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CNN Live At Daybreak
'Hot Topics'; Title IX; Free Credit Reports; Pink Floyd Hitting the 'Wall'; Healthy Holiday Gifts
Aired December 01, 2004 - 06:28 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.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everybody. Thanks for waking up with us. I'm Heidi Collins in today for Carol Costello. A lot's going on this morning. We want to get the headlines "Now in the News."
Time is running out for Congress to pass the intelligence reform bill. It stalled because many GOP lawmakers say it lacks immigration security reforms and takes too much intelligence control away from the military. President Bush says he wants the bill.
Pennsylvania turnpike workers back on the job. The striking workers and the state's Turnpike Commission reached a tentative agreement last night to end the strike that went through the Thanksgiving holiday.
Denver's NBC station, KUSA, reports Dick Ebersol's ribs and sternum broke in the plane crash. It killed his youngest son. The pilot and a flight attendant were also killed in Sunday's crash in Colorado. Ebersol's oldest son suffered a broken hand. The co-pilot is in critical condition at a Denver burn unit.
An openly gay minister faces the United Methodist denomination today in a church court. Irene Elizabeth Stroud (ph) must answer to charges that her lesbianism isn't compatible with Methodist ideology. It's the third time the church has held proceedings like this.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COLLINS: The man who gave us the color-coded terror alert system is stepping down. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced his resignation yesterday. He is the first person to hold that anti- terror job. His department was created after the September 11 attacks with a mission to make America safer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: Can I tell you today there are X number of incidents that we were able to thwart or prevent? Cannot. Am I fairly confident that we probably have? Yes, I am.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Tom Ridge's resignation is one of the "Hot Topics" this morning, so let's get more now from Chuck Todd of "The Hotline." He's joining us today from Washington. Chuck, good morning to you.
CHUCK TODD, "THE HOTLINE": Good morning.
COLLINS: Your reaction from the sound bite we just heard there from Secretary Ridge.
TODD: Well, I think that it's probably a sense of relief. There is no job in Washington where the judgment is easiest on whether you've had a successful tenure or a failed tenure. And, you know, no attacks, one has to say it's a successful tenure, but I think it took a huge toll on him personally and even politically. This is the guy that was thought of as one of the rising stars of the Republican Party, and then all of a sudden he was thrown into a cabinet post that you only get attention when there's bad news.
COLLINS: Yes.
TODD: And it's one of the odder and tougher cabinet posts, I think, we have now in this town.
COLLINS: Yes, and not an easy job. Boy, that's for sure. Let's talk a little bit about who you think might replace him, some of the names out there.
TODD: Well, it's amazing how many different names are out there. I think some of the most intriguing are Bernard Kerik, the former police commissioner, Asa Hutchinson, the former congressman from Arkansas who has been a deputy there, Fran Townsend, who became a familiar face during the last terror alert level. Those seem to be the three names you hear the most.
So, I was intrigued to see a name floated this morning, Joe Allbaugh, the former FEMA director and a guy who was actually the day- to-day campaign manager for President Bush's first presidential campaign.
COLLINS: Right.
TODD: And if you just went on pure resume, that guy would probably be the most qualified, because running FEMA, a disaster relief program, is probably the closest thing that there is to running the Homeland Security Department.
COLLINS: All right. Well, let's move on a little bit then to something else we've been talking about this morning: President Bush in Canada. How about the reception there? You were just there, right?
TODD: I was. What's amazing about the reception and the protests there, it seems to be there's more anger in Canada over President Bush's re-election than among Democrats here in this part of the country.
But it was amazing going up there is the Canadians in general and their full ideological spectrum. You know, the farthest most conservative Canadian would still be considered, I think, a Democrat in this country.
But what was amazing is how they believe that our presidential election was more important to their day-to-day lives than their own national elections. And I think that that's why you saw the emotional protests with Bush. These people basically...
COLLINS: OK.
TODD: ... feel like this is their president, and they have no say in the matter; that this person affects their lives more than their own government.
And so, I think that that's why you see this emotional reaction up there in Canada.
COLLINS: All right, Chuck Todd, appreciate it this morning. Thanks so much.
Now to issues before the Supreme Court today. The justices will hear arguments on a case dealing with whether individual retirement accounts are exempt from bankruptcy.
The court will also hear arguments on a case dealing with double jeopardy. Can a judge rule that a defendant is not guilty because the government's evidence is insufficient, but later in the trial reversed the finding of not guilty? That is the question.
One Supreme Court case getting lots of attention centers on Title IX. At issue: Whether the law against sex discrimination in schools also protects people who report violations.
Our national correspondent, Bob Franken, has the details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The question is whether in girls' high school basketball a coach can only be a whistleblower in the gym.
RODERICK JACKSON, BASKETBALL COACH: Well, I felt to turn my back on the discrimination I observed would be to participate in it.
FRANKEN: Coach Roderick Jackson sued the Birmingham, Alabama Board of Education for firing him. Retaliation, he charged, for his repeated complaints that basketball facilities for his girls' team were dismal compared to the boys: a gym with no heat, bent hoops, inferior transportation.
It was a violation, he contended, of Title IX, the landmark law that requires equality for women in scholastic sports as a condition to receive federal funds.
School officials argue that since he was not a victim of discrimination, Title IX doesn't give him the right to sue because of alleged retaliation. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Birmingham Board just couldn't possibly have known when it signed up for the money that it was exposing itself to, you know, potentially runaway liability and private suits.
FRANKEN: Jackson has the support of the Bush administration, but there were sharp differences between the justices. Scalia called this "a weird kind of retaliation claim," one that would usually be filed by "the person who is discriminated against."
The more liberal justices like Ginsburg argued that some protection was necessary. To say, "trust me is no answer," she argued. "The person in the best position to know is her coach."
JACKSON: You can't separate the coach from his team. When they were cold and the older gym, I was cold also. When they were forced to practice at inopportune times, I was practicing -- I was forced to practice at inopportune times.
FRANKEN (on camera): Jackson is back at his school as an interim coach. So far this year his team has a losing record on the basketball court, but he's looking for a victory at the nation's highest court.
Bob Franken, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: Remember this group of kids?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED CHILDREN (singing): We don't need no education...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Yes. They may not need any education, but they do want some compensation. We'll explain.
And, later on, a strange crime wave means big trouble for the residents of Bikini Bottom.
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Wednesday morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: A foggy morning here in New York. It's time now for a little business buzz. It's always a good idea to check your credit report just in case you're identity was stolen. But before now, that would cost you money.
Carrie Lee is at the Nasdaq Marketsite in New York to tell you how you can get your report for free.
How nice to see you, Carrie Lee.
CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Heidi. Same to you.
And this is actually good news for everyone in the country. Starting in the west and then eventually rolling out to the eastern states, people will have the chance to get their free credit report once a year. And it's a good idea to see this, to check the health of your credit, especially as identity theft continues to be a problem.
So, western states starting today. You can see it rolling out through the east over the next couple of months through next fall.
The three main credit companies, the three major credit bureaus, are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. And you can go to a Web site, www.annualcredit report.com, and access your free report from any of these three companies.
Now, keep in mind, these companies are used to making money on these reports. So, they are going to try to pitch you other things that cost money, things like debt consolidation, identity theft protection. You don't need these services for the most part, and you don't have to pay anything. So, if you stick to your guns and go to the Web site, you will be able to access your report for free.
And this is important information. You need to know where you stand if you're applying for a home mortgage, an auto loan, or even a credit card. The higher your score, the better the chance you'll get a decent interest rate.
So, that's the latest there.
Turning to stocks, futures are looking up this morning. We could see some buying at the 9:30 opening bell. Oil prices below $49 once again. That's one thing helping things along.
Wendy's is going to be a stock to watch tonight. They actually warned that profits will come in lower than expected for the recent quarter. They're actually expecting a loss because of some restructuring at their Baja Fresh Mexican chain. We'll see what Wendy's does today at the 9:30 bell.
Heidi -- back to you.
COLLINS: I could use a Frosty.
LEE: It sounds good right now, right?
COLLINS: All right, Carrie, thank you.
Pink Floyd may have hit another brick in the wall, one that was cemented 25 years ago. It seems now that the students who sang backup for the chart-topping hit would like to be paid.
CNN's Jim Boulden has more from London.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED CHILDREN (singing): We don't need no education... JIM BOULDEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Pink Floyd's anti- school anthem, "Another Brick in the Wall," was a big and controversial hit 25 years ago. The best-selling album helped Pink Floyd amass a fortune, but the school-aged singers got no money.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (singing): We don't need no thought control.
TABITHA MILLER, FORMER SINGER (singing): We don't need no education.
BOULDEN: Thirty-eight-year-old Tabitha Miller was one of the choir singers. She remembers being told their first attempt was too polished.
MILLER: "Sing it as if you're in a football match."
(singing): We don't need no education.
It was, oh, god, that was...
BOULDEN (on camera): Well, that's (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
MILLER: Yes, it was really sort of...
BOULDEN: It's that accent.
MILLER: Yes.
BOULDEN: Education.
MILLER: And we belted it out at the top of our lungs.
BOULDEN (voice over): Miller had no idea when she arrived at her London high school that day she was to make rock history.
(on camera): On that day, the music teacher here at Islington Green School was asked to round up some of the choir and go off to a local recording studio to do some tracks for the new Pink Floyd album. So, he gathered up about a dozen students and dashed off.
(voice over): With little rehearsal, the teenagers sang the tracks again and again to give the impression dozens were singing. The singers did get tickets to a Floyd concert and a copy of the album.
Now, those who were there want to be paid for their time. U.K. law allows singers to claim compensation for unpaid work.
There's not a lot of money at stake. They're likely to get several hundred dollars each through royalties collected from radio play. It's the principle.
STEVEN GAYDOS, "VARIETY": This record is driven by the chorus. The chorus is these kids. It's their voices. It's their performance. And the record then generated millions and millions of dollars.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILDREN (singing): We don't need no thought control.
BOULDEN: And despite the controversy, Miller rejects the message of the song. She is now a teacher.
MILLER: And the thought control bit is it's quite funny, because that's sort of not what style of teacher I'm about, getting children choosing for themselves. I think that's really important.
BOULDEN: But Miller never met Pink Floyd, because the uproar from using students for the song led the school to ban them from performing it again. So, other kids were hired to mime the lyrics for the music video.
Jim Boulden, CNN, London.
CHILDREN (singing): Another brick in the wall.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Your news, money, weather and sports. It's now 6:44. And here's what's all new this morning.
Massive demonstrations continue for a 10th day in the Ukraine as that country's parliament votes to sack the government of Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych. Yanukovych was recently declared the winner of Ukraine's vehemently contested presidential elections.
In money, a bittersweet case is headed to trial in Pennsylvania. The company that makes Equal is suing its competitor, Splenda. Equal says Splenda is not really made from sugar like its packaging and ads claim.
In culture, NBC "Nightly News" anchor Tom Brokaw is getting ready to say good evening for the last time. After 22 years in the anchor chair, his last newscast is tonight.
In sports, Oakland County authorities tell the "Detroit News" that some Indiana Pacers' players will be charged in this brawl. It happened a couple of weeks ago. No names yet, though. Also, the NBA commissioner is promising better security.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COLLINS: We want to go ahead and check in with Miles and Soledad now for a look at what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."
Hey, guys.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Heidi. Good morning to you.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Heidi.
S. O'BRIEN: Some of the headlines that we're taking a look at this morning, the Homeland Security secretary, Tom Ridge, has resigned. So, the question now: What are the biggest U.S. vulnerabilities that he leaves behind? We're going to talk this morning with the author and security expert, Stephen Flynn.
And, of course, the big question, too: Who is going to replace Tom Ridge? One possibility is the former Virginia governor, James Gilmore. We chat with him as well.
M. O'BRIEN: I don't suppose Tom Brokaw is going for that job now that he's off the "Nightly News."
S. O'BRIEN: He's free, though.
M. O'BRIEN: He is free. He's available. A Title IX test in the Supreme Court to tell you about. We'll talk to a man who says he was punished for defending the girls' basketball team that he coached. Now, does Title IX apply to men? That's the question.
S. O'BRIEN: And the NAACP leader has quit. What's the next step for the organization? Who will lead them now? We're going to talk to the Reverend Al Sharpton. That's all ahead on this "AMERICAN MORNING."
Heidi -- back to you.
COLLINS: And, Soledad, you know, Mfume actually has a connection to this Ken Jennings, the "Jeopardy" guy, who lost yesterday.
S. O'BRIEN: They have a connection?
COLLINS: Yes, because he played in the celebrity power players with Anderson Cooper when they did that show.
S. O'BRIEN: Oh.
COLLINS: Yes. And he lost to Anderson.
S. O'BRIEN: Didn't Anderson Cooper win it all?
COLLINS: He did win it all. And he's going to play Ken Jennings tonight.
M. O'BRIEN: There's a very smart part of Anderson Cooper.
COLLINS: Yes.
S. O'BRIEN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) everybody.
M. O'BRIEN: Yes.
S. O'BRIEN: I wouldn't have known that.
COLLINS: All right, we'll talk to you guys later.
S. O'BRIEN: Yes.
COLLINS: Got a friend who is planning to start a diet on January 1? Well, tell her or him to move it up a few days. Up next, shopping for healthy ideas for Christmas gifts. Keep it here on DAYBREAK. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Holiday shopping can be frustrating if you don't know what kind of gift to buy. Don't worry. We have a couple of ideas for you. Why not give the gift of health?
Here to talk about that is registered dietitian Lisa Drayer.
So, this is something that people can do in good faith, too.
LISA DRAYER, REGISTERED DIETITIAN: Exactly.
COLLINS: Feel pretty good about giving these kinds of gifts.
DRAYER: That's right. And with many of us becoming more and more health-conscious these days, it's no wonder that the demands for health-related gifts has increased. In fact, according to one survey, approximately 80 percent of individuals would appreciate receiving a health-related gift for the holidays.
COLLINS: Wow!
DRAYER: And 7 in 10 would consider giving such a gift.
Now, I do want to say this was conducted by Jenny Craig, but the population...
COLLINS: OK.
DRAYER: It didn't include only dieters, though.
COLLINS: OK.
DRAYER: It was all individuals. So, talk about a sign of the times for all of us.
COLLINS: Yes. Definitely. It might sort of jump start that standard, you know, January 1 that comes crashing down, and we all try to get fit real fast.
DRAYER: Exactly, right.
COLLINS: So, you have some ideas. Let's talk a little bit about what people can do, what they can get.
DRAYER: Right. Sure. Well, actually more than 60 percent of individuals said they would appreciate receiving a healthy food basket for the holidays.
COLLINS: OK.
DRAYER: So, of course, we have traditional ideas like fruit and wine baskets. But this year you can even get a vegetable basket. Talk about health-conscious. So, you can get...
COLLINS: That is one basket my 3-year-old would stay out of. DRAYER: Possibly, right. But it's really nice. You can actually get, if you're looking to increase your vitamins, not getting enough vegetables, there are these baskets available.
Also for those watching their intake of specific nutrients, like sugar, you can get sugar-free jelly beans and sugar-free truffles, low-fat baskets. Also high-protein baskets are now available.
Also, if you want to give the gift that continues, a monthly subscription might be appropriate, like a fruit of the month, or there's now a tea of the month club.
COLLINS: Oh, great.
DRAYER: We've heard about the health benefits of tea.
COLLINS: Sure.
DRAYER: Right now you can choose between black, green or caffeine-free tea.
COLLINS: OK.
DRAYER: Also, exercise videos are very popular. There's a large variety of videos now in the market, including yoga, Pilates. Also, if you like dancing, there's even hip-hop and belly dancing videos. So, a lot to choose from these days.
A health club membership is appropriate for someone who might be interested in joining a gym. A spa gift certificate...
COLLINS: I love that one. It's my favorite.
DRAYER: The spa?
COLLINS: Yes, exactly.
DRAYER: Me too. And also a consult with a nutritionist...
COLLINS: OK.
DRAYER: ... is appropriate for someone looking to fine-tune a diet for the New Year, perhaps. The American Dietetic Association has a Web site, eatright.org. You can go on and type in your zip code...
COLLINS: Right.
DRAYER: ... and find a registered dietician in your area. And they specialize in very different areas. For example, heart disease, diabetes...
COLLINS: Sure.
DRAYER: ... food allergies.
COLLINS: Wow! DRAYER: Even pregnancy.
COLLINS: Perfect. Perfect. OK. Now, what about some of the props that you brought along today.
DRAYER: Sure.
COLLINS: The salad spinner, I recognize that.
DRAYER: You recognize it, right.
COLLINS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) little while.
DRAYER: Exactly. This one actually you can push down. It makes it nice and easy, and you can it spin around. The leaves will dry very quickly.
COLLINS: OK.
DRAYER: You can compare it with this Meesta (ph) spray. This is actually...
COLLINS: Oil, right?
DRAYER: Right, exactly. It's oil, but because it's a mist of spray, you don't get as many calories as you might...
COLLINS: Right.
DRAYER: ... if you just drizzled the oil. So...
COLLINS: And I love these, yoga deck.
DRAYER: Yes, right.
COLLINS: They have little positions that you can learn...
DRAYER: Exactly. For someone...
COLLINS: ... like, while you're standing in the kitchen.
DRAYER: Exactly. If you don't have time to make it to a yoga class, you can just take those...
COLLINS: That's yoga?
DRAYER: That's for kids.
COLLINS: Oh, OK. I can do that.
DRAYER: Yes. I know, right?
COLLINS: All right, Lisa, we certainly appreciate all of the ideas.
DRAYER: And, of course, cookbooks. COLLINS: Yes. Cookbooks are always good, I would imagine.
DRAYER: For those with special diet needs.
COLLINS: Yes.
DRAYER: Like heart disease and diabetes, lots of specific...
COLLINS: OK. And we will keep all of this in mind. Thank you so much, Lisa Drayer.
DRAYER: Thank you.
COLLINS: We appreciate it.
And coming up next, a spate of SpongeBob fests sweeps the nation. This is DAYBREAK for a Wednesday morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (singing): Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (singing): SpongeBob SquarePants.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Well, who doesn't recognize this guy? SpongeBob SquarePants, the cartoon character, is actually popping up everywhere. As a matter of fact, he's been so popular, a number of big inflatable SpongeBob SquarePants are missing.
Only our Jeanne Moos can root out the mystery.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Put out an Amber Alert for a yellow sponge, blue eyes, two teeth, last seen wearing tube socks and, yes, square pants. SpongeBob has been kidnapped.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who would have something against SpongeBob?
TOM KENNY, VOICE ACTOR: You're going to exterminate us?
MOOS: You may have seen them at the movies or at the Thanksgiving parade.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: SpongeBob SquarePants.
MOOS: You can find SquarePants on everything from boxers to Burger King, but in at least 10 states, more than a dozen inflatable SpongeBobs have been kidnapped from Burger King rooftops.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You wouldn't think that it would happen in little old Sheboygan.
MOOS: From Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to Baytown, Texas, to Menands, New York, folks are asking, "SpongeBob, where is he?"
In Little Falls, Minnesota, sponge-nappers even left a ransom note: "We have SpongeBob; give us 10 crabby patties, fries and milkshakes. Also give us McDonald's because your food -- never mind. Signed, Plankton."
Plankton is the villain in the SpongeBob movie.
MR. LAWRENCE, VOICE ACTOR: I'm busy planning to rule the world.
KENNY: Well, good luck with that.
MOOS: It's not believed the sponge-nappings are connected. But is it coincidence that suddenly, huge inflatable SpongeBobs are popping up on eBay for as much as $300? One is described as having a small hole in it.
Another says, "New in box. This is not a stolen unit."
An Albany, New York TV station even aired a grainy surveillance tape of a nighttime abduction.
WALT MCCLURE, WNET ALBANY, NEW YORK: And then soon after, a much clearer picture of the getaway car, a gold-colored SUV like a Nissan Pathfinder.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who would take SpongeBob? I mean, come on. Get real.
MOOS: Put out an APB. Make that an SOS. But don't confuse Scrunge Bob for SpongeBob.
The idea of SquarePants caged up somewhere makes you want to free SpongeBob.
(on camera): And now, Burger King is offering a whopper of a reward for information leading to the return of any SpongeBob: a free year's supply of Whoppers.
(voice-over): A year's supply? This whole thing is enough to scare the SquarePants off of me.
Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: Only Jeanne Moos, you know?
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: She's the best. What would you do with a year of Whoppers?
COLLINS: Give them away? MARCIANO: You know, you'd have to go out and buy all new -- yes, you probably would give them away. Fifty-four grams of fat in those things.
COLLINS: Oh, Rob, thanks so much for that image.
MARCIANO: Yes.
COLLINS: Have a great day. We'll see you tomorrow, OK?
MARCIANO: OK, Heidi, we'll see you later.
COLLINS: From the Time Warner center in New York, I'm Heidi Collins. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.
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 December 1, 2004 - 06:28 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everybody. Thanks for waking up with us. I'm Heidi Collins in today for Carol Costello. A lot's going on this morning. We want to get the headlines "Now in the News."
Time is running out for Congress to pass the intelligence reform bill. It stalled because many GOP lawmakers say it lacks immigration security reforms and takes too much intelligence control away from the military. President Bush says he wants the bill.
Pennsylvania turnpike workers back on the job. The striking workers and the state's Turnpike Commission reached a tentative agreement last night to end the strike that went through the Thanksgiving holiday.
Denver's NBC station, KUSA, reports Dick Ebersol's ribs and sternum broke in the plane crash. It killed his youngest son. The pilot and a flight attendant were also killed in Sunday's crash in Colorado. Ebersol's oldest son suffered a broken hand. The co-pilot is in critical condition at a Denver burn unit.
An openly gay minister faces the United Methodist denomination today in a church court. Irene Elizabeth Stroud (ph) must answer to charges that her lesbianism isn't compatible with Methodist ideology. It's the third time the church has held proceedings like this.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COLLINS: The man who gave us the color-coded terror alert system is stepping down. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced his resignation yesterday. He is the first person to hold that anti- terror job. His department was created after the September 11 attacks with a mission to make America safer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: Can I tell you today there are X number of incidents that we were able to thwart or prevent? Cannot. Am I fairly confident that we probably have? Yes, I am.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Tom Ridge's resignation is one of the "Hot Topics" this morning, so let's get more now from Chuck Todd of "The Hotline." He's joining us today from Washington. Chuck, good morning to you.
CHUCK TODD, "THE HOTLINE": Good morning.
COLLINS: Your reaction from the sound bite we just heard there from Secretary Ridge.
TODD: Well, I think that it's probably a sense of relief. There is no job in Washington where the judgment is easiest on whether you've had a successful tenure or a failed tenure. And, you know, no attacks, one has to say it's a successful tenure, but I think it took a huge toll on him personally and even politically. This is the guy that was thought of as one of the rising stars of the Republican Party, and then all of a sudden he was thrown into a cabinet post that you only get attention when there's bad news.
COLLINS: Yes.
TODD: And it's one of the odder and tougher cabinet posts, I think, we have now in this town.
COLLINS: Yes, and not an easy job. Boy, that's for sure. Let's talk a little bit about who you think might replace him, some of the names out there.
TODD: Well, it's amazing how many different names are out there. I think some of the most intriguing are Bernard Kerik, the former police commissioner, Asa Hutchinson, the former congressman from Arkansas who has been a deputy there, Fran Townsend, who became a familiar face during the last terror alert level. Those seem to be the three names you hear the most.
So, I was intrigued to see a name floated this morning, Joe Allbaugh, the former FEMA director and a guy who was actually the day- to-day campaign manager for President Bush's first presidential campaign.
COLLINS: Right.
TODD: And if you just went on pure resume, that guy would probably be the most qualified, because running FEMA, a disaster relief program, is probably the closest thing that there is to running the Homeland Security Department.
COLLINS: All right. Well, let's move on a little bit then to something else we've been talking about this morning: President Bush in Canada. How about the reception there? You were just there, right?
TODD: I was. What's amazing about the reception and the protests there, it seems to be there's more anger in Canada over President Bush's re-election than among Democrats here in this part of the country.
But it was amazing going up there is the Canadians in general and their full ideological spectrum. You know, the farthest most conservative Canadian would still be considered, I think, a Democrat in this country.
But what was amazing is how they believe that our presidential election was more important to their day-to-day lives than their own national elections. And I think that that's why you saw the emotional protests with Bush. These people basically...
COLLINS: OK.
TODD: ... feel like this is their president, and they have no say in the matter; that this person affects their lives more than their own government.
And so, I think that that's why you see this emotional reaction up there in Canada.
COLLINS: All right, Chuck Todd, appreciate it this morning. Thanks so much.
Now to issues before the Supreme Court today. The justices will hear arguments on a case dealing with whether individual retirement accounts are exempt from bankruptcy.
The court will also hear arguments on a case dealing with double jeopardy. Can a judge rule that a defendant is not guilty because the government's evidence is insufficient, but later in the trial reversed the finding of not guilty? That is the question.
One Supreme Court case getting lots of attention centers on Title IX. At issue: Whether the law against sex discrimination in schools also protects people who report violations.
Our national correspondent, Bob Franken, has the details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The question is whether in girls' high school basketball a coach can only be a whistleblower in the gym.
RODERICK JACKSON, BASKETBALL COACH: Well, I felt to turn my back on the discrimination I observed would be to participate in it.
FRANKEN: Coach Roderick Jackson sued the Birmingham, Alabama Board of Education for firing him. Retaliation, he charged, for his repeated complaints that basketball facilities for his girls' team were dismal compared to the boys: a gym with no heat, bent hoops, inferior transportation.
It was a violation, he contended, of Title IX, the landmark law that requires equality for women in scholastic sports as a condition to receive federal funds.
School officials argue that since he was not a victim of discrimination, Title IX doesn't give him the right to sue because of alleged retaliation. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Birmingham Board just couldn't possibly have known when it signed up for the money that it was exposing itself to, you know, potentially runaway liability and private suits.
FRANKEN: Jackson has the support of the Bush administration, but there were sharp differences between the justices. Scalia called this "a weird kind of retaliation claim," one that would usually be filed by "the person who is discriminated against."
The more liberal justices like Ginsburg argued that some protection was necessary. To say, "trust me is no answer," she argued. "The person in the best position to know is her coach."
JACKSON: You can't separate the coach from his team. When they were cold and the older gym, I was cold also. When they were forced to practice at inopportune times, I was practicing -- I was forced to practice at inopportune times.
FRANKEN (on camera): Jackson is back at his school as an interim coach. So far this year his team has a losing record on the basketball court, but he's looking for a victory at the nation's highest court.
Bob Franken, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: Remember this group of kids?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED CHILDREN (singing): We don't need no education...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Yes. They may not need any education, but they do want some compensation. We'll explain.
And, later on, a strange crime wave means big trouble for the residents of Bikini Bottom.
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Wednesday morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: A foggy morning here in New York. It's time now for a little business buzz. It's always a good idea to check your credit report just in case you're identity was stolen. But before now, that would cost you money.
Carrie Lee is at the Nasdaq Marketsite in New York to tell you how you can get your report for free.
How nice to see you, Carrie Lee.
CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Heidi. Same to you.
And this is actually good news for everyone in the country. Starting in the west and then eventually rolling out to the eastern states, people will have the chance to get their free credit report once a year. And it's a good idea to see this, to check the health of your credit, especially as identity theft continues to be a problem.
So, western states starting today. You can see it rolling out through the east over the next couple of months through next fall.
The three main credit companies, the three major credit bureaus, are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. And you can go to a Web site, www.annualcredit report.com, and access your free report from any of these three companies.
Now, keep in mind, these companies are used to making money on these reports. So, they are going to try to pitch you other things that cost money, things like debt consolidation, identity theft protection. You don't need these services for the most part, and you don't have to pay anything. So, if you stick to your guns and go to the Web site, you will be able to access your report for free.
And this is important information. You need to know where you stand if you're applying for a home mortgage, an auto loan, or even a credit card. The higher your score, the better the chance you'll get a decent interest rate.
So, that's the latest there.
Turning to stocks, futures are looking up this morning. We could see some buying at the 9:30 opening bell. Oil prices below $49 once again. That's one thing helping things along.
Wendy's is going to be a stock to watch tonight. They actually warned that profits will come in lower than expected for the recent quarter. They're actually expecting a loss because of some restructuring at their Baja Fresh Mexican chain. We'll see what Wendy's does today at the 9:30 bell.
Heidi -- back to you.
COLLINS: I could use a Frosty.
LEE: It sounds good right now, right?
COLLINS: All right, Carrie, thank you.
Pink Floyd may have hit another brick in the wall, one that was cemented 25 years ago. It seems now that the students who sang backup for the chart-topping hit would like to be paid.
CNN's Jim Boulden has more from London.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED CHILDREN (singing): We don't need no education... JIM BOULDEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Pink Floyd's anti- school anthem, "Another Brick in the Wall," was a big and controversial hit 25 years ago. The best-selling album helped Pink Floyd amass a fortune, but the school-aged singers got no money.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (singing): We don't need no thought control.
TABITHA MILLER, FORMER SINGER (singing): We don't need no education.
BOULDEN: Thirty-eight-year-old Tabitha Miller was one of the choir singers. She remembers being told their first attempt was too polished.
MILLER: "Sing it as if you're in a football match."
(singing): We don't need no education.
It was, oh, god, that was...
BOULDEN (on camera): Well, that's (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
MILLER: Yes, it was really sort of...
BOULDEN: It's that accent.
MILLER: Yes.
BOULDEN: Education.
MILLER: And we belted it out at the top of our lungs.
BOULDEN (voice over): Miller had no idea when she arrived at her London high school that day she was to make rock history.
(on camera): On that day, the music teacher here at Islington Green School was asked to round up some of the choir and go off to a local recording studio to do some tracks for the new Pink Floyd album. So, he gathered up about a dozen students and dashed off.
(voice over): With little rehearsal, the teenagers sang the tracks again and again to give the impression dozens were singing. The singers did get tickets to a Floyd concert and a copy of the album.
Now, those who were there want to be paid for their time. U.K. law allows singers to claim compensation for unpaid work.
There's not a lot of money at stake. They're likely to get several hundred dollars each through royalties collected from radio play. It's the principle.
STEVEN GAYDOS, "VARIETY": This record is driven by the chorus. The chorus is these kids. It's their voices. It's their performance. And the record then generated millions and millions of dollars.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILDREN (singing): We don't need no thought control.
BOULDEN: And despite the controversy, Miller rejects the message of the song. She is now a teacher.
MILLER: And the thought control bit is it's quite funny, because that's sort of not what style of teacher I'm about, getting children choosing for themselves. I think that's really important.
BOULDEN: But Miller never met Pink Floyd, because the uproar from using students for the song led the school to ban them from performing it again. So, other kids were hired to mime the lyrics for the music video.
Jim Boulden, CNN, London.
CHILDREN (singing): Another brick in the wall.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Your news, money, weather and sports. It's now 6:44. And here's what's all new this morning.
Massive demonstrations continue for a 10th day in the Ukraine as that country's parliament votes to sack the government of Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych. Yanukovych was recently declared the winner of Ukraine's vehemently contested presidential elections.
In money, a bittersweet case is headed to trial in Pennsylvania. The company that makes Equal is suing its competitor, Splenda. Equal says Splenda is not really made from sugar like its packaging and ads claim.
In culture, NBC "Nightly News" anchor Tom Brokaw is getting ready to say good evening for the last time. After 22 years in the anchor chair, his last newscast is tonight.
In sports, Oakland County authorities tell the "Detroit News" that some Indiana Pacers' players will be charged in this brawl. It happened a couple of weeks ago. No names yet, though. Also, the NBA commissioner is promising better security.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COLLINS: We want to go ahead and check in with Miles and Soledad now for a look at what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."
Hey, guys.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Heidi. Good morning to you.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Heidi.
S. O'BRIEN: Some of the headlines that we're taking a look at this morning, the Homeland Security secretary, Tom Ridge, has resigned. So, the question now: What are the biggest U.S. vulnerabilities that he leaves behind? We're going to talk this morning with the author and security expert, Stephen Flynn.
And, of course, the big question, too: Who is going to replace Tom Ridge? One possibility is the former Virginia governor, James Gilmore. We chat with him as well.
M. O'BRIEN: I don't suppose Tom Brokaw is going for that job now that he's off the "Nightly News."
S. O'BRIEN: He's free, though.
M. O'BRIEN: He is free. He's available. A Title IX test in the Supreme Court to tell you about. We'll talk to a man who says he was punished for defending the girls' basketball team that he coached. Now, does Title IX apply to men? That's the question.
S. O'BRIEN: And the NAACP leader has quit. What's the next step for the organization? Who will lead them now? We're going to talk to the Reverend Al Sharpton. That's all ahead on this "AMERICAN MORNING."
Heidi -- back to you.
COLLINS: And, Soledad, you know, Mfume actually has a connection to this Ken Jennings, the "Jeopardy" guy, who lost yesterday.
S. O'BRIEN: They have a connection?
COLLINS: Yes, because he played in the celebrity power players with Anderson Cooper when they did that show.
S. O'BRIEN: Oh.
COLLINS: Yes. And he lost to Anderson.
S. O'BRIEN: Didn't Anderson Cooper win it all?
COLLINS: He did win it all. And he's going to play Ken Jennings tonight.
M. O'BRIEN: There's a very smart part of Anderson Cooper.
COLLINS: Yes.
S. O'BRIEN: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) everybody.
M. O'BRIEN: Yes.
S. O'BRIEN: I wouldn't have known that.
COLLINS: All right, we'll talk to you guys later.
S. O'BRIEN: Yes.
COLLINS: Got a friend who is planning to start a diet on January 1? Well, tell her or him to move it up a few days. Up next, shopping for healthy ideas for Christmas gifts. Keep it here on DAYBREAK. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Holiday shopping can be frustrating if you don't know what kind of gift to buy. Don't worry. We have a couple of ideas for you. Why not give the gift of health?
Here to talk about that is registered dietitian Lisa Drayer.
So, this is something that people can do in good faith, too.
LISA DRAYER, REGISTERED DIETITIAN: Exactly.
COLLINS: Feel pretty good about giving these kinds of gifts.
DRAYER: That's right. And with many of us becoming more and more health-conscious these days, it's no wonder that the demands for health-related gifts has increased. In fact, according to one survey, approximately 80 percent of individuals would appreciate receiving a health-related gift for the holidays.
COLLINS: Wow!
DRAYER: And 7 in 10 would consider giving such a gift.
Now, I do want to say this was conducted by Jenny Craig, but the population...
COLLINS: OK.
DRAYER: It didn't include only dieters, though.
COLLINS: OK.
DRAYER: It was all individuals. So, talk about a sign of the times for all of us.
COLLINS: Yes. Definitely. It might sort of jump start that standard, you know, January 1 that comes crashing down, and we all try to get fit real fast.
DRAYER: Exactly, right.
COLLINS: So, you have some ideas. Let's talk a little bit about what people can do, what they can get.
DRAYER: Right. Sure. Well, actually more than 60 percent of individuals said they would appreciate receiving a healthy food basket for the holidays.
COLLINS: OK.
DRAYER: So, of course, we have traditional ideas like fruit and wine baskets. But this year you can even get a vegetable basket. Talk about health-conscious. So, you can get...
COLLINS: That is one basket my 3-year-old would stay out of. DRAYER: Possibly, right. But it's really nice. You can actually get, if you're looking to increase your vitamins, not getting enough vegetables, there are these baskets available.
Also for those watching their intake of specific nutrients, like sugar, you can get sugar-free jelly beans and sugar-free truffles, low-fat baskets. Also high-protein baskets are now available.
Also, if you want to give the gift that continues, a monthly subscription might be appropriate, like a fruit of the month, or there's now a tea of the month club.
COLLINS: Oh, great.
DRAYER: We've heard about the health benefits of tea.
COLLINS: Sure.
DRAYER: Right now you can choose between black, green or caffeine-free tea.
COLLINS: OK.
DRAYER: Also, exercise videos are very popular. There's a large variety of videos now in the market, including yoga, Pilates. Also, if you like dancing, there's even hip-hop and belly dancing videos. So, a lot to choose from these days.
A health club membership is appropriate for someone who might be interested in joining a gym. A spa gift certificate...
COLLINS: I love that one. It's my favorite.
DRAYER: The spa?
COLLINS: Yes, exactly.
DRAYER: Me too. And also a consult with a nutritionist...
COLLINS: OK.
DRAYER: ... is appropriate for someone looking to fine-tune a diet for the New Year, perhaps. The American Dietetic Association has a Web site, eatright.org. You can go on and type in your zip code...
COLLINS: Right.
DRAYER: ... and find a registered dietician in your area. And they specialize in very different areas. For example, heart disease, diabetes...
COLLINS: Sure.
DRAYER: ... food allergies.
COLLINS: Wow! DRAYER: Even pregnancy.
COLLINS: Perfect. Perfect. OK. Now, what about some of the props that you brought along today.
DRAYER: Sure.
COLLINS: The salad spinner, I recognize that.
DRAYER: You recognize it, right.
COLLINS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) little while.
DRAYER: Exactly. This one actually you can push down. It makes it nice and easy, and you can it spin around. The leaves will dry very quickly.
COLLINS: OK.
DRAYER: You can compare it with this Meesta (ph) spray. This is actually...
COLLINS: Oil, right?
DRAYER: Right, exactly. It's oil, but because it's a mist of spray, you don't get as many calories as you might...
COLLINS: Right.
DRAYER: ... if you just drizzled the oil. So...
COLLINS: And I love these, yoga deck.
DRAYER: Yes, right.
COLLINS: They have little positions that you can learn...
DRAYER: Exactly. For someone...
COLLINS: ... like, while you're standing in the kitchen.
DRAYER: Exactly. If you don't have time to make it to a yoga class, you can just take those...
COLLINS: That's yoga?
DRAYER: That's for kids.
COLLINS: Oh, OK. I can do that.
DRAYER: Yes. I know, right?
COLLINS: All right, Lisa, we certainly appreciate all of the ideas.
DRAYER: And, of course, cookbooks. COLLINS: Yes. Cookbooks are always good, I would imagine.
DRAYER: For those with special diet needs.
COLLINS: Yes.
DRAYER: Like heart disease and diabetes, lots of specific...
COLLINS: OK. And we will keep all of this in mind. Thank you so much, Lisa Drayer.
DRAYER: Thank you.
COLLINS: We appreciate it.
And coming up next, a spate of SpongeBob fests sweeps the nation. This is DAYBREAK for a Wednesday morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (singing): Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (singing): SpongeBob SquarePants.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Well, who doesn't recognize this guy? SpongeBob SquarePants, the cartoon character, is actually popping up everywhere. As a matter of fact, he's been so popular, a number of big inflatable SpongeBob SquarePants are missing.
Only our Jeanne Moos can root out the mystery.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Put out an Amber Alert for a yellow sponge, blue eyes, two teeth, last seen wearing tube socks and, yes, square pants. SpongeBob has been kidnapped.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who would have something against SpongeBob?
TOM KENNY, VOICE ACTOR: You're going to exterminate us?
MOOS: You may have seen them at the movies or at the Thanksgiving parade.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: SpongeBob SquarePants.
MOOS: You can find SquarePants on everything from boxers to Burger King, but in at least 10 states, more than a dozen inflatable SpongeBobs have been kidnapped from Burger King rooftops.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You wouldn't think that it would happen in little old Sheboygan.
MOOS: From Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to Baytown, Texas, to Menands, New York, folks are asking, "SpongeBob, where is he?"
In Little Falls, Minnesota, sponge-nappers even left a ransom note: "We have SpongeBob; give us 10 crabby patties, fries and milkshakes. Also give us McDonald's because your food -- never mind. Signed, Plankton."
Plankton is the villain in the SpongeBob movie.
MR. LAWRENCE, VOICE ACTOR: I'm busy planning to rule the world.
KENNY: Well, good luck with that.
MOOS: It's not believed the sponge-nappings are connected. But is it coincidence that suddenly, huge inflatable SpongeBobs are popping up on eBay for as much as $300? One is described as having a small hole in it.
Another says, "New in box. This is not a stolen unit."
An Albany, New York TV station even aired a grainy surveillance tape of a nighttime abduction.
WALT MCCLURE, WNET ALBANY, NEW YORK: And then soon after, a much clearer picture of the getaway car, a gold-colored SUV like a Nissan Pathfinder.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who would take SpongeBob? I mean, come on. Get real.
MOOS: Put out an APB. Make that an SOS. But don't confuse Scrunge Bob for SpongeBob.
The idea of SquarePants caged up somewhere makes you want to free SpongeBob.
(on camera): And now, Burger King is offering a whopper of a reward for information leading to the return of any SpongeBob: a free year's supply of Whoppers.
(voice-over): A year's supply? This whole thing is enough to scare the SquarePants off of me.
Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: Only Jeanne Moos, you know?
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: She's the best. What would you do with a year of Whoppers?
COLLINS: Give them away? MARCIANO: You know, you'd have to go out and buy all new -- yes, you probably would give them away. Fifty-four grams of fat in those things.
COLLINS: Oh, Rob, thanks so much for that image.
MARCIANO: Yes.
COLLINS: Have a great day. We'll see you tomorrow, OK?
MARCIANO: OK, Heidi, we'll see you later.
COLLINS: From the Time Warner center in New York, I'm Heidi Collins. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.
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