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Insurgents Holding Filipino Hostage Give Manila Another Day to Meet Demands; Hassoun Being Debriefed in Germany

Aired July 11, 2004 - 07:00   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.


BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Well good morning from the CNN in Atlanta. This is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It's July 11. Good morning to everyone. I'm Betty Nguyen.
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Drew Griffin. Thanks for being with us. Here's a look at what's coming up this morning.

The presidential tickets for November are now set, but will the real contest be between the vice presidential candidates? We're going to take a look at the numbers there.

Welcomed home with a huge. We're going to meet some soldiers returning from war. And it may look like just a TV show, but for at least one high school class, it's a real education, learning the ins and outs of crime scene investigators.

First, the headlines.

NGUYEN: In the news at this hour, more Americans die in Iraq. Four U.S. Marines were killed while conducting security operations in the al Anbar Province west of Baghdad. No details are available, but the Associated Press reports the Marines died in a vehicle accident.

An estimated 150 demonstrators turned out in the Iraqi city of Baquba this morning, demanding that Saddam Hussein be returned to power. The protesters condemned Iyad Allawi, Iraq's interim prime minister.

Meanwhile in Baghdad, anti-Saddam demonstrators burned an effigy of the former dictator who is awaiting trial on war crimes charges.

A bombing in Israel, the first in months. It happened at a bus stop in Tel Aviv. The bomb was hidden in some bushes. That explosion injured 21 people. And a woman later died from her injuries. The Palestinian militant group the al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade claimed responsibility.

Election day in Japan. Voters are selecting the upper house of parliament. A change of government is not at stake, but if his party makes a poor showing, the prime minister could face pressure to step down. Issues like pension reform and Japanese troops in Iraq have hurt his popularity.

GRIFFIN: Our top story this hour. Insurgents holding Filipino hostage Angelo de la Cruz in Iraq are giving Manila another 24 hours to meet their demands, extending the deadline to this evening, but adding a new demand.

CNN's Maria Ressa is covering this story, as she has been for the past several days. From Manila, she reports to us live via videophone -- Maria?

MARIA RESSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Drew, it's been an extraordinarily tumultuous and confusing time here for Filipinos. Let me give you an example of exactly how confusing it is.

Here's the headline for the day from one of the top newspapers in the country. It says "Filipino Hostage Released." His relatives, his family, his wife and his eight children went to bed last night thinking he had been released. There were scenes of celebration broadcast all around the world.

Shortly after that, a fax was sent to al Jazeera, allegedly by the kidnappers. They extended the deadline another 24 hours. And they made a new demand that the Philippine government (UNINTELLIGIBLE) troops out of Iraq one month earlier than it said it would, that it pull out on July 20.

Well today, the cabinet for more than five hours. And just a short while ago, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs gave a short statement, had two key points. The first is that as the family requested, the wife and the brother of Angelo de la Castro de la Cruz will be headed to Iraq. And second and most important, the Philippine government will not accede to the kidnappers' request. It will pull out its troops on August 20, as planned, not July 20 as the kidnappers wanted -- Drew?

GRIFFIN: Maria, this puts the government in a very delicate situation. I knew public opinion polls want the 51 humanitarian troops from the Philippines out of Iraq. The government, though, wary to give into any kind of demands by these terrorists. Is that right?

RESSA: Absolutely. Really conflicting demands from the government, the public opinion. And there have been protests and prayer vigils since the 72 hour -- the first 72 hour deadline was set.

The Philippine government, however, has said that it would do all it can to try to save the life of Angelo de la Cruz, but yet, it will stay true to its policies and to its international commitments.

By not ceding to the kidnappers' demands, tonight it proves that it is sticking to its policies -- Drew?

GRIFFIN: Maria Ressa, reporting live from Manila. Thank you for all your work this weekend. Betty?

NGUYEN: Meanwhile, the government of Bulgaria believes two of its citizens held hostage in Iraq are still alive. On Thursday, the captors threatened to behead the two truck drivers within 24 hours, unless the U.S. released all its prisoners in Iraq. But Bulgaria's foreign minister says he has information the hostages are still alive.

U.S. Marine Corporal Wassef Hassoun is being debriefed at a hospital in Germany. He has told his brother things are going well. Hassoun went missing in Iraq on June 19, was later reported kidnapped, but showed up alive and well last week in Lebanon. His brother he expects Hassoun to return to his base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina tomorrow or Tuesday. Military officials are investigating his story.

GRIFFIN: Now the aftermath of that Senate committee report on the CIA and pre-war intelligence. The 500 page document said in no uncertain terms the intelligence community is to blame for flawed information used by the Bush administration to justify the war in Iraq.

But a former CIA director says the committee's findings back up one of his beliefs that there is a link between Iraq and al Qaeda.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES WOOLSEY, FORMER CIA DIRECTOR: Iraq was not a sponsor of al Qaeda. Iraq didn't govern and rule al Qaeda. And apparently, more than contact, there was clearly training. And this -- the people, such as Dick Clarke, who have said there was no relationship at all, I think, are being shown to be by this report quite wrong.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GRIFFIN: In its report, the committee said contacts between Iraq and al Qaeda in the 1990s didn't add up to an established relationship, and that there's no evidence proving Iraqi complicity or assistance in al Qaeda attack.

NGUYEN: Iraq's interim prime minister has canceled a planned trip to Europe. Iyad Allawi was to meet European Union foreign ministers Monday and then travel to Britain. One government official said security concerns led to that cancellation. Another said Allawi wants to visit Middle Eastern countries first. Iraq's foreign minister will now go to the EU in place of Allawi.

GRIFFIN: On to the race for the White House. In the newly minted Democratic duo, the Kerry-Edwards team wrapped up a four day campaign swing Saturday with a trip to North Carolina, which of course, is John Edwards' home state. Thousands of supporters waited in the sweltering heat to see those two senators, who appeared with their wives.

One hot button issue likely to dominate the campaign is gay marriage. The Senate has begun debate on a constitutional amendment that would ban such unions.

As Elaine Quijano reports, President Bush is rallying his conservative base to move his agenda forward.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.: It doesn't mean we have to redefine traditional marriage.

(APPLAUSE) ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Behind the president's push for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage stand conservatives in full support.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The battle for preserving marriage as we know it. It's in jeopardy.

QUIJANO: This weekend, conservatives are taking their message to the airwaves, simulcasting to churches and cable systems nationwide. An event like this one in May.

TED HAGGARD, REV., NATL. ASSN. OF EVANGELICALS: We want the federal marriage amendment to say that if people are going to call themselves married, they are a man and they are a woman that's gotten together in a committed relationship in order to have a family and to glorify God.

QUIJANO: The Senate is taking up the issue as well. Debate began this week. And even though some supporters concede they don't have the votes to pass the marriage amendment, conservatives want both the discussion and a vote to proceed.

GENEVIEVE WOOD, FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL: We believe it's important that every U.S. senator, who is of course an elected representative by the people, has to go on record and tell people, hey, here's where I stand on this issue.

QUIJANO: Political analysts say getting out the issue means getting out the conservative vote.

DAVID GERGEN, POLITICAL ANALYST: The conservatives through this amendment are trying to rally their base in the elections. This -- the election outcome is going to have a great deal to do with turnout. And conservatives want to make clear to their base that this is a -- one of the defining issues of the campaign.

QUIJANO: But with the election just under four months away, some gays and lesbians say the politics come at their expense, and accuse the Bush administration of trying to draw attention away from other issues.

DAVE KOLSEAR, DOMESTIC PARTNER: I really think that it's just a travesty that people would use this as a wedge issue to take their minds off of what's going on in Iraq, in Afghanistan. It's -- I just -- I firmly believe it's a diversionary tactic. And our lives shouldn't come in to the presidential election as a distraction.

QUIJANO (on camera): The president's Democratic rival John Kerry has said he opposes a constitutional ban on gay marriage. He says the issue of gay marriage should be left to individual states, not the federal government, to decide.

Elaine Quijano, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE) GRIFFIN: And we'd love to know what you think about this issue. It is our e-mail question of the day, what is your opinion about a proposed amendment to ban gay marriages. You can send your answers to wam@cnn.com. And we'll read some of your answers later on in the show.

NGUYEN: Elsewhere across the country, an Arizona pilot is in jail after crashing his plane into Southern California traffic. He hit a van as he tried to land the small craft on Interstate 5 near Santa Clarita. He told police his engine died, but the pilot was later arrested for flying under the influence of alcohol. Nobody was hurt.

Also from Southern California, a teenager in San Bernardino County is the latest person to get sick from the West Nile Virus. The Golden State has now recorded 17 cases of the ailment. State health officials say the 15-year old boy is recovering from fever and extreme exhaustion. People are being advised to avoid mosquitoes, which transmit the disease by using bug spray and getting rid of standing water.

Well, the 4th of July may be over, but fireworks are still causing trouble. Look at this. The town of Willfleet, Massachusetts on Cape Cod had rescheduled its celebration for this weekend, but an explosion on the beach canceled that show, too. An accident ignited all 2500 shells all at once. The truck was destroyed and there was a brushfire, but luckily, no one was hurt.

Sprinter Marion Jones won't be defending her gold medal in the 100 meter dash at the Summer Olympics. She didn't qualify for the U.S. track team in the 100 meters after finishing fifth at the trials in Northern California. The reigning Olympic champion in the event, but Jones still has a chance to quality for Athens in the 200 meter and the long jump event.

GRIFFIN: And we have much more for you on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Just ahead...

NGUYEN: Ever been puzzled by geography? We'll meet a man whose mission in life is to help you find exactly where in the world you are, or where you're going.

Plus, fingerprinting ballistics, DNA evidence. I'll bet your high school science class wasn't like the one we'll visit in Kentucky.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The room was completely stripped. No bedding, no sheets.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No towels either. Someone took a few souvenirs. I'll check the surveillance tapes.

(END VIDEO CLIP) NGUYEN: "CSI Crime Scene Investigation," it quickly became one of the most popular programs on television, often finishing number one, while capturing the imagination of millions of would-be detectives.

And the forensic crime show, "CSI," continues to trounce its television competition. That popularity inspired a Louisville high school teacher to create a class, mixing science with crime detection.

Central High School teacher Keri Kinslow joins us now from Louisville. Good morning to you. Thanks for getting up early.

KERI KINSLOW, SCIENCE TEACHER: Good morning.

NGUYEN: Well, you know, this is definitely not the science class I took in high school. How do you mix the real world event into the classroom and bring all this science to the forefront?

KINSLOW: Well, the main thing is because of the popularity of these shows, such as "CSI" and "Forensic Files," you need to first take the Hollywood out of it. And that makes it real world first.

So by bringing in community members, taking field trips to see actual laboratories, and doing actual lab activities in the classroom, getting that real hands-on, gives them an opportunity to see what this is really all about in the real world.

NGUYEN: But the Hollywood part of it is what brought in the interest. Tell us, or give us some examples of exactly what you teach?

KINSLOW: I teach biology, anatomy, and now forensic science.

NGUYEN: And how does the forensic science really incorporate all of these different sciences? Some examples may be a ballistics test that you do you in your classroom?

KINSLOW: Right. There's going to be a lab activity, where they study the cracks in the glass. And that's going to be based on ballistics. There's also going to be toxicology, which has to do with chemistry.

There's going to be some insect studies, which has to do about the biology and life of insects. So there's a lot of different fields that it covers.

NGUYEN: I hear students are just lining up to take this course. Are you surprised by this demand?

KINSLOW: No, not at all. You know, again, I attribute it all to these popular television shows. I started showing a few of them in class. And the kids just fell in love with it.

And you know, for a student, especially in high school, to find that science is a fun, cool subject, you just got to take it and run with it. NGUYEN: Yes, excitement in learning. Now is the television show where you got the idea to transform your class?

KINSLOW: Absolutely. It's a fascinating subject. And it makes the science real. And it makes the science fun. And by developing the curriculum, it just gives the chance, you know, to have the kids do it.

NGUYEN: Speaking of that, this is a fairly new course. How did you develop a curriculum? Is it something that's just readily available?

KINSLOW: Part of the curriculum I search for on the Internet and found a lab activity worksheet kind of curriculum from Canada and then incorporated some of my own activities and information into that, and then proposed that to the district of our county.

NGUYEN: Some of the specifics are a little bit gory, when you delve into the science of it all. Was it hard getting this curriculum approved by the district?

KINSLOW: Not really. You know, it's just trying to make sure everyone understands what it's going to be about, understand who it's for, understand the purpose of it.

And you know, once we show that this is an elective for seniors to take, you know, an extra science class, no one's going to argue with that.

NGUYEN: Exactly. Quickly, what's, I guess, the favorite subject or favorite lesson for your students in your class?

KINSLOW: Oh, the favorite lesson is probably going to be blood studies, anything with fluids...

NGUYEN: But of course.

KINSLOW: Yes.

NGUYEN: Anything with body fluids, right?

KINSLOW: Right.

NGUYEN: All right, Keri Kinslow, teacher at Central High School in Louisville, Kentucky. Thank you so much.

KINSLOW: Thank you.

NGUYEN: Drew?

GRIFFIN: Much more still ahead. We're going to introduce you to a young man who served in Iraq and is now working on rebuilding a life after being severely wounded.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) GRIFFIN: A bit of rain helped firefighters in South Florida. They're battling several wildfires in Miami-Dade County. And the blazes have burned nearly 7,000 acres as of last night, 50 percent contained. The biggest problem has been that smoke along major highways, including the Florida turnpike. Smoke reportedly also drifted into Pro Players Stadium last night during the Florida Marlin's New York game, the New York Mets game.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: Headlines at the quarter hour. In Iraq, militants holding a Filipino hostage deny he's been freed and has sent new conditions for his release. Al Jazeera television carried a statement from the Islamic Army of Iraq. It says Manila has until July 20 to withdraw its troops from Iraq, a month earlier than now scheduled.

In Germany, U.S. military officials aren't releasing details about the debriefing of Marine Corporal Wassef Hassoun. The 24-year old translator disappeared in Iraq on June 19 and resurfaced this week in Lebanon. Hassoun could return to the U.S. tomorrow or on Tuesday.

Palestinian militants claim responsibility for a roadside bombing in Israel. That explosion at a Tel Aviv bus stop. It killed a woman and injured more than 20 others.

GRIFFIN: Hundreds of U.S. troops have died in Iraq. Thousands more have come home with severe wounds. And it can take an enormous amount of courage to survive war.

Casey Wian reports it can take a true hero to move on after a life changing experience.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SGT. BRANDON ERICKSON (RET.), NORTH DAKOTA NATL. GUARD: It feels really good to run. Especially after you've been in the hospital for five months.

CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A year ago Brandon Erickson was in Iraq working as a mechanic. On July 22 he nearly lost his life riding in a convoy when insurgents set off a homemade bomb.

ERICKSON: They ambushed us with about nine to 14 rocket- propelled grenades and small arms fire. My driver was killed at that time from a stray bullet.

WIAN: Erickson's right arm was mangled and he lost a lot of blood. First Sergeant Kevin Remington braved enemy gunfire and got him out.

ERICKSON: He kind of grabbed me by the face and he said, "Brandon, we're going to get you out of here safe. Do you believe me?" And I said, "yes."

WIAN: Remington pulled Erickson behind a tire to shield him as the battle raged on. ERICKSON: We had the gun truck which was our truck with the most firepower going back and forth the kill zone. Those guys were amazing.

WIAN: When the firefight finally ended, Remington and the other soldiers got Erickson to the hospital. He lost half his blood. His right arm was amputated. When he awoke from surgery, he called girlfriend Dana Parry. I was more worried that she was going to break up with me because I only had one arm now.

DANA PARRY, GIRLFRIEND: It was so good he was alive. He's such a great guy, he deserved a second chance.

WIAN: Erickson was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for bravery.

1ST SGT. KEVIN REMINGTON, NORTH DAKOTA NATL. GUARD: Talk about courage. You know, it's not all about the courage under fire. The courage that people have to move on like he's doing and an example that sets for other soldiers who may be in a similar circumstance. The courage that our young soldiers are showing over there every day just going on the road.

WIAN: Erickson has retired from the military and is going to college looking forward to a career in public service. Casey Wian, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GRIFFIN: We bring you heroes stories every week on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Betty?

NGUYEN: Well, he's known as Mr. Condom. We'll introduce you to him next hour when we go live to Thailand, where thousands are gathered for the International Conference to Combat HIV/AIDS.

At 9:00 Eastern, Bill Clinton's view on Iraq, the war on terror, and campaign 2004 in an exclusive interview with our Christiane Amanpour.

And at 9:30 Eastern, a battle for gay rights in Atlanta is being waged on the golf course. Is this case headed to court?

But first, where in the world is Nauru? What one man has done to help you learn geography.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired July 11, 2004 - 07:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Well good morning from the CNN in Atlanta. This is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It's July 11. Good morning to everyone. I'm Betty Nguyen.
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Drew Griffin. Thanks for being with us. Here's a look at what's coming up this morning.

The presidential tickets for November are now set, but will the real contest be between the vice presidential candidates? We're going to take a look at the numbers there.

Welcomed home with a huge. We're going to meet some soldiers returning from war. And it may look like just a TV show, but for at least one high school class, it's a real education, learning the ins and outs of crime scene investigators.

First, the headlines.

NGUYEN: In the news at this hour, more Americans die in Iraq. Four U.S. Marines were killed while conducting security operations in the al Anbar Province west of Baghdad. No details are available, but the Associated Press reports the Marines died in a vehicle accident.

An estimated 150 demonstrators turned out in the Iraqi city of Baquba this morning, demanding that Saddam Hussein be returned to power. The protesters condemned Iyad Allawi, Iraq's interim prime minister.

Meanwhile in Baghdad, anti-Saddam demonstrators burned an effigy of the former dictator who is awaiting trial on war crimes charges.

A bombing in Israel, the first in months. It happened at a bus stop in Tel Aviv. The bomb was hidden in some bushes. That explosion injured 21 people. And a woman later died from her injuries. The Palestinian militant group the al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade claimed responsibility.

Election day in Japan. Voters are selecting the upper house of parliament. A change of government is not at stake, but if his party makes a poor showing, the prime minister could face pressure to step down. Issues like pension reform and Japanese troops in Iraq have hurt his popularity.

GRIFFIN: Our top story this hour. Insurgents holding Filipino hostage Angelo de la Cruz in Iraq are giving Manila another 24 hours to meet their demands, extending the deadline to this evening, but adding a new demand.

CNN's Maria Ressa is covering this story, as she has been for the past several days. From Manila, she reports to us live via videophone -- Maria?

MARIA RESSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Drew, it's been an extraordinarily tumultuous and confusing time here for Filipinos. Let me give you an example of exactly how confusing it is.

Here's the headline for the day from one of the top newspapers in the country. It says "Filipino Hostage Released." His relatives, his family, his wife and his eight children went to bed last night thinking he had been released. There were scenes of celebration broadcast all around the world.

Shortly after that, a fax was sent to al Jazeera, allegedly by the kidnappers. They extended the deadline another 24 hours. And they made a new demand that the Philippine government (UNINTELLIGIBLE) troops out of Iraq one month earlier than it said it would, that it pull out on July 20.

Well today, the cabinet for more than five hours. And just a short while ago, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs gave a short statement, had two key points. The first is that as the family requested, the wife and the brother of Angelo de la Castro de la Cruz will be headed to Iraq. And second and most important, the Philippine government will not accede to the kidnappers' request. It will pull out its troops on August 20, as planned, not July 20 as the kidnappers wanted -- Drew?

GRIFFIN: Maria, this puts the government in a very delicate situation. I knew public opinion polls want the 51 humanitarian troops from the Philippines out of Iraq. The government, though, wary to give into any kind of demands by these terrorists. Is that right?

RESSA: Absolutely. Really conflicting demands from the government, the public opinion. And there have been protests and prayer vigils since the 72 hour -- the first 72 hour deadline was set.

The Philippine government, however, has said that it would do all it can to try to save the life of Angelo de la Cruz, but yet, it will stay true to its policies and to its international commitments.

By not ceding to the kidnappers' demands, tonight it proves that it is sticking to its policies -- Drew?

GRIFFIN: Maria Ressa, reporting live from Manila. Thank you for all your work this weekend. Betty?

NGUYEN: Meanwhile, the government of Bulgaria believes two of its citizens held hostage in Iraq are still alive. On Thursday, the captors threatened to behead the two truck drivers within 24 hours, unless the U.S. released all its prisoners in Iraq. But Bulgaria's foreign minister says he has information the hostages are still alive.

U.S. Marine Corporal Wassef Hassoun is being debriefed at a hospital in Germany. He has told his brother things are going well. Hassoun went missing in Iraq on June 19, was later reported kidnapped, but showed up alive and well last week in Lebanon. His brother he expects Hassoun to return to his base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina tomorrow or Tuesday. Military officials are investigating his story.

GRIFFIN: Now the aftermath of that Senate committee report on the CIA and pre-war intelligence. The 500 page document said in no uncertain terms the intelligence community is to blame for flawed information used by the Bush administration to justify the war in Iraq.

But a former CIA director says the committee's findings back up one of his beliefs that there is a link between Iraq and al Qaeda.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES WOOLSEY, FORMER CIA DIRECTOR: Iraq was not a sponsor of al Qaeda. Iraq didn't govern and rule al Qaeda. And apparently, more than contact, there was clearly training. And this -- the people, such as Dick Clarke, who have said there was no relationship at all, I think, are being shown to be by this report quite wrong.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GRIFFIN: In its report, the committee said contacts between Iraq and al Qaeda in the 1990s didn't add up to an established relationship, and that there's no evidence proving Iraqi complicity or assistance in al Qaeda attack.

NGUYEN: Iraq's interim prime minister has canceled a planned trip to Europe. Iyad Allawi was to meet European Union foreign ministers Monday and then travel to Britain. One government official said security concerns led to that cancellation. Another said Allawi wants to visit Middle Eastern countries first. Iraq's foreign minister will now go to the EU in place of Allawi.

GRIFFIN: On to the race for the White House. In the newly minted Democratic duo, the Kerry-Edwards team wrapped up a four day campaign swing Saturday with a trip to North Carolina, which of course, is John Edwards' home state. Thousands of supporters waited in the sweltering heat to see those two senators, who appeared with their wives.

One hot button issue likely to dominate the campaign is gay marriage. The Senate has begun debate on a constitutional amendment that would ban such unions.

As Elaine Quijano reports, President Bush is rallying his conservative base to move his agenda forward.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.: It doesn't mean we have to redefine traditional marriage.

(APPLAUSE) ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Behind the president's push for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage stand conservatives in full support.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The battle for preserving marriage as we know it. It's in jeopardy.

QUIJANO: This weekend, conservatives are taking their message to the airwaves, simulcasting to churches and cable systems nationwide. An event like this one in May.

TED HAGGARD, REV., NATL. ASSN. OF EVANGELICALS: We want the federal marriage amendment to say that if people are going to call themselves married, they are a man and they are a woman that's gotten together in a committed relationship in order to have a family and to glorify God.

QUIJANO: The Senate is taking up the issue as well. Debate began this week. And even though some supporters concede they don't have the votes to pass the marriage amendment, conservatives want both the discussion and a vote to proceed.

GENEVIEVE WOOD, FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL: We believe it's important that every U.S. senator, who is of course an elected representative by the people, has to go on record and tell people, hey, here's where I stand on this issue.

QUIJANO: Political analysts say getting out the issue means getting out the conservative vote.

DAVID GERGEN, POLITICAL ANALYST: The conservatives through this amendment are trying to rally their base in the elections. This -- the election outcome is going to have a great deal to do with turnout. And conservatives want to make clear to their base that this is a -- one of the defining issues of the campaign.

QUIJANO: But with the election just under four months away, some gays and lesbians say the politics come at their expense, and accuse the Bush administration of trying to draw attention away from other issues.

DAVE KOLSEAR, DOMESTIC PARTNER: I really think that it's just a travesty that people would use this as a wedge issue to take their minds off of what's going on in Iraq, in Afghanistan. It's -- I just -- I firmly believe it's a diversionary tactic. And our lives shouldn't come in to the presidential election as a distraction.

QUIJANO (on camera): The president's Democratic rival John Kerry has said he opposes a constitutional ban on gay marriage. He says the issue of gay marriage should be left to individual states, not the federal government, to decide.

Elaine Quijano, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE) GRIFFIN: And we'd love to know what you think about this issue. It is our e-mail question of the day, what is your opinion about a proposed amendment to ban gay marriages. You can send your answers to wam@cnn.com. And we'll read some of your answers later on in the show.

NGUYEN: Elsewhere across the country, an Arizona pilot is in jail after crashing his plane into Southern California traffic. He hit a van as he tried to land the small craft on Interstate 5 near Santa Clarita. He told police his engine died, but the pilot was later arrested for flying under the influence of alcohol. Nobody was hurt.

Also from Southern California, a teenager in San Bernardino County is the latest person to get sick from the West Nile Virus. The Golden State has now recorded 17 cases of the ailment. State health officials say the 15-year old boy is recovering from fever and extreme exhaustion. People are being advised to avoid mosquitoes, which transmit the disease by using bug spray and getting rid of standing water.

Well, the 4th of July may be over, but fireworks are still causing trouble. Look at this. The town of Willfleet, Massachusetts on Cape Cod had rescheduled its celebration for this weekend, but an explosion on the beach canceled that show, too. An accident ignited all 2500 shells all at once. The truck was destroyed and there was a brushfire, but luckily, no one was hurt.

Sprinter Marion Jones won't be defending her gold medal in the 100 meter dash at the Summer Olympics. She didn't qualify for the U.S. track team in the 100 meters after finishing fifth at the trials in Northern California. The reigning Olympic champion in the event, but Jones still has a chance to quality for Athens in the 200 meter and the long jump event.

GRIFFIN: And we have much more for you on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Just ahead...

NGUYEN: Ever been puzzled by geography? We'll meet a man whose mission in life is to help you find exactly where in the world you are, or where you're going.

Plus, fingerprinting ballistics, DNA evidence. I'll bet your high school science class wasn't like the one we'll visit in Kentucky.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The room was completely stripped. No bedding, no sheets.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No towels either. Someone took a few souvenirs. I'll check the surveillance tapes.

(END VIDEO CLIP) NGUYEN: "CSI Crime Scene Investigation," it quickly became one of the most popular programs on television, often finishing number one, while capturing the imagination of millions of would-be detectives.

And the forensic crime show, "CSI," continues to trounce its television competition. That popularity inspired a Louisville high school teacher to create a class, mixing science with crime detection.

Central High School teacher Keri Kinslow joins us now from Louisville. Good morning to you. Thanks for getting up early.

KERI KINSLOW, SCIENCE TEACHER: Good morning.

NGUYEN: Well, you know, this is definitely not the science class I took in high school. How do you mix the real world event into the classroom and bring all this science to the forefront?

KINSLOW: Well, the main thing is because of the popularity of these shows, such as "CSI" and "Forensic Files," you need to first take the Hollywood out of it. And that makes it real world first.

So by bringing in community members, taking field trips to see actual laboratories, and doing actual lab activities in the classroom, getting that real hands-on, gives them an opportunity to see what this is really all about in the real world.

NGUYEN: But the Hollywood part of it is what brought in the interest. Tell us, or give us some examples of exactly what you teach?

KINSLOW: I teach biology, anatomy, and now forensic science.

NGUYEN: And how does the forensic science really incorporate all of these different sciences? Some examples may be a ballistics test that you do you in your classroom?

KINSLOW: Right. There's going to be a lab activity, where they study the cracks in the glass. And that's going to be based on ballistics. There's also going to be toxicology, which has to do with chemistry.

There's going to be some insect studies, which has to do about the biology and life of insects. So there's a lot of different fields that it covers.

NGUYEN: I hear students are just lining up to take this course. Are you surprised by this demand?

KINSLOW: No, not at all. You know, again, I attribute it all to these popular television shows. I started showing a few of them in class. And the kids just fell in love with it.

And you know, for a student, especially in high school, to find that science is a fun, cool subject, you just got to take it and run with it. NGUYEN: Yes, excitement in learning. Now is the television show where you got the idea to transform your class?

KINSLOW: Absolutely. It's a fascinating subject. And it makes the science real. And it makes the science fun. And by developing the curriculum, it just gives the chance, you know, to have the kids do it.

NGUYEN: Speaking of that, this is a fairly new course. How did you develop a curriculum? Is it something that's just readily available?

KINSLOW: Part of the curriculum I search for on the Internet and found a lab activity worksheet kind of curriculum from Canada and then incorporated some of my own activities and information into that, and then proposed that to the district of our county.

NGUYEN: Some of the specifics are a little bit gory, when you delve into the science of it all. Was it hard getting this curriculum approved by the district?

KINSLOW: Not really. You know, it's just trying to make sure everyone understands what it's going to be about, understand who it's for, understand the purpose of it.

And you know, once we show that this is an elective for seniors to take, you know, an extra science class, no one's going to argue with that.

NGUYEN: Exactly. Quickly, what's, I guess, the favorite subject or favorite lesson for your students in your class?

KINSLOW: Oh, the favorite lesson is probably going to be blood studies, anything with fluids...

NGUYEN: But of course.

KINSLOW: Yes.

NGUYEN: Anything with body fluids, right?

KINSLOW: Right.

NGUYEN: All right, Keri Kinslow, teacher at Central High School in Louisville, Kentucky. Thank you so much.

KINSLOW: Thank you.

NGUYEN: Drew?

GRIFFIN: Much more still ahead. We're going to introduce you to a young man who served in Iraq and is now working on rebuilding a life after being severely wounded.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) GRIFFIN: A bit of rain helped firefighters in South Florida. They're battling several wildfires in Miami-Dade County. And the blazes have burned nearly 7,000 acres as of last night, 50 percent contained. The biggest problem has been that smoke along major highways, including the Florida turnpike. Smoke reportedly also drifted into Pro Players Stadium last night during the Florida Marlin's New York game, the New York Mets game.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: Headlines at the quarter hour. In Iraq, militants holding a Filipino hostage deny he's been freed and has sent new conditions for his release. Al Jazeera television carried a statement from the Islamic Army of Iraq. It says Manila has until July 20 to withdraw its troops from Iraq, a month earlier than now scheduled.

In Germany, U.S. military officials aren't releasing details about the debriefing of Marine Corporal Wassef Hassoun. The 24-year old translator disappeared in Iraq on June 19 and resurfaced this week in Lebanon. Hassoun could return to the U.S. tomorrow or on Tuesday.

Palestinian militants claim responsibility for a roadside bombing in Israel. That explosion at a Tel Aviv bus stop. It killed a woman and injured more than 20 others.

GRIFFIN: Hundreds of U.S. troops have died in Iraq. Thousands more have come home with severe wounds. And it can take an enormous amount of courage to survive war.

Casey Wian reports it can take a true hero to move on after a life changing experience.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SGT. BRANDON ERICKSON (RET.), NORTH DAKOTA NATL. GUARD: It feels really good to run. Especially after you've been in the hospital for five months.

CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A year ago Brandon Erickson was in Iraq working as a mechanic. On July 22 he nearly lost his life riding in a convoy when insurgents set off a homemade bomb.

ERICKSON: They ambushed us with about nine to 14 rocket- propelled grenades and small arms fire. My driver was killed at that time from a stray bullet.

WIAN: Erickson's right arm was mangled and he lost a lot of blood. First Sergeant Kevin Remington braved enemy gunfire and got him out.

ERICKSON: He kind of grabbed me by the face and he said, "Brandon, we're going to get you out of here safe. Do you believe me?" And I said, "yes."

WIAN: Remington pulled Erickson behind a tire to shield him as the battle raged on. ERICKSON: We had the gun truck which was our truck with the most firepower going back and forth the kill zone. Those guys were amazing.

WIAN: When the firefight finally ended, Remington and the other soldiers got Erickson to the hospital. He lost half his blood. His right arm was amputated. When he awoke from surgery, he called girlfriend Dana Parry. I was more worried that she was going to break up with me because I only had one arm now.

DANA PARRY, GIRLFRIEND: It was so good he was alive. He's such a great guy, he deserved a second chance.

WIAN: Erickson was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for bravery.

1ST SGT. KEVIN REMINGTON, NORTH DAKOTA NATL. GUARD: Talk about courage. You know, it's not all about the courage under fire. The courage that people have to move on like he's doing and an example that sets for other soldiers who may be in a similar circumstance. The courage that our young soldiers are showing over there every day just going on the road.

WIAN: Erickson has retired from the military and is going to college looking forward to a career in public service. Casey Wian, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GRIFFIN: We bring you heroes stories every week on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Betty?

NGUYEN: Well, he's known as Mr. Condom. We'll introduce you to him next hour when we go live to Thailand, where thousands are gathered for the International Conference to Combat HIV/AIDS.

At 9:00 Eastern, Bill Clinton's view on Iraq, the war on terror, and campaign 2004 in an exclusive interview with our Christiane Amanpour.

And at 9:30 Eastern, a battle for gay rights in Atlanta is being waged on the golf course. Is this case headed to court?

But first, where in the world is Nauru? What one man has done to help you learn geography.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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