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Baghdad Car Bombings; New War Plan in Afghanistan; Public Option Alternative; "The Threat is Real"

Aired December 08, 2009 - 09:00   ET

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

KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: And meanwhile, John Roberts is back again tomorrow. Hope to see you again tomorrow. Meantime, here's CNN NEWSROOM with Brooke Baldwin.

Hi, Brooke.

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, guys. Joe and Kiran, good morning. And good morning to you.

Yes, we are covering all kinds of angles of different stories here including that breaking story that "AMERICAN MORNING" had. We're on top of it. A mystery woman on a stretcher, a patient taken to the hospital after a medical call from Tiger Woods' home.

And a heavy snow, rainfall, some hurricane-force winds. Can you believe it? It's mammoth winter storm making its way across the country.

And take a look very closely here. You have a stuck bag and a woman dragged. Ladies, what would you do? Tell us on our blog.

Good morning, everybody. I'm Brooke Baldwin in today for Heidi Collins. It is the 8th of December here, 2009. And you are in the CNN NEWSROOM.

First up here, two topics. Two war fronts we're talking about and the ongoing battle of health care coverage. First up, we're talking to Isha Sesay, she is in Baghdad, she's talking about what authorities are calling these terrorists attacks.

Second up, Jill Dougherty, covering this story out of Washington. Congressional hearings and General McChrystal, of course, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan.

And Brianna Keilar working her congressional beat. She will be telling us about what's going on today on Capitol Hill and as far as any kind of compromise when it comes to health care.

First, we want to begin this hour with a developing story out of Baghdad. More than 100 people dead in a series of suicide bomb blasts that really rocked the capital city. Some 400 others wounded.

And joining us with the very latest here, CNN's Isha Sesay. And Isha, want you first to start talking here about the timing of these attacks. What is significant here? ISHA SESAY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, our viewers may recall that just on Sunday Iraqi lawmakers finally reached agreement and passed an election law. A major step toward setting the stage for parliamentary elections, which actually now will be held on March 6th, 2010.

So with that taking place on Sunday, now Tuesday, we see five suicide car bombings rocking the Iraqi capital, and these bombings going off in western Baghdad, central Baghdad, and southern Baghdad. The attacks that happened in central Baghdad, given the appearance of being coordinated, happening in the space of minutes.

The latest we're hearing in terms of casualty figures from the Ministry of Health, they're now putting the number of dead at 53 and 479 wounded. However the Interior Ministry still maintains that the number of dead is 112 and 425 wounded.

Brooke, today shaping up to be the bloodiest day in Baghdad since late October.

BALDWIN: And Isha, what about responsibility? I know this is so recent after these what we're now calling terrorist attacks. Has anyone stepped up and claimed responsibility here?

SESAY: At this moment in time, no claims of responsibility. But we should point out for our viewers that Iraq's prime minister, Nouri Maliki, and President Jalal Talabani have both come out in the last hour and pointed the finger of blame of al Qaeda, and also pointed the finger of blame at the Baath Party which of course the party that Saddam Hussein belonged to.

Both high-profile politicians saying indeed all the people responsible for bringing carnage on to the street, Nouri al-Maliki making the connection between what we're seeing happening on Tuesday today with the passing of that election law.

As you've pointed out, it is very recent. We haven't heard from police authorities, but that's what the politicians are saying, Nouri al-Maliki, and Taliban, blaming Baathists and al Qaeda -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: Al Qaeda. All right, Isha Sesay for us there in Baghdad. Isha, thank you. We want to talk now from Iraq now to the war in Afghanistan. And earlier this morning, Defense Secretary Robert Gates sat down with Afghan president, Hamid Karzai.

And among all kinds of different topics discussed here, the new U.S. plan to deploy 30,000 more U.S. troops into the war and begin this drawdown of forces in about a year and a half.

Now, President Karzai did caution his government as many years away from bank rolling its own security force.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HAMID KARZAI, PRESIDENT OF AFGHANISTAN: For a number of years, maybe for another 15 to 20 years, Afghanistan will not be able to sustain a force of that nature and capability with its own resources. We hope that the international community, in particularly, the United States as our first ally, would help Afghanistan reach the ability in terms of economic ability as well eventually to sustain a force that would help Afghanistan with the right numbers and the right equipment.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Now it's important to point out here that President Karzai's warning could really underscore concerns on Capitol Hill. And keep in mind, minutes from now lawmakers will be demanding answers from the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, that of course being General Stanley McChrystal who will be outlining the so-called troop surge.

And CNN foreign affairs correspondent Jill Dougherty will join us now from Washington.

And Jill, we will also, in these discussions here, be getting a projected timeline as to when we'll be bringing our men and women home.

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN FOREIGN AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, Brooke, I think it's really quite notable that it's a week after the president gave a speech outlining the strategy and the administration is still trying to explain that.

So up on Capitol Hill today you're certainly going to be having more questions trying to pin down General McChrystal to exactly how is this drawdown that's supposed to start in July of 2011 actually going to work, how quickly do the troops get in and how quickly do they get out?

And as we know at this point they're saying that that would just be the beginning. That -- at that point, July 2011, they would begin to turn it over to the Afghans, but if they are not ready it might be slowed down. So that's a big question.

And then, also, Brooke, you know the drama up there today, I think, is going to be -- you have two men who were on opposite sides of the fence before the president made his decision, and that is -- the ambassador, Mr. Eikenberry -- General Eikenberry, and then you also have General McChrystal.

McChrystal, of course, pushing as he did for 40,000 troops. He wanted a big presence. And then you had the Ambassador Eikenberry saying not so fast, it might increase the dependency of the Afghans. Let's not do it.

So there will be a lot of drama to see whether those two can get together on the same position.

BALDWIN: Right. I know they've been very divisive on their stance as against what's going on Afghanistan. I think I read it best when they both have the same diagnosis but just different remedies.

DOUGHERTY: Right.

BALDWIN: Jill Dougherty, for us in Washington. Jill, thank you. We'll be watching for that on the hill. We'll bring it to you live.

Meantime, two words again dominating the health care debate again today. You guessed it. Public option. Democrats may be moving closer to an alternative plan all in an effort to swing support for the nearly $1 trillion reform bill?

CNN congressional correspondent Brianna Keilar is live for us this morning on Capitol Hill.

And Brianna, you know as well as any of us that you know public option -- this has really been this massive flash point. So now this morning we're talking about possible alternatives and there is a deadline today, correct?

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: There is a deadline. Good morning, Brooke.

And Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, what he wants is for a group of moderate and liberal Democrats -- you've got some Democrats from the left side of the party, from the right side of the party, and they've been meeting in a room together now for days trying to work out a compromise on this.

Some on the left. They, of course, want that robust public option, that government-run insurance plan, but then some of these Democrats who are more to the center they say, no, we have serious misgivings about it. So that is a wide chasm to bridge if you can imagine.

Btu they're trying to do it and right now, the prevailing way they're trying to do it that we're hearing is to instead of having that government-run insurance plan, to have private plans, private insurance plans that would be run sort of like in a nonprofit model, and then it would be over seen by a government agency.

So a little bit public, a little bit private. We're waiting to see if they can come to the agreement today, Brooke, so that they can move forward with a bill that works for all of the Democrats, Brooke.

BALDWIN: So a little bit public, a little bit private, that might, Brianna, be I guess this compromise when it comes to an alternative to a public option. But as you know, this other massively divisive issue, also the issue of funding for abortion, the possible deal breaker here. What might we see on that front today?

KEILAR: This is sort of an issue of may be one step forward if Democrats can come to an agreement on a public option, but this we're expecting could be one step back. Because the issue of abortion is really a deal breaker for one anti-abortion Democrat, Ben Nelson of Nebraska.

He is anti-abortion and what he really wants to do is toughen up the restrictions on spending federal money on abortions in this bill. Because right now it works so that -- in the Senate bill, as it stands right now, the plans, be it a public option, a government-run insurance plan, or private insurance plans that are purchased by low- income and middle-class Americans using federal subsidy.

There is a possibility that they could get abortion coverage in those plans. So he wants to basically eradicate that. And it's really -- he has said this is a deal breaker for him. And of course, Brooke, he is a Democrat. Democrats in order to get to that 60-vote threshold, they need his vote if they're not going to get Republican support. So this is going to be a very important debate that's going on today and possibly a vote today on this as well.

BALDWIN: So public option, alternative to public option, and also funding for abortion. A lot going on. You've got your job cut out for you.

KEILAR: A lot.

BALDWIN: Brianna Keilar, thank you for that.

Continuing our coverage here of a story going on in Florida. You know this. Paramedics were at Tiger Woods' home early this morning. A fire department spokeswoman says a patient was taken from the Orlando area home to a local hospital. And CNN has obtained this footage.

You see this woman here, she's on a stretcher being taken into the hospital. Now we do not know right now exactly who that woman is. That's the big question. By the way, this is the same hospital where Tiger Woods was treated after his car crash.

Our affiliate, WEFH reports a Cadillac Escalade similar to the one Woods crashed did go to that very hospital.

And the biggest storm of the year now moving to the plains. Rob Marciano checking that for us.

Rob, good morning.

ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Good morning. We are looking at this storm which hit California with a vengeance a day and a half ago. Now moving to the Rockies and emerging into the plains and getting stronger, which is amazing to me.

All right, look at this video coming into us from Arizona. You can keep it as a place where the snowboards go this time of year, well, Flagstaff. It's a little bit higher up in elevation. They get -- do get snow but they got record amounts yesterday. Over 20 inches of snow falling in northern parts of Arizona. And we may see more records fall as this early winter storm heads towards the great lakes -- Brooke?

BALDWIN: Is it possible we're going to be talking feet now instead of inches?

MARCIANO: We've already seen feet in parts of the sierras and the Rockies.

BALDWIN: Wow. MARCIANO: And I don't think we'll see much more than a foot across parts of the Midwest and the northern plains, but it certainly will kind of smack them in the face and saying hey, winter is here for sure.

BALDWIN: Big old cold smack. All right, Rob, thank you.

MARCIANO: You bet.

BALDWIN: And you know, we've been talking a whole lot here at CNN about climate change, but how about this? Greenhouse gas emissions just might be making you sneeze. Yes. We will take a look at the link between climate change and your allergies.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: The threat is real. The EPA has now come forward saying the greenhouse gas emissions are a danger to peoples' health and welfare.

CNN's chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, has been looking into this and joins me now.

And Sanjay, I had no idea. Sneezing, greenhouse gases? This is all linked.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, you know, I had to sit down with Lisa Jackson who made that comment as well.

BALDWIN: OK.

GUPTA: She goes on to say that she thinks climate change could be one of the biggest public health risks of all. Now, you know, one of the issues is that this happens in small increments. You don't see huge change in rates of diseases. But there have been studies looking at climate change, greenhouse gases with heart disease, lung disease, asthma overall.

But one of the things that you're alluding I found a little bit non-intuitive was this idea that allergy season could completely change as well as a result of greenhouse gases. And if you think about it, you know, plants photosynthesize carbon dioxide. If there's more carbon dioxide around in the atmosphere, you kind of think of that as sort of juicing the various plants.

So they get more pollen out there, for example. And not only is the pollen stronger, Brooke, but also the reason last longer as well. And they believe that this is already starting to happen, so you have, you know, roughly 36 million people who have allergies to things like rag weed. It could get a lot more powerful. And also those allergies can occur at different times of the year than what you're used to.

BALDWIN: So with the juicing and the extra strong pollen, I guess that explains why some people -- and maybe just because we're in Georgia, and we feel like a sneeze is a whole lot more, but some people say, you know, yes, their allergies have gotten worse. But is there anything that we can do to get better?

GUPTA: Well, you know, I mean, obviously people are talking about this on a global scale now.

BALDWIN: Right.

GUPTA: But for individuals, you know, I think the same rules sort of apply in terms of allergies. The seasons may change, but you know, obviously, staying indoors as much as possible during allergy season, changing your clothing when you come from outside to inside, that could help.

But also, you have at the bottom, they talk about checking pollen counts, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Right.

GUPTA: What this is, if you go back and look over decades, you do find that season for allergies is changing. So winter ending a little bit earlier, spring starting a little bit sooner, so...

BALDWIN: You get knocked with it earlier?

GUPTA: Yes. So if you typically think, you know, I get allergies in May, maybe they're going to come in April instead or something like that. So it's something that sort of just a little bit more cognizant about.

Again, the vast majority of people, allergies are just a nuisance, but for young children who also have asthma and problem like that, keeping tabs on this sort of really make a difference. But I think just, you know, from a bioatmospheric standpoint, it's interesting to see how this all cycles back together.

BALDWIN: Bioatmospheric standpoint. You're such a pro. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thank you.

GUPTA: Thank you.

BALDWIN: You know, we're talking a whole lot about climate change here. You know over the next two weeks, CNN has the Copenhagen Climate summit covered. We're talking about why it matters and what it means to you.

Stay with us to find out and make sure you watch tonight when Campbell Brown takes an in-depth look at the e-mail controversy that threatens to overshadow the summit that's going on. Again that is at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time only here on CNN.

And the government assured you that using $700 billion to bail out banks was in your best interest, right? But you may be wondering, what if the point was, if you're out of work anyway. Now the Troubled Asset Released Program, you know it as TARP, may finally pay off for you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BALDWIN: Well, on Wall Street, if you watch the numbers at all, stocks, you know, fell flat yesterday as investors really were just grappling with falling oil and gold prices.

It's the opening bell. And stronger U.S. dollars. So the question we're asking is, can stocks find some momentum today?

Felicia Taylor, watching the numbers for us in the New York Stock Exchange.

Felicia, good morning to you.

FELICIA TAYLOR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Brooke.

Yes. Wall Street, though, this morning is taking a more global perspective really amid new concerns about the credit worthiness of Greece and even continued fears about Dubai's debt. That's pointing to a downward open for the major averages out of the gate, and that's exactly what we're seeing.

Stocks in Europe also selling off today after a disappointing report on German manufacturing. That manufacturing report could actually affect trade on this side of the Atlantic if it portends that economies around the world are not collectively moving in the right direction.

Later this morning, investors are obviously going to pay close attention to President Obama, who is due to speak on the economy at the Brooklyn Institution in Washington. The president is expected to propose reallocating $200 billion from the TARP bailout fund to pay for new job creation efforts.

A couple of big companies may move the markets this morning. FedEx shares are higher after the shipping giant says it expects earnings for next quarter to be more than 10 percent better than previously thought. FedEx has had better than expected growth in its small package business, and from a express service in both Asia and Latin America. Many investors see a rebound in shipping volume naturally as a strong sign of recovery for the overall economy.

However, McDonald says U.S. sales fell in November. The second straight monthly decline. The news is disappointing analysts who thought the decline in sales that began in October would actually be short lived.

Hopefully the sell off will also be short-lived. Let's take a look at the big board after just a few minutes of trade. The Dow Industrial is down 68 points. That's about two-thirds of one percent. The NASDAQ is off about 0.75 of one percent. The S&P is also off about 0.67 of one percent.

Brooke?

BALDWIN: Well, perhaps after that big announcement with the president right around 11:15, we will see the numbers go in the right direction. Gain a little bit of that momentum. TAYLOR: I hope you are right.

BALDWIN: Hopefully so. Felicia Taylor, thank you.

And, yes, speaking of TARP, you know what we are talking about. Remember the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program and how most of it was used to bail out companies that helped bring the country to the brink of financial collapse.

Well, if you are unemployed, it's finally your turn to see some benefits here.

Suzanne Malveaux standing by, live for us at the White House this morning.

Suzanne, this could be some good news for people who don't have jobs here. The question to you, though, is where specifically is this money going?

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: You know, it's a very good question. We don't know exactly where the money is going. We know that there is $200 billion that's unused out of that bank bailout money.

I had a chance to speak with Christina Romer this morning, who is the chair of the -- the council of economic advisers for the president. And she says that money essentially goes back to the Treasury. It really depends on Congress as well as the president where exactly it's going to go. But we're going to hear the president make the case that at least some of that money should go towards creating jobs.

Here's what he wants to do. First, provide small business relief. Perhaps, some tax incentives for those who are actually hiring folks. That is one of the things he wants to do. Infrastructure improvements. It means more projects to fund building roads and bridges. That kind of thing. We've seen it worked in the past. They think it could be successful in the future.

Also taking a look at weatherizing homes. And it is called the Cash for Caulkers program. So, you know, you caulk up the wall, the ceiling and weatherize your home. You could get some tax breaks as a result of that. That's another idea that the president will be talking about.

And, finally, the deficit reduction here. Is this money going to be used to reduce the federal deficit? A lot of Republicans saying that's what the president should do. That he should not be spending this money.

Well, I put that question to Christina Romer earlier this morning to say, is this government going to be doing anything about lowering the federal deficit as well as creating jobs.

Here's how she responded.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRISTINA ROMER, DIRECTOR, WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISORS: When we came into office, we inherited both big jobs deficit and certainly the federal budget deficit. The president is committed to dealing with both of those. We know that putting people back to work is one of the crucial things you can do to help the deficit. Because when people are working again, they're paying taxes again. We're also in the process of our 2011 budget. And they're going to be very much thinking about how can we reduce the deficit in the medium run.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: So, Brooke, obviously, the administration hitting back and hitting back hard, saying they are going to be looking at the federal deficit, ways to cut and reduce the deficit, but at the same time, they are very much aware. A lot of people are suffering this holiday. A lot of people don't have jobs, and they need to address that right away -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: That was Christina Romer. The Christina Romans, one of our own correspondent, I thought it was interesting she mentioned, you know what, it's important to keep in mind that that was not exactly expendable money to begin with.

But, Suzanne, don't go anywhere. I have another question here about the couple - the Salahis. Remember, two weeks ago, the uninvited couple from Virginia, you know, rolled up into the president's state dinner. But is the White House holiday parties ramp up? It seems the social staff, they've been under the spotlight, so to speak here. They've learned a lesson, haven't they?

MALVEAUX: Well, you know, if you just take a look at the security, because there was just a party last night. You will see members of Congress that were actually here at the White House. You have the White House staff with their clip boards and their notebooks. The guest list, checking them off. They are side by side with the Secret Service. Clearly, they have put into place, implemented this plan to make sure that the social secretaries and the staff are there to make sure that those people have their names on the list, otherwise they are not getting in.

There are 50,000, Brooke. People who are going to be coming to the White House for 28 holiday parties. This is what you need. You need one of this, Brooke. It's an invite.

BALDWIN: Oh, you're big time.

MALVEAUX: I got one of these. But you need to produce one of these at the gate, because you are not going to get in this time, for anybody who's even thinking about it, you need that invite.

BALDWIN: You need the invite.

MALVEAUX: They will pay very close attention.

BALDWIN: The invite, and they will be having a checklist. Checking up, Suzanne Malveaux.

MALVEAUX: Absolutely.

BALDWIN: Checked, let her in. All right, Suzanne, I'm jealous. Have fun. Thank you.

MALVEAUX: I'll bring a guest. I can bring you, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Sounds good. It's a date. I like that.

But if you don't feel like waiting for President Obama's plan, we are talking again about the TARP money here, and you're readying to take things into your own hands, listen up.

Personal finance editor Gerri Willis is here with tips on how you can start your own business.

All right, Gerri, where do we start?

GERRI WILLIS, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Well, job number one, Brooke, is making sure that the business you intend to enter is one that you are already experienced in. If it's not, you need a partner.

Next, be aware of the competition. You have to have a competitive edge. What are you providing that others don't? You'll also want to write a business plan, which is more than just a laundry list of goals and industry background. You'll also need to estimate operating costs and determine how much business you'll have to do to cover those costs.

Your college or university may offer workshops or courses for entrepreneurs or for older workers. AARP offers retraining opportunities.

Brooke?

BALDWIN: Starting your own business perhaps sounds easier said than done. It could be kind of overwhelming. So there has to be somewhere people can go for help in starting this process?

WILLIS: That's right. You know, the small business administration operates 364 score chapters across the country, the council new business start ups. Counselors are typically executives who have been through the process themselves and can assist new ventures. Go to score.org on the Web. They also have an online mentoring service available 24 hours a day.

The good news, score services are free. Now fast track is an academic program you can take locally through a college or a local business center. Classes cover things from how to target your customers, how to hire staff and how to put together a business plan.

In many cases the classes are free, but depending on where you live. It can cost anywhere from $500 to $700 for the ten-week course. For more info, go to fasttrack.org. Money is another important topic. Small business experts don't recommend tapping your 401(k) or credit cards for start up cash. The SPA, though, will guarantee bank loans, making it more likely, you can get the dough you need. Go to SPA.gov for help.

You may also want to check out enterprenuership.org. Here you can find blogs from other entrepreneurs with tips and advice.

BALDWIN: Well, people definitely want to get the dough they need, but there has to be some kind of red flags, right? I mean, what should people really watch out for here?

WILLIS: There's a lot of talk about grant money for entrepreneurs. But it really doesn't exist since most start ups, they have poor profit. So you really want to be aware of government grant scams offering you money. This scam artist will like about where they're calling from, or they claim legitimacy using an official sounding name like the federal grants administration. They may ask you some basic questions to determine if you qualify to receive a grant.

According to the FTC, it's a big fat rip off. Starting your business is no easy thing, and getting money to restart that business is even harder. So no free money out there.

BALDWIN: No free money, and do your homework, right?

WILLIS: That's right. That's right, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Gerri Willis, thank you.

Mission Afghanistan. U.S. troops are fighting insurgents one town at a time. We will walk the streets of one success story.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: All right. Checking the morning stories for you.

First here, Defense Secretary Gates is in Afghanistan today one week after President Obama announced the call up of 30,000 more troops to the country. Gates held talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, and also has meetings scheduled with U.S. military officials. Gates says the U.S. and the Afghan government must take steps to correct one disparity here. That being the Taliban are for the most part better paid than the Afghan security forces.

The parents of Amanda Knox, the 22-year-old American exchange student is ready to fight on through this whole appeals process in Italy. Knox was convicted last week of murdering her roommate Meredith Kercher in Italy. Knox was sentenced to 26 years in prison. Knox's parents defended her on CNN's Larry King Live just last night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LARRY KING, HOST, LARRY KING LIVE: Curt, naturally you weren't there. Is there ever a moment when you have doubt about her innocence?

CURT KNOX, AMANDA KNOX'S FATHER: Absolutely not. Absolutely not. It's never even crossed my mind. The way that she was raised, the way that she goes about her life, the way that she makes her friends, and truly the friends that she has are close friends, they are not kind of just superficial friends. And nothing in her background would ever lead you to believe that she would be associated to something like this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Knox's father says the Italian appeals process is actually a bit more flexible than here in the U.S. allowing for new information and a further evaluation of evidence.

Ten Democratic senators, five liberals, five moderate, meeting over a compromised plan for health care reform. Majority leader Harry Reid has given negotiators a deadline today here on this public option alternative. One proposal being considered would have private insurers offer coverage through the state insurance exchanges being created right now in that bill. Senators could also vote today on an amendment to restrict abortion coverage for federally subsidized health plans.

And check this out. Some surveillance video that rally just kind of grabbed our attention. We want to share it with you.

Ladies, what would you do? That's also the question we're asking. Take a look. You see a woman. Her handbag actually got caught, got stuck in the subway door. You can see her kind of walking towards us, look at this, walking towards us, running and slammed into the wall. This is the Boston Subway Station. The train, you saw moving. The woman was dragged along the flat form. She finally -- there she went -- freed herself, but ran into the wall.

The woman said she has missed work. She is still suffering migraines after this incident last month. She is considering a lawsuit, in fact. The train attendant has been fired. The train operator suspended.

What would you do, ladies? We know what we put in our handbags, right? Our lives, it seems.

So the question we're asking is what would you do in that split second? Would you hang on to your purse or would you let it go? And, guys, be honest. We know some of you have a man bag. Would you hang on to the man bag or would you let it go? And that's our question on our blog today. We want to hear from you. Go to CNN.com/Heidi. Post your thoughts.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: I want to take a live look at some pictures we're getting from Capitol Hill. We mentioned this earlier. These are live hearings right now. The Health Armed Services Committee on what's going on and what we'll be watching for a little later is the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, he will taking some tough questions defending Obama's decision to send in that troop surge, the 30,000 troops.

We'll also be hearing a little bit more as far as the timeline goes -- that happening right now on Capitol Hill. As soon as we see General Stanley McChrystal talk, we will bring that to you live.

Meantime a lot going on in the world of weather, Rob Marciano following that for us. Rob, good morning again.

MARCIANO: Good morning, Brooke.

Look at the storm I mean, we've got this graphically but it pretty much tells the story. A lot of times storms in the winter time come into California they kind of lose a bit of their punch over the Rockies and get the wind knocked out of them so to speak and then they kind of get their thing going again when they hit the Plains.

This one has remained strong all the way through the Rockies and it continues to gather strength as it now heads towards the Midwest. We have blizzard warnings that are out, heavy snow and winter is going to be an issue and also severe storms across the southeast.

So let's run it down for you. We've got 15 to 30 inches of snow potentially across parts of Utah and southern Colorado, especially and also high winds in some of those spots. Blizzard warnings are posted.

Also blizzard warnings for southern parts of the Minnesota and also parts of Iowa; and we'll talk more about this major storm throughout the morning. Brooke I'll toss it back to you.

BALDWIN: All right, Rob. Thank you.

I hear we have General Stanley McChrystal live speaking. There he is on Capitol Hill speaking at the House Armed Services Committee. Let's listen.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

GEN. STANLEY MCCHRYSTAL, COMMANDER U.S. FORCES AFGHANISTAN: ... with Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, an old friend.

Let me begin by saluting the bravery of the men and women of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. They're anchored by over 68,000 courageous Americans, our close partners in the NATO alliance and the 43-nation coalition. We honor the sacrifices of the fallen, the veterans and their families.

We also recognize the toll paid every day by our counterparts in the Afghan Security Forces and by Afghan civilians who ultimately suffer the most from this insurgency. It is for them and for all of us that we seek a stable Afghanistan, a defunct al Qaeda and a secure future in that vital region of the world.

I first deployed to Afghanistan in 2002 and have commanded forces there every year since. Despite that experience there is much in Afghanistan that I have yet to fully understand. For all of us, Afghanistan is a challenge that is best approached with a balance of determination and humility.

While U.S. forces have been at war in Afghanistan for eight years, the Afghans have been at it for more than 30. They are frustrated with international efforts that failed to meet their expectations, confronting us with a crisis of confidence among Afghans who view the international effort as insufficient and their government as corrupt or at the very least inconsequential.

We also face a complex in resilient insurgency. The Quetta Shura Taliban or Afghan Taliban is the prominent threat to government of Afghanistan as they aspire to once again become the government of Afghanistan. The Haqqani and Hizbi Islami Gulbuddin (ph) insurgent groups have more limited geographical reaching objectives but they are no less lethal.

All three groups are supported to some degree by external elements in Iran and Pakistan, have ties with al Qaeda and coexist within narcotics and criminal networks, both fuelling and feeding off instability and insecurity in the region.

The mission in Afghanistan is undeniably difficult and success will require steadfast commitment and incur significant costs. I participated fully in the president's assessment and decision-making process and was afforded multiple opportunities to provide my recommendations and best military advice, which I did.

Combined with insights and policy considerations from across our government, I believe the decisions that came from that process reflect a realistic and effective approach. To pursue our core goal -- core goal of defeating al Qaeda and preventing their return to Afghanistan we must disrupt and degrade the Taliban's capacity, deny their access to the Afghan population and strengthen the Afghan Security Forces.

This means we must reverse the Taliban's current momentum and create time and space to develop Afghan security and govern its capacity.

The president's decision rapidly resources our strategy, recognizing that the next 18 months will likely be decisive and ultimately enable success. I fully support the president's decision.

The president also reiterated how this decision supports our national interests. Rolling back the Taliban is a prerequisite to the ultimate defeat of al Qaeda. The mission is not only important, it is also achievable. We can and will accomplish this mission.

Let me briefly explain why I believe so.

My confidence derives first from the Afghans' resolve since it is their actions that will ultimately matter most in ending this conflict with their interest, and by extension our own, secured.

Second, we do not confront a popular insurgency. The Taliban have no widespread constituency, have a history of failure in power and lack in appealing vision.

Third, where our strategy is applied, we've begun to show that we can help the Afghans establish more security and more credible governance.

Finally, Afghans do not regard us as occupiers. They do not wish for us to remain forever, yet they see our support as a necessary bridge to future security and stability.

I've been back in Afghanistan for six months now. I believe that with the president's decision and ongoing reforms I outlined in our initial assessment, our efforts are now empowered with a greater sense of clarity, capability, commitment and confidence. Let me start with clarity. The president's recently completed review of our strategy to include its deep and pointed questioning of all assumptions and recommendations has produced greater clarity of our mission and objectives. We also have greater clarity on the way forward.

Additional forces will begin to deploy shortly and by this time next year new security gains will be illuminated by specific indicators and will be clear to us that the insurgency has lost the momentum. And by the summer of 2011 it will be clear to the Afghan people that the insurgency will not win, giving them the chance to side with their government.

From that point forward, while we plan to have fewer combat forces in harm's way...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Will the gentleman suspend -- the lady with the sign will remove herself immediately.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sergeant at Arms, please make sure she leaves through the door.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: General, please resume.

MCCHRYSTAL: Thanks, Mr. Chairman.

From that point forward, while we plan to have fewer forces in harm's way, we will remain partnered with the Afghan Security Forces in a supporting role to consolidate and solidify their gains. Results may come more quickly and we may demonstrate progress towards measurable objectives, but the sober fact is that there are no silver bullets. Ultimate success will be the cumulative effect of sustained pressure across multiple lines of operation. Increasing our capability has been about much more than just troop increases.

For the past six months we have been implementing organizational and operational changes that are already reflecting improvements in our effectiveness. But the additional forces announced by President Obama are significant. Forces to increase our capacity to train the Afghan national security forces and forces to partner with Afghan army and police in expanding security zones in key areas will provide us the ability to reverse insurgent momentum and deny the Taliban the access to the population they require to survive. The additional capability we are building translates into credibility in the minds of Afghans who demand proof not only that we want to protect them but that we can. In a war of perceptions where the battlefield is the mind of an Afghan elder, the hope of an Afghan mother, the aspirations of an Afghan child, this can be decisive.

Our commitment is watched intently and constantly judged by our allies and by our enemies. The commitment of 30,000 additional U.S. forces along with additional coalition forces and growing Afghan National Security Force numbers will be a significant step toward expanding security in critical areas and in demonstrating resolve.

The commitment of all coalition nations will be buttressed by a clear understanding how we will mitigate risks.

I'll briefly mention three. The first is the Afghan government's credibility deficit which must be recognized by all to include Afghan officials as a critical area of focus and change.

Equally important is our ability to accelerate development of the Afghan security forces. Measures such as increased pay and initiatives, literacy training, leader development and expanded partnering are necessary to position the Afghan national security force to assume responsibility for long-term security.

Third, the hazard posed by extremists that operate on both sides of the border with Pakistan, with freedom of movement across that border, must be mitigated by enhanced cross border coordination and enhanced Pakistani engagement.

Looking ahead, I'm confident we have both the right strategy and the right resources. Every trip around Afghanistan reinforces my confidence in the coalition and Afghan forces we stand alongside in this effort.

But I also find confidence in those we are trying to help. That confidence is found when an Afghan farmer chooses to harvest wheat rather than poppy or where a young adult casts his or her vote and joins the police or where a group of villagers resolves to reject the local insurgency.

We face many challenges in Afghanistan but our effort sustained by one unassailable reality. Neither the Afghan people nor the international community wants Afghanistan to remain a sanctuary for terror and violence. And if we are to be confident of our mission and our prospects, we must also be accurate in our assessment of progress. We owe ourselves, our leaders and the American people transparency and candor, because the price to be paid is high and the stakes are even higher.

In closing, my team and I would like to thank you and your colleagues for your support to the American men and women currently serving in Afghanistan and to tell you a bit about them. We risk letting numbers like 30k roll off our tongues without remembering that those are fathers, mothers, sons and daughters serving far from home, selfless in their sacrifices for each of us. The other day I asked a young but combat-experienced sergeant where he was on 9/11. And his answer, "getting my braces removed" remind me that it's been more than eight years since 9/11. And many of our service members and families have experienced and sacrificed much.

But as I see them in action at remote bases on patrol, partnering with Afghan forces, recovering in combat hospitals, they don't talk about all they have given up. They talk about all they are accomplishing and their determination in this endeavor. This is not a force of rookies or dilettantes, the brigade commander in coast is completing his fourth combat tour in Afghanistan and his experience and expertise is reflective of the force that represents you.

All have felt fear and loneliness. Most have lost comrades. None have lost heart. In their eyes I see maturity beyond their years. In their actions I see a commitment to succeed and a commitment to each other.

I'm confident that I share your pride in what these great Americans are doing for our country in Afghanistan and it will be my privilege to accept your questions on their behalf.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: General, thank you. After the next witness testifies, I'll ask that you ...

BALDWIN: We're listening to General Stanley McChrystal basically giving his opening remarks before taking some tough questions, assuming some pretty tough questions from lawmakers there, testifying on Capitol Hill right now in front of the House Armed Services Committee.

Of course you heard him; he said I fully support the president's decision. He is there, along with U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, defending the president going into Afghanistan sending an additional 30,000 more troops and then they mentioned this drawdown right around the summer of 2011.

There was a little bit of excitement in there given the fact there was a woman, a protester holding up a sign and I was told the sign said "Surge Big Mistake". Some Americans very divided over what we, the U.S. is doing in Afghanistan but General Stanley McChrystal and Karl Eikenberry testifying today on Capitol Hill.

Stay right here, the next hour of CNN NEWSROOM is next.

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