us.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LISA SYLVESTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): No, it's not your imagination.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Grapes right now are so incredibly expensive.
SYLVESTER: The price of groceries really is going up. So is the price of just about everything else from gas, to clothing, to used cars.
The consumer price index, which measures the price of goods and services that we buy went up 1.6 percent in the last year. Meats, poultry, fish and eggs up 6.2 percent. Energy, 7.3 percent, gasoline, 13.4 percent and airline fares, 9.8 percent.
PROF. PETER MORICI, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND: This is a very crucial time. The economy is finally starting to show some muster and now it's getting hit between the eyes by rising commodity prices.
SYLVESTER: What's driving the price hike? It's actually happening globally. The World Bank says food prices increased 17 percent at the end of last year. Bad weather and corn, wheat and sugar-producing countries has limited supplies. Couple that with strong demand for basic commodities from China and the prices are shooting through the roof.
Martin Baily, former chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, predicts inflation will stick around as the global economy continues to recover.
MARTIN BAILY, FMR. CHAIRMAN, COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISORS: We all consume food and energy and we're feeling the pain at the gas pump. People are trying to heat their houses. So all of those things are affecting us, I think rents are going to start to rise as the housing market begins to recover. So those are painful parts of inflation.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: We've actually seen the biggest rise in food costs in two years. We're also seeing gas prices and cotton prices rise because of increased demand in Asia and Latin America. So expect clothing prices to rise, as well.
Looking for love in all the wrong places? Well, many are going online for a budding relationship. Maybe that's you, maybe it's a friend of yours. But you don't want to put yourself in danger. So we're going to address that. We're going to have some useful tips and a gentle reminder of the potential risks involved.
We are back with that in 90 seconds.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Looking for love on the Worldwide Web? New research suggests that one in five new relationships begin at an online dating site. How can you protect yourself from hooking up possibly with an online predator? Tech guru Mario Armstrong joins us from Washington this morning. Good morning, Mario.
MARIO ARMSTRONG, CNN DIGITAL LIFESTYLE EXPERT: Good morning, Randi, how are you?
KAYE: I'm well, thank you. You've got a name for this actually. What do you call it?
ARMSTRONG: Yes, I call it digital footprinting. This whole idea that so many people are now going online to find romance or to try find someone that they have common interests with. And the issue is, you have been all over the Internet, maybe you're on blogs or other sites. Along the way, you're leaving a digital paper trail. And we want to be very sensitive to what information we're leaving out there in these public spaces, even if it's not all connected. Because it's easier today for people to connect those dots.
KAYE: And really this is something we wanted to talk about this morning. Because it can -- it can be really dangerous. There's that case out of Las Vegas where the guy met the girl on match.com and then ended up, you know, brutally beating her up and stabbing her. She survived, luckily, but this can happen.
ARMSTRONG: Absolutely it can happen. And that's one of the things that is catching a lot of people off guard. We're talking over 1500 online dating sites, numerous reports of how many millions of Americans, some say 20 plus million Americans are using these dating sites and that number has really almost tripled within the last five years. Many more people are using these sites.
And I'm really just concerned that people are looking at profiles, they're looking at photos and they may be trustworthy, so they're assuming that the people that are posting this information is also trustworthy. But that's not always the case.
KAYE: Some states have already started to actually regulate security for these dating companies?
ARMSTRONG: That's right because it's become so massive. We're talking $1 billion industry now. So now a lot of privacy watchers are looking at this saying, hey, wait a minute. Should there be stricter laws? New Jersey and New York, other states have said, I don't know about this yet.
But I do think this is something that we will continue to see, states getting involved saying we need to be safer about who is getting on to these sites and what information can we publicly glean from them, like a background check.
KAYE: So for anyone who might be watching this morning who is on one of these dating sites or has a friend on one of them or is considering using one of them to meet someone, is there anything that you can do to become your own detective and do your own background checks?
ARMSTRONG: Technology can help to fight technology, so absolutely. So now there's multiple websites as well as applications. So that a couple that I can run off to you real fast. One is called my Matchmaker, another is called Date Check, and then there's another one called Instant National Criminal Search.
Essentially, all three of these things, some are mobile apps, some are websites. But they will also help you perform a background check on people that you're meeting on these online dating sites. One little caveat, the background check information is basically public record stuff that they're compiling and aggregating and that's not always accurate information. So you need to keep that in mind --
KAYE: That might not be the whole picture.
ARMSTRONG: That's exactly right, great point Randi.
KAYE: That is good to know. All right, Mario, great to talk with you, as always, great information too.
ARMSTRONG: Thanks so much. Everyone really be safe online and don't give out your full name and address and use anonymous phone number services. Never give out your cell and home number to reach - to connect with.
KAYE: More good advice. It just keeps coming. You just keep bringing it.
ARMSTRONG: I've got more tips, we're out of time.
KAYE: We are out of time. But there's always next weekend, of course. Because you can catch Mario every Saturday for tech time. He will give us the scoop on the latest technology and some really important features like this one. All right. Thank you to Mario.
If you think the protests in Wisconsin have nothing to do with you, think again. Up next, the national implications of the battle in the badger state.
Plus, it's looking more and more like this senator wants to drop that title for something a bit more prestigious, like possibly Madame President. Yes, we will tell you all about that coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: It is 30 minutes past the hour. Welcome back, everyone. I'm Randi Kaye, thanks for starting your day with us.
Checking top stories now, protests are heating up in Bahrain with police firing tear gas into a crowd of demonstrators. The violence comes shortly after the country's crown prince ordered the military off the streets. With the military out, crowds retook a landmark Square in the city's capital after being pushed out last night. In Benghazi, Libya, a doctor tells CNN that helicopters are shooting at demonstrators, injuring dozens. He says quote, "The city is effectively under siege."
Police in South Africa are investigating the death of a baby found in a bag of a girl who attends Oprah Winfrey School near Johannesburg. Police say they believe the 17-year-old student gave birth at the school. No charges have been brought in the case.
Let's talk about what's going on now in Wisconsin. Several state senators fled the state rather than vote on a budget plan being watched by just about every other state in the country. There have been huge demonstrations at the state capitol in Madison. The absence of the Democratic senators is delaying a vote on Governor Scott Walker's budget plan.
The governor wants to remove most collective bargaining rights for public workers. Walker says state, local, and school workers should pay half the cost of pensions and at least 12.6 percent of their health care premiums. Well, passions run deep on both sides of this issue.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm concerned about what the future brings to Wisconsin about Walker's so anti-union. It's -- it's kind of sickening.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think that because of the private sector having to give up some things that the teachers also need to give up some things.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Demonstrators remained at the capitol late into the night. The state assembly has adjourned until Tuesday.
So that's what's going on in Wisconsin, but this isn't just about Wisconsin. The stakes are high for other states facing some very serious budget problems.
Senior White House correspondent Ed Henry explains.
ED HENRY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Randi, House Speaker, John Boehner raised the stakes on Friday by charging President Obama and his allies are whipping what he called "Greece- style protest." And the Republican leader said this is undermining bipartisan efforts to solve these budget crises. Not just in Wisconsin, but all around the country.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CROWD (chanting): Kill the bill! Kill the bill!
HENRY (voice-over): Think this is just a narrow budget fight in one state? Think again. BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Some of what I've heard coming out of Wisconsin where you're just making it harder for public employees to collectively bargain generally seems like more of an assault on unions.
HENRY: The President knows Wisconsin is just round one in the national battle for control of the budget message. So he sent his outside political team, "Organizing for America," to help build even larger crowds. And union officials are vowing to keep up the fight in key 2012 political battlegrounds.
(on camera): And this is beyond Wisconsin, it seems.
ARLENE HOLT BACKER, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, AFL-CIO: Absolutely. It is beyond Wisconsin. It is quite frankly, throughout the country. Whether it's in Ohio, New Jersey, New Hampshire, you see these attacks on workers.
HENRY (voice-over): Labor officials charged teachers in Wisconsin are being unfairly targeted for deep cuts. They get smaller raises, pay more out of pocket for pensions and health care, and lose collective bargaining rights for both.
Wisconsin's Republican governor Scott Walker staring at a $3.6 billion state deficit says he needs to cut somewhere. And he's getting air cover from House Speaker John Boehner, who like the President knows Wisconsin is really just a proxy for their own showdown coming March 4th when funding for the federal government runs out and a possible shutdown is looming.
REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R-OH), HOUSE SPEAKER: He was elected to lead, not to sit on the sidelines.
HENRY: Boehner aides privately tell CNN, they believe Democrats are trying to stop Walker because they're worried he and other governors will be able to quote, "Pull a Chris Christie" as in the Republican in New Jersey who faced down unions.
GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE (R), NEW JERSEY: We have two choices. It's either stand up and do the right thing, to speak the truth, and speak it bluntly and directly, or to join the long parade of leaders who have come before us and failed.
HENRY: White House aides note that in his interview with the Wisconsin station, the President did say leaders at all levels will have to make tough choices.
OBAMA: Everybody's got to make some adjustments to new fiscal realities. We had to impose, for example, a freeze on pay increases for federal workers.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HENRY: But Republicans say the President started this week at a White House news conference saying he wanted quote, "Adult conversation with the Republicans to figure out how to pay for all these government programs."
And now he's ending the week trying to expand the protests that may make it harder for both sides to come together -- Randi.
KAYE: Thank you, Ed.
It is salacious, it's disturbing, and it is making headlines around the world. Up next, our "Morning Passport" takes us to Italy where the Prime Minister gets set to go on trial for allegedly paying for sex with a 17-year-old prostitute.
And later, we know him as a civil rights icon. To his niece, he was just Uncle Martin. We'll have her story.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Welcome back.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi goes on trial in April for allegedly paying for sex with a 17-year-old prostitute and then trying to cover it up by using his power to do so.
Prosecutors are investigating his former dental hygienist turned politician for recruiting young women at his alleged sex parties.
Nadia Bilchik is joining us to tell us more about the scandal as we head off to Italy in the "Morning Passport."
NADIA BILCHIK, CNN EDITORIAL PRODUCER: It reads like something out of a salacious novel, doesn't it?
KAYE: It does.
BILCHIK: So April 16th, Berlusconi is set to go on trial.
KAYE: And this was new this week that they just announced that.
BILCHIK: That's new this week saying that he had sex with a 17- year-old who goes by the name of Ruby "The Heartbreaker." But there's a further twist to the tale and that is his dental hygienist, Nicole Minetti (ph). Now I don't know if you remember in 2009 there was a political rally and he was punched, so some of his teeth came out.
So that's when he met Nicole Minetti who had only been practicing, they say, for a month. But anyway --
(CROSS TALK)
KAYE: Very interesting that he would find her.
BILCHIK: -- he meets Nicole Minetti who is now being accused of procuring women for him.
But she's been very defensive of him. Let's hear what Nicole Minetti, the very beautiful dental hygienist, has to say about Berlusconi. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICOLE MINETTI, LOMBARDY REGIONAL COUNCILOR: Well, the night that I went to his daughter -- the 27th of May. Yes. She had told us that she was 24 years old, and that wasn't hard to believe because she seems much older than what she is actually.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BILCHIK: So she is defending him. She's saying -- and it is possible Ruby does look so much older than 17. But the fact is this has really tipped the perception of the Italian people. So we know Berlusconi had many affairs, his wife divorced him last year. But those were with women of a certain age.
The fact that it's a 17-year-old, I don't think even the Italian people who are quite tolerant of the odd fling can cope with that.
KAYE: Right.
But it's not just about even the -- the possible payment to this woman for sex, it's also about the fact that he tried to cover it up.
BILCHIK: Yes, he tried to cover it up, apparently. But this is -- you know, again, who really knows the ins and outs of it?
(CROSS TALK)
KAYE: Sure.
But the interesting thing is what are the Italian people saying? So let's hear perception on the Italian streets.
KAYE: Ok.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's his own business. I think I can judge Berlusconi on his working, on his business because he's elected not for his own life. His private life -- he's not elected but his private life.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is very important moment for Italy. I think this is the final countdown for Berlusconi.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BILCHIK: So will it be the final countdown for Berlusconi? And will this, in fact, bring the billionaire down? He survived a great deal. But it's interesting that in 2008 he was re-elected with great popular support. Is this the tipping point?
KAYE: I'm still stuck on the fact that his dental hygienist might have been the one who has been introducing him to -- to other women. I just can't get passed that.
BILCHIK: And of course you show anyone the picture of the dental hygienist make a -- well, I go to my dentist --
KAYE: Right.
BILCHIK: The fun fact about Berlusconi -- did you know that he was once a crooner on cruise ships? He's a singer. He has two albums, two romantic albums.
KAYE: Well, he might have to find another career after this trial. Who knows so --
(CROSS TALK)
BILCHIK: Well, he's not short of money.
KAYE: That's for sure. All right, Nadia. Thanks very much.
When he was alive, it was like Martin Luther King Jr. belonged to the world. But to his niece, he was just Uncle Martin. And she was actually just four years old when he was killed. We're going to hear her story as she joins us live next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: A rare and intimate look at the life of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We all know him as a public figure, a preacher and an activist. But a new book called "My Uncle Martin's Big Heart" offers a rare look inside his personal life.
Angela Farris Watkins, Dr. King's niece, is the author of the book. And she joins us this morning. I have the book right here. This is really just a -- a beautiful book.
ANGELA FARRIS WATKINS, AUTHOR, "MY UNCLE MARTIN'S BIG HEART": Thank you.
KAYE: The pictures inside are just so nice to look at. What --
WATKINS: Thank you.
KAYE: As I -- as I look through this, you can't help but wonder, what are your fondest memories of your uncle?
WATKINS: My fondest memory of Uncle ML, as we affectionately called him --
(CROSS TALK)
KAYE: Uncle ML.
WATKINS: -- was -- yes, was an Ebenezer Baptist Church here in Atlanta. That was our church. My grandfather, his father Reverend Martin Luther King Sr. was pastor, and Uncle ML was co-pastor. And he would preach one of those good sermons like the famous drum major instinct. And then after church he would stand just in front of the pulpit to greet the members. But he would wait to see me come through the door up from the children's nursery. And when he would see me come down the aisle, he would step away and into the aisle and meet me as I ran down. And he would pick me up and give me a great big hug and a big kiss. And that to me was his way of saying over and over again, I love you.
KAYE: Do you remember his -- that beautiful voice -- that booming voice that he had?
FARRIS WATKINS: Oh, yes, it was rhythmic. It sounded like music. I can hear it in my thoughts today.
KAYE: I know he had this different name in your family. And you write about that in the book. But what else made you write the book? What did you want people to see?
FARRIS WATKINS: I wanted to write the book to share my memories of my uncle, certainly. I also wanted children and adults, who are children at heart to kind, of have a warm glow as they read some of his lighter moments and see the very wonderful and vivid illustrations.
KAYE: The personal side of him that a lot of people might not be aware of. Was there something that stands out about his personality? He loved to joke, I think, I read in here.
FARRIS WATKINS: Yes, yes, yes. He had a lot of laughter.
KAYE: He was a jokester?
FARRIS WATKINS: Yes, he was. I tell the story in the book of how he came over for a visit one day to our house and I was so upset because my mother had finished scolding me about breaking her pocketbook. And I was telling uncle ML the story.
And I don't know what I was expecting, but I didn't expect him to laugh. And he wanted me to tell the story over and over again about my mom saying, you broke my pocketbook. And he just laughed and laughed and laughed.
KAYE: What do you think of your uncle's legacy? And as a little girl, did you ever imagine he would have such an impact? Look at this. This is picture of the two of you here, which is just such a beautiful picture and so important to you.
But did you ever imagine he would have such an important -- leave such an important mark on history?
FARRIS WATKINS: I did not as a child. And I was only very young when I knew him. And I did not know that side of him. I only knew him as a very fun, loving person.
But what really strikes me about him is that while he was involved in the St. Augustine Movement at the time I was born and the house he was to stay in was sprayed with gunfire. And he had to respond to that. And he was also to speak at a rally in San Francisco.
But he had enough love left over to send a telegram to my mother, his sister Christine, to welcome me to the world. And so when I think about his legacy, I think about how big of a heart he had.
KAYE: Special.
FARRIS WATKINS: He really had a big heart and a lot of love.
KAYE: Very special man.
Angela Farris Watkins, we thank you so much for coming in. And once again, the book is "My Uncle Martin's Big Heart".
FARRIS WATKINS: Yes.
KAYE: And his heart, I will say, having read this, really does come through; a beautiful book.
FARRIS WATKINS: Thank you.
KAYE: Thank you.
FARRIS WATKINS: Thank you.
I hope to come back and talk about my next book, "My Uncle Martin's Words for America."
KAYE: All right. Well, we hope to have you back for that -- Uncle ML.
FARRIS WATKINS: Thank you. Thank you.
KAYE: All right. Thank you very much.
Coming up, a journalist, golf caddy, and profanity-laced argument at a professional tournament; someone was kicked off the green. Yes, we'll tell you who and why coming up next.
Plus, are you thinking about moving? What if I told you it could be a key to living a longer, happier life. It might all depend on where you live. We'll explain.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: This is the time when we like to tell you about those wow moments in sports. HLN Sports anchor, Joe Carter is here. And it was hard to pick this morning, there's so much going on.
JOE CARTER, HLN SPORTS ANCHOR: Don't you love those days?
KAYE: I do.
CARTER: There's a whole crop of good stuff to talk about.
KAYE: What did you pick? CARTER: Let's begin with the case out of Louisville involved with Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino. Now, a judge -- a federal judge has sentenced Karen Sifer to seven-plus years in prison for trying to extort millions in cash, cars, and house from Louisville basketball coach, Rick Pitino.
In 2009, Pitino admitted to having consensual sex with the woman and giving her $3,000 for an abortion. But her demands to stay quiet about the ordeal exceeded $10 million. So in court Friday, she cried, she gave a short statement, before being sentenced for extortion, lying to the FBI, and retaliation against a witness.
KAYE: Wow. And tomorrow's a big day -- car racing.
CARTER: Yes, very big weekend, as a matter of fact. She's got the Daytona 500. Last night was the truck race. Today is the nationwide race. And tomorrow, you get the big cup race.
But everyone's talking about number three, Dale Earnhardt, quite possible still the most popular driver in the sport. Now, his tragic death at Daytona was 10 years ago, if you can believe it.
KAYE: It's hard to believe it.
Carter: And the fans are going to pay tribute to him all weekend; flags in his hometown of Mooresville are flying at half staff. The broadcast team calling Sunday's race are going to be silent during the third lap. Ten years ago Friday he crashed during the final lap at the Daytona 500, died. His teammate at the time was Michael Waltrip. He was going to win that race 10 years ago.
Well, last night, ten years to the day Waltrip won again at Daytona. He won in the truck race. It was his first ever truck race win. Afterwards, an emotional Waltrip said he wanted to bless Dale, his family, his friends. But he came to Daytona, he came to Florida to celebrate Dale's life, he didn't come to celebrate a win. I thought that was a very emotional response from a former teammate and friend.
KAYE: Very emotional night for him, I'm sure.
CARTER: And Jim Gray is going to have the weekend off. He's a golf reporter for the Golf Channel.
KAYE: And why is that?
CARTER: Well, he's most notable for his interviews with Pete Rose, LeBron James. He's been suspended by the Golf Channel from their coverage of the Northern Trust Open because during live play Thursday, he questioned Dustin Johnson about being late for his tee time and receiving a two-stroke penalty.
Well, Johnson's caddy later confronted gray. The two got into a profanity-laced argument.
KAYE: Oh, boy. Isn't golf supposed to be so gentlemanly? CARTER: Yes, you would think. And well, you can't -- first of all, you can't get into a cussing match with a caddy and you can't interview a player during live play. So the Golf Channel decided to suspend him and they have no comment on his future with the network --
KAYE: Wow.
CARTER: -- as they go forward. So it's never good to be the reporter and then all of a sudden become the story --
KAYE: No.
CARTER: -- which has happened to him in this case.
KAYE: All right. See, we had a lot to choose from, but you were able to narrow it down and brought us three good ones.
Thanks.
CARTER: You're welcome.
KAYE: Thank you. Thank you, Joe.
A couple of ticks away from the top of the hour; let's check on today's forecast with meteorologist Reynolds Wolf. Reynolds, feet not inches, is that right --
WOLF: Yes.
KAYE: -- of snow?
WOLF: Absolutely.
KAYE: Where?
WOLF: Out towards the west into the Central Rockies back into the Sierra Nevada, even into the Wasatch Range. It could be kind of heavy at times.
We're going to see that snow, the strong wind today, but it's not going to remain in place. We're going to go from today and taking a look at our computer models we're expecting that area of low pressure to leave the Rockies, move into parts of the Northern Plains, possibly bring in heavy snow to Minnesota, maybe over a foot.
And then as we fast forward into Monday morning, it could be just south of Detroit with some heavier snowfall in upstate New York and back into parts of New England.
We're going to keep a sharp eye on it. But today, looks like most of that action is going to be out towards the west. But in terms of your temperatures, not something you're going to see, but something rather that you're going to feel: 75 degrees in Dallas, 71 in Houston, 75 in New Orleans, 73 in Atlanta, 52 in Washington D.C., 32 in Minneapolis, 41 in Salt Lake City, and we wrap it up San Francisco, 43 your expected high. All right. Randi, back to you.
KAYE: Reynolds, I'll take it. Thank you.
WOLF: You bet.
KAYE: Charlie Sheen surfaced again this week. And he offered some advice for -- get this -- smoking crack. So was there any fallout from his tell-all interview? And what is his ex-wife Denise saying about all this? It's trending, so you know we're all over it. The details straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: All right.
So the economy may still be sputtering, but that doesn't mean prices can't go up. CNN's Stephanie Elam tells us where you're going to be paying more and why as she kicks off this morning's "Business Minute."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Prices at the mall are rising. An analyst tells us clothing prices will rise 10 percent by July and another 12 percent in the second half of the year. This comes as cotton prices soar to levels not seen since the Civil War.
General Motors is giving all of its factory workers a record- setting bonus. Line workers will get $4,000 each. Since emerging from bankruptcy GM has returned to profitability. Salaried workers will get bonuses, as well.
Sending a greeting card just got easier. Hallmark has a new line of cards that include the postage. It works like a forever stamp meaning it's immune to stamp price increases. The cards will sell for up to $4.
Poppy Harlow has a look at what's coming up -- hi, Poppy.
POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM: I'm Poppy Harlow in New York.
Well, Wall Street is gearing up this week for a slew of corporate earnings including Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Hewlett-Packard and Target. We'll also get a look at how people are feeling about the economy with the latest consumer confidence reading. That comes on Tuesday.
And housing will take center stage midweek with the latest new and existing home sales report.
And on Friday, Apple will hold its annual shareholder meeting; this is the first meeting since CEO Steve Jobs announced he's taking a second medical leave of absence. Of course, we'll track it all for you on CNN Money.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
