Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Sunday Morning
Michael Richards' Racist Rant; Fragile Truce in Middle East; NYPD Shooting; When Faiths Collide; Avoiding Airport Security Checkpoints
Aired November 26, 2006 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: "Now in the News," a busy travel day today for those of you heading home from the holidays. Nearly 40 million people were expected to travel more than 50 miles to their holiday destination, but now, everybody needs to get back home.
Also, his racist tirade at a comedy club was certainly no laughing matter, and this morning, former "Seinfeld" co-star Michael Richards tries to redeem himself. He'll be a guest on Jesse Jackson's radio program. Jackson calls it a chance for Richards to apologize to the black community.
A shaky cease-fire. Palestinian militant groups fired rockets into Israel today. This came despite an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and hours after a cease-fire took hold. Israeli police say the rockets fell into an empty field and did not cause major damage or casualties.
We're minutes away from a live report from Jerusalem.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, in southern Afghanistan today, NATO says about 50 Taliban fighters were killed in a battle with NATO and Afghan troops. One NATO soldier was also killed. A suicide bombing at a restaurant killed seven people.
The Iraqi president's visit to Iran postponed. President Jalal Talabani's trip was scheduled for yesterday, but an Iraqi news report says it has been postponed until tomorrow because that's when the curfew will be lifted at Baghdad's airport.
We run down the top stories every 15 minutes right here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING, with in-depth coverage all morning long. Your next check of the headlines coming up at 7:15 Eastern.
So, you coming back from your visit to grandma's today? Well, millions of Thanksgiving travelers are on their way home this morning. And we're going to keep you posted on your travel weather, possible airport delays, and, of course, any other potential travel obstacles that you may face.
HOLMES: Possible delays. Inevitable, we should say.
Hello there, everybody.
NGUYEN: Let's be optimistic around here.
HOLMES: OK. My bad. That's not a good way to start the day.
NGUYEN: No.
HOLMES: From the CNN Center here in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It's November 26th.
I'm T.J. Holmes.
NGUYEN: Yes, easy for you to say. You're not traveling anywhere today.
HOLMES: Yes, right.
NGUYEN: Well, good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.
We want to thank you for being with us.
HOLMES: So, let's get to it. Let's talk about this holiday travel. What do you have to look forward to? Delays.
Today and tomorrow expected to be the busiest days for air travel, with about 2.5 million people taking to the skies. So be sure to check with your airline's Web site for any flight delay information.
Now, most of the rest will be driving home. But no worries. That's just 30 million people on the road. Not so bad.
NGUYEN: No?
HOLMES: Yes. Please, please be patient.
Now, those of you riding the rails need to pack your patience as well, especially after we saw the mess at New York's Penn Station Wednesday and Thursday.
NGUYEN: Well, let's find out if the weather is going to be a bit messy out there on your way home today. Reynolds Wolf joins us from the weather center.
Reynolds, we're hoping for a little good use on your part.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, I'll tell you, I mean, you can just put a little bit of pressure on Reynolds if you want to in terms of that forecast. Bring it on.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HOLMES: And, of course, for more of your travel news that you need, you can go to the Web site, log on before you hit the road, cnn.com/holiday travel. And if you stay right here, we'll update you with all this travel information right here on the screen with all this stuff you see.
NGUYEN: Yes, it's not going anywhere. It's going to be there all morning long. So you have your travel weather, you have the different temperatures in the cities across the nation.
Just stay tuned here. Why go anywhere else?
In the meantime, let's tell you some more news.
His racist tirade sparked anger and outrage, and this morning comedian Michael Richards tries again to make amends. Richards will be a guest next hour on Jesse Jackson's syndicated radio program. Jackson says it is a chance for the former "Seinfeld" co-star to apologize to the black community.
We do have a camera crew and a reporter at the radio station in Los Angeles, and we're going to bring you Richardson's comments from the program just as soon as we can.
In the meantime, a spokesman for Richards says the comedian has started psychiatric counseling. The current furor surrounding Richards started on the stage of a Los Angeles comedy club, as you may recall, but there are also allegations about an earlier incident.
Details now from Entertainment Correspondent Brooke Anderson.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): It was the racist rant heard round the world. Comedian Michael Richards on the Laugh Factory in Hollywood last Friday night. Now new allegations that this has happened before.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, we witnessed the attack.
ANDERSON: Carol Oschin and J.P. Ferrier (ph) say they visited the Improv, in Los Angeles, back in April to see Michael Richards perform. They claim in the middle of his act another audience member said something to Richards that caused the comic to crack.
CAROL OSCHIN, RICHARDS ACCUSER: All of a sudden his veins came out of his neck, Michael Richards, and "(EXPLETIVE DELETED) Jews! You're the reason Jesus was killed." And he's ranting and raving.
ANDERSON: While managers from the Improv declined to appear on camera, they confirmed to CNN that Richards was making regular appearances around that time. Following a performance that included anti-Semitic remarks, Richards apologized to management and said he had, quote, "gone off track."
In a statement Michael Richards' publicist, Howard Rubenstein tells CNN the comedian is Jewish, and that the anti-Semitic comments are just part of his act.
OSCHIN: We were all looking around. We could not believe this was happening. And he was so agitated, and so explosive, and he just paraded out, with a vengeance.
ANDERSON: Fellow stand-up comic Sinbad saw the meltdown last Friday night at the Laugh Factory. He tells us that it seems like Richards is uncomfortable performing in an uncontrolled setting like a comedy club.
SINBAD: I think he's been away from the game for a long time. You're successful on a TV show and I think you expect somehow respect, when you walk onstage. Because if all it took was a heckler, who didn't heckle you much, to bring that out. You've got to check yourself, your life.
MICHAEL RICHARDS, COMEDIAN: I'm not a racist. That's what's so insane about this.
ANDERSON: Frank McBride and Kyle Doss say they were the target of Richards' anger at the Laugh Factory. They say despite Richards' apology on the "Late Show" Monday night, they're not satisfied.
FRANK MCBRIDE, TARGET OF RICHARD'S RANT: The only reason why he did apologize is because the tape got out.
KYLE DOSS, TARGET OF RICHARD'S RANT: It's definitely a good thing that it's being exposed because there's no room for it anywhere in America.
ANDERSON: Brooke Anderson, CNN, Hollywood.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: A report today says insurgents in Iraq are raising millions of dollars a year to fuel the violence. "The New York Times" says the insurgents are now financially self-sufficient. The paper says the money comes from illegal activities like oil smuggling and counterfeiting, and from kidnappings and ransom payments. "The Times" says a classified government report estimates insurgents are raising $70 million to $200 million a year.
So, should the U.S. go big, go long, or go home from Iraq? Wolf Blitzer will ask Iraq's national security adviser today on "LATE EDITION." That's coming up at 11:00 Eastern.
NGUYEN: Well, another bloody weekend in Iraq for civilians and U.S. forces. John Roberts will discuss that and expectations for the meeting between President Bush and Prime Minister al-Maliki on "THIS WEEK AT WAR." That is at 1:00 p.m. Eastern.
HOLMES: And Vice President Cheney on the way back from a quick trip to Saudi Arabia. Cheney and King Abdullah met one-on-one to discuss several key issues. They talked about the violence in Iraq and Iran's growing influence in the region, as well as Hamas and Syria. The vice president arrives back in Washington today.
We're watching developments along the Gaza border closely this morning, where a cease-fire deal between Israel and the Palestinian government isn't even a day old and already signs the deal could be in trouble.
We go now to CNN's Paula Hancocks, who joins us from Jerusalem.
Hello, Paula. PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, T.J.
Well, within just the first hour of that cease-fire, we saw more rockets being launched by militants from Gaza into Israel, hitting the southern Israeli town of Sderot, which has had about 2,000 rockets hitting it in the past five years alone. We know that Islamic Jihad, the militant group, and also the Hamas militant group claimed responsibility for those particular rocket attacks. But the leaders, the Palestinian militant leaders, are insistent that they will stick by this cease-fire.
So at this point, it does appear as though there are just certain cells within these groups which are not abiding by the cease-fire. The militant groups are so fragmented that even if the big militant groups agree to it, then it's very difficult to keep everybody in check.
But what we're seeing now is Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister, urging the army to show restraint. He said he wants to find out if these rocket attacks are isolated, or if it is going to be a full violation. So at this point, hours into the cease-fire, it is still holding. And we also know that the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, is sending 13,000 of his own security forces up to that border to try and make sure that no more rockets are fired.
Now, this, at this point, does end a five-months-long operation by the Israelis in Gaza itself. More than 300 Palestinians were killed during that operation. Many of them militants, but also some of them civilians. And five Israelis were also killed as well.
So leaders on both sides really hoping that this cease-fire will hold -- T.J.
HOLMES: All right. Paula Hancocks for us in Jerusalem this morning.
Thank you so much.
NGUYEN: Well, back here in the states, a wedding day tragedy in New York to tell you about. A groom shot and killed on a day he was to get married. New York police officers under investigation now.
We have the full story just moments away.
HOLMES: Plus, the pope's planned visit to Turkey triggers protests. A live picture here from Istanbul, where some of these protests are happening in advance of the pope's visit.
We'll go live from there in about 10 minutes.
NGUYEN: And going home. Millions of people are heading home after the Thanksgiving holiday, and some tips on how to quickly get through those long airport lines. What a mess it could be, but we have tips on how to get you through faster. That's in 23 minutes right here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: "Now in the News," you can expect delays today, unfortunately. But, hey, millions of people are heading home from the Thanksgiving holiday by car and by plane. What else would you expect? Today and tomorrow are the busiest travel days for the airlines.
Comedian Michael Richards tries to make amends again. The former "Seinfeld" co-star will be a guest on Jesse Jackson's radio program next hour. Jackson says it is a chance for Richards to apologize for his racist rant at a comedy club.
We're going to keep you updated on what Richards has to say.
And in Alabama, thousands of mourners at the funerals of two high school girls killed last week in a deadly bus accident in Huntsville. Another funeral is set for tomorrow. A fourth student was buried Friday. And at last check, the driver and three students remain hospitalized.
HOLMES: In the Middle East, tank tracks are all that remain of the Israeli army in Gaza. But Palestinian rockets were still fired in violation of a cease-fire. Israel says it has not decided whether to retaliate.
In southern Afghanistan, NATO says about 50 Taliban fighters were killed in a battle with NATO and Afghan troops. One NATO soldier was also killed. A suicide bombing at a restaurant killed seven people.
We, of course, run down the top stories for you every 15 minutes here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING, with in-depth coverage for you all morning long. Your next check of the headlines coming up at the bottom of the hour.
NGUYEN: A police shooting is under investigation in New York. Listen to this. A groom shot dead on his wedding day. This, after police fired 50 shots at a car of unarmed men leaving a bachelor party.
CNN's Mary Snow fills in the details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Exactly what led New York City police officers to open fire, killing a groom-to-be and injuring his two friends, is now being investigated by a grand jury.
Shortly after 4:00 a.m., the men left a bachelor party at a Queens strip club, a club that was under surveillance. Police say undercover cops were tracking the men as they got into their car. They say the car first struck a plain clothes officer who was on foot before colliding into an unmarked police van.
RAYMOND KELLY, NYPD COMMISSIONER: The officer was struck and the minivan was hit just about the same time. And then the officer opened fire.
SNOW: Seven police officers were involved with all but two shooting their .9 millimeters.
KELLY: Five officers fired a total of 50 rounds at the Alfama.
SNOW: One officer alone fired 31 shots. The groom-to-be, Sean Bell, was killed. His friend, Trent Benefield, seen handcuffed here, was shot three times.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can't feel my legs! No! I can't feel my legs!
SNOW: Joseph Guzman was shot at least 11 times.
Police say there were suspicions that one of the men may have had a gun. After obtaining a search warrant, no weapons were found.
Family members are furious. A woman identifying herself as "Judy" said her nephew is one of the men who was injured.
JUDY, VICTIM'S RELATIVE: You've got good cops and you've got bad cops. The ones that shot them, they need to be put away.
SNOW: Community activist, the Reverend Al Sharpton, is calling for, in his words, real answers.
REV. AL SHARPTON, COMMUNITY ACTIVIST: We are not anti-police. Many of us have police in our family. We are anti-police brutality. There is a difference between good cops and bad cops.
SNOW: NYPD commissioner Ray Kelly says none of the officers were involved in any previous shooting incidents. Kelly said his department was not able to question the five officers who opened fire on Saturday because they were being questioned by the district attorney's office.
Mary Snow, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: An update now on a couple of missing persons cases.
The FBI will decide this morning what to do next in the search for two missing boys in Red Lake, Minnesota. The children, one 4 years old, the other 2 years old, were last seen Wednesday. Today may be the last day of the ground search, but investigators will still follow up on any leads.
In Chicago, still no sign of a visiting University of Missouri student missing since Tuesday. This is a hotel surveillance picture of 20-year-old Jesse Ross (ph). Police now asking the public for help.
NGUYEN: Well, Pope Benedict has what could be a difficult trip ahead of him when he leaves for Turkey next week. Take a look at this. Listen to it for just a second, too.
Thousands are in the streets of Istanbul this morning. This protest was arranged by the Islamic party in Turkey. This is a live look at that. And it wants an apology, this party, from the pope for comments made about Islam.
We're going to take you live to Istanbul with much more of this in about three minutes.
HOLMES: Plus, who will it be this year? And how can you participate in the search for the "TIME" "Person of the Year"?
You know you got my vote right there.
NGUYEN: I'm sure I do.
HOLMES: You know you've got my vote.
Well, we're going to get some answers from Nicole Lapin from the dot-com desk. She'll be here in about 30 minutes.
Again, all that coming up. Don't go anywhere on this CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: This just in to CNN. Former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi has fallen ill during a speech in Rome. This is according to Associated Press wire reports.
We don't have much more than that. No specifics right now on just exactly what happened to him during this speech and exactly what his condition is right now.
These reports now, of course, we are checking out at CNN. We'll continue to follow this, and as soon as we get any more information, we will bring it to you.
NGUYEN: Pope Benedict is headed to Turkey this week, and many Muslims there are making it very, very clear he is not welcome. They're still angry over remarks the pope made just a few months back about Islam.
And our faith and values correspondent Delia Gallagher is in Turkey this morning with much more on this.
I see the large crowd behind you. Any violence in this at all? Hopefully not.
DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN FAITH AND VALUES CORRESPONDENT: Betty, I have to say, in all my years covering papal trips, I have not seen a papal visit met by protests. Usually there are Vatican flags, welcome banners. In this case, there are about 10,000 peaceful protesters. They are members of a conservative Islamic party.
They're wearing headbands saying, "Pope, go home," and "No to the crusader alliance." So there is a very strong sentiment here of not wanting this papal visit. As you mentioned, all occasions (ph) by the pope's remarks in Regensburg. They have been speaking for about three hours now, and this will go on for some time. It's not quite the turnout that they were expecting. This is a party, as I said, that is conservative, an Islamic party. It's a rally, really, and they want to make themselves heard because they did not appreciate what the pope had to say about Islam.
In fact, some of the signs here say, "We accept Jesus as a prophet. Why don't you accept Mohammed?"
So really, an interesting turnout here in central Istanbul. The conservative Islamic party making themselves heard, not necessarily representative of Turkey as a whole, but interesting because the pope hasn't even arrived yet. He's due to begin his four-day visit on Tuesday here in Turkey -- Betty.
NGUYEN: That is a very interesting point. But you also make a very good point that at this point, there is no violence so far noted. And hopefully there won't be any throughout this visit.
But we will continue to watch it as it begins on Tuesday when the pope arrives there in Turkey.
Delia, thank you for that.
HOLMES: And we're going to have much more on the pontiff's trip a little later in this newscast. We're going to talk to our Vatican analyst, John Allen. What message will the pope deliver to the Muslim world? That's in this morning's "Faces of Faith."
NGUYEN: Well, it's a very busy travel day on tap for you if you are headed home, but what if you could get through the airport security lines much, much faster? Well, now you can.
Yes, T.J. says he would take it.
HOLMES: Man, I'll take it. Sure.
NGUYEN: We'll show you how. That's when CNN SUNDAY MORNING returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: This information just coming in to CNN. An update for you here now.
Former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi has fallen ill during a speech in northern Italy. Associated Press wire reports say Berlusconi slumped at the podium during the speech to political supporters, but is apparently back on stage now.
We will continue to try to get more info on this and bring that to you as soon as we get it.
Also, of course, a busy travel day today for those of you having to go back through the woods and then back over the river from grandma's house this time. Nearly 40 million people were expected to travel more than 50 miles to their holiday destination. But now, about 40 million need to get back home and get to work tomorrow.
And you remember this, the racist tirade of the comedy club. Certainly not funny.
This morning, former "Seinfeld" co-star Michael Richards trying to redeem himself. He's going to be a guest on Jesse Jackson's radio program. Jesse Jackson says it's a chance for Richards to apologize to the black community.
And in Turkey this morning, as we just saw in that live report from our Delia Gallagher, thousands gathering for an anti-pope protest. Supporters of the pro-Islamic political party are opposed to Pope Benedict's visit, set to begin on Tuesday. The group's leaders say they were offended by the pope's comments linking violence and Islam.
NGUYEN: In the Middle East, tank tracks are all that remain of the Israeli army in Gaza. But Palestinian rockets were still fired in violation of a cease-fire. Israel says it has not decided whether to retaliate.
The insurgency in Iraq now a multimillion-dollar enterprise. That is according to today's "New York Times." The paper says a government report estimates insurgents are raising $70 million to $200 million a year. The report says the money comes from oil smuggling, counterfeiting and kidnappings, as well as ransom payments.
We run down the top stories every 15 minutes right here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING, with in-depth coverage all morning long. So your next check of the headlines, that's coming up at 7:45 Eastern.
Oh, a busy day on the nation's highways and at the airports as the Thanksgiving holiday comes to an end.
Good morning, everybody. This is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Thanks for being with us on this busy travel day.
I'm Betty Nguyen.
HOLMES: And I'm T.J. Holmes.
Good morning to you all.
NGUYEN: Well, we do have some time to turn around and head home from the holidays, right? Well, if you've got a little time, you may be expected to wait just a little bit today.
Yes, delays are expected because a couple million of you will be waiting at the airport today. Today and tomorrow, as you know, are the busiest travel days for the airlines. And you might get a break on the roads, though, but still, we are urging patience because, after all, more than 30 million people are trying to drive home this weekend. Amtrak says it will add 27 more trains today, mostly in the Northeast. And we saw lots of delays last week when many of you were headed out.
HOLMES: All right. Of course you see we've got this stuff up on the screen here, showing, you know, the weather at the bottom and a few updates. But we want to go in-depth with this thing, and to do that we've got haul in Reynolds here.
NGUYEN: Yes, we've got to take it to the man.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HOLMES: All right. Well, of course if you're traveling, the last thing anyone wants to do is to deal with those long lines at airport security checkpoints. But for the right amount of money, there's a way to steer clear of all that.
CNN's Rusty Dornin reports on today's tech effect.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A traveler's life: hurry, hurry, hurry... and wait. If you had a choice between this security line and this one, would you pay for it? Thirty thousand fliers out of Orlando, Florida, have.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just need to see your Clear Pass.
DORNIN: It's called Clear, a registered traveler's program that's been up and running in Orlando for more than a year.
MARLENE GREEN, PASSENGER: You get this sticker if you travel a lot.
DORNIN: Marlene Green signed up online. She paid her 100 bucks and has to finish up her application at the airport using biometrics to scan her fingerprint and iris.
(on camera): What did you have to provide to them?
GREEN: Just two forms of I.D.
DORNIN: Which were?
GREEN: Passport and driver's license.
DORNIN (voice over): Then she must wait for about three weeks while the TSA does a background check. The agency has the final word on whether a passenger is approved.
For Donna White, life in the fast lane makes sense.
DONNA WHITE, PASSENGER: It's easy, yes. It takes about 15 minutes quicker on a good day. And when all the tourists are here for spring break, it's probably an hour. DORNIN: This program should be available in five airports, including New York's JFK, by year's end.
It's layers of security.
DORNIN: And Clear president Steven Brill hopes to use his card in 18 airports by the end of next year.
(on camera): We decided to do an experiment. I'll stand in the regular line, which is actually fairly short now, and see how long it takes me to get through compared to the man with the Clear Pass.
Rick Blanchette (ph) presented his pass and had his fingerprint taken, but was long gone by the time we were through the security line. Then there was Sherrod Cooley. She made our flight just before the doors closed, late, because of a traffic accident.
SHERROD COOLEY, PASSENGER: If I hadn't been able to go through the registered traveler, I would not have made it. I was really frantic, here on fire.
DORNIN (voice over): Rusty Dornin, CNN, Orlando, Florida.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: And for more travel tips, and all the travel news you need, log on before you head out the door, cnn.com/holidaytravel. The latest TSA guidelines, along with the video on making your visit, or your -- all your travel, really, stress-free. As stress-free as possible.
NGUYEN: That's the key word. And we're trying to do that here this morning as well.
We have squeezed back our frame picture here so you can see the travel delays and the weather around the nation. So keep it tuned to CNN. We're going to keep you posted on all of it as it takes place around the nation today.
And many of you, millions, in fact, headed home.
HOLMES: Yes.
NGUYEN: Well, we do have some amazing pictures coming to us this morning from Turkey. Why don't you take a look at this. A live picture right now.
HOLMES: Wow. Yes, thousands in the streets of Istanbul. They're protesting a planned visit from the pope.
Well, can the pontiff bridge the gap between Christians and Muslims? That's coming up -- that's the focus of our "Faces of Faith."
Also coming up... NGUYEN: Does this place look familiar? Well, we're going to take you on a trip to Ralphie's house a little bit later on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: "Now in the News," a busy travel day today for all of you headed home from Thanksgiving. More than 30 million people are expected to be driving, hopefully not all at once and on the same roadway. But be ready for possible slowdowns.
We say possible. Expect it. Just go ahead, pack that patience.
In the meantime, comedian Michael Richards tries to make amends again. The former "Seinfeld" co-star will be a guest on Jesse Jackson's radio program next hour. Jackson says it is a chance for Richards to apologize for his racist rant at a comedy club.
We'll keep you updated on what Richards has to say.
And in Alabama today, thousands of mourners attended the funerals of two high school girls killed last week in a deadly bus accident in Huntsville. Another funeral is set for tomorrow. A fourth student was buried Friday. The driver and three students remain hospitalized.
HOLMES: In the Middle East, tank tracks all that remain now of the Israeli army in Gaza. Israel says it has not decided whether to retaliate for Palestinian rockets fired in violation of a cease-fire just put in place.
And in turkey this morning, thousands have gathered for an anti- pope protest. The pro-Islamic political party says Muslims were offended by the pope's comments linking violence and Islam earlier this year. This morning, the Vatican confirmed the pope will visit Istanbul's most famous Blue Mosque. That's next week.
And we run down the top stories every 15 minutes here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING, with in-depth coverage for you all morning long. Your next check of the headlines coming up at the top of the hour.
In this morning's "Faces of Faith," we're watching the atmosphere in Turkey ahead Pope Benedict's visit. Many Muslims there upset over the pontiff's trip. The question is, what does Pope Benedict hope to accomplish during his visit, and will this trip help bridge the divide between Muslims and Christians?
Vatican analyst John Allen joins us now this morning from Rome to help us sort through some of this.
Hello, sir. Thank you for being here.
Tell me, just how carefully orchestrated is this trip by the pope? Certainly they are aware of what he's up against. So just how much is going into making sure he says the right things, goes to the right places even? JOHN ALLEN, VATICAN ANALYST: Well, every papal trip is fairly carefully orchestrated. But you're quite right, that given the stakes that are on the line on this one, they're sparing no effort in the Vatican to try to make sure that everything goes well.
Clearly, the dominant issue here is that the pope in a way sort of starts with the scoreboard already running against him because of his comments on September 12th at the University of Regensburg, which, of course, set up a firestorm in terms of global Islamic reaction. And that reaction was especially harsh in Turkey, I think in part because this pope is known for comments he made prior to his election opposing Turkey's candidacy to join the European Union.
So, clearly, on multiple levels, you know, people in Turkey are going to have their ears wide open waiting to hear what Benedict has to say.
HOLMES: Now, what would you say he certainly needs to do on this trip? What does he need to say? What are people wanting to hear to make sure this goes as smooth as possible?
ALLEN: Well, look, I mean, this pope, in contrast to the one before him, John Paul II, clearly does have a tougher message when it comes to Islam. And that message circles around two points above all.
One is terrorism and the need for Islamic leaders to reject violence. And the other is what the Vatican calls reciprocity, which basically means that religious minorities, including Christians in Islamic states, ought to get the same rights and same freedoms that religious minorities get in the West.
Now, the trick is, you know, he wants to present this message as a friend. That is, he sees himself occupying a kind of shared space with Muslims of religious and moral concern.
That obviously is not how it came off, however, at Regensburg. I think what most Muslims heard, fairly or unfairly, is a criticism from the outside.
So what he needs to accomplish in Turkey is that he needs to push this message, but he needs to find a vocabulary and an approach that it will be received as a positive challenge by Muslims rather than another in a long line of what they perceive as Western outsiders, you know, operating out of a kind of anti-Islamic bias. And in many ways, the jury is out in terms of how that's going to go.
HOLMES: And John, we're seeing these protests this morning. I understand right now that they're a little smaller than expected, but still, the pictures we're seeing are pretty impressive. Certainly pretty good-sized crowds.
Are some of the protests -- do those reflect the mood of the majority of people in Turkey? Or really just a small handful?
ALLEN: Well, I don't think they reflect the majority sentiment. You know, Turkey has long been known as a kind of, you know, model of Islamic moderation. There is -- there is a sort of core Islamist sentiment in Turkey, but I think it's a small minority.
On the other hand, I think it would be fair to say that the average Turk in the street, so to speak, views this pope with some trepidation. I think largely because he had a track record even before Regensburg of being opposed to Turkey's membership in the European Union, and that sort of stacked the deck against him.
And so while I don't think most Turks are going to be rushing to barricades to protest the pope's trip, I do think that they don't see Benedict XVI as a friend. That, I think, is the drama of this trip.
Is he going to be able to revise that perception by phrasing this challenge he wants to make to Muslims, certainly not just to Turks, but to Muslims generally? Is he going to be able to phrase it in a way that he's seen as a friend promoting a reform from within rather than seen as an enemy trying to launch a crusade from without? And as I say, that's going to be the high wire act of these four days in Turkey.
HOLMES: Wow. A high wire act, like you say.
Vatican analyst John Allen, we thank you so much for your answers, for your input, as always. Thank you.
And then tomorrow night, Anderson Cooper live in Turkey as the predominantly Muslim country prepares for Pope Benedict's visit.
Will this trip be one of harmony or a holy war? See for yourself, Monday night at 10:00 Eastern.
Then on Tuesday, CNN begins a full day of special coverage, "When Faiths Collide," Christianity and Islam, two powerful religions, one massive divide. That's all day Tuesday beginning at 6:00 a.m. Eastern, only on CNN.
Now, how far should a church go to lure 30-year-olds back to the pew? Look at this.
This is an ad, a magazine ad. It shows -- yes, got to get a little closer there. It shows a bottle of whipped cream, and beside it, the question, "How much fun can sex be before it's a sin?"
This is part of a $10 million ad campaign by a Canadian church organization. Now, what's the point behind the provocative ads? Tonight at 10:00 Eastern, Carol Lin talks with the director of the program.
NGUYEN: Very interesting.
But in the meantime, we do have an update on a developing story for you. As we've been telling you this morning, former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi fell ill during a speech in northern Italy just a short time -- a while ago.
Take a look at this video. There he is, falling ill at the podium, as we mentioned. Slumping down there as aides have come beside him to lift him up. This new video coming in.
It happened during a speech to political supporters. Apparently, Berlusconi is OK, because besides what you just saw, he was later able to come back on the stage a short time later and finish out that speech.
But again, new information and video just in to CNN as Berlusconi has fallen ill, slumping at podium. But we understand that he was able to come back on stage and finish his speech.
We'll keep you updated.
HOLMES: Like they say, fall down and get right back up. Get right back on stage.
NGUYEN: That's right. That's what he did.
And still ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING, Nicole Lapin is monitoring CNN.com for us right now.
Good morning, Nicole.
NICOLE LAPIN, CNN PIPELINE ANCHOR: Good morning, Betty.
Think about this for a second. Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Al Gore and Steve Chen, what do these guys have in common? Stumped a little bit? Well, I'll tell you in a couple of minutes.
Stick around.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think our current health care system is Duct-taped together at best.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If you don't have health insurance coverage, it's really a problem. They're torn between paying an electric bill and getting medication.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Even the people that have health care are still spending enormous amounts of money for it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All of us feel like we're paying a lot of insurance but we aren't getting value.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think the government has to step in. It's going to definitely take some big turns.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The cost of health care sure has a lot of Americans up in arms these days, and for good reason. Premiums have risen 87 percent in the last six years. But there is some good news among the doom-and-gloom headlines.
(voice-over): Princeton economics professor Uwe Reinhardt admits America's health care system is in trouble.
UWE REINHARDT, PRINCETON ECONOMICS PROFESSOR: We do not get the best value for our dollar. There's too much waste in the system. Too many Americans have trouble getting access to health care when they should have it, or if they do they go broke.
O'BRIEN: In fact, in the next decade we may be spending 20 percent of our Gross Domestic Product on health. But Reinhardt says that is no reason to panic.
REINHARDT: Think about it. Gross Domestic Product is growing by two percent per year. And if you compound that out for 10 years, the pie out of which we carve the 20 percent is going to be huge.
O'BRIEN: The conventional wisdom tells us our aging population is driving health costs through the roof. But Reinhardt says it's just another myth.
REINHARDT: It's so gradual it doesn't drive anything.
O'BRIEN: So now that we know who can afford it, Reinhardt says inform is inevitable.
REINHARDT: In 2008, it will be in the presidential debate. And the whoever wins will have to do something. It's just a matter of political will and leadership that you need.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: All right. Nicole Lapin mentioned just a few names before that really seem far off.
What, Nancy Pelosi...
LAPIN: Right.
NGUYEN: ... YouTube...
LAPIN: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
So what do these guys have in common?
NGUYEN: That's the question. Can you answer that for us?
LAPIN: I'll try. OK.
They're all potentially in the running, Betty, for "TIME" magazine's "Person of the Year." You know, it's an honor held by the greats, from Gandhi, to Martin Luther King Jr.
So the big question now, who's next?
Go to CNN.com and tell us what you think. Since 1927, "TIME" magazine gives that title to the person or the people who, for better or worst, the magazine's editors really believe had the greatest impact on the year's events. And you can even go back in time on "TIME" magazine and see each and every cover to date. It's all there for you online.
Some choices have been a little bit controversial -- Stalin, Hitler -- while others less so. Like last year's cover featured bill and Melinda Gates -- you see right there in the middle -- Bono, as the good Samaritans of the year.
And you think you're pretty hot stuff? Well, you can test your own "Person of the Year" knowledge.
Who's been on the cover the most times? OK. That gives it away. FDR. He wins, three times on the cover -- '32, '34 and '41.
And then vote on who you think should be on the cover this year. North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, a lot of people talking about that. Speaker of the House-Elect Nancy Pelosi, the YouTube guys?
So did you see the person who you would pick on that list? Well, did you not see the person you'd pick on the list/ Don't worry, there's even a write-in section, Betty. You can nominate yourself.
NGUYEN: I don't think I'll be doing that.
LAPIN: Get everybody around here writing Betty Nguyen.
NGUYEN: Yes, right. We'll get something going. Get a chain going.
LAPIN: There you are.
It's all at cnn.com/personoftheyear.
NGUYEN: Very nice. Well, you're one of our people of the year, Nicole.
LAPIN: Oh, thank you.
NGUYEN: Thank you for that.
LAPIN: That's so cute.
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: All right. Merry Christmas to you. Enough already.
A fun story from Cleveland, though, to tell you about, speaking of Christmas and a grand opening.
Several cast members from the classic holiday film "A Christmas Story" attend an opening of the house where the movie was filmed. A super fan of the film bought the house and restored it to its original film appearance. Yes. And now he is banking on it to be a major tourist attraction.
You remember the movie?
HOLMES: I remember the movie. I was just confused about the guy buying the house. I thought it was a little much.
NGUYEN: You thought it was a little much? Oh, no. No, no, no. I think it will make some money.
Well, if you're just waking up, getting ready to hit the road and head home from that long Thanksgiving weekend, you will notice that we have squeezed back our picture here.
HOLMES: Yes, we have done that so that we can show you the weather updates, travel delays all day long. We'll help you steer clear of any trouble spots.
Your traveler's forecast also is straight ahead.
NGUYEN: Also, new developments regarding Kramer's racist rant. Actor Michael Richards is meeting face-to-face with Reverend Jesse Jackson right now. We'll listen in on their conversation in our next hour.
HOLMES: And stick around. We're back with your top stories after a quick break.
You are watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Now in the news, Italy's former prime minister nearly collapses at a political rally. Silvio Berlusconi was giving a speech as you see here when he suddenly slumped at the podium. Aids had to rush in and help him out. Supporters say Berlusconi was overcome by the emotion of the speech.
NGUYEN: Fighting in Iraq's Anbar Province has claimed the lives of two more U.S. marines. The U.S. military says they were killed Saturday and their deaths bring the number of U.S. troops killed in Iraq to 2,876.
A fragile truce in the Gaza Strip, Palestinians militants fired rockets into Israel today hours after a cease-fire took hold. Palestinian security forces were ordered to the Gaza border to stop it while Israel called for its troops to use restraint.
HOLMES: Comedian Michael Richards tries to redeem himself. The former Seinfeld co-star appears on Jesse Jackson's radio program this hour, Jackson says it's a chance for Richards to apologize for his racist tirade at a comedy club. We'll keep you updated on that.
Also of course planes, trains, automobiles, bikes, skateboards, whatever you're using today, as millions of people head home after the holidays, expect some delays. We will keep you updated with the latest travel news throughout the day. Of course, we run down the top stories for you every 15 minutes here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING. We have in-depth coverage for you all morning long and your next check of the headlines coming up at 8:15 Eastern.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is a true medical mystery. The secrets of an autistic brain.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There is no identified single cause of autism that is universal for all children.
NGUYEN: Autism rates in American children are rising, so why don't we know more about this mysterious condition? Well, coming up at the bottom of the hour, Dr. Sanjay Gupta separates fact from fiction when it comes to treatment and the causes.
HOLMES: I want to see that. For now from the CNN Center here in Atlanta, this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING, November 26, 8 a.m. in Philadelphia, 4 p.m. in Baghdad. Hello to you all, I'm T.J. Holmes.
NGUYEN: Yes good morning everybody, I'm Betty Nguyen. We want to thank you for being with us. You will notice the screen is squeezed back this morning to allow for continuous information on travel conditions around the country. Also, we'll be posting delays when they happen.
HOLMES: I've been trying to get them to do this with sports scores.
NGUYEN: Not happening, huh?
HOLMES: CNN will be bringing you this look all day, so you know exactly where to turn for the most up-to-date travel information. Now we want to get to this morning's top story.
NGUYEN: Take you to Baghdad still on edge. Here are the latest developments. Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki today urged Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish leaders in the government to do more to end sectarian violence. He says the bloodshed is "A reflection of the lack of political accord." The Iranian news agency says a curfew in Baghdad will remain in effect at least until tomorrow morning local time and that would be tonight at 10:00 Eastern.
Now Iraq's president had to delay his trip to Iran because the Baghdad airport is closed during the curfew. Now the "New York Times" signing a classified government report, says the Iraq insurgency is financially self-sufficient. According to the "Times" insurgent groups raised up to $200 million a year through a variety of illegal activities. Chief among them are oil smuggling, kidnapping for ransom and counterfeiting.
HOLMES: Ending the sectarian violence will be item one on the agenda when President Bush meets with Iraq's prime minister this week. White House correspondent Ed Henry joins us live with a preview of the president's trip.
Good morning Ed.
ED HENRY, CNN'S WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning T.J. You know Iraq was originally not supposed to be the focus of the president's trip. He starts Monday in Estonia then he heads Tuesday to Latvia which really was suppose to be the focus, relatively a routine NATO Summit focused instead on the war in Afghanistan, but the president has now added a third stop in Jordan, Wednesday and Thursday, a two-day summit with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki so you are absolutely right in the short term.
Priority number one will be trying to figure out how to quell the sectarian violence, which has only gotten worse this weekend in Iraq. Also, White House aides say the president wants to look at more long term how to move forward in Iraq. That's why he wants to pick Prime Minister Maliki's brain. The president obviously under a lot of pressure about troop levels. You have Democrats about to take over control of Congress in January. They want to start bringing large numbers of U.S. troops home from Iraq. Then you have some of the president's fellow Republican's like Senator John McCain saying no now it's time to actually increase the number of troops in Iraq and get the job finished right.
There's also added pressure from the south side group, the Baker- Hamilton Commission a bipartisan group of experts about to put out a report in early December on their own ideas about the way forward in Iraq. As you can imagine, the president has a lot on his plate. He just got back from a grueling one-week trip to Asia, now heading to Europe and the Middle East for this summit, two summits back-to-back that we are told by the White House not to expect any real sightings of the president today, he is here at the White House after spending Thanksgiving at Camp David.
You can understand he's obviously getting some R&R before yet another trip.
HOLMES: All right Ed. The president about to head out on his trip, the vice president just getting back from a trip, where Middle East affairs, where Iraq was being talked about in Saudi Arabia. What do we know, if anything came out of that?
HENRY: Well we know that the vice president had a two-hour meeting with King Abdullah. Obviously this, is all about Iraq mostly, Middle east in general, but Iraq in particular. No real break through from that two-hour meeting.
But I think the real point was the vice president was trying to set the table, really lay the groundwork for the president's own trip to the Middle East this week, T.J.
HOLMES: All right. Ed Henry for us this morning. Thank you so much.
Our look at President Bush's meeting will continue next hour. Coming up at 9:30 Eastern we'll speak to the Middle East expert about what the president's trip could mean for the future of Iraq. And the Iraqi National Security adviser will be speaking with our Wolf Blitzer today on "Late Edition." That begins at 11:00 Eastern, also among Wolf's guests, Senators John Cornyn and Jack Reed. Both served with the Senate Armed Services Committee.
NGUYEN: Well many of you heading home today after the holidays. So what do you have to look forward to? How about delays? Oh, yes. Today and tomorrow are expected to be the busiest days for air travel with around 2 1/2 million people taking to the skies. The rest of you will be driving home. Don't worry, that means only 30 million people on the roads, that's all. Be patient, would you? Those of you riding the rails need to pack some patience too especially after what we saw, that mass at Penn Station on Wednesday and Thursday.
HOLMES: A mess. Not a mess out there weather wise, though. Right Reynolds even if it is, just makes it up.
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: It is just going to be sugar cane and rainbows for everybody. No, actually we are expecting some delays later today. It's inevitable and it always happens on big travel days. Right now though thankfully we don't have any delays anywhere at our major airports. In fact, things are looking pretty good. Let's leave the maps and show you some live. For example this that we have Hartsfield in Atlanta. See, folks? Picture perfect. High pressure again in the Eastern seaboard is keeping things comfortable there. It looks beautiful, thank you for the shot. We'll make our way out to the west in San Francisco, compliments of KGO; it is a dark morning along the area in the bay area. It looks pretty nice there. We have possibly some showers in San Francisco later on today, but back over to New York City looks pretty nice there as well, same story with the East River. Actually this would be the Hudson River so the west side of Manhattan looks pretty good there, a little bit of haze.
As we go back to the weather maps, you'll see the reason why things are so nice along the eastern sea board is because of this big area of high pressure as you make your way back into the Great Lakes you're going to see a little bit more cloud cover right along this boundary. Here's the troublemaker, right over here in parts of the Pacific Northwest. This area of low pressure is going to pull its way from the Gulf of Alaska, and as it moves onshore it will bring in some cool air right behind it, there is some cool air ahead of it as well. So we can expect some scattered showers in the valleys, but in the higher elevations above 4,000 feet many places getting over a foot of snowfall. Great for skiers, but for travelers, moms and dads trying to make their way home from grandma's it is going to be tough. So just be patient.
Back to you.
NGUYEN: But at this point no delays.
WOLF: Not at this point, just because of the sheer volume of people out there, it's enviable. We're going to have some delays, now we'll definitely look for weather delays in the Pacific Northwest.
NGUYEN: It is still very early. Thank you Reynolds. Appreciate it.
But throughout the day we're going to have to squeeze back so you can see the travel conditions outside. The temperatures as well as delays at airports around the nation. Stay tuned for that.
In the meantime for more holiday travel all you have to do is go online to CNN.com/holidaytravel. It has all the latest travel news, plus tips for easing the holiday travel stress and a link to send us an ireport on all of those travel headaches you may experience today.
HOLMES: A groom to-be killed on his wedding day by New York City Police. A grand jury is now investigating. The shooting happened early Saturday. Police say Sean Bell and his two friends were on their way home after his bachelor party and they hit an undercover officer as he approached their car and they also hit a police van. Police say officers fired 50 times at the groom's car, killing Bell and injuring the other two men. Police say they thought the men may have been armed. No guns were found.
The FBI is trying to decide their next step this morning in a search for two missing boys in Red Lake, Minnesota. The brothers have been missing since Wednesday. Tristan Anthony White is four years old and Avery Lee Stately is two years old. Search crews with specially trained dogs have been looking for the boys. The FBI may abandon the ground search after today.
NGUYEN: Quite a bizarre story out of Florida to tell you about. A woman from New Port Ritchey who was reported missing was found; get this, wedged upside down behind a bookcase of all places. Investigators say the victim's family had been looking for the woman for two weeks before she was found. They told police they thoroughly searched her room, found nothing, but smelled a foul odor. Family members believe the woman may have fallen over trying to adjust the plug to a television.
HOLMES: All right. Is this a sign of things to come when the Pope arrives in Turkey this week? Details on today's demonstrations is coming up.
NGUYEN: Well could this man be the next president of the United States? Take a good look. In six minutes why Rudy Giuliani's moderate past could cause him problems in 2008.
HOLMES: And at the bottom of the hour, Dr. Sanjay Gupta exposes latest developments in treating autistic children.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'll never forget the first time Sebastian got up and gave me a kiss. I froze because never did I expect such a thing ever to happen.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Now in the news, comedian Michael Richards tries to make amends again. The former Seinfeld co-star is a guest on Jesse Jackson's radio program this hour. Jackson says it is a chance for Richards to apologize for his racist tirade at a comedy club. We're going to keep you update and bring that to you just as soon as we can.
In southern Afghanistan, NATO says at least 50 Taliban fighters were in a battle with NATO and Afghan troops. We do have to tell you one NATO soldier was also killed. A suicide bombing at a restaurant killed seven people.
And this morning the Vatican confirmed Pope Benedict will visit the famous blue mosque and that's next week. The pontiff expressed his sincere friendship for the Turkish people during today's prayers in the Vatican.
But supporters of the pro-Islamic political party, well they're opposed to Pope Benedict's visit. Thousands have been gathered for an anti-pope protest. It's leaders say they were offended by the pope's comments linking violence and Islam. Anderson Cooper will be following this story all week. He explores what happens when faiths collide. He's planning on a series. We'll be airing that series, it begins tomorrow night at 10 p.m. Eastern only here on CNN.
We do run down the top stories every 15 minutes here on CNN SUNDAY MORNING with in-depth coverage all morning long. So your next check of the headlines that is coming up at 8:30 Eastern.
HOLMES: We're going to go with that. I like it. We're looking ahead. Is it too early, maybe, but we think it's never too early. Take a look at some numbers. The Opinion Research Corporation have registered Republicans who they might support in 2008. And right now Rudy Giuliani has a slim lead over John McCain just 33 percent to 30 percent. Everybody else in double digits, everybody knows Giuliani as the former mayor of New York, but where does he stand on the key national issues. We'll get those answers from CNN chief national correspondent John King.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Rudy Giuliani, White House man would challenge the gold standard of Republican presidential politics for the past quarter century.
TERRY JEFFREY, EDITOR, HUMAN EVENTS: Since Ronald Reagan's election in 1908 and since the Republicans wrote that into the platform, the pro-life position has really been essential for Republican presidential candidate.
KING: The former New York City mayor is anything but a social for cultural conservative.
RUDY GIULIANI, FMR. MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY: I'm pro-choice, pro- gay rights.
KING: Giuliani supports a woman's right to abortion. And back in 1999 he opposed a federal ban on late-term abortions.
GIULIANI: No, I have not supported that and I don't see my position on that changing. KING: Immigration could be another presidential land mine back in 1996 Mayor Giuliani went to federal court to challenge new federal laws requiring the city to inform the federal governments about illegal immigrants.
JEFFREY: He took the side of illegal immigrants in New York City against the Republican Congress.
KING: Giuliani opposes same-sex marriage but as mayor he supported civil unions and extending health and other benefits to gay couples. He also supported the assault weapons ban and other gun control measures opposed by the National Rifle Association.
GIULIANI: I'm in favor of gun control. I'm pro-choice.
KING: Back in 1998 Giuliani told an Iowa public television interviewer the Republican Party needed to be more open to views like his.
GIULIANI: Republicans have to appeal to moderates. The Republicans do not appeal to moderates including moderate Republicans, we lose.
KING: But then California Governor Pete Wilson and Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter are among the social moderates who found the Republican nominating process less than welcoming.
It begins in Iowa where Christian conservatives have disproportionate power in the states caucus format. Libertarian, New Hampshire is more welcome territory and then comes conservative South Carolina. Giuliani calls himself a common-sense conservative who believes in low taxes and balanced budgets and he had a strong law and order image both as mayor and as a federal prosecutor.
GIULIANI: I don't believe in litmus tests for any party, Republican, Democrat, liberal and conservative.
KING: The most recent CNN poll by Opinion Research Corporation ranks Giuliani at the top of the Republican field. Surveys this far out are based largely on name recognition and conservatives like Terry Jeffrey scoffed when asked about Giuliani's chances.
JEFFREY: Rudy Giuliani has no chance of winning the Republican presidential nomination. He's way too far left on cultural issues for Republican voters.
KING: Giuliani's advisors however, say Republicans are unhappy with the Party's direction and it's 2006 mid term losses might be more open to a moderate and a Washington outsider in 2008. One reason he moved so quickly for the former presidential exploratory committee.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Then again that was our John King reporting and for all the latest political news plus the breaking news of the day, be sure to join Wolf Blitzer in "The Situation Room" weekdays at 4 p.m. Eastern and for the live "Prime Time Edition" at 7 p.m. Eastern.
NGUYEN: OK, listen closely, event data recorders for your car. Is it a question of safety or one of big brother just going too far? We have that story in the next hour of CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
HOLMES: Just five minutes away we'll profile an important weapon in the war on terror, but first we'll have a preview of today's "House Call."
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, guys. Well this morning on "House Call" we're talking about a disorder diagnosed every day in America's children. It's controversial and the label can be very frustrating. We're talking about autism. Our guest is the parent two of children diagnosed with the disorder, he is also a pediatrician. He is going to tell us the latest about the causes and new treatments in every day life with autism. All that is coming on "House Call" at 8:30.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The holidays are a fun, festive time of year, family, friends and lots of yummy food, but if you overindulge and you're feeling stuffed like a stuffed like a turkey, here's something to keep in mind. The average Thanksgiving dinner has 3,000 calories and 229 grams of fat. If you want to burn off all those holiday calories you'd better get started.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: One hundred and seventy pound adult would have to run a 10-minute mile for two and a half hours -- yes! Would have to swim or aerobic dance for six hours or walk or ride their bock in a moderate pace for ten hours. That's a lot of exercise.
COSTELLO: What Sabrina and David Clark say they exercise before a holiday feast.
SABRINA CLARK: We try to stay active, you know? We always workout Thanksgiving morning. Go for a slow, digestive walk after the meal and that way your body can begin to burn some of the calories more of the calories that you've just ingested.
COSTELLO: Dana's best holiday take-home advice is to limit your portion sizes and the amount of alcohol you consume. Slow down and savor the foods you love this holiday season.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We also keep saying every year; we'll cut this down. We don't need all this, but we keep adding it back in. It's tradition.
COSTELLO: Carol Costello, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) NGUYEN: I feel like that sitting up here don't you? Well today's tech affects a look at a new spy plane that soon may be flying over you, yes, that's right. But as Carol Costello reports, not to worry, these are training flights.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're airborne.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): It's an odd- looking plane with a swayed back, and bulbous nose, but the Air Force's global hawk is playing an increasingly important role helping the U.S. military hunt down terrorist threats.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And we have takeoff.
COSTELLO: Now for the first time it's flying over American skies, taking off to northern California's Beale Air Force Base. The purpose of this mission isn't surveillance, it's training. Beale is the new home of the air force's global hawk school house where airmen and women will learn to fly the plane by remote control from a virtual cockpit on missions that can last as much as 35 hours covering up to 12,000 miles at altitudes up to 65,000 feet. Beale-based crews consisting of four people each are already controlling missions over the Middle East. The plan is to have seven global hawks for training based at Beale by 2009.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wheels deployed and brakes are on.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Again that was Carol Costello reporting.
HOLMES: Of course the Thanksgiving weekend, we have been talking about it, it's coming to a close. That means a lot of folks traveling today.
NGUYEN: Up next, we will show you if the weather may cause you some travel headaches out there.
HOLMES: Also, overcoming the difficulties faced by autistic children. In five minutes Dr. Sanjay Gupta and "House Call" will explore the mysterious condition.
NGUYEN: And new at 9:00 Eastern this device is called an event data recorder and it's very likely you have one in your car and don't even know it. We'll explain why that can come back to haunt you if you've ever been involved in an accident.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The air bag saved my life. The data recorder sent me to prison for the rest of my life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.voxant.com
