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Quick Guide & Transcript: Bush addresses USCGA grads, Ex-aide testifies about attorney firings

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(CNN Student News) -- May 24, 2007

Quick Guide

Coast Guard Commencement - Learn why this year's graduating class of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy is historic.

Funding Bill, Version 2.0 - Find out what's in and what's out of Congress' new version of the war funding bill.

Hearing on the Hill - Discover why a former aide to the U.S. attorney general is testifying before Congress.

Transcript

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

MONICA LLOYD, CNN STUDENT NEWS ANCHOR: Hey there, we're happy to have you with us for today's CNN Student News. I'm Monica Lloyd. Commencement address: The president talks about the War on Terror during a speech to this year's graduates at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Congressional testimony: A former aide to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales discusses her role in the controversial firing of eight U.S. attorneys. And geographic genius: Knowing the name of an ancient Asian capital helped this girl take home top prize at the National Geographic Bee.

First Up: Keynote Address

LLOYD: First up today, President Bush talks about the War on Terror and Osama bin Laden. During a speech yesterday, he discussed recently declassified intelligence information that says the al Qaeda leader had plans to set up a base in Iraq. Mr. Bush gave examples of several terrorist plots that had been foiled in recent years, including one last summer to blow up passenger airplanes headed for the U.S. The president also took time to outline the connection between the War on Terror and the war in Iraq.

U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: Some in our country question whether the battle in Iraq is part of the War on Terror. Among the terrorists, there's no doubt. Here are the words of Osama bin Laden: He calls the struggle in Iraq a war of destiny.

Coast Guard Commencement

LLOYD: So where did President Bush make those remarks? In his commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Now graduation is always a big deal, whether you're wrapping up your time in high school, college or the Coast Guard. But as Kiran Chetry tells us, this event is really historic, because more women are graduating from the academy this year than ever before.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KIRAN CHETRY, CNN REPORTER: In New London, Connecticut, they still carry out the drills at the U.S Coast Guard Academy the same way they did 131 years ago, but with a few notable exceptions.

Jayna McCarron is one of 77 women graduating from the academy this year. A homecoming queen and high school track star from Massachusetts, McCarron says she was more interested in making the grade than making a point.

JAYNA MCCARRON, U.S. COAST GUARD CADET: I applied thinking, you know, why not? It's an hour and a half from my house and it's a free education.

CHETRY: Did you know how many other women were going to be joining you as cadets?

MCCARRON: I didn't know how many, or what the percentage was or anything. But I knew that it was a place I wanted to try, that it would be hard, but the percentage didn't matter to me.

CHETRY: Roughly one-third of the graduates are women, and that is a milestone.

ANNOUNCER: You all have the highest number of female graduates ever.

CHETRY: What drew you to the Coast Guard over some of the other branches?

MCCARRON: It was the missions. They are much more humanitarian. I like that. We have search-and-rescue and drug interdiction.

CHETRY: About 2,000 active duty members of the Coast Guard are in Iraq.

CHETRY: There's always the possibility that you may be asked to go to Iraq. Would you go if they needed you?

MCCARRON: I would, absolutely. It did cross my mind going to a military academy. But here in the Coast Guard we mostly do stay on the coast here and in the United States.

CHETRY: And now in the post 9/11 environment, that means protecting U.S. borders against possible terror attacks.

MCCARRON: This is the throttle, it controls the engine.

CHETRY: How fast are we going right now?

MCCARRON: 14.5.

CHETRY: Cadets train in hands-on labs, such as this ship simulator. Where cadet McCarron piloted us through this mock storm.

CHETRY: I really feel like we're moving.

CHETRY: Is there anything about your four years here that is different than you expected coming in?

MCCARRON: I didn't know that when I showed up that I was going to be yelled at! Honestly, I wasn't expecting it. There was a higher volume of leadership.

CHETRY: Kiran Chetry, New London, Connecticut.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Word to the Wise

CARL AZUZ, CNN STUDENT NEWS: A Word to the Wise...

benchmark (noun) something that can be used as a standard to check other things against

Source: www.wordcentral.com

Funding Bill, Version 2.0

LLOYD: Benchmarks are a big part of a new war funding bill that Congress says will be ready by the end of the week. President Bush vetoed a previous version because it included timelines for pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq. But those deadlines aren't in the new legislation. Andrea Koppel takes a look at what is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN REPORTER: Sensitive to criticism Democrats caved by dropping demands for a troop withdrawal timeline, a top House Democrat said President Bush won't be getting everything he wants either.

REP. RAHM EMMANUEL, (D) CAUCUS CHAIRMAN: It ends the blank check on more troops, more money, more time, and more of the same. And it begins the notion that we have to have a new direction in Iraq.

KOPPEL: As part of a compromise the two sides have mostly hammered out, the new war funding bill would likely include political and economic benchmarks the Iraqi government would have to meet. If not, the U.S. would withhold much needed Iraqi reconstruction aid. But Democratic leadership aides tell CNN the bill may also include a presidential waiver, which Mr. Bush could sign if he felt the aid was essential. In addition, the bill would require the president to make at least 18 different reports to Congress on Iraqi progress before August. Without a timeline for U.S. troop withdrawal, Speaker Pelosi risks losing support from dozens of anti-war Democrats, like New York's Jerrold Nadler.

KOPPEL: If it doesn't include a timeline, is there anywhere you could support?

REP. JERROLD NADLER, (D) NEW YORK: No way. I don't think so.

KOPPEL: To make up the votes, a Democratic leadership aide tells CNN Democrats are confident they will get enough support from House Republicans to pass the bill. A sentiment echoed by Republicans in the Senate.

SEN. TRENT LOTT, (R) MISSISSIPPI: The president has indicated he thinks benchmarks can be beneficial, and for Congress to get reports about what's happening, shouldn't we be getting that anyway? And I think we will.

KOPPEL: The deal would also include a boost to the federal minimum wage for the first time in almost a decade, as well as about $20 billion in domestic spending. Democrats hope to get a bill to the president by the end of the week. Andrea Koppel, CNN, Capitol Hill.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Shoutout

AZUZ: Time for the Shoutout! Which part of the Constitution says you can't be forced to testify against yourself? If you think you know it, shout it out! Is it: A) First Amendment, B) Preamble, C) Article III or D) Fifth Amendment? You've got three seconds -- GO! If you plead the Fifth, as in Fifth Amendment, you're invoking the right not to be a witness against yourself. That's your answer and that's your Shoutout!

Hearing on the Hill

LLOYD: Members of Congress are hearing testimony about eight federal attorneys who were fired late last year. Now the firings weren't illegal, but they are raising questions about whether performance or politics cost the lawyers their jobs. Reba Hollingsworth has a report on an official who took the Fifth previously, but now is talking to the committee about the decision.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REBA HOLLINGSWORTH, CNN REPORTER: First pleading the Fifth, then making an about face. Former Justice Department liaison to the White House Monica Goodling broke her silence in the investigation of eight fired U.S. attorneys after being promised full immunity from prosecution.

MONICA GOODLING: I wish to clarify my role as White House liaison. Despite that title, I did not hold the keys to the kingdom, as some have suggested.

HOLLINGSWORTH: Goodling, considered a key witness, was one of a few aides present at a 2006 meeting where the firings were discussed. Emails to and from her are among thousands of documents released in the investigation. On Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee grilled Goodling on whether the firings were based on performance or politics and what role she played in the dismissals.

GOODLING: The best I can say is that I know I took political considerations into account on some occasions.

REP. BOBBY SCOTT, (D) VIRGINIA: Was that legal?

GOODLING: Sir, I'm not able to answer that question.

HOLLINGSWORTH: When Goodling was asked if White House adviser Karl Rove was involved, she said she didn't talk to him about the firings, and...

GOODLING: I don't remember receiving an email from Mr. Rove.

REP. SHEILA JACKSON LEE, (D) TEXAS: The only way we can get to the full truth is if Mr. Karl Rove is sitting in the very same seat that you're sitting in. And he needs to be here.

HOLLINGSWORTH: Attorney General Alberto Gonzales denies any wrongdoing. Still, lawmakers on both sides are calling for his resignation, while others insist the investigation is a waste of time.

REP. JAMES SENSENBRENNER, (R) WISCONSIN: It seems to me that, with this fishing expedition, there ain't no fish in the water.

HOLLINGSWORTH: Goodling resigned from her job last month. She testified that she left because she could no longer be effective. For CNN Student News, I'm Reba Hollingsworth.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Promo

LLOYD: Need to up your game in geography? Check out our new maps section! At CNN.com/EDUCATION, just scroll down until you see "Maps" located on the right-hand side. It's an excellent tool in case you find yourself studying up for a geography bee, for example!

Before We Go

LLOYD: We know you haven't had a chance to study those maps just yet, but the contestants at this year's National Geographic Bee? They have. See if you can guess the answer to this winning question.

ALEX TREBEK, TV PERSONALITY: A city that is divided by a river of the same name was the imperial capital of Vietnam for more than a century. Name this city, which is still an important cultural center.

LLOYD: Now you might think there's no way anyone would know that. But yes, way, this 14-year-old knew the answer was, yes, Hue! The Washington state student beat out 54 other finalists at the 19th annual national bee and won a $25,000 scholarship. She's just the 2nd girl to take top prize in the contest.

Goodbye

LLOYD: And that's where today's show runs off the map. Thanks for watching. I'm Monica Lloyd. More Headline News is on the way.


SPECIAL REPORT

• Interactive: Who's who in Iraq
• Interactive: Sectarian divide
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