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American Morning
Congress Passes War Funding Bill Without Troop Withdrawal Deadlines
Aired May 25, 2007 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: A victory for the president in the sense he didn't have timelines for a troop withdrawal, but it really is a short-term victory.
Look to September. That's going to really be key. General Petraeus will be delivering some sort of progress report to see where we are and members of Congress have already warned this administration, not just the Democrats, but the moderate Republicans to say, look, if you thought this battle over funding was tough, wait till you see us in the fall. That is when we'll hold you to account; see if those benchmarks and the Iraqi government has actually come through -- John.
JOHN ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Yesterday, in his press conference President Bush had another sharp warning for the American people about more violence ahead this summer?
MALVEAUX: Yeah, absolutely. You hear General Petraeus say, look, September is going to be the time when I'm going to deliver this progress report. What does that actually mean? What does that do? The president has been reticent about talking about any kind of timeline, or date to focus on, but essentially he admitted yesterday that the insurgents, and anybody else who wants to wreak havoc in Iraq, will really step up the violence, particularly in August. Because they know that everybody will be paying attention, come September, to see what the situation is there.
ROBERTS: This is another time when the president is warning the American people of more violence ahead.
It looks like he took another shift and quite a dramatic one yesterday, as well. He was asked, what is plan "B" or is this part of plan "B"? He said, no, I don't see it as plan "BH", Baker/Hamilton, which points to the study group. The recommendations of which, the White House said for the most part ignored or dismissed, and now he's embracing them?
MALVEAUX: Absolutely, John. It is really amazing when you see this, because six months ago he largely rejected that report, that strategy. Now what you're seeing is what he's calling a reconfiguration in Iraq. A plan that looks strikingly similar to this Iraq Study Group plant, this report, essentially focusing on the political aspects of the Iraqi government and reaching out to Iran and Syria. On Monday we'll see American ambassador, an Iranian ambassador, sitting together one-on-one, side-by-side, talking about Iraq. And also this transition of U.S. troops from a combat role to a supportive one.
So, we are definitely seeing an acknowledgment of this administration, that the strategy they were using before just really hasn't produced the kind of fruit that they had hoped, the results.
ROBERTS: Pretty extraordinary shift in attitude there at the White House. Suzanne Malveaux, thanks very much.
Last night's vote forced many of the presidential candidates to take a stand. Senators Joe Biden, a Democrat, and John McCain, Republican, voted for the bill. Democratic Senators Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd and Barack Obama all voted against it. Former senator and current presidential candidate John Edwards blasted the bill, calling it a blank check for the president.
Two books out next month level some new charges against Hillary Clinton and paint a portrait of a driven woman in tortured relationship. "The Washington Post" got an early "A Woman In Charge: The Life of Hillary Rodham-Clinton" is by Carl Bernstein of "Washington Post." and Watergate fame.
The other book is called "Her Way: The Hopes and Ambitions of Hillary Rodham-Clinton" by "New York Times" reporters Jeff Gerth and Don Van Natta, Jr. That book includes a third-hand report that the Clintons hatched a secret plan after the '92 election in which both of them would have served eight years as president.
These authors also claim that Clinton did not read the national intelligence estimate on Iraq, in 2002, before she voted to authorize the war.
Bernstein reveals, meantime, that Clinton considered running for governor of Arkansas in 1990 after learning that her husband wanted to divorce her.
KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR, AMERICAN MORNING: Well, at a time when U.S. military personnel are stretched to the limit with commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan, there is an is an alarming number of Army officers, who are deciding to leave the military behind once their active duty requirement has been fulfilled. AMERICAN MORNING's Alina Cho has more on the story.
You did some digging to find out the reasons behind this, as well.
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. And there are various reasons, Kiran. Family cited as one reason; and multiple deployments, we'll get into that a bit later.
But it's graduation time, you know that very well, and tomorrow some 900 cadets will become second lieutenants in the Army, when they graduate from West Point. Now, if you think about it, not a bad deal; an Ivy League level education in exchange for five years of active duty. The problem is an alarming number of soldiers are getting out as soon as they can, and that's creating a brain drain in the top ranks.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHO (voice over): It was a time of peace, a few months before 9/11 and the war on terror. Angela and Dave Lamborn were graduating from West Point. The two met there, married, and started a family. Dave shipped off to Iraq soon after their first child was born. Angela stayed behind, but she was worried about both of them being deployed that same time. So, she decided to leave active duty, just a year after her five-year commitment was up.
(On camera): So, how did that make you feel?
CAPT. ANGELA LAMBORN, LEAVING ARMY: A sense of guilt, in a way because I was leaving during a time of war, but at the same time, a sense of relief because I knew there would be somebody at home to take care of the children.
CHO (voice over): The Army is losing mid-level officers at a rate not seen since the Vietnam war; 36 percent of officers who graduated from West Point in 2001 left the service last year, after fulfilling their five-year active duty requirement.
At the start of the Iraq war, half as many, 18 percent left. Some, like Angela, leave for family reasons, others cite multiple deployments, fatigue over the war in Iraq.
LT. GEN. DANIEL CHRISTMAN, FMR. SUPERINTENDENT, USMA: We're losing the next generation of future combat leaders for the Army. Ultimately, that's what's at stake here.
CHO: Just this week the army rolled out new incentives for those most likely to leave, captains. Among the enticements, a $20,000 bonus, for three more years of active duty. Or, for just one more year, language training or additional military training.
COL. PAUL ASWELL, U.S. ARMY: We want those officers to stay in. There is no other way to get them.
CHO: While Dave Lamborn prepares for another combat tour in Afghanistan, Angela will stay home serving her family.
LAMBORN: The best of both worlds, you know, my husband will be serving and I am going to be right by his side.
CHO: She says by supporting her husband she's serving her country, as well.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHO: Now, in this day in age it wasn't automatic that Angela was going to be the one to leave active duty. They actually talked about it quite a bit, and had some heated debates, but ultimately Angela believed she should be the one at home while Dave said sending his wife off to war while he was at home, Kiran, would have been a tough pill to swallow. They gave into tradition a bit, but it was the right decision for them.
CHETRY: And I mean, the one little girl was so little. I mean, just to be without her mom for so long.
CHO: One year old, and three years old. Their two kids are very, very young.
CHETRY: Not that it's not easier to not have a dad, either. So, it's hard, when you see what these families are going through. And I'm sure a lot of this is a big consideration. Why, though, do we see it more in the Army, the numbers higher there?
CHO: There are a couple of reasons for that. Chief reason is that the Army is suffering the most, in terms of casualties of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. And one important point, we talked about this earlier, Kiran, the multiple deployments.
If you think about it, in Vietnam the Army was three times the size that it is now and, so, during Vietnam soldiers would go over, do their one tour of duty. They'd come back. That would be it. Now soldiers are going back not once, but twice and in many cases three times, and it's taking its toll.
CHETRY: And longer deployments. A lot of the Army --
CHO: Fifteen months now, versus 12 months.
CHETRY: All right, Alina Cho, thanks so much.
CHO: My pleasure.
ROBERTS: Americans are revving up for the holiday weekend get away today. Take a look now at a live picture of downtown Seattle. Beautiful day there. Look at that. Is that Mt. Baker in the background, you can see there? You can see the landmark space needle. Our thanks to our affiliate KIRO.
An estimated 38 million Americans hitting the road, according to AAA.
Look at that. You can see the mountain, way in the background there. Very clear day to be able to do that.
Those travelers facing record gas prices, more than $3 a gallon in every state except New Jersey. Gas prices are up, food prices are up, but some stores have figured out that Americans are willing to pay more for the food that they love. What's the secret behind niche super markets like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's that keeps customers coming back? AMERICAN MORNING's Chris Lawrence is outside a Whole Foods market in El Segundo California.
So, Chris, what is it?
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, some of the shoppers we talked to said it's the whole experience of shopping, almost like a planned event that they go to. Whole Foods started out as this really small mom and pop kind of place, now it's in talks to acquire one of its biggest rivals, Wild Oats. Some critics say the challenge now will be to get better, not just bigger. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LAWRENCE (voice over): It's home-grown food, animals without antibiotics and just about everything organic. It may lack all kind of additives, but it's definitely not free.
(on camera): I know some of the items are going to be more expensive at a place like Whole Foods, is it worth the extra money?
PEGGY CURRY, WHOLE FOODS SHOPPER: To me, yes.
LAWRENCE (voice over): Peggy Curry is picky about what goes in her basket.
CURRY: This is great. This is gluten free.
LAWRENCE: Peggy's family suffers from severe food allergies. She's practically raised her four girls on breakfast with no wheat, no sugar, and organic eggs and fruit. It was a lot tougher before she found Whole Foods.
CURRY: Sometimes I would have to go to three or four markets to be able to find an ingredient because Megan had such a special diet, she couldn't eat anything.
LAWRENCE: Curry wheels her basket through Whole Foods new 60,000-square-foot super market, it's largest in Southern California.
DAVID HEBER, UCLA CTR. FOR HUMAN NUTRITION: I think as Whole Foods has had to enlarge its product line, it's had to make some compromises.
LAWRENCE: David Heber runs for the UCLA Center Human for Nutrition. He said Whole Foods has veered from its original focus on health to include gourmet dishes for folks who just love to eat great food. At the same time, competitors have renovated their stores to include high-end design and organic alternatives.
HEBER: The consumer has to become educated and look at the food itself rather than to say I shop there so I'm guaranteed that everything I buy has been approved and stamped.
LAWRENCE: Still, some shoppers trust specialty stores, like Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and Wild Oats, at a time when confidence in the overall food supply is shaky. Peggy's willing to pay more for what she sees as peace of mind.
CURRY: I'm not willing to compromise quality over value.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LAWRENCE: One nutrition expert told me that he feels we're in the middle of a kind of generational change in how we shop. Whereas, in the past, people just shopped because of what was most convenient, and what was cheapest. Now there is this real link between what we eat and how long we live, health and food -- John. ROBERTS: Yes, when you go into some of those stores, Chris, you see the produce laid out there and it looks so fresh like it's right off the farm. It is difficult to resist. Chris Lawrence for us outside of Whole Foods, in El Segundo. Thanks very much.
CHETRY: Some of the other stories we're following: Heavy rains flooded many parts of Texas yesterday. Central Texas getting the worst of it, in Killeen police said every intersection in the entire town -- and there you see the video, right next to me -- flooded. That was a road, it looks like a body of water.
ROBERTS: You can see the rescuers walking through it, as well.
CHETRY: Also, coming up, "The Pirates" They're swinging into the theaters for the third time this weekend, will it be another box office hit? We're going to take a look at the summer blockbusters. And we're also going to read what some of you all wrote about you're favorite blockbusters from year's past.
You're watching AMERICAN MORNING, the most news in the morning here on CNN.
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(BEGIN MOVIE CLIP)
CAPTAIN BARBOSA: They be my charts!
CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW: That makes you choppy!
RAGETTI: Stow it! The both of you. That's an order! Understand?
(END MOVIE CLIP)
CHETRY: I think he does understand; the new "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie. One of the summer blockbusters, it opens today.
ROBERTS: This is the season of big action films, of course. Bigger sequels and some sleeper hits. It's the summer movie season. "Newsweek" David Ansen is here to preview some of Hollywood's coming attractions,
"Pirates Of The Caribbean"?
DAVID ANSEN, "NEWSWEEK": Yes.
ROBERTS: This is a big one. People have been waiting for this. It was almost shot in conjunction with the second one.
ANSEN: They shot them back-to-back.
ROBERTS: This one is called "World's End" and hasn't been getting great reviews? What do you think?
ANSEN: No, well, with reason. It's 2 hours and 45 minutes long, the storytelling is very confusing. It's loud and you don't really care about anybody in the movie.
ROBERTS: One of the criticisms I've seen is that there's too many plot lines running all at the same time.
ANSEN: There's a lot of plot lines, which are very confusing. Half of the characters are dead already. There's literally a 30-minute fight between Davy Jones, with the squid face, and Johnny Depp who is also dead, but brought back to life. Don't ask!
CHETRY: While we're talking about that, Keith Richards is in the movie. Does he make it better?
ANSEN: Well, for a second, you know, your heart flutters and, oh, boy, it is Keith Richards. He doesn't have anything to do. He has basically two scenes in the movie. It's a bit disappointing. I'm sorry to say.
CHETRY: One movie that you did like, which was surprising, because we didn't hear much buzz about it was "Knocked Up." What is that?
ANSEN: "Knocked Up" is the new movie from Joe Appato (ph), who made the "40-Year-Old Virgin."
CHETRY: Which was hilarious.
ANSEN: And so, is this. And in kind of the same way, I mean, it's both hilarious and sweet and real and it kind of has it's finger on the Zeitgeist, it's really good about the difference between men and women.
CHETRY: We have a clip, let's look.
ANSEN: Great.
ROBERTS: I'll start.
CHETRY: We thought we had a clip. No, we just had a three shot of us. So, that was one --
ROBERTS: I hope that's not indication of how the movie is.
ANSEN: No, it's funnier than we are.
ROBERTS: What about "Ocean's 13 "? Is this just a ticket punch paycheck?
ANSEN: Well, I don't know. I have some hopes for it because the second one was pretty bad. Soderbergh, who directed it, admitted it. I think he has a sense of shame and he wants to improve. And I hope it will be as good as the first one. Second one they really had no script. They were just kind of -- it looked like they were having a great time.
ROBERTS: Kind of looks like they showed up for a party.
ANSEN: For a party and forgot about the audience. This time I think -- I hope -- do better.
CHETRY: So, it's a summer of sequels, really, another one "Harry Potter." What did you think of that?
ANSEN: "Harry Potter" isn't a really sequel. It's an ongoing series, which is a little different. And that has actually been getting stronger as it goes along. I wasn't wild about the first two, but starting with the third one, which Quaran (ph) directed, it's gotten better and better. Really shows you the difference a good director can make.
ROBERTS: One of the highlights of the Cannes Film Festival, this year, was the moment when Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie walked the red carpet. Brad's there, of course, to promote "Oceans 13. Angelina there to promote "Mighty Heart." She plays the wife of slain journalist Daniel Pearl.
ANSEN: Exactly.
ROBERTS: You've seen that movie.
ANSEN: I have.
ROBERTS: It's coming out in, what? June?
ANSEN: It's coming out in June. And she is extraordinary in it. And anybody who knew Mary Ann Pearl, she gets her absolutely right. And she's sort of -- it's such a direct route to her feelings.
CHETRY: She also is really good friends with Mary Ann Pearl.
ANSEN: They were friends. They were friends.
CHETRY: So she felt a real burden to make sure she played her perfectly.
ANSEN: It's a rough movie. This is not light summer escapism entertainment.
ROBERTS: Not one of your typical summer blockbusters.
ANSEN: Hardly. It's counter programming, which is a good thing. It's very strong.
CHETRY: One thing all morning we were talking about are some of the feel-good movies that we enjoyed "Top Gun", being one of them, "Jaws," -- not a feel good movie, but very exciting -- "Dirty Dancing".
What about you? What are some --
ROBERTS: What's feel great about people being eaten by a shark?
(LAUGHTER)
CHETRY: Well, it was certainly a memorable one. What were some of your favorites of the past?
ANSEN: Well, you know, of the big summer movies, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" certainly the first "Die Hard." And there's a new one coming out. So many years later, who knows if there's still an audience for it.
ROBERTS: "Die Hard", what are we making? This is movie four?
ANSEN: Exactly, I think it's 12.
ROBERTS: David Ansen from "Newsweek" thanks very much.
ANSEN: Thank you.
ROBERTS: Good of you to come in and share your thoughts.
CHETRY: It's 18 past the hour now and Rob Marciano will give us a look at what we can expect weather wise from the big upcoming Memorial Day weekend as well.
(WEATHER REPORT)
ROBERTS: It's 19 after the hour, this just in.
Three American oil workers were kidnapped today in Nigeria. They were among a half dozen workers taken at gunpoint from an off-shore oil operation. Militants in southern Nigeria are stepping up their attacks on the oil industry. We heard about so many of these kidnappings and now three Americans involved.
New questions this morning about whether Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone gunman in the John F. Kennedy assassination. New tests show that bullet fragments taken from JFK's body could have come from different guns. The new tests were done by researchers at Texas A&M University.
And an ad firm gets the boot after some controversial ads for a Doc Martins go a little bit too far. We'll show you those ads. A lot of people very upset, including the wife of the person, or the former wife, the widow of the person who is involved.
You're watching AMERICAN MORNING, the most news in the morning is on CNN>
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CHETRY: There is a beautiful shot this morning. Good morning, Denver, KUSA. That is a beautiful shot, only a couple clouds in the sky, well in the foreground. We see some more in the background. But some blue skies out there today in Denver, 46 degrees, going up to 76 a little bit later today. So, it is going to be beautiful there in Colorado.
Joining us right now is Carrie Lee, good to see you, as well.
CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Thank you. You, too. CHETRY: You're going to give us a bit of a quiz here about the worst drivers?
LEE: Right. You know, we talk a lot about high gas prices these days. Well, that's not the only thing you might want to be worried about when you're driving. A new survey from GMAC finds one out of six drivers on the road today would not pass a written driver's license test if they were given one. This is according to a national survey.
New Yorkers had the highest failure rate; Idahoans were the best; generally, East Coast states doing much worse than residents of West Coast states.
So, there are 20 questions, John and Kiran. I'm going to ask you one of these, the first one.
When making a right or left turn, a driving should signal how many feet before the turn? 100 feet, 50 feet, 35 feet, or five feet?
CHETRY: OK, just -- I would say, 100 in New York. Don't signal just quickly, jerk over the lane and hope no one is there.
LEE: OK, 100 feet is correct. That's right.
And then a traffic light with a flashing red signal means yield, stop or caution?
CHETRY: Stop.
LEE: OK?
ROBERTS: Of course.
LEE: You see a flashing yellow traffic signal at an up and coming intersection flashing yellow means: stop before entering the intersection as long as you can do so, safely; stop, yield to all cross traffic before crossing the intersection, or slow down and cross the intersection carefully.
CHETRY: Slow down and cross the intersection carefully?
LEE: All right, you guys did very well. I have to say, I took the survey right before this and got 85 percent.
CHETRY: Not bad!
LEE: Yeah. So, three out of 20 wrong.
CHETRY: That's a B +
LEE: Not too bad, the average score nationwide was 77 percent.
ROBERTS: What did you get wrong?
LEE: I got three wrong. And you know, I just did it, right before running on to the set. So, I can't tell you off hand. But three out of 20, not so bad. But then, Manhattan -- who drives that much anyway?
ROBERTS: What is the website, just in case people want to go to it?
LEE: Good question. GMACinsurance.com/safedriving. And then you put your e-mail address and they'll e-mail the responses right back.
CHETRY: I should e-mail that to some of the drivers I bump into sometimes on the streets of Manhattan.
LEE: Oh, yes, very aggressive.
CHETRY: It's a jungle out there.
ROBERTS: It's tough walking, too.
CHETRY: This survey says nothing about road rage, right?
Carrie, thanks so much.
There is an ad campaign that has a lot of people fired up, if is actually all over the blogs today. Doc Martins is apparently given the boot to its ad firm over some controversial ads. Well show you one right now. One of them, the late Kurt Cobain depicted as an angel in heaven, wearing Doc Martins.
Apparently, his widow, Courtney Love, claimed she knew nothing about this and was very upset. Did not give an authorization to this. She says she thinks it's outrageous that a company is allowed to commercially gain from the use of her husband's picture. Of course, he died -- he was found dead to a gunshot wound, apparently shot himself, problems with drugs over the years.
They also have this with not only Kurt Cobain but Joe Strummer of the Clash, Sid Vicious and Joey Ramon, as well. There is a picture of the different rock icons. Apparently, they did not get the OK to do this.
ROBERTS: Well, you need the OK, particularly when you put them in an ad.
It's 26 minutes after the hour, what is happening on CNN this weekend? T.J. Holmes is down in Atlanta with a preview.
Hey, T.J., how you doing?
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, kind, sir. I'm doing well. I hope you're doing well up there, as well.
We're going to be talking this weekend about a small town that is now a topic of a national discussion.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The person told them in the break room, and the person who e-mailed, well -- and the person who told the person -- who told them in the break room. I mean, how juvenile is this?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Fired for gossiping. Yeah. Four employees shown the door for talking about their boss. Could it happen in your workplace? If so, our newsroom here in Atlanta would be empty. Our legal ladies are going to weigh in on this.
Plus, we're going to about whether hitting the road or staying close to home, you're probably complaining about the high gas prices. But who is really to blame for that jump. We have some answers there for you.
And, of course, and most importantly this weekend, remembering our fallen troops and the families now left behind. How well is the military, though, caring for those families left behind? We'll have a "Reality Check" on that. That's CNN Saturday and Sunday Morning; that's tomorrow at 7:00 Eastern.
Betty Nguyen off this weekend, but Melissa Long will grace us with her presence. Please, you all have a good Memorial Day weekend up there and hope to see you this weekend.
ROBERTS: T.J., you, too. Thanks. We'll see you tomorrow morning.
Top story on cnn.com, this morning, the war funding bill gets the OK. Congress approving the $120 billion bill that goes to the president today. Does not include a deadline for troops to leave Iraq.
Also from the most popular list, take a look at this, smoking forbidden in most U.S. households. Three quarters of U.S. homes are now smoke free. That's according to the Centers for Disease Control, and that doesn't mean that no smokers live there, they just have to go outside to light up.
You're watching AMERICAN MORNING, the most news in the morning is on CNN.
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CHETRY: So would Miami be Miami without the beach? Environmentalists say they're in a constant battle to keep the famous South Beach shoreline from washing away.
Carlos Espinosa is the director of the Miami-Dade Department of Environmental Resources Management, and he joins us this morning from Miami Beach. Thanks so much for being with us.
CARLOS ESPINOSA, MIAMI-DADE DEPT. OF ENV. RESOURCES: Good morning. CHETRY: Carlos, you guys have increasingly had this problem, erosion, you know, just a normal part of the weather cycle. It happens every year, but now you're running into a problem when it comes to replenishment, what's going on?
ESPINOSA: Well, the problem that we have is the areas that we used to get the sand from, which would have been just offshore here on Miami Beach, we essentially have exhausted all those resources, so, now, we're having to look for sand sources in other places, and one other possibility may be somewhere in the Caribbean.
CHETRY: Right. You guys are looking into foreign sources, as we understand it -- the Bahamas, St. Lucia. We even have a shot. I think we have a picture in Puta Cana (ph), Dominican Republic. Those were all places -- there it is. Gorgeous sand. What is the holdup with maybe trying to maybe get some from some of these foreign countries?
ESPINOSA: Well, the part of the problem is that this project is a project that is sponsored by the U.S. army corps of engineers, and we had a problem with some of the conditions and the appropriations for it that prohibited the utilization of foreign sand sources until all other sources were explored.
At this point in time, we have done that. We have looked throughout the state of Florida, and the Corps of Engineers had come to the conclusion that there are no sources nearby here in the state and, you know, they should be authorized to look anywhere they can find the sand.
CHETRY: So, would this be something that tourists or visitors would notice? I mean, when you go there can you tell you guys are in need of sand?
ESPINOSA: Well, I think you're not going to see most of it. If you see behind me what we have now is some localized areas of erosion. I think the problem that we have is more of a long-term situation. As you would realize, Miami Beach will have to be renourished forever, essentially, and we need to have reliable source of sand where we can bring it in when we need it. But at this point in time, what we have is a number of smaller areas where we have some erosion.
CHETRY: And so what's your plan of attack right now to get that back?
ESPINOSA: Well, the area that you see behind here, we're going to be bringing in some sand, possibly trucking it in, or moving it for from some areas down south (INAUDIBLE) to solve this smaller area, and then for some of the more global issue larger projects, we're working with the Corps to essentially eliminate that provision and try to go ahead and be able to utilize any sand source that may be available.
CHETRY: All right. So you want to cut through the red tape and get some of those foreign countries that are offering it some sand, so you can keep the beaches looking great. Good luck with everything, especially heading into the memorial day weekend. Carlos Espinosa, thanks.
ROBERTS: Thirty-five minutes after the hour.
Other stories that we're following this morning: Two dozen people are accused of cheating U.S. and Canadian casinos using technology and bribes to rig card games. They allegedly ripped off more than $3 million over the course of five years.
And holiday travelers aren't the only ones hitting the road this weekend. They'll be starting their engines in Indianapolis for the 91st running of the Indy 500. Many eyes on the number-seven car and Danica Patrick. She came pretty close to winning it two years ago, led the race at one point. We'll talk to her about her chances this year, when AMERICAN MORNING returns.
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CHETRY: And welcome back to AMERICAN MORNING. Some more top stories for you now. North Korea test-fired several short-range guided missiles into the sea today. Analysts are saying that it is a response to South Korea launching off of a destroyer equipped with AEGIS radar. The state-of-the-art radar makes it easier for South Korea to shoot down North Korean planes and missiles.
And we want to show you some live pictures from Indianapolis right now. It's 68 degrees there, heading up to a high of 83, as people get ready to start their Memorial Day weekend there. That, of course, is where the Indy 500 will run this Sunday.
ROBERTS: There will be at least one new record at the Indy 500 on Sunday. Three women will be racing this year, that's the most ever. And if Danica Patrick has her way, she will be the first woman to win it. Danica has quickly become the face of Indy racing and she joins us now from the race track, the Brickyard in Indianapolis. Good to see you, Danica.
DANICA PATRICK, INDY RACE CAR DRIVER: Thank you. Good morning.
ROBERTS: So this is interesting, history being made. Remember you in 2005 and now we've got three women. What does that say about women in the sport?
PATRICK: Well, I think it says that -- I think it says a little bit more about this culture that we're in right now and the world that we're in. That women are crossing over in all kinds of areas and I think that racing is just, just evidence of one more. I think you're seeing a lot more women do things as far as being presidents of companies and crossing the gender barriers. So, I think it's great. I think it's a sign of the times.
ROBERTS: How are you feeling about your chances? You're going to be starting in the eighth position. You began the second week of practice last week with the fastest lap time, little more than 221 miles an hour. Which was slower than you did back in 2005, you feeling your chances are pretty good? PATRICK: Yes. Every year, every year the speed does vary quite a bit. You know, a few miles an hour here and there. Every year the rules are a little bit different and the engine changes or the tires change or something, so, that definitely dictates our speed. But the chances this year are good. They're much better than they were last year. Last year was a struggling year for sure. So, we at Andretti Green have five cars in the top 11. So it's kind of like an interesting dynamic to have four friends out there. I don't think I said the words friends and race track in the same thought or sentence, but I do.
ROBERTS: Let's just give a little bit of the back story to that. You were with Rahal Letterman Racing for the last couple of years. you switched over to Michael Andretti's team AGR, this year. What was it like there being part of the Letterman Rahal team. I understand that -- as you said, this is the first time you were able to count fellow drivers as friends. A little bit of tension there between the teammates?
PATRICK: You know, I don't think it was completely a mystery. But I didn't talk about it. That was unprofessional. So, I suppose I can say now that, yes, I didn't really get along with my teammates. And I think that's something that just happens. I don't think every -- not every team in the paddock has drivers that as friends. It's just -- the, you know, we're in a competitive world and, unfortunately, we were in a competitive teammate situation and just didn't mesh.
ROBERTS: So, "USA Today" pointed this out on Thursday that you've been doing well in the Indy Series. You finished fourth in your first go-round. You were eighth last year, the one thing that has alluded you, though, has been a trip to victory lane. Is this going to be the year for you?
PATRICK: I mean, I do, believe it really will be. But It's like -- I keep being told by all my teammates and everything that it's just going to happen one day. One day it will happen and you'll go, "oh my gosh, that was easy." And I do believe the easy part because your -- the best races I've had where I finished the highest have been my easiest. It might look like we're doing the most work when we do well, but I promise you when you're in the back or you're in the middle of the pack and you're struggling, you're doing way more work. Because your car's uncomfortable and there's so many circumstances. So, if I say I've had an easy race, I probably had a good race.
ROBERTS: Well, good luck to you. There's a lot of people going to be pulling for you. I know how much I was rooting for you in 2005 and you nearly got there, I hope you can do it this year.
PATRICK: Yes, I believe it's coming.
CHETRY: Wow. Very candid, very sweet.
Well, from the asphalt to the ice, it is not unusual for a hockey player to get into a fight, after all, that's what they're supposed to do, right? But not when they're already in the penalty box. This is Kip Brennan of Hershey, Pennsylvania, Bears getting into it with a fan out of Manchester, New Hampshire, lost his shirt there. That was the Monarchs Wednesday night. Brennan says that they were chirping back and forth while he was serving a penalty and that's when things got out of hand. Brennan got another penalty. Ended up, though, his team won the match. The Bears are one win away from the American Hockey League finals. He can wear the shirt around and say, that's actually a fashion statement. It's hockey chic.
ROBERTS: It looks like a toga right now. But wouldn't it be funny if he was forced to go buy a Bears' T-shirt because he wasn't allowed to sit in the stands with the riped T-shirt.
CHETRY: That would have been funny. Alright, 15 minutes until the top of the hour, Rob Marciano, that's what happens when you tease Rob in the weather center, to. You've got to run, you've got to get out of the way or you might lose your shirt.
(WEATHER REPORT)
ROBERTS: You know, we were talking earlier today, Rob's favorite summer blockbuster movie was Top Gun. I was Jaws. You were?
CHETRY: I didn't know it was a summer blockbuster. I just remember one summer liking the movie Dirty Dancing, it was pretty fun.
ROBERTS: We actually asked some of our viewers to write in what their favorites was.
CHETRY: We got some good ones. A lot of people agree with you, Jaws. Oh, yes, Ferris Bueller's Day Off from the 1980s, from Nate Riley (ph). That was a fabulous one, of course.
ROBERTS: Dan Smith of Tokyo, Japan, wrote in and says that it has to be Independence Day. I stood in line at the theater at the Kadena U.S. Air Force Base in Okinawa to watch it. And after it was over I stood in line to watch it again. So it's almost like getting back on the rollercoaster.
CHETRY: Yes, of course. And here's another one, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral back in the summer of 1958. John Hudson says, I was 11 years old and he met his really nice lady friend there and they held hands for two hours. It was great.
ROBERTS: And Jan Scott wrote in and said her favorite summer movie was Key Largo which was released on the -- what was it? The 31st of July 1948. So that's going back just a little bit. But a fantastic movie.
Forty-seven minutes after the hour, CNN NEWSROOM is just minutes away. Heidi Collins at the CNN Center with a look at what lies ahead.
Hey, Heidi.
HEIDI COLLINS, "NEWSROOM" HOST: Hey there, good morning, John. We have got these stories coming up on the NEWSROOM rundown. A bill funding the Iraq war, headed for President Bush's desk. No timetables but the measure does include benchmarks for the Iraqi government. And highways pack with millions of Americans headed out for a long Memorial Day get away. Bring a packed wallet, that's for sure, for those record high gas prices.
And, a relic of communism marks a milestone. The trauvy (ph) turns 50. We take a dinosaur for a spin. Join Tony Harris and me in the NEWSROOM. It gets started at the top of the hour, right here, on CNN.
ROBERTS: Surprising that it is still running that you can take a spin in it.
COLLINS: That's for sure.
ROBERTS: Coming up, disappearing from the view. Have we heard the last from Rosie? We'll tell you what she's saying on her blog. You're watching AMERICAN MORNING, the most news in the morning is on CNN.
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CHETRY: "Anderson Cooper 360" airs weeknights, 10:00 p.m. eastern. John King is in for Anderson tonight and has a look at what they have on tap. John?
JOHN KING, HOST: Kiran, tonight it used to be simple. Have a guilty secret, get in the confessional, but now one church is turning to the web, e screwedup.com. Some call it a cop-out but wait till you hear the results. Three-sixty tonight, 10:00 eastern. Kiren?
CHETRY: Alright, John, thanks so much.
ROBERTS: Fifty-one minutes now, after the hour. For some members of the military the battle of the bulge isn't just military history. It's military present. They're fighting to stay in shape and keep their careers on track. Our chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta has got more in this Fit Nation report.
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SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The mantra of the Navy is honor, courage and commitment. And now more than ever, a commitment to health and fitness. The military has always set certain standards for their men and women in uniform and the Navy is no exception. Those who fail their physical assessment evaluations could end up here.
Twenty-two-year-old Benjamin Spencer landed in the fitness enhancement program, structured to help sailors who struggle to get back in shape. It includes cardio, strength training and nutrition class.
BEJAMIN SPENCER, NAVAL AIR STATION ATLANTA: It was a lack of motivation there, for a little while. And I've always been very heavily involved in working out. I was a football player when I was in high school. But I just kind of lost a little bit of motivation there and I really am trying to get back into it.
GUPTA: A sailor can only fail the physical fitness test three times in a four-year period. While the sailors are in the program, they're in limbo, they can't advance in their career and there are no pay increases, so, it's a strong motivation to get in shape.
Thirty-eight-year-old Chief Petty Officer Ernest Dorsy found himself in the program after his commanding officer challenged him to lower his body fat score. The maximum allowed is 22 percent, he came in at 24 percent. He changed his lifestyle, eating healthier and working out more and he lost 35 pounds in less than six months. He says the military has physical fitness challenges, especially obesity, that weren't as much of a problem at the time when he enlisted.
ERNEST DORSEY, NAVAL AIR STATION ATLANTA: When I came in 20 years ago to now we were more active as young folks. And now a days we're in a different type of world, computer world, things like that. So when they come in, physical fitness is not part of their routine.
GUPTA: Captain Rick Cline of the Naval Air Station in Atlanta wants to create a culture of fitness and renewed readiness.
CAPT. RICK CLINE, NAVAL AIR STATION ATLANTA: And our goal is not to make it something that just lasts as long as they're wearing the uniform, but it make it something they will carry on for the rest of their life.
GUPTA: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, reporting.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTS: And you, too, can join Sanjay's Fit Nation challenge by logging on to CNN.com/fitnation.
Fifty-three minutes after the hour and here's a quick look at what CNN NEWSROOM is working on now for the top of the hour.
TONY HARRIS, "NEWSROOM" HOST: See these stories in the CNN NEWSROOM. President Bush set to sign a newly passed war funding bill.
Fiery cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in his first public appearance since winter. Demanding U.S. troops leave Iraq.
Americans hitting the road for Memorial Day weekend and paying record pump prices.
It took days to make, it took a toddler seconds to destroy an elaborate sand sculpture. NEWSROOM, top of the hour on CNN.
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CHETRY: Before we leave you on this AMERICAN MORNING, some quick hits right now, holiday drivers that are hitting the road in New Jersey, they'll be buying the cheapest gas in the nation. New Jersey the only state where the average gallon of regular still is less than 3 bucks. I think it's right there at like $2.97 according to AAA. ROBERTS: That's full service, as well.
CHETRY: Because you can't pump your own gas in New Jersey. Analysts say that New Jersey drivers benefit from low taxes as well as in-state refineries.
ROBERS: Yes, remember that line the Sandra Bullock had in Miss Congeniality? Why do they call it the garden state? Because oil and petro-chemical state wouldn't fit on the license plate.
CHETRY: And now they're reaping the benefits.
ROBERTS: Speaking of films, one of the summer's biggest blockbusters is sure to be Ocean's 13. The star-studded cast including Matt Damon, Don Chetle, Brad Pitt, Geroge Clooney, and others, made an appearance at an AIDs benefit at the Cannes Film Festival. But George Clooney became the star of the show when host Sharon Stone started an impromptu auction. Up for bids, a kiss from George.
CHETRY: That's right. And this is the lucky lady, she won the auction because her boyfriend picked up the bill. Three-hundred and fifty grand so he could watch his girlfriend kiss another guy. That just shows you, though, why George Clooney is still single. Why get married when people would spend $350,000 for a peck?
ROBERTS: Yes, but it's an empty experience, I'm sure. And could her fight with Elizabeth Hasselback, be the last straw for a bumpy year for Rosie O'Donnell on ABC's "The View"?
CHETRY: Well, she had the day off yesterday. The show's on tape today and Monday. But Rosie may not be back when the show is back on live, Tuesday. On her blog, Rosie said she had no idea if she'd be back. If it does, it would only only be until June 21st anyway. That is when her contract is up. This happened after an angry on-air clash with Hasselback about the Iraq war and they claim they have not spoken since.
ROBERTS: That's right. We are going to back again on Monday. Thanks very much for joining us this week. We hope to see you again next week.
CHETRY: Alright, right now CNN NEWSROOM with Tony Harris and Heidi Collins starts.
TONY HARRIS, HOST: And good morning everyone. You are in the CNN NEWROOM. I'm Tony Harris.
COLLINS: And I'm Heidi Collins, good morning everybody. Why don't you guys come into the NEWSROOM live on this Friday morning, it is May 25th. Here is what's on the rundown.
Summer driving season is here. American's by the million hit the highway for Memorial Day getaways and they are paying for it. Gas prices at record highs.
HARRIS: Back in public view anti-American cleric, Muqtada al- Sadr turns up in Iraq, demanding U.S. troops get out of his country.
COLLINS: It's a first. A trio of women take the track at the Indy 500 this weekend. Three for the road, in the CNN NEWSROOM.
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