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Green Nightclubs on the Rise; Video Games Gain Popularity During the Recession; Winter Weather Whips Through U.S.
Aired December 22, 2008 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everybody. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Betty Nguyen live here at the CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta. Thanks for joining us today.
Let's get right to it. Heavy snow, bone chilling cold, brutal wind, much of the U.S. shivering through record-setting cold and snow on this, the first full day of winter. And the misery is from coast to coast. So is the danger.
In Michigan, at least one person died in a series of pile ups on Interstate 94, west of Detroit; 100 vehicles were involved.
And in Wisconsin, nearly a dozen people were injured in a 30-car pile-up on Interstate 43.
Well, making the cold weather even more dangerous, the lack of power. Thousands of homes and businesses in parts of Ohio are in the dark after heavy snow and gusty winds. And at last count more than 50,000 customers in northern Indiana still do not have power after last week's ice storm. Our Chad Myers is keeping track of what is happening outside.
All right, Chad, when you don't have that electricity, that heat in your home, this can be downright miserable.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You need to just bite the bullet and go to the shelter. I know people hate to do it, but when the wind is blowing like it is, and the temperature is 10, and you can feel the wind blowing through the house, it's not a time to say, I can muster it, I can hold it, I can make it. You just need to go.
Unfortunately they can't even hear me, because they don't have power to even watch television. Maybe you need to go tell them or call them or whatever you can do to make sure your neighborhood, if you know he or she does not have power that you can take care of them.
Six below zero now in Minneapolis. That's not the wind chill, that's just what the air says. That's what it says right now on the thermometer. Have you ever been to Minneapolis? They have a lot of tunnels and walkways between buildings downtown -- for that reason. So you literally don't even have to go outside once you get downtown. It's not a pretty sight getting there, but once you get downtown, you literally can for probably miles. I don't know what the number would be, but miles inside, walking from building to building to building.
Wind chill right now in Chicago, 17 degrees below zero. Now, somebody will complain that it was too cold to shop and that's why there wasn't a good holiday season. But you have to realize there were plenty of good days before that. A lot of snow came down in the middle of those bad days as well.
Toronto, you're 20 degrees right now. That's going to be your forecast for the rest of the day. If you chose to go to the west, and to go skiing for your Christmas break, you win. There's going to be snow every day. The problem is you might have trouble getting there. So you're going to have to take your time. If you go to the rental car counter and you can choose the little tiny car or maybe the four-wheel drive, if its still there, maybe the four-wheel-drive is your best bet if you're going high up into the mountains and you're not such a great driver on the snow because where you come from it doesn't usually snow.
Newark and LaGuardia, now, a little bit slow, an hour delay. This isn't bad compared to where we could, or should be, on a day like that. So, 5,420 planes in the sky.
The good news, Betty, you can't see the United States, but the good news is planes aren't this big.
NGUYEN: Thank God. That's a frightening map right there, Chad.
MYERS: You'd never see the sky.
NGUYEN: I'd never get on a plane if I saw that. Thank you.
We talk a lot about weather. Let's take a look at what it's doing outside. I-Reporters have been out and about actually capturing on camera their winter woes. Aaron Cloward tells us so much snow has fallen so quickly in Walla Walla, Washington, the snow plows can't even keep up. And the stores have run out of snow chains. That could be a problem.
In Burlington, Massachusetts, John Sullivan shows us the near whiteout conditions there. By Saturday afternoon, a foot of snow had fallen and more was on the way.
Remember, you can share your weather pictures with us. Simply go to ireport.com.
Well, the wreckage still sits where it did Saturday night off the side of a runway at Denver International Airport. The Continental jet burst into flames sometime during an aborted take-off. As NTSB teams continue to work the scene today, passengers they're getting their heads around exactly what happened.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: You felt the seat start pushing back. When did you realize that this plane was skidding off the runway?
MARIA TREJOS, PASSENGER: Actually, we -- we felt the plane veer to the left, and my -- my husband was holding my son and we felt some bumpiness. I thought it was just turbulence. I looked to the side, and all of a sudden there was this giant fireball behind my husband's head. I just -- I still have that image of -- of him just grabbing my son's head and just, you know, pulling him towards himself and all of a sudden we felt this heat. You know, it was heat on our right side. And there was a smell and it was like a mechanical smell.
That's when I knew something was wrong. We felt a bump and then it felt like we were airborne for a couple of second.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Can you imagine that? Feeling like you were airborne for a couple of seconds, smelling smoke and seeing fire.
Well, CNN's Susan Roesgen has the latest now on where things stand in Denver. She joins us with the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUSAN ROESGEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Well, you know, that plane was heading from here in Denver to Houston Saturday night. But 38 passengers were injured. Many of them were taken to local hospitals. Two women were critically injured. We understand that today one is in fair condition and the other is in serious condition.
Meanwhile, the passengers who were still able to get on another plane and get home to Houston Saturday night brought home some scary stories.
JEB TILLY, PLANE CRASH SURVIVOR: It was incredibly violent. It was a big left-hand turn and we sort of started bouncing a lot as if we were in a roller coaster. You know, you are kind of getting tossed around in your seat. Then there was a lot of silence all of a sudden. We took a big drop and then when we hit the ground, that's when the thing really got kind of screwy. You know, I think the plane cracked in half at that point. All the overhead baggage compartments broke open, fell down and stuff.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Continental has been great.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's been great?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Through all of this, they've taken care of everything we need.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, it was terrifying for a few moments for sure. But ended up coming out OK for me and most of the other people onboard.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bumpy, very bumpy. Slippery. Just being like a rag doll.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're fine.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can I ask you a few questions?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, we just want to get out of here. ROESGEN: Five of the six runways are now open in Denver, but the sixth is still closed where the wreckage of that plane is still in that ravine about 200 yards away from the runway. National Transportation Safety Board investigators are there now. They're going through the wreckage. They'll be having a news conference later this afternoon.
In Denver, I'm Susan Roesgen.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Let's tell you more about that. The NTSB will be giving a live briefing on the investigation today. It is scheduled for 4:30 Eastern, during "THE SITUATION ROOM." Stay with CNN for that.
In the meantime, though, there is more proof that times are tough all over. Toyota says it, too, is in a sales slump. And a rising yen is not helping either. The Japanese auto giant expects to post an operating loss of almost $1.7 billion in the fiscal year that ends March 30th. That would be the first in more than a half century.
Well, here at home, analysts warns that General Motors isn't out of the woods just yet, even though it is getting billions of dollars from the government. Susan Lisovicz is at the New York Stock Exchange with the latest on this.
All right. So got the money, but still not out of the woods. What's up with that?
SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I think, you know, even on Friday when we got the news that GM would have enough cash to get through the end of the year and the first part of the new year, Betty, everyone recognized it was just a little bit of breathing room.
Analysts at Credit Suisse basically downgraded the stock today saying that the gain is over for the stock price, which has been all but eviscerated as it is. Analysts there say GM shares could drop to $1. GM shares right now, down 17 percent, under $4. This was a stock that was trading at $24 over the past year.
Why is that? Well, GM is likely to need more money by the second quarter. And that bankruptcy is still a possibility, if it doesn't prove long-term viability, and if union and debt-holders can't agree on concessions. Ford is going along for the ride, so to speak. Its shares are down 12 percent. And Toyota shares, that trade here in New York, are down 5 percent as well.
And, you know, it really says quite a bit, Betty, when you think that Toyota is the company that makes Prius and is considered globally very competitive. I mean, it hasn't had a lot of the issues that Detroit has in terms of the health care costs, and hourly wages. It's only more recently that American autoworkers have become more competitive in that particular area.
NGUYEN: It's true. All right. Thank you, Susan. We do appreciate it. LISOVICZ: You're welcome.
So conspiring, yes. Attempting, no. Split decisions in the case of five Muslim immigrants charged with plotting to murder U.S. soldiers at Ft. Dix, New Jersey. Last hour, all five were found guilty of conspiracy, but not guilty of attempted murder. They still face, though, life in prison.
Well, President-elect Barack Obama takes a little R&R, find out what is being done to get more Americans back on the job.
Plus, the Illinois governor and the president-elect's staff. What do you think the relationship between the two teams was like?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: In less than a month, the world descends on Washington for Barack Obama's inauguration. That is a big influx of tourist's cash, but it spells bad news for D.C.'s budget.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: All right. So forget the 2.5 million. Let's make it 3, why don't we? Barack Obama is telling his economic team to think bolder on jobs creation and recession-fighting measures in general. CNN's Ed Henry is following the president-elect's working vacation in Hawaii.
I have no idea how you get these plum assignments. Let me just tell you, the jokes, they are flying about you back here at the mother ship in Atlanta.
ED HENRY, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Oh, are they really?
NGUYEN: We're all jealous.
How is the surf, Ed?
HENRY: I heard my ears ringing a little while ago, Betty. I understand it's very cold back there.
NGUYEN: Oh, yes. Freezing, to be exact.
HENRY: I hope you don't mind if I wrap this up quickly, because there's a pool over here I need to get to.
But in all seriousness, you're right. The president-elect -it's a working vacation, of course, in the sense that he's trying to get some down time. But he's also ordered his transition aides to be a little bolder, as you noted, with the economic recovery plans.
He realizes Americans are hurting right now. While he wants to recharge his batteries right now, get ready for the challenges ahead, he also has to keep his eye on the ball in terms of dealing with this financial crisis. He has now upped his goal from creating 2.5 million new jobs in his first two years in office to creating 3 million new jobs. That's because, we're told, he had a meeting last Tuesday, in Chicago, behind closed doors, where his advisers told him that this recession could be even worse than expected. So they told him that they were going to have to deal with that in terms of their economic recovery plan.
We're told the president-elect told his staff that he wanted a bolder plan. That's why the price tag is now inching up to somewhere in the neighborhood of up to $775 billion of a recovery package. That's being worked on now by Democratic congressional leaders.
And the goal is to have this -- get the ball rolling on it, early January, before the president-elect has even taken office. Because that's when the new Congress will be sworn in, with the goal of working out all the kinks and getting it to the new president's desk as early as January 20, and if not on that first day, at least that first week. So that the new president can show that he's trying to get on top of this crisis as quickly as possible, Betty.
NGUYEN: We've seen Obama play a little golf. We know he's been working. We have been talking a little bit about it. What else is on the agenda there in Hawaii?
HENRY: Well, you know, he does get daily intelligence briefings. He is trying to stay on top of that and do some work. I guess that's the working part of the working vacation. Yesterday he did play some golf. We very rarely see him out on the links. Obviously very sensitive from a public relations standpoint to be playing a sport like that at a time when a lot of people are hurting, but obviously, he wants to at least get a little relaxation before he takes office.
He at one point, sort of got slightly annoyed with the media for continuing to take so many pictures of him on the golf course. And said, why don't you guys go into the clubhouse and have a little beer. One of the reporters yesterday shouted to him, are you going to pick up the tab? The president-elect said that he would, although, I can tell you, just for the record, the reporters did not take him up on it. They did not drink any beer. At least that's what I'm told and he did not, of course, pick up the tab. Nobody wants to show any favoritism or anything like that, Betty.
NGUYEN: Yes, the reporters, as you speak in third person. OK, well, you know what you can buy a beer on me.
HENRY: I would never do that.
NGUYEN: By some sun block while you're at it, would you?
HENRY: I will.
NGUYEN: All right.
HENRY: Happy holidays, Betty.
NGUYEN: You, too. Enjoy Hawaii. Thanks, Ed.
HENRY: I feel bad for you.
NGUYEN: I'm sure you do.
OK, so tomorrow, we do expect to see the Obama team's report on the extent of its contacts with the scandal-ridden Illinois governor. You may have heard that the president-elect did declare that he hadn't spoken with Rod Blagojevich about his successor in the U.S. Senate. And Obama said that he is, quote, "absolutely certain" none of his staff had any part of in any kind of backroom deals. Aides say the in- house report has actually been done for a week but was held at the request of the U.S. attorney.
So what do you expect to find out? Well, a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll finds that 12 percent of Americans think the transition team had illegal contact with Blagojevich; 36 percent think it will prove to be unethical, while 43 percent think team Obama did nothing wrong.
One man is no doubt the -- has no doubt that the next administration is up to the economic challenges.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN, (D) VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT: The truth of the matter is this new administration, our administration, has a gigantic task and responsibility, but also a real opportunity. And I think Barack Obama, although the expectations at home and abroad are very high, I think he has the capacity to meet the expectations of getting this economy back on track and reestablishing our place in the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: That, of course, the Vice-President Elect Joe Biden speaking to CNN's Larry King. You can see the full interview on "LARRY KING LIVE" at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, right here on CNN.
Well, Obama's controversial choice of invocation speaker at next month's swearing in says he doesn't hate anyone. Mega-church pastor and best-selling author Rick Warren is opposed by some because he opposes same-sex marriage. Well, over the weekend, Warren said that doesn't make him a bigot.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PASTOR RICK WARREN, LAKE FOREST, CALIF.: Now, this one will shock you. I happen to love Democrats and Republicans. And for the media's purpose, I happen to love gays and straights.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: And for his part, the president-elect says the nation needs to -- quote -- "come together" even on the most divisive issues.
Well, Barack Obama's security detail is taking no chances at next month's historic inauguration. A strict do-not-bring list is stirring up mixed feelings. Have you heard this? Listen to this, one thing on the list, strollers. Also, tents, even silly string, 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 African-American president, many are wondering what to do with the kids, especially if you can't bring strollers. Well, some senior citizens they are also backing out because there is a no-chair rule.
The pomp and circumstance of Obama's inauguration will be huge and will carry a huge price tag as well.
Kate Bolduan reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Washington, D.C., a city that knows inauguration. But District officials say past experience will likely pale in comparison to the historic swearing in one month from now.
REP. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, (D) WASHINGTON, D.C. Even though we're very practiced at inaugurations and large events, this is one that will rewrite the book on inaugurations.
BOLDUAN: The city is preparing for 2.5 million people to descend upon the nation's capital to witness the start of the Obama presidency. Great news for local restaurants and retail. Hotels are already near capacity.
MAYOR ADRIAN FENTY, WASHINGTON, D.C.: In some ways, this is somewhat of a stimulus package for the city, if you will.
BOLDUAN: But with the good comes the bad, the price tag. Officials are complaining Congress allotted only $15 million to help the city pay for all major events for the entire year. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton says they'll need double that amount.
NORTON: Witness what the Congress did for the Republican and Democratic national conventions; $50 million to each of the jurisdictions to handle what were approximately 50,000 people, each.
BOLDUAN: While city officials are coordinating with federal agencies, much of the on-the-ground security and traffic control will fall on the District, a city that's financially strapped, just recently announcing $130 million in budget cuts.
FENTY: Our police force is about 4,100, which is a lot. We'll going to double that police force. Most of them are going to be working huge overtime shifts.
BOLDUAN: No matter the price, D.C.'s mayor says they'll be ready.
FENTY: Whatever steps have to be taken to make sure that the police resources, fire resources, transportation resources, et cetera are available, we will make sure it happens. BOLDUAN: In the past, part of the National Mall was used as a staging ground for the parade. This time, the entire Mall running about two miles will be open to accommodate the huge crowd. But that demands extra help from first responders to clean-up. Further proof hosting history comes at a price.
Kate Bolduan, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: OK. So 48 days after the election and we still do not know who won the Minnesota Senate race. The recount resumes this week with Democrat Al Franken reportedly holding a 251-vote lead over the Republican incumbent Norm Coleman. That number comes from "The Minneapolis StarTribune" and is completely unofficial. But officially, as many as 2,000 absentee ballots that were wrongly rejected are still to be counted, along with about 150 overseas ballots. We'll keep you posted on all of this.
In the meantime, though, Sarah Palin's daughter due to give birth any time now. But the event is being overshadowed by a huge headache for the family. The other grandma to be was arrested on drug charges last week; 42-year-old Sherry Johnston was busted as part of an undercover investigation. She's now out on bail. The Johnston faces six counts of misconduct involving a controlled substance, Oxycontin. She's the mom of 18-year-old Levi Johnston, he's the father of Crystal Palin's baby.
Well, a horrific discovery across the southern border. Mexican police say it's par for the course as they battle the drug cartels.
Also, more U.S. troops will be packing up and heading out, where the military plans to double its efforts in the near future.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Well, you might call Katherine and Bob Root the ultimate animal lovers. They started rescuing cats 11 years ago. And today it's become the focus of their lives. Photojournalist Bethany Swain takes us inside their animal house, as CNN "Focuses On Giving".
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATHERINE RUDE, RUDE RANCH CO-FOUNDER: This is Rode Ranch Animal Rescue and we are a no-kill animal shelter. We're also cage less. This is the time of the day when we feel very popular.
BOB RUDE, RUDE RANCH CO-FOUNDER: We started out helping my brother-in-law with cats living behind a restaurant.
K. RUDE: There was so much need.
B. RUDE: It just kept going until it turned into this.
Mix it all up. Then we go room to room with the plates. Initially we thought we'd help out maybe like 40 or 60 cats, and a few dogs and whatever animals needed help.
K. RUDE: There you go, Hopi.
We felt we could fill a void.
B. RUDE: We got going, and it just kept expanding. We went from using the basement to the main floor, then we ended up using the rooms upstairs.
K. RUDE: Up here, is there are three rooms for special needs animals, feline immune-deficiency virus cats and the feline leukemia cats.
B. RUDE: Normal shelters would have to put them to sleep because they're not set up to handle that type of thing.
K. RUDE: Well, hello, Aphrodite. So that's how we ended up taking over a couple more rooms.
OK, guys. Here we go.
B. RUDE: We still have a bedroom that's sort of ours, but we still share it with a bunch of special needs animals. So usually at night we have anywhere from two or three dogs and ten 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's such a demand right now, it's hard to keep turning people away.
K. RUDE: We had three to four closures people losing their homes, more animals are being given up and are actually being abandoned at shelters all over. These are our recommendations for bringing her home. One of our goals is to actually help find these guys new homes after they've been sound medically, or have been rehabilitated.
This is information from her original stuff, from Hurricane Katrina, also for your records. Over the last 10 years, we've rescued over 3,000 animals. We've placed over 2,500 in homes.
I'm not going to get lucky, am I? A couple of them I have chased up the driveway as they were leaving, but they're getting a home. They'll 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: And for more on how you can give for the holidays, log on to cnn.com/impact.
They are down and out themselves and still true examples of the golden rule. Men from a homeless shelter raising money to help needy families at Christmas. We have a live interview coming up, right here in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: It's 30 past the hour. Here are some of the stories that we are working on here in the CNN NEWSROOM. Guilty of conspiring to kill soldiers. Not guilty, though, of attempted murder.
A New Jersey jury has just convicted five Muslim immigrants of a plot to attack Fort Dix. The men face life in prison on conspiracy charges. Sentencing is set for late April.
Toyota's giving a sneak peek of its earnings, and guess what? They're on the skids. The Japanese car maker says this fiscal year, it expects to post its first operating loss in decades. The company points to slumping auto sales worldwide and a strong yen.
And frigid temperatures plus falling snow make a messy Monday. Just look at that. They are digging out in parts of the Midwest and Northeast. At many airports right now, travelers are waiting out flight delays and cancellations. So pack some patience.
Well, throughout the presidential campaign, the candidates heard repeated calls to help bail out Main Street. In a special series this week, we are paying tribute to Americans who are going the extra mile to help people struggling to survive in this economy. We're calling them the guardians of Main Street.
CNN's John Zarrella tells us about the man behind a Florida food pantry.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The line you see behind me is not for some holiday door-buster special. It's for a bag of groceries. And the man responsible doesn't know the meaning of the word overwhelmed.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And I got here at 6:35.
ZARRELLA (voice-over): Rowena Barr (ph) and Bloneva Woods got here before the sun came up. They had a feeling the line would be long.
BLONEVA WOODS, FOOD PANTRY PATRON: You know what the old saying say? I'm from the old school. Say, mama say there will be days like this. And that's what you're seeing now.
ZARRELLA: The people, some 300 deep, wait for a sack of beans, rice, grits, bread. Maybe a couple sweets if they're lucky.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right, take those up right there, will you?
ZARRELLA: For 19 years, Paul Snow has been serving these less fortunate in Hallandale Beach, Florida.
PAUL SNOW, FOOD PANTRY DIRECTOR: I got milk from the freezer. ZARRELLA: When he first opened his food pantry, there were 11 families. Today from the cramped room donated by a local church, Snow and the volunteers serve about 1,000 people a month.
SNOW: There was a time seven years ago that these same people were donating to us. And now they're coming here for help. It's amazing.
ZARRELLA: With so many people on Main Street hurting and cutting back, donations are down. At one point, snow put $3,000 of his own money in to keep the pantry open. He calls it emergency food. And he knows people are counting on it more than ever.
WOODS: God bless him. If you need help, Paul is the right man to deal with.
ZARRELLA: Many of the faces are new.
STEVE JONES, FOOD PANTRY PATRON: It's $100. That's all I have left to my name.
ZARRELLA: Steve Jones just lost his job.
JONES: My spirits are high and I'm hoping I get this -- I get some sort of job, man.
ZARRELLA: Jason Grable (ph), who repairs electric poles, hasn't found work since he came from Texas two months ago.
JASON GRABLE, FOOD PANTRY PATRON: Never in my life have I ever done anything like this.
ZARRELLA: Grable, his girlfriend and a neighbor, all unemployed. Snow says he's never seen the need greater. But there's no quit in him.
SNOW: Every time God shuts a door, he opens a window.
ZARRELLA: No one will be turned away.
(on camera): Paul Snow says he knows the lines will be getting longer in the months ahead. Is he worried? Discouraged? Not Paul Snow. He says he'll just have to work harder. That much harder.
John Zarrella, CNN, Florida.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: What a beautiful story there. You know what? The giving doesn't stop. Listen to this one.
They may be homeless, but they say they are not helpless. Residents of a Detroit-area shelter and treatment shelter are giving back by adopting families in need this holiday season. Joining us now is Shawn Inge, a resident of the Mariners Inn Shelter, and Krystal Shepherd, a mom whose Christmas just got a whole lot merrier. Thank you both for being with us today.
SHAWN INGE, SHELTER RESIDENT: Thank you.
KRYSTAL SHEPHERD, DONATION RECIPIENT: Thank you.
NGUYEN: Shawn, let me start with you. And before we get to this beautiful heartfelt gift, talk to me a little bit about what led you to the Mariners Shelter there.
INGE: Well, over the years, I've battled with alcohol addiction, among other things, running with the wrong crowds, you know. Just getting involved in a lot of things that weren't productive in my life. So, Mariners Inn helped me to change my life around by attending the 90-day program, moving on to a transitional housing, and getting a chance to start my life over and have some new perspectives and goals on life.
NGUYEN: Yes. As you try to get your life back together, you've actually done something really remarkable. You have set aside some of the money that you've earned to donate to families in need. You've also helped raise money for families in need.
What makes you want to do this? I mean, you're struggling to face some of the situations you're dealing with, but yet you are compelled to help others. Why?
INGE: Well, I was in the situation where I felt as though at one time I was helpless. I was hopeless, and my future looked real, real, real, real dim. So, in our lives, there come circumstances where they are forced upon is us, you know, we didn't ask for it. And it's always good to know that you can lean on somebody else for some kind of support.
And in economic times like these, we probably can't do it by ourselves. But with some collective, you know, socializing, yes, we can. So, anything's possible.
NGUYEN: You pulled it together. Actually, Krystal is one of the four families that you were able to help by giving them $500 per each family. Why did you pick Krystal's family, Shawn?
INGE: Well, Krystal is a prime example of perseverance, somebody who doesn't give up. And she's one of those people where those circumstances intruded her life.
And she was very recognized for that, not giving up, not saying, I quit. And she has supported the Mariners Inn establishment for a while. She's been around, and we noticed that.
NGUYEN: And I see the smile on Krystal's face. This gift has meant so much to you. Tell us a little bit about how it's going to change your holidays.
SHEPHERD: Oh, my God. It's just beautiful. The people at Mariners Inn, they just really helped my family. My son is happy. I'm happy. I'm getting my confidence back. I just feel like that if someone takes a chance and they believe in what they want to do, then that means that it's more possible for someone else to share the same thing in their accomplishments.
NGUYEN: We're looking at some pictures right now, Krystal, of that ceremony where the gifts were handed out. I understand there was not a dry eye in the house.
INGE: No.
SHEPHERD: No.
NGUYEN: When it comes to these gifts, it's more than the material aspect of it, isn't it, Krystal? I mean, you've got a young son. This is a lesson that you're teaching him.
SHEPHERD: Right, right. There was not a -- it was really emotional. And when I found out that I was being chosen, it just -- I was just overwhelmed because there were so many family members that have the same way. They don't have a clue of who out there wants to help them. So I've just felt really blessed that God shined on my family and said, hey, I got you, baby. I got you.
NGUYEN: And Shawn, you're a big part of that. As I mentioned, there wasn't a dry eye in the house, and that includes you.
INGE: Right.
NGUYEN: I mean, how special is this for you to actually be able to hand someone like Krystal something that she needs during this time?
INGE: Well, I take it -- I see it as what Mariners Inn has done for me. Since I've been a part of that establishment, they have given me opportunities that I've never, ever imagined. I understand now what they mean, it's better to give than to receive.
Because from the joy that I got from helping all the way from the shopping to making sure that that wish list is filled out and seeing that the staff that I was surrounded by was so passionate about it, that's what I've -- that's what they've instilled in me as far as that unconditional love for somebody else.
Seeing somebody else's holiday or just a day, you know, is a little bit brighter. You know, it shows me that hope is possible. Not only for me, but for others that are or were in my position.
NGUYEN: And you both proof that hope, indeed, is possible. Shawn, Krystal, thanks so much for spending your time with us. Happy holidays to you.
INGE: Thank you.
SHEPHERD: Thank you.
INGE: Same to you. SHEPHERD: Same to you.
NGUYEN: President Bush is doing his part to cheer U.S. troops this holiday season. He's visiting soldiers recovering from injuries they suffered in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The president was at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington and, as always, his time with the troops is being kept private. Walter Reed, as you may know, is the Army's top treatment center for injured military personnel. The president last visited troops there back in September.
Well, the U.S. Military is focusing attention on Afghanistan. Officials say up to 30,000 additional troops could be sent there next year. Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr is live in Washington.
Tell us what's behind all of this, Barbara.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Betty, what's behind it, of course, is, as we all know, the declining security situation in Afghanistan. The insurgency on the rise. Presidential elections scheduled for Afghanistan in -- later in 2009.
So they want to get security under control. This weekend, Admiral Michael Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the top U.S. military officer, talked about all of this. And suddenly, he's talking about maybe doubling the size of the U.S. force there.
Take a quick listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ADM. MICHAEL MULLEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: Some 20 to 30,000 is the window of overall increase from what, where we are right now. I don't -- I actually don't have an exact number.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STARR: But 30,000, in fact, is the number to watch, Betty, because there's 30,000 troops there right now. If they send another 30,000 U.S. troops to join the Americans already there, that would be doubling the force.
It's problematic, though. There's a lot of problems associated with all of this. What the U.S. knows is that NATO is not likely to send more troops. Defense Secretary Gates already warning not to have too big a U.S. footprint there, if you will. That Afghans could begin to resent that, seeing such a large U.S. military presence and what military commanders will tell you is troops won't solve the problems in Afghanistan.
It really needs billions of dollars in additional aid and reconstruction. Money that will be hard to come by these days -- Betty.
NGUYEN: All right. So additional aid, 30,000 troops. There's also a helicopter unit that's headed that way after the first of the year. What's that all about?
STARR: Well, that's a really interesting detail to watch because that's really the leading edge of this plus-up, this additional force that we were talking about. They have to get more helicopters in there.
As we know from years of watching this now, very rough terrain, very mountainous terrain. If you're going to put 30,000 troops additionally into that area, you've got to have a way to move them around and helicopters is the way to do it. So you look at this as the leading edge Defense Secretary Gates, indeed, signing the order last Thursday that will send an aviation, a helicopter aviation unit to Afghanistan next February.
NGUYEN: All right. CNN's Barbara Starr joining us live. Thank you, Barbara.
STARR: Sure.
NGUYEN: The reporter charged with throwing his shoes -- look at that video once more. Well, those shoes at President Bush during a news conference says he does not regret it. That is according to his brother. The reporter's trial is scheduled for next Wednesday.
Meanwhile though, thousands of Iraqis have rallied to demand his release since it happened more than a week ago. If convicted, he could spend up to two years in prison. His brother says he asked for a new suit to wear in court and an Iraqi flag.
The war against drugs is heating up across the southern border. Why is this new round of deadly attacks having deadly consequences for Mexican soldiers and police?
Also, it is being called a symbolic step toward recovery after India's devastating terror attacks.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Well despite the recession, video gamers are faithful to their hobbies. Could that though create a silver lining for the makers of Xbox and wii?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: All right. It's a sign that things are returning to some sense of normalcy in Mumbai. Less than a month after India's deadly terror attacks, two of the damaged hotels are back in business. The Oberoi Hotel and the Taj Mahal Palace both reopened yesterday with solemn ceremonies. More than 160 people were killed in the attacks. There are still small portions of both of those hotels that need to be fixed. Those sections are expected to be closed for several more months.
Well, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens has reopened for the first time since Friday's fatal construction accident. Part of an elevated walkway collapsed. One construction worker died and 18 others were hurt. Investigators will return today to find out what caused that accident.
And a gruesome discovery in Southern Mexico. A dozen decapitated bodies. Police say all the victims found yesterday were male and some of them were soldiers. A sign nearby read for every one of mine that you kill, I will kill ten.
Mexican officials say their country has been hard-hit by a rising tide of drug-fueled violence. They estimate 5,300 people were killed this year alone. Scores of police and soldiers have been killed in the last two years since Mexico's president launched an offensive against the drug cartels.
As always, the 3:00 p.m. team is back there working very hard.
Hello, T.J.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Hey.
NGUYEN: Turn around. I'm talking to you.
HOLMES: Sorry about that. I don't mean to ignore you.
NGUYEN: I'm kind of used to it.
HOLMES: Coming up at three o'clock, I'm sitting in for Rick all this week. He's getting a much deserved a week off for Christmas. So, I'm in for him.
Today, you know, Betty, you and I, not so up on this Twittering thing just yet. We're trying.
NGUYEN: Yes. I'm terrible at it.
HOLMES: We're terrible at it. But a lot of people are into it and do it.
NGUYEN: Isn't Rick the master of it?
HOLMES: He's the king of Twitter.
NGUYEN: You better get schooled quick, T.J.
HOLMES: But the point here is that, that there -- it really came in handy for a guy who was on the plane that came off the runway out in Denver over the weekend. He was giving updates by the second, by the minute, to people who were following him on Twitter. We've got him on the phone. We'll also going to show what he was Twittering about during that crash.
Also, something else, the Ft. Dix, we've got that verdict in. Those guys accused of trying to attack Ft. Dix and kill American soldiers. Well, they were convicted on some charges, but not convicted of attempted murder. We've got some legalees on to kind of work us through that.
And Betty, one you'll enjoy, man parking.
NGUYEN: What?
A lot of people go to the malls. Women want to go in and shop. Often times the guys are left sitting around. Sometimes they fall asleep on the benches and what not.
NGUYEN: That's right because you've got to drive us right up to the door so we don't get cold. We can get right into the store.
HOLMES: Yes, but now there is a man section of a particular mall almost like a little day care for men, if you will.
NGUYEN: Are you serious?
HOLMES: Where they get to go play with each other.
NGUYEN: Oh, careful what you say, T.J.
HOLMES: Well, they --
NGUYEN: This is a family show.
HOLMES: They get a play date while their guys -- while their wives go in and shop. OK.
NGUYEN: Yes. We're done. Call it a wrap, folks. OK. Play dates. All right.
Well, listen to this story. They usually light up the night. Now some popular clubs are leading the fight to go green. Poppy Harlow has today's energy fix.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: OK. So, do you want to party the night away in an eco- friendly way? Well, from Hollywood's Eco Lounge to Rotterdam's Watt, green night clubs are the latest trend. Haven't you heard about it? Well, CNNMoney.com's Poppy Harlow has our Energy Fix from New York.
I haven't really heard about it. So, give us the lowdown on this.
POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM: Neither had I. And we went and tried one out in New York. I have to say, it was pretty cool. Going green these days, everyone wants to do it, right? There's organic clothes, hybrid cars are all the hype. Now you can even party at a green night club.
Check this one out. This is in London. It's Club Suria (ph). The dance floor here is actually powered by people dancing on it. There are special crystals underneath. They generate a charge when they bump together. That's fed into a battery and it helps powers the club. And the club says it saves about a $2,000 dollars a month of this. Well, we visited a green club here in New York, it just opened. It's called Greenhouse. And it features bamboo floors. There's recycled glass everywhere. High efficiency heating and cooling systems and LED lights. Now, the club says it uses 40 to 60 percent less energy than a standard nightclub, but building it certainly did not come cheap.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN BAKHSKI, OWNER, GREENHOUSE: I would say that the average club in New York costs about $1 million and this easily cost double that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARLOW: Ouch. That was all his own money, too. No investors. Just the owner's investment.
Here's a big question, though. Will people choose to spend their money at an energy-efficient club over one that's not? We asked a few club-goers.
Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EVAN GOTLIEB, GREENHOUSE GUEST: You want your money to mean something. So, if you're going out and you're going to spend the money anyway, why not do it in a green nightclub where at least you're reducing your impact on the environment a little bit.
LEAH MELBY, GREENHOUSE GUEST: I think it's a little bit gimmicky, just by nature of what it is and being green is so trendy right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARLOW: All right, Betty. A lot of differences of opinion there. I guess it's up to everyone. But there is a green nightclub right here in New York, and some around the world -- Betty
NGUYEN: I guess it just depends on the cover charge.
All right. Thank you, Poppy.
Well, this summer it was stay-cations. You heard of those. Now, with the weather cold and the economy colder, video games are keeping people home in their free time, scoring points and saving money.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: A lot of people are just choosing to stay home, rather than get out in this recession. And many are staying glued to their video game consoles. That's decent news for video game companies.
Here's CNN's Eunice Yoon in Hong Kong. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
EUNICE YOON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): How well do video games sell in a recession? The theory is, that games fly off the shelves, even in a tough economy. Because spending money to play a game like this for a week at home costs a whole lot less than a holiday vacation. And here at the Seventh Annual Asia Game Show in Hong Kong, there are a lot of people seem to believe that video gaming is recession resistance.
ALEX YAU, DIRECTOR, LAGFREESERVER.COM (through translator): People spend less on outside entertainment and they will stay home and play more online games. So actually, online gaming market is getting bigger.
YOON: Gamers have been flocking to this trade show to get their hands on limited edition video and online computer games. Most of the hundreds of thousands of people here are teenagers and young men. Gaming companies say these people help add another layer of recession proofing to the industry. Not only are they big spenders, they view gaming as an important part of their lives.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Games, I guess, is independent from like normal savings. I mean, I can cut back on clothes and stuff. Basically, we see, we like, we buy. It's basically how most people buy games.
YOON: But, there are signs of the tough economic times here. Exhibitors are offering massive discounts to ensure greater sales this holiday season. Some video game makers have started laying off workers, too. So, if the buzz here is anything to go by, the gaming industry is thriving. The question is, will the excitement carry on into 2009?
Eunice Yoon, CNN, Hong Kong.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: And the NEWSROOM does continue right here with my good friend, T.J. Holmes.
