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Worried Travelers; Auto Rescue Plan; Caylee Anthony Case; Last- Minute Travel Days; Recession Chic for Michelle Obama?; Inaugural Comparisons

Aired December 20, 2008 - 10:00   ET

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

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: OK. Check it out. The worst of the snowstorm hitting parts of the Midwest and Northeast this hour. This morning, tens of thousands of people are without power, while thousands more wonder when they are going to be able to catch a flight.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Also, this horrible story here. How did she die and when? New questions now for investigators after DNA tests confirm the remains found are those of Caylee Anthony.

NGUYEN: Well, you know it as Proposition 8, the ban on same-sex marriages that recently passed in California. Now supporters are moving forward to invalidate thousands of marriages already approved by the state Supreme Court. We'll have much more on that.

Hello, everybody. From the CNN Center right here in the CNN NEWSROOM, it is Saturday, December 20th.

Good morning. I'm Betty Nguyen.

HOLMES: Hello to you all. I'm T.J. Holmes. Today I'm here in Atlanta, Georgia -- 7:00 a.m. out West. We will start, however, in the East, where there is some horrible and nasty and treacherous and difficult weather that people are trying to navigate right now.

The Midwest, Northeast pretty much heaping piles of ice and snow right now. Now, a nasty storm that started yesterday pounded states from Wisconsin to New York, up into Canada as well. It knocked out power lanes, disrupted air travel, stalled off some cars, caused all kinds of little fender benders out there, caused a flurry of accidents, including a 25-car pileup in Toronto.

While people are out there trying to dig out today, forecasters say the incoming storm is expected to dump another 15 inches in some spots in particular. Hopefully, it's not one of your spots.

Our Susan Candiotti is in a particular spot today. A spot that can be -- you know, Susan, that airport, LaGuardia, can be difficult to get in and out of even on a sunny day. But given the holidays, and now the nasty weather, how is it going?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, T.J., look over my shoulder. So far, so good.

Look, it's kind of the mid-morning slump as well, but there are no lines today like there were yesterday, when in the New York metropolitan area, we had delays of up to five hours. Take a look down this way, too. This is where you go through security. Nothing right now.

It kind of goes in waves, but it's been quiet much of the day here. It's running much more smoothly this Saturday morning.

Take a look at some pictures we took not long ago, videotape of the tarmac here at LaGuardia. You see the snow has been pushed back. There is some snow on the wings of the planes. But they are reporting delays of only about 15 minutes or so.

And we ran into a traveler who is just about to go through security. He is Edward Pleasant (ph).

And you are headed where?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: To Midland, Texas, today.

CANDIOTTI: Now, you must have called before you came out here. What are you finding out?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I found out that they are saying that everything is normal and the flights are going to take off on time.

CANDIOTTI: What did you expect?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I expected delays. I really did. But it seems quite normal. I drove in from Connecticut and I had no problem getting here.

CANDIOTTI: And I bet you're happy about that. Going to a warmer climate?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A very warmer climate, much warmer climate. And I didn't know what to bring, because it's Siberia here and it's going to be in the 60s in Midland.

CANDIOTTI: Well, it looks like you are lucking out today. Have a safe trip back.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.

CANDIOTTI: You know, yesterday, at O'Hare Airport and many others, all the way from the Midwest to the Northeast, they experienced long, long delays. Over 600, 800 flights canceled virtually from the West all the way to the Northeast. People were sleeping in the terminals, but of course that situation has been alleviated.

There were, however, some anxious moments as people were staring at those arrival and departure boards to see whether their flights would take off. Here is one couple.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No matter what that says there, that doesn't really mean that we are going.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That doesn't necessarily prove anything. We have been through that before, where it said that right up until the end. And then, two minutes before we thought we were going to board, whammo.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: Now, their flight did take off on time. So good for them.

Now, here in New York City, Mayor Bloomberg is saying they hope these flights do run on time and that once people arrive in New York, that they will start shopping, because this, of course, is the last Saturday before the holidays start next week.

Back to you.

HOLMES: All right. We will let you get on out of here, Susan, ,so you can go get that shopping done.

Susan Candiotti, where things are smooth right now at LaGuardia.

Thank you so much.

NGUYEN: Yes, but that one passenger called it Siberia. He was headed to Midland, so things will be a lot warmer there.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HOLMES: Well, some Iraqi military and security officers who were accused of trying to overthrow the Iraqi government, they're already out of prison. They were rounded up earlier this week and put in prison because they were accused of conspiring with some former supporters of Saddam Hussein in hopes of possibly overthrowing the government there. A U.S. military official told CNN that Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki was believed to be behind the arrests. They were ordered released because of a lack of evidence.

Well, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich said he was waiting for the right time to talk. He thought that right time was Friday afternoon, and here is what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. ROD BLAGOJEVICH (D), ILLINOIS: I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing. I intend to stay on the job. And I will fight this thing every step of the way.

I will fight. I will fight. I will fight until I take my last breath. I have done nothing wrong.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: He says he will fight. He also said he won't step down. He also didn't take any questions. He is accused of trying to sell Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat, among some other things he is accused of. A special Illinois House panel heard testimony this week in this case. They are trying to decide if there is enough evidence to possibly impeach the governor.

NGUYEN: Well, you know, there is still no winner in the Minnesota state Senate race, and it may not be until the new year until we know actually who won. Challenger Al Franken has pulled ahead of incumbent U.S. Senator Norm Coleman in the recount of the November election ballots, but there are still around 5,000 ballots to be counted next week. Then there could be more legal challenges, though -- it's not over -- before anyone can declare a clear winner.

Well, for all the latest news and notes from our world of politics, be sure to check out CNN.com. All you have to do is log on for news and analysis from the best political team on television.

HOLMES: Well, thousands of legally married couples in California may have those marriages nullified. The couples were married legally in the state of California after the state Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in May. They were married also before voters approved Proposition 8 in November. That initiative bans same-sex marriage.

Now supporters of Prop 8 are asking the state Supreme Court to strike down those marriages. Meanwhile, State Attorney General Jerry Brown asking he court to strike down Prop 8.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JERRY BROWN JR., CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL: It's our belief, and we have looked at this thing very carefully, that the court should strike down Proposition 8. My job is to defend the law of the people, but that law also includes the constitution itself. And when we harmonize the two, we come down on the side of the fundamental liberty interests. And that's the issue that really turns this case to strike down Proposition 8.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Well, the Prop 8 supporters filed the brief in response to three lawsuits seeking to invalidate the constitutional amendment limiting marriage to a man and a woman. Both Attorney General Brown and gay rights groups maintain the gay marriage ban should not be applied retroactively.

NGUYEN: All right, we talked about it a little bit last hour. Finally, the big payoff. We've been talking about that blast in downtown Indianapolis this morning. Wait until you see this.

HOLMES: Yes, a big blast that brought down a pretty big -- and a big part of Indianapolis. They said a farewell to the former home of the Indianapolis Colts.

Betty, we've done a lot of these implosions. We love them here on the weekends. That's a pretty good one. NGUYEN: That's a great one. And it took a little time. Did you hear all those blasts go off?

In fact, they set off some 800 explosive charges, and they said it was only going to take about 25 seconds. And judging from it, they were about on time with that.

HOLMES: Yes. And this thing -- the Colts move to another stadium next door. This thing has been around I think 30 years, this one. This one here has. But the Colts not playing there anymore, won't be playing there ever again.

NGUYEN: Yes. I would say so after that.

But this demolition is used for an expansion of the Indiana Convention Center. So something indeed will go up there.

In the meantime, though, a big step from President Bush. In fact, stepping in to offer emergency loans for Chrysler and General Motors. They get billions of dollars, but they have to get their companies on the right road and in a hurry.

CNN Senior Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN SR. CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The beleaguered president said he had no choice but to spend billions in taxpayer dollars to rescue U.S. auto companies from bankruptcy because that would crush the already bad economy.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: These are not ordinary circumstances. In the midst of a financial crisis and a recession, allowing the U.S. auto industry to collapse is not a responsible course of action.

BASH: The Bush administration will immediately give $13.4 billion in loans to two auto companies on the brink of ruin, four billion to Chrysler and 9.4 billion to General Motors. In return, they must drastically restructure to prove financial viability. If Chrysler and GM can't show by March 31st they can be profitable for the long run, they would have to pay back their government loans and then face certain collapse.

In Detroit, the relieved CEO of GM expressed confidence he can meet the government's deadlines.

RICK WAGONER, GENERAL MOTORS CEO: We are more energized than ever now that we have the funding support we need to do the rest of our plan.

BASH: The president is bailing out Detroit with funds already approved for Wall Street. Money he did not want to use, but had no choice after fellow Republicans in Congress blocked his auto rescue plan last week. Those Republicans are now furious he went around them, issuing an avalanche of blistering statements. REP. TOM PRICE (R), GEORGIA: All we're doing with this now is kicking the can down the road another three months with no prospect for a solution at that point.

BASH: Congressional Republicans are most concerned there is no hard guarantee auto companies will adequately restructure. The Bush plan does lay out conditions like slashing wages and benefits by next December and limiting executive compensation. But it will be Barack Obama's administration that will decide whether automakers meet enough conditions to keep government loans.

(on camera): Obama applauded the president's decision to help the auto companies and warned executives not to squander their chance at reform. Now, throughout the weeks of intense debate on this Obama has refused to send political capital, intentionally staying on the sidelines. But this now falls squarely on Obama's lap. He will decide whether or not to choke Detroit's lifeline.

Dana Bash, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Well, so many states are dependent upon the automobile business. And CNN.com has a really interesting interactive page up right now that you may want to check out.

Here's what you do. You can click from state to state to see how many auto jobs are in each one. You can also check out the average salaries. It gives you a chance to see how every state ranks and how each one is affected by the auto industry.

HOLMES: All right. We're going to take you to a live shot here and show you what so many of our employees and are co-workers are vested into.

This picture right here, it doesn't look like much to a lot of you, maybe. But we have been watching a guy dig out in this car right here. He is trying to get his car out. And we just saw him get in it. This is in Milwaukee.

A lot of people are going through this. We told you about all these storms, snow piled up. And a lot of people are stuck. Some people stuck at airports. Others stuck like that.

NGUYEN: In their car.

HOLMES: On the side of the road. He has been digging and digging. He got in, he moved the car a little bit.

NGUYEN: He may be out digging some more now.

HOLMES: And it looks like the work is not done.

NGUYEN: Yes, you see the shovel in his hand. Bless his heart.

HOLMES: We are going to stick with this guy and let you know if he ever gets out. But we have a whole lot more on the tough weather situation happening across many parts of this country.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: All right. Some new developments to tell you about this morning in the case of that missing Florida toddler.

DNA tests now confirm what many authorities suspected, that the bones found near the little girl's home last week are in fact those of Caylee Anthony. The 2-year-old disappeared over the summer.

The medical examiner says the remains, which are badly decomposed, show no signs of trauma. That makes it hard for officials to say just how the toddler was killed.

Anthony's mother, Casey, awaiting trial on first-degree murder and other charges. She is being held in an Orange County jail.

NGUYEN: All right. Let's get more on this story, because the toddler's remains were located less than a mile from where she lived.

Kathi Belich from CNN affiliate WFTV in Orlando has been working this story ever since it broke this summer.

Kathi, let me ask you this. As we've been talking about, the bone showed no sign of trauma. Any indication as to how she died?

KATHI BELICH, REPORTER, WFTV: No. Actually, at this point, the medical examiner says it's undetermined cause of death. She expects toxicology tests to come back in the coming weeks, but does not expect to get any definitive results from those tests. She said that if new information comes in, she will revisit that issue. But she really yesterday didn't seem to have much hope that that would happen.

NGUYEN: Yes. It's got to be hard though to build a case when you don't rally know exactly what happened.

Let's look at what we do know. There was a utility worker who reported a suspicious bag back in August. OK, so we are looking at several months from now. That utility worker called those in, what, three days in a row, these tips that he had?

Whatever happened to that? Why didn't we know about this earlier?

BELICH: Apparently, the signals got crossed. He didn't come back to the scene for months.

He came back again last week for whatever reason. The sheriff's office says this was just nagging at him. He came back last week. He might have looked more thoroughly.

And there is an issue of whether there was water in that area. Tropical Storm Fay had come through a few days after those August tips were called in. So the scene probably has changed over the last several months. But it came to light a few days ago, as we all know now, that he had called them earlier.

NGUYEN: All right. But Kathi, this is the same meter reader who was working in that same area who last week called in the remains here. I mean, is this guy under investigation?

BELICH: No. The sheriff's offices is calling him a concerned citizen. They are actually praising him for his tenacity to come back again and look again.

And they said that this was just nagging at him. He just felt that there was something there. And he just had to keep at it.

NGUYEN: Is there some frustration, some suspicion over why it has taken so long, and all these search teams, all these search parties have been brought in, and the little girl's remains were found very close to her home? It seems like it was right under their nose all along.

BELICH: That's right. And we do understand that there were cadaver dogs in that area.

There is an area very close by that was said to be an area where Caylee's mother, Casey, had hung out as a child with friends. There is sort of a dirt road back there. It's just down the road from the where the remains were found.

But we do understand that area has been searched with cadaver dogs. We also understand that when EquiSearch had come here, they were planning to search that area again, but it was -- there was too much water in that area and they were afraid they would damage anything that could be under the water that they didn't see.

NGUYEN: Very quickly, family reaction to this from Caylee's mother or grandparents?

BELICH: Caylee's mother was told in jail yesterday. The jail is not releasing her reaction, but says that she is not under suicide watch, not under psychological observation.

Caylee's grandparents have not come out publicly themselves to speak but, through their lawyer, they say they are very distressed. They do accept these findings now and they are very, very upset and asking for their privacy.

NGUYEN: Yes. And we do want to remind our viewers that Caylee Anthony's mother, Casey, is facing first-degree murder charges. And an investigation does continue.

Kathi, we appreciate your time today. Thank you.

BELICH: My pleasure.

HOLMES: All right. Times are tough. You could use a break. You could use a vacation. But in these tough economic times, it is tough to afford a vacation. But in 2009, that could be your year.

Great travel deals next year. Stay here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: OK. So these days, with the economy tanking and airline tickets skyrocketing, R&R in an exotic location can seem like a distant dream. But there are new cheaper ways to travel.

Richelle Carey has the latest on how you can be on the go for less in the new year.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RICHELLE CAREY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Want to get away? Well, holding out for those last-minute deals may be paying off.

CHRIS MCGINNIS, EXPEDIA.COM: The cheapest time to travel is typically in early January. This is what's known in the travel business as the dead weeks. To drum up business, the airlines, the cruise lines and hotels are really rolling out some of the deepest discounts.

CAREY: McGinnis says prices for some Caribbean cruises will dip as low as $25 a night, and expect certain hotels to offer rock-bottom prices too.

MCGINNIS: Hotel suites on the strip in Las Vegas going for about $75 a night. And if you just want a regular room, you can get that for as low as $29. We're really seeing some astounding travel deals to warm weather destinations and the ski resorts, believe it or not.

CAREY: Let your fingers do the walking and visit Web sites like travelocity, Hotwire and Expedia. And don't forget to look for those promotional codes to save even more.

MCGINNIS: Look for last-minute trips on last-minute Web sites. You're going to find some really good deals. And if you are ready to jump, you will have a really nice, inexpensive vacation.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Here is a look at some of our top stories.

Twenty-five Iraqis are out of prison this morning. The military and security officers, they were arrested earlier this week, accused of conspiring to overthrow the Iraqi government. And they were released for lack of evidence.

HOLMES: Caylee Anthony has been identified. Authorities say that remains found in Orange County, Florida, last week are in fact Caylee's. They have ruled her death a homicide. Caylee's mother, Casey, faces a murder charge in this case. NGUYEN: Well, a big loan for two of the big three. President Bush says he will give just over $17 billion to GM and Chrysler. Chrysler started their extended shutdown on Friday, closing all of their U.S. plants for one month.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HOLMES: Well, the estimates are up to three, four, five million people could be attending the inauguration, the historic inauguration of this nation's first black president, Barack Obama. Well, there are going to be a lot of rules, there's going to be a lot of security, but there is a new list of what not to bring if you are planning to attend.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: All right. Well, as we know, Barack Obama, the first black man to be elected president. Well, in about 30 days, he is going to be the first black man to serve as president of the United States.

NGUYEN: Exactly one month from today.

HOLMES: Yes, it becomes official. Inauguration Day, a lot of people have that day circled on their calendars. As we know, millions expected to be there, three, four, five million. It depends on what estimate you listen to, but it's going to be a lot of folks.

NGUYEN: Oh, no doubt. And for that very reason, officers on President-elect Barack Obama's security detail, they are not taking any chances at next month's historic inauguration. Listen to this. A new strict "do not bring list" for the inauguration is actually stirring up some mixed feelings.

Items like strollers -- really? You can't bring a stroller? You can't bring tents. Even Silly String. All of them have been banned along the parade route.

And while many feel it's a minor price to pay to witness the swearing in of the nation's first black president, many are wondering what to do with the kids. Yes, especially if you can't bring a stroller. Well, some senior citizens are also backing out because there is also a no-chair rule along the route.

Well, from inaugural security to inaugural fashion shows, specifically first lady fashion, Jackie O. started it. Now Mrs. O. -- Michelle Obama, that is -- is set to continue it.

CNN's Brianna Keilar has this package now on the lady's new look, and especially during this recession. Is this what she is going to look like on Inauguration Day? And how much is it going to cost?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Fashion insiders are buzzing about Michelle Obama. MARY ALICE STEPHENSON, STYLE EXPERT: I think she will be the biggest fashion icon in recent history in the White House. You know, there's Jacqueline Kennedy, but up until -- since then, really, we haven't seen a fashion-forward first lady.

KEILAR: The comparison is rampant, as you can see on "Mrs. O," a blog that chronicles Obama's every outfit. Michelle Obama's fashion choices can cause controversy or send a message in a troubled economy.

STEPHENSON: She has to be recession chic all the way and she's been very smart in doing so in the last year by mixing her fashion choices. Yes, sometimes she splurges and picks clothes that are expensive. But we also see her in H & M and Target wearing clothes that don't break the bank but are just as fresh and just as feminine as designer clothes.

KEILAR: With January 20th quickly approaching, top designers submitted sketch after sketch clamoring for the opportunity to make the gown Obama will wear on inauguration night. In the fashion world, bets are on a designer from the Obama's hometown of Chicago.

MARIA PINTO, FASHION DESIGNER: I'm a very attracted to color because I think it really lifts our spirits and it flatters a woman.

KEILAR: Maria Pinto is responsible for most of the clothes Obama has worn at historic events when her husband announced his candidacy and clinched the nomination at the Democratic Convention and on this historic visit to the White House. But asked if she's designing the dress, she plays coy.

PINTO: We have many clients that will be wearing Maria Pinto, including myself.

KEILAR (on camera): Whoever designs it, it's a huge honor, because the inaugural gown goes on permanent display in the Smithsonian's First Ladies Collection.

Brianna Keilar, CNN, Chicago.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: And as we said, exactly one month from today, Washington is going to be rolling out the red carpet for this historic inauguration. Well, will the state of the economy change the tone of the festivities?

Jim Bendat, an authority on presidential inaugurations, he has a book out. It's called "Democracy's Big Day." It details everyone dating back to 1789. He, however, we should point, did not attend them all.

Mr. Bendat, good you could be with us this morning.

JIM BENDAT, AUTHOR, "DEMOCRACY'S BIG DAY": Thank you for having me.

HOLMES: Tell me, is there no question this is going to be the biggest one we have ever seen?

BENDAT: It will be the biggest one ever. We have heard that there may be as many as four million people there in Washington. The previous record is supposed to be something like 1.2 million back in 1965. So it's going to obliterate that record.

HOLMES: Does anything come close? Maybe -- I guess numbers to numbers, maybe not. But does anything come close to the -- I mean, this is history here. There is nothing you can compare to being the first black president here being inaugurated. But is there anything else that has the same kind of tone to it, the same kind of mood surrounding an excitement and a buildup to an inauguration?

BENDAT: This is the biggest one, for sure.

HOLMES: Is there a second? What would the second be that any way mirrors this one?

BENDAT: Well, any time that there is a change of power, going from a Republican to a Democrat or Democrat to a Republican, it's a big deal. No question about that.

Kennedy's was a big deal. FDR's was a very big deal. Ronald Reagan's. So this is one of those times, for sure.

HOLMES: Will they have to at all, and is it possible, given the history we are seeing, to tone down this inauguration? And has there been one in the past that given the times, it just couldn't take on the same kind of a celebratory mood as maybe they would have liked?

BENDAT: Well, history teaches us that for the most part, they do celebrate on Inauguration Day. For the most part, it is OK to have a big party on Inauguration Day, regardless of what's going on.

Back in 1933 with FDR, we were in the depression, but they had an inaugural ball that year. In fact, that was the only time that FDR did have an inaugural ball with his four inaugurations. That was still a big celebration at that time.

HOLMES: Do we ever see any backlash from the public? Do those conversations even happen behind the scene of the committee, the president's people and whatnot saying, well, maybe we shouldn't go all out? Or is this just one of those things that, you know, given the recession, the recession, given wars, given everything we've got going on, this is the one day still it's going to be a big party?

BENDAT: It's going to be a big party. There was some discussion about that four years ago also. We were in a war.

There was a second inauguration for George W. Bush. And after all, a second one is not nearly a big a deal as a first one. But nevertheless, the party went on. And I think history teaches us that for the most part, it is OK for one day to have a big celebration.

HOLMES: All right. Well, maybe on January 20th, we will have that one day and that big party. But January 21st, it's time to get back to work.

Again, Mr. Bendat -- let's make sure I get the name of your book right here. And the name of that book is "Democracy's Big Day," detailing every inauguration dating back to 1789.

Again, Mr. Jim Bendat, we appreciate you being up and visiting us from the West Coast out there. Thank you so much, sir. We'll see you on Inauguration Day.

BENDAT: Thank you for having me, T.J.

NGUYEN: All right. So you can say good-bye to the artificial Christmas tree. Now there is another way that you can have your tree and keep it, too. How about renting a tree?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: All right. So most of you have that one hideous sweater that you see (ph) the dust off and bring out every year around this time. Well, check this iReport sent to us from Emily Goss of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She actually turned a Christmas tree skirt into a poncho.

HOLMES: Bet that idea came after that drink she had.

Oh my.

HOLMES: Chris Anderson and his wife, Heather, took this photo for their Christmas card. They are from where? Alabama.

NGUYEN: Alabama.

HOLMES: They wanted to wear tacky sweaters, so they borrowed a couple from Heather's grandmother.

NGUYEN: Oh, yes, blame it on her grandmother. Right.

HOLMES: He didn't borrow a shirt to wear, however, under that sweater.

NGUYEN: Apparently not.

HOLMES: And again, fine folks in Alabama. Love the state. I'm from Arkansas originally, so hey.

Well, if you have some photos, you have some videos of ugly holiday sweaters, send us an iReport at ireport.com.

Mom, we know you'll send yours next.

NGUYEN: Oh goodness. Your mother is going to be so mad at you.

All right. So picture this, OK? We go from that to sitting in a restaurant...

HOLMES: Yes. NGUYEN: ... right, with your ugly sweater, whatever you want to envision yourself wearing. But you look up and you see a huge, bright green viper.

HOLMES: OK. This is one of more than 1,000 new species that researchers have announced that they have found in the Mekong region.

What is this, Josh?

JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, more than a thousand new ones.

Now Betty, you have done some reporting over there, right?

NGUYEN: Yes, in the Mekong Delta.

LEVS: Have you ever seen anything like this.

NGUYEN: I have never run across a viper, thank goodness.

LEVS: A bright green viper? Actually, let me show you the bright green viper. It's pretty cool. It's wild.

NGUYEN: Oh wow.

LEVS: You like that thing?

NGUYEN: Yes.

LEVS: It looks pretty cool here. It looks even better on the CNN Magic Wall. That's where I was on Thursday, where I got on the phone with someone from the World Wildlife Fund who will tell us what this is all about.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LEVS: I want to start off with this thing because everyone is talking about it. Look at this massive green viper. What are we looking at here? What's the deal?

DEKILA CHUNGYALPA, WORLD WILDLIFE FUND: We're looking at a Gumprecht's Green Pit Viper. It's a female. And the way you know that is because it's got yellow eyes. And if it was a male, it would have crimson eyes.

LEVS: And this thing can kill you, right?

CHUNGYALPA: Yes, it's definitely venomous. It's about four feet long. A little scary.

It's mostly found in trees, so that's where it hangs out. You do not want to find it when you're walking in a forest.

LEVS: Really quickly, though, you told me it has medicinal purposes? CHUNGYALPA: It does. It's hemotoxic. Most pit vipers are, which means that the bite is not only venomous, but it has a toxin that prevents blood clotting in the victim.

LEVS: All right. Check out this next one, which I think is fascinating. This is bright pink. And this is a millipede that you told me emits cyanide?

CHUNGYALPA: Yes.

LEVS: Well, what's the deal?

CHUNGYALPA: It's tiny. It's the size of a thumb. And we don't think of bright pink as a scary color, but in the natural kingdom, it's actually -- it's basically a walking warning sign telling all predators that you should stay away.

So it produces cyanide. It secretes it.

LEVS: Well, I like that you say, in general, if you see a bright pink animal you're not familiar with, that means stay away.

CHUNGYALPA: Yes.

LEVS: Now take a look at this one. See, I like this one because of the 1,000 species that were found, only 15 are mammals. One of them is this rabbit.

First of all, is it that scary in person? Because though eyes remind me of those Orphan Annie comics where they don't have any eyes.

CHUNGYALPA: Oh, no, they're cute!

LEVS: And, also, did it interbreed with a lion? Like, what are we seeing here?

CHUNGYALPA: OK. So we're looking at an Annamite Striped Rabbit. There are only two stripped rabbits in the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEVS: World she was saying. Only two in the entire world. Here it is again.

This is one of only 15 mammals out of that more than 1,000 species that they have found over there in the Mekong over the last 10 years. And they just released these photos and these videos over the last week.

Pretty cool, guys. Right?

NGUYEN: Yes, absolutely. And even though it's venomous, that viper was kind of pretty, though. You know, you have to admit, the green color and all that.

OK. Thank you, Josh. Appreciate it. LEVS: You got it. Thanks a lot.

HOLMES: Well, we'll move from those, which aren't necessarily pets, to real pets, different pets. A special place for them as well. And one Maryland couple has opened up their home to these pets, giving them time and money to save animals in need.

CNN photojournalist Bethany Swain takes us inside what's called the Rude Ranch.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is Rude Ranch Animal Rescue, and we are a no-kill animal shelter. And we are also cageless.

This is the time of the day when we feel very popular.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I started out helping my brother-in-law with some cats that were living behind a restaurant.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There was so much need.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And it just kind of kept going until it turned into this.

We mix it all up and we go room to room with the plates. Initially, we thought we would help out maybe like 40 or 60 cats and a few dogs, and whatever animals that needed help.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There you go, Hopie (ph).

We felt we could fill a void.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We got going. It just kept expanding. And we went from using the basement to the main floor. Then we ended up using the rooms upstairs.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Up here is three rooms for special needs animals, feline immune deficiency virus cats and the feline leukemia cat.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Normal shelters would have them put to sleep because they are not set up to handle that type of thing.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hello, Aphrodite.

So that's how we ended up taking over a couple more rooms.

OK, guys. Here we go.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We still have a bedroom that is sort of ours that we share with a bunch of special needs animals. So usually at night, we have any where from two or three dogs and 10 to 12 cats that share a bed with us.

Our general population is around 120. We try to keep it at that level or lower, if we can, but there is such a demand right now, it's hard to keep turning people away.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: With the rate of foreclosures and people losing their homes, more animals are being given up and are actually being abandoned at shelters all over.

And these are our recommendations for bringing her home. One of our goals is to actually help find these guys new homes after they have been sound medically, or have been rehabilitated.

This is the information from her original stuff from Hurricane Katrina. They're also for your records.

Over the last 10 years, we have rescued over 3,000 animals. We have placed over 2,500 in homes.

I am not going to get lucky, am I?

A couple of them chased up the driveway as they were leaving, but they are getting a home. They're going to have individual -- people doting on them. And that's kind of what we want for all the residents here.

All right. Here we go. Getting ready to go to your new life.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: That's a great story.

And coming up next hour, two of Detroit's big automakers, they get a $17 billion loan to stay afloat. But will that help your local car dealer stay open?

HOLMES: Then coming up at noon Eastern, our legal guys weigh in on the Illinois governor's troubles, if you will, and his first public statement about the case since he was accused of trying to sell Barack Obama's former Senate seat.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: This woman just told me she has a pre-lit Christmas tree.

NGUYEN: Yes. A lot of people do.

HOLMES: Blasphemy. Blasphemous.

NGUYEN: The same one we've had for years.

HOLMES: Oh my goodness.

Well, speaking of trees here, it's an idea whose time maybe has come. There is a new way to be green this holiday season by not buying a Christmas tree.

NGUYEN: Yes. Try renting instead.

CNN's Alphonso Van Marsh has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALPHONSO VAN MARSH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Martin Cake (ph) is renting Christmas cheer. A tree surgeon by training, he delivers living pines to those who want their Christmas tree to last longer than the holidays.

CLAIRE HOLLINGSWORTH, RENT-A-TREE CUSTOMER: Last year's Christmas tree, I am ashamed to I say, was still sitting outside my house in July. And it had gotten all brown and crusty and we had to take it to.

VAN MARSH: So this year, Claire Hollingsworth booked with Cake.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello.

HOLLINGSWORTH: Hi there. How are you doing?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A tree for you?

HOLLINGSWORTH: Yes, absolutely.

VAN MARSH: He charges about $30 to $90 to bring a tree to the home, then pick it up and keep it growing after Christmas.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And that will drip feed the tree for a week.

VAN MARSH: Environmentally-minded clients can rent the same tree year after year. It costs roughly the same as buying a tree.

HOLLINGSWORTH: I guess it's a bit sloppy, but it didn't die a bit like -- you know that "Friends" when Phoebe goes and get all the trees that are dying and not let them go in the chipper machine?

LISA KUDROW, ACTRESS, "FRIENDS". So what happens to the old guy?

MATT LEBLANC, ACTOR, "FRIENDS": They go into the chipper.

KUDROW: No! No!

HOLLINGSWORTH: I'm a bit like that. And I was really pleased that I could get a tree at home for Christmas and then send it back to carry on.

VAN MARSH: The trees carry on in different sized pots as they grow larger on Cake's (ph) lot. Cake (ph) says he plans to buy a computer tagging system to be sure customers get the same tree over time.

No, this is stock we have left at the moment. As you can imagine, I have been overrun with business. People get quite personal about their trees. Somebody doesn't want a scraggly tree delivered to them.

VAN MARSH (on camera): Like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Exactly. The ugly duckling. I mean, they're still loved and they're still cared for.

CHARLIE BROWN: I will take this little tree home and decorate it.

VAN MARSH (voice-over): Cake (ph) says he created Rent-A-Tree because he was tired of seeing wasted Christmas trees in backyards, roadsides and dumpsters.

And there's a bit of the environmental warrior to him, too.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The plastic trees are criminal.

VAN MARSH: Cake (ph) says he will continue to home deliver trees to those who want them, giving holiday revelers another way to go green.

Alphonso Van Marsh, CNN, Dorchester, England.

(END VIDEOTAPE)