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American Morning
Seniors, Flu Shots; Beirut Bombing; 'New You Revolution'
Aired February 15, 2005 - 07:29 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.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Welcome, everybody. It's just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.
In just a few moments, back to that huge explosion in Beirut that killed the former Lebanese prime minister. Investigators are now looking for any clues to show how the bomb was planted or how it was set off. Brent Sadler is at the bomb site with a close-up look at exactly what happened.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: And it's amazing what Brent reports, too, 25 years, never seen an explosion like this before in that part of the world.
Also a moment here, a new study is calling into question some long-held beliefs about the flu shot. Does getting the vaccine really do anything to save lives among the elderly? A good question, and we'll talk about that with an expert from the CDC responding to a study from the NIH, and we'll explain all of the acronyms and get to the bottom of it in a moment here.
O'BRIEN: First, though, let's get right to the headlines. Heidi Collins in for us this morning.
Good morning.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, guys. And good morning to you, everyone.
More now -- fallout, that is, in the United Nations oil-for-food scandal. Congressional investigators say they obtained new Iraqi documents that show the former head of the U.N. program may have pocketed more than a million dollars from oil deals. The former official denies any wrongdoing. The Senate panel is set convene a hearing on the matter in just about two hours from now.
In California, the defense begins its case today in the Robert Blake murder trial. The prosecution wrapped up its case yesterday after nearly two months of presenting their side. Blake is accused of killing his wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley, in May, 2001. It is not known if Blake will take the stand in his own defense.
And pieces of the Kennedy legacy are going up on the block starting today. Sotheby's is auctioning off more than 700 photographs, pieces of furniture and other objects from the homes of former President Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The sale is expected to bring in about $1 million. An action back in 1996 brought in $34.5 million. I wonder what was given away there. O'BRIEN: I would think that they always underestimate those things. You never know.
HEMMER: Yes.
O'BRIEN: I bet that -- they think one million?
HEMMER: Yes.
O'BRIEN: It's going to go higher.
HEMMER: Set the bar low and get a headline out of it when it goes up.
O'BRIEN: Right.
COLLINS: You got it, yes.
HEMMER: Thank you, Heidi.
O'BRIEN: Thanks, Heidi.
HEMMER: We want to get to the story right now, very interesting in the world of medicine today. Does giving flu shots to the elderly actually save lives? Maybe not, according to a new study out this week, and the results are not sitting well with everyone.
Let's talk to the CDC about it. Dr. Keiji Fakuda studies the flu at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He's my guest in Atlanta.
Doctor, good morning to you. Good to have you along us today.
DR. KEIJI, FAKUDA, CDC FLU EPIDEMIOLOGIST: Good morning.
HEMMER: Just so our viewers understand, the study came out and it basically examined the elderly, who were given flu shots over a 32- year period and found that even though more seniors were given the shot, the death rate did not change. Your reaction to this study from the NIH.
FAKUDA: Well, the NIH study was a large study, which looked at death patterns and vaccination patterns in the country. And what the study questioned was the degree to which vaccine protected the elderly. But both NIH and CDC strongly feel that the vaccine does protect the elderly against death and hospitalization. It's the most vulnerable population out there from the effects of influenza. And we know that the vaccine does protect these groups of people. There are years of studies showing that.
HEMMER: Let's try and cut through a little bit of this, because I think a lot of people may be confused after they hear this study. Can you understand that confusion?
FAKUDA: Yes. I think that, again, when something is questioned, when the degree of it is questioned, it can be confusing to people. But it's -- again, I do want to emphasize that the bottom line, when you go through all of the issues, is that we believe that the vaccine does protect the elderly, and it is the best thing that they can do to protect themselves.
HEMMER: So the CDC's position has not changed? You still believe the flu vaccine, especially among the elderly, is critical? Is that what I hear you saying?
FAKUDA: Yes, it's clearly a critical component for protecting the elderly. We know that the vaccine can be better in that group. It's the most vulnerable group to both infection and to getting hospitalized and dying. And we can do better to protect them, and we have to find better ways to protect them. But in the here and now, it definitely is the best thing that they can do.
HEMMER: So that's the discussion about the elderly. There's another study out of Emory University, also in Atlanta, Georgia, that talks about school children. It emphasizes that more studies should be given to giving flu shots to young school children, because they are more responsible for spreading the flu. Would you support that?
FAKUDA: Well, we know that there are several reasons for vaccinating children. Particularly there are deaths and severe illnesses that can occur in that group. And it's possible that vaccinating children can help protect other groups, like the elderly. But the real question is: How do we expand vaccine coverage in children and in other groups while continuing to directly vaccinate and protect the most vulnerable groups, like the elderly?
HEMMER: But with the Emory study, I think what they're trying to suggest is that maybe the focus is in the wrong area. Instead of focusing on the elderly, it should be on school children.
FAKUDA: Well, I think that we need to focus on both. Clearly, we need to directly vaccinate the elderly and not take away vaccination from that group. But at the same time, we should be expanding our vaccination coverage into other groups. And I think children is a good group to be moving into.
HEMMER: One more thought here, doctor, then before we let you go here. February is typically the height of the flu season. Can you say at this point whether or not the flu season has not been nearly as intense as many had thought it would be?
FAKUDA: Well, when we compare this season with last season, it's been a less-intense season. But we're still in the middle of the influenza season, and I don't think that we've clearly peaked yet. And so, we don't know ultimately how severe this season will be yet. It is still a good time to get vaccinated.
HEMMER: OK, Dr. Keiji Fukuda from the CDC in Atlanta, thanks for talking with us today.
FAKUDA: Thank you.
HEMMER: Here's Soledad. O'BRIEN: Lebanon is shut down today in mourning for former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, and there is worldwide condemnation of the bombing that killed him, along with Syria's role in Lebanon. Hariri's political allies blame Syria and Lebanon's pro-Syrian government for his assassination.
CNN's Brent Sadler was able to get to the scene of the explosion this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The fallout from the political assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri is still reverberating, not just here in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, but throughout the Middle East and far beyond.
This is where the massive explosion took place. We just pan off to my right, you can see the size of the crater here, a massive hole that has given you some sort of idea of the scale of the blast that claimed the life of Mr. Hariri and at least nine others in his armored motorcade. One of his closest colleagues, a former minister, Bethel Flahan (ph), is in hospital abroad fighting for his life with over 97 percent burns as a result of the magnitude of the blast.
If I can give you some idea of the collateral damage around here, we'll pick our way through the debris. This on my left is the former renowned St. George Hotel. It still had not been rebuilt after the 15-year civil war that engulfed this country in the 1970s and 1980s. The blast was set off between the St. George hotel and another empty building that was in the process of reconstruction.
Now, as we walk through the debris here, I can see Lebanese army soldiers and now in the process of taking photographs of the blast site, looking at how this detonation was laid, how these explosives were set. It's still unclear at this stage whether or not this was a car bomb, a suicide bombing, or some sort of underground explosion. What we do know is that there were construction works going on in this area. And we do know from what the authorities are telling us on the ground that between 250 and 300 kilos, maybe about 700 pounds of explosives, were detonated, and we believe a single blast.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: Brent Sadler reporting for us. Brent also adds that authorities think it is still unclear whether the attack was a car bomb or suicide bomb or even an underground explosion -- Bill.
HEMMER: Back in this country now, 23 minutes before the hour.
(WEATHER REPORT)
O'BRIEN: Thousands of couples in Arkansas spent Valentine's Day saying "I do" again. More than 6,000 husbands and wives joined the governor, Mike Huckabee, and his wife, Janet, in renewing their vows and signing covenant marriage contracts. Under such a contract, couples agree to seek counseling before marriage and before a divorce. Arizona and Louisiana have some similar laws.
HEMMER: Leading by example.
The "Sports Illustrated" swimsuit edition hits newsstands in about two hours from now. And the cover this year goes to Carolyn Murphy, 31-year-old native of Panama City, Florida. She is the first American model to make the cover since 1999, Rebecca Romaine (ph). Athletes also posed in the magazine, like Mark McGwire and his wife, Stephanie, Venus Williams, Jenny Finch, Amanda Beard and Lauren Jackson are in there as well. And get ready to see Carolyn Murphy's career go to the moon.
O'BRIEN: Oh, she's already -- she is one of the most amazing looking -- she had done -- I used to see her a lot down in Soho. And first of all, she's 6 feet tall.
HEMMER: Sure.
O'BRIEN: And then the most spectacularly amazingly beautiful woman with no makeup on...
HEMMER: She's coming (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
O'BRIEN: ... hair and a ponytail coming out of the subway. She's a cute girl. Good for her. Congratulations to her.
An Arizona businessman is poised to break one of pro sports' remaining color barriers. Andy is "Minding Your Business." He's got that story just ahead.
HEMMER: Also, we're past the halfway point of the "New You Revolution." I think our participants are happy about that. Find out whether or not some alternative treatments worked for our nail-biter. Sanjay's in New York. We'll talk to him after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: It's time to check in with Jack for the "Question of the Day."
Good morning.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Soledad.
President Bush went to the Congress yesterday. He wants another $82 billion in supplemental appropriations for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. If it's approved, the total for the war on terror since September 11, 2001, would come to more than $300 billion. It's been almost three and a half years since the terrorists hit the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The question this morning is this: Do you feel safer now than you did right after September 11?
Jerry in Alpharetta, Georgia: "Prior to 9/11, I didn't comprehend how great the threat was, nor was I looking at ways that terrorists could attack us here at home. Now I can see many ways a terrorist can attack and do so easily. I may be safer, but now I feel neither safe nor confident in our defenses. Knowledge is a wonderful thing."
D.W. in California: "Yes, I feel safer. I'm sure the Muslim radicals feel that America came completely unglued after 9/11. Who would have thought we would invade two countries? And maybe we're not finished yet. I think they dare not try any major stateside attacks again."
Sandy in South Carolina: "I really don't feel any different. I think a lot of people feel the same, they just don't want to admit it. I think Americans feel like they wouldn't dare, even after they have."
Jacqueline in Senecaville, Ohio: "Yes, I feel much better now that our security is color coded. After all, there's nothing like letting the terrorists know you're scared. On a more practical note, though, the system works wonderfully for teaching kids their colors."
And Eric in Medina, Ohio: "Absolutely not. If anything, I feel less safe as the U.S.' image has been tarnished by the administration's actions. We are more disliked than ever in recent decades, and we are less safe from our own government due to the erosion of civil liberties."
HEMMER: I think we're getting better at it every year. I was down at the Super Bowl two weeks ago. It's a pain, the security.
CAFFERTY: To get around.
HEMMER: Yes, but if you compare this past Super Bowl to the year before down in Houston, you know, the system's getting better. I think a lot of people find that also at the airports, too.
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Yes.
CAFFERTY: Yes, but the borders are open, and so are the ports. Nothing has been done to keep the flow of illegal immigrants out of this country. Nothing has been done to inspect all of the container ships that pour in here by the thousands every week. But we can protect the Super Bowl.
HEMMER: Well, I'll tell you, we're never going to do it perfectly here. I mean, if you look at Israeli and what they've done over the past three decades, and they don't -- they're not perfect there either.
CAFFERTY: No. But my guess is they're farther along by a long shot than we are.
HEMMER: They may. Geography probably has a lot to do with it, a smaller area.
CAFFERTY: So does commitment.
SERWER: Well, the Super Bowl, you know, we've got priorities here in this country.
HEMMER: Right. Play ball. Kick off. Here's Andy Serwer talking about history that could be made for the Minnesota Vikings.
Good morning to you. History here?
SERWER: Good morning. Yes. Speaking of football, a gentleman named Reggie Fowler has agreed in principal to buy the Minnesota Vikings from team owner Red McCombs. This is history, because he would be the first African-American owner of an NFL team.
And the sport -- there's Reggie yesterday at a press conference. He still needs to pass muster with the NFL. They still need to approve him. It's especially important to look at his financial statement.
So who is this guy?
HEMMER: Yes.
SERWER: The sports world is all abuzz. Well, first of all, he did play football at the University of Wyoming and the Cincinnati Bengals you'll be happy to know.
HEMMER: Hoo-dey (ph).
SERWER: But more interesting than that, his business background is fascinating. He borrowed $1,000 to start a business called Spiral, as in football, in 1989. And it is a company -- you'd better read what they do. It's kind of mundane. They make bags, cups, containers, labels and janitorial supplies for grocery stores. He did work for Mobil for years before that.
His net worth is hundreds of millions of dollars. And you've got to have that kind of money to buy a team like this.
He becomes the second -- he would become the second African- American owner of a major league team. Robert Johnson owns the Charlotte Bobcats.
But he does have some problems. He needs to get a new stadium. He needs to sign Randy Moss. So there's work to be done. And, again, he does have to pass the NFL's test in terms of financial solvency.
You might remember a couple years back Tom Clancy, the novelist, tried to buy the Minnesota Vikings. He said he had all kinds of money. When the NFL took a look-see, he didn't pass the test. So they...
HEMMER: The Metrodome is not doing for him it in Minnesota?
SERWER: No, they need a new one. And, you know, they're threatening to leave Minnesota and move to L.A. Paul Tagliabue, the commissioner, wants a team in L.A., which is amazing that Los Angeles doesn't have an NFL team.
O'BRIEN: Has this guy said what he'd do?
SERWER: He says he's going to keep the team in Minnesota.
CAFFERTY: Well, if he gets rid of Randy Moss, he'd have enough money to build a stadium.
SERWER: Yes.
(CROSSTALK)
SERWER: Randy might want to come to the Jets to play with his old college quarterback.
HEMMER: Yes. Well, the Lakers came from Minnesota.
SERWER: That's right. Well, that's that funny name, right.
HEMMER: Thank you, Andy.
SERWER: You're welcome.
HEMMER: Week five of the "New You Revolution." Our nail-biter tried some alternative treatments including hypnosis. We'll check in and see whether or not it worked right after this on AMERICAN MORNING live in New York City with the saffron in Central Park.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Guess what? We're past the halfway point in our "New You Revolution," where we're helping five people try to break their bad health habits.
HEMMER: Yes. The good doctor is back here in New York in our studios here.
Good morning to you, Sanjay. Great to have you back here.
SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
HEMMER: How is everybody doing?
GUPTA: Everyone is doing really well, staying on course as it turns out, especially Jonathan Karp.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA (voice over): Jonathan Karp has been doing really well. So we treated him and his valentine to his and her manicures. This is the first time Jonathan has ever felt his nails were worth such a treat.
JONATHAN KARP, "NEW YOU" PARTICIPANT: Hot towel. It's nice.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is...
KARP: Nails for males. GUPTA: Keeping daily score in his journal has proven to be a key to his progress.
KARP: You know, every day, I just quantify and make sure I hit that zero and stop biting. So now I don't want to even start up again. So that's really my major motivation.
GUPTA: Trying to help him break his bad habit, he's tried some alternative therapies. First, acupuncture.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You might want to think about it as body- centered. Stress management.
GUPTA: Jonathan said acupuncture made him a little more relaxed. But twice a week acupuncture treatments didn't fit into his busy schedule. Next, hypnotherapy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What this does is it helps create a different reflex. Not this, but this. Not this, but this. It trains the brain virtually instantly.
GUPTA: But Jonathan had a hard time believing this could work.
KARP: What I first expected from hypnotherapy was to be totally relaxed. But I felt it was actually stressful, and I was uncomfortable the whole time.
GUPTA: So to reach his goal of having perfect nails for his wedding day, he's turning to more self-motivation, more exercise and the continued support of his fiance.
KARP: I'm about 80 percent there. No, actually, like the first time I think that I actually have to clip my nails with a clipper, and I'm like, wow, they're getting too long. That will be I think the day to just maybe drink some champagne.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA: So 80 percent there. After four weeks you can see that there's been quite an improvement for Jonathan so far.
HEMMER: Interesting to see how he gauges progress.
GUPTA: That's right.
HEMMER: He uses nail clippers. What's the most remarkable thing?
GUPTA: You know, for Jonathan, it's really been the response in terms of e-mail that we've gotten for him. Lots of e-mails. It seems our viewers are eager to break the same bad habit, or they're just looking to Jonathan for advice.
So here are some of the take-home tips that we've learned based on his experience so far. Keep a nail file with you at all times, so if there's a problem you can fix it properly without putting your hands in your mouth. Also, keep your nails neat and clean. An obvious answer there. Well-groomed nails can be quite motivating. We got him a manicure. Try some alternative therapies. We don't normally recommend these. They haven't been proven, but they may have worked for Jonathan. They could work for you as well.
O'BRIEN: How is everybody else doing?
GUPTA: Well, everyone else has also been keeping on course. Finding new diets really has been the key for them.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA (voice over): Six weeks ago, Leigh Ann ate fast food all the time, because she didn't know how to cook. So she's getting a lesson in how to make healthy fast food, including lean cuts of beef.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Beef tenderloin is a great cut for quick meals, because you don't have to do much to it. Flip them one more time.
GUPTA: "Cooking Light" food editor Ann Pittman (ph) shows her that homemade meals can be easy and flavorful. Now Leigh Ann is able to make five new meals, each in about 20 minutes.
LEIGH ANN RAYNOR, "NEW YOU" PARTICIPANT: This is very easy. I think even I can manage this.
GUPTA: Harald's vice has always been his love for food. So early on, his trainer cleaned out his fridge.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So we're just going to get rid of all this, all of the goodies, so nobody's tempted around here.
GUPTA: And how is Harald doing now? Well, for starters, his lunch at work has gotten leaner.
HARALD FRICKER, "NEW YOU" PARTICIPANT: Turkey sandwich.
GUPTA: He's not starving either, because he's supposed to eat five meals a day and about 2,000 calories. So far, he's lost 15 pounds.
Sandra continues to exercise every day.
SANDRA GARTH, "NEW YOU" PARTICIPANT: This is going to take four more inches off my waistline.
GUPTA: And she's stocked her fridge with healthy foods.
GARTH: Yogurt, fat-free cream cheese, some salad.
GUPTA: But she's still cooking the way she used to -- for her husband.
GARTH: Before the "New You Revolution"... GUPTA: For herself, it's a leaner version of her favorite foods. She's eating healthier, but having a hard time eating enough, frequently eating less than 1,000 calories. Her body needs at least 1,200.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Your metabolism doesn't think I'm not going to get fat for a while so I better slow down.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA: And we didn't forget Thekla either. Next week, we're going to check up on her.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THEKLA FISCHER, "NEW YOU" PARTICIPANT: I'm taking it for the future, especially during pregnancy. It would be really good to be able to rely on those exercise classes to help me overcome some of the pain.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUPTA: Thekla is definitely getting more exercise. We'll see if she's making progress breaking her other bad habits as well. That's our update for the "New You Revolution."
O'BRIEN: It's nice to see everybody doing well.
HEMMER: Thank you, Sanjay.
GUPTA: Yes.
HEMMER: As always, you can follow all of our participants online. You can e-mail them, too, simply by logging on to cnn.com/am there for you 24 hours a day.
See you again, Sanjay.
O'BRIEN: Thanks, Sanjay.
GUPTA: Thanks, guys.
O'BRIEN: Well, today's top stories are straight ahead. Think the Michael Jackson case is a circus now? Just wait until you hear the list of potential witnesses. It's a Hollywood who's who. That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
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Aired February 15, 2005 - 07:29 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Welcome, everybody. It's just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.
In just a few moments, back to that huge explosion in Beirut that killed the former Lebanese prime minister. Investigators are now looking for any clues to show how the bomb was planted or how it was set off. Brent Sadler is at the bomb site with a close-up look at exactly what happened.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: And it's amazing what Brent reports, too, 25 years, never seen an explosion like this before in that part of the world.
Also a moment here, a new study is calling into question some long-held beliefs about the flu shot. Does getting the vaccine really do anything to save lives among the elderly? A good question, and we'll talk about that with an expert from the CDC responding to a study from the NIH, and we'll explain all of the acronyms and get to the bottom of it in a moment here.
O'BRIEN: First, though, let's get right to the headlines. Heidi Collins in for us this morning.
Good morning.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, guys. And good morning to you, everyone.
More now -- fallout, that is, in the United Nations oil-for-food scandal. Congressional investigators say they obtained new Iraqi documents that show the former head of the U.N. program may have pocketed more than a million dollars from oil deals. The former official denies any wrongdoing. The Senate panel is set convene a hearing on the matter in just about two hours from now.
In California, the defense begins its case today in the Robert Blake murder trial. The prosecution wrapped up its case yesterday after nearly two months of presenting their side. Blake is accused of killing his wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley, in May, 2001. It is not known if Blake will take the stand in his own defense.
And pieces of the Kennedy legacy are going up on the block starting today. Sotheby's is auctioning off more than 700 photographs, pieces of furniture and other objects from the homes of former President Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The sale is expected to bring in about $1 million. An action back in 1996 brought in $34.5 million. I wonder what was given away there. O'BRIEN: I would think that they always underestimate those things. You never know.
HEMMER: Yes.
O'BRIEN: I bet that -- they think one million?
HEMMER: Yes.
O'BRIEN: It's going to go higher.
HEMMER: Set the bar low and get a headline out of it when it goes up.
O'BRIEN: Right.
COLLINS: You got it, yes.
HEMMER: Thank you, Heidi.
O'BRIEN: Thanks, Heidi.
HEMMER: We want to get to the story right now, very interesting in the world of medicine today. Does giving flu shots to the elderly actually save lives? Maybe not, according to a new study out this week, and the results are not sitting well with everyone.
Let's talk to the CDC about it. Dr. Keiji Fakuda studies the flu at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He's my guest in Atlanta.
Doctor, good morning to you. Good to have you along us today.
DR. KEIJI, FAKUDA, CDC FLU EPIDEMIOLOGIST: Good morning.
HEMMER: Just so our viewers understand, the study came out and it basically examined the elderly, who were given flu shots over a 32- year period and found that even though more seniors were given the shot, the death rate did not change. Your reaction to this study from the NIH.
FAKUDA: Well, the NIH study was a large study, which looked at death patterns and vaccination patterns in the country. And what the study questioned was the degree to which vaccine protected the elderly. But both NIH and CDC strongly feel that the vaccine does protect the elderly against death and hospitalization. It's the most vulnerable population out there from the effects of influenza. And we know that the vaccine does protect these groups of people. There are years of studies showing that.
HEMMER: Let's try and cut through a little bit of this, because I think a lot of people may be confused after they hear this study. Can you understand that confusion?
FAKUDA: Yes. I think that, again, when something is questioned, when the degree of it is questioned, it can be confusing to people. But it's -- again, I do want to emphasize that the bottom line, when you go through all of the issues, is that we believe that the vaccine does protect the elderly, and it is the best thing that they can do to protect themselves.
HEMMER: So the CDC's position has not changed? You still believe the flu vaccine, especially among the elderly, is critical? Is that what I hear you saying?
FAKUDA: Yes, it's clearly a critical component for protecting the elderly. We know that the vaccine can be better in that group. It's the most vulnerable group to both infection and to getting hospitalized and dying. And we can do better to protect them, and we have to find better ways to protect them. But in the here and now, it definitely is the best thing that they can do.
HEMMER: So that's the discussion about the elderly. There's another study out of Emory University, also in Atlanta, Georgia, that talks about school children. It emphasizes that more studies should be given to giving flu shots to young school children, because they are more responsible for spreading the flu. Would you support that?
FAKUDA: Well, we know that there are several reasons for vaccinating children. Particularly there are deaths and severe illnesses that can occur in that group. And it's possible that vaccinating children can help protect other groups, like the elderly. But the real question is: How do we expand vaccine coverage in children and in other groups while continuing to directly vaccinate and protect the most vulnerable groups, like the elderly?
HEMMER: But with the Emory study, I think what they're trying to suggest is that maybe the focus is in the wrong area. Instead of focusing on the elderly, it should be on school children.
FAKUDA: Well, I think that we need to focus on both. Clearly, we need to directly vaccinate the elderly and not take away vaccination from that group. But at the same time, we should be expanding our vaccination coverage into other groups. And I think children is a good group to be moving into.
HEMMER: One more thought here, doctor, then before we let you go here. February is typically the height of the flu season. Can you say at this point whether or not the flu season has not been nearly as intense as many had thought it would be?
FAKUDA: Well, when we compare this season with last season, it's been a less-intense season. But we're still in the middle of the influenza season, and I don't think that we've clearly peaked yet. And so, we don't know ultimately how severe this season will be yet. It is still a good time to get vaccinated.
HEMMER: OK, Dr. Keiji Fukuda from the CDC in Atlanta, thanks for talking with us today.
FAKUDA: Thank you.
HEMMER: Here's Soledad. O'BRIEN: Lebanon is shut down today in mourning for former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, and there is worldwide condemnation of the bombing that killed him, along with Syria's role in Lebanon. Hariri's political allies blame Syria and Lebanon's pro-Syrian government for his assassination.
CNN's Brent Sadler was able to get to the scene of the explosion this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The fallout from the political assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri is still reverberating, not just here in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, but throughout the Middle East and far beyond.
This is where the massive explosion took place. We just pan off to my right, you can see the size of the crater here, a massive hole that has given you some sort of idea of the scale of the blast that claimed the life of Mr. Hariri and at least nine others in his armored motorcade. One of his closest colleagues, a former minister, Bethel Flahan (ph), is in hospital abroad fighting for his life with over 97 percent burns as a result of the magnitude of the blast.
If I can give you some idea of the collateral damage around here, we'll pick our way through the debris. This on my left is the former renowned St. George Hotel. It still had not been rebuilt after the 15-year civil war that engulfed this country in the 1970s and 1980s. The blast was set off between the St. George hotel and another empty building that was in the process of reconstruction.
Now, as we walk through the debris here, I can see Lebanese army soldiers and now in the process of taking photographs of the blast site, looking at how this detonation was laid, how these explosives were set. It's still unclear at this stage whether or not this was a car bomb, a suicide bombing, or some sort of underground explosion. What we do know is that there were construction works going on in this area. And we do know from what the authorities are telling us on the ground that between 250 and 300 kilos, maybe about 700 pounds of explosives, were detonated, and we believe a single blast.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: Brent Sadler reporting for us. Brent also adds that authorities think it is still unclear whether the attack was a car bomb or suicide bomb or even an underground explosion -- Bill.
HEMMER: Back in this country now, 23 minutes before the hour.
(WEATHER REPORT)
O'BRIEN: Thousands of couples in Arkansas spent Valentine's Day saying "I do" again. More than 6,000 husbands and wives joined the governor, Mike Huckabee, and his wife, Janet, in renewing their vows and signing covenant marriage contracts. Under such a contract, couples agree to seek counseling before marriage and before a divorce. Arizona and Louisiana have some similar laws.
HEMMER: Leading by example.
The "Sports Illustrated" swimsuit edition hits newsstands in about two hours from now. And the cover this year goes to Carolyn Murphy, 31-year-old native of Panama City, Florida. She is the first American model to make the cover since 1999, Rebecca Romaine (ph). Athletes also posed in the magazine, like Mark McGwire and his wife, Stephanie, Venus Williams, Jenny Finch, Amanda Beard and Lauren Jackson are in there as well. And get ready to see Carolyn Murphy's career go to the moon.
O'BRIEN: Oh, she's already -- she is one of the most amazing looking -- she had done -- I used to see her a lot down in Soho. And first of all, she's 6 feet tall.
HEMMER: Sure.
O'BRIEN: And then the most spectacularly amazingly beautiful woman with no makeup on...
HEMMER: She's coming (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
O'BRIEN: ... hair and a ponytail coming out of the subway. She's a cute girl. Good for her. Congratulations to her.
An Arizona businessman is poised to break one of pro sports' remaining color barriers. Andy is "Minding Your Business." He's got that story just ahead.
HEMMER: Also, we're past the halfway point of the "New You Revolution." I think our participants are happy about that. Find out whether or not some alternative treatments worked for our nail-biter. Sanjay's in New York. We'll talk to him after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: It's time to check in with Jack for the "Question of the Day."
Good morning.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Soledad.
President Bush went to the Congress yesterday. He wants another $82 billion in supplemental appropriations for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. If it's approved, the total for the war on terror since September 11, 2001, would come to more than $300 billion. It's been almost three and a half years since the terrorists hit the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The question this morning is this: Do you feel safer now than you did right after September 11?
Jerry in Alpharetta, Georgia: "Prior to 9/11, I didn't comprehend how great the threat was, nor was I looking at ways that terrorists could attack us here at home. Now I can see many ways a terrorist can attack and do so easily. I may be safer, but now I feel neither safe nor confident in our defenses. Knowledge is a wonderful thing."
D.W. in California: "Yes, I feel safer. I'm sure the Muslim radicals feel that America came completely unglued after 9/11. Who would have thought we would invade two countries? And maybe we're not finished yet. I think they dare not try any major stateside attacks again."
Sandy in South Carolina: "I really don't feel any different. I think a lot of people feel the same, they just don't want to admit it. I think Americans feel like they wouldn't dare, even after they have."
Jacqueline in Senecaville, Ohio: "Yes, I feel much better now that our security is color coded. After all, there's nothing like letting the terrorists know you're scared. On a more practical note, though, the system works wonderfully for teaching kids their colors."
And Eric in Medina, Ohio: "Absolutely not. If anything, I feel less safe as the U.S.' image has been tarnished by the administration's actions. We are more disliked than ever in recent decades, and we are less safe from our own government due to the erosion of civil liberties."
HEMMER: I think we're getting better at it every year. I was down at the Super Bowl two weeks ago. It's a pain, the security.
CAFFERTY: To get around.
HEMMER: Yes, but if you compare this past Super Bowl to the year before down in Houston, you know, the system's getting better. I think a lot of people find that also at the airports, too.
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Yes.
CAFFERTY: Yes, but the borders are open, and so are the ports. Nothing has been done to keep the flow of illegal immigrants out of this country. Nothing has been done to inspect all of the container ships that pour in here by the thousands every week. But we can protect the Super Bowl.
HEMMER: Well, I'll tell you, we're never going to do it perfectly here. I mean, if you look at Israeli and what they've done over the past three decades, and they don't -- they're not perfect there either.
CAFFERTY: No. But my guess is they're farther along by a long shot than we are.
HEMMER: They may. Geography probably has a lot to do with it, a smaller area.
CAFFERTY: So does commitment.
SERWER: Well, the Super Bowl, you know, we've got priorities here in this country.
HEMMER: Right. Play ball. Kick off. Here's Andy Serwer talking about history that could be made for the Minnesota Vikings.
Good morning to you. History here?
SERWER: Good morning. Yes. Speaking of football, a gentleman named Reggie Fowler has agreed in principal to buy the Minnesota Vikings from team owner Red McCombs. This is history, because he would be the first African-American owner of an NFL team.
And the sport -- there's Reggie yesterday at a press conference. He still needs to pass muster with the NFL. They still need to approve him. It's especially important to look at his financial statement.
So who is this guy?
HEMMER: Yes.
SERWER: The sports world is all abuzz. Well, first of all, he did play football at the University of Wyoming and the Cincinnati Bengals you'll be happy to know.
HEMMER: Hoo-dey (ph).
SERWER: But more interesting than that, his business background is fascinating. He borrowed $1,000 to start a business called Spiral, as in football, in 1989. And it is a company -- you'd better read what they do. It's kind of mundane. They make bags, cups, containers, labels and janitorial supplies for grocery stores. He did work for Mobil for years before that.
His net worth is hundreds of millions of dollars. And you've got to have that kind of money to buy a team like this.
He becomes the second -- he would become the second African- American owner of a major league team. Robert Johnson owns the Charlotte Bobcats.
But he does have some problems. He needs to get a new stadium. He needs to sign Randy Moss. So there's work to be done. And, again, he does have to pass the NFL's test in terms of financial solvency.
You might remember a couple years back Tom Clancy, the novelist, tried to buy the Minnesota Vikings. He said he had all kinds of money. When the NFL took a look-see, he didn't pass the test. So they...
HEMMER: The Metrodome is not doing for him it in Minnesota?
SERWER: No, they need a new one. And, you know, they're threatening to leave Minnesota and move to L.A. Paul Tagliabue, the commissioner, wants a team in L.A., which is amazing that Los Angeles doesn't have an NFL team.
O'BRIEN: Has this guy said what he'd do?
SERWER: He says he's going to keep the team in Minnesota.
CAFFERTY: Well, if he gets rid of Randy Moss, he'd have enough money to build a stadium.
SERWER: Yes.
(CROSSTALK)
SERWER: Randy might want to come to the Jets to play with his old college quarterback.
HEMMER: Yes. Well, the Lakers came from Minnesota.
SERWER: That's right. Well, that's that funny name, right.
HEMMER: Thank you, Andy.
SERWER: You're welcome.
HEMMER: Week five of the "New You Revolution." Our nail-biter tried some alternative treatments including hypnosis. We'll check in and see whether or not it worked right after this on AMERICAN MORNING live in New York City with the saffron in Central Park.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Guess what? We're past the halfway point in our "New You Revolution," where we're helping five people try to break their bad health habits.
HEMMER: Yes. The good doctor is back here in New York in our studios here.
Good morning to you, Sanjay. Great to have you back here.
SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
HEMMER: How is everybody doing?
GUPTA: Everyone is doing really well, staying on course as it turns out, especially Jonathan Karp.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA (voice over): Jonathan Karp has been doing really well. So we treated him and his valentine to his and her manicures. This is the first time Jonathan has ever felt his nails were worth such a treat.
JONATHAN KARP, "NEW YOU" PARTICIPANT: Hot towel. It's nice.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is...
KARP: Nails for males. GUPTA: Keeping daily score in his journal has proven to be a key to his progress.
KARP: You know, every day, I just quantify and make sure I hit that zero and stop biting. So now I don't want to even start up again. So that's really my major motivation.
GUPTA: Trying to help him break his bad habit, he's tried some alternative therapies. First, acupuncture.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You might want to think about it as body- centered. Stress management.
GUPTA: Jonathan said acupuncture made him a little more relaxed. But twice a week acupuncture treatments didn't fit into his busy schedule. Next, hypnotherapy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What this does is it helps create a different reflex. Not this, but this. Not this, but this. It trains the brain virtually instantly.
GUPTA: But Jonathan had a hard time believing this could work.
KARP: What I first expected from hypnotherapy was to be totally relaxed. But I felt it was actually stressful, and I was uncomfortable the whole time.
GUPTA: So to reach his goal of having perfect nails for his wedding day, he's turning to more self-motivation, more exercise and the continued support of his fiance.
KARP: I'm about 80 percent there. No, actually, like the first time I think that I actually have to clip my nails with a clipper, and I'm like, wow, they're getting too long. That will be I think the day to just maybe drink some champagne.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA: So 80 percent there. After four weeks you can see that there's been quite an improvement for Jonathan so far.
HEMMER: Interesting to see how he gauges progress.
GUPTA: That's right.
HEMMER: He uses nail clippers. What's the most remarkable thing?
GUPTA: You know, for Jonathan, it's really been the response in terms of e-mail that we've gotten for him. Lots of e-mails. It seems our viewers are eager to break the same bad habit, or they're just looking to Jonathan for advice.
So here are some of the take-home tips that we've learned based on his experience so far. Keep a nail file with you at all times, so if there's a problem you can fix it properly without putting your hands in your mouth. Also, keep your nails neat and clean. An obvious answer there. Well-groomed nails can be quite motivating. We got him a manicure. Try some alternative therapies. We don't normally recommend these. They haven't been proven, but they may have worked for Jonathan. They could work for you as well.
O'BRIEN: How is everybody else doing?
GUPTA: Well, everyone else has also been keeping on course. Finding new diets really has been the key for them.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA (voice over): Six weeks ago, Leigh Ann ate fast food all the time, because she didn't know how to cook. So she's getting a lesson in how to make healthy fast food, including lean cuts of beef.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Beef tenderloin is a great cut for quick meals, because you don't have to do much to it. Flip them one more time.
GUPTA: "Cooking Light" food editor Ann Pittman (ph) shows her that homemade meals can be easy and flavorful. Now Leigh Ann is able to make five new meals, each in about 20 minutes.
LEIGH ANN RAYNOR, "NEW YOU" PARTICIPANT: This is very easy. I think even I can manage this.
GUPTA: Harald's vice has always been his love for food. So early on, his trainer cleaned out his fridge.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So we're just going to get rid of all this, all of the goodies, so nobody's tempted around here.
GUPTA: And how is Harald doing now? Well, for starters, his lunch at work has gotten leaner.
HARALD FRICKER, "NEW YOU" PARTICIPANT: Turkey sandwich.
GUPTA: He's not starving either, because he's supposed to eat five meals a day and about 2,000 calories. So far, he's lost 15 pounds.
Sandra continues to exercise every day.
SANDRA GARTH, "NEW YOU" PARTICIPANT: This is going to take four more inches off my waistline.
GUPTA: And she's stocked her fridge with healthy foods.
GARTH: Yogurt, fat-free cream cheese, some salad.
GUPTA: But she's still cooking the way she used to -- for her husband.
GARTH: Before the "New You Revolution"... GUPTA: For herself, it's a leaner version of her favorite foods. She's eating healthier, but having a hard time eating enough, frequently eating less than 1,000 calories. Her body needs at least 1,200.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Your metabolism doesn't think I'm not going to get fat for a while so I better slow down.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA: And we didn't forget Thekla either. Next week, we're going to check up on her.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THEKLA FISCHER, "NEW YOU" PARTICIPANT: I'm taking it for the future, especially during pregnancy. It would be really good to be able to rely on those exercise classes to help me overcome some of the pain.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUPTA: Thekla is definitely getting more exercise. We'll see if she's making progress breaking her other bad habits as well. That's our update for the "New You Revolution."
O'BRIEN: It's nice to see everybody doing well.
HEMMER: Thank you, Sanjay.
GUPTA: Yes.
HEMMER: As always, you can follow all of our participants online. You can e-mail them, too, simply by logging on to cnn.com/am there for you 24 hours a day.
See you again, Sanjay.
O'BRIEN: Thanks, Sanjay.
GUPTA: Thanks, guys.
O'BRIEN: Well, today's top stories are straight ahead. Think the Michael Jackson case is a circus now? Just wait until you hear the list of potential witnesses. It's a Hollywood who's who. That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
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