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Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees

Iraqi Unrest: "Day of Resistance" Feared; Fires in California Preventable?

Aired October 31, 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): The Green River killer: have the murders finally been solved?

Countdown to "Rock the Vote."

And our special series, "Broken Vows." Tonight, surviving infidelity.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: Live from the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is ANDERSON COOPER 360.

COOPER: Well, a good Friday evening to you. Thanks for joining us on 360.

A dramatic day in the Robert Blake murder case as much for what happened outside the courtroom as inside. We'll have details on that coming up.

First, we go to Iraq. A lot happening on the ground. Security on high alert. New concerns about what the U.S. Consulate in Baghdad is calling a day of resistance.

Rumors that Iraqi insurgents are planning new attacks this weekend. Still, U.S. soldiers are actively hunting for Saddam Hussein. Today, U.S. troops sealed off Ujah (ph), the village where the despotic dictator was born. U.S. officials believe some people there are in contact with Saddam, and they are issuing identity cards to try to control the movements of residence.

Also, one member of the 82nd Airborne Division was killed by a bomb in a town west of Baghdad. And sources say 14 Iraqis died in a day of mob clashes with coalition troops on the western outskirts of Baghdad. There are no reports of coalition casualties in that.

Also, a bomb exploded outside the mayor's office in Fallujah. Several people were wounded in a firefight that followed the blast. You can see some of the destruction there.

Now, our CNN crews have been told not to broadcast live during parts of the night for security reasons. For the latest, however, on this violent day, we go to CNN's John Raedler in Baghdad on the phone. John, tell us what intelligence sources warned might happen this weekend.

JOHN RAEDLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, there were two sources of this information, two official sources at this stage, Anderson. Today, the U.S. Consul in Baghdad issued the following statement -- I read it to you -- "There are a number of rumors of a day of resistance throughout Baghdad on Saturday and Sunday. U.S. citizens are encouraged to continue to maintain a high level of vigilance and continue to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness."

Sometime after that, the Australian government issued a warning to its citizens in this country, and it said that it has received credible reports of imminent terrorist threats to a particular district in Baghdad, the district of the Al Hamra Hotel (ph) in central Baghdad. The Australian government's report goes on to say, "These reports indicate a particular threat over the next two weeks beginning on the 1st of November. Australians are strongly advised to avoid the vicinity of the Al Hamra Hotel (ph) during this period, including all hotels in this area."

So two warnings from two particular governments. One of them quite specific as to an area.

In addition to that, Anderson, CNN was given a background briefing by a senior coalition military officer today on this particular issue. And a summary of what he told us, he said over the past 36 to 48 hours, there have been a number of rumors, and a significant amount of intelligence, coming in to the coalition pointing to attacks by foreign fighters on or around November 1st.

And he went on to say the threats are coming mostly to schools where men with their heads covered in cloth have come and threatened students, teachers and families. This coalition military official told us there is no specific language to the threats, but they are both verbal, as well as on paper, essentially saying that nobody will be safe. And police stations, schools, markets, mosques, hotels, and NGOs will be targeted regardless of women and children in those areas -- Anderson.

COOPER: All right. John Raedler, stay safe. Ominous words out of Baghdad tonight. Thanks very much, John.

Well, this news note. As we end a month that brought mixed news from Iraq, on the negative side, 43 U.S. soldiers killed during October. A dozen car bombs exploded in Baghdad. On the positive, electrical service was restored to near pre-war levels. Fifteen hundred schools reopened and Iraqi children receive 22 million vaccinations.

We move on to southern California, where firefighters are finally getting a sense that they can actually tame the flames. The weather may finally be helping them get the upper hand on seven fires that are still burning out of control. Dense fog and rain are now on their side, and the nasty winds are gone, which is certainly good news.

The smoky mess still lingers, as you can see by these time-lapsed images. This video from a tower cam shows just what fire crews and residents are facing: dense black plumes of smoke and fears it could be heading their way.

President Bush plans to travel to California Tuesday, see the destruction for himself. Meanwhile, many people, even those on the frontlines, are wondering if it all could have been prevented. We have more on that tonight from CNN's Frank Buckley, who is following the fires and the fight against them.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It has consumed more than 275,000 acres, killed 14 people, destroyed more than 1,600 homes. In San Diego County, sheriff's department helicopter pilots, Dave Weldon and Gene Palos, say they could have dropped water on the blaze soon after it started, before it became this monster blaze.

It was only 50 square yards in size. Weldon spotted it and called dispatch for a water drop. But he says he was told that U.S. Forest Service rules prohibited such a drop after sunset hours.

DAVE WELDON, SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT: We were told that it was -- they would not be responding because of the cut-off time was too close to sunset.

BUCKLEY: Palos in another helicopter says he was headed to the scene and could have dropped water but he was ordered to stand down.

GENE PALOS, SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT.: As I was going over the top of Gillespie (ph), I was told to disengage from our communication center, relayed from Forest Service. I don't know if I could have made difference. Anything is better than nothing.

BUCKLEY: Questions also being raised about the actions of federal officials in this fire in San Bernardino County that killed four people and destroyed more than 850 homes. FEMA officials declined a request from Governor Gray Davis last spring for $430 million to remove dead trees from forests that were likely to burn.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Well, Frank joins us now. Frank, pretty harsh criticisms. What has the response been, if anything, from these two federal agencies?

BUCKLEY: Well, from FEMA, FEMA's position is that they denied this request from Governor Davis because the U.S. governments was already providing a great deal of money to the state of California to fight the bark beetle infestation. Those are the beetles that in fact killed up to 50 percent of the trees in this area. They created for a very difficult fire condition for the firefighters because you had all of these dead trees that went up very quickly. They say that that money had -- a great deal of money had already been allocated on that front here in California. Also, they say that, even if more money had been allocated, that wouldn't have prevented the fire that took place here in San Bernardino County.

U.S. Forest Service officials were still awaiting an official news conference sometime later this evening. But they've told The Associated Press and the "Los Angeles Times" that these rules are in place to protect firefighters. They say it's unsafe for these helicopters to be flying at night and dropping water.

That's why the rules exist. And at this point, that's why they enforced the rules in San Diego County.

COOPER: All right. Frank Buckley thanks very much.

Now, while the fires continue to rage on, the losses of course continue to grow. So far, 20 people have died, including one firefighter. At least 2,700 homes are destroyed and almost three- quarters of a million acres have burned.

We move now to the economy. Yesterday we reported the strongest quarterly growth this country has seen in almost two decades. Today another report says Americans cut back on their spending last month. CNN's Christine Romans is here to sort it out for us.

OK, Christine, two seemingly conflicting reports. What should we make of them?

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNNFN CORRESPONDENT: Well, I guess let's start, Anderson, with what's going right in the economy. I mean, you've got the quickest growth in this economy since Ronald Reagan was president, "Like a Virgin" was topping the charts and "Thriller" was the best album.

GDP up 7.2 percent. Manufacturing stabilizing. And the mergers are coming back. And some say that's a sign that business executives are starting to feel better about the business environment, and that's a good thing ultimately, at least for Wall Street.

But then on Main Street, you have this report today about personal spending down about 0.3 percent. You have some concerns that maybe, just maybe, tax cuts is fueling a lot of the growth in this economy, and that could be temporary. You've also got a huge mutual fund scandal to contend with. And some folks worry that that could pull money out of the stock market.

But at least for now, Anderson, you've got stocks up 5 percent this month, up 17 percent over the past year for the Dow. So the stock market is telling you that things are getting better in the economy. Main Street, I don't know how quick they are to believe that. But Wall Street is telling me that things are getting better, and some of the numbers are bearing that out.

COOPER: Democratic candidates are quick to point out that job levels still very high. But there are others who say, look, with these kind of numbers, the jobs are -- it's inevitable that unemployment rate is going to go lower.

ROMANS: Well, here's the conundrum though. I mean, we've never had an economic recovery that didn't already have jobs starting to be created already. You've got the job loss situation, something that people are closely watching. But some folks are concerned that job losses are never going to really stop as much as they should.

I mean, people are worried that these jobs are going overseas and aren't going to come back. Yet other people are saying that maybe next year things will start to improve. And in September we did see a bit of jobs creation. We'll get an October jobs report in just another week or so.

So that's going to be very key to watch. But so far, it's still a jobless recovery. And people still hoping that jobs are going to come back next year. But we haven't seen it yet.

COOPER: All right. Christine Romans, thanks very much.

ROMANS: You're welcome.

COOPER: Well, there could be some closure soon to one of the darkest stories of recent memory. You probably remember this one. Forty-eight women, most of whom lived on the streets, murdered in the Seattle area. Now it seems one man may admit he is behind all of the deaths, the infamous Green River killer.

Judy Woodruff brings us up to date.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WOODRUFF (voice-over): The numbers alone are staggering. Forty- eight women murdered all linked to one man. The notorious Green River killer case may finally be drawing to a conclusion.

A source close to the case tells CNN that this man, 54-year-old Gary Leon Ridgway, a truck painter, will plead guilty next week to killing 48 women. Authorities in King County, Washington believe that many and possibly more women were killed in the Seattle area by one person starting in the early 1980s ending with the discovery in August, 1998 of the body of Patricia Yellow Robe.

JOE YELLOW ROBE, VICTIM'S FATHER (voice-over): I find it incredible that, you know, an individual was able to cause that many deaths, perpetrate that much suffering and misery on so many people.

WOODRUFF: Gary Ridgway was not arrested until November, 2001. He was originally charged with seven murders but local media reports that he's been cooperating with authorities in recent months leading them to remains. Asked about the deal by CNN affiliate KING, Ridgway's attorneys were evasive.

It's our understanding that he is going to take responsibility for 48 murders, some of them quite recent.

TODD GRUENHAGEN, GARY RIDGWAY'S ATTORNEY: You know I watched the news and I understand that that's your understanding.

WOODRUFF: Is it true?

GRUENHAGEN: I don't have any comment on that.

WOODRUFF: CNN made several calls to the Green River investigation task force of the King County Sheriff's Office and to the King County prosecutor's office to confirm the plea deal. Neither office would comment on the case but a source close to the case tells CNN Ridgway will admit to 48 murders, avoid the death penalty, and face a sentence of life without parole.

Veteran prosecutors say if true this agreement would make it much more difficult to obtain death sentences in other murder cases in Washington State.

GERALD HORN, PROSECUTOR, PIERCE COUNTY, WASHINGTON: And so the question will come up, well if Ridgway didn't get it how could somebody else get it, so of course it's a concern.

WOODRUFF: In the meantime, dozens of families may finally get some resolution on the fate of missing loved ones.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Well, some other developments to tell you about. Let's take a quick trip "Cross country."

New York: nuclear export busted. An engineer is arrested at his home, accused of illegally mailing blueprints for nuclear valves to North Korea two weeks ago. Federal prosecutors allege the information could be used to construct a nuclear facility in North Korea.

We go to Miami, Florida. A nutty drug smuggling scheme, literally. Federal agents discover $20,000 worth of cocaine disguised as snack-sized peanut bags on an (UNINTELLIGIBLE) flight from Colombia to Miami. Now, Customs agents say more than two and a half pounds of coke were hidden in 51 peanut bags. That drug-sniffing dog right there alerted authorities to the bags. No arrest so far.

Well, Salt Lake City, Utah, a bribery case of Olympic proportions. A trial gets under way for two men accused of waging a sophisticated bribery campaign to win the contract for the 2002 winter games. They face 15 felony charges, including racketeering and fraud.

And that's a look at stories "Cross Country" tonight.

A Hollywood actor facing murder charges, and a bizarre shooting outside the courthouse. Have you seen this tape? Unbelievable. We'll show it to you in just a bit. We'll go live to L.A., where it all unfolded right in front of a CNN camera crew.

Also, "Rock the Vote." Will concern over the economy drive young voters to the polls? What do the new numbers mean for the Democrats? We'll take a closer look.

Plus, how can a marriage survive infidelity? Part of our weeklong series, "Broken Vows: Infidelity in America."

First, let's take a look "Inside the Box" of the top stories on tonight's network newscasts.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Dramatic developments inside and outside a California courtroom today. Did you see the tape? Inside, actor Robert Blake learned he still is going to face trial for allegedly murdering his wife, though a conspiracy charge was dropped. Outside the courthouse is what had all of us glued to the screen today.

Charles Feldman is in L.A. with the unbelievable story of this tape you're watching right now -- Charles.

CHARLES FELDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Anderson, it was very bizarre and it was captured by CNN cameraman John Sandoval (ph), who did an outstanding job rolling while this was going on in front of his very eyes.

What you just saw was an attorney -- that's the guy now walking with his hands up. He was shot several times allegedly by the man now walking away with the tan jacket. That man was subsequently apprehended by police. And the man who was shot, who is an attorney, a civil attorney, is now in stable condition in a hospital. We are told that while his wounds are somewhat serious, they are not life threatening.

Now, according to the police, Anderson, what happened was that this man, who again in the tan jacket is the alleged shooter, his sister, we are told, was apparently a client of the attorney. They had a probate case this morning in Van Nuys court, the very same courthouse where the Blake proceeding was going on.

Apparently, the brother was not, according to the police, happy with the outcome of the case involving his sister. And somewhere along the line he acquired a pistol, the police say, and tried to kill the attorney, but was not successful. And as you can see in this bit of tape, this is when he was apprehended by people from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and others.

They went in hot pursuit, retrieved the gun from his right pocket, and there lying on the floor of course is the injured attorney shot several times in the upper body. But again, we are told, almost miraculously, that his injuries are not life threatening. He is cooperating with the police, and the man in the tan jacket is now under arrest and is being questioned by the cops.

COOPER: Charles, at what time of the day did this occur? I mean, I guess the Robert Blake trial was happening inside. So all these camera crews were around. I think the CNN camera was one of the few that actually caught this.

Where was this happening?

FELDMAN: It was in the morning here in L.A.. And as you pointed out, we were all inside. All the reporters and camera crews were outside waiting for Robert Blake to emerge after the proceeding. And all of a sudden, according to our cameraman, this event unfolded.

Everybody there thought it was some sort of a Halloween prank. And this being Hollywood, some people probably also thought that it was some kind of a Hollywood event. But it was very quickly obvious that this was deadly serious. Although when you look at the guy who is walking now, the attorney who was shot, it almost looks like he wasn't injured because he seems to have his wits about him.

He doesn't appear at first to have been particularly injured. But later on when you see him lying on the floor bleeding, it becomes all too obvious that he in fact was hit several times by the gun. But again, he's expected to survive.

COOPER: And he may not have even known he was hit himself. Adrenaline often will do that early on.

FELDMAN: Absolutely.

COOPER: Charles Feldman, thanks very much. Just unbelievable images. Thanks very much for that tonight.

A lot of international stories to tell you about. Let's check the "UpLink."

Japan: a stunt gone terribly wrong. I hate to even look at this video. A plane free falls, hits a light pole during the practice run. The pilot is badly injured. No one on the ground was hurt, however, we should point out.

To the United Nations now. Opium worries. The U.N. says cultivation of the crop used to make heroin is spreading like a cancer in Afghanistan. That, despite efforts to stop its spread.

Havana, Cuba: the American dream lives. Remember the truckonaut (ph) Cuban, the guy who rigged a '52 Chevy truck on to a boat and set sail for the Florida coast? Well, he was captured and sent back, but told to go through properly channels. He did. He's expected to receive a U.S. visa on Monday.

London, England: Spiderman rules. He's got traffic blocked on Tower Bridge while he casts his web of protests from high atop a giant crane. His name is David -- I don't know if you can see him there -- he's in a Spiderman costume. He's from a group called Fathers for Justice. He's said to be protesting about access to his daughter, whose favorite action hero is, of course -- you can figure it out, Spiderman.

That is tonight's "UpLink."

Catholic school girls fighting back. We'll take you inside the courthouse of today's action.

Also, countdown to "Rock the Vote." Is it the economy for young voters? We'll take a closer look. And could you forgive a cheating spouse? Part of our weeklong series, "Broken Vows: Infidelity in America."

First, today's buzz. Is it easier to forgive a spouse who cheats for love or for lust? Vote now: cnn.com/360. We'll have the results at the end of the program.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: On to our weeklong look at "Broken Vows: Infidelity in America." Tonight, surviving an affair. It's the most intimate kind of betrayal, of course. But it doesn't have to be a relationship death sentence. Some couples have gotten beyond infidelity, including Jim and Patty Klein.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): Jim Klein, an ordained minister, was shocked and outraged by his wife's note. In it, she said she was leaving him for another man.

JIM KLEIN, SURVIVING INFIDELITY: I think the hard thing is the whole issue of trust and forgiveness. Because it's a dynamic thing.

COOPER: They'd been married seven years. Patty says she was craving attention. She found it at work and began a series of affairs that would last four years.

PATTY KLEIN, SURVIVING INFIDELITY: I was pretty good at hiding everything until I got real attached to this one person and then I call -- I call it hitting bottom, where I just couldn't live with the guilty anymore.

COOPER: For Jim, it was tough getting over the anger and pain. But in the end, he didn't want to give up on the marriage.

J. KLEIN: I loved her. I always had. And I didn't want to lose her.

COOPER (on camera): Jim and Patty both credit their faith with keeping them together. It was, however, a long and difficult road.

J. KLEIN: Patty had asked me, she said, "Look, if I stay, you can't use this as club. You can't use this when we get in a fight. You can't try to beat me up with this kind of stuff verbally." And I promised her I wouldn't.

P. KLEIN: (AUDIO GAP) member services. I'll make sure you get...

COOPER: Patty had to commit to changing her behavior (AUDIO GAP).

P. KLEIN: I am a secretary. I work with men most of the time. I made a real point to make it (AUDIO GAP).

COOPER: (AUDIO GAP) emerge stronger than before.

J. KLEIN: I would never want to go through this. I mean it's not something you wish on anybody. But I think our relationship is more authentic than it ever was.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Over the past nine years, the Kleins have led a support group at their church in California helping couples deal with adultery. For more on surviving infidelity, we're joined now by Bob Berkowitz. He's the host of "Naked New York," which looks at relationships, sexuality and morality. He's also the contributing editor for "Complete Woman" magazine.

Welcome, Bob. Thanks for being with us.

BOB BERKOWITZ, HOST, "NAKED NEW YORK": Good to be here, Anderson.

COOPER: How do you know whether you should forgive someone or walk away?

BERKOWITZ: Well, it's interesting. One of the things we learned from the Monica Lewinsky-Bill Clinton affair is that most Americans say that they would stay with their spouse if they found out their spouse was cheating on them. And I think -- obviously, it's a betrayal, as you said in the introduction. It's the most intimate betrayal.

But it's also an opportunity. It's an opportunity to really take a look at your marriage and figure out how to really make this work. Stop the lying, stop the withholding, some the hurting. And really maybe...

COOPER: But can you trust again? I mean, I guess some people can.

BERKOWITZ: Yes, some people can. It is not easy getting over that. And as he said, you can't use it as a club. You can't keep reminding the person, but you cheated on me.

COOPER: Right. I find it amazing that -- I mean, almost impossible not to at times. I mean, it must just pop out.

BERKOWITZ: Yes. It's going to. But ultimately, ultimately, you have to forgive. If you cannot make forgiveness part of the deal, then it is...

COOPER: But what about the person who had the affair? What do you think they have to do?

BERKOWITZ: Well, I think they have to take a look at what -- why they did it, what went wrong in their relationship, why did they have to find something on the outside to validate them, to make them feel better about themselves. I think most people go for affairs because they don't feel good about themselves, so looking for some outside validation.

It's a bad reason. It's an awful thing to do. But I think that's why a lot of people do it.

COOPER: What do you think the biggest mistake is people make in trying to reconcile?

BERKOWITZ: Well, I think they don't take an honest look at their relationship. I do think they should get counseling, because I think sometimes you need that independent third party to really take a look and be able to listen to both sides and so they can hear each other. And once they hear each other, they have a chance to not only get back the relationship, but build a much better one.

COOPER: And as for the Kleins, faith certainly played a huge role.

BERKOWITZ: For them it did. For many couples it would as well.

COOPER: All right. Bob Berkowitz, thanks very much.

BERKOWITZ: Good to be here.

COOPER: All right. That brings us to today's buzz topic. Is it easier to forgive a spouse who cheats for love or for lust? Log on to cnn.com/360, give us your vote. We'll have the results at the end of the program.

Crucial testimony in Modesto, California. The very latest on the Scott Peterson murder case. Prosecutors questioning some of the last people to see Laci Peterson alive.

And "America Rocks the Vote": what the economy means for young voters, some of whom are trying to get jobs for the first time.

And Ripley is back and badder than ever. "Alien" one of the films we'll talk about in the "Weekender" tonight.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Here is a look at some of our top stories in "The Reset." Los Angeles, California. Courthouse shooting. A 60 year-old man was arrested today after police say he seriously wounded an attorney outside an L.A. courthouse. You see it happening right in front of you. It was photographed by our CNN news crew, which was at the courthouse for the Robert Blake murder case. This shooting apparently had nothing to do with that case.

Baghdad, Iraq. Deadly clashes. Coalition forces using tanks and helicopters clash with an Iraqi mob outside Baghdad for several hours today. Sources say 14 Iraqis died. The violence reportedly began when a crowd started throwing rocks at a coalition patrol.

St. Petersburg, Florida. Guardian appointed. A judge has appointed a university professor to serve as an advisory guardian for Terri Schiavo, who has been in a vegetative state since 1990. Florida Governor Jeb Bush recently ordered Schiavo's feeding tube reattached, despite the protests of her husband.

And that's a look at our "Reset."

Now, to justice served and to Modesto, California. It's been a crucial day of testimony in Scott Peterson's preliminary hearing, as prosecutors questioned some of the last people to see Laci Peterson alive. CNN's David Mattingly has details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Since the early weeks of Laci Peterson's disappearance, scrutiny of her husband's questionable behavior has kept Scott Peterson under intense public suspicion. And in court, more questions now about why Peterson didn't tell his closest relatives about purchasing a fishing boat two weeks before Laci disappeared. Scott appearing to get emotional as his own father, Lee Peterson, took the stand saying Scott said nothing of owning a boat even during a phone call on Christmas Eve. The elder Peterson said the call came between noon at 2 p.m., around the time Scott claimed to be fishing.

Prosecutors also tried to cast doubt on Scott's claim that he last saw Laci as she was preparing to walk the family dog. Laci's mother, Sharon Rocha, said the pregnant Laci complained of fatigue, back pain, morning sickness, swelling feet, and that once said she became ill while walking and thought she would pass out.

Laci's sister, Amy Rocha, also on the stand saying Scott Peterson failed to pick up a gift basket as promised on Christmas Eve. She said Peterson claimed he planned to play golf, not go fishing.

(on camera): Also heard from, the Peterson's maid, questioned about cleaning materials she used December 23 and about the position of window blinds. Her testimony is considered very important, as she is the last known witness to see Laci alive in the house where police believe she could have been killed.

David Mattingly, CNN, Modesto, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: As we say, a crucial day in the hearing. Where are we headed? CNN's 360 legal analyst Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom joins us now. Kimberly, good to see you.

Amy Rocha, her testimony, Laci Peterson's sister. How crucial, what were the most important parts?

KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE NEWSOM, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: I think it was very important testimony, and something that when it goes to trial, the jurors are going to be anxious to hear about.

The basic thing I think that was most important was the fact that Scott Peterson basically was caught in a direct contradiction. He told Laci's sister, Amy, that he was going golfing, and in fact he alleges that he went fishing the next day, which also ties in to what Lee Peterson testified to, that during that time when Scott was supposed to be fishing, he never mentioned that he was doing it and never told any of the family about actually having a boat.

COOPER: Yeah, remarkable to hear when you consider that is Scott Peterson's father saying that.

NEWSOM: But he was an excellent witness. And Geragos elicited excellent cross-examination by suggesting and basically getting out there that in fact Lee Peterson says it wasn't unusual that Scott didn't tell him about purchasing this boat, because Scott had purchased a car, a motorcycle and another boat before, having never told the family. So I think that was very helpful and it's really starting to pull apart some of the prosecution's case. And a lot of this is just not adding up to much.

COOPER: You did, though, you mentioned Mark Geragos. He was able to get some information about Laci Peterson's condition, that she went shopping, and you know, seemed in relatively good shape.

NEWSOM: Yeah. I think that was also a very good point, because again, the statements that perhaps she was suffering from this morning sickness, she was very tired, would suggest that she would not go out and be walking the dog, that that's something -- an activity that made her feel worse, not better, which would contradict again Scott Peterson's claim that his wife went missing when she was walking their dog.

So again, in all balance today, the prosecution really didn't accomplish much. I think they're going to have to show a lot more to get this case held to answer, and they're far way from establishing beyond a reasonable doubt.

COOPER: All right, we'll leave it there. Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom, thanks very much, great to see you.

NEWSOM: Thanks.

COOPER: All right. All week, we've been looking at the youth vote in this country, leading of course to next Tuesday's "America Rocks the Vote." Today we are taking a closer look at money and the young. CNN's Candy Crowley reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Economic growth rocketed in the third quarter. The market has been on a tear, and consumer confidence is up.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm not sure what to believe. They say it's getting better, but it might not be.

CROWLEY: In September, the U.S. economy created 57,000 jobs, the first increase in eight months.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A lot of my friends are out there, and have been struggling to find jobs for quite sometime, for over a year now. CROWLEY: Almost three-quarters of Americans age 18 to 29 polled earlier this week said economic conditions right now are only fair to poor, almost precisely what their parents and grandparents say. And young Americans sound a lot like old ones when you ask their biggest economic worry.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Paying my current bills.

CROWLEY: Debt and savings.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't have any money saved up. I've been using it all for school. And it's just going to be really, really hard.

CROWLEY: And earnings.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My main economic worry is probably that there are just not enough jobs around.

CROWLEY: Still, youthful optimism is a cliche for a reason.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm positive. I mean, the U.S. economy always bounces back, you know.

CROWLEY: As a group, young Americans are 10 percent more optimistic than their elders. Fifty-eight percent of the 18 to 29 set told the CNN Gallup survey they think things are getting better.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My main economic worry? The price of cigarettes.

CROWLEY: There may be some disappointment.

Candy Crowley, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: All right, here comes my big plug. Yes, again, I hope you'll join me next Tuesday, that's November 4, 7:00 p.m., right here on CNN. I'll be hosting "America Rocks the Vote" live from Boston, where the Democratic contenders will square off and answer questions from young American voters. And you can now rock the vote from your cell phone. If you want to receive text message alerts and vote in our online poll, you can sign up now at cnn.com/360. Click on the rock the vote link. You can also text message me now your questions for the candidates by sending them to CNNTV, which is 26688 on your mobile phone keypad.

All right, still to come this evening, a message to anyone looking to make trouble in South Philly. Watch out for the girls from this high school.

And who is to blame for the media circus surrounding Benifer? An authority on discretion weighs in.

Also tonight, Anthony Hopkins as an African-American passing as a white man? Nicole Kidman passing as a janitor? One of the movies we'll be looking at in tonight's "Weekender."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: All right. You're looking at some images from the famous Halloween celebrations going on right now in Greenwich Village in New York City. I don't know even what the guy on left is supposed to be. Maybe Cher. All right. I think it's a guy. Who know?

All right. It being Halloween, when we heard this story, a movie title flashed into our heads: "Attack of the Angry Catholic School Girls." Yesterday, a posse of Catholic high school girls in South Philly chased down, tackled and punched a man described by police as a sexual predator. He apparently flashed the girls one too many times. We should point out their principal does not condone what they did.

We're joined now by two of the students, Kelly and Jeanine Simone.

Appreciate you joining us. Good to meet you.

Kelly, how many times before this incident had this guy been around the school flashing himself?

KELLY SIMONE, ST. MARIA GORETTI STUDENT: About five, six times.

COOPER: And Jeanine, what finally made you -- made you all decide to run after him?

JEANINE SIMONE, ST. MARIA GORETTI STUDENT: Well, when we went to the corner and Bobby (ph) said that he caught the guy everybody was there and everybody they -- everybody just crowded around him and attacked him.

COOPER: Kelly, I mean, have you ever -- did you think much about this in advance? I mean, you know, the principal says this was not a smart thing to do. He said it was going too far. Do you regret it at all?

K. SIMONE: No.

COOPER: What did police say when they first came on the scene, Kelly?

K. SIMONE: They were proud of us because they were all girl cops.

COOPER: The -- it was all female police officer and they said they were proud of you?

K. SIMONE: Yes.

COOPER: How badly did this guy get injured? I mean, I guess there were quite a lot of you from this girl's school. What did you do to him?

K. SIMONE: Well, we stormed him. Punched him. And then some guy came up (UNINTELLIGIBLE). And then he started running and we all caught him and from what I hear, his tooth fell out.

COOPER: He is in custody. He's going to be charged apparently with a number of charges. Any regrets, Jeanine.

J. SIMONE: No, no regrets.

COOPER: No? What -- I mean, what does everyone else in the school say? I mean, I know the principal's, you know, come out and said he -- you know, this was too far, you shouldn't have done what you today did. Do you get from that from the teachers and your fellow students?

K. SIMONE: No. They think we're heroes for doing it.

COOPER: Yes?

K. SIMONE: Yes.

COOPER: And your parents? Kelly, what do they think?

K. SIMONE: Oh, they're real proud of us.

COOPER: Jeanine, same?

J. SIMONE: Yeah. They're real proud.

COOPER: Yes? All right. Well Kelly and Simone and Jeanine, appreciate you joining us. Thanks very much.

(CROSSTALK)

COOPER: Have a great Halloween.

(CROSSTALK)

COOPER: All right.

Still to come this evening, a thriller decades old made new again. One of the films in tonight's "Weekender." It's scary. "Alien" is back. That's right.

Also tonight, animated to "The Nth Degree." You don't think I'm animated enough? Oh, you will see.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get out of the way!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lambert! Lambert!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: Got scared there. You don't want Ripley on your bad side. That's for sure.

She makes a star appearance in tonight's "Weekender." So does Hayden Christensen, shattering some glass, Nicole Kidman going blue collar and America's favorite boy clown fish -- I don't know what that means -- coming to your living room.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): Out on DVD, "Finding Nemo." It's kind of the Moby Dick of animated fish films.

UNIDENTIFIED VOICE ACTOR: I've got to find my son Nemo.

UNIDENTIFIED VOICE ACTOR: Grab shell, dude.

COOPER: Also out on DVD, "Legally Blonde 2." It's Reese Witherspoon as lovely and litigious as ever.

REESE WITHERSPOON, ACTRESS: It's like I was saying to the Congresswoman the other day over caramel machiados, is bill writing superfun or what?

COOPER: In music, Bryan Adams return with "Rock n Roll." Let's hope the songs are a little more original than the title.

Also new, Sara Mclaughlin turns the volume down a notch with "Afterglow."

In books, perhaps we'll find out what drove Gordon Sumner to change his name to Sting. In stores, his new memoir, "Broken Music."

In movies, "The Human Stain" spreads into theaters. It's got Nicole Kidman and Anthony Hopkins. The question, will audiences believe Nicole Kidman playing a janitor?

Definitely not believable, Stephen Glass, the plagiarist whose story "Shattered Glass" hit theaters today.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's all crap. I can trace it if you make me. I'll find it all (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know what you're talk about, OK? Those are all real people.

COOPER: If plagiarism doesn't scare you half to death, there's always "Alien." The director's cut is out just in time for Halloween.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: All right. More on hot movies out this weekend. Earlier today, I spoke with "People" film critic Leah Rozen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: All right. So "Alien" the director's cut is out. It's, like, been 24 years since this film was made. LEAH ROZEN, FILM CRITICS: Yes. The movie opened in '79. They've gone back and added just a little bit of footage they shot originally and hadn't included.

COOPER: Does it hold up?

ROZEN: Oh, absolutely. I mean, it is still one of the scariest things going. And Sigourney Weaver -- I mean, as Ripley, she rocks.

COOPER: She definitely does that. It's also different than the horror movies that are being made today.

ROZEN: Well, you know, you realize that movies are shot differently now. I mean, they take their time in this one. In "Alien" they establish characters. You wait long time for that first really, really shocking scare, when let's just say something pops out of someone's chest.

COOPER: Yes. When it does pop out...

ROZEN: You're popping out of your seat.

COOPER: Yeah, it's pretty amazing. Pretty amazing.

All right, "The Human Stain," two big stars, in Anthony Hopkins and Nicole Kidman.

ROZEN: Yes, it has quite a pedigree. Oscar-winning stars and based on a novel by Phillip Roth, directed by Robert Benton. This is a film about older man, younger woman affair. But also the character played by Anthony Hopkins has a big secret.

COOPER: I don't want to hear it, I don't want to hear it, I don't want to hear it.

ROZEN: I'm not telling you. But the movie company has been publicizing, which is sort of interesting. It's a good film...

COOPER: But it's a twist. And they don't want the audience to know allegedly. But maybe they do.

ROZEN: But they've made a point out of telling -- for example, in "People" magazine this week, they have a whole story about the twist, whereas in my review I don't tell you what the twist is. Go figure.

It's an honorable movie. It's not a great movie. Kind of a B- plus.

COOPER: Nicole Kidman plays a janitor?

ROZEN: Nicole Kidman, yes, she pushes a broom...

COOPER: That's a stretch.

ROZEN: She pushes a broom, but she does it well. COOPER: It's good to know.

Last movie we want to talk about, "Shattered Glass." I didn't want to originally see this movie because I thought giving money to this guy who was a cheat and a liar and a plagiarist kind of stuck in my craw.

ROZEN: Stephen Glass, Stephen Glass, this lying journalist, but he's not making money off this movie. They based it simply on the news events. It's a good movie. I liked this film. I think it's really one of the best films about journalist since "All the President's Men."

COOPER: Really? That's actually incredibly impressive.

ROZEN: No, it's a movie that shows you how the process works, and why it's really important that it works properly. In "All the President's Men," Woodward and Bernstein were the heroes. In this movie, Stephen Glass is the villain.

COOPER: But it's really tough to make a movie about journalism that's accurate and interesting.

ROZEN: Well, and in the end, you realize journalism is about trust in the journalists. The journalists have to be doing the right thing, and in this case he wasn't.

But in this, you see the process by which they uncover the story of his lying. So it's not about his writing the stories, it's uncovering the stories of his lying, how it all transpired.

COOPER: So that's the one you'd recommend most?

ROZEN: "Shattered Glass," absolutely.

COOPER: All right, Leah Rozen, thanks very much.

ROZEN: You're welcome.

COOPER: All right. J.Lo and Be Af get a bit of a talking to from an unlikely source, and that's the story leading off tonight's check of the pop culture "Current."

Who is to blame for the media maelstrom over J.Lo and Ben? Noted arbiter of discretion and Britain's favorite dotty recluse Madonna said this of the overhyped duo, quote, "Well, to a certain extent, they courted the attention. At the end of the day, there needs to be part of the relationship that you keep private." You know, when Madonna says you're overexposed, you're in trouble.

"The New York Post" reported today that Gennifer Flowers is negotiating to star in an off-Broadway musical. The title? I kid you not, "Boobs, the World According to Ruth Wallace." The show's publicist may be salivating. Flowers is apparently unsure. "It's a big decision," she said. "I love New York and I really like 'Boobs,' but I have to think very carefully." America holds its breath. Russian officials have told trick or treaters no, no, not yet. The BBC reports that in Moscow, both school and church officials have banned Halloween. The Russian Orthodox Church says it glorifies evil spirits. Now, all those kids will have to figure out what to do with their Vladimir Putin masks.

And speaking of Halloween, did you see Barbara Walters on "The View" today? Yeah, that's her. The television pioneer all dolled up like Marilyn Monroe. Who knew the woman who once interviewed Yasser Arafat can be so naughty-licious?

Yeah, I just said Barbara Walters with naughty-licioius.

This weekend, thousands of runners will give it their all in the New York City marathon. One of them is looking for a lot of five, fives. Asher Lipman (ph) will be sporting a special glove that will keep track of how many hand slaps he gets during the 26-mile trek. He's raising money for a camp that helps children who lost a loved one on 9/11. Donors are pledging money for each high five he gets. His goal is $10,000. So, hey, if all goes well, Lipman (ph) will have very sore legs and a sore hand, but it would be all for a very good cause.

And coming up, more animated than you've ever seen me. That's "The Nth Degree." Plus, on Monday, we'll be live from Boston as we gear up for our big event. In case we haven't mentioned it already -- and I think we have -- Tuesday with young voters and the Democratic candidates.

First, today's buzz. Is it easier to forgive a spouse who cheats for love or for lust? Vote now cnn.com/360. The results in just a few moments.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: All right, time now for the buzz. We asked you, is it easier to forgive a spouse who cheats for love or for lust? Ten percent of you said love; 90 percent of you said lust. This is certainly not a scientific poll, just your buzz. We appreciate you logging on, though.

Now, to some of your instant feedback. A lot of passionate e- mail pouring in from women. P.U. from Manhattan wrote this, quote: "I do not understand how someone can cheat for love. Isn't it odd that one marries out of love and then one goes around and cheats to fulfill that love?"

Twice divorced Dot from Georgia had this to say -- "When it comes to husbands or companions, I'm not a sharer. Hit the road, Jack, and don't look back."

Send us your instant feedback anytime day or night. Log on to cnn.com/360.

Time for "The Nth Degree."

Finally tonight, animation to "The Nth Degree." Which we don't have.

Seems these days, everything is animated. At a murder trial, the defense makes a computer-generated version of events, and now there is a new video game called Tony Hawks' Underground out this week, that allows you to become a character, or in this case, me.

Here is an animated version of how I spend most weekends. As you can see, I like to keep it formal on the weekend. Not sure exactly why. I'm just more comfortable that way. Most weekends, it's just me and my board. A nose grind there, a caveman there. Oh, sure, maybe the occasional (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Like to catch a little air, you know.

Last week in Boston, I did run into this truck, and this guy got a little road rage. See if we can see that part.

Our legend Tony Hawk is a little tough to talk to, though.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where are you from?

COOPER: New York. But I'm scoping out Boston, because on Tuesday, November 4, I am moderating America Rocks the Vote, a youth forum for Democratic candidates, like Howard Dean, Joe Lieberman, Wesley Clark.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know that dude. He was my first sponsor too back in the '80s. Is he still into yoga?

COOPER: I don't know what you're talking about. Luckily, we're animated, so I'm just going to leave.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: Well, of course, it starts at 7 p.m., from Boston, historic (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Hall. Going to totally rock. Have a great evening.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com





California Preventable?>


Aired October 31, 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): The Green River killer: have the murders finally been solved?

Countdown to "Rock the Vote."

And our special series, "Broken Vows." Tonight, surviving infidelity.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: Live from the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is ANDERSON COOPER 360.

COOPER: Well, a good Friday evening to you. Thanks for joining us on 360.

A dramatic day in the Robert Blake murder case as much for what happened outside the courtroom as inside. We'll have details on that coming up.

First, we go to Iraq. A lot happening on the ground. Security on high alert. New concerns about what the U.S. Consulate in Baghdad is calling a day of resistance.

Rumors that Iraqi insurgents are planning new attacks this weekend. Still, U.S. soldiers are actively hunting for Saddam Hussein. Today, U.S. troops sealed off Ujah (ph), the village where the despotic dictator was born. U.S. officials believe some people there are in contact with Saddam, and they are issuing identity cards to try to control the movements of residence.

Also, one member of the 82nd Airborne Division was killed by a bomb in a town west of Baghdad. And sources say 14 Iraqis died in a day of mob clashes with coalition troops on the western outskirts of Baghdad. There are no reports of coalition casualties in that.

Also, a bomb exploded outside the mayor's office in Fallujah. Several people were wounded in a firefight that followed the blast. You can see some of the destruction there.

Now, our CNN crews have been told not to broadcast live during parts of the night for security reasons. For the latest, however, on this violent day, we go to CNN's John Raedler in Baghdad on the phone. John, tell us what intelligence sources warned might happen this weekend.

JOHN RAEDLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, there were two sources of this information, two official sources at this stage, Anderson. Today, the U.S. Consul in Baghdad issued the following statement -- I read it to you -- "There are a number of rumors of a day of resistance throughout Baghdad on Saturday and Sunday. U.S. citizens are encouraged to continue to maintain a high level of vigilance and continue to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness."

Sometime after that, the Australian government issued a warning to its citizens in this country, and it said that it has received credible reports of imminent terrorist threats to a particular district in Baghdad, the district of the Al Hamra Hotel (ph) in central Baghdad. The Australian government's report goes on to say, "These reports indicate a particular threat over the next two weeks beginning on the 1st of November. Australians are strongly advised to avoid the vicinity of the Al Hamra Hotel (ph) during this period, including all hotels in this area."

So two warnings from two particular governments. One of them quite specific as to an area.

In addition to that, Anderson, CNN was given a background briefing by a senior coalition military officer today on this particular issue. And a summary of what he told us, he said over the past 36 to 48 hours, there have been a number of rumors, and a significant amount of intelligence, coming in to the coalition pointing to attacks by foreign fighters on or around November 1st.

And he went on to say the threats are coming mostly to schools where men with their heads covered in cloth have come and threatened students, teachers and families. This coalition military official told us there is no specific language to the threats, but they are both verbal, as well as on paper, essentially saying that nobody will be safe. And police stations, schools, markets, mosques, hotels, and NGOs will be targeted regardless of women and children in those areas -- Anderson.

COOPER: All right. John Raedler, stay safe. Ominous words out of Baghdad tonight. Thanks very much, John.

Well, this news note. As we end a month that brought mixed news from Iraq, on the negative side, 43 U.S. soldiers killed during October. A dozen car bombs exploded in Baghdad. On the positive, electrical service was restored to near pre-war levels. Fifteen hundred schools reopened and Iraqi children receive 22 million vaccinations.

We move on to southern California, where firefighters are finally getting a sense that they can actually tame the flames. The weather may finally be helping them get the upper hand on seven fires that are still burning out of control. Dense fog and rain are now on their side, and the nasty winds are gone, which is certainly good news.

The smoky mess still lingers, as you can see by these time-lapsed images. This video from a tower cam shows just what fire crews and residents are facing: dense black plumes of smoke and fears it could be heading their way.

President Bush plans to travel to California Tuesday, see the destruction for himself. Meanwhile, many people, even those on the frontlines, are wondering if it all could have been prevented. We have more on that tonight from CNN's Frank Buckley, who is following the fires and the fight against them.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It has consumed more than 275,000 acres, killed 14 people, destroyed more than 1,600 homes. In San Diego County, sheriff's department helicopter pilots, Dave Weldon and Gene Palos, say they could have dropped water on the blaze soon after it started, before it became this monster blaze.

It was only 50 square yards in size. Weldon spotted it and called dispatch for a water drop. But he says he was told that U.S. Forest Service rules prohibited such a drop after sunset hours.

DAVE WELDON, SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT: We were told that it was -- they would not be responding because of the cut-off time was too close to sunset.

BUCKLEY: Palos in another helicopter says he was headed to the scene and could have dropped water but he was ordered to stand down.

GENE PALOS, SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT.: As I was going over the top of Gillespie (ph), I was told to disengage from our communication center, relayed from Forest Service. I don't know if I could have made difference. Anything is better than nothing.

BUCKLEY: Questions also being raised about the actions of federal officials in this fire in San Bernardino County that killed four people and destroyed more than 850 homes. FEMA officials declined a request from Governor Gray Davis last spring for $430 million to remove dead trees from forests that were likely to burn.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Well, Frank joins us now. Frank, pretty harsh criticisms. What has the response been, if anything, from these two federal agencies?

BUCKLEY: Well, from FEMA, FEMA's position is that they denied this request from Governor Davis because the U.S. governments was already providing a great deal of money to the state of California to fight the bark beetle infestation. Those are the beetles that in fact killed up to 50 percent of the trees in this area. They created for a very difficult fire condition for the firefighters because you had all of these dead trees that went up very quickly. They say that that money had -- a great deal of money had already been allocated on that front here in California. Also, they say that, even if more money had been allocated, that wouldn't have prevented the fire that took place here in San Bernardino County.

U.S. Forest Service officials were still awaiting an official news conference sometime later this evening. But they've told The Associated Press and the "Los Angeles Times" that these rules are in place to protect firefighters. They say it's unsafe for these helicopters to be flying at night and dropping water.

That's why the rules exist. And at this point, that's why they enforced the rules in San Diego County.

COOPER: All right. Frank Buckley thanks very much.

Now, while the fires continue to rage on, the losses of course continue to grow. So far, 20 people have died, including one firefighter. At least 2,700 homes are destroyed and almost three- quarters of a million acres have burned.

We move now to the economy. Yesterday we reported the strongest quarterly growth this country has seen in almost two decades. Today another report says Americans cut back on their spending last month. CNN's Christine Romans is here to sort it out for us.

OK, Christine, two seemingly conflicting reports. What should we make of them?

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNNFN CORRESPONDENT: Well, I guess let's start, Anderson, with what's going right in the economy. I mean, you've got the quickest growth in this economy since Ronald Reagan was president, "Like a Virgin" was topping the charts and "Thriller" was the best album.

GDP up 7.2 percent. Manufacturing stabilizing. And the mergers are coming back. And some say that's a sign that business executives are starting to feel better about the business environment, and that's a good thing ultimately, at least for Wall Street.

But then on Main Street, you have this report today about personal spending down about 0.3 percent. You have some concerns that maybe, just maybe, tax cuts is fueling a lot of the growth in this economy, and that could be temporary. You've also got a huge mutual fund scandal to contend with. And some folks worry that that could pull money out of the stock market.

But at least for now, Anderson, you've got stocks up 5 percent this month, up 17 percent over the past year for the Dow. So the stock market is telling you that things are getting better in the economy. Main Street, I don't know how quick they are to believe that. But Wall Street is telling me that things are getting better, and some of the numbers are bearing that out.

COOPER: Democratic candidates are quick to point out that job levels still very high. But there are others who say, look, with these kind of numbers, the jobs are -- it's inevitable that unemployment rate is going to go lower.

ROMANS: Well, here's the conundrum though. I mean, we've never had an economic recovery that didn't already have jobs starting to be created already. You've got the job loss situation, something that people are closely watching. But some folks are concerned that job losses are never going to really stop as much as they should.

I mean, people are worried that these jobs are going overseas and aren't going to come back. Yet other people are saying that maybe next year things will start to improve. And in September we did see a bit of jobs creation. We'll get an October jobs report in just another week or so.

So that's going to be very key to watch. But so far, it's still a jobless recovery. And people still hoping that jobs are going to come back next year. But we haven't seen it yet.

COOPER: All right. Christine Romans, thanks very much.

ROMANS: You're welcome.

COOPER: Well, there could be some closure soon to one of the darkest stories of recent memory. You probably remember this one. Forty-eight women, most of whom lived on the streets, murdered in the Seattle area. Now it seems one man may admit he is behind all of the deaths, the infamous Green River killer.

Judy Woodruff brings us up to date.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WOODRUFF (voice-over): The numbers alone are staggering. Forty- eight women murdered all linked to one man. The notorious Green River killer case may finally be drawing to a conclusion.

A source close to the case tells CNN that this man, 54-year-old Gary Leon Ridgway, a truck painter, will plead guilty next week to killing 48 women. Authorities in King County, Washington believe that many and possibly more women were killed in the Seattle area by one person starting in the early 1980s ending with the discovery in August, 1998 of the body of Patricia Yellow Robe.

JOE YELLOW ROBE, VICTIM'S FATHER (voice-over): I find it incredible that, you know, an individual was able to cause that many deaths, perpetrate that much suffering and misery on so many people.

WOODRUFF: Gary Ridgway was not arrested until November, 2001. He was originally charged with seven murders but local media reports that he's been cooperating with authorities in recent months leading them to remains. Asked about the deal by CNN affiliate KING, Ridgway's attorneys were evasive.

It's our understanding that he is going to take responsibility for 48 murders, some of them quite recent.

TODD GRUENHAGEN, GARY RIDGWAY'S ATTORNEY: You know I watched the news and I understand that that's your understanding.

WOODRUFF: Is it true?

GRUENHAGEN: I don't have any comment on that.

WOODRUFF: CNN made several calls to the Green River investigation task force of the King County Sheriff's Office and to the King County prosecutor's office to confirm the plea deal. Neither office would comment on the case but a source close to the case tells CNN Ridgway will admit to 48 murders, avoid the death penalty, and face a sentence of life without parole.

Veteran prosecutors say if true this agreement would make it much more difficult to obtain death sentences in other murder cases in Washington State.

GERALD HORN, PROSECUTOR, PIERCE COUNTY, WASHINGTON: And so the question will come up, well if Ridgway didn't get it how could somebody else get it, so of course it's a concern.

WOODRUFF: In the meantime, dozens of families may finally get some resolution on the fate of missing loved ones.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Well, some other developments to tell you about. Let's take a quick trip "Cross country."

New York: nuclear export busted. An engineer is arrested at his home, accused of illegally mailing blueprints for nuclear valves to North Korea two weeks ago. Federal prosecutors allege the information could be used to construct a nuclear facility in North Korea.

We go to Miami, Florida. A nutty drug smuggling scheme, literally. Federal agents discover $20,000 worth of cocaine disguised as snack-sized peanut bags on an (UNINTELLIGIBLE) flight from Colombia to Miami. Now, Customs agents say more than two and a half pounds of coke were hidden in 51 peanut bags. That drug-sniffing dog right there alerted authorities to the bags. No arrest so far.

Well, Salt Lake City, Utah, a bribery case of Olympic proportions. A trial gets under way for two men accused of waging a sophisticated bribery campaign to win the contract for the 2002 winter games. They face 15 felony charges, including racketeering and fraud.

And that's a look at stories "Cross Country" tonight.

A Hollywood actor facing murder charges, and a bizarre shooting outside the courthouse. Have you seen this tape? Unbelievable. We'll show it to you in just a bit. We'll go live to L.A., where it all unfolded right in front of a CNN camera crew.

Also, "Rock the Vote." Will concern over the economy drive young voters to the polls? What do the new numbers mean for the Democrats? We'll take a closer look.

Plus, how can a marriage survive infidelity? Part of our weeklong series, "Broken Vows: Infidelity in America."

First, let's take a look "Inside the Box" of the top stories on tonight's network newscasts.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Dramatic developments inside and outside a California courtroom today. Did you see the tape? Inside, actor Robert Blake learned he still is going to face trial for allegedly murdering his wife, though a conspiracy charge was dropped. Outside the courthouse is what had all of us glued to the screen today.

Charles Feldman is in L.A. with the unbelievable story of this tape you're watching right now -- Charles.

CHARLES FELDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Anderson, it was very bizarre and it was captured by CNN cameraman John Sandoval (ph), who did an outstanding job rolling while this was going on in front of his very eyes.

What you just saw was an attorney -- that's the guy now walking with his hands up. He was shot several times allegedly by the man now walking away with the tan jacket. That man was subsequently apprehended by police. And the man who was shot, who is an attorney, a civil attorney, is now in stable condition in a hospital. We are told that while his wounds are somewhat serious, they are not life threatening.

Now, according to the police, Anderson, what happened was that this man, who again in the tan jacket is the alleged shooter, his sister, we are told, was apparently a client of the attorney. They had a probate case this morning in Van Nuys court, the very same courthouse where the Blake proceeding was going on.

Apparently, the brother was not, according to the police, happy with the outcome of the case involving his sister. And somewhere along the line he acquired a pistol, the police say, and tried to kill the attorney, but was not successful. And as you can see in this bit of tape, this is when he was apprehended by people from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and others.

They went in hot pursuit, retrieved the gun from his right pocket, and there lying on the floor of course is the injured attorney shot several times in the upper body. But again, we are told, almost miraculously, that his injuries are not life threatening. He is cooperating with the police, and the man in the tan jacket is now under arrest and is being questioned by the cops.

COOPER: Charles, at what time of the day did this occur? I mean, I guess the Robert Blake trial was happening inside. So all these camera crews were around. I think the CNN camera was one of the few that actually caught this.

Where was this happening?

FELDMAN: It was in the morning here in L.A.. And as you pointed out, we were all inside. All the reporters and camera crews were outside waiting for Robert Blake to emerge after the proceeding. And all of a sudden, according to our cameraman, this event unfolded.

Everybody there thought it was some sort of a Halloween prank. And this being Hollywood, some people probably also thought that it was some kind of a Hollywood event. But it was very quickly obvious that this was deadly serious. Although when you look at the guy who is walking now, the attorney who was shot, it almost looks like he wasn't injured because he seems to have his wits about him.

He doesn't appear at first to have been particularly injured. But later on when you see him lying on the floor bleeding, it becomes all too obvious that he in fact was hit several times by the gun. But again, he's expected to survive.

COOPER: And he may not have even known he was hit himself. Adrenaline often will do that early on.

FELDMAN: Absolutely.

COOPER: Charles Feldman, thanks very much. Just unbelievable images. Thanks very much for that tonight.

A lot of international stories to tell you about. Let's check the "UpLink."

Japan: a stunt gone terribly wrong. I hate to even look at this video. A plane free falls, hits a light pole during the practice run. The pilot is badly injured. No one on the ground was hurt, however, we should point out.

To the United Nations now. Opium worries. The U.N. says cultivation of the crop used to make heroin is spreading like a cancer in Afghanistan. That, despite efforts to stop its spread.

Havana, Cuba: the American dream lives. Remember the truckonaut (ph) Cuban, the guy who rigged a '52 Chevy truck on to a boat and set sail for the Florida coast? Well, he was captured and sent back, but told to go through properly channels. He did. He's expected to receive a U.S. visa on Monday.

London, England: Spiderman rules. He's got traffic blocked on Tower Bridge while he casts his web of protests from high atop a giant crane. His name is David -- I don't know if you can see him there -- he's in a Spiderman costume. He's from a group called Fathers for Justice. He's said to be protesting about access to his daughter, whose favorite action hero is, of course -- you can figure it out, Spiderman.

That is tonight's "UpLink."

Catholic school girls fighting back. We'll take you inside the courthouse of today's action.

Also, countdown to "Rock the Vote." Is it the economy for young voters? We'll take a closer look. And could you forgive a cheating spouse? Part of our weeklong series, "Broken Vows: Infidelity in America."

First, today's buzz. Is it easier to forgive a spouse who cheats for love or for lust? Vote now: cnn.com/360. We'll have the results at the end of the program.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: On to our weeklong look at "Broken Vows: Infidelity in America." Tonight, surviving an affair. It's the most intimate kind of betrayal, of course. But it doesn't have to be a relationship death sentence. Some couples have gotten beyond infidelity, including Jim and Patty Klein.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): Jim Klein, an ordained minister, was shocked and outraged by his wife's note. In it, she said she was leaving him for another man.

JIM KLEIN, SURVIVING INFIDELITY: I think the hard thing is the whole issue of trust and forgiveness. Because it's a dynamic thing.

COOPER: They'd been married seven years. Patty says she was craving attention. She found it at work and began a series of affairs that would last four years.

PATTY KLEIN, SURVIVING INFIDELITY: I was pretty good at hiding everything until I got real attached to this one person and then I call -- I call it hitting bottom, where I just couldn't live with the guilty anymore.

COOPER: For Jim, it was tough getting over the anger and pain. But in the end, he didn't want to give up on the marriage.

J. KLEIN: I loved her. I always had. And I didn't want to lose her.

COOPER (on camera): Jim and Patty both credit their faith with keeping them together. It was, however, a long and difficult road.

J. KLEIN: Patty had asked me, she said, "Look, if I stay, you can't use this as club. You can't use this when we get in a fight. You can't try to beat me up with this kind of stuff verbally." And I promised her I wouldn't.

P. KLEIN: (AUDIO GAP) member services. I'll make sure you get...

COOPER: Patty had to commit to changing her behavior (AUDIO GAP).

P. KLEIN: I am a secretary. I work with men most of the time. I made a real point to make it (AUDIO GAP).

COOPER: (AUDIO GAP) emerge stronger than before.

J. KLEIN: I would never want to go through this. I mean it's not something you wish on anybody. But I think our relationship is more authentic than it ever was.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Over the past nine years, the Kleins have led a support group at their church in California helping couples deal with adultery. For more on surviving infidelity, we're joined now by Bob Berkowitz. He's the host of "Naked New York," which looks at relationships, sexuality and morality. He's also the contributing editor for "Complete Woman" magazine.

Welcome, Bob. Thanks for being with us.

BOB BERKOWITZ, HOST, "NAKED NEW YORK": Good to be here, Anderson.

COOPER: How do you know whether you should forgive someone or walk away?

BERKOWITZ: Well, it's interesting. One of the things we learned from the Monica Lewinsky-Bill Clinton affair is that most Americans say that they would stay with their spouse if they found out their spouse was cheating on them. And I think -- obviously, it's a betrayal, as you said in the introduction. It's the most intimate betrayal.

But it's also an opportunity. It's an opportunity to really take a look at your marriage and figure out how to really make this work. Stop the lying, stop the withholding, some the hurting. And really maybe...

COOPER: But can you trust again? I mean, I guess some people can.

BERKOWITZ: Yes, some people can. It is not easy getting over that. And as he said, you can't use it as a club. You can't keep reminding the person, but you cheated on me.

COOPER: Right. I find it amazing that -- I mean, almost impossible not to at times. I mean, it must just pop out.

BERKOWITZ: Yes. It's going to. But ultimately, ultimately, you have to forgive. If you cannot make forgiveness part of the deal, then it is...

COOPER: But what about the person who had the affair? What do you think they have to do?

BERKOWITZ: Well, I think they have to take a look at what -- why they did it, what went wrong in their relationship, why did they have to find something on the outside to validate them, to make them feel better about themselves. I think most people go for affairs because they don't feel good about themselves, so looking for some outside validation.

It's a bad reason. It's an awful thing to do. But I think that's why a lot of people do it.

COOPER: What do you think the biggest mistake is people make in trying to reconcile?

BERKOWITZ: Well, I think they don't take an honest look at their relationship. I do think they should get counseling, because I think sometimes you need that independent third party to really take a look and be able to listen to both sides and so they can hear each other. And once they hear each other, they have a chance to not only get back the relationship, but build a much better one.

COOPER: And as for the Kleins, faith certainly played a huge role.

BERKOWITZ: For them it did. For many couples it would as well.

COOPER: All right. Bob Berkowitz, thanks very much.

BERKOWITZ: Good to be here.

COOPER: All right. That brings us to today's buzz topic. Is it easier to forgive a spouse who cheats for love or for lust? Log on to cnn.com/360, give us your vote. We'll have the results at the end of the program.

Crucial testimony in Modesto, California. The very latest on the Scott Peterson murder case. Prosecutors questioning some of the last people to see Laci Peterson alive.

And "America Rocks the Vote": what the economy means for young voters, some of whom are trying to get jobs for the first time.

And Ripley is back and badder than ever. "Alien" one of the films we'll talk about in the "Weekender" tonight.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Here is a look at some of our top stories in "The Reset." Los Angeles, California. Courthouse shooting. A 60 year-old man was arrested today after police say he seriously wounded an attorney outside an L.A. courthouse. You see it happening right in front of you. It was photographed by our CNN news crew, which was at the courthouse for the Robert Blake murder case. This shooting apparently had nothing to do with that case.

Baghdad, Iraq. Deadly clashes. Coalition forces using tanks and helicopters clash with an Iraqi mob outside Baghdad for several hours today. Sources say 14 Iraqis died. The violence reportedly began when a crowd started throwing rocks at a coalition patrol.

St. Petersburg, Florida. Guardian appointed. A judge has appointed a university professor to serve as an advisory guardian for Terri Schiavo, who has been in a vegetative state since 1990. Florida Governor Jeb Bush recently ordered Schiavo's feeding tube reattached, despite the protests of her husband.

And that's a look at our "Reset."

Now, to justice served and to Modesto, California. It's been a crucial day of testimony in Scott Peterson's preliminary hearing, as prosecutors questioned some of the last people to see Laci Peterson alive. CNN's David Mattingly has details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Since the early weeks of Laci Peterson's disappearance, scrutiny of her husband's questionable behavior has kept Scott Peterson under intense public suspicion. And in court, more questions now about why Peterson didn't tell his closest relatives about purchasing a fishing boat two weeks before Laci disappeared. Scott appearing to get emotional as his own father, Lee Peterson, took the stand saying Scott said nothing of owning a boat even during a phone call on Christmas Eve. The elder Peterson said the call came between noon at 2 p.m., around the time Scott claimed to be fishing.

Prosecutors also tried to cast doubt on Scott's claim that he last saw Laci as she was preparing to walk the family dog. Laci's mother, Sharon Rocha, said the pregnant Laci complained of fatigue, back pain, morning sickness, swelling feet, and that once said she became ill while walking and thought she would pass out.

Laci's sister, Amy Rocha, also on the stand saying Scott Peterson failed to pick up a gift basket as promised on Christmas Eve. She said Peterson claimed he planned to play golf, not go fishing.

(on camera): Also heard from, the Peterson's maid, questioned about cleaning materials she used December 23 and about the position of window blinds. Her testimony is considered very important, as she is the last known witness to see Laci alive in the house where police believe she could have been killed.

David Mattingly, CNN, Modesto, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: As we say, a crucial day in the hearing. Where are we headed? CNN's 360 legal analyst Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom joins us now. Kimberly, good to see you.

Amy Rocha, her testimony, Laci Peterson's sister. How crucial, what were the most important parts?

KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE NEWSOM, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: I think it was very important testimony, and something that when it goes to trial, the jurors are going to be anxious to hear about.

The basic thing I think that was most important was the fact that Scott Peterson basically was caught in a direct contradiction. He told Laci's sister, Amy, that he was going golfing, and in fact he alleges that he went fishing the next day, which also ties in to what Lee Peterson testified to, that during that time when Scott was supposed to be fishing, he never mentioned that he was doing it and never told any of the family about actually having a boat.

COOPER: Yeah, remarkable to hear when you consider that is Scott Peterson's father saying that.

NEWSOM: But he was an excellent witness. And Geragos elicited excellent cross-examination by suggesting and basically getting out there that in fact Lee Peterson says it wasn't unusual that Scott didn't tell him about purchasing this boat, because Scott had purchased a car, a motorcycle and another boat before, having never told the family. So I think that was very helpful and it's really starting to pull apart some of the prosecution's case. And a lot of this is just not adding up to much.

COOPER: You did, though, you mentioned Mark Geragos. He was able to get some information about Laci Peterson's condition, that she went shopping, and you know, seemed in relatively good shape.

NEWSOM: Yeah. I think that was also a very good point, because again, the statements that perhaps she was suffering from this morning sickness, she was very tired, would suggest that she would not go out and be walking the dog, that that's something -- an activity that made her feel worse, not better, which would contradict again Scott Peterson's claim that his wife went missing when she was walking their dog.

So again, in all balance today, the prosecution really didn't accomplish much. I think they're going to have to show a lot more to get this case held to answer, and they're far way from establishing beyond a reasonable doubt.

COOPER: All right, we'll leave it there. Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom, thanks very much, great to see you.

NEWSOM: Thanks.

COOPER: All right. All week, we've been looking at the youth vote in this country, leading of course to next Tuesday's "America Rocks the Vote." Today we are taking a closer look at money and the young. CNN's Candy Crowley reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Economic growth rocketed in the third quarter. The market has been on a tear, and consumer confidence is up.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm not sure what to believe. They say it's getting better, but it might not be.

CROWLEY: In September, the U.S. economy created 57,000 jobs, the first increase in eight months.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A lot of my friends are out there, and have been struggling to find jobs for quite sometime, for over a year now. CROWLEY: Almost three-quarters of Americans age 18 to 29 polled earlier this week said economic conditions right now are only fair to poor, almost precisely what their parents and grandparents say. And young Americans sound a lot like old ones when you ask their biggest economic worry.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Paying my current bills.

CROWLEY: Debt and savings.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't have any money saved up. I've been using it all for school. And it's just going to be really, really hard.

CROWLEY: And earnings.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My main economic worry is probably that there are just not enough jobs around.

CROWLEY: Still, youthful optimism is a cliche for a reason.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm positive. I mean, the U.S. economy always bounces back, you know.

CROWLEY: As a group, young Americans are 10 percent more optimistic than their elders. Fifty-eight percent of the 18 to 29 set told the CNN Gallup survey they think things are getting better.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My main economic worry? The price of cigarettes.

CROWLEY: There may be some disappointment.

Candy Crowley, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: All right, here comes my big plug. Yes, again, I hope you'll join me next Tuesday, that's November 4, 7:00 p.m., right here on CNN. I'll be hosting "America Rocks the Vote" live from Boston, where the Democratic contenders will square off and answer questions from young American voters. And you can now rock the vote from your cell phone. If you want to receive text message alerts and vote in our online poll, you can sign up now at cnn.com/360. Click on the rock the vote link. You can also text message me now your questions for the candidates by sending them to CNNTV, which is 26688 on your mobile phone keypad.

All right, still to come this evening, a message to anyone looking to make trouble in South Philly. Watch out for the girls from this high school.

And who is to blame for the media circus surrounding Benifer? An authority on discretion weighs in.

Also tonight, Anthony Hopkins as an African-American passing as a white man? Nicole Kidman passing as a janitor? One of the movies we'll be looking at in tonight's "Weekender."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: All right. You're looking at some images from the famous Halloween celebrations going on right now in Greenwich Village in New York City. I don't know even what the guy on left is supposed to be. Maybe Cher. All right. I think it's a guy. Who know?

All right. It being Halloween, when we heard this story, a movie title flashed into our heads: "Attack of the Angry Catholic School Girls." Yesterday, a posse of Catholic high school girls in South Philly chased down, tackled and punched a man described by police as a sexual predator. He apparently flashed the girls one too many times. We should point out their principal does not condone what they did.

We're joined now by two of the students, Kelly and Jeanine Simone.

Appreciate you joining us. Good to meet you.

Kelly, how many times before this incident had this guy been around the school flashing himself?

KELLY SIMONE, ST. MARIA GORETTI STUDENT: About five, six times.

COOPER: And Jeanine, what finally made you -- made you all decide to run after him?

JEANINE SIMONE, ST. MARIA GORETTI STUDENT: Well, when we went to the corner and Bobby (ph) said that he caught the guy everybody was there and everybody they -- everybody just crowded around him and attacked him.

COOPER: Kelly, I mean, have you ever -- did you think much about this in advance? I mean, you know, the principal says this was not a smart thing to do. He said it was going too far. Do you regret it at all?

K. SIMONE: No.

COOPER: What did police say when they first came on the scene, Kelly?

K. SIMONE: They were proud of us because they were all girl cops.

COOPER: The -- it was all female police officer and they said they were proud of you?

K. SIMONE: Yes.

COOPER: How badly did this guy get injured? I mean, I guess there were quite a lot of you from this girl's school. What did you do to him?

K. SIMONE: Well, we stormed him. Punched him. And then some guy came up (UNINTELLIGIBLE). And then he started running and we all caught him and from what I hear, his tooth fell out.

COOPER: He is in custody. He's going to be charged apparently with a number of charges. Any regrets, Jeanine.

J. SIMONE: No, no regrets.

COOPER: No? What -- I mean, what does everyone else in the school say? I mean, I know the principal's, you know, come out and said he -- you know, this was too far, you shouldn't have done what you today did. Do you get from that from the teachers and your fellow students?

K. SIMONE: No. They think we're heroes for doing it.

COOPER: Yes?

K. SIMONE: Yes.

COOPER: And your parents? Kelly, what do they think?

K. SIMONE: Oh, they're real proud of us.

COOPER: Jeanine, same?

J. SIMONE: Yeah. They're real proud.

COOPER: Yes? All right. Well Kelly and Simone and Jeanine, appreciate you joining us. Thanks very much.

(CROSSTALK)

COOPER: Have a great Halloween.

(CROSSTALK)

COOPER: All right.

Still to come this evening, a thriller decades old made new again. One of the films in tonight's "Weekender." It's scary. "Alien" is back. That's right.

Also tonight, animated to "The Nth Degree." You don't think I'm animated enough? Oh, you will see.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get out of the way!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lambert! Lambert!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: Got scared there. You don't want Ripley on your bad side. That's for sure.

She makes a star appearance in tonight's "Weekender." So does Hayden Christensen, shattering some glass, Nicole Kidman going blue collar and America's favorite boy clown fish -- I don't know what that means -- coming to your living room.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): Out on DVD, "Finding Nemo." It's kind of the Moby Dick of animated fish films.

UNIDENTIFIED VOICE ACTOR: I've got to find my son Nemo.

UNIDENTIFIED VOICE ACTOR: Grab shell, dude.

COOPER: Also out on DVD, "Legally Blonde 2." It's Reese Witherspoon as lovely and litigious as ever.

REESE WITHERSPOON, ACTRESS: It's like I was saying to the Congresswoman the other day over caramel machiados, is bill writing superfun or what?

COOPER: In music, Bryan Adams return with "Rock n Roll." Let's hope the songs are a little more original than the title.

Also new, Sara Mclaughlin turns the volume down a notch with "Afterglow."

In books, perhaps we'll find out what drove Gordon Sumner to change his name to Sting. In stores, his new memoir, "Broken Music."

In movies, "The Human Stain" spreads into theaters. It's got Nicole Kidman and Anthony Hopkins. The question, will audiences believe Nicole Kidman playing a janitor?

Definitely not believable, Stephen Glass, the plagiarist whose story "Shattered Glass" hit theaters today.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's all crap. I can trace it if you make me. I'll find it all (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know what you're talk about, OK? Those are all real people.

COOPER: If plagiarism doesn't scare you half to death, there's always "Alien." The director's cut is out just in time for Halloween.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: All right. More on hot movies out this weekend. Earlier today, I spoke with "People" film critic Leah Rozen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: All right. So "Alien" the director's cut is out. It's, like, been 24 years since this film was made. LEAH ROZEN, FILM CRITICS: Yes. The movie opened in '79. They've gone back and added just a little bit of footage they shot originally and hadn't included.

COOPER: Does it hold up?

ROZEN: Oh, absolutely. I mean, it is still one of the scariest things going. And Sigourney Weaver -- I mean, as Ripley, she rocks.

COOPER: She definitely does that. It's also different than the horror movies that are being made today.

ROZEN: Well, you know, you realize that movies are shot differently now. I mean, they take their time in this one. In "Alien" they establish characters. You wait long time for that first really, really shocking scare, when let's just say something pops out of someone's chest.

COOPER: Yes. When it does pop out...

ROZEN: You're popping out of your seat.

COOPER: Yeah, it's pretty amazing. Pretty amazing.

All right, "The Human Stain," two big stars, in Anthony Hopkins and Nicole Kidman.

ROZEN: Yes, it has quite a pedigree. Oscar-winning stars and based on a novel by Phillip Roth, directed by Robert Benton. This is a film about older man, younger woman affair. But also the character played by Anthony Hopkins has a big secret.

COOPER: I don't want to hear it, I don't want to hear it, I don't want to hear it.

ROZEN: I'm not telling you. But the movie company has been publicizing, which is sort of interesting. It's a good film...

COOPER: But it's a twist. And they don't want the audience to know allegedly. But maybe they do.

ROZEN: But they've made a point out of telling -- for example, in "People" magazine this week, they have a whole story about the twist, whereas in my review I don't tell you what the twist is. Go figure.

It's an honorable movie. It's not a great movie. Kind of a B- plus.

COOPER: Nicole Kidman plays a janitor?

ROZEN: Nicole Kidman, yes, she pushes a broom...

COOPER: That's a stretch.

ROZEN: She pushes a broom, but she does it well. COOPER: It's good to know.

Last movie we want to talk about, "Shattered Glass." I didn't want to originally see this movie because I thought giving money to this guy who was a cheat and a liar and a plagiarist kind of stuck in my craw.

ROZEN: Stephen Glass, Stephen Glass, this lying journalist, but he's not making money off this movie. They based it simply on the news events. It's a good movie. I liked this film. I think it's really one of the best films about journalist since "All the President's Men."

COOPER: Really? That's actually incredibly impressive.

ROZEN: No, it's a movie that shows you how the process works, and why it's really important that it works properly. In "All the President's Men," Woodward and Bernstein were the heroes. In this movie, Stephen Glass is the villain.

COOPER: But it's really tough to make a movie about journalism that's accurate and interesting.

ROZEN: Well, and in the end, you realize journalism is about trust in the journalists. The journalists have to be doing the right thing, and in this case he wasn't.

But in this, you see the process by which they uncover the story of his lying. So it's not about his writing the stories, it's uncovering the stories of his lying, how it all transpired.

COOPER: So that's the one you'd recommend most?

ROZEN: "Shattered Glass," absolutely.

COOPER: All right, Leah Rozen, thanks very much.

ROZEN: You're welcome.

COOPER: All right. J.Lo and Be Af get a bit of a talking to from an unlikely source, and that's the story leading off tonight's check of the pop culture "Current."

Who is to blame for the media maelstrom over J.Lo and Ben? Noted arbiter of discretion and Britain's favorite dotty recluse Madonna said this of the overhyped duo, quote, "Well, to a certain extent, they courted the attention. At the end of the day, there needs to be part of the relationship that you keep private." You know, when Madonna says you're overexposed, you're in trouble.

"The New York Post" reported today that Gennifer Flowers is negotiating to star in an off-Broadway musical. The title? I kid you not, "Boobs, the World According to Ruth Wallace." The show's publicist may be salivating. Flowers is apparently unsure. "It's a big decision," she said. "I love New York and I really like 'Boobs,' but I have to think very carefully." America holds its breath. Russian officials have told trick or treaters no, no, not yet. The BBC reports that in Moscow, both school and church officials have banned Halloween. The Russian Orthodox Church says it glorifies evil spirits. Now, all those kids will have to figure out what to do with their Vladimir Putin masks.

And speaking of Halloween, did you see Barbara Walters on "The View" today? Yeah, that's her. The television pioneer all dolled up like Marilyn Monroe. Who knew the woman who once interviewed Yasser Arafat can be so naughty-licious?

Yeah, I just said Barbara Walters with naughty-licioius.

This weekend, thousands of runners will give it their all in the New York City marathon. One of them is looking for a lot of five, fives. Asher Lipman (ph) will be sporting a special glove that will keep track of how many hand slaps he gets during the 26-mile trek. He's raising money for a camp that helps children who lost a loved one on 9/11. Donors are pledging money for each high five he gets. His goal is $10,000. So, hey, if all goes well, Lipman (ph) will have very sore legs and a sore hand, but it would be all for a very good cause.

And coming up, more animated than you've ever seen me. That's "The Nth Degree." Plus, on Monday, we'll be live from Boston as we gear up for our big event. In case we haven't mentioned it already -- and I think we have -- Tuesday with young voters and the Democratic candidates.

First, today's buzz. Is it easier to forgive a spouse who cheats for love or for lust? Vote now cnn.com/360. The results in just a few moments.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: All right, time now for the buzz. We asked you, is it easier to forgive a spouse who cheats for love or for lust? Ten percent of you said love; 90 percent of you said lust. This is certainly not a scientific poll, just your buzz. We appreciate you logging on, though.

Now, to some of your instant feedback. A lot of passionate e- mail pouring in from women. P.U. from Manhattan wrote this, quote: "I do not understand how someone can cheat for love. Isn't it odd that one marries out of love and then one goes around and cheats to fulfill that love?"

Twice divorced Dot from Georgia had this to say -- "When it comes to husbands or companions, I'm not a sharer. Hit the road, Jack, and don't look back."

Send us your instant feedback anytime day or night. Log on to cnn.com/360.

Time for "The Nth Degree."

Finally tonight, animation to "The Nth Degree." Which we don't have.

Seems these days, everything is animated. At a murder trial, the defense makes a computer-generated version of events, and now there is a new video game called Tony Hawks' Underground out this week, that allows you to become a character, or in this case, me.

Here is an animated version of how I spend most weekends. As you can see, I like to keep it formal on the weekend. Not sure exactly why. I'm just more comfortable that way. Most weekends, it's just me and my board. A nose grind there, a caveman there. Oh, sure, maybe the occasional (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Like to catch a little air, you know.

Last week in Boston, I did run into this truck, and this guy got a little road rage. See if we can see that part.

Our legend Tony Hawk is a little tough to talk to, though.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where are you from?

COOPER: New York. But I'm scoping out Boston, because on Tuesday, November 4, I am moderating America Rocks the Vote, a youth forum for Democratic candidates, like Howard Dean, Joe Lieberman, Wesley Clark.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know that dude. He was my first sponsor too back in the '80s. Is he still into yoga?

COOPER: I don't know what you're talking about. Luckily, we're animated, so I'm just going to leave.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: Well, of course, it starts at 7 p.m., from Boston, historic (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Hall. Going to totally rock. Have a great evening.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com





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