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CNN Sunday Morning
Rice Mideast Peace Trip; Eight U.S. Troops Killed, 14 Hurt in Chopper Crash in Southeast Afghanistan; Is Crackdown on Violence Working in Baghdad?; Fighting Modern Slavery
Aired February 18, 2007 - 07:02 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(NEWSBREAK)
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
Happy Sunday, everybody. It's February 18th. Good morning. I'm Betty Nguyen.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm T.J. Holmes.
It's 7:00 a.m. here in the East, 2:00 p.m. in Jerusalem.
Thank you so much for starting your day right here with us.
NGUYEN: And we do want to start in the Middle East with the Bush administration's efforts to try to revive peace talks. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is in Israel this morning following a surprise visit to Iraq.
CNN's Atika Shubert joins us from Jerusalem.
And Atika, Secretary of State Rice is meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas right now. Talk to us about the topics that they're going to be discussing.
ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the main topic will be this new Palestinian unity government that has not yet been fully formed. The question is whether or not the U.S. and Israel will recognize this new government.
Now, there's already been some indications on that. Last night, Secretary Rice said that the U.S. would only recognize this government if it accepted three conditions: recognizing the state of Israel, renouncing violence, and accepting all previous peace agreements. Now, the big stumbling block here is that the Islamic militant group known as Hamas, which dominates this new Palestinian government, has refused to accept all three conditions. And Secretary Rice is expected to pressure Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to get that Hamas faction to accept these conditions, otherwise the U.S. government may not recognize this new Palestinian government.
NGUYEN: Atika Shubert, thank you for that. We appreciate you joining us from Jerusalem. We'll be checking in -- T.J.
HOLMES: The fight for Iraq in the Senate now. Republicans blocked a Democratic bid to debate then vote on a resolution that condemns the president's plan to send more troops to Iraq.
CNN Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash has all the details.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
BASH (voice-over): It was a rare Saturday vote. But the Senate ended up exactly where it started -- deadlocked.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The yeas are 56, the nays are 34, the motion is not agreed to.
BASH: For the second time in two weeks, Senate Republicans blocked a resolution opposing the president's plan to send more troops to Iraq.
SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV), MAJORITY LEADER: For those who voted to block debate to protect President Bush, Americans now know they want to stay a failed course in Iraq.
BASH: The president's GOP allies said they voted no out of protest, because Democrats won't allow a vote on their resolution, promising to fund troops in Iraq.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A majority cannot tell the minority what we're going to have one vote on, take it or leave it.
BASH: Seven Republicans who oppose sending more troops to Iraq did vote with Democrats, including five who helped their party block a vote nearly two weeks ago but now say they've lost patience.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I steadfastly take this floor and respectfully just disagree with the president.
BASH: Senators who were supposed to be starting a week long recess rearranged their schedules for a vote Democrats knew they would lose. Republicans called it a charade.
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R), SOUTH CAROLINA: There are a lot of people working on Saturday, not us. We're trying to jockey for political positioning among ourselves and for '08.
BASH: Speaking of 2008, all four Democrats running for president raced back from the campaign trail just in time to vote, then raced back out.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), ILLINOIS: Iraq is the single most important issue that we face in this country and it was important to register my objection to the president's strategy.
BASH: But Democratic presidential hopefuls know voting on a symbolic resolution won't placate anti-war primary voters.
Senator Hillary Clinton, getting pounded for her 2002 vote supporting the war, released a campaign Web video on her legislation aimed at bringing troops home. SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: Now, it's time to say the redeployment should start in 90 days or the Congress will revoke authorization for this war.
BASH (on camera): Nine Republican senators skipped the vote, including presidential contender John McCain, a longtime supporter of sending more troops to Iraq, who has a lot riding politically on the president's plan succeeding. He kept his campaign schedule in Iowa.
Dana Bash, CNN, Capitol Hill.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
HOLMES: Democrats pretty much expected to be defeated on this one, but Majority Leader Harry Reid says Democrats will continue to fight because Iraq is too important to be brushed aside.
Here's just a portion of his comments to CNN' Wolf Blitzer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REID: This war is a serious situation. It involves the worst foreign policy mistake in the history of this country. So we should take everything serious. This is -- we find ourselves in a very deep hole. We need to find a way to dig out of it.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: So maybe I misheard you, but you're saying this is the worst foreign policy blunder in American history?
REID: That's what I said.
BLITZER: Worse than Vietnam?
REID: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: And you can hear more from Senator Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on today's "LATE EDITION." That comes your way at 11:00 Eastern.
A U.S. Marine has been sentenced in the killing of an Iraqi civilian in Hamdaniya. A Marine, Lance Corporal Robert Pennington, was sentenced yesterday to 14 years confinement, but he will serve no more than eight years under a plea deal. Pennington pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit premeditated murder and kidnapping.
NGUYEN: Now for the latest buzz on Britney and her new do. Britney Spears sporting a shaved head and some new body art. And you just knew that this was bound to happen.
Folks already trying to sell what they claim are locks of Spears' hair on eBay. The extreme makeover is just the latest sign of troubled times for the party-going pop star.
Let's get some details now from CNN's Peter Viles. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PETER VILES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): As they might say back in her hometown in Louisiana, that Britney sure has changed.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Britney!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We love you, Britney!
VILES: Witnesses tell CNN she walked into an L.A. hair salon Friday and asked to have her head shaved.
BRADLEY JACOBS, "US WEEKLY": The hair stylist refused. So she literally went and picked up the clippers herself and shaved her head clean off, bald.
VILES: Next stop was a tattoo parlor where she pulled her low- rise jeans a little lower and also explained the hairstyle. Sort of.
EMILY WINN-HUGHES, TATTOO SHOP WITNESS: She basically just said that she was tired of having things plugged into it and she didn't want anybody to touch her, tired of people touching her, that sort of thing. It seemed like she was kind of sick of it all, whatever it all is.
She's obviously not having a good time right now. And she -- yes, she was very upset. She was disturbed. I think she really just wanted to be left alone.
VILES: "People" magazine reports that Spears checked herself into a rehab facility this week but checked out a day later. A spokesman for Spears has not answered CNN's request for comment.
The 25-year-old has two young children and filed for divorce last November. Lately she has been turning weird behavior into an art form.
CAROLINE SCHAEFER, "US WEEKLY": She hosted New Year's Eve at Pure (ph) nightclub, and, you know, there were reports that she collapsed. So she sort of started out on that note. And it's really just continued. She has been out almost every night. A lot of partying for somebody with two small children.
VILES: Spears hasn't had a hit record in three years, but she doesn't necessarily need the money. "Forbes" has estimated her net worth at $100 million.
Peter Viles, for CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Well, celebrities at the NBA all-star game in Las Vegas say they understand what Britney Spears is going through. Some even expressed their support and concern for Spears.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) JAMIE KENNEDY, COMEDIAN: People need to leave her alone and just -- just let her live her life and stop judging her. I think she's going through a rough patch now. And I hope that -- I hope she can get some -- get with her family and just kind of decompress. There's a lot going on with her. I wish her well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AKON, R&B SINGER: I think it's more mental, you know? I think it's a mental thing that she's going through. And she's got to overcome it. I think -- but a lot of females go through that artist- wise. So artists see that happen. So, you know, hopefully she will overcome her issues.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Oh, a lot of females go through it, huh, Akon? Thanks there, buddy.
HOLMES: Well, he was -- he was just saying...
NGUYEN: Yes, some of us do have issues, I got it.
All right. Let's move on with this. Spears and Paris Hilton recently made the cover of "Newsweek" magazine under the headline "The Girls Gone Wild Effect."
HOLMES: Well, we'll go through another wild story. And yes, it's another celebrity story.
The body now of tabloid star Anna Nicole Smith has finally been embalmed, but the legal wrangling over where to bury her, well, that just goes on and on. Her partner, Howard Stern, the lawyer, says Smith wanted to be buried in the Bahamas next to her son Daniel, who died in September. Smith's estranged mother wants her buried in Texas. A hearing on the matter is set in Fort Lauderdale for Tuesday.
NGUYEN: Well, Martin Luther King, Jr., a civil rights legend whose message and mission changed the nation...
HOLMES: And CNN's Soledad O'Brien talks to an aide of Dr. Kings who is a civil rights leader in his own right. That emotional interview coming up in about 10 minutes.
NGUYEN: Plus, costumes, masques, and, of course, parades. Mardi Gras in full swing in New Orleans. We have the highlights ahead.
HOLMES: And then some people, you know, we just - -we just eat the watermelons. Some people do this to the watermelons.
NGUYEN: Oh.
HOLMES: What a waste of a watermelon.
NGUYEN: What a headache, huh?
HOLMES: And a waste of a head.
We'll take you to the melon festival in about four minutes.
That's here on CNN Saturday -- oh, listen, it's Sunday, yes. I must have hit my head on a watermelon. I'm sorry. This is Sunday morning.
NGUYEN: Apparently.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: New Orleans is alive with the sounds of parties and parades. Yes, sir, Mardi Gras is back. The specter of Katrina still hangs over large parts of the city, but Mardi Gras offers a chance for residents and tourists alike to just let the good times roll.
And we get more now from CNN Gulf Coast correspondent Susan Roesgen.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUSAN ROESGEN, CNN GULF COAST CORRESPONDENT: This is the last big weekend of parades before Fat Tuesday, and families and friends have gathered here on St. Charles Avenue to get the very best view. It's the second carnival season since Hurricane Katrina, and for many people it's a break from the frustrations of the terribly slow recovery. But it's also a big moneymaker for the city.
In a good year, Mardi Gras pumps in $1 billion to the local economy. And that's money the city could really use right now.
So, Happy Mardi Gras.
I'm Susan Roesgen, CNN, New Orleans.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(NEWSBREAK)
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: Witnessing history.
HOLMES: We've got a pretty powerful documentary to tell you about here. CNN's Soledad O'Brien talks to a former aide of Martin Luther King, Jr. who witnessed his remarkable life and his tragic death. We've got a preview in about four minutes.
NGUYEN: Plus this...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's an air of suspense throughout the city. (END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: ... Baghdad under a relative and suspicious calm. Is the new security plan for the Iraqi capital working, or is that just the calm before another storm?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: His courage and commitment reshaped America. Nearly 40 years now after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., his words continue to inspire and transform.
CNN's Soledad O'Brien talked with one of King's top deputies about the moments leading up to his death.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARTIN LUTHER KING, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: So I'm happy tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the lord.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: He delivers a speech, "I've been to the mountaintop." Do you remember the preparation for that and that night?
AMB. ANDREW YOUNG, FMR. KING AIDE: There was no preparations. "I've been to the mountaintop" speech is something that he made before. But he always made that at a time when things were dangerous.
O'BRIEN: Is there anything now that strikes you about that speech in hindsight?
YOUNG: Nothing, except that he basically spelled out -- he almost planned his funeral. Because he had done it before, and we had gone on to the next place, I wasn't really taking it serious. It was just a great speech. But I never thought I was listening to his last speech.
KING: We've got some difficulties ahead.
YOUNG: But the next day, he was more silly and goofy and playful than I had ever seen him. And he grabbed a pillow off the bed and threw the pillow at me. And he and Ralph, they just kept throwing pillows, and I was throwing pillows back.
And, I mean, they were just -- they were playing like 10-year- olds. And they finally pushed me down between the two beds and piled the pillows up on me and sat on me, and this was my punishment for not calling in all day.
He came out after this pillow fight thing and he didn't have a coat.
O'BRIEN: Where were you in the Lorraine Motel?
YOUNG: We were waiting for him to go to the -- to go to dinner. So I was telling him he needed to go back to get his coat, and then a shot rang out, which I thought was a firecracker. And when I looked up there and didn't see him, I thought he was clowning again, until I ran upstairs and saw, you know, him laying in a pool of blood.
O'BRIEN: At that moment, what did you think?
YOUNG: Well, I thought two things. I thought that there was nobody who was more deserving to go on to claim their reward. And then I was mad because I was left with all this mess. I really didn't know how we would survive. Actually, his spirit has never left us.
O'BRIEN: Is it something you think about a lot, or is it something you don't think about at all?
YOUNG: It's something I think about all the time.
O'BRIEN: Really? In what way?
YOUNG: Well, everything I do I have to put in the context of what we were committed to.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: And you can go inside Dr. King's personal writings. Soledad O'Brien gives us a rare look into his private library. Don't miss "MLK Papers: Words That Changed a Nation." That is tonight at 8:00 Eastern from CNN's Special Investigations Unit.
NGUYEN: Here's a look at some of the other stories that you really don't want to miss later this hour.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "AMAZING GRACE")
ALBERT FINNEY, ACTOR: What do you want with an old preacher?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm here to seek...
(END VIDEO CLIP, "AMAZING GRACE")
HOLMES: A movie and a teenager's fight to end slavery around the world. Yes, slavery. An inspiring story ahead in our "Faces of Faith."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "AMAZING GRACE")
FINNEY: People like you too much to let you live a life of solitude.
(END VIDEOTAPE, "AMAZING GRACE")
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Breaking news this morning. Eight Americans are dead, 14 others injured, in a chopper crash in southeast Afghanistan this morning. A NATO spokesman, however, says the chopper was not shot down. According to the military, the coalition pilot radioed he was having engine trouble.
We'll keep you updated as the details continue to come in to us on this story.
(NEWSBREAK)
NGUYEN: Good morning, everybody. And welcome back.
I'm Betty Nguyen.
HOLMES: And I'm T.J. Holmes.
Thank you so much for being here with us.
NGUYEN: Compared with previous weeks, the last few days in Baghdad have been relatively quiet. Fewer bodies are showing up at the morgue. Is this a sign that a crackdown on the violence is actually working?
Well, CNN's Jamie McIntyre looks into it.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After only a few days, the U.S. military says the joint U.S.-Iraqi security operation in Baghdad appears to be working, but conceded that may simply be because militia groups are keeping their powder dry.
MAJ. GEN. JOSEPH FIL, U.S. ARMY: There's an air of suspense throughout the city, expectations, if you will. And we believe that there's no question about it, that many of these extremists are laying low.
MCINTYRE: Among those lying low is believed to be anti-American Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who is now thought to be in Iran and whose Mehdi Army is suspected in much of the anti-Sunni violence.
ROBERT GATES, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: I don't think he went there for a vacation. I think they're very concerned about the -- this operation.
MCINTYRE: Gates says he fully expected the violent elements would go to ground and that the strategy is designed to take advantage of that.
GATES: Can we and the Iraqis provide enough security so the economic development, improvements in governance, political reconciliation can all begin to make real progress in Iraq?
MCINTYRE: Part of that job will fall to the man President Bush has nominated as U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I was telling the ambassador that I had a visit today with Prime Minister Maliki via secure (INAUDIBLE). I was pleased that he's meeting benchmarks that he has set out for his government. MCINTYRE: Those benchmarks include sending more Iraqi troops to Baghdad, giving them more robust rules of engagement, and committing $10 billion in Iraqi money for reconstruction.
(on camera): But success in Iraq is a relative thing. An Iraqi military spokesman in Baghdad touted the fact that only 10 bodies showed up at the morgue overnight, compared to the usual 40 or 50. That, he said, showed a big reduction in terror.
Jamie McIntyre, CNN, the Pentagon.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
NGUYEN: This just in to CNN. We are learning from the Reuters news agency that two car bombs have gone off, one right after another in Baghdad. So far, killing five people, wounding 10.
Now, a Reuters photographer was embedded with the U.S. military unit when these car bombs went off. And it appeared to detonate as those U.S. soldiers were passing by. However, there's no immediate word on any U.S. casualties. But we are learning from Reuters news agency that at least five people have been killed in this bombing, 10 wounded.
So as soon as we get more information, we will bring it to you live right here on CNN.
And we do want to tell you, coming up later today, "THIS WEEK AT WAR" with John Roberts. It's a show that you definitely don't want to miss.
Stay tuned for that. It happens at 1:00 eastern, 10:00 Pacific.
HOLMES: We do want to talk more now about that helicopter crash in Afghanistan, where we are learning that at least eight U.S. service members were killed, 14 others injured. Again, this is a crash in Afghanistan that we're being told was not shot down.
We do want to hear more now from Major William Mitchell of the U.S. Marine Corps. Actually, we had him on the phone. We are told now we just lost him. So we are going to effort that to get him back.
But again, we're reminding you this morning that there was a helicopter crash. Again, in Afghanistan.
We have been hearing about certainly a rash of helicopter crashes in Iraq. However, this one, again, want to emphasize, was in Afghanistan. We're told it was not shot down, however, but it did go down after the pilot was able to phone in or able to radio that he was having engine trouble.
That engine failed. A helicopter crash. It went down. At least eight service members, we're being told, were killed, 14 others were injured. Being again, being told not shot down.
Again, we're going to effort again Major William Mitchell, try to get him back on the phone, get more details about that crash.
NGUYEN: Let's get you the most popular stories on CNN.com this morning.
And big surprise. It's Britney, Britney, Britney.
First, there was Britney's buzz. And it seems no one can get enough of the video of the pop queen with a bald head getting tattoos. Then there's the hairstylist talking about the bizarre episode in which Spears starts shaving her own head.
The third most popular is my interview with "US" magazine's Bradley Jacobs. The magazine had a detailed account of the hair- cutting, tattoo spectacle.
And rounding out the top four, CNN's Rick Sanchez's report of a man who killed himself after seeing posters labeling him as a child rapist.
We're going to be back a little bit later on with much more from the .com/DESK. Coming up at 9:00 Eastern, we'll be telling you about an inside-the-envelope look at an Oscar preview. So stay tuned for that.
(NEWSBREAK)
(WEATHER)
HOLMES: We want to get back to that breaking story out of Afghanistan where a military helicopter has gone down and at least eight U.S. service members have been killed, 14 hurt. Again, this is in Afghanistan.
We want to get more now on this from Major William Mitchell of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Sir, thank you for giving us some time here.
What do you know about this crash and why it came down?
MAJ. WILLIAM MITCHELL, U.S. MARINE CORPS.: (INAUDIBLE) eight good members of our team today. The crash was apparently caused by some engine trouble that the aircraft experienced in flying over some terrain in eastern Afghanistan.
HOLMES: What do you know about the -- I guess it had to be pretty severe engine trouble. What was the pilot able to radio back to you?
MITCHELL: The message from the pilot was that he had experienced sudden and unexplained loss of power, and the aircraft just experienced a pretty bad crash. And we lost eight, wounded 14 in the -- in the event.
HOLMES: And again, it was engine trouble that was reported, but no reason to think that engine trouble -- or there was enemy fire or anything like that in the area?
MITCHELL: So far indications are strong that it was related only to the engine problem.
HOLMES: And do you know anything as far as about weather conditions or anything else in that area? Anything else that might have affected this helicopter?
MITCHELL: Right now, weather isn't indicated as a problem, although today we do have a little bit of winter weather blowing through. But right now, the only problem that we have attached to the event itself was the severe engine problem.
HOLMES: And sir, what type of a -- or can you tell us this, at least, what type of a mission -- you had -- you had that many on board, it sounds like at least 22 that were on board. What can you or how much can you tell us about their mission?
MITCHELL: You're right, the number was 22 aboard, including the air crew. The mission was strictly a transportation mission. And this area of eastern Afghanistan does have some severe terrain, and, of course, that doesn't help in making a controlled landing. So there was a little catastrophic event on the ground that resulted in a lot of injuries, and unfortunately those -- those eight great members of our team are lost today.
HOLMES: All right.
Well, Major William Mitchell, we appreciate you giving us some time here and updating us and our viewers about what happened there. Sorry to certainly hear about the loss of eight service members, 14 others injured in that as well. But thank you for your time.
And again, we will continue to update our viewers and bring you more information as it comes out about this story. Again, eight U.S. service members killed in that helicopter crash in Afghanistan.
We are here now going to take a quick break. But when we come back, we're going to have this for you...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But the fact is, in our world today there are about 27 million people held in slavery.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: A teenage abolitionist -- a young man's fight against slavery. That is ahead in today's "Faces of Faith."
NGUYEN: And a little bit later in the "WaterCooler," the priciest wedding gown you will ever see. Here's a hint -- it's eight figures.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "AMAZING GRACE")
FINNEY: What do you want with an old preacher?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm here to seek your advice.
(END VIDEO CLIP, "AMAZING GRACE")
HOLMES: "Amazing Grace," a new movie coming out later -- well, actually, later this week, at the end of the week. But this morning the song being sung in churches worldwide. It's a rallying call to end slavery.
Now let's show you here what slavery looks like today.
And according to Amnesty International, it is thriving. And actually, one of the leading voices in today's fight to end slavery may surprise you. It comes from a 15-year-old Atlanta boy. And he's here with us this morning.
Want to say good morning and welcome to Zach Hunter, who is on this campaign.
Sir, thank you for being here.
ZACH HUNTER, MODERN ABOLITIONIST: Thank you. It's great to be here.
HOLMES: You tell me first. People hear you're working to end slavery and they're like, wait a minute, slavery is over. What is he talking about?
Explain to people just quickly what we mean now by slavery today.
HUNTER: All right. Well, there are actually still 27 million slaves in the world today. And it can be anything from small girls working in brothels, to whole families who might get into a medical debt. And, you know, they weave rugs all day long.
Actually, I brought with me some modern-day shackles. These -- it's actually someone's job to make these, to put on little boys and girls' ankles as they work all day.
HOLMES: Now, people might be surprised when they hear slavery. And when they hear it, they might think back to the history books, and they think about abolitionists. When they hear "abolitionists," think about Frederick Douglass or Harriet Tubman.
HUNTER: Right.
HOLMES: They don't think about a 15-year-old white boy. They just don't.
HUNTER: Right.
HOLMES: OK. So, tell me, how in the world did this come to your attention, and at 15 you decided to take this up? HUNTER: Well, you know, it was Black History Month, like it is now, February. And I had been learning about Frederick Douglass and about Harriet Tubman, and I thought, man, if I lived back then I would have done something to help them. You know, I would have tried to end slavery and fight for equality. And then when I found out that there was still something to do, I felt like I couldn't just stand by as if I agreed with it.
HOLMES: Now, as you certainly know and understand, you probably have friends who may want to get involved and help out -- help you out in this cause. But not to the point that you are doing it.
What is it in you -- and I think I read somewhere where you said God chose you to do this. Do you think that's what it is? It's just something that's in you and not really a path you chose yourself?
HUNTER: I really think so. I think it's sort of something that God infused in me. And, you know, I'm not ashamed to say I'm Christian. I try not to shove that down people's throats, but you talk about that when I go around.
HOLMES: Now, what are you going around doing now? How do you -- I know you have a book here. You'd like people -- called "Be the Change" here. And you're on the cover, a 15-year-old got a -- got a book here.
But tell me, what's -- what are you doing? How you are trying to raise that awareness and end slavery, as you say?
HUNTER: Well, I go around the country speaking to pretty much anyone who will listen about this topic of slavery. And I've gone to music festivals, to churches, schools, even business conferences, you know. I go around and speak to basically anyone who will listen about the issue of slavery. And I try to get them to use their influence, because influence is currency. I try to get them to use their influence to help these people who are in slavery.
HOLMES: Now, a new movie coming out, "Amazing Grace," which is actually about the -- a British abolitionist...
HUNTER: Right.
HOLMES: ... several years ago, several hundred years ago. But the moviemakers actually got in touch with you. And now that had to be an honor there. They got in touch with you and wanted you to take up a cause for them.
HUNTER: Yes. They launched a campaign called "The Amazing Change" to go along with the movie "Amazing Grace," about Wilberforce, who was a British abolitionist. And they just -- you know, they asked me if I would like to come on board and use my voice to help other people who are in slavery around the world. And I said yes, definitely.
HOLMES: Now that's pretty neat. I was looking at the credits for this movie, which we said opens this Friday, I believe. But looking at the credits, and it says, "Special thanks, Zach Hunter." That has to be pretty cool at 15 years old.
HUNTER: I've never been in the credits of a movie before. So that was pretty cool to see. You know.
HOLMES: Now, how are you getting other -- other young people like yourself on board? Is it a struggle? Like you said, you don't shove anything down anybody's throat, but are you trying to get more young people involved to the point that you are?
HUNTER: Definitely. I think that my generation will really be a generation to change things. I would love to see people my age written about in the history books just like Frederick Douglass and Martin Luther King were. You know, I would love to have it -- this may sound cheesy, but a peace and love almost thing, except instead of doing it without God, doing it with God.
HOLMES: OK. Well, no, not cheesy at all. It's a wonderful thing you're doing.
HUNTER: Thank you.
HOLMES: Zach, it is a pleasure meeting you.
HUNTER: Good to meet you, too.
HUNTER: Good luck with your work. And we hope to follow you along the path. Some great stuff you're doing.
Fifteen years old. No kidding, folks. He's 15.
And you can learn more about the modern day slave trade, the movie and about Zach on www.amazingchange.com -- Betty.
NGUYEN: What an amazing young man. And just what he's done at just 15. Just imagine -- give him another 15 years and who knows.
Well, you've got see this as well. It's coming up after the break. A top-secret military weapon? Only in a child's imagination.
So don't fly off. The "WaterCooler" is next.
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NGUYEN: This just in to CNN. We're getting more information on these explosions in Baghdad today. Here's what we know.
Two car bombs have exploded in quick succession in a commercial area in southeastern Baghdad. It's killed 10 people, wounding 40 others. No word on whether any U.S. soldiers were killed or wounded in this explosion, but the attacks did happen around 3:00 p.m. local time. That's around 7:00 a.m. Eastern, a little less than an hour ago.
Again, two car bombs exploded killing 10 people, wounding 40. As soon as we get more information on this, we will bring it straight to you. You know, every day there are news stories that stop and make you say, "What?"
HOLMES: Yes. You might be saying "What?" after we show you these in the segment that we call "The WaterCooler".
NGUYEN: Yes.
First up, only 310 shopping days until Christmas. I'm sure you know that. You've been marking your calendars.
Well, it looks like another high-flying year for the makers of high-tech toys. Check this out. It is from the annual Toy Fair in New York.
HOLMES: Well, this is an alien-looking robot, if you will. And it becomes a remote-controlled helicopter. This is Robo Copter, and it might not be such a good toy if you have a house full of priceless porcelain.
NGUYEN: Yes. That could do some damage.
Look at this, though. This could do some damage to your wallet. It's a wedding gown that you definitely will not find at Filene's Basement. And if you have to ask how much is it, well, you simply can't afford it.
HOLMES: I need to ask. Most brides are happy to get one diamond usually. Well, this custom-made dress is studded with $19 million worth of diamonds. Again, that's $19 million.
NGUYEN: It is a pretty dress.
Well, for the father who writes the check for his princess to wear this on her wedding day, let's just say that groom, he better be worth it, well worth it.
And Mardi Gras celebrations, they continue at this hour.
HOLMES: Here now, we want to show you a live picture from New Orleans. Bourbon Street is booming. Well, not too much activity.
NGUYEN: Kind of, sort of. I mean, it's almost, what, 7:00 there?
HOLMES: But it is coming back. Yes, it is pretty early there, still,
But the street itself is coming back, doing well. But hard luck continues for other Gulf Coast communities. We'll show you.
Plus this...
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're like brothers. You know, we fight together, we move around together. We go through a lot of hardships together. So that type of environment fosters, you know, that bonding between -- between the people in our unit.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: A band of brothers, a bond that cannot be broken. See how the toughest lessons of war are learned on the job.
HOLMES: We've got all of that, plus an update on your top stories at the top of the hour.
CNN SUNDAY MORNING rolls on after we take a very quick break.
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HOLMES: A developing story. Eight American service members are dead, 14 others injured in a helicopter crash in southeast Afghanistan this morning. A NATO spokesman says the Chinook helicopter that's like this one you're seeing had had a sudden unexplained loss of power. Military officials, however, say it was not shot down.
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SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM, (R) SOUTH CAROLINA: This political theater empowers our enemy, disheartens our own troops and I think is not worthy of the United States Senate time.
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NGUYEN: Well, it's over for now. Senate Republicans successfully blocked further debate and a vote on a resolution opposing extra troops in Iraq. Democrats fell just four votes short of forcing this issue.
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SEN. BARACK OBAMA, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: When you have a majority of the Senate, 56 votes, saying, president, you're taking the wrong math path, that should send a strong signal and I think is reflective of where the American people are.
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NGUYEN: And this story just coming in from Baghdad where police report two car bombs exploding, one right after the other, it has killed at least ten people so far. It happened along the main road in eastern Baghdad. The blast comes as U.S. and Iraqi troops set up efforts to stop sectarian violence in the capital.
HOLMES: Separate talks under way this morning between U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Israeli and Palestinian leaders. These latest talks are being complicated by a U.S. and Israeli condition not to deal with the Palestinian government if it does not recognize Israel.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Three, two, one, we have ignition and liftoff of a Delta 2 rocket carrying -- a revolutionary journey to study the northern light.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Always a remarkable sight there, a perfect-picture- perfect launch of five satellites on a single rocket. The mission to study powerful geomagnetic storms that can damage communications satellites and disable Power Bridge. The satellites blasted off from Cape Canaveral late last night.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She did it last night.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why she do that?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
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HOLMES: Yes.
NGUYEN: That's a question a lot are asking.
HOLMES: So is 50 cent. He's reacting to that surprising news and surprising video of Britney Spears' extreme makeover. WE will have more reaction from Hollywood coming up in about 25 minutes.
NGUYEN: From the CNN Center here in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING, it's February 18th. Good morning, everyone, I'm Betty Nguyen.
HOLMES: I'm T.J. Holmes; it's 8:00 a.m. in New York, 5:30 p.m. in Afghanistan where there is a chopper down. We're continuing to follow this developing story out of Afghanistan. Moments ago we talked with a coalition spokesperson on the phone.
MITCHELL: The crash was apparently caused by some engine trouble that the aircraft experienced in flying over some terrain in eastern Afghanistan.
HOLMES: What do you know about the -- I guess it had to be pretty severe engine trouble. What was the pilot able to radio back to you?
MITCHELL: The message from the pilot was that he had experienced sudden and unexplained loss of power and the aircraft just experienced a pretty bad crash, and we lost eight, wounded 14 in the event.
HOLMES: Again, it was engine trouble that was reported but no reason to think that there was any enemy fire or anything like that in the area.
MITCHELL: So far indications are strong that it was related only to the engine problem. HOLMES: Again, that was a NATO spokesman Maj. William Mitchell with the latest on that chopper crash in Afghanistan. You can stay right here with CNN for developments on that story.
NGUYEN: Another failure for Senate Democrats rebuffed by Republicans and their attempt to force further debate on an Iraq resolution. Democrats hoped to force a vote on the non-binding resolution, critical of President Bush's so-called troop surge, but they fell four votes short.
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SEN. HARRY REID, (D) MAJORITY LEADER: For those who voted to block debate to protect President Bush, Americans now know they want to stay a field course in Iraq. They want more of the same. They support escalation. The Senate is not done with this issue.
SEN. MITCHELL MCCONNELL, (R) MINORITY LEADER: This non-binding resolution is a practical matter doesn't do anything, but it was designed to obviously try to disapprove of the new mission. Our view is you cannot discuss the new mission in Iraq without discussing funding for the troops.
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NGUYEN: Republicans are pushing for debate on their own resolution, but for Democrats, win or lose, they knew they were forcing Republicans to step up and show Americans where they stand on Iraq. CNN's Kathleen Koch is live at the White House this morning with the fall out from that non-binding vote that will apparently will not lead to actual one.
Hi Kathleen.
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes Betty, the White House obviously watching the Senate vote Saturday very, very carefully, particularly in light of the vote in the house Friday that did indeed pass a non-binding resolution critical of the president's planned troop build-up in Iraq. However, the Senate, the failure of the Senate Democrats to get a vote to move forward with debate on the resolution still is far from a victory for President Bush because a clear majority of Senators, including seven Republicans want a debate on this anti-surge resolution to move forward.
So the White House issued a statement yesterday that many are seeing as a tepid reaction. The statement from Press Secretary Tony Snow neither praising nor criticizing the vote in the Senate "This week's voting gave the world a glimpse of democracy's vigor. The next vote should provide unmistakable assurance of this nation's resolve in achieving success, supporting the cause of democracy, and stopping terrorist forces in their ultimate aim of bringing their violence to our shores."
Now Snow there referring to possible up coming congressional votes that could indeed limit President Bush's ability to conduct the war in Iraq by placing conditions on spending. The White House there making it very clear that it will indeed fight very hard to retain support, financial support, for the troops in Iraq.
Back to you Betty.
NGUYEN: And on another note, we've received news that the president had a couple of moles removed. Have we learned anything about those, if indeed they were malignant?
KOCH: Betty, they were removed from the president's face, two of them as you mentioned on Friday. The test results have come back. The White House saying they were benign. This is actually the third time that the president has had suspect growths removed from his face. Same thing also in December 2001, December 2004, some suspicious lesions removed, those benign also. So the president's health at age 60 looking good.
NGUYEN: That is good to hear. CNN's Kathleen Koch at the White House today, thank you for that. Democrats say they're not ready to give up. They may change tactics, but their overall message remains the same.
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REID: This war is a serious situation. It involves the worst foreign policy mistake in history of this country. We should take everything serious. We find ourselves in a very deep hole. We need to dig out of it.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: So maybe I misheard you, but you're saying this is the worst foreign policy blunder in American history?
REID: That's what I said.
BLITZER: Worse than Vietnam?
REID: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: You can hear much more from Senator Reid and his Republican counter part Sen. Mitch McConnell on today's "Late Edition" with Wolf Blitzer. For the White House reaction, Wolf will be joined by White House Press Secretary Tony Snow. "Late Edition" comes your way at 11:00 a.m. Eastern.
ANNOUNCER: This is CNN Breaking News.
HOLMES: We are now getting word of yet another car bombing in Iraq, in Baghdad. This is the third one we're getting word of this morning. But this latest one is a third one that happened in Sadr City. This is a Shiite stronghold of Sadr City in Baghdad. We're told that a suicide bomber who had a car that was packed with explosives blew up when the driver rammed a police checkpoint in the Shiite district. Again this Shiite district is a stronghold of the militia, which is run by the anti-Shiite cleric of Muqtada al Sadr. So the Sadr City and certainly the army, certainly names you will recognize and names we've been hearing about a lot lately.
But Sadr City now the latest area where we're seeing a car bombing this morning, we saw two others this morning where at least ten were killed on a main road in southeastern Baghdad, again two separate car bombings, from this third we are just telling you about, at least ten people killed and 40 injured in that. We're following news on this latest, this third suicide bombing that happened in Sadr City in Baghdad.
Of course, a lot of news, a lot happening in Iraq. A tough place of course for U.S. service members struggling to survive there on the front line of the Iraq war. Some U.S. soldiers telling CNN's Arwa Damon how they cope knowing any step could be their last.
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ARWA DAMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Any door could be bookie trooped, a sniper in any building, a roadside bomb in any pile of trash. Surviving is about controlling fear and staying alert.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's always in the back of your mind, what could happen, but you try not to think of that right when you're out working.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Talking to me, sir?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How far down?
DAMON: In a single morning, these soldiers held a brief memorial for one soldier and learned four more of their battalion had been killed. The toughest lessons of war are learned on the job.
SPC. PHILIP OLIVER, U.S. ARMY: I say I was ready to get over here, but when you get here it's different than what you think it would be.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Before I came over here, I took a lot for granted, family, luxuries of life. Then you come over here, and it's crazy.
DAMON: Here on the base, a reminder of those who have fallen in the battle. While no one who fought with them will ever forget them, commanders say the toughest part is talking to their families and worrying about how they will fare. They say the two most common questions from loved ones are, did my son die alone, and was it he in pain?
The troops don't like to talk about it, but they admit privately that the mission here takes a massive emotional and mental toll. They say people back home can't understand, but what they share creates a bond between soldiers unlike any other.
WILLIAM WILLIAMS, U.S. ARMY: We're like brothers, you know, we fight together. We move around together. We go through a lot of hardship together. So that type of environment fosters that bonding between the people in our unit. DAMON: A bond strengthened with time.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is my second tour, kind of being trained up a little bit. And the ones being here for the first time because this ain't easy.
DAMON: It's not easy, but they do it even if some have doubts in the mission. They say they do it for each other.
Arwa Damon, CNN, Baquba, Iraq.
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NGUYEN: Another U.S. marine has been sentenced for his role in the killing of a Iraqi civilian. Lance Corp. Robert Pennington was sentenced to 14 years in prison but will only serve eight years as part of his plea agreement. Pennington pled guilty to kidnapping and conspiracy. Seven marines and one navy medic were charged in connection with the death of a 52-year-old man.
Britain's Prince Harry reportedly will be sent to southern Iraq within days that is according to the "Daily Mirror." The prince is an officer in the British army and the newspaper says he'll likely command 12 soldiers in Basra, Britain's defense ministry calls the report speculative.
HOLMES: She used to be toxic. She has gone from this toxic thing to this. Britney Spears sporting a new, much cleaner look, you could say this weekend. Hollywood weighs in on the star's sudden change that is ten minutes away.
NGUYEN: Also, America's teen turned to the medicine cabinet for a quick high. Coming your way at the bottom of the hour, "House Call" explains just how easy it could be for your kids to get into trouble.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I can buy them just as fast as I can get pizza.
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NGUYEN: This just in to CNN, we're getting new death tolls out of the three bombings, two separate ones, though, in Baghdad. Let me sort this out for you. Two bombings, car bombs, in eastern Baghdad today. Earlier we told you that it killed five people, wounding ten. Now we have learned that 25 people are dead in those car bombings, one right after the other, 100 people wounded. Now, another suicide car bomb detonated near an Iraqi national police checkpoint in Sadr City. That has killed one person so far today. Again, two separate bombings, but three in total, killing a total of 26 people, wounding at least 100. Of course, we'll stay on top of all of these stories. As soon as we have more information, we'll bring it to you.
HOLMES: Our Reynolds Wolf is staying on top of the weather here for us. We're talking snow a lot. A lot of eyes on Florida today, certainly a big deal. I love the Nascar does it; their Super Bowl is the first event of the year instead of the last. REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I know they don't wait. They go right to it. They forget the main course, go right to dessert.
NGUYEN: Some people prefer it that way.
WOLF: I like dessert.
In Daytona, things looking good. We had scattered showers earlier this morning, but we're expecting plenty of sunshine as we make our way into the day. And with that kind of cool conditions. In fact, we're warming up only to 56 degrees, sunny, cool, and breezy. The race gets under way around 3:15 this afternoon. Should be just fine for you.
If you happen to be doing your own driving along I-75 in Michigan heading north across big Mac and into the Upper Peninsula, watch out for scatters snow showers. Same situation for you in Cleveland perhaps some snow showers also, in parts of New York. Now we're going to be seeing some light snowfall in the northeast, but at the same time high pressure across the central Plains. As we look into today and tomorrow we are going to see some huge changes, changes mainly in the form of temperatures.
In fact take a look at the highs we are going to be seeing today, 48 in Memphis, 45 in Kansas City, 19 in Minneapolis, 37 in New York. But as we get to tomorrow forecast for Presidents Day, high-pressure building over the Gulf of Mexico, and a low forming over the central Plains means a lot of warm and mild air moving in. Conditions will warm up for the Midwest as well as the southern and central Plains. More on that coming up through out the morning. Lets send it back to you.
NGUYEN: Reynolds Wolf, we thank you.
HOLMES: Well we all know Britney Spears, singer, entertainer. Well she is trying out a new gig, she's a barber. Her first client is herself. That was the 'do she gave herself. Now Hollywood is weighing in on her surprising new look. But first we have a preview of today's "House Call."
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: All right. Thanks T.J.
We're lucky to be here in Atlanta, not dealing with all of that snow. But for folks, who are, beware. There are nasty injuries you can get dealing with the snow. What you need to know to stay healthy in this weather.
Plus, we'll tell you the story of a doctor accused of playing on people's faith and taking thousands of dollars. All that and the medical headlines as well coming up on "House Call" at 8:30.
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CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: How do you make fitness a forever in your life? "Consumer Reports" on health surveyed nearly 22,000 people who were committed to exercise. Here are some of their secrets for success. Tip number one, find your personality match.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Some people are more extroverts and those people would probably be best in like a group typesetting, maybe group fitness or dance class, kick boxing, cardio funk.
COSTELLO: For introvert, a circuit-training workout might be a better personality fit. Tip number two, squeeze it in, work exercise into your busy schedule. Try to exercise at the same time of the day and be sure to schedule it on your calendar.
Tip number three, make it a habit. Keep a food accountability journal.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So 60 percent of your results would be from nutrition and dieting, 40 percent from your cardio, your weight lifting.
COSTELLO: Tip number four, take lapses in stride, if you skip a workout or eat something fattening, don't beat yourself up, just keep going forward.
Tip number five, consider a trainer. A trainer can motivate you and make it easier for you to make exercise a lasting part of your life.
Carol Costello, CNN.
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50 CENT, RAPPER: That's Britney Spears, man.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, it is.
50 CENT: Why did she do it like that?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She did it last night.
50 CENT: She did? That? Why she do that?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't know. Got any words for her?
50 CENT: Counseling, man. Drug counseling. She just -- that wasn't right, man.
JAMIE KENNEDY, ACTOR: People need to leave her alone and just let her live her life and stop judging her. I think she's going through a rough patch right now, and I hope she can get some -- with her family and just kind of decompress. Just a lot going on, I wish her well.
NGUYEN: That was rapper 50 Cent and actor Jamie Kennedy, who is also a comedian. They weren't laughing; they were chiming in on Britney in a serious way.
HOLMES: Yes actually 50 Cent looked genuinely surprised and sounded genuinely concerned about Brittany's well being right now.
NGUYEN: If by chance you have not heard, which most of America has, Britney Spears walked into a hair salon asked to have her head shaved. When the stylist refused, she picked up the clippers and did it herself.
HOLMES: That is the result. There she is, Britney Spears. Used to have those blonde locks, we've seen the dark hair. But now she is totally bald. A lot of people just still baffled by this. CNN's Stan Nurenberger recaps the story.
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STAN NURENBERGER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): It's hardly the image one would imagine of a pop princess, but this video shows Britney Spears bald and inside a tattoo parlor, one of the shop's artist said it created quite the scene.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's definitely different. This doesn't happen every day. You don't have 60 people standing outside and cops coming and stuff like that.
NURENBERGER: According to at least two reports, the 25-year-old mother of two first went to a hair salon where she shaved head bald. Next stop a Sherman Oaks tattoo pallor where she got two tattoos. An artist at the parlor described one of them.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She just wanted something real small on her wrist, something dainty. She got cute little red lips on her wrist.
NURENBERGER: Spears record sales have been on the decline in recent years as she makes more news for her personal life than her music. "People" Magazine's Website cites a source saying Spears was briefly in and out of rehab a few days ago. No comment from her manager.
I'm Stan Nurenberger reporting from Atlanta.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Certainly a big question here, as you can imagine, that's some expensive hair. That hair is worth something. So what happened to all that hair that came off?
NGUYEN: We were talking about it yesterday. We knew it would end up here. So coming up in the next hour, we're going to show you how those famous tresses already making a splash on ebay? Are you surprised? We're not at all.
Here's what happened while you slept. We're going to run down the top stories with the developments in three minutes. Bring you up to speed. HOLMES: The new drug dealer for America's teens. Could the next high be as close as your medicine cabinet? "House Call" investigates that.
NGUYEN: And at the top of the hour from presidential speechwriter to actor, to game show host. Now Ben Stein wants to help you save for your future. We'll talk with him about his new book.
HOLMES: At 10:00 Eastern "Reliable Sources" looks at religion and the 2008 presidential race by one candidate religious views could be a roadblock to the White House.
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