Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Country Still Divided After Election; Increase in Crystal Meth Tied to HIV Increase; Pentagon Resistant to Special Ops Changes; Orangutan Has Makeover

Aired November 23, 2004 - 11:30   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.


RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: And welcome back. I'm Rick Sanchez. It is 32 minutes after the hour. Here's what's happening right now in the news.
Report from Britain today saying the country's security service has stopped a September 11-style attack. The apparent attacks were Heathrow Airport and skyscrapers in Canary Wharf, London's financial district. The reports say the terrorists are linked to al Qaeda.

Ron Goldman family goes to court today to try and squeeze money out of O.J. Simpson. Simpson owes the Goldmans $33.5 million. A civil jury found him liable for the murders of Goldman and Simpson's ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

O.J. SIMPSON, OWES GOLDMANS $33.5 MILLION: First of all (UNINTELLIGIBLE) if I have to participate in -- I've said this so many times. I've said it to Fred's face in other hearings. If I have to work to pay them, I won't work. It's that simple.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: A criminal jury has acquitted Simpson in the murders in 1995, as you'll recall.

The judge in the Scott Peterson murder case is postponing the penalty phase of the trial for a week. He denied the defense's request to seat a new jury and move the remaining days of the trial. It's certainly a story that we will continue to follow for you. It sits on the ellipse near the White -- The jury -- pardon me. The jury could recommend the death penalty for Peterson.

Also, yes, it goes way up there on top. The vice president's wife, Lynn Cheney, rode a cherry picker to help put a star on top of the national Christmas tree. It sits on the ellipse near the White House. And there you go.

Keeping you informed, we are CNN, the most trusted name in news.

And welcome back. President Bush is at his Texas ranch today resting up after his Latin American trip. He and the first lady will be spending the Thanksgiving holiday in Crawford.

But first, diplomacy is on the menu. King Juan Carlos of Spain will join the Bushes for a luncheon at the ranch for lunch tomorrow.

Three weeks after the election, a majority of Americans say that President Bush is doing a good job. Sixty percent have a positive opinion of him.

But CNN senior political analyst, Bill Schneider, says some of the new numbers show the country remains a land divided.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST (voice-over): How do Americans feel after the long, bruising election campaign? Divided.

Asked whether Americans are united or divided about basic values, three-quarters declared the country united in November 2001, shortly after the terrorist attacks.

By January of this year, a majority thought the country was divided. Now nearly two-thirds say the country is divided.

When he conceded defeat, John Kerry called for a time of healing.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: I pledge to do my part to try to bridge the partisan divide.

SCHNEIDER: President Bush echoed those sentiments.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I am fully prepared to work with both Republican and Democratic leadership to advance an agenda that I think makes a big difference for the country.

SCHNEIDER: But many Democrats see the White House and the Republican majority in Congress betraying that pledge.

On Friday, Kerry sent a message to his supporters saying, "Despite the words of cooperation and moderate sounding promises, this administration is planning a right-wing assault on values and ideals we hold most deeply."

What are Americans divided over? Religion, for one thing. About half the public believes organized religion has too much political influence. About half say it has too little or the right amount.

Democrats and Republicans hold polar opposite views. Two-thirds of Democrats say religion has too much influence. Two-thirds of Republicans say it doesn't.

But one myth about the election can be dispelled. There is no evidence of a lurch to the right in public opinion or a panic over moral values. Sure, only a quarter of Americans think the country's moral values are in good shape, but that's actually a little higher than it's been in recent years.

In fact, there's evidence of a shift towards greater tolerance. In 1993, after President Clinton proposed allowing openly gay men and women to serve in the military, most Americans were opposed to the idea.

That view has completely turned around. Now by nearly 2-1, the public feels gay men and lesbians should allowed to serve.

(on camera) Americans are still looking for a leader who can deliver what President Bush promised in 2000: someone who can be a uniter, not a divider. So far, they haven't got it.

Bill Schneider, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: Bill Schneider, breaking down the numbers.

Well, you think you know a lot about HIV and AIDS? Are you sure? Up next, Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes a look at one frightening factor in a lot of new AIDS cases. It's a drug that's putting lives at risk.

And then later, their new album is called, "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb." Last night, U2 fans -- or U2 showed fans how to throw a surprise rock 'n' roll show. You're going to see it. In fact, you're going to hear it right here, coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: And welcome back to CNN LIVE TODAY, I'm Rick Sanchez.

Health officials are saying that HIV infections among gay men are increasing again. The spread of this virus is being blamed, in part, on the rising popularity of a dangerous and highly addictive drug.

Senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Twenty-seven-year-old Tommy Foster is a struggling Broadway actor in New York City.

The songs are Broadway tunes; the context, his life story. The date, the one-year anniversary of the day he was diagnosed HIV positive.

TOMMY FOSTER, ACTOR: I gave into a craving, a three-day marathon of unprotected crystallized sex that did leave me infected with HIV.

The purpose in me doing my show is to offer myself and what happened to me up as a specimen to be examined.

GUPTA: Crystal methamphetamine, also known as crystal, meth, crank, ice or tina, is a cheap, highly potent stimulant. It keeps you up for days, takes away all inhibitions, and is as addictive, if not more so, than heroin.

FOSTER: Just thinking -- just thinking about doing it causes my body to react as if I have done it. And it's like all of a sudden your eyes focus in a way that -- like you've never seen things before. And immediately it turns everything sexual. Everything sexual.

DR. HOWARD GROSSMAN, HIV SPECIALIST: With the advent of drugs for erectile dysfunction, we're seeing the tie-in of crystal and staying up all night and staying up for days in a row tied in with sex.

GUPTA: Which is why crystal is being blamed for contributing to the increase in HIV infections among gay men, which according to the latest CDC reports, is up 17 percent.

Perry Halkitis has been tracking crystal use in New York since 1998.

PERRY HALKITIS, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY: What we know from our studies is that men who use methamphetamine tend to be hypersexual. They tend to have higher levels of anonymous partnerings, more partners, more men that they have sex with unsafely than men who do not use this drug.

GUPTA: There are currently massive campaigns on both coasts to draw attention to the problem and to educate people about the effects of this drug. Experts, activists and community leaders are convinced this problem is already spreading into other populations around the country.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: By the way, you can see more of Sanjay's report, "Are You Positive?" later today. Watch the down low of rising AIDS rates today on "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS." It's at 5 p.m. Eastern, 2 Pacific.

Turning back now to one of our top stories: the war on terrorism. Changes may be afoot with some of the country's elite paramilitary troops because of intelligence reform concerns.

CNN's Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr, is standing by this morning with more on this.

Barbara, what's the story?

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Rick, an awful lot going on here at the Pentagon.

First, we have confirmed that President Bush has asked for a 90- day review of whether paramilitary operations should be moved from the CIA over here to the Pentagon.

These are those very secret covert operations that nobody likes to talk about. Some of them in recent months have included CIA paramilitary sponsored operations in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in Pakistan, hunting for Osama bin Laden.

Moving all of that over to the Pentagon was one of the recommendations in the 9/11 Commission report. It received a very lukewarm reception in the Bush administration, but now they are going to go ahead and study it, part of an effort to demonstrate that the administration is taking those 9/11 recommendations seriously -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: What about the issue of intelligence reform that we've been reading about in the last couple of days? And some power players there at the Pentagon, apparently, aren't crazy about it.

STARR: Indeed. And you may see just a touch of fireworks here a little bit later this afternoon. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld and General Richard Myers, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, are scheduled to brief reporters at 2:30 East Coast time. This is likely to be topic No. 1.

Because now, General Myers, the chairman of the joint chiefs, and the entire joint chiefs are on the record, when asked, telling Congress that they support leaving one critical thing just the way it is. And that is keeping intelligence support in the Pentagon inside the Pentagon, not moving it over to a national intelligence director.

As you remember, that was one of the key issues that sank that intel reform bill on Capitol Hill over the weekend. The entire joint chiefs of staff now coming down on the side that doesn't quite support the administration -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Yes. This is -- this seems, Barbara, like very much a turf war, but can you recall another case when folks at the Pentagon were so publicly opposed to an administration policy?

STARR: Well, what they are standing on at the moment is that they are giving their opposition only when asked by members of Congress.

All of the top generals and admirals take an oath of responsibility if you will, but if they are asked by Congress, they will give their honest advice and opinion. And that's what they say they are doing.

But what will be very interesting to watch later this afternoon, Rick, is if Secretary Rumsfeld and General Myers come out candidly in support of the joint chiefs of staff or if they say, "Too bad. We're going with what Capitol Hill wanted to do."

Nobody's exactly coming clean yet on where they all stand on all of this.

SANCHEZ: CNN's Barbara Starr, as usual with a handle on things there at the Pentagon. We thank you, Barbara.

STARR: Thanks, Rick.

SANCHEZ: Well, you've seen makeovers but never one quite like this. Up next, the story of how one seemingly hopeless orangutan went from being drab to fab. We've the proof, folks. And we're going to spill it.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) SANCHEZ: All right. Here we go. You know the names, right? "Swan," "Extreme Makeover." It seems like millions of people obsess over their bodies and changing them and watch to see other people try and change theirs, as well.

Even apes, for example. That's right. Meet Maggie. We've got a picture. Look at this. This is a once overweight orangutan at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. These are her before pictures. You want to check out her after pictures, too, after a lot of pampering?

Look at that? Can you believe what they have done with this ape? It's the most amazing thing we've ever seen. All right. We're just joking. They didn't really put a bikini on her.

This is what she looks like now. And there is quite a difference. And if you study them side by side, as we will throughout this segment, you'll see exactly what they've done.

We're going to do so with the help of Carol Sodaro. She's at the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois, and she's good enough to join us.

Hey, Carol. How are you?

CAROL SODARO, BROOKFIELD ZOO: Hi, how are you this morning?

SANCHEZ: We can get rid of the bathing suit. You guys didn't really go that far with this thing, but you did make quite an advancement. I mean, why don't you start it off by telling us what condition Maggie was in previously. What was her problem?

SODARO: Well, when Maggie arrived at Brookfield Zoo in 1995 she was extremely overweight. She weighed about 220 pounds. She had a problem with dry skin, constipation, flatulence. She had a runny nose, runny eyes...

SANCHEZ: Her, too?

SODARO: Yes. And appeared that sometimes she had headaches, as well. She wasn't in good shape. We more or less called her the couch potato of our orangutan family.

SANCHEZ: What did she do, sit around watching football, drinking beer and eating Doritos all day long?

SODARO: Well, she sat around a lot. But she didn't drink beer or watch football, actually. I don't think she prefers football too much.

SANCHEZ: But was she eating bad food?

SODARO: She was not eating bad food. She was just not losing weight. She was extremely overweight, and despite our attempts to put her on a severe weight reduction diet, she did not lose any weight.

SANCHEZ: But apparently, there is a new plan for her that involved diet, among other things, that did suddenly make a dramatic change in Maggie, right?

SODARO: Yes, there was. About a year ago Maggie was diagnosed with a hypothyroid condition, which means her thyroid is underactive, and was put on medication by our veterinary staff.

Ad over the last year, she's had a complete, extreme orangutan makeover. She's down to 130 pounds.

SANCHEZ: Wow.

SODARO: She's sleeping regularly. She moves around the cage. She's very, very active. She's resumed her menstrual cycle. She doesn't snore anymore or pass that much gas. And her cage mates are quite interactive with her now, as opposed to before.

SANCHEZ: We do thank you for sharing that with us, by the way. That's important information. Is that the before and after we're looking at now?

SODARO: Yes, it is.

SANCHEZ: You can see that she almost has this big pouch underneath her chin that's a little smaller now. And she just looks more svelte, right?

SODARO: She's a lot more svelte. It's incredible how more active she is. She moves around the cage. You wouldn't believe that she's 43 years old. She's more active than many of our younger animals, actually.

SANCHEZ: Does she have a little bit of an ego problem now, though? I mean, does she think she's all that? Do you guys have to, you know, put her back in her place from time to time?

SODARO: No. I think she enjoys the attention, but I don't think it's gone to her head too much.

SANCHEZ: Hey, thanks so much. We certainly appreciate it. That's a great story. We're so glad you were able to share it with us.

SODARO: You're welcome. Thank you very much.

SANCHEZ: Let's find out what's going on in the business world now.

To do that, we go over to Rhonda Schaffler. She's checking the markets, among other things.

Hi, Rhonda.

(STOCK REPORT)

SANCHEZ: All right. Thanks a lot, Rhonda. We certainly appreciate it. Now let's find out what's going on weather-wise. And man, this is getting real important. Why? Well, do we need to say it? Thanksgiving is right around the corner. People are going to be traveling. And the weather has a lot to do with that.

Jacqui, give us a preview.

(WEATHER REPORT)

SANCHEZ: Thanks, Jacqui, for watching it for us. We'll be all over this tomorrow. We'll have guests to break down the weather and travel, specifically what airlines you may be on.

So thanks so much for watching. I'm Rick Sanchez. Betty is going to be coming up in just a little bit. She's filling in for Wolf Blitzer, double duty.

As we go to the break, check out a live performance last night in New York City. It's from U2. We've got them. There they are. Their new album hits stores today. As he we leave you, as we say, take a listen.

(MUSIC)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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 November 23, 2004 - 11:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: And welcome back. I'm Rick Sanchez. It is 32 minutes after the hour. Here's what's happening right now in the news.
Report from Britain today saying the country's security service has stopped a September 11-style attack. The apparent attacks were Heathrow Airport and skyscrapers in Canary Wharf, London's financial district. The reports say the terrorists are linked to al Qaeda.

Ron Goldman family goes to court today to try and squeeze money out of O.J. Simpson. Simpson owes the Goldmans $33.5 million. A civil jury found him liable for the murders of Goldman and Simpson's ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

O.J. SIMPSON, OWES GOLDMANS $33.5 MILLION: First of all (UNINTELLIGIBLE) if I have to participate in -- I've said this so many times. I've said it to Fred's face in other hearings. If I have to work to pay them, I won't work. It's that simple.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: A criminal jury has acquitted Simpson in the murders in 1995, as you'll recall.

The judge in the Scott Peterson murder case is postponing the penalty phase of the trial for a week. He denied the defense's request to seat a new jury and move the remaining days of the trial. It's certainly a story that we will continue to follow for you. It sits on the ellipse near the White -- The jury -- pardon me. The jury could recommend the death penalty for Peterson.

Also, yes, it goes way up there on top. The vice president's wife, Lynn Cheney, rode a cherry picker to help put a star on top of the national Christmas tree. It sits on the ellipse near the White House. And there you go.

Keeping you informed, we are CNN, the most trusted name in news.

And welcome back. President Bush is at his Texas ranch today resting up after his Latin American trip. He and the first lady will be spending the Thanksgiving holiday in Crawford.

But first, diplomacy is on the menu. King Juan Carlos of Spain will join the Bushes for a luncheon at the ranch for lunch tomorrow.

Three weeks after the election, a majority of Americans say that President Bush is doing a good job. Sixty percent have a positive opinion of him.

But CNN senior political analyst, Bill Schneider, says some of the new numbers show the country remains a land divided.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST (voice-over): How do Americans feel after the long, bruising election campaign? Divided.

Asked whether Americans are united or divided about basic values, three-quarters declared the country united in November 2001, shortly after the terrorist attacks.

By January of this year, a majority thought the country was divided. Now nearly two-thirds say the country is divided.

When he conceded defeat, John Kerry called for a time of healing.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: I pledge to do my part to try to bridge the partisan divide.

SCHNEIDER: President Bush echoed those sentiments.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I am fully prepared to work with both Republican and Democratic leadership to advance an agenda that I think makes a big difference for the country.

SCHNEIDER: But many Democrats see the White House and the Republican majority in Congress betraying that pledge.

On Friday, Kerry sent a message to his supporters saying, "Despite the words of cooperation and moderate sounding promises, this administration is planning a right-wing assault on values and ideals we hold most deeply."

What are Americans divided over? Religion, for one thing. About half the public believes organized religion has too much political influence. About half say it has too little or the right amount.

Democrats and Republicans hold polar opposite views. Two-thirds of Democrats say religion has too much influence. Two-thirds of Republicans say it doesn't.

But one myth about the election can be dispelled. There is no evidence of a lurch to the right in public opinion or a panic over moral values. Sure, only a quarter of Americans think the country's moral values are in good shape, but that's actually a little higher than it's been in recent years.

In fact, there's evidence of a shift towards greater tolerance. In 1993, after President Clinton proposed allowing openly gay men and women to serve in the military, most Americans were opposed to the idea.

That view has completely turned around. Now by nearly 2-1, the public feels gay men and lesbians should allowed to serve.

(on camera) Americans are still looking for a leader who can deliver what President Bush promised in 2000: someone who can be a uniter, not a divider. So far, they haven't got it.

Bill Schneider, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: Bill Schneider, breaking down the numbers.

Well, you think you know a lot about HIV and AIDS? Are you sure? Up next, Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes a look at one frightening factor in a lot of new AIDS cases. It's a drug that's putting lives at risk.

And then later, their new album is called, "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb." Last night, U2 fans -- or U2 showed fans how to throw a surprise rock 'n' roll show. You're going to see it. In fact, you're going to hear it right here, coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: And welcome back to CNN LIVE TODAY, I'm Rick Sanchez.

Health officials are saying that HIV infections among gay men are increasing again. The spread of this virus is being blamed, in part, on the rising popularity of a dangerous and highly addictive drug.

Senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Twenty-seven-year-old Tommy Foster is a struggling Broadway actor in New York City.

The songs are Broadway tunes; the context, his life story. The date, the one-year anniversary of the day he was diagnosed HIV positive.

TOMMY FOSTER, ACTOR: I gave into a craving, a three-day marathon of unprotected crystallized sex that did leave me infected with HIV.

The purpose in me doing my show is to offer myself and what happened to me up as a specimen to be examined.

GUPTA: Crystal methamphetamine, also known as crystal, meth, crank, ice or tina, is a cheap, highly potent stimulant. It keeps you up for days, takes away all inhibitions, and is as addictive, if not more so, than heroin.

FOSTER: Just thinking -- just thinking about doing it causes my body to react as if I have done it. And it's like all of a sudden your eyes focus in a way that -- like you've never seen things before. And immediately it turns everything sexual. Everything sexual.

DR. HOWARD GROSSMAN, HIV SPECIALIST: With the advent of drugs for erectile dysfunction, we're seeing the tie-in of crystal and staying up all night and staying up for days in a row tied in with sex.

GUPTA: Which is why crystal is being blamed for contributing to the increase in HIV infections among gay men, which according to the latest CDC reports, is up 17 percent.

Perry Halkitis has been tracking crystal use in New York since 1998.

PERRY HALKITIS, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY: What we know from our studies is that men who use methamphetamine tend to be hypersexual. They tend to have higher levels of anonymous partnerings, more partners, more men that they have sex with unsafely than men who do not use this drug.

GUPTA: There are currently massive campaigns on both coasts to draw attention to the problem and to educate people about the effects of this drug. Experts, activists and community leaders are convinced this problem is already spreading into other populations around the country.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: By the way, you can see more of Sanjay's report, "Are You Positive?" later today. Watch the down low of rising AIDS rates today on "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS." It's at 5 p.m. Eastern, 2 Pacific.

Turning back now to one of our top stories: the war on terrorism. Changes may be afoot with some of the country's elite paramilitary troops because of intelligence reform concerns.

CNN's Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr, is standing by this morning with more on this.

Barbara, what's the story?

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Rick, an awful lot going on here at the Pentagon.

First, we have confirmed that President Bush has asked for a 90- day review of whether paramilitary operations should be moved from the CIA over here to the Pentagon.

These are those very secret covert operations that nobody likes to talk about. Some of them in recent months have included CIA paramilitary sponsored operations in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in Pakistan, hunting for Osama bin Laden.

Moving all of that over to the Pentagon was one of the recommendations in the 9/11 Commission report. It received a very lukewarm reception in the Bush administration, but now they are going to go ahead and study it, part of an effort to demonstrate that the administration is taking those 9/11 recommendations seriously -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: What about the issue of intelligence reform that we've been reading about in the last couple of days? And some power players there at the Pentagon, apparently, aren't crazy about it.

STARR: Indeed. And you may see just a touch of fireworks here a little bit later this afternoon. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld and General Richard Myers, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, are scheduled to brief reporters at 2:30 East Coast time. This is likely to be topic No. 1.

Because now, General Myers, the chairman of the joint chiefs, and the entire joint chiefs are on the record, when asked, telling Congress that they support leaving one critical thing just the way it is. And that is keeping intelligence support in the Pentagon inside the Pentagon, not moving it over to a national intelligence director.

As you remember, that was one of the key issues that sank that intel reform bill on Capitol Hill over the weekend. The entire joint chiefs of staff now coming down on the side that doesn't quite support the administration -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Yes. This is -- this seems, Barbara, like very much a turf war, but can you recall another case when folks at the Pentagon were so publicly opposed to an administration policy?

STARR: Well, what they are standing on at the moment is that they are giving their opposition only when asked by members of Congress.

All of the top generals and admirals take an oath of responsibility if you will, but if they are asked by Congress, they will give their honest advice and opinion. And that's what they say they are doing.

But what will be very interesting to watch later this afternoon, Rick, is if Secretary Rumsfeld and General Myers come out candidly in support of the joint chiefs of staff or if they say, "Too bad. We're going with what Capitol Hill wanted to do."

Nobody's exactly coming clean yet on where they all stand on all of this.

SANCHEZ: CNN's Barbara Starr, as usual with a handle on things there at the Pentagon. We thank you, Barbara.

STARR: Thanks, Rick.

SANCHEZ: Well, you've seen makeovers but never one quite like this. Up next, the story of how one seemingly hopeless orangutan went from being drab to fab. We've the proof, folks. And we're going to spill it.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) SANCHEZ: All right. Here we go. You know the names, right? "Swan," "Extreme Makeover." It seems like millions of people obsess over their bodies and changing them and watch to see other people try and change theirs, as well.

Even apes, for example. That's right. Meet Maggie. We've got a picture. Look at this. This is a once overweight orangutan at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. These are her before pictures. You want to check out her after pictures, too, after a lot of pampering?

Look at that? Can you believe what they have done with this ape? It's the most amazing thing we've ever seen. All right. We're just joking. They didn't really put a bikini on her.

This is what she looks like now. And there is quite a difference. And if you study them side by side, as we will throughout this segment, you'll see exactly what they've done.

We're going to do so with the help of Carol Sodaro. She's at the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois, and she's good enough to join us.

Hey, Carol. How are you?

CAROL SODARO, BROOKFIELD ZOO: Hi, how are you this morning?

SANCHEZ: We can get rid of the bathing suit. You guys didn't really go that far with this thing, but you did make quite an advancement. I mean, why don't you start it off by telling us what condition Maggie was in previously. What was her problem?

SODARO: Well, when Maggie arrived at Brookfield Zoo in 1995 she was extremely overweight. She weighed about 220 pounds. She had a problem with dry skin, constipation, flatulence. She had a runny nose, runny eyes...

SANCHEZ: Her, too?

SODARO: Yes. And appeared that sometimes she had headaches, as well. She wasn't in good shape. We more or less called her the couch potato of our orangutan family.

SANCHEZ: What did she do, sit around watching football, drinking beer and eating Doritos all day long?

SODARO: Well, she sat around a lot. But she didn't drink beer or watch football, actually. I don't think she prefers football too much.

SANCHEZ: But was she eating bad food?

SODARO: She was not eating bad food. She was just not losing weight. She was extremely overweight, and despite our attempts to put her on a severe weight reduction diet, she did not lose any weight.

SANCHEZ: But apparently, there is a new plan for her that involved diet, among other things, that did suddenly make a dramatic change in Maggie, right?

SODARO: Yes, there was. About a year ago Maggie was diagnosed with a hypothyroid condition, which means her thyroid is underactive, and was put on medication by our veterinary staff.

Ad over the last year, she's had a complete, extreme orangutan makeover. She's down to 130 pounds.

SANCHEZ: Wow.

SODARO: She's sleeping regularly. She moves around the cage. She's very, very active. She's resumed her menstrual cycle. She doesn't snore anymore or pass that much gas. And her cage mates are quite interactive with her now, as opposed to before.

SANCHEZ: We do thank you for sharing that with us, by the way. That's important information. Is that the before and after we're looking at now?

SODARO: Yes, it is.

SANCHEZ: You can see that she almost has this big pouch underneath her chin that's a little smaller now. And she just looks more svelte, right?

SODARO: She's a lot more svelte. It's incredible how more active she is. She moves around the cage. You wouldn't believe that she's 43 years old. She's more active than many of our younger animals, actually.

SANCHEZ: Does she have a little bit of an ego problem now, though? I mean, does she think she's all that? Do you guys have to, you know, put her back in her place from time to time?

SODARO: No. I think she enjoys the attention, but I don't think it's gone to her head too much.

SANCHEZ: Hey, thanks so much. We certainly appreciate it. That's a great story. We're so glad you were able to share it with us.

SODARO: You're welcome. Thank you very much.

SANCHEZ: Let's find out what's going on in the business world now.

To do that, we go over to Rhonda Schaffler. She's checking the markets, among other things.

Hi, Rhonda.

(STOCK REPORT)

SANCHEZ: All right. Thanks a lot, Rhonda. We certainly appreciate it. Now let's find out what's going on weather-wise. And man, this is getting real important. Why? Well, do we need to say it? Thanksgiving is right around the corner. People are going to be traveling. And the weather has a lot to do with that.

Jacqui, give us a preview.

(WEATHER REPORT)

SANCHEZ: Thanks, Jacqui, for watching it for us. We'll be all over this tomorrow. We'll have guests to break down the weather and travel, specifically what airlines you may be on.

So thanks so much for watching. I'm Rick Sanchez. Betty is going to be coming up in just a little bit. She's filling in for Wolf Blitzer, double duty.

As we go to the break, check out a live performance last night in New York City. It's from U2. We've got them. There they are. Their new album hits stores today. As he we leave you, as we say, take a listen.

(MUSIC)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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