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CNN Live Today

Annual Thanksgiving Migration Begins Today; Planes, Trains Brace For Millions Of Travelers Nationwide; Marines In Iraq Fighting The "Three Block" War; "Five Tips" For Holiday E-Shopping

Aired November 23, 2005 - 10:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: That's happening tomorrow on AMERICAN MORNING. We look forward to seeing you then.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: And we're going to eat tur-duc-hen.

O'BRIEN: Apparently.

SANCHEZ: Except I'm not going to be here.

O'BRIEN: Thank you for helping us out, by the way.

SANCHEZ: It's a pleasure to be here.

O'BRIEN: We sure appreciate it. Let's get right to Daryn Kagan.

SANCHEZ: My old pal "Ovaltine" Daryn Kagan.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: That would be me.

Soledad, I was wondering, all those big plans is this your way of telling the family don't expect that you will be cooking tomorrow?

O'BRIEN: Girl, you know I'm a microwaver, not a cooker.

KAGAN: We love you anyway.

O'BRIEN: You can microwave anything is what I say.

KAGAN: You pretty much can. Just don't put that whole turkey in there.

O'BRIEN: That doesn't work.

KAGAN: OK. You guys have a great day in New York City.

Boy, people are already on their way trying to get where they're trying to go. There's a lot of crowds out there. We have a lot of live pictures. This is the place where you want to be. The trouble already starting as you can see.

This is the highway in Atlanta. An accident taking place, and causing, this is I-285 what we call the perimeter of traffic mess on any day, today, not looking any better. Also in LaGuardia, if you're in New York City, well, that doesn't look so bad. Compared to what LaGuardia can look like. We'll see how things are flowing there in a bit.

And perhaps a train is the way you want to go. Amtrak saying this also the busiest day of the year for them -- or one of them. We'll get you some train tips if you are going by the rails. There are lots and lots of turkeys about to go in the oven. We'll get to them in a second.

Right now let's take a look what's happening "Now in the News": Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman is spending the holiday in Iraq. He arrives with a promise, the U.S. will not leave until its mission is over. Lieberman is on the Senate Armed Services Committee. He acknowledges growing concern over Iraq in Congress. But he says there is almost no support for what he calls a hasty withdrawal. Lieberman plans to have Thanksgiving dinner with U.S. troops.

Former Chilean Dictator Augusto Pinochet has been charged with tax evasion and corruption and placed under house arrest. This has to do with millions that prosecutors say Pinochet's stashed in secret bank accounts overseas. The 89-year-old Pinochet has been twice charged with human rights abuses. Those cases were dismissed because of his health.

And by air and by ground, firefighters in south Florida are battling this big blaze today. Crews are trying to keep the fire from spreading to some new construction nearby. It's snarling traffic along a stretch of Collins Avenue in Sunny Isles.

And how cool is this? We do mean cool. Right now live pictures, the general public getting its first look at the new Georgia Aquarium. I'm telling you it's right across the street from us here at CNN, in Atlanta. It's considered the world's largest aquarium. Chad Myers drew the lucky straw and he is over there today. He is going to join us in just a little bit to give us a peek inside the big tank.

Well, and a happy Thanksgiving to you. Thanks for starting your holiday with us. I'm Daryn Kagan at CNN Center in Atlanta.

Americans are on the move for this Thanksgiving holiday. They're going by plane, by train and yet by automobile. We are watching all of it.

AAA Motor Club saying that some 37 million Americans will shrug off the higher gas prices and they will travel this weekend. Gas prices have eased up a bit since the September spike. They're still, though, much higher than they were last Thanksgiving.

Air travelers shelling out about 40 bucks more per ticket compared to February of this year. Still, airlines are reporting full flights. And Amtrak says this is the peak day for rail travel, with ridership about 80 percent higher than a typical Wednesday.

Let's begin with our eyes on the skies and for a lot of travelers, distant storm clouds are playing havoc with their plans and their schedules. CNN's Alina Cho is at LaGuardia International Airport in New York. Now Alina, we look behind you, I have been through La Guardia many, many times. Got to say, it does not look that bad, at least from where you're standing.

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You're absolutely right, Daryn. It isn't that bad. I covered this same story last year and it seemed to be a lot worse. So that is the good news. You know, there, of course, was the morning rush. Then there was this lull in activity. I can tell you it is starting to pick up again just a bit.

Now the good news is that there are no major delays to report at any of New York's three major airports. You know the weather had been a very big problem yesterday. Not the case today. And that is very good news, because there will be heavy traffic. Over the five-day official Thanksgiving holiday, which kicks off today, and ends on Sunday, it is estimated that 1.5 million travelers will pass through LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark Airports.

So the best advice, if you're traveling by air, at least, is to get to the airport not one hour, but two hours before your flight. And, Daryn, pack a lot of material to read because you certainly will need it.

KAGAN: Absolutely. I saw a TSA guy walk behind you. What are they telling you about security lines? Longer than usual on the holiday?

CHO: It is. You know, they say that the holidays are their biggest concern. Simply because there's so much traffic coming through the airport. So yes, it is heightened security here at LaGuardia Airport, throughout this region. They won't talk specifics, as you know, Daryn. They won't say how they are ramping up security, how much in terms of manpower they've brought out. But certainly heightened security here at the airports today.

KAGAN: So bring some patience, bring some good books or magazines, and snacks. All good, too.

CHO: That's right.

KAGAN: Alina, thank you.

As we were saying just a few minutes ago it's the peak day for rail travel, as well, for an update on that let's turn to Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari; he is in Chicago today.

Marc, happy Thanksgiving.

MARC MAGLIARI, AMTRAK, SPOKESMAN: Happy Thanksgiving back to you, Daryn.

You know, it was a lot snowier last time you guys went out here and talked to me. The sun started to come out here in Chicago. When we were here before there were a whole row of rail cars down there getting ready to go. We're down to one. This might be the only rail car left, because we're putting nearly everything that's rolling on our trains here in the Midwest.

That's a lounge car, probably going to go out on tomorrow's Empire Builder from here to the Seattle and Portland areas. Right now everything is out rolling.

A lot of people at the station leaving on this morning's train and I'm not aware of any major difficulties anywhere in our system, any of our 46 states.

KAGAN: That makes your job a happier one today. How does that snow affect rail travel?

MAGLIARI: Sometimes snow can get in the switches. Sometimes snow can affect some of the signals.

There's another train backing down to the station right now. That's a long distance overnight train. You can see the sleeping cars and the lounge car down there. Trains are pretty weather resistant. But it takes human capital to make things work. I mean there are people out there when the snows really get bad with brooms, and picks, and axes, keeping the snow out of the switches. There are switch heaters keeping the switches moving bang and forth.

Ordinarily we don't have some of the problems the other modes have. We're grateful for that and that's why a lot of people choose Amtrak this time of year when the weather starts to get a little iffy.

KAGAN: Let's talk about people making those choices. Is this the busiest day for you Sunday? How does it all rate?

MAGLIARI: Wednesday is the busiest of all these days. But Sunday is getting more and more busy. Talking to people here at our station in Chicago, some of the trains that ordinarily have 200 and 300 people on them are going to have 500 people on them. People heading downstate in Illinois, people going back to college, maybe making their way home from grandma's house.

My kids are coming up for Thanksgiving. My daughter is having to take -- not her first choice of train because her first choice is sold out. She's coming in tomorrow on Thanksgiving morning. And that's a good lesson, be flexible, be patient and we'll get you where you want to go.

KAGAN: Boy it must be crowded if dad couldn't pull some strings to get her on a train.

MAGLIARI: No, Daryn, I don't have that kind of clout.

KAGAN: Oh, goodness. Any tips if you don't have dad working for Amtrak, as you're traveling on Amtrak this holiday?

MAGLIARI: Well, I can tell you, Daryn, we do have limitations on carry-on baggage. And it's two pieces, plus a personal item like a diaper bag or computer case or a purse. And this is an important day for people to respect those baggage limits because trains are going to be very full. Tell people to get to the stations maybe 45 minutes beforehand if you're in a place like Chicago was this morning, with snow falling, or up in Milwaukee this morning, where it was slippery. Allow yourself a little extra time to go to the stations.

And there are ticket vending machines at stations, so if you've made your reservation over the Internet you've already paid, you can just swipe your card in the ticket kiosk and the quick track machine will print your ticket out. All sorts of ways to cut down on the time and sit back and relax and enjoy the trip.

KAGAN: On a personal note besides the well-running trains, what do you think for this year, Marc?

MAGLIARI: Daryn, it's the Windy City picking up. Try that again, please?

KAGAN: What are you thankful for, on a personal note? What are you giving thanks for on this Thanksgiving?

MAGLIARI: I'm thankful that my kids are, one of them is out of college, only two left in college, one graduating. And I only have one kid in college next year. So maybe I'll be able to buy a new car.

KAGAN: It's going to feel like a pay raise.

MAGLIARI: It will actually. It will.

MAGLIARI: Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

MAGLIARI: Back to you. Yes.

KAGAN: And all the best to those working so hard at Amtrak on this holiday. Marc Magliari with Amtrak from Chicago Union Station.

One of the busiest travel days of the year may be as close as the end of your driveway. Millions of Americans are funneling onto the roads. They're snaking their way to holiday get-togethers.

This is a view from Dallas, Texas. And we give thanks to the Texas Department of Transportation. AAA says that a recent drop in gas prices is prodding some of the travel proving that all things are relative.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERT SINCLAIR, SPOKESMAN, AAA: A lot of people are celebrating because gasoline isn't as high now as it was perhaps in September. But we're still 25 to 30 cents a gallon ahead of where we were this time last year.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: And now to Beltsville, Maryland. Travel plans came to a screeching halt on I-95. That's a major route in to metropolitan Washington. That was just before dawn. The driver of the tanker truck, that you see on fire, smelled smoke, pulled over and jumped out. Boy, that was just in time.

The fire quickly engulfed the truck, and its 8700 gallons of gasoline. The interstate shut down for about four hours and two lanes reopened just about 90 minutes ago.

A lot of all this travel is going to depend on the weather cooperating and that's why we have Jacqui Jeras here to keep an eye on that.

(WEATHER FORECAST)

KAGAN: And we encourage you to tune to CNN to help guide your way through your travels from tips to strategies, and even time killers for the kids in the back seat. Visit our special section at cnn.com/travel.

So this is destined to become a travel destination, the Georgia Aquarium here in Atlanta. The public getting its first look at what is said to be the world's largest fish bowl. Live, up close, at the aquarium. The one word we keep hearing: "wow!".

Also on a much more serious note, the war in Iraq. When will U.S. troops come home? Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice weighs in on that question just ahead.

And urban warfare in Iraq; U.S. forces fighting in the streets, sometimes unsure of exactly who the enemy is.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: The fight for Iraq has claimed the life of a Sunni tribal leader. Iraqi police tell CNN the attack happened early today in a west Baghdad neighborhood. Witnesses say gunmen in Iraqi army uniforms stormed the house before dawn and shot the sheikh, his three sons and a son-in-law. A Sunni leader tells CNN that another of the sheikh's sons was killed a month ago.

The hunt for insurgents in Iraq often demands urban warfare in civilian neighborhoods. Knowing when not to shoot is as important as where to direct the ruthless firepower. CNN's Arwa Damon is embedded with U.S. Marines on the offensive in Husaybah.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right to the left of the two long ones.

(GUNFIRE)

Reloading! Reloading!

ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Gunnery Jeff Cullen and his platoon in the thick of battle. With a front line that is never really clear.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come here! Cover your end! DAMON: From combat to confronting civilians. It's the reality of war in Iraq and of this particular mission. Who clear Husaybah of insurgents who operate among the civilians who had no way to three the fighting.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Cover your ears, it's gonna be loud.

(EXPLOSIONS)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's kind of difficult. You shoot a rocket at one building because you have an insurgent inside and you go to the next block up and you've got a family with six kids running around.

DAMON: The Marines call this a three-block war.

LT. COL. DALE ALFORD, U.S. MARINES CORPS: A three-block war is the buildings for that young corporal to go from block three back to block one, in a very short time.

DAMON: Block three, full-urban combat.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On the corners, right there underneath you.

DAMON: Block two exposed and searching for bombs. Block one, facing off innocents.

ALFORD: Go back and forth between those blocks, it takes a unique mind-set. And we train for that Marine Corps Specialists.

DAMON: Cullen and his men now moving toward their target house.

(On camera): The target building is right behind this pile of rubble. U.S. Marines have spotted an individual carrying an AK-47 running around the bottom floor of the building and the windows are sandbagged.

(Voice over): But they really have no idea what's inside these buildings. There could be insurgents. There could be IEDs, or there could be a family who couldn't escape the fighting.

GUNNERY SGT. JEFF CULLEN, U.S. MARINE CORPS: Rod, tell them to come out to the grass.

DAMON: The training is vital. The difference between life and death. For Cullen and his men, and for the civilians.

CULLEN: It gets kind of nerve-racking. But you just got to do -- deal with it and move on.

DAMON: There is little time to contemplate ...

CULLEN: Right there, hold the wall. Right there, go.

DAMON: When fighting a three-block war ... Arwa Damon CNN, Husaybah, Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: In other news American officials continue to stress their military commitment to defending Iraq. Still they expect the overall number of U.S. troops to come down. CNN recently put the question to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: I suspect that the American forces are not going to be need in the numbers that they're there for all that much longer because Iraqis are continuing to make progress in function, not just in numbers.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: About 155,000 U.S. troops are now deployed in Iraq. U.S. officials say that figure could decrease after next month's round of Iraqi elections.

It's the newest tourist attraction in the country. It promises a wonderful time. Ahead on CNN LIVE TODAY, we're going to a giant inland sea at the Georgia Aquarium. It's right here in Atlanta. The ocean in Atlanta? All right. You're going to see why this is a sight you just might want to see in person.

First, though Gerri Willis is here with some tips -- not on swimming, but on surfing -- as in surfing the net for holiday shopping.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: That's right, Daryn.

Don't leave the coach for the aquarium quite yet. If you want to go shopping on the Internet we'll show you how to do it safely. "Five Tips" is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Tomorrow's Thanksgiving, you know that. But hard-core shoppers will tell you the real day to celebrate is Friday. That's when merchants fling open their doors and usher in the holiday retail frenzy. If you want to escape the crush you can go to your computer, shop online. Joining us with her top "Five Tips" for shopping online, personal finance editor Gerri Willis.

WILLIS: Happy Thanksgiving to you, too. My favorite holiday of the year.

KAGAN: Mine, too!

WILLIS: All you have to do is eat? A lot of fun.

KAGAN: Yeah.

WILLIS: But look, if you're shopping over the next four days and you may well be online got some important news here. For a couple of years now we've been saying always look for that security lock icon in the lower right-hand corner any shopping Web site.

Guess what it's not trustworthy anymore? That's because cyberthieves have stolen this thing and they're slapping it on all kinds of Web sites that are rogue, that don't work that will take your money.

So what you want to do is go to Trustwatch.com. That Web site, for free, download their tool bar, they have a color coded guide to site trustworthiness. And Daryn, it's as simple as this. If the site is not trustworthy when you're shopping around using the tool bar the red signal will come up, that means stop, you don't want to shop there.

KAGAN: All right. You want to understand the ratings. Shopping bot? What's a bot?

WILLIS: Remember shopping bots. You're trolling around the Internet, you find these web sites that do your shopping for you. They give you comparisons on prices like pricegrabber, dealtime, shopzilla. You may have used those in the past.

But here is something important to know. They don't necessarily sort them on price. That means, you've got to do that yourself. You've got to remember when you're using those shopping bots to do the sort on price so you can find the very lowest price out there. One great place to go, Froogle does it for you.

KAGAN: So, you might not want to head to the stores on Friday, but you might want to get going on the computer shopping?

WILLIS: Here's the deal. You know, they are out there right now with deals, a lot of free-shipping is already being offered. The deals are already up and going. It may make sense to start shopping now. I know everybody out there thinks, well will it be better if I wait later? You may have to pay more for shipping later. Remember if you wait till the last minute you've got to get it there. You're not carting it home. So it makes sense to start shopping right away.

KAGAN: How can you get the latest word on the best deals?

WILLIS: There's a Web site called Shop it to me.

KAGAN: Shop it to me, I like that.

WILLIS: Don't you like that? I think that is so funny.

They will send you an e-mail with great deals all over the web. There's also Coupon Mountain where you can find coupons for various things around the web. And I've got to tell you about Bfads.net. You know, Black Friday, biggest holiday shopping day of the year. Bfads.net will tell you what's coming out in the circulars, about the deals that are upcoming. They're in a little hot water with the retailers.

KAGAN: They don't like that.

WILLIS: They don't like it at all. But you might want to check out the web site yourself.

KAGAN: We like empowering consumers, however.

WILLIS: That's right.

KAGAN: It's one thing to order. It's another to get the stuff.

WILLIS: Absolutely. You want to know what other shoppers out there think about these Web sites, have used it in the past. Can they deliver? Do they give it to you on time? You want to go to customer reviews at pricegrabber.com. Great place to go.

Some of these Web sites certify sellers like Shopzilla, shopping.com. Those two Web sites do that. I've got to tell you, Daryn. I'm a big online shopper because it's just easy.

KAGAN: It is easy. And I know Thanksgiving is going to be easy because it's just you and hubby and the new house.

WILLIS: How about you? You going to have a good one?

KAGAN: Yes, going to Uncle Leonard's.

WILLIS: Awesome.

KAGAN: Yes, got about 30 people at Uncle Leonard's tomorrow.

WILLIS: Oh, fabulous.

KAGAN: Have a good one.

WILLIS: Have a good one.

KAGAN: It is one of the busiest travel days of the year as Americans head out far and wide for Thanksgiving. But some travelers aren't faring so well. Highway accidents, severe winter weather causing some problems today. We'll have the very latest from the CNN Forecast Center.

Also ahead, we're going fishing. Check out this beautiful live picture. It's the world's largest aquarium. It's now open -- well these are our new neighbors here at CNN? These fish, they're right across the street. Chad Myers has gone over to check it out. He is going to give us a look.

Chad, how lucky are you on this assignment?

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I actually I'm on vacation. That's how lucky I am. And I volunteered to come back here to do the shot today. That's how lucky.

It is beautiful place, a beautiful aquarium. The tank behind me over 6 million gallons of water. It's 126 feet wide. High definition television screen of the aquarium. It feels like you're underwater. It feels like you're scuba diving without having to put up with all the pressure and the tanks on your back. Daryn, when we come back we will show you, behind the scenes look at this spectacular new aquarium in downtown Atlanta, Georgia.

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