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CNN Live Today
Kerry Taking Aim at Bush Administration's Record on Homeland Security; Answering Questions on Plastic Surgery
Aired March 15, 2004 - 11:29 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: John Kerry is taking aim again today at the Bush administration's record on homeland security, even as the Democratic presidential candidate faces tough questions about his claimed conversations with world leaders.
Candy Crowley is in Washington. She's following the campaign news.
Candy, good morning.
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.
He is both taking incoming on several scores, but also sending out missiles of his own. John Kerry is pressing his charge that the Bush administration is shortchanging America's first line responders in the war on terror. He spoke a short while ago here in Washington to a firefighters union that has endorsed him. The presumed Democratic nominee says homeland defenders need more resources, not empty promises.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: When it comes to protecting America from terrorism, this administration is big on bluster and they're short on action. But as we saw again last week in Spain, real action is what we need. The Bush administration is tinkering around; the clock on homeland security is ticking, and we really don't have a moment or time to waste.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CROWLEY: Senator Kerry was asked yesterday to explain recent remarks that he's spoken with certain unnamed foreign leaders he says would like to see a change at the White House. Secretary of State Colin Powell criticized the remarks on a morning talk show. Later, at a Pennsylvania townhall meeting, a man challenged Kerry to name some of the leaders he has spoken with. Kerry refused. He said naming names would betray the confidence of those he's spoken with.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KERRY: With respect to the question you've asked about foreign leaders, I've met with foreign leaders, I never said that. What I said was that I have heard from people who are leaders elsewhere in the world who don't appreciate the Bush administration approach and would love to see a change in the leadership of the United States. (END VIDEO CLIP)
CROWLEY: Later today, Senator Kerry plans a meeting here in Washington with the Reverend Al Sharpton, who is still officially a candidate for the Democratic presidential race. Kerry, of course, has enough delegates now to secure the nomination. The meeting is expected to focus on what the Sharpton campaign calls the urban agenda.
A new Gallup poll puts President Bush's approval rating at 50 percent, 47 percent disapproval. That is pretty much the same as recent polls.
But other trends may give the White House pause. Only 39 percent say they are satisfied with the way things are going in the U.S. That is down from 45 percent last month and 55 percent in January. Similar erosion shows up in the number of people who think economic conditions are getting better. That has gone from 66 percent in January, to 44 percent today.
This afternoon on "INSIDE POLITICS," our senior political analyst Bill Schneider looks at the fallout from the Spanish election. And what's the point of running for president if you rarely get out of single digits, and somebody else has already clinched the nomination? The Dennis Kucinich and Al Sharpton campaigns, and all the political news at 3:30 eastern on "INSIDE POLITICS. But now, we want to go back to Daryn Kagan in Atlanta -- Daryn?
Candy, thank you for that. Let's focus a little bit on the Republicans. President Bush focusing on homeownership during a campaign stop in suburban Philadelphia today.
Our Kathleen Koch has more on that from the White House.
Kathleen, good morning.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
Let's stay on politics, though, for just a few minutes. Also here at the gaggle, the little meeting that Scott McClellan, the White House spokesman, has with reporters in the morning. We heard, again, the White House displeasure about these comments that Senator Kerry has been making, saying that foreign leaders that he's talked to would prefer to see him as president. McClellan said he -- he actually reiterated what Colin Powell said this weekend, again, that Kerry should come forward, should name names, talk about which leaders he has spoken with. McClellan said otherwise, the only conclusion is that Kerry is, quote, "making it up? to attack the president. McClellan saying it is not the first time that Kerry has refused to back up his assertions.
And then again as you mentioned, the president is heading to Pennsylvania today, very important battleground state, making his 26th visit there. This is a state that, of course, the president lost back in 2000. And he'll be going to a historically Republican suburb of Philadelphia, Ardmore, but this is an area that Al Gore won in 2000. So President Bush feeling it's very important to reclaim it. This election year the president will be talking up what he considers to be a bright spot in the economy, homeownership. The president very frequently pointing out that it is at an all-time high right now. He will be visiting a housing development in Ardmore, and speaking with homeowners, future homeowners and housing consultants.
Back to you, Daryn.
KAGAN: Kathleen Koch at the White House. Kathleen, thank you for that.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the Bush campaign pulls the plug on some features of a design-your-own-poster feature on its Web site. According to Wired News, the site originally let users create posters with their own customized slogans. But some Bush critics used the site to create prank posters. Some of the slogans: "Run For Your Lives," "They Sure Smell Like Old People," and "A Boot Stomping on a Human Face Forever." One Web logger also published a list of words that are not allowed on the site. She said it originally included "stupid," "evil," "terrorist" and "Iraq." The Web site feature has been modified so users can no longer create their own slogans.
KAGAN: Thinking of having the tummy tuck or the face, you know, little -- millions are. Next we go back to Dr. Julius Few. He'll be answering some of your questions. A lot of you are writing in. For a lot of you, looks like you're considering some plastic surgery. And later, the final curtain for an opera icon at The Met. We are coming right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Last hour, we told you about the dramatic increase in cosmetic surgeries across the U.S. Plastic surgeon, Dr. Julius Few, is back with us. Stuck around an hour to answer a lot of your e-mail. And apparently, Dr. Few, a lot of people considering coming to see doctors like you, because we have a lot of questions out there.
Thanks for sticking around. Let's get right to it. The first one concerns a story that was in the news recently. The question is, "How many people really die due to optional kinds of surgery? We heard about a 53-year-old author, who died having a facelift only a couple of months ago."
DR. JULIUS FEW, PLASTIC SURGEON: Well, I think that, unfortunately, it helps to remind patients how serious surgery is, no matter how elective or cosmetic it seems to be. Fortunately, that is a very, very infrequent occurrence, and I would say that certainly within our institutions at Northwestern Memorial, that that's an extremely uncommon occurrence.
KAGAN: Because we were talking the last hour, too, how more and more of these procedures are being done in the doctor's office instead of at the hospital. You have to be very careful about who's doing the anesthesia, is that correct? FEW: No, that's absolutely correct. And because of what was mentioned earlier, I think that the requirements for plastic surgeons to perform surgery in their office may have to have a number of measures taken to protect the patient. And so even in an office setting I don't think that that kind of risk is a real significant risk.
KAGAN: All right. Let's get to the checklist of some of the specific procedures that some of our viewers are thinking about doing. "Just wondering about typically how much does it cost to get the ab area tightened up? And what's the recovery time? "
FEW: That's a great question. To do what's considered a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a procedure that typically runs anywhere from $6,000 or so.
Typical recovery, patients typically will take a couple of weeks off from work after that surgery, as opposed to liposuction, which is somewhere in the neighborhood of perhaps $3,000 or $4,000 and the patients may only need to take three or four days off from work.
KAGAN: Here's an interesting one. "Does it make sense to do breast augmentation for someone who is 65 years or older? And what are some of the risks involved?"
FEW: Well, I think that it becomes a practical one in terms of the result. I would say that most women who are coming in in that age range typically have some degree of sagging of breasts. And so I would say kind of a primary goal would be to lift the breast, and then to consider adding volume to it.
But I would say that probably more than half of the women who I see in that category, we end up doing or talking about doing a breast lift alone, and that achieves most of what they're looking for.
KAGAN: All right. Now, "Some procedures are done overseas for cheaper prices. Are they safe? And if you were going to another country, which one would have a similar standard as the U.S.?"
FEW: Well, I'll kind of go in the reverse order. I would say that Canada has a very, very similar standard. And so that would be probably the next country that I would consider going to.
I really, really would have to caution patients about going overseas to have plastic surgery. I can't really tell you how many people I've had to take care of who have come back from various countries with significant problems.
KAGAN: Fixing someone else's mess.
Looks like a lot of our viewers...
FEW: It's no fun.
KAGAN: ... are thinking about fat today. "How much fat can you remove with liposuction? How much is healthy?" FEW: Well, I don't think that liposuction should be used as a weight loss technique. I think there are a lot of other methods available to do that.
But in general, our guidelines that have been set up, and I think everybody tries to stick to, is less than five liters at a particular setting. And certainly if you go beyond that, then the risk of complications significantly increases, and the likelihood of needing to stay in the hospital goes way up.
KAGAN: And then finally a question I think you are especially qualified to answer. Question about African-Americans getting plastic surgery. I'm going to skip ahead a couple ones for the people in the control room watching the graphics.
In your experience, Dr. Few, "What is the likelihood of keloiding that can occur on African-American patients and how concerned should I be when considering plastic surgery?"
Different races responding differently to surgery?
FEW: Absolutely. And I think that's an incredibly important issue and definitely a major concern for people of ethnic background.
The bottom line is certainly on the face, in particular on the eyes or on the nose, the risk of developing a keloid is relatively small. However, if you start to go into the breast or the abdomen, that risk starts to go up, especially if there's a history. And that's a very important thing to think about.
KAGAN: Dr. Julius Few. Thank you for your two hours of time. Appreciate it.
FEW: Thank you.
KAGAN: Thank you so much.
And you can get your "Daily Dose" of health news online. Visit our Web site. You'll find the medical news and breakthroughs, information on diet and fitness.
A developing story, getting word that Martha Stewart has resigned from her company, from Martha Stewart OmniLiving (sic). Of course Martha Stewart in the news as she was found guilty on four counts and now facing a possible prison sentence, to be sentenced later this year.
So Martha Stewart's company trying to figure out what is next to keep it in business. She has resigned as CEO of Martha Stewart OmniLiving (sic).
Much more on that just ahead. Right now we get in a quick break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Want to remind you of the developing story we're following out of New York City. Martha Stewart resigning as part of her company, Martha Stewart Living OmniMedia. She resigned as director and officer of that company. But she will retain an ongoing role in the company as a founding editorial director.
So, Martha Stewart in the wake of her federal convictions, felony convictions, still facing sentencing for prison time. Me has stepped down as a big part of her company. More on that with Allan Chernoff just ahead.
Meanwhile, we're talking about Europe. Some people still considering traveling there. It is today's "Getaway" segment, a way to make your trip smoother and perhaps more importantly cheaper once you get there. Dana Dickey is senior editor for "Conde Nast Traveler." She is in our New York bureau this morning. Dana, good morning.
DANA DICKEY, SENIOR EDITOR, "CONDE NAST TRAVELER.": Good morning.
KAGAN: Have to say as we were getting the program together today, we had to stop and really talk about, do people still want to go to Europe in light of what has happened in Madrid and the heightened security threat?
DICKEY: Well, actually, that's a really good point. Because, due to the recent tragedy in Spain, that it is predicted to perhaps depress intra-European travel.
However, that doesn't mean that people won't travel. And it actually could result in even better values, as airlines, especially low-cost airlines, try to fill seats.
KAGAN: So in the strange way that our world works, one person's tragedy could be another person's travel opportunity, actually?
DICKEY: Sadly that is the case.
KAGAN: All right. Well If you're planning on going, a lot of people in the past have been thinking about rail travel. It seems though that there's a lot of low-cost airlines springing up around Europe. Kind of like what Southwest is here in the U.S.
DICKEY: That's exactly right. Airlines such as JetBlue, and Delta Song have really, you know captured the travel imagination of Americans. And in Europe, low frills or no frills, low cost budget airlines are also very popular with names like Ryan Air (ph) and Easy Jet (ph), Virgin Express.
KAGAN: But you want to be careful, because a cheap ticket might not get you exactly where you want to go.
DICKEY: Well, you know, these tickets are as low as $30 between major European capitals. So it seems hard to say no to that.
But you're right. You really need to look at some of the finer points of this travel. For example, where is the airport located? Often these are secondary airports that might be half-hour farther outside the city center.
KAGAN: All right. Dana Dickey, thank you for the tips. Appreciate it.
Of course our time today a little bit compressed because of the news we had breaking in the business world. Thank you for that.
We will have more on Martha Stewart's decision to step down as parts of her company.
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Once again, the breaking news out of New York City, the board of directors of "Martha Stewart Living" Omnimedia announcing today that Martha Stewart has resigned, effective immediately, as director and chief creative officer of the company. But she's not going away completely. She will stay on as founding editorial director. That in light, of course, of her four convictions just last week, and her pending potential prison sentence. So once again, Martha Stewart stepping down as director and chief creative officer of her company. More on that ahead with Allan Chernoff.
Also, the thunderous applause went on for 10 minutes. Listening to an adoring audience saying goodbye to tenor Lucianno Pavarotti in New York this weekend. He performed "Itulska (ph)." It was his final performance at Gotham's famed Metropolitan Opera House. Sixty-eight- year-old Pavarotti will now begin a farewell world tour. He plans to retire at the end of next year.
Different type of music. The artist once again known as Prince is among this year's inductees into the rock 'n' roll hall of fame. He may also be competing for the title for hardest working man in show business. He'll perform in a concert after tonight's ceremony in New York. Others in the class of 2004 include George Harrison, Jackson Browne, Bob Seger and ZZ Top.
(WEATHER REPORT)
KAGAN: Right, Jacqui, we're going to jump in, because we have more on Martha Stewart's decision concerning her company and her resignation.
Allan Chernoff standing by in New York City with more on that -- Allan.
ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, Daryn, we understand that Martha Stewart will be taking on a new position, founding editorial director. And keep in mind, this comes after a new position had been created for Martha Stewart once she was indicted, which was the chief creative officer. So, now after Martha Stewart resigning as a director of her own company and also as the chief creative officer. Now she'll become the founding editorial director. And according to the company, she still will have an active role. She'll be consulting on editorial projects, on television projects, and also completing two books.
So the company certainly describing this as a situation where Martha Stewart still will be giving valuable input to the company, yet resigning her position as an officer and also as a director.
Martha Stewart herself put out a statement along with this press release from the company. Martha Stewart does say that I am taking this action today, because it is in the best interests of MSO, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, and because I think it's the right thing to do. She adds, "I am heartsick about my personal legal situation, and deeply sorry for the pain and difficulties it has caused for our employees."
So, Martha Stewart making her first public statements beyond very brief statement that she did make upon leaving court last week when she did meet with her probation officer.
Daryn, of course, all this coming after Martha Stewart had been convicted on four criminal counts -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And still hanging out there is the possible prison sentence. I'm wondering if that's a job she would be able to do from prison.
CHERNOFF: Reporter: Well, certainly she'll have plenty of time on her hands, obviously, plenty of time to think, to write, to sketch, to do whatever. So, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia apparently intends to make good use of the founding parent's time, and also of her ability to conceive various creative projects.
KAGAN: All right. Well, trying to walk that balance of not being hurt by her name, and yet she is a creative, talented woman. Don't want to lose that, as well. Allan, thank you for that. You're not going far. I'm sure you're going to have much more on this in the next hour. Wolf Blitzer will take over after the break. And I'll see you right back here tomorrow morning. Wolf's up after the break.
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Homeland Security; Answering Questions on Plastic Surgery>
Aired March 15, 2004 - 11:29 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: John Kerry is taking aim again today at the Bush administration's record on homeland security, even as the Democratic presidential candidate faces tough questions about his claimed conversations with world leaders.
Candy Crowley is in Washington. She's following the campaign news.
Candy, good morning.
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.
He is both taking incoming on several scores, but also sending out missiles of his own. John Kerry is pressing his charge that the Bush administration is shortchanging America's first line responders in the war on terror. He spoke a short while ago here in Washington to a firefighters union that has endorsed him. The presumed Democratic nominee says homeland defenders need more resources, not empty promises.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: When it comes to protecting America from terrorism, this administration is big on bluster and they're short on action. But as we saw again last week in Spain, real action is what we need. The Bush administration is tinkering around; the clock on homeland security is ticking, and we really don't have a moment or time to waste.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CROWLEY: Senator Kerry was asked yesterday to explain recent remarks that he's spoken with certain unnamed foreign leaders he says would like to see a change at the White House. Secretary of State Colin Powell criticized the remarks on a morning talk show. Later, at a Pennsylvania townhall meeting, a man challenged Kerry to name some of the leaders he has spoken with. Kerry refused. He said naming names would betray the confidence of those he's spoken with.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KERRY: With respect to the question you've asked about foreign leaders, I've met with foreign leaders, I never said that. What I said was that I have heard from people who are leaders elsewhere in the world who don't appreciate the Bush administration approach and would love to see a change in the leadership of the United States. (END VIDEO CLIP)
CROWLEY: Later today, Senator Kerry plans a meeting here in Washington with the Reverend Al Sharpton, who is still officially a candidate for the Democratic presidential race. Kerry, of course, has enough delegates now to secure the nomination. The meeting is expected to focus on what the Sharpton campaign calls the urban agenda.
A new Gallup poll puts President Bush's approval rating at 50 percent, 47 percent disapproval. That is pretty much the same as recent polls.
But other trends may give the White House pause. Only 39 percent say they are satisfied with the way things are going in the U.S. That is down from 45 percent last month and 55 percent in January. Similar erosion shows up in the number of people who think economic conditions are getting better. That has gone from 66 percent in January, to 44 percent today.
This afternoon on "INSIDE POLITICS," our senior political analyst Bill Schneider looks at the fallout from the Spanish election. And what's the point of running for president if you rarely get out of single digits, and somebody else has already clinched the nomination? The Dennis Kucinich and Al Sharpton campaigns, and all the political news at 3:30 eastern on "INSIDE POLITICS. But now, we want to go back to Daryn Kagan in Atlanta -- Daryn?
Candy, thank you for that. Let's focus a little bit on the Republicans. President Bush focusing on homeownership during a campaign stop in suburban Philadelphia today.
Our Kathleen Koch has more on that from the White House.
Kathleen, good morning.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
Let's stay on politics, though, for just a few minutes. Also here at the gaggle, the little meeting that Scott McClellan, the White House spokesman, has with reporters in the morning. We heard, again, the White House displeasure about these comments that Senator Kerry has been making, saying that foreign leaders that he's talked to would prefer to see him as president. McClellan said he -- he actually reiterated what Colin Powell said this weekend, again, that Kerry should come forward, should name names, talk about which leaders he has spoken with. McClellan said otherwise, the only conclusion is that Kerry is, quote, "making it up? to attack the president. McClellan saying it is not the first time that Kerry has refused to back up his assertions.
And then again as you mentioned, the president is heading to Pennsylvania today, very important battleground state, making his 26th visit there. This is a state that, of course, the president lost back in 2000. And he'll be going to a historically Republican suburb of Philadelphia, Ardmore, but this is an area that Al Gore won in 2000. So President Bush feeling it's very important to reclaim it. This election year the president will be talking up what he considers to be a bright spot in the economy, homeownership. The president very frequently pointing out that it is at an all-time high right now. He will be visiting a housing development in Ardmore, and speaking with homeowners, future homeowners and housing consultants.
Back to you, Daryn.
KAGAN: Kathleen Koch at the White House. Kathleen, thank you for that.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the Bush campaign pulls the plug on some features of a design-your-own-poster feature on its Web site. According to Wired News, the site originally let users create posters with their own customized slogans. But some Bush critics used the site to create prank posters. Some of the slogans: "Run For Your Lives," "They Sure Smell Like Old People," and "A Boot Stomping on a Human Face Forever." One Web logger also published a list of words that are not allowed on the site. She said it originally included "stupid," "evil," "terrorist" and "Iraq." The Web site feature has been modified so users can no longer create their own slogans.
KAGAN: Thinking of having the tummy tuck or the face, you know, little -- millions are. Next we go back to Dr. Julius Few. He'll be answering some of your questions. A lot of you are writing in. For a lot of you, looks like you're considering some plastic surgery. And later, the final curtain for an opera icon at The Met. We are coming right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Last hour, we told you about the dramatic increase in cosmetic surgeries across the U.S. Plastic surgeon, Dr. Julius Few, is back with us. Stuck around an hour to answer a lot of your e-mail. And apparently, Dr. Few, a lot of people considering coming to see doctors like you, because we have a lot of questions out there.
Thanks for sticking around. Let's get right to it. The first one concerns a story that was in the news recently. The question is, "How many people really die due to optional kinds of surgery? We heard about a 53-year-old author, who died having a facelift only a couple of months ago."
DR. JULIUS FEW, PLASTIC SURGEON: Well, I think that, unfortunately, it helps to remind patients how serious surgery is, no matter how elective or cosmetic it seems to be. Fortunately, that is a very, very infrequent occurrence, and I would say that certainly within our institutions at Northwestern Memorial, that that's an extremely uncommon occurrence.
KAGAN: Because we were talking the last hour, too, how more and more of these procedures are being done in the doctor's office instead of at the hospital. You have to be very careful about who's doing the anesthesia, is that correct? FEW: No, that's absolutely correct. And because of what was mentioned earlier, I think that the requirements for plastic surgeons to perform surgery in their office may have to have a number of measures taken to protect the patient. And so even in an office setting I don't think that that kind of risk is a real significant risk.
KAGAN: All right. Let's get to the checklist of some of the specific procedures that some of our viewers are thinking about doing. "Just wondering about typically how much does it cost to get the ab area tightened up? And what's the recovery time? "
FEW: That's a great question. To do what's considered a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a procedure that typically runs anywhere from $6,000 or so.
Typical recovery, patients typically will take a couple of weeks off from work after that surgery, as opposed to liposuction, which is somewhere in the neighborhood of perhaps $3,000 or $4,000 and the patients may only need to take three or four days off from work.
KAGAN: Here's an interesting one. "Does it make sense to do breast augmentation for someone who is 65 years or older? And what are some of the risks involved?"
FEW: Well, I think that it becomes a practical one in terms of the result. I would say that most women who are coming in in that age range typically have some degree of sagging of breasts. And so I would say kind of a primary goal would be to lift the breast, and then to consider adding volume to it.
But I would say that probably more than half of the women who I see in that category, we end up doing or talking about doing a breast lift alone, and that achieves most of what they're looking for.
KAGAN: All right. Now, "Some procedures are done overseas for cheaper prices. Are they safe? And if you were going to another country, which one would have a similar standard as the U.S.?"
FEW: Well, I'll kind of go in the reverse order. I would say that Canada has a very, very similar standard. And so that would be probably the next country that I would consider going to.
I really, really would have to caution patients about going overseas to have plastic surgery. I can't really tell you how many people I've had to take care of who have come back from various countries with significant problems.
KAGAN: Fixing someone else's mess.
Looks like a lot of our viewers...
FEW: It's no fun.
KAGAN: ... are thinking about fat today. "How much fat can you remove with liposuction? How much is healthy?" FEW: Well, I don't think that liposuction should be used as a weight loss technique. I think there are a lot of other methods available to do that.
But in general, our guidelines that have been set up, and I think everybody tries to stick to, is less than five liters at a particular setting. And certainly if you go beyond that, then the risk of complications significantly increases, and the likelihood of needing to stay in the hospital goes way up.
KAGAN: And then finally a question I think you are especially qualified to answer. Question about African-Americans getting plastic surgery. I'm going to skip ahead a couple ones for the people in the control room watching the graphics.
In your experience, Dr. Few, "What is the likelihood of keloiding that can occur on African-American patients and how concerned should I be when considering plastic surgery?"
Different races responding differently to surgery?
FEW: Absolutely. And I think that's an incredibly important issue and definitely a major concern for people of ethnic background.
The bottom line is certainly on the face, in particular on the eyes or on the nose, the risk of developing a keloid is relatively small. However, if you start to go into the breast or the abdomen, that risk starts to go up, especially if there's a history. And that's a very important thing to think about.
KAGAN: Dr. Julius Few. Thank you for your two hours of time. Appreciate it.
FEW: Thank you.
KAGAN: Thank you so much.
And you can get your "Daily Dose" of health news online. Visit our Web site. You'll find the medical news and breakthroughs, information on diet and fitness.
A developing story, getting word that Martha Stewart has resigned from her company, from Martha Stewart OmniLiving (sic). Of course Martha Stewart in the news as she was found guilty on four counts and now facing a possible prison sentence, to be sentenced later this year.
So Martha Stewart's company trying to figure out what is next to keep it in business. She has resigned as CEO of Martha Stewart OmniLiving (sic).
Much more on that just ahead. Right now we get in a quick break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Want to remind you of the developing story we're following out of New York City. Martha Stewart resigning as part of her company, Martha Stewart Living OmniMedia. She resigned as director and officer of that company. But she will retain an ongoing role in the company as a founding editorial director.
So, Martha Stewart in the wake of her federal convictions, felony convictions, still facing sentencing for prison time. Me has stepped down as a big part of her company. More on that with Allan Chernoff just ahead.
Meanwhile, we're talking about Europe. Some people still considering traveling there. It is today's "Getaway" segment, a way to make your trip smoother and perhaps more importantly cheaper once you get there. Dana Dickey is senior editor for "Conde Nast Traveler." She is in our New York bureau this morning. Dana, good morning.
DANA DICKEY, SENIOR EDITOR, "CONDE NAST TRAVELER.": Good morning.
KAGAN: Have to say as we were getting the program together today, we had to stop and really talk about, do people still want to go to Europe in light of what has happened in Madrid and the heightened security threat?
DICKEY: Well, actually, that's a really good point. Because, due to the recent tragedy in Spain, that it is predicted to perhaps depress intra-European travel.
However, that doesn't mean that people won't travel. And it actually could result in even better values, as airlines, especially low-cost airlines, try to fill seats.
KAGAN: So in the strange way that our world works, one person's tragedy could be another person's travel opportunity, actually?
DICKEY: Sadly that is the case.
KAGAN: All right. Well If you're planning on going, a lot of people in the past have been thinking about rail travel. It seems though that there's a lot of low-cost airlines springing up around Europe. Kind of like what Southwest is here in the U.S.
DICKEY: That's exactly right. Airlines such as JetBlue, and Delta Song have really, you know captured the travel imagination of Americans. And in Europe, low frills or no frills, low cost budget airlines are also very popular with names like Ryan Air (ph) and Easy Jet (ph), Virgin Express.
KAGAN: But you want to be careful, because a cheap ticket might not get you exactly where you want to go.
DICKEY: Well, you know, these tickets are as low as $30 between major European capitals. So it seems hard to say no to that.
But you're right. You really need to look at some of the finer points of this travel. For example, where is the airport located? Often these are secondary airports that might be half-hour farther outside the city center.
KAGAN: All right. Dana Dickey, thank you for the tips. Appreciate it.
Of course our time today a little bit compressed because of the news we had breaking in the business world. Thank you for that.
We will have more on Martha Stewart's decision to step down as parts of her company.
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Once again, the breaking news out of New York City, the board of directors of "Martha Stewart Living" Omnimedia announcing today that Martha Stewart has resigned, effective immediately, as director and chief creative officer of the company. But she's not going away completely. She will stay on as founding editorial director. That in light, of course, of her four convictions just last week, and her pending potential prison sentence. So once again, Martha Stewart stepping down as director and chief creative officer of her company. More on that ahead with Allan Chernoff.
Also, the thunderous applause went on for 10 minutes. Listening to an adoring audience saying goodbye to tenor Lucianno Pavarotti in New York this weekend. He performed "Itulska (ph)." It was his final performance at Gotham's famed Metropolitan Opera House. Sixty-eight- year-old Pavarotti will now begin a farewell world tour. He plans to retire at the end of next year.
Different type of music. The artist once again known as Prince is among this year's inductees into the rock 'n' roll hall of fame. He may also be competing for the title for hardest working man in show business. He'll perform in a concert after tonight's ceremony in New York. Others in the class of 2004 include George Harrison, Jackson Browne, Bob Seger and ZZ Top.
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KAGAN: Right, Jacqui, we're going to jump in, because we have more on Martha Stewart's decision concerning her company and her resignation.
Allan Chernoff standing by in New York City with more on that -- Allan.
ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, Daryn, we understand that Martha Stewart will be taking on a new position, founding editorial director. And keep in mind, this comes after a new position had been created for Martha Stewart once she was indicted, which was the chief creative officer. So, now after Martha Stewart resigning as a director of her own company and also as the chief creative officer. Now she'll become the founding editorial director. And according to the company, she still will have an active role. She'll be consulting on editorial projects, on television projects, and also completing two books.
So the company certainly describing this as a situation where Martha Stewart still will be giving valuable input to the company, yet resigning her position as an officer and also as a director.
Martha Stewart herself put out a statement along with this press release from the company. Martha Stewart does say that I am taking this action today, because it is in the best interests of MSO, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, and because I think it's the right thing to do. She adds, "I am heartsick about my personal legal situation, and deeply sorry for the pain and difficulties it has caused for our employees."
So, Martha Stewart making her first public statements beyond very brief statement that she did make upon leaving court last week when she did meet with her probation officer.
Daryn, of course, all this coming after Martha Stewart had been convicted on four criminal counts -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And still hanging out there is the possible prison sentence. I'm wondering if that's a job she would be able to do from prison.
CHERNOFF: Reporter: Well, certainly she'll have plenty of time on her hands, obviously, plenty of time to think, to write, to sketch, to do whatever. So, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia apparently intends to make good use of the founding parent's time, and also of her ability to conceive various creative projects.
KAGAN: All right. Well, trying to walk that balance of not being hurt by her name, and yet she is a creative, talented woman. Don't want to lose that, as well. Allan, thank you for that. You're not going far. I'm sure you're going to have much more on this in the next hour. Wolf Blitzer will take over after the break. And I'll see you right back here tomorrow morning. Wolf's up after the break.
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