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CNN Live At Daybreak
Echoes of Columbine; Value of Living Wills
Aired March 22, 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, echoes of Columbine. It's happened again, this time in northern Minnesota.
Plus, what would you do if you slipped into a coma or a persistent vegetative state? We'll hear about the value of living wills.
And it's Hogzilla again. And with some help from "National Geographic," we know a little more about this big boy.
It is Tuesday, March 22.
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, 10 people are dead, 13 others injured, after a shooting rampage at a high school on an Indian reservation in Minnesota. Police say a student apparently killed his grandparents then used his grandfather's gun to go on a rampage. The student then killed himself.
The convicted sex offender charged in the death of a 9-year-old Florida girl heads back to court two and a half hours from now. The girl's father said last night he hopes John Couey gets the death penalty.
It's off to Albuquerque for President Bush today. He's meeting this morning with older Americans to point out the benefits of his proposed changes to Social Security. The audience has been selected by White House staffers.
And we'll see if Michael Jackson arrives late again today for his child molestation trial. He said yesterday he was taking pain medication for an ailing back. In fact, he says he almost threw up in court. But he didn't. Today's proceedings will take only half the day.
Hi -- Chad.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, I mean how late was he yesterday?
COSTELLO: Just a couple of minutes. MYERS: Oh, just a couple of minutes.
COSTELLO: But enough to make the judge really mad.
MYERS: You know, how many strikes do you get before you're out? I don't know, he's like...
COSTELLO: I don't know. Next week should be telling...
MYERS: He's on several.
COSTELLO: ... because the judge has to rule on some very important motions and who knows if the judge will feel like ruling in Jackson's favor? We'll see.
MYERS: Well, I don't think that will have anything to do with it. I just think he's mad that he's not on time, I'll tell you that.
COSTELLO: I don't know, Chad.
MYERS: I know, I know.
Good morning, everybody.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: The teenager who killed five fellow students at a Minnesota high school may have been planning the attack for some time. But one classmate says his friends didn't take the threat seriously. A total of 10 people are dead following the worst school shooting since Columbine.
We get more now from Scott Goldberg of CNN affiliate KARE, who is outside the hospital near the Red Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
SCOTT GOLDBERG, KARE CORRESPONDENT: Ten people are dead in north central Minnesota, where, in the afternoon on Monday, authorities say a teenager shot and killed his grandparents, then went to the Red Lake High School on the Red Lake Indian Reservation, shot and killed a security guard and a teacher, and five other students. Then, authorities believe, the teen shot and killed himself after a brief shootout with police.
In addition to the dead, more than a dozen students were injured at the high school, at least two of them critically.
Some of the shooters' peers say he had talked about doing this. Some said he was laughing and smiling as he fired as many as three guns. Authorities are not commenting on motives. The FBI is leading the investigation and Monday evening, agents locked down the area around the high school and were blocking roads leading to the reservation, where, again, 10 people are dead, five of them innocent students, one of them the shooter himself, in America's deadliest school shooting since Columbine in 1999.
For CNN, I'm Scott Goldberg in Bemidji, Minnesota.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: Minnesota's governor, Tim Pawlenty, had plenty to say about the shooting. He said, and I quote: "With profound sorrow, the first lady and I extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the senseless tragedy. We ask Minnesotans to help comfort the family and friends of victims, who are suffering unimaginable pain, by extending prayers and expressions of support."
Unfortunately, these types of incidents seem all too familiar. Perhaps the worst was Columbine. Fifteen people were killed, 23 wounded, in the Columbine High School shooting in Littleton, Colorado. That, you'll recall, was in April of 1999, April 20, to be exact.
A year earlier, on March 24, five people were killed and 10 wounded at a West Side middle school in Jonesboro, Arkansas. And two months later, on May 21, four people were killed and 20 wounded at Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon.
To the matter of Terri Schiavo now.
A federal judge is still deciding what to do next and we still don't know just when he'll make a ruling. No matter how you view it, this case has had an impact on others who face or may face a similar situation.
Our John Zarrella has more on the Schiavo case this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): There simply are two very different ways of looking at Terri Schiavo's situation. From one point of view, her fate was decided in 1990 when she collapsed from heart failure, leading to severe brain damage and leaving her body in a persistent vegetative state.
DEBORAH BUSHNELL, MICHAEL SCHIAVO'S ATTORNEY: The thinking part of her brain is simply gone and is replaced with liquid. Terri has not responded in the 15 years that she's been in this condition.
ZARRELLA: But there's another point of view. Terri Schiavo's parents, along with many in Washington and across the country, who believe that since her body is still functioning, her life is still worth living and worth fighting for.
BOB SCHINDLER, SR., TERRI SCHIAVO'S FATHER: I told her that we were going to take her for a little trip and take her outside and get her some breakfast. And that got a big smile out of her face, so help me god.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The legal and political issues may be complicated, but the moral ones are not. A young woman in Florida is being dehydrated and starved to death.
ZARRELLA: Lawmakers rushed through a compromise bill allowing Terri Schiavo's parents to literally make a federal case out of their daughter's fate. Up until now, state courts have consistently ruled against her parents and in favor of her husband, who says his wife once told him that in a situation like this, she would have wanted to die.
MICHAEL SCHIAVO, HUSBAND: This is what Terri wanted. This is Terri's wish, OK? It's not President Bush's wish. This is about Terri Schiavo, not the government, not President Bush and Governor Bush. They should be ashamed of themselves.
ZARRELLA: President Bush, who was awakened to sign the new law shortly after 1:00 in the morning, made his first public comments in Arizona.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This is a complex case with serious issues. But in extraordinary circumstances like this, it is wise to always err on the side of life.
ZARRELLA: John Zarrella, CNN, Clearwater, Florida.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: The moral and ethical issues involved in the Terri Schiavo case are usually resolved in families and in hospitals across the country. And Terri Schiavo's husband says he's outraged Congress and the White House are intervening in his wife's personal life. And he says you should be angry, too.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCHIAVO: I think it's outrageous and I think that every person in this country should be scared. The government is going to trample all over your private and personal matters. It's outrageous that these people that we elect are not letting you have your civil liberties to choose what you want when you die. They're going to tell you you can't. This is what Terri wants. She does not want to be in this condition. She does not want to exist in this condition. And I'm going to carry out what she wanted.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Michael Schiavo's attorney says he considers is an abuse of power for Congress to approve a bill that applies solely to the family of Terri Schiavo. Both sides, Terri Schiavo's husband and her parents, agree her rights are being denied, but they disagree on which rights those are.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE FELOS, MICHAEL SCHIAVO'S ATTORNEY: This law is blatantly unconstitutional because Congress cannot pass a law that substantially obstructs a fundamental right. Each American, under the United States Constitution, has a fundamental right to say no, I don't want that medical treatment.
The vast majority of Americans recognize the act of Congress for what it was, an interface and meddling in personal and private rights that is absolutely wrong.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID GIBBS, SCHINDLER'S FAMILY ATTORNEY: We don't before food and water is medical treatment. What we believe she's being denied is her fundamental right to life. She is being murdered in a barbaric fashion. She is being starved to death. And so as we look at this case, we say her life, we say her liberty, we say her religious freedom. And, yes, we agree her right to privacy is even being violated, because we don't believe Terri ever had these wishes. There was never a time where Terri Schiavo said, you know, if I'm ever brain injured, be sure to starve me to death.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Now, keep in mind the federal judge has not ruled on reinstating that feeding tube. That's still out there. The judge says he'll decide when he sees fit. Terri Schiavo is entering her fourth full day without food or water.
Still ahead on DAYBREAK, a deeper look into the Terri Schiavo case. It has a lot of you thinking about your own fate and who should decide it. We'll answer your questions about living wills. Our legal analyst will be along to help you.
Also, does Terri Schiavo have any chance at all at recovery? The answer depends on which medical expert you ask.
You are watching DAYBREAK for a Tuesday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.
It's 5:13 Eastern.
Here's what's all new this morning.
Police say a high school student has gone on a shooting rampage at an Indian reservation in Minnesota, killing 10 people and wounding 13 others. Police say the student killed his grandparents at their home and then he killed seven people at his high school before killing himself.
Japan is considering deporting detained chess legend Bobby Fischer to Iceland. Iceland offered Fischer citizenship to prevent his deportation to the United States. Fischer faces prison in the U.S. for allegedly violating international sanctions. In money news, Coca-Cola is hoping that nothing will help sales. Let me explain. A new no calorie soda called Coca-Cola Zero should be on store shelves by June. The company already sells Sprite Zero, which is a no calorie version of their lemon lime soda.
In culture, Sylvester Stallone is going to the professional wrestling Hall of Fame on April 2, but he's only going there to introduce inductee Hulk Hogan. Oh, Chad. Hogan appeared with Stallone in "Rocky 3." You remember that movie.
MYERS: Of course.
COSTELLO: That's the movie that also introduced Mr. T. Who could forget that?
MYERS: Oh, with all the gold.
COSTELLO: Exactly.
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: In sports, the New York Knicks took advantage of a weekend San Antonio -- or a week in San Antonio's first team to inch closer to play-off contention. The Spurs, who were playing without injured superstar Tim Duncan, managed just 75 points against the Knicks. Ooh, it's like a college game. New York won 88-75.
MYERS: Hey, good for them.
Good morning, everybody.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: You know, Chad, you were talking a lot about living wills yesterday.
MYERS: Yes?
COSTELLO: Well, we have more information about living wills.
First, we're going to go to a Gerri Willis story telling you exactly what a living will is. And then we're going to introduce our legal analyst to you a little later in the show. We want you to send questions to us.
But first, let's go to CNN's Gerri Willis to tell you what you need to know about living wills.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Could the pain and suffering experienced by Terri Schiavo and her family have been avoided? Experts say that a living will would have allowed the wishes of Schiavo herself to be known before she collapsed in her home and suffered brain damage. GARY SCHATSKY, OBJECTIVEADVICE.COM: At the time you are most vulnerable, you want to make sure people know what you want to have happen to you. You don't want people to guess about it or, in some cases, not even be able to do what you want. Living wills and health care proxies vary state to state. State laws govern. But in most states, if you have one, your wishes will be followed.
WILLIS: Experts advise anyone writing a living will to be specific about their desires. For example, you want to address when you want artificial nutrition and hydration and when you don't. Understand, however, that the terms of the will are triggered under specific circumstances, such as if you become terminally ill and are not expected to recover. Having a will is not enough. You will also want to choose as a person to serve as your health care agent or surrogate to make decisions about your care when you can't. This may sound easier than it is. The person you pick is your choice and can range from anyone from your spouse to a neighbor or friend.
PAUL MALLEY, AGING WITH DIGNITY: It may not be the first person that you think of. I know with my grandparents, when they were thinking about who would be the best health care agent and they were in their 80s, they realized it may not be their spouse. It's something that requires some thought. And you really want that person to be the one who's going to stand up for you and know your wishes.
WILLIS: Finally, may communicate your desires directly to family members, your doctor, as well as your health care agent. If you don't, you risk misunderstandings and complications that could risk your wishes being implemented.
(on camera): While you can get a living will online for as little as $5, Schatsky advises getting a lawyer, because missing one technical requirement on a living will could be one of the most expensive and devastating mistakes you can make.
Gerri Willis, CNN, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
MYERS: And the DAYBREAK Question of the Day -- what would you like to know about living wills? We expect you to ask us a question today. Daybreak@cnn.com. Just send us an e-mail there and we will try to get all your questions answered for you.
The one that I actually have -- and maybe I can pump this in and we'll get this -- what if your living will person, your executor or whatever the word is, is also incapacitated with you? I mean how many times are you out and you drive around with your spouse? Most of the time for me. So maybe you need a secondary person down the line in case that first person is also not available to make that at that time.
COSTELLO: Interesting.
We will pose that question to our legal analyst, Kendall Coffey. He'll be joining us later this hour to answer your question, Chad, and all of your questions out there, daybreak@cnn.com. If you have any questions at all about living wills, send them to us and we'll get your questions answered this morning.
Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, a pack of animals hits the streets of D.C., and, no, they're not politicians. But they are Republicans, as you can see.
You are watching DAYBREAK for Tuesday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: We're going to hit 50 today, aren't we, Chad, in New York?
MYERS: In New York City, look at all that sunshine there coming up. You bet.
COSTELLO: That sounds so good to me.
So let's laugh a little, shall we?
MYERS: Oh, OK. Good.
COSTELLO: After that fabulous weather forecast, because it's time for our "Late Night Laughs" segment.
Robert Blake beating a murder rap, gas prices soaring and the college basketball tournament in full swing. How do all these, like, things go together? Well, "The Tonight Show" host Jay Leno found a way. And he also threw in a shot a Prince Charles' long time love, you know, Chad, Camilla?
MYERS: Of course. How could I forget?
COSTELLO: Here he is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO," COURTESY NBC)
JAY LENO, HOST: Are you excited? It's March madness. That's right. Well, enough about the verdict in the Robert Blake case. Yes, enough about it. Well, even Blake looked stunned. He was going (LAUGHTER) what?
Well, folks, on the second anniversary on the invasion of Iraq, gas prices in California have hit $3 a gallon in some places. $3 a gallon. Didn't we win that war? I mean I knew there were no weapons of mass destruction. Apparently there's no gas there either.
In fact, gas prices are so high, Robert Blake and O.J. are forced to carpool in their search for the real killers.
And in happier news, in just a few weeks, Prince Charles is going to marry his long time girlfriend, Camilla Parker Bowles. And I thought this was nice. As part of the wedding plans, Camilla has agreed to stop using steroids. So I think that... UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Man!
LENO: No, but that's good.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, that's great.
LENO: That's good.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's wonderful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Poor Camilla.
MYERS: They need to stop picking on that lady.
COSTELLO: I know. I don't know how she can take it.
MYERS: Enough is enough.
COSTELLO: I know.
As for David Letterman, he struck a much more personal note on "The Late Show." You see, authorities recently foiled an alleged plot to kidnap his young son and nanny and hold them for that $5 million ransom.
MYERS: Right.
COSTELLO: A man who worked on Letterman's Montana ranch is behind bars for allegedly hatching this plot. And he makes his first court appearance today.
Listen as Letterman thanks law enforcement officials.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, COURTESY CBS/WORLDWIDE PANTS)
DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST: Last week my family and I were involved with a little legal activity and fortunately everything turned out fine. But I want to just take a second here to thank some people. Legal investigation, criminal activity...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Run them by.
LETTERMAN: I want to thank FBI Special Agent Jim Wilson, FBI Special Agent Aaron Vanhoff (ph), Teton County Sheriff George Anderson, Teton County Attorney Joe Coble and the great people of Choteau, Montana. They have always made me and my family feel entirely welcome and as though it were our home, and that's how we think of it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Oh, that's nice.
MYERS: Yes. I've never been to Choteau, Montana. It must be nice, though.
COSTELLO: It's time to go.
MYERS: Right.
COSTELLO: Time for our DAYBREAK "Eye-Opener."
Warmer weather brings out the traditional lemonade stands, but this one is a little different, Chad.
MYERS: OK.
COSTELLO: Alex's lemonade stand sells lemonade, but it also raises money for cancer research. Alexandra...
MYERS: All right.
COSTELLO: Isn't that nice?
MYERS: Oh, yes.
COSTELLO: Alexandra Scott started the venture five years ago, but then cancer claimed her life nine months ago. You remember this girl?
MYERS: I absolutely remember. You bet.
COSTELLO: Well, her mother plans to carry on the tradition and hopes the stands can help raise $5 million this year.
MYERS: You'll see those stands in almost every city in the USA. A lot of kids are picking that up. It says "Alex's Stand," "Alex's Lemonade," and you know it's for her. You know it's for cancer research.
COSTELLO: Very nice.
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: The legend of Hogzilla is real, Chad.
MYERS: I saw this story. But he really wasn't this big. This picture is a little doctored, is that what I know?
COSTELLO: I don't think so.
MYERS: No?
COSTELLO: A team of "National Geographic" experts say the giant swine really did exist. But you're right, Chad, he was only about eight feet long and weighed 800 pounds, which is still pretty sizable.
MYERS: Well, yes. The picture, when they measured it and they compared it to his body, was supposed to be 14 feet long. But, you know, you can kind of do that with fish, too. If you hold them real close to the camera and you stand back, a sunfish can look like a tarpon.
COSTELLO: I think you've done that before.
MYERS: Oh, sure.
COSTELLO: OK. The documentary airs on "National Geographic."
The circus is in full swing in Washington and we're not talking about Congress.
MYERS: Oh.
COSTELLO: The Ringling Brothers Show held its traditional elephant parade through the streets of the city. But to show their bipartisanship, a donkey was also included. Just one donkey, though, because, you know, Republicans do have the majority in Congress.
MYERS: I'm looking for it. I don't see it.
COSTELLO: We didn't get a picture of the donkey. It was obscured by all the elephants.
MYERS: Oh, OK.
COSTELLO: Finally, everyone can have a Hollywood smile. I love this story. A New York cosmetics dentist has come up with some new celebrity choppers, press on smiles. It's in "USA Today."
MYERS: Wow!
COSTELLO: You can read it online, actually.
MYERS: OK.
COSTELLO: They look like the teeth of such stars as Gwyneth Paltrow and Halle Berry. So you can get like molds of their teeth and clip them over your own, sort of like snap-on nails, but they're snap- on teeth.
MYERS: I can't wait. Didn't they used to do that with Dracula for Halloween? Is this just an upgrade?
COSTELLO: I know. It's -- they cost between $1,000 and $3,000.
MYERS: Oh, whatever.
COSTELLO: I'm going to try them.
MYERS: OK.
COSTELLO: Anyway, Here's what's all new in the next half hour of DAYBREAK.
A Scratch & Match snafu is leaving lots of New Yorkers scratching mad. And angry New Yorkers are never a good thing.
This is DAYBREAK.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired March 22, 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, echoes of Columbine. It's happened again, this time in northern Minnesota.
Plus, what would you do if you slipped into a coma or a persistent vegetative state? We'll hear about the value of living wills.
And it's Hogzilla again. And with some help from "National Geographic," we know a little more about this big boy.
It is Tuesday, March 22.
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, 10 people are dead, 13 others injured, after a shooting rampage at a high school on an Indian reservation in Minnesota. Police say a student apparently killed his grandparents then used his grandfather's gun to go on a rampage. The student then killed himself.
The convicted sex offender charged in the death of a 9-year-old Florida girl heads back to court two and a half hours from now. The girl's father said last night he hopes John Couey gets the death penalty.
It's off to Albuquerque for President Bush today. He's meeting this morning with older Americans to point out the benefits of his proposed changes to Social Security. The audience has been selected by White House staffers.
And we'll see if Michael Jackson arrives late again today for his child molestation trial. He said yesterday he was taking pain medication for an ailing back. In fact, he says he almost threw up in court. But he didn't. Today's proceedings will take only half the day.
Hi -- Chad.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, I mean how late was he yesterday?
COSTELLO: Just a couple of minutes. MYERS: Oh, just a couple of minutes.
COSTELLO: But enough to make the judge really mad.
MYERS: You know, how many strikes do you get before you're out? I don't know, he's like...
COSTELLO: I don't know. Next week should be telling...
MYERS: He's on several.
COSTELLO: ... because the judge has to rule on some very important motions and who knows if the judge will feel like ruling in Jackson's favor? We'll see.
MYERS: Well, I don't think that will have anything to do with it. I just think he's mad that he's not on time, I'll tell you that.
COSTELLO: I don't know, Chad.
MYERS: I know, I know.
Good morning, everybody.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: The teenager who killed five fellow students at a Minnesota high school may have been planning the attack for some time. But one classmate says his friends didn't take the threat seriously. A total of 10 people are dead following the worst school shooting since Columbine.
We get more now from Scott Goldberg of CNN affiliate KARE, who is outside the hospital near the Red Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
SCOTT GOLDBERG, KARE CORRESPONDENT: Ten people are dead in north central Minnesota, where, in the afternoon on Monday, authorities say a teenager shot and killed his grandparents, then went to the Red Lake High School on the Red Lake Indian Reservation, shot and killed a security guard and a teacher, and five other students. Then, authorities believe, the teen shot and killed himself after a brief shootout with police.
In addition to the dead, more than a dozen students were injured at the high school, at least two of them critically.
Some of the shooters' peers say he had talked about doing this. Some said he was laughing and smiling as he fired as many as three guns. Authorities are not commenting on motives. The FBI is leading the investigation and Monday evening, agents locked down the area around the high school and were blocking roads leading to the reservation, where, again, 10 people are dead, five of them innocent students, one of them the shooter himself, in America's deadliest school shooting since Columbine in 1999.
For CNN, I'm Scott Goldberg in Bemidji, Minnesota.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: Minnesota's governor, Tim Pawlenty, had plenty to say about the shooting. He said, and I quote: "With profound sorrow, the first lady and I extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the senseless tragedy. We ask Minnesotans to help comfort the family and friends of victims, who are suffering unimaginable pain, by extending prayers and expressions of support."
Unfortunately, these types of incidents seem all too familiar. Perhaps the worst was Columbine. Fifteen people were killed, 23 wounded, in the Columbine High School shooting in Littleton, Colorado. That, you'll recall, was in April of 1999, April 20, to be exact.
A year earlier, on March 24, five people were killed and 10 wounded at a West Side middle school in Jonesboro, Arkansas. And two months later, on May 21, four people were killed and 20 wounded at Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon.
To the matter of Terri Schiavo now.
A federal judge is still deciding what to do next and we still don't know just when he'll make a ruling. No matter how you view it, this case has had an impact on others who face or may face a similar situation.
Our John Zarrella has more on the Schiavo case this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): There simply are two very different ways of looking at Terri Schiavo's situation. From one point of view, her fate was decided in 1990 when she collapsed from heart failure, leading to severe brain damage and leaving her body in a persistent vegetative state.
DEBORAH BUSHNELL, MICHAEL SCHIAVO'S ATTORNEY: The thinking part of her brain is simply gone and is replaced with liquid. Terri has not responded in the 15 years that she's been in this condition.
ZARRELLA: But there's another point of view. Terri Schiavo's parents, along with many in Washington and across the country, who believe that since her body is still functioning, her life is still worth living and worth fighting for.
BOB SCHINDLER, SR., TERRI SCHIAVO'S FATHER: I told her that we were going to take her for a little trip and take her outside and get her some breakfast. And that got a big smile out of her face, so help me god.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The legal and political issues may be complicated, but the moral ones are not. A young woman in Florida is being dehydrated and starved to death.
ZARRELLA: Lawmakers rushed through a compromise bill allowing Terri Schiavo's parents to literally make a federal case out of their daughter's fate. Up until now, state courts have consistently ruled against her parents and in favor of her husband, who says his wife once told him that in a situation like this, she would have wanted to die.
MICHAEL SCHIAVO, HUSBAND: This is what Terri wanted. This is Terri's wish, OK? It's not President Bush's wish. This is about Terri Schiavo, not the government, not President Bush and Governor Bush. They should be ashamed of themselves.
ZARRELLA: President Bush, who was awakened to sign the new law shortly after 1:00 in the morning, made his first public comments in Arizona.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This is a complex case with serious issues. But in extraordinary circumstances like this, it is wise to always err on the side of life.
ZARRELLA: John Zarrella, CNN, Clearwater, Florida.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: The moral and ethical issues involved in the Terri Schiavo case are usually resolved in families and in hospitals across the country. And Terri Schiavo's husband says he's outraged Congress and the White House are intervening in his wife's personal life. And he says you should be angry, too.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCHIAVO: I think it's outrageous and I think that every person in this country should be scared. The government is going to trample all over your private and personal matters. It's outrageous that these people that we elect are not letting you have your civil liberties to choose what you want when you die. They're going to tell you you can't. This is what Terri wants. She does not want to be in this condition. She does not want to exist in this condition. And I'm going to carry out what she wanted.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Michael Schiavo's attorney says he considers is an abuse of power for Congress to approve a bill that applies solely to the family of Terri Schiavo. Both sides, Terri Schiavo's husband and her parents, agree her rights are being denied, but they disagree on which rights those are.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE FELOS, MICHAEL SCHIAVO'S ATTORNEY: This law is blatantly unconstitutional because Congress cannot pass a law that substantially obstructs a fundamental right. Each American, under the United States Constitution, has a fundamental right to say no, I don't want that medical treatment.
The vast majority of Americans recognize the act of Congress for what it was, an interface and meddling in personal and private rights that is absolutely wrong.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID GIBBS, SCHINDLER'S FAMILY ATTORNEY: We don't before food and water is medical treatment. What we believe she's being denied is her fundamental right to life. She is being murdered in a barbaric fashion. She is being starved to death. And so as we look at this case, we say her life, we say her liberty, we say her religious freedom. And, yes, we agree her right to privacy is even being violated, because we don't believe Terri ever had these wishes. There was never a time where Terri Schiavo said, you know, if I'm ever brain injured, be sure to starve me to death.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Now, keep in mind the federal judge has not ruled on reinstating that feeding tube. That's still out there. The judge says he'll decide when he sees fit. Terri Schiavo is entering her fourth full day without food or water.
Still ahead on DAYBREAK, a deeper look into the Terri Schiavo case. It has a lot of you thinking about your own fate and who should decide it. We'll answer your questions about living wills. Our legal analyst will be along to help you.
Also, does Terri Schiavo have any chance at all at recovery? The answer depends on which medical expert you ask.
You are watching DAYBREAK for a Tuesday.
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(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.
It's 5:13 Eastern.
Here's what's all new this morning.
Police say a high school student has gone on a shooting rampage at an Indian reservation in Minnesota, killing 10 people and wounding 13 others. Police say the student killed his grandparents at their home and then he killed seven people at his high school before killing himself.
Japan is considering deporting detained chess legend Bobby Fischer to Iceland. Iceland offered Fischer citizenship to prevent his deportation to the United States. Fischer faces prison in the U.S. for allegedly violating international sanctions. In money news, Coca-Cola is hoping that nothing will help sales. Let me explain. A new no calorie soda called Coca-Cola Zero should be on store shelves by June. The company already sells Sprite Zero, which is a no calorie version of their lemon lime soda.
In culture, Sylvester Stallone is going to the professional wrestling Hall of Fame on April 2, but he's only going there to introduce inductee Hulk Hogan. Oh, Chad. Hogan appeared with Stallone in "Rocky 3." You remember that movie.
MYERS: Of course.
COSTELLO: That's the movie that also introduced Mr. T. Who could forget that?
MYERS: Oh, with all the gold.
COSTELLO: Exactly.
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: In sports, the New York Knicks took advantage of a weekend San Antonio -- or a week in San Antonio's first team to inch closer to play-off contention. The Spurs, who were playing without injured superstar Tim Duncan, managed just 75 points against the Knicks. Ooh, it's like a college game. New York won 88-75.
MYERS: Hey, good for them.
Good morning, everybody.
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COSTELLO: You know, Chad, you were talking a lot about living wills yesterday.
MYERS: Yes?
COSTELLO: Well, we have more information about living wills.
First, we're going to go to a Gerri Willis story telling you exactly what a living will is. And then we're going to introduce our legal analyst to you a little later in the show. We want you to send questions to us.
But first, let's go to CNN's Gerri Willis to tell you what you need to know about living wills.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Could the pain and suffering experienced by Terri Schiavo and her family have been avoided? Experts say that a living will would have allowed the wishes of Schiavo herself to be known before she collapsed in her home and suffered brain damage. GARY SCHATSKY, OBJECTIVEADVICE.COM: At the time you are most vulnerable, you want to make sure people know what you want to have happen to you. You don't want people to guess about it or, in some cases, not even be able to do what you want. Living wills and health care proxies vary state to state. State laws govern. But in most states, if you have one, your wishes will be followed.
WILLIS: Experts advise anyone writing a living will to be specific about their desires. For example, you want to address when you want artificial nutrition and hydration and when you don't. Understand, however, that the terms of the will are triggered under specific circumstances, such as if you become terminally ill and are not expected to recover. Having a will is not enough. You will also want to choose as a person to serve as your health care agent or surrogate to make decisions about your care when you can't. This may sound easier than it is. The person you pick is your choice and can range from anyone from your spouse to a neighbor or friend.
PAUL MALLEY, AGING WITH DIGNITY: It may not be the first person that you think of. I know with my grandparents, when they were thinking about who would be the best health care agent and they were in their 80s, they realized it may not be their spouse. It's something that requires some thought. And you really want that person to be the one who's going to stand up for you and know your wishes.
WILLIS: Finally, may communicate your desires directly to family members, your doctor, as well as your health care agent. If you don't, you risk misunderstandings and complications that could risk your wishes being implemented.
(on camera): While you can get a living will online for as little as $5, Schatsky advises getting a lawyer, because missing one technical requirement on a living will could be one of the most expensive and devastating mistakes you can make.
Gerri Willis, CNN, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
MYERS: And the DAYBREAK Question of the Day -- what would you like to know about living wills? We expect you to ask us a question today. Daybreak@cnn.com. Just send us an e-mail there and we will try to get all your questions answered for you.
The one that I actually have -- and maybe I can pump this in and we'll get this -- what if your living will person, your executor or whatever the word is, is also incapacitated with you? I mean how many times are you out and you drive around with your spouse? Most of the time for me. So maybe you need a secondary person down the line in case that first person is also not available to make that at that time.
COSTELLO: Interesting.
We will pose that question to our legal analyst, Kendall Coffey. He'll be joining us later this hour to answer your question, Chad, and all of your questions out there, daybreak@cnn.com. If you have any questions at all about living wills, send them to us and we'll get your questions answered this morning.
Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, a pack of animals hits the streets of D.C., and, no, they're not politicians. But they are Republicans, as you can see.
You are watching DAYBREAK for Tuesday.
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COSTELLO: We're going to hit 50 today, aren't we, Chad, in New York?
MYERS: In New York City, look at all that sunshine there coming up. You bet.
COSTELLO: That sounds so good to me.
So let's laugh a little, shall we?
MYERS: Oh, OK. Good.
COSTELLO: After that fabulous weather forecast, because it's time for our "Late Night Laughs" segment.
Robert Blake beating a murder rap, gas prices soaring and the college basketball tournament in full swing. How do all these, like, things go together? Well, "The Tonight Show" host Jay Leno found a way. And he also threw in a shot a Prince Charles' long time love, you know, Chad, Camilla?
MYERS: Of course. How could I forget?
COSTELLO: Here he is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO," COURTESY NBC)
JAY LENO, HOST: Are you excited? It's March madness. That's right. Well, enough about the verdict in the Robert Blake case. Yes, enough about it. Well, even Blake looked stunned. He was going (LAUGHTER) what?
Well, folks, on the second anniversary on the invasion of Iraq, gas prices in California have hit $3 a gallon in some places. $3 a gallon. Didn't we win that war? I mean I knew there were no weapons of mass destruction. Apparently there's no gas there either.
In fact, gas prices are so high, Robert Blake and O.J. are forced to carpool in their search for the real killers.
And in happier news, in just a few weeks, Prince Charles is going to marry his long time girlfriend, Camilla Parker Bowles. And I thought this was nice. As part of the wedding plans, Camilla has agreed to stop using steroids. So I think that... UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Man!
LENO: No, but that's good.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, that's great.
LENO: That's good.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's wonderful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Poor Camilla.
MYERS: They need to stop picking on that lady.
COSTELLO: I know. I don't know how she can take it.
MYERS: Enough is enough.
COSTELLO: I know.
As for David Letterman, he struck a much more personal note on "The Late Show." You see, authorities recently foiled an alleged plot to kidnap his young son and nanny and hold them for that $5 million ransom.
MYERS: Right.
COSTELLO: A man who worked on Letterman's Montana ranch is behind bars for allegedly hatching this plot. And he makes his first court appearance today.
Listen as Letterman thanks law enforcement officials.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, COURTESY CBS/WORLDWIDE PANTS)
DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST: Last week my family and I were involved with a little legal activity and fortunately everything turned out fine. But I want to just take a second here to thank some people. Legal investigation, criminal activity...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Run them by.
LETTERMAN: I want to thank FBI Special Agent Jim Wilson, FBI Special Agent Aaron Vanhoff (ph), Teton County Sheriff George Anderson, Teton County Attorney Joe Coble and the great people of Choteau, Montana. They have always made me and my family feel entirely welcome and as though it were our home, and that's how we think of it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Oh, that's nice.
MYERS: Yes. I've never been to Choteau, Montana. It must be nice, though.
COSTELLO: It's time to go.
MYERS: Right.
COSTELLO: Time for our DAYBREAK "Eye-Opener."
Warmer weather brings out the traditional lemonade stands, but this one is a little different, Chad.
MYERS: OK.
COSTELLO: Alex's lemonade stand sells lemonade, but it also raises money for cancer research. Alexandra...
MYERS: All right.
COSTELLO: Isn't that nice?
MYERS: Oh, yes.
COSTELLO: Alexandra Scott started the venture five years ago, but then cancer claimed her life nine months ago. You remember this girl?
MYERS: I absolutely remember. You bet.
COSTELLO: Well, her mother plans to carry on the tradition and hopes the stands can help raise $5 million this year.
MYERS: You'll see those stands in almost every city in the USA. A lot of kids are picking that up. It says "Alex's Stand," "Alex's Lemonade," and you know it's for her. You know it's for cancer research.
COSTELLO: Very nice.
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: The legend of Hogzilla is real, Chad.
MYERS: I saw this story. But he really wasn't this big. This picture is a little doctored, is that what I know?
COSTELLO: I don't think so.
MYERS: No?
COSTELLO: A team of "National Geographic" experts say the giant swine really did exist. But you're right, Chad, he was only about eight feet long and weighed 800 pounds, which is still pretty sizable.
MYERS: Well, yes. The picture, when they measured it and they compared it to his body, was supposed to be 14 feet long. But, you know, you can kind of do that with fish, too. If you hold them real close to the camera and you stand back, a sunfish can look like a tarpon.
COSTELLO: I think you've done that before.
MYERS: Oh, sure.
COSTELLO: OK. The documentary airs on "National Geographic."
The circus is in full swing in Washington and we're not talking about Congress.
MYERS: Oh.
COSTELLO: The Ringling Brothers Show held its traditional elephant parade through the streets of the city. But to show their bipartisanship, a donkey was also included. Just one donkey, though, because, you know, Republicans do have the majority in Congress.
MYERS: I'm looking for it. I don't see it.
COSTELLO: We didn't get a picture of the donkey. It was obscured by all the elephants.
MYERS: Oh, OK.
COSTELLO: Finally, everyone can have a Hollywood smile. I love this story. A New York cosmetics dentist has come up with some new celebrity choppers, press on smiles. It's in "USA Today."
MYERS: Wow!
COSTELLO: You can read it online, actually.
MYERS: OK.
COSTELLO: They look like the teeth of such stars as Gwyneth Paltrow and Halle Berry. So you can get like molds of their teeth and clip them over your own, sort of like snap-on nails, but they're snap- on teeth.
MYERS: I can't wait. Didn't they used to do that with Dracula for Halloween? Is this just an upgrade?
COSTELLO: I know. It's -- they cost between $1,000 and $3,000.
MYERS: Oh, whatever.
COSTELLO: I'm going to try them.
MYERS: OK.
COSTELLO: Anyway, Here's what's all new in the next half hour of DAYBREAK.
A Scratch & Match snafu is leaving lots of New Yorkers scratching mad. And angry New Yorkers are never a good thing.
This is DAYBREAK.
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