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Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees
California Recall: Decision Day
Aired October 07, 2003 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON COOPER, HOST (voice-over): Crunch time for the candidates: the people of California finally cast their votes.
Our special series "Life Behind Bars": tonight, the power of prison gangs.
American GIs taking Baghdad brides, saying "I do," when the Army says "Do not."
Should kids undergo radical stomach surgery to lose weight?
And, can you hear me now? Catching cheating spouses through their cell phones.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: Live from the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is ANDERSON COOPER 360.
COOPER: And a good evening to you. Thanks for joining us on 360.
What a night it is. It is just after 7:00 p.m. here on the East Coast, 4:00 p.m. in California, where you're looking at a live shot at the state capitol in Sacramento, where an estimated record number of voters are going to the polls all across the state at this hour. Ahead: we have complete coverage of the California recall, with updates throughout the next hour.
Plus, a deadline passed just two hours ago for White House aides to hand over what they have in the CIA leak investigation. The president said today, "I want to know the truth."
That story, and the tiger attack that left Roy of Siegfried and Roy fighting for his life. One doctor says it's miraculous he's even alive. We'll have the very latest on how he is doing from Las Vegas.
But we begin of course tonight with a historic political drama coming to a head right now as Californians decide who should lead their state. It has been called a circus, but tonight the recall election looks more like a horse race between the governor fighting for his political life and the movie star who wants his job.
Three reports tonight with just hours of voting to go. Candy Crowley with the Gray Davis camp, Frank Buckley on turnout. But we begin with Kelly Wallace covering the Schwarzenegger campaign -- Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, advisers to Arnold Schwarzenegger are very upbeat. So upbeat that first thing this morning they were touting their overnight internal polls, which they say show that Arnold Schwarzenegger would win, even amid allegations of sexual misconduct over the past few days. There's a great deal of spinning going on, though. And ultimately we don't know what the voters will do.
That was really Schwarzenegger's message when he and wife, Maria Shriver, went to the polls to cast their ballots. Schwarzenegger saying that he's not paying attention to the polls, that he did what he could to get his message out. And then he said, it is up to a higher power to settle this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: Well, we don't know. It is up to god now. It's up to god for the decision. We did all that work and we worked hard and campaigned hard, and we tried to get the message out there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: After that, a snapshot really of this most unusual campaign. A pack of reporters, international journalists, local news corps, as well as entertainment reporters, following this candidate and his wife, Maria, every step of the way. It has been an unconventional campaign ever since Schwarzenegger startled the political establishment when he announced on "The Tonight Show" that he was going to run for governor.
But now, this campaign ending just like every other campaign we have all covered. This candidate must wait for these polls to close to see exactly what the voters decide and exactly what his next step will be -- Anderson.
COOPER: And we are waiting and watching along with them. Kelly Wallace, thanks very much for that.
Now, late night comics like to joke that, with Gray Davis, the name fits the personality. Even the governor himself has admitted to being charismatically challenged. But that hardly means he's a pushover. In fact, he's known as a political street fighter, and he has some fight on his hands today.
Candy Crowley is with the Davis camp and has the latest there -- Candy.
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, you're right, this is a conventional politician inside an unconventional campaign. He carried it out his own way, largely using those small forums to discuss policy. Very few rallies, although at the end he did get around to that. And today, like all other politicians in this race, he went to vote, coming out and, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, noting that it is now up to a higher power.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. GRAY DAVIS (D), CALIFORNIA: Life has a lot of surprises, but Sharon and I are people of faith. And we know that all we can do is respond to the challenges confronting us. We have done that.
I'm proud of the campaign we've run. I think people see the contrast between myself and Mr. Schwarzenegger. And I'm confident of the choice they'll make today.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CROWLEY: Here is the truth. Behind the scenes in camp Gray Davis, there is none of the optimism that Kelly is hearing in the Schwarzenegger campaign. In fact, they are down right glum here. They don't cite any numbers, but they do not quibble with some of the numbers that are coming out of the Schwarzenegger campaign. It is, of course, the most excruciating part of any campaign, and that is the waiting -- Anderson.
COOPER: Candy Crowley, thanks very much.
Now, one of the most important factors in deciding this recall election can be summed up in three words: turnout, turnout, turnout. And early estimates suggest this may well be the biggest turnout ever for a California governor's race. Just estimates at this point.
Frank Buckley is looking into that from Burbank tonight -- Frank.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, we're in beautiful downtown Burbank, as Johnny Carson used to say, at Burbank City Hall, at one of the polling places. Let me give you the sense of the turnout right now.
You can see the polling workers are here. And it is a pretty crowded place here. And so far the estimates suggest an early snapshot from the secretary of state suggesting that it's going to be a 60 percent or better turnout. The Field Poll had it at 65 percent. That's huge compared to the 50 percent that we had in November 2002 in the last gubernatorial election.
A couple of the voters have already cast their ballots here. We have Susan Langford (ph) and Steve Cook (ph). You voted "yes" on the recall, you voted "no." Let's quickly hear, what are your reasons? Why did you say yes on the recall?
SUSAN LANGFORD, CALIFORNIA VOTER: Because I feel that Governor Davis hasn't done very much for the state of California. And I felt that actually none of the Democrats on the ballot were viable candidates. So I went for McClintock.
BUCKLEY: OK. And what about you, Steve Cook (ph)? You said "no" on the recall. Why?
STEVE COOK, CALIFORNIA VOTER: Well, because I believe that most of the problems that Davis had was inherited. And I feel that the whole process is quite a circus. And I voted for Bustamante because I felt that I wanted to keep a Democrat in Sacramento, and he would continue to pull forward the issues for workers and people.
BUCKLEY: OK. Well, a couple of voices. Thank you both very much.
Anderson, you can get a sense of just a couple of the voices here at one polling place across California. So far, no widespread problems or anything like that reported. But we have had situations where voters have turned up, they found that their names were not on the rolls. In those cases, they're giving them provisional ballots and they're still voting, and their ballots will be counted -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right. Frank Buckley, thank you for that, as well. We should also point out there are 2.2 million absentee ballots still already been cast yet to be counted.
Now, in perspective, it can be said today's recall vote is truly history in the making. Since 1911, there have been 31 attempts to recall California governors. This is the first time it's actually reached the ballot. The only other successful attempt to recall an American governor occurred way back in 1921, when North Dakota voters recalled Governor Lynn Frazier. History could be made tonight.
We'll get back to California shortly. But first, we go to Washington, where a self-imposed deadline passed just over two hours ago at the White House. Aides were to hand over anything and everything that might help answer the explosive question: who revealed the name of a CIA operative to the press? The president today made clear he wants to find the source of the leak, even if he's not sure he'll succeed.
We get more from senior White House correspondent John King.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At a morning cabinet meeting the president sounded a bit skeptical when asked if he is confident those responsible for the leak will be caught.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Now, this is a large administration, and there's a lot of senior officials. I don't have any idea. I'd like to. I want to know the truth.
KING: Press Secretary Scott McClellan says he has nothing to do with the leak, but gave reporters a rough estimate of documents he turned over to comply with the Justice Department request that went to some 2,000 White House staffers. The Justice Department deadline for those documents is two weeks away, but the investigation is overshadowing other Bush priorities.
So White House counsel, Alberto Gonzales, set a Tuesday internal deadline. And chief of staff, Andy Card, told White House staffers in this memo to do what it takes to comply by the deadline, because "the sooner the investigation is over, the sooner we can return our full attention to doing the work of the people."
McClellan acknowledged questioning three prominent White House aides because of speculation in media accounts. Senior adviser Karl Rove, vice presidential chief of staff Lewis Libby, and National Security Council aide Elliot Abrahams (ph) all denied any role in the leak. Democrats complained the president's lawyer is reviewing the documents before investigators get them.
SEN. CHARLES SCHUMER (D), NEW YORK: There ought to be a full investigation, an independent counsel, without any of these bottlenecks.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KING: Now, White House aides call that review by the council's office standard procedure. And while they're vowing full cooperation, they are not ruling out here at the White House invoking executive privilege and keeping classified information from investigators if the White House determines that information is critical when it comes to national security, but not relevant to the investigation -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right. John King at the White House, thanks.
A number of items around the world to tell you about right now. Let's check the "Up Link."
Jerusalem: war of words. Today, two days after an Israeli strike in Syria, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says Israel will use any means to defend itself and will not be deterred from striking its enemies. Syria's president Bashar Assad accuses Sharon of trying to drag Syria and the region into war.
Still in Israel, Ramallah, West Bank: a new government. Seven of the nine members of the Palestinian Authority's emergency cabinet take the oath. But one, the newly named interior minister, says he wants a vote of confidence before he is sworn in.
Pompeii, Italy: defying skeptics. Appearing alert, Pope John Paul II travels to a shrine of the Virgin Mary near the ancient ruins and spends three hours praying for peace. Recent reports have suggested the pope is too ill to carry out his duties.
Pakistan: nationwide riots. Thousands of mourners showed up for a funeral for a hard-line Sunni Muslim politician. This after a day after he was gunned down in Islamabad. Vowing to avenge his killing, protesters clashed with the police, as you see right there, shouted angry slogans against minority Shiites.
Johannesburg, South Africa: murder trial ends. Five policemen accused of killing this man, anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko back in 1977. Well, they will not be prosecuted. Justice ministry officials say the evidence is insufficient.
And that is tonight's "Up Link." Hanging on tiger handler: Roy Horn fights for his life after being mauled during a Vegas show. Find out why doctors are calling his survival miraculous.
Also, a senator's wife kidnapped and robbed. Hear how she got away.
And gang life, gang death, behind bars: an inside look at how gangs are operating in America's prisons, part of our weeklong series, "Sex, Violence and Favors: Life Behind Bars.
First, let's take a look "Inside the Box" at tonight's top stories on the network evening newscasts.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Nighttime in New York, polls still open in California. We're following the recall race closely.
We want to update you right now, though, on Roy Horn, the Vegas animal trainer mauled by a 600-pound White tiger Friday. Today, he's said to be responding to treatment but still fighting for his life. CNN's Jeff Flock has more now from Las Vegas.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEFF FLOCK, CNN CHICAGO BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): They come with flowers and pens. "You have given us some great entertainment," writes one. "Stay strong, fight," writes another, in the growing tribute to the larger than life tiger tamer here on the Las Vegas strip.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There are other acts here that have animals. You can't replace Roy.
FLOCK: Bernie Yuman has been Siegfried and Roy's manager for 28 years. He tells me he's never been more impressed with Roy Horn.
BERNIE YUMAN, MANAGER, SIEGFRIED AND ROY: His will and his physical strength is perhaps that of 100 men cumulatively.
FLOCK: Hyperbole aside, Horn's neurosurgeon agrees. The physical strength honed in a lifetime of wrestling big cats helped save him. Though recovery, even survival is not certain.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So Horn's injury was extremely severe and it's all but miraculous that he's alive at this time.
FLOCK: Alive and communicating, though no one will say exactly how. Thousands are trying to reach him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: President George Bush, Sr., Bill Clinton, Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson...
FLOCK: Just a few of those who have called. But while Horn's future remains uncertain, the fate of the tiger that bit him is not. YUMAN: There's no blame on Monticore.
FLOCK: Manager Yuman says the cat, out of sight now, will continue to live here among the other tigers at Siegfried and Roy's secret garden at the Mirage, which will remain open.
YUMAN: He will have a great life, because Siegfried and Roy have provided a great life for him. And that will continue uninterrupted.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FLOCK: As for what Roy Horn's quality of life might be in the future, Anderson, at this point we do not know. While no one here will confirm it, it's almost certain that he's experiencing paralysis of some sort. As his doctor put it, for the first time speaking out today, essentially, "It's just a miracle he's even alive" -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right. Jeff Flock, thanks very much.
Some fast facts for you now on Siegfried and Roy and their long lucrative run in Las Vegas. Since signing with the Mirage in 1990, Siegfried and Roy have performed six shows a week for most of the year. Each show seats 1,500 spectators at $110 per ticket. All told, they brought in $44.5 million per year.
Let's take a quick trip "Cross Country" right now.
Dallas, Texas, church schism: 2,600 conservative Episcopalians meet to discuss a possible church split. They are unhappy with the denomination's decision to confirm a gay bishop and to acknowledge blessing ceremonies for same sex couples.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: four is enough. Republican Senator Don Nickles says he will not run for reelection next year. Nickles, who is 54, was first elected in 1980. He's the fifth sitting senator to opt out of next year's race.
Manassas, Virginia: a defense denied. A judge rejects a defense motion to dismiss charges against John Allen Muhammad. He, and Lee Boyd Malvo, are accused in last year's Washington area sniper shootings. Now, prosecutors say they haven't decided if they're going to call Malvo to testify in Mohammad's trial. And that's scheduled to begin next week.
Murphysboro, Tennessee: hospital gunfire. Shots are fired inside the personnel office at a veterans hospital complex. Authorities say no one was hurt and a hospital worker is under arrest.
Washington: baseball pioneer honored. The House votes to award a congressional gold medal to the late Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play major league baseball. A Senate vote expected late this month. Robinson broke baseball's color barrier, of course, with the Brooklyn Dodgers back in 1947.
And that is tonight's "Cross Country." Here's one of the more bizarre stories to come along in a while. The wife of a U.S. senator is said to be OK tonight after a frightening encounter that started in her own home. Patty Davis is in McLean, Virginia with details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Kathleen Greg's terrifying ordeal began when she arrived here at her McLean, Virginia home just before 10:00 in the morning. Police say two men were already inside.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One of the men produced a knife and asked -- demanded cash. They had a discussion, and it was decided to come to this bank to get some cash.
DAVIS: Police say the men forced Gregg, shown here the night before at a White House state dinner with her husband, Republican Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, into the family car. They drove to this nearby Wachovia bank, one man riding with her, the other following in a silver car.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ms. Gregg was escorted to the teller by one of the suspects, at which time she was directed to write out a check for a specific sum of money. The check was cashed.
DAVIS: Police say bank employees had no idea what was happening until the man ran out with an undisclosed amount of money. A shaken Gregg stayed inside and was questioned by police for more than an hour. Police say they have no information to suggest Gregg's abductors knew who she was. The senator, who was traveling at the time, rushed home to be with his wife. His office says Mrs. Gregg is fine and quick decisions kept her from harm.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DAVIS: Police say the Gregg abduction is linked to two other incidents over the past couple of days. Apparently, these same men in the same car approached other women nearby in Virginia, apparently trying to rob one as she jogged near her home -- Anderson.
COOPER: Unbelievable story. Patty Davis, thanks very much.
Gang life behind bars often just doesn't remain behind bars. A closer look at the warfare being waged inside the nation's prisons, part of our weeklong series of "Sex, Violence and Favors: Life Behind Bars."
Also, Iraq's war brides. Big trouble for some U.S. soldiers who fell in love in Baghdad.
And a little later, teen stomach surgery. Find out how some kids are going to extremes to fight obesity. Find out why coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COOPER: And you're looking at a live picture of a polling station in Burbank, California. A lot of voters showing up to cast their ballots. The polls are still open in California, we should point out. They won't close, in fact, for another almost four hours or so, 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 8:00 Pacific.
The questions are: will an actor become the next governor of the Golden State, or will Gray Davis hold on to power? A lot of questions still to be answered at this moment. We're going to have some live reports from California in just a moment.
But first, we turn our attention to a major problem in America's prison system: gangs. When young people join gangs, they often say they do so for acceptance, for protection. Well, that is true for prisoners as well.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): It's a survival strategy. And the violence unleashed by these gangs doesn't always stay behind bars.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When there's gang trouble within the prisons, there is always trouble on the street.
COOPER: Here's a quick look at some of the most notorious prison gangs as identified by a number of different law enforcement agencies. The Texas Syndicate, A.K.A. TS. Members are Mexican-American or Hispanic. They have tattoos with a "TS" somewhere in the design. The gang is involved with drug trafficking and extortion.
Nieta (ph) is a gang of self-styled Puerto Rican patriots. Members salute each other by holding the cross fingers of their right hand over their heart. Nieta (ph) members are said to be involved in drugs and extortion.
The Aryan Brotherhood, or AB, is the largest white supremacist prison gang. Members' tattoos often contain swastikas or other Nazi emblems. The AB maintains a working alliance with another large prison gang, the Mexican Mafia, or MA.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Mexican Mafia is probably the most feared gang in the prison system.
COOPER: MA is heavily involved in drug trafficking. They're said to have a kill-on-sight relationship with members of a rival gang. The Nuestra Familia, "our family" in Spanish, is run almost like a paramilitary group. Orders are communicated through a sophisticated coded system. The gang is believed responsible for more than 300 murders, both in and out of prison.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, the Feds launched a crackdown on the Nuestra Familia. It was called Operation Black Widow. And this week, jury selection begins as dozens of gang members caught go on trial. The crackdown is the focus of an article in the November issue of "Maxim" magazine. And, yes, "Maxim," it turns out, does have articles. Justin Benton is the author. He joins us now from San Francisco.
Justin, thanks for being with us. It's actually a fascinating article for that you in "Maxim." What struck me about this gang in particular is how well structured they were and how they maintained order and discipline.
JUSTIN BENTON, "MAXIM" CONTRIBUTOR: Absolutely, Anderson. As you said in your report, they're like a paramilitary organization. From the top down, they were just following orders.
COOPER: And they're able to communicate orders pretty ingeniously, both among prisoners inside the system, and also to people out on the street. I mean, forging legal letterheads, writing orders in urine. Tell us how that works.
BENTON: Absolutely. They were very sophisticated in creating coded letters, using the Aztec language. They used an obscure dialects of the Aztec language to send out letters to each other and send in letters back to other state prisons to carry out what they needed to carry out.
COOPER: And they would write some letters in urine and then send them out, and I guess prison guards couldn't see it?
BENTON: Absolutely. They would use their urine to write the name of somebody they wanted to kill, send it out. And the receiver back at home would lift up the letter above a candle so they could read the name.
COOPER: What's also really comes clear in your article is that these gangs -- I mean, this gang in particular, was started inside prisons, maximum security prisons, but it ends up outside because a lot of these inmates ultimately do get released and the gang continues out on the street.
BENTON: That's right. As soon as they parole, what we're seeing now is they maintain their allegiance to the gang, the prison gang. That wasn't the case about 10 years ago.
Now, when they get out, they still claim NF (ph). So they set up NF (ph) syndicates on the outside, drug rings, a record company. And they send the money they make from there back into the prisons, or into banks where the prisoners can have access to those funds.
COOPER: This operation, Operation Black widow, I guess is really one of the largest law enforcement efforts against gangs inside the prison system. Twenty-one top leaders of this gang have been brought up on charges. But there's a lot of other people still out there. I mean, this gang is still quite large.
BENTON: Absolutely. I think Operation Black Widow only frustrated the gang. They won't ever kill it. They won't ever end it. After the trial, the gang will only create new ways to communicate with each other. They'll only become more sophisticated.
COOPER: And there are a lot of other gangs in there throughout the prison system in America. Justin Benton, it's a fascinating article in "Maxim." Thanks very much.
BENTON: Thank you, Anderson.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): Still ahead: the clock is ticking. Who will voters choose to run California?
Should kids go under the knife to fight obesity?
And, catching infidelity digitally through your lover's cell phone.
We'll be right back.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Welcome back. You're looking at a live picture from Burbank, California. People casting ballots. Voters turning out in estimated record numbers to decide whether to keep Governor Gray Davis in office or terminate him. Wolf Blitzer is stand by in California with the latest on the recall election. We'll catch up with him in just a moment. First, tonight's "Reset."
In Washington, an appeals court ruled today that the Federal Trade Commission can start enforcing the "do-not-call" registry, at least for now. The courts will continue to examine whether the ban on unwanted telephone sales calls is Constitutional. But Under today's ruling the FTC can enforce the ball until there's a decision.
Philadelphia, PA the mayor being bugged? Police conducting a security sweep of Mayor John Street city hall office (AUDIO GAP) but wouldn't comment further.
In Ft. Carson, Colorado, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld addressed a meeting of soldiers and military families. He said he still can't say when the troops will be coming home from Iraq and urged commanders against raising false hopes before firm schedules are set.
In Washington the Justice Department has filed an appeal in the Zacarias Moussaoui case. Moussaoui is accused of participating in a terrorist conspiracy. A lower court barred prosecutor's from arguing that Moussaoui was involved in the 9/11 attacks and from asking the jury to impose the death penalty.
Also in Washington, the government warned natural gas customers that their winter heating bills may go up about 5 percent this year. 5 percent. The news is better for heating oil customers. Their bills may go down, unless the winter is unusually cold.
And that is tonight's "Reset." And this just in to CNN from the Associated Press. A political story about the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate General Wesley Clark. The AP is reporting Clark's campaign manager has quit in dispute over direction of the campaign. As we said, this information is just coming in. We'll going to have more details of course as we get them for you.
But now, let's go back to California where voters have just three and a half hours left to vote on whether Governor Gray Davis should be removed from office, and on who should replace him if he goes. It has been a very busy day throughout the state of California. For the latest, let's go to Wolf Blitzer in Los Angeles -- Wolf.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Anderson, it's a lot of passionate business out here. A lot of activity going on. As you say, three and a half hours for people to vote, and they are turning out in very big numbers. Unclear at this point whether those big numbers are going to help Arnold Schwarzenegger become the next governor of California, or if they're going to help the incumbent Governor Gray Davis hold on to power.
We have all of the major candidates having gone out to vote: Arnold Schwarzenegger, of course, the governor Gray Davis, both accompanied by their wives, both making brief statements to reporters as they did so.
Maria Shriver, the wife of Arnold Schwarzenegger, playing a very significant role, especially in these final days as these allegations of sexual harassment by Arnold Schwarzenegger were leveled by women in the "Los Angeles Times." Maria Shriver speaking passionately about her husband.
Also joined by Arnold Schwarzenegger's mother-in-law, Eunice Shriver. Both women making very visible appearances in these final days, in these final hours. Both presumably helping Arnold Schwarzenegger manage to hold on if in fact his decisive advantage, at least in polls, before the "L.A. Times" manages to justify what he is trying to achieve. It could be a long night, it could be a short night, Anderson. Whatever happens, of course we'll have complete coverage throughout the night here on CNN.
COOPER: Wolf, thanks very much. Polls close in just about three and a half hours, 11:00 p.m. East Coast time, 8:00 p.m. Western Coast time. Wolf Blitzer is going to be anchoring coverage starting at 11:00 so stay with us.
Long before Arnold Schwarzenegger was a Hollywood movie star, before he was a world famous body builder, he was a little boy in Austria. Dreaming of success in a world bigger than his middle European town. And as Walter Rodgers reports from Schwarzenegger's home town, the people there remember him with gratitude.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WALTER RODGERS, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Arnold Schwarzenegger inspired a generation of body builders. Today, in his hometown Gratz, Austria, Arnold the favorite son, has also given many Austrians a reason to feel good about themselves. Kurt Marnul was Schwarzenegger's first trainer.
KURT MARNUL, BODY BUILDER (through translator): He was two steps ahead of everyone else. He was driven. Sometimes torturing himself, he worked so hard, determined to be the best in the world.
RODGERS: Schwarzenegger's California race led Austrian's TV evening news every night the past week, especially after allegations of groping and sexual harassment. In his native Austria, however, even among women there seems a collective disbelief he engaged in any alleged sexual misdeeds.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm sure that's a lie.
RODGERS: Albert Kaufmann, a well-known Austrian Jewish businessman, had a grandfather in a Dachau concentration camp. He gets livid at the suggestion Schwarzenegger ever admired Hitler.
ALBERT KAUFMANN, AUSTRIAN-JEWISH BUSINESSMAN: It is extremely unfair. It's so unjust. He was pro-Jewish and he supported me in my activities against Hitler ideology.
RODGERS: Constitutionally barred from becoming president because he was foreign born, many Austrians believe Arnold Schwarzenegger can somehow get around that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): When he was a teen, he went to Munich and returned home saying, Germany's too small. I have to go to the United States.
RODGERS: Walter Rodgers, CNN Gratz.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Two American soldiers found love in Iraq. Sergeant Sean Blackwell, seen here and Corporal Brett Dagen had their double marriage ceremony on foot patrol. Their brides and a few relatives met them along their patrol route and then the wedding party happened with a quick exchange of rings and vows before an Iraqi judge.
A half hour later, the G.I's resumed their patrol. But they haven't seen their wives since. The soldiers are now under investigation and their brides prevented from coming to the U.S. Joining me from Pensacola, Florida is Corporal Brett Dagen's cousin Gwen . Gwen thanks very much for being with us. How surprised were you when you heard that your cousin had gotten married in Iraq?
GWEN TUTTON, CPL. DAGEN'S COUSIN: Well, I was kind of shocked to know that he had gotten married. I knew he was supposed to. We got the news from the newspaper.
COOPER: Did you know -- I guess you knew he met a lady over there. How did they meet? What do you know about her?
TUTTON: I know that she's 26 years old. And she is a doctor. She was educated in Ireland and England. And she speaks very good English. I spoke with her on the phone.
COOPER: How did they meet? Was this love at first sight?
TUTTON: I guess so, pretty much. Just the general -- she would come by and see him, they would talk daily and visit with each other. I guess they just really hit it off.
COOPER: You've talked to your cousin, as well as his Iraqi bride. What was that conversation like? How are they doing?
TUTTON: They both seem okay. I think they're both a little lonely and they'd like to see each other. But their main concern for each other is each other's safety of course. Which sounds like love to me. They're both concerned about the other one.
COOPER: Your cousin, Brett, is particularly concerned about his Iraqi bride, about her safety. Why is he so concerned?
TUTTON: She is from a well-known family. If it gets out there who she is, they fear retaliation maybe from some of the Iraqi people for marrying an American. I'm not clear on that.
COOPER: I'd like to get your take on how the military has responded to all this. We've got a statement. The "Atlanta Journal- Constitution" reported the Florida National Guard is not allowing these two to see each other. Captain Jack McClellan made a statement saying, if it's true love, in a few months they can pursue it. Until then, they are not allowed to see them." Do you think the military is treating this fairly?
TUTTON: Actually, no, I don't. From what I understand, there are others that have gotten married. And there's been no problem, but these two gentlemen from this unit are the ones that are having the problem. So I'm not sure why.
COOPER: Your cousin Brett also converted to Islam prior to the marriage. Did that surprise you? I know it surprised his mom.
TUTTON: A little in a way. But I know that's something that he had to do. And I know his heart, so I'm not worried.
COOPER: Do you think -- how do you think this is going to end? Do you think he's going to bring back the bride?
TUTTON: Oh, yes. If there's a will, there's a way. We have the will. We're trying everything we can to get her home.
COOPER: What steps are you trying to take?
TUTTON: We're going right now in contact with immigration here. Since Iraq has no embassy, there's no way for them to get the visa papers done there. I'm trying to go here through immigration to try to get her a visa, or possibly even a passport.
COOPER: Well I guess part of the problem is they have to be together for her to fill out some of these papers over there in Baghdad. And since he's not being allowed to see her, that's impossible.
TUTTON: Correct. Correct. They have -- from what I understand, they have to go together.
COOPER: Well, it's a -- it's a tough situation. Gwen Tutton, appreciate you joining us. And we'll follow closely. Thanks very much.
TUTTON: Thanks.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, Tonight's "Flashback," finding love in the wake of war, it's nothing new. In many countries, after many conflicts, Americans soldiers have met and married. Tonight, we "Flashback" to the years after World War II. Between 1944 and 1950, 200,000 European women were married to American G.I.s. And in the same period, 100,000 Asian women married American servicemen. That is according to the American War Bride Experience Web site. Just a little "Flashback" for you.
How quickly we forget. Each week, we like to look at a story that may have slipped below the media's radar. Tonight, we look at Afghanistan. Two years ago today, the war began there. Do you remember the exact reason for attacking Afghanistan? It was because the Taliban refused to hand over Osama bin Laden.
Tonight, we asked State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel to update us on the pursuit of that goal and the rise of new threats in Afghanistan.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Two years after the U.S. launched a military campaign to overthrow the Taliban, the Bush administration is warning more spectacular attacks in Afghanistan could be in the works.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What you're witnessing is a Taliban who is frightened. They see the writing on the wall. That's why they're attacking so viciously.
KOPPEL: To date, 31 U.S. soldiers have died in Afghanistan, one just last wee; 10, 000 U.S. troops are deployed outside Kabul, while NATO is leading a force of 5,500 international troops inside the capital.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You can't move safely from city to city. The warlords control large parts of the country still.
KOPPEL: Journalist Richard Mckenzie (ph), who has spent months in Afghanistan, says the biggest problem is lack of security, making interim Afghan Leader Hamid Karzai more like the mayor of Kabul.
Other setbacks include a spike in the cultivation of poppy, used to produce heroin, the inability of Karzai's government to collect tax revenues from outlying provinces and a failure to find Osama bin Laden or Mullah Omar.
But there are positive developments too. More freedoms for women. Many schools and clinics have opened across the country, and a much delayed road linking Kabul to Kandahar should be complete in December.
(voice-over): And in an effort to make even more progress ahead of Afghan elections next year, President Bush has pledged to donate another $1.2 billion and put his national security adviser in charge of overseeing Afghan reconstruction.
Andrea Koppel, CNN, at the State Department.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, going to extremes to fight obesity. More and more teens are getting stomach surgery. Will it hurt or help them in the long run? We're going to talk to one kid who's already had it done.
Also, lovers, cheaters and cell phones. Find out what not to do if you are having an affair.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Well, you may not have noticed, but there's a growing trend. More and more U.S. teens are having weight loss surgery. Now many pediatricians oppose the procedure, saying it's the wrong way to deal with childhood obesity. But others say it's a viable option for obese adolescents.
Eighteen-year-old Erick Decker had gastric bypass surgery a year ago. Doctors stitched closed portions of his stomach to make it smaller so he couldn't each as much. He joins us tonight from Columbia, South Carolina.
And Dr. Mary Brandt specializes in surgery and children at Baylor College of Medicine. She joins us from Houston.
Appreciate both of you joining us.
Erick, I want to start off with you. I understand you've been overweight your entire life. I think at one point you weighed 385 pounds. You tried every diet under the sun. What convinced you to finally get the stomach surgery?
ERICK DECKER, STOMACH SURGERY PATIENT: I think it was the fact that it was just kind of a last resort. I mean, I had nowhere else to turn. I had tried every other diet that I possibly could have. And it was just the final thing in the book. And I had done everything. And this was the last thing before I had had something seriously wrong with me such as a heart attack or cancer or something that would have ended my life instead of changed it as drastically as this did.
COOPER: Well, Erick, I just saw a picture of you before the surgery. It is just remarkable meeting you now, seeing you now. You're unrecognizable compared to the way you were before. How much weight have you lost, and, I mean, how is your life -- how is your life different?
DECKER: I've lost 180 pounds so far. It's been almost nine months. And my life is amazing. I mean, the people at Children's Hospital in Cincinnati did an outstanding job. I mean, they were just amazing people. And the surgery has changed everything. I mean, everything's easier to do. Life is just so much better because I can actually enjoy it and not have to worry about if I'm going to wake up in the morning when I go to sleep.
COOPER: So it's not -- it's not just that you -- that, you know, you feel you look better. It's -- it's really -- I mean, it's health reasons.
DECKER: Definitely. I mean, I'm looking better is a perk of having the surgery, of course. But the main reason is just to be healthier. I want to live a long life. I have so many plans for myself in the future. I just hope that the surgery will prolong my life and that I can do exactly what I want to do in the future.
COOPER: Dr. Brandt, I want to bring you in here. Surgery for young people is very controversial still at this point. How do you judge the risks? I mean, what are the special risks involved, considering young people?
DR. MARY BRANDT, BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE: Well, I think Erick summed it up. I think there's a subset of kids that have major comorbidities. They have complications of their obesity that are life threatening. We think that those are the children that should be considered for this surgery.
COOPER: Is there an age of kids that's too young?
BRANDT: Well, we think they should be most of the way through puberty, which is defined by Tanner stages in pediatrics. So Tanner stage three or above.
COOPER: And the bottom line, I guess -- or concern among doctors is that you don't know longterm what kind of impact this has.
BRANDT: Exactly. And that's actually why the American Pediatric Surgical Association formed a taskforce to look into doing a longterm study in adolescents getting this surgery to make sure we're not doing more harm than good.
COOPER: Erick, do you worry about that? Longterm, what impact this might have? Or are you just happy with the way things are now?
DECKER: I do worry about what impact it has longterm. But on the other hand, I mean, they've told me a certain diet that I have to stick to and certain vitamins I have to take and exercise routine that I have to stick to. And if I stick to that, I feel that the doctors will know what's best, and that hopefully I'll be able to keep the weight off for the duration of my life.
COOPER: And are you taking your vitamins? Are you sticking to it? DECKER: Of course. You have to. There's no option.
COOPER: All right. I don't want to sound like a parent, but it's good to hear. Erick, it's a pleasure meeting you. Erick Decker, and Dr. Mary Brandt, appreciate you joining us as well. Thank you.
DECKER: Thank you so much.
COOPER: Well, we are just getting in some live pictures of California Governor Gray Davis right now greeting volunteers at a campaign office of the Service Employees International Union. Now this is his last stop before returning to his campaign headquarters to await results. Stay with 360 for the latest on the recall as the hour continues. Polls close in about two hours.
We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: It is one of the great perils of the digital age. When it comes to your cheating heart, the cell phone don't lie. It looks like just a plain-old harmless phone, but don't you believe it. That teeny, tiny judgmental chip preserves a panoramic horror show of your intimate crimes.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): But cheaters, take heart. A private investigator in Italy renowned for both its cell phone use and its lusty amour has brought forth the five golden rules to keep your cell phone from blowing your cover.
Rule number one, after making or getting a call, delete the number. Then phone a relative or friend whose number is known to both spouses. If that means calling mom at say 2:00 in the morning, for no reason, so be it.
Rule number two, delete all text messages, even the most beautiful. This one might be tough for the tender hearts. But even if you want to save your lover's sweet messages, don't.
Rule number three, now I know you can do this one. If you get a call when your spouse or partner is with you, simply act as you do with telemarketers, act like it's a wrong number.
Rule number four is a corollary to rule number three, unobtrusively turn off the phone, then claim you can't hear anything because the line went dead.
Rule number five, always have in mind names related to real situations so you can fake a believable conversation to divert suspicion. Something like, "oh hi, Donatela, yes, I'll see you at bungalow eight in an hour." Something like that.
(END VIDEOTAPE) COOPER: Well, if need be, the private investigator suggests practice rule 5 by yourself in a closed room in front of a mirror and in a load voice.
We might add our own rule 6 to avoid being caught cheating, don't cheat. Peace of mind is a priceless thing.
Time to check "The Current" tonight. A spokes woman for Maryland first lady all Ehrlich says she inadvertent inadvertently used a figure of speech when she said she would "shoot Britney Spears for her influence of youth." Ehrlich was speaking at a conference on the prevention of domestic violence, well at least for those people who don't happen to be Britney Spears.
The first all female tango group is about to launch a U.S. tour. The Dames of the Tango have already performed in their native Argentina the forbidden dance. Some critics are hoping for a New York appearance for a three way rumble with the Jets and the Sharks. Stay tuned.
Shannon Dougherty has signed to star in a new sitcom. Dougherty's character will be nice and tender hearted but the show will not be using special effects.
A British scientist claims to have calculated the ideal thickness for a slice of cheese. Research commissioned by the British Cheese Board concluded that the perfect slice is .11 inches. The study turned out to be a landmark, the first recorded instance of someone actually being paid to cut the cheese. Thank you very much. I'll be here all week.
Coming up next on 360, the FCC said it was okay when Bono said it on TV. The question now is, can I say it? Well, we'll find out.
And tomorrow, for some men going to prison was just the start of it. What they endured was worse than any legal sentence.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Tonight, taking (EXPLETIVE DELETED) to the "Nth Degree." Can I say that on TV? Apparently it depends whether it's a verb or an adjective. See the Federal Communications Commission today said it will take no action regarding something the singer Bono said during the January 19 "Golden Globe Awards."
To be specific he said quote "this is really, really (EXPLETIVE DELETED) brilliant, only without the...
(BLEEP)
The FCC said it got 234 complaints. All but 17, from people associated with the Parents Television Council. But in section 3 subsection 8 paragraph 5 of its ruling the FCC says Bono didn't violate the law because what he said quote "does not describe sexual or excretory organs, or for that matter the filthy, disgusting things people do with them." In other words he meant (EXPLETIVE DELETED) the merely crude adjective, not (EXPLETIVE DELETED) the reprehensible verb.
I refer you to FCC footnote 16 citing the nonactionable noun usage, quote, "the hell I did, I drove the mother (EXPLETIVE DELETED)." The FCC also says it's okay to use such words as an insult. In other words, I can call you a (EXPLETIVE DELETED), but not because you (EXPLETIVE DELETED) my sister.
If it gets too confusing for you well, (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
Well that wraps up our program tonight. Coming up next "PAUL ZAHN NOW."
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired October 7, 2003 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON COOPER, HOST (voice-over): Crunch time for the candidates: the people of California finally cast their votes.
Our special series "Life Behind Bars": tonight, the power of prison gangs.
American GIs taking Baghdad brides, saying "I do," when the Army says "Do not."
Should kids undergo radical stomach surgery to lose weight?
And, can you hear me now? Catching cheating spouses through their cell phones.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: Live from the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is ANDERSON COOPER 360.
COOPER: And a good evening to you. Thanks for joining us on 360.
What a night it is. It is just after 7:00 p.m. here on the East Coast, 4:00 p.m. in California, where you're looking at a live shot at the state capitol in Sacramento, where an estimated record number of voters are going to the polls all across the state at this hour. Ahead: we have complete coverage of the California recall, with updates throughout the next hour.
Plus, a deadline passed just two hours ago for White House aides to hand over what they have in the CIA leak investigation. The president said today, "I want to know the truth."
That story, and the tiger attack that left Roy of Siegfried and Roy fighting for his life. One doctor says it's miraculous he's even alive. We'll have the very latest on how he is doing from Las Vegas.
But we begin of course tonight with a historic political drama coming to a head right now as Californians decide who should lead their state. It has been called a circus, but tonight the recall election looks more like a horse race between the governor fighting for his political life and the movie star who wants his job.
Three reports tonight with just hours of voting to go. Candy Crowley with the Gray Davis camp, Frank Buckley on turnout. But we begin with Kelly Wallace covering the Schwarzenegger campaign -- Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, advisers to Arnold Schwarzenegger are very upbeat. So upbeat that first thing this morning they were touting their overnight internal polls, which they say show that Arnold Schwarzenegger would win, even amid allegations of sexual misconduct over the past few days. There's a great deal of spinning going on, though. And ultimately we don't know what the voters will do.
That was really Schwarzenegger's message when he and wife, Maria Shriver, went to the polls to cast their ballots. Schwarzenegger saying that he's not paying attention to the polls, that he did what he could to get his message out. And then he said, it is up to a higher power to settle this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: Well, we don't know. It is up to god now. It's up to god for the decision. We did all that work and we worked hard and campaigned hard, and we tried to get the message out there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: After that, a snapshot really of this most unusual campaign. A pack of reporters, international journalists, local news corps, as well as entertainment reporters, following this candidate and his wife, Maria, every step of the way. It has been an unconventional campaign ever since Schwarzenegger startled the political establishment when he announced on "The Tonight Show" that he was going to run for governor.
But now, this campaign ending just like every other campaign we have all covered. This candidate must wait for these polls to close to see exactly what the voters decide and exactly what his next step will be -- Anderson.
COOPER: And we are waiting and watching along with them. Kelly Wallace, thanks very much for that.
Now, late night comics like to joke that, with Gray Davis, the name fits the personality. Even the governor himself has admitted to being charismatically challenged. But that hardly means he's a pushover. In fact, he's known as a political street fighter, and he has some fight on his hands today.
Candy Crowley is with the Davis camp and has the latest there -- Candy.
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, you're right, this is a conventional politician inside an unconventional campaign. He carried it out his own way, largely using those small forums to discuss policy. Very few rallies, although at the end he did get around to that. And today, like all other politicians in this race, he went to vote, coming out and, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, noting that it is now up to a higher power.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. GRAY DAVIS (D), CALIFORNIA: Life has a lot of surprises, but Sharon and I are people of faith. And we know that all we can do is respond to the challenges confronting us. We have done that.
I'm proud of the campaign we've run. I think people see the contrast between myself and Mr. Schwarzenegger. And I'm confident of the choice they'll make today.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CROWLEY: Here is the truth. Behind the scenes in camp Gray Davis, there is none of the optimism that Kelly is hearing in the Schwarzenegger campaign. In fact, they are down right glum here. They don't cite any numbers, but they do not quibble with some of the numbers that are coming out of the Schwarzenegger campaign. It is, of course, the most excruciating part of any campaign, and that is the waiting -- Anderson.
COOPER: Candy Crowley, thanks very much.
Now, one of the most important factors in deciding this recall election can be summed up in three words: turnout, turnout, turnout. And early estimates suggest this may well be the biggest turnout ever for a California governor's race. Just estimates at this point.
Frank Buckley is looking into that from Burbank tonight -- Frank.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, we're in beautiful downtown Burbank, as Johnny Carson used to say, at Burbank City Hall, at one of the polling places. Let me give you the sense of the turnout right now.
You can see the polling workers are here. And it is a pretty crowded place here. And so far the estimates suggest an early snapshot from the secretary of state suggesting that it's going to be a 60 percent or better turnout. The Field Poll had it at 65 percent. That's huge compared to the 50 percent that we had in November 2002 in the last gubernatorial election.
A couple of the voters have already cast their ballots here. We have Susan Langford (ph) and Steve Cook (ph). You voted "yes" on the recall, you voted "no." Let's quickly hear, what are your reasons? Why did you say yes on the recall?
SUSAN LANGFORD, CALIFORNIA VOTER: Because I feel that Governor Davis hasn't done very much for the state of California. And I felt that actually none of the Democrats on the ballot were viable candidates. So I went for McClintock.
BUCKLEY: OK. And what about you, Steve Cook (ph)? You said "no" on the recall. Why?
STEVE COOK, CALIFORNIA VOTER: Well, because I believe that most of the problems that Davis had was inherited. And I feel that the whole process is quite a circus. And I voted for Bustamante because I felt that I wanted to keep a Democrat in Sacramento, and he would continue to pull forward the issues for workers and people.
BUCKLEY: OK. Well, a couple of voices. Thank you both very much.
Anderson, you can get a sense of just a couple of the voices here at one polling place across California. So far, no widespread problems or anything like that reported. But we have had situations where voters have turned up, they found that their names were not on the rolls. In those cases, they're giving them provisional ballots and they're still voting, and their ballots will be counted -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right. Frank Buckley, thank you for that, as well. We should also point out there are 2.2 million absentee ballots still already been cast yet to be counted.
Now, in perspective, it can be said today's recall vote is truly history in the making. Since 1911, there have been 31 attempts to recall California governors. This is the first time it's actually reached the ballot. The only other successful attempt to recall an American governor occurred way back in 1921, when North Dakota voters recalled Governor Lynn Frazier. History could be made tonight.
We'll get back to California shortly. But first, we go to Washington, where a self-imposed deadline passed just over two hours ago at the White House. Aides were to hand over anything and everything that might help answer the explosive question: who revealed the name of a CIA operative to the press? The president today made clear he wants to find the source of the leak, even if he's not sure he'll succeed.
We get more from senior White House correspondent John King.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At a morning cabinet meeting the president sounded a bit skeptical when asked if he is confident those responsible for the leak will be caught.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Now, this is a large administration, and there's a lot of senior officials. I don't have any idea. I'd like to. I want to know the truth.
KING: Press Secretary Scott McClellan says he has nothing to do with the leak, but gave reporters a rough estimate of documents he turned over to comply with the Justice Department request that went to some 2,000 White House staffers. The Justice Department deadline for those documents is two weeks away, but the investigation is overshadowing other Bush priorities.
So White House counsel, Alberto Gonzales, set a Tuesday internal deadline. And chief of staff, Andy Card, told White House staffers in this memo to do what it takes to comply by the deadline, because "the sooner the investigation is over, the sooner we can return our full attention to doing the work of the people."
McClellan acknowledged questioning three prominent White House aides because of speculation in media accounts. Senior adviser Karl Rove, vice presidential chief of staff Lewis Libby, and National Security Council aide Elliot Abrahams (ph) all denied any role in the leak. Democrats complained the president's lawyer is reviewing the documents before investigators get them.
SEN. CHARLES SCHUMER (D), NEW YORK: There ought to be a full investigation, an independent counsel, without any of these bottlenecks.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KING: Now, White House aides call that review by the council's office standard procedure. And while they're vowing full cooperation, they are not ruling out here at the White House invoking executive privilege and keeping classified information from investigators if the White House determines that information is critical when it comes to national security, but not relevant to the investigation -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right. John King at the White House, thanks.
A number of items around the world to tell you about right now. Let's check the "Up Link."
Jerusalem: war of words. Today, two days after an Israeli strike in Syria, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says Israel will use any means to defend itself and will not be deterred from striking its enemies. Syria's president Bashar Assad accuses Sharon of trying to drag Syria and the region into war.
Still in Israel, Ramallah, West Bank: a new government. Seven of the nine members of the Palestinian Authority's emergency cabinet take the oath. But one, the newly named interior minister, says he wants a vote of confidence before he is sworn in.
Pompeii, Italy: defying skeptics. Appearing alert, Pope John Paul II travels to a shrine of the Virgin Mary near the ancient ruins and spends three hours praying for peace. Recent reports have suggested the pope is too ill to carry out his duties.
Pakistan: nationwide riots. Thousands of mourners showed up for a funeral for a hard-line Sunni Muslim politician. This after a day after he was gunned down in Islamabad. Vowing to avenge his killing, protesters clashed with the police, as you see right there, shouted angry slogans against minority Shiites.
Johannesburg, South Africa: murder trial ends. Five policemen accused of killing this man, anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko back in 1977. Well, they will not be prosecuted. Justice ministry officials say the evidence is insufficient.
And that is tonight's "Up Link." Hanging on tiger handler: Roy Horn fights for his life after being mauled during a Vegas show. Find out why doctors are calling his survival miraculous.
Also, a senator's wife kidnapped and robbed. Hear how she got away.
And gang life, gang death, behind bars: an inside look at how gangs are operating in America's prisons, part of our weeklong series, "Sex, Violence and Favors: Life Behind Bars.
First, let's take a look "Inside the Box" at tonight's top stories on the network evening newscasts.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Nighttime in New York, polls still open in California. We're following the recall race closely.
We want to update you right now, though, on Roy Horn, the Vegas animal trainer mauled by a 600-pound White tiger Friday. Today, he's said to be responding to treatment but still fighting for his life. CNN's Jeff Flock has more now from Las Vegas.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEFF FLOCK, CNN CHICAGO BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): They come with flowers and pens. "You have given us some great entertainment," writes one. "Stay strong, fight," writes another, in the growing tribute to the larger than life tiger tamer here on the Las Vegas strip.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There are other acts here that have animals. You can't replace Roy.
FLOCK: Bernie Yuman has been Siegfried and Roy's manager for 28 years. He tells me he's never been more impressed with Roy Horn.
BERNIE YUMAN, MANAGER, SIEGFRIED AND ROY: His will and his physical strength is perhaps that of 100 men cumulatively.
FLOCK: Hyperbole aside, Horn's neurosurgeon agrees. The physical strength honed in a lifetime of wrestling big cats helped save him. Though recovery, even survival is not certain.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So Horn's injury was extremely severe and it's all but miraculous that he's alive at this time.
FLOCK: Alive and communicating, though no one will say exactly how. Thousands are trying to reach him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: President George Bush, Sr., Bill Clinton, Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson...
FLOCK: Just a few of those who have called. But while Horn's future remains uncertain, the fate of the tiger that bit him is not. YUMAN: There's no blame on Monticore.
FLOCK: Manager Yuman says the cat, out of sight now, will continue to live here among the other tigers at Siegfried and Roy's secret garden at the Mirage, which will remain open.
YUMAN: He will have a great life, because Siegfried and Roy have provided a great life for him. And that will continue uninterrupted.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FLOCK: As for what Roy Horn's quality of life might be in the future, Anderson, at this point we do not know. While no one here will confirm it, it's almost certain that he's experiencing paralysis of some sort. As his doctor put it, for the first time speaking out today, essentially, "It's just a miracle he's even alive" -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right. Jeff Flock, thanks very much.
Some fast facts for you now on Siegfried and Roy and their long lucrative run in Las Vegas. Since signing with the Mirage in 1990, Siegfried and Roy have performed six shows a week for most of the year. Each show seats 1,500 spectators at $110 per ticket. All told, they brought in $44.5 million per year.
Let's take a quick trip "Cross Country" right now.
Dallas, Texas, church schism: 2,600 conservative Episcopalians meet to discuss a possible church split. They are unhappy with the denomination's decision to confirm a gay bishop and to acknowledge blessing ceremonies for same sex couples.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: four is enough. Republican Senator Don Nickles says he will not run for reelection next year. Nickles, who is 54, was first elected in 1980. He's the fifth sitting senator to opt out of next year's race.
Manassas, Virginia: a defense denied. A judge rejects a defense motion to dismiss charges against John Allen Muhammad. He, and Lee Boyd Malvo, are accused in last year's Washington area sniper shootings. Now, prosecutors say they haven't decided if they're going to call Malvo to testify in Mohammad's trial. And that's scheduled to begin next week.
Murphysboro, Tennessee: hospital gunfire. Shots are fired inside the personnel office at a veterans hospital complex. Authorities say no one was hurt and a hospital worker is under arrest.
Washington: baseball pioneer honored. The House votes to award a congressional gold medal to the late Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play major league baseball. A Senate vote expected late this month. Robinson broke baseball's color barrier, of course, with the Brooklyn Dodgers back in 1947.
And that is tonight's "Cross Country." Here's one of the more bizarre stories to come along in a while. The wife of a U.S. senator is said to be OK tonight after a frightening encounter that started in her own home. Patty Davis is in McLean, Virginia with details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Kathleen Greg's terrifying ordeal began when she arrived here at her McLean, Virginia home just before 10:00 in the morning. Police say two men were already inside.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One of the men produced a knife and asked -- demanded cash. They had a discussion, and it was decided to come to this bank to get some cash.
DAVIS: Police say the men forced Gregg, shown here the night before at a White House state dinner with her husband, Republican Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, into the family car. They drove to this nearby Wachovia bank, one man riding with her, the other following in a silver car.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ms. Gregg was escorted to the teller by one of the suspects, at which time she was directed to write out a check for a specific sum of money. The check was cashed.
DAVIS: Police say bank employees had no idea what was happening until the man ran out with an undisclosed amount of money. A shaken Gregg stayed inside and was questioned by police for more than an hour. Police say they have no information to suggest Gregg's abductors knew who she was. The senator, who was traveling at the time, rushed home to be with his wife. His office says Mrs. Gregg is fine and quick decisions kept her from harm.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DAVIS: Police say the Gregg abduction is linked to two other incidents over the past couple of days. Apparently, these same men in the same car approached other women nearby in Virginia, apparently trying to rob one as she jogged near her home -- Anderson.
COOPER: Unbelievable story. Patty Davis, thanks very much.
Gang life behind bars often just doesn't remain behind bars. A closer look at the warfare being waged inside the nation's prisons, part of our weeklong series of "Sex, Violence and Favors: Life Behind Bars."
Also, Iraq's war brides. Big trouble for some U.S. soldiers who fell in love in Baghdad.
And a little later, teen stomach surgery. Find out how some kids are going to extremes to fight obesity. Find out why coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COOPER: And you're looking at a live picture of a polling station in Burbank, California. A lot of voters showing up to cast their ballots. The polls are still open in California, we should point out. They won't close, in fact, for another almost four hours or so, 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 8:00 Pacific.
The questions are: will an actor become the next governor of the Golden State, or will Gray Davis hold on to power? A lot of questions still to be answered at this moment. We're going to have some live reports from California in just a moment.
But first, we turn our attention to a major problem in America's prison system: gangs. When young people join gangs, they often say they do so for acceptance, for protection. Well, that is true for prisoners as well.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): It's a survival strategy. And the violence unleashed by these gangs doesn't always stay behind bars.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When there's gang trouble within the prisons, there is always trouble on the street.
COOPER: Here's a quick look at some of the most notorious prison gangs as identified by a number of different law enforcement agencies. The Texas Syndicate, A.K.A. TS. Members are Mexican-American or Hispanic. They have tattoos with a "TS" somewhere in the design. The gang is involved with drug trafficking and extortion.
Nieta (ph) is a gang of self-styled Puerto Rican patriots. Members salute each other by holding the cross fingers of their right hand over their heart. Nieta (ph) members are said to be involved in drugs and extortion.
The Aryan Brotherhood, or AB, is the largest white supremacist prison gang. Members' tattoos often contain swastikas or other Nazi emblems. The AB maintains a working alliance with another large prison gang, the Mexican Mafia, or MA.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Mexican Mafia is probably the most feared gang in the prison system.
COOPER: MA is heavily involved in drug trafficking. They're said to have a kill-on-sight relationship with members of a rival gang. The Nuestra Familia, "our family" in Spanish, is run almost like a paramilitary group. Orders are communicated through a sophisticated coded system. The gang is believed responsible for more than 300 murders, both in and out of prison.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, the Feds launched a crackdown on the Nuestra Familia. It was called Operation Black Widow. And this week, jury selection begins as dozens of gang members caught go on trial. The crackdown is the focus of an article in the November issue of "Maxim" magazine. And, yes, "Maxim," it turns out, does have articles. Justin Benton is the author. He joins us now from San Francisco.
Justin, thanks for being with us. It's actually a fascinating article for that you in "Maxim." What struck me about this gang in particular is how well structured they were and how they maintained order and discipline.
JUSTIN BENTON, "MAXIM" CONTRIBUTOR: Absolutely, Anderson. As you said in your report, they're like a paramilitary organization. From the top down, they were just following orders.
COOPER: And they're able to communicate orders pretty ingeniously, both among prisoners inside the system, and also to people out on the street. I mean, forging legal letterheads, writing orders in urine. Tell us how that works.
BENTON: Absolutely. They were very sophisticated in creating coded letters, using the Aztec language. They used an obscure dialects of the Aztec language to send out letters to each other and send in letters back to other state prisons to carry out what they needed to carry out.
COOPER: And they would write some letters in urine and then send them out, and I guess prison guards couldn't see it?
BENTON: Absolutely. They would use their urine to write the name of somebody they wanted to kill, send it out. And the receiver back at home would lift up the letter above a candle so they could read the name.
COOPER: What's also really comes clear in your article is that these gangs -- I mean, this gang in particular, was started inside prisons, maximum security prisons, but it ends up outside because a lot of these inmates ultimately do get released and the gang continues out on the street.
BENTON: That's right. As soon as they parole, what we're seeing now is they maintain their allegiance to the gang, the prison gang. That wasn't the case about 10 years ago.
Now, when they get out, they still claim NF (ph). So they set up NF (ph) syndicates on the outside, drug rings, a record company. And they send the money they make from there back into the prisons, or into banks where the prisoners can have access to those funds.
COOPER: This operation, Operation Black widow, I guess is really one of the largest law enforcement efforts against gangs inside the prison system. Twenty-one top leaders of this gang have been brought up on charges. But there's a lot of other people still out there. I mean, this gang is still quite large.
BENTON: Absolutely. I think Operation Black Widow only frustrated the gang. They won't ever kill it. They won't ever end it. After the trial, the gang will only create new ways to communicate with each other. They'll only become more sophisticated.
COOPER: And there are a lot of other gangs in there throughout the prison system in America. Justin Benton, it's a fascinating article in "Maxim." Thanks very much.
BENTON: Thank you, Anderson.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): Still ahead: the clock is ticking. Who will voters choose to run California?
Should kids go under the knife to fight obesity?
And, catching infidelity digitally through your lover's cell phone.
We'll be right back.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Welcome back. You're looking at a live picture from Burbank, California. People casting ballots. Voters turning out in estimated record numbers to decide whether to keep Governor Gray Davis in office or terminate him. Wolf Blitzer is stand by in California with the latest on the recall election. We'll catch up with him in just a moment. First, tonight's "Reset."
In Washington, an appeals court ruled today that the Federal Trade Commission can start enforcing the "do-not-call" registry, at least for now. The courts will continue to examine whether the ban on unwanted telephone sales calls is Constitutional. But Under today's ruling the FTC can enforce the ball until there's a decision.
Philadelphia, PA the mayor being bugged? Police conducting a security sweep of Mayor John Street city hall office (AUDIO GAP) but wouldn't comment further.
In Ft. Carson, Colorado, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld addressed a meeting of soldiers and military families. He said he still can't say when the troops will be coming home from Iraq and urged commanders against raising false hopes before firm schedules are set.
In Washington the Justice Department has filed an appeal in the Zacarias Moussaoui case. Moussaoui is accused of participating in a terrorist conspiracy. A lower court barred prosecutor's from arguing that Moussaoui was involved in the 9/11 attacks and from asking the jury to impose the death penalty.
Also in Washington, the government warned natural gas customers that their winter heating bills may go up about 5 percent this year. 5 percent. The news is better for heating oil customers. Their bills may go down, unless the winter is unusually cold.
And that is tonight's "Reset." And this just in to CNN from the Associated Press. A political story about the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate General Wesley Clark. The AP is reporting Clark's campaign manager has quit in dispute over direction of the campaign. As we said, this information is just coming in. We'll going to have more details of course as we get them for you.
But now, let's go back to California where voters have just three and a half hours left to vote on whether Governor Gray Davis should be removed from office, and on who should replace him if he goes. It has been a very busy day throughout the state of California. For the latest, let's go to Wolf Blitzer in Los Angeles -- Wolf.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Anderson, it's a lot of passionate business out here. A lot of activity going on. As you say, three and a half hours for people to vote, and they are turning out in very big numbers. Unclear at this point whether those big numbers are going to help Arnold Schwarzenegger become the next governor of California, or if they're going to help the incumbent Governor Gray Davis hold on to power.
We have all of the major candidates having gone out to vote: Arnold Schwarzenegger, of course, the governor Gray Davis, both accompanied by their wives, both making brief statements to reporters as they did so.
Maria Shriver, the wife of Arnold Schwarzenegger, playing a very significant role, especially in these final days as these allegations of sexual harassment by Arnold Schwarzenegger were leveled by women in the "Los Angeles Times." Maria Shriver speaking passionately about her husband.
Also joined by Arnold Schwarzenegger's mother-in-law, Eunice Shriver. Both women making very visible appearances in these final days, in these final hours. Both presumably helping Arnold Schwarzenegger manage to hold on if in fact his decisive advantage, at least in polls, before the "L.A. Times" manages to justify what he is trying to achieve. It could be a long night, it could be a short night, Anderson. Whatever happens, of course we'll have complete coverage throughout the night here on CNN.
COOPER: Wolf, thanks very much. Polls close in just about three and a half hours, 11:00 p.m. East Coast time, 8:00 p.m. Western Coast time. Wolf Blitzer is going to be anchoring coverage starting at 11:00 so stay with us.
Long before Arnold Schwarzenegger was a Hollywood movie star, before he was a world famous body builder, he was a little boy in Austria. Dreaming of success in a world bigger than his middle European town. And as Walter Rodgers reports from Schwarzenegger's home town, the people there remember him with gratitude.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WALTER RODGERS, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Arnold Schwarzenegger inspired a generation of body builders. Today, in his hometown Gratz, Austria, Arnold the favorite son, has also given many Austrians a reason to feel good about themselves. Kurt Marnul was Schwarzenegger's first trainer.
KURT MARNUL, BODY BUILDER (through translator): He was two steps ahead of everyone else. He was driven. Sometimes torturing himself, he worked so hard, determined to be the best in the world.
RODGERS: Schwarzenegger's California race led Austrian's TV evening news every night the past week, especially after allegations of groping and sexual harassment. In his native Austria, however, even among women there seems a collective disbelief he engaged in any alleged sexual misdeeds.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm sure that's a lie.
RODGERS: Albert Kaufmann, a well-known Austrian Jewish businessman, had a grandfather in a Dachau concentration camp. He gets livid at the suggestion Schwarzenegger ever admired Hitler.
ALBERT KAUFMANN, AUSTRIAN-JEWISH BUSINESSMAN: It is extremely unfair. It's so unjust. He was pro-Jewish and he supported me in my activities against Hitler ideology.
RODGERS: Constitutionally barred from becoming president because he was foreign born, many Austrians believe Arnold Schwarzenegger can somehow get around that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): When he was a teen, he went to Munich and returned home saying, Germany's too small. I have to go to the United States.
RODGERS: Walter Rodgers, CNN Gratz.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Two American soldiers found love in Iraq. Sergeant Sean Blackwell, seen here and Corporal Brett Dagen had their double marriage ceremony on foot patrol. Their brides and a few relatives met them along their patrol route and then the wedding party happened with a quick exchange of rings and vows before an Iraqi judge.
A half hour later, the G.I's resumed their patrol. But they haven't seen their wives since. The soldiers are now under investigation and their brides prevented from coming to the U.S. Joining me from Pensacola, Florida is Corporal Brett Dagen's cousin Gwen . Gwen thanks very much for being with us. How surprised were you when you heard that your cousin had gotten married in Iraq?
GWEN TUTTON, CPL. DAGEN'S COUSIN: Well, I was kind of shocked to know that he had gotten married. I knew he was supposed to. We got the news from the newspaper.
COOPER: Did you know -- I guess you knew he met a lady over there. How did they meet? What do you know about her?
TUTTON: I know that she's 26 years old. And she is a doctor. She was educated in Ireland and England. And she speaks very good English. I spoke with her on the phone.
COOPER: How did they meet? Was this love at first sight?
TUTTON: I guess so, pretty much. Just the general -- she would come by and see him, they would talk daily and visit with each other. I guess they just really hit it off.
COOPER: You've talked to your cousin, as well as his Iraqi bride. What was that conversation like? How are they doing?
TUTTON: They both seem okay. I think they're both a little lonely and they'd like to see each other. But their main concern for each other is each other's safety of course. Which sounds like love to me. They're both concerned about the other one.
COOPER: Your cousin, Brett, is particularly concerned about his Iraqi bride, about her safety. Why is he so concerned?
TUTTON: She is from a well-known family. If it gets out there who she is, they fear retaliation maybe from some of the Iraqi people for marrying an American. I'm not clear on that.
COOPER: I'd like to get your take on how the military has responded to all this. We've got a statement. The "Atlanta Journal- Constitution" reported the Florida National Guard is not allowing these two to see each other. Captain Jack McClellan made a statement saying, if it's true love, in a few months they can pursue it. Until then, they are not allowed to see them." Do you think the military is treating this fairly?
TUTTON: Actually, no, I don't. From what I understand, there are others that have gotten married. And there's been no problem, but these two gentlemen from this unit are the ones that are having the problem. So I'm not sure why.
COOPER: Your cousin Brett also converted to Islam prior to the marriage. Did that surprise you? I know it surprised his mom.
TUTTON: A little in a way. But I know that's something that he had to do. And I know his heart, so I'm not worried.
COOPER: Do you think -- how do you think this is going to end? Do you think he's going to bring back the bride?
TUTTON: Oh, yes. If there's a will, there's a way. We have the will. We're trying everything we can to get her home.
COOPER: What steps are you trying to take?
TUTTON: We're going right now in contact with immigration here. Since Iraq has no embassy, there's no way for them to get the visa papers done there. I'm trying to go here through immigration to try to get her a visa, or possibly even a passport.
COOPER: Well I guess part of the problem is they have to be together for her to fill out some of these papers over there in Baghdad. And since he's not being allowed to see her, that's impossible.
TUTTON: Correct. Correct. They have -- from what I understand, they have to go together.
COOPER: Well, it's a -- it's a tough situation. Gwen Tutton, appreciate you joining us. And we'll follow closely. Thanks very much.
TUTTON: Thanks.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, Tonight's "Flashback," finding love in the wake of war, it's nothing new. In many countries, after many conflicts, Americans soldiers have met and married. Tonight, we "Flashback" to the years after World War II. Between 1944 and 1950, 200,000 European women were married to American G.I.s. And in the same period, 100,000 Asian women married American servicemen. That is according to the American War Bride Experience Web site. Just a little "Flashback" for you.
How quickly we forget. Each week, we like to look at a story that may have slipped below the media's radar. Tonight, we look at Afghanistan. Two years ago today, the war began there. Do you remember the exact reason for attacking Afghanistan? It was because the Taliban refused to hand over Osama bin Laden.
Tonight, we asked State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel to update us on the pursuit of that goal and the rise of new threats in Afghanistan.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Two years after the U.S. launched a military campaign to overthrow the Taliban, the Bush administration is warning more spectacular attacks in Afghanistan could be in the works.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What you're witnessing is a Taliban who is frightened. They see the writing on the wall. That's why they're attacking so viciously.
KOPPEL: To date, 31 U.S. soldiers have died in Afghanistan, one just last wee; 10, 000 U.S. troops are deployed outside Kabul, while NATO is leading a force of 5,500 international troops inside the capital.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You can't move safely from city to city. The warlords control large parts of the country still.
KOPPEL: Journalist Richard Mckenzie (ph), who has spent months in Afghanistan, says the biggest problem is lack of security, making interim Afghan Leader Hamid Karzai more like the mayor of Kabul.
Other setbacks include a spike in the cultivation of poppy, used to produce heroin, the inability of Karzai's government to collect tax revenues from outlying provinces and a failure to find Osama bin Laden or Mullah Omar.
But there are positive developments too. More freedoms for women. Many schools and clinics have opened across the country, and a much delayed road linking Kabul to Kandahar should be complete in December.
(voice-over): And in an effort to make even more progress ahead of Afghan elections next year, President Bush has pledged to donate another $1.2 billion and put his national security adviser in charge of overseeing Afghan reconstruction.
Andrea Koppel, CNN, at the State Department.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, going to extremes to fight obesity. More and more teens are getting stomach surgery. Will it hurt or help them in the long run? We're going to talk to one kid who's already had it done.
Also, lovers, cheaters and cell phones. Find out what not to do if you are having an affair.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Well, you may not have noticed, but there's a growing trend. More and more U.S. teens are having weight loss surgery. Now many pediatricians oppose the procedure, saying it's the wrong way to deal with childhood obesity. But others say it's a viable option for obese adolescents.
Eighteen-year-old Erick Decker had gastric bypass surgery a year ago. Doctors stitched closed portions of his stomach to make it smaller so he couldn't each as much. He joins us tonight from Columbia, South Carolina.
And Dr. Mary Brandt specializes in surgery and children at Baylor College of Medicine. She joins us from Houston.
Appreciate both of you joining us.
Erick, I want to start off with you. I understand you've been overweight your entire life. I think at one point you weighed 385 pounds. You tried every diet under the sun. What convinced you to finally get the stomach surgery?
ERICK DECKER, STOMACH SURGERY PATIENT: I think it was the fact that it was just kind of a last resort. I mean, I had nowhere else to turn. I had tried every other diet that I possibly could have. And it was just the final thing in the book. And I had done everything. And this was the last thing before I had had something seriously wrong with me such as a heart attack or cancer or something that would have ended my life instead of changed it as drastically as this did.
COOPER: Well, Erick, I just saw a picture of you before the surgery. It is just remarkable meeting you now, seeing you now. You're unrecognizable compared to the way you were before. How much weight have you lost, and, I mean, how is your life -- how is your life different?
DECKER: I've lost 180 pounds so far. It's been almost nine months. And my life is amazing. I mean, the people at Children's Hospital in Cincinnati did an outstanding job. I mean, they were just amazing people. And the surgery has changed everything. I mean, everything's easier to do. Life is just so much better because I can actually enjoy it and not have to worry about if I'm going to wake up in the morning when I go to sleep.
COOPER: So it's not -- it's not just that you -- that, you know, you feel you look better. It's -- it's really -- I mean, it's health reasons.
DECKER: Definitely. I mean, I'm looking better is a perk of having the surgery, of course. But the main reason is just to be healthier. I want to live a long life. I have so many plans for myself in the future. I just hope that the surgery will prolong my life and that I can do exactly what I want to do in the future.
COOPER: Dr. Brandt, I want to bring you in here. Surgery for young people is very controversial still at this point. How do you judge the risks? I mean, what are the special risks involved, considering young people?
DR. MARY BRANDT, BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE: Well, I think Erick summed it up. I think there's a subset of kids that have major comorbidities. They have complications of their obesity that are life threatening. We think that those are the children that should be considered for this surgery.
COOPER: Is there an age of kids that's too young?
BRANDT: Well, we think they should be most of the way through puberty, which is defined by Tanner stages in pediatrics. So Tanner stage three or above.
COOPER: And the bottom line, I guess -- or concern among doctors is that you don't know longterm what kind of impact this has.
BRANDT: Exactly. And that's actually why the American Pediatric Surgical Association formed a taskforce to look into doing a longterm study in adolescents getting this surgery to make sure we're not doing more harm than good.
COOPER: Erick, do you worry about that? Longterm, what impact this might have? Or are you just happy with the way things are now?
DECKER: I do worry about what impact it has longterm. But on the other hand, I mean, they've told me a certain diet that I have to stick to and certain vitamins I have to take and exercise routine that I have to stick to. And if I stick to that, I feel that the doctors will know what's best, and that hopefully I'll be able to keep the weight off for the duration of my life.
COOPER: And are you taking your vitamins? Are you sticking to it? DECKER: Of course. You have to. There's no option.
COOPER: All right. I don't want to sound like a parent, but it's good to hear. Erick, it's a pleasure meeting you. Erick Decker, and Dr. Mary Brandt, appreciate you joining us as well. Thank you.
DECKER: Thank you so much.
COOPER: Well, we are just getting in some live pictures of California Governor Gray Davis right now greeting volunteers at a campaign office of the Service Employees International Union. Now this is his last stop before returning to his campaign headquarters to await results. Stay with 360 for the latest on the recall as the hour continues. Polls close in about two hours.
We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: It is one of the great perils of the digital age. When it comes to your cheating heart, the cell phone don't lie. It looks like just a plain-old harmless phone, but don't you believe it. That teeny, tiny judgmental chip preserves a panoramic horror show of your intimate crimes.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): But cheaters, take heart. A private investigator in Italy renowned for both its cell phone use and its lusty amour has brought forth the five golden rules to keep your cell phone from blowing your cover.
Rule number one, after making or getting a call, delete the number. Then phone a relative or friend whose number is known to both spouses. If that means calling mom at say 2:00 in the morning, for no reason, so be it.
Rule number two, delete all text messages, even the most beautiful. This one might be tough for the tender hearts. But even if you want to save your lover's sweet messages, don't.
Rule number three, now I know you can do this one. If you get a call when your spouse or partner is with you, simply act as you do with telemarketers, act like it's a wrong number.
Rule number four is a corollary to rule number three, unobtrusively turn off the phone, then claim you can't hear anything because the line went dead.
Rule number five, always have in mind names related to real situations so you can fake a believable conversation to divert suspicion. Something like, "oh hi, Donatela, yes, I'll see you at bungalow eight in an hour." Something like that.
(END VIDEOTAPE) COOPER: Well, if need be, the private investigator suggests practice rule 5 by yourself in a closed room in front of a mirror and in a load voice.
We might add our own rule 6 to avoid being caught cheating, don't cheat. Peace of mind is a priceless thing.
Time to check "The Current" tonight. A spokes woman for Maryland first lady all Ehrlich says she inadvertent inadvertently used a figure of speech when she said she would "shoot Britney Spears for her influence of youth." Ehrlich was speaking at a conference on the prevention of domestic violence, well at least for those people who don't happen to be Britney Spears.
The first all female tango group is about to launch a U.S. tour. The Dames of the Tango have already performed in their native Argentina the forbidden dance. Some critics are hoping for a New York appearance for a three way rumble with the Jets and the Sharks. Stay tuned.
Shannon Dougherty has signed to star in a new sitcom. Dougherty's character will be nice and tender hearted but the show will not be using special effects.
A British scientist claims to have calculated the ideal thickness for a slice of cheese. Research commissioned by the British Cheese Board concluded that the perfect slice is .11 inches. The study turned out to be a landmark, the first recorded instance of someone actually being paid to cut the cheese. Thank you very much. I'll be here all week.
Coming up next on 360, the FCC said it was okay when Bono said it on TV. The question now is, can I say it? Well, we'll find out.
And tomorrow, for some men going to prison was just the start of it. What they endured was worse than any legal sentence.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Tonight, taking (EXPLETIVE DELETED) to the "Nth Degree." Can I say that on TV? Apparently it depends whether it's a verb or an adjective. See the Federal Communications Commission today said it will take no action regarding something the singer Bono said during the January 19 "Golden Globe Awards."
To be specific he said quote "this is really, really (EXPLETIVE DELETED) brilliant, only without the...
(BLEEP)
The FCC said it got 234 complaints. All but 17, from people associated with the Parents Television Council. But in section 3 subsection 8 paragraph 5 of its ruling the FCC says Bono didn't violate the law because what he said quote "does not describe sexual or excretory organs, or for that matter the filthy, disgusting things people do with them." In other words he meant (EXPLETIVE DELETED) the merely crude adjective, not (EXPLETIVE DELETED) the reprehensible verb.
I refer you to FCC footnote 16 citing the nonactionable noun usage, quote, "the hell I did, I drove the mother (EXPLETIVE DELETED)." The FCC also says it's okay to use such words as an insult. In other words, I can call you a (EXPLETIVE DELETED), but not because you (EXPLETIVE DELETED) my sister.
If it gets too confusing for you well, (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
Well that wraps up our program tonight. Coming up next "PAUL ZAHN NOW."
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