[Heidi Collins, Anchor:] Coming up live this hour, we're looking at Bob Bennett of the "National Review." And this is the Catholic Church. It's opening its records on sex abuse over the past half century. Those numbers are astounding. A live report from Washington and much more on this is ahead. Turning, though, first to the growing crisis in Haiti. The U.S. has signaled it is losing faith in President Aristide. He faces a rebel uprising, now three weeks old, and dwindling international support. But for the moment at least the embattled Haitian leader is standing fast. CNN's Lucia Newman reports from Port-au-Prince.
[Lucia Newman, Cnn Correspondent:] Outside the presidential palace, impassioned Aristide supporters vowed to defend their president with their life. Shouting five years, the length of his term. International as well as local pressure for Aristide to resign is mounting, but when CNN asked him if he would consider leaving the palace, he flatly said no.
[Jean-bertrand Aristide, Haitian President:] We have had 32 coup d'etat. It's enough. We need now to respect the constitutional order. And I will leave the palace on February 7, 2006, which is good for our democracy.
[Newman:] In the capital, nerves are on edge. Almost all businesses are closed. Gasoline stations, normally open 24 hours are closing at dusk; while people scramble to stock up on fuel, just in case. Rumors, both of attacks by mobs by Aristide supporters and of his resignation are spreading like wildfire. U.S. Marines escorted more than 100 nonessential U.N. personnel and their families to the airport. Wednesday, they couldn't be evacuated because of enormous roadblocks, set up along the road by often-aggressive groups claiming to support the president. In San Marc, the only city in between the capital and rebel held territory, the Belgian based aid organization, Doctors Without Borders, is preparing for the worst.
[Unidentified Male:] The people are scared. But at least we can say we are guaranteeing the security of the population.
[Newman:] This as the rebels promise to march towards the capitol as soon as the time is right, which they claim could be very soon. [on camera]: In the meantime, many airlines have started canceling their flights to Haiti, prompting some countries such as the Dominican Republic, Mexico and even Canada to use their military aircraft to come here and evacuate some of their nationals. Lucia Newman, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
[Collins:] As we mentioned, the U.S. is not expressing a lot of confidence in President Aristide, nor rushing to help him. Secretary of State Colin Powell has now openly questioned whether Aristide should continue as president. Last night on CNN's Paula Zahn "NOW," he called on Mr. Aristide to do what's best for his country.
[Colin Powell, Secretary Of State:] We want President Aristide to do what he thinks is best for his country. What we are looking for is a political solution to end the violence. We've been pressing a CARICOM approach, which would require both sides entering negotiations to form a new kind of government.
[Collins:] For the latest updates out of Haiti, be sure to check in periodically with cnn.comworld. Now to the on going controversy over same-sex weddings. New Paltz, New York, a small town about an hour north of New York City, jumps head long into the fray today. The Mayor Jason West says the town will begin issuing marriage licenses to gay couples beginning at noon. Earlier today on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING" explained why.
[Jason West, Mayor, New Paltz, Ny:] New York State law clearly states in Article III of the Domestic Relations Law, that for a marriage to be legal in the state, all that's required is for it to be properly solemnized by someone with authority to do so. As mayor I'm full fully able to do that. At noon today I'll start solemnizing marriages, regardless of gender.
[Collins:] New York State officials have already warned that New Paltz ris- risks legal problems if it does go forward with same-sex marriages. Same-sex marriage has a bit of celebrity cache. Comedienne and former talk show host, Rosie O'Donnell and long-time girlfriend Kelly Carpenter, got married yesterday in San Francisco. O'Donnell says they were motivated to take a stand after President Bush backed a proposed constitutional ban.
[Rosie O'donnell, Comedienne:] We were both inspired to come here after the sitting president said the vile and vicious and hateful comments he did on Tuesday.
[O'donnell:] It inspired myself, my brand new wife...
[Collins:] More than 3,300 gay couples have wed in San Francisco since the city began issuing certificates two weeks ago. Now from East to West, a Pacific storm pounded the West coast and anyone who wandered too close.
[Unidentified Male:] See for themselves, coming up on this Whoa!
[Collins:] You got to be faster than that. That reporter from CNN's San Francisco affiliate KRON is fine. Not so sure about the sea swamped camera though. The tail end of the storm kicked up waves to 35 feet high along the tallest seen in a decade. Coming up on CNN LIVE TODAY, some polite sparring.
[Rev. Al Sharpton , Presidential Candidate:] The issue is who you go to bed with. The issue is whether either of you have a job when you get up in the morning.
[Collins:] Al Sharpton delivers a trademark one-liner during the Democratic debate last night. But who really came out on top? A live report coming your way. And the ride of a lifetime. Can a newcomer to Hollywood sink her competition? We'll see what our film critic thinks live from the red carpet. And later...
[Unidentified Male:] I'm scared, but...
[Unidentified Female:] But...
[Collins:] The bachelorette picks her man and joins us to talk about her experience and her future.