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CNN Live At Daybreak
NFL Tackles Steroid Abuse; 'Security Watch'
Aired April 27, 2005 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, this is a common sight in many towns. But for terrorists, it could be a target.
Also, the NFL tackles steroid abuse and officials are getting tough off the gridiron.
And a look, and look, look, look, up in the sky, it's not a bird and it's not just any plane. It's super jumbo.
It's Wednesday, April 27.
You are watching DAYBREAK.
And good morning to you.
From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.
Also ahead this morning, are the French arrogant or do Americans just need to get over it? We'll ask the author of a new book on the topic.
But first, now in the news.
An Algerian convicted of plotting to bomb the Los Angeles airport on the eve of the new millennium will be sentenced this morning. Ahmed Ressam was arrested as he entered the United States from Canada in December of 1999. Explosives were found in the trunk of his car.
In south central Afghanistan, a U.S. soldier is killed in a firefight with insurgents. A military spokesman says the soldier's unit was on patrol when it was ambushed.
President Bush is expected to unveil some new earning proposals today. Among the plans will be the conversion of former military bases into refinery sites and expanding the existing tax credit proposal to include clean diesel technology.
To the Forecast Center and Chad -- good morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: In our "Security Watch" this morning, the future of the Patriot Act. In about three-and-a-half hours, a Senate panel holds a hearing on whether to reauthorize the law, which is set to expire this year. Critics say it tramples on civil liberties. But supporters say it's a key weapon in the war on terror.
They're just about everywhere. Terrorists may have their eyes on them. And federal officials say a lot more needs to be done to protect them. So what are they?
CNN's homeland security correspondent Jeanne Meserve has the answer.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Chemical facilities are in every state, every city. And almost every one is a potential weapon of mass destruction. "I am aware of no other category of potential terrorist targets that presents as great a danger, " says a recently departed top homeland security official.
Richard Falkenrath blames himself and others in government for not doing enough to make chemical facilities more secure.
RICHARD FALKENRATH: Because there's been a lot of activity in chemical site security, but not a lot of results.
MESERVE: Working cooperatively with industry, the Department of Homeland Security says it has identified the 300 plants that pose the greatest risk and has improved security at 160 of them. A spokesman acknowledges more needs to be done.
Much more, say the critics.
SEN. JON CORZINE (D), NEW JERSEY: There's no regulation. There's no enforcement. There's no oversight. There's no accountability.
MESERVE: Though chemical security legislation has stalled repeatedly in Congress, some in industry have made improvements voluntarily. The American Chemistry Council says its 140-members have spent about $2 billion on security. Now it wants the government to regulate companies who have not stepped up to the plate.
MARTY DURBIN, AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL: You absolutely want to level the playing field, make sure everyone is doing what needs to be done.
MESERVE: A DHS official says the department intends to play a more rigorous role in chemical security. And although he did not mention the chemical sector specifically, in a speech Tuesday, the new secretary hinted at a new, tougher stance toward industry.
MICHAEL CHERTOFF, SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY: When necessary, we can require a specific set of steps, from a security standpoint, if voluntary measures fail to achieve their needed results.
MESERVE: Chertoff says risk, threat and consequence will dictate his priorities. Using that matrix, experts say, chemical plants should be at the top of his list.
Jean Meserve, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: The State Department's annual report on global terrorism goes to Congress this week. It shows a rise in terror attacks. But some say it lacks detail. Congressional aides briefed on the report say there were about 650 significant terrorist attacks in 2004, compared with 175 in 2003, which represented a 20-year high.
Congressman Henry Waxman has written Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice complaining the report will not include that data on significant terrorist attacks.
Iraq, Russia and Kashmir are among nations and regions hit by the up tick in violence.
Now to that color-coded terror alert, you know, the one that's confusing and absolutely meaningless to some? House members agree the color system is too vague and want new methods to warn the public. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says he is considering changes to the color tree, but does not plan to scrap it outright.
By the way, in case you're wondering, we're in a code yellow. We have been for a long-time.
The Minutemen want to move north. The controversial group that began patrolling the border between Arizona and Mexico now wants to add Canada to their territory. They want to take up positions along the northern border in Idaho, Michigan, North Dakota and Vermont. One of the group's organizers will meet with lawmakers in Washington later today.
Be sure to stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
President Bush says it's a good option. But critics say it is a bad choice. We're talking about the president's plan to bolster Social Security by including an option for younger workers to invest part of their payroll taxes on their own.
The president defended his plan at a roundtable talk in Texas.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Federal employees have the option of taking some of their money aside, putting it into a conservative mix of bonds and stocks and watching their own money grow to get a better rate of return than that which the government could get for them. My attitude and my comment to members of the United States Congress and Senate, if taking some of your own money and setting it aside in a personal account to get a better rate of return on your money is good enough for you, it's good enough for workers all across America.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Democrats say the president's plan wrongly privatizes Social Security and will lead to big cuts for future retirees.
In the meantime, the president is making a show of support for the embattled House majority leader. Tom DeLay met with Mr. Bush in Texas and the president gave him a ride back to Washington on Air Force One. The administration has been trying to cool the growing heat around the Texas congressman. DeLay has been facing a string of ethical questions about his overseas trips and his use of campaign funds.
On another congressional matter, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and the White House are standing firm on the president's judicial nominees. Frist says he wants votes on all seven nominees blocked by Democrats, not just some of them. The Republican says he may considering challenging the rule allowing filibusters.
In response to that, Moveon.org is cranking out a TV campaign against any anti-filibuster move. It has planned rallies across the country today.
And while U.N. ambassador nominee John Bolton continues to fight his battles, he's getting more backing from the Bush administration. Condoleezza Rice says Bolton is still the right man for the job.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: The president and, indeed, I, believed at the time when John Bolton was nominated that he was the best person to take on the U.N. role for the United States at a critical time, and we still believe that that is the case.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Bolton was on Capitol Hill Tuesday trying to gather support for his nomination.
Look, it's a plane. Not just any plane, but a humongous flying bus. In France, the Airbus A380 has made its maiden voyage. Keep in mind, this thing can seat up to 800 passengers and can accommodate a mini casino.
Richard Quest joined it all.
He joins us live from France this morning -- hello, Richard.
RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What's the betting that you and I will be stuck in Row 106F, somewhere near the back, near the toilets? If that's any of my luck is anything to go by. This is not just a plane, this is a double-decker monster weighing some 420 tons when it lifted off from Toulouse Airport this morning, a short while ago.
And what was interesting about it, that way -- this is only a test flight, Carol. And that weight of 420 tons is heavier than the Boeing 747 400.
Now, no doubt in Seattle this morning there are some frowns and maybe some wry looks. Their moniker (ph) as the makers of the biggest plane has now been taken over by Airbus.
The question, though, can Airbus make money out of this? We know Boeing is doing well with its 787 and its 777, two huge orders in the last couple of days. Now Airbus has got the biggest plane in the world.
COSTELLO: So, Richard, in the United States, will we be able to fly on this thing?
QUEST: Oh, yes, absolutely. No U.S. passenger airlines have bought it yet, although Federal Express and UPS freight carriers have both bought it. But anybody flying Singapore Airlines, Quantus (ph), Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, Air France and other Asian carriers like Cathay that are looking at it. They will come into contract.
There will be two, I think, main areas, if you like, of the country where you will see the A380. The West Coast -- Los Angeles, San Francisco; the Northeast, New York, Boston and certainly Newark, Liberty.
COSTELLO: I can't help but notice your cuff links, Richard. They're not little planes, are they?
QUEST: There they are. And -- they're not just any plane. For goodness sakes, woman. These are Concorde cuff links. And they are of particular significance because it was on the runway behind me here the Concorde had its test flight back in 1969, the same year the 747 did. But that was here.
So real aviation history. And for a geek like me, a most exciting day.
COSTELLO: I'm glad I asked, kind of.
Thank you, Richard.
We appreciate it.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, bumper cars on Broadway. Wait until you hear what happened to this passenger in that cab.
Plus, are the French really arrogant? Or are Americans just too sensitive? I'll talk to a reporter and author about the troubled relations between the two countries.
And later, they break down language barriers for the world's leaders. We look at the real U.N. interpreters.
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Wednesday morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.
It's 6:14 Eastern.
Here's what's all new this morning.
Chemical catastrophes and terrorism will be the center of a hearing today on Capitol Hill. The Senate Homeland Security Committee will hear testimony on the possible outcome of terrorist attacks on chemical plants in the United States.
In money news, new dollar bills are now being printed with the signature of the new U.S. treasurer, Anna Cabral. She's just the 16th treasurer to have her signature on your money.
In culture, New York City's mayor is asking Conan O'Brien to bring "The Tonight Show" back to New York City. O'Brien takes over the show from Jay Leno in 2009. You may remember, Johnny Carson moved "The Tonight Show" to Los Angeles in 1972.
In sports, Alex Rodriguez hits three home runs and knocks in 10 runs, as the Yankees clobber the Angels. A-Rod becomes just the 11th player in history to have 10 or more RBIs in a single game. Amazing. Maybe that will like shake the entire team out of its slump -- Chad.
MYERS: Oh, it could be. It could be. They've, you know, they've kind of had a rough start, but they've played well. The pitching hasn't held up all that well into the end of the innings.
COSTELLO: No, I would have to say the pitching stinks.
MYERS: OK. That's why you and I get along so well, because you can say it the way it is.
Good morning, everybody.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: That's a look at the latest headlines for you this morning.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, the head honcho at Apple takes a bit out of his unauthorized biographer. Carrie Lee has got the low down for us on a case of retail revenge.
Then, friend or foe? When you talk to Americans about the French, everyone seems to have an opinion.
That's when DAYBREAK continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: In "News Across America" this morning, Florida police are looking for this 12-year-old girl who they say has been abducted. Margarita Aguilar-Lopez was allegedly abducted by a 26-year-old man who was babysitting her at a Tampa area motel. She's an illegal immigrant living there with her brother, since her parents are still in Mexico.
A California jury could begin deliberations in the Samantha Runnion case today. You'll remember that 5-year-old Samantha was abducted and killed nearly three years ago. Alegandro Avila is on trial for her murder and could face the death penalty if convicted.
A New York cabby could face criminal charges after his cab hit several other taxis, a minibus and at least one pedestrian. The cabby, his passenger and a pedestrian all in critical condition this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was just a flash. So he hit everybody. I was standing right in front of the chain reaction of the other cabs up there. It was just crunch, crunch, crunch.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He was speeding like lightning. But there was so much traffic. I don't know where he was trying to go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: The passenger in the man's cab was eight months pregnant. Doctors say her baby is healthy after an emergency C- section. She's in bad shape, though. She remains in critical condition this morning.
In our "Business Buzz," Apple is fighting back against the publisher of an unauthorized biography about its CEO.
Carrie Lee joins us with details.
CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is an unusual move, Carol.
Apple is removing all books published by John Wiley & Sons from its own retail stores. Basically, the publisher plans to release an unauthorized biography of Apple CEO Steve Jobs called "iCon Steve Jobs: The Greatest Second Act In the History of Business."
Well, Apple reportedly got an early copy of this book, which has not yet been released to the public, and asked that the book not be printed. According to Wiley, all its books have been pulled from Apple's 100 retail locations.
Wiley publishes how-to books, including the popular "For Dummies" series. And Apple has been notoriously tight-lipped about its products. Currently, Apple is suing individuals for publishing details about upcoming products on the Internet.
Now, it's unlikely the move will have a major financial impact for either company. But certainly an unusual move, Carol. It kind of gives you a glimpse into the corporate culture at Apple Computer.
COSTELLO: So what's in the book that's so disturbing?
LEE: Well, you know, that's what's interesting, because the author has reportedly said he thinks this book is pretty positive. He talks about Apple's turnaround. You remember, years ago Jobs left Apple then came back. We all know the company has been successful. He runs Pixar Animation Studios, also a very successful company.
So I guess we'll have to see if we're able to get a copy of it when it comes out.
COSTELLO: Sorry, Mr. Jobs.
Mr. Jobs, this makes me want to read the book.
LEE: Of course it does. Of course it does. But interesting that they're pulling all of these books from the -- other Wiley books from the Apple stores.
COSTELLO: Interesting.
LEE: Yes.
COSTELLO: Thank you, Carrie Lee.
LEE: Sure.
COSTELLO: Still to come on DAYBREAK, why can't we be friends? Some Americans say it's just not that simple when it comes to the French. I'll talk to an author who claims the French are arrogant.
And later, first it was baseball, now it's pigskin players in the steroid spotlight on Capitol Hill.
When DAYBREAK continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Like lukewarm champagne, tensions have been bubbling between the Americans and the French.
But is there any way both sides can put a cork in their stormy relationship?
Richard Chesnoff is the author of "The Arrogance of the French: Why They Can't Stand Us and Why the Feeling Is Mutual."
He spent a lot of time in France, but he's back with us now.
Good morning, Richard.
RICHARD CHESNOFF, "THE ARROGANCE OF THE FRENCH: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: Why did you write this book?
CHESNOFF: Well, I wrote it because it's a reaction to having lived there for almost 16 years on and off. And I think Americans want to understand why they don't -- why don't they like us.
COSTELLO: Well, according to the e-mails we got this morning, they understand exactly why they don't like the French.
But why do you think that is?
CHESNOFF: Well, it's not a question of why we don't like it, it's why they don't like us. And it's an odd -- it's a love-hate relationship that's been going on since before the Revolutionary War. And it goes up and it goes down.
Right now I think they don't like us because they resent the fact that we are what they are not, and that is a world power.
COSTELLO: Yes, but, you know, I have heard that the French dislike the Bush administration but not the people of the United States, because they disagree with so much of what President Bush is doing now.
CHESNOFF: Well...
COSTELLO: But that doesn't mean they dislike Americans in general.
CHESNOFF: I don't think they dislike Americans as individuals. And they love our culture. They love our pop culture. They drink more Coca Cola now, probably, than they drink red wine. And they buy blue jeans and they like our cyber techniques and they like all of it. And they like our pop stars.
But they don't like our values and they don't like our policies. And I think it's important to remember that this goes back from way before the Bush administration.
COSTELLO: Yes, you're probably right about that.
Some people might say, though, and I have to play devil's advocate, even though people may hate me and my audience, that Americans are arrogant, too; that we don't like aspects of the French culture, that we don't like aspects of their morality.
CHESNOFF: I think that we are, there is a certain American arrogance. But the American arrogance is a question of understanding that we have a very big power. We are a very big power in the world and we have a strength that we can use and try to use it positively.
French arrogance comes from a feeling of superiority of their culture. And that is the big difference.
COSTELLO: OK. In speaking about the French superiority, allegedly, the alleged French superiority...
CHESNOFF: Do you have a reservation at a French restaurant tonight?
COSTELLO: I know.
We've pulled several lines that people can use when in France and we'd like to show our audience that now. So let's put the graphic up on the screen, because I don't remember the French translation. There it is. Responses for rude French.
Are French people really rude?
CHESNOFF: They can be very, very rude.
COSTELLO: But they can be very nice, too.
CHESNOFF: Everybody can be very nice. And on an individual one- to-one basis, people can be very lovely. But I find, and I think if you've been to Paris or even to the south of France, there is a certain strange arrogance that goes on when you go into a restaurant, when you go into a shop and somebody completely ignores you. It's there.
It's definitely there. That's why I wrote "The Arrogance of the French."
COSTELLO: OK, well, that is what the book is called.
Richard Chesnoff, thanks for joining DAYBREAK this morning.
CHESNOFF: A pleasure.
Nice of you to have me.
COSTELLO: We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Good morning to you.
From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.
Now in the news, would be millennium bomber Ahmed Ressam will be sentenced this morning in Seattle, Washington. He was convicted of plotting to bomb Los Angeles International Airport on New Year's Eve 1999.
The death toll from Japan's worst train wreck in decades has climbed to 95 and rescuers are still finding more bodies. Four hundred fifty-eight people were injured in the crash.
A former top homeland security official will testify today that chemical plants in the United States are vulnerable targets for terrorists. He'll tell the Senate Homeland Security Committee the plants represent a grave risk to you because of weak governmental regulation.
To the Forecast Center and Chad -- good morning.
MYERS: Good morning, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
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 April 27, 2005 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, this is a common sight in many towns. But for terrorists, it could be a target.
Also, the NFL tackles steroid abuse and officials are getting tough off the gridiron.
And a look, and look, look, look, up in the sky, it's not a bird and it's not just any plane. It's super jumbo.
It's Wednesday, April 27.
You are watching DAYBREAK.
And good morning to you.
From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.
Also ahead this morning, are the French arrogant or do Americans just need to get over it? We'll ask the author of a new book on the topic.
But first, now in the news.
An Algerian convicted of plotting to bomb the Los Angeles airport on the eve of the new millennium will be sentenced this morning. Ahmed Ressam was arrested as he entered the United States from Canada in December of 1999. Explosives were found in the trunk of his car.
In south central Afghanistan, a U.S. soldier is killed in a firefight with insurgents. A military spokesman says the soldier's unit was on patrol when it was ambushed.
President Bush is expected to unveil some new earning proposals today. Among the plans will be the conversion of former military bases into refinery sites and expanding the existing tax credit proposal to include clean diesel technology.
To the Forecast Center and Chad -- good morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: In our "Security Watch" this morning, the future of the Patriot Act. In about three-and-a-half hours, a Senate panel holds a hearing on whether to reauthorize the law, which is set to expire this year. Critics say it tramples on civil liberties. But supporters say it's a key weapon in the war on terror.
They're just about everywhere. Terrorists may have their eyes on them. And federal officials say a lot more needs to be done to protect them. So what are they?
CNN's homeland security correspondent Jeanne Meserve has the answer.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Chemical facilities are in every state, every city. And almost every one is a potential weapon of mass destruction. "I am aware of no other category of potential terrorist targets that presents as great a danger, " says a recently departed top homeland security official.
Richard Falkenrath blames himself and others in government for not doing enough to make chemical facilities more secure.
RICHARD FALKENRATH: Because there's been a lot of activity in chemical site security, but not a lot of results.
MESERVE: Working cooperatively with industry, the Department of Homeland Security says it has identified the 300 plants that pose the greatest risk and has improved security at 160 of them. A spokesman acknowledges more needs to be done.
Much more, say the critics.
SEN. JON CORZINE (D), NEW JERSEY: There's no regulation. There's no enforcement. There's no oversight. There's no accountability.
MESERVE: Though chemical security legislation has stalled repeatedly in Congress, some in industry have made improvements voluntarily. The American Chemistry Council says its 140-members have spent about $2 billion on security. Now it wants the government to regulate companies who have not stepped up to the plate.
MARTY DURBIN, AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL: You absolutely want to level the playing field, make sure everyone is doing what needs to be done.
MESERVE: A DHS official says the department intends to play a more rigorous role in chemical security. And although he did not mention the chemical sector specifically, in a speech Tuesday, the new secretary hinted at a new, tougher stance toward industry.
MICHAEL CHERTOFF, SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY: When necessary, we can require a specific set of steps, from a security standpoint, if voluntary measures fail to achieve their needed results.
MESERVE: Chertoff says risk, threat and consequence will dictate his priorities. Using that matrix, experts say, chemical plants should be at the top of his list.
Jean Meserve, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: The State Department's annual report on global terrorism goes to Congress this week. It shows a rise in terror attacks. But some say it lacks detail. Congressional aides briefed on the report say there were about 650 significant terrorist attacks in 2004, compared with 175 in 2003, which represented a 20-year high.
Congressman Henry Waxman has written Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice complaining the report will not include that data on significant terrorist attacks.
Iraq, Russia and Kashmir are among nations and regions hit by the up tick in violence.
Now to that color-coded terror alert, you know, the one that's confusing and absolutely meaningless to some? House members agree the color system is too vague and want new methods to warn the public. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says he is considering changes to the color tree, but does not plan to scrap it outright.
By the way, in case you're wondering, we're in a code yellow. We have been for a long-time.
The Minutemen want to move north. The controversial group that began patrolling the border between Arizona and Mexico now wants to add Canada to their territory. They want to take up positions along the northern border in Idaho, Michigan, North Dakota and Vermont. One of the group's organizers will meet with lawmakers in Washington later today.
Be sure to stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.
President Bush says it's a good option. But critics say it is a bad choice. We're talking about the president's plan to bolster Social Security by including an option for younger workers to invest part of their payroll taxes on their own.
The president defended his plan at a roundtable talk in Texas.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Federal employees have the option of taking some of their money aside, putting it into a conservative mix of bonds and stocks and watching their own money grow to get a better rate of return than that which the government could get for them. My attitude and my comment to members of the United States Congress and Senate, if taking some of your own money and setting it aside in a personal account to get a better rate of return on your money is good enough for you, it's good enough for workers all across America.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Democrats say the president's plan wrongly privatizes Social Security and will lead to big cuts for future retirees.
In the meantime, the president is making a show of support for the embattled House majority leader. Tom DeLay met with Mr. Bush in Texas and the president gave him a ride back to Washington on Air Force One. The administration has been trying to cool the growing heat around the Texas congressman. DeLay has been facing a string of ethical questions about his overseas trips and his use of campaign funds.
On another congressional matter, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and the White House are standing firm on the president's judicial nominees. Frist says he wants votes on all seven nominees blocked by Democrats, not just some of them. The Republican says he may considering challenging the rule allowing filibusters.
In response to that, Moveon.org is cranking out a TV campaign against any anti-filibuster move. It has planned rallies across the country today.
And while U.N. ambassador nominee John Bolton continues to fight his battles, he's getting more backing from the Bush administration. Condoleezza Rice says Bolton is still the right man for the job.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: The president and, indeed, I, believed at the time when John Bolton was nominated that he was the best person to take on the U.N. role for the United States at a critical time, and we still believe that that is the case.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Bolton was on Capitol Hill Tuesday trying to gather support for his nomination.
Look, it's a plane. Not just any plane, but a humongous flying bus. In France, the Airbus A380 has made its maiden voyage. Keep in mind, this thing can seat up to 800 passengers and can accommodate a mini casino.
Richard Quest joined it all.
He joins us live from France this morning -- hello, Richard.
RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What's the betting that you and I will be stuck in Row 106F, somewhere near the back, near the toilets? If that's any of my luck is anything to go by. This is not just a plane, this is a double-decker monster weighing some 420 tons when it lifted off from Toulouse Airport this morning, a short while ago.
And what was interesting about it, that way -- this is only a test flight, Carol. And that weight of 420 tons is heavier than the Boeing 747 400.
Now, no doubt in Seattle this morning there are some frowns and maybe some wry looks. Their moniker (ph) as the makers of the biggest plane has now been taken over by Airbus.
The question, though, can Airbus make money out of this? We know Boeing is doing well with its 787 and its 777, two huge orders in the last couple of days. Now Airbus has got the biggest plane in the world.
COSTELLO: So, Richard, in the United States, will we be able to fly on this thing?
QUEST: Oh, yes, absolutely. No U.S. passenger airlines have bought it yet, although Federal Express and UPS freight carriers have both bought it. But anybody flying Singapore Airlines, Quantus (ph), Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, Air France and other Asian carriers like Cathay that are looking at it. They will come into contract.
There will be two, I think, main areas, if you like, of the country where you will see the A380. The West Coast -- Los Angeles, San Francisco; the Northeast, New York, Boston and certainly Newark, Liberty.
COSTELLO: I can't help but notice your cuff links, Richard. They're not little planes, are they?
QUEST: There they are. And -- they're not just any plane. For goodness sakes, woman. These are Concorde cuff links. And they are of particular significance because it was on the runway behind me here the Concorde had its test flight back in 1969, the same year the 747 did. But that was here.
So real aviation history. And for a geek like me, a most exciting day.
COSTELLO: I'm glad I asked, kind of.
Thank you, Richard.
We appreciate it.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, bumper cars on Broadway. Wait until you hear what happened to this passenger in that cab.
Plus, are the French really arrogant? Or are Americans just too sensitive? I'll talk to a reporter and author about the troubled relations between the two countries.
And later, they break down language barriers for the world's leaders. We look at the real U.N. interpreters.
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Wednesday morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.
It's 6:14 Eastern.
Here's what's all new this morning.
Chemical catastrophes and terrorism will be the center of a hearing today on Capitol Hill. The Senate Homeland Security Committee will hear testimony on the possible outcome of terrorist attacks on chemical plants in the United States.
In money news, new dollar bills are now being printed with the signature of the new U.S. treasurer, Anna Cabral. She's just the 16th treasurer to have her signature on your money.
In culture, New York City's mayor is asking Conan O'Brien to bring "The Tonight Show" back to New York City. O'Brien takes over the show from Jay Leno in 2009. You may remember, Johnny Carson moved "The Tonight Show" to Los Angeles in 1972.
In sports, Alex Rodriguez hits three home runs and knocks in 10 runs, as the Yankees clobber the Angels. A-Rod becomes just the 11th player in history to have 10 or more RBIs in a single game. Amazing. Maybe that will like shake the entire team out of its slump -- Chad.
MYERS: Oh, it could be. It could be. They've, you know, they've kind of had a rough start, but they've played well. The pitching hasn't held up all that well into the end of the innings.
COSTELLO: No, I would have to say the pitching stinks.
MYERS: OK. That's why you and I get along so well, because you can say it the way it is.
Good morning, everybody.
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COSTELLO: That's a look at the latest headlines for you this morning.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, the head honcho at Apple takes a bit out of his unauthorized biographer. Carrie Lee has got the low down for us on a case of retail revenge.
Then, friend or foe? When you talk to Americans about the French, everyone seems to have an opinion.
That's when DAYBREAK continues.
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COSTELLO: In "News Across America" this morning, Florida police are looking for this 12-year-old girl who they say has been abducted. Margarita Aguilar-Lopez was allegedly abducted by a 26-year-old man who was babysitting her at a Tampa area motel. She's an illegal immigrant living there with her brother, since her parents are still in Mexico.
A California jury could begin deliberations in the Samantha Runnion case today. You'll remember that 5-year-old Samantha was abducted and killed nearly three years ago. Alegandro Avila is on trial for her murder and could face the death penalty if convicted.
A New York cabby could face criminal charges after his cab hit several other taxis, a minibus and at least one pedestrian. The cabby, his passenger and a pedestrian all in critical condition this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was just a flash. So he hit everybody. I was standing right in front of the chain reaction of the other cabs up there. It was just crunch, crunch, crunch.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He was speeding like lightning. But there was so much traffic. I don't know where he was trying to go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: The passenger in the man's cab was eight months pregnant. Doctors say her baby is healthy after an emergency C- section. She's in bad shape, though. She remains in critical condition this morning.
In our "Business Buzz," Apple is fighting back against the publisher of an unauthorized biography about its CEO.
Carrie Lee joins us with details.
CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is an unusual move, Carol.
Apple is removing all books published by John Wiley & Sons from its own retail stores. Basically, the publisher plans to release an unauthorized biography of Apple CEO Steve Jobs called "iCon Steve Jobs: The Greatest Second Act In the History of Business."
Well, Apple reportedly got an early copy of this book, which has not yet been released to the public, and asked that the book not be printed. According to Wiley, all its books have been pulled from Apple's 100 retail locations.
Wiley publishes how-to books, including the popular "For Dummies" series. And Apple has been notoriously tight-lipped about its products. Currently, Apple is suing individuals for publishing details about upcoming products on the Internet.
Now, it's unlikely the move will have a major financial impact for either company. But certainly an unusual move, Carol. It kind of gives you a glimpse into the corporate culture at Apple Computer.
COSTELLO: So what's in the book that's so disturbing?
LEE: Well, you know, that's what's interesting, because the author has reportedly said he thinks this book is pretty positive. He talks about Apple's turnaround. You remember, years ago Jobs left Apple then came back. We all know the company has been successful. He runs Pixar Animation Studios, also a very successful company.
So I guess we'll have to see if we're able to get a copy of it when it comes out.
COSTELLO: Sorry, Mr. Jobs.
Mr. Jobs, this makes me want to read the book.
LEE: Of course it does. Of course it does. But interesting that they're pulling all of these books from the -- other Wiley books from the Apple stores.
COSTELLO: Interesting.
LEE: Yes.
COSTELLO: Thank you, Carrie Lee.
LEE: Sure.
COSTELLO: Still to come on DAYBREAK, why can't we be friends? Some Americans say it's just not that simple when it comes to the French. I'll talk to an author who claims the French are arrogant.
And later, first it was baseball, now it's pigskin players in the steroid spotlight on Capitol Hill.
When DAYBREAK continues.
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COSTELLO: Like lukewarm champagne, tensions have been bubbling between the Americans and the French.
But is there any way both sides can put a cork in their stormy relationship?
Richard Chesnoff is the author of "The Arrogance of the French: Why They Can't Stand Us and Why the Feeling Is Mutual."
He spent a lot of time in France, but he's back with us now.
Good morning, Richard.
RICHARD CHESNOFF, "THE ARROGANCE OF THE FRENCH: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: Why did you write this book?
CHESNOFF: Well, I wrote it because it's a reaction to having lived there for almost 16 years on and off. And I think Americans want to understand why they don't -- why don't they like us.
COSTELLO: Well, according to the e-mails we got this morning, they understand exactly why they don't like the French.
But why do you think that is?
CHESNOFF: Well, it's not a question of why we don't like it, it's why they don't like us. And it's an odd -- it's a love-hate relationship that's been going on since before the Revolutionary War. And it goes up and it goes down.
Right now I think they don't like us because they resent the fact that we are what they are not, and that is a world power.
COSTELLO: Yes, but, you know, I have heard that the French dislike the Bush administration but not the people of the United States, because they disagree with so much of what President Bush is doing now.
CHESNOFF: Well...
COSTELLO: But that doesn't mean they dislike Americans in general.
CHESNOFF: I don't think they dislike Americans as individuals. And they love our culture. They love our pop culture. They drink more Coca Cola now, probably, than they drink red wine. And they buy blue jeans and they like our cyber techniques and they like all of it. And they like our pop stars.
But they don't like our values and they don't like our policies. And I think it's important to remember that this goes back from way before the Bush administration.
COSTELLO: Yes, you're probably right about that.
Some people might say, though, and I have to play devil's advocate, even though people may hate me and my audience, that Americans are arrogant, too; that we don't like aspects of the French culture, that we don't like aspects of their morality.
CHESNOFF: I think that we are, there is a certain American arrogance. But the American arrogance is a question of understanding that we have a very big power. We are a very big power in the world and we have a strength that we can use and try to use it positively.
French arrogance comes from a feeling of superiority of their culture. And that is the big difference.
COSTELLO: OK. In speaking about the French superiority, allegedly, the alleged French superiority...
CHESNOFF: Do you have a reservation at a French restaurant tonight?
COSTELLO: I know.
We've pulled several lines that people can use when in France and we'd like to show our audience that now. So let's put the graphic up on the screen, because I don't remember the French translation. There it is. Responses for rude French.
Are French people really rude?
CHESNOFF: They can be very, very rude.
COSTELLO: But they can be very nice, too.
CHESNOFF: Everybody can be very nice. And on an individual one- to-one basis, people can be very lovely. But I find, and I think if you've been to Paris or even to the south of France, there is a certain strange arrogance that goes on when you go into a restaurant, when you go into a shop and somebody completely ignores you. It's there.
It's definitely there. That's why I wrote "The Arrogance of the French."
COSTELLO: OK, well, that is what the book is called.
Richard Chesnoff, thanks for joining DAYBREAK this morning.
CHESNOFF: A pleasure.
Nice of you to have me.
COSTELLO: We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Good morning to you.
From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.
Now in the news, would be millennium bomber Ahmed Ressam will be sentenced this morning in Seattle, Washington. He was convicted of plotting to bomb Los Angeles International Airport on New Year's Eve 1999.
The death toll from Japan's worst train wreck in decades has climbed to 95 and rescuers are still finding more bodies. Four hundred fifty-eight people were injured in the crash.
A former top homeland security official will testify today that chemical plants in the United States are vulnerable targets for terrorists. He'll tell the Senate Homeland Security Committee the plants represent a grave risk to you because of weak governmental regulation.
To the Forecast Center and Chad -- good morning.
MYERS: Good morning, Carol.
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