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American Morning
'Operation New Market'; Latest on Debate in Washington Over Stem Cell Research
Aired May 25, 2005 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
The wave of deadly attacks across Iraq drawing another heavy response from the U.S. military in the western desert again today. It's called Operation New Market.
U.S. intel checking what could be a major development in Iraq. Word that Zarqawi has been wounded. What's the truth behind the cryptic message today?
And President Bush promising to veto a bill on stem cell research. Why, then, are so many Republicans breaking ranks?
All ahead this hour on 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, the uproar over that ad that features Paris Hilton. Have you seen it? She's pitching a burger, but the scene so not about fast food.
HEMMER: Critics are outraged. Some call it soft core porn. They want it off the air. We'll talk to the president of the Parents Television Council in a few moments and hear about that.
O'BRIEN: Mr. Cafferty -- good morning.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's a hamburger ad?
O'BRIEN: Uh-huh.
HEMMER: Carl Jr.'s
CAFFERTY: Coming up in "The Cafferty File," it's Wednesday, time for "Things People Say."
A congressman who makes it a point to annually renew his exterminator's license. They should all have one.
The mayor of a very famous American city who also showed nude photos for "Playboy" magazine. And the truth comes out about a very well known Yale dropout.
HEMMER: We'll stay tuned for that.
CAFFERTY: A hamburger ad.
O'BRIEN: Yes, it is.
HEMMER: Yes.
O'BRIEN: You didn't realize that when you saw it?
CAFFERTY: I had no idea.
HEMMER: Thank you, Jack.
Here's the headlines.
Carol Costello with those now -- hello.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Somehow I don't think Paris Hilton eats hamburgers.
O'BRIEN: Not a chance.
COSTELLO: No. I don't think so. But I guess that's not the point, is it?
We'll get to the headlines now.
Good morning to you.
U.S. forces in western Iraq hunting down insurgents this hour. Military sources say some 1,000 Americans have encircled the city of Haditha. They're trying to uproot insurgents suspected of killing more than 600 people in attacks since last month.
And a car bombing and a killing, it killed, actually, one civilian in southern Baghdad. These are new pictures just into CNN. Eight others also injured in this attack.
The U.S. Senate turns today to two of President Bush's controversial picks. After a four year wait, judicial nominee Priscilla Owen is expected to be confirmed to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
After that vote, the Senate will debate John Bolton's bid to be the new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. A Senate panel approved the nomination without endorsement earlier this month.
In California, Michael Jackson's defense expected to rest its case today without testimony from the pop star himself. Jackson's lead defense attorney confirming that information Tuesday. Jurors heard videotaped interviews with the entertainer earlier in the trial. Testimony expected to wrap up today, with comedian Chris Tucker back on the stand. And traffic is moving again this morning on a major highway in Dallas, Texas. Take a look. That's after a fiery crash stalled last night's commute. An 18-wheeler crashes into a guardrail. As you can see, it burst into flames. Several explosions followed. The condition of the driver is not clear right now. There's some talk he may have fallen asleep behind the wheel. But, again, that major highway reopened in Dallas, Texas this morning.
HEMMER: One heck of an explosion, too.
Carol, thanks.
We want to get to Iraq right now. A developing story at this hour.
The U.S. is launching a new offensive against insurgents in the western part of the country. It's called Operation New Market.
Colonel Steven Davis is one of the commanding officers involved in that operation.
He's on the telephone right now from the Al Asad Airbase in Iraq.
Colonel, can you hear me?
COL. STEVEN DAVIS, U.S. MARINES, AL ASAD AIRBASE: I sure can, Bill.
Good morning.
HEMMER: Good morning to you, sir.
What's the objective of this operation?
DAVIS: Well, the objective of Operation New Market is similar to the other operations we've conducted out here, and that is to disrupt and interdict insurgent activity that is getting in the way of the transitional government establishing positive control throughout the country.
HEMMER: How is the operation so far, Colonel?
DAVIS: The operation is successful to this point. We were able to achieve what we believe is surprise and we continue to do our series of coordinate knocks, coordinate searches for insurgents and for caches of munitions and weapons.
HEMMER: Let's try and get a bit more specific.
What are you trying to achieve, Colonel?
DAVIS: Well, specifically, just prior to our last operation, Operation Matador, we had a suicide vehicle bearing an improvised explosive device take the lives of three of our Marines and one of our sailors. But it also damaged, significantly damaged the Haditha hospital, which took a premier piece of civilian infrastructure out. There's a lack of medical care that there once was in Haditha. Plus, we've been taking indirect fire throughout that area, mortars and rockets.
So our purpose is to eliminate all of that.
HEMMER: During Operation Matador, Colonel, we learned back here in the States that you went up against some pretty fierce resistance.
How is the level of resistance in this operation, Colonel?
DAVIS: I would characterize it as less severe than what we found out in Matador. There are a number of different types of groups that make up the insurgency here. This particular area has been subject to a very fierce intimidation campaign of the citizens, as well as the folks that are starting to target the military and the infrastructure installations.
HEMMER: Also, Matador, the U.S. military is saying 100 insurgents were killed in that operation.
Can you talk about casualty figures at this point, Colonel?
DAVIS: I -- to this point, we have four confirmed enemy killed in action. Beyond that, I'd be speculating at this point and I'd prefer not to. And we'll get you some more harder information once we verify it.
HEMMER: Let me try one more thing, Colonel.
How much help are you getting, in terms of information, on behalf of fellow Iraqis?
DAVIS: Well, we're getting significant reports from Iraqis on the street. They have no love of this insurgency. This insurgency is keeping this nation from getting into the 21st century and back into the nations -- the world of nations.
The Iraqi on the street understands that and we get a number of tips on our hotlines and via the radio broadcasts, things like that, that are helping us remove the insurgents from the population base.
HEMMER: Are these insurgents Iraqis, sir, or are they foreign fighters?
DAVIS: We believe most of these are probably Iraqi insurgents at this point.
HEMMER: Colonel Steven Davis with the U.S. Marines in the western part of Iraq.
Operation New Market now underway.
More when we get it here.
And, Colonel, thanks to you for your time.
Be safe -- here's Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Well, the future of stem cell research is in the Senate's hands now. The House passed a bill that expands government funding for the controversial science on Tuesday. It could bring the first veto of George W. Bush's presidency.
CNN national correspondent Bob Franken live at the White House this morning -- Bob, good morning to you.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
And, of course, the question is would Congress be able to overturn the veto? The vote suggests that it came well short of the two thirds margin in the House that would be required for a presidential veto. But the truth of the matter is that this picture of invincibility that this president has had with Congress is beginning to crack in the minds of some just a bit, because there was such a large number of Republicans who voted for the embryonic stem cell federal funding. Among them, Republican Chris Shays.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS (R), CONNECTICUT: This was a bipartisan debate. It included a lot of pro-life supporters for this research. And it's ultimately going to happen. It may not happen under this president, but it will happen. And it's happening all around the world. And even those who oppose this research are going to benefit from the health benefits from it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FRANKEN: Now, you notice that he said under this president. Well, this is a lame duck president. That's always a matter of sensitivity. Perception being reality here, this is expected to pass the Senate by a wide margin and then will come the question of whether the president is able to sustain that veto that he's promised -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Well, we will see.
Bob Franken for us this morning.
Bob, thanks a lot.
HEMMER: To a CNN "Security Watch" now.
Reagan National Airport is going to be open to private planes for the first time since 9/11. This despite a couple of recent small plane scares over Washington, D.C.
Jeanne Meserve watching this from Reagan National -- Jeanne, good morning there.
What do we know about the proposed changes?
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bill, we do know that some general aviation will be returning to National, but only some, and under heavy restrictions. And it could start up within the next 90 days.
According to Congressional and aviation sources, the Transportation Security Administration will announce this afternoon that a limited number of corporate aircraft will be able to land here at National under heavy restrictions. Specifically, they will have to come through one of 12 gateway airports, where crew and passengers will be screened. Secondly, they will have to have on board armed law enforcement officers.
Now, I spoke to a representative of the federal air marshals last night. He said these most likely would not be federal air marshals, but law enforcement who had been trained by the FAMs on what to look for in the air and how to respond in an air environment.
Now, since 9/11, traffic in and out of National Airport, generally, aviation traffic has been heavily restricted. Only a select few flights have been let in. That's because this airport is only a few miles away from the White House and the Capitol. But that location is the very thing that makes it such a prized destination. That is why local officials and businesses have been fighting very hard to have it reopened. And today it appears they have won at least a partial victory -- Bill.
HEMMER: Your thoughts here, Jeanne.
What's the reaction around town to this change?
MESERVE: Some of it's very positive. Tom Davis, who represents this district in Congress, said this was a major victory. But Eleanor Holmes Norton, who represents the District of Columbia complained about the onerous restrictions that are being put on here. And a Virginia official to whom I spoke said it is a step in the right direction but don't be fooled. This is not a return to full general aviation at the airport because there are such serious restrictions.
HEMMER: And then, Jeanne, also, how does this affect air security around the capital? Will it change in any way?
MESERVE: Well, common sense would tell you that if you have more aircraft in the restricted area over the capital, it makes the business of protecting this air space a little bit more difficult.
Eleanor Holmes Norton has said she wonders about stopping these planes and having people screened, does that, in fact, make it more dangerous rather than less so, to have an additional stop? Another official with whom I spoke had questions about whether or not it was a good idea to introduce guns into these planes that are landing at the airport.
So a lot of questions, but apparently the Department of Homeland Security has weighed all of this and come to the conclusion that it's worth the risk and they will be opening this airport in a limited way -- Bill.
HEMMER: All right, Jeanne, thanks.
Jeanne from -- Jeanne Meserve from Reagan National.
Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Well, bad weather is making for some bad travel.
Let's get right to Chad Myers.
He's at the CNN Center with the latest for us -- hey, Chad, good morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Soledad.
Maybe one of the good things about keeping some of those planes away from National is that it rarely gets delayed.
(WEATHER REPORT)
O'BRIEN: Well, for years it's been rumored that hair dye can cause cancer. A new study, though, could be the final word on this.
HEMMER: Also, the big business of "American Idol." How a TV talent show has become a billion dollar industry. A look at that in a moment.
O'BRIEN: And Paris Hilton's new commercial. Have you seen it? Is it selling burgers or is it selling sex? A look at the ad that might be a little too hot for TV, up next on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Well, things have gotten pretty hot for Carl's Jr. -- that's a burger chain out West -- since their ad featuring Paris Hilton started airing. Carl's Jr. says this ad is just selling burgers.
Have a look and decide for yourself.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM CARL'S JR. COMMERCIAL, COURTESY DAJEN PRODUCTIONS)
PARIS HILTON: I love Paris in the fall. I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles. I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles. I love Paris every moment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Well, a group called the Parents Television Council says that ad has no place on the public airwaves.
Brent Bozell is president of that group.
He's my guest now from Washington.
Mr. Bozell, good morning to you.
BRENT BOZELL, PARENTS TELEVISION COUNCIL: Good morning, Bill.
HEMMER: Here's what the company is saying, they're saying that this is an issue that young people may view differently than their parents or grandparents. In a statement, they say, the company says: "Any contention that the ad is pornographic is a stretch. It's certainly racy, but not pornographic."
Two thoughts on that statement. Do young people view this differently than, perhaps, adults?
BOZELL: Well, I think it's pathetic for Carl's to be suggesting that the only way to sell hamburgers is with an ad like this. You know, I was just looking at that ad again and I think there's probably 1.1 seconds on that that depicts a hamburger. The rest of it is sex. There's, you know, sex sells, they say. Things can be sexy. That's fine. But this isn't just sex, this is eroticism that's being sold here.
I know the founder of Carl's -- of the restaurant chain, Carl Karcher, who is an elderly gentleman and no longer in the picture anymore. And I can tell you, he would be shocked at what his company has done.
HEMMER: The other end of this...
BOZELL: This is not good.
HEMMER: The other end of the statement, Mr. Bozell, it's certainly racy, they say, but not pornographic.
BOZELL: Well, you know, it's like the old definition of pornography, it's in the -- you'd know it when you see it. Something like this, it is selling sex. You know, did she strip? No. Did she have sex on -- with the card? No. But that doesn't mean that it's not -- that it doesn't go beyond the pale. You know, you want to sell something like that on HBO? Go ahead and do it. But this is public...
HEMMER: What do you think...
BOZELL: ... airwaves.
HEMMER: Yes, what do you think your group can do?
BOZELL: Well, you know, it's kind of interesting, we've spent years urging advertisers not to sponsor the raunch that's on entertainment television. Now the case is reversed. Now we have to try to urge the networks not to take the raunch sponsorship money of Carl's Jr.
HEMMER: Yes, I think you're in a catch-22. You've got, what, a million members, is that right, you're trying to mobilize them? Is that about right?
BOZELL: Yes.
HEMMER: Are you drawing more attention to this issue than would be drawn otherwise?
BOZELL: Well, yes, Bill, that's a good question. I mean they -- I know Carl's is just loving the publicity. But let me ask you this, the more people talk about this, the more -- how many families are going to want to take their children to this restaurant chain? They make a good hamburger, there's no question about that. I love their cheeseburgers. However...
HEMMER: Do you think that...
BOZELL: However...
HEMMER: Do you think...
BOZELL: However...
HEMMER: Go ahead.
BOZELL: I don't think this is going to work in the long-term.
HEMMER: Yes, do you think the families are the target or are they targeting males 18 to 23, as the company says?
BOZELL: Well, of course they're targeting males 18 to 34, or younger, you know, if they can get them, as well. But, you know, in so many cases, you've got the parents who are taking the children to the hamburger chain. And if Carl's wants to have the brand of being raunch Paris Hilton, that's, to many, just sordid.
HEMMER: Another spokesperson for the company says there's no nudity. This is not Janet Jackson, going back to the Super Bowl in Houston of two years ago.
BOZELL: Right. Right. Is that the level that we're at? If there's no nudity, is that, therefore, acceptable? You know, that's a terrible indictment, I think...
HEMMER: So you then you...
BOZELL: ... on our culture.
HEMMER: You come back to the argument, then, listen, as a group, you can put pressure on the company, but outside of that, what do you do?
BOZELL: Well, I think people will be filing complaints with the FCC. Who knows what the FCC will do? Look, the FCC hasn't ruled yet on a complaint from the year 2003 where Paris Hilton dropped the F bomb on national television. So I don't think you should hold your breath about the FCC doing anything any time soon.
But I'd rather not go that route. I'd rather, A, urge Carl's Jr. to reconsider what they're doing, and, B, urge the networks not to go for something like this.
HEMMER: Interesting discussion.
BOZELL: There should be higher standards.
HEMMER: Brent Bozell, thanks, president of the Parents Television Council down there in Washington.
BOZELL: Thank you.
HEMMER: Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, "American Idol" a massive hit, with concert spin-offs and top selling CDs. Well, now the billion dollar franchise is about to get even bigger. We'll explain ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: A crummy day here in New York.
Welcome back, everybody.
Let's get right to Jack.
He's got the Question of the Day.
CAFFERTY: Thank you for that lovely intro.
O'BRIEN: What? I -- a crummy day, but sunshine brought to us...
CAFFERTY: A crummy day here in New York. Here's Jack.
O'BRIEN: ... this morning by Jack Cafferty.
CAFFERTY: The weather sucks. Here's Jack.
O'BRIEN: Jack, bring us a little sunshine and light, Jack.
CAFFERTY: The House of Representatives voted to expand federal funding for stem cell research using human embryos. The bill now goes to the Senate. The president says he'll veto it.
The potential benefits from all of this are huge, but harvesting human embryos is a tricky moral issue for some. With all the other problems we face as a nation -- porous borders, record deficits, 50 million of us with no health insurance, the question this morning is whether embryonic stem cell research should be a priority for the Congress?
Rick in New York writes: "The politicians should leave science to the scientists. It might be a good idea if they are so concerned about protecting the sanctity of life that they focus on ending the mounting loss of life in Iraq."
Cathy in Tennessee writes: "Yes, of course. Let's focus on something that increases population growth and keeps people alive forever while we don't deal with how to provide health care and Social Security to those of us who are already here."
Terry in North Carolina: "This government only deals with the not yet living, like embryos, or the already dead, like Terry Schiavo. Us living, breathing humans have to fend for ourselves by supporting grassroots organizations like the Minutemen."
And a woman who signed her letter Sick-At-Heart-Mom in Pennsylvania: "As the mother of a juvenile diabetic, I would love to see Congress approve embryonic stem cell research funding. However, it will not help my daughter, who has no medical insurance. So, yes, I'm conflicted on this issue. I don't see why Congress can't do both. Apparently the culture of life applies only to embryos."
HEMMER: Excellent thoughts across-the-board.
O'BRIEN: Yes, a sad note from that mom. I mean, it's -- you know, and she makes a great point. All these kids, no medical insurance. That should be something else the Congress takes up.
HEMMER: There was an excellent report on another network, on another network, that talked about the leading scientist in the U.S., from San Francisco, leaving this country in 2001 to go do his research in Cambridge, in England, because he felt that he could get much more done there than he could here. Which means...
CAFFERTY: We did a segment on the brain drain out of this country on "IN THE MONEY" a couple of weeks ago. We did a whole five minute segment on the fact that we're losing a lot of the kinds of people you're talking about to foreign countries.
HEMMER: Sure.
CAFFERTY: Because there's more opportunity there.
HEMMER: We talked about money, too, and there is big bucks in this, too.
CAFFERTY: Yes.
HEMMER: In a moment here, Syria says it's done sharing information about the war on terror with the U.S. Is it time, then, to put the threat of military action against Damascus back on the table? Kamber and May take a shot at that when we continue, right after this.
(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, reports on the Web say Iraq's top terrorist is wounded. But are the messages really just a distraction? We'll have that story ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: There's the one tree here in Manhattan. There's only one tree.
O'BRIEN: I've got a tree in front of my apartment, too.
HEMMER: Yes, that tree is loving this weather right now. We're getting nothing but rain out there.
Welcome back, everyone.
8:30 here in New York City.
In a moment here, has the most wanted terrorist in Iraq been wounded?
O'BRIEN: We're going to take a look this morning at a message that's been posted about Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. It's posted on the Internet. The question is, of course, is it true? And what's the meaning, if there is any, behind it?
HEMMER: And a lot of folks trying to hunt down information right now, too.
First the headlines.
Back to Carol Costello with those -- good morning.
COSTELLO: Good morning.
Good morning to all of you.
Now in the news, some 1,000 U.S. forces are closing in on the Iraqi city of Haditha. The assault, known as New Market, started just before dawn in western Iraq. American and Iraqi troops are trying to root out insurgents and disrupt possible terror attacks. The offensive comes on the heels of Operation Matador earlier this month.
Spanish officials are blaming the Basque separatist group ETA for a morning car bombing in Madrid. A warning call was apparently made to a Basque newspaper about 45 minutes before the explosion. And emergency official says at least three people are slightly injured. More than a dozen others are complaining of ear damage.
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is in Washington this morning calling for financial assistance and political support for his Mideast peace plan. Abbas kicked off a three day U.S. visit last night. He's expected to meet with the president tomorrow. He will also hold talks with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and members of Congress.
We could soon find out if the so-called runaway bride will face any charges. I know you remember Jennifer Wilbanks. She disappeared days before her wedding, sparking that massive search. She later turns up in New Mexico, claiming she had been kidnapped. And then later she admitted, oh, I wasn't kidnapped. Well, the district attorney in Gwinnett County, Georgia is expected to hold a news conference less than three hours from now. We will learn more then. And, of course, CNN will most likely cover that live, if that's possible.
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Aired May 25, 2005 - 08:00 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.
The wave of deadly attacks across Iraq drawing another heavy response from the U.S. military in the western desert again today. It's called Operation New Market.
U.S. intel checking what could be a major development in Iraq. Word that Zarqawi has been wounded. What's the truth behind the cryptic message today?
And President Bush promising to veto a bill on stem cell research. Why, then, are so many Republicans breaking ranks?
All ahead this hour on 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, the uproar over that ad that features Paris Hilton. Have you seen it? She's pitching a burger, but the scene so not about fast food.
HEMMER: Critics are outraged. Some call it soft core porn. They want it off the air. We'll talk to the president of the Parents Television Council in a few moments and hear about that.
O'BRIEN: Mr. Cafferty -- good morning.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's a hamburger ad?
O'BRIEN: Uh-huh.
HEMMER: Carl Jr.'s
CAFFERTY: Coming up in "The Cafferty File," it's Wednesday, time for "Things People Say."
A congressman who makes it a point to annually renew his exterminator's license. They should all have one.
The mayor of a very famous American city who also showed nude photos for "Playboy" magazine. And the truth comes out about a very well known Yale dropout.
HEMMER: We'll stay tuned for that.
CAFFERTY: A hamburger ad.
O'BRIEN: Yes, it is.
HEMMER: Yes.
O'BRIEN: You didn't realize that when you saw it?
CAFFERTY: I had no idea.
HEMMER: Thank you, Jack.
Here's the headlines.
Carol Costello with those now -- hello.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Somehow I don't think Paris Hilton eats hamburgers.
O'BRIEN: Not a chance.
COSTELLO: No. I don't think so. But I guess that's not the point, is it?
We'll get to the headlines now.
Good morning to you.
U.S. forces in western Iraq hunting down insurgents this hour. Military sources say some 1,000 Americans have encircled the city of Haditha. They're trying to uproot insurgents suspected of killing more than 600 people in attacks since last month.
And a car bombing and a killing, it killed, actually, one civilian in southern Baghdad. These are new pictures just into CNN. Eight others also injured in this attack.
The U.S. Senate turns today to two of President Bush's controversial picks. After a four year wait, judicial nominee Priscilla Owen is expected to be confirmed to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
After that vote, the Senate will debate John Bolton's bid to be the new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. A Senate panel approved the nomination without endorsement earlier this month.
In California, Michael Jackson's defense expected to rest its case today without testimony from the pop star himself. Jackson's lead defense attorney confirming that information Tuesday. Jurors heard videotaped interviews with the entertainer earlier in the trial. Testimony expected to wrap up today, with comedian Chris Tucker back on the stand. And traffic is moving again this morning on a major highway in Dallas, Texas. Take a look. That's after a fiery crash stalled last night's commute. An 18-wheeler crashes into a guardrail. As you can see, it burst into flames. Several explosions followed. The condition of the driver is not clear right now. There's some talk he may have fallen asleep behind the wheel. But, again, that major highway reopened in Dallas, Texas this morning.
HEMMER: One heck of an explosion, too.
Carol, thanks.
We want to get to Iraq right now. A developing story at this hour.
The U.S. is launching a new offensive against insurgents in the western part of the country. It's called Operation New Market.
Colonel Steven Davis is one of the commanding officers involved in that operation.
He's on the telephone right now from the Al Asad Airbase in Iraq.
Colonel, can you hear me?
COL. STEVEN DAVIS, U.S. MARINES, AL ASAD AIRBASE: I sure can, Bill.
Good morning.
HEMMER: Good morning to you, sir.
What's the objective of this operation?
DAVIS: Well, the objective of Operation New Market is similar to the other operations we've conducted out here, and that is to disrupt and interdict insurgent activity that is getting in the way of the transitional government establishing positive control throughout the country.
HEMMER: How is the operation so far, Colonel?
DAVIS: The operation is successful to this point. We were able to achieve what we believe is surprise and we continue to do our series of coordinate knocks, coordinate searches for insurgents and for caches of munitions and weapons.
HEMMER: Let's try and get a bit more specific.
What are you trying to achieve, Colonel?
DAVIS: Well, specifically, just prior to our last operation, Operation Matador, we had a suicide vehicle bearing an improvised explosive device take the lives of three of our Marines and one of our sailors. But it also damaged, significantly damaged the Haditha hospital, which took a premier piece of civilian infrastructure out. There's a lack of medical care that there once was in Haditha. Plus, we've been taking indirect fire throughout that area, mortars and rockets.
So our purpose is to eliminate all of that.
HEMMER: During Operation Matador, Colonel, we learned back here in the States that you went up against some pretty fierce resistance.
How is the level of resistance in this operation, Colonel?
DAVIS: I would characterize it as less severe than what we found out in Matador. There are a number of different types of groups that make up the insurgency here. This particular area has been subject to a very fierce intimidation campaign of the citizens, as well as the folks that are starting to target the military and the infrastructure installations.
HEMMER: Also, Matador, the U.S. military is saying 100 insurgents were killed in that operation.
Can you talk about casualty figures at this point, Colonel?
DAVIS: I -- to this point, we have four confirmed enemy killed in action. Beyond that, I'd be speculating at this point and I'd prefer not to. And we'll get you some more harder information once we verify it.
HEMMER: Let me try one more thing, Colonel.
How much help are you getting, in terms of information, on behalf of fellow Iraqis?
DAVIS: Well, we're getting significant reports from Iraqis on the street. They have no love of this insurgency. This insurgency is keeping this nation from getting into the 21st century and back into the nations -- the world of nations.
The Iraqi on the street understands that and we get a number of tips on our hotlines and via the radio broadcasts, things like that, that are helping us remove the insurgents from the population base.
HEMMER: Are these insurgents Iraqis, sir, or are they foreign fighters?
DAVIS: We believe most of these are probably Iraqi insurgents at this point.
HEMMER: Colonel Steven Davis with the U.S. Marines in the western part of Iraq.
Operation New Market now underway.
More when we get it here.
And, Colonel, thanks to you for your time.
Be safe -- here's Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Well, the future of stem cell research is in the Senate's hands now. The House passed a bill that expands government funding for the controversial science on Tuesday. It could bring the first veto of George W. Bush's presidency.
CNN national correspondent Bob Franken live at the White House this morning -- Bob, good morning to you.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.
And, of course, the question is would Congress be able to overturn the veto? The vote suggests that it came well short of the two thirds margin in the House that would be required for a presidential veto. But the truth of the matter is that this picture of invincibility that this president has had with Congress is beginning to crack in the minds of some just a bit, because there was such a large number of Republicans who voted for the embryonic stem cell federal funding. Among them, Republican Chris Shays.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS (R), CONNECTICUT: This was a bipartisan debate. It included a lot of pro-life supporters for this research. And it's ultimately going to happen. It may not happen under this president, but it will happen. And it's happening all around the world. And even those who oppose this research are going to benefit from the health benefits from it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FRANKEN: Now, you notice that he said under this president. Well, this is a lame duck president. That's always a matter of sensitivity. Perception being reality here, this is expected to pass the Senate by a wide margin and then will come the question of whether the president is able to sustain that veto that he's promised -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Well, we will see.
Bob Franken for us this morning.
Bob, thanks a lot.
HEMMER: To a CNN "Security Watch" now.
Reagan National Airport is going to be open to private planes for the first time since 9/11. This despite a couple of recent small plane scares over Washington, D.C.
Jeanne Meserve watching this from Reagan National -- Jeanne, good morning there.
What do we know about the proposed changes?
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bill, we do know that some general aviation will be returning to National, but only some, and under heavy restrictions. And it could start up within the next 90 days.
According to Congressional and aviation sources, the Transportation Security Administration will announce this afternoon that a limited number of corporate aircraft will be able to land here at National under heavy restrictions. Specifically, they will have to come through one of 12 gateway airports, where crew and passengers will be screened. Secondly, they will have to have on board armed law enforcement officers.
Now, I spoke to a representative of the federal air marshals last night. He said these most likely would not be federal air marshals, but law enforcement who had been trained by the FAMs on what to look for in the air and how to respond in an air environment.
Now, since 9/11, traffic in and out of National Airport, generally, aviation traffic has been heavily restricted. Only a select few flights have been let in. That's because this airport is only a few miles away from the White House and the Capitol. But that location is the very thing that makes it such a prized destination. That is why local officials and businesses have been fighting very hard to have it reopened. And today it appears they have won at least a partial victory -- Bill.
HEMMER: Your thoughts here, Jeanne.
What's the reaction around town to this change?
MESERVE: Some of it's very positive. Tom Davis, who represents this district in Congress, said this was a major victory. But Eleanor Holmes Norton, who represents the District of Columbia complained about the onerous restrictions that are being put on here. And a Virginia official to whom I spoke said it is a step in the right direction but don't be fooled. This is not a return to full general aviation at the airport because there are such serious restrictions.
HEMMER: And then, Jeanne, also, how does this affect air security around the capital? Will it change in any way?
MESERVE: Well, common sense would tell you that if you have more aircraft in the restricted area over the capital, it makes the business of protecting this air space a little bit more difficult.
Eleanor Holmes Norton has said she wonders about stopping these planes and having people screened, does that, in fact, make it more dangerous rather than less so, to have an additional stop? Another official with whom I spoke had questions about whether or not it was a good idea to introduce guns into these planes that are landing at the airport.
So a lot of questions, but apparently the Department of Homeland Security has weighed all of this and come to the conclusion that it's worth the risk and they will be opening this airport in a limited way -- Bill.
HEMMER: All right, Jeanne, thanks.
Jeanne from -- Jeanne Meserve from Reagan National.
Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Well, bad weather is making for some bad travel.
Let's get right to Chad Myers.
He's at the CNN Center with the latest for us -- hey, Chad, good morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Soledad.
Maybe one of the good things about keeping some of those planes away from National is that it rarely gets delayed.
(WEATHER REPORT)
O'BRIEN: Well, for years it's been rumored that hair dye can cause cancer. A new study, though, could be the final word on this.
HEMMER: Also, the big business of "American Idol." How a TV talent show has become a billion dollar industry. A look at that in a moment.
O'BRIEN: And Paris Hilton's new commercial. Have you seen it? Is it selling burgers or is it selling sex? A look at the ad that might be a little too hot for TV, up next on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Well, things have gotten pretty hot for Carl's Jr. -- that's a burger chain out West -- since their ad featuring Paris Hilton started airing. Carl's Jr. says this ad is just selling burgers.
Have a look and decide for yourself.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM CARL'S JR. COMMERCIAL, COURTESY DAJEN PRODUCTIONS)
PARIS HILTON: I love Paris in the fall. I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles. I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles. I love Paris every moment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Well, a group called the Parents Television Council says that ad has no place on the public airwaves.
Brent Bozell is president of that group.
He's my guest now from Washington.
Mr. Bozell, good morning to you.
BRENT BOZELL, PARENTS TELEVISION COUNCIL: Good morning, Bill.
HEMMER: Here's what the company is saying, they're saying that this is an issue that young people may view differently than their parents or grandparents. In a statement, they say, the company says: "Any contention that the ad is pornographic is a stretch. It's certainly racy, but not pornographic."
Two thoughts on that statement. Do young people view this differently than, perhaps, adults?
BOZELL: Well, I think it's pathetic for Carl's to be suggesting that the only way to sell hamburgers is with an ad like this. You know, I was just looking at that ad again and I think there's probably 1.1 seconds on that that depicts a hamburger. The rest of it is sex. There's, you know, sex sells, they say. Things can be sexy. That's fine. But this isn't just sex, this is eroticism that's being sold here.
I know the founder of Carl's -- of the restaurant chain, Carl Karcher, who is an elderly gentleman and no longer in the picture anymore. And I can tell you, he would be shocked at what his company has done.
HEMMER: The other end of this...
BOZELL: This is not good.
HEMMER: The other end of the statement, Mr. Bozell, it's certainly racy, they say, but not pornographic.
BOZELL: Well, you know, it's like the old definition of pornography, it's in the -- you'd know it when you see it. Something like this, it is selling sex. You know, did she strip? No. Did she have sex on -- with the card? No. But that doesn't mean that it's not -- that it doesn't go beyond the pale. You know, you want to sell something like that on HBO? Go ahead and do it. But this is public...
HEMMER: What do you think...
BOZELL: ... airwaves.
HEMMER: Yes, what do you think your group can do?
BOZELL: Well, you know, it's kind of interesting, we've spent years urging advertisers not to sponsor the raunch that's on entertainment television. Now the case is reversed. Now we have to try to urge the networks not to take the raunch sponsorship money of Carl's Jr.
HEMMER: Yes, I think you're in a catch-22. You've got, what, a million members, is that right, you're trying to mobilize them? Is that about right?
BOZELL: Yes.
HEMMER: Are you drawing more attention to this issue than would be drawn otherwise?
BOZELL: Well, yes, Bill, that's a good question. I mean they -- I know Carl's is just loving the publicity. But let me ask you this, the more people talk about this, the more -- how many families are going to want to take their children to this restaurant chain? They make a good hamburger, there's no question about that. I love their cheeseburgers. However...
HEMMER: Do you think that...
BOZELL: However...
HEMMER: Do you think...
BOZELL: However...
HEMMER: Go ahead.
BOZELL: I don't think this is going to work in the long-term.
HEMMER: Yes, do you think the families are the target or are they targeting males 18 to 23, as the company says?
BOZELL: Well, of course they're targeting males 18 to 34, or younger, you know, if they can get them, as well. But, you know, in so many cases, you've got the parents who are taking the children to the hamburger chain. And if Carl's wants to have the brand of being raunch Paris Hilton, that's, to many, just sordid.
HEMMER: Another spokesperson for the company says there's no nudity. This is not Janet Jackson, going back to the Super Bowl in Houston of two years ago.
BOZELL: Right. Right. Is that the level that we're at? If there's no nudity, is that, therefore, acceptable? You know, that's a terrible indictment, I think...
HEMMER: So you then you...
BOZELL: ... on our culture.
HEMMER: You come back to the argument, then, listen, as a group, you can put pressure on the company, but outside of that, what do you do?
BOZELL: Well, I think people will be filing complaints with the FCC. Who knows what the FCC will do? Look, the FCC hasn't ruled yet on a complaint from the year 2003 where Paris Hilton dropped the F bomb on national television. So I don't think you should hold your breath about the FCC doing anything any time soon.
But I'd rather not go that route. I'd rather, A, urge Carl's Jr. to reconsider what they're doing, and, B, urge the networks not to go for something like this.
HEMMER: Interesting discussion.
BOZELL: There should be higher standards.
HEMMER: Brent Bozell, thanks, president of the Parents Television Council down there in Washington.
BOZELL: Thank you.
HEMMER: Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, "American Idol" a massive hit, with concert spin-offs and top selling CDs. Well, now the billion dollar franchise is about to get even bigger. We'll explain ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: A crummy day here in New York.
Welcome back, everybody.
Let's get right to Jack.
He's got the Question of the Day.
CAFFERTY: Thank you for that lovely intro.
O'BRIEN: What? I -- a crummy day, but sunshine brought to us...
CAFFERTY: A crummy day here in New York. Here's Jack.
O'BRIEN: ... this morning by Jack Cafferty.
CAFFERTY: The weather sucks. Here's Jack.
O'BRIEN: Jack, bring us a little sunshine and light, Jack.
CAFFERTY: The House of Representatives voted to expand federal funding for stem cell research using human embryos. The bill now goes to the Senate. The president says he'll veto it.
The potential benefits from all of this are huge, but harvesting human embryos is a tricky moral issue for some. With all the other problems we face as a nation -- porous borders, record deficits, 50 million of us with no health insurance, the question this morning is whether embryonic stem cell research should be a priority for the Congress?
Rick in New York writes: "The politicians should leave science to the scientists. It might be a good idea if they are so concerned about protecting the sanctity of life that they focus on ending the mounting loss of life in Iraq."
Cathy in Tennessee writes: "Yes, of course. Let's focus on something that increases population growth and keeps people alive forever while we don't deal with how to provide health care and Social Security to those of us who are already here."
Terry in North Carolina: "This government only deals with the not yet living, like embryos, or the already dead, like Terry Schiavo. Us living, breathing humans have to fend for ourselves by supporting grassroots organizations like the Minutemen."
And a woman who signed her letter Sick-At-Heart-Mom in Pennsylvania: "As the mother of a juvenile diabetic, I would love to see Congress approve embryonic stem cell research funding. However, it will not help my daughter, who has no medical insurance. So, yes, I'm conflicted on this issue. I don't see why Congress can't do both. Apparently the culture of life applies only to embryos."
HEMMER: Excellent thoughts across-the-board.
O'BRIEN: Yes, a sad note from that mom. I mean, it's -- you know, and she makes a great point. All these kids, no medical insurance. That should be something else the Congress takes up.
HEMMER: There was an excellent report on another network, on another network, that talked about the leading scientist in the U.S., from San Francisco, leaving this country in 2001 to go do his research in Cambridge, in England, because he felt that he could get much more done there than he could here. Which means...
CAFFERTY: We did a segment on the brain drain out of this country on "IN THE MONEY" a couple of weeks ago. We did a whole five minute segment on the fact that we're losing a lot of the kinds of people you're talking about to foreign countries.
HEMMER: Sure.
CAFFERTY: Because there's more opportunity there.
HEMMER: We talked about money, too, and there is big bucks in this, too.
CAFFERTY: Yes.
HEMMER: In a moment here, Syria says it's done sharing information about the war on terror with the U.S. Is it time, then, to put the threat of military action against Damascus back on the table? Kamber and May take a shot at that when we continue, right after this.
(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, reports on the Web say Iraq's top terrorist is wounded. But are the messages really just a distraction? We'll have that story ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: There's the one tree here in Manhattan. There's only one tree.
O'BRIEN: I've got a tree in front of my apartment, too.
HEMMER: Yes, that tree is loving this weather right now. We're getting nothing but rain out there.
Welcome back, everyone.
8:30 here in New York City.
In a moment here, has the most wanted terrorist in Iraq been wounded?
O'BRIEN: We're going to take a look this morning at a message that's been posted about Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. It's posted on the Internet. The question is, of course, is it true? And what's the meaning, if there is any, behind it?
HEMMER: And a lot of folks trying to hunt down information right now, too.
First the headlines.
Back to Carol Costello with those -- good morning.
COSTELLO: Good morning.
Good morning to all of you.
Now in the news, some 1,000 U.S. forces are closing in on the Iraqi city of Haditha. The assault, known as New Market, started just before dawn in western Iraq. American and Iraqi troops are trying to root out insurgents and disrupt possible terror attacks. The offensive comes on the heels of Operation Matador earlier this month.
Spanish officials are blaming the Basque separatist group ETA for a morning car bombing in Madrid. A warning call was apparently made to a Basque newspaper about 45 minutes before the explosion. And emergency official says at least three people are slightly injured. More than a dozen others are complaining of ear damage.
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is in Washington this morning calling for financial assistance and political support for his Mideast peace plan. Abbas kicked off a three day U.S. visit last night. He's expected to meet with the president tomorrow. He will also hold talks with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and members of Congress.
We could soon find out if the so-called runaway bride will face any charges. I know you remember Jennifer Wilbanks. She disappeared days before her wedding, sparking that massive search. She later turns up in New Mexico, claiming she had been kidnapped. And then later she admitted, oh, I wasn't kidnapped. Well, the district attorney in Gwinnett County, Georgia is expected to hold a news conference less than three hours from now. We will learn more then. And, of course, CNN will most likely cover that live, if that's possible.
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