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Winter Storms; Basra Security Handed Over to Iraqis; Kid- Appropriate Toys

Aired December 16, 2007 - 17:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. I'm Fredericka Whitfield. All that coming up in the NEWSROOM but first: Let's get right to the extreme weather and there's a lot of it. A rather lengthy stretch of the country is snowed under today and that big winter storm, well, it's not finished yet.
Snow is still piling up in New England, as the great lakes region and parts of the midwest begin to dig out. And it finally stopped snowing in Chicago by the way, after nearly a foot came down, making it pretty hard to leave the driveway to knock out the rest of that holiday shopping perhaps.

And more snow is expected in parts of Michigan today. In that state, hazardous road conditions are blamed for two deaths and a traffic death is also being mentioned in Wisconsin. It's being blamed on the storm as well. As the system rolled eastward, Boston awoke this morning to a fresh coat of snow and a grown of heavy plows. In other parts of New England, sleet and ice are the order of the day as well and far to the south, in of all places, Florida.

No snow, but in Fasco (ph) county, near Tampa, a tornado did hit early this morning, destroying a temporary jailhouse. All the female inmates had been safely evacuated. Let's touch base again with CNN's Reynolds Wolf who is in snowy, Syracuse. But he's bundled up and the snow looks good but we know it's very treacherous as well. Reynolds?

REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You're absolutely right, Fredricka, there are some mixed emotions when it comes to this kind of snowfall. Yes, it is esthetically pleasing, it's actually beautiful to see man, I'll tell if you happen to be on these slippery roadways, you're -- you can run into a world of trouble in no time. But you've got crews out there, there are crews that have been moving all over this area, in fact, all over the state -- doing what they can to clear up the mess.

In fact, take a look at this video that we've got for you. This is taken a little bit earlier in the day. Crews working up and down on the roads, not only on the roads but also in sidewalks, back into parking lots because of course, you have to have those businesses open. It is a -- sometimes it seems like an exercise in futility because as soon as they clear a road, you'll have the breeze pick up and the snow will push right back upon to area that was cleared out. Or else you have more snow that is falling.

In fact, we have in this morning, we had 1 to 4 inches that fell. First, this is the second installment and then Fred, we're going to see even more snow coming overnight and into tomorrow. So, these plows are still going to be out, it's going to be a non-stop battle from morning to noon to night and then into tomorrow morning before a lot of this begins to fizzle on out. What people have been advised in the Syracuse area, and I am no doubt the same goes for many other spots around the country dealing with the snowfall, if you don't have to drive, by all means don't. Take it easy, stay at home. Enjoy looking out the window at the snow.

But you certainly don't want to get out in the elements if you don't have to. Now, we're going to be watching this situation unfold. As you can see, the snow all the way up the street, back in the hill right here in beautiful Syracuse University of Syracuse, New York. This is going to continue to be an icy mess.

Right now, (INAUDIBLE) because obviously, it's a quiet Sunday night, but by tomorrow for rush hour, it could be an entirely different story. And of course, we'll be there for you to give you that story. For now, let's send it back to you.

WHITFIELD: Yes, it won't be called rush hour, but slush hour maybe. And something tells me you're not going anywhere any time soon. You'll be in that slush hour. OK, thanks so much, in Syracuse.

All right. Well, pretty big trouble this evening in parts of Pennsylvania as well where the system dropped freezing rain and ice. Downed power lines and put tens of thousands of people there in the dark. With strong winds forecast, officials fear the outages could spread. Last hour, an emergency official told CNN that efforts are being made to identify people in need and to get them in shelters. Meantime, let's check in again with Bonnie Schneider in the weather center where it's cozy and warm. (INAUDIBLE) but he makes it look warm, doesn't he? Warm and cozy.

BONNIE SCHNEIDER, AMS METEOROLOGIST: He does with that smile on his face. Well, you know, unfortunately, we're going to see more power outages because the winds will pick up and that will weigh down the isolated tree branches and they'll fall unfortunately on power lines. We're predicting that not just for Pennsylvania but in many locations. Wind advisories are in place. The wind and nasty weather is making for a travel nightmare tonight. We have so many airport delays. Let me show them. In Philadelphia, in New York City, they're up to two hours and ten minutes ground delays there at JFK, also long delays at La Guardia at Newark, New Jersey. And into Toronto, in Canada and as we go to page two of our airport delays, we also have delays in and around Chicago. Let's show you some live pictures now. We can show you the weather, what it looks like outside in Chicago right now. And it doesn't look that bad, but I can tell that you if you are outside you'd be feeling it. The wind chill factor is 10 degrees, winds are blustery coming in out of the northwest there, gusting up to 38 miles per hour. So, it's cold and blustery tonight. Most of the snow looks like it's kind of an in the median and the roads have been cleared. Chicago there it just snow and they can handle it. But if you're going to be out and about tonight, make sure you wear your layers. We'll also have a live picture to show you of Ann Arbor, Michigan. They are still under a winter storm warning. That still in effect for tonight because more snow is expected in that region. Blustery cold, wind chill factor now at 13. And Fred, we still have lots of snow in upstate New York not just in Syracuse but watch out. And coming back to our graphics now, we're looking at strong wind in this region as well. In fact, some of the winds are gusting tonight, even in the New York area overnight, about 50 miles per hour. And in and around Boston as well, we're going to see strong winds, especially along the coastal areas. Here's a look at some of those snow totals. We showed you Ann Arbor, nine inches of snow on the ground there with more on the way tonight and tomorrow morning.

WHITFIELD: OK. Thanks for the warning, Bonnie.

We'll talk about a dramatic jailbreak and it is weather-related as well. It happened this morning in Land O'Lakes, Florida, where a tornado flattened a minimum security annex in the Fasco county jail. Ferdinand Zogbaum from Bay News Nine is live with more.

FERDINAND ZOGBAUM, BAY NEWS 9, LAND O'LAKES, FLORIDA (on camera): That's exactly right. Well, the tornado went basically right where we're standing. It carved a path right towards the jail where we heard that it hit winds of about 100 miles an hour. It took out these trees behind me, uprooted one completely and snapped another tree in half. A lot of people have been out here, cleaning things up, getting power restored. But the cleanup effort down at the jail behind us is going to take a while.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice over): Sunday morning was marked with a lot of destruction around parts of the Fasco county. The Land O'Lakes detention center was nailed. We were the first camera on scene and got these shots of the transport van knocked on its side. And footage of this building that was leveled. James Wilson is with the Fasco county sheriff's office. He witnessed it all.

JAMES WILSON, FASCO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE: The noise was very overwhelming. There was dust, water everywhere.

ZOGBAUM: The good news is nobody was injured. Everybody is safe despite all the damage. Fasco County Sheriff, Bob White says some inmates got out of danger just in time.

BOB WHITE, FASCO COUNTY SHERIFF: We evacuated about 200 inmates from the temporary structures and immediately upon evacuation, when that steel door closed, they lost power and those units were destroyed. They were reduced to rubble.

ZOGBAUM: Power crews spent the entire day fixing downed poles and wires while county workers cleaned up trees. Inmates from the jail also pitched in.

WILSON: All the staff, all the inmates to that fact at it (INAUDIBLE) very appropriately.

ZOGBAUM: Sheriff White didn't put an exact amount on what the damage will cost but he did say it could be in the millions.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ZOGBAUM (on camera): Now, the sun is going down here and this next story we're getting ready to deal with is very windy conditions and very cold temperatures for around here. We're just north of Tampa and some of the northern counties just up the road actually are expecting freezing temperatures tonight. So as people sort of gear up and get this tornado behind them, now they're starting to pull out their winter coats. Back to you, guys.

WHITFIELD: Oh, boy. All right. It's something they don't have to do that often. Thanks so much Ferdinand Zogbaum with Bay News 9 there in Land O'Lakes, Florida.

All right. Let's move on to the storm of politics coming up. She's trying to keep things pretty interesting on the campaign trail. Well, take a look. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton making a grand entrance in Iowa on the helicopter. And a former Democrat backs a Republican presidential candidate. It's one of three major endorsements for these candidates this weekend.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Big news for Republican presidential hopeful, John McCain. The Arizona senator is getting the nod from two newspapers that could impact the fast-approaching Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary. The "Boston Globe" is backing McCain and Illinois senator, Barack Obama. The "Globe" is widely read in southern New Hampshire. And Iowa's "Des Moines Register," well, it's endorsing McCain and Senator Hillary Clinton. CNN's correspondents are covering the Democratic and Republican camps for you today. Our Mary Snow is in Boston with details on another key endorsement that's coming McCain's way and not in the form of print.

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT, BOSTON: That's right, Fredricka. You know, on the heels of that "Boston Globe" endorsement, the John McCain camp is saying it's having a major endorsement tomorrow morning. Now a senior GOP official familiar with the plan, say that endorsement is coming from Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut. He is a Democrat turned independent but you know, it sure to anger fellow Democrats of Lieberman. Lieberman comes under some strong criticism from Democrats. He's been a very vocal supporter of the Iraq war and when he ran for re-election in his state, the percentage, you might remember, he had a very highly contested bid there. So this is sure to gain some attention. Fredericka?

WHITFIELD: All right. Also getting a lot of attention, Ron Paul, because of all the endorsements in part that he's been getting, mostly on the Internet.

SNOW: Yes, and you know, today is one of the days that Ron Paul supporters call a money bomb day and that is where they're trying to galvanize support on line. Ron Paul's campaign says it's raised over $3 million so far today. Here in Boston, supporters also trying to make a statement on this anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, they're trying to get out their message that they're trying to stage a revolution in the election -- in the presidential election. And they, even though Ron Paul has really been an underdog candidate in the polls, they refuse to give up hope that he will win the Republican nomination and they say that they're pretty sure he'll do well in New Hampshire among independents.

WHITFIELD: All right. It will be interesting to watch all the way around. Mary Snow, thank you so much from Boston.

We're also hoping to spark a fire with Iowa voters this week. Hillary Clinton is using what her campaign calls a "Hila-copter." Today, on her campaign blitz to Iowa, our Suzanne Malveaux is watching the Clinton campaign via from Dunlap. Sounds like I have a funny accent when I say that, "Hila-copter."

SUZANNE MALVEAUX: People don't quite say Hila-copter like helicopter. So, I'm getting a little echo in my ear here, Fred, but it was quite interesting to see the helicopter fly over. This is really by any means necessary to get across the state, reach as many people as quickly as possible and that is what it was all about. She's just wrapping up her event here at a Livestock Auction House. Really, it's a unique experience Fred, to listen to her speak and hear the moo of a cow in the background every once in a while, punctuating what she's saying but clearly she is trying to address and get one message across and that is that she is the one who has the experience that is necessary to be the next president. She got a big endorsement from the "Des Moines Register," the most prominent paper here in the state. Really quite a coup. The editorial board saying in the paper that the job requires a president who will not only understand the changes needed to move the country forward, but also possesses the discipline and skill to navigate the reality of the resistant Washington power structure to get things done. That candidate is New York senator, Hillary Rodham Clinton. The senator made a point today before the audience to talk about how she's not only listening to them and their concerns but how hard it was, how much she fought to get this endorsement. This is all about these candidates trying to show voters here that they are fighting for the job.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I was especially honored by the endorsement this morning of my candidacy by the "Des Moines Register." It was -

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: And Fred, that really has enable the game, voters, Iowans want to know and feel that the candidates are working for their votes here and that is the message that she was trying to get across. Another victory for her opponent. As you know, this is the back and forth between them is this issue over experience - Washington experience, life experience, what really matters. Well, as Barack Obama, who's got the endorsement of the "Boston Globe," that also very much important because a lot of New Hampshire voters, they're the ones who are picking up the paper, the Democrats at least, and they are turning to the "Boston Globe" for guidance on who they should choose. And those New Hampshire voters are going to be the second set. As you know, their primaries shortly after the Iowa caucuses will be casting their votes as well. Fred?

WHITFIELD: All right. Suzanne Malveaux, thanks so much, in Dunlap, Iowa. See, I can enunciate. All right. Thank you.

All right, well, McCain now has key newspaper endorsements in Iowa and New Hampshire under his belt. But his campaign is still trailing in the polls in both states. Is there going to be a holiday miracle for the Arizona Republican? CNN congressional correspondent, Dana Bash joins us now by phone. And let's talk Dana, first about this endorsement from Senator Joe Lieberman. We know he was a Democrat before he became an independent and now he's endorsing a Republican. What's going on?

DANA BASH, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (by phone): That's right, CNN is told by multiple sources Fredricka, that weather permitting, Senator Joe Lieberman is going to endorse Senator john McCain in New Hampshire tomorrow morning. Now, this is a bit of a coup certainly for John McCain for a number of reasons and it's rocking the political world because of this. You mentioned that, you're talking to me Fredricka; Joe Lieberman had been a life-long Democrat. He is now an independent. And the fact that he is decided to endorse a Republican senator, John McCain, somebody who is quite Conservative on social issues, but for whom he has a kindred soul with, if you will, on the war in Iraq, and particularly on national security issues, that is ruffling feathers in the Joe Lieberman's Democratic world because Senator Lieberman is an independent but he caucuses with the Democrats in the Senate. And that means that he is the chairman of a very important committee, the Homeland Security Committee. So, the Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid was informed, at least his office was, we are told by Senator Lieberman's office and I have a quote for you, Fredricka, from Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid. He said. "I have the greatest respect for Joe, but I simply have to disagree with his decision to endorse Senator McCain." That is Senator Reid coming to CNN through a spokesman. Now, what I am told by an aide to Senator Lieberman I just spoke with is that the primary reason he's endorsing Senator McCain is because he believes he is a capable commander in chief and he will be and he believes the best to take over on day one. And that he thinks he's the best to unite the country. And what this Lieberman aide told me Fredricka is that he's making clear this is not a commentary on the Republican Party or an endorsement of the party but this is simply an endorsement of John McCain, the person. So, it will be quite interesting to see the two men together, weather permitting again, that's tomorrow in New Hampshire. But it is, just like you mentioned, kind of a sense that Senator McCain's campaign which was basically written off for dead just a couple months ago, has gotten new life with this endorsement and others like key newspapers this weekend Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. So, the feeling is these endorsements really could potentially make a difference?

BASH: Well, they could. Look, what this means is that Senator McCain is a player. He's in the news; you and I are talking about him right now. And frankly, we weren't just a short while ago. The fact that he got - let's just start in New Hampshire, the New Hampshire area, the fact that he got the "Boston Globe," not former Governor Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, who has been relying on a win in New Hampshire, that is a big coup for John McCain, no question about it. And then, going over to Iowa, I mean, you know, it's unclear if newspaper endorsements really do make a difference. But it certainly is telling perhaps if nothing else how the establishment, the "Des Moines Register" feels about other candidates in the field when we're talking about Iowa because Fredricka, John McCain has barely even stepped foot in Iowa very much. He was there last week for the "Des Moines Register" debate. He had a couple of the campaign events but he is not in sync and he was first to admit it with the people of Iowa. And this sort of is telling about a dynamic we've been talking about for some time and that the sort of disarray in the Republican race and the dissatisfaction with other candidates who'd been doing better lately.

WHITFIELD: All right. Well, it's fascinating stuff. Never a dull moment. Dana Bash, thank so much from Washington.

BASH: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: And of course, for all the day's political stories, go to CNNPolitics.com. Find out the latest endorsements and much more. Again, the address is CNNPolitics.com.

Handing over the reign of responsibility. A celebration in the streets of Basra today as British Forces take on a different role in that region.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: A monumental moment in the fight for Iraq - four and a half years in the making. Today in Basra, British military officials returned regional security responsibilities back to local authorities. The British say they've done their job of ridding the area of quote, unquote enemies.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAJ. GEN. GRAHAM BINNS, BRITISH COMMANDER: The current security situation must continue and increase. In addition, the parties have begun working together. (INAUDIBLE) I know that Basra will move forward together. One day, I hope that this will be remembered as a time when Basra began with its enormous potential. (INAUDIBLE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Basra was the last province under British control. British officials say roughly 2,500 troops will remain in Iraq for provisional security.

In the other war zone: Afghanistan, Taliban fighters are claiming responsibility for yesterday's rocket attacks that targeted police headquarters in Kabul. Five people died, another five were wounded. Insurgents had turned a wooden cart into a makeshift rocket launcher. CNN's Nick Robertson, who was at the scene, spoke with the Afghan President, Hamid Karzai.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NICK ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What is the solution here, is it a purely military solution to defeat the Taliban?

PRES. HAMID KARZAI, AFGHANISTAN: No, it is not. It is definitely not a purely a military solution. The solution has to be both political and then military.

ROBERTSON: Reconciliation is it?

KARZAI: Reconciliation is one part of the political solution. The solution has to be concentrating by all of us on the sources of terrorism -- on where they get trained, on where they get enabled to come and hurt the rest of us in Afghanistan or the rest of the world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And President Karzai denies reports suggesting as much as half of Afghanistan is under Taliban control.

Well, in this country, from snow and ice in the north, to rain and winds in the south, severe weather is pounding parts of the east coast. Our Bonnie Schneider is tracking all of it.

SCHNEIDER: That's right, Fredricka. And this evening, current temperatures in the northeast are bitterly cold. But that's nothing when you factor in the wind chill. Not only that, but we're also tracking major flight delays across the country this Sunday evening. I'll have more on your forecast and what we can expect for Monday coming up.

WHITFIELD: Plus, your dime, their pork. A museum you've probably never heard of, even though Congress left you the bill.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Hello again, I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Here's what's happening right now. A snowy, slippery, dangerous day in the northeast and in parts of the midwest. A major winter storm is hammering those regions with snow, sleet and strong winds and part of that same storm system triggered a tornado in Florida. It flipped cars and demolished parts of the jail in Land O'Lakes. Inmates had been evacuated and no one was hurt. That's the good news.

Bonnie Schneider is keeping a close watch on all this.

This system is sweeping the entire east coast from north to south.

BONNIE SCHNEIDER, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Absolutely. All the elements came together for a big snowstorm and that storm in Florida was the result of severe weather from yesterday, a tornado watch there, because of the moisture coming up from the Gulf of Mexico.

I want to show you the way things stand now. We are looking at cold, cold temperatures. In fact, take a look at some of these numbers. In Chicago, it's 21 degrees but it feels like it's seven. Let's show you a live picture of Chicago at this time. The winds coming in from the Northwest, that's what is making it feel like it's in the single digits. But it sure looks pretty with the lights on the trees as the traffic moves along at a steady pace. Plenty of snow on the ground but the roads are clear.

We'll move over to Boston now, which is actually, believe it or not, even though Chicago is the Windy City, did you know that Boston annually has the strongest winds, when you compare the two?

I want to show you a live picture. Boston is still a very blustery evening, wintry weather happening in that state. Wind advisories continue straight through early tomorrow morning. So windy weather that will probably cause slowdowns at the airports and that's what we have happening right now. We have numerous airport delays and they are lengthy, across the country. Providence, closed, due to winds and snowy weather. Ground delays in New York City and JFK, two hours. Also delays in an around the Toronto area.

As we expand to page two, delays in Chicago and in Washington, D.C. But notice Chicago is improving, so that's good news.

What can we expect as we head into the rest of the work week into Monday? A current temperature in Boston right now at 38. But notice the strong winds and the wind advisories are going to be a concern as we go through Monday. Many of these advisories continue straight through Monday morning. Windy weather, sleet and snow, especially in northern New England. And wintry conditions towards Detroit. That's where we also have nasty conditions there. Four to eight inches on the high side of snow expected. And what will happen on Monday is the storm will start to exit. But we get the backlash, meaning more snow from upstate New York, northern interior New England and strong wind elsewhere.

So it's over but it's not quite over, Fredricka. We still have to get through tomorrow morning.

WHITFIELD: Thanks so much. That's going to be a tough trek tomorrow morning.

Thanks, Bonnie.

Of course, all this bad weather means some incredible images coming from a lot of you. I-reporters are sending in a lot of great pictures, braving the weather for that great shot.

Cranston, Rhode Island, is where we're going to take you right now. And Rob Newman took this picture from 7:00 this morning from his weather window. That's what five inches of snow atop sleet looks like. Pretty, as long as you don't have to drive through it, of course.

Check out the snow drifts in Western Montreal sent by Don Raphael. Don says they have five inches, But they could get as much as 20.

And from Chandler, Oklahoma, Jan Greenfield snapped this shot of the ice storm that they suffered through last week.

Thanks to our I-reporters for their submissions. If you have any great images, send them to us, but don't risk your life doing so.

Further south last night, no snow, but lots of wind. And a possible tornado. A volunteer fire station in Turtland County, Georgia sustained damage. Besides downed trees, power lines and damaged roofs, some parts of the state got as much as four inches of rain. The National Weather Service was working to confirm three reported twisters.

It's a museum you've probably never heard of. A congressman's wife founded it. His daughter works there and you're paying for it.

CNN's Drew Griffin is keeping them honest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is the museum and this is the earmark buried in a bill. A $130,000 example of pure government waste, according to Ryan Alexander with Taxpayers for Common Sense.

RYAN ALEXANDER, TAXPAYERS FOR COMMON SENSE: It's not that the first ladies don't deserve recognition, but none of us have heard of the First Lady's Museum.

GRIFFIN: I had never heard of it either. So we came looking for it, and found it right here in downtown Canton, Ohio. The National First Lady's Library and Museum, a group that was founded by the local congressman's wife. And employs the local congressman's daughter.

REP. RALPH REGULA, (D), OHIO: Education...

GRIFFIN: And that local Congressman, it's Republican Ralph Regula, whose press officer in D.C. didn't call us back. So who will answer the tough questions about this earmark? Mary Regula herself, the congressman's wife.

MARY REGULA, WIFE OF CONGRESSMAN RALPH REGULA: We have no earmarks in this building with this one exception that you're going to question me about.

GRIFFIN (on camera): So let's get right to it. You don't beat around the Bush.

M. REGULA: No.

GRIFFIN (voice-over): So here is one question -- why should we the taxpayers fund, Mary, the congressional spouse's special interest?

ALEXANDER: It's a problem when a member of Congress funds something that's so directly benefits his family, both financially, because his daughter is on staff of the museum, but also just benefits their particular and narrow interests. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: His wife is the founder, his daughter works here and, low and behold, now federal money is going to the National First Lady's museum. Looks bad.

M. REGULA: I don't know why it looks bad. Because it is a National First Lady's Museum and Library, and it is under the National Park Service. I don't think people think that's bad.

GRIFFIN: What's the money for? To rebuild the actually library of this woman. Abigail Fillmore was the first lady in 1850 and the first first lady to ask Congress for, what else? An earmark to put a library in the White House. Congress gave her $2,000 to buy books. Since then, all those books disappeared. So this $130,000 earmark is to bring all those books back.

That may sound like the ultimate limited interest pet project. Mary Regula says, at least when she's done with your money, you will know where it went.

M. REGULA: Do you think if that earmark wasn't put in this that it would remain in the treasury and not be used for anything?

GRIFFIN: Maybe not. But maybe it wouldn't add to our national debt, already more than $9 trillion.

Drew Griffin, CNN, Canton, Ohio.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And buyer beware this holiday season. Those video games that Santa is being asked for -- they may not be very kid friendly. How to tell which are appropriate for your children, next in the "NEWSROOM."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: They say the devil is in the details and that may be the case if Halo is on your holiday shopping list. It's a video game, by the way. But if you think it's child's play, don't kid yourself. Buying the right games for the right age can be tricky business.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Have a lovely holiday.

WHITFIELD: Flying off the shelf, Playstation, Wii and Halo. When you buy any of the hottest items on America's wish list...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The Orange Box games.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Halo is a heavenly game.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, it's the Mario.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't remember the names. I just know it's something, something rabbit. WHITFIELD: Is it clear to you the images and the messages on these video games before the purchase?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's pretty overwhelming.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Especially for us.

WHITFIELD (on camera): Why is that?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We don't play video games.

RICK SMITH, SHOPPER: That's why they have the ratings on them so you know what to get.

INDIA MILLER, SHOPPER: When I purchase a game, I let my brother or their dad watch the game and they'll play the game first and make sure it's not X-rated or anything.

WHITFIELD (voice-over): A national poll indicates 72 percent of parents don't know what's inside the packaging of these games.

Fingers firmly on the controller, 12-year-old Reginald Miller with his 9-year-old sister, Diamond, are hooked. The reason -- shockingly clear.

(on camera): Tell me about this game, why do you like it?

REGINALD MILLER, VIDEO GAMER: Because it kills people.

WHITFIELD (voice-over): Speaking of making a killing, this is an $8 billion a year industry, outpacing the movie business.

Game editor for "Paste" magazine, Jason Killingsworth -- no kidding, Killingsworth -- says this is hugely popular among all ages.

JASON KILLINGSWORTH, EDITOR, "PASTE" MAGAZINE: The Entertainment Software Association did a demographic test and found that the average gamer age is 33.

The people who are making these games are, you know, are older and they're -- you get the sense that they are making them for their peers, necessarily making them for their younger nephew, per se.

WHITFIELD: He showed me.

(on camera): This is video gaming for the novice one. That would be me.

(voice-over): Why it's so in demand.

KILLINGSWORTH: Some of these games are so realistic, it's incredible.

WHITFIELD (on camera): Oh, my.

KILLINGSWORTH: Yeah, that was rough. You can learn a lot just by looking at the rating on the game.

WHITFIELD (voice-over): Oh, yeah? Labels, mostly on front, marked "E" For everybody, "M" for mature and "T" for teens. Sounds simple enough.

KILLINGSWORTH: In some of the games you can turn the gore on and off. And a lot of parents, you know, probably don't realize that. This is probably the most popular game and you can turn the blood off.

WHITFIELD (on camera): But you won't know that until you make the purchase and open the package.

KILLINGSWORTH: Right. It's true. It's not advertised.

WHITFIELD (voice-over): Despite some of the fail-safes, there are still a few kinks to work out. But right now, choosey consumers can still deliver this holiday without anyone calling them a video killjoy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Ouch. Jamin Brophy-Warren is from the culture correspondent for the "Wall Street Journal"

And, Jamin, video sales are up over 50 percent just last year alone. This is huge business. But still there are arguments about a different rating system. Is what in place just simply not universal enough for everybody?

JAMIN BROPHY-WARREN, CULTURE CORRESPONDENT "WALL STREET JOURNAL": I think the onus is on parents who need to do the research before they purchase games. If you look at a game title and it has the name of a felony, for example, that's a good clue that might not be appropriate for children.

There are some gray areas. For example a 17-year-old, whether you should let them purchase a game. But for younger kids, if you look at the packaging, I don't think there's a lot of mystery.

WHITFIELD: It's clear in "Assassin's Creed" and the label says "M" for Mature and all these videos are appealing to that average age of the video gamer, which is 33.

But a 12-year-old, like that Reginald in that piece, he wants "Assassin's Creed" for Christmas. So what's a parent to do?

BROPHY-WARREN: I suppose you deal with it the same way as the child, who wants to see a "Die Hard" movie, the perils are clear. There are a lot of options for parents that they can buy other types of games. Wii has a lot of family friendly titles as well as the xBox 360 and the Playstation 3.

For parents, it may just require a stiff upper lip and say this is not appropriate for you, the same way I wouldn't let you see a bloody movie.

WHITFIELD: Where is this video gaming going? We have not reached the pinnacle.

BROPHY-WARREN: Sure. I think the direction is toward web play, allowing players from across the country to play against each other, which is exciting. Single children, for example, wanting to play other kids in their neighborhood or other kids from school.

WHITFIELD: People are doing that now with say like that guitar game.

BROPHY-WARREN: Uh-huh.

WHITFIELD: Folks are playing with people around the world. They're hooking up with folks.

BROPHY-WARREN: Absolutely. The community aspect is really growing. You're seeing that with "Guitar Hero 3" and with "Rock Band" as well, that people are inviting friends over, they play as a group. It's a party game. I do that with my friends. We get together on a Friday and play video games. I think that's different, sort of the average images of the solitary gamer by himself in his room with no lights on. I think it has that perception is changing. It's becoming much more of a group activity.

WHITFIELD: We've been talking about the console games but there are the handheld games that are just as popular. How is it different? Is it I guess just as diverse as what we're seeing on the console gaming?

BROPHY-WARREN: There are a lot of titles that are being ported to console games. "Rock Band," for example, is something coming out in the future and will be available for handheld systems. The Nintendo D.S. outsells the Wii and xBox 360. It's very popular among kids. There's a lot of options. For someone who rides the subway, all that free time is often spent playing video games.

WHITFIELD: All right, Jamin Brophy-Warren, of the "Wall Street Journal, thanks so much. Happy video gaming.

BROPHY-WARREN: Thanks. You too. Take care.

WHITFIELD: All right, happy holidays.

Well, inspiring a new generation to give, with the click of a mouse. Internet pioneer Steve Case explains his big push for on-line philanthropy.

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WHITFIELD: Ten bucks, just ten bucks to help change the world. Sound reasonable? Well, the man who co-founded America Online seems to think so. Today he's launches one of the most ambitious efforts ever to help 1.5 million charities raise money.

Steve Case joins us from Washington.

We need to say up front that CNN and AOL are under the Time Warner umbrella.

Good to see you, Steve.

STEVE CASE, AOL CO-FOUNDER & INTERNET PIONEER: Good to be back.

WHITFIELD: You say if you're going to spend $10 for a Starbucks card, then you can afford to give. You too can be a philanthropist. And you're making it easy?

CASE: I obviously spent 20 years trying to make the Internet part of everyday life and give consumers more choice and control and convenience in every aspect of their life. We decided now is a good time to encourage using those tools to encourage giving by shining a spotlight on great causes and leveraging new technologies such as social networking, what's happening with Facebook, as well as traditional media. We announced a partnership with "Parade" magazine, which reaches 71 million readers.

We're trying to get everybody focused on giving, as you said in your introduction. If everybody gives a little bit, together we can make a huge difference.

WHITFIELD: I want to ask you more about the Facebook drive. Meantime, for anyone just surfing the web, how do you turn that $10 into something charitable?

CASE: Well, the first thing is go to our website, casefoundation.org, where we explain how all this works. You mentioned there's over a million causes that have been registered, that are official 501-3-C organizations. That's the starting point, going to casefoundation.org.

Then we want you to go to "Parade" magazine and their cover story talks about giving. Or go to Facebook to the Causes application and participate there. All the information is at our web site.

WHITFIELD: How are you reaching out to the Facebookers?

CASE: As you know, Facebook is quite a phenomenon. And 10 million people using Facebook have identified with a cause and put that on their Facebook Page. We want to take that to the next step and not have it be a bumper Sticker promoting a cause, but a way to promote giving to that cause. So we create a contest and every day there will be a winner and at the end of January, we'll announce who the big winners are.

So the idea is to get everybody to give a little bit. $10 is the minimum. We even created a champion site for teenagers. You can create your own widget and put that on your MySpace page or Facebook page and promote the cause you care about to encourage other people to give. So we want to get everybody participating; everybody giving.

WHITFIELD: Hence, the season of giving. So meantime, Steve, a lot of Folks, you know there is a pretty large segment that says I don't want to give because I'm not so sure how my money is Going to be used. How do you sell to folks that their money is going to be going toward a good cause?

CASE: I think that's one of the great things about the Internet. Maybe decades ago you were reluctant to give because you didn't know what was going to happen with the money. The tools these days allow for transparency and tracking so you know what the organization is doing and how they're spending their money.

If you're not sure what organization you want to participate in, you can learn about different causes, type in your zip code and something you care about, maybe it's animal rights in Anaheim, California, and find causes doing that and make your contribution to them.

So the Internet has enabled all kinds of things. We just think it's time to encourage more giving, whether giving of money or time or just championing a cause, which everybody can do.

WHITFIELD: Sounds like you're trying to make it easier for everybody to give.

Steve Case, thanks so much, of the Case Foundation. Appreciate your time.

CASE: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: Tony Harris is here as well.

TONY HARRIS, CNN NEWS ANCHOR: Again, your show rocks.

WHITFIELD: Steve Case, he's great.

HARRIS: My goodness. I'm sorry, I can't get comfortable here. How are you, Fred?

WHITFIELD: We want you comfortable here because you're going to be here a while. I'm doing good. You?

HARRIS: We've got a great show coming up at 7:00 tonight. Endorsement season. You've been talking about it. Where's the picture here? We're going to show Senator Joe Lieberman, set to endorse that man, John McCain.

WHITFIELD: It's a remarkable turn around.

HARRIS: And the reaction from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, huh? What gives here?

So more on endorsement season. We're bringing in the bloggers and we'll talk about this and try to figure out what Independents are thinking 19 days before the caucuses in Iowa, what are they thinking and why haven't you made up your minds yet?

WHITFIELD: What are you waiting for? What more do you need?

HARRIS: What are you waiting for? So we'll talk about endorsements. Also, also, we didn't get an opportunity to run this story, "The Little Indian Girl," 2 years old who went to the hospital about a month ago with eight limbs. Remember that story?

WHITFIELD: Yeah.

HARRIS: Of course, you do. She left the hospital yesterday. We didn't get a chance to run the story. It's an incredible story. We were sort of wiped out on time because of Andy Pettitte and his announcement about using human growth hormones. So we'll run this story for you at 7:00 eastern time. Going to be a great show.

WHITFIELD: Cute little girl.

HARRIS: Plenty of good seats available.

WHITFIELD: I'll take one, front row.

HARRIS: There you go. Good to see you.

WHITFIELD: Good to see you, too.

All right, how about a little girl power? You like that girl power?

HARRIS: Love it. Love it.

WHITFIELD: The return of the girl power on stage. First stop, England. Spice Girls spicing it up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Back together again, the hip shaking return of the Spice Girls, kicking off their first concert in nine years in their native U.K. Tickets so out so fast that they added 16 more shows at London's O2 Arena to accommodate the fans. Baby Spice, aka Emma Bunton, took the stage without here crutches as you saw there. She performed despite spraining her ankle performing a show last week in Vegas.

Recap of the top story now. A major winter storm is hammering the northeast and parts of the Midwest right here in this country. How it looks right now from Boston, Chicago, Cleveland and Detroit, all pretty nasty. It's all pretty snowy and slippery and dangerous as well. We'll be tracking the nor'easter throughout the evening. Tony Harris will be back with the latest at 7:00 eastern time.

I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Right now, time for "Lou Dobbs this Week."

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