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CNN Live At Daybreak
Latest Violence in Iraq as Country's First Election Nears; Proposal in San Francisco to Tax Grocery Bags
Aired January 25, 2005 - 06:00 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: Confronted on camera and pounded with pepper balls. Did police use too much force on this man? Hear both sides of the story later this hour.
Plus...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's outrageous. It really is. They should be free.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: It's not cheap to get rid of all those plastic grocery bags. But should you pick up the tab?
And Osama bin Laden on the side of the road. Take a look. Is this billboard too much for Texas?
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, a developing story out of Texas this morning. Federal agents have forced a small plane to land at a San Antonio airport. Local news reports say the people on board are suspected of being illegal immigrants, apparently from China.
The cost of war is going up. Congressional sources tell CNN that President Bush will ask Congress for an extra $80 billion. That's for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Condoleezza Rice tops the Senate's agenda today. Senators will debate her nomination as secretary of state. Republicans had hoped to confirm Rice on inauguration day, but Democrats blocked them.
And it's now less than three hours away. Yes, all of you movie lovers, Academy Award winner Adrian Brody will announce the Oscar nominations at 8:30 Eastern this morning. "The Aviator" and "Million Dollar Baby" are favorites to get important nods for this year's Academy Awards. And you can catch the announcement live right here on CNN.
I know you're excited -- Chad.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I'm voting for "Shawshank Redemption" because that's the last one I saw, I think.
Good morning, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: President Bush is expected to ask for another $80 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan. Among the items included in the request would be $1.5 billion for an embassy in Baghdad. A formal request for the money would come after the 2006 budget is released on February 7. The increase would also include more money to fight drug trafficking in Afghanistan.
And there are now just five days until the planned elections in Iraq. But already the countdown has been punctuated by more insurgent attacks today.
Let's head live to Baghdad for the latest.
Our CNN's international correspondent Christiane Amanpour is there -- good morning, Christiane.
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
And it is virtually every morning when these attacks take place. Today, early morning, another attack by insurgents against members of the Iraqi establishment. A key judge was gunned down as he was leaving his house, we're told, early this morning. He was killed and so was his son. Also, we're told, that five American soldiers were killed north of Baghdad in an accident that we don't exactly know the details of, but the U.S. military says it's investigating.
Now, as these attacks continue, and we've been talking about how commanders here have expected more attacks as the countdown to the election proceeds, there's also some political developments going on. Some U.S. commanders are telling us that Sunni leaders who, as you know, have threatened to boycott the elections, are suddenly beginning to realize that they actually want to belong to the political process and certainly want to have a role in drafting the all important constitution. Some of them are talking about perhaps trying to figure out ways of getting into the political process.
On the other hand, other Sunnis, for instance, 25 policemen, we're told today, did hand in their resignations in a town north of Baghdad, saying that they were complying with their clerical leaders' call to boycott the elections.
So still quite a lot of uncertainty about how the Sunni population will turn out. We believe that the Shiites and the Kurds will turn out in force if they're not too afraid to do so on election day -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Christiane Amanpour live in Baghdad this morning.
Thank you.
The ACLU is accusing the U.S. Army of failing to seriously investigate prisoner abuse charges in Iraq. The civil rights group says the widespread torture allegations include electric shocks, forced sodomy and severe physical beatings. And the group says the torture incidents extend well beyond the walls of Abu Ghraib. The American Civil Liberties Union obtained the Army abuse documents under a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.
Four British citizens are heading home from the United States prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The men had also been held as so- called enemy combatants for about three years without charges or access to attorneys. Some of them say they were tortured there. The men are expected to be questioned under British anti-terror laws upon their arrival in Britain. The U.S. is holding more than 550 people at GITMO.
And the man criticized for the U.S. policy of holding detainees at GITMO without charges, among others things, has said his goodbyes. It was standing room only as Attorney General John Ashcroft filled -- bid an emotional farewell to the Justice Department he's led for four years.
The chief had high praises for his staff.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL: The fact that you would share your life, that noble breath, with this institution to achieve things that are so important to liberty and freedom is, in itself, an inspiration to me. I will never forget my opportunity to serve alongside you and I will always give thanks to you and to the creator for according me this chance to work with nobility.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Ashcroft will leave as soon as President Bush's choice to replace him, Alberto Gonzales, is confirmed by the Senate.
OK, we've been talking about this topic all morning long. We're asking you paper or plastic? Well, choose either one. It could cost you in San Francisco. Later today, San Francisco's Commission on the Environment will ask the city to approve a proposal to charge you, the grocery shopper, for grocery bags. It would cost you $0.17 per bag. An environmental proposal gone mad or does it actually make sense?
Let's head live to Northfield, Ohio and Allan Gerlat, who is editor of "Waste News," a trade publication on waste in America.
Good morning.
ALLAN GERLAT, EDITOR, "WASTE NEWS": Good morning.
COSTELLO: So, this is a move to get people to lessen their use of plastic or paper bags.
Is it a good idea?
GERLAT: It's an interesting idea and certainly it's a controversial idea. I think it comes down to the basic idea of do most people believe recycling is a good thing, but to what extent is it a good thing? Is it worth basically penalizing people for not recycling? And I think that's the issue that's being faced here and what is a pretty controversial issue on this.
COSTELLO: Well, Allan, they want to charge shoppers $0.17 per bag, which seems excessive to many of our viewers this morning.
GERLAT: Well, it's a lot more than what grocery stores pay. They pay probably a penny a bag, roughly. But there's a lot of costs with infrastructure, recycling collection and the proponents of this law have argued that when you crunch the numbers, it says that this is the amount of money that they need to pay for all the costs that are involved with recycling and handling these plastic bags, so.
COSTELLO: Got you.
San Francisco seems to be singling out grocery stores. It doesn't seem fair to many viewers. I mean why not tax Chinese restaurants for using plastic bags?
GERLAT: Well, that's certainly true, and there's -- any time you've got a tax that affects more than just a certain group, it doesn't seem fair. I think people are looking at this because the grocery stores are very visible. Everybody shops at grocery stores, obviously, and buys plastic bags. So it's something that everybody can relate to. And I think it's sort of a test case for expanding this further. I mean certainly Home Depot and Wal-Mart have plastic bags, as well, and this could be expanded to that, as well, if it's successful.
COSTELLO: Well, I was just going to ask you that, Allan, because a lot of people would say oh, you know, this is just another whacky idea coming out of California. But is it an idea whose time has come?
GERLAT: Well, it will be interesting to see. Certainly California, environmentally, has been way above the rest of the country in terms of some of the laws that they have proposed and are enacting. It's going to be interesting to see whether it passes in San Francisco and then how it goes. I think certainly even if it's successful in San Francisco, that it doesn't mean that it's applicable to the rest of the country because there are -- this is just -- California is such a more environmentally aggressive state.
COSTELLO: That's a good way to put it, environmentally aggressive.
Allan Gerlat, editor of "Waste News," joining DAYBREAK this morning.
Thank you. Still to come on DAYBREAK, Google's new gig. See if the company's latest business venture could change the way you watch television. That's at 16 minutes past the hour.
And tracking down terror -- where are we most vulnerable? A new documentary looks at al Qaeda's new front. I'll talk to the producer at 20 minutes past.
And two down, one to go -- a radio station's controversial efforts to get your attention. It may be working, but is this appropriate?
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Tuesday morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.
It's 6:13 Eastern.
Here's what's all new this morning.
The cost of war -- congressional sources say it's going up. They tell CNN the White House will ask Congress for an extra $80 billion to pay for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A trip to tsunami ravaged South Asia -- that's what former Presidents Clinton and Bush are now considering. But Bush says they won't go if it looks like their visit would overshadow relief efforts. The two are leading a private fundraising drive.
In money news, former Healthsouth CEO Richard Scrushy is headed to court today to answer charges, including fraud and conspiracy. He's accused of accounting fraud to the tune of more than $2.6 billion.
In culture, America's next idol may be a Barbie. Toy maker Mattel is introducing a new set of Barbie dolls based on the premise that they're auditioning for the popular reality show. Oh, lordy. Their show stars Barbie and her two friends, Simone and Tori, whoever they are.
In sports, Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat put up a good fight against the Philadelphia 76ers, but it wasn't enough. The 6ers rallied around Allen Iverson and his 45 points to win the game 106-98. The win keeps Philly in first place in their division.
To Chad now.
MYERS: Well, they got all the snow scooped off of the parking lots there in Philadelphia for that game, as well, Carol. We were out there for a couple of days watching them scoop all that snow.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Do you know who Barbie's friends Simone and Tori are?
MYERS: Yes, one is named Tori and one is named Simone, yes.
COSTELLO: You know what they look like?
MYERS: No.
COSTELLO: I was just testing you. Of course, you had a boy, so maybe you won't have to bother with that, I don't know.
MYERS: No. He gets a G.I. Joe.
COSTELLO: Exactly.
Time now for a little "Business Buzz."
Google is planning to bring TV to your computer.
David Haffenreffer joins us live from the Nasdaq market site with more.
Hey, you have a little girl, don't you?
DAVID HAFFENREFFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A little girl and a little boy. Simone and Tori might yet make an appearance at the house.
COSTELLO: So you know who Simone and Tori are?
HAFFENREFFER: Not yet. Is that the safest answer?
COSTELLO: That is a safe answer.
Back to Google now.
HAFFENREFFER: Back to Google.
You know, Carol, you're going to have to really watch what you say from now on because Google is expanding beyond their regular Web search engine efforts now into an arena that includes the searchability of things that people say on television. This is part of an effort by the company to expand its reach beyond the Internet. And now they're planning to introduce a brand new video search service.
This feature will pinpoint content previously aired on a variety of TV networks, including now up to this point with ABC, PBS, Fox News and C-SPAN. It's all part of an effort by this Internet company, efforts we've seen by other Internet companies, as well, to expand, as we said, beyond the Internet. And certainly keep an eye on shares of Google today based on that news. This opens up some more opportunities for the company -- Carol.
COSTELLO: A quick look at the futures?
HAFFENREFFER: Looking good as of this point. You know, we've got the stock market at new lows for the year after its fourth down day in a row yesterday and as of now, at this point in the morning, we are seeing, as we get closer and closer to the opening bell today, some strength in the marketplace.
COSTELLO: Well, that is good news.
David Haffenreffer live from the NASDAQ market site.
Thank you.
HAFFENREFFER: You bet.
COSTELLO: Who's going to court? Well, let's check our DAYBREAK "Legal Briefs," shall we?
The Supreme Court will not get involved in the legal battle over a severely brain damaged woman in Florida. Without comment, the court has rejected an appeal from Governor Jeb Bush. The battle is over whether Terry Schiavo should be allowed to die. Her parents, along with Governor Bush, want to keep her alive. But her husband wants to have her feeding tube removed. The legal fight is expected to continue.
Remember when federal agents stormed a Miami, Florida home and took Elian Gonzalez? Thirteen area residents sure do and they're going to court over it. A civil trial has opened. Each plaintiff is seeking up to a quarter million dollars in damages from the Feds. They claim agents used too much force during the April, 2000 raid. The government denies that.
Jury selection starts this morning in a grizzly multiple murder case. Marcus Wesson is accused in the shooting deaths of nine of his children in a Fresno, California home. He's also accused of sexually abusing his daughters and nieces. Authorities have speculated that Wesson may have ordered one of his daughters to actually commit the murders and then kill herself.
The war on terror is one with many fronts. But where is al Qaeda's newest battleground? I'll speak to the producer behind a new documentary that traces terror's roots to Europe.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: The thought provoking and rather disturbing documentary on PBS' "Frontline" tonight. It's all about al Qaeda and its ability to adapt, to survive despite the government's attempts to wipe it out. And there is a new breeding ground.
Let's head live to Toronto and producer Neil Docherty.
Good morning, Neil.
NEIL DOCHERTY: Good morning.
COSTELLO: You find even after 9/11, we know little about al Qaeda, and that it's more than a terrorist group. What do you mean by that?
DOCHERTY: Well, I think what counter-terrorism experts are saying both this side of the Atlantic and also in Europe is that al Qaeda has really metastasized, mutated. We've obviously done some damage to the leadership, but the estimates are now, one FBI official told us there are now tens of thousands more jihadis than there were after 9/11.
So I think it's transformed. And they believe it's transformed into a social movement of sorts, with very loose connections. And actually everyone is extremely puzzled as to how they make, how they actually coordinate their events.
COSTELLO: I was just going to ask you about that, because there's no one figurehead giving orders.
Is it that there are a bunch of different groups all doing their own thing?
DOCHERTY: I think so. I mean, and the reason I sound hesitant is because every law enforcement official we've talked to seemed very hesitant. It's a bit alarming that they also don't seem to know how it's organized.
We think the answer is that it really has become this social movement. So you can have a group of 10 or 12 guys in Turin who decide they want to go on jihad and they are inspired by bin Laden and his like and start trying to take up the cause.
COSTELLO: As for how the U.S. is fighting al Qaeda, I'd like our viewers to listen to an excerpt from your documentary.
So here it is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "AL QAEDA'S NEW FRONT," COURTESY PBS FRONTLINE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Many Europeans, already wary of the Iraq war, were worried the United States, by pursuing a mainly military campaign against al Qaeda, had underestimated the evolving nature of the threat.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're tracking al Qaeda around the world and nearly two thirds of their known leaders have now been captured or killed.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are astonished when we see the -- when we hear, when we read what the present American administration describes as al Qaeda. They describe this as some kind of an Irish Republican Army, except that instead of being Catholics, they are Muslims.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: I mean really? As it applies to what, how we're fighting the war in Iraq? I mean what does he mean by saying that? DOCHERTY: What he means by saying that is the president and the administration have made a case that they have killed two thirds of the leaders. And what the Europeans and others are saying is that new jihadis are joining this campaign every day. And counting numbers like that really isn't very useful, because it's not, as far as they can tell, a top down organization anymore. It's a horizontal structure. And one, that fellow, actually, Xavier Rutherford (ph), trains counterintelligence experts in France. Their view is that this thing has just spread. And it's like how many mosquitoes are you going to kill around the swamp. The issue is how many of them are breeding.
COSTELLO: Yes, but you make it sound so impossible. So if you don't kill off the leadership, what do you do and how do you control it?
DOCHERTY: I don't think -- no one we talked to is saying you shouldn't do that. I think what they're saying is that it has to be a much more multi-faceted campaign. And actually ultimately what it's about in Europe is the war for the Muslim mind in Europe. The vast majority of Muslims in Europe are peace loving people who want to live in peace and with democracy.
But within their ranks, and there are now perhaps as many as 18 million Muslims in Europe, within their ranks there is a tiny minority, perhaps 1 percent, who are terrorists, jihadists, or certainly potential jihadists. And they're growing. And I think that's the message that we came away from that, that they're growing and they're extremely exorcised and they're very active in Europe. I mean cells are broken up there every month.
COSTELLO: Yes, and we do, we report about them every day, so we certainly know that is, indeed, true.
Neil Docherty, a producer of "Frontline's" "Al Qaeda's New Front."
It airs tonight at 9:00 p.m., but you should check your local listing.
Thank you, Neil, for joining DAYBREAK this morning.
DOCHERTY: Thank you, Carol.
COSTELLO: Al Qaeda has changed the way Americans think and feel and advertise.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not a fear thing, it's a safety thing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Just a sign of the times or an offensive way to use the image of America's most wanted terrorist?
And police shower pellets on a criminal suspect. Did they -- oh. Did they go too far? Stick around to see the rest of this tape.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Good morning to you.
Welcome to the last half hour of DAYBREAK.
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. Congressional sources tell CNN that President Bush will ask Congress for an extra $80 billion. That's for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
President Bush welcomes some leaders of the African-American community to the White House. He speaks to about 20 black pastors today and will meet tomorrow with the new chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Many black leaders opposed his reelection.
Police in Sydney, Australia are investigating a possible bugging attempt at the home of actress Nicole Kidman. A listening device was found across the road from her home there.
And the pro-basketball players and fans involved in that big brawl last November are due in court today. Five Indiana Pacers' players and five Detroit Pistons fans have been ordered to attend a pretrial conference.
To the forecast center and Chad -- good morning.
MYERS: Good morning, Carol.
And the NHL and the players are still talking, but still no hockey season.
COSTELLO: I don't think there will be hockey the rest of the season, Chad.
MYERS: Do you know if there's not a Stanley Cup awarded this year, that'll be the first time since the 1919 season, when it was canceled because of influenza? Yes. That's a kind of interesting stat.
COSTELLO: Well, thank you for that trivial pursuit question this morning.
MYERS: Well, you know, it's just the useless stuff I can give you, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.
MYERS: You're welcome.
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 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Confronted on camera and pounded with pepper balls. Did police use too much force on this man? Hear both sides of the story later this hour.
Plus...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's outrageous. It really is. They should be free.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: It's not cheap to get rid of all those plastic grocery bags. But should you pick up the tab?
And Osama bin Laden on the side of the road. Take a look. Is this billboard too much for Texas?
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, a developing story out of Texas this morning. Federal agents have forced a small plane to land at a San Antonio airport. Local news reports say the people on board are suspected of being illegal immigrants, apparently from China.
The cost of war is going up. Congressional sources tell CNN that President Bush will ask Congress for an extra $80 billion. That's for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Condoleezza Rice tops the Senate's agenda today. Senators will debate her nomination as secretary of state. Republicans had hoped to confirm Rice on inauguration day, but Democrats blocked them.
And it's now less than three hours away. Yes, all of you movie lovers, Academy Award winner Adrian Brody will announce the Oscar nominations at 8:30 Eastern this morning. "The Aviator" and "Million Dollar Baby" are favorites to get important nods for this year's Academy Awards. And you can catch the announcement live right here on CNN.
I know you're excited -- Chad.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I'm voting for "Shawshank Redemption" because that's the last one I saw, I think.
Good morning, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: President Bush is expected to ask for another $80 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan. Among the items included in the request would be $1.5 billion for an embassy in Baghdad. A formal request for the money would come after the 2006 budget is released on February 7. The increase would also include more money to fight drug trafficking in Afghanistan.
And there are now just five days until the planned elections in Iraq. But already the countdown has been punctuated by more insurgent attacks today.
Let's head live to Baghdad for the latest.
Our CNN's international correspondent Christiane Amanpour is there -- good morning, Christiane.
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
And it is virtually every morning when these attacks take place. Today, early morning, another attack by insurgents against members of the Iraqi establishment. A key judge was gunned down as he was leaving his house, we're told, early this morning. He was killed and so was his son. Also, we're told, that five American soldiers were killed north of Baghdad in an accident that we don't exactly know the details of, but the U.S. military says it's investigating.
Now, as these attacks continue, and we've been talking about how commanders here have expected more attacks as the countdown to the election proceeds, there's also some political developments going on. Some U.S. commanders are telling us that Sunni leaders who, as you know, have threatened to boycott the elections, are suddenly beginning to realize that they actually want to belong to the political process and certainly want to have a role in drafting the all important constitution. Some of them are talking about perhaps trying to figure out ways of getting into the political process.
On the other hand, other Sunnis, for instance, 25 policemen, we're told today, did hand in their resignations in a town north of Baghdad, saying that they were complying with their clerical leaders' call to boycott the elections.
So still quite a lot of uncertainty about how the Sunni population will turn out. We believe that the Shiites and the Kurds will turn out in force if they're not too afraid to do so on election day -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Christiane Amanpour live in Baghdad this morning.
Thank you.
The ACLU is accusing the U.S. Army of failing to seriously investigate prisoner abuse charges in Iraq. The civil rights group says the widespread torture allegations include electric shocks, forced sodomy and severe physical beatings. And the group says the torture incidents extend well beyond the walls of Abu Ghraib. The American Civil Liberties Union obtained the Army abuse documents under a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.
Four British citizens are heading home from the United States prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The men had also been held as so- called enemy combatants for about three years without charges or access to attorneys. Some of them say they were tortured there. The men are expected to be questioned under British anti-terror laws upon their arrival in Britain. The U.S. is holding more than 550 people at GITMO.
And the man criticized for the U.S. policy of holding detainees at GITMO without charges, among others things, has said his goodbyes. It was standing room only as Attorney General John Ashcroft filled -- bid an emotional farewell to the Justice Department he's led for four years.
The chief had high praises for his staff.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL: The fact that you would share your life, that noble breath, with this institution to achieve things that are so important to liberty and freedom is, in itself, an inspiration to me. I will never forget my opportunity to serve alongside you and I will always give thanks to you and to the creator for according me this chance to work with nobility.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Ashcroft will leave as soon as President Bush's choice to replace him, Alberto Gonzales, is confirmed by the Senate.
OK, we've been talking about this topic all morning long. We're asking you paper or plastic? Well, choose either one. It could cost you in San Francisco. Later today, San Francisco's Commission on the Environment will ask the city to approve a proposal to charge you, the grocery shopper, for grocery bags. It would cost you $0.17 per bag. An environmental proposal gone mad or does it actually make sense?
Let's head live to Northfield, Ohio and Allan Gerlat, who is editor of "Waste News," a trade publication on waste in America.
Good morning.
ALLAN GERLAT, EDITOR, "WASTE NEWS": Good morning.
COSTELLO: So, this is a move to get people to lessen their use of plastic or paper bags.
Is it a good idea?
GERLAT: It's an interesting idea and certainly it's a controversial idea. I think it comes down to the basic idea of do most people believe recycling is a good thing, but to what extent is it a good thing? Is it worth basically penalizing people for not recycling? And I think that's the issue that's being faced here and what is a pretty controversial issue on this.
COSTELLO: Well, Allan, they want to charge shoppers $0.17 per bag, which seems excessive to many of our viewers this morning.
GERLAT: Well, it's a lot more than what grocery stores pay. They pay probably a penny a bag, roughly. But there's a lot of costs with infrastructure, recycling collection and the proponents of this law have argued that when you crunch the numbers, it says that this is the amount of money that they need to pay for all the costs that are involved with recycling and handling these plastic bags, so.
COSTELLO: Got you.
San Francisco seems to be singling out grocery stores. It doesn't seem fair to many viewers. I mean why not tax Chinese restaurants for using plastic bags?
GERLAT: Well, that's certainly true, and there's -- any time you've got a tax that affects more than just a certain group, it doesn't seem fair. I think people are looking at this because the grocery stores are very visible. Everybody shops at grocery stores, obviously, and buys plastic bags. So it's something that everybody can relate to. And I think it's sort of a test case for expanding this further. I mean certainly Home Depot and Wal-Mart have plastic bags, as well, and this could be expanded to that, as well, if it's successful.
COSTELLO: Well, I was just going to ask you that, Allan, because a lot of people would say oh, you know, this is just another whacky idea coming out of California. But is it an idea whose time has come?
GERLAT: Well, it will be interesting to see. Certainly California, environmentally, has been way above the rest of the country in terms of some of the laws that they have proposed and are enacting. It's going to be interesting to see whether it passes in San Francisco and then how it goes. I think certainly even if it's successful in San Francisco, that it doesn't mean that it's applicable to the rest of the country because there are -- this is just -- California is such a more environmentally aggressive state.
COSTELLO: That's a good way to put it, environmentally aggressive.
Allan Gerlat, editor of "Waste News," joining DAYBREAK this morning.
Thank you. Still to come on DAYBREAK, Google's new gig. See if the company's latest business venture could change the way you watch television. That's at 16 minutes past the hour.
And tracking down terror -- where are we most vulnerable? A new documentary looks at al Qaeda's new front. I'll talk to the producer at 20 minutes past.
And two down, one to go -- a radio station's controversial efforts to get your attention. It may be working, but is this appropriate?
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Tuesday morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.
It's 6:13 Eastern.
Here's what's all new this morning.
The cost of war -- congressional sources say it's going up. They tell CNN the White House will ask Congress for an extra $80 billion to pay for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A trip to tsunami ravaged South Asia -- that's what former Presidents Clinton and Bush are now considering. But Bush says they won't go if it looks like their visit would overshadow relief efforts. The two are leading a private fundraising drive.
In money news, former Healthsouth CEO Richard Scrushy is headed to court today to answer charges, including fraud and conspiracy. He's accused of accounting fraud to the tune of more than $2.6 billion.
In culture, America's next idol may be a Barbie. Toy maker Mattel is introducing a new set of Barbie dolls based on the premise that they're auditioning for the popular reality show. Oh, lordy. Their show stars Barbie and her two friends, Simone and Tori, whoever they are.
In sports, Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat put up a good fight against the Philadelphia 76ers, but it wasn't enough. The 6ers rallied around Allen Iverson and his 45 points to win the game 106-98. The win keeps Philly in first place in their division.
To Chad now.
MYERS: Well, they got all the snow scooped off of the parking lots there in Philadelphia for that game, as well, Carol. We were out there for a couple of days watching them scoop all that snow.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Do you know who Barbie's friends Simone and Tori are?
MYERS: Yes, one is named Tori and one is named Simone, yes.
COSTELLO: You know what they look like?
MYERS: No.
COSTELLO: I was just testing you. Of course, you had a boy, so maybe you won't have to bother with that, I don't know.
MYERS: No. He gets a G.I. Joe.
COSTELLO: Exactly.
Time now for a little "Business Buzz."
Google is planning to bring TV to your computer.
David Haffenreffer joins us live from the Nasdaq market site with more.
Hey, you have a little girl, don't you?
DAVID HAFFENREFFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A little girl and a little boy. Simone and Tori might yet make an appearance at the house.
COSTELLO: So you know who Simone and Tori are?
HAFFENREFFER: Not yet. Is that the safest answer?
COSTELLO: That is a safe answer.
Back to Google now.
HAFFENREFFER: Back to Google.
You know, Carol, you're going to have to really watch what you say from now on because Google is expanding beyond their regular Web search engine efforts now into an arena that includes the searchability of things that people say on television. This is part of an effort by the company to expand its reach beyond the Internet. And now they're planning to introduce a brand new video search service.
This feature will pinpoint content previously aired on a variety of TV networks, including now up to this point with ABC, PBS, Fox News and C-SPAN. It's all part of an effort by this Internet company, efforts we've seen by other Internet companies, as well, to expand, as we said, beyond the Internet. And certainly keep an eye on shares of Google today based on that news. This opens up some more opportunities for the company -- Carol.
COSTELLO: A quick look at the futures?
HAFFENREFFER: Looking good as of this point. You know, we've got the stock market at new lows for the year after its fourth down day in a row yesterday and as of now, at this point in the morning, we are seeing, as we get closer and closer to the opening bell today, some strength in the marketplace.
COSTELLO: Well, that is good news.
David Haffenreffer live from the NASDAQ market site.
Thank you.
HAFFENREFFER: You bet.
COSTELLO: Who's going to court? Well, let's check our DAYBREAK "Legal Briefs," shall we?
The Supreme Court will not get involved in the legal battle over a severely brain damaged woman in Florida. Without comment, the court has rejected an appeal from Governor Jeb Bush. The battle is over whether Terry Schiavo should be allowed to die. Her parents, along with Governor Bush, want to keep her alive. But her husband wants to have her feeding tube removed. The legal fight is expected to continue.
Remember when federal agents stormed a Miami, Florida home and took Elian Gonzalez? Thirteen area residents sure do and they're going to court over it. A civil trial has opened. Each plaintiff is seeking up to a quarter million dollars in damages from the Feds. They claim agents used too much force during the April, 2000 raid. The government denies that.
Jury selection starts this morning in a grizzly multiple murder case. Marcus Wesson is accused in the shooting deaths of nine of his children in a Fresno, California home. He's also accused of sexually abusing his daughters and nieces. Authorities have speculated that Wesson may have ordered one of his daughters to actually commit the murders and then kill herself.
The war on terror is one with many fronts. But where is al Qaeda's newest battleground? I'll speak to the producer behind a new documentary that traces terror's roots to Europe.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: The thought provoking and rather disturbing documentary on PBS' "Frontline" tonight. It's all about al Qaeda and its ability to adapt, to survive despite the government's attempts to wipe it out. And there is a new breeding ground.
Let's head live to Toronto and producer Neil Docherty.
Good morning, Neil.
NEIL DOCHERTY: Good morning.
COSTELLO: You find even after 9/11, we know little about al Qaeda, and that it's more than a terrorist group. What do you mean by that?
DOCHERTY: Well, I think what counter-terrorism experts are saying both this side of the Atlantic and also in Europe is that al Qaeda has really metastasized, mutated. We've obviously done some damage to the leadership, but the estimates are now, one FBI official told us there are now tens of thousands more jihadis than there were after 9/11.
So I think it's transformed. And they believe it's transformed into a social movement of sorts, with very loose connections. And actually everyone is extremely puzzled as to how they make, how they actually coordinate their events.
COSTELLO: I was just going to ask you about that, because there's no one figurehead giving orders.
Is it that there are a bunch of different groups all doing their own thing?
DOCHERTY: I think so. I mean, and the reason I sound hesitant is because every law enforcement official we've talked to seemed very hesitant. It's a bit alarming that they also don't seem to know how it's organized.
We think the answer is that it really has become this social movement. So you can have a group of 10 or 12 guys in Turin who decide they want to go on jihad and they are inspired by bin Laden and his like and start trying to take up the cause.
COSTELLO: As for how the U.S. is fighting al Qaeda, I'd like our viewers to listen to an excerpt from your documentary.
So here it is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "AL QAEDA'S NEW FRONT," COURTESY PBS FRONTLINE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Many Europeans, already wary of the Iraq war, were worried the United States, by pursuing a mainly military campaign against al Qaeda, had underestimated the evolving nature of the threat.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're tracking al Qaeda around the world and nearly two thirds of their known leaders have now been captured or killed.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are astonished when we see the -- when we hear, when we read what the present American administration describes as al Qaeda. They describe this as some kind of an Irish Republican Army, except that instead of being Catholics, they are Muslims.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: I mean really? As it applies to what, how we're fighting the war in Iraq? I mean what does he mean by saying that? DOCHERTY: What he means by saying that is the president and the administration have made a case that they have killed two thirds of the leaders. And what the Europeans and others are saying is that new jihadis are joining this campaign every day. And counting numbers like that really isn't very useful, because it's not, as far as they can tell, a top down organization anymore. It's a horizontal structure. And one, that fellow, actually, Xavier Rutherford (ph), trains counterintelligence experts in France. Their view is that this thing has just spread. And it's like how many mosquitoes are you going to kill around the swamp. The issue is how many of them are breeding.
COSTELLO: Yes, but you make it sound so impossible. So if you don't kill off the leadership, what do you do and how do you control it?
DOCHERTY: I don't think -- no one we talked to is saying you shouldn't do that. I think what they're saying is that it has to be a much more multi-faceted campaign. And actually ultimately what it's about in Europe is the war for the Muslim mind in Europe. The vast majority of Muslims in Europe are peace loving people who want to live in peace and with democracy.
But within their ranks, and there are now perhaps as many as 18 million Muslims in Europe, within their ranks there is a tiny minority, perhaps 1 percent, who are terrorists, jihadists, or certainly potential jihadists. And they're growing. And I think that's the message that we came away from that, that they're growing and they're extremely exorcised and they're very active in Europe. I mean cells are broken up there every month.
COSTELLO: Yes, and we do, we report about them every day, so we certainly know that is, indeed, true.
Neil Docherty, a producer of "Frontline's" "Al Qaeda's New Front."
It airs tonight at 9:00 p.m., but you should check your local listing.
Thank you, Neil, for joining DAYBREAK this morning.
DOCHERTY: Thank you, Carol.
COSTELLO: Al Qaeda has changed the way Americans think and feel and advertise.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not a fear thing, it's a safety thing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Just a sign of the times or an offensive way to use the image of America's most wanted terrorist?
And police shower pellets on a criminal suspect. Did they -- oh. Did they go too far? Stick around to see the rest of this tape.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Good morning to you.
Welcome to the last half hour of DAYBREAK.
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. Congressional sources tell CNN that President Bush will ask Congress for an extra $80 billion. That's for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
President Bush welcomes some leaders of the African-American community to the White House. He speaks to about 20 black pastors today and will meet tomorrow with the new chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Many black leaders opposed his reelection.
Police in Sydney, Australia are investigating a possible bugging attempt at the home of actress Nicole Kidman. A listening device was found across the road from her home there.
And the pro-basketball players and fans involved in that big brawl last November are due in court today. Five Indiana Pacers' players and five Detroit Pistons fans have been ordered to attend a pretrial conference.
To the forecast center and Chad -- good morning.
MYERS: Good morning, Carol.
And the NHL and the players are still talking, but still no hockey season.
COSTELLO: I don't think there will be hockey the rest of the season, Chad.
MYERS: Do you know if there's not a Stanley Cup awarded this year, that'll be the first time since the 1919 season, when it was canceled because of influenza? Yes. That's a kind of interesting stat.
COSTELLO: Well, thank you for that trivial pursuit question this morning.
MYERS: Well, you know, it's just the useless stuff I can give you, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.
MYERS: You're welcome.
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