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CNN Saturday Morning News
Hamas Victory Has World On Edge; Ceremony Honors Challenger Victims; Fatah Blame Leaders For Defeat In Palestinian Elections; Child Abusers Arrested; Controversial Kanye West; Improvements In Iraq; FEMA Employees Arrest On Bribery Charges; Advertising During The Super Bowl
Aired January 28, 2006 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Remembering the Challenger tragedy. Twenty years ago today, the nation watched in horror at what happened to the space shuttle 73 seconds after takeoff.
We're live from Florida's Kennedy Space Center.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Also this hour, rap artist Kanye West stirring up more controversy. Wait until you see what has some religious leaders so upset.
Saturday, January 28th, everyone, 2006.
Good morning from the CNN Center in Atlanta.
I'm Tony Harris.
NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen.
Let's get started right now with the stories now in the news.
HARRIS: A newly released video this morning of four Western humanitarian workers abducted in Iraq back in November. Al-Jazeera television aired the tape and read what it says is the abductors' latest message. They say U.S. authorities have one last chance to release all Iraqi prisoners or the hostages will be executed. The group includes American Tom Fox. CNN cannot confirm when the video was shot.
Amid signs of growing Mideast instability after the Hamas victory, the militant group's leader in Syria says Hamas is ready to be "partners." But he also insists his party will succeed with reforms as it has succeeded with resistance. Thousands of Fatah Party activists are protesting the election results. A live report from Gaza is coming up.
And an important deadline is approaching for hurricane evacuees who want more time in government paid hotels. Evacuees must call FEMA by Monday to get an authorization code to extend their stays. Many were facing a February 7th deadline to move out of the hotels.
NGUYEN: We begin in the Middle East, where the only thing certain this morning is that no one is sure what will happen next. A volatile region, even in normal times. The stunning victory of Hamas, though, this week in the Palestinian elections has everyone on edge because the issues there echo around the world.
CNN's Ben Wedeman joins us live from Gaza -- Ben, when we spoke with you a little bit earlier, we could hear the chants and gunfire.
Are protesters still on the street at this hour?
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I understand they actually are in the streets of Gaza, still protesting. But the protests are not just limited to Gaza. They're also happening in the West Bank. For instance, in the town of Ramallah, north of Jerusalem, Fatah gunmen took to the roof of the Palestinian parliament, where they fired their rifles. In the northern West Bank town of Nablus, there was also protests by thousands of Fatah gunmen.
They're protesting against the leadership of their movement, which they feel has failed them, essentially, because of corruption, because of mismanagement. They feel that most Palestinians decided it was time for a change. And change, of course, for these Fatah gunmen means they may soon be out of a job.
In Gaza, we saw similar scenes as thousands of people went, once again, just like yesterday, to the headquarters of the Palestinian Legislative Council.
I spoke to some of those gunmen. One of them said what they'd like to do is stop Hamas from taking over the Palestinian Authority by taking -- undertaking a military coup d'etat.
Meanwhile, Hamas is talking about its vision for the future of the Palestinian Territories. The leader of Hamas, based in the Syrian capital of Damascus. His name is Khaled Mashaal. He said that, among other things, the Hamas would like to unite the various Palestinian factions, armed factions, into a Palestinian Army. That clearly is something Israel is not going to take lightly.
He also called upon the international community, specifically the United States and Europe, which are very unhappy about Hamas' victory, he called upon them not to cut off aid to the Palestinians.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KHALED MASHAAL, EXILED HAMAS LEADER (through translator): We're not waiting for a green light from the U.S. nor any European country, despite the fact that we are very keen to establish dialogue with everyone in the international community.
We're not going to be isolated. But it is important for everyone to respect us. The Palestinian people have chosen Hamas for what they stand for. If the United States wants to talk to Hamas, they are more than welcome, but on the basis of what the Palestinians have chosen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WEDEMAN: Now, clearly, Hamas is going to have trouble. Already, what with these thousands of armed gunmen from Fatah in the streets protesting not only the elections, but the fact that Hamas looks like it's about to take over the Palestinian Authority -- Betty.
NGUYEN: A volatile situation.
Ben Wedeman, thank you for that update -- Tony.
HARRIS: Well, Washington is taking a dim view of Hamas' sudden and legitimate rise to power. President Bush says that unless the group renounces its hard-line against Israel, the U.S. will halt its aid to Palestinians.
The response from Hamas has been characteristic defiance.
CNN's Elaine Quijano is at the White House this morning with more on what the administration's options might be.
They would seem to be rather limited, at least at this point in time -- Elaine, good morning.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Tony.
They are certainly taking a look at those options right now. But the unexpected election results of Hamas members rising to political power within the Palestinian government does present a major dilemma for President Bush.
It was a year ago that the president was outlining one of his major foreign policy goals, was the promotion and support of democracies around the world.
Well, now the question for the U.S. how to deal with a democratically elected government, led in large part by Hamas, which the U.S. and other countries have labeled a terrorist organization.
Now, the president says unless renounces violence and its pledge to destroy Israel, the U.S. will not deal with the group. And in an interview with CBS News, Mr. Bush said if Hamas does not take those steps, economic aid to the Palestinians will stop.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Aid packages won't go forward.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What happens...
BUSH: Well, that's their decision to make. But we won't be providing help to a government that wants to destroy our ally and friend. I don't see how you can be a partner in peace if you -- if you don't renounce violent aims.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: Now, meantime, as unrest continues in parts of the West Bank and Gaza, U.S. officials are reiterating their call for a peaceful transition between governments. Now, even behind-the-scenes, though, the U.S. certainly very hesitant to weigh in as the situation there continues to unfold -- Tony.
HARRIS: Boy, you saying, that's the truth.
All right, Elaine, thank you.
And former President Jimmy Carter was among the international observers of the Palestinian election. He will join CNN's Wolf Blitzer on "LATE EDITION" to talk about this radical change in Middle East politics. That's tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. Eastern.
NGUYEN: Exactly 20 years ago today, the world watched in stunned horror as a routine shuttle launch suddenly turned into a deadly fireball. Images of the Challenger's catastrophic demise are forever seared into the nation's memory and serve as a permanent reminder that space travel is still experimental and risky.
CNN's John Zarrella joins us from the Kennedy Space Center, where the solemn occasion is being marked with a tribute to the seven astronauts who lost their lives in the disaster -- the same spot, John, where you stood some 20 years ago.
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, pretty close, Betty. A mile or two from here, over at where the media was, just down by the countdown clock at the edge of the lagoon. We stood and watched as Challenger lifted 20 years ago at 11:38 a.m. just another 28 minutes from now or so. And, of course, routine -- that was the word NASA used -- didn't like anybody to use, but they certainly seemed to be routine flights at that time.
In fact, CNN was one of the only news outlets that carried the launch at that time. And now here this morning memorializing what happened at 11:38 when Challenger blew up under that clear blue sky, William Gerstenmeyer, associate administrator for space operations, speaking right now.
Rick Hauck had just finished speaking. He flew the mission, STS26, which was returned to flight, the first mission after Challenger, in 1988, commanded that mission.
And several other dignitaries, including June Scobee Rodgers, the wife of the late commander of the Shuttle Challenger, Dick Scobee.
And she recalled during her speech today a moment when after the accident, all of the families went to the astronauts' check out building and the crew quarters. And she went to her husband's bookcase, his book bag, and pulled out his -- from his briefcase, a note.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JUNE SCOBEE RODGERS, WIDOW OF COMMANDER DICK SCOBEE: It was a quote from Ben Boe (ph) that said: "We have whole planets to explore. We have new worlds to build. We have a solar system to roam in. And if only a tiny fraction of the human race reaches out toward space, the work they do there will totally change the lives of all of the billions of humans who remain on Earth. Just as the strivings of a handful of colonists in the New World totally changed the lives of everyone in Europe, in Asia and Africa. Pioneers they were."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ZARRELLA: Now the Challenger mission, of course, had come with so much fanfare. A teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe, was among those on the crew. And she would be teaching two lessons from the space shuttle once it was on orbit.
There were many, many schoolchildren here, I recall, in those days leading up to the mission with their teachers. They'd come from all over the country to watch the launch of Challenger, which, of course, ended in the terrible disaster that is being memorized here today -- Betty.
NGUYEN: John, I guess in the end she did teach a lesson, and that's that space flight is never routine.
ZARRELLA: That's exactly right. It never is routine. And, of course, as you know, February 1st, just a few days from now, will mark the third anniversary of the next great disaster in the U.S. space program history, which, of course, was the loss of Columbia three years ago on February 1st -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Moments that we all remember.
John Zarrella, thank you.
And we do want to give you a program note. This weekend, "CNN PRESENTS" the real story of Challenger astronaut and teacher Christa McAuliffe. For the first time, her family reveals the private pain behind the public tragedy. Tune in tonight, 8:00 Eastern, for "CNN PRESENTS: CHRISTA MCAULIFFE -- REACH FOR THE STARS."
HARRIS: Hey, look.
Take a look at this.
Ordinary surveillance tape. You see it all the time, right? Wrong. Not this time. It led to the arrest of two suspected child abusers and it was a Good Samaritan's persistence that helped make it all happen.
That story is coming up.
NGUYEN: And U.S. troops in Iraq facing serious challenges and ongoing insurgent attacks. But there's another side to their daily existence. That's just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Our top stories now.
Growing outrage in Gaza and the West Bank. Fatah supporters take to the streets for a second day, blaming party leaders for their crushing defeat in this week's parliamentary elections. Authorities say Hamas gunmen ambushed a Palestinian police patrol, wounding two policemen.
In the U.S. hurricane evacuees still living in government paid hotels have until Monday to contact FEMA if they want their stays extended. Many evacuees face a February 7th deadline to move out. But a court order required FEMA to extend that deadline until February 13th at the earliest.
And today is the 20th anniversary of the Challenger disaster. Ceremonies are being held at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and in Washington. All seven people on board the Shuttle Challenger died when it exploded 73 seconds after lift-off.
Two suspected child abusers are in jail this morning. And Alabama police have two children they hope to return to their parents. It's all thanks to a chance meeting in a convenience store and a good Samaritan who acted on a hunch.
CNN's David Mattingly has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TRACI LEE DEAN, GOOD SAMARITAN: I'd like to report a strange incident involving a child.
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This scene in a gas station at Evergreen, Alabama is what led Traci Lee Dean to call police. You can hear the concern in her voice in the worried 911 call.
DEAN: After a few minutes I was like, "OK, why is this little girl wandering around here by herself?" So I gave her a good five minutes. Then I said, "Does your mommy work here?" And she said, "No." And then this man was like, "Elizabeth, are you trying to find a new mommy?"
MATTINGLY: It was this little girl you see here in the surveillance video and her brief encounter with Dean that started this one woman's crusade and ended this one little girl's nightmare.
DEAN: I've seen that look before, that blank look, that there's something missing. I call it -- I consider it like they're missing love.
MATTINGLY: Police followed up on Dean's 911 call and went to the gas station.
SHERIFF TRACY HAWSEY, CONECUH COUNTY: The clerk said that she knew these people, that they frequent the store, that they come in a good bit and that the older gentleman is the grandfather of the little girl.
MATTINGLY: Even though she was back home in Georgia, Traci took matters into her own hands. On a Web site for abducted children, she thought she had found a match. A 300-mile drive back to Evergreen put her back in that store looking at their surveillance tapes. Police were brought in and visited the family at their trailer park, where they arrested the man who'd raised Traci Dean's suspicions. Jack Wiley is charged with sex crimes against the 3-year- old girl and a 17-year-old boy who lived with him. Wiley's companion, Glenna Faye Cavender, is charged with child abuse. Both are now behind bars. The children are in protective custody.
Neighbors in the trailer park where they lived for the past month or so are shaken.
ERICA FOSTER, NEIGHBOR: They just kept saying, "Well, if you ever need a babysitter, we can watch them."
MATTINGLY: Local authorities are canvassing the area and interviewing local children.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've got possibly some other kids in that area that had some contact with Mr. Wiley.
MATTINGLY: The next step is a DNA test to determine the two children's real parents and a national search to find any other children this couple might have encountered.
David Mattingly, CNN, Evergreen, Alabama.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: So, what do you do if you see a child who needs help? Experts say there are steps that you should and should not take.
So in Washington, we're joined now by Ernie Allen from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to walk us through what we should and should not do.
The first thing I want to ask you, though, Mrs. Dean contacted the National Center for Missing and Exploiting Children. She also got a picture off of there that she hoped was this little girl.
Are you involved in this investigation?
ERNIE ALLEN, NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED CHILDREN: Betty, we are. We've been in touch with the FBI, with law enforcement. Our case analysis unit is searching both to try to help identify the children and to try to link Mr. Wiley to any other children around the country.
NGUYEN: That leads to a lot of questions.
Let me take them one at a time.
First of all, Mrs. Dean thought the little girl at the convenience store was a missing girl from Ohio.
Is that the case?
ALLEN: No, it's not. She called "America's Most Wanted" and others. She talked to investigators in Ohio. It is not the child we're searching for from Ohio.
NGUYEN: All right.
What do you know about the little girl? Have you been able to locate, maybe, her parents and, you know, kind of solve this crime of where she is from and who her parents are?
ALLEN: Betty, it's an ongoing process. We're working both with Alabama authorities and with the FBI and others to try to assemble whatever information we can. But it's an investigation in process right now.
NGUYEN: What about other children that may have come in contact with this couple? Have you been able to find other children who may be missing and abused, as well?
ALLEN: Well, Betty, that's always something you're concerned about. Most of these kinds of offenders don't tend to do it once as a matter of lapse of judgment. So we're going to try to piece together everywhere he's been and try to identify other children with whom he may have come into contact.
NGUYEN: All right, let's shift forward, though.
For people who think they've seen something that just doesn't seem right, what is key into sending out a tip? And who should people call first?
ALLEN: Well, key in sending out a tip is providing detailed information, as specific as you can be, a description of the people, if they have an automobile, a description of the automobile and the license plate. And we say to people call law enforcement first. Report it to police. And then call us at the National Center for Missing and Exploiting Children.
NGUYEN: In the story of Mrs. Dean, she contacted many agencies, including yours. A lot of times she felt like she was running up against walls. Sometimes her phone calls weren't even returned.
In that case, was it persistence that really paid off here and is that what people need to do, they need to be persistent?
ALLEN: Well, first of all, Betty, we don't think she called us. All of the calls we've received are recorded. We've reviewed all those recordings over the time period in question. There are lots of 800 numbers out there. We have no doubt that she intended to.
But certainly the fact that she was concerned about this child, she wanted to make a difference, she called everybody she could. And I think that's great.
To the average citizen, pay attention. Average people doing average things are saving lives every day. This is an inspiring story.
NGUYEN: It truly is. Ernie Allen with the National Center for Missing and Exploiting Children.
Thank you.
ALLEN: Thank you, Betty.
NGUYEN: Well, amid the misery following Hurricane Katrina, a crime of unparalleled greed. This time, the alleged crooks were working for the federal government. We have those details coming up.
Also ahead...
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
KANYE WEST: And steal the spotlight like Mr. Bentley.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Sound familiar? The one and only Kanye West. The editor of "Vibe" magazine joins us to explain why the controversial rapper is so passionate about pushing the envelope.
Stay with us.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
WEST: Acting like Mr. Friendly, and steal the spotlight...
(END AUDIO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: You know what they say in Texas, Tony?
HARRIS: What? Everything's bigger in Texas?
NGUYEN: Well, that, too. But...
HARRIS: We rule the world.
NGUYEN: If you don't like the weather, just wait a few minutes, it'll change.
HARRIS: Oh, oh, that. Yes, that, too.
NGUYEN: And Bonnie Schneider joins us to prove that that's the case -- right, Bonnie?
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: Betty was born in Texas. No, you weren't born in ...
NGUYEN: No, I wasn't. I was born in Vietnam.
HARRIS: You were -- yes, that's right. That's right. NGUYEN: I grew up in Texas, though.
HARRIS: You grew up in Texas.
NGUYEN: A Texas girl.
HARRIS: We're going to talk about Kanye West.
NGUYEN: Can we move on? Yes, please.
HARRIS: You like Kanye?
NGUYEN: I do like his music.
HARRIS: You like his music? OK. You know, he's pretty controversial.
Kanye West's biggest fan is Kanye West. I mean, evident in everything he seems to do. The rap mega star is everywhere these days, from "Rolling Stone" to the cover of "Vibe." Even if you don't know hip-hop from bebop...
NGUYEN: Bebop?
HARRIS: Yes, yes, yes. You've probably heard about his outspoken and controversial antics. But he's a -- he's something as an artist.
"Vibe" magazine editor-in-chief, Mimi Valdes, seems to understand better than most what makes him tick and why Kanye West is a standout in the crowded world of hip hop.
Mimi, good to see you this morning.
MIMI VALDES, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, "VIBE" MAGAZINE: Good to see you.
Thank you for having me.
HARRIS: All right, Mimi, let's see if we can split the screen here. You can get me out of the way here. Let's see this cover again of, what is it, the "Rolling Stone," with...
VALDES: Yes.
HARRIS: All right, tell me what's going on here.
VALDES: Well, Kanye is posing as Jesus Christ.
HARRIS: Yes. What's the message here?
VALDES: For me, when I look at this as someone who knows Kanye and has dealt with him often, I think it has more to do with him sort of identifying with Christ in the sense of having passion, passion for his work, passion for his message, passion for what he's trying to get across.
HARRIS: The passion of the Christ?
VALDES: The passion of the Christ, exactly.
HARRIS: Huh? And, what? I mean, as I look at the picture, does he feel he is misunderstood and does he think that a photo like that would do anything in terms of helping us understand him better?
VALDES: No, I don't know if it's necessarily about having people understand him, because I think at the end of the day, he doesn't care if people understand him or not.
HARRIS: Really?
VALDES: I think for him, he just wants people to love his music. And however he can get that across and whatever he needs to do to make people understand that, then he'll do it.
HARRIS: Hey, who's -- I mean who's upset by this?
VALDES: Oh, lots of people.
HARRIS: Yes, tell me -- and I'm curious, because tell me who it is, because I think it says a lot about where we are when we can identify the folks who are upset by this. Because most folks are saying OK, here's another artist who's just trying to get some attention.
VALDES: Yes, I mean, obviously all the religious groups are really upset about it. But to me, I mean, I look at it, I don't see it as such a big deal. I think if he was on the cross...
HARRIS: Right.
VALDES: ... that would probably be a little bit more, you know, sort of serious and I could understand the hoopla. But something like this, I just think is not really that big of a deal.
HARRIS: And here's the thing, we like -- we like a lot of the music.
Why is it not enough to have the music do the talking when you're an artist of his abilities?
VALDES: I think, you know, every artist out there is always trying to look for a way to sort of get a bigger audience, to get more attention. And when they can find ways to sort of get people talking, they're going to take advantage of it. And Kanye is the master of that. He always gets people talking.
But at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter, the controversy and the antics, because he just makes good music. And I think at the end of the day that's what people care about.
HARRIS: But he doesn't feel -- he seems to be saying that he doesn't feel like he's getting his due recognition for the music. I mean he's complaining about not being nominated in one of the Grammy categories.
VALDES: Yes, he's just...
HARRIS: He was complaining...
VALDES: He's just always going to complain. But at the end of the day, he sells a lot of records.
HARRIS: Yes, yes.
VALDES: So he shouldn't really be complaining that much.
HARRIS: Well, you like him, don't you? I can tell. You like him.
VALDES: I like him. I've had my own sort of personal arguments with Kanye myself, but...
HARRIS: Over what? Give me something. Give me something.
VALDES: He was made a couple of years ago because his video didn't get nominated at the Vibe awards. So he called me up really upset. But we're cool now.
HARRIS: And you're good.
VALDES: We're good.
HARRIS: How is he going to do? How many categories is he nominated in and how is he going to do?
VALDES: I think, I mean he's nominated in eight categories. I think he'll win all the hip-hop categories. I'm not so sure if he'll win sort of like a best album...
HARRIS: Yes.
VALDES: ... or sort of the more general categories, because I think Mariah pretty much has that wrapped up.
HARRIS: I'm telling you.
VALDES: But, you never know. We'll see.
HARRIS: OK, Mimi, come on back and see us from time to time.
VALDES: OK.
HARRIS: Keep us up to date on...
VALDES: Thank you for having me.
HARRIS: ... what's happening in pop culture.
VALDES: Cool.
Thank you.
HARRIS: I'm an old guy. I need to know. I've got young kids.
NGUYEN: She's definitely in the know, yes.
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: All right, will she or won't she go to Torino? Skater Michelle Kwan finds out if she gets the go ahead to try for Olympic gold yet again, that elusive gold.
That story still ahead.
And up next...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hope is rekindled. Children rush to our soldiers. People spontaneously express their gratitude to us and the Iraqi Army.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: One U.S. commander offers his take on the situation in Iraq. A quick break and we're right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Is there good news to report out of Iraq that just isn't making the headlines? Why one U.S. commander in the war-torn nation thinks American troops are on the right track.
Good morning, everybody. It's Saturday, January 28th, 2006. From the CNN Center in Atlanta I'm Betty Nguyen.
HARRIS: Good morning, everyone. I'm Tony Harris. That story ahead, but first a look at other headlines now in the news.
Gunmen opened fire today in Baghdad in two separate attacks. The first shooting took place in a bus station. Police say one civilian was killed and about an hour later in the same neighborhood, gunmen opened fire on a police station, killing one police commando and wounding another.
Another day of dramatic demonstrations in the west bank in Gaza. Activists from the Fatah Party staged marches and rallies protesting their devastating election loss to Hamas. Several Fatah gunmen briefly stormed the parliament building in Gaza. Activists also demonstrated outside the compound of Palestinian authority President Mahmoud Abbas who they largely blame for their party's defeat.
A leader from the winner Hamas party is speaking out from Syria. Khaled Mashaal says Hamas has succeeded in resistance and will also succeed in reforms. On the refusal of Hamas to recognize Israel, Mashaal says, quote, "not accepting them doesn't mean we cannot deal with their realities." NGUYEN: Saddam Hussein's trial resumes tomorrow after a month- long break. It was supposed to begin last Tuesday, but the court ordered a delay, saying some witnesses couldn't show up because they were on the Muslim hajj pilgrimage. A new chief judge will preside over the proceedings for the first time tomorrow following the resignation of the first judge earlier this month.
HARRIS: Britain is hoping it can get some of its troops out of Iraq this year. It currently has about 8500 troops in country. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw says Britain is looking to decrease that level, but only if the Baghdad government is secure.
He was speaking at the world economic forum in Davos, Switzerland. Straw did not provide any numbers or time frame. Meanwhile, one U.S. commander thinks there's been a marked improvement in security in one dangerous corner of Iraq. CNN senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre has that story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For a decade now, up and coming military officers have studied how, during the Vietnam war, some senior military leaders abdicated their responsibility by not speaking out.
The required reading, the 1997 book "Dereliction of Duty" by a bright young West Point graduate, H.R. McMaster. Now an Army colonel, McMaster has his own truth to tell. The war in Iraq, he says, at least in his little corner of it, is going better than a lot of people think.
COL. H.R. MCMASTER, US ARMY: The most tangible thing we can see is that people are happy. Hope is rekindled. Children rush to our soldiers. People spontaneously express their gratitude to us and the Iraqi army.
MCINTYRE: Colonel McMaster is the commander of the Army's 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment which is responsible for western Ninevah province, including Talafar, which was an insurgent stronghold until U.S. and Iraqi troops cleaned it up last year.
MCMASTER: The enemy now, they're skulking around like rats at night through the WID (ph) systems and so forth in the city. They can't be seen because it is them who are afraid.
MCINTYRE: Far from a broken force, McMaster insists his soldiers, now wrapping up their second tour in Iraq, are energized by the progress they see daily.
MCMASTER: Our soldiers ought to be exhausted now, but they're not. I mean, it seems like we're gaining energy every day because we see the difference we're making in real peoples' lives.
MCINTYRE: It's not the picture of Iraq that most Americans believe, but McMaster, who literally wrote the book on speaking truth to power, insists it's more accurate than the unrelenting violence would seem to indicate.
MCMASTER: I wish we could communicate more clearly is the relationships we develop with people. I mean we have made lifetime friends among the good Iraqi people. There are people in the neighborhoods where we're living who are naming their children after our soldiers. I know people don't see that.
MCINTYRE: But as his troops prepare to leave, McMaster says victory is still uncertain.
MCMASTER: But certainly it's a fragile victory. I mean this is a brutal and determined enemy who wants to get back into the city, who wants to continue to brutalize these people.
MCINTYRE: Jamie McIntyre, CNN, the Pentagon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Other headlines across America today. The Justice Department announces the arrest of two temporary FEMA employees in New Orleans who are charged with soliciting bribes in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
The employees are accused of coercing a $20,000 kickback from a food vendor who provided meals to displaced residents at $35 per meal. Their scheme was to inflate the numbers of meals served. The vendors alerted the FBI to the alleged shakedown.
Ford says it's appealing a huge verdict against it. A jury in Texas awarded $29.5 million to a woman in a blown tire case. The jury find Rose Munoz was partially paralyzed because of defects in a Ford designed Mazda Navajo and in a Firestone tire. Ford says the accident was due to driver error and also noted that Munoz wasn't wearing her seat belt.
A movie version of the best seller "A Million Little Pieces" reportedly has been yellow lighted. That's right, "L.A. Times" says that Warner Brothers, which paid $125,000 for the film rights, has put the film project on hold. According to the news paper, the company says author James Frey's admission that much of his memoir is fiction has forced it to re-evaluate the proposed screen play.
HARRIS: Can Washington residents be expecting more of this kind of mess this week? Your weekend weather forecast is next.
NGUYEN: And some might consider them the real stars of the Super Bowl. We're talking about those high priced, highly hyped commercials. We all watch for them. Find out what you can expect this year when CNN SATURDAY MORNING continues.
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HARRIS: Top stories now, a somber commemoration at the Kennedy Space Center, ceremonies under way to mark the day 20 years ago when the space shuttle Challenger blew apart. All seven astronauts on board were killed. The ceremony is also going on today at Arlington National Cemetery.
Heightened tensions in the west bank. Armed Fatah activists demonstrate at the Palestinian parliament building in Ramallah. Thousands of armed activists are demanding the resignation of party leaders. Fatah suffered a devastating loss in the Palestinian elections. And President Bush is threatening to cut off aid to the Palestinians if Hamas does not renounce violence.
The U.S. has earmarked more than $340 million in aid for the Palestinian authority this year. The State Department says it will review all money given to the Palestinians, even funds going through the U.N. or non-governmental organizations. Hamas leaders have described the U.S. position as aid blackmail.
NGUYEN: Ready for some football, Tony?
HARRIS: Bring it on.
NGUYEN: Super Bowl XL is just over a week away, but already there are many winners. They are the companies who ponied up $2.5 million for 30 second commercial spots during the game. Even one ad virtually assures instant market saturation.
Francis Kelly is a Madison Avenue veteran who knows all about the art of product and corporate promotion. He's co-author of the book "The Breakaway Brand." Fran Kelly joins us this morning from Boston to explain why companies large and small line up in droves for a chance to play in the Super Bowl. Thanks for being with us today.
FRANCIS KELLY, CO-AUTHOR, "THE BREAKAWAY BRAND": Betty, my pleasure.
NGUYEN: All right, two-and-a-half million smackaroos for a 30 second spot. How does that compare to recent years? That's pretty high.
KELLY: Well, I think it's the most that people have ever paid. It's up about $100,000 from what Fox was getting last year. So it's a lot of money. But if you do a great commercial and you do it right, it can be a great branding platform.
NGUYEN: I got to ask you that. Are these companies making their money back? Is it worth that investment?
KELLY: Well, it is. It is if you do it right. Just like the two teams in the Super Bowl need a good game plan to try to win, I think what you'll see this year is there are at least 25 advertisers on the Super Bowl and they all have a business game plan and they've got a great 30 second commercial or several of them to try to help them grow their business and it can pay back if you do it right.
NGUYEN: I guess it's word of mouth, too, because a lot of us, especially if you're not interested in the game as much, you're watching for those commercials, because you know they're going to be some of the best ones out there. So is it really a matter of demand because people are looking? It's a captivated audience so you're definitely going to want to put your best commercial out there.
KELLY: Oh, you have to put your best foot forward if you're going to spend $2.5 million. But the good thing is you not only reach the 100 million people, but they actually say that they enjoy the commercials as much as the game.
NGUYEN: That's true.
KELLY: Plus, there's all the hype the week before and the week after. So it's a pretty exciting place to be.
NGUYEN: Can this really launch a company, a brand, a product? I mean can this be what sets sail for this product?
KELLY: Oh, yes, the Super Bowl is such a great brand and business building platform. There was a little brand last year on last year, Emerald Nuts, which I don't think any of us had heard of. They're back again this year and they found their sales up almost 60 percent this year after being on the Super Bowl last year. Careerbuilder.com -- 60 percent. You reach half of America and they pay attention. And if you put a smile on their face and look like a good product, you can really build your business.
NGUYEN: Quickly, though, very quickly are there a lot of commercials that just don't make it? They don't cut it? They're not up to standard for a Super Bowl?
KELLY: Well, advertisers are getting smarter and smarter. I think almost every commercial you see this year is going to be interesting, funny, provocative, different. Advertisers have learned people aren't tuning in to hear the Gettysburg Address, so they try to make the commercials a wow!
NGUYEN: Give it to us quick and make us laugh, entertain us. That's what we want. Fran Kelly, author of "The Breakaway Brand." Thanks for being with us today.
KELLY: My pleasure. Should be a good game.
NGUYEN: It should be. Looking forward to the commercials, too. Tony you're looking forward to the game more than the commercials, aren't you?
HARRIS: Four score and seven years ago our forefathers ...
NGUYEN: No one wants to hear that.
HARRIS: No. Great speech. Another check of the weather now. Bonnie Schneider upstairs in the CNN Weather Center. Good morning Bonnie.
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NGUYEN: All right, thank you Bonnie. Here's a question. Will skater Michelle Kwan get yet another chance to go for Olympic gold? We've got details of this controversial decision next. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: All right. We want to tell you about what we have planned for you tomorrow. President Bush has vowed he will not negotiate with Hamas leaders and the Palestinian government. So where does this leave U.S.-Middle East relations, just one of the topics the president will discuss in his upcoming state of the union address. We're going to read between the lines on "CNN Sunday Morning" beginning at 7:00 Eastern, don't want to miss that. "CNN Live Saturday" is coming up at the top of the hour.
HARRIS: How about this, we feel like a big deal here. Suzanne Malveaux filling in for Fredericka Whitfield and she's joining us this morning with a preview. Suzanne, good morning.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: I'm glad I'm a big deal.
HARRIS: Oh, yes, trust me.
NGUYEN: You are a big deal.
MALVEAUX: Good morning. Coming up in the next hour, he spent nearly a quarter of a century in life in prison for crimes he did not commit. He's not bitter, though. He's just happy to be a free man.
Next hour, Allen Cotser (ph) joins us to talk about the evidence that set him free and about what he plans to do now. Join us for that story and much more at the top of the hour on "CNN LIVE SATURDAY." Tony and Betty, back to you. Thanks, so special. You make me feel so welcome.
NGUYEN: We'll be watching. See you, Suzanne.
HARRIS: And time to find out what people are watching today at cnn.com.
NGUYEN: Veronica De La Cruz from the dot com desk has the answers. You always have the answers. Hi, Veronica.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, guys. It is good to see you Suzanne. Well, the same stories I told you about this morning, they're still piquing the interest of viewers at cnn.com, especially that Michelle Kwan story. Will she or won't she go to the Olympics this year? We're going to tell you straight ahead.
But let's start New York. Police say this woman was arrested after setting fires in clothing stores in order to get away with stealing clothes from them. Now if you watch this video, you see her stuff her bag with clothes, hold a cigarette lighter up to a rack of clothing and then the flames. Savannah Johnson has been arrested 59 times on charges ranging from shoplifting to prostitution.
All right, guys, take a look at this video. You see the explosion and, well, I don't think it was supposed to happen quite that way. You're watching four stunt performers who were injured in a special effects accident. They were working on the set of ABC soap opera "All My Children." It is said that all four are expected to make a full recovery.
Finally, there is some Kwan-troversy brewing here, Michelle Kwan- troversy. Figure skater Michelle Kwan is getting another shot at the elusive Olympic gold medal. The U.S. Figure Skating Association has granted Kwan an injury waiver allowing her to compete in next month's Olympic games.
Kwan secured a spot on the U.S. team by proving to a panel that she has recovered from a groin injury. Now some are saying that it isn't fair because she didn't have to go through the normal channels to qualify.
HARRIS: Well, you know ...
DE LA CRUZ: What do you guys thinking about that?
HARRIS: What I'm thinking Emily Hughes is probably pretty upset.
NGUYEN: Who is getting bumped because of Kwan. But Kwan got bumped several years back if you remember with Nancy Kerrigan.
DE LA CRUZ: Nancy Kerrigan, she was supposed to go to the Olympics that year. She got bumped but she was only 14 years old, so at the age of 25, she's going to the Olympics for another shot at the gold. And you know what, Emily Hughes is 17. She has some time, right?
NGUYEN: She's talented.
DE LA CRUZ: We hope Michelle Kwan gets the gold this time. She deserves it. Thank you.
HARRIS: OK, Veronica, thank you.
NGUYEN: All right, speed dating without the hassle of making small talk?
HARRIS: Yes. Wait until you see this. Up next, how eye gazing -- all right -- might help you make that love match. "CNN SATURDAY" with Suzanne Malveaux is up next right after this short break.
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