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Condoleezza Rice Focusing on Iran, North Korea; Wounded Warrior Returns for Christmas; Countdown to the Caucuses

Aired December 21, 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: Hello. You're with CNN. You're informed.
Good morning again, everyone. I'm Tony Harris.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Hi there, everybody. I'm Heidi Collins.

Developments keep coming into the CNN NEWSROOM on Friday, December 21st.

Here's what's on the rundown.

CIA interrogation tapes destroyed. Investigation under way. Bush administration lawyers in court right now.

HARRIS: Fighting mad in New Orleans. Police pulling out tasers trying to stop residents angry over a new housing plan.

COLLINS: And discharged early from military duty in Iraq. An old dog gets a new home.

Helping a family honor their soldier son, right here in the NEWSROOM.

HARRIS: And at the top of this hour, calls for action. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice talking about Iran and North Korea just a few minutes ago.

Let's get you straight to CNN's State Department correspondent, Zain Verjee.

Zain, great to see you.

What is the secretary saying about Iran this morning?

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN STATE DEPT. CORRESPONDENT: Well, first of all, Tony, she really battered down any suggestion that the U.S. has a go- it-alone foreign policy. She said that was just ludicrous, saying the U.S. is working with allies on North Korea, Iran, the Israeli/Palestinian issue as well, and she told the critics, look, I just don't have time for this. Look at the facts, she said.

On Iran, Tony, Secretary Rice said that the U.S. is open to having better relations with Iran as long as it shows cooperation, she said, and not confrontation. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE: I'm prepared to meet my counterpart anyplace and any time and anywhere, and we can talk about anything. So let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's see if countries are prepared to take that path. But the United States doesn't have permanent enemies. We're too great a country for that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VERJEE: But she also said that the U.S. would continue in 2008 to pressure Iran to give up its nuclear program.

Rice also said she just returned from Iraq and says that from what she saw, there has been progress on the security front, but there's lots to be done on helping Iraqis translate those security gains into political gains. Also, on the Israeli/Palestinian issue, Tony, she said she and President Bush are actively going to facilitate and support negotiations between the two sides in 2008, and she repeated the whole U.S. policy in the Middle East is really to back the moderate leaders and to isolate the extremists.

So, overall, she said 2007 was a positive year.

HARRIS: And Zain, one other point here. Anything from the secretary on North Korea?

VERJEE: Yes, she did talk about that. She said there has been progress this year. She said North Korea shut down and is disabling its nuclear facility. It's main one is at Yongbyon.

The key now though, Tony, is for North Korea to make an accurate and complete declaration of all its nuclear programs. And that's actually due on New Year's Eve, and it's unclear if they're going to get any wiggle room.

HARRIS: Yes.

VERJEE: Secretary Rice seemed to leave the door open for that.

HARRIS: State Department Correspondent Zain Verjee this morning.

Zain, great to see you. Thanks.

COLLINS: A bomb detonating inside a mosque in Pakistan. The explosive packed with ball bearings and nails for maximum casualties. At least 50 people are confirmed dead. Dozens more are wounded.

Police tell CNN they're not sure if it was a suicide attack or a bomb planted inside the mosque. They believe it targeted a former interior minister. He survived an assassination attempt eight months ago. He was inside the mosque today near his home, but was not hurt. The prime suspect, Taliban or al Qaeda.

HARRIS: The Bush administration in court this hour facing some tough questions. A federal judge wants to know why the CIA destroyed the taped interrogations of terror suspects and whether the administration gave the go-ahead. Critics wants to know whether the tapes showed the torture of those suspects. President Bush says he won't comment for now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm going to reserve judgment until I find out the full facts. I know I'm going to be asked about this question a lot as time goes on. I'm just going to prepare you, until these inquiries are complete, until the oversight is finished, then I will be rendering no opinion from the podium.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: You know, there are at least two investigations now under way. One by the administration, another by lawmakers. And today we've learned of a new investigation.

It focuses on a former CIA officer who appeared on CNN, you may recall, last week. John Kiriakou described the capture and waterboarding of an al Qaeda terrorism suspect. According to the government, the CIA wants to know if he illegally disclosed classified information. Kiriakou's attorney brushes off the CIA's request, saying it's routine even when the agency knows that no violation took place.

COLLINS: Outrage and frustration. Emotions boil over in New Orleans over the city's plans to demolish thousands of low-income housing units ruined by Hurricane Katrina.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's our world (ph).

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: Scuffles broke out inside a city council meeting ahead of a vote to approve the demolition plan. It was wild outside, too. Police used pepper spray and stun guns on protesters who tried to force their way into the meetings. Critics say new development will drive poor people out of their communities.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRACIE WASHINGTON, ATTORNEY: It's a race issue because the public housing developments were 100 percent black. And these are the people who are not being allowed to return to the city.

ARNIE FIELKOW, NEW ORLEANS CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT: Not only are we going forward for the future, but we have safeguards in place in the interim that are going to allow us to make sure that HUD and (INAUDIBLE) performs what they promised.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: The city has promised to replace the development with new mixed-income housing. Police say 15 people were arrested yesterday. Most charged with disturbing the peace.

HARRIS: What do you say we get another check of weather now?

(WEATHER REPORT)

HARRIS: A hero's welcome for a soldier who lost his legs and wounded an arm in a roadside bombing in Iraq. Details now from Ted Latiak of affiliate WCJB.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED LATIAK, REPORTER, WCJB (voice over): It was a tough decision for Corporal Catlin Mixson to come home for the holidays. He says he wanted to have his prosthetic limbs first, and then there was also the friend he left in San Antonio.

CPL. JOSEPH CATLIN MIXSON, U.S. ARMY: I've got a buddy in a burn unit over there. He's been there going on four months. And it was hard to leave him and all his family.

LATIAK: And Mixson's mother says after seeing his fellow soldiers visit him in the hospital, she understand why it was hard for Mixson to leave.

KAREN MIXSON, MOTHER: Big, strong Army guys, you know, they have really, really big hearts and a lot of love for each other.

LATIAK: And that's part of the reason even after all he's been through the big red (ph) one soldier says he still believes in an all- voluntary military.

J. MIXSON: It's something I want to do with my life. And I don't regret it one bit at all.

LATIAK: And even though his new commanding officer wouldn't be so willing to do it over again, his mother says she probably wouldn't be able to stop him.

K. MIXSON: I wouldn't let him go. I think he wanted to go and he would probably go again.

LATIAK: And in the end, it was easy for Mixson to find a reason to come home.

J. MIXSON: I'm not going to lie. There is a woman involved.

LATIAK: And that's fine with mom.

K. MIXSON: Studying to be a nurse, and we're really, really happy about that because she's going to take really good care of him.

LATIAK: Four Alachua sheriff's deputies, with the help of Gainesville police officers, escorted the Williston native to the county line. And from there, three Levy County deputies and Sheriff Johnny Smith (ph) took him the rest of the way home.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: So, Mixson's family and friends calling his return the best Christmas present they could have received. Three of his comrades died in Iraq.

COLLINS: Reaching out to an injured Iraq war vet.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's been through a lot. And we just want to get Legs (ph) home.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: One family finally to get an early discharge for their new best friend.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: And here we go. Countdown in the caucuses. Two weeks to go before Iowa begins the presidential nominating process, who's drawing the crowds and stirring the interest?

We will look at both parties beginning with CNN's Jessica Yellin and the Democrats.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): In Iowa, Democratic voters' top concerns are clear -- economy, healthcare, and Iraq.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I heard that there was more money allocated. I'm not sure how much. I was just wondering how you voted on this issue and...

JOHN EDWARDS (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: There's a reason the Democrats were put in charge of Congress in November of 2006, and that reason was to stand up to Bush on this war in Iraq.

YELLIN: They call it retail politics. The candidates understand in Iowa they have to let the caucus-goers get to know them.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want to find out more information on which candidate is going to work best for me and my needs. You know, not just for our country, but what's going to help us out individually.

YELLIN: At Obama events, you often see college-age voters who like his message of hope. At Clinton gatherings, you get a lot of older women who like her tough pragmatism. Edwards tends to draw union members who finds his populist pitch appealing.

Still, those are generalizations and every event is different, as are the reactions. DEBRA DEGENHARDT, HILLARY CLINTON SUPPORTER: It was very personal. It was like she was talking to me, you know, not just something on TV that you watch. And I was glad I came.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love him. I think he's terrific. I haven't felt this way about a candidate since probably Jimmy Carter.

PROF. DENNIS GOLDFORD, DRAKE UNIVERSITY: They do get good crowds at this stage of the campaign, and their job is to whip those crowds into excitement to turn out, because it doesn't matter what your opinions are. If you don't show up caucus night, it doesn't matter.

YELLIN: Jessica Yellin, CNN, Des Moines.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Now the view within the Republican Party from CNN's Dana Bash.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's called "Ask Mitt Anything." A question Iowa Republicans ask Mitt most?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If I had to pick one of the most important things to me right now to talk about, it's illegal immigration.

MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We're going to have to have -- we're going to have to have a way to turn off the magnets that bring in the illegal aliens.

BASH: Mike Huckabee opens it to voters at nearly every Iowa stop, and sometimes tough questions.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And also, how is that going to ensure the 47 million people who are uninsured in the United States?

MIKE HUCKABEE (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Moving us first of all from the intervention base to the prevention base. That's the biggest problem in our healthcare system. It's not a healthcare system.

BASH: Fred Thompson takes part in Iowa's tradition, too, and he's not afraid to disappoint. One voter wanted a bigger federal role in prosecuting sex crimes.

FRED THOMPSON (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The federal government has never had a federal police force, and I don't think they ever ought to have one.

BASH: What's most striking about Iowa? Republicans looking to lead a nation of 300 million are often speaking to rooms of 30. Who comes? For Thompson, a lot of undecided GOP voters like Mike Demeroy.

MIKE DEMEROY, IOWA VOTER: No one else has really captured my attention yet either, no. And that's sad. BASH: Mitt Romney draws a mix of supporters and undecideds.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm undecided. You're not going to pull funding, are you?

ROMNEY: No.

BASH: Huckabee was a long shot, but his recent surge has drawn more crowds than expected.

(on camera): Why do you trust him so much?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know what? He's a God-fearing man.

BASH (voice over): Even a vendor who claims his button sales predict Iowa winners.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're at 45 percent at Romney's at 20.

HUCKABEE: You go by John's kiosk and get a chest-full of these delightful looking buttons here.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: All right. CNN's Dana Bash and Jessica Yellin, part of the best political team on television, are with the CNN Election Express in Des Moines.

Hey, Jessica, let's start with you.

You know, it's really looking like a three-way race for Iowa Democrats. Let me ask it this way. Who is on fire and who is feeling the heat?

YELLIN: Well, they're all on fire and they're all feeling the heat right now. When you look at those top three, Edwards, Clinton, and Obama -- that's really not a dodge. I mean, it really is anyone's race right now, and as evidence of that, you know, yesterday Senator Clinton came out and endorsed a proposal that's been central to the Edwards campaign for sometime now, which is an idea of raising the minimum page to $9.50 an hour.

It's part of Edwards' whole message of tackling poverty. It's clear that Clinton wants to get some of the same voters that are looking at Edwards because when it's this close, every single individual caucus-goer could make the difference.

HARRIS: Yes. Yes, that makes sense.

Hey, Dana, Dana, Dana, on the Republican side you have been following Mike Huckabee closely. He appears to be running pretty strong right now in Iowa. What is his -- what is his closing strategy to stay on top in these closing two weeks?

BASH: Well, in part, it's sort of what you saw at the end of that piece there. It's to use impromptu moments to really connect with the voters who come to see him like he's been doing really for the past several months here in Iowa, but it's also not just a style issue, because he does have a likeability factor that perhaps is benefiting him here, but it's also substance.

He's continuing to hit on the themes, socially conservatism themes, that really are attracting those evangelical voters. And I've got to tell you, just being at a lot of his events, he tends to attract the (INAUDIBLE). He tends to attract people who want to come hear him who have sort of seen him on television and want to get a closer look.

But it's interesting. The other really fascinating thing he's doing, Tony, is, despite the fact he's doing well here, he's trying to portray himself as the underdog. He understands people in Iowa like an underdog, they like somebody who is going to buck conventional wisdom.

So he's saying time and time again, I'm being outspent 20 to 1. I'm doing well, and that's because of you.

HARRIS: OK.

And the next question here for both of you.

Jessica, let me start with you.

What are Iowa Democrats saying about the tone of the campaign? Are they getting what they want?

YELLIN: You know, in the media we've talked a lot about how negative is this one going or that one going? The truth is, when you're out there with them, it's not that negative.

The voters here really do have a chance to ask specific questions. One can say my child has autism and this program didn't help. How would you change it? And the candidates have to come up with responses, and they know that, and they're prepared.

So they really do drill down and give very specific answers on policy issues, and when they do draw these comparisons, it's often by indirect reference without naming the other candidates.

HARRIS: And Dana, what about Republicans in Iowa? Are they getting the kind of campaign they want?

BASH: Well, when it comes to the candidates, you know, I've got to tell you, I have -- unlike the Democratic side, what Jessica is probably finding, where there's a lot of energy for the candidates, there's a lot of disappointed -- disappointment out there among Republicans. People are discouraged feeling that they really don't have the kind of field that they want.

A lot of folks who just are still looking for that right moment and probably won't decide until they walk into the school or to the cafe that they're going to vote in on caucus night. But I can tell you that you definitely feel the same dynamic in terms of the drilling down and those tough questions on the Republican side as the Democrats. Iowans, no matter what party you are, they have a very high expectation of what they want and what they demand from their candidates, and that is answers no matter what the question that they're asking.

HARRIS: Right.

Dana Bash, Jessica Yellin, two members of the best political team on television.

Ladies, thank you both. Appreciate it.

COLLINS: Holiday gifts, January bills. It's a good time to get your finances in order.

Gerri Willis answering your e-mail questions coming up in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: The day before Christmas weekend, and here's our holiday bonus to you. An extra visit from CNN's personal finance editor, Gerri Willis.

Gerri, how does that feel?

GERRI WILLIS, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: That's great. I'm glad to be here. Good to see you.

COLLINS: Yes, you too.

We have some more e-mails. We had a lot of questions this time around, so we want to have you back and answer some more of them.

Here is the first one now from Michael. He wants to know, "What is the best way to rebuild bad credit?"

WILLIS: A lot of people have that question. Well, look, obviously you want to start by paying your bills on time and putting away the credit cards. And, of course, it matters if you have poor credit.

Look, we're talking a score below 620, you will face higher costs on loans, more expensive insurance, and possibly even a little discrimination in the job search. So, if your credit problems simply stem from late bill payments -- maybe you're forgetful -- automate as much of your bill paying online as possible. This will keep you from missing those payments.

However, if you can't cover your monthly bills and use credit cards to make up the difference, it's time to do some soul searching. Get together your bills, look at your income.

Is housing just a third of your income or is it more? How much are you spending on eating out? These are two items that people typically overspend on. Put together a budget. Try to stick to it no matter what the source of your money woes are. It makes sense to really look in depth at your credit report to make sure your credit score isn't suffering from bad info. So check those out as well -- Heidi.

COLLINS: Eating out always gets me. Always. Always.

WILLIS: Me, too. Me, too. It's tough.

COLLINS: All right. This one now.

"How can I safely freeze my credit with all three bureaus?" This is from Dave.

WILLIS: Good question. You know, a freeze is essentially locking your credit file against anybody, lenders, I.D. thieves, somebody who is trying to open up a new account in your name. It can be effective, but it can be inconvenient and it's not free.

You'll have to mail separate certified letters to each of the major credit reporting agencies. That's TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. And plus, you've got to pay $30 for the privilege.

And if you want to apply for credit, you'll have to unfreeze the account a few days before applying for any loans. That costs another $30.

A better solution, credit monitoring. A credit monitoring service will alert you when there are inquiries into your account, or any new accounts are opened in your name, but it's expensive -- $10 to $35 a month.

Look, for my money, I do the cheap and easy stuff. Get off the junk mail list, shred credit card offers before tossing them into the garbage. Keep a close eye on your credit card.

COLLINS: Oh, yes, very much so.

What about this one? It's a good one along the same lines. Mohamed wants to know, "Is it good or bad to cancel the credit cards you do not need?"

WILLIS: Hey, there's the easy answer. Lenders look at two things -- how much debt you have and how much credit is available to you.

When you close accounts you have less credit available to you compared to your debt. Now, that can hurt your score.

Plus, you benefit from having a long credit history. So if you close accounts, that hurts your score.

On the other hand, if you find that having a lot of credit cards tempts you to spend a lot of money, or maybe you just want to simplify your financial life, closing accounts will work in your favor. Plus, you will know a little better what your debt levels are. COLLINS: Yes, good idea.

You mentioned junk mail a little earlier. And Katherine wants to know, "How do we actually cut down on the amount of junk mail?"

WILLIS: Well, most of us get at least a few credit card offers each and every week, but if you want to stop these offers from coming to you, optoutprescreen.com is a great Web site to go to. You can also call 888-5-OPT-OUT.

Now, this is a free service set up by the credit reporting industry. Once you give this info, you will be taken off mailings for five years. Now, as a note, if you signed up for the service more than five years ago already, you have to reregister.

COLLINS: Oh.

WILLIS: Yes, the devil is in the details. If you want your name removed from direct marketing members -- this is businesses in your community, coupons, catalogs -- there are a lot of catalogs at this time of year -- dmachoice.com. You will have a pay a one-time fee of a dollar, but Heidi, I think that's a small price to pay, don't you?

COLLINS: Oh, yes. I do, too. And if I can just get the people to stop calling my house at the same time, too.

WILLIS: Yes, the devil is in the details. If you have any questions that you want to send us -- we got a lot in the last hour -- send them to us at toptips@cnn.com.

We love hearing from you.

COLLINS: All right. Gerri, thank you so much for a second appearance today here in the CNN NEWSROOM.

HARRIS: Yes.

COLLINS: Happy holidays. Thank you.

WILLIS: Happy holidays to you guys.

COLLINS: Good morning once again, everybody. 11:30 Eastern Time now.

I'm Heidi Collins.

HARRIS: And I'm Tony Harris.

Welcome back to the CNN NEWSROOM.

This hour, the Bush administration in court and under oath. A federal judge wants to know more about the CIA's destruction of videotapes. On those tapes, terror suspects being interrogated.

Right now, CNN Justice Correspondent Kelli Arena is inside the courtroom. But a short time ago, she filed this report. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Judge Henry Kennedy did not elaborate. He simply ordered the government to appear before him this morning.

Justice Department officials had warned that a court proceeding could complicate or even disrupt its ongoing investigation into the destruction of CIA tapes. Apparently, Judge Kennedy didn't buy it.

TIM HEAPY, FMR. FEDERAL PROSECUTOR: If it goes the next step and Judge Kennedy allows the plaintiffs in this civil suit to subpoena representatives of the CIA who have personal knowledge about this destruction, that is a very damaging fact for the department.

ARENA: Back in 2005, Kennedy ordered the government to safeguard all evidence of possible torture or mistreatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Now with word the CIA destroyed interrogation tapes, some question whether the government violated that order.

The Bush administration says it did not. That's because al Qaeda operatives who were taped were being held in secret locations in 2005, not at Guantanamo Bay. David Remes, who represents several detainees at Gitmo, requested today's hearing.

DAVID REMES, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Because as far as the government is concerned, it wants to keep the foxes in charge of the hen house. It only wants the Justice Department and the CIA to look into this question of document destruction.

ARENA (on camera): Even if the government didn't violate the court order, legal experts say that it could be guilty of breaking other laws regarding evidence. The CIA for its part, says it didn't do anything illegal.

Kelli Arena, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: New developments in a bizarre kidnapping case that became the talk of the nation. Last hour, a Missouri judge sentenced Michael Devlin to an additional 170 years in prison. That's on top of several life sentences he's already serving. When police tracked him down, they found the boy that he'd abducted four days earlier, but they were startled to find another victim, a boy he'd snatched four years earlier. In addition to kidnapping, Devlin was convicted of numerous sexual assault charges.

HARRIS: We're talking about a blood bath here inside a mosque in Pakistan. A bomber strikes during prayers.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: One minute they were praying, and then a massive explosion. At least 50 worshippers dead, dozens more wounded at a mosque in Pakistan. Details now from CNN's Stephen Frazier. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Death and devastation on one of Islam's holiest days. Prayers at a mosque in Charsadda, Pakistan shattered by a huge explosion. Police aren't sure whether it was a suicide bomber or a planted bomb.

Regardless, the target was familiar. This was the second assassination attempt in eight months on the life of Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, Pakistan's former interior minister. He escaped unhurt, but more than 50 others were killed. Survivors told of the horror.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): When I reached the mosque, a blast suddenly took place. I saw the dead bodies of people everywhere.

FRAZIER: Thousands of wounded clung to life while being rushed to hospital, others still in shock.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We finished our eve prayers and suddenly, there was a blast and after that, I don't know what happened. Suddenly, a blast took place and after that, I don't know what happened.

FRAZIER: Police tell CNN they believe the attack was provoked by Sherpao's supervision of operations against al Qaeda and Taliban militants in tribal areas across the Pakistani northwest. Hours afterwards, the former interior minister visited the wounded.

A day supposed to be about peace and prayer ending in tragedy and suffering.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Back here at home, a devoted dog on the front lines in Iraq. Now, one family has secured his early retirement. CNN's Rusty Dornin has their story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): An old pro going through his paces for the last time, at least for his military career. This eight-year-old German Shepherd, Lex, was the canine bomb sniffing companion of Marine Corporal Dustin Lee. Lex was at Lee's side when his handler was killed in an attack last March in Iraq that also wounded the dog.

2ND LT. CALEB EAMES, U.S. MARINE CORPS: Corporal Lee was found on the ground and Lex was right beside him. In fact, Lex had to be pulled away from Corporal Lee in order to -- for the medical staff to attend to him.

DORNIN: When Lee's body came home to Quitman, Mississippi, it was a welcome worthy of a hero. Tearful townspeople lined the streets for a young man known to be a patriot. When the marines brought Lex to see the family, Lee's younger brother Cameron played for hours with the dog. It was then the family began its fight to get an honorable discharge for Corporal Lee's faithful companion.

JEROME LEE, FATHER OF MARINE KILLED IN IRAQ: Since Dustin's death, we've been trying to get his dog, Lex, from the Marine Corps, and needless to say, we've had difficulty there.

DORNIN: Lex still had two years of service left until his mandatory retirement at age 10. That was a problem for the Marines. Lex was an active duty dog. The request went from the base colonel to the commandant of the Marine Corps and even had to go through the Air Force which controls all military dogs. It took nine months. Finally, the Marines relented.

EAMES: This is the first time that a family of a handler has been allowed to adopt a working military dog prior to his retirement.

DORNIN: Marine Corps officials say it costs thousands of dollars and man hours to train dogs like Lex. Often, the dogs are adopted by their handlers after retirement or given to local police departments. To the Lee family, Lex is a priceless gift whose leash was handed over to them in a ceremony at the marine base Friday. But for the Lees, Lex is not just a dog.

RACHEL LEE, MOTHER: A spiritual connection knowing that Dustin would be very proud.

DORNIN: The brother and sister of the fallen marine wasted no time taking advantage of their newfound friend.

J. LEE: To have a part of Dustin, to have a companion for Cameron and Maddie. The children will have a part of Dustin to be able to play with, and he will always be a part of our family.

DORNIN: A four-legged military hero, now ready for play time as a civilian.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DORNIN: It is a tear jerker, I think, every time you see it.

HARRIS: Wow! Well, here's -- you can see, and I don't want to get schmaltzy and maudlin about this, but you can see how this dog represents that kind of linkage and can possibly offer a bit of closure, dare I say that or use that word for this family?

DORNIN: And console the family ...

HARRIS: Console them.

DORNIN: ...because I think they realized it when the dog was brought to the funeral ...

HARRIS: Yes.

DORNIN: ...and they realized he'd been with their son when their son was killed, and he was -- he brought a part of their son home. Also, the mother has worked with dogs for many years ... HARRIS: OK.

DORNIN: ...and that's how he became interested in it. She worked with law enforcement dogs for many years, and that's how Dustin started playing with dogs at a very young age.

HARRIS: Yes, you know, trying to think of these dogs as having military careers, but that's exactly what they have. They have military careers, and I'm wondering when they finish their tours of duty, their service, look, I want to adopt a dog like that. Can I do that? Can I physically adopt a dog that is as great, as talented as Lex?

DORNIN: Yes, you can, and the funny thing is this family already adopted a military retired dog that they still have, apparently, that's half blind. Now, usually the handlers are the ones that want to adopt the dogs because they love them so much.

HARRIS: Or they go to the police department.

DORNIN: Right, exactly. Or they go to the local police departments and they're trained and that sort of thing. Because they spend so much money on these dogs.

HARRIS: What a terrific story. What a terrific story.

Rusty, good to see you. Thank you.

COLLINS: Crowd, but no control. Police defend their use of tasers and pepper spray.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These officers were justified. It was clear that there were people there that had one goal in mind, and that was to be disruptive, to be diobedient.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: Clash in New Orleans.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: OK, want to show you some live pictures now coming in from affiliate in San Francisco, KRON, KRON TV there. Yes, those are long lines at the San Francisco airport. Holiday travel, we're told. People trying to keep smiles on their faces, but also trying to get to their loved ones. So, we'll keep our eye on that.

Meanwhile today, as you probably know by now, is the busiest travel day of the Christmas season. And the airlines drawing more heat for hassles at the airport. Susan Lisovicz is not at the airport. She's at the New York Stock Exchange now with details on all of this.

Hi there, Susan. SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Heidi.

And I'm grateful I don't have to be at the airport today. Heavy congestion and lousy weather frequently, of course, blamed for airline delays. But a new report says problems at the airlines themselves cause even more. "USA Today" analyzed government data and found that airline issues cause nearly 24 million minutes of delays. More individual flights were delayed because of congestion, but those delays tended to be shorter. Airline problems, on the other hand, delayed travelers for nearly an hour -- Heidi.

COLLINS: I think I know the answer to this. But what kind of problems are the airlines actually having?

LISOVICZ: Well there's -- it's like Santa's list. It is extensive. Things like pilot shortages, taking too long to refuel, mechanical breakdowns, the cabins getting cleaned, things like that. "USA Today" says the airlines don't dispute the numbers but say that weather and congestion can trigger some of their glitches -- Heidi.

COLLINS: And nevermind that whole hub system either.

What about the markets today, Susan?

LISOVICZ: Well, the markets are airborne, we should say. There's no impediments to the rally that we are seeing today. Stocks getting a lift on a strong -- much stronger than expected -- November consumer spending report. Solid corporate earnings and some deals. Phillips is buying a Pennsylvania-based healthcare company, Respironics for more than $5 billion. That's the kind of activity that's been absent during the recent credit crunch. Check the numbers, they tell the story here.

The Dow is also up 160 points or about 1.5 percent. Ditto for the NASDAQ and the S&P 500 is up better than one percent. Bucking the trend, Circuit City, which is short circuiting today. Its stock is down, right now, 24 percent after announcing losses in its last quarter and more losses in the one to come. And Circuit City is under a lot of pressure right now. But overall, stocks are flying high in this final trading day before Christmas -- full trading day I should say. We have an abbreviated session on Christmas Eve.

Heidi and Tony, back to you.

COLLINS: So, I think it's fair to say now that I was wrong and it's not going to happen, that whole idea of 15,000 by Christmas. Unless, you know, you think, what, we need about 2,000 more points, right?

LISOVICZ: We need 2,000 more points in about four days, four trading days.

COLLINS: Yes.

LISOVICZ: Well you know, this is well ...

COLLINS: Not going to happen.

LISOVICZ: Yes.

HARRIS: Good try, Susan. It's not going to happen.

COLLINS: It was fun trying.

LISOVICZ: Not going to happen, Heidi. But I appreciate your optimism.

HARRIS: Yes, yes.

COLLINS: It would be good for all of us.

All right, Susan, thank you.

LISOVICZ: You're welcome.

HARRIS: OK, two wars, one military. It has been another busy year for the Pentagon. Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, just wrapped up a news conference a short time ago. CNN Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr, was there.

Barbara, good to see you. Any headlines from the secretary?

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well you know, Tony, it's the end of the year. A lot of end of the year press conferences around town. Secretary Gates, as you say, just finished his here at the Pentagon, and took the press corps on a bit of a tour of world hotspots. And of course, today with that very tragic attack, bomb attack, in Pakistan, questions about al Qaeda, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

The secretary saying that he does have a lot of concerns about the resurgence of al Qaeda in Pakistan, of course, where it has long been believed that Osama bin Laden is hiding out. With the recent security emergency imposed in Pakistan, a lot of questions about whether the Pakistani government of Pervez Musharraf really is going after al Qaeda. Listen to some of the concerns the secretary expressed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERT GATES, DEFENSE SECRETARY: We are beginning a dialogue with the new chief of staff of the Pakistani army in terms of how we can help them do a better job in counter insurgency through both training and equipment. So I would say that, right now at least, there is no question that some of the areas in the frontier area have become areas where al Qaeda has re-established itself.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: Not a ringing endorsement of Pakistan's efforts to go after al Qaeda at this point. Looking ahead, he's making it clear he wants to see them do more. Regarding Iraq, Tony, the secretary said that he does hope there will be further troop reductions in 2008, when answering the question, could troop levels come down to about 100,000 next year in Iraq, and, of course, really for the troops spending another holiday season on the front line. One of the most important questions is when will that 15-month tour of duty end?

HARRIS: Yes.

STARR: When can they go back to 12 months? There is a hope, a hope by the military they can also do that in 2008. A busy year for the Pentagon, Tony, and a busy year for the Pentagon press corps.

HARRIS: Absolutely, OK. Barbara Starr from her post at the Pentagon for us.

Barbara, great to see you, thanks.

STARR: Thanks.

COLLINS: Coming up in about ten minutes from now, Jim Clancy and "YOUR WORLD TODAY," going to be covering variety of topics.

Hi there, Jim.

JIM CLANCY, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Hi Heidi, and hello to you too, Tony.

Well, join Colleen McEdwards and me at the top of the hour. Going to tell you about Japan facing waves of protest and outrage over its plans to hunt humpback whales. It says now it's going to give up that hunt for humpbacks, but it's still going to go after other whales for so-called scientific purposes. How many is it going to try to net? We'll let you know.

Also, there's a movie out right now on the big screen. It's called "Charlie Wilson's Secret War" and of course this young lady is in it, but who does she really play in real life. We're going to introduce you. She's going to be on the show with us live, the woman who fought the Russians on the ground in Afghanistan and politically from Washington.

Plus, speaking of Washington we're going have our own political wrap for the week taking a closer look at the Republicans, the Democrats, all of them counting down the caucuses and the primaries. They're going to shape American politics in 2008. Join us at the top of the hour.

HARRIS: We'll be there. Thanks, Jim.

COLLINS: Armageddon on Mars? An asteroid may be heading for the Red Planet. Odds are not good. A planet in peril.

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HARRIS: You know, it may not be "Bartletts," but the Yale book of quotations has something "Bartletts" does not, the most memorable quotes of 2007.

COLLINS: The top five. Drum roll. Jim Clancy, do the honors.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CLANCY: No. 5, Alberto Gonzalez, "I don't recall."

ALBERTO GONZALES, FMR. ATTY. GEN.: I don't recall. Senator, I don't recall. I do not recall. I don't recall.

CLANCY: No. 4, Don Imus, nappy-headed what?

DON IMUS: Those some nappy-headed hos there, I'm going to tell you that now. Man, that's some...

CLANCY: No. 3, Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, we don't have homosexuals.

MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD, IRANIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): In Iran, we don't have homosexuals like in your country.

CLANCY: No. 2, Miss Teen USA contestant, don't have maps.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because some people out there in our nation don't have maps.

CLANCY: And coming in at No. 1, Andrew Meier -- don't tase me, bro.

ANDREW MEIER: Don't tase me, bro! Don't tase me! I didn't do it!

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: T-shirts and everything with that saying on them.

HARRIS: Oh, you've got to hear the yelping at the end. That's part of it. It's everything. OK. All right. OK.

COLLINS: I like the beauty pageant the best.

HARRIS: Did you really? Would that have been your list topper?

COLLINS: Yes.

HARRIS: OK, so why did -- if you're curious why did "don't tase me, bro," win out? Well, the book's editor says it symbolizes success of pop culture immediately becoming one of the most popular phrases on Google and one of the most viewed videos on YouTube.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COLLINS: Is Mars on a collision course with an asteroid. NASA scientists have raised the odds a space rock will slam into the so- called Red Planet next month. The current line, 1 in 75. Initial odds were even more remote, 1 in 350. Scientists say they're excited by this admitted longshot. Astronomers have never witnessed an asteroid hitting another planet. That is good stuff.

CNN NEWSROOM continues just one hour from now.

HARRIS: "YOUR WORLD TODAY" is next with news happening across the globe and here at home. I'm Tony Harris.

COLLINS: I'm Heidi Collins. Have a great day, everybody.

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