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Military Reprimands Six Soldiers in Connection With Alleged Abuse of Iraqi Prisoners
Aired May 03, 2004 - 11:30 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: The military has reprimanded six soldiers in connection with the alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners. But some are blaming military intelligence for the incidents. Kathleen Koch is at the pentagon with more on the investigation -- Kathleen.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, the U.S. military is doing everything it can right now to show that it takes these alleged abuses seriously, that it is doing its best to punish those responsible.
And indeed, these letters of rebuke, of reprimand that went out to the six officers could indeed have the effect of ending their careers, blocking them from being promoted. A seventh officer got a lesser letter of admonition.
The chief U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad himself made the rounds of the morning talk shows insisting that these horrible photos do not illustrate a widespread problem.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRIG. GEN. MARK KIMMITT, U.S. ARMY: Well, everything that we've seen so far from the investigation, six criminal counts against individuals along with quite a few more administrative actions, say around ten, on the part of others, that would indicate that of the thousands of detainees that we had at Abu Ghraib and the hundreds of people in the supervision and care, that it in fact, it is a very small group of people, and a small number of incidences.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOCH: But a journal kept by one of the military policemen facing charges in the alleged abuses does describe numerous incidents. Quote, "leaving inmates in their cell with no clothes or in female underpants, handcuffing them to the door of their cell. I questioned this and the answer I got was this is how military intelligence wants this done."
Staff Sergeant "Chip" Frederick's attorney this morning said on CNN that he believes the photos are being misinterpreted.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARY MYERS, ATTORNEY FOR STAFF SGT. "CHIP" FREDERICK: What you see is a form of humiliation employed to gain information. I believe that it is overstatement to call it torture. And I believe it is overstatement to call it atrocity.
It is a methodology that offensive. Is it offensive to the Geneva Convention? Yes. But the defenses involved here do not involve necessarily abrogating all responsibility. They involve abrogating criminal responsibility.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOCH: The soldier's attorney is now asking for a public court of inquiry to look very carefully, very specifically into just who was responsible for the alleged abuses at Abu Ghraib Prison from the lowest MP to the highest general. Back to you, Daryn.
KAGAN: Kathleen Koch at the Pentagon.
President Bush is on the road and Senator John Kerry is on the airwaves today. Each hoping to gain more ground in the race for the White House. "INSIDE POLITICS"' Judy Woodruff has our campaign update on this Monday. Judy, good morning.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Daryn. Thank you.
Well the president is launching his first bus tour of his 2004 campaign dubbed the "Yes, America Can" Tour. Aides say Bush will highlight national security, the economy and volunteerism. Country music singer Travis Tritt will be along for the ride as Bush begins the two-day bus tour in Michingan.
It'll make stops today in Niles, Kalamazoo and Sterling Heights before heading to another battle ground state, Ohio, tomorrow.
Democrat John Kerry is launching a television ad campaign designed to introduce himself to a nationwide audience. The spots will run this month in 17 battleground states, plus a couple more at a cost of $25 million.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AD ANNOUNCER: In the Senate, he was a leader in the fight for health care for children. He joined with John McCain to find the truth about POWs and MIAs in Vietnam. He broke with his own party to support a balanced budget. Then in the 1990s, cast a decisive vote that created 20 million new jobs.
A lifetime of service and strength. John Kerry for president.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WOODRUFF: From the new Kerry ad.
Meantime, comedian and liberal talk show host Al Franken says the odds are better than 50/50 that he'll challenge Republican Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota in 2008. He says he will decide late next year.
Coleman hasn't responded, but the chairman of the Minnesota Republican Party says he doesn't think the state is ready for another, quote, "Ventura-type candidate." A reference, of course, to former pro wrestler turned governor Jesse Ventura.
John Kerry continues to speak out strongly against the Bush administration saying it lacks a plan for building stability in post- war Iraq. Former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean joins me this afternoon. I'll ask him if he thinks Senator Kerry is making a strong enough case on Iraq.
Plus, today's the first day seniors can signed up for drug discount cards under Medicare. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson also joins me live when I go INSIDE POLITICS at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.
Right now, though, let's go back to Daryn in Atlanta.
KAGAN: All right, Judy, thank you for that. We'll see you later today.
Some high-profile Democrats are expressing concern today that John Kerry is still struggling to find a defining theme for his campaign. By one count, he has already rolled out six broad messages. More from our senior political analyst Bill Schneider.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST (voice-over): John Kerry's campaign needs a defining theme, something voters want that they're not getting from the incumbent.
In 1960, after the 70-year-old Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy offered the country youth. After the turmoil of the '60s, Richard Nixon's defining theme was order. After Watergate, Jimmy Carter ran on morality. Four years of Carter left the country longing for leadership, Ronald Reagan's defining theme. The first President Bush was out of touch with ordinary Americans. Enter Bill Clinton, Mr. Empathy. George W. Bush offered what voters felt Clinton lacked -- character.
What are voters looking for this year? Change? That's what it says on these shirts worn by Kerry's youthful supporters. But that's a generic theme. Every challenger offers change.
President Bush is a man of simple ideas. Could the voters be longing for complexity?
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: If I were president, I would have wanted the authority to be able to leverage Saddam Hussein's behavior and the United Nations.
But if I were president, I would never, ever have behaved the way George Bush did by breaking promises about building a real coalition, using the inspections exhausting that remedy. And most importantly, taking America to war as a last resort.
SCHNEIDER: Probably not. GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: He's been in Washington long enough to take both sides of every issue.
SCHNEIDER: What do Americans want that President Bush isn't? Here's a clue. A recent poll showed the country is divided over whether President Bush has divided the country. In the 2000 campaign, Bush made a promise he didn't deliver.
KERRY: George Bush, who promised to become a uniter, has become the great divider.
SCHNEIDER: The Bush-Cheney campaign seems aimed at intensifying the division.
DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Contrast between the candidates this November will be sharper than it has in many years.
SCHNEIDER: Can Kerry define himself as a unifier, a candidate that can reach across the country's vast political divide?
KERRY: If the president will take the needed steps to share the burden and make progress in Iraq if he leads, then I will support him on this issue.
SCHNEIDER (on camera): If he's to be a unifier, Kerry cannot run a harsh divisive campaign that rallies the Democratic Party base. Howard Dean tried that and failed. Voters do not want to replace a president who divides the country from the right with a new president who divides the country from the left.
Bill Schneider, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: Who says politics is serious business? Later we'll show you what happens when comedians and political heavyweights come together.
Also it's a big day for millions of Americans on Medicare. But it's not without controversy and some confusion. That story's ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Seems low-carb diets can take a big bite out of your grocery budget. "USA Today" asked a well-know supermarket expert to calculate the cost of following the two most popular low-carb plans. The ongoing weight-loss phase of the Atkins Diet costs an average of $14 a day. Phase two of the South Beach Diet was nearly $13 a day. The paper says a more regular diet costs about $6.50 a day.
Starting today, seniors can sign up for discount prescription drug cards under Medicare. That is the focus of our "Daily Dose" of health news.
Sean Callebs is in Washington, trying to make sense of the new program.
Good morning.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Daryn.
Big day for senior citizens. Beginning today, they can sign up for Medicare-approved prescription drug discount cards. The Department of Health and Human Services saying the program will save cardholders between 10 percent and 25 percent off the retail price of most prescription medications. It will certainly be a sign of welcome relief for many senior citizens.
But here's the tough part, figuring out exactly which card to get. It could prove confusing. It's all part of the new Medicare law, approved about six months ago. And even though senior citizens can begin signing up for the cards today, they will not actually begin receiving benefits until June 1st.
Now the head of Health and Human Services is speaking right now, and says at least 7.3 million senior citizens right now do not have access of any kind to prescription drug coverage. Those who have some kind of prescription medication coverage could find the new cards won't help them at all. Then people will have to decide if they want cheaper generic drugs.
Right now, there are at least 40 different cards being offered. People who qualify for Medicaid aren't eligible for the benefit cards. Some cards will be free. Others can cost up to $30. Education on the various cards is available. And what the benefits can be, that's keeping the Health and Human Services busy. They have information on their Web site, as you can see right here. And they're also going to begin running TV commercials.
People in the lower-income bracket, about 4.7 million, can also receive a $600 credit to help pay for medication. That, Daryn, the easy part.
KAGAN: Sean Callebs, thank you for explaining about as much as is understandable on this day. Appreciate it.
For a Daily Dose of health news online, you can go to our Web site. You'll find the latest medical news, a health library and information on diet and fitness. Our address is CNN.com/health.
Are you looking for a thrilling getaway that won't break your bank? We are taking a look at summer vacations that offer just that, cheap thrills, when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Summer is coming. Are you ready to play like a kid again? You can, and you don't have to raid your piggy bank to do it. Erik Torkells is an editor with "Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel." He's in New York this morning and he has some cheap thrill destinations. The key here, cheap prices.
Good morning.
Let's hit the water first for a houseboat vacation.
ERIK TORKELLS, "ARTHUR FROMMER'S BUDGET TRAVEL": Well, a lot of people want to stay close to home because of security reasons, and because the dollar's pretty weak. One great way to have a vacation is to run a houseboat at a -- generally there at bigger lakes. You get a bunch of people together, because they tend to sleep around 10 to 14 people. And that keeps the cost down. And you can sort of go out and have a great, natural vacation and still, you know, have a roof to sleep under.
KAGAN: Lake Powell, Arizona, I know that houseboats are really big on that lake. Also, dude ranches. You can do that in Arizona, in the West.
TORKELLS: All over the West. People love dude ranches. We did a story about how to find -- which questions to ask before you sign up for one, because there's a lot of different kinds of things. There are working ranches, which are actually just open every now and then to let you sort of have a look at what a working ranch is like, but then there are also ranches where it's pretty much tourist friendly. That's the only reason they exist. And they have chuck wagons, and sing-a-longs and things like that. And both are great. But you should figure out what you want. They actually...
KAGAN: How authentic?
TORKELLS: How authentic, and also in terms of expense. They tend to be all inclusive, but the price can creep up on you. So you might also look at a horse friendly B&B, which say then you spend $75 a night, but then you can rent horses from the owners for, you know, significantly cheaper.
KAGAN: And we're talking a range of $800 to $3,000, depending on what kind of place you end up on.
TORKELLS: For a dude ranch, but a B&B, you'd be closer to $150.
KAGAN: And also you want to check whether kids are welcome.
TORKELLS: Yes, I always thought that kids were sort of -- that's why dude ranches exist, but actually it turns out it's not. And a lot of them, the people we talked to, they say you specifically have to ask, because they won't come out and tell you.
KAGAN: That would be a bummer, to show up with your kid and then be told that you can't stay.
Also, mark your calendar. Let's talk about some of these fun festivals that are around. First the Yarmouth Clam Festival, where is that?
TORKELLS: In Yarmouth, Maine, on the coast, as you might expect, since it's all about plans. But it's July 16th through 18th, and it's, you know, it's everything you wanted to know about clams. But, you know, 125,000 people come in, and the town only has 8,500 people normally, so it just transforms the place. And they have these fireworks and concerts, and the kind of stuff you'd expect from a festival. They also have a clam shucking contest, which is kind of a hoot. And a diaper derby, where toddlers race.
KAGAN: Let's head to California, Gilroy, the Garlic Festival, not that far south of San Jose.
TORKELLS: No, if you drive any where near Gilroy, you'll smell it coming. But their festival, obviously, they stick pretty close to the theme of garlic, so it's mostly about cooking. There's music, but it's all about cooking. And they set up bleachers to watch people in the cook-off. What's kind of scary is they don't just cook pasta, or shrimp or thinks that you might expect garlic in, they cook a lot of desserts.
KAGAN: Yes, garlic ice cream I know is hot -- not hot, but popular there. And then finally, the Morton Logger's Festival. Where is that?
TORKELLS: In Morton, Washington. It's a jubilee, they call it. And it's a look at how lumberjacks live. And they do log rolling and ax throwing and the kind of things you'd expect. They also have a lawn mower race, which we got a big kick out of. People paint their lawn mowers with flames on the side and all that, because they also want to win the prettiest lawn mower contest.
KAGAN: OK, well fun to check out, and as you said, good budget choices out there, and you find out more on "Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel."
Erik, thank you for the tips.
TORKELLS: Thank you.
KAGAN: Appreciate it.
(STOCK MARKET UPDATE)
KAGAN: This just in to CNN, the commander who was in charge of U.S. prisons in Iraq is talking today. General Janice Karpinski She said she knew nothing about the alleged prisoner abuse until it was reported.
CNN talked to her just a short time ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRIG. GEN. JANICE KARPINSKI, U.S. ARMY: If they're claiming to have been in the prison, and they're claiming to be individuals in those photographs, they could very well have been declared no further value. They go through the board process and been released.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: General Karpinski has since rotated out of Iraq. We're going have more on the story in the next hour with Wolf Blitzer, and you can see more of that interview tomorrow morning on AMERICAN MORNING.
Up next, serious comedy in Washington D.C. Comedians and politicians come face to face. The result? What you might expect. We're back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Hard-nosed journalists and heavyweight politicians shared some of the laughs Saturday at the annual White House Correspondence Dinner. Good humored swipes were made by comedian Jay Leno.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAY LENO, "TONIGHT SHOW" HOST: John Kerry stands by his claim that some foreign leaders have told him they hope he wins. Of course, President Bush said, yes, well, certain Supreme Court justices have told me I'm going to win. So there, there you have it.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Or take that one about Cheney and me answering questions together. That was a toughie. So from now on, Dick and I will be holding joint press conferences.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: As you can see, President Bush fired off a few one-liners of his own. But for the most part, the Iraq war was no joking matter. A kind of subdued tone to that evening.
(WEATHER UPDATE)
KAGAN: And that's going to do it for me, Daryn. Kagan. I'll be right back here in this seat tomorrow morning. For now, Wolf Blitzer takes over from Washington D.C.
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 May 3, 2004 - 11:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The military has reprimanded six soldiers in connection with the alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners. But some are blaming military intelligence for the incidents. Kathleen Koch is at the pentagon with more on the investigation -- Kathleen.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, the U.S. military is doing everything it can right now to show that it takes these alleged abuses seriously, that it is doing its best to punish those responsible.
And indeed, these letters of rebuke, of reprimand that went out to the six officers could indeed have the effect of ending their careers, blocking them from being promoted. A seventh officer got a lesser letter of admonition.
The chief U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad himself made the rounds of the morning talk shows insisting that these horrible photos do not illustrate a widespread problem.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRIG. GEN. MARK KIMMITT, U.S. ARMY: Well, everything that we've seen so far from the investigation, six criminal counts against individuals along with quite a few more administrative actions, say around ten, on the part of others, that would indicate that of the thousands of detainees that we had at Abu Ghraib and the hundreds of people in the supervision and care, that it in fact, it is a very small group of people, and a small number of incidences.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOCH: But a journal kept by one of the military policemen facing charges in the alleged abuses does describe numerous incidents. Quote, "leaving inmates in their cell with no clothes or in female underpants, handcuffing them to the door of their cell. I questioned this and the answer I got was this is how military intelligence wants this done."
Staff Sergeant "Chip" Frederick's attorney this morning said on CNN that he believes the photos are being misinterpreted.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARY MYERS, ATTORNEY FOR STAFF SGT. "CHIP" FREDERICK: What you see is a form of humiliation employed to gain information. I believe that it is overstatement to call it torture. And I believe it is overstatement to call it atrocity.
It is a methodology that offensive. Is it offensive to the Geneva Convention? Yes. But the defenses involved here do not involve necessarily abrogating all responsibility. They involve abrogating criminal responsibility.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOCH: The soldier's attorney is now asking for a public court of inquiry to look very carefully, very specifically into just who was responsible for the alleged abuses at Abu Ghraib Prison from the lowest MP to the highest general. Back to you, Daryn.
KAGAN: Kathleen Koch at the Pentagon.
President Bush is on the road and Senator John Kerry is on the airwaves today. Each hoping to gain more ground in the race for the White House. "INSIDE POLITICS"' Judy Woodruff has our campaign update on this Monday. Judy, good morning.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Daryn. Thank you.
Well the president is launching his first bus tour of his 2004 campaign dubbed the "Yes, America Can" Tour. Aides say Bush will highlight national security, the economy and volunteerism. Country music singer Travis Tritt will be along for the ride as Bush begins the two-day bus tour in Michingan.
It'll make stops today in Niles, Kalamazoo and Sterling Heights before heading to another battle ground state, Ohio, tomorrow.
Democrat John Kerry is launching a television ad campaign designed to introduce himself to a nationwide audience. The spots will run this month in 17 battleground states, plus a couple more at a cost of $25 million.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AD ANNOUNCER: In the Senate, he was a leader in the fight for health care for children. He joined with John McCain to find the truth about POWs and MIAs in Vietnam. He broke with his own party to support a balanced budget. Then in the 1990s, cast a decisive vote that created 20 million new jobs.
A lifetime of service and strength. John Kerry for president.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WOODRUFF: From the new Kerry ad.
Meantime, comedian and liberal talk show host Al Franken says the odds are better than 50/50 that he'll challenge Republican Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota in 2008. He says he will decide late next year.
Coleman hasn't responded, but the chairman of the Minnesota Republican Party says he doesn't think the state is ready for another, quote, "Ventura-type candidate." A reference, of course, to former pro wrestler turned governor Jesse Ventura.
John Kerry continues to speak out strongly against the Bush administration saying it lacks a plan for building stability in post- war Iraq. Former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean joins me this afternoon. I'll ask him if he thinks Senator Kerry is making a strong enough case on Iraq.
Plus, today's the first day seniors can signed up for drug discount cards under Medicare. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson also joins me live when I go INSIDE POLITICS at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.
Right now, though, let's go back to Daryn in Atlanta.
KAGAN: All right, Judy, thank you for that. We'll see you later today.
Some high-profile Democrats are expressing concern today that John Kerry is still struggling to find a defining theme for his campaign. By one count, he has already rolled out six broad messages. More from our senior political analyst Bill Schneider.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST (voice-over): John Kerry's campaign needs a defining theme, something voters want that they're not getting from the incumbent.
In 1960, after the 70-year-old Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy offered the country youth. After the turmoil of the '60s, Richard Nixon's defining theme was order. After Watergate, Jimmy Carter ran on morality. Four years of Carter left the country longing for leadership, Ronald Reagan's defining theme. The first President Bush was out of touch with ordinary Americans. Enter Bill Clinton, Mr. Empathy. George W. Bush offered what voters felt Clinton lacked -- character.
What are voters looking for this year? Change? That's what it says on these shirts worn by Kerry's youthful supporters. But that's a generic theme. Every challenger offers change.
President Bush is a man of simple ideas. Could the voters be longing for complexity?
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: If I were president, I would have wanted the authority to be able to leverage Saddam Hussein's behavior and the United Nations.
But if I were president, I would never, ever have behaved the way George Bush did by breaking promises about building a real coalition, using the inspections exhausting that remedy. And most importantly, taking America to war as a last resort.
SCHNEIDER: Probably not. GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: He's been in Washington long enough to take both sides of every issue.
SCHNEIDER: What do Americans want that President Bush isn't? Here's a clue. A recent poll showed the country is divided over whether President Bush has divided the country. In the 2000 campaign, Bush made a promise he didn't deliver.
KERRY: George Bush, who promised to become a uniter, has become the great divider.
SCHNEIDER: The Bush-Cheney campaign seems aimed at intensifying the division.
DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Contrast between the candidates this November will be sharper than it has in many years.
SCHNEIDER: Can Kerry define himself as a unifier, a candidate that can reach across the country's vast political divide?
KERRY: If the president will take the needed steps to share the burden and make progress in Iraq if he leads, then I will support him on this issue.
SCHNEIDER (on camera): If he's to be a unifier, Kerry cannot run a harsh divisive campaign that rallies the Democratic Party base. Howard Dean tried that and failed. Voters do not want to replace a president who divides the country from the right with a new president who divides the country from the left.
Bill Schneider, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: Who says politics is serious business? Later we'll show you what happens when comedians and political heavyweights come together.
Also it's a big day for millions of Americans on Medicare. But it's not without controversy and some confusion. That story's ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Seems low-carb diets can take a big bite out of your grocery budget. "USA Today" asked a well-know supermarket expert to calculate the cost of following the two most popular low-carb plans. The ongoing weight-loss phase of the Atkins Diet costs an average of $14 a day. Phase two of the South Beach Diet was nearly $13 a day. The paper says a more regular diet costs about $6.50 a day.
Starting today, seniors can sign up for discount prescription drug cards under Medicare. That is the focus of our "Daily Dose" of health news.
Sean Callebs is in Washington, trying to make sense of the new program.
Good morning.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Daryn.
Big day for senior citizens. Beginning today, they can sign up for Medicare-approved prescription drug discount cards. The Department of Health and Human Services saying the program will save cardholders between 10 percent and 25 percent off the retail price of most prescription medications. It will certainly be a sign of welcome relief for many senior citizens.
But here's the tough part, figuring out exactly which card to get. It could prove confusing. It's all part of the new Medicare law, approved about six months ago. And even though senior citizens can begin signing up for the cards today, they will not actually begin receiving benefits until June 1st.
Now the head of Health and Human Services is speaking right now, and says at least 7.3 million senior citizens right now do not have access of any kind to prescription drug coverage. Those who have some kind of prescription medication coverage could find the new cards won't help them at all. Then people will have to decide if they want cheaper generic drugs.
Right now, there are at least 40 different cards being offered. People who qualify for Medicaid aren't eligible for the benefit cards. Some cards will be free. Others can cost up to $30. Education on the various cards is available. And what the benefits can be, that's keeping the Health and Human Services busy. They have information on their Web site, as you can see right here. And they're also going to begin running TV commercials.
People in the lower-income bracket, about 4.7 million, can also receive a $600 credit to help pay for medication. That, Daryn, the easy part.
KAGAN: Sean Callebs, thank you for explaining about as much as is understandable on this day. Appreciate it.
For a Daily Dose of health news online, you can go to our Web site. You'll find the latest medical news, a health library and information on diet and fitness. Our address is CNN.com/health.
Are you looking for a thrilling getaway that won't break your bank? We are taking a look at summer vacations that offer just that, cheap thrills, when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Summer is coming. Are you ready to play like a kid again? You can, and you don't have to raid your piggy bank to do it. Erik Torkells is an editor with "Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel." He's in New York this morning and he has some cheap thrill destinations. The key here, cheap prices.
Good morning.
Let's hit the water first for a houseboat vacation.
ERIK TORKELLS, "ARTHUR FROMMER'S BUDGET TRAVEL": Well, a lot of people want to stay close to home because of security reasons, and because the dollar's pretty weak. One great way to have a vacation is to run a houseboat at a -- generally there at bigger lakes. You get a bunch of people together, because they tend to sleep around 10 to 14 people. And that keeps the cost down. And you can sort of go out and have a great, natural vacation and still, you know, have a roof to sleep under.
KAGAN: Lake Powell, Arizona, I know that houseboats are really big on that lake. Also, dude ranches. You can do that in Arizona, in the West.
TORKELLS: All over the West. People love dude ranches. We did a story about how to find -- which questions to ask before you sign up for one, because there's a lot of different kinds of things. There are working ranches, which are actually just open every now and then to let you sort of have a look at what a working ranch is like, but then there are also ranches where it's pretty much tourist friendly. That's the only reason they exist. And they have chuck wagons, and sing-a-longs and things like that. And both are great. But you should figure out what you want. They actually...
KAGAN: How authentic?
TORKELLS: How authentic, and also in terms of expense. They tend to be all inclusive, but the price can creep up on you. So you might also look at a horse friendly B&B, which say then you spend $75 a night, but then you can rent horses from the owners for, you know, significantly cheaper.
KAGAN: And we're talking a range of $800 to $3,000, depending on what kind of place you end up on.
TORKELLS: For a dude ranch, but a B&B, you'd be closer to $150.
KAGAN: And also you want to check whether kids are welcome.
TORKELLS: Yes, I always thought that kids were sort of -- that's why dude ranches exist, but actually it turns out it's not. And a lot of them, the people we talked to, they say you specifically have to ask, because they won't come out and tell you.
KAGAN: That would be a bummer, to show up with your kid and then be told that you can't stay.
Also, mark your calendar. Let's talk about some of these fun festivals that are around. First the Yarmouth Clam Festival, where is that?
TORKELLS: In Yarmouth, Maine, on the coast, as you might expect, since it's all about plans. But it's July 16th through 18th, and it's, you know, it's everything you wanted to know about clams. But, you know, 125,000 people come in, and the town only has 8,500 people normally, so it just transforms the place. And they have these fireworks and concerts, and the kind of stuff you'd expect from a festival. They also have a clam shucking contest, which is kind of a hoot. And a diaper derby, where toddlers race.
KAGAN: Let's head to California, Gilroy, the Garlic Festival, not that far south of San Jose.
TORKELLS: No, if you drive any where near Gilroy, you'll smell it coming. But their festival, obviously, they stick pretty close to the theme of garlic, so it's mostly about cooking. There's music, but it's all about cooking. And they set up bleachers to watch people in the cook-off. What's kind of scary is they don't just cook pasta, or shrimp or thinks that you might expect garlic in, they cook a lot of desserts.
KAGAN: Yes, garlic ice cream I know is hot -- not hot, but popular there. And then finally, the Morton Logger's Festival. Where is that?
TORKELLS: In Morton, Washington. It's a jubilee, they call it. And it's a look at how lumberjacks live. And they do log rolling and ax throwing and the kind of things you'd expect. They also have a lawn mower race, which we got a big kick out of. People paint their lawn mowers with flames on the side and all that, because they also want to win the prettiest lawn mower contest.
KAGAN: OK, well fun to check out, and as you said, good budget choices out there, and you find out more on "Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel."
Erik, thank you for the tips.
TORKELLS: Thank you.
KAGAN: Appreciate it.
(STOCK MARKET UPDATE)
KAGAN: This just in to CNN, the commander who was in charge of U.S. prisons in Iraq is talking today. General Janice Karpinski She said she knew nothing about the alleged prisoner abuse until it was reported.
CNN talked to her just a short time ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRIG. GEN. JANICE KARPINSKI, U.S. ARMY: If they're claiming to have been in the prison, and they're claiming to be individuals in those photographs, they could very well have been declared no further value. They go through the board process and been released.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: General Karpinski has since rotated out of Iraq. We're going have more on the story in the next hour with Wolf Blitzer, and you can see more of that interview tomorrow morning on AMERICAN MORNING.
Up next, serious comedy in Washington D.C. Comedians and politicians come face to face. The result? What you might expect. We're back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Hard-nosed journalists and heavyweight politicians shared some of the laughs Saturday at the annual White House Correspondence Dinner. Good humored swipes were made by comedian Jay Leno.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAY LENO, "TONIGHT SHOW" HOST: John Kerry stands by his claim that some foreign leaders have told him they hope he wins. Of course, President Bush said, yes, well, certain Supreme Court justices have told me I'm going to win. So there, there you have it.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Or take that one about Cheney and me answering questions together. That was a toughie. So from now on, Dick and I will be holding joint press conferences.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: As you can see, President Bush fired off a few one-liners of his own. But for the most part, the Iraq war was no joking matter. A kind of subdued tone to that evening.
(WEATHER UPDATE)
KAGAN: And that's going to do it for me, Daryn. Kagan. I'll be right back here in this seat tomorrow morning. For now, Wolf Blitzer takes over from Washington D.C.
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