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CNN Live Sunday

Is Low-Carb Product Better For you? Terrorist Organization Claims Kidnapping Of Lockheed Martin Employee

Aired June 13, 2004 - 18:00 ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN HOST, CNN LIVE SUNDAY: Hello, I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Welcome to "CNN Live Sunday." Carol Lin has the evening off.
Coming up, the low-carb craze. There are dozens of products on the markets. So does low-carb mean low cal? Is a low-carb product better for you? Some answers straight head.

And yellow ribbons for an American missing in Saudi Arabia. Paul Johnson's family and hometown band together to do something positive as the search to find him continues.

Word of Paul Johnson's apparent kidnapping came just hours after another American was shot dead in Riyadh. Today the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are presenting a united front against the rising tide of anti- western violence. CNN's Sean Callebs brings us up to date.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A stoic expression, the kind that could be attached to anyone's driver's license. This is how the world is getting to know 49-year-old Lockheed Martin employee, Paul Johnson. After suspected terrorists placed the information on the web. For ten years, according to his family, Johnson worked in Saudi Arabia until his apparent kidnapping. From Florida an agonized son.

PAUL JOHNSON III, SON OF MISSING AMERICAN: Just trying to stay positive and try to keep everybody strong. Everything's going to be OK.

CALLEBS: A group calling itself Al-Fallujah Squadron (ph) says Johnson was targeted because he worked for a U.S. defense contractor.

More anti-American violence this week, two other U.S. citizens killed, who also worked in the defense industry. Including 63-year- old Robert Jacobs. Terrorists posted a videotape on a militant Islamic website of what they claim is Jacobs being shot in the back multiple times. Followed by what appeared to be sawing motions at the victim's neck.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: It's troubling time in Saudi Arabia. I know that the Saudis are doing everything they can to deal with this terrorist threat.

CALLEBS: Saudi Arabia and the U.S. are working together to resolve the kidnapping, halt the recent spade of violence in the kingdom, and do what they can to make sure Saudi Arabia's vast oil supplies are not interrupted. In recent weeks al Qaeda has made it clear it was targeting the oil sector. U.S. officials are now concerned this might represent a shift to attacking private citizens in other industry.

Saudi ambassador to the United States, Prince Bandar Bin Sultan calls the attacks against U.S. citizens "craven acts of evil" designed to frighten away our friends and allies. Administration officials agree.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR: It is like many places in the world right now. A place in which terrorists are trying to make their mark. We're doing everything we can with the Saudis to try to protect those who are there.

SEN. PAT ROBERTS, (R) KANSAS: I think the terrorists understand that if they attack the oil infrastructure that really presents a problem for the United States. And they're kidnapping or killing Americans that they can.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CALLEBS (on camera): The U.S. embassy now says it believes all the attacks against U.S. citizens in the area over this past week involved extensive surveillance, including following of the victims. This is leading the embassy to tell U.S. citizens still in that area to lie low, and always be aware of their surroundings in these dangerous times --Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Sean, in addition to laying lower, they're asking Americans to simply depart that region.

CALLEBS: This is something that the state department, that the Bush administration has done since April. They've told all non- essential U.S. citizens for their own self-interest they should be out of that area. This more recent warning which just came out today is focused only on those still staying in that area.

WHITFIELD: Sean Callebs from Washington thanks very much.

Well today authorities are fanning out across Riyadh hunting for militants. CNN's Caroline Faraj joins us on the telephone from Dubai, in the United Arab Emirate with more on the search. Caroline, how are things going?

CAROLINE FARAJ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, the Saudi officials are telling us that they are doing their best in order to be able to save the kidnapped American, as well as to be able to capture the militant. They are tightening security, and nowadays it's becoming visible more and more.

The westerners and the expatriates who are living in Saudi Arabia can at least see the security that the Saudis are trying to offer as much as possible. However, when you talk to some westerners living in Saudi Arabia, and some of them have been there for more than ten years, they have started to think twice as one of the people I talked to. He said that I'm thinking twice and even more than that in order to decide whether really it's worth it staying in Saudi Arabia.

So this is up to now the situation. The Saudis as well. They're hunting and receiving so many phone calls from Saudi residents telling them that sometimes they saw a strange car coming in or parking in a strange way. So, basically, they're collecting information and they're trying their best.

WHITFIELD: Are Saudi officials commenting in any way whether tips like that about an unusual vehicle are actually leading them to anything concrete?

FARAJ: Well they say that we have to take every message and every note we are receiving from locals as well as the expatriates into consideration. They cannot be ignored or anything, because on several occasions they managed to, according to them, they managed to capture and collect information about several incidents before it happened, or even sometimes after it happened to arrest some of the militants.

So, for them, as they're taking every information they're receiving into consideration, and they are trying their best to do something at least.

WHITFIELD: Caroline Faraj in Dubai thanks very much.

Well, now to Iraq where another senior government official has fallen victim to assassins guns. The education ministry official was killed on a day when a dozen other Iraqis working with the U.S. led coalition died in a separate attack. The continuing bloodshed presents a huge challenge for Iraq's new government. CNN's Aneesh Ramon reports from Baghdad now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A coffin containing the body of the murdered government official carried through the streets of Baghdad. It's an increasingly familiar scene here in the Iraqi capital. Kamal al-Jarrah, high-ranking officer in the education ministry was gunned down outside his home as he left for work Sunday morning. It is the second assassination of an Iraqi government official in as many days.

Saturday Deputy Foreign Minister, Bassam Kubba was also targeted while leaving his house. Deputy Minister of Health, Ammar al-Saffar was attacked on Wednesday, barely escaping with his life.

AMMAR Al-SAFFAR, DEPUTY HEALTH MINISTER: Those terrorists are targeting soft-targets and low levels and then demonstrations and ministries just to create an atmosphere of terrorism and an atmosphere of animosity.

RAMAN: At a briefing on Saturday, the CPA said it is working with the interim government to provide better security.

DAN SENOR, COALITION SPOKESMAN: We either provide security ourselves or we provide training and funding for security for the Iraqi officials to administer security.

RAMAN: But Saffar wants to see more, especially in the days leading up to June 30.

SAFFAR: The measures are not tough enough. And the security issue, and then the responsibility, of course, is still is in the hands of the coalition forces.

RAMAN: Also Sunday, another suicide car bomb exploding near a U.S. military installation in Baghdad. A now familiar insurgent tactic, it left at least a dozen Iraqis killed, and numerous others wounded. A senior coalition official says there have been between 12 to 15 car bombs in Iraq already this month.

RAMAN (on camera): These incidents are daily reminders of how prominent a role security will be for the interim Iraqi government. And both they and the coalition expect no let up in the weeks to come. Aneesh Raman in CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Security in Iraq is a huge issue for the White House, as well. With the handover of sovereignty approaching in just 17 days, Bush administration officials warn of more violence ahead. But they say the insurgents and Saddam Hussein loyalists won't succeed in undercutting the Iraqi government. CNN White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice over): With the transfer of power to Iraq just a little over two weeks away, President Bush's foreign policy enters a critical phase. As the president had predicted, the violence there is escalating. A deadly car bomb attack and the assassination of another Iraqi government official are proof. White House officials say, that insurgents and Saddam loyalists are stepping up their efforts.

RICE: Especially in the lead up to sovereignty, there will likely be more violence, not less.

MALVEAUX: The White House strategy now to convince allies, the Iraqi people can handle the heat.

RICE: We have good partners now in this Iraqi government who will be tough, we believe, on terrorism, tough on the insurgents who are trying to stop progress, and sooner or later this will be under control.

MALVEAUX: Even with U.S. troops and private contractors aiding Iraqi security forces, U.S. and Iraqi officials warn this is a dangerous period. Iraq's new president said he envisions U.S. troops will be needed there for another six months to a year.

GHAZI AL-YAWAR, IRAQI PRESIDENT: The first challenge of the new interim government is the security issues. Without security we cannot move on the election issue in or the development of the country, or reconstruction.

MALVEAUX: The Iraqi president emphasizing construction not destruction. Even of the now infamous especially at Abu Ghraib prison. President Bush has suggested leveling the facility following the prison abuse scandal.

YAWAR: This is very reactionist. To our people that we need, every single dollar we have in order to rebuild our country, instead of demolishing and rebuilding.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX (on camera): Now Mr. Bush hopes that his meeting with NATO leaders next week in Turkey will produce some sort of commitment for assistance in training Iraqi troops -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: Suzanne Malveaux from the White House, thanks very much.

Retail gasoline prices are finally coming down. That tops our news across America. After climbing for months to record levels, the Lundberg survey shows the average price at the pump dropped more than 6 cents over the past three weeks to just slightly more than $2 a gallon.

Everyone in New York is Puerto Rican today by order of Major Michael Bloomberg. Ethnic pride abounded as tens of thousands lined Fifth Avenue for the annual parade honoring the city's nearly 800,000 Puerto Ricans.

It's a weekend of violent weather in the Heartland. A tornado destroyed this house in near Mulvane Kansas. Look at that. The homeowners, thankfully, were not there. No one was hurt.

What's next for storm-battered parts of the country? Let's check in with meteorologist Jacqui Jeras in the weather center.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: Most agree it isn't the easiest song to sing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh say can you see, by the dawn's early light.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Still to come this hour, belting out the "National Anthem." Hear one man's pitch to get everyone on key.

Plus, they say the third time is a charm, right? What does that mean for J.Lo and her latest marriage?

But first, pen pals from across the sea, how these first graders bring smiles to the troops in Afghanistan.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Here's some of what happening around the world this Sunday. The start of a world economic forum brought throngs of protesters into the streets of Seoul, South Korea. The demonstrators accused the 150 regional business executives, government officials and scholars of scheming to protect the rich at the expense of the poor.

English soccer fans crowded Lisbon, Portugal square and waterfalls as their team lost to France at the European Championship. Minor disturbances brought a few arrests, but no serious crowd trouble.

In Afghan fields, where poppies grow, farmers are apparently raising them in hopes of getting paid to plow them under. President Hamid Karzai says the government made a mistake two years ago when it started paying farmers to destroy their poppies. The plants are used to make opium. Karzai says their cultivation supports warlords and terrorists.

Some Oregon first graders a got quite a surprise this week when they each got a handwritten letter from Afghanistan. As Veronica Griffin, of our affiliate KGW reports, it was more than they ever hoped.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CANDY MARSHAL, TEACHER: Mail call. Mail for Cody. Mail for Riley. Mail for Gina.

VERONICA GRIFFIN, KGW CORRESPONDENT: Candy Marshal is always looking for ways to capture the attention of her first grade class.

MARSHAL: "No, the water here is not very yummy."

GRIFFIN: But this story time is one her students at Dilly (ph) Elementary actually asked for.

MARSHAL: "No, I don't have a tank, but we do have tanks here."

GRIFFIN: Miss Marshall is reading letters written to the students by Staff Sergeant Jack O'Neal (ph), stationed in Afghanistan.

MARSHAL: "Thank you for the pretty picture, it made me smile. No, I don't like it here, but it is my job and the job of all the other people here to make sure that everyone stays safe back home."

GRIFFIN: He wrote to each and every student, answering letters they wrote him two months ago. First grader Garrett (ph) is the staff sergeant's younger cousin. But all of the students here wanted to write the soldier. MARSHALL: Really, all we were hoping for was just to make their day better over there. We weren't expecting to get a letter back for everybody.

GRIFFIN: His job in Afghanistan is working with the locals, letting them know the United States is their friend.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's really nice and he has really nice handwriting.

GRIFFIN: And if his new friends here are any indication, O'Neil must be doing a heck of a job for the U.S. making friends overseas.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you for being brave.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: That report was from Veronica Griffin from our affiliate KGW. The letters from Sergeant O'Neil came just in the nick of time for the Oregon students. They arrived on the last day of school.

Well, conflict meets John Kerry at church today. Still to come, the presidential candidate gets scolded for his position on abortion.

Plus, a low-fat potato? A low-fat beer? It may sound like the joke of the day, but it's turning out it be serious business. How the items in your local market are being transformed.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: What goes up must come down. So it was for President Bush today, Herbert Walker Bush, when he jumped out of an airplane to celebrate his 80 birthday. While he reached the ground safely, his spirit seemed to stay way up high in the sky. CNN's Ed Lavandera joins us from College Station Texas, where the festivities took place.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi Fredricka. Well everything didn't go as planned for the former president here today. Although he still said he had an incredible amount of fun. As you might see, the clouds moving in here to College Station Texas, this afternoon made it a little bit difficult. The winds were a little too strong and the cloud cover a little too dense. So President George Bush, instead of skydiving alone had to do it in tandem with an army skydiver, a member of the Golden Knights Parachute Team from Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

The clouds were so thick that the concern was that once the President got into the clouds they might lose him. So as you might imagine, a lot of Secret Service agents and Golden Knight Parachute Team members not wanting to risk any danger to the president. So he did it in tandem.

Nonetheless, the president says it was an incredible thrill, skydiving, free falling at 120 miles an hour, and then spending the next five to eight minutes gliding toward the earth. He says it was just a -- after the parachute releases, it is a very tranquil, peaceful sway down to the earth. And as he came down, the army sky trooper who was coming down with him said he was looking down at the crowd and telling him, hey, look at all my fans as he waved to the crowd here. The President said it was an incredible thrill.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE HERBERT WALKER BUSH, FMR. PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES: This was a real thrill for me. And I felt no fear in the hands of these, the most qualified, the best paratroopers we have in our military. They were absolutely fantastic. And for me to get a chance to jump with the Golden Knights, I'll tell you, it's a dream.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAVENDERA: So Former President Bush has made five successful jumps in his lifetime. The first came back in World War II. The next four he's done in the last ten years. One at age 72, one at 75. He actually did two today. The first one was an early morning practice run that was done kind of away from here, and preparing him for this event. But that one was also done in tandem.

We asked the President if he plans on coming back out here, he did it on his 75th birthday, did it today on his 80th. We asked him if he'd do it on his 85th, and that one seemed a little bit up in the air. And at one point he said earlier today as well, that it doesn't sound like Barbara Bush is terribly excited about that happening.

WHITFIELD: What is the explanation that he keeps giving us to why he decides to celebrates his birthdays in such grand fashion like this?

LAVANDERA: Well, all of this was part of his big 80th birthday celebration, that was actually a two-day event. The big gala last night in Houston, the barbecue and a huge event here at the George Bush Presidential Library, at Texas A&M University. But, really, what the essence of why he jumps, and he does these jumps is a clear simple message that he likes to pass along to you, and to other senior citizens around the country.

And as he said today. He said go out and do something. You don't have to skydive, go do anything. Just don't sit around and watching TV. Although that is terrible advice at this very moment.

WHITFIELD: Well he's an inspiration. I think we get it. Thanks a lot, Ed.

While his father was jumping out of airplanes, President George W. Bush chose a somewhat safer activity at the White House today. He opened the fourth season of the T-ball on the south lawn. The players were children of military troops based in Washington and North Carolina. In T-ball all the kids get to play and nobody keeps score. The Bush's started White House T-ball to promote interest in baseball and foster teamwork.

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry had a rough Sunday morning at church, of all places. After attending church in Pittsburgh, where his wife has a home, the couple was heckled by two women who oppose abortion. Senator Kerry is in favor of abortion rights. And as you can see, Kerry got into a car and did not appear in any danger there.

Politics and religion, a new "Time" magazine poll takes a look at how religion may play out in the presidential race. Among Catholic voters, it is almost a dead heat, 45 percent support John Kerry, while 43 percent support the re-election of President Bush. Among those surveyed, only 33 percent knew that John Kerry is Catholic.

Well, still to come on CNN LIVE SUNDAY, she's at it again, J.Lo trying her hand at marriage for a third time. Is there a reason why she tied the knot so quickly? We'll dig for answers coming up.

Plus, it's been remixed and it's been soulful. It's even has a few guitar renditions, but not everyone can hit the high notes. Still to come, one man's plan to get everyone on key for the "Star Spangled Banner."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: If you're a basketball fan, you're undoubtedly keeping close watch on Auburn Hills, Michigan. In just a few hours the Los Angeles Lakers will try to play catch up with the Detroit Pistons in the NBA finals. And CNN's Larry Smith is live with a real nail biter of a game, or at least it is going to be maybe for Lakers fans, right?

LARRY SMITH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's been a nail biting series so far. You think about it, just that Kobe Bryant three-pointer late in game two. Other than that, we could be 3-0 right now, Detroit leading.

Desperate times may be calling for desperate measures. According to the "Los Angeles Times," Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal have agreed with several Lakers teammates who want to see a different starting five in tonight's game, and went to Coach Phil Jackson with that request.

During a private meeting on Saturday they requested that the ineffective Gary Paton, and the injured Carl Malone both be benched. Their reasoning is that the team would be better off with five players who are more familiar with the complex triangle offense that the Lakers employ. Phil Jackson has won nine titles with the offense. Three of them in L.A. in the past four years before this year. But as for the Lakers, well they are down 2-1 to Detroit, but their not nervous, at least not yet.

(BEGIN VIDOE CLIP)

DEREK FISHER, LAKERS: I hope as a team we don't come out and feel like there's a sense of desperation or, if you lose this game you go down 3-1. I think when an opportunity like this presents itself, you think of you win this game and the series is tied 2-2.

CHAUNCEY BILLUPS, PISTONS: We knew we were the only ones that believed in us. We came in here really to have outplayed that team for three straight games, is confidence. That's a lot of confidence for us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SMITH: Detroit has been very confident throughout this series. Now they are beginning to win over some fans across the country as well. As we talked about at the top Fredricka, many people thought the Lakers would win this series rather easily, but it has been a real struggle for them as they try to win a title, and keep Detroit from their first NBA title since 1990. So a long way to go, game four tonight. Let's go back it you.

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks a lot Larry, I appreciate it.

WHITFIELD: One thing that is sure to happen tonight at the NBA game is the singing of the "National Anthem." But sometimes it doesn't always turn out to be on a good note. Let's take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BETTE MIDLER, SINGER: Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light. What so proudly we hail ...

MARVIN GAYE, SINGER: ... at the twilight's last gleaming. Who's who broad stripes and bright stars ...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: He's famous because of that. Well, those were the good ones. Those certainly don't hit a bad note, that's Bette Midler and Marvin Gaye. The "National Anthem" often strikes a sour note with a lot of singers, professional or otherwise out there. Many find it notoriously hard to perform, especially the soaring high notes.

One man says the solution is quite simple. Lower the anthem by three keys. He's been campaigning for the change for a decade now. Dr. Ed Siegel joins us from San Diego. All right, Dr. Siegel, why are you so passionate about this? How often do you sing the "National Anthem" where you feel like you just can't get the notes right?

DR. ED SIEGEL, WANTS NATIONAL ANTHEM IN LOWER KEY: I play it in a key in which almost everyone can hit the high notes. It's a wonderful stirring patriotic feeling to share that with other people. And I do it every week at my community sing-along.

WHITFIELD: So you've modified it so you can hit the notes, but why do you feel like a majority of folks out there would appreciate your efforts to not change the lyrics, but change the tune?

SIEGEL: They would have the joy of that patriotic special feeling of singing it with their fellow citizens. It's a very, very emotional experience. Very positive experience.

WHITFIELD: Well, why did you decide to do this? Ten years ago you started this crusade, you're still at it. Where are you hoping that it might go?

SIEGEL: I brought it before my city council. They're going to be voting on it on Tuesday evening. And I'm hoping that like other ordinances that it might just catch hold, and take hold across the country and congress will listen. I took it to congress four years ago and the Speaker of the House felt that it wasn't appropriate for me to lead it as my congressman had asked him to do.

WHITFIELD: So why do you find it appropriate to keep pushing the issue then?

SIEGEL: Well, it's like I want to share it with everyone. That's an interesting question. Why do I find it appropriate? We all enjoy singing other songs together, Christmas carols, "America the Beautiful," "My Country 'Tis of Thee." We should be able to sing our national anthem like other people do in their other countries. It brings a great deal of unity. And this is a special time. It's a time when we would like to experience unity, and I can't think of a better way to do it than through song. Our own national anthem.

WHITFIELD: Yes, it's a serious tune, but sometimes it is made comical depending on who sings it. In fact, let's take a listen to Macy Gray's version.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MACY GRAY, SINGER: Oh, say can you see by the twilight's last gleaming.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: OK, well maybe the problem there is she doesn't have the lyrics right, not necessarily that she can't carry a tune. Why don't you perhaps share with us a few bars on what you think the right rendition is so everyone can hit the notes right.

SIEGEL: Why don't I start out by singing it the way it's written?

WHITFIELD: OK.

SIEGEL: And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air.

WHITFIELD: You are a brave man.

SIEGEL: And my version is: And the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air. Now most people can sing that. The low notes may be a little bit low, but most people can reach that as well. But when you really feel the song is when you sing "and the land of the free and the brave." That's when you want to be able to sing out.

WHITFIELD: All right, Dr. Ed Siegel. Well good luck on your journey, as you continue to gather signatures for your petition. You are just not giving up the fight quite yet, are you?

SIEGEL: Not about to. Thank you so much for having me on your program.

WHITFIELD: All right, thank a lot. And thanks for singing a few bars for us, too. Appreciate it. Have a good week.

Either you or someone you know is doing Atkins or the South Beach diet. So, what's the skinny on low-carb products anyway? They're popping up all over the place to meet the demand. But are they really good for you? We'll take a close look coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: With many Americans looking at low-carb diets to slim their waistlines, food makers have jumped feet first on the low-carb bandwagon. But are those claims of low net carbs for comfort foods like ice cream too good to be true? Registered dietician Lisa Drayer is in New York with the skinny on those low-carb alternatives. Good to see you, Lisa.

LISA DRAYER, REGISTERED DIETICIAN: Hi, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Low-carb foods, what are some things you need to look out for? There are an awful lot of labels out there, aren't there?

DRAYER: Exactly, and it's very confusing. One thing you do want to look out for sugar alcohols. Often time sugar is replaced with sugar alcohols. They go by names such as Multitol, Lactitol, Arithrotol (ph), Xylitol and Sorbitol. Now, the good news is sugar alcohol contributes fewer calories than sugar, but they are digested a little bit differently, and they may cause gastro intestinal discomfort.

You may see a warning label on some of these low-carb foods of such symptoms, and right now the FDA does require a warning label for Sorbitol. But the warning is based on consumption of over ten teaspoons of Sorbitol per day.

And according to an FDA spokesman I spoke with, he says no manufacturer probably thinks that their product triggers the labeling requirement, however, if someone sucks on hard candies all day, they could get a tummy ache. So that's something to keep in mind.

WHITFIELD: I'd say easy rule of thumb; if you can't pronounce it, then don't ingest it.

DRAYER: the o-ols (ph) means alcohols.

WHITFIELD: OK. What does the term net carb mean? That's something new, isn't it?

DRAYER: Exactly. Well, it's really -- doesn't have much of a meaning, that is the term net carbs. Now, according to these manufacturers, what they do is they take the total carbohydrates, and they subtract fiber and sugar alcohols, because technically speaking, these types of carbohydrates don't contribute to your daily carbohydrate budget. That is because they don't contribute calories, and they don't affect blood sugar levels. So, often times you'll see net carbs, it simply indicates that some of these carbohydrates are deducted from the total carbohydrate number on the label.

One thing I do want to point out however is the term net carb is not a regulated term. The FDA will provide some guidance to food manufacturers as to how to use the term net carb, and the term low- carb will be regulated soon. That is, the FDA is reviewing petitions now to see what they are going to use for a definition for low-carb.

WHITFIELD: Is there any real benefit to these low-carb diets or foods? Certainly 11 percent of Americans right now are on some of these low-carb or no carb type diets.

DRAYER: Right. It's very popular. If there is one main benefit, I would say it's the addition of fiber to some of these low- carbohydrate foods. Although you will probably be more likely to see the fiber added to bread, and bread products, as compared to low-carb candy.

Also some of the low-carb foods do contain soy protein. Often times soy is added to replace carbohydrates. And soy has been shown to be beneficial in terms of effects on health.

Now, in terms of eating behavior, if someone is more likely it choose, lets say egg whites with a slice of whole wheat toast instead of a big bagel with a lot of cream cheese on it, or perhaps some browned rice with fish and vegetables over a large plate of Fettuccini Alfredo, then that's definitely a good thing because you are cutting back on fat and calories, and also saturated fat. And saturated fat -- that's the harmful fat. That's often high in these low-carb foods as well.

WHITFIELD: And you touched on it, but low-carb doesn't necessarily mean low calorie. Isn't that a mistake a lot of people make? They figure, well it's low-carb. I can just eat more.

DRAYER: Exactly. And you know Fredricka, "Consumer Reports" actually took a close look at some of these low-carb foods. They point out if you add up six low-carb foods including low-carb beer, chips, ice cream, cookies, cake and pecan candies, you may only end up with 40 grams of net carbs but you will be consuming 1,440 calories.

WHITFIELD: That's a daily allowance.

DRAYER: Exactly. Especially if you're looking to lose weight. So keep in mind, often times the calories are the same or even higher in low-carb foods. That is when you compare them to their high-carb counterparts. So be sure to read those labels.

WHITFIELD: It's just getting so complicated, Lisa.

DRAYER: It is. Hopefully we'll hear more soon from the FDA in terms of an actual regulation on the terms.

WHITFIELD: All right. And we'll be calling upon you to help us digest it all. Lisa Drayer, thanks very much. WHITFIELD: Still to come, Jenny from the block celebrates her one-week wedding anniversary, and people are placing their bets already. How long will the marriage last. Is the pop star with child perhaps? We'll hash out the details up next with "Us" magazine.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: No word on a pre-nup or even honeymoon plans for singers Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. In fact it's been a week since they were photographed getting married and the couple still will not confirm it. Odds makers are predicting a rocky road ahead. Here's our Jeanne Moos.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): There's nothing low about J.Lo when it comes to counting husbands. Number one was a waiter, number two number was a choreographer, and number three is none other than Marc Anthony.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She likes being married.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She seems to have a propensity for changing husbands.

MOOS: J.Lo and Marc Anthony once sang a duet called "Don't Love Me." He was dying and already British bookmakers are predicting the death of their marriage, giving odds 3-1 that they'll be over before the year is.

WARREN LUSH: We're quite pessimistic about the chances. We think that J.Lo in many ways could be the new Liz Taylor.

MOOS: Liz Taylor with her eight marriages, two of them to Richard Burton who actually played Marc Anthony in Cleopatra.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I will what?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: On your knees.

MOOS: The Roman Marc Anthony knelt, and the singer Marc Anthony stayed on his feet, promoting his new CD. But when asked about his marriage on "the View,"

MARC ANTHONY, SINGER: I have nothing to say about anything. My life is my life.

MOOS: Matt Lauer noticed his ring on the "Today" show. If it hadn't been for "Us Weekly" shots from a helicopter, we'd have no proof the wedding happened. The magazine says Ben Affleck who himself came close to being husband number three, gave two thumbs up when told of the marriage. Now there are reports that J.Lo is already pregnant.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We'll find out in nine months, won't we? MOOS: On "Regis and Kelly," Comedian Carrot Top displayed a wedding photo of J.Lo that was a low blow. Deserving of a blow ala Marc Anthony. Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Well it looks like "Us Weekly" has the inside track to the Lopez/Anthony marriage. At least they had the pictures you see. Albert Lee is with "Us Weekly." And he joins us from New York. Boy, the crowd is tough out there, isn't it?

ALBERT LEE, US MAGAZINE: You know, it really, really is. But all eyes have been on J.Lo ever since the been Affleck break up.

WHITFIELD: Yes, I wonder if the couple, they've made it tougher though. They really have kind of stoked the critics, to kind of get them going. Particularly because they won't say anything publicly. I mean, what's the big deal?

Lee: It was very strange. Immediately after the wedding, Marc Anthony had this album to promote. And he had these appearances for instance on "Today" show and "The View" that had been booked before the wedding. So it was very strange for him to just kind of come out and say, yes, nothing really big happened this weekend.

WHITFIELD: Yes, that's a little insulting. All right, so he's not talking about the wedding, and word is they didn't really have much of a honeymoon because as you say, he was already appearing on various shows promoting his album. So what do you think the week has been like for them? Have they been seen or spotted in any way together, anywhere?

LEE: Well they don't have a honeymoon planned at this moment. Obviously, he has a summer tour coming up, and he does have that album to promote as you said. And Jennifer Lopez, right now she has been filming "Monster-in-Law" a new romantic comedy with Jane Fonda.

So they both have a lot of projects. But it's very interesting because Jennifer Lopez right now does have her schedule pretty cleared up after the shooting of this film so that is one of the reasons people are speculating that she might be pregnant.

WHITFIELD: Interesting. So what are your sources telling you about this rumor of possible pregnancy?

LEE: Well, one of the things is, one of the reasons people say she got married just four days after Marc Anthony's divorce, was basically that she was pregnant and, you know, we all know she had a very strict catholic upbringing. I think right now only J.Lo and Marc know for sure whether or not they will be expecting.

WHITFIELD: I think we all knew that she had a strict catholic upbringing. It's hard to tell that isn't it?

LEE: With the multiple marriages you wouldn't expect it. WHITFIELD: What about any professional collaboration? Are any of your folks saying maybe there might be some kind of professional collaboration, whether it be acting or perhaps even singing between Marc Anthony and J.Lo.

LEE: Well, let's just hope they're not planning "Gigli II." I do know that there has been talk of duets for one of Marc's new Albums. But I think J.Lo has learned her lesson. I think after we saw just how low key this wedding was, and how small she wanted to make it, I think she did learn her lesson from Ben Affleck.

WHITFIELD: Did you get any scoop as to whether that Vera Wang dress happens to be the same Vera Wang dress that was designed for her for the Ben Affleck wedding?

LEE: Well, actually, the dress was an evening gown. It was originally a Vera Wang evening gown that one of her stylists had pulled last year for a photo shoot. So she kept it. Used it as the weeding dress, even Vera Wang herself had no idea it was going to be used as a wedding dress.

WHITFIELD: Wow. And speaking of Ben Affleck then, we know in Jeanne Moos's report that he gave a two thumbs up. But has he said anything verbally about this marriage?

LEE: Verbally did not say anything. But, our sources are telling us that he has definitely moved on. As you know, he is dating a 26-year-old sales rep named -- from just outside Boston. They've been on dates together, going to Red Sox games. He I think he has moved on from J.Lo.

WHITFIELD: OK, life moves on for both then. All right, well Albert Lee from "Us Weekly," good to see you. Thanks very much for the scoop.

LEE: Thanks for having me.

WHITFIELD: All right. Well, in the stork watch, we're not talking about J.Lo, new friend now for Courtney Cox. "People" magazine reports the actress had a baby girl early this morning in Los Angeles. Cox who turns 40 on Tuesday, was reportedly in labor throughout the night. She is married to actor David Arquette. No word yet on a possible name for their new daughter. Congrats to them.

Well that's all we have time for right now, coming up at 7:00 Eastern on "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS ," a call to courage. We look at the Normandy invasion through the eyes of four U.S. veterans.

Then at 8:00, "CNN PRESENTS" tells the little known story of one of the great tragedies of the war. And at 9:00 Eastern on "LARRY KING WEEKEND," tune in for a classic interview with former President Ronald Reagan.

And I'll be back at 10:00 for "RAP SHEET." What can we expect this week from the Scott Peterson trial? We'll hash out what happened in the Terry Nichols' trial, in the penalty phase. The hour's headlines when we come right back, and then "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS."

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com

Aired June 13, 2004 - 18:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN HOST, CNN LIVE SUNDAY: Hello, I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Welcome to "CNN Live Sunday." Carol Lin has the evening off.
Coming up, the low-carb craze. There are dozens of products on the markets. So does low-carb mean low cal? Is a low-carb product better for you? Some answers straight head.

And yellow ribbons for an American missing in Saudi Arabia. Paul Johnson's family and hometown band together to do something positive as the search to find him continues.

Word of Paul Johnson's apparent kidnapping came just hours after another American was shot dead in Riyadh. Today the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are presenting a united front against the rising tide of anti- western violence. CNN's Sean Callebs brings us up to date.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A stoic expression, the kind that could be attached to anyone's driver's license. This is how the world is getting to know 49-year-old Lockheed Martin employee, Paul Johnson. After suspected terrorists placed the information on the web. For ten years, according to his family, Johnson worked in Saudi Arabia until his apparent kidnapping. From Florida an agonized son.

PAUL JOHNSON III, SON OF MISSING AMERICAN: Just trying to stay positive and try to keep everybody strong. Everything's going to be OK.

CALLEBS: A group calling itself Al-Fallujah Squadron (ph) says Johnson was targeted because he worked for a U.S. defense contractor.

More anti-American violence this week, two other U.S. citizens killed, who also worked in the defense industry. Including 63-year- old Robert Jacobs. Terrorists posted a videotape on a militant Islamic website of what they claim is Jacobs being shot in the back multiple times. Followed by what appeared to be sawing motions at the victim's neck.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: It's troubling time in Saudi Arabia. I know that the Saudis are doing everything they can to deal with this terrorist threat.

CALLEBS: Saudi Arabia and the U.S. are working together to resolve the kidnapping, halt the recent spade of violence in the kingdom, and do what they can to make sure Saudi Arabia's vast oil supplies are not interrupted. In recent weeks al Qaeda has made it clear it was targeting the oil sector. U.S. officials are now concerned this might represent a shift to attacking private citizens in other industry.

Saudi ambassador to the United States, Prince Bandar Bin Sultan calls the attacks against U.S. citizens "craven acts of evil" designed to frighten away our friends and allies. Administration officials agree.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR: It is like many places in the world right now. A place in which terrorists are trying to make their mark. We're doing everything we can with the Saudis to try to protect those who are there.

SEN. PAT ROBERTS, (R) KANSAS: I think the terrorists understand that if they attack the oil infrastructure that really presents a problem for the United States. And they're kidnapping or killing Americans that they can.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CALLEBS (on camera): The U.S. embassy now says it believes all the attacks against U.S. citizens in the area over this past week involved extensive surveillance, including following of the victims. This is leading the embassy to tell U.S. citizens still in that area to lie low, and always be aware of their surroundings in these dangerous times --Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Sean, in addition to laying lower, they're asking Americans to simply depart that region.

CALLEBS: This is something that the state department, that the Bush administration has done since April. They've told all non- essential U.S. citizens for their own self-interest they should be out of that area. This more recent warning which just came out today is focused only on those still staying in that area.

WHITFIELD: Sean Callebs from Washington thanks very much.

Well today authorities are fanning out across Riyadh hunting for militants. CNN's Caroline Faraj joins us on the telephone from Dubai, in the United Arab Emirate with more on the search. Caroline, how are things going?

CAROLINE FARAJ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, the Saudi officials are telling us that they are doing their best in order to be able to save the kidnapped American, as well as to be able to capture the militant. They are tightening security, and nowadays it's becoming visible more and more.

The westerners and the expatriates who are living in Saudi Arabia can at least see the security that the Saudis are trying to offer as much as possible. However, when you talk to some westerners living in Saudi Arabia, and some of them have been there for more than ten years, they have started to think twice as one of the people I talked to. He said that I'm thinking twice and even more than that in order to decide whether really it's worth it staying in Saudi Arabia.

So this is up to now the situation. The Saudis as well. They're hunting and receiving so many phone calls from Saudi residents telling them that sometimes they saw a strange car coming in or parking in a strange way. So, basically, they're collecting information and they're trying their best.

WHITFIELD: Are Saudi officials commenting in any way whether tips like that about an unusual vehicle are actually leading them to anything concrete?

FARAJ: Well they say that we have to take every message and every note we are receiving from locals as well as the expatriates into consideration. They cannot be ignored or anything, because on several occasions they managed to, according to them, they managed to capture and collect information about several incidents before it happened, or even sometimes after it happened to arrest some of the militants.

So, for them, as they're taking every information they're receiving into consideration, and they are trying their best to do something at least.

WHITFIELD: Caroline Faraj in Dubai thanks very much.

Well, now to Iraq where another senior government official has fallen victim to assassins guns. The education ministry official was killed on a day when a dozen other Iraqis working with the U.S. led coalition died in a separate attack. The continuing bloodshed presents a huge challenge for Iraq's new government. CNN's Aneesh Ramon reports from Baghdad now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A coffin containing the body of the murdered government official carried through the streets of Baghdad. It's an increasingly familiar scene here in the Iraqi capital. Kamal al-Jarrah, high-ranking officer in the education ministry was gunned down outside his home as he left for work Sunday morning. It is the second assassination of an Iraqi government official in as many days.

Saturday Deputy Foreign Minister, Bassam Kubba was also targeted while leaving his house. Deputy Minister of Health, Ammar al-Saffar was attacked on Wednesday, barely escaping with his life.

AMMAR Al-SAFFAR, DEPUTY HEALTH MINISTER: Those terrorists are targeting soft-targets and low levels and then demonstrations and ministries just to create an atmosphere of terrorism and an atmosphere of animosity.

RAMAN: At a briefing on Saturday, the CPA said it is working with the interim government to provide better security.

DAN SENOR, COALITION SPOKESMAN: We either provide security ourselves or we provide training and funding for security for the Iraqi officials to administer security.

RAMAN: But Saffar wants to see more, especially in the days leading up to June 30.

SAFFAR: The measures are not tough enough. And the security issue, and then the responsibility, of course, is still is in the hands of the coalition forces.

RAMAN: Also Sunday, another suicide car bomb exploding near a U.S. military installation in Baghdad. A now familiar insurgent tactic, it left at least a dozen Iraqis killed, and numerous others wounded. A senior coalition official says there have been between 12 to 15 car bombs in Iraq already this month.

RAMAN (on camera): These incidents are daily reminders of how prominent a role security will be for the interim Iraqi government. And both they and the coalition expect no let up in the weeks to come. Aneesh Raman in CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Security in Iraq is a huge issue for the White House, as well. With the handover of sovereignty approaching in just 17 days, Bush administration officials warn of more violence ahead. But they say the insurgents and Saddam Hussein loyalists won't succeed in undercutting the Iraqi government. CNN White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice over): With the transfer of power to Iraq just a little over two weeks away, President Bush's foreign policy enters a critical phase. As the president had predicted, the violence there is escalating. A deadly car bomb attack and the assassination of another Iraqi government official are proof. White House officials say, that insurgents and Saddam loyalists are stepping up their efforts.

RICE: Especially in the lead up to sovereignty, there will likely be more violence, not less.

MALVEAUX: The White House strategy now to convince allies, the Iraqi people can handle the heat.

RICE: We have good partners now in this Iraqi government who will be tough, we believe, on terrorism, tough on the insurgents who are trying to stop progress, and sooner or later this will be under control.

MALVEAUX: Even with U.S. troops and private contractors aiding Iraqi security forces, U.S. and Iraqi officials warn this is a dangerous period. Iraq's new president said he envisions U.S. troops will be needed there for another six months to a year.

GHAZI AL-YAWAR, IRAQI PRESIDENT: The first challenge of the new interim government is the security issues. Without security we cannot move on the election issue in or the development of the country, or reconstruction.

MALVEAUX: The Iraqi president emphasizing construction not destruction. Even of the now infamous especially at Abu Ghraib prison. President Bush has suggested leveling the facility following the prison abuse scandal.

YAWAR: This is very reactionist. To our people that we need, every single dollar we have in order to rebuild our country, instead of demolishing and rebuilding.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MALVEAUX (on camera): Now Mr. Bush hopes that his meeting with NATO leaders next week in Turkey will produce some sort of commitment for assistance in training Iraqi troops -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: Suzanne Malveaux from the White House, thanks very much.

Retail gasoline prices are finally coming down. That tops our news across America. After climbing for months to record levels, the Lundberg survey shows the average price at the pump dropped more than 6 cents over the past three weeks to just slightly more than $2 a gallon.

Everyone in New York is Puerto Rican today by order of Major Michael Bloomberg. Ethnic pride abounded as tens of thousands lined Fifth Avenue for the annual parade honoring the city's nearly 800,000 Puerto Ricans.

It's a weekend of violent weather in the Heartland. A tornado destroyed this house in near Mulvane Kansas. Look at that. The homeowners, thankfully, were not there. No one was hurt.

What's next for storm-battered parts of the country? Let's check in with meteorologist Jacqui Jeras in the weather center.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: Most agree it isn't the easiest song to sing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh say can you see, by the dawn's early light.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Still to come this hour, belting out the "National Anthem." Hear one man's pitch to get everyone on key.

Plus, they say the third time is a charm, right? What does that mean for J.Lo and her latest marriage?

But first, pen pals from across the sea, how these first graders bring smiles to the troops in Afghanistan.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Here's some of what happening around the world this Sunday. The start of a world economic forum brought throngs of protesters into the streets of Seoul, South Korea. The demonstrators accused the 150 regional business executives, government officials and scholars of scheming to protect the rich at the expense of the poor.

English soccer fans crowded Lisbon, Portugal square and waterfalls as their team lost to France at the European Championship. Minor disturbances brought a few arrests, but no serious crowd trouble.

In Afghan fields, where poppies grow, farmers are apparently raising them in hopes of getting paid to plow them under. President Hamid Karzai says the government made a mistake two years ago when it started paying farmers to destroy their poppies. The plants are used to make opium. Karzai says their cultivation supports warlords and terrorists.

Some Oregon first graders a got quite a surprise this week when they each got a handwritten letter from Afghanistan. As Veronica Griffin, of our affiliate KGW reports, it was more than they ever hoped.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CANDY MARSHAL, TEACHER: Mail call. Mail for Cody. Mail for Riley. Mail for Gina.

VERONICA GRIFFIN, KGW CORRESPONDENT: Candy Marshal is always looking for ways to capture the attention of her first grade class.

MARSHAL: "No, the water here is not very yummy."

GRIFFIN: But this story time is one her students at Dilly (ph) Elementary actually asked for.

MARSHAL: "No, I don't have a tank, but we do have tanks here."

GRIFFIN: Miss Marshall is reading letters written to the students by Staff Sergeant Jack O'Neal (ph), stationed in Afghanistan.

MARSHAL: "Thank you for the pretty picture, it made me smile. No, I don't like it here, but it is my job and the job of all the other people here to make sure that everyone stays safe back home."

GRIFFIN: He wrote to each and every student, answering letters they wrote him two months ago. First grader Garrett (ph) is the staff sergeant's younger cousin. But all of the students here wanted to write the soldier. MARSHALL: Really, all we were hoping for was just to make their day better over there. We weren't expecting to get a letter back for everybody.

GRIFFIN: His job in Afghanistan is working with the locals, letting them know the United States is their friend.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's really nice and he has really nice handwriting.

GRIFFIN: And if his new friends here are any indication, O'Neil must be doing a heck of a job for the U.S. making friends overseas.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you for being brave.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: That report was from Veronica Griffin from our affiliate KGW. The letters from Sergeant O'Neil came just in the nick of time for the Oregon students. They arrived on the last day of school.

Well, conflict meets John Kerry at church today. Still to come, the presidential candidate gets scolded for his position on abortion.

Plus, a low-fat potato? A low-fat beer? It may sound like the joke of the day, but it's turning out it be serious business. How the items in your local market are being transformed.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: What goes up must come down. So it was for President Bush today, Herbert Walker Bush, when he jumped out of an airplane to celebrate his 80 birthday. While he reached the ground safely, his spirit seemed to stay way up high in the sky. CNN's Ed Lavandera joins us from College Station Texas, where the festivities took place.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi Fredricka. Well everything didn't go as planned for the former president here today. Although he still said he had an incredible amount of fun. As you might see, the clouds moving in here to College Station Texas, this afternoon made it a little bit difficult. The winds were a little too strong and the cloud cover a little too dense. So President George Bush, instead of skydiving alone had to do it in tandem with an army skydiver, a member of the Golden Knights Parachute Team from Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

The clouds were so thick that the concern was that once the President got into the clouds they might lose him. So as you might imagine, a lot of Secret Service agents and Golden Knight Parachute Team members not wanting to risk any danger to the president. So he did it in tandem.

Nonetheless, the president says it was an incredible thrill, skydiving, free falling at 120 miles an hour, and then spending the next five to eight minutes gliding toward the earth. He says it was just a -- after the parachute releases, it is a very tranquil, peaceful sway down to the earth. And as he came down, the army sky trooper who was coming down with him said he was looking down at the crowd and telling him, hey, look at all my fans as he waved to the crowd here. The President said it was an incredible thrill.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE HERBERT WALKER BUSH, FMR. PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES: This was a real thrill for me. And I felt no fear in the hands of these, the most qualified, the best paratroopers we have in our military. They were absolutely fantastic. And for me to get a chance to jump with the Golden Knights, I'll tell you, it's a dream.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAVENDERA: So Former President Bush has made five successful jumps in his lifetime. The first came back in World War II. The next four he's done in the last ten years. One at age 72, one at 75. He actually did two today. The first one was an early morning practice run that was done kind of away from here, and preparing him for this event. But that one was also done in tandem.

We asked the President if he plans on coming back out here, he did it on his 75th birthday, did it today on his 80th. We asked him if he'd do it on his 85th, and that one seemed a little bit up in the air. And at one point he said earlier today as well, that it doesn't sound like Barbara Bush is terribly excited about that happening.

WHITFIELD: What is the explanation that he keeps giving us to why he decides to celebrates his birthdays in such grand fashion like this?

LAVANDERA: Well, all of this was part of his big 80th birthday celebration, that was actually a two-day event. The big gala last night in Houston, the barbecue and a huge event here at the George Bush Presidential Library, at Texas A&M University. But, really, what the essence of why he jumps, and he does these jumps is a clear simple message that he likes to pass along to you, and to other senior citizens around the country.

And as he said today. He said go out and do something. You don't have to skydive, go do anything. Just don't sit around and watching TV. Although that is terrible advice at this very moment.

WHITFIELD: Well he's an inspiration. I think we get it. Thanks a lot, Ed.

While his father was jumping out of airplanes, President George W. Bush chose a somewhat safer activity at the White House today. He opened the fourth season of the T-ball on the south lawn. The players were children of military troops based in Washington and North Carolina. In T-ball all the kids get to play and nobody keeps score. The Bush's started White House T-ball to promote interest in baseball and foster teamwork.

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry had a rough Sunday morning at church, of all places. After attending church in Pittsburgh, where his wife has a home, the couple was heckled by two women who oppose abortion. Senator Kerry is in favor of abortion rights. And as you can see, Kerry got into a car and did not appear in any danger there.

Politics and religion, a new "Time" magazine poll takes a look at how religion may play out in the presidential race. Among Catholic voters, it is almost a dead heat, 45 percent support John Kerry, while 43 percent support the re-election of President Bush. Among those surveyed, only 33 percent knew that John Kerry is Catholic.

Well, still to come on CNN LIVE SUNDAY, she's at it again, J.Lo trying her hand at marriage for a third time. Is there a reason why she tied the knot so quickly? We'll dig for answers coming up.

Plus, it's been remixed and it's been soulful. It's even has a few guitar renditions, but not everyone can hit the high notes. Still to come, one man's plan to get everyone on key for the "Star Spangled Banner."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: If you're a basketball fan, you're undoubtedly keeping close watch on Auburn Hills, Michigan. In just a few hours the Los Angeles Lakers will try to play catch up with the Detroit Pistons in the NBA finals. And CNN's Larry Smith is live with a real nail biter of a game, or at least it is going to be maybe for Lakers fans, right?

LARRY SMITH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's been a nail biting series so far. You think about it, just that Kobe Bryant three-pointer late in game two. Other than that, we could be 3-0 right now, Detroit leading.

Desperate times may be calling for desperate measures. According to the "Los Angeles Times," Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal have agreed with several Lakers teammates who want to see a different starting five in tonight's game, and went to Coach Phil Jackson with that request.

During a private meeting on Saturday they requested that the ineffective Gary Paton, and the injured Carl Malone both be benched. Their reasoning is that the team would be better off with five players who are more familiar with the complex triangle offense that the Lakers employ. Phil Jackson has won nine titles with the offense. Three of them in L.A. in the past four years before this year. But as for the Lakers, well they are down 2-1 to Detroit, but their not nervous, at least not yet.

(BEGIN VIDOE CLIP)

DEREK FISHER, LAKERS: I hope as a team we don't come out and feel like there's a sense of desperation or, if you lose this game you go down 3-1. I think when an opportunity like this presents itself, you think of you win this game and the series is tied 2-2.

CHAUNCEY BILLUPS, PISTONS: We knew we were the only ones that believed in us. We came in here really to have outplayed that team for three straight games, is confidence. That's a lot of confidence for us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SMITH: Detroit has been very confident throughout this series. Now they are beginning to win over some fans across the country as well. As we talked about at the top Fredricka, many people thought the Lakers would win this series rather easily, but it has been a real struggle for them as they try to win a title, and keep Detroit from their first NBA title since 1990. So a long way to go, game four tonight. Let's go back it you.

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks a lot Larry, I appreciate it.

WHITFIELD: One thing that is sure to happen tonight at the NBA game is the singing of the "National Anthem." But sometimes it doesn't always turn out to be on a good note. Let's take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BETTE MIDLER, SINGER: Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light. What so proudly we hail ...

MARVIN GAYE, SINGER: ... at the twilight's last gleaming. Who's who broad stripes and bright stars ...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: He's famous because of that. Well, those were the good ones. Those certainly don't hit a bad note, that's Bette Midler and Marvin Gaye. The "National Anthem" often strikes a sour note with a lot of singers, professional or otherwise out there. Many find it notoriously hard to perform, especially the soaring high notes.

One man says the solution is quite simple. Lower the anthem by three keys. He's been campaigning for the change for a decade now. Dr. Ed Siegel joins us from San Diego. All right, Dr. Siegel, why are you so passionate about this? How often do you sing the "National Anthem" where you feel like you just can't get the notes right?

DR. ED SIEGEL, WANTS NATIONAL ANTHEM IN LOWER KEY: I play it in a key in which almost everyone can hit the high notes. It's a wonderful stirring patriotic feeling to share that with other people. And I do it every week at my community sing-along.

WHITFIELD: So you've modified it so you can hit the notes, but why do you feel like a majority of folks out there would appreciate your efforts to not change the lyrics, but change the tune?

SIEGEL: They would have the joy of that patriotic special feeling of singing it with their fellow citizens. It's a very, very emotional experience. Very positive experience.

WHITFIELD: Well, why did you decide to do this? Ten years ago you started this crusade, you're still at it. Where are you hoping that it might go?

SIEGEL: I brought it before my city council. They're going to be voting on it on Tuesday evening. And I'm hoping that like other ordinances that it might just catch hold, and take hold across the country and congress will listen. I took it to congress four years ago and the Speaker of the House felt that it wasn't appropriate for me to lead it as my congressman had asked him to do.

WHITFIELD: So why do you find it appropriate to keep pushing the issue then?

SIEGEL: Well, it's like I want to share it with everyone. That's an interesting question. Why do I find it appropriate? We all enjoy singing other songs together, Christmas carols, "America the Beautiful," "My Country 'Tis of Thee." We should be able to sing our national anthem like other people do in their other countries. It brings a great deal of unity. And this is a special time. It's a time when we would like to experience unity, and I can't think of a better way to do it than through song. Our own national anthem.

WHITFIELD: Yes, it's a serious tune, but sometimes it is made comical depending on who sings it. In fact, let's take a listen to Macy Gray's version.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MACY GRAY, SINGER: Oh, say can you see by the twilight's last gleaming.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: OK, well maybe the problem there is she doesn't have the lyrics right, not necessarily that she can't carry a tune. Why don't you perhaps share with us a few bars on what you think the right rendition is so everyone can hit the notes right.

SIEGEL: Why don't I start out by singing it the way it's written?

WHITFIELD: OK.

SIEGEL: And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air.

WHITFIELD: You are a brave man.

SIEGEL: And my version is: And the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air. Now most people can sing that. The low notes may be a little bit low, but most people can reach that as well. But when you really feel the song is when you sing "and the land of the free and the brave." That's when you want to be able to sing out.

WHITFIELD: All right, Dr. Ed Siegel. Well good luck on your journey, as you continue to gather signatures for your petition. You are just not giving up the fight quite yet, are you?

SIEGEL: Not about to. Thank you so much for having me on your program.

WHITFIELD: All right, thank a lot. And thanks for singing a few bars for us, too. Appreciate it. Have a good week.

Either you or someone you know is doing Atkins or the South Beach diet. So, what's the skinny on low-carb products anyway? They're popping up all over the place to meet the demand. But are they really good for you? We'll take a close look coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: With many Americans looking at low-carb diets to slim their waistlines, food makers have jumped feet first on the low-carb bandwagon. But are those claims of low net carbs for comfort foods like ice cream too good to be true? Registered dietician Lisa Drayer is in New York with the skinny on those low-carb alternatives. Good to see you, Lisa.

LISA DRAYER, REGISTERED DIETICIAN: Hi, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Low-carb foods, what are some things you need to look out for? There are an awful lot of labels out there, aren't there?

DRAYER: Exactly, and it's very confusing. One thing you do want to look out for sugar alcohols. Often time sugar is replaced with sugar alcohols. They go by names such as Multitol, Lactitol, Arithrotol (ph), Xylitol and Sorbitol. Now, the good news is sugar alcohol contributes fewer calories than sugar, but they are digested a little bit differently, and they may cause gastro intestinal discomfort.

You may see a warning label on some of these low-carb foods of such symptoms, and right now the FDA does require a warning label for Sorbitol. But the warning is based on consumption of over ten teaspoons of Sorbitol per day.

And according to an FDA spokesman I spoke with, he says no manufacturer probably thinks that their product triggers the labeling requirement, however, if someone sucks on hard candies all day, they could get a tummy ache. So that's something to keep in mind.

WHITFIELD: I'd say easy rule of thumb; if you can't pronounce it, then don't ingest it.

DRAYER: the o-ols (ph) means alcohols.

WHITFIELD: OK. What does the term net carb mean? That's something new, isn't it?

DRAYER: Exactly. Well, it's really -- doesn't have much of a meaning, that is the term net carbs. Now, according to these manufacturers, what they do is they take the total carbohydrates, and they subtract fiber and sugar alcohols, because technically speaking, these types of carbohydrates don't contribute to your daily carbohydrate budget. That is because they don't contribute calories, and they don't affect blood sugar levels. So, often times you'll see net carbs, it simply indicates that some of these carbohydrates are deducted from the total carbohydrate number on the label.

One thing I do want to point out however is the term net carb is not a regulated term. The FDA will provide some guidance to food manufacturers as to how to use the term net carb, and the term low- carb will be regulated soon. That is, the FDA is reviewing petitions now to see what they are going to use for a definition for low-carb.

WHITFIELD: Is there any real benefit to these low-carb diets or foods? Certainly 11 percent of Americans right now are on some of these low-carb or no carb type diets.

DRAYER: Right. It's very popular. If there is one main benefit, I would say it's the addition of fiber to some of these low- carbohydrate foods. Although you will probably be more likely to see the fiber added to bread, and bread products, as compared to low-carb candy.

Also some of the low-carb foods do contain soy protein. Often times soy is added to replace carbohydrates. And soy has been shown to be beneficial in terms of effects on health.

Now, in terms of eating behavior, if someone is more likely it choose, lets say egg whites with a slice of whole wheat toast instead of a big bagel with a lot of cream cheese on it, or perhaps some browned rice with fish and vegetables over a large plate of Fettuccini Alfredo, then that's definitely a good thing because you are cutting back on fat and calories, and also saturated fat. And saturated fat -- that's the harmful fat. That's often high in these low-carb foods as well.

WHITFIELD: And you touched on it, but low-carb doesn't necessarily mean low calorie. Isn't that a mistake a lot of people make? They figure, well it's low-carb. I can just eat more.

DRAYER: Exactly. And you know Fredricka, "Consumer Reports" actually took a close look at some of these low-carb foods. They point out if you add up six low-carb foods including low-carb beer, chips, ice cream, cookies, cake and pecan candies, you may only end up with 40 grams of net carbs but you will be consuming 1,440 calories.

WHITFIELD: That's a daily allowance.

DRAYER: Exactly. Especially if you're looking to lose weight. So keep in mind, often times the calories are the same or even higher in low-carb foods. That is when you compare them to their high-carb counterparts. So be sure to read those labels.

WHITFIELD: It's just getting so complicated, Lisa.

DRAYER: It is. Hopefully we'll hear more soon from the FDA in terms of an actual regulation on the terms.

WHITFIELD: All right. And we'll be calling upon you to help us digest it all. Lisa Drayer, thanks very much. WHITFIELD: Still to come, Jenny from the block celebrates her one-week wedding anniversary, and people are placing their bets already. How long will the marriage last. Is the pop star with child perhaps? We'll hash out the details up next with "Us" magazine.

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WHITFIELD: No word on a pre-nup or even honeymoon plans for singers Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. In fact it's been a week since they were photographed getting married and the couple still will not confirm it. Odds makers are predicting a rocky road ahead. Here's our Jeanne Moos.

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JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): There's nothing low about J.Lo when it comes to counting husbands. Number one was a waiter, number two number was a choreographer, and number three is none other than Marc Anthony.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She likes being married.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She seems to have a propensity for changing husbands.

MOOS: J.Lo and Marc Anthony once sang a duet called "Don't Love Me." He was dying and already British bookmakers are predicting the death of their marriage, giving odds 3-1 that they'll be over before the year is.

WARREN LUSH: We're quite pessimistic about the chances. We think that J.Lo in many ways could be the new Liz Taylor.

MOOS: Liz Taylor with her eight marriages, two of them to Richard Burton who actually played Marc Anthony in Cleopatra.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I will what?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: On your knees.

MOOS: The Roman Marc Anthony knelt, and the singer Marc Anthony stayed on his feet, promoting his new CD. But when asked about his marriage on "the View,"

MARC ANTHONY, SINGER: I have nothing to say about anything. My life is my life.

MOOS: Matt Lauer noticed his ring on the "Today" show. If it hadn't been for "Us Weekly" shots from a helicopter, we'd have no proof the wedding happened. The magazine says Ben Affleck who himself came close to being husband number three, gave two thumbs up when told of the marriage. Now there are reports that J.Lo is already pregnant.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We'll find out in nine months, won't we? MOOS: On "Regis and Kelly," Comedian Carrot Top displayed a wedding photo of J.Lo that was a low blow. Deserving of a blow ala Marc Anthony. Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

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WHITFIELD: Well it looks like "Us Weekly" has the inside track to the Lopez/Anthony marriage. At least they had the pictures you see. Albert Lee is with "Us Weekly." And he joins us from New York. Boy, the crowd is tough out there, isn't it?

ALBERT LEE, US MAGAZINE: You know, it really, really is. But all eyes have been on J.Lo ever since the been Affleck break up.

WHITFIELD: Yes, I wonder if the couple, they've made it tougher though. They really have kind of stoked the critics, to kind of get them going. Particularly because they won't say anything publicly. I mean, what's the big deal?

Lee: It was very strange. Immediately after the wedding, Marc Anthony had this album to promote. And he had these appearances for instance on "Today" show and "The View" that had been booked before the wedding. So it was very strange for him to just kind of come out and say, yes, nothing really big happened this weekend.

WHITFIELD: Yes, that's a little insulting. All right, so he's not talking about the wedding, and word is they didn't really have much of a honeymoon because as you say, he was already appearing on various shows promoting his album. So what do you think the week has been like for them? Have they been seen or spotted in any way together, anywhere?

LEE: Well they don't have a honeymoon planned at this moment. Obviously, he has a summer tour coming up, and he does have that album to promote as you said. And Jennifer Lopez, right now she has been filming "Monster-in-Law" a new romantic comedy with Jane Fonda.

So they both have a lot of projects. But it's very interesting because Jennifer Lopez right now does have her schedule pretty cleared up after the shooting of this film so that is one of the reasons people are speculating that she might be pregnant.

WHITFIELD: Interesting. So what are your sources telling you about this rumor of possible pregnancy?

LEE: Well, one of the things is, one of the reasons people say she got married just four days after Marc Anthony's divorce, was basically that she was pregnant and, you know, we all know she had a very strict catholic upbringing. I think right now only J.Lo and Marc know for sure whether or not they will be expecting.

WHITFIELD: I think we all knew that she had a strict catholic upbringing. It's hard to tell that isn't it?

LEE: With the multiple marriages you wouldn't expect it. WHITFIELD: What about any professional collaboration? Are any of your folks saying maybe there might be some kind of professional collaboration, whether it be acting or perhaps even singing between Marc Anthony and J.Lo.

LEE: Well, let's just hope they're not planning "Gigli II." I do know that there has been talk of duets for one of Marc's new Albums. But I think J.Lo has learned her lesson. I think after we saw just how low key this wedding was, and how small she wanted to make it, I think she did learn her lesson from Ben Affleck.

WHITFIELD: Did you get any scoop as to whether that Vera Wang dress happens to be the same Vera Wang dress that was designed for her for the Ben Affleck wedding?

LEE: Well, actually, the dress was an evening gown. It was originally a Vera Wang evening gown that one of her stylists had pulled last year for a photo shoot. So she kept it. Used it as the weeding dress, even Vera Wang herself had no idea it was going to be used as a wedding dress.

WHITFIELD: Wow. And speaking of Ben Affleck then, we know in Jeanne Moos's report that he gave a two thumbs up. But has he said anything verbally about this marriage?

LEE: Verbally did not say anything. But, our sources are telling us that he has definitely moved on. As you know, he is dating a 26-year-old sales rep named -- from just outside Boston. They've been on dates together, going to Red Sox games. He I think he has moved on from J.Lo.

WHITFIELD: OK, life moves on for both then. All right, well Albert Lee from "Us Weekly," good to see you. Thanks very much for the scoop.

LEE: Thanks for having me.

WHITFIELD: All right. Well, in the stork watch, we're not talking about J.Lo, new friend now for Courtney Cox. "People" magazine reports the actress had a baby girl early this morning in Los Angeles. Cox who turns 40 on Tuesday, was reportedly in labor throughout the night. She is married to actor David Arquette. No word yet on a possible name for their new daughter. Congrats to them.

Well that's all we have time for right now, coming up at 7:00 Eastern on "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS ," a call to courage. We look at the Normandy invasion through the eyes of four U.S. veterans.

Then at 8:00, "CNN PRESENTS" tells the little known story of one of the great tragedies of the war. And at 9:00 Eastern on "LARRY KING WEEKEND," tune in for a classic interview with former President Ronald Reagan.

And I'll be back at 10:00 for "RAP SHEET." What can we expect this week from the Scott Peterson trial? We'll hash out what happened in the Terry Nichols' trial, in the penalty phase. The hour's headlines when we come right back, and then "PEOPLE IN THE NEWS."

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