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Pressure Rises on Afghan War Strategy; Attack Kills 41 in Pakistan; In Pursuit of al Qaeda
Aired October 12, 2009 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: It is Monday, October the 12th. It's Columbus Day. And here are some of the stories we are working on in the CNN NEWSROOM.
Some firsthand accounts of the Taliban ambush that killed eight Americans. You'll hear from the men who were there. Also, four more Taliban attacks in a week.
Concern now rising. Some new concern today over stability and security in Pakistan.
Also today, the tale of two Kentuckys. The recession highlights the divide between bluegrass and Appalachia.
Good morning to you all. I'm T.J. Holmes, sitting in today for my good friend Tony Harris, who's taking the day off.
And you are in the CNN NEWSROOM.
We begin with President Obama gathering his national security team once again this week. A fifth time, a fifth meeting on Afghanistan they're going to be talking about. He's under growing political pressure now to decide on a war strategy.
Now, of course right now nobody's saying withdrawal is even an option. So, the focus right now is on not withdrawing, but putting more U.S. forces into that country. How many, though? A lot of people say it's really a no-brainer here, especially the president's critics. You need to give the military commander what he wants, which is up to 40,000 additional forces.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: I think the great danger is not an American pullout. I think the great danger now is a half measure, sort of a -- you know, try to try to please all ends of the political spectrum. And again, I have great sympathy for the president, making the toughest decisions that presidents have to make. But I think he needs to use deliberate speed and I think he needs to adopt a strategy which he has basically articulated last March and before.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: I want to bring in now our CNN Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr. Barbara, it seems like we've been talking about this for the past several weeks. Now we're told it could be another few weeks before the president actually makes a decision on when, if, how many, more troops to send.
Does he have that kind of time?
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, according to military commanders, maybe not, T.J. You know, General McChrystal, Admiral Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, all have been saying for weeks now time is not on the side of the U.S.
The Taliban have the momentum. Secretary Gates has talked about that. And they would like to get moving on this.
What are they really talking about? By all accounts, General McChrystal would like to put another 40,000 troops into the mix in Afghanistan to add to the 68,000 that are going to be there shortly. Already part of the plan, if you will.
But what does 40,000 get you? By all accounts, what his plan is, is to put those in the population centers -- Kandahar, a major city down south; in Helmand Province; village and towns where the insurgency and the population are really coming together. Put that extra U.S. combat power in that area to secure the population and push the Taliban away.
Many people on the other side, though, say no, fighting the Taliban is not the priority. The real priority remain to fight al Qaeda, especially across the border in Pakistan. All of this another week, another week of meetings, another week of debate -- T.J.
HOLMES: Yes, that debate will continue, of course, there at the White House, but also around the country and in the media, all kinds of places.
Barbara Starr, I know we're not done with you just yet. You're actually going to be coming back in a little while, taking a look at that Taliban attack on that U.S. outpost. So, thank you on this story. We'll be talking to you again here shortly.
And again, that attack we saw just a week ago that was at Camp Keating. Eight Americans died. But you're going to hear in Barbara Starr's report coming up in a little bit from some of the men who survived, some who were actually there.
Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I made a call and just said we're taking heavy contact, we need assets.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Now, eight American servicemen died at that firefight at Camp Keating. We will see our Barbara Starr's full report a little later here in the CNN NEWSROOM.
Well, America's ally in battling militants in Afghanistan has some issues of its own. On edge itself this morning after a series of deadly attacks -- we're talking about in Pakistan. Police say 41 people were killed in a bombing today at a security checkpoint in Pakistan's volatile Swat Valley.
Our Reza Sayah reports that today's incident comes after a series of attacks in Pakistan.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
REZA SAYAH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: A teenage boy wearing a suicide vest blows himself up on Monday, killing more than 40 people in northwest Pakistan. This according to military officials.
It has been a terrible week here in Pakistan, with a string of deadly militant attacks. The one on Monday taking place at a busy marketplace in Swat Valley. Officials telling CNN the teenage suicide attacker targeted a military convoy. Six of the fatalities were indeed soldiers. But because this was a busy market area, the remaining fatalities, all civilians.
The attack on Monday comes after perhaps one of the most audacious attacks ever in Pakistan. Ten armed insurgents storming and penetrating the army headquarters in Rawalpindi on Saturday, killing 11 security personnel and taking dozens hostage. The standoff ending early Sunday morning, when commandos stormed the headquarters, killing nine of the militants, capturing the militant commanders alive.
The military coming under heavy criticism because of the apparent security breach. On Monday, the army spokesperson defended the military.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can anybody guarantee today that 100 percent, any organization, for that matter, any army or any -- can prevent a single ability of terrorism? It's not possible. But more important is how we react to that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAYAH: The army spokesperson also saying telephone intercepts reveal the assault on the army headquarters was planned by the Taliban in south Waziristan. Officials say a military offensive targeting south Waziristan is coming soon. South Waziristan, of course, a Taliban stronghold and, according to Washington, a safe haven for al Qaeda.
Reza Sayah, CNN, Islamabad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Let's go through now some of the other headlines of the day.
Up first, some gay rights activists with a friendly reminder to the president to keep his promises, calling for equality in marriage and an end to discrimination in the military. Thousands rallied at he U.S. Capitol yesterday. The march followed a speech by President Obama to the country's largest gay and lesbian rights group. He promised to end the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and also support equality for gay couples.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I support ensuring that committed gay couples have the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple in this country. I believe strongly in stopping laws designed to take rights away and passing laws that extend equal rights to gay couples.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Also, a man suspected in the hijacking of a Pan Am flight some 41 years ago is now finally in custody. His name is Luis Armando Pena Soltren. He surrendered to authorities in New York yesterday after stepping off a plane from Havana. He's wanted for allegedly taking weapons on board the 1968 Pan Am flight, terrorizing the passengers, and then forcing the pilot to land in Cuba.
Take a look at some of these pictures here as well now.
A mudslide in Washington State damages homes and literally changes the course of a river. Now, the falling earth pushed Highway 410, literally pushed the highway into a local river there, forcing the water to create a detour, so change in the course of the river. Several dozen people have been evacuated. The slide also took out some utility poles, which means it took out power to about 800 residents there.
Turning now to Iraq and Iraq's triangle of death. U.S. troops still working with Iraqi forces to combat al Qaeda there.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAL PERRY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It doesn't all go smoothly. In a dramatic sign of the distrust between different parts of Iraq's security forces, the soldiers confiscate cell phones from the local police in case they tip off the targets.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: An exclusive CNN report coming up.
But first, the latest on the Dow. Yes, it's a holiday. It's Columbus Day. But hey, money is still exchanging hands down there. The Dow up about 61 points right now.
We're right back. Stay with us.
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(WEATHER REPORT)
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HOLMES: Well, a former insurgency stronghold in Iraq is under curfew and blocked off today after a series of car bombings. Three bombings in Ramadi yesterday killed at least 23 people and injured nearly 80 more. Two bombs at the city's police headquarters killed eight officers. An hour later, a suicide bomber struck outside a hospital.
Authorities are blaming al Qaeda.
Well, Iraq forces are now leading the crackdown on al Qaeda terror cells with backup from U.S. troops. Cal Perry filed this exclusive report on a raid into Hillah. In order to embed with U.S. Special Forces, CNN had to agree not to reveal the identities of either the U.S. or Iraqi Special Forces operatives. The military says it's for their protection. They could be identified by enemy forces around the world.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PERRY: The Green Berets, one of America's elite military units, prepare for a mission in Hillah, Iraq, in the middle of what used to be known as the Triangle of Death. Heavy metal blares while they gear up, but tonight these highly-trained soldiers who are used to being out in front will take a back seat. Iraqi Special Forces are spearheading the mission.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, obviously, they've taken the lead now. It's their show. They -- we are definitely to the point where it is train the trainer and not just train the troops.
PERRY: The Iraqi Special Forces get their own briefing before they, too, mount up and head out. Their soundtrack distinctly Iraqi as the team rolls through the town of Hillah. But it doesn't all go smoothly. In a dramatic sign of the distrust between different parts of Iraq's Security Forces, the soldiers confiscate cell phones from the local police in case they tip off the targets.
Off the paved roads, clouds of sand obscure the soldiers' view. Radios crackle as they close in. Then, in a flash, they crash the target building.
(on camera): The emergency response brigade, basically Iraqi Special Forces backed by United States Special Forces, Green Berets, have detained who they believe to be alleged members of al Qaeda. You can see them here, four individuals who have warrants against them. They've also found weapons in this house.
(voice-over): The team checks names and I.D. cards against the names in the judge's warrants. Later, the U.S. military tells us the individuals detained are suspected of involvement with an al Qaeda cell operating in this volatile province. They are driven away, to be detained not in a U.S. camp, but in an Iraqi prison.
Cal Perry, CNN, embedded with U.S. and Iraqi Special Forces in Hillah, Iraq.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Well, health care reform is not going to come in time to help you out this year with your open enrollment at your company. That means you're choosing your health care options right now for next year. Oh, happy, happy. Joy, joy. You're going to be paying more and getting less.
Our personal finance editor, Gerri Willis, joins us next with the "Top Tips."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Well, some of our top stories this morning.
Stop me if you've heard this one. North Korea firing missiles. This time, reportedly firing five short-range missiles.
South Korea's official news agency says the communist North conducted these tests today off its east coast. Now, that's despite recent moves by Pyongyang to ease tensions over its nuclear and missile programs.
Also, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, she's in northern Ireland. She's urging rival Protestant and Catholic leaders in the shared government to work together despite differences to encourage that peace process that continues now. Also to encourage some economic development there.
Let's turn to New York now.
A sad, sad story out of there, where an 11-year-old girl died in a rollover car crash. Six of her friends were injured.
The driver of that car who is also the mother of one of the injured girls now charged with drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter. All of the girls were on their way to a slumber party.
All right. It's open enrollment season. That means it's time for you to choose your health insurance benefits for 2010.
Got a trend to tell you about this year. You'll be paying more and getting less.
That's just great. Gerri Willis, our personal finance editor.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: I know. I was looking for the positive side of this, T.J. Having a hard time.
HOLMES: And that's what we're starting with. That's the best we could come up with, huh? This is always not really a fun time, because you're always nervous about the changes and whatnot, what you can expect. So, what can people expect this time around?
WILLIS: All right. Well, there's some important changes here.
First off, about 10 percent of employers will drop you, drop you from your health plan, if you don't actively participate in open enrollment and choose your own health plan this year. Look, it used to be if you don't make a decision, you would simply default into last year's option. But this year, if you don't choose, you'll be penalized with no health insurance at all at some employers.
Now, those in the industry say this is going to force people to reevaluate their health options. They see it as progressive.
Bottom line, don't count on your company to lock you into a health plan if you don't choose anything. And T.J., this applies to you, because our company is doing this.
HOLMES: OK. You said about 10 percent. That is alarming to some people, because most of us, a lot of us, we just say, oh, it will just roll over to the next year. You could get dumped and be without insurance?
WILLIS: Yes. They want you to participate. They want you to actively look over the options out there and pick what fits you.
HOLMES: Wow. All right. Let's move on to another one.
Given the tough times we're in, the recession, everybody's in tough financial straits. And some people kind of forced to try to find a way to skirt the system a little bit and try to add on maybe some dependents that aren't really dependents -- the cousin, the friend, the this and the that.
So, are there going to be crackdowns on that as well?
WILLIS: Absolutely. Employers are auditing who you cover under your health insurance plan to make sure your health plan doesn't cover people who are not eligible. This is according to Watts & Wyatt.
Look, if your spouse is on your health plan, just your spouse, not a cousin, but your spouse, and they have other insurance options available, you could be paying more for premiums. So, you'll want to read the fine print here and see how this is going to impact you.
HOLMES: All right. We talked about the trends there, the trend of getting less and paying more.
What else jumps out at you?
WILLIS: Well, some employers are cutting the number of health plan options they offer. For you, this could mean you have to change doctors or pay higher out-of-network costs. And more and more often, employers are offering consumer-driven health plans as a way to control costs.
Now, we've talked about these plans in the past. They're called CDHPs. They are high deductible plans where you may have to pay up to $10,000 out of your own pocket before your coverage begins.
Now, it's not all bad news. Some employers are offering wellness incentives like gift cards, cash and discounted premiums for participating in smoking cessation, weight management, or fitness programs. But bottom line here, you're really going to have to read the fine print, because there are lots of changes going on.
And of course if you have any questions, you can e-mail me at Gerri@CNN.com.
HOLMES: I might have to e-mail you, Gerri.
WILLIS: I know. Read it. It's important.
HOLMES: It is, and you can't say that enough. So many of us just let it roll over. Some people will actually drop you if you don't go through it. That was a very important piece of information there, Gerri.
Thank you so much. We will talk to you again soon.
WILLIS: My pleasure.
HOLMES: We're going to continue to talk about health and health care and the health care debate. A lot of the insurance companies have really been taking it on the chin in this whole debate. Well, they are starting to fight back.
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HOLMES: Well, after months of making nice, health insurers are attacking a reform plan that the Senate Finance Committee votes on tomorrow. The industry says the plan would raise your insurance rates.
Now, is that the truth or is that a scare tactic?
Christine Romans, if the insurance companies say it, then it must be true.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: And that's the point of view of the White House and, frankly, the Democrats in the Senate Finance Committee. They say this is all just posturing and this is -- well, I'll tell you first what the Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee said about this, the Democratic spokesman.
He said essentially that this report is untrue, it's disingenuous. He said that this is bought and paid for by an insurance industry that has already been gouging too many consumers for too long and standing in the way of real health care reform yet again. Before I even tell you that the results were of this study, I'll tell you that the Democrats in support of health care reform are coming out swinging here. This is what the PricewaterhouseCoopers study found. It was paid for by the group America's Health Insurance Plans.
It found that for single -- for just one person, their coverage by the year 2019 would be $1,500 more expensive under this plan than advertised. And for a family, family coverage for health insurance would be $4,000 more. By the year 2019, it would cost a family about $25,900.
A few different reasons here. They say that they're worried that some people, because of the fines, the penalties aren't high enough, some people will -- young, healthy people will just stay out of the system and pay penalties. And then that means that the people who are in the health insurance system will pick up the slack. They think there are some taxes involved in here that will mean passing on costs and fees to other people.
And also, you know, they're concerned about cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. They think that that's going to be passed on along as well.
But, I mean, again, the response from the White House and the response from the Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee is pretty, pretty strong. Linda Douglass of the White House calls this self- serving analysis that absolutely ignores all kinds of protections for keeping costs down and the like.
So, this is an 11th-hour fight. I mean, we're just a day before the Senate Finance Committee's supposed to have this key vote, and now you have the health insurance lobby, which has so far been and the table with the White House, at least pushing the chair back from the table and saying, well, here -- dropping this whole thing at the last minute.
HOLMES: And quick, Christine, why get in the game now? Is it just because it is that 11th hour that you spoke of? They feel like they need to do something right before the vote? I mean, why jump into the fray now?
ROMANS: Well, for all of the so-called stakeholders, for months they have been sort of negotiating with these broad brush strokes of what reform is going to look like; right? And we know that behind the scenes, there's been all kinds of negotiating. And now this rift is becoming public as more of the details have become public.
I mean, even a few weeks ago we didn't really know what this plan was going to exactly look like. So, I guess in defense of people who are concerned about costs and the like, they're getting more details now than they had even a couple of weeks ago. But the supporters of reform say that it's just disingenuous so late in the game to drop this analysis paid for by the industry into the mix.
HOLMES: All right. Christine Romans, we thank you as always.
ROMANS: Sure.
HOLMES: We will turn from Christine now to Brianna Keilar, who is also going to be talking to us here about what the Senate Finance Committee -- that vote set to come tomorrow.
Brianna Keilar, we have been waiting I guess for this moment for quite some time. So what's going to happen tomorrow?
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, tomorrow is what everyone has been waiting for, for quite some time, T.J., and it's going to be a really busy day. And I have to tell you, the quiet up here on the Hill really belies what a significant day tomorrow is.
This is what is normally a bustling entrance to one of the House office buildings up here. And then take a look at what we are seeing in the halls of the Capitol.
KEILAR: ... the House office buildings up here. And then take a look at what we are seeing in the halls of the Capitol. Not a creature is stirring, as you can see.
And tomorrow it's going to be a very different scene, a very significant vote. And this is the fifth and, yes, the final committee that's dealing with health care, with overhauling health care that's going to pass a bill as expected to do out of committee.
But of these five committees, this one, T.J., is the most watched. The Senate Finance Committee bill is very different from the other ones that Congress is looking at. It's very conservative in its price tag and also in its approach to exactly what overhaul of health care should look like.
This one, $829 billion is the price tag. It includes health cooperatives, nonprofit health cooperatives, and that is an alternative to that public option, that government-run insurance plan. And also, there is an individual mandate in this bill, as there are in other ones, requiring Americans to purchase health insurance, but there's no employer mandate forcing employers to contribute.
So, that's how it stands. A little different compared to those other bills. And Chairman Max Baucus, Democrat, says he's confident that he has the votes. They are hoping to get that one Republican that they still have the hope of getting, Olympia Snowe of Maine. But, T.J., he says he expects this to pass. There are 13 Democrats and ten Republicans on this committee. So, it just goes to show you what a big deal it would be if it didn't pass. They have a majority, significantly.
HOLMES: But to answer this for us, in your echoing voice there in the halls of Congress, even if it passes, we've been paying so much attention to this bill, even if it gets out of this committee, again, everybody expects it will, even if it gets out of the whole Senate, you have members of the House who are saying this thing is dead on arrival because it doesn't have a public option. So, what happens to this bill once it leaves committee?
KEILAR: Once it leaves this committee, then it must be squashed together with that other Senate bill that came out of the Senate Health Committee. And even that bill, T.J., has a public option. So, at this point, the understanding in the Senate is there are no votes. There are not enough votes, not just Republicans, but there aren't enough Democratic votes for that public option.
So, this will take about a week, this melding process. Then it goes to the Senate floor, and they consider their bill. And there's -- meantime, there's this whole thing going on in parallel in the House, and so once they have their bill, and they vote on their bill, the Senate and the House will have to come to some sort of agreement, and this is -- they'll have to come to some sort of agreement to move their bills together so that they could have a final vote.
And this is -- all of these events playing out over really the next couple of months. It's going to take a long time. But this, tomorrow, is a key hurdle in the process.
HOLMES: A key hurdle. It will be a much different place. But for now, Brianna Keilar, the loneliest reporter in the world, thank you so much.
(LAUGHTER)
HOLMES: We'll talk to you again soon.
We'll turn to our two American professors. They're going to be sharing this year's Nobel Prize for economics. For one of them, the announcement marks a major first for the awards.
Our Susan Lisovicz on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange with a look at some of the winners and why they won. Good morning to you, Susan.
SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, T.J. That's right, this year's Nobel Prize for economics will be shared by Oliver Williamson, who is a retired professor at UC Berkeley and Elinor Ostrom, a prof at Indiana University and, yes, she is the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize for economics.
They're receiving their award, T.J., for their analysis of economic governance. And listen up, because this is actually something we can understand and relate to, furthermore. Ostrom's research specifically, T.J., concludes common property like lakes and woods are better off when managed by the people who use them rather than, say, government subordinates.
And there's a very interesting line from it. It says one reason why is that these kind of rules, by the people who use them, tend to evolve over a long time so they tweak them and refine them as needed. And that -- well, let me just read this, because I think it really says a lot.
HOLMES: Go right ahead, yes.
LISOVICZ: It says, "The rules imposed from the outside are dictated by powerful insiders, have less legitimacy and are more likely to be violated." That's a quote from the research. Power to the people is the response, T.J., I think.
HOLMES: You're right. It actually does make sense. So often we hear about these Nobel...
LISOVICZ: It shows that self-governance can be successful.
HOLMES: Yes. Makes perfect sense. Now, you talk about the first there for a woman. But a big year for women all around with the Nobel committee.
LISOVICZ: Also a record, yes. There are five women who won the Nobel prize this year, including an Israeli who shared the chemistry prize with two men, A Romanian-born German writer, Herta Mueller, took the prize for literature, and Americans Elizabeth Blackburn and Carol Greider for medicine.
Also a banner year for Americans, T.J. Eleven of 13 winners this year American citizens, including someone well-known who won the Nobel Peace Prize.
(LAUGHTER)
LISOVICZ: We're looking at a prize level here on Wall Street for the Dow. The Dow right now up 44 points, above 9900. Nasdaq's up 11. So, the rally continues -- T.J.
HOLMES: All right. Those poor other American Nobel winners, they, I mean, you know, they can't get their names out there once the president won his. But, hey, go all Americans. We're happy for all of them. Susan, thanks.
LISOVICZ: We didn't get the Olympic site, but we -- in Chicago, but we did get a lot of Nobel prizes.
HOLMES: And we'll take it. Susan Lisovicz, thank you as always.
LISOVICZ: You're welcome.
HOLMES: Well, a lot of new car models arriving on showroom floors these days. Find out why buying American's still important to our economy. You can find that out by logging on to CNNmoney.com.
Well, we've been tell you about this story. We saw it about a week ago. U.S. soldiers ambushed in Afghanistan.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
1ST LT. CASON SHRODE FIRES, SUPPORT OFFICER, U.S. ARMY: I made a call and just said, we're taking heavy contact. We need assets. (END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: A surviving serviceman tells CNN what it's like to be caught up in a huge firefight.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: We are getting firsthand accounts of a massive Taliban assault that killed eight American service members in Afghanistan. Our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr with the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Survivors of a brutal firefight here at combat outpost Keating telling their story of an ambush at a remote mountain valley base.
FIRES: I made a call and just said, we're taking heavy contact. We need assets. From that point, just tried to fight the fight.
STARR: A helicopter crew member recalls seeing hundreds of militants attacking.
C.W.O. CHAD BARDWELL, U.S. ARMY: It was just kind of shock to see the amount of flames and the smoke and then to see that amount of personnel, you know, that were running outside of their wire. It was really, it was just shock.
STARR: The White House scheduling another meeting this week, still deciding on a way ahead.
Counterinsurgency expert David Kilcullen advises the Pentagon on both Iraq and Afghanistan.
DAVID KILCULLEN, COUNTERINSURGENCY EXPERT: I think that the -- there are really two options. We need to do this thing properly or we need to go home and prepare for the inevitable humanitarian disaster that's going to happen.
STARR: Disagreement between the top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Senator John McCain told John King on CNN's "STATE OF THE UNION" it would be a mistake of, quote, "historic proportions" to reduce the U.S. effort.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: I think the great danger now is not an American pullout. I think the great danger now is a half measure, sort of a -- you know, try to please all ends of the political spectrum.
STARR: Key Democrats say more has to be done to make Afghans take responsibility.
SEN. CARL LEVIN (D-MI), CHAIRMAN, ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: There are ways of showing resolve without more and more combat troops coming from the United States.
STARR: But for the men from Camp Keating, the only fight is for their buddies' lives.
SGT. JAYSON SOUTER, U.S. ARMY: I think the best moment that told me, you know, what great of unit I was in, what great guys I was working with, was when everyone basically came together, and in the mix of it, all, they were donating blood for the wounded that we had. They all pulled together to make sure, you know, we can pull our battle buddies out of this.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: All right, and let's bring in our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr now. Barbara, we are going back and forth between politicians, between the Pentagon and the White House sometimes even, it seems like, in this debate about putting more U.S. service members in Afghanistan. We're hearing from everybody, but what are you hearing from the men and women who are actually on the ground? Are they just as anxious to hear the president make a decision as everybody else is?
STARR: Well, when you listen to what these young troops went through, T.J., I think that everyone is anxious to get this decision made and move on and get on with it. I mean, listen to those soldiers. They were under fire, they had dead, they had wounded, and soldiers are donating blood while the battle rages, to keep their buddies live. That's the reality of what is going on in Afghanistan right now.
Back in Washington, more meetings. All of the discussion still centering around how many troops and what's the real job you want them to do. By all accounts, the proposal is for the military to ask for 40,000 additional troops. General McChrystal says that's what he's going to need, something in that neighborhood to secure the population of Afghans and try and bring enough security to Afghanistan to start pushing the Taliban out. But it's going to be several days before we get that decision.
HOLMES: All right. Barbara Starr, we appreciate it as always, appreciate you bringing us those firsthand accounts. Thank you so much.
Turning to some of our top stories now. More than 200 coffins you're seeing here arriving today in the typhoon-battered northern Philippines. Some areas had run out of caskets after about 600 people died in landslides and flooding that began more than two weeks ago.
Also, a major landslide in central Washington state. Take a look at that. That's said to be growing now. It's blocking a state highway and diverting a local river. Authorities say about 60 people have been evacuated because of flood fears. Also, power is out to 800 residents.
And just take a look at this here. Caught on tape. Take a listen to it, as well.
(VIDEO CLIP) HOLMES: This looks like something from a movie set. This is the real deal. This was Thursday night at the Route 66 Kitchen. That's the name of this place in Toledo, Ohio. Police say it started when a bar employee asked a man who was trying to sell marijuana to leave. Now, in all this shooting, nobody was hurt. Suspects, all of them, all of them, appear to be packin', and they are all still on the loose today. My goodness.
Well a huge new effort going on, and you can participate. It's called "What If?" Nicole Lapin, she has that info coming up next. "What If," Nicole, you show up after the break?
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HOLMES: Does that say "get high with a little help"? Am I hearing that right? OK, what's that say?
NICOLE LAPIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Get by.
HOLMES: Get by. I thought it said get high.
LAPIN: Get by with a little help from your friends.
(LAUGHTER)
HOLMES: How are you doing, Nicole? What if I knew my music a little better? I didn't know the song.
LAPIN: That would be great.
HOLMES: OK, yes. We're talking about "What If?" today. Now explain. It sounds pretty cool. Nicole Lapin here of course with our CNN.com looking at some iReports. But our new series, "What If?" and "Fill in the Blank."
LAPIN: Right, and so this week it was, "What if we work together?" Aww.
HOLMES: Aww, wouldn't that be the cutest thing ever?
LAPIN: This is the touchy-feely segment of the day. We got a lot of iReports from people who were helping people. This one from Greenwich Village, this is a Help our Neighbors program. It's part of a church outreach program.
You see these folks working together to feed the homeless. They give out meals on Sundays and on Wednesdays. They get meals in from markets. They get meals in from local restaurants. And this is the church that is right there on 7th and 13th Street in New York City. And a lot of folks, about 100 folks, T.J., lined up. They say when the community comes together, the doors open up to help the hungry. There you go.
Let's take you over to Wisconsin. People coming together there to learn about animals and care for animals. It's a shelter that actually doesn't put any animals to sleep. We received this iReport from a family of animal lovers, and the granddaughter in that family makes dog houses for some of the animals in need. She helps in her little way. They told us, even a little baby step by one person really makes a difference in the community.
Look, the youngsters are coming out to help, T.J. They're really getting involved. One of our young iReporters is from the West Virginia Book Festival. And he is a 14-year-old volunteer there, Travis Mack (ph). Here's what he said about volunteering.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRAVIS MACK (ph), CNN IREPORTER: Yes, this is what I thought at first. I thought that, you know, volunteering, bleah, you know, what a way to waste of a weekend. And, but I started. I'm like, wow, this is a lot better than sitting around watching TV on a lazy weekend afternoon.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LAPIN: There you go. T.H., he says he'd rather go volunteer than hang out on the couch watching TV. You love that guy. A lot of good iReports coming together, working together.
HOLMES: All right, how often will we see the new "What Ifs?" How often is our new "What If?" category.
LAPIN: It's every week. We have a different...
HOLMES: Every week.
LAPIN: ... assignment, so you can go on to the assignment desk on ireport.com.
HOLMES: All right, Nicole Lapin, "What If?"
LAPIN: Come on, contribute.
HOLMES: I will. I absolutely will. I love this new segment. The "What If?" and then "Fill in that Blank." Yes, I love it.
LAPIN: Good.
HOLMES: So, I will be contributing.
LAPIN: Good.
HOLMES: Thank you so much, Nicole.
Well, a lot of people out there in the market for a move, possibly. We've got a property for you. You can live right next door to the president. Sounds great if you don't mind having to get home every day going through Secret Service. Here now, our Alina Cho.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, T.J., this is a special property, a beautiful mansion, but it's not the house that's getting all of the attention. It's where it is. You know, the old adage about real estate is true -- location, location, location.
(voice-over): How much would you pay for this house? Six thousand square feet, 17 rooms, three floors, next door to the president?
BILL GRIMSHAW, PRESIDENT OBAMA'S CHICAGO NEIGHBOR: Location, location, location.
CHO: 5040 South Greenwood Avenue is next door to 5046, home to the Obamas. Not this home. This one, which also has round-the-clock Secret Service. Peer out the dining room window of Bill Grimshaw's place, and just 15 feet away is the Chicago home of the president. Grimshaw and his wife bought their house in 1973 for $35,000.
(on camera): Why would you want to sell?
GRIMSHAW: It's expensive to live here, and then there's this thing the Realtors are calling the Obama factor.
CHO (voice-over): There's more -- cache. President Obama taped a commercial at the Grimshaw home during the campaign.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: From our family to yours, I'm Barack Obama, and I approve this message.
MALIA OBAMA, PRESIDENTIAL DAUGHTER: Merry Christmas.
SASHA OBAMA, PRESIDENTIAL DAUGHTER: Happy holidays.
CHO: There's the neighborhood dog. Urban legend has it Malia and Sasha Obama grew fond of dogs after playing with this one. The downside, getting in is almost like breaking into Fort Knox. Two barricades. Secret Service. Everyone is prescreened.
GRIMSHAW: People don't drop in on the Grimshaws anymore.
CHO: But there is an upside.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They've not locked their front door in two years.
CHO: Then there's that chance you could get a glimpse of the first family.
GRIMSHAW: Michelle has rules, and Michelle's a very strong woman. And so, when Barack wanted to have a cigarette, he had to go out on the back porch to smoke, and gave my wife ideas.
CHO: Anyone who buys the house should be prepared. Friends who drop in may have ulterior motives. Like the time the Grimshaws had a Christmas party. GRIMSHAW: And they stood most of the time staring out the window at Barack's house. I'd say, would you like a sandwich? Would you like a drink? No, we're fine.
CHO: Yes, but to be the president's neighbor.
(on camera): Some people might say that you are sitting on the most important property in the United States right now.
GRIMSHAW: Well, there's the White House.
CHO (voice-over): That one's not for sale. This one is. Next door to the Obamas, yours if the price is right.
(on camera): Beautiful, beautiful home. Little bit of a fixer- upper.
GRIMSHAW: Fixer-upper. The basement is a disaster. It's...
CHO: You're an honest man.
GRIMSHAW: Well, I think I'm selling location and not my basement, so I can afford to be honest.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHO: Which begs the question, how much will it cost you? Well, to give you an idea, the Obamas paid $1.65 million for their Chicago home back in 2005. The Realtor says if the Grimshaw home was down the block, in this market, they probably could ask $1.5 million. But remember, there's the Obama factor, T.J.
What that's worth, nobody knows. But a warning. In order to even see the house, you have to prove you can pay for it -- T.J.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Well, all right, then.
Here is also what we're working on for the next hour in the CNN NEWSROOM. Gay-rights activists rally at the nation's capital and demand an end to the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Will President Obama hear their chant and abolish a controversial policy like he promised he would? We'll have a look at that.
Plus, surgical masks can protect against the spread of flu. The government estimates we could need 3 billion in an outbreak of H1N1. Well, do we have enough? We'll look at that and a whole lot more, next hour.
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HOLMES: Well, recessions, some people would say, are like diseases. They don't care. They don't discriminate. They don't care if you're rich or you're poor. Nobody's immune, as CNN's John King now shows us. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Breeding thoroughbreds is the McLean family business. Crestwood Farm, a 1,000-acre slice in the rolling hills of Kentucky's legendary bluegrass country. Kipling (ph) is one of Crestwood's four stallions. They are kept separately, and it is their work that brothers Pope and Mark McLean say has the biggest impact on Crestwood's reputation and financial success.
(on camera): They prove their value how?
POPE MCLEAN, CRESTWOOD FARM: By when their progeny does well on the racetrack. That's when they -- you can't bluff that. Whenever a stallion has one of its progeny gets entered in a race, we get notified.
MARK MCLEAN, CRESTWOOD FARM: And when you're watching all your babies run, it's kind of fun every weekend. Because you get -- it's like it's babies of yours, but they're other people's. But pulling for your son every weekend, just about.
KING (voice-over): Fun, but it's also a trying time as even the sport of kings feels the sting of a global recession.
POPE MCLEAN, JR., CRESTWOOD FARM: A lot of buyers from Europe come in, and they're not -- they've dialed back their participation. The domestic buyers have certainly dialed back their participation as well.
The sales are down approximately 40 percent in the money spent, and so that has a pretty significant impact on all the commercial breeders.
KING: Kentucky is to horseracing what Detroit is to the American auto industry. And Pope McLean sees at least one more tough year, maybe more, for Crestwood and the industry as a whole. This may be the slice of the economy identified with the rich, but here in Kentucky, it is a major industry and responsible for about 100,000 jobs in the state.
P. MCLEAN: I think a lot of farms are hurting, and then you have -- the credit squeeze has hurt a lot of farms, too. It's probably be about even, maybe, or come down a little bit. I'm sure it's not going to be a real stellar year for anybody, I wouldn't think. I feel pretty sure that there will be quite a few farms that will go out of business.
KING: It is 120 miles from horse country to Hazard (ph). First, the lush farmland. Then the winding roads of gritty Appalachian coal country. Out of business is a Main Street staple.
JOANNE CARON, UNEMPLOYED FACTORY WORKER: My girls used to love shopping there.
KING (on camera): There's another one here. CARON: Yes.
KING (voice-over): Joanne Caron has lived in Hazard ten years.
CARON: When I first got here, things were booming. There were a lot more factories that were open and businesses. And I mean, you can see businesses are closing all over.
KING: Perry County was poor to begin with, and unemployment is on a steady climb, just shy of 13 percent now. A hundred and fifty jobs at a uniform company early this year. Then Weyerhaeuser closed its lumber plant in March, Joanne Caron among the 180 workers abruptly sent home.
CARON: And this is my (INAUDIBLE) letter: "After careful consideration, Weyerhaeuser has decided to indefinitely close the East Kentucky facility effective today. Unfortunately, this closure results in the elimination of your position."
KING: Her unemployment check is $746 twice a month. Joanne also cashed in her 401(k) and is dipping into that, despite the long-term risk.
CARON: My daughter likes to eat, and she likes clothes, and we like to have heat and air conditioning. So, it's the choices we have to make. I mean...
KING: Two older daughters are out of college but, like Joanne, can't find work.
CARON: Everything I told them as they were growing up, go to college, get a degree so you can get a good job, it's just not turning out that way.
KING: She has been looking for seven months. Nothing. It's her first trip back to the Weyerhaeuser plant since she lost her job.
CARON: The last I worked was 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., 12-hour shifts. It's sad to see it like this. It really is. I made a lot of good friends working in there, and, you know, we had a good time. It wasn't a glamorous job, but we had fun, and we got along, and I missing seeing those people every day.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
