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CNN Live At Daybreak

Charles Jenkins Home Again; New Baby Blues?

Aired June 15, 2005 - 05:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning, everyone, thank you for waking up with us. Welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK.

Coming up in the next 30 minutes, Charles Jenkins is home sweet home, but some of his neighbors have a sour taste in their mouth.

And being a new mom is never easy, but being a new dad can be tough, too. Our Dr. Sanjay Gupta will explain.

But first, "Now in the News."

A tsunami warning has been lifted for the West Coast after a strong earthquake off northern California last night. The 7.0 magnitude quake struck 90 miles off the coast. No damage or injuries reported.

Word coming in just minutes ago, Australian Douglas Wood, a civilian contractor in Iraq, has been freed by his abductors. Australia's prime minister announced Wood's release to Parliament. Wood had been held for six weeks.

An autopsy report on Terri Schiavo comes out this morning. Her relatives hope it will reveal what led to her collapse and severe brain damage 15 years ago. Schiavo died after her feeding tube was removed in March.

Actress Angelina Jolie met Tuesday with Senator Richard Lugar, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Jolie is the U.N. Goodwill Ambassador. There's a picture for you. Jolie and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice take part today in a World Refugee Day celebration in Washington.

To the Forecast Center now and, Chad, good morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you -- Chad.

MYERS: You're welcome.

COSTELLO: Army deserter Charles Jenkins was in his 20s when he defected to North Korea. He was afraid of being shipped off to Vietnam. On Tuesday, he arrived back in the United States. And for the first time in 40 years, he looked into the eyes of his 91-year-old mother.

Mary Snow has all the details for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After spending most of his life in obscurity, Charles Jenkins returned to the U.S. with notoriety. Police in Washington, D.C. helped shield him from reporters and cameras where he touched down on American soil for the first time since defecting to North Korea in 1965. Accompanied by his wife and two children, Jenkins said little as he made his way to visit his elderly mother in North Carolina.

CHARLES JENKINS, U.S. ARMY DESERTER: After 40 years, I'm very happy to go to visit my mother and my family in America, but only one week. I'm going back to Sado, Japan to live with my dear wife and her family.

SNOW: His story became one of international intrigue. Forty years ago, he disappeared when he was an Army sergeant patrolling the border between North and South Korea. Jenkins has said he feared he would be reassigned to Vietnam.

In the 1980s, he was seen in a North Korean propaganda film, denouncing the U.S. Last year, Jenkins turned himself over to U.S. authorities. He was sentenced to a month in military prison and received a dishonorable discharge.

JENKINS: As you know, I have made peace with the U.S. Army, and I have been shown great mercy and compassion.

SNOW: Jenkins' surrender allowed him to be reunited with his wife in Japan, which is a story in itself. As a teenager, she was kidnapped by North Korea. She met and married Jenkins there, and in 2002, she was allowed to return to Japan. Now Jenkins is being reunited with his 91-year-old mother in North Carolina where she is in a nursing home. Not everyone is happy about it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't want him to be a big hero. I want him to be what he was, he was a coward.

WILLIAM EASON, ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C.: I think he's a disgrace to his uniform and his country. And I feel he should be allowed to come home for a few days to see his parents, but I think he ought to go back where he come from.

SNOW: Michael Cook is eager to see Jenkins, who he remembers playing soldiers with as a child. He says he was shocked to learn of Jenkins' defection, but has kept in touch with him over the years. He calls Jenkins by his middle name, Robert. Until now, he hasn't been able to ask the one question on his mind.

MICHAEL COOK, FRIEND OF CHARLES JENKINS: And I haven't asked him anything heavy or serious, you know, like, why'd you do it? Why'd you do it, Robert?

SNOW: It's a question many in this small town are wondering.

Mary Snow, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And as you heard, some people aren't so thrilled with the attention focused on a U.S. Army deserter. We want to talk about it more, Jenkins' visit and what it means to the people in North Carolina.

And for that we're joined by Jim Nesbitt with the "Raleigh News & Observer" newspaper. He's in Roanoke Rapids.

Good morning -- Jim.

JIM NESBITT, "RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER": Good morning, Carol. How are you today?

COSTELLO: I'm fine.

What was your impression when you saw him?

NESBITT: Well the impression was one of yet another photo opportunity and kind of pack journalism at its finest. This has been a closed affair in terms of access to Jenkins and getting to ask that key question that Michael Cook wants to know why did you do what you did 40 years ago?

COSTELLO: And everybody wants to know the answer to that question and if he really knew what he was getting himself into when he decided to defect to North Korea.

NESBITT: Yes, I think his neighbor, Janet King (ph), kind of put it best, he was in his 20s at the time, and men in their 20s do things that in their 50s and 60s they live to regret. And I think 40 years of living in North Korea is a pretty hefty price to pay for one's actions.

COSTELLO: He went through -- he was in labor camps, right, in North Korea? He was forced to teach English to the people there. And supposedly he was forced to make this video. But you know don't you want to ask him those questions as well? Was he really forced to make that video?

NESBITT: Yes, that's what you really want to know, I mean was he forced, was he coerced? How heavy was the coercion? You know these are questions only you know he can answer. I think the sentiment down here is among the both men and women, veterans and non-veterans, is it's great he's getting to see his 91-year-old mama, but it's going to be equally great when he leaves.

COSTELLO: It's interesting that his mother stayed in that town. How was she treated? NESBITT: People don't blame her for her son's actions. I think time and again you go into Rich Square, which is about 20 miles, 25 miles southeast of here, and the people don't any -- what animosity there is, they do not aim at the mother or the siblings. They're fairly sympathetic toward them. And they're glad that Robert is coming to see his mother, but afterwards they want him gone.

COSTELLO: Yes, he's going to go back to Japan very soon in a couple of days. Do you think anyone will get to ask him that vital question of why or will we never know?

NESBITT: Well I think Jim Frederick, a "TIME" magazine correspondent who is going to be doing his autobiography, is asking him that question repeatedly, and we'll get detailed answers then. I can tell you that I'll be knocking on his door over the next few days and seeing whether he'll sit down with me. But it looks like a pretty closed affair -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Well if you -- if the door is answered, we want to hear back from you. Jim Nesbitt, from the "Raleigh News & Observer," joining DAYBREAK this morning, thank you.

Chemical plants across the nation may be at risk for a terrorist attack. And at two congressional hearings today the Homeland Security Department is pushing for tighter federal regulations at private chemical companies.

The acting undersecretary says "while most companies have been eager to cooperate ... it has become clear that the entirely voluntary efforts of these companies alone will not sufficiently address security for the entire sector protecting chemical plants." Robert Stephan says it's time for federal regulations to address emerging threats. He adds, "we now have greater clarity about the tasks ahead, tested tools and a more considerable knowledge-base that will help close potential security gaps."

The industry has resisted regulations saying voluntary measures are protecting the nation's 15,000 privately operated chemical plants from terrorists.

Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

Still to come this morning, we've heard about postpartum depression in new moms, but what about dads? We'll take a look at this serious affliction.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Time to read some e-mail this morning. We're asking you the question, should there be age requirements placed on amusement park rides in light of that 4-year-old dying on the Mission: Space ride at Epcot Center at Disney in Orlando? MYERS: Take it away -- Carol.

COSTELLO: No.

MYERS: No, I'll take it away.

COSTELLO: It's all yours.

MYERS: I'm just trying to throw you a curve.

From Sue (ph), well how would someone supposed to prove their child's age? Am I supposed to bring my birth certificate for my kids when I go there? Let's just do this. The height requirement should be raised to 55 inches tall.

And from Glenda (ph), your report of a death of a child riding Mission: Space say that only a few people have ever been hospitalized. However, I believe that there are many more, like myself, who became very ill after riding this ride. It took me over an hour to regain my equilibrium after riding it, and I'm 35. Look for similar stories like mine. Go to TripAdvisor.com.

COSTELLO: Interesting.

MYERS: I do go to that Web site all the time, but I've never looked about rides.

A younger child may be tall enough to eke past this height requirement but not developed enough to sustain the rigors of these rides. But how would the parks enforce the age requirement?

COSTELLO: But if it's not so much for the parks enforcing it, though, it's just so parents would know whether it's proper to bring your kid on this ride.

MYERS: That's exactly right. You could say you must be this tall, but you probably should be, we recommend, we recommend you should be 60 years old.

Yes, there should be age requirements for this ride, for both the young and the old. It's a tough ride, says Terri (ph) -- Carol.

COSTELLO: We'll read more e-mail later on.

MYERS: All right.

COSTELLO: Thank you for your comments this morning. DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:45 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

A tsunami warning has been lifted for the entire U.S. West Coast. It was issued last night after a strong earthquake about 90 miles off the northern California coast. No injuries or damage reported. J.P. Morgan Chase Bank's involvement with the Enron accounting scandal has cost it a bundle. The bank has agreed to pay $2.2 billion to settle a class action lawsuit.

In money news, media conglomerate Viacom is splitting into two companies. One company will focus on broadcast TV, the other on cable networks. Viacom owns CBS and MTV.

In culture, Canadian music retailer HMV Canada is taking Alanis Morissette's albums from its shelves. That's because she's got an exclusive agreement to sell her "Jagged Little Pill" album at Starbucks stores for six weeks.

In sports, Phil Jackson is returning to the Lakers. He led the Lakers to three titles before walking away after last year's loss in the NBA final. Jackson also wrote a book criticizing the organization and its star player Kobe Bryant, who is still there on the team, by the way. But Bryant says he supports Jackson's return. We'll see how that goes -- Chad.

MYERS: Until it gets a little closer. We'll see.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Hey, you're a new dad.

MYERS: Yes, ma'am.

COSTELLO: Do you believe this story? We're going to tell people that fathers, new fathers, can have postpartum depression.

MYERS: Of course.

COSTELLO: You think so?

MYERS: Sure. I mean it's not as physically part of your body as chemicals are, like I think for the woman, but yes.

COSTELLO: Dr. Sanjay Gupta is going to tell us about it in the next segment of DAYBREAK.

Also, don't forget our e-mail "Question of the Morning," should there be age requirements on amusement park rides? E-mail us at DAYBREAK@CNN.com. That's DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Some new mothers face more than just the usual challenges associated with being a parent. About 10 to 15 percent of new moms are also diagnosed with postpartum depression.

But as CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports, it's not just moms who are facing this problem.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(MUSIC)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The baby is finally here. One of the most exhilarating times in a new parent's life. It's no surprise, though, that 10 percent of the time that exhilaration can be replaced by devastating depression in moms. That's because of the sudden change in hormones after the baby is born. More surprising, though, a sort of postpartum depression in dads. Many think it's absolutely real.

JONATHAN ABRAMOWITZ, PSYCHOLOGIST, MAYO CLINIC: Some dads develop postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety.

GUPTA: And it's starting to be recognized, as I learned when I attended a boot camp for new dads.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm more worried about, you know, what's going to happen between me and my wife.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The relationship with my wife and the postpartum depression is one of my biggest concerns.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For me, I'm a little selfish right now, is how do I keep my sanity?

ABRAMOWITZ: One day you don't have a baby, the next day you're responsible for this helpless little thing. And that can, you know, throw fathers for a loop sometimes.

GUPTA: Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz is a clinical psychologist at the Mayo Clinic. He's also the father of 4-year-old Emily and 1-year-old Miriam.

ABRAMOWITZ: I would get bad thoughts. So, for example, my oldest daughter, after she was born, my first, I can recall, you know, burping her, giving her a bottle in the middle of the night. You know my wife's asleep and I'm burping her after giving her the bottle. And I just got this intrusive thought, what if I just reared back and whacked her? You know it would be terrible, I could really hurt this tiny, little 3-week-old thing. And you know no one's stopping me from doing it.

GUPTA: He stopped himself and decided instead to study the problem. His study found that 60 percent to 70 percent of new parents reported having unwanted thoughts, a finding other experts would agree with.

DR. ZACHARY STOWE, EMORY UNIVERSITY: Ask anyone with a child if they've ever had aggressive thoughts about their children, and anyone that tells you no is lying.

GUPTA: And those unwanted thoughts could lead to depression.

ABRAMOWITZ: So if I'm having lots of problems with intrusive bad thoughts and I start to convince myself, oh my goodness, I'm a terrible dad, I'm going to do something awful, why do these thoughts keep coming back? I think that would make a person depressed. GUPTA: Symptoms to look out for include mood swings, fatigue, loss of appetite, sadness, diminished interest in activities that dad used to enjoy.

But there are things you can do about it. Ease the pressure on yourself. Don't forget to talk to the mom, she may understand it better than you think. Also, take time to be a couple.

While a lot of these symptoms are common in new parents, if they last longer than two weeks and prevent you from functioning normally, dads may want to consider therapy or anti-anxiety medications.

Best advice, though, talk about it, like these dads do. Too many dads don't. And remember, you're not alone, so you can best enjoy the cries and the laughter of your new baby.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Time now to update you on a story we've been following here on DAYBREAK. Relief is on the way for people affected by the massive Red Tide in Massachusetts. The federal government will offer low interest loans to fishermen and others affected by the toxic algae. The Red Tide has caused the state's shellfish industry to almost completely shut down.

Here's what we're working on all new for you in the next hour of DAYBREAK.

You probably know your work e-mail is not private, but do you realize there is a very good chance your boss is actually reading your e-mail? We've got some interesting numbers for you this morning.

And talk about a taxing solution. We'll tell you about one state's idea to cut down on gas-guzzling cars.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: I want to dance to that one.

"Entertainment Headlines" for you this morning.

Oscar winning actor Tim Robbins is in final talks to play a policeman forced to resort to terror in South Africa during apartheid. The movie titled "Hot Stuff" is a fact-based drama that focuses on life in South Africa. It will be filmed on location.

The Wayans family of entertainers is interested in developing their own theme park and movie studio in Oakland, California. A spokesman for the brothers says the family is very serious about this project. They will use part of an abandoned Army base, and they hope the attraction would be similar to Universal Studios.

Australian singer Kylie Minogue is thanking her fans for their support since her diagnosis with breast cancer. She says, on her Web site, she'll have more treatment when she returns to Europe. She had surgery last month in Melbourne to remove a lump from her breast.

"Batman Begins" opens across the country today. The action thriller premiered in Europe this week. It's getting rave reviews of a more somber, darker Batman than we've seen before. The story goes back to the beginning to what turned the super hero into a dark knight. The movie stars Christian Bale and Katie Holmes, you know, Tom Cruise's girlfriend.

You can get more entertainment news every night on "ShowBiz Tonight." That's at 7:00 p.m. Eastern on Headline News.

I just wanted to jam to that song some more.

MYERS: It's still going.

COSTELLO: I can't hear it anymore.

MYERS: It's done now.

COSTELLO: Time to get to our e-mail segment, because we've been getting a lot of e-mail responses to our question this morning, should there be age requirements on amusement park rides?

MYERS: Not just the height requirement, because it was 44 inches on that ride down there in Epcot.

From Anita (ph), I have a very tall 5-year-old. We live near Cedar Point, but there was no way I'd let him ride the Magnum, Millennium Force, Raptor or any other adult ride. If a parent is not sure about a ride, go to the merry-go-round.

Matt (ph) says let's not start pointing fingers or laying blame, but spend that energy praying for the family who had to suffer this tragic loss. Not all deaths have to have something to blame or someone to blame. Remember every person who ate an apple in May of 1874 is dead. Is it the apple's fault? Probably not.

And they sure as heck should have all kinds of restrictions to protect the young and innocent who will try anything. Heck, I'd let my -- my 6-year-old would drive if you'd let him. But we, as responsible adults, have to protect them from themselves -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Very interesting responses to our question this morning, and we thank you, as always.

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


Aired June 15, 2005 - 05:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning, everyone, thank you for waking up with us. Welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK.

Coming up in the next 30 minutes, Charles Jenkins is home sweet home, but some of his neighbors have a sour taste in their mouth.

And being a new mom is never easy, but being a new dad can be tough, too. Our Dr. Sanjay Gupta will explain.

But first, "Now in the News."

A tsunami warning has been lifted for the West Coast after a strong earthquake off northern California last night. The 7.0 magnitude quake struck 90 miles off the coast. No damage or injuries reported.

Word coming in just minutes ago, Australian Douglas Wood, a civilian contractor in Iraq, has been freed by his abductors. Australia's prime minister announced Wood's release to Parliament. Wood had been held for six weeks.

An autopsy report on Terri Schiavo comes out this morning. Her relatives hope it will reveal what led to her collapse and severe brain damage 15 years ago. Schiavo died after her feeding tube was removed in March.

Actress Angelina Jolie met Tuesday with Senator Richard Lugar, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Jolie is the U.N. Goodwill Ambassador. There's a picture for you. Jolie and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice take part today in a World Refugee Day celebration in Washington.

To the Forecast Center now and, Chad, good morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you -- Chad.

MYERS: You're welcome.

COSTELLO: Army deserter Charles Jenkins was in his 20s when he defected to North Korea. He was afraid of being shipped off to Vietnam. On Tuesday, he arrived back in the United States. And for the first time in 40 years, he looked into the eyes of his 91-year-old mother.

Mary Snow has all the details for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After spending most of his life in obscurity, Charles Jenkins returned to the U.S. with notoriety. Police in Washington, D.C. helped shield him from reporters and cameras where he touched down on American soil for the first time since defecting to North Korea in 1965. Accompanied by his wife and two children, Jenkins said little as he made his way to visit his elderly mother in North Carolina.

CHARLES JENKINS, U.S. ARMY DESERTER: After 40 years, I'm very happy to go to visit my mother and my family in America, but only one week. I'm going back to Sado, Japan to live with my dear wife and her family.

SNOW: His story became one of international intrigue. Forty years ago, he disappeared when he was an Army sergeant patrolling the border between North and South Korea. Jenkins has said he feared he would be reassigned to Vietnam.

In the 1980s, he was seen in a North Korean propaganda film, denouncing the U.S. Last year, Jenkins turned himself over to U.S. authorities. He was sentenced to a month in military prison and received a dishonorable discharge.

JENKINS: As you know, I have made peace with the U.S. Army, and I have been shown great mercy and compassion.

SNOW: Jenkins' surrender allowed him to be reunited with his wife in Japan, which is a story in itself. As a teenager, she was kidnapped by North Korea. She met and married Jenkins there, and in 2002, she was allowed to return to Japan. Now Jenkins is being reunited with his 91-year-old mother in North Carolina where she is in a nursing home. Not everyone is happy about it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't want him to be a big hero. I want him to be what he was, he was a coward.

WILLIAM EASON, ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C.: I think he's a disgrace to his uniform and his country. And I feel he should be allowed to come home for a few days to see his parents, but I think he ought to go back where he come from.

SNOW: Michael Cook is eager to see Jenkins, who he remembers playing soldiers with as a child. He says he was shocked to learn of Jenkins' defection, but has kept in touch with him over the years. He calls Jenkins by his middle name, Robert. Until now, he hasn't been able to ask the one question on his mind.

MICHAEL COOK, FRIEND OF CHARLES JENKINS: And I haven't asked him anything heavy or serious, you know, like, why'd you do it? Why'd you do it, Robert?

SNOW: It's a question many in this small town are wondering.

Mary Snow, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And as you heard, some people aren't so thrilled with the attention focused on a U.S. Army deserter. We want to talk about it more, Jenkins' visit and what it means to the people in North Carolina.

And for that we're joined by Jim Nesbitt with the "Raleigh News & Observer" newspaper. He's in Roanoke Rapids.

Good morning -- Jim.

JIM NESBITT, "RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER": Good morning, Carol. How are you today?

COSTELLO: I'm fine.

What was your impression when you saw him?

NESBITT: Well the impression was one of yet another photo opportunity and kind of pack journalism at its finest. This has been a closed affair in terms of access to Jenkins and getting to ask that key question that Michael Cook wants to know why did you do what you did 40 years ago?

COSTELLO: And everybody wants to know the answer to that question and if he really knew what he was getting himself into when he decided to defect to North Korea.

NESBITT: Yes, I think his neighbor, Janet King (ph), kind of put it best, he was in his 20s at the time, and men in their 20s do things that in their 50s and 60s they live to regret. And I think 40 years of living in North Korea is a pretty hefty price to pay for one's actions.

COSTELLO: He went through -- he was in labor camps, right, in North Korea? He was forced to teach English to the people there. And supposedly he was forced to make this video. But you know don't you want to ask him those questions as well? Was he really forced to make that video?

NESBITT: Yes, that's what you really want to know, I mean was he forced, was he coerced? How heavy was the coercion? You know these are questions only you know he can answer. I think the sentiment down here is among the both men and women, veterans and non-veterans, is it's great he's getting to see his 91-year-old mama, but it's going to be equally great when he leaves.

COSTELLO: It's interesting that his mother stayed in that town. How was she treated? NESBITT: People don't blame her for her son's actions. I think time and again you go into Rich Square, which is about 20 miles, 25 miles southeast of here, and the people don't any -- what animosity there is, they do not aim at the mother or the siblings. They're fairly sympathetic toward them. And they're glad that Robert is coming to see his mother, but afterwards they want him gone.

COSTELLO: Yes, he's going to go back to Japan very soon in a couple of days. Do you think anyone will get to ask him that vital question of why or will we never know?

NESBITT: Well I think Jim Frederick, a "TIME" magazine correspondent who is going to be doing his autobiography, is asking him that question repeatedly, and we'll get detailed answers then. I can tell you that I'll be knocking on his door over the next few days and seeing whether he'll sit down with me. But it looks like a pretty closed affair -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Well if you -- if the door is answered, we want to hear back from you. Jim Nesbitt, from the "Raleigh News & Observer," joining DAYBREAK this morning, thank you.

Chemical plants across the nation may be at risk for a terrorist attack. And at two congressional hearings today the Homeland Security Department is pushing for tighter federal regulations at private chemical companies.

The acting undersecretary says "while most companies have been eager to cooperate ... it has become clear that the entirely voluntary efforts of these companies alone will not sufficiently address security for the entire sector protecting chemical plants." Robert Stephan says it's time for federal regulations to address emerging threats. He adds, "we now have greater clarity about the tasks ahead, tested tools and a more considerable knowledge-base that will help close potential security gaps."

The industry has resisted regulations saying voluntary measures are protecting the nation's 15,000 privately operated chemical plants from terrorists.

Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

Still to come this morning, we've heard about postpartum depression in new moms, but what about dads? We'll take a look at this serious affliction.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Time to read some e-mail this morning. We're asking you the question, should there be age requirements placed on amusement park rides in light of that 4-year-old dying on the Mission: Space ride at Epcot Center at Disney in Orlando? MYERS: Take it away -- Carol.

COSTELLO: No.

MYERS: No, I'll take it away.

COSTELLO: It's all yours.

MYERS: I'm just trying to throw you a curve.

From Sue (ph), well how would someone supposed to prove their child's age? Am I supposed to bring my birth certificate for my kids when I go there? Let's just do this. The height requirement should be raised to 55 inches tall.

And from Glenda (ph), your report of a death of a child riding Mission: Space say that only a few people have ever been hospitalized. However, I believe that there are many more, like myself, who became very ill after riding this ride. It took me over an hour to regain my equilibrium after riding it, and I'm 35. Look for similar stories like mine. Go to TripAdvisor.com.

COSTELLO: Interesting.

MYERS: I do go to that Web site all the time, but I've never looked about rides.

A younger child may be tall enough to eke past this height requirement but not developed enough to sustain the rigors of these rides. But how would the parks enforce the age requirement?

COSTELLO: But if it's not so much for the parks enforcing it, though, it's just so parents would know whether it's proper to bring your kid on this ride.

MYERS: That's exactly right. You could say you must be this tall, but you probably should be, we recommend, we recommend you should be 60 years old.

Yes, there should be age requirements for this ride, for both the young and the old. It's a tough ride, says Terri (ph) -- Carol.

COSTELLO: We'll read more e-mail later on.

MYERS: All right.

COSTELLO: Thank you for your comments this morning. DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:45 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

A tsunami warning has been lifted for the entire U.S. West Coast. It was issued last night after a strong earthquake about 90 miles off the northern California coast. No injuries or damage reported. J.P. Morgan Chase Bank's involvement with the Enron accounting scandal has cost it a bundle. The bank has agreed to pay $2.2 billion to settle a class action lawsuit.

In money news, media conglomerate Viacom is splitting into two companies. One company will focus on broadcast TV, the other on cable networks. Viacom owns CBS and MTV.

In culture, Canadian music retailer HMV Canada is taking Alanis Morissette's albums from its shelves. That's because she's got an exclusive agreement to sell her "Jagged Little Pill" album at Starbucks stores for six weeks.

In sports, Phil Jackson is returning to the Lakers. He led the Lakers to three titles before walking away after last year's loss in the NBA final. Jackson also wrote a book criticizing the organization and its star player Kobe Bryant, who is still there on the team, by the way. But Bryant says he supports Jackson's return. We'll see how that goes -- Chad.

MYERS: Until it gets a little closer. We'll see.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Hey, you're a new dad.

MYERS: Yes, ma'am.

COSTELLO: Do you believe this story? We're going to tell people that fathers, new fathers, can have postpartum depression.

MYERS: Of course.

COSTELLO: You think so?

MYERS: Sure. I mean it's not as physically part of your body as chemicals are, like I think for the woman, but yes.

COSTELLO: Dr. Sanjay Gupta is going to tell us about it in the next segment of DAYBREAK.

Also, don't forget our e-mail "Question of the Morning," should there be age requirements on amusement park rides? E-mail us at DAYBREAK@CNN.com. That's DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

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COSTELLO: Some new mothers face more than just the usual challenges associated with being a parent. About 10 to 15 percent of new moms are also diagnosed with postpartum depression.

But as CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports, it's not just moms who are facing this problem.

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DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The baby is finally here. One of the most exhilarating times in a new parent's life. It's no surprise, though, that 10 percent of the time that exhilaration can be replaced by devastating depression in moms. That's because of the sudden change in hormones after the baby is born. More surprising, though, a sort of postpartum depression in dads. Many think it's absolutely real.

JONATHAN ABRAMOWITZ, PSYCHOLOGIST, MAYO CLINIC: Some dads develop postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety.

GUPTA: And it's starting to be recognized, as I learned when I attended a boot camp for new dads.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm more worried about, you know, what's going to happen between me and my wife.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The relationship with my wife and the postpartum depression is one of my biggest concerns.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For me, I'm a little selfish right now, is how do I keep my sanity?

ABRAMOWITZ: One day you don't have a baby, the next day you're responsible for this helpless little thing. And that can, you know, throw fathers for a loop sometimes.

GUPTA: Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz is a clinical psychologist at the Mayo Clinic. He's also the father of 4-year-old Emily and 1-year-old Miriam.

ABRAMOWITZ: I would get bad thoughts. So, for example, my oldest daughter, after she was born, my first, I can recall, you know, burping her, giving her a bottle in the middle of the night. You know my wife's asleep and I'm burping her after giving her the bottle. And I just got this intrusive thought, what if I just reared back and whacked her? You know it would be terrible, I could really hurt this tiny, little 3-week-old thing. And you know no one's stopping me from doing it.

GUPTA: He stopped himself and decided instead to study the problem. His study found that 60 percent to 70 percent of new parents reported having unwanted thoughts, a finding other experts would agree with.

DR. ZACHARY STOWE, EMORY UNIVERSITY: Ask anyone with a child if they've ever had aggressive thoughts about their children, and anyone that tells you no is lying.

GUPTA: And those unwanted thoughts could lead to depression.

ABRAMOWITZ: So if I'm having lots of problems with intrusive bad thoughts and I start to convince myself, oh my goodness, I'm a terrible dad, I'm going to do something awful, why do these thoughts keep coming back? I think that would make a person depressed. GUPTA: Symptoms to look out for include mood swings, fatigue, loss of appetite, sadness, diminished interest in activities that dad used to enjoy.

But there are things you can do about it. Ease the pressure on yourself. Don't forget to talk to the mom, she may understand it better than you think. Also, take time to be a couple.

While a lot of these symptoms are common in new parents, if they last longer than two weeks and prevent you from functioning normally, dads may want to consider therapy or anti-anxiety medications.

Best advice, though, talk about it, like these dads do. Too many dads don't. And remember, you're not alone, so you can best enjoy the cries and the laughter of your new baby.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Time now to update you on a story we've been following here on DAYBREAK. Relief is on the way for people affected by the massive Red Tide in Massachusetts. The federal government will offer low interest loans to fishermen and others affected by the toxic algae. The Red Tide has caused the state's shellfish industry to almost completely shut down.

Here's what we're working on all new for you in the next hour of DAYBREAK.

You probably know your work e-mail is not private, but do you realize there is a very good chance your boss is actually reading your e-mail? We've got some interesting numbers for you this morning.

And talk about a taxing solution. We'll tell you about one state's idea to cut down on gas-guzzling cars.

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COSTELLO: I want to dance to that one.

"Entertainment Headlines" for you this morning.

Oscar winning actor Tim Robbins is in final talks to play a policeman forced to resort to terror in South Africa during apartheid. The movie titled "Hot Stuff" is a fact-based drama that focuses on life in South Africa. It will be filmed on location.

The Wayans family of entertainers is interested in developing their own theme park and movie studio in Oakland, California. A spokesman for the brothers says the family is very serious about this project. They will use part of an abandoned Army base, and they hope the attraction would be similar to Universal Studios.

Australian singer Kylie Minogue is thanking her fans for their support since her diagnosis with breast cancer. She says, on her Web site, she'll have more treatment when she returns to Europe. She had surgery last month in Melbourne to remove a lump from her breast.

"Batman Begins" opens across the country today. The action thriller premiered in Europe this week. It's getting rave reviews of a more somber, darker Batman than we've seen before. The story goes back to the beginning to what turned the super hero into a dark knight. The movie stars Christian Bale and Katie Holmes, you know, Tom Cruise's girlfriend.

You can get more entertainment news every night on "ShowBiz Tonight." That's at 7:00 p.m. Eastern on Headline News.

I just wanted to jam to that song some more.

MYERS: It's still going.

COSTELLO: I can't hear it anymore.

MYERS: It's done now.

COSTELLO: Time to get to our e-mail segment, because we've been getting a lot of e-mail responses to our question this morning, should there be age requirements on amusement park rides?

MYERS: Not just the height requirement, because it was 44 inches on that ride down there in Epcot.

From Anita (ph), I have a very tall 5-year-old. We live near Cedar Point, but there was no way I'd let him ride the Magnum, Millennium Force, Raptor or any other adult ride. If a parent is not sure about a ride, go to the merry-go-round.

Matt (ph) says let's not start pointing fingers or laying blame, but spend that energy praying for the family who had to suffer this tragic loss. Not all deaths have to have something to blame or someone to blame. Remember every person who ate an apple in May of 1874 is dead. Is it the apple's fault? Probably not.

And they sure as heck should have all kinds of restrictions to protect the young and innocent who will try anything. Heck, I'd let my -- my 6-year-old would drive if you'd let him. But we, as responsible adults, have to protect them from themselves -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Very interesting responses to our question this morning, and we thank you, as always.

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