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Skirmish Spikes Korean Tension; Military-Style Thanksgiving; Last-Minute Turkey Advice; Where the Jobs Are: Williston, ND; Trending on the Internet; Stonework For the Soul
Aired November 25, 2010 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Hello again, everyone. I'm Tony Harris.
Top of the hour in the CNN NEWSROOM, where anything can happen.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
Here are some of the people behind today's top stories.
U.S. forces enjoy some of the comforts of home Thanksgiving- style. We have a holiday report from the front lines in Afghanistan.
They can't build houses fast enough in this boomtown in -- can you believe North Dakota? We will tell you what is driving the town's economic resurgence.
And the sweat and tears behind building our nation's great cathedrals. A stone mason shows us his craft.
You are online right now, we are, too.
Let's get started with our lead story.
North Korea, South Korea, they have been staring each other down since the fighting officially stopped there in the 1950s. And both countries claim they're ready to pounce on each other at any provocation.
Two days ago, artillery shells flew north and south into a skirmish that killed four South Koreans and made a hell of a lot of people nervous about security on the peninsula. The U.S. military getting involved directly. An aircraft carrier group is headed to the heart of that new tension.
And as messages of military might go, there is none stronger. Watch this report from our Pentagon correspondent, Chris Lawrence.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is powered by two nuclear reactors, armed with 75 fighter planes and surrounded by a small fleet of ships. And the USS George Washington is steaming towards Korea. On Sunday, more than 7,000 American sailors start defensive training with the South Korean navy, a show of force meant to deter the North.
ADM. MIKE MULLEN, CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: No, I don't think it will be the last exercise.
LAWRENCE: In an interview airing Sunday on CNN's "FAREED ZAKARIA GPS," the chairman of the Joint Chiefs calls North Korea's Kim Jong-il "dangerous" and "belligerent."
MULLEN: Certainly, he galvanizes everybody around, obviously, the potential that they could go to war with South Korea.
LAWRENCE: North and South Korea exchanged artillery fire for more than an hour Tuesday. The North shelled the populated island, killing two soldiers and two civilians.
VICTOR CHA, CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTL STUDIES: These are basically acts of war by the North.
LAWRENCE: South Korea lawmakers grilled their defense minister saying the military should have retaliated faster and harder.
CHA: The next provocation, there is no guarantee that the South will remain simply calm and not respond.
LAWRENCE: On Wednesday, U.S. officials sent a clear message to China. Use your power to restrain North Korea.
MULLEN: I believe for some time that probably the country that can influence North Korea the most is clearly China.
LAWRENCE: Victor Cha is a former White House adviser with the National Security Council. He says China is in a box when it comes to its ally.
CHA: They are both powerful and hostage to North Korea's belligerent actions.
LAWRENCE: Omnipotent, because they are the only ones feeding North Korea, giving them food and supplies. Impotent because China can't actually play its trump card. Cut off all aid, North Korea could collapse, sending millions of starving refugees over the Chinese border, but peace between North and South is not appealing either.
CHA: The idea of having a united, democratic, pro-American Korean Peninsula directly on China's border is just not seen as -- is just not seen as a positive thing for Chinese influence and interests.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LAWRENCE: It was just mentioned, the pressure on South Korea's defense minister. Well, he's just been fired. They had a plan to cut the size of their marine corps. That's now been completely scrapped, and now they're going to reinforce a lot of their ground troops on some of these islands. And probably most importantly, completely revise their rules of engagement to sort of raise the level of counterattack the next time this happens -- Tony.
HARRIS: Hey, Chris, take this on for us. What are the options for President Obama in dealing with this situation moving forward?
LAWRENCE: Range from bad to worse.
HARRIS: Yes.
LAWRENCE: You know, he could order a naval blockade of North Korea, but that really risks all-out war. And it would take tens of thousands of troops, jet fighters, ships in the area. If he agrees to talks with the North Koreans, it could seen like he's caving into the pressure. But if he doesn't talk to them, there's just no reason to believe that North Korea is going to stop these kind of attacks in the future.
HARRIS: Boy, that's a rock in a hard place.
All right. Our Chris Lawrence at the Pentagon for us.
Chris, good to see you. Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you.
Brand new concerns in the Gulf seven months after the oil started to spill. Authorities closing down some federal waters off Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Why? Because a commercial shrimper found tar balls in his net. Crews say they're just being careful, but some customers don't seem to be too concerned.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GARY GILBER, BUYING SEAFOOD: It's been our experience that these guys that sell these shrimp and this fresh seafood, they maintain the quality control. We have never worried about the quality of the oysters or the quality of the fresh seafood, the shrimp.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Engineers at Boeing makes changes to parts of the Dreamliner power system. The redesign was ordered after a fire on board caused a power failure during a test flight this month, forcing the crew to use backup systems to land the aircraft.
And Americans who are living hand to mouth getting fed in a big way this Thanksgiving Day. This is the 40th year the group Hosea feed the hungry and homeless, has fed Atlantans in need. They are dishing out turkey with all the fixings.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're just out here so that we can give back to community and do our share.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, it's amazing that relatively few people could feed 30,000 people. (END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: American soldiers a world away in Iraq and Afghanistan are getting a taste of Thanksgiving and sending their best to loved ones here at home.
First, though, our "Random Moment" in 60 seconds.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Kim Kardashian -- wow -- socialite, reality TV star, bathroom opener. Huh? Talk about random, Kim Kardashian helped Charmin -- yes, the folks that make toilet paper -- you make your own jokes here -- with the grand opening of their new restrooms in Times Square.
iReporter Joshua Estrin (ph) snapped these pictures of Kardashian as she received the key to unlock the Charmin bathrooms. We understand they are fully staffed and feature themed stalls with decor that correspond to the 50 states.
We certainly hope you are relieved as we are with our "Random Moment of the Day." Sorry.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: From here to Afghanistan, American troops mark the Thanksgiving holiday far from family and friends at home.
Nic Robertson reports from the front lines in Afghanistan.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's Thanksgiving. Soldiers far from home.
SPC. CHRISTINA COURTRIGHT, U.S. ARMY: I guess I like to say hi to my parents in Louisville, Kentucky.
PFC. JACOB HAWKINS, TASK FORCE 1-66: I would like to say hi to my parents and my little brother Ethan (ph) and Hanna (ph), of course my girlfriend, Heidi (ph). She's at school right now, but I want to say that I love them and I miss them.
ROBERTSON: Messages from Arghandab Valley in Kandahar, no easy assignment.
LT. COL. RODGER LEMONS, BATTALION CMDR., TASK FORCE 1-66: That's the helicopter landing zone right there. And literally, we had a rocket come within 50 meters and hit the aircraft.
ROBERTSON: Better now but dense orchards made a Taliban stronghold.
LEMONS: The first month we were here, typically, we saw about 50 attacks a week in the battalion's area of operation. That's everything from IEDs to direct fire engagements.
STAFF SGT. LIZABETH GARCIA, TASK FORCE 1-66: Yes, I want to say hi to my family. I want to say hi to my husband and to my two kids. My sister, everybody over there. I just want to say thank you for your prayers. We're doing well. It's kind of rough up here but we're making it.
ROBERTSON: Families will be missed but not the turkey. That's Garcia's responsibility.
GARCIA: It's going to be great. We're going to have four different eats. We're going to have turkey. We're going to have ham, shrimp.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: According to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So help me God.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So help me God.
(APPLAUSE)
ROBERTSON: Spirits raised, too. Awards for combat bravery. A soldier who saved a child. Three others who dove into freezing water to rescue injured buddies.
(on camera): The meaning of medal pinning ceremonies like this can't be underestimated. Morale is key to keeping troops motivated. This battalion has had six soldiers killed, eight have lost limbs. 48 Purple Hearts have been awarded for injuries during combat. One year, it almost had 30 percent casualties.
SPC. MATT GRAY, TASK FORCE 1-66: I'd like to say hello to my wife, Tabitha and my son, Hunter. See you soon.
SGT. MARTIN ELIZONDO, TASK FORCE 1-66: Mom, dad, my sister, Rachel, Carla. Just hope everything is well back home. And look forward to seeing you soon.
ROBERTSON (voice-over): They won't be home until July next year. Families missed, so, too, fallen comrades.
LEMONS: I think about that a lot. The sacrifices that the soldiers have made. And I always look for ways to make sure that we continue to move forward and we take the gains that we've made because of their sacrifices and make it just that much better.
ROBERTSON: Much to give thanks for, and much work still to do.
Nic Robertson, CNN, Arghandab Valley, Afghanistan.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: Let's take a look. Weather in parts of the country making the holiday travel a bit of a headache here.
We also -- oh, this is Idaho. Things are downright treacherous, as you can -- yikes -- as you can see.
Bonnie Schneider bringing us the complete weather picture in just a moment.
You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER REPORT)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Take a look at this live picture from -- is this a live picture? I don't want to misrepresent -- from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta.
Listen to the applause. I think I may have stepped on the applause.
Service personnel obviously coming home for the holidays. The USO does an amazing job here providing, on this day, a white glove Thanksgiving dinner for arriving and departing troops.
This is a wonderful scene at the airport, when the service personnel come up the escalator from the train system that gets you from your gate to baggage claim. There is usually someone from the USO there, and all kinds of people on hand to give the service personnel a round of applause, to make them feel welcome, and to thank them for their service. But on this day, Thanksgiving Day, a special Thanksgiving meal is available to those who have the time to partake.
Let's do this now -- let's take a look at some of the other top stories we're following for you.
(NEWSBREAK)
HARRIS: You know, we figured at this point in your cooking day some of you might need a little help turning all of those raw ingredients into a Thanksgiving feast, so we're bringing in a real pro to help with any last-minute issues you might be experiencing.
Kat Kinsman is back with us. She is the managing editor of Eatocracy at CNN.com.
Kat, good to see you again.
KAT KINSMAN, MANAGING EDITOR, EATOCRACY, CNN.COM: Good to see you.
HARRIS: So, let's say someone is running a bit short on time to cook that turkey. What now?
KINSMAN: I've got one word that's going to save you, and that word is "spachcock."
HARRIS: What is it again?
KINSMAN: It's fun to say -- it's -- spachcock.
HARRIS: OK.
KINSMAN: It's as much fun to do as it is to say. This is going to save you so much time, allow you a really juicy bird.
Basically, you take your turkey, you use poultry shears or a knife, and you cut the backbone out. You crack that bird open like a book, break the breastbone, and get just make sure you get some rub up under the skin, some butter --
HARRIS: I got you.
KINSMAN: -- some absolute lusciousness. It cuts down on the cooking time. You can get a really crispy skin.
You know, you're not going to have that moment of walking in with a big bird, ooh, ah! But you're going to take that back to the kitchen anyway. This way, ,everybody gets nice, juicy turkey, and you get to say "spachcock."
HARRIS: I'm sure that's word that will get me in trouble somewhere.
How do you keep that turkey from drying out? And I know this is a question that a lot of folks have.
KINSMAN: Right. Gravy is your very best friend.
Now, if you're really lucky, you had some time to put your turkey in a brine, or something like that -- you know, if dinner is a little bit late today, you can still brine it for maybe an hour or two. That's a gallon of water, a half a cup of salt, a half a cup of sugar, whatever spices you want.
Stick it in a bag or in a plastic container with your bird. Then make sure you dry it off, and then you're good to go.
At this point, I would go with a dry brine. You mix some brown sugar, some salt, some seasoning, some pepper. And again, you know, mix that little bit of olive oil, get up under the skin and over the top of the skin. Baste that turkey like crazy, and blast it with some heat, and, you know, tent it as needed.
But, say your bird is already dried out. I wouldn't pre-slice it and put it back into the oven. Slice as needed. And then turkey stock, chicken stock, whatever you have on hand, and some gravy are going to be your very best friends.
HARRIS: You must be getting a lot of questions about how to generally deal with family. KINSMAN: Yes, indeed, in which case, you know, a therapist told me at one point, magic bubble, magic bubble, magic bubble. That it's all going to be over at some point, you just sort of create a lovely -- a wall of peace and comfort around yourself.
Again, as we said earlier, you know, don't be the one who causes the fuss. Erring on the side of politeness is always -- just be graceful. Be graceful as possible, even if somebody is shouting at you, making horrible jokes, criticizing your haircut, your life choices, whatever it is. Keep calm and carry on, and this day will over soon.
HARRIS: It's Eatocracy --
KINSMAN: Cocktails help, too.
HARRIS: -- and then that extra that you give us.
Kat, that is terrific. And what is the word of the day? What is it?
KINSMAN: Spachcock.
HARRIS: Yes. I'm sure there are several places on the planet, several countries where, if I said that word, I would be arrested.
Kat, good to see you. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
KINSMAN: A pleasure to see you. You, too.
HARRIS: You can find more on Kat's Thanksgiving musings or advice by heading to Eatocracy.CNN.com.
So, on this Thanksgiving Day, what's the word on the street?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What sound does a turkey make?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm not going to make a turkey sound.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: "Gobble, gobble."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I never felt like it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: "Gawk!"
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: "Gobble, gobble."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It probably says, "Help, don't kill me."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Tiger Woods says he is a different man. A year after the auto accident that led to really the crashing of his personal life, the normally private golfer is going public.
CNN's Richard Roth reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Tiger Woods, once the best golfer in the world, hasn't won a tournament since the accident a year ago. But now he's trying to win more public support on the anniversary of his life imploding on a global scale.
He has written an introspective column in "Newsweek" saying he is not the same man he was a year ago. Woods has also opened a Twitter account and appeared on a sports talk radio program, actions very un- Tiger-like when he was at his prime.
VOICE OF TIGER WOODS, PROFESSIONAL GOLFER: I think it's about time that I kind of basically made a connection to the fans who have been absolutely incredible to me over the past year. I have gone through some pretty rough times, and pretty low moments, but I just want to say thank you to them and basically reconnect with them.
ROBERT TUCHMAN, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, PREMIERE GLOBAL SPORTS: It's planned. It's obviously extremely, you know, thought out. And he wants that image. He's not a public guy, but he is trying to change that image.
ROTH: Tiger's image still hangs above the amateurs at the New York Golf Shop. One fan remembered an encounter with the old Tiger.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I went up and said, "Hey, Tiger, can I please get an autograph or a photo or something, and he did even not look me in the face. He just kind of turned over. The bodyguard came to me and was like, "Hey, buddy, you've got to go."
ROTH: Woods' public apology in February after allegations that he was unfaithful to his wife was more directed at friends.
WOODS: I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior I engaged in.
ROTH: Wooing back fans may be harder. Woods is credited with attracting millions of viewers to watch golf, even those who didn't like the sport.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just lost respect for him, so I don't care about him at all anymore.
ROTH (on camera): Or golf?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Or golf.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I still like Tiger Woods no matter what. I'm not going the say nothing negative about Tiger Woods, because I don't like judging people.
ROTH: Would you like to reconnect with Tiger Woods?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I really don't care for him. So I don't want to reconnect with him.
ROTH (voice-over): Analysts estimate Woods' admitted mistakes cost him hundreds of millions of dollars in sponsorship money.
TUCHMAN: He has to start wining again. You know, his image has been shattered.
ROTH: Tiger Woods now writes that he can never repair the damage he's done, especially to his family, but he vows to keep trying. How many people keep watching may be based more on his success on the greens.
Richard Roth, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: And up next, we'll take you to a place where the jobs outnumber the people, even in this economy.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: So, you say that you are looking for a job? Here is story for you. Kate Bolduan reporting now from Williston, North Dakota, where there are more jobs than people to fill them, and there's also another shortage, in homes.
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tony, they have a unique problem up here in Williston, North Dakota. Many would not even call it a problem, but more jobs than they know what to do with, but that's created a crisis you would not expect.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BOLDUAN (voice-over): Welcome to Boomtown, USA. Population, 17,500. Help wanted signs, 2,000 to 3,000.
MAYOR WARD KOESER, WILLISTON, NORTH DAKOTA: Williston is in a unique situation where we have less than 2 percent unemployment.
BOLDUAN (on camera): That's amazing.
KOESER: I know it is.
BOLDUAN (voice-over): Great news, right? Well, there is this -- the town now faces a serious housing crisis. Hotels, houses, apartments, all full forcing many like Galen Booth to live in campers.
GALEN BOOTH, PLUMBER: It is something you have never seen before when you come on the drive out here, on the drive home, there are places like this all over. The whole town all the streets, it's just -- it's crazy.
BOLDUAN: Booth has been living here for six weeks with three other men while working on one of the new hotels going up in Williston.
BOOTH: It is not as bad as a person would think. It takes a little adjusting to get used to, but it is not horrible.
KENNETH LEONG, OIL WORKER: I have my sleeping bag, my pillow.
BOLDUAN: We found Kenneth Leong sleeping in his car outside of a big box retail store. From Rapid City, South Dakota, he is in search of a better job than he had back home.
(on camera): How much more are you going to be making than what you were back there?
LEONG: Ten dollars.
BOLDUAN: That makes a difference?
LEONG: Big difference; offsets the fuel, and offsets the extra effort, I think it's well worth it.
BOLDUAN (voice-over): Williston Mayor Ward Koeser says that they just can't build housing fast enough.
KOESER: They come here and they find a job usually within a day. It is not a problem to find a job, but then they have trouble finding a place to live. And so that's what we find happening here is that we have builders who are coming and building homes and apartments and places for people to live.
BOLDUAN: It is all thanks to oil. New technologies have led to huge oil discoveries in western North Dakota, and oil companies say they are just getting started.
LANCE LANGFORD, EXECUTIVE V.P., OPERATIONS, BRIGHAM EXPLORATION CO.: This is the one unique oil find in the United States that we have had in a long, long time. We have just scratched the surface, and that is not just for us, that is for the entire industry.
BOLDUAN: With no other option, companies like Halliburton are now building their own man-camps to offer their employees somewhere to stay. This one is made of shipping containers.
TRAVIS KELLEY, PROJECT MANAGER, TARGET LOGISTICS: We will put this building up to house 158 people in 90 days. So it is quick construction.
BOLDUAN (on camera): And that's the point?
KELLY: That is the point.
BOLDUAN (voice-over): Although a long-term solution may still be a couple of years away, Mayor Koeser knows that he is facing a crisis other small town officials only wish they had.
(on camera): Do you like the idea of being called Boomtown, USA? KOESER: Well, there is good and bad. It sounds exciting. Obviously, those who have ever been in one know there are challenges that come with this, and we are dealing with those on the city level, but I would rather have a boom than a bust.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BOLDUAN: City officials fear, with the rest of the country in dire straits, people will do anything for work, and the weather here is about to shift from cold to deadly. The mayor knows the housing crisis is not about to be solved any time soon, so he says, please come, but wait until spring -- Tony.
HARRIS: All right, Kate. Appreciate it, thank you.
Brooke Anderson telling us about the big movies opening up, but first, a special message.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STAFF SGT. EVAN LAWSON, U.S. AIR FORCE: I'm Staff Sergeant Evan Lawson from United States Air Force, stationed in Kabul, Afghanistan. Just want say -- give a shout out to my parents, Bill and Peggy Lawson, in Milton, Florida. Have a happy holidays. See you soon.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Taking a look at "Top Stories" now.
North Korea is warning that it will launch more attacks if provoked. Today's message comes two days after the deadly shelling of a South Korean island.
Boeing is making changes to the electrical system of the new 787 Dreamliner, this after a fire on board caused a power failure in a test flight earlier this month.
And New Yorkers bundled up and headed out for the Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It's been the traditional start of the holiday season in New York since 1924.
Hollywood looks to Thanksgiving as a potential blockbuster weekend for movie openings, a lot of big names hitting the big screens. Brooke Anderson, host of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" joining me from Los Angeles.
Brooke, good to see you and happy Thanksgiving.
BROOKE ANDERSON, HOST, HLN's "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT": Right back at you, Tony, and in terms of movies, there is something for everybody at the theater this weekend.
For the kids, Disney has got a new princess film. It's called "Tangled" and it is getting really positive reviews. You remember Rapunzel stuck in that tower with her long hair. Well, she finally lets it down, Tony, for a bandit passing by and now she must venture into the outside world for the first time.
Up next, for those interested in a love story, you have Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal. They are teaming up for "Love and Other Drugs."
And finally, of course, for the adrenaline junkies ready to burn off some turkey and stuffing with a racing heart, the film "Faster" has guns, knives, bug cars, chase scenes, revenge, and -- well, Tony, you get the idea.
HARRIS: Hey, Brooke, I understand that you and A.J. Hammer have a huge red carpet special airing tonight just ahead of the "CNN HEROES TRIBUTE." If you would, take a moment here and tell us about it.
ANDERSON: We certainly do. It's a really exciting night, Tony. And A.J. Hammer and I will be on the CNN heroes red carpet with a star-studded pre-show for the heroes tribute.
John legend is one of the amazing performers for the "CNN HEROES" and we spoke to him. He actually really praised this year's honorees for their work and for inspiring others.
Listen to what he told us.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN LEGEND, ENTERTAINER: Well, what we are honoring today is people doing it locally in their own communities and making a huge difference. I always tell people all around the world when I speak to them that they can do that. They can volunteer, they can tutor, they can contribute in some way. And it doesn't even take a lot of money, you know, just find the time to give back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: So, watch a special edition of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" at CNN Heroes hosted by A.J. Hammer and me. It'll be tonight at 7:00 p.m. Eastern on CNN and on HLN.
Then, of course, "CNN HEROES: AN ALL-STAR TRIBUTE" airs on CNN starting at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. And, Tony, that is safe for the whole family and rated "e" for everyone.
HARRIS: Well done, Brooke. I can't wait to see it tonight and see you on the program and into red carpet.
And what are you wearing on the red carpet? Everyone wants to know.
ANDERSON: Well, a black cocktail dress number. Thank you, Tony. Good to see you, happy turkey day.
HARRIS: Love it. Love it. Love it. All right, want information on everything breaking in entertainment? Well, you know where to go. Brooke's got it for you this evening and every evening. "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" at 5:00 and 11:00 on HLN.
And you're in the kitchen cooking, online, watching CNN, of course -- got a lot going on, right? We're checking on what you're clicking on, that's just ahead.
But first, another special message.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SPC. CHRISTINE LEE-GREEN, U.S. ARMY: Specialist Christine Lee- Green from Baghdad, Iraq, wishing my grandmother, sister and father, happy holidays. Love you!
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Astonishing news from a man who got to see North Korea's new nuclear facility. Professor Siegfried Hecker was a guest on CNN's "PARKER/SPITZER", listen as he explains what he saw.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PROF. SIEGFRIED HECKER, LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL INSTITUTE: They pointed me in the direction of two observation windows, which looked down over a high bay area. And when I looked down at what I saw at the high bay area, my jaw must have just dropped, you know, several inches.
And that is, I saw hundreds and hundreds of clean, modern-looking centrifuges lined up in doubles in three rows across this facility. And eventually, we were told that actually what they had in this high bay area was 2,000 centrifuges.
So instead of seeing, you know, perhaps a few dozen old centrifuges, I saw 2,000 modern centrifuges plumbed up and apparently ready to go. And they claimed that they were operating at the time, but that's too difficult to know when you're separated and insulated nationally (ph), in essence, from the facility itself.
KATHLEEN PARKER, CO-HOST, "PARKER/SPITZER": So what -- were you looking at a power plant or a weapons factory?
HECKER: So they built this in order to supply the fuel for a new light water reactor, an experimental one that they're building. And so, that story hangs together in the fact that this facility's size, just large enough, the 2,000 centrifuges, would make enough reactor fuel to fuel that small experimental reactor, once they get it constructed and operating.
So, from that standpoint, that's quite justifiable and makes sense. Again, they problem comes from the fact of the dual-use nature of those facilities. So at that facility, if reconfigured, then could make, you know, perhaps enough fuel for one or two bombs a year. Or if a facility just like that is built someplace else and duplicated, then you could use this facility, make reactor fuel, use another facility to make bomb fuel. That's the concern.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Let's do this. Let's fire up the tower cams here. You're looking at live pictures from the White House right now where the first family is celebrating the holiday. The president gave his weekly address today to wish Americans a happy Thanksgiving, and he called on bipartisan cooperation on addressing major issues facing the country.
And Thanksgiving, San Francisco style. There's the San Francisco treat for you. Live pictures from this terrific town, right. Just north of there, lots of Californians are skiing for the holiday weekend. They've got a great base of fresh new pow-pow in the Sierras.
The National Dog Show welcomes six new breeds to its contest today. Can you name them?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: OK. Take a look. Here are six breeds being introduced at the National Dog Show today. Boykin Spaniel, Leonberger, Cane Corso, Icelandic Sheepdog, Bluetick Coonhound -- really -- and Redbone Coonhound. Really?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: If you are clicking on it, posting about it, Sandra Endo is track it for us. Here's what's trending right now online.
Sandy, good to see you. Tell us about this story that I know is hot now. Three boys, presumed lost at sea, actually found alive after 50 days?
SANDRA ENDO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, pretty amazing. This is a big story and it just started trending on CNN.com a few hours ago. And what we're talking about here is three boys missing for 50 days at sea, were found alive near Fiji. Now, they went missing in October after a sporting event and New Zealand air force officials tried several search missions, they came up empty and the boys, ages 15 and 14, and two of them were 15, they were presumed dead and there was even a memorial service held for them where 500 people showed up.
Well, yesterday afternoon, a tuna fishing boat saw an aluminum boat out at sea and the boys were then rescued. Now they all survived by slowly eating a raw seagull and some rainwater. And, as you know, that's freshwater, so that's good for you. Officials say don't drink the sea water, that will dehydrate you even more if you're stranded. But they were more than 800 miles from where they went missing. So good news to report this Thanksgiving.
HARRIS: That is a terrific story.
Not such a great story for Tiger Woods, if we're looking back a year ago today, huh? ENDO: Yes, because today marks the anniversary and it was a year ago today when golfer Tiger Woods didn't make it too far out of the house, if you remember.
HARRIS: Right.
ENDO: Yes, a car crash in his driveway last year led to the revelation of an explosive sex scandal with reports of multiple extramarital affairs. And we all know what's happened since then. Professionally, though, the world's best golfer has not won a tournament in all of 2010. So hopefully maybe next year will be a little better for him, Tony.
HARRIS: Yes, and the PGA Tour starting to negotiate a new contract with the networks that coverage PGA golf and they really need Tiger Woods playing and playing well.
Sandy, great to see you. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
ENDO: You too. Thanks a lot, Tony.
HARRIS: And see you tomorrow.
Amazing all-star performances tonight at the CNN Heroes Thanksgiving event. Like Bon Jovi. Here's a sneak peek.
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HARRIS: Just another reminder to watch tonight's CNN Heroes, an all-star gala at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
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HARRIS: Most of us appreciate the grandeur of cathedrals. One of America's most grand, the National Cathedral in Washington. Here is a look at it from the point of view of head stone mason Joe Alonso.
This is a story from CNN.com's Sacred Spaces series.
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JOE ALONSO, WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL STONE MASON: Yes, I'll be working and I'll be looking at all this above me, all this incredible architecture and think, wow, I can't believe I'm up here working on this magnificent building.
My name is Joseph Alonso and I'm the head stone mason at the Washington National Cathedral. I've been here since 1985. And when I came here, we were still constructing the west towers. Just being part of the crew that actually constructed the building was an amazing experience. You know, stone masons don't lay this kind of stone anymore. The type of stonework that we do, these large massive blocks of stone being laid in the same manner as the medieval cathedrals.
A massive masonry building like this that has so much stone, there's -- one of the big maintenance items to maintain the stonework on this building is the mortar joints between the stones. The mortar gets old, it get deteriorated, it crumbles. So we'll get up on areas that need it and we will chip out any of the old mortar that is not holding up well. We chip out the mortar joints like this.
You know, we're still doing stone work on the cathedral. We're adding different elements to the building. We add sculpture to the building. We build niches in the walls.
Well, we are now standing above the vaulting where beneath this structure, this is the stone ceiling, the vaulted ceiling that you see when you're in the main knave (INAUDIBLE) of the cathedral. So I'm walking over the ribs and right here I am standing on top of one of the boss stones. The boss stones in the vaulting are, well, they're like the keystones of an arch.
But what you see here are the flying buttresses that are supporting the south side of the knave of the cathedral. The flying buttresses are, of course, a very important part of gothic construction. They are carrying the thrust and the load from the huge vaulted ceiling that we saw inside.
I met my wife here. She worked here for a while. So, you know, I think back on, you know, coming to work here, how this place changed my life.
There's a lot of me in this building. I have blood and sweat literally between these stones. So, yes, it is a big part of me.
You think of what the services and the sermons and the preaching and the events that these walls have witnessed, you know, funerals of presidents, Martin Luther King preached his last Sunday sermon from the pulpit here in the cathedral.
I see it as the ultimate expression of the trade of a mason. You know, I'm not the most spiritual person in the world, but, you know, it does hit me on that level, too, that it means so much, you know, to this nation and to the people who come here and worship.
All religions are welcomed here. They have all sorts of different interfaith services. As messed up as things are in the world today with all of this going on, I mean it is nice to see that this cathedral is open to people of all faiths and beliefs. You don't even have to be a believer, I mean, and you're welcome here.
We have created this sacred space for people, some feel the need to come in and be in touch with God and their spiritual side. I will be rushing along and doing my work and every now and then I will see a person who is definitely moved by this space, and I think, oh, yes, this is a church.
And people come in here and are moved by it. That is why we built it. I'm still in awe. I'm in awe of this building every day I'm in it, because I appreciate what it took to build it and how it affects the people who are in it.
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HARRIS: And you can watch more stories like this about faith, religion and spirituality online at CNN.com/belief.
