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Mideast Peace on the Table Today; Slim Sippings?

Aired May 26, 2005 - 08:30   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: And thousands of U.S. military personnel and their families in New York this morning for the 18th annual Fleet Week, hundreds of ships out on display. Veterans and active military personnel taking part in the festivities. Join Soledad tomorrow morning. She will be aboard the USS John F. Kennedy with live coverage of all the celebrations, and hopefully she'll have some sunshine.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Fingers crossed. Thank you, Carol.

Mideast peace is on the table today. Two hours from now, in fact, to the White House. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will ask President Bush for some concrete sign of support for getting the road map back on track. He talked about his goals in an exclusive interview with CNN's John King in Washington.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PRES. MAHMOUD ABBAS, PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY (through translator): I would hope that we will be able to get something that would reflect the credibility of what we would say, and we would be in a position to say to the Palestinian people that the American president is committed, and here this proof of his commitment. Up to now, we will see what would happen on this issue.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HEMMER: Fawaz Gerges is a professor of international affairs and Middle Eastern studies at Sarah Lawrence College in New York. He is back with us here in our studios.

Nice to see you, professor.

FAWAZ GERGES, SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE: Good morning.

HEMMER: You just heard him talking with John from yesterday. What does Mahmoud Abbas want from this meeting?

GERGES: Bill, he wants two things. He has made it very clear, that the Bush administration must show commitment towards implementing, as you said, the road map?

HEMMER: Is that money? Is that a letter?

GERGES: This is -- so, this is the first thing, and secondly, he wants the Bush administration to offer substantial financial aid in order for, for him to restructure Palestinian social and political institutions.

First, you're absolutely correct. What does the Bush administration making a full commitment toward the road map? That means to be fully engaged politically in the Palestinian Israeli peace process. The Palestinians believe that while the administration has been wonderful in terms of rhetoric about democracy and about elections, the administration has not invested real political capital, Bill, in trying to really restart the stalemate political process.

HEMMER: If that's what he wants, what's he likely to get?

GERGES: Unfortunately, Bill, I think, again, the administration has been very slow showing its commitment to offering the Palestinians a lot of money. Let me say what I mean by that. For example, in his State of the Union Address, the president promised the Palestinians $350 million in order to help them to rebuild their institutions. Well, what has happened? Out of the $350 million, only $140 million are now debated in the Congress. And the Congress, in fact, is opposed to giving the $140 million directly to the Palestinian Authority. Congress does not trust the Palestinian government, and obviously Mahmoud Abbas.

HEMMER: That's one issue the White House would come back and say this is the first U.S. president who said the Palestinians deserve their own state.

GERGES: Absolutely. This is wonderful, wonderful rhetoric. Is the president, Bill, willing to invest political capital in translating this wonderful vision, truly wonderful vision, into concrete political reality, and this is really what Mahmoud Abbas wants. Mahmoud Abbas wants the Bush administration to say, listen, Israel pulled out from Gaza in August. Israel, as you know, is pulling out from Gaza, all the settlers. Is it just the final step, or is it in fact the first step, the beginning of the process that leads to the establishment of a viable Palestinian state?

HEMMER: "Wall Street Journal" this morning, Mahmoud Abbas writes this, "Everyday Israel is undertaking steps that undermine President Bush's vision and effectively preclude a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

Also in that article, he talks about ongoing settlement construction. He talks about Israel's, quote, "insidious wall," that wall that's being built between the West Bank and Israel proper. Does that sound like a conciliatory man?

GERGES: Well, Mahmoud Abbas has been, Bill, trying very hard to implement security reforms, in fact, to really come to a certain, at his conclusion with Hamas to end the arms struggle. And what has he got, Mahmoud Abbas, from the Americans and Israelis? Eight-thousand Palestinian prisoners are still in Israel prisons. The settlements are being expanded. Ariel Sharon and the Bush administration have not done their part, at least that's how it's seems in Palestinian eyes. And this is why: It's about time, Bill, that the Bush administration translates its wonderful rhetoric into concrete political reality, full engagement on the peace process and offering the Palestinians substantial financial aid.

HEMMER: One other point here, Bill Frist, Senate majority leader, saying that the first 90 days are critical right now, to get that money to the Palestinians so that they can get their own stability throughout the area of Gaza.

One more point here, on a completely different topic. What do you believe is the truth on the condition of Zarqawi in Iraq?

GERGES: Bill, it appears that Zarqawi was either seriously injured or killed, because I think many people in Iraq and outside Iraq, saying, well, listen, a Zarqawi network would not have made the fact he was injured, at least public, unless the Zarqawi network was planning to prepare the rank and file, that is the rank and file of Zarqawi that, well, he is out of the picture. Obviously, his injury was very serious. Obviously, he is out of the picture. And I think this is wonderful news for Iraq and Iraqis.

HEMMER: You're suggesting he's either dead, or he has injuries that he cannot recover from?

GERGES: Absolutely. The consensus among Iraqis and, in fact, among leading jihadists outside Iraq is that Zarqawi was either seriously injured or killed, and this is why the Zarqawi network is trying to prepare the rank and file; listen, he's out of the picture, there is a new chapter in the Iraqi struggle.

HEMMER: Nice to talk to you, professor. Fawaz Gerges, here with us again today.

Note to our viewers: Later today, stay tuned to CNN live coverage. about 11:25 a.m. Eastern Time, we'll have that press conference at the White House, Presidents Bush and Abbas, live here on CNN -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Well, Michael Jackson's molestation trial is now in rebuttal. The prosecution is offering a response to Jackson's defense, which rested its case on Wednesday.

Here's CNN's Ted Rowlands.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After three weeks and 50 witnesses, Michael Jackson's lawyers rested their case with comedian Chris Tucker as their final witness. Tucker, who spent time with the accuser and his family in early 2003, said he warned Michael Jackson to watch out because, quote, "something just wasn't right." He said the teenage accuser asked him for money, and described him as, quote, "cunning and smart." Tucker also said the accuser's mother seemed crazy and possessed.

ANNE BREMNER, LEGAL ANALYST: In light of some of the other comedians who testified in this case that only the father was looking for money, he put this squarely on the accuser, the accuser's mother, and those that have made claims in this case. ROWLANDS: The prosecution began its rebuttal case yesterday. One of the first to testify was a former Neverland employee, who claimed he say Michael Jackson Among the first to testify was a former Neverland employee who claimed he saw Michael Jackson frequently intoxicated in the presence of children around the time of the alleged abuse. Prosecutors say there's a chance they could finish rebuttal by today.

Meanwhile, Jackson has said very little over recent weeks coming and going from court. His spokesperson says he may be getting nervous.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There have been some good days and there have been some bad days. And I'm sure that right now we're all going to all be a little nervous because it's the waiting game about to begin.

ROWLANDS (on camera): That waiting game should begin soon. If everything goes as expected over the next few days, the jury could begin deliberating Michael Jackson's fate sometime next week.

Ted Rowlands, CNN, Santa Maria, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: The Jackson defense lasted 15 days. The prosecution, on the other hand, took nearly three times as long to present its case.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HEMMER: Hey, the wait's over. They named the fourth "Idol" last night on Fox.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RYAN SEACREST, "AMERICAN IDOL" HOST: The winner of "American Idol" 2005 is Carrie Underwood!

(CHEERING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HEMMER: She wins a recording contract, though the runner-up, Bo Bice, he'll probably get a deal, also. During the finale, Underwood with guest Rascal Flats. Bice rocked out to "Sweet Home Alabama" with Lynyrd Skynyrd. They were on stage. Fans cast -- get this -- fans cast nearly 500 million votes throughout the season. That is a record for the show. Underwood will release her first single on June 14th.

O'BRIEN: I didn't think she was so bad.

HEMMER: Yes, right. Come on.

O'BRIEN: Ahead this morning, fruit smoothies sound healthy, don't they? HEMMER: Yes.

O'BRIEN: Oh, but something you got to know before you take your next sip.

HEMMER: Also in a moment here, Colin Powell's next job could be in sports instead of politics. It is true. Andy's "Minding Your Business," back in a moment after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Sanjay is off today, but in this morning's medical segment, is your favorite drink making you fat? Creamy concoctions like Godiva's Chocolixor (ph) are big the beverage world. That tasty treat can have as many calories as an entire meal. 660 calories, 30 grams of fat, in just one drink.

Heidi Skolnik, nutritionist and contributing editor for "Self" magazine back with us today with healthy advice. It's been a few months. How are you?

HEIDI SKOLNIK, NUTRITIONIST: I'm doing great.

HEMMER: Look at this thing here. This is a 32-ounce drink here, it's a pina colada from Jamba Juice, right?

SKOLNIK: This has 960 calories.

HEMMER: Which is the equivalent of what?

SKOLNIK: 18 grams of fat. That's like eating a hamburger, fries, a sundae and small coke.

HEMMER: How do you feel after drinking this thing?

SKOLNIK: Is that amazing? And the thing is, I think the real point here, is that some people don't understand, beverage calories still count. So you could be taking in -- if you just -- if you realized how much you take in over a day, you should be taking 1,400 calories.

HEMMER: But the point you make is that if you drink it, you don't feel as full, right?

SKOLNIK: No, often times you won't.

HEMMER: So you tend to drink more, maybe?

SKOLNIK: Depending what beverage you take in, you absorb it so quickly that you may not even register that you've really eaten, the same way you do when you chew and digest food.

HEMMER: Now, to be fair, though, Jamba Juice makes this but they also make some healthy options.

SKOLNIK: They make other smaller things. This is 32 ounces. And that brings us to the next example. You know, how many adults would go and get an ice cream sundae in the afternoon?

HEMMER: A couple here and there.

SKOLNIK: But you put whipped cream on top of coffee and you think oh, well, what's the big deal. But you know, Starbucks, you can really do yourself in. For mocha frappucino...

HEMMER: The venti mocha frappucino.

SKOLNIK: Venti mocha frappucino.

HEMMER: With whipped cream. 530 calories, 18 grams of fat.

SKOLNIK: Right. So we have some...

HEMMER: So you want to make it healthier, what do you do? You go light on the shots?

SKOLNIK: Here's the thing. Right away, you want to know, light on the shots. Every shot is 25 calories. Forget the whipped cream. What's with the whipped cream? You know, that's 130 calories right now. Choose low-fat milk. And of course, portion size? Why do you need 24 ounces? A tall is 12 ounces. It's big enough. You can save, for example, just on the mocha frappucino, if you go light, from 530 calories it goes to 240. Go to a tall, you get 140 calories. Big difference.

HEMMER: But the mocha frappucino so good, too, Heidi. Another thing here. It's coming up on memorial weekend. A lot of people going to be having picnics, out having parties. The calories in a typical cocktail. A pina colada, six ounces, 352 calories. And a martini, six ounces, 374. And a frozen margarita -- I don't know many people only drinking six ounces, usually they're a lot larger than that -- 234 calories.

SKOLNIK: And that's the point, as well. With everything, you got to watch the pour. You know, I'll have somebody come in and say well, I only have one drink a day. But their four ounce glass of wine is really eight ounces and they might have two. So it's one of those you're only deceiving yourself, but that's really four drinks.

HEMMER: But some of your advice is what to look out for. Forget the mixers?

SKOLNIK: Well, the mixers...

HEMMER: Do away with them?

SKOLNIK: Exactly. The mixers alone are 130 calories, so go with the seltzer or diet soda.

HEMMER: Go with the soda instead of the tonic water. Also, watch the pour.

SKOLNIK: That's it.

HEMMER: What do you mean?

SKOLNIK: Well, again, a four ounce, you know, you might be thinking you're having a six ounce martini, but you go to some of these places, and they're giving you -- they're supersizing their alcoholic beverages. So you're getting a lot more than one.

HEMMER: I mentioned the pina colada sitting here. These are alternatives. What did you bring along today?

SKOLNIK: Well, this is Propel fitness water and Santastino (ph), which is high in calcium naturally. It's a mineral water. And it's nice, effervescent. You know, a lot of drinks -- the other drinks you have like with your lunch. You might have an iced tea or lemonade, thinking what's -- it's healthy, but there's 200 or more calories in them. So it really adds up.

HEMMER: We should just drink water.

SKOLNIK: There's an idea.

HEMMER: 80 ounces a day, right?

SKOLNIK: There's an idea.

HEMMER: Have a great memorial weekend, Heidi. Nice to see you. Heidi Skolnik here. Back to Soledad now across the room.

O'BRIEN: All right, Bill, thanks.

Well, the NBA is talking about changing the look of its uniforms. Coming up, why some people say the redesign could cheapen the game.

Plus Colin Powell's next job could be in baseball. Andy explains, up next on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Former Secretary of State Colin Powell ponders getting into the sports business. The NBA may find another way to cash in using players' uniforms. With those stories and a look at the market, Andy Serwer is "Minding Your Business."

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: What is this a sports report? I'm a sports guest. All right, that's fine.

Three years ago, Jack, Major League Baseball took over the struggling Montreal Expos, moved them to Washington D.C., where they became the Washington Nationals, started playing this season of course. And now, they're going to sell it back to private owners, taking bids next Tuesday, expected around $400 million. We'll talk about that price tag in a second. Nine organizations, nine entities bidding for the team. One of the leading contenders, the Washington Baseball Club, announced Colin Powell, former secretary of state, would be a part of their team. The Washington Baseball Club also has other high-profile individuals like Vernon Jordan and some other private folks from Northern Virginia, former CEO of AES, big energy company.

The Redskins are the most valuable NFL team, so the thinking is that the Nationals will be worth a lot of money. All those lobbyists and senators want tickets.

CAFFERTY: Is this team any good? Because they're not going to go support the team if it's no good.

SERWER: It's actually OK. I think they're above .500. They're ahead of the Mets, ahead of the Phillies. A couple other interesting groups here. Yusef Jackson, Jesse Jackson's son, bidding with California billionaire Ron Berklestein (ph), cast in (ph) from Atlanta. Remember he owned a bunch of sports teams down there as well.

So that's going to be real interesting watching these groups vie against each other.

The NBA is considering, considering putting corporate logos on their uniforms, and I really think this is going to happen at some point down the road. And is this the game from last night? The Heat, the Pistons.

CAFFERTY: Who won?

SERWER: The Heat. That's the Big Diesel.

Yes, the Heat came back and won last night. Dwyane Wade had a big game.

So here's the story: Of course, baseball, football and basketball, no logos on any of those uniforms. Those are the big three sports in the United States.

But you look at the next two, NASCAR and golf do have corporate logos.

And then if you go to Europe, you know, the soccer players there, they've got those logos plastered all over their jerseys. That's Liverpool. They won the European Cup yesterday, for those who care. Carlsburg (ph), you can see. They don't even have the name of the city on the team. It's just the corporate logo, and it's interesting, because, you know, we always think of England maybe being more pure than we are, or we're more commercial, and yet in this instance, you know, the purists here are kind of in the lead. But I think eventually you're going to see logos on some of those jerseys.

CAFFERTY: That's terrible idea.

SERWER: You're a purist?

CAFFERTY: I'm not a purist, but it's a terrible idea. Corporate logos are in our lives enough.

(CROSSTALK)

SERWER: Home Depot, Coca-Cola. They could sponsor us. No.

CAFFERTY: It's an awful idea. I hope they don't do it.

SERWER: Yes.

All right, let's talk about the markets quickly. Yesterday a down day for investors, price of oil went up. And what's going on this morning, GDP, revision across the tape at 8:30, 3.5 percent growth, higher than initially reported, 3.1 percent, so looking good.

CAFFERTY: Good. Thanks, Andy.

SERWER: You're welcome.

CAFFERTY: A New York judge may drop perjury charges against a Jordanian student related to the September 11th attacks. Osama Awadala (ph) charged with lying about knowing two of the 9/11 hijackers. The judge may throw out the charges, because when Awadala was brought before a grand jury, he was wearing handcuffs. Imagine that. The prosecutors in the case says the jurors were told not to judge Awadala adversely just because he was wearing prison clothing and handcuffs. He was at that time a suspected terrorist. His trial is supposed to begin next week, but it may be thrown out. The charges may be dismissed. The judge's name is Shira Shindlin (ph). This kind of judicial wisdom deserves recognition.

Obese women face bigger challenges than just losing weight. Research conducted by New York University found that women who are overweight have a significantly tougher time in social and economic situations. Obesity decreases a woman's family income, her chance of marrying, as well as the odds of marrying well. Women who are fat tend to be less likely to get married. When they do get married, they tend to marry spouses with less earning power and tend to have a higher divorce rate. However, fat men have no such problems. In fact, wives of fat men tend to make more money.

And finally this -- I had a big argument with my producer about using the word fat.

SERWER: I saw you said fat men and obese women?

CAFFERTY: No, I didn't. I said fat men and fat women.

SERWER: And you did say fat for both.

CAFFERTY: Yes, I did.

SERWER: OK, good, just to be fair. They've both fat, though.

CAFFERTY: The producer challenged on that, saying that the word "fat" was not politically correct or acceptable.

SERWER: But if you use it for both men and women, it's OK. CAFFERTY: But it's one of the great three-letter words in all the language, because it communicates exactly, precisely the condition that it's intended to communicate.

SERWER: That they're fat.

CAFFERTY: I got one more, potty parity is coming to the Big Apple. New York's city council passed bill Wednesday aimed at shortening the lines at ladies rooms. The Women's Restroom Equity Bill, which is what it's called, won unanimous support in Wednesday's vote. Like who's going to vote against that, right? This bill requires new buildings and those undergoing major renovations to install two women's toilet for every men's toilet. The new potty parity bill revised a 1984 law which required toilets to be installed in equal numbers for both men and women, and it's intended to cut down on women who simply can't wait and wind up waltzing into the men's room.

HEMMER: We've seen that.

O'BRIEN: I've done that.

SERWER: I've seen that.

Two to one is the ratio, two to one parity ratio.

HEMMER: That's interesting.

O'BRIEN: Good "File." Jack, thanks.

In a moment, part four of our weeklong series, "Surviving Family Vacations." Today, everything you need to get through a family reunion in one piece. That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired May 26, 2005 - 08:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And thousands of U.S. military personnel and their families in New York this morning for the 18th annual Fleet Week, hundreds of ships out on display. Veterans and active military personnel taking part in the festivities. Join Soledad tomorrow morning. She will be aboard the USS John F. Kennedy with live coverage of all the celebrations, and hopefully she'll have some sunshine.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Fingers crossed. Thank you, Carol.

Mideast peace is on the table today. Two hours from now, in fact, to the White House. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will ask President Bush for some concrete sign of support for getting the road map back on track. He talked about his goals in an exclusive interview with CNN's John King in Washington.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PRES. MAHMOUD ABBAS, PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY (through translator): I would hope that we will be able to get something that would reflect the credibility of what we would say, and we would be in a position to say to the Palestinian people that the American president is committed, and here this proof of his commitment. Up to now, we will see what would happen on this issue.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HEMMER: Fawaz Gerges is a professor of international affairs and Middle Eastern studies at Sarah Lawrence College in New York. He is back with us here in our studios.

Nice to see you, professor.

FAWAZ GERGES, SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE: Good morning.

HEMMER: You just heard him talking with John from yesterday. What does Mahmoud Abbas want from this meeting?

GERGES: Bill, he wants two things. He has made it very clear, that the Bush administration must show commitment towards implementing, as you said, the road map?

HEMMER: Is that money? Is that a letter?

GERGES: This is -- so, this is the first thing, and secondly, he wants the Bush administration to offer substantial financial aid in order for, for him to restructure Palestinian social and political institutions.

First, you're absolutely correct. What does the Bush administration making a full commitment toward the road map? That means to be fully engaged politically in the Palestinian Israeli peace process. The Palestinians believe that while the administration has been wonderful in terms of rhetoric about democracy and about elections, the administration has not invested real political capital, Bill, in trying to really restart the stalemate political process.

HEMMER: If that's what he wants, what's he likely to get?

GERGES: Unfortunately, Bill, I think, again, the administration has been very slow showing its commitment to offering the Palestinians a lot of money. Let me say what I mean by that. For example, in his State of the Union Address, the president promised the Palestinians $350 million in order to help them to rebuild their institutions. Well, what has happened? Out of the $350 million, only $140 million are now debated in the Congress. And the Congress, in fact, is opposed to giving the $140 million directly to the Palestinian Authority. Congress does not trust the Palestinian government, and obviously Mahmoud Abbas.

HEMMER: That's one issue the White House would come back and say this is the first U.S. president who said the Palestinians deserve their own state.

GERGES: Absolutely. This is wonderful, wonderful rhetoric. Is the president, Bill, willing to invest political capital in translating this wonderful vision, truly wonderful vision, into concrete political reality, and this is really what Mahmoud Abbas wants. Mahmoud Abbas wants the Bush administration to say, listen, Israel pulled out from Gaza in August. Israel, as you know, is pulling out from Gaza, all the settlers. Is it just the final step, or is it in fact the first step, the beginning of the process that leads to the establishment of a viable Palestinian state?

HEMMER: "Wall Street Journal" this morning, Mahmoud Abbas writes this, "Everyday Israel is undertaking steps that undermine President Bush's vision and effectively preclude a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

Also in that article, he talks about ongoing settlement construction. He talks about Israel's, quote, "insidious wall," that wall that's being built between the West Bank and Israel proper. Does that sound like a conciliatory man?

GERGES: Well, Mahmoud Abbas has been, Bill, trying very hard to implement security reforms, in fact, to really come to a certain, at his conclusion with Hamas to end the arms struggle. And what has he got, Mahmoud Abbas, from the Americans and Israelis? Eight-thousand Palestinian prisoners are still in Israel prisons. The settlements are being expanded. Ariel Sharon and the Bush administration have not done their part, at least that's how it's seems in Palestinian eyes. And this is why: It's about time, Bill, that the Bush administration translates its wonderful rhetoric into concrete political reality, full engagement on the peace process and offering the Palestinians substantial financial aid.

HEMMER: One other point here, Bill Frist, Senate majority leader, saying that the first 90 days are critical right now, to get that money to the Palestinians so that they can get their own stability throughout the area of Gaza.

One more point here, on a completely different topic. What do you believe is the truth on the condition of Zarqawi in Iraq?

GERGES: Bill, it appears that Zarqawi was either seriously injured or killed, because I think many people in Iraq and outside Iraq, saying, well, listen, a Zarqawi network would not have made the fact he was injured, at least public, unless the Zarqawi network was planning to prepare the rank and file, that is the rank and file of Zarqawi that, well, he is out of the picture. Obviously, his injury was very serious. Obviously, he is out of the picture. And I think this is wonderful news for Iraq and Iraqis.

HEMMER: You're suggesting he's either dead, or he has injuries that he cannot recover from?

GERGES: Absolutely. The consensus among Iraqis and, in fact, among leading jihadists outside Iraq is that Zarqawi was either seriously injured or killed, and this is why the Zarqawi network is trying to prepare the rank and file; listen, he's out of the picture, there is a new chapter in the Iraqi struggle.

HEMMER: Nice to talk to you, professor. Fawaz Gerges, here with us again today.

Note to our viewers: Later today, stay tuned to CNN live coverage. about 11:25 a.m. Eastern Time, we'll have that press conference at the White House, Presidents Bush and Abbas, live here on CNN -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Well, Michael Jackson's molestation trial is now in rebuttal. The prosecution is offering a response to Jackson's defense, which rested its case on Wednesday.

Here's CNN's Ted Rowlands.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After three weeks and 50 witnesses, Michael Jackson's lawyers rested their case with comedian Chris Tucker as their final witness. Tucker, who spent time with the accuser and his family in early 2003, said he warned Michael Jackson to watch out because, quote, "something just wasn't right." He said the teenage accuser asked him for money, and described him as, quote, "cunning and smart." Tucker also said the accuser's mother seemed crazy and possessed.

ANNE BREMNER, LEGAL ANALYST: In light of some of the other comedians who testified in this case that only the father was looking for money, he put this squarely on the accuser, the accuser's mother, and those that have made claims in this case. ROWLANDS: The prosecution began its rebuttal case yesterday. One of the first to testify was a former Neverland employee, who claimed he say Michael Jackson Among the first to testify was a former Neverland employee who claimed he saw Michael Jackson frequently intoxicated in the presence of children around the time of the alleged abuse. Prosecutors say there's a chance they could finish rebuttal by today.

Meanwhile, Jackson has said very little over recent weeks coming and going from court. His spokesperson says he may be getting nervous.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There have been some good days and there have been some bad days. And I'm sure that right now we're all going to all be a little nervous because it's the waiting game about to begin.

ROWLANDS (on camera): That waiting game should begin soon. If everything goes as expected over the next few days, the jury could begin deliberating Michael Jackson's fate sometime next week.

Ted Rowlands, CNN, Santa Maria, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: The Jackson defense lasted 15 days. The prosecution, on the other hand, took nearly three times as long to present its case.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HEMMER: Hey, the wait's over. They named the fourth "Idol" last night on Fox.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RYAN SEACREST, "AMERICAN IDOL" HOST: The winner of "American Idol" 2005 is Carrie Underwood!

(CHEERING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HEMMER: She wins a recording contract, though the runner-up, Bo Bice, he'll probably get a deal, also. During the finale, Underwood with guest Rascal Flats. Bice rocked out to "Sweet Home Alabama" with Lynyrd Skynyrd. They were on stage. Fans cast -- get this -- fans cast nearly 500 million votes throughout the season. That is a record for the show. Underwood will release her first single on June 14th.

O'BRIEN: I didn't think she was so bad.

HEMMER: Yes, right. Come on.

O'BRIEN: Ahead this morning, fruit smoothies sound healthy, don't they? HEMMER: Yes.

O'BRIEN: Oh, but something you got to know before you take your next sip.

HEMMER: Also in a moment here, Colin Powell's next job could be in sports instead of politics. It is true. Andy's "Minding Your Business," back in a moment after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Sanjay is off today, but in this morning's medical segment, is your favorite drink making you fat? Creamy concoctions like Godiva's Chocolixor (ph) are big the beverage world. That tasty treat can have as many calories as an entire meal. 660 calories, 30 grams of fat, in just one drink.

Heidi Skolnik, nutritionist and contributing editor for "Self" magazine back with us today with healthy advice. It's been a few months. How are you?

HEIDI SKOLNIK, NUTRITIONIST: I'm doing great.

HEMMER: Look at this thing here. This is a 32-ounce drink here, it's a pina colada from Jamba Juice, right?

SKOLNIK: This has 960 calories.

HEMMER: Which is the equivalent of what?

SKOLNIK: 18 grams of fat. That's like eating a hamburger, fries, a sundae and small coke.

HEMMER: How do you feel after drinking this thing?

SKOLNIK: Is that amazing? And the thing is, I think the real point here, is that some people don't understand, beverage calories still count. So you could be taking in -- if you just -- if you realized how much you take in over a day, you should be taking 1,400 calories.

HEMMER: But the point you make is that if you drink it, you don't feel as full, right?

SKOLNIK: No, often times you won't.

HEMMER: So you tend to drink more, maybe?

SKOLNIK: Depending what beverage you take in, you absorb it so quickly that you may not even register that you've really eaten, the same way you do when you chew and digest food.

HEMMER: Now, to be fair, though, Jamba Juice makes this but they also make some healthy options.

SKOLNIK: They make other smaller things. This is 32 ounces. And that brings us to the next example. You know, how many adults would go and get an ice cream sundae in the afternoon?

HEMMER: A couple here and there.

SKOLNIK: But you put whipped cream on top of coffee and you think oh, well, what's the big deal. But you know, Starbucks, you can really do yourself in. For mocha frappucino...

HEMMER: The venti mocha frappucino.

SKOLNIK: Venti mocha frappucino.

HEMMER: With whipped cream. 530 calories, 18 grams of fat.

SKOLNIK: Right. So we have some...

HEMMER: So you want to make it healthier, what do you do? You go light on the shots?

SKOLNIK: Here's the thing. Right away, you want to know, light on the shots. Every shot is 25 calories. Forget the whipped cream. What's with the whipped cream? You know, that's 130 calories right now. Choose low-fat milk. And of course, portion size? Why do you need 24 ounces? A tall is 12 ounces. It's big enough. You can save, for example, just on the mocha frappucino, if you go light, from 530 calories it goes to 240. Go to a tall, you get 140 calories. Big difference.

HEMMER: But the mocha frappucino so good, too, Heidi. Another thing here. It's coming up on memorial weekend. A lot of people going to be having picnics, out having parties. The calories in a typical cocktail. A pina colada, six ounces, 352 calories. And a martini, six ounces, 374. And a frozen margarita -- I don't know many people only drinking six ounces, usually they're a lot larger than that -- 234 calories.

SKOLNIK: And that's the point, as well. With everything, you got to watch the pour. You know, I'll have somebody come in and say well, I only have one drink a day. But their four ounce glass of wine is really eight ounces and they might have two. So it's one of those you're only deceiving yourself, but that's really four drinks.

HEMMER: But some of your advice is what to look out for. Forget the mixers?

SKOLNIK: Well, the mixers...

HEMMER: Do away with them?

SKOLNIK: Exactly. The mixers alone are 130 calories, so go with the seltzer or diet soda.

HEMMER: Go with the soda instead of the tonic water. Also, watch the pour.

SKOLNIK: That's it.

HEMMER: What do you mean?

SKOLNIK: Well, again, a four ounce, you know, you might be thinking you're having a six ounce martini, but you go to some of these places, and they're giving you -- they're supersizing their alcoholic beverages. So you're getting a lot more than one.

HEMMER: I mentioned the pina colada sitting here. These are alternatives. What did you bring along today?

SKOLNIK: Well, this is Propel fitness water and Santastino (ph), which is high in calcium naturally. It's a mineral water. And it's nice, effervescent. You know, a lot of drinks -- the other drinks you have like with your lunch. You might have an iced tea or lemonade, thinking what's -- it's healthy, but there's 200 or more calories in them. So it really adds up.

HEMMER: We should just drink water.

SKOLNIK: There's an idea.

HEMMER: 80 ounces a day, right?

SKOLNIK: There's an idea.

HEMMER: Have a great memorial weekend, Heidi. Nice to see you. Heidi Skolnik here. Back to Soledad now across the room.

O'BRIEN: All right, Bill, thanks.

Well, the NBA is talking about changing the look of its uniforms. Coming up, why some people say the redesign could cheapen the game.

Plus Colin Powell's next job could be in baseball. Andy explains, up next on AMERICAN MORNING.

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O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Former Secretary of State Colin Powell ponders getting into the sports business. The NBA may find another way to cash in using players' uniforms. With those stories and a look at the market, Andy Serwer is "Minding Your Business."

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: What is this a sports report? I'm a sports guest. All right, that's fine.

Three years ago, Jack, Major League Baseball took over the struggling Montreal Expos, moved them to Washington D.C., where they became the Washington Nationals, started playing this season of course. And now, they're going to sell it back to private owners, taking bids next Tuesday, expected around $400 million. We'll talk about that price tag in a second. Nine organizations, nine entities bidding for the team. One of the leading contenders, the Washington Baseball Club, announced Colin Powell, former secretary of state, would be a part of their team. The Washington Baseball Club also has other high-profile individuals like Vernon Jordan and some other private folks from Northern Virginia, former CEO of AES, big energy company.

The Redskins are the most valuable NFL team, so the thinking is that the Nationals will be worth a lot of money. All those lobbyists and senators want tickets.

CAFFERTY: Is this team any good? Because they're not going to go support the team if it's no good.

SERWER: It's actually OK. I think they're above .500. They're ahead of the Mets, ahead of the Phillies. A couple other interesting groups here. Yusef Jackson, Jesse Jackson's son, bidding with California billionaire Ron Berklestein (ph), cast in (ph) from Atlanta. Remember he owned a bunch of sports teams down there as well.

So that's going to be real interesting watching these groups vie against each other.

The NBA is considering, considering putting corporate logos on their uniforms, and I really think this is going to happen at some point down the road. And is this the game from last night? The Heat, the Pistons.

CAFFERTY: Who won?

SERWER: The Heat. That's the Big Diesel.

Yes, the Heat came back and won last night. Dwyane Wade had a big game.

So here's the story: Of course, baseball, football and basketball, no logos on any of those uniforms. Those are the big three sports in the United States.

But you look at the next two, NASCAR and golf do have corporate logos.

And then if you go to Europe, you know, the soccer players there, they've got those logos plastered all over their jerseys. That's Liverpool. They won the European Cup yesterday, for those who care. Carlsburg (ph), you can see. They don't even have the name of the city on the team. It's just the corporate logo, and it's interesting, because, you know, we always think of England maybe being more pure than we are, or we're more commercial, and yet in this instance, you know, the purists here are kind of in the lead. But I think eventually you're going to see logos on some of those jerseys.

CAFFERTY: That's terrible idea.

SERWER: You're a purist?

CAFFERTY: I'm not a purist, but it's a terrible idea. Corporate logos are in our lives enough.

(CROSSTALK)

SERWER: Home Depot, Coca-Cola. They could sponsor us. No.

CAFFERTY: It's an awful idea. I hope they don't do it.

SERWER: Yes.

All right, let's talk about the markets quickly. Yesterday a down day for investors, price of oil went up. And what's going on this morning, GDP, revision across the tape at 8:30, 3.5 percent growth, higher than initially reported, 3.1 percent, so looking good.

CAFFERTY: Good. Thanks, Andy.

SERWER: You're welcome.

CAFFERTY: A New York judge may drop perjury charges against a Jordanian student related to the September 11th attacks. Osama Awadala (ph) charged with lying about knowing two of the 9/11 hijackers. The judge may throw out the charges, because when Awadala was brought before a grand jury, he was wearing handcuffs. Imagine that. The prosecutors in the case says the jurors were told not to judge Awadala adversely just because he was wearing prison clothing and handcuffs. He was at that time a suspected terrorist. His trial is supposed to begin next week, but it may be thrown out. The charges may be dismissed. The judge's name is Shira Shindlin (ph). This kind of judicial wisdom deserves recognition.

Obese women face bigger challenges than just losing weight. Research conducted by New York University found that women who are overweight have a significantly tougher time in social and economic situations. Obesity decreases a woman's family income, her chance of marrying, as well as the odds of marrying well. Women who are fat tend to be less likely to get married. When they do get married, they tend to marry spouses with less earning power and tend to have a higher divorce rate. However, fat men have no such problems. In fact, wives of fat men tend to make more money.

And finally this -- I had a big argument with my producer about using the word fat.

SERWER: I saw you said fat men and obese women?

CAFFERTY: No, I didn't. I said fat men and fat women.

SERWER: And you did say fat for both.

CAFFERTY: Yes, I did.

SERWER: OK, good, just to be fair. They've both fat, though.

CAFFERTY: The producer challenged on that, saying that the word "fat" was not politically correct or acceptable.

SERWER: But if you use it for both men and women, it's OK. CAFFERTY: But it's one of the great three-letter words in all the language, because it communicates exactly, precisely the condition that it's intended to communicate.

SERWER: That they're fat.

CAFFERTY: I got one more, potty parity is coming to the Big Apple. New York's city council passed bill Wednesday aimed at shortening the lines at ladies rooms. The Women's Restroom Equity Bill, which is what it's called, won unanimous support in Wednesday's vote. Like who's going to vote against that, right? This bill requires new buildings and those undergoing major renovations to install two women's toilet for every men's toilet. The new potty parity bill revised a 1984 law which required toilets to be installed in equal numbers for both men and women, and it's intended to cut down on women who simply can't wait and wind up waltzing into the men's room.

HEMMER: We've seen that.

O'BRIEN: I've done that.

SERWER: I've seen that.

Two to one is the ratio, two to one parity ratio.

HEMMER: That's interesting.

O'BRIEN: Good "File." Jack, thanks.

In a moment, part four of our weeklong series, "Surviving Family Vacations." Today, everything you need to get through a family reunion in one piece. That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

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