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CNN Live Today

Marines Investigated; Immigration Battle; Lost TSA Uniforms; Outlet Malls

Aired May 26, 2006 - 10:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Out of time for this week. Have a great holiday weekend. Daryn Kagan is here.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: You guys have a great holiday weekend as well.

MILES O'BRIEN: We will.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Thank you, Daryn.

KAGAN: Yes, great.

We have a busy hour ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY. Here are a couple stories that you will not want to miss.

One small step for immigration reform, but a mountain still to climb on Capitol Hill. A key House leader will speak shortly on bridging the gap between the House and Senate bills on immigration.

And missing uniforms and stolen badges. The agency in charge of securing airports may have a security problem itself. An investigation ahead this hour.

Do the right thing. It's a message that Marine's top general is personally delivering to his forces in Iraq today. The trip comes alongside two ongoing investigations into Iraqi civilian deaths. CNN's Jamie McIntyre has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): The allegation is that last November these civilians in Haditha, videotaped by an Iraqi human rights group, were slaughtered in a house to house rampage by U.S. Marines, who then allegedly tried to cover up the deaths with a story that the men, women and children were killed by a roadside bomb and during a firefight that followed with insurgents.

And now, in a second case, several Marines have been shipped back to Camp Pendleton, California, after local Iraqis accused them of killing a single Iraqi civilian last month. A statement issued by the U.S. military says, "a preliminary investigation found sufficient information to recommend a criminal investigation." The charges of atrocities are so potentially explosive, an one-star Marine general was dispatched to personally brief Congress.

SEN JOHN WARNER, (R) CHAIRMAN, ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: Based on, I guess now well over 30 years of experience with the military, I would rank this as quite serious. Both incidents.

MCINTYRE: And the Marines top general, Commandant Michael Hagee, has gone to Iraq on a hastily arranged tour to underscore to his Marines they need to abide by the law of war. According to his staff, Hagee will say, "the most difficult part of courage is not the raw physical courage, it is rather the moral courage to do the 'right thing' in the face of danger or pressure from other Marines. We do not employ force just for the sake of employing force. We use lethal force only when justified, proportional and, most importantly, lawful."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And Jamie McIntyre joins us from the Pentagon right now.

Jamie, just how high up might this investigation go with previous scandals like Abu Ghraib? We saw a lot of low level people face justice, but not a lot of high level people.

MCINTYRE: Well, there's already been a brigade commander and two company commanders who have been relieved of command for loss of confidence because of this incident among other things. It's not clear that they're directly related to this at all. These allegations, if they were true, were conducted by a fairly small squad of Marines. About a dozen or so.

And at this point, the investigation is still not complete. But Pentagon sources tell us that it does -- it has confirmed that their initial story, that these civilians were killed by an IED blast and a gun fight, simply has not held up. So they are telling us that there's a potential for some very serious charges here, including murder, which could carry a death penalty in some of these cases. Again, no charges have been filed yet. The investigation is wrapping up. It's going to be released shortly, but it's not out yet.

KAGAN: All right. We'll let you go get that phone. Jamie, thank you. Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon.

MCINTYRE: Thank you.

KAGAN: Future decisions, past mistakes. President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair talk about both of those after a White House meeting. Both leaders admit to serious missteps in the Iraq War. President Bush called the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal a mistake that continues to haunt the campaign. Mr. Bush also wishes he has chosen his words more carefully.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Saying bring it on. Kind of tough talk, you know, that sent the wrong signal to people. That I learned some lessons about expressing myself maybe in a little more sophisticated manner.

(END VIDEO CLIP) KAGAN: As for Mr. Blair, he says members of Saddam Hussein Baath Party should have been given a role in post-war Iraq, but both men pointed to the new Iraqi government as a turning point. Neither would give a timetable for bringing the troops home.

The big compromise. Lawmakers are going to have to bend and flex, maybe even squirm a little bit, to get together a final immigration bill. The House and Senate versions are very different. The Senate's new bill offers a path to citizenship for millions of illegals. The House has an enforcement only fix it plan. Our Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash joins me live now from Capitol Hill.

Dana, any chance that these two sides can come up with a compromise?

DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, it is going to be very tough and not talked to anybody who has said the chances are more than 50/50 at this point. And, in fact, as we speak, Daryn, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, James Sensenbrenner, is having a press conference and he just perhaps began to answer that question. He said it is going to be a very difficult House/Senate conference. He said that the two sides are 180 degrees different. And he also said that he vowed not to repeat the mistakes of 20 years ago.

Now what he means by that is, ironically, the hero to many conservatives, Ronald Reagan, did give amnesty to illegal immigrants and many believe that has caused what they see as the major problem influx of illegal immigrants right now. So that man, James Sensenbrenner, has been certainly somebody who has -- when you talk about the House Republicans and those who do not agree with what the Senate passed yesterday, which does give illegal immigrants a path to citizenship, he really embodies that. He is going to be one of the leaders of that conference committee and he certainly drives a hard bargain.

Daryn.

KAGAN: So does this mean with both sides so far apart it will take some involvement of President Bush to bring them together for compromise?

BASH: Big time. I mean all sides say that that is really what is going to be absolutely necessary here, is for President Bush personally to intervene. If he wants this as one of his major accomplishments, this is something that he has pushed since really since he was governor of Texas, this whole concept, he is going to have to get involved. But even if he does, Daryn, it is still a very big question mark as to whether this can get done at all.

I was talking to one of the moderate Republicans in the House of Representatives yesterday, Mike Castle of Delaware, somebody who has worked on a lot of compromises on very tough issues. He says right now he just does not see a middle ground. There are some ideas. There are some ideas for compromise, but it is going to take a while. And, as you said, certainly a lot of involvement from Mr. Bush himself.

KAGAN: All right, Dana, you mentioned James Sensenbrenner giving a new conference right now or speaking. Let's go ahead and listen in.

REP. JAMES SENSENBRENNER, (R) JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: It seems to me that what we need to do is to figure out a way, short of amnesty, to deal with the labor needs of the American economy. And if the Senate gets off the dime for pushing for amnesty, even though they call it something different, then I think there's room for negotiation.

Yes, ma'am?

QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE).

SENSENBRENNER: The bottom line should be something that works. And if we make the mistake of Simpson-Mazzoli all over again, 20 years from now we're going to have a problem that's even worse. And what that means is that you've got to do things in the proper order. The first things that need to be done are border security and enforcement of employer sanctions so that we not only prevent people from crossing the border, but we turn off the magnet of cheap jobs for those who illegally come here. And again, it's always cheaper to hire an illegal immigrant.

I think Senator Kyl is going down the right path because we've got to do things in the proper order. The mistake of Simpson-Mazzoli is that amnesty was offered and employer sanctions were never enforced. And because employer sanctions were never enforced, only a third of those eligible for amnesty bothered to sign up because they feared they'd lose their jobs by pricing themselves out of the market.

KAGAN: We're been listening in to Representative James Sensenbrenner talking about, will there be any kind of compromise now between the Senate and the House to come up with some kind of immigration reform. And clearly we're not controlling that camera there. He says he is looking for compromise, but anything short of amnesty. More on that just ahead.

Also, some personal stories of immigration, including one man who was captured at the border, returned to Mexico. He never knew he could actually stay here in the U.S. The legal illegal on CNN, the most trusted name in news.

And it is a threat to your safety?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRIAN COLLISTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): We finally got these internal records just a few weeks ago. They show that TSA employees have lost more than 1,400 ID badges and uniform items, like shirts and patches, since 2003. And that's not everything.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: An investigative report into airport insecurity. Stay tuned to CNN. We have your most reliable news about your security.

And ahead, you're going to meet a guy who dares to be a little different.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Why do you do this?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The basic premise of why I do this is basically to lift people's spirits and put a smile on their face.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Bells on his shoes, a baton in the hand. Bob, livening up the streets of Atlanta, Georgia.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We're watching the news as it happens. Just in the last hour, the Senate has confirmed Air Force General Michael Hayden as the new CIA director. The vote was 78 to 15. Some senators are concerned about Hayden's connection to the NSA wiretapping controversy and his military status. Hayden is expected to begin his new job this afternoon. He replaces Porter Goss who resigned earlier this month.

Missing uniforms, stolen ID badges. The agency in charge of securing our airports apparently itself is not so secure. Alarming information has been uncovered by affiliate station WOAI in San Antonio, Texas. Reporter Brian Collister reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN COLLISTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): You may remember Debra Sander. She made national news just a few weeks ago after she found this TSA screener shirt in her luggage. She had just gotten off a flight in Tampa, Florida, from Newark, New Jersey.

DEBORAH SANDER, FOUND TSA SHIRT IN LUGGAGE: And my jaw dropped. I couldn't believe what was on there. Patches for homeland security, tagged TSA all over and then the name tag with the number.

COLLISTER: A traumatic experience for Sander who lost loved ones in the September 11th attacks. The Transportation Security Administration says a screener took off his shirt in a hot bag room and it fell off a hook into the luggage while he was inspecting it.

But this is not the first time TSA screeners have lost part of their uniform. News headlines like these caught the troubleshooters attention more than a year and a half ago. Badges, uniforms, missing and stolen across the country.

So since that time we've been battling with the TSA using the Freedom of Information Act. We finally got these internal records just a few weeks ago. They show that TSA employees have lost more than 1,400 ID badges and uniform items, like shirts and patches, since 2003. And that's not everything. TSA is still withholding much of the information. The records are full of examples. In Atlantic City, New Jersey, a homeland security patch is missing from a shirt after it comes back from a dry cleaner. In Fort Lauderdale, three sets of uniforms lost or stolen out of luggage left in a hotel baggage room. Here in San Antonio, six TSA uniform shirts are stolen out of this apartment laundry room. Another San Antonio employee's ID badges are stolen when someone breaks into her car and takes her purse.

The airport's missing the most ID badges include O'Hare in Chicago with 115. And topping the list is Los Angeles Airport with 120 missing. Here in Texas, DFW is missing 42. Bush in Houston, 18, Hobby (ph), 10, San Antonio, seven.

SAUL WILEN, TERRORISM PREVENTION EXPERT: You have a very serious problem.

COLLISTER: Saul Wilen is a nationally known expert in terrorism prevention.

Is this a threat to our homeland security?

WILEN: No question. If you have a badge and an uniform, you are invincible in terms of the system. Not only can you get in and get around, you can become known and become a regular that becomes more and more recognized so that the next time you're less liable to have to go through the system's security. And the next time, even less.

COLLISTER: The Department of Homeland Security thinks missing badges and uniforms are a big deal, too. In just the last few years, they've issued several warnings to local, state and federal agencies to guard theirs. Pointing out that terrorists have used these items to pull off attacks overseas.

But when we asked the TSA just this week about their own missing badges and uniforms, the TSA told us it is not a security risk. TSA refused our request for an on-camera interview, but said this in a written statement.

"Transportation security officers, regardless of credentials or uniforms, are screened each time they enter the checkpoint. Badges and uniforms used individually or collectively, would not allow access to a person with ill intent."

Then why is this TSA employee not going through the security check point? Just last week, we caught him on our undercover camera going around security by simply flashing his badge and going in through the exit. And he's not the only one. We watched time and time again as TSA employees skirted the security screening using only their uniform and badges. TSA refused to watch our undercover video, but they now tell us these are screeners who went through security at the beginning of their shift or supervisors who are allowed to avoid screening.

And it's not just happening here. This is video of TSA employees going around security in Miami back in 2003. The TSA screener manning the check point simply waves them past. Saul Wilen says he's witnessed the same thing at JFK Airport in New York back in 2004.

WILEN: All of a sudden, three people walked around security and in. All of them had badges, but they certainly did not go through security.

REP. LAMAR SMITH, TEXAS: And all that is a clear and present danger to homeland security.

COLLISTER: Texas Congressman Lamar Smith sits on the House committee on homeland security.

SMITH: We are dealing with people, criminals, who are smart people who will go to great lengths to try to take advantage of any loopholes in our security.

COLLISTER: Smith has introduced legislation he says will help better protect TSA badges and uniforms. And he wants airports to start issuing heavy fines. TSA is not saying if it has fined or fired any employees who've lost these items.

SMITH: When we start imposing fines and hold people accountable for their identification, I promise you fewer will go missing, fewer will be left in unlocked cars to be stolen and I think that will help our homeland security as well.

COLLISTER: TSA insists there have not been any breaches of security that it knows about. But experts say you don't want to wait for it to happen. So what is happening to these? Wilen thinks terrorists may be behind some of the disappears items.

WILEN: There is no disagreement at this point that there are sleeper terrorists in the United States. Well, if we believe that, we have to believe they're doing something with their time.

COLLISTER: TSA employees are also issued a badge by each airport where they work. That badge gets them into locked areas of the airport. TSA tells us they don't know how many of those badges are missing or stolen.

Brian Collister, in San Antonio for CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: CNN security watch keeps you up-to-date on safety. Stay tuned day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

Fifty grand. That's what the government is offering. The reward is for stolen records on American vets. The government will also spend $9 million to inform all 26 million vets by mail that their data is missing. Addresses, birth dates and social security numbers were on a laptop and a hard drive taken by thieves. It's everything they need to ruin a vet's financial life. The equipment was stolen from a Veteran Department analyst whose home was burglarized. That worker has been placed on leave.

A hacker's paradise. A popular anti-virus program with a potential problem. Your information could get hacked to shreds. See that story on CNN, the most trusted name in news.

And ready, set, shop. At those outlet stores? We have "Five Tips" to pack in your purse next on CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: The market's have been open about 53 minutes. Things have been moving rather nicely for the day before the holiday weekend. The Dow is up 30 points. The Nasdaq also headed into positive territory. It is up nine.

If you're traveling this Memorial Day weekend, you are probably -- there's a good chance your shopping. Outlet malls are a popular spot. But before you hit the stores, you'll want to check out our "Top Five Tips." Here's Gerri Willis.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The holiday weekend is almost here and that means a lot of people may be hitting the outlet stores. But are you really getting a bargain? In today's tips, we're going to tell you how to make the most of your outlet shopping experience.

Tip number one, gauge the savings. The good new is that outlet shopping can yield savings of 30 percent compared to shopping at regular stores according to the results of a consumer reports study. What's more, there's not much difference in the quality of merchandise.

Tip number two, use your time wisely. The best way to avoid crowds is to go either early in the morning or at dinner time. The worst time to visit a shopping mall is from noon to 3:00 p.m.

And, of course, you'll want to grab those discounts where you can. That's tip number three. Outlet malls give discounts to certain clubs and memberships. If you're member of the military or AAA, you qualify for discounts. You can also go online to places like premiumoutlets.com and primeretail.com to download vouchers and coupons.

Now while outlet stores are bargains, you also have to temper your expectations. You may not get the same selection in outlet stores that you would at full price stores. And then there are the usual complaints, long lines, large crowds and not enough fitting rooms. About 35 percent of shoppers complained about this according to the survey.

Finally, tip number five, watch the return policy. Typically you cannot return items you bought at a full price store to the same chain's discount outlet. And beware the liquidation sale. They benefit the retailer, not the consumer.

If there's a topic you want us to take a look at, e-mail us at 5tips@cnn.com. We want to hear from you.

I'm Gerri Willis and this is "Five Tips."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: See how many tips we can get on the weather. Reynolds Wolf is watching that for us.

Hi, Reynolds.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Nature is putting on quite a show. This is underneath the Pacific. It's our video of the day. Scientists from Oregon have been studying this undersea volcano. It's off of Guam. Now they're sharing these amazing pictures. The volcano spits toxic clouds of sulfur in violent eruptions, but the deep pressure of the ocean water makes those explosions more of a vigorous boil and bubble. Does it kind of look like the baby spitting up?

REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Very much so. Very much so. You know what I see out of? For you and me, I see a business possibility here.

KAGAN: And what is that?

WOLF: I think you and I need to buy this thing and then in a few million years that becomes beach front property. You know, we can do pretty well there.

KAGAN: It will come with hot springs as well.

WOLF: That's what I'm thinking. But that's an amazing process. That's how we got the Hawaiian islands. That's how we got -- just take your pick across the Pacific, the ring of fire. We saw -- that's how many of those islands are formed.

KAGAN: Absolutely amazing. It's just so neat to get to see those pictures.

Thank you, Reynolds.

WOLF: You bet.

KAGAN: And congratulations on the baby to you and your wife.

WOLF: Thanks.

KAGAN: Captured at the border and then returned to Mexico. He never knew he could stay. The legal illegal on CNN.

And nine digits, millions of possibilities. How social security numbers figure in the war on terror and the immigration equation. Something just doesn't add up. You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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