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CNN Live At Daybreak

Discovery to Land in California; Nuclear Fears; Angry War Mom

Aired August 09, 2005 - 05:00   ET

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

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It is Tuesday, August 9. NASA says not yet.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I ask you guys to watch the earth go buy for one more riff. And we're going to officially wave off at this attempt.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Waved off again. The Discovery astronauts have to wait a bit longer to get their feet back on the ground. We'll take you straight to mission control.

Also, they came by the hundreds. The Buckeye State mourns its fallen troops.

Plus...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: More and more, I'm developing a group of patients who are long-term survivors of this disease.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: New drugs and age-old faith. Could they team up and beat a deadly disease?

ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.

COSTELLO: And good morning to you. We'll have more on the Space Shuttle Discovery in just a moment.

Also ahead, how is President Bush doing in the polls? The latest numbers are out, and they're not so great.

And Marilyn Monroe, did she really commit suicide? New evidence may suggest a different scenario.

But first, "Now in the News."

In about four hours, the U.N.'s nuclear agency convenes an emergency meeting on Iran. It comes a day after Iran restarts its nuclear work that the U.S. and Europe fear could lead to weapons. More details on that in a few minutes.

Rising nuclear tensions are partly to blame for skyrocketing oil prices. This morning, the price of oil is edging up above $64 a barrel, a record high again. Terrorism fears play a major role.

Being hailed as heroes. The British sailors who rescued seven Russians in a trapped mini-sub are back in the U.K. this morning. They say there were tears on both sides after the successful rescue.

To the forecast center.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Oh, Carol.

COSTELLO: Oh, Chad. Those poor astronauts. They're never going to get home.

MYERS: Yes. Yes, well, they will somewhere. The other two sites look fine, but Florida doesn't look that great. It's not as gray as it was yesterday. It's more black and white, because there are more showers around Florida.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

Of course our top story this morning breaking news from NASA. The Shuttle Discovery astronauts will have to spend more time in space.

Miles O'Brien, do you have new information about a later landing that won't take place either?

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN SPACE CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Carol, let's get right to mission control and listen in to Ken Ham right now.

KEN HAM, NASA: So I would like -- for now, you can just hold where you are on the checklist. We're going to think about the best way to get into a good config for Edwards, and we'll get back to you shortly with the take. Copy?

EILEEN COLLINS, COMMANDER, DISCOVERY: We copy all. We'll hold right here. And we've been thinking about Edwards. So we'll be ready for that.

HAMM: Great.

O'BRIEN: There you have it. Ken Ham to Eileen Collins. Ken Ham in Houston, Eileen Collins in space. The destination for the Shuttle Discovery after a five-and-a-half million mile trip around the globe, two solid weeks, will be Edwards Air Force Base in California.

We won't be seeing the shuttle here. It's a beautiful day in California. "CAVU" is the term that pilots use, ceiling and visibility unlimited. The wind right down the centerline of the runway there. But as Chad just pointed out, Carol, the weather here just not going to make it. Let me show you a little bit -- a lot of questions that people have had about why these landing opportunities happen the way they happen. We've put together an animation which kind of demonstrates this whole thing.

The shuttle orbits the Earth at an inclination. It's an angle against the equator of 56 degrees. And as it does that, the Earth, of course, is spinning beneath it.

And we can roll this animation and I can show you exactly how these -- these -- well, this is a little different animation. This shows you an approach to Edwards Air Force Base, which is in the California high desert. They'll be landing on runway 22 at Edwards.

The weather there is pretty much always pristine. And nice long runway strip there as well.

And maybe if we could we could give you a shot of that animation, explaining how those landing opportunities are decided upon. But there you see that long strip that the shuttle has ended its mission at many times before.

Joining me now here is -- in Florida is astronaut Cady Coleman, who has been watching all this. And I know Cady, who has ridden down on the shuttle before, was anxious to see it from this perspective.

You're not going to do that. Does the crew care where they end their mission?

CADY COLEMAN, NASA ASTRONAUT: I think they'd love to be here at Kennedy, partly because their families are here waiting for them. And now their families will, you know, meet them in Houston. And so I think that's a little bit disappointing.

At the same time, you know, the mission is the mission. And Edwards is the place to land today. And you go where the weather is good. The weather is good at Edwards, it's not good enough here.

O'BRIEN: It's actually worse today than it was yesterday.

COLEMAN: That's true.

O'BRIEN: Now -- and so, end of mission. What will happen is they go through the same process, of course, of getting off the shuttle, probably give a news conference there. And then as quickly as possible they get them to Houston, where their families will meet them there. Is that how it works?

COLEMAN: I think it depends on each crew. And I heard something about Mexican food.

O'BRIEN: I think -- I do believe Eileen, she is an enchilada fan, as we are told. And it's interesting. I've heard many times that people in space crave spicy foods. There's something about that, isn't there? COLEMAN: About going up there and then everything tastes a little more bland. We use a lot of salsa and a lot of pepper, pepper in liquid form, actually.

O'BRIEN: Wow. Pepper in liquid form.

COLEMAN: Yes.

O'BRIEN: All right.

The fluid loading continues, Carol, on board the Space Shuttle Discovery. That doesn't mean it's cocktail hour. That means they're drinking lots of salty water.

COLEMAN: AstroAde they call it.

O'BRIEN: AstroAde they call it, as Cady puts it, which keeps them from being lightheaded when they come down back to the -- and experience gravity for the first time in two weeks. No umbrella drinks, just lots of salty water.

COSTELLO: Yes. That sounds delicious.

O'BRIEN: Yes, really. Not.

COSTELLO: OK, Miles. We'll get back to you.

We want to take you now to the hub of NASA's mission control operations. CNN's John Zarrella joins us from the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

OK. So, it's going to land at around 8:18 Eastern Time now, John.

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right. About 8:12 Eastern at Edwards Air Force Base. And it gives them a nice wide open area, runway 22, the dry lake bed.

And so plenty of space, clear blue skies, as Miles had said. And I don't think, Carol, that's there any real, real surprise.

NASA did everything they could to get the crew back to the Kennedy Space Center today, but that just not -- was not going to happen. They waited until, you know, just about the last minute that they could, and then waved off. And really no surprise here to the folks at the Johnson Space Center, having looked at that weather.

Remember, Carol, yesterday, when they said they couldn't get comfortable with the weather the way it was, even though everything was green for a landing at the time at Kennedy, given the thunderstorm activity out in the ocean over the Cape, it certainly didn't look like they were going to get comfortable at the -- at the Cape today, and they didn't.

So the Edwards decision certainly gives them nice clear blue skies and a big runway to land on -- Carol. COSTELLO: And all those family members will be coming to you to meet their loved ones. Not exactly with you.

ZARRELLA: Eventually, yes.

COSTELLO: All right. John Zarrella, reporting live this morning. Thank you.

Let's talk about Iran and nuclear weapons. Iran is fanning western fears of a new nuclear power. There is an emergency meeting this morning of the international agency charged with nuclear activity.

Zain Verjee tells us about those fears.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A controversial Iranian nuclear facility is up and running again, much to the concern of the European Union and the United States. Officials in Tehran say they're converting uranium into fuel for a nuclear power plant. But the EU and the U.S. are worried that Iran is secretly trying to build nuclear weapons.

That's a charge Iranian leaders deny.

HADDAD ADEL, IRANIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER (through translator): Iranians are determined to benefit from peaceful nuclear technology.

VERJEE: The EU offered economic incentives to convince Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions altogether. Iran's response? No.

New U.N. surveillance cameras were installed, but according to officials, have not been tested. If they work, presumably they can keep an eye on activity there to ensure the equipment is for civilian use only.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: That was CNN's Zain Verjee. We'll get more on what to expect out of this morning's emergency IAEA meeting around 6:30 Eastern. Walter Rodgers is live in Vienna for us. He'll bring you a full report.

So, President Bush, how do you think he's doing as the nation's CEO? A CNN "USA-Today"-Gallup poll finds the majority of respondents, 51 percent, disapprove of his performance. Forty-five percent of those polled over the weekend approve of the way he's doing his job.

And here are some stories making news "Across America" this morning.

San Quentin Prison is under a lockdown after 42 inmates were injured during a riot. It took several dozen armed guards to break up the fight between white and Hispanic inmates in a medium security wing of the prison. Three inmates were taken to hospitals with serious injuries.

Wal-Mart has asked a federal judge to dismiss a large discrimination suit against the retail giant. The suit was brought on, on behalf of over one million female employees who say they are paid less than men. Some also contend they are unfairly passed over for promotion. The suit could cost Wal-Mart billions of dollars in damages.

A little league baseball team from Bryant, Arkansas, is undefeated since they had all their equipment stolen last week. Thieves made off with the team's gloves, bats and uniforms before a regional tournament in Waco, Texas. Coaches and parents replaced the gear, and now the team is close to securing a spot in the Little League World Series.

Still to come, staying the course. The grieving mother of a slain soldier in Iraq vows not to give up until she gets answers from the president. We'll take you to her protest as she camps out in Crawford.

Plus, does the NCAA have a double standard? We'll look a new mandate on Native-American mascots.

And new evidence that may prove that Marilyn Monroe did not commit suicide.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: The international markets in positive territory this morning. Tokyo's Nikkei up 121 points. The London FTSE up 17. The German DAX is up 12.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 5:13 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

NASA has waved off the first two landing opportunities for the Shuttle Discovery. That's because of storms at Florida's Kennedy Space Center. A third landing attempt is now scheduled for 8:12 a.m. Eastern. It will happen at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

A guilty plea from a former U.N. official. Alexander Yakovlev of Russia admits to accepting several hundred thousand dollars in bribes under the Iraqi oil-for-food program. This is the first time a U.N. staffer has faced charges in the oil-for-food probe.

In money news, Anheuser-Busch is putting together alcohol and caffeine for its latest new product. The company has introduced a new drink called "Tilt." It also includes ginseng and guarana. Can't wait.

In culture, trailblazing publisher John Johnson has died. Johnson is best known for founding "Ebony" and "Jet" magazines more than 50 years ago. He also built the world's largest African- American-owned publishing company. John Johnson was 87.

In sports, all eyes were on Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams at this year's Hall of Fame game. But he managed only eight yards rushing. And the team lost. The Chicago Bears won the game 27- 24 behind rookie quarterback Kyle Orton.

Not sure all that means much. They never put their hearts into the Hall of Fame game, Chad.

MYERS: I bet you Kyle Orton did.

COSTELLO: Oh, you're probably right.

MYERS: Fourth round draft choice out of Purdue. Folks there are cheering for him this morning.

COSTELLO: Yes. And he'll never be seen again.

MYERS: Well, hopefully he's there. I don't know. He did a pretty good job yesterday.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: All right, Chad.

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

Still to come this morning on DAYBREAK, criminals should beware when these young ladies are around. We'll tell you about their special cheer.

You're watching DAYBREAK for Tuesday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Family, friends and strangers alike turned out at a memorial service in Cleveland to share their grief and pay tribute to Ohio's fallen Marines. Sixty members of a single battalion were killed in Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LT. COL. KEVIN RUSH, U.S. MARINE CORPS.: They got their boots on the ground in Iraq in March of this year. Since then, they've been disrupting the insurgency on a daily basis and doing an outstanding job.

These Marines have been giving their all. And sadly, some of them paid the ultimate sacrifice. Our hearts go out to their families and all of the families of the Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen who have died in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Politicians and other government officials also turned out to pay their respects. Some military families complained that it's unfortunate so many had to die for such a ceremony to come about.

In Texas, the mother of a fallen U.S. soldier is camping out near President Bush's ranch, demanding to see him. She is angry, saying her son's death was senseless. Here's CNN's Elaine Quijano in Crawford.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Her name is Cindy Sheehan, and she is one voice in the emotional debate over the Iraq War.

CINDY SHEEHAN, ARMY SPECIALIST CASEY SHEEHAN'S MOTHER: I'm a mom. My heart was broken on April 4 when my son was killed.

QUIJANO: Her son, 24-year-old Army Specialist Casey Sheehan, died in Baghdad's Sadr City last year. She blames President Bush for his death.

SHEEHAN: George Bush said that the families can be -- can rest assured that their children died for a noble cause. And I want to ask him, what is that noble cause?

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're laying the foundation of peace for generations to come. We're defeating the terrorists in a place like Iraq so we don't have to face them here at home.

QUIJANO: Recent polls show the public's support for the president's Iraq policy is falling below 40 percent. And while the president says he's determined to finish the job...

BUSH: We will stay the course. We will complete the job in Iraq.

QUIJANO: ... Cindy Sheehan says she's determined to get answers from him.

SHEEHAN: Can I go see the president?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, ma'am. You're going to stop.

QUIJANO: Sheehan has met the president before when he stopped at Ft. Lewis, Washington, to deliver a speech about the Iraq War.

SHEEHAN: My son had only been dead two months. I was in a deep state of shock. Since we met with George Bush in June of 2004, the Downing Street Memos have come out, the Dulfer weapons of mass destruction, or lack of weapons of mass destruction, report came out.

QUIJANO: She vows to camp out near the president's Texas ranch for the rest of his vacation until she sees him.

(on camera): Two top White House officials, the national security adviser, and the deputy chief of staff did come out to talk to Sheehan on Saturday. But she isn't satisfied. SHEEHAN: They said they'll pass on the concerns to the president. And I said, "Fine, but I'm not leaving until I talk to him."

QUIJANO (voice over): The White House says many of the hundreds of families the president has met with know their loved ones died for a noble cause and that the best way to honor their sacrifice is to complete the mission.

SHEEHAN: The only way he can honor my son's sacrifice and my family's sacrifice is by bringing the troops home in honor of my son's sacrifice.

QUIJANO: Elaine Quijano, CNN, Crawford, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Before the Pentagon begins cutting back on U.S. troops in Iraq, as expected next spring, it will likely send in more troops this fall. A Pentagon spokesman says the troops may be needed to beef up security for Iraq's planned October referendum for the constitution and a December election. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld has said insurgent attacks usually intensify ahead of key political milestones.

Apparently many of you believe the U.S.-led war on Iraq has not made you feel any safer from terrorism. A CNN "USA-Today"-Gallup poll taken over the weekend shows almost six in 10 Americans feel that way. Thirty-four percent believe the war has made us safer.

Senior U.S. officials say a shipment of bombs has been confiscated in southern Iraq in the past couple of weeks. And the officials say the devices were smuggled in from Iran. The officials tell CNN The bombs were more sophisticated and lethal than the typical devices used by Iraqi insurgents. American and Iraqi troops confiscated the bombs near a border crossing on the Iraqi side.

We'll take a short break. We'll be back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.

COSTELLO: And good morning to you. Welcome to the second half- hour of DAYBREAK.

Coming up in the next 30 minutes, the NCAA wants to prohibit so- called offensive mascots, but who's to say what's offensive?

And mystery has always surrounded Marilyn Monroe's death. Some in the know say she would never have taken her own life.

But first, "Now in the News."

The landing of the Shuttle Discovery has been waved off twice in the last four hours because of cloudy weather over Florida's east coast. Now NASA plans to bring Discovery down at Edwards Air Force Base in California at 8:12 a.m. Eastern.

Iran's decision to resume work at a nuclear facility has several nations concerned. The International Atomic Energy Agency has an emergency meeting less than four hours from now. Washington may bring the matter before the United Nations.

Palestinians will go to the polls in January. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas announced today that legislative elections will be held at that time. Elections originally were set to take place last month.

In southeastern Washington State, a dangerous wildfire. It's destroyed more than 100 cabins and homes. Six hundred firefighters fighting this thing. More than 32,000 acres burned.

And no rain in sight, right, Chad?

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Speaking of the shuttle, yes, it's time to talk about the Shuttle Discovery landing. And it will land, we promise.

Let's head out to Kennedy Space Center and Miles O'Brien.

Explain.

O'BRIEN: Well, Carol, it's -- I guess the simple explanation is the weather's terrible here. That's the simple explanation. A lot of questions, though, from people as to all these decisions, why they pick certain landing points at certain times. I've got a little animation here which may or may not help explain a little bit of orbital mechanics.

There won't be a quiz on this. Don't worry, folks.

The shuttle going around the globe, 56 degrees inclination to the equator. The Earth spins beneath it. OK? So it's at that angle, the Earth moves about a thousand miles every orbit.

There's the Kennedy Space Center opportunities, because you see how the orbit goes. And then as the morning goes on, oh, suddenly White Sands. New Mexico is available.

And then as the morning gets a little later, now we can make it to Edwards Air Force base. That's why you see first Kennedy Space Center, and then as the morning progresses we get into Edwards' opportunities.

Let's talk about the opportunities here that are now history.

The weather plain here, shuttle training aircraft it is called, was flown this morning by astronaut Kent Rominger. And he spent a lot of time -- you can see the infrared shot.

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