Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Is It True?; Stem Cell Debate; 'Snowflake' Babies; Outrageous!

Aired May 25, 2005 - 05:30   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: Good morning to you, welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK. From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.
"Now in the News."

The Senate votes today on confirming Priscilla Owen, one of President Bush's federal judge nominees. Senators also plan action on John Bolton, the president's nominee as the next U.N. ambassador.

Lionel Tate will be arraigned this morning after allegedly robbing a pizza deliveryman at gunpoint. He's on probation for killing a young girl when he was just 12 years old. The now 18-year- old Tate denies the robbery charge.

General aviation will resume soon at Washington's Reagan National Airport. It was halted after 9/11. A plan to allow the return of charter flights, business jets and private planes will be announced today.

A new crew chief will be in the pits on Sunday for Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s racing team. Earnhardt has not won a race so far this season, and Pete Rondeau has been reassigned. Jr. is 11th in the point standings.

Is that really his problem -- Chad?

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Actually, he and Pete Rondeau have not really done all that much this year. And, obviously, all of his cars were given -- Dale Jr.'s cars were given to Michael Waltrip. Michael Waltrip's cars given to Dale. They repainted them. They switched crew chiefs. They switched crews.

And Dale, yes, has been struggling. And has been struggling even on the radio, saying you guys got to get this better. This is not acceptable, blah, blah, blah. And so if you listen to the in-cars, you can tell that Dale has not been happy.

Did they announce who the new crew chief was?

COSTELLO: I don't know. I'll have to check that.

MYERS: They didn't. All right.

COSTELLO: I'm going to check that.

MYERS: I will do the same up here. Carol, good morning.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: OK, I think I have an answer for you on the crew chief.

MYERS: Go.

COSTELLO: Steve H-M-I-E-L. I'm not sure how to pronounce it.

MYERS: Steve Hmiel.

COSTELLO: OK, he's going to...

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: ... step in on an interim basis,...

MYERS: OK.

COSTELLO: ... and then he's going to choose a more permanent one.

MYERS: OK, he worked with Mark Martin for a while, I believe.

COSTELLO: OK.

MYERS: So he's...

COSTELLO: So there, everyone has the answer now.

Thank you -- Chad.

MYERS: Sure.

COSTELLO: Iraq's most wanted militant out of commission is something U.S. officials have long been hoping for, but they don't want to get their hopes up too high.

For the latest, let's go straight to Baghdad and CNN's Ryan Chilcote.

Good morning -- Ryan.

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Morning. Good morning, Carol.

Well we're used to al Qaeda in Iraq. That's the group that is believed to be headed up -- the terrorist group believed to be headed up by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, posting messages on the Internet claiming responsibility for major terrorist attacks in Iraq.

Yesterday they, in a message purportedly from al Qaeda in Iraq, they posted some news that would suggest they have some of their own losses.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHILCOTE (voice-over): A surprising message, purportedly from al Qaeda in Iraq, this time concerning one of their own, Iraq's most wanted terrorist, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The message says he has been wounded and calls on Muslims to -- quote -- "pray for the healing of our Sheikh Abu Musab al-Zarqawi from an injury he suffered in the path of god. The injury of our leader is an honor, and a cause to close in on the enemies of god, and a reason to increase the attacks against them."

The Jordanian-born extremist is believed to be responsible for the highest profile terrorist acts in Iraq in the last two years, including this suicide bomber attack that killed 127, and the beheading of American hostage Nick Berg.

In an audio message, purportedly from bin Laden five months ago, he called Zarqawi "al Qaeda's prince in Iraq."

Even if Zarqawi is wounded, it has had no effect on the violence that never seems to quit. Insurgents killed a total of nine U.S. troops on Monday and Tuesday, three of them here when a car bomb went off beside their convoy. They also hit Iraqi security forces. But ordinary Iraqis were, as usual, the worst hit. More than 50 Iraqis were slaughtered, hundreds more maimed in attacks on restaurants, parties and mosques in the first 24 hours of this week.

Iraq's Shiites and Sunnis are increasingly blaming one another for the violence, prompting a prominent Shiite and Sunni leader to meet Tuesday in an effort to quell the tension.

The U.S. government is also concerned that Sunni Arabs, who have largely been left out of the new government, are supporting the insurgency. It says Zarqawi represents just one strand of the insurgency.

The bottom line, Iraq has become a battlefield for multiple groups with multiple interests.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

Carol, we've heard rumors about Zarqawi's condition before. We have heard that he was injured. We have heard that he had been killed. In all cases, we simply cannot confirm those reports, and we can't confirm this new report.

If you ask the U.S. military, every single time I have asked them, they always say they simply don't know. What they are saying is that even if Zarqawi was to be killed, if he did die, that would be a significant blow to the insurgency. But the U.S. military, by no stretch of the imagination, thinks that it would actually bring a halt to the insurgency -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Ryan Chilcote live in Baghdad this morning.

Also in focus this morning, the stem cell controversy. Some say it's a matter of saving lives through science, while others liken it to legalized murder. A reality check for you now. We're going to look at both sides of that debate through the eyes of one family in Washington and through the science itself.

We begin with a report from CNN's Paula Zahn who sifts through the nuts and bolts of this issue.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA ZAHN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When a fertilized egg begins dividing, you get embryonic stem cells, which, if the embryo is carried to term, would become a baby. But if the stem cells are harvested before they develop, which begins to happen after a week, scientists think they can turn them into any type of cell needed to treat patients. A process that is still years away.

For example, spinal cord tissue, it is a long way for humans, but scientists have seen some success in animals. Paralyzed mice whose spinal cords were injected with embryonic stem cells were able to walk again. Other scientists think stem cells could be used to treat debilitating injuries or diseases like diabetes, Parkinson's and some forms of cancer.

The possibilities are exciting and the research is showing enough promise that scientists want government money to help. But there is an ethical dilemma. In order to use embryonic stem cells, the embryo itself is destroyed. Some people call that killing a human being. But others say fertility clinics constantly dispose of unwanted embryos or keep them frozen indefinitely.

In 2001, President Bush tried to strike a compromise, allowing federal tax dollars to fund research on stem cells already created. The embryos they came from had already been destroyed. But scientists say all of these lines are now contaminated, useful for basic research, but not for actual therapies. Without the federal dollars available for research on newly created stem cells, scientists say the research will stall.

So Congress has taken up the issue. The president says no.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We should not use public money to support the further destruction of human life.

ZAHN: Today, the president met with women who volunteered to have children from the unwanted embryos.

BUSH: The children here today remind us that there is no such thing as a spare embryo.

ZAHN: The president says there are other ways to derive stem cells for science, ways that don't involve the destruction of embryos.

But scientists say cells derived from umbilical cords or adult tissue don't hold the same promise as embryonic stem cells. And without federal funding, they worry other countries are taking the lead in stem cell research, which could slow down the progress and hamper Americans' access to possible cures. (END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: That report from CNN's Paula Zahn.

You just heard that fertility clinics regularly dispose of unwanted embryos or keep them frozen indefinitely. But there are now dozens of living, breathing human beings who started life as those leftovers. They're known as "Snowflake" babies.

CNN's Dana Bash has that side of the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Maura and John Daniel call 19-month-old Catherine (ph) their miracle baby. After five wrenching years of in vitro fertilization, finally, Maura got pregnant. She was in New York for treatment on 9/11. Trauma took a toll.

MAURA DANIEL, MOTHER: After that, we did get pregnant. And I was pregnant for seven weeks and then we lost the baby.

BASH: Maura and John decided to adopt. Then Maura saw a story about something she had never heard of, embryo adoption.

M. DANIEL: And I called John into the living room to look at it on television. And you know we were thinking that this could be the way we have a family.

BASH: The Daniels contacted Nightlight, a Christian fertility clinic in California that offers up for adoption other family's unused embryos.

M. DANIEL: We handpicked them and they handpicked us.

JOHN DANIEL, FATHER: And they're a beautiful family that we have met and met their children. And to us, it is the most wonderful gift that anyone could ever give, right? And you know we have a beautiful daughter. We have twins on the way.

M. DANIEL: Can you have one more bite of egg? No.

BASH: Catherine is called a "Snowflake" baby, one of only about 80 children in the country born from an adopted frozen embryo. Her parents have come to Washington to tell congressmen to take a look at Catherine before allowing more frozen embryos to be used in federally funded stem cell research.

M. DANIEL: All we want to do is just raise their awareness and show them Rine's (ph) beautiful face and let them know that, you know, when they're going to, you know, sign off on a bill, or not, to think twice.

BASH: The Daniels were invited to the White House. They stood right behind the president. He called them an affirming alternative to using embryos for science. BUSH: The children here today are reminders that every human life is a precious gift of matchless value.

BASH: Like the president, the Daniels say they support current limits on stem cell research. John's father just died from Parkinson's disease.

J. DANIEL: Continue to research stem cell research. We would be hypocrites to think it was wrong.

BASH: The president calls stem cell research a culture of life issue, like abortion. Not the Daniels.

M. DANIEL: We are pro choice. We are pro science. So we're kind of unique, I think, in this situation. But we definitely are for these legislators making very informed decisions.

BASH: But the fact remains, very few of the estimated 400,000 frozen embryos in the U.S. ever become viable fetuses. Four embryos were transferred into Maura, only Catherine survived. Maura says she understands why some people would want to give their embryos up for science, but that the gift of motherhood after so long pulled her into the political fray.

M. DANIEL: She's definitely going to know her story and the beautiful way she came into this world. And it is just overwhelming how much we love her.

BASH: Dana Bash, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Now it is the Senate's turn to take up stem cell legislation identical to the House-passed version. If the president vetoes the bill, it will be the first veto of this presidency. In the next hour, we'll look at the politics involved pro and con.

Also still to come on DAYBREAK, the FCC crackdown in the past year or so has many broadcasters shaking in their shoes. We'll take a look at how this could change the future of television a little later.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Wednesday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: A CNN "Security Watch" now.

The U.S. military reportedly had the all clear to shoot down a small plane over Washington two weeks ago. And I'm sure you remember that incident. "The Washington Post" citing two senior federal officials as saying Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld gave the order.

The plane wandered into restricted airspace about three miles from the White House. "The Post" reports the plane was within 15 to 20 seconds of being shot down. The White House, the Capitol and the Supreme Court all evacuated. Now Homeland Security is reviewing its air defense system.

A reminder to stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable information about your security.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:47 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

A controversial stem cell bill passes the House, despite President Bush's veto threat. The vote was 238 to 194. The bill would boost federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

Car bombing has wounded at least eight people in Madrid, Spain. The blast went off just over two hours ago. A warning call was made to a newspaper in the name of the Basque separatist group.

In money news, a first for the women's pro basketball league. Former TV executive Sheila Johnson (ph) has become the NBA's first African-American female owner. She's part of a group that's buying the Washington Mystics.

In culture, TV's May sweeps period ends tonight with CBS assured a victory in overall viewers among the broadcast networks. The season finale of "CSI" and "Everybody Loves Raymond" alone drew more than 63 million viewers combined.

In sports, the San Antonio Spurs again shocked the Phoenix Suns at home to take a commanding lead in the Western Conference finals. The Spurs 111-108 win gives them a two games to none lead in the series. Game three will be Saturday night in San Antonio -- Chad.

MYERS: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

Carol, back to you.

COSTELLO: All right, thank you, Chad.

That's a look at the latest headlines for you this morning.

Still ahead on DAYBREAK, broadcasters converge on Sin City to see what's new in the industry. But it's what's coming out of Washington that has them most concerned. We'll explain.

You're watching DAYBREAK for a Wednesday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: We've already gotten to that time. The morning has literally flown by. It's time to read some e-mails.

I haven't checked the box, have we gotten a lot?

MYERS: Probably 100, Carol, this morning. Yes, not as many as yesterday, but actually some really great answers to this. The "Question of the Day," should executions be delayed for organ donations? And some people are talking about the organ donations, yes, they're great, they're great, they're great. But the question is, should they be delayed -- should those executions be delayed in order to harvest those executions?

Executions are delayed for countless ridiculous appeals, so why not let's try to save a life with one of them. That's Gene (ph) from Massachusetts.

No, I don't think they should be scheduled for a longer date than their execution time. Pretty sure there's all kinds of legal ramifications to the subject, which is why he wanted to donate his organs in the first place. Death row inmates' appeals are clogged up our courts already. We don't need another legal issue for the courts to consider.

And, Carol, I've got one here. It says great question. This is Brian (ph) in Wisconsin. I do not believe they should be delayed. However, that doesn't mean it should be nixed. Organ donation is vital to our society. And where you get those donations should be broad. Death row inmates included. But to delay an execution for organ donation, absolutely not, plan for it ahead of time.

COSTELLO: Well how can you do that?

MYERS: You're just sitting in jail anyway. You know what your death date is.

COSTELLO: No, I mean for the person who needs the liver.

MYERS: Right.

COSTELLO: That's hard to plan for.

MYERS: Sure, but there are organs that can be harvested from the inmate before he gets his injection. Because, obviously, after they are poisoned, and they can be moved on.

COSTELLO: Interesting.

MYERS: They can be sent away, held for a little while, at least, waiting for someone to get them.

COSTELLO: It's a tough question.

MYERS: It is.

COSTELLO: All right. Thank you for e-mailing us this morning. We always appreciate it.

You are watching DAYBREAK for a Wednesday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: You may not know it when you see it, but just about everybody has a different definition of indecency. The government is going after broadcasters it says are not doing enough to clean up the airwaves. But how much oversight do people want anyway?

Jeff Greenfield has more on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEFF GREENFIELD, CNN SENIOR ANALYST (voice-over): When broadcasters gather for their annual convention in Las Vegas, companies spend millions trying to dazzle potential customers with the latest high-tech wonders.

(on camera): But what's really caught the attention of the television industry is not any technical gizmo that goes into the television set, but what they see as Washington's increasing impatience and frustration and even anger at some of what's coming out of the television set.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And you wonder why I sleep with men before I come home.

GREENFIELD (voice-over): There's no doubt that TV has gotten a lot more relaxed...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was hoping you'd notice.

GREENFIELD: ... or free or coarse over the decades.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Big dog wants some candy.

GREENFIELD: And there's also no doubt that when networks tout shows through promos, they go right for the heart of the matter.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ...his wife's sister. Fox, tonight, the little bookstore around the corner.

GREENFIELD: But it was Janet Jackson's infamous wardrobe malfunction at the 2004 Super Bowl that set regulators and politicians to beating their own breasts about what's on the air. The FCC has proposed fining CBS stations more than half a million dollars for carrying that halftime show.

It's also levied a $1.2 million fine against Fox Network affiliated stations for airing "Married by America," which featured a scene where strippers enlivened a bachelor party. And the commission overruled its staff by finding that this live outburst by U2's Bono...

BONO, U2: That is really, really (EXPLETIVE DELETED) brilliant.

GREENFIELD: ... may have stepped over the FCC's indecency rule.

And this may only be the beginning. The incoming FCC chair, Kevin Martin, wants the commission to do more. So does Democratic appointee Michael Kopps. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Stevens is on board. This year, the House overwhelmingly passed a bill that would raise the fine for every violation to as much as half a million dollars. That bill is awaiting Senate action.

HOWARD STERN, RADIO PERSONALITY: Do you give an aggressive lap dance?

GREENFIELD: And when the FCC slapped a half-million-dollar fine on radio's Howard Stern last year, Clear Channel, the largest owner of stations in the country, kicked Stern off its stations and announced a zero-tolerance policy for its talent. If the FCC finds you indecent, Clear Channel said, you are off our air.

Jonathan Adelstein is one of the five FCC commissioners.

JONATHAN ADELSTEIN, FCC COMMISSIONER: You've seen over the last couple of years unprecedented efforts by the FCC to enforce our rules. And the result is now that I think broadcasters are taking them more seriously and we're seeing fewer incidents that are really egregious. I'm concerned sometimes that it has almost a chilling effect where broadcasters are afraid to put material on the air that we probably would not find indecent.

GREENFIELD: That may in fact have happened when ABC aired "Saving Private Ryan" last year with the rough language of combat left intact.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're killing us. If we don't have the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) chance then that ain't fair.

GREENFIELD: Dozens of affiliates did not air the movie fearing an FCC indecency ruling, which the commission did not do.

And while surveys show the public says it's concerned about offensive fare, Tony Vinciquerra, who oversees programming for the FOX Networks, says those numbers are misleading.

TONY VINCIQUERRA, PRESIDENT FOX NETWORKS GROUP: American parents think that they're controlling what their children are watching and feel very comfortable with it. And the vast majority of Americans don't want the government telling them what they can and can't watch.

GREENFIELD: Some questions. Do the range of blocking devices and rating guides now available to parents mean they can exercise more responsibility without government regulations. Does it still make sense to distinguish between traditional broadcast outlets and cable, which the law now says the FCC can't regulate.

Then, at root, is there really any reliable consistent definition of just what indecency is and is not?

Jeff Greenfield, CNN, Las Vegas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And the next hour of DAYBREAK starts right now. Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, Iraq and Afghanistan have American troops spread thin. But is it too thin?

Plus, a New York firefighter wakes up after nearly 10 years of living in a fog.

And General Motors has some trouble cranking up the engine.

It's Wednesday, April 4.

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.

Now in the news, a man strapped with explosives detonates himself in the midst of police recruits in northern Iraq. At least 47 are killed, 100 wounded. We'll have a live report for you in 30 minutes.

New pleas for the release of an Austrian hostage in Iraq. Australia's foreign minister is urging militants to let Douglas Woods go, saying the 63-year-old contractor has heart problems. A videotape shows Woods with a rifle to his head.

Will British Prime Minister Tony Blair get a third term? British various go to the polls tomorrow. They're expected to return Blair to power despite widespread protests over the Iraq war.

And prosecutors are close to resting their case in Michael Jackson's child molestation trial. They're calling their last scheduled witness this morning. A source familiar with the case says actor McCauley Culkin will be among the first defense witnesses.

To the Forecast Center and Chad -- good morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Is the U.S. military stretched too thin in Iraq and Afghanistan? President Bush and his top general, General Richard Myers, appear to disagree about the readiness of the military to fight new wars. Just last week, the president confidential stated the military has enough troops and equipment.

But in his required annual report to Congress, Myers says: "Armed conflicts would last longer and produce higher casualties." He also says the U.S. still has the ability to win another war, but buildup will not be as swift. And the stressed areas he points to are weapons, equipment and manpower.

Still, Myers remains confident.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GEN. RICHARD MYERS, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN: We have very high standards in our -- in how we measure ourselves against our current plans. And so that's what we're measuring. And we're measuring against the time lines that are already in plans, that have been established several years ago, a year ago. And so we measure ourselves against that.

And what we've said is we will be successful. We will prevail. The time lines may have to be extended. We may have to use additional resources, but it doesn't matter, because we're going to be successful in the end.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: That's the general's assessment.

Now here's what you have to say. A CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll asked if it was worth going to war in Iraq. Forty-one percent say yes. Fifty-seven percent say no. Back in February, 48 percent of those asked said yes, the war in Iraq was worth it, and half of the residents said no. When asked how things appear to be going in Iraq, 42 percent say well; 56 percent say badly. Back in March, more than half of those polled felt things were going well and 45 percent said badly.

The so-called ringleader of the abuses at Abu Ghraib Prison is expected in court today. Specialist Charles Graner, you remember him. He'll be called to testify in the sentencing phase of his one time girlfriend, Private Lynndie England. England could face between two and 11 years in prison after pleading guilty.

CNN's Susan Candiotti takes a closer look.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The American flag dots porches and storefronts where Lynndie England grew up, in Fort Ashby, West Virginia, a one stoplight town where friends do not forget their own.

DONALD DAYTON, FORT ASHBY RESIDENT: I think the girl was trained to do what she was doing. If she stepped over the traces a little bit, that could be expected. It's fine.

CANDIOTTI: In early childhood, a psychology expert says, Lynndie England was placed in a learning disabilities program.

Her lawyer.

RICK HERNANDEZ, DEFENSE LAWYER: It shows that she's clearly in a different mental capacity and different learning disabilities and neurological issues than any of the other accused.

CANDIOTTI: Even so, the expert testified, England rebounded to finish high school with a B average. Next on the defense witness list, Guard Charles Graner, already sent to prison for 10 years. Lynndie England says Graner, her boyfriend at Abu Ghraib, asked her to pose in all those photos with naked detainees.

Leaving for the day, Graner handed out a written statement, saying he finds England's guilty plea "upsetting" but hopes it will bring her an easier sentence.

Lynndie England may be the last witness in her own defense, but offering only an unsworn statement, which means she cannot be cross- examined.

(on camera): The jury, four enlisted men and two officers, with a woman heading the panel, could begin deliberating on Lynndie England's sentence Thursday.

Susan Candiotti, CNN, Fort Hood, Texas.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: The U.S. military is being accused of withholding information about the death of former NFL player Pat Tillman until after his memorial service. Tillman was killed by friendly fire while serving with the Army Rangers in Afghanistan. That's him on the pro- football field, obviously.

The Army originally said Tillman was killed by enemy fire. But the "Washington Post" is reporting this morning, it says the Army and his fellow soldiers knew right away that he had been killed by friendly forces. The paper also says investigators destroyed critical evidence in the case.

In other "News Across America" now, a Philadelphia police officer has been taken off the street after he appareled to beat a burglary suspect following a chase. The incident was caught on tape by a local news helicopter. Police have now launched an internal investigation.

Police in four states are searching for a missing college student. The family of 22-year-old Patrick Welsh last heard from him April 15 after he arrived here in New York City. Welsh had taken a train from New York University, from York University, rather, in Pennsylvania. Police say his cell phone was used three days after his arrival by a homeless man who called his relatives in New Jersey.

Coretta Scott King is said to be doing fine a week after being hospitalized due to a heart condition. Her son, Martin Luther King III, said his 78-year-old mother had a procedure done during her brief hospital stay. A friend of the family says King is maintaining her normal schedule of traveling and making speeches.

His family is stopping short of calling it a miracle. But after nearly 10 years of silence, a severely injured firefighter certainly is surprising everyone.

CNN's Mary Snow has more on what appears to be an amazing recovery.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

SIMON MANKA, FIREFIGHTER'S UNCLE: It's amazing. It was amazing when he started recognizing people after nine-and-a-half years. You can only imagine.

SNOW: But it's hard to imagine that firefighter Donald Herbert broke his silence nearly a decade after suffering brain damage while fighting a fire. His family says that is just what happened Saturday, when he spontaneously began speaking. And with so much to catch up on, he spoke to them for 14 hours.

Simon Manka is Herbert's uncle.

MANKA: The conversations and the memories were basically talking to the family, wondering how his boys were, how they were doing, where they were at, things of that nature.

SNOW: And his four sons were at a very different place from when he last remembered them. His youngest boy, Nicholas, was only three when Herbert was injured in December of 1995. That injury came while fighting a fire in Buffalo. A roof collapsed. He was trapped and deprived of oxygen for several minutes. His family says he was in a coma for nearly three months, awoke from it, but was left brain damaged.

LINDA HERBERT: Miracles occur every day.

SNOW: That was back in 1996, when Linda Herbert publicly hoped for her husband's recovery. Fund-raisers were held, with fellow firefighters rallying to the family's side. Years later some of those same firemen were by his side, visiting him over the past few days.

LT. ANTHONY LIBERATORE, BUFFALO FIRE DEPARTMENT: He recognized me when I walked in the room and told him who I was. He stayed up until early morning talking to his boys and catching up on what they've been doing all the last several years.

SNOW: But family and friends are stopping short of calling this a miracle. Rather, they're waiting to hear what doctors have to say. One thing they will say is that this case is unusual.

DR. JOSEPH FINS, NEW YORK PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL: Some patients do lapse back into unconsciousness. Other patients continue to improve. But there's a very small number of patients from which to talk about.

SNOW: Mary Snow, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: Still to come on DAYBREAK, it would even make Simon Cowell blush. An upcoming expose says you won't believe what goes on behind-the-scenes of "American Idol." We have new information. Plus, think a cheap novel is the only way to pass the time on a trip? Think again. We'll show you some travel gadgets that'll have you flying high.

And some big stalls for G.M. Can the auto giant jump start its business?

Now here's a look at what else is making news this Wednesday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It's 6:15 Eastern.

Here's what's all new this morning.

A suicide bomber targets a large crowd of police recruits in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil. The attack has killed at least 47 people and wounded more than 100.

In money news, Toyota may be starting down a new road. "USA Today" reports the car maker may start building a gas electric version of its popular Camry sedan in Kentucky. It would be Toyota's first U.S.-made hybrid.

In culture, a new book looks behind-the-scenes of the classic movie "The Wizard of Oz." "Memories of A Munchkin" was written by Meinhardt Raabe. He's the one who announced the death of the Wicked Witch of the East.

In sports, the Detroit Pistons moved one step closer to defending their NBA title by beating the 76ers in overtime. 97-92 was the win. It moves the Pistons to the next round, where they will meet the winner of the Pacers-Celtics series.

To the Forecast Center now and Chad.

MYERS: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Now some dish. ABC is set to air that expose on Fox's "American Idol." Ugly accusations are flying and so are the lawsuits. But the ABC promo for "Fallen Idol" is out.

Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM ABC PROMO FOR "FALLEN IDOL")

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wednesday, stunning claims. A former "American Idol" contestant says Paula Abdul coached him, gave him tips on how to win.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did she offer to help you on "American Idol?" UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And he claims they had a secret sexual affair.

A "Prime Time Live" special, Wednesday at 10:00, 9:00 Central, on ABC.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Whoo!

Tom O'Neil from "In Touch Weekly" is here to tell us what more we'll see.

Boy, poor...

TOM O'NEIL, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": Can't wait. Tonight, finally.

COSTELLO: I'm telling u.

O'NEIL: This is going to be fun.

COSTELLO: Poor Paula Abdul.

O'NEIL: Why?

COSTELLO: Well, you know, she's so likable.

O'NEIL: She is. And you know what? You're right there.

COSTELLO: I mean you don't want to believe any of this.

O'NEIL: I know. I know. But the charges are very serious, not just an affair. They're claiming that she had her assistant approach this guy Corey with a note saying I'll help you -- and the note, she initiated this whole thing. And then when she was caught and he was shopping a book around later, she left this embarrassing phone message on his cell phone that we're going to hear tonight.

COSTELLO: Yes, they're going to play the phone message.

You know, the creepy thing about this is Corey Clark, which is the contestant she allegedly had the...

O'NEIL: Very creepy.

COSTELLO: Very creepy. He gets to sing part of his new song on this ABC expose. That's creepy.

O'NEIL: It's not just creepy, it's corrupt. And that's the irony of this show tonight, Carol, is that this show purports to expose the corruptness of "American Idol" when it's being just as corrupt, because it made this bargain. Really. They don't seem to care.

The question is, is this special tonight going to go after the issue of fairness? Anybody who watches this show knows how rigged it is. It's terrible. And if they can prove it, and I think if they really investigated the case of Rubin versus Clay two years ago, it is provable that they actually slanted that result, then I think we have the big $64,000 scandal on our hands, bringing down the number one show.

But if they're just going to slap Paula around, that's different. And Paula needs some slapping, that's for sure.

COSTELLO: Well, that's what they say. But she has filed a lawsuit -- or she's threatened to file a lawsuit.

Has the lawsuit actually been filed as of yet?

O'NEIL: No. She's merely saying that she doesn't want to dignify these claims with a comment. Well, they're a lot more than claims, Paula. She's going to have to answer up to these phone calls tonight.

COSTELLO: So if it's really that bad in this expose, will "American Idol" get rid of Paula Abdul?

O'NEIL: They're going to have to get rid of her, sure, because you're not allowed to have the judges coaching one of the contestants.

COSTELLO: Interesting.

Well, it's on tonight.

We'll all be watching.

O'NEIL: And if Savol wins again tonight, I'm boycotting it.

COSTELLO: I know. That's just freaky.

Thank you, Tom O'Neil.

It was fun, as always.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, everyone makes mistakes, but usually they don't move financial markets. We'll tell you what happened when the Fed left out a line in its statement on interest rates.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Don't you just want to jump on that cruise ship and go away?

Oh, but it's time now for a little "Business Buzz." So stick around for this.

The Federal Reserve Board did raise interest rates as expected. But, there was some intrigue to the Fed's statement.

Carrie Lee has the scoop.

CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was an exciting session. The Fed raised rates by a 1/4 point.

COSTELLO: As exciting as Alan Greenspan can get.

LEE: That's right. That's right. Hey, something unusual here.

Well, they did raise rates by a 1/4 point. That was widely expected. So now putting interest rates at the highest level since the September 11 attacks. Still, historically low, though.

The Fed did say it would keep raising rates at a measured pace. This is the same language we've heard before, likely meaning more rate hikes are coming, a 1/4 point at a time. So the Fed does continue to be worried about inflation.

The markets started to sell off after this statement, which came at 2:15 yesterday. But then, just before the close of trading, Alan Greenspan corrected his earlier words unexpectedly. He added this line: "Longer-term inflation expectations remain well contained."

OK, so maybe some of the people are thinking, well, longer-term inflation isn't such an issue. And relieved, the Dow actually rallied a bit. It closed with a 5-point gain.

The bottom line is prices are still rising and interest rates, Carol, will likely do the same. But a little bit of intrigue yesterday afternoon.

COSTELLO: Exactly.

A quick look at the futures?

LEE: The futures are looking up a bit this morning, looking higher.

Time Warner, our parent company, out with profits and sales. Both rising a bit from the year ago period. Sales coming in at just above $10 billion. We'll see what the stock does today.

COSTELLO: Wow!

I want a raise.

Thank you, Carrie Lee.

LEE: Take it to the boss.

COSTELLO: Yes, and he'll like turn me away at the door.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, fed up with some of the hassles while traveling? Help is on the way, from a very smart cell phone to a neck warmer that resembles an otter. A look at all you need for a more comfortable journey.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Attention travelers -- airlines are cracking down on your luggage. In a story in today's "USA Today," airline officials say they['re paying closure attention to luggage limits, both by the piece and by weight. So you may have to pay extra for that big old suitcase, or if you have extra bags, you'll have to pay extra, too.

Travelers with policy questions should check their airline's Web site before heading to the airport.

So, while you're busy taking things out of your suitcase to bring the weight down to 30 pounds, we have some lighter items to add.

Joining us now, Lesley Savage, editor of "Sync" magazine, and she has some cool travel gadgets to show us.

Welcome, Lesley.

LESLEY SAVAGE, EDITOR, "SYNC" MAGAZINE: Thank you very much, Carol.

COSTELLO: We're so glad to have you here.

SAVAGE: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Because a lot of travelers watch us.

SAVAGE: Yes.

COSTELLO: Because we're on at the airport.

SAVAGE: Yes.

COSTELLO: So everyone is glued to the set now, kind of irritated that their plane is late.

SAVAGE: Yes. Well, we've got some gadgets we're hoping will make it a little easier for them.

COSTELLO: I think we do.

Let's start with the PalmOne Tree 650 Smart Phone.

SAVAGE: Great. This is the gadget that all travelers have to have. Basically it's like if you never left the office. It's not only a great phone, you have access to e-mail, you have access to the Web. You have -- it works as a digital camera and it works as an MP3 player. It's everything all, and it fits in the palm of your hand. It's great.

COSTELLO: And you can actually use it constantly on the plane. There are no...

SAVAGE: You can use it constantly. It links up to your desktop. So I mean it's like you never left the office.

COSTELLO: Oh, great.

SAVAGE: You can basically run any company from this little Palm. COSTELLO: Great. I don't know if that's good or bad.

Let's talk about the noise canceling headphones, because I have some of these and these are fantastic.

SAVAGE: They are great. They are the frequent travelers like best item. You put them on and it blocks out any sound. You can block out babies screaming, the man snoring next to you. It has an adapter so you can actually plug it into the seats of the plane or you can put it into your MP3 player or your Palm and listen to your own music. But, so you can really use it any way you want.

COSTELLO: But you can still hear the flight attendant?

SAVAGE: You can still -- if it's plugged in, you can still hear the flight attendant.

COSTELLO: Because that would be bad if you couldn't hear the flight attendant.

SAVAGE: Yes. No, this doesn't work that way.

COSTELLO: How much are those puppies?

SAVAGE: These are $40, which is actually a really nice price for...

COSTELLO: What? $40?

SAVAGE: Yes. Yes. It's great.

COSTELLO: Ooh, I have some more expensive ones.

SAVAGE: It's actually got a...

COSTELLO: But it was a gift from Chad Myers, actually, and Sally, for my wedding.

SAVAGE: It's a great value.

COSTELLO: It's a great gift.

OK, the Sharper Image Relief Band.

SAVAGE: This is for people who suffer from motion sickness. It's actually quite interesting, it's the only FDA approved electronic device that prevents nausea, motion sickness. If you're on a plane or a train or a cruise and you tend to get nauseous, you can put that on without any of the side effects of Dramamine, which makes you nauseous.

COSTELLO: And it's just like a watch. I'll hold it here so we can get a shot of it.

So what does it do? Does it emit electronic signals through your... SAVAGE: Little electronic pulses that manage the nausea.

COSTELLO: Really?

SAVAGE: Yes.

COSTELLO: And it works?

SAVAGE: And it works, yes.

COSTELLO: Just like Dramamine.

SAVAGE: And you don't have to keep buying boxes of Dramamine. And no hangover or no tiredness afterwards.

COSTELLO: That's cool.

OK, and my favorite item. It's the Warm Whiskers Neck Warmer.

SAVAGE: This fuzzy guy -- this is actually a kid's version. We thought it would be a little more fun. You put it on your neck. It adds a little comfort to flying, which is obviously mostly uncomfortable. You can lean on it, fall asleep to it. It's actually aromatherapy. It's got some lavender, which is very relaxing. You can smell it.

COSTELLO: It doesn't smell like an otter.

SAVAGE: So if you're nervous flying, the aromatherapy will help you get through it. And it's just a comfortable fuzzy little animal.

COSTELLO: Oh, yes.

SAVAGE: But they do have adult versions, as well.

COSTELLO: Oh, good. So you don't...

SAVAGE: There's a little -- there's some tinier versions out there.

COSTELLO: Because, you know, if a PETA person is on the plane, you could be in danger by wearing this.

SAVAGE: I know it. Yes, you don't want to be yelled at.

COSTELLO: Lesley, thank you.

It was a lot of fun.

SAVAGE: Thank you.

COSTELLO: We appreciate it.

SAVAGE: I appreciate it.

COSTELLO: I hope you come back. SAVAGE: Appreciate it.

Will do.

COSTELLO: Still to come on DAYBREAK, the prosecution expects to rest its case against Michael Jackson today. We'll look back at their successes and the failures.

Plus, the amazing story of a group of Massachusetts students and how they saved a classmate trapped beneath a school bus. They picked that thing up.

You're watching DAYBREAK.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired May 25, 2005 - 05:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning to you, welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK. From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.
"Now in the News."

The Senate votes today on confirming Priscilla Owen, one of President Bush's federal judge nominees. Senators also plan action on John Bolton, the president's nominee as the next U.N. ambassador.

Lionel Tate will be arraigned this morning after allegedly robbing a pizza deliveryman at gunpoint. He's on probation for killing a young girl when he was just 12 years old. The now 18-year- old Tate denies the robbery charge.

General aviation will resume soon at Washington's Reagan National Airport. It was halted after 9/11. A plan to allow the return of charter flights, business jets and private planes will be announced today.

A new crew chief will be in the pits on Sunday for Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s racing team. Earnhardt has not won a race so far this season, and Pete Rondeau has been reassigned. Jr. is 11th in the point standings.

Is that really his problem -- Chad?

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Actually, he and Pete Rondeau have not really done all that much this year. And, obviously, all of his cars were given -- Dale Jr.'s cars were given to Michael Waltrip. Michael Waltrip's cars given to Dale. They repainted them. They switched crew chiefs. They switched crews.

And Dale, yes, has been struggling. And has been struggling even on the radio, saying you guys got to get this better. This is not acceptable, blah, blah, blah. And so if you listen to the in-cars, you can tell that Dale has not been happy.

Did they announce who the new crew chief was?

COSTELLO: I don't know. I'll have to check that.

MYERS: They didn't. All right.

COSTELLO: I'm going to check that.

MYERS: I will do the same up here. Carol, good morning.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: OK, I think I have an answer for you on the crew chief.

MYERS: Go.

COSTELLO: Steve H-M-I-E-L. I'm not sure how to pronounce it.

MYERS: Steve Hmiel.

COSTELLO: OK, he's going to...

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: ... step in on an interim basis,...

MYERS: OK.

COSTELLO: ... and then he's going to choose a more permanent one.

MYERS: OK, he worked with Mark Martin for a while, I believe.

COSTELLO: OK.

MYERS: So he's...

COSTELLO: So there, everyone has the answer now.

Thank you -- Chad.

MYERS: Sure.

COSTELLO: Iraq's most wanted militant out of commission is something U.S. officials have long been hoping for, but they don't want to get their hopes up too high.

For the latest, let's go straight to Baghdad and CNN's Ryan Chilcote.

Good morning -- Ryan.

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Morning. Good morning, Carol.

Well we're used to al Qaeda in Iraq. That's the group that is believed to be headed up -- the terrorist group believed to be headed up by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, posting messages on the Internet claiming responsibility for major terrorist attacks in Iraq.

Yesterday they, in a message purportedly from al Qaeda in Iraq, they posted some news that would suggest they have some of their own losses.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHILCOTE (voice-over): A surprising message, purportedly from al Qaeda in Iraq, this time concerning one of their own, Iraq's most wanted terrorist, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The message says he has been wounded and calls on Muslims to -- quote -- "pray for the healing of our Sheikh Abu Musab al-Zarqawi from an injury he suffered in the path of god. The injury of our leader is an honor, and a cause to close in on the enemies of god, and a reason to increase the attacks against them."

The Jordanian-born extremist is believed to be responsible for the highest profile terrorist acts in Iraq in the last two years, including this suicide bomber attack that killed 127, and the beheading of American hostage Nick Berg.

In an audio message, purportedly from bin Laden five months ago, he called Zarqawi "al Qaeda's prince in Iraq."

Even if Zarqawi is wounded, it has had no effect on the violence that never seems to quit. Insurgents killed a total of nine U.S. troops on Monday and Tuesday, three of them here when a car bomb went off beside their convoy. They also hit Iraqi security forces. But ordinary Iraqis were, as usual, the worst hit. More than 50 Iraqis were slaughtered, hundreds more maimed in attacks on restaurants, parties and mosques in the first 24 hours of this week.

Iraq's Shiites and Sunnis are increasingly blaming one another for the violence, prompting a prominent Shiite and Sunni leader to meet Tuesday in an effort to quell the tension.

The U.S. government is also concerned that Sunni Arabs, who have largely been left out of the new government, are supporting the insurgency. It says Zarqawi represents just one strand of the insurgency.

The bottom line, Iraq has become a battlefield for multiple groups with multiple interests.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

Carol, we've heard rumors about Zarqawi's condition before. We have heard that he was injured. We have heard that he had been killed. In all cases, we simply cannot confirm those reports, and we can't confirm this new report.

If you ask the U.S. military, every single time I have asked them, they always say they simply don't know. What they are saying is that even if Zarqawi was to be killed, if he did die, that would be a significant blow to the insurgency. But the U.S. military, by no stretch of the imagination, thinks that it would actually bring a halt to the insurgency -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Ryan Chilcote live in Baghdad this morning.

Also in focus this morning, the stem cell controversy. Some say it's a matter of saving lives through science, while others liken it to legalized murder. A reality check for you now. We're going to look at both sides of that debate through the eyes of one family in Washington and through the science itself.

We begin with a report from CNN's Paula Zahn who sifts through the nuts and bolts of this issue.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA ZAHN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When a fertilized egg begins dividing, you get embryonic stem cells, which, if the embryo is carried to term, would become a baby. But if the stem cells are harvested before they develop, which begins to happen after a week, scientists think they can turn them into any type of cell needed to treat patients. A process that is still years away.

For example, spinal cord tissue, it is a long way for humans, but scientists have seen some success in animals. Paralyzed mice whose spinal cords were injected with embryonic stem cells were able to walk again. Other scientists think stem cells could be used to treat debilitating injuries or diseases like diabetes, Parkinson's and some forms of cancer.

The possibilities are exciting and the research is showing enough promise that scientists want government money to help. But there is an ethical dilemma. In order to use embryonic stem cells, the embryo itself is destroyed. Some people call that killing a human being. But others say fertility clinics constantly dispose of unwanted embryos or keep them frozen indefinitely.

In 2001, President Bush tried to strike a compromise, allowing federal tax dollars to fund research on stem cells already created. The embryos they came from had already been destroyed. But scientists say all of these lines are now contaminated, useful for basic research, but not for actual therapies. Without the federal dollars available for research on newly created stem cells, scientists say the research will stall.

So Congress has taken up the issue. The president says no.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We should not use public money to support the further destruction of human life.

ZAHN: Today, the president met with women who volunteered to have children from the unwanted embryos.

BUSH: The children here today remind us that there is no such thing as a spare embryo.

ZAHN: The president says there are other ways to derive stem cells for science, ways that don't involve the destruction of embryos.

But scientists say cells derived from umbilical cords or adult tissue don't hold the same promise as embryonic stem cells. And without federal funding, they worry other countries are taking the lead in stem cell research, which could slow down the progress and hamper Americans' access to possible cures. (END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: That report from CNN's Paula Zahn.

You just heard that fertility clinics regularly dispose of unwanted embryos or keep them frozen indefinitely. But there are now dozens of living, breathing human beings who started life as those leftovers. They're known as "Snowflake" babies.

CNN's Dana Bash has that side of the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Maura and John Daniel call 19-month-old Catherine (ph) their miracle baby. After five wrenching years of in vitro fertilization, finally, Maura got pregnant. She was in New York for treatment on 9/11. Trauma took a toll.

MAURA DANIEL, MOTHER: After that, we did get pregnant. And I was pregnant for seven weeks and then we lost the baby.

BASH: Maura and John decided to adopt. Then Maura saw a story about something she had never heard of, embryo adoption.

M. DANIEL: And I called John into the living room to look at it on television. And you know we were thinking that this could be the way we have a family.

BASH: The Daniels contacted Nightlight, a Christian fertility clinic in California that offers up for adoption other family's unused embryos.

M. DANIEL: We handpicked them and they handpicked us.

JOHN DANIEL, FATHER: And they're a beautiful family that we have met and met their children. And to us, it is the most wonderful gift that anyone could ever give, right? And you know we have a beautiful daughter. We have twins on the way.

M. DANIEL: Can you have one more bite of egg? No.

BASH: Catherine is called a "Snowflake" baby, one of only about 80 children in the country born from an adopted frozen embryo. Her parents have come to Washington to tell congressmen to take a look at Catherine before allowing more frozen embryos to be used in federally funded stem cell research.

M. DANIEL: All we want to do is just raise their awareness and show them Rine's (ph) beautiful face and let them know that, you know, when they're going to, you know, sign off on a bill, or not, to think twice.

BASH: The Daniels were invited to the White House. They stood right behind the president. He called them an affirming alternative to using embryos for science. BUSH: The children here today are reminders that every human life is a precious gift of matchless value.

BASH: Like the president, the Daniels say they support current limits on stem cell research. John's father just died from Parkinson's disease.

J. DANIEL: Continue to research stem cell research. We would be hypocrites to think it was wrong.

BASH: The president calls stem cell research a culture of life issue, like abortion. Not the Daniels.

M. DANIEL: We are pro choice. We are pro science. So we're kind of unique, I think, in this situation. But we definitely are for these legislators making very informed decisions.

BASH: But the fact remains, very few of the estimated 400,000 frozen embryos in the U.S. ever become viable fetuses. Four embryos were transferred into Maura, only Catherine survived. Maura says she understands why some people would want to give their embryos up for science, but that the gift of motherhood after so long pulled her into the political fray.

M. DANIEL: She's definitely going to know her story and the beautiful way she came into this world. And it is just overwhelming how much we love her.

BASH: Dana Bash, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Now it is the Senate's turn to take up stem cell legislation identical to the House-passed version. If the president vetoes the bill, it will be the first veto of this presidency. In the next hour, we'll look at the politics involved pro and con.

Also still to come on DAYBREAK, the FCC crackdown in the past year or so has many broadcasters shaking in their shoes. We'll take a look at how this could change the future of television a little later.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Wednesday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: A CNN "Security Watch" now.

The U.S. military reportedly had the all clear to shoot down a small plane over Washington two weeks ago. And I'm sure you remember that incident. "The Washington Post" citing two senior federal officials as saying Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld gave the order.

The plane wandered into restricted airspace about three miles from the White House. "The Post" reports the plane was within 15 to 20 seconds of being shot down. The White House, the Capitol and the Supreme Court all evacuated. Now Homeland Security is reviewing its air defense system.

A reminder to stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable information about your security.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:47 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

A controversial stem cell bill passes the House, despite President Bush's veto threat. The vote was 238 to 194. The bill would boost federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

Car bombing has wounded at least eight people in Madrid, Spain. The blast went off just over two hours ago. A warning call was made to a newspaper in the name of the Basque separatist group.

In money news, a first for the women's pro basketball league. Former TV executive Sheila Johnson (ph) has become the NBA's first African-American female owner. She's part of a group that's buying the Washington Mystics.

In culture, TV's May sweeps period ends tonight with CBS assured a victory in overall viewers among the broadcast networks. The season finale of "CSI" and "Everybody Loves Raymond" alone drew more than 63 million viewers combined.

In sports, the San Antonio Spurs again shocked the Phoenix Suns at home to take a commanding lead in the Western Conference finals. The Spurs 111-108 win gives them a two games to none lead in the series. Game three will be Saturday night in San Antonio -- Chad.

MYERS: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

Carol, back to you.

COSTELLO: All right, thank you, Chad.

That's a look at the latest headlines for you this morning.

Still ahead on DAYBREAK, broadcasters converge on Sin City to see what's new in the industry. But it's what's coming out of Washington that has them most concerned. We'll explain.

You're watching DAYBREAK for a Wednesday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: We've already gotten to that time. The morning has literally flown by. It's time to read some e-mails.

I haven't checked the box, have we gotten a lot?

MYERS: Probably 100, Carol, this morning. Yes, not as many as yesterday, but actually some really great answers to this. The "Question of the Day," should executions be delayed for organ donations? And some people are talking about the organ donations, yes, they're great, they're great, they're great. But the question is, should they be delayed -- should those executions be delayed in order to harvest those executions?

Executions are delayed for countless ridiculous appeals, so why not let's try to save a life with one of them. That's Gene (ph) from Massachusetts.

No, I don't think they should be scheduled for a longer date than their execution time. Pretty sure there's all kinds of legal ramifications to the subject, which is why he wanted to donate his organs in the first place. Death row inmates' appeals are clogged up our courts already. We don't need another legal issue for the courts to consider.

And, Carol, I've got one here. It says great question. This is Brian (ph) in Wisconsin. I do not believe they should be delayed. However, that doesn't mean it should be nixed. Organ donation is vital to our society. And where you get those donations should be broad. Death row inmates included. But to delay an execution for organ donation, absolutely not, plan for it ahead of time.

COSTELLO: Well how can you do that?

MYERS: You're just sitting in jail anyway. You know what your death date is.

COSTELLO: No, I mean for the person who needs the liver.

MYERS: Right.

COSTELLO: That's hard to plan for.

MYERS: Sure, but there are organs that can be harvested from the inmate before he gets his injection. Because, obviously, after they are poisoned, and they can be moved on.

COSTELLO: Interesting.

MYERS: They can be sent away, held for a little while, at least, waiting for someone to get them.

COSTELLO: It's a tough question.

MYERS: It is.

COSTELLO: All right. Thank you for e-mailing us this morning. We always appreciate it.

You are watching DAYBREAK for a Wednesday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: You may not know it when you see it, but just about everybody has a different definition of indecency. The government is going after broadcasters it says are not doing enough to clean up the airwaves. But how much oversight do people want anyway?

Jeff Greenfield has more on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEFF GREENFIELD, CNN SENIOR ANALYST (voice-over): When broadcasters gather for their annual convention in Las Vegas, companies spend millions trying to dazzle potential customers with the latest high-tech wonders.

(on camera): But what's really caught the attention of the television industry is not any technical gizmo that goes into the television set, but what they see as Washington's increasing impatience and frustration and even anger at some of what's coming out of the television set.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And you wonder why I sleep with men before I come home.

GREENFIELD (voice-over): There's no doubt that TV has gotten a lot more relaxed...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was hoping you'd notice.

GREENFIELD: ... or free or coarse over the decades.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Big dog wants some candy.

GREENFIELD: And there's also no doubt that when networks tout shows through promos, they go right for the heart of the matter.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ...his wife's sister. Fox, tonight, the little bookstore around the corner.

GREENFIELD: But it was Janet Jackson's infamous wardrobe malfunction at the 2004 Super Bowl that set regulators and politicians to beating their own breasts about what's on the air. The FCC has proposed fining CBS stations more than half a million dollars for carrying that halftime show.

It's also levied a $1.2 million fine against Fox Network affiliated stations for airing "Married by America," which featured a scene where strippers enlivened a bachelor party. And the commission overruled its staff by finding that this live outburst by U2's Bono...

BONO, U2: That is really, really (EXPLETIVE DELETED) brilliant.

GREENFIELD: ... may have stepped over the FCC's indecency rule.

And this may only be the beginning. The incoming FCC chair, Kevin Martin, wants the commission to do more. So does Democratic appointee Michael Kopps. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Stevens is on board. This year, the House overwhelmingly passed a bill that would raise the fine for every violation to as much as half a million dollars. That bill is awaiting Senate action.

HOWARD STERN, RADIO PERSONALITY: Do you give an aggressive lap dance?

GREENFIELD: And when the FCC slapped a half-million-dollar fine on radio's Howard Stern last year, Clear Channel, the largest owner of stations in the country, kicked Stern off its stations and announced a zero-tolerance policy for its talent. If the FCC finds you indecent, Clear Channel said, you are off our air.

Jonathan Adelstein is one of the five FCC commissioners.

JONATHAN ADELSTEIN, FCC COMMISSIONER: You've seen over the last couple of years unprecedented efforts by the FCC to enforce our rules. And the result is now that I think broadcasters are taking them more seriously and we're seeing fewer incidents that are really egregious. I'm concerned sometimes that it has almost a chilling effect where broadcasters are afraid to put material on the air that we probably would not find indecent.

GREENFIELD: That may in fact have happened when ABC aired "Saving Private Ryan" last year with the rough language of combat left intact.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're killing us. If we don't have the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) chance then that ain't fair.

GREENFIELD: Dozens of affiliates did not air the movie fearing an FCC indecency ruling, which the commission did not do.

And while surveys show the public says it's concerned about offensive fare, Tony Vinciquerra, who oversees programming for the FOX Networks, says those numbers are misleading.

TONY VINCIQUERRA, PRESIDENT FOX NETWORKS GROUP: American parents think that they're controlling what their children are watching and feel very comfortable with it. And the vast majority of Americans don't want the government telling them what they can and can't watch.

GREENFIELD: Some questions. Do the range of blocking devices and rating guides now available to parents mean they can exercise more responsibility without government regulations. Does it still make sense to distinguish between traditional broadcast outlets and cable, which the law now says the FCC can't regulate.

Then, at root, is there really any reliable consistent definition of just what indecency is and is not?

Jeff Greenfield, CNN, Las Vegas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And the next hour of DAYBREAK starts right now. Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, Iraq and Afghanistan have American troops spread thin. But is it too thin?

Plus, a New York firefighter wakes up after nearly 10 years of living in a fog.

And General Motors has some trouble cranking up the engine.

It's Wednesday, April 4.

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.

Now in the news, a man strapped with explosives detonates himself in the midst of police recruits in northern Iraq. At least 47 are killed, 100 wounded. We'll have a live report for you in 30 minutes.

New pleas for the release of an Austrian hostage in Iraq. Australia's foreign minister is urging militants to let Douglas Woods go, saying the 63-year-old contractor has heart problems. A videotape shows Woods with a rifle to his head.

Will British Prime Minister Tony Blair get a third term? British various go to the polls tomorrow. They're expected to return Blair to power despite widespread protests over the Iraq war.

And prosecutors are close to resting their case in Michael Jackson's child molestation trial. They're calling their last scheduled witness this morning. A source familiar with the case says actor McCauley Culkin will be among the first defense witnesses.

To the Forecast Center and Chad -- good morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Is the U.S. military stretched too thin in Iraq and Afghanistan? President Bush and his top general, General Richard Myers, appear to disagree about the readiness of the military to fight new wars. Just last week, the president confidential stated the military has enough troops and equipment.

But in his required annual report to Congress, Myers says: "Armed conflicts would last longer and produce higher casualties." He also says the U.S. still has the ability to win another war, but buildup will not be as swift. And the stressed areas he points to are weapons, equipment and manpower.

Still, Myers remains confident.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GEN. RICHARD MYERS, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN: We have very high standards in our -- in how we measure ourselves against our current plans. And so that's what we're measuring. And we're measuring against the time lines that are already in plans, that have been established several years ago, a year ago. And so we measure ourselves against that.

And what we've said is we will be successful. We will prevail. The time lines may have to be extended. We may have to use additional resources, but it doesn't matter, because we're going to be successful in the end.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: That's the general's assessment.

Now here's what you have to say. A CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll asked if it was worth going to war in Iraq. Forty-one percent say yes. Fifty-seven percent say no. Back in February, 48 percent of those asked said yes, the war in Iraq was worth it, and half of the residents said no. When asked how things appear to be going in Iraq, 42 percent say well; 56 percent say badly. Back in March, more than half of those polled felt things were going well and 45 percent said badly.

The so-called ringleader of the abuses at Abu Ghraib Prison is expected in court today. Specialist Charles Graner, you remember him. He'll be called to testify in the sentencing phase of his one time girlfriend, Private Lynndie England. England could face between two and 11 years in prison after pleading guilty.

CNN's Susan Candiotti takes a closer look.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The American flag dots porches and storefronts where Lynndie England grew up, in Fort Ashby, West Virginia, a one stoplight town where friends do not forget their own.

DONALD DAYTON, FORT ASHBY RESIDENT: I think the girl was trained to do what she was doing. If she stepped over the traces a little bit, that could be expected. It's fine.

CANDIOTTI: In early childhood, a psychology expert says, Lynndie England was placed in a learning disabilities program.

Her lawyer.

RICK HERNANDEZ, DEFENSE LAWYER: It shows that she's clearly in a different mental capacity and different learning disabilities and neurological issues than any of the other accused.

CANDIOTTI: Even so, the expert testified, England rebounded to finish high school with a B average. Next on the defense witness list, Guard Charles Graner, already sent to prison for 10 years. Lynndie England says Graner, her boyfriend at Abu Ghraib, asked her to pose in all those photos with naked detainees.

Leaving for the day, Graner handed out a written statement, saying he finds England's guilty plea "upsetting" but hopes it will bring her an easier sentence.

Lynndie England may be the last witness in her own defense, but offering only an unsworn statement, which means she cannot be cross- examined.

(on camera): The jury, four enlisted men and two officers, with a woman heading the panel, could begin deliberating on Lynndie England's sentence Thursday.

Susan Candiotti, CNN, Fort Hood, Texas.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: The U.S. military is being accused of withholding information about the death of former NFL player Pat Tillman until after his memorial service. Tillman was killed by friendly fire while serving with the Army Rangers in Afghanistan. That's him on the pro- football field, obviously.

The Army originally said Tillman was killed by enemy fire. But the "Washington Post" is reporting this morning, it says the Army and his fellow soldiers knew right away that he had been killed by friendly forces. The paper also says investigators destroyed critical evidence in the case.

In other "News Across America" now, a Philadelphia police officer has been taken off the street after he appareled to beat a burglary suspect following a chase. The incident was caught on tape by a local news helicopter. Police have now launched an internal investigation.

Police in four states are searching for a missing college student. The family of 22-year-old Patrick Welsh last heard from him April 15 after he arrived here in New York City. Welsh had taken a train from New York University, from York University, rather, in Pennsylvania. Police say his cell phone was used three days after his arrival by a homeless man who called his relatives in New Jersey.

Coretta Scott King is said to be doing fine a week after being hospitalized due to a heart condition. Her son, Martin Luther King III, said his 78-year-old mother had a procedure done during her brief hospital stay. A friend of the family says King is maintaining her normal schedule of traveling and making speeches.

His family is stopping short of calling it a miracle. But after nearly 10 years of silence, a severely injured firefighter certainly is surprising everyone.

CNN's Mary Snow has more on what appears to be an amazing recovery.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

SIMON MANKA, FIREFIGHTER'S UNCLE: It's amazing. It was amazing when he started recognizing people after nine-and-a-half years. You can only imagine.

SNOW: But it's hard to imagine that firefighter Donald Herbert broke his silence nearly a decade after suffering brain damage while fighting a fire. His family says that is just what happened Saturday, when he spontaneously began speaking. And with so much to catch up on, he spoke to them for 14 hours.

Simon Manka is Herbert's uncle.

MANKA: The conversations and the memories were basically talking to the family, wondering how his boys were, how they were doing, where they were at, things of that nature.

SNOW: And his four sons were at a very different place from when he last remembered them. His youngest boy, Nicholas, was only three when Herbert was injured in December of 1995. That injury came while fighting a fire in Buffalo. A roof collapsed. He was trapped and deprived of oxygen for several minutes. His family says he was in a coma for nearly three months, awoke from it, but was left brain damaged.

LINDA HERBERT: Miracles occur every day.

SNOW: That was back in 1996, when Linda Herbert publicly hoped for her husband's recovery. Fund-raisers were held, with fellow firefighters rallying to the family's side. Years later some of those same firemen were by his side, visiting him over the past few days.

LT. ANTHONY LIBERATORE, BUFFALO FIRE DEPARTMENT: He recognized me when I walked in the room and told him who I was. He stayed up until early morning talking to his boys and catching up on what they've been doing all the last several years.

SNOW: But family and friends are stopping short of calling this a miracle. Rather, they're waiting to hear what doctors have to say. One thing they will say is that this case is unusual.

DR. JOSEPH FINS, NEW YORK PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL: Some patients do lapse back into unconsciousness. Other patients continue to improve. But there's a very small number of patients from which to talk about.

SNOW: Mary Snow, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: Still to come on DAYBREAK, it would even make Simon Cowell blush. An upcoming expose says you won't believe what goes on behind-the-scenes of "American Idol." We have new information. Plus, think a cheap novel is the only way to pass the time on a trip? Think again. We'll show you some travel gadgets that'll have you flying high.

And some big stalls for G.M. Can the auto giant jump start its business?

Now here's a look at what else is making news this Wednesday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It's 6:15 Eastern.

Here's what's all new this morning.

A suicide bomber targets a large crowd of police recruits in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil. The attack has killed at least 47 people and wounded more than 100.

In money news, Toyota may be starting down a new road. "USA Today" reports the car maker may start building a gas electric version of its popular Camry sedan in Kentucky. It would be Toyota's first U.S.-made hybrid.

In culture, a new book looks behind-the-scenes of the classic movie "The Wizard of Oz." "Memories of A Munchkin" was written by Meinhardt Raabe. He's the one who announced the death of the Wicked Witch of the East.

In sports, the Detroit Pistons moved one step closer to defending their NBA title by beating the 76ers in overtime. 97-92 was the win. It moves the Pistons to the next round, where they will meet the winner of the Pacers-Celtics series.

To the Forecast Center now and Chad.

MYERS: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Now some dish. ABC is set to air that expose on Fox's "American Idol." Ugly accusations are flying and so are the lawsuits. But the ABC promo for "Fallen Idol" is out.

Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM ABC PROMO FOR "FALLEN IDOL")

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wednesday, stunning claims. A former "American Idol" contestant says Paula Abdul coached him, gave him tips on how to win.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did she offer to help you on "American Idol?" UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And he claims they had a secret sexual affair.

A "Prime Time Live" special, Wednesday at 10:00, 9:00 Central, on ABC.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Whoo!

Tom O'Neil from "In Touch Weekly" is here to tell us what more we'll see.

Boy, poor...

TOM O'NEIL, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": Can't wait. Tonight, finally.

COSTELLO: I'm telling u.

O'NEIL: This is going to be fun.

COSTELLO: Poor Paula Abdul.

O'NEIL: Why?

COSTELLO: Well, you know, she's so likable.

O'NEIL: She is. And you know what? You're right there.

COSTELLO: I mean you don't want to believe any of this.

O'NEIL: I know. I know. But the charges are very serious, not just an affair. They're claiming that she had her assistant approach this guy Corey with a note saying I'll help you -- and the note, she initiated this whole thing. And then when she was caught and he was shopping a book around later, she left this embarrassing phone message on his cell phone that we're going to hear tonight.

COSTELLO: Yes, they're going to play the phone message.

You know, the creepy thing about this is Corey Clark, which is the contestant she allegedly had the...

O'NEIL: Very creepy.

COSTELLO: Very creepy. He gets to sing part of his new song on this ABC expose. That's creepy.

O'NEIL: It's not just creepy, it's corrupt. And that's the irony of this show tonight, Carol, is that this show purports to expose the corruptness of "American Idol" when it's being just as corrupt, because it made this bargain. Really. They don't seem to care.

The question is, is this special tonight going to go after the issue of fairness? Anybody who watches this show knows how rigged it is. It's terrible. And if they can prove it, and I think if they really investigated the case of Rubin versus Clay two years ago, it is provable that they actually slanted that result, then I think we have the big $64,000 scandal on our hands, bringing down the number one show.

But if they're just going to slap Paula around, that's different. And Paula needs some slapping, that's for sure.

COSTELLO: Well, that's what they say. But she has filed a lawsuit -- or she's threatened to file a lawsuit.

Has the lawsuit actually been filed as of yet?

O'NEIL: No. She's merely saying that she doesn't want to dignify these claims with a comment. Well, they're a lot more than claims, Paula. She's going to have to answer up to these phone calls tonight.

COSTELLO: So if it's really that bad in this expose, will "American Idol" get rid of Paula Abdul?

O'NEIL: They're going to have to get rid of her, sure, because you're not allowed to have the judges coaching one of the contestants.

COSTELLO: Interesting.

Well, it's on tonight.

We'll all be watching.

O'NEIL: And if Savol wins again tonight, I'm boycotting it.

COSTELLO: I know. That's just freaky.

Thank you, Tom O'Neil.

It was fun, as always.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, everyone makes mistakes, but usually they don't move financial markets. We'll tell you what happened when the Fed left out a line in its statement on interest rates.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Don't you just want to jump on that cruise ship and go away?

Oh, but it's time now for a little "Business Buzz." So stick around for this.

The Federal Reserve Board did raise interest rates as expected. But, there was some intrigue to the Fed's statement.

Carrie Lee has the scoop.

CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was an exciting session. The Fed raised rates by a 1/4 point.

COSTELLO: As exciting as Alan Greenspan can get.

LEE: That's right. That's right. Hey, something unusual here.

Well, they did raise rates by a 1/4 point. That was widely expected. So now putting interest rates at the highest level since the September 11 attacks. Still, historically low, though.

The Fed did say it would keep raising rates at a measured pace. This is the same language we've heard before, likely meaning more rate hikes are coming, a 1/4 point at a time. So the Fed does continue to be worried about inflation.

The markets started to sell off after this statement, which came at 2:15 yesterday. But then, just before the close of trading, Alan Greenspan corrected his earlier words unexpectedly. He added this line: "Longer-term inflation expectations remain well contained."

OK, so maybe some of the people are thinking, well, longer-term inflation isn't such an issue. And relieved, the Dow actually rallied a bit. It closed with a 5-point gain.

The bottom line is prices are still rising and interest rates, Carol, will likely do the same. But a little bit of intrigue yesterday afternoon.

COSTELLO: Exactly.

A quick look at the futures?

LEE: The futures are looking up a bit this morning, looking higher.

Time Warner, our parent company, out with profits and sales. Both rising a bit from the year ago period. Sales coming in at just above $10 billion. We'll see what the stock does today.

COSTELLO: Wow!

I want a raise.

Thank you, Carrie Lee.

LEE: Take it to the boss.

COSTELLO: Yes, and he'll like turn me away at the door.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, fed up with some of the hassles while traveling? Help is on the way, from a very smart cell phone to a neck warmer that resembles an otter. A look at all you need for a more comfortable journey.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Attention travelers -- airlines are cracking down on your luggage. In a story in today's "USA Today," airline officials say they['re paying closure attention to luggage limits, both by the piece and by weight. So you may have to pay extra for that big old suitcase, or if you have extra bags, you'll have to pay extra, too.

Travelers with policy questions should check their airline's Web site before heading to the airport.

So, while you're busy taking things out of your suitcase to bring the weight down to 30 pounds, we have some lighter items to add.

Joining us now, Lesley Savage, editor of "Sync" magazine, and she has some cool travel gadgets to show us.

Welcome, Lesley.

LESLEY SAVAGE, EDITOR, "SYNC" MAGAZINE: Thank you very much, Carol.

COSTELLO: We're so glad to have you here.

SAVAGE: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Because a lot of travelers watch us.

SAVAGE: Yes.

COSTELLO: Because we're on at the airport.

SAVAGE: Yes.

COSTELLO: So everyone is glued to the set now, kind of irritated that their plane is late.

SAVAGE: Yes. Well, we've got some gadgets we're hoping will make it a little easier for them.

COSTELLO: I think we do.

Let's start with the PalmOne Tree 650 Smart Phone.

SAVAGE: Great. This is the gadget that all travelers have to have. Basically it's like if you never left the office. It's not only a great phone, you have access to e-mail, you have access to the Web. You have -- it works as a digital camera and it works as an MP3 player. It's everything all, and it fits in the palm of your hand. It's great.

COSTELLO: And you can actually use it constantly on the plane. There are no...

SAVAGE: You can use it constantly. It links up to your desktop. So I mean it's like you never left the office.

COSTELLO: Oh, great.

SAVAGE: You can basically run any company from this little Palm. COSTELLO: Great. I don't know if that's good or bad.

Let's talk about the noise canceling headphones, because I have some of these and these are fantastic.

SAVAGE: They are great. They are the frequent travelers like best item. You put them on and it blocks out any sound. You can block out babies screaming, the man snoring next to you. It has an adapter so you can actually plug it into the seats of the plane or you can put it into your MP3 player or your Palm and listen to your own music. But, so you can really use it any way you want.

COSTELLO: But you can still hear the flight attendant?

SAVAGE: You can still -- if it's plugged in, you can still hear the flight attendant.

COSTELLO: Because that would be bad if you couldn't hear the flight attendant.

SAVAGE: Yes. No, this doesn't work that way.

COSTELLO: How much are those puppies?

SAVAGE: These are $40, which is actually a really nice price for...

COSTELLO: What? $40?

SAVAGE: Yes. Yes. It's great.

COSTELLO: Ooh, I have some more expensive ones.

SAVAGE: It's actually got a...

COSTELLO: But it was a gift from Chad Myers, actually, and Sally, for my wedding.

SAVAGE: It's a great value.

COSTELLO: It's a great gift.

OK, the Sharper Image Relief Band.

SAVAGE: This is for people who suffer from motion sickness. It's actually quite interesting, it's the only FDA approved electronic device that prevents nausea, motion sickness. If you're on a plane or a train or a cruise and you tend to get nauseous, you can put that on without any of the side effects of Dramamine, which makes you nauseous.

COSTELLO: And it's just like a watch. I'll hold it here so we can get a shot of it.

So what does it do? Does it emit electronic signals through your... SAVAGE: Little electronic pulses that manage the nausea.

COSTELLO: Really?

SAVAGE: Yes.

COSTELLO: And it works?

SAVAGE: And it works, yes.

COSTELLO: Just like Dramamine.

SAVAGE: And you don't have to keep buying boxes of Dramamine. And no hangover or no tiredness afterwards.

COSTELLO: That's cool.

OK, and my favorite item. It's the Warm Whiskers Neck Warmer.

SAVAGE: This fuzzy guy -- this is actually a kid's version. We thought it would be a little more fun. You put it on your neck. It adds a little comfort to flying, which is obviously mostly uncomfortable. You can lean on it, fall asleep to it. It's actually aromatherapy. It's got some lavender, which is very relaxing. You can smell it.

COSTELLO: It doesn't smell like an otter.

SAVAGE: So if you're nervous flying, the aromatherapy will help you get through it. And it's just a comfortable fuzzy little animal.

COSTELLO: Oh, yes.

SAVAGE: But they do have adult versions, as well.

COSTELLO: Oh, good. So you don't...

SAVAGE: There's a little -- there's some tinier versions out there.

COSTELLO: Because, you know, if a PETA person is on the plane, you could be in danger by wearing this.

SAVAGE: I know it. Yes, you don't want to be yelled at.

COSTELLO: Lesley, thank you.

It was a lot of fun.

SAVAGE: Thank you.

COSTELLO: We appreciate it.

SAVAGE: I appreciate it.

COSTELLO: I hope you come back. SAVAGE: Appreciate it.

Will do.

COSTELLO: Still to come on DAYBREAK, the prosecution expects to rest its case against Michael Jackson today. We'll look back at their successes and the failures.

Plus, the amazing story of a group of Massachusetts students and how they saved a classmate trapped beneath a school bus. They picked that thing up.

You're watching DAYBREAK.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com