Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
USS George H.W. Bush; Senator Fiascos; Ongoing Crisis Middle East Crisis
Aired January 10, 2009 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN NEWS ANCHOR: I'm Fredricka Whitfield, thanks so much for joining us right here in the NEWSROOM.
Well, the hits keep coming after yesterday's unemployment report, the worst since World War II, more pink slips are flying. The latest coming from Boeing, now. The jet maker a layoff affecting 4,500 employees. Also, government contractor, Halliburton pruning its employee roles, By how much? Well, it won't say. And this on the heels of the U.S. Labor Department's unemployment report Friday saying more than half a million Americans lost their jobs last month alone.
And extending an ugly trend to end the year, nearly two million jobs lost in the fourth quarter of 2008. Wall Street reacted to the news by sliding 143 points, ending the week down nearly five percent.
All right 10 days now before he takes his new job, President- elect Barack Obama ups the ante on his plan to put Americans back to work. CNN's Kate Bolduan joins us now live from Washington with more on that -- Kate.
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Fredricka.
All eyes remain on the economy, as you can expect. The president-elect, today, in his weekly address using the latest devastating jobless numbers to underscore his urgent call for an economic stimulus package. The general outline of the proposal has been out for a while now, however the details and the total price tag still aren't finalized. The transition, however, has already released an internal report detailing how much help they say this plan could offer. Listen here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA (D), UNITED STATES PRESIDENT-ELECT: The report confirms that our plan will likely save or create three to four million jobs. Ninety percent of these jobs will be created in the private sector, the remaining 10 percent are mainly public sector jobs we save like the teachers, police officers, firefighters and others who provide vital services in our communities.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BOLDUAN: Now, we should point out that the report acknowledges the findings are all subject to significant margins of error since we don't know yet what the final plan will look like once it emerges from Congress to continue, however, pushing his -- making his pitch, Obama's top economic advisers were on Capitol Hill this week discussing the recovery plan with House and Senate Democrats. It wasn't entirely an easy sell. Congressional Democrats voiced some concern that not enough money would be directed toward infrastructure spending while too much money would go to business tax cuts under the current outline. Democrats have made clear that in the end, they do plan to support the economic stimulus bill - Fredericka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Kate Bolduan, thanks so much from Washington.
We want to take you back to Norfolk, Virginia now and the commissioning of the George H.W. Bush ship, there. You're looking at the ceremonies taking place. Momentarily, we understand, the former president will be speaking. We already heard from President Bush, his son, moments ago. And you see beautiful, sunny skies. That's always a great picture there. It is official, this is the USS George H.W. Bush," you're looking at right now and just momentarily we expect to hear from the former president.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As director of central of intelligence and as Ronald Reagan's vice president. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honor and privilege to introduce the honorable George Herbert Walker Bush.
(APPLAUSE)
GEORGE HW BUSH (R), FMR UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Thank you. Mr. President and Mr. Vice President, all the distinguished guests here; I want to single out Captain O'Flaherty and what a great man he is and how lucky we are to be in command of this ship.
If you'll forgive an old Navy man a little reminiscing, being here in this ceremony takes me back 65 years to another commissioning -- this one on the shipyards of Philadelphia, of the USS San Jacinto, the light carrier upon which my crew mates,- very few of whom are with us today,- and I were preparing to serve in World War Two. Speaking of not many of them being with us, I feel like Phyllis Diller, when she said, "All my friends are dying in alphabetical order" -- but I'm glad to be here.
(LAUGHTER)
And a few memories of that distant day, December 15, 1943, stand out. First and foremost, it was during that trip to Philadelphia that I gave my fiancee, a certain Barbara Pierce of Rye, New York, an engagement ring. She had come down for the ceremony with my mother, and we had only just that week made our engagement public. Bar and I thought we had done a pretty good job of keeping our romance a secret, but by that point in our courtship it is possible the Germans and the Japanese were the only people who didn't know we were planning to get married.
(LAUGHTER)
The other memory that stands out from this first commissioning was the fact that I was -- thought that the San Jac was by far the biggest ship, or anything else, I'd ever seen. At 660 feet long and 120 feet high it cut an impressive figure, to be sure, but next to this ship, it really cannot compare. Almost twice as long, with a 4.5 acre landing field, a tower that exceeds up to 20 stories above the waterline, and a feature that a few of my granddaughters, in particular, would really like, that's right, onboard this carrier there are a mind-boggling 1,400 telephones.
(LAUGHTER)
For all of the special enhancements this carrier has received, however, for all of the state of the art technology, and the safety, the environmental features, the most important element will finally be added today in the form of the men and women who will serve aboard this floating Naval air station.
To those who are sitting out there where I was 65 years ago preparing to serve aboard your new ship, I wish I was sitting right out there with you, ready to start the adventures of my naval aviation career all over.
I don't know if I could have handled the jets we fly today, but as you prepare to man this ship, I do know that you take with you the hopes and the dreams of every American who cherishes freedom and peace. And you take with you the undying respect and admiration of the entire Bush family.
In just a few moments I will take part in helping to set the first watch for CVN 77, and from that moment on, until this ship is officially retired many, many years from now, you will form an unbroken line of patriots protecting this special piece of American territory. As someone who has stood that watch and remembers the quiet solitude of that experience, I know you will find comfort and inspiration particularly in the night sky, for it is basking in the splendor of the stars that you will truly understand the majesty of creation and bear witness to the certain hand of God.
Make no mistake, the work aboard this ship will be routinely difficult and sometimes dangerous, but the freedom we seek and the peace we desire can only be found in the countless sacrifices you will make in everyday tasks you will perform. So thank you for your service. Good luck to each and every one of you. And may God bless the men and women who sail in CVN 77.
(APPLAUSE)
Now I will turn this over to Captain Ross (ph), the executive officer.
CAPTAIN ROSS, U.S. NAVY: The Officer of the Deck is the commanding officer's direct representative and while on watch is responsible for the safety and smooth operation of the ship and her crew. We are honored at this historic moment in our ship's life to have our namesake to assist in setting our first watch.
In setting that watch he will pass the Officer of the Deck's traditional symbol of authority, a long glass, to our first Officer of the Deck, Lieutenant Commander George Brickhouse.
Lieutenant Commander Brickhouse will assume the first watch assisted by our Sailor of the Year, Petty Officer First Class Richard Quinn, our Junior Sailor of the Year, Petty Officer 2nd Class Ilpa Patel, and our Blue Jacket of the Year, Petty Officer 3rd Class Walter Nims (ph).
(WHISTLE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Set the watch on deck, section one.
GEORGE H.W. BUSH: Now what happens?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sir, the watch is set.
GEORGE H.W. BUSH: Carry on.
(LAUGHTER)
(APPLAUSE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Captain, the watch is set.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very well. Mr. President, thank you for assisting us in this important part of the ceremony. The watch you just set will remain on duty for the life of our ship. We proudly stand our nation's watch.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are honored to have as our ship's sponsor, Mrs. Doro Bush Koch. Doro is the daughter of our ship's namesake.
Doro, will you please join me and give the order to bring the ship to life.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ship's company, atten hut.
DORO BUSH KOCH, USS GEORGE HW BUSH SPONSOR: I am the proud sponsor of the USS George H.W. Bush named for my father who has long maintained that there can be no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others.
Each sailor aboard this ship and every other that wears the uniform of our nation is the embooed iment of what my father was talking about. You make us all so very proud.
The commissioning of the USS George H.W. Bush will help America build on the foundation of global leadership with principles laid by our 41st president. And as a proud sister, I will also note that this ship and its crew will help promote the universal cause of freedom that our 43rd president has championed with unflinching devotion. My fondest wish...
(APPLAUSE)
My fondest wish for all of you, from this day forward is that the crew of the USS George H.W. Bush will be blessed with fair winds and following seas or in the words of your namesake and so many other naval aviators, that you always find the conditions for your operations to be stealing (ph) and visibility to be unlimited.
Please know that you will never be far from my thoughts and prayers, and now officers and crew of the USS George H.W. Bush," man our ship and bring her to life.
(MUSIC)
WHITFIELD: All right now, officially brought to life, the USS George H.W. Bush this aircraft carrier being brought to life by the 6,000 or so Navy personnel that will now call this aircraft carrier home, as well as thousands of other dignitaries including President George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush all there to help bring this ship to life and officially commission this aircraft carrier ready to take on the high seas.
And, by the way, on this very historic moment and what has also become a very historic month, this will be the last official scheduled flight for the sitting president, George W. Bush on Air Force One, once he departs this location, this ceremony taking place in Norfolk, Virginia, before he makes his way back to Washington and then the changing of the guard, as we know, taking place January 20 from President Bush to President-elect Obama.
We're going to continue to watch developments, there, taking place, there in Norfolk, Virginia, beautiful ceremony taking place under sunny skies, there.
The commissioning of the USS George H.W. Bush. You're watching it here live and you can continue to watch the ceremony taking place at CNN.com/live if you care to do so.
Meantime, speaking of Washington, well, he thought he was going to Washington, so will the Senate do now with Roland Burris and the seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, well what a week in politics from the is he or isn't he a senator fiasco Roland Burris to Sarah Palin suggesting the media just has not been tough on Caroline Kennedy as it was on her, Palin. So, let's get the inside scoop. Let's bring in our CNN deputy political director, Paul Steinhauser from Washington.
Good to see you, Paul. OK, well it looks like a real battle now between the federal level and the state level as it pertains to Roland Burris. Where are we going with this?
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Yeah, hi. You know, one step forward, one step back, I guess, Fredricka. Well, here's the deal with Roland Burris and whether he will become the junior senator of Illinois be seated, and more importantly, here, right behind me in the Capitol Dome in the U.S. Senate. So, the Senate Democrats have said two things about Roland Burris. At first they said no way, no how, never going to seat him because he was named by Rod Blagojevich, who of course was arrested and now facing charges that he tried to basically sell Barack Obama's seat to the highest bidder.
They said two things ought to happen, A, Roland Burris needed to testify in the impeachment hearings, he did do that, the other thing the Senate Democrats said needed to happen was that the secretary of state of Illinois needed to sign a certificate that would allow Burris to officially come to D.C.
Yesterday the state supreme court if Illinois said the secretary of state does not need to sign that. So, does that mean Burris becomes senator? Not so fast. Last night the Senate Democrats came back and said regardless of what the state of Illinois says this has to happen, this is a Senate rule that goes back to 1887, so we're at a little bit of a standstill, right now. On Monday, one of Burris' lawyers will be back here in Washington to meet with Senate Democrats, and I think everybody wants to get this situation over with and to move on. So, hopefully there will be an agreement soon -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: But at same time on, you know, Capitol Hill, the lawmakers are saying wait a minute, this is not the image that we want portrayed, so maybe we should go ahead and welcome him and then do a little bit more investigating along the way.
STEINHAUSER: Exactly. You know, this is a distraction and they're trying to deal with big issues like the stimulus package and remember, there is no African-American in the Senate right now since Barack Obama stepped down, so there is a little bit of pressure there and race is a factor.
And one other thing, Blagojevich himself, remember yesterday the House impeached him which means 16 days from now the state Senate of Illinois will hold a trial and if he is convicted on the impeachment charges, he will be removed as governor of Illinois and the lieutenant governor will take over. So, this chapter is one, it moves on.
WHITFIELD: All right, well let's talk about somebody else who said, "I'm not going anywhere, not yet," Sarah Palin back in the news, making headlines, again. This time saying she's very critical of the media because the media was very critical of her and not being fair as it pertains to Caroline Kennedy, that she's being treated with kid gloves comparatively.
STEINHAUSER: Exactly, you know, this all started earlier this week when Sarah Palin, the Alaska governor, the former running mate to McCain during the campaign, she did an interview with a conservative filmmaker and journalist, this is for a documentary he's doing that will be looking at the media and how they may be, in his opinion, did not do a very good job with Sarah Palin, of portraying her. So, she sat down with him. Some of those interviews were put on YouTube and here's when she had to say, take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GOV SARAH PALIN (R), ALASKA: I've been interested also to see how Caroline Kennedy will be handled and if she'll be handled with kid gloves or if she will be under such a microscope, also. It's going to be interesting to see how that plays out, and I think as we watch that we will perhaps be able to prove that there is a class issue here also that was such a factor in the scrutiny of my candidacy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STEINHAUSER: In that interview, Fredricka, she also took issue of Tina Fey's portrayal of her on "Saturday Night Live" and she took issue with Katie Couric who had that famous interview with Sarah Palin soon after she was nominated. And yesterday, Sarah Palin's office in Alaska put out a statement in which they said that once again, the media is misportraying Sarah Palin, taking things out of context.
Listen, if you're Sarah Palin, you'd want to be in the news, this is one way to do it. Also, if you're thinking maybe about running for the Republican nomination for the presidency three years from now, it's probably not a bad idea to go after the media because I think conservatives like to hear that.
WHITFIELD: Interesting stuff. Well, something tells me we'll be hearing more from her.
STEINHAUSER: Uh, yeah.
WHITFIELD: All right, thanks so much, Paul. Appreciate it. Good to see you.
STEINHAUSER: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: All right, well, now to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, now in its third week, entering its third week of conflicts where a brief halt in the fighting ended three hours ago with this renewed Israeli air strikes on Gaza city.
Israel gave a three-hour respite to Gaza and residents for humanitarian purposes and relief supplies. And new information from Israeli defense forces and now a claim that they have killed Amir Manzi, a high-level Hamas commander who they blame for orchestrating rocket attacks into southern Israel.
This, as more gather around the world in protest in Israel's military actions. Police in London tell CNN that some 12,000 pro- Palestinian protestors took to the streets earlier today, and in places as Indian-controlled Kashmir, well, there's also some outcry. Demonstrators there, in Srinagar, lit an Israeli ban or fire Friday. This as the international community calls for a new cease-fire to be observed by both sides.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIMMY CARTER, FMR UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: The international community needs to assure that when another cease-fire is negotiated under their pressure then it will be publicized and both sides, Israelis and the Palestinians, will have to certify that they will abide by it and then there needs to be a monitoring of the situation in Gaza. That is an adequate supply of food and necessities going into the starving people.
Secondly, no rockets coming out of Gaza and third, no permission or entryway for additional weaponry to come into Palestinians who are living in Gaza.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: And this, a pretty unusual divorce we're going to delve into. He'll agree to the separation, but for a price. So what's a kidney worth?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right, winter here in a very big way. Severe weather slamming states across the country, in fact. In Wisconsin, snow reduced traffic to a crawl after the state got buried under about eight inches, yesterday. Plows worked overnight to try to clear out the roads and even more snow, by the way, expected today.
In Ohio a fleet of snowplows and salt there, as well, as preparations continue in Cleveland for ice and snow. More of it expected today.
New York City and New jersey are also bracing for some bad weather.
So from heavy snow to mudslides and flooding in Washington State. The Coast Guard rescued people trap in their homes after five days of heavy rain which triggered severe flooding and mudslides across that state and hundreds of family has to be evacuated.
Eighteen counties in 13 cities had to be declared emergencies. Authorities closed 20 miles of freeway between Seattle and Oregon while they counted all kinds of damage there -- assessed the damage, that is.
(WEATHER REPORT)
WHITFIELD: All right. Are you a gadget guy, Reynolds?
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You'd better believe it. If it's a gadget, I've got it.
WHITFIELD: Oh, really? Then you need to be in Las Vegas this weekend, right?
WOLF: I always need to be in Vegas.
WHITFIELD: I know, that's true. That is a big old playground, well, especially if you love gadgets, this is indeed the gadget playground. It's a gadget lover's dream. We'll explain why.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) WHITFIELD: All right. On the heels of the worst unemployment report since World War II, President-elect Barack Obama details his recovery and re-investment plan which he says will save or create 3 million to 4 million American jobs.
The fighting in Gaza enters its third week with casualties mounting, as is worldwide criticism of Israeli military action. Today's three-hour halt for humanitarian aid shipments ended in more rocket fire. And Israel claims it has killed a Hamas rocket launch commander.
And back here at home, more snow is forecast for the Great Lakes and the Northeast with plenty of winter storm warnings and watches in effect. Detroit is under a snow emergency, meaning unless you're driving a snowplow, stay off the road.
A man who is having a very tough time trying to keep his job, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Yesterday the Illinois House of Representatives voted overwhelming to impeach the governor, but he's vowing to fight, promising to prove that he's innocent of corruption charges.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. ROD BLAGOJEVICH (D), ILLINOIS: I understand the house's actions. I'm not at all surprised by it. But I took actions with the advice of lawyers and experts to find ways, creative ways to use the executive authority of a governor to get real things done for people who rely on us. And in many cases, the things we did for people have literally saved lives. I don't believe those are impeachable offenses. So we're going to move forward, and I'm going to continue to fight every step of the way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: All right. The question of whether to remove Blagojevich now goes to the state senate, which will hold a trial. A two-thirds vote is required to convict and expel him from office.
All right. Remember the Chicago workers locked out of their jobs just before Christmas? The company, Republic Windows & Doors, says it's bankrupt, but there's a new twist. The now-unemployed workers have actually filed a new complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. They say the company illegally moved its equipment to Iowa and set up shop there to sidestep the unions. So let's check in with our legal guys, Avery Friedman, a civil rights attorney and law professor.
Good to see you.
AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: Hi, Fredericka.
WHITFIELD: And Richard Herman is a New York criminal defense attorney and law professor.
Good to see you. First time I'm seeing you in the new year. Happy New Year to you. RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Hey, Fred. Welcome.
WHITFIELD: OK. All right. So, Avery, isn't this free enterprise? Can't a company say, you know what, it's not working for me here, I'm moving to another state?
FRIEDMAN: Well, they sure can as long as they don't do it to get rid of the union. You know, the interesting thing about Republic Window & Doors is that when they opened up they took the same equipment -- the same family members, by the way, are running the Iowa operation, but they now call themselves Echo Window & Doors.
You know, like, I mean, couldn't they come up with a better name? It's, like, hey, stupid, we're the same folks, Window & Door, but they decided to go with Echo Window & Door. And I think, you know what, it's going to be an interesting case because if they can show economic reasons they're going to be OK. If they show that they're trying to get rid of the union, then they're going to be in trouble and it goes back to Illinois.
WHITFIELD: So, Richard, it's interesting, the workers show up for work and they're told, oh, wait a minute, we're giving you three days' notice now, we're closing shop, but we're going to give you $6,000, right? They gave some of the employees $6,000, I guess to compensate for the fact that they're not going to have a job over the holiday season.
Can these workers really try and prove that this company was trying to avoid union obligations and that's why they moved?
HERMAN: Well, they can and they are, but the company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. So I mean, the Bank of America pulled their credit line, the company had nowhere to go, they couldn't stay in business, so they shut down.
Now the company...
WHITFIELD: And then can't the company say, well, you know, we can stay afloat if we move elsewhere that's more affordable. What's the matter with that?
HERMAN: Well, that's exactly what they're saying, Fred, except, as Avery points out, if they're doing the exact same work in that location with the same clients and the same work, you know, the workers are going to -- I mean, there's going to be a -- end up -- there's going to be financial resolution in the end here, but this is not a frivolous litigation, this is real.
WHITFIELD: All right. And these workers are mad and they're not going to stand down on this one.
All right. Let's talk about football because we know football is religion, you know, in some circles. So let's take, for example, Utah, the attorney general says, I am so concerned about it that I want to make sure that we're clear on why in the world the University of Utah wouldn't be in a bowl championship and is now alleging that some violation of anti-trust has taken place here.
Richard, explain.
HERMAN: Well, look, the...
WHITFIELD: This is so confusing to me.
HERMAN: It's a little confusing, but the BCS, the BCS mandate is the pit the number one and the number two teams in the country.
WHITFIELD: The Bowl Championship Series.
HERMAN: Right.
WHITFIELD: The BCS.
HERMAN: In that championship game, which Utah says they should be in because they went undefeated, but the BCS relies on computer rankings as well as other types of polls. And clearly, I mean, if Utah played in the Big 12 or if they played in the SEC, I don't think they'd be undefeated, but I tip my hat to an undefeated team.
Look, the BCS generates $110 million in the bowls. Only 6 million of that go to schools like Utah in that division.
WHITFIELD: All right. So it's about money.
HERMAN: It's about money.
(CROSSTALK)
FRIEDMAN: ... compelling here. You know, what struck me about this is the last time we saw the word "yoot" in a courtroom I think was Fred Quinn and Joe Pesci in "My Cousin Vinnie."
(LAUGHTER)
(CROSSTALK)
FRIEDMAN: But these are the undefeated Utes apparently.
WHITFIELD: OK. All right. Real quick, you know, now we have got a case of divorce gone really bad. Husband had, I don't know, given the wife a kidney or helped her out and then they're splitsville and he says, I want my kidney back. Is this a legal case? I mean, can it be? Can you do this, Avery? Come on.
FRIEDMAN: This strikes me as absolutely silly. I've researched this, I've found no kidney arguments. I did find breast enhancement arguments that husbands made, saying they lost the value. No court in America has ever accepted this argument, but you know, like Richard talks about New York and divorces and family, maybe only in New York perhaps.
WHITFIELD: So, Richard, this is going to probably cost him more in legal fees than it did for the medical procedure, huh? HERMAN: I don't know. I see his attorney is Dominick Barbara, who likes -- who is a media hound, so who knows about that. But I've got to tell you, I've got to tell you, Fred, it's...
(LAUGHTER)
WHITFIELD: I think you're getting a call today.
HERMAN: That's OK. Look, I get plenty of calls, Fred. Based on, look, the financial sacrifice, the personal sacrifice that he made to donate his kidney eight years ago now that his wife cheated on him, wants a divorce, he's saying, look, there's financial benefit you derived.
It's similar to when a spouse gives financial benefit or sacrifices to another spouse for a medical degree or a law degree. That's the theory they're going on. Again, it's financial only.
FRIEDMAN: A gift is a gift.
WHITFIELD: Oh, man.
FRIEDMAN: A gift is a gift.
WHITFIELD: Life is too short, people. Come on, find happiness.
FRIEDMAN: He's not getting the kidney. No way he's getting the kidney.
HERMAN: It's going nowhere.
WHITFIELD: All right. Richard and Avery, thanks so much. Appreciate it. Always good to see you.
FRIEDMAN: Great to see you.
HERMAN: Take care.
WHITFIELD: OK. All right. Oh, talk about living, Las Vegas and gadgets everywhere, especially if you're totally into it. We're going to take you there live.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Under the cloud of tough economic times, a big Consumer Electronics Show is actually under way in Las Vegas this weekend, cnn.com anchor Nicole Lapin joins us live from the floor of the show.
OK. So you've got a good backdrop. There are people there, pretty decent turnout.
NICOLE LAPIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Pretty decent turnout, Fred, from the likes of all these sites. Recession, what recession? Look at these massive displays here. We are at day three of the Consumer Electronics Show, CES in Las Vegas, and I've got to tell you, talking about that recession, 1.7 million square feet of floor space at CES, and each square foot costs 35 bucks. So maybe if you, I, Reynolds get in on it together, we could get a little space.
But, you know, Fred, the recession is...
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: I've got no gadgets, though.
LAPIN: For you and I, the consumers, because it means the gadgets this year are cheaper, greener and a lot easier to use, which is great.
WHITFIELD: Oh, OK. And more affordable, though? I mean, greener, yes, everyone wants their hands on that, but folks want to be, I guess, you know, state of the art. Everyone wants to make sure they've got something that somebody else doesn't have.
LAPIN: You know, we're seeing a lot of all-in-one gadgets, Fred. These are the gadgets that do everything. You can listen to music. You can watch TV. We're seeing a lot of nesting as well because during these tough economic times...
WHITFIELD: Nesting, what does that mean?
LAPIN: Yes, bringing the content to the consumer. So doing everything on your couch, like watching movies. It's all good. Getting Netflix, all while sitting at your couch. We're also seeing a lot of practical applications, charging things. Here is a power mount, this is wireless charging, uses magnetic induction technology.
So, Fred, I know you have a ton of gadgets, a phone -- I know you!
WHITFIELD: OK.
LAPIN: You have an mp3 player.
WHITFIELD: I have a couple. I have a couple but I'm...
LAPIN: You can put it...
WHITFIELD: ... so lame with that stuff.
LAPIN: You are totally not lame.
WHITFIELD: It's pitiful.
LAPIN: You are all...
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: It's embarrassing.
LAPIN: ... because I know you're going to the inauguration and I found another gadget for you to charge your Blackberry, because I know you have one of those. Look at this.
Here, Leon (ph), can you show Fred this? This is one of the portable chargers so you can take it with you. And I know you like red.
WHITFIELD: I do. You know me too well, girly. OK. Well, I do need something like that.
LAPIN: I wish you guys were here with us. You know, there are 130,000 people. We're just missing you and Reynolds. Come over.
WHITFIELD: Well, I know Reynolds is ready to board a flight. He's an eager beaver. He's definitely ready to get down out there.
LAPIN: Yes, well, this is the week. You know, guys, what happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas.
WHITFIELD: That's right.
LAPIN: We're bringing it to you live from CES.
WHITFIELD: Especially when you have a Blackberry. This has everything, pictures and music, all of that.
All right. Nicole, thanks so much. We're going to check back with you throughout the day because that is definitely the happening spot. All right. Thanks much.
All right. Speaking of happening spots, a famous New York night spot, decades old, well, sadly, it has now become a casualty of this very bad economy.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: You know, we've been talking about protests worldwide as it pertains to the Israeli conflict in Gaza. Well, now you're looking at some pictures that are just now coming in out of London and you're seeing police kind of at the ready there, but what you're not seeing are images of what took place earlier.
Apparently the protests outside the Israeli embassy getting so heated that a couple of officers actually got injured. One police officer, according to information being provided by the London Metropolitan Police to CNN, saying one police officer was knocked unconscious outside the embassy there.
Somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 people, we understand, have actually gathered outside the embassy. And you're looking at images on the left-hand side earlier, taped earlier, of the protest.
You can see quite a few, a dozen people, but we're told somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 people have actually been protesting outside the Israeli embassy, many of whom are expressing their displeasure with Israel's approach there in Gaza, calling for a cease-fire as a result of so many Palestinians, particularly children, who have been killed in this conflict now entering its third week. But right now live pictures right here of the police, the metropolitan police at the ready for what has turned out to be a very violent protest there outside the Israeli embassy. When we get more images and more information about how this has all transpired and how it's being handled at this juncture, we'll be able to bring that to you.
Meantime, let's talk more about the economy. Car-maker Hyundai is trying to reassure customers in this very shaky job market. The company has a new promotion that allows people who have actually been handed pink slips to hand in the keys of the vehicles that they had recently bought if they had recently bought new Hyundais.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIM YATES, ALLEN SAMUELS DODGE/HYUNDAI: People are just hesitating, and I think this is maybe something that might give them a little encouragement to go ahead and make that purchase.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Hyundai's program refunds the difference between the car's trade-in value and the balance on the car loan. Of course, there are some strings attached. The deal is good for the first year after purchase, paying a maximum $7,500, and it doesn't apply if you paid cash, however, for the car.
All right. Some financial meltdown may claim New York City's famous Rainbow Room. The owners of the building at Rockefeller Plaza say that they've ended the club's lease because of unpaid back rent. But the Rainbow Room's managers say that they're not leaving until the lease expires four years from now.
The Rainbow Room opened during the Great Depression and many generations of celebrities have performed and partied there, and it's still one of the best views of Manhattan to date.
All right. Well, are you worried about layoffs or salary freezes? Today at 5:00 Eastern we're bringing in an expert who advises some of the top executives in the country. Here's her number one tip for keeping your job in uncertain times. Creating success for yourself can be as simple as getting to the gym so you can feel better about yourself and the way you look. That's one tip.
It's the kind of practical advice to help keep you in the game. Ten strategies to keep your job today at 5:00 Eastern right here in the NEWSROOM.
All right. You think it's cold? Well, even colder weather is on the way.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER REPORT)
WHITFIELD: All right. Just a little taste of what we're going to be following for the rest of the day today. This is over the Middle East conflict, however, you're looking at London. You see police at the ready there because still in the far distance there, you can see many thousands, maybe -- maybe just hundreds, but upwards of thousands of people who are protesting the Israeli-Gaza conflict.
These images just now coming in. We're going to continue to watch this throughout the day for you here in the CNN NEWSROOM. Much more straight ahead. "YOUR $$$$$" starts right now.
