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American Morning
Weather Woes Afflict the Nation; Major League Baseball Revises Drug Policy
Aired January 14, 2005 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Tornadoes rip through the south, causing mile after mile of damage. A powerful storm that is not done with the East Coast yet. Creeks and rivers across Ohio spilling over, now the flooded state will have freezing temperatures to add to it.
Police want to know what a Florida man was planning, accused of keeping rifles and machine guns and the deadly bio-agent ricin.
At this hour a space probe dropping through atmosphere of Saturn's largest moon. The exploration of Titan beginning on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.
HEMMER: Good morning, everybody. It is 7 o'clock here in New York. Soledad picked a good day to be off, because it's nasty outside, isn't it?
KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Great sleeping in weather indeed.
HEMMER: Good morning, Kelly Wallace with us today. Nice to see you today.
WALLACE: Great to see you.
HEMMER: This weather across the country, another day we're watching the weather causing major problems. Look at this scene here in southern Ohio. We'll talk to an emergency management official there about how much rain they've had, four floods in one year. Parts of the Ohio River at their highest level in years, too. And we'll talk about what's happening today and what will happen over the weekend, whether or not they can get the waters down.
WALLACE: Incredible stuff. Also, Bill, another story making big news this morning. Major League Baseball has a new steroids policy and a lot of people say it is a big joke. Former Yankees Pitcher Jim Bouton will be with us telling us what he thinks is wrong with the policy.
HEMMER: Jack Cafferty, on a Friday. Good morning.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Did you know we had something called a National Intelligence Council in this country? I had no idea, but we do. And they did a study about what the world will be like in the year 2020. We'll tell you some of what they are predicting and give you an opportunity to weigh in with ideas of your own on what the future may hold for all of us.
HEMMER: Thank you, Jack.
Daryn Kagan is with us today down at the CNN Center with the headlines.
Hey, Daryn, good morning.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN NEWS ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Good morning, Bill. Let's check out what's happening "Now in the News".
Closing arguments in the military trial of Army Specialist Charles Graner are set to get underway in Fort Hood, Texas. Graner is the accused ringleader in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. He didn't take the stand, as had been expected. His lawyer said other witnesses proved Graner was following orders to soften up detainees before interrogation. That case could go to the jury later today.
In the Middle East, Palestinian militants stormed a border crossing between Israel and Northern Gaza. The group apparently set off an explosion and then opened fire on civilians, killing at least six people. Israeli security sources say three Palestinian militants were also killed. Palestinian sources say two insurgents died.
The FBI may scrap plans for $170 million computer overhaul. The agency is now trying to create a virtual case file system, but the project is said to be outdated, over budget, and behind schedule. A research firm has been hired to determine if any parts of the post- 9/11 plan can be saved.
Scientists licking their chops get ready for their first up-close look at a mysterious world. Some two hours ago, the Huygens Probe from the Spaceship Cassini began its descent through the atmosphere of the giant moon Titan.
Scientists say Titan's atmosphere is similar to Earth, before animals and plants appeared. The first data from the space probe is expected later this morning, with pictures to follow. You know, they've been very excited about Saturn for a long time, Bill. A lot to learn and we look forward to getting the information.
HEMMER: Indeed we will. Next hour, we talk to Miles, too. He's been up all night, I think.
KAGAN: He's the guy.
HEMMER: Thanks, Daryn. Talk to you later this morning.
After this deadly dose of rain and snow we're watching in California, the weather continues to bring havoc across the country. There's bitter cold to contend with out there. Severe flooding, and violent storms as well.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Some would describe it as a weather week from hell, and it's not over yet.
In Laurens County, South Carolina, an apparent tornado lifting the roof off this building, then slamming it back down, triggering a massive fire. People living within a half mile of the building were evacuated.
In Arkansas, another tornado tearing through Union County, killing two and injuring at least 20 others. This man's home took a direct hit.
GUY WEBB, HOUSE DAMAGED BY STORM: We was laying in bed and I heard that noise coming. And we started to get up, and about that time, the end of the house blew off, and we rolled off the bed on to the floor.
HEMMER: In Utah, the damage from torrential rains and flooding is difficult to tally. Homeowners watched helplessly as their homes collapsed, and then were swept away by the raging Santa Clara River.
And in Denver, the problem was ice for drivers.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my god!
HEMMER: A 28-car smash-up had drivers jumping from their moving vehicles as they slammed into one another. Fortunately, though, in Denver, no one was hurt.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just like a chain reaction.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It must have been solid ice. I just started sliding and I just couldn't stop.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: That from across the country.
In Ohio, today, they are ready to welcome those freezing temperatures. Otherwise, they'll have to add melting snow to the already flooded rivers all over the state.
Stark County is one of several places where people being asked to evacuate. The only way to travel there now is by boat. We've watched the river rise throughout the week. It's rising again today. Rivers above flood stage, not expected to crest until later this afternoon.
Marietta has been under water for a week. The water could get deeper today when flood floodgates are opened, up river. Several dams in northern Ohio filled to capacity. Michael Cullums, with the Emergency Management Agency in Washington County, Ohio, is with us there live.
Good morning, sir. How high is the water at flood stage now? MICHAEL CULLUMS, EMERGENCY MGMT, WASH. CO., OHIO: It's about one foot over flood stage. Here in Marietta, at least, we're only expecting about another foot. In and of itself, that would be considered minor flooding, but as you have mentioned, we've had four floods in a year, two of them in September and last week were major floods.
HEMMER: You call that the cumulative impact on your town. Explain that to us, and what's been the result with flood after flood over the past 12 months there.
CULLUMS: Well, two main things. Emotionally, it's taking a toll on people. And economically, it's taking a toll. We have a number of businesses that were in the biggest of the floods, in September, it was the highest water in 40 years, and more than 600 businesses and 400 homes affected.
Many of those businesses had just reopened in recent weeks, when the flood hit last week. So when you're talking about small businesses, there's always a concern, how much can people take, economically.
HEMMER: You mentioned up about a foot a bit later today, what about evacuations? Where do they stand?
CULLUMS: There have been no evacuations. Last week when it was higher flood stage, there were seven or eight evacuations. But this community is used to flooding, just not this often and as high as it's been two times this year.
HEMMER: How are they dealing with that, time after time?
CULLUMS: Well, you know, this is a resilient community. It's been here for a long time, the oldest town in Ohio. And people are dealing with it as best we can. We're getting too good. We use humor for one thing to try to get through this. Everyone is saying we're getting way too good at this, at dealing with floods.
HEMMER: With the temperatures expected to drop, perhaps, in the 20s, does that help you in Marietta?
CULLUMS: It probably will help us. If the water were just a couple feet higher and were on streets and in buildings, it would be a behind a hindrance, but right now, with it getting colder that should slow some of the water flow into some of the small streams.
HEMMER: Well, good luck there. You are going to need it.
Michael Cullums, there, Marietta, Ohio, Washington County, right along the Ohio River.
Good luck you, sir. And thanks.
(WEATHER FORECAST)
WALLACE: News now about Britain's young royal, he is apparently in the dog house after appearing at a party dressed as a Nazi. Well, now Prince Harry's father, the heir to the throne, Prince Charles, reportedly ordering the 20-year-old to visit Auschwitz, the Nazi concentration camp where over a million Jews, gypsies and political prisoners were killed.
"The Sun" newspaper says Harry will be accompanied by his brother William, and will travel with a Jewish charity group. The 64th anniversary of the liberation of the camp falls on January 27.
And, Bill that story is still front-page news throughout England.
HEMMER: You're right about that.
In this country, in Florida, a deadly arsenal has been reportedly found inside of a Florida man's bedroom, rifles and handguns and a full supply of a deadly poison. Is there a connection to terrorists there? We'll check that out in a moment.
WALLACE: Also a grim milestone for U.S. women serving in Iraq. Is it time to reconsider their role in combat?
HEMMER: Also, baseball beefs up its attack on steroids in the game. Will they clean it up next season? We'll check that out as well, on a Friday edition of AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: From Florida this morning a man is charged with possession of a biological agent, the lethal poison ricin. In this morning's CNN "Security Watch", CNN's John Zarrella reports on what lead investigators to the man's home, which they say contained a deadly arsenal.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Twenty- two-year-old Stephen Michael Ekberg is charged with possession of a biological agent. Ricin was found at his mother's home in Ocala, Florida, where he was living.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ricin is virtually impossible to trace as a cause of death. It clearly can be used as a weapon of mass destruction.
ZARRELLA: Authorities are still trying to piece together what Ekberg might have intended to do with the lethal toxin. But it appears he was on his own.
SHERIFF ED DEAN, MARION COUNTY, FLA.: We do not feel that Mr. Ekberg is associated with any known terrorist group or other entity.
ZARRELLA: Authorities say an anonymous telephone tip led them to Ekberg. In a sworn affidavit, a federal agent said, quote, "The caller reported to the sheriff's office that a Stephen Ekberg possessed an arsenal of weapons, to include a fully automatic AK-47 rifle and a box of different full of different forms of poisons, including ricin." The source told agents Ekberg told agents to these effect. "If I put this on your food this would kill you immediately."
When authorities searched his bedroom they found rifles, handguns, a small quantity of cocaine, castor beans and as well as numerous seeds in packages labeled as "very poisonous"; a tin can containing castor bean husks, and a glass bottle containing brown granules that tested positive for ricin.
Authorities say Ekberg has been treated for depression and was prescribed medication. If convicted, he faces 10 years in prison -- John Zarrella, CNN, Miami.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: John, thanks for that.
Another reminder, stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
Kelly?
WALLACE: Thanks, Bill.
Major League Baseball has announced its new tougher plan on steroid use. Under the new plan, which still must be ratified by the players, every player will be tested for steroids at least once per year, but an unlimited number of random tests can also be given. Anyone testing positive will be suspended for ten days without pay. The punishments increase with each succeeding offense.
So the question, is this tough enough? Former Yankees Pitcher Jim Bouton, wrote the book, "Ball Four." He's in Albany, New York, this morning.
Jim Bouton, thanks for being here.
JIM BOUTON, FMR. PITCHER, NEW YORK YANKEES: Nice to be here. Thank you.
WALLACE: We understand you think the new testing policy is a bit of a joke. Why?
BOUTON: Yes, well, 10 days isn't much of a penalty. You know, it's almost worth taking a chance. A lot of players would like to have 10 days off, especially late in August. So I don't think it's much of a penalty at all.
Thirty days, a hardly much more, 60 days, you know, you're talking about a substance here, steroids, which unfairly and illegally affect the outcome of games. You know, far more games than have been affected by gambling. Substitute the word gambling for steroids and see if this makes sense.
WALLACE: But take a listen, Senator John McCain, a strong proponent of having some type of steroid testing program, here's what he said about the new policy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R) ARIZONA: I think it's significant progress. And it certainly travels quite a ways from the almost non-enforceable regimen that existed before. But I think most of us would like to see it a little tougher.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: So, Jim Bouton, he says most of us would like to see it a little tougher, but he thinks, significant progress. Isn't this a step in the right direction?
BOUTON: Well, baseball is facing a major crisis now, with its credibility. Very similar to the crisis that it faced back in 1919 after the Chicago Black Sox scandal. At that time, Kennesaw Mountain Landis came in, as commissioner of baseball, and he banned people for life for one gambling offense. And baseball immediately regained some credibility there. And I think they needed to do have the same kind of strict rules at this point in the game.
WALLACE: How much do the fans care? You say you want tougher rules and the way to get those tougher rules will be outrage from the fans. It doesn't appear there's outrage there right now?
BOUTON: Well, there may not be from the fans, who go to the games. But there are a lot of people around the country who enjoy the statistics of baseball, they like comparing today's players with previous players. That's out the window now.
Who can make the comparisons with questions about whether the players have unfairly achieved their records? I think they need to get that fixed, and fixed in a major way. And I think a step in the right direction is not what baseball needed. It needed to go all the way here.
WALLACE: We'll be watching the debate and see what the players do and how the fans react. Former Yankees Baseball Pitcher Jim Bouton, thanks for being here.
BOUTON: Thank you.
WALLACE: Bill.
HEMMER: Big anniversary on Wall Street today. Andy says do not expect investors to be celebrating though. He's "Minding Your Business" in a moment, here next, after this on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: The Dow sputters and thanks to GM, for that, Andy Serwer is "Minding Your Business". We had a winning day, what, on Wednesday?
ANDY SERWER, COLUMNIST, "FORTUNE": Yes. HEMMER: Losing day yesterday?
SERWER: Yes.
HEMMER: Back to the ways of 2005?
SERWER: Yes.
HEMMER: Good morning, how are you?
SERWER: I'm going to go hide in a cave.
Big sell-off on Wall Street yesterday. Dow down almost 112 points. Let's call it 112 points. I mean, who's counting with these numbers.
Both the Dow and the Nasdaq were down 1.05 percent yesterday. If you take any joy in that, well, you gotta look for a new line of work.
Higher oil prices to blame. Up at 48 bucks a barrel now.
Also, as Bill said, GM coming out and saying its earnings were going to drop this year. It says it's going to be looking at an additional $1 billion in healthcare costs. Stock was down about 2.8 percent yesterday, $37, a year ago, the stock was $55. Not a good time for GM.
Where were you five years ago today, January 14, 2000? Maybe you were in a happier mood. That's the day that the Dow hit an all-time high, 11,722. You might have been in a bar. You might have been planning an expensive Caribbean vacation.
Actually, we're only 1,200 points below that. So, considering everything that's happened, 9/11, recession, not the best times in terms of the economy.
HEMMER: But we saw a lot of strength at the end of 2004.
SERWER: We did.
HEMMER: It is pulling back from that right now.
SERWER: Last year was a good year. So, all things considered, not so bad. The Nasdaq peaked later in March.
HEMMER: Watching that, too, go back down toward the vaunted Hemmer line. The 2000 mark.
SERWER: Oh, yes, won' that be something. We'll all be celebrating.
HEMMER: Would you say, 2070?
SERWER: Yes.
WALLACE: The Hemmer line? (CROSS TALK)
WALLACE: I don't know what that is.
SERWER: You know hemlines and there is also the Hemmer line, the Nasdaq 2000.
HEMMER: Not to be confused with the imaginable lines, which is another story for another time.
SERWER: Imaginable lines, all right, that's enough.
HEMMER: Thanks, Andy.
SERWER: You're welcome.
WALLACE: You almost need a little booklet with code words for this show.
CAFFERTY: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
WALLACE: Time now for "Cafferty File" and "The Question of the Day.
CAFFERTY: Thanks, Kelly.
The world in 2020 will be, apparently, a vastly different place, highlighted by the rise of Asia, particularly China.
A report from National Intelligence Council, titled, "Mapping the Global Future," says we'll still be grappling with terrorism, though maybe not with Al Qaeda. The greatest threat in 2020, bio-terror attacks that could kill millions of people.
Al Qaeda will be replaced by similarly inspired Islamic extremist groups. The United States will remain a super power, retaining enormous advantages and playing a pivotal role across a broad range of issues, economic, technological, political and military.
And no other state will be able to match the United States by 2020, in those areas, that is according to the report.
Here's the question. They might not have figured out everything. They might have missed some things. Where do you see the world in 2020? AM@cnn.com.
SERWER: It is like that old song, "In the Year 2525". Remember that one?
CAFFERTY: Please don't sing.
HEMMER: Certainly do. From 1970?
SERWER: I don't remember when it was. We'll look it up.
HEMMER: What did they say about Iraq in that report? Anything? CAFFERTY: I don't know.
(LAUGHTER)
HEMMER: Oh, it's going to be a long morning.
SERWER: Infinite wisdom today.
(CROSS TALK)
CAFFERTY: Nice to be with you.
SERWER: Happy Friday.
HEMMER: "90 Second Pop" coming up on a Friday edition, too, in a moment here.
Stars rubbing elbows for one big night, the Golden Globes this weekend. Which film comes out on top? And will the "Desperate Housewives" knock off a Golden Globe darling? Predictions ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Good morning, everybody, on a Friday edition of AMERICAN MORNING. Nice to have you along. Soledad is out for a long weekend. Kelly Wallace helps us out today.
How you doing? All right?
WALLACE: Good, good. Happy Friday on this rainy day.
HEMMER: The fog cleared out. We can't have everything.
WALLACE: It was bizarre yesterday. We were out in New Jersey doing a story.
HEMMER: Couldn't see the city, could you?
WALLACE: Exactly.
HEMMER: Where did it go?
We're going to get you back to California again this half hour. La Conchita, 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 straight ahead.
They stopped 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. We'll see what the plan is today for Southern California.
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Aired January 14, 2005 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Tornadoes rip through the south, causing mile after mile of damage. A powerful storm that is not done with the East Coast yet. Creeks and rivers across Ohio spilling over, now the flooded state will have freezing temperatures to add to it.
Police want to know what a Florida man was planning, accused of keeping rifles and machine guns and the deadly bio-agent ricin.
At this hour a space probe dropping through atmosphere of Saturn's largest moon. The exploration of Titan beginning on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.
HEMMER: Good morning, everybody. It is 7 o'clock here in New York. Soledad picked a good day to be off, because it's nasty outside, isn't it?
KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Great sleeping in weather indeed.
HEMMER: Good morning, Kelly Wallace with us today. Nice to see you today.
WALLACE: Great to see you.
HEMMER: This weather across the country, another day we're watching the weather causing major problems. Look at this scene here in southern Ohio. We'll talk to an emergency management official there about how much rain they've had, four floods in one year. Parts of the Ohio River at their highest level in years, too. And we'll talk about what's happening today and what will happen over the weekend, whether or not they can get the waters down.
WALLACE: Incredible stuff. Also, Bill, another story making big news this morning. Major League Baseball has a new steroids policy and a lot of people say it is a big joke. Former Yankees Pitcher Jim Bouton will be with us telling us what he thinks is wrong with the policy.
HEMMER: Jack Cafferty, on a Friday. Good morning.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Did you know we had something called a National Intelligence Council in this country? I had no idea, but we do. And they did a study about what the world will be like in the year 2020. We'll tell you some of what they are predicting and give you an opportunity to weigh in with ideas of your own on what the future may hold for all of us.
HEMMER: Thank you, Jack.
Daryn Kagan is with us today down at the CNN Center with the headlines.
Hey, Daryn, good morning.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN NEWS ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Good morning, Bill. Let's check out what's happening "Now in the News".
Closing arguments in the military trial of Army Specialist Charles Graner are set to get underway in Fort Hood, Texas. Graner is the accused ringleader in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. He didn't take the stand, as had been expected. His lawyer said other witnesses proved Graner was following orders to soften up detainees before interrogation. That case could go to the jury later today.
In the Middle East, Palestinian militants stormed a border crossing between Israel and Northern Gaza. The group apparently set off an explosion and then opened fire on civilians, killing at least six people. Israeli security sources say three Palestinian militants were also killed. Palestinian sources say two insurgents died.
The FBI may scrap plans for $170 million computer overhaul. The agency is now trying to create a virtual case file system, but the project is said to be outdated, over budget, and behind schedule. A research firm has been hired to determine if any parts of the post- 9/11 plan can be saved.
Scientists licking their chops get ready for their first up-close look at a mysterious world. Some two hours ago, the Huygens Probe from the Spaceship Cassini began its descent through the atmosphere of the giant moon Titan.
Scientists say Titan's atmosphere is similar to Earth, before animals and plants appeared. The first data from the space probe is expected later this morning, with pictures to follow. You know, they've been very excited about Saturn for a long time, Bill. A lot to learn and we look forward to getting the information.
HEMMER: Indeed we will. Next hour, we talk to Miles, too. He's been up all night, I think.
KAGAN: He's the guy.
HEMMER: Thanks, Daryn. Talk to you later this morning.
After this deadly dose of rain and snow we're watching in California, the weather continues to bring havoc across the country. There's bitter cold to contend with out there. Severe flooding, and violent storms as well.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Some would describe it as a weather week from hell, and it's not over yet.
In Laurens County, South Carolina, an apparent tornado lifting the roof off this building, then slamming it back down, triggering a massive fire. People living within a half mile of the building were evacuated.
In Arkansas, another tornado tearing through Union County, killing two and injuring at least 20 others. This man's home took a direct hit.
GUY WEBB, HOUSE DAMAGED BY STORM: We was laying in bed and I heard that noise coming. And we started to get up, and about that time, the end of the house blew off, and we rolled off the bed on to the floor.
HEMMER: In Utah, the damage from torrential rains and flooding is difficult to tally. Homeowners watched helplessly as their homes collapsed, and then were swept away by the raging Santa Clara River.
And in Denver, the problem was ice for drivers.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my god!
HEMMER: A 28-car smash-up had drivers jumping from their moving vehicles as they slammed into one another. Fortunately, though, in Denver, no one was hurt.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just like a chain reaction.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It must have been solid ice. I just started sliding and I just couldn't stop.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: That from across the country.
In Ohio, today, they are ready to welcome those freezing temperatures. Otherwise, they'll have to add melting snow to the already flooded rivers all over the state.
Stark County is one of several places where people being asked to evacuate. The only way to travel there now is by boat. We've watched the river rise throughout the week. It's rising again today. Rivers above flood stage, not expected to crest until later this afternoon.
Marietta has been under water for a week. The water could get deeper today when flood floodgates are opened, up river. Several dams in northern Ohio filled to capacity. Michael Cullums, with the Emergency Management Agency in Washington County, Ohio, is with us there live.
Good morning, sir. How high is the water at flood stage now? MICHAEL CULLUMS, EMERGENCY MGMT, WASH. CO., OHIO: It's about one foot over flood stage. Here in Marietta, at least, we're only expecting about another foot. In and of itself, that would be considered minor flooding, but as you have mentioned, we've had four floods in a year, two of them in September and last week were major floods.
HEMMER: You call that the cumulative impact on your town. Explain that to us, and what's been the result with flood after flood over the past 12 months there.
CULLUMS: Well, two main things. Emotionally, it's taking a toll on people. And economically, it's taking a toll. We have a number of businesses that were in the biggest of the floods, in September, it was the highest water in 40 years, and more than 600 businesses and 400 homes affected.
Many of those businesses had just reopened in recent weeks, when the flood hit last week. So when you're talking about small businesses, there's always a concern, how much can people take, economically.
HEMMER: You mentioned up about a foot a bit later today, what about evacuations? Where do they stand?
CULLUMS: There have been no evacuations. Last week when it was higher flood stage, there were seven or eight evacuations. But this community is used to flooding, just not this often and as high as it's been two times this year.
HEMMER: How are they dealing with that, time after time?
CULLUMS: Well, you know, this is a resilient community. It's been here for a long time, the oldest town in Ohio. And people are dealing with it as best we can. We're getting too good. We use humor for one thing to try to get through this. Everyone is saying we're getting way too good at this, at dealing with floods.
HEMMER: With the temperatures expected to drop, perhaps, in the 20s, does that help you in Marietta?
CULLUMS: It probably will help us. If the water were just a couple feet higher and were on streets and in buildings, it would be a behind a hindrance, but right now, with it getting colder that should slow some of the water flow into some of the small streams.
HEMMER: Well, good luck there. You are going to need it.
Michael Cullums, there, Marietta, Ohio, Washington County, right along the Ohio River.
Good luck you, sir. And thanks.
(WEATHER FORECAST)
WALLACE: News now about Britain's young royal, he is apparently in the dog house after appearing at a party dressed as a Nazi. Well, now Prince Harry's father, the heir to the throne, Prince Charles, reportedly ordering the 20-year-old to visit Auschwitz, the Nazi concentration camp where over a million Jews, gypsies and political prisoners were killed.
"The Sun" newspaper says Harry will be accompanied by his brother William, and will travel with a Jewish charity group. The 64th anniversary of the liberation of the camp falls on January 27.
And, Bill that story is still front-page news throughout England.
HEMMER: You're right about that.
In this country, in Florida, a deadly arsenal has been reportedly found inside of a Florida man's bedroom, rifles and handguns and a full supply of a deadly poison. Is there a connection to terrorists there? We'll check that out in a moment.
WALLACE: Also a grim milestone for U.S. women serving in Iraq. Is it time to reconsider their role in combat?
HEMMER: Also, baseball beefs up its attack on steroids in the game. Will they clean it up next season? We'll check that out as well, on a Friday edition of AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: From Florida this morning a man is charged with possession of a biological agent, the lethal poison ricin. In this morning's CNN "Security Watch", CNN's John Zarrella reports on what lead investigators to the man's home, which they say contained a deadly arsenal.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Twenty- two-year-old Stephen Michael Ekberg is charged with possession of a biological agent. Ricin was found at his mother's home in Ocala, Florida, where he was living.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ricin is virtually impossible to trace as a cause of death. It clearly can be used as a weapon of mass destruction.
ZARRELLA: Authorities are still trying to piece together what Ekberg might have intended to do with the lethal toxin. But it appears he was on his own.
SHERIFF ED DEAN, MARION COUNTY, FLA.: We do not feel that Mr. Ekberg is associated with any known terrorist group or other entity.
ZARRELLA: Authorities say an anonymous telephone tip led them to Ekberg. In a sworn affidavit, a federal agent said, quote, "The caller reported to the sheriff's office that a Stephen Ekberg possessed an arsenal of weapons, to include a fully automatic AK-47 rifle and a box of different full of different forms of poisons, including ricin." The source told agents Ekberg told agents to these effect. "If I put this on your food this would kill you immediately."
When authorities searched his bedroom they found rifles, handguns, a small quantity of cocaine, castor beans and as well as numerous seeds in packages labeled as "very poisonous"; a tin can containing castor bean husks, and a glass bottle containing brown granules that tested positive for ricin.
Authorities say Ekberg has been treated for depression and was prescribed medication. If convicted, he faces 10 years in prison -- John Zarrella, CNN, Miami.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: John, thanks for that.
Another reminder, stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
Kelly?
WALLACE: Thanks, Bill.
Major League Baseball has announced its new tougher plan on steroid use. Under the new plan, which still must be ratified by the players, every player will be tested for steroids at least once per year, but an unlimited number of random tests can also be given. Anyone testing positive will be suspended for ten days without pay. The punishments increase with each succeeding offense.
So the question, is this tough enough? Former Yankees Pitcher Jim Bouton, wrote the book, "Ball Four." He's in Albany, New York, this morning.
Jim Bouton, thanks for being here.
JIM BOUTON, FMR. PITCHER, NEW YORK YANKEES: Nice to be here. Thank you.
WALLACE: We understand you think the new testing policy is a bit of a joke. Why?
BOUTON: Yes, well, 10 days isn't much of a penalty. You know, it's almost worth taking a chance. A lot of players would like to have 10 days off, especially late in August. So I don't think it's much of a penalty at all.
Thirty days, a hardly much more, 60 days, you know, you're talking about a substance here, steroids, which unfairly and illegally affect the outcome of games. You know, far more games than have been affected by gambling. Substitute the word gambling for steroids and see if this makes sense.
WALLACE: But take a listen, Senator John McCain, a strong proponent of having some type of steroid testing program, here's what he said about the new policy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R) ARIZONA: I think it's significant progress. And it certainly travels quite a ways from the almost non-enforceable regimen that existed before. But I think most of us would like to see it a little tougher.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: So, Jim Bouton, he says most of us would like to see it a little tougher, but he thinks, significant progress. Isn't this a step in the right direction?
BOUTON: Well, baseball is facing a major crisis now, with its credibility. Very similar to the crisis that it faced back in 1919 after the Chicago Black Sox scandal. At that time, Kennesaw Mountain Landis came in, as commissioner of baseball, and he banned people for life for one gambling offense. And baseball immediately regained some credibility there. And I think they needed to do have the same kind of strict rules at this point in the game.
WALLACE: How much do the fans care? You say you want tougher rules and the way to get those tougher rules will be outrage from the fans. It doesn't appear there's outrage there right now?
BOUTON: Well, there may not be from the fans, who go to the games. But there are a lot of people around the country who enjoy the statistics of baseball, they like comparing today's players with previous players. That's out the window now.
Who can make the comparisons with questions about whether the players have unfairly achieved their records? I think they need to get that fixed, and fixed in a major way. And I think a step in the right direction is not what baseball needed. It needed to go all the way here.
WALLACE: We'll be watching the debate and see what the players do and how the fans react. Former Yankees Baseball Pitcher Jim Bouton, thanks for being here.
BOUTON: Thank you.
WALLACE: Bill.
HEMMER: Big anniversary on Wall Street today. Andy says do not expect investors to be celebrating though. He's "Minding Your Business" in a moment, here next, after this on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: The Dow sputters and thanks to GM, for that, Andy Serwer is "Minding Your Business". We had a winning day, what, on Wednesday?
ANDY SERWER, COLUMNIST, "FORTUNE": Yes. HEMMER: Losing day yesterday?
SERWER: Yes.
HEMMER: Back to the ways of 2005?
SERWER: Yes.
HEMMER: Good morning, how are you?
SERWER: I'm going to go hide in a cave.
Big sell-off on Wall Street yesterday. Dow down almost 112 points. Let's call it 112 points. I mean, who's counting with these numbers.
Both the Dow and the Nasdaq were down 1.05 percent yesterday. If you take any joy in that, well, you gotta look for a new line of work.
Higher oil prices to blame. Up at 48 bucks a barrel now.
Also, as Bill said, GM coming out and saying its earnings were going to drop this year. It says it's going to be looking at an additional $1 billion in healthcare costs. Stock was down about 2.8 percent yesterday, $37, a year ago, the stock was $55. Not a good time for GM.
Where were you five years ago today, January 14, 2000? Maybe you were in a happier mood. That's the day that the Dow hit an all-time high, 11,722. You might have been in a bar. You might have been planning an expensive Caribbean vacation.
Actually, we're only 1,200 points below that. So, considering everything that's happened, 9/11, recession, not the best times in terms of the economy.
HEMMER: But we saw a lot of strength at the end of 2004.
SERWER: We did.
HEMMER: It is pulling back from that right now.
SERWER: Last year was a good year. So, all things considered, not so bad. The Nasdaq peaked later in March.
HEMMER: Watching that, too, go back down toward the vaunted Hemmer line. The 2000 mark.
SERWER: Oh, yes, won' that be something. We'll all be celebrating.
HEMMER: Would you say, 2070?
SERWER: Yes.
WALLACE: The Hemmer line? (CROSS TALK)
WALLACE: I don't know what that is.
SERWER: You know hemlines and there is also the Hemmer line, the Nasdaq 2000.
HEMMER: Not to be confused with the imaginable lines, which is another story for another time.
SERWER: Imaginable lines, all right, that's enough.
HEMMER: Thanks, Andy.
SERWER: You're welcome.
WALLACE: You almost need a little booklet with code words for this show.
CAFFERTY: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
WALLACE: Time now for "Cafferty File" and "The Question of the Day.
CAFFERTY: Thanks, Kelly.
The world in 2020 will be, apparently, a vastly different place, highlighted by the rise of Asia, particularly China.
A report from National Intelligence Council, titled, "Mapping the Global Future," says we'll still be grappling with terrorism, though maybe not with Al Qaeda. The greatest threat in 2020, bio-terror attacks that could kill millions of people.
Al Qaeda will be replaced by similarly inspired Islamic extremist groups. The United States will remain a super power, retaining enormous advantages and playing a pivotal role across a broad range of issues, economic, technological, political and military.
And no other state will be able to match the United States by 2020, in those areas, that is according to the report.
Here's the question. They might not have figured out everything. They might have missed some things. Where do you see the world in 2020? AM@cnn.com.
SERWER: It is like that old song, "In the Year 2525". Remember that one?
CAFFERTY: Please don't sing.
HEMMER: Certainly do. From 1970?
SERWER: I don't remember when it was. We'll look it up.
HEMMER: What did they say about Iraq in that report? Anything? CAFFERTY: I don't know.
(LAUGHTER)
HEMMER: Oh, it's going to be a long morning.
SERWER: Infinite wisdom today.
(CROSS TALK)
CAFFERTY: Nice to be with you.
SERWER: Happy Friday.
HEMMER: "90 Second Pop" coming up on a Friday edition, too, in a moment here.
Stars rubbing elbows for one big night, the Golden Globes this weekend. Which film comes out on top? And will the "Desperate Housewives" knock off a Golden Globe darling? Predictions ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Good morning, everybody, on a Friday edition of AMERICAN MORNING. Nice to have you along. Soledad is out for a long weekend. Kelly Wallace helps us out today.
How you doing? All right?
WALLACE: Good, good. Happy Friday on this rainy day.
HEMMER: The fog cleared out. We can't have everything.
WALLACE: It was bizarre yesterday. We were out in New Jersey doing a story.
HEMMER: Couldn't see the city, could you?
WALLACE: Exactly.
HEMMER: Where did it go?
We're going to get you back to California again this half hour. La Conchita, 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 straight ahead.
They stopped 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. We'll see what the plan is today for Southern California.
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