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CNN Saturday Morning News

Interview with Nelda Blair, Lida Rodriguez-Taseff

Aired February 19, 2005 - 08:00   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: You have been listening to a U.S. Senate delegation which has arrived in Iraq. That delegation made up of Senators, McCain, Clinton, Feingold, Collins and Graham. While there they are going to be focusing on a number of different issues, including are, U.S. getting the necessary information and equipment needed to stay safe in Iraq. A lot of other issues as well, we'll be talking about within the next half hour. We're going to take a quick break right now.
What did I tell you, it was going to be a quick break.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, that's a quick break.

NGUYEN That was a quick break. We want to welcome you back this morning to CNN SATURDAY MORNING. Got a lot to tell you about. A lot of live news events that we had in the last hour.

HARRIS: Well, lets recap that just a little bit. At the top of the hour, at 7:00 we heard from former Presidents Bush and Clinton who are in Phuket, Thailand on the first of a three-day tour in that region that was devastated on December 26 by the earthquake and tsunami. They'll continue to move on. And they're coordinating the effort and keeping the attention up, particularly in the United States -- particularly in the United States so they can continue to raise money for that hard hit area.

Let's get you caught up with other headlines now in the news.

Four insurgent attacks in Iraq as Shiite Muslims observe a holy day. The latest a suicide bomb on board a bus in Baghdad. It's not yet clear how many people were killed or wounded. Earlier a suicide bomber detonated in a funeral tent in Baghdad, killing three people. A mortar attacking in Baghdad wounded at least 17. And a suicide bomber killed two people in Baqubah. We'll have live reports minutes from now.

Romans demand the release of an Giulana Sgrena, the Italian journalist being held hostage by insurgents in Iraq. Hundreds of thousands are expected at the rally in Rome after Sgrena appeared in a video this week asking that Italian troops be withdrawn from Iraq.

A powerful earthquake shook eastern Indonesia Today. No causalities or damage are reported so far. Unlike other tremors since that massive earthquake last December this one was not an aftershock. It's epicenter was more than a thousand miles from December's quake. NGUYEN Much more to come this hour on CNN'S SATURDAY MORNING. The U.S. and Japan talk security. And they have a lot to talk about Including a rising nuclear threat, also.

New meaning to the term heavy rain. One California roof just couldn't hold it.

And could packing on some pounds squeeze you out of a job? Well, it could at a new Jersey Casino. Our legal malice -- or analysts will weigh in on that one.

Meanwhile, though, high level security talks today in Washington. Japan's foreign and defense ministers are meeting with the U.S. secretary of state and defense secretary. On the agenda new terrorism threats, possible confrontation in Twain -- in the Twain Straight, and a nuclear North Korea.

CNN's Elaine Quijano is in the White House this morning. She's got a lot to talk about apparently.

Good morning to you, Elaine.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you. Betty, that's right. President Bush considers Japan one of the U.S.' strongest allies. And as the president gets ready for his trip overseas to try to strengthen ties with European leaders, here in Washington his Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, as well as Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld will be meeting with their Japanese counterparts, to try to discuss some of their mutual concerns. One main focus for the talks is China. Specificly, what concerns the U.S. and Japan is a military build-up there, and what effect that may have on China's neighbors in the region. In particular, Taiwan, you mentioned, which China considers a renegade province separated from China by the Taiwan Straight. The worry is that China has missiles pointed at Taiwan. And Japanese officials, for they're part, are particularly concerned because recently a Chinese submarine ended up in Japanese waters. And the U.S. says they will discuss that and a host of other issues, as well.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD BOUCHER, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: I think the fundamental thing to remember is we and Japan are allies. We cooperate together, work together, and talk together about all sorts of things. When our intentions in some parts of Asia, whether it's North Korea, the Taiwan Straits or some other part of Asia, we talk to Japan about.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUIJANO: Now the U.S. finds itself in a delicate position, of course, because of the intricate relationship with the U.S. and China. Things like trade and economic issues, that tie the countries together. At the same time, though, publicly while the U.S. says that China's emergence in a region is a positive thing. Privately they are worried that perhaps more Chinese influence could mean less U.S. influence in the region. So all of those topics on the table, Betty, as those officials meet here in Washington later today -- Betty.

NGUYNE: Yes, let's talk about North Korea. Because it now says it is ready to get back to six-party talks. What does that say about how the U.S. played this or countered what they said about saying, unless you talk with us directly we're not going to deal with this at all?

QUIJANO: Right. Well, privately U.S. officials had said that perhaps that was just a cry for attention, if you will, on the part of North Korea. We should also tell you, though, there are some mixed messages coming out of the region. The Chinese news agency actually reporting that North Korea, an official not naming any names, but saying that they are not ready to come back to the six-party talks. In any case the United States is holding firm to its position, maintaining that the way for North Korea to deal with the United States is through those six-party talks. We will see what happens, though in the days and weeks ahead -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Yes, we will all be watching. Elaine Quijano at the White House. Thank you for that, Elaine.

HARRIS: And here is our e-mail question this morning. Which country, in your opinion, is the biggest threat to U.S. security. Tell us what you think. We're at wam@cnn.com and we will read your replies throughout the morning.

NGUYEN: And here are south Asians -- or how are south Asians recovering from the tsunami disaster? Well, former presidents, Bush and Clinton, are getting a first hand answer, as they kick off the tour of the worst hit regions. The former leaders are in Thailand's Phuket Island this morning. They plan to visit a village where nearly 2,000 people died. And former President Clinton said many tsunami victims still have a long way to go.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: What we have to do now is not to forget these people in places when all the cameras are not there. I think that's the most important message I could say to the American people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: And tomorrow Bush and Clinton visit the hardest hit region Indonesia's Aceh Province.

HARRIS: Now to Iraq. Tens of thousands of Shiite Muslims have gathered in Karbala south of Baghdad. They're marking the holy period of Ashura. Ashura is the tenth and most important day during period of mourning in first month of the Islamic calendar.

On this day, especially those of the Shi'a sect, mourn the death of Hazrat Imam Hussain in the battle of Karbala in 680 A.D. Hussain was the grandson of the prophet Muhammed. During the festivities mourners strike themselves with chains and cut their heads with swords, letting blood run down white smocks to emulate Hussain's suffering.

But it's not just self-inflicted violence that Iraqis are facing during this holy time. Insurgents have also been out in force staging a string of deadly attacks. Let's go straight to Baghdad and CNN senior international correspondent, Nic Robertson. Hello, Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello. Good morning. Well, act different suicide bombers trying to attack crowds in Baghdad as they went -- as they went to commemorate the death of Imam Hussain. What we -- the first attack that we were told about today came as worshipers were going to the Kadamire (ph) area, in the north of Baghdad where there is a shrine. As they were going there three suicide bombers entered the crowd.

We are told that five people were killed, 40 wounded in the detonations there. Shortly after, Iraqi police say that a suicide bomber rode a bicycle into a funeral gathering inside a tent detonating his explosives, killing three, wounding 38. We have then been told by Iraqi police about a further attack. This a rocket propelled grenade fired into a crowd close -- close to the Kadamire area again, this main Shia shrine that most of the Ashura worshipers are going to today.

Then Iraqi police and U.S. troops moved into the area to try to secure the area. Another suicide bomber struck, this time according to Iraqi police, killing three people and wounding 22. U.S. officials say that in that blast one U.S. Soldier was killed, and one wounded. A further report later this afternoon from Iraqi police, again, the southeastern side of Baghdad, three suicide bombers again targeting a checkpoint there, one Iraqi soldier killed by the first suicide bomber. The second suicide bomber shot and killed on the site.

And we're told that the third suicide bomber in that case then detained by the Iraqi security forces. It is what Iraqi security forces have been preparing for this day. A lot of security out on the streets and this year unlike last year, the violence slightly down. The violence focused on Baghdad. No big attacks reported in the holy city of Karbala as happened last year. Back to you.

HARRIS: And Nic, that Congressional delegation in Baghdad is getting a firsthand look at what you have been reporting. The violence there all these months.

ROBERTSON: So far they've been on the Green Zone, the central secure area. They are expecting to get out to three different U.S. bases around the country tomorrow. But so far they have been meeting with Iraqi politicians. They met with a prime minister, the deputy prime minister. They met with the finance minister. What they have been asking these Iraqi ministers about is how quickly the country can be up and running economically.

They heard from the finance minister that what the country needs is not only to be able to pass laws about taxes, but to be able to have a security system that can enforce the taxes to then generate revenue so Iraq won't need money from the international community. And building with security forces. They met with General Petraeus, of course, the U.S. General in charge of rebuilding Iraqi security forces. That very important for them, today, Tony.

HARRIS: Nic Robertson in Baghdad for us, Nic, we appreciate it, thank you.

NGUYEN: All right, listen to this, stopping traffic with pornographic material. We'll look at the legal implications in one states for those that watch porn in their vehicles, inadvertently sharing those images with others.

ROB MARCIANO, METEOROLOGIST: I'm Rob Marciano in the CNN weather center.

Here's a look at the rainfall across parts of Missouri. It's cold enough for snow in St. Louis, but not snowing just yet. We'll talk about that. Plus California continues to get soaked. These weather details are coming up in just a few minutes. CNN SATURDAY MORNING, will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: And checking our top stories, violence taints the Shiite holy day of Ashura in Iraq. There have been numerous attacks, including mortars that landed on a procession of worshipers in Baghdad, wounding 19 people.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld are holding talks in Washington with their Japanese counterparts. One key issue bringing the allies together is shared concern about China's growing military power and it's threat to Taiwan.

Former Presidents Clinton and Bush began touring tsunami ravaged countries today. They visited a village in Thailand this morning, and met people who lost their relatives and livelihoods. It's their first trip to the region since President Bush asked them to head up the American tsunami relief effort.

And back in the states, more rain drenchings already waterlog California. Forecasters warn of flooding and possible mud slides along coastal areas. Rain. Rain. Rain.

NGUYEN: Rain. Rain. And it doesn't seem to be going away any time soon, or will it, Rob Marciano?

HARRIS: Is Rob here today?

NGUYEN: He's back.

MARCIANO: hey.

HARRIS:

MARCIANO: Thanks for letting me play.

HARRIS: Welcome to the big show, Rob.

MARCIANO: Ex-presidents, senators have taken over the show.

HARRIS: That's right.

MARCIANO: I guess, there's no weather to talk about.

HARRIS: None more important than you, how's that.

(WEATHER REPORT)

MARCIANO: Tony and Betty, back to you.

HARRIS: Good to see you there.

NGUYEN: Yes, we're getting a little bit of sunshine among the few then. Thank you, Rob.

HARRIS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Rob.

An Atlantic City casino takes a stand against some of its employees, gaining weight and you could you lose the job. The casino says the rule applies to men and women, but is the mandate legal? The Borgata Babes is how it's been slated here. We'll ask our experts to weigh -- weigh -- weigh in straight ahead.

NGUYEN: Pun intended there, right, Tony? All right.

At the bottom of the hour on HOUSE CALL our Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at drug safety and tries to answer the question what can you take for your pain? That's at 8:30 Eastern.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: In "Legal Briefs" this morning, why plaintiff attorneys can still say show me the money, but may not get as much as they would like for their clients.

And speaking of show me, one state is pushing for a law to ban motorists from showing too much on the onboard DVD systems.

Also on the docket this morning, 7 may be a lucky number unless you are a cocktail server at the Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City. Now, the casino and spa has a new policy telling servers they could be fired for gaining more than 7 percent of their body weight. But that's not going over too well as you can imagine with those workers or their union.

Oh, no, this could get a little heated today because our legal combatants are in the same room together, play nice ladies. Place nice.

HARRIS: Oh, yes.

NGUYEN: Former prosecutor Nelda Blair and civil liberties attorney Lida Rodriguez-Taseff join us both from Miami today. Good morning.

NELDA BLAIR, FORMER PROSECUTOR: Good morning.

LIDA RODRIGUEZ-TASEFF, CIVIL LIBERTIES ATTORNEY: Good morning.

NGUYEN: All right, I'm going to start with you since you're playing host today, and you are going to place nice, right?

RODRIGUEZ-TASEFF: Absolutely, it's my city, Nelda.

NGUYEN: OK. Well, we'll see. Let's talk about the class action lawsuits. Yesterday the president signed the Class Action Fairness Bill which really shifts most of the lawsuits from state courts to federal courts. Does that mean many of the lawsuits will be rejected in federal court?

RODRIGUEZ-TASEFF: No, what it means is that many more of the lawsuits will just not be brought. The reason that this shift happened is because the big lobbyists, the big corporations wanted to get lawsuits -- class action lawsuits that cost them a lot of money out of state court. Why, because federal court is expensive and cumbersome. And if you throw cases into federal courts, plaintiffs are going to be unwilling to bring them. This has been an attack on good old fashioned Americans who have to have their rights protected somehow.

NGUYEN: You are saying it attacks Americans who are trying to group against the big company companies. But some people will say -- will argue, perhaps, Nelda, today that it really prevents frivolous lawsuits. Nelda, does it?

BLAIR: Absolutely, it does. There is no question that what happened is many lawyers who are not honorable as people, like Lida and myself, will bring cases where there are a lot of groups of people that have been hurt. And they bring them and try to settle them quickly. People don't get a lot of money, but the lawyers fees are big. They bring them in states that we call plaintiff friendly, meaning juries will give big awards and plaintiffs are favored. That is not how the justice system is supposed to work. And this will enable people who really do have good class action suits to bring them in federal court where they are much likely to get the right judgment. That's -- it's a good, good thing.

NGUYEN: All right, we got to shift quickly to porn in vehicles, something that neither of you knows anything about, because you don't have any of that. But we have to talk about it nonetheless because it's on our docket today. A bill in Virginia would ban porn from being played inside vehicles, you know, where you have the DVD players because other people can actually see that the porn.

Now, is that legal, Lida?

RODRIGUEZ-TASEFF: Yes, you know what, it actually is. Let's all remember that this is civics 101, obscenity is not protected under the first amendment. The U.S. Supreme Court has told us that. And this law is cleverly written. And what is -- the only thing that is barred here is porn that can be seen from other vehicles. So what we have to tell Virginians today, if you want to watch porn in your car, keep it low. Keep it away from the view of passing motorists and you can still have it. Otherwise if other people can see it, it ain't legal.

NGUYEN: How do you regulate that, Nelda?

BLAIR: Well, just like do you any other law regarding driving. You know, this isn't -- it has nothing to do with rights at all. Because driving is not a right, it's a privilege. It's a privilege that states grant and they also regulate. It's just like you can't drink when you drive. You can't drive a vehicle that hasn't been inspected. That is state laws that regulate driving. And there is nothing different about regulating, watching pornographic movies while you are driving, especially if other people can see them, like children. There is nothing wrong with that at all, and has nothing to do with rights. Because there are no rights when you drive.

NGUYEN: OK, so both of you agree on this one. OK.

Well let's move on now to weight loss. We want to talk about the Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City. Basically if you work there as one of the Borgata babes or the women there -- I guess women and men as well, in the casino. If you gain more than 7 percent of your weight then you could be fired. Now, is that legal, Lida?

RODRIGUEZ-TASEFF: You know, and Nelda, you better agree with me. That one is absolutely legal, also Betty. And the reason is, it's because as you said men and women, men and women have to abide by the rule. You've got to look at it from the employer's perspective. This employer says, how you look affects our business, and therefore, we have a right to regulate it. We're not telling you, that if you are five foot five inches tall, you have tow weight X pounds. We're saying whatever you weight is, it is. And you can't gain more than 7 percent of that weight. And if you do, we give you 90 days to go to the health spa to exercise, to go on a weight loss program and we'll even pay for it. What can be so bad about that?

NGUYEN: All right, but Nelda, is that discrimination?

BLAIR: It is absolutely not discrimination. And I think you're just being nice to me because, I'm in town, and agreeing with me on things like this. Because let me say, this is absolutely not discrimination. It's not sexual discrimination because it applies to men and women. It also has an exception for medical conditions and pregnancy.

So it's not disability discrimination. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. You know, there's a lot of women's groups that are screaming that this is a problem and that it's a discrimination against women. The union for the waitresses is screaming it inhibits their employment. It absolutely does not. They need to quit whining and keep in shape. That's part of the job description.

NGUYEN: You mentioned some exception for pregnant women. I just want to point out that, if they meet the weight requirement 90 days after the maternity leave they're fine. But if they don't meet it within 90 days after the maternity leave, they can be fired. So, I guess there's an exception to an extent, went it comes to the Borgata Hotel and Casino there.

We thank you both for time and your insight today.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's right.

NGUYEN: And play nice. And I guess, Lida, you're going to be a nice host while she's in town.

RODRIGUEZ-TASEFF: I am taking her out wherever she wants to go.

NGUYEN: Oh, be sure to wrack up a big bill, all right.

BLAIR: Great.

NGUYEN: Talk to you ladies next weekend. Take care.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.

HARRIS: And let's get now to our e-mail question of the morning. Which country in your opinion is the biggest threat to U.S. security?

And let's read this e-mail from John Betty, "China, economically, Syria, terrorists, North Korea, nuclear; there is no simple answer. And John, you've got that right." John writing us from Las Vegas this morning.

We want to remind you to send us those e-mails at wam@cnn.com. And we'll read more of those in the next hour.

A programming note this morning. "OPEN HOUSE" with Gerri Willis takes a look at how real estate can be a moneymaker. That's at 9:30 Eastern. And at 10:00 a.m. Eastern the "DOLAN'S UNSCRIPTED" ask, can the IRS end the tax evasion? At 11:00 Eastern "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS" looks at Carly Simon of chart topping success, and Rod Stewarts transition from rocker to crooner.

And straight ahead, how are you dealing with your pain? "HOUSE CALL" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at how safe the drugs are that are in your medicine cabinet?

I'm Tony Harris.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. We'll see you again at the top of the hour. "HOUSE CALL" and you're top stories, they're straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired February 19, 2005 - 08:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: You have been listening to a U.S. Senate delegation which has arrived in Iraq. That delegation made up of Senators, McCain, Clinton, Feingold, Collins and Graham. While there they are going to be focusing on a number of different issues, including are, U.S. getting the necessary information and equipment needed to stay safe in Iraq. A lot of other issues as well, we'll be talking about within the next half hour. We're going to take a quick break right now.
What did I tell you, it was going to be a quick break.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, that's a quick break.

NGUYEN That was a quick break. We want to welcome you back this morning to CNN SATURDAY MORNING. Got a lot to tell you about. A lot of live news events that we had in the last hour.

HARRIS: Well, lets recap that just a little bit. At the top of the hour, at 7:00 we heard from former Presidents Bush and Clinton who are in Phuket, Thailand on the first of a three-day tour in that region that was devastated on December 26 by the earthquake and tsunami. They'll continue to move on. And they're coordinating the effort and keeping the attention up, particularly in the United States -- particularly in the United States so they can continue to raise money for that hard hit area.

Let's get you caught up with other headlines now in the news.

Four insurgent attacks in Iraq as Shiite Muslims observe a holy day. The latest a suicide bomb on board a bus in Baghdad. It's not yet clear how many people were killed or wounded. Earlier a suicide bomber detonated in a funeral tent in Baghdad, killing three people. A mortar attacking in Baghdad wounded at least 17. And a suicide bomber killed two people in Baqubah. We'll have live reports minutes from now.

Romans demand the release of an Giulana Sgrena, the Italian journalist being held hostage by insurgents in Iraq. Hundreds of thousands are expected at the rally in Rome after Sgrena appeared in a video this week asking that Italian troops be withdrawn from Iraq.

A powerful earthquake shook eastern Indonesia Today. No causalities or damage are reported so far. Unlike other tremors since that massive earthquake last December this one was not an aftershock. It's epicenter was more than a thousand miles from December's quake. NGUYEN Much more to come this hour on CNN'S SATURDAY MORNING. The U.S. and Japan talk security. And they have a lot to talk about Including a rising nuclear threat, also.

New meaning to the term heavy rain. One California roof just couldn't hold it.

And could packing on some pounds squeeze you out of a job? Well, it could at a new Jersey Casino. Our legal malice -- or analysts will weigh in on that one.

Meanwhile, though, high level security talks today in Washington. Japan's foreign and defense ministers are meeting with the U.S. secretary of state and defense secretary. On the agenda new terrorism threats, possible confrontation in Twain -- in the Twain Straight, and a nuclear North Korea.

CNN's Elaine Quijano is in the White House this morning. She's got a lot to talk about apparently.

Good morning to you, Elaine.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you. Betty, that's right. President Bush considers Japan one of the U.S.' strongest allies. And as the president gets ready for his trip overseas to try to strengthen ties with European leaders, here in Washington his Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, as well as Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld will be meeting with their Japanese counterparts, to try to discuss some of their mutual concerns. One main focus for the talks is China. Specificly, what concerns the U.S. and Japan is a military build-up there, and what effect that may have on China's neighbors in the region. In particular, Taiwan, you mentioned, which China considers a renegade province separated from China by the Taiwan Straight. The worry is that China has missiles pointed at Taiwan. And Japanese officials, for they're part, are particularly concerned because recently a Chinese submarine ended up in Japanese waters. And the U.S. says they will discuss that and a host of other issues, as well.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD BOUCHER, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: I think the fundamental thing to remember is we and Japan are allies. We cooperate together, work together, and talk together about all sorts of things. When our intentions in some parts of Asia, whether it's North Korea, the Taiwan Straits or some other part of Asia, we talk to Japan about.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUIJANO: Now the U.S. finds itself in a delicate position, of course, because of the intricate relationship with the U.S. and China. Things like trade and economic issues, that tie the countries together. At the same time, though, publicly while the U.S. says that China's emergence in a region is a positive thing. Privately they are worried that perhaps more Chinese influence could mean less U.S. influence in the region. So all of those topics on the table, Betty, as those officials meet here in Washington later today -- Betty.

NGUYNE: Yes, let's talk about North Korea. Because it now says it is ready to get back to six-party talks. What does that say about how the U.S. played this or countered what they said about saying, unless you talk with us directly we're not going to deal with this at all?

QUIJANO: Right. Well, privately U.S. officials had said that perhaps that was just a cry for attention, if you will, on the part of North Korea. We should also tell you, though, there are some mixed messages coming out of the region. The Chinese news agency actually reporting that North Korea, an official not naming any names, but saying that they are not ready to come back to the six-party talks. In any case the United States is holding firm to its position, maintaining that the way for North Korea to deal with the United States is through those six-party talks. We will see what happens, though in the days and weeks ahead -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Yes, we will all be watching. Elaine Quijano at the White House. Thank you for that, Elaine.

HARRIS: And here is our e-mail question this morning. Which country, in your opinion, is the biggest threat to U.S. security. Tell us what you think. We're at wam@cnn.com and we will read your replies throughout the morning.

NGUYEN: And here are south Asians -- or how are south Asians recovering from the tsunami disaster? Well, former presidents, Bush and Clinton, are getting a first hand answer, as they kick off the tour of the worst hit regions. The former leaders are in Thailand's Phuket Island this morning. They plan to visit a village where nearly 2,000 people died. And former President Clinton said many tsunami victims still have a long way to go.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: What we have to do now is not to forget these people in places when all the cameras are not there. I think that's the most important message I could say to the American people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: And tomorrow Bush and Clinton visit the hardest hit region Indonesia's Aceh Province.

HARRIS: Now to Iraq. Tens of thousands of Shiite Muslims have gathered in Karbala south of Baghdad. They're marking the holy period of Ashura. Ashura is the tenth and most important day during period of mourning in first month of the Islamic calendar.

On this day, especially those of the Shi'a sect, mourn the death of Hazrat Imam Hussain in the battle of Karbala in 680 A.D. Hussain was the grandson of the prophet Muhammed. During the festivities mourners strike themselves with chains and cut their heads with swords, letting blood run down white smocks to emulate Hussain's suffering.

But it's not just self-inflicted violence that Iraqis are facing during this holy time. Insurgents have also been out in force staging a string of deadly attacks. Let's go straight to Baghdad and CNN senior international correspondent, Nic Robertson. Hello, Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello. Good morning. Well, act different suicide bombers trying to attack crowds in Baghdad as they went -- as they went to commemorate the death of Imam Hussain. What we -- the first attack that we were told about today came as worshipers were going to the Kadamire (ph) area, in the north of Baghdad where there is a shrine. As they were going there three suicide bombers entered the crowd.

We are told that five people were killed, 40 wounded in the detonations there. Shortly after, Iraqi police say that a suicide bomber rode a bicycle into a funeral gathering inside a tent detonating his explosives, killing three, wounding 38. We have then been told by Iraqi police about a further attack. This a rocket propelled grenade fired into a crowd close -- close to the Kadamire area again, this main Shia shrine that most of the Ashura worshipers are going to today.

Then Iraqi police and U.S. troops moved into the area to try to secure the area. Another suicide bomber struck, this time according to Iraqi police, killing three people and wounding 22. U.S. officials say that in that blast one U.S. Soldier was killed, and one wounded. A further report later this afternoon from Iraqi police, again, the southeastern side of Baghdad, three suicide bombers again targeting a checkpoint there, one Iraqi soldier killed by the first suicide bomber. The second suicide bomber shot and killed on the site.

And we're told that the third suicide bomber in that case then detained by the Iraqi security forces. It is what Iraqi security forces have been preparing for this day. A lot of security out on the streets and this year unlike last year, the violence slightly down. The violence focused on Baghdad. No big attacks reported in the holy city of Karbala as happened last year. Back to you.

HARRIS: And Nic, that Congressional delegation in Baghdad is getting a firsthand look at what you have been reporting. The violence there all these months.

ROBERTSON: So far they've been on the Green Zone, the central secure area. They are expecting to get out to three different U.S. bases around the country tomorrow. But so far they have been meeting with Iraqi politicians. They met with a prime minister, the deputy prime minister. They met with the finance minister. What they have been asking these Iraqi ministers about is how quickly the country can be up and running economically.

They heard from the finance minister that what the country needs is not only to be able to pass laws about taxes, but to be able to have a security system that can enforce the taxes to then generate revenue so Iraq won't need money from the international community. And building with security forces. They met with General Petraeus, of course, the U.S. General in charge of rebuilding Iraqi security forces. That very important for them, today, Tony.

HARRIS: Nic Robertson in Baghdad for us, Nic, we appreciate it, thank you.

NGUYEN: All right, listen to this, stopping traffic with pornographic material. We'll look at the legal implications in one states for those that watch porn in their vehicles, inadvertently sharing those images with others.

ROB MARCIANO, METEOROLOGIST: I'm Rob Marciano in the CNN weather center.

Here's a look at the rainfall across parts of Missouri. It's cold enough for snow in St. Louis, but not snowing just yet. We'll talk about that. Plus California continues to get soaked. These weather details are coming up in just a few minutes. CNN SATURDAY MORNING, will be right back.

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HARRIS: And checking our top stories, violence taints the Shiite holy day of Ashura in Iraq. There have been numerous attacks, including mortars that landed on a procession of worshipers in Baghdad, wounding 19 people.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld are holding talks in Washington with their Japanese counterparts. One key issue bringing the allies together is shared concern about China's growing military power and it's threat to Taiwan.

Former Presidents Clinton and Bush began touring tsunami ravaged countries today. They visited a village in Thailand this morning, and met people who lost their relatives and livelihoods. It's their first trip to the region since President Bush asked them to head up the American tsunami relief effort.

And back in the states, more rain drenchings already waterlog California. Forecasters warn of flooding and possible mud slides along coastal areas. Rain. Rain. Rain.

NGUYEN: Rain. Rain. And it doesn't seem to be going away any time soon, or will it, Rob Marciano?

HARRIS: Is Rob here today?

NGUYEN: He's back.

MARCIANO: hey.

HARRIS:

MARCIANO: Thanks for letting me play.

HARRIS: Welcome to the big show, Rob.

MARCIANO: Ex-presidents, senators have taken over the show.

HARRIS: That's right.

MARCIANO: I guess, there's no weather to talk about.

HARRIS: None more important than you, how's that.

(WEATHER REPORT)

MARCIANO: Tony and Betty, back to you.

HARRIS: Good to see you there.

NGUYEN: Yes, we're getting a little bit of sunshine among the few then. Thank you, Rob.

HARRIS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Rob.

An Atlantic City casino takes a stand against some of its employees, gaining weight and you could you lose the job. The casino says the rule applies to men and women, but is the mandate legal? The Borgata Babes is how it's been slated here. We'll ask our experts to weigh -- weigh -- weigh in straight ahead.

NGUYEN: Pun intended there, right, Tony? All right.

At the bottom of the hour on HOUSE CALL our Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at drug safety and tries to answer the question what can you take for your pain? That's at 8:30 Eastern.

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NGUYEN: In "Legal Briefs" this morning, why plaintiff attorneys can still say show me the money, but may not get as much as they would like for their clients.

And speaking of show me, one state is pushing for a law to ban motorists from showing too much on the onboard DVD systems.

Also on the docket this morning, 7 may be a lucky number unless you are a cocktail server at the Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City. Now, the casino and spa has a new policy telling servers they could be fired for gaining more than 7 percent of their body weight. But that's not going over too well as you can imagine with those workers or their union.

Oh, no, this could get a little heated today because our legal combatants are in the same room together, play nice ladies. Place nice.

HARRIS: Oh, yes.

NGUYEN: Former prosecutor Nelda Blair and civil liberties attorney Lida Rodriguez-Taseff join us both from Miami today. Good morning.

NELDA BLAIR, FORMER PROSECUTOR: Good morning.

LIDA RODRIGUEZ-TASEFF, CIVIL LIBERTIES ATTORNEY: Good morning.

NGUYEN: All right, I'm going to start with you since you're playing host today, and you are going to place nice, right?

RODRIGUEZ-TASEFF: Absolutely, it's my city, Nelda.

NGUYEN: OK. Well, we'll see. Let's talk about the class action lawsuits. Yesterday the president signed the Class Action Fairness Bill which really shifts most of the lawsuits from state courts to federal courts. Does that mean many of the lawsuits will be rejected in federal court?

RODRIGUEZ-TASEFF: No, what it means is that many more of the lawsuits will just not be brought. The reason that this shift happened is because the big lobbyists, the big corporations wanted to get lawsuits -- class action lawsuits that cost them a lot of money out of state court. Why, because federal court is expensive and cumbersome. And if you throw cases into federal courts, plaintiffs are going to be unwilling to bring them. This has been an attack on good old fashioned Americans who have to have their rights protected somehow.

NGUYEN: You are saying it attacks Americans who are trying to group against the big company companies. But some people will say -- will argue, perhaps, Nelda, today that it really prevents frivolous lawsuits. Nelda, does it?

BLAIR: Absolutely, it does. There is no question that what happened is many lawyers who are not honorable as people, like Lida and myself, will bring cases where there are a lot of groups of people that have been hurt. And they bring them and try to settle them quickly. People don't get a lot of money, but the lawyers fees are big. They bring them in states that we call plaintiff friendly, meaning juries will give big awards and plaintiffs are favored. That is not how the justice system is supposed to work. And this will enable people who really do have good class action suits to bring them in federal court where they are much likely to get the right judgment. That's -- it's a good, good thing.

NGUYEN: All right, we got to shift quickly to porn in vehicles, something that neither of you knows anything about, because you don't have any of that. But we have to talk about it nonetheless because it's on our docket today. A bill in Virginia would ban porn from being played inside vehicles, you know, where you have the DVD players because other people can actually see that the porn.

Now, is that legal, Lida?

RODRIGUEZ-TASEFF: Yes, you know what, it actually is. Let's all remember that this is civics 101, obscenity is not protected under the first amendment. The U.S. Supreme Court has told us that. And this law is cleverly written. And what is -- the only thing that is barred here is porn that can be seen from other vehicles. So what we have to tell Virginians today, if you want to watch porn in your car, keep it low. Keep it away from the view of passing motorists and you can still have it. Otherwise if other people can see it, it ain't legal.

NGUYEN: How do you regulate that, Nelda?

BLAIR: Well, just like do you any other law regarding driving. You know, this isn't -- it has nothing to do with rights at all. Because driving is not a right, it's a privilege. It's a privilege that states grant and they also regulate. It's just like you can't drink when you drive. You can't drive a vehicle that hasn't been inspected. That is state laws that regulate driving. And there is nothing different about regulating, watching pornographic movies while you are driving, especially if other people can see them, like children. There is nothing wrong with that at all, and has nothing to do with rights. Because there are no rights when you drive.

NGUYEN: OK, so both of you agree on this one. OK.

Well let's move on now to weight loss. We want to talk about the Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City. Basically if you work there as one of the Borgata babes or the women there -- I guess women and men as well, in the casino. If you gain more than 7 percent of your weight then you could be fired. Now, is that legal, Lida?

RODRIGUEZ-TASEFF: You know, and Nelda, you better agree with me. That one is absolutely legal, also Betty. And the reason is, it's because as you said men and women, men and women have to abide by the rule. You've got to look at it from the employer's perspective. This employer says, how you look affects our business, and therefore, we have a right to regulate it. We're not telling you, that if you are five foot five inches tall, you have tow weight X pounds. We're saying whatever you weight is, it is. And you can't gain more than 7 percent of that weight. And if you do, we give you 90 days to go to the health spa to exercise, to go on a weight loss program and we'll even pay for it. What can be so bad about that?

NGUYEN: All right, but Nelda, is that discrimination?

BLAIR: It is absolutely not discrimination. And I think you're just being nice to me because, I'm in town, and agreeing with me on things like this. Because let me say, this is absolutely not discrimination. It's not sexual discrimination because it applies to men and women. It also has an exception for medical conditions and pregnancy.

So it's not disability discrimination. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. You know, there's a lot of women's groups that are screaming that this is a problem and that it's a discrimination against women. The union for the waitresses is screaming it inhibits their employment. It absolutely does not. They need to quit whining and keep in shape. That's part of the job description.

NGUYEN: You mentioned some exception for pregnant women. I just want to point out that, if they meet the weight requirement 90 days after the maternity leave they're fine. But if they don't meet it within 90 days after the maternity leave, they can be fired. So, I guess there's an exception to an extent, went it comes to the Borgata Hotel and Casino there.

We thank you both for time and your insight today.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's right.

NGUYEN: And play nice. And I guess, Lida, you're going to be a nice host while she's in town.

RODRIGUEZ-TASEFF: I am taking her out wherever she wants to go.

NGUYEN: Oh, be sure to wrack up a big bill, all right.

BLAIR: Great.

NGUYEN: Talk to you ladies next weekend. Take care.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.

HARRIS: And let's get now to our e-mail question of the morning. Which country in your opinion is the biggest threat to U.S. security?

And let's read this e-mail from John Betty, "China, economically, Syria, terrorists, North Korea, nuclear; there is no simple answer. And John, you've got that right." John writing us from Las Vegas this morning.

We want to remind you to send us those e-mails at wam@cnn.com. And we'll read more of those in the next hour.

A programming note this morning. "OPEN HOUSE" with Gerri Willis takes a look at how real estate can be a moneymaker. That's at 9:30 Eastern. And at 10:00 a.m. Eastern the "DOLAN'S UNSCRIPTED" ask, can the IRS end the tax evasion? At 11:00 Eastern "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS" looks at Carly Simon of chart topping success, and Rod Stewarts transition from rocker to crooner.

And straight ahead, how are you dealing with your pain? "HOUSE CALL" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at how safe the drugs are that are in your medicine cabinet?

I'm Tony Harris.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. We'll see you again at the top of the hour. "HOUSE CALL" and you're top stories, they're straight ahead.

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