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Snowy Roads, Crowded Skies; Will Air Travelers Protest Screening Measures?; Clash of Koreas; Tensions Mount on Korean Peninsula; Studies Show Talking On Cell Phone While Driving Delays Reaction Time; "Consumer Reports" Compiles "Naughty And Nice" List of Companies For Black Friday; Sarah Palin Responds to Barbara Bush's Comments
Aired November 24, 2010 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: As you know, we have a lot to get to here, but, because this is one of the busiest travel days of the year, weather is front and center for us this hour.
CNN is your holiday travel headquarters. And no matter where you are, where you're going, there is some weather you need to be aware of.
Yikes, not working, those wheels, Portland, Oregon, temperatures dipping below freezing. This is the first time that happened in November in 25 years. Yikes. That is where I'm heading tomorrow.
Also, this: much of the same scene across much of the Pacific Northwest here and down into the middle of the country, Nevada, Utah, even parts of California. Be prepared for rough conditions. In fact, listen to this tow truck driver in Idaho.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Any back road, it's just horrible. You know, three-foot snowdrifts, we're running right through the middle of them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Take a look with me, conditions in Fargo, the entire state of North Dakota and much of Minnesota and South Dakota under a winter weather advisory.
And that, of course, changes to a much more serious blizzard watch tonight and into your Thanksgiving afternoon. That is weather. We're keeping our eye on that. But, of course, related to that air travel, you're facing basically this one-two punch, right? This holiday weather will most definitely cause delays in some areas, probably already is.
You got your icy runways in Seattle, a lot of wind to deal with in Boston. But then there are all of those new security measures that some said they would be protesting. But at least most air travelers today seem a bit more interested in getting through the security, getting through those lines as fast as possible, and have for the most part no major protests to speak of.
Obviously, that is great news if you're hopping through the airports. TSA Administrator John Pistole making the rounds, urging all of us to work with, not against, the security agents with this busy travel week.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN PISTOLE, TSA ADMINISTRATOR: So, it really comes down to everybody agrees they want to arrive safely. They -- everyone also agrees they want to know everybody else on that flight has been thoroughly screened.
Oh, by the way, everybody else wants to make sure that you and -- and I have been thoroughly screened also. So, that's -- that's the dynamic tension that we're dealing with.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: All across the country.
This hour, we have CNN's Jeanne Meserve. She's at Reagan National for us in Washington, Ted Rowlands fairly fresh off a flight in San Francisco, and our Jacqui Jeras here in Atlanta watching really how the weather may impact your travel plans.
But I want to begin with Jeanne Meserve there at Reagan National.
Jeanne, talk to me about security lines. We have been talking about this a whole heck of a lot this week. How are they? And is anyone causing any problem in this whole opting out?
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well -- well, Brooke, there are a handful of protesters here at Reagan National. But I will tell you, the security lines have been virtually nonexistent.
It doesn't appear that very many people are deciding to say no to the body scanners in favor of those more intimate pat-downs. There's no slowdown visible here. So, does that mean that opt-out day was a failure? Organizers say, absolutely not.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRIAN SODERGREN, OPTOUTDAY.COM: No, I think it's been a success. You know, I think, even before today it's been a success. You have had the TSA step back and say, you know, we are going to look at, is there a better way we can do these pat-downs that are not so invasive? You have had them back off of children under 12. You know, so they're -- they -- I think they get it now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MESERVE: But TSA is clearly also feeling good. After being criticized for rolling out these new security measures with virtually no explanation, the administrator has been blanketing the airwaves with explanations of why they are doing this.
They say they needed to improve security at the airport, particularly as regards threats like the underwear bomb. The public apparently was listening. Travelers we have spoken to, by and large, are quite comfortable with these new security measures. If they object to them, they are not protesting by opting out, at least not at this airport.
Apparently, their big priority today is getting home for the holidays -- Brooke, back to you.
BALDWIN: Jeanne, I have been through Reagan many, many times. I know you're there on the main level. You had -- you had a chance to walk downstairs. We have seen the security lines. I mean, any tempers flaring at all, or is everyone really behaving themselves?
MESERVE: You know, I have --
(LAUGHTER)
MESERVE: -- flown in and out of this airport for a couple of decades, and I have to tell you, I have never seen it like this. And several times today, the Transportation Security officers were standing there waiting to check I.D.s, and there was absolutely nobody in line.
BALDWIN: Hallelujah.
MESERVE: So, tempers flaring? No. People here seem to be pretty happy about getting through security as quickly as they are -- Brooke.
BALDWIN: Excellent news.
Jeanne Meserve, thank you.
Want to head now to Ted Rowlands.
Ted, I know you started your day in L.A. You are now in San Francisco. How did the flight go?
Oh, we don't hear Ted.
Ted --
(CROSSTALK)
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A lot of passengers moving through.
BALDWIN: There we go.
ROWLANDS: However -- well, I will start that from the beginning, -- Brooke.
BALDWIN: Start that from the beginning. ROWLANDS: L.A. was fine --
BALDWIN: Take two.
ROWLANDS: -- lots of -- lots of folks.
(LAUGHTER)
ROWLANDS: Lots of folks moving through LAX this morning, but security lines not a problem at all, this opt-out thing not holding on the West Coast either. You can see here at San Francisco right now the security lines are great. If you happened to be boarding a plane right now, you would be in and out in about five minutes. Those of course fluctuate as flights come in and out. The board, the big board, we have got some delays, but not bad, not bad at all when you consider that it is a holiday weekend.
One thing, though, there -- there are a lot of opinions about this pat-down/scanner issue. We talked to dozens of people this morning both in L.A. and in San Francisco.
Here's a sampling of what people think out here about the pat- down controversy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't look anything like Osama bin Laden. I'm not tall enough, don't have the right-color hair, and I don't speak the language. And there's about 99 percent of the people in this airport same situation. This is a joke. We should profile if there's a security risk.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think, sometimes, people have to have something to be angry about, and they have chosen this. And I would rather be safe.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROWLANDS: It's amazing, Brooke. A lot of people came to us and said that they think the TSA should profile at airports, saying that, you know, frisking that old woman in the wheelchair is -- is ridiculous and a waste of time.
BALDWIN: Hmm.
ROWLANDS: It's amazing how many people actually articulated those feelings to us.
Bottom line, health care nobody has held up a line here. And a lot of people are on guard for it. People -- everybody coming in, oh, have you seen any of the scanner problems?
(LAUGHTER)
ROWLANDS: So, people are -- are looking for it, but we haven't seen any evidence here at SFO -- at SFO or in L.A. BALDWIN: Well, hopefully, given all the hype --
(LAUGHTER)
BALDWIN: -- we're glad to know everything is fairly smooth sailing today. And I think the other big day, I know we -- we will all be watching is Friday. Ted Rowlands, we will check back in with you a little later.
ROWLANDS: Yes.
(CROSSTALK)
BALDWIN: Meantime --
ROWLANDS: Well --
(CROSSTALK)
BALDWIN: Yes, go ahead. Go ahead.
ROWLANDS: Oh, OK.
You say hype. One of the other things we're getting is the media is hyping this too much, which, you know --
BALDWIN: Yes.
ROWLANDS: -- may be so. Maybe so, we are guilty of it. But we didn't know what to expect. Quite frankly, we thought there were going to be some delays because of this. It just hasn't been the case.
BALDWIN: Look, we were listening to people. People were frustrated. There was a lot of outrage.
(LAUGHTER)
BALDWIN: And there were a lot of talk of protests. So, we covered it, but at least today, so far --
ROWLANDS: Yes.
BALDWIN: -- knocking on glass, smooth sailing, at least where you are and a couple of other spots around the country.
Ted, thank you.
Now to Jacqui Jeras --
ROWLANDS: You bet.
BALDWIN: -- with a little bit of what's going on.
I guess, Jacqui, what, air, roads, and a lot of people -- I know we're putting so much attention on today, right, but it's also Friday that is a huge travel day as well.
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Absolutely, and Saturday and Sunday.
BALDWIN: Yes.
JERAS: You know, pick your day, and there's definitely going to be issues because of volume. And that's actually what's going on right now in New York City.
You know, you take a look Central Park and you can see Manhattan. It's beautiful out there.
BALDWIN: Beautiful.
JERAS: Yes, 51 degrees, the winds a little gusty, about 21 miles per hour.
But we have got a lot of volume, a lot of people trying to get in and out, so we have got a lot of airport delays as a result of that.
Let's go ahead and take a look at those delays that we have all across the U.S. At Teterboro, we have departure delays, over an hour now. So this has been really picking up in the last few hours. There's La Guardia. We got ground delays of 35 minutes.
That's for people taking off from other cities and trying to get into La Guardia. Newark, same story. Washington, D.C., this is Reagan National, 45 minutes. And notice here those delays are on the increase, unfortunately. And then White Plains, we're looking at about 30 minutes, and only 10 minutes there in Calgary.
All right, what's happening on the roadways? Let's go ahead and take a over here the U-Touch screen. And we are looking at Traffic.com. This is a really great Web site. You can enter your city and find out what the congestion is.
Well, in Chicago right now, we have been seeing some rain, as well as spotty freezing rain and sleet. We have got a big accident right now on the Eisenhower Expressway at 64-North. And so one lane is blocked here, and there's also law enforcement, as well as a tow truck, on the scene. So be aware, we're getting these spotty reports of accidents now across the Chicagoland area.
But the airport, at least at this time, is doing OK. We are going to check in on Des Moines, where they have also had some freezing rain, unfortunately, lots of accident here.
BALDWIN: Hmm.
JERAS: And our affiliate KCCI is now reporting that one person was killed on I-35 as a result of that. There you can see those slick roads that they have been experiencing throughout that area as well.
Want to take a look. We have been talking a lot about airport security. I found this great Web site on TSA. They have their own blog now and they have been giving us updates periodically throughout the day. And, remember, this is not necessarily the public. This is TSA telling you what they have been experiencing.
And some of the delays that we have seen have been good, no opt- outs. Following the pat-down, one passenger made a comment here. The highest wait time was 12 minutes there. No problems.
One of the other things I saw, by the way, which I thought was really funny, Brooke --
BALDWIN: What?
JERAS: .. is that the TSA agent reported that the wait line to get a coffee --
(LAUGHTER)
BALDWIN: Oh.
JERAS: -- was longer than it was throughout security. So --
BALDWIN: The wait line to get coffee is longer than the wait to go through security?
JERAS: Yes.
You know, we have been checking on Twitter.
BALDWIN: Hey, we will take it.
JERAS: People are saying good stuff. Yes, it's --
BALDWIN: We will take it.
JERAS: -- great.
BALDWIN: Maybe all this talk, people were prepared, people are rolling through.
Jacqui Jeras --
JERAS: Maybe they are.
BALDWIN: -- thank you.
JERAS: Sure.
BALDWIN: And, look, obviously, there's a lot of attention today, you know, on the airports, but many of you are hitting the highways. Some of you may be texting, talking while driving.
But one woman says that has to stop. She is spending the holiday -- she is spending her Thanksgiving without her mother because of a distracted driver. She's going to join me live, willing to share her story. That is ahead. Plus, a U.S. aircraft carrier making its way to the Korean Peninsula right now for joint exercises with South Korea. But is the U.S. also sending a message to North Korea in the wake of the recent shelling?
That story is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: Well, here's a couple of stories that are moving right now.
South Korea on highest military alert, North Korea claiming to be on the brink of war, the United States standing between them, urging restraint on both sides, but sending an aircraft carrier to the Yellow Sea today. This is one day since that deadly exchange of artillery fire across the maritime border killing four South Koreans, two troops, two civilians. North Korea blames the South for starting it.
Stay with CNN. We have a crew there, and we will get the latest from the ground in a matter of minutes.
And, oh, the airports, they are insane today with travelers.
(LAUGHTER)
BALDWIN: Millions of Americans traveling last minute to get to their Thanksgiving Day destinations. And here is something the TSA has been keeping an eye out for, really all day long, large numbers of passengers refusing to enter the full-body scan machines.
Have you had to do this? It was a nationwide resistance movement proposed by people angry about the new ramped-up travel security measures, but guess what? You've heard it. So far, all major airports reporting a smooth flow of passengers, no security incidents, and -- wait for it -- even people complimenting the TSA and behaving quite pleasantly. Maybe it's something about the holiday season.
And take a look at this woman. This is Margaret Witt. She's a nurse. She's a major in the U.S. Air Force, and she is a lesbian. The last part of that sentence got her kicked out of the service back in 2006. Well, today, official word that, after a long legal battle, Margaret Witt will be reinstated in the military. A federal judge ruled that Witt's sexual orientation does not impact military morale or cohesion.
The government is appealing that ruling. And in related news today, the Senate Armed Services Committee announced two days of hearings late next week into the Pentagon's don't ask, don't tell policy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: You have my blessing.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Ah, the blessing. Keeping with Thanksgiving holiday tradition, the president pardoned two turkeys today. Did you hear their names? You will just have to wait for it.
Also, these birds now get to live out their lives in Mount Vernon, you know, George Washington's old -- his old digs? Not too bad, instead of winding up on your dinner plates.
That and your breaking "Political Ticker," that is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: Welcome back to the CNN NEWSROOM on this day before Thanksgiving.
You know, look, a lot of us, we're thankful for our family, thankful for friends, thankful, if you're one of the lucky few, for a few days off. It's pretty good, for starters.
And speaking of holiday sentiment, some of the folks in our political world have much to be thankful for as well in the year 2010.
And for that, we turn to one of our top guys, Paul Steinhauser, our deputy political director.
And, Paul, let's begin with a name many of us know, Sarah Palin.
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Yes, I think, Brooke, it's fair to say she has got a couple of things to be thankful for.
Let's start with the Tea Party movement, that nearly two-year-old movement which has become a real player, not only in the Republican primaries this year, but also the general election. It's probably going to be a big player in the next race for the White House.
Well, I think it's pretty obvious that a lot of the Tea Party activists are big fans of Sarah Palin. Remember, she gave the keynote address at that first Tea Party Convention earlier this year.
Another thing for her to be thankful for, us, I guess, the media. She is everywhere on the media. You name the station, you name the network, you name the -- the outlet, she is there. And -- and, just recently, as she's talked about, you know, the possibility the running for the White House, she's been everywhere as well. Take a taste.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SARAH PALIN (R), FORMER ALASKA GOVERNOR: -- to be made. So, it would be prayerful consideration and then getting a good lay of the landscape, too, the political landscape, because I would be in it to win it. If there are others out there willing to do that and make the sacrifices, I will support them. If there's nobody else, I would do it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARBARA WALTERS, ABC NEWS: If you ran for president, could you beat Barack Obama? If you ran for president, could you beat Barack Obama?
PALIN: I believe so.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STEINHAUSER: OK. So, if we're talking for the next race for the White House, and if Palin decides to run, that's another thing for her to be thankful for, because all the early polls right now, Brooke, indicate there is no front-runner at this very, very early part -- point in the battle for the Republican presidential nomination.
So, three things Sarah Palin can be thankful for.
BALDWIN: OK. So, the former Alaskan governor very thankful, but what about, Paul, the TSA? I mean, I guess, 24 hours ago, we would have thought, no way they have a lot to be thankful for, with a lot of outraged passengers, but, today, fairly smooth sailing, we just heard.
STEINHAUSER: Yes, it seems that way.
And you're the. The TSA and those new screening procedures have been the top story, it seems, the last couple weeks here in the United States. They do have a couple of things to be thankful for, though. It sounds surprising, but they do.
(LAUGHTER)
STEINHAUSER: One of them is automobiles, I guess.
Check this out. According to government statistics, people who are traveling a long distance for the holiday, about seven out of 10 -- or, actually, no -- I'm sorry -- 91 percent are going to be traveling by car.
BALDWIN: Wow.
STEINHAUSER: So, that's only about 9 percent that are going to be traveling by rail or air. So, they have got that to be thankful for.
Here's another thing. Let's talk specifically about frequent air travelers. A new poll by Gallup, it indicates that 71 percent of people say they support those enhanced screening procedures. So, there you go. I guess that's something to be thankful for. And -- well, let's just be serious here. The holiday Thanksgiving travel season is going to be over in a few days, and there's nothing, I guess, down the road until Christmas, and then way down the road until summer. So, I guess the TSA, they're going to get a breather in a couple days, Brooke.
BALDWIN: A breather for just a second, and then they have to deal with Christmas.
And then, also, Paul, I'm sure you were glued to your TV set, as I'm sure our entire team was, the big pardoning of the turkeys this morning, the president. We saw his daughters. I think it was hilarious. The two turkeys, I think they were Apple and Cider.
But -- but the president obviously has a little bit to be thankful for as well.
STEINHAUSER: Yes, some people --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Here's the moment. There's the turkeys.
(CROSSTALK)
STEINHAUSER: There -- oh, good, there it is. Look at that.
I love it.
BALDWIN: Gobble, gobble.
STEINHAUSER: A tradition every year at the White House, no doubt about it.
And, you know, Brooke, people are saying, well, what does the president have to be thankful for? Boy, as he said, even, he got a shellacking in those midterm elections. But it could have been worse. And that's the number-one thing. Remember, the Democrats did control -- keep control of the Senate. So, it could have been worse in the midterm elections, the number-one thing, I guess, for the president to be thankful for.
Another thing that the president can be thankful for, and that is the economy. And let's talk about General Motors. Remember, that is one of the -- the auto bailouts last were a big controversial thing. And the president -- well, look at GM now, a new stock out there, and the company seems to be on the rebound.
Take a listen to the president talking about the automotive industry yesterday in Indiana.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) OBAMA: For the first time in over a decade, Americans are buying a larger share of Chryslers, Fords and GM cars and a smaller share of their foreign counterparts --
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
OBAMA: -- for the first time.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
OBAMA: -- in a decade.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STEINHAUSER: Applause there for the president on that. You don't hear a lot of applause for the president, it seems, and when it comes to the economy and what he's done, not a lot of love for the bailouts.
BALDWIN: Hmm.
STEINHAUSER: -- not a lot of love for the stimulus, but, at least, on GM, it looks like he may -- may have a winner.
And then, finally, one other thing the president can be thankful for, his reelection. 2012, Brooke -- things are tough right now, no doubt about it, for the president and for the Democratic Party, but 2012 is a long, long, long way away. So, I guess he has got that to be thankful for.
BALDWIN: Hmm.
STEINHAUSER: Things change pretty quickly here in politics, Brooke.
BALDWIN: That, they do, Paul Steinhauser.
Hey, have a great Thanksgiving.
STEINHAUSER: You, too. Thank you.
BALDWIN: Thank you.
Now this. Look at these pictures. These are students in London furious today, taking to the streets in protest. Over what, you ask? Find out ahead.
And the West gets socked with heavy snow just in time for Thanksgiving travel. That doesn't look so fun, does it? Or maybe it does. We have gone through the best pictures. Check them out after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: Let's talk weather, shall we?
I know some of you love the snow. I don't know about these folks. I don't know if they're loving it, driving through this stuff. A lot of people hitting the roads or catching a flight, some of them hitting some rough spots, very much so rough going.
This is I-80. It runs through Nevada. And overnight there, truckers were reporting zero visibility, not so fun, deep snow, stranded vehicles.
And CNN is your holiday travel headquarters.
And I want to get over to Bonnie Schneider.
The big story is still the West.
BONNIE SCHNEIDER, CNN METEOROLOGIST: That's right, the West, plenty of snow there, Brooke. And a lot of that is sliding east.
And where it's too warm for snow, we're getting some freezing rain and we are also seeing some heavy downpours of rain, particularly to the south, on into Kentucky.
I want to show you what it's been looking like, because it may not be winter. It may still be November, but we're just seeing lots of snow in many places. Check out these pictures. This is Washington State. Wow, completely covered in white today, and it's cold there, too.
(CROSSTALK)
SCHNEIDER: Really unusual to see snow so early in the season.
And we're going to move on to Oregon now, where -- that's right -- the scars are spinning out. This is the worst. I -- this -- I hate when this happens.
BALDWIN: Look at this. This is where I'm going tomorrow, P.S.
(LAUGHTER)
SCHNEIDER: Oh, no. Oh, boy.
(LAUGHTER)
SCHNEIDER: All right. Make sure you have snow tires on there.
BALDWIN: Yes.
SCHNEIDER: The -- at least the sun is shining. That will help melt it a bit.
All right, now, here's what's happening in Utah. You can see some pictures from earlier in the week, when there was blizzard conditions, so you can see the snow kind of moving sideways. That's the problem in many locations. We are looking at strong winds in the northern tier of the country, right here, into places like northern Minnesota, into the Dakotas, Montana. And that's why we have winter weather advisories for blowing snow, drifting snow. That will change, the snow piling up, and it will move it around later tonight, especially when the sun sets and we get even worse visibility.
So, these winter weather advisories will persist there as well. The big picture for today is windy weather out to the west. And, also, to the east, you know, you have had some airport delays in the Newark area and New York City due to strong winds, even though the weather isn't so bad.
For those of you that are heading to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for tomorrow, you are going to see some OK weather. There will be a chance of showers out there. But, if you're heading west and you're looking for snow, you will find it here in Colorado.
BALDWIN: Yes.
SCHNEIDER: We still have the blizzard advisories there, about a foot of snow by the time we get to midnight. So, you will be shoveling out, or skiing, if you like that sort of thing for Thanksgiving.
BALDWIN: I talked to a buddy today in Seattle, told me there are 15 snowplows in the whole city, he said.
SCHNEIDER: Oh, boy.
BALDWIN: Not enough.
SCHNEIDER: No.
BALDWIN: Not enough at all.
Bonnie, thank you. We will check in with, most definitely, a little later.
SCHNEIDER: Sure.
BALDWIN: Question for you: Are we possibly headed to a showdown between the two Koreas? You see that? That is a U.S. aircraft carrier. It is on its way to the region right now. We are going to get a first look at what Koreans are saying in an update from the ground next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: After North Korea's artillery attack, the 100 rounds of fire back and forth on the South Korean island, the threat of war is very, very real. This has the entire region on edge. In response we're hearing from President Obama and his South Korean counterpart. They have both agreed to hold more joint military exercises. In fact President Obama specifically strongly condemning yesterday's attacks. But it was comments from South Korea's president turning heads now. During a visit to headquarters in Seoul here's what he told reporters. He said, quote "I think enormous retaliation is going to be necessary to make North Korea incapable of provoking us again," end quote. Very strong words.
Now, CNN's Stan Grant visited a port in South Korea and it's there that he found some people that were evacuated from the island that was just attacked. Here he is with an update on the situation there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STAN GRANT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They survived a deadly attack on the island, now plunged into the middle of a media frenzy, hundreds of evacuees pouring on to the port at Inchon. The young, the old, the frail, some carried on stretchers to waiting ambulances. All share a similar tale of terror.
"It's a mess", this woman said. "There's nothing left. All of the stores blown up, glass shattered. All of it disappeared in no time."
Some had seen their homes destroyed, lost their possessions as North Korea rained down shells on to Yeonpyeong Island. South Korea returned fire. Buildings ablaze, smoke billowing into the sky. For some, the island can never truly be home again.
GRANT (on camera): Do you feel that you want to go back to your island? Would you feel safe on your island again?
GRANT (voice-over): "A large number of villagers are thinking of leaving Yeonpyeong island. This experience was too shocking, too threatening."
GRANT (on camera): Do you think this has taken the tension between the two countries to a new level, that relations are worse?
GRANT (voice-over): "I think this situation is at its extreme. In reality what we experienced was much graver than what you see on TV."
The South Korean military is on full alert, President Lee Myung- bak threatening a quote "enormous retaliation." Next week it will hold joint military exercises with the United States, a show of military might designed to send a warning to Pyongyang.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (via translator): The fact that they have indiscriminately fired upon a defenseless civilian zone was a brutally inhumane action, an illegal and intentional action against the armistice between the north and South Korea.
GRANT: North Korea also ratcheting up the rhetoric warning of a merciless military confrontation. South Korea leaving no doubt how serious this situation is, talking of wartime aid being shipped to those left stranded and without electricity on the island. GRANT (on camera): This is different to past provocations. This is different to past flash points on the Korean peninsula. Now we are seeing an attack on South Korean soil and these people, civilians, caught in the cross fire.
Stan Grant, CNN, Inchon, South Korea.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BALDWIN: So here's how the U.S. comes into this very much so immediately. As Stan mentioned in the piece, the Pentagon has dispatched this aircraft carrier strike group to the yellow sea. And sending this entire strike group, this is an enormous show of force.
In fact, I want to break this strike group down for you. It is led by five main ships including the aircraft carrier -- this is the USS George Washington. The George Washington carries 75 warplanes. It also carries a crew of more than 6,000. Keep in mind that number.
In addition to the more than 28,000 troops. In fact it's exactly 28,500 already in South Korea. The aircraft carrier will then join South Korean naval forces in the waters just west of the Korean peninsula, and it will conduct air defense surface warfare readiness training.
Remember in the past China has pressed Washington not to do this, not to sends aircraft carriers to the sea. Obviously, this is a story that we will stay on.
A lot of us have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving especially thankful for our families. But one woman is missing her mother. Hear her tragic story and why she is speaking out. There she is. She says safe driving starts with you. That is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: Here's something I didn't realize until just this afternoon. Did you know that driving and talking on the phone is really a lot like driving drunk? It is true.
Listen to this. A University of Utah study found talking on the phone delays a driver's reactions the same as over the limit alcohol does. Did you realize that? I'm not even talking about talking and texting. I'm just talking, talking on the phone. Folks, this is a matter of life and death.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAURIE HEVIER, MOM KILLED BY DISTRACTED DRIVER: It's just not about numbers. It's not when you hear there's been an accident or fatality on 494, use a different route. It means somebody received a phone call saying, "I'm sorry, there's been an accident. Your loved one didn't make it."
(END VIDEO CLIP) BALDWIN: She received a phone call. The woman you just saw is a grief-stricken daughter. Last year Laurie Javier lost her mother Julie. She was hit and killed by a driver who was talking on the phone.
And the mother/daughter story part of the awareness campaign that the department of transportation is rolling out. Laurie is good enough to join me from St. Paul, Minnesota. Laurie This is the second Thanksgiving that someone very important to you won't be there at the dinner table, your mom.
I want you to take me back to April 15th, 2009. What happened?
HEVIER: I was actually on my way to go pick up my daughter from day care and my phone rang and I picked it up. And I saw it was my mom's phone number. And I said, hello. And I hear my stepfather's voice. And he said, "Laurie, I'm sorry, there's been an accident. Your mom was killed."
BALDWIN: What happened?
HEVIER: She was on her way to go hiking with her best friend. They were walking alongside of the road. And she was struck from behind by a driver going 70 miles an hour. There was no attempt to brake or no skid marks. She was hit at 70 miles an hour just full on.
BALDWIN: Full on 70 miles an hour, and this person was on the phone, correct?
HEVIER: Actually, we don't know if she was on the phone or not. The police did check her records. The accident is recorded between 3:25 and 3:29 that afternoon and her cell phone records began at 3:26. She told police --
BALDWIN: Police connected the dots.
HEVIER: Yes, she told --
BALDWIN: Go ahead.
HEVIER: She told police that those calls began after impact.
BALDWIN: But we're not entirely sure.
HEVIER: But we don't know for sure, no.
BALDWIN: You find out your mom was killed by this young woman, a teenager, potentially on the phone, entirely preventable. So you get the news. Obviously you're horrified. At what point did that turn into fury? When were you outraged?
HEVIER: Pretty much after we got done with the funeral and I started researching the facts of distracted driving immediately. And when we talked to the investigative -- investigating officers and we found out that she was being charged with an inattentive driving ticket less than $175, that's when I couldn't believe that someone could not be looking at the road for almost nine seconds, kill somebody, and receive a traffic violation.
BALDWIN: Did the punishment fit the crime, $175 bucks, no jail time? Was that good enough?
HEVIER: No. No.
BALDWIN: What would you have liked to see? Why are you a part of this whole DOT rollout, this distracted driving campaign? What do you want to see changed, Laurie?
HEVIER: Well, I'd like -- first of all, I'd like to bring awareness. Like I said, I received the phone call about my mom while I was driving. I didn't realize how distracted -- driving is so dangerous and how it can take thousands of lives away each year.
I would like to make people aware of this and then change the laws so these truly aren't accidents. You make a decision when you get behind the wheel to drive your 4,000 to 5,000 pound vehicle or in the instance of commercial drivers larger that you are supposed to be safe and drive that vehicle from point "a" to point "b" and your focus should be on the road.
BALDWIN: Allow me just to play devil's advocate. People are taking to the road especially this week, right? They want to get to mom's house, dad's house, a lot of them driving with their cell phone. It takes two seconds to send that text. I'm on my way, getting on twitter. Convince someone why they should stop.
HEVIER: Two seconds is all it takes to end someone's life and forever alter other people. Believe me, you do not want to be in my shoes to get that phone call or be responsible for someone else's death.
There are stories that you will find on the government website, distraction.gov, of kids and other individuals who paid the ultimate price because they decided to make that one phone call or retrieve that text.
BALDWIN: Just don't do it. All it does is takes two seconds. Laura Hevier. I thank you for your courage in coming on to talk to me about this and about your mom today. Laurie, thank you.
HEVIER: Thank you.
BALDWIN: I want you to take a good, long look at this large raucous crowd. This is London. These are students angry over a government plan to triple their tuition. An update is next.
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BALDWIN: Have you seen these pictures that we've come across from both England and Scotland today? Are you wondering what in the world is going on? Talk about an ugly scene. Throngs of university students, this is not just central London, folks. This is in cities all across the U.K. today -- Manchester, Glasgow. They are mostly students and outraged at the government's plan to drastically raise the cap on university tuition. Take a look and I want you to listen to this crowd just a couple of hours ago before the sun went down.
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(SHOUTING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Now, here's a look at that same crowd. Let's switch it, bird's-eye view. There we go. London police managed to contain the crowd in an area near parliament. Protesters destroyed police vehicles. At one point one was rocking back and forth. I thought it was going to turn over. They set up fireworks and smashed storefront windows. There's the truck, didn't fall over. More than 60 were arrested there.
And black Friday. You black Friday shoppers a mere 48 hours away. Before you go shopping, which have companies are being naughty and which ones are being nice? "Consumer Reports" knows. Their senior editor Tod Marks is sharing their latest list with you so you can be a smart shopper come Friday. That is next.
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BALDWIN: Who's been naughty and who's been nice? No, no, I'm not talking about Santa's Christmas list. I'm talking about companies out there, the ones who give you the free shipping versus and other consumer-friendly perks versus those who just kind of don't. It is information you need to know before you hit the malls, go shopping.
I want to bring in Tod Marks with "Consumer Reports" who has, along with his colleagues, compiled this list of the naughty and nice companies. And Tod, before we reveal the list, and I want to get to that quickly. I want you to explain to me. This is the first time you've done this, how are you judging?
TOD MARKS, SENIOR EDITOR, "CONSUMER REPORTS": Well, again, it's not an evaluation of the company as a whole. It's just one aspect of their customer service policy that we either liked or didn't think to highly of. And just because we either really like or disliked one aspect of it doesn't say anything about the company as a whole.
But it was something that our in-house experts, kind of people who follow hotels and travel and --
BALDWIN: Sure.
MARKS: -- and electronics that stuff kind of had a sense for. And, you know, we know that people are going to be traveling and they're going to be shopping and returning and getting things shipped this time of year. So we wanted to point out things we liked and things we didn't.
BALDWIN: Tod, let's talk. Let's go naughty first. Who is acting naughty?
MARKS: Taking a look -- well, you know, if you want to look at the list, one of the things we really don't like are really high restocking fees. It's bad enough that, you know, if you want to return something and you've opened the box or something's missing, a pamphlet or packaging, you can pay usually 10 percent to 15 percent. But, you know, some companies like CompUSA can charge as much as 25 percent. We thought that was kind of a high thing.
And we pointed out when it comes to shipping, for example, we like when a company -- if they're going to charge for shipping in the first place, free is always better. But if they're going to charge, we like it based on the size and weight of the package rather than the dollar value of the order as Macy's does.
BALDWIN: What about Best Buy, I think that's a destination for a lot of people come black Friday. What's naughty about Best Buy?
MARKS: Well, just one of the things is, we like a very generous return policy. We have enough time or ample time to think about your purchase. When it comes to computers, digital cameras, monitors, and camcorders, they give you kind of a paltry 14 days. So that's something to think about, how long is the return period?
BALDWIN: Of all the ones who have been naughty, you have five that have been nice. And I'm glad to see -- not to give them a ringing endorsement, but I just bought shoes from Zappos. And I love how easy it is to get shoes. And if you don't like them, send them back.
MARKS: Hey, free shipping both ways, return and buy, and you can also print out a prepaid label, have UPS or another carrier come to your door and pick it up. It doesn't get any easier than that.
BALDWIN: What about Wal-Mart? What do you love about Wal-Mart?
MARKS: I like in an era where we have companies that are cracking down and not giving people returns or allowing you to get your money back if you don't have a receipt to make a return, Wal-Mart is allowing up to three such returns in a 45-day period, receipt-less returns where if it's under $25 you can get cash and where you can get a gift card or merchandise credit. That's kind of nice if, in fact, you don't spend a lot but want your cash back.
BALDWIN: What about Costco where you can get everything?
MARKS: Yes, the nice thing about Costco, and Sam's Club would fit the bill too, they'll take almost anything back for any reason at any time. And even with electronics where they've kind of cut back on -- used to be very, very liberal open-ended, they still give you 90 days to make that return. That's very generous in this era.
BALDWIN: So bottom line, whether they're a naughtier company or nice, those are all great companies with great products. Coming black Friday and beyond, read the fine print, right, Tod? MARKS: The devil is always in the details. And that's one thing this exercise is designed for. Make sure you understand policies before you commit to it.
BALDWIN: Tod Marks, thank you, sir. Good list, naughty and nice.
MARKS: My pleasure.
BALDWIN: Now to this, a bizarre murder mystery unfolding. Have you heard about this? This involves a Hollywood actor now accused of stabbing his mother to death with a samurai sword. Who are we talking about? A live report ahead.
BALDWIN: But first, a preview of the CNN Heroes special with Anderson Cooper airing tomorrow night 8:00 eastern. And guess who's on the guest list.
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BALDWIN: And welcome back to the newsroom. CNN has the latest political news with "The Best Political Team on Television," CNN = politics. And Ed Henry joins me from the White House which, Ed, is where Jerry Seinfeld has performed.
ED HENRY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: You're right, Brooke. We're reporting live from the White House every day. It's easy to take for granted what a big stage it is because you would think a huge star like Jerry Seinfeld performing a couple months ago here at the White House for a tribute for Paul McCartney, you'd think, well, it wouldn't be a big deal.
But Jerry Seinfeld was on "The Late Show" with David Letterman saying it was the coolest experience of his life. He said, quote, "It's the coolest thing I ever did." He said that Sir Paul kind of put him in his place when Seinfeld said "Why am I here?" Sir Paul said "Who else are we going to get?" So I guess McCartney was keeping him from getting a big head.
BALDWIN: Got a little bit of a sense of humor.
HENRY: That's a good thing. We all like that.
And the other thing to pay attention to is the kind of brewing civil war between the Palins and the Bushes. You'll remember on "LARRY KING LIVE" a few days back, Larry was talking to George H. W. Bush and his wife Barbara, the former first lady and asked about Sarah Palin.
And there were a couple digs that Barbara Bush got in there. First she said "I sat with her at a dinner and she's quite beautiful," didn't say she's smart or anything. And then said, look, "She's from Alaska, and I hope she stays in Alaska," a clear suggestion that she hopes she's never elected president.
Well, the former governor is firing back. She was on the Laura Ingraham radio show. Sarah Palin said, quote, "I don't think the majority of Americans want to put up with the blue bloods. With all due respect, because I love the Bushes, the blue bloods want to pick and choose their winners instead of allowing competition."
So it's starting to heat up a little bit between the Palins and Bushes. Keep an eye on that one.
Moving right along, in an unrelated story, a turkey story, the president of the United States today pardoning a couple of turkeys. It's an annual tradition we always have here at the White House. The turkeys as you've been noting are Apple and Cider.
It's interesting because Bill Maher weighed in this year on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, saying don't send these to Disneyworld. People think it's a fun thing, but in fact it's inhumane. They're paraded around. It's not the nice retirement these turkeys are expecting.
I've got news for everyone, they've not going to Disneyworld. They're already gone to Mt. Vernon. They had a big horse-drawn carriage bringing the turkeys in, literally, from the White House here. They're now going to be there -- Apple, I believe it is, is going to be on display, and Cider will be in the livestock facility.
They're not going to be carved up. I'm told by Mt. Vernon officials they're certified, treat them very humanely. Apple will be on display for a few weeks for Christmas at Mt. Vernon and then is going to a livestock facility, have a very nice retirement.
And do you know that last night, how good these turkeys are treated. They stayed at the W Hotel here, Brooke here in Washington.
BALDWIN: What? Are you serious?
HENRY: God's honest truth, they're staying in the W Hotel.
BALDWIN: There's like a waiting list to get to the W Hotel rooms.
HENRY: Look, I just want to -- normally, when I check in, they're all wearing black, and they all look really hip, and they got that music and everything. I wonder if the turkeys really enjoyed that kind of atmosphere.
BALDWIN: Oh, my goodness. Ed Henry --
HENRY: I'm told that the chef actually cooks for them, too.
BALDWIN: Cooks for them. We won't even go there.
HENRY: Yes.
BALDWIN: But Ed Henry with the latest on Apple and Cider. Good, big heartbreaking news for you out of the White House.
HENRY: Have a good Thanksgiving.
BALDWIN: Ed, don't work so hard.
Ed Henry, thank you.
We will get another political update for you in half-an-hour. You can get the latest political news. Go to CNNPolitics.com. And they're on Twitter at @PoliticalTicker.
