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American Morning
New Saddam Pictures; Children Spotted?; Stem Cell Debate
Aired May 20, 2005 - 09:00 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. There are new developments in the search for those two missing children in Idaho. Their father pleading for their return.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVE GROENE, FATHER OF MISSING CHILDREN: Please release my children safely. They had nothing to do with any of this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: In a moment, the father will join us. So will the sheriff's department with a possible lead in this case.
A rare early season hurricane slamming into Central America now tracking toward the Gulf of Mexico.
And word the hunt for Osama bin Laden may be gaining momentum with more arrests reported on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Welcome back, everybody.
Also ahead this morning, we're going to talk about that photo that's showing up in papers today, really across the world, of Saddam Hussein in prison. And it shows him in his underwear.
HEMMER: A lot of people not happy about this at the Pentagon. You know, the issue of Geneva Conventions, can't take a photograph of a prisoner. Apparently it came out a year ago, too. So we'll get reaction from the Pentagon and fill you in on the holes in this story, too. They are not amused there.
Here's Jack, too.
Good morning.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
The government is also re-examining the role of women in the military. Should women be allowed to participate in what the Pentagon calls direct ground combat? Is that a good idea or not? AM@CNN.com.
HEMMER: All right, Jack. Thanks. Back to the headlines and back to Carol with those.
Hello.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Hello. Good morning, everyone.
"Now in the News," Police in Pakistan say they have two suspected al Qaeda members in custody. The arrests coming just hours ago about 250 miles south of Islamabad. Police say one of the men has direct contact with top al Qaeda leadership.
There are also reports from Pakistan that authorities are expressing more optimism for tracking down Osama bin Laden. Intelligence officials say al Qaeda has been shaken by recent captures and bin Laden may be forced to change locations.
Insurgents launching new attacks in Iraq, though. The U.S. military says five detainees were wounded in a rocket strike at Abu Ghraib prison. And earlier, two people were killed in a bombing outside a Baghdad mosque. An Iraqi army official says the blast also caused damage to nearby shops and homes.
Here in the states, the Senate is inching closer to a showdown over President Bush's judicial nominees, possibly as early as next week. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is expected to announce today that a test vote on the nomination of Priscilla Owen will be held on Tuesday. If Democrats continue to stall, Frist has threatened to change the Senate rules and do away with filibusters -- you know, the nuclear option.
And President Bush attending the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington this morning. The president delivering remarks there now. Other lawmakers and some religious leaders on hand as well. Mr. Bush meets with the prime minister of Denmark and the prime minister of Greece later today.
And hurricane Adrian downgraded to a tropical storm after pounding El Salvador. The storm unleashed heavy rain and 80-mile-per- hour winds on the Pacific Coast. Tens of thousands forced from their homes. Adrian is now heading towards the Caribbean.
Let's check on its path with Chad.
Good morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HEMMER: I don't know. A hundred degrees? The stuff is boiling at this point.
MYERS: I agree.
HEMMER: Thanks, Chad.
MYERS: You're welcome.
HEMMER: The Pentagon wants to know who leaked pictures of Saddam Hussein. The British tabloid "The Sun" published photos today of Saddam Hussein in his jail, including one on the cover you see here, showing him in his underwear.
To the Pentagon and Barbara Starr.
Barbara, I understand they are not happy there. What's happening? Good morning.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Bill.
Not happy would perhaps be an understatement at this point. Every official we have spoken to has expressed utter dismay at these events.
The U.S. military now says it is launching a very aggressive investigation to find out how these photographs were released to the British newspaper "The Sun." "The Sun," in their story, is saying that the military gave the newspaper the photographs in an attempt to embarrass or discredit the insurgency in Iraq. Very senior U.S. military officials tell us this morning that is absolutely not the case.
They say that "The Sun" got the photographs and then tried to validate them with the military. That's how the military learned those photographs were out in the public arena.
It is believed the photographs were taken more than a year ago when Saddam Hussein was clearly under the control and custody of the United States military. He had not yet been turned over to Iraqi security officials. So, the U.S. military considers this now a very significant breach of security around one of the world's most heavily protected men.
The military has put out a statement about all of this. And that statement pointing to some very significant issues here. That statement saying, in part, "These photos were taken in clear violation of DOD directives and possibly Geneva Convention guidelines for the humane treatment of detained individuals."
What are they talking about? Well, the Geneva convention, of course, prohibits the distribution or the release of photographs that would hold a prisoner or detainee up to public ridicule or humiliation.
Now, what the U.S. is saying is the U.S. government did not release these photos. It is not an official sanctioned release. So the U.S. government would not be in violation of the Geneva Convention, they feel at this point. But if a U.S. soldier or a U.S. military person was the person that was responsible for these being released, that person could be in very serious trouble and could be in violation of the Geneva Conventions -- Bill. HEMMER: It appears this story is just getting started this morning. Much more throughout the day to be expected. Barbara, thanks. Barbara Starr at the Pentagon there.
Here's Soledad now.
O'BRIEN: Police are looking for a light-colored van after receiving a new lead in the disappearance of those two missing children in Idaho. The latest on the search now from Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho with CNN's Alina Cho. She's there for us.
Hey, Alina. Good morning.
ALINA CHO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you, Soledad.
Hard to tell at this point how seriously authorities are taking this, but here's what we know. Authorities in northern Idaho are reporting a possible sighting of 9-year-old Dylan and his sister, 8- year-old Shasta Groene, who have been missing since Monday night. They were apparently spotted sometime yesterday afternoon at a very small sporting goods store in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. That's about 70 miles north of here.
The children were apparently with a tall man in, as you mentioned, a light-colored van. The man apparently asked for directions to Libby, Montana, a town there The owner called in the tip, even had a license plate number. But the van has not been seen since.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAPT. BEN WOLFINGER, KOOTENAI COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT.: And they weren't able to find the vehicle Thursday evening. We've put an attempt to locate out on the description of that vehicle, particularly focused on the northern Idaho, western Montana and southern Canada area. Every law enforcement agency, and, quite frankly, a lot of the public are looking for that van.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: Family members certainly aren't giving up hope. In fact, the children's father spoke out earlier on AMERICAN MORNING and had this message for his two missing kids.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GROENE: If they can see me or hear me, I want them to know that -- and I know that they know I love them. And I need them back with me.
Everybody is praying for them. And all I can tell them is just, please hang in there. This will be over soon. They are coming home.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: Remember, this is a two-pronged investigation. In the home where the bodies of the children's mother, brother and mother's boyfriend were found, it is still an active crime scene. In fact, FBI technicians home to wrap up their work here at the home sometime later today, and then all of the evidence will be shipped out either today or Monday to the FBI crime processing lab in Quantico, Virginia -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: That's such a heartbreaking story. Alina Cho for us this morning. Alina, thanks -- Bill.
HEMMER: There is a major development in stem cell research today, word that scientists in South Korea have successfully cloned human embryos specifically to create stem cells. What makes this so significant, though, is the embryonic stem cells are an exact genetic match for sick or injured patients.
Scientists have hoped that some day stem cells can be used to cure a variety of diseases or repair damages from many types of injuries. And all of this in this country now continues the debate over stem cell research. A bill in the House is bringing the issue back to the foreground.
To the White House and Ed Henry.
Walk us through the specifics of this debate now, Ed. Good morning.
ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
That's right. CNN has learned, in fact, that the White House is now planning to issue a veto threat as early as next week against this House bill that would expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. In fact, two administration officials telling my colleague, Dana Bash, that the president himself may issue this veto threat.
That is a sign of just how concerned this White House is that this bill could be a political defeat for the president. The White House believes issuing a veto threat now could stem some of the momentum on the Hill for this legislation.
The president, in fact, spoke this morning at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast about the culture of life. Stem cell research falls into this category, because the Catholic Church opposes destroying embryos for these research purposes.
That's why the president's current policy limits federal funding for this research to stem cell lines already in existence. But there are some scientists who say that these -- those cell lines already in existence. That, in fact, some of them are contaminated. That's why it needs to be expanded.
And, in fact, these scientists have gotten a boost from some high-profile lobbyists like Nancy Reagan, who has said that she wants to see it expanded in order to battle diseases like Alzheimer's. That argument has gotten some resonance among Republicans on the Hill, at least some moderate Republicans who have joined forces with Democrats on the Hill. This bill in the House now has over 200 co-sponsors. It's picking up steam in the Senate.
This is kind of a rare fight between the president and fellow Republicans on the Hill. But White House officials here say they feel they have a very powerful lobbyist of their own in first lady Laura Bush, daughter of an Alzheimer's patient, who has previously spoken out about the fact that the president does not oppose stem cell research, he just does not want to see an expansion of federal funding of it. And White House officials tell us they may, in fact, enlist Laura Bush now in this very tough political fight -- Bill.
HEMMER: Ed, thanks. Ed Henry from the White House.
Well, we knew the tsunami was big. Only learning now about how big it really was. The numbers are staggering, too. That's next in a moment.
O'BRIEN: And it was Larry King taking the stand in the Michael Jackson trial. Ahead, we'll find out what the jury won't here and tell you why.
HEMMER: Also, "Jaws" first swam on to the scene 30 years ago this year. How the summer blockbuster changed the way that Hollywood makes movies to this day.
That's ahead as we continue right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Scientists say they are astounded by what they're learning about the earthquake that triggered last December's tsunami. Daniel Sieberg reports now on how a disaster that happened six months ago is still revealing its secrets.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DANIEL SIEBERG, CNN TECHNOLOGY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The second largest earthquake on record released energy greater than 30,000 Hiroshimas. One scientist claimed it gave off as much energy as the entire United States uses in six months. Scientists agreed Thursday it was substantially more powerful than first thought and it lasted longer than any earthquake ever recorded.
CHARLES AMMON, PENN STATE UNIVERSITY: Normally, a small earthquake might last less than a second. A moderate-sized earthquake might last a few seconds. This earthquake lasted between 500 and 600 seconds.
SIEBERG: The quake, centered in the Indian Ocean, ripped apart the Aarth's crust as one tectonic plate slipped beneath the other. The crack it created set a record, the longest one ever observed. To help translate how long and how fast-moving this rupture was, think about getting from north Florida almost to New York in just 10 minutes. (on camera): Near the quake's center, the earth shifted by up to 15 feet. Even 1,000 miles away in Sri Lanka, the movement was nearly four inches. And the big picture here, globally, this earthquake was large enough to basically vibrate the entire planet by as much as half an inch. Now, that's not enough for most of us to feel anything, but everywhere that seismic monitors existed on the Earth, they picked up vibrations.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That wave is a good 15, 20 feet tall.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh my god.
THORNE LAY, U.C. SANTA CRUZ: It was staggering to see these signals, to actually have recorded the complete vibrations of the ground from such a giant earthquake.
SIEBERG (voice-over): Its power was 100 times that of California's 1989 Loma Prieta quake, a 6.9 magnitude event that caused manger destruction. Scientists hope what they've learned from December's quake will help them improve early warning systems and get more people to safety.
Daniel Sieberg, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: Scientists also say the undersea earthquake triggered thousands of smaller earthquakes that reached all the way to Alaska -- Bill.
HEMMER: Seventeen minutes past the hour, Soledad. Not every day we celebrate the anniversary of a shark. No ordinary shark here. Thirty years of "Jaws" when we come back.
Some trivia getting you in the mood this morning, too. What did Stephen Spielberg nickname the mechanical shark used in "Jaws," Jason, Bruce or Moby? A, B, or C? The answer after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: There's that music again. Before the break we asked you, what was Stephen Spielberg's nickname for that mechanical shark used filming "Jaws?" The answer is Bruce, just like our guy on the floor right here. Our man Bruce. Named it after his lawyer.
It is hard to overstate the impact of "Jaws." Thirty years later now after the classic thriller scared moviegoers right out of their seats, including me. Sibila Vargas reports now, three decades down the road.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The music and the mayhem. For 30 years now, people have been jolted by "Jaws."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That scared the bejesus out of me.
VARGAS: Hard to believe then that before the movie opened in 1975, Universal Studios was worried.
TOM SHONE, AUTHOR, "BLOCKBUSTER": The producers were convinced that they made the biggest herky, because the shoot of the movie had been so troubled and it had gone so over budget.
VARGAS: Over budget mainly because the mechanical shark playing the lead role kept breaking down.
CARL GOTTLIEB, CO-WRITER & CO-STAR, "JAWS": The world was collapsing around us and the shark wasn't working and the actors were fractious and the crew was muttering.
VARGAS: Carl Gottlieb, author of "The Jaws Log," co-wrote and co-starred in the film. He still marvels at how a young director named Steven Spielberg kept his cool.
GOTTLIEB: He held it all together. He improvised in ways that nobody was aware.
VARGAS: Spielberg made a virtue of the shark's failure to perform.
STEVEN SPIELBERG, DIRECTOR: I resorted to Hitchcockian rule, which is basically shooting the water and suggesting the shark without showing it. Having the pier go out and turn around by itself and come back again.
VARGAS: That increased the suspense, which became evident during early test screenings.
GOTTLIEB: The people screamed and then they screamed again and then they jumped in their seats.
VARGAS: Then the film opened to the public and a movie industry legend was born.
SHONE: "Jaws" mania kind of swept the country in a sort of extraordinary kind of grass roots way.
GOTTLIEB: There was a shark on the cover of "TIME" magazine, and it just grew in the public consciousness.
SHONE: It really became like this kind of cultural event.
GOTTLIEB: It played and played and played and people just kept coming.
SHONE: For the amount of money that "Jaws" made, you know it just completely changed the course of Hollywood moviemaking. Immediately the first response, can we do it again and how many times can we do it, and what about next summer? And so it was the beginning of kind of Hollywood's sort of endless summer. VARGAS (on camera): "Jaws" went on to earn an astonishing $470 million worldwide in 1975, and that's not even accounting for inflation. Those numbers will surely increase when a special 30th anniversary edition of the movie comes out on DVD in June.
Sibila Vargas, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Thanks, Sibila.
Also, stay tuned this weekend for your complete guide to summer entertainment from movies and concerts and theme parks. A.J. Hammer, Karyn Bryant, Sibila Vargas hosting your hot ticket to summer fun Saturday at 6:00 right here on CNN.
Summer's a coming, huh?
O'BRIEN: I know. I can't wait, in fact.
Jack's got the "Question of the Day."
Good morning.
CAFFERTY: How you doing?
O'BRIEN: Looking forward to summer, Jack? Looking forward to the summer?
CAFFERTY: Yes.
The House Armed Services Committee passed a measure Thursday that would bar women from direct ground combat. Ironic, because the Army's failed to meet its recruiting targets for the last three months in a row.
So this morning we want to know if you think women ought to be allowed to serve in direct ground combat.
Greg in Florida writes, "It's only the mindset of the American people that prohibit women from being in a combat role. Women have fought alongside male counterparts in many armies around the world for decades."
Johnny in Mississippi writes, "Absolutely, and while they're at it, get rid of that ridiculous rule of not allowing openly gay men into the military."
Jane in Ohio writes, "Women should not serve in combat. If women were recruited with the guarantee they would be working state-side in the many clerical positions currently occupied by men, there would be lines waiting to enlist."
And Jerry writes in Michigan, "I married two women and divorced two women, and both of them were better suited for armed combat than I was." O'BRIEN: That's very funny.
CAFFERTY: Looking forward to summer?
O'BRIEN: Yes.
CAFFERTY: Well -- is it here yet?
O'BRIEN: You can think about it. No, it's not. But it will be.
Well, this weekend on CNN we've got more coverage of Iraq and the fighting on the front lines. We're going to hear from some soldiers who have had to make some heart-wrenching decisions.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I take my weapon, I point it at someone, and I'm aiming and I look. And it's just a 14-year-old boy running scared just like me, my fellow soldiers. And, you know, it's, who am I? Am I this monster?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: American deserters who fled to Canada in our "Soldier's Story" this weekend. Hear what can break a soldier on the battlefield. That's Sunday, 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
HEMMER: Twenty-five minutes past the hour. A bit of a king- sized witness at the Michael Jackson trial. Larry King on the stand this week, but the judge says the jury will not hear a word of it. We'll find out why when we continue right after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Get the latest news every morning in your e-mail. Sign up for AMERICAN MORNING quick news at CNN.com/am.
Still to come this morning, an award-winning documentary maker takes us inside the world, the writings and the friendships of an incredibly talented autistic woman.
Stay with us for stories ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Rainy day here in Manhattan. That's all right, though. It's a Friday. Get it off and on for the next couple of days, anyway.
Welcome back.
What's wrong?
O'BRIEN: Why on the weekend?
HEMMER: Yes.
O'BRIEN: We had a very nice Monday and Tuesday.
HEMMER: And Wednesday and Thursday, actually.
O'BRIEN: Wednesday and Thursday quite lovely as well.
HEMMER: Four in a row.
O'BRIEN: So how about raining Monday and Tuesday and a nice weekend? Just a thought. I'll address that with Chad later.
HEMMER: Checking it all, baby.
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
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Aired May 20, 2005 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. There are new developments in the search for those two missing children in Idaho. Their father pleading for their return.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVE GROENE, FATHER OF MISSING CHILDREN: Please release my children safely. They had nothing to do with any of this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: In a moment, the father will join us. So will the sheriff's department with a possible lead in this case.
A rare early season hurricane slamming into Central America now tracking toward the Gulf of Mexico.
And word the hunt for Osama bin Laden may be gaining momentum with more arrests reported on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Welcome back, everybody.
Also ahead this morning, we're going to talk about that photo that's showing up in papers today, really across the world, of Saddam Hussein in prison. And it shows him in his underwear.
HEMMER: A lot of people not happy about this at the Pentagon. You know, the issue of Geneva Conventions, can't take a photograph of a prisoner. Apparently it came out a year ago, too. So we'll get reaction from the Pentagon and fill you in on the holes in this story, too. They are not amused there.
Here's Jack, too.
Good morning.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
The government is also re-examining the role of women in the military. Should women be allowed to participate in what the Pentagon calls direct ground combat? Is that a good idea or not? AM@CNN.com.
HEMMER: All right, Jack. Thanks. Back to the headlines and back to Carol with those.
Hello.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Hello. Good morning, everyone.
"Now in the News," Police in Pakistan say they have two suspected al Qaeda members in custody. The arrests coming just hours ago about 250 miles south of Islamabad. Police say one of the men has direct contact with top al Qaeda leadership.
There are also reports from Pakistan that authorities are expressing more optimism for tracking down Osama bin Laden. Intelligence officials say al Qaeda has been shaken by recent captures and bin Laden may be forced to change locations.
Insurgents launching new attacks in Iraq, though. The U.S. military says five detainees were wounded in a rocket strike at Abu Ghraib prison. And earlier, two people were killed in a bombing outside a Baghdad mosque. An Iraqi army official says the blast also caused damage to nearby shops and homes.
Here in the states, the Senate is inching closer to a showdown over President Bush's judicial nominees, possibly as early as next week. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is expected to announce today that a test vote on the nomination of Priscilla Owen will be held on Tuesday. If Democrats continue to stall, Frist has threatened to change the Senate rules and do away with filibusters -- you know, the nuclear option.
And President Bush attending the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington this morning. The president delivering remarks there now. Other lawmakers and some religious leaders on hand as well. Mr. Bush meets with the prime minister of Denmark and the prime minister of Greece later today.
And hurricane Adrian downgraded to a tropical storm after pounding El Salvador. The storm unleashed heavy rain and 80-mile-per- hour winds on the Pacific Coast. Tens of thousands forced from their homes. Adrian is now heading towards the Caribbean.
Let's check on its path with Chad.
Good morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HEMMER: I don't know. A hundred degrees? The stuff is boiling at this point.
MYERS: I agree.
HEMMER: Thanks, Chad.
MYERS: You're welcome.
HEMMER: The Pentagon wants to know who leaked pictures of Saddam Hussein. The British tabloid "The Sun" published photos today of Saddam Hussein in his jail, including one on the cover you see here, showing him in his underwear.
To the Pentagon and Barbara Starr.
Barbara, I understand they are not happy there. What's happening? Good morning.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Bill.
Not happy would perhaps be an understatement at this point. Every official we have spoken to has expressed utter dismay at these events.
The U.S. military now says it is launching a very aggressive investigation to find out how these photographs were released to the British newspaper "The Sun." "The Sun," in their story, is saying that the military gave the newspaper the photographs in an attempt to embarrass or discredit the insurgency in Iraq. Very senior U.S. military officials tell us this morning that is absolutely not the case.
They say that "The Sun" got the photographs and then tried to validate them with the military. That's how the military learned those photographs were out in the public arena.
It is believed the photographs were taken more than a year ago when Saddam Hussein was clearly under the control and custody of the United States military. He had not yet been turned over to Iraqi security officials. So, the U.S. military considers this now a very significant breach of security around one of the world's most heavily protected men.
The military has put out a statement about all of this. And that statement pointing to some very significant issues here. That statement saying, in part, "These photos were taken in clear violation of DOD directives and possibly Geneva Convention guidelines for the humane treatment of detained individuals."
What are they talking about? Well, the Geneva convention, of course, prohibits the distribution or the release of photographs that would hold a prisoner or detainee up to public ridicule or humiliation.
Now, what the U.S. is saying is the U.S. government did not release these photos. It is not an official sanctioned release. So the U.S. government would not be in violation of the Geneva Convention, they feel at this point. But if a U.S. soldier or a U.S. military person was the person that was responsible for these being released, that person could be in very serious trouble and could be in violation of the Geneva Conventions -- Bill. HEMMER: It appears this story is just getting started this morning. Much more throughout the day to be expected. Barbara, thanks. Barbara Starr at the Pentagon there.
Here's Soledad now.
O'BRIEN: Police are looking for a light-colored van after receiving a new lead in the disappearance of those two missing children in Idaho. The latest on the search now from Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho with CNN's Alina Cho. She's there for us.
Hey, Alina. Good morning.
ALINA CHO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you, Soledad.
Hard to tell at this point how seriously authorities are taking this, but here's what we know. Authorities in northern Idaho are reporting a possible sighting of 9-year-old Dylan and his sister, 8- year-old Shasta Groene, who have been missing since Monday night. They were apparently spotted sometime yesterday afternoon at a very small sporting goods store in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. That's about 70 miles north of here.
The children were apparently with a tall man in, as you mentioned, a light-colored van. The man apparently asked for directions to Libby, Montana, a town there The owner called in the tip, even had a license plate number. But the van has not been seen since.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAPT. BEN WOLFINGER, KOOTENAI COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT.: And they weren't able to find the vehicle Thursday evening. We've put an attempt to locate out on the description of that vehicle, particularly focused on the northern Idaho, western Montana and southern Canada area. Every law enforcement agency, and, quite frankly, a lot of the public are looking for that van.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: Family members certainly aren't giving up hope. In fact, the children's father spoke out earlier on AMERICAN MORNING and had this message for his two missing kids.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GROENE: If they can see me or hear me, I want them to know that -- and I know that they know I love them. And I need them back with me.
Everybody is praying for them. And all I can tell them is just, please hang in there. This will be over soon. They are coming home.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHO: Remember, this is a two-pronged investigation. In the home where the bodies of the children's mother, brother and mother's boyfriend were found, it is still an active crime scene. In fact, FBI technicians home to wrap up their work here at the home sometime later today, and then all of the evidence will be shipped out either today or Monday to the FBI crime processing lab in Quantico, Virginia -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: That's such a heartbreaking story. Alina Cho for us this morning. Alina, thanks -- Bill.
HEMMER: There is a major development in stem cell research today, word that scientists in South Korea have successfully cloned human embryos specifically to create stem cells. What makes this so significant, though, is the embryonic stem cells are an exact genetic match for sick or injured patients.
Scientists have hoped that some day stem cells can be used to cure a variety of diseases or repair damages from many types of injuries. And all of this in this country now continues the debate over stem cell research. A bill in the House is bringing the issue back to the foreground.
To the White House and Ed Henry.
Walk us through the specifics of this debate now, Ed. Good morning.
ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.
That's right. CNN has learned, in fact, that the White House is now planning to issue a veto threat as early as next week against this House bill that would expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. In fact, two administration officials telling my colleague, Dana Bash, that the president himself may issue this veto threat.
That is a sign of just how concerned this White House is that this bill could be a political defeat for the president. The White House believes issuing a veto threat now could stem some of the momentum on the Hill for this legislation.
The president, in fact, spoke this morning at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast about the culture of life. Stem cell research falls into this category, because the Catholic Church opposes destroying embryos for these research purposes.
That's why the president's current policy limits federal funding for this research to stem cell lines already in existence. But there are some scientists who say that these -- those cell lines already in existence. That, in fact, some of them are contaminated. That's why it needs to be expanded.
And, in fact, these scientists have gotten a boost from some high-profile lobbyists like Nancy Reagan, who has said that she wants to see it expanded in order to battle diseases like Alzheimer's. That argument has gotten some resonance among Republicans on the Hill, at least some moderate Republicans who have joined forces with Democrats on the Hill. This bill in the House now has over 200 co-sponsors. It's picking up steam in the Senate.
This is kind of a rare fight between the president and fellow Republicans on the Hill. But White House officials here say they feel they have a very powerful lobbyist of their own in first lady Laura Bush, daughter of an Alzheimer's patient, who has previously spoken out about the fact that the president does not oppose stem cell research, he just does not want to see an expansion of federal funding of it. And White House officials tell us they may, in fact, enlist Laura Bush now in this very tough political fight -- Bill.
HEMMER: Ed, thanks. Ed Henry from the White House.
Well, we knew the tsunami was big. Only learning now about how big it really was. The numbers are staggering, too. That's next in a moment.
O'BRIEN: And it was Larry King taking the stand in the Michael Jackson trial. Ahead, we'll find out what the jury won't here and tell you why.
HEMMER: Also, "Jaws" first swam on to the scene 30 years ago this year. How the summer blockbuster changed the way that Hollywood makes movies to this day.
That's ahead as we continue right after this.
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O'BRIEN: Scientists say they are astounded by what they're learning about the earthquake that triggered last December's tsunami. Daniel Sieberg reports now on how a disaster that happened six months ago is still revealing its secrets.
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DANIEL SIEBERG, CNN TECHNOLOGY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The second largest earthquake on record released energy greater than 30,000 Hiroshimas. One scientist claimed it gave off as much energy as the entire United States uses in six months. Scientists agreed Thursday it was substantially more powerful than first thought and it lasted longer than any earthquake ever recorded.
CHARLES AMMON, PENN STATE UNIVERSITY: Normally, a small earthquake might last less than a second. A moderate-sized earthquake might last a few seconds. This earthquake lasted between 500 and 600 seconds.
SIEBERG: The quake, centered in the Indian Ocean, ripped apart the Aarth's crust as one tectonic plate slipped beneath the other. The crack it created set a record, the longest one ever observed. To help translate how long and how fast-moving this rupture was, think about getting from north Florida almost to New York in just 10 minutes. (on camera): Near the quake's center, the earth shifted by up to 15 feet. Even 1,000 miles away in Sri Lanka, the movement was nearly four inches. And the big picture here, globally, this earthquake was large enough to basically vibrate the entire planet by as much as half an inch. Now, that's not enough for most of us to feel anything, but everywhere that seismic monitors existed on the Earth, they picked up vibrations.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That wave is a good 15, 20 feet tall.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh my god.
THORNE LAY, U.C. SANTA CRUZ: It was staggering to see these signals, to actually have recorded the complete vibrations of the ground from such a giant earthquake.
SIEBERG (voice-over): Its power was 100 times that of California's 1989 Loma Prieta quake, a 6.9 magnitude event that caused manger destruction. Scientists hope what they've learned from December's quake will help them improve early warning systems and get more people to safety.
Daniel Sieberg, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
O'BRIEN: Scientists also say the undersea earthquake triggered thousands of smaller earthquakes that reached all the way to Alaska -- Bill.
HEMMER: Seventeen minutes past the hour, Soledad. Not every day we celebrate the anniversary of a shark. No ordinary shark here. Thirty years of "Jaws" when we come back.
Some trivia getting you in the mood this morning, too. What did Stephen Spielberg nickname the mechanical shark used in "Jaws," Jason, Bruce or Moby? A, B, or C? The answer after the break.
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HEMMER: There's that music again. Before the break we asked you, what was Stephen Spielberg's nickname for that mechanical shark used filming "Jaws?" The answer is Bruce, just like our guy on the floor right here. Our man Bruce. Named it after his lawyer.
It is hard to overstate the impact of "Jaws." Thirty years later now after the classic thriller scared moviegoers right out of their seats, including me. Sibila Vargas reports now, three decades down the road.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The music and the mayhem. For 30 years now, people have been jolted by "Jaws."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That scared the bejesus out of me.
VARGAS: Hard to believe then that before the movie opened in 1975, Universal Studios was worried.
TOM SHONE, AUTHOR, "BLOCKBUSTER": The producers were convinced that they made the biggest herky, because the shoot of the movie had been so troubled and it had gone so over budget.
VARGAS: Over budget mainly because the mechanical shark playing the lead role kept breaking down.
CARL GOTTLIEB, CO-WRITER & CO-STAR, "JAWS": The world was collapsing around us and the shark wasn't working and the actors were fractious and the crew was muttering.
VARGAS: Carl Gottlieb, author of "The Jaws Log," co-wrote and co-starred in the film. He still marvels at how a young director named Steven Spielberg kept his cool.
GOTTLIEB: He held it all together. He improvised in ways that nobody was aware.
VARGAS: Spielberg made a virtue of the shark's failure to perform.
STEVEN SPIELBERG, DIRECTOR: I resorted to Hitchcockian rule, which is basically shooting the water and suggesting the shark without showing it. Having the pier go out and turn around by itself and come back again.
VARGAS: That increased the suspense, which became evident during early test screenings.
GOTTLIEB: The people screamed and then they screamed again and then they jumped in their seats.
VARGAS: Then the film opened to the public and a movie industry legend was born.
SHONE: "Jaws" mania kind of swept the country in a sort of extraordinary kind of grass roots way.
GOTTLIEB: There was a shark on the cover of "TIME" magazine, and it just grew in the public consciousness.
SHONE: It really became like this kind of cultural event.
GOTTLIEB: It played and played and played and people just kept coming.
SHONE: For the amount of money that "Jaws" made, you know it just completely changed the course of Hollywood moviemaking. Immediately the first response, can we do it again and how many times can we do it, and what about next summer? And so it was the beginning of kind of Hollywood's sort of endless summer. VARGAS (on camera): "Jaws" went on to earn an astonishing $470 million worldwide in 1975, and that's not even accounting for inflation. Those numbers will surely increase when a special 30th anniversary edition of the movie comes out on DVD in June.
Sibila Vargas, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Thanks, Sibila.
Also, stay tuned this weekend for your complete guide to summer entertainment from movies and concerts and theme parks. A.J. Hammer, Karyn Bryant, Sibila Vargas hosting your hot ticket to summer fun Saturday at 6:00 right here on CNN.
Summer's a coming, huh?
O'BRIEN: I know. I can't wait, in fact.
Jack's got the "Question of the Day."
Good morning.
CAFFERTY: How you doing?
O'BRIEN: Looking forward to summer, Jack? Looking forward to the summer?
CAFFERTY: Yes.
The House Armed Services Committee passed a measure Thursday that would bar women from direct ground combat. Ironic, because the Army's failed to meet its recruiting targets for the last three months in a row.
So this morning we want to know if you think women ought to be allowed to serve in direct ground combat.
Greg in Florida writes, "It's only the mindset of the American people that prohibit women from being in a combat role. Women have fought alongside male counterparts in many armies around the world for decades."
Johnny in Mississippi writes, "Absolutely, and while they're at it, get rid of that ridiculous rule of not allowing openly gay men into the military."
Jane in Ohio writes, "Women should not serve in combat. If women were recruited with the guarantee they would be working state-side in the many clerical positions currently occupied by men, there would be lines waiting to enlist."
And Jerry writes in Michigan, "I married two women and divorced two women, and both of them were better suited for armed combat than I was." O'BRIEN: That's very funny.
CAFFERTY: Looking forward to summer?
O'BRIEN: Yes.
CAFFERTY: Well -- is it here yet?
O'BRIEN: You can think about it. No, it's not. But it will be.
Well, this weekend on CNN we've got more coverage of Iraq and the fighting on the front lines. We're going to hear from some soldiers who have had to make some heart-wrenching decisions.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I take my weapon, I point it at someone, and I'm aiming and I look. And it's just a 14-year-old boy running scared just like me, my fellow soldiers. And, you know, it's, who am I? Am I this monster?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: American deserters who fled to Canada in our "Soldier's Story" this weekend. Hear what can break a soldier on the battlefield. That's Sunday, 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
HEMMER: Twenty-five minutes past the hour. A bit of a king- sized witness at the Michael Jackson trial. Larry King on the stand this week, but the judge says the jury will not hear a word of it. We'll find out why when we continue right after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Get the latest news every morning in your e-mail. Sign up for AMERICAN MORNING quick news at CNN.com/am.
Still to come this morning, an award-winning documentary maker takes us inside the world, the writings and the friendships of an incredibly talented autistic woman.
Stay with us for stories ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Rainy day here in Manhattan. That's all right, though. It's a Friday. Get it off and on for the next couple of days, anyway.
Welcome back.
What's wrong?
O'BRIEN: Why on the weekend?
HEMMER: Yes.
O'BRIEN: We had a very nice Monday and Tuesday.
HEMMER: And Wednesday and Thursday, actually.
O'BRIEN: Wednesday and Thursday quite lovely as well.
HEMMER: Four in a row.
O'BRIEN: So how about raining Monday and Tuesday and a nice weekend? Just a thought. I'll address that with Chad later.
HEMMER: Checking it all, baby.
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