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Cheney Shooting; Devoted Husbands; Best in Show 2006

Aired February 14, 2006 - 11:31   ET

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

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: If you expect to hear from vice president Cheney about this accidental shooting where he wounded a hunting companion, keep waiting. Aides say he doesn't plan to make any public comments on it, but the White House is coming under fire for not disclosing the shooting in a timely way.
Meanwhile, Texas authorities did issue Cheney a warning citation for hunting without a special game bird stamp. Still, by all accounts, he is a careful hunter.

Our Brian Todd has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TODD (voice-over): Friends and hunting partners say the vice president has had an affinity for this sport since he was a young boy, going after game from South Dakota to South America. And when you ask about his track record, the response is consistent.

ARMSTRONG: He's an excellent shot, a very conscientious shot, and I would never think twice about shooting very comfortably with the vice president.

TODD: Former Senator Alan Simpson, from Cheney's home state of Wyoming, says he's shot with Cheney several times. Simpson said he's worried his friend will be demonized by the incident in south Texas.

SIMPSON: These are things that must be barbaric to some who are within range of my voice. They're snarling, snarling at the barbarism of Cheney. Ah, the monster. I knew that he would do something like this. I knew it. That's the way he is, he's evil, he's got horns and cloven hooves and a red tail sticking out of his bum. He's a foul, foul man. And there would be plenty of that on this one.

TODD: The last time Cheney made headlines hunting, it was because of his partner, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. It was Scalia who took the flack then, because he was about to hear a case involving Cheney.

Later that year, in 2004, Cheney made headlines when he accepted a vintage rifle from NRA leaders.

What Simpson wants people to understand is the culture and ethic of hunting in Wyoming, where kids are given BB guns, then more sophisticated models, always with safety drummed in.

SIMPSON: Dick Cheney is the most sensitive of hunters. I have seen him draw up when a dog would run in front. I've seen him draw up when a car might come by on a road in front of a shot, where he just pull up. Doesn't shoot.

TODD: Experienced hunters may say that's what you're supposed to do in those situations, but Simpson doesn't believe much of this will matter to those who he says have been waiting for this kind of story. This will be theater, he says, but deep down he thinks it's just an attempt to get Dick Cheney.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Well, we knew of knew this was coming, late night comics taking aim at the political figure back home. You had to figure that Vice President Cheney's hunting mishap would get plenty of airtime, and indeed it has.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAY LENO, LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW HOST: On a quail hunting trip in Texas, Vice President of the United States Dick Cheney accidentally shot a fellow hunter, a 78-year-old lawyer. In fact, when people found out he shot a lawyer, his popularity now 92 percent.

JON STEWART, "THE DAILY SHOW": Peppered. Yes, there you have it, Harry Whittington seasoned to within an inch of his life. Peppering is what you do to a caesar salad. He shot that dude.

DAVID LETTERMAN, LATE SHOW HOST: We can't get bin Laden, but we nailed a 78-year-old attorney.

Number four, I thought the guy was trying to go gay cowboy on me.

Number three, Excuse? I hit him, didn't I?

Number two, until Democrats approve Medicare reform, we have to make some tough choices for the elderly.

And the number one Dick Cheney excuse, made a bet with Gretzky's wife. There you go.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Oh, those are tough. Funny, but tough. "The New York Post" also gets into the act. Check out this headline, with the vice president as Elmer Fudd, "Wascals: Cwitics bwast the White House for veep delay."

I guess that should be "weep delay."

Across America, love is in the air. It is Valentine's Day, and chances are, you're one of millions of people giving a card to your sweetheart today. So how do you compare it to the rest of the love struck card givers out there? Well, Hallmark says this is the company's top-selling valentine. The message is pretty simple. It says, "For the One I Love." And then there's a red rose in the center. Very sweet.

And for many older couples in Japan, romance could actually use a little bit of help. Divorce rates among retired couples is a growing problem there. And now some of them are trying to get creative in ways they rekindle the flame.

CNN's Atika Shubert takes us inside a devoted husband's club in Tokyo.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN INTL. CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Sunday cooking class in Tokyo, all the students are men, most 60 or older, retired with little to no experience in the kitchen. But they may need to learn their way around the kitchen sooner than they think.

(on camera): Next year Japan's baby boomers will start to retire, and all-male cooking classes have become so popular, you can only win a place by lottery. Unfortunately, that's not the only thing rising in popularity after retirement. So is divorce.

(voice-over): Divorce rates among retired couples in Japan has tripled in the last three years. It is expected to surge in 2007 when a new law allows a wife to get half her husband's pension.

"I hope divorce rates won't increase, but the cooking class is probably more popular because of it," this man says. "I wear the pants in my marriage, but that's not acceptable anymore. I guess this is my defense."

It's called middle-aged divorce, after the popular Japanese TV drama of the same name. It begins when a husband comes home to celebrate his retirement, only to find his wife wants to retire, too, from the marriage. It's not all fiction, this marriage counselor says, and she has more grim news.

"The average life expectancy of a husband divorced after retirement is shortened by 10 years," she explains. "When they're told by their wives they don't need their husbands anymore, they lose their will to live."

Kiyotaka Yamana is taking defensive measures. He makes a point to come home early each day and eat dinner with his wife, a rarity among Japan's hardworking salary men. He is also the founder of the online Devoted Husbands Club, now more than 100 members.

"We started the club for fun, but we quickly realized how important it was in preventing divorce," he says. "As he got more feedback from new members, we heard more and more of these sad stories. "Middle-Age Divorce" isn't just a TV show, it's a reality. The club has five rules for devoted husbands.

First, go home early, 8:00 p.m. at the latest. Second, relax, create an atmosphere. And third, call your wife by her name. Fourth, look into her eyes. And finally, listen, really listen to what she has to say.

There are no hard and fast rules to keeping a marriage going, of course, but cooking a romantic dinner for two probably couldn't hurt.

Atika Shubert, CNN, Tokyo.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: If you haven't consumed your minimum chocolate requirement for this Valentine's Day, stick around to see which yummy treat is best for your body.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Under our "Daily Dose" now, your prescription is going digital. Soon your pharmacist will be able to put your prescription history on a secure Web site. With your permission, of course, your doctor can log on to see exactly what medicines you take. The new service goes online in April in five states. Digital medical records are promoted as a way to cut cost and ensure accuracy.

Women, are you confused about estrogen? Well, this latest study is not going to help you there. A landmark study shows the hormone does not increase the risk of heart disease in women who have had hysterectomies. The study even hints that estrogen offers heart protection for women in their 50s. Researchers say their findings should reassure women who use the hormone short term for hot flashes. But keep in mind, other studies have shown estrogen can increase the risk of stroke, blood clots and dementia.

And on this Valentine's Day, fall in love with chocolate again. Not exactly health food, but studies have shown that it does have benefits, but not all chocolate is created equal. You need to skip the milk chocolate. And white chocolate, forget about that. The darker, the better. Healthy chocolate contains 70 percent cocoa, and that means it will be on the bitter side. The dark chocolate has the most antioxidants to promote hearth health. And don't forget all that butter and sugar that we tend to add to chocolate. You need to balance the benefit against those calories.

To get your daily dose of health news online, log on to our Web site. You'll find the latest medical news, a health library and information on diet and fitness. The address is CNN.com/health.

(MARKET REPORT)

KAGAN: I want to show you pictures we're just getting in from New Orleans. The mayor, Ray Nagin, cutting the ribbon. This is Tulane University Hospital. A big deal for this to re-open. It's the E.R. that is re-opening. And in addition to that, the hospital will open 63 of its 235 beds, five operating rooms and four cardio labs, as well as the building's pharmacy. This hospital sustained over $90 million in damage when Hurricane Katrina struck last year.

We're going to take a break. Much more after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: This is no bourgeois affair. Westminster is the creme de la creme of dog shows. Tonight, a tuxedo-clad judge will reveal the top dog, the best-in-show.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: You could say Madison Square Garden is going to the dogs, literally. This is the 130th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. It's one of the oldest continuous sporting events in the United States, second only to the Kentucky Derby.

A group of dog lovers started the Kennel Club in the 1870s, often meeting at the Westminster Hotel in New York City. A smooth fox terrier named Warren Remedy brought home the first-ever best-in-show title in 1907. Warren went on to win the title for three consecutive years, a feat that has never since been duplicated.

By the way, terriers have won the most best-in-show awards. You may wonder how the judges narrow 2,500 dogs down to the final round. Well, first, dogs must win best in breed. Then best in group, to advance to best in show.

Last year, the top dog trophy went to Carly, a German short- haired pointer. Which dog will be named best in show in 2006? We'll find out tonight.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: So maybe we can get some insight. To New York and a Valentine's Day guest who knows all about puppy love and pooch smooches.

Wendy Diamond is the editor for "Animal Fair" magazine, and, of course, we must also introduce Lucky.

Hello, Lucky. Hello, Wendy.

WENDY DIAMOND, "ANIMAL FAIR": Good morning.

KAGAN: Good to have you here with us.

DIAMOND: Thank you.

KAGAN: So give us some insight on Westminster. Why -- and you would have a small dog bias, because you're a small dog owner and lover. Why do small dogs tend to do so well at Westminster?

DIAMOND: I think because they're so cute. I mean, generally, I mean, how cute are these dogs? I mean, they're adorable. And usually, like in the last 20 years, six times the terrier group has won.

KAGAN: Some underdogs are doing well, to kind of use a pun there. Some...

DIAMOND: I agree.

KAGAN: ... underdogs doing well early on.

DIAMOND: The Dalmation.

KAGAN: Yes, the Dalmation. Boomer, the Dalmatian.

DIAMOND: I mean, that is the first time a Dalmatian has ever won that group.

KAGAN: And what is it about this dog that's so great, do you think?

DIAMOND: I think -- look at how it just trots around there and it's very well -- I mean, look it, the head's up. And you know what, really well-behaved. And it's really great for Dalmations, especially. But you know, those are a dog that you need to have a lot of attention if you're going to go and get a Dalmation. That dog has a lot of energy, so you need to be able to, you know, handle that.

KAGAN: Yes. And then also a Rottweiler. Shaka (ph) the Rottweiler did well in its group, in the working group. Rottweilers tend to get a lot of bad press.

DIAMOND: I agree. But I think that's only the way they're trained. I mean, some people train those dog so they are a little bit -- you know, they think they're dangerous. But they're really well- mannered, sweet dogs. I mean, they're well -- they're well-trained, and that's why a lot of times, they're trained and they're considered bad dogs, is because people train them to be bad. But usually those dogs are really great family dogs and very sweet dogs in general.

KAGAN: People who have them love them. In the terrier group, it's Rufus, the Bull Terrier.

DIAMOND: Which is adorable!

KAGAN: Hello.

DIAMOND: I mean, I love that Bull Terrier. And that's what I mean. Generally, when it comes to Westminster, a lot of times, the terrier group wins. I mean, in history, I mean, those are like the most -- those, as well, are the most common one to win, as well as Doberman Pinschers.

KAGAN: Those tend to do well. Now, the toy group. Lucky, this one's for you, little Lucky. The toy group, Dermitt (ph) the pug.

DIAMOND: So cute. Now what's really interesting is only once before in the history of Westminster has a pug won.

KAGAN: Really?

DIAMOND: Yes. And you know what's really interesting? I mean, how many people love Shih Tzus? I mean, Lucky's best friend is a Shih Tzu. Never in the history of Westminster has a Shih Tzu ever won.

KAGAN: All right, let me bring up what I call my pet peeve about Westminster. You know I'm a dog owner and lover, as well.

DIAMOND: Right,

KAGAN: Starla Louise, she's basically a mutt. She is a shelter animal. There she is. There's my sweet girl. But she could not be at Westminster because she's a mutt, and they don't have any mixed breeds.

DIAMOND: Right. Well, what it is, I mean, any dog that gets into Westminster from day one has been bred to be, you know, a show dog. And so what happens is immediately, a lot of times like -- you can get some of the most amazing breeds. You know, you can adopt amazing breeds that are just not perfect to being show dogs. So it doesn't really -- you know, if you're looking for a great dog, you can you get any breed you want at a rescue.

KAGAN: Absolutely. You know, I'm a big believer and supporter of shelter animals. And I just use this opportunity ever year to get a plug in for that, because there's so many great animals waiting for homes.

DIAMOND: I know. And you can also get these little dogs. I mean, Lucky is a little Maltese terrier and I rescued her.

KAGAN: And she's pretty darn happy about that.

DIAMOND: Absolutely.

KAGAN: Wendy, thank you.

DIAMOND: Thank you, Daryn, have a great one.

KAGAN: To you, too.

DIAMOND: Happy Valentine's Day.

KAGAN: To you, too. Great to see both of you guys. Thank you.

Well, so who could forget of all the dogs and the pets rescued from the ravages of Hurricane Katrina? Now, some of the rescued pooches and the people who saved their lives, they're celebrities in New York. The Westminster Dog Show honored them last night with a moving tribute. Several Katrina dogs were invited to the show as part of the tribute. We do like to see that.

Now on to the 2006 Winter Games, where the man known as "The Great One arrived in Torino today, and some not so great attention. Wayne Gretzky heads up the Canadian men's hockey team. Before leaving for Torino, he insisted that the gambling investigation that has raised questions about him and his wife would not detract from his players. Neither Gretzky or his wife have been charged, and they both deny any wrongdoing. And now to an athlete with an Olympic-sized heart. American Joey Cheek says he is donating his winnings to charity. Cheek grabbed the gold in the men's 500 meters, earning him $25,000. He told the "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel" that he is giving the money to an organization that helps needy children. Cheek said he knew his fame would be brief, so he wanted to use it for something productive.

And then there's this now. We were expecting to hear from gold medalist Tara Lipinski. We were going to talk figure skating with her. Well, even the great one cannot get over L.A. traffic. She got stuck in traffic basically today. But we're going to tape an interview with her a little bit later, and bring that to you tomorrow.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Well, I'm Daryn. International news is up next. Stay tuned for YOUR WORLD TODAY and the I'll be back with the latest headlines from the U.S. in about 20 minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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