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Mega Winners; Crash Landing in Indonesia; Pilgrims Attacked in Iraq

Aired March 07, 2007 - 09:00   ET

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

ROB MARCIANO, CNN ANCHOR: You are in the CNN NEWSROOM.
I'm Rob Marciano, in for Tony Harris.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everybody.

I'm Heidi Collins.

For the next three hours, watch events come in to the NEWSROOM live on Wednesday, March 7th.

Here's what's on the rundown now.

A record $370 million. At least two people will share the Mega Millions jackpot. It is the biggest payday in U.S. lottery history.

MARCIANO: And Operation Achilles. NATO forces in Afghanistan going after the Taliban.

Our Nic Robertson with the troops.

COLLINS: An aspirin a day, does it keep the doc away? New concern about who should take aspirin.

Dr. Gupta's diagnosis this hour in the NEWSROOM.

Big money, big winners. Welcome to Easy Street, whoever you are.

America waiting this hour to see who holds winning tickets in the record Mega Millions lottery. We know of at least two states where winning tickets were sold, New Jersey and Georgia.

The Georgia ticket sold in Dalton. That's northwest of Atlanta. And the Jersey ticket sold in the southern part of the state.

We're still waiting to see if any winning tickets were sold in California. We are told technical problems delayed the reporting of results there.

So, are you ready to check your numbers? The winners are: 42, 39, 29, 22, 16, and Mega Ball 20.

You lost before it ever even started, right?

MARCIANO: I guess you've got to buy a ticket.

COLLINS: And the estimated record jackpot at least, as we said, $370 million.

More now on the winning tickets. We got the news this morning from Mardele Cohen, the Ohio Lottery Commission spokeswoman, and she joins us now by phone from Cleveland.

Mardele, thanks for being with us. An exciting day.

Any more information about those winning tickets that you can give us right now?

MARDELE COHEN, OHIO LOTTERY COMMISSIONER: No, we have no additional information on those winning tickets. Both the state of Georgia and the New Jersey Lottery will be releasing that information.

I know they must be very excited. This is the largest jackpot that we've ever had in the United States. And as you said, the advertised jackpot was $370 million. And as brisk as sales were, it's absolutely possible that the jackpot will exceed that amount.

COLLINS: Can I just tell you how bummed out I am? I have a home in New Jersey and a home in Georgia. Do you think I was even close?

COHEN: Did you even buy a ticket?

COLLINS: Yes, many tickets.

COHEN: That's good. You just didn't buy the winning ticket.

COLLINS: Apparently not. Not the right one, it's true.

So, Mardele, do us a favor and explain to us the situation in California. The results are not in yet.

COHEN: That's correct. California seems to be having technical difficulties verifying the drawing last evening. They've asked for additional time to close down their books for the drawing. Once they do that, then we'll be able to issue our standard report and give a breakdown on all the prize levels.

As you've stated, right now we know at least two winning tickets, one in the state of New Jersey, one in the state of Georgia. And we're just waiting to hear what's happening in California.

COLLINS: So, is that unusual for something like that to happen in California?

COHEN: Yes, it's very unusual for this to happen. I can't recall a time where we've ever had a situation like this before. I don't know what caused the California technical difficulties. I know they're working very hard to rectify it and get the information out.

COLLINS: What ramifications could that have? Any? Just another winner or a couple that could be splitting up that lump sum and then everybody gets less?

COHEN: Well, exactly. You know, if you have additional winners, then, you know, as many tickets -- winning tickets that were sold, you know, the prize will be divided. So, right now you're going to divide between two winning tickets, and if you have a winner or winners in California, then you're going to, you know, further divide that ticket up.

So, it's just a matter of, you know, sitting back and waiting. We're going to have to take a little bit of time on this.

COLLINS: I know where those winners in New Jersey and Georgia are. They're at a church praying that nobody reports another winning ticket from California, that's for sure.

How does a shared jackpot like this break out? I guess it's too early to tell.

COHEN: Well, basically, if there's two winning tickets, they're going to split the prize. It's very easy. Not hard math on that.

COLLINS: OK. What about the next step for the winners? Typically, what happens?

I mean, we see them, you know, sort of laying low for a while because they know they're going to get calls from absolutely everyone that they know in the entire universe.

COHEN: Wishing them well.

COLLINS: Yes.

COHEN: Wishing them well.

COLLINS: Wishing them well. How you doing today?

COHEN: Yes. Nice talking to you again.

I think what most of the winners are going to do is they're going to try to get over the shock -- and it is a shock. This is a life- altering amount of money, whether it's a single winner or multiple winners.

COLLINS: Right.

COHEN: Hopefully, they'll go get some good professional help with attorneys and tax specialists and estate planners.

COLLINS: Financial advice, yes. And then they'll come straight to CNN NEWSROOM and do a fantabulous (ph) interview with us. And we'll take them.

COHEN: And that would be wonderful.

COLLINS: It would. Mardele Cohen, Ohio Lottery spokeswoman, we certainly appreciate your time here this morning.

Thank you.

COHEN: Thank you.

MARCIANO: Oh, the heartbreak of having to split that.

Fortunes won, fortunes lost. Buckle up for another bumpy ride on Wall Street.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

(WEATHER REPORT)

COLLINS: Tragedy and incredible stories of survival at an Indonesian airport. Investigators now at the scene of a Boeing jetliner crash. At least 23 people were killed when the plane overshot a runway and burst into flames while trying to land.

Look at that.

Dozens of others were able to make it out alive, though.

CNN's Dan Rivers reports from the crash site.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAN RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Within seconds of overshooting the runway, Garuda Airlines Flight 200 was an inferno. This remarkable video was taken by a news cameraman who was aboard. Moments after, he scrambled out. In spite of his injuries, he manages to film the awful scene behind him.

Inside the burning fuselage, passengers who weren't so quick. Many horribly burnt, stretchered (ph) away by rescuers who fought the flames for two hours. But, incredibly, many did make it out alive.

RUTH BAMGGADAN, CRASH SURVIVOR: Suddenly we got (ph) like a bomb. And then we hit the ground. And when it stopped, I already see fire outside of the plane. I sat on the right side of the plane, so the fire was outside the window.

RIVERS: Among the 140 passengers and crew were nine Australians preparing for a visit by the foreign minister, Alexander Downer. They included embassy officials, police officers and journalists.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have no reason to believe that this accident was as a result of sabotage or terrorist attack or anything like that. It does look like just a straight action, where the aircraft apparently ran off the end of the runway.

RIVERS: Hospitals in Yogyakarta were inundated with more than 90 injured passengers and crew. The distressed relatives desperately praying for good news.

(on camera): What caused this plane to catastrophically overshoot the runway and burst into flames is still not clear. It's possible it was simply coming in too fast along the runway, skidding off the end and smashing through this fence. It's also possible there was a problem with the landing gear. Either way, the Indonesian president has now ordered an urgent investigation as to why this flight ended in such horrible tragedy.

(voice over): Dan Rivers, CNN, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Want to let you know that coming up next hour here on CNN NEWSROOM, we will have a survivor from that incredible plane crash talking to us about his experience.

MARCIANO: And in that same region, recovery already under way on Indonesia's Sumatra Island just a day after a powerful earthquake shook that region.

The quake, a 6.3 magnitude, killed at least 52 people and injured many more. It flattened thousands of homes and businesses. The quake followed by a powerful aftershock.

Right now, international aid has started to arrive. It's the latest in a string of natural disasters to strike in Indonesia in the last few years.

COLLINS: An explosion and gunfire ahead of a holy day. New bloodshed in Iraq. Details on that in the NEWSROOM.

MARCIANO: Also, a sea of FEMA trailers unused after Katrina. And tornado victims want to know why they can't move in. Is politics at play?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Republicans got their butts kicked in the state of Arkansas by the Democrats this year, and I don't think they're liking it too well.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARCIANO: Bureaucracy at work. FEMA's excuse, at least.

That's coming up in the CNN NEWSROOM.

COLLINS: And how much are you paying for your credit card? Is your rate fair? Tough questions. We'll tell you who's doing the asking coming up in the NEWSROOM.

MARCIANO: And you probably have it in your medicine cabinet, but is aspirin the answer for everyone? Some new research may surprise you, and Dr. Sanjay Gupta is coming up in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MARCIANO: Well, Shiite pilgrims streaming toward a holy shrine once again the target of bloody violence in Iraq.

CNN's Jennifer Eccleston live from Baghdad now. Jennifer, the death toll seems to continue to rise. What's the latest?

JENNIFER ECCLESTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Rob, the attacks on Shia pilgrims continue today with some 17 people killed by bombs and gunfire, those who are heading to a solemn religious ritual in Karbala. Among the dead, those very policemen who were protecting those pilgrims in the procession.

But by far, the worst attacks against pilgrims happened Tuesday on a major road in central Hilla, south of Baghdad, when two suicide bombers detonated vests packed with explosives near the procession of pilgrims. At least 114 people were killed and more than 147 were injured.

Now, they were headed to Karbala to mark the end of a 40-day commemorative period of mourning for one of Shia Islam's holiest figures. Other attacks yesterday targeting pilgrims elsewhere in this country left dozens dead.

Now, this wave of violence on the eve of the Shia observance appeared intended to widen Iraq's sectarian divide. Now, the attacks were condemned by the Iraqi government, including the powerful Sunni Muslim Scholars Association. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, in a statement, said, "This crime against unarmed citizens won't pass without punishment." The U.S. Embassy also issued a condemnation and condolences to those that were killed -- Rob.

MARCIANO: Jennifer, this coming towards the sacred holiday. Given the religious contrast in the country, at least among the sects, is -- could that be a reason for these attacks? And these attacks happening so close to this holiday, isn't that sort of some taboo, or are all rules thrown out the window?

ECCLESTON: Yes, this is an event that takes place every year, and it attracts tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, perhaps even millions, down south in Iraq, in Karbala. It is, therefore, an attack, a huge opportunity to those insurgents, possibly Sunni insurgents, to cause widespread death and mayhem.

So, this is why in advance to this ritual, they've had an increased police protection, much more army on the streets. But it's impossible to actually protect these numbers of people as they're making their way, heading south from Baghdad and from all other parts of Iraq. They can police areas where they stop, they can put up blast walls, but again, incredibly difficult to police people as they head on the roads down to these parts of -- down to Karbala, south of Baghdad -- Rob.

MARCIANO: Jennifer Eccleston live from Baghdad.

Thanks, Jennifer.

COLLINS: Now to your health. Millions of you pop that little pill with the big punch, aspirin, that old standby, for what ails you. Doctors say it can do anything from relieving pain to preventing heart attacks, but new research showing a need for caution now.

CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta is here.

Sanjay, we're talking act low-dose aspirin, first off, right?

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, there are different doses for different things. And, you know, people always say, "Take two aspirins and call me in the morning."

COLLINS: Yes.

GUPTA: The longstanding belief was that, look, it's a painkiller. But as you're alluding to, people have started to realize over the years that you can take aspirin to ward off cardiovascular problems as well -- heart attacks, for example, and strokes.

What's so interesting to me, Heidi, is that there appears to be a gender difference here. Men seem to get a benefit from aspirin as far as heart attacks, whereas women seem to get a benefit as far as strokes.

But some new guidelines that we talked about with you just a couple of weeks ago, Heidi, as well, for women, specifically saying all women 65 and older should take an aspirin, even if they're healthy, to ward off heart attacks and stroke.

COLLINS: Wow.

GUPTA: And that is a full-dose aspirin. Under 65, still, if you have a history.

COLLINS: OK. Because low dose is something like 80 milligrams.

GUPTA: 81 milligrams, right.

COLLINS: OK. And then the regular dose is...

GUPTA: 325 milligrams, yes.

COLLINS: OK. So it's considerably more.

So, I guess there's really no reason to not take it if you're a woman over 65?

GUPTA: Right. So, if you're a woman over 65, they say based on all the data they have now, there are certainly risks to taking aspirin, but the benefits outweigh those risks if you're a woman over the age of 65.

COLLINS: OK. Now, what about colon cancer? How does all that play into this?

GUPTA: I find this so fascinating. You know, years ago, they started giving aspirin to animals and they started to realize that something -- they started getting lower rates of colon cancer in the animals. They said, let's try this in humans as well, and they found that, in fact, humans had lower rates of colon cancer as well.

Now, what they are finding now, though, is if you are somebody who doesn't have any reason to believe that your colon cancer risk is higher, you have no family history, you have no problems with it, then taking an aspirin, just an aspirin, is actually a greater risk than the benefit it might provide in terms of warding off colon cancer. So anybody watching out there who says, well, I've been taking aspirin, concerned about colon cancer, listening to the reports from years ago, stop doing that unless you have a family history or some other reason to believe that you might develop colon cancer.

COLLINS: Yes. You always have to, I guess, weigh the risks over the benefits.

GUPTA: People think aspirin, they think, what's the problem with aspirin?

COLLINS: Yes.

GUPTA: It's a harmless drug. And, in fact, there are some significant problems with aspirin. It can cause bleeding, it can cause peptic ulcers, it can cause other gastrointestinal problems.

And going back to your earlier question, there are certainly people who should not take aspirin. And people who have ever had a history of any of these gastrointestinal problems.

You can have an aspirin allergy, which you can actually get tested for as well. Talk to you doctor about that -- history of bleeding in the stomach. And don't ever mix it with alcohol, because that can actually exacerbate all of those problems as well.

COLLINS: Yes, you're right. I think people just think, oh, it's just one aspirin. I can still have a glass of wine.

GUPTA: Just an aspirin, right. Or just two aspirins, right.

COLLINS: So, real quickly, if you are told and you're over 65 and you're a female and it's a good idea to take this, should you always do that aspirin allergy test before taking it?

GUPTA: You can talk to your doctor about it. The main thing is, if you have a reaction at all -- you take the aspirin and you have a reaction, talk to your doctor. It might be an aspirin allergy. They're not going to test everybody for it.

COLLINS: OK.

GUPTA: But it's an important point. Women 65 and older, new guidelines, brand new. Take an aspirin a day to ward that off.

COLLINS: All right. That is interesting. All right. We're glad you're here, Sanjay.

GUPTA: Any time, Heidi, for you guys.

COLLINS: Sanjay Gupta, thanks.

GUPTA: Thank you.

MARCIANO: He's accused of abducting two teenage boys. Now, could Michael Devlin strike a deal with prosecutors? New information coming up in the NEWSROOM.

COLLINS: And we're "Minding Your Business" with Ali Velshi.

Ali, what are you working on today?

ALI VELSHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Heidi, you can -- you can watch TV when you're not at home, you can have your DVR record shows that you won't be around to see. And now you can even program it using your mobile phone.

I'll tell you more about that in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MARCIANO: Credit card late fees, interest rates, you know the deal. But how much are you being charged?

If you're confused trying to come up with the answer, well, you're not alone. Next hour, senators will take a closer look at the sometimes complex practices for credit card billing.

Senator Carl Levin, who chairs the panel, says an investigation found "abusive practices" that can thrust people deeper into debt. Representatives of major credit card companies are expected to be in the hot seat, and we'll have more on this ahead.

COLLINS: Need to program your cable TV box to record your favorite show? Well, now you can do it away from home, all with the press of a button on your cell phone.

Ali Velshi joining us now to tell us more about this.

This is so cool, Ali.

VELSHI: Do you use a DVR or TiVo or something like that?

COLLINS: I do, yes.

VELSHI: I use the Time Warner DVR and I have a TiVo. And really, the reason I haven't given up the TiVo is because I can go online wherever I am and program it to record, something that I don't have capability on the Time Warner DVR, very much like the Comcast DVR.

Now, what's happened here is AT&T is making a deal with Echostar, which has its type of DVR, and it's free as long as you subscribe to its Homezone program, which costs ten bucks a month.

Verizon is partnering with TiVo, where for two bucks a month you can use the mobile feature on your phone to program your TiVo. And Sprint and Nextel are going to come up with something similar for people who use either the Comcast or the Time Warner, you know, the bigger company DVRs.

So, interesting that a company called Jupiter Research was, you know, asking people about this. And less than 10 percent of their respondents said they would have any need for this sort of system at all.

I mean, I totally get it. I like the fact I can see an ad for something on a billboard...

COLLINS: Right.

VELSHI: ... and then be able to sort of, you know, do it, have it programmed to make sure I can see it. And I've used this feature a lot, the online feature.

I'm curious as to why the other companies don't first just have an online presence, because I think for most people the anxious, you know, rush, need to have to program it right from your phone may not be there. But who knows? In the future that might be the only way we do it.

COLLINS: Yes. Well, is it particularly expensive for them to do? I mean, it doesn't look like it if they're only charging $2 a month.

VELSHI: I don't think so. You figure out -- if they can figure out how to run the DVR, the Web site, you know, should be -- should be the thing.

You know, in the United States, we don't use our phones for the features that they do in Asia and Europe. And I suppose we're all moving in that direction.

So, the idea is all of these companies want to be able to have everything accessible on your phone, as people sort of get -- you know, folks under 20 and under 30 use their phone a lot more than over 30s and over 40s do. Fundamentally, it seems like a bit of a leap because a lot of these companies don't have good online scheduling.

And, you know, you think about the people who use DVRs. It's because we're not in front of our TVs all the time. So the time management aspect of this is kind of neat.

So, you k now, we'll see where it goes. I don't know that this AT&T one, where you've got to pay 10 bucks a month for their Homezone feature, I hope the Homezone feature has all sorts of other neat features worth paying ten bucks a month for, like pizza recipes and things like that.

COLLINS: Yes. You can order up the movie or the show you want, alongside a pizza delivery.

VELSHI: Yes, exactly. COLLINS: Hey, real quickly, before we let you go, with the phone features, the Verizon, does it work just like any other phone call that you would make? I mean, as long as you have a signal, you can go ahead and program?

VELSHI: Right. You know, the thing about the online service, Verizon is partnering with TiVo, and TiVo, on their online service, you can go on and you can search and do things like that. So, the interface, I haven't tried it, but it has to have some sort of search feature.

It's going to be pretty intuitive. Now, intuitive depends on how comfortable you are with your phone.

I just don't use the phone as much. I mean, if I need to program my phone, I find some 10-year-old who can do it for me.

COLLINS: Exactly.

VELSHI: So if you're used to using the phone, I suppose it's intuitive. Me, I don't -- I make phone calls on my phone. I don't even take pictures with it.

COLLINS: All right. Well, I'll teach you how to do that.

VELSHI: Thank you.

COLLINS: All right. Ali Velshi, thank you.

VELSHI: All right.

MARCIANO: Well, Scooter Libby may have another trial in his future, and this time he may be forced to testify. Find out why in the NEWSROOM.

COLLINS: Goofy Vaudeville or a political hot potato? An Israeli band gets booted. We'll tell you the story coming up in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Listen. There it is.

(BELL CLANGING)

OK. The opening bell for today, March 7th. We are looking at all kinds of activity at the Dow Jones industrial average, at least. We know yesterday the average was up, had the biggest rise in eight months, up 157 points, or so. Right now down about 12, leaving the Dow to rest at 12,195. Of course, we will be watching this and talk more about the situation with oil prices, and how that will bear on the market as well today.

MARCIANO: And big money, big winners, welcome to easy street, whoever you are. America is waiting right now to see who holds the winning tickets in the record Mega Millions lottery. We know of at least two states where winning tickets were sold -- New Jersey and Georgia. The Georgia ticket sold in Dalton, northwest of Atlanta. And the Jersey ticket sold the southern part of that state.

We're still waiting to see if any winning tickets were sold in California, where technical problems delayed the reporting of the results there.

OK, you ready to check your numbers, here we go: The winners are -- 16, 22, 29, 39, 42, and the Mega Ball is 20. And the estimated record jackpot of at least $370 million. Good luck.

COLLINS: Another day, another level of scrutiny. The scandal over the medical care of wounded troops reaches the White House. Next hour, President Bush takes a closer look at charges wounded vets were shortchanged at Walter Reed Medical Center, and maybe throughout the entire military medical system. Former Senator Bob Dole will meet with the president and former Clinton insider Donna Shalala; the two will co-chair a bipartisan probe into medical care for war wounded.

And later today the Senate takes up the matter as Congress holds a third straight day of hearings. Some lawmakers fear problems cited at Walter Reed are just, quote, "the tip of the iceberg."

MARCIANO: A child murder case that rocked the nation could soon be in the hands of the jury. Closing arguments expected today in the trial of John Couey. Prosecutors say he raped nine-year-old Jessica Lunsford, stuffed her in a garbage bag and buried her alive.

Jailers and investigators have testified that he repeatedly volunteered details about murdering Jessica. And a psychologist said Couey suffers from a mental illness that could have led to ill-advised comments to guards. Couey has pled not guilty.

COLLINS: Another trial may be in the near future for Lewis Scooter Libby. On one front, his attorneys are pushing for a new trial on criminal charges. Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff was convicted on four charges, including perjury and obstruction of the CIA leak investigation.

The vice president expressed disappointment with the verdict, saying, quote, "I am saddened for Scooter, and his family."

Meanwhile, Joseph Wilson and his wife, Valerie Plame, have filed a civil suit against Libby, Cheney, Karl Rove and former Assistant Secretary of State Richard Armitage. Armitage admitted leaking Plame's CIA identity, but has not -- and apparently will not be charged.

Wilson told CNN's Larry King last night the civil suit is crucial to getting the whole story out in the open.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE WILSON, HUSBAND OF VALERIE PLAME: She's no longer employed by the CIA. She left the CIA over a year ago. The purpose of the suit is threefold, Larry. One is to get the truth out. Neither Mr. Cheney, nor Mr. Libby, nor Mr. Rove, nor Mr. Armitage testified in this trial. We think there's a lot more they have to often the American people, we hope to get that through discovery. We also want to hold them accountable for their actions. And we hope to deter future generations of public servants from engaging in this type of behavior.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: As for Scooter Libby faces up to 25 years in prison, but a term that long is unlikely under sentencing guidelines. Sentencing is scheduled for June 5th.

Lewis Scooter Libby facing prison time this morning after a guilty verdict in his perjury trial. His attorneys vowing to fight and seek a new trial, but many still believe Libby is just a scapegoat for his former boss. CNN Senior National Correspondent John Roberts reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN ROBERTS, CNN SR. NAT'L. CORRESPONDENT (voice over): It was Libby who was convicted of lying, but when it comes to the issue of who orchestrated White House leaks of prewar intelligence, even the jury thought Libby took the hit for higher-ups.

DENIS COLLINS, JUROR: There was a tremendous amount of sympathy for Mr. Libby. We're not saying we didn't think Mr. Libby was guilty of the things we found him guilty of, but that it seemed like he was, to put it -- Mr. Wells, point -- he was the fall guy.

ROBERTS: Who was he the fall guy for? According to Libby's grand jury testimony, Dick Cheney. It was the vice president, Libby says, who ordered the declassification and leak of a national intelligence estimate to beat back claims from former Ambassador Joe Wilson that the president had lied about Iraq trying to buy uranium from Niger.

LEWIS SCOOTER LIBBY, DEFENDANT: He gave me instructions as to what I should -- what I should say to reporters.

ROBERTS: And though Libby never said so, prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald even suggested Cheney may have been behind the disclosure that Wilson's wife worked at the CIA. Wilson still has a civil suit pending against Cheney and other White House officials.

JOSEPH WILSON, FMR. U.S. AMBASSADOR: It's very clear he's a powerful figure within the White House. And it's also very clear that he was intimately involved in this. He was obsessed with this. He was writing talking points on the -- on my article after it appeared. And again, rather than deal with the facts, he was concerned about his own image.

ROBERTS: The trial only reinforced the perception of Cheney as the all-seeing vice president, the director of an elaborate Kabuki theater to defend the White House against its critics. Jim Vandehei has covered Cheney for years.

JIM VANDEHEI, THE POLITICO: He likes to do things behind the curtain. And obviously is quite a micromanager, and likes to pull the strings when he knows the vice presidency or presidency could be in trouble.

ROBERTS: No question Cheney is the most powerful vice president in recent memory, perhaps ever. Intimately involved in policy development, national security. He has repeatedly frustrated Democratic attempts to peel back the veil of secrecy that surrounds his office. Will the Libby verdict force him to change his ways? Not likely, says Vandehei.

VANDEHEI: Dick Cheney is Dick Cheney. He's certainly not going to change. And I don't think that his critics will ever force him into changing. I mean, he has a modus operandi that is well established. He does things behind the scenes, he works with the president, very closely. He's the president's right hand man. There's no way that suddenly he's going to become a lovable, huggable figure on the public stage.

ROBERTS (On camera): One Republican adviser told me this is bad for Cheney and the administration. One more log on the fire of missteps and corruption that have plagued the Republican Party. So many demons that they are desperately in need of an exorcism. John Roberts, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MARCIANO: All the action happening in D.C., and on top of that, the month of March they're getting a little bit of snow this morning.

COLLINS: Yeah.

MARCIANO: A little bit, right, Chad? Winter holding on up north it seems.

(WEATHER REPORT)

Defining disaster:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If this is not an emergency, there's not a cow in Texas.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: Anger in Arkansas as residents wait, and wait, on FEMA. The hold-up, in the NEWSROOM.

MARCIANO: And a Massachusetts factory raided. The feds say illegal immigrants were making military goods. But wait, the workers say the conditions were horrible. That's coming up in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: You already know to catch us weekday mornings from 9:00 until noon Eastern, but did you know you can take us with you, anywhere, on your iPod? CNN NEWSROOM Podcast available 24/7, right on your iPod.

MARCIANO: Word of a possible plea offer for the Missouri man accused of abducting two teenaged boys. This comes after Michael Devlin pleaded not guilty, yesterday, to kidnapping 13-year-old boy, Ben Ownby. Devlin is also accused of abducting Shawn Hornbeck in 2002.

Both boys were found in Devlin's apartment in January. Prosecutors are considering a plea offer that would put Devlin in prison for life. Devlin He faces other charges, as well, including producing child porn.

COLLINS: So close, yet so far away. FEMA trailers sit in a lot while tornado victims just a few miles away are homeless. CNN's Jeanne Meserve with the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Ten days ago this was a neighborhood. Today, it's a ruin. Residents are asking a familiar question, where's federal help? Where's FEMA? On February 24th a severe tornado churned through southeastern Arkansas, chewing apart 150 homes.

TERRY EDWARDS, HOME DESTROYED BY TORNADO: Well, you can see there was a house here at one time, but no longer. We lost, lost it to the storm.

MESERVE: But Hope, literally Hope, Arkansas, is only a three- hour drive away. You may remember that's where all those FEMA mobile homes sit. Those 8,000 fully furnished mobile homes purchased for Hurricane Katrina victims. They became an embarrassment because they're still here, unused.

Now, another disaster, the trailers would appear to be a perfect solution for housing the tornado victims only 160 miles away, but after 10 days, still, no hope from Hope. That's why we're keeping them honest.

REP. MIKE ROSS (D-AR): It's unacceptable. It is reprehensible. And it's a symbol of what's wrong with FEMA.

MESERVE: FEMA says they can't send the mobile homes unless the tornado ravaged area is declared a federal disaster area. It hasn't been, so, FEMA's trailers still just sit there.

JUDGE MARK MCELROY, DESHA COUNTY, ARKANSAS: I took for granted that help was on the way. You know, that's what our government's there for, Federal Emergency Management. If this is not an emergency, there's not a cow in Texas.

MESERVE: FEMA is still assessing whether state and local governments really need federal help. One FEMA official points out that Arkansas currently has an $850 million budget surplus. The governor has a different view.

GOV. MIKE BEEBE, (D) ARKANSAS: We're using all our resources that are set aside for this. All our resources that are designed for disaster relief from the state level and all our personnel. So, it's time the federal government did their part.

MESERVE: The anger in Arkansas is tinged with suspicions of political games. Less than 48 hours after tornadoes hit Alabama and Georgia, President Bush and FEMA Director David Paulison were on the ground with assurances of federal help. Those states have Republican governors. Arkansas does not. FEMA says that isn't a factor, but some locals aren't buying it.

EDWARDS: I think the Republicans got their butts kicked in the state of Arkansas by the Democrats this year, and I don't think they're liking it too well.

MESERVE: Today, 10 days after the tornado, most people here have found some kind of shelter, but not a home. Having the FEMA mobile homes so close, so empty, so available, and yet so inaccessible is a bitter pill.

KEVIN HILL, ARKANSAS RESIDENT: For them to say we can't get nothing. They need to come stay with me a weekend. I invite them all. Get up and not know where your britches are in the morning. Just tell them to come visit me.

MESERVE: Where, residents ask, is common sense? Where is compassion? Jeanne Meserve, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MARCIANO: Death and survival at the airport, the latest on the crash of a Boeing passenger jet in the NEWSROOM.

COLLINS: And the winner is? Well, two of you are out there. Somebody is rolling in mega, mega, Mega Millions today. Lottery record buster in the NEWSROOM.

MARCIANO: And goofy vaudeville or a political hot potato?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (SINGING): The world is full of terror...

MARCIANO: An Israeli band gets booted in the NEWSROOM.

KOBI OZ, TEAPACKS BAND LEADER (SINGING): If someone makes an error he's going to blow us up to, bee-di, bee-di kingdom come.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MARCIANO: Meet the Teapacks. The Israeli band just wants to have fun, but a European music contest says they're politically incorrect. CNN's Ben Wedeman reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OZ (SINGING): The world is full of terror, if someone makes an error he'll blow us up to bee-di, bee-di kingdom come. There are some crazy rulers, they hide in try to fool us -- BEN WEDEMAN, CNN INT'L. CORRESPONDENT: The lyrics are catchy, the message in typical Israeli style -- blunt. And just in case you didn't get it in English, the Israeli band Teapacks sings its in French and Hebrew as well.

Israelis overwhelmingly pushed the button for "Push The Button" as their country's annual entry to the Euro Vision Song contest.

OZ (SINGING): And I don't want to cry, I have a lot of fun, just sitting in the sun, but nevertheless --

WEDEMAN: But nevertheless, the contest organizers have balked, worried the song is far too political for a competition synonymous with schmaltz.

(On camera): Some suggest the song is all about this man, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has threatened to wipe Israel off the map, and many Israelis believe is trying to develop a nuclear bomb.

(Voice over): The band denies there's any connection.

OZ: We are not speaking about Ahmadinejad, we are not speaking about any specific crazy man. There are --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In history, there are plenty of them.

OZ: Yeah. There's a selection of cuckoos.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's enough.

OZ: Yeah.

WEDEMAN: The whole thing, they say, has been blown up, or rather blown out of proportion.

OZ: We just do da, da, da. This is vaudeville. This is Jewish humor. This is nothing of a political big bang. This is something to laugh with.

WEDEMAN: For Israelis out enjoying a bit of warm weather, it all seems like a tempest in a Teapack.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Maybe Europe is not feeling mature enough to discuss this kind of matters.

OZ: There are some crazy rulers, they hide and try to fool us.

WEDEMAN: Or maybe they're just not ready for a bit of Israeli humor.

OZ: Push their button! Push, push, push the button!

WEDEMAN: Ben Wedeman, CNN, Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE) COLLINS: At the White House, the president issues marching orders, investigating medical care for the nation's wounded vets. That's up a head, right here, in the NEWSROOM

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: The problem of underage drinking, the surgeon general is now ready to place the blame on everyone. Christine Romans has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The surgeon general cataloged a list of dangerous consequences of underage drinking.

DR. KENNETH MORITSUGU, ACTING U.S. SURGEON GENERAL: Academic failure, risky sexual behavior, injuries, and even death.

ROMANS: Each year, some 5,000 deaths are linked to underage drinking.

MORITSUGU: Think of that. Entire college campuses wiped clean of the entire student body every year.

ROMANS: His exhaustive report on the problem finds, quote, "underage drinking is deeply embedded in the American culture." "Is often viewed as a rite of passage, is frequently facilitated by adults, and has proved stubbornly resistant to change."

He says it is simply unacceptable that 20 percent of 14-year-olds say they've been drunk at least once.

MORITSUGU: This needs to stop.

ROMANS: He faults society. Too often parents are inclined to believe not my child. Pediatric healthcare providers underestimate alcohol use and abuse among their patients. Colleges and universities need to take a good, hard look at whether they encourage, support important, or facilitate underage alcohol use.

As for the industry, make certain that billions of dollars spent on industry advertising, and responsibility campaigns does not portray alcohol as an essential element in achieving popularity, social success, or a fulfilling life.

MICHELLE RIDGE, LEADERSHIP TO KEEP CHILDREN ALCOHOL FREE: For too long underage drinking has been fueled by denial, inaction, and acceptance. That changes today.

ROMANS: Law enforcement needs to publicize and enforce, and anti-underage drinking laws.

(On camera): The acting surgeon general says underage alcohol abuse needs prompt attention. It is everyone's problem, every segment of society is at fault. Christine Romans, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Good morning everybody I'm Heidi Collins.

MARCIANO: Hello to you. I'm Rob Marciano sitting in for Tony Harris. Spend a second hour in the NEWSROOM this morning and stay informed.

Here's what's on the rundown: They're moving on up to a live of riches, at least two winners hit the record-breaking Mega Millions pot of gold, 370 million reasons for you to stay tuned.

COLLINS: And poor conditions at the nation's top military hospital. This hour, President Bush sits down with the two people who will lead the Walter Reed investigation.

MARCIANO: And a disastrous landing. A jetliner overshoots the runway and becomes a rolling firebomb.

It's Wednesday, March 7th, you're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

COLLINS: Wouldn't it be great to start your day this way knowing you had won the lottery. It is easy street for some of those lucky folks. America now waiting this hour to see who holds those winning tickets in the record Mega Millions lottery.

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