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American Morning
Iraq Mosque Attack; War Over the War; When He's 64
Aired June 16, 2006 - 06:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Happening this morning, a House vote expected on that Iraq war resolution. The resolution rejects a timetable for troops to come home. It's expected to pass along party lines.
The full House also set to take up the suspension of Louisiana Congressman William Jefferson. Democratic House members voted last night to strip him of his seat on the Ways and Means Committee. He remains the target of a bribery investigation.
And a big change in the way millions of American Catholics say mass. It makes the English translation of mass more closely match the Latin version.
Good morning to you. We're going to stay in English this morning.
I'm Miles O'Brien. We're glad you're with us.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, because my Latin is a little rusty.
O'BRIEN: Not so good, yes.
COSTELLO: I'm Carol Costello, in for Soledad.
O'BRIEN: New sectarian violence in Baghdad this morning to tell you about. Despite that huge security crackdown, a suicide bomber targeting a Shiite mosque in the midst of Friday prayers. At least 10 dead, two dozen injured. Not the first time suicide bombers have attacked this particular mosque.
CNN's Cal Perry live now from Baghdad with more -- Cal.
CAL PERRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Miles.
A suicide vest bomber at this point appears to have slipped past the ring of security at this famous Shia shrine in northwestern Baghdad. We know from Iraqi police at least 11 people are dead, another 20-some-odd wounded.
All this coming amidst an incredible security crackdown in the capital. The prime minister putting 70,000 security forces on to the streets. He's also implemented a vehicle ban. That is, no cars allowed on the streets of Baghdad between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. This attack comes exactly the day 10 weeks prior to an attack on the very same mosque at about the very same time in which three bombers exploded themselves, killing over 70 people -- Miles.
O'BRIEN: Cal Perry in Baghdad.
Thank you very much -- Carol.
COSTELLO: The deep division over the war in Iraq expected to come to a vote today in the House. Republicans and Democrats spent 11 hours yesterday arguing over a resolution that says troops should not be withdrawn on an arbitrary timetable.
And as Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley reports, today's expected vote is likely to influence what happens in November.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A House divided debating a controversial war five months before an election produce sound bites and fury.
REP. JOHN MURTHA, (D) PENNSYLVANIA: I know standing here does not solve the problem and it hasn't gotten better. It's gotten worse that's the problem.
CROWLEY: They argued over the rationale for war, the conduct of war, when and how to end the war.
REP. IKE SKELTON, (D) MISSOURI: We have just reached a sad milestone, 2,500 Americans have lost their lives in the Iraq war.
CROWLEY: But first they went silent over the cost of war. Otherwise it was an agonizing antagonizing acrid debate over a republican resolution.
REP. JANE HARMAN, (D) CALIFORNIA: This resolution in my view is a press release for staying the course in Iraq.
REP. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART, (R) FLORIDA: We must take the war to international terrorism and defeat international terrorism before the terrorists attack us. That is the debate of our era.
CROWLEY: The resolution basically backs with policy in Iraq, ties it to the war on terror and includes this. It is not in the national security of the United States to set an arbitrary date for the withdrawal of redeployment of United States Armed Forces from Iraq.
REP. DUNCAN HUNTER, (R) CALIFORNIA: Let's send this message to every soldier, every marine who's watching this thing from the mess halls in Mosul and Tikrit and Baghdad and Falluja, the message that the United States House of Representatives stands with them.
REP. MAXINE WATERS, (D) CALIFORNIA: It's a trap. It's an attempt to force Democrats to sign on to a resolution that will do nothing to bring our troops home. All they want to make us sound is if we're unpatriotic.
CROWLEY: Debate talking points from the pentagon and the republican majority circulated the Hill. Democrats called the resolution a cheap election year ploy. Republicans called it a vital election year debate with huge consequence.
REP. CHARLES NORWOOD, (R) GEORGIA: Is it al Qaeda or is it America. Let the voters take note of this debate.
CROWLEY: The resolution has no force of law. Its political implications could be huge.
Candy Crowley, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Oh, they could be huge.
Candy's report first aired on "THE SITUATION ROOM." You can watch it weekdays at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Eastern.
O'BRIEN: Rockets launched into Israel while calls for a truce are renewed there.
That all tops our look at stories around the world right now covered by our CNN correspondents.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FIONNUALA SWEENEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Fionnuala Sweeney in Jerusalem. Hamas offers to renew its truce with Israel. Meanwhile, Kassam rockets continue to be launched from northern Gaza into southern Israel. Five rockets in all launched overnight. No injuries reported.
Meanwhile, the Israeli air force killed three Palestinians along the Gaza border. Israel says they were trying to plant explosives.
Elsewhere, Palestinians are calling for a U.N. investigation into the beach explosion last Friday in Gaza in which seven people were killed. Israel denies responsibility, and any U.N. investigation would require Israel's consent.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STAN GRANT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi. I'm Stan Grant in Beijing.
A key security conference wrapping up. China hosting, Russia there, also Iran. Iran with oil to sell to thirsty nations and looking for security and protection against what it calls domineering powers and their aggressive interference in world affairs. No prizes for guessing who that's aimed at.
(END VIDEOTAPE) O'BRIEN: For more on these and any of our top stories, we invite to you head to our Web site, CNN.com.
COSTELLO: It's time to head to Atlanta to check in with Chad.
Good morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
MYERS: Back to you guys.
O'BRIEN: I guess that Memphis heat's a wet heat.
MYERS: Right. It's not a dry heat there.
O'BRIEN: No.
COSTELLO: Not a dry -- I guess we have to take dad to the beach this weekend. That would be fun.
MYERS: Yes, I'm in.
O'BRIEN: Still to come on the program -- you didn't invite me, though, did you -- unprepared for disaster. The glaring problems a new report has found with state and local hurricane disaster plans, especially when it comes to the sick and elderly. We'll tell you about that.
COSTELLO: Then, a sour Apple Computer. Andy's "Minding Your Business" with details of an iPod investigation.
O'BRIEN: And can you believe it? Sir Paul turning 64. He's probably kicking himself over those famous lyrics now. We'll tell you why.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
PAUL MCCARTNEY, SINGER (SINGING): ... out till quarter to three, would you lock the door? Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I'm 64?
(END AUDIO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Oh, those words, "Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I'm 64?" Paul McCartney first asked that question way back in 1958. Sunday he gets his answer. Paul McCartney turns 64 right in the middle of a messy divorce.
Paula Newton live on Abby Road in London.
Good morning.
PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning from Abby Road, Carol.
You know, Paul McCartney supposedly recorded that song for his father. But he must have been hoping that his own life would live up to the lyrics.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MCCARTNEY (SINGING): When I get older, losing my hair, many years from now...
NEWTON (voice over): When he wrote those lyrics at the age of 16, Paul McCartney had no idea how bittersweet his own 64th might be.
MCCARTNEY (SINGING): Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm 64?
NEWTON: Sir Paul will finally turn 64 this weekend, just a month after separating from Heather Mills, his second wife of four years.
MCCARTNEY (SINGING): And if you say the word, I could stay with you
NEWTON: Who could turn Paul McCartney away? Apparently Heather Mills McCartney.
The British tabloids have been ruthless, relentless. Mills says it was the media scrutiny that destroyed her marriage, but the separation is said to be destroying her.
The newspapers are plastered with photos from Mills' past. They allege a career in soft porn and prostitution. Mills says the tabs are printing lies and she says she will sue. But her publicist adds, the last month has been hideous.
MAX CLIFFORD, MILLS' PUBLICIST: The public perception is, well, you know, he's been taken for a fall, he's being taken for a ride, and it's very sad. He obviously loved her and showed that. So we feel very sorry for him. I mean, you know, the crueler ones will say, well, there is no fool like an old fool.
NEWTON: After all, Mills stands to gain as much as a quarter of McCartney's $1.5 billion fortune.
IAN CAPLIN, LEGAL ANALYST: So even in the case where there has been a short marriage, say, you know, three to five years or something like that, the courts can still make, they've decided, a substantial award of the husband's assets in favor of the wife.
MCCARTNEY (SINGING): When I'm 64.
NEWTON: Fans scribbled their birthday notes in wax poetic about this grandfather's life at 64.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kind of ironic. I'm sure he's kicking himself for that one.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just change it to 84. When I'm 84, yes.
NEWTON: Sir Paul himself jokes he might change the lyrics, but this weekend he'll be having a quiet birthday. And you can only wonder if he'd be tempted just a little to play the song.
MCCARTNEY (SINGING): When I'm 64.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NEWTON: Now I can't get that song out of my head now.
Paul McCartney is said to be heartbroken over all of this. You know, on his Web site he said that the divorce was bad enough, but what he called all the media inaccuracies were way out of hand -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Well, let's talk about those tabloid reports, because why didn't we hear anything about this alleged porn when Heather Mills was married -- or actually she is still married -- but when they weren't going through divorce proceedings?
NEWTON: Well, insiders tell us that they probably had a lot of this information on her alleged past life long ago, but that they held off. You know, Carol, here Paul is seen as a bit of a saint. They actually nicknamed him St. Paul. So they just thought out of respect for him they wouldn't print any of that.
But after they announced the divorce, it was gloves off, open season. None of the press has been flattering. And McCartney has been pleading on his Web site and in other places, just let her be.
COSTELLO: OK. I'm ashamed to be asking this one, but why? Why are they getting divorced? What's the real reason?
NEWTON: Oh, Carol, if we knew that -- you know, lots of people have been speculating. She insists -- you know, she insists that, look, this is the media scrutiny. It was just too much for her to handle.
And I have to say, the tabs have been rife with, you know, reunion. And there are some rumors, Carol, that in fact she will be at the birthday celebration this weekend with their daughter Beatrice. It's at a country estate just outside of London. So you never know.
COSTELLO: It could be fireworks.
Thank you very much, Paula. Very interesting.
O'BRIEN: Still to come on the AMERICAN MORNING program, "Forbes" releasing its list of Hollywood heavy-hitters.
And the winner? The winner is? Ah, you have to wait.
The only celebrity who's earned the coveted spot twice. That's your clue. We'll let you guess.
Stay with us. We'll be back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Happening this morning, sectarian violence in Baghdad. A suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque kills at least 11 during morning prayers.
On Capitol Hill, lawmakers ready to decide the fate of Louisiana Congressman William Jefferson. Democratic House members voted last night to strip him of his seat on the Ways and Means Committee. Jefferson remains the target of a bribery investigation.
And in Colorado, a so-called red flag warning up. That means conditions ripe for wildfires. A fire south of Denver already forced about 100 to leave their homes -- Carol.
COSTELLO: It is out again, the "Forbes" list of the top Hollywood heavy-hitters. And this year there were a few surprises. Really.
"Da Vinci Code" author Dan Brown came in as the world's tenth bigger star. The cast of "The Sopranos," rapper-turned businessman 50 Cent, Howard Stern and director Steven Spielberg made it into the top 10. Tiger Woods, U2, Oprah Winfrey and The Rolling Stones fell into the top 5 category.
And the world's number one star? Tom Cruise. Tom Cruise.
O'BRIEN: Anybody surprised?
COSTELLO: I am, actually. I thought because of his bizarre behavior he would fall out, but he's still number one.
O'BRIEN: It makes me want to jump on a couch just thinking about it.
COSTELLO: You know, let's do it.
O'BRIEN: It seems so exciting.
COSTELLO: He is the only celebrity, by the way, to earn the coveted spot twice.
Brad Pitt was the only other solo actor to make the top 20. Pitt's ex-wife Jennifer Aniston and his current partner, Angelina Jolie, tied at number 35.
They tied. Jennifer Aniston cannot escape them no matter what she does.
Speaking of Angelina, though, the outspoken actress sat down with our Anderson Cooper for her first in-depth interview in this "360" exclusive. Angelina talks about her passions for helping refugees around the world, her role as a U.N. special ambassador, and, of course, her new baby.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANGELINA JOLIE, ACTRESS: I just wanted to hear her cry. And I was sure everything would go -- at the last minute I became the mother that was sure everything was going to go wrong.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: You can see the whole conversation with Angelina on a special edition of "ANDERSON COOPER 360" next Tuesday night as part of CNN's World Refugee Day coverage.
O'BRIEN: Andy Serwer has the misfortune of following Angelina -- Sorry.
ANDY SERWER, EDITOR-AT-LARGE, "FORTUNE": Someone has to do it, Miles.
O'BRIEN: Somebody's got to do it, yes.
SERWER: It's hard-core business news here.
Are iPods made in sweat shops in China? There are allegations swirling this morning.
And the feds lower the boom on an arts and crafts store. We'll tell you about that coming up next -- Miles.
O'BRIEN: Thank you, Andy.
Also ahead on the program, U.S. Catholic bishops approving a major change in the way millions of Americans will say mass.
That story coming up as AMERICAN MORNING rolls on.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Apple Computer responding to a report about iPods and working conditions.
Andy Serwer is here with that and more.
SERWER: Good morning, Miles.
The company says it's investigating claims made by a British newspaper several days ago about working conditions and pay in factories in China. The "British Mail" is reporting that employees at factories where iPods are made were being paid $50 for a 15-hour shift, which is not that much money. It's maybe not that outrageous. It's about $3.33 an hour.
In the greater scheme of things, there have probably been worse abuses than that. However, a 15-hour shift would add up to a 75-hour work week, which is onerous and horrible. And, in fact, the company says that it will not do business with companies with factories that have work weeks longer than 60 hours.
So, anyway, Apple is going to be investigating these claims.
O'BRIEN: A 15-hour day is just...
SERWER: Yes.
O'BRIEN: ... it's hard to imagine day after day.
SERWER: Well, it's close to what you put in. Isn't it? Sometimes.
O'BRIEN: I've got a much easier job. Believe me.
SERWER: Well, I shouldn't be making light of it, I guess.
O'BRIEN: Yes.
SERWER: And moving on to another story here, Michael's stores, which is a company we mentioned several days ago, caught up in a stock option scandal that's involving dozens of companies now. This is an arts and crafts chain. Arts and crafts. They are in the thick of it here.
The SEC, the Securities and Exchange Commission, now wants this company to preserve all documents regarding pay and stock options going back to 1990!
O'BRIEN: Wow.
SERWER: Boy, these guys have messed up. Apparently now the company is acknowledging that it understated or under reported $60 million of compensation. In other words, we gave out this money to various executives but we just didn't tell shareholders and the government about it properly.
COSTELLO: Sixty million dollars?
SERWER: How do they do that? That's a lot of money.
COSTELLO: Wow!
SERWER: Right?
O'BRIEN: Every morning you have another company to tell us about, and it's almost the same story.
SERWER: It is. And it's all about, you know, playing games with these stock options. And it's very disheartening for investors.
I mean, you can just see what it's going to do to this company's stock and the fortunes of this company. It's going to be in the thick of it for just week and weeks and months and months. And it just never stops.
And it just amazes me when people who make $10 million feel so compelled to make $20 million. It's just -- it's just mind-boggling.
O'BRIEN: They're trying to be crafty, I guess.
SERWER: Yes.
COSTELLO: I think it's just greed.
SERWER: It would be called greed, Carol.
COSTELLO: Yes.
SERWER: Thank you for cutting to the chase there.
COSTELLO: Sure.
O'BRIEN: Right to the chase.
COSTELLO: Just wanted to get to the bottom line.
SERWER: You're absolutely right.
COSTELLO: Time for...
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: Exactly.
Time for a check of the forecast with the most generous man I know.
MYERS: Yes, barely.
Hi, Carol. I still shop at Wal-Mart and the Goodwill. So don't you go there.
COSTELLO: Oh, don't I know it.
(WEATHER REPORT)
MYERS: The next hour of AMERICAN MORNING starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MURTHA: I know standing here does not solve the problem. And it hasn't gotten better, it's gotten worse. That's the problem.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: A bitter battle on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers toe to toe again today over the war in Iraq. Heated words over a controversial resolution on the war.
COSTELLO: Major gaps in emergency plans all across the country. An alarming report from Homeland Security. Just how bad is it?
O'BRIEN: Also, one cabinet member facing serious questions over use of an airplane that was supposed to be for medical emergencies.
COSTELLO: And no more live lobsters at one of the nation's biggest grocery chains. We'll tell you why.
That's just ahead on this AMERICAN MORNING.
O'BRIEN: Good morning to you. I'm Miles O'Brien. Welcome to Friday.
COSTELLO: Oh, Happy Friday. I'm Carol Costello, in for Soledad.
O'BRIEN: We've got new sectarian violence to tell you about in Baghdad this morning. Despite that huge security crackdown, a suicide bomber targeting a Shiite mosque right in the midst of Friday prayers, and it's not the first time suicide bombers have attacked this particular mosque.
CNN's Cal Perry live now from Baghdad with more -- Cal.
PERRY: Hey. Good morning, Miles.
What we understand at this point from Iraqi police is a suicide bomber was able to penetrate the ring of security surrounding this very holy Shia shrine in northwestern Baghdad.
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