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CNN Live Sunday
Firefight With Insurgents Leaves 13 Dead; Controversy Over California's New Paid Family Leave Law
Aired July 25, 2004 - 11:00 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: It is 11:00 a.m. in Boston, 7:00 p.m. in Baghdad. Welcome to CNN LIVE SUNDAY. I'm Fredricka Whitfield at the CNN Global Headquarters Atlanta.
Ahead this hour, a firefight with insurgents leaves at least 13 dead and the latest from Baghdad on new threats against coalition members.
Also this hour...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The RPG came in, you can see here, from the back, and hit the door here. And that set it off. My arm stops about here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: A Marine seriously wounded in Iraq fights to stay in the corps and what he plans to do next.
And later, the controversy over California's new paid family leave law and impact on small businesses.
But first, a look at the top stories.
"Now in the News": An attack in Gaza. Palestinian sources say three people were injured in an Israeli helicopter attack on a house in Gaza. A similar strike in the same area three days ago killed two Islamic militants. No comment so far from the Israeli military.
In Israel, demonstrators say they will hold hands to form a 55- mile human chain in support of Israeli settlements. The plan is to stage a protest from Gaza to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Organizers say 150,000 people have signed up for that event.
Lance Armstrong is cycling his way into the history books, en route to an expected sixth consecutive victory in the Tour de France. He's making his way toward the finish line on the famed Champs Elysees in Paris. Armstrong says he's not sure yet whether to go for seven in a row next year.
Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
Creating further uncertainty in Iraq, new threats from Al Qaeda against troops operating in Iraq and escalating gun battles with insurgents. For the latest, we go to CNN's Matthew Chance in Baghdad.
What's going on there, Matthew?
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, thank you.
This Iraqi insurgency showing no signs of easing. The latest violence taking place to the north of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, near the town of Buhriz but where there's been fierce fighting between Iraqi National Guard and police forces, along with Iraqi insurgents operating in that area.
The Iraqi police and National Guard have been providing security to U.S. Army operation to raid suspected hide-outs of the wanted militant Abu Musab Zarqawi. When they came under attack from these insurgents, they returned fire. The U.S. Army provided artillery support.
There was also observation support from helicopters in the skies as masked Iraqi gunmen fired at the Iraqi National Guard and police forces; 13 dead confirmed by the Iraqi National Guard Forces that we've spoken to in that incident.
So, a lot of violence around the country. This just one example of how or to what extent Iraqi and U.S. forces are cooperating on the ground now as they battle insurgents up and down this country, Fredricka?
WHITFIELD: Matthew, nine hostages being held including an Egyptian diplomat and seven truck drivers. What's the latest with them?
CHANCE: At least nine -- well, still, efforts are going on to try and secure their release. We understand that there's been at least two Pakistani nationals as well added to that figure who have gone missing somewhere in Iraq, according to that country's foreign ministry. They say they're treating it as if they're hostages.
A lot of efforts underway to try and establish what's happened to them, try to get them released, particularly with the Egyptian diplomat, the most prominent of all these hostages, a senior-most figure and the first foreign diplomat to be abducted by insurgents. Still, no positive word on them being freed -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Matthew Chance, thank you for that update from Baghdad.
Former national security adviser (sic) to the Bush and Clinton administrations, Richard Clarke calls the new 9/11 report a toothless report from an honorable commission. He makes the comments in a "New York Times" op-ed article. The commission Chairman Tom Kean spoke with CNN's Wolf Blitz this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THOMAS KEAN, CHAIRMAN, 9/11 COMMISSION: This is an organization that had the capability, the command and control, the finances -- and finally, that they said what they were going to do. They issued fatwah, and Osama bin Laden said it's the duty of every Muslim, to kill every American, it doesn't matter whether they are army or civilian.
Now, if you put all that together and I think if you had had that, if I had that, if the president of the United States had that, they'd have acted differently.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: You can hear more on the 9/11 Commission report as Wolf Blitzer talks with the co-chairmen of the committee, coming up, next hour on "Late Edition" right here on CNN.
Crisscrossing the country, the Democratic presidential hopefuls are hitting the campaign trail hard leading up to the convention. Presumptive nominee John Kerry will be in Columbus, Ohio, today for what the campaign is calling a front porch visit.
Kerry spoke in Sioux City, Iowa, yesterday to more than 2,000 supporters. The ticket's number two spent his Saturday courting voters in San Antonio, Texas. John Edwards will be in his home state of North Carolina today and tomorrow before heading to the convention in Boston.
They are all Boston bound. The delegates are making their way to the city for tomorrow's start of the Democratic National Convention. They'll be greeted by extremely tight security. National Correspondent Bob Franken is live from Boston outside the Fleet Center.
Hello to you, Bob.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka.
It's beginning to look like they will not be greeted by pickets this evening at 29 delegate parties. That was promising to be a big embarrassment for the Democrats with the union connections, don't like to cross picket lines. There has just been announcement from the firefighter's union it's reached a settlement with the city.
The firefighters and police unions had been doing battle to the last minute over contract discussions. But this agreement could pave the way for a pulling back of the plans to do those picket lines.
As I said, it solves one problem for the Democrats. There are an awful lot as we get to the business of the convention.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN (voice over): The delegates are trickling into Boston, taking in the sights and history, ready for historic levels of security.
THERESA KERN, VIRGINIA DEM DELEGATE: I've been told to anticipate time periods of being worked through security to make sure I'm not carrying anything; to be coming up here with a lot of patience.
FRANKEN: The experts have combed the Fleet Center complex inch- by-inch. Outside, security blanketed Boston and surrounding areas, roadways, subways, overhead air force jets are on patrol.
The convention delegates will mingle with thousands of reporters and security personnel intent on making sure that the news is about politics and not disaster. Separated out are the groups of protesters who must gather in a small penned in area across from the Fleet Center. That has prompted legal action.
MEDEA BENJAMIN, CODE PINK: There are not supposed to be designated cages where you can exercise your First Amendment rights. It's supposed to be all over this country.
FRANKEN: But delegates are determined to make the best of this.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're being asked to show our identification everywhere we go. But it's also a fun place to be. There's a lot of people in town. Visiting this historical city and all these sights and having a good time doing it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN: Now, one other bit of news. The protesters were able to continue to plan to do a march. We're going to see the march in an area that will be right over my shoulder. They'll be allowed to march to the Fleet Center.
Then the business of the convention gets underway starting tomorrow. By the way, don't forget why we're here. That is, the Democratic nominating convention -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Bill Clinton being the opening speaker tomorrow night. Thanks a lot.
This election year, Democrats and Republicans are going for the youth vote after a disappointing 2000-election year turnout among young people. CNNfn's JJ Ramberg has more on the push.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JJ RAMBERG, CNNfn CORRESPONDENT: The numbers may surprise you. According to one estimate, in the last presidential election, only 30 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds voted, compared to 54 percent of all voting-age Americans.
Four years before that, even fewer young voters went to the polls. But organizers say this November things will be different.
JEHMU GREENE, ROCK THE VOTE: There are lots of differences this year from the issues that are at stake to the way we're going to organize and reach out to young voters.
RAMBERG: Get out the vote initiatives geared toward the country's youth are devoting more money and time than ever before. From established organizations like Rock The Vote ...
UNIDENTIFIED GROUP: Get Up and Vote!
RAMBERG: ... to newer efforts like the Hip-Hop Action Summit and Punk Voter ...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How many of you are registered to vote?
RAMBERG: These programs are determined to do more than just sign people up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The big exciting stuff also comes on election day, where there's that precinct operation where we're contacting folks who have already committed to turning out to vote and making sure that 100 percent of those folks who said they're interested in voting actually turn out to vote.
RAMBERG: Volunteers from the new voter's project will actually knock on people's doors November 2. And it may take extreme measures like that to increase voter turnout.
But with a number of hot button issues this year that directly affect young people from the war in Iraq to how they'll pay college tuition, that age group is already starting to show more interest.
Four times as many of them turned out to vote in the Iowa caucuses this year than in 2000.
(on camera): The campaigns are clearly paying attention. Both Senator John Kerry and Ed Gillespie, head of the Republican National Committee, have already turned up on MTV.
With the latest poll numbers showing this presidential election shaping up to be a very tight race, neither side can afford to miss out on any voting block, especially not one 34 million strong -- JJ Ramberg, CNN Financial News, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: The children of the presidential candidates have also been stumping for their parents. Chris Heinz, John Kerry's stepson, will talk with Wolf Blitzer on "Late Edition" starting at noon Eastern.
Tonight, join Wolf Blitzer and Judy Woodruff for a special preview of the Democratic National Convention at 10:00 p.m. Eastern, 7:00 Pacific.
The search for Lori Hacking continues as new details emerge in the search for the missing jogger. Ted Rowlands will have the latest.
Also, California's paid family leave law. We'll tell you why not everyone in the golden state is happy with it. And this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If it was up to me, you know, if it was Captain Frey alone and unafraid, I'd stay in for 35 years, until they drug me out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: He survived after losing most of his right arm in Iraq and he's this week's hero.
This is CNN LIVE SUNDAY.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: A dumpster may yield clues in the mystery of a missing Utah woman. Police have found evidence that could help them in the search for Lori Hacking. It's been nearly a week now since she disappeared. CNN's Ted Rowlands is live from Salt Lake City with details -- Ted.
TED ROWLANDS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Fredricka. Here in Salt Lake City, they're expecting thousands of people actually to go out and continue to search for Lori Hacking. As you mentioned, she's been missing since Monday.
A number of church services have been canceled today to allow people to take part in the search. Family members are also here this morning, helping to organize the search.
Meanwhile, police continue to have just one person of interest in this case, and that is Lori Hacking's husband, Mark Hacking. He's seems to be clearly at the center of the investigation.
Police are looking into a number of different leads as well. One that came in yesterday, they found what they are characterizing as a brown clump of hair that was located in a dumpster in the parking lot of a Chevron station.
That Chevron station is less than a block from where Mark Hacking, Lori's husband, was buying a mattress on Monday morning, less than a half an hour before he called in his wife's disappearance. That hair was collected yesterday.
A number of items have been collected from the Hacking apartment. A number of forensics tests, according to police, are being done on that. None of the results from the tests, however, have come back as of yet.
They're also looking into a report that there was something suspicious in a neighbor's garbage can. There have been investigators out at a city landfill earlier this week, collecting potential evidence as well. It is very clear that despite the efforts here and the support from the family that police have centered their investigation on Mark Hacking.
At this point, he's nowhere near being cleared. Even family members acknowledge that the inconsistencies in his story have left them with questions that they want answered. And, they have said, no matter where this goes, even if it leads towards Mark, they want the truth.
The hope, for everybody, that the truth comes out sooner than later -- Fredricka?
WHITFIELD: Ted, about the dumpster, what exactly led investigators to the dumpster?
ROWLANDS: They received a call from somebody who was either emptying the dumpster or who had looked in and had seen the clump of hair. And it was large enough to prompt that person to call them. And investigators took that in to test it and they did that in a relatively short order. But they're characterizing it as a clump of brown hair. Of course, Lori Hacking has brown hair. That's all that they'd say.
WHITFIELD: Grisly details, there. All right, thanks a lot, Ted Rowlands in Salt Lake City, Utah.
A quick look at news across America: In Colorado, a small plane crashed on a residential street in Ft. Collins Saturday, killing three men on board. The crashed destroyed a minivan and set off a series of small explosions. No one on the ground was injured. Witnesses say the plane appeared to have engine trouble before it went down on Saturday.
A close call for a 79-year-old woman on a hot air balloon ride in Middletown, Ohio. While landing, the balloon tipped, and the woman fell out. She is OK. But when the balloon next took to the air again, it got stuck in power lines.
Elsewhere in Ohio, police say a man found dead on a couch in a hospital lounge may have been there almost 24 hours. A nurse told police no one checked on the 55-year-old man because they thought he was sleeping. His cause of death is still unclear.
California families caring for an ailing relative or new child are getting paid family leave time under a law that takes effect this month. Thousands of families are taking part, but not everyone is happy about it. Reporter Donna Tetreault talks with one new mom.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DONNA TETREAULT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Marcy Arnowitz is spending lots of time with her two-month-old baby girl, Ruby, all thanks to California's family leave law, now in effect.
MARCIE ARNOWITZ, NEW MOM: Just being able to be there when she smiles and being able be there when she cries and watching her change over the few months and establishing a relationship is amazing.
TETREAULT (on camera): The California law differs from the National Family and Medical Leave Act, because most workers can take up to six weeks off and get at least half of their pay. The federal act is unpaid.
(voice over): Actor and director Rob Reiner has given the law a high profile boost.
ROB REINER, ACTOR, DIRECTOR: We know based on all the scientific research, that the earliest years of a child's life are critical and the bonding that a parent does with a child actually affects brain development.
TETREAULT: Harold Igdaloff is a small business owner and believes the new law is good for families, but he says companies like his are going to be hit hard.
HAROLD IGDALOFF, SMALL BUSINESS OWNER: A small work force and people are gone, then you have to either make up the time with overtime or you have to replace the employees temporarily, and then if you replace them temporarily, you have a double hit.
TETREAULT: But for new moms, like Marcie, this law is the answer to her prayers.
ARNOWITZ: It's a wonderful feeling to know that I can lay the groundwork of creating a loving relationship with the baby.
TETREAULT: To date, 8,400 parents have filed claims and now look forward to bonding with their babies -- Donna Tetreault, for CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: And he's the American in Paris to watch. We'll have the latest on Lance Armstrong's race for the record books.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: With just three laps to go, or just over 10 miles to go, Lance Armstrong is cycling his way into the history books en route to an expected sixth consecutive victory in the Tour de France. He is making his way around the Champs Elysees in Paris.
And Armstrong says that he's not sure yet whether he'll go for seven in a row next year. For now he just want to enjoy six, with just a few miles to go.
Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
It turns out that technology can play as big a role in the Tour de France as muscle and strategy. CNN Sports Correspondent Steve Overmyer takes a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEVE OVERMYER, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Year after year, Tour de France victory celebrations in Paris have been focused on one man, Lance Armstrong.
Lance's legs have proven to be as strong as his desire to endure the world's most grueling bicycle race six years in a row. Even his mighty U.S. Postal team needs help from technology along the way. SHANNON HUTCHINSON, PROFESSIONAL CYCLIST: There's all sorts of things. They'll do wind tunnel tests. They'll use the lightest materials. There's carbon fiber, titanium, aluminum.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a limited edition Lance Armstrong bike. This is number 29 of 500 that were made.
OVERMYER: From trick aero handlebars and helmets to special frames and wheels, bike companies are doing whatever they can to keep their teams ahead.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you level the playing field, you see that technology does make a difference. You have the strong houses of Postal, T-Mobile, some of these larger teams that have technological, $5,000 to $10,000 time trial bikes.
OVERMYER: Much of the same ultra-light materials tech fans see in the Tour de France ends up in their local bike shop.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This bike is a full titanium Bianci (ph) bike. This same bike won Arri Revey (ph), it is in the Tour right now, ridden by the Alessio Bianci (ph) team.
Pro, which uses the Sertz (ph) technology, which if you look here it has the elasamer (ph) inserts, which are molded into the carbon which absorb shock. A lot of these bikes, they do incorporate high-end technology, which it's costly. The titanium is aerospace grade titanium. It's what they use in satellites.
OVERMYER: Beyond the bikes themselves, teams make use of devices like earpieces for communication between riders and team managers. And tiny computers that monitor everything from bike functions to altitude, speed, distance, cadence and even power output. All of the information is then downloadable.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You can take that with infrared or USB port and download your workout. What they're doing in the tour, they keep track, everyday a diary of what they've done.
OVERMYER: Though team managers know these gadgets certainly help, professional racers say training and discipline are still what drives them.
HUTCHINSON: At this level, training, supplements, taking care of yourself, making sure you're rested and recovered. A race of that magnitude, you definitely have to be focused on what you're doing.
OVERMYER: Focus certainly doesn't seem to be a problem for the U.S. Postal team. With a little help from technology, Lance Armstrong's run may not yet be finished -- Steve Overmyer, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: A quick Lance update. He is now just less than 10 miles away from a sixth straight Tour de France victory.
Still much more ahead on this hour on "Reliable Sources" live from Boston, Howard Kurtz has a preview.
Hi, Howie.
HOWARD KURTZ, HOST, RELIABLE SOURCES: Hi, Fredricka. Coming up, we are live in Boston as 15,000 journalists descend on the Democratic Party's quadrennial ritual.
But will it be actually any news here among the speeches and delegates and balloons and signs? Will other world news interfere?
And will John Kerry and John Edwards get a big bounce from the press? We'll talk about all that with our all-star panel of network correspondents, Bob Schieffer, Gloria Borger, and Ann Compton. "Reliable Sources" coming up.
WHITFIELD: Look forward to that, Howie.
An amazing story of surviving combat in Iraq. Coming up, the story of one Marine who lost an arm in battle and his efforts to remain in the Marine Corps.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Courage comes in many forms among the American troops fighting in Iraq. CNN's Casey Wian has the heroic story of one very determined U.S. Marine.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Major Jason Frei's 10-year Marine Corps career is winding down at a desk. But part of him, literally, remains on an Iraqi battlefield where he lost his right hand and most of his forearm.
MAJOR JASON FREI, U.S. MARINE CORPS.: Anybody in the Marine Corps would rather get in the field and do stuff out there than get stuck typing.
WIAN: Then Captain Frei was part of the 1st Battalion, 11th Marines. His artillery brigade, known as the Cannon Cockers, fired the first shots of the war. In March of last year, five minutes after Frei snapped this photo, his unit was ambushed during a sand storm.
FREI: I was sitting in the front seat reading a map. The RPG came in, you can see here, from the back and hit the door right here. And that set it off.
My arm stops about here. Came through, hit me there. It was a little bit of a shock. I mean, imagine if you're sitting and somebody sucker punches you. There was a concussion and then I looked down.
I can't remember if I saw it first or felt it first, or some combination in between. And I could see, you could look down and see that, you know, my hand was gone.
WIAN: Frei tied a radio cord around his arm to stop the bleed, took cover and was pinned down for an hour and a half before the enemy was subdued. Because of the sandstorm it took 28 hours for Frei to be evacuated to a surgical station. In the past year Frei has fought to stay a Marine, but ultimately deciding it would be best for his family to retire.
FREI: If it was up to me, it if was Captain Frei, alone and unafraid, I would stay in for 35 years until they drug me out. You can't -- I can't imagine finding a better group of people than working around these young Marines.
You got 18, 19-year-old kids who are doing absolutely amazing things. You know, in civilian world, they wouldn't trust them to run a copier. And they're out there making life and death decisions and doing it well.
WIAN: Promoted to major this month, Frei starts a new career this fall, pursuing a masters at the University of Notre Dame -- Casey Wian, CNN, Oceanside, California.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Much more ahead on CNN LIVE SUNDAY. In a few moments, at the bottom of the hour, "Reliable Sources", covering the coverage of this week's Democratic National Convention.
Then at noon, it is "Late Edition" with Wolf Blitzer. Among Wolf's guests, 9/11 Commission Chairmen Thomas Kean and Lee Hamilton. And at2:00 p.m. Eastern, it is "People in the News". Today, profiling Democratic vice presidential hopeful John Edwards.
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Aired July 25, 2004 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: It is 11:00 a.m. in Boston, 7:00 p.m. in Baghdad. Welcome to CNN LIVE SUNDAY. I'm Fredricka Whitfield at the CNN Global Headquarters Atlanta.
Ahead this hour, a firefight with insurgents leaves at least 13 dead and the latest from Baghdad on new threats against coalition members.
Also this hour...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The RPG came in, you can see here, from the back, and hit the door here. And that set it off. My arm stops about here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: A Marine seriously wounded in Iraq fights to stay in the corps and what he plans to do next.
And later, the controversy over California's new paid family leave law and impact on small businesses.
But first, a look at the top stories.
"Now in the News": An attack in Gaza. Palestinian sources say three people were injured in an Israeli helicopter attack on a house in Gaza. A similar strike in the same area three days ago killed two Islamic militants. No comment so far from the Israeli military.
In Israel, demonstrators say they will hold hands to form a 55- mile human chain in support of Israeli settlements. The plan is to stage a protest from Gaza to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Organizers say 150,000 people have signed up for that event.
Lance Armstrong is cycling his way into the history books, en route to an expected sixth consecutive victory in the Tour de France. He's making his way toward the finish line on the famed Champs Elysees in Paris. Armstrong says he's not sure yet whether to go for seven in a row next year.
Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
Creating further uncertainty in Iraq, new threats from Al Qaeda against troops operating in Iraq and escalating gun battles with insurgents. For the latest, we go to CNN's Matthew Chance in Baghdad.
What's going on there, Matthew?
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, thank you.
This Iraqi insurgency showing no signs of easing. The latest violence taking place to the north of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, near the town of Buhriz but where there's been fierce fighting between Iraqi National Guard and police forces, along with Iraqi insurgents operating in that area.
The Iraqi police and National Guard have been providing security to U.S. Army operation to raid suspected hide-outs of the wanted militant Abu Musab Zarqawi. When they came under attack from these insurgents, they returned fire. The U.S. Army provided artillery support.
There was also observation support from helicopters in the skies as masked Iraqi gunmen fired at the Iraqi National Guard and police forces; 13 dead confirmed by the Iraqi National Guard Forces that we've spoken to in that incident.
So, a lot of violence around the country. This just one example of how or to what extent Iraqi and U.S. forces are cooperating on the ground now as they battle insurgents up and down this country, Fredricka?
WHITFIELD: Matthew, nine hostages being held including an Egyptian diplomat and seven truck drivers. What's the latest with them?
CHANCE: At least nine -- well, still, efforts are going on to try and secure their release. We understand that there's been at least two Pakistani nationals as well added to that figure who have gone missing somewhere in Iraq, according to that country's foreign ministry. They say they're treating it as if they're hostages.
A lot of efforts underway to try and establish what's happened to them, try to get them released, particularly with the Egyptian diplomat, the most prominent of all these hostages, a senior-most figure and the first foreign diplomat to be abducted by insurgents. Still, no positive word on them being freed -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Matthew Chance, thank you for that update from Baghdad.
Former national security adviser (sic) to the Bush and Clinton administrations, Richard Clarke calls the new 9/11 report a toothless report from an honorable commission. He makes the comments in a "New York Times" op-ed article. The commission Chairman Tom Kean spoke with CNN's Wolf Blitz this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THOMAS KEAN, CHAIRMAN, 9/11 COMMISSION: This is an organization that had the capability, the command and control, the finances -- and finally, that they said what they were going to do. They issued fatwah, and Osama bin Laden said it's the duty of every Muslim, to kill every American, it doesn't matter whether they are army or civilian.
Now, if you put all that together and I think if you had had that, if I had that, if the president of the United States had that, they'd have acted differently.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: You can hear more on the 9/11 Commission report as Wolf Blitzer talks with the co-chairmen of the committee, coming up, next hour on "Late Edition" right here on CNN.
Crisscrossing the country, the Democratic presidential hopefuls are hitting the campaign trail hard leading up to the convention. Presumptive nominee John Kerry will be in Columbus, Ohio, today for what the campaign is calling a front porch visit.
Kerry spoke in Sioux City, Iowa, yesterday to more than 2,000 supporters. The ticket's number two spent his Saturday courting voters in San Antonio, Texas. John Edwards will be in his home state of North Carolina today and tomorrow before heading to the convention in Boston.
They are all Boston bound. The delegates are making their way to the city for tomorrow's start of the Democratic National Convention. They'll be greeted by extremely tight security. National Correspondent Bob Franken is live from Boston outside the Fleet Center.
Hello to you, Bob.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka.
It's beginning to look like they will not be greeted by pickets this evening at 29 delegate parties. That was promising to be a big embarrassment for the Democrats with the union connections, don't like to cross picket lines. There has just been announcement from the firefighter's union it's reached a settlement with the city.
The firefighters and police unions had been doing battle to the last minute over contract discussions. But this agreement could pave the way for a pulling back of the plans to do those picket lines.
As I said, it solves one problem for the Democrats. There are an awful lot as we get to the business of the convention.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN (voice over): The delegates are trickling into Boston, taking in the sights and history, ready for historic levels of security.
THERESA KERN, VIRGINIA DEM DELEGATE: I've been told to anticipate time periods of being worked through security to make sure I'm not carrying anything; to be coming up here with a lot of patience.
FRANKEN: The experts have combed the Fleet Center complex inch- by-inch. Outside, security blanketed Boston and surrounding areas, roadways, subways, overhead air force jets are on patrol.
The convention delegates will mingle with thousands of reporters and security personnel intent on making sure that the news is about politics and not disaster. Separated out are the groups of protesters who must gather in a small penned in area across from the Fleet Center. That has prompted legal action.
MEDEA BENJAMIN, CODE PINK: There are not supposed to be designated cages where you can exercise your First Amendment rights. It's supposed to be all over this country.
FRANKEN: But delegates are determined to make the best of this.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're being asked to show our identification everywhere we go. But it's also a fun place to be. There's a lot of people in town. Visiting this historical city and all these sights and having a good time doing it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN: Now, one other bit of news. The protesters were able to continue to plan to do a march. We're going to see the march in an area that will be right over my shoulder. They'll be allowed to march to the Fleet Center.
Then the business of the convention gets underway starting tomorrow. By the way, don't forget why we're here. That is, the Democratic nominating convention -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Bill Clinton being the opening speaker tomorrow night. Thanks a lot.
This election year, Democrats and Republicans are going for the youth vote after a disappointing 2000-election year turnout among young people. CNNfn's JJ Ramberg has more on the push.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JJ RAMBERG, CNNfn CORRESPONDENT: The numbers may surprise you. According to one estimate, in the last presidential election, only 30 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds voted, compared to 54 percent of all voting-age Americans.
Four years before that, even fewer young voters went to the polls. But organizers say this November things will be different.
JEHMU GREENE, ROCK THE VOTE: There are lots of differences this year from the issues that are at stake to the way we're going to organize and reach out to young voters.
RAMBERG: Get out the vote initiatives geared toward the country's youth are devoting more money and time than ever before. From established organizations like Rock The Vote ...
UNIDENTIFIED GROUP: Get Up and Vote!
RAMBERG: ... to newer efforts like the Hip-Hop Action Summit and Punk Voter ...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How many of you are registered to vote?
RAMBERG: These programs are determined to do more than just sign people up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The big exciting stuff also comes on election day, where there's that precinct operation where we're contacting folks who have already committed to turning out to vote and making sure that 100 percent of those folks who said they're interested in voting actually turn out to vote.
RAMBERG: Volunteers from the new voter's project will actually knock on people's doors November 2. And it may take extreme measures like that to increase voter turnout.
But with a number of hot button issues this year that directly affect young people from the war in Iraq to how they'll pay college tuition, that age group is already starting to show more interest.
Four times as many of them turned out to vote in the Iowa caucuses this year than in 2000.
(on camera): The campaigns are clearly paying attention. Both Senator John Kerry and Ed Gillespie, head of the Republican National Committee, have already turned up on MTV.
With the latest poll numbers showing this presidential election shaping up to be a very tight race, neither side can afford to miss out on any voting block, especially not one 34 million strong -- JJ Ramberg, CNN Financial News, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: The children of the presidential candidates have also been stumping for their parents. Chris Heinz, John Kerry's stepson, will talk with Wolf Blitzer on "Late Edition" starting at noon Eastern.
Tonight, join Wolf Blitzer and Judy Woodruff for a special preview of the Democratic National Convention at 10:00 p.m. Eastern, 7:00 Pacific.
The search for Lori Hacking continues as new details emerge in the search for the missing jogger. Ted Rowlands will have the latest.
Also, California's paid family leave law. We'll tell you why not everyone in the golden state is happy with it. And this -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If it was up to me, you know, if it was Captain Frey alone and unafraid, I'd stay in for 35 years, until they drug me out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: He survived after losing most of his right arm in Iraq and he's this week's hero.
This is CNN LIVE SUNDAY.
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WHITFIELD: A dumpster may yield clues in the mystery of a missing Utah woman. Police have found evidence that could help them in the search for Lori Hacking. It's been nearly a week now since she disappeared. CNN's Ted Rowlands is live from Salt Lake City with details -- Ted.
TED ROWLANDS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Fredricka. Here in Salt Lake City, they're expecting thousands of people actually to go out and continue to search for Lori Hacking. As you mentioned, she's been missing since Monday.
A number of church services have been canceled today to allow people to take part in the search. Family members are also here this morning, helping to organize the search.
Meanwhile, police continue to have just one person of interest in this case, and that is Lori Hacking's husband, Mark Hacking. He's seems to be clearly at the center of the investigation.
Police are looking into a number of different leads as well. One that came in yesterday, they found what they are characterizing as a brown clump of hair that was located in a dumpster in the parking lot of a Chevron station.
That Chevron station is less than a block from where Mark Hacking, Lori's husband, was buying a mattress on Monday morning, less than a half an hour before he called in his wife's disappearance. That hair was collected yesterday.
A number of items have been collected from the Hacking apartment. A number of forensics tests, according to police, are being done on that. None of the results from the tests, however, have come back as of yet.
They're also looking into a report that there was something suspicious in a neighbor's garbage can. There have been investigators out at a city landfill earlier this week, collecting potential evidence as well. It is very clear that despite the efforts here and the support from the family that police have centered their investigation on Mark Hacking.
At this point, he's nowhere near being cleared. Even family members acknowledge that the inconsistencies in his story have left them with questions that they want answered. And, they have said, no matter where this goes, even if it leads towards Mark, they want the truth.
The hope, for everybody, that the truth comes out sooner than later -- Fredricka?
WHITFIELD: Ted, about the dumpster, what exactly led investigators to the dumpster?
ROWLANDS: They received a call from somebody who was either emptying the dumpster or who had looked in and had seen the clump of hair. And it was large enough to prompt that person to call them. And investigators took that in to test it and they did that in a relatively short order. But they're characterizing it as a clump of brown hair. Of course, Lori Hacking has brown hair. That's all that they'd say.
WHITFIELD: Grisly details, there. All right, thanks a lot, Ted Rowlands in Salt Lake City, Utah.
A quick look at news across America: In Colorado, a small plane crashed on a residential street in Ft. Collins Saturday, killing three men on board. The crashed destroyed a minivan and set off a series of small explosions. No one on the ground was injured. Witnesses say the plane appeared to have engine trouble before it went down on Saturday.
A close call for a 79-year-old woman on a hot air balloon ride in Middletown, Ohio. While landing, the balloon tipped, and the woman fell out. She is OK. But when the balloon next took to the air again, it got stuck in power lines.
Elsewhere in Ohio, police say a man found dead on a couch in a hospital lounge may have been there almost 24 hours. A nurse told police no one checked on the 55-year-old man because they thought he was sleeping. His cause of death is still unclear.
California families caring for an ailing relative or new child are getting paid family leave time under a law that takes effect this month. Thousands of families are taking part, but not everyone is happy about it. Reporter Donna Tetreault talks with one new mom.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DONNA TETREAULT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Marcy Arnowitz is spending lots of time with her two-month-old baby girl, Ruby, all thanks to California's family leave law, now in effect.
MARCIE ARNOWITZ, NEW MOM: Just being able to be there when she smiles and being able be there when she cries and watching her change over the few months and establishing a relationship is amazing.
TETREAULT (on camera): The California law differs from the National Family and Medical Leave Act, because most workers can take up to six weeks off and get at least half of their pay. The federal act is unpaid.
(voice over): Actor and director Rob Reiner has given the law a high profile boost.
ROB REINER, ACTOR, DIRECTOR: We know based on all the scientific research, that the earliest years of a child's life are critical and the bonding that a parent does with a child actually affects brain development.
TETREAULT: Harold Igdaloff is a small business owner and believes the new law is good for families, but he says companies like his are going to be hit hard.
HAROLD IGDALOFF, SMALL BUSINESS OWNER: A small work force and people are gone, then you have to either make up the time with overtime or you have to replace the employees temporarily, and then if you replace them temporarily, you have a double hit.
TETREAULT: But for new moms, like Marcie, this law is the answer to her prayers.
ARNOWITZ: It's a wonderful feeling to know that I can lay the groundwork of creating a loving relationship with the baby.
TETREAULT: To date, 8,400 parents have filed claims and now look forward to bonding with their babies -- Donna Tetreault, for CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: And he's the American in Paris to watch. We'll have the latest on Lance Armstrong's race for the record books.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: With just three laps to go, or just over 10 miles to go, Lance Armstrong is cycling his way into the history books en route to an expected sixth consecutive victory in the Tour de France. He is making his way around the Champs Elysees in Paris.
And Armstrong says that he's not sure yet whether he'll go for seven in a row next year. For now he just want to enjoy six, with just a few miles to go.
Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.
It turns out that technology can play as big a role in the Tour de France as muscle and strategy. CNN Sports Correspondent Steve Overmyer takes a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEVE OVERMYER, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Year after year, Tour de France victory celebrations in Paris have been focused on one man, Lance Armstrong.
Lance's legs have proven to be as strong as his desire to endure the world's most grueling bicycle race six years in a row. Even his mighty U.S. Postal team needs help from technology along the way. SHANNON HUTCHINSON, PROFESSIONAL CYCLIST: There's all sorts of things. They'll do wind tunnel tests. They'll use the lightest materials. There's carbon fiber, titanium, aluminum.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a limited edition Lance Armstrong bike. This is number 29 of 500 that were made.
OVERMYER: From trick aero handlebars and helmets to special frames and wheels, bike companies are doing whatever they can to keep their teams ahead.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you level the playing field, you see that technology does make a difference. You have the strong houses of Postal, T-Mobile, some of these larger teams that have technological, $5,000 to $10,000 time trial bikes.
OVERMYER: Much of the same ultra-light materials tech fans see in the Tour de France ends up in their local bike shop.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This bike is a full titanium Bianci (ph) bike. This same bike won Arri Revey (ph), it is in the Tour right now, ridden by the Alessio Bianci (ph) team.
Pro, which uses the Sertz (ph) technology, which if you look here it has the elasamer (ph) inserts, which are molded into the carbon which absorb shock. A lot of these bikes, they do incorporate high-end technology, which it's costly. The titanium is aerospace grade titanium. It's what they use in satellites.
OVERMYER: Beyond the bikes themselves, teams make use of devices like earpieces for communication between riders and team managers. And tiny computers that monitor everything from bike functions to altitude, speed, distance, cadence and even power output. All of the information is then downloadable.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You can take that with infrared or USB port and download your workout. What they're doing in the tour, they keep track, everyday a diary of what they've done.
OVERMYER: Though team managers know these gadgets certainly help, professional racers say training and discipline are still what drives them.
HUTCHINSON: At this level, training, supplements, taking care of yourself, making sure you're rested and recovered. A race of that magnitude, you definitely have to be focused on what you're doing.
OVERMYER: Focus certainly doesn't seem to be a problem for the U.S. Postal team. With a little help from technology, Lance Armstrong's run may not yet be finished -- Steve Overmyer, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: A quick Lance update. He is now just less than 10 miles away from a sixth straight Tour de France victory.
Still much more ahead on this hour on "Reliable Sources" live from Boston, Howard Kurtz has a preview.
Hi, Howie.
HOWARD KURTZ, HOST, RELIABLE SOURCES: Hi, Fredricka. Coming up, we are live in Boston as 15,000 journalists descend on the Democratic Party's quadrennial ritual.
But will it be actually any news here among the speeches and delegates and balloons and signs? Will other world news interfere?
And will John Kerry and John Edwards get a big bounce from the press? We'll talk about all that with our all-star panel of network correspondents, Bob Schieffer, Gloria Borger, and Ann Compton. "Reliable Sources" coming up.
WHITFIELD: Look forward to that, Howie.
An amazing story of surviving combat in Iraq. Coming up, the story of one Marine who lost an arm in battle and his efforts to remain in the Marine Corps.
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WHITFIELD: Courage comes in many forms among the American troops fighting in Iraq. CNN's Casey Wian has the heroic story of one very determined U.S. Marine.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Major Jason Frei's 10-year Marine Corps career is winding down at a desk. But part of him, literally, remains on an Iraqi battlefield where he lost his right hand and most of his forearm.
MAJOR JASON FREI, U.S. MARINE CORPS.: Anybody in the Marine Corps would rather get in the field and do stuff out there than get stuck typing.
WIAN: Then Captain Frei was part of the 1st Battalion, 11th Marines. His artillery brigade, known as the Cannon Cockers, fired the first shots of the war. In March of last year, five minutes after Frei snapped this photo, his unit was ambushed during a sand storm.
FREI: I was sitting in the front seat reading a map. The RPG came in, you can see here, from the back and hit the door right here. And that set it off.
My arm stops about here. Came through, hit me there. It was a little bit of a shock. I mean, imagine if you're sitting and somebody sucker punches you. There was a concussion and then I looked down.
I can't remember if I saw it first or felt it first, or some combination in between. And I could see, you could look down and see that, you know, my hand was gone.
WIAN: Frei tied a radio cord around his arm to stop the bleed, took cover and was pinned down for an hour and a half before the enemy was subdued. Because of the sandstorm it took 28 hours for Frei to be evacuated to a surgical station. In the past year Frei has fought to stay a Marine, but ultimately deciding it would be best for his family to retire.
FREI: If it was up to me, it if was Captain Frei, alone and unafraid, I would stay in for 35 years until they drug me out. You can't -- I can't imagine finding a better group of people than working around these young Marines.
You got 18, 19-year-old kids who are doing absolutely amazing things. You know, in civilian world, they wouldn't trust them to run a copier. And they're out there making life and death decisions and doing it well.
WIAN: Promoted to major this month, Frei starts a new career this fall, pursuing a masters at the University of Notre Dame -- Casey Wian, CNN, Oceanside, California.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: Much more ahead on CNN LIVE SUNDAY. In a few moments, at the bottom of the hour, "Reliable Sources", covering the coverage of this week's Democratic National Convention.
Then at noon, it is "Late Edition" with Wolf Blitzer. Among Wolf's guests, 9/11 Commission Chairmen Thomas Kean and Lee Hamilton. And at2:00 p.m. Eastern, it is "People in the News". Today, profiling Democratic vice presidential hopeful John Edwards.
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