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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports
Reports: Bush Makes Decision on Smallpox Vaccinations
Aired November 26, 2002 - 17:00 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.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: WOLF BLITZER REPORTS starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE (voice over): A deadly disease, a risky vaccine, the president makes a difficult decision. CNN learns who will be vaccinated for smallpox. Can you get the vaccine? Should you?
Who's been secretly helping Iraq beef up its defenses against U.S. aircraft; just hours away the hunt begins for Iraqi weapons. An epidemic of hate, murder, arson, and vicious threats, crimes against Muslims skyrocket since 9/11.
JAMES ZOGBY, ARAB AMERICAN INSTITUTE: To pick up the phone and have somebody saying Jim, you towel head. All Arabs must die. I'll slit your throat and murder your children is frightening.
SAVIDGE: He says the president made a mistake in calling Islam a religion of peace. I'll speak with religious broadcaster Pat Robertson. Can a peanut butter sandwich help you ward off diabetes? And, sex, the French, it's true.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE (on camera): It is Tuesday, November 26, 2002. I'm Martin Savidge and very glad to be with you from the CNN Center in Atlanta in for Wolf Blitzer. Lets go.
We begin with the wrenching decision for President Bush, that according to CNN sources he will be announcing in the coming weeks. It is about smallpox and who, if anyone should get vaccinated. The rush is on because U.S. intelligence sources say they believe Iraq's President Saddam Hussein may have stockpiles of the virus and could use it if cornered.
Now, the question, should you be able to get it? We need to warn you the pictures in this story are graphic. CNN's Elizabeth Cohen has details of the president's plan in this medical investigation.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): CNN has been told the president is expected to go ahead with limited smallpox vaccinations. What weighed into this decision, graphic pictures like these shown to President Bush, pictures of people with smallpox and pictures of people disfigured from the vaccine. An administration official said it's been a wrenching time for the president under intense pressure to make what public health officials agree will be an historic decision. I've been agonizing over this and lost sleep over this the administration official said, people will die.
This is what President Bush is expected to announce within the next two weeks. First step, vaccinate 500,000 hospital workers. Second step, vaccinate seven to ten million front line healthcare workers, police, firefighters, and other first responders. The government would not recommend the vaccine for the general public but it would be made available if someone wanted to volunteer for a study.
Based on previous experience with the vaccine, as many as 20 out of the ten million first responders will die after the shot. As many as 150 would suffer life-threatening illnesses, but the president has concluded the effects of a smallpox attack by Saddam Hussein or by terrorists could be even more devastating. The disease kills one out of three people who contract it and disfigures most of those who survive.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COHEN (on camera): Now, there is a list of people who, at this point, should not receive the vaccine. Lets go through that list because it's millions of people. Pregnant women should not get it. People who live in a house with babies under the age of one, people who have eczema or have an immune problem such as HIV or who are taking certain cancer drugs. For these people, the vaccine could be especially dangerous -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: Elizabeth, let me ask you this, if there were an attack using smallpox, would that plan change?
COHEN: Yes, it would change. If there were enough cases of smallpox, and there's no magic number, but lets say there were 20 cases of smallpox in the U.S., the government could very well say, you know what, we need to vaccinate everyone because this is so potentially dangerous, Martin. Thank you.
SAVIDGE: Elizabeth Cohen, thank you very much. Well, they say that they are ready, willing, and able. In the hours ahead, U.N. inspectors will start their hunt for Iraqi weapons, the first inspections in four years. CNN's Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson reports from Baghdad.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Strapping in for what could be a bumpy ride, weapons inspectors head off for their first day of work in Baghdad. This last day before they begin enforcing U.N. Resolution 1441 spent at their recently refitted headquarters, briefing journalists on how they'll carry out inspections.
DEMETRI PERRICOS, UNMOVIC TEAM MEMBER: The first thing that we do is request the freezing of movements. We don't want cars and people to go out of the site carrying things. N. ROBERTSON: Among lessons learned in the past, documents were carried out the back door as inspectors go in the front door. Now inspectors will lock down suspect sites.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Access to any document is absolutely essential, any original document that can be provided to us is ten times better than any declaration which is manufactured for us.
N. ROBERTSON: Lesson learned last time, full and final declarations aren't necessary full and final. Iraq issued several in each weapons category. Now inspectors are focusing on original Iraqi documentation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He did this radiation also but he actually doesn't show spectrum analysis.
N. ROBERTSON: The UNMOVIC team showed radiation detectors and other high-tech devices the experts hope will speed their work. Analysis will include soil and air sampling. Teams will carry computers to cross-reference data from the field and share that data with experts outside Iraq.
PERRICOS: We have the capability to even send these photographs all the way to Vienna or New York and have that recognition done instantly.
N. ROBERTSON: After years of pouring over intelligence and satellite photographs, these inspectors appear eager to get going.
PERRICOS: So, it's our first opportunity to go and see under the roof what exists there. Are they empty? Are they having a process there? Do they have new equipment?
N. ROBERTSON (on camera): The inspectors did not bring lots of new laboratory equipment with them. The lab work to be done in Baghdad is mostly basic for screening. The real leg work in analysis will be done in laboratories in the United States, Europe, and Asia, allowing the inspectors to concentrate on their work on the ground. Nic Robertson CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE: And a related development concerns a high-tech weapons detection system that may now be in Iraqi hands. The question is how did they get it? The United States and Britain pointing fingers now at Ukraine and China, CNN's Jill Dougherty is covering this story in the Ukrainian capitol of Kiev.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): At issue here is the radar system that's called the Kolchuga. It's produced by Ukraine. It's very sophisticated and the United States and Great Britain are very concerned that it might now be in the hands of the Iraqis. They say that could be a real danger to pilots, both from the United States and the U.K. who are flying in the no-fly zone or if there were military action against Iraq, they say it could be very dangerous.
Question 1: Did the president of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma give the green light for this system to be sold to Iraq? The U.S. and the U.K. say yes indeed he did and they have the proof they say. That's an audiotape that was made of President Kuchma, made by his bodyguards secretly, given to the United States. The FBI looked at it and said it is genuine.
DOUGHERTY (on camera): The Ukranians deny it. They say that it is false and such a conversation never took place. The other issue, is that now in Iraq? Is that system in Iraq? The United States says that after an investigation by U.S. and U.K. investigators, they believe that there is a chance that it might have been transferred illegally or through a third party, namely China. China is denying that and so the mystery continues. But right now it's clear the U.S. is making this an example of what they don't want to happen. Jill Dougherty CNN, Kiev, Ukraine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE: Other teams of inspectors are getting a preview of what to look for before heading to Baghdad. We're going to go live now to Gregg Epstein from Perry Videx, a company that buys and sells chemical equipment. He's in New Jersey. Greg, show us what you showed the weapons inspectors last week that came to you.
GREGG EPSTEIN, PERRY VIDEX: Well, Martin, while the inspectors were here the saw a very wide and very deep range of kinds of equipment they might encounter when they're in Iraq. What we have here right next to me is a chemical reactor, a great example of a piece of equipment that could be used for purely commercial purposes like aspirin or agricultural chemicals or it could be used for military purposes, like a sarin or a nerve agent.
This is a very easy piece of equipment for them to identify by the distinctive purple color. It's glass-lined. It's very inert and it withstands the strongest, most corrosive chemicals which is really what the inspectors are going to look for. And when they see a reactor like this, they're going to test areas where the trace elements of whatever chemicals were in there might have been used, things like a gasket that fits on top of here.
Now it won't always be as easy as this for the inspectors to determine which kinds of equipment are simply for commercial purposes and which kinds of equipment could be made, could be used to make chemical weapons.
For example, what we have here is a stainless steel centrifuge actually used to make Vitamin C, and you can tell by the markings inside, the very distinct markings, that this is a stainless steel piece of equipment. It is considered by the U.N. not to be a piece of equipment they want to focus on and they're going to ignore this. They're not going to tag that.
Now compare that to the machine that's over here, which looks very similar. It's made out of a very special metal called Hastelloy that is very corrosion resistant and the inspectors are then when they see this piece of equipment and determine that it's made out of Hastelloy, then they're going to come back and do some further testing to make sure that this kind of equipment did not contain any chemicals that could go into chemical weapons.
There's a way for them, Martin, to test this OK, and there's a test right here that we've shown an example of. If they don't have documentation or any kind of stampings, the inspectors have a full range of tests that can determine, for example, if a piece of equipment is stainless steel and they're not worried about the stainless steel, or if the equipment is Hastelloy, then there going to come back and do further tests to that kind of equipment. These are the kinds of things, Martin that they saw when they were here last week.
SAVIDGE: Gregg Epstein, we thank you very much. The company is Perry Videx. We appreciate the insight, thank you.
EPSTEIN: Thank you, Martin.
SAVIDGE: Hate crimes against Muslims on the rise, is fear over terror turning into violence? Cameras where they've never been before, should death penalty deliberations be broadcast on television? And, peanut butter a health food? Find out how that sticky stuff may fight off a potentially deadly disease, but first a look at news making headlines around the world.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE (voice over): French travel woes, at least they don't have to worry about Thanksgiving. Hundreds of flights were canceled when air traffic controllers joined a widespread Civil Service strike in France. Bus and rail workers also walked out.
Gaza incursion, Israeli troops backed by tanks and helicopters battled Palestinian gunmen during a raid in Gaza. The Israelis demolished the house of a suspected Hamas militant, accusing him of organizing attacks. Palestinians say 17 people were left homeless.
South Korea protest, dozens of activists cut through a fence, broke into a U.S. military base and chained themselves together. They're protesting last week's acquittals of two American soldiers whose armored vehicle struck and killed two South Korean girls.
Crater on fire, erratic ground on a Japanese island last month during a typhoon, now the crater carrying thousands of automobiles has caught fire. It's burning out of control and thick smoke has forced dozens of residents to flee their homes. Crewmembers were rescued when the vessel was stranded.
Australian bush fires, firefighters are trying to save homes in suburban Sydney where wildfires are spreading in the summer heat. More than 1,500 firefighters are battling dozens of blazes around New South Wales.
A feast fit for a king? This town in Thailand treats the local monkeys like royalty. They're held sacred and according to legend actually own the town. Each year they're invited in from the jungle for a banquet of fruits, vegetables, and sweets. Next year, ice cream maybe on the menu, and that's our look around the world.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: The relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia is once again in the spotlight with Washington pressing Riyadh to crack down on charities that may fund terrorists, but administration officials say that's the extent of the strain despite of reports to the contrary. CNN's Senior White House Correspondent John King joins us now with more, and this is a tough one for the White House -- John.
JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: It is, Marty, and senior White House officials say the last thing the president wants right now is a public dispute with Saudi Arabia, a critical ally, but these same officials also say that when it comes to the urgent effort to crack down on terrorist financing, the White House could use a little more help.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KING (voice over): In the White House briefing room a polite nudge.
ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The president believes that Saudi Arabia is a good partner in the war on terrorism and they are a good partner who can and should do more with us so we can together fight terrorism.
KING: Behind the scenes more pointed criticism. One senior White House officials says the administration is looking for ways to tract more participation from the Saudis in cracking down on terrorist financing. "The Washington Post" was first to report that one idea being debated is an ultimatum to force Saudi Arabia to crack down on terrorist financiers within 90 days or face unilateral U.S. action.
Top Bush aides say such talk is among low level aides and there is no such recommendation before the president. But administration sources say there is mounting frustration that the Saudis are too reluctant to crack down on Islamic charities and individuals the United States says are supporting terrorism.
MARTIN INDYK, FMR. U.S. AMB. TO ISRAEL: The Saudi government has had a real problem coming to terms with the heart of the matter which is that these people were recruited in Saudi Arabia, a lot of the funding for al Qaeda comes from Saudi Arabia.
KING: Those with a more sympathetic view of the Saudis say much of their cooperation goes unnoticed.
SYCHE FOWLER, FMR. AMB. TO SAUDI ARABIA: They like to do things in secret for their own political reasons within the region. They have to live next to the Iraqis and next to the Iranians and there is a balancing act.
KING: Mr. Bush, seen here with Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah in August, is reluctant to have a public fight with an ally whose oil and air bases could prove critical in any military confrontation with Iraq.
FOWLER: If you're going to have the most effective, massive, chance of success with minimal loss of life, you don't want to be fighting with one hand behind your back and you need Saudi Arabia.
KING: Saudi officials say renewed talk of tension with the White House is exaggerated.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KING: And most White House officials say any talk of an ultimatum or sanctions on the Saudis probably is exaggerated but they also say the best way to quiet this debate would be for some quick and some very public help from the Saudis in the financial front of the war on terrorism -- Marty.
SAVIDGE: John King live from the White House thank you. Well, the FBI reporting a shocking surge in hate crimes against Muslims and those of Middle Eastern appearance. The number of incidents soared to 481 last year from just 28 the year before. That is a 1,600 percent increase. CNN's Maria Hinojosa looks at some of the stories behind the statistics.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Wagar Hasan has a simple working life in Pakistan but he always worried about the safety of his four daughters.
ANUM HASAN: There you couldnt even walk outside by yourself because it was, the government and everything was really corrupt and no woman could like walk outside (unintelligible).
HINOJOSA: So in 1994, Wagar brought his family to New Jersey and they embraced America. They felt safe here until Wagar heard Muslims were being assaulted following the September 11 attack.
HASAN: Told us like you know don't go to the mall for a couple weeks, just go to school and just come home because it wasn't really safe. He had heard some of the stuff that's happened to Muslims and Arabic people in New York.
HINOJOSA: But just four days later in Texas, it was Wagar who was attacked. Mark Stromand (ph) shot Wagar to death while he was making a hamburger at a convenience store. Stromand later confessed he did it for the good of America.
HASAN: It hurts. I can't understand why someone would do something like that.
HINOJOSA: James Zogby of the Arab American Institute was luckier. He was threatened by phone and his attacker arrested.
ZOGBY: So to pick up the phone and have somebody saying Jim, you towel head, all Arabs must die. I'll slit your throat and murder your children is frightening.
HINOJOSA: The New York offices of the Arab League received bomb threats but no bombs. Many of the attacks have been more physical.
MONICA TARAZI, AMERICAN ARAB DEFENSE COMMITTEE: It's everything from murder to bullying, physical assault, threats of intimidation, employment discrimination, harassment in the workplace.
HINOJOSA: A group of Arab-American men was attacked in this Brooklyn neighborhood.
AHMED ALTHAPANI, YEMENI STORE OWNER: Some people, Arab people were on the street and American people he see him and he duck (unintelligible) like this.
HINOJOSA: The Hasan family still feels a tremendous loss.
REP. RUSH HOLD (D), NEW JERSEY: We as a country keep coming back to the idea of inclusion. We keep coming back to the idea of embracing diversity.
HINOJOSA: In that spirit their Congressman is trying to get them citizenship. Their application was void when their father died.
DURRE HASAN, WIDOW OF WAGAR HASAN: We need peace. Just let us stay here. Just give us some peace in our lives because we lost so much, already so much and I don't want to lose anything more.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HINOJOSA (on camera): According to the FBI, hate crimes against Muslim and Middle Eastern Americans jumped 1,600 percent in the year following the attacks on September 11. Before that, incidents involving Muslims were the least common attacks involving religious bias -- Marty.
SAVIDGE: Startling numbers, Maria Hinojosa thank you very much live from New York. Still to come is Pat Robertson taking on Islam? He's back in the news. We'll talk to him next. Also, window to an execution, should death penalty deliberations be open to a television audience? We'll hear from both sides of the debate.
And, a global sex survey, find out who's hot and who's just lukewarm, but first today's news quiz. According to the Durex Global Sex survey, the citizens of which country have the most amount of sex on average, U.S.A., France, Nigeria, China, the answer coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson is stirring up more controversy with his latest comments about Islam. He's quoted as saying that he wishes President Bush had never called Islam a religion of peace and that the Quran incites Muslims to kill people of other faiths. Pat Robertson joins us now from his headquarters in Virginia Beach, Virginia, sir thank you very much for being with us.
PAT ROBERTSON, RELIGIOUS BROADCASTER: Thank you.
SAVIDGE: Let me start by first playing the sound from President Bush because that's part of the crux of our discussion here, so here's what President Bush had to say in defense of Islam.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. That's not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAVIDGE: Now, for the purpose of our discussion, sir, let me ask you this. Is it that you disagree with the president speaking out in defense of Islam or that you don't agree that Islam is a religion of peace?
P. ROBERTSON: Oh, you know I'm a history major and when I was in college I have operated an Arabic-speaking television station on the border of Lebanon for about 18 years. I'm very familiar with what goes on in the Islamic world where our reporters are all over that area and it's clear from the teachings of the Quran and also from the history of Islam that it's anything but peaceful.
Now there are millions of Muslims who are very peaceful people, and I just think there was a semantic difference here and it's lead to a great deal of confusion. Of course there are peace-loving Muslims but at the same time at the core of this religion, taught by Mohammed, it is jihad and it is to subject the unbelievers, either to force conversion or death. That's what it teaches.
SAVIDGE: But my point, sir were you disagreeing with the president speaking on this subject or that you just find that Islam is not a peaceful way?
P. ROBERTSON: I'm a person that just likes to speak the truth and I don't understand why in America it's such a big deal that we won't read the Quran and we won't look at history.
SAVIDGE: But someone might point out and say that the Bible itself is filled with stories that are accounting violence or incite violence?
P. ROBERTSON: Well, it's not true. Jesus Christ is a prince of peace. He told us to live in peace. He told us to love our enemies. He told us to do good to them that despitefully use us. Mohammed said kill the unbelievers. He said that the Jews, the Jews are the descendants of apes and pigs. That's being taught all over the Muslim world right now hatred.
SAVIDGE: There are people who have taken the very fine words say of the Bible or the Quran and have twisted it to fit their own violent ways. That has been done in Christianity as much as it's been done in Islam.
P. ROBERTSON: Have you ever read any of the excerpts of the Quran?
SAVIDGE: I have, sir.
P. ROBERTSON: Well, you know very well what it says. I mean there's no question that jihad historically means war and right now a fatwah was issued against some reporter in Nigeria who suggested that Mohammed may have been favorable toward Miss Universe.
SAVIDGE: The fatwah was issued by a human being, not by someone on high.
P. ROBERTSON: Well, I don't understand what you're trying to say. I mean this is really confusing to me because I'm not against Islam. I have very peaceful relations with many people who hold to Islam. I just think that America had better wake up and especially the Jews. They want to kill the Jews and they also consider America the great Satan and they want to kill us. It's just that simple.
SAVIDGE: What I would like to know, though, is whether you believe it's the interpretation by those people here with the Islam religion or whether it is the religion itself that is at fault?
P. ROBERTSON: It's been what you call the religion. I mean if you look at the Quran which is the foundational doctrine, if you consider that Mohammed is the prophet of Allah, you look at what he said, what he instructed his followers to do and then what they did for 1,400 years of unrelenting warfare against Europe and the Christian world, then you begin to say well this is the way they are. It's not a question of interpretation. Look at history. Look (unintelligible).
SAVIDGE: The Crusades were also carried out in the same part of the world in which countless people were killed under the name of Christianity.
P. ROBERTSON: I hate to tell you right now in Sudan, about two and a half million people have been slaughtered by an Islamic regime in the north. They're being bombed as we speak in their villages when they're trying to eat their food by the Islamic regime trying to impose sharia upon them. The same thing happened in (unintelligible) in Nigeria where thousands of people were slaughtered by Islamic people. This is going on in the Philippines. It's going on in Indonesia. It's going on in other parts of the world right now.
SAVIDGE: And there are Christians that are also burning mosques as well.
P. ROBERTSON: No, they're not. Come off it. You know better than that. Christianity is a peaceful religion and we're out to talk about peace and I ran a television station that promoted peace between Muslims, Christians, and Jews in the Middle East for 18 years and I'm an advocate of peace period. Thank you.
SAVIDGE: Well, we disagree. Thank you, Mr. Robertson, I appreciate it very much.
P. ROBERTSON: All right, thank you very much. OK.
SAVIDGE: Thank you. Here's your chance. You can weigh in on the story as well. Why not? Our web question of the day: Do you think that most Americans are prejudiced against Muslims? Vote at CNN.com/wolf.
The D.C. sniper tracked down by citizen tipsters, but who should get the reward money? The battle for the crime bucks. Plus, a tastier way to fight off diabetes. You may lick your fingers after this report. And dangerous toys -- look at the gifts you don't want under the Christmas tree. But first, in case you'll be in on the road in the skies tomorrow, a coast-to-coast holiday travel preview.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: There have been cameras in the courtroom for many years, but here's a new twist -- how about cameras in the jury room. CNN's Ed Lavendera joins us live from Houston where a judge wants to put a jury deliberation on television.
Ed, this is a new one.
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Marty. The jurors started showing up for jury selection yesterday for a capital murder trial in Houston. Not a high profile case until it got to the part of the questionnaire, the special questions that were put in place just for this case. And the question is whether or not jurors would mind being videotaped as they deliberated the fate of the defendant.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LAVANDERA (voice-over): A Houston judge wants a television camera to take us into a secret place where cameras have never gone before, behind the doors of jury room in a capital murder case.
JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: It's one of the most important places in the whole criminal justice system and we know almost nothing about what goes on in there.
LAVANDERA: Judge Ted Poe gave a PBS documentary crew permission to tape all the proceedings of Cedric Harrison's murder trial, including putting a small camera in the jury room. It's a dramatic move, considering that what jurors could be discussing is the life or death fate of the 17-year-old defendant. The judge's attorney says it's an unprecedented learning opportunity.
CHIP BABCOCK, JUDGE POE'S ATTORNEY: There is absolute international interest in how the United States, and in particular Texas, administers the death penalty. I think our system of justice will be strengthened when more light is put on it, not less light. LAVANDERA: The prosecutors are strongly opposed. Now the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has stopped the case from moving forward until it decides whether the camera will prevent either side from getting a fair trial.
JOE OWMBY, PROSECUTOR: Jurors have never before believed that what they say with that door closed will ever be made public. So I believe it's a big deal. I believe it changes fundamental fundamentally the nature of juror deliberations.
LAVANDERA: Any potential juror who doesn't want to be videotaped will be automatically eliminated from the jury pool. And the murder suspect and his mother welcome the cameras. And defense attorneys say they're not worried about jurors performing to the camera.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think that they're going to be candid and they're going to be open about it. And I think that it would ensure a fair trial. And I think that the state should be in favor of it. What are they scared of?
OWMBY: For 200 years, we have not changed the dynamic in the jury room and I think that the justice system is better for it.
LAVANDERA: There is a limited history of cameras recording jury deliberations in criminal cases. In those cases, both sides agreed to allow the camera in. But a camera has never recorded jurors debating a death penalty case.
TOOBIN: That's why it's very understandable that judges, journalists, everyone, would want to put a camera in there. But the problem is, it's not clear whether that's legal especially when one side objects.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LAVANDERA: Well now, jury selection is on hold until the appeals court decides what should happen next. And one more note here, Marty, the videotape of the deliberations wouldn't be made public well until after this case is completely over -- Marty.
SAVIDGE: Got it. Ed Lavendera in Dallas, thanks very much.
An update on the sniper reward money. You'll recall officials offered a half million dollars for the capture of the Washington area snipers. Good idea, perhaps. But weeks after two suspects are arrested, officials have yet to decide who gets the reward. There was a new development this afternoon. CNN's Patty Davis has that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As I said, I'll pass that information on...
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): More than 60,000 tips came into police and the sniper task force hot line.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was the shell that he was... DAVIS: Some callers spurred no doubt by the $500,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those responsible for the sniper murders. In the end, tips helped lead to suspects, John Mohammad and John Lee Malvo. The question now, who gets the money?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't have San easy answer to that question yet.
DAVIS: Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose says he doesn't want to jeopardize the prosecution.
CHIEF CHARLES MOOSE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE: Once you give someone reward money, they do move into the category of potentially being a paid witness.
DAVIS: Moose says it's unlikely any money will be handed out until after potential witnesses testify. Possible contenders for the reward, Kentucky truck driver, Ron Lance, who spotted Muhammad's blue Chevy Caprice at a Maryland rest stop.
RON LANCE, SNIPER CASE WITNESS: If I had the money, I'd probably take it back and give to the people that were shot. I mean that's the way I feel about it and that's what I would have done with it, at least half of it anyway.
DAVIS: But two others also spotted the car at the rest stop, including a Pennsylvania man who also called 911. A Tacoma, Washington man told police that Muhammad and Malvo used this tree stump for shooting practice. And a priest in Virginia said two agitated men called him to talk about a Montgomery, Alabama liquor store killing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DAVIS: Police and the Montgomery County, Maryland officials say they're still sifting through the 630,000 plus tips and haven't made any decisions yet on who is the most deserving. They say the only thing that seems certain is that more than one person will share the reward -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: More to come. Patty Davis, thanks very much.
Well, police in Montgomery County, Maryland -- officials say that they're still sifting through the tips. We'll get on to that in just a moment. Now, as to what lies ahead, there's something is your cupboard, something that could be very valuable in fighting a disease. Find out what it is in PBJ that works.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: How's this for a story? Eating peanut butter could help you prevent a disease. That story and a survey of sex has some surprises about Americans. Learn what it reveals coming up on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: Well, there may be a new weapon in the fight against diabetes. A study out just this hour suggests that eating lots of nuts or peanut butter may ward off the disease. CNN medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen, joins us with what has to be a pretty unique story on this one --Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: It is and I mean who would have thunk it? Diabetes, peanut butter, I mean...
SAVIDGE: Not me.
COHEN: Yes, not you. Right, exactly. Not me either. What this study found is that folks who ate a tablespoon of peanut butter or handful of nuts five days a week had a 20 percent lower chance of getting Type II diabetes. That's the kind that you get as an adult.
The study was on women, but the researchers imagine that the results would be true of men. Now, if you want to see what the amounts equal, look at this. The people in the study who have those, the good effects on the diabetes, they ate a hand full of nuts, which is about this. They ate this amount five days a week. So Monday through Friday that amount of nuts but no more and --/or actually just or, they ate this amount of peanut butter. That's about a tablespoon. So one or the other and that seemed to have is a beneficial effect on diabetes. Twenty percent less chance of getting it.
SAVIDGE: All right. So if you eat one tablespoon -- is it a tablespoon?
COHEN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) tablespoon.
SAVIDGE: Right. OK. What if you ate more, just decided to triple up on it?
COHEN: That does seem like a good idea, doesn't it? But it's not. And the reason why is that being overweight puts you at a significantly increased risk of getting Type II diabetes. Peanut butter has a lot of calories, so do nuts. So if you eat much more than the serving sizes that I just showed you, you could get fat.
SAVIDGE: OK. You couldn't just eat it all at once?
COHEN: Right. That would be another thing that would be nice, five tablespoons of peanut butter all at once. But no, the researchers said that it's best to spread it out over the course of five days. The reason is that the magnesium and the fiber in nuts or in peanut butter seems to stabilize insulin and balance insulin and glucose levels. And you don't want to do that all at once. You want to spread it out over the days.
SAVIDGE: With crusts or without? Never mind. All right, Elizabeth Cohen.
COHEN: I prefer without, but whatever.
SAVIDGE: OK. Thank you very much, Elizabeth.
Just weeks before the holidays, some new warnings are going out that you should be aware of. The government and consumer groups are out with their annual list of toys to avoid. Now we have this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The U.S. Public Interest Research Group reminds us that balloons are always a potential choking danger for young children if they pop. In its Annual Toy Safety Report, U.S. PIRG warns balloons, small balls, and other toys with small parts can be hazardous to children.
JEN THOMPSON, U.S. PIRG: Just because a toy appears on a shelf or doesn't appear in PIRG's report is no guarantee that it is safe.
QUIJANO: PIRG officials say there's a simple test parents can perform at home. They say if a toy or a small ball fits inside a toilet paper tube it could pose a choking hazard.
Another concern, noisy toys. PIRG officials say over the years loud toys can contribute to a child's eventual hearing loss. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is out with its yearly recall roundup. On the list, Gearbox pedal cars like this one, which contain high lead paint levels. Violent themes pose more issues say members of the Lion and Lamb Project. They say this toy, the Army Forward Command Post, trivializes the harsh realities of war.
DAPHNE WHITE, LION AND LAMB PROJECT: What kinds of toys do we want to give children this holiday season? Do we want to give them toys, which remind them of violence and terrorism?
QUIJANO: So what can parents do? For infants and toddlers, stay away from small toys or toys with parts that are small enough for children to choke on. Never give them small balls and buy age appropriate toys. As for toy manufacturers, a spokesperson for the Toy Industry Association says play close attention to the warning labels.
Elaine Quijano, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE: All right. The birds do it. The bees do it. But Americans apparently aren't doing it as much. The results of a global sex survey when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: Earlier we asked -- According to the Durex Global Sex Survey, the citizens of which country have the most amount of sex a year on average? The answer, France. The French lead the world with 167 encounters a year. Americans lagged behind with a mere 138.
It is apparently true. France is the land of amour. As we just saw, the French lead the list in the latest global sex survey by condom maker, Durex. Americans aren't even close. The average is 138 times a year. With us from New York to talk more about this survey and what it means is Sari Locker. She is a sex relationship educator and author and a television personality.
Thanks very much for being with us.
SARI LOCKER, SEX & RELATIONSHIP EXPERT: Thank you for having me here.
SAVIDGE: All right. Lets look at this survey. And the first graphic that we have, which is basically asking around the world, how often do you have sex. And when you look at this, the first thing you realize not only is that the French way out in front, but also the United States is not even a superpower in this regard. There's the survey there.
LOCKER: That's right.
SAVIDGE: And what do you make of that? What are we supposed to intone from this sort of information?
LOCKER: Well, first of all, let me tell you that this is called the Durex Global Sex Survey. And every year, Durex, which is a condom company, surveys people all around the world to find out about their sexual attitudes and behaviors.
And this year on their Website, Durex.com, they asked people, how many times do you have sex as one of their questions. And we did find that the French are having second on average of three to four times a week and Americans more like two to three times a week. So there is a little bit of difference there. Perhaps it's because here in America people don't grow up with such freedom when it comes to sexuality. We do have a little more repression and a little more confusion when it comes to the messages that we get about sex.
SAVIDGE: All right, well, the other issue that it's brought up -- and lets take a look at this example, this is how often sex or safe sex is practiced. And there again, the French leading the way. They may be having the safest sex, but they're also having, apparently, the safest sex. And there seems to be bit of confusion over the message. People know that unsafe sex is wrong or probably not safe. Yet, they seem to go ahead with it. What do we learn this from this?
LOCKER: Yes, it's very sad that one of the other thins they did found in the Durex survey was that almost 40 percent of the people say that they would have unprotected sex, no condoms with a new partner. And that is really scary because those are the same people who are saying that they know that AIDS is a risk and they know that sexually transmitted infections are out there. So we need more education to be teaching people that condoms are available, easy to use, even fun to use and people can be protecting themselves and in fact, should be protecting themselves.
SAVIDGE: Well, as we look at this survey -- I mean aside from raising some good pause here in the news room -- as an educator, what do you gain out of reading this kind of survey? LOCKER: It's a wonderful survey for me to be able to firmly say that sex education is needed in America and that people need a more comfortable attitude towards their sexuality especially when it comes to condom use because condoms today are very easy to buy. There's a lot of variety and different types. And people can integrate them into their lovemaking so that they're not taking the type of risks that we're finding people saying that they are taking.
So otherwise, it does give a lot of very interesting information. People who are interested in seeing some more of the questions can go to Durex.com because there are some very interesting questions that Durex asked and that people all around the world answered.
SAVIDGE: You know in all my years in the field, I have never had a conversation like this. Thank you very much for joining us.
LOCKER: Thank you.
SAVIDGE: We really appreciate it.
LOCKER: I appreciate it, too. Thank you.
SAVIDGE: You bet.
Time's running out for your turn to weigh in on our "Question of The Day." Our web question, if you've forgotten -- do you think that most Americans are prejudiced against Muslims? Log on to CNN.com/Wolf to vote. We'll have the results immediately when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: Jailed actor, Robert Blake, has fired his lawyer and has two new attorneys representing him as he faces charges in the murder of his wife. CNN's Charles Feldman joins us live now from Los Angeles with details -- Charles.
CHARLES FELDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Martin, yes. You know Robert Blake wanted to do a TV interview with ABC. His lawyer, Harland Braun, thought that was a really bad idea, decided he wanted to resign. Today, the judge wanted to make sure that that was Blake's wishes, so in effect, Blake said to the judge, "Yes, I want this guy to go. I want some new lawyers." And Blake said he takes responsibility.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT BLAKE, ACTOR: We've been here a long time and I have to take responsibility for some of the reasons for that. The very first time I sat here, Your Honor looked at me directly and said, "I am not opposed to bail. I want to hear the evidence first. The only way I could hear the evidence is to have a preliminary hearing." I have never heard you say otherwise.
It's seven months later and I'm still sitting in the cement box and I have to take responsibility for that. But I think what has to happen at this point, Your Honor, has to happen. (END VIDEO CLIP)
FELDMAN: Now, Blake has now not just one, but two -- count them two attorneys. And what do they think about the case? Well, they didn't really have much to say, Martin. This was very stage managed by Robert Blake's long time publicist, who all but shuffled the new attorneys off the center stage, with the attorneys saying, "We need time to study the case further before we have anything more to say" -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: Well, speaking of time, what is this going to do to the whole legal process? Are they going to ask for a delay?
FELDMAN: Oh, so, very much so. The preliminary hearing will be probably now be postponed from December until the New Year. The trial, probably not until the fall of 2003.
SAVIDGE: Charles Feldman, live from Los Angeles, thank you very much.
Now to our "Picture of The Day." We focus on one lucky bird. Katie The turkey will not be the featured attraction at a Thanksgiving meal. President Bush pardoned Katie today in a ceremony at the White House. She will live out her life at a petting farm in Virginia. The Thanksgiving pardon is a decades old tradition at the White House, but Katie is the first female turkey to get the reprieve.
Now, here's how you're weighing in on our "Web Question of The Day." Earlier we asked you this, our Web question -- do you think that most Americans are prejudiced against Muslims? Sixty-one percent of you said yes, while 39 percent of you said no. Sixty-six, is that right? Thank you for correcting me. You can find the exact vote tally and continue to vote by the way on our Website, CNN.com/Wolf. Remember, this is not of course a scientific poll.
Well, time to hear from you and some of your e-mails. Shannon writes -- "Attitudes in America need to change. We only care about world events as they pertain to us and have no understanding of the cultures, languages and religions of other countries. This self- centeredness is evident in the report that hate crimes against Muslims have increased. That is shameful."
And from Patti -- "How can we expect Americans to be anything but prejudiced against Muslims when much of the news is one-sided and biased? If Americans are shown a more accurate, objective portrait of Muslim life, then they will be able to understand and appreciate it."
Finally, our congratulations to Wolf Blitzer. The American Veteran Awards honored him with its Ernie Pyle Journalism Award, noting professionalism and excellence in reporting on the military. The award is named after legendary workhorse, Ernie Pile. It was given to Wolf for his 30 years covering national security and international affairs. Wolf is the third recipient of that award.
I'm Martin Savidge at the CNN center. That's all the time we have. It was great being with you. Now stay tuned for "MONEYLINE" and Lou Dobbs.
TO ORDER A COPY OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired November 26, 2002 - 17:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: WOLF BLITZER REPORTS starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE (voice over): A deadly disease, a risky vaccine, the president makes a difficult decision. CNN learns who will be vaccinated for smallpox. Can you get the vaccine? Should you?
Who's been secretly helping Iraq beef up its defenses against U.S. aircraft; just hours away the hunt begins for Iraqi weapons. An epidemic of hate, murder, arson, and vicious threats, crimes against Muslims skyrocket since 9/11.
JAMES ZOGBY, ARAB AMERICAN INSTITUTE: To pick up the phone and have somebody saying Jim, you towel head. All Arabs must die. I'll slit your throat and murder your children is frightening.
SAVIDGE: He says the president made a mistake in calling Islam a religion of peace. I'll speak with religious broadcaster Pat Robertson. Can a peanut butter sandwich help you ward off diabetes? And, sex, the French, it's true.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE (on camera): It is Tuesday, November 26, 2002. I'm Martin Savidge and very glad to be with you from the CNN Center in Atlanta in for Wolf Blitzer. Lets go.
We begin with the wrenching decision for President Bush, that according to CNN sources he will be announcing in the coming weeks. It is about smallpox and who, if anyone should get vaccinated. The rush is on because U.S. intelligence sources say they believe Iraq's President Saddam Hussein may have stockpiles of the virus and could use it if cornered.
Now, the question, should you be able to get it? We need to warn you the pictures in this story are graphic. CNN's Elizabeth Cohen has details of the president's plan in this medical investigation.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): CNN has been told the president is expected to go ahead with limited smallpox vaccinations. What weighed into this decision, graphic pictures like these shown to President Bush, pictures of people with smallpox and pictures of people disfigured from the vaccine. An administration official said it's been a wrenching time for the president under intense pressure to make what public health officials agree will be an historic decision. I've been agonizing over this and lost sleep over this the administration official said, people will die.
This is what President Bush is expected to announce within the next two weeks. First step, vaccinate 500,000 hospital workers. Second step, vaccinate seven to ten million front line healthcare workers, police, firefighters, and other first responders. The government would not recommend the vaccine for the general public but it would be made available if someone wanted to volunteer for a study.
Based on previous experience with the vaccine, as many as 20 out of the ten million first responders will die after the shot. As many as 150 would suffer life-threatening illnesses, but the president has concluded the effects of a smallpox attack by Saddam Hussein or by terrorists could be even more devastating. The disease kills one out of three people who contract it and disfigures most of those who survive.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COHEN (on camera): Now, there is a list of people who, at this point, should not receive the vaccine. Lets go through that list because it's millions of people. Pregnant women should not get it. People who live in a house with babies under the age of one, people who have eczema or have an immune problem such as HIV or who are taking certain cancer drugs. For these people, the vaccine could be especially dangerous -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: Elizabeth, let me ask you this, if there were an attack using smallpox, would that plan change?
COHEN: Yes, it would change. If there were enough cases of smallpox, and there's no magic number, but lets say there were 20 cases of smallpox in the U.S., the government could very well say, you know what, we need to vaccinate everyone because this is so potentially dangerous, Martin. Thank you.
SAVIDGE: Elizabeth Cohen, thank you very much. Well, they say that they are ready, willing, and able. In the hours ahead, U.N. inspectors will start their hunt for Iraqi weapons, the first inspections in four years. CNN's Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson reports from Baghdad.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Strapping in for what could be a bumpy ride, weapons inspectors head off for their first day of work in Baghdad. This last day before they begin enforcing U.N. Resolution 1441 spent at their recently refitted headquarters, briefing journalists on how they'll carry out inspections.
DEMETRI PERRICOS, UNMOVIC TEAM MEMBER: The first thing that we do is request the freezing of movements. We don't want cars and people to go out of the site carrying things. N. ROBERTSON: Among lessons learned in the past, documents were carried out the back door as inspectors go in the front door. Now inspectors will lock down suspect sites.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Access to any document is absolutely essential, any original document that can be provided to us is ten times better than any declaration which is manufactured for us.
N. ROBERTSON: Lesson learned last time, full and final declarations aren't necessary full and final. Iraq issued several in each weapons category. Now inspectors are focusing on original Iraqi documentation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He did this radiation also but he actually doesn't show spectrum analysis.
N. ROBERTSON: The UNMOVIC team showed radiation detectors and other high-tech devices the experts hope will speed their work. Analysis will include soil and air sampling. Teams will carry computers to cross-reference data from the field and share that data with experts outside Iraq.
PERRICOS: We have the capability to even send these photographs all the way to Vienna or New York and have that recognition done instantly.
N. ROBERTSON: After years of pouring over intelligence and satellite photographs, these inspectors appear eager to get going.
PERRICOS: So, it's our first opportunity to go and see under the roof what exists there. Are they empty? Are they having a process there? Do they have new equipment?
N. ROBERTSON (on camera): The inspectors did not bring lots of new laboratory equipment with them. The lab work to be done in Baghdad is mostly basic for screening. The real leg work in analysis will be done in laboratories in the United States, Europe, and Asia, allowing the inspectors to concentrate on their work on the ground. Nic Robertson CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE: And a related development concerns a high-tech weapons detection system that may now be in Iraqi hands. The question is how did they get it? The United States and Britain pointing fingers now at Ukraine and China, CNN's Jill Dougherty is covering this story in the Ukrainian capitol of Kiev.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): At issue here is the radar system that's called the Kolchuga. It's produced by Ukraine. It's very sophisticated and the United States and Great Britain are very concerned that it might now be in the hands of the Iraqis. They say that could be a real danger to pilots, both from the United States and the U.K. who are flying in the no-fly zone or if there were military action against Iraq, they say it could be very dangerous.
Question 1: Did the president of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma give the green light for this system to be sold to Iraq? The U.S. and the U.K. say yes indeed he did and they have the proof they say. That's an audiotape that was made of President Kuchma, made by his bodyguards secretly, given to the United States. The FBI looked at it and said it is genuine.
DOUGHERTY (on camera): The Ukranians deny it. They say that it is false and such a conversation never took place. The other issue, is that now in Iraq? Is that system in Iraq? The United States says that after an investigation by U.S. and U.K. investigators, they believe that there is a chance that it might have been transferred illegally or through a third party, namely China. China is denying that and so the mystery continues. But right now it's clear the U.S. is making this an example of what they don't want to happen. Jill Dougherty CNN, Kiev, Ukraine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE: Other teams of inspectors are getting a preview of what to look for before heading to Baghdad. We're going to go live now to Gregg Epstein from Perry Videx, a company that buys and sells chemical equipment. He's in New Jersey. Greg, show us what you showed the weapons inspectors last week that came to you.
GREGG EPSTEIN, PERRY VIDEX: Well, Martin, while the inspectors were here the saw a very wide and very deep range of kinds of equipment they might encounter when they're in Iraq. What we have here right next to me is a chemical reactor, a great example of a piece of equipment that could be used for purely commercial purposes like aspirin or agricultural chemicals or it could be used for military purposes, like a sarin or a nerve agent.
This is a very easy piece of equipment for them to identify by the distinctive purple color. It's glass-lined. It's very inert and it withstands the strongest, most corrosive chemicals which is really what the inspectors are going to look for. And when they see a reactor like this, they're going to test areas where the trace elements of whatever chemicals were in there might have been used, things like a gasket that fits on top of here.
Now it won't always be as easy as this for the inspectors to determine which kinds of equipment are simply for commercial purposes and which kinds of equipment could be made, could be used to make chemical weapons.
For example, what we have here is a stainless steel centrifuge actually used to make Vitamin C, and you can tell by the markings inside, the very distinct markings, that this is a stainless steel piece of equipment. It is considered by the U.N. not to be a piece of equipment they want to focus on and they're going to ignore this. They're not going to tag that.
Now compare that to the machine that's over here, which looks very similar. It's made out of a very special metal called Hastelloy that is very corrosion resistant and the inspectors are then when they see this piece of equipment and determine that it's made out of Hastelloy, then they're going to come back and do some further testing to make sure that this kind of equipment did not contain any chemicals that could go into chemical weapons.
There's a way for them, Martin, to test this OK, and there's a test right here that we've shown an example of. If they don't have documentation or any kind of stampings, the inspectors have a full range of tests that can determine, for example, if a piece of equipment is stainless steel and they're not worried about the stainless steel, or if the equipment is Hastelloy, then there going to come back and do further tests to that kind of equipment. These are the kinds of things, Martin that they saw when they were here last week.
SAVIDGE: Gregg Epstein, we thank you very much. The company is Perry Videx. We appreciate the insight, thank you.
EPSTEIN: Thank you, Martin.
SAVIDGE: Hate crimes against Muslims on the rise, is fear over terror turning into violence? Cameras where they've never been before, should death penalty deliberations be broadcast on television? And, peanut butter a health food? Find out how that sticky stuff may fight off a potentially deadly disease, but first a look at news making headlines around the world.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE (voice over): French travel woes, at least they don't have to worry about Thanksgiving. Hundreds of flights were canceled when air traffic controllers joined a widespread Civil Service strike in France. Bus and rail workers also walked out.
Gaza incursion, Israeli troops backed by tanks and helicopters battled Palestinian gunmen during a raid in Gaza. The Israelis demolished the house of a suspected Hamas militant, accusing him of organizing attacks. Palestinians say 17 people were left homeless.
South Korea protest, dozens of activists cut through a fence, broke into a U.S. military base and chained themselves together. They're protesting last week's acquittals of two American soldiers whose armored vehicle struck and killed two South Korean girls.
Crater on fire, erratic ground on a Japanese island last month during a typhoon, now the crater carrying thousands of automobiles has caught fire. It's burning out of control and thick smoke has forced dozens of residents to flee their homes. Crewmembers were rescued when the vessel was stranded.
Australian bush fires, firefighters are trying to save homes in suburban Sydney where wildfires are spreading in the summer heat. More than 1,500 firefighters are battling dozens of blazes around New South Wales.
A feast fit for a king? This town in Thailand treats the local monkeys like royalty. They're held sacred and according to legend actually own the town. Each year they're invited in from the jungle for a banquet of fruits, vegetables, and sweets. Next year, ice cream maybe on the menu, and that's our look around the world.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: The relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia is once again in the spotlight with Washington pressing Riyadh to crack down on charities that may fund terrorists, but administration officials say that's the extent of the strain despite of reports to the contrary. CNN's Senior White House Correspondent John King joins us now with more, and this is a tough one for the White House -- John.
JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: It is, Marty, and senior White House officials say the last thing the president wants right now is a public dispute with Saudi Arabia, a critical ally, but these same officials also say that when it comes to the urgent effort to crack down on terrorist financing, the White House could use a little more help.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KING (voice over): In the White House briefing room a polite nudge.
ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The president believes that Saudi Arabia is a good partner in the war on terrorism and they are a good partner who can and should do more with us so we can together fight terrorism.
KING: Behind the scenes more pointed criticism. One senior White House officials says the administration is looking for ways to tract more participation from the Saudis in cracking down on terrorist financing. "The Washington Post" was first to report that one idea being debated is an ultimatum to force Saudi Arabia to crack down on terrorist financiers within 90 days or face unilateral U.S. action.
Top Bush aides say such talk is among low level aides and there is no such recommendation before the president. But administration sources say there is mounting frustration that the Saudis are too reluctant to crack down on Islamic charities and individuals the United States says are supporting terrorism.
MARTIN INDYK, FMR. U.S. AMB. TO ISRAEL: The Saudi government has had a real problem coming to terms with the heart of the matter which is that these people were recruited in Saudi Arabia, a lot of the funding for al Qaeda comes from Saudi Arabia.
KING: Those with a more sympathetic view of the Saudis say much of their cooperation goes unnoticed.
SYCHE FOWLER, FMR. AMB. TO SAUDI ARABIA: They like to do things in secret for their own political reasons within the region. They have to live next to the Iraqis and next to the Iranians and there is a balancing act.
KING: Mr. Bush, seen here with Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah in August, is reluctant to have a public fight with an ally whose oil and air bases could prove critical in any military confrontation with Iraq.
FOWLER: If you're going to have the most effective, massive, chance of success with minimal loss of life, you don't want to be fighting with one hand behind your back and you need Saudi Arabia.
KING: Saudi officials say renewed talk of tension with the White House is exaggerated.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KING: And most White House officials say any talk of an ultimatum or sanctions on the Saudis probably is exaggerated but they also say the best way to quiet this debate would be for some quick and some very public help from the Saudis in the financial front of the war on terrorism -- Marty.
SAVIDGE: John King live from the White House thank you. Well, the FBI reporting a shocking surge in hate crimes against Muslims and those of Middle Eastern appearance. The number of incidents soared to 481 last year from just 28 the year before. That is a 1,600 percent increase. CNN's Maria Hinojosa looks at some of the stories behind the statistics.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Wagar Hasan has a simple working life in Pakistan but he always worried about the safety of his four daughters.
ANUM HASAN: There you couldnt even walk outside by yourself because it was, the government and everything was really corrupt and no woman could like walk outside (unintelligible).
HINOJOSA: So in 1994, Wagar brought his family to New Jersey and they embraced America. They felt safe here until Wagar heard Muslims were being assaulted following the September 11 attack.
HASAN: Told us like you know don't go to the mall for a couple weeks, just go to school and just come home because it wasn't really safe. He had heard some of the stuff that's happened to Muslims and Arabic people in New York.
HINOJOSA: But just four days later in Texas, it was Wagar who was attacked. Mark Stromand (ph) shot Wagar to death while he was making a hamburger at a convenience store. Stromand later confessed he did it for the good of America.
HASAN: It hurts. I can't understand why someone would do something like that.
HINOJOSA: James Zogby of the Arab American Institute was luckier. He was threatened by phone and his attacker arrested.
ZOGBY: So to pick up the phone and have somebody saying Jim, you towel head, all Arabs must die. I'll slit your throat and murder your children is frightening.
HINOJOSA: The New York offices of the Arab League received bomb threats but no bombs. Many of the attacks have been more physical.
MONICA TARAZI, AMERICAN ARAB DEFENSE COMMITTEE: It's everything from murder to bullying, physical assault, threats of intimidation, employment discrimination, harassment in the workplace.
HINOJOSA: A group of Arab-American men was attacked in this Brooklyn neighborhood.
AHMED ALTHAPANI, YEMENI STORE OWNER: Some people, Arab people were on the street and American people he see him and he duck (unintelligible) like this.
HINOJOSA: The Hasan family still feels a tremendous loss.
REP. RUSH HOLD (D), NEW JERSEY: We as a country keep coming back to the idea of inclusion. We keep coming back to the idea of embracing diversity.
HINOJOSA: In that spirit their Congressman is trying to get them citizenship. Their application was void when their father died.
DURRE HASAN, WIDOW OF WAGAR HASAN: We need peace. Just let us stay here. Just give us some peace in our lives because we lost so much, already so much and I don't want to lose anything more.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HINOJOSA (on camera): According to the FBI, hate crimes against Muslim and Middle Eastern Americans jumped 1,600 percent in the year following the attacks on September 11. Before that, incidents involving Muslims were the least common attacks involving religious bias -- Marty.
SAVIDGE: Startling numbers, Maria Hinojosa thank you very much live from New York. Still to come is Pat Robertson taking on Islam? He's back in the news. We'll talk to him next. Also, window to an execution, should death penalty deliberations be open to a television audience? We'll hear from both sides of the debate.
And, a global sex survey, find out who's hot and who's just lukewarm, but first today's news quiz. According to the Durex Global Sex survey, the citizens of which country have the most amount of sex on average, U.S.A., France, Nigeria, China, the answer coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson is stirring up more controversy with his latest comments about Islam. He's quoted as saying that he wishes President Bush had never called Islam a religion of peace and that the Quran incites Muslims to kill people of other faiths. Pat Robertson joins us now from his headquarters in Virginia Beach, Virginia, sir thank you very much for being with us.
PAT ROBERTSON, RELIGIOUS BROADCASTER: Thank you.
SAVIDGE: Let me start by first playing the sound from President Bush because that's part of the crux of our discussion here, so here's what President Bush had to say in defense of Islam.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. That's not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAVIDGE: Now, for the purpose of our discussion, sir, let me ask you this. Is it that you disagree with the president speaking out in defense of Islam or that you don't agree that Islam is a religion of peace?
P. ROBERTSON: Oh, you know I'm a history major and when I was in college I have operated an Arabic-speaking television station on the border of Lebanon for about 18 years. I'm very familiar with what goes on in the Islamic world where our reporters are all over that area and it's clear from the teachings of the Quran and also from the history of Islam that it's anything but peaceful.
Now there are millions of Muslims who are very peaceful people, and I just think there was a semantic difference here and it's lead to a great deal of confusion. Of course there are peace-loving Muslims but at the same time at the core of this religion, taught by Mohammed, it is jihad and it is to subject the unbelievers, either to force conversion or death. That's what it teaches.
SAVIDGE: But my point, sir were you disagreeing with the president speaking on this subject or that you just find that Islam is not a peaceful way?
P. ROBERTSON: I'm a person that just likes to speak the truth and I don't understand why in America it's such a big deal that we won't read the Quran and we won't look at history.
SAVIDGE: But someone might point out and say that the Bible itself is filled with stories that are accounting violence or incite violence?
P. ROBERTSON: Well, it's not true. Jesus Christ is a prince of peace. He told us to live in peace. He told us to love our enemies. He told us to do good to them that despitefully use us. Mohammed said kill the unbelievers. He said that the Jews, the Jews are the descendants of apes and pigs. That's being taught all over the Muslim world right now hatred.
SAVIDGE: There are people who have taken the very fine words say of the Bible or the Quran and have twisted it to fit their own violent ways. That has been done in Christianity as much as it's been done in Islam.
P. ROBERTSON: Have you ever read any of the excerpts of the Quran?
SAVIDGE: I have, sir.
P. ROBERTSON: Well, you know very well what it says. I mean there's no question that jihad historically means war and right now a fatwah was issued against some reporter in Nigeria who suggested that Mohammed may have been favorable toward Miss Universe.
SAVIDGE: The fatwah was issued by a human being, not by someone on high.
P. ROBERTSON: Well, I don't understand what you're trying to say. I mean this is really confusing to me because I'm not against Islam. I have very peaceful relations with many people who hold to Islam. I just think that America had better wake up and especially the Jews. They want to kill the Jews and they also consider America the great Satan and they want to kill us. It's just that simple.
SAVIDGE: What I would like to know, though, is whether you believe it's the interpretation by those people here with the Islam religion or whether it is the religion itself that is at fault?
P. ROBERTSON: It's been what you call the religion. I mean if you look at the Quran which is the foundational doctrine, if you consider that Mohammed is the prophet of Allah, you look at what he said, what he instructed his followers to do and then what they did for 1,400 years of unrelenting warfare against Europe and the Christian world, then you begin to say well this is the way they are. It's not a question of interpretation. Look at history. Look (unintelligible).
SAVIDGE: The Crusades were also carried out in the same part of the world in which countless people were killed under the name of Christianity.
P. ROBERTSON: I hate to tell you right now in Sudan, about two and a half million people have been slaughtered by an Islamic regime in the north. They're being bombed as we speak in their villages when they're trying to eat their food by the Islamic regime trying to impose sharia upon them. The same thing happened in (unintelligible) in Nigeria where thousands of people were slaughtered by Islamic people. This is going on in the Philippines. It's going on in Indonesia. It's going on in other parts of the world right now.
SAVIDGE: And there are Christians that are also burning mosques as well.
P. ROBERTSON: No, they're not. Come off it. You know better than that. Christianity is a peaceful religion and we're out to talk about peace and I ran a television station that promoted peace between Muslims, Christians, and Jews in the Middle East for 18 years and I'm an advocate of peace period. Thank you.
SAVIDGE: Well, we disagree. Thank you, Mr. Robertson, I appreciate it very much.
P. ROBERTSON: All right, thank you very much. OK.
SAVIDGE: Thank you. Here's your chance. You can weigh in on the story as well. Why not? Our web question of the day: Do you think that most Americans are prejudiced against Muslims? Vote at CNN.com/wolf.
The D.C. sniper tracked down by citizen tipsters, but who should get the reward money? The battle for the crime bucks. Plus, a tastier way to fight off diabetes. You may lick your fingers after this report. And dangerous toys -- look at the gifts you don't want under the Christmas tree. But first, in case you'll be in on the road in the skies tomorrow, a coast-to-coast holiday travel preview.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: There have been cameras in the courtroom for many years, but here's a new twist -- how about cameras in the jury room. CNN's Ed Lavendera joins us live from Houston where a judge wants to put a jury deliberation on television.
Ed, this is a new one.
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Marty. The jurors started showing up for jury selection yesterday for a capital murder trial in Houston. Not a high profile case until it got to the part of the questionnaire, the special questions that were put in place just for this case. And the question is whether or not jurors would mind being videotaped as they deliberated the fate of the defendant.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LAVANDERA (voice-over): A Houston judge wants a television camera to take us into a secret place where cameras have never gone before, behind the doors of jury room in a capital murder case.
JEFFREY TOOBIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: It's one of the most important places in the whole criminal justice system and we know almost nothing about what goes on in there.
LAVANDERA: Judge Ted Poe gave a PBS documentary crew permission to tape all the proceedings of Cedric Harrison's murder trial, including putting a small camera in the jury room. It's a dramatic move, considering that what jurors could be discussing is the life or death fate of the 17-year-old defendant. The judge's attorney says it's an unprecedented learning opportunity.
CHIP BABCOCK, JUDGE POE'S ATTORNEY: There is absolute international interest in how the United States, and in particular Texas, administers the death penalty. I think our system of justice will be strengthened when more light is put on it, not less light. LAVANDERA: The prosecutors are strongly opposed. Now the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has stopped the case from moving forward until it decides whether the camera will prevent either side from getting a fair trial.
JOE OWMBY, PROSECUTOR: Jurors have never before believed that what they say with that door closed will ever be made public. So I believe it's a big deal. I believe it changes fundamental fundamentally the nature of juror deliberations.
LAVANDERA: Any potential juror who doesn't want to be videotaped will be automatically eliminated from the jury pool. And the murder suspect and his mother welcome the cameras. And defense attorneys say they're not worried about jurors performing to the camera.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think that they're going to be candid and they're going to be open about it. And I think that it would ensure a fair trial. And I think that the state should be in favor of it. What are they scared of?
OWMBY: For 200 years, we have not changed the dynamic in the jury room and I think that the justice system is better for it.
LAVANDERA: There is a limited history of cameras recording jury deliberations in criminal cases. In those cases, both sides agreed to allow the camera in. But a camera has never recorded jurors debating a death penalty case.
TOOBIN: That's why it's very understandable that judges, journalists, everyone, would want to put a camera in there. But the problem is, it's not clear whether that's legal especially when one side objects.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LAVANDERA: Well now, jury selection is on hold until the appeals court decides what should happen next. And one more note here, Marty, the videotape of the deliberations wouldn't be made public well until after this case is completely over -- Marty.
SAVIDGE: Got it. Ed Lavendera in Dallas, thanks very much.
An update on the sniper reward money. You'll recall officials offered a half million dollars for the capture of the Washington area snipers. Good idea, perhaps. But weeks after two suspects are arrested, officials have yet to decide who gets the reward. There was a new development this afternoon. CNN's Patty Davis has that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As I said, I'll pass that information on...
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): More than 60,000 tips came into police and the sniper task force hot line.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was the shell that he was... DAVIS: Some callers spurred no doubt by the $500,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those responsible for the sniper murders. In the end, tips helped lead to suspects, John Mohammad and John Lee Malvo. The question now, who gets the money?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't have San easy answer to that question yet.
DAVIS: Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose says he doesn't want to jeopardize the prosecution.
CHIEF CHARLES MOOSE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE: Once you give someone reward money, they do move into the category of potentially being a paid witness.
DAVIS: Moose says it's unlikely any money will be handed out until after potential witnesses testify. Possible contenders for the reward, Kentucky truck driver, Ron Lance, who spotted Muhammad's blue Chevy Caprice at a Maryland rest stop.
RON LANCE, SNIPER CASE WITNESS: If I had the money, I'd probably take it back and give to the people that were shot. I mean that's the way I feel about it and that's what I would have done with it, at least half of it anyway.
DAVIS: But two others also spotted the car at the rest stop, including a Pennsylvania man who also called 911. A Tacoma, Washington man told police that Muhammad and Malvo used this tree stump for shooting practice. And a priest in Virginia said two agitated men called him to talk about a Montgomery, Alabama liquor store killing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DAVIS: Police and the Montgomery County, Maryland officials say they're still sifting through the 630,000 plus tips and haven't made any decisions yet on who is the most deserving. They say the only thing that seems certain is that more than one person will share the reward -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: More to come. Patty Davis, thanks very much.
Well, police in Montgomery County, Maryland -- officials say that they're still sifting through the tips. We'll get on to that in just a moment. Now, as to what lies ahead, there's something is your cupboard, something that could be very valuable in fighting a disease. Find out what it is in PBJ that works.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: How's this for a story? Eating peanut butter could help you prevent a disease. That story and a survey of sex has some surprises about Americans. Learn what it reveals coming up on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: Well, there may be a new weapon in the fight against diabetes. A study out just this hour suggests that eating lots of nuts or peanut butter may ward off the disease. CNN medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen, joins us with what has to be a pretty unique story on this one --Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: It is and I mean who would have thunk it? Diabetes, peanut butter, I mean...
SAVIDGE: Not me.
COHEN: Yes, not you. Right, exactly. Not me either. What this study found is that folks who ate a tablespoon of peanut butter or handful of nuts five days a week had a 20 percent lower chance of getting Type II diabetes. That's the kind that you get as an adult.
The study was on women, but the researchers imagine that the results would be true of men. Now, if you want to see what the amounts equal, look at this. The people in the study who have those, the good effects on the diabetes, they ate a hand full of nuts, which is about this. They ate this amount five days a week. So Monday through Friday that amount of nuts but no more and --/or actually just or, they ate this amount of peanut butter. That's about a tablespoon. So one or the other and that seemed to have is a beneficial effect on diabetes. Twenty percent less chance of getting it.
SAVIDGE: All right. So if you eat one tablespoon -- is it a tablespoon?
COHEN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) tablespoon.
SAVIDGE: Right. OK. What if you ate more, just decided to triple up on it?
COHEN: That does seem like a good idea, doesn't it? But it's not. And the reason why is that being overweight puts you at a significantly increased risk of getting Type II diabetes. Peanut butter has a lot of calories, so do nuts. So if you eat much more than the serving sizes that I just showed you, you could get fat.
SAVIDGE: OK. You couldn't just eat it all at once?
COHEN: Right. That would be another thing that would be nice, five tablespoons of peanut butter all at once. But no, the researchers said that it's best to spread it out over the course of five days. The reason is that the magnesium and the fiber in nuts or in peanut butter seems to stabilize insulin and balance insulin and glucose levels. And you don't want to do that all at once. You want to spread it out over the days.
SAVIDGE: With crusts or without? Never mind. All right, Elizabeth Cohen.
COHEN: I prefer without, but whatever.
SAVIDGE: OK. Thank you very much, Elizabeth.
Just weeks before the holidays, some new warnings are going out that you should be aware of. The government and consumer groups are out with their annual list of toys to avoid. Now we have this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The U.S. Public Interest Research Group reminds us that balloons are always a potential choking danger for young children if they pop. In its Annual Toy Safety Report, U.S. PIRG warns balloons, small balls, and other toys with small parts can be hazardous to children.
JEN THOMPSON, U.S. PIRG: Just because a toy appears on a shelf or doesn't appear in PIRG's report is no guarantee that it is safe.
QUIJANO: PIRG officials say there's a simple test parents can perform at home. They say if a toy or a small ball fits inside a toilet paper tube it could pose a choking hazard.
Another concern, noisy toys. PIRG officials say over the years loud toys can contribute to a child's eventual hearing loss. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is out with its yearly recall roundup. On the list, Gearbox pedal cars like this one, which contain high lead paint levels. Violent themes pose more issues say members of the Lion and Lamb Project. They say this toy, the Army Forward Command Post, trivializes the harsh realities of war.
DAPHNE WHITE, LION AND LAMB PROJECT: What kinds of toys do we want to give children this holiday season? Do we want to give them toys, which remind them of violence and terrorism?
QUIJANO: So what can parents do? For infants and toddlers, stay away from small toys or toys with parts that are small enough for children to choke on. Never give them small balls and buy age appropriate toys. As for toy manufacturers, a spokesperson for the Toy Industry Association says play close attention to the warning labels.
Elaine Quijano, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE: All right. The birds do it. The bees do it. But Americans apparently aren't doing it as much. The results of a global sex survey when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: Earlier we asked -- According to the Durex Global Sex Survey, the citizens of which country have the most amount of sex a year on average? The answer, France. The French lead the world with 167 encounters a year. Americans lagged behind with a mere 138.
It is apparently true. France is the land of amour. As we just saw, the French lead the list in the latest global sex survey by condom maker, Durex. Americans aren't even close. The average is 138 times a year. With us from New York to talk more about this survey and what it means is Sari Locker. She is a sex relationship educator and author and a television personality.
Thanks very much for being with us.
SARI LOCKER, SEX & RELATIONSHIP EXPERT: Thank you for having me here.
SAVIDGE: All right. Lets look at this survey. And the first graphic that we have, which is basically asking around the world, how often do you have sex. And when you look at this, the first thing you realize not only is that the French way out in front, but also the United States is not even a superpower in this regard. There's the survey there.
LOCKER: That's right.
SAVIDGE: And what do you make of that? What are we supposed to intone from this sort of information?
LOCKER: Well, first of all, let me tell you that this is called the Durex Global Sex Survey. And every year, Durex, which is a condom company, surveys people all around the world to find out about their sexual attitudes and behaviors.
And this year on their Website, Durex.com, they asked people, how many times do you have sex as one of their questions. And we did find that the French are having second on average of three to four times a week and Americans more like two to three times a week. So there is a little bit of difference there. Perhaps it's because here in America people don't grow up with such freedom when it comes to sexuality. We do have a little more repression and a little more confusion when it comes to the messages that we get about sex.
SAVIDGE: All right, well, the other issue that it's brought up -- and lets take a look at this example, this is how often sex or safe sex is practiced. And there again, the French leading the way. They may be having the safest sex, but they're also having, apparently, the safest sex. And there seems to be bit of confusion over the message. People know that unsafe sex is wrong or probably not safe. Yet, they seem to go ahead with it. What do we learn this from this?
LOCKER: Yes, it's very sad that one of the other thins they did found in the Durex survey was that almost 40 percent of the people say that they would have unprotected sex, no condoms with a new partner. And that is really scary because those are the same people who are saying that they know that AIDS is a risk and they know that sexually transmitted infections are out there. So we need more education to be teaching people that condoms are available, easy to use, even fun to use and people can be protecting themselves and in fact, should be protecting themselves.
SAVIDGE: Well, as we look at this survey -- I mean aside from raising some good pause here in the news room -- as an educator, what do you gain out of reading this kind of survey? LOCKER: It's a wonderful survey for me to be able to firmly say that sex education is needed in America and that people need a more comfortable attitude towards their sexuality especially when it comes to condom use because condoms today are very easy to buy. There's a lot of variety and different types. And people can integrate them into their lovemaking so that they're not taking the type of risks that we're finding people saying that they are taking.
So otherwise, it does give a lot of very interesting information. People who are interested in seeing some more of the questions can go to Durex.com because there are some very interesting questions that Durex asked and that people all around the world answered.
SAVIDGE: You know in all my years in the field, I have never had a conversation like this. Thank you very much for joining us.
LOCKER: Thank you.
SAVIDGE: We really appreciate it.
LOCKER: I appreciate it, too. Thank you.
SAVIDGE: You bet.
Time's running out for your turn to weigh in on our "Question of The Day." Our web question, if you've forgotten -- do you think that most Americans are prejudiced against Muslims? Log on to CNN.com/Wolf to vote. We'll have the results immediately when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: Jailed actor, Robert Blake, has fired his lawyer and has two new attorneys representing him as he faces charges in the murder of his wife. CNN's Charles Feldman joins us live now from Los Angeles with details -- Charles.
CHARLES FELDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Martin, yes. You know Robert Blake wanted to do a TV interview with ABC. His lawyer, Harland Braun, thought that was a really bad idea, decided he wanted to resign. Today, the judge wanted to make sure that that was Blake's wishes, so in effect, Blake said to the judge, "Yes, I want this guy to go. I want some new lawyers." And Blake said he takes responsibility.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT BLAKE, ACTOR: We've been here a long time and I have to take responsibility for some of the reasons for that. The very first time I sat here, Your Honor looked at me directly and said, "I am not opposed to bail. I want to hear the evidence first. The only way I could hear the evidence is to have a preliminary hearing." I have never heard you say otherwise.
It's seven months later and I'm still sitting in the cement box and I have to take responsibility for that. But I think what has to happen at this point, Your Honor, has to happen. (END VIDEO CLIP)
FELDMAN: Now, Blake has now not just one, but two -- count them two attorneys. And what do they think about the case? Well, they didn't really have much to say, Martin. This was very stage managed by Robert Blake's long time publicist, who all but shuffled the new attorneys off the center stage, with the attorneys saying, "We need time to study the case further before we have anything more to say" -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: Well, speaking of time, what is this going to do to the whole legal process? Are they going to ask for a delay?
FELDMAN: Oh, so, very much so. The preliminary hearing will be probably now be postponed from December until the New Year. The trial, probably not until the fall of 2003.
SAVIDGE: Charles Feldman, live from Los Angeles, thank you very much.
Now to our "Picture of The Day." We focus on one lucky bird. Katie The turkey will not be the featured attraction at a Thanksgiving meal. President Bush pardoned Katie today in a ceremony at the White House. She will live out her life at a petting farm in Virginia. The Thanksgiving pardon is a decades old tradition at the White House, but Katie is the first female turkey to get the reprieve.
Now, here's how you're weighing in on our "Web Question of The Day." Earlier we asked you this, our Web question -- do you think that most Americans are prejudiced against Muslims? Sixty-one percent of you said yes, while 39 percent of you said no. Sixty-six, is that right? Thank you for correcting me. You can find the exact vote tally and continue to vote by the way on our Website, CNN.com/Wolf. Remember, this is not of course a scientific poll.
Well, time to hear from you and some of your e-mails. Shannon writes -- "Attitudes in America need to change. We only care about world events as they pertain to us and have no understanding of the cultures, languages and religions of other countries. This self- centeredness is evident in the report that hate crimes against Muslims have increased. That is shameful."
And from Patti -- "How can we expect Americans to be anything but prejudiced against Muslims when much of the news is one-sided and biased? If Americans are shown a more accurate, objective portrait of Muslim life, then they will be able to understand and appreciate it."
Finally, our congratulations to Wolf Blitzer. The American Veteran Awards honored him with its Ernie Pyle Journalism Award, noting professionalism and excellence in reporting on the military. The award is named after legendary workhorse, Ernie Pile. It was given to Wolf for his 30 years covering national security and international affairs. Wolf is the third recipient of that award.
I'm Martin Savidge at the CNN center. That's all the time we have. It was great being with you. Now stay tuned for "MONEYLINE" and Lou Dobbs.
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