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Holiday Travel; Newark Airport Odor; Bangladesh Death Toll Rising; Seattle Man Missing; Democratic Presidential Debate; State Department Scolds Pakistan President; Thousands Rally at Justice Department

Aired November 17, 2007 - 12:00   ET

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


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: All right Veronica and T.J. probably heading home for the holidays, coming up this week, so area a whole lot of Americans. All in time for Thanksgiving, it's about friends and family and more Americans than ever are determined to get there despite high gas prices and the dreaded airport delays.
Our Jim Acosta is watching the traffic at New York's LaGuardia Airport.

And already, Jim, are you distracted by the crowds there? Already, Jim, are the crowds getting ready for the holiday travel?

JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, ready or not, here they come. The holidays are here, and so will the delays be here at the nation's airports, especially here in the northeast, which is traditionally known as the bottleneck for the aviation industry.

It's a bottleneck that the federal government says it has found a solution for. Earlier this week we saw President Bush making that announcement that restricted military airspace will be opened up for civilian commercial aviation, and that is a proposal that members of Congress have been clamoring for years and they're finally going to get a chance to see it work. And according to the passengers we talked to this morning, any solution, whatever they want to try is certainly welcome.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The past three trips we've gone on we were delayed for a day or more, but we like to go away, so we put up with it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're going to California, which means we're literally going across the country, we have to stop in Dallas. So, I'm very nervous about delays and the possibility we could miss our flight and be stuck.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ACOSTA: And one thing that we should point out is that those long lines at security are not at issue here. Obviously, they're a problem year in and year out, but the government's proposal for opening up the airspace has nothing to do with those delays at the security lines, and even this morning from time to time we have seen this line in the American Airlines terminal, here at LaGuardia, back up a healthy distance, and that is going to be the problem universally, no matter where you're flying across the country.

So, you definitely have to plan ahead. Just because they have this solution to open up what they're calling these express lanes in the sky doesn't mean you won't be waiting in line to take off those shoes before you go through security -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: That's right, pack that patience. Jim, thanks so much.

And of course, the New York area is favoring LaGuardia, Kennedy Airport, and also Newark, New Jersey's Liberty International Airport, where we understand there are some problems being reported at Liberty International Airport, there in Newark.

We're hearing from the port authority that there was an odor of gas that permeated through Terminal B, so much so that one person actually passed out and is being treated there by EMS authorities there, according to the Newark Fire Department. All of this just now coming in as I'm trying to read this to get a better grasp of what's taking place.

But again, Terminal B, a smell was noticed at about 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. They said -- some folks said it actually resembled a natural gas kind of smell, and one person actually passed out. They believe it to be as a result of this odor in this Terminal B. And of course, when we get any more information about how this may be affecting air travel there ,out of Newark International Airport, we'll be able to bring that to you.

Meantime, has airport security improved overall since 9/11? Well, apparently, maybe not. We'll talk with security analyst, Clark Kent Irvin, coming up in about 30 minutes from now, about the problems at hand.

And hopefully, no problems, no weather delays, maybe. Bonnie Schneider is in the Weather Center. Is it an all-clear?

BONNIE SCHNEIDER, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Oh, no.

WHITFIELD: Yeah, figures.

SCHNEIDER: It's just the beginning, and you know, some of the delays we've been talking about this morning have already picked up for this afternoon, and it's still early. All right.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: Oh, boy. Not so uplifting.

SCHNEIDER: I do the best I can.

WHITFIELD: Work with what you've got, I understand and appreciate it. Thanks so much, Bonnie.

SCHNEIDER: Sure.

WHITFIELD: All right, let's talk about a weather disaster of a different scale. Overseas, the death toll keeps rising from the giant cyclone that hit Bangladesh this week. Military officials confirm to CNN that the death toll has now climbed to above 1,700, with more than 1,000 people missing.

These aerial pictures are showing how the cyclone tore apart entire villages, forcing massive evacuations when it could take place. Devendra Tak is with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society, he joins us now on the phone from Dhaka, Bangladesh.

And so, Mr. Tack, give me an idea what is the greatest need?

DEVENDRA TAK, INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION RED CRESCENT: Well, the first greatest need would be water, because the tidal surges have poured water into the ponds, so there's no sea or drinking water available, but we have been providing water purification tablets since yesterday morning.

But apart from that, we could see by aerial surveys that there has been huge destruction, more than just the lives lost. There have been houses and buildings that have been completely destroyed.

So, at some time, we have to think of shelter, because though there are 1,800 cyclone shelters, people cannot be grouped into them too long. So, shelter would be a major, major issue in the days to come.

WHITFIELD: Right. And communication has got to be a nightmare, because with so many villages and infrastructures completely demolished, trying to get the word out that there is some assistance available is hard to do. So how do you distribute water and other things? How do you get the word out that there is some help?

TAK: Well, we have, you know, 42,000 volunteers of the (ph) Red Crescent who are out there. Many of volunteers we have not heard from or been in touch for three days, now. They have gone there to evacuate people, but because of the complete power breakdown, complete telecommunications breakdown for the past few days, there are some people who are totally isolated from everyone else. So yes, I mean, getting them released or finding out (INAUDIBLE) even the assessment is very, very difficult.

WHITFIELD: And so, Mr. Tak, evacuations -- where do people go and how do they actually get there?

TAK: Well, you know, actually, on the 13th, two days before the cyclone actually came, there was a warning given out for people to evacuate. Some people left and they evacuated and they came back to their homes just in time for the cyclone to catch them there. And we feel that could have led to certain casualties which were not otherwise have been there because disaster preparedness was on a much higher level than has been in this region for a long time.

WHITFIELD: And Mr. Tak, before I let you go, give me an idea how folks can help. What kind of Web site might they be able to go to, because you see images like that, folks want to reach out and do what they can.

TAK: Of course. I mean, the federation Web site is www.isrc.org and we have, today day morning, launched a plea for four million Swiss franks to provide preliminary aid to people. But, we feel that within a day or two, we will give a full fledged appeal, which could be significantly higher. Because, even when I arrived today day morning, I had no idea that the situation was as bad and is getting worse and worse.

WHITFIELD: Well, thanks so much for the information. Hopefully, that will inspire a lot of people to help out the best way they can. Devendra Tak with the International Federation of Red Cross and the Red Crescent Society. Thank you so much.

Well, thanks so much for the information. Hopefully, that will inspire a lot of people to help out the best way they can help the victims, go to cnn.com/impact. Look under the "Natural Disasters" tab and click on "Bangladesh Cyclone."

And a Seattle man is missing now in Brazil. Take a look at this picture. The family of former Washington State University basketball star Tony Harries says they haven't heard from him since November 4. Harris left for Brazil last month to play basketball for a Brazilian team. His wife, here in the states, says when she last talked to him, he told her he didn't feel safe. She is nine months pregnant, here in the states, and is planning to head to Brazil later on today and we will be talking to her in the 4:00 p.m. Eastern hour before she departs about the ongoing search for Tony Harries in Brazil.

Well, here's a wake-up call. Get your kids vaccinated or go to jail? That's the message to parents in a suburban Maryland community. We're live at a protest over this controversial policy, as well.

And what happens in Vegas -- well, you know. Well, there's also a lot more gambling taking place there, more than gambling, that is. A lot of folks are still talking about the Democratic debate in Vegas Thursday night. A look at some of the fiery exchanges and what some of the candidates are up to today. That's next in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: So, what did happen in Vegas? Well, millions of you tuned in Thursday night to watch the Democratic presidential candidates slug it out. Senator Hillary Clinton battling back after a rough couple of weeks on the campaign trail, but how did she and the guys do? Our senior political analyst Bill Schneider is "Keeping Score."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BILL SCHNEIDER, SR. POLITICAL ANALYST (voice-over): The two front-runners collided on healthcare.

SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Senator Obama's health care plan does not cover everyone.

SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What I see are people who would love to have healthcare. They desperately want it, but the problem is, they can't afford it.

BILL SCHNEIDER: National security versus human rights.

OBAMA: The concepts are not contradictory.

CLINTON: The first obligation of the president of the United States is to protect and defend the United States of America.

BILL SCHNEIDER: Social security.

CLINTON: I do not want to fix the problems of social security on the backs of middle class families and seniors. If you lift the cap completely, that is a $1 trillion tax increase.

OBAMA: You know, this is the kind of thing that I would expect from Mitt Romney or Rudy Giuliani, where we start playing with numbers...

BILL SCHNEIDER: In the last debate, the issue was confusing answers. In this debate, differences were sharpened, especially on the issue of driver's licenses for illegal immigrants.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Senator Clinton.

CLINTON: No.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BILL SCHNEIDER: Senator Clinton was the experienced insider. Senator Obama was the fresh-thinking outsider. That's a tough choice for Democrats -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: OK, so now what? Where do they go from here?

BILL SCHNEIDER: Well, Iowa, I would think. That's where the race starts and that's where it closes. All of them have managed somehow to get Iowa in. Although today, Senator Clinton and John Edwards are both here in Los Angeles where I am because there is a Global Warming Forum taking place, and so is Congressman Dennis Kucinich. Those three candidates are all going to be speaking at the Global Warming Forum, which has taken on new urgencies since the United Nations mentioned things may be more dire than originally expected.

WHITFIELD: And that's interesting, too, because you heard from some of the folks who were in the audience asking questions, they want to hear about specific issues. They seem to be less interested in hearing about the track record of each candidate, but instead getting these candidates to focus on specific issues like global warming, like the economy, and like the war in Iraq.

BILL SCHNEIDER: That's right. They want to know from these candidates, what are you going to do, what's the future hold. A lot of these debates have been mired in the past, your record, my record, who said what on healthcare or who said what on Iran or Iraq, but what the voters seem to be focusing on, quite rightly, is what are you going to do if you become president, what can we expect, because that is the choice that voters have to make.

WHITFIELD: Bill Schneider, thank you so much, from Los Angeles. I know you've got lots of friends in L.A. Have fun while you're there.

BILL SCHNEIDER: OK. Thanks.

WHITFIELD: All right, well, it was indeed the most watched primary season debate this year. So, now get another chance to see what everybody has been talking about. If you missed even one minute of the Democratic Debate, see it again this weekend, tonight and tomorrow, 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Eastern.

Tough talk, as well, from the U.S. Point man in Pakistan. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte met with Pakistan's president this morning. The State Department says he carried a clear message, urging General Pervez Musharraf to lift his state of emergency, leave the army, and set a date for elections. It's all aimed at getting the president to move back to more democracy -- the Pakistani president.

Pakistan has seen its supreme court purged and thousands of protestors detained since Musharraf imposed emergency rule two weeks ago now.

And you have probably gotten pretty fed up with the rising gas prices, but a deadly shooting at a Detroit gas station was the result of a battle over lowering the prices. That's straight ahead in the NEWSROOM.

And thousands rallied in Washington, calling for the Justice Department to do more to prosecute hate crimes. So what happens next? I'll ask CNN contributor, Roland Martin, right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: So, thousands answer a call for justice, attending a rally in Washington against hate crimes, including an upsurge of nooses strung out across the country. Marchers demanded the Justice Department to do something.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REV. AL SHARPTON, NATL ACTION NETWORK: People said they'll never be able to bring numbers out like they brought in Jena, but we know that if we would stand up and if the mikes of our community would open up, then our people would come, and look behind you all the way to the end of the plaza, from all over this country, we're here, the Justice Department wouldn't come to the people. We brought the people to the Justice Department.

(END VIDEO CLIP) WHITFIELD: And after the march, nearly sworn-in attorney General Michael Mukasey issued this statement that said in part, "The Justice Department shares with those who demonstrate today their objective of bringing to justice those who commit criminal acts of hate, it shares their vision of eradicating hate in our society. At the same time, the department must follow the law and the principles of federal prosecution in every case it investigates and prosecutes."

CNN contributor, Roland Martin was actually at the march. He joins me now from Chicago, back at home there, with his take on things.

So Roland, we heard from the Justice Department, which says we're in concert with your concerns, but we're not necessarily pledging to do anything different. So, what was the response from the Justice Department expected?

ROLAND MARTIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, first and foremost, the march -- I mean, granted, one of the issues dealt with Jena and the whole issue of the nooses, but it also was broader. So, when you look at the Georgia voter I.D. law, that was one issue they also talked about.

But, beyond that, this whole issue of what took place in New Orleans, when people who were disenfranchised who left, they were not allowed to vote in local elections, so critics said, wait a minute, how is it that Americans have allowed Iraqis to vote in Iraqi elections, but you're not allowing New Orleans residents to vote in the New Orleans local election.

And so although you have the noose, that was a primary focus, we sort of had a broader focus of this Justice Department, based upon those who marched, saying they are not upholding the law and speaking to their concerns and enforcing civil rights laws in this country.

WHITFIELD: So, where do you go from here, though? Yes, collectively, there were a lot of different opinions, a lot of different purposes being exemplified out there from the marchers, from people who talked about, you know, my relative is in jail and they're there not necessarily because of what they did, but because of the disparities in trying to find a defense, being able to afford a good defense attorney.

There were a lot of different stories out there, but where do you go from here? You have a collection of people marching around the Justice Department. But now what? Where's the momentum go?

MARTIN: Well, first of all, here's a timeline. Of course, you had the march in Jena, then you had congressional testimony by Reverend Al Sharpton and others as it related to that particular case. Now, there are members of the Congressional Black Caucus who told Reverend Sharpton and other activists involved, the SCOC (ph), lawyers and other folks, say look, you need to be able to also show that there is wide public concern for some of the issues you're raising. And so that's what this was all about. You also have to keep in mind historically, when you look at the march on Washington for jobs and freedom, we often leave out that last part, in 1963. The purpose of that was also to press the government for the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. That march was in '63, the Civil Rights Act didn't come until a year later, then the Voting Rights Act came later, as well.

So again, although it's a matter of saying well, here is a march, it's about applying public pressure. What their next goal is to say, fine, you've got all these people who came to Washington, D.C., but then, one of the things they're going to look at is how do you then have public pressure in individual cities, issues of their concern.

So, here in Chicago, where you had a police officer, Jon Burge, who allegedly tortured 200 black men over the course of 20 years, Burge and all the cops involved have never been tried as a result. And so local activists, they want the U.S. attorney to be tried for perjury as a result. People actually went to death row, went to jail for 15, 20 years for confessions that were beaten out of them. And so, their whole deal is...

WHITFIELD: I guess my point, or the question I need to ask, is a march effective? Yes, in the civil rights movement it promoted change, whether a year or a couple years later, but now you hear people who interpret marches of today as, they just make noise, but no change is actually promoted.

MARTIN: But, but, but, Fredricka, those are people who have no understanding of history. The march on Washington and the marches in the '50s and the '60s, you could say the exact same thing. On one hand, you had some people who were marching. Dr. King was marching, but Clarence Mitchell and the NAACP, in ewere in the corridors of Washington also pushing legislation. You can't have one without the other. You've got to have the external pressure and the internal pressure so when people say a march or a rally means nothing, well then how are you able to show people that a lot of folks are concerned about something? That's why you pull them together.

What those happen, though, is you have to have follow-up. You have to have people who are pressing policy, you have to have people advocating various initiatives on the federal level, the state level, and the local level, and that's what has to happen.

Now, if you have a march and no follow-up, you're absolutely right, that's all noise. But, if you have a march and then you're meeting with the attorney general's office, you're fighting against various laws, that's what you do. And so it's the opportunity to galvanize people to get them to unify around an issue and then say, now, let's move to other kinds of action, and that's the difference.

WHITFIELD: All right, Roland Martin...

MARTIN: Let me also add, the whole deal with illegal immigrants marching around the country. I mean, look, that was also a matter of trying to affect public policy. And so again, marches are effective, but it's the follow-up to the march that is the most critical thing, and that's what has to happen, and Reverend Sharpton and others said yesterday there will be follow-up. So yeah, we'll see what happens next.

WHITFIELD: And we'll have you back on that occasion, too, to talk about the follow-up and on other occasions, as well. Roland Martin, thanks so much, from Chicago.

MARTIN: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Let's go to Maryland now, where it is the law. Children must be vaccinated, and if not, you as a parent go to jail. Gary Nurenberg is there.

GARY NURENBERG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fred.

See that group of guys in back of me? One of them's the state's attorney, one of them is the health officer. State's attorney writes a letter to 1,000 parents, going because your kids did not get inoculated, you could go to jail or pay a fine. So, today hundreds of parents show up at the courthouse, and when they get here -- well, we'll tell you what happened coming up -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right, Gary, thank you so much.

And how is it that bomb parts have been getting through airport security six years after 9/11? We'll talk with security analyst Clark Kent Erwin next in the NEWSWROOM.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GERRI WILLIS, PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR (voice-over): A place where it's good to be green on this week's "Modern Living."

It's not your average dorm by today's standards. In fact, this five-story building uses 30 percent less water than a typical structure of its size. Bathroom sinks have automatic shutoff sensors and duel flush toilets. You lift the handle up for liquids and push down for solids. The first green dorm at Georgia Turman Hall at Emory University also has recycling rooms on each floor, compact fluorescent lighting, bamboo floors and recycled carpets.

Another way it conserves energy is by having individual thermostats in each room which residents can only set between 70 and 78 degrees year-round.

With this week's "Modern Living," I'm Gerri Willis.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Happening right now: packing up and heading out. Holiday travel heating up this weekend. AAA says almost 39 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more this Thanksgiving holiday.

And there is word that part of Newark International Airport has been evacuated. Authorities are checking out a possible gas leak there. If you're at the Newark Airport, send us an i-Report from your cell phone. E-mail us at ireport@CNN.com. Let us know what's going on there, at least your experience.

And death and destruction as far as the eye can see. Officials in Bangladesh now report that more than 1,700 people have been killed in a monster cyclone. Relief workers are still trying to reach the hardest hit areas, so those figures are expected to rise.

Here in this country, get those shots or go to jail. Some Maryland parents could be facing jail time today if their children don't get vaccinated. They've been summoned to court and they've been given the options.

Our Gary Nurenberg is at the Prince George's County Courthouse in Upper Marlboro where -- have people been lining up in droves to get those shots for their kids?

NURENBERG: That's exactly what's been happening, Fredricka. Prince George's County is, you know, is immediately adjacent to Washington, D.C. It has about 131,000 kids in its public school system. Earlier this month, about 2,300 of them had not met state mandates for inoculations.

So, several days ago, the state's attorney sent out a letter to those parents saying, look, you're in violation of the law, you either take care of the inoculations, or it is possible we could charge you $50 a day for every day you don't do it or even put you in jail for ten days.

So, earlier today, we'll show you some pictures of the hundreds of parents who showed up here today with their kids to try to explain why they hadn't had their children inoculated or to get free inoculations that were made available to them at the courthouse here today.

Many said that they had tried and were unable to do so before, but there were complaints that the bureaucracy here simply wasn't up to the task, and a number of angry parents surrounded the state's attorney, complaining they had had their children inoculated and didn't appreciate the threats.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I brought in the shot records that met today.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They said OK, everything -- it was a mess- up, it was miscommunication. I turned around two weeks later, I just got this letter yesterday in the mail, stating I had to be here today at 8:30 -- this is crazy! I just got it in the mail yesterday. You're telling me if I don't show up in court today, I'm going to jail? These are the letters that we got yesterday.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody received them yesterday.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, from Judge Nichols (ph)? UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody received them yesterday, saying that we had to be here today. And how imperative it is for us to be here, and if we're not, we may be fined or we may be in prison.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NURENBERG: Well, that's just a sample of what the atmosphere was like here earlier today, but the state's attorney and health officials in the county say it seems to be working. Several hundred parents have had their children inoculated in the last several days. They'll be counting noses as the week begins, Fredricka, to see whether they take the next step and once again, threaten those parents with jail.

WHITFIELD: OK, but that parent brings up a great point. Out of all fairness, why in the world would people be notified at such short notice to be in attendance the next day in court, or else? Is there an explanation?

NURENBERG: Well, you know, I'm still waiting for the Christmas card you sent me last year. The state's attorney said, look at the date on the letter, it's, you know, five or six days ago. They say we only got it yesterday, that group of women that we saw. What can we say? It went out five or six days ago, they said they got it last night. Where's my Christmas card?

WHITFIELD: Oh, man. All right, this year, you're getting my Christmas card on time.

NURENBERG: OK.

WHITFIELD: Gary Nurenberg, thanks so much ...

NURENBERG: Thanks.

WHITFIELD: ...from Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

And just in time for the holiday travel rush, reports of lapses in airport security. The TSA called on the carpet this week after investigators managed to smuggle bomb-making items past airport screeners, people. Also, word that screeners might have been tipped off to other inspections and given cheat sheets.

Our Homeland Security Correspondent Jeanne Meserve looks into it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MESERVE, HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Are airport screeners tipped off ahead of time to improve performance on undercover tests? The head of the Transportation Security Administration tells Congress no.

KIP HAWLEY, TSA: There is no tip-off and no cheating.

MESERVE: What, then, is the explanation for this April 2006 e- mail sent to hundreds of TSA personnel, with the subject line "notice of possible security test." It includes descriptions of testers and advice on how to beat them. Hawley says it was sent by mistake and recalled 13 minutes later. Not everyone is buying it.

REP. AL GREEN (D), TEXAS: If it is true that there were tests taking place and the language in the e-mail makes reference to the test, Mr. Hawley, how can you say that there was no cheating? How can you say that there was no tip-off?

MESERVE: Former Homeland Security Inspector General Clark Kent Ervin, now a CNN analyst, says every manager involved should be fired and prosecuted.

CLARK KENT ERVIN, FMR. DHS INSPECTOR GENERAL: We've got to send a strong signal that this cannot be tolerated. Literally, the security in the United States is at stake here.

MESERVE: The TSA says it does rigorous, honest tests all the time, asking screeners to find real bomb components concealed in carry-ons and clothing 2,500 times a day.

(on camera): But previous investigations have confirmed that screeners in San Francisco and Jackson, Mississippi, were alerted to TSA tests in 2004. The DHS inspector general is checking to see if there is a broader pattern of cheating.

Jeanne Meserve, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: So, how can this be happening six years after 9/11? I talked more extensively to CNN security analyst and former inspector general with the Department of Homeland Security, Clark Kent Ervin.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right, Clark, should we be concerned? All those long lines at the screenings that we go through, and then come to find out, they're not seamless after all.

ERVIN: Well, you really should be concerned, Fredricka. I think it's really inexcusable, it's almost criminal that here we are, six years -- more than six years after 9/11, and it's still just as easy to sneak guns and knives and bombs past screeners as it was on 9/11 itself.

WHITFIELD: Why is that? Is the problem -- does this highlight there's a problem with the procedures or are there inefficiencies in the screeners themselves?

ERVIN: Well, I think it's really primarily two things. One, I think there is insufficient training of screeners. They need to be trained on a regularized basis, in as close to real-world conditions as possible, point one. And that's related, by the way, to the number of screeners. We have too few screeners and because there are too few screeners, they can't really spare any time for training. The second issue is technology, though. There are certain technologies -- backscatter, for example, that can see through clothing, a number of explosive detection technologies that are still only in the pilot or testing phase, all these many years after 9/11. These technologies need to be widely deployed at checkpoints throughout the country.

A combination of more training, better training, and better technology will get us as close to 100 percent detection as is humanly and technically possible.

WHITFIELD: OK, so the technical matter, that'll take a little time, but in the meantime, then, what about better training for the screeners, or does it mean really starting from square a, getting new screeners all together? Does it say something about the personnel that are being recruited, the folks that are getting the jobs, are they trainable?

ERVIN: Well, you know, I think, you know, depends on the person, of course, but in general, I think that people are trainable. If it were up to me, I'd appropriate significantly more money so that we could pay people better. The higher we can ...

WHITFIELD: Yes, it would seem like you would want to recruit perhaps law enforcement folks, people who already have a certain basis or a foundation of trying to spot, you know, what we don't want to get on a plane, and then, you train above and beyond from there.

ERVIN: That's exactly right, Fredricka. We need to pay them better. If we do pay them better, we can attract higher caliber people, and as you say, I'd be particularly attracted to a proposal to have law enforcement personnel or people with that background as our screeners.

Because at the end of the day, it is true that there are many layers to our aviation defenses, as TSA stresses, but as these layers go, I would argue that the most critical one is the screeners, because that is the last time, the first time and the only time that passengers are checked for weapons on their bodies or in their carry- on luggage. If it's not caught there, it's not going to be caught before and when they board an airplane.

WHITFIELD: All right, so all of that is somewhere in the future. How about right now, you're heading to the airport, you're traveling for the holidays. Might you need to go ahead and expect even longer delays because they're going to be a lot more aggressive at these screening checkpoints?

ERVIN: Well, I think that's right. It's the holiday season, so of course, that means more people in general. And then secondly, because there are so few screeners, as I said beforehand, and because we're in a heightened threat environment, for all those reasons, the lines will be even longer. So, I think it's incumbent upon people to arrive even earlier than they normally would in order to minimize the inconvenience to the extent that that's possible to do.

WHITFIELD: All right, Clark Kent Ervin, thanks so much. Good to see you.

ERVIN: You too.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Well, perhaps you've had it with soaring gas prices. Well, you won't believe the outcome of a fight between rival gas stations after one owner lowered his price by a mere three cents. Find out what happened, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: You probably already know this, but you're paying more to fly. According to the Department of Transportation, the average domestic airfare is $378 round-trip. That's the highest level since 2000, and for airlines to stay afloat, they're doing even more to raise revenue.

Here's some extra charges you should be aware of the next time you fly.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIK TORKELLS, EDITOR, BUDGET TRAVEL: Just because you've bought an airline ticket doesn't mean you're done paying. Airlines are tacking on fees wherever they can and not just for meals and entertainment. You may find you have to pay extra to board first or to reserve exit or aisle seat.

American Airlines has a policy that if you didn't book on their Web site or through an agent over the phone, you'll be charged $15 if you call to change your seat. However, it's free if you do it online or at the self-service check-in.

Think before you pack. Most U.S. airlines let you check two bags weighing up to 50 pounds each. It'll cost you $25 more per bag if you go above the weight allowance. Spirit Airlines, meanwhile, now charges $5 to check your first and second bag, $10 if you don't pay online and $100 for a third bag. Some major airlines have started charging a couple dollars per bag for curb-side check-in and you still have to tip.

And beware of the fuel surcharges many airlines may need to add on if oil prices continue to rise. Keep these things in mind when you're planning your travels and budget accordingly.

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WHITFIELD: Well, this is pretty hard to believe. A battle over who has the lowest price of gas turns deadly. This story comes to us from Detroit. Three pennies apparently cost a Michigan man his life. Detroit police say rival gas station owners got into a brawl over pump prices. One man claims the other was undercutting him by three cents, but police say the owner of a Marathon Station grabbed a gun and shot his cross-street rival at the BP gas station. The Marathon station owner was arrested. No word yet on the charges.

And a story now from the nation's Capitol. A female Capitol police officer is now the prime suspect in an arson investigation. CNN affiliate WUSA reports that she is now suspended with pay. Seven minor fires had been set in two separate Senate buildings since September. Most of the fires were set in women's bathrooms in various parts of the building.

And could it be? Could a deal be in the works? Striking Hollywood writers and TV studios say after Thanksgiving, they will resume contract talks. The dispute is over how much money writers get from Internet downloads and DVD sales.

And CNN has also learned that the Broadway strike could be over, even earlier. Producers and stagehands are expected to meet some time this weekend. They're trying to find a compromise over work rules, just in time for the lucrative holiday season.

And is this ever you, running red lights. Red light runners, watch out and watch this, right there. It could be that a ticket isn't the only thing you get hit with. More of this crash and all that caught on camera, straight ahead.

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WHITFIELD: Well, red light cameras catch red light runners. And in Ohio, a terrible crash. Take a look. After the light turned red, a car went through the intersection -- boom -- and right there, crashed right into a semi. Look at it again in slow motion. Almost seems like the car will make it under the truck, but then right there gets clipped. The car's driver is in serious condition after that vehicle was dragged 150 feet. The lesson there, do not run those red lights. You never know what's coming through the intersection. Wow.

Well, let's talk a little weather. Bonnie Schneider in the weather center. You talked about a real mixed bag, especially for those, perhaps, who are traveling. It's not looking so good.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: All right, presidential politics straight ahead. The candidates are debating the issues. That's pretty important, but which candidate is tops when it comes to those snappy one-liners and zingers?

Our Jeanne Moos counts down the top ten, next.

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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D-NY), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: ...to be here tonight, and to pass through asbestos (ph) tonight.

(END VIDEO CLIP) WHITFIELD: All right, so, it is one of the more memorable quips from Thursday night's Democratic presidential debates in Las Vegas. Scoring the big one-liner is almost as important as arguing circles around the competition.

CNN's Jeanne Moos has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Electrifying, no, but after more than 20 debates, we've managed to compile the top ten debate zingers. Number ten by a hair.

MIKE HUCKABEE (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We've had a Congress that spent money like John Edwards at a beauty shop, and it's high time ...

MOOS: Number nine was out of this world.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you see a ufo?

REP. DENNIS KUCINICH (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I did, and ...

MOOS: The only thing better than a two-word answer is a one-word answer from a talkative guy known for what the L.A. Times called "uncontrolled verbosity."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can you reassure voters in this country that you would have the discipline you would need on the world stage, Senator?

SEN. JOE BIDEN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Yes.

MOOS: He may tend to be chatty, but we're giving Senator Biden credit for three zingers. No. 7, Biden's answer to the question what do you like about the candidate next to you?

BIDEN: Besides Dennis, the thing I like best about you is your wife.

MOOS: That would be the redhead, Mrs. Kucinich. On to No. 6, something Senator Biden doesn't like ...

BIDEN: Rudy Giuliani, there's only three things he mentioned in the sentence, a noun and a verb and 9/11. I mean, there's nothing else.

MOOS: No. 5 was when Mitt Romney compared the debate process to Law and Order.

MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It has a huge cast, the series seems to go on forever and Fred Thompson shows up at the end.

MOOS: John McCain liked his own witticism so much that he put it in a campaign commercial. He zinged Hillary for wanting to spend money on a Woodstock museum. SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Now, my friends, I wasn't there. I'm sure it was a cultural and pharmaceutical event. I was tied up at the time.

MOOS (on camera): One of our favorite zingers came post-debate, not from a candidate, but from a snowman.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello, Democratic candidates.

MOOS (voice-over): The snowman who asked Democrats about global warming, then Republican Mitt Romney suggested he wouldn't answer questions from a snowman, to which the snowman replied ...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lighten up slightly.

MOOS: Our No. 2 debate zinger came from mother nature ...

RUDY GIULIANI (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Catholic bishop -- issued a ...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The light thing that's having an effect on our ...

GIULIANI: I know.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ...system.

MOOS: It happened while Rudy was in the middle of an answer about abortion.

GIULIANI: For someone who went to parochial schools all his life, this is a very frightening thing.

MOOS: That's sort of what Mike Gravel said about his rival candidates on stage.

MIKE GRAVEL (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Some of these people frighten me!

MOOS: He really zapped his colleagues in the Senate. Our No. 1 zinger ...

GRAVEL: You know, the first time you get there, you're all excited, my God, how did I ever get here? Then about six months later, you say how the hell did the rest of them get here?

MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Wow. Well, there won't be a repeat of that one, but there will be a repeat of this one. Because if you just missed a minute of the Democratic Presidential Debate in Nevada last Thursday night, you have an opportunity to see it again Saturday and Sunday night at 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.

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