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Pilots Video Blasts Airport Security; TSA Terror Warning
Aired December 24, 2010 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Here are some of the stories that have us talking at the top of the hour.
Alfalfa sprouts blamed for a salmonella outbreak in 15 states now and the District of Columbia. At least, 89 people have gotten sick, so far. Almost a quarter of those people had to be hospitalized.
And have you heard about this? More than 500 measurable earthquakes in Arkansas just since late September. Scientists are looking for the cause.
And this is the scene this Christmas Eve in Bethlehem where Christmas believed Jesus was born -- where Christians rather believe that Jesus Christ was born. Tens of thousands of people flooding into that town for the celebration of religion and history.
It's Christmas Eve, a time for family, friends, and a lot of holiday frenzy. Some last-minute travelers heading to the airport and discovering one more hurdle at the checkpoints. If you drink your coffee on the go, well, you're going to want to hear this. Lines are also forming for last-minute shoppers. In fact, 23 million people are racing the clock and eyes on the skies around much of the country, some unlikely areas bracing for the possibility of a White Christmas.
But first, YouTube viewers got a narrated tour of potential security flaws at San Francisco's airport courtesy of an airline pilot and his cell phone video, but now that whistleblower is in big trouble with the TSA. The pilot argues his case by comparing the security checkpoints you and I go through to the one for the ground crew.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, folks, I just wanted to give you an idea of what type of security for the ground personnel there is. This is their screen. As you can see, there's only a card slide and one door. So, when you see a cart -- those carts aren't screened at all.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, CNN national security contributor, Fran Townsend, live in D.C. and the pilot's attorney, Don Werno, join us live by phone from Santa Ana, California. Fran, I'm going (ph) to start with you. What do you think? Did this pilot compromise national security by doing this? FRANCES TOWNSEND, CNN NATL. SECURITY CONTRIBUTOR: You know, Kyra, here's the problem with this. I mean, he's in a unique position to spot security flaws and vulnerabilities. And what you hope is he would take that information and give it to somebody who could fix it, if he was really concerned. But when you look at the video, what does he do? He's narrating it, and he's not talking to the government. He's, look, folks, look at this. So, he tapes it with the intention of disseminating it publicly. He does that.
And so, of course, not only do government officials now have access to this information, but so does al Qaeda and anybody else who's got access to the internet. And that's why I think you're seeing the government react so strongly.
PHILLIPS: Now, Don, you know, your client is not just a pilot. He's also a federal flight deck officer. This is a position along the lines of an air Marshall meaning that he can carry a gun in the cockpit. The TSA has taken away that gun and said it's reviewing the pilot's status in the program. The airline is still letting him work, however. What is your response, first of all, to what Fran has to say that your client made a terrible mistake here?
VOICE OF DON WERNO, PILOT'S ATTORNEY: Well, I'd have to disagree with Fran. I think it's a myopic view to suggest that something that was shown by the pilot on a video wouldn't be (INAUDIBLE)
PHILLIPS: Did we lose you, Don? All right. We'll try and get -- we'll try and get connected to him again. Fran, sorry about that. We will see if we can get him back on. I'll let you, obviously, respond some more with him. But you pointed out that this -- I mean, basically, now that he has put this -- he's back. All right. Don, can you hear me OK?
WERNO: I can hear you fine.
PHILLIPS: OK. We had a little issue with the cell phone there. You disagree, obviously, with Fran. Why?
WERNO: Well, I think that what Fran fails to see is that the information that the pilot showed on the videotape can be seen by literally every passenger in every cabin of an aircraft once they're on the tarmac, not to mention tens of thousands of ground crew workers in our ports throughout the world. I don't think there's any real mystery here from al Qaeda or any terrorist standpoint. The issue is that the government isn't addressing a major security problem, which is that ground crews don't get the same level of security screening that passengers do.
I mean, pilots are already in the cockpits of the aircraft. If they wanted to sabotage the aircraft as an Egypt air pilot did several years ago, that wouldn't be an issue. You know, the issue is that mechanics, baggage handlers and other people have unfettered access to the entire aircraft and can go places that no one would ever see. I mean, for example, there were ground crews that were arrested in Puerto Rico just a couple months ago smuggling tons of marijuana and cocaine. If you can smuggle marijuana and cocaine, you can plant something destructive on an aircraft without any problem.
PHILLIPS: And, Fran, you know we've covered, obviously, a number of these stories. We've done investigative reports on all the loopholes from cargo to ground crew to measures being different from airport to airport. I mean, there are definitely loopholes, and there's definitely issues with the TSA. So, how do you respond to that? Because this -- whether you - obviously, you disagree with what he did by putting this online and showing where the loopholes are, which could be a threat to national security. We still have some major gaps in our airports when it comes to security.
TOWNSEND: That's exactly right, Kyra. And it's ground crews. We continue to have challenges as we saw on cargo, when we saw those computer cartridges filled with explosives in the supply chain. So, I don't, for a moment, mean to suggest that there aren't problems. You are absolutely right. These things need to be addressed. You know, you need better background and personnel screening for ground crews and all airport workers.
You know, the same thing applies, Frankly, whether you're talking about the ground crew and mechanics or you're talking about people who work concessions inside airports. I mean, all of this needs to be tightened and strengthened. But it doesn't give one individual the right to then go out and put us all at greater risk because he's frustrated. He's inside a system that he has an obligation to both protect and try to help strengthen.
PHILLIPS: Don, what's the situation with your client now? He's still able to fly with his airlines. Are you comfortable revealing who he flies for?
WERNO: Well, at this point, given TSA's reaction, which is to punish him, he doesn't feel comfortable going public. But, you know, the good news is (INAUDIBLE)
PHILLIPS: Don, we've got some bad static. Are you still with me? All right. No. We apologize. We lost touch there with Don Werno. He's representing this pilot that released this video. OK, Don, maybe I can try and get you not to move. I think if you are doing any shifting. Go ahead and start again with your response, please.
WERNO: OK. Thank you, and my apologies. The pilot, unfortunately, given TSA's reaction to this which is to punish him for bringing this issue to light, you know, is not comfortable at this point coming forward. Hopefully, he'll be able to do that in the future. But the good news is that we've started a national dialogue where we have members of Congress now telling TSA to quit giving the pilot a hard time and to fix the problem.
You know, the issue is we do not have a safe zone within the airport for ground crews to operate. We're not looking in that security threat. And so, now, we have people focusing TSA's attention on a major issue, which hopefully, will be fixed along with other issues that may exist.
PHILLIPS: Don Weno, Fran Townsened, got to leave it there. Thank you both. Really appreciate it.
If you're boarding a flight this holiday, you're going to want to know about this latest terror concern. Transportation Security Administration wants air travelers to avoid carrying those insulated beverage containers. That means the things like thermoses and plastic coffee mugs. TSA says that terrorists could actually try to hide explosives inside the thick walls of those containers. If you're carrying one through a security check point, be prepared for little extra scrutiny.
And if you're not traveling, you may be racing the clock to try and scoop up some last-minute gifts. In fact, some 23 million Americans are expected to hit the stores today. Sandra Endo is among the crowd. She's actually at the mall in Atlanta just actually in the suburb out there in Norcross, and it looks like it's getting busier, Sandy.
SANDRA ENDO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, absolutely, Kyra. All the procrastinators are coming out. The stores are open. You can see the parking lot is full. We're seeing cars circling and circling looking for those parking spots. And the National Retail Federation is saying that this holiday shopping season is, in fact, better than they anticipated and that's because, Kyra, a lot of stores like this old navy are putting up sales and deals, luring people to come in to buy.
And this store in particular was open around the clock. They opened at 7:00 a.m. yesterday until 7:00 p.m. today for all those last-minute stragglers. And we spoke to one couple who came as early as 6:00 in the morning to tackle that shopping list.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARL DAVIS, LAST-MINUTE SHOPPER: We heard ad on the radio that they were open at midnight. So, we just came in to see if we can get a deal. We finished up with most of our Christmas shopping. We spun the wheel and got $15 off, so it worked out pretty good.
RAYNA BOYD, LAST-MINUTE SHOPPER: It's pretty ridiculous at the malls, but here it wasn't that bad. Many people (INAUDIBLE) pretty easy to get in, get out, and get in. Probably (ph) get Christmas shopping done. I'd do this than fight the crowd any day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ENDO: Well, if you're going to come out and fight the crowd, there are some deals to be had, but a lot of people are starting to come, so start your shopping earlier. And Kyra, last time we spoke, you made fun of this $5 T-shirt I got because it wasn't warm enough. So, now, I got this originally priced $30 Microfleece Hoody only for $10. So, this will keep you a little warmer.
PHILLIPS: So, for 15 bucks, I can have the T-shirt and the sweat shirt and then I'm all good? ENDO: Yes. It's all about the layering. There you go.
PHILLIPS: Got you. Sandra Endo, thanks.
Well, rain, floods, mud slides. Talk about a rough week for Southern California. Still soggy after a string of storms. And this morning, it's time to mop up. And Laguna Beach furniture actually floated down the street. Woods buckled in the homes. It's definitely time to take stock of all the damage. Rob Marciano tracking it for us. Hi, Rob.
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Got another storm coming in.
PHILLIPS: I know, and I'm heading that way to go home.
MARCIANO: This will be a quick one.
PHILLIPS: More reason to be by the fire, be inside, and have bonding time with the family.
MARCIANO: Exactly, but help mom and dad clean up because I know they got a mess in backyard first. All right. We got a bit of a system that's going to rolling through the California Coast. This is like any other winter storm would be for the West Coast. So, don't compare it to last week. But, you know, you get a half inch of rainfall and that's not going to be good because you've got some hillsides that are definitely on the brink. So, we'll get through that storm and then back to a somewhat dry period.
We're seeing some snow and some pretty good bursts of snow from parts of Eastern Iowa, getting into Northern Illinois. You could see a couple of inches of snow out of this, out of Chicago. Winter storm warnings are up for places like Cedar Rapids which could see upwards of seven inches or so. How about that? Not too bad. St. Louis back through Louisville, you could see an inch, two inches, maybe as much as four inches out of the system.
And then, all the way farther down to the south, it turns to rain but it could mix in with snow in places like Nashville and eventually towards Atlanta as the cold air wraps in behind this system come Christmas and Christmas night. We could be talking about some unusual weather. These are your forecast highs for today. Basically, temperatures are going to be about where they should be for this time of year. As far as what we're looking at, let's talk about the forecast for tomorrow. Here you go.
You know what, we even put the bells and whistles on for you. This storm is going to get into the Gulf of Mexico or at least tap some moisture and ride up the eastern seaboard. As it does that, we're going to wrap around some snow, so just a little bit in Atlanta potentially, mostly tomorrow night into early Sunday morning. And then depending on the track of this thing, the northeast could get clobbered with a bunch of snow Sunday into Monday.
But if it goes the way we think it's going to go which is just skimming the coastline, then we're just talking about the eastern parts of New England getting the brunt of this winter storm. So, we'll keep an eye on that and your winter travels. So far, so good as far as delays here in the U.S. but in Europe, they're still having problems with winter weather. If you're traveling over to France or Germany or northern Europe, call ahead -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Thanks, Rob.
MARCIANO: You bet.
PHILLIPS: Well, rants, raves, break-ups, shapeups, an evening gown that looks like it came from Sam the butcher. Looking at the top ten entertainment stories of 2010.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS (voice-over): Ah, Pee-Wee Herman, curling his arms, front the back, rocking out the platform shoes, charming the patrons of the biker bar to the brassy notes of "tequila." how can we forget that moment?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS (voice-over): The man had his share of big adventures, shall we say. Whether you knew him from the silver screen or from his Saturday morning "Playhouse," the man in the red bowtie has a legion of faithful fans. And I've got good news for them. Pee-Wee is coming back to TV.
HBO filming the Broadway production of the Pee-Wee Herman Show reportedly planning to air the special sometime in 2011. That's 30 years after the cable network ran the original special that launched Paul Reubens' most iconic character. Pee-Wee Herman's return just the icing on the cake for a year full of entertainment intrigue. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
A.J. HAMMER, HOST, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT": I'm A.J. Hammer, host of "Showbiz Tonight" with the top ten entertainment stories of 2010.
HAMMER (voice-over): At 10, we have Michael Douglas's cancer battle. He was diagnosed with throat cancer and underwent eight weeks of radiation treatment. He told "People" magazine that he's feeling stronger every day, but he still got a long road ahead.
At number nine, shakeup on the set of "American Idol."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is "American Idol."
HAMMER: Jennifer Lopez is hoping to lessen the blow following the departure of original judge, Simon Cowell. Also gone is Ellen Degeneres and Kara Dioguardi. Aerosmith, Steven Tyler joins Lopez, and Randy Jackson, the last original judge left. Number eight, the late night wars got ugly. It was team Leno against team Coco, and it ended with Jay Leno leaving prime time to take back his seat on "The Tonight Show." Conan O'Brien who got squeezed out ended up with a $30 million payday and a new show on TBS.
CONAN O'BRIEN, HOST: That lasted longer than my last job.
(LAUGHTER)
HAMMER: Bristol Pailin's dancing success comes in at number seven.
BRISTOL PALIN, DAUGHTER OF SARAH PALIN: Yes. I'm very grateful for the people out there that did support us and voted for us and kept us through this whole time.
HAMMER: Now, some critics say her mother's political backers were stacking the vote during Bristol's run on "Dancing with the Stars." She ended up making the finale finishing third.
At number six, "Jersey Shore" conquers the world. Snooki and "The Situation" became everyone's guilty pleasure as their reality show captured our TV attention. "Newsweek" magazine even called them America's new icons.
HAMMER (on-camera): The top five entertainment stories of 2010 right after this.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: I'm A.J. Hammer. Now, back to the list of the top ten entertainment stories of 2010.
HAMMER (voice-over): Number five is the amazing number of high profile Hollywood break-ups. Sandra Bullock won an Oscar and got a divorce from hubby, Jesse James, after he confessed he cheated on her. Eva Longoria and her basketball player husband, Tony Parker, also split after reports he was trading intimate text messages with another woman. Also calling it quits, "People" magazine's sexiest man alive, Ryan Reynolds, and his bride of just two years, Scarlett Johansson.
At number four is Lindsay Lohan's wild ride.
LINDSAY LOHAN, ACTRESS: I'm not taking this as a joke. It's my life.
HAMMER: In between her missed court dates and inappropriate courtroom behavior, the fading starlet got sent to prison twice, though, the second time was just for 14 hours. She's hoping to make a comeback but has to finish a court-ordered rehab first.
Charlie Sheen's troubles and triumphs are number three on the list of the top entertainment stories of 2010. In August, he pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife, and in October, trashed his New York City hotel room where a porn star claimed he attacked her. But Sheen is still sitting pretty with a massive paycheck from his successful sitcom "Two and a Half Men."
Mel Gibson's relationship issues are number two. Girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva, filed a restraining order during their ugly break- up which was triggered after angry phone call rants against her were posted online. The voice sounds like Mel Gibson, but we still haven't verified that it actually was.
And the number one entertainment story of the year is Gaga.
(SINGING) Don't call my name don't call my name
HAMMER: Lady Gaga, that is. She was everywhere this year from speaking out against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to wearing a meat dress to MTV's Video Music Awards. Oh, yes, she also sold millions of albums around the world and got six Grammy nominations and more than a billion people watched her videos on YouTube.
HAMMER (on-camera): I'm A.J. Hammer and those are the top ten entertainment stories of 2010.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts has sickened 89 people in 15 states and the District of Columbia. We've been talking about this all morning. So now, CNN's senior medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen, is here to explain what we do and what the concern is. And this is not the first time. We've actually talked about this before.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right. I mean, people think salmonella, they think chicken, which is true. But salmonella can also go from animals to be on vegetation. So, we salmonella in cantaloupes and other things, and now, we're seeing it alfalfa sprouts. So, let's take a look at a map to see where this is happening just to give sort of a lay of the land.
These states have been affected by the outbreak. You can see the numbers. You can see Illinois is sort of the epicenter with 50 cases. And about 20 percent of these people have ended up in the hospital.
PHILLIPS: So, where did these people eat?
COHEN: You know what, many of them ate at a restaurant called Jimmy John's, not all of them, but many of them. The medical detective folks have done some work, and let's take a look at what they found. What they found is that they interviewed 46 people, and they asked, you know, where did you eat? Twenty-eight out of the 40 people interviewed had eaten at Jimmy John's which is a chain sandwich shop, and 25 out of those 28 had eaten sprouts. And so, that's where we're getting this information that links the outbreak to alfalfa sprouts. And it's interesting they can see when they look under the microscope, Kyra, they can see that it's all the same strain. They look at the sick people, they look at the strain. It's all the same strain which makes you think it's a single source. I mean, maybe there's a farm out there, who knows.
PHILLIPS: So, do we give up alfalfa sprouts?
COHEN: You know, we asked some doctors that, and they said, basically, it depends how risk averse you are. If there's someone who's got, let's say a compromised immune system, you may want to because, you know, you don't have to eat alfalfa sprouts. I mean, there's plenty --
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: And there are other healthy things.
COHEN: That's right. There are other healthy things you can eat. You know, if you're not that scared about this, you can keep eating them because when you think about it, many, many, many Americans eat alfalfa sprouts, right? I mean, that's a huge population of people, and we're seeing 90 illnesses. Now, there's probably more we don't know about, too. But certainly, it is possible to eat alfalfa sprouts and be fine. But it's also possible to just say, you know, it's in some alfalfa sprouts, I'm just going to give it up for a while. It's really kind of up to each individual.
PHILLIPS: Right. Good intel.
COHEN: OK.
PHILLIPS: Thanks, Elizabeth.
COHEN: Thanks.
PHILLIPS: Stand-up comedy, sure the hours are great, but it's one of the hardest jobs out there. And one comedian makes it even harder for himself bringing his act to people who need it most, places like jails and homeless shelters. His great story coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: 10:30 on the East Coast. 7:30 out west. Here are some of the stories that have us talking this morning.
Headed to the airport? Well, you got your traveler's mug with you, then you get ready for additional security screenings as well. Security agencies checking insulated drink containers like thermoses. There's concern that terrorists hide explosives in them now.
After week of getting pounded by rain, the shovels and mops out in California, but things won't stay dry for too long. Another storm could dump more rain on the state over the Christmas weekend. And a riot inside an Arizona prison has sent eight men to the hospital, all of them inmates. It erupted yesterday in the lunch room of the red Rock Correctional Facility in Eloy, Arizona. The prison is a private facility.
My next guest is no stranger to prison but not like you think. He's a comedian who's really making his mark. Two words most comedians fear as they as they crisscross the country from one club to another, tough crowd. To crack those tough crowds, some comics hit audiences with edgy comedy, crass, a bit blue.
Michael Jr. is what they call a clean comic. Nothing blue here. And Michael Jr., well, he chooses the tough crowd. In fact, he chooses the toughest crowds: jails, homeless shelters, because this clean comedian says he wants to bring a little laughter to those who really need it most.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL JR., COMEDIAN: Sometimes, you know, you got to laugh to keep from crying.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The last time I laughed was -- like really enjoyed the laugh like happy, probably about two years ago.
MICHAEL JR.: The show must go on. People still need to laugh. Some of these kids are away from their family. They haven't seen them. Their families don't want anything to do with them. It's probably been a long time since they've really been able to laugh.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I would like for all of you to give a big round of applause. Get up off your feet. As Michael Jr. comes to the stage.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, Michael Jr. is coming to our stage. Comedy is tough. A very tough business. The places you play -- why did you make it even tougher on yourself to do it this way, Michael?
MICHAEL JR.: Well, you know what? I was at a -- I was doing a show here in Los Angeles at a club, and I had a change of mindset right before I hit the stage. By the way, I don't completely tough audiences. There's a prison where they had just fed them some brussel sprouts. So, I was like, I'm not going there.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Talk about tough.
MICHAEL JR.: Yes.
So, what we did was I walk outside this club after having a really good show and all of these people are around me. They're happy, they're smiling, want autographs and they're talking to me and we're having a great time. And I look across the street and I saw a homeless guy. And this guy had the exact opposite look on his face than everyone who had just left my show. And I asked myself, I said, what about him? How can he get an opportunity to laugh? And then I was just -- it just sparked something in me. Something told me to go out and do this film.
And we just -- we hit some pretty hard places. Basically, the people told us, you know -- I interview these people in this film. They tell us why they can't laugh, and then we're able to see them break through. And the reward is so much bigger. I mean, to get a homeless person with HIV to get them to laugh is like -- it's indescribable.
PHILLIPS: No, I mean, you're so right. In these jails and these prisons, we're talking about the toughest guys here, you know, that are used to hiding their emotions. And so how do you get them to laugh?
MICHAEL JR.: First of all, you got to know that you're funny. Because I'm standing up there, and I know you saw the movie. I'm standing up there for a little while. And these cats in this prison are not laughing. I mean, they're sitting there like, "Yo, nothing funny up here. I take a shower three minutes a day. I have to watch my back. You want somebody to laugh? I'm tripping."
And I'm sitting there on stage and these cats are not budging. And I know I'm funny, but they're not laughing until the first guy cracks a smile. When the first guy cracks a smile, I'm like, "Oh, I got a little something." All of a sudden the next guy. The next thing you know, it's -- everybody is just up in arms, laughing. It was so rewarding, it's amazing.
That's just at the prison. We also did some abused children, which was really hard as well because I had to hear all these kids' stories because I directed the film as well. So, I heard all their stories, and then an hour or so later we're bringing them in with caregivers and doing comedy with them. It was some pretty hard stuff.
PHILLIPS: Since you're here, if you don't mind, let's step aside for a second. Since you're a comedian. You heard the prison riot story we talked about just about a moment ago in Arizona. They still don't know why the riot happened.
MICHAEL JR.: I'm going to say it's probably because they're in prison.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: He says with a deadpan --
MICHAEL JR.: They -- it's Christmastime. It's Christmastime. They're on the naughty list. People get angry around this time.
PHILLIPS: They do. They've had it, man. They know Santa Claus isn't coming.
MICHAEL JR.: That's it.
PHILLIPS: All right. Your CD called "Thou Shalt Laugh." Not everyone will see religion and comedy as concentric circles, but you do it seems and you found a place for faith in comedy.
MICHAEL JR.: Absolutely. Everybody needs to laugh. So, I get to perform at churches, I perform at the clubs and casinos. It's the same show wherever I go. I'm just really, really excited that God has given me the ability to make people laugh on any platform. I've done the late night TV shows, and now I get to perform pretty much anywhere. It's really cool.
So, now taking it to the prisons and the people who -- like the Bible said, comedy is like a medicine. I think we should take it to the people who are really sick as well. So, that's what we do.
PHILLIPS: And it's beautiful the mission that you do. We still have to leave folks with a laugh here. You do club dates. Here's a part where you're actually teasing one of the women in the crowd. This is great. Let's listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL JR.: Is that your whisper?
(LAUGHTER)
MICHAEL JR.: Because, listen, you messed up. Like you were in a whisper position but you didn't whisper. So, you're like this. "Are you going to pay for that?"
(LAUGHTER)
You forgot to bring the voice down. You had the position down perfectly. But the voice was still loud. Yes. Yes. It's okay. It's okay.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: You definitely exude a beautiful spirit. Michael Jr., I'm glad we got to connect.
MICHAEL JR.: I love what I do. Thank you so much.
PHILLIPS: I know you do. I hope you have a great Christmas, huh?
MICHAEL JR.: Thank you so much. And congratulations on the little babies. That's awesome.
PHILLIPS: Thank you.
MICHAEL JR.: Babies in the stomach.
PHILLIPS: Well, let me tell you what. It's hard to laugh at moments carrying twins, but I'm looking to you to make them laugh once they're born, Michael.
MICHAEL JR.: Yo, thank you. I got five -- I don't got five twins. That's weird. But I have five babies.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Michael Jr., you're a great man. Merry Christmas.
MICHAEL JR.: Thank you so much. You, too.
PHILLIPS: All right. Well, if this Christmas ham or turkey seems a little ho-hum this year, how about mixing it up a little bit? We have untraditional holiday recipes, courtesy of "Top Chef" contestant and Atlanta chef Tracy Bloom. No one is going to yawn through these meals, I promise you that, right, Trace?
(MUSIC PLAYING)
PHILLIPS: All right. Christmas ham, holiday turkey. Been there, done that. The seasonal staples are great. But if you're looking for a more modern take on the holiday menu, boy do we have recipes for you.
Tracy Bloom, executive chef at Ray's Killer Creek right here in the Atlanta area. You might recognize her, though, from "Top Chef." And she's cooking for us today.
All right. We have a lot to get to. How are we going to do this? Where shall we start?
TRACY BLOOM, "TOP CHEF" CONTESTANT: Let's first start with a nontraditional salad. It will be great for Christmas. It has a lot of color. It's going to be a shaved fennel salad.
PHILLIPS: You got it. Tell me what to hand to you.
BLOOM: You can and me the fennel.
PHILLIPS: Wait a minute. This is the fennel, right?
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Tracy, I need help, OK? I am not a great cook.
BLOOM: And this is about half of a bulb shaved. If you don't have a slicer, which you probably don't, you can slice the fennel really thin. And then you're going to reserve the fennel fronds to help garnish it.
PHILLIPS: OK, not yet. It's going to garnish.
BLOOM: A little bit of arugula.
PHILLIPS: Ooh, yes. OK.
BLOOM: This will add color, a little bit of spicy flavor. PHILLIPS: I see you have pomegranate over here, too.
BLOOM: Yes. Oranges will be great.
PHILLIPS: Oranges. OK.
BLOOM: Segmented oranges, about half an orange. A little bit of the juice.
PHILLIPS: I like the citrus, yes.
BLOOM: A few pomegranates.
PHILLIPS: Okay.
BLOOM: A little red onion.
PHILLIPS: Onion. All your ingredients, too, fresh. Where do you go to, farmers market --
BLOOM: You can go anywhere. Any grocery store is going to have all of this stuff.
PHILLIPS: OK.
BLOOM: Yes, great. Salt is great. A little fresh pepper.
PHILLIPS: I love pomegranate seeds.
BLOOM: This is easy to make at home, actually. It's just --
PHILLIPS: Is this the dressing?
BLOOM: It is the dressing.
PHILLIPS: OK. How'd you do that?
BLOOM: Yes. One lemon, just juice it. A little pomegranate seed, kind of smush them up a little bit. And olive oil, salt and pepper. If you have it, a little bit of champagne vinegar but it's not necessary.
PHILLIPS: Oh, my gosh, it smells so good and it's light! It's light. You've got the whole citrus -- it's not too heavy. It's not real creamy. That's good, right, especially if you're going to have a heavy meat?
BLOOM: Yes. It's a nice light salad. So if you're looking to be healthy and light this Christmas season, you don't have to feel bad about eating this. And it's going to be delicious. So --
PHILLIPS: So, do I need to mix my salad with my hands? Maybe that's my problem.
BLOOM: Yes!
PHILLIPS: The tongs are overrated.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Ooh, I like that. Can I sprinkle a few more pomegranate seeds on top?
BLOOM: Absolutely.
PHILLIPS; I think that's pretty. There's our salad. Now the main dish.
BLOOM: Ooh, you know what?
PHILLIPS: Ooh, yes? What did we forget?
BLOOM: Let's put a little cheese on here.
PHILLIPS: Ooh. What kind of cheese?
BLOOM: This is pecorino. You can use pecorino or parmesan. You can use a microplane if you have it, or just a peeler. Either way.
PHILLIPS: Fabulous.
BLOOM: That's it. It's beautiful and it will impress your friends and very easy to do.
PHILLIPS: Look how quick that was. That's amazing! All right. Now, forget the normal turkey or ham. Too easy, too boring. You whipped up --
BLOOM: We've got pork shanks. You can get pork shanks at any local grocery store. Your meat market. Real easy.
You can use a brine, which I think we might have included in the recipe, or you can just season them pretty heavy because you're going to braise them with salt and pepper. Then you want to sear these off and put them in a braising pot, kind of like this one we have here.
PHILLIPS: Braising pot is key, right? You don't want a cheap one. I've learned my lesson with that.
BLOOM: This is a really nice brazing pot, actually. This would be beautiful. If you have the opportunity to get one of these, get it. But really anything. If you have a baking pan or something, anything that's deep enough to cover it will work.
PHILLIPS: OK.
BLOOM: We made a little parsnip puree earlier. And basically, parsnips are similar to carrots and a little sweeter. They're seasonal. We peel them, cooked them in water. Just boil them and then pureed them and add a touch of cream. So that's -- it's good.
PHILLIPS: I had to taste it. Oh, my gosh, that's so good. Yummy. BLOOM: And then we have a finished pork shank in here.
PHILLIPS: OK. Oh, wow. How long did that take?
BLOOM: About four hours.
PHILLIPS: Four hours for the pork shank. Boom, right on top. Oh, my gosh, look how big that is.
BLOOM: Then you can finish this with --
PHILLIPS: Like King Henry VIII.
BLOOM: It is. This is a reduction of the juice that we actually -- we braise it --
PHILLIPS: That's not so easy, to do the reduction.
BLOOM: It is. It is easy.
PHILLIPS: It is?
BLOOM: This is basically -- once you sear off your shank, put it in here, you cut up some vegetables. You don't even have to caramelize it. Put some chicken stock. Water if you don't have it. A little bit of wine. Put it in the oven four hours. Take it out. The liquid that is left, put in a pan, reduce for about 30 minutes and then you have a beautiful sauce.
PHILLIPS: Oh, that is easier.
BLOOM: And we've also made a jam -
PHILLIPS: I was thinking it took like all afternoon. OK, good. What's in the jam?
BLOOM: The jam is actually an apricot/bacon jam, which we'll just put on top. It's sweet, savory.
PHILLIPS: Oh, it smells so good!
BLOOM: The bacon is actually homemade, which you don't have to use homemade bacon.
PHILLIPS: Because it kind of looks like pancetta.
BLOOM: It does. Very similar.
PHILLIPS: Homemade bacon?
BLOOM: Delicious.
PHILLIPS: Oh, my gosh!
BLOOM: A little bit of pea shoots or any microgreens you might have for color. And I always like to finish every dish with a little bit of finishing olive oil.
PHILLIPS: What do you think about olive oils? Is olive oil and olive oil, or do you like the Italian stuff? Are you picky about your olive oil?
BLOOM: Yes, absolutely.
PHILLIPS: You are. OK. What do you go for? Italian?
BLOOM: Absolutely. Italian olive oil.
PHILLIPS: Hands down.
BLOOM: Yes.
PHILLIPS: I love it. All right, for those in Georgia, folks that want to make the road trip because I tell you, this smells absolutely amazing. When can they come for dinner? Tonight?
BLOOM: Tonight. Come tonight, yes.
PHILLIPS: OK. Not a packed house yet? You sure you can get everybody in? I know you're busy.
BLOOM: If you ask for me, I'll make sure there's a table for you.
PHILLIPS: There you go. You want to give your name, your phone number, your Twitter, your blog, everything else?
(LAUGHTER)
BLOOM: Not right now.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: OK, great. All right. And we are going to have the recipes on our blog, CNN.com/kyra.
And Tracy, thank you so much. This was like doing the chef show with you.
BLOOM: Great.
PHILLIPS: Even better. Can I take some of this home?
BLOOM: Absolutely.
PHILLIPS: OK, fabulous! Thanks, Tracy. Merry Christmas.
BLOOM: Merry Christmas.
PHILLIPS: All right. Well, if you're home for the holidays, our theme is to take you across the country for inspiring family reunions that you won't want to miss. Maybe they'll want some of Tracy's recipes. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Home for the holidays. Today's theme "Cross Country," first stop, Salina, Kansas. Where family and friends of the 226 Engineer Company were ready to give their returning service members a memorable welcome home yesterday. The company home -- originally expected after they deployed. An entire year of building and improving base camps in Afghanistan.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STAFF SGT. CRAIG PACK, U.S. ARMY: It's been a long year. Everybody came home safe. That's what counts. Now we're home with our families.
ANITA PACK, WIFE: I wanted to run up there and grab him, but knew I would probably get in trouble if I did.
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You can't say enough about what a blessing it is to have all of them home, have all of our soldiers home safely and our families to be together this Christmas.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS; Here's a picture worth more than a thousand words. Sergeant John Smalley surprises his wife and family back home in Iowa, unexpectedly dropping in as they were taking a holiday photograph for him. The family thought his return trip back home was weeks away. Needless to say, wife Megan didn't have to unwrap the best gift she received.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MEAGAN SMALLEY, WIFE: Who is this guy up in front of me? And then I look closer, and it was my husband.
I don't even remember my Christmas presents from the past compared to this. The best Christmas present I could probably ask for.
ELISA WHALEY (ph), SOLDIER FATHER RETUNED HOME FOR HOLIDAYS: Daddy. Daddy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: And you're watching Elisa Whaley's (ph) dream come true. The second grader from Charlotte, North Carolina, wrote Santa that all she wanted for Christmas was for her dad to be home from Iraq just in time for the holiday.
But that's not all. Derek Whaley was also able to surprise his two other children at the school, a kindergartner and his oldest daughter in the fourth grade. Big guy and Uncle Sam making it happen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEREK WHALEY, U.S. ARMY MEDIC: This is one for the ages. I'll never forget it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Sadly, not everyone makes it home with that in mind, though. We honor the men and women in uniform who have given their lives in service for our country. And call it "Home and Away." And this morning, a very special holiday edition. Video postcards from the war's wounded to their battle buddies on the front lines.
CNN's Barbara Starr reports.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (dressed as Santa Claus): Thank you for your service. We really appreciate it.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Once and for all, all of you, thank you for your service. We really appreciate it.
BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Holiday time for the wounded. The hard work of getting better doesn't stop.
(on camera) How are you doing?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Doing real good. Holding up very well.
STARR: Marine Corps Corporal Anthony McDaniel stepped on an IED in Afghanistan, grievously wounded but still a smile and a holiday hello for his buddies.
CORPORAL ANTHONY MCDANIEL, U.S. MARINE CORPS: I'm here at Walter Reed doing my rehab, and I want to give a shout out to my unit and the 312, the whole 111 Battalion, my family back in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and my best friend, Bodine (ph), in San Diego. I just want to give you a shout out, and I love you guys. And I'll be seeing you soon.
STARR: A bond unbroken by distance.
LANCE CORPORAL CORY SZUCS, U.S. MARINE CORPS: Hi, I'm Lance Corporal Cory Szucs, United States Marine Corps, Combat Logistics Battalion 2. I just want to say hi to CLB 2 back in Afghanistan, especially Orango Man (ph). You saved my life. I love you. I can't wait to see you guys get back. Miss you all, and have a merry Christmas.
SGT. MARCUS HAYWARD, U.S. ARMY: Are you rolling? Cut. No, I'm being funny. My name is Sergeant Marcus Hayward, from 35th Military 5th Battalion, Fort Stewart, Georgia. I want to give a shout out to my boys over in Afghanistan fighting the war and to my one good boy over in Iraq -- well, two good boys over in Iraq, Sergeant Ford and Sergeant Turner. Keep doing your thing, and can't wait to get you guys home.
STARR: Army First Lieutenant Nicolas Massie says this Christmas, he's doing just fine.
1ST LIEUTENANT NICOLAS MASSIE, U.S. ARMY: You know, we're just all thankful to be back and to be alive, really.
SERGEANT JOHNNY JONES, U.S. MARINE CORP: My name is Sergeant Johnny Jones. I'm with 1st COD Company. I'd like to give a shout out to all the Marines and servicemen fighting over in Afghanistan and Iraq.
STARR: Marine Corps Sergeant Thomas Humphrey's unit has suffered one of the highest rates of casualties in the war. Morale and pride, he says, remains high.
SERGEANT THOMAS HUMPHREY, U.S. MARINE CORPS: I'm Sergeant Humphrey from the United States Marine Corps, and I just want to say merry Christmas to all my boys in Afghanistan. I think about you guys every day, and I'm praying for you.
STARR: Marine Corps Corporal Gabriel Martinez lost his legs in a blast attack the day after Thanksgiving.
CORPORAL GABRIEL MARTINEZ, U.S. MARINE CORPS: I just want to give the biggest shout-out to all my Marines out there serving in Afghanistan and 1st Combat Engine Battalion, 1st 10 Battalion (Ph). I wish I could be there with you guys, but I wish you the best of holidays, and, you know, Semper Fi. And I'm out here recovering, and I'll see you guys when you come home.
STARR: Sergeant Hayward says it's all about getting home for the holidays.
HAYWARD: I think everybody just wants to get out of here and go be around friends and family for holidays.
STARR: The journey back.
Barbara Starr, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Political ticker with a holiday twist, next in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: That's or Christmas? What the heck is that?
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: I don't get -- that's my toy? Not books! I don't get books for Christmas!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Watch out, Santa. This angry little lad apparently wasn't keen on some of the gifts that you left.
But we do know one person pretty happy with his wish list. That's President Obama. He's actually in Hawaii basking in the glow of some big legislative victories. CNN deputy political director Paul Steinhauser at the CNNpolitics.com desk.
So, why don't we begin with the president's holiday in paradise, shall we?
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: I think the president is a little happier than that little boy right now.
Some reporting from our Ed Henry who is out in Hawaii covering the president. The president will be spending an extra day out in Hawaii. Why? Because he had to stay right here in Washington. The first family left before he did. So, they're all coming back, sources tell our Ed Henry on January 2 rather than January 1st. Of course, Hawaii, where the president grew up and where traditionally spends the holiday.
Talking about the holiday, I guess you could say it was an early holiday gift for Rahm Emanuel, former White House chief of staff. Remember, he's back in Chicago now trying to run for mayor there. Polls suggest he's the frontrunner, but people said wait a minute. The law here in Chicago says you have to live in Chicago for a year before the election. And of course, Rahm was right here serving as White Hosue chief of staff.
But yesterday, the Chicago Board of Elections said, yes, Rahm's name can appear on the ballot. That is in February, but other people could still try to take this to court, so it may not be over.
And Kyra, I was watching "AMERICAN MORNING" earlier this morning, and you know what? They had the old leg lamp from "A Christmas Story." And I'm a big fan of "A Christmas Story," 24 hours, which you can see on TBS tonight. I wanted to show off our leg lamp right in D.C. We have got some holiday spirit right here, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. I cued something up just for you, my friend. Stay with me. The moment that Darren McGavin, A.K.A. the dad in "A Christmas Story," actually pulls the leg lamp out of the box. It's Christmas gold.
Can't wait for the 24-hour marathon to start. Here it is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know what this is? This is a lamp!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): It wasn't any old lamp.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Isn't that great? What a great lamp.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Now, that leg was a lot -- a lot longer and more sexy, shall we say, than your lamp, Paul?
STEINHAUSER: Mine is a little more modest but it is fra-gil-e and it is a major award, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Very impressive. Just don't lick the really cold telephone pole, OK?
STEINHAUSER: No problem.
PHILLIPS: Merry Christmas, Paul. Happy holidays.
(VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Ho, ho, ho, here he comes. NORAD tracking Santa's big track like it does every year. It's important for the sake of air space, you know. It's already Christmas Day on the other side of the International Dateline.
Now, the Santa tracker showing that the world's premier elf is working Austrailia right now. He's already hit Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Tony Harris. Merry Christmas, my friend.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Merry Christmas. I was listening to a little James Brown on the way in.
(LAUGHTER)
HARRIS: "Santa goes straight to the ghetto." And I just want Santa to travel safely and drop off those gifts to all those waiting boys and girls.
PHILLIPS: Santa goes to every single neighborhood. You know that, Tony. I love you. Merry Christmas.
HARRIS: Merry Christmas.
