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CNN Live Today

Hearings Under Way to Assess Progress on Government Changes Recommended by 9/11 Commission; Ways to Speed Through Airport Checkpoints

Aired June 06, 2005 - 10:31   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.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We're just a little bit past the half hour. I'm Daryn Kagan.
Here's a look at what's happening now in the news.

Just minutes ago, the U.S. Supreme Court dealt a blow to the use of medical marijuana. The high court in support of the federal government, and said authorities can prosecute patients who smoke marijuana on doctors' orders. The justices ruled that state marijuana laws do not overrule the federal ban.

The International Olympic Committee released a key report on the city's vying for the 2012 Games. It described the Presentations of Paris and London as, quote, "very high quality." That suggests that those two cities are now the front-runners. New York and Madrid were given the lesser rating of high-quality presentations. A vote is scheduled one month from today.

Police in Aruba have not yet revealed charge against two men held in the disappearance of an Alabama teenager. Eighteen year-old Natalee Holloway was last seen one week ago today. The two men are security guards at a hotel near hers. She was in Aruba celebrating her high school graduation with classmates.

Jurors begin their first full day of deliberations in Michael Jackson's child-molestation trial. Meanwhile, the singer is said to be in excruciating pain, awaiting the verdict. Jackson visited the hospital yesterday for treatment of recurring back problems. His brother Jermaine tells CNN that if Jackson is acquitted, he likely will become a recluse because he feels betrayed by people he trusted.

In today's CNN Security Watch, hearings are under way this hour in Washington to assess progress on government changes recommended by the 9/11 Commission. In fact, one of the actions taken by the bipartisan group was the creation of the very watchdog group.

CNN national security correspondent David Ensor joins us with more on this.

David, good morning.

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATL. SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Well, as you say, the session is under way live as we speak. And what the 9/11 Commission has done is something rather interesting. Most of these blue-ribbon panels go quietly into the night. They write their report, and they go away. This one has refused to. It's holding eight hearings over the next couple of months on whether the government is doing what they recommended or not. And they are saying that in some cases, the government has not taken the recommendations.

What you're looking at now is John Gannon, who's a former CIA official, a former official on Capitol Hill as well and as the White House, a respected expert on these issues. The subject today is information sharing. Are the FBI and the CIA sharing information and collecting information in a way that makes another 9/11 less likely? Well, all the witnesses are so far saying in some ways yes, but they are warning there are serious problems. For example, and it was highlighted in one of the major newspapers today, the FBI planned a whole new computer system, that's supposed to be a virtual case file. They spent $170 million trying to set it up. In the end, they had to close it down. It simply didn't work.

A fellow journalists of ours, Chitra Ragavan of "U.S. News," talked about the whole question of whether the FBI really can become an intelligence service, as well as a law-enforcement service.

Here's what she said:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHITRA RAGAVAN, "U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT": Clearly, the 9/11 attacks and President Bush's mandate to the FBI to prevent terrorist attacks, rather than just be a crime-solving agency, has created somewhat of a battle for the soul of the FBI, and it's very unclear at this point who's going to win.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ENSOR: Critics argue that after there is another 9/11 attack, if one should come to this country, there might -- you might see the FBI being split up into two separate agencies. Another question, and this one raised by John Gannon. Is the new structure that's been set up for the new director of national intelligence for the United States, is this going to work, or is this simply more bureaucracy? His concern is that while there is more intelligence, more analysis being made about terrorism, the quality may not be up.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN GANNON, FMR. CHAIRMAN., NATL. INTELLIGENCE COUNCIL: In response to 9/11, actually we've done some things, which I would argue, have increased the problems that John Negroponte faces or Porter Goss faces. Some key points, I think we have, perhaps, put excessive structure in place as we try to respond to functional problems, and as I have moved around the community, I see precious analytic resources, that is expert resources, being stretched in a way that I think actually can be damaging to critical missions and functions.

(END VIDEO CLIP) ENSOR: In addition, 9/11 Commission members are complaining that their recommendations in a number of key areas have not been put in place. The U.S. is not spending more in trying to stop nuclear proliferation from the former Soviet Union. Congress has not performed its oversight of tourism. There's a whole series of recommendations that the panel made that have not been put in place -- Daryn.

KAGAN: David Ensor, live from Washington D.C., thank you for the latest on that.

A court hearing has been delayed for a Boca Raton doctor, accused of supporting Al Qaeda terror network. Fifty-year-old Rafiq Sabir is now to appear in a Florida courtroom on Wednesday. He's accused of pledging his allegiance to Osama Bin Laden's organization and agreeing to treat wounded insurgents in Saudi Arabia. He's charged, along with a New York jazz musician who allegedly agreed to train insurgents in martial arts.

Airport security for you now and ways to speed you through airport checkpoints without cutting corners on safety.

Here now, CNN's Brian Todd.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On their first plane trip since September 11th, this Lezotte family isn't worried and isn't having many security hassles as they head back to Dallas from Washington.

LINDA LEZOTTE, PASSENGER: I think it is very thorough. I've been impressed. Everybody is helpful.

TODD: That's what the transportation security administration wants to hear as it comes under added pressure to improve its performance. A confidential new report from the Department of Homeland Security suggests ways that TSA can tighten security gaps at major airports and get you through check points faster.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please keep the boarding passes in hand.

TODD: According to Homeland Security officials who have seen the report, it says more explosive trace detection need to be in place. This involves taking swabs of passengers and luggage and running them through machines to look for explosive residue. The report says these machines are now only in limited use at major airports but there's a more expensive upgrade called the explosive trace portal. A passenger walks through a portal; there is a burst of air. And that air is tested for residue. Only 14 airports have them. And TSA officials say they're acting on the report's recommendation to deploy more.

MARK HATFIELD, TSA SPOKESMAN: We have brought trace portals, which will now be installed at the 40 busiest airports by the end of this year. TODD: But according to the "New York Times" the report says many overseas airports don't meet U.S. standards for background checks on passengers flying into the U.S. from abroad.

REP. DAN LUNGREN, (R) HOMELAND SECURITY: We do have a situation now where we check manifests while people are in the air. That is while the flights are in the air. There has been a suggestion that might be done at an earlier stage so you don't have to divert these flights. And you could possibly be able to identify potential terrorists suspects before they actually get on the flight.

TODD: But TSA officials say they have good collaboration with other governments over security standards and are always looking for ways to improve. One simple way to get people through check points faster according to this report? Putting longer tables in front of checkpoints to empty your carry-on luggage.

CLARK KENT ERVIN, FMR. DHS INSPECTOR GENERAL: Many of the solutions recommended are very low tech or no tech recommendations at all. They don't cost a lot of money so it is hard to believe that they haven't been implemented.

TODD (on camera): TSA officials say they've been working that problem, too, and many others in the report. Experts say that's not a moment too soon, since we are now seeing passenger volume that we haven't seen since before September 11th.

Brian Todd, CNN, at Reagan National Airport.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And be sure to stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

There's a new sign the U.S. is considering increasing pressure on North Korea over its nuclear program. A senior defense official tells CNN over the weekend the U.S. may take the matter to the U.N. Security Council.

But traveling in Thailand today, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld repeated the current administration course. That is, to urge the north to return to six-party talks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD RUMSFELD, SECY. OF DEFENSE: The president has stated what the policy is, the secretary of state has stated it, and I have stated, and it's all exactly the same. So I think that the stories that have been playing are just inaccurate and mischievous.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Rumsfeld met with Thailand's leaders in Bangkok on Sunday. He travels next to Norway.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice suggests the Security Council may someday be an option for the North Korea nuclear issue. Right now, though, she believes regional talks are the best idea. Rice spoke with CNN Espanol this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: We do not believe in bilateral negotiations with the North Koreans. We meet with North Koreans in context with the six-party talks. We believe that this is the best way to make certain that North Korea gets a consistent and coherent message from all of the members of the neighborhood that their nuclear weapons program simply has to go.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Rice and President Bush are attending the Organization of American States General Assembly in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, today. Rice called on delegates last night to stick to the group's pro- democracy pledge.

So who is yapping more on their cell phone, men or women? Still to come, a look which gender has the busiest ear. The results just might surprise you.

Plus, Intel could get a sweet bite out of Apple's business. But that could leave IBM a little blue. The latest business news, coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

KAGAN: It is called a real world crash, the kind of collision that happens when your passenger car gets hit by an SUV or a pick-up truck. Well, now the group that studies side impact crashes has finished its latest round of tests. Our Julie Vallese has the report card.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JULIE VALLESE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Audi's A4, with standard side airbags and the Chevrolet Malibu, tested with optimal side airbags at G.M.'s request, have earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest honor of best pick in its latest round of side impact crash tests.

ADRIAN LUND, INS. INST. FOR HWY. SAFETY: With the improved side airbag system that's available on the Malibu, it shows that you don't have to spend a lot of money to get good side impact protection.

VALLESE: Volvo's S-60 earned the institute's second highest rating of acceptable. The Suzuki Verona and the Nissan Maxima were rated marginal.

LUND: You'd think if the structure had held up better, to give the side impact airbags more room to protect you, that they would have had better ratings. VALLESE: In a written response, Suzuki said its Verona is safe, but it is studying the IIHS crash test and exploring strategies to reduce occupant injuries. Nissan said all of its vehicles meet and outperform the government safety regulations and that it will continue to work with the institute to better understand how this test relates to real world situations.

(on camera): The institute rates vehicles as good, acceptable marginal and poor. While none of the vehicles in this round tested poor, seven vehicles from the current model year have failed in previous tests.

(voice-over): Two had side impact airbags.

Julie Vallese, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Let's talk bad drivers right now. They're everywhere, right? Well, yes, but you really want to stay off the roads in Northeast. Drivers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Jersey are the dumbest. Now that's not me saying that. That's what -- at least they know the rules of the road. That is according to a GMAC insurance survey. Drivers in Oregon, Washington state and Iowa are ranked as the smartest. The survey found one in ten people nationwide would fail a state driver's test if they took one today.

Well, from driving to your cell phones, who is using them the most, men or women? There's a new survey from Cingular Wireless that's showing men gab some 35 percent more than women. That's more than double the 16 percent found in last year's survey. Also, by the way, women are said to use their cell phones more for personal use than men, while the survey says almost twice as many men use their phones for business. Interesting.

Trouble on the line for Russell Crowe, speaking of phone. Still to come, things turned violent after he tried to place a telephone call from a hotel. Guess it didn't quite work out too well. Details, straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We'll take a look at what's on our docket today in our look at the legal briefs. A look at Russell Crowe in happier times. The actor arrested in New York earlier this morning. Police say he threw a telephone at a hotel employee. Authorities say the worker was hit in the face and taken to a hospital. Crowe is scheduled to appear in court later today on a second-degree assault charge.

To Salt Lake City, this afternoon, Mark Hacking is to be sentenced for murder. Hacking pleaded guilty to killing his wife, Lori, last July. Her remains were later found in a landfill.

Lea Fastow was released from federal prison in Houston this morning. Fastow has been serving a year-long sentence related to the Enron scandal. She still has one month to stay in a halfway house before she can go home. Her husband, Andrew, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy. He soon will begin a 10-year prison term.

And did two top former executives of Tyco International loot the company of hundreds of millions of dollars? A New York jury is deliberating that matter right now. Dennis Kozlowski and Mark Schwartz are -- have been pleaded not guilty to securities fraud and other charges. The men face a maximum 25 years in prison if convicted.

Other legal news, next hour, jurors will begin their first full day of deliberation in the Michael Jackson molestation trial. They're going to have to consider a number of key and conflicting moments from the four months of proceedings.

For an online summary, here's CNN's Christina Park at the dot-com desk.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTINA PARK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Eight women, four men are deliberating the Michael Jackson molestation trial. CNN.com brings you the key issues that may decide his fate. Flip through our interactive timeline for the some of the key moments in the trial and the interruptions, like when the 46-year-old pop star showed up 90 minutes late for court wearing his pajamas, complaining of a back injury, putting his $3 million bail briefly in jeopardy.

Or when a forensic accountant testified that Jackson faces millions of dollars in debt and a looming financial crisis.

CNN.com/jacksontrial looks as the jurors now deliberating. Where they work. Do they have kids? How they feel about Jackson? What's their educational background? Juror number 77 works in social services. The 44-year-old woman calls Michael Jackson a great entertainer. She's also divorced with a son in his 20s. She or someone close to her has been diagnosed with cancer. Why should that matter? Well, Jackson's teen accuser is a cancer survivor. We profiled all 12 jurors, from a 79-year-old retirement woman, to an assistant head cashier who's just 20 years old.

We've also broken down the 10 counts Jackson faces in our online special at CNN.com/jacksontrial.

I'm Christina Park, and that does it from the dot-com desk.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Let's check out the time. 10:54 in Saginaw, Michigan, where hundreds are still without power after strong storms moved through. And it's 7:54 in Washington State, where a judge is expected it rule if the gubernatorial race should be rerun.

Stay with us. We're back with a quick check of your morning forecast.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: They are cute, they are cuddly, but is it a good idea to bring your pets along on vacation? We'll tell you about how a lot of places are making that possible. Traveling with CNN in the next hour as CNN LIVE TODAY begins our next hour right now.

(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 June 6, 2005 - 10:31   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We're just a little bit past the half hour. I'm Daryn Kagan.
Here's a look at what's happening now in the news.

Just minutes ago, the U.S. Supreme Court dealt a blow to the use of medical marijuana. The high court in support of the federal government, and said authorities can prosecute patients who smoke marijuana on doctors' orders. The justices ruled that state marijuana laws do not overrule the federal ban.

The International Olympic Committee released a key report on the city's vying for the 2012 Games. It described the Presentations of Paris and London as, quote, "very high quality." That suggests that those two cities are now the front-runners. New York and Madrid were given the lesser rating of high-quality presentations. A vote is scheduled one month from today.

Police in Aruba have not yet revealed charge against two men held in the disappearance of an Alabama teenager. Eighteen year-old Natalee Holloway was last seen one week ago today. The two men are security guards at a hotel near hers. She was in Aruba celebrating her high school graduation with classmates.

Jurors begin their first full day of deliberations in Michael Jackson's child-molestation trial. Meanwhile, the singer is said to be in excruciating pain, awaiting the verdict. Jackson visited the hospital yesterday for treatment of recurring back problems. His brother Jermaine tells CNN that if Jackson is acquitted, he likely will become a recluse because he feels betrayed by people he trusted.

In today's CNN Security Watch, hearings are under way this hour in Washington to assess progress on government changes recommended by the 9/11 Commission. In fact, one of the actions taken by the bipartisan group was the creation of the very watchdog group.

CNN national security correspondent David Ensor joins us with more on this.

David, good morning.

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATL. SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Well, as you say, the session is under way live as we speak. And what the 9/11 Commission has done is something rather interesting. Most of these blue-ribbon panels go quietly into the night. They write their report, and they go away. This one has refused to. It's holding eight hearings over the next couple of months on whether the government is doing what they recommended or not. And they are saying that in some cases, the government has not taken the recommendations.

What you're looking at now is John Gannon, who's a former CIA official, a former official on Capitol Hill as well and as the White House, a respected expert on these issues. The subject today is information sharing. Are the FBI and the CIA sharing information and collecting information in a way that makes another 9/11 less likely? Well, all the witnesses are so far saying in some ways yes, but they are warning there are serious problems. For example, and it was highlighted in one of the major newspapers today, the FBI planned a whole new computer system, that's supposed to be a virtual case file. They spent $170 million trying to set it up. In the end, they had to close it down. It simply didn't work.

A fellow journalists of ours, Chitra Ragavan of "U.S. News," talked about the whole question of whether the FBI really can become an intelligence service, as well as a law-enforcement service.

Here's what she said:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHITRA RAGAVAN, "U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT": Clearly, the 9/11 attacks and President Bush's mandate to the FBI to prevent terrorist attacks, rather than just be a crime-solving agency, has created somewhat of a battle for the soul of the FBI, and it's very unclear at this point who's going to win.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ENSOR: Critics argue that after there is another 9/11 attack, if one should come to this country, there might -- you might see the FBI being split up into two separate agencies. Another question, and this one raised by John Gannon. Is the new structure that's been set up for the new director of national intelligence for the United States, is this going to work, or is this simply more bureaucracy? His concern is that while there is more intelligence, more analysis being made about terrorism, the quality may not be up.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN GANNON, FMR. CHAIRMAN., NATL. INTELLIGENCE COUNCIL: In response to 9/11, actually we've done some things, which I would argue, have increased the problems that John Negroponte faces or Porter Goss faces. Some key points, I think we have, perhaps, put excessive structure in place as we try to respond to functional problems, and as I have moved around the community, I see precious analytic resources, that is expert resources, being stretched in a way that I think actually can be damaging to critical missions and functions.

(END VIDEO CLIP) ENSOR: In addition, 9/11 Commission members are complaining that their recommendations in a number of key areas have not been put in place. The U.S. is not spending more in trying to stop nuclear proliferation from the former Soviet Union. Congress has not performed its oversight of tourism. There's a whole series of recommendations that the panel made that have not been put in place -- Daryn.

KAGAN: David Ensor, live from Washington D.C., thank you for the latest on that.

A court hearing has been delayed for a Boca Raton doctor, accused of supporting Al Qaeda terror network. Fifty-year-old Rafiq Sabir is now to appear in a Florida courtroom on Wednesday. He's accused of pledging his allegiance to Osama Bin Laden's organization and agreeing to treat wounded insurgents in Saudi Arabia. He's charged, along with a New York jazz musician who allegedly agreed to train insurgents in martial arts.

Airport security for you now and ways to speed you through airport checkpoints without cutting corners on safety.

Here now, CNN's Brian Todd.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On their first plane trip since September 11th, this Lezotte family isn't worried and isn't having many security hassles as they head back to Dallas from Washington.

LINDA LEZOTTE, PASSENGER: I think it is very thorough. I've been impressed. Everybody is helpful.

TODD: That's what the transportation security administration wants to hear as it comes under added pressure to improve its performance. A confidential new report from the Department of Homeland Security suggests ways that TSA can tighten security gaps at major airports and get you through check points faster.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please keep the boarding passes in hand.

TODD: According to Homeland Security officials who have seen the report, it says more explosive trace detection need to be in place. This involves taking swabs of passengers and luggage and running them through machines to look for explosive residue. The report says these machines are now only in limited use at major airports but there's a more expensive upgrade called the explosive trace portal. A passenger walks through a portal; there is a burst of air. And that air is tested for residue. Only 14 airports have them. And TSA officials say they're acting on the report's recommendation to deploy more.

MARK HATFIELD, TSA SPOKESMAN: We have brought trace portals, which will now be installed at the 40 busiest airports by the end of this year. TODD: But according to the "New York Times" the report says many overseas airports don't meet U.S. standards for background checks on passengers flying into the U.S. from abroad.

REP. DAN LUNGREN, (R) HOMELAND SECURITY: We do have a situation now where we check manifests while people are in the air. That is while the flights are in the air. There has been a suggestion that might be done at an earlier stage so you don't have to divert these flights. And you could possibly be able to identify potential terrorists suspects before they actually get on the flight.

TODD: But TSA officials say they have good collaboration with other governments over security standards and are always looking for ways to improve. One simple way to get people through check points faster according to this report? Putting longer tables in front of checkpoints to empty your carry-on luggage.

CLARK KENT ERVIN, FMR. DHS INSPECTOR GENERAL: Many of the solutions recommended are very low tech or no tech recommendations at all. They don't cost a lot of money so it is hard to believe that they haven't been implemented.

TODD (on camera): TSA officials say they've been working that problem, too, and many others in the report. Experts say that's not a moment too soon, since we are now seeing passenger volume that we haven't seen since before September 11th.

Brian Todd, CNN, at Reagan National Airport.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And be sure to stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

There's a new sign the U.S. is considering increasing pressure on North Korea over its nuclear program. A senior defense official tells CNN over the weekend the U.S. may take the matter to the U.N. Security Council.

But traveling in Thailand today, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld repeated the current administration course. That is, to urge the north to return to six-party talks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD RUMSFELD, SECY. OF DEFENSE: The president has stated what the policy is, the secretary of state has stated it, and I have stated, and it's all exactly the same. So I think that the stories that have been playing are just inaccurate and mischievous.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Rumsfeld met with Thailand's leaders in Bangkok on Sunday. He travels next to Norway.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice suggests the Security Council may someday be an option for the North Korea nuclear issue. Right now, though, she believes regional talks are the best idea. Rice spoke with CNN Espanol this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: We do not believe in bilateral negotiations with the North Koreans. We meet with North Koreans in context with the six-party talks. We believe that this is the best way to make certain that North Korea gets a consistent and coherent message from all of the members of the neighborhood that their nuclear weapons program simply has to go.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Rice and President Bush are attending the Organization of American States General Assembly in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, today. Rice called on delegates last night to stick to the group's pro- democracy pledge.

So who is yapping more on their cell phone, men or women? Still to come, a look which gender has the busiest ear. The results just might surprise you.

Plus, Intel could get a sweet bite out of Apple's business. But that could leave IBM a little blue. The latest business news, coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

KAGAN: It is called a real world crash, the kind of collision that happens when your passenger car gets hit by an SUV or a pick-up truck. Well, now the group that studies side impact crashes has finished its latest round of tests. Our Julie Vallese has the report card.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JULIE VALLESE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Audi's A4, with standard side airbags and the Chevrolet Malibu, tested with optimal side airbags at G.M.'s request, have earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest honor of best pick in its latest round of side impact crash tests.

ADRIAN LUND, INS. INST. FOR HWY. SAFETY: With the improved side airbag system that's available on the Malibu, it shows that you don't have to spend a lot of money to get good side impact protection.

VALLESE: Volvo's S-60 earned the institute's second highest rating of acceptable. The Suzuki Verona and the Nissan Maxima were rated marginal.

LUND: You'd think if the structure had held up better, to give the side impact airbags more room to protect you, that they would have had better ratings. VALLESE: In a written response, Suzuki said its Verona is safe, but it is studying the IIHS crash test and exploring strategies to reduce occupant injuries. Nissan said all of its vehicles meet and outperform the government safety regulations and that it will continue to work with the institute to better understand how this test relates to real world situations.

(on camera): The institute rates vehicles as good, acceptable marginal and poor. While none of the vehicles in this round tested poor, seven vehicles from the current model year have failed in previous tests.

(voice-over): Two had side impact airbags.

Julie Vallese, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Let's talk bad drivers right now. They're everywhere, right? Well, yes, but you really want to stay off the roads in Northeast. Drivers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Jersey are the dumbest. Now that's not me saying that. That's what -- at least they know the rules of the road. That is according to a GMAC insurance survey. Drivers in Oregon, Washington state and Iowa are ranked as the smartest. The survey found one in ten people nationwide would fail a state driver's test if they took one today.

Well, from driving to your cell phones, who is using them the most, men or women? There's a new survey from Cingular Wireless that's showing men gab some 35 percent more than women. That's more than double the 16 percent found in last year's survey. Also, by the way, women are said to use their cell phones more for personal use than men, while the survey says almost twice as many men use their phones for business. Interesting.

Trouble on the line for Russell Crowe, speaking of phone. Still to come, things turned violent after he tried to place a telephone call from a hotel. Guess it didn't quite work out too well. Details, straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We'll take a look at what's on our docket today in our look at the legal briefs. A look at Russell Crowe in happier times. The actor arrested in New York earlier this morning. Police say he threw a telephone at a hotel employee. Authorities say the worker was hit in the face and taken to a hospital. Crowe is scheduled to appear in court later today on a second-degree assault charge.

To Salt Lake City, this afternoon, Mark Hacking is to be sentenced for murder. Hacking pleaded guilty to killing his wife, Lori, last July. Her remains were later found in a landfill.

Lea Fastow was released from federal prison in Houston this morning. Fastow has been serving a year-long sentence related to the Enron scandal. She still has one month to stay in a halfway house before she can go home. Her husband, Andrew, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy. He soon will begin a 10-year prison term.

And did two top former executives of Tyco International loot the company of hundreds of millions of dollars? A New York jury is deliberating that matter right now. Dennis Kozlowski and Mark Schwartz are -- have been pleaded not guilty to securities fraud and other charges. The men face a maximum 25 years in prison if convicted.

Other legal news, next hour, jurors will begin their first full day of deliberation in the Michael Jackson molestation trial. They're going to have to consider a number of key and conflicting moments from the four months of proceedings.

For an online summary, here's CNN's Christina Park at the dot-com desk.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTINA PARK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Eight women, four men are deliberating the Michael Jackson molestation trial. CNN.com brings you the key issues that may decide his fate. Flip through our interactive timeline for the some of the key moments in the trial and the interruptions, like when the 46-year-old pop star showed up 90 minutes late for court wearing his pajamas, complaining of a back injury, putting his $3 million bail briefly in jeopardy.

Or when a forensic accountant testified that Jackson faces millions of dollars in debt and a looming financial crisis.

CNN.com/jacksontrial looks as the jurors now deliberating. Where they work. Do they have kids? How they feel about Jackson? What's their educational background? Juror number 77 works in social services. The 44-year-old woman calls Michael Jackson a great entertainer. She's also divorced with a son in his 20s. She or someone close to her has been diagnosed with cancer. Why should that matter? Well, Jackson's teen accuser is a cancer survivor. We profiled all 12 jurors, from a 79-year-old retirement woman, to an assistant head cashier who's just 20 years old.

We've also broken down the 10 counts Jackson faces in our online special at CNN.com/jacksontrial.

I'm Christina Park, and that does it from the dot-com desk.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Let's check out the time. 10:54 in Saginaw, Michigan, where hundreds are still without power after strong storms moved through. And it's 7:54 in Washington State, where a judge is expected it rule if the gubernatorial race should be rerun.

Stay with us. We're back with a quick check of your morning forecast.

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(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: They are cute, they are cuddly, but is it a good idea to bring your pets along on vacation? We'll tell you about how a lot of places are making that possible. Traveling with CNN in the next hour as CNN LIVE TODAY begins our next hour right now.

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