This program is 29 minutes long
#749014
(Studio: Brian Williams) Report introduced.
(Washington: Robert Hager) The dark side of college sports, including corrupt methods for recruiting top athletes, examined; details given about investigations of sex scandals at the Universities of Colorado, Minnesota and others; tape of a call from a Denver exotic dancer about working at recruit parties played. [“Sports Illustrated” Jon WERTHEIM††- says college sports is out of control.] [NCAA Wally RENFRO†- explains why the NCAA did not act earlier to establish new rules.]
#749015
(Studio: Brian Williams) Report introduced.
(Washington: Lisa Myers) Tapes circulating on the Internet showing terrorist attacks on American forces in Iraq featured; scenes shown from the sites of attacks in Irbil & Kirkuk; excerpts of the video from the Ansar al Sunnah†† terror group shown with translation. [Terrorism intelligence analyst Ben VENZKE†- says the tape shows a sophisticated organization.]
#749016
(Studio: Brian Williams) Report introduced.
(Mohmand, Pakistan: Jim Maceda) The hunt for Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in the desolate border region between Pakistan & Afghanistan featured; scenes shown of Pakistani troops patrolling in the region; details given of the spring offensive aimed at trapping Al Qaeda leaders hiding in the mountains. [Via videophone, US Army combined forces commander Lt. Gen. David BARNO†- comments on cooperative operations on both sides of the border.] [Chief Pakistani military spokesman Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan KHAN†- says we will effectively seal off the border.] [Former US ambassador to Pakistan Robert OAKLEY†- says if anyone can get him, they {Pakistan} can.]
#749017
(Studio: Brian Williams) Report introduced.
(Port-au-Prince, Haiti: Kerry Sanders) The violent uprising against Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide featured; scenes shown of student protests against Aristide, of US citizens departing, and of the arrival of a US military team to assess security at the US embassy. [Haitian STUDENT – says there is no future for young people in Haiti.] [US aid worker Nancy McWILLIAMS†- says we’re upset to be leaving.] [State Department spokesperson Adam ERELI†- says we are not putting forward a plan that calls for Aristide to step down.]
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(Studio: Brian Williams) The reversal of Mariana Pasternak††’s testimony in Martha Stewart’s trial on charges related to her stock sale as the prosecution concluded its case noted.
#749022
(Studio: Brian Williams) Reports on the safety of nightclubs a year after the twin tragedies in Chicago and Rhode Island introduced.
(West Warwick, Rhode Island: Rehema Ellis) Changes in the Rhode Island fire code examined; scenes shown of the makeshift memorial at the site of The Station in West Warwick, Rhode Island; footage shown of the fire that destroyed the nightclub. [Victim’s brother Jody‡ KING - says 100 lives were lost because of what wasn’t done.] [Nightclub owner John REEDY‡- comments on changes to his club.] [Banquet hall owner Robert CORREIA†- comments on the time needed to implement the changes.]
(Chicago: Kevin Tibbles) What Chicago has done to prevent a disaster similar to the human stampede at the E2 nightclub featured; footage shown; details given about an ordinance aimed at increasing safety in public places. [Crowd control expert Paul WERTHEIMER††- says there needs to be comprehensive changes in the fire codes & building codes in Chicago.] [Chicago Buildings Commissioner Norma REYES†- says we believe the new rules are making a difference.] [Victim’s mother Jessie ANTHONY‡- says if clubs cannot be safe, they should not be open.]
#749025
(Studio: Brian Williams) A new fund-raising report filed by President Bush’s re-election campaign noted; figures cited. The protection of candidates Senators John Kerry and John Edwards by Secret Service agents reported.
(New York: Campbell Brown) Ralph Nader’s entry into the presidential race featured; details given of the view of many Democrats that Nader is to blame for former Vice President Al Gore’s loss to Bush in 2000; statement from Kerry’s campaign quoted. [In 2000, NADER – says only Al Gore can beat Al Gore.] [EDWARDS – downplays Nader’s run.] [Political analyst Stu ROTHENBERG†- says there will be supporters who believe he was a spoiler.]
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#749028
(Studio: Brian Williams) Report introduced.
(Charlotte, North Carolina: Anne Thompson) The controversy over Mel Gibson’s film about the last few hours of Jesus’ life, “The Passion of the Christ,” examined; excerpts shown; details given of the targeted marketing campaign and of concerns about the depiction of Jews; scenes shown from the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. [“Variety” editor in chief Peter BART†- says the awareness level is way up there.] [National Religious Broadcasters president Dr. Frank WRIGHT†- says this film shows the Christian religion in a respectful, more accurate light than others have done.] [Dallas businessman Arch BONNEMA††- says the movie made him want to be a better person.] [Anti-Defamation League Abraham FOXMAN†- says the hype may be at our expense.]
(Studio: Brian Williams) Tonight’s “Dateline” report, “The Last Days of Jesus,” noted.
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