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CNN Sunday Morning

Hurricane Ivan Approaches Cayman Islands; Veterans Groups March For, Against Kerry in D.C.

Aired September 12, 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 to you from the CNN Center here in Atlanta. This is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It's September 12th, 7:00 a.m. in the Florida Keys, 5:00 a.m. in Denver.
Good morning, I'm Betty Nguyen.

COLLINS SPENCER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone, I'm Collins Spencer in for Drew Griffin. Thanks for being with us.

155 miles per hour and it's approaching the Cayman Islands. The storm's expected to pass over or near Grand Cayman. After that, western Cuba and expected turn to the northwest. Rob Marciano will be along in a few minutes with the hurricane forecast and its march to the U.S.

Retired military officers rallied today on Capitol Hill for and against John Kerry. The group calling itself Vietnam Veterans for the Truth will gather to charge that Kerry lied. The Veterans Institute for Security and Democracy will appeal to other groups to stop attacking the Democratic presidential candidate.

In Baghdad, car bombs, rocket attacks, and street battles, Iraqi and U.S. officials say a fresh round of violence across the city has killed at least 20 Iraqis. Several car bombs were set off. U.S. and Iraqi forces fought insurgents on the street that's seen previous battles.

Two light beams inspired by the twin towers shone through the night at ground zero in New York. The memorial lights appear on each anniversary of 9/11. The twin beams capped a day long remembrance of the terror attacks three years ago.

NGUYEN: Hurrying up and hunkering down, residents in the Cayman Islands are preparing for violent visit from Hurricane Ivan. Now it's expected to strike the islands with a vengeance. We have updates in just a few minutes.

Also, grief management after September 11th, for one set of mourners, it takes a village. The group is bound by tragedy, but also by a common cause. We'll explain.

And a rough campaign on some tough terrain as the presidential election approaches. Political warriors from both parties on the front lines of several battleground states. Today, Arkansas weighs in on the issues. U.S. officials are looking into some potentially troubling events in North Korea. There are reports of a huge explosion rocked North Korea just days ago near the border with China. Now according to a South Korean news agency, the blast produced a cloud more than two miles wide, but a U.S. official tells CNN the large cloud was "no big deal and not related to a nuclear explosion." A British delegation now in Pyongyang discussing the North's nuclear program, is seeking an explanation for that blast.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN IRVINE, ITN REPORTER: These reports about this explosion, if it indeed did happen being a nuclear explosion, are highly speculative. We're talking about big ifs here. But of course, it is an enormous issue. It's a big issue -- it wouldn't just be a slap in the face, if you want to call it that to the British delegation that's here. It would of course be an enormous slap in the face to the Chinese, to the South Koreans, and indeed to the Americans.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Meanwhile, today's "New York Times" and "Washington Post" both report the Bush administration received intelligence before these developments that could indicate North Korea is preparing its first nuclear weapons test.

SPENCER: In its cross Caribbean onslaught, Ivan is now barreling towards the Cayman Islands. It's expected to hit the chain later today. Top winds, 155 miles an hour. That's down slightly, making it a Category 4 storm again.

Still, the National Hurricane Center says very dangerous storm surges could bring waves up to 25 feet. A foot of rain could fall on the islands, causing major flooding and mudslides.

More than 50 people are dead in the wake of Ivan's rampage. Western Cuba is expected to be tomorrow's target. And President Fidel Castro is urging Cubans to stock up on supplies and fortify their homes.

Bureau chief Lucia Newman has a report from Havana. Hello, Lucia.

LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Collins. It's daybreak here in Havana. I'm speaking to you from its famous Malincon (ph) Seaside Drive. And there aren't too many people out on the street right now, but this city and this country indeed is as prepared as I suppose it can be for Hurricane Ivan or Ivan the Terrible, as they call it here in this country.

Now as in Florida, people have been preparing now for days, storing water, gathering candles and whatever food they can in advance of Ivan. But unlike in the United States, in this country, there are no hardware stores, no Home Depots, where people can go and buy plywood or even tape to secure their windows and their doors. So what they have been doing, of course, those who live in unsafe buildings, and there are plenty of them here in Havana, is preparing to be evacuated to higher ground or to more secure areas. The government here is very well organized when it comes to natural disasters. There are already more than 100,000 people that have been evacuated in different parts of western and central Cuba. And before the day is out, it is believed that...

(AUDIO GAP)

...will be taken to safety shelters, Collins.

SPENCER: Lucia, are Cuban officials worried about the world famous tobacco crop?

NEWMAN: There's a lot of wind here, but I think the -- I heard you ask if there worried about the tobacco crop. Indeed, they are. This hurricane, which is huge, it's expected to impact Pinaverio (ph), which is the province just to the west of Havana, which is where most of Cubans famous tobacco is grown. So if it does hit the -- that part of Cuba, as it's expected, very little of it is expected to make it, to survive, Collins.

SPENCER: Right, thanks Lucia. Lucia Newman in Havana.

Well, Ivan blasted Jamaica yesterday, although the eye of the storm passed to its south. Roofs were stripped off, mudslides triggered, roads washed away.

Jamaica's death toll reached 16 and police made 28 arrests as they battled the looters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: From earlier this morning, shots were being fired down here. And earlier, we had -- we (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

Hide for cover! Hide for cover!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SPENCER: The two men were shot to death by police when gunfights erupted, as officers tried to recover stolen goods.

NGUYEN: Well button down and boarded up, the Florida Keys are not exactly deserted this weekend, but it is hard to find crowds. Virtually all the tours and most of the residents have evacuated, although the latest computer models indicate the Keys may escape the full fury of Hurricane Ivan.

CNN's Susan Candiotti has a report from the middle Keys town of Alamrada.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You can't do this to a real palm tree. Here, workers are stripping some very sharp and very fake palm fronds and coconuts, all potential missiles in a storm.

Every time there's a storm warning, 5,000 pieces of pottery have to be moved in and out.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our breakage is about $1,000 to $1500 per time that we do it.

CANDIOTTI: To say U.S. 1 is deserted is an understatement. Normally on weekends...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The businesses are open and it's a bustling place. And today, it's a ghost town.

CANDIOTTI: Monroe County Sheriff Sergeant Ray Bolk cannot force people to follow a mandatory evacuation order. As authorities point out, this trailer park would not be a safe place to stay.

Steps away from the ocean and a potentially enormous storm surge.

(on camera): Another reason why people are taking this storm very seriously, they remember what happened when Hurricane George swept through back in 1998. This trailer park was covered in seaweed. It took about a month to clean things up.

(voice-over): Maintenance man Richard Truffa promises to leave if he gets too worried. And he's loading up his valuables just in case.

RICHARD TRUFFA, RESIDENT: See, these be the last thing that I take out.

CANDIOTTI: So what do you have so far in here?

TRUFFA: Computer's all the way in the end.

CANDIOTTI: At Dolphin's Plus, where you can swim with the mammals, in a hurricane, the dolphins would stay deep under water for longer periods of time. And trainers are feeding them a little bit more than usual, though these dolphins could probably go at least a week without eating.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The most important thing in our lives are these guys. And I would rather these guys be safe than for our own personal safety.

CANDIOTTI: Before he leaves the Keys, Richard Stanscyk has tried to save millions of dollars worth of boats. They've been moved and tied down in deep rooted mangroves.

RICHARD STANSCYK, RESIDENT: We've got about 30, 40 boats right up this little tiny ditch. And on each side, of course, we've got these mangroves, which is where the protection comes from.

CANDIOTTI: Till then, Bud and Mary's Marina will be empty, waiting for Ivan to make up his mind.

Susan Candiotti, CNN, Island Marada, Florida.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Meanwhile, the American Red Cross says it is strapped for cash after providing disaster relief in the wake of Hurricanes Charley and Francis. A spokesman says the agency had less than $1 million on hand before opening shelters for storm victims in Florida. He estimates Charley and Francis will cost the Red Cross $63 million. So far, it's only been able to raise $35 million.

Now to make matters even more dicey, Hurricane Ivan may also affect the sunshine state.

Well, the effects of Hurricane Charley are still being felt. Two pilots aboard an insecticide spraying plane were both killed when their plane crashed Saturday. The twin engine craft slammed into an orange grove yesterday, after hitting a communications tower about 45 miles south of Orlando.

Charley's drenching rains left standing water that's a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Florida officials say one of the pilots was working for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

(WEATHER REPORT)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What I really look forward to? Walking by someday, running errands or whatever, and hearing it ringing for somebody's wedding.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SPENCER: A group of 9/11 families hopes the ring of a church bell will help them move closer to healing.

NGUYEN: And we'll introduce you to three young crime fighters who have got a good shot at becoming detectives on the west coast.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SPENCER: Gay marriage, it's become an election issue, although overshadowed by Vietnam, national security, Iraq and the economy. Later, we'll tell you where the candidates stand on same sex marriage.

And at 9:00 a.m. Eastern, imagine spending your honeymoon in Jamaica this week. Couples doing just that. We'll ask them if the earth moved.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Here's a check of some of the other stories making headlines across America. Two 40 foot white sculptures are now soaring above New York's Staten Island. They're part of a newly dedicated memorial to people from Staten Island who were killed on 9/11. The memorial features postcards with the victims' names.

In parts of southern California, clean-up crews are dealing with a muddy mess. Heavy rains caused flash floods, which blocked roads with dirt and debris. Officials in San Bernardino County has to rescue several people from vehicles trapped by rising waters.

And meet some very young crime fighters from Washington state. Police say as eight-year old Emily Watkins, her six-year old sister Sydney, and a friend were playing, a man tried to steal their family's van. The trio spotted him and yelled for him to stop. After the man fled, the children drew an accurate sketch that officers used to nab the suspect. Police have offered all three children jobs, but they have to turn 21 first.

And don't miss another real life hero's story, this time from Iraq. In our next half hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

SPENCER: Another lawsuit over the 9/11 attacks, this time from the man who leased the World Trade Center just months before it was destroyed. Larry Silverstein is suing al Qaeda members along with Saudi financial institutions and charities. He's accusing them of supporting a conspiracy to launch the attacks.

Yesterday marked the three year anniversary of 9/11. Silverstein's action follows similar lawsuits filed before a statute of limitations deadline passed. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is suing, along with brokerage firm Cantor Fitzgerald, which lost more workers than any other employer on 9/11.

Well, the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks meant something special for some Hoboken, New Jersey residents who lost loved ones in the World Trade Center attack. They had a chance to give back to a community that helped them through some very difficult times.

CNN's Denise Belgrave reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DENISE BELGRAVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They called it simply the group. For three years, they've come together at Trinity Church to grieve. Young widows and widowers, parents and friends of the 53 Hoboken residents killed at the World Trade Center on September 11th.

Sandy O'Connor, mother of then two-year old Riama, lost her husband Keith that day.

SANDY O'CONNOR, WIDOW: It was like we lived in a nightmare and the rest of life was awake. And with that commonality, you can then begin to take your steps and lean on each other.

BELGRAVE: O'Connor says their grieving process was unlike any other.

O'CONNOR: Particularly as time went on, it became harder because as I would be trying to recover, then I'd see footage on TV and I'd be brought right back there.

BELGRAVE: Reverend Robert Griner, a grief counselor, who's been with the group since the beginning, explains their unique pain.

ROBERT GRINER, REV., GRIEF COUNSELOR: They became sort of brief celebrities. At the same time, there was a -- you know like a real strong anger and revulsion about, you know, taking on that kind of identity. And so there was a desire to be with people like themselves, who got it.

BELGRAVE: After three years, the group was ready to give something back to a community that had nurtured them through their darkest days. They gave the church a bell. It would fill the empty tower that as far as anybody could remember had been empty.

GRINER: I saw this space and it seemed to be a -- kind of emblem of the space that had been left in each member's heart from the loss of a loved one.

BELGRAVE: The bell tolled for the first time on September 11th in remembrance. Sandy O'Connor hopes one day soon she'll hear it again.

O'CONNOR: You know what I really look forward to? Walking by some day, running errands or whatever, and hearing it ringing for somebody's wedding. I learned that after immense sadness, there still can be a smile again and laughter again.

BELGRAVE: Denise Belgrave, CNN, Hoboken, New Jersey.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Well, rays of light, rays of hope. In case you missed this last night, in New York City, two powerful beams of light reached out to the sky in honor of those lost in the World Trade Center attacks. The lights, seen from miles around, were inspired by the twin towers and are being projected from a lot near ground zero. They'll be lit each year on the anniversary of the attacks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In this country, we will have it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SPENCER: Experts agree the possibility of nuclear terrorism in the United States is real, but is there a way to prevent it? That story's next.

NGUYEN: And it's less than two months before the election. So what's the mood in the battleground states? We start our new series this Sunday morning with a look at Arkansas. That's later this hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SPENCER: A mysterious cloud over North Korea has raised fears it might be nuclear in origin. Today's "New York Times" reports the Bush White House received recent intelligence that North Korea was preparing to test a nuclear device. That information was received before today's developments.

The specter of nuclear terrorism is the subject of this week's "CNN PRESENTS." Here's CNN's David Mattingly with a preview of tonight's program.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is the port of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the nation's biggest container port. 43 percent of all the goods that come into the U.S. by water in shipping containers come through here.

STEPHEN FLYNN: The port of Los Angeles and Long Beach is arguably not only America's most critical port, but potentially the most important port in the world.

MATTINGLY (on camera): It is one of the single biggest engines driving the U.S. economy, a gateway to more than $200 billion in annual trade with more than 5,000 ships unloading over 9 million cargo containers a year.

If the numbers don't impress you, consider this. Without this port, store shelves would empty. Factories would close. And untold thousands would find themselves out of a job.

(voice-over): If terrorists inserted one of their agents somewhere into the long chain of companies involved in sending a product from a factory in South China to the United States, it would be in a position to get a nuclear device into a box, then onto a...

(AUDIO GAP)

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SPENCER: "CNN PRESENTS" later at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00 p.m. Pacific. Also, check out the special online content at cnn.com/presents.

NGUYEN: Well, groups of people are gathering today to both support John Kerry and bad mouth him. We'll look at some decades old war wounds that are still bothering some veterans.

Also, we'll meet a modern Marine who says he was just doing his job, but his colleagues say he deserves a Silver Star.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SPENCER: Senator John Kerry vows that every vote will be counted this November. Welcome back, everyone, I'm Collins Spencer at CNN Headquarters in Atlanta.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. That story in just a minute. But first, now in the news. Hurricane Ivan has lost a little strength this morning, but that's not making people in the Caribbean feel any better. Ivan has dropped a notch to a Category 4 storm, but it does remain powerful with top winds of 155 miles an hour. Forecasters expect Ivan to hit the Cayman Islands later today.

The sign, well it says it all. Ivan the Terrible. People in the Florida Keys and along the southwest coast have been boarding up their homes. And many are leaving. Governor Jeb Bush is also urging panhandle residents to get ready. Forecasters say Ivan could hit land on the panhandle late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

And overseas, it's no big deal. That's how a U.S. official describes a large cloud that appeared over North Korea in satellite images three days ago. South Korea reports it was a mushroom shaped cloud, more than two miles wide. But the U.S. officials says a forest fire may have caused it, not a nuclear blast.

And in Israel, a stark warning from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. He says rifts between Israelis over his plan to pull out of the Gaza Strip could plunge the country into civil war. Some hardline Israeli officials are urging soldiers to reject orders to carry out the plan.

SPENCER: Turning now to the vote. Veterans who say they feel maligned by Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry are holding a so-called Kerry Lied rally today in Washington. The group called Vietnam Vets for the Truth says they challenge what they call Senator Kerry's longstanding claims about war crimes and widespread atrocities during the Vietnam War.

NGUYEN: Meanwhile, a veterans advocacy group is calling on the swift boat vets and others to end their attacks on Kerry and move on to more important issues. The Veterans Institute for Security and Democracy plans to make case in a news conference in D.C. a little later today.

SPENCER: And Senator Kerry is suggesting Republicans may try to suppress African-American voter turnout to help President Bush this November. But at the Congressional Black Caucus dinner, he said they won't succeed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What they did in Florida in 2000, some say they may be planning to do this year in battleground states all across this country. Well, we're here to let them know we will fight tooth and nail to make sure that this time, every vote is counted, and every vote counts.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SPENCER: Meantime, Kerry's getting a little rest and taking a break from the campaign trail today.

Well, President Bush is also keeping a low profile today. Following the September 11th anniversary events yesterday, the president went to Camp David.

NGUYEN: Each week at this time, we'll take a closer look at important issues facing the country and where the candidates stand. This week, gay rights and same sex marriage. Here's Drew Griffin.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Equal rights for gays and lesbians, one of the hot button issues Americans are thinking about as the election gets closer. The recent spotlight on same sex marriages forced candidates to speak out on where they stand.

On same sex marriage, in a recent CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll, 32 percent of those surveyed say they feel same sex marriage should be legally recognized, while 62 percent say no. In that same survey, 48 percent of the people favor a constitutional amendment banning marriages between gays and lesbians. 46 percent would oppose that amendment.

President Bush supports a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage. While Senator Kerry is against it, Kerry opposes gay marriage, but backs civil unions as well as benefits for rights for gay couples.

On gay adoption, a 2003 Gallup poll found Americans were fairly split on whether or not homosexual couples should have the legal right to adopt. At that time, 49 percent in favor, 48 percent opposed.

As for the candidates, President Bush opposes adoption by gay men and lesbians, while Senator Kerry supports it.

On hate crimes, current federal hate crimes legislation does not include crimes motivated by the victim's sexual orientation, gender, or disability. In the most recent data collected by the FBI, sexual orientation bias represents the third highest category of reported hate crimes.

President Bush opposes expanding current federal hate crime laws, saying he feels all violent crime is hate crime. Senator Kerry has called for expanding federal hate crimes legislation to assure what he says is equal justice for all.

Here's a side by side look at the candidates and their stances on gay rights. And for more on the election and the issues, log on to cnn.com/americavotes.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: And next week, we'll tackle Iraq as a campaign issue. And in about 10 minutes, Arkansas. It's one of the battleground states in the presidential election. State representatives from both parties will join us to discuss the political dynamics of the Razorback state.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your first instinct is that boy, these guys really mean business, and that they are trying to hurt you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SPENCER: Leading under fire, despite being wounded himself, it got this Marine a silver star. He's home now, but wants to go back to Iraq. His story next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: U.S. and Iraqi officials say at least 20 Iraqis are dead and more than 60 injured in the latest round of violence across Baghdad. There were several car bombings, a drive-by shooting, and rocket attacks. And U.S. troops backed up Iraqi forces in an intense battle with insurgents on Baghdad's Haifa Street. Cars had been destroyed and buildings damaged by gunfire. Coalition officials say four U.S. soldiers were hurt when a car bomb hit their vehicle.

SPENCER: Despite the ongoing violence, some Americans who have been in Iraq say they're ready and willing to go back.

Bill Tucker has the story of one Marine hero who's not prepared to retire just yet.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SGT. TIM HANEY, U.S. MARINE CORPS: Receiving the Silver Star is a very prestigious award, and I am completely humbled by it. When I first heard that I was put in for the award, I didn't understand why or I didn't understand -- I didn't think that I had done anything spectacular.

BILL TUCKER, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For Gunnery Sergeant Tim Haney now training to go back to Iraq, what happened last year during the fight for Nasiriyah was what he had spent half his life training for in the Marines. During two separate fire fights, he jumped from his vehicle and ran through intense machine gunfire to pinpoint Iraqi positions.

HANEY: Your first instinct is that, boy, these guys really mean business and that they are trying to hurt you.

TUCKER: After the second incident, an explosion riddled his body with 60 pieces of shrapnel.

HANEY: I have some shrapnel here on my side where it went through sides of my flak where the flak vest doesn't cover and from my waist on down.

TUCKER: He ignored his injuries and tended to the wounds of others and calmed down his young platoon.

HANEY: We had a lot of Marines that were -- had never been in a combat situation before and never been in an environment where they've shot at before. So a little apprehension, a little nervousness. I was just going around and making sure that Marines were taken care of and that there was a confidence level being bestowed into them, like, hey, Gunny Haney's still here, he got hurt, he's OK.

TUCKER: Haney left the Marines in 1988, went to college, got bored and rejoined, restarting at the bottom and worked his way back up.

HANEY: Growing up, I saw "The Sands of Iwo Jima" probably one too many times.

TUCKER: With 18 years in the Corps, he's not about to retire, especially after three combat award ribbons and that Silver Star. HANEY: I looked at it -- -I think I said before -- as not myself receiving the award, but receiving the award for everyone in the battalion.

TUCKER: Gunny Haney's unit redeploys to Iraq this fall.

Bill Tucker, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SPENCER: And we bring you stories of U.S. heroes every week on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: One of the nation's poorest states is in our political spotlight today. We'll talk to politicians from both sides of the aisle about how the economy is swaying voters in the natural state.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Well, good morning, Washington, on this Sunday. A beautiful shot of the White House in the nation's capitol.

SPENCER: If you've just joined us, here's what's going on this Sunday morning. Western officials are seeking an explanation from North Korea about a large mysterious cloud near the Chinese border. It showed up in satellite photos a few days ago, about two miles wide. Speculation has ranged from forest fire to some kind of massive explosion. A U.S. officials tells CNN there's no indication it's from a nuclear blast.

In the Caribbean, Hurricane Ivan has weakened, but only slightly. It's still a powerful and dangerous category 4, as it nears the Cayman Islands and western Cuba.

For Floridians, that is, it's getting to be a familiar drill. The Florida Keys began evacuating last week. The latest predicted path for Ivan is up the Gulf of Mexico to the Florida panhandle. But hurricanes are notoriously fickle. And all Floridians have been warned to be prepared.

Have you heard about a new course that's part of the curriculum at many colleges across the country? Homeland Security 101? Details in the next hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: The presidential candidates have begun focusing their resources and energies on 14 battleground states. Today, we begin examining those states one at a time. Each week, we'll speak with two state representatives, a Republican and a Democrat about issues back home.

And this morning, we put Arkansas in the political spotlight. Democratic state representative Joyce Elliot and Republican state representative Jeremy Hutchinson are in Little Rock this morning. And we thank you both for joining us.

JOYCE ELLIOT (D), ARK. STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 33: You're welcome.

HUTCHINSON: Thank you, good to be here.

NGUYEN: Well Representative Elliot, let's start with you. Of course, Arkansas is a battleground state. What issues are most important to the people living in Arkansas?

ELLIOT: Well, I think it's the issues that face a lot of states. Jobs, for instance, very, very important. And the economy is quite important.

For example, since George Bush has been in office, Arkansas has lost 33,000 manufacturing jobs. And those were jobs that people depended on, of course, to have a quality of life for their families that match what we call the American dream.

And the economy in our Arkansas, of course, has suffered as well. I mean, bankruptcies are up 45 percent. And people are just struggling just to get their kids through college for daycare.

And our seniors are suffering as well. I mean, for the first time in the 40 year history, we have a 17 percent Medicare increase. And that includes my family. You know, that's my mom.

And health care, of course, the cost of health care has gone up five times the increase in salaries. And so, in order for families to keep up, it's just an impossibility.

And so, Arkansans are hurting and need a better way. And if we continue down this route, you know, we're going to see some major suffering in this state beyond what we have so far.

NGUYEN: OK, Representative Hutchinson, listening to all of that, there's a lot of things on the table. How is the current administration addressing those problems?

JEREMY HUTCHINSON (R), ARK. STATE HOUSE DISTRICT: Well, I think the current administration has a terrific record on the economy. You know, the Democrat's playbook since 1992, since our governor Bill Clinton reigned, was it's the economy, stupid. The problem they have this time is that the economy's doing well.

In Arkansas, for example, we've created 6,000 jobs since September 11th. We have the lowest -- one of the lowest unemployment rates in our state's history. Last month, the month of August, our state took in more revenue than any other August in our state's history. So the economy is on the upswing. You can cite numbers on both side, but you know, everybody knows numbers can be manipulated.

But the bottom line is that the economy is improving. And that's due in a large part to the leadership that President Bush has provided.

NGUYEN: All right, Representative Hutchinson, let's stay with you for just a moment. I want to ask you the same question that I asked Representative Elliot. What are the issues of most concern to your constituents in this election?

HUTCHINSON: Well, I think Arkansas -- Arkansans are a lot like the rest of the nation. The number one concern is national security. The economy and health care and all those are very important, but we saw what devastation September 11th had on those issues. The economy suffered greatly because of the terrorist attack in New York.

So those issues, while they're very important, the primary issue, the one that you can't address the other ones without addressing this issue is national security. And I think Arkansans, like the rest of the nation, trust President Bush to protect our borders much more so than they do Senator Kerry.

NGUYEN: Representative Elliot, I'm going to let you weigh in here. What do you think about those concerns and how does the Kerry campaign plan to tackle that?

ELLIOT: Of course I disagree with what Representative Hutchinson has such said. You know, we talk about manipulating numbers and then talk about job growth. We've had some job growth in the last month, but the big question is what kind of jobs are those?

I was just with, you know, as a member of the American Federation of Teachers I'm affiliated with the AFL-CIO. I was just at their convention this past weekend. And we're talking about people who understand what it means to have a good job. What kind of jobs do we have that are growing in Arkansas? If you're losing 33,000 manufacturing jobs, but gaining jobs that are part-time, where we don't have health benefits, how do you say that we're better off?

I mean, it's like saying you've broken every bone in your body, but your mending.

In the meantime, you know, we have some real serious problems. And when it comes to national security, of course Arkansas cares about it, as much as anybody else.

But you know, we also know that John Kerry would do what he needs to, to protect this country. It is not as if, you know, we think that George Bush won't do it. But we know that we've got to address domestic issues here at home. And that's what Arkansans are concerned about.

HUTCHINSON: Well let me -- I don't think we do know that John Kerry will do it. He has yet to take a -- I mean, I'll give Joyce credit. At least her position is coherent and consistent. Senator Kerry's positions have been back and forth. I don't think Americans, and certainly not Arkansans, do know what he plans to do to address national security. And I think that's reflective in the polls here in Arkansas, which show President Bush ahead and nationwide.

ELLIOT: Well, I think Arkansans do understand that John Kerry has a plan for national security. Just because Republicans say that he does not, does not make any sense when you have a man who served the country, who loves his country, who is as patriotic as anybody else. It is just a bit absurd to suggest that he wouldn't take every measure that he has to, to protect this country.

We just commemorated 9/11 just yesterday. And I -- you know, I would never question whether or not George Bush would do what he can to protect his country, but the same thing is true of John Kerry. It just doesn't follow that he does not have the wherewithal, does not have the commitment to protect the country.

NGUYEN: All right, quickly, both of you, just let me get this in. What is the main message that folks in Arkansas have to both of these candidates? And Hutchinson, we'll start with you.

HUTCHINSON: Well, I think the people in Arkansas are no different than the people across America. They want their concerns addressed. I think they don't want to hear about what happened 30 years ago. They want to hear about what's going to happen in the next four years. And so I think they want this candidate to address and be honest with the American people on what you plan to do.

I don't question Senator Kerry's commitment, but I think there needs to be a plan with that commitment. And there has not yet been a coherent put forth. And the people of Arkansas expect that from people running for high office.

NGUYEN: Representative Elliot?

ELLIOT: Well, I think that the major thing that Arkansans understand at this point is that President Bush has been wrong for middle class families when you look at the jobs we've lost, you look at health care being up, the cost of child care is astronomical. It's as if things are falling apart. It's kind of like the William Buckley, Yates form on the second coming about the center cannot hold anymore if we keep this up.

And we need to believe again. We need to have hope and the optimism that this country can do better, because I think we can do better.

NGUYEN: All right.

ELLIOT: We have an opportunity to do better with John Kerry and John Edwards.

NGUYEN: We are out of time, but we thank you both for your insight this morning. Representative Joyce Elliot and Representative Jeremy Hutchinson this morning from the state of Arkansas. Thank you. HUTCHINSON: Thank you.

ELLIOT: Thank you.

NGUYEN: Next week at this time, we'll put the spotlight on the Grand Canyon state, Arizona, with its 10 electoral votes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Ray Charles singing in collaboration with Elton John. The song called "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word." Three months after his death, Ray Charles final album debut is a hot sell. "Genius Loves Company" features duets with Norah Jones, Elton John heard here, Natalie Cole, and Gladys Knight, just to name a few.

This is Charles' first top 10 album in 40 years. But the top spot this week goes to Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying," despite a significant decline in sales. Also in the top spot, Jill Scott, L.L. Cool J and the 16th installment now that's what I call music.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: The next hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING begins right now.

SPENCER: From the CNN Center in Atlanta this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It's September 12th. It's 8 AM in Havana, Cuba, 9 p.m. in Pyongyang, North Korea. I'm Collins Spencer.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. Thanks so much for being with us this morning.

Snapping tall trees like twigs and smashing cars like toys, it's just a fraction in the damage done by Hurricane Ivan in Jamaica. The 8 AM Eastern hurricane center update has Ivan knocked down a notch to a category 4 storm. Ivan is still spinning in the Caribbean though and residents and bracing for rough winds and waves of rain in the Caymans and Cuba. We have an update in just minutes.

In Iraq a suicide bomber designates explosives near the Abu Ghraib prison complex. Officials say the bomber tried to crash his car into the prison's front gate. When coalition forces fired on it the vehicle exploded. The driver was the only casualty.

Meanwhile, at least 20 others are dead this morning from car bombings rocket attacks and other incidents across Baghdad.

And while Iran is rejecting demands from Europe to abandon its pursuit of nuclear technology, Tehran says it's ready to prove its nuclear ambitions are entirely peaceful. Britain, France and Germany want to draft a resolution that gives Iran until November to explain its nuclear activities.

But explain aside, Iranian officials say they have no intention of stopping their sensitive nuclear activities. The threat of nuclear terrorism is the focus of a CNN special that's airing tonight. CNN presents "Nuclear Terror." It happens at 8 p.m. and again at 11 PM Eastern time.

SPENCER: Hurricane Ivan continues his devastating cruise through the Caribbean. The Cayman Islands are next on the list. And people across Cuba are preparing for the worse while hoping for the best.

National leaders are still establishing homeland security procedures and they soon may be getting lots of help from college campuses. We'll tell you why.

Also ahead, the doctor is in. He takes a look at how heart disease just might sneak up on you, as it did for former presidents.

NGUYEN: American officials are investigating some potentially troubling events in North Korea. There are reports an explosion rocked North Korea a few days ago near the border with China. Now according to South Korean news agency the blast produced a cloud more than two miles wide. But a US official tell CNN the large crowd, quote, "was no big deal and not related to a nuclear explosion."

Meanwhile though today's "New York Times" and "Washington Post" both report the Bush administration received intelligence before these developments that could indicate North Korea is preparing its first nuclear weapons test.

SPENCER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Caribbean drifting through the Cayman Island. It's expected to hit the chain later today. Sustained winds 150 miles an hour. That's down slightly making it a category 4 storm again. Still the National Hurricane Center says very dangerous storm surges could bring waves up to 25 feet. A foot of rain could fall on the islands causing major flooding and mud slides.

After pounding the Caymans Ivan is next expected to eye Cuba. The small island nation's western region is bracing for the worse. Some residents are fleeing, while others are boarding up their homes to stay. Havana is in that region. So we go live to Lucia Newman live by video phone from Cuba's capitol.

Hi, Lucia.

NEWMAN: Good morning, Paul. While Cubans, like Floridians, are accustomed to hurricanes I must say that this particular hurricane has people here very, very worried indeed. It has been 60 years since a hurricane of this magnitude has threatened Havana and the neighboring western province of Finado del Rio (ph).

Now having said that, Cuba is very well organized to confront these sorts of natural disasters. People know exactly what to do. They've been listening to the television, getting instructions from Cuba's civil defense forces. Not only have they stocked up on water and food and candles, if they can find any, but they've also -- they also are prepared to be evacuated from low lying areas.

And also especially here in Havana, to be moved to safer buildings. Havana is particularly vulnerable to hurricanes because the buildings here are already crumbling, many of them, after years of lack of repair, Collins. So, people know what to expect, but they are very worried still about just how much damage can be caused by a hurricane a magnitude of which they have not seen here in many cases for more than a generation, Collins.

SPENCER: Lucia Newman in Havana. Thanks, Lucia.

NGUYEN: A violent visitor, an intense intruder, as it spins its fury Ivan is being called many names. Ivan the terrible is what some are calling it in Florida. Residents of the Florida Keys have already left by the thousands. Major flooding and storm surges up to 25 feet are expected in some places.

Well as Florida and Cuba await Ivan's visit, Jamaica has already witnessed its wrath. There it raised the roofs, washed out roads and claimed 11 lives. More now from Karl Penhaul in Kingston.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hurricane Ivan whips up waves and smashes concrete on the Que (ph) side in downtown Kingston. As winds tail off storm survivors venture out of emergency shelters and pick their way through debris to what's left of their homes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) it's alike all inclusive, earthquake, hurricane, everything in one, volcano. It's terrible.

PENHAUL: Edgar Wallace says he fled in the black of night as the sea lashed at his door. This is what's left of his house in Kingston Shooters (ph) Hill neighborhood. Entire rooms have been washed away.

In a nearby neighborhood a woman drowned in a tidal surge.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Actually we see that it was getting worse. We have to leave because we don't know whether it would rise higher. I was (UNINTELLIGIBLE: so we have to leave when we could leave because it was windy (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

PENHAUL: Power lines are down, electricity is out across most of Jamaica. Authorities say many highways are blocked by landslides and floods. As soon as weather conditions permit, Prime Minister Patterson has ordered a government recognizance team to fly across the island by helicopter to draw up a full death and injury toll and damage assessment.

PERCIVAL JAMES PATTERSON, JAMAICAN PRIME MINISTER: It is obvious that there is no part of Jamaica which has been immune.

PENHAUL: He's also ordered a dusk to dawn curfew in Jamaica's main cities and towns to prevent outbreaks of looting. We came across this gang late Friday, just as Hurricane Ivan was blowing in. The alleged looters were arrested minutes after engaging police in a gun battle.

(on-camera) Down at the ocean side the power of the waves driven by those incredible winds did the damage. Up here in the hills just above Kingston the trees, torn out by the hurricane, have smashed everything in their path.

(voice-over): At least one woman is reported to have died in this poor neighborhood. Others like carpenter Clarence Frances and his family have been left homeless. He was asleep in a back room when this tree crashed through the front of his wood and tin home.

CLARENCE FRANCES, HURRICANE IVAN VICTIM: I'm still frightened. I'm still in shock, you know, knowing that the tree too -- fallen out and we are all inside. We could have died.

PENHAUL: For now the family is sheltering with neighbors. Frances doesn't know when they'll have the materials or the money to begin rebuilding.

Karl Penhaul with the camera of Neil Halsworth (ph), CNN, Kingston, Jamaica.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SPENCER: Well, we saw what happened in Jamaica. It's time to get an update on Hurricane Ivan.

NGUYEN: Yes. How is Ivan doing right now? Hopefully this thing is going to be downgraded even more. Because it went from category five to category 4 already.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes it's still bad though. And if it were -- it's probably not going to be downgraded or it's probably not going to lose a lot of its intensity until one, it hits Cuba, and there's not a whole lot of land where it hits Cuba and then two, gets into the Gulf of Mexico, which has warm water but it also has some winds that may knock it down just a little bit.

Here's Grand -- Cayman Islands. There's the eye. You can see the eye over night kind of closed up a little bit. It's going -- we think it's going through what we think -- what we call an eye wall replacement cycle and that's why it's decreasing in intensity right now. But that might lead to further intensification in the next few hours.

Past Jamaica, about 30 miles south of the Grand -- of Grand Cayman itself. So, you go out tot he north about 90 miles from the center you're getting hurricane force winds. So they are likely getting hurricane force winds in Grand Cayman and will do so for several hours.

There will be a storm surge with this as well. Although I think the waters around Grand Cayman are pretty deep. So, not as much of an issue. Typically in a category 4 storm you have winds up to 155 miles an hour and that's where we are at the outer peak of that. Structural damage begins. We saw that in Jamaica. Inland flooding an issue as well with all the rainfall, bumping it up to a category five.

Typically the damage is about twice as much when you go from a four to a five to give you an idea of how exponentially we look at damage with these things and then, I mean you get near the core of a category 5 and it's just pretty much a nightmare.

Again, the forecast track does bring it toward the western tip of Cuba. Not until tomorrow though. Possibly though as a category 5 and then into the Gulf of Mexico hopefully knocking down some of the energy with this to a 4 possibly a 3 status.

Northeastern Gulf of Mexico early Wednesday morning guys. So, it's probably not going to be until the middle of the week until it effects the U.S. coastline.

That's the latest from here. I'll turn it back to you.

SPENCER: All right Thanks, Rob. We'll check back with you.

Well in the next half hour we'll talk to newlyweds who had their honeymoon disrupted by Ivan in Jamaica. How they weathered their first storm as man and wife. Stay with us.

NGUYEN: There's a popular perception among some segments of the U.S. population that Al Gore lost Florida in 2000 because Democratic votes in the state were under counted. True or not, John Kerry picked up on that theme last night before a receptive audience and the Congressional Black Caucus.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KERRY: What they did in Florida in 2000 some say they may be planning to do this year in battleground states all across this country. Well we're here to let them know we will fight tooth and nail to make sure that this time every vote is counted and every vote counts.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: CNN's Dana Bash is at the White House this morning with reaction to Kerry's fiery rhetoric.

Good morning, Dana.

DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty. And the Bush campaign responded to Senator Kerry suggesting that Republicans will try to suppress the black vote in November by calling it a baseless attack. But Bush spokesman also made a point to say that they are not going to respond beyond that. They said that in order to try to tweak the Senator from making these statements on September 11th, noting that the president and the country were taking time to remember the day yesterday.

Now Mr. Bush did not do any overt campaigning yesterday. But he did spend the day with -- doing various events looking back on 9/11, a day certainly that defined his presidency and at the time sent his popularity skyrocketing. Now he performed his weekly radio address live with first responders there in the Oval Office with him. He also, as you see there, led a moment of silence on the south lawn of the White House.

Now tomorrow Betty, Mr. Bush is back on the campaign trail. He's back on his campaign bus heading to three stops in Michigan,, rural western towns in Michigan where he will talk up domestic issues like health care. He's courting votes in a state, Betty, that he lost last time around. They're hoping to win of course in November.

Betty.

NGUYEN: Less than two months away from the election. All right. Dana Bash at the White House this morning for us. Hank you so much.

Now our e-mail question this morning. The question is, what is the most important election issue facing this country this year? And we've got a lot of responses from you this morning. We'll be reading those throughout the program. But in the meantime, all you have to do is send us your thoughts at wam@cnn.com.

SPENCER: It's a growth field and colleges and universities are seizing the opportunity. The new hot major, homeland security studies. That's ahead.

NGUYEN: Plus eyes on Ivan. The latest on the hurricane's trek.

SPENCER: Later on "HOUSECALL" a heart disease is the number one killer of Americans. Find out what you can do to help yourself.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: With hurricanes and flooding in the southeast and fires in the west lots of people are reviewing their insurance policies, and some are looking to the Internet for help. We'll search the Web too in our Best of the Web segment. That happens in our next hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SPENCER: If you've just joined us here's what's going on this Sunday morning. Violence across Baghdad leaves at least 20 Iraqis dead. A car bomb killed Iraqi police officers. A suicide car bomb outside Abu Ghraib prison killed the bomber.

And intense gun fire between insurgence and Iraqi security forces in a Baghdad neighborhood killed at least 13 people.

U.S. Airways is reportedly considering bankruptcy. A final report to cut labor costs at the airline collapsed.

And Hurricane Ivan spared Jamaica the worse, but the same may not be true for the Cayman Island or Cuba. The powerful storm is making its way north with winds of up to 155 miles an hour.

We'll have up dates for you all day long as Hurricane Ivan continues its march toward the U.S. Rob Marciano will be along in just a few minutes with the latest projected paths. Stay with us. NGUYEN: Twin shots of light cut through the Manhattan sky to mark the third anniversary of the September 11th attacks. The two lights stood on the ground of the former World Trade Center. The tribute was one of many memorials held around the country. The lights will shine every year on the anniversary of the terrorists attacks.

Well, hundreds of colleges and universities are offering a course of study that didn't exist before September 11th 2001. Homeland security is becoming a hot major, but are college kids feeling more patriotic or are they going where the jobs will be? Sean Callebs heads back to school to find out.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The business of coping with terror is rapidly becoming part of the curriculum at colleges and universities around the U.S.

ERICA CANZLEN, STUDENT: The reason I chose a program like this is, you know, how is the government going to be prepared to respond to the next terrorist attack? How can we more effectively manage state, local, federal responses.

CALLEBS: Homeland security could very well be the largest government employer in the next decade. So it's not surprise that hundreds of schools are offering degrees and certificates in homeland security.

STEVEN DAVID, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY: The reaction we get from students is that this is long overdue. That this is something they want. This is something their employers want and we hope that this could make some small contribution to making America safer.

CALLEBS: Students at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore follow three specialized tracks while pursuing a homeland security certificate, scientific, the science of terrorism. For example, the difference between chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.

Domestic administrative, how the U.S. government is organized to deal with attacks and international relations. Policies affecting relationships between the U.S. and other nations and factions.

THOMAS STANTON, HOMELAND SECURITY PROFESSOR: And we'd better learn more lessons from that failure than they do.

CALLEBS: Thomas Stanton has been a professor for a decade here. He says many students have a strong sense of patriotism.

STANTON: This is a really fundamental assault On the United States and our way of life. When I teach courses on administering with respect to the economy for example, you don't get nearly the resonance to patriotic themes that you get in a course like this.

CALLEBS: Right now Johns Hopkins doesn't offer a homeland security masters degree, but it could be in the offing. JAMIE TYLER, STUDENT: I think homeland security is an up and coming thing, especially with September 11th and, you know, the war on terrorism. I think it's something that's going to be around for a long time.

CALLEBS: (on-camera): Administrators say around for a long time is an understatement. That the government and private sector will need graduates with homeland security education for years to come. Saying just like the fight against crime, the war on terror is a battle the nation will never totally win.

Sean Callebs, CNN Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SPENCER: Good morning, St. Louis. You're looking at a live picture of the Arch. The Arizona Cardinals are in town today to take on the St. Louis Rams. It's the season opener for both teams and skies should be clear. We'll have your complete weather forecast coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Well, it's another weekend and another hurricane. But first Rob, how's the rest of the nation doing on this Sunday morning?

(WEATHER FORECAST)

SPENCER: Now on to our e-mail question. Well, we've been asking viewers all morning what they think the most important election issue is for the country and this is from Skip. Skip says "the most important election issue is one that I haven't heard any candidate address, the polarization of American politics. The level of rhetoric has become so extreme that I have serious concerns for the cohesiveness of the nation no matter who wins the election."

NGUYEN: What's the most important issue facing Americans during his election? Well, Michelle in South Dakota says, "I can tell you what it is not, the Vietnam war. Current issues are what is important. Let us work in building up our country now."

We appreciate you sending in all those responses. Keep them coming this morning to our e-mail question of the day. All you have to do is e-mail us at wam@cnn.com.

SPENCER: Old folks, young people, serious athletes, nobody is immune to heart disease. But there are things you can do to reduce the risks.. That's next on "HOUSE CALL" after the headlines.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SPENCER: Jamaica is still under a tropical storm warning in the wake of Hurricane Ivan. The storm caused mud slides and floods and touched off a spate of looting. Meantime, people in the Cayman Islands are bracing for Ivan's expected hit later today. It's packing 155 mile an hour winds. In Baghdad at least 20 Iraqis are dead and more than 60 inured in new violence this morning. There were several car bombings including one outside Abu Ghraib prison. U.S. and Iraqi forces also battled insurgents on Hava (ph) Street, a major roadway in the heart of Baghdad.

And in North Korea no official response yet to some troubling satellite images. They showed a large mushroom cloud over the country three days ago. A U.S. official says a forest fire might be to blame, not a nuclear blast. The official says it's no big deal.

"HOUSE CALL" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta begins now.

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 September 12, 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 to you from the CNN Center here in Atlanta. This is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It's September 12th, 7:00 a.m. in the Florida Keys, 5:00 a.m. in Denver.
Good morning, I'm Betty Nguyen.

COLLINS SPENCER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone, I'm Collins Spencer in for Drew Griffin. Thanks for being with us.

155 miles per hour and it's approaching the Cayman Islands. The storm's expected to pass over or near Grand Cayman. After that, western Cuba and expected turn to the northwest. Rob Marciano will be along in a few minutes with the hurricane forecast and its march to the U.S.

Retired military officers rallied today on Capitol Hill for and against John Kerry. The group calling itself Vietnam Veterans for the Truth will gather to charge that Kerry lied. The Veterans Institute for Security and Democracy will appeal to other groups to stop attacking the Democratic presidential candidate.

In Baghdad, car bombs, rocket attacks, and street battles, Iraqi and U.S. officials say a fresh round of violence across the city has killed at least 20 Iraqis. Several car bombs were set off. U.S. and Iraqi forces fought insurgents on the street that's seen previous battles.

Two light beams inspired by the twin towers shone through the night at ground zero in New York. The memorial lights appear on each anniversary of 9/11. The twin beams capped a day long remembrance of the terror attacks three years ago.

NGUYEN: Hurrying up and hunkering down, residents in the Cayman Islands are preparing for violent visit from Hurricane Ivan. Now it's expected to strike the islands with a vengeance. We have updates in just a few minutes.

Also, grief management after September 11th, for one set of mourners, it takes a village. The group is bound by tragedy, but also by a common cause. We'll explain.

And a rough campaign on some tough terrain as the presidential election approaches. Political warriors from both parties on the front lines of several battleground states. Today, Arkansas weighs in on the issues. U.S. officials are looking into some potentially troubling events in North Korea. There are reports of a huge explosion rocked North Korea just days ago near the border with China. Now according to a South Korean news agency, the blast produced a cloud more than two miles wide, but a U.S. official tells CNN the large cloud was "no big deal and not related to a nuclear explosion." A British delegation now in Pyongyang discussing the North's nuclear program, is seeking an explanation for that blast.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN IRVINE, ITN REPORTER: These reports about this explosion, if it indeed did happen being a nuclear explosion, are highly speculative. We're talking about big ifs here. But of course, it is an enormous issue. It's a big issue -- it wouldn't just be a slap in the face, if you want to call it that to the British delegation that's here. It would of course be an enormous slap in the face to the Chinese, to the South Koreans, and indeed to the Americans.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Meanwhile, today's "New York Times" and "Washington Post" both report the Bush administration received intelligence before these developments that could indicate North Korea is preparing its first nuclear weapons test.

SPENCER: In its cross Caribbean onslaught, Ivan is now barreling towards the Cayman Islands. It's expected to hit the chain later today. Top winds, 155 miles an hour. That's down slightly, making it a Category 4 storm again.

Still, the National Hurricane Center says very dangerous storm surges could bring waves up to 25 feet. A foot of rain could fall on the islands, causing major flooding and mudslides.

More than 50 people are dead in the wake of Ivan's rampage. Western Cuba is expected to be tomorrow's target. And President Fidel Castro is urging Cubans to stock up on supplies and fortify their homes.

Bureau chief Lucia Newman has a report from Havana. Hello, Lucia.

LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Collins. It's daybreak here in Havana. I'm speaking to you from its famous Malincon (ph) Seaside Drive. And there aren't too many people out on the street right now, but this city and this country indeed is as prepared as I suppose it can be for Hurricane Ivan or Ivan the Terrible, as they call it here in this country.

Now as in Florida, people have been preparing now for days, storing water, gathering candles and whatever food they can in advance of Ivan. But unlike in the United States, in this country, there are no hardware stores, no Home Depots, where people can go and buy plywood or even tape to secure their windows and their doors. So what they have been doing, of course, those who live in unsafe buildings, and there are plenty of them here in Havana, is preparing to be evacuated to higher ground or to more secure areas. The government here is very well organized when it comes to natural disasters. There are already more than 100,000 people that have been evacuated in different parts of western and central Cuba. And before the day is out, it is believed that...

(AUDIO GAP)

...will be taken to safety shelters, Collins.

SPENCER: Lucia, are Cuban officials worried about the world famous tobacco crop?

NEWMAN: There's a lot of wind here, but I think the -- I heard you ask if there worried about the tobacco crop. Indeed, they are. This hurricane, which is huge, it's expected to impact Pinaverio (ph), which is the province just to the west of Havana, which is where most of Cubans famous tobacco is grown. So if it does hit the -- that part of Cuba, as it's expected, very little of it is expected to make it, to survive, Collins.

SPENCER: Right, thanks Lucia. Lucia Newman in Havana.

Well, Ivan blasted Jamaica yesterday, although the eye of the storm passed to its south. Roofs were stripped off, mudslides triggered, roads washed away.

Jamaica's death toll reached 16 and police made 28 arrests as they battled the looters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: From earlier this morning, shots were being fired down here. And earlier, we had -- we (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

Hide for cover! Hide for cover!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SPENCER: The two men were shot to death by police when gunfights erupted, as officers tried to recover stolen goods.

NGUYEN: Well button down and boarded up, the Florida Keys are not exactly deserted this weekend, but it is hard to find crowds. Virtually all the tours and most of the residents have evacuated, although the latest computer models indicate the Keys may escape the full fury of Hurricane Ivan.

CNN's Susan Candiotti has a report from the middle Keys town of Alamrada.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You can't do this to a real palm tree. Here, workers are stripping some very sharp and very fake palm fronds and coconuts, all potential missiles in a storm.

Every time there's a storm warning, 5,000 pieces of pottery have to be moved in and out.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our breakage is about $1,000 to $1500 per time that we do it.

CANDIOTTI: To say U.S. 1 is deserted is an understatement. Normally on weekends...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The businesses are open and it's a bustling place. And today, it's a ghost town.

CANDIOTTI: Monroe County Sheriff Sergeant Ray Bolk cannot force people to follow a mandatory evacuation order. As authorities point out, this trailer park would not be a safe place to stay.

Steps away from the ocean and a potentially enormous storm surge.

(on camera): Another reason why people are taking this storm very seriously, they remember what happened when Hurricane George swept through back in 1998. This trailer park was covered in seaweed. It took about a month to clean things up.

(voice-over): Maintenance man Richard Truffa promises to leave if he gets too worried. And he's loading up his valuables just in case.

RICHARD TRUFFA, RESIDENT: See, these be the last thing that I take out.

CANDIOTTI: So what do you have so far in here?

TRUFFA: Computer's all the way in the end.

CANDIOTTI: At Dolphin's Plus, where you can swim with the mammals, in a hurricane, the dolphins would stay deep under water for longer periods of time. And trainers are feeding them a little bit more than usual, though these dolphins could probably go at least a week without eating.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The most important thing in our lives are these guys. And I would rather these guys be safe than for our own personal safety.

CANDIOTTI: Before he leaves the Keys, Richard Stanscyk has tried to save millions of dollars worth of boats. They've been moved and tied down in deep rooted mangroves.

RICHARD STANSCYK, RESIDENT: We've got about 30, 40 boats right up this little tiny ditch. And on each side, of course, we've got these mangroves, which is where the protection comes from.

CANDIOTTI: Till then, Bud and Mary's Marina will be empty, waiting for Ivan to make up his mind.

Susan Candiotti, CNN, Island Marada, Florida.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Meanwhile, the American Red Cross says it is strapped for cash after providing disaster relief in the wake of Hurricanes Charley and Francis. A spokesman says the agency had less than $1 million on hand before opening shelters for storm victims in Florida. He estimates Charley and Francis will cost the Red Cross $63 million. So far, it's only been able to raise $35 million.

Now to make matters even more dicey, Hurricane Ivan may also affect the sunshine state.

Well, the effects of Hurricane Charley are still being felt. Two pilots aboard an insecticide spraying plane were both killed when their plane crashed Saturday. The twin engine craft slammed into an orange grove yesterday, after hitting a communications tower about 45 miles south of Orlando.

Charley's drenching rains left standing water that's a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Florida officials say one of the pilots was working for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

(WEATHER REPORT)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What I really look forward to? Walking by someday, running errands or whatever, and hearing it ringing for somebody's wedding.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SPENCER: A group of 9/11 families hopes the ring of a church bell will help them move closer to healing.

NGUYEN: And we'll introduce you to three young crime fighters who have got a good shot at becoming detectives on the west coast.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SPENCER: Gay marriage, it's become an election issue, although overshadowed by Vietnam, national security, Iraq and the economy. Later, we'll tell you where the candidates stand on same sex marriage.

And at 9:00 a.m. Eastern, imagine spending your honeymoon in Jamaica this week. Couples doing just that. We'll ask them if the earth moved.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Here's a check of some of the other stories making headlines across America. Two 40 foot white sculptures are now soaring above New York's Staten Island. They're part of a newly dedicated memorial to people from Staten Island who were killed on 9/11. The memorial features postcards with the victims' names.

In parts of southern California, clean-up crews are dealing with a muddy mess. Heavy rains caused flash floods, which blocked roads with dirt and debris. Officials in San Bernardino County has to rescue several people from vehicles trapped by rising waters.

And meet some very young crime fighters from Washington state. Police say as eight-year old Emily Watkins, her six-year old sister Sydney, and a friend were playing, a man tried to steal their family's van. The trio spotted him and yelled for him to stop. After the man fled, the children drew an accurate sketch that officers used to nab the suspect. Police have offered all three children jobs, but they have to turn 21 first.

And don't miss another real life hero's story, this time from Iraq. In our next half hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

SPENCER: Another lawsuit over the 9/11 attacks, this time from the man who leased the World Trade Center just months before it was destroyed. Larry Silverstein is suing al Qaeda members along with Saudi financial institutions and charities. He's accusing them of supporting a conspiracy to launch the attacks.

Yesterday marked the three year anniversary of 9/11. Silverstein's action follows similar lawsuits filed before a statute of limitations deadline passed. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is suing, along with brokerage firm Cantor Fitzgerald, which lost more workers than any other employer on 9/11.

Well, the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks meant something special for some Hoboken, New Jersey residents who lost loved ones in the World Trade Center attack. They had a chance to give back to a community that helped them through some very difficult times.

CNN's Denise Belgrave reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DENISE BELGRAVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They called it simply the group. For three years, they've come together at Trinity Church to grieve. Young widows and widowers, parents and friends of the 53 Hoboken residents killed at the World Trade Center on September 11th.

Sandy O'Connor, mother of then two-year old Riama, lost her husband Keith that day.

SANDY O'CONNOR, WIDOW: It was like we lived in a nightmare and the rest of life was awake. And with that commonality, you can then begin to take your steps and lean on each other.

BELGRAVE: O'Connor says their grieving process was unlike any other.

O'CONNOR: Particularly as time went on, it became harder because as I would be trying to recover, then I'd see footage on TV and I'd be brought right back there.

BELGRAVE: Reverend Robert Griner, a grief counselor, who's been with the group since the beginning, explains their unique pain.

ROBERT GRINER, REV., GRIEF COUNSELOR: They became sort of brief celebrities. At the same time, there was a -- you know like a real strong anger and revulsion about, you know, taking on that kind of identity. And so there was a desire to be with people like themselves, who got it.

BELGRAVE: After three years, the group was ready to give something back to a community that had nurtured them through their darkest days. They gave the church a bell. It would fill the empty tower that as far as anybody could remember had been empty.

GRINER: I saw this space and it seemed to be a -- kind of emblem of the space that had been left in each member's heart from the loss of a loved one.

BELGRAVE: The bell tolled for the first time on September 11th in remembrance. Sandy O'Connor hopes one day soon she'll hear it again.

O'CONNOR: You know what I really look forward to? Walking by some day, running errands or whatever, and hearing it ringing for somebody's wedding. I learned that after immense sadness, there still can be a smile again and laughter again.

BELGRAVE: Denise Belgrave, CNN, Hoboken, New Jersey.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Well, rays of light, rays of hope. In case you missed this last night, in New York City, two powerful beams of light reached out to the sky in honor of those lost in the World Trade Center attacks. The lights, seen from miles around, were inspired by the twin towers and are being projected from a lot near ground zero. They'll be lit each year on the anniversary of the attacks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In this country, we will have it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SPENCER: Experts agree the possibility of nuclear terrorism in the United States is real, but is there a way to prevent it? That story's next.

NGUYEN: And it's less than two months before the election. So what's the mood in the battleground states? We start our new series this Sunday morning with a look at Arkansas. That's later this hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SPENCER: A mysterious cloud over North Korea has raised fears it might be nuclear in origin. Today's "New York Times" reports the Bush White House received recent intelligence that North Korea was preparing to test a nuclear device. That information was received before today's developments.

The specter of nuclear terrorism is the subject of this week's "CNN PRESENTS." Here's CNN's David Mattingly with a preview of tonight's program.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is the port of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the nation's biggest container port. 43 percent of all the goods that come into the U.S. by water in shipping containers come through here.

STEPHEN FLYNN: The port of Los Angeles and Long Beach is arguably not only America's most critical port, but potentially the most important port in the world.

MATTINGLY (on camera): It is one of the single biggest engines driving the U.S. economy, a gateway to more than $200 billion in annual trade with more than 5,000 ships unloading over 9 million cargo containers a year.

If the numbers don't impress you, consider this. Without this port, store shelves would empty. Factories would close. And untold thousands would find themselves out of a job.

(voice-over): If terrorists inserted one of their agents somewhere into the long chain of companies involved in sending a product from a factory in South China to the United States, it would be in a position to get a nuclear device into a box, then onto a...

(AUDIO GAP)

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SPENCER: "CNN PRESENTS" later at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00 p.m. Pacific. Also, check out the special online content at cnn.com/presents.

NGUYEN: Well, groups of people are gathering today to both support John Kerry and bad mouth him. We'll look at some decades old war wounds that are still bothering some veterans.

Also, we'll meet a modern Marine who says he was just doing his job, but his colleagues say he deserves a Silver Star.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SPENCER: Senator John Kerry vows that every vote will be counted this November. Welcome back, everyone, I'm Collins Spencer at CNN Headquarters in Atlanta.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. That story in just a minute. But first, now in the news. Hurricane Ivan has lost a little strength this morning, but that's not making people in the Caribbean feel any better. Ivan has dropped a notch to a Category 4 storm, but it does remain powerful with top winds of 155 miles an hour. Forecasters expect Ivan to hit the Cayman Islands later today.

The sign, well it says it all. Ivan the Terrible. People in the Florida Keys and along the southwest coast have been boarding up their homes. And many are leaving. Governor Jeb Bush is also urging panhandle residents to get ready. Forecasters say Ivan could hit land on the panhandle late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

And overseas, it's no big deal. That's how a U.S. official describes a large cloud that appeared over North Korea in satellite images three days ago. South Korea reports it was a mushroom shaped cloud, more than two miles wide. But the U.S. officials says a forest fire may have caused it, not a nuclear blast.

And in Israel, a stark warning from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. He says rifts between Israelis over his plan to pull out of the Gaza Strip could plunge the country into civil war. Some hardline Israeli officials are urging soldiers to reject orders to carry out the plan.

SPENCER: Turning now to the vote. Veterans who say they feel maligned by Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry are holding a so-called Kerry Lied rally today in Washington. The group called Vietnam Vets for the Truth says they challenge what they call Senator Kerry's longstanding claims about war crimes and widespread atrocities during the Vietnam War.

NGUYEN: Meanwhile, a veterans advocacy group is calling on the swift boat vets and others to end their attacks on Kerry and move on to more important issues. The Veterans Institute for Security and Democracy plans to make case in a news conference in D.C. a little later today.

SPENCER: And Senator Kerry is suggesting Republicans may try to suppress African-American voter turnout to help President Bush this November. But at the Congressional Black Caucus dinner, he said they won't succeed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What they did in Florida in 2000, some say they may be planning to do this year in battleground states all across this country. Well, we're here to let them know we will fight tooth and nail to make sure that this time, every vote is counted, and every vote counts.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SPENCER: Meantime, Kerry's getting a little rest and taking a break from the campaign trail today.

Well, President Bush is also keeping a low profile today. Following the September 11th anniversary events yesterday, the president went to Camp David.

NGUYEN: Each week at this time, we'll take a closer look at important issues facing the country and where the candidates stand. This week, gay rights and same sex marriage. Here's Drew Griffin.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Equal rights for gays and lesbians, one of the hot button issues Americans are thinking about as the election gets closer. The recent spotlight on same sex marriages forced candidates to speak out on where they stand.

On same sex marriage, in a recent CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll, 32 percent of those surveyed say they feel same sex marriage should be legally recognized, while 62 percent say no. In that same survey, 48 percent of the people favor a constitutional amendment banning marriages between gays and lesbians. 46 percent would oppose that amendment.

President Bush supports a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage. While Senator Kerry is against it, Kerry opposes gay marriage, but backs civil unions as well as benefits for rights for gay couples.

On gay adoption, a 2003 Gallup poll found Americans were fairly split on whether or not homosexual couples should have the legal right to adopt. At that time, 49 percent in favor, 48 percent opposed.

As for the candidates, President Bush opposes adoption by gay men and lesbians, while Senator Kerry supports it.

On hate crimes, current federal hate crimes legislation does not include crimes motivated by the victim's sexual orientation, gender, or disability. In the most recent data collected by the FBI, sexual orientation bias represents the third highest category of reported hate crimes.

President Bush opposes expanding current federal hate crime laws, saying he feels all violent crime is hate crime. Senator Kerry has called for expanding federal hate crimes legislation to assure what he says is equal justice for all.

Here's a side by side look at the candidates and their stances on gay rights. And for more on the election and the issues, log on to cnn.com/americavotes.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: And next week, we'll tackle Iraq as a campaign issue. And in about 10 minutes, Arkansas. It's one of the battleground states in the presidential election. State representatives from both parties will join us to discuss the political dynamics of the Razorback state.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your first instinct is that boy, these guys really mean business, and that they are trying to hurt you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SPENCER: Leading under fire, despite being wounded himself, it got this Marine a silver star. He's home now, but wants to go back to Iraq. His story next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: U.S. and Iraqi officials say at least 20 Iraqis are dead and more than 60 injured in the latest round of violence across Baghdad. There were several car bombings, a drive-by shooting, and rocket attacks. And U.S. troops backed up Iraqi forces in an intense battle with insurgents on Baghdad's Haifa Street. Cars had been destroyed and buildings damaged by gunfire. Coalition officials say four U.S. soldiers were hurt when a car bomb hit their vehicle.

SPENCER: Despite the ongoing violence, some Americans who have been in Iraq say they're ready and willing to go back.

Bill Tucker has the story of one Marine hero who's not prepared to retire just yet.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SGT. TIM HANEY, U.S. MARINE CORPS: Receiving the Silver Star is a very prestigious award, and I am completely humbled by it. When I first heard that I was put in for the award, I didn't understand why or I didn't understand -- I didn't think that I had done anything spectacular.

BILL TUCKER, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For Gunnery Sergeant Tim Haney now training to go back to Iraq, what happened last year during the fight for Nasiriyah was what he had spent half his life training for in the Marines. During two separate fire fights, he jumped from his vehicle and ran through intense machine gunfire to pinpoint Iraqi positions.

HANEY: Your first instinct is that, boy, these guys really mean business and that they are trying to hurt you.

TUCKER: After the second incident, an explosion riddled his body with 60 pieces of shrapnel.

HANEY: I have some shrapnel here on my side where it went through sides of my flak where the flak vest doesn't cover and from my waist on down.

TUCKER: He ignored his injuries and tended to the wounds of others and calmed down his young platoon.

HANEY: We had a lot of Marines that were -- had never been in a combat situation before and never been in an environment where they've shot at before. So a little apprehension, a little nervousness. I was just going around and making sure that Marines were taken care of and that there was a confidence level being bestowed into them, like, hey, Gunny Haney's still here, he got hurt, he's OK.

TUCKER: Haney left the Marines in 1988, went to college, got bored and rejoined, restarting at the bottom and worked his way back up.

HANEY: Growing up, I saw "The Sands of Iwo Jima" probably one too many times.

TUCKER: With 18 years in the Corps, he's not about to retire, especially after three combat award ribbons and that Silver Star. HANEY: I looked at it -- -I think I said before -- as not myself receiving the award, but receiving the award for everyone in the battalion.

TUCKER: Gunny Haney's unit redeploys to Iraq this fall.

Bill Tucker, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SPENCER: And we bring you stories of U.S. heroes every week on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: One of the nation's poorest states is in our political spotlight today. We'll talk to politicians from both sides of the aisle about how the economy is swaying voters in the natural state.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Well, good morning, Washington, on this Sunday. A beautiful shot of the White House in the nation's capitol.

SPENCER: If you've just joined us, here's what's going on this Sunday morning. Western officials are seeking an explanation from North Korea about a large mysterious cloud near the Chinese border. It showed up in satellite photos a few days ago, about two miles wide. Speculation has ranged from forest fire to some kind of massive explosion. A U.S. officials tells CNN there's no indication it's from a nuclear blast.

In the Caribbean, Hurricane Ivan has weakened, but only slightly. It's still a powerful and dangerous category 4, as it nears the Cayman Islands and western Cuba.

For Floridians, that is, it's getting to be a familiar drill. The Florida Keys began evacuating last week. The latest predicted path for Ivan is up the Gulf of Mexico to the Florida panhandle. But hurricanes are notoriously fickle. And all Floridians have been warned to be prepared.

Have you heard about a new course that's part of the curriculum at many colleges across the country? Homeland Security 101? Details in the next hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: The presidential candidates have begun focusing their resources and energies on 14 battleground states. Today, we begin examining those states one at a time. Each week, we'll speak with two state representatives, a Republican and a Democrat about issues back home.

And this morning, we put Arkansas in the political spotlight. Democratic state representative Joyce Elliot and Republican state representative Jeremy Hutchinson are in Little Rock this morning. And we thank you both for joining us.

JOYCE ELLIOT (D), ARK. STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 33: You're welcome.

HUTCHINSON: Thank you, good to be here.

NGUYEN: Well Representative Elliot, let's start with you. Of course, Arkansas is a battleground state. What issues are most important to the people living in Arkansas?

ELLIOT: Well, I think it's the issues that face a lot of states. Jobs, for instance, very, very important. And the economy is quite important.

For example, since George Bush has been in office, Arkansas has lost 33,000 manufacturing jobs. And those were jobs that people depended on, of course, to have a quality of life for their families that match what we call the American dream.

And the economy in our Arkansas, of course, has suffered as well. I mean, bankruptcies are up 45 percent. And people are just struggling just to get their kids through college for daycare.

And our seniors are suffering as well. I mean, for the first time in the 40 year history, we have a 17 percent Medicare increase. And that includes my family. You know, that's my mom.

And health care, of course, the cost of health care has gone up five times the increase in salaries. And so, in order for families to keep up, it's just an impossibility.

And so, Arkansans are hurting and need a better way. And if we continue down this route, you know, we're going to see some major suffering in this state beyond what we have so far.

NGUYEN: OK, Representative Hutchinson, listening to all of that, there's a lot of things on the table. How is the current administration addressing those problems?

JEREMY HUTCHINSON (R), ARK. STATE HOUSE DISTRICT: Well, I think the current administration has a terrific record on the economy. You know, the Democrat's playbook since 1992, since our governor Bill Clinton reigned, was it's the economy, stupid. The problem they have this time is that the economy's doing well.

In Arkansas, for example, we've created 6,000 jobs since September 11th. We have the lowest -- one of the lowest unemployment rates in our state's history. Last month, the month of August, our state took in more revenue than any other August in our state's history. So the economy is on the upswing. You can cite numbers on both side, but you know, everybody knows numbers can be manipulated.

But the bottom line is that the economy is improving. And that's due in a large part to the leadership that President Bush has provided.

NGUYEN: All right, Representative Hutchinson, let's stay with you for just a moment. I want to ask you the same question that I asked Representative Elliot. What are the issues of most concern to your constituents in this election?

HUTCHINSON: Well, I think Arkansas -- Arkansans are a lot like the rest of the nation. The number one concern is national security. The economy and health care and all those are very important, but we saw what devastation September 11th had on those issues. The economy suffered greatly because of the terrorist attack in New York.

So those issues, while they're very important, the primary issue, the one that you can't address the other ones without addressing this issue is national security. And I think Arkansans, like the rest of the nation, trust President Bush to protect our borders much more so than they do Senator Kerry.

NGUYEN: Representative Elliot, I'm going to let you weigh in here. What do you think about those concerns and how does the Kerry campaign plan to tackle that?

ELLIOT: Of course I disagree with what Representative Hutchinson has such said. You know, we talk about manipulating numbers and then talk about job growth. We've had some job growth in the last month, but the big question is what kind of jobs are those?

I was just with, you know, as a member of the American Federation of Teachers I'm affiliated with the AFL-CIO. I was just at their convention this past weekend. And we're talking about people who understand what it means to have a good job. What kind of jobs do we have that are growing in Arkansas? If you're losing 33,000 manufacturing jobs, but gaining jobs that are part-time, where we don't have health benefits, how do you say that we're better off?

I mean, it's like saying you've broken every bone in your body, but your mending.

In the meantime, you know, we have some real serious problems. And when it comes to national security, of course Arkansas cares about it, as much as anybody else.

But you know, we also know that John Kerry would do what he needs to, to protect this country. It is not as if, you know, we think that George Bush won't do it. But we know that we've got to address domestic issues here at home. And that's what Arkansans are concerned about.

HUTCHINSON: Well let me -- I don't think we do know that John Kerry will do it. He has yet to take a -- I mean, I'll give Joyce credit. At least her position is coherent and consistent. Senator Kerry's positions have been back and forth. I don't think Americans, and certainly not Arkansans, do know what he plans to do to address national security. And I think that's reflective in the polls here in Arkansas, which show President Bush ahead and nationwide.

ELLIOT: Well, I think Arkansans do understand that John Kerry has a plan for national security. Just because Republicans say that he does not, does not make any sense when you have a man who served the country, who loves his country, who is as patriotic as anybody else. It is just a bit absurd to suggest that he wouldn't take every measure that he has to, to protect this country.

We just commemorated 9/11 just yesterday. And I -- you know, I would never question whether or not George Bush would do what he can to protect his country, but the same thing is true of John Kerry. It just doesn't follow that he does not have the wherewithal, does not have the commitment to protect the country.

NGUYEN: All right, quickly, both of you, just let me get this in. What is the main message that folks in Arkansas have to both of these candidates? And Hutchinson, we'll start with you.

HUTCHINSON: Well, I think the people in Arkansas are no different than the people across America. They want their concerns addressed. I think they don't want to hear about what happened 30 years ago. They want to hear about what's going to happen in the next four years. And so I think they want this candidate to address and be honest with the American people on what you plan to do.

I don't question Senator Kerry's commitment, but I think there needs to be a plan with that commitment. And there has not yet been a coherent put forth. And the people of Arkansas expect that from people running for high office.

NGUYEN: Representative Elliot?

ELLIOT: Well, I think that the major thing that Arkansans understand at this point is that President Bush has been wrong for middle class families when you look at the jobs we've lost, you look at health care being up, the cost of child care is astronomical. It's as if things are falling apart. It's kind of like the William Buckley, Yates form on the second coming about the center cannot hold anymore if we keep this up.

And we need to believe again. We need to have hope and the optimism that this country can do better, because I think we can do better.

NGUYEN: All right.

ELLIOT: We have an opportunity to do better with John Kerry and John Edwards.

NGUYEN: We are out of time, but we thank you both for your insight this morning. Representative Joyce Elliot and Representative Jeremy Hutchinson this morning from the state of Arkansas. Thank you. HUTCHINSON: Thank you.

ELLIOT: Thank you.

NGUYEN: Next week at this time, we'll put the spotlight on the Grand Canyon state, Arizona, with its 10 electoral votes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Ray Charles singing in collaboration with Elton John. The song called "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word." Three months after his death, Ray Charles final album debut is a hot sell. "Genius Loves Company" features duets with Norah Jones, Elton John heard here, Natalie Cole, and Gladys Knight, just to name a few.

This is Charles' first top 10 album in 40 years. But the top spot this week goes to Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying," despite a significant decline in sales. Also in the top spot, Jill Scott, L.L. Cool J and the 16th installment now that's what I call music.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: The next hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING begins right now.

SPENCER: From the CNN Center in Atlanta this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It's September 12th. It's 8 AM in Havana, Cuba, 9 p.m. in Pyongyang, North Korea. I'm Collins Spencer.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. Thanks so much for being with us this morning.

Snapping tall trees like twigs and smashing cars like toys, it's just a fraction in the damage done by Hurricane Ivan in Jamaica. The 8 AM Eastern hurricane center update has Ivan knocked down a notch to a category 4 storm. Ivan is still spinning in the Caribbean though and residents and bracing for rough winds and waves of rain in the Caymans and Cuba. We have an update in just minutes.

In Iraq a suicide bomber designates explosives near the Abu Ghraib prison complex. Officials say the bomber tried to crash his car into the prison's front gate. When coalition forces fired on it the vehicle exploded. The driver was the only casualty.

Meanwhile, at least 20 others are dead this morning from car bombings rocket attacks and other incidents across Baghdad.

And while Iran is rejecting demands from Europe to abandon its pursuit of nuclear technology, Tehran says it's ready to prove its nuclear ambitions are entirely peaceful. Britain, France and Germany want to draft a resolution that gives Iran until November to explain its nuclear activities.

But explain aside, Iranian officials say they have no intention of stopping their sensitive nuclear activities. The threat of nuclear terrorism is the focus of a CNN special that's airing tonight. CNN presents "Nuclear Terror." It happens at 8 p.m. and again at 11 PM Eastern time.

SPENCER: Hurricane Ivan continues his devastating cruise through the Caribbean. The Cayman Islands are next on the list. And people across Cuba are preparing for the worse while hoping for the best.

National leaders are still establishing homeland security procedures and they soon may be getting lots of help from college campuses. We'll tell you why.

Also ahead, the doctor is in. He takes a look at how heart disease just might sneak up on you, as it did for former presidents.

NGUYEN: American officials are investigating some potentially troubling events in North Korea. There are reports an explosion rocked North Korea a few days ago near the border with China. Now according to South Korean news agency the blast produced a cloud more than two miles wide. But a US official tell CNN the large crowd, quote, "was no big deal and not related to a nuclear explosion."

Meanwhile though today's "New York Times" and "Washington Post" both report the Bush administration received intelligence before these developments that could indicate North Korea is preparing its first nuclear weapons test.

SPENCER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Caribbean drifting through the Cayman Island. It's expected to hit the chain later today. Sustained winds 150 miles an hour. That's down slightly making it a category 4 storm again. Still the National Hurricane Center says very dangerous storm surges could bring waves up to 25 feet. A foot of rain could fall on the islands causing major flooding and mud slides.

After pounding the Caymans Ivan is next expected to eye Cuba. The small island nation's western region is bracing for the worse. Some residents are fleeing, while others are boarding up their homes to stay. Havana is in that region. So we go live to Lucia Newman live by video phone from Cuba's capitol.

Hi, Lucia.

NEWMAN: Good morning, Paul. While Cubans, like Floridians, are accustomed to hurricanes I must say that this particular hurricane has people here very, very worried indeed. It has been 60 years since a hurricane of this magnitude has threatened Havana and the neighboring western province of Finado del Rio (ph).

Now having said that, Cuba is very well organized to confront these sorts of natural disasters. People know exactly what to do. They've been listening to the television, getting instructions from Cuba's civil defense forces. Not only have they stocked up on water and food and candles, if they can find any, but they've also -- they also are prepared to be evacuated from low lying areas.

And also especially here in Havana, to be moved to safer buildings. Havana is particularly vulnerable to hurricanes because the buildings here are already crumbling, many of them, after years of lack of repair, Collins. So, people know what to expect, but they are very worried still about just how much damage can be caused by a hurricane a magnitude of which they have not seen here in many cases for more than a generation, Collins.

SPENCER: Lucia Newman in Havana. Thanks, Lucia.

NGUYEN: A violent visitor, an intense intruder, as it spins its fury Ivan is being called many names. Ivan the terrible is what some are calling it in Florida. Residents of the Florida Keys have already left by the thousands. Major flooding and storm surges up to 25 feet are expected in some places.

Well as Florida and Cuba await Ivan's visit, Jamaica has already witnessed its wrath. There it raised the roofs, washed out roads and claimed 11 lives. More now from Karl Penhaul in Kingston.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hurricane Ivan whips up waves and smashes concrete on the Que (ph) side in downtown Kingston. As winds tail off storm survivors venture out of emergency shelters and pick their way through debris to what's left of their homes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) it's alike all inclusive, earthquake, hurricane, everything in one, volcano. It's terrible.

PENHAUL: Edgar Wallace says he fled in the black of night as the sea lashed at his door. This is what's left of his house in Kingston Shooters (ph) Hill neighborhood. Entire rooms have been washed away.

In a nearby neighborhood a woman drowned in a tidal surge.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Actually we see that it was getting worse. We have to leave because we don't know whether it would rise higher. I was (UNINTELLIGIBLE: so we have to leave when we could leave because it was windy (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

PENHAUL: Power lines are down, electricity is out across most of Jamaica. Authorities say many highways are blocked by landslides and floods. As soon as weather conditions permit, Prime Minister Patterson has ordered a government recognizance team to fly across the island by helicopter to draw up a full death and injury toll and damage assessment.

PERCIVAL JAMES PATTERSON, JAMAICAN PRIME MINISTER: It is obvious that there is no part of Jamaica which has been immune.

PENHAUL: He's also ordered a dusk to dawn curfew in Jamaica's main cities and towns to prevent outbreaks of looting. We came across this gang late Friday, just as Hurricane Ivan was blowing in. The alleged looters were arrested minutes after engaging police in a gun battle.

(on-camera) Down at the ocean side the power of the waves driven by those incredible winds did the damage. Up here in the hills just above Kingston the trees, torn out by the hurricane, have smashed everything in their path.

(voice-over): At least one woman is reported to have died in this poor neighborhood. Others like carpenter Clarence Frances and his family have been left homeless. He was asleep in a back room when this tree crashed through the front of his wood and tin home.

CLARENCE FRANCES, HURRICANE IVAN VICTIM: I'm still frightened. I'm still in shock, you know, knowing that the tree too -- fallen out and we are all inside. We could have died.

PENHAUL: For now the family is sheltering with neighbors. Frances doesn't know when they'll have the materials or the money to begin rebuilding.

Karl Penhaul with the camera of Neil Halsworth (ph), CNN, Kingston, Jamaica.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SPENCER: Well, we saw what happened in Jamaica. It's time to get an update on Hurricane Ivan.

NGUYEN: Yes. How is Ivan doing right now? Hopefully this thing is going to be downgraded even more. Because it went from category five to category 4 already.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes it's still bad though. And if it were -- it's probably not going to be downgraded or it's probably not going to lose a lot of its intensity until one, it hits Cuba, and there's not a whole lot of land where it hits Cuba and then two, gets into the Gulf of Mexico, which has warm water but it also has some winds that may knock it down just a little bit.

Here's Grand -- Cayman Islands. There's the eye. You can see the eye over night kind of closed up a little bit. It's going -- we think it's going through what we think -- what we call an eye wall replacement cycle and that's why it's decreasing in intensity right now. But that might lead to further intensification in the next few hours.

Past Jamaica, about 30 miles south of the Grand -- of Grand Cayman itself. So, you go out tot he north about 90 miles from the center you're getting hurricane force winds. So they are likely getting hurricane force winds in Grand Cayman and will do so for several hours.

There will be a storm surge with this as well. Although I think the waters around Grand Cayman are pretty deep. So, not as much of an issue. Typically in a category 4 storm you have winds up to 155 miles an hour and that's where we are at the outer peak of that. Structural damage begins. We saw that in Jamaica. Inland flooding an issue as well with all the rainfall, bumping it up to a category five.

Typically the damage is about twice as much when you go from a four to a five to give you an idea of how exponentially we look at damage with these things and then, I mean you get near the core of a category 5 and it's just pretty much a nightmare.

Again, the forecast track does bring it toward the western tip of Cuba. Not until tomorrow though. Possibly though as a category 5 and then into the Gulf of Mexico hopefully knocking down some of the energy with this to a 4 possibly a 3 status.

Northeastern Gulf of Mexico early Wednesday morning guys. So, it's probably not going to be until the middle of the week until it effects the U.S. coastline.

That's the latest from here. I'll turn it back to you.

SPENCER: All right Thanks, Rob. We'll check back with you.

Well in the next half hour we'll talk to newlyweds who had their honeymoon disrupted by Ivan in Jamaica. How they weathered their first storm as man and wife. Stay with us.

NGUYEN: There's a popular perception among some segments of the U.S. population that Al Gore lost Florida in 2000 because Democratic votes in the state were under counted. True or not, John Kerry picked up on that theme last night before a receptive audience and the Congressional Black Caucus.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KERRY: What they did in Florida in 2000 some say they may be planning to do this year in battleground states all across this country. Well we're here to let them know we will fight tooth and nail to make sure that this time every vote is counted and every vote counts.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: CNN's Dana Bash is at the White House this morning with reaction to Kerry's fiery rhetoric.

Good morning, Dana.

DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty. And the Bush campaign responded to Senator Kerry suggesting that Republicans will try to suppress the black vote in November by calling it a baseless attack. But Bush spokesman also made a point to say that they are not going to respond beyond that. They said that in order to try to tweak the Senator from making these statements on September 11th, noting that the president and the country were taking time to remember the day yesterday.

Now Mr. Bush did not do any overt campaigning yesterday. But he did spend the day with -- doing various events looking back on 9/11, a day certainly that defined his presidency and at the time sent his popularity skyrocketing. Now he performed his weekly radio address live with first responders there in the Oval Office with him. He also, as you see there, led a moment of silence on the south lawn of the White House.

Now tomorrow Betty, Mr. Bush is back on the campaign trail. He's back on his campaign bus heading to three stops in Michigan,, rural western towns in Michigan where he will talk up domestic issues like health care. He's courting votes in a state, Betty, that he lost last time around. They're hoping to win of course in November.

Betty.

NGUYEN: Less than two months away from the election. All right. Dana Bash at the White House this morning for us. Hank you so much.

Now our e-mail question this morning. The question is, what is the most important election issue facing this country this year? And we've got a lot of responses from you this morning. We'll be reading those throughout the program. But in the meantime, all you have to do is send us your thoughts at wam@cnn.com.

SPENCER: It's a growth field and colleges and universities are seizing the opportunity. The new hot major, homeland security studies. That's ahead.

NGUYEN: Plus eyes on Ivan. The latest on the hurricane's trek.

SPENCER: Later on "HOUSECALL" a heart disease is the number one killer of Americans. Find out what you can do to help yourself.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: With hurricanes and flooding in the southeast and fires in the west lots of people are reviewing their insurance policies, and some are looking to the Internet for help. We'll search the Web too in our Best of the Web segment. That happens in our next hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

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SPENCER: If you've just joined us here's what's going on this Sunday morning. Violence across Baghdad leaves at least 20 Iraqis dead. A car bomb killed Iraqi police officers. A suicide car bomb outside Abu Ghraib prison killed the bomber.

And intense gun fire between insurgence and Iraqi security forces in a Baghdad neighborhood killed at least 13 people.

U.S. Airways is reportedly considering bankruptcy. A final report to cut labor costs at the airline collapsed.

And Hurricane Ivan spared Jamaica the worse, but the same may not be true for the Cayman Island or Cuba. The powerful storm is making its way north with winds of up to 155 miles an hour.

We'll have up dates for you all day long as Hurricane Ivan continues its march toward the U.S. Rob Marciano will be along in just a few minutes with the latest projected paths. Stay with us. NGUYEN: Twin shots of light cut through the Manhattan sky to mark the third anniversary of the September 11th attacks. The two lights stood on the ground of the former World Trade Center. The tribute was one of many memorials held around the country. The lights will shine every year on the anniversary of the terrorists attacks.

Well, hundreds of colleges and universities are offering a course of study that didn't exist before September 11th 2001. Homeland security is becoming a hot major, but are college kids feeling more patriotic or are they going where the jobs will be? Sean Callebs heads back to school to find out.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The business of coping with terror is rapidly becoming part of the curriculum at colleges and universities around the U.S.

ERICA CANZLEN, STUDENT: The reason I chose a program like this is, you know, how is the government going to be prepared to respond to the next terrorist attack? How can we more effectively manage state, local, federal responses.

CALLEBS: Homeland security could very well be the largest government employer in the next decade. So it's not surprise that hundreds of schools are offering degrees and certificates in homeland security.

STEVEN DAVID, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY: The reaction we get from students is that this is long overdue. That this is something they want. This is something their employers want and we hope that this could make some small contribution to making America safer.

CALLEBS: Students at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore follow three specialized tracks while pursuing a homeland security certificate, scientific, the science of terrorism. For example, the difference between chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.

Domestic administrative, how the U.S. government is organized to deal with attacks and international relations. Policies affecting relationships between the U.S. and other nations and factions.

THOMAS STANTON, HOMELAND SECURITY PROFESSOR: And we'd better learn more lessons from that failure than they do.

CALLEBS: Thomas Stanton has been a professor for a decade here. He says many students have a strong sense of patriotism.

STANTON: This is a really fundamental assault On the United States and our way of life. When I teach courses on administering with respect to the economy for example, you don't get nearly the resonance to patriotic themes that you get in a course like this.

CALLEBS: Right now Johns Hopkins doesn't offer a homeland security masters degree, but it could be in the offing. JAMIE TYLER, STUDENT: I think homeland security is an up and coming thing, especially with September 11th and, you know, the war on terrorism. I think it's something that's going to be around for a long time.

CALLEBS: (on-camera): Administrators say around for a long time is an understatement. That the government and private sector will need graduates with homeland security education for years to come. Saying just like the fight against crime, the war on terror is a battle the nation will never totally win.

Sean Callebs, CNN Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SPENCER: Good morning, St. Louis. You're looking at a live picture of the Arch. The Arizona Cardinals are in town today to take on the St. Louis Rams. It's the season opener for both teams and skies should be clear. We'll have your complete weather forecast coming up.

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NGUYEN: Well, it's another weekend and another hurricane. But first Rob, how's the rest of the nation doing on this Sunday morning?

(WEATHER FORECAST)

SPENCER: Now on to our e-mail question. Well, we've been asking viewers all morning what they think the most important election issue is for the country and this is from Skip. Skip says "the most important election issue is one that I haven't heard any candidate address, the polarization of American politics. The level of rhetoric has become so extreme that I have serious concerns for the cohesiveness of the nation no matter who wins the election."

NGUYEN: What's the most important issue facing Americans during his election? Well, Michelle in South Dakota says, "I can tell you what it is not, the Vietnam war. Current issues are what is important. Let us work in building up our country now."

We appreciate you sending in all those responses. Keep them coming this morning to our e-mail question of the day. All you have to do is e-mail us at wam@cnn.com.

SPENCER: Old folks, young people, serious athletes, nobody is immune to heart disease. But there are things you can do to reduce the risks.. That's next on "HOUSE CALL" after the headlines.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SPENCER: Jamaica is still under a tropical storm warning in the wake of Hurricane Ivan. The storm caused mud slides and floods and touched off a spate of looting. Meantime, people in the Cayman Islands are bracing for Ivan's expected hit later today. It's packing 155 mile an hour winds. In Baghdad at least 20 Iraqis are dead and more than 60 inured in new violence this morning. There were several car bombings including one outside Abu Ghraib prison. U.S. and Iraqi forces also battled insurgents on Hava (ph) Street, a major roadway in the heart of Baghdad.

And in North Korea no official response yet to some troubling satellite images. They showed a large mushroom cloud over the country three days ago. A U.S. official says a forest fire might be to blame, not a nuclear blast. The official says it's no big deal.

"HOUSE CALL" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta begins now.

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