Return to Transcripts main page

Live From...

FDA Allows Celebrex to Stay On Shelves; Reaction to The Gates in Central Park

Aired February 18, 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.


MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Checking stories "Now in the News." No nukes. The Russian news agency reporting President Vladimir Putin is that convinced Iran is not trying to develop nuclear weapons. The Russian leader welcomed Iran's security chief to the Kremlin today, pledging continued support for its nuclear program.
More claims of clergy abuse. The nation's Roman Catholic bishops say over the past year they have received nearly 1,100 new accusations against priests and deacons. About half involve priests who have already been accused of sexual abuse and most allegedly took place decades ago.

Insisting on an investigation, relatives of Jason Tharp say they want to know more about the 19-year-old marine recruit was treated in the days before he drowned during training. CNN affiliate WIS of Columbia, South Carolina, recorded this confrontation between Tharp and a drill instructor while doing a story on training.

Violence rocks Iraq. About three dozen people are dead, countless wounded, in five separate attacks. The latest occurring just last hour. Three of the bombings targeted Shiite mosques, where worshipers had gathered on the eve of Ashura, which is the holiest day on the Shiite calendar.

Medical news now. Patients on Celebrex can continue taking the drug. An FDA panel says the prescription painkiller will remain on the market despite some health concerns. CNN's medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen was here yesterday as those hearings concluded. And this is not a huge surprise, is it?

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: No, it's not a huge surprise. I don't think there were many people who expected that they would insist that Celebrex come off the market. But what is interesting is that many people on this FDA advisory panel feel that there ought to be what is called a black box warning. That is the highest level of warning that can go on a label. It's called that because the warning literally goes on this big black box.

At the top of the labeling the doctors will see and it would, if they insisted that it go on there, presumably what it would talk about is the cardiovascular risk that studies have shown that taking these can increase the risk of having a heart attack or a stroke. Obviously, drug companies don't like to have these on their products because it would make a physician think twice or more than that before prescribing it. Many of the people on the panel also said that they wanted a patient guide to these drugs. Now, the big question is what's going to be happening with Vioxx? Vioxx is another cox-2 inhibitor and that one was pulled off the market in September, but Merck has now been making statements at this FDA hearing that maybe, possibly, kind of, sort of, maybe they do want to put it back on the market, even though they haven't come out and said that. They've said things that would certainly make you wonder.

Well, Dr. David Graham, who was the whistleblower at the FDA, who originally talked about these drugs and talked about what he said were some of the dangers they imposed -- he says that Vioxx does pose a more -- bigger danger than the other cox-2 inhibitors.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. DAVID GRAHAM, FDA WHISTLEBLOWER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Vioxx. There was an increased risk of heart attack. That increased risk was present from when people began taking the drug and I think that that's an important issue to be aware of.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COHEN: So, again, Dr. David Graham saying that he thinks that Vioxx is more dangerous than the other cox-2 inhibitors. He thinks they ought to be treated differently.

O'BRIEN: All right. And of course, the one we haven't mentioned is Bextra.

COHEN: Right. Bextra is the third cox-2 inhibitor. And right now, this panel is talking about whether or not Bextra ought to remain on the market. Similar concerns about heart problems, about possible stroke problems. The issue with Bextra is there is just not as many data about Bextra as there is about Vioxx and Celebrex. So it's unclear what they're going to do with that one. And of course, it's always important to remember this is an advisory panel. They take a vote, they make recommendations. Of course the FDA is free to do whatever they want to do.

O'BRIEN: All right. Quick final thought. Just take away for people. If they're using it and it works for them, should they stay on it?

COHEN: Well, they should talk to their doctor. That's really the bottom line of what you need to do. Because there are many people who have decided look, I know there's a risk, I've read -- you know, I've seen the studies or my doctor has seen the studies, but some people say you know what, I can't get out of bed unless I take these. My arthritis is so bad that I can't do anything unless I take these and so those people may choose to take the risk.

Other people may say, you know what, I want to try another drug, I don't want to take this risk. Maybe I don't need this drug. Maybe another one would help me. So it really is up to the individual doctor and patient.

O'BRIEN: All right. Elizabeth Cohen, thanks very much. Much more on the painkiller story on this weekend's "House Call" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Tomorrow morning, 8:30 Eastern, right here on CNN.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Above and beyond the call of duty. Even that would be an understatement when you talk about Captain David Rozelle. Rozelle lost his right foot in a landmine explosion in June 2003, but get this -- he's getting ready to head back to Iraq. He will be the first troop commander in recent military history to re- deploy as an amputee to the same battlefield. Talk about grit.

His experiences in Iraq and his eight-month road to recovery are recounted in his autobiography, "Back in Action." Captain Rozelle joins us now from Washington to talk about it. Good to see you, David.

CAPT. DAVID ROZELLE, U.S. ARMY: Thanks for having me.

PHILLIPS: Well, take us back to that Valentine's Day, I understand, where you told your wife that you were heading to war.

ROZELLE: Absolutely. It was Valentine's Day 2003 and not necessarily the day of lovers when you got to tell your wife you're going to war, but it was a great opportunity for 3rd Army (UNINTELLIGIBLE) regimen to be a part of the history in Iraq. And although my wife wasn't nearly as excited as I was, it ended up being a pretty good day, we actually -- it was followed by a regimental ball that night. So lots of pomp and circumstance, there.

PHILLIPS: Well, I want to add, too, that she was pregnant. So that probably just added to the stress. And speaking of adding to the stress, you get over there and four months later, we've got a picture of your humvee. You hit a landmine. Your life changed at this point.

ROZELLE: That's right. I was crossing from one road to another on an earth surface and there were nine mines planted in the ground and with that light-skinned humvee there, on my way to teach a police academy and hit Iraq -- as the de facto sheriff, that was one of my responsibilities, was to train the new police force. And Once I hit the mine, everything exploded.

PHILLIPS: Now, David, here's the key to the book and here's the key to this interview. You're going back. Why?

ROZELLE: Well, I'm going back because it's my sense of duty. It's really hard to explain that to someone. And back in action, I go through the process of why I wanted to go to duty and why it's so important that we get back to Iraq, mainly because we're doing such great things in Iraq and, you know, I'm part of history. You know, we got things going again. The markets are running again and are getting people back to living and free for the first time. The elections proved it. Free for the first time and I'm proud of being part of that history.

PHILLIPS: Well, you see this picture of you and your son. I love it. You call Forest (ph) mini me. He's absolutely adorable. But when you look at your son and you look at your wife and maybe you talk with other fellow soldiers, come on, David, stay home, be with your family, don't, you know, don't take another risk! How do you respond to them? How do you tell them no, I've got to go?

ROZELLE: Well, I think a man's most important perception is how his family and most importantly his son, perceives him. And when my son thinks about me in 30 years, I want him to look at me say that's my father who never gave up, went back to Iraq and kept fighting for what he believed in. And that's -- there's nothing more important to me than how my son feels and I want him to be proud.

PHILLIPS: And I know you visit a number of soldiers at Walter Reed. What do you tell the young men and women that you come across that are now amputees and or have lost an eye, lost an arm?

ROZELLE: Well, I like to say that -- yesterday, I got to spend a lot of time at Walter Reed. Most of the day, as a matter of fact. And when you have a guy roll up with no legs and missing an arm and he looks at you, says, sir, I know you're going back, how do I go back? What do I need to dough to get myself healthy enough to go back? That's the spirit of the American soldier, that's what I'm most proud of, that's why I go to Walter Reed, because I don't have to say anything really. I just have to help them figure out what's right for them. And maybe, you know, it's not best for that guy to go back into harm's way, but if he can prove to me and the army that he can do it, then let's send him, absolutely.

PHILLIPS: You know, you've kept your sense of humor, too. I know the guys have, also. They sent you the tire rim from the humvee. A constant reminder of the bad, but yet it's -- I don't know, I guess it's added a bit of humor to the story?

ROZELLE: Yes, it's a strange trophy. Actually, I set it at the edge of my desk so that when someone comes in to complain to me about something, I'm able to kind of look off at and think about what they're asking me. Is it really a sacrifice if they're having to work late or whatever they're asking? And they generally walk off before they get an answer out of me

PHILLIPS: Has anyone ever come to you and said, I don't want to do this anymore, I want to go home, I don't want to be in Iraq, I don't believe in this mission?

ROZELLE: Honestly, yes, there have been a couple of folks, just because it's frightening, you know? And I understand that. And maybe they made a mistake, but it's a little late, but we'll go over there and we'll give them back the confidence they need to fight this war.

PHILLIPS: David, you define courage. Captain David Rozelle, best of luck as you head back over to Iraq. The name of the book is "Back in Action: The Inspiring True Story," of course, "of the First Amputee to Return to Active Command in Iraq." I hope that you'll update us on how you're doing once you get there, David.

ROZELLE: Please, I'll let you know when I'm over there and when I'm back.

PHILLIPS: We look forward to it.

ROZELLE: Thank you.

O'BRIEN: Comedian Chris Rock is speaking out again on the Oscars.

What is the word, Sibila?

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: You want the word, Miles, I'll give you the funny man's word in a moment. And the king lives on but not in the way you think. I'll have that and more when CNN's LIVE FROM continues.

O'BRIEN: And stopping and staring at "The Gates." It's become quite an attraction in Central Park.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: The Academy Awards is making sure a mouth malfunction doesn't happen. Something that happens here almost every day on LIVE FROM. We get away with it, though, don't we? Chris Rock is going to be -- well, what is he going to be, Censored? What are they going to do?

Sibila, they can't -- Sibila Vargas is joining us now, by the way.

VARGAS: Hi.

O'BRIEN: Chris Rock is a man of -- if you've seen the stuff on HBO, you know what -- he can cuss a blue streak there, right?

VARGAS: Yes. And I'll tell you all about that. But I can't tell you who the...

O'BRIEN: No, no, no, not all, not all about it!

(LAUGHTER)

VARGAS: Not just yet. I can't tell you who the winners are or what they'll be wearing but I can give you a sneak peek at this year's 77th Annual Academy Awards set. The curtain has been lifted and the look is golden, literally. Production designer Roy Christopher, who has worked on the Oscars for the last decade, calls part of his latest creation a historical nod to old Hollywood. But with high tech projections that extend out over the audience, Christopher says the look is also cutting edge and contemporary.

And speaking of cutting edge and contemporary, Miles, this year's host, Chris Rock, says he's happy that ABC is using a five-second delay when he hosts the Oscars next week. Rock, who is known for cursing during his comedy routines has already caused some controversy by poking fun at the annual event. The comedian told CBS's "60 MINUTES" that he welcomes the delay and likens it to a safety net. Rock says when appearing live, quote: "You're a trapeze artist and you welcome the net."

Well, big names in entertainment and politics came together in Los Angeles last night and it was all for a good cause. Steven Spielberg presented former President Bill Clinton with the Ambassador for Humanity Award. The event, which the director established in 1994, was hosted by Tom Cruise. The ceremony honors individuals who embody the foundation's goal of promoting tolerance, cultural understanding and mutual respect.

And, finally, on a lighter note. The king lives on. Well, on your fingernails. I know it sounds crazy but a new line of nail polish inspired by Elvis Presley's music hits stores in April.

Now you can wear "Burning Love" orange, "Can't Help Falling in Love" fuchsia, and "It's Now or Never" purple. Graceland has approved the polishes, inspired by Elvis' songs, to promote a Broadway musical, "All Shook Up." The new line of gloss will be available at J.C. Penney salons in spring. And I'm sure that Kyra just can't wait to get her hands on it -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: All right. Sibila, we need you to sing now "Nailhouse Rock."

PHILLIPS: (GROANS)

O'BRIEN: "Nailhouse Rock."

VARGAS: "Nailhouse Rock." How do we do that? Although, you've got to help me on that on, because I know you got some pipes too, Miles.

PHILLIPS: Oh, no, he doesn't!

O'BRIEN: It's a bad idea. You know what, that is a bad idea.

VARGAS: Kyra, you got him to sing the other day!

O'BRIEN: We have no net here, Sibila, remember.

PHILLIPS: And then, guess what? I got on suspension for three days, OK? Now I'm back and keeping my mouth shut. Thanks, Sibila.

VARGAS: All right. Thanks.

PHILLIPS: She was talking about colors, how about a sea of orange? It's falling on New York City's Central Park, causing quite a commotion for art lovers. We're going to take you on a stroll through "The Gates" with Jeanne Moos.

Also, it's not exactly the "Breakfast of Champions" or "Breakfast at Tiffany's," but a pizza chain is getting ready to open its doors just a little bit earlier. We'll explain.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, in New York, where trends come and go, orange is the new it color, so we're told. The Gates art project, with a 16- foot orange frames, is the talk of the city. CNN's Jeanne Moos is gauging reaction and takes us through The Gates. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Sure, The Gates look great when you see them in satellite photos, but if you want to reach out and touch The Gates, come along for a stroll. You might want to dress for the occasion.

(on camera) You know, your jacket matches.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I know.

MOOS: Did you do it on purpose?

(voice-over): Naysayers say it makes Central Park look like a construction town. They call them shower curtains or blowing skirts. They're stunned by the $21 million that Christo and Jeanne-Claude raised and spent.

STEPHEN COLBERT, "THE DAILY SHOW": Redecorating a bike path.

DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST, "LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN": You can get a bunch of kids to toilet paper the trees.

MOOS: But for everyone who says it...

UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Looks weird.

MOOS (on camera): It looks weird.

(voice-over): Someone else calls it...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was wonderful!

MOOS: A sight for sore eyes, even for someone who can hardly see.

(on camera): Oh, here I am, sorry.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's somebody over there.

MOOS: That's OK. That's our cameraman. I'm sorry, I didn't tell you there's a camera involved.

(voice-over): But she managed to make out the fabric blowing in the breeze.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sufficiently to make me happy.

MOOS: We bought ourselves a map of The Gates and plotted our course. One of the first things you notice is that The Gates make smiling contagious, even smiling at your dog.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hey, Boo-boo!

MOOS: This couple came to The Gates to celebrate the adoption of their son. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Lyle has two mommies.

MOOS: Two mommies and 7,500 gates, all that same color, the official color so ripe for mocking.

LETTERMAN: Saffron.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (singing): I'm just mad about saffron...

MOOS: And those most just say orange...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I call it light cinnabar.

MOOS: Cinnabar really is a color.

Throughout Central Park, you find people nicknamed "Gate keepers."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The air flows. You just love it.

MOOS: Their job so to untangle windblown fabric with their tennis-ball tipped poles. The one "Gate keeper" to rescue two dogs who fell through and ice covered pond. He chopped a channel for the dogs to swim through.

The "Gate Keepers" keep an eye out for graffiti and souvenir hunters who snip off rectangles. Sometimes official swatches of fabric are handed out and people trade.

(on camera): If I put you on air, you'll give me this.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

MOOS: OK, you're on.

(voice-over): You can even buy a Gates watch, or Gates socks, signed on the toe by Christo. There are homemade Gates scarves and doggie headgear.

Already the Central Park Gates have been parodied by the Somerville Gates, erected by a Massachusetts cat owner, leading from cat food to litter box.

Our favorite way to view the real gates, the Central Park carousel. As one fan put it, finally an orange alert that doesn't involve terrorism.

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: All right. That's art. What can I tell you? It's art, folks.

PHILLIPS: A lot of money.

O'BRIEN: You can't -- I mean, what would you do with $21 million if you had it?

PHILLIPS: You know, I would probably somehow figure a way to give it to charity.

O'BRIEN: Gosh, yes.

PHILLIPS: All right. Jeanne Moos ought to check this out. Pizza for breakfast. One pizza chain actually launched --

O'BRIEN: Pizza for breakfast? That's not new. Cold pizza.

PHILLIPS: Yes, that's true.

O'BRIEN: The morning.

PHILLIPS: But this is a chain that wants to actually cash in on the morning rush. I mean, we always have to bring in leftovers when we want it.

O'BRIEN: There you go. Kathleen Hays with that and much more. Hello, Kathleen.

KATHLEEN HAYS, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra and Miles, again. You know, a walk down memory lane in a way, because we think back to that dorm room staple, cold pizza in the morning.

But this is the future. Papa John's is cooking up some new ideas. Pizza pastries? Pizza omelets? All on the menu. Six-inch personal pizzas, minus the tomato sauce, are available and being served up now at the company's restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky. That outlet is currently the only Papa John's serving the morning crowd, but officials say if there's a market for mozzarella in the morning, the concept will expand to other cities, as well.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

PHILLIPS: We're gearing up for the Daytona 500 with the king of Nascar. Coming up in the next hour, Richard Petty makes a pit stop right here on the LIVE FROM team. You ready for it, Miles?

O'BRIEN: Always. 43. Number 43. He's coming in.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Checking the news right now. An FDA advisory panel looking into the safety of Celebrex and other popular painkillers. Says Celebrex and Bextra do significantly increase the risk of heart problems, but it adds, those risks do not warrant pulling the drug off the market. No word yet on whether the panel is recommending any special warnings. We expect a recommendation concerning Vioxx and Bextra some time today.

Well, it was one of the centerpieces of President Bush's reelection campaign. Today Mr. Bush signed legislation to slow what he calls America's lawsuit culture.

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 February 18, 2005 - 14:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Checking stories "Now in the News." No nukes. The Russian news agency reporting President Vladimir Putin is that convinced Iran is not trying to develop nuclear weapons. The Russian leader welcomed Iran's security chief to the Kremlin today, pledging continued support for its nuclear program.
More claims of clergy abuse. The nation's Roman Catholic bishops say over the past year they have received nearly 1,100 new accusations against priests and deacons. About half involve priests who have already been accused of sexual abuse and most allegedly took place decades ago.

Insisting on an investigation, relatives of Jason Tharp say they want to know more about the 19-year-old marine recruit was treated in the days before he drowned during training. CNN affiliate WIS of Columbia, South Carolina, recorded this confrontation between Tharp and a drill instructor while doing a story on training.

Violence rocks Iraq. About three dozen people are dead, countless wounded, in five separate attacks. The latest occurring just last hour. Three of the bombings targeted Shiite mosques, where worshipers had gathered on the eve of Ashura, which is the holiest day on the Shiite calendar.

Medical news now. Patients on Celebrex can continue taking the drug. An FDA panel says the prescription painkiller will remain on the market despite some health concerns. CNN's medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen was here yesterday as those hearings concluded. And this is not a huge surprise, is it?

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: No, it's not a huge surprise. I don't think there were many people who expected that they would insist that Celebrex come off the market. But what is interesting is that many people on this FDA advisory panel feel that there ought to be what is called a black box warning. That is the highest level of warning that can go on a label. It's called that because the warning literally goes on this big black box.

At the top of the labeling the doctors will see and it would, if they insisted that it go on there, presumably what it would talk about is the cardiovascular risk that studies have shown that taking these can increase the risk of having a heart attack or a stroke. Obviously, drug companies don't like to have these on their products because it would make a physician think twice or more than that before prescribing it. Many of the people on the panel also said that they wanted a patient guide to these drugs. Now, the big question is what's going to be happening with Vioxx? Vioxx is another cox-2 inhibitor and that one was pulled off the market in September, but Merck has now been making statements at this FDA hearing that maybe, possibly, kind of, sort of, maybe they do want to put it back on the market, even though they haven't come out and said that. They've said things that would certainly make you wonder.

Well, Dr. David Graham, who was the whistleblower at the FDA, who originally talked about these drugs and talked about what he said were some of the dangers they imposed -- he says that Vioxx does pose a more -- bigger danger than the other cox-2 inhibitors.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. DAVID GRAHAM, FDA WHISTLEBLOWER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Vioxx. There was an increased risk of heart attack. That increased risk was present from when people began taking the drug and I think that that's an important issue to be aware of.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COHEN: So, again, Dr. David Graham saying that he thinks that Vioxx is more dangerous than the other cox-2 inhibitors. He thinks they ought to be treated differently.

O'BRIEN: All right. And of course, the one we haven't mentioned is Bextra.

COHEN: Right. Bextra is the third cox-2 inhibitor. And right now, this panel is talking about whether or not Bextra ought to remain on the market. Similar concerns about heart problems, about possible stroke problems. The issue with Bextra is there is just not as many data about Bextra as there is about Vioxx and Celebrex. So it's unclear what they're going to do with that one. And of course, it's always important to remember this is an advisory panel. They take a vote, they make recommendations. Of course the FDA is free to do whatever they want to do.

O'BRIEN: All right. Quick final thought. Just take away for people. If they're using it and it works for them, should they stay on it?

COHEN: Well, they should talk to their doctor. That's really the bottom line of what you need to do. Because there are many people who have decided look, I know there's a risk, I've read -- you know, I've seen the studies or my doctor has seen the studies, but some people say you know what, I can't get out of bed unless I take these. My arthritis is so bad that I can't do anything unless I take these and so those people may choose to take the risk.

Other people may say, you know what, I want to try another drug, I don't want to take this risk. Maybe I don't need this drug. Maybe another one would help me. So it really is up to the individual doctor and patient.

O'BRIEN: All right. Elizabeth Cohen, thanks very much. Much more on the painkiller story on this weekend's "House Call" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Tomorrow morning, 8:30 Eastern, right here on CNN.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Above and beyond the call of duty. Even that would be an understatement when you talk about Captain David Rozelle. Rozelle lost his right foot in a landmine explosion in June 2003, but get this -- he's getting ready to head back to Iraq. He will be the first troop commander in recent military history to re- deploy as an amputee to the same battlefield. Talk about grit.

His experiences in Iraq and his eight-month road to recovery are recounted in his autobiography, "Back in Action." Captain Rozelle joins us now from Washington to talk about it. Good to see you, David.

CAPT. DAVID ROZELLE, U.S. ARMY: Thanks for having me.

PHILLIPS: Well, take us back to that Valentine's Day, I understand, where you told your wife that you were heading to war.

ROZELLE: Absolutely. It was Valentine's Day 2003 and not necessarily the day of lovers when you got to tell your wife you're going to war, but it was a great opportunity for 3rd Army (UNINTELLIGIBLE) regimen to be a part of the history in Iraq. And although my wife wasn't nearly as excited as I was, it ended up being a pretty good day, we actually -- it was followed by a regimental ball that night. So lots of pomp and circumstance, there.

PHILLIPS: Well, I want to add, too, that she was pregnant. So that probably just added to the stress. And speaking of adding to the stress, you get over there and four months later, we've got a picture of your humvee. You hit a landmine. Your life changed at this point.

ROZELLE: That's right. I was crossing from one road to another on an earth surface and there were nine mines planted in the ground and with that light-skinned humvee there, on my way to teach a police academy and hit Iraq -- as the de facto sheriff, that was one of my responsibilities, was to train the new police force. And Once I hit the mine, everything exploded.

PHILLIPS: Now, David, here's the key to the book and here's the key to this interview. You're going back. Why?

ROZELLE: Well, I'm going back because it's my sense of duty. It's really hard to explain that to someone. And back in action, I go through the process of why I wanted to go to duty and why it's so important that we get back to Iraq, mainly because we're doing such great things in Iraq and, you know, I'm part of history. You know, we got things going again. The markets are running again and are getting people back to living and free for the first time. The elections proved it. Free for the first time and I'm proud of being part of that history.

PHILLIPS: Well, you see this picture of you and your son. I love it. You call Forest (ph) mini me. He's absolutely adorable. But when you look at your son and you look at your wife and maybe you talk with other fellow soldiers, come on, David, stay home, be with your family, don't, you know, don't take another risk! How do you respond to them? How do you tell them no, I've got to go?

ROZELLE: Well, I think a man's most important perception is how his family and most importantly his son, perceives him. And when my son thinks about me in 30 years, I want him to look at me say that's my father who never gave up, went back to Iraq and kept fighting for what he believed in. And that's -- there's nothing more important to me than how my son feels and I want him to be proud.

PHILLIPS: And I know you visit a number of soldiers at Walter Reed. What do you tell the young men and women that you come across that are now amputees and or have lost an eye, lost an arm?

ROZELLE: Well, I like to say that -- yesterday, I got to spend a lot of time at Walter Reed. Most of the day, as a matter of fact. And when you have a guy roll up with no legs and missing an arm and he looks at you, says, sir, I know you're going back, how do I go back? What do I need to dough to get myself healthy enough to go back? That's the spirit of the American soldier, that's what I'm most proud of, that's why I go to Walter Reed, because I don't have to say anything really. I just have to help them figure out what's right for them. And maybe, you know, it's not best for that guy to go back into harm's way, but if he can prove to me and the army that he can do it, then let's send him, absolutely.

PHILLIPS: You know, you've kept your sense of humor, too. I know the guys have, also. They sent you the tire rim from the humvee. A constant reminder of the bad, but yet it's -- I don't know, I guess it's added a bit of humor to the story?

ROZELLE: Yes, it's a strange trophy. Actually, I set it at the edge of my desk so that when someone comes in to complain to me about something, I'm able to kind of look off at and think about what they're asking me. Is it really a sacrifice if they're having to work late or whatever they're asking? And they generally walk off before they get an answer out of me

PHILLIPS: Has anyone ever come to you and said, I don't want to do this anymore, I want to go home, I don't want to be in Iraq, I don't believe in this mission?

ROZELLE: Honestly, yes, there have been a couple of folks, just because it's frightening, you know? And I understand that. And maybe they made a mistake, but it's a little late, but we'll go over there and we'll give them back the confidence they need to fight this war.

PHILLIPS: David, you define courage. Captain David Rozelle, best of luck as you head back over to Iraq. The name of the book is "Back in Action: The Inspiring True Story," of course, "of the First Amputee to Return to Active Command in Iraq." I hope that you'll update us on how you're doing once you get there, David.

ROZELLE: Please, I'll let you know when I'm over there and when I'm back.

PHILLIPS: We look forward to it.

ROZELLE: Thank you.

O'BRIEN: Comedian Chris Rock is speaking out again on the Oscars.

What is the word, Sibila?

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: You want the word, Miles, I'll give you the funny man's word in a moment. And the king lives on but not in the way you think. I'll have that and more when CNN's LIVE FROM continues.

O'BRIEN: And stopping and staring at "The Gates." It's become quite an attraction in Central Park.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: The Academy Awards is making sure a mouth malfunction doesn't happen. Something that happens here almost every day on LIVE FROM. We get away with it, though, don't we? Chris Rock is going to be -- well, what is he going to be, Censored? What are they going to do?

Sibila, they can't -- Sibila Vargas is joining us now, by the way.

VARGAS: Hi.

O'BRIEN: Chris Rock is a man of -- if you've seen the stuff on HBO, you know what -- he can cuss a blue streak there, right?

VARGAS: Yes. And I'll tell you all about that. But I can't tell you who the...

O'BRIEN: No, no, no, not all, not all about it!

(LAUGHTER)

VARGAS: Not just yet. I can't tell you who the winners are or what they'll be wearing but I can give you a sneak peek at this year's 77th Annual Academy Awards set. The curtain has been lifted and the look is golden, literally. Production designer Roy Christopher, who has worked on the Oscars for the last decade, calls part of his latest creation a historical nod to old Hollywood. But with high tech projections that extend out over the audience, Christopher says the look is also cutting edge and contemporary.

And speaking of cutting edge and contemporary, Miles, this year's host, Chris Rock, says he's happy that ABC is using a five-second delay when he hosts the Oscars next week. Rock, who is known for cursing during his comedy routines has already caused some controversy by poking fun at the annual event. The comedian told CBS's "60 MINUTES" that he welcomes the delay and likens it to a safety net. Rock says when appearing live, quote: "You're a trapeze artist and you welcome the net."

Well, big names in entertainment and politics came together in Los Angeles last night and it was all for a good cause. Steven Spielberg presented former President Bill Clinton with the Ambassador for Humanity Award. The event, which the director established in 1994, was hosted by Tom Cruise. The ceremony honors individuals who embody the foundation's goal of promoting tolerance, cultural understanding and mutual respect.

And, finally, on a lighter note. The king lives on. Well, on your fingernails. I know it sounds crazy but a new line of nail polish inspired by Elvis Presley's music hits stores in April.

Now you can wear "Burning Love" orange, "Can't Help Falling in Love" fuchsia, and "It's Now or Never" purple. Graceland has approved the polishes, inspired by Elvis' songs, to promote a Broadway musical, "All Shook Up." The new line of gloss will be available at J.C. Penney salons in spring. And I'm sure that Kyra just can't wait to get her hands on it -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: All right. Sibila, we need you to sing now "Nailhouse Rock."

PHILLIPS: (GROANS)

O'BRIEN: "Nailhouse Rock."

VARGAS: "Nailhouse Rock." How do we do that? Although, you've got to help me on that on, because I know you got some pipes too, Miles.

PHILLIPS: Oh, no, he doesn't!

O'BRIEN: It's a bad idea. You know what, that is a bad idea.

VARGAS: Kyra, you got him to sing the other day!

O'BRIEN: We have no net here, Sibila, remember.

PHILLIPS: And then, guess what? I got on suspension for three days, OK? Now I'm back and keeping my mouth shut. Thanks, Sibila.

VARGAS: All right. Thanks.

PHILLIPS: She was talking about colors, how about a sea of orange? It's falling on New York City's Central Park, causing quite a commotion for art lovers. We're going to take you on a stroll through "The Gates" with Jeanne Moos.

Also, it's not exactly the "Breakfast of Champions" or "Breakfast at Tiffany's," but a pizza chain is getting ready to open its doors just a little bit earlier. We'll explain.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, in New York, where trends come and go, orange is the new it color, so we're told. The Gates art project, with a 16- foot orange frames, is the talk of the city. CNN's Jeanne Moos is gauging reaction and takes us through The Gates. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Sure, The Gates look great when you see them in satellite photos, but if you want to reach out and touch The Gates, come along for a stroll. You might want to dress for the occasion.

(on camera) You know, your jacket matches.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I know.

MOOS: Did you do it on purpose?

(voice-over): Naysayers say it makes Central Park look like a construction town. They call them shower curtains or blowing skirts. They're stunned by the $21 million that Christo and Jeanne-Claude raised and spent.

STEPHEN COLBERT, "THE DAILY SHOW": Redecorating a bike path.

DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST, "LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN": You can get a bunch of kids to toilet paper the trees.

MOOS: But for everyone who says it...

UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Looks weird.

MOOS (on camera): It looks weird.

(voice-over): Someone else calls it...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was wonderful!

MOOS: A sight for sore eyes, even for someone who can hardly see.

(on camera): Oh, here I am, sorry.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's somebody over there.

MOOS: That's OK. That's our cameraman. I'm sorry, I didn't tell you there's a camera involved.

(voice-over): But she managed to make out the fabric blowing in the breeze.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sufficiently to make me happy.

MOOS: We bought ourselves a map of The Gates and plotted our course. One of the first things you notice is that The Gates make smiling contagious, even smiling at your dog.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hey, Boo-boo!

MOOS: This couple came to The Gates to celebrate the adoption of their son. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Lyle has two mommies.

MOOS: Two mommies and 7,500 gates, all that same color, the official color so ripe for mocking.

LETTERMAN: Saffron.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (singing): I'm just mad about saffron...

MOOS: And those most just say orange...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I call it light cinnabar.

MOOS: Cinnabar really is a color.

Throughout Central Park, you find people nicknamed "Gate keepers."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The air flows. You just love it.

MOOS: Their job so to untangle windblown fabric with their tennis-ball tipped poles. The one "Gate keeper" to rescue two dogs who fell through and ice covered pond. He chopped a channel for the dogs to swim through.

The "Gate Keepers" keep an eye out for graffiti and souvenir hunters who snip off rectangles. Sometimes official swatches of fabric are handed out and people trade.

(on camera): If I put you on air, you'll give me this.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

MOOS: OK, you're on.

(voice-over): You can even buy a Gates watch, or Gates socks, signed on the toe by Christo. There are homemade Gates scarves and doggie headgear.

Already the Central Park Gates have been parodied by the Somerville Gates, erected by a Massachusetts cat owner, leading from cat food to litter box.

Our favorite way to view the real gates, the Central Park carousel. As one fan put it, finally an orange alert that doesn't involve terrorism.

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York

(END VIDEOTAPE)

O'BRIEN: All right. That's art. What can I tell you? It's art, folks.

PHILLIPS: A lot of money.

O'BRIEN: You can't -- I mean, what would you do with $21 million if you had it?

PHILLIPS: You know, I would probably somehow figure a way to give it to charity.

O'BRIEN: Gosh, yes.

PHILLIPS: All right. Jeanne Moos ought to check this out. Pizza for breakfast. One pizza chain actually launched --

O'BRIEN: Pizza for breakfast? That's not new. Cold pizza.

PHILLIPS: Yes, that's true.

O'BRIEN: The morning.

PHILLIPS: But this is a chain that wants to actually cash in on the morning rush. I mean, we always have to bring in leftovers when we want it.

O'BRIEN: There you go. Kathleen Hays with that and much more. Hello, Kathleen.

KATHLEEN HAYS, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra and Miles, again. You know, a walk down memory lane in a way, because we think back to that dorm room staple, cold pizza in the morning.

But this is the future. Papa John's is cooking up some new ideas. Pizza pastries? Pizza omelets? All on the menu. Six-inch personal pizzas, minus the tomato sauce, are available and being served up now at the company's restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky. That outlet is currently the only Papa John's serving the morning crowd, but officials say if there's a market for mozzarella in the morning, the concept will expand to other cities, as well.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

PHILLIPS: We're gearing up for the Daytona 500 with the king of Nascar. Coming up in the next hour, Richard Petty makes a pit stop right here on the LIVE FROM team. You ready for it, Miles?

O'BRIEN: Always. 43. Number 43. He's coming in.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Checking the news right now. An FDA advisory panel looking into the safety of Celebrex and other popular painkillers. Says Celebrex and Bextra do significantly increase the risk of heart problems, but it adds, those risks do not warrant pulling the drug off the market. No word yet on whether the panel is recommending any special warnings. We expect a recommendation concerning Vioxx and Bextra some time today.

Well, it was one of the centerpieces of President Bush's reelection campaign. Today Mr. Bush signed legislation to slow what he calls America's lawsuit culture.

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