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CNN Saturday Morning News

A Report On Latest Violence in Iraq. A Live Report From on the Road With The Kerry Campaign

Aired October 16, 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: An apparent coordinated attack this morning on five Christian churches in Baghdad. This on the second day of Ramadan.
From the CNN Center here in Atlanta, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

Is it 7:00 a.m. in the East, 4:00 a.m. out West, October 16 today.

Good morning to you.

I'm Betty Nguyen.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning, everyone.

I'm Tony Harris.

Thank you for being with us.

Let's get started with today's top stories.

An American soldier has died of wounds suffered earlier today in a car bomb attack in Mosul. That brings the U.S. death toll in the Iraq war to 1,090. Bombs exploded this morning at five Christian churches in Baghdad, but no one was hurt. We'll take you there live in just a few minutes.

In Afghanistan, two American soldiers are dead and three others have been wounded in a blast that targeted their convoy. The U.S. military says a homemade bomb was used for the attack in a south central province. There are no suspects in the bombing.

And a Russian Soyuz spacecraft docks with the international space station, delivering a fresh two man crew to the station. The Russian and the American who have been there for six months will return to earth with the Soyuz pilots.

NGUYEN: Among the many stories and issues ahead for you this morning, check it out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Was your sister offended? LIZ CHENEY, MARY CHENEY'S SISTER: It was a very offensive thing for him to do, yes.

ZAHN: Did you talk to her about it?

L. CHENEY: It was very offensive. I think I'll just leave it there. I think people can make their own judgment about what he said.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: The Cheney family circles the wagons after the sexual orientation of one daughter becomes a debate issue.

In the rough and tumble world of presidential politics, is there such a thing as a taboo topic?

Also ahead, a refueling mission in Iraq turns into a volatile situation (AUDIO GAP) refuse to go along. Is it a sign of dissension in the ranks?

Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr will have our report.

And later, the international face of American sports and what that means for the bottom line. CNN sports business analyst Rick Horrow will have that in our weekly look at "Beyond The Game."

MYERS: And our top story this morning, the Baghdad church bombings.

Let's head live to the Iraqi capital for more details.

CNN's Karl Penhaul is there -- Karl, what's the latest?

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, there, Tony.

Those five Christian churches across Baghdad were bombed shortly before dawn this morning in an apparent coordinated, near simultaneous series of attacks. The Iraqi interior ministry has told us that (AUDIO GAP) homemade bombs. A CNN team is now on the scene at the site of one of those attacks, outside St. George's Church. They've told us at present that U.S. soldiers are on the scene investigating the scale and the cause of the blast.

That team also tells us that there has been extensive damage to St. George's Church and that some of the woodwork there is still smoldering. Early assessments by the soldiers on the scene there suggest about 60 pounds of bomb making material was used in that blast.

Now, this religious -- on religious violence, the sectarian violence is an issue that's been obscured somewhat by the wider issue of the resistance versus the coalition war going on. But nevertheless, in the last few weeks, there have been a number of incidences where the Christian community has been targeted in Iraq.

About two weeks ago, seven Christians were killed as they left a social club here in Baghdad. You may remember that back in August, four churches here in Baghdad and another one in Mosul were attacked by car bombs. Several deaths at that time. And those attacks at that stage were blamed on the Zarqawi network, that group that coalition authorities believe is holed up in Fallujah.

So far, though, in terms of today's attacks on those churches, no claims of responsibility yet. But investigations are under way -- Tony.

MYERS: Karl Penhaul reporting for us live from Baghdad this morning.

Karl, thank you.

Also from Iraq this morning, reports of a rebellion in the ranks. The Army is investigating whether some members of a supply platoon, a Reserve unit from South Carolina, refused to go on a convoy mission. The soldiers reportedly said the mission was dangerous and their unarmed vehicles were in bad shape.

More on this story after the half hour.

NGUYEN: Turning now to the race for the White House.

Democrat John Kerry's day begins with a campaign swing in southern Ohio this morning. He'll be traveling through Greene and Pike Counties, both staunchly Republican and both won by Bush in 2000.

CNN's Ed Henry joins us now from Xenia, the site of a Kerry rally a little later this morning.

Good morning to you -- Ed.

ED HENRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty.

That's right, at the end of this week, the John Kerry camp is feeling very good. They feel like they won the third and final debate in the middle of the week and they feel that it was three for three overall in all of the presidential debates. And they feel they have a little bit of a head of steam now heading into the final two and a half weeks. And they basically have a two pronged strategy. The first is to hit as many of these battleground states as possible, a dwindling number of battleground states. There was original about 18 battlegrounds, now down to about 10, starting with Ohio right here, 20 electoral votes. It's a state that George Bush won in 2000. No Republican has ever won the White House without first carrying Ohio. That's why John Kerry is very hopeful he can get it. Some polls show he may be pulling slightly ahead. It has been neck and neck here.

Also, tomorrow, John Kerry will be heading to Florida, of course, yet another key battleground dating back to 2000. It's once again up for grabs. He will be heading there tomorrow.

The second part of the strategy is to really try to focus, after spending a lot of time on Iraq and national security, John Kerry really wants to hone in on the domestic agenda. We've heard him all this week talking about the economy, talking about jobs, talking about health care and education. That's what he will be doing again today on a bus tour through Ohio.

And as Kerry has gained this confidence this week after that third and final debate, we've also seen kind of a sharper stump speech. He's been more aggressive in attacking President Bush, specifically on the issues here at home, like he did last night in Appleton, Wisconsin.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Appleton is the hometown of Harry Houdini. And I suddenly said to myself, you know, that's perfect because George Bush keeps trying to hide all of his mistakes. And it occurred to me that even Harry Houdini couldn't hide George Bush's mistakes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENRY: Wisconsin another key battleground, 10 electoral votes at stake. Al Gore won it in 2000. Polls show that John Kerry is going to have a hard time holding onto it this time around. He wants to make sure that he shores it up. That's why he was in Wisconsin again. Now he's in Ohio.

But the president, who this weekend will also be hitting a lot of battlegrounds, is giving a speech today. The Kerry camp has already gotten wind of the fact that the president will be zeroing in on the one year anniversary of John Kerry's vote against the $87 billion in money for the troops. The Kerry campaign already has a response, even before the president has given the speech.

Stephanie Cutter, the Kerry spokeswoman, telling us, "Bring it on." Basically the Kerry camp feels that if the president wants to talk more about Iraq, it will bring up his negatives and they feel that they, instead, will focus on the domestic agenda -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Getting hairy, right down to the wire.

Ed Henry, thank you so much for that report.

Senator Kerry's wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, has filed her final 2003 federal tax form. And, as promised last spring, Mrs. Kerry is disclosing some of that information. A summary shows the heiress to the Heinz ketchup fortune had a gross taxable income of more than $2,290,000. Most of that is from dividends and interest she receives from the Heinz family trust. She paid $627,150 in federal income taxes and $171,670 in state income taxes.

Now, in addition to that, Mrs. Kerry is responsible for more than $4.6 million in charitable contributions.

President Bush kicks off a three city bus tour in Florida today. First stop? Fort Lauderdale. While campaigning in the Midwest yesterday, the president spotlighted domestic issues and criticized Senator Kerry's record on education. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The senator's record is 20 years of how the mainstream votes without many significant reforms or results to show for those 20 years. The records are important because our country faces many challenges and the next president must recognize the need for reform and must be able to lead to achieve them.

In the final debate, when I talked about the vital link between education and jobs, the senator didn't seem to get it. He said I switched away from jobs and started talking about education. No. Good jobs start with good education.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Now, in addition to Fort Lauderdale, the president will attend rallies in West Palm Beach and Melbourne.

HARRIS: The latest now on the flu vaccine supply or the lack of it. U.S. health officials say they can't vouch for the safety of the vaccine made at a plant in Britain. The plant is owned by Chiron Corporation, a major U.S. flu vaccine supplier. This means officials are confirming what they feared earlier -- the U.S. vaccine supply will be about half of what they expected. The shortage has sparked fears of price gouging and of vaccine turning up on the black market. We will have more on that in our 9:00 a.m. Eastern hour. Dr. Peter Bellenson will join us. He is the Baltimore City health commissioner.

And we also want to know how the vaccine shortage is affecting you. That takes us to our e-mail Question of the Day. Are you concerned about the flu vaccine shortage this year? Drop us a line at wam@cnn.com.

NGUYEN: Time now for our weekly "Rewind," a look at some of the top stories from the past week. Sinclair Broadcasting ordered its 62 television stations to air an anti-John Kerry film show here. But Kerry's campaign is demanding equal time. The campaign wants Kerry supporters to also get some airtime on Sinclair stations.

Kerry and George Bush held their final presidential debate on Wednesday. With three debates behind them now, the two are heading into the campaign home stretch. Polls show the race is still neck and neck.

Long lines this week at clinics across the U.S. amid a major flu vaccine shortage. The supply is down, as we just mentioned. But the demand is up and the prices, well, they are way up. Hospitals have been complaining of price gouging by vaccine suppliers.

And finally, we heard more on Thursday from Yaser Hamdi. He returned to his native Saudi Arabia after being freed by the U.S., which held him for nearly three years as an enemy fighter. Hamdi told CNN he is innocent. Now, under a deal with the U.S., Hamdi has given up his American citizenship.

Tomorrow, we will fast forward to the week ahead and tell you which stories will grab the spotlight.

HARRIS: And, Betty, a key issue that is still dogging John Kerry is his protest of the Vietnam War. He deals with it in a one-on-one interview with CNN political correspondent Candy Crowley right her on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: Plus, more fallout from a broadcasting company's plans to force its TV stations to air an anti-John Kerry documentary. We'll tell you all about that.

HARRIS: But first, a look at the upcoming DVD releases. The Emmy winning comedy series "Arrested Development," "A Cinderella Story," starring Hilary Duff and the complete second season -- you can't live without this -- of "Sponge Bob Square Pants."

NGUYEN: Yes.

MYERS: And for thrill seekers, "Van Helsing." And two new movies opening nationwide in theaters. We will preview both ahead on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Looking across America this morning, here are some other stories making headlines.

Investigators are seeking the cause of a small plane crash in the Oregon wilderness that killed three teenagers. The teens had been scouting hunting areas on Thursday but failed to return after a couple of hours. A logger spotted the wreckage yesterday in a wilderness area. The 18-year-old pilot was said to be very experienced.

In Alice, Texas, a day care operator faces arraignment next week for allegedly restraining a 3-year-old boy with duct tape. The boy's grandmother found him bound hand and foot after receiving a tip. The owner reportedly told police she taped the boy's wrists and ankles because he was hyperactive. She is charged with injury to a child and negligence.

HARRIS: OK, Betty, here we go. In Los Angeles, Moe the Chimp will get to see his parents again. Moe, well, now well into his 30s, was raised from infancy by the Davise's of West Covina. About five years ago, Moe was forcibly removed to a wildlife sanctuary where visitation was both expensive and restricted. After a long legal battle, Moe has now been transferred to a facility where the Davise's can visit their only child much more often.

And in Cordele, Georgia, a cautionary tale that alcohol and disaster films don't necessarily mix. After consuming a large amount of beer while watching "The Day After Tomorrow," Charles Adams inexplicably burned down his mobile home.

NGUYEN: Well, speaking of politics now, John Kerry says Iraq has become a terrorist magnet and U.S. troops must stay there until the job is done "right." Kerry was questioned by our senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley. (BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: When you came back from Vietnam, the word "quagmire" was used quite a bit. You said, "How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?"

You have called this war the wrong war, wrong time, wrong place, which says to me mistake.

Why do you think we have to stay in Iraq when you didn't think we should stay in Vietnam?

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: They're very different. This is a war on terror, that was a civil war, an ideological war.

CROWLEY: But you said there wasn't a terror threat, right?

KERRY: Oh, there is now. That's the problem. The problem is that where there wasn't a connection to al Qaeda, now you have this extraordinary magnet that's been created for jihadists, who have crossed the border in the thousands, and it is a haven for terrorism now. And I have said...

CROWLEY: So we are staying (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...

KERRY: But I've also said since day one -- no, what you have to do now, Candy, is make certain that it isn't a mistake. And the way you make certain it isn't a mistake is to do it right, which is what I have said from day one.

I believed you had to hold Saddam Hussein accountable. And I said from day one there is a right way to do it and a wrong way to do it. This administration, in almost every decision, chose the wrong way.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: On another topic now, Kerry admitted he cannot pay for all his domestic programs by rolling back tax cuts for high income Americans. Kerry said he'll also get more money by closing corporate tax loopholes and consolidating federal agencies.

HARRIS: An unusual challenge goes out to the media company that wants its 60 plus affiliates to air an anti-John Kerry documentary.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL MOORE, FILMMAKER: Prove to us you're not biased. Show the anti-Kerry film, show my film.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Filmmaker Michael Moore weighs in, coming up.

NGUYEN: And we want to say good morning Atlanta. Get this, Dungeons and Dragons fans, they will converge on the city today to celebrate the 30th birthday of the fantasy role playing game.

HARRIS: Who knew?

NGUYEN: Yes, who knew? Expect a huge crowd for that, Tony.

And Rob Marciano -- I don't know if he's going to be playing along -- but he's just ahead with the forecast.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Haven't had enough over the top dry political wit this week? Well, why not take it to the next level with "Team America: World Police?" That's opening this weekend.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE," COURTESY PARAMOUNT PICTURES)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The world is on the brink of disaster and the only thing standing between order and chaos is us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone try to have fun with global politics, of all things. A warning, though. These aren't your kids marionettes. The "Los Angeles Times" calls the film "a raunchy satire" and noted the film had to be altered to avoid an NC-17 rating.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "SHALL WE DANCE?," COURTESY MIRAMAX PICTURES)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's the rumba. It's the dance of love. And he's just not giving me anything.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Can you say issues? But if you're needing a break from global politics, shall we dance? The new movie takes you step by step into the perennial battle of love, as you see there. The "Kansas City Star" says Jennifer Lopez's performance, well, it isn't horrible, but that Richard Gere steals the show.

And speaking of stealing the show, guess who we have today?

HARRIS: Oh, come on. Come on.

NGUYEN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

Welcome to the CNN team.

HARRIS: Hey, Betty. How are you?

NGUYEN: I'm doing great.

How are you?

HARRIS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Hi, Rob.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Tony, good to see you.

Betty, you have a new...

HARRIS: Thanks, you guys.

MARCIANO: Betty, you have a new -- you've got -- what happened to Drew? I mean he was...

(CROSSTALK)

NGUYEN: I scared him off. I have that effect on men, Rob. Can't you tell?

MARCIANO: No, no, no.

HARRIS: Well, it's good to be with you guys.

NGUYEN: Well, we're so glad to have you here today.

HARRIS: Oh, thank you.

NGUYEN: And today is the 30th anniversary of Dungeons and Dragons.

You know all about this don't you, Rob?

MARCIANO: Well, that's why we thought Tony should debut today.

NGUYEN: OK.

HARRIS: Yes, yes, today, right.

(CROSSTALK)

HARRIS: Like I have a clue about this.

MARCIANO: A talented local anchor here in Atlanta and so you didn't have to pay -- make much of a move to come over here.

HARRIS: Not much of a move, right.

NGUYEN: No.

HARRIS: The family stays put, the kids stay in the school. Everyone's happy.

MARCIANO: That's great.

NGUYEN: That's always -- yes. Make sure the wife is happy.

HARRIS: Please. Absolutely.

NGUYEN: That's always a good thing.

HARRIS: I've learned that.

MARCIANO: But Betty hasn't been quite here in Atlanta for a full year yet.

NGUYEN: No. So you're going to show me the ropes.

MARCIANO: It does get cold in the winter time.

HARRIS: Yes.

MARCIANO: I mean, she may be surprised to see her breath this morning.

(CROSSTALK)

NGUYEN: I noticed that. I had to bring in a coat today.

MARCIANO: Yes, hey, get used to it.

NGUYEN: I kind of felt like a wimp. I didn't see any other coats around the place.

MARCIANO: Well, you'll toughen up as it goes...

NGUYEN: Coming from Dallas.

MARCIANO: It won't be that, Betty.

NGUYEN: All right, all right.

MARCIANO: Anyway, Tony, good to have you along.

HARRIS: Oh, thank you.

MARCIANO: We're happy to have you with us.

HARRIS: Good to be here.

MARCIANO: And, Betty, good morning to you.

NGUYEN: Good morning.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: Speaking of cold weather, and as we head into flu season, that leads us to our e-mail Question of the Day. Are you concerned about the flu vaccine shortage this year? Send us your thoughts on that. All you have to do is e-mail us at wam@cnn.com.

HARRIS: Following orders or an orderly protest? Facing a dangerous mission, what exactly did those Army Reservists do recently when given a direct order? That's the question and the military wants answers. More straight ahead.

NGUYEN: Plus, don't ask, don't tell. Sexual preference becomes a debate hot button. We'll look at the fallout from a comment made in the third presidential debate.

First, though, this morning's "Health For Her."

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

HOLLY FIRFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With top performing athletes like Serena and Venus Williams dominating their sports, women have never been more physically fit. But can women be too physically fit? The answer is yes. Female athletes triad syndrome is a major health risk affecting an estimated 15 to 62 percent of female college athletes. Female athletes under intense pressure to be thin for performance can suffer from eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia, or could simply not be taking in enough calories to cover the amount of energy they're exerting.

This can cause amenorrhea, or the loss of menstrual cycle for six months or more, which can lead to the third component, premature bone loss, or osteoporosis.

Holly Firfer, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: As if it wasn't tight enough already, the gap between the candidates is getting closer.

Welcome back to CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

I'm Tony Harris.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen.

That story in just a minute.

But first, here's a look at the headlines.

Some outer space excitement this morning. A Russian spacecraft has safely docked at the international space station after a bit of a glitch. An alarm indicated the craft was coming in too fast, prompting crew members to switch to manual control. The rocket brought a new crew to the station.

A deadly attack in Afghanistan. The target, American soldiers. The U.S. military says two soldiers were killed when a bomb blast hit their convoy. It happened Thursday in the south central part of the country. They're the first U.S. soldiers reported killed in Afghanistan since last week's historic national election.

Top U.S. health officials are now confirming that what they had earlier suspected -- none of the flu vaccine made at a British plant, which is owned by a major supplier of U.S. vaccine, is usable. Now, that means the expected U.S. supply is being cut in half.

HARRIS: There are 17 days until we all head to the polls. The presidential race is still in a dead heat. But we are seeing some dramatic changes in the all important electoral map that appears to shift momentum to Democrat John Kerry.

For the past two weeks, it has stood at 301 electoral votes for President Bush and 237 for Senator Kerry. But if the election were held today, the president's lead is cut to 277 electoral votes to John Kerry's 261. Ohio and New Hampshire would switch to Senator Kerry. Two hundred seventy votes are needed to win.

On the campaign trail, President Bush heads to Florida today. He is on a bus tour that will take him to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Melbourne. He is expected to take some jabs at John Kerry's vote on $87 billion in aid for Iraq and Afghanistan. Tomorrow is the anniversary of that Senate vote.

For his part, Senator Kerry is in another battleground state today, Ohio. He is attending campaign events in staunchly Republican areas, Greene and Pike Counties. Bush won both in 2000.

The Kerry campaign demands the right to reply to a film that slams the Democratic presidential candidate. Sinclair Broadcast Group has asked its 62 TV stations to broadcast a documentary critical of Kerry's Vietnam service commercial free just weeks before the election. In a letter to Sinclair's president, Kerry's campaign asked for equal time to respond.

Last night on the "Tonight" show, film producer Michael Moore offered up his anti-Bush documentary, "Fahrenheit 911," as balance.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO," COURTESY NBC)

MOORE: What I want to do is I want to offer to Sinclair Broadcasting, you know, because they say oh, no, we're not biased because we're showing this anti-Kerry film on our...

JAY LENO, HOST: So you'll give it to them for free? MOORE: I will give -- yes. I will give my film to Sinclair Broadcasting for free. You can show it for free. Show -- prove to us you're not biased. Show the anti-Kerry film and show my film.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Now, earlier this week, Democratic senators failed in an effort to get the Federal Communications Commission to block the broadcast. The Democratic National Committee is also asking the Federal Election Committee to intervene.

NGUYEN: In Baghdad, five Christian churches in four different neighborhoods were damaged by explosions today. Iraq's interior ministry says the blasts were caused by homemade bombs. There were no reports of injuries, though. Now, just after that, two mortar shells exploded outside a Baghdad hospital and a hotel. One medic was killed and three other hospital employees were wounded.

A U.S. soldier has died of wounds suffered in a car bomb attack today in Mosul. The death brings the number of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq to 1,090.

The U.S. military is investigating whether a Reserve unit in Iraq violated the rules by refusing to go on a dangerous mission.

Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr has all the details.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is one of the most dangerous missions in Iraq, driving a convoy. This past Wednesday in Tallil, southeast of Baghdad, 19 soldiers from a supply platoon failed to report for a mission to drive a fuel truck north to Taji.

It is now believed five of the soldiers may actually have refused their orders.

Specialist Amber McClenny left this frantic message on her mother's answering machine.

SPEC. AMBER MCCLENNY, U.S. ARMY: Hi, Mom, this is Amber. This is a real, real big emergency. I need you to contact someone. I mean, raise pure hell. We -- yesterday we refused to go to on a convoy to Taji, which is above Baghdad...

STARR: The Army is emphasizing this is an isolated incident, saying, "It is far too early in the investigation to speculate as to what happened, why it happened, or any action that might be taken."

Patricia Ann McCook says the troops were worried about safety, including her husband, Sergeant Larry McCook.

PATRICIA ANN MCCOOK, WIFE OF SGT. LARRY MCCOOK: They don't have bulletproof protection on the vehicles. They just don't go fast at all. It's just not safe to be in a hostile territory.

STARR: Three probes are under way into the actions of the soldiers from the 343rd Quartermaster Company, a Reserve unit from South Carolina. Investigators are talking to all of those involved, trying to find out what happened and why.

Another inquiry is determining whether there were violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. And the commanding officer has ordered a safety maintenance stand-down, during which all vehicles will be inspected and retraining will be done.

Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson says relatives of the soldiers told him the unit had unsafe equipment.

REP. BENNIE THOMPSON (D), MISSISSIPPI: And it goes to the issue of whether or not we have adequately equipped our men and women to fight this war in Iraq.

STARR: According to a military source, some of the soldiers raised valid concerns, an indication there may have been safety problems with the equipment. But the source said the concerns were raised in an inappropriate manner, causing a breakdown in discipline.

(on camera): The convoy was eventually driven by other soldiers.

Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

HARRIS: Updating our terrorism watch now, CNN's Nic Robertson has been following the story of Yaser Hamdi, an American born Saudi citizen caught up in the war on terror. Hamdi is now free in Saudi Arabia after three years in a U.S. military prison. He was captured in Afghanistan in 2001 and held as an enemy combatant. Hamdi remains silent about why he went there two months before September 11. After the Supreme Court ruled on his case, the Justice Department released him without charge.

New video surfaced this week showing the beheading of two men identified as Iraqi intelligence officers. And video from an Islamic group claims to have beheaded a Turkish truck driver for aiding U.S. forces in Iraq.

In London, an extradition hearing today for Muslim cleric Abu Hamza. He faces charges in the U.S. of supporting al Qaeda. But British prosecutors want to first try Hamza under their Terrorism Act 2000. He would be required to serve any British sentence before being extradited.

NGUYEN: Well, first he said, then she said. Now it seems everyone is having their say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZAHN: Was your sister offended?

L. CHENEY: It was a very offensive thing for him to do, yes.

ZAHN: Did you talk to her about it?

L. CHENEY: It was very offensive. I think I'll just leave it there. I think people can make their own judgment about what he said.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: The war of words over Kerry's comments during the third debate is heating up. But what do voters say? We'll take a look, when CNN SATURDAY MORNING continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: And welcome back, everyone, to CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

You're taking a live look at New Orleans, Louisiana and the Super Dome.

Rob Marciano is coming up in just a couple of minutes for your forecast, New Orleans. Checking our top stories this morning, explosions rock the Iraqi capital of Baghdad this morning. Five churches in four different neighborhoods are hit. Damages reported, but no injuries.

A Russian Soyuz spacecraft docks with the international space station and delivers a fresh crew. The Russian and American, who have already been there for six months, will return to earth aboard the Soyuz.

Martha Stewart says she's adjusting to life behind bars. In a Web site letter, Stewart likens prison to an old-fashioned college campus without the freedoms. She's serving a five month sentence at a West Virginia prison for lying about a stock sale.

NGUYEN: To politics now and whether Senator John Kerry crossed the line. Vice President Dick Cheney's family says he did. Kerry mentioned Cheney's openly gay daughter Mary in Wednesday's presidential debate. Now, Kerry says he feels his comments were positive.

But in a town hall meeting hosted by our own Paula Zahn, Mary Cheney's sister says Kerry was out of line.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

ZAHN: Were you offended by the fact that he mentioned your sister being a lesbian?

L. CHENEY: I was offended.

ZAHN: And tell me why.

L. CHENEY: I think that it was out of bounds...

ZAHN: Why?

L. CHENEY: ... for Senator Kerry to exploit the child of his opponent to make a political point on his own, for his own political gain. And I have to say I think that I, like many Americans all across this country today, are wondering what kind of a man would do that?

ZAHN: Was your sister offended?

L. CHENEY: It was a very offensive thing for him to do, yes.

ZAHN: Did you talk to her about it?

L. CHENEY: It was very offensive. I think I'll just leave it there. I think people can make their own judgment about what he said. It has nothing to do with, you know, shame. And I think Mrs. Edwards was also out of line.

Mary is one of my heroes and it has nothing to do with being ashamed of Mary. The issue is whether or not Senator Kerry or Senator Edwards, who did the same thing, frankly, in the debate with my father, have the right to exploit her, to bring her up in a situation in which they're clearly trying to make some kind of political point or some kind of political gain.

And I think it's actually unprecedented in the history of American presidential politics that you would see that happen.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

NGUYEN: Kerry had been asked in the debate about whether he thinks homosexuality is a choice. And that's what sparked all of that.

HARRIS: Yes, yes.

What used to be exclusively American sporting events now have a -- has a distinctively world flavor.

NGUYEN: A look at how that international flavor has changed U.S. sports forever when we take you "Beyond The Game" right here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Traditional American sports are popular all around the world. You can see the trend on the basketball court in the export of stars like Yao Ming and Ajistori Yakovic (ph). And in baseball, there is Hideki Matsui, Ichiro Suzuki.

Well, this morning we take a look at how that international impact is changing the business and the look of the American sports scene.

Joining us fresh from his trip to the Asia Sports Summit and an Expo which happened in Thailand is CNN sports analyst and the author of "When the Game Is On the Line."

Of course, we are talking about Rick Horrow -- Rick, good morning to you.

RICK HORROW, CNN SPORTS BUSINESS ANALYST: Good morning.

How are you? Jet lagged, but a beautiful day.

NGUYEN: I do -- I imagine you're jet lagged, yes, after that trip.

HORROW: It's a gorgeous day.

NGUYEN: Well, let's talk about this. One good piece of evidence is the number of NBA teams playing overseas during the pre-season. Talk about the international impact.

HORROW: Well, also, Yao Ming and the Rockets are playing Sacramento in Shanghai and Beijing pre-season this weekend. And a lot of it is NBA, and, frankly, coming over from Thailand and just missing, absolutely missing fast food coming back here. The bottom line is seeing the importance of the NBA. They're in 205 countries, television wise; 45 languages. Half the Web site visitors are from out of the country. What that does is breeds excitement at home, in China and the Far East.

Thirty leagues, a $10 million profit, Reebok and Adidas with 600 outlets; Nike, as well. The bottom line is they're are 1.3 billion people in China who are very excited about the possibility of basketball leading up to the 2008 Olympics. Asia following (AUDIO GAP) really good for the NBA, not just the Far East.

NGUYEN: Very lucrative, it seems, for everyone.

Well, OK, in the midst of the baseball playoffs, we're switching now, what about the global effect of that game?

HORROW: Well, you know, not only has there been the basketball, tennis, golf, even beach volleyball was trying, baseball is key. And, of course, they market, as well. They had the Yankees and the Devil Rays open the regular season in Japan and they tried to promote as hard as they could also.

But the two stars you mentioned before, Matsui leading the Yankees to the championship series. By the way, he's got a major deal with Continental Airlines but his face and mug is also on a Japan Airlines planed as part of a sponsorship. Then you've got Suzuki winning the hits record, breaking it in the American League and National League this year for all of baseball. (AUDIO GAP) connection with the Mariners and Starbucks. Of the 6,000 Starbucks around the globe, there are 300 in Japan, which is exciting for us as we drink our coffee in the morning, by the way.

NGUYEN: Yes. And lots of it this morning, especially this early.

All right, well here in America, Fox Sports got the match up they wanted with the Red Sox and Yankees, although it rained out last night. So far, are ratings what many people had hoped?

HORROW: Well, yes, here's the thing. Baseball is really rebounding. They're revenue sharing in a major deal, about $300 million. They have a long way to go. A Harris Poll just now says eight percent less people look at baseball as their favorite sport.

So what are they counting on? This wonderful Yankee-Red Sox series. We heard about the curse of the Red Sox. Hey, how about the curse of Fox? Game two across from the Kerry-Bush debate, predictably down 15 percent. Last night the game was rained out. Fox replaced it with a movie about an FBI agent dog that befriended a family.

NGUYEN: Oh, I saw that last night.

HORROW: Ratings last -- hey, good movie, but here are the...

NGUYEN: It's funny.

HORROW: All right, this is not a movie critic time, OK? Great movie, but here were the baseball ratings. They're going to make it up on Monday. The bottom line is Fox lost about $225 million, they said, last year in baseball. So they've got to go a long way to make that up this year.

NGUYEN: It's a good match up, though. A lot of people are watching.

All right, time for our "Fair Ball/Foul Ball" pick of the week. I'm going to send you a curve ball, because we're going to start with the foul ball instead of the fair ball.

What's your pick?

HORROW: Foul ball, curve ball. The first foul ball is you as a movie critic. The second...

NGUYEN: Oh, Rick.

HORROW: The second -- sorry. Good-bye.

NGUYEN: Well, what sparked all of this? You know, that jet lag, you've got to stay off planes.

HORROW: Yes, ma'am. Whatever you say.

The first foul ball is really a report by the "Washington Post," which just released a study that says that schools like Ohio State, in fact, 11 in the top 25, give courts credit for playing football. In fact, Kansas State Coach Bill Snyder, the professor, said 84 of their 91 students there received As. If you're cynical about the role of student athletes and college football anyway, this doesn't help.

NGUYEN: All right, now to the fair ball.

HORROW: Well, here's the silver lining in the dark cloud. As we talk about college athletics, former Nebraska head coach and current U.S. Congressman Tom Osborne has introduced a bill called the Sports Agent Responsibility & Trust Act, signed by President Bush last week, attempting to clean up agents, requiring agents to register and not, in the bill's words, lure college athletes early into giving up their eligibility.

So, it's a way to clean up college sports. And some would say it's long overdue.

NGUYEN: All right, movie critic, sports critic, analyst...

HORROW: Hey, let's go watch...

NGUYEN: What do you call him?

HORROW: Let's go watch a movie together and then we'll give ourselves a review.

NGUYEN: You didn't like the movie? Oh, it was funny. HORROW: I loved -- hey, I loved the movie. I watched it with my daughter. It was real exciting. I was crying when that dog licked the cop in the face. That was really -- it was really good.

NGUYEN: Yes, we'll talk about that. A funny movie, that. Give it a thumbs up.

HARRIS: Right.

Good-bye.

NGUYEN: All right, thanks, Rick.

We'll see you next week -- Tony.

HARRIS: Jet lag affects folks in different ways, it seems.

It was his wedding day, but that's not all that made it the event one groom will never forget. When we come back, a wedding day phone call that changed this happy couple's life forever.

And good morning New Orleans. Rob Marciano's forecast for your Voodoo Music Festival is coming up. Featured entertainment includes Green Day and Kid Rock. Kid Rock.

We will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Today's "Wows of the Week" begin in West Sussex, England. That's where you find some of the world's most competitive lawn mower racers. As luck would have it, the dusty course is right across from a pub. Works for me. Nothing like a few pints to celebrate after mowing down the field of challengers.

In Illinois, one military family has five new recruits. Taunacy Horton gave birth to quintuplets earlier this week -- three girls and two boys. It's a bittersweet time for the family, though dad is a Marine in Iraq and was badly wounded recently. He is now recovering at the naval hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.

And in Detroit, the groom promised his heart to his bride. And then it was off to the hospital to get a new heart. The couple had already set their wedding date when the hospital called to say a donor heart had become available. Rather than postpone the nuptials, they just pushed up the ceremony by an hour. We have a feeling the groom will never forget his wedding anniversary. And no truth to the rumor that the pending nuptials led to the heart problems in the first place. That's an ugly rumor. I just want to squash that right now.

NGUYEN: Yes. We're going to get to the heart of these stories. And speaking of it, we do want to welcome Tony Harris to the show.

HARRIS: Let me thank you.

NGUYEN: Good morning to you. HARRIS: Boy, I tell you what, you drive this ship. You just drive this. I'm along for the ride.

NGUYEN: It's early, folks, very early. He's still new -- Rob. He hasn't learned the ropes just yet.

But we do want to mention that Drew Griffin is still around, not far away. He's part of the investigative unit and we'll see him on the anchor desk now and then.

MARCIANO: Well, they figure if they can take Betty, then they can put him just about anywhere and (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

NGUYEN: Exactly. I'm the litmus test around here.

MARCIANO: No. You and Tony make a great pair there.

Tony, welcome again.

HARRIS: All right.

MARCIANO: And we're looking forward to working with you.

HARRIS: Yes. Thank you.

Thank you.

Nice to be here.

NGUYEN: How's the weather this morning?

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: We want to get to our e-mail Question of the Day.

And we have lots of responses this morning.

Our e-mail question is are you worried about not getting the flu shot because of some of the shortages this year?

And this person writes: "I have tried to find a flu shot for my 71-year-old mom, who has compromised health issues, including her heart and diabetes and I cannot find it anywhere. Her own primary care doctor doesn't even have it. What is wrong with our country that we can't manufacture our own flu vaccine? Is it all fear of being sued?"

HARRIS: OK. And here's our second e-mail. It's from Janis in Long Island: "I cannot believe that the world's superpower, the United States of America, has to rely on the rest of the world for our health."

NGUYEN: And Andrew writes: "I think it's insane. There should be no shortage. I'm Canadian and anyone young and old can get the shot, even without a card, a health card." And, of course, we invite you to continue sending your e-mail responses in to our Question of the Day. We'll continue to read those on throughout the show.

HARRIS: And people are upset about this. A lot of people believe, have come to believe in the vaccine, and they want it. They want it each and every year.

NGUYEN: Some people really need it.

HARRIS: Yes.

Well, the next hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING begins right 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 October 16, 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: An apparent coordinated attack this morning on five Christian churches in Baghdad. This on the second day of Ramadan.
From the CNN Center here in Atlanta, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

Is it 7:00 a.m. in the East, 4:00 a.m. out West, October 16 today.

Good morning to you.

I'm Betty Nguyen.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning, everyone.

I'm Tony Harris.

Thank you for being with us.

Let's get started with today's top stories.

An American soldier has died of wounds suffered earlier today in a car bomb attack in Mosul. That brings the U.S. death toll in the Iraq war to 1,090. Bombs exploded this morning at five Christian churches in Baghdad, but no one was hurt. We'll take you there live in just a few minutes.

In Afghanistan, two American soldiers are dead and three others have been wounded in a blast that targeted their convoy. The U.S. military says a homemade bomb was used for the attack in a south central province. There are no suspects in the bombing.

And a Russian Soyuz spacecraft docks with the international space station, delivering a fresh two man crew to the station. The Russian and the American who have been there for six months will return to earth with the Soyuz pilots.

NGUYEN: Among the many stories and issues ahead for you this morning, check it out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Was your sister offended? LIZ CHENEY, MARY CHENEY'S SISTER: It was a very offensive thing for him to do, yes.

ZAHN: Did you talk to her about it?

L. CHENEY: It was very offensive. I think I'll just leave it there. I think people can make their own judgment about what he said.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: The Cheney family circles the wagons after the sexual orientation of one daughter becomes a debate issue.

In the rough and tumble world of presidential politics, is there such a thing as a taboo topic?

Also ahead, a refueling mission in Iraq turns into a volatile situation (AUDIO GAP) refuse to go along. Is it a sign of dissension in the ranks?

Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr will have our report.

And later, the international face of American sports and what that means for the bottom line. CNN sports business analyst Rick Horrow will have that in our weekly look at "Beyond The Game."

MYERS: And our top story this morning, the Baghdad church bombings.

Let's head live to the Iraqi capital for more details.

CNN's Karl Penhaul is there -- Karl, what's the latest?

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, there, Tony.

Those five Christian churches across Baghdad were bombed shortly before dawn this morning in an apparent coordinated, near simultaneous series of attacks. The Iraqi interior ministry has told us that (AUDIO GAP) homemade bombs. A CNN team is now on the scene at the site of one of those attacks, outside St. George's Church. They've told us at present that U.S. soldiers are on the scene investigating the scale and the cause of the blast.

That team also tells us that there has been extensive damage to St. George's Church and that some of the woodwork there is still smoldering. Early assessments by the soldiers on the scene there suggest about 60 pounds of bomb making material was used in that blast.

Now, this religious -- on religious violence, the sectarian violence is an issue that's been obscured somewhat by the wider issue of the resistance versus the coalition war going on. But nevertheless, in the last few weeks, there have been a number of incidences where the Christian community has been targeted in Iraq.

About two weeks ago, seven Christians were killed as they left a social club here in Baghdad. You may remember that back in August, four churches here in Baghdad and another one in Mosul were attacked by car bombs. Several deaths at that time. And those attacks at that stage were blamed on the Zarqawi network, that group that coalition authorities believe is holed up in Fallujah.

So far, though, in terms of today's attacks on those churches, no claims of responsibility yet. But investigations are under way -- Tony.

MYERS: Karl Penhaul reporting for us live from Baghdad this morning.

Karl, thank you.

Also from Iraq this morning, reports of a rebellion in the ranks. The Army is investigating whether some members of a supply platoon, a Reserve unit from South Carolina, refused to go on a convoy mission. The soldiers reportedly said the mission was dangerous and their unarmed vehicles were in bad shape.

More on this story after the half hour.

NGUYEN: Turning now to the race for the White House.

Democrat John Kerry's day begins with a campaign swing in southern Ohio this morning. He'll be traveling through Greene and Pike Counties, both staunchly Republican and both won by Bush in 2000.

CNN's Ed Henry joins us now from Xenia, the site of a Kerry rally a little later this morning.

Good morning to you -- Ed.

ED HENRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Betty.

That's right, at the end of this week, the John Kerry camp is feeling very good. They feel like they won the third and final debate in the middle of the week and they feel that it was three for three overall in all of the presidential debates. And they feel they have a little bit of a head of steam now heading into the final two and a half weeks. And they basically have a two pronged strategy. The first is to hit as many of these battleground states as possible, a dwindling number of battleground states. There was original about 18 battlegrounds, now down to about 10, starting with Ohio right here, 20 electoral votes. It's a state that George Bush won in 2000. No Republican has ever won the White House without first carrying Ohio. That's why John Kerry is very hopeful he can get it. Some polls show he may be pulling slightly ahead. It has been neck and neck here.

Also, tomorrow, John Kerry will be heading to Florida, of course, yet another key battleground dating back to 2000. It's once again up for grabs. He will be heading there tomorrow.

The second part of the strategy is to really try to focus, after spending a lot of time on Iraq and national security, John Kerry really wants to hone in on the domestic agenda. We've heard him all this week talking about the economy, talking about jobs, talking about health care and education. That's what he will be doing again today on a bus tour through Ohio.

And as Kerry has gained this confidence this week after that third and final debate, we've also seen kind of a sharper stump speech. He's been more aggressive in attacking President Bush, specifically on the issues here at home, like he did last night in Appleton, Wisconsin.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Appleton is the hometown of Harry Houdini. And I suddenly said to myself, you know, that's perfect because George Bush keeps trying to hide all of his mistakes. And it occurred to me that even Harry Houdini couldn't hide George Bush's mistakes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENRY: Wisconsin another key battleground, 10 electoral votes at stake. Al Gore won it in 2000. Polls show that John Kerry is going to have a hard time holding onto it this time around. He wants to make sure that he shores it up. That's why he was in Wisconsin again. Now he's in Ohio.

But the president, who this weekend will also be hitting a lot of battlegrounds, is giving a speech today. The Kerry camp has already gotten wind of the fact that the president will be zeroing in on the one year anniversary of John Kerry's vote against the $87 billion in money for the troops. The Kerry campaign already has a response, even before the president has given the speech.

Stephanie Cutter, the Kerry spokeswoman, telling us, "Bring it on." Basically the Kerry camp feels that if the president wants to talk more about Iraq, it will bring up his negatives and they feel that they, instead, will focus on the domestic agenda -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Getting hairy, right down to the wire.

Ed Henry, thank you so much for that report.

Senator Kerry's wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, has filed her final 2003 federal tax form. And, as promised last spring, Mrs. Kerry is disclosing some of that information. A summary shows the heiress to the Heinz ketchup fortune had a gross taxable income of more than $2,290,000. Most of that is from dividends and interest she receives from the Heinz family trust. She paid $627,150 in federal income taxes and $171,670 in state income taxes.

Now, in addition to that, Mrs. Kerry is responsible for more than $4.6 million in charitable contributions.

President Bush kicks off a three city bus tour in Florida today. First stop? Fort Lauderdale. While campaigning in the Midwest yesterday, the president spotlighted domestic issues and criticized Senator Kerry's record on education. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The senator's record is 20 years of how the mainstream votes without many significant reforms or results to show for those 20 years. The records are important because our country faces many challenges and the next president must recognize the need for reform and must be able to lead to achieve them.

In the final debate, when I talked about the vital link between education and jobs, the senator didn't seem to get it. He said I switched away from jobs and started talking about education. No. Good jobs start with good education.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Now, in addition to Fort Lauderdale, the president will attend rallies in West Palm Beach and Melbourne.

HARRIS: The latest now on the flu vaccine supply or the lack of it. U.S. health officials say they can't vouch for the safety of the vaccine made at a plant in Britain. The plant is owned by Chiron Corporation, a major U.S. flu vaccine supplier. This means officials are confirming what they feared earlier -- the U.S. vaccine supply will be about half of what they expected. The shortage has sparked fears of price gouging and of vaccine turning up on the black market. We will have more on that in our 9:00 a.m. Eastern hour. Dr. Peter Bellenson will join us. He is the Baltimore City health commissioner.

And we also want to know how the vaccine shortage is affecting you. That takes us to our e-mail Question of the Day. Are you concerned about the flu vaccine shortage this year? Drop us a line at wam@cnn.com.

NGUYEN: Time now for our weekly "Rewind," a look at some of the top stories from the past week. Sinclair Broadcasting ordered its 62 television stations to air an anti-John Kerry film show here. But Kerry's campaign is demanding equal time. The campaign wants Kerry supporters to also get some airtime on Sinclair stations.

Kerry and George Bush held their final presidential debate on Wednesday. With three debates behind them now, the two are heading into the campaign home stretch. Polls show the race is still neck and neck.

Long lines this week at clinics across the U.S. amid a major flu vaccine shortage. The supply is down, as we just mentioned. But the demand is up and the prices, well, they are way up. Hospitals have been complaining of price gouging by vaccine suppliers.

And finally, we heard more on Thursday from Yaser Hamdi. He returned to his native Saudi Arabia after being freed by the U.S., which held him for nearly three years as an enemy fighter. Hamdi told CNN he is innocent. Now, under a deal with the U.S., Hamdi has given up his American citizenship.

Tomorrow, we will fast forward to the week ahead and tell you which stories will grab the spotlight.

HARRIS: And, Betty, a key issue that is still dogging John Kerry is his protest of the Vietnam War. He deals with it in a one-on-one interview with CNN political correspondent Candy Crowley right her on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

NGUYEN: Plus, more fallout from a broadcasting company's plans to force its TV stations to air an anti-John Kerry documentary. We'll tell you all about that.

HARRIS: But first, a look at the upcoming DVD releases. The Emmy winning comedy series "Arrested Development," "A Cinderella Story," starring Hilary Duff and the complete second season -- you can't live without this -- of "Sponge Bob Square Pants."

NGUYEN: Yes.

MYERS: And for thrill seekers, "Van Helsing." And two new movies opening nationwide in theaters. We will preview both ahead on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Looking across America this morning, here are some other stories making headlines.

Investigators are seeking the cause of a small plane crash in the Oregon wilderness that killed three teenagers. The teens had been scouting hunting areas on Thursday but failed to return after a couple of hours. A logger spotted the wreckage yesterday in a wilderness area. The 18-year-old pilot was said to be very experienced.

In Alice, Texas, a day care operator faces arraignment next week for allegedly restraining a 3-year-old boy with duct tape. The boy's grandmother found him bound hand and foot after receiving a tip. The owner reportedly told police she taped the boy's wrists and ankles because he was hyperactive. She is charged with injury to a child and negligence.

HARRIS: OK, Betty, here we go. In Los Angeles, Moe the Chimp will get to see his parents again. Moe, well, now well into his 30s, was raised from infancy by the Davise's of West Covina. About five years ago, Moe was forcibly removed to a wildlife sanctuary where visitation was both expensive and restricted. After a long legal battle, Moe has now been transferred to a facility where the Davise's can visit their only child much more often.

And in Cordele, Georgia, a cautionary tale that alcohol and disaster films don't necessarily mix. After consuming a large amount of beer while watching "The Day After Tomorrow," Charles Adams inexplicably burned down his mobile home.

NGUYEN: Well, speaking of politics now, John Kerry says Iraq has become a terrorist magnet and U.S. troops must stay there until the job is done "right." Kerry was questioned by our senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley. (BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: When you came back from Vietnam, the word "quagmire" was used quite a bit. You said, "How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?"

You have called this war the wrong war, wrong time, wrong place, which says to me mistake.

Why do you think we have to stay in Iraq when you didn't think we should stay in Vietnam?

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: They're very different. This is a war on terror, that was a civil war, an ideological war.

CROWLEY: But you said there wasn't a terror threat, right?

KERRY: Oh, there is now. That's the problem. The problem is that where there wasn't a connection to al Qaeda, now you have this extraordinary magnet that's been created for jihadists, who have crossed the border in the thousands, and it is a haven for terrorism now. And I have said...

CROWLEY: So we are staying (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...

KERRY: But I've also said since day one -- no, what you have to do now, Candy, is make certain that it isn't a mistake. And the way you make certain it isn't a mistake is to do it right, which is what I have said from day one.

I believed you had to hold Saddam Hussein accountable. And I said from day one there is a right way to do it and a wrong way to do it. This administration, in almost every decision, chose the wrong way.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: On another topic now, Kerry admitted he cannot pay for all his domestic programs by rolling back tax cuts for high income Americans. Kerry said he'll also get more money by closing corporate tax loopholes and consolidating federal agencies.

HARRIS: An unusual challenge goes out to the media company that wants its 60 plus affiliates to air an anti-John Kerry documentary.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL MOORE, FILMMAKER: Prove to us you're not biased. Show the anti-Kerry film, show my film.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Filmmaker Michael Moore weighs in, coming up.

NGUYEN: And we want to say good morning Atlanta. Get this, Dungeons and Dragons fans, they will converge on the city today to celebrate the 30th birthday of the fantasy role playing game.

HARRIS: Who knew?

NGUYEN: Yes, who knew? Expect a huge crowd for that, Tony.

And Rob Marciano -- I don't know if he's going to be playing along -- but he's just ahead with the forecast.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Haven't had enough over the top dry political wit this week? Well, why not take it to the next level with "Team America: World Police?" That's opening this weekend.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE," COURTESY PARAMOUNT PICTURES)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The world is on the brink of disaster and the only thing standing between order and chaos is us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone try to have fun with global politics, of all things. A warning, though. These aren't your kids marionettes. The "Los Angeles Times" calls the film "a raunchy satire" and noted the film had to be altered to avoid an NC-17 rating.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "SHALL WE DANCE?," COURTESY MIRAMAX PICTURES)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's the rumba. It's the dance of love. And he's just not giving me anything.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Can you say issues? But if you're needing a break from global politics, shall we dance? The new movie takes you step by step into the perennial battle of love, as you see there. The "Kansas City Star" says Jennifer Lopez's performance, well, it isn't horrible, but that Richard Gere steals the show.

And speaking of stealing the show, guess who we have today?

HARRIS: Oh, come on. Come on.

NGUYEN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

Welcome to the CNN team.

HARRIS: Hey, Betty. How are you?

NGUYEN: I'm doing great.

How are you?

HARRIS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Hi, Rob.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Tony, good to see you.

Betty, you have a new...

HARRIS: Thanks, you guys.

MARCIANO: Betty, you have a new -- you've got -- what happened to Drew? I mean he was...

(CROSSTALK)

NGUYEN: I scared him off. I have that effect on men, Rob. Can't you tell?

MARCIANO: No, no, no.

HARRIS: Well, it's good to be with you guys.

NGUYEN: Well, we're so glad to have you here today.

HARRIS: Oh, thank you.

NGUYEN: And today is the 30th anniversary of Dungeons and Dragons.

You know all about this don't you, Rob?

MARCIANO: Well, that's why we thought Tony should debut today.

NGUYEN: OK.

HARRIS: Yes, yes, today, right.

(CROSSTALK)

HARRIS: Like I have a clue about this.

MARCIANO: A talented local anchor here in Atlanta and so you didn't have to pay -- make much of a move to come over here.

HARRIS: Not much of a move, right.

NGUYEN: No.

HARRIS: The family stays put, the kids stay in the school. Everyone's happy.

MARCIANO: That's great.

NGUYEN: That's always -- yes. Make sure the wife is happy.

HARRIS: Please. Absolutely.

NGUYEN: That's always a good thing.

HARRIS: I've learned that.

MARCIANO: But Betty hasn't been quite here in Atlanta for a full year yet.

NGUYEN: No. So you're going to show me the ropes.

MARCIANO: It does get cold in the winter time.

HARRIS: Yes.

MARCIANO: I mean, she may be surprised to see her breath this morning.

(CROSSTALK)

NGUYEN: I noticed that. I had to bring in a coat today.

MARCIANO: Yes, hey, get used to it.

NGUYEN: I kind of felt like a wimp. I didn't see any other coats around the place.

MARCIANO: Well, you'll toughen up as it goes...

NGUYEN: Coming from Dallas.

MARCIANO: It won't be that, Betty.

NGUYEN: All right, all right.

MARCIANO: Anyway, Tony, good to have you along.

HARRIS: Oh, thank you.

MARCIANO: We're happy to have you with us.

HARRIS: Good to be here.

MARCIANO: And, Betty, good morning to you.

NGUYEN: Good morning.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: Speaking of cold weather, and as we head into flu season, that leads us to our e-mail Question of the Day. Are you concerned about the flu vaccine shortage this year? Send us your thoughts on that. All you have to do is e-mail us at wam@cnn.com.

HARRIS: Following orders or an orderly protest? Facing a dangerous mission, what exactly did those Army Reservists do recently when given a direct order? That's the question and the military wants answers. More straight ahead.

NGUYEN: Plus, don't ask, don't tell. Sexual preference becomes a debate hot button. We'll look at the fallout from a comment made in the third presidential debate.

First, though, this morning's "Health For Her."

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

HOLLY FIRFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With top performing athletes like Serena and Venus Williams dominating their sports, women have never been more physically fit. But can women be too physically fit? The answer is yes. Female athletes triad syndrome is a major health risk affecting an estimated 15 to 62 percent of female college athletes. Female athletes under intense pressure to be thin for performance can suffer from eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia, or could simply not be taking in enough calories to cover the amount of energy they're exerting.

This can cause amenorrhea, or the loss of menstrual cycle for six months or more, which can lead to the third component, premature bone loss, or osteoporosis.

Holly Firfer, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: As if it wasn't tight enough already, the gap between the candidates is getting closer.

Welcome back to CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

I'm Tony Harris.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen.

That story in just a minute.

But first, here's a look at the headlines.

Some outer space excitement this morning. A Russian spacecraft has safely docked at the international space station after a bit of a glitch. An alarm indicated the craft was coming in too fast, prompting crew members to switch to manual control. The rocket brought a new crew to the station.

A deadly attack in Afghanistan. The target, American soldiers. The U.S. military says two soldiers were killed when a bomb blast hit their convoy. It happened Thursday in the south central part of the country. They're the first U.S. soldiers reported killed in Afghanistan since last week's historic national election.

Top U.S. health officials are now confirming that what they had earlier suspected -- none of the flu vaccine made at a British plant, which is owned by a major supplier of U.S. vaccine, is usable. Now, that means the expected U.S. supply is being cut in half.

HARRIS: There are 17 days until we all head to the polls. The presidential race is still in a dead heat. But we are seeing some dramatic changes in the all important electoral map that appears to shift momentum to Democrat John Kerry.

For the past two weeks, it has stood at 301 electoral votes for President Bush and 237 for Senator Kerry. But if the election were held today, the president's lead is cut to 277 electoral votes to John Kerry's 261. Ohio and New Hampshire would switch to Senator Kerry. Two hundred seventy votes are needed to win.

On the campaign trail, President Bush heads to Florida today. He is on a bus tour that will take him to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Melbourne. He is expected to take some jabs at John Kerry's vote on $87 billion in aid for Iraq and Afghanistan. Tomorrow is the anniversary of that Senate vote.

For his part, Senator Kerry is in another battleground state today, Ohio. He is attending campaign events in staunchly Republican areas, Greene and Pike Counties. Bush won both in 2000.

The Kerry campaign demands the right to reply to a film that slams the Democratic presidential candidate. Sinclair Broadcast Group has asked its 62 TV stations to broadcast a documentary critical of Kerry's Vietnam service commercial free just weeks before the election. In a letter to Sinclair's president, Kerry's campaign asked for equal time to respond.

Last night on the "Tonight" show, film producer Michael Moore offered up his anti-Bush documentary, "Fahrenheit 911," as balance.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO," COURTESY NBC)

MOORE: What I want to do is I want to offer to Sinclair Broadcasting, you know, because they say oh, no, we're not biased because we're showing this anti-Kerry film on our...

JAY LENO, HOST: So you'll give it to them for free? MOORE: I will give -- yes. I will give my film to Sinclair Broadcasting for free. You can show it for free. Show -- prove to us you're not biased. Show the anti-Kerry film and show my film.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Now, earlier this week, Democratic senators failed in an effort to get the Federal Communications Commission to block the broadcast. The Democratic National Committee is also asking the Federal Election Committee to intervene.

NGUYEN: In Baghdad, five Christian churches in four different neighborhoods were damaged by explosions today. Iraq's interior ministry says the blasts were caused by homemade bombs. There were no reports of injuries, though. Now, just after that, two mortar shells exploded outside a Baghdad hospital and a hotel. One medic was killed and three other hospital employees were wounded.

A U.S. soldier has died of wounds suffered in a car bomb attack today in Mosul. The death brings the number of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq to 1,090.

The U.S. military is investigating whether a Reserve unit in Iraq violated the rules by refusing to go on a dangerous mission.

Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr has all the details.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is one of the most dangerous missions in Iraq, driving a convoy. This past Wednesday in Tallil, southeast of Baghdad, 19 soldiers from a supply platoon failed to report for a mission to drive a fuel truck north to Taji.

It is now believed five of the soldiers may actually have refused their orders.

Specialist Amber McClenny left this frantic message on her mother's answering machine.

SPEC. AMBER MCCLENNY, U.S. ARMY: Hi, Mom, this is Amber. This is a real, real big emergency. I need you to contact someone. I mean, raise pure hell. We -- yesterday we refused to go to on a convoy to Taji, which is above Baghdad...

STARR: The Army is emphasizing this is an isolated incident, saying, "It is far too early in the investigation to speculate as to what happened, why it happened, or any action that might be taken."

Patricia Ann McCook says the troops were worried about safety, including her husband, Sergeant Larry McCook.

PATRICIA ANN MCCOOK, WIFE OF SGT. LARRY MCCOOK: They don't have bulletproof protection on the vehicles. They just don't go fast at all. It's just not safe to be in a hostile territory.

STARR: Three probes are under way into the actions of the soldiers from the 343rd Quartermaster Company, a Reserve unit from South Carolina. Investigators are talking to all of those involved, trying to find out what happened and why.

Another inquiry is determining whether there were violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. And the commanding officer has ordered a safety maintenance stand-down, during which all vehicles will be inspected and retraining will be done.

Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson says relatives of the soldiers told him the unit had unsafe equipment.

REP. BENNIE THOMPSON (D), MISSISSIPPI: And it goes to the issue of whether or not we have adequately equipped our men and women to fight this war in Iraq.

STARR: According to a military source, some of the soldiers raised valid concerns, an indication there may have been safety problems with the equipment. But the source said the concerns were raised in an inappropriate manner, causing a breakdown in discipline.

(on camera): The convoy was eventually driven by other soldiers.

Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

HARRIS: Updating our terrorism watch now, CNN's Nic Robertson has been following the story of Yaser Hamdi, an American born Saudi citizen caught up in the war on terror. Hamdi is now free in Saudi Arabia after three years in a U.S. military prison. He was captured in Afghanistan in 2001 and held as an enemy combatant. Hamdi remains silent about why he went there two months before September 11. After the Supreme Court ruled on his case, the Justice Department released him without charge.

New video surfaced this week showing the beheading of two men identified as Iraqi intelligence officers. And video from an Islamic group claims to have beheaded a Turkish truck driver for aiding U.S. forces in Iraq.

In London, an extradition hearing today for Muslim cleric Abu Hamza. He faces charges in the U.S. of supporting al Qaeda. But British prosecutors want to first try Hamza under their Terrorism Act 2000. He would be required to serve any British sentence before being extradited.

NGUYEN: Well, first he said, then she said. Now it seems everyone is having their say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZAHN: Was your sister offended?

L. CHENEY: It was a very offensive thing for him to do, yes.

ZAHN: Did you talk to her about it?

L. CHENEY: It was very offensive. I think I'll just leave it there. I think people can make their own judgment about what he said.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: The war of words over Kerry's comments during the third debate is heating up. But what do voters say? We'll take a look, when CNN SATURDAY MORNING continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: And welcome back, everyone, to CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

You're taking a live look at New Orleans, Louisiana and the Super Dome.

Rob Marciano is coming up in just a couple of minutes for your forecast, New Orleans. Checking our top stories this morning, explosions rock the Iraqi capital of Baghdad this morning. Five churches in four different neighborhoods are hit. Damages reported, but no injuries.

A Russian Soyuz spacecraft docks with the international space station and delivers a fresh crew. The Russian and American, who have already been there for six months, will return to earth aboard the Soyuz.

Martha Stewart says she's adjusting to life behind bars. In a Web site letter, Stewart likens prison to an old-fashioned college campus without the freedoms. She's serving a five month sentence at a West Virginia prison for lying about a stock sale.

NGUYEN: To politics now and whether Senator John Kerry crossed the line. Vice President Dick Cheney's family says he did. Kerry mentioned Cheney's openly gay daughter Mary in Wednesday's presidential debate. Now, Kerry says he feels his comments were positive.

But in a town hall meeting hosted by our own Paula Zahn, Mary Cheney's sister says Kerry was out of line.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

ZAHN: Were you offended by the fact that he mentioned your sister being a lesbian?

L. CHENEY: I was offended.

ZAHN: And tell me why.

L. CHENEY: I think that it was out of bounds...

ZAHN: Why?

L. CHENEY: ... for Senator Kerry to exploit the child of his opponent to make a political point on his own, for his own political gain. And I have to say I think that I, like many Americans all across this country today, are wondering what kind of a man would do that?

ZAHN: Was your sister offended?

L. CHENEY: It was a very offensive thing for him to do, yes.

ZAHN: Did you talk to her about it?

L. CHENEY: It was very offensive. I think I'll just leave it there. I think people can make their own judgment about what he said. It has nothing to do with, you know, shame. And I think Mrs. Edwards was also out of line.

Mary is one of my heroes and it has nothing to do with being ashamed of Mary. The issue is whether or not Senator Kerry or Senator Edwards, who did the same thing, frankly, in the debate with my father, have the right to exploit her, to bring her up in a situation in which they're clearly trying to make some kind of political point or some kind of political gain.

And I think it's actually unprecedented in the history of American presidential politics that you would see that happen.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

NGUYEN: Kerry had been asked in the debate about whether he thinks homosexuality is a choice. And that's what sparked all of that.

HARRIS: Yes, yes.

What used to be exclusively American sporting events now have a -- has a distinctively world flavor.

NGUYEN: A look at how that international flavor has changed U.S. sports forever when we take you "Beyond The Game" right here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Traditional American sports are popular all around the world. You can see the trend on the basketball court in the export of stars like Yao Ming and Ajistori Yakovic (ph). And in baseball, there is Hideki Matsui, Ichiro Suzuki.

Well, this morning we take a look at how that international impact is changing the business and the look of the American sports scene.

Joining us fresh from his trip to the Asia Sports Summit and an Expo which happened in Thailand is CNN sports analyst and the author of "When the Game Is On the Line."

Of course, we are talking about Rick Horrow -- Rick, good morning to you.

RICK HORROW, CNN SPORTS BUSINESS ANALYST: Good morning.

How are you? Jet lagged, but a beautiful day.

NGUYEN: I do -- I imagine you're jet lagged, yes, after that trip.

HORROW: It's a gorgeous day.

NGUYEN: Well, let's talk about this. One good piece of evidence is the number of NBA teams playing overseas during the pre-season. Talk about the international impact.

HORROW: Well, also, Yao Ming and the Rockets are playing Sacramento in Shanghai and Beijing pre-season this weekend. And a lot of it is NBA, and, frankly, coming over from Thailand and just missing, absolutely missing fast food coming back here. The bottom line is seeing the importance of the NBA. They're in 205 countries, television wise; 45 languages. Half the Web site visitors are from out of the country. What that does is breeds excitement at home, in China and the Far East.

Thirty leagues, a $10 million profit, Reebok and Adidas with 600 outlets; Nike, as well. The bottom line is they're are 1.3 billion people in China who are very excited about the possibility of basketball leading up to the 2008 Olympics. Asia following (AUDIO GAP) really good for the NBA, not just the Far East.

NGUYEN: Very lucrative, it seems, for everyone.

Well, OK, in the midst of the baseball playoffs, we're switching now, what about the global effect of that game?

HORROW: Well, you know, not only has there been the basketball, tennis, golf, even beach volleyball was trying, baseball is key. And, of course, they market, as well. They had the Yankees and the Devil Rays open the regular season in Japan and they tried to promote as hard as they could also.

But the two stars you mentioned before, Matsui leading the Yankees to the championship series. By the way, he's got a major deal with Continental Airlines but his face and mug is also on a Japan Airlines planed as part of a sponsorship. Then you've got Suzuki winning the hits record, breaking it in the American League and National League this year for all of baseball. (AUDIO GAP) connection with the Mariners and Starbucks. Of the 6,000 Starbucks around the globe, there are 300 in Japan, which is exciting for us as we drink our coffee in the morning, by the way.

NGUYEN: Yes. And lots of it this morning, especially this early.

All right, well here in America, Fox Sports got the match up they wanted with the Red Sox and Yankees, although it rained out last night. So far, are ratings what many people had hoped?

HORROW: Well, yes, here's the thing. Baseball is really rebounding. They're revenue sharing in a major deal, about $300 million. They have a long way to go. A Harris Poll just now says eight percent less people look at baseball as their favorite sport.

So what are they counting on? This wonderful Yankee-Red Sox series. We heard about the curse of the Red Sox. Hey, how about the curse of Fox? Game two across from the Kerry-Bush debate, predictably down 15 percent. Last night the game was rained out. Fox replaced it with a movie about an FBI agent dog that befriended a family.

NGUYEN: Oh, I saw that last night.

HORROW: Ratings last -- hey, good movie, but here are the...

NGUYEN: It's funny.

HORROW: All right, this is not a movie critic time, OK? Great movie, but here were the baseball ratings. They're going to make it up on Monday. The bottom line is Fox lost about $225 million, they said, last year in baseball. So they've got to go a long way to make that up this year.

NGUYEN: It's a good match up, though. A lot of people are watching.

All right, time for our "Fair Ball/Foul Ball" pick of the week. I'm going to send you a curve ball, because we're going to start with the foul ball instead of the fair ball.

What's your pick?

HORROW: Foul ball, curve ball. The first foul ball is you as a movie critic. The second...

NGUYEN: Oh, Rick.

HORROW: The second -- sorry. Good-bye.

NGUYEN: Well, what sparked all of this? You know, that jet lag, you've got to stay off planes.

HORROW: Yes, ma'am. Whatever you say.

The first foul ball is really a report by the "Washington Post," which just released a study that says that schools like Ohio State, in fact, 11 in the top 25, give courts credit for playing football. In fact, Kansas State Coach Bill Snyder, the professor, said 84 of their 91 students there received As. If you're cynical about the role of student athletes and college football anyway, this doesn't help.

NGUYEN: All right, now to the fair ball.

HORROW: Well, here's the silver lining in the dark cloud. As we talk about college athletics, former Nebraska head coach and current U.S. Congressman Tom Osborne has introduced a bill called the Sports Agent Responsibility & Trust Act, signed by President Bush last week, attempting to clean up agents, requiring agents to register and not, in the bill's words, lure college athletes early into giving up their eligibility.

So, it's a way to clean up college sports. And some would say it's long overdue.

NGUYEN: All right, movie critic, sports critic, analyst...

HORROW: Hey, let's go watch...

NGUYEN: What do you call him?

HORROW: Let's go watch a movie together and then we'll give ourselves a review.

NGUYEN: You didn't like the movie? Oh, it was funny. HORROW: I loved -- hey, I loved the movie. I watched it with my daughter. It was real exciting. I was crying when that dog licked the cop in the face. That was really -- it was really good.

NGUYEN: Yes, we'll talk about that. A funny movie, that. Give it a thumbs up.

HARRIS: Right.

Good-bye.

NGUYEN: All right, thanks, Rick.

We'll see you next week -- Tony.

HARRIS: Jet lag affects folks in different ways, it seems.

It was his wedding day, but that's not all that made it the event one groom will never forget. When we come back, a wedding day phone call that changed this happy couple's life forever.

And good morning New Orleans. Rob Marciano's forecast for your Voodoo Music Festival is coming up. Featured entertainment includes Green Day and Kid Rock. Kid Rock.

We will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Today's "Wows of the Week" begin in West Sussex, England. That's where you find some of the world's most competitive lawn mower racers. As luck would have it, the dusty course is right across from a pub. Works for me. Nothing like a few pints to celebrate after mowing down the field of challengers.

In Illinois, one military family has five new recruits. Taunacy Horton gave birth to quintuplets earlier this week -- three girls and two boys. It's a bittersweet time for the family, though dad is a Marine in Iraq and was badly wounded recently. He is now recovering at the naval hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.

And in Detroit, the groom promised his heart to his bride. And then it was off to the hospital to get a new heart. The couple had already set their wedding date when the hospital called to say a donor heart had become available. Rather than postpone the nuptials, they just pushed up the ceremony by an hour. We have a feeling the groom will never forget his wedding anniversary. And no truth to the rumor that the pending nuptials led to the heart problems in the first place. That's an ugly rumor. I just want to squash that right now.

NGUYEN: Yes. We're going to get to the heart of these stories. And speaking of it, we do want to welcome Tony Harris to the show.

HARRIS: Let me thank you.

NGUYEN: Good morning to you. HARRIS: Boy, I tell you what, you drive this ship. You just drive this. I'm along for the ride.

NGUYEN: It's early, folks, very early. He's still new -- Rob. He hasn't learned the ropes just yet.

But we do want to mention that Drew Griffin is still around, not far away. He's part of the investigative unit and we'll see him on the anchor desk now and then.

MARCIANO: Well, they figure if they can take Betty, then they can put him just about anywhere and (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

NGUYEN: Exactly. I'm the litmus test around here.

MARCIANO: No. You and Tony make a great pair there.

Tony, welcome again.

HARRIS: All right.

MARCIANO: And we're looking forward to working with you.

HARRIS: Yes. Thank you.

Thank you.

Nice to be here.

NGUYEN: How's the weather this morning?

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: We want to get to our e-mail Question of the Day.

And we have lots of responses this morning.

Our e-mail question is are you worried about not getting the flu shot because of some of the shortages this year?

And this person writes: "I have tried to find a flu shot for my 71-year-old mom, who has compromised health issues, including her heart and diabetes and I cannot find it anywhere. Her own primary care doctor doesn't even have it. What is wrong with our country that we can't manufacture our own flu vaccine? Is it all fear of being sued?"

HARRIS: OK. And here's our second e-mail. It's from Janis in Long Island: "I cannot believe that the world's superpower, the United States of America, has to rely on the rest of the world for our health."

NGUYEN: And Andrew writes: "I think it's insane. There should be no shortage. I'm Canadian and anyone young and old can get the shot, even without a card, a health card." And, of course, we invite you to continue sending your e-mail responses in to our Question of the Day. We'll continue to read those on throughout the show.

HARRIS: And people are upset about this. A lot of people believe, have come to believe in the vaccine, and they want it. They want it each and every year.

NGUYEN: Some people really need it.

HARRIS: Yes.

Well, the next hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING begins right now.

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