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Bible Ad Banned; Congress Delays Rice Confirmation
Aired January 21, 2005 - 15:00 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.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: "Now in the News," a cause for a celebration turns into a scene of carnage south of Baghdad. It happened a few hours ago, when a suicide bomber drove an ambulance into the midst of a wedding party. Iraqi police say several people were killed and many others wounded.
From Florida to Tennessee, the search is on for a convicted child molester accused of kidnapping a Florida boy. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation put out an Amber Alert today for 42-year-old Frederick Fretz and 11-year-old Adam Kirkirt after Georgia authorities found Fretz's abandoned car at an exit ramp in Interstate 76. Fretz, who had been living with the boy and his father, allegedly picked Adam up from school on Tuesday. Officials say the pair may be hitchhiking.
An interface service at Washington's National Cathedral this morning capped a busy week of inaugural events in the nation's capital. President Bush was sworn in for his second term yesterday, promising to spread freedom around the world.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: But first up, a tragic end to what appears to have been a calculated kidnapping. The victim is found dead. The suspect caught nearly 1,000 miles away seeking medical attention.
Authorities in Willcox, Arizona, say Johnny Lee Williams walked into a hospital with a gunshot wound. Parked outside, the red pickup truck belonging to Megan Leann Holden. The 19-year-old college student was last seen late Wednesday leaving the Wal-Mart in Tyler, Texas, where she worked. Police say the surveillance tape shows the abduction. The other tapes allegedly show Williams loitering in and around the store for a couple hours beforehand.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF GARY SWINDLE, TYLER POLICE DEPARTMENT: We do think there was probably -- he did potentially make several other attempts that evening before he picked Megan, so we believe he was looking for a ride. And, you know, so we're looking at that. But we do believe there were several other possible victims before this happened.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: About the victim, Chief Swindle would only say she had been shot to death, her body discovered by oil field workers this morning.
Joining me now with his insights, our law enforcement analyst, Mike Brooks.
And, Mike, we need to build the case now. Law enforcement will certainly be doing that. Where do they begin?
MIKE BROOKS, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Well, it's a large crime scene, Tony. It goes all the way from Tyler, Texas, possibly to Willcox, Arizona, all along the way. And where the body was found is in Stanton, Texas. So we go from East Texas to West Texas.
So, investigators from the FBI's evidence response team out of the Phoenix office, they have a resident agency in Tucson, they're responding down there and my sources tell me that they're going to assist in processing this truck of hers that was outside of the hospital where he actually went up to get treated for a minor gunshot wound.
So, they're going to be looking for a lot of different things inside and outside of that truck.
HARRIS: Yes. Give me an idea of what kinds of things they'll be looking for, fibers, blood evidence, obviously.
BROOKS: Hairs, fibers of him and her to put them together in that truck, blood, his and herself, to make the case.
(CROSSTALK)
BROOKS: They said that they found her body. He apparently is the one that they believe is involved, but they still have to make the case.
Soil samples from that truck from along the way, they will go and they will put that -- put brown paper all underneath the truck and start taking soil samples to try to compare soils all the way from East Texas, West Texas, all the way to Arizona. Footprints from where the body was found, his footprints, her footprints. Was he acting alone? That's another question that has not been answered, as well as tire tread impressions that will be taken by the technicians of the evidence response team.
(CROSSTALK)
HARRIS: And when you look at the surveillance video, it would appear to be an open and shut case, but you still have to go through this process.
BROOKS: Yes, you do. In fact, Ed Lavandera, our reporter in Tyler, had been saying that it looked as if he had just come out of the darkness into this parking lot. He had been lurking in that parking lot for almost two hours. And you can see video of him outside. He apparently even talked to a guard that is contracted by Wal-Mart and asked him what he was doing. He said he was waiting for a ride.
The chief of Tyler also said that apparently he had followed some other women to their car, but apparently the time wasn't right. If you look at the video, there was a number of people around until he came after her. There was just a number of cars in the parking lot. He closed on her very quickly. They're going to try to also enhance that video to get additional evidence to see whether or not they can see a weapon, to see if he pushed her in.
But, apparently, the chief also said that apparently these two did not know each other prior to this crime.
HARRIS: Hey, what kind of a set of charges, a long list of charges, is this guy facing?
BROOKS: A long list of charges, Tony, from both federal charges, state charges, local charges to federal charges. You have got murder- kidnapping, carjacking, which would be a local charge. You've also got unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. He went across state lines. The FBI will most likely pursue those kind of cases against him, too.
(CROSSTALK)
BROOKS: He will have an initial extradition hearing in Arizona and then most likely quickly extradited back to Texas.
HARRIS: You know what, Mike? You wouldn't want to be in this situation. If you find yourself in this situation and we know that Megan probably did everything that she could, but if you find yourself in this situation, is there some advice that you would offer folks watching?
BROOKS: He closed on her so quickly.
HARRIS: He sure did.
BROOKS: And did she have any time to react? She probably didn't even know what was going on. And many times, people, victims of violent crimes like this will freeze and they don't know what to do.
HARRIS: Right.
BROOKS: But if you can keep your wits about you, most experts which say, if someone pulls a gun on you or a knife on you or any other weapon, your chances of survival of that incident are very slim, as unfortunately Megan was a victim of this kind of violence. Holler, scream.
If you have your keys in your hand, use your keys as a weapon, scratch the person. There's courses that people can take.
HARRIS: So fight for your life at that moment.
BROOKS: You are fighting for your life. They pull a gun, they pull a knife, you're fighting for your life and you might as well go for it. You might as well do everything you can to get away from that scene, holler, scream. We saw the video camera, but apparently they weren't -- they didn't have anyone monitoring the video cameras that time.
HARRIS: Oh, I see.
BROOKS: Because the Wal-Mart's a 24/7 operation and the chief said apparently no one was monitoring the cameras at that particularly time.
HARRIS: That's right.
Thanks for your help.
BROOKS: A very sad case, Tony.
(CROSSTALK)
HARRIS: Thank you.
BROOKS: Thanks.
NGUYEN: And now to Iraq.
It seems every public place, every gathering of people is drawing insurgents bent on derailing the country's upcoming elections. And, today, mosques and weddings became their latest targets. An ambulance drove into a wedding party and exploded south of Baghdad today. Officials say a suicide bomber was behind the wheel. Several people were killed in that crash.
And in the Iraqi capital itself, a car bomb exploded near a Shiite mosque. It happened just as worshipers were gathered outside after morning prayers. At least 14 people were killed and 42 wounded.
And a U.S. intelligence official says the voice on a speech posted on an Islamic Web site is likely that of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The speaker hints the battle of Fallujah is the beginning of a long war and urges followers to be patient.
Still in Iraq, the former expatriate Ahmad Chalabi may have been jilted by his patrons back in Washington, but he still says Iraq needs U.S. troops, whether it like it or not. He was emphatic when asked by CNN whether U.S. forces should leave.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AHMAD CHALABI, UNITED IRAQI ALLIANCE: No, we are not calling for a withdraw of American forces. The people are angry. The people are upset about the presence of American forces, but we believe that if the American forces are regulated by a status of forces agreement with the Iraqi government, then their situation in the minds of the people will improve considerably, because they will not be in your face. They will not be present at street corners.
They will not be compelled to shoot people, because the American forces now believe -- feel that almost everybody they come in contact with is potentially hostile. So there is this tension, this tension between the Iraqi people and the American forces which we need to diffuse.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Anderson Cooper will focus today on Iraq's upcoming election. That is "ANDERSON COOPER 360" 7:00 p.m. Eastern, 4:00 Pacific.
HARRIS: Well, the White House says Democrats are resorting to petty politics by delaying the Condoleezza Rice nomination. She's expected to be confirmed as the next secretary of state, but not until next week.
State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel has the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For Condoleezza Rice, the inauguration was supposed to mark the start of her new role as secretary of state. Instead, Senate Democrats forced a delay in her confirmation until next week.
SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV), MINORITY LEADER: We have senators who have been engaged in matters relating to what's going on around the world who, for the confirmation of the secretary of state, wish to be able to speak.
KOPPEL: After two days of often contentious hearings with Rice, most of it over Iraq...
SEN. BARBARA BOXER (D-CF), FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE: And I also will not shrink from questioning a war that was not built on the truth.
KOPPEL: ... Democrats, led by Barbara Boxer of California, blocked a quick vote in the Senate. The White House suggested it was sour grapes.
ANDREW CARD, WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: Dr. Rice will be a great secretary of state and she should move into that position quickly and I wish the Senate would confirm her. But, you know, petty politics is playing a role in this, and that's unfortunate.
KOPPEL: For Colin Powell, who'd already had an emotional farewell Wednesday before hundreds at the State Department...
COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: And even though I step down as your secretary, I will never leave you.
KOPPEL: ... Rice's delayed confirmation means one last diplomatic mission for Powell. This weekend, he'll lead the U.S. delegation to Ukraine to witness the inauguration of opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko, swept into power after weeks of massive street demonstrations forced a new election. Truly a bittersweet moment for Powell, who although he led U.S. efforts to support democratic elections in Ukraine, wasn't supposed to be going.
(on camera): As for Rice, who is still expected to be confirmed by a wide margin, Democrats say she had only one request -- to be sworn in by the time President Bush delivers his State of the Union address next month.
Andrea Koppel, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: And it looks like that will happen.
(WEATHER UPDATE)
NGUYEN: Some changes in store for a controversial weapon.
HARRIS: Yes, the company that makes Taser guns apparently plans to turn up the voltage. We have got details on that.
NGUYEN: And a Bible banned, or at least the ad. Find out why "Rolling Stone" magazine won't be printing this advertisement.
HARRIS: And look out, here come the brides. How fast they run today could determine how great they look walking down the aisle.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: It's a new book hot of off the presses. And within its pages, you will find sex, challenges to the status quo and a whole section devoted to song. So, why won't "Rolling Stone" magazine let its publishers buy ad space? Well, apparently, the book in question is the Bible.
"Rolling Stone" has told Zondervan Publishers, thou shalt not place this ad targeting 18-to-34-years-old with a pitch for a new version of the Bible.
Now, earlier this week, I spoke with Doug Lockhart, senior vice president of marketing for Zondervan, about the ad.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Doug, we want to start by looking at the ad itself to see exactly what it says. And I'm going to quote here from the ad: "In a world of almost endless media noise and political spin, you wonder where you can find the real truth. Well, now there's a source that is accurate, clear, and reliable. It's the TNIV, Today's New International Version of the Bible."
Now I have to ask you, "Rolling Stone" magazine had to have known what type of ad this was when you purchased the ad space, correct?
DOUG LOCKHART, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING, ZONDERVAN: That's correct. We actually purchased the ad space or negotiated the rates back in February of 2004. And we actually achieved the ad insert in June of 2004, so it's not new news. It was completed nine months ago.
NGUYEN: And through all that time, there was no objection. How surprised were you when "Rolling Stone" came back and said, we're not ready to run this ad; we're not going to run this ad? BROOKS: We were surprised and disappointed, quite frankly, when we found out that they had changed their mind and rejected Zondervan's ad for the TNIV Bible. We were very surprised and disappointed.
NGUYEN: We have invited "Rolling Stone" to come on this show and present its side of the story. They have declined.
But I do want to read you a quote from "USA Today," where "Rolling Stone"'s parent company general manager Kent Brownridge says -- quote -- "The copy is a little more than an ad for the Bible. It's a religious message that I personally don't disagree with. We are not in the business of publishing advertising for religious messages."
Now, keeping in mind that your ad doesn't even mention the word God anywhere in it, what is your response to that?
LOCKHART: Well, we believe there's a misconception about how important the Bible is in people's lives. And keep in mind, the TNIV translation is targeted to the 18-to-34-year-old who is spiritually intrigued.
We know from research through Harris Interactive that 59 percent, or six in 10 people, in the 18-to-34-year-old category are spiritually intrigued and believe that the Bible is relevant to their lives. So that's six in 10 readers in "Rolling Stone" magazine that believe the Bible is relevant to their lives. And so we are committed to reaching this age group with this new translation and the "Rolling Stone" magazine is a logical venue for us to place an ad.
NGUYEN: So what do you suspect is the argument against your ad? Is it the fear that if "Rolling Stone" allows your ad in this magazine, then it will have to allow the ads of other religious groups and then you will have one religion pitting itself against another religion throughout all the ads within the magazine?
LOCKHART: Well, we don't know what the reasons are specifically, but we were confused when the answer came back that they had decided not to carry the ad. And, quite frankly, we hope they'll reconsider their position and carry the ad.
NGUYEN: Have they given you any options as to, if you alter your ad in any way, they may take it?
LOCKHART: When we heard about the rejection, we did go back to them and offer to make changes. And, at this point, the communication back to us was that it was not appropriate at this time. And then there was a statement that they had an internal policy that they would not accept advertisements for religious products.
NGUYEN: OK, so you...
LOCKHART: We asked...
NGUYEN: Let me get this correct. You have already said that you would alter the ad, but I have to question you here, because wouldn't that dilute your message? LOCKHART: Not at all. We would work with "Rolling Stone" magazine and we would ensure that the message would not be diluted. Our goal is to target this age group with a message that is appropriate for them that will encourage them to engage with the Bible.
Our mission is more people engaging the Bible more and reaching this audience, the 18 to 34-year-old who is spiritually intrigued. Again, six out of 10 of these people believe that Bible is relevant to their lives, and we want to find ways to reach them.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: And that was Doug Lockhart with the Zondervan Publishers. He says that other media outlets have agreed to carry the ad, including "Modern Bride," "The Onion," and MTV.
HARRIS: In just five seconds, it can paralyze a fleeing felon with 50,000 volts of electricity. And now the makers of the Taser stun gun want to turn up the juice. Details straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Oh, just rerack the tape. You can't get enough of this.
And they're off. It's the annual Running of the Brides. And if you're not fast enough, you're likely to get trampled, Betty, I'm told in this thing. Engaged women and others in Atlanta make a mad dash. What is this? Is this Filene's?
NGUYEN: Filene's.
HARRIS: Filene's Basement -- to get their hands on discounted wedding gowns. Sometimes, they have to try on a bunch before they get the perfect dress.
NGUYEN: All out in the open, too.
(LAUGHTER)
HARRIS: That's right. The best of all, each of these dresses costs about $249. Wow.
NGUYEN: Yes, I think I'd run for $249. That's a steal.
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: Not that I would know about those things. All right, let's move on.
(LAUGHTER)
(FINANCIAL UPDATE)
HARRIS: And, Betty, see you tomorrow.
NGUYEN: Yes, bright and early.
HARRIS: Bright and early.
That wraps up this edition of LIVE FROM.
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 January 21, 2005 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: "Now in the News," a cause for a celebration turns into a scene of carnage south of Baghdad. It happened a few hours ago, when a suicide bomber drove an ambulance into the midst of a wedding party. Iraqi police say several people were killed and many others wounded.
From Florida to Tennessee, the search is on for a convicted child molester accused of kidnapping a Florida boy. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation put out an Amber Alert today for 42-year-old Frederick Fretz and 11-year-old Adam Kirkirt after Georgia authorities found Fretz's abandoned car at an exit ramp in Interstate 76. Fretz, who had been living with the boy and his father, allegedly picked Adam up from school on Tuesday. Officials say the pair may be hitchhiking.
An interface service at Washington's National Cathedral this morning capped a busy week of inaugural events in the nation's capital. President Bush was sworn in for his second term yesterday, promising to spread freedom around the world.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: But first up, a tragic end to what appears to have been a calculated kidnapping. The victim is found dead. The suspect caught nearly 1,000 miles away seeking medical attention.
Authorities in Willcox, Arizona, say Johnny Lee Williams walked into a hospital with a gunshot wound. Parked outside, the red pickup truck belonging to Megan Leann Holden. The 19-year-old college student was last seen late Wednesday leaving the Wal-Mart in Tyler, Texas, where she worked. Police say the surveillance tape shows the abduction. The other tapes allegedly show Williams loitering in and around the store for a couple hours beforehand.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHIEF GARY SWINDLE, TYLER POLICE DEPARTMENT: We do think there was probably -- he did potentially make several other attempts that evening before he picked Megan, so we believe he was looking for a ride. And, you know, so we're looking at that. But we do believe there were several other possible victims before this happened.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: About the victim, Chief Swindle would only say she had been shot to death, her body discovered by oil field workers this morning.
Joining me now with his insights, our law enforcement analyst, Mike Brooks.
And, Mike, we need to build the case now. Law enforcement will certainly be doing that. Where do they begin?
MIKE BROOKS, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Well, it's a large crime scene, Tony. It goes all the way from Tyler, Texas, possibly to Willcox, Arizona, all along the way. And where the body was found is in Stanton, Texas. So we go from East Texas to West Texas.
So, investigators from the FBI's evidence response team out of the Phoenix office, they have a resident agency in Tucson, they're responding down there and my sources tell me that they're going to assist in processing this truck of hers that was outside of the hospital where he actually went up to get treated for a minor gunshot wound.
So, they're going to be looking for a lot of different things inside and outside of that truck.
HARRIS: Yes. Give me an idea of what kinds of things they'll be looking for, fibers, blood evidence, obviously.
BROOKS: Hairs, fibers of him and her to put them together in that truck, blood, his and herself, to make the case.
(CROSSTALK)
BROOKS: They said that they found her body. He apparently is the one that they believe is involved, but they still have to make the case.
Soil samples from that truck from along the way, they will go and they will put that -- put brown paper all underneath the truck and start taking soil samples to try to compare soils all the way from East Texas, West Texas, all the way to Arizona. Footprints from where the body was found, his footprints, her footprints. Was he acting alone? That's another question that has not been answered, as well as tire tread impressions that will be taken by the technicians of the evidence response team.
(CROSSTALK)
HARRIS: And when you look at the surveillance video, it would appear to be an open and shut case, but you still have to go through this process.
BROOKS: Yes, you do. In fact, Ed Lavandera, our reporter in Tyler, had been saying that it looked as if he had just come out of the darkness into this parking lot. He had been lurking in that parking lot for almost two hours. And you can see video of him outside. He apparently even talked to a guard that is contracted by Wal-Mart and asked him what he was doing. He said he was waiting for a ride.
The chief of Tyler also said that apparently he had followed some other women to their car, but apparently the time wasn't right. If you look at the video, there was a number of people around until he came after her. There was just a number of cars in the parking lot. He closed on her very quickly. They're going to try to also enhance that video to get additional evidence to see whether or not they can see a weapon, to see if he pushed her in.
But, apparently, the chief also said that apparently these two did not know each other prior to this crime.
HARRIS: Hey, what kind of a set of charges, a long list of charges, is this guy facing?
BROOKS: A long list of charges, Tony, from both federal charges, state charges, local charges to federal charges. You have got murder- kidnapping, carjacking, which would be a local charge. You've also got unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. He went across state lines. The FBI will most likely pursue those kind of cases against him, too.
(CROSSTALK)
BROOKS: He will have an initial extradition hearing in Arizona and then most likely quickly extradited back to Texas.
HARRIS: You know what, Mike? You wouldn't want to be in this situation. If you find yourself in this situation and we know that Megan probably did everything that she could, but if you find yourself in this situation, is there some advice that you would offer folks watching?
BROOKS: He closed on her so quickly.
HARRIS: He sure did.
BROOKS: And did she have any time to react? She probably didn't even know what was going on. And many times, people, victims of violent crimes like this will freeze and they don't know what to do.
HARRIS: Right.
BROOKS: But if you can keep your wits about you, most experts which say, if someone pulls a gun on you or a knife on you or any other weapon, your chances of survival of that incident are very slim, as unfortunately Megan was a victim of this kind of violence. Holler, scream.
If you have your keys in your hand, use your keys as a weapon, scratch the person. There's courses that people can take.
HARRIS: So fight for your life at that moment.
BROOKS: You are fighting for your life. They pull a gun, they pull a knife, you're fighting for your life and you might as well go for it. You might as well do everything you can to get away from that scene, holler, scream. We saw the video camera, but apparently they weren't -- they didn't have anyone monitoring the video cameras that time.
HARRIS: Oh, I see.
BROOKS: Because the Wal-Mart's a 24/7 operation and the chief said apparently no one was monitoring the cameras at that particularly time.
HARRIS: That's right.
Thanks for your help.
BROOKS: A very sad case, Tony.
(CROSSTALK)
HARRIS: Thank you.
BROOKS: Thanks.
NGUYEN: And now to Iraq.
It seems every public place, every gathering of people is drawing insurgents bent on derailing the country's upcoming elections. And, today, mosques and weddings became their latest targets. An ambulance drove into a wedding party and exploded south of Baghdad today. Officials say a suicide bomber was behind the wheel. Several people were killed in that crash.
And in the Iraqi capital itself, a car bomb exploded near a Shiite mosque. It happened just as worshipers were gathered outside after morning prayers. At least 14 people were killed and 42 wounded.
And a U.S. intelligence official says the voice on a speech posted on an Islamic Web site is likely that of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The speaker hints the battle of Fallujah is the beginning of a long war and urges followers to be patient.
Still in Iraq, the former expatriate Ahmad Chalabi may have been jilted by his patrons back in Washington, but he still says Iraq needs U.S. troops, whether it like it or not. He was emphatic when asked by CNN whether U.S. forces should leave.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AHMAD CHALABI, UNITED IRAQI ALLIANCE: No, we are not calling for a withdraw of American forces. The people are angry. The people are upset about the presence of American forces, but we believe that if the American forces are regulated by a status of forces agreement with the Iraqi government, then their situation in the minds of the people will improve considerably, because they will not be in your face. They will not be present at street corners.
They will not be compelled to shoot people, because the American forces now believe -- feel that almost everybody they come in contact with is potentially hostile. So there is this tension, this tension between the Iraqi people and the American forces which we need to diffuse.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Anderson Cooper will focus today on Iraq's upcoming election. That is "ANDERSON COOPER 360" 7:00 p.m. Eastern, 4:00 Pacific.
HARRIS: Well, the White House says Democrats are resorting to petty politics by delaying the Condoleezza Rice nomination. She's expected to be confirmed as the next secretary of state, but not until next week.
State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel has the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For Condoleezza Rice, the inauguration was supposed to mark the start of her new role as secretary of state. Instead, Senate Democrats forced a delay in her confirmation until next week.
SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV), MINORITY LEADER: We have senators who have been engaged in matters relating to what's going on around the world who, for the confirmation of the secretary of state, wish to be able to speak.
KOPPEL: After two days of often contentious hearings with Rice, most of it over Iraq...
SEN. BARBARA BOXER (D-CF), FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE: And I also will not shrink from questioning a war that was not built on the truth.
KOPPEL: ... Democrats, led by Barbara Boxer of California, blocked a quick vote in the Senate. The White House suggested it was sour grapes.
ANDREW CARD, WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: Dr. Rice will be a great secretary of state and she should move into that position quickly and I wish the Senate would confirm her. But, you know, petty politics is playing a role in this, and that's unfortunate.
KOPPEL: For Colin Powell, who'd already had an emotional farewell Wednesday before hundreds at the State Department...
COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: And even though I step down as your secretary, I will never leave you.
KOPPEL: ... Rice's delayed confirmation means one last diplomatic mission for Powell. This weekend, he'll lead the U.S. delegation to Ukraine to witness the inauguration of opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko, swept into power after weeks of massive street demonstrations forced a new election. Truly a bittersweet moment for Powell, who although he led U.S. efforts to support democratic elections in Ukraine, wasn't supposed to be going.
(on camera): As for Rice, who is still expected to be confirmed by a wide margin, Democrats say she had only one request -- to be sworn in by the time President Bush delivers his State of the Union address next month.
Andrea Koppel, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: And it looks like that will happen.
(WEATHER UPDATE)
NGUYEN: Some changes in store for a controversial weapon.
HARRIS: Yes, the company that makes Taser guns apparently plans to turn up the voltage. We have got details on that.
NGUYEN: And a Bible banned, or at least the ad. Find out why "Rolling Stone" magazine won't be printing this advertisement.
HARRIS: And look out, here come the brides. How fast they run today could determine how great they look walking down the aisle.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: It's a new book hot of off the presses. And within its pages, you will find sex, challenges to the status quo and a whole section devoted to song. So, why won't "Rolling Stone" magazine let its publishers buy ad space? Well, apparently, the book in question is the Bible.
"Rolling Stone" has told Zondervan Publishers, thou shalt not place this ad targeting 18-to-34-years-old with a pitch for a new version of the Bible.
Now, earlier this week, I spoke with Doug Lockhart, senior vice president of marketing for Zondervan, about the ad.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Doug, we want to start by looking at the ad itself to see exactly what it says. And I'm going to quote here from the ad: "In a world of almost endless media noise and political spin, you wonder where you can find the real truth. Well, now there's a source that is accurate, clear, and reliable. It's the TNIV, Today's New International Version of the Bible."
Now I have to ask you, "Rolling Stone" magazine had to have known what type of ad this was when you purchased the ad space, correct?
DOUG LOCKHART, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING, ZONDERVAN: That's correct. We actually purchased the ad space or negotiated the rates back in February of 2004. And we actually achieved the ad insert in June of 2004, so it's not new news. It was completed nine months ago.
NGUYEN: And through all that time, there was no objection. How surprised were you when "Rolling Stone" came back and said, we're not ready to run this ad; we're not going to run this ad? BROOKS: We were surprised and disappointed, quite frankly, when we found out that they had changed their mind and rejected Zondervan's ad for the TNIV Bible. We were very surprised and disappointed.
NGUYEN: We have invited "Rolling Stone" to come on this show and present its side of the story. They have declined.
But I do want to read you a quote from "USA Today," where "Rolling Stone"'s parent company general manager Kent Brownridge says -- quote -- "The copy is a little more than an ad for the Bible. It's a religious message that I personally don't disagree with. We are not in the business of publishing advertising for religious messages."
Now, keeping in mind that your ad doesn't even mention the word God anywhere in it, what is your response to that?
LOCKHART: Well, we believe there's a misconception about how important the Bible is in people's lives. And keep in mind, the TNIV translation is targeted to the 18-to-34-year-old who is spiritually intrigued.
We know from research through Harris Interactive that 59 percent, or six in 10 people, in the 18-to-34-year-old category are spiritually intrigued and believe that the Bible is relevant to their lives. So that's six in 10 readers in "Rolling Stone" magazine that believe the Bible is relevant to their lives. And so we are committed to reaching this age group with this new translation and the "Rolling Stone" magazine is a logical venue for us to place an ad.
NGUYEN: So what do you suspect is the argument against your ad? Is it the fear that if "Rolling Stone" allows your ad in this magazine, then it will have to allow the ads of other religious groups and then you will have one religion pitting itself against another religion throughout all the ads within the magazine?
LOCKHART: Well, we don't know what the reasons are specifically, but we were confused when the answer came back that they had decided not to carry the ad. And, quite frankly, we hope they'll reconsider their position and carry the ad.
NGUYEN: Have they given you any options as to, if you alter your ad in any way, they may take it?
LOCKHART: When we heard about the rejection, we did go back to them and offer to make changes. And, at this point, the communication back to us was that it was not appropriate at this time. And then there was a statement that they had an internal policy that they would not accept advertisements for religious products.
NGUYEN: OK, so you...
LOCKHART: We asked...
NGUYEN: Let me get this correct. You have already said that you would alter the ad, but I have to question you here, because wouldn't that dilute your message? LOCKHART: Not at all. We would work with "Rolling Stone" magazine and we would ensure that the message would not be diluted. Our goal is to target this age group with a message that is appropriate for them that will encourage them to engage with the Bible.
Our mission is more people engaging the Bible more and reaching this audience, the 18 to 34-year-old who is spiritually intrigued. Again, six out of 10 of these people believe that Bible is relevant to their lives, and we want to find ways to reach them.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: And that was Doug Lockhart with the Zondervan Publishers. He says that other media outlets have agreed to carry the ad, including "Modern Bride," "The Onion," and MTV.
HARRIS: In just five seconds, it can paralyze a fleeing felon with 50,000 volts of electricity. And now the makers of the Taser stun gun want to turn up the juice. Details straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Oh, just rerack the tape. You can't get enough of this.
And they're off. It's the annual Running of the Brides. And if you're not fast enough, you're likely to get trampled, Betty, I'm told in this thing. Engaged women and others in Atlanta make a mad dash. What is this? Is this Filene's?
NGUYEN: Filene's.
HARRIS: Filene's Basement -- to get their hands on discounted wedding gowns. Sometimes, they have to try on a bunch before they get the perfect dress.
NGUYEN: All out in the open, too.
(LAUGHTER)
HARRIS: That's right. The best of all, each of these dresses costs about $249. Wow.
NGUYEN: Yes, I think I'd run for $249. That's a steal.
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: Not that I would know about those things. All right, let's move on.
(LAUGHTER)
(FINANCIAL UPDATE)
HARRIS: And, Betty, see you tomorrow.
NGUYEN: Yes, bright and early.
HARRIS: Bright and early.
That wraps up this edition of LIVE FROM.
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