Return to Transcripts main page
American Morning
Updates on Condition of Pope John Paul II; Three American Soldiers Killed
Aired February 25, 2005 - 08:00 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.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A cafe latte and 10 biscuits for breakfast -- and he's breathing on his own. Pope John Paul II is resting and showing signs of improvement this morning after his surgery yesterday.
Panic in a Texas town -- gunfire echoes through a local courthouse as a bloody scene unfolds in the streets outside.
And a 9-year-old girl vanishes into the night. Police are now looking for a clue that'll bring little Jessica home, on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN broadcast center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everybody.
Welcome to Friday.
And good morning to you, as well.
O'BRIEN: Thank you.
Likewise.
HEMMER: The pope's health tops our news again this morning. A bit earlier today, a Vatican spokesperson made a statement filling in many of the details about his condition, not only that he is eating, but joking a bit, too, writing down what have you done to me? Walt Rodgers explains that in a moment live in Rome. And Sanjay stops by, as well, to tell us what he is concerned with now from the medical standpoint. We'll get to all of that in a moment here.
O'BRIEN: Yes, it's nice to hear some signs of improvement.
Also, on a much, much, much, much, much lighter note, our Oscar coverage this morning. We're focusing on this hour on the host, Chris Rock. He's outspoken, he's controversial and he says he's just misunderstood.
HEMMER: Really?
Toure'...
O'BRIEN: Yes, apparently so.
Toure' is taking a look at that. Some pretty funny stuff there.
HEMMER: All right, good deal.
Here's Jack Cafferty here -- what's up in "The File?"
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Coming up in "The Cafferty File," Bill, a bus stop advertisement that puts its money where its bulletproof glass is. Japanese seniors can now pay money to have somebody to fall asleep with. I think you can do that anyway, can't you? And a wallet lost in a plane crash 30 years ago is returned to its owner. Riveting stuff...
O'BRIEN: Was the money...
CAFFERTY: "The File," this Friday.
O'BRIEN: Was the money inside or not?
CAFFERTY: Hmmm?
O'BRIEN: Was the money inside the wallet or not?
CAFFERTY: I don't know. I don't know. But it is a -- it is an amazing story.
HEMMER: Good deal.
Thank you, Jack.
CAFFERTY: Yes.
HEMMER: Let's go to Rome straight away.
The pope now is recovering from surgery. The Vatican reporting the pontiff is breathing on his own without the aid of a respirator and that he is eating well in addition to that.
Here's Walt Rodgers outside the hospital in Rome -- Walt, what more do you know?
Good afternoon there.
WALTER RODGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Bill.
Every effort is being made on the part of the Vatican to create the impression of stability and well being in the pope's case after his surgery last night for a tracheotomy. As you pointed out, the Vatican officials are now saying he is breathing on his own. They seem to dispute an earlier report that the pope had been using a respirator, even though he'd had a tracheotomy.
Additionally, they're saying his cardio circulatory system is good and they're also saying no evidence of pneumonia at all.
What's not being told is perhaps what's just as important. We don't know how long the pope is going to be in hospital. We don't think when he's going to be able to resume his duties as pope, whether he'll be able to preside over the Vatican's Easter season.
Again, what we're seeing is light and somewhat superficial reporting at this point. It is said that the pope had a restful night, that he had a good breakfast, which is to say he had a cafe latte, 10 cookies. And they say that his appetite is great, because he ate all 10 cookies. And they're also saying that he had some yogurt. Again, every effort to convey the impression of stability and well-being. But we don't know what it is they are not telling us and that's enough to give us some reason for concern yet and still -- Bill.
HEMMER: All right, Walt.
Walt Rodgers, thanks, in Rome.
More now with Soledad on this story.
O'BRIEN: Yes.
And, in fact, as we just heard from Walt, the pope, reported that he has no signs of any lung infection.
Let's get a little more on this condition from CNN senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who's live at the CNN Center.
That's very good news, because that means no pneumonia -- right, Sanjay?
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and that's the biggest concern when you have the flu is the complication of the flu, the biggest one being pneumonia, particularly concerning in a person who is elderly and a person who has other medical problems -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: What does the recovery look like? And give me a sense of this tracheotomy, what exactly happens and how does that complicate and compromise how he's able to eat and how he's able to communicate?
GUPTA: Yes, well, first of all, regarding the recovery, and I think Walt Rodgers sort of alluded to this, it's kind of hard. We're getting sparse details out of the Vatican in terms of what the likely recovery is going to be, in terms of how, in fact, he's even doing now.
A couple of disparities. One is that at the little press conference they had from the Vatican they said that there was never a need for a respirator, a breathing machine, at any time. And then we're hearing, of course, that he's off the respirator this morning, suggesting that, in fact, he had been on it overnight. And those sorts of details are important when it comes to trying to assess his recovery.
More likely, we'll get an update on Monday again about the pope, saying that he is continuing to do well. He has had chest x-rays, probably over the weekend, continuing to look for pneumonia. He may be able to start speaking. I want to just point this out, Soledad, with this little model that I have here. When you have a tracheotomy actually in place, it involves actually putting a little device directly into the trachea from an incision in the neck. Typically, you can't speak with this in place unless it's covered up in some way and someone actually practices speaking with this tracheotomy device covered up.
He's obviously able to eat, as we heard; drink, as well. Those are all very good signs, although, again, Soledad, I think you make a good point. He is elderly. He has significant other medical conditions. These are all things that certainly are going to have the doctors' antennas up, I'm sure, for the next several days, if not weeks.
O'BRIEN: What kind of a role does having Parkinson's play in his inability to, apparently, as we hear reports, to really breathe fully and get oxygen fully?
GUPTA: A couple of things about the Parkinson's. It's an important thing to keep in mind. People typically think of Parkinson's, you know, having some tremor, having some stiffness of the muscles. It can be a lot more than that, including some rigidity or stiffness of muscles of the upper airway. And that might contribute to his difficulty breathing.
A second point, as well, is that when someone goes under anesthesia who also has Parkinson's, they may take a little bit longer time to recover. And a final point, you know, the goal really is to get him up and mobilized. That's going to be one of the big keys to preventing an infection, an infection of the lungs. With Parkinson's, that's obviously more difficult and challenging, as well, Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Yes, I would imagine. I also would imagine that because he is stooped over so much, as we have seen in pictures of the pope, that would also compress any airways and compress his lungs, as well.
GUPTA: That's right. That's right. Those things can all be a factor. Again, the tracheotomy should facilitate good breathing now on his own. Also, if he does develop any kind of lung infection, they can actually do something called pulmonary cleansing straight through that tracheotomy.
So those are a couple of good uses of the device itself.
O'BRIEN: All right, Sanjay, thanks.
GUPTA: Thank you.
HEMMER: Watching that story out of Rome.
Also a breaking story from Iraq now.
Three American soldiers were killed in a roadside bombing today.
Nic Robertson is now live in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad -- Nic, what happened?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bill, the details really only just coming in to us still. We don't know that it happened, or at least that it's believed to have happened slightly earlier in the day, a few hours ago, at least, in the northern part of Baghdad. A roadside bomb hitting a group of Army vehicles as they were traveling along a road.
We are told at least three soldiers dead and at least, at this time, six soldiers wounded. This information has come to us from the 3rd Infantry Division. It's not yet clear whose soldiers or which unit these soldiers belonged to, but the 3rd Infantry Division is now beginning its second rotation into Baghdad. They, of course, the soldiers who fought their way into the city in April, 2003.
Their general, their commanding general I talked with this morning. General Webster said that they were prepared, trained for all the sorts of eventualities to expect here, had gone through, refined their training, refined their equipment to prepare themselves for Baghdad. But he said, of course, he knew -- and he said this this morning -- he said he knew that this sort of thing could happen at any time during their rotation here -- Bill.
HEMMER: Nic Robertson from Baghdad.
Thanks, Nic.
O'BRIEN: There are other stories making headlines this morning.
Here's Carol Costello -- good morning, again.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
Good morning to all of you.
Now in the news, police in Florida say bad weather is hurting the search for a missing 9-year-old girl. Authorities say there is reason to believe Jessica Lunsford may be in danger. The girl was last seen when she went to bed about 10:00 on Wednesday night. Her father says Jessica was not in her room when he checked around 6:00 a.m. yesterday.
Also in Florida, a ruling expected today on a new request to keep Terri Schiavo on a feeding tube for at least another 60 days. An attorney for the brain damaged woman's parents says a Florida agency wants to investigate allegations Schiavo has been mistreated. Barring action from the judge, Schiavo's husband could order the removal of her feeding tube by 5:00 p.m. Eastern today.
And out in California, the Michael Jackson trial rolls into high gear on Monday as opening statements are set to begin. But first, the judge will hear motions from attorneys at a hearing today. Eight alternate jurors were named yesterday and Judge Melville warned attorneys to have witnesses and evidence ready. He doesn't want to waste the jury's time or his time either. Jackson has pleaded not guilty on charges of molesting a 13-year-old cancer patient. That judge is tough, isn't he?
O'BRIEN: Wow! And he is moving it along, isn't he?
HEMMER: Really quickly, yes. Yes, it's good speed.
COSTELLO: Yes, they seated the jury in two days, named the alternates in a day...
HEMMER: Yes.
COSTELLO: And opening arguments are Monday.
O'BRIEN: Exactly. It was like we're going to wrap this up.
HEMMER: Done deal.
O'BRIEN: It's not going to take six months.
HEMMER: Yes.
O'BRIEN: That's my prediction, as everybody had predicted it would be that long.
HEMMER: Could be.
Could be.
COSTELLO: Yes, we'll see.
HEMMER: Thank you, Carol.
COSTELLO: Thanks.
HEMMER: In a moment here, who says controversy is a bad thing after all? The Oscar is about to get rocked by Chris Rock on Sunday night. But is the uproar over some of his jokes just what the Academy wanted? Hmmm.
O'BRIEN: Also, the president returns from his European charm offensive. Did he mend fences or did he build more barriers? We'll take a look.
HEMMER: Also, the cameras were rolling during a bizarre courthouse shooting spree. A reporter who was there during the time of those terrifying moments will talk to us live about what happened in Tyler, Texas in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: From Texas, politics say a gunman who went on a rampage outside of a courthouse in Tyler came well armed and well prepared. Cameras were rolling inside that courtroom when the shooting started. Authorities say the gunman, David Hernandez Arroyo, Sr., killed his ex-wife and a bystander. Four others were wounded. Arroyo was later shot and killed by police nearby. Julie Tam is a reporter at KLTV and she's our guest now.
And, Julie, thanks for your time.
You were inside the courthouse when the shooting happened.
What was your experience?
JULIE TAM, KLTV REPORTER: Well, actually, my photographer, Chris Howell, and I were in the courtroom upstairs on the second floor for a hearing unrelated on a capital murder case. And I was sitting in the front row. And my photographer was in the back of the room, shooting toward the front.
All of a sudden, we heard the noise outside the window. None of us really knew what it was, and, in fact, the sheriffs' deputies were a little startled, but they didn't really act on it right away. We thought it might be construction going on outside. It sounded like a wrecking ball hitting concrete, really.
And then when more gunfire started erupting, we started to realize what it was. And it was at that point that two women came running into our courtroom from another part of the courthouse screaming and crying and saying that someone was shooting. And they didn't see anything, they just heard the shooting and they ran. And everyone was hysterical in the hallways. And it was just basically chaos inside.
HEMMER: If you listen to the sound on the videotape, it almost sounds like a cap gun going off, just small little pops.
Do you know what set this man off, Julie?
TAM: Well, I talked to the man's niece last night and she said that he was so upset over the whole custody battles that had gone on before, and, of course, yesterday's child support hearing. Also, on top of that, his mother died last week. And so she was saying that just, you know, everything was just, you know, coming to a grinding halt for him. He felt like losing that 10-year-old child of his, Abraham, you know, was like losing his life because his children were his life. He had two older children, 18 and 22, and, of course, the custody battle was over the youngest.
HEMMER: So the gunman is dead. His ex-wife has been killed.
TAM: Yes.
HEMMER: And an innocent bystander by the name of Mark Wilson apparently is being described by many as a hero.
TAM: Right.
HEMMER: Do you know what role he played in this?
TAM: Yes. He actually lives above the Rage Salon, which is actually right behind me here on this corner. And he heard this gunfire and came down. And he is a licensed handgun holder. So he tried to stop it, you know, and actually may have saved David Arroyo, Sr.'s 22-year-old son's life and distracted him, because the 22-year- old son just ended up with an injury in the leg.
And so he started firing at David Arroyo, Sr. and, of course, Arroyo had a flak jacket on with a bulletproof vest and he wasn't, you know, fazed at all by this gunfire, and unfortunately fired back and killed Mark Wilson.
And interestingly enough, Mark Wilson was a founder and owner of Lock & Load, which is an indoor shooting range here in Tyler.
HEMMER: Wow!
We understand he was wearing Kevlar. I also talked with an eyewitness last hour who described the gunman as being in some sort of zone as he was moving outside the courthouse there.
Julie, how big is your town, Tyler, Texas?
TAM: It is just over 101,000 population this year. It's a growing city, actually, grown 25 percent in just the last five years.
HEMMER: Wow!
How is the community...
TAM: So I guess this crime...
HEMMER: How is the community responding to this news, Julie?
TAM: You know, definitely very much in shock. You know, this is not something that happens all the time, especially since we were just in the news last month with the Megan Holden Wal-Mart cashier being abducted by the Marine and then just a few days ago, the suspect in the Fort Worth mother who is missing, he was arrested here.
So just, you know, three big major news events that have made national headlines within a month in Tyler, Texas, which is normally a relatively safe area, you know, with its share of crime, but, you know, safe community and quiet. So...
HEMMER: Glad to see you're OK.
Thanks, Julie.
TAM: Thanks.
HEMMER: KLTV reporter Julie Tam there in Tyler, Texas -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Time to take a look at one of the most popular stories on cnn.com. A New York jury has ordered Wal-Mart to pay $7.5 million to a disabled former employee for assigning him to garbage duty. The 21-year-old plaintiff has cerebral palsy. He says he was hired to work in the pharmacy, but was soon reassigned to collecting garbage and shopping carts. Wal-Mart denies the allegation and says it does not tolerate discrimination of any kind.
Chances are the most talked about performer at this year's Oscars won't even be an actor. It could be the host. A look at that ahead.
But first, who subbed as Oscar host back in 1973 when Charleton Heston had car trouble and couldn't make it in? Was it, A, Steven Spielberg? Was it, B, Morgan Freeman? Or was it, C, Clint Eastwood? We've got the answer right after the break, right here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody.
Before the break, we asked who subbed as Oscar host in 1973 when Charleton Heston had car trouble and couldn't make it? The answer is, C, Clint Eastwood. Heston's car broke down on the Hollywood freeway just minutes before the show went on the air. The unsuspecting Clint Eastwood was given the text of Heston's speech and then kind of shoved out onto the stage to deliver it.
HEMMER: That's a pretty good assist.
O'BRIEN: Yes, not too bad.
HEMMER: On call.
O'BRIEN: Just a couple of days, though, before the Academy Awards hit the stage, the who's who of Hollywood will be there. But come Sunday night, all eyes will really be on one guy.
CNN's pop culture correspondent, Toure', is going to be there, as well -- hey, Toure', good morning.
TOURE', CNN POP CULTURE CORRESPONDENT, "ROLLING STONE" MAGAZINE: Hi, Soledad.
Listen, it ain't breaking news that this is going to be the blackest Oscars ever. There's five black nominees in the major categories and Puffy and Prince presenting, and Beyonce performing. And then there's the man who just might steal the whole show, the host, Chris Rock.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, COURTESY HBO)
CHRIS ROCK, COMEDIAN/ACTOR: If you're black, you've got to look at America a little different. If you're black, America's like the uncle that paid your way through college but molested you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TOURE' (voice-over): Chris Rock is one of the most unpredictable mouths in show biz.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM, COURTESY AMPAS)
ROCK: Look at this crowd. It's like the million white man march here today. Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TOURE': Now the Motion Picture Academy is passing the host's mike to Rock, hoping he'll help the Oscars avoid the ratings slide other awards shows have had.
GIL CATES, PRODUCER, 75TH ACADEMY AWARDS: He really is someone who is very adept at dealing with an audience of people under 40, funny, irreverent.
NELSON GEORGE, FORMER PRODUCER, "CHRIS ROCK SHOW": The reason the Oscars have him there, the Oscars will have him hosting the show, is not to make Warren Beatty laugh. They have him there to make Joe Six Pack laugh.
TOURE': In an interview with "Entertainment Weekly," Rock's comment that "straight black men don't watch the Oscars" may have unnerved some Academy members, but not the show's producer.
CATES: Poor Chris, in the sense that he's a comedian. He's supposed to make people laugh and he gets bombarded for doing that.
TOURE': Rock appeared on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" to clarify his remarks.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO," COURTESY NBC)
ROCK: I was quoted in the magazine as saying only gay people watch the Oscars.
JAY LENO, HOST: Right.
ROCK: I did not say that. I said only gay people watch the Tonys.
LENO: Oh.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TOURE': And he sounded surprised over the brouhaha about his recent interviews.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO," COURTESY NBC)
ROCK: And I think I'm just doing a gig. I'm like OK, I act like I'm playing yuk yuks in Toronto. And I mean people are really like hey, don't you disrespect the Oscars.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(END VIDEO TAPE)
TOURE': Rock's wife threw him a surprise 40th birthday party last night at a little restaurant in West Hollywood. Oprah, Magic, Puffy and Eddie Murphy were in the house, as was your man, Toure'. When they brought out a big cake with little Oscars on it, Rock said: "Let's hope I don't (OBSCENE WORD OMITTED) it up on Sunday."
Now, a lot of people are afraid he will, so ABC slapped a TV-14 rating on the show, as if that'll keep the kids from watching. But the bottom line is Chris Rock is so talented, he don't need to curse to be shocking.
O'BRIEN: He should make things fun.
Any kind of good scoop you got at this party?
TOURE': Well, let me tell you a little story just between you and me. There was a cake for Rock and another smaller one for Anna Moreno, Ray Moreno's wife. It was her birthday. Malaak Rock, Chris' wife, said to the crowd: "I'm glad there's another comedy wife here, another woman whose husband talks about her for a living. But they make a lot of money and we live really well because of it," Soledad.
O'BRIEN: All right, Toure', it sounds like it was a lot of fun.
TOURE': Yes.
O'BRIEN: We'll see what happens this weekend.
Thanks.
TOURE': All right.
HEMMER: Jack has a few thoughts on this by the way.
O'BRIEN: A few.
HEMMER: He loves this show.
CAFFERTY: Well, the viewers had a few thoughts.
The question is how much do you care about the Academy Awards?
Sandy in Florida writes: "I think it's time for the 'Existing and Still Happy Awards', you know, for the people who face life on life's terms and still manage to be kind to one another. We, the people, need credit for doing it the hard way and helping others with the same."
Jim writes: "There's no interest in the Oscars because of supply and demand. The supply was there -- the nominated films. But there was no demand -- ticket buyers. No one is interested in seeing awards given out to a product they did not use."
James -- Jeffrey in Jamesville, North Carolina: "There are a lot of things that really concern me. I am concerned about the type of toilet paper I use, whether my steak is cooked to my liking or if Jack is going to take a day off so I don't get my daily dose of controversy. The Oscars are a waste of time. I'd rather watch my car rest."
And Alan in London, Ontario: "Think opportunity, Jack. Imagine the possibility for a new reality series. Soledad helps Jack prepare for and takes him to the Oscars."
O'BRIEN: We'd be a cute little couple, wouldn't we, at the Oscars?
HEMMER: Get the cameras rolling out in Jersey.
CAFFERTY: Indeed we would.
O'BRIEN: The two of us waving on the red carpet, Jack?
CAFFERTY: Yes.
O'BRIEN: You could give interviews, tell people what you're wearing, do a little, you know --
CAFFERTY: I'd probably...
O'BRIEN: ... twist around?
CAFFERTY: No.
O'BRIEN: Armani? Yes?
CAFFERTY: Probably not.
O'BRIEN: No?
HEMMER: Yes, the one point you make, I think, is actually very true. There's not a clear winner this year for the Oscars.
CAFFERTY: Yes, there is.
HEMMER: "Aviator" may come in and sweep everything.
CAFFERTY: No.
HEMMER: "Ray" will...
CAFFERTY: There is a clear winner, "Ray"...
HEMMER: Jamie Foxx will win the Oscar, that's true.
CAFFERTY: Jamie Foxx. Right.
HEMMER: That's true.
CAFFERTY: "Ray" is the best movie, Jamie Foxx should get the Oscar for that and for that other, what was it, not "Deliverance." What's the name of that?
HEMMER: "Collateral."
CAFFERTY: "Collateral."
That's...
O'BRIEN: I've got to tell you, the best picture, many people are going with "Million Dollar Baby."
CAFFERTY: Yes, well, they're wrong.
O'BRIEN: I hate to throw it out there. I hate to say it while I'm sitting so close to you, but I think that's a good hint.
CAFFERTY: Do you think we've overdone the Oscars or not this morning?
HEMMER: Yes, it's Sunday night.
O'BRIEN: No, we've still got an hour and a half here.
HEMMER: We'll do it again on Monday.
O'BRIEN: Not a problem, is it?
HEMMER: New developments in a moment this morning out of Rome on the condition of the pope. How is he doing after surgery yesterday? We'll talk to someone who knows the pontiff very well, former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, Ray Flynn, our guest out of Boston in a moment as we continue after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Good morning, everybody.
It snowed last night here in New York. It's going to melt within like two hours once all the heat gets going in Manhattan with the commuter traffic here.
8:30 here.
Good morning.
We're going back to the pope's health in a moment. The Vatican emphasizing the positive in a news conference today, talking about his appetite, also that he is breathing. The former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican is Ray Flynn. He's our guest in a moment. He talks with leaders in the church just about on a daily basis. So we'll get his thoughts in a moment up there in Boston.
O'BRIEN: They always call him and discuss any of the pope's health issues with him ahead of time, before it becomes public.
We'll see what insight he has to bring this morning.
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 25, 2005 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A cafe latte and 10 biscuits for breakfast -- and he's breathing on his own. Pope John Paul II is resting and showing signs of improvement this morning after his surgery yesterday.
Panic in a Texas town -- gunfire echoes through a local courthouse as a bloody scene unfolds in the streets outside.
And a 9-year-old girl vanishes into the night. Police are now looking for a clue that'll bring little Jessica home, on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN broadcast center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everybody.
Welcome to Friday.
And good morning to you, as well.
O'BRIEN: Thank you.
Likewise.
HEMMER: The pope's health tops our news again this morning. A bit earlier today, a Vatican spokesperson made a statement filling in many of the details about his condition, not only that he is eating, but joking a bit, too, writing down what have you done to me? Walt Rodgers explains that in a moment live in Rome. And Sanjay stops by, as well, to tell us what he is concerned with now from the medical standpoint. We'll get to all of that in a moment here.
O'BRIEN: Yes, it's nice to hear some signs of improvement.
Also, on a much, much, much, much, much lighter note, our Oscar coverage this morning. We're focusing on this hour on the host, Chris Rock. He's outspoken, he's controversial and he says he's just misunderstood.
HEMMER: Really?
Toure'...
O'BRIEN: Yes, apparently so.
Toure' is taking a look at that. Some pretty funny stuff there.
HEMMER: All right, good deal.
Here's Jack Cafferty here -- what's up in "The File?"
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Coming up in "The Cafferty File," Bill, a bus stop advertisement that puts its money where its bulletproof glass is. Japanese seniors can now pay money to have somebody to fall asleep with. I think you can do that anyway, can't you? And a wallet lost in a plane crash 30 years ago is returned to its owner. Riveting stuff...
O'BRIEN: Was the money...
CAFFERTY: "The File," this Friday.
O'BRIEN: Was the money inside or not?
CAFFERTY: Hmmm?
O'BRIEN: Was the money inside the wallet or not?
CAFFERTY: I don't know. I don't know. But it is a -- it is an amazing story.
HEMMER: Good deal.
Thank you, Jack.
CAFFERTY: Yes.
HEMMER: Let's go to Rome straight away.
The pope now is recovering from surgery. The Vatican reporting the pontiff is breathing on his own without the aid of a respirator and that he is eating well in addition to that.
Here's Walt Rodgers outside the hospital in Rome -- Walt, what more do you know?
Good afternoon there.
WALTER RODGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Bill.
Every effort is being made on the part of the Vatican to create the impression of stability and well being in the pope's case after his surgery last night for a tracheotomy. As you pointed out, the Vatican officials are now saying he is breathing on his own. They seem to dispute an earlier report that the pope had been using a respirator, even though he'd had a tracheotomy.
Additionally, they're saying his cardio circulatory system is good and they're also saying no evidence of pneumonia at all.
What's not being told is perhaps what's just as important. We don't know how long the pope is going to be in hospital. We don't think when he's going to be able to resume his duties as pope, whether he'll be able to preside over the Vatican's Easter season.
Again, what we're seeing is light and somewhat superficial reporting at this point. It is said that the pope had a restful night, that he had a good breakfast, which is to say he had a cafe latte, 10 cookies. And they say that his appetite is great, because he ate all 10 cookies. And they're also saying that he had some yogurt. Again, every effort to convey the impression of stability and well-being. But we don't know what it is they are not telling us and that's enough to give us some reason for concern yet and still -- Bill.
HEMMER: All right, Walt.
Walt Rodgers, thanks, in Rome.
More now with Soledad on this story.
O'BRIEN: Yes.
And, in fact, as we just heard from Walt, the pope, reported that he has no signs of any lung infection.
Let's get a little more on this condition from CNN senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who's live at the CNN Center.
That's very good news, because that means no pneumonia -- right, Sanjay?
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and that's the biggest concern when you have the flu is the complication of the flu, the biggest one being pneumonia, particularly concerning in a person who is elderly and a person who has other medical problems -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: What does the recovery look like? And give me a sense of this tracheotomy, what exactly happens and how does that complicate and compromise how he's able to eat and how he's able to communicate?
GUPTA: Yes, well, first of all, regarding the recovery, and I think Walt Rodgers sort of alluded to this, it's kind of hard. We're getting sparse details out of the Vatican in terms of what the likely recovery is going to be, in terms of how, in fact, he's even doing now.
A couple of disparities. One is that at the little press conference they had from the Vatican they said that there was never a need for a respirator, a breathing machine, at any time. And then we're hearing, of course, that he's off the respirator this morning, suggesting that, in fact, he had been on it overnight. And those sorts of details are important when it comes to trying to assess his recovery.
More likely, we'll get an update on Monday again about the pope, saying that he is continuing to do well. He has had chest x-rays, probably over the weekend, continuing to look for pneumonia. He may be able to start speaking. I want to just point this out, Soledad, with this little model that I have here. When you have a tracheotomy actually in place, it involves actually putting a little device directly into the trachea from an incision in the neck. Typically, you can't speak with this in place unless it's covered up in some way and someone actually practices speaking with this tracheotomy device covered up.
He's obviously able to eat, as we heard; drink, as well. Those are all very good signs, although, again, Soledad, I think you make a good point. He is elderly. He has significant other medical conditions. These are all things that certainly are going to have the doctors' antennas up, I'm sure, for the next several days, if not weeks.
O'BRIEN: What kind of a role does having Parkinson's play in his inability to, apparently, as we hear reports, to really breathe fully and get oxygen fully?
GUPTA: A couple of things about the Parkinson's. It's an important thing to keep in mind. People typically think of Parkinson's, you know, having some tremor, having some stiffness of the muscles. It can be a lot more than that, including some rigidity or stiffness of muscles of the upper airway. And that might contribute to his difficulty breathing.
A second point, as well, is that when someone goes under anesthesia who also has Parkinson's, they may take a little bit longer time to recover. And a final point, you know, the goal really is to get him up and mobilized. That's going to be one of the big keys to preventing an infection, an infection of the lungs. With Parkinson's, that's obviously more difficult and challenging, as well, Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Yes, I would imagine. I also would imagine that because he is stooped over so much, as we have seen in pictures of the pope, that would also compress any airways and compress his lungs, as well.
GUPTA: That's right. That's right. Those things can all be a factor. Again, the tracheotomy should facilitate good breathing now on his own. Also, if he does develop any kind of lung infection, they can actually do something called pulmonary cleansing straight through that tracheotomy.
So those are a couple of good uses of the device itself.
O'BRIEN: All right, Sanjay, thanks.
GUPTA: Thank you.
HEMMER: Watching that story out of Rome.
Also a breaking story from Iraq now.
Three American soldiers were killed in a roadside bombing today.
Nic Robertson is now live in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad -- Nic, what happened?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bill, the details really only just coming in to us still. We don't know that it happened, or at least that it's believed to have happened slightly earlier in the day, a few hours ago, at least, in the northern part of Baghdad. A roadside bomb hitting a group of Army vehicles as they were traveling along a road.
We are told at least three soldiers dead and at least, at this time, six soldiers wounded. This information has come to us from the 3rd Infantry Division. It's not yet clear whose soldiers or which unit these soldiers belonged to, but the 3rd Infantry Division is now beginning its second rotation into Baghdad. They, of course, the soldiers who fought their way into the city in April, 2003.
Their general, their commanding general I talked with this morning. General Webster said that they were prepared, trained for all the sorts of eventualities to expect here, had gone through, refined their training, refined their equipment to prepare themselves for Baghdad. But he said, of course, he knew -- and he said this this morning -- he said he knew that this sort of thing could happen at any time during their rotation here -- Bill.
HEMMER: Nic Robertson from Baghdad.
Thanks, Nic.
O'BRIEN: There are other stories making headlines this morning.
Here's Carol Costello -- good morning, again.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
Good morning to all of you.
Now in the news, police in Florida say bad weather is hurting the search for a missing 9-year-old girl. Authorities say there is reason to believe Jessica Lunsford may be in danger. The girl was last seen when she went to bed about 10:00 on Wednesday night. Her father says Jessica was not in her room when he checked around 6:00 a.m. yesterday.
Also in Florida, a ruling expected today on a new request to keep Terri Schiavo on a feeding tube for at least another 60 days. An attorney for the brain damaged woman's parents says a Florida agency wants to investigate allegations Schiavo has been mistreated. Barring action from the judge, Schiavo's husband could order the removal of her feeding tube by 5:00 p.m. Eastern today.
And out in California, the Michael Jackson trial rolls into high gear on Monday as opening statements are set to begin. But first, the judge will hear motions from attorneys at a hearing today. Eight alternate jurors were named yesterday and Judge Melville warned attorneys to have witnesses and evidence ready. He doesn't want to waste the jury's time or his time either. Jackson has pleaded not guilty on charges of molesting a 13-year-old cancer patient. That judge is tough, isn't he?
O'BRIEN: Wow! And he is moving it along, isn't he?
HEMMER: Really quickly, yes. Yes, it's good speed.
COSTELLO: Yes, they seated the jury in two days, named the alternates in a day...
HEMMER: Yes.
COSTELLO: And opening arguments are Monday.
O'BRIEN: Exactly. It was like we're going to wrap this up.
HEMMER: Done deal.
O'BRIEN: It's not going to take six months.
HEMMER: Yes.
O'BRIEN: That's my prediction, as everybody had predicted it would be that long.
HEMMER: Could be.
Could be.
COSTELLO: Yes, we'll see.
HEMMER: Thank you, Carol.
COSTELLO: Thanks.
HEMMER: In a moment here, who says controversy is a bad thing after all? The Oscar is about to get rocked by Chris Rock on Sunday night. But is the uproar over some of his jokes just what the Academy wanted? Hmmm.
O'BRIEN: Also, the president returns from his European charm offensive. Did he mend fences or did he build more barriers? We'll take a look.
HEMMER: Also, the cameras were rolling during a bizarre courthouse shooting spree. A reporter who was there during the time of those terrifying moments will talk to us live about what happened in Tyler, Texas in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: From Texas, politics say a gunman who went on a rampage outside of a courthouse in Tyler came well armed and well prepared. Cameras were rolling inside that courtroom when the shooting started. Authorities say the gunman, David Hernandez Arroyo, Sr., killed his ex-wife and a bystander. Four others were wounded. Arroyo was later shot and killed by police nearby. Julie Tam is a reporter at KLTV and she's our guest now.
And, Julie, thanks for your time.
You were inside the courthouse when the shooting happened.
What was your experience?
JULIE TAM, KLTV REPORTER: Well, actually, my photographer, Chris Howell, and I were in the courtroom upstairs on the second floor for a hearing unrelated on a capital murder case. And I was sitting in the front row. And my photographer was in the back of the room, shooting toward the front.
All of a sudden, we heard the noise outside the window. None of us really knew what it was, and, in fact, the sheriffs' deputies were a little startled, but they didn't really act on it right away. We thought it might be construction going on outside. It sounded like a wrecking ball hitting concrete, really.
And then when more gunfire started erupting, we started to realize what it was. And it was at that point that two women came running into our courtroom from another part of the courthouse screaming and crying and saying that someone was shooting. And they didn't see anything, they just heard the shooting and they ran. And everyone was hysterical in the hallways. And it was just basically chaos inside.
HEMMER: If you listen to the sound on the videotape, it almost sounds like a cap gun going off, just small little pops.
Do you know what set this man off, Julie?
TAM: Well, I talked to the man's niece last night and she said that he was so upset over the whole custody battles that had gone on before, and, of course, yesterday's child support hearing. Also, on top of that, his mother died last week. And so she was saying that just, you know, everything was just, you know, coming to a grinding halt for him. He felt like losing that 10-year-old child of his, Abraham, you know, was like losing his life because his children were his life. He had two older children, 18 and 22, and, of course, the custody battle was over the youngest.
HEMMER: So the gunman is dead. His ex-wife has been killed.
TAM: Yes.
HEMMER: And an innocent bystander by the name of Mark Wilson apparently is being described by many as a hero.
TAM: Right.
HEMMER: Do you know what role he played in this?
TAM: Yes. He actually lives above the Rage Salon, which is actually right behind me here on this corner. And he heard this gunfire and came down. And he is a licensed handgun holder. So he tried to stop it, you know, and actually may have saved David Arroyo, Sr.'s 22-year-old son's life and distracted him, because the 22-year- old son just ended up with an injury in the leg.
And so he started firing at David Arroyo, Sr. and, of course, Arroyo had a flak jacket on with a bulletproof vest and he wasn't, you know, fazed at all by this gunfire, and unfortunately fired back and killed Mark Wilson.
And interestingly enough, Mark Wilson was a founder and owner of Lock & Load, which is an indoor shooting range here in Tyler.
HEMMER: Wow!
We understand he was wearing Kevlar. I also talked with an eyewitness last hour who described the gunman as being in some sort of zone as he was moving outside the courthouse there.
Julie, how big is your town, Tyler, Texas?
TAM: It is just over 101,000 population this year. It's a growing city, actually, grown 25 percent in just the last five years.
HEMMER: Wow!
How is the community...
TAM: So I guess this crime...
HEMMER: How is the community responding to this news, Julie?
TAM: You know, definitely very much in shock. You know, this is not something that happens all the time, especially since we were just in the news last month with the Megan Holden Wal-Mart cashier being abducted by the Marine and then just a few days ago, the suspect in the Fort Worth mother who is missing, he was arrested here.
So just, you know, three big major news events that have made national headlines within a month in Tyler, Texas, which is normally a relatively safe area, you know, with its share of crime, but, you know, safe community and quiet. So...
HEMMER: Glad to see you're OK.
Thanks, Julie.
TAM: Thanks.
HEMMER: KLTV reporter Julie Tam there in Tyler, Texas -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Time to take a look at one of the most popular stories on cnn.com. A New York jury has ordered Wal-Mart to pay $7.5 million to a disabled former employee for assigning him to garbage duty. The 21-year-old plaintiff has cerebral palsy. He says he was hired to work in the pharmacy, but was soon reassigned to collecting garbage and shopping carts. Wal-Mart denies the allegation and says it does not tolerate discrimination of any kind.
Chances are the most talked about performer at this year's Oscars won't even be an actor. It could be the host. A look at that ahead.
But first, who subbed as Oscar host back in 1973 when Charleton Heston had car trouble and couldn't make it in? Was it, A, Steven Spielberg? Was it, B, Morgan Freeman? Or was it, C, Clint Eastwood? We've got the answer right after the break, right here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody.
Before the break, we asked who subbed as Oscar host in 1973 when Charleton Heston had car trouble and couldn't make it? The answer is, C, Clint Eastwood. Heston's car broke down on the Hollywood freeway just minutes before the show went on the air. The unsuspecting Clint Eastwood was given the text of Heston's speech and then kind of shoved out onto the stage to deliver it.
HEMMER: That's a pretty good assist.
O'BRIEN: Yes, not too bad.
HEMMER: On call.
O'BRIEN: Just a couple of days, though, before the Academy Awards hit the stage, the who's who of Hollywood will be there. But come Sunday night, all eyes will really be on one guy.
CNN's pop culture correspondent, Toure', is going to be there, as well -- hey, Toure', good morning.
TOURE', CNN POP CULTURE CORRESPONDENT, "ROLLING STONE" MAGAZINE: Hi, Soledad.
Listen, it ain't breaking news that this is going to be the blackest Oscars ever. There's five black nominees in the major categories and Puffy and Prince presenting, and Beyonce performing. And then there's the man who just might steal the whole show, the host, Chris Rock.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, COURTESY HBO)
CHRIS ROCK, COMEDIAN/ACTOR: If you're black, you've got to look at America a little different. If you're black, America's like the uncle that paid your way through college but molested you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TOURE' (voice-over): Chris Rock is one of the most unpredictable mouths in show biz.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM, COURTESY AMPAS)
ROCK: Look at this crowd. It's like the million white man march here today. Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TOURE': Now the Motion Picture Academy is passing the host's mike to Rock, hoping he'll help the Oscars avoid the ratings slide other awards shows have had.
GIL CATES, PRODUCER, 75TH ACADEMY AWARDS: He really is someone who is very adept at dealing with an audience of people under 40, funny, irreverent.
NELSON GEORGE, FORMER PRODUCER, "CHRIS ROCK SHOW": The reason the Oscars have him there, the Oscars will have him hosting the show, is not to make Warren Beatty laugh. They have him there to make Joe Six Pack laugh.
TOURE': In an interview with "Entertainment Weekly," Rock's comment that "straight black men don't watch the Oscars" may have unnerved some Academy members, but not the show's producer.
CATES: Poor Chris, in the sense that he's a comedian. He's supposed to make people laugh and he gets bombarded for doing that.
TOURE': Rock appeared on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" to clarify his remarks.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO," COURTESY NBC)
ROCK: I was quoted in the magazine as saying only gay people watch the Oscars.
JAY LENO, HOST: Right.
ROCK: I did not say that. I said only gay people watch the Tonys.
LENO: Oh.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TOURE': And he sounded surprised over the brouhaha about his recent interviews.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO," COURTESY NBC)
ROCK: And I think I'm just doing a gig. I'm like OK, I act like I'm playing yuk yuks in Toronto. And I mean people are really like hey, don't you disrespect the Oscars.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(END VIDEO TAPE)
TOURE': Rock's wife threw him a surprise 40th birthday party last night at a little restaurant in West Hollywood. Oprah, Magic, Puffy and Eddie Murphy were in the house, as was your man, Toure'. When they brought out a big cake with little Oscars on it, Rock said: "Let's hope I don't (OBSCENE WORD OMITTED) it up on Sunday."
Now, a lot of people are afraid he will, so ABC slapped a TV-14 rating on the show, as if that'll keep the kids from watching. But the bottom line is Chris Rock is so talented, he don't need to curse to be shocking.
O'BRIEN: He should make things fun.
Any kind of good scoop you got at this party?
TOURE': Well, let me tell you a little story just between you and me. There was a cake for Rock and another smaller one for Anna Moreno, Ray Moreno's wife. It was her birthday. Malaak Rock, Chris' wife, said to the crowd: "I'm glad there's another comedy wife here, another woman whose husband talks about her for a living. But they make a lot of money and we live really well because of it," Soledad.
O'BRIEN: All right, Toure', it sounds like it was a lot of fun.
TOURE': Yes.
O'BRIEN: We'll see what happens this weekend.
Thanks.
TOURE': All right.
HEMMER: Jack has a few thoughts on this by the way.
O'BRIEN: A few.
HEMMER: He loves this show.
CAFFERTY: Well, the viewers had a few thoughts.
The question is how much do you care about the Academy Awards?
Sandy in Florida writes: "I think it's time for the 'Existing and Still Happy Awards', you know, for the people who face life on life's terms and still manage to be kind to one another. We, the people, need credit for doing it the hard way and helping others with the same."
Jim writes: "There's no interest in the Oscars because of supply and demand. The supply was there -- the nominated films. But there was no demand -- ticket buyers. No one is interested in seeing awards given out to a product they did not use."
James -- Jeffrey in Jamesville, North Carolina: "There are a lot of things that really concern me. I am concerned about the type of toilet paper I use, whether my steak is cooked to my liking or if Jack is going to take a day off so I don't get my daily dose of controversy. The Oscars are a waste of time. I'd rather watch my car rest."
And Alan in London, Ontario: "Think opportunity, Jack. Imagine the possibility for a new reality series. Soledad helps Jack prepare for and takes him to the Oscars."
O'BRIEN: We'd be a cute little couple, wouldn't we, at the Oscars?
HEMMER: Get the cameras rolling out in Jersey.
CAFFERTY: Indeed we would.
O'BRIEN: The two of us waving on the red carpet, Jack?
CAFFERTY: Yes.
O'BRIEN: You could give interviews, tell people what you're wearing, do a little, you know --
CAFFERTY: I'd probably...
O'BRIEN: ... twist around?
CAFFERTY: No.
O'BRIEN: Armani? Yes?
CAFFERTY: Probably not.
O'BRIEN: No?
HEMMER: Yes, the one point you make, I think, is actually very true. There's not a clear winner this year for the Oscars.
CAFFERTY: Yes, there is.
HEMMER: "Aviator" may come in and sweep everything.
CAFFERTY: No.
HEMMER: "Ray" will...
CAFFERTY: There is a clear winner, "Ray"...
HEMMER: Jamie Foxx will win the Oscar, that's true.
CAFFERTY: Jamie Foxx. Right.
HEMMER: That's true.
CAFFERTY: "Ray" is the best movie, Jamie Foxx should get the Oscar for that and for that other, what was it, not "Deliverance." What's the name of that?
HEMMER: "Collateral."
CAFFERTY: "Collateral."
That's...
O'BRIEN: I've got to tell you, the best picture, many people are going with "Million Dollar Baby."
CAFFERTY: Yes, well, they're wrong.
O'BRIEN: I hate to throw it out there. I hate to say it while I'm sitting so close to you, but I think that's a good hint.
CAFFERTY: Do you think we've overdone the Oscars or not this morning?
HEMMER: Yes, it's Sunday night.
O'BRIEN: No, we've still got an hour and a half here.
HEMMER: We'll do it again on Monday.
O'BRIEN: Not a problem, is it?
HEMMER: New developments in a moment this morning out of Rome on the condition of the pope. How is he doing after surgery yesterday? We'll talk to someone who knows the pontiff very well, former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, Ray Flynn, our guest out of Boston in a moment as we continue after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Good morning, everybody.
It snowed last night here in New York. It's going to melt within like two hours once all the heat gets going in Manhattan with the commuter traffic here.
8:30 here.
Good morning.
We're going back to the pope's health in a moment. The Vatican emphasizing the positive in a news conference today, talking about his appetite, also that he is breathing. The former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican is Ray Flynn. He's our guest in a moment. He talks with leaders in the church just about on a daily basis. So we'll get his thoughts in a moment up there in Boston.
O'BRIEN: They always call him and discuss any of the pope's health issues with him ahead of time, before it becomes public.
We'll see what insight he has to bring this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
