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American Morning
Fight for Iraq; Low-Carb Craze
Aired April 26, 2004 - 07:30 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.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Welcome back, everybody. It is exactly half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.
We're going to take you back to Fallujah in a just few moments for an update on the situation there. You have seen these pictures this morning, smoke rising on the horizon over the city. Apparently, a very intense firefight took place today between insurgents and Marines lasting by some accounts five hours or more. We're going to have full details on that coming up in a just few moments.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Also, the Pentagon says allowing the media to publish photographs of military coffins back from war would be disrespectful and undignified to the families of the men and women who died. Not all families agree. In a few moments, we'll talk to a couple that knows that terrible loss earlier this month, and can tell us how these pictures made them feel. We'll get to that in Rome, Georgia, in a moment here.
First, though, I want to get back to Iraq now. Jim Clancy is standing by in Baghdad. We have reports of this explosion in the northeastern part of Baghdad, but also major concerns of what's happening in Fallujah.
Jim -- what's the latest from there west of Baghdad where you are? Good afternoon.
JIM CLANCY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good afternoon to from you Baghdad.
Well, strategically, there is no comparison between those two events. I think that Fallujah represents by far one of the most concern.
Let's take a look at the live pictures as they came in, giving us an indication of what was happening there in Fallujah. It has been hours and hours of heavy fighting in Fallujah. No word right now about the current status of that. However, I think that when you look at this, you say, well, the pictures don't lie, do they? They tell the story, don't they? This is what's happening in Fallujah. In large measure, that's true.
But let me give you some background, try to explain a little bit about the ground that these pictures -- what the story is that they're showing us. In less than 24 hours, U.S. forces were to join Iraqi police on ground patrols there in Fallujah. The fighters themselves were under pressure from civic religious leaders in Fallujah to help make a negotiated deal work that would prevent more violence in their city and allow the return of tens of thousands of people who have fled Fallujah over recent weeks during heavy fighting.
Now, in response, perhaps, fighters are said to have attacked Marine positions in force, outnumbering the Marines who are there on the lines trying to defend their positions, much greater forces than the Marines had seen in other similar assaults. They came at them with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades. The Marines fought back ferociously like lions, in the words of one military commander being quoted from the ground there. Then they called in helicopter gunships. They called in war planes. There were Hellfire missiles fired. These are laser-guided missiles that can zero in on a target.
The firing said to have come from a mosque, from minarets in that mosque. The return fire apparently has destroyed at least that mosque, perhaps another target. Those were some of the sources of what we have seen there. There is some of the background to try to understand the situation -- Bill.
HEMMER: Yes, Jim, thanks for that. Much appreciated. Jim Clancy in Baghdad watching what's happening not just in the capital city but also clearly focused on what's going on in Fallujah. Thanks.
Now -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: And, in fact, what's happening in Iraq is our top story this morning. But there is other news to tell you about, and we begin, in fact, on the campaign trail, where jobs are the focus this week.
President Bush heads to Minnesota today, where he will promote job training programs. Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry is kicking off a four-state bus tour in Wheeling, West Virginia. Senator Kerry is asking voters there to hop on the jobs-first express.
Abortion rights activists are vowing to carry the momentum of a huge rally right into the November elections. As many as 300,000 people turned out yesterday for a demonstration on the National Mall in Washington; 1,400 groups participated in the march, criticizing President Bush for his views on abortion.
Estee Lauder, philanthropist and founder of a cosmetics empire is dead today. Lauder was the only woman in 1998 to make "TIME" magazine's list of the 20-most influential business geniuses of the century. She died of cardiopulmonary arrest at her home over the weekend. A company spokeswoman says that Estee Lauder was 97 years old.
In Great Britain, about 10,000 volunteers are taking part in a trial run of new identity technology. The move comes as draft legislation outlining plans for a national ID program -- ID card program, rather, was published. Now, supporters say ID cards that store a person's fingerprints or iris scan could be an effective tool against terrorism. But critics say technology is too expensive, and there is no guarantee that it will actually work. Interesting to see how those tests go.
HEMMER: I would say. O'BRIEN: Interesting to see the number of volunteers.
HEMMER: Yes, very true.
(WEATHER BREAK)
HEMMER: The pentagon says it's unwarranted and undignified to publish photographs of coffins containing the remains of U.S. soldiers killed in battle. Government policy prohibits media coverage of remains being shipped home.
How do the families feel about seeing military caskets now on the front page of their newspaper as we did at the end of last week?
Twenty-two-year-old Army Specialist Justin Johnson was killed in action earlier this month in Iraq; in fact, on the 10th of April in Sadr City, northeastern Baghdad. His parents, Jan and Joseph Johnson, are with us live today from Rome, Georgia, to talk about their son and to talk about the photographs.
Welcome here. And good morning to both of you.
JAN JOHNSON, SON KILLED IN IRAQ: Good morning.
JOSEPH JOHNSON, SON KILLED IN IRAQ: Good morning.
HEMMER: Mrs. Johnson, you e-mailed us on Friday morning, and that's what brought you to us today. When you saw the photos printed last week, what was your reaction?
JAN JOHNSON: I thought they were great. To me, it showed that our men and women of action from the minute they fall are being treated with great respect.
HEMMER: You also indicate that it was consoling to you. In what way?
JAN JOHNSON: Well, for the fact that I knew that my son was treated good. You know, he wasn't just thrown into a body bag and thrown onto a plane; that from the time he fell, he was taken care of. He was treated with respect and brought home that way.
HEMMER: I want to get your reaction to what the White House spokesperson said over the weekend. I'm quoting now. We'll put it on the screen for our viewers to see. "We must pay attention to privacy and to the sensitivity of the families of the fallen, and that's what the policy is based on."
Does that reflect your feelings or not?
JAN JOHNSON: To me, with the photographs, because you did not know exactly who was in the coffins, then to me, it was not a problem. If it was like one coffin and a person's picture without the parents, you know, saying, yes, can you do this, then to me that would be a violation of their privacy. And, you know, they should be respected for that. But to me, the one picture of where you had the 21 coffins and the gentleman saluting them, that just touched me. It really did. It showed that, you know, they're being respected from the day one.
HEMMER: Yes, at your son's funeral, you actually invited local reporters to come to the funeral. Mr. Johnson, why make that decision?
JOSEPH JOHNSON: We wanted to share him with the community. I mean, he was our son, but he was also Floyd County's son. And everybody around here grieved for him. So, we felt -- the media asked to be invited, and we said, sure. I mean, we didn't see the harm in it.
HEMMER: Ultimately, Mr. Johnson, would you like to see the Pentagon change its policy n photographs?
JOSEPH JOHNSON: I'd rather not comment on that, because I'm still in the military right now. But personally, me and my wife feel like that the people in the U.S. need to see the sacrifice that the men and women are making over there, and we don't see anything wrong with it. But, you know, I do have to abide by what the Pentagon says.
HEMMER: Well, I will fully respect that position. Mrs. Johnson, would you care to share?
JAN JOHNSON: To me, like I said, I don't see where the problem is. But at the time when I wrote the e-mail, I did not know the Pentagon's position on this. And I just knew that this lady had taken pictures, and they were being published. And I'm not sure what date the pictures were taken on, but, I mean, my son may have been one of them that she took the picture of. I don't know. And, to me, like I said...
HEMMER: If you could, tell me about Justin, age 22. Tell me about your son.
JAN JOHNSON: He was only 22, like you said, but he had lived a full life already. He was a very outdoor person. He started real young as far as he jumped out of an airplane at 16 for the first time. He had already -- he was a certified scuba diver. He had already dove to 110 feet in the ocean. You know, there's not too many 22 year-olds that have already done things like that.
And when he got orders for Baghdad, he was ready to go. And that's all we heard out of him for the last year, you know, we're going, we're standing down, we're going, we're standing down. And he says, "Mom, I'm ready to go." So, you know, we actually figured up he was there for 12 days before he was killed.
HEMMER: Less than two weeks.
JAN JOHNSON: And he died doing what he wanted to do, yes.
HEMMER: Listen, thanks. Both of you sound like have you an awful lot of pride in the service that your son has given this country. And thanks to the Johnson family there in Rome, Georgia. Thank you for sharing with us today. Appreciate it.
JAN JOHNSON: Thank you.
JOSEPH JOHNSON: Thank you.
HEMMER: All right -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Well, what remarkable parents. Aren't they?
HEMMER: Oh, yes.
HEMMER: Incredibly strong. and what an amazing son they had.
Let's turn to medical news now this morning. Diabetes is becoming an increasing concern worldwide. The number of people developing the chronic disease will double by 2030. The U.S., India and China top the list of countries where diabetes is now exploding. Obesity and a lack of exercise are big risk factors for diabetes. Family history also plays a major role.
The new study, which will be published in the May issue of "Diabetes Care," which is put out by the American Diabetes Association.
In addition, millions of Americans are joining the low-carb diet craze, and there is a glut of new products on store shelves to feed the low-carb nation. The feeding trend is "TIME" magazine's cover story this week. And Dr. Sanjay Gupta joins us from the CNN center to talk about it.
Good morning to you, Sanjay.
How big of a deal is the low-carb craze now?
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Really, really big deal, Soledad. Low carb/high protein. We talk about the good carbs, bad carbs. Everyone is starting to learn these terms. Really amazing.
Now, a new poll is actually out by Opinion Dynamics trying to put some numbers on it. A lot of people are talking about it. Just how many people are using these low-carb diets? You can see the numbers there, 70 million -- and this is in the United States -- 70 million people now are limiting their carbs; 26 million people saying, we're on a hard-core, low-carb diet. You certainly know some of these people. I do as well. They don't eat hardly any carbs at all. Twenty-six million people.
Also some other numbers that interest me as well, Soledad, 1,558 new products have come out, low-carb products, over the last two years. People are spending about 85 bucks a month just on low-carb products -- beers, spaghetti, ice cream, you name it. And just about anything you think of that is typically high-carb, you can now get low-carb.
And also, Soledad, lots of people reading about it as well; 140 books out there existing on low-carb diets. You can expect about 51 more this year alone, taking the number over 200 books on low-carb diets. So certainly a lot of information out there as well -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Well, you know, we saw a similar thing when everybody was avoiding fat. You had all of those fat-free cookies, which people then scarfed down, boxes and boxes of fat-free cookies, because why not?
GUPTA: Right.
O'BRIEN: They don't have any fat in them. Is there any indication -- and maybe it's just too early to tell -- that these diets really work in the long run? I mean, you know, anybody could eat -- lose weight eating only grapefruit or something for a month. But, you know, the question is a year, two years, five years down the road, are you still losing the weight? Have you kept the weight off? And are you healthier?
GUPTA: That is probably the sneaky secret, and you've hit right on it, Soledad. The jury is still out as to whether or not these diets actually work long-term. Most people have -- a lot of people have said that they get some success with it at least short-term in terms of dropping weight quickly. But in terms of long-term, just like any other diet out there, the jury is still out as to whether or not people will stick with it and thus keep the weight off.
But also more than that, medically speaking, when you talk about high-protein diets, there can be some concerns for your kidneys, your liver and your bones if you're just eating high protein without some of the other foods. Also the saturated fats. This is no surprise. If you're eating all of those steak and eggs and those saturated fats, eventually that could be problematic for your heart and possibly causing strokes as well.
But I think, Soledad, what you said, calories count. Bottom line, calories do count. And if you think that you can load up on steak and eggs because they are low-carb, eventually, because they're high calorie, that's going to catch up with you -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Interesting. All right, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thanks very much.
GUPTA: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: I wonder how they make pasta, low-carb pasta? I mean, that's...
HEMMER: Tomorrow we're eating only grapefruit though. Starting tomorrow.
O'BRIEN: Not be, baby. Now is my time to eat anything I want.
HEMMER: That's right.
In a moment here, "90-Second Pop" comes your way. And Billy Joel's driving record. We'll get to that in a moment.
O'BRIEN: Also, Michael Jackson and his attorneys part company. The big question now is why? We'll have the latest on that.
HEMMER: Also, the scandal at the University of Colorado. We'll talk to two moms who claim innocent football players and Coach Gary Barnett's program are being unfairly targeted. Their stories still to come this morning on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Good morning. Welcome, everybody. It's time now for another all-new episode of "90-Second Pop." The gang is all with us this morning. Andy Borowitz, the author of "Governor Arnold." "New York" magazine contributing editor Sarah Bernard. And Toure, contributing editor for "Rolling Stone."
Good morning to all of you.
SARAH BERNARD, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: Good morning.
O'BRIEN: We have so much to get through. Let's just get going.
Sarah, you're going to start for me. Billy Joel, third time in recent history where the man...
BERNARD: Third time, I know. Another car accident for Billy Joel.
O'BRIEN: And this is an odd one because he ran into a house.
BERNARD: He did. And this is actually not in the Hamptons. It was in Mid Island. And what happened was apparently he was not drinking this time. He just literally lost control of his 1967 Citron (ph), which I have to say, I mean, does that even have seat belts?
O'BRIEN: I had a Citron.
BERNARD: That is not a car...
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: But they also, by the same -- it won't do a lot of damage when they hit a house.
BERNARD: That's right. They sort of bounce right off the house.
TOURE, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "ROLLING STONE" MAGAZINE: A lot damage just to Billy.
BERNARD: Just to Billy.
O'BRIEN: Is he fine?
BERNARD: He wasn't hurt. He was just shaken up about it, and then, of course, it made all the news, because he's been -- this has become a pattern for Billy. ANDY BOROWITZ, HUMORIST: But, you know, the good news for Billy Joel is he just got a great rate on his car insurance from Geico. So that's good.
BERNARD: And he really shouldn't worry about it at all.
BOROWITZ: Good. A little (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
BERNARD: And this time, actually his daughter was not in the car, which was one of the concerns of Christie Brinkley.
O'BRIEN: Right, the last time.
BERNARD: They had been fighting about it, because she was worried that something was going to happen to Alexa. But he's OK.
O'BRIEN: Yes, he has what I would call a non-stellar driving record certainly over the last...
BOROWITZ: Maybe he should stay in his house and let people drive into him from now on. That's what I would do.
O'BRIEN: You've heard the story about Martha Stewart. This is one of my favorite stories today, because it's so odd. Martha Stewart's brother -- I mean...
BERNARD: Frank, I know.
O'BRIEN: It's weird.
BERNARD: Younger brother, Frank, troublemaker.
TOURE: You know, it's just like will the friend betrayals ever end? Like everybody who knows her, like, just stick the knife deeper in her back. I mean like...
O'BRIEN: It's sad actually.
BERNARD: But it was all of her friends. That was the story from a couple of weeks ago that it was really just the people who knew her, who worked with her. But now it's her own family.
BOROWITZ: He is auctioning things like her old chewing gum.
BERNARD: He's auctioning (UNINTELLIGIBLE) sewing machine.
O'BRIEN: Literally. I mean, you're not -- that's not an Andy Borowitz joke.
BOROWITZ: No, no. No, that's...
BERNARD: He's just auctioning the sewing machine that she used to make her dress, the pink Formica table in their old kitchen, which apparently has her gum underneath it. That's where the gum came from.
(CROSSTALK) BOROWITZ: You know, I've got to tell you, as tempting as these items are, I would like to see wait to see what cellmate puts on eBay. Because wouldn't you love to have Martha's do-wrap?
BERNARD: Oh!
BOROWITZ: That would be awesome. That would be awesome.
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: I think...
BERNARD: Her mom is defending Frank and saying their his things, and he can do with them what they want. So, that's not what you want to hear from your mom right now.
O'BRIEN: That's...
TOURE: Show some love and compassion, you would you think. This is just the lowest of the low.
O'BRIEN: Define estranged, I think.
TOURE: I guess so.
O'BRIEN: That's...
BERNARD: They still haven't spoken in five years?
O'BRIEN: Yes, that sounds really sad.
TOURE: Yes, hey, right.
O'BRIEN: The Olsen twins, which they hate to be called the Olsen twins. I mean, literally, their publicist is like, do not call them the Olsen twins. So, they're Mary Kate...
BOROWITZ: Well, you've done it three times.
TOURE: Three times.
O'BRIEN: I know. Olsen twins, Olsen twins. Well, they are the Olsen twins.
BOROWITZ: Right.
O'BRIEN: But they're trying to...
BOROWITZ: Mary Kate and Ashley.
O'BRIEN: They're trying to -- Mary Kate and Ashley are trying to relaunch.
BOROWITZ: Right. Well, they are -- you know, I was shocked. They're turning 18, which just shocked me, because, you know, they've been around so long. I thought they were like 40. I was just amazed. O'BRIEN: They were the little babies on "Full House."
BOROWITZ: "Full House." They've been with us forever.
TOURE: And now they're so rich, they could buy and sell John Stamos (ph).
BOROWITZ: That's true.
BERNARD: That's right.
BOROWITZ: That is true.
BERNARD: But if you Google their 18th birthday, Mary Kate and Ashley, something like 3,000 Web sites come up counting down to the exact second.
O'BRIEN: That's odd. That's just weird.
BOROWITZ: Well, you know, if you...
(CROSSTALK)
BOROWITZ: If you're a reader of "Teen People," as I am, you know, you'll find the Olsen twins are actually the most powerful people in the universe.
TOURE: Yes.
BOROWITZ: So, we should be concerned about their every move. And this is actually a big deal, because they're now talking about, like, how do they grow up, you know, because they're 18. How do they change their image?
BERNARD: Right.
BOROWITZ: I would just -- the only piece of advice I would give them is just don't listen to the Bush twins. They're not a source of good advice on this.
O'BRIEN: Not necessarily.
BOROWITZ: No, I don't think so.
O'BRIEN: All right, let's talk about the weekend box office. Who is going to tackle that for me?
BERNARD: Well, I will. Why not?
O'BRIEN: Why not?
BERNARD: This is actually a tie, neck and neck.
TOURE: I think we're making it up as we go along this morning.
O'BRIEN: Some days, we just make it up, Toure. Have you not figured that out yet, especially on "90-Second Pop?"
BERNARD: Well, it's really been a tie.
O'BRIEN: "13 Going on 30."
BERNARD: "13 going on 30"...
(CROSSTALK)
BERNARD: It is a very cute movie. Jennifer Garner, everyone is comparing her to Julia Roberts now.
TOURE: Didn't they steal the script from "Big" and put it to a woman?
BERNARD: No.
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: Welcome to Hollywood.
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: And what did "Big" steal the script from? Something else. I'm sure everything is a remake. Please, Toure.
TOURE: Oh, my god!
BERNARD: Apparently guys like her and girls like her, which is a hard combination, because usually you get one or the other. And then you have the complete other side of the spectrum, "Man on Fire," which is one of those revenge stories, vigilante.
BOROWITZ: Which one was Billy Joel on his way to see?
BERNARD: "Man on Fire."
BOROWITZ: Oh, OK. OK.
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: You guys crack me up. Well, we ran through a lot today. Good job. Thank you so much.
BERNARD: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: Until next time.
TOURE: You're so weird!
O'BRIEN: I'm not weird. Bill, save me, please.
HEMMER: I am here to (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
In a moment here, is there more pain on the way at the pump? That's coming up with Andy. And back with Jack as well right after this here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Gas prices are high. Just how high can they go? With that and a preview of the market this morning, Andy Serwer, who is Minding Your Business."
Hello.
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Hello.
O'BRIEN: Should we start with gas prices?
SERWER: Let's do that, yes.
O'BRIEN: What is it now, $1.80?
SERWER: $1.86. I mean, we really are looking at a situation where we could be looking at $2 the national average over the next couple of weeks. Up 3 cents last week. You do the math. That's times six weeks? Maybe. Because we've got peak driving months coming up. $1.86 is the national average now. Look at that, 34 cents up from December. And, you know, a lot of people are blaming problems on the Middle East tensions. But, you know, part of this is because the economy is picking up here, Soledad; also strong demand from China as well.
O'BRIEN: So, why does the economy picking up raise gas prices?
SERWER: Well, more and more people -- you know, let's say a factory is shipping out more orders, more trucks on the road, more people feeling optimistic and going out and taking vacations, too.
O'BRIEN: OK. Let's talk about the market. Give us a preview of -- wrap up last week, preview this week and then let's talk about Google.
SERWER: OK. A good week last week.
O'BRIEN: I give a nice (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Please.
SERWER: OK. Absolutely. A good week last week. Optimism over corporate earnings winning the day over people who are scared about higher interest rates. S&P 500 broader market up about 2.6 percent for the year. Good stuff. Futures a little bit mixed this morning.
Big news on Wall Street and for many others as Google, that search engine -- Sarah Bernard just used it as verb. It's almost generic now. We're going to Google someone. Looking at a big IPO. "The Wall Street Journal" said the investment bankers are being picked. And "The New York Times" the other day reporting all these people who are in on the deal, you know, people who had a piece of the action like Shaq, Tiger Woods, Henry Kissinger, interesting stuff. It's going to be huge.
O'BRIEN: An interesting list of people who were all involved. SERWER: That's right, yes.
O'BRIEN: All right, Andy, thanks.
SERWER: OK.
HEMMER: Do you ever Google Jack Cafferty?
SERWER: Let's do it.
O'BRIEN: I Google you. I will Google Jack Cafferty in the break. Interesting.
HEMMER: The question of the day. Good morning.
SERWER: Yes.
O'BRIEN: Hey, Jack.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Not really.
SERWER: OK.
CAFFERTY: Question of the day, the death of former football player Pat Tillman who was killed in eastern Afghanistan on Friday absolutely dominated the news over this past weekend. Tillman walked away from a $3.5 million pro football contract to join the Army after September 11. Considering how many professional athletes act these days, Tillman's selflessness stood out a lot. But hundreds of other troops have been killed in this war without the same media coverage.
So, the question this morning is: Does the media coverage of Tillman's death in any way diminish the sacrifice of others?
Dave in Japan writes this: "A millionaire turning his back on a life of privilege to put his life on the line fighting for his people is nothing less than inspiring. This is what makes Pat Tillman a bona fide American hero, and Osama bin Laden so widely admired in the Arab world. Ironic, isn't it?"
David in Garner, North Carolina: "I don't think the media can do anything to diminish any veteran sacrifice. On the other hand, the media diminishes itself by trivializing through entertainment value the sacrifice of any veteran with the idea that some sacrifices are more entertaining or newsworthy than others."
And Bill writes this: "The attention given to Tillman just shows how obsessed America is with money and fame. This guy puts his pants on the same as all the others who lost their lives, and it's a national embarrassment that others are not paid the same amount of respect."
AM@CNN.com.
O'BRIEN: Interesting perspectives. All right, Jack, thanks. Still to come this morning, we're going to much more on that firefight in Fallujah and also the tense situation there with insurgents across Iraq. That's ahead. Stay with us. You're watching AMERICAN MORNING.
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Aired April 26, 2004 - 07:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Welcome back, everybody. It is exactly half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.
We're going to take you back to Fallujah in a just few moments for an update on the situation there. You have seen these pictures this morning, smoke rising on the horizon over the city. Apparently, a very intense firefight took place today between insurgents and Marines lasting by some accounts five hours or more. We're going to have full details on that coming up in a just few moments.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Also, the Pentagon says allowing the media to publish photographs of military coffins back from war would be disrespectful and undignified to the families of the men and women who died. Not all families agree. In a few moments, we'll talk to a couple that knows that terrible loss earlier this month, and can tell us how these pictures made them feel. We'll get to that in Rome, Georgia, in a moment here.
First, though, I want to get back to Iraq now. Jim Clancy is standing by in Baghdad. We have reports of this explosion in the northeastern part of Baghdad, but also major concerns of what's happening in Fallujah.
Jim -- what's the latest from there west of Baghdad where you are? Good afternoon.
JIM CLANCY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good afternoon to from you Baghdad.
Well, strategically, there is no comparison between those two events. I think that Fallujah represents by far one of the most concern.
Let's take a look at the live pictures as they came in, giving us an indication of what was happening there in Fallujah. It has been hours and hours of heavy fighting in Fallujah. No word right now about the current status of that. However, I think that when you look at this, you say, well, the pictures don't lie, do they? They tell the story, don't they? This is what's happening in Fallujah. In large measure, that's true.
But let me give you some background, try to explain a little bit about the ground that these pictures -- what the story is that they're showing us. In less than 24 hours, U.S. forces were to join Iraqi police on ground patrols there in Fallujah. The fighters themselves were under pressure from civic religious leaders in Fallujah to help make a negotiated deal work that would prevent more violence in their city and allow the return of tens of thousands of people who have fled Fallujah over recent weeks during heavy fighting.
Now, in response, perhaps, fighters are said to have attacked Marine positions in force, outnumbering the Marines who are there on the lines trying to defend their positions, much greater forces than the Marines had seen in other similar assaults. They came at them with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades. The Marines fought back ferociously like lions, in the words of one military commander being quoted from the ground there. Then they called in helicopter gunships. They called in war planes. There were Hellfire missiles fired. These are laser-guided missiles that can zero in on a target.
The firing said to have come from a mosque, from minarets in that mosque. The return fire apparently has destroyed at least that mosque, perhaps another target. Those were some of the sources of what we have seen there. There is some of the background to try to understand the situation -- Bill.
HEMMER: Yes, Jim, thanks for that. Much appreciated. Jim Clancy in Baghdad watching what's happening not just in the capital city but also clearly focused on what's going on in Fallujah. Thanks.
Now -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: And, in fact, what's happening in Iraq is our top story this morning. But there is other news to tell you about, and we begin, in fact, on the campaign trail, where jobs are the focus this week.
President Bush heads to Minnesota today, where he will promote job training programs. Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry is kicking off a four-state bus tour in Wheeling, West Virginia. Senator Kerry is asking voters there to hop on the jobs-first express.
Abortion rights activists are vowing to carry the momentum of a huge rally right into the November elections. As many as 300,000 people turned out yesterday for a demonstration on the National Mall in Washington; 1,400 groups participated in the march, criticizing President Bush for his views on abortion.
Estee Lauder, philanthropist and founder of a cosmetics empire is dead today. Lauder was the only woman in 1998 to make "TIME" magazine's list of the 20-most influential business geniuses of the century. She died of cardiopulmonary arrest at her home over the weekend. A company spokeswoman says that Estee Lauder was 97 years old.
In Great Britain, about 10,000 volunteers are taking part in a trial run of new identity technology. The move comes as draft legislation outlining plans for a national ID program -- ID card program, rather, was published. Now, supporters say ID cards that store a person's fingerprints or iris scan could be an effective tool against terrorism. But critics say technology is too expensive, and there is no guarantee that it will actually work. Interesting to see how those tests go.
HEMMER: I would say. O'BRIEN: Interesting to see the number of volunteers.
HEMMER: Yes, very true.
(WEATHER BREAK)
HEMMER: The pentagon says it's unwarranted and undignified to publish photographs of coffins containing the remains of U.S. soldiers killed in battle. Government policy prohibits media coverage of remains being shipped home.
How do the families feel about seeing military caskets now on the front page of their newspaper as we did at the end of last week?
Twenty-two-year-old Army Specialist Justin Johnson was killed in action earlier this month in Iraq; in fact, on the 10th of April in Sadr City, northeastern Baghdad. His parents, Jan and Joseph Johnson, are with us live today from Rome, Georgia, to talk about their son and to talk about the photographs.
Welcome here. And good morning to both of you.
JAN JOHNSON, SON KILLED IN IRAQ: Good morning.
JOSEPH JOHNSON, SON KILLED IN IRAQ: Good morning.
HEMMER: Mrs. Johnson, you e-mailed us on Friday morning, and that's what brought you to us today. When you saw the photos printed last week, what was your reaction?
JAN JOHNSON: I thought they were great. To me, it showed that our men and women of action from the minute they fall are being treated with great respect.
HEMMER: You also indicate that it was consoling to you. In what way?
JAN JOHNSON: Well, for the fact that I knew that my son was treated good. You know, he wasn't just thrown into a body bag and thrown onto a plane; that from the time he fell, he was taken care of. He was treated with respect and brought home that way.
HEMMER: I want to get your reaction to what the White House spokesperson said over the weekend. I'm quoting now. We'll put it on the screen for our viewers to see. "We must pay attention to privacy and to the sensitivity of the families of the fallen, and that's what the policy is based on."
Does that reflect your feelings or not?
JAN JOHNSON: To me, with the photographs, because you did not know exactly who was in the coffins, then to me, it was not a problem. If it was like one coffin and a person's picture without the parents, you know, saying, yes, can you do this, then to me that would be a violation of their privacy. And, you know, they should be respected for that. But to me, the one picture of where you had the 21 coffins and the gentleman saluting them, that just touched me. It really did. It showed that, you know, they're being respected from the day one.
HEMMER: Yes, at your son's funeral, you actually invited local reporters to come to the funeral. Mr. Johnson, why make that decision?
JOSEPH JOHNSON: We wanted to share him with the community. I mean, he was our son, but he was also Floyd County's son. And everybody around here grieved for him. So, we felt -- the media asked to be invited, and we said, sure. I mean, we didn't see the harm in it.
HEMMER: Ultimately, Mr. Johnson, would you like to see the Pentagon change its policy n photographs?
JOSEPH JOHNSON: I'd rather not comment on that, because I'm still in the military right now. But personally, me and my wife feel like that the people in the U.S. need to see the sacrifice that the men and women are making over there, and we don't see anything wrong with it. But, you know, I do have to abide by what the Pentagon says.
HEMMER: Well, I will fully respect that position. Mrs. Johnson, would you care to share?
JAN JOHNSON: To me, like I said, I don't see where the problem is. But at the time when I wrote the e-mail, I did not know the Pentagon's position on this. And I just knew that this lady had taken pictures, and they were being published. And I'm not sure what date the pictures were taken on, but, I mean, my son may have been one of them that she took the picture of. I don't know. And, to me, like I said...
HEMMER: If you could, tell me about Justin, age 22. Tell me about your son.
JAN JOHNSON: He was only 22, like you said, but he had lived a full life already. He was a very outdoor person. He started real young as far as he jumped out of an airplane at 16 for the first time. He had already -- he was a certified scuba diver. He had already dove to 110 feet in the ocean. You know, there's not too many 22 year-olds that have already done things like that.
And when he got orders for Baghdad, he was ready to go. And that's all we heard out of him for the last year, you know, we're going, we're standing down, we're going, we're standing down. And he says, "Mom, I'm ready to go." So, you know, we actually figured up he was there for 12 days before he was killed.
HEMMER: Less than two weeks.
JAN JOHNSON: And he died doing what he wanted to do, yes.
HEMMER: Listen, thanks. Both of you sound like have you an awful lot of pride in the service that your son has given this country. And thanks to the Johnson family there in Rome, Georgia. Thank you for sharing with us today. Appreciate it.
JAN JOHNSON: Thank you.
JOSEPH JOHNSON: Thank you.
HEMMER: All right -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Well, what remarkable parents. Aren't they?
HEMMER: Oh, yes.
HEMMER: Incredibly strong. and what an amazing son they had.
Let's turn to medical news now this morning. Diabetes is becoming an increasing concern worldwide. The number of people developing the chronic disease will double by 2030. The U.S., India and China top the list of countries where diabetes is now exploding. Obesity and a lack of exercise are big risk factors for diabetes. Family history also plays a major role.
The new study, which will be published in the May issue of "Diabetes Care," which is put out by the American Diabetes Association.
In addition, millions of Americans are joining the low-carb diet craze, and there is a glut of new products on store shelves to feed the low-carb nation. The feeding trend is "TIME" magazine's cover story this week. And Dr. Sanjay Gupta joins us from the CNN center to talk about it.
Good morning to you, Sanjay.
How big of a deal is the low-carb craze now?
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Really, really big deal, Soledad. Low carb/high protein. We talk about the good carbs, bad carbs. Everyone is starting to learn these terms. Really amazing.
Now, a new poll is actually out by Opinion Dynamics trying to put some numbers on it. A lot of people are talking about it. Just how many people are using these low-carb diets? You can see the numbers there, 70 million -- and this is in the United States -- 70 million people now are limiting their carbs; 26 million people saying, we're on a hard-core, low-carb diet. You certainly know some of these people. I do as well. They don't eat hardly any carbs at all. Twenty-six million people.
Also some other numbers that interest me as well, Soledad, 1,558 new products have come out, low-carb products, over the last two years. People are spending about 85 bucks a month just on low-carb products -- beers, spaghetti, ice cream, you name it. And just about anything you think of that is typically high-carb, you can now get low-carb.
And also, Soledad, lots of people reading about it as well; 140 books out there existing on low-carb diets. You can expect about 51 more this year alone, taking the number over 200 books on low-carb diets. So certainly a lot of information out there as well -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Well, you know, we saw a similar thing when everybody was avoiding fat. You had all of those fat-free cookies, which people then scarfed down, boxes and boxes of fat-free cookies, because why not?
GUPTA: Right.
O'BRIEN: They don't have any fat in them. Is there any indication -- and maybe it's just too early to tell -- that these diets really work in the long run? I mean, you know, anybody could eat -- lose weight eating only grapefruit or something for a month. But, you know, the question is a year, two years, five years down the road, are you still losing the weight? Have you kept the weight off? And are you healthier?
GUPTA: That is probably the sneaky secret, and you've hit right on it, Soledad. The jury is still out as to whether or not these diets actually work long-term. Most people have -- a lot of people have said that they get some success with it at least short-term in terms of dropping weight quickly. But in terms of long-term, just like any other diet out there, the jury is still out as to whether or not people will stick with it and thus keep the weight off.
But also more than that, medically speaking, when you talk about high-protein diets, there can be some concerns for your kidneys, your liver and your bones if you're just eating high protein without some of the other foods. Also the saturated fats. This is no surprise. If you're eating all of those steak and eggs and those saturated fats, eventually that could be problematic for your heart and possibly causing strokes as well.
But I think, Soledad, what you said, calories count. Bottom line, calories do count. And if you think that you can load up on steak and eggs because they are low-carb, eventually, because they're high calorie, that's going to catch up with you -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Interesting. All right, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thanks very much.
GUPTA: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: I wonder how they make pasta, low-carb pasta? I mean, that's...
HEMMER: Tomorrow we're eating only grapefruit though. Starting tomorrow.
O'BRIEN: Not be, baby. Now is my time to eat anything I want.
HEMMER: That's right.
In a moment here, "90-Second Pop" comes your way. And Billy Joel's driving record. We'll get to that in a moment.
O'BRIEN: Also, Michael Jackson and his attorneys part company. The big question now is why? We'll have the latest on that.
HEMMER: Also, the scandal at the University of Colorado. We'll talk to two moms who claim innocent football players and Coach Gary Barnett's program are being unfairly targeted. Their stories still to come this morning on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Good morning. Welcome, everybody. It's time now for another all-new episode of "90-Second Pop." The gang is all with us this morning. Andy Borowitz, the author of "Governor Arnold." "New York" magazine contributing editor Sarah Bernard. And Toure, contributing editor for "Rolling Stone."
Good morning to all of you.
SARAH BERNARD, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: Good morning.
O'BRIEN: We have so much to get through. Let's just get going.
Sarah, you're going to start for me. Billy Joel, third time in recent history where the man...
BERNARD: Third time, I know. Another car accident for Billy Joel.
O'BRIEN: And this is an odd one because he ran into a house.
BERNARD: He did. And this is actually not in the Hamptons. It was in Mid Island. And what happened was apparently he was not drinking this time. He just literally lost control of his 1967 Citron (ph), which I have to say, I mean, does that even have seat belts?
O'BRIEN: I had a Citron.
BERNARD: That is not a car...
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: But they also, by the same -- it won't do a lot of damage when they hit a house.
BERNARD: That's right. They sort of bounce right off the house.
TOURE, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "ROLLING STONE" MAGAZINE: A lot damage just to Billy.
BERNARD: Just to Billy.
O'BRIEN: Is he fine?
BERNARD: He wasn't hurt. He was just shaken up about it, and then, of course, it made all the news, because he's been -- this has become a pattern for Billy. ANDY BOROWITZ, HUMORIST: But, you know, the good news for Billy Joel is he just got a great rate on his car insurance from Geico. So that's good.
BERNARD: And he really shouldn't worry about it at all.
BOROWITZ: Good. A little (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
BERNARD: And this time, actually his daughter was not in the car, which was one of the concerns of Christie Brinkley.
O'BRIEN: Right, the last time.
BERNARD: They had been fighting about it, because she was worried that something was going to happen to Alexa. But he's OK.
O'BRIEN: Yes, he has what I would call a non-stellar driving record certainly over the last...
BOROWITZ: Maybe he should stay in his house and let people drive into him from now on. That's what I would do.
O'BRIEN: You've heard the story about Martha Stewart. This is one of my favorite stories today, because it's so odd. Martha Stewart's brother -- I mean...
BERNARD: Frank, I know.
O'BRIEN: It's weird.
BERNARD: Younger brother, Frank, troublemaker.
TOURE: You know, it's just like will the friend betrayals ever end? Like everybody who knows her, like, just stick the knife deeper in her back. I mean like...
O'BRIEN: It's sad actually.
BERNARD: But it was all of her friends. That was the story from a couple of weeks ago that it was really just the people who knew her, who worked with her. But now it's her own family.
BOROWITZ: He is auctioning things like her old chewing gum.
BERNARD: He's auctioning (UNINTELLIGIBLE) sewing machine.
O'BRIEN: Literally. I mean, you're not -- that's not an Andy Borowitz joke.
BOROWITZ: No, no. No, that's...
BERNARD: He's just auctioning the sewing machine that she used to make her dress, the pink Formica table in their old kitchen, which apparently has her gum underneath it. That's where the gum came from.
(CROSSTALK) BOROWITZ: You know, I've got to tell you, as tempting as these items are, I would like to see wait to see what cellmate puts on eBay. Because wouldn't you love to have Martha's do-wrap?
BERNARD: Oh!
BOROWITZ: That would be awesome. That would be awesome.
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: I think...
BERNARD: Her mom is defending Frank and saying their his things, and he can do with them what they want. So, that's not what you want to hear from your mom right now.
O'BRIEN: That's...
TOURE: Show some love and compassion, you would you think. This is just the lowest of the low.
O'BRIEN: Define estranged, I think.
TOURE: I guess so.
O'BRIEN: That's...
BERNARD: They still haven't spoken in five years?
O'BRIEN: Yes, that sounds really sad.
TOURE: Yes, hey, right.
O'BRIEN: The Olsen twins, which they hate to be called the Olsen twins. I mean, literally, their publicist is like, do not call them the Olsen twins. So, they're Mary Kate...
BOROWITZ: Well, you've done it three times.
TOURE: Three times.
O'BRIEN: I know. Olsen twins, Olsen twins. Well, they are the Olsen twins.
BOROWITZ: Right.
O'BRIEN: But they're trying to...
BOROWITZ: Mary Kate and Ashley.
O'BRIEN: They're trying to -- Mary Kate and Ashley are trying to relaunch.
BOROWITZ: Right. Well, they are -- you know, I was shocked. They're turning 18, which just shocked me, because, you know, they've been around so long. I thought they were like 40. I was just amazed. O'BRIEN: They were the little babies on "Full House."
BOROWITZ: "Full House." They've been with us forever.
TOURE: And now they're so rich, they could buy and sell John Stamos (ph).
BOROWITZ: That's true.
BERNARD: That's right.
BOROWITZ: That is true.
BERNARD: But if you Google their 18th birthday, Mary Kate and Ashley, something like 3,000 Web sites come up counting down to the exact second.
O'BRIEN: That's odd. That's just weird.
BOROWITZ: Well, you know, if you...
(CROSSTALK)
BOROWITZ: If you're a reader of "Teen People," as I am, you know, you'll find the Olsen twins are actually the most powerful people in the universe.
TOURE: Yes.
BOROWITZ: So, we should be concerned about their every move. And this is actually a big deal, because they're now talking about, like, how do they grow up, you know, because they're 18. How do they change their image?
BERNARD: Right.
BOROWITZ: I would just -- the only piece of advice I would give them is just don't listen to the Bush twins. They're not a source of good advice on this.
O'BRIEN: Not necessarily.
BOROWITZ: No, I don't think so.
O'BRIEN: All right, let's talk about the weekend box office. Who is going to tackle that for me?
BERNARD: Well, I will. Why not?
O'BRIEN: Why not?
BERNARD: This is actually a tie, neck and neck.
TOURE: I think we're making it up as we go along this morning.
O'BRIEN: Some days, we just make it up, Toure. Have you not figured that out yet, especially on "90-Second Pop?"
BERNARD: Well, it's really been a tie.
O'BRIEN: "13 Going on 30."
BERNARD: "13 going on 30"...
(CROSSTALK)
BERNARD: It is a very cute movie. Jennifer Garner, everyone is comparing her to Julia Roberts now.
TOURE: Didn't they steal the script from "Big" and put it to a woman?
BERNARD: No.
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: Welcome to Hollywood.
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: And what did "Big" steal the script from? Something else. I'm sure everything is a remake. Please, Toure.
TOURE: Oh, my god!
BERNARD: Apparently guys like her and girls like her, which is a hard combination, because usually you get one or the other. And then you have the complete other side of the spectrum, "Man on Fire," which is one of those revenge stories, vigilante.
BOROWITZ: Which one was Billy Joel on his way to see?
BERNARD: "Man on Fire."
BOROWITZ: Oh, OK. OK.
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: You guys crack me up. Well, we ran through a lot today. Good job. Thank you so much.
BERNARD: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: Until next time.
TOURE: You're so weird!
O'BRIEN: I'm not weird. Bill, save me, please.
HEMMER: I am here to (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
In a moment here, is there more pain on the way at the pump? That's coming up with Andy. And back with Jack as well right after this here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Gas prices are high. Just how high can they go? With that and a preview of the market this morning, Andy Serwer, who is Minding Your Business."
Hello.
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Hello.
O'BRIEN: Should we start with gas prices?
SERWER: Let's do that, yes.
O'BRIEN: What is it now, $1.80?
SERWER: $1.86. I mean, we really are looking at a situation where we could be looking at $2 the national average over the next couple of weeks. Up 3 cents last week. You do the math. That's times six weeks? Maybe. Because we've got peak driving months coming up. $1.86 is the national average now. Look at that, 34 cents up from December. And, you know, a lot of people are blaming problems on the Middle East tensions. But, you know, part of this is because the economy is picking up here, Soledad; also strong demand from China as well.
O'BRIEN: So, why does the economy picking up raise gas prices?
SERWER: Well, more and more people -- you know, let's say a factory is shipping out more orders, more trucks on the road, more people feeling optimistic and going out and taking vacations, too.
O'BRIEN: OK. Let's talk about the market. Give us a preview of -- wrap up last week, preview this week and then let's talk about Google.
SERWER: OK. A good week last week.
O'BRIEN: I give a nice (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Please.
SERWER: OK. Absolutely. A good week last week. Optimism over corporate earnings winning the day over people who are scared about higher interest rates. S&P 500 broader market up about 2.6 percent for the year. Good stuff. Futures a little bit mixed this morning.
Big news on Wall Street and for many others as Google, that search engine -- Sarah Bernard just used it as verb. It's almost generic now. We're going to Google someone. Looking at a big IPO. "The Wall Street Journal" said the investment bankers are being picked. And "The New York Times" the other day reporting all these people who are in on the deal, you know, people who had a piece of the action like Shaq, Tiger Woods, Henry Kissinger, interesting stuff. It's going to be huge.
O'BRIEN: An interesting list of people who were all involved. SERWER: That's right, yes.
O'BRIEN: All right, Andy, thanks.
SERWER: OK.
HEMMER: Do you ever Google Jack Cafferty?
SERWER: Let's do it.
O'BRIEN: I Google you. I will Google Jack Cafferty in the break. Interesting.
HEMMER: The question of the day. Good morning.
SERWER: Yes.
O'BRIEN: Hey, Jack.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Not really.
SERWER: OK.
CAFFERTY: Question of the day, the death of former football player Pat Tillman who was killed in eastern Afghanistan on Friday absolutely dominated the news over this past weekend. Tillman walked away from a $3.5 million pro football contract to join the Army after September 11. Considering how many professional athletes act these days, Tillman's selflessness stood out a lot. But hundreds of other troops have been killed in this war without the same media coverage.
So, the question this morning is: Does the media coverage of Tillman's death in any way diminish the sacrifice of others?
Dave in Japan writes this: "A millionaire turning his back on a life of privilege to put his life on the line fighting for his people is nothing less than inspiring. This is what makes Pat Tillman a bona fide American hero, and Osama bin Laden so widely admired in the Arab world. Ironic, isn't it?"
David in Garner, North Carolina: "I don't think the media can do anything to diminish any veteran sacrifice. On the other hand, the media diminishes itself by trivializing through entertainment value the sacrifice of any veteran with the idea that some sacrifices are more entertaining or newsworthy than others."
And Bill writes this: "The attention given to Tillman just shows how obsessed America is with money and fame. This guy puts his pants on the same as all the others who lost their lives, and it's a national embarrassment that others are not paid the same amount of respect."
AM@CNN.com.
O'BRIEN: Interesting perspectives. All right, Jack, thanks. Still to come this morning, we're going to much more on that firefight in Fallujah and also the tense situation there with insurgents across Iraq. That's ahead. Stay with us. You're watching AMERICAN MORNING.
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