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Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees
Paul O'Neill Now Target of Government Investigation; What Led to Raised Terror Alert?
Aired January 12, 2004 - 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.
ANNOUNCER: Live from the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is ANDERSON COOPER 360.
COOPER: Good evening. Welcome to 360.
Ex Treasury secretary, Paul O'Neill, under fire by the Bush administration after a tell-all book that reveals less than flattering details about the president.
Plus, Howard Dean comes out fighting. A rough road on the campaign trail today.
Good evening. Welcome to the show.
Dramatic developments today in Washington. Former Treasury secretary, Paul O'Neill, the ex-insider, telling all in a new book, is now the target of a government investigation.
Senior White House correspondent, John King, has the very latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In Mexico, the president would not say whether he feels betrayed by his former Treasury secretary, but strongly defended his decision to go to war in Iraq.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: September the 11th made me realize that America was no longer protected by oceans and we had to take threats very seriously.
KING: The White House says it will not engage in a public point- by-point rebuttal of this new book, "The Price of Loyalty," in which Paul O'Neill not only questions the war, but says the president leading a cabinet meeting is like a blind man in a room full of deaf people. Back in Washington, the Treasury Department launched their preliminary investigation into whether O'Neill broke the law in taking classified memos he is now using to help make his case.
PAUL O'NEILL, FMR. TREASURY SECRETARY: From the very beginning, there was a conviction that Saddam Hussein was a bad person, and that he needed to go.
KING: O'Neill discussed the memos with "60 Minutes," including this one, 10 days into the Bush presidency. A designated secrete that discusses planning for post-Saddam Iraq, a memo Treasury officials says is classified and not meant to leave government files.
O'Neill's access to such memos came from his seat on the National Security Council. He told "TIME" Magazine he never "saw anything in the intelligence that I would characterize as real evidence Iraq had weapons of mass destruction." Countering O'Neill, senior Bush aides say the former secretary did not see the most sensitive intelligence. That regime in Iraq became government policy in the Clinton administration, and that from the beginning Mr. Bush and top aides made no secret they wanted to turn up the heat.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: John King joins us live now at the White House.
John, a lot of people are going to hear about this investigation of O'Neill that we just heard about today and say it looks like the administration pushing back at O'Neill, trying to punish him. Is that what's going on?
KING: Well, Anderson, the Treasury Department insists that is not the case. But many Democrats are already making the case, that this is somehow payback retribution to Secretary O'Neill.
What they are saying at the Treasury Department is that they are simply launching a preliminary investigation and that that is the responsible thing to do. That it appears to them that some of the documents Secretary O'Neill has shared as part of this book project might be classify, and that they have a responsibility to look into it. So the big question will be, where does this investigation go?
COOPER: All right. We're going to have more on this a little later on in the program. John King, thanks very much at the White House.
On the intelligence front, new information tonight about why the national threat level was raised just before the holidays. CNN's national security correspondent, David Ensor, has the latest details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On December 24, based on intelligence about a terrorist threat, Air France Flight 68 from Paris to Los Angeles was canceled. But U.S. officials now tell CNN intelligence pointed to the greatest risk the day after, that al Qaeda wanted most of all to mark Christmas Day itself with terrorism.
After canceling or delaying more than 20 flights in and out of the U.S. over the holiday period, officials say they still do not know whether they stopped an attack or were duped into disrupting aviation. Either way, though, experts say expert more of the same.
DAN BENJAMIN, CSIS: I think it is going to be a fact of life because we know that al Qaeda continues to have a high degree of interest in aviation as a threat. ENSOR: Knowledgeable officials say the specific tactical intelligence about threatened flights that helped prompt code orange over the holidays was compelling and came from multiple sources. They included informants, chatter, Web sites, top al Qaeda prisoners under interrogation, and surveillance of al Qaeda suspects. Officials say security at airports around the world with flights to the U.S. must be further beefed up since al Qaeda clearly still wants to repeat its success of September 11, and with good reason.
BENJAMIN: I did some calculations about the amount of energy that was released when the two planes hit the World Trade Center. And it was in the same range as a tactical nuclear weapon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ENSOR: The good news, U.S. officials say, is they are getting evermore and better fine grained information on al Qaeda. The bad news is canceled and delayed flights for security reasons are likely to be an ongoing part in the world in which we live -- Anderson.
COOPER: It certainly seems so. All right. David Ensor, thanks very much for that tonight.
In Iowa today, despite air temperatures that were decidedly chilly, political temperatures got a whole lot hotter. Howard Dean blasted his fellow Democrats, saying they would rather be cozy in the Washington establishment than, "have real change."
CNN's chief political correspondent, Candy Crowley, is in Des Moines tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is 9:30 a.m. in Iowa, and Howard Dean seems, well, stressed.
HOWARD DEAN (D), DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, when you see again and again all these attacks by all these frontrunners against our campaign, it's not me they're trying to stop. It's us.
CROWLEY: All these frontrunners? Howard Dean, the man with the most money and the best polls, has reverted to form.
DEAN: They want to say that they're all against the establishment. They are the establishment.
CROWLEY: After weeks of trying to be confident above the fray frontrunner, Howard Dean, populous, insurgent with the edge of anger, is back on the campaign trail.
DEAN: The reason Democrats don't win elections in Washington is because they would almost rather lose than and be cozy than they would to have somebody stand up against the interests in Washington.
CROWLEY: Maybe he's feeling black and blue after being pummeled about race relations in a Sunday night debate. Maybe the polls are too close for comfort. Or maybe, like a classic candidate, Howard Dean is reminding voters why they liked him in the first place.
DEAN: Remember who stood up to George Bush first. And it wasn't anybody from the state, from the city of Washington, D.C.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CROWLEY: Before heading off to Burlington, Vermont for a day off, Dean told reporters he's beginning to feel like a pin cushion, though he admitted during last night's debate when he was questioned by Al Sharpton about how many my minorities Dean had in his cabinet as governor of Vermont, Dean was taken off guard by the question and wasn't quick enough on his feet -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right. Candy Crowley, in Des Moines. Thanks, Candy.
For Dick Gephardt, it is all coming down to these last few frantic days. Nearly tied in the polls with Dean, he is crisscrossing Iowa, shaking hands, chasing votes. Tonight, in the first of many reports to come, CNN's Jason Bellini takes his small video camera behind the scenes to capture the delicate dance we call the Iowa hustle.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON BELLINI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): 11:00 a.m., and the TV cameras are in position to capture Dick Gephardt stroll into a barn. It is a preordained love fest, especially for farmers like 80- year-old Melvin.
(on camera): Does he look like a farmer?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, he looks like one of us. He's from out here in the center of the country. And he isn't run by...
BELLINI (voice-over): I wasn't alone in noticing Melvin.
(on camera): Are you a cardinal fan?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're damn right. I'll see you.
BELLINI: As Melvin drives back to his farm, Gephardt is loading into his suburban. Next stop, his so-called countdown to victory event.
GEPHARDT: I've got to win in Iowa to win the nomination to take on George Bush.
BELLINI: Gephardt shakes everyone's hand as they exit the room.
GEPHARDT: I would love to have your vote on the 19th. I like your jacket.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thanks.
BELLINI: Stop three, a rally with the labor unions. (on camera): I'd have to say, this is the first campaign event I've been to that has a bar in the back of the room. This seems to be a campaign that caters to adults, not the youngsters.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If I was in a caucus hall, I'm not sure I'd want to mess with you.
BELLINI (voice-over): The guys who came in the Boilermakers for Gephardt bus...
(on camera): Will you tell me the story about the bus?
(voice-over): ... don't want to be messed with.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's our spokeslady right there.
BELLINI (on camera): You can't speak for yourself about the bus?
(voice-over): At the end of the day, with the caucuses one week away, all this is no joke.
Jason Bellini, CNN, Des Moines, Iowa.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, right now, we're following a number of other stories "Cross Country" for you. Let's take a look.
Washington, D.C.: got blood? There's less than a two-day supply of blood available nationwide, and hospitals and blood suppliers are getting worried. Some surgeries have been postponed. The nation's blood banks say their inventories have dropped "well below a safe and adequate supply."
Tucson, Arizona: lady sings the blues. Diana Ross has agreed to a plea deal over several DUI charges she was facing. Ross was arrested December 30, 2002, after police had reports of a car driving the wrong way down a one-way street. Ross' blood alcohol level was .20. Arizona's legal limit, .08.
Houston, Texas: rocket re-launched. Roger Clemens, one of baseball's all-time great pitchers, he took a one-year deal to play with his hometown team, the Houston Astros. Clemens won baseball's Cy Young Award six times, and says he was retiring after last season with the New York Yankees. He's going to get paid about $5 million for the one-year season. Not bad.
That's a look at stories "Cross Country" tonight.
Judging the bishop. A former senior church official on trial right now for a possible hit and run. Was it all an accident? We're going to take a closer look at that.
Plus, a man jumps into a lion's den, literally. Look at this video. Cameras rolling. Chaos ensued. We'll tell you what happened next. And conquering depression. Tonight, we begin a special week-long series. How do you know if you're really depressed, clinically depressed in need of help? Find out just ahead.
First, let's look "Inside the Box" at the top stories on tonight's network evening newscasts.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Jury selection began today in Phoenix in the trial of a former Roman Catholic bishop accused of hitting a man with his car, then leaving him to die.
National correspondent, Frank Buckley, has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Thanks to an immunity deal, Bishop Thomas O'Brien had just avoided prosecution on obstruction of justice charges for allegedly protecting priests accused of molestation when he was arrested for what happened here. On a Saturday evening in June, 43-year-old Jim Reed was hit by a car. Police say the person who did it didn't stop.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sir, you are Thomas J. O'Brien?
BISHOP THOMAS J. O'BRIEN, DEFENDANT: Yes.
BUCKLEY: O'Brien was arrested after they went to his home the following Monday and found his car, the windshield shattered and caved in. O'Brien pled not guilty.
PROF. GARY LOWENTHAL, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY: The issue in this case is whether or not the bishop was aware that he struck a human being.
BUCKLEY: And now, jury selection is under way, and it will be a challenge, say experts, to find 12 impartial jurors in a community where publicity over the bishop's legal troubles has been intense.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is very difficult to know what a juror will or will not put out of his or her mind, when the juror says, oh, I can be fair, I can be impartial, I can decide this matter just on the facts.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BUCKLEY: Prospective jurors are now filling out questionnaires. They'll be individually questioned throughout the week. At the end of the day, they also got a sense of the case as each side sees it, and what the judge called mini opening statements.
The prosecutor is calling this a very simple case about the failure to abide by the responsibility that every driver has. The defense signaling it was virtually impossible to see the victim the night that he was hit by Mr. O'Brien's car. Opening statements will be taking place next week. If convicted, Bishop O'Brien could face nearly four years in state prison -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right. Frank Buckley, thanks very much for that tonight from Phoenix.
Several developments from Iraq tonight we want to tell you about. A U.S. soldier was killed, two others injured, when an improvised explosive device went off in Baghdad.
Meanwhile, in dozens of raids, coalition forces have captured more than 100 people suspected of aiding former members of Saddam Hussein's regime. The move comes as some Iraqis are taking justice into their own hands. Revenge killings.
CNN's Karl Penhaul reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The tears of a father, a school photo of his 10-year-old son, Allah (ph), just days before he was gunned down. He says his wife, Dramia, a primary school teacher, took a bullet but survived. He tells us it was a revenge attack for her old ties to the Ba'ath Party, Saddam Hussein's political machine. She's left her hometown in Najaf and is now in hiding in Baghdad.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): There were two men on a motorbike with scarves covering their whole faces except their eyes. One was driving. The other was facing backwards and shooting. I just heard the shot. It hit my side and came through my shoulder. I don't know where the other two shots went.
PENHAUL: That was December 20. Carpenter Dhia Hussein hasn't yet found the words to tell his wife the other shots hit little Allah (ph). She doesn't know he's dead.
DHIA HUSSEIN, SON KILLED IN REVENGE ATTACK (through translator): He took a bullet in the forehead and it came out the back. He was just an innocent child.
PENHAUL (on camera): There's no record of exactly how many Ba'ath Party activists may have been targeted in the chaotic months since the end of the war, but coalition authorities say there's no comparison to the thousands of retaliation killings in France and Italy after World War II.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure, there have been, for instance, individual acts of retribution, the sorts of things you see after a dictatorial regime has fallen. I've been struck by how little of that there has been.
PENHAUL: But for this father, there's been one killing too many.
Karl Penhaul, CNN, Najaf, Iraq. (END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, right now, we're following a number of developing stories around the globe. Let's check the "UpLink."
Tehran, Iran: showdown. More reformist lawmakers joined a parliament sit-in today. A big showdown with conservatives is looming, they say. The conservative council recently barred 80 reformists from running in upcoming elections. Iran's supreme leader says he'll intervene if the issue can't be resolved.
Port-Au-Prince, Haiti: outrage. Look at this. More demonstrations.
College students flooded the streets. Yet another anti- government demonstration today. The parliament is all but powerless. The terms of most its members have expired. And no one has been elected to take their place.
Buenos Aires, Argentina: lion attack. Look at this video. A man with a history of mental problems jumped into the lion's den at the city's zoo. He was pinned down by the lion. Finally, police fired gunshots to scare the animal off. The man escaped with only minor injuries.
And that is a look at the "UpLink" tonight.
All this week on 360, we're going to be bringing you a special series, "Conquering Depression." I want to give you a quick look now at what you can expect.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): They call it the invisible illness, and for good reason. Depression affects nearly one in 10 adult Americans. But unless one has actually experienced the disease firsthand, it's difficult to comprehend its overwhelming, debilitating punch.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's just a terrible feeling. You feel like it's the end of the world.
COOPER: But there is hope. All this week in our series, "Conquering Depression," we'll look at different ways to fight against the illness. Tonight, the warning signs. How to tell if you're clinically depressed or simply down in the dumps.
On Tuesday, we'll look at antidepressants, a multi billion-dollar business that have helped turned our country into a pill-popping nation. But do these medications actually work? We'll look at new research and the latest drugs.
On Wednesday, therapy. Whatever happened to lying on the couch or, in Tony Soprano's case, simply sitting on a chair? We'll also examine some surprising new research about cognitive therapy and how effective it might be for you. On Thursday, the young and hopeless. Teenage depression. It affects some eight percent of all teens, yet figuring out if your child is suffering may not be so easy.
Good Charlotte, a well-known rock band, is reaching out to kids. We'll talk to them about teens and holding on.
Finally, on Friday, men and depression. They call men the silent sufferers, less likely to seek treatment, more likely to commit suicide. What's the cause of this depression gender gap?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, when we come back tonight, how do you know if you are depressed? Warning signs that you need to know.
Also tonight, the trial that has stunned a country. He admits he's a cannibal, but says he's no murderer. Today's strange twist in this shocking case.
Also ahead, sex and your health. Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Jennifer Berman on what doctors now know about sexual healing.
And a little bit later on, the latest on the whistle-blower, or is he a turncoat? What do you think? The latest on a former cabinet member's critique of the president.
And we want to hear from you. Tonight's "Buzz" question: Was Paul O'Neill right to speak out? Vote now, cnn.com/360. We've already been getting a lot of votes on this. We'll have the results at the end of the program.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Well, conquering depression. And, yes, it is possible.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, each year more than 18 million Americans suffer from depression. But the disease is not always easy to identify.
Here is a quick test for you. You're about to hear from five people. Which of them do you think has suffered from depression?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm graduating college in May. And I'm looking forward to entering the workforce and being able to provide for myself.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Being alone here in the city, it's -- though it's a very happy place to be at Christmas, it also can be a very lonely place at the same time.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was homeless and now I'm back working. And everything is fine. I lost my family in the process. But I can deal with that now. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I feel more secure than I ever have. I know I can make it on my own. I've been divorced. And I saw that I could live without a man.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm looking forward to my retirement in another two years, and then I want to move to Puerto Rico.
COOPER (voice-over): So what do you think? Him? Her? The truth is, they all say they have experienced depression. It is a disease which crosses all social and economic lines.
In fact, the NIH says from 1987 to 1997 the number of people reporting depression tripled. The stigma of the illness lessened by public awareness campaigns.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I used to be happy.
COOPER: And by public celebrity battles with the illness.
BARBARA BUSH, PRESIDENT BUSH'S MOTHER: And it really physically hurt.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I find myself sobbing on street corners.
COOPER: Everyone gets sad. But depression is different. Here's a quick test. Federal health officials say if you've suffered from at least five of the following symptoms for two weeks or more, you may need help: persistent sad mood, loss of interest or pleasure in activity that were once enjoyed, significant change in appetite or body weight, difficulty sleeping or oversleeping, physical slowing or agitation, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, repeated thoughts of death or suicide.
The good news is that conquering depression is possible. There are more treatment options than ever before. And according to doctors, nearly 80 percent of those who seek treatment can be helped.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, we all get the blahs. But how do you know if you suffer from clinical depression?
Dr. Thomas Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, join us from Washington.
Doctor, good to see you. Thanks for being with us.
DR. THOMAS INSEL, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH: Thanks for having me.
COOPER: Is there a clinical difference between a depression that lasts for a short time and a depression that lasts for years?
INSEL: Well, we often think about mild sadness as being the blues. And all of us go through that as a natural reaction. But at some point, you go into what one could call a deep hole, which is the disease or illness of Major Depressive Disorder. And that is qualitatively different than just having the blues.
Some of the things you just mentioned, some of these so-called vegetative signs, sleep disturbance, the loss of appetite, the weight loss, sometimes the complete loss of energy and loss of libido, all of those are really typical of a Major Depressive Disorder.
COOPER: And it would surprise a lot of people, from what I read in some of your statements, is that depression is really a disorder that affects the entire body.
INSEL: Well, that's right. I think one of the things that's changed the most in the way we think about this disorder in the last five to 10 years is to recognize that it is not just a mood disorder. Yes, mood is affected, but it's also a disorder of many other systems of the body.
So you have changes in the immune function, changes in endocrine function. There are actually changes in bone metabolism. And probably the most significant are changes in cardiovascular function.
We know this from people who have had heart attacks and who become depressed afterwards. And what we've learned is the presence of depression after a heart attack is a very significant risk factor for severe cardiovascular problems, and even cardiovascular death.
COOPER: There is also still such a stigma around this illness. I've read that less than half the people who actually suffer from depression try to seek some form of treatment. Do men and women respond differently to depression?
INSEL: Well, let me go back to your first comment about the stigma. The stigma is there. But I think you have to recognize that when you have this particular illness, in many ways it really precludes its own treatment. This is an illness that keeps people from being able to help themselves or help anyone else.
COOPER: Because of the depression itself, you don't even want to go seek treatment?
INSEL: You don't want to get out of bed. I mean, this is a disorder in which you're really incapacitated. We're talking about a very significant illness. And people who have this are the least likely to be able to navigate all the things that are necessary to access treatment.
COOPER: Yes. I mean, you hear people say, oh, just pull yourself up, shape up, put a smile on your face. That doesn't work?
INSEL: Just the kind of thing that people with depression are absolutely unable to do.
COOPER: And men and women, do they respond differently to it? INSEL: Well, they may manifest different kinds of symptoms. In men, you tend not to see so much of the sadness. When you go back to that list you gave, the first thing on the list was the sad mood. You may see that.
But often for men, it's not so much crying and the emotional expressions. It is the sort of loss of energy, the loss of vitality, often feeling that they are dead inside. There is a tendency for men even to become more irritable than sad. It's something that you don't see as often with women.
COOPER: Well, we're going to be looking at this all week. Dr. Thomas Insel, thanks for being with us tonight. Thank you.
INSEL: My pleasure. Thank you.
COOPER: I want to give you some fast facts on the subject right now. The National Institute of Mental Health tells us depression robs the nation of $70 billion a year in medical expenses, lost productivity, and other costs. Lost work days account for $12 billion economic drain that depression causes.
We're going to be following this all week long.
A war of words between a former cabinet member and the Bush administration. Is it proof that the war in Iraq was in the works before September 11? We're going to take a closer look at that allegation.
Plus, the birds do it, the bees do it. But, will doing it often make you a healthier person? Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Jennifer Berman will help us sort it all out.
Right now, let's catch you up on some of tonight's top stories.
Be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Time now for the "Reset." Let's take a look at the top stories tonight.
At the Summit of the Americas in Monterrey, Mexico today, President Bush receives the backing of Mexican president, Vicente Fox, for the White House's plan to grant undocumented workers in the U.S. temporary guest worker status.
At the same news conference, Mr. Bush disputes his former Treasury secretary's charge that he was planning to topple Saddam Hussein from his first few days as president. We're going to have more on that in a moment.
Washington: the Supreme Court is letting the government keep its secrecy about hundreds of people rounded up under suspicion of terrorism in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. The high court today refused to hear and appeal supported Arab-American groups, civil rights activist, and various new media, including CNN.
Miami, Florida. The American Civil Liberties Union is sticking up for of all people Rush Limbaugh. Its says authorities probing the radio talk show host admitted abuse of pain killer drugs violated his rights by seizing his medical records.
And Pasadena, California. The first 360 degree color panorama of the Martian terrain. The Spirit Rover is set to roll on to it later this week. NASA scientist pieced the image together from 225 separate photos.
And that is "The Reset" tonight.
Back to Washington. Our top story.
Did he break the law or is it backlash?
The Treasury Department is launching an investigation into how documents marked secret became part of a CBS News "60 Minutes" broadcast last night. In an interview, former treasury secretary, Paul O'Neill, spoke about President Bush, and he had a shocker on Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL O'NEILL, FORMER TREASURY SECRETARY: From the very beginning there was a conviction that Saddam Hussein was a bad person and that he needed to go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
You can also read about this blast from the past in this week's "Time" magazine. Earlier I spoke with Jay Carney, "Times" deputy Washington bureau chief. I asked about the possible damage these allegation might present for President Bush.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAY CARNEY, "TIME MAGAZINE", DEPUTY WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF: Well, it's damaging no matter how you look at it. We had a cabinet official seriously questioning the president's management style, his engagement in the issues, and his rationale for invading Iraq. It's damaging. The question is, how lucky is the Bush White House in having these revelations made during a time with when the political attention is focused on the Democrats as they enter their caucus and primary season. A lot of other attention is being paid on what's happening in the ground in Iraq.
COOPER: There is little doubt the candidates will bring this up in the days and weeks and months ahead. But the story is sort of a Rorshach Test and those who see it one way will support him and those who see it differently will oppose him.
So beyond -- it doesn't really change anybody's mind, does it?
There's no smoking gun, per se? CARNEY: Well, except for one thing. For the critics for the president when they make their arguments against the president's decision either to invade Iraq and use weapons of mass destruction as a rationale or his decision to cut taxes three times, they can say, don't just believe me. Believe Paul O'Neill, who was a Republican, who served in three Republican administrations, who was this president's treasury secretary. He was in on the national security council meetings. He was the principal in the decision in the economic policy. This is what he says.
COOPER: I want to read you one thing from Paul O'Neill said in this book.
"I wondered from the first, if the president didn't know the questions to ask, or if he did know and just not want to know the answer. He was like a blind man in a roomful of deaf people."
How do you think the White House is going to respond to all this?
CARNEY: Boy, they are not happy. As we put in "Time" magazine this week. This is a book the White House officials won't want to put down because they would like to throw it out the window. I mean, this contradicts a carefully calibrated PR effort by this White House to argue this president is fully engaged, that he's a great question asker in meetings and a great listener. And that began in the 2000 campaign when there was a lot of, I think fairly legitimate, questioning going on about this president's level of experience and his level of intellectual curiosity.
COOPER: Just played today the Treasury Department announced they're going to seek a probe into some of the documents allegedly taken by ex-Secretary O'Neill.
How significant that?
CARNEY: Well, we'll have to see. We know, of course, that he brought out something like 19,000 pages worth of documents on a CD- ROM. Whether or not any of those were sensitive enough or classify indeed some way to make it inappropriate for him to take them, we just don't know. Clearly, this has stunned the administration they're fighting back.
COOPER: Does it pay for them to fight back, to continually fight back?
Doesn't this sort of prolong this story?
CARNEY: Yes. I would say that's an excellent question, because you're right, it does. If this becomes a legal battle of some sort and it could turn Paul O'Neill into a martyr.
COOPER: What was it Paul O'Neill said in "Time" magazine about they can't do anything to him?
CARNEY: Recognizing he would be attacked by the White House after this came out, he said, I'm old and rich. What can they do me?
And he is both old and rich. He has no interest in returning to Washington to serve in a fourth administration. And you know, his style was always as a blunt truth teller. A lot of people in the administration didn't like that when he was part of it. They don't like it now. It is consistent with the way he's been as a public official in the past, to be this blunt and out spoken.
COOPER: Well, we will see I guess if he's untouchable. The Treasury Department investigating. We'll see where that goes. Jay Carney, from "Time," good to see you. Thanks very much.
CARNEY: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: And here's your chance to weigh in.
Today's "Buzz" question is this.
Was Paul O'Neill right to speak out?
We are getting a ton of votes on this. Vote now, cnn.com/360.
Was Paul O'Neill right to speak out?
We move on to "Justice Served." From Germany, the latest in the bizarre case of an admitted cannibal on trial for murder. Bizarre is actually understatement. Some of what you may hear is not appropriate for sensitive viewers. I just want to warn you on that. A jury heard shocking testimony today from a lover after man who volunteered to be killed and eaten.
Stephanie Halasz reports from Berlin.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEPHANIE HALASZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Once again, as he has for over a month, Armin Meiwes got ready to hear testimony at his trial. He is charged of cutting off the genitals of a man Bernd Brandes, and killing and eating him. Meiwes listened as a former lover of Brandes described how Brandes had offered to pay the lover to bite off Brandes the genitals but the offer was refused. Also Monday, Brandes never express a death wish and they were happy together. Then three years ago, Brandes answered an ad placed by Meiwes that sought someone willing to be slaughtered and eaten. At Meiwes remote rambling house, Brandes high on cold medicine, and cold medicine the accused with the help of the victim cut off his genitals and then fried them. Together they shared them as a meal.
Hours later, Meiwes killed Brandes which Meiwes maintains was the agreement the two men had?
Meiwes then cut Brandes up while a everything was recorded. Subsequently the eight part of Brandes. In Germany, is cannibalism is technically not a crime. So, the question for the court, is this murder, which could put Meiwes behind bars for life or merely killing on demand, a crime punished between six months and five years. The notorious Meiwes could find out in January when the court is expected to decide.
Stephanie Halasz, CNN, Berlin.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: In stunned silence Court TV anchor Lisa bloom has been watching this trial.
LISA BLOOM, COURT TV: Maybe for once. Great dinnertime story by the way.
COOPER: Yes, I know. Sorry about that.
It's just fascinating trial though. And just so bizarre on so many different levels. I guess the testimony centered around the victim's state of mind, the guy who was actually eaten and murdered.
Why is that so important?
Why is his state of mind key?
BLOOM: German law is different than American law. Under German law there is something called murder on demand. Namely the victim consents to being killed. It's still a crime, but the sentence is five years rather than life in prison. We don't have anything like that, but if under German law the admitted cannibal could prove to the jury that the victim consented, he's looking at a much shorter sentence.
COOPER: And that is his claim. I talked to this guy's lawyer weeks ago. He says he's not a murderer. He doesn't consider himself a murder. That this man wanted to be eaten and wanted to be killed. Killing on demand, we do not have that here in the United States. It's a very particularly German law.
BLOOM: That's right. And German law doesn't forbid cannibalism, neither does American law, except in one state, Idaho. But American law says you simply can't murder someone. The victim cannot consent to being killed, end of story.
COOPER: So, if this crime happened in the United States, I mean, if someone was murdered and eaten, whether or not they consented, it wouldn't matter because there's no killing done on demand.
What would they be charged with here in the U.S.?
BLOOM: Well, they would be charged with murder and they would be charged with desecration of a corpse, which is sort of the catch-all in all 50 states, that says once someone is killed, you can't do something like that to someone's somebody. You can't desecrate it in anyway. COOPER: And this thing -- this trial keeps going on and on. I feel like -- you know we don't even covered this thing very much. When we do it feels like it's been going on my entire life.
BLOOM: Well it's been going on Mondays and Fridays so it is proceeding slowly.
COOPER: Only on Mondays and Fridays, is that why it's so long?
BLOOM: That's why it's been taking a long time out there German. And a couple of the girlfriends of the cannibal testified by the way that he was a very nice guy. That he wasn't marriage material, but that he was a terrific guy and liked him.
COOPER: Oh, man.
BLOOM: I'm not making this up, Anderson.
COOPER: I talked to the guy's lawyer. And the guy's lawyer who represented him before was like, yes, I was surprised when I found out. They say like -- no one knew.
BLOOM: I didn't know you did German impressions.
COOPER: Yes, I'm a man of many -- I don't know. Any ways, Lisa Bloom, Court TV, thanks very much.
BLOOM: Thanks, Anderson.
Changing gears. Coming up, we're talking about love and sex and the connection between your love life and staying healthy and, yes, it turns out there very well may well be a connection.
Plus, a steamy way to get in shape. Jeanne Moos shows us the latest exercise craze. I don't even know what they are doing there.
And artistic expression under fire. A painting features President Bush and Osama bin Laden?
Is it art or a polemic -- the controversy ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: All right. The next time you're about to say, not tonight, dear. Wait. You might be jeopardizing your health. Here is the headline. Sex may help you live longer. That is the news in "TIME" magazine's steamy special issue on newsstands now on how your love life keeps you healthy.
For tonight's "Fresh Print" we are talking with Dr. Jennifer Berman. She's quoted a lot in the article as the director of Female Sexual Medical Center at UCLA. Good to see you. And joining us in Atlanta, CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Sanjay, I want to start off with you. Let's talk about these alleged benefits of sex. What does it exactly benefit? DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's something that's been wildly studied for some time. Sex and its impact on overall health. A few things. A few areas this article highlighted. Longevity, longevity of life, meaning you live longer.
Now for a long time people in marriages were known to live longer. And that was thought to be because of the companionship, things like that but in fact, sex might have a lot to do with it. Decreased heart disease risk simply because it's a very aerobic activity. Intercourse, for example, equivalent to about 30 minutes of aerobic activity. Subsequent weight loss as well. Pain relief. That was a very interesting one.
It appears that there's hormones that are released that can modify pain as well. There's other benefits such as fighting depression and anxiety. Boosting your immune system. Also, fighting cancer potentially. It may act as a hormonal band-aid, wound healing, things like that. All these benefits of sex. Again, a lot of studies on this over the past several years.
COOPER: Dr. Berman, is this just couples in monogamous relationships Does it sort of matter the permutation of it?
DR. JENNIFER BERMAN, DIRECTOR, FEMALE SEXUAL MEDICAL CENTER AT UCLA: I think any way you're having sex is good. One thing to be cautious of is that I don't think we can form a causal relationship yet between having sex and living longer.
Technically, the healthier you are, the more physically fit you are, probably the more you're having sex. You can't say that sex is going to make you live long. I think healthy people have more sex. Thus, that correlation exists right now.
COOPER: All right, Sanjay, is something like exercise just as effective? There are plenty of things that are good for you and benefit your life. Do you see any direct causal relationship at this point?
GUPTA: It's interesting what Dr. Berman points out. I think they are starting to hone in on mechanisms. First of all, exercise could be just as beneficial as could good diet as could lots of things. There are mechanisms now relating sex, not a direct cause and effect, but reasons why sex might be good for your health.
Oxytocin, for example, is a hormone. People sort of affectionately refer to it as the cuddle hormone, a hormone that is released during intercourse, during sex. It has lots of different possible impact on the body. First of all, it's in both men and women, greater level certainly in women.
BERMAN: Is that why -- men must not have it. I don't think men have it as much.
GUPTA: They don't have it as much.
BERMAN: It's the hormone of attachment. GUPTA: The cuddle hormone. Exactly. Lots of potential benefits from this hormone as well. In terms of depression and anxiety, could this be a hormone that -- leaving alone sex -- if you inject, could you get the benefits? Perhaps. But, you know, point of fact is that they may be honing on a specific mechanism as to why sex might be good for your health.
COOPER: Dr. Berman, this is one news report that your clients will latch on to in many respects.
BERMAN: That...
COOPER: This is certainly something which for any couple out there or any person in a couple who -- some people who would be happy to hear this report of some sort of alleged relationship?
BERMAN: I mean, but be careful because it's not all about having a partner or having a relationship. Women and, for that matter, men can be, quote, unquote "sexually active" without having another person. You don't need to be dependent on another person to be sexually active or sexually fulfilled. It's -- what the article pointed out, during orgasm, your heart rate increases, blood pressures. You can burn up to 200 calories during a sexual encounter with or without another person for that matter.
In terms of oxytocin, that is a hormone of attachment and cuddling. I guess that's why, you know, what keeps us together. Women do tend to have higher levels of oxytocin than men. It has been shown to be important for enhancing arousal and, for that matter, orgasm and uterine contractions during orgasm. What role it plays in the male brain, to me, is still unclear in terms of the research that I've read even from this article.
COOPER: Interesting stuff. Dr. Jennifer Berman, always good to talk you to. And Dr. Sanjay Gupta as well, thanks very much.
There's a new spin tonight to the weight-loss maxim. Take it off. Take it all off. Jeanne Moos has the bare facts. There are a couple of puns in there I have to apologize for. The bare facts or what you might call the full Monty workout.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is poles apart from pushups and jumping jacks. The strip workout. First it was a fad, now it's a book. Actress Sheila Kelly first learned the moves when she had to play a stripper in the film "Dancing at the Blue Iguana."
Sheila began giving classes and now she's put out a guide called "The S Factor." "S" for the sinuous moves women make. Now you can learn the pump, the flirt, the frisk. She has her students doing the kitty cat crawl in this exercise class. Even your hair gets a workout.
This woman's fiance waited outside after driving three hours to get to New York.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If she chooses to perform for me, great. I'll be very happy. This is purely for her.
MOOS: She took to it like a kitty takes to playing with yarn.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think everyone fantasizes about it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: About being a stripper? I wouldn't even strip a bed.
MOOS: Sheila had the class spell with their pelvis. But the only thing she actually stripped off were her socks. Sheila's specialty is pole tricks.
SHEILA KELLY: I got a lot of bruises. You get a lot of bruises at the beginning when you don't know what you're doing.
MOOS: Sheila sells poles on her SFactor.com website. She keeps two at home where she lives with her husband, the actor who plays Toby in the "West Wing." Pity the poor camera man.
KELLY: You can always trust the guy from behind. We're talking about you!
MOOS: In this strip class, take it all off. First, the pounds. Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: All right. Is it art or is it politics? A conservative artist who is causing controversy of a very different kind with some of his paintings.
And movie goers, look out. Kevin Costner has a new movie role that's not exactly a stretch. Details in "The Current" when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: All right. Time to check on the pop news in tonight's "Current." Let's see what's going on there.
Anne Heche says growing up in an abusive household helped prepare her for an upcoming movie role as a drug-addicted mother who neglects her children. Aspiring actors can get a similar experience from watching at least 30 minutes of Lifetime.
After years of feuding with Jennifer Lopez, according to "New York Daily News," Mariah Carey now wants to patch things up and record a duet with her. And I want a pony. That's what I want.
"Variety" reports that Josh Hartnett is in talks to star in "Mozart and a Whale," about a couple suffering from a form of autism. Autism is capable of robbing patients of interpersonal skills, as well as giving actors a better shot at prestigious awards. Kevin Costner is making another western, according to "The Hollywood Reporter." It's going to be called "Horizon," and at press time, there seemed to be no possible way of stopping him. Gail (ph) liked that one. I appreciate it, Gail (ph), thanks.
In New York, a portrait of President Bush is causing quite a stir. But not because it's criticizing the president. In fact, the artist says it is a tribute to Mr. Bush. Take a look. It shows President Bush astride a horse, holding an American -- you are still laughing at that one -- holding an American flag in one hand and the severed bloody head of Osama bin Laden in the other. Only in the rarefied New York art world would a patriotic picture become a target of criticism. Earlier today, I interviewed artist Scott Lobaido, who is no stranger to controversy.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SCOTT LOBAIDO, ARTIST: You know, I'm already getting a little, you know, heat from it. You know, and I don't understand why. You know, I have faith in my commander in chief, which is rare coming from an artist in New York City.
COOPER: And that's the message of this painting, have faith?
LOBAIDO: Yes. Have faith...
COOPER: Have faith that...
LOBAIDO: ... that our commander in chief will come through and he will bring us the head of Saddam Hussein. I'm sorry. We have that already.
COOPER: Osama bin Laden.
LOBAIDO: Osama bin Laden. Yes, we already...
COOPER: Do you find -- I mean, what is the response? You know, New York, the whole art world is very liberal.
LOBAIDO: As a matter of fact...
COOPER: You always hear these controversies about artists, you know, desecrating the American flag. That's not something you did.
LOBAIDO: No. It is the total opposite. And it's just something I was born with. You know, again, I come from a community of veterans, and you know, the people that put out the fires and pay the taxes, and transport the people, bus drivers. A patriotic community I come from. And I have to carry that through. It's just automatic. It's a heartfelt...
COOPER: But how do other artists respond to your work, especially in New York? I mean, do -- is it tough getting gallery shows?
LOBAIDO: Yes. I've always had a problem. And you know, I've always rented my own space when I had a gallery show, because the art world, you know, they shun me and it's a shame.
You know, I have a lot of creative friends and stuff. And we debate politics and what not. But the art world -- it's a hypocritical stance, because they open up to everyone. I mean, they've opened up to, you know, serial murderers in their artwork. But you know, because of my political -- you know, I will probably vote Republican. I voted for George Bush proudly. I stand strongly behind my commander in chief. And the art world just cannot fathom that.
COOPER: Yes, because when you hear controversial artist, people think, oh, liberal controversial artists, not conservative controversial artists.
LOBAIDO: Exactly. Exactly. And I've passed up a lot of prosperity because I cannot change my agenda because it is something from my heart. You know, I'm just a patriot.
COOPER: Do you consider yourself more of an artist or an activist? Because, I mean, you actually do stuff on the street. You hung a flag over the French consulate. You got arrested for that. I think you're still...
LOBAIDO: Yes, I'm on probation.
COOPER: ... on probation for that.
LOBAIDO: Yes, yes.
COOPER: Are you an activist or are you an artist?
LOBAIDO: I guess it comes with being a true artist. If you are a true artist, you create things with passion. Passion beyond, you know, my explanation. I cannot explain the passion. It's just there. I have great opportunity in this country. I mean, I hate to use this cliche, but...
COOPER: Why don't you think there are more conservative artists out there?
LOBAIDO: Because it's such a trend, I believe. It's just a trend that's been, you know, that started in the '60s, and the early '70s, and it just became this trend of anti-establishment, and, you know, the artist is supposed to be rebelling against his childhood repression or something.
I didn't have that. I had a great childhood. You know, I am now -- my anger and passion and protests and activism comes from the lack of patriotism and just appreciation for what that flag represents. Not the government official that you have a problem with. You go right to the steps of City Hall or the steps of the Capitol, like I do. When you desecrate the flag because you have an opposition to a government official, you're spitting on the graves of these men and women that fought so you can do that. You know, it's very puzzling to me.
COOPER: Well, you got a show now. I know you're getting more commissions now, and I wish you a lot of luck. Thanks.
LOBAIDO: Thank you very, very much.
COOPER: All right, thanks.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, from artwork to real-life controversy for President Bush. One of his former insiders speaks out. Coming up, the fallout to "The Nth Degree."
And tomorrow, a pill-popping nation. America's growing use of anti-depressants. Can they work for you? Part two of our series, "Conquering Depression."
First, today's "Buzz." Thousands of people have voted so far. Was Paul O'Neill right to speak out? Vote now, cnn.com/360. Results in just a few moments.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Time now for "The Buzz." Was Paul O'Neill right to speak out? Ninety-three percent of you said yes; 7 percent, no. This is not a scientific poll. Just your buzz. We appreciate it.
Finally tonight, taking that old eye of the beholder business to "The Nth Degree."
Here is a bit of a current events Rorschach test for you. Looking at a picture of former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, what do you see? A hero or a villain? A whistle-blower or a backstabber?
How you see Paul O'Neill, whether as a fearless truth-teller or as a backstabbing turncoat is a matter of how you feel about the Bush administration. That's how a Rorschach test works. After all, this building could be this, could be that, could be anything at all, really.
Mr. O'Neill says the Bush administration was deadset on ousting Saddam Hussein long before 9/11, that the president was so disengaged during cabinet meetings as to be like -- and this is a verbatim quote -- "a blind man in a room full of deaf people."
Actually, one of those people, Mr. O'Neill himself, seems not to have been deaf so much as mute. Despite whatever he heard, he never said anything until now, three years after the fact.
So what is he? Turncoat? Truth-teller? Or just a fellow with odd timing? Of course, he could be all three of those things. That is the beauty of the inkblot test.
Thanks for watching our program tonight. That about wraps it all up. Coming up next, "PAULA ZAHN NOW."
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Aired January 12, 2004 - 19:00 ET
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ANNOUNCER: Live from the CNN Broadcast Center in New York, this is ANDERSON COOPER 360.
COOPER: Good evening. Welcome to 360.
Ex Treasury secretary, Paul O'Neill, under fire by the Bush administration after a tell-all book that reveals less than flattering details about the president.
Plus, Howard Dean comes out fighting. A rough road on the campaign trail today.
Good evening. Welcome to the show.
Dramatic developments today in Washington. Former Treasury secretary, Paul O'Neill, the ex-insider, telling all in a new book, is now the target of a government investigation.
Senior White House correspondent, John King, has the very latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In Mexico, the president would not say whether he feels betrayed by his former Treasury secretary, but strongly defended his decision to go to war in Iraq.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: September the 11th made me realize that America was no longer protected by oceans and we had to take threats very seriously.
KING: The White House says it will not engage in a public point- by-point rebuttal of this new book, "The Price of Loyalty," in which Paul O'Neill not only questions the war, but says the president leading a cabinet meeting is like a blind man in a room full of deaf people. Back in Washington, the Treasury Department launched their preliminary investigation into whether O'Neill broke the law in taking classified memos he is now using to help make his case.
PAUL O'NEILL, FMR. TREASURY SECRETARY: From the very beginning, there was a conviction that Saddam Hussein was a bad person, and that he needed to go.
KING: O'Neill discussed the memos with "60 Minutes," including this one, 10 days into the Bush presidency. A designated secrete that discusses planning for post-Saddam Iraq, a memo Treasury officials says is classified and not meant to leave government files.
O'Neill's access to such memos came from his seat on the National Security Council. He told "TIME" Magazine he never "saw anything in the intelligence that I would characterize as real evidence Iraq had weapons of mass destruction." Countering O'Neill, senior Bush aides say the former secretary did not see the most sensitive intelligence. That regime in Iraq became government policy in the Clinton administration, and that from the beginning Mr. Bush and top aides made no secret they wanted to turn up the heat.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: John King joins us live now at the White House.
John, a lot of people are going to hear about this investigation of O'Neill that we just heard about today and say it looks like the administration pushing back at O'Neill, trying to punish him. Is that what's going on?
KING: Well, Anderson, the Treasury Department insists that is not the case. But many Democrats are already making the case, that this is somehow payback retribution to Secretary O'Neill.
What they are saying at the Treasury Department is that they are simply launching a preliminary investigation and that that is the responsible thing to do. That it appears to them that some of the documents Secretary O'Neill has shared as part of this book project might be classify, and that they have a responsibility to look into it. So the big question will be, where does this investigation go?
COOPER: All right. We're going to have more on this a little later on in the program. John King, thanks very much at the White House.
On the intelligence front, new information tonight about why the national threat level was raised just before the holidays. CNN's national security correspondent, David Ensor, has the latest details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On December 24, based on intelligence about a terrorist threat, Air France Flight 68 from Paris to Los Angeles was canceled. But U.S. officials now tell CNN intelligence pointed to the greatest risk the day after, that al Qaeda wanted most of all to mark Christmas Day itself with terrorism.
After canceling or delaying more than 20 flights in and out of the U.S. over the holiday period, officials say they still do not know whether they stopped an attack or were duped into disrupting aviation. Either way, though, experts say expert more of the same.
DAN BENJAMIN, CSIS: I think it is going to be a fact of life because we know that al Qaeda continues to have a high degree of interest in aviation as a threat. ENSOR: Knowledgeable officials say the specific tactical intelligence about threatened flights that helped prompt code orange over the holidays was compelling and came from multiple sources. They included informants, chatter, Web sites, top al Qaeda prisoners under interrogation, and surveillance of al Qaeda suspects. Officials say security at airports around the world with flights to the U.S. must be further beefed up since al Qaeda clearly still wants to repeat its success of September 11, and with good reason.
BENJAMIN: I did some calculations about the amount of energy that was released when the two planes hit the World Trade Center. And it was in the same range as a tactical nuclear weapon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ENSOR: The good news, U.S. officials say, is they are getting evermore and better fine grained information on al Qaeda. The bad news is canceled and delayed flights for security reasons are likely to be an ongoing part in the world in which we live -- Anderson.
COOPER: It certainly seems so. All right. David Ensor, thanks very much for that tonight.
In Iowa today, despite air temperatures that were decidedly chilly, political temperatures got a whole lot hotter. Howard Dean blasted his fellow Democrats, saying they would rather be cozy in the Washington establishment than, "have real change."
CNN's chief political correspondent, Candy Crowley, is in Des Moines tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is 9:30 a.m. in Iowa, and Howard Dean seems, well, stressed.
HOWARD DEAN (D), DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, when you see again and again all these attacks by all these frontrunners against our campaign, it's not me they're trying to stop. It's us.
CROWLEY: All these frontrunners? Howard Dean, the man with the most money and the best polls, has reverted to form.
DEAN: They want to say that they're all against the establishment. They are the establishment.
CROWLEY: After weeks of trying to be confident above the fray frontrunner, Howard Dean, populous, insurgent with the edge of anger, is back on the campaign trail.
DEAN: The reason Democrats don't win elections in Washington is because they would almost rather lose than and be cozy than they would to have somebody stand up against the interests in Washington.
CROWLEY: Maybe he's feeling black and blue after being pummeled about race relations in a Sunday night debate. Maybe the polls are too close for comfort. Or maybe, like a classic candidate, Howard Dean is reminding voters why they liked him in the first place.
DEAN: Remember who stood up to George Bush first. And it wasn't anybody from the state, from the city of Washington, D.C.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CROWLEY: Before heading off to Burlington, Vermont for a day off, Dean told reporters he's beginning to feel like a pin cushion, though he admitted during last night's debate when he was questioned by Al Sharpton about how many my minorities Dean had in his cabinet as governor of Vermont, Dean was taken off guard by the question and wasn't quick enough on his feet -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right. Candy Crowley, in Des Moines. Thanks, Candy.
For Dick Gephardt, it is all coming down to these last few frantic days. Nearly tied in the polls with Dean, he is crisscrossing Iowa, shaking hands, chasing votes. Tonight, in the first of many reports to come, CNN's Jason Bellini takes his small video camera behind the scenes to capture the delicate dance we call the Iowa hustle.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON BELLINI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): 11:00 a.m., and the TV cameras are in position to capture Dick Gephardt stroll into a barn. It is a preordained love fest, especially for farmers like 80- year-old Melvin.
(on camera): Does he look like a farmer?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, he looks like one of us. He's from out here in the center of the country. And he isn't run by...
BELLINI (voice-over): I wasn't alone in noticing Melvin.
(on camera): Are you a cardinal fan?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're damn right. I'll see you.
BELLINI: As Melvin drives back to his farm, Gephardt is loading into his suburban. Next stop, his so-called countdown to victory event.
GEPHARDT: I've got to win in Iowa to win the nomination to take on George Bush.
BELLINI: Gephardt shakes everyone's hand as they exit the room.
GEPHARDT: I would love to have your vote on the 19th. I like your jacket.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thanks.
BELLINI: Stop three, a rally with the labor unions. (on camera): I'd have to say, this is the first campaign event I've been to that has a bar in the back of the room. This seems to be a campaign that caters to adults, not the youngsters.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If I was in a caucus hall, I'm not sure I'd want to mess with you.
BELLINI (voice-over): The guys who came in the Boilermakers for Gephardt bus...
(on camera): Will you tell me the story about the bus?
(voice-over): ... don't want to be messed with.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's our spokeslady right there.
BELLINI (on camera): You can't speak for yourself about the bus?
(voice-over): At the end of the day, with the caucuses one week away, all this is no joke.
Jason Bellini, CNN, Des Moines, Iowa.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, right now, we're following a number of other stories "Cross Country" for you. Let's take a look.
Washington, D.C.: got blood? There's less than a two-day supply of blood available nationwide, and hospitals and blood suppliers are getting worried. Some surgeries have been postponed. The nation's blood banks say their inventories have dropped "well below a safe and adequate supply."
Tucson, Arizona: lady sings the blues. Diana Ross has agreed to a plea deal over several DUI charges she was facing. Ross was arrested December 30, 2002, after police had reports of a car driving the wrong way down a one-way street. Ross' blood alcohol level was .20. Arizona's legal limit, .08.
Houston, Texas: rocket re-launched. Roger Clemens, one of baseball's all-time great pitchers, he took a one-year deal to play with his hometown team, the Houston Astros. Clemens won baseball's Cy Young Award six times, and says he was retiring after last season with the New York Yankees. He's going to get paid about $5 million for the one-year season. Not bad.
That's a look at stories "Cross Country" tonight.
Judging the bishop. A former senior church official on trial right now for a possible hit and run. Was it all an accident? We're going to take a closer look at that.
Plus, a man jumps into a lion's den, literally. Look at this video. Cameras rolling. Chaos ensued. We'll tell you what happened next. And conquering depression. Tonight, we begin a special week-long series. How do you know if you're really depressed, clinically depressed in need of help? Find out just ahead.
First, let's look "Inside the Box" at the top stories on tonight's network evening newscasts.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Jury selection began today in Phoenix in the trial of a former Roman Catholic bishop accused of hitting a man with his car, then leaving him to die.
National correspondent, Frank Buckley, has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Thanks to an immunity deal, Bishop Thomas O'Brien had just avoided prosecution on obstruction of justice charges for allegedly protecting priests accused of molestation when he was arrested for what happened here. On a Saturday evening in June, 43-year-old Jim Reed was hit by a car. Police say the person who did it didn't stop.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sir, you are Thomas J. O'Brien?
BISHOP THOMAS J. O'BRIEN, DEFENDANT: Yes.
BUCKLEY: O'Brien was arrested after they went to his home the following Monday and found his car, the windshield shattered and caved in. O'Brien pled not guilty.
PROF. GARY LOWENTHAL, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY: The issue in this case is whether or not the bishop was aware that he struck a human being.
BUCKLEY: And now, jury selection is under way, and it will be a challenge, say experts, to find 12 impartial jurors in a community where publicity over the bishop's legal troubles has been intense.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is very difficult to know what a juror will or will not put out of his or her mind, when the juror says, oh, I can be fair, I can be impartial, I can decide this matter just on the facts.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BUCKLEY: Prospective jurors are now filling out questionnaires. They'll be individually questioned throughout the week. At the end of the day, they also got a sense of the case as each side sees it, and what the judge called mini opening statements.
The prosecutor is calling this a very simple case about the failure to abide by the responsibility that every driver has. The defense signaling it was virtually impossible to see the victim the night that he was hit by Mr. O'Brien's car. Opening statements will be taking place next week. If convicted, Bishop O'Brien could face nearly four years in state prison -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right. Frank Buckley, thanks very much for that tonight from Phoenix.
Several developments from Iraq tonight we want to tell you about. A U.S. soldier was killed, two others injured, when an improvised explosive device went off in Baghdad.
Meanwhile, in dozens of raids, coalition forces have captured more than 100 people suspected of aiding former members of Saddam Hussein's regime. The move comes as some Iraqis are taking justice into their own hands. Revenge killings.
CNN's Karl Penhaul reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The tears of a father, a school photo of his 10-year-old son, Allah (ph), just days before he was gunned down. He says his wife, Dramia, a primary school teacher, took a bullet but survived. He tells us it was a revenge attack for her old ties to the Ba'ath Party, Saddam Hussein's political machine. She's left her hometown in Najaf and is now in hiding in Baghdad.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): There were two men on a motorbike with scarves covering their whole faces except their eyes. One was driving. The other was facing backwards and shooting. I just heard the shot. It hit my side and came through my shoulder. I don't know where the other two shots went.
PENHAUL: That was December 20. Carpenter Dhia Hussein hasn't yet found the words to tell his wife the other shots hit little Allah (ph). She doesn't know he's dead.
DHIA HUSSEIN, SON KILLED IN REVENGE ATTACK (through translator): He took a bullet in the forehead and it came out the back. He was just an innocent child.
PENHAUL (on camera): There's no record of exactly how many Ba'ath Party activists may have been targeted in the chaotic months since the end of the war, but coalition authorities say there's no comparison to the thousands of retaliation killings in France and Italy after World War II.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sure, there have been, for instance, individual acts of retribution, the sorts of things you see after a dictatorial regime has fallen. I've been struck by how little of that there has been.
PENHAUL: But for this father, there's been one killing too many.
Karl Penhaul, CNN, Najaf, Iraq. (END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, right now, we're following a number of developing stories around the globe. Let's check the "UpLink."
Tehran, Iran: showdown. More reformist lawmakers joined a parliament sit-in today. A big showdown with conservatives is looming, they say. The conservative council recently barred 80 reformists from running in upcoming elections. Iran's supreme leader says he'll intervene if the issue can't be resolved.
Port-Au-Prince, Haiti: outrage. Look at this. More demonstrations.
College students flooded the streets. Yet another anti- government demonstration today. The parliament is all but powerless. The terms of most its members have expired. And no one has been elected to take their place.
Buenos Aires, Argentina: lion attack. Look at this video. A man with a history of mental problems jumped into the lion's den at the city's zoo. He was pinned down by the lion. Finally, police fired gunshots to scare the animal off. The man escaped with only minor injuries.
And that is a look at the "UpLink" tonight.
All this week on 360, we're going to be bringing you a special series, "Conquering Depression." I want to give you a quick look now at what you can expect.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): They call it the invisible illness, and for good reason. Depression affects nearly one in 10 adult Americans. But unless one has actually experienced the disease firsthand, it's difficult to comprehend its overwhelming, debilitating punch.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's just a terrible feeling. You feel like it's the end of the world.
COOPER: But there is hope. All this week in our series, "Conquering Depression," we'll look at different ways to fight against the illness. Tonight, the warning signs. How to tell if you're clinically depressed or simply down in the dumps.
On Tuesday, we'll look at antidepressants, a multi billion-dollar business that have helped turned our country into a pill-popping nation. But do these medications actually work? We'll look at new research and the latest drugs.
On Wednesday, therapy. Whatever happened to lying on the couch or, in Tony Soprano's case, simply sitting on a chair? We'll also examine some surprising new research about cognitive therapy and how effective it might be for you. On Thursday, the young and hopeless. Teenage depression. It affects some eight percent of all teens, yet figuring out if your child is suffering may not be so easy.
Good Charlotte, a well-known rock band, is reaching out to kids. We'll talk to them about teens and holding on.
Finally, on Friday, men and depression. They call men the silent sufferers, less likely to seek treatment, more likely to commit suicide. What's the cause of this depression gender gap?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, when we come back tonight, how do you know if you are depressed? Warning signs that you need to know.
Also tonight, the trial that has stunned a country. He admits he's a cannibal, but says he's no murderer. Today's strange twist in this shocking case.
Also ahead, sex and your health. Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Jennifer Berman on what doctors now know about sexual healing.
And a little bit later on, the latest on the whistle-blower, or is he a turncoat? What do you think? The latest on a former cabinet member's critique of the president.
And we want to hear from you. Tonight's "Buzz" question: Was Paul O'Neill right to speak out? Vote now, cnn.com/360. We've already been getting a lot of votes on this. We'll have the results at the end of the program.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Well, conquering depression. And, yes, it is possible.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, each year more than 18 million Americans suffer from depression. But the disease is not always easy to identify.
Here is a quick test for you. You're about to hear from five people. Which of them do you think has suffered from depression?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm graduating college in May. And I'm looking forward to entering the workforce and being able to provide for myself.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Being alone here in the city, it's -- though it's a very happy place to be at Christmas, it also can be a very lonely place at the same time.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was homeless and now I'm back working. And everything is fine. I lost my family in the process. But I can deal with that now. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I feel more secure than I ever have. I know I can make it on my own. I've been divorced. And I saw that I could live without a man.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm looking forward to my retirement in another two years, and then I want to move to Puerto Rico.
COOPER (voice-over): So what do you think? Him? Her? The truth is, they all say they have experienced depression. It is a disease which crosses all social and economic lines.
In fact, the NIH says from 1987 to 1997 the number of people reporting depression tripled. The stigma of the illness lessened by public awareness campaigns.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I used to be happy.
COOPER: And by public celebrity battles with the illness.
BARBARA BUSH, PRESIDENT BUSH'S MOTHER: And it really physically hurt.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I find myself sobbing on street corners.
COOPER: Everyone gets sad. But depression is different. Here's a quick test. Federal health officials say if you've suffered from at least five of the following symptoms for two weeks or more, you may need help: persistent sad mood, loss of interest or pleasure in activity that were once enjoyed, significant change in appetite or body weight, difficulty sleeping or oversleeping, physical slowing or agitation, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, repeated thoughts of death or suicide.
The good news is that conquering depression is possible. There are more treatment options than ever before. And according to doctors, nearly 80 percent of those who seek treatment can be helped.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, we all get the blahs. But how do you know if you suffer from clinical depression?
Dr. Thomas Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, join us from Washington.
Doctor, good to see you. Thanks for being with us.
DR. THOMAS INSEL, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH: Thanks for having me.
COOPER: Is there a clinical difference between a depression that lasts for a short time and a depression that lasts for years?
INSEL: Well, we often think about mild sadness as being the blues. And all of us go through that as a natural reaction. But at some point, you go into what one could call a deep hole, which is the disease or illness of Major Depressive Disorder. And that is qualitatively different than just having the blues.
Some of the things you just mentioned, some of these so-called vegetative signs, sleep disturbance, the loss of appetite, the weight loss, sometimes the complete loss of energy and loss of libido, all of those are really typical of a Major Depressive Disorder.
COOPER: And it would surprise a lot of people, from what I read in some of your statements, is that depression is really a disorder that affects the entire body.
INSEL: Well, that's right. I think one of the things that's changed the most in the way we think about this disorder in the last five to 10 years is to recognize that it is not just a mood disorder. Yes, mood is affected, but it's also a disorder of many other systems of the body.
So you have changes in the immune function, changes in endocrine function. There are actually changes in bone metabolism. And probably the most significant are changes in cardiovascular function.
We know this from people who have had heart attacks and who become depressed afterwards. And what we've learned is the presence of depression after a heart attack is a very significant risk factor for severe cardiovascular problems, and even cardiovascular death.
COOPER: There is also still such a stigma around this illness. I've read that less than half the people who actually suffer from depression try to seek some form of treatment. Do men and women respond differently to depression?
INSEL: Well, let me go back to your first comment about the stigma. The stigma is there. But I think you have to recognize that when you have this particular illness, in many ways it really precludes its own treatment. This is an illness that keeps people from being able to help themselves or help anyone else.
COOPER: Because of the depression itself, you don't even want to go seek treatment?
INSEL: You don't want to get out of bed. I mean, this is a disorder in which you're really incapacitated. We're talking about a very significant illness. And people who have this are the least likely to be able to navigate all the things that are necessary to access treatment.
COOPER: Yes. I mean, you hear people say, oh, just pull yourself up, shape up, put a smile on your face. That doesn't work?
INSEL: Just the kind of thing that people with depression are absolutely unable to do.
COOPER: And men and women, do they respond differently to it? INSEL: Well, they may manifest different kinds of symptoms. In men, you tend not to see so much of the sadness. When you go back to that list you gave, the first thing on the list was the sad mood. You may see that.
But often for men, it's not so much crying and the emotional expressions. It is the sort of loss of energy, the loss of vitality, often feeling that they are dead inside. There is a tendency for men even to become more irritable than sad. It's something that you don't see as often with women.
COOPER: Well, we're going to be looking at this all week. Dr. Thomas Insel, thanks for being with us tonight. Thank you.
INSEL: My pleasure. Thank you.
COOPER: I want to give you some fast facts on the subject right now. The National Institute of Mental Health tells us depression robs the nation of $70 billion a year in medical expenses, lost productivity, and other costs. Lost work days account for $12 billion economic drain that depression causes.
We're going to be following this all week long.
A war of words between a former cabinet member and the Bush administration. Is it proof that the war in Iraq was in the works before September 11? We're going to take a closer look at that allegation.
Plus, the birds do it, the bees do it. But, will doing it often make you a healthier person? Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Jennifer Berman will help us sort it all out.
Right now, let's catch you up on some of tonight's top stories.
Be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Time now for the "Reset." Let's take a look at the top stories tonight.
At the Summit of the Americas in Monterrey, Mexico today, President Bush receives the backing of Mexican president, Vicente Fox, for the White House's plan to grant undocumented workers in the U.S. temporary guest worker status.
At the same news conference, Mr. Bush disputes his former Treasury secretary's charge that he was planning to topple Saddam Hussein from his first few days as president. We're going to have more on that in a moment.
Washington: the Supreme Court is letting the government keep its secrecy about hundreds of people rounded up under suspicion of terrorism in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. The high court today refused to hear and appeal supported Arab-American groups, civil rights activist, and various new media, including CNN.
Miami, Florida. The American Civil Liberties Union is sticking up for of all people Rush Limbaugh. Its says authorities probing the radio talk show host admitted abuse of pain killer drugs violated his rights by seizing his medical records.
And Pasadena, California. The first 360 degree color panorama of the Martian terrain. The Spirit Rover is set to roll on to it later this week. NASA scientist pieced the image together from 225 separate photos.
And that is "The Reset" tonight.
Back to Washington. Our top story.
Did he break the law or is it backlash?
The Treasury Department is launching an investigation into how documents marked secret became part of a CBS News "60 Minutes" broadcast last night. In an interview, former treasury secretary, Paul O'Neill, spoke about President Bush, and he had a shocker on Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL O'NEILL, FORMER TREASURY SECRETARY: From the very beginning there was a conviction that Saddam Hussein was a bad person and that he needed to go.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
You can also read about this blast from the past in this week's "Time" magazine. Earlier I spoke with Jay Carney, "Times" deputy Washington bureau chief. I asked about the possible damage these allegation might present for President Bush.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAY CARNEY, "TIME MAGAZINE", DEPUTY WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF: Well, it's damaging no matter how you look at it. We had a cabinet official seriously questioning the president's management style, his engagement in the issues, and his rationale for invading Iraq. It's damaging. The question is, how lucky is the Bush White House in having these revelations made during a time with when the political attention is focused on the Democrats as they enter their caucus and primary season. A lot of other attention is being paid on what's happening in the ground in Iraq.
COOPER: There is little doubt the candidates will bring this up in the days and weeks and months ahead. But the story is sort of a Rorshach Test and those who see it one way will support him and those who see it differently will oppose him.
So beyond -- it doesn't really change anybody's mind, does it?
There's no smoking gun, per se? CARNEY: Well, except for one thing. For the critics for the president when they make their arguments against the president's decision either to invade Iraq and use weapons of mass destruction as a rationale or his decision to cut taxes three times, they can say, don't just believe me. Believe Paul O'Neill, who was a Republican, who served in three Republican administrations, who was this president's treasury secretary. He was in on the national security council meetings. He was the principal in the decision in the economic policy. This is what he says.
COOPER: I want to read you one thing from Paul O'Neill said in this book.
"I wondered from the first, if the president didn't know the questions to ask, or if he did know and just not want to know the answer. He was like a blind man in a roomful of deaf people."
How do you think the White House is going to respond to all this?
CARNEY: Boy, they are not happy. As we put in "Time" magazine this week. This is a book the White House officials won't want to put down because they would like to throw it out the window. I mean, this contradicts a carefully calibrated PR effort by this White House to argue this president is fully engaged, that he's a great question asker in meetings and a great listener. And that began in the 2000 campaign when there was a lot of, I think fairly legitimate, questioning going on about this president's level of experience and his level of intellectual curiosity.
COOPER: Just played today the Treasury Department announced they're going to seek a probe into some of the documents allegedly taken by ex-Secretary O'Neill.
How significant that?
CARNEY: Well, we'll have to see. We know, of course, that he brought out something like 19,000 pages worth of documents on a CD- ROM. Whether or not any of those were sensitive enough or classify indeed some way to make it inappropriate for him to take them, we just don't know. Clearly, this has stunned the administration they're fighting back.
COOPER: Does it pay for them to fight back, to continually fight back?
Doesn't this sort of prolong this story?
CARNEY: Yes. I would say that's an excellent question, because you're right, it does. If this becomes a legal battle of some sort and it could turn Paul O'Neill into a martyr.
COOPER: What was it Paul O'Neill said in "Time" magazine about they can't do anything to him?
CARNEY: Recognizing he would be attacked by the White House after this came out, he said, I'm old and rich. What can they do me?
And he is both old and rich. He has no interest in returning to Washington to serve in a fourth administration. And you know, his style was always as a blunt truth teller. A lot of people in the administration didn't like that when he was part of it. They don't like it now. It is consistent with the way he's been as a public official in the past, to be this blunt and out spoken.
COOPER: Well, we will see I guess if he's untouchable. The Treasury Department investigating. We'll see where that goes. Jay Carney, from "Time," good to see you. Thanks very much.
CARNEY: Thank you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: And here's your chance to weigh in.
Today's "Buzz" question is this.
Was Paul O'Neill right to speak out?
We are getting a ton of votes on this. Vote now, cnn.com/360.
Was Paul O'Neill right to speak out?
We move on to "Justice Served." From Germany, the latest in the bizarre case of an admitted cannibal on trial for murder. Bizarre is actually understatement. Some of what you may hear is not appropriate for sensitive viewers. I just want to warn you on that. A jury heard shocking testimony today from a lover after man who volunteered to be killed and eaten.
Stephanie Halasz reports from Berlin.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEPHANIE HALASZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Once again, as he has for over a month, Armin Meiwes got ready to hear testimony at his trial. He is charged of cutting off the genitals of a man Bernd Brandes, and killing and eating him. Meiwes listened as a former lover of Brandes described how Brandes had offered to pay the lover to bite off Brandes the genitals but the offer was refused. Also Monday, Brandes never express a death wish and they were happy together. Then three years ago, Brandes answered an ad placed by Meiwes that sought someone willing to be slaughtered and eaten. At Meiwes remote rambling house, Brandes high on cold medicine, and cold medicine the accused with the help of the victim cut off his genitals and then fried them. Together they shared them as a meal.
Hours later, Meiwes killed Brandes which Meiwes maintains was the agreement the two men had?
Meiwes then cut Brandes up while a everything was recorded. Subsequently the eight part of Brandes. In Germany, is cannibalism is technically not a crime. So, the question for the court, is this murder, which could put Meiwes behind bars for life or merely killing on demand, a crime punished between six months and five years. The notorious Meiwes could find out in January when the court is expected to decide.
Stephanie Halasz, CNN, Berlin.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: In stunned silence Court TV anchor Lisa bloom has been watching this trial.
LISA BLOOM, COURT TV: Maybe for once. Great dinnertime story by the way.
COOPER: Yes, I know. Sorry about that.
It's just fascinating trial though. And just so bizarre on so many different levels. I guess the testimony centered around the victim's state of mind, the guy who was actually eaten and murdered.
Why is that so important?
Why is his state of mind key?
BLOOM: German law is different than American law. Under German law there is something called murder on demand. Namely the victim consents to being killed. It's still a crime, but the sentence is five years rather than life in prison. We don't have anything like that, but if under German law the admitted cannibal could prove to the jury that the victim consented, he's looking at a much shorter sentence.
COOPER: And that is his claim. I talked to this guy's lawyer weeks ago. He says he's not a murderer. He doesn't consider himself a murder. That this man wanted to be eaten and wanted to be killed. Killing on demand, we do not have that here in the United States. It's a very particularly German law.
BLOOM: That's right. And German law doesn't forbid cannibalism, neither does American law, except in one state, Idaho. But American law says you simply can't murder someone. The victim cannot consent to being killed, end of story.
COOPER: So, if this crime happened in the United States, I mean, if someone was murdered and eaten, whether or not they consented, it wouldn't matter because there's no killing done on demand.
What would they be charged with here in the U.S.?
BLOOM: Well, they would be charged with murder and they would be charged with desecration of a corpse, which is sort of the catch-all in all 50 states, that says once someone is killed, you can't do something like that to someone's somebody. You can't desecrate it in anyway. COOPER: And this thing -- this trial keeps going on and on. I feel like -- you know we don't even covered this thing very much. When we do it feels like it's been going on my entire life.
BLOOM: Well it's been going on Mondays and Fridays so it is proceeding slowly.
COOPER: Only on Mondays and Fridays, is that why it's so long?
BLOOM: That's why it's been taking a long time out there German. And a couple of the girlfriends of the cannibal testified by the way that he was a very nice guy. That he wasn't marriage material, but that he was a terrific guy and liked him.
COOPER: Oh, man.
BLOOM: I'm not making this up, Anderson.
COOPER: I talked to the guy's lawyer. And the guy's lawyer who represented him before was like, yes, I was surprised when I found out. They say like -- no one knew.
BLOOM: I didn't know you did German impressions.
COOPER: Yes, I'm a man of many -- I don't know. Any ways, Lisa Bloom, Court TV, thanks very much.
BLOOM: Thanks, Anderson.
Changing gears. Coming up, we're talking about love and sex and the connection between your love life and staying healthy and, yes, it turns out there very well may well be a connection.
Plus, a steamy way to get in shape. Jeanne Moos shows us the latest exercise craze. I don't even know what they are doing there.
And artistic expression under fire. A painting features President Bush and Osama bin Laden?
Is it art or a polemic -- the controversy ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: All right. The next time you're about to say, not tonight, dear. Wait. You might be jeopardizing your health. Here is the headline. Sex may help you live longer. That is the news in "TIME" magazine's steamy special issue on newsstands now on how your love life keeps you healthy.
For tonight's "Fresh Print" we are talking with Dr. Jennifer Berman. She's quoted a lot in the article as the director of Female Sexual Medical Center at UCLA. Good to see you. And joining us in Atlanta, CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Sanjay, I want to start off with you. Let's talk about these alleged benefits of sex. What does it exactly benefit? DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's something that's been wildly studied for some time. Sex and its impact on overall health. A few things. A few areas this article highlighted. Longevity, longevity of life, meaning you live longer.
Now for a long time people in marriages were known to live longer. And that was thought to be because of the companionship, things like that but in fact, sex might have a lot to do with it. Decreased heart disease risk simply because it's a very aerobic activity. Intercourse, for example, equivalent to about 30 minutes of aerobic activity. Subsequent weight loss as well. Pain relief. That was a very interesting one.
It appears that there's hormones that are released that can modify pain as well. There's other benefits such as fighting depression and anxiety. Boosting your immune system. Also, fighting cancer potentially. It may act as a hormonal band-aid, wound healing, things like that. All these benefits of sex. Again, a lot of studies on this over the past several years.
COOPER: Dr. Berman, is this just couples in monogamous relationships Does it sort of matter the permutation of it?
DR. JENNIFER BERMAN, DIRECTOR, FEMALE SEXUAL MEDICAL CENTER AT UCLA: I think any way you're having sex is good. One thing to be cautious of is that I don't think we can form a causal relationship yet between having sex and living longer.
Technically, the healthier you are, the more physically fit you are, probably the more you're having sex. You can't say that sex is going to make you live long. I think healthy people have more sex. Thus, that correlation exists right now.
COOPER: All right, Sanjay, is something like exercise just as effective? There are plenty of things that are good for you and benefit your life. Do you see any direct causal relationship at this point?
GUPTA: It's interesting what Dr. Berman points out. I think they are starting to hone in on mechanisms. First of all, exercise could be just as beneficial as could good diet as could lots of things. There are mechanisms now relating sex, not a direct cause and effect, but reasons why sex might be good for your health.
Oxytocin, for example, is a hormone. People sort of affectionately refer to it as the cuddle hormone, a hormone that is released during intercourse, during sex. It has lots of different possible impact on the body. First of all, it's in both men and women, greater level certainly in women.
BERMAN: Is that why -- men must not have it. I don't think men have it as much.
GUPTA: They don't have it as much.
BERMAN: It's the hormone of attachment. GUPTA: The cuddle hormone. Exactly. Lots of potential benefits from this hormone as well. In terms of depression and anxiety, could this be a hormone that -- leaving alone sex -- if you inject, could you get the benefits? Perhaps. But, you know, point of fact is that they may be honing on a specific mechanism as to why sex might be good for your health.
COOPER: Dr. Berman, this is one news report that your clients will latch on to in many respects.
BERMAN: That...
COOPER: This is certainly something which for any couple out there or any person in a couple who -- some people who would be happy to hear this report of some sort of alleged relationship?
BERMAN: I mean, but be careful because it's not all about having a partner or having a relationship. Women and, for that matter, men can be, quote, unquote "sexually active" without having another person. You don't need to be dependent on another person to be sexually active or sexually fulfilled. It's -- what the article pointed out, during orgasm, your heart rate increases, blood pressures. You can burn up to 200 calories during a sexual encounter with or without another person for that matter.
In terms of oxytocin, that is a hormone of attachment and cuddling. I guess that's why, you know, what keeps us together. Women do tend to have higher levels of oxytocin than men. It has been shown to be important for enhancing arousal and, for that matter, orgasm and uterine contractions during orgasm. What role it plays in the male brain, to me, is still unclear in terms of the research that I've read even from this article.
COOPER: Interesting stuff. Dr. Jennifer Berman, always good to talk you to. And Dr. Sanjay Gupta as well, thanks very much.
There's a new spin tonight to the weight-loss maxim. Take it off. Take it all off. Jeanne Moos has the bare facts. There are a couple of puns in there I have to apologize for. The bare facts or what you might call the full Monty workout.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is poles apart from pushups and jumping jacks. The strip workout. First it was a fad, now it's a book. Actress Sheila Kelly first learned the moves when she had to play a stripper in the film "Dancing at the Blue Iguana."
Sheila began giving classes and now she's put out a guide called "The S Factor." "S" for the sinuous moves women make. Now you can learn the pump, the flirt, the frisk. She has her students doing the kitty cat crawl in this exercise class. Even your hair gets a workout.
This woman's fiance waited outside after driving three hours to get to New York.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If she chooses to perform for me, great. I'll be very happy. This is purely for her.
MOOS: She took to it like a kitty takes to playing with yarn.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think everyone fantasizes about it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: About being a stripper? I wouldn't even strip a bed.
MOOS: Sheila had the class spell with their pelvis. But the only thing she actually stripped off were her socks. Sheila's specialty is pole tricks.
SHEILA KELLY: I got a lot of bruises. You get a lot of bruises at the beginning when you don't know what you're doing.
MOOS: Sheila sells poles on her SFactor.com website. She keeps two at home where she lives with her husband, the actor who plays Toby in the "West Wing." Pity the poor camera man.
KELLY: You can always trust the guy from behind. We're talking about you!
MOOS: In this strip class, take it all off. First, the pounds. Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: All right. Is it art or is it politics? A conservative artist who is causing controversy of a very different kind with some of his paintings.
And movie goers, look out. Kevin Costner has a new movie role that's not exactly a stretch. Details in "The Current" when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: All right. Time to check on the pop news in tonight's "Current." Let's see what's going on there.
Anne Heche says growing up in an abusive household helped prepare her for an upcoming movie role as a drug-addicted mother who neglects her children. Aspiring actors can get a similar experience from watching at least 30 minutes of Lifetime.
After years of feuding with Jennifer Lopez, according to "New York Daily News," Mariah Carey now wants to patch things up and record a duet with her. And I want a pony. That's what I want.
"Variety" reports that Josh Hartnett is in talks to star in "Mozart and a Whale," about a couple suffering from a form of autism. Autism is capable of robbing patients of interpersonal skills, as well as giving actors a better shot at prestigious awards. Kevin Costner is making another western, according to "The Hollywood Reporter." It's going to be called "Horizon," and at press time, there seemed to be no possible way of stopping him. Gail (ph) liked that one. I appreciate it, Gail (ph), thanks.
In New York, a portrait of President Bush is causing quite a stir. But not because it's criticizing the president. In fact, the artist says it is a tribute to Mr. Bush. Take a look. It shows President Bush astride a horse, holding an American -- you are still laughing at that one -- holding an American flag in one hand and the severed bloody head of Osama bin Laden in the other. Only in the rarefied New York art world would a patriotic picture become a target of criticism. Earlier today, I interviewed artist Scott Lobaido, who is no stranger to controversy.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SCOTT LOBAIDO, ARTIST: You know, I'm already getting a little, you know, heat from it. You know, and I don't understand why. You know, I have faith in my commander in chief, which is rare coming from an artist in New York City.
COOPER: And that's the message of this painting, have faith?
LOBAIDO: Yes. Have faith...
COOPER: Have faith that...
LOBAIDO: ... that our commander in chief will come through and he will bring us the head of Saddam Hussein. I'm sorry. We have that already.
COOPER: Osama bin Laden.
LOBAIDO: Osama bin Laden. Yes, we already...
COOPER: Do you find -- I mean, what is the response? You know, New York, the whole art world is very liberal.
LOBAIDO: As a matter of fact...
COOPER: You always hear these controversies about artists, you know, desecrating the American flag. That's not something you did.
LOBAIDO: No. It is the total opposite. And it's just something I was born with. You know, again, I come from a community of veterans, and you know, the people that put out the fires and pay the taxes, and transport the people, bus drivers. A patriotic community I come from. And I have to carry that through. It's just automatic. It's a heartfelt...
COOPER: But how do other artists respond to your work, especially in New York? I mean, do -- is it tough getting gallery shows?
LOBAIDO: Yes. I've always had a problem. And you know, I've always rented my own space when I had a gallery show, because the art world, you know, they shun me and it's a shame.
You know, I have a lot of creative friends and stuff. And we debate politics and what not. But the art world -- it's a hypocritical stance, because they open up to everyone. I mean, they've opened up to, you know, serial murderers in their artwork. But you know, because of my political -- you know, I will probably vote Republican. I voted for George Bush proudly. I stand strongly behind my commander in chief. And the art world just cannot fathom that.
COOPER: Yes, because when you hear controversial artist, people think, oh, liberal controversial artists, not conservative controversial artists.
LOBAIDO: Exactly. Exactly. And I've passed up a lot of prosperity because I cannot change my agenda because it is something from my heart. You know, I'm just a patriot.
COOPER: Do you consider yourself more of an artist or an activist? Because, I mean, you actually do stuff on the street. You hung a flag over the French consulate. You got arrested for that. I think you're still...
LOBAIDO: Yes, I'm on probation.
COOPER: ... on probation for that.
LOBAIDO: Yes, yes.
COOPER: Are you an activist or are you an artist?
LOBAIDO: I guess it comes with being a true artist. If you are a true artist, you create things with passion. Passion beyond, you know, my explanation. I cannot explain the passion. It's just there. I have great opportunity in this country. I mean, I hate to use this cliche, but...
COOPER: Why don't you think there are more conservative artists out there?
LOBAIDO: Because it's such a trend, I believe. It's just a trend that's been, you know, that started in the '60s, and the early '70s, and it just became this trend of anti-establishment, and, you know, the artist is supposed to be rebelling against his childhood repression or something.
I didn't have that. I had a great childhood. You know, I am now -- my anger and passion and protests and activism comes from the lack of patriotism and just appreciation for what that flag represents. Not the government official that you have a problem with. You go right to the steps of City Hall or the steps of the Capitol, like I do. When you desecrate the flag because you have an opposition to a government official, you're spitting on the graves of these men and women that fought so you can do that. You know, it's very puzzling to me.
COOPER: Well, you got a show now. I know you're getting more commissions now, and I wish you a lot of luck. Thanks.
LOBAIDO: Thank you very, very much.
COOPER: All right, thanks.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, from artwork to real-life controversy for President Bush. One of his former insiders speaks out. Coming up, the fallout to "The Nth Degree."
And tomorrow, a pill-popping nation. America's growing use of anti-depressants. Can they work for you? Part two of our series, "Conquering Depression."
First, today's "Buzz." Thousands of people have voted so far. Was Paul O'Neill right to speak out? Vote now, cnn.com/360. Results in just a few moments.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Time now for "The Buzz." Was Paul O'Neill right to speak out? Ninety-three percent of you said yes; 7 percent, no. This is not a scientific poll. Just your buzz. We appreciate it.
Finally tonight, taking that old eye of the beholder business to "The Nth Degree."
Here is a bit of a current events Rorschach test for you. Looking at a picture of former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, what do you see? A hero or a villain? A whistle-blower or a backstabber?
How you see Paul O'Neill, whether as a fearless truth-teller or as a backstabbing turncoat is a matter of how you feel about the Bush administration. That's how a Rorschach test works. After all, this building could be this, could be that, could be anything at all, really.
Mr. O'Neill says the Bush administration was deadset on ousting Saddam Hussein long before 9/11, that the president was so disengaged during cabinet meetings as to be like -- and this is a verbatim quote -- "a blind man in a room full of deaf people."
Actually, one of those people, Mr. O'Neill himself, seems not to have been deaf so much as mute. Despite whatever he heard, he never said anything until now, three years after the fact.
So what is he? Turncoat? Truth-teller? Or just a fellow with odd timing? Of course, he could be all three of those things. That is the beauty of the inkblot test.
Thanks for watching our program tonight. That about wraps it all up. Coming up next, "PAULA ZAHN NOW."
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