.... during the news segments. Aaron and she engaged in conversation regarding the news she reported rather than regressing into 'Breakfast Table' talk intended to portray marrieds as instruction to the public on how to nurture a Christian relationship.
Aaron carried the unexpected conversation that Ms. Hill was unprepared for to clarify the brevity of the moment on television that touches people in their homes while viewing. The news message by Ms. Hill took on more importance and her view about the issue was included as important by Aaron.
The segment which occurs twice in a news hour transformed from two people socially involved and flirtatious, which is competely inappropriate and sexually harassing, into a respect for the subject and somewhat mutually respect between journalists.
I hope a better view of relationships between professionals continue to build across the programming at CNN. Aaron turned on a dime when he realized how poorly his message was received and the degree of disrespect it exhibited toward professional women.
Thank you, Aaron.
The goal of this blog is to be dismantled in mutual respect by equity. I hoping we have reached that balance and I begin to feel less threatened by the propaganda that tries to establish a different reality and a threatening one.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Monday, August 29, 2005
The Star of David shows up in Arlington National Cemetary, too.
7:57 PM - Aaron isn't writing the program's e-mail.
..............................................
conti2005 - 8:17 PM ET August 29, 2005 (#60733 of 60733)Impeach Bush and Cheney ! Rove is their 'Front Man'
Tune in tonight and get the 'low down' on what is happening ...
... since Katrina came ashore. Not that we cared before.
You know what is most fascinating is that this storm was really taylor -made for the USA, wasn't it? Manifested off Florida, skirted across the Gulf reeking devastation to the oil derricks and landing on the poorest of the country illustrating EXACTLY how UNGODLY the so called compassionate government is.
Of course, on NewsNight, we will hear from FEMA Director Michael Brown espousing the POLITICS of the day. Will he answer the tough questions like: Was this a Global Warming issue? Does it continue to be? Is there such a thing as Global Warming? What the heck happened to all those poor people who could not find assitance leaving their impoverished neighborhoods? Do you feel responsible for the deaths that are ultimately going to be evident? What do you say for yourself if there are dead children and families? Want to explain to a nation disgusted with your lousy butt exactly what a jerk you are !?!
No, you will not hear the most needed questions to be asked. You'll hear 'whimp out' Brown ask 'user friendly' questions to these politcians to try and elevate their sorry behinds before they loose anymore of their 'BASE' which these people were !!
In addition, we will have a Holy Roller moment to sing the praises of fossil fuel innovative technology to make our nation great.
Most of the program is videotaped for your ease of message reception rather than a burdened delivary of the news.
There will be Mistress Erica Hill for the 'newsy-cutsie' segements and of course 'The Crock A Dandy Doodle Do' could never miss the chance to be all he can be.
Later....
1059
Although Erica's poncho is important to the little dear, there was no "Honor Segment that Remembers Death American Soldiers."
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Hurricane Katrina Makes Landfall; AKA "We had no idea it would be this bad."
Hurricane Katrina Makes Landfall
Aired August 25, 2005 - 22:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Katrina is pretty ugly right now. She's robed folks -- about a million of them -- of Florida of electricity tonight and we're going to find out exactly where she is, but back to the issue of Lance Armstrong, there are a number of reasons why he's so different from the rest of us. It's fascinating. Simply put, his body isn't the standard issue model that most of us are born with. From his lungs to his muscles, he's in a class of his own. First, though, back to the breaking news from Florida, where Hurricane Katrina made landfall this evening near the Miami-Dade- Broward County line. The storm, unfortunately, has already claimed at least two lives. One man was killed when a large tree fell on his car. Another man, struck by a tree while checking damage to his trailer.More than five million people are in Katrina's path tonight and many are bracing for some very serious flooding. We begin with David Mattingly in Hollywood, Florida, who's been whipped around pretty good tonight by some pretty strong winds. David?
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Paula, this storm is doing exactly what people said it would do. It's moving slowly and it's dumping lots of rain on South Florida right now. A great deal of concern about flooding in some low-lying areas. The Last time they saw a rain event like this was 1999, with another category one hurricane. Since that time, they've invested a lot of money in pumping stations in different municipalities, trying to take care of all this storm water that they're expecting with this storm. So this storm tonight -- these new systems really getting --
ZAHN: From David Mattingly right now, because of all the electrical problems down there, we're not getting a very clear audio signal from him. But let's move a little further north up the coast. John Zarrella, who's standing by in Delray Beach, Florida, not far from an area where some of the mandatory evacuations have actually taken place. What are you seeing, John?
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Paula, what we are seeing here in Delray Beach as we've had consistent throughout the evening, tropical storm-force winds whipping the area. Power is out all over this area. Southern Palm Beach County, down into all through Broward County and certainly into Miami-Dade County, where they are really getting hammered. We thought originally the storm would be a little further north up where we are, the eye of the storm, the center of the storm. But at last minute it jogged a little bit to the left before making landfall. Now, as bad as it seems with these heavy rains and with all this wind, it's still just a category one hurricane and the worst of what this storm may bring is in terms of flooding.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ZARRELLA (voice-over): In the Miami suburb of Sweetwater, sandbags are as much a part of hurricane preparation as water and ice. For residents, it's a fact of life here: Rain, lots of it, brings flooding.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So the city sits like in a pool. If you were able to look at a city at a plain, it's lower than anything else. It's like a pool. So the residents here are scared. They've gone through many bad times. No-name storm Irene were the most recent ones, that they had two or three feet of water inside their homes.
ZARRELLA: The sandbags will help, but with Katrina, that may not be enough. The storm is expected to drop up to 15 inches of rain, perhaps more in some areas. For local and state officials, water is more of a concern than wind.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a hurricane and hurricanes are hurricanes. And they have -- They bring with them the possibility of really severe flooding and wind damage, and so, it's important to take this seriously.
ZARRELLA: Just look back to 1999. Hurricane experts say Irene, a late-season storm, dumped nearly 20 inches of rain on South Florida. The aftermath from Katrina may produce images similar to these: Cows and horses standing in standing water, crops underwater. It was an October surprise.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was just really horrible. We never anticipated it. Our power went out.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We never expected it to be this bad.
ZARRELLA: Now, most people know what to expect, including the South Florida Water Management District, which controls the flow of water through hundreds of miles of canals. The district has spent $600 million since Irene to improve flood control. In advance of Katrina, Lake Okeechobee has been lowered by a foot. Massive pumps have already been turned on and floodgates opened to drain water out to the ocean; making room for whatever Katrina brings. The hope is they've made enough room.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ZARRELLA: Now, what officials here don't want to see is a repeat of 1999. During Irene, five young kids were killed when they walked out in standing water. There was a live power line in that. Their mother came out, she was killed as well. Those are the kinds of things that the flood waters can bring, Paula. And that is the potential down the road that we face from Katrina -- Paula?
ZAHN: John Zarrella, thanks for the update. A little bit earlier on we were trying to check in with David Mattingly, who's a little further south down the coast from where you just heard John Zarrella report from. Right now a million people in Southern Florida are without power. And David was able to file this report before the winds were really kicking up. Let's listen.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATTINGLY (on camera): Well, Paula, we're riding through a very angry eastern edge of this storm. It made landfall south of here and since then, we've had some very high winds, some torrential rains; rain so dense it was almost a white out condition. Actually, before it got dark, you could barely see the ocean, which was less than 100 yards away from here. There was that much rain. There has been reported, one traffic fatality reported and there our light has just gone. The conditions deteriorated here so quickly that our equipment has been going down faster than we've actually been able to keep it up. So Paula, I'm going to send it back to you right now, but just let you know this storm is packing quite a punch right now.
ZAHN: David, we're going to at least leave your audio signal up while we try to give people a better sense of how this whole area is getting whacked. There have been some mandatory evacuations called for in Palm Beach County, particularly low-lying areas, but where you are in Hollywood, which we could explain to our audience is sort of halfway between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, no one has been asked to leave their homes, correct?
MATTINGLY: That's right. They asked for voluntary evacuations in low-lying areas. This was affecting -- great, our light's come back on, so maybe you can see me now -- This was affecting the coastal area here at Hollywood Beach where we are. We haven't seen a whole lot of people that have actually left. The hotel that we are near has actually still got quite a few guests in it and they expect to stay here through until tomorrow morning. But again, the toughest part of this storm, now relentlessly just pounding the coast right here at Hollywood Beach. And I don't know if you saw the tape that we showed -- that we brought in earlier, but there were quite a few trees down when those first waves of tropical storm-force winds came through. The ground was very saturated with all the rainwater that had preceded it. So, there were a lot of trees going down, a lot of people without power. Before all of this happened, there were already 200,000 people, more than that actually, who were sitting in the dark in Broward County alone. So who knows how many more are affected right now as the real punch of this storm is really just coming into this coastal area here?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ZAHN: That was David Mattingly reporting from a little bit earlier tonight from Hollywood, Florida. Max Mayfield is tracking Katrina at the National Hurricane Center in Coral Gables, Florida, where they have been hit by the storm as well. The eye of the hurricane just having passed through there. So, you're going to hear some electrical problems as well. But when we talked with him a short time ago, this is exactly what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ZAHN: So Max, where is Katrina right now?
MAX MAYFIELD, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER: Paula, the center of the hurricane is right over the middle of Miami-Dade county. It's moving south, due west and will likely exit the southwest Florida coast early tomorrow morning and then we'll be shifting our focus up into the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. And you know, the folks up there in the panhandle and the northeastern portion of the Gulf that went through Ivan and Hurricane Dennis, they may have to go through the drill again, unfortunately.
ZAHN: But you're not as concerned about the high winds tonight as you are about all the rain that could fall. Are you still expecting 15 inches of rain in some places?
MAYFIELD: Well, we are in some isolated areas, but I don't want to minimize that wind either. I mean, we just had a gust to 86 miles per hour here at the Hurricane Center a few minutes ago. We've had two deaths from trees falling on people up in Broward County. This is not over. Even though the center of the hurricane is moving east here, that southeastern eye wall there has some very, very strong thunderstorms in it with some very strong winds. And that's still over the populated area. So we've had some damage down here: Some trees are down, a lot of power outages. This is still going to be a long night for Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
ZAHN: Of course it is now we're hearing that some one million folks are without power at this hour, but tell us about your flooding concerns right now.
MAYFIELD: Well, we think that the slow motion here is -- you know, we're going six to 12 inches over a large section of South Florida. And all this rain -- you can see in these rain bands well out to the southeast. Even when the hurricane goes out into the Gulf of Mexico those rain bands will still be spreading over us all through tonight and tomorrow. So, we've still got some flooding ahead of us and we need to learn some lessons from previous hurricanes. We've had people down here losing their lives by driving into a canal and not knowing where the road ended.
ZAHN: And how is the tide going to affect all this tonight? High tide coming in about midnight Eastern time.
MAYFIELD: That's not a real concern. We don't have too much of a tidal range in southeast Florida. So, that's not a real concern. It will take most of the storm surge, flooding, that's already occurred. And I don't think that was at least life-threatening. We certainly lost -- we had some beach erosion, but the main concern will be the wind and the rain.
ZAHN: Well, Max Mayfield, we wish you luck as you ride out the storm. Thanks so much for your update.
MAYFIELD: Thank you.
ZAHN: And as we said at the top of the hour, at least two deaths are now being tied to Katrina. A Ft. Lauderdale man was killed when a tree fell on his car. Mike Deeson is covering the hurricane for CNN affiliate WTSP. And joins us now from Ft. Lauderdale. What can you tell us about some of the other damage you've seen?
MIKE DEESON, WTSP CORRESPONDENT: Well, Paula, there's been damage throughout the Ft. Lauderdale area. We're hit with rain that's almost like a sheet of water right now. This gives you an indication of the power of the storm. This tree came down, oh, a couple of hours ago when the wind came through here. Lots of areas of Ft. Lauderdale are without power. As a matter of fact, there was a hospital with 20 patients on ventilators that not only lost power, but also lost backup power. The Ft. Lauderdale -- the fire department had to come there and put their power on and were prepared to transport all the patients from there. There is a lot of damage along the beach from sand, which came across when the hurricane first came ashore. We shot some video earlier of that. And the sand actually was very painful as the wind blew up and there gusts of wind of 97 miles an hour. And people were surprised by the strength of the storm because being a category 1 it was supposed to be a milder storm here. Lots of debris on the streets. A lot of live power wires are there. And the electrical company is out there trying to do some work as best they can in weather like this, which is just miserable condition. But the biggest danger is the trees. A lot of trees down. A lot of trees, and surprisingly folks are out in this weather driving around. We saw a lot of folks driving around, as we were doing our story. And an overpass south of here, closer to Miami International Airport, had a collapse within the past hour. We don't think there are any injuries on that, but somehow the storm forced that to collapse, a little overpass near the airport. We expect more conditions like this for about another two hours or so, and then the storm will pass on and apparently is moving a little bit southwest of the original track that it was supposed to have. But it's a pretty miserable night. And it will continue to be a miserable day here in Ft. Lauderdale tomorrow -- Paula.
ZAHN: Mike, the one thing we haven't had a chance to talk about is any evidence of flooding there yet.
DEESON: There are areas of flooding. Throughout the low-lying areas and along the beaches, you can see the water moving in. I saw some cars that had parked in a public parking lot that all of a sudden the water was rising up there. And they expect that to be some of the worst damage tomorrow. Also, I want to tell you there were some insurance adjusters down here already trying to assess the damage. Because it moved through slowly, they expect it to be worse than initially anticipated on a category 1.
ZAHN: Mike Deeson, you gave us an excellent idea of what close to 5 million folks in the southern part of the country are up against tonight. Really appreciate that live report. Let's quickly go to Jason Carroll, who's standing by in Deerfield Beach. That's just north of Ft. Lauderdale, where we just checked in with Mike Deeson. Let's find out from him what is going on. We can see from the billowing clothes it's blowing like mad there as well.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, it's been like that all day. But actually, Paula, if you can believe it, things are actually a little bit better now -- actually, a lot better now than what they like earlier today. In fact, I was speaking to some people out here and they were telling me even though it this was a category 1 the winds in Deerfield Beach were so intense it surprised a lot of people who were expected -- since they thought it was a category one, they weren't expecting the winds to be as strong as they were. Between 5:00 and 8:00, Paula, the winds were relentless. Wind gusts out here, 50 miles per hour. This is a lot of what we've seen around in the area here. Downed trees such as this. We took a drive throughout the area and this is what we've been seeing. I remember, earlier today this tree used to be about ten yards up the way this way. We are without power in Deerfield Beach, like many residents. Many of the buildings up here are looking just like this, without power. It's going to be a long night for the people out here, Paula. It's going to be candles and flashlights. We haven't experienced as much rain so much, and I know that some forecasters were expecting anywhere between 6 and 15 inches. Also talk of flooding. That's not what we really saw here in Deerfield. In Deerfield Beach, which was, again, surprising to many people, was the level of wind, the ferocity of the wind that existed here during the day, that continues to exist. But again, nowhere near what we experienced earlier today in terms of what we're experiencing right now.
ZAHN: And Jason, it's hard to believe this, but David Mattingly was telling us that the folks there got a little bit of a break for once in that high tide doesn't happen for a couple of hours. And so the bulk of the rain, I guess, that's falling in some parts of this area hit by Katrina won't be so much affected by the tide, which I guess is pretty good news.
CARROLL: Absolutely. I mean, everyone here is desperately waiting for any sort of good news. We just lost a light. There we go, we got it back again. But again, we were expecting a lot more rain, actually, and not expecting so much wind. And I think that's why it's surprising to a lot of residents who have been through a lot of hurricanes to get just the opposite here in this area. Now, we still have a lot more to go before this hurricane is through this area. So, we're going to have to wait to see what happens in the next couple hours. If we end up getting more rain as some of these bands continue to come through here. So, we'll have to see.
ZAHN: We're going to let you find a little security now, maybe find something to lean up against, because you're getting blown around pretty good out there. Stay safe. Thanks so much, Jason Carroll. And a reminder for all of you out there, CNN is your headquarters for hurricane coverage. It's going to be a very long night. And we're going to stick with the story as long as it takes. Also coming up on the program, tonight the cruise of a lifetime and why it could be deadly. But first, at just about 16 minutes past the hour, time for the other news of the day and Erica Hill in Atlanta. Hi, Erica.
ERICA HILL, HEADLINE NEWS: Hi. Thanks, Paula. We start off with an Associated Press report now that the CIA watchdog has recommended disciplinary reviews for those who were involved in intelligence failures prior to the 9/11 attacks. Now, the highly classified review, which was delivered to Congress this week, reportedly harshly criticizes a number of the agency's current and former senior staff. It's up to CIA director Porter Goss now to decide whether disciplinary proceedings will go ahead. Women at the nation's most prestigious military academy face hostile attitudes, harassment and assault. Those findings from a nine-month investigation. A Pentagon report says West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy do not provide a safe nor professional environment for women. Although it does praise the schools for the preventive action that they've taken, it says serious problems do persist. Some civil rights groups who speak for African-Americans and Hispanics have come out in support of Supreme Court nominee John Roberts. The groups praised Roberts' commitment to the constitution and criticized civil rights groups on the left for claiming to speak for them. And Martha Stewart's court-issued electronic ankle bracelet will soon become so last season. The lifestyle mogul unveiled plans for two new television shows beginning when house arrest is behind her. That anklet, by the way, comes off on August 31. Probably not a day too soon for her, Paula.
ZAHN: Can't you imagine the party?
HILL: Oh, it's going to be a party all right. And fantastic food.
ZAHN: Somehow I don't think we've been on the invite list yet. HILL: I haven't gotten mine. ZAHN: Yeah. Me neither. Thanks. Much more ahead on the program tonight. Updates on Hurricane Katrina. And a storm of controversy over this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ZAHN (voice-over) This senator wants you to pay private companies for the weather forecast.
PHIL BOYER, AIRCRAFT OWNERS & PILOTS ASSOCIATION: We strongly oppose anything that's going to take a taxpayer-paid service and then resell it back to those same taxpayers.
ZAHN: Guess whose state is home to these private companies?
SHANNON NOWLAN, BROTHER LOST AT SEA: We're not talking about cattle here, we're talking about my brother.
ZAHN: Her brother went on a cruise and never came home.
JAMES WALKER, MARITIME ATTORNEY: They don't warn the public because of course they're in the business of selling dream vacations.
ZAHN: Men and women overboard. What's being done to prevent it? Later, allegations aside, what a body.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The guy's a superhero.
ZAHN: What makes Lance Armstrong's body different from just about any body on the planet? And speaking of anybody, the science and art of everybody.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What he's done is really amazing.
ZAHN: And even more amazing, taking this amazing voyage could save your life.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These aren't dramatizations. You know, this is reality. ZAHN: And this is
NEWSNIGHT. (END VIDEOTAPE)(COMMERCIAL BREAK)ZAHN: Our big story tonight -- Hurricane Katrina. The 11th named storm of the season is making its way across southeastern Florida tonight, with winds of up to 92 miles per hour. We're going to quickly check in now with Jacqui Jeras at the CNN Weather Center Atlanta for the very latest. Still packing a pretty powerful punch, isn't she?
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yeah, it really is. And it has been doing that over the last number of hours. In fact, this thing made landfall about 6:00, and we've been seeing some very heavy rains and some flooding and winds ever since then. There you can see the center of circulation. It's right over the Everglades at this time, now about 15 miles away from Homestead. And although we have those wind gusts, as you mentioned, up to 92 miles per hour -- we had 95 at Key Biscayne -- it's the flooding that's the big problem. Take a look at these bright reds on this radar picture here. That is some of the very heavy rains that are coming down on the rate of one to three inches per hour. I'm going to switch over from our live radar source and show you how Doppler radar can estimate rainfall. In this orangeish area here near Coral Gables, up toward South Miami Beach, there's about three to five inches of rain here. But look at some of these reds over Key Biscayne. We have confirmation of seven to nine inches of rain, which has fallen here, and Doppler radar down near Cutler Ridge is estimating somewhere between seven and 13 inches of rain. And that's just been over the last handful of hours or so. So this is becoming a very serious situation with the flooding. There is a flash flood warning in effect for Miami-Dade County and a flood watch, as you can see, in effect for much of Southern Florida. This rain is going to be continuing throughout the night tonight and into tomorrow. The storm is dropping down to the southwest. It's kind of west- southwest right now, actually a little farther down than we thought originally as it tracked across the Florida peninsula. However, that's not necessarily good news, because that means it's going to be over land a shorter period of time. There, you can see the forecast, becoming a tropical storm, and then likely back to hurricane strength as it moves over the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, it could become a rather strong hurricane before making its second landfall. We expect that will probably happen sometime late Sunday or into the early morning hours of Monday. Everybody that lives into the northeastern coast needs to be paying attention. And Paula, you even need to pay attention to the storm as well, everybody who lives in the Northeast and the mid-Atlantic states, because we think eventually this storm will be moving up the spine of the Appalachians, and bring some very heavy rain to parts of the mid- Atlantic and Northeast -- Paula.
ZAHN: Well, frankly, we're all praying she just falls apart, so the rest of the folks don't have to worry about it the way 5 million Floridians have tonight.
JERAS: Paula, I apologize. I can't hear you.
ZAHN: That's OK. But we will be coming back to you a little bit later for the latest on Katrina. Really appreciate Jacqui Jeras' update. And if you want to get the latest official forecast, rain or shine, you can surf to the National Weather Service Web site. It's free, with no pop-up ads or spam. Sounds good? Well, there is now a bill in Congress that would take that away from you. Why? In part because a powerful U.S. senator believes that private companies ought to have a monopoly on much of that business. Private companies that happen to be based in his state. Here's Bruce Morton.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRUCE MORTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The weather, like death and taxes, is always with us. Washington is arguing these days about how we should learn about the weather. Pennsylvania Republican Senator Rick Santorum, whose state is home to more than a dozen commercial weather companies, maybe 1,000 jobs at stake, has introduced a bill saying that except for the preparation and issuance of severe weather forecasts and warnings designed for the protection of life and property of the general public, the National Weather Service should not provide any service that is or could be provided by the private sector. Why, says Santorum, should the government compete against private industry? The industry agrees.
STEVEN ROOT, COMMERCIAL WEATHER SERVICES ASSOCIATION: Other companies in the oceanographic areas are losing business because the National Weather Service is addressing specific needs, individual user needs, that they shouldn't be doing.
MORTON: But about 6 million people a day, amateur pilots, farmers, others, get weather information from Web sites run by the Weather Service's parent agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Hey, they say, taxpayers paid for this, why can't we see it?
PHIL BOYER, AIRCRAFT OWNERS & PILOTS ASSOCIATION: Well, we strongly oppose anything that's going to take a taxpayer-paid service, and then resell it back to those same taxpayers. MORTON: Internet sites like this one provide pilots with vital information as they plan a flight, giving them details of their root weather pattern.
BOYER: Our history has shown that once you start charging for as critical as this, a pilot will make a go-no decision on basically, well, maybe I'd better not pay for this one, it isn't -- it doesn't look bad outside.
MORTON: The argument started when the government moved away from old guidelines last year over concerns that the government's new weather forecasting technology would compete with the commercial companies supplying weather displays to newspapers, TV, and so on. CNN and CNN.com both use commercial weather companies. Everyone agrees Santorum's bill isn't going anywhere this year. But next year, hey, you can't even predict the weather that far ahead. Bruce Morton, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ZAHN: And just ahead -- what's being done to prevent you from falling overboard on a cruise and what isn't. And America's best-known mother is back in Crawford, Texas. What is Cindy Sheehan saying about the president now? Around the country and the world, this is NEWSNIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ZAHN: Hurricane Katrina still battering southeastern Florida at this hour. Let's check back in with Rob Marciano in Hollywood, Florida. He's on the phone, because, as you can guess, it's a little hard to get pictures out of the area tonight. Describe to us what you're seeing -- actually, we are catching a glimpse of you now. Rob, what are you seeing?
ROB MARCIANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Heidi (sic). Well, we've pretty much seen the center of this storm make landfall just to the south of us. And what that's done for us is we've gotten winds in all sorts of directions. And it's been very difficult to maintain a live shot without getting all this equipment wet. So what's happened in the last couple of hours is the microphone went dead, and now we're talking to you on a cell phone. At first, the winds were offshore as the storm approached. As the storm got a little bit closer to us, they started coming out of the north and the northeast, and then eventually they came onshore, as the storm passed to our south. Now, because it passed to our south, we were in one of the strongest areas of the storm, and there was some damaging results. Aside from the two fatalities that were likely reported earlier on this program, according to emergency managers here in Broward County, there were three mobile homes that nearly were completely devastated. And there's also a tractor-trailer on I-75 that was blown over from these winds. That guy at least was able to walk away. Anyway, it's a reminder to us all that a hurricane's a hurricane. You know, I don't care what the category is. You get winds of 75, 80 miles an hour, there's going to be some damage, and we're just going to have to see what exactly kind of damage there will be, there was, when we get up tomorrow morning. That has been the most surprising part of the storm according to the emergency managers,
(INAUDIBLE) telling everyone
(INAUDIBLE) category one storm. But it's done some damage, and we'll have to see. And it's not over yet, Heidi (sic). Now, we've got winds that are coming out of the south. So that means the storm itself, the center of it, is to our southwest by about 35 miles, and from what Jacqui Jeras told me earlier, it's still very close to hurricane strength
(INAUDIBLE) throughout the night, a tremendous amount of rain has fallen. I'm sure Jacqui mentioned that flooding is going to be a threat here for the next couple of -- next day. And of course, the Panhandle of Florida the next target after that. That's the latest from here, Heidi (sic).
ZAHN: Rob, I know the communication has been so bad, you didn't even know we had rotating anchors here tonight. It's Paula Zahn. One quick question for you, how much more of a storm is going to bear down on you there?
MARCIANO: Are you still -- are you still
(INAUDIBLE)?
ZAHN: Yeah, I think this is -- I don't think this is going to work too well. Rob's not going to be able to hear me, given the strength of that wind. But in some places in Florida tonight, they're saying that some 2 or 3 million folks can expect another couple of hours of battering winds and an awful lot of rain. Once again, emergency management people are telling us in many ways, they're much more concerned about flooding at this hour, in spite of the winds being pretty strong, because 15 inches of rain might fall in some areas. That was Rob Marciano reporting from Hollywood, directly above where the storm first made landfall. Now, we move on to something completely different. This is literally a one-in-a-million story. Many people fall overboard on ocean cruises, but probably more than you think. And it's not something the cruise industry likes to talk about, or, say the critics, do something about. Here's Deborah Feyerick.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He was on top of the world when his cruise ship pulled out of Miami last July. Chris Caldwell, a disc jockey raising three kids, was off to the Caribbean with his girlfriend. He had called his sister Shannon to tell her he had just gotten engaged.
SHANNON NOWLAN, BROTHER LOST AT SEA: What? Really? Well, call me after the cruise so we can talk about this.
FEYERICK: But it would be the last time she would ever hear his voice. On the final night of his cruise, just 14 miles off the Florida coast, Chris Caldwell vanished. (on camera): Is it crazy for you that here's somebody who was so full of life, and now he just disappeared, he just vanished, and there are no answers? NOWLAN: There's no answers. And you know, it's really amazing.
FEYERICK (voice-over): No answers. And the thing is, it happens more often than you might think. The trade group that represents major cruise lines says 10 to 12 people have gone overboard in the last year and a half.
MICHAEL CRYE, INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF CRUISE LINES: I think you need to keep this in perspective. Ten to 12 people out of maybe 15 million who cruised in that same timeframe is something less than one person goes missing for every million people.
FEYERICK: But for Shannon and others going through the same thing, that's not the point. NOWLAN: That's not very high statistically. But we're not talking about cattle here. We're talking about my brother. We're talking about somebody's sister. We're talking about somebody's mom and dad, niece, nephew, uncle, aunt.
FEYERICK: No one saw Chris Caldwell fall overboard, and investigators have few few clues. Part of the reason: No surveillance cameras monitoring the railings. Cruise ships aren't required by law to have them.
CRYE: I can tell you that it would be -- require an investment of literally millions of dollars to have those types of security cameras installed and monitored. And is it a significant enough problem to justify that kind of an expense?
FEYERICK: The cruise industry is a $25 billion business. Lawyer James Walker says some of that money should be spent on cameras to alert the crew when someone falls overboard. And his concerns go further than just surveillance.
JAMES WALKER, ATTORNEY: They don't warn the public. They don't want the public to know that there are risks in going on a cruise, because of course they're in the business of selling dream vacations.
FEYERICK: Walker represents people who say they were hurt or victimized on ships. He says most people don't even realize cruise ships are not governed by U.S. law.
WALKER: They set themselves up in foreign countries in order to escape any type of regulation by the United States. They're not subject to wage and labor laws. They try to isolate themselves from paying any type of income tax.
FEYERICK: But cruise spokesman Michael Crye says it's because ships flying the stars and stripes must be built in America and staffed entirely by Americans. Crye says the cruise industry is not responsible for keeping track of the number of passengers lost at sea. And while he sympathizes with families, the number of people disappearing is not significant enough to warrant changes in security.
CRYE: The record of the cruise industry is one of the best in the entire -- in the entire world. It is the safest form of transportation that there is in the United States.
FEYERICK: Yet when people do vanish in or near U.S. waters, search and rescue teams are called to help. (on camera): When you're doing 14 miles, are the chances pretty good you're going to find somebody, or does it really depend?
LT. KIM GUEDRY, COAST GUARD: It's really dependent on the time that we receive the report until the time we start searching, given that information.
FEYERICK (voice-over): Fourteen miles. That's how far Chris Caldwell was from shore when he vanished. His fiancee didn't immediately realize he was missing. And then it took three hours for the crew to search the ship. Only then, as is procedure, did the captain alert the Coast Guard. Lieutenant Kim Guedry, who handles search and rescue, says that kind of delay can be frustrating.
GUEDRY: It expands our search area, basically, is what it does.
FEYERICK: A search area that ultimately spread 3,000 miles and lasted a day.
NOWLAN: On Saturday evening, the Coast Guard called me and told me that they were calling off the search, and that basically that no one could have survived as long as they had been looking in the water, so that he was presumed dead at that point.
FEYERICK: So what happened to Chris Caldwell? A bartender who spoke to authorities said Caldwell was in the casino acting loud and drunk. That description has haunted Shannon and her family.
NOWLAN: If a bartender reported to someone that he was belligerent and very, you know, heavily drinking, then why didn't they escort him back to his room?
FEYERICK: That begs the question, who is ultimately responsible when someone is lost at sea?
CRYE: You can't treat adults as children. You have to give them the benefit of the doubt. You cannot tell them what to do and guard against any eventuality. So otherwise, you would be taking away from the experience of the cruise itself.
FEYERICK: When her brother disappeared, Shannon was eight months pregnant. (on camera): He knew you were having this baby, and he'll never got a chance to meet that baby.
NOWLAN: That's really hard. Because she's the most amazing thing that's ever happened to me, and I'd really like to share that with him.
FEYERICK (voice-over): A small number lost at sea, but a number to those who love them no less significant. Deborah Feyerick, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ZAHN: Still to come tonight, we will of course keep an eye on South Florida, where Hurricane Katrina is lingering and bearing down and causing lots of problems. A million people without power at this hour. Also, doping. Controversy aside, what makes Lance Armstrong tick? Inside perhaps the most impressive piece of human machinery on the planet. And later, what is the picture of the day? The storm? Or something else? That's all I'm going to tell you. From New York, this is NEWSNIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ZAHN: And we're back. Check out the power of this Hurricane Katrina as she continues to whip through southeastern Florida. Actually, the picture isn't as dramatic as some of the things we saw from our correspondents a little bit earlier. 80-mile-an-hour winds, 15 inches of rain falling in some places. And the bad news is now the warnings are going up for the west coast of Florida as the storm, while moving slow, is starting to turn left and head west.
Now on to the issue of Lance Armstrong. Tonight on "LARRY KING LIVE" he once again denied using performance enhancing drugs. This after a report in a French sports daily, alleging the seven-time Tour de France winner used a blood-boosting medicine back in 1999.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LANCE ARMSTRONG, CYCLIST: I've said it for seven years -- I've said it for longer than seven years, I have never doped. I can say it again. But I've said it for seven years. It doesn't help. But the fact of the matter is I haven't. And if you consider my situation, a guy who comes back from arguably, you know, a death sentence, why would I then enter into a sport and dope myself up and risk my life again? That's crazy. I would never do that. No way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
So whether or not he put something in his body he shouldn't have, and answer to that is we just don't know, it is still an incredible body. To explain why, perhaps unique. To explain why, here's Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He's possibly the best endurance athlete in the world. Most of us know Lance Armstrong's name, but few know how he does it. It all starts with his genes. Edward Coil is director of the Human Performance Lab at the University of Texas in Austin. World record holders, Olympic medalists and promising elite athletes all come here to increase their performance. At the young age of 21, Lance Armstrong was one of them. Coil evaluated his physiology regularly for seven years.
EDWARD COYLE, DIR. HUMAN PERFORMANCE LAB: We found that even at a young age, because of his intense training, he had a big engine, a big heart and was able to consume large amounts of oxygen. Probably less than 1 percent of the population would have as much of a genetic head start as Armstrong has.
GUPTA: Lance Armstrong's physiology characteristics are nothing short of astounding. His heart, it can pump nine gallons of blood per minute, working at his hardest, compared to only five gallons per minute for the average person. In one minute of maximum exertion, Armstrong's heart can beat twice that of a normal person. His lungs. He gets almost double the amount of oxygen out of every breath that a healthy 20-year-old would. Everyone takes in the same breath, but Armstrong uses his two times more efficiently. He also has more red blood cells to deliver oxygen to his body, meaning he can breathe better at higher altitudes. And that's a key in the treacherous Pyrenees and Alps mountains along the route of the Tour de France. His muscles. Lance's muscles produce less lactic acid than most people, which means his muscles can go longer and harder without major fatigue.
COYLE: An average person, when going to exhaustion, would have to stay stopped, or wouldn't be able to move for -- you know, for 10, 15 minutes. While Armstrong's able to recover within just a couple of minutes, within one or two, and then go right back up to maximum. You know, that's why you'll see him repeatedly trying to break away and then eventually succeeding.
GUPTA: While Lance may have the genetics and condition of a world-class athlete, he has also had cancer lingering in his genes. He was diagnosed with the disease before ever winning the Tour de France. COYLE: Lance visited the laboratory eight months after finishing chemo, and essentially we found nothing wrong with his body. And that really helped him in giving him the confidence that he could pick up right where he left off.
GUPTA: All of this can ultimately make many people think Armstrong is superhuman.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The guy's a superhero. GUPTA: And that's a question his mother has heard many times before.
LINDA ARMSTRONG KELLY, LANCE ARMSTRONG'S MOTHER: Is Lance superhuman? That's a question everyone has asked. He didn't get that way sitting on the couch eating potato chips. So lots of hard work, a lot of dedication.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA: Seemingly a genetic head start, if you will, Paula, but lots of dedication as well. Overcoming cancer and, worth pointing out again, that he's been studied for a long time, since the age of about 21, showing these unique, if you will, genetic attributes, Paula.
ZAHN: So despite what this doctor has just said about what seems to be his genetic superiority, the fact is he still has these allegations coming at him that he allegedly used a performance- enhancing drug called EPO. What exactly is that? And how does it help athletes if they use it?
GUPTA: Yes. EPO stands for erythrhopoyetin. The name's not that important. But essentially it's a blood stimulator. What it does, it makes more blood cells in your body that carry oxygen so you can carry a lot more oxygen than the average person. Why is that beneficial? Well, if you're at altitude, for example, you don't have enough oxygen up there. When your body has EPO in, it's more efficient at those altitudes. Also, just in terms of endurance athleticism, it can make you a better athlete as well. Now, it's important to note that when he had cancer, when you get chemotherapy, it shrinks the number of red blood cells in your body. So EPO is a medication that's given for a legitimate purpose at that point, to increase the red blood cells back to normal. And he admits having taken it during his chemotherapy. But again, the EPO right now is what's in dispute as to whether or not those were actually positive in his '99 samples, Paula.
ZAHN: Yeah. That's the critical date, 1999. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thank you for clearing that all up. And just ahead, we're going to head back to Florida for the very latest on Hurricane Katrina. CARROLL: Well, hurricane Katrina is not done with south Florida yet, not by a longshot. Especially not here in Deerfield Beach. We'll have an update coming up for you as NEWSNIGHT continues right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ZAHN: And we're back in a moment. A late check on Hurricane Katrina. But first, at just about nine minutes before the hour, once again, time to check in on the headlines with Erica Hill in Atlanta. Hi, Erica.
HILL: Hi again, Paula. We start off with a story we've been covering for it seems like a long time there. Iraq war protester Cindy Sheehan now saying she will follow President Bush back to Washington when he returns to the capital following his five-week vacation. Sheehan, who is now back in Crawford after visiting her sick mother, says she and her supporters will begin a vigil in Washington on September 24th. Walter Reed Army Medical Center is definitely now on the critical list. A high-level commission backing the Defense Department's plan to close the historic medical facility which treated Winston Churchill, Dwight Eisenhower and General Douglas MacArthur, as well as the countless victims of foreign wars. And about half a million people in and around Los Angeles lost power for a while today. Southern California Edison imposing rolling blackouts because of problems with its 2,800-megawatt transmission line from Oregon. Full power, though, was restored, Paula, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00 Pacific.
ZAHN: Thanks so much, Erica, for that update. I just want to remind you all, we'll have the very latest for you on CNN throughout the night on Hurricane Katrina as she bears down on the southeast coast of Florida, taking a turn a little bit to the north and to the west, which means she's expected to whack the west coast of Florida, later on in the storm cycle. CNN is your hurricane headquarters, and we're going to check back in with Jason Carroll in southeastern Florida, along the coast, right after this break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ZAHN: Hurricane Katrina making a mess of things in Southern Florida tonight, leaving two people dead in her wake. Let's go back to Jason Carroll in Deerfield Beach, just north of Ft. Lauderdale. How bad is it there now?
CARROLL: Well, the wind is letting up just a little bit. Not as bad as what it was like out here certainly earlier today between 3:00 and 5:00. The wind was relentless, Paula. It's the only way to describe it. Standing out here, trying to deliver a live shot was nearly impossible, even just trying to speak. The result of the 50- mile-per-hour gusts, things like this that we've been seeing all around here, downed trees, limbs, branches. What we try to do is when we are doing stories like this, we look for visual sort of images of what the wind looks like. You can look at our clothing, you can see how it sort of blows around. We also try to look for visual landmarks, like those signs out there. Something like that might translate for you, when you see that "do not enter" sign, how it's flapping in the wind. Power obviously a concern for people out here; 200,000 people without power. Very long night for the people in South Florida -- Paula.
ZAHN: We wish them the best, because there's still some more punch in that storm left. Coming up next, the picture of the day, and the only clue I'm going to give you tonight is it's not the storm.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This week in history, Hurricane Andrew devastated parts of the Bahamas, Florida and Louisiana. More than 125,000 people were left without homes. Andrew is the costliest natural disaster ever to hit the U.S. In 1989, the Major League Baseball permanently banned Pete Rose for gambling on baseball games. Though Rose initially denied the claims, 15 years later, he admitted to betting on the team he managed, the Cincinnati Reds.In 1911, "The Mona Lisa" was stolen from the Louvre museum in Paris. Two years later, the painting was recovered. It now sits protected behind the thick box of triplex glass.And that is this week in history.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ZAHN: And I want to leave you all with our picture of the day. These are some young women getting ready for their "American Idol" tryouts, as the tryouts sort of criss-cross the country. Austin, Texas, the second stop along the way. Serious business there.And we want to thank you all for joining us for NEWSNIGHT tonight. Hope you have a good rest of the night, and the folks in Florida do OK down there.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired August 25, 2005 - 22:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Katrina is pretty ugly right now. She's robed folks -- about a million of them -- of Florida of electricity tonight and we're going to find out exactly where she is, but back to the issue of Lance Armstrong, there are a number of reasons why he's so different from the rest of us. It's fascinating. Simply put, his body isn't the standard issue model that most of us are born with. From his lungs to his muscles, he's in a class of his own. First, though, back to the breaking news from Florida, where Hurricane Katrina made landfall this evening near the Miami-Dade- Broward County line. The storm, unfortunately, has already claimed at least two lives. One man was killed when a large tree fell on his car. Another man, struck by a tree while checking damage to his trailer.More than five million people are in Katrina's path tonight and many are bracing for some very serious flooding. We begin with David Mattingly in Hollywood, Florida, who's been whipped around pretty good tonight by some pretty strong winds. David?
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Paula, this storm is doing exactly what people said it would do. It's moving slowly and it's dumping lots of rain on South Florida right now. A great deal of concern about flooding in some low-lying areas. The Last time they saw a rain event like this was 1999, with another category one hurricane. Since that time, they've invested a lot of money in pumping stations in different municipalities, trying to take care of all this storm water that they're expecting with this storm. So this storm tonight -- these new systems really getting --
ZAHN: From David Mattingly right now, because of all the electrical problems down there, we're not getting a very clear audio signal from him. But let's move a little further north up the coast. John Zarrella, who's standing by in Delray Beach, Florida, not far from an area where some of the mandatory evacuations have actually taken place. What are you seeing, John?
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Paula, what we are seeing here in Delray Beach as we've had consistent throughout the evening, tropical storm-force winds whipping the area. Power is out all over this area. Southern Palm Beach County, down into all through Broward County and certainly into Miami-Dade County, where they are really getting hammered. We thought originally the storm would be a little further north up where we are, the eye of the storm, the center of the storm. But at last minute it jogged a little bit to the left before making landfall. Now, as bad as it seems with these heavy rains and with all this wind, it's still just a category one hurricane and the worst of what this storm may bring is in terms of flooding.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ZARRELLA (voice-over): In the Miami suburb of Sweetwater, sandbags are as much a part of hurricane preparation as water and ice. For residents, it's a fact of life here: Rain, lots of it, brings flooding.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So the city sits like in a pool. If you were able to look at a city at a plain, it's lower than anything else. It's like a pool. So the residents here are scared. They've gone through many bad times. No-name storm Irene were the most recent ones, that they had two or three feet of water inside their homes.
ZARRELLA: The sandbags will help, but with Katrina, that may not be enough. The storm is expected to drop up to 15 inches of rain, perhaps more in some areas. For local and state officials, water is more of a concern than wind.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a hurricane and hurricanes are hurricanes. And they have -- They bring with them the possibility of really severe flooding and wind damage, and so, it's important to take this seriously.
ZARRELLA: Just look back to 1999. Hurricane experts say Irene, a late-season storm, dumped nearly 20 inches of rain on South Florida. The aftermath from Katrina may produce images similar to these: Cows and horses standing in standing water, crops underwater. It was an October surprise.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was just really horrible. We never anticipated it. Our power went out.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We never expected it to be this bad.
ZARRELLA: Now, most people know what to expect, including the South Florida Water Management District, which controls the flow of water through hundreds of miles of canals. The district has spent $600 million since Irene to improve flood control. In advance of Katrina, Lake Okeechobee has been lowered by a foot. Massive pumps have already been turned on and floodgates opened to drain water out to the ocean; making room for whatever Katrina brings. The hope is they've made enough room.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ZARRELLA: Now, what officials here don't want to see is a repeat of 1999. During Irene, five young kids were killed when they walked out in standing water. There was a live power line in that. Their mother came out, she was killed as well. Those are the kinds of things that the flood waters can bring, Paula. And that is the potential down the road that we face from Katrina -- Paula?
ZAHN: John Zarrella, thanks for the update. A little bit earlier on we were trying to check in with David Mattingly, who's a little further south down the coast from where you just heard John Zarrella report from. Right now a million people in Southern Florida are without power. And David was able to file this report before the winds were really kicking up. Let's listen.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATTINGLY (on camera): Well, Paula, we're riding through a very angry eastern edge of this storm. It made landfall south of here and since then, we've had some very high winds, some torrential rains; rain so dense it was almost a white out condition. Actually, before it got dark, you could barely see the ocean, which was less than 100 yards away from here. There was that much rain. There has been reported, one traffic fatality reported and there our light has just gone. The conditions deteriorated here so quickly that our equipment has been going down faster than we've actually been able to keep it up. So Paula, I'm going to send it back to you right now, but just let you know this storm is packing quite a punch right now.
ZAHN: David, we're going to at least leave your audio signal up while we try to give people a better sense of how this whole area is getting whacked. There have been some mandatory evacuations called for in Palm Beach County, particularly low-lying areas, but where you are in Hollywood, which we could explain to our audience is sort of halfway between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, no one has been asked to leave their homes, correct?
MATTINGLY: That's right. They asked for voluntary evacuations in low-lying areas. This was affecting -- great, our light's come back on, so maybe you can see me now -- This was affecting the coastal area here at Hollywood Beach where we are. We haven't seen a whole lot of people that have actually left. The hotel that we are near has actually still got quite a few guests in it and they expect to stay here through until tomorrow morning. But again, the toughest part of this storm, now relentlessly just pounding the coast right here at Hollywood Beach. And I don't know if you saw the tape that we showed -- that we brought in earlier, but there were quite a few trees down when those first waves of tropical storm-force winds came through. The ground was very saturated with all the rainwater that had preceded it. So, there were a lot of trees going down, a lot of people without power. Before all of this happened, there were already 200,000 people, more than that actually, who were sitting in the dark in Broward County alone. So who knows how many more are affected right now as the real punch of this storm is really just coming into this coastal area here?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ZAHN: That was David Mattingly reporting from a little bit earlier tonight from Hollywood, Florida. Max Mayfield is tracking Katrina at the National Hurricane Center in Coral Gables, Florida, where they have been hit by the storm as well. The eye of the hurricane just having passed through there. So, you're going to hear some electrical problems as well. But when we talked with him a short time ago, this is exactly what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ZAHN: So Max, where is Katrina right now?
MAX MAYFIELD, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER: Paula, the center of the hurricane is right over the middle of Miami-Dade county. It's moving south, due west and will likely exit the southwest Florida coast early tomorrow morning and then we'll be shifting our focus up into the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. And you know, the folks up there in the panhandle and the northeastern portion of the Gulf that went through Ivan and Hurricane Dennis, they may have to go through the drill again, unfortunately.
ZAHN: But you're not as concerned about the high winds tonight as you are about all the rain that could fall. Are you still expecting 15 inches of rain in some places?
MAYFIELD: Well, we are in some isolated areas, but I don't want to minimize that wind either. I mean, we just had a gust to 86 miles per hour here at the Hurricane Center a few minutes ago. We've had two deaths from trees falling on people up in Broward County. This is not over. Even though the center of the hurricane is moving east here, that southeastern eye wall there has some very, very strong thunderstorms in it with some very strong winds. And that's still over the populated area. So we've had some damage down here: Some trees are down, a lot of power outages. This is still going to be a long night for Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
ZAHN: Of course it is now we're hearing that some one million folks are without power at this hour, but tell us about your flooding concerns right now.
MAYFIELD: Well, we think that the slow motion here is -- you know, we're going six to 12 inches over a large section of South Florida. And all this rain -- you can see in these rain bands well out to the southeast. Even when the hurricane goes out into the Gulf of Mexico those rain bands will still be spreading over us all through tonight and tomorrow. So, we've still got some flooding ahead of us and we need to learn some lessons from previous hurricanes. We've had people down here losing their lives by driving into a canal and not knowing where the road ended.
ZAHN: And how is the tide going to affect all this tonight? High tide coming in about midnight Eastern time.
MAYFIELD: That's not a real concern. We don't have too much of a tidal range in southeast Florida. So, that's not a real concern. It will take most of the storm surge, flooding, that's already occurred. And I don't think that was at least life-threatening. We certainly lost -- we had some beach erosion, but the main concern will be the wind and the rain.
ZAHN: Well, Max Mayfield, we wish you luck as you ride out the storm. Thanks so much for your update.
MAYFIELD: Thank you.
ZAHN: And as we said at the top of the hour, at least two deaths are now being tied to Katrina. A Ft. Lauderdale man was killed when a tree fell on his car. Mike Deeson is covering the hurricane for CNN affiliate WTSP. And joins us now from Ft. Lauderdale. What can you tell us about some of the other damage you've seen?
MIKE DEESON, WTSP CORRESPONDENT: Well, Paula, there's been damage throughout the Ft. Lauderdale area. We're hit with rain that's almost like a sheet of water right now. This gives you an indication of the power of the storm. This tree came down, oh, a couple of hours ago when the wind came through here. Lots of areas of Ft. Lauderdale are without power. As a matter of fact, there was a hospital with 20 patients on ventilators that not only lost power, but also lost backup power. The Ft. Lauderdale -- the fire department had to come there and put their power on and were prepared to transport all the patients from there. There is a lot of damage along the beach from sand, which came across when the hurricane first came ashore. We shot some video earlier of that. And the sand actually was very painful as the wind blew up and there gusts of wind of 97 miles an hour. And people were surprised by the strength of the storm because being a category 1 it was supposed to be a milder storm here. Lots of debris on the streets. A lot of live power wires are there. And the electrical company is out there trying to do some work as best they can in weather like this, which is just miserable condition. But the biggest danger is the trees. A lot of trees down. A lot of trees, and surprisingly folks are out in this weather driving around. We saw a lot of folks driving around, as we were doing our story. And an overpass south of here, closer to Miami International Airport, had a collapse within the past hour. We don't think there are any injuries on that, but somehow the storm forced that to collapse, a little overpass near the airport. We expect more conditions like this for about another two hours or so, and then the storm will pass on and apparently is moving a little bit southwest of the original track that it was supposed to have. But it's a pretty miserable night. And it will continue to be a miserable day here in Ft. Lauderdale tomorrow -- Paula.
ZAHN: Mike, the one thing we haven't had a chance to talk about is any evidence of flooding there yet.
DEESON: There are areas of flooding. Throughout the low-lying areas and along the beaches, you can see the water moving in. I saw some cars that had parked in a public parking lot that all of a sudden the water was rising up there. And they expect that to be some of the worst damage tomorrow. Also, I want to tell you there were some insurance adjusters down here already trying to assess the damage. Because it moved through slowly, they expect it to be worse than initially anticipated on a category 1.
ZAHN: Mike Deeson, you gave us an excellent idea of what close to 5 million folks in the southern part of the country are up against tonight. Really appreciate that live report. Let's quickly go to Jason Carroll, who's standing by in Deerfield Beach. That's just north of Ft. Lauderdale, where we just checked in with Mike Deeson. Let's find out from him what is going on. We can see from the billowing clothes it's blowing like mad there as well.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, it's been like that all day. But actually, Paula, if you can believe it, things are actually a little bit better now -- actually, a lot better now than what they like earlier today. In fact, I was speaking to some people out here and they were telling me even though it this was a category 1 the winds in Deerfield Beach were so intense it surprised a lot of people who were expected -- since they thought it was a category one, they weren't expecting the winds to be as strong as they were. Between 5:00 and 8:00, Paula, the winds were relentless. Wind gusts out here, 50 miles per hour. This is a lot of what we've seen around in the area here. Downed trees such as this. We took a drive throughout the area and this is what we've been seeing. I remember, earlier today this tree used to be about ten yards up the way this way. We are without power in Deerfield Beach, like many residents. Many of the buildings up here are looking just like this, without power. It's going to be a long night for the people out here, Paula. It's going to be candles and flashlights. We haven't experienced as much rain so much, and I know that some forecasters were expecting anywhere between 6 and 15 inches. Also talk of flooding. That's not what we really saw here in Deerfield. In Deerfield Beach, which was, again, surprising to many people, was the level of wind, the ferocity of the wind that existed here during the day, that continues to exist. But again, nowhere near what we experienced earlier today in terms of what we're experiencing right now.
ZAHN: And Jason, it's hard to believe this, but David Mattingly was telling us that the folks there got a little bit of a break for once in that high tide doesn't happen for a couple of hours. And so the bulk of the rain, I guess, that's falling in some parts of this area hit by Katrina won't be so much affected by the tide, which I guess is pretty good news.
CARROLL: Absolutely. I mean, everyone here is desperately waiting for any sort of good news. We just lost a light. There we go, we got it back again. But again, we were expecting a lot more rain, actually, and not expecting so much wind. And I think that's why it's surprising to a lot of residents who have been through a lot of hurricanes to get just the opposite here in this area. Now, we still have a lot more to go before this hurricane is through this area. So, we're going to have to wait to see what happens in the next couple hours. If we end up getting more rain as some of these bands continue to come through here. So, we'll have to see.
ZAHN: We're going to let you find a little security now, maybe find something to lean up against, because you're getting blown around pretty good out there. Stay safe. Thanks so much, Jason Carroll. And a reminder for all of you out there, CNN is your headquarters for hurricane coverage. It's going to be a very long night. And we're going to stick with the story as long as it takes. Also coming up on the program, tonight the cruise of a lifetime and why it could be deadly. But first, at just about 16 minutes past the hour, time for the other news of the day and Erica Hill in Atlanta. Hi, Erica.
ERICA HILL, HEADLINE NEWS: Hi. Thanks, Paula. We start off with an Associated Press report now that the CIA watchdog has recommended disciplinary reviews for those who were involved in intelligence failures prior to the 9/11 attacks. Now, the highly classified review, which was delivered to Congress this week, reportedly harshly criticizes a number of the agency's current and former senior staff. It's up to CIA director Porter Goss now to decide whether disciplinary proceedings will go ahead. Women at the nation's most prestigious military academy face hostile attitudes, harassment and assault. Those findings from a nine-month investigation. A Pentagon report says West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy do not provide a safe nor professional environment for women. Although it does praise the schools for the preventive action that they've taken, it says serious problems do persist. Some civil rights groups who speak for African-Americans and Hispanics have come out in support of Supreme Court nominee John Roberts. The groups praised Roberts' commitment to the constitution and criticized civil rights groups on the left for claiming to speak for them. And Martha Stewart's court-issued electronic ankle bracelet will soon become so last season. The lifestyle mogul unveiled plans for two new television shows beginning when house arrest is behind her. That anklet, by the way, comes off on August 31. Probably not a day too soon for her, Paula.
ZAHN: Can't you imagine the party?
HILL: Oh, it's going to be a party all right. And fantastic food.
ZAHN: Somehow I don't think we've been on the invite list yet. HILL: I haven't gotten mine. ZAHN: Yeah. Me neither. Thanks. Much more ahead on the program tonight. Updates on Hurricane Katrina. And a storm of controversy over this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ZAHN (voice-over) This senator wants you to pay private companies for the weather forecast.
PHIL BOYER, AIRCRAFT OWNERS & PILOTS ASSOCIATION: We strongly oppose anything that's going to take a taxpayer-paid service and then resell it back to those same taxpayers.
ZAHN: Guess whose state is home to these private companies?
SHANNON NOWLAN, BROTHER LOST AT SEA: We're not talking about cattle here, we're talking about my brother.
ZAHN: Her brother went on a cruise and never came home.
JAMES WALKER, MARITIME ATTORNEY: They don't warn the public because of course they're in the business of selling dream vacations.
ZAHN: Men and women overboard. What's being done to prevent it? Later, allegations aside, what a body.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The guy's a superhero.
ZAHN: What makes Lance Armstrong's body different from just about any body on the planet? And speaking of anybody, the science and art of everybody.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What he's done is really amazing.
ZAHN: And even more amazing, taking this amazing voyage could save your life.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These aren't dramatizations. You know, this is reality. ZAHN: And this is
NEWSNIGHT. (END VIDEOTAPE)(COMMERCIAL BREAK)ZAHN: Our big story tonight -- Hurricane Katrina. The 11th named storm of the season is making its way across southeastern Florida tonight, with winds of up to 92 miles per hour. We're going to quickly check in now with Jacqui Jeras at the CNN Weather Center Atlanta for the very latest. Still packing a pretty powerful punch, isn't she?
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yeah, it really is. And it has been doing that over the last number of hours. In fact, this thing made landfall about 6:00, and we've been seeing some very heavy rains and some flooding and winds ever since then. There you can see the center of circulation. It's right over the Everglades at this time, now about 15 miles away from Homestead. And although we have those wind gusts, as you mentioned, up to 92 miles per hour -- we had 95 at Key Biscayne -- it's the flooding that's the big problem. Take a look at these bright reds on this radar picture here. That is some of the very heavy rains that are coming down on the rate of one to three inches per hour. I'm going to switch over from our live radar source and show you how Doppler radar can estimate rainfall. In this orangeish area here near Coral Gables, up toward South Miami Beach, there's about three to five inches of rain here. But look at some of these reds over Key Biscayne. We have confirmation of seven to nine inches of rain, which has fallen here, and Doppler radar down near Cutler Ridge is estimating somewhere between seven and 13 inches of rain. And that's just been over the last handful of hours or so. So this is becoming a very serious situation with the flooding. There is a flash flood warning in effect for Miami-Dade County and a flood watch, as you can see, in effect for much of Southern Florida. This rain is going to be continuing throughout the night tonight and into tomorrow. The storm is dropping down to the southwest. It's kind of west- southwest right now, actually a little farther down than we thought originally as it tracked across the Florida peninsula. However, that's not necessarily good news, because that means it's going to be over land a shorter period of time. There, you can see the forecast, becoming a tropical storm, and then likely back to hurricane strength as it moves over the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, it could become a rather strong hurricane before making its second landfall. We expect that will probably happen sometime late Sunday or into the early morning hours of Monday. Everybody that lives into the northeastern coast needs to be paying attention. And Paula, you even need to pay attention to the storm as well, everybody who lives in the Northeast and the mid-Atlantic states, because we think eventually this storm will be moving up the spine of the Appalachians, and bring some very heavy rain to parts of the mid- Atlantic and Northeast -- Paula.
ZAHN: Well, frankly, we're all praying she just falls apart, so the rest of the folks don't have to worry about it the way 5 million Floridians have tonight.
JERAS: Paula, I apologize. I can't hear you.
ZAHN: That's OK. But we will be coming back to you a little bit later for the latest on Katrina. Really appreciate Jacqui Jeras' update. And if you want to get the latest official forecast, rain or shine, you can surf to the National Weather Service Web site. It's free, with no pop-up ads or spam. Sounds good? Well, there is now a bill in Congress that would take that away from you. Why? In part because a powerful U.S. senator believes that private companies ought to have a monopoly on much of that business. Private companies that happen to be based in his state. Here's Bruce Morton.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRUCE MORTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The weather, like death and taxes, is always with us. Washington is arguing these days about how we should learn about the weather. Pennsylvania Republican Senator Rick Santorum, whose state is home to more than a dozen commercial weather companies, maybe 1,000 jobs at stake, has introduced a bill saying that except for the preparation and issuance of severe weather forecasts and warnings designed for the protection of life and property of the general public, the National Weather Service should not provide any service that is or could be provided by the private sector. Why, says Santorum, should the government compete against private industry? The industry agrees.
STEVEN ROOT, COMMERCIAL WEATHER SERVICES ASSOCIATION: Other companies in the oceanographic areas are losing business because the National Weather Service is addressing specific needs, individual user needs, that they shouldn't be doing.
MORTON: But about 6 million people a day, amateur pilots, farmers, others, get weather information from Web sites run by the Weather Service's parent agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Hey, they say, taxpayers paid for this, why can't we see it?
PHIL BOYER, AIRCRAFT OWNERS & PILOTS ASSOCIATION: Well, we strongly oppose anything that's going to take a taxpayer-paid service, and then resell it back to those same taxpayers. MORTON: Internet sites like this one provide pilots with vital information as they plan a flight, giving them details of their root weather pattern.
BOYER: Our history has shown that once you start charging for as critical as this, a pilot will make a go-no decision on basically, well, maybe I'd better not pay for this one, it isn't -- it doesn't look bad outside.
MORTON: The argument started when the government moved away from old guidelines last year over concerns that the government's new weather forecasting technology would compete with the commercial companies supplying weather displays to newspapers, TV, and so on. CNN and CNN.com both use commercial weather companies. Everyone agrees Santorum's bill isn't going anywhere this year. But next year, hey, you can't even predict the weather that far ahead. Bruce Morton, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ZAHN: And just ahead -- what's being done to prevent you from falling overboard on a cruise and what isn't. And America's best-known mother is back in Crawford, Texas. What is Cindy Sheehan saying about the president now? Around the country and the world, this is NEWSNIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ZAHN: Hurricane Katrina still battering southeastern Florida at this hour. Let's check back in with Rob Marciano in Hollywood, Florida. He's on the phone, because, as you can guess, it's a little hard to get pictures out of the area tonight. Describe to us what you're seeing -- actually, we are catching a glimpse of you now. Rob, what are you seeing?
ROB MARCIANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Heidi (sic). Well, we've pretty much seen the center of this storm make landfall just to the south of us. And what that's done for us is we've gotten winds in all sorts of directions. And it's been very difficult to maintain a live shot without getting all this equipment wet. So what's happened in the last couple of hours is the microphone went dead, and now we're talking to you on a cell phone. At first, the winds were offshore as the storm approached. As the storm got a little bit closer to us, they started coming out of the north and the northeast, and then eventually they came onshore, as the storm passed to our south. Now, because it passed to our south, we were in one of the strongest areas of the storm, and there was some damaging results. Aside from the two fatalities that were likely reported earlier on this program, according to emergency managers here in Broward County, there were three mobile homes that nearly were completely devastated. And there's also a tractor-trailer on I-75 that was blown over from these winds. That guy at least was able to walk away. Anyway, it's a reminder to us all that a hurricane's a hurricane. You know, I don't care what the category is. You get winds of 75, 80 miles an hour, there's going to be some damage, and we're just going to have to see what exactly kind of damage there will be, there was, when we get up tomorrow morning. That has been the most surprising part of the storm according to the emergency managers,
(INAUDIBLE) telling everyone
(INAUDIBLE) category one storm. But it's done some damage, and we'll have to see. And it's not over yet, Heidi (sic). Now, we've got winds that are coming out of the south. So that means the storm itself, the center of it, is to our southwest by about 35 miles, and from what Jacqui Jeras told me earlier, it's still very close to hurricane strength
(INAUDIBLE) throughout the night, a tremendous amount of rain has fallen. I'm sure Jacqui mentioned that flooding is going to be a threat here for the next couple of -- next day. And of course, the Panhandle of Florida the next target after that. That's the latest from here, Heidi (sic).
ZAHN: Rob, I know the communication has been so bad, you didn't even know we had rotating anchors here tonight. It's Paula Zahn. One quick question for you, how much more of a storm is going to bear down on you there?
MARCIANO: Are you still -- are you still
(INAUDIBLE)?
ZAHN: Yeah, I think this is -- I don't think this is going to work too well. Rob's not going to be able to hear me, given the strength of that wind. But in some places in Florida tonight, they're saying that some 2 or 3 million folks can expect another couple of hours of battering winds and an awful lot of rain. Once again, emergency management people are telling us in many ways, they're much more concerned about flooding at this hour, in spite of the winds being pretty strong, because 15 inches of rain might fall in some areas. That was Rob Marciano reporting from Hollywood, directly above where the storm first made landfall. Now, we move on to something completely different. This is literally a one-in-a-million story. Many people fall overboard on ocean cruises, but probably more than you think. And it's not something the cruise industry likes to talk about, or, say the critics, do something about. Here's Deborah Feyerick.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He was on top of the world when his cruise ship pulled out of Miami last July. Chris Caldwell, a disc jockey raising three kids, was off to the Caribbean with his girlfriend. He had called his sister Shannon to tell her he had just gotten engaged.
SHANNON NOWLAN, BROTHER LOST AT SEA: What? Really? Well, call me after the cruise so we can talk about this.
FEYERICK: But it would be the last time she would ever hear his voice. On the final night of his cruise, just 14 miles off the Florida coast, Chris Caldwell vanished. (on camera): Is it crazy for you that here's somebody who was so full of life, and now he just disappeared, he just vanished, and there are no answers? NOWLAN: There's no answers. And you know, it's really amazing.
FEYERICK (voice-over): No answers. And the thing is, it happens more often than you might think. The trade group that represents major cruise lines says 10 to 12 people have gone overboard in the last year and a half.
MICHAEL CRYE, INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF CRUISE LINES: I think you need to keep this in perspective. Ten to 12 people out of maybe 15 million who cruised in that same timeframe is something less than one person goes missing for every million people.
FEYERICK: But for Shannon and others going through the same thing, that's not the point. NOWLAN: That's not very high statistically. But we're not talking about cattle here. We're talking about my brother. We're talking about somebody's sister. We're talking about somebody's mom and dad, niece, nephew, uncle, aunt.
FEYERICK: No one saw Chris Caldwell fall overboard, and investigators have few few clues. Part of the reason: No surveillance cameras monitoring the railings. Cruise ships aren't required by law to have them.
CRYE: I can tell you that it would be -- require an investment of literally millions of dollars to have those types of security cameras installed and monitored. And is it a significant enough problem to justify that kind of an expense?
FEYERICK: The cruise industry is a $25 billion business. Lawyer James Walker says some of that money should be spent on cameras to alert the crew when someone falls overboard. And his concerns go further than just surveillance.
JAMES WALKER, ATTORNEY: They don't warn the public. They don't want the public to know that there are risks in going on a cruise, because of course they're in the business of selling dream vacations.
FEYERICK: Walker represents people who say they were hurt or victimized on ships. He says most people don't even realize cruise ships are not governed by U.S. law.
WALKER: They set themselves up in foreign countries in order to escape any type of regulation by the United States. They're not subject to wage and labor laws. They try to isolate themselves from paying any type of income tax.
FEYERICK: But cruise spokesman Michael Crye says it's because ships flying the stars and stripes must be built in America and staffed entirely by Americans. Crye says the cruise industry is not responsible for keeping track of the number of passengers lost at sea. And while he sympathizes with families, the number of people disappearing is not significant enough to warrant changes in security.
CRYE: The record of the cruise industry is one of the best in the entire -- in the entire world. It is the safest form of transportation that there is in the United States.
FEYERICK: Yet when people do vanish in or near U.S. waters, search and rescue teams are called to help. (on camera): When you're doing 14 miles, are the chances pretty good you're going to find somebody, or does it really depend?
LT. KIM GUEDRY, COAST GUARD: It's really dependent on the time that we receive the report until the time we start searching, given that information.
FEYERICK (voice-over): Fourteen miles. That's how far Chris Caldwell was from shore when he vanished. His fiancee didn't immediately realize he was missing. And then it took three hours for the crew to search the ship. Only then, as is procedure, did the captain alert the Coast Guard. Lieutenant Kim Guedry, who handles search and rescue, says that kind of delay can be frustrating.
GUEDRY: It expands our search area, basically, is what it does.
FEYERICK: A search area that ultimately spread 3,000 miles and lasted a day.
NOWLAN: On Saturday evening, the Coast Guard called me and told me that they were calling off the search, and that basically that no one could have survived as long as they had been looking in the water, so that he was presumed dead at that point.
FEYERICK: So what happened to Chris Caldwell? A bartender who spoke to authorities said Caldwell was in the casino acting loud and drunk. That description has haunted Shannon and her family.
NOWLAN: If a bartender reported to someone that he was belligerent and very, you know, heavily drinking, then why didn't they escort him back to his room?
FEYERICK: That begs the question, who is ultimately responsible when someone is lost at sea?
CRYE: You can't treat adults as children. You have to give them the benefit of the doubt. You cannot tell them what to do and guard against any eventuality. So otherwise, you would be taking away from the experience of the cruise itself.
FEYERICK: When her brother disappeared, Shannon was eight months pregnant. (on camera): He knew you were having this baby, and he'll never got a chance to meet that baby.
NOWLAN: That's really hard. Because she's the most amazing thing that's ever happened to me, and I'd really like to share that with him.
FEYERICK (voice-over): A small number lost at sea, but a number to those who love them no less significant. Deborah Feyerick, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ZAHN: Still to come tonight, we will of course keep an eye on South Florida, where Hurricane Katrina is lingering and bearing down and causing lots of problems. A million people without power at this hour. Also, doping. Controversy aside, what makes Lance Armstrong tick? Inside perhaps the most impressive piece of human machinery on the planet. And later, what is the picture of the day? The storm? Or something else? That's all I'm going to tell you. From New York, this is NEWSNIGHT.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ZAHN: And we're back. Check out the power of this Hurricane Katrina as she continues to whip through southeastern Florida. Actually, the picture isn't as dramatic as some of the things we saw from our correspondents a little bit earlier. 80-mile-an-hour winds, 15 inches of rain falling in some places. And the bad news is now the warnings are going up for the west coast of Florida as the storm, while moving slow, is starting to turn left and head west.
Now on to the issue of Lance Armstrong. Tonight on "LARRY KING LIVE" he once again denied using performance enhancing drugs. This after a report in a French sports daily, alleging the seven-time Tour de France winner used a blood-boosting medicine back in 1999.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LANCE ARMSTRONG, CYCLIST: I've said it for seven years -- I've said it for longer than seven years, I have never doped. I can say it again. But I've said it for seven years. It doesn't help. But the fact of the matter is I haven't. And if you consider my situation, a guy who comes back from arguably, you know, a death sentence, why would I then enter into a sport and dope myself up and risk my life again? That's crazy. I would never do that. No way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
So whether or not he put something in his body he shouldn't have, and answer to that is we just don't know, it is still an incredible body. To explain why, perhaps unique. To explain why, here's Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He's possibly the best endurance athlete in the world. Most of us know Lance Armstrong's name, but few know how he does it. It all starts with his genes. Edward Coil is director of the Human Performance Lab at the University of Texas in Austin. World record holders, Olympic medalists and promising elite athletes all come here to increase their performance. At the young age of 21, Lance Armstrong was one of them. Coil evaluated his physiology regularly for seven years.
EDWARD COYLE, DIR. HUMAN PERFORMANCE LAB: We found that even at a young age, because of his intense training, he had a big engine, a big heart and was able to consume large amounts of oxygen. Probably less than 1 percent of the population would have as much of a genetic head start as Armstrong has.
GUPTA: Lance Armstrong's physiology characteristics are nothing short of astounding. His heart, it can pump nine gallons of blood per minute, working at his hardest, compared to only five gallons per minute for the average person. In one minute of maximum exertion, Armstrong's heart can beat twice that of a normal person. His lungs. He gets almost double the amount of oxygen out of every breath that a healthy 20-year-old would. Everyone takes in the same breath, but Armstrong uses his two times more efficiently. He also has more red blood cells to deliver oxygen to his body, meaning he can breathe better at higher altitudes. And that's a key in the treacherous Pyrenees and Alps mountains along the route of the Tour de France. His muscles. Lance's muscles produce less lactic acid than most people, which means his muscles can go longer and harder without major fatigue.
COYLE: An average person, when going to exhaustion, would have to stay stopped, or wouldn't be able to move for -- you know, for 10, 15 minutes. While Armstrong's able to recover within just a couple of minutes, within one or two, and then go right back up to maximum. You know, that's why you'll see him repeatedly trying to break away and then eventually succeeding.
GUPTA: While Lance may have the genetics and condition of a world-class athlete, he has also had cancer lingering in his genes. He was diagnosed with the disease before ever winning the Tour de France. COYLE: Lance visited the laboratory eight months after finishing chemo, and essentially we found nothing wrong with his body. And that really helped him in giving him the confidence that he could pick up right where he left off.
GUPTA: All of this can ultimately make many people think Armstrong is superhuman.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The guy's a superhero. GUPTA: And that's a question his mother has heard many times before.
LINDA ARMSTRONG KELLY, LANCE ARMSTRONG'S MOTHER: Is Lance superhuman? That's a question everyone has asked. He didn't get that way sitting on the couch eating potato chips. So lots of hard work, a lot of dedication.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA: Seemingly a genetic head start, if you will, Paula, but lots of dedication as well. Overcoming cancer and, worth pointing out again, that he's been studied for a long time, since the age of about 21, showing these unique, if you will, genetic attributes, Paula.
ZAHN: So despite what this doctor has just said about what seems to be his genetic superiority, the fact is he still has these allegations coming at him that he allegedly used a performance- enhancing drug called EPO. What exactly is that? And how does it help athletes if they use it?
GUPTA: Yes. EPO stands for erythrhopoyetin. The name's not that important. But essentially it's a blood stimulator. What it does, it makes more blood cells in your body that carry oxygen so you can carry a lot more oxygen than the average person. Why is that beneficial? Well, if you're at altitude, for example, you don't have enough oxygen up there. When your body has EPO in, it's more efficient at those altitudes. Also, just in terms of endurance athleticism, it can make you a better athlete as well. Now, it's important to note that when he had cancer, when you get chemotherapy, it shrinks the number of red blood cells in your body. So EPO is a medication that's given for a legitimate purpose at that point, to increase the red blood cells back to normal. And he admits having taken it during his chemotherapy. But again, the EPO right now is what's in dispute as to whether or not those were actually positive in his '99 samples, Paula.
ZAHN: Yeah. That's the critical date, 1999. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thank you for clearing that all up. And just ahead, we're going to head back to Florida for the very latest on Hurricane Katrina. CARROLL: Well, hurricane Katrina is not done with south Florida yet, not by a longshot. Especially not here in Deerfield Beach. We'll have an update coming up for you as NEWSNIGHT continues right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ZAHN: And we're back in a moment. A late check on Hurricane Katrina. But first, at just about nine minutes before the hour, once again, time to check in on the headlines with Erica Hill in Atlanta. Hi, Erica.
HILL: Hi again, Paula. We start off with a story we've been covering for it seems like a long time there. Iraq war protester Cindy Sheehan now saying she will follow President Bush back to Washington when he returns to the capital following his five-week vacation. Sheehan, who is now back in Crawford after visiting her sick mother, says she and her supporters will begin a vigil in Washington on September 24th. Walter Reed Army Medical Center is definitely now on the critical list. A high-level commission backing the Defense Department's plan to close the historic medical facility which treated Winston Churchill, Dwight Eisenhower and General Douglas MacArthur, as well as the countless victims of foreign wars. And about half a million people in and around Los Angeles lost power for a while today. Southern California Edison imposing rolling blackouts because of problems with its 2,800-megawatt transmission line from Oregon. Full power, though, was restored, Paula, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00 Pacific.
ZAHN: Thanks so much, Erica, for that update. I just want to remind you all, we'll have the very latest for you on CNN throughout the night on Hurricane Katrina as she bears down on the southeast coast of Florida, taking a turn a little bit to the north and to the west, which means she's expected to whack the west coast of Florida, later on in the storm cycle. CNN is your hurricane headquarters, and we're going to check back in with Jason Carroll in southeastern Florida, along the coast, right after this break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ZAHN: Hurricane Katrina making a mess of things in Southern Florida tonight, leaving two people dead in her wake. Let's go back to Jason Carroll in Deerfield Beach, just north of Ft. Lauderdale. How bad is it there now?
CARROLL: Well, the wind is letting up just a little bit. Not as bad as what it was like out here certainly earlier today between 3:00 and 5:00. The wind was relentless, Paula. It's the only way to describe it. Standing out here, trying to deliver a live shot was nearly impossible, even just trying to speak. The result of the 50- mile-per-hour gusts, things like this that we've been seeing all around here, downed trees, limbs, branches. What we try to do is when we are doing stories like this, we look for visual sort of images of what the wind looks like. You can look at our clothing, you can see how it sort of blows around. We also try to look for visual landmarks, like those signs out there. Something like that might translate for you, when you see that "do not enter" sign, how it's flapping in the wind. Power obviously a concern for people out here; 200,000 people without power. Very long night for the people in South Florida -- Paula.
ZAHN: We wish them the best, because there's still some more punch in that storm left. Coming up next, the picture of the day, and the only clue I'm going to give you tonight is it's not the storm.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This week in history, Hurricane Andrew devastated parts of the Bahamas, Florida and Louisiana. More than 125,000 people were left without homes. Andrew is the costliest natural disaster ever to hit the U.S. In 1989, the Major League Baseball permanently banned Pete Rose for gambling on baseball games. Though Rose initially denied the claims, 15 years later, he admitted to betting on the team he managed, the Cincinnati Reds.In 1911, "The Mona Lisa" was stolen from the Louvre museum in Paris. Two years later, the painting was recovered. It now sits protected behind the thick box of triplex glass.And that is this week in history.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ZAHN: And I want to leave you all with our picture of the day. These are some young women getting ready for their "American Idol" tryouts, as the tryouts sort of criss-cross the country. Austin, Texas, the second stop along the way. Serious business there.And we want to thank you all for joining us for NEWSNIGHT tonight. Hope you have a good rest of the night, and the folks in Florida do OK down there.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Half his identity is good enough.
Aaron wrote his e-mail today but he wasn't allowed to talk to his audience in his pre-programming announcement.
What do you call that but oppression?
He is a managing editor and a news anchor. What makes anyone think this is appropriate and professional?
What do you call that but oppression?
He is a managing editor and a news anchor. What makes anyone think this is appropriate and professional?
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
The Bigotry against a Jew still continues.
Another evening where Aaron Brown is silenced for the demands of a corporation that likes to control it's message rather than deliver the news. The e-mail is generic and I am quite confident the pre-program message is TAPED. Is anything about CNN not pre-packaged for CONTROL rather than interaction. I thought CNN were the 'synergy' people? It would appear that is just another lie !
The below entry explains why the expertise of Aaron Brown is oppressed. It is overt bigotry as there is a Neocon Christian Agenda in a power play at CNN.
.............................................................
conti2005 - 7:46 PM ET August 23, 2005
(#55590of 55590)Impeach Bush and Cheney ! Rove is their 'Front Man'
Tonight on CNN's NewsNight we will investigate a justification for Pat Robertson.
In true propaganda style the hatred of countries outside the control of the Neocons will come into view with the 'hoped for' assassination of Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela. We will disclose the true and loving reason Rev. Robertson wishes for this to come true. So with complete abandon, as with Iraq, we will enter into harassment of the American Public conscience to the cost of USA dignity and threats to an international community.
AGAIN.
WHAT POWER!
WHAT MIGHT!
A cable news network that can invoke the indulgence of the USA military, CIA, FBI with a wave to Rev. Robertson's magic Neocon wand ispired by not sanctioned by God. Where is Harry Potter when you need him?
We will expand on Rev. Robertson's VISION of peace by invoking the thought of assassination of Osama bin Laden. Is it justified.
DO YOU BELIEVE THE MORONITY in that analogy that is a 'wish' to bring public opinion to a cresendo to invade Venezuela. I mean these people need to be shut down. I know this is not Aaron Brown. It is however the witchy bigotry of Sharon von Zwieten.
Let me explain something to you dear and stupid Sharon. There is no such thing as assassination in war. We have declared war on al Qaeda. I guarantee you if a USA platoon finally finds Osama and he resists he will die. THAT idiot Sharon is a guarantee in the right of war. Unless he is wounded an brought to prison Osama will die at business end of an American missile or weapon.
The issue with Venezuela is NOT so serious that it cannot be solved in other ways and if you think the USA has a Pandora's box in Iraq just wait to see what will happen when BUSH Fires up the Attact Venezuela Campaign. I mean this is OIL HUNGER all over again.
It won't happen idiot Sharon. Would somebody kindly donate their time to explain to these moronic Executives at Rev. Robertson and CNN that declaring war is not a segment on television no matter how much they want it to be so.
I have never witnessed such stupidity in my life. Aaron I feel bad for you. It's unfortunate everyone needs a job.
... more in a minute maybe ...
What a bunch of jerks !
..................................................................................
conti2005 - 8:01 PM ET August 23, 2005 (#55609 of 55613)Impeach Bush and Cheney ! Rove is their 'Front Man'.
.. and to conclude the invitation to the pitfalls of CNN...
... the CLASS ACT of NewsNight will investigate theft.
Theft of the truth regarding Pat Tillman as well and in the same breath of the theft of oil and how you too can accomplish your own 'game' to beat the price of oil sheiks.
And let's not forget the returning USA solider turned crooner who couldn't find a job but figured out how to rhyme at least every other word while playing a guitar. The words are corny and reveal a completely traumatized man who actually found solice in being grateful the reality of Iraq was not the reality of the USA.
Well.
You know justifying immorality by killing people who had no weapons of mass destruction is the FORTUNES of Clint Black and I am sure this former soldier hopes his appearance on FOX and now here will bring him at least marketable CDs on every shopping channel.
And last...
but never least...
the crooner of all crooners...
the 'Crock-A-Doodle-When-Do' brought to you by Ambien which will give you sleep if NewsNight doesn't put you to sleep before 11 PM.
...............................................................
Here we go again !!
The below entry explains why the expertise of Aaron Brown is oppressed. It is overt bigotry as there is a Neocon Christian Agenda in a power play at CNN.
.............................................................
conti2005 - 7:46 PM ET August 23, 2005
(#55590of 55590)Impeach Bush and Cheney ! Rove is their 'Front Man'
Tonight on CNN's NewsNight we will investigate a justification for Pat Robertson.
In true propaganda style the hatred of countries outside the control of the Neocons will come into view with the 'hoped for' assassination of Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela. We will disclose the true and loving reason Rev. Robertson wishes for this to come true. So with complete abandon, as with Iraq, we will enter into harassment of the American Public conscience to the cost of USA dignity and threats to an international community.
AGAIN.
WHAT POWER!
WHAT MIGHT!
A cable news network that can invoke the indulgence of the USA military, CIA, FBI with a wave to Rev. Robertson's magic Neocon wand ispired by not sanctioned by God. Where is Harry Potter when you need him?
We will expand on Rev. Robertson's VISION of peace by invoking the thought of assassination of Osama bin Laden. Is it justified.
DO YOU BELIEVE THE MORONITY in that analogy that is a 'wish' to bring public opinion to a cresendo to invade Venezuela. I mean these people need to be shut down. I know this is not Aaron Brown. It is however the witchy bigotry of Sharon von Zwieten.
Let me explain something to you dear and stupid Sharon. There is no such thing as assassination in war. We have declared war on al Qaeda. I guarantee you if a USA platoon finally finds Osama and he resists he will die. THAT idiot Sharon is a guarantee in the right of war. Unless he is wounded an brought to prison Osama will die at business end of an American missile or weapon.
The issue with Venezuela is NOT so serious that it cannot be solved in other ways and if you think the USA has a Pandora's box in Iraq just wait to see what will happen when BUSH Fires up the Attact Venezuela Campaign. I mean this is OIL HUNGER all over again.
It won't happen idiot Sharon. Would somebody kindly donate their time to explain to these moronic Executives at Rev. Robertson and CNN that declaring war is not a segment on television no matter how much they want it to be so.
I have never witnessed such stupidity in my life. Aaron I feel bad for you. It's unfortunate everyone needs a job.
... more in a minute maybe ...
What a bunch of jerks !
..................................................................................
conti2005 - 8:01 PM ET August 23, 2005 (#55609 of 55613)Impeach Bush and Cheney ! Rove is their 'Front Man'.
.. and to conclude the invitation to the pitfalls of CNN...
... the CLASS ACT of NewsNight will investigate theft.
Theft of the truth regarding Pat Tillman as well and in the same breath of the theft of oil and how you too can accomplish your own 'game' to beat the price of oil sheiks.
And let's not forget the returning USA solider turned crooner who couldn't find a job but figured out how to rhyme at least every other word while playing a guitar. The words are corny and reveal a completely traumatized man who actually found solice in being grateful the reality of Iraq was not the reality of the USA.
Well.
You know justifying immorality by killing people who had no weapons of mass destruction is the FORTUNES of Clint Black and I am sure this former soldier hopes his appearance on FOX and now here will bring him at least marketable CDs on every shopping channel.
And last...
but never least...
the crooner of all crooners...
the 'Crock-A-Doodle-When-Do' brought to you by Ambien which will give you sleep if NewsNight doesn't put you to sleep before 11 PM.
...............................................................
Here we go again !!
The Second Coming of Christ - "Zoo Animals?"
The Past Tense of the following Biblical passage is a story telling of what John saw in his dream.
Peace in the Animal Kingdom
"Truly, peace reigned everywhere, even in the animal kingdom. The lion did lie down with the lamb. The wolf and the lamb fed together, and the lion ate straw like an ox (Isaiah 65:25). The wolf lived with the lamb, the leopard laid down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the colt were together; and little children led them around. The cow ate with the bear and the young calves and the cubs laid down together (Isaiah 11:6-7). Infants played near the holes of cobras, and young children put their hands into the nests of vipers to play with them (Isaiah 11:8)."
Moving right along, the Evangelical Neocons who want to MAKE Paradise rather than believing truly in The Second Coming as promised in Revelations will do so at the expense of the USA Taxpayer.
America could be a very large zoo
WASHINGTON - We shouldn't be too quick to dismiss the idea being floated in the current issue of Nature magazine of populating North America with endangered wild animals from Africa.
The ecologist-authors argue that this would not only save the animals, but restore a biodiversity and landscape lost when the inhabitants of our continent drove similar animals - lions, cheetahs, elephants, camels - to extinction 13,000 years ago, much as the Africans are doing with their present-day wildlife.
The fauna of the plains and prairie are grossly different than what this fauna requires.
Editorial Moving African Animals Coming to America is too wild an idea
You can just hear Bob Newhart launching into his phone routine:
"You wanna do what?... let lions and cheetahs loose in America?... The Great Plains?... That's where they used to be back in the day? Heh-heh-heh-heh... sorry, no, sorry, I'm listening... heh-heh-heh... you want to... let elephants run wild on the plains?... heh-heh-heh... tigers on the prairie?... if you let some cheetahs loose, it'll be good for the pronghorn antelope because... heh-heh-heh... because they have no one to run away from right now? Yeah, I guess that would give 'em something to run away from... them and the entire state of Nebraska... heh-heh-heh-heh... "
In a study published in Nature, some Cornell University scientists say such a plan would be good for the environment, the animals, everyone. Newhart would love it.
THIS IS JUST A BAD IDEA resulting from people who promised their constituency Paradise..
conti2005 - 7:30 AM ET August 18, 2005 (#49970 of 54767)Impeach Bush and Cheney ! Rove is their 'Front Man'
It will destroy the prarie of the American West...
... and the animals are best off in their native habitat with protections from the countries they already live. As if Kenya could do anything differently.
The Neocons in DC are going to do such a good job in raising IVORY they'll take off the crime of owning it to provide a new wealth infusion besides oil.
This is another Neocon SCAM to raise wildlife for profit including "Meals on Wheels" for those that love to eat endangered wildlife.
This is NOT a conservation program. Not by a long shot.
I don't hear anyone saying there are contracts with the countries of origin to return their populations at the expense and compansion of the USA government do you?
This is TEXA$$.
They are turning species of 'game animals' into profit and raising them like cattle. (THE ZOO ASPECT IS A CONVENIENT FRONT FOR A GAME RANGE)
Countries where these animals live should see this as a travesty and prevent the export of THEIR tourist attractions !! The conservation efforts by many African nations is rather impressive. They need to be commended for it !
This is exploitation of animals for profit. That is all it is. Moooo on the hoof with stripes, trunks and giraffe prints. Imagine the coats, huh?
conti2005 - 6:32 AM ET August 18, 2005
(#49953 of 54764)Impeach Bush and Cheney ! Rove is their 'Front Man
'CNN is AGAIN turning a conserted effort for peace ...
... into a strategy.
They send Anderson Cooper to Crawford to report on Cindy Sheehan's quest for answers and proceed to turn it into a CINDY BASHING hour whereby every Texan who carries a grudge against peace got to say how the peace movement was undermining the troops in Iraq.
Now this morning the strategy continues.
CNN is interlacing 'social interests' with segments of dead soldiers funerals where eulogises are taped Pro-War segments whereby these soldiers lived to die for their country.
They are trying to impart places hardest hit by troop deployments such as North Carolina have a lot of disgruntled families and are ACTING OUT in grief for those lost. And while 'holding their hand' the nation can UNDERSTAND their Peace Movement. Condesending every step of the way. That is simply a soldiers job.
Unfortunately what CNN in their strategy to undermine a peace movement doesn't want to say is that the deaths of these people were illegitimate in a payment method by Cheney of Halliburton. THAT IS WHERE THE IMMORALITY comes to bear and there is no getting away with it. While, every person in this nation sympathize with the military dead and their families what those that refuse to accept fraud as a reason for war want is THE WITHDRAWAL OF TROOPS from Iraq. We know for a fact that the troops are the reason for the insurgency. All Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld has to do is move the troops to Afghanistan and find Osama bin Laden and the men who came to Iraq to fight Ameicans will follow !
Peace in the Animal Kingdom
"Truly, peace reigned everywhere, even in the animal kingdom. The lion did lie down with the lamb. The wolf and the lamb fed together, and the lion ate straw like an ox (Isaiah 65:25). The wolf lived with the lamb, the leopard laid down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the colt were together; and little children led them around. The cow ate with the bear and the young calves and the cubs laid down together (Isaiah 11:6-7). Infants played near the holes of cobras, and young children put their hands into the nests of vipers to play with them (Isaiah 11:8)."
Moving right along, the Evangelical Neocons who want to MAKE Paradise rather than believing truly in The Second Coming as promised in Revelations will do so at the expense of the USA Taxpayer.
America could be a very large zoo
WASHINGTON - We shouldn't be too quick to dismiss the idea being floated in the current issue of Nature magazine of populating North America with endangered wild animals from Africa.
The ecologist-authors argue that this would not only save the animals, but restore a biodiversity and landscape lost when the inhabitants of our continent drove similar animals - lions, cheetahs, elephants, camels - to extinction 13,000 years ago, much as the Africans are doing with their present-day wildlife.
The fauna of the plains and prairie are grossly different than what this fauna requires.
Editorial Moving African Animals Coming to America is too wild an idea
You can just hear Bob Newhart launching into his phone routine:
"You wanna do what?... let lions and cheetahs loose in America?... The Great Plains?... That's where they used to be back in the day? Heh-heh-heh-heh... sorry, no, sorry, I'm listening... heh-heh-heh... you want to... let elephants run wild on the plains?... heh-heh-heh... tigers on the prairie?... if you let some cheetahs loose, it'll be good for the pronghorn antelope because... heh-heh-heh... because they have no one to run away from right now? Yeah, I guess that would give 'em something to run away from... them and the entire state of Nebraska... heh-heh-heh-heh... "
In a study published in Nature, some Cornell University scientists say such a plan would be good for the environment, the animals, everyone. Newhart would love it.
THIS IS JUST A BAD IDEA resulting from people who promised their constituency Paradise..
conti2005 - 7:30 AM ET August 18, 2005 (#49970 of 54767)Impeach Bush and Cheney ! Rove is their 'Front Man'
It will destroy the prarie of the American West...
... and the animals are best off in their native habitat with protections from the countries they already live. As if Kenya could do anything differently.
The Neocons in DC are going to do such a good job in raising IVORY they'll take off the crime of owning it to provide a new wealth infusion besides oil.
This is another Neocon SCAM to raise wildlife for profit including "Meals on Wheels" for those that love to eat endangered wildlife.
This is NOT a conservation program. Not by a long shot.
I don't hear anyone saying there are contracts with the countries of origin to return their populations at the expense and compansion of the USA government do you?
This is TEXA$$.
They are turning species of 'game animals' into profit and raising them like cattle. (THE ZOO ASPECT IS A CONVENIENT FRONT FOR A GAME RANGE)
Countries where these animals live should see this as a travesty and prevent the export of THEIR tourist attractions !! The conservation efforts by many African nations is rather impressive. They need to be commended for it !
This is exploitation of animals for profit. That is all it is. Moooo on the hoof with stripes, trunks and giraffe prints. Imagine the coats, huh?
conti2005 - 6:32 AM ET August 18, 2005
(#49953 of 54764)Impeach Bush and Cheney ! Rove is their 'Front Man
'CNN is AGAIN turning a conserted effort for peace ...
... into a strategy.
They send Anderson Cooper to Crawford to report on Cindy Sheehan's quest for answers and proceed to turn it into a CINDY BASHING hour whereby every Texan who carries a grudge against peace got to say how the peace movement was undermining the troops in Iraq.
Now this morning the strategy continues.
CNN is interlacing 'social interests' with segments of dead soldiers funerals where eulogises are taped Pro-War segments whereby these soldiers lived to die for their country.
They are trying to impart places hardest hit by troop deployments such as North Carolina have a lot of disgruntled families and are ACTING OUT in grief for those lost. And while 'holding their hand' the nation can UNDERSTAND their Peace Movement. Condesending every step of the way. That is simply a soldiers job.
Unfortunately what CNN in their strategy to undermine a peace movement doesn't want to say is that the deaths of these people were illegitimate in a payment method by Cheney of Halliburton. THAT IS WHERE THE IMMORALITY comes to bear and there is no getting away with it. While, every person in this nation sympathize with the military dead and their families what those that refuse to accept fraud as a reason for war want is THE WITHDRAWAL OF TROOPS from Iraq. We know for a fact that the troops are the reason for the insurgency. All Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld has to do is move the troops to Afghanistan and find Osama bin Laden and the men who came to Iraq to fight Ameicans will follow !
Monday, August 22, 2005
They just don't 'Get It'
Aaron Brown has not written his own e-mail nor made his own program announcements. It can only get worse from here !
On evenings like this I try to help Aaron out by writing an inspirational announcement since he can't.
conti2005 - 8:33 PM ET August 22, 2005
(#54630 of 54630)
Impeach Bush and Cheney ! Rove is their 'Front Man
'CNN's Victoria Clark ...
... for Iraqi Dictator !
Go Victoria !
Join us at CNN's NewsNight at the MOVIES ! There are pre-taped segments for your viewing pleasure including Bush at the V.F.Dubya, three dissenting views from other USA Senators, an exciting film about complaining about the lack of women's rights in Iraq.
When a plane fell from the sky in Greece there was a Mayday message that was as frozen in time as the crew evidently and we'll unthaw the mystery.
We will take a BRIEF look at the Ohio scandal including Governor Taft but the view is so brief that it could never implicate Bush's campaign in corrupt donations.
Another segment about Eric Rudolph who terrorized women with bombs while killing two who was seeking abortions. Of course if that is not enough about abortions NewsNight will take a biased look at the skin graphs from aborted fetus to burn victims who heal to live another day. The act of abortion should never provide for healing to anyone but only suffering for those that didn't want the baby.
Then to complete a completely dysfuctional News at the Movies Hour is the very co-dependant Beth Nissan who will unravel the ravages of S-C-R-A-B-B-L-E. A plight for most women who can never find the right words for any event in life.
Then the last ACT of the hour will be the Crock A Doodle When Due !! Should be quite a moving moment.
By all means join them tonight for an hour of controlled message but never, ever the news!!
IMPEACH BUSH AND CHENEY !
They are incompetent !
............................................................................
conti2005 - 10:22 PM ET August 22, 2005 (#54737 of 54737)
Impeach Bush and Cheney ! Rove is their 'Front Man
'Okay Aaron, let's get this over with.
Those bigoted NewsNight moments are just a little too obvious.
I have brought this to his attention in an e-mail when Sophis Choy was presenting the 'news segment' for NewsNight.
There is this caucasian 'Chick,' Ms. Hill that does the news segments normally. Ms. Bigot von Zwieten writes 'flirtations' into the script with Ms. Hill at the introduction and conclusion of the segment.
Also written into the script as there existed tonight was a very abrupt end to the interaction with the audience of Ms. Choy who is a minority.
The DIFFERENCE in treatment is completely obvious and deliberate.
When I wrote Aaron about this before I told him if I noted it again I'd be forced to bring it forward.
CNN's NewsNight is designed for caucasian bigots and nothing else.
ALSO.
The agenda of this News Team is about killing people while setting up a Nation Building Agenda REGARDLESS of civilian and soldier casualities.
The bottom line is profit to the companies who dare immigrate into places like Iraq, while the lives of others within the country and within the military enforcers are irrelivant.
Today there was a segement regarding war and the ethics of nation building.
Do you 'get it.'
WAR has ethics in Nation Building.
Without Nation Building as in Iraq, Pre-emption for profits is an immoral act. By 'talking past' the tragedy of deaths in Iraq to the merits of Nation Building it justifies the profiteers in Iraq. Neocons. NEWSNIGHT - chronic hatred of anything other than Neocons is forbid.
..........................................................................
There was a segment about Eric Rudolph featuring not he or his sentencing but an old tape expose' of the Atlanta Bombing. For as bigoted as this team is they are not above featuring a Young Black Girl for bringing forth sympathy when she was the most severely affected. Featuring Black Children affected by adverse aspects of society was a regular feature under David Bohrman. In an attempt to disspell 'the truth' of this rather extensive blog as of recent these young people are 'showing up' a little more frequent. I would say over the past week or so, but, that is not precluding crude treatment of minority staff evidently. Last week a feature was made of a caucasian Texas teacher who had a Lifetime Movie made of her very passionate relationship with a Black community of young adults that resulted in freeing them of their burden of prisoned parents leading to their success in life. THAT initial expose' was made while David was still Executive Producer. Last week was an interesting follow up to David's success !
.......................................................................
One of the other minority 'projects' David invested in as a social danger to children was "Rilya Wilson." There is rarely a mention of her anymore.
........................................................................
On evenings like this I try to help Aaron out by writing an inspirational announcement since he can't.
conti2005 - 8:33 PM ET August 22, 2005
(#54630 of 54630)
Impeach Bush and Cheney ! Rove is their 'Front Man
'CNN's Victoria Clark ...
... for Iraqi Dictator !
Go Victoria !
Join us at CNN's NewsNight at the MOVIES ! There are pre-taped segments for your viewing pleasure including Bush at the V.F.Dubya, three dissenting views from other USA Senators, an exciting film about complaining about the lack of women's rights in Iraq.
When a plane fell from the sky in Greece there was a Mayday message that was as frozen in time as the crew evidently and we'll unthaw the mystery.
We will take a BRIEF look at the Ohio scandal including Governor Taft but the view is so brief that it could never implicate Bush's campaign in corrupt donations.
Another segment about Eric Rudolph who terrorized women with bombs while killing two who was seeking abortions. Of course if that is not enough about abortions NewsNight will take a biased look at the skin graphs from aborted fetus to burn victims who heal to live another day. The act of abortion should never provide for healing to anyone but only suffering for those that didn't want the baby.
Then to complete a completely dysfuctional News at the Movies Hour is the very co-dependant Beth Nissan who will unravel the ravages of S-C-R-A-B-B-L-E. A plight for most women who can never find the right words for any event in life.
Then the last ACT of the hour will be the Crock A Doodle When Due !! Should be quite a moving moment.
By all means join them tonight for an hour of controlled message but never, ever the news!!
IMPEACH BUSH AND CHENEY !
They are incompetent !
............................................................................
conti2005 - 10:22 PM ET August 22, 2005 (#54737 of 54737)
Impeach Bush and Cheney ! Rove is their 'Front Man
'Okay Aaron, let's get this over with.
Those bigoted NewsNight moments are just a little too obvious.
I have brought this to his attention in an e-mail when Sophis Choy was presenting the 'news segment' for NewsNight.
There is this caucasian 'Chick,' Ms. Hill that does the news segments normally. Ms. Bigot von Zwieten writes 'flirtations' into the script with Ms. Hill at the introduction and conclusion of the segment.
Also written into the script as there existed tonight was a very abrupt end to the interaction with the audience of Ms. Choy who is a minority.
The DIFFERENCE in treatment is completely obvious and deliberate.
When I wrote Aaron about this before I told him if I noted it again I'd be forced to bring it forward.
CNN's NewsNight is designed for caucasian bigots and nothing else.
ALSO.
The agenda of this News Team is about killing people while setting up a Nation Building Agenda REGARDLESS of civilian and soldier casualities.
The bottom line is profit to the companies who dare immigrate into places like Iraq, while the lives of others within the country and within the military enforcers are irrelivant.
Today there was a segement regarding war and the ethics of nation building.
Do you 'get it.'
WAR has ethics in Nation Building.
Without Nation Building as in Iraq, Pre-emption for profits is an immoral act. By 'talking past' the tragedy of deaths in Iraq to the merits of Nation Building it justifies the profiteers in Iraq. Neocons. NEWSNIGHT - chronic hatred of anything other than Neocons is forbid.
..........................................................................
There was a segment about Eric Rudolph featuring not he or his sentencing but an old tape expose' of the Atlanta Bombing. For as bigoted as this team is they are not above featuring a Young Black Girl for bringing forth sympathy when she was the most severely affected. Featuring Black Children affected by adverse aspects of society was a regular feature under David Bohrman. In an attempt to disspell 'the truth' of this rather extensive blog as of recent these young people are 'showing up' a little more frequent. I would say over the past week or so, but, that is not precluding crude treatment of minority staff evidently. Last week a feature was made of a caucasian Texas teacher who had a Lifetime Movie made of her very passionate relationship with a Black community of young adults that resulted in freeing them of their burden of prisoned parents leading to their success in life. THAT initial expose' was made while David was still Executive Producer. Last week was an interesting follow up to David's success !
.......................................................................
One of the other minority 'projects' David invested in as a social danger to children was "Rilya Wilson." There is rarely a mention of her anymore.
........................................................................
Friday, August 19, 2005
Deception is better than truth
Aaron was out on Thursday and Friday. No e-mails were sent because they wanted the audience to believe he would be there. Ho-hum. That is called a lie.
In case anyone needed to understand WHY a religious bigot such as Ms. von Zwieten needs to 'handle' the circumstances with Aaron by CONTROLLING the message rather than reporting the news listen to the link of a speech made by Aaron from Seattle.
Oops. There goes an adverse comment by Aaron or his LIVE guest to his LIVE audience. I don't agree with everything Aaron says during this presentation but it is a clear indication to the extent he stimulates people to think and differ.
The 'link' was brought to the public attention in an article by Tim Botkin.
Tim Botkin: Exposing Their Misguided Ruthlessness
August 16, 2005
Column writers rarely respond to the frequent barbs thrown their way by loyal readers. But this week I exercise the exception, as events stemming from last week provide a perfect opportunity to underscore that column’s original theme.
The speech by Aaron begins 20:24 minutes.
Aaron Brown -- CNN News Anchor -- and John Ladenburg -- Pierce County Executive -- give remarks during this portion of the 2004 Regional Economic Summit held at the Qwest Field Event Center in Seattle.
Aaron Brown quote "Television is the greatest democracy ever invented."
Not when it is propaganda and is CONTROLLED to the extent CNN and NewsNight currently is. The 'trend' of the movment within CNN and probably FOX as well is more than concern, it is a danger to our government, our democracy, our sanity as a nation and a people and holds within it the power to destroy lives through hate !
In case anyone needed to understand WHY a religious bigot such as Ms. von Zwieten needs to 'handle' the circumstances with Aaron by CONTROLLING the message rather than reporting the news listen to the link of a speech made by Aaron from Seattle.
Oops. There goes an adverse comment by Aaron or his LIVE guest to his LIVE audience. I don't agree with everything Aaron says during this presentation but it is a clear indication to the extent he stimulates people to think and differ.
The 'link' was brought to the public attention in an article by Tim Botkin.
Tim Botkin: Exposing Their Misguided Ruthlessness
August 16, 2005
Column writers rarely respond to the frequent barbs thrown their way by loyal readers. But this week I exercise the exception, as events stemming from last week provide a perfect opportunity to underscore that column’s original theme.
The speech by Aaron begins 20:24 minutes.
Aaron Brown -- CNN News Anchor -- and John Ladenburg -- Pierce County Executive -- give remarks during this portion of the 2004 Regional Economic Summit held at the Qwest Field Event Center in Seattle.
Aaron Brown quote "Television is the greatest democracy ever invented."
Not when it is propaganda and is CONTROLLED to the extent CNN and NewsNight currently is. The 'trend' of the movment within CNN and probably FOX as well is more than concern, it is a danger to our government, our democracy, our sanity as a nation and a people and holds within it the power to destroy lives through hate !
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Another NewsNight at the Movies
The Bigots are alive and well at CNN. Aaron is not writing his e-mail nor making pre-program announcements. That is true for the week to date.
Ms. Bigot von Zwieten must be feeling some remose for the self-ish thoughts regarding promoting CHRISTIAN PALESTINIANS for the occupation of Jerusalem as it was okay last night during Morning Papers to diss the Israeli settlers. The 'slam' came after the mention of headlines of "New York Daily News" where the title stated "Kicking and Screaming."
Now I realize those outside 'the faith' don't necessarily understand the settlements and all the painful moving out of them but I would expect a Jew to put his out of line Executive Producer in her place instead of joining in stating "Yeah, when push comes to shove."
Besides being insensitive that is just plain wrong. The settlers have a right to resist and the reporting by CNN the day after the lousy comment clearly shows an understanding by the settlers that they never even expected this to be carried out. Better. Much Better. Even the e-page from The New York Daily News is more compassionate now.
Ms. Bigot von Zwieten must be feeling some remose for the self-ish thoughts regarding promoting CHRISTIAN PALESTINIANS for the occupation of Jerusalem as it was okay last night during Morning Papers to diss the Israeli settlers. The 'slam' came after the mention of headlines of "New York Daily News" where the title stated "Kicking and Screaming."
Now I realize those outside 'the faith' don't necessarily understand the settlements and all the painful moving out of them but I would expect a Jew to put his out of line Executive Producer in her place instead of joining in stating "Yeah, when push comes to shove."
Besides being insensitive that is just plain wrong. The settlers have a right to resist and the reporting by CNN the day after the lousy comment clearly shows an understanding by the settlers that they never even expected this to be carried out. Better. Much Better. Even the e-page from The New York Daily News is more compassionate now.
See, it's like an illness. 'Gossiip' and 'Attitude' in a social environment when irreverant to difference (And yes I am a pickey Jew. A very pickey Jew. Probably the pickest of all Jews. Too bad.) of others who suffer gives permission for more of the same only it escalates into violence. I don't think anyone here wants that now do they?
Reflection on the danger of hatred
There is a sentiment that surrounds the peace movement today by some families of dead soldiers that if Bush would just fight the war right somehow it would still all be worth it. While that does not align with what Ms. Sheehan states as she is moving "Camp Casey" from a mile stone's throw of Bush's estate; there is reasons for the difference.
I think I can point them out.
We entered into Iraq illegally. On that point alone Ms. Sheehan is absolutely correct. I don't buy it that intelligence was the issue. Every member of the Bush Executive Branch except he perhaps was at the agencies harassing agents for 'tilts' that would 'get them what they wanted.' Like Tony Blair the policies weren't issued from the intelligence. The intelligence was designed to fit the policies.
A rock solid example came to my attention as I was glancing through some old e-mails from NewsNight. It was in regard to Najaf. It is hard to believe it was just one year ago that Bush was about to kill over 300 innocent people threatening to do much more.
The paragraph from the e-mail that illustrates 'the times' :
"We'll lead with the frustration building in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley. Power is still out for many thousands of people; police, because of safety concerns, are still keeping hundreds away from their homes, or what's left of their homes. There have been some nasty confrontations. Frustration. Also, John Zarella on a National Guard unit just back from Iraq which now finds itself knee deep in the recovery operation. In Iraq the focus remains on the standoff in Najaf and the National Conference in Baghdad. They are not unrelated. A group of respected Iraqis went to Najaf today to see if they could end the standoff. We'll update that. We'll also talk with Scott Baldauf who witnessed one of a number of firefights in the area. Scott writes for the Christian Science Monitor. John Burns joins us as well to talk about the big picture in what is turning out to be a very crucial and very dangerous period in a very fragile country right now. "
To focus:
"...In Iraq the focus remains on the standoff in Najaf and the National Conference in Baghdad. They are not unrelated. A group of respected Iraqis went to Najaf today to see if they could end the standoff. We'll update that. We'll also talk with Scott Baldauf who witnessed one of a number of firefights in the area. Scott writes for the Christian Science Monitor. John Burns joins us as well to talk about the big picture in what is turning out to be a very crucial and very dangerous period in a very fragile country right now."
The invasion into Iraq was not only illegal it tried to place 'European' heads on modestly educated Iraqi civilians. Both Blair and Bush believed the Iraqis would be so glad to see the USA and rid themselves of Saddam that it would be "Victory of WWII" all over again.
As a result of the failure of the Iraqis to comply with that understanding of their expected behavior when violence resulted they were considered 'insurgents.' Rather than realizing the 'story book' scenario post invasion was completely unrealistic and more than hearts and minds these people just didn't understand what was expected of them. They set loose prisoners from every place they could find them tearing down prison walls indescriminately without a thought for their own safety should those criminals actually be dangerous. They only knew they were oppressed and they now had a chance to be out from that and would take it on their own to secure their hamlets. Americans that would come to again invade not just their country but now their towns were more an enemy intent on killing those the villagers considered innocent and trustworthy. The Americans weren't trustworthy. They were a lot of trouble that no one seemed to be able to contain and they were afraid of these 'caucasian' folks with intent to kill.
What resulted out of the anarchy were hamlets of ethnic communities that found arms in the Iraqi desert once secured by UN seals and inspectors. The confusion of the intent of the Americans as deprivation of jobs, food, water and electricity spoke loud than anything Paul Bremer could say or provide turned people to their Holy Men. It worked. The communities began to take on some degree of order and security although very much in the rough, but, they had never done this before. Their Holy Men were at least as learned as the Quran's teachings and Mohammad was very much a survivalist. So the Quran was a guidebook to a structure the Iraqis in their hamlets could abide by all too willingly and did with great reverence.
What happened in Najaf was a travesty of trust. It was a plot against a Cleric who was mostly young to his practice, lost his father and grandfather to Saddam Hussein's inhumanity and killed form their opposition. Bush's focus is always to invade what he does not understand and hence the above 'meanderings' of the media into something they didn't understand. That entry is familiar to me as is the program which only proved to me to be insightful to validate everything I already believed was happening behind the walls of the fortess of Najaf. This was before Bush turned his forces loose on Najaf.
Bush and Blair had laid a clear plot against the young Cleric Sadr. They managed to convince a kindly Ayatollah to care for his heart in London. Ayatollah al Sistani was no sooner off the ground in a plane to London when Bush started his threats into Najaf. The threats became a struggle that persisted and found three hundred innocent Iraqis dead.
At the time I was making peace accolades on the New York Times Message Boards as it was my only hope to somehow in someway reach those that could make a difference and save lives. I knew the people of Najaf were not horrible people and I also knew their only salvation lay in London recovering from a heart procedure. It was grossly obvious not long after this program aired that Bush relished the 'blood bath' to the tune laid out by people like Beth Nissan and her praise to the movie "Alamo." It became the battle cry of the Neocons. The Aman Ali Mosque was transformed into the Alamo and all was to be sacrificed and destroyed to kill those now labeled as insurgents. The orders as stated by the USA military were, "To capture or kill al Sadr." I knew it was wrong and I could not let my country destroy the one survivor of a resistance movement against Saddam that was right. Iraq needed that movement to secure it's autonomous identity and I knew al Sadr would be loyal to that end. He was devout. He is the son of two esteemed martyrs.
I remember hearing the words that Bush was taking Najaf. If it was my pleadings of the Grand Ayatollah al Sistani then I am humbled by the fact my cries were heard. If the news of impending devastation reached him as well then he is truly the man of the people. Either way al Sistani left his hospital bed to fly to Kuwait and return by armored caravan back to Najaf. He ordered all his following, some 10,000 strong to march from Kufah to Najaf. The USA miltiary was thwarted along with Bush's grand plans. Within five days of his return a peace agreement reaching all of al Sadr's demands was realized at the insistance of the Grand Ayatollah.
The strength of Iraq does not lie in the precense of the USA, it lies in the people themselves.
The point is that Ms. Sheehan is right. Although other familes may find solice in identifying with the peace movement calling on an end to this by fighting the war right; it isn't likely to happen. The ability of Bush and Blair in securing that country has never been proven from the beginning and to think just because some families are demanding a stronger fight it will all resolve is unrealistic. So in reflection of the years past, Iraq's peace is not realized by USA bombs and bullets but with the faithful of Islam and THEIR need to have 'social order' as they understand it and need it.
Our government's demands are foolish and our expectations of the outcome of all this even more so.
This entry is made here because the plot agaisnt al Sadr was nothing but pure hatred.
Very premeditated.
Scary to realize our military and primarily our president is capable of plotting such a scenario.
Very scary.
I think I can point them out.
We entered into Iraq illegally. On that point alone Ms. Sheehan is absolutely correct. I don't buy it that intelligence was the issue. Every member of the Bush Executive Branch except he perhaps was at the agencies harassing agents for 'tilts' that would 'get them what they wanted.' Like Tony Blair the policies weren't issued from the intelligence. The intelligence was designed to fit the policies.
A rock solid example came to my attention as I was glancing through some old e-mails from NewsNight. It was in regard to Najaf. It is hard to believe it was just one year ago that Bush was about to kill over 300 innocent people threatening to do much more.
The paragraph from the e-mail that illustrates 'the times' :
"We'll lead with the frustration building in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley. Power is still out for many thousands of people; police, because of safety concerns, are still keeping hundreds away from their homes, or what's left of their homes. There have been some nasty confrontations. Frustration. Also, John Zarella on a National Guard unit just back from Iraq which now finds itself knee deep in the recovery operation. In Iraq the focus remains on the standoff in Najaf and the National Conference in Baghdad. They are not unrelated. A group of respected Iraqis went to Najaf today to see if they could end the standoff. We'll update that. We'll also talk with Scott Baldauf who witnessed one of a number of firefights in the area. Scott writes for the Christian Science Monitor. John Burns joins us as well to talk about the big picture in what is turning out to be a very crucial and very dangerous period in a very fragile country right now. "
To focus:
"...In Iraq the focus remains on the standoff in Najaf and the National Conference in Baghdad. They are not unrelated. A group of respected Iraqis went to Najaf today to see if they could end the standoff. We'll update that. We'll also talk with Scott Baldauf who witnessed one of a number of firefights in the area. Scott writes for the Christian Science Monitor. John Burns joins us as well to talk about the big picture in what is turning out to be a very crucial and very dangerous period in a very fragile country right now."
The invasion into Iraq was not only illegal it tried to place 'European' heads on modestly educated Iraqi civilians. Both Blair and Bush believed the Iraqis would be so glad to see the USA and rid themselves of Saddam that it would be "Victory of WWII" all over again.
As a result of the failure of the Iraqis to comply with that understanding of their expected behavior when violence resulted they were considered 'insurgents.' Rather than realizing the 'story book' scenario post invasion was completely unrealistic and more than hearts and minds these people just didn't understand what was expected of them. They set loose prisoners from every place they could find them tearing down prison walls indescriminately without a thought for their own safety should those criminals actually be dangerous. They only knew they were oppressed and they now had a chance to be out from that and would take it on their own to secure their hamlets. Americans that would come to again invade not just their country but now their towns were more an enemy intent on killing those the villagers considered innocent and trustworthy. The Americans weren't trustworthy. They were a lot of trouble that no one seemed to be able to contain and they were afraid of these 'caucasian' folks with intent to kill.
What resulted out of the anarchy were hamlets of ethnic communities that found arms in the Iraqi desert once secured by UN seals and inspectors. The confusion of the intent of the Americans as deprivation of jobs, food, water and electricity spoke loud than anything Paul Bremer could say or provide turned people to their Holy Men. It worked. The communities began to take on some degree of order and security although very much in the rough, but, they had never done this before. Their Holy Men were at least as learned as the Quran's teachings and Mohammad was very much a survivalist. So the Quran was a guidebook to a structure the Iraqis in their hamlets could abide by all too willingly and did with great reverence.
What happened in Najaf was a travesty of trust. It was a plot against a Cleric who was mostly young to his practice, lost his father and grandfather to Saddam Hussein's inhumanity and killed form their opposition. Bush's focus is always to invade what he does not understand and hence the above 'meanderings' of the media into something they didn't understand. That entry is familiar to me as is the program which only proved to me to be insightful to validate everything I already believed was happening behind the walls of the fortess of Najaf. This was before Bush turned his forces loose on Najaf.
Bush and Blair had laid a clear plot against the young Cleric Sadr. They managed to convince a kindly Ayatollah to care for his heart in London. Ayatollah al Sistani was no sooner off the ground in a plane to London when Bush started his threats into Najaf. The threats became a struggle that persisted and found three hundred innocent Iraqis dead.
At the time I was making peace accolades on the New York Times Message Boards as it was my only hope to somehow in someway reach those that could make a difference and save lives. I knew the people of Najaf were not horrible people and I also knew their only salvation lay in London recovering from a heart procedure. It was grossly obvious not long after this program aired that Bush relished the 'blood bath' to the tune laid out by people like Beth Nissan and her praise to the movie "Alamo." It became the battle cry of the Neocons. The Aman Ali Mosque was transformed into the Alamo and all was to be sacrificed and destroyed to kill those now labeled as insurgents. The orders as stated by the USA military were, "To capture or kill al Sadr." I knew it was wrong and I could not let my country destroy the one survivor of a resistance movement against Saddam that was right. Iraq needed that movement to secure it's autonomous identity and I knew al Sadr would be loyal to that end. He was devout. He is the son of two esteemed martyrs.
I remember hearing the words that Bush was taking Najaf. If it was my pleadings of the Grand Ayatollah al Sistani then I am humbled by the fact my cries were heard. If the news of impending devastation reached him as well then he is truly the man of the people. Either way al Sistani left his hospital bed to fly to Kuwait and return by armored caravan back to Najaf. He ordered all his following, some 10,000 strong to march from Kufah to Najaf. The USA miltiary was thwarted along with Bush's grand plans. Within five days of his return a peace agreement reaching all of al Sadr's demands was realized at the insistance of the Grand Ayatollah.
The strength of Iraq does not lie in the precense of the USA, it lies in the people themselves.
The point is that Ms. Sheehan is right. Although other familes may find solice in identifying with the peace movement calling on an end to this by fighting the war right; it isn't likely to happen. The ability of Bush and Blair in securing that country has never been proven from the beginning and to think just because some families are demanding a stronger fight it will all resolve is unrealistic. So in reflection of the years past, Iraq's peace is not realized by USA bombs and bullets but with the faithful of Islam and THEIR need to have 'social order' as they understand it and need it.
Our government's demands are foolish and our expectations of the outcome of all this even more so.
This entry is made here because the plot agaisnt al Sadr was nothing but pure hatred.
Very premeditated.
Scary to realize our military and primarily our president is capable of plotting such a scenario.
Very scary.
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