Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live At Daybreak
Interim Iraqi Government Announces Stronger Security Laws; Gitmo Detainee Will Challenge U.S. Tribunals; The Youth Vote
Aired July 07, 2004 - 06:30 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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning again from the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Fredricka Whitfield in for Carol Costello. Now in the news.
On the streets of Baghdad, U.S. and Iraqi forces are facing off against insurgents. Iraqi police say the fighting involves small-arms fire, mortars and grenades. Seven people have been slightly injured. We'll have a live report from Baghdad straight ahead.
John Kerry and John Edwards make their first public appearance together as running mates about two hours from now in Pittsburgh. From there, it's on to Ohio and then to Florida.
Jury selection is set to get under way today in the federal sex discrimination case against investment banking giant Morgan Stanley. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says the company denied scores of women promotions and pay increases, which were given to less-qualified men.
In Pamplona, Spain it's day one of the annual running of the bulls. A half-mile-long course leads to a ring, where the bulls fight after the run is over. Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
And, Chad, I always wonder, why in the world does anybody get involved in that?
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Three people trampled yesterday. But no one gored, they said.
WHITFIELD: Thank goodness.
MYERS: Yes, and only 16 people have ever died since 1908.
WHITFIELD: Unbelievable.
MYERS: So, I guess that's pretty good.
WHITFIELD: Only. Yes. Well, that's a pretty significant number.
MYERS: And obviously...
WHITFIELD: But, you know, considering what they're doing.
MYERS: Yes, and it's a chosen danger, right? WHITFIELD: Yes.
MYERS: It's like jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.
WHITFIELD: That's right. Complete elective.
(WEATHER BREAK)
WHITFIELD: A section of central Baghdad this hour is a battle zone. Iraqi security forces joined by coalition troops are battling insurgents. It's one of several attacks today, and it comes as a new security law is being announced.
Live now to Baghdad for more details from our Brent Sadler -- Brent.
BRENT SADLER, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Thanks. Good morning, Fredricka.
What we have is a developing story in the center of Baghdad. This is video we've had a short time ago, and it shows that insurgents have been using, according to Iraqi police, small arms, mortars and grenades against Iraqi security forces. Reports of several Iraqis injured in these firefights. An area of town really cordoned off now.
Also understood that the Iraqis have called up, certainly for visual support of what's happening in that area, the U.S. Apache helicopters have been seen circling overhead, but no confirmation that the U.S. has been called in to support the Iraqis to put down this continuing firefight.
Now, that was taking place at the same time as ministers from the interim Iraqi government here were outlining details of a new emergency law that enables them to crackdown against the insurgency, enables them to use powers of arrest, detention, curfews, and so forth, including freezing up assets, really to try to break this insurgency as it continues to rage.
Ministers told journalists at a press conference a short time ago that the security situation was deteriorating. It was -- quote -- "Affecting all aspects of Iraqi life" -- end quote. And they had to take tough, new measures to clamp down on this continuing violence throughout the country.
And this is what the justice minister had to tell journalists about the checks and balances that have been put in place to enable the authorities here to crack down with these new powers, but at the same time to protect civil liberties here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MALIK DOHAN AL-HASSAN, IRAQI JUSTICE MINISTER (through translator): We realize that this law might restrict some liberties, but there are a number of guarantees within this law that will guarantee the rights of the people. So, any order issued by the prime minister should be agreed by the president and his deputies, and also by the majority of the cabinet. This means that the prime minister cannot take any decision to arrest anyone unless there has been an arrest warrant issued by an Iraqi judge.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SADLER: Also on this day, insurgents fired mortar rounds in an area where there is located the offices and home of Iraq's interim prime minister, Iyad Allawi. He wasn't there at the time. Mortars fell around those properties. No serious injuries. Two other mortars fell in the Green Zone, which is where the new U.S. embassy is located and key Iraqi ministries -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Brent Sadler in Baghdad, thanks very much.
Well, there have been a lot of questions about the treatment of enemy combatants at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and our Bob Franken is at Gitmo, where later on he'll be touring the facility. And Bob joins us right now -- Bob.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: And they make the claim here that unlike what happened in the prisons in Iraq that there is very strict discipline. That's the claim that they make here. They're going to give us an extremely limited view to try and convince the reporters who are here -- CNN, the only television network -- that there was not abuse of treatment here. A couple of isolated incidents were disciplined at the time.
But they have a very large problem here at Guantanamo Bay, and that is what they are going to do in the wake of the Supreme Court decision last week that the detainees do have the right to see their lawyers and confront the charges against them in some impartial judicial review.
And the problem is being brought very much to their faces, because one of the lawyers for one of those who is facing a military tribunal is here already. She is the military lawyer for Ibrahim Ahmed al Qosi, who is the Sudanese who was taken in Pakistan and charged with conspiracy to commit violence against the United States.
Lieutenant Colonel Karen Schaeffer is here. She is meeting with her client today. She told CNN yesterday that they're immediately going to try and challenge the detention. They're going to go to court and seek some sort of judicial review. According to her -- quote -- "This opened the door to challenge the entire legitimacy" of the mission here in Guantanamo Bay.
She said she is going to challenge the makeup of the military commissions -- meaning the tribunals. She is going to also challenge -- in the habeas corpus proceeding she will challenge the reason that he was here, which is exactly what the Supreme Court said he had a right to do. They will be filing in one circuit court or another. They haven't decided which.
Now, the military officials here say they do not know how they're going to comply with the Supreme Court ruling. They do say that it's going to be a huge problem. It could completely undermine, they say, their interrogations, which they insist are valuable for intelligence. That's something that has been up to question. Some saying that the material that they've gotten from their interrogations here has been less valuable than the military claims.
But they say that they have had very, very important intelligence to come out of here that is going to probably be undermined once the lawyers talk to the detainees -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And, Bob, back to detainees' representation, how are these detainees going about trying to secure attorneys?
FRANKEN: Well, at the moment the first question is whether they are going to be informed and how they are going to be informed. Now, all of these questions are going to be answered in the next weeks. We are being told there's a strong possibility that this week the Navy secretary -- this is a Navy base -- the Navy secretary, Gordon England, who is over all of this, is expected to make a visit here to try and get these procedures going.
There is also a possibility -- we've heard this -- that some of the detainees may be released, that there is the decision made that they're not worth the trouble that this is causing.
All of this is something that is being decided, all under consideration.
WHITFIELD: All right, Bob Franken, we look forward to your reports from Gitmo.
Well, time for a little business buzz now. It's not too late to book your summer vacation. Southwest is cutting ticket prices.
Carrie Lee has the story, and she's at the Nasdaq Marketsite in Times Square.
And I hope some of the other airlines are following suit.
CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS: Well, we will soon find out, Fredricka. Southwest Airlines is now slashing prices for travel starting in August. Fourteen-day advance purchases now for one-way tickets, $39 to $99. This is across the board for Southwest. A couple of exceptions: Orange County and the Houston areas. But still, analysts say rivals have to match these sale prices if they want to stay competitive.
And there's a long sale period here. Consumers will have until August 5 to buy these Southwest tickets. So, a good time to check out those fares.
Meanwhile, Microsoft is planning $1 billion worth of cost cuts, trying to boost sagging sales; also trying to boost the company's stock price. The stock price has been pretty much stagnant over the past couple of years. Microsoft has $56 billion worth of cash, and now they are going to have to try to do something about it. So, trying to boost up sales, not that those sales have been sagging, but trying to improve them a bit. Meanwhile, futures are looking very strong for today's session. Alcoa, this morning, the first Dow component, will report profits for the second quarter.
Fredricka -- back to you.
WHITFIELD: All right, Carrie Lee, thanks very much.
Well, still to come on DAYBREAK, have you ever asked a group of young people why they don't vote? Coming up, a college student speaks candidly on behalf of her generation.
Then, three simple letters you may not associate with kids: BMI. Coming up, a new easy way for parents to calculate Body Mass Index and help their kids lose weight.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: So, while all of the political analysts and pundits weigh in on the presidential race, we haven't heard much from the nation's young people. And as far as one particularly eloquent college student is concerned, we haven't heard because we haven't been listening.
Michigan State University senior Traci Carpenter joins us now. She just won the "Newsweek"/MTV youth essay contest. And here's what she has to say: "I am not ignorant. I know what's going on in the world, even if I heard it mostly from 'The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.' And yes, at times I do care more about the latest episode of 'The Sopranos' than the headline news. That's because I live the headline news. I know about poverty and crime. I live it every day."
Traci joins us now by phone from East Lansing, Michigan.
All right, Traci, glad you could join us.
TRACI CARPENTER, COLLEGE ESSAY WINNER: Thank you, Fredricka. Good morning.
WHITFIELD: Do you think your views represent most of those in your generation?
CARPENTER: Well, I definitely can't speak for everyone, since there are 48 million of us. But I think from just talking with people and really getting a sense of my friends on campus, I think really we do kind of all share in the sentiment. And it even stretches beyond my generation. Since writing the essay, I have gotten a lot of comments that we're not the only ones that feel this way.
WHITFIELD: All right. Well, the topic to write about was this: There is a popular perception that young people don't actually turn out at the polls. Is this true or not? How are young people changing the shape of this year's presidential election?
And the challenge was to write an 800-word essay. Right off the top, did you have some pretty certain views? Or did you have to kind of ponder it over a little bit, survey perhaps some of your other, you know, fellow college students?
CARPENTER: Well, actually to be quite honest, I kind of wrote the essay on a whim, just with a lot of the feelings I had about this issue. I had done quite a bit of research for a project this spring, and so I had a lot of the ideas already in my head. I kind of wanted to shape the essay as a response to all of these myths, I think, that are prevalent in the media, and I kind of just wanted to address the underlying factors I think media and politicians miss when talking about what gets us to the polls or (UNINTELLIGIBLE) has kept us away.
WHITFIELD: And you say a lot of politicians just really are not getting to the point. They're not doing a good job of explaining themselves, who they are and what their positions are. Instead, they're spending too much time attacking one another. Does that sum up about your view?
CARPENTER: Exactly, yes. I think there is just -- there is so much talk, but I don't really think a lot is being said. It just seems like the same key phrases over and over. But I really think if they want to attract more young viewers, they'll start talking more directly to us.
WHITFIELD: For example, you write: "I'm not just engaged. I'm worn out. Sometimes I feel that no matter how I vote, there will be war, crime and poverty. And there are other things on my mind. I'm worried about skin cancer, drunken drivers, eating disorders, what I'm going to be when I grow up, how I'm going to get there and what I'm going to do Friday night."
So, given your view of the frustration, do you still think you're going to vote? And if so or if not, what is it that will motivate a lot of other young people to go to the polls?
CARPENTER: Well, I certainly hope we're going to vote. I'm very optimistic. It seems this election year we're a lot more energetic. Especially on campus there is a lot more heated debate. You can see it on the sidewalks with protesters and in the papers.
I think kids are really starting to take notice. And since the last election was so close, we are beginning to realize that one vote can matter. And I think that will be a big factor come November.
WHITFIELD: All right, Traci Carpenter, Michigan State University senior, congratulations on your win for the "Newsweek"/MTV essay contest. And thanks so much for waking up with us this morning and joining us.
CARPENTER: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: All right.
Well, your news, money, weather and sports. Right now it's 15 minutes before the hour. And here's what's all new this morning.
Iraq's interim government has just imposed new harsher security measures. It comes as insurgents launched several attacks, including one on the offices of interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi.
Austrian President Thomas Klestil died less than two days before he was scheduled to leave office. The two-term president had been in intensive care following a Monday heart attack. The country's newly- elected president will be sworn in now tomorrow.
In money, get ready to shell out more for shrimp. The Commerce Department is imposing fees on shipments from six countries, a move that an alliance of seafood distributors says could increase shrimp prices by 44 percent.
In culture, "USA Today" reports Canteen Vending Services, one of the nation's largest vending machine operators, is planning to install healthier foods in dozens of cities in the next five years.
And in sports, the Boston Red Sox were hot last night. They crushed the Athletics 11-zip. Johnny Damon had five singles and scored twice.
(WEATHER BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Those are the headlines.
Well, still to come on DAYBREAK, the do's and don'ts for parents who want to help their children shed pounds.
And, why no cheers from this crowd. Is baseball still baseball with no noise?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: New help for you parents out there, who want to know if your child is at risk of becoming overweight.
Our favorite dietitian, Lisa Drayer, joins us live from New York with some of the details -- Lisa.
LISA DRAYER, REGISTERED DIETITIAN: Hi, Fredricka.
That's right. We've talked about Body Mass Index, or BMI. This is basically a ratio of height to weight, and it tells us if we're overweight or obese.
Well, today, the University of North Carolina is launching a new Web-based BMI calculator. But unlike many other BMI calculators on the Web, this one is specific to children. So, now parents can help to play a role in assessing if their child is at risk for becoming overweight or obese.
Now let's take a look at this tool. It can be found at GetKidsInAction.org. Parents basically will enter a child's gender and age and height and weight. Now, the gender and age, Fredricka, is what makes this tool specific to children.
So, here we see a 10-year-old girl who weighs 100 pounds. And then we see the child's BMI. And here, the child's BMI is 24, which indicates that the child may indeed be overweight as this falls at the 96th percentile; 95th is considered overweight. And then the parent is advised to carefully monitor their child's eating and exercise habits and to consult a physician.
Now, we do want to say this tool is consistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that pediatricians use the BMI to diagnose overweight and obesity in children.
But one main caution. I spoke to Dr. Sandra Hasinks (ph). She is a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. She says that if a parent is using this tool, it's definitely a great thing. It can help them assess if there are any health concerns with their child. But it's really important that you share this information with your child's pediatrician.
And there are reasons for this that relate to limitations of the BMI. The first is that just by looking at this tool, you don't really get a picture of just how much at risk your child is. For example, you don't get to see that point way above the curve on these height and weight graphs. So, you do want to take that into account.
For example, if a child's BMI is 34, this may indicate the presence of other health conditions like diabetes or high cholesterol. So you do want to discuss these results with the pediatrician.
Also, just looking at one number doesn't give you the history of a child's weight, and perhaps they could be heading in a positive direction, one that's associated with decreased risks of disease.
So, it's very important to go on and use this tool at GetKidsInAction.org, but to discuss these results with your child's pediatrician.
WHITFIELD: So, Lisa, in addition to using this tool, what else can parents do to keep a close watch on whether their, you know, child is overweight or has the propensity of becoming overweight?
DRAYER: Right. Well, there's a lot of great information on this Web site, and the University of North Carolina does recommend some do's and don'ts for encouraging weight loss in children. So, let's take a look at these now.
The first, do encourage your children by being a healthy role model. I always say you can't expect your child to go for the fruits and vegetables if they see you eating the chips and cookies.
Also, you can try keeping a food journal of your child's intake and their physical activity. I often recommend that adults use this; adults, that is, who are looking to lose weight. But it can be very helpful in children as well to identify problem areas.
Also, don't overly restrict sweets. This can make these into forbidden foods, and this can cause a child to want them more. But do limit how much they consume.
And you don't want to use food as a punishment or as a reward. It can lead to unhealthy attitudes about food, and it can also lead to emotional eating. So...
WHITFIELD: Ooh, boy, that last one I see parents do that all of the time.
DRAYER: Yes. Not a good idea, but it can cause problems later on.
WHITFIELD: OK, Lisa Drayer, thanks very much.
DRAYER: Thanks.
WHITFIELD: All right, well Chad is with me now. Time to reveal...
MYERS: Yes.
WHITFIELD: ... the winner of the DAYBREAK coffee quiz.
MYERS: The winner from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
WHITFIELD: Drumroll please.
MYERS: Did you turn in a winning bid from Lancaster? We'll see.
Where is the -- where in London is the new Diana Princess of Wales memorial located? And that's obviously now in Hyde Park. And how many times will the bulls run during this year's festival in Pamplona? The correct answer: eight. Eight times they run.
WHITFIELD: There it is.
MYERS: Once yesterday and then they'll run seven more times.
Barbara Polozie from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, you are our winner today.
A little twist on the quiz for today. You guys are always so good at guessing what is it? Well, that's the question of the day. What is it?
WHITFIELD: I don't know who is going to be able to get that one right.
MYERS: You can figure it out.
WHITFIELD: But that is tricky.
MYERS: Daybreak@CNN.com. We had over 490 correct answers yesterday.
WHITFIELD: Wow!
MYERS: So, we had to make it a little more difficult today.
WHITFIELD: Yes, and it is tricky indeed. All right, we're going to be right back with our "Lightning Round." (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: It's time for a little "Lightning Round." What do you say?
MYERS: I'm ready.
WHITFIELD: All right, here we go.
Since when does a baseball stadium have anything in common with a library? The crowd at the Brockton Rox game last night kept their mouths shut and held up signs instead. No fun at all. They were trying to break the record for quietest baseball game ever. Brockton won, by the way, 3-2 -- at least the game, not necessarily the contest as being quiet.
All right "the Gambler" gets a pair. Kenny Rogers' wife, Wanda, gave birth to twin boys yesterday in Atlanta.
MYERS: Wow!
WHITFIELD: Right here. Wanda Rogers is a twin herself, by the way. And for those of you who are wondering, Kenny Rogers is 65.
And hold your nose, hold the phone. At the University of Connecticut, the corpse flower. Everyone looks forward to that. Well, you know what? It stinks. It smells like rotting meat.
MYERS: Yes.
WHITFIELD: Who wants to go check that out?
MYERS: The flies do. That's why it's called...
WHITFIELD: Yes.
MYERS: "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now. Have a great day.
WHITFIELD: All right.
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 July 7, 2004 - 06:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning again from the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Fredricka Whitfield in for Carol Costello. Now in the news.
On the streets of Baghdad, U.S. and Iraqi forces are facing off against insurgents. Iraqi police say the fighting involves small-arms fire, mortars and grenades. Seven people have been slightly injured. We'll have a live report from Baghdad straight ahead.
John Kerry and John Edwards make their first public appearance together as running mates about two hours from now in Pittsburgh. From there, it's on to Ohio and then to Florida.
Jury selection is set to get under way today in the federal sex discrimination case against investment banking giant Morgan Stanley. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says the company denied scores of women promotions and pay increases, which were given to less-qualified men.
In Pamplona, Spain it's day one of the annual running of the bulls. A half-mile-long course leads to a ring, where the bulls fight after the run is over. Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
And, Chad, I always wonder, why in the world does anybody get involved in that?
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Three people trampled yesterday. But no one gored, they said.
WHITFIELD: Thank goodness.
MYERS: Yes, and only 16 people have ever died since 1908.
WHITFIELD: Unbelievable.
MYERS: So, I guess that's pretty good.
WHITFIELD: Only. Yes. Well, that's a pretty significant number.
MYERS: And obviously...
WHITFIELD: But, you know, considering what they're doing.
MYERS: Yes, and it's a chosen danger, right? WHITFIELD: Yes.
MYERS: It's like jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.
WHITFIELD: That's right. Complete elective.
(WEATHER BREAK)
WHITFIELD: A section of central Baghdad this hour is a battle zone. Iraqi security forces joined by coalition troops are battling insurgents. It's one of several attacks today, and it comes as a new security law is being announced.
Live now to Baghdad for more details from our Brent Sadler -- Brent.
BRENT SADLER, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Thanks. Good morning, Fredricka.
What we have is a developing story in the center of Baghdad. This is video we've had a short time ago, and it shows that insurgents have been using, according to Iraqi police, small arms, mortars and grenades against Iraqi security forces. Reports of several Iraqis injured in these firefights. An area of town really cordoned off now.
Also understood that the Iraqis have called up, certainly for visual support of what's happening in that area, the U.S. Apache helicopters have been seen circling overhead, but no confirmation that the U.S. has been called in to support the Iraqis to put down this continuing firefight.
Now, that was taking place at the same time as ministers from the interim Iraqi government here were outlining details of a new emergency law that enables them to crackdown against the insurgency, enables them to use powers of arrest, detention, curfews, and so forth, including freezing up assets, really to try to break this insurgency as it continues to rage.
Ministers told journalists at a press conference a short time ago that the security situation was deteriorating. It was -- quote -- "Affecting all aspects of Iraqi life" -- end quote. And they had to take tough, new measures to clamp down on this continuing violence throughout the country.
And this is what the justice minister had to tell journalists about the checks and balances that have been put in place to enable the authorities here to crack down with these new powers, but at the same time to protect civil liberties here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MALIK DOHAN AL-HASSAN, IRAQI JUSTICE MINISTER (through translator): We realize that this law might restrict some liberties, but there are a number of guarantees within this law that will guarantee the rights of the people. So, any order issued by the prime minister should be agreed by the president and his deputies, and also by the majority of the cabinet. This means that the prime minister cannot take any decision to arrest anyone unless there has been an arrest warrant issued by an Iraqi judge.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SADLER: Also on this day, insurgents fired mortar rounds in an area where there is located the offices and home of Iraq's interim prime minister, Iyad Allawi. He wasn't there at the time. Mortars fell around those properties. No serious injuries. Two other mortars fell in the Green Zone, which is where the new U.S. embassy is located and key Iraqi ministries -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Brent Sadler in Baghdad, thanks very much.
Well, there have been a lot of questions about the treatment of enemy combatants at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and our Bob Franken is at Gitmo, where later on he'll be touring the facility. And Bob joins us right now -- Bob.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: And they make the claim here that unlike what happened in the prisons in Iraq that there is very strict discipline. That's the claim that they make here. They're going to give us an extremely limited view to try and convince the reporters who are here -- CNN, the only television network -- that there was not abuse of treatment here. A couple of isolated incidents were disciplined at the time.
But they have a very large problem here at Guantanamo Bay, and that is what they are going to do in the wake of the Supreme Court decision last week that the detainees do have the right to see their lawyers and confront the charges against them in some impartial judicial review.
And the problem is being brought very much to their faces, because one of the lawyers for one of those who is facing a military tribunal is here already. She is the military lawyer for Ibrahim Ahmed al Qosi, who is the Sudanese who was taken in Pakistan and charged with conspiracy to commit violence against the United States.
Lieutenant Colonel Karen Schaeffer is here. She is meeting with her client today. She told CNN yesterday that they're immediately going to try and challenge the detention. They're going to go to court and seek some sort of judicial review. According to her -- quote -- "This opened the door to challenge the entire legitimacy" of the mission here in Guantanamo Bay.
She said she is going to challenge the makeup of the military commissions -- meaning the tribunals. She is going to also challenge -- in the habeas corpus proceeding she will challenge the reason that he was here, which is exactly what the Supreme Court said he had a right to do. They will be filing in one circuit court or another. They haven't decided which.
Now, the military officials here say they do not know how they're going to comply with the Supreme Court ruling. They do say that it's going to be a huge problem. It could completely undermine, they say, their interrogations, which they insist are valuable for intelligence. That's something that has been up to question. Some saying that the material that they've gotten from their interrogations here has been less valuable than the military claims.
But they say that they have had very, very important intelligence to come out of here that is going to probably be undermined once the lawyers talk to the detainees -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And, Bob, back to detainees' representation, how are these detainees going about trying to secure attorneys?
FRANKEN: Well, at the moment the first question is whether they are going to be informed and how they are going to be informed. Now, all of these questions are going to be answered in the next weeks. We are being told there's a strong possibility that this week the Navy secretary -- this is a Navy base -- the Navy secretary, Gordon England, who is over all of this, is expected to make a visit here to try and get these procedures going.
There is also a possibility -- we've heard this -- that some of the detainees may be released, that there is the decision made that they're not worth the trouble that this is causing.
All of this is something that is being decided, all under consideration.
WHITFIELD: All right, Bob Franken, we look forward to your reports from Gitmo.
Well, time for a little business buzz now. It's not too late to book your summer vacation. Southwest is cutting ticket prices.
Carrie Lee has the story, and she's at the Nasdaq Marketsite in Times Square.
And I hope some of the other airlines are following suit.
CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS: Well, we will soon find out, Fredricka. Southwest Airlines is now slashing prices for travel starting in August. Fourteen-day advance purchases now for one-way tickets, $39 to $99. This is across the board for Southwest. A couple of exceptions: Orange County and the Houston areas. But still, analysts say rivals have to match these sale prices if they want to stay competitive.
And there's a long sale period here. Consumers will have until August 5 to buy these Southwest tickets. So, a good time to check out those fares.
Meanwhile, Microsoft is planning $1 billion worth of cost cuts, trying to boost sagging sales; also trying to boost the company's stock price. The stock price has been pretty much stagnant over the past couple of years. Microsoft has $56 billion worth of cash, and now they are going to have to try to do something about it. So, trying to boost up sales, not that those sales have been sagging, but trying to improve them a bit. Meanwhile, futures are looking very strong for today's session. Alcoa, this morning, the first Dow component, will report profits for the second quarter.
Fredricka -- back to you.
WHITFIELD: All right, Carrie Lee, thanks very much.
Well, still to come on DAYBREAK, have you ever asked a group of young people why they don't vote? Coming up, a college student speaks candidly on behalf of her generation.
Then, three simple letters you may not associate with kids: BMI. Coming up, a new easy way for parents to calculate Body Mass Index and help their kids lose weight.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: So, while all of the political analysts and pundits weigh in on the presidential race, we haven't heard much from the nation's young people. And as far as one particularly eloquent college student is concerned, we haven't heard because we haven't been listening.
Michigan State University senior Traci Carpenter joins us now. She just won the "Newsweek"/MTV youth essay contest. And here's what she has to say: "I am not ignorant. I know what's going on in the world, even if I heard it mostly from 'The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.' And yes, at times I do care more about the latest episode of 'The Sopranos' than the headline news. That's because I live the headline news. I know about poverty and crime. I live it every day."
Traci joins us now by phone from East Lansing, Michigan.
All right, Traci, glad you could join us.
TRACI CARPENTER, COLLEGE ESSAY WINNER: Thank you, Fredricka. Good morning.
WHITFIELD: Do you think your views represent most of those in your generation?
CARPENTER: Well, I definitely can't speak for everyone, since there are 48 million of us. But I think from just talking with people and really getting a sense of my friends on campus, I think really we do kind of all share in the sentiment. And it even stretches beyond my generation. Since writing the essay, I have gotten a lot of comments that we're not the only ones that feel this way.
WHITFIELD: All right. Well, the topic to write about was this: There is a popular perception that young people don't actually turn out at the polls. Is this true or not? How are young people changing the shape of this year's presidential election?
And the challenge was to write an 800-word essay. Right off the top, did you have some pretty certain views? Or did you have to kind of ponder it over a little bit, survey perhaps some of your other, you know, fellow college students?
CARPENTER: Well, actually to be quite honest, I kind of wrote the essay on a whim, just with a lot of the feelings I had about this issue. I had done quite a bit of research for a project this spring, and so I had a lot of the ideas already in my head. I kind of wanted to shape the essay as a response to all of these myths, I think, that are prevalent in the media, and I kind of just wanted to address the underlying factors I think media and politicians miss when talking about what gets us to the polls or (UNINTELLIGIBLE) has kept us away.
WHITFIELD: And you say a lot of politicians just really are not getting to the point. They're not doing a good job of explaining themselves, who they are and what their positions are. Instead, they're spending too much time attacking one another. Does that sum up about your view?
CARPENTER: Exactly, yes. I think there is just -- there is so much talk, but I don't really think a lot is being said. It just seems like the same key phrases over and over. But I really think if they want to attract more young viewers, they'll start talking more directly to us.
WHITFIELD: For example, you write: "I'm not just engaged. I'm worn out. Sometimes I feel that no matter how I vote, there will be war, crime and poverty. And there are other things on my mind. I'm worried about skin cancer, drunken drivers, eating disorders, what I'm going to be when I grow up, how I'm going to get there and what I'm going to do Friday night."
So, given your view of the frustration, do you still think you're going to vote? And if so or if not, what is it that will motivate a lot of other young people to go to the polls?
CARPENTER: Well, I certainly hope we're going to vote. I'm very optimistic. It seems this election year we're a lot more energetic. Especially on campus there is a lot more heated debate. You can see it on the sidewalks with protesters and in the papers.
I think kids are really starting to take notice. And since the last election was so close, we are beginning to realize that one vote can matter. And I think that will be a big factor come November.
WHITFIELD: All right, Traci Carpenter, Michigan State University senior, congratulations on your win for the "Newsweek"/MTV essay contest. And thanks so much for waking up with us this morning and joining us.
CARPENTER: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: All right.
Well, your news, money, weather and sports. Right now it's 15 minutes before the hour. And here's what's all new this morning.
Iraq's interim government has just imposed new harsher security measures. It comes as insurgents launched several attacks, including one on the offices of interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi.
Austrian President Thomas Klestil died less than two days before he was scheduled to leave office. The two-term president had been in intensive care following a Monday heart attack. The country's newly- elected president will be sworn in now tomorrow.
In money, get ready to shell out more for shrimp. The Commerce Department is imposing fees on shipments from six countries, a move that an alliance of seafood distributors says could increase shrimp prices by 44 percent.
In culture, "USA Today" reports Canteen Vending Services, one of the nation's largest vending machine operators, is planning to install healthier foods in dozens of cities in the next five years.
And in sports, the Boston Red Sox were hot last night. They crushed the Athletics 11-zip. Johnny Damon had five singles and scored twice.
(WEATHER BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Those are the headlines.
Well, still to come on DAYBREAK, the do's and don'ts for parents who want to help their children shed pounds.
And, why no cheers from this crowd. Is baseball still baseball with no noise?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: New help for you parents out there, who want to know if your child is at risk of becoming overweight.
Our favorite dietitian, Lisa Drayer, joins us live from New York with some of the details -- Lisa.
LISA DRAYER, REGISTERED DIETITIAN: Hi, Fredricka.
That's right. We've talked about Body Mass Index, or BMI. This is basically a ratio of height to weight, and it tells us if we're overweight or obese.
Well, today, the University of North Carolina is launching a new Web-based BMI calculator. But unlike many other BMI calculators on the Web, this one is specific to children. So, now parents can help to play a role in assessing if their child is at risk for becoming overweight or obese.
Now let's take a look at this tool. It can be found at GetKidsInAction.org. Parents basically will enter a child's gender and age and height and weight. Now, the gender and age, Fredricka, is what makes this tool specific to children.
So, here we see a 10-year-old girl who weighs 100 pounds. And then we see the child's BMI. And here, the child's BMI is 24, which indicates that the child may indeed be overweight as this falls at the 96th percentile; 95th is considered overweight. And then the parent is advised to carefully monitor their child's eating and exercise habits and to consult a physician.
Now, we do want to say this tool is consistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that pediatricians use the BMI to diagnose overweight and obesity in children.
But one main caution. I spoke to Dr. Sandra Hasinks (ph). She is a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. She says that if a parent is using this tool, it's definitely a great thing. It can help them assess if there are any health concerns with their child. But it's really important that you share this information with your child's pediatrician.
And there are reasons for this that relate to limitations of the BMI. The first is that just by looking at this tool, you don't really get a picture of just how much at risk your child is. For example, you don't get to see that point way above the curve on these height and weight graphs. So, you do want to take that into account.
For example, if a child's BMI is 34, this may indicate the presence of other health conditions like diabetes or high cholesterol. So you do want to discuss these results with the pediatrician.
Also, just looking at one number doesn't give you the history of a child's weight, and perhaps they could be heading in a positive direction, one that's associated with decreased risks of disease.
So, it's very important to go on and use this tool at GetKidsInAction.org, but to discuss these results with your child's pediatrician.
WHITFIELD: So, Lisa, in addition to using this tool, what else can parents do to keep a close watch on whether their, you know, child is overweight or has the propensity of becoming overweight?
DRAYER: Right. Well, there's a lot of great information on this Web site, and the University of North Carolina does recommend some do's and don'ts for encouraging weight loss in children. So, let's take a look at these now.
The first, do encourage your children by being a healthy role model. I always say you can't expect your child to go for the fruits and vegetables if they see you eating the chips and cookies.
Also, you can try keeping a food journal of your child's intake and their physical activity. I often recommend that adults use this; adults, that is, who are looking to lose weight. But it can be very helpful in children as well to identify problem areas.
Also, don't overly restrict sweets. This can make these into forbidden foods, and this can cause a child to want them more. But do limit how much they consume.
And you don't want to use food as a punishment or as a reward. It can lead to unhealthy attitudes about food, and it can also lead to emotional eating. So...
WHITFIELD: Ooh, boy, that last one I see parents do that all of the time.
DRAYER: Yes. Not a good idea, but it can cause problems later on.
WHITFIELD: OK, Lisa Drayer, thanks very much.
DRAYER: Thanks.
WHITFIELD: All right, well Chad is with me now. Time to reveal...
MYERS: Yes.
WHITFIELD: ... the winner of the DAYBREAK coffee quiz.
MYERS: The winner from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
WHITFIELD: Drumroll please.
MYERS: Did you turn in a winning bid from Lancaster? We'll see.
Where is the -- where in London is the new Diana Princess of Wales memorial located? And that's obviously now in Hyde Park. And how many times will the bulls run during this year's festival in Pamplona? The correct answer: eight. Eight times they run.
WHITFIELD: There it is.
MYERS: Once yesterday and then they'll run seven more times.
Barbara Polozie from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, you are our winner today.
A little twist on the quiz for today. You guys are always so good at guessing what is it? Well, that's the question of the day. What is it?
WHITFIELD: I don't know who is going to be able to get that one right.
MYERS: You can figure it out.
WHITFIELD: But that is tricky.
MYERS: Daybreak@CNN.com. We had over 490 correct answers yesterday.
WHITFIELD: Wow!
MYERS: So, we had to make it a little more difficult today.
WHITFIELD: Yes, and it is tricky indeed. All right, we're going to be right back with our "Lightning Round." (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: It's time for a little "Lightning Round." What do you say?
MYERS: I'm ready.
WHITFIELD: All right, here we go.
Since when does a baseball stadium have anything in common with a library? The crowd at the Brockton Rox game last night kept their mouths shut and held up signs instead. No fun at all. They were trying to break the record for quietest baseball game ever. Brockton won, by the way, 3-2 -- at least the game, not necessarily the contest as being quiet.
All right "the Gambler" gets a pair. Kenny Rogers' wife, Wanda, gave birth to twin boys yesterday in Atlanta.
MYERS: Wow!
WHITFIELD: Right here. Wanda Rogers is a twin herself, by the way. And for those of you who are wondering, Kenny Rogers is 65.
And hold your nose, hold the phone. At the University of Connecticut, the corpse flower. Everyone looks forward to that. Well, you know what? It stinks. It smells like rotting meat.
MYERS: Yes.
WHITFIELD: Who wants to go check that out?
MYERS: The flies do. That's why it's called...
WHITFIELD: Yes.
MYERS: "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now. Have a great day.
WHITFIELD: All right.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
