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American Morning

Travel Safety Tips; Returning to Normalcy in Iraq

Aired June 06, 2005 - 09:30   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.


SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Time to get another look at the headlines this morning, as well, with Carol Costello. Good morning again.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Good morning to all of you.

"Now in the News," the FBI is sending out dive teams to assist in the search for a missing Alabama teenager. Natalee Holloway has been missing since last week in Aruba. She vanished while on a high school trip to the island. Two men have been arrested in connection with the girl's disappearance, but officials have not been clear on what the charges are. They do say more arrests could follow.

A missing person's case in Texas has been resolved. Brandie Stahr, a student at Texas A & M University, who disappeared seven years ago, is alive. The 27-year-old has been working at a Sam's Club in Kentucky. She apparently hid from her family after they fought over her grades at school. The girl's mother was months away from having her declared legally dead.

A terror suspect accused of aiding al Qaeda is set to appear in a Florida court today. Rafiq Sabir, also known as "The Doctor," was arrested along with a New York man last month. Prosecutors want his case moved to New York. If convicted, each man faces a maximum of 15 years in jail and a quarter of a million dollars in fines.

In Salt Lake City, Utah, convicted murderer Mark Hacking hears what his sentence will be. Hacking faces up to life in prison for shooting and killing his wife Lori almost a year ago. Her body was found in a landfill last October. Hacking pled guilty to the killing.

And jurors in the Michael Jackson trial start a first full day of deliberations when court resumes in about two hours. The pop star was briefly hospitalized on Sunday for back pain. His spokeswoman says stress contributed to the problem. The Reverend Jesse Jackson, who is a family friend and spiritual adviser, says the entertainer maintains his innocence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REV. JESSE JACKSON, JACKSON SPIRITUAL ADVISER: In many ways, his destiny, at least for a season, is in the jaws of the jury day. But he feels that he will be vindicated, because he declares, in the most sessions, his innocence.

(END VIDEO CLIP) COSTELLO: We're going to talk more about the impact of this case on Michael Jackson's career just ahead.

And it looks like the cities of Paris and London may be leading the pack in the bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics. The International Olympic Committee releasing its recommendations just a short time ago. The panel gave both Paris and London very high ratings. New York and Madrid both received high marks. Moscow is the fifth candidate. The board will vote on a final host on July 6th. And I didn't see New York mentioned anywhere in the top five.

O'BRIEN: They didn't put it down as a high?

ALI VELSHI, CNN ANCHOR: It's a high, yes.

O'BRIEN: Right, which is a little bit of a diss.

COSTELLO: I'm sorry, that's right.

VELSHI: Less than very high.

O'BRIEN: But you know, it's all about the stadium. No stadium, no Olympics. And of course, that's a huge issue here in New York. People very -- you know, especially people on the West Side, where I live.

COSTELLO: Lots of traffic and lots more people in the area. And they don't want a stadium there.

O'BRIEN: Lots of issues, yes. All right, Carol, thanks a lot.

COSTELLO: Well, Congress gets back to work today after a Memorial Day break. But the first item on the agenda is the nomination of Janice Rogers Brown. She's one of President Bush's federal judicial picks.

Ed Henry, live on Capitol Hill this morning. Ed, good morning to you. Janice Rogers Brown. Do you think she's going to be confirmed pretty quickly?

ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The short answer is yes. Yes. We expect swift confirmation for Janice Rogers Brown and William Pryor, two of President Bush's judicial nominees who are given political amnesty by last month's filibuster deal. But there are lingering questions about whether or not that filibuster deal will fall apart. And nothing is a sure thing in the current Senate. They may have avoided a nuclear meltdown last month, but right now are locked in hand-to-hand combat on a whole series of President Bush's nominees.

And the man in the middle is Senate majority leader Bill Frist. He's taking a lot of heat right now. He was cut out of the loop on that filibuster deal, his authority was questioned there. Then he lost a vote on the stalled nomination of John Bolton to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Now, Frist is hoping this week to hold another vote on Bolton. President Bush, though, has refused. Last week at a press conference, he said he would not give in to Democratic demands for more documents on the Bolton nomination.

Here are the dueling arguments between Democrats and the president.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The intelligence committee reviewed the NSA intercept process and confirmed that, you know, Bolton did what was right. And so it's just a stalling tactic. And I would hope that when they get back that they stop stalling.

SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN, (D) FOREIGN RELATIONS CMTE: The president can probably refuse to give us this information, which we're completely entitled to as the United States Senate and that's the reason why we're not letting the vote go forward. He'll probably be able to win the vote, somewhere between 45 and 47 votes against, and he'll think it's a victory.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENRY: So you can hear Joe Biden there, suggesting that the Democrats will end up giving in in the end and the president is going to get his man to the U.N., but not before he's bloodied a bit more. And the bottom line here, Soledad, is all of these nominations fights are just a precursor to the major showdown that a lot of people think will be looming. And that is the potential Supreme Court nomination hanging out there -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Ed Henry for us on Capitol Hill this morning. Ed, thanks -- Ali.

VELSHI: Soledad, thanks. 100 classmates from an Alabama high school were on a graduation trip in Aruba last week when 18-year-old Natalee Holloway disappeared. Two security guards from a nearby hotel are under arrest and the search for Natalee continues. And that reminds us all that there are sometimes pockets of danger, even in places thought of as relatively safe. Doesn't mean you or someone you care about needs to cancel your trip.

Senior editor of "Travel and Leisure," Nilou Motamed joins me now, with some tips that we should sort of all follow when traveling. Good to see you again.

NILOU MOTAMED, SENIOR EDITOR, "TRAVEL AND LEISURE": Good to see you, too, Ali.

VELSHI: I think the first one seems kind of obvious. But you've got something more specific about it. Research where you're going.

MOTAMED: Research. And when we think about travel and research, we think, oh, I want to go find the greatest rate. But what's important right now, especially in a world that's a little bit unsafe sometimes is to make sure that when you're going someplace you know if there are any travel warnings. And the State Department publishes these on their Web site, which is travel.state.gov. And that's a great place to go before you go anywhere else on the Web. The British government does the same thing. They have a Foreign and Commonwealth office and they do some great up-to-date briefings on what's going on around the world. It's just important to be aware before you travel. You shouldn't cancel your plans, like you said, but being aware is the biggest thing you can do.

VELSHI: And more than sort of large political affairs, sometimes it helps just to look at local publications or newspapers online?

MOTAMED: Absolutely, actually. And there are so many local publications that are available online and you can go to the public library online and check out any of the newspapers out there. And it's great to know, is there a public transportation strike? I was in Paris a couple of years ago and my trip was totally decimated by the fact that I couldn't get around.

VELSHI: Documents. We don't often think about this, but copies of documents, what we do while you're on the road, lose your passport or something. What should you be copying and where do you keep it?

MOTAMED: Passport, airline tickets, credit cards. Keep a copy at home and actually take a copy with you if you can. But don't keep them in the same place. So if you put airline tickets and your passport in the safe when you get to your destination, which you absolutely should do, don't keep the papers in the same place, because you know -- just better, safe. So it's a great idea to copy those, because in case you lose them, it's so much easier to get them replaced if you have a copy of them.

VELSHI: Registering with the embassy. Typically this was something you did in a place that was politically unstable?

MOTAMED: Well, nowadays, there are -- people are really going out and being a little bit more adventurous with where they travel. But there are a lot of places like even Indonesia that have travel warnings. So it's a great idea if going you're going to a destination that does have a State Department warning to register with an embassy. They've just made it easier. You can do it online, so you don't actually even have to go to the embassy when you get there.

VELSHI: There are some cultural nuances in countries that don't seem obvious, but it could just help you make a -- have a better trip out of it if you learn them.

MOTAMED: One thing that I say to everyone when they're traveling is, don't forget, everyone else isn't on vacation. Everyone else isn't American. You're actually in another country. So it's great to respect the ways the people dress in other countries. If you're going to Southeast Asia, if you're going to the Middle East, certainly, if you're going to North Africa. Dress a little bit modestly, for women especially. I think that's a good way not to stand out and to attract any unwanted attention.

VELSHI: When you talk about researching, one of the things that you put specifically as a separate point is to know your destination. Things like whether or not you should use cabs off the street in some places, versus calling and booking a car, in terms of their safety.

MOTAMED: Something people always say, for example, about Mexico City is it's a very dangerous city. I was just there two weeks ago. It's not dangerous city. The thing is, being aware. Don't take the public transport there. Book a car, book a driver. If you're going to leave your room in hotel where you don't speak the language, have the hotel give a little card that says how to get back to the hotel, with the actual language of the country that you're in. I mean, these are common sense things, but they make such a difference.

VELSHI: One last piece of advice that you gave -- I thought I was great -- for women who are traveling. When you check into a hotel, tell them not to the say your room number out loud. Write it down for you.

MOTAMED: Most chains of hotels do that already, but it's very important that people don't know where you're saying. I mean, you don't want any unwanted visitors.

VELSHI: Good advice. Nilou, good to see you.

MOTAMED: Thank you.

VELSHI: Nilou Motamed is a senior editor with "Travel and Leisure" -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Well, a suicide car bomb exploded in western Iraq today -- western Baghdad, rather. Three police officers, three bystanders, were wounded. For the millions of people who live in Baghdad, there is not much escape from the violence and the terror, but there are some signs that people are trying to reclaim a normal lifestyle. Jennifer Eccleston has our report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JENNIFER ECCLESTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's Gazi Mihssen's first family outing in months. Each trip outside of their family home is fraught with danger, given Iraq's indiscriminate and escalating violence. But the 51-year-old healthcare worker said halas (ph) or enough to his fears. It's Friday, the kids are out of school, the weather is relatively mild at 110 degrees, so it's time for a little fun.

GAZI MIHSSEN, BAGHDAD RESIDENT (through translator): Fun City is the only safe place to relieve ourselves. We know that there are other places to have fun, but those places are near to streets and you know the situation now. So maybe this place is more safe for children to have fun.

ECCLESTON: Fun City is an expansive amusement park developed three decades ago in eastern Baghdad. Closed during the U.S.-led war to topple the regime of Saddam Hussein, it's coming back to life, if not at a dizzying pace.

The rides, a little tired with age, are like those of any fairground across the world, with flying teacups, a Ferris wheel and a rickety, but effective, roller coaster. One of the most popular rides, the scary tunnel, with its fake skulls and painted images of death, as if life in Baghdad weren't scary enough.

Children run freely amidst ice cream stands and picnic grounds, and young couples share a private moment. Both images are a rarity in today's Baghdad.

A cable car has the best view of the capital skyline. And a boat ride allows visitors, like the Mohammed (ph) family, a slight breeze and a cool touch in the summer heat.

(on camera): It is a much needed break from the chaos which lies just outside of the park's fortified gates where Baghdad residents live in near constant fear of car bombings, hijackings and checkpoint shootings.

(voice-over): But the reality of the deadly spasm of violence in the capital is never far from Nora Talib's (ph) mind, a 20-year-old who is unemployed and spends most of her time inside the family home.

NORA TALIB, BAGHDAD RESIDENT (through translator): We cannot forget what's going on outside of Fun City because it's a very difficult situation. But maybe this place helps to relieve some of our depression.

ECCLESTON: That relief, albeit temporary, is precisely what Sarah Gazi, a 16-year-old student and daughter of Musang (ph) Gazi, was wanting.

SARAH GAZI, BAGHDAD RESIDENT (through translator): I like this place. People are happy. It feels quiet and there are no explosions.

ECCLESTON: Jennifer Eccleston, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN Another sign that life is starting to return to normal in Iraq, domestic air travel has begun again. Iraqi Airwaves now flies being Baghdad and Basra, and more flights, they say, will be added soon.

(WEATHER REPORT)

VELSHI: Well, still to come on AMERICAN MORNING, what does Michael Jackson's future hold if acquitted on molestation charges? A top music exec lays out his plan for a career makeover.

But first this question, to whom was Michael Jackson's autobiography "Moonwalk" dedicated? Was it, a, Fred Astaire? B, Elizabeth Taylor? Or is it Diana Ross? We've got the answer, right after this break.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) O'BRIEN: Before the break, we asked you this, to whom is Michael Jackson's autobiography "Moonwalk" dedicated to? The answer is, A, Michael Jackson' dedicated the book to Fred Astaire, one of the dancing legends he says he admires the most.

Well, if Michael Jackson is found not guilty, what will it be for him to restart his music career? Toure's been asking that question.

Good morning.

TOURE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Soledad Hello again.

In the record business, they say, once a hit always a threat, which means a has-been is just one great song away from the comeback. But in the record business, they also say, what have you done for me lately? Michael Jackson has had 13 number-one hit records. But his last number-one hit was four long years ago. With the end of this trial around the corner, time to begin wondering, can Michael Jackson make a comeback? Conventional wisdom says his career is over, but some in the record business say, no, it's not.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOURE (voice-over): His album "Thriller" is still the planet's bestselling record ever, even though it's more than 20 years old. He was the first black artist played on MTV.

Can Michael Jackson get back to being a mega icon, or has he left his career on the courthouse steps?

Some in the record business believe M.J. can be reinvented. Among them, the chairman of Island Def Jam Music, L.A. Reid.

L.A. REID, CHAIRMAN, ISLAND DEF JAM: I believe Michael can absolutely come back. He can absolutely come back, and be phenomenal.

TOURE: Reid crafted Mariah Carey's recent comeback, and last year he helped Outkast and Usher reach new career highs.

Reid gave us the strategy he'd employ if Jackson was his artist.

REID: There's been some damage done. That's the reality of it, you know. I hated saying that. That was painful, but I had to say it.

TOURE: So where to begin? Some say he leave the country. How about that?

REID: Sounds like he's running. Doesn't have to. You are Michael Jackson. Understand what that means. That means that you are a superstar. You're a legend. But I would honestly start with him touring, and getting out and performing for people and really reminding people that he's one of the greats.

TOURE (on camera): Big arenas or intimate venues?

REID: No. Intimate. Keep it small.

TOURE: After Jackson finishes his "reach out to the people" tour, Reid advises he change his dress.

REID: Absolutely, move out of Neverland, and move to New York City, you know, and start to really feel some of the concrete, feel some of the grind, you know. And I'm not saying become regular, because it's impossible. That's a pipe dream to ever see Michael Jackson just walking up and down the street, but feel it. Go out to the restaurants. Go out and hang. You know, go to the clubs and listen to some music. Guess what? Michael is bordering on normal.

TOURE: That has to be the headline. Oh my God, he's normal.

REID: He's normal.

TOURE (voice-over): And if Jackson makes a comeback album, this image-maker wants it to be very personal. I would go emotional. I would not go dancy-dancy, try to be too cool, try to be too young, try to be too hip. I would go emotional and try to touch the heart of music.

REID: And if Jackson likes Reid's plan, he's free to take him up on it.

TOURE (on camera): He sees this piece and calls you. Let's do a deal. Would you sign him?

REID: I would absolutely sign Michael. Every great artist is one song, one great song, away from being back.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TOURE: L.A. Reid also said he'd have M.J. make no music videos and rely on radio play, because he'd rather take attention away from the looks and put it squarely on the music.

We also talked about how in the '70s and '80s, when Mike was hottest, recording artists presented themselves as superheroes. But nowadays, most artists present themselves as flawed and talk about their issues. If Jacko was to come back, he's going to have to adjust.

O'BRIEN: Interesting advice, but some, I think, fair to say, pretty huge obstacles you have to overcome first, and the big if of course, if he's acquitted.

TOURE: True, true, but look at Mariah Carey. Had a nice comeback just now thanks to L.A. Reid. Cher had a similar thing. She didn't have the same dip, but she was nowhere, had a hit, came back. It's possible.

O'BRIEN: No -- neither had the legal issues.

TOURE: True, but neither have the talent that Michael has, so.

O'BRIEN: OK. I hear what you're saying, and we'll leave it at that. Toure, as always, thank you.

CNN LIVE TODAY is coming up next. Hey, Daryn, good morning to you.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Soledad, good morning.

Coming up, we have a lot to talk about. Are you ready for the unexpected work? We have got the top five tips on surviving a financial emergency. Also, in our "Security Watch," finding ways to speed your way through airport checkpoints without cutting corners on safety. And imagine being hit broadside by a proper SUV. How would you car do? Some surprising results in the new round of crash tests. We have them for you, on CNN LIVE TODAY, coming up in about nine minutes.

O'BRIEN: All right, Daryn, thanks a lot. Appreciate that.

Now being environmentally friendly can you get a little discount on your new iPod. Andy's going to tell us how. He is "Minding Your Business," just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VELSHI: All right. What do you do with your old iPod? Who's got an old iPod? And more news from portable digital world. All that and a check on Wall Street, all in one package. Andy Serwer, "Minding Your Business." Who's got an old iPod?

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" COLUMNIST: Mine's from 2004. That's old.

VELSHI: Really?

SERWER: Ancient. Come on. Technology's moving faster.

Let's check on the big board here, Ali, to get started. Business news this morning. Down one, not a whole lot happening here on a Monday morning. There is a big deal, though, in financial services. WaMu (ph), Washington Mutual, is buying Providian, the credit card company out in San Francisco, that had some problems years ago. Seems to be OK now. $6.4 billion deal.

Yes. Apple has a recycling program they've just announced for the iPod. So if you turn in your quote, "old," unquote, iPod, you can get a 10 percent discount. And you know, Ali, what they're really doing is addressing this whole toxic gizmo problem. You know, the landfills are filling up with old computers. And they're really filled with a lot of bad stuff. So presumably, they're going to refurbish these things, but it's not actually clear, because they're not saying so as of yet.

Let's talk about some more computer news here. For the first time ever, laptops and notebook computers have outsold desktops. This was just going to happen here, it was just a matter of time. But a place called Current Analysis has suggested that it just passed them. Laptops and notebooks, more of them sold than desktops.

VELSHI: Very nice.

SERWER: But who wants to buy a desktop anymore, right? You don't need that.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: I do.

SERWER: Yes. How's your manual typewriter?

CAFFERTY: I have a desktop.

SERWER: How's your Smith Corona doing?

CAFFERTY: I have a desktop computer in my house.

SERWER: How's your Underwood typewriter -- you do?

CAFFERTY: Yes, I do.

O'BRIEN: Don't you want a laptop?

CAFFERTY: No. Because I have a desktop.

VELSHI: As long as you got something to get the e-mails.

SERWER: He does have an iPod.

CAFFERTY: Well, I think I have all that stuff. I'm talking about at the house.

O'BRIEN: Final questions.

CAFFERTY: Yes. Mercifully, it's almost over. The United States. Should we close the prison at Guantanamo Bay? Joe Biden down in Delaware thinks the thing's a national disgrace, to shut it down. Some of you disagree.

Lou writes: "Jack, it would do no good for public opinion to close down Gitmo. The damage is already done. The United States can never live down what this Bush administration has done, not only at Gitmo but in other prisons as well.

Johnny in Mississippi: This camp is the antithesis of what we stand for as Americans and a blight on our integrity as a nation. Close it down. Let these people have their day in court."

Dave writes from New York: "No. Gitmo should not be closed. We now live in a nation where it's OK for the government to pay artists to stick crucifixes in urine, but dropping a Koran is a crime against humanity. The hypocrisy is sickening."

O'BRIEN: Interesting feedback.

SERWER: I hadn't heard about that piece of art in quite a while.

CAFFERTY: Well, you know all that stuff the government subsidizes. These people call it art and it's just outrageous. That's only one example. There have been several. And some display over at the Brooklyn Museum of Modern Art here a few years ago. And it was just garbage.

O'BRIEN: That was an elephant thing.

SERWER: Yes. I remember that one, as well.

O'BRIEN: All right, Jack, thanks a lot.

Coming up on CNN LIVE TODAY, the top five tips for surviving a financial emergency.

Tomorrow on AMERICAN MORNING, the icon of the swinging '60s, Peggy Lipton. Remember her? She was Julie at "The Mod Squad." Her new book is called "Breathing Out." Tells her turbulent journey through sex and drugs and fame. She'll tell us all about it. That's tomorrow, starting at 7:00 a.m. Eastern.

We're back in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired June 6, 2005 - 09:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Time to get another look at the headlines this morning, as well, with Carol Costello. Good morning again.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Good morning to all of you.

"Now in the News," the FBI is sending out dive teams to assist in the search for a missing Alabama teenager. Natalee Holloway has been missing since last week in Aruba. She vanished while on a high school trip to the island. Two men have been arrested in connection with the girl's disappearance, but officials have not been clear on what the charges are. They do say more arrests could follow.

A missing person's case in Texas has been resolved. Brandie Stahr, a student at Texas A & M University, who disappeared seven years ago, is alive. The 27-year-old has been working at a Sam's Club in Kentucky. She apparently hid from her family after they fought over her grades at school. The girl's mother was months away from having her declared legally dead.

A terror suspect accused of aiding al Qaeda is set to appear in a Florida court today. Rafiq Sabir, also known as "The Doctor," was arrested along with a New York man last month. Prosecutors want his case moved to New York. If convicted, each man faces a maximum of 15 years in jail and a quarter of a million dollars in fines.

In Salt Lake City, Utah, convicted murderer Mark Hacking hears what his sentence will be. Hacking faces up to life in prison for shooting and killing his wife Lori almost a year ago. Her body was found in a landfill last October. Hacking pled guilty to the killing.

And jurors in the Michael Jackson trial start a first full day of deliberations when court resumes in about two hours. The pop star was briefly hospitalized on Sunday for back pain. His spokeswoman says stress contributed to the problem. The Reverend Jesse Jackson, who is a family friend and spiritual adviser, says the entertainer maintains his innocence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REV. JESSE JACKSON, JACKSON SPIRITUAL ADVISER: In many ways, his destiny, at least for a season, is in the jaws of the jury day. But he feels that he will be vindicated, because he declares, in the most sessions, his innocence.

(END VIDEO CLIP) COSTELLO: We're going to talk more about the impact of this case on Michael Jackson's career just ahead.

And it looks like the cities of Paris and London may be leading the pack in the bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics. The International Olympic Committee releasing its recommendations just a short time ago. The panel gave both Paris and London very high ratings. New York and Madrid both received high marks. Moscow is the fifth candidate. The board will vote on a final host on July 6th. And I didn't see New York mentioned anywhere in the top five.

O'BRIEN: They didn't put it down as a high?

ALI VELSHI, CNN ANCHOR: It's a high, yes.

O'BRIEN: Right, which is a little bit of a diss.

COSTELLO: I'm sorry, that's right.

VELSHI: Less than very high.

O'BRIEN: But you know, it's all about the stadium. No stadium, no Olympics. And of course, that's a huge issue here in New York. People very -- you know, especially people on the West Side, where I live.

COSTELLO: Lots of traffic and lots more people in the area. And they don't want a stadium there.

O'BRIEN: Lots of issues, yes. All right, Carol, thanks a lot.

COSTELLO: Well, Congress gets back to work today after a Memorial Day break. But the first item on the agenda is the nomination of Janice Rogers Brown. She's one of President Bush's federal judicial picks.

Ed Henry, live on Capitol Hill this morning. Ed, good morning to you. Janice Rogers Brown. Do you think she's going to be confirmed pretty quickly?

ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The short answer is yes. Yes. We expect swift confirmation for Janice Rogers Brown and William Pryor, two of President Bush's judicial nominees who are given political amnesty by last month's filibuster deal. But there are lingering questions about whether or not that filibuster deal will fall apart. And nothing is a sure thing in the current Senate. They may have avoided a nuclear meltdown last month, but right now are locked in hand-to-hand combat on a whole series of President Bush's nominees.

And the man in the middle is Senate majority leader Bill Frist. He's taking a lot of heat right now. He was cut out of the loop on that filibuster deal, his authority was questioned there. Then he lost a vote on the stalled nomination of John Bolton to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Now, Frist is hoping this week to hold another vote on Bolton. President Bush, though, has refused. Last week at a press conference, he said he would not give in to Democratic demands for more documents on the Bolton nomination.

Here are the dueling arguments between Democrats and the president.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The intelligence committee reviewed the NSA intercept process and confirmed that, you know, Bolton did what was right. And so it's just a stalling tactic. And I would hope that when they get back that they stop stalling.

SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN, (D) FOREIGN RELATIONS CMTE: The president can probably refuse to give us this information, which we're completely entitled to as the United States Senate and that's the reason why we're not letting the vote go forward. He'll probably be able to win the vote, somewhere between 45 and 47 votes against, and he'll think it's a victory.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENRY: So you can hear Joe Biden there, suggesting that the Democrats will end up giving in in the end and the president is going to get his man to the U.N., but not before he's bloodied a bit more. And the bottom line here, Soledad, is all of these nominations fights are just a precursor to the major showdown that a lot of people think will be looming. And that is the potential Supreme Court nomination hanging out there -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Ed Henry for us on Capitol Hill this morning. Ed, thanks -- Ali.

VELSHI: Soledad, thanks. 100 classmates from an Alabama high school were on a graduation trip in Aruba last week when 18-year-old Natalee Holloway disappeared. Two security guards from a nearby hotel are under arrest and the search for Natalee continues. And that reminds us all that there are sometimes pockets of danger, even in places thought of as relatively safe. Doesn't mean you or someone you care about needs to cancel your trip.

Senior editor of "Travel and Leisure," Nilou Motamed joins me now, with some tips that we should sort of all follow when traveling. Good to see you again.

NILOU MOTAMED, SENIOR EDITOR, "TRAVEL AND LEISURE": Good to see you, too, Ali.

VELSHI: I think the first one seems kind of obvious. But you've got something more specific about it. Research where you're going.

MOTAMED: Research. And when we think about travel and research, we think, oh, I want to go find the greatest rate. But what's important right now, especially in a world that's a little bit unsafe sometimes is to make sure that when you're going someplace you know if there are any travel warnings. And the State Department publishes these on their Web site, which is travel.state.gov. And that's a great place to go before you go anywhere else on the Web. The British government does the same thing. They have a Foreign and Commonwealth office and they do some great up-to-date briefings on what's going on around the world. It's just important to be aware before you travel. You shouldn't cancel your plans, like you said, but being aware is the biggest thing you can do.

VELSHI: And more than sort of large political affairs, sometimes it helps just to look at local publications or newspapers online?

MOTAMED: Absolutely, actually. And there are so many local publications that are available online and you can go to the public library online and check out any of the newspapers out there. And it's great to know, is there a public transportation strike? I was in Paris a couple of years ago and my trip was totally decimated by the fact that I couldn't get around.

VELSHI: Documents. We don't often think about this, but copies of documents, what we do while you're on the road, lose your passport or something. What should you be copying and where do you keep it?

MOTAMED: Passport, airline tickets, credit cards. Keep a copy at home and actually take a copy with you if you can. But don't keep them in the same place. So if you put airline tickets and your passport in the safe when you get to your destination, which you absolutely should do, don't keep the papers in the same place, because you know -- just better, safe. So it's a great idea to copy those, because in case you lose them, it's so much easier to get them replaced if you have a copy of them.

VELSHI: Registering with the embassy. Typically this was something you did in a place that was politically unstable?

MOTAMED: Well, nowadays, there are -- people are really going out and being a little bit more adventurous with where they travel. But there are a lot of places like even Indonesia that have travel warnings. So it's a great idea if going you're going to a destination that does have a State Department warning to register with an embassy. They've just made it easier. You can do it online, so you don't actually even have to go to the embassy when you get there.

VELSHI: There are some cultural nuances in countries that don't seem obvious, but it could just help you make a -- have a better trip out of it if you learn them.

MOTAMED: One thing that I say to everyone when they're traveling is, don't forget, everyone else isn't on vacation. Everyone else isn't American. You're actually in another country. So it's great to respect the ways the people dress in other countries. If you're going to Southeast Asia, if you're going to the Middle East, certainly, if you're going to North Africa. Dress a little bit modestly, for women especially. I think that's a good way not to stand out and to attract any unwanted attention.

VELSHI: When you talk about researching, one of the things that you put specifically as a separate point is to know your destination. Things like whether or not you should use cabs off the street in some places, versus calling and booking a car, in terms of their safety.

MOTAMED: Something people always say, for example, about Mexico City is it's a very dangerous city. I was just there two weeks ago. It's not dangerous city. The thing is, being aware. Don't take the public transport there. Book a car, book a driver. If you're going to leave your room in hotel where you don't speak the language, have the hotel give a little card that says how to get back to the hotel, with the actual language of the country that you're in. I mean, these are common sense things, but they make such a difference.

VELSHI: One last piece of advice that you gave -- I thought I was great -- for women who are traveling. When you check into a hotel, tell them not to the say your room number out loud. Write it down for you.

MOTAMED: Most chains of hotels do that already, but it's very important that people don't know where you're saying. I mean, you don't want any unwanted visitors.

VELSHI: Good advice. Nilou, good to see you.

MOTAMED: Thank you.

VELSHI: Nilou Motamed is a senior editor with "Travel and Leisure" -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Well, a suicide car bomb exploded in western Iraq today -- western Baghdad, rather. Three police officers, three bystanders, were wounded. For the millions of people who live in Baghdad, there is not much escape from the violence and the terror, but there are some signs that people are trying to reclaim a normal lifestyle. Jennifer Eccleston has our report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JENNIFER ECCLESTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's Gazi Mihssen's first family outing in months. Each trip outside of their family home is fraught with danger, given Iraq's indiscriminate and escalating violence. But the 51-year-old healthcare worker said halas (ph) or enough to his fears. It's Friday, the kids are out of school, the weather is relatively mild at 110 degrees, so it's time for a little fun.

GAZI MIHSSEN, BAGHDAD RESIDENT (through translator): Fun City is the only safe place to relieve ourselves. We know that there are other places to have fun, but those places are near to streets and you know the situation now. So maybe this place is more safe for children to have fun.

ECCLESTON: Fun City is an expansive amusement park developed three decades ago in eastern Baghdad. Closed during the U.S.-led war to topple the regime of Saddam Hussein, it's coming back to life, if not at a dizzying pace.

The rides, a little tired with age, are like those of any fairground across the world, with flying teacups, a Ferris wheel and a rickety, but effective, roller coaster. One of the most popular rides, the scary tunnel, with its fake skulls and painted images of death, as if life in Baghdad weren't scary enough.

Children run freely amidst ice cream stands and picnic grounds, and young couples share a private moment. Both images are a rarity in today's Baghdad.

A cable car has the best view of the capital skyline. And a boat ride allows visitors, like the Mohammed (ph) family, a slight breeze and a cool touch in the summer heat.

(on camera): It is a much needed break from the chaos which lies just outside of the park's fortified gates where Baghdad residents live in near constant fear of car bombings, hijackings and checkpoint shootings.

(voice-over): But the reality of the deadly spasm of violence in the capital is never far from Nora Talib's (ph) mind, a 20-year-old who is unemployed and spends most of her time inside the family home.

NORA TALIB, BAGHDAD RESIDENT (through translator): We cannot forget what's going on outside of Fun City because it's a very difficult situation. But maybe this place helps to relieve some of our depression.

ECCLESTON: That relief, albeit temporary, is precisely what Sarah Gazi, a 16-year-old student and daughter of Musang (ph) Gazi, was wanting.

SARAH GAZI, BAGHDAD RESIDENT (through translator): I like this place. People are happy. It feels quiet and there are no explosions.

ECCLESTON: Jennifer Eccleston, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN Another sign that life is starting to return to normal in Iraq, domestic air travel has begun again. Iraqi Airwaves now flies being Baghdad and Basra, and more flights, they say, will be added soon.

(WEATHER REPORT)

VELSHI: Well, still to come on AMERICAN MORNING, what does Michael Jackson's future hold if acquitted on molestation charges? A top music exec lays out his plan for a career makeover.

But first this question, to whom was Michael Jackson's autobiography "Moonwalk" dedicated? Was it, a, Fred Astaire? B, Elizabeth Taylor? Or is it Diana Ross? We've got the answer, right after this break.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) O'BRIEN: Before the break, we asked you this, to whom is Michael Jackson's autobiography "Moonwalk" dedicated to? The answer is, A, Michael Jackson' dedicated the book to Fred Astaire, one of the dancing legends he says he admires the most.

Well, if Michael Jackson is found not guilty, what will it be for him to restart his music career? Toure's been asking that question.

Good morning.

TOURE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Soledad Hello again.

In the record business, they say, once a hit always a threat, which means a has-been is just one great song away from the comeback. But in the record business, they also say, what have you done for me lately? Michael Jackson has had 13 number-one hit records. But his last number-one hit was four long years ago. With the end of this trial around the corner, time to begin wondering, can Michael Jackson make a comeback? Conventional wisdom says his career is over, but some in the record business say, no, it's not.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOURE (voice-over): His album "Thriller" is still the planet's bestselling record ever, even though it's more than 20 years old. He was the first black artist played on MTV.

Can Michael Jackson get back to being a mega icon, or has he left his career on the courthouse steps?

Some in the record business believe M.J. can be reinvented. Among them, the chairman of Island Def Jam Music, L.A. Reid.

L.A. REID, CHAIRMAN, ISLAND DEF JAM: I believe Michael can absolutely come back. He can absolutely come back, and be phenomenal.

TOURE: Reid crafted Mariah Carey's recent comeback, and last year he helped Outkast and Usher reach new career highs.

Reid gave us the strategy he'd employ if Jackson was his artist.

REID: There's been some damage done. That's the reality of it, you know. I hated saying that. That was painful, but I had to say it.

TOURE: So where to begin? Some say he leave the country. How about that?

REID: Sounds like he's running. Doesn't have to. You are Michael Jackson. Understand what that means. That means that you are a superstar. You're a legend. But I would honestly start with him touring, and getting out and performing for people and really reminding people that he's one of the greats.

TOURE (on camera): Big arenas or intimate venues?

REID: No. Intimate. Keep it small.

TOURE: After Jackson finishes his "reach out to the people" tour, Reid advises he change his dress.

REID: Absolutely, move out of Neverland, and move to New York City, you know, and start to really feel some of the concrete, feel some of the grind, you know. And I'm not saying become regular, because it's impossible. That's a pipe dream to ever see Michael Jackson just walking up and down the street, but feel it. Go out to the restaurants. Go out and hang. You know, go to the clubs and listen to some music. Guess what? Michael is bordering on normal.

TOURE: That has to be the headline. Oh my God, he's normal.

REID: He's normal.

TOURE (voice-over): And if Jackson makes a comeback album, this image-maker wants it to be very personal. I would go emotional. I would not go dancy-dancy, try to be too cool, try to be too young, try to be too hip. I would go emotional and try to touch the heart of music.

REID: And if Jackson likes Reid's plan, he's free to take him up on it.

TOURE (on camera): He sees this piece and calls you. Let's do a deal. Would you sign him?

REID: I would absolutely sign Michael. Every great artist is one song, one great song, away from being back.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TOURE: L.A. Reid also said he'd have M.J. make no music videos and rely on radio play, because he'd rather take attention away from the looks and put it squarely on the music.

We also talked about how in the '70s and '80s, when Mike was hottest, recording artists presented themselves as superheroes. But nowadays, most artists present themselves as flawed and talk about their issues. If Jacko was to come back, he's going to have to adjust.

O'BRIEN: Interesting advice, but some, I think, fair to say, pretty huge obstacles you have to overcome first, and the big if of course, if he's acquitted.

TOURE: True, true, but look at Mariah Carey. Had a nice comeback just now thanks to L.A. Reid. Cher had a similar thing. She didn't have the same dip, but she was nowhere, had a hit, came back. It's possible.

O'BRIEN: No -- neither had the legal issues.

TOURE: True, but neither have the talent that Michael has, so.

O'BRIEN: OK. I hear what you're saying, and we'll leave it at that. Toure, as always, thank you.

CNN LIVE TODAY is coming up next. Hey, Daryn, good morning to you.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Soledad, good morning.

Coming up, we have a lot to talk about. Are you ready for the unexpected work? We have got the top five tips on surviving a financial emergency. Also, in our "Security Watch," finding ways to speed your way through airport checkpoints without cutting corners on safety. And imagine being hit broadside by a proper SUV. How would you car do? Some surprising results in the new round of crash tests. We have them for you, on CNN LIVE TODAY, coming up in about nine minutes.

O'BRIEN: All right, Daryn, thanks a lot. Appreciate that.

Now being environmentally friendly can you get a little discount on your new iPod. Andy's going to tell us how. He is "Minding Your Business," just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VELSHI: All right. What do you do with your old iPod? Who's got an old iPod? And more news from portable digital world. All that and a check on Wall Street, all in one package. Andy Serwer, "Minding Your Business." Who's got an old iPod?

ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" COLUMNIST: Mine's from 2004. That's old.

VELSHI: Really?

SERWER: Ancient. Come on. Technology's moving faster.

Let's check on the big board here, Ali, to get started. Business news this morning. Down one, not a whole lot happening here on a Monday morning. There is a big deal, though, in financial services. WaMu (ph), Washington Mutual, is buying Providian, the credit card company out in San Francisco, that had some problems years ago. Seems to be OK now. $6.4 billion deal.

Yes. Apple has a recycling program they've just announced for the iPod. So if you turn in your quote, "old," unquote, iPod, you can get a 10 percent discount. And you know, Ali, what they're really doing is addressing this whole toxic gizmo problem. You know, the landfills are filling up with old computers. And they're really filled with a lot of bad stuff. So presumably, they're going to refurbish these things, but it's not actually clear, because they're not saying so as of yet.

Let's talk about some more computer news here. For the first time ever, laptops and notebook computers have outsold desktops. This was just going to happen here, it was just a matter of time. But a place called Current Analysis has suggested that it just passed them. Laptops and notebooks, more of them sold than desktops.

VELSHI: Very nice.

SERWER: But who wants to buy a desktop anymore, right? You don't need that.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: I do.

SERWER: Yes. How's your manual typewriter?

CAFFERTY: I have a desktop.

SERWER: How's your Smith Corona doing?

CAFFERTY: I have a desktop computer in my house.

SERWER: How's your Underwood typewriter -- you do?

CAFFERTY: Yes, I do.

O'BRIEN: Don't you want a laptop?

CAFFERTY: No. Because I have a desktop.

VELSHI: As long as you got something to get the e-mails.

SERWER: He does have an iPod.

CAFFERTY: Well, I think I have all that stuff. I'm talking about at the house.

O'BRIEN: Final questions.

CAFFERTY: Yes. Mercifully, it's almost over. The United States. Should we close the prison at Guantanamo Bay? Joe Biden down in Delaware thinks the thing's a national disgrace, to shut it down. Some of you disagree.

Lou writes: "Jack, it would do no good for public opinion to close down Gitmo. The damage is already done. The United States can never live down what this Bush administration has done, not only at Gitmo but in other prisons as well.

Johnny in Mississippi: This camp is the antithesis of what we stand for as Americans and a blight on our integrity as a nation. Close it down. Let these people have their day in court."

Dave writes from New York: "No. Gitmo should not be closed. We now live in a nation where it's OK for the government to pay artists to stick crucifixes in urine, but dropping a Koran is a crime against humanity. The hypocrisy is sickening."

O'BRIEN: Interesting feedback.

SERWER: I hadn't heard about that piece of art in quite a while.

CAFFERTY: Well, you know all that stuff the government subsidizes. These people call it art and it's just outrageous. That's only one example. There have been several. And some display over at the Brooklyn Museum of Modern Art here a few years ago. And it was just garbage.

O'BRIEN: That was an elephant thing.

SERWER: Yes. I remember that one, as well.

O'BRIEN: All right, Jack, thanks a lot.

Coming up on CNN LIVE TODAY, the top five tips for surviving a financial emergency.

Tomorrow on AMERICAN MORNING, the icon of the swinging '60s, Peggy Lipton. Remember her? She was Julie at "The Mod Squad." Her new book is called "Breathing Out." Tells her turbulent journey through sex and drugs and fame. She'll tell us all about it. That's tomorrow, starting at 7:00 a.m. Eastern.

We're back in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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