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CNN Saturday Morning News
Major Snowstorm Predicted for Midwest; Eye on Iran; Obama vs. Clinton; CNN Reporter Robbed at Gunpoint in South Africa; Defiant Iran Claims Right To Nuclear Weapons
Aired February 24, 2007 - 07:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR, CNN SATURDAY MORNING: "Now in the News": Potentially severe weather across the Northern Plains and the Southern states today. Want to get a quick look now from CNN Meteorologist Reynolds Wolf in our Severe Weather Center.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: Also in the news a 13-year-old Florida boy is back home while a manhunt continues for the suspect who abducted him at gunpoint. Authorities say Clay Moore was driven from a school bus top to a remote area and then left bound. The boy was able to free himself and then get help.
The IRS says millions of you are missing out on free money. Listen up, there is a one-time refund this year for outdated long- distance phone service tax. But the IRS says more than 10 million early filers skipped the line on the returns. The refund worth between $30 and $60.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR, CNN SATURDAY MORNING: The battle over where to bury the body of Anna Nicole Smith, not quite over yet. Smith's mother has filed an emergency motion. She wants to block a Florida court ruling giving the attorney for Smith's infant daughter the authority to decide where she'll be buried.
Al Qaeda, posting new video on a website; it shows missiles being fired, presumably at a U.S. base in Afghanistan. According to the subtitle on that video it was filmed November 28th, 2006, in Afghanistan Al Walrat (ph) region. The authenticity of that video has not been verified.
Investigators combing through the wreckage of a high speed passenger train that derailed in northwest England. One person died in that accident. More than 20 others were injured. Several of them injured critically. They're trying to determine what caused several of the cars to jump the tracks sending them down a steep embankment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That is a touchdown, folks.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Think we got a touchdown. We're talking wild weather over Texas and conditions today, ripe for more crazy weather all across the Midwest, people today need to keep an eye on the sky. From the CNN Center, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING, this is February 24th.
Good morning to you all, I'm T.J. Holmes.
NGUYEN: Yes, good morning, everybody. It is that time of year for severe weather. We're requesting to stay on top of that for you. First, thank you for joining us today.
HOLMES: And we do start with that serious weather system that's rolling through the Midwest. What you see here is an ice floe on the move in a Nebraska river. Heavy rains causing some flooding northwest of Omaha. Evacuations could be ordered there today.
NGUYEN: Also, take a look at these pictures out of Minneapolis. A little snow falling overnight. You have to look really closely in the dark, but the big snowstorm is expected to hit there in 24 to 48 hours.
HOLMES: Also got the video of a funnel cloud. This is shot in McLean, Texas. Near the Texas/Oklahoma state line. The National Weather Service receiving five reports of tornado touchdowns there in Texas, also in Kansas.
NGUYEN: That is really frightening, growing up in Texas. I know what it means when they say, you know, get inside that house, inside one of those rooms without a window. Make sure that you're protected from any storm damage that could come your way.
Let's get a check of the weather with Reynolds Wolf. I suppose because we've had some of this warm weather combined with that cold, is that what's causing all the severe weather?
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Look at you.
NGUYEN: I've been listening.
WOLF: I'm telling you what. All the video we've been showing you of the potential flooding in parts of Nebraska, the snow that's on the way, as well as the tornadoes, all connected to the same huge system, and take a look at what's behind me.
Parts of Denver back over Colorado Springs, Omaha, Des Moines, all under a winter storm warning. As we make our way back up to the Twin Cities, also under a winter storm warning for Des Moines, into Davenport.
As we cruise back toward the east, some advisories in effect for Pittsburgh, Cleveland. Although much of the action there won't get under way until we make our way late night, and into tomorrow, as well.
Let's talk about what's happening as we speak. Scattered snow showers from Cheyenne on I-25 southward to places like Santa Fe, as well as Colorado Springs. As we move a bit more to the east, and Oklahoma City as well as Tulsa and Fort Smith. We're seeing some light to scattered showers that are beginning to develop, but what we're going to be dealing with are temperatures starting to warm up. As this frontal boundary moves from west to east you're going to see the potential of more strong storms.
Large hail, damaging winds and perhaps even some tornadoes. So, it's going to be a big mix that we're going to be dealing with through much of the day.
Here is a look at that big weathermaker. This area of low pressure. This has just been tiptoeing its way through parts of the Rockies. Now it's moving out over the Central Plains. You've got all that moist air that's coming in from the Gulf of Mexico. When you have that cold air coming behind it, that Betty was talking about, that big contrast between the warm and the cold, and that lifting mechanism of that area of low pressure and that frontal boundary, that's the catalyst. That's all you need for a severe weather outbreak. That's what we should be seeing over the next 24 to 48 hours. Back to you.
NGUYEN: We know it's going to be rough when you have the jacket off, the sleeves rolled up, and you're ready to go to work.
WOLF: You betcha.
NGUYEN: All right. Thank you, Reynolds.
HOLMES: Thanks, Reynolds.
NGUYEN: There is a warning from the U.S. to Iran today, a military response is still possible should the Iranians proceed with their nuclear program.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DICK CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I've also made the point, the president's made the point, that all options are still on the table. We believe it would be a serious mistake with a nation such as Iran to become a nuclear power.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Vice President Cheney's comment came at a Sydney news conference with Australian Prime Minister John Howard. Cheney also says the U.S. will continue to work with allies on diplomatic efforts to get Iran to give up its nuclear program.
While the U.N. Security Council is considering sanctions, Iran is not backing down from what it sees as a right to nuclear power. CNN Liz Neisloss reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LIZ NEISLOSS, CNN INT'L. CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Chants of Death to America at Friday prayers in Tehran, where the threat of new United Nations sanctions is bringing together even political rivals.
Former President Hashemi Rafsanjani echoing the man who defeated him in 2005, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, accuses the West of bullying Iran over its nuclear program. AKBAR HASHEMI RAFSANJANI, FMR. IRANIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): I tell them clearly and certainly that this path will not come to any conclusion except making trouble for them, for the world, and particularly for the region.
NEISLOSS: And Ahmadinejad, quoted in state-run news media as saying, "If a few states do not believe Iran's nuclear activities are peaceful, it has no importance whatsoever. And the Iranian nation has defined its right and will never give it up."
That hard-line vow comes one day after the top U.N. nuclear inspector said Iran was not only continuing to enrich uranium, but also expanding its nuclear program. Mohammed ElBaradei joined with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in Vienna, urging more talks.
MOHAMED EL BARADEI, INT'L. ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY: We believe still that the door is still open, there is a window of opportunity for both Iran and the international community to go back to the negotiating table.
NEISLOSS: But at the U.N. Security Council, the United States wasted no time pushing for tougher sanctions. Likely to be resisted by Russia and China, which have strong trade ties with Iran.
JACKIE W. SANDERS, DEP. U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: The Security Council should be prepared to take additional appropriate measures to communicate the Iranian regime that its noncompliance is unacceptable and to persuade it to cooperate.
NEISLOSS: The Bush administration insists its goal is a diplomatic solution. But it has steadfastly refused to negotiate unless Iran stops enriching uranium first.
TONY FRATTO, DEP. WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECY.: We don't take joy in imposing the sanctions, or further sanctions, if that's what it comes to. But, we do want to see them change and be welcomed back into the international community on this issue.
NEISLOSS: There may not be much joy in negotiating those sanctions, either, givens expected resistance from Russia and China in coming down too hard on Iran. A Monday meeting of the permanent veto- holding members of the Security Council, plus Germany, will be the first step. Liz Neisloss, CNN, United Nations.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: First in, first out. The former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack dropping out of the 2008 presidential race already. Long before his home state even gets the vote. Why? Money, money, money. We get more now from CNN's Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): To run for president is about the American dream, but it is not about reality. GOV. TOM VILSACK (D-IO), FMR. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I came up against something that for the first time in my life where hard work and effort couldn't overcome. I just couldn't work any harder, couldn't give it any greater effort, and it just wasn't enough.
CROWLEY: Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, the first to officially get in to the Democratic presidential race, is the first to officially get out. After a three-month run, a cash casualty.
VILSAKCK: Money, and only money, is the reason that we are leaving today.
CROWLEY: He is a charming, smart, former two-term governor, former state senator, former mayor, and short lister for the number two spot on the 2004 Kerry ticket. He is a fierce opponent of the war and a supporter of universal health care. Bupkes.
SHEILA KRUMHOLZ, CENTER FOR RESPONSIVE POLITICS: You need to be able to reach the voters, you need to have good ideas that speak to them. But, even with all of those good qualities, if you don't have the money, you're not going to get your message out, you're not going to survive.
CROWLEY: And oh, what a lot of money it takes to run for president. Watch this graphic as it begins with the $55 million Jimmy Carter spent to win the White House, moving ever upward to the almost $419 million George Bush spent two years ago. Even adjusted for inflation, the 2004 road to the white house was more than twice what the road cost in 1976.
This cycle, most people figure you need about $50 million to just make it to the primary season, when people actually begin to vote.
KRUMHOLZ: Next year, you'll need about $100 million to get through the primaries. And if you are the nominee, you'll need about half a billion dollars to make it, to be viable.
CROWLEY: Only three kinds of people can raise that kind of money, somebody with a name, somebody with another name, or somebody who runs into a huge stroke of luck.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: And CNN's Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley, part of the best political team on television.
NGUYEN: Let's talk about Al Qaeda's new strength.
HOLMES: Not only operating from Pakistan into neighboring Afghanistan, but also attacking government troops in Pakistan, as well? We've got a rare inside look in about 20 minutes. Plus the "Reality Check" with Josh Levs.
Good morning, Josh.
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning to you, T.J. You know what? While the United States is spending hundreds of billions of dollars on the Iraq war, Iraq has billions of dollars just sitting there in the treasury. You're not going to believe this. Stay tuned, CNN "Reality Check" coming up --T.J.
NGUYEN: All right, thank you, Josh.
And spiraling out of control and headed for earth. The incredible story of a sky diver's two mile fall. Check this out.
After his parachutes -- both of them -- fail to fully open. It's all caught on tape. We have that story in nine minutes. You don't want to miss it right here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Checking stories "Across America" this morning.
Firefighters in Valencia (ph) County, New Mexico will be closely watching the weather today. Here's why. Expected wind gusts could spread a 500-acre wildfire. Residents evacuated for some time yesterday, well, they may be forced to leave once again.
HOLMES: Man that is not a nice sight. Home collapsing in Orlando. Three-alarm apartment fire has left several families seeking shelter. There have been no reports of injuries. That's a great thing. All the tenants have been accounted for, as well.
NGUYEN: Listen to this. YouTube now a new frontier for calls from medical help? A New Hampshire couple takes their plea for a bone marrow boner to the popular website. The wife and mother of two was recently diagnosed with leukemia, and she has offers now from around the country. And those are just coming in. We'll see how that plays out. If she, indeed, gets that transplant that she's been needing so badly.
HOLMES: And finally we want to share some video with you. Can you make out what's happening here? That is a car accident in Massachusetts; a Corvette and a utility pole.
NGUYEN: Right in the center of it, though.
HOLMES: Don't know how that happened. It looks horrible, but the good thing, and amazing thing maybe, is that the driver survived. Had a broken leg, though, and a possible broken sternum. But it looks just horrible. Looks like the car was split in half some kind of a way, with that pole. But he's OK.
NGUYEN: Well, here's a surprise discovery out of California. A woman walking a dog finds a newborn stuffed in a bag and hidden in some bushes. The baby appears to have been only hours old.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENNIFER SCOTT, FOUND NEWBORN: When I first opened the bag, it was like crying and like trying to intake breath, it seemed to me. And when I opened up the bag, it was weird it was a plastic bag, and just like comforter bag zipped closed.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So it wasn't sealed?
SCOTT: There wasn't a lot of air because the bag had been pushed down.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Now California authorities took the baby to the hospital and are trying to find the parents. California law does allow people to drop off newborns less than three days old at hospital emergency rooms without threat of prosecution.
HOLMES: Is that something else? We've been trying to educate people about that law but still things like that continue to pop up in California.
NGUYEN: It's really amazing. Because there is an availability to just go ahead and take them without any kind of prosecution, whatsoever. But just to throw them in a bush. Don't understand?
HOLMES: Yeah. Coming up here, we need to show you some video. Take a look at this video we have to show you here.
NGUYEN: How could anyone -- you'll see it spin really quickly -- survive this? A quick fall to the ground. We're going to hear about it when T.J. sits down with a skydiver whose parachutes failed to open like they should. That sky diver's story in about four minutes.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN INTERNET REPORTER: And we are just minutes away from the most popular stories on the web. What are you clicking on this morning? I'm Veronica De La Cruz at the Dotcom Desk. I'll let you know when CNN SATURDAY MORNING continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: You may have heard about the New Zealand skydiver who survived a fall of more than two miles after both of his parachutes failed. Michael Holmes' plunge was caught on two helmet cameras, one was his, the other belongs to a fellow jumper. And recently I talked to both men.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
T.J. HOLMES (On camera): Given the circumstances and what you went through do you think you should probably be dead?
MICHAEL HOLMES, SURVIVED 2-MILE FALL: Yes, I certainly do. I thought I should be dead when it was actually happening. It was amazing to actually get up after all this.
T.J. HOLMES: Now you're an experienced skydiver. You've been trained. You know what to do under those circumstances. I guess when the first chute fails. Tell me at what point you really kind of freaked out and started to panic? I'm sure after the first chute you knew you had a backup. When did you think -- uh-oh? M. HOLMES: I thought -- I never really panicked because I don't think that would have done me any good. After I activated the first chute, and I realized something was wrong because I was spinning around, I just decided to pull the cutaway cable and get rid of that first one.
It's the second that cable came out and I still remained -- you know, the attachment points released but I still remained attached to it. It was at that point that I knew -- at that point I knew something was seriously wrong.
T.J. HOLMES: Now, John, you were behind him watching all this happen. Now, were you certainly thinking the whole time, or at what point maybe you're thinking he's a goner, he doesn't have a chance?
JONATHAN KING, PARACHUTIST: Pretty much as soon as I saw him I knew he was in a bad situation. I mean, it's the speed that he was spinning, and you know, his descent was just incredible. And you know, it's not a good feeling to see a friend in that kind of situation.
T.J. HOLMES: And how rare of an occurrence is this to have two chutes like that fail?
KING: It's pretty rare. You know. And particularly the complications that he had with his parachute are very rare. And pretty unfortunate, really. You know, I mean, you can't get a worse situation, really, because it takes usually a malfunctioning parachute, you get -- you deal with that situation in a matter of seconds. But this was a pretty drawn-out kind of a process.
T.J. HOLMES: And Michael, again, you said it's pretty rare. You said you didn't panic. But tell me what in the world, as you're getting closer and closer to the ground, what does one think about when you're possibly -- knowing you're seconds away from, like you said, death.
M. HOLMES: Well, I say one thing really just survival instinct kicks in. I just did everything I could, all the way down, fighting to get this remainder of this partial parachute off me. When I got to, you know, as I was getting lower I knew I had to make a decision of whether I was going to pull my reserve or not. Because I knew with the position I was in, and you know, I did like 84 rotations.
T.J. HOLMES: Tell me what did it feel like to hit the ground that hard?
M. HOLMES: Well, luckily the second I hit I was just turned off. I didn't feel it. But, if I was -- I can imagine it would be pretty painful if I was awake for it. I didn't black out before I hit the ground, but the second you hit it's just like the lights were turned off.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Can you talk to me? Talk to me, man.
M. HOLMES: What was that?
KING: You OK?
M. HOLMES: No.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
T.J. HOLMES: When did it hit you maybe, these might be your last moments, and maybe you want to say a good-bye message?
M. HOLMES: It hit me that I didn't really -- I knew the camera was on my head the whole time, but I didn't really think about it until the point of pretty much no return. When I decided below 1,000 feet to make that gamble to pull the reserve cable, you know, which could possibly collapse what I had there. I pulled it out, nothing happened, the rotations got worse. And I thought well, that's it. This is my cards, that's my time.
And then I realize oh, I've got a camera on my head, so I waved good-bye. And you can see on the video, I've got a site here so I know where to put my hand to wave in front of the screen.
And then in between waving there I thought oh, you've got a camera on your head you might as well say something. And in between actually thinking to say something to the camera, and sort of realization that I was about to hit the ground and die sort of came in I just blurbed, oh, I'm dead. And bye came out, and I didn't think to say that. That stuff just sort of came out. I went, blah!
T.J. HOLMES: Well, a man of few words. I guess that got the point across. Gentlemen, Jonathan King, and Michael Holmes, sir, it's good to see you all right. I know you're busted up a little bit but you're going to make a full recovery. I know you said you want to sky dive again.
M. HOLMES: Yep.
T.J. HOLMES: That is just nuts. Gentlemen, we do appreciate your time. You all take care.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: That is an amazing story. But it does make you think if you were in that position what would you say? I don't know if I'd say oh, I'm dead, bye.
T.J. HOLMES: I'm dead. Bye.
NGUYEN: But I think I would try to say something.
T.J. HOLMES: He wasn't feeling very poetic at the time, I don't think.
NGUYEN: He had other things on his mind, absolutely. But truly a remarkable story that he survived that.
T.J. HOLMES: That was funny. It was the first time we heard that bit of sound. The guy said, are you OK? Well?
NGUYEN: What do you think? I just fell from the sky. No, I'm not OK. But wow, thank goodness that he is alive.
We have another story that may have you scratching your head. Why are billions of dollars meant for Iraqi reconstruction going unspent? Josh Levs is coming up with a "Reality Check" for us.
Good morning.
LEVS: Good morning to you.
That's what we're going to be looking into today. One theory, Betty is that Iraq just might be waiting for the United States to send more and more and more money to cover everything. We'll be looking into that coming up CNN "Reality Check" -- T.J.
HOLMES: All right. Thank you, Josh.
And Al Qaeda seems to be gaining ground in Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan. We'll get an inside look when government troops in Pakistan come under attack. Anderson Cooper reports, that's up in about eight minutes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: "Now in the News": A 13-year-old Florida boy is safe. But the suspect who abducted him is still at large. Clay Moore was forced at gunpoint to get in a car, and was then given to a remote location, and then left bound. The boy was able to free himself then he walked to get help.
The IRS says millions of you are missing out on free money. There's a one-time refund this year for an outdated long-distance phone service tax. But the IRS says so far more than 10 million early filers skipped the line on their returns. About half of those returns were prepared by the so-called professionals.
NGUYEN: Well, now you know. So make sure that when you do file those taxes you fill out that line. And you don't want to be alarmed by, because a rash of simulated bombings in and around the U.S. today is only a drill.
The White House wants to see how the government responds to improvised bombings like the ones taking place daily in Iraq. This exercise is the latest in a series of Homeland Security drills and President Bush will not take part.
Al Qaeda is posting new video on a website and it shows missiles being fired, presumably at a U.S. base in Afghanistan. According to the subtitle on the video, it was filmed in November, 28th, 2006, to be exact, in Afghanistan's al Warwa (ph) region. The authenticity of the video has not been verified.
And investigators are combing through the wreckage of a high speed passenger train that derailed in northwest England. One person died in that accident. More than 20 others were injured, several critically. They were trying to determine what caused several of the cars to jump the track, sending them down a steep embankment.
Government troops in Pakistan targeted by a resurging al Qaeda. Our Anderson Cooper's revealing report, that is coming up in just a few minutes. In the meantime, good morning, everybody. Welcome to CNN SATURDAY MORNING. I'm Betty Nguyen.
TJ HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR, SATURDAY MORNING: And I'm TJ Holmes. We thank you so much for starting your day right here with us.
NGUYEN: Severe weather warnings across the Midwest right now. I want to show you some video of a funnel cloud. You see it right there in the middle of the screen. It's sported near McLean, Texas and the National Weather Service logged two reports of tornadoes in that area.
HOLMES: A system bringing heavy snow is also moving into the Midwest, started out west dropping snow in the mountains near San Francisco.
NGUYEN: Heavy rain pelting much of Nebraska. This odd-looking video is an ice flow, actually, on a river northwest of Omaha. Officials there say flooding could force evacuations today.
HOLMES: We knew something was up, something was going on. It was serious because Reynolds shows up today. I don't even think we've seen you in your jacket this morning. Just came in the office with the sleeves rolled up, no one's (INAUDIBLE) . NGUYEN: We know what that means.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I sleep in this thing. I just hop out of bed, grab the orange juice, coffee and here I am. We're talking about all kinds of things today. Already in just that short segment, you were talking about tornadoes. We're talking about some flooding. We're talking about ice and snow. Right now it is going to be snow. Already we've got winter storm warnings in effect through much of Minnesota, much of the Midwest. Minneapolis going to see some snow today, which snow in the twin cities doesn't seem like it would be a big deal. But when we're talking about the potential of up to a foot of snow fall between now and Monday morning, that's kind of a problem. That's kind of a really big deal and that's going to be an issue for them.
In Denver you're getting some snow showers right now, especially west in Aurora, out by the airport, as well. But as we make our way into the afternoon and evening hours, much of the storm system is going to lift more to the east affecting places like, say the central plains. This morning we have had some tornado watches that have been in effect right now. We don't have any. They've all expired. But look out for parts of say Memphis, back over to Little Rock, Jackson Mississippi, Shreveport, as far north as St. Louis. You're going to deal with that potential strong storms.
Here's that big weather maker. This area of low pressure that's going to cruise again from the central plains eastward. As it does so it's going to interact with all that moist air that's been coming in from the Gulf of Mexico. As you know, that cold air and that warm air, two entirely different forms of that moisture that's coming through in the dry, cool air that's coming in behind it. It's going to force all that moist air up and condense and form those big thunderheads. We've got a loud afternoon in store for us, possibly loud evening as well, with the potential of tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail. We're going to talk about the whole thing throughout the morning, throughout the day and into the evening, as well. For now, let's get back to you at the news desk.
HOLMES: All right. Thank you, kind.
WOLF: Lot to say today.
NGUYEN: Well you know what, we have a lot to show you today, as well because we have an implosion that took place just minutes ago in Charlotte, North Carolina. There it goes. We were hoping to get some sound on this. Ah. You hear it there. Just look at all that smoke. This is in the uptown section of Charlotte. And what you saw just come down was the old Duke power building. As you can tell streets are closed because of it. But after 80 years of standing tall, as the main address for one of the country's largest power companies, the old Duke Power building just went down in 16 seconds. Is that amazing? These things come down so quickly. Always a sight to see when you see any kind of implosion. The good news is that it was all controlled, no problems out there. We're going to try to show it to you one more time, 400 pounds of explosion what you're hearing right there. And there she goes after 80 years of standing tall. The great thing about this is 95 percent of what's left of this building will be recycled and some new buildings will be going up, some condominiums, a residential tower and all of that other good stuff. But out with the old and in with the new there in Charlotte, North Carolina.
HOLMES: We're going to head now to get more on the latest on an al Qaeda terror video that we were telling you about this morning. Al Qaeda posting the new tape on a website. And on it, al Qaeda and Taliban fighters allegedly training exercise, making bombs and executing attacks. CNN's Anderson Cooper reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Crude and chilling. You're looking at what is purportedly videotape of al Qaeda fighters building a bomb. The nails are put into the IED to create maximum destruction. According to intel center, terrorism monitoring group, this terror tape was made by al Qaeda in Pakistan along the Afghanistan border in early 2006. U.S. intelligence officials say al Qaeda's influence in the area is increasing and they're teaching their deadly bomb building and suicide bombing techniques to the Taliban.
The flashpoint for both groups is an area known as Waziristan, a province in Pakistan. It's a haven for al Qaeda and the Taliban, a base U.S. military officials say, to conduct cross-border raids into Afghanistan. Pakistan says it's an ally in the war on terror but recently signed a peace deal in Waziristan with pro-Taliban militants. This, after dozens of Pakistani soldiers and tribal elders were killed in this area. On the tape we see what purportedly are members of al Qaeda openly conducting training exercises in Pakistan.
Guns are fired and rocket-propelled grenades are launched. Then, at night, they leave their position for what intel center says is an attack on a Pakistani military outpost. First we hear the pops of gunfire. They're followed by explosions, then the apparent aftermath. We see what appears to be the bodies of Pakistani soldiers as al Qaeda fighters take weapons and ammunition. The tape ends with al Qaeda setting fire to the outpost. The flames and the bodies a bloody testament to al Qaeda's growing strength. Anderson Cooper, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Targeting al Qaeda in Iraq. U.S. military says troops conducted three raids and arrested a dozen suspected terrorists. Now during a raid in Mosul, U.S. forces say they confiscated a large amount of Syrian and Egyptian currency, fake passports and ID cards. The location was reportedly home to a cell that funded terrorism. And there were also raids west of Fallujah and north of Baghdad, a myriad neighborhoods. Among those arrested the alleged leader of a car bomb cell.
HOLMES: Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are taking a new approach to limit the U.S. military role in Iraq. This comes after Republicans were successful at blocking debate on President Bush's plan to increase troop levels. CNN's John Roberts reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN ROBERTS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's an audacious move, a measure to repeal and replace the 2002 authorization for war in Iraq. The original premise now null and void, claims co-author Senator Joe Biden.
SEN. JOE BIDEN (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The original mission, weapons of mass destruction, Saddam Hussein, compliance with the UN resolution, all have been met. No weapons, Saddam's gone, there is compliance.
COOPER: So it's time to change the mission, says Biden. His proposal would limit the U.S. role to counterterrorism and training Iraqi forces. And remove all combat forces not necessary for that task by March of 2008. Battling the insurgency and sectarian violence would become an Iraqi responsibility. The proposal roughly follows the recommendations of the Iraq study group and carefully stays away from the politically poisonous issue of dialing back the war by cutting off funding for the troops. But even some fierce critics of the war feel it's far too early, that the troop increase should at least be given a chance.
MICHAEL O'HANLON, BROOKINGS INSTITUTION: It seems to me the logical thing is to wait four to six months and use that four to six months to evaluate the surge, and then to develop some plan B proposals.
COOPER: The measure also sets a firm timetable for withdrawal which some military analysts believe would only validate the insurgent and terrorist strategy.
BRIG. GEN. DAVID GRANGE, US ARMY (RET): To attack the length of a campaign because we're not good at long-term commitments and attack morale using the media as a tool and they're very savvy at it.
COOPER: Unlike the recent nonbinding resolutions on the troop buildup, Biden's measure has teeth. He also admits it has no hope of attracting the 60 votes needed to pass. So why try to rein in President Bush with resolutions destined to fail?
BIDEN: To try to put pressure on him to stop. This is a process. We've got to keep coming forward. Whether or not, whether or not we can pass it, it is a rational, logical, next step.
COOPER: It also puts Democrats' names on a list of votes that they can take out on the campaign trail in 2008. And try to change the war, knowing that they'll never succeed, also means Democrats can't get blamed for anything that goes wrong. John Roberts, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: We do hear a lot about the hundreds of billions of dollars being spent in Iraq. But now there is an uproar over what's not being spent. And it turns out the Iraq government is holding onto billions it promised to spend on reconstruction. Joshua Levs joins us now with a reality check. Josh I understand some U.S. lawmakers are wondering if Iraq is just waiting for the U.S. to cover all of this instead of them having to spend the money.
JOSHUA LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Exactly. That's what it boils down to. That's what people are looking into. This is the exact opposite of what we usually hear about. It's not about money disappearing. It's not about money being spent. The money is physically sitting right there in Iraq's treasury and not being used for Iraq's reconstruction. And all this in the end ends up presenting yet another hurdle for President Bush.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEVS: The president's new plan for Iraq includes this.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: To show that it is committed to delivering a better life. The Iraqi government will spend $10 billion of its own money on reconstruction and infrastructure projects that will create new jobs.
LEVS: But will that happen? Iraq budgeted about $6 billion for reconstruction last year. It spends less than $1 billion. Iraq's finance minister says at least $9 billion that should have been spent on reconstruction is sitting in the treasury. U.S. Representative Lacey Clay, a Democrat, said he's concerned Iraq may be waiting for the U.S. to spend American taxpayer dollars so that it doesn't have to spend Iraqi money. Stewart Bowen, the U.S. inspector general for Iraq, called that plausible. But Iraqi leaders have said they're committed to taking efforts into their own hands. So, why not spend the money? The U.S. inspector general says Iraqi leaders have given no explanation. However, Iraq is behind in its reconstruction efforts, stymied by violence and disagreement over what to do. The case of the unspent cash is drawing increased skepticism of President Bush's plan.
REP. NITAL LOWEY (D) NEW YORK: I'm particularly interested in how you will ensure that Iraq spends the $10 billion of its own revenues on reconstruction and how this spending will be monitored.
LEVS: The administration says it will keep after Iraqi leaders.
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: They do need to spend that money. I am absolutely in agreement with you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEVS: And this is all part of a new dynamic in Washington. You know what you're seeing right now, Congress is now controlled by Democrats. So issues that may once upon a time have not gotten so much attention suddenly become major sticking points. And Betty, TJ, what's happening now is analysts are saying that these kinds of things could ultimately lead Congress to reject some of President Bush's requests for funding for the war.
NGUYEN: All right, josh. Thank you, very interesting report there.
HOLMES: All right. We're going to talk Oscars and our own effervescent Richard Quest. It's a perfect fit, wouldn't you say? Hello, there.
RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you. Having spent the last month in Hollywood, when we come back I'll be asking, will "Babel" be the one? Will "The Departed" depart with the statue? And will "The Queen" reign over the Oscars? CNN SATURDAY MORNING continues in a moment.
NGUYEN: Effervescent, indeed. All right, coming up talk about sticker shock. Residents in Rutherford, Texas, are still recovering from a sky high utility bill. And Veronica de la Cruz and I have got that story next from the dot com desk.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WOLF: Hi folks, I'm Reynolds Wolf for a look at today's cold and flu report and take a look at the map, doesn't look good for much of the country. In fact the U.S. Canadian border clear down to the Gulf of Mexico, we've got widespread cases. You can say the same deal across much of the east coast and also out west. That's a look at your cold and flu report. Have a good weekend.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: And there it goes, 400 pounds of explosives lead to that implosion in uptown Charlotte, this morning, happened just a few minutes ago, taking down the Duke Power building after 80 years. The 79th Academy Awards just a day away, the finest in film getting ready for their close-ups. But this year the Hollywood tradition looks like it will have a bit of a British accent. CNN's Richard Quest is live in London for us. Who else to talk about the Oscars than Richard? And you know, a lot of Brits are going to be watching because a lot been nominated this year, huh?
QUEST: It's really quite extraordinary. I mean, we have this rather inferior complex over here when it comes to the Oscars. Every time a British actor gets nominated we say it's our year, the Brits are coming, one if by land, two if by sea. But this year, we really can say that. Because just look at the range of Brits that we are. And I think heading that list has to be none other than Dame Helen Mirren, who has swept the Golden Globes. She took the SAG awards. She took the Baftas (ph) for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in "The Queen." And I would be absolutely gobsmacked, to use a quaint old English expression, if Helen doesn't make off with the best actress award in the Oscars Betty.
NGUYEN: Well, and Judy Dench, you know, she's going to give a lot of folks a run for their money, as well. She's always a favorite.
QUEST: Yeah. Don't put your money on Dame Judy. No, no, no. Helen has beaten out Judy Dench in every one so far and even by Judy Dench's own admission to me earlier this week, she hopes that Helen Mirren gets it. Other great names, Peter O'Toole, best performance by a leading actor. He ain't gonna get the Oscar, that's going to go, I think, to Forest Whitaker. But the fact he's up there is clearly very significant. Kate Winslet, Judy Dench, Helen Mirren, Kate Blanchett and don't forget the producer of the film that I think might just get best picture, a man called Graham King who produced "The Departed." He's also a Brit. So, this could be the year that we take back some of the glory back to the UK.
NGUYEN: Well, Richard, I know that you're going to be all dressed up for your own very own Oscar party. So, as you watch the red carpet, anyone that you're looking forward to, I know you have your favorites.
QUEST: Yeah, well, you know, my favorite has been Helen Mirren. It has been Eddie Murphy. It has been the people who were just simply delightful to meet. But I have to tell you, Betty and this is something your viewers do not understand, standing on that red carpet is the most demoralizing, depressing, and downright destructive -- you are shouting, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Murphy, Mr. O'Toole, Dame Helen, oh, please come and talk to me. No, don't walk past me. And yet, and this is where masochism comes into it, you are just drawn to it like a moth to the flame. Because where Hollywood stars are, that is what we all want to be tinged and touched with.
NGUYEN: Well the flame fires up on Sunday. I know you will be there flying near it Richard. See you later, thank you.
We do want to give you this reminder. CNN is live from the red carpet at the Academy Awards. Don't miss our special, Hollywood's gold rush, that's tomorrow night at 7:00 Eastern on CNN. HOLMES: Well, our CNN website, all the latest news and video right there for you. You can watch them for free and on demand and our Veronica de la Cruz at the dot com desk to tell us about the most popular videos this morning. Good morning to you.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN.COM: Hey there, TJ. It's nice to see you. TJ, you think your electric bill is high?
HOLMES: Uh-huh.
DE LA CRUZ: OK, well it can't hold a candle to this one. Check this out, this one electric bill, $24 billion, what eight or nine zeros off there. Number one on our website right now is the story of one Texas community whose power bills were shocking, to say the least.
And also popular this morning, something bad is bound to happen when a dog's name is Fatal and it did. Number two on our website this morning is the bizarre story of a pit bull that jumped through a car window and attacked a boy.
Sleeping in a garbage dumpster is never a good idea. Number three this morning, the man who woke up inside a trash truck just in the nick of time. He barely escaped being crushed to death. And rounding out the top four, the boy abducted at gunpoint from a school bus stop in Florida gets away and calls for help. You remember that story from yesterday, TJ, had a happy ending. You can watch any of these stories any time at cnn.com. Just click on the most popular tab. TJ, Betty?
HOLMES: All right, thank you so much. And the dog's name was really fatal?
DE LA CRUZ: It was.
NGUYEN: Check out all this calamari, should we say? That's just wrong. There is something fishy in the water cooler this morning. It's something big, too. Stay with us. It's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Yep, every day there are new stories that really make you wonder, what is going on?
HOLMES: And not just the Anna Nicole story, actually. This time we're talking about a special segment that we call the water cooler.
NGUYEN: First up a colossal catch. Check it out. A New Zealand crew was fishing off the coast of Antarctica when they hooked this monster squid. About 990 pounds and 39 feet long, it is the biggest of its kind ever landed.
HOLMES: Experts say that if calamari rings were made if this big boy they would be the size of tractor tires.
NGUYEN: Are you kidding me? HOLMES: Actually you will not see this on your seafood special menu anywhere, because the now frozen squid is on its way to New Zealand's national museum.
NGUYEN: From a big squid to a mega mustache. Check this out in India. Ramsing (ph) is aiming for a world record with his whiskers. He's been growing his stash, as they call it since 1982. It's now nearly 12 feet long. Look at these people looking at it.
HOLMES: That is just not right. He spends actually two hours every morning grooming his facial hair and he does it using mustard and coconut oil.
NGUYEN: Mustard?
HOLMES: I was wondering myself. I use mayonnaise myself. But his family even pitches in to help and he says the secret to a long mustache, it has to be tended and nurtured like a baby.
NGUYEN: Apparently the secret is mustard. We're going to get back to our top stories though in just a moment.
HOLMES: Including that severe weather we were talking about. We've seen at least one tornado, at least a funnel cloud. We saw that earlier and there are more storms a-brewing. Reynolds has your up-to- the minute forecast straight ahead.
NGUYEN: Plus baggage or something that actually barks? Two famous two-legged dogs -- no, no, no. Is that right? Nearly became lost luggage. We're going to check on this one. But we've got the happy ending when CNN SATURDAY MORNING -- it is a two-legged dog. Check that out. We'll have much more. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Now in the news, severe weather warnings across the Midwest this hour. We've also already seen heavy rain, even a funnel cloud or two, including this one you're taking a peak at. CNN meteorologist Reynolds Wolf will have a closer look at the severe weather warnings. He's coming up in just a couple of minutes.
Oh, we do like an implosion here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
(NEWSBREAK)
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, we welcome you today. Thanks for being with us.
I'm Betty Nguyen.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm T.J. Holmes.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes a closer look at that issue in a special edition of "WEEKEND HOUSE CALL." That's coming up in 30 minutes.
But first, we're going to talk about our top story. And take a peak at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get down, folks. I think we've got it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Yes, this is a scary moment for many in McLean, Texas. A funnel cloud coming through town on the front edge of a severe weather system. The National Weather Service received reports of five tornadoes in Texas and Kansas.
Meanwhile, in Nebraska, a short break in the ice and snow in favor of heavy rain. You can see here actually ice from a frozen river. It's breaking up, being swept downstream by floodwaters. Evacuations could be ordered near Omaha today.
Also, we've got some live pictures here to show you from Minneapolis. Some snow falling there today, a little dark, can't really see it. But hey, we're the most trusted name in news, so trust us. There's going to be snow falling there.
NGUYEN: It's there. It's there.
HOLMES: But folks are expecting a whole lot heavier snow over the next couple of days.
NGUYEN: And we're trusting Reynolds Wolf to give us the latest on the weather outside, because it is really changing, and rapidly in many areas.
(WEATHER REPORT)
NGUYEN: Allies sending warnings about Iran's nuclear program today. Vice President Dick Cheney and Australian Prime Minister John Howard held a joint news conference in Sydney. Mr. Howard said a coalition defeat in Iraq would embolden Iran and create a nightmare scenario. And Cheney suggested the U.S. could still play the military card if Iran ups the ante in its nuclear showdown with the U.N.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RICHARD CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: But I've also made the point and the president's made the point that all options are still on the table. We believe it would be a serious mistake if a nation such as Iran were to become a nuclear power.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: And as the vice president continues the pressure on Iran, the U.S. and its allies plan to meet next week to try to draft a new resolution aimed at getting Iran to suspend its nuclear program and its response to a new U.N. report that says there are no assurances that Iran's nuclear work is for peaceful purposes. All of this amid new concerns that Iran may pose a security threat of a different sort that could have a direct impact on you. CNN's Tom Foreman has that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Military analysts are increasingly calling it a genuine and perilous threat that Iran may attempt to disrupt the world's oil supply by attacking the Strait of Hormuz.
GAL LUFT, INST. FOR ANALYSIS OF GLOBAL SECURITY: The Strait of Hormuz is the most important choke point in the world. We have about 17 million barrels a day flowing through this area, but it's about 20 percent of the world's oil market.
FOREMAN (on camera): The strait is not very big. At its narrowest point, it's only about 30 miles or so across. That's not big at all. But its impact on world oil markets is enormous.
Why? Well, because it connects some of the Middle East's most critical oil supplies with the rest of the planet. These are the Saudi Arabian oil facilities, and every hour of every day, the oil that flows out of here is heading for the Strait of Hormuz.
(voice over): One military leader says concern is at unprecedented levels because the Iranians have been staging naval maneuvers and testing weapons in that area, then showing their capability on the state-run news network. The commander of the U.S. 5th Fleet, Vice Admiral Patrick Walsh, said, "...in the last nine months, you see the open display and the implication of the use of mines."
(on camera): Now, should this strait be shut down or even temporarily disrupted, the alternatives for that Saudi oil, for example, are just not good. Yes, there is an old pipeline that stretches all the way over to the Red Sea, but oil industry analysts say it takes longer, it's not used much, and it may not be reliable.
(voice over): Protecting the strait through warfare with Iran would open another troublesome battlefront, but doing nothing could be costly, too.
LUFT: If there is a disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, all of us, every American, will feel the pain.
FOREMAN: Even if the United States tapped its strategic oil reserves, world markets would become chaotic, and industry analysts say the price at the pump could rise dramatically to $7, $8 a gallon.
Tom Foreman, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: We turn to the presidential campaign trail now.
Former senator John Edwards spends the day campaigning in New Hampshire. He'll be pretty busy with stops planned in four different cities.
Republican Tommy Thompson doing Edwards one better, but he's in Iowa with his. He's hitting five spots today, starting with a Republican breakfast in Des Moines.
Republican senator Sam Brownback will lunch in Des Moines as well. He'll be speaking at the Iowa Federation of College Republicans convention this afternoon.
And a little later, New Mexico governor Bill Richardson makes a campaign stop in Florida. He'll address a group of Democratic activists and donors in Broward County.
NGUYEN: Well, the Richardson and Edwards camp may be feeling a little better this morning, shall we say. That's because the party's two frontrunners, they're tripping up over each other, to be exact.
We get that story from CNN's political correspondent Candy Crowley, part of the best political team on television.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Who's sorry now? Well, Barack Obama told "The New York Times" that his preference in the future is not to slip into playing the game as it customarily is played, which sounds a little bit like he's sorry his campaign got into it with Hillary Clinton's campaign.
PAUL BEGALA, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: To review the bidding, David Geffen, a Hollywood producer, is a former fund-raiser and friend of the Clinton. Operative word, "former".
Geffen, while hosting a Hollywood fund-raiser for Barack Obama, let loose on his former friends in an interview with columnist Maureen Dowd. Among other things, he called the Clinton liars and suggested senator Clinton was unelectable.
This sent Clinton campaign into orbit and it demanded Obama immediately condemn Geffen's remarks and give back the money Geffen helped raise. Obamaville responded with a caustic note, saying the Clinton never had problems with Geffen when he was fund-raising for them and staying overnight in the Lincoln bedroom.
Ouch.
By week's end, Obama was saying he didn't know his staff issued that statement, which Clintonites don't believe.
Anyhoo, add up the score of the first mud wrestle of the season and give camp Clinton points for following the candidates' rules laid out in her first trip to Des Moines in late January.
SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (D-NY), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: When you are attacked, you have to deck your opponent.
CROWLEY: She was talking about Republicans at the time, but if the shoe fits...
On the other side, give Obama props for neatly sidestepping the fact that Mr. Geffen had just raised $1.3 million for Obama's presidential bid.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: My sense is that Mr. Geffen may have differences with the Clintons. That doesn't really have anything to do with our campaign.
CROWLEY: So, who won? Answer, well, naturally, John Edwards et al.
DONNA BRAZILE, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: So I think round one went to what I call the second-tier candidates who are waiting for the top- tier candidates to stumble so that they can get on stage.
CROWLEY: And so it goes, 11 months before anybody casts a vote, they are throwing punches.
Candy Crowley, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Well, once considered a great honor, now it's become a bit of a punch line.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: I'm sure you've heard the joke. Everybody talks about the Chris Rock joke about -- talking about MLK Boulevard, if you own one, you'd better run.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: You may have heard that. Pretty funny line a lot of people remember from Chris Rock. But later this hour we'll find out how the nation's MLK streets became such mean streets.
NGUYEN: Also, something you don't see every day. We'll tell you why this two-legged dog is in the news this morning.
Plus this...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When's the last time you had your blood pressure checked?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Well, a cut, a trim, and a checkup. It's just one of the creative ways doctors are reaching out to the African-American community.
CNN SATURDAY MORNING continues in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Well, we have reported recently on the rampant crime that's taking hold in South Africa. And our CNN colleagues in South Africa have not only reported on this story, but have also experienced it firsthand.
Our Africa correspondent, Jeff Koinange, was robbed at gunpoint today. Thankfully, he was not hurt. But his story is one of thousands in that country. And he joins us now by phone.
Jeff, we're so glad to hear that you're OK, but tell us exactly what happened.
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN AFRICA CORRESPONDENT: Well, I just landed early this morning from a trip -- a 10-hour trip from London, and my wife picked me up from the airport. And I was supposed to stop by the office, drop off some gear, and then go on home.
As soon as we arrived at the office, I parked the car. Before I knew it, there were four guys surrounding us. Must have pulled up in a little sedan behind us.
I had a gun to my head. He told me to get out. The other one went the other side, told my wife to get out. And they took everything we had: passports, credit cards, cell phones, the works.
But as we were talking to people afterwards, Betty, they were telling us, "You are the seventh person that we know that it's happened to just this week." And there's not a person you would talk to in South Africa who hasn't had someone who's experienced or been on the receiving end of some violent crime.
So clearly, it's on the rise in this town. And if it can happen so early in the morning, at 7:45 for me, in broad daylight -- people were walking by, cars were driving by, and nobody would do a thing. It looks like people are almost numb to the crime that's going on here. And when it hits home, then you feel really violated -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Let me ask you this, Jeff. Do you think that you were targeted? I know there's rampant crime, but do you think you were targeted in any way because of what you do and the stories that you cover?
KOINANGE: Look, I hope not. And I don't want to jump to any conclusions. But this was probably some opportunistic crime, some guys on a Saturday morning feeling lucky, and I just happened to walk into that.
You know, you can't think beyond that, because that will obviously affect what we do. But, you know, we don't do what we do to get this kind of reaction, and I doubt people would, you know, target us in this way just because of that.
NGUYEN: And just very quickly, tell us how rampant the violence is there. KOINANGE: Look, every single day in the newspapers there are stories about crime -- rape, robbery, houses being broken into, people being killed in the course of a robbery. Every single day it's being reported. And it's increasing, too. And people we speak to, our neighbors, people we know, friends, family, they have been on the receiving end.
NGUYEN: Anything being done about it?
KOINANGE: So the police are trying to do what they can. They are overstaffed -- I mean, overworked and underpaid. But it's a tough, tough problem -- Betty.
NGUYEN: I was asking just very quickly, anything being done about it?
KOINANGE: It is being done, but it's slow. I mean, obviously, more police are being put in the streets, and there is some police presence in business areas like malls and stuff. But this needs to be increased to residential areas and areas where, you know -- that are not as populated as malls and other business areas. So, yes, it's being done, but it's slow.
NGUYEN: Jeff Koinange, again, we are so glad that you are OK. Thanks for spending a little time with us and talking about the problem that has affected you personally.
HOLMES: And, of course, Martin Luther King Jr. inspired a movement, and his name still inspires reverence. So, why does it seem, at least, that so many streets that are named after King are magnets for crime and poverty/ We'll explore the disconnect straight ahead this morning.
NGUYEN: Also, logging on to work out. Can it really be done? We're going to tell you how your daily burn could be as easy as logging on to that computer, hopping on the Internet.
But first, Dr. Sanjay Gupta has a preview of this morning's "WEEKEND HOUSE CALL."
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Betty, thanks.
We've got a very special "HOUSE CALL" coming up today. Today we're going to look at how your race affects your health.
I had a chance to sit down and talk to a Harlem doctor who's made a remarkable difference in the number of women surviving breast cancer. It's remarkable, an amazing story that reads just like a Hollywood movie.
I have all that and more coming up on "HOUSE CALL" at 8:30.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Keep that chest up, head up, make sure you're breathing.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): John says it feels like having a personal trainer and workout partner motivating him any time he wants. All he has to do is log on to his computer, into his virtual gym.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a Web site where you can stream, I mean, just about any kind of workout or yoga or stretching or aerobics video that you'd want to download and run it through your computer.
COSTELLO: At home, he runs his PC through his TV and works out using a Web site called Demand Fitness, which is one of several companies streaming online fitness. Classes include pilates, upper and lower body sculpting, and cardio kickboxing. John travels for business and enjoys the convenience of it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The portability. I can show you my laptop in a little bit. And, you know, my gym is a little box about this big around.
COSTELLO: Some fitness professionals caution this form of exercise is too detached, though, and could be a recipe for injury.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People logging on, and maybe they're a beginner and they're logging on to an advanced exercise. Well, they may think in their mind they're advanced. And again, they can get injured and it may not surface.
COSTELLO: Robert adds you should check to see if the instructors are certified before you begin. Demand Fitness costs about the same as other online fitness programs. It costs $1 for single days or about $15 a month. Some cable companies also offer video on demand fitness.
Carol Costello, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: There are cities all across this nation where streets and avenues carry the name of Martin Luther King Jr. Well, are some of these thoroughfares attracting the wrong elements? This week I had an opportunity to walk those streets with someone who knows Atlanta's Martin Luther King Boulevard inside and out.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERT BULLARD, CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY: This street was called Hunter Street. It was a thriving business corridor. And the neighborhoods surrounding the universities, Atlanta University Center, were basically middle class, black neighborhood homeowners, solid, stable. And then you started to get integration and people moving out and money moving out and people following jobs. And you got that economic decline.
HOLMES: Robert Bullard has studied the mean streets of this area of MLK Boulevard for decades. He teaches at nearby Clark Atlanta University, and has seen the poverty and crime in the west side neighborhood firsthand.
(on camera): Is it unfair, I'm sure you've heard the joke, everybody talks about the Chris Rock joke about talking about MLK Boulevard, if you own one, you'd better run, it's a dangerous place. Is that -- I mean, he was making the joke there, but some might have said he had a good point. Do MLK Boulevards have a bad rep around the country, or was Chris Rock kind of right on?
BULLARD: Well, I don't think MLK Boulevards have any more dangerous elements or any more crime or anything that would be negative that's not associated with urban neighborhoods.
As a matter of fact, I would say that many of the -- most of the MLK Boulevards may be better off than many other major corridors within the African-American community. The simple reason, historically, many of our businesses were located on those major thoroughfares that were given the name MLK.
HOLMES (voice-over): But Bullard contends that even with the success of some of these MLKs, in general, the surrounding neighborhoods still lag behind the economic growth of the more prosperous white areas.
(on camera): Who should be taking responsibility for bringing back an area like this?
BULLARD: Atlanta has one of the largest concentrations of black millionaires per capita of any major city in this country. So it means that there has to be some responsibility for those -- those entrepreneurs who are African-American or whoever to see these neighborhoods as opportunities.
HOLMES (voice-over): But Bullard is afraid this new development won't benefit everyone here.
BULLARD: Unless our communities are -- have the kind of economic development and revitalization that involves the local communities, you're going to get some displacement and gentrification hat I think may have detrimental impacts on these historic neighborhoods.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: And we will continue this tour we kind of took around Atlanta this week with Oakland Cemetery. This is a spot that has so much history of segregation and so much history of Atlanta here.
You can walk through and uncover segregated sections of this cemetery, but a fascinating, fascinating place. And we're going to take a good look. Hope you stick around for that. We'll have that for you tomorrow.
NGUYEN: Looking forward to that.
HOLMES: Plus, also coming up, a famous two-legged dog nearly became lost luggage. Can you believe?
Faith -- that's her name -- and her owner became separated in the Orlando airport on Friday. Luckily, after some serious searching, American Airlines found the wayward pooch on her travel crate. And TV cameras were rolling for the emotional reunion. And this brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "finding faith."
How precious is she? Good thing she was found.
HOLMES: I'm sure the owner is happy about that.
NGUYEN: T.J. is speechless.
HOLMES: Yes.
NGUYEN: So...
HOLMES: But the dog walking like that, kind of looks -- it kind of threw me off. I'm sorry. Threw me off.
NGUYEN: All right.
How does your race impact your healthcare? That's one of the questions we're going to be exploring. And what is the African- American community doing to address the challenges? Well, Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports in a special "WEEKEND HOUSE CALL." That straight ahead.
HOLMES: And in the next hour, details about a chilling new video of an al Qaeda operatives who are purportedly making explosive devices and helping the Taliban in Afghanistan.
NGUYEN: And at 10:00, art or poison? We'll take a closer look at the raging debate over hip-hop music.
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