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Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees

Police Search Neverland; Groundbreaking Decision on Same-Sex Marriage

Aired November 18, 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): President Bush arrives in London. What does he have to do to make the trip a success?

Massachusetts's highest court rules the state can't deny same-sex marriage. What happens now?

More trouble for the one-time King of pop. Police raid Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch.

Could the food at your favorite restaurant be making you sick?

A new flu strain hitting strong and early. Will your flu shot protect you?

And, the undressing of America. Women paying more and more for less and less.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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

COOPER: Good evening. Welcome to 360.

There is a new mystery surrounding Michael Jackson. Police searched the entertainer's Neverland ranch in Santa Barbara County, California today as part of what is termed an ongoing criminal investigation.

National correspondent Frank Buckley is just outside the ranch -- Frank.

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, investigators are still here at Neverland. They've been here all day. And a source with information, with knowledge of the investigation says that this investigation involves allegations of child molestation.

The investigators arrived at around 8:30 this morning. Michael Jackson was not here and hasn't been here for the past two-and-a-half weeks, according to his spokesman. We have not seen what, if anything, has been removed from the ranch. A spokesman for the sheriff's department will only say it's part of an ongoing investigation, and that more than 60 people are involved in executing the search warrant.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRIS PAPPAS, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: We have investigators, we have additional personnel on scene to handle forensics, considerations and things of that nature. The district attorney's office has investigators on scene as well. And that makes up the bulk of that contingent. Most of those being from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BUCKLEY: Michael Jackson's spokesman, Stuart Backerman, released a statement in which he says, "We cannot comment on law enforcement's investigation because we do not yet know what it is about." He said Michael himself said, "I've seen lawyers who do not represent me and spokes people who do not know me speaking for me. These characters all seem to surface with a dreadful allegation just as another project, an album, a video is being released."

In fact, Jackson has an album coming out today called "Number Ones." It has a new single on it called "One More Chance." Jackson's spokesman tells me the entertainer is in Las Vegas shooting a CBS special to support that new single. And a source close to Jackson said that the search warrant was "a total surprise" -- Anderson.

COOPER: And it was a surprise really to everyone. I mean, the media included. There was no hint that this investigation was going on at all.

BUCKLEY: Nothing at all, Anderson. No whispers recently regarding any sort of an investigation. Of course, there were the allegations more than 10 years ago that were settled involving a 14- year-old boy who made allegations he stayed here at Neverland and made allegations of sexual molestation. But that was in fact settled back then, a financial settlement was made.

We don't know what the terms were. But that was settled way back when. And this, as you've heard from Jackson's -- a person close to Jackson, this was a total surprise to him.

COOPER: All right. Frank Buckley, thanks very much. We should also point out that Michael Jackson denied those allegations back in 1993, though there was that out of court settlement.

Well, later in this hour, we're going to look at the long, troubled history of Michael Jackson. We're also going to have more on the ongoing investigation involving Jackson. We're going to talk to attorney Gloria Allred and hear from a friend of Michael Jackson's.

Moving on now to our other top story, a groundbreaking decision on same-sex marriage. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that gay and lesbian couples have the legal right to marry under that state's constitution. Now, exactly what that means, well, for that, let's go to CNN Boston bureau chief Dan Lothian.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a big day. It's a very big day.

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN BOSTON BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): Gay and lesbian groups in Massachusetts celebrate the state's high court decision.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Finally, all families in the commonwealth of Massachusetts will have the opportunity to be equal families under the law.

LOTHIAN: The ruling was 4-3 in favor of seven same-sex couples who had been denied marriage licenses in their cities and towns.

LINDA DAVIES, PLAINTIFF: I finally asked her to marry me because she told me she couldn't answer until we could legally do it. And I'm happy to tell the world, she said yes.

LOTHIAN: But wedding bells won't be ringing for at least 180 days. That's time the court has given the state legislature to make its move. What that will be is unclear. But already, Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, an outspoken critic of gay marriage, is weighing in.

GOV. MITT ROMNEY (R), MASSACHUSETTS: And we'll have legislation which conforms in the law. But we will at the same time initiate a constitutional amendment process.

LOTHIAN: Other opponents disappointed by the ruling are vowing to keep fighting.

REP. PHIL TRAVIS (D), MASSACHUSETTS: I am in no quick hurry to condone the action of the Massachusetts Supreme Court. I think it flies in the face of what we know in Massachusetts as marriage and have demonstrated since our founding.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LOTHIAN: That constitutional amendment that lawmakers will be looking at will essentially spell out that the marriage is between a man and a woman. But the earliest that that could be put before the voters is 2006 -- Anderson.

COOPER: All right. Dan Lothian, thanks very much.

A quick news note on laws tied to same-sex relationships. Vermont is the only state in the union that allows civil unions. Thirty-seven other states have adopted a Defense of Marriage Act, preventing the recognition of same-sex unions. Overseas, Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as the Canadian provinces of Ontario and British Columbia, allow same-sex marriage.

We're going to have more on the legal implications of the Massachusetts ruling with attorney and talk show host, Michael Smerconish, as well as Lisa Bloom of Court TV a little bit later on in tonight's program. Moving on, the shadowy groups that have been attacking U.S. forces in Iraq apparently are showing off their exploits. Video clips that appear to show attacks on Americans have shown up on Web sites run by a Saudi cleric. National security correspondent David Ensor is standing by with details and the tapes -- David.

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, Anderson, these tapes began showing up on the Web in the Arab world roughly a week ago. And as you say, they show attacks, they appear to show attacks on Americans in Iraq.

Let's look at the first one. This was taken, according to the Web site, on -- well, that's actually the third one there. This one was taken in a -- this shows a firefight around a Humvee in the neighborhood of Adamiyah (ph), which is a Baghdad neighborhood. And that's the only one that has sound on it.

Let's go to the next one. This is the second one which is in another neighborhood. This is a drive-by. You see a military convoy, and you see the explosion by the roadside. They replay it several times in the videotape.

And finally, the first clip we were trying to show you, which is again a Baghdad street, and this one is interesting. Under that tree in the background, you can see an American Humvee, or that's what it looks like. And the camera stays on it for a long time, and in a moment we know why. And again, that explosion is replayed several times on the tape.

Now, U.S. Central Command officials say they have no comment on this. We've been unable to reach Saudi embassy officials. But analysts who have looked at them say that the purpose of these tapes appears to be a propaganda ploy and recruitment. They're being shown on Web sites that are popular among young Arab men, and the goal appears, according to analysts, to be to try to get more of them to go to Iraq and fight the Americans -- Anderson.

COOPER: It is just sickening, chilling watching those tapes. And obviously, a sign of some level of organization on some of these attacks. David Ensor, thanks very much for that.

Now to London, where President Bush is getting the royal treatment on a state visit. He is spending the night at Buckingham Palace, the first president since Ronald Reagan to be given that honor. Reagan actually spent the night at Windsor Castle. CNN senior White House correspondent John King is in London as well.

John, good evening.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good evening to you, Anderson. From London, a royal rest, if you will, for the president tonight at the palace. A very difficult task begins for this president in the morning.

He was greeted upon arrival by Prince Charles, then it was off to Buckingham Palace for a private reception with the royal family. The official state visit, the ceremonial welcome will come tomorrow morning.

Mr. Bush, though, also tomorrow, will deliver a major speech here in London in which he begins an effort, White House officials say, to try to rebut his critics on the continent of Europe and also to reshape his image in Europe. A great deal of controversy about this visit, a great deal of political risk for Prime Minister Blair, standing with Mr. Bush at this moment. And because of all that, a great deal of public opinion polling in Britain about the president's trip.

Let's take a look at some of the questions. "The Guardian" newspaper asked in a survey, "Do you welcome President Bush's visit or prefer he did not come?" Forty-three percent said Mr. Bush was welcomed, 36 percent said they would prefer the U.S. president not come at this time. So less than a majority welcoming Mr. Bush to Great Britain at this moment.

"The Guardian" newspaper also asked this question: "Should military forces pull out of Iraq now or stay until it is more stable?" Twenty-five percent said pull out immediately, 67 percent, more than two-thirds, saying the coalition should stay until things are more stable.

Mr. Bush will promise in a major speech tomorrow that the United States and Great Britain will do just that, keep enough troops in Iraq until the new government takes over. But Anderson, in that speech as well, Mr. Bush will also rebut the critics here in Europe who say he is a unilateralist cowboy, if you will, too willing to go to war without the support of the United Nations and others. But Mr. Bush will also say, senior officials tell us, that sometimes force is necessary, and he will strongly defend, even though tens of thousands of protesters are expected on the street protesting his policy, Mr. Bush will strongly defend his decision to go to war in Iraq in the first place -- Anderson.

COOPER: John, let's talk about those protesters for a moment. I mean, for days, the American media has been yammering about these huge protests that are going to greet the president. I mean, it seemed pretty calm in London today. What happened?

KING: Pretty calm today. About 1,000 or so out on the streets tonight, coinciding with the president's arrival. Most of them protesting not the war in Iraq, but Bush administration environmental policies.

The protesters say they have geared up for tomorrow, when the president is having that official welcoming ceremony, when he is delivering that speech, and then as he carries on the next day into his discussions with Tony Blair. So the key test I think will come tomorrow.

Some saying 60,000 to 100,000 protesters on the street. London police say they are ready to keep order, but they also say the protesters will be very much allowed to move through the city and to make their case. We'll get a sense in the morning -- Anderson.

COOPER: All right. John King, thanks very much tonight.

We're following a number of stories back here at home. Let's take a look "Cross Country" right now.

Washington, D.C.: Hinckley hearing, day two. The mother of the man who shot President Reagan back in '81, well, she testified today. John Hinckley's mother told the court she no longer thinks he is mentally ill. Hinckley is asking the court to grant him unsupervised leaves from a psychiatric hospital to see his parents.

Chesapeake, Virginia: sniper trial. Jurors heard a taped jailhouse statement from alleged sniper Lee Boyd Malvo. Now, on the tape, Malvo says he did all of the shootings that terrorized the Washington, D.C. area last year. In another Virginia courtroom, the penalty phase of John Allen Muhammad's trial could wrap up as early as tomorrow. The jury will then decide whether he should get life in prison or death.

Across the deep South: storm damage. Take a look at that. In central Alabama, tornadoes knocked down trees and power lines, signs there.

One injury was reported. Up to 50,000 people were without power. This was at the height of the storm. There was also a report of a tornado in central Mississippi.

Terra Haute, Indiana: possible arson. A fire destroys a holocaust museum. And look what they wrote on that wall there. Someone wrote "Remember Timothy McVeigh" on a wall of the building. Now, McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber, was executed at a federal prison near Terra Haute in 2001.

And that is a look at stories "Cross Country" tonight.

A legal setback for Martha Stewart. Find out why a judge is denying a request to dismiss some charges against her. That's her in court today.

Plus, long lost brother. What may be the remains of Howard Dean's brother found nearly 30 years after he disappeared. We're going to have the details of this remarkable story.

Also tonight, an outbreak of fear and hepatitis. Find out how health officials are dealing with both.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Today, a legal defeat for Martha Stewart. The judge in her case denying motions to dismiss some of the charges against her. CNN's Allan Chernoff reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNNFN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Martha Stewart's first legal line of defense collapsed today as the judge rejected Stewart's request to throw out charges of securities fraud and obstruction of justice. Stewart faces five criminal counts stemming from her sale of stock in ImClone Systems, a biotechnology company.

Judge Miriam Cederbaum ruled Stewart's motions were premature, adding, "Ms. Stewart's argument that Count 9, (securities fraud), violates her First Amendment rights is also not persuasive."

JOHN ALLEN LAWRENCE, ATTORNEY: The First Amendment doesn't give you a right to disseminate allegedly false information. And if the public was relying on Martha Stewart's published information about her stock or her dealings with regard to ImClone, then clearly it's not a First Amendment protected right.

CHERNOFF: Judge Cederbaum said Stewart could renew her request to dismiss charges at the end of the government's case. Martha Stewart left the courthouse without commenting. Her next step, preparing for trial.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She's going to have to face a choice of, will she testify, and get on the witness stand and subject herself to cross-examination...

CHERNOFF: Judge Cederbaum also denied a request from Stewart's co-defendant, her stockbroker, Peter Bacanovic, for a separate trial.

(on camera): The judge scheduled jury selection to begin a bit earlier than had been expected, January 8, with a questionnaire to screen potential jurors. She said oral arguments would begin January 22 at the earliest. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Schacter said the government will need three weeks to present its defense. And Stewart's lead attorney, Robert Morvillo, predicted two weeks for the defense.

Allan Chernoff, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Well, news today that Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean may finally learn the full facts about the fate of his brother, who disappeared in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Senior political correspondent Candy Crowley has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When proof is found of a truth you've known for 30 years, the hurt can rip through the decades.

HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This is not just going to be painful for us. This is painful for the families of every POW- MIA in America. CROWLEY: For 1,875 American families, Southeast Asia is the land that won't let go. The Dean family has been one of them until now. A recovery team working in central Laos has found what they believe to be the remains of Charlie Dean.

LT. COL. JERRY O'HARA, JPAC: We found some preliminary evidence that told us we were in the right spot. So we continued to expand the recovery operation until 8th of November. We were able to find what we believe to be remains associated with these two individuals.

CROWLEY: A graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, Dean was traveling the world in 1974. Japan, to Australia, to Laos, where he and a friend went missing.

DEAN: They were arrested, held for three months, and then were executed probably by the North Vietnamese, although we can't be sure.

CROWLEY: A civilian, Dean got caught up in the U.S. war in Southeast Asia. The Pentagon listed him as MIA.

There will be lab tests to confirm that the remains are really those of Charlie Dean, who for 30 years has been both missing and always there. June 23 of this year, Howard Dean officially announced his candidacy.

DEAN: I thank Judy, my children, my family for their unconditional love and support, my father and my brother Charlie for their inspiration and eternal presence in my life.

CROWLEY: Asked once what his brother would think of his presidential campaign, Howard Dean said "He'd be the one running, I'd be the campaign manager."

Candy Crowley, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Well, coming up, the debate over same-sex marriage. Is the Massachusetts Supreme Court out of step with the rest of the country? We'll hear from both sides.

Also tonight, a search at Neverland, and Michael Jackson under the spotlight again. We're going to hear from a close friend, as well as from attorney Gloria Allred.

And a hepatitis outbreak in Pennsylvania and the spreading of fear. Find out what's being done to get both under control.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Well, as we reported earlier, another court has weighed in on the issue of same sex marriage. The Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled today that the state's ban on gay marriages violates the Massachusetts Constitution and it gave the state legislature 180 days to revise its marriage laws. So exactly what does this mean for Massachusetts, as well as for the rest of the nation? Court TV anchor Lisa Bloom is here in New York. Attorney and CNN contributor Michael Smerconish joins us from Philadelphia.

Good to see both of you. All right. Lisa, the court has released its ruling. What is the legislature, what are their options?

LISA BLOOM, ANCHOR, COURT TV: Only two options, as I see it. One is, pass a constitutional amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution that prohibits same-sex marriages. The second option is to change the law to allow gay marriages. I don't see any other choices for them.

COOPER: But Michael, it seems very unlikely that the legislature is actually going to allow same-sex marriages in the state of Massachusetts.

MICHAEL SMERCONISH, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Well, Anderson, it is Massachusetts. I mean, we're talking about the only state in the country to go for McGovern. We're talking about the place that returns Ted Kennedy to the United States Senate every six years.

I don't put anything past the folks of Massachusetts. I don't think this would have happened in any other state in the United States. And we're coming close, but it's still not...

BLOOM: It happened in Vermont.

COOPER: Well, you know, Michael, it's interesting you say that...

SMERCONISH: But (UNINTELLIGIBLE) hasn't.

COOPER: ... but of the six out of the seven members of the Supreme Judicial Court in Massachusetts who ruled this way, they were appointed in the last 12 years by Republican governors. There's only one of those judges who's actually a Democratic appointee. So it doesn't seem to be a case of radically leftist judges making rulings.

SMERCONISH: I disagree with you, Anderson. And I think this is a case where the court has taken on the role of the legislature. I mean, it's not the function of the court to set a law like this in motion. If Massachusetts wants to sanction gay marriages, then the legislature in Massachusetts ought to do that.

(CROSSTALK)

BLOOM: You know, Michael, it's been the role of the courts for over 100 years to protect the rights of despised minorities. It was the courts that outlawed anti-miscegenation laws which prohibited interracial marriages just a generation ago. It's the courts that stand up for the rights of minorities in this country.

And it's not a Democratic or Republican value. It's an American value to say that we don't want any class of citizens to be second class citizens, that gays and lesbians are just as good as everyone else and are entitled to the hundreds of statutory protections that married heterosexuals enjoy.

SMERCONISH: Lisa, it's a great sound bite, but the court of Massachusetts today has moved from a protector of rights to a creator of rights. And that is not the role of a court, that is the role of a legislature. And they've overstepped their bounds.

BLOOM: The Massachusetts Constitution says that all citizens in that state are free and equal. All citizens includes the many gay and lesbian citizens, it includes everyone. That's what the court said, and I think they did the right thing.

COOPER: Michael, final thought?

SMERCONISH: Final thought is that if the Massachusetts legislature decides that the folks of that state want to have same-sex marriages, it's a whole new ball game. But until we get there, this is not a decision that should stand.

COOPER: All right. We're going to have to leave it there. Michael Smerconish, good to see you, as always. Lisa Bloom, thanks very much.

SMERCONISH: Thank you.

BLOOM: You too.

COOPER: Well, that brings us to today's "Buzz." What do you think? Should same-sex marriages be legal? Vote now: cnn.com/360. We'll talk about it at the end of the program.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): What were police looking for at Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch?

Are you prepared to battle a new flu bug?

And, daring to bare. The undressing of America.

We'll be right back.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Time for the "Reset," some of tonight's top stories.

London, England: a royal welcome. President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush were greeted by Prince Charles tonight as they arrived in Britain for a three-day visit. Now, this is the first time an American president has made a full state visit to Britain.

Baghdad, Iraq: new tactic. U.S. forces have started leveling homes and businesses allegedly used by suspected Iraqi guerrilla fighters. Multiple rockets destroyed the home of Saddam Hussein's top deputy, the number two man on the U.S. most wanted list.

Modesto, California. Bound over, a California judge has bond Scott Peterson over for trial on charges he murdered his wife Laci and their unborn child. The decision came at the end of Peterson's preliminary hearing after Peterson's lawyers decided against calling any defense witnesses.

Santa Barbara County, California. Neverland searched. About 20 officers searched Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch in California today as part of what they want was an ongoing criminal investigation. One source with knowledge of the investigation says the search was a response to allegations of child molestation. We are going to have more this case coming up very shortly.

Right now though. Health investigators are still trying to determine the cause of a Hepatitis A outbreak in northwest Pennsylvania. Now inspectors are looking into the possibility that contaminated green onions may be to blame for the outbreak linked to a Chi-Chi's Mexican restaurant outside Pittsburgh. As Martin Savidge reports, the outbreak has put a lot of people on edge.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am to young to die. I don't want to die because I ate at Chi-Chi's.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In Pennsylvania federal and state health officials are dealing with two outbreaks. One is a virus, the other is fear. They can't say if the worst is over for either epidemic. In the last month, three people have died and over 500 have become sick with Hepatitis A, usually a nonfatal viral infection. Officials say all victims ate at the same Chi-Chi's restaurant at a mall outside Pittsburgh. The Fear is outspreading the disease. Close to 9,000 people have stood in line for vaccinations.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I enjoyed going to the restaurant but I don't trust them now.

SAVIDGE: Health experts have not pinpointed the cause but officials are looking at green onions.

DR. CALVIN JOHNSON, PENN. SECY. OF HEALTH: Green onions have been implicated in outbreaks in Georgia and Tennessee earlier this year. At this point in terms of what's happening in Pennsylvania, it's too early to say a specific food source.

SAVIDGE: Chi-Chi's says its other restaurants have not been involved in outbreaks. Nevertheless it and many others are taking green onions off their menus.

(on camera): Foods considered healthy such as raw vegetables and fresh produce are the source of many different kinds of illnesses each year. And tracking the source of contamination is difficult because the journey from field and market is complicated. As a result health experts say there's no continuous inspection of produce, and no guarantee of safety. Martin Savidge, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: To put this in some prospective the National Centers For Disease Control and Prevention says there are 76 million cases of food poisoning in the U.S. every year causing 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,200 deaths. But keep in mind the number of deaths has declined by half in the past seven years due to better monitoring and new technologies. So some good news for that.

As we said earlier, A source with knowledge of the Michael Jackson investigation says it involves allegations of child molestation. Jackson's spokesman Stuart Backerman has this response. "A rose gallery of hucksters and self lifestyled inside sources have dominated the air waves since reports of a search of Neverland broke. Speculating and guessing and fabricating information about an investigation they couldn't possibly know about. Michael will as always cooperate fully with authorities in any investigation even as it is conducted yet again, while he is not home."

Well, today's incursion by police into Michael Jackson's world might come as a shock if anything about Jackson's world could still be a shock that is.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): Armed with a warrant, investigators search Neverland ranch as part of a criminal investigation. Bad news for a star who has tried for years to put aside rumors and unproven allegations. 1993, Jackson was accused of child molestation by a then a 13-year-old boy.

MICHAEL JACKSON, ENTERTAINER: Don't treat me like a criminal because I am innocent.

COOPER: No charges were filed. The investigation was suspended and the parties settled out of court for an undisclosed amount. The damage to Michael Jackson's reputation was devastating. Tarnishing a star whose 1982 hit "Thriller" still is the second-best selling album of all time. Since then, the media has followed Jackson's every move. Reports of numerous plastic surgeries which Jackson has minimized. His short-lived marriage to Lisa Marie Presley. His later marriage and subsequent divorce to a doctor's assistant Debbi Rowe.

Then a year ago this shocking scene on the balcony of a Berlin hotel. Again, it brought serious questions about Jackson's behavior. This child was one of his own. He later admitted the act was reckless. Then there was that interview early this year with a British journalist. Jackson admitted he'd slept in bed with many children, including actor MaCaulay Culkin and Culkin siblings. He called it loving and said he'd let his own three children sleep with people he knew. Once again, Michael Jackson was in the spotlight but not a kind of spotlight he enjoys.

(END VIDEOTAPE) COOPER: We're joined now by Gloria Allred. She represented for a brief time the 13-year-old boy who accused Jackson of sexual abuse in 1993. And months ago she asked California's Child Protective Services to investigate whether Jackson is fit to be a parent, that is, after she saw that video of him dangling his baby over a balcony in Berlin, Germany.

Gloria Allred, joins us from Modesto, California tonight. Gloria, thanks for being with us. Were you surprised when you saw those images of police cruiser going into Neverland Ranch?

GLORIA ALLRED, ATTORNEY: Well, I think that such an investigation frankly, Anderson, is long overdue. Because in addition to filing complaint with children's protective services which I did after the baby dangling over the balcony incident, I also filed a complaint with child protective services in Santa Barbara asking that they investigate, after Michael Jackson admitted in the Martin Bashir interview aired on ABC that he had slept with young children. You mentioned Macualay Culkin and others. I think that is totally inappropriate for an adult male to be sleeping with unrelated young children, young children.

And I felt an investigation certainly was overdue and should be undertaken. Unfortunately, because of confidentiality laws in California, although Child Protective Services did and could acknowledge receipt of my complaint, they could not disclose whether or not they did in fact conduct an investigation and if they did, what the results were.

COOPER: Gloria, let me ask you, you were briefly involved in this 1993 incident. Can you -- I know it was settled out of court. You weren't involved at the time of the settlement. Can you talk anything about the details of what the allegations were?

ALLRED: They did involve an allegation of molestation. But, of a 13-year-old child. Other than that, I can't comment on that. Of course, the reports are of a multi-million dollar settlement. But the settlement is of itself confidential. Only the parties and the court really know how much that settlement consisted of. But if in fact it was true that it was a multi, multi million dollar settlement, well, that's much more than nuisance value and it may have been his attorneys felt there was a significant risk presented to Michael Jackson should he go to trial. Obviously he didn't. And also it wasn't prosecuted either criminally by Dell Gasetti (ph) at the time.

COOPER: Right. And Michael Jackson has denied the charges all along, and no charges were brought. The deposition of the young man though is certainly disturbing to read. It's on "Smoking Gun." On a raid like this, what is it police are looking for?

I mean, is it specific information that they are acting on?

ALLRED: Certainly. There would have been an affidavit in support of the search warrant. And the judicial officer would have reviewed the affidavit and decided whether it was sufficient in order for him to order a search of the premises. And obviously, it was considered sufficient, and that's why the raid took place today. Of course, just because there was a search warrant executed doesn't mean that there is going to be a prosecution. There may or may not be a prosecution, depending on what they find and depending on what other evidence they are able to accumulate.

COOPER: There's certainly a long way to go before that. Gloria Allred, good to talk to you. Thank you very much. Earlier I spoke to a friend of Michael Jackson's, Uri Geller, who told me he was concerned about the one-time king of pop.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

URI GELLER, JACKSON FRIEND: He's probably saying, oh my god, not again. And, you know, the rumors are floating out there, and no one really knows why they had the search warrant. And I think we should all be patient and wait this out.

COOPER: There have been allegations in the past. In 1993 there was an allegation made against Michael Jackson by the family of a young boy, Michael Jackson said he was innocent, no charges were ever filed. But these stories, these rumors if you will, never really go away.

Why do you think that is?

GELLER: You know, Michael is what, the most famous person in the world. He's still the king of the pop and everything he does seems to be surrounded in controversy. But he is also and this is again my opinion, I believe that he's very gullible, he's very naive, he's very child-like. Everyone knows that. And now there are people who are advising him and I just hope he's getting good advice at this moment.

COOPER: Sorry. You said you're not sure who's giving Michael Jackson advice right now, who he has around him. What advice would you give him right now?

GELLER: I'd probably tell him to go down to the people who broke into the place, or entered the place legally, and just find out exactly what they're after. What is going on. I would advise him to call his lawyer, the person that he trusts the most, and let the lawyers handle this.

You see, because he's such a sensitive person, psychologically this is massively, massively bad for him. I can only imagine what is going on in his head. I just hope that this is really just rumors and there's nothing substantial here.

COOPER: And if you're wrong?

GELLER: Then I will be absolutely gutted. I will be shocked.

COOPER: All right, Uri Geller, thanks very much for being with us.

GELLER: Thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Well, still to come tonight, the battle against the flu. It might be a lot more difficult this year for you and your family. We'll tell you why.

Plus, an update on the fight against SARS. Remember SARS? Just months ago, it was all the media could talk about. It is tonight's edition of "How Quickly We Forget."

And also tonight, "Undressing America." What is it about our love affair with lingerie? We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Send us an e-mail anytime, cnn.com/360.

So, stock your medicine cabinet, wash your hands, because the Centers for Disease Control warns that this winter's flu season could get nasty. The hint -- early outbreaks are plaguing some parts of the U.S. The problem -- a new strain of the flu known as Fujiyan (ph). This year's flu vaccine does not fully protect you from it.

For more, let's in check with CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Sanjay, the CDC has announced that a new strain of flu, the Fujiyan (ph) strain has surfaced. How much is known about this?

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, it's sort of interesting. The flu virus actually is a very tricky virus, Anderson, changing itself from season to season. It's a new strain of virus, a very similar to a strain that was actually out last year. But interestingly, not one that the vaccine is actually protecting against directly. So that's what we do know. Very similar to an existing virus but not part of the vaccine protection.

COOPER: Well, I mean, that sounds kind of ominous. Should people then -- I mean, is it worth getting vaccinated if the vaccine isn't specifically designed for this strain?

GUPTA: Well, what happens typically during a flu season is you have several different strains of viruses out there. So the vaccine is going to protect against several different strains. But this one is that one that started to emerge, as you realize, very early in the flu season. They didn't expect this particular virus to emerge, this strain of the virus to emerge this early. Still a good idea to go ahead and get the flu shot.

And know, as well, we asked the same question, the vaccine may actually protect against the strain to some extent. Cross-protection it's called. Although maybe not as protective as it has been in years past.

COOPER: So the CDC is also warning that this season may be worse than past seasons in terms of flu. What should people do besides getting vaccinated? GUPTA: Yeah, they say it's starting earlier, it could be a little stronger. And a lot of it's because of this new strain of virus. Get the flu shot. Go ahead and wash your hands as much as possible. I know that sounds like simple advice, and I almost feel a little silly saying it sometimes, but washing your hands can cut down on transmission of the flu virus by a dramatic amount. Also try and obviously stay as healthy as you can, eat right, sleep right during the holiday season in particular -- Anderson.

COOPER: All right, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thanks.

GUPTA: Thank you.

COOPER: Well, over the last 12 months, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome has killed more than 750 people. But as the origins of SARS became clear, so did the importance of strict precautions and rigorous procedures preventing new outbreaks. The outbreaks dropped off. But now there are some signs that people in China have forgotten that lesson, which makes this report from CNN's Mike Chinoy perfect for today's edition of "How Quickly We Forget." We want to warn you, this report has some potentially disturbing images.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE CHINOY, CNN SR. ASIA CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's mid- morning, and the cages packed with dogs and cats, rabbits and badgers are unloaded at the Dung Chao (ph) road animals market in Guanjio (ph).

It's a smelly and depressing place. And there are lots of them in southern China. The kind of places where experts believe the SARS virus may have jumped from animals to humans.

A place where we found an astonishing variety of creatures, all destined for the dinner tables in this part of China.

(on camera): Last spring at the height of the SARS epidemic, the Chinese government banned the sale of wild animals in markets like this. But in August, the ban was lifted, a move which drew criticism both here in China and abroad.

(voice-over): We came in search of the animal researchers believe was the source of the SARS virus, the masked palm civet. The traders didn't want us to get too close a look, hiding the animals away. Market officials ordered us to stop taping and leave.

(on camera): Obviously, they are very sensitive about the fact that civets are on sale here, and they don't want the publicity.

(voice-over): Here's why. The sale of farm-raised civets is legal here, but selling those captured in the wild is not. This civet is one of many we saw missing a limb, making it likely the animals were caught illegally in leg hole traps.

Animal rights activist Jill Robinson has been monitoring conditions in markets like this for years. JILL ROBINSON, ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: Clearly, they know that they're operating an illegal industry. They don't want us to have evidence to show to the government. Hygiene in this market is nonexistent. This place is just a melting pot of misery and disease.

CHINOY: But the traders seem utterly unconcerned. "SARS doesn't come from animals," says this woman. "People say it comes from a foreign country's germ warfare program."

Ignorance, filth, official regulations that appear not to be enforced. All ingredients for what medical experts in several countries fear could be a possible return of SARS.

Mike Chinoy, CNN, Guanjio (ph), China.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: So, unbelievable images there. What -- coming up, we're going to take a look at what Madonna is doing behind closed doors with a presidential candidate. Hm, that sounds suspicious. We'll tell you about her meeting with General Wesley Clark. It's true, at least the few tidbits we actually know.

And speaking of bits, the Victoria's Secret fashion show is going to air tomorrow. Set your VCRs. We'll reluctantly have a preview coming up. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Well, time to check on tonight's "Current." Let's take a look. What have we got tonight? Pamela Anderson is launching her own line of clothing. Analysts consider the choice of product particularly appropriate because Anderson sometimes actually wears clothing.

Showtime says it will air "The Reagans" earlier than expected, November 30. The controversial movie had been expected to air early next year, but apparently industry insiders believe November is considered a better time to lash into beloved icons who suffer from Alzheimer's.

General Wesley Clark had a private meeting with Madonna at her home this weekend. His campaign says they discussed several issues. General Clark, of course, is the author of "Winning Modern Wars -- Iraq, Terrorism, and the American Empire." Madonna is the author of "Mr. Peabody's Apples."

And "The Matrix: Revolutions" has made $200 million worldwide, but continues to show big drop-offs at the box office. One theory making the rounds in Hollywood is that the movie may be suffering from being not good. It's possible, just a theory out there, we're having some experts look into it.

So the question burning tonight, what do you think is sexy? How you answer may correspond with how you see tomorrow's airing of the Victoria's Secret fashion show and the ongoing evolution of American attitudes toward nakedness. Here to fill us in is correspondent Whitney Casey. Whitney, good to see you.

WHITNEY CASEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Nice to see you too. Well, the French are completely blase about this, you know, because they have aired a few things recently this month that will be in my piece that we're going to see the piece first, and then we're going to come out and show you this very controversial thing that they're doing that we may actually see in Macy's here. Possibly. This is a question. So let's take a look at the piece.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CASEY (voice-over): Tarzan's loincloth. An early example of underwear doubling as outerwear. However, it wasn't long ago full coverage intimate apparel was the norm on TV.

That was then. Bare is now. Bouncing breasts, push-up bras, G- strung backsides, and a loaded question. What is sexy?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a lot of what you're exposed to. A friend of mine used to refer to the Victoria's Secret catalogue as Baptist porn.

CASEY: Others say Victoria's Secret's Q&A is more T&A. The company has launched a new line of seductive ads, and it's time for the network broadcast of the third annual Victoria's Secret fashion show. However, for some, the question may be, is it too sexy?

ERICA JONG, AUTHOR: I think it's video wallpaper. It's a way of sort of getting naked women on television for sweeps week. Is it bad for us? Is it bad for women? I wouldn't take it that seriously. But I would say that it does make people very uncomfortable.

CASEY: Sexy seems to sell. Industry analysts say this year, Americans are on track to spend $8.4 billion on intimate apparel. In fact, intimates are now outpacing all other apparel markets.

So now another question -- where does sexy go from here?

Just ask the French. Lessons from the professionals. While shopping in the lingerie department at the Gallery Lafayette, the French equivalent to Macy's or Bloomingdale's, this month customers were offered a free half-hour dance lesson on how to bare all from professional strippers.

And on the home front?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There seems to be a very big interest in the derriere.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CASEY: All right, well, the French aren't completely blase, as we said, about the amount of skin. We talked about derrieres -- well, let's look at this ad for a line of thongs. It caused quite a bit of controversy with French feminists. The ad reads, "I'm a virgin, are you?" In French, now, the word for virgin is also the word for the sign Virgo. The ads are for a new line of astrological thongs...

COOPER: Astrological thongs?

CASEY: And the model is wearing the Virgo pair.

COOPER: Oh, lord.

CASEY: But this is not quite as sensational as some video I saw on your show, which pales in comparison -- if we can take a look...

COOPER: Oh, my lingerie.

CASEY: ... at Anderson in his lingerie. And let me say, if maybe Paris Hilton would have taken some direction from you, she might not have been in so much trouble.

COOPER: I like to sort of wear sort of grandfather style pajamas. There you go.

CASEY: And I love how they slo-mo'd that too. That was sexy, there you go.

COOPER: I don't think we're going to see that at the Victoria's Secret fashion show tomorrow, but...

CASEY: No, but blushing, we see some blushing.

COOPER: ... we can only hope. All right. All right. Enough of that. Thank very much.

CASEY: Thanks, Anderson.

COOPER: So, has the policy of preemptive attacks led to an unforeseen consequence? We're going to examine the issue and take that to "The Nth Degree," coming up.

Plus, tomorrow, will British protesters really show up in huge numbers for President Bush's visit? We'll find out, and maybe find out why. Join us tomorrow.

First, today's buzz, should same-sex marriage be legal? You still have time. Vote now, cnn.com/360. We'll have the results when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Time now for the buzz. We asked you, should same-sex marriage be legal? We're getting a lot of e-mails on this. We appreciate it. Seventy percent of you said yes, 30 percent of you voted no. Want to point out, not a scientific poll, just viewer buzz.

Tonight, taking preemptive strikes to "The Nth Degree." Now, when the U.S. went into Iraq this year, it was the first time in history the U.S. had attacked another country for the stated purpose of preventing that country from possibly attacking the U.S. in the future. At the time, some people worried that this would establish a precedent justifying anyone who wanted to make a preemptive attack against a presumptive threat.

Well, according to a report by WGAL in Pennsylvania, that's exactly what's happened. With Thanksgiving bearing down on them, the turkeys of Lancaster County have decided not to wait for death to find them. As seen in this dramatic night scope video taken during the day two turkey commandos launch multiple attacks on passing convoys. Some survivors came forward to tell their stories.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I just call him the attack turkey.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's a mad, mad turkey.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: One witness even recited part of the attacker's political manifesto.

True, in their rage, the turkeys have failed to find any weapons of meat destruction, but they have succeeded in putting the world on notice that they will not stand idly by while others plan their demise.

Anything else is, well, just gravy.

That wraps up our program tonight. Coming up next, "PAULA ZAHN NOW."

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





Sex Marriage>


Aired November 18, 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): President Bush arrives in London. What does he have to do to make the trip a success?

Massachusetts's highest court rules the state can't deny same-sex marriage. What happens now?

More trouble for the one-time King of pop. Police raid Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch.

Could the food at your favorite restaurant be making you sick?

A new flu strain hitting strong and early. Will your flu shot protect you?

And, the undressing of America. Women paying more and more for less and less.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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

COOPER: Good evening. Welcome to 360.

There is a new mystery surrounding Michael Jackson. Police searched the entertainer's Neverland ranch in Santa Barbara County, California today as part of what is termed an ongoing criminal investigation.

National correspondent Frank Buckley is just outside the ranch -- Frank.

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, investigators are still here at Neverland. They've been here all day. And a source with information, with knowledge of the investigation says that this investigation involves allegations of child molestation.

The investigators arrived at around 8:30 this morning. Michael Jackson was not here and hasn't been here for the past two-and-a-half weeks, according to his spokesman. We have not seen what, if anything, has been removed from the ranch. A spokesman for the sheriff's department will only say it's part of an ongoing investigation, and that more than 60 people are involved in executing the search warrant.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRIS PAPPAS, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: We have investigators, we have additional personnel on scene to handle forensics, considerations and things of that nature. The district attorney's office has investigators on scene as well. And that makes up the bulk of that contingent. Most of those being from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BUCKLEY: Michael Jackson's spokesman, Stuart Backerman, released a statement in which he says, "We cannot comment on law enforcement's investigation because we do not yet know what it is about." He said Michael himself said, "I've seen lawyers who do not represent me and spokes people who do not know me speaking for me. These characters all seem to surface with a dreadful allegation just as another project, an album, a video is being released."

In fact, Jackson has an album coming out today called "Number Ones." It has a new single on it called "One More Chance." Jackson's spokesman tells me the entertainer is in Las Vegas shooting a CBS special to support that new single. And a source close to Jackson said that the search warrant was "a total surprise" -- Anderson.

COOPER: And it was a surprise really to everyone. I mean, the media included. There was no hint that this investigation was going on at all.

BUCKLEY: Nothing at all, Anderson. No whispers recently regarding any sort of an investigation. Of course, there were the allegations more than 10 years ago that were settled involving a 14- year-old boy who made allegations he stayed here at Neverland and made allegations of sexual molestation. But that was in fact settled back then, a financial settlement was made.

We don't know what the terms were. But that was settled way back when. And this, as you've heard from Jackson's -- a person close to Jackson, this was a total surprise to him.

COOPER: All right. Frank Buckley, thanks very much. We should also point out that Michael Jackson denied those allegations back in 1993, though there was that out of court settlement.

Well, later in this hour, we're going to look at the long, troubled history of Michael Jackson. We're also going to have more on the ongoing investigation involving Jackson. We're going to talk to attorney Gloria Allred and hear from a friend of Michael Jackson's.

Moving on now to our other top story, a groundbreaking decision on same-sex marriage. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that gay and lesbian couples have the legal right to marry under that state's constitution. Now, exactly what that means, well, for that, let's go to CNN Boston bureau chief Dan Lothian.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a big day. It's a very big day.

DAN LOTHIAN, CNN BOSTON BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): Gay and lesbian groups in Massachusetts celebrate the state's high court decision.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Finally, all families in the commonwealth of Massachusetts will have the opportunity to be equal families under the law.

LOTHIAN: The ruling was 4-3 in favor of seven same-sex couples who had been denied marriage licenses in their cities and towns.

LINDA DAVIES, PLAINTIFF: I finally asked her to marry me because she told me she couldn't answer until we could legally do it. And I'm happy to tell the world, she said yes.

LOTHIAN: But wedding bells won't be ringing for at least 180 days. That's time the court has given the state legislature to make its move. What that will be is unclear. But already, Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, an outspoken critic of gay marriage, is weighing in.

GOV. MITT ROMNEY (R), MASSACHUSETTS: And we'll have legislation which conforms in the law. But we will at the same time initiate a constitutional amendment process.

LOTHIAN: Other opponents disappointed by the ruling are vowing to keep fighting.

REP. PHIL TRAVIS (D), MASSACHUSETTS: I am in no quick hurry to condone the action of the Massachusetts Supreme Court. I think it flies in the face of what we know in Massachusetts as marriage and have demonstrated since our founding.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LOTHIAN: That constitutional amendment that lawmakers will be looking at will essentially spell out that the marriage is between a man and a woman. But the earliest that that could be put before the voters is 2006 -- Anderson.

COOPER: All right. Dan Lothian, thanks very much.

A quick news note on laws tied to same-sex relationships. Vermont is the only state in the union that allows civil unions. Thirty-seven other states have adopted a Defense of Marriage Act, preventing the recognition of same-sex unions. Overseas, Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as the Canadian provinces of Ontario and British Columbia, allow same-sex marriage.

We're going to have more on the legal implications of the Massachusetts ruling with attorney and talk show host, Michael Smerconish, as well as Lisa Bloom of Court TV a little bit later on in tonight's program. Moving on, the shadowy groups that have been attacking U.S. forces in Iraq apparently are showing off their exploits. Video clips that appear to show attacks on Americans have shown up on Web sites run by a Saudi cleric. National security correspondent David Ensor is standing by with details and the tapes -- David.

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, Anderson, these tapes began showing up on the Web in the Arab world roughly a week ago. And as you say, they show attacks, they appear to show attacks on Americans in Iraq.

Let's look at the first one. This was taken, according to the Web site, on -- well, that's actually the third one there. This one was taken in a -- this shows a firefight around a Humvee in the neighborhood of Adamiyah (ph), which is a Baghdad neighborhood. And that's the only one that has sound on it.

Let's go to the next one. This is the second one which is in another neighborhood. This is a drive-by. You see a military convoy, and you see the explosion by the roadside. They replay it several times in the videotape.

And finally, the first clip we were trying to show you, which is again a Baghdad street, and this one is interesting. Under that tree in the background, you can see an American Humvee, or that's what it looks like. And the camera stays on it for a long time, and in a moment we know why. And again, that explosion is replayed several times on the tape.

Now, U.S. Central Command officials say they have no comment on this. We've been unable to reach Saudi embassy officials. But analysts who have looked at them say that the purpose of these tapes appears to be a propaganda ploy and recruitment. They're being shown on Web sites that are popular among young Arab men, and the goal appears, according to analysts, to be to try to get more of them to go to Iraq and fight the Americans -- Anderson.

COOPER: It is just sickening, chilling watching those tapes. And obviously, a sign of some level of organization on some of these attacks. David Ensor, thanks very much for that.

Now to London, where President Bush is getting the royal treatment on a state visit. He is spending the night at Buckingham Palace, the first president since Ronald Reagan to be given that honor. Reagan actually spent the night at Windsor Castle. CNN senior White House correspondent John King is in London as well.

John, good evening.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good evening to you, Anderson. From London, a royal rest, if you will, for the president tonight at the palace. A very difficult task begins for this president in the morning.

He was greeted upon arrival by Prince Charles, then it was off to Buckingham Palace for a private reception with the royal family. The official state visit, the ceremonial welcome will come tomorrow morning.

Mr. Bush, though, also tomorrow, will deliver a major speech here in London in which he begins an effort, White House officials say, to try to rebut his critics on the continent of Europe and also to reshape his image in Europe. A great deal of controversy about this visit, a great deal of political risk for Prime Minister Blair, standing with Mr. Bush at this moment. And because of all that, a great deal of public opinion polling in Britain about the president's trip.

Let's take a look at some of the questions. "The Guardian" newspaper asked in a survey, "Do you welcome President Bush's visit or prefer he did not come?" Forty-three percent said Mr. Bush was welcomed, 36 percent said they would prefer the U.S. president not come at this time. So less than a majority welcoming Mr. Bush to Great Britain at this moment.

"The Guardian" newspaper also asked this question: "Should military forces pull out of Iraq now or stay until it is more stable?" Twenty-five percent said pull out immediately, 67 percent, more than two-thirds, saying the coalition should stay until things are more stable.

Mr. Bush will promise in a major speech tomorrow that the United States and Great Britain will do just that, keep enough troops in Iraq until the new government takes over. But Anderson, in that speech as well, Mr. Bush will also rebut the critics here in Europe who say he is a unilateralist cowboy, if you will, too willing to go to war without the support of the United Nations and others. But Mr. Bush will also say, senior officials tell us, that sometimes force is necessary, and he will strongly defend, even though tens of thousands of protesters are expected on the street protesting his policy, Mr. Bush will strongly defend his decision to go to war in Iraq in the first place -- Anderson.

COOPER: John, let's talk about those protesters for a moment. I mean, for days, the American media has been yammering about these huge protests that are going to greet the president. I mean, it seemed pretty calm in London today. What happened?

KING: Pretty calm today. About 1,000 or so out on the streets tonight, coinciding with the president's arrival. Most of them protesting not the war in Iraq, but Bush administration environmental policies.

The protesters say they have geared up for tomorrow, when the president is having that official welcoming ceremony, when he is delivering that speech, and then as he carries on the next day into his discussions with Tony Blair. So the key test I think will come tomorrow.

Some saying 60,000 to 100,000 protesters on the street. London police say they are ready to keep order, but they also say the protesters will be very much allowed to move through the city and to make their case. We'll get a sense in the morning -- Anderson.

COOPER: All right. John King, thanks very much tonight.

We're following a number of stories back here at home. Let's take a look "Cross Country" right now.

Washington, D.C.: Hinckley hearing, day two. The mother of the man who shot President Reagan back in '81, well, she testified today. John Hinckley's mother told the court she no longer thinks he is mentally ill. Hinckley is asking the court to grant him unsupervised leaves from a psychiatric hospital to see his parents.

Chesapeake, Virginia: sniper trial. Jurors heard a taped jailhouse statement from alleged sniper Lee Boyd Malvo. Now, on the tape, Malvo says he did all of the shootings that terrorized the Washington, D.C. area last year. In another Virginia courtroom, the penalty phase of John Allen Muhammad's trial could wrap up as early as tomorrow. The jury will then decide whether he should get life in prison or death.

Across the deep South: storm damage. Take a look at that. In central Alabama, tornadoes knocked down trees and power lines, signs there.

One injury was reported. Up to 50,000 people were without power. This was at the height of the storm. There was also a report of a tornado in central Mississippi.

Terra Haute, Indiana: possible arson. A fire destroys a holocaust museum. And look what they wrote on that wall there. Someone wrote "Remember Timothy McVeigh" on a wall of the building. Now, McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber, was executed at a federal prison near Terra Haute in 2001.

And that is a look at stories "Cross Country" tonight.

A legal setback for Martha Stewart. Find out why a judge is denying a request to dismiss some charges against her. That's her in court today.

Plus, long lost brother. What may be the remains of Howard Dean's brother found nearly 30 years after he disappeared. We're going to have the details of this remarkable story.

Also tonight, an outbreak of fear and hepatitis. Find out how health officials are dealing with both.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Today, a legal defeat for Martha Stewart. The judge in her case denying motions to dismiss some of the charges against her. CNN's Allan Chernoff reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNNFN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Martha Stewart's first legal line of defense collapsed today as the judge rejected Stewart's request to throw out charges of securities fraud and obstruction of justice. Stewart faces five criminal counts stemming from her sale of stock in ImClone Systems, a biotechnology company.

Judge Miriam Cederbaum ruled Stewart's motions were premature, adding, "Ms. Stewart's argument that Count 9, (securities fraud), violates her First Amendment rights is also not persuasive."

JOHN ALLEN LAWRENCE, ATTORNEY: The First Amendment doesn't give you a right to disseminate allegedly false information. And if the public was relying on Martha Stewart's published information about her stock or her dealings with regard to ImClone, then clearly it's not a First Amendment protected right.

CHERNOFF: Judge Cederbaum said Stewart could renew her request to dismiss charges at the end of the government's case. Martha Stewart left the courthouse without commenting. Her next step, preparing for trial.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She's going to have to face a choice of, will she testify, and get on the witness stand and subject herself to cross-examination...

CHERNOFF: Judge Cederbaum also denied a request from Stewart's co-defendant, her stockbroker, Peter Bacanovic, for a separate trial.

(on camera): The judge scheduled jury selection to begin a bit earlier than had been expected, January 8, with a questionnaire to screen potential jurors. She said oral arguments would begin January 22 at the earliest. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Schacter said the government will need three weeks to present its defense. And Stewart's lead attorney, Robert Morvillo, predicted two weeks for the defense.

Allan Chernoff, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Well, news today that Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean may finally learn the full facts about the fate of his brother, who disappeared in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Senior political correspondent Candy Crowley has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When proof is found of a truth you've known for 30 years, the hurt can rip through the decades.

HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This is not just going to be painful for us. This is painful for the families of every POW- MIA in America. CROWLEY: For 1,875 American families, Southeast Asia is the land that won't let go. The Dean family has been one of them until now. A recovery team working in central Laos has found what they believe to be the remains of Charlie Dean.

LT. COL. JERRY O'HARA, JPAC: We found some preliminary evidence that told us we were in the right spot. So we continued to expand the recovery operation until 8th of November. We were able to find what we believe to be remains associated with these two individuals.

CROWLEY: A graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, Dean was traveling the world in 1974. Japan, to Australia, to Laos, where he and a friend went missing.

DEAN: They were arrested, held for three months, and then were executed probably by the North Vietnamese, although we can't be sure.

CROWLEY: A civilian, Dean got caught up in the U.S. war in Southeast Asia. The Pentagon listed him as MIA.

There will be lab tests to confirm that the remains are really those of Charlie Dean, who for 30 years has been both missing and always there. June 23 of this year, Howard Dean officially announced his candidacy.

DEAN: I thank Judy, my children, my family for their unconditional love and support, my father and my brother Charlie for their inspiration and eternal presence in my life.

CROWLEY: Asked once what his brother would think of his presidential campaign, Howard Dean said "He'd be the one running, I'd be the campaign manager."

Candy Crowley, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Well, coming up, the debate over same-sex marriage. Is the Massachusetts Supreme Court out of step with the rest of the country? We'll hear from both sides.

Also tonight, a search at Neverland, and Michael Jackson under the spotlight again. We're going to hear from a close friend, as well as from attorney Gloria Allred.

And a hepatitis outbreak in Pennsylvania and the spreading of fear. Find out what's being done to get both under control.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Well, as we reported earlier, another court has weighed in on the issue of same sex marriage. The Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled today that the state's ban on gay marriages violates the Massachusetts Constitution and it gave the state legislature 180 days to revise its marriage laws. So exactly what does this mean for Massachusetts, as well as for the rest of the nation? Court TV anchor Lisa Bloom is here in New York. Attorney and CNN contributor Michael Smerconish joins us from Philadelphia.

Good to see both of you. All right. Lisa, the court has released its ruling. What is the legislature, what are their options?

LISA BLOOM, ANCHOR, COURT TV: Only two options, as I see it. One is, pass a constitutional amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution that prohibits same-sex marriages. The second option is to change the law to allow gay marriages. I don't see any other choices for them.

COOPER: But Michael, it seems very unlikely that the legislature is actually going to allow same-sex marriages in the state of Massachusetts.

MICHAEL SMERCONISH, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Well, Anderson, it is Massachusetts. I mean, we're talking about the only state in the country to go for McGovern. We're talking about the place that returns Ted Kennedy to the United States Senate every six years.

I don't put anything past the folks of Massachusetts. I don't think this would have happened in any other state in the United States. And we're coming close, but it's still not...

BLOOM: It happened in Vermont.

COOPER: Well, you know, Michael, it's interesting you say that...

SMERCONISH: But (UNINTELLIGIBLE) hasn't.

COOPER: ... but of the six out of the seven members of the Supreme Judicial Court in Massachusetts who ruled this way, they were appointed in the last 12 years by Republican governors. There's only one of those judges who's actually a Democratic appointee. So it doesn't seem to be a case of radically leftist judges making rulings.

SMERCONISH: I disagree with you, Anderson. And I think this is a case where the court has taken on the role of the legislature. I mean, it's not the function of the court to set a law like this in motion. If Massachusetts wants to sanction gay marriages, then the legislature in Massachusetts ought to do that.

(CROSSTALK)

BLOOM: You know, Michael, it's been the role of the courts for over 100 years to protect the rights of despised minorities. It was the courts that outlawed anti-miscegenation laws which prohibited interracial marriages just a generation ago. It's the courts that stand up for the rights of minorities in this country.

And it's not a Democratic or Republican value. It's an American value to say that we don't want any class of citizens to be second class citizens, that gays and lesbians are just as good as everyone else and are entitled to the hundreds of statutory protections that married heterosexuals enjoy.

SMERCONISH: Lisa, it's a great sound bite, but the court of Massachusetts today has moved from a protector of rights to a creator of rights. And that is not the role of a court, that is the role of a legislature. And they've overstepped their bounds.

BLOOM: The Massachusetts Constitution says that all citizens in that state are free and equal. All citizens includes the many gay and lesbian citizens, it includes everyone. That's what the court said, and I think they did the right thing.

COOPER: Michael, final thought?

SMERCONISH: Final thought is that if the Massachusetts legislature decides that the folks of that state want to have same-sex marriages, it's a whole new ball game. But until we get there, this is not a decision that should stand.

COOPER: All right. We're going to have to leave it there. Michael Smerconish, good to see you, as always. Lisa Bloom, thanks very much.

SMERCONISH: Thank you.

BLOOM: You too.

COOPER: Well, that brings us to today's "Buzz." What do you think? Should same-sex marriages be legal? Vote now: cnn.com/360. We'll talk about it at the end of the program.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): What were police looking for at Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch?

Are you prepared to battle a new flu bug?

And, daring to bare. The undressing of America.

We'll be right back.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Time for the "Reset," some of tonight's top stories.

London, England: a royal welcome. President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush were greeted by Prince Charles tonight as they arrived in Britain for a three-day visit. Now, this is the first time an American president has made a full state visit to Britain.

Baghdad, Iraq: new tactic. U.S. forces have started leveling homes and businesses allegedly used by suspected Iraqi guerrilla fighters. Multiple rockets destroyed the home of Saddam Hussein's top deputy, the number two man on the U.S. most wanted list.

Modesto, California. Bound over, a California judge has bond Scott Peterson over for trial on charges he murdered his wife Laci and their unborn child. The decision came at the end of Peterson's preliminary hearing after Peterson's lawyers decided against calling any defense witnesses.

Santa Barbara County, California. Neverland searched. About 20 officers searched Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch in California today as part of what they want was an ongoing criminal investigation. One source with knowledge of the investigation says the search was a response to allegations of child molestation. We are going to have more this case coming up very shortly.

Right now though. Health investigators are still trying to determine the cause of a Hepatitis A outbreak in northwest Pennsylvania. Now inspectors are looking into the possibility that contaminated green onions may be to blame for the outbreak linked to a Chi-Chi's Mexican restaurant outside Pittsburgh. As Martin Savidge reports, the outbreak has put a lot of people on edge.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am to young to die. I don't want to die because I ate at Chi-Chi's.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In Pennsylvania federal and state health officials are dealing with two outbreaks. One is a virus, the other is fear. They can't say if the worst is over for either epidemic. In the last month, three people have died and over 500 have become sick with Hepatitis A, usually a nonfatal viral infection. Officials say all victims ate at the same Chi-Chi's restaurant at a mall outside Pittsburgh. The Fear is outspreading the disease. Close to 9,000 people have stood in line for vaccinations.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I enjoyed going to the restaurant but I don't trust them now.

SAVIDGE: Health experts have not pinpointed the cause but officials are looking at green onions.

DR. CALVIN JOHNSON, PENN. SECY. OF HEALTH: Green onions have been implicated in outbreaks in Georgia and Tennessee earlier this year. At this point in terms of what's happening in Pennsylvania, it's too early to say a specific food source.

SAVIDGE: Chi-Chi's says its other restaurants have not been involved in outbreaks. Nevertheless it and many others are taking green onions off their menus.

(on camera): Foods considered healthy such as raw vegetables and fresh produce are the source of many different kinds of illnesses each year. And tracking the source of contamination is difficult because the journey from field and market is complicated. As a result health experts say there's no continuous inspection of produce, and no guarantee of safety. Martin Savidge, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: To put this in some prospective the National Centers For Disease Control and Prevention says there are 76 million cases of food poisoning in the U.S. every year causing 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,200 deaths. But keep in mind the number of deaths has declined by half in the past seven years due to better monitoring and new technologies. So some good news for that.

As we said earlier, A source with knowledge of the Michael Jackson investigation says it involves allegations of child molestation. Jackson's spokesman Stuart Backerman has this response. "A rose gallery of hucksters and self lifestyled inside sources have dominated the air waves since reports of a search of Neverland broke. Speculating and guessing and fabricating information about an investigation they couldn't possibly know about. Michael will as always cooperate fully with authorities in any investigation even as it is conducted yet again, while he is not home."

Well, today's incursion by police into Michael Jackson's world might come as a shock if anything about Jackson's world could still be a shock that is.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER (voice-over): Armed with a warrant, investigators search Neverland ranch as part of a criminal investigation. Bad news for a star who has tried for years to put aside rumors and unproven allegations. 1993, Jackson was accused of child molestation by a then a 13-year-old boy.

MICHAEL JACKSON, ENTERTAINER: Don't treat me like a criminal because I am innocent.

COOPER: No charges were filed. The investigation was suspended and the parties settled out of court for an undisclosed amount. The damage to Michael Jackson's reputation was devastating. Tarnishing a star whose 1982 hit "Thriller" still is the second-best selling album of all time. Since then, the media has followed Jackson's every move. Reports of numerous plastic surgeries which Jackson has minimized. His short-lived marriage to Lisa Marie Presley. His later marriage and subsequent divorce to a doctor's assistant Debbi Rowe.

Then a year ago this shocking scene on the balcony of a Berlin hotel. Again, it brought serious questions about Jackson's behavior. This child was one of his own. He later admitted the act was reckless. Then there was that interview early this year with a British journalist. Jackson admitted he'd slept in bed with many children, including actor MaCaulay Culkin and Culkin siblings. He called it loving and said he'd let his own three children sleep with people he knew. Once again, Michael Jackson was in the spotlight but not a kind of spotlight he enjoys.

(END VIDEOTAPE) COOPER: We're joined now by Gloria Allred. She represented for a brief time the 13-year-old boy who accused Jackson of sexual abuse in 1993. And months ago she asked California's Child Protective Services to investigate whether Jackson is fit to be a parent, that is, after she saw that video of him dangling his baby over a balcony in Berlin, Germany.

Gloria Allred, joins us from Modesto, California tonight. Gloria, thanks for being with us. Were you surprised when you saw those images of police cruiser going into Neverland Ranch?

GLORIA ALLRED, ATTORNEY: Well, I think that such an investigation frankly, Anderson, is long overdue. Because in addition to filing complaint with children's protective services which I did after the baby dangling over the balcony incident, I also filed a complaint with child protective services in Santa Barbara asking that they investigate, after Michael Jackson admitted in the Martin Bashir interview aired on ABC that he had slept with young children. You mentioned Macualay Culkin and others. I think that is totally inappropriate for an adult male to be sleeping with unrelated young children, young children.

And I felt an investigation certainly was overdue and should be undertaken. Unfortunately, because of confidentiality laws in California, although Child Protective Services did and could acknowledge receipt of my complaint, they could not disclose whether or not they did in fact conduct an investigation and if they did, what the results were.

COOPER: Gloria, let me ask you, you were briefly involved in this 1993 incident. Can you -- I know it was settled out of court. You weren't involved at the time of the settlement. Can you talk anything about the details of what the allegations were?

ALLRED: They did involve an allegation of molestation. But, of a 13-year-old child. Other than that, I can't comment on that. Of course, the reports are of a multi-million dollar settlement. But the settlement is of itself confidential. Only the parties and the court really know how much that settlement consisted of. But if in fact it was true that it was a multi, multi million dollar settlement, well, that's much more than nuisance value and it may have been his attorneys felt there was a significant risk presented to Michael Jackson should he go to trial. Obviously he didn't. And also it wasn't prosecuted either criminally by Dell Gasetti (ph) at the time.

COOPER: Right. And Michael Jackson has denied the charges all along, and no charges were brought. The deposition of the young man though is certainly disturbing to read. It's on "Smoking Gun." On a raid like this, what is it police are looking for?

I mean, is it specific information that they are acting on?

ALLRED: Certainly. There would have been an affidavit in support of the search warrant. And the judicial officer would have reviewed the affidavit and decided whether it was sufficient in order for him to order a search of the premises. And obviously, it was considered sufficient, and that's why the raid took place today. Of course, just because there was a search warrant executed doesn't mean that there is going to be a prosecution. There may or may not be a prosecution, depending on what they find and depending on what other evidence they are able to accumulate.

COOPER: There's certainly a long way to go before that. Gloria Allred, good to talk to you. Thank you very much. Earlier I spoke to a friend of Michael Jackson's, Uri Geller, who told me he was concerned about the one-time king of pop.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

URI GELLER, JACKSON FRIEND: He's probably saying, oh my god, not again. And, you know, the rumors are floating out there, and no one really knows why they had the search warrant. And I think we should all be patient and wait this out.

COOPER: There have been allegations in the past. In 1993 there was an allegation made against Michael Jackson by the family of a young boy, Michael Jackson said he was innocent, no charges were ever filed. But these stories, these rumors if you will, never really go away.

Why do you think that is?

GELLER: You know, Michael is what, the most famous person in the world. He's still the king of the pop and everything he does seems to be surrounded in controversy. But he is also and this is again my opinion, I believe that he's very gullible, he's very naive, he's very child-like. Everyone knows that. And now there are people who are advising him and I just hope he's getting good advice at this moment.

COOPER: Sorry. You said you're not sure who's giving Michael Jackson advice right now, who he has around him. What advice would you give him right now?

GELLER: I'd probably tell him to go down to the people who broke into the place, or entered the place legally, and just find out exactly what they're after. What is going on. I would advise him to call his lawyer, the person that he trusts the most, and let the lawyers handle this.

You see, because he's such a sensitive person, psychologically this is massively, massively bad for him. I can only imagine what is going on in his head. I just hope that this is really just rumors and there's nothing substantial here.

COOPER: And if you're wrong?

GELLER: Then I will be absolutely gutted. I will be shocked.

COOPER: All right, Uri Geller, thanks very much for being with us.

GELLER: Thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: Well, still to come tonight, the battle against the flu. It might be a lot more difficult this year for you and your family. We'll tell you why.

Plus, an update on the fight against SARS. Remember SARS? Just months ago, it was all the media could talk about. It is tonight's edition of "How Quickly We Forget."

And also tonight, "Undressing America." What is it about our love affair with lingerie? We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Send us an e-mail anytime, cnn.com/360.

So, stock your medicine cabinet, wash your hands, because the Centers for Disease Control warns that this winter's flu season could get nasty. The hint -- early outbreaks are plaguing some parts of the U.S. The problem -- a new strain of the flu known as Fujiyan (ph). This year's flu vaccine does not fully protect you from it.

For more, let's in check with CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Sanjay, the CDC has announced that a new strain of flu, the Fujiyan (ph) strain has surfaced. How much is known about this?

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, it's sort of interesting. The flu virus actually is a very tricky virus, Anderson, changing itself from season to season. It's a new strain of virus, a very similar to a strain that was actually out last year. But interestingly, not one that the vaccine is actually protecting against directly. So that's what we do know. Very similar to an existing virus but not part of the vaccine protection.

COOPER: Well, I mean, that sounds kind of ominous. Should people then -- I mean, is it worth getting vaccinated if the vaccine isn't specifically designed for this strain?

GUPTA: Well, what happens typically during a flu season is you have several different strains of viruses out there. So the vaccine is going to protect against several different strains. But this one is that one that started to emerge, as you realize, very early in the flu season. They didn't expect this particular virus to emerge, this strain of the virus to emerge this early. Still a good idea to go ahead and get the flu shot.

And know, as well, we asked the same question, the vaccine may actually protect against the strain to some extent. Cross-protection it's called. Although maybe not as protective as it has been in years past.

COOPER: So the CDC is also warning that this season may be worse than past seasons in terms of flu. What should people do besides getting vaccinated? GUPTA: Yeah, they say it's starting earlier, it could be a little stronger. And a lot of it's because of this new strain of virus. Get the flu shot. Go ahead and wash your hands as much as possible. I know that sounds like simple advice, and I almost feel a little silly saying it sometimes, but washing your hands can cut down on transmission of the flu virus by a dramatic amount. Also try and obviously stay as healthy as you can, eat right, sleep right during the holiday season in particular -- Anderson.

COOPER: All right, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thanks.

GUPTA: Thank you.

COOPER: Well, over the last 12 months, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome has killed more than 750 people. But as the origins of SARS became clear, so did the importance of strict precautions and rigorous procedures preventing new outbreaks. The outbreaks dropped off. But now there are some signs that people in China have forgotten that lesson, which makes this report from CNN's Mike Chinoy perfect for today's edition of "How Quickly We Forget." We want to warn you, this report has some potentially disturbing images.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE CHINOY, CNN SR. ASIA CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's mid- morning, and the cages packed with dogs and cats, rabbits and badgers are unloaded at the Dung Chao (ph) road animals market in Guanjio (ph).

It's a smelly and depressing place. And there are lots of them in southern China. The kind of places where experts believe the SARS virus may have jumped from animals to humans.

A place where we found an astonishing variety of creatures, all destined for the dinner tables in this part of China.

(on camera): Last spring at the height of the SARS epidemic, the Chinese government banned the sale of wild animals in markets like this. But in August, the ban was lifted, a move which drew criticism both here in China and abroad.

(voice-over): We came in search of the animal researchers believe was the source of the SARS virus, the masked palm civet. The traders didn't want us to get too close a look, hiding the animals away. Market officials ordered us to stop taping and leave.

(on camera): Obviously, they are very sensitive about the fact that civets are on sale here, and they don't want the publicity.

(voice-over): Here's why. The sale of farm-raised civets is legal here, but selling those captured in the wild is not. This civet is one of many we saw missing a limb, making it likely the animals were caught illegally in leg hole traps.

Animal rights activist Jill Robinson has been monitoring conditions in markets like this for years. JILL ROBINSON, ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: Clearly, they know that they're operating an illegal industry. They don't want us to have evidence to show to the government. Hygiene in this market is nonexistent. This place is just a melting pot of misery and disease.

CHINOY: But the traders seem utterly unconcerned. "SARS doesn't come from animals," says this woman. "People say it comes from a foreign country's germ warfare program."

Ignorance, filth, official regulations that appear not to be enforced. All ingredients for what medical experts in several countries fear could be a possible return of SARS.

Mike Chinoy, CNN, Guanjio (ph), China.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: So, unbelievable images there. What -- coming up, we're going to take a look at what Madonna is doing behind closed doors with a presidential candidate. Hm, that sounds suspicious. We'll tell you about her meeting with General Wesley Clark. It's true, at least the few tidbits we actually know.

And speaking of bits, the Victoria's Secret fashion show is going to air tomorrow. Set your VCRs. We'll reluctantly have a preview coming up. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Well, time to check on tonight's "Current." Let's take a look. What have we got tonight? Pamela Anderson is launching her own line of clothing. Analysts consider the choice of product particularly appropriate because Anderson sometimes actually wears clothing.

Showtime says it will air "The Reagans" earlier than expected, November 30. The controversial movie had been expected to air early next year, but apparently industry insiders believe November is considered a better time to lash into beloved icons who suffer from Alzheimer's.

General Wesley Clark had a private meeting with Madonna at her home this weekend. His campaign says they discussed several issues. General Clark, of course, is the author of "Winning Modern Wars -- Iraq, Terrorism, and the American Empire." Madonna is the author of "Mr. Peabody's Apples."

And "The Matrix: Revolutions" has made $200 million worldwide, but continues to show big drop-offs at the box office. One theory making the rounds in Hollywood is that the movie may be suffering from being not good. It's possible, just a theory out there, we're having some experts look into it.

So the question burning tonight, what do you think is sexy? How you answer may correspond with how you see tomorrow's airing of the Victoria's Secret fashion show and the ongoing evolution of American attitudes toward nakedness. Here to fill us in is correspondent Whitney Casey. Whitney, good to see you.

WHITNEY CASEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Nice to see you too. Well, the French are completely blase about this, you know, because they have aired a few things recently this month that will be in my piece that we're going to see the piece first, and then we're going to come out and show you this very controversial thing that they're doing that we may actually see in Macy's here. Possibly. This is a question. So let's take a look at the piece.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CASEY (voice-over): Tarzan's loincloth. An early example of underwear doubling as outerwear. However, it wasn't long ago full coverage intimate apparel was the norm on TV.

That was then. Bare is now. Bouncing breasts, push-up bras, G- strung backsides, and a loaded question. What is sexy?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a lot of what you're exposed to. A friend of mine used to refer to the Victoria's Secret catalogue as Baptist porn.

CASEY: Others say Victoria's Secret's Q&A is more T&A. The company has launched a new line of seductive ads, and it's time for the network broadcast of the third annual Victoria's Secret fashion show. However, for some, the question may be, is it too sexy?

ERICA JONG, AUTHOR: I think it's video wallpaper. It's a way of sort of getting naked women on television for sweeps week. Is it bad for us? Is it bad for women? I wouldn't take it that seriously. But I would say that it does make people very uncomfortable.

CASEY: Sexy seems to sell. Industry analysts say this year, Americans are on track to spend $8.4 billion on intimate apparel. In fact, intimates are now outpacing all other apparel markets.

So now another question -- where does sexy go from here?

Just ask the French. Lessons from the professionals. While shopping in the lingerie department at the Gallery Lafayette, the French equivalent to Macy's or Bloomingdale's, this month customers were offered a free half-hour dance lesson on how to bare all from professional strippers.

And on the home front?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There seems to be a very big interest in the derriere.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CASEY: All right, well, the French aren't completely blase, as we said, about the amount of skin. We talked about derrieres -- well, let's look at this ad for a line of thongs. It caused quite a bit of controversy with French feminists. The ad reads, "I'm a virgin, are you?" In French, now, the word for virgin is also the word for the sign Virgo. The ads are for a new line of astrological thongs...

COOPER: Astrological thongs?

CASEY: And the model is wearing the Virgo pair.

COOPER: Oh, lord.

CASEY: But this is not quite as sensational as some video I saw on your show, which pales in comparison -- if we can take a look...

COOPER: Oh, my lingerie.

CASEY: ... at Anderson in his lingerie. And let me say, if maybe Paris Hilton would have taken some direction from you, she might not have been in so much trouble.

COOPER: I like to sort of wear sort of grandfather style pajamas. There you go.

CASEY: And I love how they slo-mo'd that too. That was sexy, there you go.

COOPER: I don't think we're going to see that at the Victoria's Secret fashion show tomorrow, but...

CASEY: No, but blushing, we see some blushing.

COOPER: ... we can only hope. All right. All right. Enough of that. Thank very much.

CASEY: Thanks, Anderson.

COOPER: So, has the policy of preemptive attacks led to an unforeseen consequence? We're going to examine the issue and take that to "The Nth Degree," coming up.

Plus, tomorrow, will British protesters really show up in huge numbers for President Bush's visit? We'll find out, and maybe find out why. Join us tomorrow.

First, today's buzz, should same-sex marriage be legal? You still have time. Vote now, cnn.com/360. We'll have the results when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COOPER: Time now for the buzz. We asked you, should same-sex marriage be legal? We're getting a lot of e-mails on this. We appreciate it. Seventy percent of you said yes, 30 percent of you voted no. Want to point out, not a scientific poll, just viewer buzz.

Tonight, taking preemptive strikes to "The Nth Degree." Now, when the U.S. went into Iraq this year, it was the first time in history the U.S. had attacked another country for the stated purpose of preventing that country from possibly attacking the U.S. in the future. At the time, some people worried that this would establish a precedent justifying anyone who wanted to make a preemptive attack against a presumptive threat.

Well, according to a report by WGAL in Pennsylvania, that's exactly what's happened. With Thanksgiving bearing down on them, the turkeys of Lancaster County have decided not to wait for death to find them. As seen in this dramatic night scope video taken during the day two turkey commandos launch multiple attacks on passing convoys. Some survivors came forward to tell their stories.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I just call him the attack turkey.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's a mad, mad turkey.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: One witness even recited part of the attacker's political manifesto.

True, in their rage, the turkeys have failed to find any weapons of meat destruction, but they have succeeded in putting the world on notice that they will not stand idly by while others plan their demise.

Anything else is, well, just gravy.

That wraps up our program tonight. Coming up next, "PAULA ZAHN NOW."

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