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CNN Live At Daybreak
Violence in Iraq; Iraq Headache; Cardiac Care; Chilly Reception
Aired November 18, 2005 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning, everyone, and welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK. Thanks so much for starting your day with us. I'm Kelly Wallace in today for Carol Costello.
Coming up in the next 30 minutes, a new wave of violence in Iraq this morning and angry new accusations of abuse pitting one tribe against another. We'll have a live report.
And public support for the war is waning. Has a turning point been reached? We'll take a closer look.
But first, these stories "Now in the News."
And information just coming in to CNN, an Iraqi police official telling us that two explosions took place near or inside two Shi'a mosques. It is suspected that suicide bombers are involved. The explosions are in an eastern Iraqi town and there are reports of at least 50 people killed.
Also in Iraq, this time in Baghdad, two more suicide car bombings leaving six people dead, including two children. At least 40 people were wounded when the blast went off near a hotel in central Baghdad. A U.S. military commander says the attackers used a method similar to that used in a bombing last month.
And Cuban President Fidel Castro says he feels better than ever. The 79-year-old communist leader delivered a five-hour speech at the University of Havana. He denies recent reports coming from U.S. intelligence that perhaps Castro has Parkinson's Disease.
To Jacqui Jeras at the Forecast Center now in Atlanta telling us about some cold temperatures throughout much of the country, right -- Jacqui?
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, can't miss it. It kind of slaps you in the face when you walk out the door this morning, so you really want to bundle up. I still haven't gotten my gloves out of the closet yet. That's one thing I still have to do. So you might want to think about doing that before you head out this morning. Get those dry hands out of the air is very dry, it's very cold and what you see is what you get today. This is going to be lasting over the next several days.
(WEATHER REPORT)
WALLACE: OK, Jacqui, look forward to that. Thanks so much. Talk to you in about 10 minutes.
And we want to get more now on a developing story we are following, two explosions which took place near or inside two Shi'a mosques in eastern Iraq.
Our Nic Robertson is in the Iraqi capital following a number of developments this morning.
Nic, always good to see you. What can you tell us first about these latest blasts?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kelly, the latest blasts occurred about 85 miles northeast of Baghdad in a town of Khanaqin. What appears to have happened, two suicide bombers went into two different mosques at their busiest time of the week, the Friday noonday prayers. The suicide bombers detonating their explosives.
According to U.S. military officials, there are at least 50 people dead at this time, many, many more wounded. Again, this would have been the busiest time of the week at the mosque.
There is believed to be the possibility of a third suicide bomber on the loose in that town. This is strange, because that particular town, relatively small, and until recently, it's been relatively peaceful there as well.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day in Baghdad, two suicide bombs detonated. They were targeting a hotel. The first suicide bomber, in an explosive-ladened white van, drives up to the perimeter wall outside the al-Hamra Hotel, detonates his explosives, tries to blow a hole in the perimeter wall of the hotel, the concrete security barriers. This is very similar to an attack three weeks ago. This hotel, the al-Hamra, Western journalists live there, as well as many other Western workers.
The second vehicle approaches the hotel, tries to get in through that breach in the security barrier, fails to get through, detonates the explosives in the gap in the wall, but does damage the hotel, blows out windows, damages houses right around. Six people killed, two women -- two children killed, one woman killed and an apartment building collapsed on top of a family. Rescue workers were trying to get that family out earlier today. Forty people wounded in that attack so far -- Kelly.
WALLACE: Of course as you're mentioning, that attack near the hotel, also near the interior ministry compound. And inside that compound, we know that some about 170 detainees were found and there are allegations of torture and abuse.
Yesterday you talked to us about how the interior minister is saying that these torture claims are exaggerated, but that calls for an investigation remain. What are Iraqis expecting to come out of all of this? Are they hopeful that they will get some answers?
ROBERTSON: They certainly hope that there will be some answers. And the bunker building that -- where these -- where the detainees were held, where the abuses and the torture took place, is back now in control of the Iraqi ministry of interior. It was under control of U.S. troops over the weekend.
And I think most Iraqis are looking to the U.S.-led investigation that's going on into what happened in that detention facility to get the hard facts. There is concern among many people here that the Iraqi government committee that's been formed to investigate this may be partisan in one way or another, may strike bargains and not give the full truth. So there is concern. And the community very divided over this at the moment -- Kelly.
WALLACE: Nic following a number of developments for us this morning. Nic, we'll be checking in with you on DAYBREAK and watching reports throughout the day on CNN. Nic Robertson, thanks so much, reporting live from Baghdad.
Well sticking with Iraq now, the issue the country certainly has been a headache for the Bush administration. President Bush now has the lowest approval rating of his presidency, and this is bringing up comparisons to another president and another war, this one Vietnam.
CNN's chief national correspondent John King looking at all of that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The self-described war president finds himself at a dangerous crossroads.
PETER HART, DEMOCRATIC POLLSTER: The public has made a determined point of view: It's time to get out. They have figured out that we are not going to be successful, we have crossed the Rubicon and there is no coming back.
KING: The White House bristles at any talk the Iraq mission is doomed to failure and at comparisons to another time, when even some who supported the war said it was time to bring the troops home.
HART: There is a comparison, because when you look at honesty and trust, the president, who used to be at 60 percent, is now down at a third of the American public saying that they trust him. Those are LBJ-type numbers.
KING: Sixty-three percent of Americans disapprove of how the president is handling Iraq, a 12-point jump since just after he won reelection last year, and a nearly 40 percent increase in disapproval since just after the war began. And 54 percent of Americans now say it was a mistake to send troops to Iraq, up 10 points from just before last year's election and up more than 30 points since the war began.
Former Johnson aide, Jack Valenti, remembers a White House besieged by an unpopular war.
JACK VALENTI, FORMER JOHNSON AIDE: It is eerily and dismally familiar. I think he has to deal with reality. No question about this has an effect, I think, on other parts of the administration's policies that they want to pass.
KING: The Bush White House labels irresponsible a fresh call for a firm timetable for bringing home the troops. Such talk also doesn't sit well with many who remember Vietnam firsthand and worry another bitter war debate in Washington will deflate troop morale.
GEN. HUGH OVERHOLT, U.S. ARMY (RET.): I worry very much about that, because that would be one element of the Vietnam deal that would be, I think, kill what we're doing in Iraq. We cannot have that.
KING: The White House and its allies believe the December Iraqi elections could be a turning point and could allow Mr. Bush to start bringing troops home on his terms.
SEN. JOHN WARNER (R), VIRGINIA: Now is the time. The next 60, 90, 120, 180 days, that period is most critical.
KING: Perhaps, but Democratic pollster Hart believes a president whose approval rating has slipped below 40 percent is dangerously close to a point of no return.
HART: There isn't a road back up to 50 or 55 percent. I think that he is going to have a hard time getting to the 40, 45 percent, but that's what he has to do to be able to govern.
KING: As this current debate stirs memories, Valenti sees parallels between two stubborn Texans in presidencies defined by unpopular war.
VALENTI: And it hurts. It's not easy to take. And no matter what anybody says, presidents have feelings and they are subject to the same kind of desolating feelings that other people have.
KING: John King, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE: And another reminder, we want to hear from you. Our DAYBREAK e-mail "Question of the Day," should the United States immediately withdraw from Iraq? A Democratic congressman, someone who supported the war, is saying it's time to bring the troops home. White House says that's not the case. E-mail us at DAYBREAK@CNN.com and we'll read some of your comments in the next few minutes.
News "Across America" this morning.
Cindy Sheehan, the Iraqi war protester, is found guilty of protesting without a permit near the White House in September. But Sheehan and 26 others found guilty of the same charge claim they weren't protesting. They say they were just trying to deliver petitions to the White House. Sheehan and the other defendants were ordered to pay $75 and court costs. Her attorney plans to appeal.
A group in suburban Atlanta wants to rename a road for civil rights icon Rosa Parks. Tara Boulevard is named for the plantation in the novel "Gone With the Wind," but members of the group say that name conjures up a plantation mentality.
And in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, boxing promoter Don King has been giving away turkeys for Thanksgiving to victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. He was joined by a state senator and other state and local officials.
Well take heart America, up next, Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes a look at something once thought impossible, heart surgery with almost no time in the hospital.
And why is one school district turning a cold shoulder to this snowman? You may have to read between the lines.
That's all coming up ahead.
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Friday morning, November 18.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WALLACE: And your news, money, weather and sports. It's about 44 minutes after the hour. And here is what is all new this morning.
The Army and Marines are recalling body armor vests that failed ballistic tests. It's unknown how many of the 18,000 vests are being used by troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is the second time this year the Marines have had to shelve defective vests.
The Navy scored a direct hit during a missile defense test. An interceptor missile fired from a Navy ship successfully destroyed its target over the Pacific Ocean. It is the second successful test of the missile defense shield this year.
In money, former Hollinger media magnate Conrad Black has been indicted. He's accused of stealing millions from the company. Hollinger International runs several noted newspapers, including the "Chicago Sun-Times." U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald says the government will try and have Black extradited from Britain if he fails to turn himself in.
In culture, expect to see big crowds today for the opening of the fourth Harry Potter film. Some theaters began showing "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" just after midnight last night, including someone from our DAYBREAK team going to see that. The last Potter film made about $90 million during the opening weekend.
In sports, NASCAR driver Kurt Busch says he regrets comments he made to police following a traffic stop in Phoenix last week. He told The Associated Press that he wasn't drinking or drunk during that incident. That got him suspended for the final two races of the year. Busch reportedly accused the officer of being a Jeff Gordon fan.
I guess, Jacqui, not a good thing if someone...
JERAS: Not a good thing, I guess.
WALLACE: ... accusing him to be a fan of another racecar driver and not himself.
JERAS: I know. He apologized, though. And you know his brother actually won that.
WALLACE: I didn't know that, but...
JERAS: Yes, different Busch. I was in Phoenix. That's how I know.
WALLACE: You know a lot about sports, though, I'm learning that.
JERAS: I work in (INAUDIBLE). Though Chad is the NASCAR king if you want to know about NASCAR.
WALLACE: He is. He is. That is true.
JERAS: He's the one. And he'll be back in January, by the way, for all of you e-mailing and missing Chad. You can also catch him 10:00 Eastern until about 3:00.
(WEATHER REPORT)
WALLACE: All right, Jacqui, thanks so much. We'll talk to you in about 10 minutes or so.
Well same day service for some cardiac care may be in the near future. More than half-a-million procedures to unblock clogged arteries are done in this country each year. Those procedures require expensive hospital stays.
But now, CNN's senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta exploring some new cardiac research that could mean less time in the hospital.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A couple of nights in the hospital after a heart procedure, that sounds pretty normal, right? But what if you could go home the very same day? Canadian researchers are perfecting a shortcut method for angioplasty that could have you saying home sweet home a lot sooner.
Generally in an angioplasty, doctors thread a catheter through the femoral artery, that's near the groin, up to the heart. Then they inflate a small balloon inside a blood vessel to unclog it. After such an invasive procedure, an overnight stay is required, meaning additional costs and sometimes unwanted anxiety.
In the so-called drive-through angioplasty, the catheter goes into the wrist artery. Patients take a drug to curtail any bleeding and usually go home within four to six hours.
DR. NIECA GOLDBERG, AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION: The sooner we can get our heart patients back into the comforts of their own home in their community, then we can start to act on the risk factors that actually caused them to have the procedure. GUPTA: A new study finds that the shorter procedure also yields less bleeding and it's just as safe as the traditional method.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just jump right up on here.
GUPTA: And there's another tradition cardiologists are trying to put behind us, the gender gap.
GOLDBERG: For a long time, the last 21 years, more women have died of heart disease than men. Yet when I went to medical school, we were taught that heart disease was largely a man's disease.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're doing terrific.
GUPTA: A new study adds to mounting evidence that female heart patients are under diagnosed and under treated for heart disease.
Kaiser Permanente researchers found that although women with high cholesterol levels benefit as much from lipid-lowering statin drugs as men, only 58 percent of women who need it are treated with them, compared to 67 percent of men.
The keys to narrowing the gap, women should begin thinking about heart health early in their 20s and continue to have it assessed throughout their lives. Doctors should look for symptoms associated with women's cardiac problems, like shortness of breath, unusual fatigue and lower chest discomfort and recognize that women are as much at risk as men.
And from the cutting edge of heart research comes the promise of regeneration. Scientists are developing methods to strengthen damaged heart tissue with infusions of the patient's own bone marrow cells which act like stem cells. Initial studies show heart attack survivors nearly doubled their pumping ability. Researchers say the technique will take several more years to ultimately be used in the fight against heart disease.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE: And coming up here on DAYBREAK, let it snow or don't. Actually, what's so menacing about this snowman? It's the possible hidden meaning that has some schools scared. That story coming up next.
And another reminder for you about our e-mail question this morning, it is a big one, and we're getting a lot of responses. Should the U.S. military immediately withdraw from Iraq? Send your comments to DAYBREAK@CNN.com and we'll be reading some of your responses in the next few minutes.
Don't go away. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WALLACE: And welcome back to DAYBREAK.
A T-shirt bearing the image of frosty the menacing snowman is becoming increasingly popular with school kids. But after discovering the meaning behind the image, parents and administrators are giving frosty a chilly reception.
Darian Trotter of CNN affiliate WSMV has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DARIAN TROTTER, WSMV-TV REPORTER (voice-over): Rapper Young Jeezy's hit debut album is soaring up the charts as more and more radio listeners request his music. Music videos further push his signature snowman, the one with the menacing expression. It's become one of the hottest selling T-shirts in hip hop clothing stores.
SAM LEE, FASHION POLICE: This is a hot item. This is a hot item. Very, very hot item.
TROTTER: Sam Lee can't keep them in stock. But as popular as the image and T-shirts are on the streets, they're not a favorite at metro schools. Problem is frosty's evil twin represents rapper Young Jeezy self-described dual professions.
ZEDDRICK SHERRELL, BUYS HIP HOP CLOTHES: Symbolize drugs, powder, crack.
TROTTER: That's right, the snowman symbolizes dealers, people who sell what's known on the streets as snow or cocaine.
SHERRELL: They symbolize a whole lot of things going on in the hood right now.
TROTTER: These Maplewood High School students know the deal.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The dope man. The snowman. Hey, what you think of snowman?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's more like crack and stuff like. It doesn't (INAUDIBLE).
TROTTER: But parents we talked to didn't have a clue.
PAMELA MOORE, PARENT: It's a T-shirt with nice colors.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's an unhappy snowman.
MOORE: It's glowing. It's glittery.
TROTTER: And students know their parents are clueless.
(on camera): General consensus, you guys think parents don't know?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They don't. They don't.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, not at my house.
TROTTER (voice-over): Pamela Moore has an 8-year-old.
MOORE: I am surprised. I am more surprised that my son knows more about it than I do.
TROTTER: But wait, the lyrics are clear. Jeezy, the snow man says he's iced out. Plus he's got that snow, man.
BRANDO KEEBLEY, STUDENT: Hear it on the radio and all of that, but it isn't like they really actually listen to the song and what's going on in the song, though.
TROTTER: That's how some students are slipping under the radar of their parents and wearing the snowman to school.
(on camera): What happens if you wear this to school?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well you -- if you come to Maplewood and wear it, they make you turn it inside out.
TROTTER (voice-over): That's because metro school administrators are getting hip to the rap game and the menacing snowman that's been expelled.
WOODY MCMILLIN, METRO SCHOOLS: So we do have power in this case to prohibit images of this kind from being displayed in our schools.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE: And again, that was Darian Trotter of CNN affiliate WSMV-TV reporting.
Some schools have already begun banning students from wearing those snowman T-shirts.
Much more ahead on DAYBREAK, we'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WALLACE: Time now to read some e-mail.
And, Jacqui, I understand a lot of people have been responding?
JERAS: Yes, I'd say this has got to be a record response, at least since I've been doing this show for a while. Incredible, a lot of strong feelings here. People have a lot to say about them as well.
The question was should the U.S. immediately withdraw from Iraq?
According to Nancy (ph) in West Hempstead, New York, she said absolutely not. I support the troops 100 percent. That would be terribly detrimental to Iraq. We cannot abandon what we started. We need to finish the job. Elizabeth White (ph) from Birchville (ph), Michigan writes, yes, we should get out of there immediately. To stay the course only means more bloodshed of American military and innocent Iraqis, to what end? The longer we stay the more of a quagmire this is becoming. Give Iraq to the Iraqis. It's their country and more importantly, their oil.
The defeatist attitude of Congress undermined our effort in Vietnam and gave solace to our enemy. History repeats itself with current criticism of our involvement in Iraq. That one from an old sergeant in Indianapolis, Bob Foster (ph) -- Kelly.
WALLACE: Jacqui, no surprise, really, a heated question and a heated topic that we are following.
OK, Jacqui, we'll talk to you in a few minutes, because the next hour of DAYBREAK begins in just one minute. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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