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House Votes Today on Non-Binding Iraq Resolution; Tale of Two Cities

Aired February 16, 2007 - 11:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning, everyone. You're with CNN. You're informed.
I'm Tony Harris.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Betty Nguyen, filling in for Heidi Collins today.

HARRIS: Developments keep coming in to the NEWSROOM on this Friday, February 16th.

Here's what's on the rundown.

NGUYEN: The House setting up a vote on the president's troop plan for Iraq. We're gong to talk live this hour with two congressmen, one a veteran of the Iraq war.

HARRIS: Buried under snow. Now upstate New York gets ready for, yes, a new blast. Some spots bracing for another foot, maybe more.

NGUYEN: They don't need it.

Well, Anna Nicole Smith commanding tabloid headlines even in death. Jeanne Moos on the courthouse body battle. Casket case -- in the NEWSROOM.

HARRIS: And at the top of this hour, political showdown over Iraq. The House heading for a vote today on a resolution opposing President Bush's troop buildup. Democrats say it could set the stage for more decisive steps against the president's war plans.

Congressional Correspondent Andrea Koppel live on Capitol Hill now. She is part of the best political team on television.

Andrea, what are you hearing in terms of the tone -- tenor of the debate? And when might we get that vote?

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Nobody really knows, Tony. They're guesstimating at this point it could come around 4:00 this afternoon. But the reason they don't know is there are a number of other speeches that remain to be made on the floor. And you know those congressmen, you can never tell just how long they're going to talk.

At this point, the tone and tenor is much of the similar tone and tenor we've heard over the last three days. There are times strong emotion, there is at times frustration and anger heard. But for the most part, Democrats making the case that it doesn't make sense to send thousands more troops to Iraq. Republicans making the case not to do so would be a grave mistake.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. GREG WALDEN (R), OREGON: In short, we broke it, we need to fix it before we leave it. But fixing Iraq does not mean ending all religious differences, differences that have ripped apart that region for 1,300 years or more. Fixing Iraq does not mean installing our form of democracy. Fixing Iraq means ensuring a new terrorist haven is not created or allowed to be created from which they can train and plan safely to carry out attacks against the West.

REP. DIANA DEGETTE (D), COLORADO: The chaos deepens daily, and the president sits in the oval office hoping that somehow, somehow, it will turn out all right in the end. This is neither policy nor leadership. The administration's policies are the stuff of dreams and fantasies, not hard-core determinations of our nation's interests or the best course for addressing strategic threats.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOPPEL: Now, once the vote happens later this afternoon, what makes this vote on an Iraq resolution different from previous ones is that it won't be along partisan lines, Tony. We do expect at least 12, 15, perhaps as many as several dozen Republicans to sign on to it as well.

HARRIS: And Andrea, the Senate may take some action this weekend in a rare session on this very same resolution.

KOPPEL: That's right. The question is, will they be able to cut the procedural knot that was tied last week? And we heard the Democratic leader, Harry Reid, say the Senate was going to have a rare Saturday session. They're going to take up a test vote on the same House resolution that's being debated right now, that same language.

Whether or not they get the 60 votes they need remains to be seen. They expect, perhaps, in the high 50s. And that's because Republican leaders say until they know for sure that they're going to get a vote on an alternative resolution which would say you cannot cut funding for U.S. troops in Iraq, they are not going to sign on to that move.

HARRIS: Our congressional correspondent, Andrea Koppel, for us this morning.

Andrea, thank you.

NGUYEN: Take a look at this just in to CNN. These pictures, as we get closer to the scene of this accident, are really remarkable. Let me tell you what has happened here.

This is near Butner, North Carolina, somewhat near Durham. And we understand that there's been a fiery accident. You don't see it right there, but you do see someone being taken on a stretcher.

This is what happened. Look at this. We understand at least three tractor-trailers were involved and one car in this fiery accident. You se firefighters still trying to put some water on what's left of that scene.

This happened at mile marker 186, which is north of Falls Lake, North Carolina. Firefighters doing what they can to put the flames out.

We don't know what caused this fiery crash, but the pictures really speak for themselves. Unfortunately, according to The Associated Press, two people have died in this accident. It's doing a lot to back up traffic, obviously.

Both lanes, northbound and southbound, are shut down because this accident pretty much takes up all the lanes there, as you see. Firefighters on the scene.

Again, this happening near Falls Lake, North Carolina. Highway Patrol, according to The Associated Press, saying two people were killed in this fiery accident. Three tractor-trailers and one car involved.

As soon as we get any more information, we'll bring it to you.

All right. Stuck on an icy interstate, no food, no water, and your gas tank is nearly empty. It is a frightening scenario, but it actually happened to hundreds of people in eastern Pennsylvania.

The icy conditions on I-78 created a backup, get this, 50 miles long. It took police 24 hours to clear the snow jam. Frustrated motorists wondered why the road wasn't shut down before they got on it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've never seen it here like this before myself. But it's kind of hard. I mean, you've only got, like, five miles in between the exits. And to see the people stranded and nobody really coming out to help them, it feels like they're left by themselves.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Now, eventually the cavalry was called in. National Guardsmen used Humvees to deliver food, gas, even baby supplies to extremely stressed out motorists, and for good reason. Good Samaritans even on snowmobiles lent their hand.

The cars, well, they are now off the road right now. And crews are still working, though, to clear the trucks so that they can reopen I-78 and two parts of I-80 and I-81, which were also shut down.

HARRIS: And I guess the question is, Chad, as we move into the weekend here, folks in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, a bit of a break so that they can get out and clear the driveways and the walkways and get the snow off the roof?

NGUYEN: And maybe get to the grocery store if they get a chance.

HARRIS: Yes, restock.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, the threat this weekend -- and you have to be careful what you ask for, because there is so much snow on some of the roofs up there.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HARRIS: The breadth of Hurricane Katrina can still be felt along coastal Mississippi. This is how it looked back in 2005. Today, casinos are reviving Biloxi, while in other towns the chips are town.

Our Sean Callebs is in Long Beach, Mississippi.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Shot this right there in front of us.

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Beaten and battered by Katrina, Long Beach, Mississippi, just got another kick in the teeth. Oreck, the vacuum maker and the town's most important employer, is leaving town, not for cheap overseas labor, but for Tennessee. Five hundred jobs here will disappear.

MAYOR WILLIAM SKELLIE, LONG BEACH, MISSISSIPPI: For this to come on the heels of this disaster, certainly, it's a -- it's a hard, hard lick, you know, for communities.

CALLEBS: Company president Tom Oreck says post-Katrina insurance costs, double the price for one-third of the coverage, and not enough workers have forced his hand.

TOM ORECK, PRESIDENT/CEO, ORECK: Less than half our people came back after the storm, and repopulating the plant has been very difficult.

SKELLIE: I don't buy it. I mean, they can, you know, take it to the bank, whatever, but, I mean, I don't buy it. There were enough workers before. There were enough workers to put them back in business.

CALLEBS: This is the daunting task facing Mayor Skellie and his city. All these red blocks highlight homes and businesses destroyed. Just 20 miles to the east it is a completely different story.

Biloxi's casino business is booming. The Beau Rivage, just one of ten casinos trying to fill thousands of jobs after rebuilding and after so many were forced to leave the area.

BRUCE NOURSE, BEAU RIVAGE CASINO: There was a lot of anxiety, obviously, when we got to the point of rehiring. We needed to hire about 4,000 people. We were very pleasantly surprised, to be honest with you. We had over 25,000 applications for those 4,000 jobs. CALLEBS: The casino pays $1.5 million in taxes each month to Biloxi, giving the city a leg up on its coastal neighbors still trying to rebuild.

SKELLIE: We still have our Gulf Coast here, our beautiful beaches, our water, our great fishing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: And one other note. Starting today, State Farm Insurance says it will stop writing new homeowners and commercial policies in Mississippi.

NGUYEN: Tony, let's take you back to that accident near Durham, North Carolina. You see the cars really just stacked up because both lanes of traffic off of Interstate 85 are shut down at the moment. And we're going to show you why in just a second when we show you some video of this fiery crash.

There it is. Look at that. That's all that is left of three tractor-trailers and a car.

We don't know why they collided, but unfortunately reporting to The Associated Press two people have died because of this accident. It occurred near mile marker 186, north of Falls Lake.

If you're familiar with this area, firefighters had to really douse down these tractor-trailers to keep them -- the fire off of them, although the fire did quite a bit of damage before they were able to get there. We saw at least two helicopters on the ground airlifting folks to nearby hospitals. And we saw just a little bit earlier a person being taken on a stretcher.

So don't know the extent of the injuries of those who survived this accident, but according to The Associated Press, two people have died. And it's causing major backups for miles, in fact, on the roadways there off of I-85 near Durham, North Carolina.

We'll stay on top of this story.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is immoral to send young Americans to fight and die in a conflict without a real strategy for success.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: An Iraq war veteran opposed to the president's battle plan. We will hear from the freshman congressman and a colleague on the other side of the war debate coming up in the NEWSROOM.

NGUYEN: Also, parents shaken. Two elementary school children, they are dead, and apparently from the flu.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's hard to imagine that, you know, an 8- year-old passed away from the flu.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: The Seattle flu scare here in the NEWSROOM.

And pregnant women told to avoid seafood, but new research suggests there may be some benefits for baby.

We have those details ahead in the NEWSROOM.

HARRIS: Spectacular crash even more spectacular. Everybody walked away. Man.

NGUYEN: Can you believe this?

HARRIS: CNN tracked down the lucky-to-be-alive drivers. Hear their tale in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Well, take a look at this. We continue to follow not only the accident, but the backup from this accident near Durham, North Carolina. You can see the traffic there just backed up for miles. And we're going to show you why, because of a fiery accident that occurred a little bit earlier.

You see it right there, at least what's left of it. Three tractor-trailers and one car have collided, resulting in this. And The Associated Press is reporting that two people have been killed as a result of this accident. We saw at least one person being transported via helicopter to a nearby hospital.

And let me just give you a little more information on exactly where this is, if you're familiar with the area. This is at mile marker 186, north of Falls Lake in North Carolina.

If you know anyone traveling on this stretch of the roadway, you may want to let them know they might want to turn around, because that backup is going to be there for quite a while. Both lanes, northbound and southbound, are shut down.

In fact, we're trying to get some more information on what exactly caused this accident. So if you're listening to us on satellite radio and you have good information...

HARRIS: Oh, great.

NGUYEN: ... send it in, give us a call.

HARRIS: The political battle over the war in Iraq. The House voting today on a resolution, rebuking President Bush's Iraq plan. The debate going on right now.

This morning, we are talking with two freshmen congressmen on opposite sides of the debate. Patrick Murphy is a Democrat from Pennsylvania and an Iraq war veteran. Representative Tim Walberg is a Republican from Michigan and a former pastor.

Gentlemen, thank you both for your time this morning.

REP. PATRICK MURPHY (D), PENNSYLVANIA: Thanks, Tony, for having us on.

REP. TIM WALBERG (R), MICHIGAN: Good to be here.

HARRIS: And Representative Murphy, let me start with you. You're going to vote in favor of this resolution, aren't you?

MURPHY: That's correct. I believe that we need a new direction in Iraq.

I served there in Iraq in 2003 and came home in 2004, literally three years ago. And I believe that, still, the Iraqis are sitting on the sideline. And it's time for them to step up and really fight for their country.

HARRIS: Do you support General Petraeus? Do you support Secretary Gates?

MURPHY: Absolutely. General Petraeus is a great leader. And Secretary Gates, I like the fact that he's been much more open and has been very open with this Congress, which is needed.

HARRIS: How about this, your vote undermines those men?

MURPHY: I would strongly disagree with you, Tony. I think the fact is, is that we have checks and balances in this country for a reason.

I think what we need right now is to make sure to refocus our efforts back on Afghanistan, back against al Qaeda and the person who killed thousands of innocent Americans. And that's Osama bin Laden. He's still at large. And that's why we need to refocus our efforts in Afghanistan.

HARRIS: Representative Walberg, what do you think of this? What do you think of the debate so far?

WALBERG: Well, I think the debate has been great. It's given an opportunity for the American people to hear the strength of passion from each side on the issue.

And I think that when you're talking about an athletic field, the fans in the stands being the 12th man on the field or the 6th if you're in a basketball game is important to have them encouraging this effort. Our troops -- and I visited some at Walter Reed yesterday -- my son served with some of those in the Army as well. To see those young men and women who have served with distinction and given deep sacrifice to stand with them very strongly and have the knowledge for them that the public and the Congress is supporting them, is ultimate in importance.

HARRIS: Sure. Representative Walberg, just a short list here. Let me tick a few things off here.

Wrong on weapons of mass destruction. Wrong on the strength and the persistence of the insurgency. Wrong about the number of troops needed at onset.

Why do you trust the administration to get it right this time around?

WALBERG: Well, you know, I don't simply trust the administration. We do have one commander in chief. But we do have people like General Petraeus, who was nominated and confirmed unanimously as a person that the Senate, at the very least, felt had the ability to lead this troop effort. He is doing that now.

The 9/11 commission put out some information that in fact we are following right now. And on the basis of all that, having to trust military minds that are far beyond what I am -- and I certainly honor my colleague here for his efforts in Iraq -- but at this point in time, what we can do as a Congress is support the troops, support the leadership, and say, whether we agree or disagree, the patient is on the operating table, the cavity is, open and it's not time for the doctor to walk away.

HARRIS: Yes.

MURPHY: And Tony, if I could add something real quick.

HARRIS: Sure. Sure.

MURPHY: And I agree with the congressman here in that our troops are doing a great job and General Petraeus. You know, when I was in the 82nd Airborne Division, we used to say you can grab an 18-year-old paratrooper, Tony, and say, "Listen, Paratrooper, in a week you've got to fly the space shuttle." That paratrooper would find out a way how to do it in a week.

HARRIS: Yes. Yes.

MURPHY: And General Petraeus, they're going to do everything they're asked to do because that's their job. They have to execute it.

But what we're talking about and the debate is about is policy. And the one good thing about this, Tony -- and Tim and I agree on this -- is that we haven't had from either side too many personal attacks. You know, if we disagree on policy.

And that's a good thing. And I think that's the mark of this new Congress, is that we're willing to debate these issues and have these hearings. We've had 52 hearings on this issue, on Iraq.

HARRIS: Yes.

MURPHY: But it's important, and you mentioned it. You know, going into this war, you know, four years ago, unfortunately this administration ignored the advice of General Shinseki, ignored the advice of General Zinni. You know, those military leaders. And to our, you know, prevail, I mean, the fact is, I lost 19 of our buddies in my unit when I was over there.

But now you fast forward now four years later and it's like "Groundhog Day" all over again, Tony, because now we've had people like General Abizaid -- not only General Abizaid -- we had General Colin Powell. We've had the Iraq Study Group that said, listen, you need to go in this direction. And it seems like the president is ignoring it.

HARRIS: Well, let me stop you just for a moment to ask you this, Representative Murphy.

MURPHY: Sure.

HARRIS: Let's put up a little -- some polling information here. Our most recent CNN-Opinion Research Corporation poll found that 59 percent of those polled believe it is extremely important for the president and Congress to deal with Iraq.

So why a non-binding resolution? Do you think the American people voted out Republicans, put Democrats in power for non-binding resolutions?

MURPHY: Well, this is a first step, Tony. We need to understand that. You know...

(CROSSTALK)

HARRIS: Well, why not a -- why not a binding first step? Why not a real statement?

MURPHY: Well...

WALBERG: We really need that.

MURPHY: Well, and we will get there. But the fact is that we need to make sure that we take the time to see we had the debate, and we don't want to get mucked up like in the Senate and make it too large and people not sign on to it, and people don't -- you know, they hid (ph) away from a debate.

We debated this for three days. We both took the floor of the House and spoke our peace on this issue. And the fact is, it's going to come to a conclusion today, we're going to vote whether we're for the surge or against the surge, or, more accurately, for the escalation of troops or against the escalation of troops.

HARRIS: And let me...

WALBERG: And I guess, Tony, I would say...

HARRIS: Very quickly. WALBERG: I would say that whether or not it's binding or non- binding, it is making a statement. And just as General Washington came back from the Revolutionary War to the Congress and said send me help and support and encouragement, and they denied that, General Washington and the troops went back and won the war. And of that we are grateful.

I think the same will take place here. But with this resolution, we are saying to the troops, we support you, we don't support your mission. And that's my concern.

And whether it's binding or non-binding, I think it has the same impact. And that is not a good thing at this time in our history.

HARRIS: And gentlemen, thank you for your time. Representative Murphy, Representative Walberg, thank you for your time. Betty's got to get to some breaking news for us. Thank you both.

NGUYEN: Yes. We do have some more information on that fiery crash near Durham, North Carolina.

In fact, we have Lieutenant Everett Clendenim with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol on the phone to fill in some of the blanks here.

Lieutenant, first of all, we're looking at pictures of this accident. They are truly remarkable. Show -- or tell me, if you would, exactly what you know about what caused this.

LT. EVERETT CLENDENIM, NORTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY PATROL: Yes, what troopers are reporting is that we have three tractor-trailers involved in this traffic collision. It's on I-85 in Granville County. It occurred about 10:00 a.m. this morning.

Of course, we're in the early stages of the investigation. But troopers are saying that they believe that two tractor-trailers were parked on the shoulder of the runway. For an unknown reason, one tractor-trailer traveling southbound swerved and struck the two parked tractor-trailers.

We're not sure what happened or what caused that, but what we do know, sadly to report, that we do have two confirmed fatalities as a result. We still have rescue personnel out on the scene. I believe the fire is controlled at this time. And we'll try to figure out now exactly what happened.

NGUYEN: Well, it is quite an accident scene. Now, you talk about three tractor-trailers, two parked on the shoulder, one swerved and hit them. But we're also getting word there was another car involved. Is that the case?

CLENDENIM: Actually, what we found out, there was a car at the scene, but we believe that car was not -- well, we know now that car was not involved. It actually may have been someone stopping to try to help.

NGUYEN: And the fatalities, were they in the parked tractor- trailers?

CLENDENIM: The troopers are working through that. We're still in the early stages of this. But we'll know those answers before long.

NGUYEN: And what about the loads on these tractor-trailers? Did they cause this fiery crash that we saw?

CLENDENIM: It appears they may have. We -- troopers are reporting back to us that they don't believe at this time that there's any hazardous materials involved. But once again, we're working through this thing right now. So we don't believe there's any other danger to the public in the area other than the roadway is blocked and it's going to cause traffic congestion.

NGUYEN: Oh, yes, it will. We're looking at some video of that. It looks like it's blocked for miles.

How long do you think it's going to take to get this roadway open again?

CLENDENIM: Well, we're working with our DOT partners on that right now. Motorists can probably expect delays up until 3:00 or 4:00 this afternoon.

NGUYEN: Really?

CLENDENIM: Until we get this roadway cleared.

NGUYEN: Because both northbound and southbound will remain closed?

CLENDENIM: No, southbound.

NGUYEN: Just southbound.

CLENDENIM: Northbound is open. Of course there's onlooker delays in that lane which is causing problems, but they're working hard to figure out what happened out there and then get the roadway open so that we can get the motorists moving.

NGUYEN: And just to be clear, there are two deaths as a result of this accident. What about injuries?

CLENDENIM: Not sure about injuries. At this time, the troopers are reporting back to me that there are two fatalities. It's my understanding that one was transported out from the scene. So one could assume that there probably are additional injuries.

NGUYEN: And we're looking at backups for miles, at least until 3:00, 4:00 this afternoon.

Are you rerouting people to different roadways so that they wouldn't get stuck in this?

CLENDENIM: Yes, we're requesting that. And I believe that what I'm being told is that our DOT is working on establishing a detour for the area.

NGUYEN: Well, what a mess you have on your hands. And unfortunately, two people have died as a result of this fiery crash.

Lieutenant Everett Clendenim with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

We thank you for the information.

CLENDENIM: Thank you.

HARRIS: Another spectacular crash to tell you about, and even more spectacular outcome. Everyone walked away from this. CNN tracked down the lucky-to-be-alive drivers. Hear their story in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: We're going to take you back to that accident near Durham, North Carolina. This is on Interstate 85, just north of Falls lake. If you're familiar with the area, it is near mile-marker 186. And you can see the backup there, it just stretches for miles upon miles, and that is because an accident around 10:00 a.m. Eastern today, where two tractor-trailers were parked on the shoulder, and for some reason, another one swerved, another tractor-trailer, and hit those two, causing this fiery mess that you see, at least what's left of it. Two people have been killed in this accident. And obviously it's causing a lot of problems on the roadways there.

And we just spoke with a lieutenant with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol a little bit earlier and he said this backup -- that we're going to zoom out for a second and let you get a good look at -- that is going to last until 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. Eastern today.

So quite a bit of work to do obviously. And if you're headed near this roadway, Interstate 85, just north of Falls Lake, near mile- marker 186, you may want to turn around. Otherwise, you will be stuck for some time.

HARRIS: Well, it is video everyone is talking about. We showed it to you right here on CNN. Man, a tandem semitruck crashing into a police cruiser, captured on the cruiser's dashboard cam. The accident occurred on a rainy Kentucky highway. A car, which you can't see on this tape, hit the police cruiser. The officers got out and yanked the driver to safety just in the nick of time. The officers and the rescued driver spoke to our Miles O'Brien on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OFFICER DOUG EAGLER, ERLANGER POLICE: Yes, it was -- there wasn't time to do anything, but we saw a truck coming. We started yelling to each other, myself and Officer Allen. There was a semi coming, and we knew that Ashley and that there was another car out there with our cruiser. And we had to get her out of the way.

She got her seat belt off, and somehow she got herself out and opened the door, and then we got to her and pulled her. And I just threw her down in the median, against the wall.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Wow. And Officer Allen, did you -- was it pure reaction like that. And at any point, did you think, "Oh, my gosh, I got to run for my own life?"

OFFICER BILL ALLEN, ERLANGER POLICE: I don't think we had any time to think really at all. We just kind of reacted and worked as a team to save the three of us. Between Officer Eagler and I, we just took over and reacted.

O'BRIEN: The minute you got into the wreck with Ashley, you knew you were in a precarious position, didn't you? I mean, this was a very slick road, a lot of traffic. Not a good place to be, right?

ALLEN: As soon as it took place, it was almost like everything else was going to happen. There was just going to be chaos everywhere because you could see the other cars sliding, as well, because the road was solid ice.

O'BRIEN: I'm looking at these cars right now. It's just -- it's incredible. First of all, this blue car, what car was that? Who was in that vehicle?

ASHLEY WALKER: I was in that car.

O'BRIEN: You're in the blue car. The red car then, who was in the red car?

EAGLER: There was another gentleman that had actually parked with his hazard lights on. He had to stop because of the blue car in front of him. He was behind her with nowhere to go. He got hit also.

O'BRIEN: Was he in that vehicle when that happened, though?

EAGLER: Yes.

O'BRIEN: And he's OK?

EAGLER: Yes, he's fine.

O'BRIEN: Amazing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Truly, just looking at the accident, it's hard to believe anyone survived. Well, these folks are in recovery mode. The Midwest and Northeast, badly battered by a monster winter storm that blanketed the region in snow and ice. At least 22 deaths are being blamed on the bad weather. Tens of thousands of people, they're still without power.

And in eastern Pennsylvania, crews are trying to re-open sections of three major interstates, I-78, I-80 and I-81, where hundreds of people were stranded on I-78 for nearly 24 hours. This is a situation that created a 50-mile traffic backup. National Guardsmen used Humvees to deliver food, gas, even baby supplies to extremely stressed out motorists. The storm also caused problems for air travelers, no doubt. Many flights were delayed offer canceled. But you'd be hard pressed to find any kids complaining about the weather. That's because many schools have been closed since Wednesday.

HARRIS: A deadly flu outbreak to tell you about at elementary schools at least three states, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Washington. Right now, in Omaha, Nebraska, health officials say three children are hospitalized with severe flu symptoms, similar to those of an 11-year- old girl who died of the flu last week. And in Seattle, an 8-year-old girl dies of a flu-like illness just one week after a 7-year-old died of complications associated with the flu. Seattle public schools are sending home letters to parents notifying them of the deaths and offering illness-prevention steps. No deaths reported in Oklahoma, but officials say 400 students were out sick at one time with flu-like symptoms. One school district considered canceling school if absenteeism kept rising.

A daily dose of health news for you this morning and a message for moms to be. If you want smarter kids, consider eating seafood. Now research out today says women who eat two to three servings of fish a week may have children with higher IQs. The children also show better developmental skills than those whose mothers shunned seafood. The study's authors are surprised by the findings. It contradicts health officials. They've long urged pregnant women to limit seafood. That's because fish can contain mercury.

NGUYEN: And to get your daily dose of health news online, all you have to do is logon to our Web site. It's right there for you. You'll find the latest medical news, a health library and information on diet and fitness. The address, CNN.com/health.

HARRIS: House lawmakers, lining up, taking sides on the president's troop buildup for Iraq. We look ahead to today's vote in the NEWSROOM.

NGUYEN: Check this out, elephant gone wild. A belligerent beast gets her anger out. You have to stick around for these awesome pictures. Van-dalized, shall we say, here in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Let's take you back to that fiery accident in Butner, North Carolina, which is near Durham. That is what is left of three tractor-trailers. We understand from state highway patrol that two tractor-trailers were parked on the side of the highway here. And a third tractor-trailer just swerved and hit both of them, causing this accident. It's unsure at this point, at least unknown by the state highway patrol officer that we spoke with, whether the loads that these tractor-trailers were carrying created such a fiery accident, or if that was just from the crash itself.

But what I can tell you at least two people have been killed in this accident.

And if we can go to some live pictures, you'll see what this accident is doing to traffic there. It is just at a standstill, stretching for miles upon miles there. And according to state highway patrol, this is going to be the situation, at least until 3:00 or 4:00 this afternoon. So if you know anyone headed this way north of falls lake, on mile-marker 186, off of Interstate 85, in Butner, North Carolina, they may want to take another route, as they try to clean up that accident scene there. We'll stay on top of it.

A new ripples in the controversy stirred by former NBA star Tim Hardaway. As you may recall, the five-time all-star told a radio interviewer that he hated gay people. He later apologized for his remarks. The NBA, nonetheless, barred him from appearing at the All- Star Weekend, now getting under way in Las Vegas. Late last night, on our sister network, TNT, three former NBA stars weighed in with their thoughts.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHARLES BARKLEY, TNT ANALYST: Tim Hardaway's a good guy, but that's one of the stupidest things I've ever heard another person say, and especially coming from a black person. Because Kenny touched on it earlier, we need to be inclusive. Racism has always been a problem in this country. But for a black person to be exclusive, to discriminate against another group is no way -- hey, Tim's a great guy, but what he said was one of the stupidest things I've ever heard.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What else can you add to that, Reggie?

REGGIE MILLER, TNT ANALYST: I think it really is a lack of education. And as we said, we all know Timmy very well. And his last run was with the Indiana Pacers. And for everything that we've overcome as African-American athletes, a lot of the racial discrimination, even though this is a different form of discrimination, I really believe he needs some type of counselling, and he needs some type of help to overcome his phobias toward this, because this is -- even though it's not one of the serious issues that, you know, the violence that's been going on in the NBA, this is another black eye David Stern has to look at.

KENNY SMITH, TNT ANALYST: You know, and the inclusive term came from Bill Russell, and you know, he actually said to me, about how African-Americans need to be inclusive.

But to me, the whole situation when John Amaechi came out, the book, my whole response was, who cares.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Selling a book, as you said, last week.

SMITH: I mean, he's trying to sell a book on his sexual preference. So what. To me, that didn't make any sense. And that's like being a white rapper. So what. We know there are white rappers now. We know that there are black people in the suburbs. So he's trying to make something out of something that we already know. And I thought it was just an oversell anyway.

And, Tim, I think what he does, is his comments also -- when you say negative comments about one group, it leads people to believe that that's how you feel about other areas in your life, and it makes you look like a bigot.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Comments there from former NBA players Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Reggie Miller. Once again, the NBA All-Star Weekend gets under way tonight in Las Vegas.

NGUYEN: Well, her life played out on reality television. Now, the surreal plot twist surrounding her death. A fight over Anna Nicole Smith's body, right here in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

"YOUR WORLD TODAY" coming up. Is there a bump, or a tease or music or something? "YOUR WORLD TODAY" coming up at the top of the hour.

Hala Gorani standing by with a preview.

Good morning, Hala.

HALA GORANI, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Tony and Betty.

Well, we have a lot coming up at the top of the hour. We hope you can join us, Jim Clancy and myself. First we take to you Russia, our senior international correspondent Matthew Chance exposes the most shocking kind of allegation within the Russian army of bullying and violence, even worse than previous accusations. Also, we're going to be talking about that controversial CIA program to seize terrorism suspects in Europe, sometimes ship them to third countries. Some of those who have been seized accuse the CIA of torture. Well, an Italian judge has issued indictments for several CIA agents. Big news in Italy.

And the Year of the Golden Pig. That's the new Chinese Lunar Year. It starts on Sunday. It's the best year to do something. Can you guess what it is?

HARRIS: Well, no.

GORANI: What do you mean no? Did you see the picture?

HARRIS: Well, kind of. Betty was...

GORANI: Well then you're just going to watch aren't you, Tony.

HARRIS: I will.

GORANI: We're prepared for New Year's. Not to worry. Thank you, Hala.

NGUYEN: Well, more than a week after her death, Anna Nicole Smith is at the center of stranger than fiction moments.

Here's CNN's Jeanne Moos.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As in life...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Guys, I want your hands on her...

MOOS: So in death. People were trying to get their hands on her.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They are damning evidence, Your Honor.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your Honor, I object...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Please let me finish.

MOOS: Who gets the body?

The mother wants Anna Nicole her buried in Texas. The boyfriend wants her in the Bahamas.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have people that loved her. And the woman sitting across from me has not laid eyes on that young lady since 1995. And she sits here today to take her to Texas and put her in the ground alone.

MOOS: Alone, as opposed to the plot Anna Nicole was said to have bought for herself next to the son's grave in the Bahamas.

This could be any ugly family argument, but this one involved one of those first name only celebrities.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anna right here, please.

MOOS: And it was on camera.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Let me finish...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's strange.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Talk to me, talk to me...

MOOS: The folksy Florida judge at this hearing kept things under control.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get your pens ready. I'm not doing orders.

MOOS: Anna Nicole's mother's pen was as flamboyant as her daughter had been.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where is she now, physically?

JOSHUA PERPER, BROWARD COUNTY CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER: She's physically under refrigeration.

MOOS: Despite the sniping...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Under Florida law... UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No! Not under...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They have refused to present a will.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's not true, your honor.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, you cut and pasted...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I said I had the whole thing...

MOOS: ... the bickering gave away to cooperation.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The lady needs to be involved.

MOOS: Off that a similar family fight over another flamboyant celebrity is going on simultaneously.

Almost two months after his death, James Brown's body is still at an undisclosed location, waiting for his alleged widow and children to agree on a burial place.

Since Anna Nicole seemed to like living in front of cameras, she probably wouldn't mind details of her death being televised.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And there's a dress, that Anna's dressmaker of 15 years is preparing.

MOOS: The judge didn't seem worrying about dressing, putting on his robe, taking it off in front of the cameras, and several times...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All of this is going to become...

MOOS: ... the judge's cell phone went off. He had to fumble in his robes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's my wife telling me what to do.

MOOS: Or maybe it was Anna Nicole calling truly long distance.

ANNA NICOLE SMITH, DECEASED: Hi.

MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MOOS: ... he had to fumble in his robes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's my wife telling me what to do.

MOOS: Or maybe it was Anna Nicole calling truly long distance.

ANNA NICOLE SMITH, DECEASED MODEL: Hi.

MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Hey, take a look at these pictures. An elephant gone wild! She's just trying to clear out a little unwanted trunk space.

NGUYEN: That's why you don't mess with a female of any sort.

HARRIS: Vandalized, in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: No doubt, he is eccentric, he is dangerous and now he is 65. North Korea celebrating President Kim Jong-Il's birthday. Quite colorful. North Korean gathering in Pyongyang Central Square for a mass dance day. Kim's birthday is a national holiday, and North Koreans celebrate with great fanfare. The festivities followed this week's nuclear deal with the U.S. and other nations.

HARRIS: And, not going to mince words here, Betty, video -- look at this. One angry elephant taking her fury out on a van. A four-ton animal, her name, Habe (ph), was supposed to take part in a polo tournament for tourists in Sri Lanka.

Habe (ph) had other ideas -- look at -- the idea of throwing rocks? That's going to help? That's going to help? Here's the good news, no one was injured. Well, the van took ...

NGUYEN: ... Yes, the van took the brunt of the beating.

HARRIS: An elephant expert says Habe (ph) just may have been a little stressed out.

NGUYEN: You think? Just a little bit.

HARRIS: Little bit.

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Throwing rocks? They should have been throwing peanuts maybe.

HARRIS: There you go. We're back in the NEWSROOM one hour from now. Here's Don Lemon.

NGUYEN: Some of that may have worked a little bit better to calm her down.

LEMON: How are you guys doing?

NGUYEN: Doing great, happy Friday.

LEMON: Happy Friday to you.

NGUYEN: Well, not to me.

LEMON: It's your Monday. We've all heard this, right? Say it loud...

NGUYEN: ... Say it proud. LEMON: No, say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud. You know that is James Brown, but you may want to think again.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Show me the doll that is the nice doll. And why is that the nice doll? She is white.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Well this experiment was originally done more than 50 years ago. The results were disturbing enough in 1954, but this was shot recently, 18-year-old aspiring filmmaker Keri Davis (ph) joins us live to talk about the damaging racial messages kids are still getting.

And speaking of damaging messages, has NASCAR completely tossed the notions of cheaters never win?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not throwing rocks. I live in that glass house. I cheated 10 million times and I'll admit it straight up, dude. I have done it 10 million times, lived to pay for it, and lived to walk away from it. So we've all been there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: All right, so here's the question. If everybody does it, does that make it OK? We'll hit Daytona for more on the scandal over allegedly juiced up cars. We also want your e-mails. Is it ever OK to cheat? So we've revved up and ...

HARRIS: ... That's why they call it cheating.

NGUYEN: Yes, I'm trying to think of an instance where it is OK. I mean, I can't think of one.

HARRIS: Well, we wouldn't call it cheating if it were OK.

LEMON: Well, we have our little cheat sheets here sometimes, but that's not really cheating.

NGUYEN: Well, we're not cheating.

LEMON: That's just knowledge, information.

NGUYEN: It's additional information.

LEMON: Make sure you join us at 1:00.

NGUYEN: It's how you define it, apparently.

LEMON: Tony, have a great weekend. You have a great weekend, too.

NGUYEN: Thank you. CNN NEWSROOM continues one hour from now.

HARRIS: "YOUR WORLD TODAY" is next with news happening across the globe and here at home.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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