Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Sunday Morning

Pinochet Suffers Heart Attack; Memo Shows Rumsfeld Called for Changes in Iraq

Aired December 03, 2006 - 09:00   ET

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

T.J. HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR, CNN SUNDAY MORNING: "Now in the News": Chile's former strongman Augusto Pinochet suffered a serious heart attack this morning and is now in critical condition. CNN has learned he was given his last rites by a priest. We'll keep you updated in new developments on this story.
A call for change from Iraq, and it comes from Donald Rumsfeld. A newly disclosed memo from Rumsfeld recommends adjustment in U.S. strategy. Rumsfeld submitted the memo two days before he resigned. Details just ahead in a live from the White House.

In the Philippines, and aid officials says the death toll from the Typhoon Durian could top a 1,000. The Philippines president has declared a national calamity. Searchers are still looking for survivors, though. In two minutes we'll talk to a Red Cross worker in the Philippines.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR, CNN SUNDAY MORNING: Perhaps the biggest George Bush critic expected to win re-election in Venezuela. Voters going to the polls right now. Hugo Chavez is currently the longest-serving head of state in South America.

Democrat Tom Daschle now saying he will not be part of the 2008 presidential scramble. The former South Dakota senator tells CNN he won't seek his party's nomination. Daschle lost his seat two years ago.

Let's get you over to Reynolds Wolf for a quick check of the weather outside on this Sunday morning.

(WEATHER REPORT)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No littering ticket if the two of you just do a little rap about -- what do you want to rap about today, littering?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dangers of littering, you will get a ticket. If you ain't with it --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Rapping to avoid a ticket? Cause something outrage in the community. Did an Arizona cop go too far with this one? We'll let you decide.

From the CNN Center this is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It is December 3rd, 9 a.m. here in Atlanta, 7 a.m. in Arizona.

Good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.

HOLMES: And I'm T.J. Holmes. We thank you so much for starting your day right here with us.

Surprising comments about the war in Iraq and they come from outgoing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Word out today that Rumsfeld submitted a classified memo to the White House two days before he resigned. In that memo, he says U.S. strategy in Iraq is not working well enough, or fast enough. And he calls for a major adjustment. CNN's Kathleen Koch has more details on the Rumsfeld memo. She joins us now live from the White House.

Good morning, Kathleen.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, CNN SUNDAY MORNING: Good morning, T.J., quite a stunner this memo, coming from a man who had been publicly saying the United States was making good progress in Iraq. Instead, November 6, the day before the mid-term elections, he submits this memo to the White House that gives really a top to bottom list of options for new ways for the U.S. to move forward in Iraq.

One thing, of course, begin modest withdrawal, something that many have been suggesting, Rumsfeld had been opposing. And he says, quote, "So Iraqis know they have to pull up their socks and step up and take responsibility for their country.

Another option, dramatically cut the number of U.S. bases in Iraq, boost the number of U.S. troops training Iraqi forces, and deploy more U.S. forces to seal the Iranian and Syrian borders.

And finally, a very controversial idea, only to provide economic aid, reconstruction aid, and security to areas of Iraq that work with and cooperate with U.S. forces.

The White House will not comment on whether or not President Bush is considering any of these options, and no one knows whether or not Secretary Rumsfeld knew when he submitted this that the president was about to accept his resignation.

Now, certainly, it's a safe bet that these suggestions in the memo will come up on Monday afternoon when President Bush meets with a very powerful, Iraqi Shiite leader that is Abdul Aziz al-Hakim. He's a very powerful player in Iraq's coalition government.

And the Bush administration would like to see Hakim throw his support, his party's support, directly behind Prime Minister Nouri al- Maliki, and enable him to really lesson-- that is Nouri al-Maliki, and lessen his reliance on the radical Shiite cleric, Muqtada al Sadr. Back to you, T.J.

HOLMES: Kathleen, of course, Rumsfeld, the outgoing, Robert Gates, the presumably the incoming, what does disclosure of this memo now mean for him moving forward with his confirmation? KOCH: This really shouldn't have any impact on his confirmation hearings before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Those begin on Tuesday. Gates has been making the rounds on Capitol Hill, been getting a very warm reception from Democrats and Republicans, alike. So he really is expected to sail through with a full Senate vote on his confirmation coming by the end of the week.

HOLMES: All right, Kathleen Koch for us at the White House. Thank you so much.

Today on "Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer," the inside word on the government's crisis in Iraq. Wolf talks with the U.S. point man in Iraq, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad. And will the Saudis play a larger role in the region? Wolf asks the Saudi ambassador to the U.S., that's coming up at 11 Eastern.

NGUYEN: Rescue workers in the Philippines warn the death toll from Typhoon Durian could reach in the thousands. The country's president has declared a national disaster. And Gwendolyn Pang is with the Red Cross; she joins us now, on the phone, to give us more details on what's happening there, in Manila.

Gwendolyn, as we just mentioned, in the thousands could be where the death toll winds up. Yesterday it was around 300 when we spoke with you. What do you know so far about those who have indeed been killed in this typhoon?

GWENDOLYN PANG, RED CROSS OF PHILIPPINES: Yes, the death toll reached more than 300 now. And there are more than 400 people injured, and more than 300 people are still missing. The rescue operation is being undertaken by the whole government, together with the Red Cross, Philippine K-9 and many other NGOs, other non- government organizations.

A lot of people in the area need food and water, even if they have money to buy it, they can't buy it, because there is no economic activity. Most of the stores are still closed. It's difficult to bring in goods because of the debris bought about by the mud flow from the Mayon volcano. And many trees are uprooted, trees are on the road. With little alternative sources of subsistence, or sustenance these vulnerable communities need immediate relief to tide them up, over, for the immediate term.

That's why the Red Cross is coming out with an international appeal for support and if there ever there are support coming in, we would like them to coordinate with us, with telephone number, +632- 527-0865 or +632-524-5787.

The typhoon damage is really extensive to properties and infrastructures.

NGUYEN: Oh, I imagine. We'll try to get some numbers up for our viewers as well, but before we get more information on the relief operations, I do want to talk about rescue operations. Because is there any chance, at this point in time, that there are those who may have still survived this typhoon, but just haven't been found just yet? Talk to me about rescue operations.

PANG: OK. We just spoke to the Philippine K-9 Foundation, which is now in Ginobat (ph) and Albei (ph) -- as they reported us to, they said -- it's a more of a search and recovery, than rescue. Because the mud flow is really -- it covered almost the entire area. So it's difficult to say at this moment if we can really still rescue lives, but they're working hard to try their best to do a search and rescue. But now it's now more of a search and recovery.

NGUYEN: Which makes a lot of sense considering there are so many thousands who are in need of relief supplies. You mentioned a plea for those around the world who can help. I understand Canada has already pledged $870 million, the Netherlands $53,000.

PANG: Yes.

NGUYEN: And quickly, for those here in the U.S., our audience members watching, what can they do to help in this disaster?

PANG: Well, of course, though we need like food and water, it's better if they send in cash, because it's easier for us to mobilize resources if they send cash. They can just coordinate with us, through +632-527-0685 or +632-524-5787. That's the operation center hot line. And they can also go to our website, which is www.redcross.org.ph. They can go to that section, contact us, and leave their message, and we can get back to them.

NGUYEN: So, it's as simple as contacting the Red Cross. Our viewers can do that either by phone or through e-mail.

Gwendolyn Pang, joining us from Manila. We appreciate your time and we know that there's a lot of work still ahead, especially long- term relief supplies for the folks who have been devastated by this typhoon.

Thank you.

HOLMES: As we've been telling you this morning, Augusto Pinochet has been given last rites following a heart attack this morning. You may remember this former Chilean dictator's name, but maybe not necessarily his impact on world events in the '70s and '80s.

Giving you now, a brief look at his life, in the public eye. Pinochet came to power in the U.S.-backed coup in 1973 and ruled with an iron fist until 1990. During his rule about 3,000 people disappeared, many of them political opponents.

Pinochet had been arrested more than once, but declared unfit for trial. In 2004 a judge stripped him of immunity clearing the way for further legal action. We'll be looking back at Pinochet's controversial rule throughout the day on CNN.

Meanwhile, protests continue as the political crisis in Lebanon deepens. We'll go live to Beirut after this break.

Plus this: (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You will get a ticket. If you ain't with it, you better be experienced because --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: A police officer makes a controversial call telling two African-Americans to rap their way out of a ticket. Did that officer go too far?

HOLMES: Also more people than ever will shop online this season, but before you point, click and buy, you'll want the inside scoop from our net savvy shopper.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. ABDULLAH AL RABEEAH, CHIEF SURGEON: The biggest risk is infection and wound care, and we are going to have to take a lot of precautions. When we saw them earlier today they looked stable. There are no indications of any infections and they look remarkably good.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Iraqi twins successfully separated after a long, delicate, 18-hour operation. And doctors say each will eventually need an artificial leg. So far they are doing just fine.

Another story we're following for you, a former Chilean dictator on death's door after suffering a heart attack and bypass surgery, a Catholic priest has read last rites for Augusto Pinochet.

And the man who called President Bush the devil. Venezuelan voters head to the polls today to decide whether to keep him, President Hugo Chavez, or to boot him out of office. The prediction? A big Chavez victory.

HOLMES: You're looking at some new video we're getting here, out of Beirut, Lebanon, where special forces now on alert, this morning. That's because protests, like the one you're seeing there, and the protestors saying they're not going leave until the prime minister steps down. The pro-Western prime minister vowing he's not going anywhere. CNN's Brent Sadler joins us live from Beirut.

Hello, Brent.

BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT, CNN SUNDAY MORNING: Hello, T.J.

The situation here is we have deepening political deadlock in the center of the Lebanese capital now. Tens of thousands of people wanting the government, the U.S.-backed government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora to resign as soon as possible.

In fact, now would be too late as far as these people are concerned. It's not just Hezbollah that's taking part in this protest, there are also many Christians as well. And we saw some Christians taking part in Holy Mass at a church near one of the main squares where these protests are focused on, holding a vigil for those that have lost their lives recently in an assassination attack of against Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel.

Also at the same time, roughly, inside the prime ministry, itself, which is surrounded by armed vehicles. Also, there was a religious ceremony, another holy mass, that was taking place in there, again, for Industry Minister Pierre Geyamel. So, you essentially have the Lebanese Christians split in two rival camps.

You have the government saying that the Hezbollah-led opposition is trying to stage a political coup. The protests are remaining nonviolent, but very many concerns here, that sooner or later, this could escalate into something that's far more dangerous in terms of violence in the future. Back to you, T.J.

HOLMES: Brent Sadler for us in Beirut. Thank you so much this morning, Brent.

NGUYEN: What would you do to get out of a ticket?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You will get a ticket. If you ain't with it, you better be experienced because --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Could you rap? These men did. They rapped their way out of a fine and we'll tell you why that has outraged some, plus --

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Your rating can be kept for up to 40 years, and shared with state and local governments if you apply for a job, for example, or need a security clearance.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Keeping score: if you've come into the U.S. or gone out, the government's been watching you, rating you, and will keep your file for decades. We'll have the details on that shortly.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: If you think that Sony or Nintendo are the only ones with new games out there, you better think again, because we have the future of virtual reality in this week's "Explorers".

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALI VELSHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT, CNN SUNDAY MORNING (voice over): Passersby liken it to a hamster ball. Co-inventor Ray Latypov sees the future of gaming, training, and virtual tourism. RAY LATYPOV, CEO, VIRTUSPHERE, INC.: This sphere is like a motion platform for the virtual reality, because before for the movement inside virtual space you should use cable, mouse or joystick. This is natural interface. You walk like you do every day.

VELSHI: In any direction in or run, or jump, or roll. Users wear a wireless head mounted display to immerse themselves visually. And there are speakers positioned around the sphere, so you get a true sense of orientation. But the virtusphere isn't all fun and games.

LATYPOV: The overweight problem for children, sitting hours in a week. Not playing active games. Inside sphere they will play same game, but with physical activity.

VELSHI: Down the road Latypov hopes to add climate control, pressure control and olfactory stimuli.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you ain't with it you better be experienced.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Rapping to avoid a rap sheet. The Tempe, Arizona, police department in a bit of hot water with this video and the NAACP calls it offensive and humiliating. Kirsten Joyce of our affiliate KTVK has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OSCAR TILLMAN, PRES. NARICOPA COUNTY NAACP: Having grown up in the '40s and the '50s, this hits home very hard.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: President of Maricopa County NAACP Oscar Tillman is reacting to this.

SGT. CHUCK SCHOVILLE, TEMPE POLICE: You know how much the fine is for littering?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A clip from Tempe Street Beat, which airs on Channel 11. We see Tempe Police Sergeant Chuck Schoville pulling over two African-Americans for littering, and he tells them they can avoid a ticket if they do a rap.

SCHOVILLE: No littering ticket, if you two just do a little rap about -- what do you want to rap about today, littering?

TILLMAN: When you tell someone, I'll let you off if you do this or that, now if they had not been in a car, and been on a bicycle, what would you ask them to do? Get down and tap dance? That's humiliating. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Tillman feels Sergeant Schoville crossed the line with his last statement on the clip. Keep in mind this ran 24 times during the past month.

SCHOVILLE: You know I'm right. You know why you say I'm right? Because I have a gun and badge, I'm always right, OK?

TILLMAN: Your badge, and your uniform, and your gun does not make you right. Your respect has to be earned.

CHIEF TOM RYFF, TEMPE, ARIZONA POLICE: I'm very concerned with the action of this officer.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: New Police Chief Tom Ryff met with members of the NAACP and apologized to them and the community at large.

RYFF: As it is evident that we have failed in this case to provide appropriate police services to members of our community.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dangers of littering, you will get a ticket, if you ain't with it you better be experienced because --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As to how this particular show could have aired without further scrutiny, the department says it has launched an investigation the policies, practices and procedures, and will put new protocol in place so this doesn't occur again; a satisfying answer to Tillman.

TILLMAN: So, we're very pleased with where we stand right now with the Tempe Police Department.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: That now brings us to our e-mail question of the day. Did the police officer you just saw, you think he crossed the line? E- mail us at weekends@cnn.com and we will read your responses later this hour.

NGUYEN: In the meantime, winter weather is showing up early in some parts of the U.S. and creating a long, cold wait in the dark. A major storm spread ice and snow from Texas to Michigan, and is blamed for at least 13 deaths. Thousands still without electricity. Officials say it could be days before the power is back on in some areas. Missouri National Guard troops are going door to door making sure people are OK.

HOLMES: What's going on with the weather now. Looking at the map you have behind you, a lot of stuff.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: If you're tired of waiting in line for the perfect gift. Reynolds, don't forget me then. Wait no more, that's right because we have online shopping tips to make your life a whole lot easier this holiday season. That's coming up in 20 minutes.

Plus, for that special someone on your list that you just can't stand.

NGUYEN: Can you think of a few names?

HOLMES: Yes. We have a calendar of de-motivators.

NGUYEN: These are funny, though.

HOLMES: They are funny. They'll let these folks know how you really just don't care. That's coming up in our "Watercooler".

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: This just in to CNN. An Iraqi court spokesman says Saddam Hussein has appealed his death sentence in the first trial on the charges of crimes against humanity for a campaign against the Shiites. As you recall on November 4th of this year Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death, by hanging, for the 1982 Dujail massacre. Two other defendants received death sentences. He had 30 days to make this appeal. And today he has come in just under the deadline. Again, Saddam Hussein has appealed his death sentence and we'll see how this plays out in Iraqi court.

Other news that we're covering: Just out of Chile this morning, Chile's former strongman Augusto Pinochet is in critical condition following a heart attack. CNN has learned that he was given last rites by a priest. Doctors say the 91-year-old's Pinochet's condition, well, is complicated by excessive fluid his lungs.

Memo on Iraq now, the strategy, not working, time for a "major adjustment." The author of the memo is outgoing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. He submitted it two days before announcing his resignation. The newly-disclosed document also includes ideas and recommendations for changing the U.S. strategy in Iraq.

HOLMES: A call for change from thousands in Beirut, Lebanon, right now. Pro-Syrian demonstrators camping out in front of the prime minister's office. They say he won't leave until he steps down. But Prime Minister Siniora says he's staying put as well.

Major drug maker, Pfizer is pulling one of the most anticipated drugs out of clinical trials. People taking cholesterol drug, Torcetrapib is now being told to stop immediately. A study shows a higher than normal number of deaths associate with the drug. Pfizer has spent about $800 million developing that drug.

A long, delicate operation a resounding success. That is the initial word we're getting on the surgery to separate Iraqi conjoined twins who shared vital organs. After an 18-hour operation in Saudi Arabia, the twins' chief surgeon tells CNN the 11-month-old girls are doing well, but each will eventually need an artificial leg.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ, VENEZUELA: Translator: the devil came here yesterday. Yesterday the devil came here. Right here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Those words, put Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in a whole new spotlight. Calling President Bush the devil may not have endeared him to many Americans and he still extremely popular at home. He's standing for re-election today and CNN's Karl Penhaul is live in Caracas, Venezuela and joins us live with the latest on this.

Is this pretty much a done deal when it comes to this election -- Karl.

Karl PENHAUL, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: It's very difficult to hear you right now, Betty, because we're in an area, a poorer neighborhood of Caracas and this is the polling station behind us where President Hugo Chavez is expected to vote any time now.

Now, across this street we have a very orderly line of the people who vote at this polling station and on the side of the street where we are, we're surround by people who have turned out to support President Chavez as he comes to vote.

As I say, here it's a very orderly scene. On the other side of Caracas, in the wealthier neighborhoods, this morning, we saw a very disorderly scene. We saw the polling sayings were open more than an hour late, in some cases, and we saw lines of people, possibly as long as a mile or more than half a mile long and people complaining the whole election procedure was a disaster. They said some of them had been waiting since midnight last night to assure that they got a front place in the line so they would be able to vote on time -- Betty.

NGUYEN: All right, CNN's Karl Penhaul has many people lined up to place their ballot today in the election there in Caracas, Venezuela.

Karl, thank you for that.

HOLMES: Well, I want to tell you now about a terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia. Saudi security officials say they arrested nearly 140 Islamic militants with suspected ties to al Qaeda over the last three months. The interior ministry says the suspects were from several Arab countries and were rounded up in Saudi Arabia before they launched their attack. Officials did not provide details on that attack, though.

NGUYEN: A traveler's screening program looking for clues about terrorism. If you travel you could unknowingly be providing the government with information that could get you labeled as a criminal or even a terrorist.

CNN's Kelli Arena explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLI ARENA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Whenever you leave or enter the United States by air, land or sea, you are being rated bite government to see how likely it is that you're a terrorist or a criminal. Computers are assessing everything from how you paid for your tickets to what type of meal you ordered.

CLARK KENT ERVIN, CNN SECURITY ANALYST: If somebody is, for example, sitting in the window seat it's less likely that person intends to hijack a plane because it's harder for that person to get out to do so.

ARENA: DHS says the program is critical for national security.

MICHAEL CHERTOFF, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: Job one, for me, is keep bad people out of the United States. That's what the people of this country expect.

ARENA: But privacy advocates are absolutely incensed, angry because you're not even allowed to see your own rating.

MARC ROTENBERG, ELECTRONIC PRIVACY INFO CTR: People should have the right to find out how it's been used and if they aren't given those rights then I think this program needs to be shut down.

ARENA: What's more, your rating can be kept for up to 40 years and shared with state and local governments if you apply for a job, for example or need a security clearance.

ROTENBERG: It should not be use toward job clearance and shouldn't be used for employment decisions and it shouldn't be used for any other decision that the federal government might make other than whether a person can enter the United States.

ARENA: And if there's been a mistake made, good luck in try trying to correct it.

ERVIN: Even if someone, somehow, found out that he or she was on the list, there is no means of getting off the list.

ARENA (ON CAMERA): DHS says that there is a way to correct data in its systems, but you would have to file a Freedom of Information act request and even then you wouldn't get all of the information the government has on you because officials say they don't want to tip off terrorists to who they're looking for.

Kelli Arena, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: And stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

HOLMES: Twenty-two shopping days left.

NGUYEN: And counting.

HOLMES: Please calm down. It's all gravy. Things are fine. You got plenty of time.

NGUYEN: It's all gravy, baby, love that!

HOLMES: Up next, we've got some online shopping tips, free shipping, great deals all a click away on your computer.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Some of the best food can be found in New York City and Danny Meyer is contributing to that reputation. Meyer's restaurants and chefs earned an unprecedented 16 James Beard Awards including the 2005 "Outstanding Restaurateur."

What started at the opening of Union Square cafe in 1985 now expanded to nine other top-ranked eateries forming the Union Square Hospitality Group. Meyer is passionate about excellence in food and hospitality and believes the customer's experience is most important.

DANNY MEYER, HOSPITALITY GROUP: Want people to leave my restaurants feeling like they got a big hug. I want them to rave about the experience they had connecting with the people who work in our restaurants.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Well, all right. We are looking at what may be a record Christmas tree. Sure looks impressive. This is in Rio de Janeiro, this is Saturday night out to celebrate what Guinness book of world records says is the largest Christmas tree in the world. It's about 27 floors high -- it's what we're looking at here and that...

NGUYEN: Well, it's beautiful, but is it a real tree?

HOLMES: Um, that was my impression when we were coming in to this video. Looking at it now, I am thinking maybe not.

NGUYEN: Maybe not. But it meets the qualifications, there you go. That's all that matters, right?

HOLMES: For Guinness, so yes. Hope we can get another shot.

NGUYEN: World's biggest artificial tree, perhaps.

HOLMES: Maybe.

NGUYEN: Speaking of the holidays, the annual stress-fest, as we like to call it, is underway, otherwise known as holiday shopping. Hours at the mall, not for you? So, listen up, the answer for your holiday shopping may be just as simple as point, click, and purchase. Online shopping is bigger than ever and simple, too, but there are some pitfalls. To help you get the best deals we have brought in online shopping pro, Vanessa O'Connell of the "Wall Street Journal."

Good morning.

VANESSA O'CONNELL, "WALL STREET JOURNAL": Hello. NGUYEN: Been shopping lately.

O'CONNELL: Oh, yes. Been having a lot of fun.

NGUYEN: All right, well let's talk about shopping online. You know, in-store shopping, Black Friday is huge, but then you have cyber Monday. But for the folks who didn't partake in any of that, have we missed out on all the deals, especially when it comes to online deals?

O'CONNELL: Not at all. The good news for shoppers, actually, is that with online shopping you can wait until December 11 through December 14 in order to place your orders and still get it in time for the holidays. So you have not -- I have not seen, thus far, any incredible deals online that were worth...

NGUYEN: That's not good, Vanessa.

O'CONNELL: I know. I know. I think that the deals may be to come. There are some deals out there if you know where to look for them, but it makes sense, actually, in my opinion, for people to wait around December 11 through December 14 to place their orders to see if the prices might come down.

NGUYEN: But then you worry though. You worry will it get there on time.

O'CONNELL: Right. Well, I checked some of the retailers online, earlier today, and I noticed that you can place orders until December 11 in some cases and also until as late as December 14 and still get the order in time even with just ground shipping. So, and a lot of retailers are offering free shipping for orders over $75 or over $100.

NGUYEN: Right.

O'CONNELL: That's kind of typical.

NGUYEN: Love the free shipping. Well, what about the discounts, though? Because when it comes to shopping in the store and shopping online, do you find online shopping gives you better prices, maybe?

O'CONNELL: In some cases, I have found that some of the specialty retailers. Chico's, for example, is a women's apparel retailer, that's offering announcing 50 percent off some holiday items. I have not seen huge discounts online.

Now, Wal-Mart, for example, is an exception to that. It's offering enormous discounts online, as well as in the stores, on a lot of merchandise. But again, the huge benefit of online shopping, here, this season, is going to be free shipping and in some cases there might also be some, like, 50 percent off certain kind of merchandise. I've also seen pretty good sales on outerwear. It's been a warm winter, so some of the stores are looking to move the jackets and the hats and the scarves, for example. So, 25 percent off, you know, outerwear is pretty typical online.

NGUYEN: But Vanessa, how do you find these discounts? How do you know that what it is that you want to buy is actually going to be on sale online? Is there a comparison website? I mean, where do you go?

O'CONNELL: There are. I have seen some shopping comparison websites, one is DealofAmerica.com and another is Yahoo! shopping comparison site, so those are kind of fun and they don't take much time to visit. You can just, you know, hit these shopping comparison sites and type in what you're looking for, or the categories, and a whole range of things come up that are on discount.

Now, what I've noticed is that these are often coming from smaller retailers. So, not from the big -- not from Wal-Mart and not from Target, but a lot of smaller retailers in the middle of nowhere that are offering deals on certain things. So, for example, I used the Yahoo!, shopping comparison site and I found some cowboy boots that were on great sale and I thought that was kind of neat.

NGUYEN: Hee-haw. All right. Yeah.

O'CONNELL: Yeah. I mean, that's not the typical thing you'd see.

NGUYEN: Well let me ask you this. And one of the fallbacks to shopping online is the return policy. Sometimes there's a time limit to that. I mean, has that been eased throughout the years? Are you seeing easier return policies for people who've bought items online?

O'CONNELL: We are. Some of the department stores, for example, are really looking to ramp up their online sales. So Macy's.com, for example, and Nordstrom.com are really looking to increase their online sales especially this holiday season and the department stores tend to have easier return policies than some of the specialty retailers. So, that's one thing that people should be looking for.

NGUYEN: And quickly, to clarify, is it true Nordstrom's no time limit at all for returns?

O'CONNELL: They do not have a time limit for their return policy. They actually leave it up to the individual situation and they let their customer service and their sales reps make the decision about when something can be returned and when it cannot. So they are known for an extraordinarily liberal return policy.

NGUYEN: Well, they may just get a bunch of hits today, especially with that information. The fact, you can return it whenever you want to. Two years from now, no biggie. Well, we'll see about that. Vanessa O'Connell with the "Wall Street Journal." Thanks Vanessa.

O'CONNELL: Have a happy shopping season.

NGUYEN: You, too.

O'CONNELL: Thanks.

HOLMES: Now news from "Across America," takes us first to Queens, New York, where demonstrators staged a protest over the police shooting of groom-to-be Sean Bell. Bell was killed just over a week ago while leaving his bachelor party at a strip club.

Larry King will have an interview with Bell's fiancee tomorrow at 9:00 Eastern. It's an interview you'll only see here on CNN.

The FBI has joined the search for a one-month-old in Florida. Fort Myers police say the newborn and his mother were abducted at knifepoint Friday by a woman driving a black SUV. Authorities say the woman was released, but the woman then kept the baby boy. An Amber Alert has been issued.

And a major mess in Malibu. Take a peek at this. Oh!

NGUYEN: Wow, that's a sink hole.

HOLMES: Be careful going down the streets. That's a 15-foot sink hole, in fact, Betty, slowing things down a bit on the Pacific Coast Highway. The gaping hole cause a water main break and it may still take several more days to repair all of that and to get traffic going again.

NGUYEN: Can you imagine driving, then seeing that thing? Oh, my goodness.

HOLMES: Bam. Yeah.

NGUYEN: Well, we're not trying to tell you what to do, of course, but an authentic Amazon Indian hot song as a ringtone? Don't laugh because it could be your secret weapon at the office.

HOLMES: Also, a message from the Stone Age to the wireless age. We're going to tell you about that coming up in the "Water Cooler."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Word we're just getting now from the military, they have confirmed that a pilot missing after his F-16 crashed in Iraq, as in fact died in that crash. A DNA match has been made, according to the military, for Major Troy L. Gilbert, who was the pilot of the F-16, was on a low-level straffing (ph) run, as they call it, earlier last week on Monday, I believe it was. The plane went down, some concern. Insurgents, according to the military, actually got to the wreckage of that plane before the U.S. military was able to. Whereabouts of the pilot, he was listed for a short time as duty status whereabouts unknown. Now, the military saying they were able to make a DNA match and confirm that, in fact, this major, this pilot, Troy L. Gilbert was, in fact, killed in that crash.

NGUYEN: Now it's time to check in with Howard Kurtz to see what is coming up on RELIABLE SOURCES, joining us from Washington."

Good morning, Howard.

HOWARD KURTZ, RELIABLE SOURCES: Good morning, Betty. Coming up, the civil war in the media over NBC's declaration that the conflict in Iraq is indeed a civil war. A memo leaked to the "New York Times" nearly torpedoes President Bush's meeting with Iraq's prime minister and a second leaked memo from Don Rumsfeld reveals his private doubts about the war. Were reporters in Iraq right all along? NBC's Richard Engel and "New York Times" columnist Nick Christopher join our discussion.

And on a lighter note, the new party girls, Britney, Paris, Lindsey, why is the press obsessed with these bubbleheads? All next on RELIABLE SOURCES.

NGUYEN: Calling her a bubblehead? You can get in trouble for that, Howard.

KURTZ: I'm going out a limb.

NGUYEN: We'll be watching. Yeah. I can tell. Thank you.

RELIABLE SOURCES coming up at 10:00 Eastern followed by Wolf Blitzer and LATE EDITION, that is 11:00, also THIS WEEK AT WAR, that's at 1:00 Eastern. So stay tuned for all of this as we go in-depth to the stories of the day.

OK, know that sound? Time now to head over to the Water Cooler for a sip of something out of the ordinary.

HOLMES: Yes, just a little something extra from us to you this Sunday morning.

NGUYEN: First up, a tribe in the Amazon rain forest has discovered how to make money in the wireless age.

HOLMES: The tribe has inked a deal to sell two of its ceremonial chants, the hunt song and the healing dance -- sounds pretty good. They're going to sell them us ringtones in China and Europe. They get $1.40 for each download.

NGUYEN: Well, if you think about it, long-distance communication, the rain forest has always been wireless. So, hey, really no brainer.

HOLMES: Never thought about it that way. Plus, listen up to you folks, Secret Santa time is here and not that we have this problem here at CNN because we love each other so.

NGUYEN: Oh, yeah.

HOLMES: But some of you out there know you're going to draw somebody's name that you really don't like.

NGUYEN: Or despise. Just downright despise them. Despair Incorporated has got you covered. No worries because it has calendars to put your co-workers in their place. For example this, one says, it's a lovely one: "Defeat: For every winner there are dozens of losers, odds are, you're one of them."

HOLMES: I like that one a lot. And also another here, "Demotevation: Sometimes the best solution to morale problems is just to fire all the unhappy people."

Not a bad idea.

NGUYEN: "Get to Work: You aren't being paid to believe in the power of your dreams." That's a pretty good one, I guess.

HOLMES: You can check out all of them, 85 of them, at Despair.com.

NGUYEN: All you haters out there. There you go. Well, a word to the wise...

HOLMES: I was not even thinking about it.

NGUYEN: Yeah, don't even think about getting me one. That's all I'm saying.

HOLMES: All right. One more thing to tell you about here. Of course, the outrage over a cop's request.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No littering ticket if the two of you just do a little rap about -- what do you want to rap about today, littering?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Many feel it highlights a major disconnect between police and African-Americans and all morning long we've been asking for your thoughts on the e-mail question. Here it is. Do you think the police officer crossed the line in asking these two young men to rap their way out of a ticket?

Well, Joey in Atlanta says "It's obvious that the officer was having good natured fun with the gentleman. He stopped and probably would have made light of the situation with whomever happened to be in the car, regardless of skin color.

HOLMES: Also this from Louis in Florida, "If the two individuals were white do you think they would have been asked to do anything to avoid a ticket? This, of course, assumes they would have been stopped at all. Yes, they crossed the line and should be disciplined in addition to getting sensitivity training."

NGUYEN: And Miles writes, "I can't believe people even think this is a problem. This police officer is obviously just trying to lighten up the situation and have a bit of fun."

HOLMES: And in the final one here, it says, "There is no question that the police officer was out of line. It is disgusting to watch that sort of humiliation and police officers in Tempe and across the country should be embarrassed." That too, is from Adam.

NGUYEN: Of course, we appreciate all your input on these e-mail questions. Of course, we'll have another one for you next weekend.

HOLMES: All right. We want to check in one more time -- Reynolds Wolf, this morning.

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: All right. Thank you, Reynolds.

So, what's behind the Britney Spears, Paris Hilton media frenzy? Well, RELIABLE SOURCES is next with the goods.

HOLMES: Yeah, then Senator John Kerry -- I can't believe we're going from Senator John Kerry, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton. Group doesn't go together, does it?

NGUYEN: Wolf Blitzer.

HOLMES: Yeah. John Kerry sits down with Wolf Blitzer on LATE EDITION at 11:00 Eastern. Will he be running for the White House again in 2008?

NGUYEN: In the war zone with General John Abizaid, our own Barbara Starr gives you an exclusive report at 1:00 Eastern in today's THIS WEEK AT WAR.

HOLMES: And it's a story that broke while you slept. The former South American strongman is given last rites. We'll bring you updates throughout day. I'm T.J. Holmes, everybody.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. We want to thank you for joining us. Howard Kurtz and RELIABLE SOURCES is next.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.voxant.com