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CNN Live At Daybreak

Countdown to Handover; Terry Nichols Trial; Music of America; Common Health Mistakes

Aired June 01, 2004 - 05:30   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.


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Iraq has a new president, but the choice comes amidst a lot of confusion.

It is Tuesday, the first day of June. This is DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you, welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK. From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.

Let me bring you up to date now.

Iraq's new government is taking shape this morning. Ghazi Yawar will serve as president of the new Iraqi Governing Council when the transfer of power takes place in 30 days. Former Iraq Foreign Minister Adnan Pachachi was originally offered the job, but he didn't waste any time saying no thanks.

At least 10 people are dead after a series of explosions rattled Baghdad's Green Zone this morning near the headquarters of the U.S. administration. It happened just about an hour ago. We'll take you live to Baghdad in just a minute.

In money news, 55 miles a gallon is just too attractive to pass up. Analysts say Americans are opting for hybrid vehicles and leaving the gas guzzling SUVs on the car lots.

In sports, the Lightning snuffed out the flames in game four of the Stanley Cup finals. That locks up the series with two wins apiece. Brad Richards scored the only goal of the night and one was all Tampa Bay needed.

In culture, two of Britain's best are joining forces for one hot tour. Sting and Annie Lennox are going on the road together. They will be performing individually, plus they will sing a duet.

That's a good one -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Carol, you bet.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

It has been a wild and crazy day in Iraq. And today, most of the bombshells have been political.

Harris Whitbeck keeping tabs for us live in Baghdad.

Harris, first of all, tell us about the explosions near the Green Zone.

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, the explosion happened a little over 40 minutes ago, 45 minutes ago. The Reuters News Agency -- quoting Iraqi police -- said that "10 people died in that explosion," which happened very near the Green Zone, the secure area in central Baghdad which houses the Coalition Provisional Authority and houses the site where the presentation of the new interim government of Iraq will take place at some point today. Again, that explosion was heard. It could be seen from where we are here. Sporadic gunfire ensued after that explosion.

Just a few minutes ago, we heard some more gunfire coming from the opposite direction. Security, of course, is extremely tight around this location as people gather here to participate in the presentation of the new government.

As you mentioned before, the bombshells have also been political. People -- some people very surprised that Sheikh Ghazi al-Yawar did, in fact, end up being announced president -- interim president of Iraq. For the last several days there has been a lot of give and take between the Iraqi Governing Council, the United Nations and the U.S.- led Coalition Provisional Authority.

The CPA and the U.N. had originally favored Adnan Pachachi as interim president, but he declined accepting that largely ceremonial post saying that if the process of choosing the interim president had been more transparent, the -- quote -- "crisis that is being lived right now wouldn't be taking place." And he said the United States should have made the outcome of meetings it held with the Iraqi Governing Council more clear to the Iraqi people.

So later today, the U.N. special envoy will announce the confirmation of the interim presidential council. Again, the interim President Sheikh Ghazi al-Yawar. He is an important tribal leader from up north, from Mosul. Many council members supported him because they felt that he could really bring together all of the different political groups that are currently active in Iraq -- Carol.

COSTELLO: As far as the Iraqi public is concerned, can he do that, though -- Harris?

WHITBECK: Well that's going to be one of the big challenges that he has ahead of him. Many people are also reading -- trying to read what Adnan Pachachi was up to when he declined that presidency. Again, as the new interim government takes office, we enter into a very, very fluid political period, if you will, electoral period, since everybody is gearing up towards elections that would take place in January 2005. So obviously all of the political players in the country who have some sort of public figure will be doing all that they can to win the support, the political support of the general population. COSTELLO: Harris Whitbeck live in Baghdad for us.

Stories 'Across America' this Tuesday.

A sad discovery in Milwaukee, searchers have found the body of a 12-year-old girl who jumped into the swollen Milwaukee River in a failed attempt to save her sister. Temisha Warren was found on a floating dock with her 6-year-old sister, Tia Woodley, on May 23. And when the 6-year-old fell into the river, Temisha jumped in to save her. The 6-year-old is still missing this morning.

Dow Corning Corporation is expected to emerge from bankruptcy this week and that could mean settlement checks will go out soon for women who claim silicon breast implants made them sick. About 170,000 women have filed claims.

Residents in the small Indiana town of Marengo are trying to figure out what to do next after weekend tornadoes devastated much of their community. One person was killed, and Indiana's governor says it's a miracle there were not more deaths.

Same jury that found Terry Nichols guilty of 161 counts of murder must now decide his fate. Arguments in the penalty phase of the trial are set to begin this morning in an Oklahoma courtroom.

CNN's Susan Candiotti is there.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is only two miles from the courthouse here in McAlester to the state prison where Oklahoma has its death row, and Terry Nichols is closer now than ever before. The same jury that needed only five hours to find Nichols guilty on more than 160 counts of murder in the Oklahoma City bombing begins hearing testimony today on whether it should sentence Nichols to life or death.

A few blocks away, McAlester's Park has a memorial walk flanked by 19 dogwood trees, one planted for each child who died in the bombing attack.

We asked Memorial Day visitors here what their choice would be.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I would probably say death.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just feel that it was just the ultimate act of terrorism against our country to plot something so heinous and on our own soil.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The magnitude of the damage that they did, the selfishness that was involved, I mean the irresponsibility, I mean I would go for the death penalty.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Alive they have time to think about what they have done. And it's really harder on them than it is to just get death and it's over with in a few minutes.

CANDIOTTI (on camera): Nichols did not testify in either his previous federal trial or in the state trial, nor is he expected to take the stand now. Holding his silence to the end, even with his life at stake.

Susan Candiotti, CNN, McAlester, Oklahoma.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: In the next hour of DAYBREAK, the trial finally begins for Scott Peterson. We'll preview the case with our legal eagle Kendall Coffey in 'Coffey Talk' this morning.

And it's all about fun, friends and strong family ties. Music from the mountains, how sweet it is.

This is DAYBREAK for Tuesday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:41 Eastern. Here is what's all new this morning.

Opening statements get under way later this morning in the Scott Peterson trial. He is accused of killing his wife, Laci, and unborn son, Connor, in 2002. If convicted, Peterson could face the death penalty.

The Iraqi Governing Council, in a decision within the last couple of hours, picked civil engineer Ghazi al-Yawar to lead the government. The announcement comes after council member Adnan Pachachi said he didn't want the job.

In money news, U.S. oil prices surge back up above $40 a barrel in early trading today. The increase comes after suspected al Qaeda militants kill 22 people in the Saudi oil city of Khobar over the weekend.

In sports, the L.A. Lakers move to the NBA finals with a 96-90 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers will face either Detroit or Indiana for the championship.

In culture, Britney is welcome in Beijing, but she has got to watch what she wears. China's Culture Ministry has approved Britney Spear's first tour over there but doesn't want her to show too much skin -- Chad.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: All right, thank you, Chad.

Those are the latest headlines for you.

Call it the music of America or call it music from the heart. Whatever you call it, take a listen as the songs and stories of Merlefest play in North Carolina.

CNN's Bruce Burkhardt is your guide.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRUCE BURKHARDT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Go to a festival of traditional music in the mountains of western North Carolina, and what do you expect to hear?

A Russian folk band called Bering Straight playing a blues number? Or maybe something like this:

(SINGING)

BURKHARDT: Eighty-one-year-old legend Doc Watson playing a Bob Dylan tune.

(SINGING)

DOC WATSON: I know what bluegrass is, and I don't play bluegrass. I play a general mixture of traditional American music, plus whatever else I want to play.

BURKHARDT: And he plays it here, at Merlefest, a four-day festival tribute to his late son Merle, who died in a tractor accident 19 years ago. When Merle died, Doc not only lost his son and best friend, but the music world lost one of the best pickers ever.

And, yet, the music never died. Merle's son Richard now sits next to his grandfather. The circle is unbroken.

WATSON: Give me the blues (ph) to think about Richard.

BURKHARDT: Though he loves the blues, Doc is best known for so- called traditional or old-time music.

Blind since the age of 1, Doc got his start in music when his grandmother's cat died.

WATSON: And when dad found it out, he said, if you boys will skin that cat for me, I'll make you a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Joe Rogers (ph) advertisement in Sears Roebuck catalogue for cat-skin banjo heads. And he said, If he can make one, I can.

BURKHARDT: They ought to build a monument to that cat, who gave us a sound that only could have come from these mountains.

WATSON: But the mountains, there's something about these mountains. The joys, the sorrows and the in-betweens. And it seems like the people of the country that are close to the Earth have a way of expressing themselves, even though it's done simply in music.

BURKHARDT: But Doc just makes it look simple. Other musicians performing at Merlefest know that. TIM O'BRIEN, ENTERTAINER: He is a guy who can draw on all those influences, and he can sell a stone-cold traditional song with his brilliant performance. He can sell that to a young audience, and he just - he kicks ass. I'm sorry.

BURKHARDT: Bruce Burkhardt, Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: New in the next hour of DAYBREAK, the human cloning controversy. The steps are in place, but how close are we? We'll get some answers from a genetics expert. There is also going to be a hearing before the United Nations today.

And what's routine is not always right, why daily habits could be bad for your health.

Did we need to see that? I guess we did.

We'll be back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: A brief update for you now on the breaking news this morning. A car bomb in Baghdad near the Green Zone, you see it here. It happened near one of the entrances to the coalition's headquarters and also near an Iraqi -- actually, a Kurdish office inside the zone. Apparently 10 people were killed in this blast, and it came just minutes after a new interim Iraqi president was named. We're going to take you live to Baghdad in just a bit for another update. But again, 10 people killed in this latest blast.

In 'Health Headlines' for you this morning, do you get migraine headaches? If so, then you probably also get one of those raging headaches eating ice cream, too. A study shows those brain freeze headaches occur more often in people who also suffer from migraines.

Children with asthma who are involved in a comprehensive school health management program do better in school both health wise and grade wise. That comes from a study of 835 asthmatic children in several Detroit schools.

And researchers now say there is a test to determine if you are likely to get dementia. Dutch researchers say a so-called seven- minute screen actually tests for the memory loss disease.

For more on this or any other health story, head to our Web site. The address CNN.com/health.

You know I was looking at the camera really strangely or for a second because the prompter is wacky.

MYERS: Yes, and it's far away.

COSTELLO: I think I need glasses.

MYERS: You know, I think you do.

COSTELLO: I do.

MYERS: Because sometimes I'm looking at it, and you're going, I'm going why...

COSTELLO: What does that say?

MYERS: ... can't she read that?

COSTELLO: I'm trying to avoid that.

MYERS: I know.

COSTELLO: I know. OK.

MYERS: At all costs.

COSTELLO: I have one more health story before we get to the big beach story that we're going to talk about in a bit. Here is something from the oops, I didn't know that file.

CNN medical correspondent Holly Firfer tells us about some of the routine things we do every day that could be harmful to our health.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HOLLY FIRFER, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Food in styrofoam containers can be microwaved and with plastic wrap. Well some doctors say no, don't do it.

DR. ERICA BROWNFIELD, EMORY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE: Plastic wrap, plastic containers that can be potentially harmful. If they are heated, they can release chemicals. However, the FDA tests these chemicals and there has never been any evidence to show that it's harmful to humans. So as long as you aren't putting the plastic directly on food. Styrofoam, you don't want to put into the microwave because it can actually catch on fire and melt.

FIRFER: If you are taking birth control pills, you are always safe from pregnancy, right? Well, not quite.

BROWNFIELD: There are certain antibiotics, particularly penicillins, tetracyclines, some of the syphilis sporrans and you're also on the birth control pill, that hormone pill becomes less effective and so you want to have a backup method so you don't get pregnant.

FIRFER: It's OK if you floss really hard and your gums bleed because it will clean out the bacteria. Wrong says Dr. Brownfield.

BROWNFIELD: Problem is you can cut actually into the gum and you can expose the root of the tooth. And by doing that, you can have problems with the nerve, again, damage to your tooth, pain, bleeding. But flossing is important, so you should do it to remove plaque and bacteria. FIRFER: Take your allergy medicine first thing in the morning, not always.

BROWNFIELD: Because everybody has different allergy symptoms and allergens can be at all times during the day. So the common sense thing to do is figure out when your allergy symptoms are worse and make sure and take your medication a few hours before then.

FIRFER: Can't hear, clean your ears out with a cotton swab. Dr. Brownfield says no.

BROWNFIELD: You can actually move the wax further into the ear causing problems with wax impaction and decreased hearing. And the other thing is if you push too hard with a Q-tip or any kind of object you can actually put a hole in your eardrum which can be harmful.

FIRFER: Too tired to take your contacts out, oops.

BROWNFIELD: Because you don't want to wear it for more than eight hours. In particular, you don't want to wear them when your eyes are closed because it sets up a risk of infection and possibly blindness.

FIRFER: And that's just for starters.

Holly Firfer, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: So hopefully you got all that.

Now we're going to talk about the beach etiquette study.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: There are actually beach etiquette experts.

MYERS: Because so many people are so rude on the beach.

COSTELLO: You know my pet peeve is when people talk on the cell phone on the beach. I mean can't you leave the cell phone in your car for just a little bit while you are relaxing on the beach. And then they talk really loud.

MYERS: Yes, well because they can hear the ocean and they can't hear the other guy talking, I suppose.

One of the things that -- one of the biggest pet peeves of the experts are actually cigarette butts because they actually get into the food chain. You know some of those -- some of the seagulls and things don't know the difference between that and whatever, a crab or something. Maybe it smells like food to them. And getting that into a seagull not very good for the environment.

COSTELLO: And it's just disgusting when you're walking along the beach and you get one of those filters between your toes. MYERS: Or for that matter, walking your dog on the beach. That's a huge one as well.

COSTELLO: Yes.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: And letting your dog do whatever on the beach.

Littering is another one.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: Feeding the seagulls. People don't like that because you know they are the sea rats of the beach area.

MYERS: Rats with wings.

COSTELLO: And shaking the blanket and spewing others with sand.

MYERS: Yes, I mean you know you see that all of the time. You have to be careful. Just find out which way the wind is going. It's kind of like if you are smoking, find out which way the wind is going and you won't -- if you can go upwind, you won't mind -- you won't bother anybody.

I also have one, it was speeding on the beach. A lot of the Florida beaches you can drive on them. And I don't know where they are going, I mean, but they are doing 35 down the beach. Do you think you're Richard Petty? I mean come on.

COSTELLO: That's because many times it's a really young guy driving those things and he's probably bored with whatever he is doing so he has to drive fast to make things more exciting.

MYERS: Well I was on New Smarta Beach (ph), I don't know, maybe two months ago, and they have -- they have ditches down the middle. I don't know if they are on purpose or just did the water do that. But when you hit one of those speed ditches, the cars are flying all around. So it serves you right, I guess. So slow down on the beaches.

COSTELLO: OK. Keep all of these things in mind the next time you go to a beach, as I'm sure all of you do.

Iraq has a new president this morning, but like politics across the globe, the announcement comes with a lot of confusion. We'll tell you about it when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: The Iraqi Governing Council picks its new president, but it was not without controversy.

This is DAYBREAK for Tuesday, June 1.

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 June 1, 2004 - 05:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Iraq has a new president, but the choice comes amidst a lot of confusion.

It is Tuesday, the first day of June. This is DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you, welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK. From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.

Let me bring you up to date now.

Iraq's new government is taking shape this morning. Ghazi Yawar will serve as president of the new Iraqi Governing Council when the transfer of power takes place in 30 days. Former Iraq Foreign Minister Adnan Pachachi was originally offered the job, but he didn't waste any time saying no thanks.

At least 10 people are dead after a series of explosions rattled Baghdad's Green Zone this morning near the headquarters of the U.S. administration. It happened just about an hour ago. We'll take you live to Baghdad in just a minute.

In money news, 55 miles a gallon is just too attractive to pass up. Analysts say Americans are opting for hybrid vehicles and leaving the gas guzzling SUVs on the car lots.

In sports, the Lightning snuffed out the flames in game four of the Stanley Cup finals. That locks up the series with two wins apiece. Brad Richards scored the only goal of the night and one was all Tampa Bay needed.

In culture, two of Britain's best are joining forces for one hot tour. Sting and Annie Lennox are going on the road together. They will be performing individually, plus they will sing a duet.

That's a good one -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Carol, you bet.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

It has been a wild and crazy day in Iraq. And today, most of the bombshells have been political.

Harris Whitbeck keeping tabs for us live in Baghdad.

Harris, first of all, tell us about the explosions near the Green Zone.

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, the explosion happened a little over 40 minutes ago, 45 minutes ago. The Reuters News Agency -- quoting Iraqi police -- said that "10 people died in that explosion," which happened very near the Green Zone, the secure area in central Baghdad which houses the Coalition Provisional Authority and houses the site where the presentation of the new interim government of Iraq will take place at some point today. Again, that explosion was heard. It could be seen from where we are here. Sporadic gunfire ensued after that explosion.

Just a few minutes ago, we heard some more gunfire coming from the opposite direction. Security, of course, is extremely tight around this location as people gather here to participate in the presentation of the new government.

As you mentioned before, the bombshells have also been political. People -- some people very surprised that Sheikh Ghazi al-Yawar did, in fact, end up being announced president -- interim president of Iraq. For the last several days there has been a lot of give and take between the Iraqi Governing Council, the United Nations and the U.S.- led Coalition Provisional Authority.

The CPA and the U.N. had originally favored Adnan Pachachi as interim president, but he declined accepting that largely ceremonial post saying that if the process of choosing the interim president had been more transparent, the -- quote -- "crisis that is being lived right now wouldn't be taking place." And he said the United States should have made the outcome of meetings it held with the Iraqi Governing Council more clear to the Iraqi people.

So later today, the U.N. special envoy will announce the confirmation of the interim presidential council. Again, the interim President Sheikh Ghazi al-Yawar. He is an important tribal leader from up north, from Mosul. Many council members supported him because they felt that he could really bring together all of the different political groups that are currently active in Iraq -- Carol.

COSTELLO: As far as the Iraqi public is concerned, can he do that, though -- Harris?

WHITBECK: Well that's going to be one of the big challenges that he has ahead of him. Many people are also reading -- trying to read what Adnan Pachachi was up to when he declined that presidency. Again, as the new interim government takes office, we enter into a very, very fluid political period, if you will, electoral period, since everybody is gearing up towards elections that would take place in January 2005. So obviously all of the political players in the country who have some sort of public figure will be doing all that they can to win the support, the political support of the general population. COSTELLO: Harris Whitbeck live in Baghdad for us.

Stories 'Across America' this Tuesday.

A sad discovery in Milwaukee, searchers have found the body of a 12-year-old girl who jumped into the swollen Milwaukee River in a failed attempt to save her sister. Temisha Warren was found on a floating dock with her 6-year-old sister, Tia Woodley, on May 23. And when the 6-year-old fell into the river, Temisha jumped in to save her. The 6-year-old is still missing this morning.

Dow Corning Corporation is expected to emerge from bankruptcy this week and that could mean settlement checks will go out soon for women who claim silicon breast implants made them sick. About 170,000 women have filed claims.

Residents in the small Indiana town of Marengo are trying to figure out what to do next after weekend tornadoes devastated much of their community. One person was killed, and Indiana's governor says it's a miracle there were not more deaths.

Same jury that found Terry Nichols guilty of 161 counts of murder must now decide his fate. Arguments in the penalty phase of the trial are set to begin this morning in an Oklahoma courtroom.

CNN's Susan Candiotti is there.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is only two miles from the courthouse here in McAlester to the state prison where Oklahoma has its death row, and Terry Nichols is closer now than ever before. The same jury that needed only five hours to find Nichols guilty on more than 160 counts of murder in the Oklahoma City bombing begins hearing testimony today on whether it should sentence Nichols to life or death.

A few blocks away, McAlester's Park has a memorial walk flanked by 19 dogwood trees, one planted for each child who died in the bombing attack.

We asked Memorial Day visitors here what their choice would be.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I would probably say death.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just feel that it was just the ultimate act of terrorism against our country to plot something so heinous and on our own soil.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The magnitude of the damage that they did, the selfishness that was involved, I mean the irresponsibility, I mean I would go for the death penalty.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Alive they have time to think about what they have done. And it's really harder on them than it is to just get death and it's over with in a few minutes.

CANDIOTTI (on camera): Nichols did not testify in either his previous federal trial or in the state trial, nor is he expected to take the stand now. Holding his silence to the end, even with his life at stake.

Susan Candiotti, CNN, McAlester, Oklahoma.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: In the next hour of DAYBREAK, the trial finally begins for Scott Peterson. We'll preview the case with our legal eagle Kendall Coffey in 'Coffey Talk' this morning.

And it's all about fun, friends and strong family ties. Music from the mountains, how sweet it is.

This is DAYBREAK for Tuesday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:41 Eastern. Here is what's all new this morning.

Opening statements get under way later this morning in the Scott Peterson trial. He is accused of killing his wife, Laci, and unborn son, Connor, in 2002. If convicted, Peterson could face the death penalty.

The Iraqi Governing Council, in a decision within the last couple of hours, picked civil engineer Ghazi al-Yawar to lead the government. The announcement comes after council member Adnan Pachachi said he didn't want the job.

In money news, U.S. oil prices surge back up above $40 a barrel in early trading today. The increase comes after suspected al Qaeda militants kill 22 people in the Saudi oil city of Khobar over the weekend.

In sports, the L.A. Lakers move to the NBA finals with a 96-90 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers will face either Detroit or Indiana for the championship.

In culture, Britney is welcome in Beijing, but she has got to watch what she wears. China's Culture Ministry has approved Britney Spear's first tour over there but doesn't want her to show too much skin -- Chad.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: All right, thank you, Chad.

Those are the latest headlines for you.

Call it the music of America or call it music from the heart. Whatever you call it, take a listen as the songs and stories of Merlefest play in North Carolina.

CNN's Bruce Burkhardt is your guide.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRUCE BURKHARDT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Go to a festival of traditional music in the mountains of western North Carolina, and what do you expect to hear?

A Russian folk band called Bering Straight playing a blues number? Or maybe something like this:

(SINGING)

BURKHARDT: Eighty-one-year-old legend Doc Watson playing a Bob Dylan tune.

(SINGING)

DOC WATSON: I know what bluegrass is, and I don't play bluegrass. I play a general mixture of traditional American music, plus whatever else I want to play.

BURKHARDT: And he plays it here, at Merlefest, a four-day festival tribute to his late son Merle, who died in a tractor accident 19 years ago. When Merle died, Doc not only lost his son and best friend, but the music world lost one of the best pickers ever.

And, yet, the music never died. Merle's son Richard now sits next to his grandfather. The circle is unbroken.

WATSON: Give me the blues (ph) to think about Richard.

BURKHARDT: Though he loves the blues, Doc is best known for so- called traditional or old-time music.

Blind since the age of 1, Doc got his start in music when his grandmother's cat died.

WATSON: And when dad found it out, he said, if you boys will skin that cat for me, I'll make you a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Joe Rogers (ph) advertisement in Sears Roebuck catalogue for cat-skin banjo heads. And he said, If he can make one, I can.

BURKHARDT: They ought to build a monument to that cat, who gave us a sound that only could have come from these mountains.

WATSON: But the mountains, there's something about these mountains. The joys, the sorrows and the in-betweens. And it seems like the people of the country that are close to the Earth have a way of expressing themselves, even though it's done simply in music.

BURKHARDT: But Doc just makes it look simple. Other musicians performing at Merlefest know that. TIM O'BRIEN, ENTERTAINER: He is a guy who can draw on all those influences, and he can sell a stone-cold traditional song with his brilliant performance. He can sell that to a young audience, and he just - he kicks ass. I'm sorry.

BURKHARDT: Bruce Burkhardt, Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: New in the next hour of DAYBREAK, the human cloning controversy. The steps are in place, but how close are we? We'll get some answers from a genetics expert. There is also going to be a hearing before the United Nations today.

And what's routine is not always right, why daily habits could be bad for your health.

Did we need to see that? I guess we did.

We'll be back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: A brief update for you now on the breaking news this morning. A car bomb in Baghdad near the Green Zone, you see it here. It happened near one of the entrances to the coalition's headquarters and also near an Iraqi -- actually, a Kurdish office inside the zone. Apparently 10 people were killed in this blast, and it came just minutes after a new interim Iraqi president was named. We're going to take you live to Baghdad in just a bit for another update. But again, 10 people killed in this latest blast.

In 'Health Headlines' for you this morning, do you get migraine headaches? If so, then you probably also get one of those raging headaches eating ice cream, too. A study shows those brain freeze headaches occur more often in people who also suffer from migraines.

Children with asthma who are involved in a comprehensive school health management program do better in school both health wise and grade wise. That comes from a study of 835 asthmatic children in several Detroit schools.

And researchers now say there is a test to determine if you are likely to get dementia. Dutch researchers say a so-called seven- minute screen actually tests for the memory loss disease.

For more on this or any other health story, head to our Web site. The address CNN.com/health.

You know I was looking at the camera really strangely or for a second because the prompter is wacky.

MYERS: Yes, and it's far away.

COSTELLO: I think I need glasses.

MYERS: You know, I think you do.

COSTELLO: I do.

MYERS: Because sometimes I'm looking at it, and you're going, I'm going why...

COSTELLO: What does that say?

MYERS: ... can't she read that?

COSTELLO: I'm trying to avoid that.

MYERS: I know.

COSTELLO: I know. OK.

MYERS: At all costs.

COSTELLO: I have one more health story before we get to the big beach story that we're going to talk about in a bit. Here is something from the oops, I didn't know that file.

CNN medical correspondent Holly Firfer tells us about some of the routine things we do every day that could be harmful to our health.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HOLLY FIRFER, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Food in styrofoam containers can be microwaved and with plastic wrap. Well some doctors say no, don't do it.

DR. ERICA BROWNFIELD, EMORY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE: Plastic wrap, plastic containers that can be potentially harmful. If they are heated, they can release chemicals. However, the FDA tests these chemicals and there has never been any evidence to show that it's harmful to humans. So as long as you aren't putting the plastic directly on food. Styrofoam, you don't want to put into the microwave because it can actually catch on fire and melt.

FIRFER: If you are taking birth control pills, you are always safe from pregnancy, right? Well, not quite.

BROWNFIELD: There are certain antibiotics, particularly penicillins, tetracyclines, some of the syphilis sporrans and you're also on the birth control pill, that hormone pill becomes less effective and so you want to have a backup method so you don't get pregnant.

FIRFER: It's OK if you floss really hard and your gums bleed because it will clean out the bacteria. Wrong says Dr. Brownfield.

BROWNFIELD: Problem is you can cut actually into the gum and you can expose the root of the tooth. And by doing that, you can have problems with the nerve, again, damage to your tooth, pain, bleeding. But flossing is important, so you should do it to remove plaque and bacteria. FIRFER: Take your allergy medicine first thing in the morning, not always.

BROWNFIELD: Because everybody has different allergy symptoms and allergens can be at all times during the day. So the common sense thing to do is figure out when your allergy symptoms are worse and make sure and take your medication a few hours before then.

FIRFER: Can't hear, clean your ears out with a cotton swab. Dr. Brownfield says no.

BROWNFIELD: You can actually move the wax further into the ear causing problems with wax impaction and decreased hearing. And the other thing is if you push too hard with a Q-tip or any kind of object you can actually put a hole in your eardrum which can be harmful.

FIRFER: Too tired to take your contacts out, oops.

BROWNFIELD: Because you don't want to wear it for more than eight hours. In particular, you don't want to wear them when your eyes are closed because it sets up a risk of infection and possibly blindness.

FIRFER: And that's just for starters.

Holly Firfer, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: So hopefully you got all that.

Now we're going to talk about the beach etiquette study.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: There are actually beach etiquette experts.

MYERS: Because so many people are so rude on the beach.

COSTELLO: You know my pet peeve is when people talk on the cell phone on the beach. I mean can't you leave the cell phone in your car for just a little bit while you are relaxing on the beach. And then they talk really loud.

MYERS: Yes, well because they can hear the ocean and they can't hear the other guy talking, I suppose.

One of the things that -- one of the biggest pet peeves of the experts are actually cigarette butts because they actually get into the food chain. You know some of those -- some of the seagulls and things don't know the difference between that and whatever, a crab or something. Maybe it smells like food to them. And getting that into a seagull not very good for the environment.

COSTELLO: And it's just disgusting when you're walking along the beach and you get one of those filters between your toes. MYERS: Or for that matter, walking your dog on the beach. That's a huge one as well.

COSTELLO: Yes.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: And letting your dog do whatever on the beach.

Littering is another one.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: Feeding the seagulls. People don't like that because you know they are the sea rats of the beach area.

MYERS: Rats with wings.

COSTELLO: And shaking the blanket and spewing others with sand.

MYERS: Yes, I mean you know you see that all of the time. You have to be careful. Just find out which way the wind is going. It's kind of like if you are smoking, find out which way the wind is going and you won't -- if you can go upwind, you won't mind -- you won't bother anybody.

I also have one, it was speeding on the beach. A lot of the Florida beaches you can drive on them. And I don't know where they are going, I mean, but they are doing 35 down the beach. Do you think you're Richard Petty? I mean come on.

COSTELLO: That's because many times it's a really young guy driving those things and he's probably bored with whatever he is doing so he has to drive fast to make things more exciting.

MYERS: Well I was on New Smarta Beach (ph), I don't know, maybe two months ago, and they have -- they have ditches down the middle. I don't know if they are on purpose or just did the water do that. But when you hit one of those speed ditches, the cars are flying all around. So it serves you right, I guess. So slow down on the beaches.

COSTELLO: OK. Keep all of these things in mind the next time you go to a beach, as I'm sure all of you do.

Iraq has a new president this morning, but like politics across the globe, the announcement comes with a lot of confusion. We'll tell you about it when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: The Iraqi Governing Council picks its new president, but it was not without controversy.

This is DAYBREAK for Tuesday, June 1.

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