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Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees
Bush Hits Arab Air Waves; Candidates Court Mexican-American Vote;
Aired May 05, 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.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Good evening, I'm Anderson Cooper.
The delicate dance of saying I'm sorry without really apologizing, 360 starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): The president hits the Arab air waves and condemns six soldiers' behavior. Will his message be believed?
A first look inside the now notorious jail where Iraqi prisoners were abused.
On Cinco de Mayo, candidates courting the Mexican American vote, we'll look at the ethnic aspect of raw politics.
A convicted child molester freed on his 61st birthday, was he wrongly imprisoned for 20 years?
And, doctor knows best, but why is Dr. Sanjay Gupta driving a nail into his head, the science behind life on the edge.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: We begin tonight with damage control, which for President Bush today meant face time, reaching out to the Arab world angry over photos of prisoner abuse in Iraq.
The president gave ten minute one-on-one interviews with Arab networks Al Arabiya and the U.S.-funded Arab broadcaster Al-Hurrah. The question is can this damage be actually controlled.
In Washington tonight CNN White House Correspondent John King, at the Pentagon Jamie McIntyre and, in Baghdad CNN's Ben Wedeman, we begin at the White House.
John, does the White House think they got their message across today?
JOHN KING, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, when you need to have the president take the lead in any damage control effort that is proof this administration is painfully aware. The answer to your question is no.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) KING (voice-over): Defense Secretary Rumsfeld at the White House early. Rising war costs one issue, the prisoner abuse scandal the other.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I said find the truth and then tell the Iraqi people and the world the truth. We have nothing to hide.
KING: Interviews with two Arab language news networks were part of the White House damage control effort. The graphic abuse is a major blow to America's already troubled image.
BUSH: Terrible. I think people in the Middle East who want to dislike America will use this as an excuse to remind people about their dislike.
KING: The president called the abuses abhorrent did not apologize.
BUSH: There will be a full investigation and justice will be served and we -- we will do to ourselves what we expect of others.
KING: But critics say that urgent tone came only after the abuses became public knowledge. U.S. Central Command issued a brief notice on January 16 that allegations of prisoner abuse were being investigated. The president first addressed the issue more than three months later on April 30 after the initial media account featuring graphic pictures of the abuse.
The administration insists Mr. Bush took the issue seriously from the beginning but the White House cannot say when the president was first told, acknowledges Mr. Bush learned about a classified report on the abuses only from news accounts and concedes the president was not aware graphic pictures existed until media reports.
Those images are now Exhibit A for those who say Mr. Bush invaded Iraq not to liberate but to dominate.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That is a prevalent feeling that predated this ugly episode but this episode, graphic as it was, humiliating as it was drives it home in a way that is really hard to overcome.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KING: At that morning meeting here in the Oval Office with Secretary Rumsfeld, the president approved a plan to seek $25 billion in new emergency spending to help pay for the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. That request went up to Congress this afternoon.
And, Anderson, we are told despite all the public statements here defending Secretary Rumsfeld that in that private meeting the president made bluntly clear that he was not happy, that he believes he should have been kept more in the loop, should have received much more information about these abuses and about the investigation much sooner than he did -- Anderson. COOPER: Well, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has, in fact, said that he didn't even read the Pentagon report until this past weekend, so there's definitely a lot of blame going around. John King thanks very much at the White House.
Here's a 360 "Fast Fact" for you. Today was the first time the president has ever appeared on Al Arabiya. It was the second time he talked to the U.S. funded Al-Hurrah.
Later on 360, we're going to show you how the Arab TV networks covered today's interviews plus hear from the U.S. bureau chief of Al Arabiya.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says he didn't read the Pentagon report, as I just said, on abuses at Abu Ghraib until this past weekend, General Myers as well, even though the report was completed back in March.
It is likely he is very familiar with the details now and today agreed to testify at a public hearing on Capitol Hill Friday, this after some in Congress are calling for his resignation.
CNN's Senior Pentagon Correspondent Jamie McIntyre has that side of the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): To hear Donald Rumsfeld tell it, the Pentagon has done everything right.
DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: It's something that the department is addressing. The system works.
MCINTYRE: In appearances on two morning news shows, Rumsfeld made no apologies for his handling of the scandal and stopped short of issuing a full apology to the Iraq people.
On ABC, Rumsfeld said only "any American who sees the photographs has to feel apologetic." On NBC, Rumsfeld was only a little more direct. "Anyone who sees the photographs does, in fact, apologize" he said. "That apology is there to any individual who was abused."
Rumsfeld's equally reserved in characterizing how the abuse has damaged the chances for U.S. success in Iraq.
RUMSFELD: It clearly is, you know, unhelpful in a fundamental way.
MCINTYRE: But Rumsfeld can expect to have to provide fuller answers Friday when he appears for a demand performance before a hastily arranged session of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
SEN. SAXBY CHAMBLISS (R), ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: He's going to be grilled pretty good about what happened, how it happened and how far up the chain it looks like it went. MCINTYRE: Angry Senators say they've been left in the dark and some say it may be time for Rumsfeld, the former Navy pilot, to resign.
SEN. JOE BIDEN (D), DELAWARE: You know there's this tradition in the United States Navy if a captain of a ship goes up on the shoals, almost regardless of whether it was his fault or not, he loses command.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MCINTYRE: Rumsfeld likes to say he serves at the pleasure of the president and even though the president expressed some displeasure today nobody here at the Pentagon believes the defense secretary is in any real danger of losing his job -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right, Jamie McIntyre thanks very much at the Pentagon.
In a closed hearing today, the Senate Intelligence Committee also looked into the prison abuse scandal. They've demanded some answers to questions. We're going to talk with a member of that committee, Mississippi Republican Senator Trent Lott coming up later on 360.
Today all was not calm at Abu Ghraib Prison where the abuse happened. Outside an angry crowd of more than 300 people, you see some of them here, many carried banners criticizing the United States. Inside, officials finally opened doors to reporters.
Here's CNN's Ben Wedeman.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In a Baghdad sandwich shop they're watching President Bush's interview on (unintelligible).
"He's holding those people to account" says this shop owner.
It's a tougher audience out at Abu Ghraib Prison where a spokesman for protesters reads out a list of demands presented to U.S. officials.
"Trials for those who abused Iraqi prisoners, a halt to mistreatment and abuse, free access to prisoners for lawyers and human rights groups."
Hundreds, Sunnis and Shiites, attended the demonstration organized by the Society of Muslim Scholars.
"Yes they said they will study our demands and they said they will improve the situation" says (unintelligible), who was part of the delegation who met with the Americans "but they're liars."
Inside, journalists get a rare tour but we're not allowed to film or speak to prisoners. They were shown cell block 1-A where the abuse took place, interrogation rooms and new medical facilities. The new commander of Abu Ghraib pledged that abuse would not happen again.
MAJ. GEN. GEOFFREY MILLER, U.S. ARMY: Yes, I would like to personally apologize to the people of Iraq for the actions of the small number of leaders and soldiers who violated our policy and may have committed criminal acts.
WEDEMAN (on camera): All the talk about punishing those involved in this abuse incident, all the talk about investigations into what's gone on at this prison have fallen on deaf ears here.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WEDEMAN: Anderson, administration officials in Washington and officials in Baghdad are talking themselves blue condemning this abuse of prisoners but the feeling I'm getting from Iraqis is that this effort at damage control on just one of many issues that gets their blood flowing is a case of too little too late -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right, Ben Wedeman reporting live from Baghdad. Thanks very much, Ben.
A quick news note on another investigation with ties to Abu Ghraib Prison, the head of a military police unit at that prison is under investigation following charges he secretly photographed naked female American soldiers as they showered. The guardsman has been relieved of duty but he is at an undisclosed location under U.S. Army control until the investigation is completed.
Well, even more accusations of abuse but these from former 9/11 detainees held at a federal prison in New York. Two men have filed a lawsuit alleging cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. One of the men is speaking out, an Egyptian, who says he dreamed of a better life in America but is now back in his home country after being deported.
CNN's Jason Carroll brings us his story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Ehab Elmaghraby saw pictures of Iraqi prisoners being abused by U.S. soldiers and thought of the abuse he says he suffered while being held in a U.S. prison.
EHAB ELMAGHRABY, FORMER DETAINEE: From the first day, five officers and one lieutenant just come and start to grab me and kick me in the back and hit me in the head and hit me in the chest.
CARROLL: Elmaghraby told his story from his home in Alexandria, Egypt. He says when he lived in New York City he was one of hundreds of Arabs and Muslims detained in the weeks following 9/11. His life as a restaurateur in Times Square ended when federal agents showed up at his home September 30, 2001.
ELMAGHRABY: Some officers start to grab me from my head to hit me in my back, to kick me in my leg. CARROLL: The abuse is alleged in a federal lawsuit naming a former warden, several officers and U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft as defendants saying one day Elmaghraby is stripped and an officer inserts a flashlight into his anal cavity until he bled. Another day a pencil is used, racial slurs, broken teeth, strip searches in front of a female staff member.
ELMAGHRABY: Any kind of abuse (unintelligible). They may strip search you like three, four times a day. They kick in the door. They leave the light on 24 hour, I can't -- couldn't make any phone calls to my family for the first four months and when I asked anybody they say no social call for terrorists.
CARROLL: Allegations of abuse became so prevalent the warden at the time required videotaping whenever a 9/11 detainee was moved. Some images, like this one showing officers pushing a detainee's head against a wall, were included in an investigative report by the U.S. Inspector General.
GLENN FINE, INSPECTOR GENERAL: We found evidence indicating that in some cases detainees were slammed against the wall, that the correctional officers stepped on their chains as they were walking. Some correctional officers bent their fingers and arms back.
CARROLL: An attorney for the facility's former warden says his client did nothing wrong and any comparisons to what may have happened at the prison to what happened to Iraqi prisoners is wrong.
Elmaghraby was cleared of any terrorist involvement. He pled guilty to credit card fraud and was deported. He has no plans to return to the country he once loved.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CARROLL: Despite the inspector general's findings and Elmaghraby's claims, the Justice Department did not find sufficient evidence to bring charges against anyone at the prison. A spokesman for the Bureau of Prisons would not comment on the abuse allegations but says they're conducting their own investigation -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right, Jason Carroll thanks very much.
Muslim prison chaplains come under the microscope that story tops out look at news "Cross Country." Let's take a look at what's going on.
The Justice Department wants a better screening process for Muslim religious service providers to make sure they don't pose a security threat in prison. The department in a report released today says the chaplaincy remains, and I quote, "vulnerable to infiltration by religious extremists."
New York now, Martha Stewart living with conviction. A federal judge denies Stewart a new trial. Her lawyers had argued she didn't get a fair shake because a juror didn't disclose he'd once been arrested in a domestic dispute. In Atlanta, Bobby Brown is going back to court. The sort of singer has been ordered to stand trial on charges he hit his wife, Whitney Houston. No trial date has been set yet.
Ever wonder what happens to your car when you're at work? Well, in Atlanta, a valet accidentally hit the gas while parking an SUV backing into this BMW pushing it out of a second story parking garage window where it dangled for about an hour. Crews finally pulled the car back into the garage. How'd you like to get that call?
Brooklyn, New York now, news chopper down, federal investigators today began looking into what caused this, unbelievable, a news helicopter spinning out of control, crashing onto a rooftop, there you just saw it in Brooklyn. Hard to believe watching the pictures but the reporter and two pilots aboard were not seriously hurt. That's one of them getting out there, staggering but he's all right. That's a look at stories right now "Cross Country."
We are also following right now a scorcher out west, thousands of acres up in flames as an early fire season blazes through Southern California. We're going to take you there live.
Also, a man who spent 20 years in prison after children accused him of molestation. They are now recounted and he's going to join me live to tell his side of the story, a free man today for the first time.
Also ahead, Michael Moore versus Mickey Mouse, Disney puts the kibosh on his controversial new film and a Senator cries censorship, all that ahead.
Right now let's take a look at your picks, the most popular stories on cnn.com right now.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Well, they were seeking solitude and a rustic setting but a group of writers and artists had to flee a California arts colony as a wildfire roared toward the 300-acre nature preserve. Right now the weather is starting to give firefighters some relief but there is concern tonight that this is only the beginning of a long hot summer.
CNN's Ted Rowlands has the latest from Temecula, California.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The combination of a weather shift and around-the-clock work from thousands of firefighters is helping to bring the year's first round of California wildfires under control. Fourteen homes have been destroyed and more than 22,000 acres blackened by six separate fires since they started last weekend.
People evacuated from their homes are coming back to dramatically different scenes. This house near the city of Temecula, east of Los Angeles, was in the middle of the fire zone but was untouched.
JANET NICH, HOMEOWNER: I just couldn't believe it that the house was saved. It was fantastic.
ROWLANDS: People living at the Dorland Mountain Arts Colony are not as lucky. The only thing left of the world renowned artists' retreat is the charred remains of nine buildings and two cottages. Lost in the fire are decades worth of work and numerous antiques, including a 1920 Steinway concert grand piano which is said to have been played by Russian pianist Sergey Rachmaninov during visits to the colony.
KAREN PARROTT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DORLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS COLONY: Everything gone. It's been a bit to take in.
ROWLANDS: The combination of a three year drought and thousands of dead beetle infested trees has many people convinced that this is just the beginning of a long fire season ahead.
GILL PETERS, CALIF. DEPT. OF FORESTRY: There is still over 12 million dead trees in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. I mean they're just dead. You know, that's dry gasoline if you will waiting to go up.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROWLANDS: And firefighters are going to keep a very close eye on the two largest fires in the region both centered in Riverside County. Assuming no dramatic change in the weather, however Anderson, they do expect full containment of all of these California fires by the end of the week.
COOPER: Certainly some good news there. All right, Ted, thanks very much, Ted Rowlands.
Explosions in Athens, Greece just 100 days before the Olympics, tops our look at news in the global "Up Link."
Three bombs outside an Athens police station aren't helping fears of terrorism surrounding the Olympics but the Greek government says the attack doesn't seem connected to the games. The bombs caused damage to the station but no one was hurt.
Kabul, Afghanistan, contractors killed, two British contractors helping the U.N. organize elections were killed in an attack in a remote eastern province. A U.N. helicopter brought the men's bodies to Kabul this afternoon.
The Netherlands now, here comes the judges. U.S. Supreme Court Justices O'Connor and Kennedy meet with Iraqi judges near The Hague for two days of talks. The U.S.-led coalition organized the talks to give Iraqi judges a chance to meet legal experts from around the world.
Sydney, Australia now looking up down under, take a look, a total lunar eclipse visible in Sydney as well as Perth. I'm not scientist but here's some astronomy 101. A lunar eclipse happens when a full moon passes through the earth's shadow, just in case you didn't know. I didn't.
Wiltshire, England now, don't tread on Madonna. Madonna and her husband Guy Ritchie, the guy behind her, are suing to keep pedestrians off their $16 million English estate. A government agency has designated 100 acres of the couple's 1,200-country estate a public walkway. Perish the thought. That's the look at the "Up Link" tonight.
Hard to imagine being accused of a crime you didn't commit, harder still to imagine being convicted and sitting in jail for 20 years. That's what's happened to my next guest. He is now a free man. In some people's eyes he is still under suspicion. We'll talk with him live coming up.
Also tonight the buck stops where? Donald Rumsfeld under pressure to step down from some over Iraqi prison abuse, should he? I'll ask Senator Trent Lott.
And a little later, politics en Espanol, Bush and Kerry court Latino voters on Cinco de Mayo, all ahead. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Time for justice served now.
After 20 years in prison on child molestation charges, John Stoll is a free man tonight. Stoll was released yesterday, his birthday, after his conviction was overturned. There was no physical evidence at the original trial. Testimony alone convicted him and four of his accusers recanted the accusations they made as children saying they were manipulated by investigators.
In a moment we'll talk with John Stoll but first CNN's Rusty Dornin has his story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was a heck of a way to celebrate his 61st birthday, free at last, a moment John Stoll says he imagined a million times as he sat in his prison cell for 20 years.
JOHN STOLL, RELEASED PRISONER: Nothing like I thought. My heart's just a pounding away.
DORNIN: Prosecutors in 1985 claimed Stoll was part of a child sex ring in Bakersfield, California. He was convicted, along with two other men and a woman, of assaulting six children including his own son.
Chris Diori was eight years old when he testified he was molested by Stoll but last January he told the court he was badgered into lying by overzealous investigators.
CHRIS DIORI, RECANTED TESTIMONY: I told them, you know, numerous times, no it didn't happen to me, no, no, no, no, no.
DORNIN: Three other alleged victims also told the court it didn't happen. That convinced the judge. He reversed Stoll's conviction saying investigators used improper techniques which resulted in unreliable testimony.
Of the two remaining accusers, one says he doesn't remember being molested but Stoll's son, who was six at the time, still insists his father is guilty. Attorneys from Project Innocence worked for the last two years to exonerate Stoll. They argued the alleged victims in the case were never examined by doctors and there was no physical evidence presented.
Kern County prosecutors say they no longer have evidence to support a new trial. Stoll now will begin his life again free at last from the label child molester.
Rusty Dornin, CNN, San Francisco.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: John Stoll and his attorney Linda Starr join us now live from San Jose, California. Thanks very much for being on the program both of you.
STOLL: Thank you.
LINDA STARR, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA INNOCENCE PROJECT: Thanks for having us.
COOPER: John, the judge overturned your conviction. It doesn't necessarily mean you were acquitted of the charges. In fact some prosecutors even say they still believe you're guilty. Do you feel like you're really free today?
STOLL: Yes, I'm free. I feel free. No problem. They can say what they want to say.
COOPER: You're --
STOLL: I'm innocent.
COOPER: Your son Jed insists you still molested him. In fact, he's reported to have said, and I quote, "I want to make sure he can't get out and hurt anyone else. Did you molest your son? He was six years old at the time.
STOLL: No, I didn't, no. I didn't molest anybody.
COOPER: Why do you think he feels this way?
STOLL: Well, Jed was the focal point at the beginning of the investigation and I'm sure that he got a lot of prompting. I mean I don't -- I feel sorry. I really feel sorry that he feels that way but I didn't do anything to him and I'm sorry that he feels that way and that's just where it's at. COOPER: Well, the bulk of the young men have recanted their stories. They said they were pressured by investigators. I know you have spoken to one of them. What was that conversation like? I mean do you forgive them?
STOLL: Well, of course. They were just children. I don't forgive the adults who told them the stories but I forgive the children. They didn't do anything.
COOPER: Linda, you've been convinced that John is innocent all along. What made you so sure?
STARR: A couple of things made me sure. First, meeting John made me sure. Once I spoke with him at length about his case and what he'd been through and what the accusations were I was certain he was innocent.
An attorney that I respect very much, who had also looked at his case and several others like it, also told us that he believed he was innocent and asked us to take a look at the case.
And then once we got into the case and began investigating and I spoke with the former child victims, I read the trial transcripts, I put it in the context of the other cases that were coming out of Kern County at the time. It was clear to me that this was just another of those improper convictions that came out of Kern County in that time period.
COOPER: John, 20 years behind bars. This was your first full day of freedom. What did you do? I mean how do you deal with it?
STOLL: You just got to move on. I mean I can't -- I can't dwell on it. I just have to move on. Today was quite a nice day. Yesterday was really a nice day but today was really exciting, went to the mall. Oh, oh, century overload, went to the mall. That was something.
COOPER: Was it like you had remembered it?
STOLL: Oh, no, just -- we stopped at a gas station and that wasn't even like what I remembered so the mall was just full. The mall was quite exciting.
COOPER: Well, I wish you peace and I hope things work out with your family. John Stoll, appreciate you joining us and Linda Starr as well. Thank you very much for being on the program.
STOLL: Thank you very much.
STARR: Thank you.
STOLL: Thank you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: On Cinco de Mayo candidates courting the Mexican American vote. We'll look at the ethnic aspect of raw politics.
And, doctor knows best but why is Dr. Sanjay Gupta driving a nail into his head, the science behind life on the edge, 360 continues.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Let's get you caught up with some of our top stories tonight in "The Reset." In Washington, President Bush talks with the Arab world about the alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners. In interviews with Arab language TV networks the president called the abuse abhorrent. He said those found guilty will be punished. More on this in a moment.
Also in Washington, Donald Rumsfeld will testify about the Iraqi abuse. The Secretary of Defense will appear this Friday before the Senate Armed Services Committee in a public hearing to answer questions about the growing scandal. Rumsfeld will be joined by Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Richard Myers.
Also in Washington, more money needed for Iraq and Afghanistan. Today President Bush asked Congress for an additional $25 billion for military operations in both those countries. The president calls the extra funding a high priority.
And in New York, an avalanche of hate mail for the Pat Tillman cartoonist. Ted Roll said he receives hundreds of death threats for drawing a cartoon that lampooned the media's response to the death of Pat Tillman. The football player turned soldier was killed in Afghanistan.
Also in New York, record price for a Picasso. Boy with a pipe went for $93 million plus $10 million in commission. We don't know who bought the 1905, considered one of Picasso's finest works coming from his rose period.
Our top story now on Capitol Hill today, anger, appointment. Lawmakers want to know how abuses happened at that prison in Iraq, and why they weren't alerted earlier. Some are even calling for Donald Rumsfeld's resignation. The defense secretary has agreed to testify Friday in a public hearing. Today the Senate Intelligence Committee demanded answers from officials at a classified meeting.
Earlier I spoke with a member of the committee who was at the hearing, Senator Trent Lott.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Senator Lott you were briefed today in a classified briefing in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee. You heard from the Army, CIA.
What can you tell us?
Did you hear the answers to questions that you needed to hear? SEN. TRENT LOTT (R-MI), INTELLIGENCE CMTE.: Not enough answers yet. And I tried to get very simple answers.
Who did it?
Was it contractors?
Was it CIA, military intelligence, army, reservists?
Exactly who is involved here?
That's question one.
And question number two, is you know, who is going to be punished here?
How far up the chain of command did it go, should it go in terms of saying what do you know about this?
What actions did you take?
But here's the key question, has this problem been corrected?
Can we be assured that, you know as much as is humanly possible these people have been properly trained, that they're conducting themselves, you know, in the appropriate way and they're being supervised in the appropriate way.
COOPER: Did you get an answer to that question?
LOTT: I don't have sufficient answers to that yet. We're still in meetings and I am going back after we have a vote on the floor of the Senate for another round of questions.
COOPER: Why were you and other members of Congress kept out of the loop?
Do you know that?
I understand you read the March Pentagon report on NPR's Web site.
LOTT: That is correct.
COOPER: How can that happen?
LOTT: The explanation we're getting is that we're asking questions, OK, when was this report completed?
Where did it go then?
You know, when did it actually reach the Pentagon itself?
And where did it go in the Pentagon, and why didn't we get it?
I think the answer they probably will give, well it was in the process and it was coming, but, you know, we probably didn't do it as aggressively as we should have.
COOPER: Secretary Rumsfeld...
LOTT: We're -- we're disturbed about this, and the Armed Services Committee, Intelligence Committee, republicans, Democrats...
COOPER: Because Secretary Rumsfeld and General Myers said they didn't read this report until this past weekend.
LOTT: Well, the report, as I understand it, was completed March 6th. And then it had started a process of going up through the chain of command, working its way. And it could not go through the army. The rules require under these circumstances that come up, I guess the military chain of command, on the way to through the joint chief and I guess eventually to the office of the secretary of defense. Those are the questions we're asking, and showing our displeasure that it was moving along, maybe not being taken seriously enough, and that we were not being advised in an acceptable way.
COOPER: Senator Biden, a couple other Democrats have suggested perhaps or come close to suggesting Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld should resign.
Do you think he should or is that just politics?
LOTT: You know the way we work in Washington is we want to rush to fix blame. And you know, find somebody that's going to be removed or you know, politically executed as a result of this. Let's at least find out for sure what happened, who was supposed to do what.
What were we supposed to know?
Why didn't things happen the way they were supposed to?
Let's don't start trying to call for people's removal until we've at least done our job. We didn't get what we needed until the last 24 hours. We just began our hearings, you know, today. Let's get these answers and then let's see what we need to do.
COOPER: All right. Senator Trent Lott thanks for being on the program.
LOTT: OK, thank you very much.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Some calls for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to step down, the president today speaking on Arab TV. The White House is in full damage control mode as America's commander-in-chief faces what can best be described as a "Midweek Crisis."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN ARABIC)
COOPER (voice-over): The damage control began on Al Hurra, the U.S. funded network out of Virginia. It's the second time President Bush has appeared on Al Hurra since its launch in February.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The American people are just as appalled at what they have seen on TV as the Iraqi citizens have.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN ARABIC)
COOPER: The president then appeared on Al Arabiya, the Saudi owned satellite network based in the United Arab Emirates.
BUSH: The Iraqi citizens must understand America is not going to leave until the job is complete. We want to help Iraq.
COOPER: How did he do? Analysts on Al Hurra dissected the interview afterwards. The consensus, the president's comments were a good first step, but actions will speak louder than words. Al Jazeera, which has been harshly criticized by the U.S. over its coverage of Iraq, didn't get an interview with the president. Today, it was business as usual. Al Jazeera made a quick mention of what they called President Bush's attempt to convince Arabs that he opposes the wrongdoing of some U.S. troops in Iraq. But there were no sound bites and no detailed quotes. But on the two other Arab networks the president was heard by millions of Arab viewers today. Did his message get through, for that we'll all have to stay tuned.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, here's a quick news note for you. Launched in February last year, Al Arabiya has proved popular in the Arab world. A recent poll showed about a third of Iraqis with satellite dishes actually watch it.
The question today is, did its viewers welcome President Bush's message?
Earlier I spoke with the Talal Al-Haj, U.S. Bureau chief of Al Arabiya.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Today on your network President Bush called what happened at Abu Ghraib prison abhorrent. Didn't come close to an apology.
Did he say what your viewers wanted to hear, needed to hear?
TALAL AL-HAJ, U.S. BUREAU CHIEF, AL ARABIYA: I think the president tried to control the damage. He realized how important it is to the image of the United States, to the policy of the United States, and to the interests of the United States and the Middle East. But I think he could have apologized, would have been well received in the Middle East.
COOPER: Were you happy with how the interview went overall?
How was it sort of analyzed by the people on your air? AL-HAJ: I think it was too little, too late. We know in the Middle East now that the administration knew about these things since January, February. We know that General Myers knew about it, because he asked CBS to delay their broadcast for two weeks. General Myers, we understand from the American system, that he reports directly to the president. Why didn't he tell the president about the problem? Why did the president has to know from the network broadcast like every American? I mean, there are many questions still being raised in the Middle East, and are raised in this country. And there's some people who are calling for an investigation of the highest level. And even for the resignation of Rumsfeld.
COOPER: Talal, we've received some e-mails and I'm going to put the question to you that we've received. People, viewers who have written in to us and said look we didn't hear the same people condemning the desecration of American bodies on that bridge in Fallujah. Is the level of outrage somehow different over these pictures of Americans abusing in prison?
AL-HAJ: No. Understand, the outcries in the Middle East and the condemnation of what happened over that bridge was all over the Middle East. And we were all disgusted by these scenes. It was a few.
Now the president also saying that these soldiers were a few stupid marines, possibly, doing these things, and doesn't run high up the command. But remember September 11. When we said, as Muslims and Arabs, these people are few who did this crime and killed thousands of people, still, however, in this tolerant society, the discrimination and hate crime against Muslims and Arabs rose by 70 percent. This is a fact of life. Even in this tolerant society, the damage to the United States policy, the image in the Middle East, has been done.
COOPER: Really? You think this is something the U.S. can't come back from?
AL-HAJ: I think it has done great damage to the United States. I regret that and I know most American people, the overall majority are decent people and they are appalled with these pictures. But however, as I said, what happened September 11, many Arabs, many Muslims suffered and still suffering because of few. And I think the same applies here.
COOPER: It's interesting to hear your perspective. Talal al-Haj thank you very much for being on the program.
AJ-HAJ: You're welcome, sir.
COOPER: That brings us to today's buzz question. "Should President Bush have apologized during his interviews with Arab language TV networks?" What do you think? Logon to CNN.com/360. Cast your vote. We'll have results at the end of the program tonight.
Still to come on 360, with fiesta day at the White House ahead, the party, the politics, all part of Cinco de Mayo.
Also tonight, Michael Moore takes on Disney as a dispute erupts over the release of his new film that attacks the president's war on terror. All that ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: It is the 5th of May, and Cinco de Mayo to some. It may make you think of having a few margaritas, or you might remember the Mexican victory, the Battle of Puebla in 1862. But as you see it as yet another opportunity to woo yet another group of ethnic voters well you may be ready for raw politics.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): They celebrated Cinco de Mayo at the White House today.
BUSH: Cente se (ph). Bienvenidos. Welcome to the Casablanca.
COOPER: And on the Kerry campaign trail.
JOHN KERRY, (D-MA) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Feliz Cinco de Mayo. How are you? Gracias.
COOPER; For Mexicans, today marks the anniversary of an important battle. For presidential candidates, the battle is for Hispanic votes.
From the times of Tamani Hall, when the ethnic meant Irish or Italian politicians have recognized the importance of ethnic voters. And they've done whatever it takes to win them over.
From marching down Main Street to speaking, or trying to speak the language.
RONALD REAGAN, FRM. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Buenos Tardes (ph).
COOPER: In 1984, Ronald Reagan began the Republican push to woo Hispanic voters. But so far, ethnic voters have largely stayed in the Democratic fold. Bill Clinton won 61 percent of the Hispanic vote in 1992, and 83 percent of the black vote. In 1996, he took 72 percent of Hispanic voters, and 84 percent of black voters. And in 2000, 60 percent of Hispanic voters and 90 percent of black voters went with Al Gore.
KERRY: El Huntos Vinceremos (ph).
COOPER: But the Kerry campaign has come under fire for lacking diversity in its upper ranks and President Bush has gone all-out to win over the Hispanic community.
Over the years the faces may have changed, but the candidates' need to win the hearts, minds and votes of ethnic communities, well that's remained a real part of raw politics.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, on now to what may be a raw corporate politics case. Michael Moore says if he has anything to say about it, you'll get to see his new documentary this summer, because after all, it is a free country in his words. But that might be easier said than done.
Accusations of political mischief are now flying between Moore, and would-be distributor Disney. CNN's Jen Rogers has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEN ROGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Michael Moore's never hidden his feelings about President Bush.
MICHAEL MOORE, FILMMAKER: He was never elected by a majority of the citizens of this country and I'll keep saying that until he's out of there.
ROGERS: Now in his latest documentary, "Fahrenheit 911," he's taking his criticisms to the big screen, or at least trying to. The movie, said to be sharply critical of Bush, and according to the "New York Times," links Bush and prominent Saudis, including the family of Osama bin Laden, has become the center of controversy. After Moore announced on his Web site that the Walt Disney company was blocking distribution by its subsidiary, Miramax.
In a statement Miramax said, "we're discussing the issue with Disney. We're looking at all of our options and look forward to resolving this amicably." But for Disney's part, their doesn't seem much left to resolve.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We just chose not to be involved.
ROGERS: Any chance that Disney will change their mind on their stance?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've made our position very clear on that.
ROGERS: In a written statement the company said, "in May 2003 the Walt Disney company communicated to Miramax and Mr. Moore's representatives that Miramax would not be the distributor of his film. Contrary to his assertions Mr Moore has had and continues to have every opportunity to either find another distributor or distribute the film himself."
Regardless of who actually ends up distributing Moore's film, the current controversy is publicity money can't buy.
MATT FELLING, CENTER FOR MEDIA AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS: The big winner in this entire fiasco is Michael Moore and Michael Moore's publicity team. They should send thank you cards to the Disney people.
ROGERS: For now dueling press releases will have to do.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROGERS: While, the release date for Moore's new movie may still be months away, Congressional hearings could be held much sooner. Today, Democratic Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey called for the Senate Commerce Committee to look into what he called the pattern of politically-based corporate censorship -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right, Jen Rogers. I don't think this is the last we've heard about this story. I don't think it's going away. Thanks very much.
Step right up to the side show for a stunt that will leave you shocked and amazed, maybe. Coming up, that has really got to hurt. We're going to show you the science, if there is any, behind the human blockhead.
Also tonight, computer viruses: what if they were named after famous people? We'll take that to the "Nth Degree." Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: All right, class, time to review our life beyond limits series. First, senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta ate fire. Then he laid on a bed of nails. Tonight he presents the human blockhead. Without further ado, Dr. Gupta.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: The human blockhead, it's a pretty neat trick. You're going to see this here in a second. The fire eating, that was certainly dangerous. The bed of nails was actually more of an illusion. The human blockhead is just kind of weird. But I watched this and wondered if it was an illusion or it was real. You'll find out it's real. As we said all week some of these things are dangerous. You've got to take them seriously. I went through some significant instruction before I attempted it myself. I did attempt it myself. You'll see that in a second. Don't try this at home.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hammer time.
GUPTA (voice-over): Spend any time around a carnival side show and you'll catch an act called the human blockhead.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's called the human blockhead because you have to be a complete blockhead to do something as dangerous as this. It's the kind of thing that if you're going to be hammering a nail into your nose you better have an idea of where it goes.
GUPTA: Where it goes is the nasal pharynx. A hollow space that widens at the back of the nose and eventually becomes the throat. I wasn't about to bang a nail into my head. But under the guidance of Brian Brushwood (ph), another performer I did try the beginner's version, a Q-tip.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go ahead and lick that edge. This is going to be gross.
There you go. Go, go, go. Yes, yes, yes. Sanjay, you're the man! Yes! All right now you're going to graduate. We'll do this next one right here.
GUPTA: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You like that? You got it, though. Congratulations. Actually, no.
GUPTA: If you do learn the human blockhead you're also going to have to learn the joke. The same joke that's told by everyone who does this trick.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because of the lighting in here I thought there was blood on there but it's not. And the nail is real.
And in case you're wondering, yes, I'm single.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA: I got some extra Q-tips if you wanted to try it.
COOPER: I always thought it was going up but it's not...
GUPTA: That's the illusion part of it. You know, they sort of tilt the head back and it's just going straight back in the nasal pharynx.
COOPER: This is all part of a series for Sunday night?
GUPTA: Life beyond limits. We're going to look at it all. There's a lot of science behind this. So we're going to give you all of that Sunday night, 9:00.
COOPER: I still wouldn't have done it.
Time to check on some lighter pop news in tonight's "Current." "Playgirl" is announcing its own TV channel. The launch day for Playgirl TV is not set. But already the network is promising women a completely erotic and fulfilling experience. My friend Andrea (ph) tells me that's a promise she's heard before.
Jessica Simpson is heading to New York to give a concert in Central Park later this month. The goal of the concert is to raise awareness of the need for sun protection. Usually the goal is to hear good music. But I guess that's a moot point in this case. I don't know what that means.
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame a few days ago. Since they don't turn 18 until June we hear their parents will have full legal custody over the star until then.
We admit it, we cannot get enough of the Mary Kate and Ashley story. What if they and some other famous names took on computer viruses? We'll take that idea to the Nth degree just ahead.
First today's buzz is this, "should President Bush have apologized during his interviews with Arab language TV networks?" It's a controversial question. Log on to CNN.com/360. Cast your vote. We'll have results in just a few moments.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Earlier we showed you the most popular stories on CNN.com. Here's what everyone is reading about. A woman who bought more than 10,000 candy bars at a store in London. She just walked in and said she wanted all the Mars bars in stock. Almost $4,000 worth which she paid for in cash, loaded into her limo, and then promptly rode off into the sunset. No one at the store thought to ask her why she wanted all that chocolate. A store spokesman said, quote, "perhaps she has a sweet truth." Got to love that dry British humor.
Time now for the buzz. Not dry at all. Earlier we asked "should President Bush have apologized during his interviews with Arab language TV networks?" The controversial question, more than 20,000 of you voted. 75 percent of you said yes. 25 percent of you said no. Not a scientific poll, it is your buzz. Thank you very much for taking the time to vote.
Finally tonight, taking computer viruses to the Nth degree. the so-called Sasser virus has been in the news a lot this week threatening computers across the country. We didn't pay much attention to it frankly until someone connected the name to former major league catcher Mackey Sasser. Then we got interested.
As a catcher for the New York Mets, Mackey Sasser became famous for a mental block that made it hard for him to throw the ball back to the pitcher. It turns out the Sasser virus isn't named after Mackey. But maybe, just maybe computer viruses should be named after famous people. That way we'd all pay a lot more attention to them.
We could have the Barry Bonds bug. It keeps hitting e-mail out of the park all the while denying it's using any performance enhancing drugs. Or the Eli Manning virus which won't affect your computer but demands to be traded to a computer in the bigger market. The Mary Kate Olsen virus which replicates itself into the Ashley Olsen virus or the other way round. Or even the Bill Gates virus which makes billions by causing your computer not to work for various unexplained reasons. Wait a minute, that one already exists. Anyway, thanks for watching. That's 360 for tonight. I'm Anderson Cooper. Coming up next, "PAULA ZAHN NOW."
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired May 5, 2004 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Good evening, I'm Anderson Cooper.
The delicate dance of saying I'm sorry without really apologizing, 360 starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): The president hits the Arab air waves and condemns six soldiers' behavior. Will his message be believed?
A first look inside the now notorious jail where Iraqi prisoners were abused.
On Cinco de Mayo, candidates courting the Mexican American vote, we'll look at the ethnic aspect of raw politics.
A convicted child molester freed on his 61st birthday, was he wrongly imprisoned for 20 years?
And, doctor knows best, but why is Dr. Sanjay Gupta driving a nail into his head, the science behind life on the edge.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: We begin tonight with damage control, which for President Bush today meant face time, reaching out to the Arab world angry over photos of prisoner abuse in Iraq.
The president gave ten minute one-on-one interviews with Arab networks Al Arabiya and the U.S.-funded Arab broadcaster Al-Hurrah. The question is can this damage be actually controlled.
In Washington tonight CNN White House Correspondent John King, at the Pentagon Jamie McIntyre and, in Baghdad CNN's Ben Wedeman, we begin at the White House.
John, does the White House think they got their message across today?
JOHN KING, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, when you need to have the president take the lead in any damage control effort that is proof this administration is painfully aware. The answer to your question is no.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) KING (voice-over): Defense Secretary Rumsfeld at the White House early. Rising war costs one issue, the prisoner abuse scandal the other.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I said find the truth and then tell the Iraqi people and the world the truth. We have nothing to hide.
KING: Interviews with two Arab language news networks were part of the White House damage control effort. The graphic abuse is a major blow to America's already troubled image.
BUSH: Terrible. I think people in the Middle East who want to dislike America will use this as an excuse to remind people about their dislike.
KING: The president called the abuses abhorrent did not apologize.
BUSH: There will be a full investigation and justice will be served and we -- we will do to ourselves what we expect of others.
KING: But critics say that urgent tone came only after the abuses became public knowledge. U.S. Central Command issued a brief notice on January 16 that allegations of prisoner abuse were being investigated. The president first addressed the issue more than three months later on April 30 after the initial media account featuring graphic pictures of the abuse.
The administration insists Mr. Bush took the issue seriously from the beginning but the White House cannot say when the president was first told, acknowledges Mr. Bush learned about a classified report on the abuses only from news accounts and concedes the president was not aware graphic pictures existed until media reports.
Those images are now Exhibit A for those who say Mr. Bush invaded Iraq not to liberate but to dominate.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That is a prevalent feeling that predated this ugly episode but this episode, graphic as it was, humiliating as it was drives it home in a way that is really hard to overcome.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KING: At that morning meeting here in the Oval Office with Secretary Rumsfeld, the president approved a plan to seek $25 billion in new emergency spending to help pay for the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. That request went up to Congress this afternoon.
And, Anderson, we are told despite all the public statements here defending Secretary Rumsfeld that in that private meeting the president made bluntly clear that he was not happy, that he believes he should have been kept more in the loop, should have received much more information about these abuses and about the investigation much sooner than he did -- Anderson. COOPER: Well, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has, in fact, said that he didn't even read the Pentagon report until this past weekend, so there's definitely a lot of blame going around. John King thanks very much at the White House.
Here's a 360 "Fast Fact" for you. Today was the first time the president has ever appeared on Al Arabiya. It was the second time he talked to the U.S. funded Al-Hurrah.
Later on 360, we're going to show you how the Arab TV networks covered today's interviews plus hear from the U.S. bureau chief of Al Arabiya.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says he didn't read the Pentagon report, as I just said, on abuses at Abu Ghraib until this past weekend, General Myers as well, even though the report was completed back in March.
It is likely he is very familiar with the details now and today agreed to testify at a public hearing on Capitol Hill Friday, this after some in Congress are calling for his resignation.
CNN's Senior Pentagon Correspondent Jamie McIntyre has that side of the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): To hear Donald Rumsfeld tell it, the Pentagon has done everything right.
DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: It's something that the department is addressing. The system works.
MCINTYRE: In appearances on two morning news shows, Rumsfeld made no apologies for his handling of the scandal and stopped short of issuing a full apology to the Iraq people.
On ABC, Rumsfeld said only "any American who sees the photographs has to feel apologetic." On NBC, Rumsfeld was only a little more direct. "Anyone who sees the photographs does, in fact, apologize" he said. "That apology is there to any individual who was abused."
Rumsfeld's equally reserved in characterizing how the abuse has damaged the chances for U.S. success in Iraq.
RUMSFELD: It clearly is, you know, unhelpful in a fundamental way.
MCINTYRE: But Rumsfeld can expect to have to provide fuller answers Friday when he appears for a demand performance before a hastily arranged session of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
SEN. SAXBY CHAMBLISS (R), ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: He's going to be grilled pretty good about what happened, how it happened and how far up the chain it looks like it went. MCINTYRE: Angry Senators say they've been left in the dark and some say it may be time for Rumsfeld, the former Navy pilot, to resign.
SEN. JOE BIDEN (D), DELAWARE: You know there's this tradition in the United States Navy if a captain of a ship goes up on the shoals, almost regardless of whether it was his fault or not, he loses command.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MCINTYRE: Rumsfeld likes to say he serves at the pleasure of the president and even though the president expressed some displeasure today nobody here at the Pentagon believes the defense secretary is in any real danger of losing his job -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right, Jamie McIntyre thanks very much at the Pentagon.
In a closed hearing today, the Senate Intelligence Committee also looked into the prison abuse scandal. They've demanded some answers to questions. We're going to talk with a member of that committee, Mississippi Republican Senator Trent Lott coming up later on 360.
Today all was not calm at Abu Ghraib Prison where the abuse happened. Outside an angry crowd of more than 300 people, you see some of them here, many carried banners criticizing the United States. Inside, officials finally opened doors to reporters.
Here's CNN's Ben Wedeman.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In a Baghdad sandwich shop they're watching President Bush's interview on (unintelligible).
"He's holding those people to account" says this shop owner.
It's a tougher audience out at Abu Ghraib Prison where a spokesman for protesters reads out a list of demands presented to U.S. officials.
"Trials for those who abused Iraqi prisoners, a halt to mistreatment and abuse, free access to prisoners for lawyers and human rights groups."
Hundreds, Sunnis and Shiites, attended the demonstration organized by the Society of Muslim Scholars.
"Yes they said they will study our demands and they said they will improve the situation" says (unintelligible), who was part of the delegation who met with the Americans "but they're liars."
Inside, journalists get a rare tour but we're not allowed to film or speak to prisoners. They were shown cell block 1-A where the abuse took place, interrogation rooms and new medical facilities. The new commander of Abu Ghraib pledged that abuse would not happen again.
MAJ. GEN. GEOFFREY MILLER, U.S. ARMY: Yes, I would like to personally apologize to the people of Iraq for the actions of the small number of leaders and soldiers who violated our policy and may have committed criminal acts.
WEDEMAN (on camera): All the talk about punishing those involved in this abuse incident, all the talk about investigations into what's gone on at this prison have fallen on deaf ears here.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WEDEMAN: Anderson, administration officials in Washington and officials in Baghdad are talking themselves blue condemning this abuse of prisoners but the feeling I'm getting from Iraqis is that this effort at damage control on just one of many issues that gets their blood flowing is a case of too little too late -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right, Ben Wedeman reporting live from Baghdad. Thanks very much, Ben.
A quick news note on another investigation with ties to Abu Ghraib Prison, the head of a military police unit at that prison is under investigation following charges he secretly photographed naked female American soldiers as they showered. The guardsman has been relieved of duty but he is at an undisclosed location under U.S. Army control until the investigation is completed.
Well, even more accusations of abuse but these from former 9/11 detainees held at a federal prison in New York. Two men have filed a lawsuit alleging cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. One of the men is speaking out, an Egyptian, who says he dreamed of a better life in America but is now back in his home country after being deported.
CNN's Jason Carroll brings us his story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Ehab Elmaghraby saw pictures of Iraqi prisoners being abused by U.S. soldiers and thought of the abuse he says he suffered while being held in a U.S. prison.
EHAB ELMAGHRABY, FORMER DETAINEE: From the first day, five officers and one lieutenant just come and start to grab me and kick me in the back and hit me in the head and hit me in the chest.
CARROLL: Elmaghraby told his story from his home in Alexandria, Egypt. He says when he lived in New York City he was one of hundreds of Arabs and Muslims detained in the weeks following 9/11. His life as a restaurateur in Times Square ended when federal agents showed up at his home September 30, 2001.
ELMAGHRABY: Some officers start to grab me from my head to hit me in my back, to kick me in my leg. CARROLL: The abuse is alleged in a federal lawsuit naming a former warden, several officers and U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft as defendants saying one day Elmaghraby is stripped and an officer inserts a flashlight into his anal cavity until he bled. Another day a pencil is used, racial slurs, broken teeth, strip searches in front of a female staff member.
ELMAGHRABY: Any kind of abuse (unintelligible). They may strip search you like three, four times a day. They kick in the door. They leave the light on 24 hour, I can't -- couldn't make any phone calls to my family for the first four months and when I asked anybody they say no social call for terrorists.
CARROLL: Allegations of abuse became so prevalent the warden at the time required videotaping whenever a 9/11 detainee was moved. Some images, like this one showing officers pushing a detainee's head against a wall, were included in an investigative report by the U.S. Inspector General.
GLENN FINE, INSPECTOR GENERAL: We found evidence indicating that in some cases detainees were slammed against the wall, that the correctional officers stepped on their chains as they were walking. Some correctional officers bent their fingers and arms back.
CARROLL: An attorney for the facility's former warden says his client did nothing wrong and any comparisons to what may have happened at the prison to what happened to Iraqi prisoners is wrong.
Elmaghraby was cleared of any terrorist involvement. He pled guilty to credit card fraud and was deported. He has no plans to return to the country he once loved.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CARROLL: Despite the inspector general's findings and Elmaghraby's claims, the Justice Department did not find sufficient evidence to bring charges against anyone at the prison. A spokesman for the Bureau of Prisons would not comment on the abuse allegations but says they're conducting their own investigation -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right, Jason Carroll thanks very much.
Muslim prison chaplains come under the microscope that story tops out look at news "Cross Country." Let's take a look at what's going on.
The Justice Department wants a better screening process for Muslim religious service providers to make sure they don't pose a security threat in prison. The department in a report released today says the chaplaincy remains, and I quote, "vulnerable to infiltration by religious extremists."
New York now, Martha Stewart living with conviction. A federal judge denies Stewart a new trial. Her lawyers had argued she didn't get a fair shake because a juror didn't disclose he'd once been arrested in a domestic dispute. In Atlanta, Bobby Brown is going back to court. The sort of singer has been ordered to stand trial on charges he hit his wife, Whitney Houston. No trial date has been set yet.
Ever wonder what happens to your car when you're at work? Well, in Atlanta, a valet accidentally hit the gas while parking an SUV backing into this BMW pushing it out of a second story parking garage window where it dangled for about an hour. Crews finally pulled the car back into the garage. How'd you like to get that call?
Brooklyn, New York now, news chopper down, federal investigators today began looking into what caused this, unbelievable, a news helicopter spinning out of control, crashing onto a rooftop, there you just saw it in Brooklyn. Hard to believe watching the pictures but the reporter and two pilots aboard were not seriously hurt. That's one of them getting out there, staggering but he's all right. That's a look at stories right now "Cross Country."
We are also following right now a scorcher out west, thousands of acres up in flames as an early fire season blazes through Southern California. We're going to take you there live.
Also, a man who spent 20 years in prison after children accused him of molestation. They are now recounted and he's going to join me live to tell his side of the story, a free man today for the first time.
Also ahead, Michael Moore versus Mickey Mouse, Disney puts the kibosh on his controversial new film and a Senator cries censorship, all that ahead.
Right now let's take a look at your picks, the most popular stories on cnn.com right now.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Well, they were seeking solitude and a rustic setting but a group of writers and artists had to flee a California arts colony as a wildfire roared toward the 300-acre nature preserve. Right now the weather is starting to give firefighters some relief but there is concern tonight that this is only the beginning of a long hot summer.
CNN's Ted Rowlands has the latest from Temecula, California.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The combination of a weather shift and around-the-clock work from thousands of firefighters is helping to bring the year's first round of California wildfires under control. Fourteen homes have been destroyed and more than 22,000 acres blackened by six separate fires since they started last weekend.
People evacuated from their homes are coming back to dramatically different scenes. This house near the city of Temecula, east of Los Angeles, was in the middle of the fire zone but was untouched.
JANET NICH, HOMEOWNER: I just couldn't believe it that the house was saved. It was fantastic.
ROWLANDS: People living at the Dorland Mountain Arts Colony are not as lucky. The only thing left of the world renowned artists' retreat is the charred remains of nine buildings and two cottages. Lost in the fire are decades worth of work and numerous antiques, including a 1920 Steinway concert grand piano which is said to have been played by Russian pianist Sergey Rachmaninov during visits to the colony.
KAREN PARROTT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DORLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS COLONY: Everything gone. It's been a bit to take in.
ROWLANDS: The combination of a three year drought and thousands of dead beetle infested trees has many people convinced that this is just the beginning of a long fire season ahead.
GILL PETERS, CALIF. DEPT. OF FORESTRY: There is still over 12 million dead trees in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. I mean they're just dead. You know, that's dry gasoline if you will waiting to go up.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROWLANDS: And firefighters are going to keep a very close eye on the two largest fires in the region both centered in Riverside County. Assuming no dramatic change in the weather, however Anderson, they do expect full containment of all of these California fires by the end of the week.
COOPER: Certainly some good news there. All right, Ted, thanks very much, Ted Rowlands.
Explosions in Athens, Greece just 100 days before the Olympics, tops our look at news in the global "Up Link."
Three bombs outside an Athens police station aren't helping fears of terrorism surrounding the Olympics but the Greek government says the attack doesn't seem connected to the games. The bombs caused damage to the station but no one was hurt.
Kabul, Afghanistan, contractors killed, two British contractors helping the U.N. organize elections were killed in an attack in a remote eastern province. A U.N. helicopter brought the men's bodies to Kabul this afternoon.
The Netherlands now, here comes the judges. U.S. Supreme Court Justices O'Connor and Kennedy meet with Iraqi judges near The Hague for two days of talks. The U.S.-led coalition organized the talks to give Iraqi judges a chance to meet legal experts from around the world.
Sydney, Australia now looking up down under, take a look, a total lunar eclipse visible in Sydney as well as Perth. I'm not scientist but here's some astronomy 101. A lunar eclipse happens when a full moon passes through the earth's shadow, just in case you didn't know. I didn't.
Wiltshire, England now, don't tread on Madonna. Madonna and her husband Guy Ritchie, the guy behind her, are suing to keep pedestrians off their $16 million English estate. A government agency has designated 100 acres of the couple's 1,200-country estate a public walkway. Perish the thought. That's the look at the "Up Link" tonight.
Hard to imagine being accused of a crime you didn't commit, harder still to imagine being convicted and sitting in jail for 20 years. That's what's happened to my next guest. He is now a free man. In some people's eyes he is still under suspicion. We'll talk with him live coming up.
Also tonight the buck stops where? Donald Rumsfeld under pressure to step down from some over Iraqi prison abuse, should he? I'll ask Senator Trent Lott.
And a little later, politics en Espanol, Bush and Kerry court Latino voters on Cinco de Mayo, all ahead. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Time for justice served now.
After 20 years in prison on child molestation charges, John Stoll is a free man tonight. Stoll was released yesterday, his birthday, after his conviction was overturned. There was no physical evidence at the original trial. Testimony alone convicted him and four of his accusers recanted the accusations they made as children saying they were manipulated by investigators.
In a moment we'll talk with John Stoll but first CNN's Rusty Dornin has his story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was a heck of a way to celebrate his 61st birthday, free at last, a moment John Stoll says he imagined a million times as he sat in his prison cell for 20 years.
JOHN STOLL, RELEASED PRISONER: Nothing like I thought. My heart's just a pounding away.
DORNIN: Prosecutors in 1985 claimed Stoll was part of a child sex ring in Bakersfield, California. He was convicted, along with two other men and a woman, of assaulting six children including his own son.
Chris Diori was eight years old when he testified he was molested by Stoll but last January he told the court he was badgered into lying by overzealous investigators.
CHRIS DIORI, RECANTED TESTIMONY: I told them, you know, numerous times, no it didn't happen to me, no, no, no, no, no.
DORNIN: Three other alleged victims also told the court it didn't happen. That convinced the judge. He reversed Stoll's conviction saying investigators used improper techniques which resulted in unreliable testimony.
Of the two remaining accusers, one says he doesn't remember being molested but Stoll's son, who was six at the time, still insists his father is guilty. Attorneys from Project Innocence worked for the last two years to exonerate Stoll. They argued the alleged victims in the case were never examined by doctors and there was no physical evidence presented.
Kern County prosecutors say they no longer have evidence to support a new trial. Stoll now will begin his life again free at last from the label child molester.
Rusty Dornin, CNN, San Francisco.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: John Stoll and his attorney Linda Starr join us now live from San Jose, California. Thanks very much for being on the program both of you.
STOLL: Thank you.
LINDA STARR, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA INNOCENCE PROJECT: Thanks for having us.
COOPER: John, the judge overturned your conviction. It doesn't necessarily mean you were acquitted of the charges. In fact some prosecutors even say they still believe you're guilty. Do you feel like you're really free today?
STOLL: Yes, I'm free. I feel free. No problem. They can say what they want to say.
COOPER: You're --
STOLL: I'm innocent.
COOPER: Your son Jed insists you still molested him. In fact, he's reported to have said, and I quote, "I want to make sure he can't get out and hurt anyone else. Did you molest your son? He was six years old at the time.
STOLL: No, I didn't, no. I didn't molest anybody.
COOPER: Why do you think he feels this way?
STOLL: Well, Jed was the focal point at the beginning of the investigation and I'm sure that he got a lot of prompting. I mean I don't -- I feel sorry. I really feel sorry that he feels that way but I didn't do anything to him and I'm sorry that he feels that way and that's just where it's at. COOPER: Well, the bulk of the young men have recanted their stories. They said they were pressured by investigators. I know you have spoken to one of them. What was that conversation like? I mean do you forgive them?
STOLL: Well, of course. They were just children. I don't forgive the adults who told them the stories but I forgive the children. They didn't do anything.
COOPER: Linda, you've been convinced that John is innocent all along. What made you so sure?
STARR: A couple of things made me sure. First, meeting John made me sure. Once I spoke with him at length about his case and what he'd been through and what the accusations were I was certain he was innocent.
An attorney that I respect very much, who had also looked at his case and several others like it, also told us that he believed he was innocent and asked us to take a look at the case.
And then once we got into the case and began investigating and I spoke with the former child victims, I read the trial transcripts, I put it in the context of the other cases that were coming out of Kern County at the time. It was clear to me that this was just another of those improper convictions that came out of Kern County in that time period.
COOPER: John, 20 years behind bars. This was your first full day of freedom. What did you do? I mean how do you deal with it?
STOLL: You just got to move on. I mean I can't -- I can't dwell on it. I just have to move on. Today was quite a nice day. Yesterday was really a nice day but today was really exciting, went to the mall. Oh, oh, century overload, went to the mall. That was something.
COOPER: Was it like you had remembered it?
STOLL: Oh, no, just -- we stopped at a gas station and that wasn't even like what I remembered so the mall was just full. The mall was quite exciting.
COOPER: Well, I wish you peace and I hope things work out with your family. John Stoll, appreciate you joining us and Linda Starr as well. Thank you very much for being on the program.
STOLL: Thank you very much.
STARR: Thank you.
STOLL: Thank you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: On Cinco de Mayo candidates courting the Mexican American vote. We'll look at the ethnic aspect of raw politics.
And, doctor knows best but why is Dr. Sanjay Gupta driving a nail into his head, the science behind life on the edge, 360 continues.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Let's get you caught up with some of our top stories tonight in "The Reset." In Washington, President Bush talks with the Arab world about the alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners. In interviews with Arab language TV networks the president called the abuse abhorrent. He said those found guilty will be punished. More on this in a moment.
Also in Washington, Donald Rumsfeld will testify about the Iraqi abuse. The Secretary of Defense will appear this Friday before the Senate Armed Services Committee in a public hearing to answer questions about the growing scandal. Rumsfeld will be joined by Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Richard Myers.
Also in Washington, more money needed for Iraq and Afghanistan. Today President Bush asked Congress for an additional $25 billion for military operations in both those countries. The president calls the extra funding a high priority.
And in New York, an avalanche of hate mail for the Pat Tillman cartoonist. Ted Roll said he receives hundreds of death threats for drawing a cartoon that lampooned the media's response to the death of Pat Tillman. The football player turned soldier was killed in Afghanistan.
Also in New York, record price for a Picasso. Boy with a pipe went for $93 million plus $10 million in commission. We don't know who bought the 1905, considered one of Picasso's finest works coming from his rose period.
Our top story now on Capitol Hill today, anger, appointment. Lawmakers want to know how abuses happened at that prison in Iraq, and why they weren't alerted earlier. Some are even calling for Donald Rumsfeld's resignation. The defense secretary has agreed to testify Friday in a public hearing. Today the Senate Intelligence Committee demanded answers from officials at a classified meeting.
Earlier I spoke with a member of the committee who was at the hearing, Senator Trent Lott.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Senator Lott you were briefed today in a classified briefing in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee. You heard from the Army, CIA.
What can you tell us?
Did you hear the answers to questions that you needed to hear? SEN. TRENT LOTT (R-MI), INTELLIGENCE CMTE.: Not enough answers yet. And I tried to get very simple answers.
Who did it?
Was it contractors?
Was it CIA, military intelligence, army, reservists?
Exactly who is involved here?
That's question one.
And question number two, is you know, who is going to be punished here?
How far up the chain of command did it go, should it go in terms of saying what do you know about this?
What actions did you take?
But here's the key question, has this problem been corrected?
Can we be assured that, you know as much as is humanly possible these people have been properly trained, that they're conducting themselves, you know, in the appropriate way and they're being supervised in the appropriate way.
COOPER: Did you get an answer to that question?
LOTT: I don't have sufficient answers to that yet. We're still in meetings and I am going back after we have a vote on the floor of the Senate for another round of questions.
COOPER: Why were you and other members of Congress kept out of the loop?
Do you know that?
I understand you read the March Pentagon report on NPR's Web site.
LOTT: That is correct.
COOPER: How can that happen?
LOTT: The explanation we're getting is that we're asking questions, OK, when was this report completed?
Where did it go then?
You know, when did it actually reach the Pentagon itself?
And where did it go in the Pentagon, and why didn't we get it?
I think the answer they probably will give, well it was in the process and it was coming, but, you know, we probably didn't do it as aggressively as we should have.
COOPER: Secretary Rumsfeld...
LOTT: We're -- we're disturbed about this, and the Armed Services Committee, Intelligence Committee, republicans, Democrats...
COOPER: Because Secretary Rumsfeld and General Myers said they didn't read this report until this past weekend.
LOTT: Well, the report, as I understand it, was completed March 6th. And then it had started a process of going up through the chain of command, working its way. And it could not go through the army. The rules require under these circumstances that come up, I guess the military chain of command, on the way to through the joint chief and I guess eventually to the office of the secretary of defense. Those are the questions we're asking, and showing our displeasure that it was moving along, maybe not being taken seriously enough, and that we were not being advised in an acceptable way.
COOPER: Senator Biden, a couple other Democrats have suggested perhaps or come close to suggesting Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld should resign.
Do you think he should or is that just politics?
LOTT: You know the way we work in Washington is we want to rush to fix blame. And you know, find somebody that's going to be removed or you know, politically executed as a result of this. Let's at least find out for sure what happened, who was supposed to do what.
What were we supposed to know?
Why didn't things happen the way they were supposed to?
Let's don't start trying to call for people's removal until we've at least done our job. We didn't get what we needed until the last 24 hours. We just began our hearings, you know, today. Let's get these answers and then let's see what we need to do.
COOPER: All right. Senator Trent Lott thanks for being on the program.
LOTT: OK, thank you very much.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Some calls for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to step down, the president today speaking on Arab TV. The White House is in full damage control mode as America's commander-in-chief faces what can best be described as a "Midweek Crisis."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN ARABIC)
COOPER (voice-over): The damage control began on Al Hurra, the U.S. funded network out of Virginia. It's the second time President Bush has appeared on Al Hurra since its launch in February.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The American people are just as appalled at what they have seen on TV as the Iraqi citizens have.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING IN ARABIC)
COOPER: The president then appeared on Al Arabiya, the Saudi owned satellite network based in the United Arab Emirates.
BUSH: The Iraqi citizens must understand America is not going to leave until the job is complete. We want to help Iraq.
COOPER: How did he do? Analysts on Al Hurra dissected the interview afterwards. The consensus, the president's comments were a good first step, but actions will speak louder than words. Al Jazeera, which has been harshly criticized by the U.S. over its coverage of Iraq, didn't get an interview with the president. Today, it was business as usual. Al Jazeera made a quick mention of what they called President Bush's attempt to convince Arabs that he opposes the wrongdoing of some U.S. troops in Iraq. But there were no sound bites and no detailed quotes. But on the two other Arab networks the president was heard by millions of Arab viewers today. Did his message get through, for that we'll all have to stay tuned.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, here's a quick news note for you. Launched in February last year, Al Arabiya has proved popular in the Arab world. A recent poll showed about a third of Iraqis with satellite dishes actually watch it.
The question today is, did its viewers welcome President Bush's message?
Earlier I spoke with the Talal Al-Haj, U.S. Bureau chief of Al Arabiya.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Today on your network President Bush called what happened at Abu Ghraib prison abhorrent. Didn't come close to an apology.
Did he say what your viewers wanted to hear, needed to hear?
TALAL AL-HAJ, U.S. BUREAU CHIEF, AL ARABIYA: I think the president tried to control the damage. He realized how important it is to the image of the United States, to the policy of the United States, and to the interests of the United States and the Middle East. But I think he could have apologized, would have been well received in the Middle East.
COOPER: Were you happy with how the interview went overall?
How was it sort of analyzed by the people on your air? AL-HAJ: I think it was too little, too late. We know in the Middle East now that the administration knew about these things since January, February. We know that General Myers knew about it, because he asked CBS to delay their broadcast for two weeks. General Myers, we understand from the American system, that he reports directly to the president. Why didn't he tell the president about the problem? Why did the president has to know from the network broadcast like every American? I mean, there are many questions still being raised in the Middle East, and are raised in this country. And there's some people who are calling for an investigation of the highest level. And even for the resignation of Rumsfeld.
COOPER: Talal, we've received some e-mails and I'm going to put the question to you that we've received. People, viewers who have written in to us and said look we didn't hear the same people condemning the desecration of American bodies on that bridge in Fallujah. Is the level of outrage somehow different over these pictures of Americans abusing in prison?
AL-HAJ: No. Understand, the outcries in the Middle East and the condemnation of what happened over that bridge was all over the Middle East. And we were all disgusted by these scenes. It was a few.
Now the president also saying that these soldiers were a few stupid marines, possibly, doing these things, and doesn't run high up the command. But remember September 11. When we said, as Muslims and Arabs, these people are few who did this crime and killed thousands of people, still, however, in this tolerant society, the discrimination and hate crime against Muslims and Arabs rose by 70 percent. This is a fact of life. Even in this tolerant society, the damage to the United States policy, the image in the Middle East, has been done.
COOPER: Really? You think this is something the U.S. can't come back from?
AL-HAJ: I think it has done great damage to the United States. I regret that and I know most American people, the overall majority are decent people and they are appalled with these pictures. But however, as I said, what happened September 11, many Arabs, many Muslims suffered and still suffering because of few. And I think the same applies here.
COOPER: It's interesting to hear your perspective. Talal al-Haj thank you very much for being on the program.
AJ-HAJ: You're welcome, sir.
COOPER: That brings us to today's buzz question. "Should President Bush have apologized during his interviews with Arab language TV networks?" What do you think? Logon to CNN.com/360. Cast your vote. We'll have results at the end of the program tonight.
Still to come on 360, with fiesta day at the White House ahead, the party, the politics, all part of Cinco de Mayo.
Also tonight, Michael Moore takes on Disney as a dispute erupts over the release of his new film that attacks the president's war on terror. All that ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: It is the 5th of May, and Cinco de Mayo to some. It may make you think of having a few margaritas, or you might remember the Mexican victory, the Battle of Puebla in 1862. But as you see it as yet another opportunity to woo yet another group of ethnic voters well you may be ready for raw politics.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER (voice-over): They celebrated Cinco de Mayo at the White House today.
BUSH: Cente se (ph). Bienvenidos. Welcome to the Casablanca.
COOPER: And on the Kerry campaign trail.
JOHN KERRY, (D-MA) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Feliz Cinco de Mayo. How are you? Gracias.
COOPER; For Mexicans, today marks the anniversary of an important battle. For presidential candidates, the battle is for Hispanic votes.
From the times of Tamani Hall, when the ethnic meant Irish or Italian politicians have recognized the importance of ethnic voters. And they've done whatever it takes to win them over.
From marching down Main Street to speaking, or trying to speak the language.
RONALD REAGAN, FRM. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Buenos Tardes (ph).
COOPER: In 1984, Ronald Reagan began the Republican push to woo Hispanic voters. But so far, ethnic voters have largely stayed in the Democratic fold. Bill Clinton won 61 percent of the Hispanic vote in 1992, and 83 percent of the black vote. In 1996, he took 72 percent of Hispanic voters, and 84 percent of black voters. And in 2000, 60 percent of Hispanic voters and 90 percent of black voters went with Al Gore.
KERRY: El Huntos Vinceremos (ph).
COOPER: But the Kerry campaign has come under fire for lacking diversity in its upper ranks and President Bush has gone all-out to win over the Hispanic community.
Over the years the faces may have changed, but the candidates' need to win the hearts, minds and votes of ethnic communities, well that's remained a real part of raw politics.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COOPER: Well, on now to what may be a raw corporate politics case. Michael Moore says if he has anything to say about it, you'll get to see his new documentary this summer, because after all, it is a free country in his words. But that might be easier said than done.
Accusations of political mischief are now flying between Moore, and would-be distributor Disney. CNN's Jen Rogers has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEN ROGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Michael Moore's never hidden his feelings about President Bush.
MICHAEL MOORE, FILMMAKER: He was never elected by a majority of the citizens of this country and I'll keep saying that until he's out of there.
ROGERS: Now in his latest documentary, "Fahrenheit 911," he's taking his criticisms to the big screen, or at least trying to. The movie, said to be sharply critical of Bush, and according to the "New York Times," links Bush and prominent Saudis, including the family of Osama bin Laden, has become the center of controversy. After Moore announced on his Web site that the Walt Disney company was blocking distribution by its subsidiary, Miramax.
In a statement Miramax said, "we're discussing the issue with Disney. We're looking at all of our options and look forward to resolving this amicably." But for Disney's part, their doesn't seem much left to resolve.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We just chose not to be involved.
ROGERS: Any chance that Disney will change their mind on their stance?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've made our position very clear on that.
ROGERS: In a written statement the company said, "in May 2003 the Walt Disney company communicated to Miramax and Mr. Moore's representatives that Miramax would not be the distributor of his film. Contrary to his assertions Mr Moore has had and continues to have every opportunity to either find another distributor or distribute the film himself."
Regardless of who actually ends up distributing Moore's film, the current controversy is publicity money can't buy.
MATT FELLING, CENTER FOR MEDIA AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS: The big winner in this entire fiasco is Michael Moore and Michael Moore's publicity team. They should send thank you cards to the Disney people.
ROGERS: For now dueling press releases will have to do.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROGERS: While, the release date for Moore's new movie may still be months away, Congressional hearings could be held much sooner. Today, Democratic Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey called for the Senate Commerce Committee to look into what he called the pattern of politically-based corporate censorship -- Anderson.
COOPER: All right, Jen Rogers. I don't think this is the last we've heard about this story. I don't think it's going away. Thanks very much.
Step right up to the side show for a stunt that will leave you shocked and amazed, maybe. Coming up, that has really got to hurt. We're going to show you the science, if there is any, behind the human blockhead.
Also tonight, computer viruses: what if they were named after famous people? We'll take that to the "Nth Degree." Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: All right, class, time to review our life beyond limits series. First, senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta ate fire. Then he laid on a bed of nails. Tonight he presents the human blockhead. Without further ado, Dr. Gupta.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: The human blockhead, it's a pretty neat trick. You're going to see this here in a second. The fire eating, that was certainly dangerous. The bed of nails was actually more of an illusion. The human blockhead is just kind of weird. But I watched this and wondered if it was an illusion or it was real. You'll find out it's real. As we said all week some of these things are dangerous. You've got to take them seriously. I went through some significant instruction before I attempted it myself. I did attempt it myself. You'll see that in a second. Don't try this at home.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hammer time.
GUPTA (voice-over): Spend any time around a carnival side show and you'll catch an act called the human blockhead.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's called the human blockhead because you have to be a complete blockhead to do something as dangerous as this. It's the kind of thing that if you're going to be hammering a nail into your nose you better have an idea of where it goes.
GUPTA: Where it goes is the nasal pharynx. A hollow space that widens at the back of the nose and eventually becomes the throat. I wasn't about to bang a nail into my head. But under the guidance of Brian Brushwood (ph), another performer I did try the beginner's version, a Q-tip.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go ahead and lick that edge. This is going to be gross.
There you go. Go, go, go. Yes, yes, yes. Sanjay, you're the man! Yes! All right now you're going to graduate. We'll do this next one right here.
GUPTA: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You like that? You got it, though. Congratulations. Actually, no.
GUPTA: If you do learn the human blockhead you're also going to have to learn the joke. The same joke that's told by everyone who does this trick.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because of the lighting in here I thought there was blood on there but it's not. And the nail is real.
And in case you're wondering, yes, I'm single.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA: I got some extra Q-tips if you wanted to try it.
COOPER: I always thought it was going up but it's not...
GUPTA: That's the illusion part of it. You know, they sort of tilt the head back and it's just going straight back in the nasal pharynx.
COOPER: This is all part of a series for Sunday night?
GUPTA: Life beyond limits. We're going to look at it all. There's a lot of science behind this. So we're going to give you all of that Sunday night, 9:00.
COOPER: I still wouldn't have done it.
Time to check on some lighter pop news in tonight's "Current." "Playgirl" is announcing its own TV channel. The launch day for Playgirl TV is not set. But already the network is promising women a completely erotic and fulfilling experience. My friend Andrea (ph) tells me that's a promise she's heard before.
Jessica Simpson is heading to New York to give a concert in Central Park later this month. The goal of the concert is to raise awareness of the need for sun protection. Usually the goal is to hear good music. But I guess that's a moot point in this case. I don't know what that means.
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame a few days ago. Since they don't turn 18 until June we hear their parents will have full legal custody over the star until then.
We admit it, we cannot get enough of the Mary Kate and Ashley story. What if they and some other famous names took on computer viruses? We'll take that idea to the Nth degree just ahead.
First today's buzz is this, "should President Bush have apologized during his interviews with Arab language TV networks?" It's a controversial question. Log on to CNN.com/360. Cast your vote. We'll have results in just a few moments.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COOPER: Earlier we showed you the most popular stories on CNN.com. Here's what everyone is reading about. A woman who bought more than 10,000 candy bars at a store in London. She just walked in and said she wanted all the Mars bars in stock. Almost $4,000 worth which she paid for in cash, loaded into her limo, and then promptly rode off into the sunset. No one at the store thought to ask her why she wanted all that chocolate. A store spokesman said, quote, "perhaps she has a sweet truth." Got to love that dry British humor.
Time now for the buzz. Not dry at all. Earlier we asked "should President Bush have apologized during his interviews with Arab language TV networks?" The controversial question, more than 20,000 of you voted. 75 percent of you said yes. 25 percent of you said no. Not a scientific poll, it is your buzz. Thank you very much for taking the time to vote.
Finally tonight, taking computer viruses to the Nth degree. the so-called Sasser virus has been in the news a lot this week threatening computers across the country. We didn't pay much attention to it frankly until someone connected the name to former major league catcher Mackey Sasser. Then we got interested.
As a catcher for the New York Mets, Mackey Sasser became famous for a mental block that made it hard for him to throw the ball back to the pitcher. It turns out the Sasser virus isn't named after Mackey. But maybe, just maybe computer viruses should be named after famous people. That way we'd all pay a lot more attention to them.
We could have the Barry Bonds bug. It keeps hitting e-mail out of the park all the while denying it's using any performance enhancing drugs. Or the Eli Manning virus which won't affect your computer but demands to be traded to a computer in the bigger market. The Mary Kate Olsen virus which replicates itself into the Ashley Olsen virus or the other way round. Or even the Bill Gates virus which makes billions by causing your computer not to work for various unexplained reasons. Wait a minute, that one already exists. Anyway, thanks for watching. That's 360 for tonight. I'm Anderson Cooper. Coming up next, "PAULA ZAHN NOW."
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