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CNN Live At Daybreak

Hunt for Osama bin Laden; Attempt by Some in San Francisco to Put Tax on Grocery Bags

Aired January 25, 2005 - 05:00   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.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, overnight a plane is forced down in Texas. This morning, questions about a suspected international smuggling operation.
Plus, in Iraq the choice is between bullets, bombs or ballots. But what about Iraqis voting outside their homeland? A live report from London for you at the half hour.

Plus...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's a good idea because it just makes people more conscious about the environment.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: San Francisco may be on the verge of bagging what some people see as an environmental problem. A tax on grocery bags?

It is Tuesday, January 25th.

You are watching DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you.

From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

Now in the news, the cost of war is going up. Sources tell CNN President Bush will ask Congress for another $80 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. More details on that in two minutes.

Just six hours ago in San Antonio, Texas, federal agents forced down a plane with at least four illegal immigrants on board. They're all being questioned in connection with a smuggling ring operating -- a smuggling ring. And it involves Chinese.

After months of negotiations, four British men held at the U.S. military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba are due home this week, possibly today. British Muslim leaders want Britain to provide medical treatment to the four.

To the forecast center and Chad, who is back from New Jersey.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I can feel my toes, Carol.

COSTELLO: I can't even imagine how cold it was out there.

MYERS: It was so cold out there, I'll tell you. There are only jokes you could make about that. And for folks that actually had to work outside, either at the airports or scooping or shoveling -- we were talking to some bus drivers. It was so bad there that they couldn't even pull their bus over. They had to wait in the middle of the road for people to get on the buses because there was so much snow on the sides. And then they were backing everybody up. They felt bad, but what can you do? You've got to pick people up. So, oh, and I know...

COSTELLO: Still a problem today.

MYERS: ... they're still going through that today. And obviously it didn't melt overnight.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: We start this morning with matters of money. Military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are getting more expensive. Congressional sources say the White House will ask for another $80 billion for operations in both countries. Congressional aids say most of the money, about 75 percent of it, would go to the Army for operations in Iraq. Some of the money can go to build a new embassy in Baghdad, and that could cost as much as $1.5 billion alone. Some of the funding also could go to help Afghanistan fight drug trafficking there.

On another funding matter, congressional sources say President Bush plans to almost double the aid package for tsunami relief. Those sources say the relief contribution would be about $650 million. That's up from the $350 million already pledged for South Asia. Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush are considering a trip to the region, but ex-President Bush says they won't go if it looks like their visit will overshadow relief efforts. The two are leading a private fundraising effort.

And in the Senate, legislation has been introduced to upgrade the tsunami warning system for North America. The measure calls for up to $35 million in upgrades. The White House already has plans to quadruple the size of the system in the Pacific. Those plans also would establish similar systems for the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf Coasts.

Turning now to America's most wanted fugitive, Osama bin Laden. The U.S. currently has a $25 million price tag on his head. But the State Department is thinking about doubling that.

CNN's Andrea Koppel has this "Security Watch" report.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The State Department is considering the $25 million increase in order to heat up a trail for bin Laden that's gone cold. In addition, the State Department says a new ad began appearing this month in one of Pakistan's most widely read newspapers and will eventually expand to radio and TV. It targets Pakistanis in border areas where bin Laden and some of his top operatives, including his deputy, Ayman el- Zawahiri, and Taliban leader Mullah Omar may be hiding, reminding Pakistanis they could make up to $25 million for tips leading to an arrest or conviction.

JOHN ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL: Following the September 11 attacks...

KOPPEL: Since the so-called Rewards For Justice program launched its post-9/11 most wanted list, it's had limited success. One of the biggest al Qaeda arrests occurred in March, 2003, when Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, a bin Laden deputy and one of the masterminds of 9/11, was captured alive in Pakistan. While in July 2003, the U.S. paid a $30 million reward to an Iraqi informant after Saddam Hussein's two sons died in a shootout with American forces.

The State Department defended its record.

ADAM ERELI, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: How should I put it? The trend line is clearly, is clearly in our favor, if you consider the fact that most of the al Qaeda leaders are either dead or in jail.

KOPPEL: But critics say the State Department's expectation that tribal based societies like Pakistan and Afghanistan will turn over bin Laden or other top al Qaeda operatives if, in fact, they are there, is misguided.

WALTER PATRICK LANGUAGE, U.S. ARMY (RET.): You know, the idea of calling the equivalent of an 800 number or something in order to turn somebody in is about as alien to that kind of tribal society as I could imagine.

KOPPEL (on camera): The philosophy behind the latest media blitz, to make sure Pakistanis know how to contact U.S. authorities to collect their reward. As for doubling the $25 million bounty on bin Laden, the State Department says that's a decision for Secretary of State Designate Condoleezza Rice.

Andrea Koppel, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

A lightning rod for the Bush administration, Attorney General John Ashcroft, tells his troops the Justice Department under his reign has done a good job. That's what he told hundreds of Justice Department workers in his farewell address. He also spoke with CNN.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ASHCROFT: I'm a great believer in the truth and I believe over time it's pretty clear that the record of the Department of Justice has been good. And I'd rather have a good record which will, over time, be recognized as bringing us the lowest violent crime rate in modern history, the lowest gun crime rate in the history of the United States when compared to violent crime generally, a reduction in drug trafficking, not to mention the fact that we have been able to avoid additional terrorist attacks.

Those things are the important things.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Ashcroft's successor, Alberto Gonzales, is expected to be confirmed by the Senate next week.

In other news across America this morning, Dallas police are looking for the body of a kidnapped restaurant owner. A suspect in the case told police that Oscar Sanchez was killed shortly after the kidnapping. That suspect was arrest in Chicago and is expected to be brought back to Texas to face charges. A second suspect may have fled to Mexico.

High winds forced a hot air balloon to make an emergency landing on the median of a busy Alabama highway. No one was hurt, but the dropping balloon did cause a bit of a traffic problem.

In Washington State, they're considering a vanity tax to pay for low income health care. The proposed tax on cosmetic procedures such as botox injections and hair transplants, could raise up to $20 million. A similar plan is already on the books in New Jersey and is under consideration in California.

Much more to come on DAYBREAK this hour.

Leaving U.S. custody -- the last of the British citizens at Guantanamo Bay are homeward bound. We'll take you live to London.

But first, double bag it? Not likely. Some shoppers might be getting an unpleasant surprise at the checkout line.

Also, a tribute to the master from the man who now sits in his chair.

Now a look at what else is making news this Tuesday morning, January 25.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It's 5:11 Eastern.

Here's what's all new this morning.

An ACLU attorney says the U.S. military did not aggressively investigate allegations of abuse against Iraqi detainees. The organization released new documents that highlight reports of intentional burns and beatings.

The largest organization for older Americans says they'll oppose any changes to Social Security. An AARP survey shows that about 40 percent of people withdrew their support from President Bush's plan after learning of the consequences and costs.

In money news, former Healthsouth CEO Richard Scrushy is headed to court today to answer federal charges, including fraud and conspiracy. Scrushy is accused of accounting fraud to the tune of more than $2.6 billion.

In culture, the Oscar nominations will be announced in just a few hours. Aren't you excited? "The Aviator" and Leonardo DiCaprio are favorites to get important nods for this year's Academy Awards.

In sports, Ron Artest returned to the court with the Indiana Pacers for the first time since November. But it was only for practice. Artest hasn't worked out with the team since he was suspended for the season following that brawl in Detroit -- Chad.

MYERS: Oh, yes, I remember that well.

Hey, good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Hey, Chad?

MYERS: Yes, ma'am?

COSTELLO: What do you think about a tax on grocery bags?

MYERS: A tax?

COSTELLO: On grocery bags.

MYERS: Like somebody's attacking them? No, T-A-X. I know. Sure, if maybe it helps recycling or something.

COSTELLO: You are a good little environmentalist, aren't you?

MYERS: Yes, yes, you know my house.

COSTELLO: Yes. Well, we asked this question, paper or plastic? That may become a more expensive question for shoppers in San Francisco. The city is expected to consider a plan today that would make stores charge for the bags, $0.17 per bag, Chad.

MYERS: Ooh. Ooh. Now, wait. Now, I was thinking $0.02 or $0.03.

COSTELLO: On, no, $0.17.

MYERS: Wow. COSTELLO: They want to make it hurt.

MYERS: I don't want to buy the bag, I'll just pay the tax on the bag.

COSTELLO: Well, they want you to use your own bag. They don't want you to actually buy the bags, they want you to get away from using the bags and bring one from home.

MYERS: I see.

COSTELLO: Yes.

Well, here's more from Rita Wilson of CNN affiliate KTVU in San Francisco.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

RITA WILSON, KTVU CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): San Francisco, full of spectator sights, the pyramid, cable cars that go halfway to the stars, soon also may be known as the first American city to charge a fee for grocery bags.

JERALD BLUMENFELD, ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT: What we're trying to do here in San Francisco is to say, you know, do we need to be using 50 million paper and plastic bags every year? What happens to those? It's very hard to recycle them. A lot of them end up on the streets. We have increasing litter problems.

WILSON: It won't be a question of whether it's paper or plastic. The proposed fee to discourage usage at large grocery stores will be the same for either, $0.17 a bag.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm against it. I think it's silly.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Like $0.17, it's like a little too much money.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's outrageous. It really is. They should be free.

WILSON: But those who favor the fee say overuse of the bags carries its own costs for litter pickup, recycling and higher grocery prices.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's a good idea because it just makes people more conscious about the environment.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not a bad idea as long as you're allowed to bring your own plastic and/or paper bags back and they can get used all over again.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I'd bring my own bag, then, huh? Then I'd save some.

WILSON: And that's just what city officials hope happens, that people bring their own reusable bags. They say that's what happened in Ireland, where a $0.15 fee for plastic bags cut usage by 90 percent.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This bag cost me a dollar and it will last my whole life.

WILSON: But the California Grocers Association says the fee really is a regressive tax and that smaller markets, department stores and restaurants that use the bags are not included, at least not yet.

PAUL SMITH, RETAIL GROCERS ASSOCIATION: This is a dramatic increase, a dramatic increase for our customers to pay, going from, you know, a fraction of a penny or a penny to $0.17 per bag.

WILSON: And he says all those people who already reuse grocery bags as pooper scoopers, trash can liners and diaper wrappers will just buy boxes of cheaper bags and that won't reduce usage.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: That's right, because when you go to the pet store, pooper scoopers are expensive. So those plastic bags come in handy, Chad.

MYERS: Sure. Sure. I was thinking what if you get your $0.17 back if you bring it back after you're done.

COSTELLO: No.

MYERS: Kind of like a deposit.

COSTELLO: They want to keep the money.

MYERS: Oh, they just want the money?

COSTELLO: They want to keep the money.

MYERS: Yes, yes, I think there's something more than just maybe that.

COSTELLO: Well, why not tax Chinese restaurants, too, because they use plastic bags? See, there's a lot of questions that come into this. So our E-Mail Question of the Morning is this -- is this a good idea? Paying for grocery bags -- environmental push or unfair tax? That's the question. Paying for grocery bags -- environmental push or unfair tax? Let us know what you think -- daybreak@cnn.com. That's daybreak@cnn.com.

MYERS: When you have to put a nickel in the machine to get paper out of the bathroom, that's when I draw the line.

COSTELLO: That time might be coming too, baby.

We all know too many text messages can be bad for your wallet. But now doctors say they can be bad for your health, too. We'll explain at 22 minutes past. And Johnny Carson, the standup comic's comic, Jay Leno wasn't cracking jokes last night. Instead, he paid tribute to his predecessor.

This is DAYBREAK for Tuesday, the 25th of January.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Time for our DAYBREAK Eye-Openers.

The Grammy winning record "We Are the World" is being re- released, this time in a two disc DVD set. Proceeds from the original raised more than $60 million to fight hunger in Africa. This time the money will go to help victims of South Asia's tsunamis and to help fight AIDS.

Amazing what scientists can read in fossils. Now, scientists say fossils 40 million years old suggest the closest living relative to the whale is, drum roll please, the hippopotamus. Genetic studies have suggested the two are close. Now there is a fossil evidence of a link.

And some Italian doctors think all that text messaging you or your teen are doing could become a health problem. A couple of Italian newspapers say that doctors believe all that digit doodling can lead to acute tendinitis. It's sort of like tennis elbow for the hand. So, watch for that.

It may have just possibly been one of the most difficult shows Jay Leno has ever done.

Did you catch some of it, Chad?

MYERS: No, but I know we're going to have some of the best parts right here. Yes.

COSTELLO: We are. Leno, he didn't do a monologue, you know, as usual.

MYERS: Right.

COSTELLO: But he still had plenty to say. He paid tribute to the man who defined late night television, of course, his predecessor, Johnny Carson.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO," COURTESY NBC)

JAY LENO, HOST: You know, I was thinking about what I could say about Johnny Carson and I kept trying to search for something new that hadn't been said before. And after a couple of hours I realized that was impossible. And maybe that was the greatest thing about Johnny. Imagine getting to the end of your life and there's no compliment you haven't been paid.

Johnny had that special quality of grace, charm and dignity in the public arena. He was an incredibly polite man and when you were invited into his house, this show, you knew you were an honored guest.

Before he became host of "The Tonight Show," he was host of a show called "Who Do You Trust?," which was the perfect title for a show starring Johnny Carson because the truth is we trusted Johnny. We trusted him to make us laugh, entertain us, to speak for us with what was truly an American voice.

What made Johnny such a unique talent was for 30 years he was hip, but he was smart enough not to be so hip that next year he was out of style.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Leno ended saying, Even after 13 years of hosting the "Tonight Show," he still feels like a guest in Carson's house.

Oh, that brings back so many memories just to see that curtain, doesn't it?

MYERS: Remember when he couldn't get out? He, you know, he was like, he was fiddling through it to try to find the gap in the curtains and all that?

COSTELLO: Yes.

MYERS: And Carnac, obviously, I mean that was -- it might have been the funniest bit of all television time right there.

COSTELLO: You know, I just liked how he related to people. He treated like even the biggest stars like common Joes.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: And it just made you feel comfortable watching him. And I think that's the greatest talent of all for anybody who's on television is to make your audience feel comfortable with you.

MYERS: I never had the pleasure of meeting him. But just, you can feel what he was like as a man on and off the air, and mainly off the air, which is more important to me, by what everybody is really saying about him. You know, there aren't just these shallow comments coming out. They are deep, well thought out, heartfelt things because the man was so nice to just everyone.

COSTELLO: And he was so generous to others' talent. I mean he groomed a lot of talent to be big time stars.

MYERS: Yes, oh yes.

COSTELLO: Not everybody on TV is like that. They don't like the competition. He was not like that.

MYERS: Yes. And he's from Nebraska.

COSTELLO: Exactly. He is. A good, hard working Midwesterner.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: And, of course, we both like that.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: Here's what's all new in the next half hour of DAYBREAK.

The Iraqi election five days away, but is anyone going to show up at the polls? We'll find out how voter registration is going.

And homeward bound -- four men leave the detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, but they're not in the clear. We'll explain.

And a reminder, our E-mail Question of the Day, paying for grocery bags -- environmental push or unfair tax? Let us know what you think this morning, daybreak@cnn.com. That's daybreak@cnn.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Good morning to you.

Welcome to the second half hour of DAYBREAK.

From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

Now in the news, in Baghdad, Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi now holding a news conference. This is a live picture from Baghdad. We're expecting an update on preparations for Sunday's elections and security surrounding the balloting.

Congressional sources say President Bush is expected to ask for another $80 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. If the figure pans out, it will push the total provided for those wars to more than $280 billion. The official request could come as early as today.

The Bush administration may also double its tsunami relief contribution, bringing it to $650 million. Congressional sources say the additional money could be tacked onto a funding bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And federal agents forced a single engine plane to land in San Antonio, Texas overnight. Local media say authorities are questioning a group of suspected illegal immigrants in connection with a smuggling operation. It reportedly involves Chinese nationals.

To the forecast center and Chad.

MYERS: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Four men are heading home to the U.K. for the first time in more than three years this morning. They were being held as terrorism suspects in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. And now that they've been released, there are no longer any British detainees at the base.

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 January 25, 2005 - 05:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, overnight a plane is forced down in Texas. This morning, questions about a suspected international smuggling operation.
Plus, in Iraq the choice is between bullets, bombs or ballots. But what about Iraqis voting outside their homeland? A live report from London for you at the half hour.

Plus...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's a good idea because it just makes people more conscious about the environment.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: San Francisco may be on the verge of bagging what some people see as an environmental problem. A tax on grocery bags?

It is Tuesday, January 25th.

You are watching DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you.

From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

Now in the news, the cost of war is going up. Sources tell CNN President Bush will ask Congress for another $80 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. More details on that in two minutes.

Just six hours ago in San Antonio, Texas, federal agents forced down a plane with at least four illegal immigrants on board. They're all being questioned in connection with a smuggling ring operating -- a smuggling ring. And it involves Chinese.

After months of negotiations, four British men held at the U.S. military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba are due home this week, possibly today. British Muslim leaders want Britain to provide medical treatment to the four.

To the forecast center and Chad, who is back from New Jersey.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I can feel my toes, Carol.

COSTELLO: I can't even imagine how cold it was out there.

MYERS: It was so cold out there, I'll tell you. There are only jokes you could make about that. And for folks that actually had to work outside, either at the airports or scooping or shoveling -- we were talking to some bus drivers. It was so bad there that they couldn't even pull their bus over. They had to wait in the middle of the road for people to get on the buses because there was so much snow on the sides. And then they were backing everybody up. They felt bad, but what can you do? You've got to pick people up. So, oh, and I know...

COSTELLO: Still a problem today.

MYERS: ... they're still going through that today. And obviously it didn't melt overnight.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: We start this morning with matters of money. Military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are getting more expensive. Congressional sources say the White House will ask for another $80 billion for operations in both countries. Congressional aids say most of the money, about 75 percent of it, would go to the Army for operations in Iraq. Some of the money can go to build a new embassy in Baghdad, and that could cost as much as $1.5 billion alone. Some of the funding also could go to help Afghanistan fight drug trafficking there.

On another funding matter, congressional sources say President Bush plans to almost double the aid package for tsunami relief. Those sources say the relief contribution would be about $650 million. That's up from the $350 million already pledged for South Asia. Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush are considering a trip to the region, but ex-President Bush says they won't go if it looks like their visit will overshadow relief efforts. The two are leading a private fundraising effort.

And in the Senate, legislation has been introduced to upgrade the tsunami warning system for North America. The measure calls for up to $35 million in upgrades. The White House already has plans to quadruple the size of the system in the Pacific. Those plans also would establish similar systems for the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf Coasts.

Turning now to America's most wanted fugitive, Osama bin Laden. The U.S. currently has a $25 million price tag on his head. But the State Department is thinking about doubling that.

CNN's Andrea Koppel has this "Security Watch" report.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The State Department is considering the $25 million increase in order to heat up a trail for bin Laden that's gone cold. In addition, the State Department says a new ad began appearing this month in one of Pakistan's most widely read newspapers and will eventually expand to radio and TV. It targets Pakistanis in border areas where bin Laden and some of his top operatives, including his deputy, Ayman el- Zawahiri, and Taliban leader Mullah Omar may be hiding, reminding Pakistanis they could make up to $25 million for tips leading to an arrest or conviction.

JOHN ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL: Following the September 11 attacks...

KOPPEL: Since the so-called Rewards For Justice program launched its post-9/11 most wanted list, it's had limited success. One of the biggest al Qaeda arrests occurred in March, 2003, when Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, a bin Laden deputy and one of the masterminds of 9/11, was captured alive in Pakistan. While in July 2003, the U.S. paid a $30 million reward to an Iraqi informant after Saddam Hussein's two sons died in a shootout with American forces.

The State Department defended its record.

ADAM ERELI, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: How should I put it? The trend line is clearly, is clearly in our favor, if you consider the fact that most of the al Qaeda leaders are either dead or in jail.

KOPPEL: But critics say the State Department's expectation that tribal based societies like Pakistan and Afghanistan will turn over bin Laden or other top al Qaeda operatives if, in fact, they are there, is misguided.

WALTER PATRICK LANGUAGE, U.S. ARMY (RET.): You know, the idea of calling the equivalent of an 800 number or something in order to turn somebody in is about as alien to that kind of tribal society as I could imagine.

KOPPEL (on camera): The philosophy behind the latest media blitz, to make sure Pakistanis know how to contact U.S. authorities to collect their reward. As for doubling the $25 million bounty on bin Laden, the State Department says that's a decision for Secretary of State Designate Condoleezza Rice.

Andrea Koppel, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

A lightning rod for the Bush administration, Attorney General John Ashcroft, tells his troops the Justice Department under his reign has done a good job. That's what he told hundreds of Justice Department workers in his farewell address. He also spoke with CNN.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ASHCROFT: I'm a great believer in the truth and I believe over time it's pretty clear that the record of the Department of Justice has been good. And I'd rather have a good record which will, over time, be recognized as bringing us the lowest violent crime rate in modern history, the lowest gun crime rate in the history of the United States when compared to violent crime generally, a reduction in drug trafficking, not to mention the fact that we have been able to avoid additional terrorist attacks.

Those things are the important things.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Ashcroft's successor, Alberto Gonzales, is expected to be confirmed by the Senate next week.

In other news across America this morning, Dallas police are looking for the body of a kidnapped restaurant owner. A suspect in the case told police that Oscar Sanchez was killed shortly after the kidnapping. That suspect was arrest in Chicago and is expected to be brought back to Texas to face charges. A second suspect may have fled to Mexico.

High winds forced a hot air balloon to make an emergency landing on the median of a busy Alabama highway. No one was hurt, but the dropping balloon did cause a bit of a traffic problem.

In Washington State, they're considering a vanity tax to pay for low income health care. The proposed tax on cosmetic procedures such as botox injections and hair transplants, could raise up to $20 million. A similar plan is already on the books in New Jersey and is under consideration in California.

Much more to come on DAYBREAK this hour.

Leaving U.S. custody -- the last of the British citizens at Guantanamo Bay are homeward bound. We'll take you live to London.

But first, double bag it? Not likely. Some shoppers might be getting an unpleasant surprise at the checkout line.

Also, a tribute to the master from the man who now sits in his chair.

Now a look at what else is making news this Tuesday morning, January 25.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It's 5:11 Eastern.

Here's what's all new this morning.

An ACLU attorney says the U.S. military did not aggressively investigate allegations of abuse against Iraqi detainees. The organization released new documents that highlight reports of intentional burns and beatings.

The largest organization for older Americans says they'll oppose any changes to Social Security. An AARP survey shows that about 40 percent of people withdrew their support from President Bush's plan after learning of the consequences and costs.

In money news, former Healthsouth CEO Richard Scrushy is headed to court today to answer federal charges, including fraud and conspiracy. Scrushy is accused of accounting fraud to the tune of more than $2.6 billion.

In culture, the Oscar nominations will be announced in just a few hours. Aren't you excited? "The Aviator" and Leonardo DiCaprio are favorites to get important nods for this year's Academy Awards.

In sports, Ron Artest returned to the court with the Indiana Pacers for the first time since November. But it was only for practice. Artest hasn't worked out with the team since he was suspended for the season following that brawl in Detroit -- Chad.

MYERS: Oh, yes, I remember that well.

Hey, good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Hey, Chad?

MYERS: Yes, ma'am?

COSTELLO: What do you think about a tax on grocery bags?

MYERS: A tax?

COSTELLO: On grocery bags.

MYERS: Like somebody's attacking them? No, T-A-X. I know. Sure, if maybe it helps recycling or something.

COSTELLO: You are a good little environmentalist, aren't you?

MYERS: Yes, yes, you know my house.

COSTELLO: Yes. Well, we asked this question, paper or plastic? That may become a more expensive question for shoppers in San Francisco. The city is expected to consider a plan today that would make stores charge for the bags, $0.17 per bag, Chad.

MYERS: Ooh. Ooh. Now, wait. Now, I was thinking $0.02 or $0.03.

COSTELLO: On, no, $0.17.

MYERS: Wow. COSTELLO: They want to make it hurt.

MYERS: I don't want to buy the bag, I'll just pay the tax on the bag.

COSTELLO: Well, they want you to use your own bag. They don't want you to actually buy the bags, they want you to get away from using the bags and bring one from home.

MYERS: I see.

COSTELLO: Yes.

Well, here's more from Rita Wilson of CNN affiliate KTVU in San Francisco.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

RITA WILSON, KTVU CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): San Francisco, full of spectator sights, the pyramid, cable cars that go halfway to the stars, soon also may be known as the first American city to charge a fee for grocery bags.

JERALD BLUMENFELD, ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT: What we're trying to do here in San Francisco is to say, you know, do we need to be using 50 million paper and plastic bags every year? What happens to those? It's very hard to recycle them. A lot of them end up on the streets. We have increasing litter problems.

WILSON: It won't be a question of whether it's paper or plastic. The proposed fee to discourage usage at large grocery stores will be the same for either, $0.17 a bag.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm against it. I think it's silly.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Like $0.17, it's like a little too much money.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's outrageous. It really is. They should be free.

WILSON: But those who favor the fee say overuse of the bags carries its own costs for litter pickup, recycling and higher grocery prices.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's a good idea because it just makes people more conscious about the environment.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not a bad idea as long as you're allowed to bring your own plastic and/or paper bags back and they can get used all over again.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I'd bring my own bag, then, huh? Then I'd save some.

WILSON: And that's just what city officials hope happens, that people bring their own reusable bags. They say that's what happened in Ireland, where a $0.15 fee for plastic bags cut usage by 90 percent.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This bag cost me a dollar and it will last my whole life.

WILSON: But the California Grocers Association says the fee really is a regressive tax and that smaller markets, department stores and restaurants that use the bags are not included, at least not yet.

PAUL SMITH, RETAIL GROCERS ASSOCIATION: This is a dramatic increase, a dramatic increase for our customers to pay, going from, you know, a fraction of a penny or a penny to $0.17 per bag.

WILSON: And he says all those people who already reuse grocery bags as pooper scoopers, trash can liners and diaper wrappers will just buy boxes of cheaper bags and that won't reduce usage.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: That's right, because when you go to the pet store, pooper scoopers are expensive. So those plastic bags come in handy, Chad.

MYERS: Sure. Sure. I was thinking what if you get your $0.17 back if you bring it back after you're done.

COSTELLO: No.

MYERS: Kind of like a deposit.

COSTELLO: They want to keep the money.

MYERS: Oh, they just want the money?

COSTELLO: They want to keep the money.

MYERS: Yes, yes, I think there's something more than just maybe that.

COSTELLO: Well, why not tax Chinese restaurants, too, because they use plastic bags? See, there's a lot of questions that come into this. So our E-Mail Question of the Morning is this -- is this a good idea? Paying for grocery bags -- environmental push or unfair tax? That's the question. Paying for grocery bags -- environmental push or unfair tax? Let us know what you think -- daybreak@cnn.com. That's daybreak@cnn.com.

MYERS: When you have to put a nickel in the machine to get paper out of the bathroom, that's when I draw the line.

COSTELLO: That time might be coming too, baby.

We all know too many text messages can be bad for your wallet. But now doctors say they can be bad for your health, too. We'll explain at 22 minutes past. And Johnny Carson, the standup comic's comic, Jay Leno wasn't cracking jokes last night. Instead, he paid tribute to his predecessor.

This is DAYBREAK for Tuesday, the 25th of January.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Time for our DAYBREAK Eye-Openers.

The Grammy winning record "We Are the World" is being re- released, this time in a two disc DVD set. Proceeds from the original raised more than $60 million to fight hunger in Africa. This time the money will go to help victims of South Asia's tsunamis and to help fight AIDS.

Amazing what scientists can read in fossils. Now, scientists say fossils 40 million years old suggest the closest living relative to the whale is, drum roll please, the hippopotamus. Genetic studies have suggested the two are close. Now there is a fossil evidence of a link.

And some Italian doctors think all that text messaging you or your teen are doing could become a health problem. A couple of Italian newspapers say that doctors believe all that digit doodling can lead to acute tendinitis. It's sort of like tennis elbow for the hand. So, watch for that.

It may have just possibly been one of the most difficult shows Jay Leno has ever done.

Did you catch some of it, Chad?

MYERS: No, but I know we're going to have some of the best parts right here. Yes.

COSTELLO: We are. Leno, he didn't do a monologue, you know, as usual.

MYERS: Right.

COSTELLO: But he still had plenty to say. He paid tribute to the man who defined late night television, of course, his predecessor, Johnny Carson.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO," COURTESY NBC)

JAY LENO, HOST: You know, I was thinking about what I could say about Johnny Carson and I kept trying to search for something new that hadn't been said before. And after a couple of hours I realized that was impossible. And maybe that was the greatest thing about Johnny. Imagine getting to the end of your life and there's no compliment you haven't been paid.

Johnny had that special quality of grace, charm and dignity in the public arena. He was an incredibly polite man and when you were invited into his house, this show, you knew you were an honored guest.

Before he became host of "The Tonight Show," he was host of a show called "Who Do You Trust?," which was the perfect title for a show starring Johnny Carson because the truth is we trusted Johnny. We trusted him to make us laugh, entertain us, to speak for us with what was truly an American voice.

What made Johnny such a unique talent was for 30 years he was hip, but he was smart enough not to be so hip that next year he was out of style.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Leno ended saying, Even after 13 years of hosting the "Tonight Show," he still feels like a guest in Carson's house.

Oh, that brings back so many memories just to see that curtain, doesn't it?

MYERS: Remember when he couldn't get out? He, you know, he was like, he was fiddling through it to try to find the gap in the curtains and all that?

COSTELLO: Yes.

MYERS: And Carnac, obviously, I mean that was -- it might have been the funniest bit of all television time right there.

COSTELLO: You know, I just liked how he related to people. He treated like even the biggest stars like common Joes.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: And it just made you feel comfortable watching him. And I think that's the greatest talent of all for anybody who's on television is to make your audience feel comfortable with you.

MYERS: I never had the pleasure of meeting him. But just, you can feel what he was like as a man on and off the air, and mainly off the air, which is more important to me, by what everybody is really saying about him. You know, there aren't just these shallow comments coming out. They are deep, well thought out, heartfelt things because the man was so nice to just everyone.

COSTELLO: And he was so generous to others' talent. I mean he groomed a lot of talent to be big time stars.

MYERS: Yes, oh yes.

COSTELLO: Not everybody on TV is like that. They don't like the competition. He was not like that.

MYERS: Yes. And he's from Nebraska.

COSTELLO: Exactly. He is. A good, hard working Midwesterner.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: And, of course, we both like that.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: Here's what's all new in the next half hour of DAYBREAK.

The Iraqi election five days away, but is anyone going to show up at the polls? We'll find out how voter registration is going.

And homeward bound -- four men leave the detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, but they're not in the clear. We'll explain.

And a reminder, our E-mail Question of the Day, paying for grocery bags -- environmental push or unfair tax? Let us know what you think this morning, daybreak@cnn.com. That's daybreak@cnn.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Good morning to you.

Welcome to the second half hour of DAYBREAK.

From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

Now in the news, in Baghdad, Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi now holding a news conference. This is a live picture from Baghdad. We're expecting an update on preparations for Sunday's elections and security surrounding the balloting.

Congressional sources say President Bush is expected to ask for another $80 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. If the figure pans out, it will push the total provided for those wars to more than $280 billion. The official request could come as early as today.

The Bush administration may also double its tsunami relief contribution, bringing it to $650 million. Congressional sources say the additional money could be tacked onto a funding bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And federal agents forced a single engine plane to land in San Antonio, Texas overnight. Local media say authorities are questioning a group of suspected illegal immigrants in connection with a smuggling operation. It reportedly involves Chinese nationals.

To the forecast center and Chad.

MYERS: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Four men are heading home to the U.K. for the first time in more than three years this morning. They were being held as terrorism suspects in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. And now that they've been released, there are no longer any British detainees at the base.

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