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NBA Regular Season in Jeopardy; Protests to Move from Wall Street; GOP Candidate Debate in New Hampshire; 90 Lashes for Iranian Actress; Bank Fees Cause Backlash; Bank Fees Cause Backlash; Stocks Set to Fall; Earthquake Clues Found in Data; Wiggling Fingers in Protest
Aired October 11, 2011 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: And how do you say that in French, Ali?
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: See you guys tomorrow.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR, "AMERICAN MORNING": Au revois.
ALI VELSHI, CNN ANCHOR, "AMERICAN MORNING": Au revois. Exactly.
PHILLIPS: Boy. Well, the NBA season is rapidly disappearing, folks. The first two weeks of play canceled, the entire season could be lost. And that's a big bummer for fans. But it could mean even harder times for people who aren't rich players or owners.
Take San Antonio, for example. The Spurs are its only major pro sports team. Some 4,000 people depend on them for a living. People like ticket brokers, restaurant owners and car parkers. And then cities like Sacramento, Orlando, Memphis, Portland, Oklahoma City, Salt Lake City, the NBA is the only major pro sport in that town.
We're going to see the economic impact there for sure in those cities. So, let's talk more about this with Mike Pesca from NPR.
So, Mike, you know, it's a complicated money dispute, no doubt. What do you say is the main sticking point at 9:01 Eastern time on this Tuesday?
MIKE PESCA, NPR SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Money. Lots and lots of money. The players get 57 percent of all basketball related income, the owners get 43 percent. And the owners are saying that's just not a high enough percent for us to have this be a viable business. The owners are saying that 22 of the 30 teams actually don't make a profit. And so they're very much willing or at least they're publicly saying that they're willing to blow up this system.
Now NBA players are very well paid. The best in professional sports in the world. Their average salary is between $5 and $6 million. The NBA Players Association will point out, yes, but the median salary is between $2 and $3 million. And the problem there is when your clarification is that the median is only $2 or $3 million, you maybe don't have the most sympathetic stance that the public is going to rally behind.
PHILLIPS: Exactly. We're talking about millionaires, even billionaires, caught up in these scenarios. So this has got to be a PR nightmare, as well, for the NBA.
PESCA: Yes, it is, except that -- I've reported on a number of work stoppages and sports disputes over money, and the fans usually do come back. And I guess the Senate would say it's because they're suckers. But, really, I think it's just that the NBA is our entertainment. If it's there, you'll find it entertaining, why punish yourself by not going to an NBA game?
It's like there was a Hollywood strike for a while, but people aren't going to not watch movies. It's maybe not the most essential thing to the life of fans but if it's there, sometimes the commitment, all that is required of you, is that you'll watch a game on a national cable station and the Miami Heat's on, you're interested in them and so you watch. So why would you say --
PHILLIPS: All right.
PESCA: -- I'm never going to watch again.
PHILLIPS: Well, look, can the battle here be justified with ratings, with attendance? Is it that good to say, hey, I deserve millions and millions of bucks?
PESCA: Well, you know, the players definitely do deserve millions of bucks because they're generating millions of bucks for the owners. The question is, of course, how many millions? I mean this is a highly, highly profitable industry with very few workers.
You know, it's so different from the rest of the economy, as we know. There are very few strikes in America. Last year I think there were nine strikes in companies with over 1,000 workers. But here look at the NFL and look at the NBA, they're having work stoppages and they're unique because they're lockouts.
Because in those cases the owners were saying it's better financially for us to do nothing and not pay you than to have to keep paying these salaries. I mean that's at least their stated position. Who knows. You could do a lot of cooking the books and they could be making money in ways that don't show up on the balance sheet.
PHILLIPS: NPR's Mike Pesca. Mike, it's always great to wake up and listen to you as I'm driving into work. You gave us a great segment today.
PESCA: That's why I do it, Kyra.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Thanks, Mike.
PESCA: Bye. PHILLIPS: Well, in Boston the anti-Wall Street demonstrations that get pretty ugly. Crowds spill out of a park and just refused orders to return. Police tussle and arrest about 60 people here. Meanwhile back in New York, protesters there, well, they too are going to expand their reach today and march on the posh neighborhoods that house billionaires and CEOs, the very people they blame for corporate greed and corruption.
CNN's Kiran Khalid is with those protesters, joins us now by phone.
So, Kiran, you've been down there on Wall Street since the protests began. How has the atmosphere changed within the week?
KIRAN KHALID, CNN CORRESPONDENT (via phone): Well, Kyra, yes, I've been coming down here every couple of days since it started about three weeks ago and the way the support for this movement ebbs and flows. Right now I'm sitting in the park and I am surrounded by what looks like a sea of sleeping bags with people inside of them.
And I'm told that a recent headcount shows about 400 people spent the night in this relatively small park that encompasses a block of Manhattan. And upon arriving at the park, I saw a sign which is new today that said, "We're here, we're unclear, get used to it."
And yesterday was Columbus Day so the number of people down here grew a lot. Kanye West made an appearance, we're told. We saw Russell Simmons. Reverend Al Sharpton did his show live here.
So lots of celebrities and newsmakers as well coming in to take a look and support the cause that has been growing not just here in New York, but around the country, as you mentioned.
PHILLIPS: Well, as you follow those protests into the neighborhood of CEOs and big businessmen, you call into us, we'll follow those protests throughout the day.
Kiran, thanks.
All right, the Republican presidential candidate debate tonight and a lot has happened in the week since they last met.
Deputy political director Paul Steinhauser joining us now.
Paul, you say, four candidates have the most to gain or lose tonight. Lay it out for us.
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Yes, I think they do, Kyra. It's been 19 days since the last presidential debate, that was in Orlando, Florida. Tonight they meet again in Dartmouth College. Hanover, New Hampshire, of course, New Hampshire the first state to hold a primary in the battle for the GOP nomination.
All right, let's start with Rick Perry. He probably has -- well, he really needs a breakout performance, Kyra, because it was -- it was at that debate 19 days ago that he had a pretty uneven performance. Since then he's basically freefalling in the national and state polls. Rick Perry needs a big performance tonight.
Mitt Romney, he is now the frontrunner again. He was the frontrunner but then Perry -- took that from him. Now he's the frontrunner again in the national polls and most of the state polls. So when you're on top, they're going to gunning for you. Mitt Romney, expect that tonight.
Herman Cain, the former Godfather's Pizza CEO, he's been jumping in the polls the last couple of weeks and now he's number two in a lot of the national and state polls. So expect more scrutiny for Herman Cain and his 999 plan.
And finally Jon Huntsman, the former Utah governor, former U.S. ambassador to China. Why does he have a lot at stake? Because he's basically placing all his bets on New Hampshire. He's moved his campaign up there. He's spending all his time there. So for him he needs a breakout performance tonight at the debate in New Hampshire -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Paul, Paul, Paul, just when you thought he went away. Joe the plumber, who's not a plumber, by the way, back in the spotlight, I guess you could say.
STEINHAUSER: Yes, maybe he's going to become Joe the candidate for Congress. Maybe. OK. Let's re-rack three years ago. It was 2008, it was the fall of 2008, then Senator Obama was in Ohio campaigning for president when Joe the plumber whose real name is Samuel Wurzelbacher, he questioned Obama about his economic plans and proposals and whether they would work.
Well, John McCain, who was running against Obama immediately, immediately kind of embraced Joe the plumber. We heard about him in the debate, he was on the campaign trail with Palin and McCain.
All right. Back to present day. He announced yesterday he is thinking about running. He'll decide by the 25th of October whether he's going to run in Ohio for a seat held by the Democrats, but he did take steps yesterday to file papers.
Kyra, stay tuned. Maybe more to come on Joe the plumber.
PHILLIPS: Gosh. I'm so excited. Thanks, Paul.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Well, Mitt Romney seems pretty reluctant to talk directly about the prominent pastor who called the Mormon church a cult, but the other Mormon presidential candidate isn't holding back. Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman says voters should leave religion off the table calling the controversy a sideshow.
Listen to what he told our Wolf Blitzer about Pastor Robert Jeffress, a Rick Perry supporter.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) JON HUNTSMAN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The fact that, you know, some moron can stand up and make a comment like that, I -- you know, first of all, it's outrageous. Second of all, the fact that we are spending so much time discussing it makes it even worse.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, it begs the question, do Mormon candidates have an extra hurdle to clear in the eyes of voters? We asked Richard Land who heads the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: If it comes down to Obama and Romney, will evangelicals vote for Romney?
RICHARD LAND, PRESIDENT, ETHICS & RELIGIOUS LIBERTY COMMISSION: I think the vast majority will, yes.
PHILLIPS: So --
LAND: Because, first of -- because first of all, they have -- they understand that when you're voting for president, you're not voting for someone to be theologian in chief. You're voting for someone to be commander in chief.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Richard Land talks more about stirring the line between church and politics in the 2012 race. That's coming up in just about an hour, 10:10 Eastern Time.
We're going to have your next political update in just about an hour and a reminder for all the latest political news, just go to our Web site CNNPolitics.com.
Well, months after her arrest over a movie role, an Iranian actress and filmmaker learns her faith.
Max Foster is here with the details.
So Max, let's start with the back story here. What was the big deal about this movie?
MAX FOSTER, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Well, this is a movie, it's called "My Tehran For Sale" and in it the actress, Marzieh Vafamehr, actually plays an actress. And it's an actress who's being banned from working in Iran and she tries to escape.
Let's just have a quick look at the movie for a moment.
Now, clearly, the government didn't like this movie, but Marzieh didn't write it, she didn't produce it, she didn't direct it, but she's ended up in prison and sentenced to 90 lashes. Getting very little information on this, Kyra. We don't even know what the charges are based on. We're relying on a Web site called Kalameh. But also we've heard from the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. They've spoken to her husband and her husband is, obviously, completely worried about this.
He's saying, why should my wife be punished for the producers and directors who really should be the ones being punished here. This arrest had a bad reflection both inside and outside the country. That's what Marzieh's husband is saying and certainly a few people in agreement on that around the world right now.
PHILLIPS: What was she actually convicted of?
FOSTER: We just don't know. We're not getting that information. Kalameh, the Web site that we're relying on can't get that information. It's very secretive. It seems very odd, human rights lawyers are very concerned about it, and they just -- you know, it says so much about freedom of speech, freedom of expression in Iran right now -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Sure does. We'll follow it, Max. Thanks.
And still ahead, it's your money, but you're paying more to get your hands on it. We're going to look at the fees lurking at the neighborhood bank as part of our weeklong look at the extra charges that Americans keep discovering.
Plus an attempted robbery turned into a pretty dramatic gun battle. We'll get stories "Cross Country" next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Checking stories "Cross Country" now.
In Texas an attempted robbery is caught on tape. Now watch as you can see the two suspects actually running into the Houston gas station, opening fire on the clerks, and in just a second here, you're going to watch the gun battle break out. One man was arrested, the other one got away.
In Polk County, Florida, 150 people are stranded after heavy rains just washed out portions of a resort road. It's under more than seven inches of water. And to make matters even worse, it's the only way in or out of that area.
And in Pennsylvania, 4-year-old Shane Breidigan comes to the rescue saving his entire family from this house fire. Take a listen to him as he describes every detail.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHANE BREIDIGAN, SAVED FAMILY FROM FIRE: And I've got everybody out because I was telling mama that there was a fire. The -- and then there was smoke and everything.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Oh, Shane's family is so grateful of this little hero. However, firefighters couldn't save their home of 30 years.
And today a special focus all day right here in the NEWSROOM on the fees making so many of you angry because they're popping up everywhere. And for Americans, they're already feeling the pinch of a lousy economy. It's like death by a thousand cuts.
Alison Kosik outside a branch of Bank of America.
Alison, you know, BOA, now taking more heat for its newly announced fees, right?
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Oh, you said it. And, you know, you hit it right on the head there, Kyra. I mean, you know, these fees upon fees are really getting Americans furious. They're fed up and they're frustrated.
But the question is, will they actually change banks? A lot of people say they will. The question is: will they actually go ahead and do it?
The latest one to really cause the outrage is Bank of America. We're in downtown Manhattan right now in front of one of the Bank of America branches. Bank of America beginning in January is going to be charging $5 a month if you use your debit card to make purchases. Now, if you just use your debit card let's say just for an ATM, you will not pay charges.
Also, if you keep what's known as a premium account with Bank of America, which means you have a higher minimum balance, you could also escape the fees. But, you know what? The majority of Americans who have accounts with Bank of America are going to be dinged this $5 fee every month.
And you know what? Bank of America is not the only one putting these fees into effect. Look at Citibank. Citibank is putting into effect checking fees if you don't keep a certain minimum balance in these checking accounts.
And Bankrate.com says you know what? Get used to it. Look at how the trend has been going. Back in 2009, 76 percent of noninterest checking accounts were free. Guess what? This year that number has gone down to 45 percent of checking accounts.
So, yes, this is something we all will have to get used to, unfortunately -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Yes, we're going to talk more about it all morning and how to try and avoid those, negotiate those and do whatever it takes.
Alison, thanks.
At 9:30, we're going to lay it all out for you and see where they pop out where you least expect them. And did you know you could actually get popped for returning your car rental early? That's right. Just one of the shocker in all these fees.
Ten o'clock hour, we're going to talk about airline fees -- peanuts, extra legroom, pillows, checking the bag, it all adds up. And we'll also tackle new bank fees, how they came about, and what Congress is doing about it. So, stay with us.
All right. Netflix announced yesterday it's backtracking on its plans to spin off its DVD business. Customers aren't the only ones to respond. So is Wall Street. We're going to go there for an update on what happened to Netflix shares.
Plus, it will be a happy day for somebody. Fonz's motorcycle about to be auctioned off. Details and the rest of your showbiz headlines, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Let's get to your "Showbiz Headlines."
He may have lost his "Monday Night Football" gig, but Hank Williams, Jr. hasn't lost his way with words.
(MUSIC)
PHILLIPS: Keep the change is his official response to everybody involved in last week's controversy. Williams slams ESPN for dropping him and FOX News hosts for twisting his words around. He is referring apparently to that Obama/Hitler golf analogy.
It was a movie night on "Dancing with the Stars" featuring famous theme songs and special bonus, a movie star in the audience. As promised, Cher came to watch her son, Chaz, who give him a crying standing ovation for his "Rocky" theme routine. The judges gave him 21 point out of 30, same as HLN's own Nancy Grace, by the way.
Remember the Fonz? He was all about the bike. Well, that piece of "Happy Days" history is going on the auction block next month. The 1949 Triumph has seen better days. It hasn't actually run since the '70s.
Well, the craggy cliffs of England's southwest coast, that's some beautiful scenery. Thousands of tons of cliff collapsing right in front of you. That's breathtaking.
Well, a geologist with some good timing and a good camera actually caught it on tape.
Max Foster joining us from London. It's quite a scene, Max.
MAX FOSTER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, this was one lucky geologist. Say that, Kyra. Just the back story. A jogger going along this cliff path -- stunning scenery, as you say, notices a crack developing, tells the police, the police tell the council, the council sent down their geologist.
And this was the scene he manages to capture when he arrived there. If we watch it again, he literally just turned on the camera. Reports of some falling rocks and the whole cliff falls into the sea. Not unusual, but, he wasn't expecting this. He said he's been working in geology for 28 years, Kyra. And this was the most exciting moment of his life.
He never used a video camera before. First moment, just then.
PHILLIPS: OK. It was the first on both fronts then. Now, do we have any idea what led to this? Is he saying what exactly he is going to study now that he's witnessed this and are locals there worried that this might continue and get worse?
FOSTER: Well, it is coastal erosion but there is a sense it's happening faster and faster and faster. Lucky, there aren't houses near here. But it's important for them to monitor the loss of England. It's disappearing fast.
PHILLIPS: Yes, Max Foster, we'll watch it.
(MUSIC)
PHILLIPS: All right. Karina Huber at the New York Stock Exchange where stocks rallied big-time yesterday. But today, the focus is Europe as an important vote gets under way -- right, Karina?
KARINA HUBER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. And this is a vote on the European bailout fund, Kyra, whether or not to expand. Now, so far, 16 European nations have approved it.
Today, the final vote, one country still has to vote in favor and that's Slovakia. But internal politics there are poised to hold up that vote so we could wait a while before it gets approved. Now, that's causing jitters on Wall Street today. It's amazing to think that a small country like that could have a huge impact on the world's number one financial market, but just goes to show you how globally intertwined we are -- and, of course, what happens when you have too many cooks in the kitchen.
In the meantime, European leaders are recommending Greece should get its next bailout trounce in a month. But the outlook for Greece is still terribly weak. You did not have a market that is very confident today.
We might also see time for a pull back today. The Dow has gained 800 points in just the past week -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. We talked yesterday about the embarrassing flip-flop over Netflix. So, what's the stock reaction then?
HUBER: Well, like the flip-flopping at Netflix, its stock price is all over the place yesterday. When the market opened, initially, Netflix pops 10 percent, that followed the company's announcement that it would not spin off the DVD business as announced last month.
Now, that unit makes up a big chunk of its annual sales, about a third or to a half. Also this move to keep everything under one division could bring back some customers who abandoned the company. So, that was a positive news, that was itself rally. But Netflix ended down nearly 5 percent yesterday.
Why is that? Well, just too many big changes recently and raising some concerns about Netflix leadership. And also, it did not roll back that big price hike to the tune of 60 percent, which really upset customers -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Karina, thanks.
The president awarding the Purple Heart in scrubs. The Marines family was so overwhelmed that they posted it on YouTube. We'll show it to you right after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Checking top stories now.
President Obama's $474 billion jobs bill faces its first vote today in the Senate. There's no guarantee the bill will get the 60 votes it needs, though.
And the accused underwear bomber goes on trial this morning in Detroit. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is charged with trying to blow up a plane on Christmas Day 2009. He said that he will represent himself in court.
And the entire NBA season may be in jeopardy, thanks to the labor dispute. The commissioner has canceled the first two weeks of the regular season. He says players and owners are still far apart on pretty much every issue.
Well, dressed in scrubs with four purple hearts in hand, President Obama travelled to Walter Reed Medical Center to visit and lift up our wounded warriors.
Take a look at Corporal Justin Crabbe, U.S. Marine, who is struck by an IED in Afghanistan, losing parts of both of his legs. His family posted this video on YouTube of the commander in chief presenting him with the award.
Chris Lawrence is here with a lot more. They were overwhelmed. They probably thought, OK, there's a young doctor coming in to meet with my son. Oh, my gosh, that's the president of the United States.
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Yes. No kidding, Kyra. I have been reading the family's blog this morning. Just their account of it and a family friend said the family was sort of in disbelief. I mean, you're right, here's the president of the United States in this white hospital scrubs standing in a hospital room, you know, with your injured son.
And the thing is, I got to tell you, for the president of the United States to present a Purple Heart, this is extremely rare. Normally, the commandant of the Marine Corps or even the assistant commandant would present these awards. So, to get one from the president, again, very, very rare.
I want you to take a look, again, at what the president said to this young Corporal Justin Crabbe as he presented him the Purple Heart.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: To grant you with a well-deserved Purple Heart.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Certify that the president of the United States of America has awarded the Purple Heart to Corporal Justin Crabbe of the United States Marine Corps, for wounds you received in action on August 26, 2011.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This is the testimony to the high regard and honor the entire country feels towards you and your service, so (INAUDIBLE).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LAWRENCE: Yes, It sort of trails off. Again, this is YouTube video, not some official White House release. This is what the family shot. Certainly does deserve it. He was on patrol in Afghanistan about six weeks ago looking for IEDs when his unit was caught up in one. The explosion took off both of his legs just above the knee. He also lost several fingers.
So, the young man has a really long road ahead of him in terms of several surgeries and like that his family says he's incredibly upbeat and positive, but, again, it's going to be a lot of work. We always -- we look at the ceremony and we see these, but you got to remember all the work that these families have to do behind those ceremonies, as well.
PHILLIPS: Yes. Pretty heartwarming to see that video. You don't often get a glimpse like that. Chris, thanks so much.
LAWRENCE: No, no. You're welcome.
PHILLIPS: Today, a special focus all day right here in the NEWSROOM on the fees making so many of you pretty angry. They seem to be popping up anywhere. Next time you buy a ticket online or pay a bill, inspect the receipt. All sorts of extra fees and charges have crept into our lives, and those nickels and dimes add up.
Poppy Harlow live in New York. Poppy, these fees seem to be lurking everywhere.
POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM: They absolutely are. Product of the great recession. Companies trying to make money. "Consumer Reports," Kyra, did this interesting study a few years ago, and they found hidden fees were at the top of the list of Americans' everyday annoyances.
So, we know you hate fees, and we want to show you some that aren't necessarily hidden, but you probably don't know you're even paying them.
This one shocked me the most. Online ticket printing fees. If you buy tickets to a sports event or a concert and they need to be mailed to you, OK, you expect to pay a shipping charge. But if you're printing them at home with your own printer, should you pay for that? Well, you are. StubHub, they charge $4.95 for a delivery charge. Ticketmaster and tickets.com, they say say some vendors charge for you to print your own ticket at home. Got to believe that one.
The second one, this stood out a lot to us. Early car rental return fees. You're always rushing to return your rental car, right? Don't rush too much. What we found out is that some big rental car companies in this country are going to charge you more if you return your car early -- not late -- early. Some examples they gave us, first of all, if you were to say return a car early in Florida during peak season, maybe not enough room on the lot. Another example, if you rent a car for a week and get a weekly rate and you return it a day early, a few days early, you'll be charged the daily rate. That's more expensive.
And then this one. I even brought in my own cable bill, Kyra. I checked this one. I'm getting charged for this. HD channels. All the major networks broadcast in HD. But if you want to receive an HD image, you'll likely to have to pay for it. DirecTV, TimeWarner Cable, Comcast all told us there could be fees for HD service. You're likely paying it.
Bottom line, you have to go through those bills and call and complain and do something about it you're being charged these fees. But it's happening and as I said, it's a product and companies saying they're not making enough money. They're passing it right down to the consumer, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Yes, we're all seeing it. We'll talk about more about what we can do about it. Poppy, you bring up a good point about calling them up. It seems like these companies have their hands in your wallet in every single turn.
Clyde Anderson is a finance expert and author, and he's joining me more to talk about this. Before we get into some specifics, you and I were talking about this because I've done it before with my credit card bill. I've called and challenged the fee, and I've been a good customer. I've paid my bill? Why are you charging me this? And they always take it off.
CLYDE ANDERSON, FINANCE AUTHOR: That's it. Communicate with them. Call them. That's the first thing you need to do. And don't take no from somebody who can't say yes. Talk to the next person, talk to a manager and just really let them know and plead your case.
PHILLIPS: All right. So, why don't we start with - I mean, you should see this list that Clyde gave me. Two pages of everywhere where they're hosing us. You couldn't. I'm on a roll. I don't know how to pin it down. Why don't we go with debit cards and credit cards?
ANDERSON: Yes. We had the big talk about the debit card fees that have been added on, especially with Bank of America. And you can see these fees with other banks as well, from $3 to $5 that they're charging now just for using the debit card. So, we got that in place.
And then also with credit cards, they charge you a dormancy fee for not using the card. You can pay up to $100 sometimes for just not using the card on an annual basis. And so, that's ridiculous.
PHILLIPS: And so -- you can't challenge a debit card fee because --
ANDERSON: Well, and they have certain parameters in place. They're saying depending on the type of customer you are. If you keep a certain balance in the account. Some people have decided not to use the debit card. So, you really have to make a choice there, make a decision as far as how you're going to handle that. But it's going to be hard to fight that.
PHILLIPS: How about cell phones? We get our bills and, my goodness, it's like a list of a number of language --
ANDERSON: They are. And we have to read the bills. That's the first thing. When you get these bills, you have to read them. You have to understand that there are things that are hitting the bills. Especially now, now in this time and day, people are still paying for text services and they're getting charged overages. And so, there's plans for that. So, you really need to look into it and see if you're ready for a plan for your text charges.
Also, federal usage fees. They have these taxes on there. And they also do cramming inside of these cell phone bills, meaning they'll put some charges on there that maybe you didn't authorize, and so you really have to read your bill to make sure you authorize everything in there.
PHILLIPS: Are these so-called package deals always the better deal?
ANDERSON: Not always. Not always. You really want to look and make sure. You have to challenge them sometimes. And a lot of times, they're making millions of dollars off of people who just don't read their bills, and they just pay these bogus charges because they feel like $1 and $2, but those one or two dollars add up.
PHILLIPS: When do you finally reach the point where you say, forget about it, I'm dropping this company. I'm going someplace else?
ANDERSON: Well, I think at the point -- you should see a pattern. And the pattern continues. Or you're seeing these bogus charges continue to occur. Also if you realize that you haven't authorized stuff on there. That's when it's time to really challenge this and say, look, I'll take my service and my dollar somewhere else. PHILLIPS: Clyde, thanks.
ANDERSON: Yes, my pleasure.
PHILLIPS: You're tough. I'll get you on the phone with all these companies.
ANDERSON: I'm there.
PHILLIPS: Well, next hour, we'll talk about the place where the fees run wild. The airline industry. Now, remember, when checked bags and food and pillows, well, they were all free? We know those days are over. What's next? Will airlines charge for the reading light?
Well, guess what? We're going to talk about all the things that could possibly happen.
And then forget the fear of flying. People better fear CNN.com LZ Granderson. He's been thinking a lot about what he calls the ridiculousness of airport security. We'll talk to him right after the break.
And scientists in Japan looking at data from March's earthquake and tsunami. Well, they say they found something that might be able to help predict major quakes in the future. We'll tell you about it in just about ten minutes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: If you're packing your carry-on right now, getting ready to jam to the airport, don't forget to leave your snow globe behind. Oh, the ridiculousness of flying. Leave it to our very own LZ Granderson to write about the latest TSA warning all in the name of security. "Snow globes not allowed through this security checkpoint."
LZ, come on, let's be fair. A liquid-filled snow globe could be the perfect ruse.
LZ GRANDERSON, CNN.COM CONTRIBUTOR: Yes, yes, it could be. This is the insanity that has happened since the tragic 9/11 attacks, right?? Because we're now on trial with a guy who tried to blow up his underwear, we have to look at snow globes as a possible weapon. And it's true, the liquid could be replaced with something dangerous.
But at the same time, it's a snow globe! Where do we draw the line?
PHILLIPS: Well, the TSA is trying to make changes. It's letting kids keep their shoes on now, there's this preferred flier program. So, do we need the cut the TSA a little slack?
GRANDERSON: No!
(LAUGHTER)
GRANDERSON: Do you know they actually tried to frisk my dreadlocks? I actually walked into security -
PHILLIPS: Well, you know, those dreds -
GRANDERSON: -- frisk my dreadlocks. I am like -- I know a woman that got her afro patted down. We kick people off airplanes for kissing (ph) and wearing sagging pants. At the same time, I'm getting frisked in my dreadlocks because I may have a bomb in my hair.
I mean, I'm not cutting TSA any slack with this. We're getting too far out of sense here.
PHILLIPS: Well, you make the point that the security situation is getting pretty crazy, and it masks the much deeper problem, OK? You say it's a dysfunctional government. Bottom line.
GRADNDERSON: Well, absolutely. If you think about the fact that so many of the firefighters who died because they could not be warned by the police department that the building was actually getting ready to collapse, and that telecommunication problems still exist today because of the bureaucracy of Washington -- you know, that's what is really frustrating and actually was the impetus of me writing the piece. I tried to have some fun with it, but the reality is we still have a lot of problems with our air travel and we need it be more serious about it and stop pretending as if frisking afros and dreadlocks and snow globes are at the root of those problems, because it's not. Once again, it's Washington.
PHILLIPS: Well, and we're up against some pretty serious threats since 9/11. We don't ever want to see that happen, again. LZ, thank you so much.
You can read LZ's latest piece on CNN.com/opinion. If you like, join the conversation, leave a comment for him. He loves it.
Data for March's earthquake and tsunami in Japan is providing scientists now with some pretty tantalizing clues. For starters, the possibility of being able to predict major earthquakes in the future. Our Jacqui Jeras explains right after the break.
And a self-appointed superhero tries to save the day, but winds up in jail. Tell you what happened when we go "Cross Country" next.
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PHILLIPS: Checking stories now "Cross Country." Let's start in Seattle.
Well, a self-appointed super hero is caught on tape using pepper spray to break up a fight. Only it wasn't a fight, says the woman who you see hitting him with her shoe. She says she was just dancing with her friends after a night out of the club. Phoenix Jones was arrested on four counts of assault.
In Colorado, two men are caught on camera conning a gold store out of thousands of dollars. The man is seen right here switching a bag of tested gold with a fake stash. The owner's mother noticed the difference soon after they left the store.
And if you're a clean freak, move to Michigan. Holland was voted the most tidy city in America. Out of 22 cities in the American in Bloom competition Holland, Michigan ranked the highest in all categories that projects a city's beauty.
Well, you can predict a hurricane, but what about an earthquake? Scientists in Japan say they may have figured it out.
Jacqui Jeras is here to explain more on the research. Jacqui do tell.
JACQUI JERAS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: It's amazing to think about. Imagine, Kyra, if 40 minutes ahead of time those folks in Japan had that time before the earthquake and the tsunami hit? 40 minutes. That would have been enough to get them to higher ground away from that water that would have gotten them out of unstable buildings and into a safe place. And undoubtedly, that could save thousands of lives.
Well, researchers at a Japanese University now have found a relationship between powerful earthquakes and waves that happen in the highest level of the earth's atmosphere.
So let's put this in perspective for you. All the weather that happens is in the troposphere lowest layer of the atmosphere. Airplanes fly 30,000 to 60,000 feet. In the stratosphere that's where weather balloons go. In the mesosphere the next layer that's where we see meteors and up here in the thermosphere which also includes part of the ionosphere that's where you see the Aurora Borealis (ph) and that where you see satellites.
So they looked at information from GPS systems and they found disruptions between the transmission of the receiver and the satellites way up here in space. Now, the problem with that is that they're only seeing this with earthquakes of a magnitude of 8.5 or above.
So it's got to be a biggie, but of course, those are the most catastrophic. One other problem is that what also happens in ionosphere is solar storms can change and make the same kind of similar changes. So they need to figure out, Kyra, exactly what's causing those waves to develop in that area and also the difference business between that and, say, what solar storms do.
But they saw this in the Chilean quake and they saw this in the Sumatran quake, they saw this in the Honshu quake. So this really could be the beginning of what eventually could be earthquake prediction. Right now scientists say they can't predict them at all. So this could be a really big deal.
PHILLIPS: Wow, imagine all the lives that could be saved and the impact. That would be pretty incredible.
JERAS: Amazing.
PHILLIPS: Thanks Jacqui.
JERAS: Sure.
PHILLIPS: Well, the only thing that you really can't predict the exact time when a big, fast antelope is going to crash right into the mountain biker ahead of you. How is that for a transition? That guy just glad the antelope wasn't running from a lion. Sports, coming up.
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PHILLIPS: All right, here are some stories making news later today.
1:50 Eastern Time the President will make his pitch for the jobs plan in Pittsburgh after meeting with union workers.
And less than one hour later, First Lady Michelle Obama launches her record breaking promotion for fitness. More than 20,000 people will perform jumping jacks for one minute each in order to set a 24- hour record.
And tonight, 8:00 Eastern, eight Republican candidates will take part in the latest presidential debate. It will be the first one focused on the economy.
Well, we're following lots of the developments in the next hour of the CNN NEWSROOM. Let's go and start first with our deputy political director Paul Steinhauser -- Paul.
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Well Kyra, that debate is the first one in 19 days and a lot has changed in the battle for the GOP nomination since then. I'll tell you who has to gain and lose tonight coming up at top of the hour.
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORESPONDENT: I'm Kate Bolduan on Capitol Hill where the Senate is scheduled to hold a key test vote on the President's jobs bill today. What are the chances it will pass this procedural hurdle and what are the politics behind it? I'll have more at the top of the hour.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Elizabeth Cohen in Atlanta. A pencil goes through a four-year-old boy's eye socket all the way through and he lives and sees to tell the tale. I'll have the information about his incredible surgery, Kyra, at the top of the hour.
PHILLIPS: All right, guys. Thanks so much.
And this week we're getting to the root of school bullying.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The research is showing that there is so much aggression on a day-to-day basis. It doesn't necessarily mean that it's always an extreme situation but that every day a significant percentage of kids are engaging in aggression. (END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: So why are so many kids dealing with this aggression and where is it coming from? Our Anderson Cooper digs deeper, just ahead.
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PHILLIPS: Big drama in baseball playoffs. Jeff Fischel.
JEFF FISCHEL, ANCHOR, HLN SPORTS: Yes, you know, we saw something we've never seen before last night in the baseball playoffs. It was a great ending to the ALCS game 2. You know what; extra innings between the Rangers and the Tigers 3-3 in the 11th and there is Nelson Cruz. His second home run of the night. That is a walk off grand slam. It's the first walk off grand slam in post-season history. The Rangers went 7-3. They now lead the American championship series two games to none.
In the National League, Cardinal's Albert Pujols didn't do much in game one; he made up for it in game two, three doubles and this homerun, five RBI's and nothing was stopping him and he got plenty of help from teammates including David Freeze. The Cardinals beat the Brewers 12-3. That series is tied one game apiece.
Monday night football, the Lions on Monday night football for the first time in a decade taking on the Bears. QB Matthew Stafford, fights Megatron, Calvin Johnson, 73 yards on the touchdown. And they also got help from running back Jovin Best the Bears takes off 88 yards that's the second longest run in franchise history. The crowd at Ford Field going nuts watching the Lions win 24-13. Detroit is 5-0 for the first time since Dwight Eisenhower was President. They're one of two 5-0 teams in the NFL.
And check this out. The guy on the bike has no chance. He's racing in South Africa. And watch out for the antelope that just T- boned him. Now you have to say, well, thankfully it wasn't a lion or thankfully the antelope wasn't running from a lion. Either way he'd end up in big trouble, fortunately the man and beast were ok.
PHILLIPS: I was just going to ask you how is he? There's your answer.
FISCHEL: You can just see, you can imagine the antelope is going, I'm going to get this guy.
One more time. That's not an accidental collision. The antelope, seriously, was just waiting in prey.
PHILLIPS: Thank you Jeff.
The Occupy Wall Street resistance movement has been making headlines for weeks, but the protestors aren't just using their voices to get their message out. Here's CNN's Jeanne Moos.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They are the concert pianists, the protestors, flutter fingers, playing upon thin air but saying what? This is silent applause, the sign of approval. On the other hand --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This, to show that we don't like what we hear.
CROWD: To show that we don't like what we hear.
MOOS: And if you're wondering why the Occupy Wall Street protestors keep repeating themselves --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We use this human mike.
CROWD: We use this human mike.
MOOS: It's because they aren't allowed to use amplifying equipment, so --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We amplify each other's voices.
CROWD: We amplify each other's voices.
MOOS: And you constantly hear them saying --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mike test.
CROWD: Mike test.
MICHAEL MOORE, FILMMAKER: It warms my heart --
CROWD: It warms my heart. MOORE: -- to see all of you here.
MOOS: As Michael Moore noted, the system --
MOORE: Saves on electricity.
MOOS: But what does silent applause save on? Time spent waiting for the crowd to settle back down so everyone can hear. And guess who else does the same signal?
It's used by the deaf to signify applause in American sign language. Other protestor hand signals to signify a point of order at protestor assemblies, though not everyone is up to speed on the proper direction.
Some of the signals could be misinterpreted. When Michael Moore suggested those who brought down the economy should be --
MOORE: In handcuffs.
CROWD: In handcuffs.
MOORE: He inadvertently used the protestors' most severe hand signal.
CASPER, PROTESTER: It's a block which means that you have some moral or ethical disagreement.
MOOS: Not quite as confusing as the conflicting hand signals sent to a batter in "A League of Their Own." Protestors take pride in not having a manager. The police have their own signals.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Keep walking this way.
MOOS: One officer ended up on Facebook giving that age-old symbol.
CROWD: Peace.
MOOS: Though, on a police blog, someone suggested maybe the cop is putting in his order for coffee. Yes, two sugars.
Actually, the protestors' hand signals remind us of the ones used by the financial markets they protest on.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We do this.
CROWD: We do this.
MOOS: Jeanne moos.
CROWD: Jeanne moos.
MOOS: CNN.
CROWD: CNN.
MOOS: New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
