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CNN Saturday Morning News
Intense Hunt In Iraq For Missing Contractors; President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Participate In Economic Summit In Vietnam; Stars Head To TomKat Wedding; Woman Serving 15 Years In Prison For Sending Toxic Treats To Supreme Court
Aired November 18, 2006 - 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: "Now in the News," no sign of five contractors kidnapped two days ago in Iraq in spite of an aggressive hunt by U.S. and coalition troops. Four Americans and one Austrian were grabbed Thursday at a fake police checkpoint near the Kuwait border. We're just minutes away from a live report on this developing story.
Now to Asia. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the Iraqi people must face up to their differences and realize they have no future except together. Rice spoke to business leaders in Hanoi. She's there attending an Economic Summit with President Bush. And we're going to have a live report from the Summit in about seven minutes.
Check this out. Italy is all abuzz today. Live pictures, actually new video coming in from Italy today. The wedding is expected to happen between TomKat -- Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Here's live pictures of that castle where it's going to take place. The couple and a host of celebrities are in Bracciano, Italy, just about an hour north of Rome. Tom and Katie, well, they are expected to say their "I dos" sometime around 11:00 a.m. this morning. You know we'll be covering that.
Well things are getting pretty ugly down under. Look at this, very different scene. Riots are breaking out in Melbourne, as the G20 Summit gets under way there. Protesters faced off against police, throwing rocks and bottles. Representatives from major economic powers such as China and the U.S. are attending that trade summit.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: In Afghanistan, dozens are dead and even more are missing in the aftermath of major flooding. Officials say at least 1,000 people lost their homes. NATO is air lifting emergency aid and sending a reconstruction team.
Now I want to head over to Bonnie Schneider hanging out with us this weekend for a quick check of our weather. Good morning to you Bonnie.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HOLMES: All right. We will see you shortly Bonnie. Of course we run down the top stories every 15 minutes here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING with in depth coverage all morning long. Your next check of the headlines is coming up at 7:15 Eastern. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just hope that my brother, whom I love very much, comes home safe and sound.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: A family's anguish as they wait for word on a loved one kidnapped in Iraq. From the CNN Center, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING it's November 18th. We will have much more on that story coming up. In the meantime, good morning everybody, I'm Betty Nguyen.
HOLMES: I'm T.J. Holmes. Thank you for being here.
NGUYEN: Well an intense hunt in Iraq to tell you about. Two days and counting since gunmen grabbed five contractors at a fake police checkpoint in southeast Iraq. Four of the five are Americans. I want to get some details now from our senior Pentagon correspondent Jamie McIntyre.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In southeastern Iraq, British troops, backed by U.S. helicopters, battle gunmen in the area where the convoy was hijacked as they hunted for the missing contractors, including four Americans. Two gunmen were killed, but it's not clear they were connected to the abduction.
The hijacking happened Thursday on a man road from Kuwait into Iraq where a civilian supply convoy, guarded by the Kuwaiti based Crescent Security Company was apparently stopped by people posing as Iraqi police. What appears to have been a fake checkpoint. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad provided only sketchy details.
The convoy was made up of 43 heavy trucks and six security vehicles. Of the 14 people taken, 9 truck drivers were released up the road, while 5 security personnel were abducted. Four of the five contractors taken were Americans, the fifth, and a former Austrian soldier. Only one of the Americans has been identified publicly, 39- year-old Paul Ruben, a former police officer from the suburban Minneapolis town of St. Louis Park. Back home in Minnesota, his mother anxiously awaits news.
JOHNNIE REUBEN, PAUL REUBEN'S MOTHER: I knew something had happened. There was something that told me -- and even at 3:00 this morning, something drained from me. I'm just -- I'm scared. But something an injury or worse.
MCINTYRE: It's still unclear who is behind the abductions. One theory is it could be Shia militiamen, but a local police official says he thinks criminal gangs are responsible and claims there's been a ransom demand. That's something CNN has been unable to confirm.
Jamie McIntyre, the Pentagon.
(END VIDEOTAPE) NGUYEN: Let's go straight now to CNN's Arwa Damon in Baghdad to get the latest on this developing story. Arwa are you hearing anything new this morning?
ARWA DAMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Betty, some interesting new developments to tell you about. An Iranian satellite TV station, which broadcasts in Arabic showed a video of a man whose identity is concealed by a white headscarf. Now, you can't hear his voice on the tape, but according to the anchor, he is a representative of a group called the Islamic Mujahideen Battalion. According to the television station, this group is claiming to have those five hostages in their custody.
However, they're offering no evidence to back that claim or any proof of life. Now, the Islamic Mujahedeen Battalion is a little known Shia militia that operates in southern Iraq. They were made public some six months ago. They're said to have carried out attacks against British forces in southern Iraq. They're believed to receive their training in Iran. They have also threatened to attack security companies that move within their area.
Now, the five were kidnapped at a fake checkpoint in the vicinity of Basra on Thursday and there are still ongoing security operations to try to rescue them. And, again, in this video, no evidence to back the claim that the Islamic Mujahedeen Battalion does have these five in their custody -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Well as we wait for more word on that let's talk a little bit about the raids in Sadr City. What do you know about the situation there?
DAMON: Well, according to a U.S. military press release, there were a number of operations that were conducted overnight in Sadr City. They were conducted by Iraqi Special Forces, backed by their U.S. coalition advisers. They were searching for, according to the U.S. military, kidnapping gangs as well as gangs believed to have been associated with that kidnapping that took place on Tuesday. If you remember, there was a mass kidnapping at Iraq's ministry of higher education that was conducted by armed gunmen that were masquerading in that case as well as Iraqi police, Betty.
NGUYEN: All right. CNN's Arwa Damon staying on top of the situations there in Iraq. Please come back with more information as you get it especially on the hostage situation in Iraq.
In the meantime, Britain's treasury chief is in Iraq this morning for the first time since the start of the war. Gordon Brown says he's there to pay tribute to the work British soldiers are doing in Iraq. Brown is expected to replace Tony Blair when he steps down next year. Both Brown and Blair say they are committed to supporting Iraq's efforts toward democracy. Britain has about 7,000 troops in Iraq.
You'll want to join John Roberts and CNN correspondents as they discuss the war in Iraq and the war of words on Capitol Hill. "This Week at War" that is tonight at 7:00 Eastern right here on CNN, the most trusted name in news. HOLMES: Trade, money, wars, nuclear bombs. Those topics all on the table as President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice participate in an economic summit with world leaders in Vietnam. CNN White House correspondent Elaine Quijano is traveling with the president and she joins us now live from Hanoi. Hello to you Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you T.J. Well it's called the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum. As its name suggest it's an annual gathering of 21 Pacific Rim leaders to talk about issues like trade and economic issues. But this year, one security issue has dominated the discussions President Bush had today with his counter parts from Japan and South Korea. The president discussing North Korea of course and its nuclear weapons program.
Mr. Bush held one-on-one talks with the new prime minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe. Afterwards the president said that the two talked about their common commitment to seeing the six party talks on North Korea succeed. Mr. Bush also sat down with the president of South Korea.
And though he tried, President Bush was not able to persuade the Korean leader to support intercepting ships suspected of carrying nuclear weapons supplies headed to North Korea. Meantime, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also here in Hanoi, pointed to Vietnam's history as an example for North Korea and the Asian nation of Burma to follow.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: There are other countries with which we hope to overcome difficult circumstances, too. The United States continues to look to the day when cooperation is possible with Burma and with North Korea. So far, these governments have chosen to reject the path of cooperation, violating their agreements and isolating their countries from the prosperity of the region.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: As for President Bush, in between meetings today, he took a tour of the U.S. military's joint POW/MIA Account Command Center, which recovers and identifies the remains of Americans killed in action during the Vietnam War. Certainly grim work and work that continues, T.J., more than 1500 American service members still listed as missing in action here in Vietnam -- T.J.
HOLMES: Wow, like you said. Some tough work still to be done on that and some tough work for the President as well in Hanoi. Elaine Quijano thank you so much.
NGUYEN: In the meantime, we want you to think Bracciano, nestled in the picturesque landscape with the medieval castle on a hill above the shores of a beautiful lake. Boy what a nice place to be right about now. HOLMES: This little town, little Italian town just right as the scene-setter for the celebrity wedding of the year, no doubt maybe of the decade. We'll take you there live with the latest from TomKat and Company. Mission, marriage, in just a few moments here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
NGUYEN: Plus, we are going to talk horsepower this morning; something T.J. loves top talk about, NASCAR. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, get your engines running. Rick Harrow will take you beyond the exhaust fumes and warn out tires. The fresh look at a relationship between the race circus and its fans. Beyond the game that is in 15 minutes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Here's a question for you as we wake up this morning. Is happiness the key to better health? Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks to everyone, from comedians to scientists, to figure out the keys to true happiness, how it can change your life. Don't miss "House Call" coming up this morning at 8:30 Eastern. We are back in 90 seconds.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: "Now in the News," an unsubstantiated claim surfaces concerning five hostages taken at a fake police checkpoint. CNN's Arwa Damon reports an Iranian run satellite news station is reporting a little known Shia militia group claims it has the contractors. No pictures and no evidence however, has been provided.
President Bush and other world leaders from Asia attending an economic summit in Vietnam today but a lot of the talk is about North Korea, not about money. The president is calling for strong enforcement of U.N. sanctions against North Korea imposed after Pyongyang tested a nuclear device last month.
And we are just a few hours away from one of the world's most anticipated weddings, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes. The star couple is expected to tie the knot this morning at a medieval castle north over Rome. You are taking a live peek at right there. The celebrities have come to help them celebrate the big day.
NGUYEN: What are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to be there?
HOLMES: I had to work.
NGUYEN: You declined the invitation. Right. We'll move on from there.
The FDA has approved silicone breast implants once again. Safety concerns led to the FDA to ban similar implants from the market about 14 years ago but these silicone implants made by two different companies come with a new restriction and here it is. They cannot be used in women under the age of 22.
Some violence to tell you about this morning in Melbourne, Australia. In fact, we don't have to just tell you about it. You can look at it right here. The city is playing host to the G20 Economic and Trade Summit. Some protesters broke through police barricade, pelting the police with rocks and bottles. Police have cordoned off several blocks around the meetings.
As you know, we run down the top stories every 15 minutes here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING with in dealt coverage all morning long. Your next check of the headlines coming up at 7:30 Eastern.
HOLMES: All right. A lot of people talking about this wedding. We're talking about this wedding.
NGUYEN: Can't get enough of it, let me tell you.
HOLMES: I was, I was supposed to be there. But you were back this weekend, you weren't here last weekend.
NGUYEN: I needed you here by my side.
HOLMES: I wanted to be here with you so I passed. You are taking a live peek there. This is the medieval Italian castle that is playing host to the celebrity wedding of the decade. But when Brad and Angelina get married, we'll forget about this one. We're talking about Tom and Katie today. This is supposed to be the big one of the decades.
NGUYEN: Well the stars are lined and by stars, we mean Jennifer Lopez, Will Smith, just to name a few. All in Italy for the couple that they call TomKat. CNN's Rome Bureau Chief Alessio Vinci, has the details.
ALESSIO VINCI, CNN ROME BUREAU CHIEF: It is one of the best locations in Italy money can buy. Tom Cruise reportedly paid close to $400,000 just to rent Odescalchi overlooking Lake Bracciano one hour north of Rome. The total bill for the whole wedding, around $1.5 million reports say, a lot but less then the $3 million originally estimated. But money can't buy everything.
Authorities rejected a request to close the air space above the castle, to keep paparazzi helicopters away. And speaking of the media, they have taken the small town by storm. And they, too, appear to spare no expenses. A window overlooking the castle's main entrance is worth more than a thousand dollars.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALLAN HALL, "STAR" MAGAZINE: The photographers have lenses that you can see craters on the moon on hoping for a shot up there to get the bride and groom.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VINCI: Details of the wedding are a closed guarded secret but many here speculate that the couple will reach the castle through this tunnel. At the end of it, hoards of journalists will be waiting for them on this side before the couple will disappear beyond this gate off limits to any one with out an invitation.
All the money in the world won't buy Hollywood's hottest couple a Catholic wedding either.
Tom Cruise is divorced, so no way says the local priest, who according to Catholic Church tradition needs to authorize all marriages in his parish. The wedding won't even have legal status in Italy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR PATRIZIA RICCIONI, BRACCIANO, ITALY (through translator) "I understand that it will be a ceremony with scientology right." says the mayor of Bracciano referring to Tom Cruise's religion, which isn't recognized here in Italy. We at City Hall have not received any request for civil wedding.
Locals will be disappointed if all of this proves to have been a ruse to keep reporters away from the actual wedding location starting with this shopkeeper who dressed his window to honor Tom Cruise hoping the wedding will also bring good business.
EMIDIO FALCIONE, SHOP OWNER: The most important window that we make is the "Top Gun" window. We sell a lot of pilot's jackets like in the "Top Gun" films.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VINCI: Of course this being Italy, food is playing a prominent role. The restaurant across from the castle main entrance is already fully booked for Saturday. The chef will prepare a special dish that Tom and Katie risotto with mushrooms and truffles served in a Parmesan basket.
NGUYEN: Makes you wonder what they're going to serve at the wedding reception itself. Alessio Vinci joins us now from Bracciano where the wedding is expected to take place sometime today. Alessio, though, you mentioned this, that possibly it's a ruse. Maybe this was all for naught. Do you think so, really?
VINCI: Well, we would have a great story to tell if this wedding were not to take place here in Bracciano today, Betty. I can tell you -- you probably can hear the helicopters flying behind me. There are already two helicopters and a plane flying over the Bracciano castle. We suspect television crews of course, perhaps some paparazzi trying to get a shot, that famous shot of the two cutting the cake perhaps.
But they haven't showed up here yet. We've seen several limousines entering the castle earlier today. We don't know who was on board. We do understand from the mayor of Bracciano that there were supposed to be some kind of a luncheon here at the castle for intimate people -- some intimate friends, close relatives, but we have not seen that many cars coming in that carry enough people.
At the same time, we understand that the VIPs are expected to arrive later in the afternoon for a ceremony supposedly to be taking place around 6:00 local time. That's about five and a half hours from now. Would be about noon on the Eastern -- on the East Coast in the United States. So all that of course is speculation. All that is stuff that has been reported by other journalists.
We have absolutely no official confirmation that the wedding is going to take place here in Bracciano other than that fact there are a lot of journalists, that the citizens have been closed up, that there are a lot of security and police around trying to maintain some order.
There aren't that many fans. We've seen perhaps a few hundred people lined up the streets leading to the castle. The Main Square where the main entrance is, there are about 300 or 400 people there with banners saying "Katie and Tom, Welcome to Bracciano."
The locals, of course, are thrilled about this event and they have embraced the Hollywood couple as one of their own. But so far we have not seen them. And as the mayor said, like in any wedding, until the bride shows up, you really don't know what's going to happen.
NGUYEN: Let me get this straight. You have seen no celebrities, not even sure the wedding is going to take place there, but you're there just in case, Alessio. Let me ask you this. What do you know, if anything, about the ceremony itself? Is it going to be scientology, is it going to be a Catholic ceremony? What do you know about that?
VINCI: We do know what it will not be. It will not be a Catholic ceremony. Tom Cruise is divorced. He belongs to scientology. The local priest here, the Catholic priest with whom I spoke earlier this week told me basically, no way we have not received any request from the Catholic Diocese where perhaps Katie Holmes resides for a request for a Catholic wedding.
And the mayor here is telling us that they have not submitted documents for a civil ceremony. So as far as the Italian authorities are concerned, the state, whatever ceremony will take place here, possibly scientology one, will not be recognized by the Italian state.
NGUYEN: This is so interesting, if a ceremony takes place at all. We'll be there regardless. Alessio Vinci, thank you for that. The story just keeps getting deeper and deeper.
HOLMES: If they do not have a wedding...
NGUYEN: We're all fooled.
HOLMES: They should do the new "Punk'd." they should do the show. Of course we're talking about this wedding, so that will be the focus of our e-mail question as well. We want to know from you. Do you have this TomKat fever like so many seem to, and we do as well or TomKat fatigue? Maybe you're sick of the whole thing. E-mail us at WEEKENDS@CNN.com. We'll read some of your responses a little later in this newscast.
NGUYEN: I love it. It's just too much. We go overboard with everything, especially this. We, meaning just the general public. We love to latch on. HOLMES: The fever, yes.
NGUYEN: The fever of it all. So e-mail us your thoughts on it, we want to hear what you think today.
HOLMES: If they fool us, man, though...
NGUYEN: I hope not. My goodness, can you imagine?
All right. We shall move on. Touted by the Bush administration as a huge success and democracy for the Middle East. And now, well, it's on the brink of chaos. In the midst of the hefty power struggle, which way will Beirut go? We're going to bring you a reality check on Lebanon.
HOLMES: Then NASCAR. One of my absolute favorites! Getting ready to crown a champion tomorrow. America's love affair with stock cars, is it cooling off? Hope not. We're going to check that out in our "Beyond the Game" segment with Rick Harrow and find out which phrase is part of NASCAR slang.
All right Betty.
NGUYEN: All right here we go.
HOLMES: Is it happy hour? Is it nightcap or last call? One of those is part of the lingo. That answer coming up when CNN SATURDAY MORNING continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: And good Saturday morning again to you, everybody. We're going to get us a quick check of the weather with Bonnie Schneider. Always a pleasure to have her, sitting in for Reynolds Wolf today. Hello again Bonnie.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: OK, thank you Bonnie, appreciate that.
Want to talk about something coming up that you don't want to miss. A mother and sister devastated, they are trying to hold up and they are hoping for the best. We're going to talk to the family of one of the contractors abducted just a few days ago in Iraq.
On a much lighter note, TomKat wedding in Italy. We are watching, we want to go live to Bracciano for the latest on the preparations and the whole wedding shebang, that is in twenty minutes. Right here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Let's take a look at the stories "Now in the News": A claim, but no proof. Iranian TV is reporting that a little-known Shia militia group claims it has five contractors kidnapped Thursday in Iraq. The report offers no evidence the group actually has the hostages. Four of the contractors are American.
President Bush, and other world leaders from Asia, attending an economic summit in Vietnam today. But a lot of the talk about North Korea, not money. The president calling for strong enforcement of U.N. sanctions against North Korea imposed after Pyongyang tested a nuclear device last month.
A medieval castle north of Rome hosting one of the most anticipated weddings. Here's new video coming in. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes expected to be married there in a few hours. A host of celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, Jim Carrey and Will Smith, they are expected to be on hand to celebrate the nuptials, if they take place there. Here's a live picture, nonetheless.
Violence in Melbourne, Australia, to tell you about today. The city is playing host to the G20 economic and trade summit. Some protesters broke through police barricades, throwing rocks and bottles at police. Authorities had cordoned off several blocks around the meetings.
HOLMES: We're now looking into reports this morning of more bloodshed in northern Gaza. According to Reuters, the Israeli army says its special forces killed a Palestinian gunman in one incident. In another clash, Hamas claims responsibility for a missile attack that wounded three Israeli troops. Israeli troops moved into the area after a rocket attack killed a woman in southern Israel several days ago.
And again, Bonnie Schneider, in this weekend keeping an eye on the weather.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HOLMES: We run down the top stories for you every 15 minutes here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING with in-depth coverage all morning long. The next check of the headlines at 7:45 Eastern.
And welcome back, everybody. I'm T.J. I feel like I should say -- introduce myself to you. I haven't worked with you in a weekend or so.
NGUYEN: Week and a half. Boy, way too long, apparently.
HOLMES: I missed you.
NGUYEN: I can tell. I missed you, too, T.J.
I'm Betty Nguyen. Thanks for starting your day with us.
HOLMES: We're going to start this morning, or at least this half hour, with that story out of Iraq. The kidnapped in Iraq , really, a Minnesota man among five security contractors abducted Thursday in Iraq. So far, a massive search has turned up nothing. Back home Paul Reuben's family is sick with work. CNN's Ed Lavandera reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) JOHNNIE MAE REUBEN, PAUL REUBEN'S MOTHER: I came home from work. I was really tired. And I found this note on my door.
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This little scrap of paper has never meant so much by Johnnie Reuben, left by her son when he was just a high school senior.
J. REUBEN: It said "Important: Please open immediately. I love you very much, love Paul. 1985." And he was always like that.
LAVANDERA: Twenty-one years later, Paul Reuben is an American contractor held hostage in Iraq. This simple note is one of the few things that brought a smile to her face as we talked with her, and his sister, in their Minneapolis home.
J. REUBEN: I thought about him so much last night. I said -- wondered if he's cold, if he's hungry, if he's injured, or if he's here.
LAVANDERA: Before heading to Iraq, Paul Reuben spent eight years working as a police officer in a Minneapolis suburb. Three years ago, he was lured by high-paying security contractors to work in Iraq. His family says the longer he stayed, the more he loved the work. But a week ago Paul called to say he was done and he'd be home in a few days. The job was becoming too dangerous, too violent. Paul's family could sense something had changed.
J. REUBEN: I always saw his strength every time when he could admit that part of that fear, that was the reality fear, but not let it overtake him.
LAVANDERA: Paul Reuben's family says they're receiving updates from the U.S. State Department, but there's little information, leaving them fearful and upset.
SUZANNE REUBEN, PAUL REUBEN'S SISTER: I cry in spurts. And I just hope that my brother, whom I love very much, comes home safe and sound.
LAVANDERA: To those holding Paul Reuben hostage, his mother pleads for mercy.
J. REUBEN: If there's any goodness or kindness left, or anything that you can show a fellow man, show it, because that kindness will come back to you, too.
LAVANDERA: Johnnie and Suzanne Reuben say they're holding on to shreds of hope, that Paul will soon be home, alive, to celebrate his 40th birthday with a twin brother. Ed Lavandera, CNN, Minneapolis.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Well, a military rally to support U.S. troops kicks off at noon today in Columbus, Georgia. That's the home of Fort Benning military base. It's billed as a day of family fun with live games. And CNN's HUMMER, our Warrior One, will be on display there. You can check out our overhaul, or some might say tricked-out HUMMER online. You can go to CNN.com/WarriorOne and see what it looked like before the overhaul team got hold of it and where Warrior One is going to be next. And, of course, a look at the photo gallery. You can also read about the Fisher House Foundation and how it supports our familiar troops and their families.
NGUYEN: All for a very good cause.
In the meantime, a murder mystery, a government's future and the stability of a critical region all on the line right now in Lebanon. Events this week threatened to plunge the government into chaos. And it could have serious implications for U.S. efforts to encourage democracy in the Middle East. CNN's Joshua Levs is here to walk us through the story with the "CNN Reality Check."
Joshua, take us through what's happening right now.
JOSHUA LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. We're talking about the place on Earth, the place President Bush can best point to and say, look, democracy can work in the Arab world. That is Lebanon.
But based on what we've seen in the last few days, the Lebanese government is in danger of a complete collapse, which would have serious effects for the United States and U.S. foreign policy.
So, what we wanted to do here is just take a step back, show everyone what's happened to get Lebanon to this point. This story, just like far too many other stories coming out of the Middle East these days begins in the aftermath of a bombing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEVS (voice-over): February 14th, 2005, 23 people killed in a Beirut bombing, including former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, a top critic of Syria's military presence in Lebanon.
It's the final straw for hundreds of thousands of Lebanese, who call for the ouster of the Syrian army. Within weeks, Syria pulls out. A preliminary U.N. investigation into Hariri's assassination finds evidence pointing at Syrian involvement. Syria denies it.
Fast forward to summer 2006. Israel's war with the Shiite militant group Hezbollah in south Lebanon leaves a new era of Lebanese factions jockeying for power. Last weekend the four Hezbollah's members of Lebanon's cabinet, and two others, quit hours before a vote on approving an international investigation into Hariri's death. Their departure leave no Shiites in the cabinet possibly violating the constitution call for equal representation.
Hariri's son calls it an effort by Hezbollah supporters, Iran and Syria, to stop an investigation.
SAAD HARIRI, LEADER, PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY: They tried to create a little bit of uncertainty in Lebanon.
LEVS: An accusation that brought annoyed denials.
IBRAHIM MOUSSAWI, HEZBOLLAH'S TV EDITOR: I can accuse of you anything, but you have to bring one shred of evidence about the authenticity, the validity, of your accusations.
IMAD MOUSTAPHA, SYRIAN AMBASSADOR TO U.S.: We do not interfere in purely Lebanese domestic issues.
LEVS: Plans for a tribunal move forward, because the remaining 18 cabinet members approve it. Now Hezbollah is threatening to use its popularity to bring down the government unless the Shiites get a third of the cabinet, plus one. Enough for veto power. Shiites make up a third the country. The prime minister denies his government could collapse and he's calling for unity.
FOUAD SINIORA, LEBANESE PRIME MINISTER: This country is a country of minority. No one single group can take the country wherever it needs. This country has to be really governed by consensus.
LEVS: A consensus that seems hard to reach.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEVS: And if that consensus is not reached, serious effects, not only for the region but also for the Bush administration. President Bush's chief foreign policy objective is to spread democracy everywhere. Nowhere more so, than in the Arab world.
Up until now, Lebanon has been an important example. The president said it the other day. Lebanon was an example of democracy for the region. The United States wants to help it get back that, but what if that doesn't happen? What if the opposite happens? What if instead of building democracy, in Lebanon, the government collapses. That takes away this major example the Bush administration likes to use to show the region, Betty, that democracy is possible everywhere.
NGUYEN: A government on the brink of chaos. We will be talking a little bit more about this in our 11:00 a.m. Eastern hour, with you, Josh. Thanks so much for that report.
LEVS: Thanks.
NGUYEN: The newsroom has caught a bad case ever TomKat fever this morning.
HOLMES: We're a little embarrassed to admit it, but yes.
NGUYEN: It's true.
HOLMES: The countdown -- it's true.
Today's big wedding happening in Italy, we think. The guests are arriving right now. We'll take you live to Italy just a bit later.
NGUYEN: What was that e-mail question of the day? TomKat fever, TomKat fatigue? All right. Got to think about that one.
Coming up next on the dotcom desk, the nominees for the "Best I- Report of the Month." We'll let you decide the winner when CNN SATURDAY MORNING returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Here's some stories "Now in the News": The search continues for four American and one Austrian contractor grabbed at a fake police check point on Thursday. In a new development this morning, Iranian television reports a little-known Shia militia group claiming to be holding the contractors. There's no evidence that was provided to substantiate that claim.
President Bush, and other world leaders, from Asia attending an economic summit in Vietnam today. But a lot of talk is about North Korea, not money. The president is calling for strong enforcement of U.N. sanctions imposed after Pyongyang tested a nuclear device last month.
And we are just a few hours away from one of the year's most anticipated weddings, at least we think. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, the star couple, are expected to tie the knot at a medieval castle north of Rome. The celebrities, they have come out to help celebrate the big day.
We run down the top stories every 15 minutes here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING with in-depth coverage all morning long. Your next check of the headlines coming up at the top of the hour.
Well, there is a lot going on at CNN.com, as usual. Veronica de la Cruz, as busy as she is, she's keeping track of the I-Reports that viewers are sending in.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN .COMDESK: That's right. We receive numerous submissions. As you know, yes, lots at our CNN Exchange, which is our online community that hosts your pictures, your video, and your thoughts.
We want to know what you think is the "Best I-Report of the Month". Here are a few picks from October.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DE LA CRUZ (voice-over): Among the nominees is this video shot by Saura Banaji (ph), from his apartment, of an small airplane that crashed into a Manhattan high rise. The aircraft carried New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle and his flight instructor.
This picture was taken from the video shot by 12-year-old in Willis Matae, in Napa County, California. The Atlas Creek Fire was difficult to fight because of the rugged terrain.
We've also requested your fall picture. We nominate this one by Darryl Spangler (ph). Thousands of Aspen leaves created a golden road through the Roosevelt National Forest in Colorado. Darryl calls this image "Fairy Tale Forest." And that's a great one.
You can logon and vote for your favorite at CNN.com/exchange. In the next hour, you'll meet our September winner. Matthew Cheek, take a look. Matthew drew a picture and sent it in when Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin passed away. He stopped by the studio yesterday and you're going to get to meet him and take a look at that winning submission. It's coming up at 10 Eastern. How cute is he?
NGUYEN: So cute. I imagine that he had some great things to say, too. Look at him, just talking away. Sometimes it's hard to get children to talk, but not Matthew.
DE LA CRUZ: Yes, not Matthew. And let me just say this. He sent in a submission on his own. Didn't even tell his parents.
NGUYEN: Smart little guy there.
DE LA CRUZ: Yes, 10 years old.
NGUYEN: He knows how to take something and run with it. Thank you, Veronica. Looking forward to that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RACE TRACK ANNOUNCER: One position every two laps, that's not bad.
HOLMES: OK, 55, that ain't nothing compared to what Jimmy Johnson is going to be doing as he goes for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship title tomorrow at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He's got a 63-point lead right now, so it's his to lose and some might say that the winner is pretty much crowned.
The question is, will viewers actually be tuning in? We'll go "Beyond The Game." we're joined by Rick Horrow, author of "When The Game Is On The Line."
Sir, good to see you. I haven't talked to you in a couple of weeks. We're talking NASCAR and I love this stuff.
RICK HORROW, SPORTS BUSINESS ANALYST: Hey, man, I wear this tie every NASCAR year. And, you know, since I haven't talked to you, this is just for you. It's also worth $10 billion.
NGUYEN: That's atrocious.
HORROW: And I figured if I wore --
NGUYEN: Well, you need to spend a little bit more on your tie because that tie is horrible.
HOLMES: Betty hates your tie.
HORROW: Hey, congratulations on your Texas Longhorns, Betty.
NGUYEN: Oh, you are so mean! HORROW: Keep quiet, all right.
HOLMES: Oh.
NGUYEN: All right. I'll leave you alone.
HORROW: Yes, I hear you. Let's go to NASCAR.
HOLMES: Let's go NASCAR yes. Well, it's dropping a little bit. The popularity was just going through the roof for years and years. It's kind of hit a point. Has it peaked?
HORROW: Some people say so. I know there were some articles about it. But the bottom line is, they're finishing a TV deal with NBC, and starting another one. The ratings are OK, but a $4.5 billion deal for the next eight years, a 40 percent increase in the rights fees. So let's not cry for NASCAR.
Bottom line is corporate America still loves it. They're spending nearly $600 million on sponsoring these deals. Why? Joyce Julius, the firm that talks about these things, $5 billion of exposure. Nextel is spending a billion, Georgia-Pacific and Ford, $300 million of market activity when they do this. Those numbers are big.
But here's a great story. Winston Cup was the sponsors of the big time race. The FCC and others said you obviously can't do cigarette advertising. So, you know what they're doing? They have an official sponsorship with Nicorette, to be the non-smoking sponsor of NASCAR.
HOLMES: Nice.
HORROW: That about tells you everything you need to know about NASCAR.
HOLMES: NASCAR worried at all? They don't seem to be sweating it, even though maybe not as many watching.
HORROW: Well, yes, but the bottom line is they're doing a whole lot of things to make sure they expand their demographics. Interestingly, they're spread beyond the Southeast and they're building tracks in Seattle -- they're trying. And in New York to try to get this done.
Hispanic, other marketing, international; 150 countries are tuning in for the broadcast of The Chase for the Championship tomorrow, in Homestead. But they're also reaching out to kids, age seven to eleven, 61 percent say they're NASCAR fans. They don't drive the family car. So you movies and cartoons, "Talladega Nights, The Ballad of Ricky Bobby", Will Ferrell's biggest debut. "Cars", the DVD video, just came out in DVD last weekend. My daughter, Caroline, watched it five times and I watched it three.
HOLMES: All right. Well, we've got to quickly get to our "Fair Ball & Foul Ball of the Week". Let's start with whichever one you want to take first, go right ahead.
HORROW: Let's start with the foul ball, because it's really kind of disgusting. In Betty's home state, in Texas, Corpus Christi. There is a coach by the name of Watson, he was just indicted for assault, which could carry a year in prison.
NGUYEN: That's terrible.
HORROW: Pee-Wee League, five-year-old, six-year-old, Corpus Christi, two teams. They weren't fighting. The parents were fighting, the coaches and referees, it was a big brawl. You see the video. That's one ever the foulest balls I've ever seen.
HOLMES: Yes, that's one of the worst we've seen. Give us the "Fair Ball". Let's leave on a good note here.
HORROW: "Fair Ball" is real quick. We have a --
HOLMES: More fighting? Look at this?
NGUYEN: That's a fair ball?
HORROW: Listen -- that's not the "Fair Ball. The "Foul Ball" is the fight. The "Fair Ball is what, the little game that's happening in Columbus, Ohio today, Michigan/Ohio State. By the way, the winner in the BCS, the loser still has a shot. And $50 to $60 million worth of economic activity in Ohio, just from this game. Worldwide television audience, as they like to say, and these probably are at least point, Betty, sorry, the best two teams in college football.
NGUYEN: You know, I have to give it to you.
HOLMES: Wow!
NGUYEN: The quarterback was hurt. Did you see him? He was hurt in the first drive.
HORROW: Hey, let's wrap that tape up. Did you hear her agreeing with me? Somebody back in the production trailer, please, let's just save that. All right.
NGUYEN: But I have a point to make, that our quarterback was injured. There you go.
HORROW: Oh, shed a tear. Everybody is talking about it. Hook 'em Horns next year.
NGUYEN: Next year.
HOLMES: But my Razorbacks still in it. So, there we go.
HORROW: Yes, they are, man.
HOLMES: All right, we're going to talk about, we've got to get this answered. Told but this question. Which part of NASCAR slang, happy hour, nightcap or last call? Betty, not so much. NGUYEN: I didn't do so great with this one.
HOLMES: Actually happy hour. NASCAR.com said it's slang for the last official practice session held before an event. So I knew that one.
NGUYEN: You're a big fan of the happy hour?
HOLMES: Huge fan of the -- NASCAR. All right.
NGUYEN: For more reasons than one.
HOLMES: All right.
NGUYEN: We'll be right back with more news after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Got some new pictures coming in to CNN from Hanoi, Vietnam, where President Bush is arriving at the APEC gala dinner. He took part in the first part of the retreat there, this APEC retreat in Asia, as they are talking about many things.
A lot of people think money would be on their minds, but so far President Bush has been talking about missile defense to counter the threat posed by nuclear neighbor North Korea. In fact, he's spoken with the Japanese prime minister, and they have agreed to strengthen and accelerate talks on ballistic missile defense.
HOLMES: Yes, it's supposed to be an economic forum, of course, but a lot of side meetings going on as well. Talking about North Korea as well. So, we're keeping an eye on that. President Bush arriving for the big dinner tonight.
NGUYEN: And we are just getting warmed up on this edition of CNN SATURDAY MORNING. Can't you tell?
HOLMES: Straight ahead, though, killer cookies?
NGUYEN: Not so good.
HOLMES: Why are we showing you a picture of the justices, there? A little strange, but a plot to poison the justices on the Supreme Court is revealed.
NGUYEN: And for years he was a Secret Santa handing out cash at the holidays. Now this Santa is facing the fight of his life. You're going to want to stick around to hear his story.
HOLMES: We have all that and we'll update you on the headlines, ahead in our next hour. You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: "Now in the News," concern over North Korea. President Bush and other world leaders are attending an economic summit in Vietnam today, and North Korea's nuclear program tops their agenda.
A live report from Hanoi coming up in just a minute.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: New developments to tell you about from Iraq this morning. In the past hour, an unsubstantiated claim has surfaced concerning five contractors taken hostage at a fake police checkpoint on Thursday. Four of those kidnapped were Americans, including this man.
In two minutes, CNN's Arwa Damon has the latest from Baghdad.
Former congressman Mark Foley expected to attend his father's funeral today in West Palm Beach, Florida. Foley came out of seclusion Thursday, two days after his father died of cancer. Foley hadn't been seen since he checked himself into a rehab center in the wake of the congressional page e-mail scandal.
HOLMES: And the crowds are gathering in Bracciano, Italy, this morning for the expected -- and we emphasize expected -- wedding of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. It is believed the couple will get hitched in just a few hours. You can see some of those crowds gathering there.
But before they get hitched, we want to know what you think. Do you have the same TomKat fever that so many do have? Or the TomKat fatigue that a lot of people have, too?
You can e-mail us.
NGUYEN: Do you love it or are you over it already?
HOLMES: Love it or hate it? Either way, we're going to keep giving it to you this morning. Sorry. We're going to read actually some of your e-mail responses to our question a little later in this newscast.
And of course we run down the top stories every 15 minutes here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING, with in-depth coverage for you all morning long. Your next check of the headlines coming up at 8:15 Eastern Time.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. A big breath in.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: What is that?
HOLMES: Yes. Well, these people are actually helping their health. Dr. Sanjay Gupta is going to explain that at the bottom of the hour.
Whoa, what was that? Yes. NGUYEN: Yes.
HOLMES: Stick around, please.
We are at the CNN Center in Atlanta. And this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It is November 18th, 8:00 a.m. on the East Coast, 4:00 p.m. in Baghdad.
Hello, everybody. I'm T.J. Holmes.
NGUYEN: Good morning. I'm Betty Nguyen.
We want to thank you for being with us today.
Let's talk about this, dining and diplomacy. We begin this hour in Vietnam, where President Bush is attending an economic summit. It's already 8:00 at night in Hanoi, and the president is taking part in a gala dinner. But he spent much of the day talking about North Korea's nuclear program.
Let's go live now to Hanoi and CNN's Elaine Quijano.
You would think they would be talking about money. But no, they are talking about North Korea.
Bring us up to speed, Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. Hello to you, Betty.
As you mentioned, it is evening here in Vietnam. Dinner time, in fact. President Bush arriving just a short time ago to the gala dinner for the APEC leaders for the APEC summit here in Hanoi.
Now, the official title is the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum. And as the name of this summit suggests, this is a gathering of 21 leaders of Pacific Rim nations to talk about trade and economic issues. But as you noted, one security issue has dominated President Bush's one-on-one talks. That is, of course, North Korea, and what do about its nuclear weapons program.
Now, the president did hold one-on-one talks with the leader of Japan, as well as the leader of South Korea today. Though he tried, the president was not able to convince the president of South Korea, Roh Moo-hyun, that he should support intercepting ships suspected of carrying nuclear weapons supplies headed to North Korea. But Mr. Bush instead emphasized that the two leaders do agree on the overarching goal.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Our desire is to solve the North Korean issue peacefully. And as I've made clear in a speech as recently as two days ago in Singapore, that we want the North Korean leaders to give up his weapons and nuclear weapons ambitions that we'd be willing to enter into security arrangements with the North Koreans, as well as move forward with new economic incentives for the North Korean people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: And tomorrow, Betty, North Korea will be again the focus for President Bush as he sits down for talks with President Hu Jintao of China, as well as Russian president Vladimir Putin -- Betty.
NGUYEN: CNN's Elaine Quijano joining us live from Hanoi, Vietnam.
Thank you for that, Elaine.
HOLMES: Some new developments this morning on the kidnapping of contractors at a fake police checkpoint on Thursday.
CNN's Arwa Damon following this story for us. She's live in Baghdad.
Arwa, what do you have for us?
ARWA DAMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, T.J., interesting new information related to that kidnapping coming out of Iran, an Iranian satellite TV station which broadcasts in Arabic. Broadcast images of a man -- a seated man's identity is concealed by a head scarf. According to the anchor -- you cannot hear his voice, but according to the anchor, he is claiming to be a representative of the Islamic Mujahideen Battalion, which is claiming to have these five in their -- in their custody. Now, they offer no evidence to back that claim, nor do they offer any sort of proof of life.
Now, this battalion, this Islamic Mujahideen battalion, is a little known Shia militia that operates in southern Iraq. They became public some six months ago, are said to have carried out a number of attacks against British forces in that area.
They have also threatened to attack security companies moving through their area. And they are believed to also receive their training in Iran. But again, no evidence to back that claim on their Web site. And there are ongoing military operations to try to secure the release of those five -- T.J.
HOLMES: And Arwa, you gave us a little bit there about this Islamic Mujahideen battalion. What else can you tell us about any kind of reputation they might have around Iraq? You said they are fairly new.
DAMON: Well, they are. And they are fairly -- they are not very well known. But, I mean, T.J., we do constantly see these small splinter groups that emerge, these new groups that form all the time. And if they are trying to establish themselves, perhaps this is their first effort in trying to do that.
We see this all the time. There are countless little insurgent groups here, militia groups that keep popping up. And they do always try to establish themselves. This could be their effort to do that. But again, they are providing no evidence to back their claim -- T.J. HOLMES: All right.
Our Arwa Damon reporting for us, following all the developments in Baghdad.
Thank you so much.
And the situation in Iran will be the focus of tonight's "LOU DOBBS THIS WEEK." If the election was lost because of frustration with the Iraq war, why then are more troops being sent? Find out tonight at 6:00 Eastern.
Then at 7:00 Eastern, John Roberts hosts "THIS WEEK AT WAR." CNN correspondents discuss military options and the war of words on Capitol Hill over U.S. troop levels.
NGUYEN: Well, midterm elections have come and gone. And what a difference a couple of weeks makes.
Post-election there's lots of talk about -- bipartisan cooperation. Now the Senate's next Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, is threatening to block legislation if Democrats attempt a filibuster on President Bush's judicial nominations.
Now, yesterday, Vice President Dick Cheney said the Republicans' loss of Congress in last week's elections won't dissuade President Bush from continuing to nominate strict constructionists to the federal bench.
A woman is serving 15 years in prison for sending a toxic batch of treats to justices of the Supreme Court. This isn't the first time it has happened. And retired justice Sandra Day O'Connor, and among others, is concerned that more people might try to cook up other political attacks on judges.
CNN's Mary Snow reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It might have been just another legal conference in Dallas until retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor mentioned in her words a wonderful package of home baked cookies sent to all the justices. The "Ft. Worth Star Telegram" quotes O'Connor saying, "Each one contained enough poison to kill the entire membership of the court."
Prosecutors say those baked goods and candy were laced with rat poison and sent not only to the nine Supreme Court Justices but to two FBI officials and offices in the army, navy and air force. It happened in April of 2005. Just last month, 60 year old Barbara Joan Marsh of Bridgeport, Connecticut was sentenced to 15 years in prison for sending those packages. Court watchers were surprised that they're only hearing about this now.
EDWARD LAZARUS, SUPREME COURT LEGAL ANALYST: Quite clearly, the court did not want to publicize this incident. It's very different from the other branches of government. I think they just don't want the idea that this is even thinkable.
SNOW: A Supreme Court spokeswoman says the packages never reached the justices due to increased security following a 2001 anthrax scare at the Supreme Court. Another red flag, prosecutors cite typewritten letters accompanying the packages saying I am or we are going to kill you. This is poisoned. March's lawyer says her motive is unclear, but says she's had a history of mental illness.
While this incident may be a rarity, court observers say one reason O'Connor has been speaking publicly is to bring further attention to political attacks on judges, which she believes may encourage more serious threats of violence. In September, she gave a rare interview to CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin.
SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR, RETIRED U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE: As I went through the last few years from service here at the court, I saw increasing indicators of unhappiness with judges. And it was erupting all over the country.
SNOW (on camera): Last March, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg acknowledged a specific death threat against her and retired Justice O'Connor.
Mary Snow, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Well, do you believe you can will yourself into a happier state of mind?
NGUYEN: Maybe.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It kind of has a little bit of a blissful feeling. It feels nice.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: I think we all want that feeling. Coming up in 20 minutes, what you can learn about living a healthier life from Buddhist monks.
HOLMES: And using humor to help hurricane victims in the Gulf. Three comedic powerhouses are joining forces once again. You'll hear from them next.
NGUYEN: That's going to be great.
And still to come, a secret Santa revealed. A Missouri man spends 26 anonymous years randomly giving away cash to people on the street. Well now he is in the battle of his life.
We have more on that when CNN SATURDAY MORNING returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HOLMES: "Now in the News," fine dining with some diplomacy on the menu. President Bush and other world leaders from Asia are attending an economic summit in Vietnam today. And right now they are at a gala dinner.
We got this video a short time ago of the president and first lady arriving at that dinner. But earlier, the leaders agreed on a statement to ratchet up the pressure on North Korea over its nuclear program.
In Lincoln, Nebraska, one college student is dead and three others are in critical condition following a fire at a fraternity house in Nebraska -- Wesleyan University. Thirty-five other people inside the Phi Kappa Tau house got out.
And Grammy-winning R&B singer Ruth Brown has died. She was 78 years old. She's best known for a short run of hits in the 1950s, including "Teardrops in My Eyes."
The East Coast of the U.S. should get a good old show tonight. Astronomers expect this year's Leonid meteor shower to be especially busy, averaging two shooting stars per minute for two hours. And if you plan to watch, take your digital camera or that camcorder, and then submit your images to I-Report on the CNN Web page and we might put them on the air for everybody to see.
And of course we do run down the top stories for you every 15 minutes here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING, with in-depth coverage for you all morning long. Your next check of the headlines at the bottom of the hour.
NGUYEN: Look who is joining us this morning, Bonnie Schneider.
Good morning to you. I guess folks on the West Coast, hopefully they'll have some clear skies to see that shower.
BONNIE SCHNEIDER, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes. And if you want to know what time to actually get a good viewing...
NGUYEN: Yes.
HOLMES: Please.
SCHNEIDER: ... well, you guys will be sleeping. Actually, I will be, too.
NGUYEN: We are always sleeping with this shift, right?
SCHNEIDER: That's true.
NGUYEN: Bed at 7:00.
SCHNEIDER: Or maybe just be getting up, actually, because I was going to say, midnight tonight, until about 3:00 a.m. tomorrow.
NGUYEN: OK. SCHNEIDER: Might be up then.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: All right, Bonnie. Thank you so much.
HOLMES: Thank you, Bonnie.
NGUYEN: Relief, it is a coming for the still suffering victims of Hurricane Katrina. Comic relief, that is. The organization started as a way to help the homeless some 20 years ago. But now, after an eight-year hiatus, the country's top comedians are regrouping to raise money for Katrina relief.
CNN's Anderson Cooper sat down with the show's hosts.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Do you think if the people in the Convention Center had been predominantly white the response would have been different?
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, CO-HOST, COMIC RELIEF 2006: I hate to say, because I have never been this kind of person, but, yes, I do. I do. This never would have happened in Florida this long. This would have never -- honey, if -- if Disneyland had got hit, do you think -- do you think the mouse would be down?
(LAUGHTER)
ROBIN WILLIAMS, CO-HOST, COMIC RELIEF 2006: I've got to get on a boat.
(LAUGHTER)
(CROSSTALK)
WILLIAMS: I don't believe they're coming with a trailer.
GOLDBERG: You know? I mean, you know, and I -- I don't take away from...
WILLIAMS: It is time once again for the Katrina reenactment. Everybody, brace yourselves. Time to get crowded in a bus again.
(LAUGHTER)
GOLDBERG: I don't take away from the folks that -- that have had trouble. I don't take away from them at all.
And I -- I don't want it to sound like I'm saying that. But this is -- this is years.
WILLIAMS (SINGING): It's a third world, after all.
(LAUGHTER) GOLDBERG: You know, as it turns out.
WILLIAMS (SINGING): It's a third world, after all.
GOLDBERG: What you going to do?
BILLY CRYSTAL, CO-HOST, COMIC RELIEF 2006: Well, I think what Whoopi said is -- is true. And what it also means is that he and I are going to get audited.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: How do you get a word in edgewise with those folks? I tell you. This is great stuff.
And you can catch "Comic Relief" tonight at 9:00 Eastern on HBO. The three-hour event will also be simulcast on TBS.
But before that, be sure to check out tonight's special "CNN PRESENTS." Our own Kathleen Koch returns to her devastated hometown of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to see how they are coping now.
"CNN PRESENTS: The Town That Fought Back," that is tonight and Sunday at 8:00 Eastern.
HOLMES: Twenty-six years, $1.3 million in donations later, a secret Santa is secret no more.
NGUYEN: Up next, why a generous Missouri man is just now revealing his identity to the public.
But first, a preview of today's "HOUSE CALL."
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey, thanks, Betty.
Today we are looking at the mind-body connection on "HOUSE CALL," specifically happiness. Now, it's something that people strive for. It's even in our Declaration of Independence. This morning we are going to find out who is the happiest and, more importantly, why.
Plus, how a positive attitude could actually reduce the amount of medicine that people take. All that coming up on "HOUSE CALL" at 8:30.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): What do you get when you fuse martial arts...
MAURA BARCLAY, BUDOKON INSTRUCTOR: And then scoop with the pelvis, rolling the head forward. COSTELLO: ... and ancient and modern yoga techniques? Add meditation, and you have budokon, which translated from Japanese means way of the spiritual warrior.
BARCLAY: And then we move into the more rigorous budo, or martial portion of the class, where we do the kicking and the punching. A lot of ground fighting -- all ground fighting, which is tremendous for women particularly, because that's where we are the strongest, is on the ground.
COSTELLO: Master Cameron Shane, multiple black belt, created budokon and says it's the art of living. The way your body moves influences the way you live your life. Barclay says it is the ultimate total body fitness.
BARCLAY: When you practice with your mind involved, the body gets sculpted and you get an incredible abdominal cavity because it takes so much work. It is very core-centric. All the kicking and punching firms the legs and the buns, everything. You can expect your body to completely transform.
COSTELLO: Shane has taught budokon to celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, and David Arquette. The goal is to improve agility and strengthen the mind and body.
ANGELICA ANNINO, BUDOKON STUDENT: It's an amazing workout. And you feel -- your mind feels so clear after you are done. It's incredible.
COSTELLO: Carol Costello, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Looking so crazy. Crazy in love. There, look at that. That is good stuff.
NGUYEN: That's a beautiful couple.
HOLMES: That's good stuff. That's -- look, another shot of the beautiful couple.
Are you all sick of this yet? Do you want me to shut up? OK. I will stop.
NGUYEN: Well, that's the question today. Are you just sick of it? Do you have TomKat fever or TomKat fatigue?
Let me tell you what Janice from Petersburg, Virginia, writes. She says, "I am totally sick of hearing about Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. People, get a life! Even if Tom Cruise had not made a complete fool of himself on "Oprah" or insulted Brooke Shields or Matt Lauer, I couldn't be less interested in his antics!"
HOLMES: Was he on "Oprah"? I didn't -- I didn't hear about it. NGUYEN: You don't remember that, jumping on the couch?
HOLMES: I didn't hear anything about it.
Also, another from Tracey here, who says she is "... so sick of TomKat. Seriously, hold back my hair so I can puke right now."
NGUYEN: No, Tracey.
HOLMES: Tracey...
NGUYEN: You didn't send that in. Oh my goodness. OK.
Roy says, "Forget all of you." He says, "Show me more... spend the day in Italy!"
HOLMES: Hey.
NGUYEN: So obviously Roy is not fatigued.
But we do have to be quite honest with you. Here's our e-mail question one more time: Do you have TomKat fever or fatigue?
You know, the wedding is supposed to happen within hours, if it is indeed going to happen...
HOLMES: Supposed to, yes.
NGUYEN: ... at that beautiful place, that castle in Italy. But again, to be quite honest with you, we have gotten a ton of e-mails. And only two have said that they love it, they want to hear more. The rest of them -- they are so sick of this.
HOLMES: Come on. Come on, more people love it. They are not being honest.
NGUYEN: I am just telling you the information that we have here at CNN from you, the viewer.
HOLMES: OK. But keep them coming, please.
NGUYEN: Yes, we want to hear...
HOLMES: They are fun to read.
NGUYEN: Yes. Be honest about it, because Tracey apparently was. She's throwing up right at the moment now. Lovely.
Hope you are not having your breakfast.
Well, each year around the holidays we do hear about a secret Santa in the Kansas City area handing out cash, cold-hard cash to strangers.
HOLMES: And in recent years he has been slipping hundred-dollar bills into the hands of people who look like maybe they can use it. But until now his identity has been strictly on a need-to-know basis.
NGUYEN: Well, we can now reveal that the person is 58-year-old Larry Stewart, who made a fortune in cable television and long distance phone service. Well, this year Stewart is ill with cancer and enduring chemotherapy.
HOLMES: Yes. The cancer has pretty much sapped his strength and his finances. But his 26-year legacy of cash gifts will go on this year as usual.
NGUYEN: That's right. It is not stopping. Stewart and a small group of volunteers plan to hand out a total of $165,000 between Chicago and Kansas City.
HOLMES: And to learn more about this remarkable guy and why he does it, you can check out his Web site at secretsantausa.com.
NGUYEN: We do wish him the best in his battle against cancer.
HOLMES: Yes.
NGUYEN: What a good man to do that each and every year. Lots of money spent, and with a big heart.
HOLMES: Twenty-six years. So a lot of people are going to try to take care of him now, probably, since he has been taking care of so many.
NGUYEN: Hopefully so.
HOLMES: So that's a really nice story.
NGUYEN: It sure is.
President Bush pays his first visit to Vietnam.
HOLMES: Yes, we've got the latest details on the presidential trip when we check out the morning's top stories. That's coming up in about three minutes.
NGUYEN: Plus this, the power your happiness has over your health. You don't want to miss this. Ahead in five minutes, Dr. Sanjay Gupta shows you the connection in this morning's "HOUSE CALL."
HOLMES: And still to come, barring landlords from renting apartments to illegal immigrants. One California town is trying to do just that. Is that legal? And what about the moral questions here?
We'll hear from both sides of the issue in 60 minutes.
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