Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Two Killed in U.S. Chopper Crash Near Ramadi, Iraq; Democrats Shut Down Senate Over Pre-War Intelligence; Diabetes Awareness

Aired November 02, 2005 - 06:30   ET

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

ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning to you. I'm Carol Costello along with Jacqui Jeras this morning.

As you just saw, we have news just in to CNN. There has been an American helicopter crash near Ramadi in Iraq. We have our Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr, on the phone to tell us more about this.

Any casualties or deaths associated with this, Barbara?

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Carol, yes, unfortunately. The U.S. Marine Corps is now confirming to CNN that one of its Supra Cobra helicopter gunships did crash earlier today outside Ramadi.

The Marine Corps is now confirming that both pilots on board were killed. They are unable to say yet what caused the Cobra to crash. They say the incident is under investigation. They simply don't know.

But this whole area out in the west of Iraq, of course, has been very active. U.S. troops are moving through the area, going after those insurgent forces.

The Cobra gunship conducts several missions out there. It provides armed escorts for convoys. It has missiles and other weapons that can fire at targets on the ground that ground forces may be pursuing. They do armed reconnaissance. It's a very active combat area out there.

So, unfortunately, tragically, the Marines are reporting two of their pilots were killed when this Cobra gunship crashed outside Ramadi -- Carol.

COSTELLO: And I know you're searching for information. So, I'll let you go. Barbara Starr reporting live from the Pentagon. And, again, two military helicopter pilots dead in Iraq this morning, a helicopter crash near Ramadi.

People are already lining up in Detroit for the funeral of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks. Former President Clinton is among the luminaries expected to attend the service. CNN will carry parts of the funeral live beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern. You're now looking live at the motorcade, the hearse carrying the body of Rosa Parks to the church, where final -- where some final words will be said. Aretha Franklin is going to be singing. As I said, President Clinton will be talking. The Reverend Jesse Jackson will provide the eulogy.

In France, dozens of vehicles were torched last night in poor Paris suburbs as police continued to clash with angry youths. Officials say the clashes broke out last week after two teenagers of African origin were electrocuted while apparently fleeing police.

Australia's prime minister warns that he has received intelligence about a specific terror threat to his country. But John Howard is refusing to give any details about the threat, citing security concerns.

Let's head to the forecast center now to check in with Jacqui.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: The U.S. Senate will resume business as usual today after Democrats forced it into a closed session for more than two hours yesterday. The move was a dramatic attempt to speed up an investigation into why the White House went to war in Iraq.

CNN's Bill Schneider joins us now from Washington.

Good morning, Bill.

WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Good morning, Carol.

COSTELLO: OK. So, I'm going to read you some of the rhetoric that was flying around Washington yesterday.

This is from Majority Leader Bill Frist. He says: "This is an affront to me personally. This is an affront to our leadership. It is an affront to the United States of America. It is wrong." He called it a slap in the face.

That's like words you hear in a soap opera, Bill.

SCHNEIDER: That's exactly what it is. He was very angry that he wasn't consulted, which is traditional in case like this. The Democrats did this very secretively. And Mr. Frist is offended.

And he also said he doesn't think he can -- he's not sure, I believe were his words -- that he can trust the minority leader, the Democratic Harry Reid, any longer.

COSTELLO: OK. So, let's sort through this. Does he have a right to be angry? And was this a stunt by the Democrats?

SCHNEIDER: Well, I would say yes. He has a right to be angry, because it is not traditional to do this without consulting the majority leader.

For the Democrats, critics would call it a stunt. It really was a very bold move on their part, because they're angry. It was a revolt by Democrats, who feel that the issue that they want investigated has just been shoved aside by the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and that is the issue of looking into the mistaken assumptions about Iraq's weapons programs.

They issued a report last year. They cast no blame. They said there would be a further investigation, and the Democrats have seen no progress.

They're especially angry, because the Libby indictment last week was supposed to be centrally about making the case for war with Iraq, a case that had to do with intelligence. And the Iraq issue was kind of shoved aside, even by the special prosecutor.

Democrats are very angry about that. And they have no control over the agenda in Washington. They don't control the House. They don't control the Senate. They don't control the White House. And they feel as if they have to make moves like this, because this is the only way they can get any kind of control over the agenda.

COSTELLO: So, when Senator Pat Roberts says -- you know, he's the chairman of the Intelligence Committee -- when he says that attacking a chairman personally for doing a job that we have already been doing, he's not stating -- I mean, true or not.

SCHNEIDER: Well, he has -- I think one can argue that he has been dragging his feet. This has gone on for a long time. And there appears to be a lot of resistance.

And the Democrats have come out with fact sheets. They sent me one with date after date, month after month, in which they have been trying to pressure the Intelligence Committee to continue this investigation, to look into it. And they say their belief is they're trying to bury it.

COSTELLO: OK.

SCHNEIDER: It went into closed session, because they said, this involves national security matters. But it was also obviously an effort to grab attention.

COSTELLO: So, lickety-split, both sides reached this compromise. The Senate reopens for business. And on November 14, the American people will hear what?

SCHNEIDER: On November 14? What's going to happen on November 14? I don't know.

COSTELLO: Well, I mean, they're supposed to come out with a report, some kind of report.

SCHNEIDER: Oh.

COSTELLO: Yes, that.

SCHNEIDER: Oh, OK. I didn't know the date. Well, I don't think they're going to hear a great deal new. But they are at least going to try to focus on the issue of who was responsible, and was the White House irresponsible in making the case for weapons of mass destruction.

Remember, the Republicans are still in charge of the committee, and they're still in charge of the Senate. So, I think we're not going to hear anything sensational.

The Democrats will have an opportunity to at least make their views known.

COSTELLO: Bill Schneider, thank you for joining DAYBREAK this morning. We always appreciate it.

SCHNEIDER: My pleasure.

COSTELLO: Also on the political front, President Bush has named a point man to oversee the government's Gulf Coast recovery efforts. Donald Powell will give up his post as chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to take on the challenge. Lawmakers from the Gulf Coast region had pushed for a federal official to oversee reconstruction projects.

The Texas governor, Rick Perry, is accusing FEMA of poor planning, discrimination and inefficiency. The Republican governor blasted FEMA in a letter to the Homeland Security Department. Perry's letter includes a litany of alleged shortcomings, like more than a quarter-million evacuees relocated to Texas after Hurricane Katrina. Homeland Security says that FEMA has not seen evidence of some of Perry's claims.

Pakistan's disaster relief chief has just announced that the death toll from last month's massive earthquake has risen to more than 73,000. Now with the brutal Himalayan winter closing in, the U.N. says aid donations to earthquake victims are down to a trickle. Relief workers still have not been able to reach an estimated 200,000 people cut off by the earthquake. The U.N.'s World Food Program lacks the money to mount a round-the-clock operation into the winter.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, union headaches for both Delta and Boeing. The lowdown from Carrie Lee after the break.

And later, you know her as Tony Soprano's sister. Actress Aida Turturro will join us to talk about a topic close to her heart: diabetes.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It's time now for a little "Business Buzz."

Boeing and Delta are going through labor pains. You know that.

Carrie Lee joins us with a look at what's going on with those two companies and their employees.

Is it getting worse?

CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT: It is getting worse, Carol -- at least for now.

Let me start with Boeing, because at 12:01 last night talks broke down, and 1,500 machinists reportedly went on strike. Now, a federal mediator was unable to broker an agreement yesterday, and this Boeing strike could affect satellite launches by one of its units.

So, we'll keep an eye on Boeing shares today. That is one of the Dow 30.

As for Delta, the bankrupt carrier reportedly wants a court to let it force $325 million in wage concessions that it had been seeking from its pilots as part of its recovery plan. Delta wants to reject its agreement with the 6,000 pilots and impose these cuts. But the airline said it would still be willing to negotiate with the union to reach an agreement outside of court. They say they need that money, though. The union says Delta is not willing to budge on the amount it is seeking to save.

So that is the latest on these carriers. And, you know, this comes after UAL yesterday reported a record loss, almost $1.8 billion for the quarter.

COSTELLO: Wow!

LEE: Delta will report November 9. And you know they're not making money.

COSTELLO: No, they're not.

LEE: Far from it.

COSTELLO: A quick look at the futures.

LEE: Futures are looking up a bit, a slightly higher open. That's what's expected right now.

Time Warner, our parent company, just out with profits a few minutes ago. Beat the Street by a penny a share in terms of profits. It also did a little bit better than expected on the sales end, too. We'll see if it helps the stock, down 8 percent year-to-date. It has been an underperformer. We knew that.

COSTELLO: Yes. It's kind of been stuck at $18 for the last, oh, 100 years it seems.

LEE: It really has. It really has. So, we'll see if it gets some upside action today.

COSTELLO: Thank you, Carrie.

LEE: Sure. COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 6:44 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

Two Marine helicopter pilots are dead following a crash near the Iraqi city of Ramadi today. Authorities don't know yet what caused the Supra Cobra helicopter gunship to go down.

Rosa Parks will be laid to rest today in Detroit. Right now, her body is being carried from the Charles Wright Museum of African- American History to the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit for funeral services. That's a live picture you're seeing.

In money news, the Fed raised a key short-term interest rate another quarter of a percentage point yesterday. It is the 12th consecutive quarter-point rate hike by the Central Bank since June of 2004.

In culture, parents may need to do closer research on some G- rated films. A Harvard study confirms violence and veiled sexual references have steadily increased in the seemingly innocent world of cartoons.

In sports, the defending champions San Antonio Spurs began the season the same way they ended the last one: with a win. Last night, the Spurs got both their NBA championship rings and a 102-91 win over the Denver Nuggets.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Still to come on DAYBREAK, millions of Americans have it. One of them is actress Aida Turturro from "The Sopranos." We'll focus on diabetes, type II diabetes after the break.

But first, it's time to say happy birthday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: OK. Welcome back. It is 6:49 Eastern. Here is what will be making news today.

The Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing this morning on the avian flu. President Bush has announced a $7 billion federal plan to prepare the country for a possible flu pandemic.

Also in Washington, the Department of Homeland Security will hold a hearing on why the levees around New Orleans failed during Hurricane Katrina.

And in Texas, 400 potential jurors will receive questionnaires to determine who will serve in the Enron trial. Former Enron leaders are scheduled to go on trial in January.

This is National Diabetes Month. It's meant to call our attention to the dangers of diabetes and to raise awareness about treatment. Type II diabetes has become an epidemic in this country, experts say. Cells don't use insulin properly. I'm describing Type II to you. And that causes glucose to build up in the blood. Of utmost importance is controlling blood sugar levels.

Diabetes-related complications can include stroke, heart attack, loss of eyesight and possible loss of limbs.

One woman who fights the daily battle with diabetes is actress Aida Turturro. And you've probably seen her work on the hit HBO series, "The Sopranos," just one of the many stage, screen and TV credits.

We welcome Aida Turturro to our show today.

Good morning.

AIDA TURTURRO, ACTRESS, "THE SOPRANOS": Good morning. How are you today?

COSTELLO: I'm fine. You look all awake and everything.

TURTURRO: I am. I'm awake and happy. I'm doing good today.

COSTELLO: I'm glad to hear that, because you have had your troubles with Type II diabetes, haven't you?

TURTURRO: I have. I have. Thank you for that great intro. You gave out so much information, and it's so, you know, true.

I have had a battle, but in the last few years I have really taken care of it. And one of the reasons I'm here today is to kind of bring out the awareness.

And I've had diabetes for about -- it's been Type II about five years. And for the first, say, two or two-and-a-half years I didn't quite take care of that diabetes. What I wanted to do...

COSTELLO: Well, let's center...

TURTURRO: ... is speak to the people....

COSTELLO: Aida, let's center on that, because I would imagine...

TURTURRO: Yes.

COSTELLO: ... when you're diagnosed with Type II diabetes, you say, what? I mean, what was your reaction?

TURTURRO: You know what? Some people say, "What?" They get the books out, and they get to work on it. And then a lot of people -- like you said, there are over 20 million people with diabetes. Sixty percent of them right now are out of control with their diabetes.

By being out of control, as you mentioned, you're putting yourself at risk for all of these diseases and complications. COSTELLO: Well...

TURTURRO: Sixty percent are not taking care of their diabetes right now.

COSTELLO: Well, I want to explore the reasons why, because you didn't take care of yourself right after your diagnosis either.

TURTURRO: Well, exactly, because...

COSTELLO: But why?

TURTURRO: You know why? "Why" is a big question. Why do people smoke when they know they shouldn't smoke? Why do people not exercise? Why do people do things? Sometimes you're in denial. I was in denial. Sometimes people don't take care of themselves.

I finally went to my doctor. My doctor said, OK, if you're living with these high blood sugars, you're going to be in trouble. You're putting yourself at risk.

I then finally -- it may be a wake-up call. I'm trying to, you know, give a wake-up call to people out there. I finally said, 'What am I doing?' And it was scary. It was scary to acknowledge that.

But with my doctor, I then said, OK. I went to a nutritionist. I started working on the food and learning about it and exercising. And I had to -- the oral medication wasn't enough. I started taking Lantus. It's a long-acting insulin. That, with my working out and exercising -- you know, all of that -- and the food, that combination has finally in the last two-and-a-half years I've doing this has finally worked to put me in control of this. Which another point is to be in control means that you have an A1C, which is a blood test for diabetes that tests your blood sugar, under seven.

Now, it's really important. It's a simple test, just like you check your cholesterol. You go. You take a blood test. And if you're under seven, then you're doing OK. You're not putting yourself at risk.

So many people don't even know what an A1C test is, and they're diabetic.

COSTELLO: Yes.

TURTURRO: So many people don't get that.

COSTELLO: And you don't know if you're under control. Back to the ways that you control your Type II diabetes.

TURTURRO: OK. Well...

COSTELLO: Is it a difficult thing, really? Or is it just a more healthy lifestyle?

TURTURRO: Oh, my god! It is so difficult. It's so difficult everyday. But you can manage it by starting to do it. You work with your doctor. You really have to educate yourself about nutrition and carbohydrates and how much you can take.

I test my blood sugar so that I can, you know, know how much insulin and where I'm at. I test with a monitor three or four times a day. You have to test your blood sugar.

I go to my doctor every three months. I take an A1C. I try to work out. Sometimes I do it more. Sometimes I do it less.

But it's a constant 24/7 thing that you have to manage. And it's hard. But I was not feeling good. I was not feeling well. You get moody. You get tired. It's such -- you know, if you're not under control you really don't feel well.

It took a lot of work. I'm proud of myself. I battle with it all the time.

COSTELLO: Yes.

TURTURRO: You know, it's not -- but there are so many people out there who have it.

COSTELLO: OK.

TURTURRO: You know...

COSTELLO: So, so many people out there, 60 percent of people with Type II diabetes aren't controlling it.

TURTURRO: Yes, right, are not controlling it.

COSTELLO: So, put the fear of God into them, Aida.

TURTURRO: OK. They'd better go to their doctor. No. You know what? I'm just telling them for themselves to please take care of themselves. Right now, if you haven't gone to your doctor, you don't know where you're at, please make those steps. You know, be kind to yourself, because ultimately if you don't control it, over time -- it's not in a week or a year -- in a few years you're going to come up with a lot of -- you know, you'll have some complications.

COSTELLO: And serious complications. I mean, you can go blind, right?

TURTURRO: So serious. No, so serious. Like, you know, I'm not a doctor, so I can't give you all of, like, the numbers. But there are, you know, so many leading factors for lots of -- heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, is diabetes.

I mean, people just think, oh, they had a heart attack. Well, maybe they had a heart attack because they were diabetic and didn't take care of it, you know, and so on.

So, this is just an awareness time. It's really like learn about it. There is so much. There is so much information to be had, you know, the American Diabetes Association that you can go on, or diabeteswatch.com. You can pick up books.

And, you know, try to get support from people. Like, get a workout partner. Make some kind of schedule.

And you do have to learn the nutritional factors.

COSTELLO: Yes, you do.

TURTURRO: You really have to learn a lot about sugar, which is a lot, you know, connected. People think sugar is cake.

COSTELLO: Oh, I wish...

TURTURRO: Sugar is a carbohydrate.

COSTELLO: I wish we could go on and on, but we cannot.

TURTURRO: I know. I'm so sorry. I appreciate it.

COSTELLO: Aida Turturro...

TURTURRO: I could talk forever about it.

COSTELLO: Aida Turturro...

TURTURRO: Thank you so much. I appreciate it. Thank you.

COSTELLO: Thank you very much.

TURTURRO: OK.

COSTELLO: Full disclosure. Aida is also being paid by a drug manufacturer, which is part of the reason she's doing this, but mostly to help.

When we come back, more headlines and a look at your travel forecast. You're watching DAYBREAK.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: We have just enough time to give away a mug.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: All right, let's do so.

The answers to yesterday's questions. What is the number one myth about job references? Companies cannot say anything critical about a former employee, because they can. And, two, which popular actor is lending his voice to a PBS documentary that aired Tuesday night? The answer, Brad Pitt.

And the winner is Wendy Berry from New Canaan, Connecticut. Congratulations. We'll get you a mug out in the mail.

Now time for today's questions. What will be the new price for a standard stamp if a proposed rate hike takes effect? And who has the president put in charge of the rebuilding efforts in the Gulf region? Submit your answers, and send it to daybreak@cnn.com.

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