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CNN Live Today

The Bush Inauguration; Iraqi Elections; Military Jury Sentences Charles Graner to 10 Years in Prison

Aired January 17, 2005 - 10:59   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.


TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And here's a look at what's happening "Now in the News."
People around the country are pausing today to remember Martin Luther King, Jr. with parades, marches and rallies. The King family has gathered at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta this hour for the annual service honoring the civil rights leader. That's a live picture of the service going on right now. And we will go there live to listen in, in about 20 minutes.

Authorities in North Carolina say there has been no sign of two children allegedly kidnapped by their parents from a foster home. An Amber Alert is posted for 11-month-old Breanna Chambers and her 2- year-old brother, Paul. Police say the parents abducted the children at gunpoint. Their car was found abandoned in rural Tennessee.

Search teams hope to use ground-penetrating radar today to look for more possible victims of that avalanche in Utah. They have recovered the body of an Idaho man, along with sweatshirts and gloves that may belong to other victims. Witnesses reported seeing several people buried by Friday's snow slide near Park City, Utah.

Iraqi officials say at least 14 security force members were killed today at checkpoints in two cities. At least seven died when a suicide car bomb exploded at a police headquarters north of Tikrit. Another attack south of Baquba killed seven Iraqi soldiers and one civilian. A live report from Iraq, just 13 days now before the election, is just minutes away.

It is 11:00 a.m. on the East Coast and 8:00 a.m. in the West. From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Tony Harris, in for Rick Sanchez.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's get started in Washington, D.C.

It is George W. Bush's town this week. He takes the oath of office for a second time and gets his team in place for another four years. Let's get inaugural week preview from our correspondent Elaine Quijano. She is at the White House this morning.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Daryn.

That's right, President Bush says one of his main goals is to promote freedom and democracy. Something that we're expecting to hear about in his inaugural address. Well, today, the president will pay tribute to a man who fought for freedom and equality in his own way. The president this afternoon set to deliver a speech honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Now, as for his inaugural address, over the weekend officials say President Bush spent part of his time reviewing it. Aides say it will emphasize the president's vision of spreading democracy around the world. And, of course, a big part of that is Iraq.

Now, in Iraq, 1,300 U.S. troops have died. And with reports continuing about violence and insurgents trying to disrupt the political process, the Bush administration in recent days has seemingly been trying to lower expectations, with officials painting a picture of uncertainty for that country's January 30 elections.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN BARTLETT, WHITE HOUSE COUNSELOR: The security environment is tough. No question about it. And we're going to do everything we can to help achieve the best possible scenario in order for as many people as people to vote. But we do know millions of Iraqi people want to vote. And we're going to find ways to get them to the polls.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUIJANO: Now, despite the criticisms over Iraq, including that there were no WMDs, President Bush is standing by his decision, expressing no regrets about removing Saddam Hussein from power. President Bush, by the way, heading into his second term with a 53 percent approval rating overall. That's up about four points from this time last month. But at the same time, though, Daryn, on the issue of Iraq in particular, 56 percent of Americans disapprove of the way the president has handled that situation -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Well, speaking of approval, his cabinet nominees face that, many of them still, including Condoleezza Rice for secretary of state.

QUIJANO: That's right. A big week for President Bush. One of his most trusted advisers as you said, Condoleezza Rice, heading over to Capitol Hill this week.

She will be, in fact, beginning the confirmation process in the Senate. Something that could last up to two days. Now, she is expected to be confirmed, as you mentioned, to succeed the outgoing secretary of state, Colin Powell. But this, of course, a big change from her, moving out of the west wing and moving a couple blocks away to the State Department.

Again, those hearings for Condoleezza Rice beginning tomorrow. But we're also expecting some other nominees of final votes today. Three notably.

The secretary of education, we're expecting rather this week. Votes perhaps sometime this week, perhaps Thursday, we are hearing. Secretary of Education nominee Margaret Spellings, also secretary of Commerce nominee Carlos Gutierrez, and secretary of Agriculture nominee, Mike Johanns. So a busy week here in Washington. Not only the inauguration going on, of course, but the business of moving ahead and looking ahead as President Bush looks to his second-term agenda -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Elaine Quijano from the White House. Thank you.

Let's look at some new numbers that have come into CNN. A new poll from The Associated Press finding most Americans upbeat as President Bush begins a second term. Six out of 10 people say they feel positive about four more years of a Bush administration. They describe the president as likeable, strong and intelligent.

At the same time -- and these are some numbers that Elaine was talking about -- almost half, 47 percent, say they are worried about the president's policies. Most point to situation in Iraq.

HARRIS: And Daryn, the inauguration is the first since al Qaeda attacked the United States on September 11th of 2001. CNN's Brian Todd looks at security.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On the streets, in the air, on the water -- many who travel in and around the nation's capital this week will be watched.

TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: Our goal is that any attempt in the part of anyone or any group to disrupt the inaugural will be repelled by multiple layers of security.

TODD: Layers including some 6,000 officers from dozens of law enforcement agencies. Huge sections of the city will be shut down to traffic, air space severely restricted for private aircraft. But commercial planes will be able to take off and land normally, even during the swearing-in.

Limousines will be watched closely, since a recent federal threat assessment said al Qaeda has previously looked at using them as mobile bombs. From bomb-sniffing dogs to heavily armed Coast Guard boats speeding along the Potomac and mobile stations with tracking capability, nothing is left to chance for this first post-9/11 inauguration. But officials say they still need the public's help.

CHIEF POLLY HANSON, D.C. METRO TRANSIT POLICE: I don't think I'm saying we're going to do it all ourselves, it's our responsibility and you just go ahead and read a book and fall asleep. You've got to be engaged with us. You've got to be paying attention, because that's the only way we're going to work together to try to prevent or mitigate.

TODD: To that end, Secret Service officials tell CNN they went to every hotel and business along the parade route, laid out security parameters with managers and made sure they briefed customers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the most extensive ticket redesign in inaugural history.

TODD: Sunday's rehearsals for the inaugural parade every bit as meticulous.

(on camera): Why did thousands of military personnel wake up at 3:00 a.m. and deploy at 4:00 a.m. to come down here and practice for much of the day? Because precision is key. Officials in charge of the parade tell us that along with the military, thousands of civilians will be taking part, and their movements have to be coordinated down to the minute and the step.

(voice-over): Officials say they timed the steps of military and civilian marchers to calculate how long it takes them to travel a certain distance.

Protesters are also micromanaged. This year, for the first time, a group of anti-war demonstrators will have their own officially sanctioned bleacher section along the parade route.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: CNN "Security Watch" keeps you up to date on safety. Stay tuned day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

KAGAN: For a lot of Americans registering to vote, well, it's no big deal, it's routine. But that's not the case for Iraqi -- Iraqi expatriates living in the U.S. Beginning today, they can register to vote in the January 30 Iraqi elections. A lot of them are going to have to travel hundreds of miles to one of five cities where voting will take place.

Polling sites are located in Detroit, Los Angeles, Nashville, Chicago and Washington. Iraqis can also vote in several countries across Europe and the Middle East, as well as Canada and Australia.

HARRIS: So the elections in Iraq are less than two weeks away. Officials are stepping up security preparations, as you can imagine. But insurgents are keeping up their attacks as well. The stakes are high for Iraqis and for the families of U.S. troops deployed in Iraq.

National correspondent Kelly Wallace has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I miss daddy.

WALLACE (voice-over): The hometown cost of the war could not get any simpler for 3-year-old Juliana Jiminez. She misses her daddy.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And what did mommy tell you? What's daddy doing?

WALLACE: The only thing that seems to stop the tears, plans for daddy's homecoming in February.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you want to blow up balloons?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How many do you want to blow up?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A lot of them.

WALLACE: Since last February, when William Jiminez (ph), a specialist with the New Jersey Army National Guard, left for Iraq, his first deployment during his 20-year career, Dawn has been raising 6- year-old Savannah (ph), 4-year-old William, and little Juliana (ph), all alone here in Levitttown, Pennsylvania. And Juliana (ph) seems to be having the toughest time.

(on camera): How hard is that for you?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's hard, but, you know, you've got to give her moment. You know, if that's what she needs, let her take it.

WALLACE (voice-over): Dawn's (ph) a Republican. She says she voted for President Bush and remains very supportive of the war. Still, she has definite opinions about what the president's priorities in Iraq should be during his second term. Number one, she says, security for the troops.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You want to make sure that every soldier has what they need, you know, whether it be armor for their vehicles, body armor, whatever the case may be. You make sure they have it.

WALLACE: Number two, a plan to eventually bring the troops home.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I know, again, we're not going to be out of there overnight. I know it will probably be more than five years, but we definitely got to come to a grip with this, and quickly. You know, we definitely -- we definitely need more allies.

WALLACE: And number three, she says, more financial help for needy military families.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I know there's families out there, you know, who are facing issues of, "Oh, my god, I got a mortgage to pay, bills, groceries, et cetera."

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: These are the medals that daddy sent home.

WALLACE (on camera): Do you know where your dad is?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In Iraq.

WALLACE: And what's he doing there?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's beating the bad guys and getting ready to come home in February after my birthday.

WALLACE (voice-over): Since William left, Dawn (ph) started volunteering, trying to help other National Guard families with loved ones in Iraq. Her final wish for the next four years, the military staying in better touch with the families. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're here. Don't forget us.

WALLACE: And as her mom talks, it seems Juliana (ph) has forgotten, for at least a little while, how much she misses her daddy.

Kelly Wallace, CNN, Levittown, Pennsylvania.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: The White House says that a report about plans for a possible attack on Iran is what they are calling riddled with inaccuracies. Journalist Seymour Hersh says the Bush administration has been carrying out secret reconnaissance missions in Iran. Hersh says the goal is to identify possible sites for air strikes. He says information for his article in "The New Yorker" came from inside sources.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEYMOUR HERSH, "THE NEW YORKER": People in the inside are talking to me because in this administration you cannot tell them what they don't want to hear. In other words, as somebody said to me, you have to -- you have to drink the Kool-Aid before you go to a meeting.

And so they're not open to anybody saying hitting Iran is not a good idea, it's 75 million people, a big army. It's not going to be as difficult as Iraq is. Iran's going to be much harder. You're not going to get an outpouring of pro-American sentiment when you hit it.

And yet, there are people in the White House -- and we call them the neoconservatives -- some of the civilians who work in the Pentagon -- Wolfowitz is one, Dough Feith, his aide -- who really believe that when we do hit these targets it's going to lead to an incredible outcry of anti-mullah -- you know, a lot of people who don't like the religious leadership in Iran will rise up and we'll have a revolution there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARTLETT: Mr. Hersh has written several articles about this administration that has been fundamentally inaccurate. And I think this one will fall in the same category.

We obviously have a concern about Iran. The entire world has a concern about Iran. That's why we've been working with our European allies to convince them not to develop a nuclear weapons program. But I've seen excerpts of this story. I think it's riddled with inaccuracies, and I don't believe that some of the conclusions he's joining are based on fact.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Dan Bartlett says the administration is working with European allies to try to convince Iran not to pursue weapons of mass destruction.

As part of our "Security Watch" coverage, CNN will bring you a special series this week, "Defending America." It begins this evening at 7:00 Eastern, 4:00 Pacific.

HARRIS: Glitz, glamour and big bucks. No, it's not Hollywood we're talking about. It's Washington, D.C. And the nation's capital is gearing up for a big bash for President Bush. We'll show you what's in the works.

KAGAN: And speaking of Hollywood, it was a night to shine for some of the biggest stars. We're going to show you who went home with Golden Globe gold.

HARRIS: But next, the sentence for Army Reserve soldier Charles Graner. His parents say responsibility for the Abu Ghraib scandal goes all the way to the top. Their statements straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Army Reservist Charles Graner is in a Texas jail this morning awaiting transfer to a military prison. He's facing 10 years behind bars for his role in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal in Iraq.

The military jury ordered reduced Graner's rank to private and ordered a dishonorable discharge at the end of his prisoner term. Graner, asked twice by a reporter if he had regrets or apologies, replied, "No." His parents in a CNN interview blamed top U.S. officials for the conviction.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Mrs. Graner, tell us first your reaction to your son's sentence this weekend.

IRMA GRANER, CHARLES GRANER'S MOTHER: Well, it was very unfair. He had an unfair trial. I mean, he didn't have a chance.

He was found guilty before they even started the trial. It was so one-sided. It was just terrible. And I want the people of the United States to know how the prosecution and the judge just let my son out to dry. He has a wonderful...

HEMMER: How so, Mrs. Graner?

I. GRANER: Well, he has a wonderful defense team. They could get nothing in. Every time they wanted to present evidence, it was turned down.

They weren't allowed to have witnesses testify. Everything was hearsay. They had witnesses that worked right in the Abu Ghraib prison with him that weren't allowed to testify because it was hearsay. How can it be hearsay when you're working right side by side with the person?

CHARLES GRANER SR., CHARLES GRANER'S FATHER: Judge Pohl single- handedly led the jury down a garden path, a garden path in which Judge Pohl constructed blocked walls so the jury couldn't see the defense beyond these blocked walls.

HEMMER: And Mr. Graner, some critics have said your son has shown no signs of remorse, seeing him smiling leaving the courtroom area. Have you talked to him about that?

C. GRANER: My son, to say he showed no signs of remorse, why should you show a sign of remorse for doing your job? And he firmly believed that he was doing his job.

His job -- you know, at first, as he said, he was a Christian who didn't believe in doing that. He was a correction officer who says, hey, this isn't right. But he believed that after listening and found out what he was doing -- he was doing a good job. He was saving people, American people.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Graner's girlfriend, Private Lynndie England, faces court- martial this week at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. She is widely recognized as one of the faces of the abuse scandal. Appearing in many of the photos, she's often smiling and giving the "thumbs up" sign, and in one case holding a prisoner on a leash. Her attorney says the photos don't tell the entire story.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICK HERNANDEZ, LYNNDIE ENGLAND'S ATTORNEY: Well, the picture with her old holding a leash has been made famous. However, it still does not represent what went on before or after, or whether that was in fact ordered by MI in order to soften up prisoners.

We have Major General Miller's report that indicates that MI was using the MPs to soften up prisoners. Whether that was a psychological tactic to get them to speak is a different story as to whether she did it or not.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: England recently gave birth, and Graner has been identified by her lawyers as the father of the child.

HARRIS: A service honoring Martin Luther King is under way. We'll take you live to the service at Ebenezer Baptist Church here in Atlanta in a bit.

KAGAN: And then, a little bit later, the "New You Revolution." You're going to meet the first participant in Dr. Sanjay Gupta's new series.

You're watching CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Honoring the man, his memory and his mark on society. Today is the observation of Martin Luther King Day here in the U.S. These are live pictures from Ebenezer Baptist Church here in Atlanta, Georgia, where King was pastor for so many years.

Today's national holiday is two days after the slain civil right's leader's actual birthday of January 15. King would have been 76 years old. And as we take a look at the live pictures, Daryn, I don't think we've mentioned this so far this morning.

The president has issued a proclamation praising King's work toward racial equality. In part, it reads, "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a visionary American and a dedicated leader who believed deeply in liberty and dignity for every person." The proclamation goes on to say, "His faith and courage continue to inspire America and the world."

Now, President Bush will honor the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. in a speech in Washington today. That happens at 4:00 p.m. Eastern. And you can watch it here on CNN. And as part of the observance, CNN's "NEWSNIGHT WITH AARON BROWN" will air King's "I have a dream" speech in its entirety. That program begins at 10:00 p.m. Eastern.

KAGAN: And let's check in on weather. Jacqui Jeras doing that for us.

Hi, Jacqui.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: It looks good, feels -- it sounds like a beer commercial.

HARRIS: Yes.

KAGAN: Thank you.

Some critics are saying, these plans, they are just over the top.

HARRIS: Yes. President Bush's inauguration is shaping up to the be the party of the year. We'll show you what's in store for Washington and the guests. And that pooch, I guess. You're watching CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: And this just in. A man has barricaded himself in a docked luxury yacht. This is on Miami Beach. And at this point we don't know why the man is doing this. And we don't know whether he's armed or if he has other people on board that boat with him.

Miami police, as you can imagine, and fire rescue, are all on the scene. You can see there. And S.W.A.T. has surrounded the boat and a nearby hotel to keep hotel guests from stumbling on the scene. We'll continue to follow this and bring you an update as we get additional information.

KAGAN: Let's take a look at what's happening "Now in the News." A Web security firm is warning a new e-mail posing as a plea for tsunami victims is actually a computer worm. The subject line is "Tsunami Donation, Please Help." If you open the attachment you will forward the virus.

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Aired January 17, 2005 - 10:59   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And here's a look at what's happening "Now in the News."
People around the country are pausing today to remember Martin Luther King, Jr. with parades, marches and rallies. The King family has gathered at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta this hour for the annual service honoring the civil rights leader. That's a live picture of the service going on right now. And we will go there live to listen in, in about 20 minutes.

Authorities in North Carolina say there has been no sign of two children allegedly kidnapped by their parents from a foster home. An Amber Alert is posted for 11-month-old Breanna Chambers and her 2- year-old brother, Paul. Police say the parents abducted the children at gunpoint. Their car was found abandoned in rural Tennessee.

Search teams hope to use ground-penetrating radar today to look for more possible victims of that avalanche in Utah. They have recovered the body of an Idaho man, along with sweatshirts and gloves that may belong to other victims. Witnesses reported seeing several people buried by Friday's snow slide near Park City, Utah.

Iraqi officials say at least 14 security force members were killed today at checkpoints in two cities. At least seven died when a suicide car bomb exploded at a police headquarters north of Tikrit. Another attack south of Baquba killed seven Iraqi soldiers and one civilian. A live report from Iraq, just 13 days now before the election, is just minutes away.

It is 11:00 a.m. on the East Coast and 8:00 a.m. in the West. From the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Tony Harris, in for Rick Sanchez.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's get started in Washington, D.C.

It is George W. Bush's town this week. He takes the oath of office for a second time and gets his team in place for another four years. Let's get inaugural week preview from our correspondent Elaine Quijano. She is at the White House this morning.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Daryn.

That's right, President Bush says one of his main goals is to promote freedom and democracy. Something that we're expecting to hear about in his inaugural address. Well, today, the president will pay tribute to a man who fought for freedom and equality in his own way. The president this afternoon set to deliver a speech honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Now, as for his inaugural address, over the weekend officials say President Bush spent part of his time reviewing it. Aides say it will emphasize the president's vision of spreading democracy around the world. And, of course, a big part of that is Iraq.

Now, in Iraq, 1,300 U.S. troops have died. And with reports continuing about violence and insurgents trying to disrupt the political process, the Bush administration in recent days has seemingly been trying to lower expectations, with officials painting a picture of uncertainty for that country's January 30 elections.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN BARTLETT, WHITE HOUSE COUNSELOR: The security environment is tough. No question about it. And we're going to do everything we can to help achieve the best possible scenario in order for as many people as people to vote. But we do know millions of Iraqi people want to vote. And we're going to find ways to get them to the polls.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUIJANO: Now, despite the criticisms over Iraq, including that there were no WMDs, President Bush is standing by his decision, expressing no regrets about removing Saddam Hussein from power. President Bush, by the way, heading into his second term with a 53 percent approval rating overall. That's up about four points from this time last month. But at the same time, though, Daryn, on the issue of Iraq in particular, 56 percent of Americans disapprove of the way the president has handled that situation -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Well, speaking of approval, his cabinet nominees face that, many of them still, including Condoleezza Rice for secretary of state.

QUIJANO: That's right. A big week for President Bush. One of his most trusted advisers as you said, Condoleezza Rice, heading over to Capitol Hill this week.

She will be, in fact, beginning the confirmation process in the Senate. Something that could last up to two days. Now, she is expected to be confirmed, as you mentioned, to succeed the outgoing secretary of state, Colin Powell. But this, of course, a big change from her, moving out of the west wing and moving a couple blocks away to the State Department.

Again, those hearings for Condoleezza Rice beginning tomorrow. But we're also expecting some other nominees of final votes today. Three notably.

The secretary of education, we're expecting rather this week. Votes perhaps sometime this week, perhaps Thursday, we are hearing. Secretary of Education nominee Margaret Spellings, also secretary of Commerce nominee Carlos Gutierrez, and secretary of Agriculture nominee, Mike Johanns. So a busy week here in Washington. Not only the inauguration going on, of course, but the business of moving ahead and looking ahead as President Bush looks to his second-term agenda -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Elaine Quijano from the White House. Thank you.

Let's look at some new numbers that have come into CNN. A new poll from The Associated Press finding most Americans upbeat as President Bush begins a second term. Six out of 10 people say they feel positive about four more years of a Bush administration. They describe the president as likeable, strong and intelligent.

At the same time -- and these are some numbers that Elaine was talking about -- almost half, 47 percent, say they are worried about the president's policies. Most point to situation in Iraq.

HARRIS: And Daryn, the inauguration is the first since al Qaeda attacked the United States on September 11th of 2001. CNN's Brian Todd looks at security.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On the streets, in the air, on the water -- many who travel in and around the nation's capital this week will be watched.

TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: Our goal is that any attempt in the part of anyone or any group to disrupt the inaugural will be repelled by multiple layers of security.

TODD: Layers including some 6,000 officers from dozens of law enforcement agencies. Huge sections of the city will be shut down to traffic, air space severely restricted for private aircraft. But commercial planes will be able to take off and land normally, even during the swearing-in.

Limousines will be watched closely, since a recent federal threat assessment said al Qaeda has previously looked at using them as mobile bombs. From bomb-sniffing dogs to heavily armed Coast Guard boats speeding along the Potomac and mobile stations with tracking capability, nothing is left to chance for this first post-9/11 inauguration. But officials say they still need the public's help.

CHIEF POLLY HANSON, D.C. METRO TRANSIT POLICE: I don't think I'm saying we're going to do it all ourselves, it's our responsibility and you just go ahead and read a book and fall asleep. You've got to be engaged with us. You've got to be paying attention, because that's the only way we're going to work together to try to prevent or mitigate.

TODD: To that end, Secret Service officials tell CNN they went to every hotel and business along the parade route, laid out security parameters with managers and made sure they briefed customers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the most extensive ticket redesign in inaugural history.

TODD: Sunday's rehearsals for the inaugural parade every bit as meticulous.

(on camera): Why did thousands of military personnel wake up at 3:00 a.m. and deploy at 4:00 a.m. to come down here and practice for much of the day? Because precision is key. Officials in charge of the parade tell us that along with the military, thousands of civilians will be taking part, and their movements have to be coordinated down to the minute and the step.

(voice-over): Officials say they timed the steps of military and civilian marchers to calculate how long it takes them to travel a certain distance.

Protesters are also micromanaged. This year, for the first time, a group of anti-war demonstrators will have their own officially sanctioned bleacher section along the parade route.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: CNN "Security Watch" keeps you up to date on safety. Stay tuned day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

KAGAN: For a lot of Americans registering to vote, well, it's no big deal, it's routine. But that's not the case for Iraqi -- Iraqi expatriates living in the U.S. Beginning today, they can register to vote in the January 30 Iraqi elections. A lot of them are going to have to travel hundreds of miles to one of five cities where voting will take place.

Polling sites are located in Detroit, Los Angeles, Nashville, Chicago and Washington. Iraqis can also vote in several countries across Europe and the Middle East, as well as Canada and Australia.

HARRIS: So the elections in Iraq are less than two weeks away. Officials are stepping up security preparations, as you can imagine. But insurgents are keeping up their attacks as well. The stakes are high for Iraqis and for the families of U.S. troops deployed in Iraq.

National correspondent Kelly Wallace has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I miss daddy.

WALLACE (voice-over): The hometown cost of the war could not get any simpler for 3-year-old Juliana Jiminez. She misses her daddy.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And what did mommy tell you? What's daddy doing?

WALLACE: The only thing that seems to stop the tears, plans for daddy's homecoming in February.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you want to blow up balloons?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How many do you want to blow up?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A lot of them.

WALLACE: Since last February, when William Jiminez (ph), a specialist with the New Jersey Army National Guard, left for Iraq, his first deployment during his 20-year career, Dawn has been raising 6- year-old Savannah (ph), 4-year-old William, and little Juliana (ph), all alone here in Levitttown, Pennsylvania. And Juliana (ph) seems to be having the toughest time.

(on camera): How hard is that for you?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's hard, but, you know, you've got to give her moment. You know, if that's what she needs, let her take it.

WALLACE (voice-over): Dawn's (ph) a Republican. She says she voted for President Bush and remains very supportive of the war. Still, she has definite opinions about what the president's priorities in Iraq should be during his second term. Number one, she says, security for the troops.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You want to make sure that every soldier has what they need, you know, whether it be armor for their vehicles, body armor, whatever the case may be. You make sure they have it.

WALLACE: Number two, a plan to eventually bring the troops home.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I know, again, we're not going to be out of there overnight. I know it will probably be more than five years, but we definitely got to come to a grip with this, and quickly. You know, we definitely -- we definitely need more allies.

WALLACE: And number three, she says, more financial help for needy military families.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I know there's families out there, you know, who are facing issues of, "Oh, my god, I got a mortgage to pay, bills, groceries, et cetera."

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: These are the medals that daddy sent home.

WALLACE (on camera): Do you know where your dad is?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In Iraq.

WALLACE: And what's he doing there?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's beating the bad guys and getting ready to come home in February after my birthday.

WALLACE (voice-over): Since William left, Dawn (ph) started volunteering, trying to help other National Guard families with loved ones in Iraq. Her final wish for the next four years, the military staying in better touch with the families. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're here. Don't forget us.

WALLACE: And as her mom talks, it seems Juliana (ph) has forgotten, for at least a little while, how much she misses her daddy.

Kelly Wallace, CNN, Levittown, Pennsylvania.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: The White House says that a report about plans for a possible attack on Iran is what they are calling riddled with inaccuracies. Journalist Seymour Hersh says the Bush administration has been carrying out secret reconnaissance missions in Iran. Hersh says the goal is to identify possible sites for air strikes. He says information for his article in "The New Yorker" came from inside sources.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEYMOUR HERSH, "THE NEW YORKER": People in the inside are talking to me because in this administration you cannot tell them what they don't want to hear. In other words, as somebody said to me, you have to -- you have to drink the Kool-Aid before you go to a meeting.

And so they're not open to anybody saying hitting Iran is not a good idea, it's 75 million people, a big army. It's not going to be as difficult as Iraq is. Iran's going to be much harder. You're not going to get an outpouring of pro-American sentiment when you hit it.

And yet, there are people in the White House -- and we call them the neoconservatives -- some of the civilians who work in the Pentagon -- Wolfowitz is one, Dough Feith, his aide -- who really believe that when we do hit these targets it's going to lead to an incredible outcry of anti-mullah -- you know, a lot of people who don't like the religious leadership in Iran will rise up and we'll have a revolution there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARTLETT: Mr. Hersh has written several articles about this administration that has been fundamentally inaccurate. And I think this one will fall in the same category.

We obviously have a concern about Iran. The entire world has a concern about Iran. That's why we've been working with our European allies to convince them not to develop a nuclear weapons program. But I've seen excerpts of this story. I think it's riddled with inaccuracies, and I don't believe that some of the conclusions he's joining are based on fact.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Dan Bartlett says the administration is working with European allies to try to convince Iran not to pursue weapons of mass destruction.

As part of our "Security Watch" coverage, CNN will bring you a special series this week, "Defending America." It begins this evening at 7:00 Eastern, 4:00 Pacific.

HARRIS: Glitz, glamour and big bucks. No, it's not Hollywood we're talking about. It's Washington, D.C. And the nation's capital is gearing up for a big bash for President Bush. We'll show you what's in the works.

KAGAN: And speaking of Hollywood, it was a night to shine for some of the biggest stars. We're going to show you who went home with Golden Globe gold.

HARRIS: But next, the sentence for Army Reserve soldier Charles Graner. His parents say responsibility for the Abu Ghraib scandal goes all the way to the top. Their statements straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Army Reservist Charles Graner is in a Texas jail this morning awaiting transfer to a military prison. He's facing 10 years behind bars for his role in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal in Iraq.

The military jury ordered reduced Graner's rank to private and ordered a dishonorable discharge at the end of his prisoner term. Graner, asked twice by a reporter if he had regrets or apologies, replied, "No." His parents in a CNN interview blamed top U.S. officials for the conviction.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Mrs. Graner, tell us first your reaction to your son's sentence this weekend.

IRMA GRANER, CHARLES GRANER'S MOTHER: Well, it was very unfair. He had an unfair trial. I mean, he didn't have a chance.

He was found guilty before they even started the trial. It was so one-sided. It was just terrible. And I want the people of the United States to know how the prosecution and the judge just let my son out to dry. He has a wonderful...

HEMMER: How so, Mrs. Graner?

I. GRANER: Well, he has a wonderful defense team. They could get nothing in. Every time they wanted to present evidence, it was turned down.

They weren't allowed to have witnesses testify. Everything was hearsay. They had witnesses that worked right in the Abu Ghraib prison with him that weren't allowed to testify because it was hearsay. How can it be hearsay when you're working right side by side with the person?

CHARLES GRANER SR., CHARLES GRANER'S FATHER: Judge Pohl single- handedly led the jury down a garden path, a garden path in which Judge Pohl constructed blocked walls so the jury couldn't see the defense beyond these blocked walls.

HEMMER: And Mr. Graner, some critics have said your son has shown no signs of remorse, seeing him smiling leaving the courtroom area. Have you talked to him about that?

C. GRANER: My son, to say he showed no signs of remorse, why should you show a sign of remorse for doing your job? And he firmly believed that he was doing his job.

His job -- you know, at first, as he said, he was a Christian who didn't believe in doing that. He was a correction officer who says, hey, this isn't right. But he believed that after listening and found out what he was doing -- he was doing a good job. He was saving people, American people.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Graner's girlfriend, Private Lynndie England, faces court- martial this week at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. She is widely recognized as one of the faces of the abuse scandal. Appearing in many of the photos, she's often smiling and giving the "thumbs up" sign, and in one case holding a prisoner on a leash. Her attorney says the photos don't tell the entire story.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICK HERNANDEZ, LYNNDIE ENGLAND'S ATTORNEY: Well, the picture with her old holding a leash has been made famous. However, it still does not represent what went on before or after, or whether that was in fact ordered by MI in order to soften up prisoners.

We have Major General Miller's report that indicates that MI was using the MPs to soften up prisoners. Whether that was a psychological tactic to get them to speak is a different story as to whether she did it or not.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: England recently gave birth, and Graner has been identified by her lawyers as the father of the child.

HARRIS: A service honoring Martin Luther King is under way. We'll take you live to the service at Ebenezer Baptist Church here in Atlanta in a bit.

KAGAN: And then, a little bit later, the "New You Revolution." You're going to meet the first participant in Dr. Sanjay Gupta's new series.

You're watching CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Honoring the man, his memory and his mark on society. Today is the observation of Martin Luther King Day here in the U.S. These are live pictures from Ebenezer Baptist Church here in Atlanta, Georgia, where King was pastor for so many years.

Today's national holiday is two days after the slain civil right's leader's actual birthday of January 15. King would have been 76 years old. And as we take a look at the live pictures, Daryn, I don't think we've mentioned this so far this morning.

The president has issued a proclamation praising King's work toward racial equality. In part, it reads, "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a visionary American and a dedicated leader who believed deeply in liberty and dignity for every person." The proclamation goes on to say, "His faith and courage continue to inspire America and the world."

Now, President Bush will honor the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. in a speech in Washington today. That happens at 4:00 p.m. Eastern. And you can watch it here on CNN. And as part of the observance, CNN's "NEWSNIGHT WITH AARON BROWN" will air King's "I have a dream" speech in its entirety. That program begins at 10:00 p.m. Eastern.

KAGAN: And let's check in on weather. Jacqui Jeras doing that for us.

Hi, Jacqui.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: It looks good, feels -- it sounds like a beer commercial.

HARRIS: Yes.

KAGAN: Thank you.

Some critics are saying, these plans, they are just over the top.

HARRIS: Yes. President Bush's inauguration is shaping up to the be the party of the year. We'll show you what's in store for Washington and the guests. And that pooch, I guess. You're watching CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: And this just in. A man has barricaded himself in a docked luxury yacht. This is on Miami Beach. And at this point we don't know why the man is doing this. And we don't know whether he's armed or if he has other people on board that boat with him.

Miami police, as you can imagine, and fire rescue, are all on the scene. You can see there. And S.W.A.T. has surrounded the boat and a nearby hotel to keep hotel guests from stumbling on the scene. We'll continue to follow this and bring you an update as we get additional information.

KAGAN: Let's take a look at what's happening "Now in the News." A Web security firm is warning a new e-mail posing as a plea for tsunami victims is actually a computer worm. The subject line is "Tsunami Donation, Please Help." If you open the attachment you will forward the virus.

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