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More Violence Rocks Iraq Before Elections; Michigan Company Bans Smokers from Working

Aired January 27, 2005 - 14:30   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.


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Former Democratic presidential contender John Kerry slamming the president's overall health care proposals. In his first major speech since conceding defeat, John Kerry described them as irresponsible.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: My kids' first proposal is meant to serve as the first reasonable, practical, achievable step towards bringing people into the healthcare system in a way that would reduce costs is and improve care. And most importantly, improve the quality of life for America's children and families. And when it comes to giving kids healthcare coverage, it's a promise that we not only can afford to keep, it's one that we really can't afford to break.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, if you're still trying to get a flu shot, you could be in luck. CNN medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen here with new guidelines from the CDC.

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right. They just had a press conference that talked about who can get a shot and who can't and where they can and where they can't. We all remember the long lines when flu shots were really in very short supply. But now what the Centers for Disease Control says is that it's kind of spotty. There are parts of the country where shots are still in short supply, there are parts where there is actually plenty of flu shots.

But since there is still a shortage in some places, what the CDC announced today is that they're going to be selling 3.1 million doses of flu shots that they have in their own stockpile to Aventis Pasteur, which makes the flu vaccine. Aventis can then sell those shots to doctors.

Now, some doctors feel a little hesitant about buying lots of shots so late in the season, so what the CDC has done is that they say doctors, at the end of the season, if they have any unsold shots, they can sell them back and get a full refund. And they're hoping that will help doctors feel more confident about buying those shots.

PHILLIPS: Well, is the flu season over? I mean, should we still go get one?

COHEN: It's not over, and there's still plenty of time to go get one. In fact, the flu season hasn't even peaked yet. It's probably not until February and so that's when you really need your shot. And the shot takes about ten days to take effect once you have it. So there's still time to get some before the peak.

PHILLIPS: All right. Elizabeth Cohen, thank you.

COHEN: OK, thanks.

PHILLIPS: Miles?

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: More violence rocks Iraq just three days before the landmark vote. Going into elections, which areas are most vulnerable? Let's go to our military analyst, retired Air Force Major General Don Shepperd.

General Shepperd, increased violence, this time targeting a school where polling will take place. I guess that's relatively predictable. What the big unpredictable thing here is, what will Iraqi voters do?

MAJ. GEN. DON SHEPPERD, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: That's a shadowing of what's going to happen all across Iraq, Miles. It's a desperately difficult situation. Voters intimidated all over the country. The purpose of the insurgents is to try, not only to screw up the election, but also to set off sectarian violence between the Sunnis and the Shia. And it's a difficult situation.

O'BRIEN: Now...

SHEPPERD: I've got a map here I can go over for you.

O'BRIEN: Yes, let's do that. Let's remind folks about the ethnic balance because that's so crucial here. Three parties, three general parties here, that are coming to the table, or not, and that's crucial, as we take note of this election.

SHEPPERD: Yes. This is a very simplified ethnic breakup of Iraq, if you will. Start up in the north here in the red area. This is the Kurdish area in Iraq. And the Kurdish area is about 14 percent of the population. They are very well organized, a good economy. There's going to be a heavy vote turnout. They have their own army, their own police, and there are going to be attacks up there, but you're going see a heavy voter turnout.

Coming further south into the yellow area, this is the Sunni area. This is the problem area, if you will, the area of intimidation, the area of the Sunni tribes. One of the sects of Islam have basically intimidated the voters. You're not going to see a very heavy voter turnout in the Sunni area.

And then further south in the green area here, the Shia area, about 60 percent of the population, you're going to see a lot of attacks in this particular area. But you're going to see a very heavy turnout, Miles.

O'BRIEN: It's interesting because you say there won't be a lot of turnout in the Sunni area. Essentially, they're disenfranchising themselves as things move forward here. Let's talk about those areas, those provinces, that are of particular concern to the military right now.

SHEPPERD: Yes. The provinces that are a problem area. First of all, you've got Baghdad itself, the number one. And that's because it's a melting pot. The Shias and the Sunnis tossed together. There's going to be a lot of attacks within Baghdad. And then you move out to the West into Anbar province. This is the Sunni stronghold, if you will. It's the scene of most of the support for Saddam and his Baathists and the former regime. It's also the scene of many of the attacks that we have seen, the bad things taken place.

North up -- in the northern part of the Sunni triangle, which we'll look at later, the Salahadin, Tikrit area. You've also got more Sunnis. And then Ninawa province. Now, interestingly enough, we hear that four of the 14 provinces are troubles, and only 14 of the provinces are going to have a good voter turnout. But look, let me show you, that basically, what it amounts to is that almost half of the country here is these trouble provinces. So big area, small population, but you're going to have the problem over here in the western are -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: And let's remind folks -- we talk about it all the time. We don't really lay it out on the map too often. The Sunni triangle. What's the significance of that particular part of Iraq? And what's going to be done in that part of the world, that part of the country, to try to ensure there is a safe election?

SHEPPERD: There's only so much you can do. First of all, voters have registered across the country, except in Anbar province, which is the major portion of the Sunni triangle there. In the Sunni triangle, they will be able to register to vote on election day, and it's all of the bad places that we've heard. Falluja, Ramadi, up to Tikrit, down south back to Samara and into Baqubah. This is the stronghold of the Sunnis, the stronghold of the former regime. Loyalists, the Baathists, if you will, they are the ones that are going to be intimidating and supporting the insurgents that are going to try to screw up this election -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: And as if that triangle wasn't enough, there is the so- called triangle of death, as well, which reflects how the violence really has spread.

SHEPPERD: Yes, this is a little bit confusing. This triangle of death is south of the Sunni triangle. We heard a lot about this about two months ago. This was an area from Al Hillah up to Falluja in which insurgents were really trying to attack the Shia, kill as many Shia as they could and set off the sectarian violence between the Sunnis and the Shia. It did not work. It was a failure of the insurgents, and basically this area is somewhat pacified now but is, of course, still a dangerous area, as are all of the areas.

O'BRIEN: And I think it's worth talking here about the extent of this, the number of polling stations all throughout this country, a country of 20 million people. To provide security for all this is really a tremendous job.

SHEPPERD: It's a horrendous job. 14.5 million people eligible to vote. It's a question how many have actually registered. Most of the Sunnis have not registered. Anbar province is not registered at all. But there are going to be 9,000 polling stations, 9,000 places where people will line up to vote, that can be attacked, that have to be protected by both the Iraqi security forces and, of course, the U.S. military responding and backing them up. It's a tough situation, Miles, and we're going to see some ugly things happen.

O'BRIEN: I hate to say it, but it's also 9,000 targets, isn't it?

SHEPPERD: Indeed.

O'BRIEN: Major General Don Shepperd. Appreciate it and always appreciate your insights.

Be sure to tune in to CNN for complete coverage of the Iraqi vote beginning at 7:00 Eastern tonight. Two-hour primetime special. Then at 10:00 Eastern, a special edition of "CNN PRESENTS" for you. It's called "Under Fire: Stories from the New Iraq." Our correspondents will give us an inside look at life inside the country.

PHILLIPS: Cartoon bunny rabbit is tangled up in a controversy about gay parents. We're live from D.C. coming up.

O'BRIEN: Aren't there bigger fish to fry, or bunnies to fry? Anyway, talk about saving the trees. A giant gets a change of scenery in today's "Across America" segment.

PHILLIPS: I think you boil bunnies.

Yada, yada, yada. Seinfeld's coming back. Will this new show be about anything?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: A reported FBI raid in the sports steroid scandal. That story tops our look at news across America. FBI agents reportedly raided the San Francisco home of alleged steroid dealer Victor Conte yesterday. Two California newspapers report e-mails and other records were seized. The raid part of a probe into Grand Jury testimony leaks in the BALCO case.

In Dallas, danger over drug dollars. A South Dallas elementary school says attendance is down by as much as a third today after reports of death threats. Parents say a drug dealer has threatened them over as much as $100,000 in cash found near the school.

And in Oklahoma, pulling up roots. This ancient oak tree is going on display in Oklahoma City. It was supposed to become firewood after being damaged in the storms last summer. Now the tree has gotten a reprieve. Experts believe the tree could be more than 500 years old. PHILLIPS: Well, a Michigan company bars its employees from smoking on the job and when they're not at work. It's not the first company. Turner Broadcasting, parent of CNN, used to require employees to sign a pledge not to smoke. It no longer does. But the company in Michigan is making sure its workers comply by using random tests.

More now from CNN's Mary Snow.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is more than a fight over smoking cigarettes. For former Weyco employee Cara Stiffler, quitting smoking was a fight about personal liberty.

CARA STIFFLER, FORMER WEYCO EMPLOYEE: People shouldn't have to be forced to do something that they don't believe in as long as it's not going to hurt somebody.

SNOW: Stiffler and three other employees lost their jobs. The medical benefits company says they have resigned when they refused to take a breathalyzer test under new rules imposed on January 1st. Stiffler says she refused to stop smoking.

STIFFLER: I want to quit but I want it to be on my terms, not someone forcing me to have to make that choice.

SNOW: The company says its ban on smoking is part of an overall wellness program that also encourages exercise. It says cutting medical insurance costs is one of the goals.

DAVID HOUSTON, WEYCO GENERAL COUNSEL: This is an opportunity for employees of Weyco to have the encouragement and the incentive to stop a damaging habit.

SNOW: Privacy advocates say the issue isn't about cigarettes.

WENDY WAGENHAIM, ACLU: There is no law that prevents Weyco from doing this, but I think there's a problem when people can't do what they want to do in the privacy of their own home.

SNOW: And the company says the issue is not privacy but personal responsibility.

HOUSTON: There's not a liberty right or any other right to have any particular employment, and I think it is time for people in our country to start taking personal responsibility for many aspects of their lives, including healthcare.

SNOW: But some question where a line can be drawn when it comes to people's health.

WAGENHEIM: You won't be able to sit in the sun because there is a possibility of skin cancer, or if you have children there's an inherent danger in childbirth. Where will it go? SNOW (on camera): While it's legal for Weyco to monitor employees for smoking in the state of Michigan, that's not the case in every state. In fact, the company says it has an employee in Illinois it can't monitor because of the laws there. An ACLU spokesperson says it estimates about two dozen states have smoker protection laws.

Mary Snow, CNN, New York

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Well, comics of all kinds are news today in Hollywood. Sibila?

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Music great Ringo Starr gets comical, while comic legends Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock get historical. I'll have all that when LIVE FROM returns.

O'BRIEN: And Bernie Ebbers, the man who once led WorldCom, is -- or was, a P.E. major, not an economist. It may be that, folks, was the trouble. We'll explain.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: A former Beatle gets animated. And a TV legend who helps us ring in the new year doing better after a stroke. CNN's entertainment correspondent Sibila Vargas has our Hollywood headlines from Hollywood. Hello, Sibila.

VARGAS: Hello, Miles. "American Bandstand" icon Dick Clark is finally resting at home after a minor stroke left him hospitalized more than seven weeks ago. The 75-year-old entertainer returned to his Malibu home yesterday and, according to his publicist, is grateful for the many cards and letters he received during his hospital stay -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: And what's the long-term prognosis?

VARGAS: Well, we contacted Clark's publicist, Paul Chefron (ph), who is not disclosing any of the details about the long-term effects of the stroke. However, we do know it was serious enough to force Clark to miss hosting his new year's eve special for the first time in 32 years. But for now, we're just happy to report that he's at home recuperating, so we wish him well.

Now, a couple of other TV veterans, Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock are ready to give us a history lesson on comedy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRIS ROCK, COMEDIAN: If a kid call his grandmama mommy and his mama Pam, he going to jail.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VARGAS: OK. No stranger to an HBO comedy special, Chris Rock is headed back to the cable network with a whole new brand of funny. Amidst preparations to host this year's Academy Awards, Rock is teaming up with fellow funnyman Jerry Seinfeld to produce a multi- episode documentary on the history of stand-up comedy.

Both stars will appear in the special, which will also include archive video of comedy greats Rodney Dangerfield, Whoopi Goldberg, George Carlin and others. No word yet on when the special will debut, but we do know that both Rock and Seinfeld will supervise its production to some degree -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: All right. Yada, yada, yada. Let's talk about Ringo Starr. Now becoming an animated superhero. Cool.

VARGAS: That's right. He's already a beloved champion of music around the world and now the ex-Beatles drummer is set to become an evil-fighting cartoon character. Starr will be the inspiration and voice behind an earth-saving hero with a great sense of rhythm for a new animated TV and DVD series.

Veteran comic creator Stan Lee, who brought us "Spiderman," "The Hulk," "X-Men," is the force behind the project which is scheduled for a release in 2006 -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: All right. We'll be looking for that. Sibila, thank you very much.

VARGAS: Thanks. Thank you.

PHILLIPS: All right. Let's head over to Wall Street. Susan Lisovicz. She's got our business news for us.

O'BRIEN: Yes, we're talking about Bernie Ebbers, the P.E. grad, who didn't know...

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: If he isn't careful, he's going to have plenty of time to focus on physical education. Put it that way.

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Down here, we use P.E., price to earnings ratio. It's like this really sophisticated type of tool that investors use. But he wasn't talking about that for PE.

(STOCK MARKET)

O'BRIEN: Let's shift gears here quite a bit. WABC reporter Jim Dowlen (ph) and videographer Jim Tasaro (ph) embedded with the military in Iraq.

PHILLIPS: Just ahead, their picture from the front lines when a firefight breaks out.

And what the current generation of high school students know about the Holocaust.

O'BRIEN: Today is the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. And Kyra sat down with some pretty special kids the other day. It's interesting how much they do know. You came away with a good impression, didn't you?

PHILLIPS: A lot of it has to do with that amazing teacher that they're sitting in front of.

O'BRIEN: You'll want to see it.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: A cartoon controversy in Washington has the nation's education secretary acting a little bit like Elmer Fudd. Margaret Spellings is blasting Buster the Bunny, PBS cartoon character. She's criticizing the cartoon for featuring same-sex parents. CNN's Lindsey Arent live from Washington with all the details. Hello, Lindsey.

LINDSEY ARENT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, Miles. You got it exactly right. This is a controversy with some unlikely characters involved. We're talking about an animated bunny named Buster for one, Margaret Spellings, the secretary of education, and the top brass at PBS. Now, at issue here is a new PBS children's show called "Postcards From Buster." It's funded in part by the Education Department. It combines video of real-life families all across America going about their daily lives.

Now, the episode that has caused so much controversy is called "Sugar Time." In it, you have Buster the bunny going to Vermont to meet some kids. He's going to be showed how to make maple syrup, he's going to learn how to make cheese with these kids and he meets their parents. Turns out the parents are a lesbian couple. And therein lies the controversy.

PBS, for weeks, was concerned about the impact of this show about the controversy. I talked to some officials from there this morning. They said they decided on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. to pull the episode from its distribution. Then Margaret Spellings, the secretary of education, got involved. She decided to send PBS a letter. And in it, she voices her opposition to the episode. In it, she says, quote, "many parents would not want their young children exposed to the lifestyles portrayed in this episode." And then the letter goes on to say, "we believe you should strongly consider refunding to the department the federal education funds that were used for the episode."

Now, gay activist groups are up in arms about this. We got a reaction from GLAD, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. They say Secretary Spellings' attempt to create and enforce a policy of invisibility for gay and lesbian families is a profoundly offensive display of intolerance.

Now, even though PBS has pulled its episode from its distribution to its 349 affiliates across the country, the show's producers, WGBH in Boston, are going ahead with it. They're going to show it in Boston. They're offering the show to affiliates across the country. So far only one station, Vermont has taken it. It's not the last we've seen of these cartoon character controversies. I'm sure you guys remember Spongebob Squarepants and Tinky Winky from the "Teletubbies," right? O'BRIEN: Yes, we've been hearing an awful lot about that and I keep wondering isn't there more important things to deal with when you deal with all the issues related to education? But that's just one man's opinion. And in this case, it won't be banned in Boston. All right, Lindsey Arent, thank you very much -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Now in the news, more violent intimidation in Iraq. Days before Sunday's national elections a suicide attacker detonated a tractor loaded with explosives just outside the offices of the Kurdish Democratic Party today. That attack in the northern city of Sinjar (ph) killed four Iraqi soldiers and a guard. Seventeen people were wounded.

Taking charge on the job. Just one day Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice already preparing to pack her bags for a trip next week to Europe and the Middle East. Before that the nation's top diplomat will visit with Wolf Blitzer on CNN's "Late Edition" Sunday.

A focus on Africa. World leaders and activists meeting in Switzerland want industrial nations to spend more to help wipe out poverty and disease in the continent. Britain has pledged $85 million.

And you're looking at new pictures of the USS San Francisco, the fast attack submarine that ran aground 350 miles south of Guam nearly three weeks. The sub is now dry dock so the Navy can assess the damage from that accident. Sixty sailors out of a crew of 137 were injured. One died from his injuries.

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 27, 2005 - 14:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Former Democratic presidential contender John Kerry slamming the president's overall health care proposals. In his first major speech since conceding defeat, John Kerry described them as irresponsible.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: My kids' first proposal is meant to serve as the first reasonable, practical, achievable step towards bringing people into the healthcare system in a way that would reduce costs is and improve care. And most importantly, improve the quality of life for America's children and families. And when it comes to giving kids healthcare coverage, it's a promise that we not only can afford to keep, it's one that we really can't afford to break.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, if you're still trying to get a flu shot, you could be in luck. CNN medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen here with new guidelines from the CDC.

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right. They just had a press conference that talked about who can get a shot and who can't and where they can and where they can't. We all remember the long lines when flu shots were really in very short supply. But now what the Centers for Disease Control says is that it's kind of spotty. There are parts of the country where shots are still in short supply, there are parts where there is actually plenty of flu shots.

But since there is still a shortage in some places, what the CDC announced today is that they're going to be selling 3.1 million doses of flu shots that they have in their own stockpile to Aventis Pasteur, which makes the flu vaccine. Aventis can then sell those shots to doctors.

Now, some doctors feel a little hesitant about buying lots of shots so late in the season, so what the CDC has done is that they say doctors, at the end of the season, if they have any unsold shots, they can sell them back and get a full refund. And they're hoping that will help doctors feel more confident about buying those shots.

PHILLIPS: Well, is the flu season over? I mean, should we still go get one?

COHEN: It's not over, and there's still plenty of time to go get one. In fact, the flu season hasn't even peaked yet. It's probably not until February and so that's when you really need your shot. And the shot takes about ten days to take effect once you have it. So there's still time to get some before the peak.

PHILLIPS: All right. Elizabeth Cohen, thank you.

COHEN: OK, thanks.

PHILLIPS: Miles?

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: More violence rocks Iraq just three days before the landmark vote. Going into elections, which areas are most vulnerable? Let's go to our military analyst, retired Air Force Major General Don Shepperd.

General Shepperd, increased violence, this time targeting a school where polling will take place. I guess that's relatively predictable. What the big unpredictable thing here is, what will Iraqi voters do?

MAJ. GEN. DON SHEPPERD, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: That's a shadowing of what's going to happen all across Iraq, Miles. It's a desperately difficult situation. Voters intimidated all over the country. The purpose of the insurgents is to try, not only to screw up the election, but also to set off sectarian violence between the Sunnis and the Shia. And it's a difficult situation.

O'BRIEN: Now...

SHEPPERD: I've got a map here I can go over for you.

O'BRIEN: Yes, let's do that. Let's remind folks about the ethnic balance because that's so crucial here. Three parties, three general parties here, that are coming to the table, or not, and that's crucial, as we take note of this election.

SHEPPERD: Yes. This is a very simplified ethnic breakup of Iraq, if you will. Start up in the north here in the red area. This is the Kurdish area in Iraq. And the Kurdish area is about 14 percent of the population. They are very well organized, a good economy. There's going to be a heavy vote turnout. They have their own army, their own police, and there are going to be attacks up there, but you're going see a heavy voter turnout.

Coming further south into the yellow area, this is the Sunni area. This is the problem area, if you will, the area of intimidation, the area of the Sunni tribes. One of the sects of Islam have basically intimidated the voters. You're not going to see a very heavy voter turnout in the Sunni area.

And then further south in the green area here, the Shia area, about 60 percent of the population, you're going to see a lot of attacks in this particular area. But you're going to see a very heavy turnout, Miles.

O'BRIEN: It's interesting because you say there won't be a lot of turnout in the Sunni area. Essentially, they're disenfranchising themselves as things move forward here. Let's talk about those areas, those provinces, that are of particular concern to the military right now.

SHEPPERD: Yes. The provinces that are a problem area. First of all, you've got Baghdad itself, the number one. And that's because it's a melting pot. The Shias and the Sunnis tossed together. There's going to be a lot of attacks within Baghdad. And then you move out to the West into Anbar province. This is the Sunni stronghold, if you will. It's the scene of most of the support for Saddam and his Baathists and the former regime. It's also the scene of many of the attacks that we have seen, the bad things taken place.

North up -- in the northern part of the Sunni triangle, which we'll look at later, the Salahadin, Tikrit area. You've also got more Sunnis. And then Ninawa province. Now, interestingly enough, we hear that four of the 14 provinces are troubles, and only 14 of the provinces are going to have a good voter turnout. But look, let me show you, that basically, what it amounts to is that almost half of the country here is these trouble provinces. So big area, small population, but you're going to have the problem over here in the western are -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: And let's remind folks -- we talk about it all the time. We don't really lay it out on the map too often. The Sunni triangle. What's the significance of that particular part of Iraq? And what's going to be done in that part of the world, that part of the country, to try to ensure there is a safe election?

SHEPPERD: There's only so much you can do. First of all, voters have registered across the country, except in Anbar province, which is the major portion of the Sunni triangle there. In the Sunni triangle, they will be able to register to vote on election day, and it's all of the bad places that we've heard. Falluja, Ramadi, up to Tikrit, down south back to Samara and into Baqubah. This is the stronghold of the Sunnis, the stronghold of the former regime. Loyalists, the Baathists, if you will, they are the ones that are going to be intimidating and supporting the insurgents that are going to try to screw up this election -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: And as if that triangle wasn't enough, there is the so- called triangle of death, as well, which reflects how the violence really has spread.

SHEPPERD: Yes, this is a little bit confusing. This triangle of death is south of the Sunni triangle. We heard a lot about this about two months ago. This was an area from Al Hillah up to Falluja in which insurgents were really trying to attack the Shia, kill as many Shia as they could and set off the sectarian violence between the Sunnis and the Shia. It did not work. It was a failure of the insurgents, and basically this area is somewhat pacified now but is, of course, still a dangerous area, as are all of the areas.

O'BRIEN: And I think it's worth talking here about the extent of this, the number of polling stations all throughout this country, a country of 20 million people. To provide security for all this is really a tremendous job.

SHEPPERD: It's a horrendous job. 14.5 million people eligible to vote. It's a question how many have actually registered. Most of the Sunnis have not registered. Anbar province is not registered at all. But there are going to be 9,000 polling stations, 9,000 places where people will line up to vote, that can be attacked, that have to be protected by both the Iraqi security forces and, of course, the U.S. military responding and backing them up. It's a tough situation, Miles, and we're going to see some ugly things happen.

O'BRIEN: I hate to say it, but it's also 9,000 targets, isn't it?

SHEPPERD: Indeed.

O'BRIEN: Major General Don Shepperd. Appreciate it and always appreciate your insights.

Be sure to tune in to CNN for complete coverage of the Iraqi vote beginning at 7:00 Eastern tonight. Two-hour primetime special. Then at 10:00 Eastern, a special edition of "CNN PRESENTS" for you. It's called "Under Fire: Stories from the New Iraq." Our correspondents will give us an inside look at life inside the country.

PHILLIPS: Cartoon bunny rabbit is tangled up in a controversy about gay parents. We're live from D.C. coming up.

O'BRIEN: Aren't there bigger fish to fry, or bunnies to fry? Anyway, talk about saving the trees. A giant gets a change of scenery in today's "Across America" segment.

PHILLIPS: I think you boil bunnies.

Yada, yada, yada. Seinfeld's coming back. Will this new show be about anything?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: A reported FBI raid in the sports steroid scandal. That story tops our look at news across America. FBI agents reportedly raided the San Francisco home of alleged steroid dealer Victor Conte yesterday. Two California newspapers report e-mails and other records were seized. The raid part of a probe into Grand Jury testimony leaks in the BALCO case.

In Dallas, danger over drug dollars. A South Dallas elementary school says attendance is down by as much as a third today after reports of death threats. Parents say a drug dealer has threatened them over as much as $100,000 in cash found near the school.

And in Oklahoma, pulling up roots. This ancient oak tree is going on display in Oklahoma City. It was supposed to become firewood after being damaged in the storms last summer. Now the tree has gotten a reprieve. Experts believe the tree could be more than 500 years old. PHILLIPS: Well, a Michigan company bars its employees from smoking on the job and when they're not at work. It's not the first company. Turner Broadcasting, parent of CNN, used to require employees to sign a pledge not to smoke. It no longer does. But the company in Michigan is making sure its workers comply by using random tests.

More now from CNN's Mary Snow.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is more than a fight over smoking cigarettes. For former Weyco employee Cara Stiffler, quitting smoking was a fight about personal liberty.

CARA STIFFLER, FORMER WEYCO EMPLOYEE: People shouldn't have to be forced to do something that they don't believe in as long as it's not going to hurt somebody.

SNOW: Stiffler and three other employees lost their jobs. The medical benefits company says they have resigned when they refused to take a breathalyzer test under new rules imposed on January 1st. Stiffler says she refused to stop smoking.

STIFFLER: I want to quit but I want it to be on my terms, not someone forcing me to have to make that choice.

SNOW: The company says its ban on smoking is part of an overall wellness program that also encourages exercise. It says cutting medical insurance costs is one of the goals.

DAVID HOUSTON, WEYCO GENERAL COUNSEL: This is an opportunity for employees of Weyco to have the encouragement and the incentive to stop a damaging habit.

SNOW: Privacy advocates say the issue isn't about cigarettes.

WENDY WAGENHAIM, ACLU: There is no law that prevents Weyco from doing this, but I think there's a problem when people can't do what they want to do in the privacy of their own home.

SNOW: And the company says the issue is not privacy but personal responsibility.

HOUSTON: There's not a liberty right or any other right to have any particular employment, and I think it is time for people in our country to start taking personal responsibility for many aspects of their lives, including healthcare.

SNOW: But some question where a line can be drawn when it comes to people's health.

WAGENHEIM: You won't be able to sit in the sun because there is a possibility of skin cancer, or if you have children there's an inherent danger in childbirth. Where will it go? SNOW (on camera): While it's legal for Weyco to monitor employees for smoking in the state of Michigan, that's not the case in every state. In fact, the company says it has an employee in Illinois it can't monitor because of the laws there. An ACLU spokesperson says it estimates about two dozen states have smoker protection laws.

Mary Snow, CNN, New York

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Well, comics of all kinds are news today in Hollywood. Sibila?

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Music great Ringo Starr gets comical, while comic legends Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock get historical. I'll have all that when LIVE FROM returns.

O'BRIEN: And Bernie Ebbers, the man who once led WorldCom, is -- or was, a P.E. major, not an economist. It may be that, folks, was the trouble. We'll explain.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: A former Beatle gets animated. And a TV legend who helps us ring in the new year doing better after a stroke. CNN's entertainment correspondent Sibila Vargas has our Hollywood headlines from Hollywood. Hello, Sibila.

VARGAS: Hello, Miles. "American Bandstand" icon Dick Clark is finally resting at home after a minor stroke left him hospitalized more than seven weeks ago. The 75-year-old entertainer returned to his Malibu home yesterday and, according to his publicist, is grateful for the many cards and letters he received during his hospital stay -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: And what's the long-term prognosis?

VARGAS: Well, we contacted Clark's publicist, Paul Chefron (ph), who is not disclosing any of the details about the long-term effects of the stroke. However, we do know it was serious enough to force Clark to miss hosting his new year's eve special for the first time in 32 years. But for now, we're just happy to report that he's at home recuperating, so we wish him well.

Now, a couple of other TV veterans, Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock are ready to give us a history lesson on comedy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRIS ROCK, COMEDIAN: If a kid call his grandmama mommy and his mama Pam, he going to jail.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VARGAS: OK. No stranger to an HBO comedy special, Chris Rock is headed back to the cable network with a whole new brand of funny. Amidst preparations to host this year's Academy Awards, Rock is teaming up with fellow funnyman Jerry Seinfeld to produce a multi- episode documentary on the history of stand-up comedy.

Both stars will appear in the special, which will also include archive video of comedy greats Rodney Dangerfield, Whoopi Goldberg, George Carlin and others. No word yet on when the special will debut, but we do know that both Rock and Seinfeld will supervise its production to some degree -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: All right. Yada, yada, yada. Let's talk about Ringo Starr. Now becoming an animated superhero. Cool.

VARGAS: That's right. He's already a beloved champion of music around the world and now the ex-Beatles drummer is set to become an evil-fighting cartoon character. Starr will be the inspiration and voice behind an earth-saving hero with a great sense of rhythm for a new animated TV and DVD series.

Veteran comic creator Stan Lee, who brought us "Spiderman," "The Hulk," "X-Men," is the force behind the project which is scheduled for a release in 2006 -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: All right. We'll be looking for that. Sibila, thank you very much.

VARGAS: Thanks. Thank you.

PHILLIPS: All right. Let's head over to Wall Street. Susan Lisovicz. She's got our business news for us.

O'BRIEN: Yes, we're talking about Bernie Ebbers, the P.E. grad, who didn't know...

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: If he isn't careful, he's going to have plenty of time to focus on physical education. Put it that way.

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Down here, we use P.E., price to earnings ratio. It's like this really sophisticated type of tool that investors use. But he wasn't talking about that for PE.

(STOCK MARKET)

O'BRIEN: Let's shift gears here quite a bit. WABC reporter Jim Dowlen (ph) and videographer Jim Tasaro (ph) embedded with the military in Iraq.

PHILLIPS: Just ahead, their picture from the front lines when a firefight breaks out.

And what the current generation of high school students know about the Holocaust.

O'BRIEN: Today is the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. And Kyra sat down with some pretty special kids the other day. It's interesting how much they do know. You came away with a good impression, didn't you?

PHILLIPS: A lot of it has to do with that amazing teacher that they're sitting in front of.

O'BRIEN: You'll want to see it.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: A cartoon controversy in Washington has the nation's education secretary acting a little bit like Elmer Fudd. Margaret Spellings is blasting Buster the Bunny, PBS cartoon character. She's criticizing the cartoon for featuring same-sex parents. CNN's Lindsey Arent live from Washington with all the details. Hello, Lindsey.

LINDSEY ARENT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, Miles. You got it exactly right. This is a controversy with some unlikely characters involved. We're talking about an animated bunny named Buster for one, Margaret Spellings, the secretary of education, and the top brass at PBS. Now, at issue here is a new PBS children's show called "Postcards From Buster." It's funded in part by the Education Department. It combines video of real-life families all across America going about their daily lives.

Now, the episode that has caused so much controversy is called "Sugar Time." In it, you have Buster the bunny going to Vermont to meet some kids. He's going to be showed how to make maple syrup, he's going to learn how to make cheese with these kids and he meets their parents. Turns out the parents are a lesbian couple. And therein lies the controversy.

PBS, for weeks, was concerned about the impact of this show about the controversy. I talked to some officials from there this morning. They said they decided on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. to pull the episode from its distribution. Then Margaret Spellings, the secretary of education, got involved. She decided to send PBS a letter. And in it, she voices her opposition to the episode. In it, she says, quote, "many parents would not want their young children exposed to the lifestyles portrayed in this episode." And then the letter goes on to say, "we believe you should strongly consider refunding to the department the federal education funds that were used for the episode."

Now, gay activist groups are up in arms about this. We got a reaction from GLAD, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. They say Secretary Spellings' attempt to create and enforce a policy of invisibility for gay and lesbian families is a profoundly offensive display of intolerance.

Now, even though PBS has pulled its episode from its distribution to its 349 affiliates across the country, the show's producers, WGBH in Boston, are going ahead with it. They're going to show it in Boston. They're offering the show to affiliates across the country. So far only one station, Vermont has taken it. It's not the last we've seen of these cartoon character controversies. I'm sure you guys remember Spongebob Squarepants and Tinky Winky from the "Teletubbies," right? O'BRIEN: Yes, we've been hearing an awful lot about that and I keep wondering isn't there more important things to deal with when you deal with all the issues related to education? But that's just one man's opinion. And in this case, it won't be banned in Boston. All right, Lindsey Arent, thank you very much -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Now in the news, more violent intimidation in Iraq. Days before Sunday's national elections a suicide attacker detonated a tractor loaded with explosives just outside the offices of the Kurdish Democratic Party today. That attack in the northern city of Sinjar (ph) killed four Iraqi soldiers and a guard. Seventeen people were wounded.

Taking charge on the job. Just one day Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice already preparing to pack her bags for a trip next week to Europe and the Middle East. Before that the nation's top diplomat will visit with Wolf Blitzer on CNN's "Late Edition" Sunday.

A focus on Africa. World leaders and activists meeting in Switzerland want industrial nations to spend more to help wipe out poverty and disease in the continent. Britain has pledged $85 million.

And you're looking at new pictures of the USS San Francisco, the fast attack submarine that ran aground 350 miles south of Guam nearly three weeks. The sub is now dry dock so the Navy can assess the damage from that accident. Sixty sailors out of a crew of 137 were injured. One died from his injuries.

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