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Hunter Shot By Vice President Cheney Suffers Minor Heart Attack; Bird Flu Detected in Nigeria
Aired February 14, 2006 - 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: He was hit in the face, neck and chest, but it's that last part of the body that's now of great concern for doctors treating the man accidentally shot by Vice President Dick Cheney.
Harry Whittington is back in intensive care, after suffering a minor heart attack this morning.
CNN's Ed Lavandera is outside the hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Ed, it's clear now that the wounds are much worse than we were made to believe.
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, for the last couple of days, doctors and friends of Harry Whittington had been saying that the wounds suffered from this buckshot wound were superficial, at best.
But -- but, over the last day or so, one of the B.B.s from that buckshot has moved its way closer. It actually is touching the heart, from what we understand -- because of that, that it has caused some irritation in the heart -- doctors this morning, about 6:30 this morning, performing a cardiac catheterization to check the blood flow of Mr. Whittington's heart. And that is why he was put back in the intensive care unit this morning, where he will stay, we understand, for another seven days.
There had also been talk, perhaps, of Mr. Whittington going home yesterday, or perhaps either today, or even as late as tomorrow. But now we understand that he will be here another seven days, around -- going under 'round-the-clock supervision, as doctors continue to see just what kind of damage these B.B.s might be causing internally.
They say, so far, they only have evidence to suggest that only one of these B.B.s is actually touching the heart. And they say that he suffered a mild heart attack, but that is what they say is a -- a layman's term. This isn't the kind of heart attack most people have heard of, they say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. DAVID BLANCHARD, CHRISTUS SPOHN HOSPITAL CORPUS CHRISTI- MEMORIAL EMERGENCY ROOM CHIEF: We picked up an irregular heartbeat. Bear in mind that, at no time, did he ever have any chest pain or the classic signs of a heart attack, anything like that. And we all know well that there are tens of thousands of people every year that have silent heart attacks that never even go into the doctor to be taken care of.
But we figure probably some time around 6:30-ish this morning. We can't put a real timetable on exactly when it did occur, though.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LAVANDERA: Doctors continue to say, though, that Mr. Whittington could go on to live -- live a productive, healthy life, even with a lot of these B.B.s, perhaps 100 or so, still lodged in his body, that won't -- will not become a problem.
They say it takes about two, three, maybe four days for these B.B.s to stop moving, as the scar tissue forms around -- around them, and -- and -- and they settle down. So, they will continue to watch the movement of these B.B.s. They do show up on X-rays, they say, but it's hard for them to pinpoint exactly where it is.
And that's why doctors are saying, at this point, there are no plans to go in and remove the B.B. For a man of his age, to go in there, that -- that kind of surgery would be much more, perhaps, dangerous to him, than just monitoring at this point, because they don't know the exact location of it.
Mr. Whittington, as far as we know, will continue stay here at the Corpus Christi Hospital. There are no plans to move him that we know of so far to Austin, where he lives -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Ed, you recently mentioned these other B.B.s. Perhaps maybe even 100 or so, is what you said. So, those are going to stay inside his body? They're not going to be removed?
LAVANDERA: Yes, that's what doctors say, that in -- in this case, to go -- the idea of going through and removing -- let's say there are 100. They don't know for sure, but if they were to go through and remove all of those, it would be a much too invasive procedure, and that, in these types of hunting accidents, that there are -- you know, in most cases, many of these people just continue to live with the B.B.s lodged in their bodies, and that is what is -- what is done in these cases.
However, in this particular case, once it starts getting closer to the heart, that poses another -- another level of threat.
NGUYEN: I guess they're treating it kind of like shrapnel and just kind of leaving it in there.
LAVANDERA: Exactly.
NGUYEN: All right, CNN's Ed Lavandera, thank you for the latest there out of Corpus Christi -- Tony.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, Betty, Harry Whittington is getting extensive care, besides the team of doctors in Texas. White House physicians are also involved in his treatment. CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux has details for us, in addition to a statement, I understand, Suzanne, from the vice president's office.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, Tony.
Of course, what we have been doing is, we have been tracking the vice, president, essentially, with this story. We saw the vice president enter the White House this morning for morning meetings in the West Wing. That is when this statement -- according to the statement, that he learned of this procedure that was done to Mr. Whittington, a cardiac catheterization.
The vice president then went on to meetings on Capitol Hill. According to the statement, it was about 12:30 or so that his chief of staff handed him a note, essentially saying that there had been some complications regarding his condition, Mr. Whittington's condition, and that there was going to be a 1:00 press conference from the doctors explaining just what was occurring.
The vice president then returned back to the White House, we understand, and he was actually watching part of that press conference unfold. After the press conference, at about 1:30, the vice president called Mr. Whittington. And, according to the statement, he spoke to him, saying: "The vice president wished Mr. Whittington well, asked him if there was anything that he needed. The vice president said that he -- he stood ready to assist. Mr. Whittington's spirits were good. But, obviously, his situation deserves the careful monitoring that his doctors are providing."
What is very interesting to note here, Tony, about this, is that this is really the first official paper statement that we have gotten from the vice president -- president's office, even acknowledging that this happened. The only other statement that we got officially on paper about this was the fact that the vice president failed to pay a $7 stamp on his hunting license.
So, this is really kind of a -- a turn, if you will, the kind of level of detail that we're now getting from the vice president's office regarding the update on his condition.
Should also let you know as well, here at the White House, a couple of briefings with Scott McClellan, the press secretary -- a very interesting turn of developments. This -- this was a press conference -- or a briefing, rather, where the emphasis was all about moving on, moving forward. There were a lot of unanswered questions that we had about this incident, and, yet, they made it very, very clear that they are putting this aside. Let's take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCOTT MCCLELLAN, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: I don't want to make this about anything other than what it is. It is what it is, David (ph). I was very respectful and responsive to your questions yesterday. I provided you the information I knew based on the facts that were available.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Clearly, there were a number of unanswered questions.
First of all, I had asked whether or not there was any kind of dissatis -- sense of dis -- being dissatisfied by the president here, the fact that he did not hear directly from Cheney, that he was, in fact, the shooter in his incident. He heard it from his adviser Karl Rove. He heard it from his chief of staff, Andy Card, that line of communication.
Later on, why was it that Scott McClellan didn't actually know or was aware that Cheney played that significant role in this incident until 12 hours later?
Having said that, McClellan and others acknowledged that, yes, they would have done things differently the second time around, but, clearly, this White House, this administration, wanted to put this behind them. Obviously, Mr. Whittington's condition is of -- of great concern now.
HARRIS: White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux for us -- Suzanne, thank you -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Let's bring in a cardiologist to explain what happened to Harry Whittington.
Dr. Paul Simonoff is with the WellStar Kennestone Hospital, right here in Atlanta.
Doctor, we appreciate your time.
So that we fully understand exactly what has happened with this birdshot, take us back to the fact that this piece of bird shot is lodged in the heart there, and the possibility that it could move and cause even more damage.
DR. PAUL SIMONOFF, CARDIOLOGIST, WELLSTAR KENNESTONE HOSPITAL: Well, this is indeed a very concerning.
There -- there is a question as to whether the birdshot is lodged inside the heart muscle, or is located near the heart muscle. Doctors were alerted to this by virtue of Mr. Whittington demonstrating an irregular heartbeat.
NGUYEN: Like a minor heart attack, is what they said.
SIMONOFF: Well, the irregular heartbeat was a tipoff that there indeed was a problem.
NGUYEN: Mmm-hmm.
SIMONOFF: And that led the physicians to determine that, indeed, a -- a minor heart attack was sustained.
NGUYEN: So, should they be concerned at this point? What do you do to prevent or to make sure that this little piece of birdshot does not move into the heart?
SIMONOFF: This is something that his physicians are looking at closely.
They will do the appropriate tests to determine exactly where the birdshot is located, in relation to the heart muscle itself. I would expect that this would also include diagnostic studies, such as a cardiac catheterization, which is a dye test to look at the...
NGUYEN: Which...
SIMONOFF: ... arteries.
NGUYEN: ... they did one today.
SIMONOFF: Indeed.
And that would determine whether there is blockage within the coronary arteries and how best to -- how best to address that.
NGUYEN: All right, worst-case scenario, if it does get into the heart, into the system there, what could happen?
SIMONOFF: Well, there certainly can be bleeding complications related to blood or fluid accumulation around the heart. Again, this is all hypothetical.
NGUYEN: Correct.
SIMONOFF: And this would require that Mr. Whittington be watched closely.
Among the studies that I'm certain have been done would include an echocardiogram, or ultrasound, to look at the heart muscle, and to make certain that there is no significant fluid accumulation around the heart.
NGUYEN: Let me ask you this very quickly -- quickly, because Bill Nye, "The Science Guy," in fact, brought up this question. With this B.B. in there, could there be a chance of blood poisoning in the system?
SIMONOFF: Well, that's a very good question.
Mr. Whittington is being treated with antibiotics to cover for the potential of infection. Of course, it depends on what the contents are of the B.B., but blood poisoning is very rare and uncommon. In fact, in many instances, B.B. pellets or even bullets may be left in place without surgical removal, provided that there is no significant migration...
NGUYEN: Right. SIMONOFF: ... that may threaten...
NGUYEN: The movement is key here...
SIMONOFF: ... a vital organ.
NGUYEN: All right.
Well, Dr. Paul Simonoff, we appreciate your time this morning to help us understand exactly what's going on, and the possibilities of what could happen.
Thank you.
SIMONOFF: My pleasure.
NGUYEN: Tony.
HARRIS: Well, politicians may want to think twice about picking up a shotgun and going after game. Then again, maybe not, since hunting and politics go way back.
Here's our national correspondent, Bruce Morton.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRUCE MORTON, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Do politicians love to hunt? Well, some.
Theodore Roosevelt went after big game, went exploring -- a genuine enthusiast. Dick Cheney loves to hunt. There has been story after story about his hunting trips, though none, fair is fair, quite as dramatic as this last one.
Harry Truman? He would rather have played poker. Dwight Eisenhower organized a partridge hunt in North Africa during World War II and hunted as president. But, when he had his druthers, you would him on a golf course.
John Kennedy, a biographer recalls that Lyndon Johnson bullied him into shooting a deer once on the LBJ ranch. But he didn't like it, and didn't fish much either, though, of course, he loved to sail.
Johnson himself hunted deer and doves on his ranch, though he sometimes stocked game so heavily, you could argue there wasn't much sport in it. Richard Nixon? This man was so out of tune with nature, he went walking on a beach in a business suit. Stalking game in the wild? Forget it.
Jimmy Carter grew up in rural Georgia, fished as a child, went hunting with his father when he was a kid who could only carry a B.B. gun. Ronald Reagan? No -- chopped brush and rode at his ranch, but cared so much about wildlife there, he had rattlesnakes trapped and carted away, not killed.
George Herbert Walker Bush loved fishing -- grew up in Maine, after all -- hunted some. Bill Clinton went duck hunting in Arkansas, but, one friend recalled, like the people, the camaraderie, more than actually seeing how many ducks he could kill.
This president likes to hunt quail with family and friends, especially on New Year's Day. John Kerry, the man he beat, spent time posing with guns, but voters probably saw more of him pursuing exotic sports, windsurfing and so on.
So, some do and some don't. But if I were a quail or maybe even just a hunting companion, I know who I would steer clear of. The vice president is often in what's called a secure location. But that means secure for him.
The last vice president to hit anyone, by the way, was Aaron Burr, who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel in 1804. Harry Whittington was much luckier.
Bruce Morton, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: I would say so.
Well, he won't shut his mouth in court, but wait until you hear what Saddam Hussein is doing now. All of the courtroom drama, that's straight ahead -- when LIVE FROM returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Saddam Hussein is on strike. Yes, the former dictator returned to court today, declaring he and his co-defendants are on a hunger strike. Hussein told the judge it's in protest of their treatment from -- quote -- "you and your masters.' Hussein didn't stop there either.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SADDAM HUSSEIN, FORMER IRAQI PRESIDENT (through translator): You were appointed by Bremer. Your government was appointed by Bremer. You can't try the president against the law.
ROUF ABDEL-RAHMAN, CHIEF JUDGE (through translator): Listen, you are a defendant. You have to stand up if you want to speak. I will not listen to you if you're sitting down. You have to stand up.
HUSSEIN (through translator): Take that hammer and knock it on your own head.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: My, my, my. Hussein's half-brother showed up for a second day -- look at this -- in his underwear. The outbursts soon gave way to testimony from three witnesses. After that, the trial was adjourned until February 28.
HARRIS: Well, thousands of dead chickens, hundreds of scared farm workers -- international health experts have rushed to northern Nigeria, where a deadly strain of bird flu has turned up, the first cases in all of Africa -- their immediate concern, the health of who handled the infected foul.
The problem, dozens of farm workers are not showing up to be tested. They're too worried about what might happen if results show they're sick. And there's new concern, unconfirmed, that the bird flu has spread to neighboring Niger.
CNN's Jeff Koinange has just arrived in Nigeria. And he joins us by videophone.
Jeff, good to talk to you.
But, first, I got to say to you, it seems to me, as I go through all of that, that perhaps Nigeria has no idea the problem it faces.
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's exactly it, Tony.
And you know what one health worker told us here on the ground. He said, in his own words, be afraid; be very afraid, because here in Kano, where we are right now, one of the northern states, one of five where the virus has been detected, already, they have culled over 150,000 birds.
We visited a farm this afternoon -- 30,000 chickens, the farmer distraught, saying his livelihood, completely devastated -- that and about 100 of his employees. So, it's a ripple effect, not just a health crises, but economic crises.
Health workers here telling us that the entire poultry industry here in Nigeria will be decimated if help doesn't arrive soon and doesn't arrive fast. People here, for the most part, pretty ignorant. They're still wondering, why are these chickens being culled and burned? Why not give it to us? We will cook them and eat them. That's the biggest concern, because if it spreads from bird to human, it will spread right here in Nigeria, and it will spread like wildfire, according to health officials, not just in Nigeria, but the entire African continent, and the fear, it may spread beyond the continent, Tony.
As you mentioned, Niger, already some suspected cases, not confirmed -- it could be even spreading as we speak -- Tony.
HARRIS: OK, Jeff, let's stay in Nigeria for a moment.
Do -- Nigeria has, I believe, 36 states. In -- in how many of those states has this virus, H5N1, been found? Do we know?
KOINANGE: Yes -- so far, half-a-dozen.
But health officials are telling us, they are literally chasing this virus. They are not being proactive. They are being reactive. The virus is spotted in a -- a state; they rush after it. That's the problem, because most people on the ground don't know what's happening. And they have other priorities, everything from HIV/AIDS, to malaria, pneumonia, tuberculosis. Bird flu ranks very low on the radar right here.
People have other priorities that, once it spreads, it's going to take a long time to check. And that's the biggest worry on the ground -- Tony.
HARRIS: Wow.
Jeff Koinange in Nigeria for us -- Jeff, appreciate it. Good to talk to you.
NGUYEN: Tony, there's no plan, no plot. So says the White House and State Department about a report that the U.S. and Israel are hatching plans to oust the newly elected Palestinian government led by Hamas.
"The New York Times" says, under this plan, Hamas would be given a choice to do something it has steadfastly refused to do, and that is recognize Israel's right to exist, renounce terror, and accept past agreements between the Palestinians and Israel.
Failing to do so, the U.S. and Israel would starve the Palestinian Authority of cash. Angry Palestinians, in turn, would bring down a Hamas government.
An -- an Israeli official brushed aside this conspiracy report when told about it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RA'ANAN GISSIN, SENIOR ADVISER TO ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: Well, I think, you know, it falls on very -- very responsive and receptive ears, when you have this sort of a conspiracy or (SPEAKING ARABIC) as they say in Arabic. It ignites the imagination, but, really, there's no need for any such conspiracy, because I think, if Hamas continues in its present course, it will do itself in, itself will destabilize the Palestinian government.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Now, a Hamas spokesman, responding to the "Times"' report, accused the U.S. and Israel of interference and rejecting the democratic process.
HARRIS: Defying Syria by honoring a murdered Lebanese statesman -- hundreds of thousands of flag-waving Lebanese rallied today in Beirut's Martyrs' Square on the first anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri -- a high point of the event, Hariri's son, Saad, who returned home Sunday, after months of self- exile abroad.
Speeches called for the ouster of the Lebanon's pro-Syrian president and denounced Syria's leader. A U.N. investigation has found evidence implicating top-ranked Syrian and Lebanese officials in Hariri's murder by a truck bomb in Beirut.
Iran is now doing what it threatened to do, resume enrichment of uranium, a process that could be used in making nuclear weapons -- the announcement today by the official state-run news agency. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful. The U.S. and much of the rest of the world suspect weapons are the ultimate objective.
Earlier this month, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported Iran to the U.N. Security Council, a move that could result in sanctions against Iran.
NGUYEN: Changing gears, straight ahead -- Tony, listen up -- you may want to put away those roses and candy hearts and get out your wallet. I bet you have heard that before, haven't you? Yes.
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: I imagine so.
This Valentine's Day, you and your sweetie might want to have a heart to heart about your money -- that's right -- we're talking money -- instead of whispering sweet nothings. Our Ali Velshi will tell you why.
That's coming up on LIVE FROM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FELICITY HUFFMAN, ACTRESS: My first kiss was Mark Harvey (ph) -- Mark Harvey (ph), who lives in Aspen, Colorado.
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What was that like?
HUFFMAN: I was terrified. We went to a movie. And he did the whole thing where you go -- he put his arm around me.
(LAUGHTER)
HUFFMAN: And a girlfriend of mine had showed me how to -- you know, she was like -- you have to practice on your hand how to kiss. And, so, it was terrifying.
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But you got through it?
HUFFMAN: I got through it. He's still alive.
(LAUGHTER)
KEIRA KNIGHTLEY, ACTRESS: First kiss? No, I really don't remember. Isn't that awful? I probably should. I'm sure it was lovely.
(LAUGHTER) KNIGHTLEY: I have been doing it ever since, so I'm sure it was lovely.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: What do you mean you don't remember it? It couldn't have been that great, or you would have remembered it, Keira Knightley.
All right. On this Valentine's Day, we were wondering just how a holiday dedicated -- dedicated to romance really got started. So, here's what we found.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN (voice-over): The history of Valentine's Day and its patron saint are hard to track down.
One story traces its origins to an ancient Roman celebration, first held on February 15. During the feast, a couple would be paired together, which is said to have set the tone for today's holiday. Another legend has it that a priest named Valentine performed marriages for young soldiers, in defiance of Emperor Claudius II. He was put to death on February 14.
The date was declared Saint Valentine's Day more than 200 years later, in 496 A.D.
Here are some other fun Valentine's Day facts. Seventy-four percent of Americans celebrate Valentine's Day. February 14 tops all other days in flowers purchased. About 192 million cards are exchanged. Valentine's Day is the fourth most popular holiday for candy sales, behind Halloween, Easter, and Christmas.
And Richard Cadbury is said to have been the first to introduce the Valentine's Day box of chocolate, back in 1868. An estimated 36 million of the heart-shaped boxes will be sold today.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: OK -- not all hearts, flowers and candy for the love birds this Valentine's Day.
Take this wedding, for example. The bride wore scorpions -- the groom, his signature centipedes. LIVE FROM expects nothing less from these two. The notorious Scorpion Queen and Centipede King are famous for their creepy antics with creepy crawlers -- the royal pair just one of seven funky couples to marry in an event arranged by Ripley's Believe It or Not.
Of course, says the scorpion-bedecked bride. "We believe that this spookish wedding will help us to live together forever and also exorcise jinxes."
NGUYEN: Eww. That will get you a trip to the hospital...
HARRIS: Eww.
(LAUGHTER)
NGUYEN: ... is what that will do.
(LAUGHTER)
NGUYEN: Eww. Who does that?
HARRIS: That was good.
NGUYEN: All right. We are going to move on.
Perhaps Kanye West, Tony, sang it best. "I ain't saying she's a gold digger."
HARRIS: Nice, Betty.
NGUYEN: And neither are the numbers, the latest numbers -- just in time for Valentine's Day, a new online survey spotlights the way men and women think about money, the almighty dollar. It debunks the whole female gold digger bit. And that's not all.
Our own Ali Velshi joins us now to talk about men, women, money and myths.
It's all myth, isn't it, Ali?
ALI VELSHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Never mind those scorpion jinxes and all this.
(LAUGHTER)
VELSHI: This is the stuff that gets most people.
It's -- it's -- it's...
NGUYEN: Money.
VELSHI: ... a great opportunity to think about talking about money.
PNC Financial Services Group, a Pittsburgh-based organization -- big company -- conducts this annual soft -- survey, love and money survey. And the numbers are startling and remaining -- they're -- they're pretty consistent year after year. And, in fact, one of the them is the -- the -- the statistic you talked about, about the idea of women being gold diggers.
Well, in fact, more women than men suggested that -- that contributing to the joint household expenses is important to them. So, it debunks that myth.
But let's look at some of the other things that people answered, and how women and men answered differently. The question, do you share financial decision-making in the house? Now this is one of those things that for us business journalists doesn't add up, 68 percent of women say they do, 48 percent of men say they do. Shouldn't they both be similar?
Does contributing more money to the household mean more influence in non-financial matters? Women say 65 percent, men say 49 percent. So that's interesting as well. Another one, we asked -- the survey asked a simple question. Are you the primary financial decision-maker in the home? Here, look at this. Women 12 percent, men 49 percent. Again, the math still isn't adding up on that one.
NGUYEN: No, it's not at all. That doesn't make sense.
VELSHI: And the one that's interesting, and this one actually changed from last year. How much money makes you feel secure? I paraphrased the questions. This is a median number. Women said $1.6 million. Men said $2.2 million, but last year, the numbers for both women and men were above $3 million and women wanted more to feel more secure than men, so that's all come way down. I'm not sure what is that an indication of.
NGUYEN: Yes, we've lowered our standards. What's that all about? I would have thought like last year's numbers showed, that women would have wanted more. We always want more, right?
VELSHI: Who knows what it is, but it's 1,500 people who were surveyed so the sample size is pretty good and it's said to be pretty accurate. So it goes to show -- and we've talked about this before, the bottom line is that money does seem to be a big problem in marriages or relationships that don't work out. The number shows about 26 percent cited it as a major problem. So people talked about it, doesn't matter how you deal with it, as long as you all know what the expectations are. Those numbers should at least be similar for men and women.
NGUYEN: Here's what you need to know. Love and money, they go together and diamonds really are our best friend, Ali.
VELSHI: Are you trying to get me started?
NGUYEN: I'm just trying -- I'm trying to set you straight on all of this.
VELSHI: We'll talk about diamonds another time.
NGUYEN: Save you lots of problems in the future. Right, Tony, you know this?
HARRIS: I don't know what you're talking about.
NGUYEN: Yeah, right. Your wife is watching, you better.
VELSHI: I think it's time to ask Tony about his first kiss.
NGUYEN: Yes, Tony, what about that first kiss? HARRIS: I can't remember the first kiss, I remember the last kiss, it was a great kiss this morning from -- how's this? From the wife and the children. How about that? Can I get anything from the room? Nothing from the room?
VELSHI: Did you see that thing where they were saying practice on your hand? I was trying that out.
HARRIS: Nice, nice. All right, moving ahead, if it's possible at this point. She's been an international pop star, written more than 70 books, and helped children in dire circumstances around the world and chances are, you've never heard of Agnes Channel (ph). That's about to change. And on LIVE FROM, meet the one woman dynamo who is doing something in America today she has never done before. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: And just in case you're just tuning in to CNN. Late last night you missed it, we'd thought we'd recap the first four group winners in the Westminster Dog Show. There was a whole lot of Shaka going on. In the working dog category, Shaka the Rottweiler is the first of her kind to ever take this group title.
Terriers will be repped in tonight's best in show by Rufus, a good-looking multi-colored version of a Spuds MacKenzie dog. Dermot, the Pug, whipped up on the little guys in the toy group. And you may recall that the toy winner last year went on to best in show. And get a look at Boomer, the Dalmation. He dominated the non-sporting category. All these champs face off tonight's group winners in the best in show showdown. The Westminster Dog Show is the pinnacle of success for these dogs and all the people it takes to get them there. Surprisingly, there's no prize money. Here's more on the best show from animal lover Daryn Kagan.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: You could say Madison Square Garden is going to the dogs, literally. This is the 130th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. It's one of the oldest continuous sporting events in the United States, second only to the Kentucky Derby.
A group of dog lovers started the Kennel Club in the 1870s, often meeting at the Westminster Hotel in New York City. A smooth fox terrier named Warren Remedy brought home the first-ever best-in-show title in 1907. Warren went on to win the title for three consecutive years, a feat that has never since been duplicated.
By the way, terriers have won the most best-in-show awards. You may wonder how the judges narrow 2,500 dogs down to the final round. Well, first, dogs must win best in breed. Then best in group, to advance to best in show.
Last year, the top dog trophy went to Carly, a German short- haired pointer. Which dog will be named best in show in 2006? We'll find out tonight. (END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: The canine victims of Hurricane Katrina were honored during last night's Westminster Dog Show. Rescued and rescuers enjoyed a moment in the spotlight. The Westminster Kennel Club has donated $35,000 to rescue groups helping stranded dogs in the Gulf region.
NGUYEN: Tony, he had the lead, but did he keep it? That is the question. An update on American skier Bode Miller's quest for gold. We're live from Torino, Italy, with today's Olympic action. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: A tearful convicted killer pleads for his life in Florida. The man convicted of kidnapping, raping and killing 11-year- old Carlie Brucia asked to be sentenced to life in prison today. Joseph Smith apologized to Carlie Brucia's family and his own.
The case garnered national attention in 2004, after a security video showed the girl being led away by a man outside a car wash in Sarasota. Smith blamed his actions on his drug addiction and mental illness.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOSEPH SMITH, CONVICTED KILLER: I was so high. I've never experienced a high like that. It was different than any other time. I think it was mixed with something else.
Judge Owens, I want you to know that I take full responsibility for the crimes. I don't understand how it all happened. I was very angry at myself and very high. I knew that I was wrong but I could not stop. If you look at the pictures of my eyes, the track marks were everywhere. I couldn't even hit a vein, I couldn't even see straight.
The only reason that I can see to ask you to give me a life sentence is for the sake of my family. I do not want to see my children hurt any further. I'm hopeful that I can still be a positive influence to them. If I'm sent to death row, I won't be able to talk to them -- there are no phones on death row -- or visit with them.
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HARRIS: Smith's sentencing is scheduled for March 15th.
NGUYEN: Well, a gas well up in flames. Check this out, these dramatic pictures out of southwestern Pennsylvania today. Six people were injured when a gas well caught fire about 30 miles outside Pittsburgh in Fayette county.
Two are in serious condition with burns. Workers say something produced a spark igniting the well. Crews plan to cap it just as soon as the fire is out. And a tragic discovery near Sacramento, California. Investigators found the charred remains of three people inside a house destroyed in a plane crash. The pilot apparently lost control while performing stunts overhead Sunday, and crashed into the houses you see there.
Two people aboard that light plane were known dead. Now a teenager who lived there has not been seen since the crash. There's still no word on whether the third body is the boy's.
HARRIS: Well, he had the lead, then he was out, so one of Bode Miller's teammates took over and delivered.
CNN's Larry Smith has the latest from the winter games in Torino. OK, Larry, I'm intrigued. Tell us what happened?
LARRY SMITH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know what? I really thought tonight we would be talking about a Bode Miller gold medal. He was looking so good, finished the downhill first after the early part of the combined. First slalom run -- I watched that.
He looked spectacular, increased his lead, and then came the news shortly after that. Disqualified -- Bode Miller disqualified because he straddled a gate, he thinks late on the hill. One of his comments later was well, at least I don't have to go down to Torino tomorrow anyway.
I mean, that's for the medal ceremony tomorrow because he's about two or three hours away up in the mountains, in the Alps, with all the skiing. So with Bode Miller out, Ted Ligety, a 21-year-old making his Olympic debut, he stole the show and took the sting out of Miller's disqualification.
He was 32nd after the downhill, but Ligety, the 21-year-old from Park City, Utah, came through. He is a slalom specialist, slashed his way to the gold, the fifth gold medal in these games for the U.S. That is tops, and Ligety now the unlikely first winner of an Alpine gold medal for the U.S. in these winter games.
Now, if you named the biggest athletes here in town, you would fail to name the most famous athletes here in town. These are athletes who have had a movie named in their honor. They're a household name worldwide and yet they have never won an Olympic event.
CNN's Alessio Vinci reports -- has a story more on a team that may be the Olympics' most famous loser.
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ALESSIO VINCI, CNN ROME BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): It was the movie "Cool Runnings" that brought us Jamaicans on ice for the first time. But here in Torino, the only ice they are seeing is in their drinks.
For the first time since becoming a sporting attraction at the Calgary games, the bobsledders did not qualify for the Olympics. Never mind says their sponsor, Italy's own car giant, Fiat, which is parading the athletes like Hollywood stars and throwing them parties in the hottest clubs.
DARIO DESTEFANIS, FIAT BRAND PROMOTION: They are not losers. They're a brand. The Jamaicans are a brand for us.
(MUSIC)
VINCI: Fiat spent some $4 million over the last five years sponsoring the team, launching a popular Olympic ad campaign, projecting a young and hip image.
DESTEFANIS: The brand Fiat is a funny brand. These guys are funny, are fresh, are new, are strange. So we like it.
VINCI: This Torino crowd agrees.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I watch the TV commercials for Fiat and I love it.
VINCI: The financial support is crucial for these Caribbean natives to qualify for the next Olympics in Vancouver.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When you first started training for this sport, you had never seen ice or snow before.
WINSTON WATTS, CAPT., JAMAICA BOBSLED TEAM: I'd never seen ice, just in the refrigerator.
VINCI: The Jamaicans insist their brawn is as good as their brand.
WATTS: The Jamaicans athletes, we can go there and we can destroy the world, it's just the facilities that we need, you know, to go there and do it.
VINCI (on camera): They say at the Olympics, participating is more important than winning. Well this party says it all for the Jamaicans. Not participating can be just as exciting, as long as you're winning on the business side.
Alessio Vinci, CNN, in Torino.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Now, still one of the best stories in Olympic history, no question. Let's go back to you.
HARRIS: Well, Larry, I have to ask you, what is the story with Emily Hughes? She should be on her way to Torino soon. She should be there by now, I would think.
SMITH: You know what? Can you imagine, you just turned 17 years old, you're a last minute replacement for the Olympics and you can't get to the Olympics. How about that? I mean, I can't imagine the emotions for this poor girl. But here's the story very quickly. The 17-year-old Emily Hughes, Michelle Kwan's replacement in figure skating next week, she arrives here in Torino on Thursday. She'll talk to the media on Friday and then have her first practice, all getting ready for the figure skating competition to begin on Wednesday. And we can't wait for her to get here.
HARRIS: Beautiful. That's our man in Torino there, Betty.
NGUYEN: He knows it all.
HARRIS: Larry Smith. Good to see you, Larry. Thanks now.
SMITH: All right.
NGUYEN: Butter him up. All right. What if, Tony, if your boss said this to you one day -- how about having a microchip implanted in your arm? Yes, it really happened at one U.S. company, believe it or not. Is it an outrage or just the wave of the future? LIVE FROM gets all the cutting edge on you straight ahead.
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NGUYEN: Well, attorneys against domestic spying, the American Bar Association, accuses President Bush of exceeding his constitutional authority in authorizing warrantless wiretaps. The group says the NSA should stop domestic eavesdropping without a warrant or the president should ask Congress to change the law to make it legal.
The ABA also called on Congress to investigate the extent of phone and an e-mail spying. President Bush says the spying is needed to fill gaps in national security and to protect America from terrorists.
HARRIS: OK. Here's the question. How far would you go, A, for security, B, your job? One surveillance video company found the answer: implanting security chips in three of its employees, thought to be a first in the U.S. It works like this. Just swipe your chip- implanted arm on the reader, as you see here, and you're allowed into the supersecret data room, no card key or code need, less likely to be lost or stolen. The implants works like microchip IDs in pets. They give off a signal, but it's not a really tracking device.
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SEAN DARKS, CITYWATCHER.COM: The only thing the chip will be able to do is tell when you I went in that door. It won't tell you what ate for lunch or where I was at. Your cell phone would probably give more information on you than an implantable chip would.
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HARRIS: Sean Darks adds that since it's not a GPS chip, his wife can't use it to find out where she.
NGUYEN: Or at least that's what she's saying.
HARRIS: Well, there you go.
NGUYEN: Why give out that information, right?
HARRIS: That's his story, he's sticking with it.
NGUYEN: Well, the news keeps coming. We're going to keep bringing it to you. More LIVE FROM, next.
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NGUYEN: Yes, well, Tony doesn't remember his first kiss. Or so he says.
HARRIS: So many kisses. Such a rich life.
NGUYEN: They're just lining up. All right, when you think romance, you probably think Philippines, right, Tony?
HARRIS: OK.
NGUYEN: Well, folks there sure hope you do, at least now. This is the third annual Loveapalooza fest, Loveapalooza, where 2,000 couples get their smooch on under an almost full moon. That is 8,000 lips by our calculations. And all this loving was enough to make even Manila's mayor swoon.
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MAYOR LITO ATIENZA, MANILA, PHILLIPINES: It's an occasion encouraging people to love one another. And to have unity to work together, have fun.
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HARRIS: OK, what was that?
And in the LIVE FROM spotlight, this super kissing couple exceeded,,,
NGUYEN: Are they breathing?
HARRIS: ... Loveapalooza's ten second lip lock requirement.
NGUYEN: Wow, can we show that on TV?
HARRIS: Wow, to show the world -- get a room -- the relationship is still hot after three years of marriage. Well, congratulations and we hope to see you next year.
NGUYEN: I don't think they're going to leave from that spot. They were into that, weren't they?
HARRIS: I'm a little uncomfortable.
NGUYEN: I am. I think I need a shower after that.
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