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CNN Talkback Live
How Will You Welcome the New Year?
Aired December 31, 2001 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, HOST, TALKBACK LIVE: Countdown to 2002 from the Far East to Kandahar and to Times Square. How will you welcome the New Year?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNKNOWN MALE: The organizers of the event will distribute red, white and blue balloons and pompoms. They'll be distributing flags as well. They definitely what this celebration to have a patriotic flavor.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Parties, fireworks and good intentions.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNKNOWN FEMALE: My new resolution is to make a whole lot of money for the year 2002.
UNKNOWN MALE: My New Year's resolution is to party harder.
UNKNOWN FEMALE: After 9/11 we're just so aware. No one has any promise of tomorrow. And we want to be with our families every chance we can.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: What does the New Year hold for you?
Oh, can I just say this is an awesome audience? You guys are just awesome -- awesome welcome. Oh -- yeah. Welcome to TALKBACK LIVE -- AMERICA SPEAKS OUT. I'm Carol Costello.
What are you doing on New Year's Eve? Hundreds of thousands are heading to Times Square for a red, white and blue celebration. Is it where you want to be? Would you like to be in New York at Times Square oh, audience members?
Now a lot of people want to be for patriotic reasons as well as to celebrate the New Year this year.
Let's get in on the press though with Adam Balkin, a reporter for CNN affiliate, New York One. Hi, Adam.
ADAM BALKIN, REPORTER, NEW YORK ONE: How are you doing, Carol?
COSTELLO: I'm doing pretty well. Is it cold out there?
BALKIN: It's freezing.
COSTELLO: What's the temperature?
BALKIN: I'm not sure but it's definitely to the point where I can't feel my toes and it's starting to work its way up. I can just about feel my knees. And it's ...
COSTELLO: I know soon your lips will be starting to freeze. I hate when that happens.
BALKIN: Oh, it happens all the time in Atlanta, right?
COSTELLO: Well, not in Atlanta although it's cold here today.
But let's talk about New York City. Are people already camped out there?
BALKIN: Oh, yeah -- even though it's freezing. We're about two blocks away from where I guess the best viewing spot is for the ball to drop. And we had people out there probably two or three hours ago already staking out their spot and then waiting for midnight.
COSTELLO: Unbelievable. I heard one man was out there draped in the American flag keeping warm.
BALKIN: Oh, there are lots of people who have American flags. Even -- I ran into about a dozen British tourists who also had American flags. Very patriotic all around here today .
COSTELLO: Oh, that's just awesome. How will this year's celebration differs from years past?
BALKIN: Well, it's going to be -- as far as the precautions police are taking -- going to be very similar to the millennium celebration. They started of with the basics. They welded the manholes to the streets. They welded the post office boxes. They took the -- all the garbage cans away. They have these barricades that are lining the streets that will be serious patrolled by police so that no one can sneak either themselves or anything through, under or around them.
There's also going to be only eight points in these barricades where people can actually enter this area where the ball drops. There's going to be no bags or alcohol allowed. They're going to start confiscating that stuff as far away as Penn Station, Grand Central Station and Port Authority.
There's a no paring zone. This is the largest no parking zone ever from 34th Street all the way up to 59th Street and spanning from 6th to 8th Avenue.
COSTELLO: Oooo!
BALKIN: Police actually say though they're not expecting as big of a crowd as they did t the millennium. They had 8,000 cops during the millennium. They'll have probably about 7,000 here this year. But they say it will be more secure. They're going to have bomb sniffing dogs, air quality testers, radio active wands and there's also going to be a lot of stuff we don't see like undercover cops and other measures.
COSTELLO: Oh, yeah. I heard you're not even allowed to bring umbrellas through.
BALKIN: No -- nothing. They want nothing -- nothing that could be shady or could be potentially used as a weapon.
COSTELLO: OK -- so let's talk about these checkpoint that people come through. I heard they're putting people in different corals throughout the night. What does that mean?
BALKIN: Well, people come through the checkpoints and then you have to stay in a certain area. Which mean, anyone who's watching who's going to come out here you have to make sure you go to the bathroom before you come here because once you're in that area you're either there for the night or you have to get out because they just want people to come in, stay where they are, have a good time. And they just want to keep them in areas so that they can keep their eye on people.
COSTELLO: That is unbelievable. And some people are already there and they can't go to the bathroom until tomorrow.
BALKIN: Right.
COSTELLO: Unbelievable. So with all of that having said, oh, wonderful TALKBACK LIVE audience, how many of you would now go to Times Square to celebrate the New Year.
Still a lot of people. I guess, Adam, that doesn't surprise you.
We want to bring in though Jim Fotis, Executive Director of the Law Enforcement Alliance of America. He's also a retired New York City police officer. And I've asked the audience this question before the show began -- let's ask them again -- do you think that police in New York can make New York City's Times Square terror proof? By applause. Nobody's clapping this time, Jim. Last time we had one person clapping.
So you answer that question -- can we make Times Square terror proof?
JIM FOTIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LAW ENFORCEMENT ALLIANCE OF AMERICA: I don't think we can make anything terror proof. We're dealing with fanatics and fanatics have ways of moving illegal materials around. But as we saw with Reid on the airplane last week. But I do believe that the police in New York are going to do everything possible to prevent any type of violence. And the set up that they have is unique. They've never had a set up like this before where they're putting people in individual areas, keeping them there for the night. We've got control of those particular crowds, we've got enough police hopefully to maintain those people in those particular areas. You've got snipers on roofs. You've got a lot of equipment that nobody will see -- a lot of camera surveillance is going to be going on.
And New York is going to have -- New Yorkers are going to have a good time. They're going to enjoy themselves. And we pray to God that everything goes smooth and we get through tonight. And ...
COSTELLO: Yes.
FOTIS: ... we have a happy New Year tomorrow.
COSTELLO: Well, we're all echoing that -- that's for certain.
Let's talk about the specific things they are using to protect New Yorkers. The air quality detectors -- what are they?
FOTIS: Again, the air quality detectors -- I am not an expert on this but I would guess they are to test for any type of chemical or biological agents that are released into the air.
And obviously the bomb-sniffing dogs are going to be sniffing not only people but any bags or any pockets -- anything that people are bringing with them to these specific areas.
COSTELLO: OK, Jim, so let me ask you this -- let's say they test the air and they find something funky and you have a million and a half people in Times Square -- what do you do?
FOTIS: It's going to be rough moving them out but you're going to see them start to very, very methodically move each group out. And that's why they've got them sectioned off -- so you can move a section at a time without causing hysteria.
I believe that they've been there for probably months -- a couple of months now -- just doing their advanced surveillance of the area to make sure that there are no spots where someone could hide -- where someone could bring in a bomb. Obviously they've welded all of the manhole covers down so that somebody didn't bring in a bomb and it exploded underground and won't wind up getting somebody up on top.
COSTELLO: Blowing off the manhole cover.
FOTIS: So we're going to see a lot of -- but this is a different year in that police officers and firemen that are there are going to be much more aware of what's going on. And I hate to say it but the bad thing that we've all been talking about for over a year on this channel and many others is profiling. We -- they -- I am sure that the police departments, the FBI and everybody else who's there that we don't even know about have been -- specific profiles of people. COSTELLO: I'm sure there have. We have a phone call from Mark from New Jersey who's actually going to the celebration. Mark, can you hear me?
CALLER: Yes, I can.
COSTELLO: Hey, this is Carol.
CALLER: How are you doing?
COSTELLO: I'm doing fine. You're going tonight?
CALLER: Absolutely. We've gone -- me and my closest friends have gone for about the past 10 years. It's a tradition. And we're not scared by the terrorist attacks. We all witnessed the attacks from where we live and we're very excited to go into New York tonight.
COSTELLO: So what are you doing different this year than you have in the past 10?
CALLER: Just -- we're actually -- nothing much. We're just going to try to spend a little bit more money in New York and help the city get back on its feet.
COSTELLO: It's probably the best thing you can do right now. Hey -- no knapsacks, no umbrellas, nothing. Can you bring food there at all you think?
CALLER: No -- we usually eat before hand -- before we go there. So that's not a problem. And we're used to the area and we're just ready to go and have a good time.
COSTELLO: Do you think it's more important this year to go?
CALLER: Absolutely. And I think American is doing a great job in light of the events.
COSTELLO: OK.
CALLER: Americans are trying to live their lives like they did before the attacks. And no terror -- if we don't -- if we succumb to terrorists ideologically -- ideas than we have lost. But America's not. We're winning the war.
COSTELLO: We seem to be right now. Thank you very much, Mark, for talking to us on TALKBACK LIVE. I understand we have some more audience questions.
UNKNOWN MALE: Over here.
COSTELLO: Where?
AUDIENCE PARTICIPANT: Hi. I would definitely go to New York before New York represents the best of the world. And we are not going to let anybody alter our lifestyle for the best party in the world. COSTELLO: We like that -- yeah. I knew that would get a big response, didn't you? I knew that would get a big response.
We have another comment from a gentlemen -- Don?
UNKNOWN MALE: Don, go ahead.
DON: Hi. I'm Don. And I spent my honeymoon in 1951 in one of the hotels overlooking Times Square. And that was 50 years ago. And the crowd was so milling around that you couldn't move. You had to move with the crowd.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Carol?
COSTELLO: I have another question for Jim actually. If people are going down to Times Square what should they or what should they not do before they get there?
FOTIS: Well, I would say they obviously shouldn't drink a lot before they get there. They should be as sober as possible. They should be prepared. We're a free country -- a free people and they should be prepared to watch each other -- help each other out. Keep your eyes open. Look at the guy who's standing next to you or somebody down the street because what have we seen in the past few weeks? We've seen people on airplanes picking out people who have terrorist ideas.
So let's keep our eyes open. Let's watch each other -- look out for each other. And this celebration symbolizes our freedom. This is the best city in the world.
COSTELLO: OK -- thank you, Jim, for joining us today. And, Adam Balkin, are you still out there freezing?
BALKIN: Freezing -- it's moved up to my hips now.
COSTELLO: OK -- well, we're just going to let you go. Thank you, Adam.
BALKIN: Thank you.
COSTELLO: See you both.
Coming up next -- the war in 2002. General Don Shepperd and Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr join us right after this break.
Coming up -- inside the war room. Your chance to ask the general about tracking bin Laden into the New Year and battle plans for 2002 right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: And welcome back to AMERICA SPEAKS OUT where we have the greatest audience in the world. After September the 11th most Americans are happy to say good bye to 2001 but that's one ghost few will shake. And the resulting war against terrorism is as much in the future as the recent past.
Joining us now -- our CNN Military Analyst Major General Don Shepperd and CNN Producer Barbara Starr who is at the Pentagon. Thank you both for taking time out to talk with us.
Let's start with you, General Shepperd. We understand that the Marines are headed northwest of Kandahar. Can you tell us why?
MAJ. GEN. DON SHEPPERD, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Yeah -- I think it's premature to say that it's the Marines that are headed northwest of Kandahar. I'd be very surprised if the Pentagon or General Franks is letting that kind of information out. And they've got their hands full at Kandahar.
But for a long time now we've reported that Omar is likely in the Helmand Province northwest. And the local military commander there Golsh Sharzi (ph) -- I believe is the way you pronounce it is -- supposedly has 3,000 to 5,000 fighters. And he's head that way likely with Special Forces that are providing liaison, gaining intelligence and will mark targets for air strikes if required.
COSTELLO: Of course, Mulla Omar is the spiritual leader of the Taliban. He's said to be hiding somewhere northwest of Kandahar right now.
Let's bring in our Pentagon reporter right now -- Barbara Starr. What is the Pentagon saying about this?
BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the information has been very close hold here in the Pentagon today. Officials are saying that forces by -- under the control of Mr. Sharzi (ph) are moving towards Bagram (ph). It's not clear if they're there yet. And those forces are accompanied by U.S. Special Forces -- by commandos on the ground who are going to do what they've been doing throughout this conflict and that's providing targeting and intelligence assistance to call in possible U.S. air strikes if those local anti-Taliban fighters get a good fix on where Omar really is hiding out.
COSTELLO: General, this question for you -- if Mulla Omar is hiding there he's probably surrounded by 2,500 to 3,000 pro-Taliban supporters. Couldn't that be a dangerous situation for our troops and also the anti-Taliban troops?
SHEPPERD: Absolutely. This game is not for sissies and we don't have sissies in our Special Forces and our Marines and our Army and Air Force out there. It's going to take more than 2,500 to 3,000 of them to protect him if we find out where he is. We'll come at him with everything we've got and we will get him whether he's there or if he goes somewhere else we'll get him there, too, Carol.
COSTELLO: Why do we still want him?
SHEPPERD: We want him because he's the symbol of everything that has gone on in this country in the war against terrorism. He and people like him have provided the resources, the people, to attack and kill American citizens and citizens of other countries on our soil. And we are going to bring them to justice now or later. He can never sleep again no matter where he goes. We'll get him.
COSTELLO: Let me ask this next question of Barbara. Barbara, does you think that the Pentagon believes that Mulla Omar may have information on where Osama bin Laden is?
STARR: Well, ever since this conflict began Omar and bin Laden were believed to be in close touch -- at least for the first several weeks. In fact, many intelligence officials believe that they had been in touch while they were in Kandahar.
You'll remember that bin Laden was in Kandahar as recently as early November when he did that tape that everyone saw with the Pentagon translations when he was talking to the Saudi official -- talking about the September 11th attacks.
So certainly they were both in the same region. At this time the really honest answer is nobody knows. They do believe Omar might be in this area northwest of Kandahar. There's reports that bin Laden could be in the same area. But the honest answer is nobody has a clue where Osama bin Laden really is.
COSTELLO: OK -- on that note I want to turn to the audience now. And by applause can you tell me how many of you think that Osama bin Laden is still in Afghanistan? OK -- not many. How many of you believe he's in Pakistan now? How many -- many of you believe that he is dead? How many of you believe he's alive? Yep -- that's the rest.
So, General, can you give me your best guess as to where Osama bin Laden is?
SHEPPERD: Yeah -- you'll hear the sound of one hand clapping from me because I don't know where he is. I don't know if he's in Afghanistan or Pakistan. All indications that I'm hearing and gathering are that he is probably still alive. We could have killed him in the Tora Bora area but we are willing to take him dead or alive, as the president has said, where ever he is. And anybody that is supporting him, financing him, hiding him -- your next visitor is going to be the U.S. or Coalition military and maybe with a 2,000 bomb.
COSTELLO: Well, General, let me -- we have a comment now from an audience member. Is it will up there?
AUDIENCE PARTICIPANT: I think it's ironic that we offer a $25 million reward to find Osama bin Laden when the average annual income over there is like $4 a year or something. I heard some unusually low amount. So obviously they don't have a concept of what $25 million is and they're in a different sense of values over there entirely from what we know here.
COSTELLO: Do you have a comment on that, General, because I have wondered that?
SHEPPERD: Well ...
COSTELLO: So much money is being offered for his capture yet no one's coming forward with any information that's helpful to us -- at least that we know of.
SHEPPERD: Yeah -- most of us don't even have a concept of what 25 million is and I'm not sure that 25 million is going to get the local Afghans excited about getting him.
They'll take anything they can get to get him. But it's smart to offer these rewards. It's worked before. And if he flees to other countries that kind of money may make a big difference in people willing to give information about him and eventually get our hands on him.
COSTELLO: OK -- we want some questions from our audience members right now. Todd, do you have one?
TODD: Yeah, General, let's say Osama bin Laden happens to survive capture. Will he go to Guantanamo Bay with the other Taliban and Al Qaeda network prisoners or will he go somewhere else?
SHEPPERD: Well, that's really interesting. In the final essence if bin Laden is captured -- in the final essence when he throws up his hands probably a young 28, 29, 30 year old staff sergeant from the Special Forces in the Marines or the Army is going to decide whether he lives or dies. If they're not threatened they'll allow him to surrender. And they will then turn him over to U.S. forces and authorities and they will decide whether he goes to Guantanamo or wherever. I'll have to leave that one up to the president and secretary of defense.
COSTELLO: I have a question for Barbara. And I want to play devil's advocate for a moment here, Barbara. I read in "The New York Times" that we're kind of laying off in an intensive search for Osama bin Laden.
Have you been hearing that from the Pentagon?
STARR: Well, to any extent that that's true it's simply because no one knows where he is. As one official told us this morning there are no shortage of reports on the location of Osama bin Laden.
There have been the vague mutterings of -- it's similar to Elvis sightings at this point. He might be anywhere and that means the U.S. has to spread its own tentacles fairly wide across Afghanistan and Pakistan and try and keep looking for him.
They're going to have a look in this area northwest of Kandahar and see if they can locate him there. And they're still working with the Pakistanis to see if he's somewhere along that border.
COSTELLO: Thank you very much, Barbara, for answering that very tough question.
We have another question from an audience member -- David -- what is it?
DAVID: Yes, sir. General, I've got a question about the new government -- the replacement government in Afghanistan. Are they doing anything to assist us right now in searching out for these people?
SHEPPERD: I tell you what -- I will take my hat off to Hamid Karzi and the people that are putting together this interim government and then, of course, the final government. They have taken back their country with a great deal of our assistance, of course. But they've taken it back through fighting and also through negotiations. And they have an enormous task -- not only just doing something with us but rebuilding peace and security, a police force, an army, an economy that does not exist, a banking system, a rule -- a system of courts. They have got their hands full.
And this guy, in my opinion, is a real hero in what he has done. And if he's able to pull it off and the Afghan people are able to pull all of this off my hat is off to all of them.
COSTELLO: We have a tough job ahead in Afghanistan. General Shepperd and Barbara Starr -- thank you both for joining us this afternoon.
Still ahead -- should your car cost you your dream job?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Oh -- welcome back to TALKBACK LIVE. We picked up this story off the wires today. It seems some Michigan democratic congressmen will not hire staffers who drive cars made outside of the United States -- no foreign vehicles.
If you want to work for Congressman David Bonyer, John Dingell or Dale Kilby you'd better drive an American car and no only that -- it had better be made by the members of the United Autoworkers Union.
Congressman Dingell joins us today from Washington. Thanks for joining us, Congressman.
REP. JOHN DINGELL (D), MICHIGAN: Thanks for having me.
COSTELLO: No problem. We were interested in your policy. Why this policy?
DINGELL: Well, if you're referring to the policy with regard to automobiles and my staff it's a very simple one. We work for the United States government for the people of the United States and it's our job to see to it that we serve them well.
Driving American cars and seeing to it that American cars are properly garaged in federal facilities makes an awful lot of good sense.
COSTELLO: So, if someone came...
DINGELL: My office has a very generous policy. We say the best parking places go to American-made cars. And if there's a few extra parking places outside or at some distance, then those who drive foreign cars could park there. COSTELLO: Gotcha. Well, let's say someone came to you for a job interview and they owned a Honda which was made in Ohio. You would not hire that person?
DINGELL: Oh, I didn't say I wouldn't hire them. I said that I would see to it that American cars are parked in the best parking places we have. After all, remember, I take the dollar that is earned by American workers who paid taxes to the federal government. That makes good sense to me that I should then see to it that American industries, American workers are given prime consideration in connection with the office policies of the office I hold.
COSTELLO: I want to know where the best parking places are in Washington, D.C. Is there such a thing?
DINGELL: Well, there's some good ones and there's some bad ones. And there is, of course, some differences in views. But the ones near the office, the ones indoors go to those who drive American cars.
COSTELLO: OK, I did hear something else, Congressman. Your wife wanted a Buick. You wouldn't let her own one. Why?
DINGELL: I didn't hear that.
COSTELLO: Your wife wanted to buy a Buick. You wouldn't let her own one. Why?
DINGELL: I'm a married man. And if you talked to any married men, very few married men tell their wives what to do. My wife made her own judgments on that matter.
COSTELLO: And what did she buy?
DINGELL: She's going to buy an American-made car.
COSTELLO: And the reason that you didn't like the Buick idea is because some of the parts were made in Mexico.
DINGELL: No, no, no. You have got it wrong.
COSTELLO: Uh-oh.
DINGELL: My wife is my closest and dearest friend. We have a fine relationship. This doesn't include me telling my wife what she does.
COSTELLO: OK. But is it true that some parts of Buicks are made in Mexico?
DINGELL: As near as I understand, yes.
COSTELLO: OK. And your wife didn't buy a Buick, Congressman.
DINGELL: Well, my wife has driven Buicks before, will continue to drive Buicks in the future when she finds that they are American- made. But that's her policy. My policies relate to driving, riding in. And I only do it with American cars.
My policies also relate to where my staff parks. And the best parking places go to my staff which drives American cars. The others can find a little more distant and a little more inconvenient parking places.
COSTELLO: OK. We have got it now.
We've got some questions from the audience right now, Congressman, which will probably be harder than mine.
So, are you ready?
DINGELL: I'm ready.
COSTELLO: OK, Lauren, what do you think of the congressman's policy?
LAUREN: Well, to a point, I do agree with it. I think there's a resurgence of patriotism in America. And I think he's looking out for the American economy. And I think that it is good in the eyes of his voters. And, as long as his staff agrees with it, I think that what he's doing is right.
COSTELLO: OK, Lauren.
OK, we have got an opposing viewpoint.
Todd, take it away.
TODD: Senator, we are all passionate Americans. And I think it's a little bit ridiculous what you are saying. Even the clothes you are wearing, your jacket, your shirt, your watch, your glasses, your socks, your shoes, there's something not made in the United States. I think you are a little over the line only this one, just this one.
(APPLAUSE)
DINGELL: Well, you are entitled to your view. I'm entitled to mine. My policies are that, whenever possible, I buy American. I try to see to it that, by statute, goods and commodities which are manufactured in this country are so labeled. I also try to see to it that federal employees who work for me park in good parking places if they drive American cars. If they don't drive American cars, they park in less good parking places.
COSTELLO: I have another comment, Congressman, from Mike.
Mike, what do you have to say to the congressman?
MIKE: Traditionally, American cars have never been able to compete with foreign cars in terms of quality. So I have always had the opinion that, until the American autoworker can build a $25,000 car that's worth its weight, why should I spend that money on an American car when I can get something better from a Japanese company? (APPLAUSE)
DINGELL: Well, it's very simple to me. I work for the American people. I am an American. And it's my job to see to it that this country prospers. I do that best by buying American when I can.
I would observe to you also that American cars are first class. You can find one that is as good as any foreigner made. And you can get it at a competitive price. And my advice would be, if you are going to be a good American, you ought to buy that kind of car.
COSTELLO: Congressman, I have to ask you this. Some might feel that you are pandering to a certain constituency, i.e. the union. How would you respond to that?
DINGELL: Well, I represent about 600,000 Americans. They are all involved, almost without exception, in the auto industry. I don't pander to anybody. I serve the 16th Congressional District of Michigan. That district is a district which is heavily dependent upon the automobile industry. And what little I can do to see to it that those people and this country and that industry and American autoworkers prosper, I'm sure going to do.
COSTELLO: OK, thank you, Congressman, for joining us this afternoon.
We are going to debate this issue some more now. Joining us now are Lisa Evers, a radio talk show host for Hot 97 in New York and a radio news reporter for 1010 WINS; also Mike Gallagher, a nationally syndicated radio talk show host with Salem News Network.
Thank you both for joining us.
MIKE GALLAGHER, SYNDICATED RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Hi, Carol.
COSTELLO: Hello to both of you.
EVERS: Hi.
COSTELLO: OK, so let's start with Lisa.
How do you feel about the congressman's position?
LISA EVERS, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Hey, the congressman has the right to set whatever standards he wants for his employees. And it's understandable why he would take that position, given the fact that his district is comprised largely of people who belong to unions and who are involved in the auto industry.
And I think, to enforce that in a very subtle way by saying, in terms of parking places, location, location, location, that's his prerogative.
COSTELLO: I know that Mike has something to respond.
GALLAGHER: Carol, I'm ready to jump out of my desk here at all of this insanity. Leave it to a Democratic congressman from Michigan to impose this kind of insanity.
(APPLAUSE)
GALLAGHER: Give me a break. First of all, a Honda, as somebody already pointed out -- I just got a Honda this week in our family. It was made in Marysville, Ohio. And yet my producer's Chrysler was built in Canada.
You can't get keep track of where parts are being made. And for a Democratic congressman at a time of war -- we are at war right now, Congressman. And we have real important pressing issues. I feel sorry for your staff. Sir, whether you realize it or not, with all due respect, as a member of the United States Congress, they are rolling their eyes behind your back and they're going (INAUDIBLE)
(APPLAUSE)
COSTELLO: I knew -- I knew he would have some sort of response to that.
I have an e-mail in my hand, an e-mail to TALKBACK. It says: "Three cheers for Representative Dingell. General Motors has been putting bread and butter on my table for 30 years" -- from Dee (ph) in Spring, Texas.
Thank you, Dee, for the feedback.
We have a question in our audience -- or a comment. Take it away.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. I just didn't agree with the last man that said something about a foreign car is better than American car. I mean, in America, we wake up. We go to work every day. And, in Detroit City, I'll tell you what, we provide a lot of cars for this country.
And I'll tell you what. We work hard. And, as union brothers and sisters across this country, he has a great point. We are building cars that are good. We're waking up, we are keeping our economy going right here. We just opened free trade to China to bring all these other cars. We have got to sit here at home and worry about our workers here and take care of our people. And I think we are building great cars. And I disagree with the last comment over there.
COSTELLO: Hey, tell me something. Do you live in the Detroit area?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I do not.
COSTELLO: Do you live a place where they make American cars?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
COSTELLO: OK, answer me this question. I have heard that, if anyone doesn't own a union-made car, you are hassled. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I don't believe that you are hassled. You can be at times. But, right now, I believe America is building good cars. We have good cars. We have Cadillacs. We have Oldsmobiles. We have some of the greatest cars in the country. And I believe that we are working hard as Americans to build these cars every day. We are feeding our families. We're putting food on the plate. Whether you're a Republican or Democrat, it doesn't matter. We are still here in this country building great cars in this country.
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: Go ahead, Lisa.
GALLAGHER: But the point is, the reality is, we live in a global marketplace at this particular point. And it's important to be concerned about union members. It's important to be concerned about people who built their lives around these car factories.
But many of the cars, as Mike pointed out, how do you know where something is assembled? How do you know who is getting those jobs? Just because the name may be from a Japanese company, that doesn't necessarily mean that there weren't American workers who were employed and putting that automobile together. So I think it's naive to think we can roll back the hands of time and go back to a day and an era when American cars dominated the world marketplace.
(CROSSTALK)
COSTELLO: Mike, Mike, Mike, wait a second. Before you respond, we have to go to a break. And I apologize for that. But I'm sure you'll have a lot to say right after the break.
We'll be right back on TALKBACK LIVE.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Welcome back to TALKBACK LIVE. We're talking about what has turned out to be a heated subject: Should you be forced to own an American-made, union-made car to work for a congressman in Michigan? You will get good parking places. And, in some instances, you won't get the job if you don't own an American-made, union-made car. And, boy, we have heard a lot about that today.
Jo -- Jo from Alabama, are you on the phone?
CALLER: Yes.
COSTELLO: What do you think?
CALLER: Well, I think, like they said, the car may say Buick or it may say Ford or it could be a Cadillac, but half of the parts, or not all the parts are made overseas, Mexico, Asia or Europe. So, when you buy American-made cars, General Motors, Ford or what have you, are you getting American made? Are you getting American assembled?
Now, I'm a citizen. And we do have a Honda plant coming in down around Lincoln, Alabama. Is that going to be a foreign car or is that local citizens working there? It's local people working there.
COSTELLO: Well, Lisa, let me ask you that question.
EVERS: Well, this is precisely the point that I was trying to make earlier. When the cars are assembled in America, regardless of where the parent company originates, they are giving Americans jobs. Those dealerships that are selling those company's cars are also giving people jobs and also employing people as well.
So, to really think that we can separate and draw a hard-and-fast line between what is really American and what is helping America and what isn't I think is impossible.
(CROSSTALK)
GALLAGHER: Carol, what I tried to say before a moment ago is -- and I'm certainly the biggest proponent of buying American wherever and whenever you can.
But for the congressman to mandate to his staff that you must drive what he identifies as an American-made car is pure insanity. This is the quintessential liberal Democratic way of doing things. Let's cram government down our throats. And let's force our policies down our hard workers throat. And if they don't have the kind of car we approve, we're not going to let you have the good parking place. That's ridiculous.
And, as the caller, Jo, just pointed out, Carol, you don't even know what part is from America, what is from China, what is from another part of the world.
COSTELLO: Well, Mike, just let me play devil's advocate once again, because, you know, that is my job. They are his constituents, united auto workers. So why wouldn't he support a policy or implement a policy that makes them happy?
GALLAGHER: Well, you asked the question earlier, and you were right in the way you worded it. He's pandering to a union mentality in Detroit, Michigan. And you are right. It's his district. He was elected. Just wait. Is he going to pass a law now? Is he going to sponsor a bill that makes it illegal for people in Detroit to drive a Honda or to drive something? How far are you going to let this go?
EVERS: Carol.
COSTELLO: I have got audience reaction.
One minute, Lisa.
Let's go to Grant.
STAFF: This is Grant from Britain.
Grant, go ahead.
GRANT: Isn't it a bit of slap in the face to the English troops who are out in Afghanistan supporting the Americans that, over here in America, an American congressman is actually saying he doesn't want British-built cars in his car park?
(APPLAUSE)
COSTELLO: Hey, you have got to think about that, too.
Lisa, Lisa.
EVERS: That's my point again, the global economy. We are all interconnected, regardless of what country we come from.
But I differ from Mike in one respect. I think the congressman certainly has a right to impose whatever kind of restrictions or incentives he wants for his employees. My boss will say, hey, no tank tops and shorts, even if it's 100 degrees outside. And that's part of a dress code. That is part of their work rules.
But, the fact of the matter is, we can no longer separate what is really built in America and what isn't, because we are all interconnected right now.
GALLAGHER: And, Lisa, a dress code is a far cry from what kind of vehicle you can drive to work. He ought to be thankful he's got people who will put up with him and work in his office. They ought to be allowed to use a ricksha to get to work if that is what they want to do to get to work, for crying out loud.
(LAUGHTER)
EVERS: An American-made ricksha.
GALLAGHER: Right, an American -- one made in Marysville.
COSTELLO: We have another question from the audience.
I can't read your -- oh, Alex.
STAFF: This is Alex. Alex is from New Jersey.
Go ahead.
ALEX: Hi.
I understand that citizens and the government are trying to inspire patriotism, such as World War II with the liberty gardens and the liberty bonds, and Vietnam encouraging the draft. But don't you think there's a line to be drawn, like a limit where you can say, OK, this is what you need to do; this is what the system should do? And patriotism -- I mean, geez, come on. Telling people to buy cars from you own country. That is like...
COSTELLO: I think what he's saying is that we are a global society. And maybe we should think that way more, because that's just the way the world is right now. EVERS: Carol, if we are really concerned about the future of American workers, what we really need to do is look at our entire educational system as well, and not take learning another language as something that only a very small minority of people actually encounter when they are in school.
We need to look at the world and look at our role in the world, not just as an isolationist point of view. But we have to be able to say, you know what, if we want to compete globally, we need to be able to speak a couple of languages as well, just like everybody else.
GALLAGHER: And there's a big-picture issue here, Carol, about patriotism and the congressman's whole plan here. The young man makes a great point there in your studio audience.
There is a wonderful resurgence of patriotism in America. People are proud to wear a flag. We're proud to wear a lapel pin. But, at the end of the day, you can't mandate what kind of vehicle somebody drives and what country it came from. That's trying to -- that's fake patriotism. That's insulting to military people. That's insulting to those of us who love this country. It's show. And it's really insulting to America.
COSTELLO: Hey, Maureen is on the phone from Washington state.
Maureen, your comment?
CALLER: My comment is, is that I think it's ridiculous for the panel to carry on about the congressman's statement that he requires his employees or mandates his employees to buy American. He very clearly stated it had to do with parking spaces and not their employment. So, I think there's a differentiation there that needs to be made and a clarification by your panel.
GALLAGHER: Well, what are you going to do about one of those staffers maybe who drives a Honda or who drives a Toyota who has got a bad leg? Do you think is it OK to punish somebody and make them park nine blocks away from the congressman's office because they didn't buy a Chevy?
COSTELLO: Well, I will say that another congressman from Michigan, Congressman Bonior, hired a press secretary. His press secretary drove a Nissan. And he sold a Nissan and bought an American-made union-made car to take to the job.
Lisa?
EVERS: Well, I think the point is again, I would like to see the certification of every part of that car from the top to the bottom, the tires to the stereo system, to everything that is inside that that was actually made in America. Again, it's up to the employer. Whether it's a congressman or whether it's a company, they can set whatever standards they want, as long as it doesn't violate any of the federal, state or local laws.
But the fact of the matter is, this is an old thinking, an old way of thinking that we have to get beyond, because it's impossible anymore to say what is American and what isn't. What we should say is American is this idea of free enterprise. And we better -- instead of moaning about what is no longer, what no longer exists, we need to step up our game and get out there and compete a lot better in the marketplace.
COSTELLO: OK, Lisa, we're going to leave this segment with an e- mail. So the person will have the last word.
This is from Bruce in Kansas City, Missouri: "The congressman is an American employer and has the right to select his employees and their benefits as he sees fit."
Lisa and Mike are going to stick around.
We are going take a break, though. Coming up next: a pound of euros, please. Richard Quest explains what he will do with all of his franks, lira and deutsche marks after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Welcome back to TALKBACK LIVE. We are having a good time this afternoon.
A question for you now: What if you woke up tomorrow and the American dollar had become a relic? That is the story nearly all across Europe, as the pound, the deutsche mark, the franc, the lira and other monies give way to the euro. So what is a euro, you ask? What's it worth? And how do you get one?
Richard Quest is getting acquainted with the new currency in Frankfurt, Germany.
You know, Richard, I haven't been here long, but I have heard of you. No one is more able to answer this question than you.
RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: All right. I'll give you a hint. What's a euro worth? Well, it's worth half a pretzel, because that's what I have just been out to buy here in Frankfurt.
The euro comes into force -- or, basically, becomes the legal tender for 12 countries, from Finland in the frozen north, right the way through Belgium, through the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Ireland and Austria. There are 12 of them. Count them on your fingers. I have probably missed one or two off.
The three I have missed off deliberately: Britain, Denmark and Sweden. They have decided to stay out of the euro. Now, tonight at midnight, cash machines across the continent will start spitting out euro notes. We already know what the coins are like. That's how I managed to get this particular one. And, you know, you can tell it's a big story. You can tell it's important because, again, they are now starting to create euro ties.
This is one that a gentlemen very kindly let me have a look at. It shows the notes and coins. We'll give you a closer look at those in just a second. And it gives you an idea of what you can actually expect with the euro. That is the closest we can get to them until midnight tonight. So, that's the euro notes and coins that 300 million people across the continent will find their new money from midnight tonight.
COSTELLO: Richard, we have questions from the audience about the euro.
We are going to go to Grant. Oh, he's from Britain. He's perfect.
GRANT: I don't actually like the euro. I don't appreciate the fact that I'm going to be ruled from another country with my economic affairs. And I don't like the way that some countries, like Italy, have revalued their gold stock so they can actually meet the criteria to get into the euro, which I think is unfair and undemocratic.
COSTELLO: Richard, a lot of sentiment like that out there?
QUEST: Well, it's an interesting point.
Look, you have got your TALKBACK LIVE studio audience there. In the next couple of hours, people are going to be gathering here. But come on. Let's have a good look and see what we have got over here, because there are some people who have been gathering over here.
Who likes the euro?
(CHEERING)
QUEST: Is the euro good or bad?
CROWD: Good!
QUEST: Who doesn't like the euro?
Well, there we are. That seems to be clear on that particular question.
COSTELLO: Well, Richard, I don't want to compete with your crowd there, but we have a bigger crowd here. And I know Americans may not know a lot about the euro, but we are going to ask them any way.
How many of you like the euro?
(APPLAUSE)
COSTELLO: That thing is going to light up behind you, too, Richard, when the euro really takes effect, right, sort of like New Year's Eve euro?
QUEST: Hey, Carol, we know how to have a good time in Frankfurt on New Year's Eve. That's going to light up.
COSTELLO: Yes. Hey, we have got another... QUEST: A man is going to stand on there and pull a lever. And it's going to go bloop.
COSTELLO: I can not wait for that.
Hey, we have got another comment from our audience here in America.
Courtney.
COURTNEY: I think the euro is a great idea. Due to the small size of the countries, it would definitely make travel a lot easier. You wouldn't have to convert the different monies -- and the globalization of the world. So I think it's a good thing.
COSTELLO: That globalization thing comes in all the time.
Hey, do you have an actual euro bill to show us, Richard?
QUEST: Oh, all right. Hang on. Yes, this is the only euro bill. Look, at great risk -- hang on, let me take my gloves off, because it's freezing here.
What I have got right down in my pocket besides -- I have got a few old -- new euro coins. And they were given out to -- basically across Europe so people will become familiar. But this is the big thing. This is a euro note. It's a 50 euro note. That's worth about $43, $44 U.S.
Because it's not legal tender yet, it's encased in plastic. Let me give you a few hints, though, for those who may be actually coming to Europe concerning the use of the euro, because this is serious stuff. We may be joking around, Carol, but the fact is, from midnight, euro changes, travelers checks in the United States, anybody coming eastbound toward Europe will find it is the currency.
And there is eight weeks when you can use the old and the new. After that, the old will only be able to be changed at banks. So, getting an idea of what the euro is worth -- let me give you an idea. One euro is worth roughly 88 U.S. cents; 10 euro, $8.80, give or take. And that is the sort of magnitude. It is a huge change. The president of the Central Bank in Europe, Wim Duisenberg, made it clear this wasn't just an economic bit of jiggery pokery designed to make things a little bit easier for tourists.
This is a political decision to try and unify the very varied countries of Europe.
COSTELLO: Got you. Thank you very much, Richard, for filling us in on the euro.
And I see Grant shaking his head from Britain.
Don't like it, never will, will you?
It's a pretty big bill, isn't it? How would it fit in your wallet? Yes, I know. I got it.
I guess we have to wrap up now, huh? We are just about out of time. Thanks to our guest, our studio audience, and of course to you at home. I'm Carol Costello. We will see you next year.
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