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American Morning
A Record Number of People Will be on the Move This Holiday Weekend
Aired November 25, 2004 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Are we there yet? America's Thanksgiving Day party begins with snow and rain and a travel nightmare. Tornadoes rip across parts of the South, where Thanksgiving now begins with holiday cleanup.
In Iraq, Americans a long way from home on a special day. We'll talk with some of the troops.
And it's better to be prepared. Everything you ever wanted to know about cooking the perfect turkey on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN broadcast center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.
O'BRIEN: And good morning.
Welcome, everybody.
Happy Thanksgiving.
I'm Soledad O'Brien in. And Bill is off today, Jack is off today, Andy is off today, Heidi is off today, but we are here holding down the fort on this holiday.
Rick Sanchez is in for Bill.
Nice to have you.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: By golly, are we troopers or what?
O'BRIEN: Well, you know, yes, we are. I'll pat you on the back, you pat me on the back for being here today.
SANCHEZ: All day long.
Hey, one of the great traditions Thanksgiving morning is going to be taking place right back here. That's right, Macy's Day Parade right here in the Big Apple. They're, in fact, getting it ready as we speak. And we're going to be sharing some of it with you -- all the traditional floats, the giant balloons, if the wind isn't too much, but more on that later.
You know who's going to be there? SpongeBob SquarePants, this year, right here, right now.
O'BRIEN: Ooh-hoo. SANCHEZ: And we're going to be going live...
O'BRIEN: Oh, you know, I wasn't going to go, but now that I know SpongeBob is going to be there, I'm in.
Have you ever gone to the parade?
SANCHEZ: You get the good scoop from here, only from here.
O'BRIEN: Your real news makes a difference.
Also this morning, among our Thanksgiving Day themes, we've got Emily Post's great granddaughter-in-law, Peggy Post. She's talking about Thanksgiving Day etiquette, everything you might want to get away with at dinnertime, but some things maybe you shouldn't try, as well.
SANCHEZ: Also this morning, we're going to have the dean of Butterball University for three hours, Sherleen Clauson. She knows everything there is to possibly know on Earth about cooking a turkey.
O'BRIEN: Is there really a Butterball University?
SANCHEZ: There is.
O'BRIEN: Really? Like a real university?
SANCHEZ: Yes, because they know how to butter ball the turkey.
O'BRIEN: Sherleen is also going to take your e-mail questions throughout the morning. That, of course, is at am@cnn.com.
But first, some more headlines this morning.
Carol Costello is in for Heidi -- good morning to you, Carol.
Happy Thanksgiving.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Happy Thanksgiving.
That's where I got my degree, Butterball University. Here I am at CNN.
O'BRIEN: A Ph.D.
SANCHEZ: They've done good for you.
COSTELLO: Exactly.
Thanks, guys.
Now in the news, U.S. Marines and Iraqi security forces have apparently uncovered enough weapons in Falluja for a nationwide rebellion. The U.S. military says the largest weapons find to date was uncovered yesterday at a Falluja mosque. The joint forces say they also found documents detailing insurgent interrogations of recent kidnap victims. Troops have been mopping up the region following a two week offensive there.
Calls for a general strike in Ukraine after election results were announced declaring Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych the new president. Thousands of opposition supporters have been gathering in protest. The election has been marred by claims of voter fraud. Opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko has filed an appeal against the results.
Here in the States, Scott Peterson's defense wants the California Supreme Court to step in. Attorney Mark Geragos filed a motion yesterday asking for a new jury and a change of venue for the penalty phase of Peterson's trial. Both requests have already been turned down by the trial judge and an appeals court. Oral arguments in the sentencing phase are set to begin on Tuesday.
And President Bush is at his Texas ranch this morning, kicking off the holiday by issuing his annual Thanksgiving Day proclamation. The president's message, encouraging Americans to reinforce ties of family and community. The president also giving thanks for those in the military who are helping to advance the cause of freedom.
Back to you.
O'BRIEN: That's nice.
We're going to talk with some of those folks in the military this morning and have an opportunity to connect with them, as well.
Carol -- thanks.
COSTELLO: And they're going to be able to say Happy Thanksgiving to their people at home.
O'BRIEN: Won't that be nice?
SANCHEZ: Yes. They're far away and they're hungry.
COSTELLO: I'll bet.
O'BRIEN: And we all are this morning.
Thanks -- Carol.
A record number of people will be on the move this holiday weekend. Stormy weather throughout much of the country yesterday had many thankful that they weren't. For those who were trying to get there from here, though, it was a journey and an adventure.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
O'BRIEN (voice-over): Heavy snow in the Midwest, heavy rain in the Northeast and tornadoes in the South. Mother Nature was definitely no help on getaway day, the start of a weekend estimated to see more than 37 million people hit the roads, the air and the rails.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We haven't seen this many travelers since 2000.
O'BRIEN: At packed airports, the holiday rush meant hurry up and wait.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm ready to camp out.
O'BRIEN: And that's exactly what they did at several major airports. The snowstorm causing three hour delays at O'Hare in Chicago, the weather grounding planes in Georgia. And as conditions worsened, delays began to snowball.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As I drove over here, I could already hear air traffic control doing ground stops at various cities because of the weather.
O'BRIEN: Still, for the millions making the holiday trek, the Thanksgiving destination is worth all the waiting.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know, I'm looking forward to seeing family. I guess that keeps you positive, keeps you going.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
O'BRIEN: Millions of holiday travelers will do it all again on Sunday, which is traditionally an even busier travel day.
Chad Myers is at the CNN Center with the latest weather update for us this morning.
Hey -- Chad, good morning to you.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Soledad.
I'm afraid some people are waking up in the airport this morning watching us because they didn't get out last night. Airport delays through Chicago were well into the two, three hour range. Some planes didn't make it in. And obviously some planes didn't make it out.
(WEATHER REPORT)
SANCHEZ: For many, today is one day where loosening that belt buckle is going to be a must. But, you know, this year, thousands of American troops won't be able to stuff themselves on, at least not mom's home cooking.
We're joined now by Major Michael Warrington.
He's a soldier with the Oregon Army National Guard and also a cook with that unit. Sergeant Tim Vidos is joining us, who's helping to feed the homesick troops this Thanksgiving meal on this special day.
Hey, guys, Thanks so much for being with us.
MAJOR MICHAEL WARRINGTON, OREGON ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: Hey, thanks for having us. We appreciate it. SGT. TIM VIDOS, OREGON ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: Gobble-gobble.
SANCHEZ: Gobble-gobble.
Major, let me start with you.
You're thousands of miles away from home. You're in a strange setting.
What do you miss most on a day like this?
WARRINGTON: Well, on a day like this obviously family is important and my thoughts are with them, as they are pretty much every day. But we always have each other. The soldiers here do an excellent job of taking care of each other and if we keep doing that, we'll have no worries and be able to pull through.
SANCHEZ: You know, Thanksgiving is very American. You're in a place that's not very American.
On a day like this, what do you do to -- does it help, does it make you feel a little more a part of what -- where you come from?
WARRINGTON: It does. And it's also an opportunity to share with the local culture, you know, the customs that we bring with us in our presence here, just as we share the local customs, the traditions and the holidays that they are -- that they share with us and that we're fortunate to -- fortunate enough to take part in. Holidays like this are always an opportunity to demonstrate that people are capable of thinking of others than themselves.
SANCHEZ: Hey, chef, how are you?
Let me ask you, how do you try and create that down home feel for these guys, who so sorely need it? I see there's some stuff there behind you. Why don't you go ahead and incorporate that into the explanation for me.
VIDOS: I had a lot of fun back in the kitchen. It made me feel at home. I miss my wife. I miss my two kids. I miss my parents. I miss my snake.
SANCHEZ: OK.
VIDOS: I'm kind of lonely but I'm having fun over here. I'm around a bunch of good soldiers. I just want to hurry up and get home.
SANCHEZ: What do you got for them today? What's on tap? What's for supper?
VIDOS: I'm sorry, what was that?
WARRINGTON: What have we got for chow tonight?
VIDOS: Oh, Beef Wellingtons, cornbread stuffing, traditional turkey, ham, cranberries, gravy, the whole ball of wax.
WARRINGTON: I can feel the pounds coming on already.
SANCHEZ: Hey, guys, before we actually...
VIDOS: I've actually gained 19 pounds since I've been here.
SANCHEZ: Before we let you go, your families are watching you right now.
What would you say to them? What would you like to say to them?
WARRINGTON: I love you. I miss you. Take care and see you soon.
VIDOS: Honey, I love you, I miss you, I love my little kids. I can't wait to see them.
SANCHEZ: And take care of the snake, right?
VIDOS: I love you.
SANCHEZ: Appreciate it, guys.
God bless you.
Thanks for being with us.
WARRINGTON: OK, thank you very much.
Thanks for having us.
SANCHEZ: Soledad -- over to you.
O'BRIEN: Thanks.
VIDOS: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: The giant balloons are ready, but will the wind keep them out of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year?
CNN's Jason Carroll is along the parade route this morning.
He's tracking the preparations, as well.
Hey -- Jason, good morning.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Soledad.
So far, parade organizers are hoping that the wind doesn't kick up. So far things out here are looking pretty good.
We want to show you what's happening out here along Central Park West. You can see all of the people who have started lining up. Some of them have been out here since last night. And if you take a look at what we saw out here last night for the annual blowing up of the balloons -- that's an annual event out here in New York -- we saw them blowing up Ronald McDonald, Garfield, Big Bird, and one of my personal favorites, Charlie Brown, in preparations for what's going to be happening out here this morning.
And this morning, they were in the -- trying to get all the balloons lined up and into position for the parade. Out here today we've got, look at this, hundreds of people who have been out here, like the Landers, who got out here -- you said you got up at what time this morning?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: 2:30 this morning.
CARROLL: 2:30 this morning.
Now, I want to get to you, Heather, first. Sixteen years old. Parades like this still cool for you? I know this isn't the first time.
HEATHER: Yes. It's always fun to come out.
CARROLL: Always fun.
Who are you guys looking forward to seeing?
SARAH: I'm looking forward to see Big Bird and all of the clowns.
CARROLL: Now, wait a minute. You are 14 years old, Sarah, and you are actually still looking forward to seeing Big Bird?
SARAH: Yes, I've seen him on TV like every year, so I'm still excited to see him.
CARROLL: Now, what's this like, as a mom bringing four kids down here? I mean this has got to be, you know, a lot for you to do.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is a great place to be for Thanksgiving. We're looking forward to going to FAO Schwarz today. It's opening, grand opening day.
CARROLL: So you're really going to get a jump on the holiday shopping, aren't you?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, we are. Yes. There are three birthdays next week so (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...
CARROLL: That's definitely going to keep you busy.
Now, I know you two are big soccer fans. No soccer balls in the show.
But anything you're looking forward to seeing in this parade?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Garfield.
CARROLL: Garfield? How about you?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: SpongeBob.
CARROLL: SpongeBob. That's right. You stole my little thunder there. That's what I was going to tell you, Soledad. That's one of the new balloons debuting this year in the parade, SpongeBob SquarePants, as well as Chicken Little. We're going to be out here giving you all the highlights all morning long -- back to you.
O'BRIEN: All right, Jason Carroll for us this morning.
Thanks, Jason.
Appreciate it.
SANCHEZ: Well, still to come, an election crisis continues in the Ukraine. We're going to go live to Jill Dougherty. She's on the streets of Kiev as the opposition grows.
O'BRIEN: And an empty seat at the table -- how military families separated from loved ones are doing on this holiday.
SANCHEZ: Also, got any last minute turkey questions? The dean, the dean of Butterball University is with us this morning and you can e-mail your questions to am@cnn.com.
There she is. She's the dean. She's got the answers to your questions, especially if you woke up and your turkey is still frozen, ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRIVATE BROCK: Hi. My name is Private Brock (ph) from Start City (ph), Missouri. I'd just like to tell my family and friends back home Happy Thanksgiving and I'll see you guys soon.
CHRIS BOURNES: Hi, this is Chris Bournes (ph) from Sapulpa, Oklahoma. I want to tell my mom, Connie, my wife, Scarlett (ph), and my beautiful daughter Tamaya (ph) that I love you and have a Happy Thanksgiving.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: Thanksgiving, of course, is a special time to share with good friends and family. But whether you're hosting a feast or you're a guest at somebody else's, the occasion can be a little stressful. And that's where etiquette expert Peggy Post comes in.
The 17th edition of her family's famous book, "Emily Post's Etiquette," has just been released.
Peggy Post joins us this morning in the studio.
Nice to see you. Just in time.
Let's talk about Thanksgiving and some of the manners dos and don'ts for folks who are watching this morning.
PEGGY POST, "EMILY POST'S ETIQUETTE": Right.
O'BRIEN: Is it OK to bring a friend if you've been invited to a Thanksgiving dinner? I always think of Thanksgiving as a time to kind of gather up random people and bring them to your house.
POST: Yes, yes. Delicately. The best thing is to have the host invite your friend and say, you might say well, I have a friend visiting from out of town or whatever. And Thanksgiving is such a gathering, large gathering. So don't just force someone on your host, but hopefully the host will say please bring your guest or friend or whatever.
O'BRIEN: It's kind of the theme behind Thanksgiving, one would think.
POST: Right. Right.
O'BRIEN: What do you do about the folks -- and I know you've been asked this question five million times -- but there's always the folks, my pastor calls them the people who make Thanksgiving interesting, meaning, you know, the uncle who drinks too much...
POST: Yes. Right. Right.
O'BRIEN: ... the aunt who can't get along with her kids.
POST: Right.
O'BRIEN: You know, the person who's just obnoxious to everybody else.
POST: Right. Right.
O'BRIEN: What's the best strategy as the hostess, because I'm hosting this year?
POST: Yes, OK, as the host or hostess, try to plan ahead and think about who, maybe two people in the family don't get along. So don't have them sit next to each other. You might put place cards around just for that reason. You might even talk to someone ahead of time and say, you know, Uncle George, we love your jokes, but let's kind of tone them down this year.
O'BRIEN: Not this year.
POST: Watch the liquor as the host and really be careful about liquor intake, especially...
O'BRIEN: What if...
POST: Yes? O'BRIEN: What if you're a guest at one of these events and you don't really -- you're not in a position to say, OK, no more drinks for anybody?
POST: Right, right, right...
O'BRIEN: Is there sort of a delicate way to manage tensions or avoid the person who maybe is picking on you?
POST: Right. Right. Well, if you're have -- if you're seated next to someone and you're getting into a debate and it's supposed to be a really fun celebration going on, you can just simply say let's agree to disagree and change the subject. Try to keep the conversation light if you want -- if it's getting to be a little unpleasant.
As far as drinking, you might even mention to your host very, very discretely that, you know, maybe that person, that guest there is just really having trouble walking and I don't think you realize that. But be real discrete and don't embarrass somebody. That's the key thing about etiquette, is being considerate and not embarrassing.
O'BRIEN: Do you set a time, as the host -- I feel like this is my therapy, because I'm the host this year for the first time ever.
POST: Right. Oh.
O'BRIEN: Should I set a time for dinner, 3:00, be there or you're not going to eat? Or should I be flexible or should I let people kind of just come in and come out?
POST: Well, all of the above. But do, for your own sanity, do have a schedule in mind and do think about the dinner will be served at such and such a time. And if you're a little bit late your first Thanksgiving, you said, so don't worry about it. Just have fun. But plan very carefully.
Do have flexibility. Do have a feel for your guests, what they're doing. There might be a play-off football game going on just a little before you're going to eat. If your food won't be spoiled, I would say think about your guests, let them watch that.
So it's a little bit of both.
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: Right, yes, right.
POST: Keep everyone happy.
O'BRIEN: Excellent, excellent advice, as always.
Peggy Post, nice to see you.
Thanks for talking with us.
POST: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: Back to you.
SANCHEZ: All right, thanks, Soledad.
Well, still to come, just woke up and realized that your turkey is still frozen? Have no fear. The dean of Butterball University is here. Help is on the way.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SANCHEZ: And welcome back.
A former Army recruit is working to make sure U.S. troops in Iraq get some comic relief over the holidays. Now a comedian, he is taking his show on the road, the road to Baghdad, of course, that is.
Entertainment correspondent Sibila Vargas has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
TOM IRWIN, COMEDIAN: He'll be going over next. He's going next.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Pizza, beer and a room full of friends is how Tom Irwin celebrated Thanksgiving early this year. That's because the 38-year-old comedian is currently in Iraq to entertain the troops.
IRWIN: And chicken wings, take out sodas and they have Super Bowl party platters.
VARGAS: The visit is the second for the comedian and former Army recruit, who first performed in 30 cities in Iraq and Kuwait in February.
IRWIN: It was really great to go back not as a soldier, but to perform for the soldiers, because I've been one of those people.
VARGAS: Upon returning home, having seen the war up close, Irwin began to worry that the men and women fighting and dying in Iraq were becoming faceless statistics here on the home front.
IRWIN: Just imagine someone from your circle of friends being killed in the war and being anonymous. Would that bother you? I think it would. It bothers me.
VARGAS: So Irwin took action by turning his comedy tour in Iraq into a one man show he performs weekly in Hollywood.
IRWIN: And we get on the plane and we're in with all the soldiers. We're in with all of them. They're like, you know, guns and camouflage, but we're like backpacks and Walk-men.
VARGAS: A blend of humor and heartache, Irwin's show is his way of humanizing our troops.
IRWIN: And that's why I realized that all the people on this plane are going to war.
ANDREW PLOTHICK, AUDIENCE MEMBER: At the end of the day, I think we do forget that these are just, you know, normal people like you and me out there. And to hear it from a guy who actually went there and is willing to go back is just, it's just an incredible thing.
VARGAS: This Thanksgiving Tom Irwin is back in Iraq, sharing laughter where there is loneliness, smiles where there is sorrow and hoping to provide a few good memories where there is war.
IRWIN: You can't imagine what it's like to be alone on the holidays in a war time situation, just, I mean, missing your family every day is enough, but during the holidays, that's unforgivable.
VARGAS: Sibila Vargas, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
SANCHEZ: And he says he knows it's tough, but he also hopes that his humor will somehow help the troops fight off some of the holiday blues that are inevitable.
Load up.
O'BRIEN: All right, let's talk turkey. You've got a 20 pound bird in the fridge and 15 people to feed, but you woke up this morning and discovered that that turkey is still as hard as a Plymouth rock.
SANCHEZ: Like that.
O'BRIEN: And if you think your goose is cooked -- how do you like all these puns I'm working in?
SANCHEZ: I love it.
O'BRIEN: Seamless. Seamless. It'll thaw out. Help is on the way in the shape of Sherleen Clauson. She is the dean of Butterball University and is going to give us a few lessons on how you can do your Thanksgiving turkey right, even if you sort of started off on the wrong foot.
Good morning.
Nice to see you, Sherleen.
Thanks for being with us.
SHERLEEN CLAUSON, DEAN, BUTTERBALL UNIVERSITY: Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving.
O'BRIEN: Thank you.
Likewise. Let's talk about this question. You know, my mom called me last night and said take that turkey out of the freezer. If you forgot to do that, or if you did it and your turkey is still frozen solid, what should you do this morning?
CLAUSON: Well, that is panic time. So if it's thawed, it's going to feel soft, and you can easily get the giblets out of the neck cavity and the neck out of the body cavity. So in the event that it's still frozen or really under thawed and icy cold, you may need to leave them in. And that's OK, because they're in food safe packaging.
So let's just say that it's time to get the turkey in the oven. Then you will not be able to tuck the wings. You'll just need to put the turkey in the pan. And when it is completely frozen, it's going to take at least an hour longer to cook in an open pan like this, in a 325 degree oven.
And, of course, an important thing to remember, then, is is to use a piece of foil over the breast when it's about a half to two thirds done, because it will be in the oven longer, you know, to get cooked and thawed. So you don't want the breast to overcook.
SANCHEZ: What's all that we hear in the background? We hear an awful lot of people back there talking. Are they taking questions from all over the country from...
O'BRIEN: They're professors at Butterball University.
SANCHEZ: ... at Butterball University?
CLAUSON: Yes.
SANCHEZ: Is that what's going on?
CLAUSON: Well, that's what's going on. I'm here live at the Butterball turkey talk line and we are busy talking to America, helping them with all of their questions.
SANCHEZ: That's amazing.
So, again, you say if you wake up and the turkey is frozen, you still cook it. You've just got to make sure it's covered so it doesn't burn and you've got to make sure it's at a low temperature, right?
CLAUSON: Well, right. We recommend a 325 degree oven. And, of course, you would not put stuffing into, obviously, a frozen turkey, or even a turkey that is under thawed, you know, that you really can't get the neck and the giblets out of it. So, just go ahead and cook it.
Now, if you've got like several hours before you need to get it in the oven and, you know, right now you're not eating until 3:00 in the afternoon, I'd say take the turkey out of the freezer or the refrigerator and put it in a sink of cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes, and then that will help to speed thaw the turkey. O'BRIEN: Sherleen, I know you've been kind enough to stick with us this morning to answer all the questions. We're going to tell the folks that they can e-mail us this morning at am@cnn.com with any of their questions and we'll pass them right to Sherleen throughout the morning and get some of our questions solved.
I'm going to e-mail in, too, because I've got a lot of questions.
SANCHEZ: I just love the speed thaw.
O'BRIEN: Thanks, Sherleen.
CLAUSON: I'm here to help.
O'BRIEN: Wonderful.
We'll be back with you in a little bit.
Still to come this morning, crisis in the Ukraine, where opposition grows over the disputed presidential election. We're going to take you live to Jill Dougherty in Kiev.
That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired November 25, 2004 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Are we there yet? America's Thanksgiving Day party begins with snow and rain and a travel nightmare. Tornadoes rip across parts of the South, where Thanksgiving now begins with holiday cleanup.
In Iraq, Americans a long way from home on a special day. We'll talk with some of the troops.
And it's better to be prepared. Everything you ever wanted to know about cooking the perfect turkey on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN broadcast center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Soledad O'Brien and Bill Hemmer.
O'BRIEN: And good morning.
Welcome, everybody.
Happy Thanksgiving.
I'm Soledad O'Brien in. And Bill is off today, Jack is off today, Andy is off today, Heidi is off today, but we are here holding down the fort on this holiday.
Rick Sanchez is in for Bill.
Nice to have you.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: By golly, are we troopers or what?
O'BRIEN: Well, you know, yes, we are. I'll pat you on the back, you pat me on the back for being here today.
SANCHEZ: All day long.
Hey, one of the great traditions Thanksgiving morning is going to be taking place right back here. That's right, Macy's Day Parade right here in the Big Apple. They're, in fact, getting it ready as we speak. And we're going to be sharing some of it with you -- all the traditional floats, the giant balloons, if the wind isn't too much, but more on that later.
You know who's going to be there? SpongeBob SquarePants, this year, right here, right now.
O'BRIEN: Ooh-hoo. SANCHEZ: And we're going to be going live...
O'BRIEN: Oh, you know, I wasn't going to go, but now that I know SpongeBob is going to be there, I'm in.
Have you ever gone to the parade?
SANCHEZ: You get the good scoop from here, only from here.
O'BRIEN: Your real news makes a difference.
Also this morning, among our Thanksgiving Day themes, we've got Emily Post's great granddaughter-in-law, Peggy Post. She's talking about Thanksgiving Day etiquette, everything you might want to get away with at dinnertime, but some things maybe you shouldn't try, as well.
SANCHEZ: Also this morning, we're going to have the dean of Butterball University for three hours, Sherleen Clauson. She knows everything there is to possibly know on Earth about cooking a turkey.
O'BRIEN: Is there really a Butterball University?
SANCHEZ: There is.
O'BRIEN: Really? Like a real university?
SANCHEZ: Yes, because they know how to butter ball the turkey.
O'BRIEN: Sherleen is also going to take your e-mail questions throughout the morning. That, of course, is at am@cnn.com.
But first, some more headlines this morning.
Carol Costello is in for Heidi -- good morning to you, Carol.
Happy Thanksgiving.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Happy Thanksgiving.
That's where I got my degree, Butterball University. Here I am at CNN.
O'BRIEN: A Ph.D.
SANCHEZ: They've done good for you.
COSTELLO: Exactly.
Thanks, guys.
Now in the news, U.S. Marines and Iraqi security forces have apparently uncovered enough weapons in Falluja for a nationwide rebellion. The U.S. military says the largest weapons find to date was uncovered yesterday at a Falluja mosque. The joint forces say they also found documents detailing insurgent interrogations of recent kidnap victims. Troops have been mopping up the region following a two week offensive there.
Calls for a general strike in Ukraine after election results were announced declaring Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych the new president. Thousands of opposition supporters have been gathering in protest. The election has been marred by claims of voter fraud. Opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko has filed an appeal against the results.
Here in the States, Scott Peterson's defense wants the California Supreme Court to step in. Attorney Mark Geragos filed a motion yesterday asking for a new jury and a change of venue for the penalty phase of Peterson's trial. Both requests have already been turned down by the trial judge and an appeals court. Oral arguments in the sentencing phase are set to begin on Tuesday.
And President Bush is at his Texas ranch this morning, kicking off the holiday by issuing his annual Thanksgiving Day proclamation. The president's message, encouraging Americans to reinforce ties of family and community. The president also giving thanks for those in the military who are helping to advance the cause of freedom.
Back to you.
O'BRIEN: That's nice.
We're going to talk with some of those folks in the military this morning and have an opportunity to connect with them, as well.
Carol -- thanks.
COSTELLO: And they're going to be able to say Happy Thanksgiving to their people at home.
O'BRIEN: Won't that be nice?
SANCHEZ: Yes. They're far away and they're hungry.
COSTELLO: I'll bet.
O'BRIEN: And we all are this morning.
Thanks -- Carol.
A record number of people will be on the move this holiday weekend. Stormy weather throughout much of the country yesterday had many thankful that they weren't. For those who were trying to get there from here, though, it was a journey and an adventure.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
O'BRIEN (voice-over): Heavy snow in the Midwest, heavy rain in the Northeast and tornadoes in the South. Mother Nature was definitely no help on getaway day, the start of a weekend estimated to see more than 37 million people hit the roads, the air and the rails.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We haven't seen this many travelers since 2000.
O'BRIEN: At packed airports, the holiday rush meant hurry up and wait.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm ready to camp out.
O'BRIEN: And that's exactly what they did at several major airports. The snowstorm causing three hour delays at O'Hare in Chicago, the weather grounding planes in Georgia. And as conditions worsened, delays began to snowball.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As I drove over here, I could already hear air traffic control doing ground stops at various cities because of the weather.
O'BRIEN: Still, for the millions making the holiday trek, the Thanksgiving destination is worth all the waiting.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know, I'm looking forward to seeing family. I guess that keeps you positive, keeps you going.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
O'BRIEN: Millions of holiday travelers will do it all again on Sunday, which is traditionally an even busier travel day.
Chad Myers is at the CNN Center with the latest weather update for us this morning.
Hey -- Chad, good morning to you.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Soledad.
I'm afraid some people are waking up in the airport this morning watching us because they didn't get out last night. Airport delays through Chicago were well into the two, three hour range. Some planes didn't make it in. And obviously some planes didn't make it out.
(WEATHER REPORT)
SANCHEZ: For many, today is one day where loosening that belt buckle is going to be a must. But, you know, this year, thousands of American troops won't be able to stuff themselves on, at least not mom's home cooking.
We're joined now by Major Michael Warrington.
He's a soldier with the Oregon Army National Guard and also a cook with that unit. Sergeant Tim Vidos is joining us, who's helping to feed the homesick troops this Thanksgiving meal on this special day.
Hey, guys, Thanks so much for being with us.
MAJOR MICHAEL WARRINGTON, OREGON ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: Hey, thanks for having us. We appreciate it. SGT. TIM VIDOS, OREGON ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: Gobble-gobble.
SANCHEZ: Gobble-gobble.
Major, let me start with you.
You're thousands of miles away from home. You're in a strange setting.
What do you miss most on a day like this?
WARRINGTON: Well, on a day like this obviously family is important and my thoughts are with them, as they are pretty much every day. But we always have each other. The soldiers here do an excellent job of taking care of each other and if we keep doing that, we'll have no worries and be able to pull through.
SANCHEZ: You know, Thanksgiving is very American. You're in a place that's not very American.
On a day like this, what do you do to -- does it help, does it make you feel a little more a part of what -- where you come from?
WARRINGTON: It does. And it's also an opportunity to share with the local culture, you know, the customs that we bring with us in our presence here, just as we share the local customs, the traditions and the holidays that they are -- that they share with us and that we're fortunate to -- fortunate enough to take part in. Holidays like this are always an opportunity to demonstrate that people are capable of thinking of others than themselves.
SANCHEZ: Hey, chef, how are you?
Let me ask you, how do you try and create that down home feel for these guys, who so sorely need it? I see there's some stuff there behind you. Why don't you go ahead and incorporate that into the explanation for me.
VIDOS: I had a lot of fun back in the kitchen. It made me feel at home. I miss my wife. I miss my two kids. I miss my parents. I miss my snake.
SANCHEZ: OK.
VIDOS: I'm kind of lonely but I'm having fun over here. I'm around a bunch of good soldiers. I just want to hurry up and get home.
SANCHEZ: What do you got for them today? What's on tap? What's for supper?
VIDOS: I'm sorry, what was that?
WARRINGTON: What have we got for chow tonight?
VIDOS: Oh, Beef Wellingtons, cornbread stuffing, traditional turkey, ham, cranberries, gravy, the whole ball of wax.
WARRINGTON: I can feel the pounds coming on already.
SANCHEZ: Hey, guys, before we actually...
VIDOS: I've actually gained 19 pounds since I've been here.
SANCHEZ: Before we let you go, your families are watching you right now.
What would you say to them? What would you like to say to them?
WARRINGTON: I love you. I miss you. Take care and see you soon.
VIDOS: Honey, I love you, I miss you, I love my little kids. I can't wait to see them.
SANCHEZ: And take care of the snake, right?
VIDOS: I love you.
SANCHEZ: Appreciate it, guys.
God bless you.
Thanks for being with us.
WARRINGTON: OK, thank you very much.
Thanks for having us.
SANCHEZ: Soledad -- over to you.
O'BRIEN: Thanks.
VIDOS: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: The giant balloons are ready, but will the wind keep them out of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year?
CNN's Jason Carroll is along the parade route this morning.
He's tracking the preparations, as well.
Hey -- Jason, good morning.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Soledad.
So far, parade organizers are hoping that the wind doesn't kick up. So far things out here are looking pretty good.
We want to show you what's happening out here along Central Park West. You can see all of the people who have started lining up. Some of them have been out here since last night. And if you take a look at what we saw out here last night for the annual blowing up of the balloons -- that's an annual event out here in New York -- we saw them blowing up Ronald McDonald, Garfield, Big Bird, and one of my personal favorites, Charlie Brown, in preparations for what's going to be happening out here this morning.
And this morning, they were in the -- trying to get all the balloons lined up and into position for the parade. Out here today we've got, look at this, hundreds of people who have been out here, like the Landers, who got out here -- you said you got up at what time this morning?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: 2:30 this morning.
CARROLL: 2:30 this morning.
Now, I want to get to you, Heather, first. Sixteen years old. Parades like this still cool for you? I know this isn't the first time.
HEATHER: Yes. It's always fun to come out.
CARROLL: Always fun.
Who are you guys looking forward to seeing?
SARAH: I'm looking forward to see Big Bird and all of the clowns.
CARROLL: Now, wait a minute. You are 14 years old, Sarah, and you are actually still looking forward to seeing Big Bird?
SARAH: Yes, I've seen him on TV like every year, so I'm still excited to see him.
CARROLL: Now, what's this like, as a mom bringing four kids down here? I mean this has got to be, you know, a lot for you to do.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is a great place to be for Thanksgiving. We're looking forward to going to FAO Schwarz today. It's opening, grand opening day.
CARROLL: So you're really going to get a jump on the holiday shopping, aren't you?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, we are. Yes. There are three birthdays next week so (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...
CARROLL: That's definitely going to keep you busy.
Now, I know you two are big soccer fans. No soccer balls in the show.
But anything you're looking forward to seeing in this parade?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Garfield.
CARROLL: Garfield? How about you?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: SpongeBob.
CARROLL: SpongeBob. That's right. You stole my little thunder there. That's what I was going to tell you, Soledad. That's one of the new balloons debuting this year in the parade, SpongeBob SquarePants, as well as Chicken Little. We're going to be out here giving you all the highlights all morning long -- back to you.
O'BRIEN: All right, Jason Carroll for us this morning.
Thanks, Jason.
Appreciate it.
SANCHEZ: Well, still to come, an election crisis continues in the Ukraine. We're going to go live to Jill Dougherty. She's on the streets of Kiev as the opposition grows.
O'BRIEN: And an empty seat at the table -- how military families separated from loved ones are doing on this holiday.
SANCHEZ: Also, got any last minute turkey questions? The dean, the dean of Butterball University is with us this morning and you can e-mail your questions to am@cnn.com.
There she is. She's the dean. She's got the answers to your questions, especially if you woke up and your turkey is still frozen, ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRIVATE BROCK: Hi. My name is Private Brock (ph) from Start City (ph), Missouri. I'd just like to tell my family and friends back home Happy Thanksgiving and I'll see you guys soon.
CHRIS BOURNES: Hi, this is Chris Bournes (ph) from Sapulpa, Oklahoma. I want to tell my mom, Connie, my wife, Scarlett (ph), and my beautiful daughter Tamaya (ph) that I love you and have a Happy Thanksgiving.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: Thanksgiving, of course, is a special time to share with good friends and family. But whether you're hosting a feast or you're a guest at somebody else's, the occasion can be a little stressful. And that's where etiquette expert Peggy Post comes in.
The 17th edition of her family's famous book, "Emily Post's Etiquette," has just been released.
Peggy Post joins us this morning in the studio.
Nice to see you. Just in time.
Let's talk about Thanksgiving and some of the manners dos and don'ts for folks who are watching this morning.
PEGGY POST, "EMILY POST'S ETIQUETTE": Right.
O'BRIEN: Is it OK to bring a friend if you've been invited to a Thanksgiving dinner? I always think of Thanksgiving as a time to kind of gather up random people and bring them to your house.
POST: Yes, yes. Delicately. The best thing is to have the host invite your friend and say, you might say well, I have a friend visiting from out of town or whatever. And Thanksgiving is such a gathering, large gathering. So don't just force someone on your host, but hopefully the host will say please bring your guest or friend or whatever.
O'BRIEN: It's kind of the theme behind Thanksgiving, one would think.
POST: Right. Right.
O'BRIEN: What do you do about the folks -- and I know you've been asked this question five million times -- but there's always the folks, my pastor calls them the people who make Thanksgiving interesting, meaning, you know, the uncle who drinks too much...
POST: Yes. Right. Right.
O'BRIEN: ... the aunt who can't get along with her kids.
POST: Right.
O'BRIEN: You know, the person who's just obnoxious to everybody else.
POST: Right. Right.
O'BRIEN: What's the best strategy as the hostess, because I'm hosting this year?
POST: Yes, OK, as the host or hostess, try to plan ahead and think about who, maybe two people in the family don't get along. So don't have them sit next to each other. You might put place cards around just for that reason. You might even talk to someone ahead of time and say, you know, Uncle George, we love your jokes, but let's kind of tone them down this year.
O'BRIEN: Not this year.
POST: Watch the liquor as the host and really be careful about liquor intake, especially...
O'BRIEN: What if...
POST: Yes? O'BRIEN: What if you're a guest at one of these events and you don't really -- you're not in a position to say, OK, no more drinks for anybody?
POST: Right, right, right...
O'BRIEN: Is there sort of a delicate way to manage tensions or avoid the person who maybe is picking on you?
POST: Right. Right. Well, if you're have -- if you're seated next to someone and you're getting into a debate and it's supposed to be a really fun celebration going on, you can just simply say let's agree to disagree and change the subject. Try to keep the conversation light if you want -- if it's getting to be a little unpleasant.
As far as drinking, you might even mention to your host very, very discretely that, you know, maybe that person, that guest there is just really having trouble walking and I don't think you realize that. But be real discrete and don't embarrass somebody. That's the key thing about etiquette, is being considerate and not embarrassing.
O'BRIEN: Do you set a time, as the host -- I feel like this is my therapy, because I'm the host this year for the first time ever.
POST: Right. Oh.
O'BRIEN: Should I set a time for dinner, 3:00, be there or you're not going to eat? Or should I be flexible or should I let people kind of just come in and come out?
POST: Well, all of the above. But do, for your own sanity, do have a schedule in mind and do think about the dinner will be served at such and such a time. And if you're a little bit late your first Thanksgiving, you said, so don't worry about it. Just have fun. But plan very carefully.
Do have flexibility. Do have a feel for your guests, what they're doing. There might be a play-off football game going on just a little before you're going to eat. If your food won't be spoiled, I would say think about your guests, let them watch that.
So it's a little bit of both.
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: Right, yes, right.
POST: Keep everyone happy.
O'BRIEN: Excellent, excellent advice, as always.
Peggy Post, nice to see you.
Thanks for talking with us.
POST: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: Back to you.
SANCHEZ: All right, thanks, Soledad.
Well, still to come, just woke up and realized that your turkey is still frozen? Have no fear. The dean of Butterball University is here. Help is on the way.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SANCHEZ: And welcome back.
A former Army recruit is working to make sure U.S. troops in Iraq get some comic relief over the holidays. Now a comedian, he is taking his show on the road, the road to Baghdad, of course, that is.
Entertainment correspondent Sibila Vargas has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
TOM IRWIN, COMEDIAN: He'll be going over next. He's going next.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Pizza, beer and a room full of friends is how Tom Irwin celebrated Thanksgiving early this year. That's because the 38-year-old comedian is currently in Iraq to entertain the troops.
IRWIN: And chicken wings, take out sodas and they have Super Bowl party platters.
VARGAS: The visit is the second for the comedian and former Army recruit, who first performed in 30 cities in Iraq and Kuwait in February.
IRWIN: It was really great to go back not as a soldier, but to perform for the soldiers, because I've been one of those people.
VARGAS: Upon returning home, having seen the war up close, Irwin began to worry that the men and women fighting and dying in Iraq were becoming faceless statistics here on the home front.
IRWIN: Just imagine someone from your circle of friends being killed in the war and being anonymous. Would that bother you? I think it would. It bothers me.
VARGAS: So Irwin took action by turning his comedy tour in Iraq into a one man show he performs weekly in Hollywood.
IRWIN: And we get on the plane and we're in with all the soldiers. We're in with all of them. They're like, you know, guns and camouflage, but we're like backpacks and Walk-men.
VARGAS: A blend of humor and heartache, Irwin's show is his way of humanizing our troops.
IRWIN: And that's why I realized that all the people on this plane are going to war.
ANDREW PLOTHICK, AUDIENCE MEMBER: At the end of the day, I think we do forget that these are just, you know, normal people like you and me out there. And to hear it from a guy who actually went there and is willing to go back is just, it's just an incredible thing.
VARGAS: This Thanksgiving Tom Irwin is back in Iraq, sharing laughter where there is loneliness, smiles where there is sorrow and hoping to provide a few good memories where there is war.
IRWIN: You can't imagine what it's like to be alone on the holidays in a war time situation, just, I mean, missing your family every day is enough, but during the holidays, that's unforgivable.
VARGAS: Sibila Vargas, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
SANCHEZ: And he says he knows it's tough, but he also hopes that his humor will somehow help the troops fight off some of the holiday blues that are inevitable.
Load up.
O'BRIEN: All right, let's talk turkey. You've got a 20 pound bird in the fridge and 15 people to feed, but you woke up this morning and discovered that that turkey is still as hard as a Plymouth rock.
SANCHEZ: Like that.
O'BRIEN: And if you think your goose is cooked -- how do you like all these puns I'm working in?
SANCHEZ: I love it.
O'BRIEN: Seamless. Seamless. It'll thaw out. Help is on the way in the shape of Sherleen Clauson. She is the dean of Butterball University and is going to give us a few lessons on how you can do your Thanksgiving turkey right, even if you sort of started off on the wrong foot.
Good morning.
Nice to see you, Sherleen.
Thanks for being with us.
SHERLEEN CLAUSON, DEAN, BUTTERBALL UNIVERSITY: Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving.
O'BRIEN: Thank you.
Likewise. Let's talk about this question. You know, my mom called me last night and said take that turkey out of the freezer. If you forgot to do that, or if you did it and your turkey is still frozen solid, what should you do this morning?
CLAUSON: Well, that is panic time. So if it's thawed, it's going to feel soft, and you can easily get the giblets out of the neck cavity and the neck out of the body cavity. So in the event that it's still frozen or really under thawed and icy cold, you may need to leave them in. And that's OK, because they're in food safe packaging.
So let's just say that it's time to get the turkey in the oven. Then you will not be able to tuck the wings. You'll just need to put the turkey in the pan. And when it is completely frozen, it's going to take at least an hour longer to cook in an open pan like this, in a 325 degree oven.
And, of course, an important thing to remember, then, is is to use a piece of foil over the breast when it's about a half to two thirds done, because it will be in the oven longer, you know, to get cooked and thawed. So you don't want the breast to overcook.
SANCHEZ: What's all that we hear in the background? We hear an awful lot of people back there talking. Are they taking questions from all over the country from...
O'BRIEN: They're professors at Butterball University.
SANCHEZ: ... at Butterball University?
CLAUSON: Yes.
SANCHEZ: Is that what's going on?
CLAUSON: Well, that's what's going on. I'm here live at the Butterball turkey talk line and we are busy talking to America, helping them with all of their questions.
SANCHEZ: That's amazing.
So, again, you say if you wake up and the turkey is frozen, you still cook it. You've just got to make sure it's covered so it doesn't burn and you've got to make sure it's at a low temperature, right?
CLAUSON: Well, right. We recommend a 325 degree oven. And, of course, you would not put stuffing into, obviously, a frozen turkey, or even a turkey that is under thawed, you know, that you really can't get the neck and the giblets out of it. So, just go ahead and cook it.
Now, if you've got like several hours before you need to get it in the oven and, you know, right now you're not eating until 3:00 in the afternoon, I'd say take the turkey out of the freezer or the refrigerator and put it in a sink of cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes, and then that will help to speed thaw the turkey. O'BRIEN: Sherleen, I know you've been kind enough to stick with us this morning to answer all the questions. We're going to tell the folks that they can e-mail us this morning at am@cnn.com with any of their questions and we'll pass them right to Sherleen throughout the morning and get some of our questions solved.
I'm going to e-mail in, too, because I've got a lot of questions.
SANCHEZ: I just love the speed thaw.
O'BRIEN: Thanks, Sherleen.
CLAUSON: I'm here to help.
O'BRIEN: Wonderful.
We'll be back with you in a little bit.
Still to come this morning, crisis in the Ukraine, where opposition grows over the disputed presidential election. We're going to take you live to Jill Dougherty in Kiev.
That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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