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CNN Live Sunday

Piceance Basin in Northwest Colorado Contains Oil Shale; U.S. Reaches Grim Milestone in Forces Killed in Iraq; Mary Magdalene Project Aims to Get Prostitutes Off Streets

Aired September 03, 2006 - 17:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Next on CNN LIVE SUNDAY, six children from one family killed in a Chicago apartment fire.
An al Qaeda in Iraq leader is captured in a raid. Will it have any effect in the level of violence around the country?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDRE AGASSI, TENNIS PLAYER: Saying goodbye, you know, it's as necessary evil.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Plus an emotional farewell for one of the most popular players in pro tennis. Hello and welcome CNN LIVE SUNDAY. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Let's get started with a look at other headlines making news right now.

Tropical Storm John is moving up Mexico's Baja Peninsula today. It has lost some strength but still dumping heavy rain. In the U.S. northeast the remnants of Ernesto down trees and power lines. Thousands of people still do not have electricity.

UN chief Kofi Annan met today with Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Annan says Tehran refuses to suspend uranium enrichment but is willing to negotiate over a peaceful nuclear program.

More Italian troops moved into southern Lebanon today. The influx of UN peacekeepers has Israeli officials forecasting that their army could withdraw sometime in the next two weeks.

The countdown clock is ticking again in Florida as the crew of the shuttle Atlantis gets ready for Wednesday's scheduled takeoff. Their mission to the International Space Station was delayed twice by stormy weather.

In Chicago today a city in shock after an early-morning fire killed six children. Their mother and three siblings were injured. Adding to the tragedy, investigators think a candle the family was using for light sparked the deadly blaze.

John Lawrence has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOAPE) JOHN LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was a horrifying sight for firefighters, nine children and their mother trapped in a third story apartment on Chicago's north side.

RAYMOND OROZCO, CHICAGO FIRE COMMISSIONER: Upon arrival I noticed a child that was in the window on the third floor. We immediately raised the ground ladder and removed the child. Simultaneously the primary search and rescue team from truck 25 made entry into the third floor apartment. They made a left into the front room where they encountered numerous children.

LAWRENCE: Six of the children they pulled from the building did not survive. Their mother and one other child were taken to a hospital and released while two other children remain under medical observation. Neighbors told investigators the family had been without power for at least a month and were using candles for light. Firefighters looking at initial findings as to a cause believe that could have been a fatal decision.

OROZCO: Preliminary indications, and I want to stress preliminary indications at that time appears to be a candle burning in the hallway there.

LAWRENCE: Investigators say the victims range in age from three to 16, four girls and two boys. The Chicago Fire Department says the apartment had no smoke detectors. They add that in every fatal fire responded to this year the home had either non-functioning smoke detectors or no smoke detectors at all. John Lawrence, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: In western New York State today, hundreds of police are trying to track down Ralph "Bucky" Phillips. He escaped from jail in April, cutting his way out with a can opener. Already suspected of shooting one state trooper months ago, police think he shot two more outside his former girlfriend's home on Thursday. One of the troopers had his leg amputated yesterday. The other has been upgraded to serious condition.

At least a dozen Iraqis were killed in bombings and shootings around the country today. The violence comes as authorities announce the arrest of a major al Qaeda in Iraq figure. CNN's Michael Holmes is in Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was a big day for the national security adviser in Iraq Mowaffak al-Rubaie, telling a news conference that, indeed, the second most senior figure in al Qaeda in Iraq was arrested a few days ago.

He named the man as Hamid Jumaf Farris al Suaidi (ph), also known as Abu Humam (ph) or Abu Rana and said that he was the man who was deputy to Abu Ayyub al Masri who in turn took over al Qaeda in Iraq after U.S. troops killed Abu Musab al Zarqawi back in June. The arrested suspect was found in a residential home with civilians, women and children, however, he was arrested without any casualties. Why is he significant? Here's a part of the news conference.

MOWAFFAK AL-RUBAIE, IRAQI NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: He is the one who is directly responsible for the criminal Hatim al Badri (ph), the mastermind and the bomber of the Samarra shrine. He has implemented the policy of al Qaeda in Iraq and the orders of Abu Musab al Zarqawi in triggering sectarian sedition and violence in Iraq between Sunnis and Shiites.

HOLMES: Now it's important to know that that bombing at the Samarra shrine was not just any incident. This was a holy place and in many ways it was the act that sparked the major sectarian violence that we have seen around Iraq and indeed in Baghdad since.

Now, to put it in context, the insurgency in Iraq is not based around al Qaeda, although al Qaeda is thought responsible for major spectacular attacks that take place but it's really one slice of the picture and number two al Qaeda leaders have been arrested in the past. Indeed, when Abu Musab al Zarqawi was killed, the violence did not stop. Al Qaeda is very much a cellular organization, one leader going does not always have a major impact on activities. Much of the insurgency is very much homegrown.

However, the national security adviser, Mr. al Rubaie saying that this was a major blow for al Qaeda in Iraq. Michael Holmes, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Meantime Osama bin Laden's top deputy released another videotape this weekend. In an unusual twist, Ayman al Zawahri was introduced by an American wanted by the FBI want in connection with terrorist threats. We now know much more about that young man. Carol Lin looks at the strange journey of Adam Gadahn.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): October 2004, a videotape makes its way across the Worldwide Web, a covered face, a weapon, open, vicious threats against the United States, and those who know a young Californian born Adam Pearlman are convinced they know the voice. The eyes, it's him.

July of this year, no longer hiding his face and IDed as a "Azzam the American," a name he either assumed or was given by his new associates, his associates in al Qaeda.

His journey from rural Orange County through a rebellious childhood and religious reawakening. We spoke to his family members two years ago, family from which he remains estranged.

PHILLIP GADAHN, ADAM GADAHN'S FATHER: I really couldn't imagine he would do anything that would get him in this position. But I am not really sure he has done anything.

NANCY PEARLMAN, ADAM GADAHN'S AUNT: I am concerned, of course, very concerned. I know of a nephew that was a wonderful young man, carrying, loving.

GADAHN: Even when he was keeping in touch with us, he only accept a card every six months when he was traveling around.

LIN: Adam Gadahn is wanted by the FBI. They say they have no indication he's involved with terrorism but do consider him armed and dangerous. Azzam the American, Adam Gadahn, on al Qaeda's latest videotape offering, he urges American soldiers to convert to Islam because he says, quote, time is running out, so make the right choice before it's too late. Carol Lin, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: A sobering benchmark reached today in the war in Iraq with the announcement that four U.S. troops were killed there Sunday. The military death toll in Iraq and the war on terror in Afghanistan rose to 2,974, that's one more than the death toll in the September 11th attacks. Excluding the terrorists, 2,973 people were killed in all.

Later this hour, a look at the U.S. military's gradual handover of Iraq's security responsibilities to Iraqi forces. We will hear from Ambassador Daniel Specker, the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. That's at 5:30 p.m. Eastern.

Three days after ignoring a UN nuclear deadline, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is hosting UN chief Kofi Annan. Annan went to Tehran with two goals, getting Iran back to nuclear negotiating table and garnering support for the UN-brokered cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KOFI ANNAN, UN SECRETARY-GENERAL: In our discussions this morning with the president, he also reaffirmed his country's support for the implementation of Resolution 1701 and agrees with me that we should do everything to strengthen the territorial integrity of Lebanon, the independence of Lebanon and work together for the reconstruction of Lebanon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Annan also says Iranians want more talks on their nuclear program even as they continue uranium enrichment. The West fears Iran might be trying to develop nuclear weapons.

How well does the West understand the Muslim mindset? According to former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, the misconceptions date back to the Middle Ages. A reformist who led Iran for eight years, Khatami spoke last night to an Islamic group in Chicago. He says it's critical for Muslims everywhere to correct American public opinion about Islam.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MOHAMMAD KHATAMI, FORMER IRANIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): Through cooperation and reaching consensus with all the people of the United States, public opinion could be rested from the grips of ignorance and blunder. And this domination of arrogant, war-mongering and violence-triggering policies will end.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Khatami is the highest level Iranian figure to visit the U.S. since Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Other headlines making news across America, investigators trying to figure out why two jet boats crashed into each other on Lake Texoma. Yesterday's high speed collision killed five people. The driver of one boat is the sole survivor. He listed in fair condition at a Dallas hospital.

Immigration rights supporters plan more demonstrations across the U.S. this week. Hundreds marched in Los Angeles yesterday ahead of a Labor Day rally tomorrow. They are demanding the U.S. stop deporting illegal immigrants, and grant some of them amnesty.

The last survivor of a limousine ride in which President John F. Kennedy was assassinated has died. Nellie Connally. The widow of former Texas Governor John Connally died late Friday at an Austin retirement facility. She was riding with President Kennedy through Dallas when he was fatally shot on November 22nd, 1963. Nellie Connally was 87.

Well, it's not every day a ferry saves your life so why not get married on it? That's what one couple did. They exchanged vows on the Lake Express Ferry in Wisconsin yesterday. The groom nearly drowned when his boat capsized last year. He was in the water for 24 hours before the ferry rescued him.

BONNIE SCHNEIDER, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I am CNN meteorologist Bonnie Schneider. We are tracking a new tropical depression in the Atlantic, coming up I will show you the exact forecast track and what we can expect with this new system, TD number 6.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The streets can be, besides death -- It's a horrible way to live.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Plus help for prostitutes looking for a way off the streets. The Mary Magdalene Project coming up. And the tears were flowing this afternoon at the U.S. Open as one of the game's best bids farewell. You are watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: We're keeping an eye on two storms on two separate coasts. In the northeast residents are still recovering from what was Tropical Storm Ernesto. High winds, downed trees and power lines, thousands still without electricity. On the other side of the continent Tropical Storm John is drenching Mexico's Baja peninsula. Six to 18 inches of rain could hit the area today. No deaths have been reported, but flooding and mud slides do remain a danger. The popular resort town of Cabo San Lucas was especially hit hard. Thousands of stranded tourists rode out the storm in hotel ballrooms.

The system storm is expected to bring heavy rain to the southwestern U.S. over the next couple of days. More details and a full holiday forecast -- Let's check in with Bonnie Schneider.

SCHNEIDER: Well, Fredricka, we do have an update for you, a new tropical depression has formed in the Atlantic, this is tropical depression number 6, it's way out there between Africa and the Leeward islands, you can see the convection wrapping around this system right now and it was just formed, the National Hurricane Center just put out the note that there is indeed a new tropical depression.

Now this storm is likely to become a tropical storm. Maximum winds are now at 35 miles per hour. When they get to 39, we can very well be seeing the next storm, which right here is Florence. We're up to a girl's name. Ernesto was the last one.

And as you can see, we are a lot earlier on in it the alphabet than where we were this time last year, that's for sure, but in the meantime we are still tracking the tropics. We are coming into the busiest time of the year for the tropics, September 10th through 13th.

Here's the forecast track for tropical depression number 6, most of the computer models are forecasting this to gain strength as a tropical storm, possibly even becoming a hurricane by the middle to end of next week.

Now note, this is taking it several days out into the future and there's lots of time for this to change, this is just an idea of what we are expecting at this point, so tropical depression number 6 something to keep an eye on.

Now we are also tracking Tropical Storm John, this system now has winds 45 miles per hour. But it is influencing the weather in the southwest. We actually are seeing enhanced rain from the system even though the track takes it out into the cooler waters of the Pacific.

Look at this, plenty of moisture coming into South Texas and into southern sections of New Mexico. In fact, there is a flash flood watch for the city of El Paso tonight into tomorrow because of all this heavy rain that is coming on into the forecast, so that moisture straight up from John, even though it is far away.

We are also tracking airport delays for you if you are traveling. Of course, that's the Sunday before Labor Day, Boston is reporting ground delays at an hour and 50 minutes. And there is a good reason for that. Check out the radar picture now. North of the city of Boston into Maine plenty of rain.

This right here the remnants of Ernesto, still bringing lots of rain to Maine and down to the south into New Jersey and Massachusetts. So a lot going on, very busy with two storms kind of winding down and one perhaps getting going. Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: All right. Bonnie, thanks so much. CNN's Harris Whitbeck takes a closer look at some of the storm damage in Mexico's Baja Peninsula.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A family cleans up the debris left by Hurricane John in front of its house in the village of La Ribera in Baja California. It is mostly tree branches. While they wait for electricity to be reestablished they talk about what happened and about how badly they want things to get back to normal.

"We have already been without work for several days," says this man, "but hopefully tomorrow we can get back to work."

La Ribera is located south of the state capital of La Paz. It was cut off for several hours after the storm. They have suffered some of the worst damage. Fallen trees, damaged streets, and downed power lines.

(on camera): The residents of La Ribera were not expecting the hurricane to hit as hard as it did here but they were still prepared. This is a town of fisherman, of people who are used to the sea and fickleness of the weather.

(voice-over): Luis Sanchez is the local traffic policemen. He patrols the town assessing damage. He says the storm was not supposed to have been so severe.

Other neighbors say it could have been much worse. "We've already been through tougher storms," says this woman. "Now that the roads are reopened, I don't think we will suffer too much."

The local city hall is filled with food and water that had been stockpiled before the storm, but it will be several days before electricity is restored. Harris Whitbeck, CNN, La Ribera, Baja California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: The long awaited meeting between the Kofi Annan and the president of Iran took place this morning. Straight ahead, find out what happened behind closed doors.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDRE AGASSI, TENNIS PLAYER: I was sitting there, realizing that I was saying good-bye to everybody out there and they were saying good-bye to me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Thoughts of retirement. The most popular tennis champion of his era bids adieu. His story coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SHANON COOK, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, I'm Shanon Cook, among the most popular stores this hour on cnn.com, Europe's first mission to the moon ended with a space probe crashing into a lunar hillside. That's what it was supposed to do, believe it or not. The European Space Agency used the probe's three year voyage to test new technologies like an ion propulsion system.

Jessica Simpson tried to sing for the first time after injuring her vocal cords more than a week ago. She only made it through the first song Friday on the "Today Show" before her voice cracked. Simpson says next time she will be ready.

And tennis icon, Andre Agassi ends his illustrious 21 year tennis career at the U.S. Open in New York. Playing with an injured back, Agassi lost to the 112th ranked player in the world then bid an emotional farewell to fans. Click onto cnn.com for more details.

WHITFIELD: And a bit more on Andre Agassi. He said while the score board showed he lost, he found so much in the fans. Hear are some of the pictures just post play as he's congratulating there Becker. And Becker really paid him homage by saying he idolized Andre Agassi for so many years, helping to bring him to this stage at the Billy King now, National Tennis Arena. Larry Smith with us now. Still called the Arthur Ashe Stadium, isn't it?

LARRY SMITH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The stadium is Arthur Ashe. It's the entire complex is named for ...

WHITFIELD: I almost said that but wait, Billy King, got to give her props. Anyway, it was Andre Agassi's day.

SMITH: It really was. And it's really been his week. And what a great airing. I got a chance to watch both as many of us did the other night. The other night, both of his victories. More on that in a moment. It's an era that has ended in American tennis. Pete Sampras, Michael Chang, Andre Agassi, they formed the core of a group that made the U.S. a power in tennis in the late '80s and early '90s.

The irony, a young 25-year-old who idolized Agassi as a child is a man who sent him to his retirement, Germany's Benjamin Becker, a four set victor and then, a gentleman himself, joining the overflow crowd in New York in a long and loud standing ovation for one of the all-time greats.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AGASSI: I was sitting there realizing that I was saying good-bye to everybody out there and they were saying good-bye to me. It was like just saying good-bye, it's a necessary evil. And -- but we were getting through it together and that's always amazing.

(END VIDEO CLIP) SMITH: As the formerly known Vegas Kid rides off into retirement who will step up to take his place in American tennis? How about this man, James Blake, he's a candidate, can you see on Friday he paid homage to Agassi with a retro Agassi outfit circa 1994, complete with pink day glow tights under his shorts. Blake, he is the fifth seed at this tournament, trying to win his first major.

WHITFIELD: But he cut the locks. Had he not cut his locks, he would have been Agassi all the way.

SMITH: Exactly. It wasn't quite that long ago.

WHITFIELD: No, it wasn't.

That was really something else. But you know, I wonder how many other players are trying to pay homage to Andre Agassi right now as he said farewell. Because he really did leave he stadium quickly after his press conference.

SMITH: Yeah, he left very quickly. It was still a very tearful goodbye, but what a weekend its' been, you think a couple of nights ago, Marcos Baghdadus (ph), as we mentioned before what a great victory that was for him, a five set, Baghadadus was cramping up, Agassi needed four anti-inflammatory injections in his back to get that creaky back going at 36 years old.

We knew that trying to win a ninth major victory was going to be a long shot because of injuries. He has not played well just because of not being physically able to do so. Again, 36 years old, he is the only man to win the tennis grand slam, all four majors at least once and an Olympic gold medal. The only woman to do it right there, his wife, Steffi Graf.

WHITFIELD: What a union.

SMITH: And those kids, with those tennis genes in those two kids, absolutely. But when you think about that, and the first-round match, to see him, the will to win. We have seen it in the all time greats. Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Joe Montana, Tom Brady, the all time greats have and certainly Andre Agassi had it as well.

WHITFIELD: And that he can be so focused and really hold it together to have such an eloquent speech is really something else.

SMITH: Really is.

He found the way in his older years to really reach out and touch and step out beyond the stage of tennis and find a way to be much more human. So the things he does where his foundation, and different charities and things, so certainly as we mentioned before. It will be exciting to see what he will do from now on now that tennis is over. Because as some have said, his best is probably still yet to come.

WHITIFIELD: We're going to miss him and at the same time we look forward to what's next. Thanks, Larry.

SMITH: OK.

WHITFIELD: Well, the U.S. hands over some military control to the Iraqis. What happens next for them? We get some answers from a top U.S. diplomat.

Plus a talk show host reaches out to a group hit the hardest by the rising cost of fuel. The American farmer. Our special look at the energy crunch next on CNN LIVE SUNDAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Turkish police are investigating a blast in the country's southeast. Two people were killed. Turkey was hit by a string of bombing late last month.

Right now police are offering a $225,000 reward for any information on fugitive Ralph "Bucky" Phillips. Yesterday doctors had to amputate the leg of a New York state trooper Phillips is suspected of shooting. Police believe the fugitive has shot two other troopers, as well.

U.N. Chief Kofi Annan is in Iran. He has been holding talks on the U.N. ceasefire agreement for Lebanon. He also discussed the nuclear issue. Iran reiterated it wants a diplomatic solution.

Israel says it will withdraw from southern Lebanon as soon as U.N. troop levels reach 5,000. A second troop of Italian soldiers arrived this weekend. It pushes the U.N. peacekeeping force complement up to 3,200 troops.

A new launch date for the Atlantis crew. Liftoff is now set for Wednesday, 12:29 p.m. Eastern. Two previously planned takeoffs of the space shuttle were scrapped because of bad weather.

As millions of motorists take to the highways this Labor Day weekend, good news at the pumps. AAA says the national average for a gallon of self serve regular is now $2.79. The prices have fallen for three weeks straight, sparking hopes that the time of the $3 a gallon gas price are coming to an end. Today we are looking at the effect of the energy crunch on the U.S. in an effort to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. One energy company wants to extract oil from rock called shale. Oil-shale resources in the U.S. could be bigger than all the oil reserves in the Middle East. But getting to it is the challenge. Bill Tucker explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL TUCKER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Underneath this land lies potentially the largest oil reserves on earth. This is the Piceance Basin in northwest Colorado. The oil is locked in the ground in the form of oil shale.

JAMES BARTIS, RAND CORPORATION: In this very small amount of land, we have about twice the oil that all of Saudi Arabia has in reserves today. So this is a huge, huge asset, and it's enough to take care of this country for hundreds of years. TUCKER: There are four oil shale basins in the western United States. The Piceance is the richest, but the total estimated reserves of all four is astounding: one trillion barrels of oil. That is the official estimate of the Department of Energy. That's equal to all of the known oil reserves in the world.

(on camera): The Piceance Basin doesn't look like your traditional oil field, and this doesn't look like your traditional oil, but it is. It's oil shale. Getting it from this into your car is the challenge.

(voice-over): The last time a large-scale attempt at oil shale production was made, there was a big boom and bust in the mid-'80s, but now Shell is pioneering new technology. Oil and gas would be extracted from the rock by inserting heaters 2,000 feet deep and then heating the area, causing the oil and natural gas to be released from the shale.

TERRY O'CONNER, SHELL EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION: We've demonstrated that we can produce very clean fuels, both liquid and gas, in small quantities, but on a commercial basis we still have a lot to learn.

TUCKER: Shell has shown that the new process yields twice as much energy as it takes to produce it. It's learned that the oil product it produces is semi-refined, which means that it can be easily refined into jet fuel, diesel, and gasoline.

The biggest challenge now is protecting the ground water. To do that, Shell has 40 workers and up to 100 contractors on site working on a method to ensure that the process is environmentally-responsible.

O'CONNER: This is absolutely critical to our future because if we cannot make this work, we will not be proceeding forward. We'll have to stand down and come up with another alternative. It will be another 18 to 24 months before we have fully tested this in the commercial type of situation where we now are standing.

TUCKER: Shell has set a target date of 2010 as a decision date on whether this effort is commercially viable. If it is, it would not be until 2018 that oil and gas from these fields would be on the market.

Bill Tucker, CNN, the Piceance Basin, Colorado.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And one group suffering the most from high fuel prices, America's farmers. It has forced many to change the way they operate. Sabrina Artel took her trailer talk show to the heartland to hear from farmers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SABRINA ARTEL, HOST, TRAILER TALK: I am Sabrina Artel and this is "Trailer Talk." I have been speaking with people today who are here at the opening of the harvest festival. We are right on the site of the original Woodstock 1969 festival.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You should talk to Sabrina.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I will.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you going to talk to Sabrina?

ARTEL: I have been doing "Trailer Talk" now a little over three years. It really comes out of my background being a performer and an actress.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was totally honored that the market manager here recommended that Sabrina interview me. I thought it was really neat.

ARTEL: In that traditional studio format, I wanted to find a way to be in people's environments, to be in neighborhoods, to be on the streets...

If you would like to join me for "Trailer Talk."

... To find out what would happen if people are overhearing a conversation that I am having during "Trailer Talk."

And so please join me for "Trailer Talk" when you are done with the wine tasting.

The primary component of it is the live event, is the public conversation, everything that happens in an around it.

Matt Burns, well welcome to "Trailer Talk."

And the secondary aspect of it I record everything and that becomes then an audio program which broadcasts weekly.

As a farmer, what issues are you being faced with right now?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pretty much fuel and wildlife is my biggest problem. I don't use my tractor as much, I use more hand work and let the weeds grow a little more.

ARTEL: I like the idea of people joining me for homemade brownies or chocolate chip cookies.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am coming even if you don't have brownies.

ARTEL: Really inviting them in to share with me with what they are thinking about social issues.

And is that duke out there? Come on in.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We care, we support our troops. I want them all to come home. I want peace to happen. I want to go back to being safe. ARTEL: I have interviewed all different kinds of people, known, and unknown, celebrity people. For me what's important is what somebody is doing, what they're thinking about, or who they are. If that person is doing something that's interesting and engaging, yes, I would love them to join me in "Trailer Talk."

I would love to talk to you about maple syrup, OK? Any time soon would be wonderful.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Well, builders are going green and businesses are reaping the profits. Coming up next hour, why experts call green buildings a no-brainer for beating the energy crunch.

The U.S. reaches a grim milestone. The number of U.S. forces killed in Iraq, Afghanistan and other fronts is now higher than the number of people killed in the 9/11 terror attacks. CNN's Michael Ware is embedded with U.S. troops in Ramadi.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: With U.S. military deaths in both Iraq and Afghanistan now surpassing the human toll in the September 11 attacks in New York and Washington of 2,973, a poignant landmark has been reached.

With a insurgent Taliban emerging from its sanctuaries Pakistan, as was predicted years ago, taking on coalition forces and almost overrunning British positions in the county south. And with an insurgency here in Iraq continuing to spike, al Qaeda growing ever stronger despite its losses and the recent arrest of its No. 2 in the country, all amid ongoing sectarian bloodshed and entrenched Iranian influence.

American commanders here on the ground say the troop levels returning to 140,000, a number not seen since the beginning of this year. There is little promise of these military deaths abating any time soon. Michael Ware, CNN, Ramadi, Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: With violence a daily occurrence, could the arrest of that al Qaeda in Iraq figure make a difference? It's a question I put earlier to Daniel Speckert (ph), a top U.S. diplomat in Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well this is very significant because he is reportedly a key figure in the Samarra bombing of the Golden Mosque that took place in February. And that actually is a turning point in terms of an increase in sectarian violence that you saw peaking in July. So this is going to be very important here in Iraq as seen as a visible sign. The Iraqi forces and coalition forces can take strong action against those that would try to perpetrate this kind of sectarian violence. WHITFIELD: Will the peak in violence, as you described, was that precipitated by the killing of al-Zarqawi? And if that's the case, might you anticipate that the arrest of this No. 2 man might bring about the same result?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, you might see some push-back from some of the terrorists. But what we have seen over the last actually month is a tightening of the security situation in Iraq by the Iraqi coalition -- excuse me, the Iraqi security forces and coalition forces.

They have focused on Baghdad with some key neighborhoods there and sectarian violence, actually in the last four weeks has actually dropped some 50 percent compared to what it was in July. So you see already a significant change on the ground here in the sectarian violence.

We do expect the terrorists to continue to push back when the coalition and security forces have progress and achieve results. But I think that way you will see the Iraqis taking very positive heart from this event.

WHITFIELD: Let me ask you a bit more about that relationship between the coalition forces and the Iraqi forces. Over the weekend there was to be a symbolic ceremony, if you will, about the handover -- the military handover of responsibilities from the coalition to Iraqi forces. That was postponed, but has a handover taken place as planned anyway?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, effectively, the plan is already being implemented, and that is that the Iraqi security forces for the first time have a chain of command for this particular division, all the way to the prime minister. And that's the model that's going to be used as they continue to hand over Iraqi security force divisions, so that they would be reporting through the democratic chain of command to the prime minister. There are some legal fine points that have to be finished up and that's good news as well, that the country is operating as a democracy. All the paperwork has to be in order and so you will see an official ceremony in the oncoming days.

WHITFIELD: Well there's been a lot of criticism about whether the Iraqi forces are really prepared to handle this type of handover and this being coincided with that Pentagon report that says that the spiraling sectarian clashes are certainly out of control. Might this kind of handover only help instigate further sectarian violence?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I think what you see is actually a very progressive handover that they are starting with one division here and it will only be turned over, these divisions, to the Iraqi chain of command as they develop the proper training techniques and abilities. And so there's no haste being done progressively based on the conditions on the ground.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And there are thousands of women living a life many of us can hardly imagine here in this country.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's a lot of things the streets can do to you, besides death, you know? It's a horrible way to live.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: When we come back, prostitutes find a way off the streets. The people behind the Mary Magdalene Project, next on CNN LIVE SUNDAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: It's a project that hopes to transform lives and get women victimized by prostitution off the streets. As our Kareen Wynter explains, the aptly named Mary Magdalene Project is about redemption and a new start.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's a lot of things the streets can do to you besides death, you know? It's a horrible way to live.

KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Prostitution, the profession of choice for many of society's cast-aways, like 19-year- old Monica (ph), who sold her body and soul to survive this wretched underworld.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was the only way of life that I knew, so I would always return.

WYNTER (on camera): What it did? Why this time? What made you leave?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There were points where I got so low that I did want to escape.

WYNTER (voice-over): That escape came after more than four years on the streets of Los Angeles. A woman, we'll call Monica, whose identity we are presenting, says the constant abuse by her pimp forced her to turn to a shelter for help. Not just any safehouse, a privately funded reform program for streetwalkers.

DR. MARTIN MCCOMBS, MARY MAGDALENE PROJECT: One of the things we help women decide is whether or not they ever want this to be a part of their life again.

WYNTER: Dr. Martin McCombs says the Mary Magdalene Project has helped women like Monica for a quarter century. The program provides long-term housing meals, educational resources and counseling. McCombs says there are security risks.

MCCOMBS: One of the young women we have been working with for a while was really a bounty case and a contest. Different pimps were competing and they got for finding her and returning her. WYNTER: McCombs says the Mary Magdalene Project has transformed the lives of hundreds of women. This mother, a mother of three, graduated from the program six years ago.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I had to listen, I had to follow directions, I had to change my whole demeanor, of thinking, learn how to be a parent. I had to learn everything all over again.

WYNTER (on camera): Look at where you are today, but still you've given up so much of your life. Do you have any regrets at all?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't have any regrets. I don't even regret being out there.

WYNTER: Being a prostitute?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It taught me a lot.

WYNTER (voice-over): This lesson doesn't come in time for everyone. McCombs says a small percentage of women fall back to the mercy of the streets they tried so desperately to escape. Kareen Wynter, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: More of CNN LIVE SUNDAY with Carol Lin straight ahead.

LIN: Well we're really working the Chicago fire story. Six children are killed, the mother in the hospital. There was this amazing story about the neighbors, and how they responded before the firefighters got there, even getting a blanket out and yelling to two kids to jump out of the window. They were begging these kids to try to save their lives. So we are working on all the players in that story to find out what went wrong and really the amazing heroism of the neighborhood that came together.

And then at 7:00 we're continuing our energy series that we've been doing all day long. Gary Nurenberg taking a look at wind energy. You know, we've talked about that before, but apparently there's a wind farm proposed for Cape Cod and people don't want it. They think it's going to be a neighborhood blight, it's going to bring down property values. I don't know, I'm from California and there's a wind farm out in the desert and it's lovely. But anyway, that is part of the controversy. White poles, spinning, you know. But anyway, so one of those terrific reports that we've been getting on our energy series.

WHITFIELD: All right, we're going to be looking forward to that. Thanks a lot, Carol. Well no it's not a scene from an old movie, it's "Automat," the sequel, straight ahead on CNN LIVE SUNDAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: This just into CNN. San Diego Chargers linebacker Steve Foley has been shot and injured in an encounter with an off-duty police officer. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening. Foley was reportedly pulled over by the off-duty officer for erratic driving. Just days ago, Foley was cleared of charges stemming from an April scuffle with a police officer. Of course we're working this story and we'll bring you details when we get them.

Meantime, a new eatery is causing a sensation in the Big Apple. Instead of a printed menu, there's a how to guide on the front window to help customers purchase their food. Our Jeanne Moos has more on the return of the automat.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Knock, knock, who's there? A Spam mosavi (ph)? A peanut butter and jelly empanada?

(on camera): Pizza dumplings?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You want to try it?

MOOS: Pizza dumplings?

(voice-over): This isn't mere vending-machine food. This marks the return of the Automat. Celebrated in movies like "Easy Living" and "That Touch of Mink." Normally hands don't come out. Pie did. Back in the early 1900s, you put in nickels, then help yourself to everything from baked beans to creamed spinach. But now.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Want a bite?

MOOS (on camera): Yes.

(voice-over): Now there's macaroni and cheese croquet.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh my God, that is so good!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And teriyaki burgers, and...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A pig in a blanket?

MOOS: A king-size blanket.

This was the grand opening of Bamn!. So what if there's no place to sit, the food is cheap, most items are under two bucks.

(on camera): How fresh is this going to be?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, this is made directly behind the machines.

MOOS (voice-over): There are about four people back in the kitchen, cooking and reloading the shelves.

(on camera): How do we know that this isn't an ancient teri- burger?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In there. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have timers on the back. If anything sits more than 15 minutes, we throw it away.

MOOS (voice-over): Hard to believe they throw delicacies like the peanut and jelly empanada. Or everyone's favorite.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm waiting for more croquets.

MOOS: Even senior editors from "Food and Wine" magazine graced the opening of this humble automat, waiting for macaroni and cheese encased in fried breading.

Another food editor snapped photos of Spam on sushi rice.

LAREN SPIRER, FOOD EDITOR, GOTHAMIST.COM: I like the saltiness paired with the teriyaki, the sweetness.

MOOS: The three New Yorkers who created Bamn! dream of an empire of automats some day.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Like a drunk person in the street, and, like, coming out of the bar late at night.

MOOS: Or a kid's dream. This one got a pig in a blanket for his sleeping brother.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm sure you don't want to see him mad.

MOOS (on camera): Hot dog, Nicholas!

(voice-over): No luck. In the Internet age when spam usually comes via computer, the old-fashioned automat has picked itself up off the mat.

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: I don't know, hope for the bargain meal in New York, not bad. So much more on CNN including an eye-opening look at how far some parents will go and how much they'll pay to make sure their children are taller than anyone else.

And then Dr. Gupta and his conversation with former president Bill Clinton. Hear the president's solutions to ending the cycle of poverty. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Carol Lin is up next.

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