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Rice Speaks Out on Iran; Bush Administration Dismisses Letter From Iranian President; Hollywood Stars Visit New Orleans; Australian Miners Rescued
Aired May 09, 2006 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And right now we want to take you to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the U.N. talking about Iran and no doubt the letter from Iranian President Ahmadinejad.
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: ... available again. But I want to be very clear. The international community is united that there must be a strong message to Iran through the security council that their behavior to date is unacceptable, and that they need to return to the negotiating table.
I would just like to say to the people of Iran, obviously, if there is a way for Iran to accept the will of the international community, to accept proposals for civil nuclear power, this is the time for Iran to take that possibility, because no one wants to isolate the Iranian people. The Iranian regime is isolating the people and the international community is not doing so.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Will the Chapter VII resolution still happen this week or anytime soon? Is the time an issue?
RICE: We're going to take the time that we need to make certain that the members of the international community have an opportunity to develop a strategy moving forward.
That's what we did last night. The ministers spoke together for a very long time. I can tell you it was a very long time. We had a rather late night, and it was about strategy going forward. We were not sitting there negotiating the terms of a resolution. The permanent representatives will do that. The political directors are going to meet again next week to talk about how to move forward.
We want to do this right. Obviously, this needs to be resolved because Iran continues to step forward and continues to improve its nuclear capabilities.
So yes, there is some urgency to getting this done. But we also want to get it done right and with as much unity as possible. And we have considerable agreement on I would say -- total agreement on the view that Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. That Iran must accede to the requirements put forward in the IAEA board of governors resolution and memorialized in a presidential statement. And that Iran needs now to suspend its programs and go back to the negotiating table. As we discussed tactics of how to send that message to Iran, we're going to take the time to discuss it and to do that. But there is no disagreement whatsoever that it is incumbent on the Iranian government to respond to the requirements that have been put before it. I'll take one more.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Just following up on that, the Russians and the Chinese have made clear that they oppose putting a resolution under Chapter VII, which the United States, Britain, and France insist upon. The second thing is that there has been some possibility raised that -- of putting the resolution under Chapter VII, but only Article 40, which does not -- is only a preliminary step. Would that be acceptable to the United States -- is Chapter VII a red line for the United States?
RICE: The United States believes very strongly in a mandatory statement from the Security Council to Iran. You know that our view is a Chapter VII resolution. I'm not going to get into the diplomacy of what has been discussed.
Let's just give the diplomacy a little time to work. I know on a number of occasions there have been reports this will not happen, that will not happen. We are in the Security Council. We are discussing a way to make it absolutely clear to Iran that they must comply. And we are going to do that in a unified way. And we will discuss the tactics of that. We're going to continue to discuss the tactics of that. And as I said, the political directors will meet next week. Ann (ph)?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Can you tell us what you hope to talk to the other members about today and whether you expect to get some new agreement on international aid to the Palestinians?
RICE: Hamas has a choice to make. If it is going to govern and govern effectively, then it has to come into line with the requirements not just of the quartet, requirements like simply recognizing the right to exist, if your partner is a necessary step if you're going to have peace negotiations. Saying that you will give up violence is a necessary step to being able to have a peace agreement. And Hamas has a choice to make, to live up to those requirements.
But there are not just the requirements of the quartet. This is also the consensus of the international community as expressed in the road map, to which the Arab league is also committed. And so what is being said to Hamas is come into line with the norms of the international community and do so because as the government of the Palestinian people, they are owed a better life. And a better life is only going to come in the context of a two-state solution and negotiations on a peace process.
We had a long discussion today earlier with our Arab colleagues. We will have a discussion this afternoon. No one wants to see the Palestinian people suffer, and indeed the United States is going to make available $10 million in kind of contributions of essential medicines and supplies, because we are concerned about the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territories. We've been very clear that we intend to keep humanitarian aid flowing to the Palestinian people.
RICE: We also support President Mahmoud Abbas who is, after all, the elected president of the Palestinian people and the president of the Palestinian Authority.
But no one wants to have to deal with a Palestinian government that, when there is a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, finds that reason to celebrate. That simply is not the appropriate course.
And so we will talk about how to make clear that the responsibility for the situation in the Palestinian territories is, indeed, the responsibility of the Palestinian government, but what we can do also to alleviate the circumstances in which the Palestinian people find themselves, from a humanitarian standpoint.
QUESTION: Madam Secretary...
RICE: I've got to go to the meeting. Sorry.
Thank you.
HARRIS: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the U.N. today, talking about progress, updating us all on discussions that the ministers are holding, trying to get Iran to heel on its nuclear ambitions, trying to craft a -- a strong message, a resolution from the Security Council and other ministers that Iran's recent behavior on the nuclear front is unacceptable -- the secretary saying that there were long talks into the night, well into the night last night, on a strategy, saying that there is a sense of urgency to get some kind of a deal done with Iran, and certainly a deal done among the ministers.
But it must be the right deal, one that holds firm to the notion that Iran can't have, can never have a nuclear weapon.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: A lot of discussion to be had on that.
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: Big news, though from Wall Street today, this just in. The Dow is about 100 points from a record high.
Susan Lisovicz is at the New York Stock Exchange. And she is going to tell us exactly why this happening. We want to stay with this right here on LIVE FROM.
In fact, she joins us right now.
(LAUGHTER)
NGUYEN: What is going on there? We are -- we're almost at a record high?
SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we are -- we're 100 points away. And, if I were a betting woman, Betty, I would say it's not going to happen today, because we have a decision by the Federal Reserve tomorrow on interest rates, and perhaps where they are going to go in the future.
So, the markets are very typically cautious ahead of that. But, you know, there's great optimism on Wall Street. And you can see it at these levels? Why? Eleven thousand six hundred and twenty is a little more than 100 points from the all-time high of the world's most closely watched stock index, the Dow industrials, 30 stocks, the creme de la creme of corporate America, 30 stocks, most of them from old- time companies that we have known since we were growing up, whether it's Johnson and Johnson or Wal-Mart, or GM, American Express, 3M, Caterpillar, close to the all-time high, reached back in January of 2000.
And that's significant, Betty, because this was before the recession, before 9/11, before the dot-com bust, before the wave of accounting scandals that resulted in perp walks and tens of thousands of layoffs, and big companies just completely going kaput. And when -- when you see the market do well, as you are seeing the Dow industrials do very well, that gives us, investors -- and there are millions of us -- it gives us that wealth effect.
It gives us the psychology to feel good and perhaps to continue spending. And, so, it is all part of a big picture that makes up the world's biggest economy. But I should say, Betty, it's a very different picture if you look at the Nasdaq.
NGUYEN: Oh, see, that was going to be my question.
HARRIS: Oh.
NGUYEN: I was hoping that they would share the love. But...
(LAUGHTER)
NGUYEN: ... it doesn't sound like it.
(LAUGHTER)
LISOVICZ: Well, you know, the Nasdaq, Betty, is also having a terrific year. If you look at the Dow, it is up 8 percent year to date. The Nasdaq is up a little more than 6 percent year to date.
The difference between the Dow industrials and the Nasdaq is, the Dow is a much smaller index. Again, it's 30 companies. And a lot them are old-time companies. They have been around for years. In fact, General Electric has been around and has been part of the index since the 1800s -- different story for the Nasdaq. It is a tech-heavy index.
For it to get back to its all-time highs, reached in March of 2000, it would basically have to double its level. Right now, it's at 2337. The all-time high is 5048. And that, of course, is something we all know lots of companies went out of business. They got hit hard. So, the Nasdaq has a long ways to go. But the market, overall, is doing quite well. And, you know, the Dow could hit its peak -- it could hit its peak today, of course. It could hit it tomorrow. But depending on what Ben Bernanke and the Federal Reserve say tomorrow afternoon, if there's a sense that the Fed is going to stop raising interest rates in the foreseeable future, we could see a big rally tomorrow afternoon.
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: Well, we will be watching to see if it, by chance, hits its peak today.
(LAUGHTER)
NGUYEN: Susan, we will talk to you soon.
LISOVICZ: You got it.
NGUYEN: Thank you.
HARRIS: Well, rain in Florida could be a mixed blessing today. Wildfires have been burning for days, scorching several thousands acres and destroying several homes. But officials worry, lightning strikes could trigger more fires.
Governor Jeb Bush has declared a state of emergency and put the National Guard on alert. And even the president spoke about the fires a short time ago during a trip to Florida. He visited the Hillsborough County Fire Department.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's just one of these difficult periods for the state of Florida, in dealing with the traumatic conditions, as they are.
Obviously, people need to be real careful, be careful about starting fires. They need to be careful about not throwing used cigarettes out. They need to be mindful that these are dangerous conditions. They ought to be thoughtful about how they conduct their lives so that they don't put others in positions where a fire could destroy them or their property.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: So, the smoke has cleared enough for the reopening of I- 95 in Brevard and Volusia counties. The biggest blaze, near New Smyrna Beach, is about 70 percent contained. But that doesn't mean it is under control.
Junk mail may be too harsh, but that letter from the president of Iran to President Bush, the first direct written communication between the two heads of state in more than a quarter-century, is not being warmly received.
CNN's Kathleen Koch is at the White House. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Top Bush administration officials, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, read the Iranian letter yesterday and were unimpressed, a senior administration official saying -- quote -- "There is nothing in the letter that addresses the issues on the table."
The letter has now become public. And, in it, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad launches basically a long, point-by-point critique of U.S. foreign policy over the last three decades. Among other things, he condemns the Iraq war, the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, U.S. support for Israel, U.S. backing of Iraq in its war against Iran in the 1980s.
Ahmadinejad refers only very obliquely to his country's nuclear program -- quote -- "Why is it that any technological and scientific achievement reached in the Middle East regions is translated into and portrayed as a threat to the Zionist regime? Is not scientific research and development one of the basic rights of nations?"
The Iranian president hints that the United States and other Western countries are using scare tactics to rally support against Iran's budding nuclear program -- quote -- "How long must the people of the world pay for the incorrect decisions of some rulers? How much longer will the specter of insecurity raised from the stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction haunt the people of the world?"
Ahmadinejad continues -- quote -- "My basic question is this: Is there no better way to interact with the rest of the world?"
Now, finally, Ahmadinejad concludes with -- quote -- "Liberalism and Western-style democracy have not been able to help realize the ideals of humanity. Today, these two concepts have failed."
So, the first communication between an Iranian and U.S. leader since 1980, certainly memorable, but having little impact on the continuing standoff over Iran's nuclear program.
Kathleen Koch, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: An urgent appeal for the world to do more for starving refugees in Sudan -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told the U.N. just a short while ago that Sudan's Darfur region is a nightmare.
She says the world can't just sit by and watch. Civil war in Darfur has killed some 180,000 people and forced two million others from their home since 2003.
We're going to hear from our U.N. correspondent, Richard Roth, in just a few minutes.
HARRIS: The ordeal is finally over for two trapped gold miners in Australia, the rescue that had families, friends, even reporters busted up -- coming up on LIVE FROM.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
QUESTION: Are you prepared to resign as a general in order to take this position, sir?
GENERAL MICHAEL HAYDEN, CIA DIRECTOR NOMINEE: I'm up here talking to folks. Like I said, we understand their concerns. And I have not made any decisions.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have got to get going here. We're late for another -- the next meeting.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Well, looks like General Michael Hayden will need his military background, because he might be heading into combat.
Here is our senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The president is circling the drain in the polls. Numbers for the Republican-led Congress are worse. An election is six months away. Into this collision of calendar and political fortune, the president throws General Michael Hayden, nominated to head the CIA.
SEN. RUSS FEINGOLD (D), WISCONSIN: This program that he runs, that the president authorized, disregards the -- the law that was passed by the Congress, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. How -- what kind of a message is it if we simply confirm him, without him backing off on that?
CROWLEY: We are looking at weeks of renewed debate about warrantless wiretapping, a high-stakes throw-down between the White House and Congress. Can you say, bring it on?
SEN. TRENT LOTT (R), MISSISSIPPI: The fact that we had a very aggressive program to try to keep up with what these people were doing, yes, I think this could be -- wind up being a winner, and -- instead of a loser, like some people might suspect.
CROWLEY: The administration is happy, in fact, eager, to have this fight over a program one top official says has been miscast as domestic spying.
The White House thinks Americans will support warrantless wiretaps, when it's properly explained. And Hayden, who developed and ran the program as head of the National Security Agency, has been properly explaining for months.
HAYDEN: We are going after very specific communications that our professional judgment tells us we have reason to believe are those associated with people who want to kill Americans. That's what we're doing.
CROWLEY: If the nomination reignites the debate over which party can best protect the nation, Republicans are betting on the guy who will show up at hearings wearing four stars on his shoulder.
VICTORIA CLARKE, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: The debate about the eavesdropping program is -- is one of the easiest ways to make some Democrats look weak on national security, which is their Achilles' heel.
CROWLEY: As it happens, that's exactly how the president's political adviser saw things, when he teed up the elections last January.
KARL ROVE, SENIOR ADVISER TO PRESIDENT BUSH: The United States faces a ruthless enemy. And we need a commander in chief and a Congress who understand the nature of the threat and the gravity of the moment America finds itself in.
CROWLEY: The truth is, some Republicans have been highly critical of the eavesdropping program, and the nomination of General Hayden is not enough to change an election landscape. But it might produce a couple of good days for the White House, and that would be a start.
Candy Crowley, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: All right.
The Bush administration is also calling on the U.N. to increase its peacekeeping force in Darfur.
CNN's Richard Roth is at the U.N.
Richard, any developments today on this crisis in Darfur, any movement?
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR U.N. CORRESPONDENT: Well, the Security Council met, and the U.S. would like adoption of a resolution that really captures the feelings of a lot of countries here to try to beef up the African Union force that's there now, and to get plans ready to turn over, as planned, the peacekeeping operation there to the United Nations.
But that's going to take months. At the Security Council debate, U.S. Secretary of State Rice called on Sudan to allow these peacekeepers to come in. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: In addition, the international community must insist that all parties remain accountable and that the agreement is completely and verifiably implemented.
It is now more important than ever to have a strong United Nations effort, to ensure that the agreements' detail timelines are monitored and enforced. The accord clearly states that neutral peacekeepers have an essential role to play in this process.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROTH: U.N. Secretary-General Annan has called on countries to step forward with contributions of troops and money. And he has also called on the private world to come in and help with financial donations for the people who have struggled for so long in Darfur in Sudan -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Richard, we just heard Secretary Rice speak just moments ago about the situation with Iran, talking about that there needs to be a strong message sent by the Security Council that Iran needs to come back to the negotiating table. But what is the deal with that message that's being sent to Iran? How is that being crafted? And -- and what's the progress there?
ROTH: Well, while work struggles on regarding this resolution, it appears -- we have been told by one European diplomat that they are going to try once again to offer incentives, financial incentives, regarding energy uses -- energy use and a civilian nuclear program there in Iran, to offer one more time some type of incentive package to Tehran, or else it's sanctions.
And maybe they can get China and Russia to drop their oppositions, if this approach, another final approach, is offered, though that still seems several days away from being approved.
NGUYEN: We will keep on top of it. Thank you, Richard -- Tony.
HARRIS: And, still ahead, celebrities visit the Crescent City to get an up-close-and-personal look at life in New Orleans. Now we will hear how it has affected them, when A.J. Hammer from "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" joins us next.
LIVE FROM is back after a quick break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: All right, this is one of the stories that makes you stop, and you just got to watch it, Tampa bay prospect Delmon Young. Take a look at this video coming up. He starts to swing, didn't get it there.
HARRIS: Strike three. You're out.
NGUYEN: Yes. Well, what he does right here, as you see...
HARRIS: He's unhappy.
NGUYEN: ... he walks off, very happy. And he throws the -- oh -- bat right there, hits the replacement umpire.
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: He has since been suspended for 50 games for this. The International League president says he believes it's the longest suspension in the league's 120-year history.
HARRIS: And, for a lot of people, it won't be long enough.
NGUYEN: Mmm.
HARRIS: There will be a chorus...
NGUYEN: Look at that.
HARRIS: ... of folks who will say...
NGUYEN: Wow.
HARRIS: ... this is not -- this punishment is not severe enough; he should have been kicked out of baseball for the rest of the season.
NGUYEN: Mmm.
HARRIS: And some have gone so far as to suggest he should...
NGUYEN: Because he's coming back in June, right?
HARRIS: He's coming back in June. I don't know how much of the minor league season is left at that point.
NGUYEN: Wow.
HARRIS: But, I mean, he was the number-one draft pick of the Devil Rays in 2003.
NGUYEN: There's a lot of hope in this guy, yes.
HARRIS: Well, and -- and he's thought to be the number-one prospect, minor league, in all of baseball.
NGUYEN: Mmm.
HARRIS: So, there are a lot of hopes riding on the kid -- 50- game suspension.
NGUYEN: Big suspension.
HARRIS: So, he will be back in June.
NGUYEN: Yes. We will be watching. HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: All right.
Stunt over -- magician David Blaine has left his water world, after a week of living in a tank. Remember seeing that?
HARRIS: Yes.
(LAUGHTER)
NGUYEN: But his adventure didn't quite end the way that he wanted it to. Oh, no.
A.J. Hammer of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" has details on this and other entertainment headlines.
Hey there, A.J.
A.J. HAMMER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Hey, guys.
You know, they maybe should put that baseball player under water for a week.
(LAUGHTER)
NGUYEN: Oh.
(CROSSTALK)
HARRIS: Well, there you go.
HAMMER: That might be fitting punishment.
HARRIS: In the cooler.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: That is unbelievable.
NGUYEN: Yes.
HAMMER: Well, the amazing thing, to me, watching this unfold on television last night, they didn't even seem to have a bath towel or a bathrobe standing by for stunt artist David Blaine, but he is back on dry land today, after spending a full week intentionally submerged under water.
Blaine was pulled from this fishbowl-like thing. It's a big aquarium, basically. Divers pulled him out on Monday, nearly two minutes short of his goal of setting a world record for his breath under water. The 33-year-old entertainer was attempting to free himself from chains and handcuffs, while trying to break the record, currently standing at eight minutes and 58 seconds for holding one's breath. Well, after seven minutes and eight seconds and some signs of pain and struggle, safety divers had to get involved. They stopped the stunt and freed Blaine from the tank. Now, as part of the challenge, Blaine had been living in that bubble of water for the past seven days.
I don't like to be wet.
Well, actresses Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Garner spent the day in New Orleans on Monday -- the visit, not for a film progress, as you might expect. The movie stars were among a delegation of women who were touring devastated parts of the city to meet with families and children who are trying to adjust to life after Hurricane Katrina.
Now, the trip was established by the Children's Defense Fund, all part of an effort to bring attention to the needs of storm victims, particularly those of children. The tour included a stop at the Freedom School, where students sang and danced and worked on art projects. Garner was especially moved by the experience.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENNIFER GARNER, ACTRESS: It's just so much worse than you even can imagine. And it seems like -- you know, we were saying on the bus, where are the Dumpsters? Where are the people out there cleaning up? Where is this -- you know, if that happened in Los Angeles, in Bel Air, believe me -- believe me, there would be houses now. There -- they would be standing. They would be clean, and the grass would be growing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Certainly a lot of truth there.
Well, curiosity has finally gotten the best of Britney Spears. The pop star is enjoying, shall we say, the sweet smell of success, as her Elizabeth Arden fragrance line has reached a milestone. Listen to this statistic. Spears' three signature fragrances, which are called Curious, Fantasy and In Control, have now sold more than 10 million bottles worldwide.
So, in honor of the achievement, Spears was joined by Elizabeth Arden executives for a special ceremony. It happened Monday in New York. The invited guests were treated to a performance by dancers from the Broadcast Dance Center, where Spears herself studied, prior to becoming a worldwide pop phenomenon.
And, speaking of worldwide phenomenons, coming up tonight on "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" at 11:00 p.m. Eastern, sounding off in protest.
I ran into the Dixie Chicks last night, and they let loose in public about their feud with President Bush. You will hear what they told me at 11:00 Eastern on CNN Headline Prime.
NGUYEN: Uh-oh.
HAMMER: I hope to see you there.
NGUYEN: No holding back.
HARRIS: Not again. Not again.
NGUYEN: I can't wait to hear what they say.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: No. And, apparently, it's easier to do that these days.
HARRIS: OK.
NGUYEN: Oh, OK. We will be watching, no doubt.
Thank you, A.J.
HAMMER: All right, guys.
HARRIS: Well, an electronics giant wants to add a must-have to your shopping list. And there are new ways to get popular TV shows and movies on your home computer. And wait until you hear about a Broadway showstopper.
Ali Velshi joins us from New York to explain it all.
Good to see you, Ali.
ALI VELSHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good to see you.
HARRIS: What are you starting with?
VELSHI: It is all about entertainment.
HARRIS: Yes.
VELSHI: Why are we talking about Christmas gifts, holiday gifts, right now? Because Sony has announced today that its much-awaited PlayStation3, which should have been on the shelves by now, will be around by November 17, which makes it just in time for Christmas.
Now, you remember, last year, Tony, the -- the big Christmas seller for -- for parents was the Xbox.
HARRIS: Yes.
VELSHI: Well, this will be coming out a year later than Xbox. But this thing is apparently all that.
So, it's -- first of all, we know that it's late. We also hear from people who have been looking at this thing that it's fantastic. This thing is going to have all sorts of things. The -- the controller -- and I don't play many of these things...
HARRIS: Yes. VELSHI: ... but the controller is going to be motion sensitive. It will -- it will able to play these high-definition DVDs back, the Blu-ray, or whatever the case is.
But it's going to be a little more expensive. I don't know if we -- we can show you the comparison. But they are going to bring in their 20-gigabyte PlayStation for 499 bucks, compared to the Xbox, which is 20 gigs, about $300, the PlayStation2, which is now selling for under $200, and the GameCube, which is $99.
But if you know many -- much about these things, Nintendo...
HARRIS: Well...
VELSHI: ... is also coming out with its new one later on -- Tony.
HARRIS: All I know is that my kid wants one. He -- he wants one now. He wanted one last year. He wants one tomorrow...
VELSHI: Yes.
HARRIS: ... if he can get his hands on it.
VELSHI: Yes.
HARRIS: And -- and $499 is probably going to be the retail price on this?
VELSHI: For the 20 gig. And then they have got a bigger version, which is 60 gigs, for $599. So, it's very interesting that...
HARRIS: Hey.
VELSHI: ... in this hot game that Sony owns the market for, they are pushing the price point higher. That's going to be interesting for parents, come November, to say, hmm, that's a lot more money than I thought I was paying.
HARRIS: Yes. What is this? What is this deal with getting movies, television shows...
VELSHI: Yes. Well, this is...
HARRIS: ... on your home computer?
VELSHI: Remember the whole Napster thing, the file-sharing business?
HARRIS: Mmm-hmm.
VELSHI: Well, there's this -- there's this file-sharing business for movies and TV shows as well called Bittorrent.
And, mainly, people have been using it, you know, sort of getting -- sharing files with each other, not licensed copies.
HARRIS: I see.
VELSHI: Well, Warner Brothers is now saying it is going to use Bittorrent as its technology for distributing movies on the Internet and TV shows, but specifically movies. The day they are released on DVD...
HARRIS: Yes.
VELSHI: ... you will now be able to get, download on the Internet. It will be, according to Bittorrent, about half the price of buying that DVD.
You can rent them. You can buy them. There will even be versions that you can burn to a DVD at your own house at your own computer.
HARRIS: Well, that's terrific. That's terrific.
Now, did -- was there a note about iTunes and getting television shows?
VELSHI: Well, iTunes is going to now -- iTunes has this deal with FOX for a while.
HARRIS: Uh-huh.
VELSHI: They're now talking about more shows being available on iTunes.
HARRIS: Ah, I see.
VELSHI: So, "24," popular shows like that....
HARRIS: Yes.
VELSHI: ... you will be able to download. So, you can sort of see where this whole theme is going.
Everybody has realized that, in order to make it work for you, it's got to be something you can download on your time at a low price.
HARRIS: I got to make a -- a trip up there to New York. And I -- I want to see a show. Is there a show that is better than all the shows?
VELSHI: Biggest discount going, if you want to see "Chicago," very interesting story.
A school, a high school in east -- in the South Bronx, in East Tremont, decided to put on a production of "Chicago," which, of course, you know, is a big, big...
HARRIS: Yes.
VELSHI: The revival of "Chicago" is huge on Broadway.
Well, they were supposed to start on Thursday. And they have been practicing for three months. Got shut down. They got a cease- and-desist order, because the -- the -- the school didn't get the permissions necessary to -- to do the play.
HARRIS: Oh.
VELSHI: Now, even if they had got the permissions, the deal around here is that you can't put on the same show that's on Broadway within 75 miles of Broadway.
Well, the press on this one has been so big this morning, that the producers and the theater have decided that they are going to let this Bronx school...
HARRIS: I see.
VELSHI: ... go ahead with its $7-a-ticket show, by the way.
I mean, I don't know how much it was going to steal from the Broadway version. But...
(LAUGHTER)
VELSHI: ... you have options now, if you want to see "Chicago" in New York. You can see the Bronx version or the Broadway version.
HARRIS: And you are going to be back to check the markets for us..
(CROSSTALK)
VELSHI: Yes.
(CROSSTALK)
HARRIS: A lot going on, yes.
VELSHI: You know what? We are -- we're looking at this 11722.
HARRIS: Yes.
VELSHI: That's the number to beat.
HARRIS: Man.
VELSHI: But it doesn't look like it is going to happen today. But I will -- I will keep this little board around, 11624, 100 points lower than the all-time high.
VELSHI: Terrific.
Ali, see you at the top of the hour.
VELSHI: Absolutely. HARRIS: OK.
NGUYEN: Hey, Tony, take a look at this, more fires to tell you about out of Florida.
We are going to bring those pictures up right now.
HARRIS: Hmm.
NGUYEN: This just in to CNN, live pictures from our affiliate WTVT, out of Sun City, Florida. You can see the smoke rising through the treetops here.
It's a fire that has been burning for a little while, because, as we just heard earlier, as the president spoke in Sun City, Florida, just a little bit earlier today, some of the fire crews had to leave where the president was to go fight some of the fires that are continuing to burn throughout Florida.
Florida has really been dealt a -- a heavy hand with all these fires. Some 50 have been burning in the state. We talked about a couple big ones yesterday. Sun City, Florida, is in Hillsborough County. And, yesterday, there were hundreds of acres on fire, had to shut down Interstate 95 in the area, so more fires burning.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: Going to the grocery store can be a hassle, especially when it's busy, but for one man doing just that is a big key to his personal happiness. Linda Stouffer explains in this edition of "New Horizons."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LINDA STOUFFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Meet Bob Rich, a cheerful courtesy clerk for Safeway grocery store in Vallejo, California.
BOB RICH, SAFEWAY COURTESY CLERK: How are you today, sir? Delightful, I can tell.
STOUFFER: He helps customers, cleans and bags groceries. Quite a change from his 16 year career as a speech and language pathologist. About a year and a half ago, the long hours and pressures of that job were starting to get to him.
RICH: Monday I was talking to Brett, who I know very well from the produce department, telling him I just don't want to do what I'm doing anymore. And he says why don't you come to work here? And I thought to myself, like, this is dynamite. It's a perfect job. I will leave the job at the door when I go home. I don't have to do anything except show up, smile, and be pleasant. And he says -- my nephews they all laughed and they call me Uncle Bobby Bagger. I come from a very positive family, they realize that Bobby wants to do that, let me go. STOUFFER: Rich took a hefty pay cut and is able to supplement his income thanks to wise investments and a comfortable savings account, and this 32-hour workweek it provides spare time to work on getting his first children's book published.
RICH: It's a wonderful thing to be able to play with people all day long and not have any kind of responsibility other than just being another human being and helping them out by finding the pork and beans. What it has given me is exactly what I wanted it to give me, peace of mind.
STOUFFER: Linda Stouffer, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Look at that smile. Bob Rich has become a bit of a celebrity around town. He was featured on national radio and in the local newspaper. One Safeway customer even asked for his autograph.
NGUYEN: The happy ending after days with literally no light at the end of the tunnel, including one of the first thing those trapped miners did when they were above ground, again. LIVE FROM back right after this quick break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: They spent two weeks trapped underground in a cage the size of a double bed. Hard to imagine, hard not to share the joy with the tiny town celebrating the miners rescue. They are calling it the great escape. Mark Burrows of Australia's National 9 News reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARK BURROWS, NATIONAL 9 NEWS, AUSTRALIA: For a fortnight the entire country has felt like it knew them. So, meet Todd Russell and Brant Webb.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Here they come.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There it is. They are back.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my goodness. Look at them. They are walking.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Taking the tags.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They are going to clock off, aren't they?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, look at them. Oh, man.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What a moment for them.
BURROWS: And for the patient and proud families. Todd's wife Caroline, Kay and Nall (ph) and his parents and kids. There was a special hug for the little Ian, finally back in Dad's giant arms.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Look at that. The son has his father back. Look at that. That could make you cry.
BURROWS: The men were freed just over an hour earlier. Brant first at 4:47 this morning. Todd followed seven minutes later. They managed to shower underground before breathing fresh air for the first time in 14 days.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They look incredibly well, don't they. Physically.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Amazing what a shower will do.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Didn't think they could get out. Wanted to pamper themselves up pretty well.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just finished a shift.
BURROWS: With wife Rachel never far away, Brant wanted to thank his mates who were on their knees day after day digging them out. They would have used their hands if they had to.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a great day. Good to get the boys out.
BURROWS: Todd and Brant handed out specially prepared cards, which read in part, "The great escape, to all those who have helped and supported us. Thanks is not enough."
BILL SHORTEN, AWU NATIONAL SECRETARY: These men are lucky to have family like this and these families are lucky to have men like the ones rescued. I'm just glad it's over. I'm so glad it's over it's not funny.
BURROWS: A fire engine woke Beaconsfield with the fantastic news. The moment also marked by a church bell, which hasn't rung since the end of World War II.
FRANCES SEEN, UNITING CHURCH MINISTER: Trying to wake up and start celebrating and rejoices.
WOLFGANG RECHBERGER, AMBULANCE OFFICER: The miners that did the work. They should be congratulated. They done an unbelievable job.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A phenomenal job. The mine rescue workers have done a tremendous job getting the guys out in the they've done, they've worked harder than anybody could possibly imagine.
BURROWS: There was even a hug for the boss.
MATTHEW GILL, MINE MANAGER: My knees are shaking and I haven't quite worked out where I am at the minute.
QUESTION: Matthew, their condition is quite remarkable.
GILL: They are incredible people. They're absolutely incredible. In fact, we were a bit worried the amount they were eating, we might have had to make the hole bigger. BURROWS: In the end, the hole was perfect. When they finally cracked through, the rescuers were close enough to touch Todd and Brant. They carefully slid down the exit tube and were dragged through the 16 meter tunnel to safety.
GARTH BUNNING, RESCUER: They were on what they call an aid-vac (ph) stretcher. We had that laid on the floor and they just laid on top of that and we just dragged them out. Yes, they got out pretty easy.
GAVIN PURCELL, RESCUER: Oh, we just went over and shook their hand and they thanked us and that's just like another day to them.
NICK BORRELL, RESCUER: Just the look on Todd's kids' faces from the first day, to me it's just unbelievable.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very excited. Just (INAUDIBLE). No, and it's good they are a pair of champions.
BURROWS: The prime minister was quickly on the phone catching Carl (ph) and Tracey (ph) by surprise.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To take out of the words (INAUDIBLE) is anybody who attacks anybody -- any boss who attacks anybody for having a day off in Beaconsfield is not real good.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, I felt it. You can just feel it around everywhere. It's -- oh I can't even speak.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, it's just so happy. You know, we all just jumped out of bed and raced up here as quick as we could to greet them all.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The highlight of my life to witness anything like this.
BURROWS (on camera): Over the years, this mine has been such a rich source of gold that has allowed Beaconsfield to prosper. But the most precious commodity that has ever come out of these guys left this morning in an ambulance.
(voice-over): After spending so long lying down, it was probably the last thing they wanted to do again, but it was doctor's orders. Brant was anxious to get his boots off.
WEBB: (INAUDIBLE).
BURROWS: Todd was all smiles. They drove past a Guard of Honor and if they couldn't thank the townspeople personally, they insisted on the next best thing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're coming out now.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They're going to come out with the doors open.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: With the doors open.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, fantastic.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What a ...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The man mountain.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I feel it steady (ph) starting to see that face in that headline.
BURROWS: It was a heroes parade, a slow procession past the people of Beaconsfield. Below ground, Todd and Brant were warned this would happen, but after being so alone for so long, it's doubtful they ever could have expected this -- a very public reception for two very private men.
And in a remarkable gesture, the uncle and aunt of dead miner Larry Knight cheered them past as they drove towards Launceston. It's been a painful few weeks. At Launceston Hospital, this is probably the only medicine Todd and Brant needed, the first dawn they've seen in weeks.
Waves to the crowds and arms in the air, it lived up to the prediction. A grand final, Melbourne Cup, New Year's Eve, all rolled into one. A truly extraordinary day for two extraordinary men, a day the nation will never forget.
In Beaconsfield, Mark Burrows reporting.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: So great to see them make it out alive. What a story.
You want to check out this, though. Look at this video. Sand sweeping across the screen -- yes, that is sand. We're going to tell you where this is happening. The news keeps coming. We'll keep bringing it to you. More LIVE FROM ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: All right, take a minute. Look at the screen. Check this out. You don't see this everyday.
HARRIS: What is that? Is that a special effect or something?
NGUYEN: No, it's a sandstorm of all things ...
HARRIS: Is it?
NGUYEN: ... in Khartoum, which is the capital of Sudan.
Our Nic Robertson is there traveling with the U.N.'s humanitarian chief, Jan Egeland. They captured this -- Neil Bennett (ph), actually, the photographer who captured this wild sandstorm. I mean, look at it. It just encompassing everything around it. A huge sandstorm. And, you know, here's the deal, though, Tony. The technical term for this -- the scientific term for this sandstorm is haboob. So interesting facts about sandstorms there in Sudan today.
HARRIS: What ...
NGUYEN: Don't ask me how to spell it. I don't know. Maybe we can bring Jacqui Jeras in. She knows a little bit, hopefully, about these storms. They're called haboobs, right?
(WEATHER REPORT)
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Twenty-three days now away from hurricane season and we're giving you your "Hurricane 101" facts.
And, today, we're talking about watches and warnings, just the basics. A hurricane watch, what does that mean to you? Well, that's issued when the coastline could experience hurricane conditions within 36 hours. And a hurricane warning is issued when conditions are likely, hurricane conditions within 24 hours.
And you can get more information at CNN.com/weather. All kinds of "Hurricane 101" facts and tidbits. Of course, CNN is your hurricane headquarters. Back to you guys.
HARRIS: Jacqui, appreciate it. Thank you.
Still ahead police are doing whatever they can to keep people from driving while drunk. That's the case no matter what they're driving. Coming up on LIVE FROM, wait until you see what one man used to hit the streets.
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Look, here's the thing. You've got to get somewhere. You use whatever you've got. It looks like that's what an Ohio man thought. Police arrested him for DUI last Friday. But when you see what he was driving, you might think the charge should have been mowing under the influence.
Belinda Prinz from CNN affiliate WJW cuts to the chase.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DONDI BOWLES, FACING DUI CHARGE: What can I say? I think it's ridiculous. I'm going to get a lawyer.
BELINDA PRINZ, WJW REPORTER (voice-over): Dondi Bowles of Vermillion can't believe his fate. He spent the night in jail, charged with operating a vehicle under the influence. The vehicle? A Yard Machines gold 20-horsepower, 46-inch cut riding mower. The mower ended up at Remington Towing, a first for owner Rick Davis.
RICK DAVIS, REMINGTON TOWING: Yes, pretty much, though. Yes. It's probably the only one I've had involving a lawnmower.
PRINZ: A Vermillion patrol man had spotted Bowles on them owner at a Drug Mart parking lot and on Berkley (ph) Road close to midnight Friday. Bowles said he went there to get a new intertube for his bicycle, his main mode of transportation.
DAVIS: Went to Drug Mart, then I got back on the side, in the grass, then on the sidewalk. And three cop cars pulled me over, made me do the test and everything.
PRINZ: Bowles did not realize that under Ohio law, operating any vehicle on public property while intoxicated is a crime, whether it's a lawnmower, a car, even a bicycle.
BOWLES: I'm going, like, .14 blue and like four beers in me.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Look, I says, you got to understand that it is a motor vehicle. And he was driving on the sidewalk with it. And he was intoxicated.
BOWLES: You can't have one or two beers now and they get you for DUI. It's not like the old days. They used to take you home.
PRINZ: I asked Bowles, did he ever consider what he did was unsafe?
BOWLES: No, I had no cause -- no accidents. How can you go -- accident 10 miles per hour not even on the road. Got highlights on.
PRINZ: But Bowles is no stranger to police. This is his third DUI in six months.
(on camera): Have you tried to get help for drinking?
BOWLES: Yes, I'm on a program and that. I got off the drugs. I like my beer.
PRINZ (voice-over): But it comes at a price.
BOWLES: I mean, it's not funny, no. I may have to do -- I'm on probation, too. I may have to do six months for this.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: That was Belinda Prinz reporting. Police said a breath test showed that Bowles' blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit.
More LIVE FROM in a moment.
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