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String of Deadly Bombings in Baghdad; U.S. Says it Has Evidence of Iran Arming Iraqi Insurgents; Winter Wallop
Aired February 12, 2007 - 08:59 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning, everyone. You are in the CNN NEWSROOM.
I'm Tony Harris.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Heidi Collins.
For the next three hours, watch events as they come in to the NEWSROOM live on Monday, February 12th.
Here's what's on the rundown.
Triple strike. Baghdad bombings killing close to 100 people today.
And on Capitol Hill, the House opening debate today on the president's war plan.
HARRIS: Over the top. Upstate New York buried under 11 feet of snow. That could be a new record. And more flakes in the forecast.
COLLINS: A general taking charge after Hurricane Katrina. Today, training soldiers for war, communities for disaster. Man on a mission, in the NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: And at the top this morning, new developments and another staggering death toll in Iraq this morning. A string of deadly bombings rips central Baghdad. More than 250 people dead or wounded, and timing the trigger.
CNN's Arwa Damon is in Baghdad.
Arwa, good morning to you.
That timing we mentioned a moment ago, this is a painful anniversary for Iraq.
ARWA DAMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tony, it is.
Today, in fact, marks the anniversary, according to the Islamic lunar calendar, of the bombing of the Al Askari Mosque in Samarra. It is one of the holiest shrines in Shia Islam, and it is viewed by many as being the grim marker in Iraq's history that catapulted the sectarian violence here to entirely new levels. But on this day, in fact, at pretty much the exact same time that Iraq was commemorating the anniversary of that bombing, triple explosions in the capital killed close to 100 people and wounded over 170.
Those explosions all targeting Iraqis in busy commercial areas. The deadliest and more devastating attack coming at the Sorja (ph) marketplace, which is Baghdad's main wholesale marketplace. There, twin car bombs exploded near simultaneously, killing at least 79 Iraqis and wounding over 165.
Iraqi firefighters rushed to the scene, trying desperately to put out the flames. We saw a thick plume of black smoke for hours after the explosions took place. Buildings in that area set on fire. The bombings actually took place in the part of the market that sells clothes and perfumes.
This was an utterly tragic day for Iraqis. We have seen an increase in bombings against marketplaces, these attacks that have such a devastatingly high death toll and serve really only to further paralyze the population here.
HARRIS: Arwa, any signs of increased security in advance of this anniversary, anticipating that something like this could happen, particularly at the marketplaces?
DAMON: Well, Tony, nothing that was really visible. Again, there has been a slight increase in U.S. troops in the capital with the arrival of one of those additional brigades that came at the end of last month. But when you speak with Iraqis, they do not really see much of an increase in security, though many are saying that they weren't surprised by today's attacks, expecting some sort of violence to mark this anniversary.
Of course, it is too soon to tell if the two incidents are related, but this is a nation that is tragically used to these types of attacks -- Tony.
HARRIS: CNN's Arwa Damon for us in Baghdad.
Arwa, thank you.
COLLINS: Pointing the finger at Iran. The U.S. accusing Iran of arming insurgents in Iraq. Military officials offer what they say are new details. But some are skeptical.
More now from Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr.
Barbara, what is this alleged Iranian connection now?
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Heidi, this is something the U.S. military and the Bush administration have been talking about for some time. It of course is just a part of the really tragic violence going on in Iraq right now that Arwa was just speaking about. But there was a briefing over the weekend that was so much on what we call background, we are not allowed to tell you who conducted the briefing, other than to even say U.S. officials unveiled this type of evidence that you see, evidence linking Iran to deadly attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq. Front and center were, of course, those deadly explosively-formed penetrators, bombs that they say are coming in from Iran, now responsible for killing over 170 U.S. troops inside of Iraq. Officials in these charts also displaying evidence of mortar shells, rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons coming in.
What the officials at this background briefing said was they believe all of this is tied to members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, a very elite element of the paramilitary force inside Iran, and they believe there are networks and connections bringing this into Iraq. But make no mistake, Heidi, as you say, there is a good deal of skepticism about all of this, given the prewar intelligence about WMD, of course, and the government of Iran, it should be said, of course, denies the claims of involvement -- Heidi.
COLLINS: What about the military, though, Barbara? What are they doing to better protect themselves or the troops, I should say, against IEDs?
STARR: Well, you know, there's been a lot of talk about these explosively-formed penetrators, these very sophisticated bombs coming in from Iran, according to the evidence. But that is just -- deadly as they are, it's just a small part of the threat for U.S. troops.
There are hundreds and hundreds of conventional IEDs out there. Four years into the war, the U.S. military still responding. They are buying a whole new category of armored vehicles that they hope will better protect them against IEDs, and going back and retrofitting the vehicles they have one more time -- Heidi.
COLLINS: CNN's Barbara Starr live from the pentagon this morning.
Barbara, thanks.
Taking a town back.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And finally, let's go get them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: U.S. and Iraqi troops try to reclaim an area from insurgents. An exclusive report still ahead in the NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: Quickly now, let's get you to Chad Myers. Chad is following news of tornado warnings for Florida.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: Snow that swallows your door and blocks your windows, that's what we're talking about here. That's what parts of upstate New York are dealing with today. After more than a week of snow, some places have 11 feet on the ground right now. Well, that's fun. (INAUDIBLE) is getting a bit of a break. But another winter blast is on the way. And it's not just New York.
Parts of the Midwest also coping with snow and cold. This scene in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Indianapolis also bracing for more winter weather. Storm watches and warnings now in place across the state of Indiana.
Reggie Aqui is in the snow-walloped town of Mexico, New York.
Mexico? Anything should be warmer than this.
Reggie, what's happening there?
REGGIE AQUI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, south of the border, the Canadian border.
HARRIS: Yes.
AQUI: Yes. More than 100 inches of snow, as you mentioned, in this area.
I am actually, Tony, waist deep in it right now in one of the snowdrifts. And you can see just what that means as I try and climb out of this here.
You probably see behind me huge icicles that we're hoping don't fall on my head, or anyone else's head, for that matter. That's a big concern right now because so much snow is on the rooftops, people are having to clear that out.
Right now we're getting a bit of a break. It's been snowing all morning. This is actually the first time we haven't seen flakes fall down. As soon as the now stops, well, that's when the work starts.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
AQUI (voice over): Mary McSweeney's small shovel is no match for the massive amount of snow, six to 10 feet that fell here in upstate New York. But she's determined to make it out.
MARY MCSWEENEY, OSWEGO RESIDENT: This has been surviving in the long haul. I got out twice this week. I'm working on three times. I would like to go to church.
AQUI: John Johnston runs a snow blowing business. It's a job seemingly without end.
JOHN JOHNSTON, OSWEGO RESIDENT: It's a lot of snow, and it just seems to keep coming and coming and coming. It isn't stopping. That's what's really the pain. It just don't seem to stop.
AQUI: The snow is so deep, even the snow removal experts need backup. His seven kids, whose schools are closed, are pressed into service. JOSHUA JOHNSTON, OSWEGO RESIDENT: Old Man Winter is going down with a fight.
AQUI: Joshua Johnston helps his dad clear his 50th driveway this week. At least he is on relatively solid ground.
In this photo from Redfield, New York, these volunteer firefighters shovel out their roof. It's images like these that have the mayor of Mexico on edge.
MAYOR TERRY GRIMSHAW, MEXICO, NEW YORK: What's scary now is we've had a couple buildings collapse, and that always scares people.
AQUI: And this is an area that doesn't scare easily. They're used to 150 inches of snow a year. But 100 in a week?
JOHN JOHNSTON: I never have liked winter. I don't like winter anymore, especially after this year. It's been a bad year.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
AQUI: All right. And you're looking at right now one of the major concerns this morning, just getting all that snow off of the rooftops.
How do they do that? Well, they kind of do it the old-fashioned way, Tony. This, your best friend, your worst enemy during snowstorms like this.
I should tell you, schools are back in session today. So parents are a little bit relieved that finally they can get their kids off to school. They've been going a little stir crazy.
HARRIS: Yes. That makes sense.
OK. Reggie Aqui for us in Mexico, New York.
And Chad Myers in the weather center.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COLLINS: Well, you must remember this from the days after Katrina.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LT. GEN. RUSSEL HONORE, U.S. ARMY: Hey, weapons down! Weapons down!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Yes, Lieutenant General Russel Honore taking charge. What he's doing now. Find out in the NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: On defense. The second half of the Scooter Libby trial getting under way. What's the defense strategy? That's ahead in the NEWSROOM.
COLLINS: On the trail of early voters. Two top Democrats making their case. But one issue is dominating the discussion.
That's ahead in the NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: Unwanted house call. A finicky thief with a taste for chocolate, and not just any candy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It looks like -- a little like liquor candies.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Of course.
HARRIS: Police say they got their man thanks to a Hansel and Gretel-like trail of chocolate.
Arrest in the NEWSROOM. Sweet.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: It's the defense's turn today in the Lewis "Scooter" Libby trial. Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff faces perjury and obstruction charges. They're in connection with the leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity. The vice president himself may be called to testify.
As for White House deputy chief of staff Karl Rove, CNN has learned this morning that he is not expected to be called. Prosecutors wrapped up their case last week.
HARRIS: The Democrats' two top contenders on the trail in early voting states, but the message from voters is simple: What about Iraq?
CNN's Mary Snow takes a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Let's all give a really big welcome to Hillary Clinton.
(APPLAUSE)
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Senator Hillary Clinton took her presidential campaign literally into the living rooms of New Hampshire. There, in a town hall meeting, she was peppered with questions about Iraq.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I want to know if right here, right now, once and for all, without nuance, you can say that that war authorization vote was a mistake. SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: Well, have I said, and I will repeat it, that knowing what I know now I would never have voted for it.
SNOW: In Keene, she urged the crowd to turn up pressure on President Bush and Republicans to change the course in Iraq and redeploy American troops.
CLINTON: We sill not be there to baby-sit this multi-pronged civil war. They have to decide they want to end the sectarian violence.
SNOW: As Senator Clinton campaigned in New Hampshire, the man considered her top Democratic rival was doing the same in Iowa, the other early deciding state in the presidential races. Senator Obama headed there right after he announced Saturday he is running for president. There, too, came questions about Iraq.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), ILLINOIS: I am proud of the fact that I opposed this war from the start. I thought it was...
(APPLAUSE)
OBAMA: .. I thought it -- I thought was a tragic mistake.
SNOW: Senator Obama has the distinction of never having to cast a vote to authorize the war since he was not in the Senate at the time. But at a campaign event Sunday, protesters were a reminder that no candidates are exempt from voters angry about Iraq.
Mary Snow, CNN, Manchester, New Hampshire.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: And how about the slap back after a slam from down under?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: I would suggest he calls up another 20,000 Australian and sends them to Iraq. Otherwise, it's just a bunch of empty rhetoric.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Democrats to Australia's prime minister: Butt out of American politics. Details in the NEWSROOM.
COLLINS: War, politics, and the presidential elections. Bill Bennett and Donna Brazile hash it out a little bit later this morning in the NEWSROOM.
And, her background is in history. Now this educator makes history at Harvard.
That's ahead in the NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: And we are "Minding Your Business" this morning. Ali Velshi holding up dollar bills.
Come on, Ali.
ALI VELSHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Is the almighty dollar in jeopardy? It isn't. But this week we're going to get that new dollar bill coin. I'll tell you about it and how Americans are feeling about it when we come back.
Stay with us in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Will George Washington and other U.S. presidents succeed where Susan B. Anthony and -- hang on, Heidi -- Sacagawea couldn't?
COLLINS: I love that.
HARRIS: Ali Velshi is here "Minding Your Business" this morning.
Good morning, Ali.
VELSHI: Good morning to you.
And what we're talking about is the bill, the dollar bill.
HARRIS: Yes.
VELSHI: You k now, we tried these coins before, the dollar coins. As you said, Sacagawea, Susan B. Anthony. It didn't work. Americans don't dig the idea of dollar coins.
So we're trying again this week. On Thursday, we're going to come out with the George Washington, the presidential series of dollar coins. And every three months we'll have another president -- John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison.
Now, three-quarters of Americans polled by AP and Ipsos oppose giving up the dollar bill. And when you talk about keeping a dollar bill and a dollar coin, it's about split evenly.
Seventy-one percent have said don't get rid of the penny. You know that's been one of the debates we've been having for some time, most people because they're worried that everything will be rounded up and costs will go up.
And 53 percent of people polled say they carry their loose change around the day and actually make purchases with them, which means 47 percent don't. They throw them somewhere else. So...
HARRIS: And look at this. Look at this, Ali.
We've got dollar coins for you. Come on now.
VELSHI: You've got -- there you go.
HARRIS: For the love of money... (CROSSTALK)
VELSHI: They look good. I think they're fine.
HARRIS: Yes. Oh, jeez.
VELSHI: I'd be happy -- finally, talking about other round things -- yes, Tony, come back.
HARRIS: I'm back. Dropping money.
VELSHI: Good to see you.
I mean, people -- I do bore people, but they don't often just leave the set.
HARRIS: No, no, no.
VELSHI: This company named Kumho, it's a Korean car maker. Many people haven't heard of them, and they want to change that, so they have invented a tire that smells like lavender.
HARRIS: Huh?
VELSHI: Yes. They've tested it, they've added some kind of scented oil to the tire, and when you drive it, supposedly it smells like lavender. They say they're aiming toward a demographic that is older and female...
HARRIS: Right?
VELSHI: ... because women I know all want tires that smell like lavender. And it was a focus group that arrived at lavender. They also like orange and jasmine, so if it works out well, you might see -- you know what the bottom line is? I've never talked about this car company before, and it worked.
HARRIS: It's a chance to talk about them.
VELSHI: We're talking about them.
HARRIS: So when you're burning rubber, you'll get the...
VELSHI: Yes.
HARRIS: Yes.
VELSHI: I bet you people will go buy their tires and they see this brand, they'll say, hey, isn't that the one that -- you know.
HARRIS: We must be done. We must be done for the morning. Are we done for the morning, Ali?
VELSHI: Yes, that will be it.
HARRIS: We're done. VELSHI: Now you may leave.
HARRIS: All right. "Minding Your Business," there he is.
VELSHI: Good to see you.
HARRIS: Heidi Collins assisting with the dollar coins. Very nice this morning,.
Ali Velshi, "Minding Your Business."
Have a great day, Ali.
VELSHI: OK.
COLLINS: On now to the situation in Baghdad. Black smoke, the telltale sign of a new bombing in Baghdad. Insurgents strike three times today. Growing body count in the NEWSROOM.
More than 11 feet and counting. How much more snow can upstate New York take? And how much more is on the way? That's the bigger question.
The latest on this winter wallop in the NEWSROOM.
And remembering Jessica Lunsford. Her father continues his crusade even as her suspected murderer heads to trial.
That story ahead in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: And welcome back, everyone, to the CNN NEWSROOM.
I'm Tony Harris.
COLLINS: And I'm Heidi Collins.
Good morning to you, everybody.
Among our top stories this morning, Iraq's sectarian violence. Today's anniversary underlined with fresh bloodshed and carnage.
Three massive bombs ripped through central Baghdad this morning. The latest toll, at least 90 dead and more than 170 people wounded. The blast so massive, smoke enshrouded much of the city's skyline. The bombs erupted among the ceremony marking the anniversary of a mosque attack. That 2006 bombing of the revered Shiite Golden Mosque is seen by some as a turning point in the sectarian violence.
A new salvo in the war of words between Iran and the U.S. U.S. military officials saying there is proof Iran is supplying weapons to Iraqi insurgents who are targeting American troops. They displayed these pictures as evidence. Powerful roadside bombs that can punch through heavy American armor, known as EFPs. The military officials say the weapons can be traced to Iran. Iran says it's all lies. Some Democrats on the Hill say they're concerned the Bush administration may be laying the groundwork for an attack on Iran. The Pentagon quick to react and repeat what the administration has said before.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT GATES, U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: We have no intention of attacking Iran. The president said that. Secretary of State said it before. I've said it before.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Iraq's former vice president headed to the gallows, a source says. The Iraqi high tribunal today, handed down the death sentence to Taha Yassin Ramadan. He has denied any involvement in the Dujail massacre, 148 Shiite men and boys killed in the 1982 assault. That is the same case that led to the execution of Saddam Hussein in late December.
Taking a town back.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK, captain, finally. Let's go get'em.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: U.S. and Iraqi troops try to reclaim and area from insurgents an exclusive report at the top of the hour, right here, in the NEWSROOM.
COLLINS: Snowed in and bracing for another round. It's almost unbelievable what parts of Upstate New York are dealing with now, after more than a week of snow.
Yes, around 11 feet in some places. Right now the region is getting a bit of a bit of a break. But another winter blast is on the way and not just New York. Parts of the U.S. also coping with snow and cold; this scene in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Indianapolis, also bracing for more winter weather. Storm watches or warnings are now in place across the state of Indiana. Chad Myers in the Weather Center.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: What do you say we get started here, get the business day under way.
(BELL CLANGING)
And the good folks at Canada-based Energy Metals -- Energy Metals! Sounding the bell to get us started on this business day. The Friday close, looking back just a moment, the Dow closed down 56 points on Friday. The Nasdaq down 28 points. OK, we're going in the right direction, up 23, 24, 22 points to start today. We'll check all the headlines in the NEWSROOM with Susan Lisovicz for you.
Harvard's first female president, Drew Gilpin Faust, has been named the first woman president in the school's history. Grant Greenberg of affiliate WHDH has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DREW GILPIN FAUST, PRESIDENT, HARVARD UNIV.: I'm not the woman president of Harvard, I'm the president, and I was chosen as the president of Harvard.
GRANT GREENBERG, REPORTER, WHDH TV (voice over): While Drew Gilpin Faust doesn't want to focus on the fact she's Harvard's first female president, it's what students are talking about.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's just really exciting that Harvard has finally sort of gotten with the program when it comes to female leadership, because it's happening across the country.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know personally, it's a little strange that she didn't go to Harvard. So that is going to be interesting. But I think it's good that we have a woman leader, it kind of puts us in step with all the other Ivy League schools.
GREENBERG: It's true Faust doesn't have a Harvard degree, but the new president did spend the past six years as the founding dean of the Radcliffe Institute, her specialty, history.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As a historian, the looks to the past, but as a leader, looks to the future.
GREENBERG (On camera): Before coming here, to Harvard, Faust spent 25 years teaching at the University of Pennsylvania, and some students say that makes her a better option than past presidents
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They're coming from either politics or private sector. She's been in academia and also I do think there's something to be said about a woman.
GREENBERG: While it is academia, though, that Faust wants to focus on, she admits she may not have had this opportunity a generation ago.
FAUST: Young women have come up to me and said, this is really an inspiration. I think it would be wrong not to acknowledge this has tremendous symbolic importance.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: When you go to the polls, are you sure your vote is really being counted?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All the electric voting systems now used in the United States have tremendous security risks.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: A paper trail? The answer, we'll have a look, in the NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: Also, do you remember this from the days after Katrina?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, weapons down, weapons down, damn it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Yes, that was Lt. General Russell Honore taking charge. Find out what he is doing now.
COLLINS: Not ready to make nice, but ready for Grammy gold. Highlights from the awards show in the NEWSROOM
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Jury selection begins today in Miami in the long- awaited John Couey trial. He is accused of killing nine-year-old Jessica Lunsford nearly two years ago. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against the convicted sex offender. His trial was moved to 300 miles to Miami, after a judge decided an impartial jury could not be found.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARK LUNSFORD, JESSICA'S FATHER: It's hard for me to speak about the trial. What can I say? It's not my ballgame. This is the state attorney's job. All we can do is just wait and watch, and see. But you know, you can bet that the system will work and that justice will prevail.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Moving that trial, of course, from Tavares (ph). Jessica's father, Mark Lunsford spent yesterday talking to people at a biker rally. Raising money for the Jessica Marie Lunsford Foundation. He has become a driving force behind sex offender legislation in Florida, and other states.
HARRIS: He was that John Wayne dude, General Russell Honore taking names, kicking -- taking charge after Hurricane Katrina. CNN's Rick Sanchez shows us what he's doing now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LT. GEN. RUSSELL HONORE, DIRECTED NAT'L. GUARD, NEW ORLEANS: Hey, weapons down, weapons down, damn it! Put the weapons down! RICK SANCHEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Lieutenant General Russell Honore, days after Hurricane Katrina reminding his soldiers they are there in New Orleans on a mission of peace to save lives. These days his mission is to train soldiers for war in Iraq and Afghanistan. And in his spare time, he's training whole communities on some of the lessons he learned from Katrina.
HONORE: In readiness, to be prepared to deal with a event on the Earth, whether man-made, intentional.
SANCHEZ: Honore witnessed first hand the chaos that results from a lack of planning, strategy and leadership in the face of a crisis.
HONORE: The true art of the strategic leader is to avoid a crisis. That is done through preparation and procedures that are followed -- that the next day, you can say, I'm glad we got those people out of there before the storm came.
SANCHEZ: As the general puts it:
HONORE: We live in a new normal.
SANCHEZ: The "new normal" he says, are natural disasters, industrial accidents and terror attacks, that are happening more frequently.
HONORE: If you live in a mega city, and there's an industrial accident, or terrorist attack, you have to always be ready.
SANCHEZ: The same goes for people living in smaller communities, he says. The deadly tornadoes just recently in central Florida showed what happens when a community isn't prepared for the unexpected.
HONORE: Let me give you a lesson No. 1, don't give grandpa another tie. Give him a weather radio. Don't take grandma another one of them little fancy picture frames, so you can put your kids' picture in it, give her a weather radio.
SANCHEZ: Honore say there's a Ninth Ward in every city, a community of poor or elderly or infirmed people who can't help themselves in a crisis. And that, he says, is where churches and service organizations have to step in.
HONORE: But when in terms of a disaster of the nature of Katrina hit, that interdependence is very important, because it's impossible, as powerful as the military is, as powerful as state government is, to address all those needs simultaneously.
SANCHEZ: Honore travels the country, preaching preparedness. He hopes the nation is listening. After all:
HONORE: Because it's best to avoid a crisis, then to practice responding to it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: A healthcare system broken and in need of repair.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There seems to be a different country here, it really does.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's sad.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, it is. It's quite sad.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: The uninsured and the poor getting a little help in the Big Easy. That story ahead in the NEWSROOM.
COLLINS: A tipsy burglar leaving behind little pieces of evidence. Police follow the candy trail.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A lot of pieces fell into place here, but literally.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Allegations of alcohol and chocolate, an incriminating combination, candy man in the NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: Life in a New Jersey neighborhood gets a little bit wild. A black bear in the back yard. Hello?! How do you ask this unwelcome visitor to leave? Very, very carefully.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: OK, you already know to catch us weekday mornings, right here from 9 a.m. to Noon Eastern. Did you know, you can take us anywhere with you on your iPod? Look at us, right there. The CNN NEWSROOM podcast available 24/7 right on your iPod.
COLLINS: Not caught red-handed, but certainly sticky fingered. Police say a trail of candy led them to their suspect. Reporter Jeff Small of affiliate KSDK has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEFF SMALL, REPORTER, KSDK TV (voice over): This is the scene of a bizarre crime that involves a bold burglar, chocolate, and two shocked residents.
ERIC DETHLEFSON, CRIME VICTIM: It's weird just knowing somebody was in your house while you're sleeping.
SMALL: That somebody was staying in an apartment just a few doors down. Police say 19-year-old Colt Jolliff went on an early morning crime spree looking for unlocked cars and an unlocked door.
DET. MARK BOLES, KIRKWOOD, MO., POLICE: He had been breaking into some cars, carrying a duffle bag around with a bunch of items. Said he had been drinking a little bit. Tried an apartment door, it was unlocked, went inside, thinking that was his apartment.
SMALL: It didn't take long before police say he realized this house was not his home. Instead, police say, he quietly put some sticky fingers to work.
DETHLEFSON: He stole, like, shirts and shoes; his wallet and his camera, and like protein shakes, a just a bunch of random stuff.
SMALL: Including individually wrapped chocolate candies
DETHLEFSON: Actually, like those little, little liqueur candies.
SMALL: The sweet treats made it out of the apartment, but the burglar didn't realize he left a trail of candy leading a few doors down to his place.
DETHLEFSON: I actually noticed the footprints, and just kind of followed them, being nosy. And noticed some of our stuff kind of led up to his apartment.
SMALL: A very visible lead was enough to given a alert Kirkwood police officer everything she needed to find the bold burglar
BOLES: It's pretty unusual. A lot of pieces fell into place here. Yeah, literally. We're thankful he had too much stuff, and decided to leave a trail of chocolates to this apartment.
SMALL: Eric Dethlefson is just glad he can smile about the crime now, and consider it a learning lesson.
DETHLEFSON: Yeah, we'll definitely keep the door locked from now on.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: The pieces fell into place.
COLLINS: Uh-huh.
HARRIS: All right, imagine this for a second, a wildlife adventure in your own back yard. See that black lump up there the tree? Well, it's a bear. It apparently wandered into this Maplewood, New Jersey neighborhood, looking for some food. Just hungry.
It shimmied 50 feet up a tree to get out of reach. So, how did authorities get it down? A tranquilizer dart and a well-placed net.
Here we go! Here we go! Atta-atta-tat! OK, now despite that long fall, the 400-pound, bear, Heidi, was OK. And will eventually be released back into the woods. COLLINS: I have to tell you, I lived two towns away from Maplewood, New Jersey. And had we seen something like that in Summit, we would probably have all gathered and freaked out a little bit, too.
HARRIS: Yes, absolutely.
COLLINS: Who'd have thought, wildlife in Jersey.
HARRIS: One more time. Ah!
COLLINS: He's a tough Jersey bear, too.
All right, when you go to the polls, are you sure your vote is really being counted?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All the electronic voting systems now used in the United States have tremendous security risks.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: A paper trail the answer? We'll have a look in the NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: Condemning the U.S. troop build-up in Iraq, the Democratic controlled House begins debating a resolution opposing President Bush's war plans.
COLLINS: More than 11 feet and counting. How much more snow can Upstate New York take? And how much is on the way? The latest on this winter wallop in the NEWSROOM.
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COLLINS: Mystery fumes sent shoppers fleeing. The fumes led to an evacuation of a mall in Spokane, Washington. It happened yesterday afternoon. Nearly 40 people were treated, complaining of itchy, watery eyes, and trouble breathing. The sources of the fumes not known, police suspects some type of chemical irritant.
HARRIS: With next year's presidential election, states want to make sure there's no funny business in the voting booth. Is creating a paper trail the answer? CNN's Gary Nurenberg takes a closer look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY NURENBERG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): More than six years after those notorious chads were hanging in Florida.
SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D-CA): I really think the time has come for there to be some national election standards.
NURENBERG: Congressmen and the states are still trying to find a voting system that are infallible.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The confidence in the mechanism in our government has been shaken badly.
NURENBERG: In 2002, Congress provided more than $3 billion to help states move away from punch card systems and toward electronic voting.
CONNIE MCCORMACK, LOS ANGELES COUNTY CLERK: No voting system is perfect, but looking at all the ones that are out there, the best track record are the electronic voting equipment.
NURENBERG: Not a universal sentiment.
MICHAEL WALDMAN, NYU LAW SCHOOL: All the electronic voting systems in the United States have tremendous security risks.
NURENBERG: Electronic voting problems plagued several states last year, Maryland had trouble in the primary; in Florida, it appears thousands of votes in one Sarasota congressional race went uncounted in the general election.
FEINSTEIN: Imagine what would happen if a similar under count occurred in a swing state election in the presidential contest.
NURENBERG: Feinstein and Holt want federal legislation requiring all voting machines to produce a paper record of a voter can see while in the voting booth. Several states are considering similar legislation.
MIKE MILLER, PRESIDENT, MARYLAND SENATE: Because people need to know that the results of their votes are sure.
NURENBERG: But a paper trail is going to cost Maryland money.
SHELLEY FUDGE, SAVE OUR VOTES: Well, it does mean that we're going to have to get new machines.
NURENBERG (on camera): It is each state's secretary of state who is largely charged with carrying out election laws. Meeting in Washington, over the weekend, those secretaries of state had a clear message for Congress.
DEB MARKOWITZ, NAT'L. ASSN. OF SECRETARIES OF STATE: If you come out with more mandates, a one-size fits all approach to elections, give us the money so we can make it work.
NURENBERG (voice over): If Congress does mandate universal standards, there is no guarantee you will see them at your polling place in 2008.
BRITAIN WILLIAMS, KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY: If you don't have that thing already on order right now, you're probably not going to make it.
NURENBERG: Added pressure for Congress to act, one way or another, soon. Gary Nurenberg, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE) COLLINS: Good morning, everybody. I'm Heidi Collins.
HARRIS: And I'm Tony Harris. Spend a second hour in the NEWSROOM this morning and stay informed. Here's what's on the rundown.
U.S. troops clearing a Iraqi town of insurgents, but not with a big battle. Our CNN correspondent along for the fight.
COLLINS: Australia's leader standing by his criticism of Barack Obama. He says the Democrat's plan for Iraq would be catastrophic if he is elected president. U.S. lawmakers bluntly telling Howard, butt out, mate.
HARRIS: Coming up short in Los Angeles. Blame it on Iraq and image. The LAPD recruitment drive missing its mark on this Monday, February 12th. You are in the NEWSROOM.
COLLINS: Iraq's sectarian violence, today's anniversary of underlined with fresh bloodshed and carnage. Three massive bombs ripped through central Baghdad this morning. The latest toll now, at least 90 people dead.
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