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CNN Live At Daybreak

Another Bloody Weekend in Iraq; Insurance Industry Out With Its New Crash Test Ratings

Aired December 20, 2004 - 05:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And the Postal Service is ready for the busiest mailing day of the year, for cards and letters, most of them holiday greetings; 280 million postmarks will be applied today compared with 100 million on just any ol' day.
To the Forecast Center. Good morning, Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: And remember you can go to USPS.com and actually print out your own stamps, print out mailing labels, and that may help you out in line, because I'm sure the lines are going to be out the door. Out the door, when outside it is 13 below wind chill.

(WEATHER FORECAST)

COSTELLO: We begin this half hour with another bloody weekend in Iraq. The violence escalated, the death toll soared, and the victims were Iraqis. CNN's Karl Penhaul with the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KARL PENHAUL, CNN INT'L. CORRESPONDENT (voice over): As mourners wound through Najaf to bury a tribal leaders a car bomb rips through the funeral procession. Carnage close to the Shrine of Imnan Ali, the holiest site for Iraq Shia majority.

Scores lay dead and wounded, in the chaos survivors scrapped through wreckage for others who may still be alive. Najaf hospitals were overwhelmed and some casualties were taken to neighboring cities.

Security officials say Najaf's police chief and the provincial governor were in the crowd, but survived unscathed.

Just two hours earlier another lethal car bomb rocked Najaf's sister city, Karbala, about 50 miles away. The second deadly blast there in four days.

The target in Karbala, the main bus station, close to two other revered Shia shrines. The walking wounded stagger off, dead and maimed ferried away in ambulances.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): They are taking any opportunity to strike. You can see this place was crowded as many people are coming from Baghdad and from all over Iraq. So, they took advantage of these crowds. PENHAUL: Naja was the scene of heavy fighting between the Shia, Mehdi Army militia and U.S. forces in July. And in Karbala, in March, a wave of explosions killed more than 170.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Sunday's blasts. Security officials suggest the bombers may have been Sunni radicals look to stoke sectarian strife to end the January elections. But a Shia leader said the attackers may have been renegade tribal factions from within the Shia community.

Bloodshed, too, in Baghdad, on Haifa Street, a few blocks from the Green Zone, center of the U.S. and Iraqi administrations. Police say insurgents drug a senior election official and two bodyguards from their car, made them kneel in the street and shot them, execution style.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PENHAUL: This morning, Carol, hospital officials in Naja confirm to us that 52 people were killed in yesterday's bombing in Najaf, along with 145 other people wounded. In Karbala, the death toll there stands at 16 people killed and more than 30 others wounded. We are told that in Najaf that at least 50 people have been arrested in an overnight dragnet. Not clear how closely they may have been linked with that bombing.

But Iraqi and U.S. officials had warned of a spike in violence ahead of the January 30 elections. What many Iraqis are now asking is how many deaths is democracy likely to cost.

COSTELLO: Karl Penhaul, live in Baghdad, this morning. Thank you.

In "News Across America" this morning, jurors will be back at work today in Houston, deciding the fate of two men accused of taking part of the deadliest human smuggling attempt this country has ever seen. Prosecutors say the men are part of a ring that packed illegal immigrants into a hot, airless tractor trailer in 2003. That trailer was abandoned outside of Houston. Nineteen people died inside.

In Minnesota, authorities try to figure out why and ice resurfacing machine exploded at an ice rink in Duluth. The blast started a fire and injured one broomball player. Two broomball teams and a handful of fans were evacuated from the building.

It looks like shoppers aren't spending a whole lot this holiday season. New sales figures are due today, but so far retailers say store traffic and sales have been disappointing. They hoped for a surge in spending over the weekend since it was the last one before Christmas, but they did not get it.

For many of us safety is a top priority when choosing a car, the insurance industry is out with its new crash test rating. Only two small cars earned the right to toot their horns. One small gets the worst rating of any vehicle in three years. CNN's Julie Vallese has more for you. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JULIE VALLESE, CNN CONSUMER CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The latest round of crash test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety saw a first in three years, but it's not a good one.

ADRIAN LUND, INSURANCE INST. FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY: The KIA Spectra is a first that you don't want to have. The first since 2001 to get a poor rating. It simply didn't do well in any category.

VALLESE: In response to the 40-mile-an-hour crash test, KIA said, "We are evaluating the results of this current test on the Spectra and similar vehicles in its class, to determine what improvements can be made to enhance overall vehicle safety."

The institute rates cars on a scale of poor, marginal, acceptable, and good. Cars that are exceptional get a "Best Pick" rating, as well.

In complete contrast to the KIA, the Mazda 3 is a good performer and "Best Pick". The third time was the charm for the Honda Elantra. In its first test there was an airbag problem. The second test there was a fuel leak. But some mechanical changes were made and it is now a good performer. And good means ...

LUND: If you are in this serious a frontal impact you can expect to walk away from that crash with only minor scrapes and bruises. The institute also crashed the Suzuki Firenza (ph) and the Saturn Ion. Both are rated acceptable. And the institute says they are reasonable choices for a safe vehicle.

(On camera): But it also points out, in the small car category, there are 11 cars rated as good, offering the safety minded consumer a variety of smart choices. Julie Vallese, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And still to come on DAYBREAK this hour, put away those pills and turn up the radio. We'll show you and ancient technique that could cure what ails you.

And how do you get a guy to shell out for a diamond. Sounds like a tough sell. But not for the diamond. Ooo, that's a nice one, isn't it?

Also, we're taking your e-mails this morning. Do you think President Bush was a good choice for "Time" magazine's "Person of the Year?" We're getting some interesting e-mails this morning.

Oh, we want more, though, Daybreak@cnn.com, that's Daybreak@cnn.com.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Monday morning, December 20.

(GRAPHIC WITH HEADLINES) (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: All right. Just reading some of your e-mails this morning. My computer is on fire!

It is often said, music is the universal language. We can all feel the beat and enjoy the rhythms. Well, now there is something even more magical about music. More and more doctors are using music as a form of therapy for their patients. CNN's Doctor Sanjay Gupta tells us why.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): It's the heartbeat, the life blood of nearly every culture. The tie that binds us.

Since the dawn of man music has inspired the spectrum of human emotions, frenzy, vigor, relaxation. It has also been used medicinally for millennia. Music, voices and instruments, were a frequent compliment to healing medicines for cultures across the globe.

And that same principle guides music therapy today. Although, couched in a less conventional, even unorthodox instrument. Something called a vibro-acoustic bed. Vibrations are emitted through speakers built into the chair.

SUSAN SHIELDS, HARRIS METHODIST CANCER CTR.: The chair vibrates in time to the music. The strength of the vibrations vary as the pitch of the music varies.

GUPTA: Forty-six-year-old Connie Puente regularly receives infusions at the Harris Methodist Cancer Center. It is an often uncomfortable process. This time, however, she uses the vibro- acoustic chair. As the infusion courses into her bloodstream, music course throughout her body. All of this results in what is called a relaxation response. Studies are finding that eliciting this response has some effect on healing.

DR. HERBERT BENSON, PRES. MIND/BODY MEDICAL INST.: There is decreased blood pressure, heart rate, rate of breathing, metabolism.

GUPTA: That was true for Puente. Her blood pressure when down significantly after spending more than an hour in the chair. And she says she felt an immense sense of relaxation.

CONNIE PUENTE, PATIENT: You can actually feel the relaxing sensation in your fingers all the way to your toes.

GUPTA: A recent National Institutes of Health study of 267 hospitalized cancer patients using vibro-acoustic therapy, found that those patients experienced between 49 and 61 production reduction in pain.

BENSON: All we are doing is putting scientific numbers on what people have known for millennia.

SHIELDS: It is something that we know works. And something that will make people feel better and when they feel better, have less stress, they heal faster.

GUPTA: It seems music has transcended time to remain a potent healer -- Doctor Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: For more on this or any other health story head to our web site, the address, CNN.com/health.

Your news, money, weather and sports it is 5:43 Eastern. Here's what is all new this morning.

Three of four men charged with arson in Maryland have a hearing before a federal judge this morning. The fire caused $10 million in damage. Authorities still looking for a motive.

A violent weekend in Iraq. Car bombings in Najaf and Karbala killed almost 70 people. U.S. and Iraq officials have warned that more attacks are expected as Iraq moves toward national elections next month.

In money news, poor Americans are paying more rent than they can afford. The National Low-Income Housing Coalition says a typical worker must earn nearly three times the federal minimum wage to afford the rent and utilities on a one or two-bedroom apartment.

In culture, Illinois Senator-Elect Barrack Obama has signed a $1.9-million book deal. He'll pen three books under the deal, including an illustrated children's book. The $200,000 for the kids book goes to charity.

In sports, Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning moves one step closer to a big record. Manning through for one touchdown in the Colts 20/10 win over the Baltimore Ravens. That gives him 47 TD passes for the season, which is one shy of Dan Moreno's all-time mark.

He is something else, Chad.

MYERS: And still two season games to go, Carol.

COSTELLO: Oh, yeah!

MYERS: There you go. And for you hockey fans, still now hockey talks, even though it feels like hockey outside. Forget about it.

(WEATHER FORECAST)

COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you this morning. If you are still looking for that perfect holiday gift. Here's an idea -- at the diamond industry? A look at the diamond industry and how its mastered the art of advertising. Ali Velshi is going to be doing that for us. ALI VELSHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm going to be making some enemies in a few minutes, of all the women out there, who might be expecting a diamond anytime soon.

Diamonds are forever, because it is an ad campaign that has been on forever. More than 50 years of convincing people to buy these things. I want to get a little deeper into the ad campaigns.

COSTELLO: You're going to tell us how much men should spend on a diamond?

VELSHI: Or not, spend on a diamond.

(LAUGHTER)

COSTELLO: We like them to spend as much as possible, Ali.

VELSHI: That's what I've heard.

COSTELLO: Yeah.

(LAUGHTER)

VELSHI: Oh, well.

COSTELLO: All right. And on this day in 1954, this is our history question, are you ready? On this day in 1954 Buick Motor Company signed what actor to one of the largest contracts ever extended to an entertainer?

That's a weird question, isn't it? Let me read it over: On this day in 1954 Buick Motor Company signed what actor to one of the largest contracts ever extended to an entertainer? Wacky, isn't it? We'll have your answer after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: All right, our history trivia question for the day: On this day in 1954 Buick Motor Company signed what actor to one of the largest contracts ever extended to an entertainer? Think back to like when Buick Motor Division, like you know sponsored the entire program. Here's the answer: Jackie Gleason.

The actor agree to produce 78 half hour shows over a two-year period for a little over $6 million. And that was a lot of change back in 1954.

This holiday season it is a safe bet there are millions of men trying to find the perfect diamond for that special women in their lives. After all, they say diamonds are a girl's bestest friend. And boy is that true. But there is also another saying about diamonds that has been around for decades. More from CNN contributor, Ali Velshi.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) ALI VELSHI, CNN CONTRIBUTOR (voice over): It's not just the diamonds that last forever, this slogan has been around since 1947. It's part of a campaign memorable and effective one-liners. Back up by an expensive marketing approach that has at least some men saying, I will.

(On camera): Is two-month's salary too much to pay for something that lasts forever?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Uh, no. Not if you love the girl enough.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Money is not an object to me when I'm making someone feel good. And on top of that, something that lasts forever, for something like two-month's salary? Hey, you're going work until you die anyways.

VELSHI (voice over): Money can't buy endorsement like that.

Or can it? How about a couple of hundred million dollars a year? Paid for by the Diamond Trading Company. It's part of the legendary diamond giant De Beers.

KAREN BENEZRA, EDITOR, "BRANDWEEK": Fairly significant from the standpoint of spending $200 million worldwide, but compare that to McDonald's, compare that to Pascella (ph), a drop in the bucket.

VELSHI: A drop in the bucket? More like Chinese water torture. That same message, year after year, after year. And it all started at the NW Ayer Building in Philadelphia. Copy editor Francis Garrity (ph) worked late one night to come up with the perfect slogan for them.

LINDA KAPLAN THALER, AD COMPANY EXECUTIVE: She could not come up with a line. She wanted it to be something bold and beautiful and something that would go on for eternity, like diamonds. And she fell asleep. And when she woke up, in her handwriting, was the line: A diamond is forever.

VELSHI: Linda Kaplan Thaler runs the ad company in New York that took over NW Ayer a few years ago. She says when you buy a diamond, you buy the mystique.

THALER: You don't have one for rubies, or sapphires or emeralds. And they're far more precious gems. They're rare, they're resilient, they're beautiful, but nobody says, my god, I hope my husband gets me a ruby for Christmas.

VELSHI: And the mastery? Telling men exactly how much to spend on a diamond engagement ring. The average American man ties the knot for the first time at the age of 27. The average 27-year-old American man makes about $30,000 a year. So, if the average American guy believes the ads he needs to find a $5,000 ring -- and he needs it to look good.

(On camera): And that is why any day, anytime of year, you'll find men jamming the stalls of the diamond district, here in Manhattan, looking for this, the perfect diamond. This is a place, because of its bustle and congestion thought to offer a better deal than the fancy boutiques. But in the end, the message that the men get when they're here is the same: It's worth it. She's worth. After all, forever, is a long time.

(Voice over): Like the ad says, there are only two things that last longer than time. Love is one of them, can you guess what the other one is?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VELSHI: I don't know, male stupidity? I'm not entirely sure what it is. Look, it's not an investment in anything except what you think it is. If you think it's worth it, like the suckers I ran into in the diamond district, knock yourself out. I don't have any problem with that.

COSTELLO: Ali!

VELSHI: But it's the most contrived, fascinating campaign, and credit to De Beers and the advertising executives, and J. Walter Thomson and all -- and Francis Garrity for thinking that line up -- and I mean, just on the way here, I walked in this morning, they've just piled the streets up with these ads. At Christmastime you get lots more of them. They are effective.

COSTELLO: Oh, definitely.

VELSHI: They're fantastically effective. And what a great thing for a guy who doesn't know the answer -- I know it has been shining in my face as I've been talking to you, the ring here.

(CROSS TALK)

VELSHI: I realize that I'm talking to wrong anchor. I'm not invited back tomorrow.

COSTELLO: I often say, I like my ring so much more than I like my husband.

VELSHI: Well, lucky for him that they're connected, I suppose.

COSTELLO: Yes, exactly.

That was a fascinating story.

VELSHI: It was fun, yes.

COSTELLO: It was very cool. OK, and you'll be back at 6...

VELSHI: I'm going to be back at 6, because if you buy that diamond with a credit card and something happens, you want to protect your identity. I'm going to talk about identity theft.

COSTELLO: OK, can't wait for that. Thank you, Ali.

DAYBREAK will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: I'm sure you've heard about it by now, President Bush is this year's choice for "Time" magazine's Person of the Year. This special Person of the Year issue hits the newsstands today. President Bush also chosen back in 2000, he joins the likes of Reagan, Nixon and Clinton as two-time honorees. And oh, by the way, FDR was the only three-time choice.

And Chad, we're asking viewers this morning, Do you think President Bush was a good choice for "Time" magazine's Person of the Year?

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: And amazingly enough, people are fired up about this question.

MYERS: They are, now, 570 e-mails, so far, in my computer.

COSTELLO: Wow!

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: What do you have?

MYERS: I have a cute one, here, from JR in Alabama: "I think "Time" choose Bush so they could sell more subscriptions in the red states. But I think Martha Stewart would have been a better choice."

COSTELLO: Oh, Martha Stewart! Wow!

MYERS: There you go.

COSTELLO: This is from Darrin, from Portland, Oregon. "Bush is a great choice, if you're smoking crack! What a dismal time in history it is. I saw a great bumper sticker today, Bush/Cheney 1984, sums it up pretty well, don't you think?"

MYERS: Why, there you go. Anne has a good one, "Yes, Bush is a good choice and in fact, although it is subjective, it is still a better choice than some entertainment hero that we've come to regard as heroes, because they're not."

COSTELLO: Exactly. This is from Equis, which scares me, off the bat. From Palm Bay, Florida, he says, "Dubya is an excellent choice at "Time's" Man of the Year. He single-handedly proved what P.T. Barnum said over 100 years ago, apparently, there is a sucker born every minute."

I mean, people are pretty, like, nasty about this.

MYERS: They are. They're actually pretty fired up.

A lot of people are saying Karl Rove should have actually been the choice, because he's the brains behind Mr. Bush. But otherwise, here, from Robert in South Dakota, "I find it ironic that President Bush, the 2004 "Time" Man of the Year, is responsible for placing the American soldier, the 2003 "Time" Man of the Year, in Iraq.

COSTELLO: Interesting. This is the last one, this is from Suzie Q. She says, "Bush was definitely the best choice for Person of the Year, he had the entire liberal mainstream media working against him, along with all of the sellouts who sacrificed their careers trying to smear. They threw everything but the kitchen sink at him and he stood by his beliefs and the American people spoke on November 2. The only other deserving winners of this should be the Swift Boat Vets."

We're going to talk to Vivecka (ph) Novak from "Time" magazine in the next hour of DAYBREAK.

MYERS: I got a couple for the 9/11 Commission, thinking should have won it as well.

COSTELLO: Oh, interesting choice. All right. We'll talk about that in the next hour of DAYBREAK, which by the way, begins right after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired December 20, 2004 - 05:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And the Postal Service is ready for the busiest mailing day of the year, for cards and letters, most of them holiday greetings; 280 million postmarks will be applied today compared with 100 million on just any ol' day.
To the Forecast Center. Good morning, Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: And remember you can go to USPS.com and actually print out your own stamps, print out mailing labels, and that may help you out in line, because I'm sure the lines are going to be out the door. Out the door, when outside it is 13 below wind chill.

(WEATHER FORECAST)

COSTELLO: We begin this half hour with another bloody weekend in Iraq. The violence escalated, the death toll soared, and the victims were Iraqis. CNN's Karl Penhaul with the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KARL PENHAUL, CNN INT'L. CORRESPONDENT (voice over): As mourners wound through Najaf to bury a tribal leaders a car bomb rips through the funeral procession. Carnage close to the Shrine of Imnan Ali, the holiest site for Iraq Shia majority.

Scores lay dead and wounded, in the chaos survivors scrapped through wreckage for others who may still be alive. Najaf hospitals were overwhelmed and some casualties were taken to neighboring cities.

Security officials say Najaf's police chief and the provincial governor were in the crowd, but survived unscathed.

Just two hours earlier another lethal car bomb rocked Najaf's sister city, Karbala, about 50 miles away. The second deadly blast there in four days.

The target in Karbala, the main bus station, close to two other revered Shia shrines. The walking wounded stagger off, dead and maimed ferried away in ambulances.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): They are taking any opportunity to strike. You can see this place was crowded as many people are coming from Baghdad and from all over Iraq. So, they took advantage of these crowds. PENHAUL: Naja was the scene of heavy fighting between the Shia, Mehdi Army militia and U.S. forces in July. And in Karbala, in March, a wave of explosions killed more than 170.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Sunday's blasts. Security officials suggest the bombers may have been Sunni radicals look to stoke sectarian strife to end the January elections. But a Shia leader said the attackers may have been renegade tribal factions from within the Shia community.

Bloodshed, too, in Baghdad, on Haifa Street, a few blocks from the Green Zone, center of the U.S. and Iraqi administrations. Police say insurgents drug a senior election official and two bodyguards from their car, made them kneel in the street and shot them, execution style.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PENHAUL: This morning, Carol, hospital officials in Naja confirm to us that 52 people were killed in yesterday's bombing in Najaf, along with 145 other people wounded. In Karbala, the death toll there stands at 16 people killed and more than 30 others wounded. We are told that in Najaf that at least 50 people have been arrested in an overnight dragnet. Not clear how closely they may have been linked with that bombing.

But Iraqi and U.S. officials had warned of a spike in violence ahead of the January 30 elections. What many Iraqis are now asking is how many deaths is democracy likely to cost.

COSTELLO: Karl Penhaul, live in Baghdad, this morning. Thank you.

In "News Across America" this morning, jurors will be back at work today in Houston, deciding the fate of two men accused of taking part of the deadliest human smuggling attempt this country has ever seen. Prosecutors say the men are part of a ring that packed illegal immigrants into a hot, airless tractor trailer in 2003. That trailer was abandoned outside of Houston. Nineteen people died inside.

In Minnesota, authorities try to figure out why and ice resurfacing machine exploded at an ice rink in Duluth. The blast started a fire and injured one broomball player. Two broomball teams and a handful of fans were evacuated from the building.

It looks like shoppers aren't spending a whole lot this holiday season. New sales figures are due today, but so far retailers say store traffic and sales have been disappointing. They hoped for a surge in spending over the weekend since it was the last one before Christmas, but they did not get it.

For many of us safety is a top priority when choosing a car, the insurance industry is out with its new crash test rating. Only two small cars earned the right to toot their horns. One small gets the worst rating of any vehicle in three years. CNN's Julie Vallese has more for you. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JULIE VALLESE, CNN CONSUMER CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The latest round of crash test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety saw a first in three years, but it's not a good one.

ADRIAN LUND, INSURANCE INST. FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY: The KIA Spectra is a first that you don't want to have. The first since 2001 to get a poor rating. It simply didn't do well in any category.

VALLESE: In response to the 40-mile-an-hour crash test, KIA said, "We are evaluating the results of this current test on the Spectra and similar vehicles in its class, to determine what improvements can be made to enhance overall vehicle safety."

The institute rates cars on a scale of poor, marginal, acceptable, and good. Cars that are exceptional get a "Best Pick" rating, as well.

In complete contrast to the KIA, the Mazda 3 is a good performer and "Best Pick". The third time was the charm for the Honda Elantra. In its first test there was an airbag problem. The second test there was a fuel leak. But some mechanical changes were made and it is now a good performer. And good means ...

LUND: If you are in this serious a frontal impact you can expect to walk away from that crash with only minor scrapes and bruises. The institute also crashed the Suzuki Firenza (ph) and the Saturn Ion. Both are rated acceptable. And the institute says they are reasonable choices for a safe vehicle.

(On camera): But it also points out, in the small car category, there are 11 cars rated as good, offering the safety minded consumer a variety of smart choices. Julie Vallese, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And still to come on DAYBREAK this hour, put away those pills and turn up the radio. We'll show you and ancient technique that could cure what ails you.

And how do you get a guy to shell out for a diamond. Sounds like a tough sell. But not for the diamond. Ooo, that's a nice one, isn't it?

Also, we're taking your e-mails this morning. Do you think President Bush was a good choice for "Time" magazine's "Person of the Year?" We're getting some interesting e-mails this morning.

Oh, we want more, though, Daybreak@cnn.com, that's Daybreak@cnn.com.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Monday morning, December 20.

(GRAPHIC WITH HEADLINES) (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: All right. Just reading some of your e-mails this morning. My computer is on fire!

It is often said, music is the universal language. We can all feel the beat and enjoy the rhythms. Well, now there is something even more magical about music. More and more doctors are using music as a form of therapy for their patients. CNN's Doctor Sanjay Gupta tells us why.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): It's the heartbeat, the life blood of nearly every culture. The tie that binds us.

Since the dawn of man music has inspired the spectrum of human emotions, frenzy, vigor, relaxation. It has also been used medicinally for millennia. Music, voices and instruments, were a frequent compliment to healing medicines for cultures across the globe.

And that same principle guides music therapy today. Although, couched in a less conventional, even unorthodox instrument. Something called a vibro-acoustic bed. Vibrations are emitted through speakers built into the chair.

SUSAN SHIELDS, HARRIS METHODIST CANCER CTR.: The chair vibrates in time to the music. The strength of the vibrations vary as the pitch of the music varies.

GUPTA: Forty-six-year-old Connie Puente regularly receives infusions at the Harris Methodist Cancer Center. It is an often uncomfortable process. This time, however, she uses the vibro- acoustic chair. As the infusion courses into her bloodstream, music course throughout her body. All of this results in what is called a relaxation response. Studies are finding that eliciting this response has some effect on healing.

DR. HERBERT BENSON, PRES. MIND/BODY MEDICAL INST.: There is decreased blood pressure, heart rate, rate of breathing, metabolism.

GUPTA: That was true for Puente. Her blood pressure when down significantly after spending more than an hour in the chair. And she says she felt an immense sense of relaxation.

CONNIE PUENTE, PATIENT: You can actually feel the relaxing sensation in your fingers all the way to your toes.

GUPTA: A recent National Institutes of Health study of 267 hospitalized cancer patients using vibro-acoustic therapy, found that those patients experienced between 49 and 61 production reduction in pain.

BENSON: All we are doing is putting scientific numbers on what people have known for millennia.

SHIELDS: It is something that we know works. And something that will make people feel better and when they feel better, have less stress, they heal faster.

GUPTA: It seems music has transcended time to remain a potent healer -- Doctor Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: For more on this or any other health story head to our web site, the address, CNN.com/health.

Your news, money, weather and sports it is 5:43 Eastern. Here's what is all new this morning.

Three of four men charged with arson in Maryland have a hearing before a federal judge this morning. The fire caused $10 million in damage. Authorities still looking for a motive.

A violent weekend in Iraq. Car bombings in Najaf and Karbala killed almost 70 people. U.S. and Iraq officials have warned that more attacks are expected as Iraq moves toward national elections next month.

In money news, poor Americans are paying more rent than they can afford. The National Low-Income Housing Coalition says a typical worker must earn nearly three times the federal minimum wage to afford the rent and utilities on a one or two-bedroom apartment.

In culture, Illinois Senator-Elect Barrack Obama has signed a $1.9-million book deal. He'll pen three books under the deal, including an illustrated children's book. The $200,000 for the kids book goes to charity.

In sports, Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning moves one step closer to a big record. Manning through for one touchdown in the Colts 20/10 win over the Baltimore Ravens. That gives him 47 TD passes for the season, which is one shy of Dan Moreno's all-time mark.

He is something else, Chad.

MYERS: And still two season games to go, Carol.

COSTELLO: Oh, yeah!

MYERS: There you go. And for you hockey fans, still now hockey talks, even though it feels like hockey outside. Forget about it.

(WEATHER FORECAST)

COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you this morning. If you are still looking for that perfect holiday gift. Here's an idea -- at the diamond industry? A look at the diamond industry and how its mastered the art of advertising. Ali Velshi is going to be doing that for us. ALI VELSHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm going to be making some enemies in a few minutes, of all the women out there, who might be expecting a diamond anytime soon.

Diamonds are forever, because it is an ad campaign that has been on forever. More than 50 years of convincing people to buy these things. I want to get a little deeper into the ad campaigns.

COSTELLO: You're going to tell us how much men should spend on a diamond?

VELSHI: Or not, spend on a diamond.

(LAUGHTER)

COSTELLO: We like them to spend as much as possible, Ali.

VELSHI: That's what I've heard.

COSTELLO: Yeah.

(LAUGHTER)

VELSHI: Oh, well.

COSTELLO: All right. And on this day in 1954, this is our history question, are you ready? On this day in 1954 Buick Motor Company signed what actor to one of the largest contracts ever extended to an entertainer?

That's a weird question, isn't it? Let me read it over: On this day in 1954 Buick Motor Company signed what actor to one of the largest contracts ever extended to an entertainer? Wacky, isn't it? We'll have your answer after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: All right, our history trivia question for the day: On this day in 1954 Buick Motor Company signed what actor to one of the largest contracts ever extended to an entertainer? Think back to like when Buick Motor Division, like you know sponsored the entire program. Here's the answer: Jackie Gleason.

The actor agree to produce 78 half hour shows over a two-year period for a little over $6 million. And that was a lot of change back in 1954.

This holiday season it is a safe bet there are millions of men trying to find the perfect diamond for that special women in their lives. After all, they say diamonds are a girl's bestest friend. And boy is that true. But there is also another saying about diamonds that has been around for decades. More from CNN contributor, Ali Velshi.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) ALI VELSHI, CNN CONTRIBUTOR (voice over): It's not just the diamonds that last forever, this slogan has been around since 1947. It's part of a campaign memorable and effective one-liners. Back up by an expensive marketing approach that has at least some men saying, I will.

(On camera): Is two-month's salary too much to pay for something that lasts forever?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Uh, no. Not if you love the girl enough.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Money is not an object to me when I'm making someone feel good. And on top of that, something that lasts forever, for something like two-month's salary? Hey, you're going work until you die anyways.

VELSHI (voice over): Money can't buy endorsement like that.

Or can it? How about a couple of hundred million dollars a year? Paid for by the Diamond Trading Company. It's part of the legendary diamond giant De Beers.

KAREN BENEZRA, EDITOR, "BRANDWEEK": Fairly significant from the standpoint of spending $200 million worldwide, but compare that to McDonald's, compare that to Pascella (ph), a drop in the bucket.

VELSHI: A drop in the bucket? More like Chinese water torture. That same message, year after year, after year. And it all started at the NW Ayer Building in Philadelphia. Copy editor Francis Garrity (ph) worked late one night to come up with the perfect slogan for them.

LINDA KAPLAN THALER, AD COMPANY EXECUTIVE: She could not come up with a line. She wanted it to be something bold and beautiful and something that would go on for eternity, like diamonds. And she fell asleep. And when she woke up, in her handwriting, was the line: A diamond is forever.

VELSHI: Linda Kaplan Thaler runs the ad company in New York that took over NW Ayer a few years ago. She says when you buy a diamond, you buy the mystique.

THALER: You don't have one for rubies, or sapphires or emeralds. And they're far more precious gems. They're rare, they're resilient, they're beautiful, but nobody says, my god, I hope my husband gets me a ruby for Christmas.

VELSHI: And the mastery? Telling men exactly how much to spend on a diamond engagement ring. The average American man ties the knot for the first time at the age of 27. The average 27-year-old American man makes about $30,000 a year. So, if the average American guy believes the ads he needs to find a $5,000 ring -- and he needs it to look good.

(On camera): And that is why any day, anytime of year, you'll find men jamming the stalls of the diamond district, here in Manhattan, looking for this, the perfect diamond. This is a place, because of its bustle and congestion thought to offer a better deal than the fancy boutiques. But in the end, the message that the men get when they're here is the same: It's worth it. She's worth. After all, forever, is a long time.

(Voice over): Like the ad says, there are only two things that last longer than time. Love is one of them, can you guess what the other one is?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VELSHI: I don't know, male stupidity? I'm not entirely sure what it is. Look, it's not an investment in anything except what you think it is. If you think it's worth it, like the suckers I ran into in the diamond district, knock yourself out. I don't have any problem with that.

COSTELLO: Ali!

VELSHI: But it's the most contrived, fascinating campaign, and credit to De Beers and the advertising executives, and J. Walter Thomson and all -- and Francis Garrity for thinking that line up -- and I mean, just on the way here, I walked in this morning, they've just piled the streets up with these ads. At Christmastime you get lots more of them. They are effective.

COSTELLO: Oh, definitely.

VELSHI: They're fantastically effective. And what a great thing for a guy who doesn't know the answer -- I know it has been shining in my face as I've been talking to you, the ring here.

(CROSS TALK)

VELSHI: I realize that I'm talking to wrong anchor. I'm not invited back tomorrow.

COSTELLO: I often say, I like my ring so much more than I like my husband.

VELSHI: Well, lucky for him that they're connected, I suppose.

COSTELLO: Yes, exactly.

That was a fascinating story.

VELSHI: It was fun, yes.

COSTELLO: It was very cool. OK, and you'll be back at 6...

VELSHI: I'm going to be back at 6, because if you buy that diamond with a credit card and something happens, you want to protect your identity. I'm going to talk about identity theft.

COSTELLO: OK, can't wait for that. Thank you, Ali.

DAYBREAK will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: I'm sure you've heard about it by now, President Bush is this year's choice for "Time" magazine's Person of the Year. This special Person of the Year issue hits the newsstands today. President Bush also chosen back in 2000, he joins the likes of Reagan, Nixon and Clinton as two-time honorees. And oh, by the way, FDR was the only three-time choice.

And Chad, we're asking viewers this morning, Do you think President Bush was a good choice for "Time" magazine's Person of the Year?

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: And amazingly enough, people are fired up about this question.

MYERS: They are, now, 570 e-mails, so far, in my computer.

COSTELLO: Wow!

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: What do you have?

MYERS: I have a cute one, here, from JR in Alabama: "I think "Time" choose Bush so they could sell more subscriptions in the red states. But I think Martha Stewart would have been a better choice."

COSTELLO: Oh, Martha Stewart! Wow!

MYERS: There you go.

COSTELLO: This is from Darrin, from Portland, Oregon. "Bush is a great choice, if you're smoking crack! What a dismal time in history it is. I saw a great bumper sticker today, Bush/Cheney 1984, sums it up pretty well, don't you think?"

MYERS: Why, there you go. Anne has a good one, "Yes, Bush is a good choice and in fact, although it is subjective, it is still a better choice than some entertainment hero that we've come to regard as heroes, because they're not."

COSTELLO: Exactly. This is from Equis, which scares me, off the bat. From Palm Bay, Florida, he says, "Dubya is an excellent choice at "Time's" Man of the Year. He single-handedly proved what P.T. Barnum said over 100 years ago, apparently, there is a sucker born every minute."

I mean, people are pretty, like, nasty about this.

MYERS: They are. They're actually pretty fired up.

A lot of people are saying Karl Rove should have actually been the choice, because he's the brains behind Mr. Bush. But otherwise, here, from Robert in South Dakota, "I find it ironic that President Bush, the 2004 "Time" Man of the Year, is responsible for placing the American soldier, the 2003 "Time" Man of the Year, in Iraq.

COSTELLO: Interesting. This is the last one, this is from Suzie Q. She says, "Bush was definitely the best choice for Person of the Year, he had the entire liberal mainstream media working against him, along with all of the sellouts who sacrificed their careers trying to smear. They threw everything but the kitchen sink at him and he stood by his beliefs and the American people spoke on November 2. The only other deserving winners of this should be the Swift Boat Vets."

We're going to talk to Vivecka (ph) Novak from "Time" magazine in the next hour of DAYBREAK.

MYERS: I got a couple for the 9/11 Commission, thinking should have won it as well.

COSTELLO: Oh, interesting choice. All right. We'll talk about that in the next hour of DAYBREAK, which by the way, begins right after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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