Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Escalating War in Afghanistan; Burned Teen's Painful Recovery; Hottest Holiday Deals; Economy Bouncing Back; Shop Around the Clock; A Presidential Pardon on Thanksgiving

Aired November 25, 2009 - 10:59   ET

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

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning, everyone. It is November 25, 2009. Here are the top stories for you in the CNN NEWSROOM for this Wednesday morning.

A boy deliberately set on fire. This hour, my interview with Michael Brewer's parents about that horrific day and their son's long road ahead.

The Pentagon wrapping up troop deployment plans for Afghanistan right now. A presidential announcement expected in days.

And your writing his check, so we thought you should know a $10 million pay package for the top man at taxpayer-owned AIG.

Good morning, everyone. I'm Tony Harris. And you are in the CNN NEWSROOM.

And first up this morning, the Pentagon preparing to escalate the war in Afghanistan. Military officials making detailed plans to deploy thousands more troops in anticipation of President Obama's strategy speech to the nation next Tuesday.

CNN's Elaine Quijano reports from the Pentagon.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On the heels of the president's last scheduled war council meeting to review Afghanistan strategy, Pentagon planners are now expecting orders to send about 34,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan, according to a defense official.

The planning calls for Army and Marine brigades as well as support troops, but top military officials have made clear getting any additional forces into the country will take months because of a lack of road and other infrastructure.

ROBERT GATES, U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: I anticipate that as soon as the president makes his decision, we can probably begin flowing some forces pretty quickly after that. But it is a bigger challenge than certainly was the case in Iraq.

ADM. MIKE MULLEN, JOINT CHIEFS CHAIR: We had in Iraq a place -- a staging base in Kuwait. We don't have that in Afghanistan. QUIJANO: The 34,000 additional troops would be less than the 40,000 sources say General Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, wants. But one official says NATO allies would be asked to fill in that gap.

GEOFF MORRELL, PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY: If the president decides to commit additional forces to Afghanistan, there would be an expectation that our allies would also commit additional forces.

QUIJANO: For his part, the president vowed the Afghanistan war will end on his watch.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It is my intention to finish the job.

QUIJANO: But questions persist about Afghanistan's shaky government and the ability of Afghanistan forces to take over security responsibilities.

(on camera): Can one realistically put a date certain on finishing the job in Afghanistan?

MORRELL: Well, I don't know. I think it's unknowable how long it will take, but I think we all have to work with the idea that we have goals, landmarks, things to shoot for to get this done.

QUIJANO: So where would additional troops for Afghanistan come from? Two likely spots are Fort Drum, New York, where one Army brigade was held back from going to Iraq, and Fort Campbell, Kentucky, which also has troops that could be deployed.

Elaine Quijano, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: And we are getting more information about the president's speech next week.

CNN Foreign Affairs Correspondent Jill Dougherty joining us live from the White House.

And Jill, if you would, nail down some of these details for us.

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN FOREIGN AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Tony, now we know the time and date. Tuesday, 8:00 p.m., the president will be addressing the nation on his decision on Afghanistan. And it will not be from the White House.

It will be from West Point, the military academy, with cadets, members of the military in attendance. That's the setting. And the message that we're hearing from Robert Gibbs, if there is one essential thing, Tony, it's that the nation, the U.S. has been in Afghanistan for eight years, and as he put it, we're not going to be there for another eight or nine years.

He also said that President Obama, before this speech, will be meeting at the White House with members of Congress. These are presumably the 31 members of Congress who previously met with him on this issue. They will be back, he'll be making his case to them.

He'll also be talking with allies. That's a very important part of this, getting them on board.

There will be members of this cabinet who will be briefing -- or being briefed up on Capitol Hill. I should say testifying on Capitol Hill. No particular schedule on that, but that is going to be happening.

And then just quickly, Tony, in terms of the structure of the speech, he said there are some questions the president wants to answer. One would be, why is the U.S. there? What are the interests in being there for the nation? His decision-making process, and the importance of those efforts, but that it won't be an open-ended commitment.

We've heard this from Robert Gibbs and we heard it from the president. But that is going to be a very important part.

Another part is the cost. We don't know how far he will go on saying precisely how it will be paid for. They're not saying that at this point -- Tony.

HARRIS: Yes. It sounds like it's going to be really comprehensive.

Jill, there are also indications that shortly ever the president's announcement next Tuesday, the secretary of state may be on her way to NATO headquarters.

What are you hearing on this and what would be the purpose of such a trip?

DOUGHERTY: Well, the State Department is saying there could be definitely a role for her to get that message to NATO, discuss what NATO should be doing, because, after all, that is all part of this.

The United States, we presume, we believe, will probably be talking about 34,000 additional troops, but they need more and they want a commitment from NATO. The president even yesterday made it very clear that it's not just one country's problem, that the world, as he put it, has to contribute, and that certainly means the allies. They need that help very much from NATO and other countries.

HARRIS: CNN Foreign Affairs Correspondent Jill Dougherty at the White House for us today.

Jill, appreciate it. Thank you.

And again, the president will make his strategy speech regarding Afghanistan next Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. And of course we will carry it for you live right here on CNN.

A big story from the CNN wire now. The brass at Fort Hood, Texas, are putting tougher security measures in place because of this month's shooting spree. Armed guards will be posted at mental health facilities. Badge access now required for more buildings. Soldiers will have to register personal firearms.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LT. GEN. ROBERT CONE, FORT HOOD COMMANDER: A lot of folks say to me, well, do you really think that these measures would have had an effect on this event? And I don't think necessarily they would have. But I think really what we're looking at is a broader review where we looked at perhaps where there might be other people that would take advantage of gaps or seams in our security, and what this plan really does is sort of stitch those up and draw them tighter together.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Faulty gas pedals and hazardous spare tires mean a lot of Toyota owners will be heading back to the dealership. The world's largest automaker replacing gas pedals in nearly four million vehicles. Sudden acceleration problems and pedals getting stuck in floor mats are linked to crashes which have killed at least five people. Toyota is also recalling 110,000 Tundra pickups. It seems the frames on the trucks are rusting too easily, causing the spare tire to fall off unexpectedly.

We are getting our clearest indication yet of the road ahead for 15-year-old Michael Brewer. And it looks to be a long one. And it is coming from Michael's parents. Brewer was set on fire last month by a group of teens, as you know.

A short time ago, I spoke to Valerie and Michael Brewer about what the recovery process has been like for their son.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VALERIE BREWER, BURNED TEEN'S MOTHER: It's been a roller-coaster ride -- the fear of the unknown, watching him swell with the edema and watching the swelling come down. The first time he spoke to us was joyous, but watching him struggle every single day, I'm proud of him. I'm very, very proud of him, because I don't think I could do what he's doing.

It's incredibly painful. It hurts just to take a drink of water. To go to the bathroom, it takes him five to 10 minutes just to get from the bed to the bathroom because it hurts just to move.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Boy. All this started over a dispute over a video game, a bicycle and 40 bucks. Three teens have been charged with attempted second-degree murder.

You can hear much more of my interview with the Brewers next hour.

But first, here's CNN's correspondent, Ed Lavandera, who spoke with the doctor treating Michael's burns.

And Ed, what's the latest on Michael's condition?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Tony, you alluded to it. This is going to be an incredibly long road. But the good news right now is that the family and the doctors are really sounding much more hopeful than they have in the last month and a half since this happened. So, they are talking about survival and long-term prognosis here. So, you take that as a good sign as we got an update on Michael's condition this morning.

There's a skin graft operation scheduled for next Monday. That will be one of many surgeries that he will have to go through. They are talking about him having to spend months in the hospital and many surgeries.

And I don't think we can overestimate just the excruciating pain that this young man is going through. His parents also told me and the doctors had explained that it's even painful for him to brush his hair at this point.

HARRIS: Oh boy.

LAVANDERA: The burns extend from about the midway point to the back of his head, all the way down below his knees, and it is excruciating pain that he's going through.

Some of the good news is, is that he's off ventilator. He's breathing on his own. Obviously able to talk more and more each day. So, his parents take that as a good sign.

They haven't been able to hug him. They are only able to hold his hand.

And his doctor talked a little bit about just why he's feeling so much pain.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. NICHOLAS NAMIAS, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI, JACKSON MEMORIAL BURN CENTER: The areas that are burned include all areas around all the major joints. And every time those move, that hurts.

And the key thing he has to do now is move. So, the therapists are encouraging him to move and forcing him through some range of motion exercises. When it hurts, when you really just want to lay down and curl up in a ball and make the pain go away, that's just when you have to move the most. And he's having to go through that right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LAVANDERA: Tony, we also spoke with one of the paramedics that first treated him back on that scene back in early October. He says one of the things that really went a long way to saving Michael's life is that he ran from the scene and jumped into a pool, and the wind blew the fire away from his airway and away from his face, and they think that that went a long way in helping him survive.

HARRIS: And Ed, it's my understanding -- is it yours -- that no burns to Michael's hands and, I believe, his feet. Is that correct? Is that your understanding?

LAVANDERA: Right. In fact, that was one of the high points that his parents have, that they're able to hold his hand.

HARRIS: Yes.

LAVANDERA: That's really the only contact. And his mother told me this morning, actually, after you talked to them as well, that his feet swell up and that she gives him foot massages. And that's kind of been the only way they've been able to kind of physically bond over the last month and a half.

HARRIS: Ed Lavandera for us.

Ed, appreciate it. Thank you.

You know, one of the biggest decisions the president is facing, how many more U.S. troops to send to Afghanistan?

We've asked you to weigh in. Here's what some iReporters have to say.

And Rob Marciano is tracking our holiday weather. He has got everything you need to know before and as you hit the road.

Big Daddy, good to see you.

But first, here's the latest on the Dow.

We are in -- we're by (ph). The Dow is up 35 points. We're going to follow -- all right, 33. OK. We're going to follow these numbers throughout the day for you, right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: OK. You have voted. Now join Anderson Cooper to see who will become CNN's Hero of the Year. Nicole Kidman, Carrie Underwood and Maxwell are just a few of the celebrities scheduled to appear in the all-star tribute.

Dare to be inspired. CNN Heroes, Thanksgiving night, 9:00 Eastern and Pacific.

President Obama will finally reveal his plan, as he put it, to finish the job in Afghanistan. A speech to the nation is set for Tuesday night.

While the president considers the Afghanistan War options, we are listening to you.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

CALLER: This is Andre (ph) from Texas.

We need to get it right. No matter how long it takes to send more troops or not to send more troops, we got into a war in Afghanistan and Iraq by false pretenses. So Obama needs to take his time and get it right, whether it's a long period of time or a long period of time, you are sending men and women, boys and girls, into war that we shouldn't even be in, in the first place.

CALLER: Hi. This is Candy (ph) from Georgia.

And I think the United States should pull out of Afghanistan. And whoever wants troops over in Afghanistan, I think that they should join the Army themselves and go over there and fight and send our innocent troops home.

CALLER: Hi. My name is Stancos (ph), and I'm calling from Hamick (ph), California.

I think we need to send more troops to that place and get rid of them, and do the best we can to support our country, because these people are terrorists and they believe in killing people, people just that are normal. And please help President Obama, people from the United States of America, and give him all the support you can. And he's doing the best he can.

And God bless you all and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

HARRIS: Boy, oh boy.

We want to hear from you. You can still call us with your comments. Here's the number: 1-877-742-5760.

And thank you so much.

Hundreds -- I mean, literally, hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of you -- have called to express your opinion. And it's amazing to see this. Boy, the reactions, the comments, pretty much right down the middle.

Got to tell you, we're already getting a whole lot of iReports from you about this as well. And Josh Levs is following them for us.

And Josh, what are you getting? Good to see you, sir.

JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good to see you, too.

I'll tell you, we're hearing it on all sides, of course, as you know.

Let's get straight to this first one. It's interesting. This is from someone who does not think more troops are the answer.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HAO LI, IREPORTER: We do have to win the hearts and minds of the Afghani people, which is going to be extremely hard, which cannot be accomplished through just military power, through military might, which we have enough. I mean, looking back at Vietnam, looking back at all of the other wars we fought in the -- you know, recently -- not 21st century, but just recently -- winning the military aspect is no problem for us. It's winning the political.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEVS: Well, Tony, some other people are saying, you know what? We need to send more troops with a specific mission.

Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ADRIANA MAXWELL, IREPORTER: Yes, send more troops, but send the type of troops that will make a difference. You want troops that can help train the Afghan people to defend themselves. I think that the state militias that are starting to form now are probably a good way to go.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEVS: We love hearing from you.

And I'll tell you, one of the biggest reasons I also -- I said it before -- like when you weigh in is that while you're there you can also get a lot of facts.

Come to the screen with me for a second. I want you to check this out: CNN.com/Afghanistan, packed with information for you about the latest facts in the war at any given time.

Check this out. I'm just going to scroll down.

Every link you are seeing here is one of our recent stories that tells you what's realistically going on in Afghanistan, year-by-year highlights throughout the war. And you can take a look back at all of the coalition troops who have given their lives in this war.

All of that, Tony, at CNN.com/Afghanistan.

HARRIS: Terrific. Josh, appreciate it. Thank you.

LEVS: You got it.

HARRIS: And get your paper and pen and slide close to the TV. Closer. Closer. We've got a sneak preview of Black Friday deals just for you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HARRIS: Let's get you caught up on our top stories now.

The Florida teen set on fire last month over a bicycle, a video game and $40 is undergoing a slow, painful recovery. Michael Brewer is in guarded condition at the burn center in Miami. Hospital officials say Brewer can only communicate in one-or-two-word answers.

The hospital's associate director described the extent of his injuries.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. CARL SCHULMAN, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI JACKSON MEMORIAL BURN CENTER: They burned about 65 percent of his body, and most of the burns are deep second-degree and third-degree burns, which means his skin doesn't have its own capacity to regenerate. So he's going to need a lot of skin grafting operations.

We're actually pleasantly surprised that some of the wounds are healing in by themselves, which will limit that, to some degree. And he's lucky in that he's spared in the face and the hands from an aesthetic and functional standpoint. But his major joints -- elbows, knees, and places where it's extremely functional, important for normal activity -- it's going to take a lot of work and a lot of therapy as these scars need to be constantly worked on to maintain his range of motion.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: We can tell you three teens have been charged as adults in the attack. And next hour, I interview Brewer's parents about their son's terrible ordeal and the road ahead.

A national day of mourning in the Philippines. The number of dead in the politically-motivated massacre grew to 57 today. Gunmen attacked a convoy carrying supporters of a local politician. Today, police named that politician's chief rival, a prominent politician himself, as a suspect.

Two men in northern Ireland have been charged in what police call a foiled terrorist attack. The men are suspected of being IRA dissidents. They are accused in a shooting attempt Saturday that police say may be connected to a failed bombing in Belfast.

Another check of your top stories in 20 minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: You know, the president is going to -- any minute now, Ali, the president is going to pardon a turkey.

ALI VELSHI, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: A turkey.

HARRIS: Yes. We've got the official turkey to be pardoned, and then we've got the backup.

VELSHI: The question is what the turkey did wrong.

HARRIS: What on earth...

VELSHI: Did he get a bonus? Did he make a bank fail?

HARRIS: And is this a situation where the ultimate wants to be the turkey?

VELSHI: Right. This is one of those where the second prize is the first prize; right?

HARRIS: Right. So...

VELSHI: Not being chosen is good.

HARRIS: ... Courage is the lead turkey.

VELSHI: Nice.

HARRIS: And the alternate...

VELSHI: Chicken is the alternate.

HARRIS: Yes. And the alternate is Carolina.

Now, I wanted to flip the order because I love the song from James Taylor, but, you know, I can't dictate these things.

So there you go. Everyone is gathering, getting ready. And I believe this is happening at about 11:35 a.m.

It's an annual event, so we're going to show it to you.

VELSHI: I like it. I like it.

HARRIS: We're going to talk to Ali in just a couple of minutes.

You know, it's almost here, that annual feast of mass consumption and indulgence. The day after Thanksgiving, the consumer orgy known as Black Friday.

I really enjoyed saying that more than I should.

Personal Finance Editor Gerri Willis is here.

Gerri, if you would, tell us about some of the hottest deals out there this Black Friday.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: All right. So, Tony, we all know about the doorbusters, right, the $3 appliances at Target; the washer and dryer for $580 at Sears; the HDTV for $600 at Wal-Mart. But the truth is that many of these doorbusters, they have limited quantities available. Sometimes as little as -- as few as two or three items per store.

So, we hunted around and found out deals that will stick around this Black Friday.

You can save about 100 bucks on a 32-inch LCD flat screen TV. On Black Friday, they're going for about 380 bucks at major retailers. The average retailer price is $500.

You can save about 40 bucks on average this Black Friday on GPS devices, if that's on your list. Digital photo frames are discounted about 50 bucks, and digital cameras are going for about $100 on Black Friday, a savings of about 30 bucks on average.

This year, more retailers are luring consumers in by concentrating on a dollar price point like three-buck toasters, instead of saying something like, you know, it's 85 percent off.

HARRIS: Right. Right. Right.

So many deals out there. Is there a particularly easy way or maybe an easier way to keep up, Gerri?

WILLIS: You can use social networking sites to give you the heads-up on deals.

HARRIS: Really?

WILLIS: Yes, sales and ad leaks are already being tweeted. Yes. So why not follow them on Twitter?

One advantage to using Twitter is having up-to-the-minute tweets sent right to your cell phone. Just type in Twitter.com/BlackFriday, or type "Black Friday" into the search field so you can follow the deals.

If tweeting isn't your thing, you can also track Black Friday deals through Facebook.

HARRIS: OK.

WILLIS: If you have an iPhone, there's a bar code scanner app. Cool. Listen to this. This way, when you're at the store you can scan the bar code and see if you can get it anywhere else for less money.

And, of course, if you have money questions or tips, you want to tell us how you're snagging the best deals, send an e-mail to me, to Gerri@CNN.com.

Thank you.

HARRIS: I hope they send some pictures, too. We would love to see some of these pictures of folks out there getting some of these deals, snagging them, those doorbusters.

Gerri, good to see you. Appreciate it. Thank you.

WILLIS: You bet.

HARRIS: You know, a great time to buy a home right now. Wow. The figures are hot.

VELSHI: Yes.

HARRIS: A little robust, huh?

VELSHI: Yes. The home -- listen, you look at all the stimulus stuff that happened, then you look at the things that worked. Cash for Clunkers made people buy cars, and the homebuyers' credit...

HARRIS: Eight thousand dollars.

VELSHI: ... made people buy homes. So, you've got a homebuyers' credit, you get $8,000 if you qualify. You've got low home prices and you've got low mortgage rates. That combination is explosive.

HARRIS: The man, back in a minute.

You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Woah! Stop the presses here. Did someone turn back the hands of time? Unemployment claims are down, consumer spending up, and look at this, last hour the Commerce Department told us new home sales - new home sales for October shot up by 6.2 percent. Monday, existing home sales reported up more than 10 percent?

The blistering pace fed by buyers who thought the $8,000 tax credit would expire in October. Of course, it has been extended and expanded.

Let's talk about your home with our Chief Business Correspondent right here in Atlanta. Come on now.

VELSHI: Good to be with you, my friend.

HARRIS: Yes, good to see you, man.

VELSHI: Listen, it's about a trend here. Yes, the federal homebuyers' credit did spur a lot of - a lot of home buying. There's no question about that. But there are a couple other things at play here.

Houses are much cheaper than they were in 2005-2006. Number one. So, cheap houses. Number two, mortgage rates. I mean, a 30-year fixed mortgage for a conforming loan, that's in many parts of the country under $417,000 of mortgages, is 5 percent or close to that, sometimes lower than that. So you take the credit, you take low home prices, you take the mortgage and you say, good time to buy.

Then you look at the trend for the future. Some trends are showing home prices going up. Some are showing them still going down, but at a slower pace, but the bottom line is over time, they will probably go up.

Guarantee about one thing, interest rates are not going substantially lower than they are right now. So you combine the - the price of owning a home is always a combination of interest rate and - and the cost of the home.

HARRIS: Absolutely.

VELSHI: And you put those two together, for many people in many parts of this country - not everybody - it makes sense to buy a home right now.

HARRIS: OK. So get to your real estate agent. Run, don't walk.

OK, here's - here's the thing. This tax credit - all right? It is extended and expanded.

VELSHI: That's right. More people qualify and you've got until April now.

HARRIS: And you can lock in in April and the deal has to close by July. So you even get a - a little bit more of a time window there than you even think.

VELSHI: That's right. Unless you're buying a new development, you can probably close in a short amount of time, and that's working for a lot of people. Although, a lot of people are buying new houses right now.

HARRIS: So we're still on the - the spiked punch right now of stimulus.

VELSHI: Cash for clunkers and - and housing credit. That's still - you're right. That's the spiked punch. So what happens is we're hoping that by the first few months or, you know, by March of next year jobs are starting to come back.

HARRIS: What do you think? What do you think about that?

VELSHI: And that's not spiked punch. I think jobs are going to come back, probably - I mean, a lot of economists polled this week say by the second quarter of next year we'll start. So that's March, April, May, start. That doesn't mean 100,000 jobs a month...

HARRIS: Which is what we need.

VELSHI: Which is what we need. We need 100,000 jobs a month to grow your - your economy, to bring unemployment down. We might get 10,000, 15,000, 20,000 jobs but we need trend. We need the right direction. Like...

HARRIS: And that's what you're watching. You're watching the trend lines here.

VELSHI: I'm watching trend lines. That's right. HARRIS: Very quickly here, the AIG story, the CEO - is this - the story of this man threatening to leave because he was unhappy with the restraints on his business from the government and now has flipped that around that he's going to stay?

VELSHI: Yes. He's the new CEO of the company. It's one of those seven companies that the government has imposed strict restrictions on because they've given them a lot of money because we kind of owe (ph) them. He's got a pay package now, about $4 million in cash, $3 million in stock and $3.5 million in bonus, but he said he's going to stick around. He's going to be a long timer.

And that's one of the benefits of paying people in stock or giving them bonuses in stock, it encourages them to stick around to see the company do better.

HARRIS: In your sense (ph) a good - a good move here for him to stay? Is he doing a good job so far?

VELSHI: So far. Hard to tell in - in a few months, but it sounds like he - it looks like he's the right guy for the job for now. We'll keep a close eye on that too.

HARRIS: You're sitting in for Rick today?

VELSHI: I am. Always a pleasure to see you, my friend.

HARRIS: OK. Are you back tomorrow?

VELSHI: I'm back - I'm here all week.

HARRIS: Oh, we're (INAUDIBLE) right now.

VELSHI: Trying the veal (ph).

HARRIS: Meal tickets available. Thanks, Ali.

VELSHI: All right.

HARRIS: Forget the mad rush on Black Friday. This year retailers across the country are opening up on Thanksgiving Day, and while you're at the store, you are bound to hear those bell ringing Salvation Army volunteers, but even they're making adjustments to cope with this recession.

To talk about that, Susan Lisovicz at the New York Stock Exchange. Susan, good to see you. Good morning.

SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Tony.

Retailers want us to forget the turkey and hit the mall. Many stores will be open tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day. Most Wal-Marts, the 800 pound gorilla in retail, will open at 6 AM. Most Old Navys. Radio Shack is opening some West Coast stores. Toys "R" Us is opening at midnight Thanksgiving Night. Why is that? Well, it's pretty simple. More days that stores are open, the more money they can make and some stores are actually thinking about they don't want the craziness of Black Friday. In other words, spread it out over the weekend. It can actually be dangerous, as we know all too well tragically last year when there was a stampede at a Wal-Mart in the metro area up here, Tony.

HARRIS: That's right. And - and Susan, what's the - we mentioned the Salvation Army. What is the Salvation Army actually doing?

LISOVICZ: Well, the Salvation Army is making a change as well, and literally it will result in less jingle in those famous red kettles. The Salvation Army is using electronic machines that accept credit and debit cards. Three cities tested it out last year, and now the - now the Salvation Army is expanding to 100 cities this year because of the success, although not in Atlanta.

And the reason why, Tony, is a lot of times, well, we have no money when we're shopping. We come out of the store, and - because we don't carry that much cash around. It's as simple as that as well. And - and because when we use plastic, we spend more.

The average cash donation, according to the Salvation Army, $1 or $2. The average credit or debit donation, $14. And of course, all of this money goes to - to people who really can use it, whether it's toys for the kids, coats for the homeless. It's important work that they do - and, actually, just very quickly, the Salvation Army says that in times of distress that actual giving picks up and that the Salvation Army says they're grateful for it.

This is historically true and the Salvation Army has seen it again, and that is something we can all be thankful for. We're also thankful for a higher stock market today.

HARRIS: Yes. We're givers. That's just the simple truth of it.

Susan, good to see you. See you next hour. Thanks.

LISOVICZ: The most generous people on earth.

HARRIS: Well said. Check out our special report, "America's Money Crisis." We'd love to direct you to the great work being done by our Money team at CNNMoney.com.

It was the president's first state dinner. Who was there and what was on the menu? We will take you inside the White House.

One item not on the menu - Courage the Turkey. He is said to receive a presidential pardon any minute now. Of course we will bring that to you live. Don't want to miss that.

We're back in a moment. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Hey, quick check of our top stories now.

A defense - checking our top stories, a defense official tells CNN that the Pentagon is making plans to send another 34,000 troops to Afghanistan. President Obama will announce his war strategy Tuesday night at West Point Military Academy in New York.

And an urgent plea from the mothers of three American hikers detained in Iran. In a video message out today, the mothers call on authorities to show compassion and release their children. They also tell the hikers to stay strong.

This morning on CNN, Joshua Fattal's mom talked about the condition of her son after 117 days.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LAURA FATTAL, MOTHER OF JAILED HIKER JOSH FATTAL: We understand they're in physical good health, but we also are very pained to hear of their isolation and there must be an extremely difficult state of mind they must be in because of this isolation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: That heavy rain putting a damper on the Hajj - that's the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. Officials estimate 40 percent fewer people are participating this year amid the rare downpours and concerns over the spread of H1N1 flu.

All right, let's show these live pictures here of the Rose Garden, where we are minutes away, moments away, from the pardoning - oh, and the girls are with the president.

Let's listen in.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: A happy Thanksgiving, everybody. Welcome to the White House.

On behalf of Sasha and Malia and myself, we're thrilled to see you.

I want to thank Walter Pelletier, chairman of the National Turkey Federation and Joel Brandenberger, its president, for donating this year's turkey.

His name is Courage. He traveled here from Goldsboro, North Carolina where he was raised under Walter's own precious care. There you go.

Now, the National Turkey Federation has been bringing its finest turkeys to the White House for more than 50 years. I'm told President Eisenhower and Johnson actually ate their turkeys. You can't fault them for that. That's a good looking bird.

President Kennedy was even given a turkey with a sign around its neck that said, "Good eating, Mr. President." But he showed mercy. He said let's keep him going. And 20 years ago, this Thanksgiving, the first President Bush issued the first official presidential pardon for a turkey. Now, today I'm pleased to announce that thanks to the interventions of Malia and Sasha, because I was planning to eat this sucker, Courage will also be spared this terrible and delicious fate.

Later today he'll head to Disneyland where he'll be Grand Marshal of tomorrow's parade, and just in case Courage can't fulfill his responsibilities, Walter brought along another turkey, Carolina, as an alternate, the stand-in.

Now, later this afternoon, Michelle, Malia, Sasha and I will take two of their less fortunate brethren to Martha's Table, an organization that does extraordinary work to help folks here in DC who need it the most. And I want to thank Jaindl's Turkey Farm in Orefield, Pennsylvania for donating those dressed birds for dinner.

So today, all told, I believe it's fair to say that we have saved or created four turkeys.

You know, there are certain days that remind me of why I ran for this office, and then there are moments like this where I pardon a turkey and send it to Disneyland. But every single day, I am thankful for the extraordinary responsibility...

OBAMA: You know, there are certain days that remind me of why I ran for this office. And then there are moments like this where I pardon a turkey and send it to Disneyland.

(LAUGHTER)

But every single day I am thankful for the extraordinary responsibility that the America n people have placed in me. I'm humbled by the privilege that it is to serve them and the tremendous honor it is to serve as commander in chief of the finest military in the world.

I want to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to every service member at home or in harm's way. We're proud of you. We are thinking of you and we're praying for you.

When my family and I sit around the table tomorrow, just like millions of other families across America, we'll take time to give our thanks for many blessings. We'll also remember this is a time when so many members of our American family are hurting. There's no question this has been a tough year for America. We're at war. Our economy is emerging from an extraordinary recession into recovery, but there's a long way to go and a lot of work to do.

In more tranquil times it's easy to notice our many blessings. It's even easier to take them for granted. But in times like these they resonate a bit more powerfully. When President Lincoln set aside the National Day of Thanksgiving, for the first time, to celebrate America's fruitful fields, healthful skies and strength and vigor of the American people, it was in the midst of the Civil War, just when the future of our very union was most in doubt. So think about that. When times were darkest, President Lincoln understood that our American blessings shined brighter than ever.

This is an era of new perils and new hardships but we are, as ever, a people of endless compassion, boundless ingenuity, limitless strength. We're heirs to a hard-earned history and stewards of a land of God-given beauty. We are Americans, and for all of this we give our humble thanks to our predecessors, to one another, and to God. So on this quintessentially American holiday, as we give thanks for what we've got, let's also give back to those who are less fortunate.

As we give thanks for our loved ones and had let us remember those who can't be with us. And as we give thanks for our security, lets in turn thank those who sacrifice to make it possible, wherever they may be.

Now, before this turkey gets too nervous, and bow will escape, and screw up this pardon, or before I change my mind. I hereby pardon Courage so that he can live out the rest of his days in peace and tranquility in Disneyland.

To every American I want to wish you, on behalf of myself, Malia, Sasha and Michelle, the happiest of Thanksgivings. Thank you very much, everybody.

(APPLAUSE)

This is the official pardon here. Oh, all right. Is there an official gesture? Courage, you are hereby pardoned.

(LAUGHTER)

You will live in Disneyland.

SASHA OBAMA, PRESIDENT OBAMA'S DAUGHTER: He's like a large chicken.

OBAMA: He is like a large chicken. Brilliant observation.

(LAUGHTER)

All right. I don't know about the haircut though.

(LAUGHTER)

Thank you very much.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Absolutely.

OBAMA: Hey, guys, come on up here. It's Thanksgiving got to get the whole family up here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Billie and Christian (INAUDIBLE).

OBAMA: Hi, Billie. How are you? So nice to see you. Good to see you.

All right. That's a good looking bird. How many pounds is this bird?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: About 45.

OBAMA: This is a 45-pound turkey. That would feed a lot of folks. All right.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: President Obama, this is the family that raised him.

OBAMA: Well, it's great to see you guys. What did you feed this guy? It's the right stuff? All right.

No performance enhancing drugs or anything?

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: All right. Thank you very much, everybody.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you, Sir.

OBAMA: God bless you.

(APPLAUSE)

HARRIS: Good stuff there. Good stuff. You ready for some fun facts, here? Courage's owners, you didn't see them on camera, but you heard them tell the president that they'd been feeding courage the good stuff.

We understand that the owners have been playing audio recordings from previous Thanksgiving pardoning, so that Courage would be ready for this morning's ceremony. And after the pardoned, Courage, as you heard a couple of times there, will fly to Disneyland, where, as you heard the president mention, he will serve as grand marshal of Thanksgiving Day Parade. He will spend black Friday settling into his new digs there at Disney's FrontierLand.

Good stuff. All right. This week we will honor the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2009. But how does this recognition change lives? Find out when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: OK, you voted. Now join Anderson Cooper to see who will become CNN's Hero of the Year. Dare to be inspired, "CNN Heroes", Thanksgiving night, tomorrow night, 9:00 Eastern and Pacific.

We are certainly gearing up for tomorrow night's "CNN Heroes" tribute. It will be a terrific show, the annual event where we honor ordinarily people who are doing extraordinary things. One example, Marie Da Silva who started a school for children orphaned by AIDS. Here's how her life has changed since last year's ceremony.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CAMERON DIAZ, ACTRESS: Ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to present the CNN Hero, to Marie Da Silva.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR (voice over): Since becoming a CNN Hero last year life for Marie Da Silva and her Jacaranda Foundation has changed completely.

Thanks to nearly $100,000 in donations from CNN viewers, Da Silva was able to leave her job as a nanny and devote herself full time to her foundation, which educates AIDS orphans in Malawi.

(On camera): How has life at the school changed?

MARIA DA SILVA, CNN HERO, EDUCATOR: The school has been built. Actually we built the school within six months after CNN nominated me as a hero.

STUDENTS SINGING: Join together

COOPER (voice over): Today the Jacaranda school has 320 students.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Abraham, yes?

COOPER: Da Silva has been able to hire certified teachers, purchase textbooks, desks, black boards, even toilets, for her school.

(On camera): I understand you had the first class actually graduate from your school.

DA SILVA: Exactly.

COOPER : That must have been incredible.

DA SILVA: For six years we didn't have the materials and the means; 16 children took the exams, and seven passed.

COOPER (voice over): All seven graduates are continuing on to college with their tuition donated by CNN viewers.

DA SILVA: Until, you know, CNN happened, I was just scrounging for anything I could do to keep the school alive.

COOPER: Now it's not only alive, but thriving, with more than 500,000 AIDS orphans in Malawi Da Silva welcomes the opportunity to continue making a difference.

DA SILVA: Thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: And don't miss the "2009 CNN HEROES ALL-STAR TRIBUTE" hosted by Anderson Cooper, tomorrow night, 9:00 Eastern, that is 9:00 Pacific, as well, only here on CNN.