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American Morning
Holiday Terrorism Warning; House Passes Tax Cuts; Holiday Terrorism Warning
Aired December 17, 2010 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Hello there, everybody and welcome to this AMERICAN MORNING. Good morning to you all. I'm T.J. Holmes sitting in today for John Roberts on this Friday, December 17th.
KIRAN CHETRY, CNN ANCHOR: Good to have you here. We have a lot to talk about this morning. A warning first from Homeland Security officials as well as the FBI that terrorists could be targeting large crowds at holiday gatherings. CNN national security analyst, Peter Bergen will join us in just a couple of minutes to talk more about what's behind this warning.
HOLMES: It's all done but the signature. Your income taxes will not be going up on January 1st. The tax cut extension on its way to the oval office this morning. The deal hammered out between the White House and Republicans has gone through now in the end though more Democrats actually ended up voting for the bill. We'll have more on a wild day on Capitol Hill and also the work ahead.
CHETRY: And most holiday gifts are easy enough to return, but a dog or cat, you have to do your homework. A pet desperately needs a home and could end up back in the shelter by New Year's. This morning, what you should know before you decide to bring home a furry friend for the holidays.
HOLMES: All right, everybody remembers last Christmas. You were there with your family doing your thing on Christmas day and then breaking news, trying to blow up an airliner over Detroit. Well, the FBI, Homeland Security officials once again warning everybody you need to stay alert this holiday season especially if you're planning to attend an event with a large crowd.
CHETRY: It's always hard when they make, you know, that type of statement because you just don't know what are you supposed to do besides be aware?
HOLMES: Yes.
CHETRY: Well, they insist they don't have a specific threat of a terrorist attack, but they do want law enforcement and all of us to be more on the lookout for suspicious activity.
CNN national security analyst Peter Bergen is here this morning.
So, again, when you have this broad type of warning, I mean, I understand that they have to put it out there if they there's a possibility because they want to not have to say they didn't warn people. But what should we do?
PETER BERGEN, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Well, I think, you know, a little bit of heightened alertness is probably a good idea. I think that if it was an attack, it's more likely to be in Europe because there's still an alert for a group of mostly Germans who were trained in Pakistan that -- the State Department released, I'm trying -- you may recall, Kiran, that doesn't expire until January. But these groups have attacked at Christmas.
You may recall, Kiran, Christmas of 1999, during that Christmas holiday season, a guy called Ahmed Ressam was arrested at the border in Seattle. And he was planning to blow up a bomb in LAX Airport in the middle of the Christmas travel season.
So -- and then, of course, we did have the underwear bomber last Christmas.
And then if you go overseas, Indonesia, there was a series attacks on Christian churches at Christmas 2000. And attempt by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's group of the Iraqi insurgent to attack Christian sites, around Christmas 2000.
And so, for the groups -- these groups, you know, they do regard Christians as infidels. So, that is, of course, and an attack at Christmas means, also, that you are going to have people concentrated in particular places.
And so, you know, I think that this alert is not, you know, it's perhaps an abundance of caution. I don't think it's really much opportunity for a terrorist to do an attack right now in the United States. But perhaps overseas, that's more plausible.
HOLMES: And, Peter, we know this is just a popular time, a favorite time. We often hear about these plots or this chatter around the holidays. This just takes -- even if they're not successful, it takes such a deep psychological toll on us all.
BERGEN: Yes. I mean, I think that's -- you know, terrorist don't work if they terrorize us and if we can just sort of say, well, we should go about our business as usual and not freak out. I mean, they don't win if we're not terrorized. And so, you know, our best panic is not a good response to this warning.
CHETRY: Right.
BERGEN: I think this is just a typical kind of warning. And there is some intelligence that is based on a group of Iraqi insurgents told their interrogators that there were plans for attacks over Christmas in either Europe or the United States. And I think Europe is a lot more likely because these groups have more reach there.
CHETRY: So, the question then in practical terms -- I mean, you have increased traveling, obviously. Airports remain a top target. I mean, what is it going to be like traveling this holiday season? I mean, are we going to see more changes, increased security at airports?
BERGEN: Well, I just flew from Dubai to Washington earlier this week and it was very intense security on the United flight. Everybody's bags were double-checked. Hand baggage was searched very carefully going on the plane. So, clearly, certain airlines coming from certain destinations are taking stronger measures than is perhaps typical.
CHETRY: Gotcha. Peter Bergen for us this morning, CNN national security analyst -- appreciate it. Thanks.
BERGEN: Thank you.
CHETRY: Developing story now and a sign of the hunt for terrorists may be expanding this morning. Pakistani intelligence officials now say that there were two suspected U.S. drone strikes today that killed at least 10 suspected militants. The strike is taking place in Pakistan's northern tribal regions, believed that militants are being pushed there because of the increased drone strikes along the Afghan-Pakistan border.
HOLMES: Well, another unmanned drone ended where it wasn't supposed to end up, in somebody's backyard along the U.S.-Mexico border. It was not a U.S. drone.
The National Transportation Safety Board says a Mexican drone crashed in the yard in El Paso. It's trying to find out why it was operating in U.S. air space in the first place.
CHETRY: Well, the headline is that your taxes aren't go up on New Year's Day and they finally got it done. A bill extending the Bush era tax cuts for another two years is now on its way to the Oval Office this morning. So, avoiding an income tax hike for millions for Americans on New Year's Day and also renewing benefits for the unemployed.
HOLMES: Some are calling this a Christmas miracle, not just because they got it done, but they got it done in a bipartisan way, 139 Democrats voted for it, 138 Republicans voted for it.
Jim Acosta live for us in the new and improved and bipartisan Washington, D.C. this morning.
JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right.
HOLMES: Good morning to you, Jim.
CHETRY: Don't you feel it?
ACOSTA: I do. All that was missing was Tiny Tim on the House floor saying and God blesses everyone, because you're right. This did pass.
And a little news here from the White House: two administration officials confirming that the president will sign this into law and make a statement this afternoon. So, this is going to be official. Folks are not going to see their taxes go up come January and that is essentially why this deal passed. The vote wasn't even close, 277 in favor, 148 against. This got derailed temporarily yesterday afternoon, but all of that is sort of water under the bridge at this point, because essentially, you know, they had to get this done.
And as you've been mentioning, there are some breaks in this tax cut package, most notably that payroll tax cut of two percentage points for all Americans. That's a tax break that could be worth up to $2,000 for a lot of people out there. So, this is pretty significant.
CHETRY: They ought to tackle other divisive issues, as well. One of them that they've been trying to get out of the Senate is the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell."
ACOSTA: Yes. That's right, Kiran. This could be the biggest vote of this lame duck session.
I mean, the tax cut deal is a big deal, but -- I mean, just imagine all of those soldiers who have been serving as gay and lesbians, you know, privately, and not being able to come out and talk about that openly in the ranks of the armed services, essentially just passed the House earlier in week as we know, and then four Republicans just in the last 24 hours in the Senate have indicated they're going to vote for this. And so, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has indicated that there will be votes on this this weekend to push this through.
And so, this could be another signing for the president that will work for a core constituency of the Democratic Party. So, they like that news over at the White House, as well.
And I just -- since we are in the holiday spirit right now, guys, I just wanted to show you one of the hottest gifts in Washington this holiday season. If you want, Kiran, I can send it up to you for the kids, Republican and Democrat marshmallow shooters. There it is right there. The little donkey for the Democrats and here's the one for the Republicans.
This is -- this is what they're -- at least they're not using live ammunition up on Capitol Hill.
CHETRY: It says filiblaster? Filibaster.
(CROSSTALK)
CHETRY: Well, you have two kids. You got to figure out which one gets the Democratic, you know, one and which one gets the Republican one, and you'd be good to go.
ACOSTA: Exactly. I'm not touching that one. That's right.
CHETRY: Yes.
ACOSTA: But you know what? In the spirit of bipartisanship, as T.J. was mentioning, I'm going to send this up to you.
HOLMES: We appreciate you, Jim.
ACOSTA: And you can just let it ride.
HOLMES: That's on every kid's list.
All right. Jim Acosta for us this morning -- Jim, good to see you as always, buddy. Thanks so much.
ACOSTA: All right. Merry Christmas, guys.
CHETRY: You, too.
Paying tribute to the king last night, it was Larry King's final show on CNN after 6,000 shows over 25 years.
HOLMES: You know, this final one was a big deal, a big show. A long list of newsmakers and stars showed up to say good-bye. His son was there, got to turn on the mike and did an impression of his dad. Also, Tony Bennett was there, serenaded Larry King.
Here's just a preview if you missed a final show last night.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(TONY BENNETT SINGING)
CANNON KING, LARRY KING'S SON: Where's Shawn?
(LAUGHTER)
C. KING: Get in the car. I'm too old for this. I've done this for 50 years.
(LAUGHTER)
LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE: I am -- I don't know what to say except to you, my audience, thank you. And instead of good- bye, how about so long?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: He's not going too far. And this was the cool moment here as they faded out. With the microphone, very cool last night. The son was hilarious actually.
But can you believe Larry King after 25 years here, 50 years in the business, is finally saying good-bye? He's not leaving the family, however. He's going to stick around here. We're going to see him on specials throughout the year.
CHETRY: That's somebody who has, you know, all the energy and the curiosity of someone you know 50 years younger and he's just -- he gave one piece of advice and I love his advice. He just says, be yourself, because you really -- you can't be anything else and be successful.
HOLMES: That's pretty good advice. I wish he told me that years ago. I would have gotten further in the business probably.
(LAUGHTER)
CHETRY: Well, also coming to a new -- coming to CNN is the new show premiering 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. It's "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT," premieres next month right here on CNN.
Just be yourself, T.J.
This will be an event you won't want to miss. We look forward to that, as well.
HOLMES: All right. Another event taking place right now that you wish you could miss, an extreme weather. Karen Maginnis keeping an eye on things for us.
Hey there, Karen.
KAREN MAGINNIS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Hey, T.J. and Kiran, yes, we are still watching what could potentially be the nor'easter for the weekend. Now, the computer models are not exactly sure what's going to happen with this system, but we do know it is going to develop further off the coast of the Carolinas. And then we think by late in the weekend, it's going to brush by the Northeast and New England.
Right now, it appears that the windy and snowy weather will most materialize across southern New England. Boston, you might expect some wind gusts, maybe along the range of 40 to 50 miles per hour.
And when I come back in just about 30 minutes, we'll tell you what happens in the rest of the forecast and we're watching several weather systems as they move in from the west and we'll see what happens as we close in towards Christmas.
T.J., Kiran, back to you.
CHETRY: All right. Thanks so much, Karen.
HOLMES: Well, they are coming home. We're live along one stop --
CHETRY: Poor T.J. T.J.'s got a little bit of a cold. We're all dealing with it. And he just picked up the wrong time to puff on the cough. It's all right.
What we're doing is sharing the solders' stories. They're coming home for the holidays and we have one stop on their journey just ahead.
Ten minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHETRY: Well, 13 minutes past the hour. We have some breaking news this morning out of North Korea.
As we know, the tensions have been ratcheted up between the North and the South. Now, North Korea is threatening more live fire exercises this morning.
HOLMES: Yes, this comes -- it was not too long that North Korea shelled that South Korean island, killing two civilians and also two soldiers.
Well, Governor Bill Richardson, who does have some experience in that area, has gone to take a trip to try to ease the tensions between the North and the South. And along for that trip invited was our own Wolf Blitzer.
Our Wolf Blitzer is on the line for us now.
Wolf, hello to you. What are the developments there? What can you tell us?
WOLF BLITZER, HOST, "THE SITUATION ROOM" (via telephone): Well, Richardson wrapped up a full day today, he's trying to cool the temperatures although it's a rough, rough period -- arguably the most serious tension on the Korean Peninsula since 1953 and the Korean armistice that ended the war. Because of what's going on, there's enormous concern.
Richardson's been meeting with top North Korean officials, including the vice foreign minister in charge of the U.S. affairs, a man by the named of Lee Yang-Ho (ph). They had a lengthy meeting today over the foreign ministry. I went over there and covered. They later had a dinner that just wrapped up tonight.
It sets the stage for what is probably more important meeting he's going to have tomorrow with Kim Kye Gwan, he's the first vice foreign minister in charge of the nuclear negotiations.
What they're trying to do is try to find a way to lower the temperature, lower the tensions right now. But it looks like with these exercises that the South Koreans are engaged in, the North Koreans see that as a provocation and they're going to probably do something themselves. And the enormous fear is that there could be some sort of miscalculation --
CHETRY: Right.
BLITZER: -- which nobody wants but apparently could certainly happen and that's what everybody is worried about it. As you point out, he's been here many times over the years. He's a former U.S. ambassador to the U.N., former energy secretary. He's got good contacts here. But he's doing what he can. It's unclear if he's going to achieve much, but we'll see where he goes. He's going to be here tomorrow. He's going to be here Saturday and Sunday and goes back to Beijing on Monday. CHETRY: So, is a lot of this saber rattling on the part of North Korea just posturing? One of the things they are wanting is to control these waters off of the islands that you were referring to that have been under South Korean control. I mean, is this an economic decision or is this to just try to flex the country's military might?
BLITZER: Look, it's really unclear what's behind all of this. You know, there's been a lot of speculation about the succession after Kim Jong-Il and maybe his youngest son and in this part of that process. I don't think anybody really knows for sure what's going on. But what is clear is that the crisis is a real crisis right now, and there's enormous concern not only to North and South Korea but to the U.S. and China and Japan and Russia, six parties that have been really involved.
And the recent U.S. delegations that have come over including some private American experts on North Korea have come back to the United States with pretty alarming reports about the advanced stage of North Korea's nuclear development program development. Professor Siegfried Hecker (ph) of Stanford University, a former head of the Los Alamos Nuclear Lab. He came back and said he was stunned by the sophisticated technology and uranium enrichment that he saw for the first time at their nuclear facility.
And a similar report from Jack Pritchard of the Korea Economic Institute, a former North Korea expert for the Clinton administration. He came back with a similar dire warning. And now, this third trip by a U.S. former official, private visit by a secretary -- by Governor Richardson which is causing -- which is really causing a lot of concern. There's no doubt the North Koreans are trying to send a message, and they'll be using Richardson to do so to send a message to Washington.
What exactly that message will be isn't clear. And this first round of meetings, he told me he didn't get it yet, but there's going to be more.
HOLMES: All right. Our Wolf Blitzer, again, traveling along with Governor Bill Richardson right now in North Korea. Again, trying to calm things down a bit as we head into more military exercises and the threat that possibly there could be more tensions, more violence on the Korean peninsula. Wolf Blitzer, we appreciate you as always. We get to need (ph) to check in with him as often as we can.
CHETRY: Thanks, Wolf.
All right. Still ahead, he's on the shelf with a shoulder injury. Now, he's off the market, as well. It's Cowboys quarterback, Tony Romo, popping the question. Some details coming up.
HOLMES: Also, a bit of viral video that I will make you a promise about this morning. This is going to be the greatest display you have ever seen in the history of marching bands. It's 18 minutes at the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: It's about 20 minutes past the hour now. You like to have time shows, football games, marching bands?
CHETRY: Yes. They put on quite a show, but after we see this video, marching bands around the country are going to have to step up their game.
HOLMES: You really got to step it up. See if you can make out what it is on your own, but this is the University of Hawaii.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES (voice-over): They're performing at halftime. Can you tell what they're doing here? They formed a stick figure with a helmet on. He's a kicker.
CHETRY (voice-over): Look at that.
HOLMES: And they go through the motions, and they actually kick a football. He kicks, and he scores a field goal. You can't tell me you have ever seen anything like that before. This was described to me, and I said, no way they pulled it off.
CHETRY: Look, and they continue to follow through. He's kicking all the way up there. Nice.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES (on-camera): Very nice. Congratulations to them on pulling that off. Other marching bands on notice. Step it up.
CHETRY (on-camera): Got to see something out of you this year.
HOLMES: Yes.
CHETRY: You know, and I always feel bad like the ones holding the tuba. You know, it's a lot harder than if you're like on the clarinet, you know, where the trumpet --
HOLMES: This is in better shape.
CHETRY: Yes, I guess so. It's hard to see around that thing, but they pulled it off.
Hey, those aren't hats flying onto the ice that we're about to show you right now. These are teddy bears. A swarm, 23,096 teddy bears.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY (voice-over): It's a holiday tradition for the Calgary hit man up in Canada. There's a 40-minute delay of game, actually, as they scooped up all the teddy bears. And after the game, the players deliver them to local charities, The Local Children's Hospital for the holidays. HOLMES (voice-over): Very nice tradition they have going on there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES (on-camera): Here's another tradition. What does your Santa Claus look like? Does he look like this Santa Claus? do you want your Santa Claus to look like this?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES (voice-over): Let's take a listen for a second. Just take it in.
I don't know about you, but I don't want my Santa at the club. That's just me. All right. (INAUDIBLE). Drop my stuff off. I can get on out of here.
CHETRY: That's right.
HOLMES: Don't turn my stereo on.
CHETRY: Eat the cookies and milk he loves, too.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY (on-camera): Eat the cookies and milk --
HOLMES (on-camera): Don't touch my sound system.
CHETRY: Yes.
HOLMES: Get out of here. OK.
CHETRY: He must be someone playing Santa Claus, T.J. He must not be the one.
HOLMES: Yes, I'm guessing
CHETRY: But he does have nice moves.
HOLMES: Are you sure? If he does the dougie, I'm done. But this guy is in Detroit. (INAUDIBLE) on a three corner. Not exactly sure who he is and what he's doing. He just dance, but he went on YouTube, of course, and a star is born.
CHETRY: Look what happen to Justin Bieber. Maybe it could happen for him.
Well, Tony Romo took a knee, but not what you think. He popped the question to his girlfriend, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY (voice-over): and she's a TV reporter, by the way, Candace Crawford. They were celebrating her 24th birthday at Wolfgang Puck's 560 Restaurant, and there's a picture of the happy couple (ph) and chase Crawford. If he looks familiar, that's her brother, star of "Gossip Girl."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: And put here. We got to make the connections here. Tony Romo's ex, Jessica Simpson --
CHETRY: Was engaged.
HOLMES: Just got engaged as well. Jessica Simpson's ex --
CHETRY: Nick Lachey.
HOLMES: Just got married and engaged as well?
CHETRY: Yes. He got engaged his long-time girlfriend. So, boy six degrees celebration. We wish them all the best.
HOLMES: Congratulations to them all. Also, congratulations to Mariah Carey and her husband, Nick Cannon, as well. We're told now they are expecting twins, of course. They revealed this on a news show --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES (voice-over): on a radio show, I should, on Thursday. We knew she was pregnant. Didn't know she had twins. Mariah Carey actually told the secret to who first? The president and the first lady earlier this week at a tree lighting ceremony. The babies and Mariah Carey are doing just fine.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY (on-camera): It's funny because she referred to the babies as they, at one point, and somebody said, oh, you're having twin. She said, no, I just don't want to call it an it, but she is having twins. Congrats.
HOLMES (on-camera): Congratulations.
CHETRY: Well, hot party hosted by Diddy got a little bit out of control in New York. This had our producers cracking up this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY (voice-over): Here you go. A lot of ladies sitting around with, you know, with the man. Some of them in the hot tub surrounded by candles when, guess what happens? Wow. Is it a little hottin' here or is it me? Poor girl's hair catches on fire. And thank God, she was sitting in water.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get the camera off!
CHETRY: It's so mean. They're laughing that hard about it.
HOLMES (voice-over): HOLMES: Nobody went to her rescue. Everybody ran from her.
CHETRY: That's really bad.
HOLMES: That's (INAUDIBLE) my man. Who's on the microphone here?
CHETRY: I don't know. But the poor thing, her hair -- good thing she's in a tub.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES (on-camera): Pepsi commercial moment there for just a moment. Again, she was not hurt. She's doing just fine but not exactly sure where that party was and what was going on there.
Another superstar that I'm learning about this morning, Justin Bieber. Know a couple of songs. Kind of like them, but now, after you see what we have to bring you this morning, you might become a really big fan of his to hear what he's doing behind the scenes on some things you probably never even knew about. Our Alina Cho is talking to this pop sensation in her "Big Stars, Big Giving" coming up next.
CHETRY (on-camera): And pets, you know, a lot of people say, oh, I want a pet for the holidays. This is a live picture right now of some adorable pups up for adoption and while they're so cute, sometimes they end up back at the shelters by new years. So, what to avoid and how to avoid these mistakes if you're deciding to take home one of these animals.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHETRY: Twenty-eight minutes past the hour right now. Time for a look at our top stories. Terrorists could target large crowds at holiday gatherings. That is the latest warning coming from the FBI and Homeland Security officials. They say that they don't have any specific or credible information about planned attacks. They're using the intelligence bulletin to law enforcement to make sure everyone stays alert.
HOLMES: And have you gotten the word yet while you were sleeping? It happened. And we now know your income taxes are not going to go up next year. That tax cut extension on its way to the White House this morning. All it needs now is the president's signature. The deal was hammered out between the president and Republicans will extend the Bush era tax cuts for two years, also extend jobless benefits for the unemployed.
CHETRY: On Wall Street, stocks open this morning at two-year highs. Two of the three major indexes hitting their highest levels since September 2008 yesterday. This morning, futures are flat. Investors wait to see what kind of reaction there will be to the president's tax cut extension.
HOLMES: All over the country today, beautiful scenes playing out in airports around the country. It is not (ph) just families holding up anticipating the return of service men and women hitting home for the holidays.
CHETRY: And Reynolds Wolf is there to witness some of this. He's live at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport this morning. The U.S.O. trying to make the comforts of home available to returning service members. Hi there.
REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Hi. You're right, guys. Yes. This really is the first step of normalcy for so many of these guys. This morning, most of people that we've seen that have walked through have just left basic training. They're home for a couple of weeks, and then, they got to go right back.
Now, when they come here up to the USO, what they do is they come up this escalator. They walk right down this path. They go over these desks, and then, they go through this twin doors, and these twin doors that leading to the USO, we're obviously not the only ones who've been through here, about half a million come through each and every year, and when they do, they're treated with a little bit of home. They stop by past these desks. We have the Christmas tree set up, the flowers.
If you look over here, you see a couple of people, a couple of service members asleep. They've been traveling for a good part of the last 24 hours or so. You see them out here just getting some catching up on magazines, listening to music. Step over here on this side, photo journalists to share with us, a bite to eat over here and a couple of muffins, cookies, chips, this kind of thing.
But I have a feeling they want more than that. What they want is good home cooking. We'll talk to a couple of guys here. Sir, how are you doing this morning?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good, sir.
WOLF: What is your name?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Private Enson (ph), sir.
WOLF: Where is home for you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Georgia.
WOLF: You're close to home. Where have you been?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Virginia, sir.
WOLF: Very nice. I'm sure there's things you miss. When you get home, what are you looking forward to?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Looking for my grandma cooking macaroni, chicken, some cornbread. I want some good home cooking and I want to go to sleep in my bed.
WOLF: What was the toughest thing of basic and what you have been dealing with the last couple of weeks and months? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Really just getting to meet new people. I'm taking my time with that. And cold. That's it. Other than that, I get through it.
WOLF: Now, what -- what's next for you? You have two weeks at home. An you get the short two weeks and then where are you heading?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fort Lee, Sir.
WOLF: Make the most of this. Thank you for the service to the country.
We have seen so many guys like this. They'll have 2,000 coming through here just today, another 2,000 tomorrow. And then, on Sunday, about 5,000, 5,000 men and women coming through to be reunited with their families.
Guys, it is an amazing day. It's touching thing to see the scenes play out. If you're not struck a little bit in your heart, you've got to check your pulse. Some great things happen here. We're seeing families hopefully reunited within the next couple of hours. Sit tight for that. But for now, back to you in New York.
CHETRY: Wonderful, wonderful times. A lot of anticipated home comings, for sure. Reynolds Wolf, thanks so much.
We have an "A.M. Original" for you right now. He is the hottest music star on the planet and he is only 16 years old.
HOLMES: You can probably guess who we're talking about here. The Biebs. Is that right?
CHETRY: You got it down.
HOLMES: Biebs. All right, Justin Bieber. Alina Cho is here with us. The kid is giving back though. Yes, he's mad talented, making a lot of money and picking up a lot of awards.
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: "Mad talented"?
HOLMES: Yes.
(LAUGHTER)
CHO: Yes, he is. Yes, he is. And you're right. I just found him to be incredible. He's cute as a button, first of all. But, yes, he does have a social conscious at 16.
There's no question that Justin Bieber is a huge star, so early in his career. He's already up for two Grammys and recently swept the American Music Awards, all incredible.
But what was most surprising to us is even at the ripe old age of 16 he is building a history of giving back.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHO: Justin Bieber. He is hot, hot, hot -- so hot that hysteria around him has a name, "Bieber fever." The hair, the music, the moves, and he's all of 16 with a passion for giving back.
CHO (on camera): You know, you think to yourself, he's 16 years old.
JUSTIN BIEBER, SINGER: Yes.
CHO: How does he know what charity is?
BIEBER: For me, I grew up really -- I didn't have a lot of money. And for me, it's about helping people out that haven't had opportunity.
CHO (voice-over): In fact, it wasn't just that Bieber didn't have a lot of money. Four years ago he and his mother, a single mom, were broke, living in poverty. Then his mom uploaded videos of him singing on YouTube. Little did she know they'd go viral and catch the eye of a record producer. The rest is now "Bieber fever" history.
BIEBER: For me, I'm inspired by, you know, by children and other kids, and I think that charities that are involved -- involve kids are just, I don't know. It's just important to me.
CHO: So Bieber is giving back one CD at a time. A portion of his new CD sales benefit the Children's Miracle Network, money for children's hospitals. And one dollar from every concert ticket sold goes to pencils of promise which builds schools in the third world.
CHO (on camera): That's a lot of money.
BEIBER: Yes.
CHO: Why?
BEIBER: I just think that for me it just goes past, you know, it goes past money.
CHO (voice-over): Perhaps most touching, at concerts Bieber meets personally with a child from the Make a Wish Foundation.
BEIBER: It's definitely hard on me, definitely gets me teary- eyed and it's -- it's just crazy to know that, you know, I'm a wish.
CHO (on camera): What inspired you to write those words?
BEIBER: There's so many people in this world that go without and there's so many people that just need someone to just help them.
CHO: It was nice to talk about something other than your hair and girls far change?
BEIBER: Yes, yes, yes. I do love talking about girls, though.
CHO (voice-over): And that's when you remember all this giving back from a star who's just a kid.
BEIBER: I have such a big platform, and it would be silly if I didn't do something good with it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHO: It's so great that he recognizes that he does have a big platform and he's using that voice to give back.
For behind the scenes photos of the shoot with Justin Bieber, go to CNN.com/amfix. And for more on how you can make a difference, CNN.com/impact. All of the stories from big stars big giving will live there and partners in the project.
And you mentioned when he sang, he sounds like Michael Jackson as a young man. And it's Michael Jackson that inspires him, not just the music but the philanthropy. He said if I could give back a tenth of what Michael Jackson gave back to people around the world and to help better the lives and make them smile, I would be happy. You know, Michael Jackson certainly did that in life.
CHETRY: He was, Justin Bieber discovered and brought up along the way by usher and Justin Timberlake, too. These are all young stars that have seen --
CHO: Great role models. Great, positive role models. And he knows at this age, you know, I have a responsibility. Not just I have a responsibility but it makes me feel good to make people smile and meets with the Make a Wish Foundation girls at concerts, every other concert meeting with a Make a Wish Foundation girl.
HOLMES: Nice to see, 16 years old. You have a week-long series and you can see a one-hour special about big stars and big giving with Alina Cho airs on Christmas Eve at 7:00 eastern and on Christmas Day at 8:00 eastern right here on CNN. Alina, great stuff. Good to see you.
CHO: Thank you.
CHETRY: Well, how about a puppy for Christmas? What a cute surprise, right? Is it the best present ever or worst idea in the world? There's a kitty, and there's a puppy. They're getting along. Tails are wagging in the studio. We'll tell you how you can help.
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CHETRY: Hi, guys. We are back. We are back with a couple of friends this morning.
HOLMES: A little funky all of a sudden in the studio. No. George here just having a rough morning apparently.
(LAUGHTER)
No. He's a cute little guy.
CHETRY: Come on.
HOLMES: Every year at the holidays adoptions at animal shelters often spike, but also every year many of the pets end up right back in the shelters because many people with the hearts in the right place don't know how to choose a pet. It's not exactly the best thing to do for the family sometimes.
CHETRY: We are joined now by Cassandra DiPietro. She is the wife of New York Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro. She's also a spokesperson for the North Shore Animal League, Long Island's -- actually it's the world's largest no-kill rescue and adoption center. Cassandra, thank you for being with us this morning.
CASSANDRA DIPIETRO, VOLUNTEER SPOKESPERSON, NORTH SHORE ANIMAL LEAGUE: Thank you for having us.
CHETRY: So we want to tell people a little bit about each one of these. And you hear kids say I want a puppy for Christmas or the holidays, and it seems like a good idea at the time. You want to fulfill that wish but you don't know if it fits in the household and sometimes they end up back at the shelter.
DIPIETRO: We really don't recommend animals as a gift. If everyone's not included in the decision, it might not be the right decision. So we really strive to tell people to go out there and make sure you get the right animal. Go to the shelter, there are counselors there they have to support your decision to make sure that the animals going to the right people.
HOLMES: You say you don't ever recommend as a gift ever?
DIPIETRO: No. Well, no. If it's a surprise, you don't know if it's a right animal that person wanted, and then it ends up back at the shelter.
CHETRY: You see that, right?
DIPIETRO: Yes. Post holiday there is definitely an increase at the shelters, the animals are because you don't know, you know, if the people wanted it or can take care of a puppy. It is difficult.
CHETRY: Let me just tell a little bit about each one of them. Why don't we start with your guy George over here.
HOLMES: George is a two-week-old. What's a mutt --
CHETRY: It's a mixed breed, but they're very, very good dogs and George is 10 weeks old.
HOLMES: Do they all smell like this?
(LAUGHTER)
CHETRY: No.
HOLMES: Just unique to George? DIPIETRO: No, no.
CHETRY: But you know, nothing a little soap and water can't cure.
DIPIETRO: Sadly.
CHETRY: Bessie is a 10 weekend black lab mutt, and she's really adorable. She came from Tennessee unfortunately, humane relocation program.
DIPIETRO: Both of them from Tennessee.
CHETRY: And labs are just wonderful. In fact, I think the most popular.
DIPIETRO: They're great family dog.
CHETRY: They're very sweet, trainable and adorable. They do shed a lot from experience but very sweet. This is Bessie. And then who do you have over here?
DIPIETRO: I have Ruby. She is a three-year-old Pomeranian and special and came to us from a Missouri puppy mill rescue and different. Take more work because she is not socialized but so sweet. And we have had her playing with the dogs all day and lovely.
HOLMES: All right, and we are going to bring cats in here next.
DIPIETRO: I don't think we forgot about the cat people.
CHETRY: I know people here who want these dogs already.
HOLMES: Listen, an idea, people said they end up back in the shelters. Do you have numbers? How many end up back in shelters?
DIPIETRO: It definitely increases. And four million pets a year are euthanized in shelters from overpopulation. So it's definitely a high number.
This is Farah. She's a one-year-old.
CHETRY: She smells better, right?
HOLMES: Yes. Very nice.
CHETRY: He's a cat guy anyway.
HOLMES: I have two cats. I'm OK here.
DIPIETRO: She is a short-haired domestic cat, perfect for a family.
CHETRY: Adorable.
DIPIETRO: Yes, she is one. You have the kitten Lucy. She is so cute.
CHETRY: I have to admit, I took the kitten. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I have such a soft spot. This is 10 weeks old, Lucy.
DIPIETRO: Yes. So sweet.
CHETRY: Cats are a little bit easier. They don't need to be walked constantly and learn how to house train themselves so much faster than dogs.
DIPIETRO: Definitely good for people who live in apartments or don't have the time to, you know, give to a dog. Cats are a good way to go.
HOLMES: Oftentimes you said sometimes you don't know how they get along with the pet. If you had to go with one, do cats oftentimes -- is one easier than another to adjust if you are going to give a surprise gift?
DIPIETRO: Well, I mean I think cats are a little bit easier as far as maintenance goes for sure but, you know, they're both unbelievable companions. If you have the time to train and do a dog, it is great. But if you don't, cats are definitely an easier option, I think.
CHETRY: Well, we want to let everyone know, we're linking up the Web site if you're interested in adopting any of the animals that you saw today. It's Animalleague.org is the main organization --
DIPIETRO: Yes.
CHETRY: But you can find out North Shore Animal League where you guys have these. And again, the importance of the no-kill shelter, I mean, it is really heartbreaking to think of how many animals perfectly healthy are euthanized just because they don't have a home and there's not enough space.
DIPIETRO: Yes. It is terrible.
CHETRY: Well, Cassandra Dipietro, thank you so much for joining us this morning. And thank you for bringing these little guys. I can't stop looking at them.
DIPIETRO: Thank you guys so much.
HOLMES: Thank you so much. Well, we're going to try to give this phone number out to you, as well. It's 516-883-7900; again 516- 883-7900. If you're interested in the ones you see in particular but also for others across the country. You can go to the animalleague.org.
Thanks so much for bringing these little guys in.
CHETRY: Lucy hasn't said a word. Lucy's falling asleep right now. So cute.
All right. Well, we have to go.
HOLMES: Yes.
CHETRY: We are going to take a quick break and when we come back, what is it like this weekend? Unfortunately, if you're traveling, some nasty weather on the horizon. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHETRY: All right. A little shot of New York City this morning. I think our dogs are taking off in some of those cabs this morning. Sunny and 26; a little later, 34 degrees and we --
HOLMES: Yes.
CHETRY: We're still working the lint brush this morning. Cats shed. We know that.
HOLMES: Cats shed, dogs shed a little bit, as well. But it's good to put the pet segment at the end of the broadcast.
We're about ten minutes to the top of the hour.
Karen Maginnis -- say hello to here -- in the Extreme Weather Center. Some weather you need to know about today; it could affect some travel whether you're flying or whether you're out there on the road. Good morning to you again Karen.
KAREN MAGINNIS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes. Good morning T.J. and Kiran. Yes, we have a lot to tell you about.
First of all, eastern Great Lakes, some lake-effect snows affecting this region. Two to four inches in most areas but the snowfall in Syracuse, taller than Justin Bieber already so far for the season. They have seen 69-plus inches of snow only surpassed by the snowfall that fell in 2000.
Area of low pressures can develop off the Eastern Seaboard, off the Carolinas. Just how much it's going to impact the northeast and New England, uncertain. The computer models are not suggesting this is going to be a huge system but it looks like southern New England could be most affected.
Storm systems developing across the Four Corners region; that spells snowfall into the mountains of the Sandia Mountains and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains; also for the panhandles of Oklahoma, also for Texas.
And a huge storm system making its way and across the West Coast; its impact felt today all the way through the weekend. We're going to see significant snowfall accumulations in the mountains. We could see as much as three feet.
Yosemite could see some wind gusts as high as 90-miles-per hour. We did see a little bit of snowfall across the mid-Atlantic yesterday. Nothing that is outstanding but nonetheless as Kiran told you we did see numerous car accidents, especially right around the Washington, D.C. Metro area. Between one and about three inches of snowfall occurred there but generally speaking one and two inches were common.
Highs coming up for tomorrow: Dallas only 54 degrees; for New York City, 36; Las Vegas will see 60 degrees. And we are looking at back to back storm systems for the West Coast that will lower the snow levels, bring significant rainfall to the southern valleys, southern coastal areas, so much so there could be mud or landslides to talk about over the next five to seven days.
So, big story could be developing for the West Coast as we head towards the next week or so. T.J., Kiran back to you.
HOLMES: All right. Karen, we appreciate you as always. Thanks so much.
CHETRY: Up next, a story that caught our attention this morning. Why children who live near busy roads have twice the risk of autism -- the results of a new study.
Fifty-two minutes past the hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHETRY: Tracking Santa this morning.
HOLMES: Is that the other one?
CHETRY: Looking at a Christmas Tree; tracking Santa playing one of his games.
Well, anyway. It's 54 minutes past the hour. Your "A.M. House Calls" stories about your health. The FDA is calling for the controversial drug Avastin to actually be phased out of treatment for breast cancer. Officials say that the risks outweigh the benefits. Recent studies show the drug is not -- has not substantially extended the lives of breast cancer victims taking it. There're also potentially dangerous side effects.
But there is still wide disagreement about the drug. European regulators are not making the same recommendations as the U.S. regulators.
HOLMES: Also listen to this, a study says autism risks jump for children born to mothers who live close to freeways. Researchers say certain environmental exposure could play a role in the development of the disorder. Children who live within 1,000 feet of a freeway at birth had twice the risk of developing autism.
CHETRY: And also, if you're looking for the keys to happiness, pay close to attention to this story. According to new research, the more focused a person is, the happier he or she is. Researchers at Harvard say that those whose minds wander feel less happy. The task that people had the least trouble focusing on was sex.
HOLMES: Was what? CHETRY: Intercourse.
HOLMES: Ok.
CHETRY: Do you want me to say it in another way?
HOLMES: It just got really -- ok. We're going to take a break.
Fifty-five minutes past the hour. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHETRY: I'm starting to itch a little bit. I don't know. Maybe it was the cats.
HOLMES: And you're starting to smell a little like the animals, as well.
CHETRY: Hey, I washed my hands.
HOLMES: No, it's not your fault though. It's not your fault.
CHETRY: Almost like a zoo around here.
Well, it is the greatest marching band video you will ever see. You'll love this.
HOLMES: Love this video. Take a look.
CHETRY: T.J.'s calling on bands across the country to step up their game after this. University of Hawaii band morphed into a giant stick figure football player -- there you see it -- helmet and all. And then what did they do. What did they do next?
HOLMES: They actually put this sucker into motion and he kicks a field goal. I don't know how -- I mean I don't know, this is just the first time getting to look at this or they've been doing this for years. I don't know. But this is the first we're seeing it.
Of course, it's viral now. But look at that. The follow through, everything, kicks the football. That is unreal to me.
CHETRY: I think it looks great. I don't know how they -- I mean the precise movements that they had to do to get that to look the way it does. Fantastic for whoever shot it, as well, because they got a good angle.
HOLMES: I love that. And again, they're a bunch of marching bands. I don't mean any offense to any other marching band out there. A lot of them do a great job. But that one forces some people to step the game up.
CHETRY: T.J. wants to see more of that.
HOLMES: I do want to see more of that. Well, a little something else we want to remind our viewers of. Tiger Woods, it's been a year now, a heck of a year he's had but it was Thanksgiving last year when his whole world kind of fell apart. We are looking back on that year.
Sit down and have a series of interview with his brother -- yes he has a brother, talking to me about what happened. Also one of his alleged mistresses sitting down with us as well; "DOWNFALL: THE TIGER WOODS STORY", Saturday night 10:00 p.m.; Sunday 10:30 right here on CNN.
CHETRY: All right. That's going to do it for us. We hope you have a wonderful weekend.
It was nice to see you.
HOLMES: Good to be here. I have to get back to do my show this weekend.
CHETRY: Yes. Good luck getting back to Atlanta and getting over your cold.
HOLMES: Thank you.
CHETRY: And meanwhile "CNN NEWSROOM" with Drew Griffin starts right now. Hey, Drew.
