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American Morning
New Information Surfacing About Suspected Islamic Terror Cell Broken Up in London; "Paging Dr. Gupta"
Aired October 04, 2004 - 08:30 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.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: New information is surfacing about a suspected Islamic terror cell broken up in London last August, including an exclusive report in "TIME" magazine that the cell was trying to build a dirty bomb from the radioactive material in smoke detectors. "TIME" correspondent Adam Zagorin is in Washington to give us more on this.
Adam, good morning to you. How close was this terror cell to actually developing a dirty bomb with this radioactive material?
ADAM ZAGORIN, "TIME" MAGAZINE: Well, they had apparently collected many, many smoke detectors. The reason they had to collect so many and these smoke detectors were apparently, at least British authorities have told the U.S. that they were -- that they conducted a raid in which these smoke detectors were discovered.
The reason they had to have so many of them is there's an -- a very tiny amount of radioactive material in each one, and you'd have to extract it and put it all together, and then the dirty bomb would have been -- that would have been the core of it. It would have been blown up with some conventional explosives.
And experts doubt that such an event would have caused radiation sickness or killed people, from the radiation at least. But they take seriously the fact that they were trying to do this, regardless of the fact that the technical means they employed was -- were not the best. Because it could have caused panic. It could have caused contamination. And it would have certainly registered on quite sensitive radiation-detection equipment. So that's where that stands.
COLLINS: Yes, sure, so, obviously, there point may not have been to actually kill people, but as you say, just to scare people and cause this huge public alarm.
ZAGORIN: Well, that's exactly it, and then they also had a number of other targets in London, specifically high rise buildings containing multinational corporations. They didn't specify which one. The interesting thing about that target was the reconnaissance material indicated that they would perhaps try and blow up such a building using a car that would enter the facility through an underground garage.
And it's worth bearing in mind that this is -- one of the leaders of this group was identified by U.S. officials and the 9/11 Commission as having personally conducted surveillance around U.S. financial sites in the United States prior to 9/11. COLLINS: You're talking about Eissa al-Hindi.
ZAGORIN: Eissa al-Hindi, exactly. And so, with the U.S. surveillance, they, for example, had looked at the Prudential Financial Center in Newark, New Jersey, observed limousines going in and out of the parking garage, and said that that would be a good way to introduce explosives into that building. So you have a parallel between the methods and the surveillance that was conducted on some of the U.S. financial facilities and those in London.
COLLINS: Quickly, Adam, before we let you go, what now are investigators trying to learn from al-Hindi about other plans, other cells that might be out there that are still active, if you will?
ZAGORIN: Well, I think that the U.S. authorities are following this case closely, because as we said, he personally conducted surveillance in the U.S., and that opens the possibility that he may have been or others in this group might have been in contact with sleeper cells or others in the United States that have yet to be apprehended, and so they are keeping track of it for that reason.
COLLINS: I'm sure they are. "TIME" correspondent Adam Zagorin, thanks so much for your time this morning. Nice to see you.
Thank you.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: There is a space revolution continuing today. In fact, 90 minutes from now, Miles O'Brien, live in Mojave, California, bringing us up to speed on this story.
Miles, good morning to you, number one. And where are we in this race now?
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we're getting very close to a big moment, Bill. First of all, I should tell you the weather out here is perfectly pristine. Normally in the high desert of California, this time of day the wind really whips up. And the reason they do a lot of these tests in the early morning hours is there's a little lull as the sun comes up.
Inside the cockpit of Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne this morning, another pilot, Brian Binnie, who last flew this SpaceShipOne December 17, 2003, he was the first one to take it supersonic.
That went all well and good. But when he landed, he came in too steep, and he broke the main landing gear. We'll, he's been practicing his landings quite a bit between now and then, is now suiting up getting, ready hopefully to reach the 100-kilometer point, 62 miles. And if they do that, they win a $10 million prize.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN (voice-over): The SpaceShipOne team aimed for X Prize flight number two with confidence to spare. The night before launch, Burt Rutan's hangar at the Mojave, California airport was quiet.
BURT RUTAN, SPACESHIPONE DESIGNER: If we had concerns, there would be people working on it.
O'BRIEN: Spacecraft was lashed beneath its carrier plane, ready for another trip to space. And by nightfall, the team, well, many of them, were at the boss's house, watching the premier of a documentary of their exploits. They are the clear leaders in the chase for the $10 million Ansari X Prize, offered to the first civilian team to fly a three-seat craft to space and back twice in two weeks. They got half the job done last Wednesday, passing the boundary of space, 328,000 feet, with 10,000 to spare.
The $25 million project, funded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, relishes its grassroots ethos, even the tracking telescope that captured these images was devised by two teachers from a small private school near Boston. The long-range goal to create a private space tourism industry.
MARION BLAKEY, FAA ADMINISTRATOR: We want to be there at least right in step, if not anticipating, so that we make it possible, or we make it as easy as possible for this to be a very successful area for the country.
O'BRIEN: But they better buckle up. On his last ride, SpaceShipOne pilot Mike Melvill found he and his craft rolling rapidly and unexpectedly. The team is convinced the craft is shape, but needs to be flown slightly differently.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN (on camera): And specifically what that means is, Brian Binnie won't point the nose quite as high probably. The hope is that won't start those rolls that we saw. If we do see them, Burt Rutan insists they're nothing to worry about. You know, Bill, this is "Right Stuff" country out here, I guess, and they don't worry about these things.
HEMMER: And they're almost a step closer to putting guys like you up there, Miles.
O'BRIEN: Well, I'm working on that, even as we speak, Bill, because I think that's a ticket I need to buy, don't you?
HEMMER: I agree with you on that. You can come back and tell us all about it.
Thank you, Miles. Talk to you next hour there in California -- Heidi.
COLLINS: This week, the prosecution in the Scott Peterson trial enters the final stages of its case. And one of the few remains witnesses is a title expert due back on the stand this afternoon.
Rusty Dornin has a preview now from Redwood City, California.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Detective Craig Grogan believes Scott Peterson was the prime suspect. The defense poked and prodded the lead investigator about the reasons why, sometimes furthering some of the defense theories. Defense attorney Mark Geragos tried to show police didn't follow up on tips, especially by witnesses who claimed to have seen Laci. The detective said there were thousands of tips that came in, many just not credible.
Prosecutors implied Peterson didn't care about a tip in Longview, Washington, where a store clerk claimed she saw Laci. The defense played this tape of Peterson calling Modesto Police, wanting to see the store's surveillance tapes from Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCOTT PETERSON: I know her better than anyone and I want to -- I need to know if it's her or not. You know, and I'll never know unless I see it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DORNIN: It was also the defense that revealed Peterson cheated on his wife Laci well before he ever met Amber Frey. Police spoke to two other alleged girlfriends, who claims Peterson never told him he was married. One walked in on Laci and Scott when they were in bed. Another learned Peterson was married during Scott's graduation, when Laci walked up and put a flower lei around his neck.
Legal analysts say revealing his adulteries might be a good move by the defense.
DEAN JOHNSON, LEGAL ANALYST: And now they want to point out that, look, this has happened over and over and over again, it has never been a motive for a murder before, why should it be a motive for murder now?
DORNIN: Geragos also disputed prosecution theories that Laci Peterson was not strong enough. This shows the flight of stairs she walked up to attend a yoga class four days before she disappeared.
(on camera): Up first, a today expert will continue his testimony about why he thinks the bodies washed up where they did in San Francisco Bay. And after four months, prosecutors finally wrap up their case.
Rusty Dornin, CNN, Redwood City, California.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: Again, Laci Peterson's remains washed ashore not far from where Scott Peterson launched his boat for what he claim was a solo fishing trip.
Well, almost 20 minutes before the hour now. From Wisconsin, some folks you outdoing themselves yesterday, baking an apple pie that weighed 800 pounds. It's 10 feet wide. It took two hours to bake, and get this, took only three hours to eat.
COLLINS: It is always that way, isn't it?
HEMMER: Yes, 15 -- it must have been good, too. Fifteen years ago, people in the town of Galesville decided to bake the big pie to attract people to the town's annual apple fair. The entire pie, caloric intake, what do you think?
COLLINS: 500,000 calories?
HEMMER: You read so well.
How many granny smiths is that, do you believe? Lots.
COLLINS: Good Lord, I don't know. I don't know.
How much is 500,000 calories?
HEMMER: I don't know, but I tell you what, this thing sounds really good right now.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COLLINS: Still to come on AMERICAN MORNING, can colors affect your diet? Well, Dr. Sanjay Gupta is going to have that in a moment.
HEMMER: Also, thinking about ditching your gas guzzling SUV. If so, tips on getting the best price for it. In a moment, back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Well, if you're sick of your gas guzzling SUV, we've got you covered on how to get rid of it and still make some money.
Gerri Willis is "Minding Your Business" now for Andy Serwer today.
OK, so some folks are still in their SUVs, but how do you go about doing that and still pocket some cash.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, the best way to sell your SUV, you've got to use the web. Price that SUV first. You want to know how much money you should be getting for it. Great place to go kbb.com. That's the Kelley Blue Book's Web site. You can get a couple of prices there. You can get what you'll get at the dealership if you sell it there, but also a private party transaction number. You can see what people are going to pay for it.
Now there are a ton of Web sites here you can pay attention to. There is also edmunds.com for some really great information. And if you want to know what individuals are selling their SUVs for, go to autobytel.com or autotrader.com as well.
Tip number two, get your papers in order. You definitely want to have some information for people who are going to buy that SUV, make them feel comfortable about buying it from an individual. A couple of things to have in hand, Carfax will tell you exactly -- will reassure the buyer that your car hasn't been in a major accident and that you haven't rolled back the odometer.
COLLINS: Probably a good thing to do. Also the next one, though, sounds more like a real estate thing that we hear about all the time.
WILLIS: Location, location, location. Most people think, you know what, I have to sell my SUV in my neighborhood, in my town, in my city. You don't have to. You can sell it across the country using the Web. Now you're going to pay $800 to have it transported across the country. But at the end of the day, you may find a buyer somewhere else who wants to pay you a ton of dough.
COLLINS: A couple more tips you got here. Price it right, though. I mean, you don't want to have to add on the $800 to the top of the price point, do you?
WILLIS: No, you probably don't, unless you absolutely have to sell it somewhere else. Compare your price to what the dealerships are getting. You've seen the prices they use -- $21,995, $17,995.
COLLINS: Like people don't get that. Yes, that would be $22,000, right?
WILLIS: Exactly. So price yours a little bit under that. Give yourself an advantage by $200; people think they're really saving a lot of money.
COLLINS: And lastly, but most importantly, be patient.
WILLIS: Yes, you know, this market place, you probably know the dealerships are really trying to unload the SUVs. They're putting a ton of incentive money behind it. It may take awe while. You may have to be a little patient.
COLLINS: Unfortunately, nobody's even patient enough, I guess.
Speaking of being patient, market preview is looking?
WILLIS: It's looking pretty good, as gas prices, stocks here today. Prices change every day, and we're looking at a really strong market last week.
COLLINS: Great.
WILLIS: Dow up 1.4 percent, could be more of the same today.
COLLINS: I like it.
All right, Gerri Willis, thanks so much for that.
HEMMER: Nasdaq knocking on the 2000 door again, haven't seen that in a while.
WILLIS: Exactly. Good news.
HEMMER: Thank you, Gerri. In a moment here, do colors color what you eat? Sanjay looks at that in a moment. Back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Welcome back. We're Paging Dr. Gupta about the relationship between color and hunger, and what it could mean for patients with Alzheimer's. Interesting connection here, and Sanjay now has more on how we make this connection.
Good morning.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
Yes, talking about whether or not you want to eat more or eat less, color can play a big role. This has been known for sometime. But now a study actually looking at Alzheimer's patients, trying to figure out how the color actually plays a role in getting them to eat more. Talking about brightly colored plates, bowls, cups. Take a look here, we're talking about oranges, reds, those sorts of things...
GUPTA: ... been known for some time. But now a study actually looking at Alzheimer's patients trying to figure out how the color actually plays a role in getting them to eat more.
Talking about brightly colored plates, bowls, cups. Take a look here. We're talking about oranges, reds, those sorts of things. They found in the study that they can actually get folks to eat 25 percent more based on those colors. Simple inexpensive ways to try and change appetite and eating habits in patients who don't eat enough.
What they find is they actually draw attention to the food by putting it in these brightly colored plates or bowls to actually get them to eat more. Again, it's the contrast between the food and the colors, Bill. That seems to play a role here.
HEMMER: It's just the bowls and the plates, then, right? It's not the color of the food itself?
GUPTA: Right, not the color of the food itself, but the color of the dishware in particular here. That's what this study showed in particular. And I think you saw the graphic for a second that actually talks about the fact that if you use reds and oranges, you tend to stimulate appetite -- again, in this particular study, about 25 percent.
The flip side of that is that blues or pastel colors tend to suppress appetite. Bill, this actually works for people who are trying to cut down on hunger, cut down on appetite. If you are someone who does a lot of late-night cravings, for example, you may want to paint your kitchen a different color, maybe a bluish or a more pastel color.
Also, they also found another interesting thing in the study: the variety of foods. People who don't eat enough -- again, they looked at Alzheimer's patients in particular -- but people who, in general, don't eat enough put more of a variety on their plate, they will tend to eat lots of the different types of foods.
It also works the other way. People who are concerned about overeating if they are at buffets or they have too many choices tend to eat too much. So, talking about color and variety in its relationship to appetite, Bill.
HEMMER: Name me one blue food.
GUPTA: Well, it's not the food, though. It's the color of the plates, the color of the kitchen.
HEMMER: Thank you, Sanjay.
GUPTA: All right, thank you.
HEMMER: That was sarcasm. Talk to you later.
GUPTA: See you.
HEMMER: Heidi?
COLLINS: You know, we have a terra-cotta colored kitchen now in the new house, and I have been doing nothing but eating.
HEMMER: Really?
COLLINS: So, that's the problem.
HEMMER: It works. Sanjay -- hey, you're right. Ask Collins.
COLLINS: Really is not my fault that I have been eating like a crazy person. All right, thanks so much for that, Sanjay.
Andy Borowitz is here now with a special Borowitz Report for us. He's here with his new book. It's called -- there it is -- "The Big Book of Shockers."
All right, Andy, what it's all about?
ANDY BOROWITZ, BOROWITZREPORT.COM: Well, you know, if you go to borowitzreport.com, you'll always see news you won't see anywhere else because I make it up.
Now, for example, today Kerry says he will fix Mount St. Helens. He says that President Bush has allowed the volcano to erupt on his watch because he has been too obsessed with Iraq. But if Kerry's elected, he's got a four-point plan to fix Mount St. Helens once and for all.
Now, in "The Borowitz Report: The Big Book of Shockers," I've got some other big headlines the world totally missed. For example, Osama's wife Debbie bin Laden speaks out. In this exclusive interview, Osama's wife Debbie says that the world's most wanted man is also the cheapest. According to Debbie bin Laden, quote, "You marry a Saudi millionaire, you don't expect to spend the rest of your life in a mud hut."
David Blaine -- this is an amazing headline -- David Blaine to go 44 days without publicity.
HEMMER: Good luck!
BOROWITZ: Yeah. This is the master magician's most amazing stunt yet -- actually going 44 days without publicity. Prior to that, his personal best was two days.
And finally, from last February, Cheney's brief appearance, return to secure location may mean six more weeks of winter. Apparently, Dick Cheney emerged from his underground lair to appear on the Sunday talk shows, saw his shadow, and went right back down. And there were, in fact, six more weeks of winter, meteorologists say. Coincidence? Find out in "The Borowitz Report: The Big Book of Shockers."
HEMMER: Wow.
COLLINS: And the book is doing very well, i might add.
BOROWITZ: It's very hot.
COLLINS: Top 200 on amazon.com.
HEMMER: Heidi, did you know the majority of Americans now believe evil is bad?
BOROWITZ: Yes.
COLLINS: Actually...
HEMMER: Survey says.
BOROWITZ: Survey says. A lot -- every page in that book. It's more shocking than Kitty Kelley's book.
COLLINS: Really?
HEMMER: U.S. issues list of 5,000 bad things that might happen some day.
BOROWITZ: Exactly.
HEMMER: Name one.
BOROWITZ: Pianos falling from windows.
HEMMER: It might happen.
BOROWITZ: It might happen. That's...
HEMMER: Name another one. BOROWITZ: ... behind that. Well, I -- there's some other bad things, too. I think the DVD release of "Catwoman," for example.
HEMMER: Bill Bennett loses wife in poker game.
BOROWITZ: That was a tragedy.
HEMMER: That's a shock.
BOROWITZ: Yes, that was a shocker, if nothing but shockers.
HEMMER: Good stuff.
COLLINS: All right. Andy Borowitz, thank you so much for that. Great book.
BOROWITZ: Thank you.
COLLINS: We'll be looking at it some more today.
BOROWITZ: Thanks a lot, guys.
COLLINS: And still to come this morning, John Kerry gets a boost from the first debate. How real is it? Analysis ahead.
Stay with us here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: In a moment, Mount St. Helens on high alert. What are the biggest safety concerns today? We'll talk with the Interior Secretary Gale Norton on the scene there in a moment after this, on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Good morning.
The president's lead in the polls evaporating in one weekend. How much mileage can John Kerry get from that first debate?
New rumblings overnight beneath Mount St. Helens. Do scientists still believe that volcano will go?
No time for second thoughts, just the second trip to space for SpaceShipOne today.
And a baby nicknamed "Captain Giggles" desperate for help.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL BASTOLLA, NICO'S FATHER: His wasn't a warm laugh. His was a == his almost had a chill to it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Sanjay has the story of one remarkable baby who just could not stop laughing.
All those stories this hour on AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.
HEMMER: Good morning, everyone. Just about 9:00 here in New York. Good to have you along with us today. Good morning to you, as well.
COLLINS: Good morning.
HEMMER: In a moment here, we'll talk to Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Nobel Peace Prize winner now an off-Broadway actor with a very strong message, too, about the war on terror. We'll talk to him about that message a bit later this hour.
COLLINS: Also, the woman once known as the Long Island Lolita -- remember her -- Amy Fisher. Thirty years old now, and she joins us to tell us about her new autobiography, talking about the case that made her famous and her treatment by guards in prison.
Jack is off this week, as you know. Later on, we're going to check in with Andy Borowitz for the Question of the Day.
HEMMER: Jack always watches, though, when he goes on vacation, doesn't he?
COLLINS: Absolutely. We get e-mails from his constantly. We can't keep him away.
HEMMER: Fat chance.
COLLINS: Going to check on the stories now in the news this morning. Daryn Kagan standing by at the CNN Center for more on that. Good morning to you, Daryn.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Heidi, we begin with another bloody day in Iraq. A U.S. Military spokesperson says a car bomb exploded prematurely this morning in the Iraqi city of Mosul. The blast killed at least three people, including the two people who were carrying the bomb.
In Baghdad, at least 16 people were killed this morning in a pair of explosions. Officials say an army recruitment center and an American convoy were targeted.
Back here in the U.S., the Supreme Court is back to work after summer recess. The nine justices will hear arguments today on possibly changing the guidelines for prison sentences. It's one of almost 50 cases now before the court. This, by the way, is the longest serving Supreme Court since the early 19th century.
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Aired October 4, 2004 - 08:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: New information is surfacing about a suspected Islamic terror cell broken up in London last August, including an exclusive report in "TIME" magazine that the cell was trying to build a dirty bomb from the radioactive material in smoke detectors. "TIME" correspondent Adam Zagorin is in Washington to give us more on this.
Adam, good morning to you. How close was this terror cell to actually developing a dirty bomb with this radioactive material?
ADAM ZAGORIN, "TIME" MAGAZINE: Well, they had apparently collected many, many smoke detectors. The reason they had to collect so many and these smoke detectors were apparently, at least British authorities have told the U.S. that they were -- that they conducted a raid in which these smoke detectors were discovered.
The reason they had to have so many of them is there's an -- a very tiny amount of radioactive material in each one, and you'd have to extract it and put it all together, and then the dirty bomb would have been -- that would have been the core of it. It would have been blown up with some conventional explosives.
And experts doubt that such an event would have caused radiation sickness or killed people, from the radiation at least. But they take seriously the fact that they were trying to do this, regardless of the fact that the technical means they employed was -- were not the best. Because it could have caused panic. It could have caused contamination. And it would have certainly registered on quite sensitive radiation-detection equipment. So that's where that stands.
COLLINS: Yes, sure, so, obviously, there point may not have been to actually kill people, but as you say, just to scare people and cause this huge public alarm.
ZAGORIN: Well, that's exactly it, and then they also had a number of other targets in London, specifically high rise buildings containing multinational corporations. They didn't specify which one. The interesting thing about that target was the reconnaissance material indicated that they would perhaps try and blow up such a building using a car that would enter the facility through an underground garage.
And it's worth bearing in mind that this is -- one of the leaders of this group was identified by U.S. officials and the 9/11 Commission as having personally conducted surveillance around U.S. financial sites in the United States prior to 9/11. COLLINS: You're talking about Eissa al-Hindi.
ZAGORIN: Eissa al-Hindi, exactly. And so, with the U.S. surveillance, they, for example, had looked at the Prudential Financial Center in Newark, New Jersey, observed limousines going in and out of the parking garage, and said that that would be a good way to introduce explosives into that building. So you have a parallel between the methods and the surveillance that was conducted on some of the U.S. financial facilities and those in London.
COLLINS: Quickly, Adam, before we let you go, what now are investigators trying to learn from al-Hindi about other plans, other cells that might be out there that are still active, if you will?
ZAGORIN: Well, I think that the U.S. authorities are following this case closely, because as we said, he personally conducted surveillance in the U.S., and that opens the possibility that he may have been or others in this group might have been in contact with sleeper cells or others in the United States that have yet to be apprehended, and so they are keeping track of it for that reason.
COLLINS: I'm sure they are. "TIME" correspondent Adam Zagorin, thanks so much for your time this morning. Nice to see you.
Thank you.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: There is a space revolution continuing today. In fact, 90 minutes from now, Miles O'Brien, live in Mojave, California, bringing us up to speed on this story.
Miles, good morning to you, number one. And where are we in this race now?
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we're getting very close to a big moment, Bill. First of all, I should tell you the weather out here is perfectly pristine. Normally in the high desert of California, this time of day the wind really whips up. And the reason they do a lot of these tests in the early morning hours is there's a little lull as the sun comes up.
Inside the cockpit of Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne this morning, another pilot, Brian Binnie, who last flew this SpaceShipOne December 17, 2003, he was the first one to take it supersonic.
That went all well and good. But when he landed, he came in too steep, and he broke the main landing gear. We'll, he's been practicing his landings quite a bit between now and then, is now suiting up getting, ready hopefully to reach the 100-kilometer point, 62 miles. And if they do that, they win a $10 million prize.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN (voice-over): The SpaceShipOne team aimed for X Prize flight number two with confidence to spare. The night before launch, Burt Rutan's hangar at the Mojave, California airport was quiet.
BURT RUTAN, SPACESHIPONE DESIGNER: If we had concerns, there would be people working on it.
O'BRIEN: Spacecraft was lashed beneath its carrier plane, ready for another trip to space. And by nightfall, the team, well, many of them, were at the boss's house, watching the premier of a documentary of their exploits. They are the clear leaders in the chase for the $10 million Ansari X Prize, offered to the first civilian team to fly a three-seat craft to space and back twice in two weeks. They got half the job done last Wednesday, passing the boundary of space, 328,000 feet, with 10,000 to spare.
The $25 million project, funded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, relishes its grassroots ethos, even the tracking telescope that captured these images was devised by two teachers from a small private school near Boston. The long-range goal to create a private space tourism industry.
MARION BLAKEY, FAA ADMINISTRATOR: We want to be there at least right in step, if not anticipating, so that we make it possible, or we make it as easy as possible for this to be a very successful area for the country.
O'BRIEN: But they better buckle up. On his last ride, SpaceShipOne pilot Mike Melvill found he and his craft rolling rapidly and unexpectedly. The team is convinced the craft is shape, but needs to be flown slightly differently.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN (on camera): And specifically what that means is, Brian Binnie won't point the nose quite as high probably. The hope is that won't start those rolls that we saw. If we do see them, Burt Rutan insists they're nothing to worry about. You know, Bill, this is "Right Stuff" country out here, I guess, and they don't worry about these things.
HEMMER: And they're almost a step closer to putting guys like you up there, Miles.
O'BRIEN: Well, I'm working on that, even as we speak, Bill, because I think that's a ticket I need to buy, don't you?
HEMMER: I agree with you on that. You can come back and tell us all about it.
Thank you, Miles. Talk to you next hour there in California -- Heidi.
COLLINS: This week, the prosecution in the Scott Peterson trial enters the final stages of its case. And one of the few remains witnesses is a title expert due back on the stand this afternoon.
Rusty Dornin has a preview now from Redwood City, California.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Detective Craig Grogan believes Scott Peterson was the prime suspect. The defense poked and prodded the lead investigator about the reasons why, sometimes furthering some of the defense theories. Defense attorney Mark Geragos tried to show police didn't follow up on tips, especially by witnesses who claimed to have seen Laci. The detective said there were thousands of tips that came in, many just not credible.
Prosecutors implied Peterson didn't care about a tip in Longview, Washington, where a store clerk claimed she saw Laci. The defense played this tape of Peterson calling Modesto Police, wanting to see the store's surveillance tapes from Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCOTT PETERSON: I know her better than anyone and I want to -- I need to know if it's her or not. You know, and I'll never know unless I see it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DORNIN: It was also the defense that revealed Peterson cheated on his wife Laci well before he ever met Amber Frey. Police spoke to two other alleged girlfriends, who claims Peterson never told him he was married. One walked in on Laci and Scott when they were in bed. Another learned Peterson was married during Scott's graduation, when Laci walked up and put a flower lei around his neck.
Legal analysts say revealing his adulteries might be a good move by the defense.
DEAN JOHNSON, LEGAL ANALYST: And now they want to point out that, look, this has happened over and over and over again, it has never been a motive for a murder before, why should it be a motive for murder now?
DORNIN: Geragos also disputed prosecution theories that Laci Peterson was not strong enough. This shows the flight of stairs she walked up to attend a yoga class four days before she disappeared.
(on camera): Up first, a today expert will continue his testimony about why he thinks the bodies washed up where they did in San Francisco Bay. And after four months, prosecutors finally wrap up their case.
Rusty Dornin, CNN, Redwood City, California.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: Again, Laci Peterson's remains washed ashore not far from where Scott Peterson launched his boat for what he claim was a solo fishing trip.
Well, almost 20 minutes before the hour now. From Wisconsin, some folks you outdoing themselves yesterday, baking an apple pie that weighed 800 pounds. It's 10 feet wide. It took two hours to bake, and get this, took only three hours to eat.
COLLINS: It is always that way, isn't it?
HEMMER: Yes, 15 -- it must have been good, too. Fifteen years ago, people in the town of Galesville decided to bake the big pie to attract people to the town's annual apple fair. The entire pie, caloric intake, what do you think?
COLLINS: 500,000 calories?
HEMMER: You read so well.
How many granny smiths is that, do you believe? Lots.
COLLINS: Good Lord, I don't know. I don't know.
How much is 500,000 calories?
HEMMER: I don't know, but I tell you what, this thing sounds really good right now.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COLLINS: Still to come on AMERICAN MORNING, can colors affect your diet? Well, Dr. Sanjay Gupta is going to have that in a moment.
HEMMER: Also, thinking about ditching your gas guzzling SUV. If so, tips on getting the best price for it. In a moment, back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Well, if you're sick of your gas guzzling SUV, we've got you covered on how to get rid of it and still make some money.
Gerri Willis is "Minding Your Business" now for Andy Serwer today.
OK, so some folks are still in their SUVs, but how do you go about doing that and still pocket some cash.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, the best way to sell your SUV, you've got to use the web. Price that SUV first. You want to know how much money you should be getting for it. Great place to go kbb.com. That's the Kelley Blue Book's Web site. You can get a couple of prices there. You can get what you'll get at the dealership if you sell it there, but also a private party transaction number. You can see what people are going to pay for it.
Now there are a ton of Web sites here you can pay attention to. There is also edmunds.com for some really great information. And if you want to know what individuals are selling their SUVs for, go to autobytel.com or autotrader.com as well.
Tip number two, get your papers in order. You definitely want to have some information for people who are going to buy that SUV, make them feel comfortable about buying it from an individual. A couple of things to have in hand, Carfax will tell you exactly -- will reassure the buyer that your car hasn't been in a major accident and that you haven't rolled back the odometer.
COLLINS: Probably a good thing to do. Also the next one, though, sounds more like a real estate thing that we hear about all the time.
WILLIS: Location, location, location. Most people think, you know what, I have to sell my SUV in my neighborhood, in my town, in my city. You don't have to. You can sell it across the country using the Web. Now you're going to pay $800 to have it transported across the country. But at the end of the day, you may find a buyer somewhere else who wants to pay you a ton of dough.
COLLINS: A couple more tips you got here. Price it right, though. I mean, you don't want to have to add on the $800 to the top of the price point, do you?
WILLIS: No, you probably don't, unless you absolutely have to sell it somewhere else. Compare your price to what the dealerships are getting. You've seen the prices they use -- $21,995, $17,995.
COLLINS: Like people don't get that. Yes, that would be $22,000, right?
WILLIS: Exactly. So price yours a little bit under that. Give yourself an advantage by $200; people think they're really saving a lot of money.
COLLINS: And lastly, but most importantly, be patient.
WILLIS: Yes, you know, this market place, you probably know the dealerships are really trying to unload the SUVs. They're putting a ton of incentive money behind it. It may take awe while. You may have to be a little patient.
COLLINS: Unfortunately, nobody's even patient enough, I guess.
Speaking of being patient, market preview is looking?
WILLIS: It's looking pretty good, as gas prices, stocks here today. Prices change every day, and we're looking at a really strong market last week.
COLLINS: Great.
WILLIS: Dow up 1.4 percent, could be more of the same today.
COLLINS: I like it.
All right, Gerri Willis, thanks so much for that.
HEMMER: Nasdaq knocking on the 2000 door again, haven't seen that in a while.
WILLIS: Exactly. Good news.
HEMMER: Thank you, Gerri. In a moment here, do colors color what you eat? Sanjay looks at that in a moment. Back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Welcome back. We're Paging Dr. Gupta about the relationship between color and hunger, and what it could mean for patients with Alzheimer's. Interesting connection here, and Sanjay now has more on how we make this connection.
Good morning.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
Yes, talking about whether or not you want to eat more or eat less, color can play a big role. This has been known for sometime. But now a study actually looking at Alzheimer's patients, trying to figure out how the color actually plays a role in getting them to eat more. Talking about brightly colored plates, bowls, cups. Take a look here, we're talking about oranges, reds, those sorts of things...
GUPTA: ... been known for some time. But now a study actually looking at Alzheimer's patients trying to figure out how the color actually plays a role in getting them to eat more.
Talking about brightly colored plates, bowls, cups. Take a look here. We're talking about oranges, reds, those sorts of things. They found in the study that they can actually get folks to eat 25 percent more based on those colors. Simple inexpensive ways to try and change appetite and eating habits in patients who don't eat enough.
What they find is they actually draw attention to the food by putting it in these brightly colored plates or bowls to actually get them to eat more. Again, it's the contrast between the food and the colors, Bill. That seems to play a role here.
HEMMER: It's just the bowls and the plates, then, right? It's not the color of the food itself?
GUPTA: Right, not the color of the food itself, but the color of the dishware in particular here. That's what this study showed in particular. And I think you saw the graphic for a second that actually talks about the fact that if you use reds and oranges, you tend to stimulate appetite -- again, in this particular study, about 25 percent.
The flip side of that is that blues or pastel colors tend to suppress appetite. Bill, this actually works for people who are trying to cut down on hunger, cut down on appetite. If you are someone who does a lot of late-night cravings, for example, you may want to paint your kitchen a different color, maybe a bluish or a more pastel color.
Also, they also found another interesting thing in the study: the variety of foods. People who don't eat enough -- again, they looked at Alzheimer's patients in particular -- but people who, in general, don't eat enough put more of a variety on their plate, they will tend to eat lots of the different types of foods.
It also works the other way. People who are concerned about overeating if they are at buffets or they have too many choices tend to eat too much. So, talking about color and variety in its relationship to appetite, Bill.
HEMMER: Name me one blue food.
GUPTA: Well, it's not the food, though. It's the color of the plates, the color of the kitchen.
HEMMER: Thank you, Sanjay.
GUPTA: All right, thank you.
HEMMER: That was sarcasm. Talk to you later.
GUPTA: See you.
HEMMER: Heidi?
COLLINS: You know, we have a terra-cotta colored kitchen now in the new house, and I have been doing nothing but eating.
HEMMER: Really?
COLLINS: So, that's the problem.
HEMMER: It works. Sanjay -- hey, you're right. Ask Collins.
COLLINS: Really is not my fault that I have been eating like a crazy person. All right, thanks so much for that, Sanjay.
Andy Borowitz is here now with a special Borowitz Report for us. He's here with his new book. It's called -- there it is -- "The Big Book of Shockers."
All right, Andy, what it's all about?
ANDY BOROWITZ, BOROWITZREPORT.COM: Well, you know, if you go to borowitzreport.com, you'll always see news you won't see anywhere else because I make it up.
Now, for example, today Kerry says he will fix Mount St. Helens. He says that President Bush has allowed the volcano to erupt on his watch because he has been too obsessed with Iraq. But if Kerry's elected, he's got a four-point plan to fix Mount St. Helens once and for all.
Now, in "The Borowitz Report: The Big Book of Shockers," I've got some other big headlines the world totally missed. For example, Osama's wife Debbie bin Laden speaks out. In this exclusive interview, Osama's wife Debbie says that the world's most wanted man is also the cheapest. According to Debbie bin Laden, quote, "You marry a Saudi millionaire, you don't expect to spend the rest of your life in a mud hut."
David Blaine -- this is an amazing headline -- David Blaine to go 44 days without publicity.
HEMMER: Good luck!
BOROWITZ: Yeah. This is the master magician's most amazing stunt yet -- actually going 44 days without publicity. Prior to that, his personal best was two days.
And finally, from last February, Cheney's brief appearance, return to secure location may mean six more weeks of winter. Apparently, Dick Cheney emerged from his underground lair to appear on the Sunday talk shows, saw his shadow, and went right back down. And there were, in fact, six more weeks of winter, meteorologists say. Coincidence? Find out in "The Borowitz Report: The Big Book of Shockers."
HEMMER: Wow.
COLLINS: And the book is doing very well, i might add.
BOROWITZ: It's very hot.
COLLINS: Top 200 on amazon.com.
HEMMER: Heidi, did you know the majority of Americans now believe evil is bad?
BOROWITZ: Yes.
COLLINS: Actually...
HEMMER: Survey says.
BOROWITZ: Survey says. A lot -- every page in that book. It's more shocking than Kitty Kelley's book.
COLLINS: Really?
HEMMER: U.S. issues list of 5,000 bad things that might happen some day.
BOROWITZ: Exactly.
HEMMER: Name one.
BOROWITZ: Pianos falling from windows.
HEMMER: It might happen.
BOROWITZ: It might happen. That's...
HEMMER: Name another one. BOROWITZ: ... behind that. Well, I -- there's some other bad things, too. I think the DVD release of "Catwoman," for example.
HEMMER: Bill Bennett loses wife in poker game.
BOROWITZ: That was a tragedy.
HEMMER: That's a shock.
BOROWITZ: Yes, that was a shocker, if nothing but shockers.
HEMMER: Good stuff.
COLLINS: All right. Andy Borowitz, thank you so much for that. Great book.
BOROWITZ: Thank you.
COLLINS: We'll be looking at it some more today.
BOROWITZ: Thanks a lot, guys.
COLLINS: And still to come this morning, John Kerry gets a boost from the first debate. How real is it? Analysis ahead.
Stay with us here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: In a moment, Mount St. Helens on high alert. What are the biggest safety concerns today? We'll talk with the Interior Secretary Gale Norton on the scene there in a moment after this, on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Good morning.
The president's lead in the polls evaporating in one weekend. How much mileage can John Kerry get from that first debate?
New rumblings overnight beneath Mount St. Helens. Do scientists still believe that volcano will go?
No time for second thoughts, just the second trip to space for SpaceShipOne today.
And a baby nicknamed "Captain Giggles" desperate for help.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL BASTOLLA, NICO'S FATHER: His wasn't a warm laugh. His was a == his almost had a chill to it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Sanjay has the story of one remarkable baby who just could not stop laughing.
All those stories this hour on AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.
HEMMER: Good morning, everyone. Just about 9:00 here in New York. Good to have you along with us today. Good morning to you, as well.
COLLINS: Good morning.
HEMMER: In a moment here, we'll talk to Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Nobel Peace Prize winner now an off-Broadway actor with a very strong message, too, about the war on terror. We'll talk to him about that message a bit later this hour.
COLLINS: Also, the woman once known as the Long Island Lolita -- remember her -- Amy Fisher. Thirty years old now, and she joins us to tell us about her new autobiography, talking about the case that made her famous and her treatment by guards in prison.
Jack is off this week, as you know. Later on, we're going to check in with Andy Borowitz for the Question of the Day.
HEMMER: Jack always watches, though, when he goes on vacation, doesn't he?
COLLINS: Absolutely. We get e-mails from his constantly. We can't keep him away.
HEMMER: Fat chance.
COLLINS: Going to check on the stories now in the news this morning. Daryn Kagan standing by at the CNN Center for more on that. Good morning to you, Daryn.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Heidi, we begin with another bloody day in Iraq. A U.S. Military spokesperson says a car bomb exploded prematurely this morning in the Iraqi city of Mosul. The blast killed at least three people, including the two people who were carrying the bomb.
In Baghdad, at least 16 people were killed this morning in a pair of explosions. Officials say an army recruitment center and an American convoy were targeted.
Back here in the U.S., the Supreme Court is back to work after summer recess. The nine justices will hear arguments today on possibly changing the guidelines for prison sentences. It's one of almost 50 cases now before the court. This, by the way, is the longest serving Supreme Court since the early 19th century.
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