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American Morning
California Mudslide; Women in Combat; '90-Second Pop'
Aired January 14, 2005 - 07:28 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everybody, on a Friday edition of AMERICAN MORNING. It's nice to have you along with us today. Soledad is out for a nice, long weekend. And Kelly Wallace is helping us out today.
How are you doing?
KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR: Good, good. Happy Friday on this rainy, rainy day.
HEMMER: Well, the fog cleared out.
WALLACE: Exactly.
HEMMER: We can't have everything, right?
WALLACE: It was bizarre yesterday.
HEMMER: Yes, it was.
WALLACE: We were out in New Jersey doing a story.
HEMMER: Couldn't see the city, could you?
WALLACE: And we couldn't see the city, exactly.
HEMMER: Where did it go?
WALLACE: Where did it go? It disappeared.
HEMMER: We're going to get you back to California again this half-hour, La Conchita, California. The mountains there may be moving again, we're told. We'll find out how the town is heeding warnings of another possible mudslide. A report on that straight ahead. They stopped, actually, the operation yesterday after they saw some of the mud sliding about six feet again away from the mountain, which is not a good sign. So, we'll see what the plan is today for Southern California there.
WALLACE: A lot of concern there.
Also, President Bush saying this week he will not allow women in combat. Still, more U.S. servicewomen are dying in Iraq, more than in any other war in 60 years. So, is the current military thinking outdated? And if so, which way should it change? We'll talk about that with a retired general.
HEMMER: All right. First, the headlines, though, on a Friday morning. Back to Daryn Kagan at the CNN center -- Daryn.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Bill.
"Now in the News."
Iraqi police are on the lookout at this hour for a group of prisoners who are on the run. Police say that 34 -- 38, actually, Abu Ghraib prisoners escaped late yesterday while en route to a Baghdad courthouse for trial. An officer was critically wounded during that escape. Four guards and a bus driver were severely beaten. Ten of the runaways have since been recaptured.
It is nearly three weeks after the tsunami struck India's east coast, and officials there now say the country will begin accepting foreign aid. India had said it would provide citizens with short-term emergency aid, but would need help with more expensive reconstruction efforts. More than 10,000 people in India were killed in the December 26 tsunami.
President Bush is going to spend the day in Florida today, wrapping up a three-day focus on his education plan. The president heads to Jacksonville, Florida, where he'll propose changes to federal job training programs and also new funds to improve services at community colleges.
And a winter storm. It's winter aloha on Hawaii's big island. Take a look at this. Surfers are using their boogie boards to brave the snow wave, if you can call it that. The island's main summits have been off limits because of strong winds. Forecasters say a winter weather warning has now been canceled and warmer temperatures are on the way.
Bill, I checked with Chad about this.
HEMMER: Yes.
KAGAN: He said, calm down. It's not that big of a deal. It happens every year at some of these peaks in Hawaii, 14,000 feet. They're going to get some snow.
HEMMER: I guess you're right about that.
KAGAN: It happens.
HEMMER: That would make a pretty good place for a story, don't you think?
KAGAN: I think you might need to go on assignment.
HEMMER: Yes, or Chad.
KAGAN: Yes.
HEMMER: Thank you, Daryn. We'll talk to you later.
In the West again, California authorities there are ending their grim search through the mountain of mud. In the town of La Conchita, still considered a danger zone five days after a massive mudslide claimed 10 lives.
Eric Philips live there this morning on the scene there.
Eric -- good morning.
ERIC PHILIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Bill, good morning to you.
A little bit later on this morning, residents will be meeting here at the Ventura fairgrounds so that officials can lay out the plans for safely getting some of them back to their homes. Many of them have been severely damaged. The search and rescue is now over, and the rebuilding of lives begins.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PHILIPS (voice over): Workers paused for a short memorial service and moment of silence before they left the massive mud mound that claimed 10 lives. Yesterday, geologists said the mountain may be moving again and that it wasn't safe for crews to continue search and rescue efforts.
CHIEF BOB ROPER, VENTURA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT: The shift of the land, we are now moving this operation from a rescue operation to a re-establishment of the community.
PHILIPS: By the time the search was called off, all of the confirmed missing had been accounted for. Next, officials will be working with residents anxious to get back to what's left of their homes. Authorities stressed, though, that this area is still not a safe place to live, a reality Jimmy Wallet has come to terms with. He lost his wife and three daughters in the mudslide.
JIMMY WALLET, LOST HIS FAMILY: The whole hill is coming down. La Conchita is gone. I know this for a fact. It's going down. That was the beginning of what's going to happen there. That's just the beginning.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILIPS: Geologists say the mountain moved about six feet yesterday alone. And they say it's not a question of if another mudslide will happen, but when -- Bill.
HEMMER: Eric, let me follow up on what we heard from Jimmy Wallet there. The other residents living in that area, what have they said about returning to their homes? Are they worried? Or what is their feeling today?
PHILIPS: Well, Bill, for all of the concern that you would think that they would have given the fact that officials are clearly saying that this is still not a safe place to live, these residents are very anxious to get back to their homes. Many of them have lived in this community for many years. They have a very tight-knit, close community. It's been described, at least by Jimmy Wallet, the one who you just heard from, as a sort of Neverland. It's their paradise, and they want to go back, regardless of the risk that that might mean.
HEMMER: All right, Eric, tough going again. Eric Philips in California -- Kelly.
WALLACE: Thanks, Bill.
Now to a troubling statistic of war. More American women have died in Iraq than in any conflict since World War II. But President Bush, in an interview this week, says he has no intention of sending women into ground combat situations.
I recently talked with a father, now struggling with the loss of a daughter in Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE (voice over): Anglo Cruz says he has just about no reason to live. His wife died in 2002. Then tragedy struck again last year. His beloved daughter, 39-year-old Army Sergeant Linda Jimenez (ph), died in Iraq.
ANGELO CRUZ, DAUGHTER KILLED IN IRAQ: As it stands now, I'm just taking up space, really. You know, I feel like I'm sitting around. We're all on death row. It's a matter of timing.
WALLACE: Jimenez (ph) was fatally injured when she fell into a bomb crater just three weeks before she was to return home. She was born in Brooklyn, twice divorced, a doting mother of a 3-and-a- half- year-old son.
In Iraq, Cruz says his daughter was first assigned secretarial duties, part of a combat support unit, and was then reassigned to what he calls more dangerous jobs, including helping with house-to-house searches.
Now, a critic of the war, Cruz says poor planning, including not enough troops, forced his daughter more into harm's way.
CRUZ: Every day is horrible when you have the memory of a lost child. But the bad thing about this death, and I can't stress it enough, is that it never should have happened.
WALLACE: More American military women have been killed in Iraq than in any conflict since World War II. Fifteen died in the Persian Gulf War, at least seven in Vietnam.
Part of the reason for the higher female death toll, women now make up a larger percentage of the military than they did a decade ago. Another reason? Experts say in Iraq, women are playing a more extensive role than ever before, commanding helicopters, patrolling streets armed with machine guns, going up against an unconventional enemy.
NAVY CAPT. LORY MANNING, (RET.), WOMEN'S RESEARCH AND EDUCATION INSTITUTE: What we're seeing now is an insurgency, where it's the supply people that are being attacked, or whoever happens to be in the wrong place when the insurgency strikes, so that it could be anybody. There is no real front line.
WALLACE: There are fewer restrictions on women in combat now than there were 10 years ago. But the question now is whether what is happening in Iraq will lead to an increase or decrease in restrictions in the roles women play in war zones.
But for one father, that's beside the point.
CRUZ: I'm just obsessed with my daughter, and I go to sleep with her on my mind. And it's just -- it never ends. It's a nightmare.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE: One father coping with the loss of his daughter.
Joining us now for a military commander's perspective on this issue of women in combat, retired Air Force Brigadier General Wilma Vaught in our Washington bureau.
General, thanks for being with us today.
BRIG. GEN. VILMA VAUGHT (RET.), PRES., WOMEN'S MILITARY MEMORIAL: It's a pleasure.
WALLACE: First, I want to clarify. Of course, women are allowed on combat aircraft and ships, but they are banned, according to the Pentagon, from ground combat. President Bush in this interview earlier this week saying he sees no change in this policy, no women in ground combat. Do you agree with that?
VAUGHT: I think that, you know, the difficulty -- and as the president expressed -- is in the definition of combat. Certainly, given the nature of the situation in Iraq, combat is everywhere. And if you're going to do your job, you're in harm's way.
So, I think that women should have the opportunity to serve where they are trained, where they are qualified, and perform as citizens of the United States in national security.
WALLACE: You know, there are those opponents, though, to seeing any women in combat who say seeing the number of deaths of American military women in the Iraq war is the reason why there should be policy changes and pull women back from some of these front lines in Iraq. What do you say to those opponents?
VAUGHT: Well, I think that there is no difference between the loss of a daughter or a son. So, I can see no reason to do that. And our women -- I've talked to many of our women who have served or are serving in Iraq, and they're very proud of what they're doing. And they are a part of a unit. If that unit deploys, they want to deploy with that unit. They want to serve and be a full part of soldiers in our military today.
WALLACE: One of the leading opponents...
VAUGHT: So... WALLACE: Let me jump in. One of the leading opponents of women in combat, Elaine Donnelly (ph), someone you know quite well, president of the Center For Military Readiness, she says -- quote -- "It is important that women not be put in danger of being captured and raped." What do you think of that point that she is making?
VAUGHT: Well, I have to go to a comment that now Colonel Ronda Cornham (ph), who was a prisoner of war in the first Persian Gulf War, said that there are things worse than what may happen to you in that type of situation, because she was sexually assaulted. And, you know, women have been prisoners and have survived, and they will again if that happens to them.
WALLACE: You talk about women should be able to do whatever they're capable of doing. So, do you know if you believe, overall, women are capable of serving in ground combat?
VAUGHT: If we define combat in a very limited way, as being -- which is sort of the way the Army and the Department of Defense has given it, that's artillery, armored and infantry. And we have never really explored those areas as to what women could or couldn't do. Some countries have.
I am very comfortable with the situation as the way it is, with women being in a combat zone and performing whatever duty they're called upon. And if they are in harm's way, then that is a part of the whole situation.
WALLACE: OK, we have to leave it there this morning. It's certainly an issue that is getting renewed attention. Retired Air Force Brigadier General Wilma Vaught, thanks for being here today.
VAUGHT: Thank you.
WALLACE: Bill.
HEMMER: All right, Kelly.
(WEATHER REPORT)
WALLACE: All right, Bill, want to keep your cell phone number private? I'm sure you do. There's news this morning about that proposed national wireless directory. Andy is "Minding Your Business" with that.
HEMMER: Also, at the box office. Does "The Aviator" have a flying chance of winning a Golden Globe this weekend? The 90-second poppers this morning and their predictions ahead this hour after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WALLACE: And now to check in with Jack and the "Question of the Day."
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Thank you Kelly. The world in 2020 will be a vastly different place, highlighted by the rise of Asia, particularly China. A report from the National Intelligence Council tied to mapping the global future says we'll still be grappling with terrorism, though maybe not al Qaeda. The greatest threat in 2020, they claim, will be bioterror attacks that could kill millions. Al Qaeda will be replaced by similarly inspired Islamic extremist groups, but it says the United States will remain a superpower.
Here's the question: Where do you see the world in 2020?
Ken in Prescott, Arizona, writes: "Let me guess. Jack is off again. I guess in 2020, Jack will be off and all of the questions will be like this."
Jacqueline in Ohio: "What world? At the rate we're going, nuclear warfare will break out, and the world will be destroyed."
Robert, likewise an optimist, in Tacoma, Washington: "You're getting a little deep there, Jack. We're headed for the biggest financial crash ever, worse than the first crash of the stock market. Religious wars and total devastation of the earth could be done by 2020."
Greg writes: "In 2020, U.S. troops will be eagerly approaching their exit day from Iraq. Congress will still be reading the 9/11 Commission report. And all sanctions will be have been lifted off New Jersey as the reader of these e-mails will no longer be considered a threat to world peace."
And Len in Riverview, New Brunswick: "A tough one here. Bill Gates will be president for life. He'll control the World Bank. Global warming should ensure every child has a penguin for a pet. Dick Clark will announce his retirement. And Madonna will become the first female pope."
Silly.
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: All right.
CAFFERTY: I hope they discover a cure for the common cold, too...
HEMMER: Yes.
CAFFERTY: ... of which I have one.
SERWER: Yes.
CAFFERTY: And I hope to be over it by 2020.
HEMMER: You're feeling kind of crummy today, aren't you, Jack?
WALLACE: Yes.
CAFFERTY: Below average today. WALLACE: Stuffy head.
SERWER: He's got that (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
CAFFERTY: You want to discuss my symptoms?
WALLACE: Yes.
CAFFERTY: No, you don't.
SERWER: No. TMI. TMI.
CAFFERTY: I'm done, you know.
HEMMER: Thank you, Jack.
Cell phone white pages, if you're looking for it, don't look for it too soon. Andy Serwer is back here "Minding Your Business." What gives here? Good morning.
SERWER: Good morning to you. Remember all that talk about the cell phone directory? Well, it may just be talk.
From the beginning, Verizon said they weren't interested. Now, according to published reports, Sprint and Alltel are quietly backing away from the idea. Who is going to be left? Montana Telecom? I just don't think this thing is going to really fly. And, frankly, I like the fact that people don't know my cell phone number, just the people who need to know.
HEMMER: There is a thing going around the Internet right now where you can already sign up and put your cell phone number in there if you don't want to be called on this thing, the national do-not-call list
SERWER: Yes, right, right.
HEMMER: Have you seen it?
SERWER: That's for landlines, right, yes.
HEMMER: No, it's for cell phones, too, you can do it..
SERWER: For cell phones, too, that's right. Yes. OK. Let's shift gears, shall we, and talk about the main event, which is football?
HEMMER: OK.
SERWER: You know, a lot of people wonder how CNN comes up with these wonderful football picks. Some people have a black box. We have a black can. I'm going to open it right now. Are you ready?
WALLACE: Drum roll, please.
SERWER: That's how we do it. All right, let's go to the football picks. That's it, Jack. That's all it does. It just plays music. He's astonished.
A couple of upsets here. Let's pick the Jets over the Steelers. Uh-oh, Plaxico (ph), that great football genius Dick Vital (ph) calling the Jets. How could I refuse that one? Atlanta over the Rams, that's just going to be an old-fashioned southern spanking down there. How about Philadelphia over Minnesota? Randy Moss fined for a faux moon. How can you get fined for a faux moon? I don't understand that.
HEMMER: Ten grand.
SERWER: I'll be covering that game for CNN, by the way. And also, a true story, live tape coverage. Colts upsetting New England. I'm picking the Colts. The reason why is because the Patriots left the field uncovered this week to make conditions sloppy for the dome team. Football gods no like. I think that's kind of bush up there, don't you?
HEMMER: Yes.
SERWER: I really do. I don't like that. And I think the Colts are going to...
HEMMER: Well, they played up there, what, earlier in the season? The Colts were beaten by the Pats, what, two points, I think?
SERWER: Yes, I believe that is correct, yes. Jack, do you want the top to the football god can? Put it back on.
WALLACE: Andy liking that music.
SERWER: Yes, go ahead. I love that.
WALLACE: Sports commentator Andy Serwer.
SERWER: Go ahead. He can't figure it out. Neither can I.
CAFFERTY: Fascinating.
SERWER: It really is.
HEMMER: Thank you, Andy.
In a moment here, not one, not two, but three "Desperate Housewives" are up for Golden Globes on Sunday. Should the women of Wisteria Lane be worried about a single gal from Manhattan? "90- Second Pop" and predictions in a moment here on American.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Not bad for a Friday. I mean, Prince, right, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) jukebox? "90-Second Pop." Here to play with us, Sarah Bernard, contributing editor for "New York" magazine.
How are you doing, Sarah? It's nice to see you.
SARAH BERNARD, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: Good morning. I'm well.
HEMMER: Perfect for the red carpet wearing your red top.
BERNARD: That's right. That's right.
HEMMER: Toure, the prince of urban populism.
TOURE, CNN POP CULTURE CORRESPONDENT: Urban populism, there you go, baby!
HEMMER: And Jessica Shaw from "Entertainment Weekly."
You, too, with the red thing. Jess, good morning to you.
JESSICA SHAW, "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY": We planned this look in honor of Sunday.
HEMMER: All right, let's talk about the Golden Globes on Sunday. Best film you think will win is what?
SHAW: What I think will win will be "Finding Neverland." I think everyone else in the world thinks it will be "Million Dollar Baby."
BERNARD: Yes, I was...
SHAW: I'm going out on a limb here, because I think it's a sentimental favorite. I think "Million Dollar Baby," an amazing movie, Clint Eastwood the director, obviously people love him, but that has gotten tremendous momentum. But it's all recent.
HEMMER: Toure looks like he ate a lion this morning.
TOURE: Yes.
(CROSSTALK)
TOURE: I mean, I saw "Finding Neverland." My fiance loved it. I didn't love it so much. The buzz is around "Aviator" versus "Million Dollar Baby." I don't think "Aviator" was that good, people. I think the role was too much for Leonardo. It's going to be "Million Dollar Baby's" night, because everybody loves Clint Eastwood and everybody loves what happened to Hilary Swank's character.
BERNARD: But don't you think that "Aviator" is going to win best director for Martin Scorsese? I think he's got a lock on it.
HEMMER: Well, our friend, Toure, from two weeks ago, he said Martin Scorsese wasted three hours of his life.
TOURE: That's right, baby.
BERNARD: He wanted it back.
TOURE: Actually, six with "Gangs of New York" as well.
HEMMER: All right.
SHAW: The crazy thing about the Golden Globes is that they actually split up the films. Unlike the Oscars, they have a drama category and then a music-comedy category. So a film like "Sideways" is going to...
HEMMER: Sure, sure.
SHAW: ... 100% win that category.
BERNARD: I think you're right.
TOURE: No, no, no, it's "The Incredibles" has to win best comedy.
SHAW: Oh (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
TOURE: Come on! That's just pure fun.
HEMMER: We're not short of opinions.
SHAW: I think "Eternal Sunshine," however...
TOURE: That was great. That was great.
SHAW: ... the best movie of the year, and that should win the best movie award.
HEMMER: Let's go to best actress. Is it Hilary Swank?
SHAW: Absolutely, Hilary Swank. I think she is definitely the favorite. She will win for "Million Dollar Baby," because that picture will not win.
BERNARD: Well, you know, what's interesting about this? In 1999, when Hilary Swank won her Oscar for "Boys Don't Cry," she was up against Annette Bening for "American Beauty," who obviously is up again for "Being Julia." But since the categories are split, they're going to be probably both winning their own categories. I bet Hilary Swank will win for drama and Annette Bening will win for musical- comedy. But then we'll see what happens when the Oscar nominations come out.
HEMMER: Well, we're done. Why watch Sunday night, right? Best actor, who do you like?
SHAW: Jamie Foxx all the way.
HEMMER: Yes?
SHAW: The guy got two nominations this year, which is amazing. And...
HEMMER: Well, it was "Ray" and it was what, "Collateral" with Tom Cruise?
TOURE: Yes.
SHAW: "Collateral," yes, for supporting.
HEMMER: OK.
SHAW: He got for supporting actor. You know, again, I have to say, I wish Jim Carrey would win, because I think he was outstanding in "Eternal Sunshine." But it is Jamie Foxx this year.
BERNARD: Absolutely.
TOURE: Yes.
SHAW: Do you agree?
BERNARD: Yes!
SHAW: OK (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HEMMER: And that's it on the film's side. Now on the TV side. Toure, is it the night for "Desperate Housewives?"
TOURE: No.
HEMMER: Or is this the...
TOURE: It's the night for the old "Desperate Housewives." "Sex and the City" will win best comedy. Sarah Jessica Parker will beat all of the "Desperate Housewives" actresses in best actress. It was the best show, and...
HEMMER: Best show or a charity voting thing?
TOURE: She practically made me cry when she was, like, I don't live here anymore. And the whole thing moving to Paris. It was, like, you know, film acting.
BERNARD: But don't you think that last year? And now this year they want to throw it to the new (UNINTELLIGIBLE)?
TOURE: I don't know. I don't know. That was the greatest -- some of the greatest TV moments of the year. I don't think they're going to forget.
SHAW: Only if they split the votes. I mean, all of the "Desperate Housewives" might split all of the votes. And then who is left? It's either Debra Messing or Sarah Jessica.
TOURE: But I think...
SHAW: Come on!
HEMMER: I don't know.
TOURE: But Sarah Jessica's acting challenge is much higher than what we've seen from the "Desperate Housewives". HEMMER: Films to the side, TV to the side, red carpet, Sarah.
BERNARD: That's right. That's really what's most important. What is everyone going to be wearing? The reason why the red carpet has its own controversy this year is because Melissa Rivers and Joan Rivers, who usually do the live from the red carpet on the E Channel, have moved to the TV Guide Channel. So they're going to actually try to get...
SHAW: Is that channel in quotes?
HEMMER: Why is that controversial?
BERNARD: Because Star Jones Reynolds is taking over for E. So they're going to be battling...
TOURE: She's not taking it, is she?
BERNARD: Yes, he is!
SHAW: Oh, yes.
BERNARD: Oh, yes.
HEMMER: Toure, do your research, come on.
BERNARD: How did you miss that?
TOURE: But I thought she was wearing the pants in the relationship.
(CROSSTALK)
BERNARD: Oh, you thought he was going to be Al Jones?
TOURE: That's what I would have expected.
BERNARD: So now it's going to be, you know, which one are you going to tune into? Because it's going to be a huge ratings war. And Star is famous for fawning over everyone, while Joan and Melissa...
SHAW: Yes, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Kathy Griffin (ph), also, who is so (UNINTELLIGIBLE) has made a career out of mocking celebrities. So she should bring the awkward moments we've come to love from Joan and Melissa.
HEMMER: All good. Let's leave it there. Nice to see all three of you. Have a great weekend, OK? Good to see you. Jessica, Toure, Sarah, I love these predictions.
Here's Kelly again -- Kelly.
WALLACE: Thanks, Bill. I can't wait to see what the stars will be wearing.
Well, coming up here, today's top stories are straight ahead, including that brutal stretch of weather from California to the Carolinas. What's behind it all? We'll talk to an expert from NASA. That's ahead here on AMERICAN MORNING.
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Aired January 14, 2005 - 07:28 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everybody, on a Friday edition of AMERICAN MORNING. It's nice to have you along with us today. Soledad is out for a nice, long weekend. And Kelly Wallace is helping us out today.
How are you doing?
KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR: Good, good. Happy Friday on this rainy, rainy day.
HEMMER: Well, the fog cleared out.
WALLACE: Exactly.
HEMMER: We can't have everything, right?
WALLACE: It was bizarre yesterday.
HEMMER: Yes, it was.
WALLACE: We were out in New Jersey doing a story.
HEMMER: Couldn't see the city, could you?
WALLACE: And we couldn't see the city, exactly.
HEMMER: Where did it go?
WALLACE: Where did it go? It disappeared.
HEMMER: We're going to get you back to California again this half-hour, La Conchita, California. The mountains there may be moving again, we're told. We'll find out how the town is heeding warnings of another possible mudslide. A report on that straight ahead. They stopped, actually, the operation yesterday after they saw some of the mud sliding about six feet again away from the mountain, which is not a good sign. So, we'll see what the plan is today for Southern California there.
WALLACE: A lot of concern there.
Also, President Bush saying this week he will not allow women in combat. Still, more U.S. servicewomen are dying in Iraq, more than in any other war in 60 years. So, is the current military thinking outdated? And if so, which way should it change? We'll talk about that with a retired general.
HEMMER: All right. First, the headlines, though, on a Friday morning. Back to Daryn Kagan at the CNN center -- Daryn.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Bill.
"Now in the News."
Iraqi police are on the lookout at this hour for a group of prisoners who are on the run. Police say that 34 -- 38, actually, Abu Ghraib prisoners escaped late yesterday while en route to a Baghdad courthouse for trial. An officer was critically wounded during that escape. Four guards and a bus driver were severely beaten. Ten of the runaways have since been recaptured.
It is nearly three weeks after the tsunami struck India's east coast, and officials there now say the country will begin accepting foreign aid. India had said it would provide citizens with short-term emergency aid, but would need help with more expensive reconstruction efforts. More than 10,000 people in India were killed in the December 26 tsunami.
President Bush is going to spend the day in Florida today, wrapping up a three-day focus on his education plan. The president heads to Jacksonville, Florida, where he'll propose changes to federal job training programs and also new funds to improve services at community colleges.
And a winter storm. It's winter aloha on Hawaii's big island. Take a look at this. Surfers are using their boogie boards to brave the snow wave, if you can call it that. The island's main summits have been off limits because of strong winds. Forecasters say a winter weather warning has now been canceled and warmer temperatures are on the way.
Bill, I checked with Chad about this.
HEMMER: Yes.
KAGAN: He said, calm down. It's not that big of a deal. It happens every year at some of these peaks in Hawaii, 14,000 feet. They're going to get some snow.
HEMMER: I guess you're right about that.
KAGAN: It happens.
HEMMER: That would make a pretty good place for a story, don't you think?
KAGAN: I think you might need to go on assignment.
HEMMER: Yes, or Chad.
KAGAN: Yes.
HEMMER: Thank you, Daryn. We'll talk to you later.
In the West again, California authorities there are ending their grim search through the mountain of mud. In the town of La Conchita, still considered a danger zone five days after a massive mudslide claimed 10 lives.
Eric Philips live there this morning on the scene there.
Eric -- good morning.
ERIC PHILIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Bill, good morning to you.
A little bit later on this morning, residents will be meeting here at the Ventura fairgrounds so that officials can lay out the plans for safely getting some of them back to their homes. Many of them have been severely damaged. The search and rescue is now over, and the rebuilding of lives begins.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PHILIPS (voice over): Workers paused for a short memorial service and moment of silence before they left the massive mud mound that claimed 10 lives. Yesterday, geologists said the mountain may be moving again and that it wasn't safe for crews to continue search and rescue efforts.
CHIEF BOB ROPER, VENTURA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT: The shift of the land, we are now moving this operation from a rescue operation to a re-establishment of the community.
PHILIPS: By the time the search was called off, all of the confirmed missing had been accounted for. Next, officials will be working with residents anxious to get back to what's left of their homes. Authorities stressed, though, that this area is still not a safe place to live, a reality Jimmy Wallet has come to terms with. He lost his wife and three daughters in the mudslide.
JIMMY WALLET, LOST HIS FAMILY: The whole hill is coming down. La Conchita is gone. I know this for a fact. It's going down. That was the beginning of what's going to happen there. That's just the beginning.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILIPS: Geologists say the mountain moved about six feet yesterday alone. And they say it's not a question of if another mudslide will happen, but when -- Bill.
HEMMER: Eric, let me follow up on what we heard from Jimmy Wallet there. The other residents living in that area, what have they said about returning to their homes? Are they worried? Or what is their feeling today?
PHILIPS: Well, Bill, for all of the concern that you would think that they would have given the fact that officials are clearly saying that this is still not a safe place to live, these residents are very anxious to get back to their homes. Many of them have lived in this community for many years. They have a very tight-knit, close community. It's been described, at least by Jimmy Wallet, the one who you just heard from, as a sort of Neverland. It's their paradise, and they want to go back, regardless of the risk that that might mean.
HEMMER: All right, Eric, tough going again. Eric Philips in California -- Kelly.
WALLACE: Thanks, Bill.
Now to a troubling statistic of war. More American women have died in Iraq than in any conflict since World War II. But President Bush, in an interview this week, says he has no intention of sending women into ground combat situations.
I recently talked with a father, now struggling with the loss of a daughter in Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE (voice over): Anglo Cruz says he has just about no reason to live. His wife died in 2002. Then tragedy struck again last year. His beloved daughter, 39-year-old Army Sergeant Linda Jimenez (ph), died in Iraq.
ANGELO CRUZ, DAUGHTER KILLED IN IRAQ: As it stands now, I'm just taking up space, really. You know, I feel like I'm sitting around. We're all on death row. It's a matter of timing.
WALLACE: Jimenez (ph) was fatally injured when she fell into a bomb crater just three weeks before she was to return home. She was born in Brooklyn, twice divorced, a doting mother of a 3-and-a- half- year-old son.
In Iraq, Cruz says his daughter was first assigned secretarial duties, part of a combat support unit, and was then reassigned to what he calls more dangerous jobs, including helping with house-to-house searches.
Now, a critic of the war, Cruz says poor planning, including not enough troops, forced his daughter more into harm's way.
CRUZ: Every day is horrible when you have the memory of a lost child. But the bad thing about this death, and I can't stress it enough, is that it never should have happened.
WALLACE: More American military women have been killed in Iraq than in any conflict since World War II. Fifteen died in the Persian Gulf War, at least seven in Vietnam.
Part of the reason for the higher female death toll, women now make up a larger percentage of the military than they did a decade ago. Another reason? Experts say in Iraq, women are playing a more extensive role than ever before, commanding helicopters, patrolling streets armed with machine guns, going up against an unconventional enemy.
NAVY CAPT. LORY MANNING, (RET.), WOMEN'S RESEARCH AND EDUCATION INSTITUTE: What we're seeing now is an insurgency, where it's the supply people that are being attacked, or whoever happens to be in the wrong place when the insurgency strikes, so that it could be anybody. There is no real front line.
WALLACE: There are fewer restrictions on women in combat now than there were 10 years ago. But the question now is whether what is happening in Iraq will lead to an increase or decrease in restrictions in the roles women play in war zones.
But for one father, that's beside the point.
CRUZ: I'm just obsessed with my daughter, and I go to sleep with her on my mind. And it's just -- it never ends. It's a nightmare.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE: One father coping with the loss of his daughter.
Joining us now for a military commander's perspective on this issue of women in combat, retired Air Force Brigadier General Wilma Vaught in our Washington bureau.
General, thanks for being with us today.
BRIG. GEN. VILMA VAUGHT (RET.), PRES., WOMEN'S MILITARY MEMORIAL: It's a pleasure.
WALLACE: First, I want to clarify. Of course, women are allowed on combat aircraft and ships, but they are banned, according to the Pentagon, from ground combat. President Bush in this interview earlier this week saying he sees no change in this policy, no women in ground combat. Do you agree with that?
VAUGHT: I think that, you know, the difficulty -- and as the president expressed -- is in the definition of combat. Certainly, given the nature of the situation in Iraq, combat is everywhere. And if you're going to do your job, you're in harm's way.
So, I think that women should have the opportunity to serve where they are trained, where they are qualified, and perform as citizens of the United States in national security.
WALLACE: You know, there are those opponents, though, to seeing any women in combat who say seeing the number of deaths of American military women in the Iraq war is the reason why there should be policy changes and pull women back from some of these front lines in Iraq. What do you say to those opponents?
VAUGHT: Well, I think that there is no difference between the loss of a daughter or a son. So, I can see no reason to do that. And our women -- I've talked to many of our women who have served or are serving in Iraq, and they're very proud of what they're doing. And they are a part of a unit. If that unit deploys, they want to deploy with that unit. They want to serve and be a full part of soldiers in our military today.
WALLACE: One of the leading opponents...
VAUGHT: So... WALLACE: Let me jump in. One of the leading opponents of women in combat, Elaine Donnelly (ph), someone you know quite well, president of the Center For Military Readiness, she says -- quote -- "It is important that women not be put in danger of being captured and raped." What do you think of that point that she is making?
VAUGHT: Well, I have to go to a comment that now Colonel Ronda Cornham (ph), who was a prisoner of war in the first Persian Gulf War, said that there are things worse than what may happen to you in that type of situation, because she was sexually assaulted. And, you know, women have been prisoners and have survived, and they will again if that happens to them.
WALLACE: You talk about women should be able to do whatever they're capable of doing. So, do you know if you believe, overall, women are capable of serving in ground combat?
VAUGHT: If we define combat in a very limited way, as being -- which is sort of the way the Army and the Department of Defense has given it, that's artillery, armored and infantry. And we have never really explored those areas as to what women could or couldn't do. Some countries have.
I am very comfortable with the situation as the way it is, with women being in a combat zone and performing whatever duty they're called upon. And if they are in harm's way, then that is a part of the whole situation.
WALLACE: OK, we have to leave it there this morning. It's certainly an issue that is getting renewed attention. Retired Air Force Brigadier General Wilma Vaught, thanks for being here today.
VAUGHT: Thank you.
WALLACE: Bill.
HEMMER: All right, Kelly.
(WEATHER REPORT)
WALLACE: All right, Bill, want to keep your cell phone number private? I'm sure you do. There's news this morning about that proposed national wireless directory. Andy is "Minding Your Business" with that.
HEMMER: Also, at the box office. Does "The Aviator" have a flying chance of winning a Golden Globe this weekend? The 90-second poppers this morning and their predictions ahead this hour after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WALLACE: And now to check in with Jack and the "Question of the Day."
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Thank you Kelly. The world in 2020 will be a vastly different place, highlighted by the rise of Asia, particularly China. A report from the National Intelligence Council tied to mapping the global future says we'll still be grappling with terrorism, though maybe not al Qaeda. The greatest threat in 2020, they claim, will be bioterror attacks that could kill millions. Al Qaeda will be replaced by similarly inspired Islamic extremist groups, but it says the United States will remain a superpower.
Here's the question: Where do you see the world in 2020?
Ken in Prescott, Arizona, writes: "Let me guess. Jack is off again. I guess in 2020, Jack will be off and all of the questions will be like this."
Jacqueline in Ohio: "What world? At the rate we're going, nuclear warfare will break out, and the world will be destroyed."
Robert, likewise an optimist, in Tacoma, Washington: "You're getting a little deep there, Jack. We're headed for the biggest financial crash ever, worse than the first crash of the stock market. Religious wars and total devastation of the earth could be done by 2020."
Greg writes: "In 2020, U.S. troops will be eagerly approaching their exit day from Iraq. Congress will still be reading the 9/11 Commission report. And all sanctions will be have been lifted off New Jersey as the reader of these e-mails will no longer be considered a threat to world peace."
And Len in Riverview, New Brunswick: "A tough one here. Bill Gates will be president for life. He'll control the World Bank. Global warming should ensure every child has a penguin for a pet. Dick Clark will announce his retirement. And Madonna will become the first female pope."
Silly.
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: All right.
CAFFERTY: I hope they discover a cure for the common cold, too...
HEMMER: Yes.
CAFFERTY: ... of which I have one.
SERWER: Yes.
CAFFERTY: And I hope to be over it by 2020.
HEMMER: You're feeling kind of crummy today, aren't you, Jack?
WALLACE: Yes.
CAFFERTY: Below average today. WALLACE: Stuffy head.
SERWER: He's got that (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
CAFFERTY: You want to discuss my symptoms?
WALLACE: Yes.
CAFFERTY: No, you don't.
SERWER: No. TMI. TMI.
CAFFERTY: I'm done, you know.
HEMMER: Thank you, Jack.
Cell phone white pages, if you're looking for it, don't look for it too soon. Andy Serwer is back here "Minding Your Business." What gives here? Good morning.
SERWER: Good morning to you. Remember all that talk about the cell phone directory? Well, it may just be talk.
From the beginning, Verizon said they weren't interested. Now, according to published reports, Sprint and Alltel are quietly backing away from the idea. Who is going to be left? Montana Telecom? I just don't think this thing is going to really fly. And, frankly, I like the fact that people don't know my cell phone number, just the people who need to know.
HEMMER: There is a thing going around the Internet right now where you can already sign up and put your cell phone number in there if you don't want to be called on this thing, the national do-not-call list
SERWER: Yes, right, right.
HEMMER: Have you seen it?
SERWER: That's for landlines, right, yes.
HEMMER: No, it's for cell phones, too, you can do it..
SERWER: For cell phones, too, that's right. Yes. OK. Let's shift gears, shall we, and talk about the main event, which is football?
HEMMER: OK.
SERWER: You know, a lot of people wonder how CNN comes up with these wonderful football picks. Some people have a black box. We have a black can. I'm going to open it right now. Are you ready?
WALLACE: Drum roll, please.
SERWER: That's how we do it. All right, let's go to the football picks. That's it, Jack. That's all it does. It just plays music. He's astonished.
A couple of upsets here. Let's pick the Jets over the Steelers. Uh-oh, Plaxico (ph), that great football genius Dick Vital (ph) calling the Jets. How could I refuse that one? Atlanta over the Rams, that's just going to be an old-fashioned southern spanking down there. How about Philadelphia over Minnesota? Randy Moss fined for a faux moon. How can you get fined for a faux moon? I don't understand that.
HEMMER: Ten grand.
SERWER: I'll be covering that game for CNN, by the way. And also, a true story, live tape coverage. Colts upsetting New England. I'm picking the Colts. The reason why is because the Patriots left the field uncovered this week to make conditions sloppy for the dome team. Football gods no like. I think that's kind of bush up there, don't you?
HEMMER: Yes.
SERWER: I really do. I don't like that. And I think the Colts are going to...
HEMMER: Well, they played up there, what, earlier in the season? The Colts were beaten by the Pats, what, two points, I think?
SERWER: Yes, I believe that is correct, yes. Jack, do you want the top to the football god can? Put it back on.
WALLACE: Andy liking that music.
SERWER: Yes, go ahead. I love that.
WALLACE: Sports commentator Andy Serwer.
SERWER: Go ahead. He can't figure it out. Neither can I.
CAFFERTY: Fascinating.
SERWER: It really is.
HEMMER: Thank you, Andy.
In a moment here, not one, not two, but three "Desperate Housewives" are up for Golden Globes on Sunday. Should the women of Wisteria Lane be worried about a single gal from Manhattan? "90- Second Pop" and predictions in a moment here on American.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Not bad for a Friday. I mean, Prince, right, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) jukebox? "90-Second Pop." Here to play with us, Sarah Bernard, contributing editor for "New York" magazine.
How are you doing, Sarah? It's nice to see you.
SARAH BERNARD, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: Good morning. I'm well.
HEMMER: Perfect for the red carpet wearing your red top.
BERNARD: That's right. That's right.
HEMMER: Toure, the prince of urban populism.
TOURE, CNN POP CULTURE CORRESPONDENT: Urban populism, there you go, baby!
HEMMER: And Jessica Shaw from "Entertainment Weekly."
You, too, with the red thing. Jess, good morning to you.
JESSICA SHAW, "ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY": We planned this look in honor of Sunday.
HEMMER: All right, let's talk about the Golden Globes on Sunday. Best film you think will win is what?
SHAW: What I think will win will be "Finding Neverland." I think everyone else in the world thinks it will be "Million Dollar Baby."
BERNARD: Yes, I was...
SHAW: I'm going out on a limb here, because I think it's a sentimental favorite. I think "Million Dollar Baby," an amazing movie, Clint Eastwood the director, obviously people love him, but that has gotten tremendous momentum. But it's all recent.
HEMMER: Toure looks like he ate a lion this morning.
TOURE: Yes.
(CROSSTALK)
TOURE: I mean, I saw "Finding Neverland." My fiance loved it. I didn't love it so much. The buzz is around "Aviator" versus "Million Dollar Baby." I don't think "Aviator" was that good, people. I think the role was too much for Leonardo. It's going to be "Million Dollar Baby's" night, because everybody loves Clint Eastwood and everybody loves what happened to Hilary Swank's character.
BERNARD: But don't you think that "Aviator" is going to win best director for Martin Scorsese? I think he's got a lock on it.
HEMMER: Well, our friend, Toure, from two weeks ago, he said Martin Scorsese wasted three hours of his life.
TOURE: That's right, baby.
BERNARD: He wanted it back.
TOURE: Actually, six with "Gangs of New York" as well.
HEMMER: All right.
SHAW: The crazy thing about the Golden Globes is that they actually split up the films. Unlike the Oscars, they have a drama category and then a music-comedy category. So a film like "Sideways" is going to...
HEMMER: Sure, sure.
SHAW: ... 100% win that category.
BERNARD: I think you're right.
TOURE: No, no, no, it's "The Incredibles" has to win best comedy.
SHAW: Oh (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
TOURE: Come on! That's just pure fun.
HEMMER: We're not short of opinions.
SHAW: I think "Eternal Sunshine," however...
TOURE: That was great. That was great.
SHAW: ... the best movie of the year, and that should win the best movie award.
HEMMER: Let's go to best actress. Is it Hilary Swank?
SHAW: Absolutely, Hilary Swank. I think she is definitely the favorite. She will win for "Million Dollar Baby," because that picture will not win.
BERNARD: Well, you know, what's interesting about this? In 1999, when Hilary Swank won her Oscar for "Boys Don't Cry," she was up against Annette Bening for "American Beauty," who obviously is up again for "Being Julia." But since the categories are split, they're going to be probably both winning their own categories. I bet Hilary Swank will win for drama and Annette Bening will win for musical- comedy. But then we'll see what happens when the Oscar nominations come out.
HEMMER: Well, we're done. Why watch Sunday night, right? Best actor, who do you like?
SHAW: Jamie Foxx all the way.
HEMMER: Yes?
SHAW: The guy got two nominations this year, which is amazing. And...
HEMMER: Well, it was "Ray" and it was what, "Collateral" with Tom Cruise?
TOURE: Yes.
SHAW: "Collateral," yes, for supporting.
HEMMER: OK.
SHAW: He got for supporting actor. You know, again, I have to say, I wish Jim Carrey would win, because I think he was outstanding in "Eternal Sunshine." But it is Jamie Foxx this year.
BERNARD: Absolutely.
TOURE: Yes.
SHAW: Do you agree?
BERNARD: Yes!
SHAW: OK (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HEMMER: And that's it on the film's side. Now on the TV side. Toure, is it the night for "Desperate Housewives?"
TOURE: No.
HEMMER: Or is this the...
TOURE: It's the night for the old "Desperate Housewives." "Sex and the City" will win best comedy. Sarah Jessica Parker will beat all of the "Desperate Housewives" actresses in best actress. It was the best show, and...
HEMMER: Best show or a charity voting thing?
TOURE: She practically made me cry when she was, like, I don't live here anymore. And the whole thing moving to Paris. It was, like, you know, film acting.
BERNARD: But don't you think that last year? And now this year they want to throw it to the new (UNINTELLIGIBLE)?
TOURE: I don't know. I don't know. That was the greatest -- some of the greatest TV moments of the year. I don't think they're going to forget.
SHAW: Only if they split the votes. I mean, all of the "Desperate Housewives" might split all of the votes. And then who is left? It's either Debra Messing or Sarah Jessica.
TOURE: But I think...
SHAW: Come on!
HEMMER: I don't know.
TOURE: But Sarah Jessica's acting challenge is much higher than what we've seen from the "Desperate Housewives". HEMMER: Films to the side, TV to the side, red carpet, Sarah.
BERNARD: That's right. That's really what's most important. What is everyone going to be wearing? The reason why the red carpet has its own controversy this year is because Melissa Rivers and Joan Rivers, who usually do the live from the red carpet on the E Channel, have moved to the TV Guide Channel. So they're going to actually try to get...
SHAW: Is that channel in quotes?
HEMMER: Why is that controversial?
BERNARD: Because Star Jones Reynolds is taking over for E. So they're going to be battling...
TOURE: She's not taking it, is she?
BERNARD: Yes, he is!
SHAW: Oh, yes.
BERNARD: Oh, yes.
HEMMER: Toure, do your research, come on.
BERNARD: How did you miss that?
TOURE: But I thought she was wearing the pants in the relationship.
(CROSSTALK)
BERNARD: Oh, you thought he was going to be Al Jones?
TOURE: That's what I would have expected.
BERNARD: So now it's going to be, you know, which one are you going to tune into? Because it's going to be a huge ratings war. And Star is famous for fawning over everyone, while Joan and Melissa...
SHAW: Yes, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Kathy Griffin (ph), also, who is so (UNINTELLIGIBLE) has made a career out of mocking celebrities. So she should bring the awkward moments we've come to love from Joan and Melissa.
HEMMER: All good. Let's leave it there. Nice to see all three of you. Have a great weekend, OK? Good to see you. Jessica, Toure, Sarah, I love these predictions.
Here's Kelly again -- Kelly.
WALLACE: Thanks, Bill. I can't wait to see what the stars will be wearing.
Well, coming up here, today's top stories are straight ahead, including that brutal stretch of weather from California to the Carolinas. What's behind it all? We'll talk to an expert from NASA. That's ahead here on AMERICAN MORNING.
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