Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live At Daybreak
Lebanese Burying Their Former Leader This Morning; Tax Plan That Could Drive California Drivers Crazy
Aired February 16, 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, it's a tax plan that could drive California drivers crazy, and it's already fueling protests.
Plus, it's proven to be a tough fight. Now it looks like the battle against AIDS has gotten even tougher.
And how do you turn your prize pooch into a top dog? We'll share some secrets from the pros.
It is Wednesday, February 16.
This is 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, you are looking at live pictures out of Beirut, Lebanon. Here they are. This is a massive funeral service that's taking place right now. Hundreds of thousands have turned out for the funeral of the former prime minister, Rafik Hariri. He was assassinated in a bombing attack on Monday.
Tensions with Syria are on the rise. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has recalled U.S. ambassador Margaret Scobey. The U.S. is protesting Syria's presence in Lebanon, where that former prime minister was assassinated this week.
Some long awaited testimony from Alan Greenspan. In about five hours, the Federal Reserve chair goes before a Senate panel. Investors will watch for any hint of where interest rates might be heading.
Pomp and pageantry this morning in North Korea's capital as it marks the 63rd anniversary, or the 63rd birthday, rather, of Kim Jong Il. The celebration comes amid rising tensions with the United States over North Korea's nuclear program.
To the forecast center now and Chad.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning.
COSTELLO: Spring training, Chad, is up and running.
MYERS: Yes, pitchers and catchers reporting.
How's that?
COSTELLO: That's fantastic.
MYERS: You do love that game, don't you?
That's great. And now...
COSTELLO: I do. And I love it because that means spring is right around the corner.
MYERS: And -- well, true. And now you have more opportunities to go see games up there.
COSTELLO: Oh, you're right.
MYERS: There are more teams closer to you.
COSTELLO: And Detroit actually plays in New York occasionally.
MYERS: Sure. And you've got the cross-town, you've got the subway series. It's always good fun there.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: "Stump the Weatherman," remember that popular segment?
MYERS: I do remember that.
COSTELLO: It will return to DAYBREAK next week.
MYERS: I'd better get my thinking cap on.
COSTELLO: You better.
Thank you, Chad.
MYERS: All right.
COSTELLO: Back to our top story now.
The Lebanese are burying their former leader this morning. The assassination of the former prime minister, Rafik Hariri, has touched off mass mourning, along with political rumblings.
CNN's Ben Wedeman live in Beirut with the latest -- hello, Ben.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.
Yes, I'm right in the middle of Martyr's Square, the heart of Beirut. And I can hear, at the same time the bells of the Christian churches and the calls of prayer coming from mosques. This symbolizing, really, how many Lebanese Muslims and Christians have come together to mourn the death of Rafik Hariri, the former Lebanese prime minister. And not only are they united in their grief, they're also united, by and large, the people here, in their demand for an immediate withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon.
Now, as far as this funeral goes, initially the Lebanese government offered to host it. However, the family of Rafik Hariri turned down that offer because, they say, they hold the government of Lebanon, the pro-Syrian government of Lebanon, and the Syrian government itself, response for the killing of the former prime minister. So they turned down that offer.
And that really is indicative of the level of emotion and anger here in the Lebanese capital today -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Ben Wedeman reporting live from Beirut this morning.
Thank you.
An international treaty aimed at fighting global warming became effective just about five hours ago. But not in the United States or China.
Let's go live now to Stan Grant.
He's in Beijing for more on this story -- good morning, Stan.
STAN GRANT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Carol.
Well, you probably can't see much behind me, because this is often the sight here in Beijing, a city that's quite often enveloped in smog because of the very thing we're talking about, which are these greenhouse gas emissions that the Kyoto protocol is aimed to try to reduce.
Now, the protocol sets limits on 30 developed countries, countries that will get the emissions, the greenhouse gas emissions, down by a total of about 5 percent by 2012.
Now, here's the problem. The biggest emitters of greenhouse gases, the United States and China being one and two, are not signatories, or, in fact, not bound by the Kyoto protocol. The United States is not a signatory. China, however, has signed, but it is not being held to those targets that the other countries that are signatories to this agreement are being held to.
Now, it's a curious situation. The United States says that the Kyoto protocol is based on bad science, it's an economic straitjacket and says why should it be bound to this agreement when China isn't?
China is, though, being given some credit by Greenpeace for actually signing the agreement to cut greenhouse gases, even if it's not being held to those limits. They do say they are taking steps in the right direction.
And it's desperately needed here in China. China is, of course, one of the world's most polluted countries. And if you look at the impact of climate change over the next four years, it's almost catastrophic what's being blamed for widespread drought throughout the country, floods, which have cost hundreds, thousands of lives. And also looking at cutting the glaciers by about 50 percent by midway through the next century.
So, a big impact, climate change, in this part of the world. But China not bound by the Kyoto protocol. The United States not a signatory -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Stan Grant reporting live from Beijing this morning.
Thank you.
In News Across America this morning, jury selection in the Michael Jackson child molestation trial is on hold again. This time the delay was caused by Jackson's hospitalization. He has the flu. He was taken to the emergency room while on his way to court. Doctors say they do expect a full recovery. Jury selection will resume next Tuesday.
No one seriously injured when an Amtrak train hit a strawberry truck in Oxnard, California. The passenger train's engine separated from the rest of the cars after destroying the truck. Amtrak still investigating how the truck ended up on the tracks in the first place.
One of the boxers chosen for NBC's "The Contender" reality show has committed suicide. Najai Turpin shot himself while sitting in a parked car with his girlfriend. He was just 23 years old. The TV series showcases 16 boxers competing for a chance at a million dollar fight. Turpin's scenes had already been filmed for the show. Producers say the program will go on as planned.
The USS Newport News has returned to its home port after six months at sea. The fast attack sub was deployed to the waters off of southern Asia to take part in the global war on terrorism. About 130 sailors are assigned to the submarine.
Imagine having to pay taxes for every single mile you drive. This is an incredible story. You won't believe it. That is something the California Department of Motor Vehicles is seriously considering. It obviously means someone would keep track of your travel.
Reporter Ross Palombo of CNN affiliate KRON in San Francisco explains how this plan would work.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're becoming more and more popular.
ROSS PALOMBO, KRON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was designed to help you locate destinations. But now it may help the DMV locate you. Published reports say the new state DMV director is thinking of rolling out a plan that would put the brakes on the gas tax and instead tax drivers by the mile.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's basically like having a surveillance structure in place.
PALOMBO: The Electronic Frontier Foundation says the state might use tracking devices to download mileage directly from your car.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who keeps that data? And, second of all, how long is it kept?
PALOMBO: Creating a potential for abuse every mile along the way.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's almost as if we're all being treated like potential criminals and our records could be subpoenaed at any time.
PALOMBO: Driving this possible change, cars with greater fuel efficiency. For every gallon of gas pumped, $0.18 pours into state coffers. But since new fuel efficient cars have been using less gas, less money is now coming in. By some estimates, slowing state revenues down 8 percent while actual miles driven has accelerated 16 percent.
Honda driver Deidre Deming (ph) could be paying less tax while someone driving an SUV the same distance is paying more. Basing the tax on mileage would ensure they pay the same.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, it's not fair.
PALOMBO: Some say it is, since the money goes to repair roads worn out one mile at a time. Others say it goes too far, potentially allowing the state to drive off with private rights.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it should just stay the way it is. It's definitely an invasion of your privacy.
PALOMBO (on camera): Well, you'll be safe at the pumps for at least a little while longer. For any major change like this to go into effect, first, the entire state legislature would have to approve it.
In San Francisco, I'm Ross Palombo, KRON-4 News.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: And, of course, we're going to base our e-mail question on this, because we found this story so fascinating, shall we say. So gas tax -- pay at the pump or by the mile? Daybreak@cnn.com.
And, Chad?
MYERS: Yes?
COSTELLO: It's just sort of ironic. So in California they put a high tax on gas to get people to drive smaller cars and to save energy.
MYERS: Right. COSTELLO: So they do that and what happens? Oh my gosh, we need those tax dollars, so we're going to tax you per mile.
MYERS: But they are assuming that a Honda Insight does the same amount of damage to a road as a Hummer or as, you know, any big, big, big vehicle. And clearly, probably, that's not correct.
COSTELLO: Good point.
And if this flies in California and it works, you'd better believe it will spread to the rest of the country.
MYERS: There's just too much involved here, in my opinion, to calculate every single person's driving habit, how far they drive, do you have to send in a form that says oh, my odometer now says 24,252? Last year it said 12,555?
COSTELLO: One idea is they'll put something in your car which would be connected to a GPS so they could actually keep track of where you're driving in some government office somewhere.
MYERS: And who's, what company is selling all of these sensors? Because I want to buy that company.
COSTELLO: I don't know. I don't know, but we want to know what you think this morning. Daybreak@cnn.com. That's daybreak@cnn.com.
All right, not so fast, says the National Hockey League. It may not drop the puck after all. Last minute negotiations between the owners and players over a salary cap could salvage what's left of the season. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has a deadline six hours from now, 11:00 a.m. Eastern if you don't feel like counting. And that's the deadline for the union to accept the owners' final proposal.
What do you think will happen, Chad?
MYERS: I don't know, the new salary cap that they're putting in place is $44.7 million per team, and Gary Bettman, I'm actually reading on nhl.com here. It say this, "If this offer is acceptable, please let me know by 11:00, in advance of my scheduled press conference. Hopefully the press conference will not be necessary."
COSTELLO: Wow!
MYERS: So...
COSTELLO: Well, we'll be there to listen when that press conference happens or does not happen.
MYERS: He's also assuming that there's not going to be as much damage to the season if they pick it up now, as compared to if they cancel it, and I think the damage is already done. People are just fed up.
COSTELLO: I think so. And while hockey season may be about to end, baseball is about to begin. Pitchers and catchers reported to spring training for the new Washington Nationals. But, of course, they're training in the same place they did when they were the Montreal Expos. Three teams began spring training yesterday. The Chicago Cubs one of seven teams who officially begin their spring today. Some Cubs players showed up to get an early start in the post-Sammy Sosa era, because, you know, he went over to Baltimore.
The Yankees are also in camp, but the questions are less about their legendary collapse that ended last season and more about the steroids scandal surrounding first baseman Jason Giambi.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE TORRE, YANKEES MANAGER: We know he wants to play baseball, and that's really our priority right now. And, unfortunately, you know, there are a lot of things that, you know, a lot of questions he's going to have to answer by his performance, basically.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: I wonder what the heckling factor will be. I bet it'll be loud. Giambi himself due in camp on Sunday.
If you ever thought beauty pageant moms were something else, wait until you see the handlers at Westminster. They've got some doggone good secrets to success and beauty. We'll tell you what they are in just a bit.
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Wednesday morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.
It's 5:17 Eastern.
Here's what's all new this morning.
Two of the nation's top law enforcers go before the Senate Intelligence Committee this morning. CIA Chief Porter Goss and FBI Chief Robert Mueller will talk about global threats facing the United States.
Frank the Tumor is dead. Nine-year-old -- that 9-year-old Virginia boy, David Dingman (ph) Grover, is apparently cancer free after doctors in California removed his brain tumor. David had named the grapefruit sized growth after the Frankenstein monster.
In money news, book publisher Random House wants its money back from "Puff Daddy." Sean "Puff Daddy" Coombs (ph) -- isn't he P. Diddy now? Anyway, he was paid a $300,000 advance for his autobiography back in 1998, but he never wrote the book.
In culture, you can now invite "Jeopardy" king Ken Jennings into your own home. A new trivia game called "Can You Beat Ken?" should hit the store shelves by April. Jennings set a game show record by earning $2.6 million on "Jeopardy" last year.
In sports, quarterback Drew Bledsoe (ph) may be looking for a new team. Reports say he'll be released by the Buffalo Bills as early as today. It's possible Bledsoe could turn up in Dallas, where he'd be reunited with former Patriots head coach Bill Parcells (ph).
To Chad and the weather.
MYERS: Good morning, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you this morning.
An AIDS wake up call. New York City health officials may have found a rare strain of HIV that's difficult or impossible to treat. And they're trying to get the word out, especially to gay men.
Our Deborah Feyerick has more for you.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's only one case, one case in a city where as many as 100,000 people are HIV positive or have AIDS.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This particular strain is broadly resistant.
FEYERICK: But for New York City doctors like Roy Gulick, one case is more than enough.
DR. ROY GULICK, WILL CORNELL MEDICAL COLLEGE: Because this man progressed from being someone non-infected to someone with AIDS in a matter of months.
FEYERICK: The concern is that this might be a super virus, a rare strain of HIV so aggressive virtually no drugs work. New York City's top health official is warning the gay community to be careful.
DR. THOMAS FRIEDEN, NYC HEALTH COMMISSIONER: I want to emphasize that this is a single case. We do not know how widely spread it is or will become.
FEYERICK: The virus was found in a man in his mid 40s. Doctors say he had had unprotected anal sex with numerous men while using the club drug crystal meth.
DR. ANTONIO URBINA, ST. VINCENT'S CATHOLIC MEDICAL CENTER: A rapidly growing crystal methamphetamine epidemic in New York City is facilitating the transmission of HIV at an alarming rate. FEYERICK: Usually it takes years before HIV turns into full- fledged AIDS. Some doctors say the problem is not the virus, it's the patient. One of the nation's top experts on AIDS, Anthony Fauci, is skeptical about a so-called super bug.
DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH: Is it due to the particular virulence of this microbe or is it due to the fact that this particular single individual was not able to handle HIV very well?
FEYERICK: Local and federal officials usually agree before breaking this kind of news. Local New York City officials decided to go public, in part, to prevent any outbreak. Activists say they did the right thing.
ANA OLIVEIRA, GAY MEN'S HEALTH CRISIS: What we want to tell the public in general is that we don't know enough yet about this particular case that was identified.
FEYERICK (on camera): City officials say they just want to keep the virus from spreading. They're now trying to track down anyone who may have had unprotected sex with the infected man.
Deborah Feyerick, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: California health officials now say a San Diego resident may be infected with the same rare, drug resistant strain of HIV that was found in the New York City man. Officials have found a similar molecular makeup in the two cases, so now they're trying to find the California person. Officials don't know if it's a man or a woman or if that person knows the New York patient or even if that person is still alive.
A South Carolina jury comes back with a verdict, finding a teenager, not a prescription drug, guilty of murder. Just ahead, we'll hear from a juror on why defense arguments about Zoloft came up short.
You are watching DAYBREAK for Wednesday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Time for our DAYBREAK Eye-Opener.
Look closely at these three smokestacks. The bottom one on the right, see the small -- there it is. See the small explosion? The three towers, each 272 feet high, were brought down on the south side of Columbus, Ohio. The smokestacks were part of a trash burning power plant. But city officials say the plant never worked so, as you can see, it was trashed.
The couple in this hot air balloon just got engaged and it's a Valentine's Day engagement neither is likely to forget. Oh, no. You know what's going to happen, don't you? This happened in Tampa, Florida. After crashing through a barbed wire fence, the balloon's gondola came to rest in a lake. Oh, what a ride. But they're still getting married.
Who couldn't enjoy a scene like this, especially in Palo Alto, California. A local couple leads a herd of sheep and goats around the city's ball park every few days, despite a city ordinance banning so- called at large animals. Many residents say they like it. But now the city attorney is trying to decide what to do because someone has filed a complaint.
And updating you on a story from last week. Here they go. There. These are cedar wax wings. They were rescued from downtown Columbia, South Carolina outside of an office building. It seems the birds were eating the berries off of holly trees. That gets them drunk and disoriented. Many slammed into the office windows. Those that were not killed were boxed up and as you can see, they were released, and they're free again and sober.
So, just who is the top dog at a Westminster Dog Show? That would be Carlee, a 5-year-old German shorthaired pointer. Carlee's handler was also in charge of last year's winner, the Newfoundland named Josh.
But for many of the dogs, there is more to this show than just wagging their tails.
CNN's Jeanne Moos lets us in on some behind-the-scenes secrets.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The mysteries of Westminster. Let us let you in on some dog show secrets. For instance, they sometimes spray stuff on paws so the contestants don't slip. There are grooming techniques from top...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Stop. Simone. Simone.
MOOS: ... to middle.
(on camera) I wouldn't want you shaving me there.
(voice-over) To tail end.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She has a little -- lost a little bit of hair on her tail, so I'm covering it up.
MOOS (on camera): And what is that thing there?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Eye makeup.
MOOS: Simone has eye makeup on her tail.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. Yes. Eye makeup.
MOOS (voice-over) At the dog show, there's nothing sheepish about a sheep dog in pink footies or ears wrapped to keep the fur straight, slobber free until show time. And if your dog looks like a mop, drying after a bath is crucial. Ask the owner of this Hungarian Pumi named Hunk of Burning Love.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's thoroughly dried so that he doesn't mildew.
MOOS: Nothing worse than a mildewy Hunk of Burning Love.
Some breeds barely require beauty secrets.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's like wash and wear.
MOOS: Owners practice everything from belly rubs...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, we're bonding.
MOOS: ... to last minute cell phone calls. They say Chance likes hearing from his owner's mother.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's grammy, yes.
MOOS: And then there's the not so secret world of bait used to keep the dog's attention. But if you are going to use garlic chicken, it's best not to shake hands. Just as we use makeup, show dogs use powder...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It make her right look lighter.
MOOS: Especially on those trouble spots.
(on camera) Nothing insulting, but they're always a little yellow around the mouth.
(voice-over) Reach for the cornstarch.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But you have to have it all out of the dog when you go around the ring, because you don't want the dog running around in a cloud.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have seen people take magic marker and paint noses.
MOOS: Show dogs tend to be groomed with people products.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I use Aveda Volumizer on my dog.
MOOS: If it's good enough for man's best friend...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It shines him up.
MOOS: ... it's good enough for me.
(on camera) Same stuff as the dogs. How do I look?
(voice-over) And if you don't want to leave Westminster with your tail between your legs, tickle theirs. It will stand up. Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: That's a given, isn't it?
MYERS: That's a great (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
COSTELLO: We wanted to get to some of our e-mails because viewers have been e-mailing in droves about this tax by the mile idea in California. They want to raise tax dollars by taxing every mile you drive.
Oh, this is from Eric from Dallas, Texas: "Tax by the mile. Hmm. What if you have a really long driveway?"
MYERS: I just, I saw that one just before.
This one's from Jack in Connecticut. "It's amazing, the government can monitor millions of Californians trying to pay taxes on their car but can't figure out how to find and keep track of legal and illegal aliens."
COSTELLO: This is from Mike from Indiana. He says: "I have a better idea than a per mile tax. Why not put a sensor in one of our molars and have a per bite tax? Not only could the government exploit other senseless acts that people cannot avoid, but it might also help curb obesity and lower my insurance premiums."
Keep them coming, daybreak@cnn.com.
MYERS: You picked up some of the sublime ones there, Carol.
COSTELLO: Yes.
Daybreak@cnn.com is the e-mail address.
Here's what's all new in the next half hour of DAYBREAK.
Iraq, Iran, North Korea and now Syria? What the United States is doing to put the freeze on relations with Damascus.
Plus, why a South Carolina jury rejected the Zoloft defense and decided instead to send this 15-year-old boy to prison.
We're back after a quick break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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 February 16, 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, it's a tax plan that could drive California drivers crazy, and it's already fueling protests.
Plus, it's proven to be a tough fight. Now it looks like the battle against AIDS has gotten even tougher.
And how do you turn your prize pooch into a top dog? We'll share some secrets from the pros.
It is Wednesday, February 16.
This is 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, you are looking at live pictures out of Beirut, Lebanon. Here they are. This is a massive funeral service that's taking place right now. Hundreds of thousands have turned out for the funeral of the former prime minister, Rafik Hariri. He was assassinated in a bombing attack on Monday.
Tensions with Syria are on the rise. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has recalled U.S. ambassador Margaret Scobey. The U.S. is protesting Syria's presence in Lebanon, where that former prime minister was assassinated this week.
Some long awaited testimony from Alan Greenspan. In about five hours, the Federal Reserve chair goes before a Senate panel. Investors will watch for any hint of where interest rates might be heading.
Pomp and pageantry this morning in North Korea's capital as it marks the 63rd anniversary, or the 63rd birthday, rather, of Kim Jong Il. The celebration comes amid rising tensions with the United States over North Korea's nuclear program.
To the forecast center now and Chad.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning.
COSTELLO: Spring training, Chad, is up and running.
MYERS: Yes, pitchers and catchers reporting.
How's that?
COSTELLO: That's fantastic.
MYERS: You do love that game, don't you?
That's great. And now...
COSTELLO: I do. And I love it because that means spring is right around the corner.
MYERS: And -- well, true. And now you have more opportunities to go see games up there.
COSTELLO: Oh, you're right.
MYERS: There are more teams closer to you.
COSTELLO: And Detroit actually plays in New York occasionally.
MYERS: Sure. And you've got the cross-town, you've got the subway series. It's always good fun there.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: "Stump the Weatherman," remember that popular segment?
MYERS: I do remember that.
COSTELLO: It will return to DAYBREAK next week.
MYERS: I'd better get my thinking cap on.
COSTELLO: You better.
Thank you, Chad.
MYERS: All right.
COSTELLO: Back to our top story now.
The Lebanese are burying their former leader this morning. The assassination of the former prime minister, Rafik Hariri, has touched off mass mourning, along with political rumblings.
CNN's Ben Wedeman live in Beirut with the latest -- hello, Ben.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.
Yes, I'm right in the middle of Martyr's Square, the heart of Beirut. And I can hear, at the same time the bells of the Christian churches and the calls of prayer coming from mosques. This symbolizing, really, how many Lebanese Muslims and Christians have come together to mourn the death of Rafik Hariri, the former Lebanese prime minister. And not only are they united in their grief, they're also united, by and large, the people here, in their demand for an immediate withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon.
Now, as far as this funeral goes, initially the Lebanese government offered to host it. However, the family of Rafik Hariri turned down that offer because, they say, they hold the government of Lebanon, the pro-Syrian government of Lebanon, and the Syrian government itself, response for the killing of the former prime minister. So they turned down that offer.
And that really is indicative of the level of emotion and anger here in the Lebanese capital today -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Ben Wedeman reporting live from Beirut this morning.
Thank you.
An international treaty aimed at fighting global warming became effective just about five hours ago. But not in the United States or China.
Let's go live now to Stan Grant.
He's in Beijing for more on this story -- good morning, Stan.
STAN GRANT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Carol.
Well, you probably can't see much behind me, because this is often the sight here in Beijing, a city that's quite often enveloped in smog because of the very thing we're talking about, which are these greenhouse gas emissions that the Kyoto protocol is aimed to try to reduce.
Now, the protocol sets limits on 30 developed countries, countries that will get the emissions, the greenhouse gas emissions, down by a total of about 5 percent by 2012.
Now, here's the problem. The biggest emitters of greenhouse gases, the United States and China being one and two, are not signatories, or, in fact, not bound by the Kyoto protocol. The United States is not a signatory. China, however, has signed, but it is not being held to those targets that the other countries that are signatories to this agreement are being held to.
Now, it's a curious situation. The United States says that the Kyoto protocol is based on bad science, it's an economic straitjacket and says why should it be bound to this agreement when China isn't?
China is, though, being given some credit by Greenpeace for actually signing the agreement to cut greenhouse gases, even if it's not being held to those limits. They do say they are taking steps in the right direction.
And it's desperately needed here in China. China is, of course, one of the world's most polluted countries. And if you look at the impact of climate change over the next four years, it's almost catastrophic what's being blamed for widespread drought throughout the country, floods, which have cost hundreds, thousands of lives. And also looking at cutting the glaciers by about 50 percent by midway through the next century.
So, a big impact, climate change, in this part of the world. But China not bound by the Kyoto protocol. The United States not a signatory -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Stan Grant reporting live from Beijing this morning.
Thank you.
In News Across America this morning, jury selection in the Michael Jackson child molestation trial is on hold again. This time the delay was caused by Jackson's hospitalization. He has the flu. He was taken to the emergency room while on his way to court. Doctors say they do expect a full recovery. Jury selection will resume next Tuesday.
No one seriously injured when an Amtrak train hit a strawberry truck in Oxnard, California. The passenger train's engine separated from the rest of the cars after destroying the truck. Amtrak still investigating how the truck ended up on the tracks in the first place.
One of the boxers chosen for NBC's "The Contender" reality show has committed suicide. Najai Turpin shot himself while sitting in a parked car with his girlfriend. He was just 23 years old. The TV series showcases 16 boxers competing for a chance at a million dollar fight. Turpin's scenes had already been filmed for the show. Producers say the program will go on as planned.
The USS Newport News has returned to its home port after six months at sea. The fast attack sub was deployed to the waters off of southern Asia to take part in the global war on terrorism. About 130 sailors are assigned to the submarine.
Imagine having to pay taxes for every single mile you drive. This is an incredible story. You won't believe it. That is something the California Department of Motor Vehicles is seriously considering. It obviously means someone would keep track of your travel.
Reporter Ross Palombo of CNN affiliate KRON in San Francisco explains how this plan would work.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're becoming more and more popular.
ROSS PALOMBO, KRON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was designed to help you locate destinations. But now it may help the DMV locate you. Published reports say the new state DMV director is thinking of rolling out a plan that would put the brakes on the gas tax and instead tax drivers by the mile.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's basically like having a surveillance structure in place.
PALOMBO: The Electronic Frontier Foundation says the state might use tracking devices to download mileage directly from your car.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who keeps that data? And, second of all, how long is it kept?
PALOMBO: Creating a potential for abuse every mile along the way.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's almost as if we're all being treated like potential criminals and our records could be subpoenaed at any time.
PALOMBO: Driving this possible change, cars with greater fuel efficiency. For every gallon of gas pumped, $0.18 pours into state coffers. But since new fuel efficient cars have been using less gas, less money is now coming in. By some estimates, slowing state revenues down 8 percent while actual miles driven has accelerated 16 percent.
Honda driver Deidre Deming (ph) could be paying less tax while someone driving an SUV the same distance is paying more. Basing the tax on mileage would ensure they pay the same.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, it's not fair.
PALOMBO: Some say it is, since the money goes to repair roads worn out one mile at a time. Others say it goes too far, potentially allowing the state to drive off with private rights.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it should just stay the way it is. It's definitely an invasion of your privacy.
PALOMBO (on camera): Well, you'll be safe at the pumps for at least a little while longer. For any major change like this to go into effect, first, the entire state legislature would have to approve it.
In San Francisco, I'm Ross Palombo, KRON-4 News.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: And, of course, we're going to base our e-mail question on this, because we found this story so fascinating, shall we say. So gas tax -- pay at the pump or by the mile? Daybreak@cnn.com.
And, Chad?
MYERS: Yes?
COSTELLO: It's just sort of ironic. So in California they put a high tax on gas to get people to drive smaller cars and to save energy.
MYERS: Right. COSTELLO: So they do that and what happens? Oh my gosh, we need those tax dollars, so we're going to tax you per mile.
MYERS: But they are assuming that a Honda Insight does the same amount of damage to a road as a Hummer or as, you know, any big, big, big vehicle. And clearly, probably, that's not correct.
COSTELLO: Good point.
And if this flies in California and it works, you'd better believe it will spread to the rest of the country.
MYERS: There's just too much involved here, in my opinion, to calculate every single person's driving habit, how far they drive, do you have to send in a form that says oh, my odometer now says 24,252? Last year it said 12,555?
COSTELLO: One idea is they'll put something in your car which would be connected to a GPS so they could actually keep track of where you're driving in some government office somewhere.
MYERS: And who's, what company is selling all of these sensors? Because I want to buy that company.
COSTELLO: I don't know. I don't know, but we want to know what you think this morning. Daybreak@cnn.com. That's daybreak@cnn.com.
All right, not so fast, says the National Hockey League. It may not drop the puck after all. Last minute negotiations between the owners and players over a salary cap could salvage what's left of the season. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has a deadline six hours from now, 11:00 a.m. Eastern if you don't feel like counting. And that's the deadline for the union to accept the owners' final proposal.
What do you think will happen, Chad?
MYERS: I don't know, the new salary cap that they're putting in place is $44.7 million per team, and Gary Bettman, I'm actually reading on nhl.com here. It say this, "If this offer is acceptable, please let me know by 11:00, in advance of my scheduled press conference. Hopefully the press conference will not be necessary."
COSTELLO: Wow!
MYERS: So...
COSTELLO: Well, we'll be there to listen when that press conference happens or does not happen.
MYERS: He's also assuming that there's not going to be as much damage to the season if they pick it up now, as compared to if they cancel it, and I think the damage is already done. People are just fed up.
COSTELLO: I think so. And while hockey season may be about to end, baseball is about to begin. Pitchers and catchers reported to spring training for the new Washington Nationals. But, of course, they're training in the same place they did when they were the Montreal Expos. Three teams began spring training yesterday. The Chicago Cubs one of seven teams who officially begin their spring today. Some Cubs players showed up to get an early start in the post-Sammy Sosa era, because, you know, he went over to Baltimore.
The Yankees are also in camp, but the questions are less about their legendary collapse that ended last season and more about the steroids scandal surrounding first baseman Jason Giambi.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE TORRE, YANKEES MANAGER: We know he wants to play baseball, and that's really our priority right now. And, unfortunately, you know, there are a lot of things that, you know, a lot of questions he's going to have to answer by his performance, basically.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: I wonder what the heckling factor will be. I bet it'll be loud. Giambi himself due in camp on Sunday.
If you ever thought beauty pageant moms were something else, wait until you see the handlers at Westminster. They've got some doggone good secrets to success and beauty. We'll tell you what they are in just a bit.
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Wednesday morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.
It's 5:17 Eastern.
Here's what's all new this morning.
Two of the nation's top law enforcers go before the Senate Intelligence Committee this morning. CIA Chief Porter Goss and FBI Chief Robert Mueller will talk about global threats facing the United States.
Frank the Tumor is dead. Nine-year-old -- that 9-year-old Virginia boy, David Dingman (ph) Grover, is apparently cancer free after doctors in California removed his brain tumor. David had named the grapefruit sized growth after the Frankenstein monster.
In money news, book publisher Random House wants its money back from "Puff Daddy." Sean "Puff Daddy" Coombs (ph) -- isn't he P. Diddy now? Anyway, he was paid a $300,000 advance for his autobiography back in 1998, but he never wrote the book.
In culture, you can now invite "Jeopardy" king Ken Jennings into your own home. A new trivia game called "Can You Beat Ken?" should hit the store shelves by April. Jennings set a game show record by earning $2.6 million on "Jeopardy" last year.
In sports, quarterback Drew Bledsoe (ph) may be looking for a new team. Reports say he'll be released by the Buffalo Bills as early as today. It's possible Bledsoe could turn up in Dallas, where he'd be reunited with former Patriots head coach Bill Parcells (ph).
To Chad and the weather.
MYERS: Good morning, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you this morning.
An AIDS wake up call. New York City health officials may have found a rare strain of HIV that's difficult or impossible to treat. And they're trying to get the word out, especially to gay men.
Our Deborah Feyerick has more for you.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's only one case, one case in a city where as many as 100,000 people are HIV positive or have AIDS.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This particular strain is broadly resistant.
FEYERICK: But for New York City doctors like Roy Gulick, one case is more than enough.
DR. ROY GULICK, WILL CORNELL MEDICAL COLLEGE: Because this man progressed from being someone non-infected to someone with AIDS in a matter of months.
FEYERICK: The concern is that this might be a super virus, a rare strain of HIV so aggressive virtually no drugs work. New York City's top health official is warning the gay community to be careful.
DR. THOMAS FRIEDEN, NYC HEALTH COMMISSIONER: I want to emphasize that this is a single case. We do not know how widely spread it is or will become.
FEYERICK: The virus was found in a man in his mid 40s. Doctors say he had had unprotected anal sex with numerous men while using the club drug crystal meth.
DR. ANTONIO URBINA, ST. VINCENT'S CATHOLIC MEDICAL CENTER: A rapidly growing crystal methamphetamine epidemic in New York City is facilitating the transmission of HIV at an alarming rate. FEYERICK: Usually it takes years before HIV turns into full- fledged AIDS. Some doctors say the problem is not the virus, it's the patient. One of the nation's top experts on AIDS, Anthony Fauci, is skeptical about a so-called super bug.
DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH: Is it due to the particular virulence of this microbe or is it due to the fact that this particular single individual was not able to handle HIV very well?
FEYERICK: Local and federal officials usually agree before breaking this kind of news. Local New York City officials decided to go public, in part, to prevent any outbreak. Activists say they did the right thing.
ANA OLIVEIRA, GAY MEN'S HEALTH CRISIS: What we want to tell the public in general is that we don't know enough yet about this particular case that was identified.
FEYERICK (on camera): City officials say they just want to keep the virus from spreading. They're now trying to track down anyone who may have had unprotected sex with the infected man.
Deborah Feyerick, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: California health officials now say a San Diego resident may be infected with the same rare, drug resistant strain of HIV that was found in the New York City man. Officials have found a similar molecular makeup in the two cases, so now they're trying to find the California person. Officials don't know if it's a man or a woman or if that person knows the New York patient or even if that person is still alive.
A South Carolina jury comes back with a verdict, finding a teenager, not a prescription drug, guilty of murder. Just ahead, we'll hear from a juror on why defense arguments about Zoloft came up short.
You are watching DAYBREAK for Wednesday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Time for our DAYBREAK Eye-Opener.
Look closely at these three smokestacks. The bottom one on the right, see the small -- there it is. See the small explosion? The three towers, each 272 feet high, were brought down on the south side of Columbus, Ohio. The smokestacks were part of a trash burning power plant. But city officials say the plant never worked so, as you can see, it was trashed.
The couple in this hot air balloon just got engaged and it's a Valentine's Day engagement neither is likely to forget. Oh, no. You know what's going to happen, don't you? This happened in Tampa, Florida. After crashing through a barbed wire fence, the balloon's gondola came to rest in a lake. Oh, what a ride. But they're still getting married.
Who couldn't enjoy a scene like this, especially in Palo Alto, California. A local couple leads a herd of sheep and goats around the city's ball park every few days, despite a city ordinance banning so- called at large animals. Many residents say they like it. But now the city attorney is trying to decide what to do because someone has filed a complaint.
And updating you on a story from last week. Here they go. There. These are cedar wax wings. They were rescued from downtown Columbia, South Carolina outside of an office building. It seems the birds were eating the berries off of holly trees. That gets them drunk and disoriented. Many slammed into the office windows. Those that were not killed were boxed up and as you can see, they were released, and they're free again and sober.
So, just who is the top dog at a Westminster Dog Show? That would be Carlee, a 5-year-old German shorthaired pointer. Carlee's handler was also in charge of last year's winner, the Newfoundland named Josh.
But for many of the dogs, there is more to this show than just wagging their tails.
CNN's Jeanne Moos lets us in on some behind-the-scenes secrets.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The mysteries of Westminster. Let us let you in on some dog show secrets. For instance, they sometimes spray stuff on paws so the contestants don't slip. There are grooming techniques from top...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Stop. Simone. Simone.
MOOS: ... to middle.
(on camera) I wouldn't want you shaving me there.
(voice-over) To tail end.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She has a little -- lost a little bit of hair on her tail, so I'm covering it up.
MOOS (on camera): And what is that thing there?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Eye makeup.
MOOS: Simone has eye makeup on her tail.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. Yes. Eye makeup.
MOOS (voice-over) At the dog show, there's nothing sheepish about a sheep dog in pink footies or ears wrapped to keep the fur straight, slobber free until show time. And if your dog looks like a mop, drying after a bath is crucial. Ask the owner of this Hungarian Pumi named Hunk of Burning Love.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's thoroughly dried so that he doesn't mildew.
MOOS: Nothing worse than a mildewy Hunk of Burning Love.
Some breeds barely require beauty secrets.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's like wash and wear.
MOOS: Owners practice everything from belly rubs...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, we're bonding.
MOOS: ... to last minute cell phone calls. They say Chance likes hearing from his owner's mother.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's grammy, yes.
MOOS: And then there's the not so secret world of bait used to keep the dog's attention. But if you are going to use garlic chicken, it's best not to shake hands. Just as we use makeup, show dogs use powder...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It make her right look lighter.
MOOS: Especially on those trouble spots.
(on camera) Nothing insulting, but they're always a little yellow around the mouth.
(voice-over) Reach for the cornstarch.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But you have to have it all out of the dog when you go around the ring, because you don't want the dog running around in a cloud.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have seen people take magic marker and paint noses.
MOOS: Show dogs tend to be groomed with people products.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I use Aveda Volumizer on my dog.
MOOS: If it's good enough for man's best friend...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It shines him up.
MOOS: ... it's good enough for me.
(on camera) Same stuff as the dogs. How do I look?
(voice-over) And if you don't want to leave Westminster with your tail between your legs, tickle theirs. It will stand up. Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: That's a given, isn't it?
MYERS: That's a great (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
COSTELLO: We wanted to get to some of our e-mails because viewers have been e-mailing in droves about this tax by the mile idea in California. They want to raise tax dollars by taxing every mile you drive.
Oh, this is from Eric from Dallas, Texas: "Tax by the mile. Hmm. What if you have a really long driveway?"
MYERS: I just, I saw that one just before.
This one's from Jack in Connecticut. "It's amazing, the government can monitor millions of Californians trying to pay taxes on their car but can't figure out how to find and keep track of legal and illegal aliens."
COSTELLO: This is from Mike from Indiana. He says: "I have a better idea than a per mile tax. Why not put a sensor in one of our molars and have a per bite tax? Not only could the government exploit other senseless acts that people cannot avoid, but it might also help curb obesity and lower my insurance premiums."
Keep them coming, daybreak@cnn.com.
MYERS: You picked up some of the sublime ones there, Carol.
COSTELLO: Yes.
Daybreak@cnn.com is the e-mail address.
Here's what's all new in the next half hour of DAYBREAK.
Iraq, Iran, North Korea and now Syria? What the United States is doing to put the freeze on relations with Damascus.
Plus, why a South Carolina jury rejected the Zoloft defense and decided instead to send this 15-year-old boy to prison.
We're back after a quick break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
