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CNN Live Today
Israeli Border Guards Stop Teenaged Suicide Bomber
Aired March 25, 2004 - 10:30 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: A team of British divers is expected to attempt a rescue today of six explorers trapped in a flooded cave in Mexico. Mexico's president says the British cavers did not properly disclose their exploration plans when they entered the country. British government officials deny that. The trapped explorers by the way are in good health and say they have enough food to last them through the weekend.
Off the coast of South Carolina, a Coast Guard cutter was not able to free an endangered whitewhale entangled in fishing gear. Rough seas kept the whale out of reach for the ship and its 15 scientists aboard. They're going to try again this weekend.
Now to the Middle East and the story of a would be suicide bomber, alert border guards and a failed mission. Among the lives spared is that of a bomber, a 14-year-old Palestinian boy who told Israeli soldiers he didn't want to die. Ben Wedeman is in Gaza City with the story. Ben, good morning.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Well, this is the case of the boy who was stopped at an Israeli check point south of Nablus in the northern West Bank. He was found to have an explosives belt on him. And course, he was interrogated by the Israelis. He said he really didn't want to do it.
Now, this is a phenomenon that in some respects doesn't surprise a lot of people here. Just this afternoon I spoke with a 13-year-old boy. His brother was a militant who was killed three weeks ago in an attempted attack on an Israeli position. This 13-year-old boy told me that he would like to follow in the footsteps
KAGAN: All right. Apparently we lost the video, the audio from Ben Wedeman there. We're going to try to get him back. Some alert border guards were suspicious. They told the boy to raise his shirt. They noticed the bomb. I think we have Ben Wedeman back. Ben, can you hear us? Can we hear you?
WEDEMAN: Yes, Daryn. Of course you're referring to the case of the 14-year-old boy who was caught at a check point south of Nablus with an explosives belt. The Israeli army has interrogated him and he clearly made it clear that he did not want to do this operation.
Now, the phenomenon of suicide bombings and young suicide bombers is not a complete surprise to many people here. Just today here in Gaza City, I met a young boy, 13 years old, who told me he wanted to become a martyr, too, after his brother, a militant, was killed three weeks ago in an attack on an Israeli position.
After I spoke to him I was anxious to get in contact with his mother, to find out what she thought of it. She told me she would not stop her son if he were to go and try to basically kill himself attacking the Israelis.
Now, many people will tell you that this horrendous situation, where children are willing to become suicide bombers is the result of the fact that this situation has become so intolerable for so many people on both sides of the conflict. The feeling is that the longer this conflict goes on without resolution, without some sort of solution, the worse it will become.
What one psychiatrist told me is this is the beginning of the breakdown of Palestinian society. Where the symbols of authority for young children, for instance are no longer their fathers, their mothers, their relatives but rather martyrs and suicide bombers and militants. They look to rifles and bombs as symbols of power. And the feeling is that this is really a symptom of the breakdown of this society -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Very disturbing, Ben. Let's talk about this particular boy who was stopped and the Israeli army sent in that robot to help him with scissors to dismantle that bomb. He is safe but what happens to him now?
WEDEMAN: Well, there has been talk that he would be released because he's only 14-years-old. He clearly didn't quite comprehend what he was doing. And so he may be released. And probably receive some sort of help which is clearly what the young boy needs.
And clearly the Israelis are going to try to find out who put him up to this act. And follow it up there. But as I said, this is one case. But really it is indicative of a much wider problem which is really, if you look at the big picture, the problem is the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians -- Daryn.
KAGAN: With a lot of innocent children caught in the middle there. Ben Wedeman. Thank you for that.
The United Nations Security Council will debate a draft resolution that would condemn Israel's killing of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. The U.N. Human Rights Commission voted overwhelmingly to condemn Israel for the strike. A top Russian diplomat is calling for a unified security council to follow suit. The U.S., however, is expected to veto that, saying it doesn't mention that the Palestinian group supports suicide bombings in Israel.
For all the latest on the crisis in the middle east, turn to our Web site and the special report "Middle East, Land of Conflict." The address is cnn.com/middleeast.
Now back here in the U.S. to the Pledge of Allegiance and the Supreme Court. The high court heard a father, an avowed atheist, argue the words "under God" should be stricken from the Pledge of Allegiance where they had been enshrined for 50 years. Sean Callebs is following the case which has surged into the national agenda over the past couple of days. Sean, good morning.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. You're right. Yesterday just outside the high court, they came. Christians, politicians, educators. United on the topic but, of course, sharply divided over those two words "under God."
If polls could be any kind of yard stick the public wants the high court to take a hands-off approach some indicating 90 percent of those in the U.S. want "under God" to remain on the lips of school children in the United States.
But we all know this isn't a popularity contest. Fifty-year-old Michael Newdow took the unusual step of making his own arguments before the court based on reaction from the justices he held his own. Some of the justices indicated during arguments that the words are basically benign and cheaply ceremonial part of traditional patriotic exercise.
There is also the belief by those siding with the school district that the Pledge of Allegiance reflects our country's religious heritage. Newdow disagrees and says he wants the government to steer clear of the classroom.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL NEWDOW, PLAINTIFF: This isn't atheism versus theism; this isn't God against no God. It's government getting involved in religion and not staying out of religion. The framers decided that was a really great idea. I think they were right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CALLEBS: OK. What about the young girl at the center of this? Newdow says he filed the action on behalf of his 9-year-old daughter. The child's mother is a born-again Christian and she is bitterly opposed to what the father is doing.
A state judge barred the young girl from watching her father argue before the court. Attorney Ken Starr, remember him from Whitewater? He is connected with this case. He said he's siding with the mother and had this to say on how this case is affecting the third grader.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEN STARR, FORMER SOLICITOR GENERAL: For her part, she has not only no objection to saying Pledge of Allegiance, she has said that, if it's struck down, I may say the words "under God" under my breath.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CALLEBS: Justice Scalia is recusing himself. Newdow had argued the justice's comments seemed to prejudge it. So the court is expected to take all these arguments under advisement and issue its ruling by July.
KAGAN: Question for you. Yesterday on this, didn't have a chance to ask you. There was some who thought this was a custody case gone wild. That there was an issue of whether this father had the right to file on behalf of the daughter because he does not have custody of her. How did the court get around that and enjoy to take the case?
CALLEBS: The court hasn't exactly gotten around it yet. The court could still say if it comes down to a case of custody. Newdow filed his argument before the court out in California some time ago and he does not have custody of the child now.
So the court theoretically could come back and say, you know what? You do not have custody of the child, the mother does. So this case you can't file a case on behalf of the daughter.
However, there were certain arguments yesterday during the court that this went beyond any kind of domestic issue. Certainly appears the court is going to take all of this under advisement and issue this ruling. You can bet there are going to be legions of people waiting to hear how this comes out.
KAGAN: Sean Callebs in Washington, D.C., thank you for that.
We head south. Baseball players getting into full swing. They are preparing for a new season. Will the clout of steroids overshadow all the fun? Not if it's John Zarrella. We're going to check in with in Sarasota Florida him just ahead.
Dancing to the beat of a different drummer. Richard Simmons in trouble with the law. Find out why when "CNN LIVE TODAY" returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Let's take a look at some stories from "Across America." Some boys in Newport Beach wore pink and school officials saw red. Six boys were banned from their middle school class photo because they refused to cover up their pink t-shirts. Principal was worried the color could be linked to gang-affiliated dance crews. The eighth graders said they just wanted to stand out.
At Colorado's Fort Carson a photo finish to their mission overseas. More than 600 soldiers returned in three separate waves. All served in support of operation Iraqi freedom. About 5,300 soldiers have returned to Fort Carson. That's half of the base's entire deployment to Iraq.
In Kissimmee, Florida, a story to remember and three stories some people will never forget. A toddler slipped from a third story walkway and horrified resort guests that notified her dangling. One man raced to her rescue caught her when she was just a few feet from hitting the ground. Both the 2-year-old and her rescuer are fine. The girl's mother showed up later. She was charged with neglect.
Its been said that love and hope spring eternal this time of year and that appears to be the case at major league baseball spring training camps. Appears that whole taint of the steroid scandal might actually be beefing up interest in major league baseball. No way to beef up John Zarrella's interest. It's already sky high. He's at the reds training camp in Sarasota. Good morning, John.
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN MIAMI BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Daryn. This is my favorite time of the year. Every year I manage to convince upper management to give me a day at the ballpark.
Here we are at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota where at 1:00 Eastern time the Cincinnati Reds are out on the field loosening up, going to be taking on the Pittsburgh Pirates in an exhibition game.
Little more than a week away from opening day here in the U.S. There's been so much talk about steroid use in baseball by players. Every day there seems to be another story about it. But yet it is not keeping fans away from spring training games.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ZARRELLA (voice-over): Meet Minnesota Mike.
MINNESOTA MIKE, TICKET BROKER: I love spring training. Couldn't be better.
ZARRELLA: If you're looking for good seats to an Orioles spring training game...
MINNESOTA MIKE: Four rows over the dish. Right behind home plate. I got one left.
ZARRELLA: ... Mike's got your ticket if you've got the cash.
Given all the talk about steroid use by some ball players, one would think Mike couldn't give tickets away. But it's been just the opposite. Minnesota, not the team, the guy, claims $24 box seats can go for $300 when the big name teams are in town.
MINNESOTA MIKE: People coming down from the East Coast up in New York, Boston that are dying to see their team. They'll pay anything.
ZARRELLA: The Orioles are bringing in 500 more fans per game than a year ago. Yankees and Red Sox have been sold out the entire spring season. And nearly every team is ahead of last year.
Baseball is pumped up at the turn styles despite the supposed steroid taint. The expression "there's no such thing as bad publicity" may be at work here says one baseball economist. But Andrew Zimbalist says the issue still left a stain that will be hard to erase.
ANDREW ZIMBALIST, BASEBALL ECONOMIST: This is a black mark that says all the things the fans have been rooting for since the 1994 strike. The McGuire record, the Bonds record, the other feats that have been accomplished. All those things are now called into question. ZARRELLA: But if baseball can't ensure that steroid use is a thing of the past, fans we talked to say they will stick with the game.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know Orioles raised their ticket prices this year. I still got my season tickets. I'm excited. I don't think it's going to affect it at all.
ZARRELLA: That's the kind of talk that's as sweet as the sound of the crack of the bat to owners and players, and guys like Minnesota Mike.
MINNESOTA MIKE: Love this job! I love it!
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ZARRELLA: Now, there's no question that baseball, its union, its management all know the players know they have to get the issue behind them. But again, right now, Daryn, fans are sticking with the game. They're coming out in droves to spring training. And at least to this point, it appears that baseball is just fine and they can expect another good season of attendance and some of us can hope the Florida Marlins repeat as world champs -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Had to get your plug in there for your fish. You're at Reds' camp. I have to ask you Ken Griffey Jr. There was so much hope when he came to basically his hometown team. Hasn't worked out. What's his status? Is he going to be going?
ZARRELLA: He's healthy. He's here. We don't see him today yet out on the field. He's expected to be here today and at this point, you know, looks like he's going to there are the trade rumors out there that he might get traded. At this point he's still in a Cincinnati Reds uniform. No deals have been cut to send him else where. Not yet anyway.
KAGAN: Who would have thought there would come a day when there were no takers on Junior. John, you enjoy your time out there at spring training.
ZARRELLA: Thanks, Daryn.
KAGAN: John Zarrella at spring training.
Rock 'n' roll celebrates life at 50. Find out where Aretha Franklin ranks in "Rolling Stone"'s list of immortal rockers.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Richard Simmons known for his "Sweatin' to the Oldies" exercise videos may be sweating a misdemeanor assault charge. The alleged assault happened in Phoenix. A police officer tells what happened.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SGT. TOM DEBORNE, PHOENIX POLICE: Apparently another passenger recognized Mr. Simmons and made the offhand comment, "Hey everybody it's Richard Simmons. Let's drop our bags and rock to the '50s," which I understand is a reference to an exercise video that Mr. Simmons had put out. Mr. Simmons took exception to it and walked over to the other passenger and apparently slapped him in the face.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Just to make it a little more interesting, the sergeant says the man Simmons allegedly slapped does a thing called cage fighting as a hobby.
The Queen of Soul is out of the hospital just in time to celebrate her 62nd birthday. Aretha Franklin was released yesterday from a Detroit hospital. She had been treated there for four days. Doctors say she had a low platelet count which can cause bleeding. They add it was a temporary condition that could have been caused by a virus or an allergic reaction to antibiotics.
Aretha Franklin's brush with mortality leads to us the list of "Rock 'n' Roll Immortals." "Rolling Stone" magazine celebrates 50 years of rock and roll with The 50 greatest artists of all times. Drum roll. There you go. We do have a drum roll. Thank you.
Ray Charles comes in at 10, Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Chuck Berry is number five, the Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan considered the second greatest rocker of all time. And any surprise, the Beatles. All right. That magazine hits newsstands tomorrow. As with all the lists, there will be lots of discussion.
You can keep an eye on entertainment 24/7 by point your Internet browser to cnn.com/entertainment. That's where you find the latest in movies and books. CNN LIVE TODAY is back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: In Athens, Greece, site of this year's summer Olympics, let the flames begin. The sun's rays bounced off a mirrored bowl and lit the torch amid the ruins where the first Olympics were held 2800 years ago. Second time that the games have been returned to the birth place of Greece. Looks like a lovely weather. Thank goodness the sun was shining. If not, no flame.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired March 25, 2004 - 10:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: A team of British divers is expected to attempt a rescue today of six explorers trapped in a flooded cave in Mexico. Mexico's president says the British cavers did not properly disclose their exploration plans when they entered the country. British government officials deny that. The trapped explorers by the way are in good health and say they have enough food to last them through the weekend.
Off the coast of South Carolina, a Coast Guard cutter was not able to free an endangered whitewhale entangled in fishing gear. Rough seas kept the whale out of reach for the ship and its 15 scientists aboard. They're going to try again this weekend.
Now to the Middle East and the story of a would be suicide bomber, alert border guards and a failed mission. Among the lives spared is that of a bomber, a 14-year-old Palestinian boy who told Israeli soldiers he didn't want to die. Ben Wedeman is in Gaza City with the story. Ben, good morning.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Well, this is the case of the boy who was stopped at an Israeli check point south of Nablus in the northern West Bank. He was found to have an explosives belt on him. And course, he was interrogated by the Israelis. He said he really didn't want to do it.
Now, this is a phenomenon that in some respects doesn't surprise a lot of people here. Just this afternoon I spoke with a 13-year-old boy. His brother was a militant who was killed three weeks ago in an attempted attack on an Israeli position. This 13-year-old boy told me that he would like to follow in the footsteps
KAGAN: All right. Apparently we lost the video, the audio from Ben Wedeman there. We're going to try to get him back. Some alert border guards were suspicious. They told the boy to raise his shirt. They noticed the bomb. I think we have Ben Wedeman back. Ben, can you hear us? Can we hear you?
WEDEMAN: Yes, Daryn. Of course you're referring to the case of the 14-year-old boy who was caught at a check point south of Nablus with an explosives belt. The Israeli army has interrogated him and he clearly made it clear that he did not want to do this operation.
Now, the phenomenon of suicide bombings and young suicide bombers is not a complete surprise to many people here. Just today here in Gaza City, I met a young boy, 13 years old, who told me he wanted to become a martyr, too, after his brother, a militant, was killed three weeks ago in an attack on an Israeli position.
After I spoke to him I was anxious to get in contact with his mother, to find out what she thought of it. She told me she would not stop her son if he were to go and try to basically kill himself attacking the Israelis.
Now, many people will tell you that this horrendous situation, where children are willing to become suicide bombers is the result of the fact that this situation has become so intolerable for so many people on both sides of the conflict. The feeling is that the longer this conflict goes on without resolution, without some sort of solution, the worse it will become.
What one psychiatrist told me is this is the beginning of the breakdown of Palestinian society. Where the symbols of authority for young children, for instance are no longer their fathers, their mothers, their relatives but rather martyrs and suicide bombers and militants. They look to rifles and bombs as symbols of power. And the feeling is that this is really a symptom of the breakdown of this society -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Very disturbing, Ben. Let's talk about this particular boy who was stopped and the Israeli army sent in that robot to help him with scissors to dismantle that bomb. He is safe but what happens to him now?
WEDEMAN: Well, there has been talk that he would be released because he's only 14-years-old. He clearly didn't quite comprehend what he was doing. And so he may be released. And probably receive some sort of help which is clearly what the young boy needs.
And clearly the Israelis are going to try to find out who put him up to this act. And follow it up there. But as I said, this is one case. But really it is indicative of a much wider problem which is really, if you look at the big picture, the problem is the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians -- Daryn.
KAGAN: With a lot of innocent children caught in the middle there. Ben Wedeman. Thank you for that.
The United Nations Security Council will debate a draft resolution that would condemn Israel's killing of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. The U.N. Human Rights Commission voted overwhelmingly to condemn Israel for the strike. A top Russian diplomat is calling for a unified security council to follow suit. The U.S., however, is expected to veto that, saying it doesn't mention that the Palestinian group supports suicide bombings in Israel.
For all the latest on the crisis in the middle east, turn to our Web site and the special report "Middle East, Land of Conflict." The address is cnn.com/middleeast.
Now back here in the U.S. to the Pledge of Allegiance and the Supreme Court. The high court heard a father, an avowed atheist, argue the words "under God" should be stricken from the Pledge of Allegiance where they had been enshrined for 50 years. Sean Callebs is following the case which has surged into the national agenda over the past couple of days. Sean, good morning.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. You're right. Yesterday just outside the high court, they came. Christians, politicians, educators. United on the topic but, of course, sharply divided over those two words "under God."
If polls could be any kind of yard stick the public wants the high court to take a hands-off approach some indicating 90 percent of those in the U.S. want "under God" to remain on the lips of school children in the United States.
But we all know this isn't a popularity contest. Fifty-year-old Michael Newdow took the unusual step of making his own arguments before the court based on reaction from the justices he held his own. Some of the justices indicated during arguments that the words are basically benign and cheaply ceremonial part of traditional patriotic exercise.
There is also the belief by those siding with the school district that the Pledge of Allegiance reflects our country's religious heritage. Newdow disagrees and says he wants the government to steer clear of the classroom.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL NEWDOW, PLAINTIFF: This isn't atheism versus theism; this isn't God against no God. It's government getting involved in religion and not staying out of religion. The framers decided that was a really great idea. I think they were right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CALLEBS: OK. What about the young girl at the center of this? Newdow says he filed the action on behalf of his 9-year-old daughter. The child's mother is a born-again Christian and she is bitterly opposed to what the father is doing.
A state judge barred the young girl from watching her father argue before the court. Attorney Ken Starr, remember him from Whitewater? He is connected with this case. He said he's siding with the mother and had this to say on how this case is affecting the third grader.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEN STARR, FORMER SOLICITOR GENERAL: For her part, she has not only no objection to saying Pledge of Allegiance, she has said that, if it's struck down, I may say the words "under God" under my breath.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CALLEBS: Justice Scalia is recusing himself. Newdow had argued the justice's comments seemed to prejudge it. So the court is expected to take all these arguments under advisement and issue its ruling by July.
KAGAN: Question for you. Yesterday on this, didn't have a chance to ask you. There was some who thought this was a custody case gone wild. That there was an issue of whether this father had the right to file on behalf of the daughter because he does not have custody of her. How did the court get around that and enjoy to take the case?
CALLEBS: The court hasn't exactly gotten around it yet. The court could still say if it comes down to a case of custody. Newdow filed his argument before the court out in California some time ago and he does not have custody of the child now.
So the court theoretically could come back and say, you know what? You do not have custody of the child, the mother does. So this case you can't file a case on behalf of the daughter.
However, there were certain arguments yesterday during the court that this went beyond any kind of domestic issue. Certainly appears the court is going to take all of this under advisement and issue this ruling. You can bet there are going to be legions of people waiting to hear how this comes out.
KAGAN: Sean Callebs in Washington, D.C., thank you for that.
We head south. Baseball players getting into full swing. They are preparing for a new season. Will the clout of steroids overshadow all the fun? Not if it's John Zarrella. We're going to check in with in Sarasota Florida him just ahead.
Dancing to the beat of a different drummer. Richard Simmons in trouble with the law. Find out why when "CNN LIVE TODAY" returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Let's take a look at some stories from "Across America." Some boys in Newport Beach wore pink and school officials saw red. Six boys were banned from their middle school class photo because they refused to cover up their pink t-shirts. Principal was worried the color could be linked to gang-affiliated dance crews. The eighth graders said they just wanted to stand out.
At Colorado's Fort Carson a photo finish to their mission overseas. More than 600 soldiers returned in three separate waves. All served in support of operation Iraqi freedom. About 5,300 soldiers have returned to Fort Carson. That's half of the base's entire deployment to Iraq.
In Kissimmee, Florida, a story to remember and three stories some people will never forget. A toddler slipped from a third story walkway and horrified resort guests that notified her dangling. One man raced to her rescue caught her when she was just a few feet from hitting the ground. Both the 2-year-old and her rescuer are fine. The girl's mother showed up later. She was charged with neglect.
Its been said that love and hope spring eternal this time of year and that appears to be the case at major league baseball spring training camps. Appears that whole taint of the steroid scandal might actually be beefing up interest in major league baseball. No way to beef up John Zarrella's interest. It's already sky high. He's at the reds training camp in Sarasota. Good morning, John.
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN MIAMI BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Daryn. This is my favorite time of the year. Every year I manage to convince upper management to give me a day at the ballpark.
Here we are at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota where at 1:00 Eastern time the Cincinnati Reds are out on the field loosening up, going to be taking on the Pittsburgh Pirates in an exhibition game.
Little more than a week away from opening day here in the U.S. There's been so much talk about steroid use in baseball by players. Every day there seems to be another story about it. But yet it is not keeping fans away from spring training games.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ZARRELLA (voice-over): Meet Minnesota Mike.
MINNESOTA MIKE, TICKET BROKER: I love spring training. Couldn't be better.
ZARRELLA: If you're looking for good seats to an Orioles spring training game...
MINNESOTA MIKE: Four rows over the dish. Right behind home plate. I got one left.
ZARRELLA: ... Mike's got your ticket if you've got the cash.
Given all the talk about steroid use by some ball players, one would think Mike couldn't give tickets away. But it's been just the opposite. Minnesota, not the team, the guy, claims $24 box seats can go for $300 when the big name teams are in town.
MINNESOTA MIKE: People coming down from the East Coast up in New York, Boston that are dying to see their team. They'll pay anything.
ZARRELLA: The Orioles are bringing in 500 more fans per game than a year ago. Yankees and Red Sox have been sold out the entire spring season. And nearly every team is ahead of last year.
Baseball is pumped up at the turn styles despite the supposed steroid taint. The expression "there's no such thing as bad publicity" may be at work here says one baseball economist. But Andrew Zimbalist says the issue still left a stain that will be hard to erase.
ANDREW ZIMBALIST, BASEBALL ECONOMIST: This is a black mark that says all the things the fans have been rooting for since the 1994 strike. The McGuire record, the Bonds record, the other feats that have been accomplished. All those things are now called into question. ZARRELLA: But if baseball can't ensure that steroid use is a thing of the past, fans we talked to say they will stick with the game.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know Orioles raised their ticket prices this year. I still got my season tickets. I'm excited. I don't think it's going to affect it at all.
ZARRELLA: That's the kind of talk that's as sweet as the sound of the crack of the bat to owners and players, and guys like Minnesota Mike.
MINNESOTA MIKE: Love this job! I love it!
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ZARRELLA: Now, there's no question that baseball, its union, its management all know the players know they have to get the issue behind them. But again, right now, Daryn, fans are sticking with the game. They're coming out in droves to spring training. And at least to this point, it appears that baseball is just fine and they can expect another good season of attendance and some of us can hope the Florida Marlins repeat as world champs -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Had to get your plug in there for your fish. You're at Reds' camp. I have to ask you Ken Griffey Jr. There was so much hope when he came to basically his hometown team. Hasn't worked out. What's his status? Is he going to be going?
ZARRELLA: He's healthy. He's here. We don't see him today yet out on the field. He's expected to be here today and at this point, you know, looks like he's going to there are the trade rumors out there that he might get traded. At this point he's still in a Cincinnati Reds uniform. No deals have been cut to send him else where. Not yet anyway.
KAGAN: Who would have thought there would come a day when there were no takers on Junior. John, you enjoy your time out there at spring training.
ZARRELLA: Thanks, Daryn.
KAGAN: John Zarrella at spring training.
Rock 'n' roll celebrates life at 50. Find out where Aretha Franklin ranks in "Rolling Stone"'s list of immortal rockers.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Richard Simmons known for his "Sweatin' to the Oldies" exercise videos may be sweating a misdemeanor assault charge. The alleged assault happened in Phoenix. A police officer tells what happened.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SGT. TOM DEBORNE, PHOENIX POLICE: Apparently another passenger recognized Mr. Simmons and made the offhand comment, "Hey everybody it's Richard Simmons. Let's drop our bags and rock to the '50s," which I understand is a reference to an exercise video that Mr. Simmons had put out. Mr. Simmons took exception to it and walked over to the other passenger and apparently slapped him in the face.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Just to make it a little more interesting, the sergeant says the man Simmons allegedly slapped does a thing called cage fighting as a hobby.
The Queen of Soul is out of the hospital just in time to celebrate her 62nd birthday. Aretha Franklin was released yesterday from a Detroit hospital. She had been treated there for four days. Doctors say she had a low platelet count which can cause bleeding. They add it was a temporary condition that could have been caused by a virus or an allergic reaction to antibiotics.
Aretha Franklin's brush with mortality leads to us the list of "Rock 'n' Roll Immortals." "Rolling Stone" magazine celebrates 50 years of rock and roll with The 50 greatest artists of all times. Drum roll. There you go. We do have a drum roll. Thank you.
Ray Charles comes in at 10, Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Chuck Berry is number five, the Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan considered the second greatest rocker of all time. And any surprise, the Beatles. All right. That magazine hits newsstands tomorrow. As with all the lists, there will be lots of discussion.
You can keep an eye on entertainment 24/7 by point your Internet browser to cnn.com/entertainment. That's where you find the latest in movies and books. CNN LIVE TODAY is back after this.
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KAGAN: In Athens, Greece, site of this year's summer Olympics, let the flames begin. The sun's rays bounced off a mirrored bowl and lit the torch amid the ruins where the first Olympics were held 2800 years ago. Second time that the games have been returned to the birth place of Greece. Looks like a lovely weather. Thank goodness the sun was shining. If not, no flame.
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