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CNN Saturday Morning News
More On Midway Airport Incident; Williams' Decision Tough For Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger; Urban Sprawl A Big Concern; Congress Responds To BCS Controversy; Deadline Today For Hostages; Valerie Plame-Wilson Leaves CIA; Mohamed ElBaradei Wins Nobel Peace Prize; Merry Christmas Or Happy Holidays?; Simulation Of Bird Flu Pandemic
Aired December 10, 2005 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: At this hour, U.N. nuclear agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei is set to accept the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway.
CNN will take you there live for the ceremony honoring ElBaradei's efforts to halt the spread of nuclear weapons.
But are those efforts being undermanned in Iran? Iran's top nuclear chief says his nation will enrich uranium and produce nuclear fuel no matter how loud the opposition gets. Nuclear talks between Iran and the European Union broke off in August after Tehran restarted some nuclear activities. No date has been set for those talks to resume.
A fugitive former Croatian general is heading to the Netherlands. Ante Gotivina will face a war crimes tribunal at the Hague. The U.N. has accused the former general of masterminding the killings of at least 150 Serbs during Croatia's bitter war. He was arrested Wednesday in Spain's Canary Islands.
Well, winter's worst has descended on the Northeast. Look at this.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Oh, boy.
NGUYEN: Dumping heavy snow and knocking out power. In Massachusetts, utility crews are trying to restore power to tens of thousands of people.
We'll have more details straight ahead, along with your weather forecast, the all important weather forecast.
HARRIS: It's the theme music?
NGUYEN: And speaking of that weather forecast, here's a hint -- cold out.
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: Very cold out.
HARRIS: No surprise there.
NGUYEN: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It's December 10th.
No wonder it's so cold out. Good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.
HARRIS: I'm Tony Harris. What, no 7:00 a.m. in the East, no 4:00 a.m. in the West?
NGUYEN: Just get to it.
HARRIS: All right, just get to it?
Good morning, everyone. I'm Tony Harris.
Here's what's coming up this hour. Why did this happen? It might take a while before authorities find out. An update on this fatal runway mishap is just ahead.
Also coming up, the College Bowl season is in full swing and Congress wants...
NGUYEN: Good morning.
HARRIS: I'm going to have to live with this for the next couple of weeks.
NGUYEN: My team is going to the championship, Tony.
HARRIS: Yes, that's right. Congress wants a piece of the whole BCS thing and we're going to find out why. CNN sports business analyst Rick Horrow takes you "Beyond The Game."
And later, is December 25th a holiday or a holy day? A grassroots effort is sprouting up to push the word Christmas back to the forefront.
NGUYEN: Well, the snow is coming.
ANNOUNCER: You're watching CNN, your severe weather headquarters.
NGUYEN: We are your severe weather center, headquarters, you name it, we've got it, because the snow is coming to an end, but the problems are only beginning. Look at this. After a winter storm just pounded the Northeast. In Massachusetts, tens of thousands of people still have no power. But utility crews are out in force. That is the good news.
Heavy snow and ice brought down a major transmission line. And the storm is also blamed for five fatal crashes. In New Jersey, an SUV crashed through a bedroom, killing the couple inside.
Now this storm has produced very heavy snow, from the Midwest to Maine. So, let's see exactly where the snow is headed, how far it's gone and how much is accumulating on the ground.
(WEATHER REPORT) HARRIS: And the latest now on that fatal runway accident in Chicago.
This morning, officials plan to move a plane that skidded off the runway and through a fence at Midway Airport. The Southwest jetliner now sits in the middle of what was once a busy intersection.
CNN's Brian Todd has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Southwest Airlines jet is still sitting in the middle of Central Avenue. Traffic won't run through here again until the plane is moved some time this weekend, after investigators have finished combing through the wreckage.
The plane's flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder are already being analyzed by the National Transportation Safety Board.
ELLEN ENGLEMAN CONNERS, NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD: There was 32 seconds from touchdown until the aircraft hit the fence. Air traffic control reported runway braking to be fair on most of the runway and poor at the end.
TODD (on camera): Aviation experts say one key factor in this investigation will be the length of the runway, which here at Midway Airport is only about 6,500 feet, one of the shortest runways in the United States. The facility also has very little overrun protection to stop skidding planes from sliding over the end of the runway.
(voice-over): Passengers say, the accident happened so quickly, they were barely aware of what was going on.
MIKE ABATE, PASSENGER ON CRASHED AMERICAN AIRLINES 737: The oh my God moment was the big, huge bump. You know, at this point, you just don't know where you're at. But it was a quick oh my God, you know? It was one of those things. And then we stopped within probably three to five seconds after that. And then you look out the window and you realize you're in the middle of a city street.
TODD: Only two of the 103 people on the jet were injured, and only slightly. But the jet smashed into two cars. Joshua Woods and his family were in this one, on their way to visit relatives. The 6- year-old boy was killed. His two younger brothers and both parents were among those injured on the ground.
The CEO of Southwest Airlines came to Chicago to express the company's condolences.
GARY KELLY, CEO, SOUTHWEST AIRLINES: There are absolutely no words to adequately convey our grief and our sorrow over this tragedy. As a company, our main priority is for the safety and well being of our customers and our employees, and we will work earnestly to help those in need. TODD: Southwest Airlines officials say the Boeing 737 was relatively new and the pilot had more than a decade of experience. NTSB officials say it could take a year to complete their investigation.
Brian Todd, CNN, Chicago.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: In other "News Across America" this morning, time is winding down. California's governor says the decision on whether to let convicted killer Stanley "Tookie" Williams live or die is very tough. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has only a few days left to decide whether he'll grant the former gang leader clemency. Williams is scheduled for execution Tuesday.
His supporters say his life should be spared because of his anti- gang efforts in prison.
New Jersey Governor Elect Jon Corzine makes a key choice. He has picked Democratic Congressman Robert Menendez to succeed him in the Senate. The appointment won't keep Menendez from a possible primary challenge when he seeks his own six year term in 2006. Menendez will be the first minority to represent the Garden State in the Senate.
HARRIS: In Tampa, Florida, Without Walls International Church is making its position over the heated debate holiday versus Christmas quite clear. Outside the church is this huge banner that reads: "To hell with happy holidays and put Christ back in Christmas."
Well, they're encouraging people nationwide to boycott stores that avoid the word Christmas in their advertising.
Will you be saying happy holidays or Merry Christmas this year? It's a -- well, it's our question of the day, what you think about it, and then send us an e-mail with your views on it. I mean, what do you think, happy holidays, Merry Christmas? Weekends@cnn.com. And we will be reading your replies throughout the program this morning.
NGUYEN: And you know, I mean people are strong on both sides of this. This is going to be good, to see what people say, though. Which one takes the cake? Which one weighs a little more heavily than the other?
HARRIS: That's our purpose with these e-mail...
NGUYEN: To stir it up out there.
HARRIS: Stir the pot.
NGUYEN: That's all we're in it for.
All right, well, for your sports fans, it's been a source of frustration, anger and a whole lot of swearing...
HARRIS: BCS? Yes. NGUYEN: Yes, talking about the college football's Bowl championship series, BCS. Even Congress is getting caught up in it. But is this year any different? Find out when we go "Beyond The Game" later this hour.
HARRIS: And she was caught up in a political storm that raged all the way to the White House. Now Valerie Plame is saying good-bye CIA. We will have the latest -- and good morning, Brad.
BRAD HUFFINES, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning.
We're looking at a heavy snow squall near Kankakee, Illinois right now. But the surprising thing is across the Northern Plains. We had a blizzard a couple of weeks ago. We're talking about it being warm enough to rain. We'll show you where that is, what's causing that and the nation's weather.
That's all coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Should "Tookie" Williams live or die? Governor Schwarzenegger says he'll make a decision very soon. But he doesn't have much time left. Join us for both sides of this heated debate. That's at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Eastern here on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Do we have a live picture of this yet? Probably not yet. I think the window opens in just a couple of minutes.
But the International Atomic Energy Agency and its leader will receive the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo this morning for trying to curb the spread of nuclear weapons. Mohamed ElBaradei says 60 years after the first atomic bomb was dropped, the threat of nuclear nightmares remains strong.
The Southwest Airlines plane which skidded off the runway at Chicago's Midway Airport will be moved to a hangar, we believe, this morning. A 6-year-old boy was killed when the jet struck his family's car at a busy intersection Thursday night. NTSB investigators say it could take a year to figure out exactly what caused the accident, as we take a look at these live pictures.
How strange is that? That's a bus in the foreground. Is that the plane, the actual jet, in the background? And that's Central Avenue and Cicero. Folks from the South Side of Chicago know that area very well and if you've flown into Midway, you know that area.
That is such a strange sight.
All right, moving on now. A lot of people in the Northeast are spending their Saturdays shoveling snow after yesterday's major pre- winter storm. In Massachusetts, some 150,000 homes and businesses are still without power.
And take a look at these pictures. Do you think this is too much? Hmmm. We'll talk about one homeowner's obsession with Christmas. This is great.
Have you seen this, Betty?
NGUYEN: No, I haven't seen this yet.
HARRIS: Oh, no, no...
NGUYEN: It doesn't look that...
HARRIS: ... it's all timed out to music and everything.
NGUYEN: Yes, what's wrong with that?
HARRIS: It's perfectly choreographed. Yes, more on this in our "Wows of the Week" later this half hour.
NGUYEN: Except for the electricity bill.
HARRIS: Yes, yes.
NGUYEN: That's the only big problem, I think.
I imagine neighbors, though, probably aren't so happy with the noise and all the crowds, because you know everybody in that neighborhood is lining up to see it and telling their friends hey, come look at this house.
HARRIS: Oh, yes.
HUFFINES: I think that was...
NGUYEN: A winter wonderland.
HUFFINES: ... wasn't that Chevy Chase's house, though?
HARRIS: In one movie or something?
HUFFINES: Yes.
HARRIS: Yes, yes, yes.
NGUYEN: Except he really couldn't get those lights up too well. I mean that was just a complete mess.
HARRIS: That's right.
HUFFINES: Oh, that's true. Never mind.
HARRIS: Well, you were out in the Midwest when this storm that affected and impacted Chicago rolled through.
NGUYEN: Yes. HARRIS: And it was something, I understand.
HUFFINES: Yes, it was. I was able to get out of Detroit just in time. In fact, the snowflakes were falling. We were in Detroit this week for FEMA. We were helping the Super Bowl officials prepare for NFL Super Bowl security.
HARRIS: The Super Bowl.
NGUYEN: Yes.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HUFFINES: Next time you run your errands, take note of how many new housing developments, strip malls and shopping centers are under construction. That's the little picture.
CNN's Galen Crader gives us the big picture of urban sprawl.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GALEN CRADER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As the world's population continues to grow, problems associated with urban growth are becoming more apparent. This image shows what Dhaka, Bangladesh looked like in 1972. And this is what it looked like in 2001.
Urban sprawl, which is defined as uncontrolled growth, can destroy croplands. Some estimate China has lost 20 percent of its fertile farm land since the 1950s as a result.
In the U.S. about 35 million across of rural area have been developed since the '70s. The City of Atlanta alone has averaged about 40 acres a day. Besides additional land use, sprawl can also lead to pollution, both from runoff and as a result of increased commutes.
Researchers believe that strict planning and adherence to zoning regulations can help keep these problems under control. And that's the big picture on urban sprawl.
Galen Crader, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Well, with all of the problems confronting Congress, why are the lawmakers holding hearings about the college football championship series? A lot of people are asking.
HARRIS: That question will be answered when Rick Horrow takes you "Beyond The Game."
NGUYEN: Yes. Hook 'em Horns, Rick. That's my man right there.
HARRIS: I do not want it.
NGUYEN: Yes. HARRIS: This is...
NGUYEN: Love him.
HARRIS: This is our hell for the next -- what is it -- when is the game?
RICK HORROW, CNN SPORTS BUSINESS ANALYST: Three weeks. Three weeks.
NGUYEN: It is -- yes.
HORROW: It's a long time ...
(CROSSTALK)
HARRIS: For three weeks.
HORROW: ... a long time from now.
NGUYEN: We can still talk about my Longhorns.
HORROW: No. No more.
NGUYEN: See the orange? It's not quite an orange, but it's close.
HARRIS: "Beyond The Game" is next when CNN SATURDAY MORNING returns.
NGUYEN: Poor Rick.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
REP. JOE BARTON (R), TEXAS: It just boggles my mind that in every other NCAA sport, every other college sport, they have a playoff.
NGUYEN (voice-over): Congress responds to the public outcry over the controversial Bowl Championship Series. Hearings were held on Capitol Hill this week to investigate why there is no playoff in college football.
BARTON: For some reason, in NCAA Division 1-A football, a playoff is a bad idea and the testimony here today, you fine gentlemen have all gone around and around. We want to get as close to a playoff as we can without actually having a playoff.
NGUYEN: Congress and the controversial Bowl Championship Series, the topic this morning as we take you "Beyond The Game."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: Deeply flawed, that is the way one member of Congress described college football's Bowl Championship Series this week. But ironically Congress held hearings on the BCS when, for the first time, there's no controversy.
CNN sports business analyst Rick Horrow was at those hearings.
And he joins us now from Washington -- Rick, first up, though, I've got to ask you about this.
Congress is dealing with so much. It's got a lot on its hands -- the war in Iraq, hurricane Katrina, etc. etc. etc.
Why are they tackling Bowl Games?
HORROW: Well, you know, it's a darned good question because in 1954 we've had -- since then we've had two sets of votes, the AP-UPI coaches and writers -- to determine the national championship and 11 split titles since then. But America is obsessed with choosing who's number one.
So since 1992, we've started to work on that -- Bowl Coalition, Bowl Alliance then this BCS. And Joe Barton, that Texas congressman who chairs that Senate -- that House, Congress committee, decided that he waited to have these hearings to raise some awareness on the issue.
You know, one and two are there. Southern Cal plays this team in Texas, which we...
NGUYEN: Yes, my Horns.
HORROW: ... understand. But that's not the issue this year. It's the team that might have been left out. Oregon, a one loss team. They're going to a $2 billion Bowl called the Holiday Bowl when they could have gone to an $18 million BCS Bowl.
NGUYEN: Oh.
HORROW: So that's the issue.
It also could be just to raise awareness in a $5 billion industry, Betty.
NGUYEN: All right, that's the issue.
But you know what? The reality is not many are complaining about the championship game this year. Here's the way the voting ended up. A dream match up at the Rose Bowl on January 4th between number one, yes, that USC team, and number two, my Texas Longhorns. It is the first time in the eight year history that number one and number two will meet in the Bowl game.
So, why is Congress getting involved?
It seems like it's taking care of itself.
HORROW: Well, yes. But there is an endless cycle now of complain, tweak and move on. And there are about 1.2 billion reasons, Betty, why we're not really going to mess around with the system, that's ABC and Fox's dollars they commit to this Bowl Championship Series. And more is on the way.
And the problem is that 94 percent of those dollars go to the big six conferences. So there is inertia.
We may have some tweaking. We are having an extra Bowl next year. But when it comes to changing the system, it's not going to change. And we're looking forward to that national championship game on January 4th.
NGUYEN: I know.
Well, we'll talk about that in just a moment.
But during the hearings, BCS officials said there's a chance of an eventual playoff. They also say a fifth game, game five, after all of the other BCS games, could solve their problems.
Is that just a smokescreen?
HORROW: Well, it's not a smokescreen, but it's part of that ongoing tweaking process we talked about before. There will be a fifth game this next year, but that may mean that an 11th numbered team may be out, as opposed to number nine.
The bottom line is the Division 2 and 1AA teams do have playoffs. They play 15 games. Travel is not an issue. Northwestern College of Minnesota played two games in one day this October.
So there will be changes in the system, but not a major one.
NGUYEN: I've got you.
OK, now speaking of college football, tonight we find out -- oh, this is going to be good and I've got so many bets out -- hopefully I'm going to win. You know what? I'm not going to say hopefully. I'm going to win on who gets the Heisman Trophy. All indications are that it's between USC's Reggie Bush and the quarterback -- that quarterback from Texas, Vince Young.
So who stands to benefit the most financially?
And I've got to tell you, I've got to warn you first, though, Rick, because when you mess with Texas, you know what you get? The horns.
HORROW: Yes, look, first of all, we've got 28 Bowls in three weeks. We have more than enough time to talk about your Horns and I'll buy you one of those little talking cows at the national championship game, that orange color you've got, all right?
NGUYEN: A talking cow. A Longhorn.
HORROW: So, here's the deal, all right? Reggie Bush, phenom running back, USC. NGUYEN: Yes.
HORROW: If he wins, he taps into that $2.7 billion corporate market in southern California for endorsements and alumni and the like. If your guy wins, the quarterback from Texas...
NGUYEN: Vince Young. That's his name, Rick.
HORROW: ... it's a possibility of tapping into that oil money in Texas.
By the way, I did some research for you. And 51 percent of University of Texas graduates go on to graduate school. And, by the way, 67 percent have incomes above $50,000 or more, quite successful. Where do you...
NGUYEN: That's good.
HORROW: Where do you fit in?
NGUYEN: I like those numbers.
HORROW: Where do you fit in?
NGUYEN: Well, we're not going to say, but I'm doing all right for now.
So, let me ask you, all right, so, quickly, though, your pick. Who is your pick? You know who I pick.
HORROW: Well, I know who you pick and I think you're probably right.
NGUYEN: Yes?
HORROW: It may be because in those polls you've got a quarterback and a running back from USC and the people that like USC may vote for either and then they cancel each other out.
NGUYEN: Oh.
HORROW: Vince Young is a great quarterback. We're going to be glued to our sets tonight to watch and then watch the endorsement dollars that follow.
NGUYEN: I like the sound of that.
All right, Rick, gosh, we could just talk for days, but we want to thank you for your time this morning.
I'll be watching tonight or this weekend as the Heisman Trophy winner is announced. And you know who I'm rooting for, so we'll see how it shakes out.
Talk to you next weekend about it.
HORROW: Hook 'em Horns, right?
NGUYEN: Yes, hook 'em Horns.
HARRIS: Ah, goodness, the -- weeks of this...
NGUYEN: Tony, what? You need to get excited about this.
HARRIS: This is insufferable already.
All right, live pictures now of Oslo, Norway -- let's put these up right now -- where, in just a couple of minutes, Mohamed ElBaradei, the secretary general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, will receive the Nobel coin, emblematic of the Nobel Peace Prize winner.
When that happens, we will bring it to you live.
Still ahead, Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? What will you be wishing your friends and family? It's a debate that even the White House is taking up and we'll get right into the middle of it, when we come back.
And it's no secret. The woman at the center of the CIA leak is calling it quits. Find out what's next for Valerie Plame.
We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Now in the news, happening right now in Oslo, Norway, live pictures. The Nobel Peace Prize is formally being awarded to Mohamed ElBaradei, chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency. ElBaradei says winning the prestigious prize boosts the agency's credibility and authority worldwide. Later today, the Nobel Prizes in literature, medicine, physics, chemistry and economics will be awarded.
A neo-Nazi rally in Toledo, Ohio today could get a frosty reception both from the weather and city officials. You might remember the group's march in October never happened, but set off four hours of civil disorder. Businesses were burned and looted, bricks were thrown at police. Police will confine today's rally to downtown Toledo.
Two of the most popular stories on our Web site, Matt Damon is off the wish list. The actor has married his girlfriend, Luciana Bozan?
NGUYEN: Sure.
HARRIS: That's not even close, is it? In a small private ceremony in New York.
Also, the U.S. warns Saudi Arabia about terrorist threats to aircraft before 9/11.
For more on these and other top stories, just go to our Web site, cnn.com.
NGUYEN: Well, these could be the final hours for four Western hostages in Iraq. The men were abducted late last month and their captors have threatened to kill them today if demands are not met. The hostages are part of a Christian group opposed to war. The brother of one hostage, James Loney of Ontario, recently spoke about his efforts to connect with Muslims.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EDWARD LONEY, BROTHER OF HOSTAGE: Every step, every trip he's taken abroad, he's picked something up. He's learned something. He's made contact with so many people, so many in the Muslim community. And every step, you know, it's created a body of work that shows, that shines through. And that's why we are seeing the support from the Muslim.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: And as evidence of that support, the hostages have -- they do have support among Muslims. Even an al Qaeda leader has appealed for their release.
We're going to stay on top of this story and bring you the latest.
Also, an American soldier in western Baghdad died yesterday in a suicide car bombing. Eleven other soldiers with Task Force Baghdad were wounded in that attack. It happened in the Abu Ghraib District.
Now, tomorrow at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, "CNN PRESENTS: 1000 Days in Iraq." The program kicks off a week of special coverage as the Iraqi people elect a permanent government on Thursday.
HARRIS: Valerie Plame is saying good-bye to spy life more than two years after her identity was exposed.
As national security correspondent David Ensor reports, the former CIA agent will now focus on family.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID ENSOR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Though this was Valerie Plame Wilson's last day on the job at the CIA, she will leave the payroll in January after using up accumulated leave time, friends say, ending her 20-year career. Her cover was blown in a newspaper column more than two years ago, and the long-time undercover officer found herself the most famous spy in America. Her CIA colleagues could no longer afford to be seen with her in public.
JAMES MARCINKOWSKI, FRIEND OF FORMER CIA OFFICER: She can't even go out after work for a beer with those people anymore because, since everyone knows her, by association, her friends in the agency will have their own cover put at risk should they be seen out in public with her now. ENSOR: Her cover was blown by administration officials apparently trying to discredit her husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, a critic of the Iraq War, who has said their pressure cooker life since then has included telephone threats.
MELISSA MAHLE, FRIEND OF FORMER CIA OFFICER: I think she has done an admirable job handling the stress and coming to terms with what it all means, I mean the whole package of it. And she's fairly philosophical about it. That doesn't mean she's not angry.
ENSOR: While in the CIA, Valerie Wilson had a number of glamorous assignments. Posing as an energy consultant, she spent some of them tracking shadowy arms dealers marketing weapons of mass destruction.
Back at home, she has 5-year-old twins, and friends say right now they are her focus.
MARCINKOWSKI: And so will she write a book? I hope she does. And I hope she makes tons of money, because I think she deserves it.
ENSOR (on camera): If she does write a book, as a former CIA officer, she will have to put it through the agency's vetting process -- no secrets allowed.
David Ensor, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: We want to take you back now live to Oslo, where the Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded.
But right now we're listening to Yo-Yo Ma.
HARRIS: Can we hear it? I mean, listen?
NGUYEN: Well, I think he just finished up.
HARRIS: Oh, he just finished it.
Oh, well.
NGUYEN: Oh, the timing of that. You should have heard that, though. It was so beautiful.
As we've been talking, though, Mohamed ElBaradei is being awarded that Nobel Peace Prize. He's also sharing that with the IAEA.
And when that happens we are going to bring you that award live.
You've had a hectic week working and holiday shopping. Oh, all that shopping.
Let's get you caught up on the headlines, shall we?
Wednesday, air marshals at Miami's airport shot and killed a 44- year-old passenger. Rigoberto Alpizar allegedly claimed to have a bomb in his bag as he ran up the plane's aisle. He suffered from bipolar disease and his wife says he didn't have hit medication. The shooting is being investigated.
Now, on Thursday night, a Southwest jet carrying 103 people skidded off the runway at Chicago's Midway Airport. The landing happened during a snowstorm. That plane crashed through a barrier and slid into an intersection, killing a 6-year-old boy in a car.
Here's a live picture now of that plane, which is still in the intersection. Later this morning, that plane is going to be taken to a hangar for investigating. Federal officials are on the ground and will begin in earnest that investigation this morning.
Also on Thursday, a Georgia man was set free after serving nearly 25 years in prison on rape charges. DNA evidence shows Robert Clark is innocent in a 1981 rape and kidnapping case in Atlanta.
We want to take you now back to Oslo, Norway, where ElBaradei, Mohamed ElBaradei, will receive his Nobel Peace Prize.
Let's take a listen.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... for 2005, Mohamed ElBaradei, to come forward to receive the gold medal and the diploma.
NGUYEN: So there you have it, Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, the director general of the IAEA, which stands for the International Atomic Energy Agency, received the Nobel Peace Prize.
Yo-Yo Ma playing there in celebration.
HARRIS: Wow!
NGUYEN: What a day it is.
HARRIS: Right.
NGUYEN: I'll tell you, Dr. ElBaradei has quite a history. He was born in Cairo, Egypt in 1942 and he gained a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Cairo, then went on to get a doctorate in international law at the New York University School of Law in 1974.
Let's just listen and celebrate with the rest of the world, as this Peace Prize winner received his wonderful prize this morning.
(VIDEOTAPE OF YO-YO MA PLAYING)
HARRIS: If you're just waking up with us this morning, Yo-Yo Ma on CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
NGUYEN: What a way to wake up.
HARRIS: We're...
NGUYEN: Now, that's an alarm clock, isn't it? HARRIS: It makes us look like a classy joint, doesn't it?
Well, we're in Oslo, Norway. Pictures coming to us now from the Oslo City Hall, where Mohamed ElBaradei, the secretary general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as the Agency itself, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, that beautiful Nobel coin.
We have to say, though, just in the name of fairness, that ElBaradei is a pretty controversial figure when you're talking about the Bush administration. He disagreed with many of the administration's assertions about Iraq's nuclear capabilities in the lead up to the war, it must be said.
ElBaradei believed that the inspections were worth continuing, that -- in that country, in Iraq. He felt the IAEA had a wonderful opportunity to prove that intrusive inspections could work and he felt that given time, the inspections would, in fact, show Iraq's true capabilities.
But the administration, feeling that Iraq was making a mockery of the inspection process, decided it had enough and that it was time to go to war.
Mohamed ElBaradei, the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize this morning in Oslo, Norway.
NGUYEN: Yes, and he does share it with the International Atomic Energy Agency, shares that title, that prize there.
We also do want to note that he also said the development of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, especially Iran, North Korea, are the biggest of his concerns as he fights to get those inspections in those countries and make sure that the nuclear proliferation is something that, indeed, is being watched.
We want to take you now back to Oslo.
Some live pictures now...
HARRIS: And comments.
NGUYEN: And comments from the man.
HARRIS: Yes.
MOHAMED ELBARADEI, NOBEL LAUREATE: Your Majesties, Your Royal Highness, honorable members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, by now my family, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen.
Let me start by congratulating the royal family for the birth of Zwera Magnus (ph). We all wish him a long, happy and healthy life.
The International Atomic Energy Agency and I are humbled, proud, delighted and, above all, strengthened in our resolve by this most worthy of honors. My sister-in-law works for a group that supports orphanages in Cairo. She and her colleagues take care of children left behind by circumstances beyond their control. They feed the children, they clothe them and they teach them how to read.
At the International Atomic Energy Agency, my colleagues and I keep nuclear material away from extremist groups and we inspect nuclear facilities around the globe to make sure that peaceful nuclear activities are not used as a cloak for weapons programs.
My sister-in-law and I are working for the same goal through a different path, the security of the human family.
But why has this security so far eluded us? I believe because our security strategies have not caught up with the security threats we are facing today.
Globalization has removed barriers to the movement of goods, ideas and people, but it also removed barriers that choose to localize and confine threats.
A United Nations high level panel recently concluded...
HARRIS: Comments this morning from Mohamed ElBaradei, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Just a couple of his comments this morning, saying that he was humbled, proud -- he and the agency. Humbled, proud, delighted, strengthened by the award. And that the agency continues to work for the security of the entire human family.
NGUYEN: The human family.
HARRIS: Yes. Dignified comments so far from Mohamed ElBaradei.
We're going to take a break and we'll come back with more of CNN SATURDAY MORNING right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: 'Tis the season to be jolly, right?
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: So, why all the bah humbug?
Across the nation, people are weighing in on the issue, is it Merry Christmas or is it Happy Holidays?
CNN's Mary Snow takes a look at what happened at one town's tree lighting ceremony.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): It looks unassuming enough -- a town tree decorated for the holidays. But it's become the latest battle zone in the war between whether it's a Christmas tree or a holiday tree.
On the firing line, North Hampstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman, who publicly complained after a priest blessed the tree at an annual lighting ceremony.
JON KAIMAN, NORTH HAMPSTEAD TOWN SUPERVISOR: I went into it thinking it's a, into this particular ceremony as just another holiday type generic ceremony.
SNOW: But the community went into a fury, saying it was a Christmas ceremony. Kaiman has done a 180 and apologized.
KAIMAN: It's important, one, the community know that I do apologize for how I handled it and do have a greater appreciation of the depth of this issue and a respect that, you know, Christmas is Christmas.
SNOW: At the Capitol, though, the holiday tree lighting this year was changed to the Christmas tree lighting. Some religious activists are furious that the president and first lady sent out a card with "best wishes for a holiday season."
While the controversy is not new, some say it's hitting a fever pitch.
WILLIAM DONAHUE, NATIONAL CATHOLIC LEAGUE: This is political correctness run amuck. I mean, quite frankly, whose sensibilities are we protecting?
SNOW: Others say the uproar because stores or public offices are not using the word Christmas is getting out of control.
REV. BARRY LYNN, AMERICANS FOR SEP. OF CHURCH STATE: You know, most of us who celebrate Christmas get our spiritual sustenance at this time of the year from our church. We don't expect to get it at the department store. We don't expect to get it at city hall.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: So, here once again is our e-mail question this morning: Will you be saying Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas this year? It's one or the other. Or do you do both? No, I say one or the other.
E-mail us which side of this debate that you're on. We're at weekends@cnn.com. And don't say Seasons Greetings. Just say one or the other.
HARRIS: Don't use that one?
NGUYEN: No.
HARRIS: Well, President Bush has launched a series of speeches to rally support for the war in Iraq.
Cnn.com has been asking you what will it take to win the war?
Oh, boy.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Yes.
HARRIS: Veronica De La Cruz is here from the Dot-Com Desk.
DE LA CRUZ: A lot of heated debate, lots of...
HARRIS: You're trying to blow up your inbox, aren't you, with that question?
DE LA CRUZ: Oh, yes. Yes.
HARRIS: Yes.
DE LA CRUZ: And we did. And, as you know, just a few days ago, Bush gave his second speech on his administration's plan for victory in Iraq, a plan which includes eight objectives toward achieving that goal.
Cnn.com asked, "How would you define victory in Iraq?"
And here's what some of you had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DE LA CRUZ (voice-over): George in Texas says, "Success would be for the USA to remove ourselves from Iraq and for the Iraqis to continue on with business as usual, without a collapse of the new government."
Tim in Florida says, "Success will be defined as having prepared and supported the Iraqis until they can protect themselves in their democratic and safe country. We are presently on the only right course."
And Larry in Tennessee says, "I do not see how we can win a war when the objective is not known."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DE LA CRUZ: And if you'd like to read more of these responses, of course, you can log on to cnn.com.
And this one, Tony, just coming in: "Bush simply needs to say sorry and that would be victory."
So, they're all over the map, those responses.
NGUYEN: Oh, yes.
HARRIS: See, that's kind of a philosophical take.
DE LA CRUZ: Oh, yes.
HARRIS: Just sorry, perhaps -- OK. All over the map.
DE LA CRUZ: Something to think about this morning, for sure.
HARRIS: And something for me to stay out of the middle of.
DE LA CRUZ: Yes, exactly.
NGUYEN: That's exactly what I'm doing.
DE LA CRUZ: All of us to stay out of the middle of.
HARRIS: Everyone's like...
DE LA CRUZ: Mum is the word.
NGUYEN: Mum is the word.
HARRIS: Veronica ...
DE LA CRUZ: But you out there, of course, can write in to cnn.com. So...
HARRIS: Veronica, thank you.
For some people, this week's winter weather is anything but a wonderland. Look at that. Thousands are in the cold and dark this morning. So will repair crews have sunny skies to restore power?
Brad Huffines has your forecast.
That's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: All right, you've got to check out this week in our "Wows of the Week."
This video is amazing. A meteor about the size of a washing machine recently lit up the sky over southwestern Australia. Show that again. It's lucky someone had a video camera -- there it is...
HARRIS: Man!
NGUYEN: ... at just that moment. Witnesses say the sonic boom was an impressive, just as impressive as the dazzling entry. That is really a sight to be seen.
So where does a 700 pound black bear hibernate? The answer, anywhere it wants, within reason, that is. Underneath a porch in Pennsylvania was not considered suitable winter digs. So, the experts were summoned to tranquilize the Bruin and relocate him someplace more bear friendly.
And you may have seen this awesome Christmas lights display. And we say lights display because look at them, there's so many of them. And it's even set to music. You were talking about this earlier, Tony.
The Mason, Ohio home has been all over the Internet and television.
Just listen.
HARRIS: Yes, listen.
NGUYEN: There's some techno Christmas music going on right there.
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: Sadly, though, it's become a victim of its own success. The owner has pulled the plug on this year's extravaganza.
HARRIS: Why?
NGUYEN: Well, the answer -- traffic became dangerously congested and his electricity bill went through the roof, of course.
HARRIS: Yes.
I thought this was some Mannheim Steamroller music, but it's not.
NGUYEN: What is that?
HARRIS: Well, Glenn knows. One of our writers on the morning show knows and he'll let me know.
But it's that techno kind of thing.
NGUYEN: Yes.
HARRIS: But it's all synced up to the music and it was beautiful. There was just too much traffic, too much mayhem and chaos.
NGUYEN: You know how people are.
NGUYEN: They want to get in the car...
HARRIS: That was great.
NGUYEN: ... see the Christmas lights. I've done it myself. And then you're stuck going great, can I get to the next house already?
HARRIS: Well, here's the thing, if you were in your car thinking about it this morning trying to get to one of the malls in the Northeast, good luck.
HUFFINES: Forget about it.
HARRIS: Good luck.
HUFFINES: Not. HARRIS: Brad Huffines in the CNN Weather Center for us this morning -- good morning, Brad.
HUFFINES: Guys, seeing this kind of stuff...
HARRIS: Yes?
HUFFINES: ... makes me not want to put up any Christmas lights.
NGUYEN: Really?
HUFFINES: Yes.
NGUYEN: Oh, come on, get in the spirit.
HUFFINES: None. No, the best I can do is like a third of that.
NGUYEN: Oh, I know, really. I can barely put a wreath out, you know?
HARRIS: Simple is best, though, Brad.
HUFFINES: My wife is smart though, and doesn't let me on a ladder above my knees. Very smart.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HARRIS: Here's our e-mail question this morning. What do you use, Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas?
This from Laura, who writes: "I think that being offended by hearing the phrase Merry Christmas is ridiculous. Anyone that has that much time on their hands to pick this apart should volunteer that time to a charity in their community instead of making a big deal out of nothing."
NGUYEN: Well, Brian Dill says: "You can't take Christ out of Christmas. Merry Christmas, though," he does say. That's from Brian Dill.
HARRIS: What is this? This is from Eldon (ph) from Indiana: "No one is required to celebrate Christmas. If this holiday offends someone, they are free to ignore it or move to a country that does not celebrate it."
That's it, get out of the country. If you don't like it, get out of the country.
All right, that's the question of the day.
More of your responses the next hour.
As a matter of fact, the next hour...
NGUYEN: Right now. HARRIS: Now in the news, just 15 minutes ago in Oslo, Norway, the Nobel Peace Prize is formally awarded to Mohamed ElBaradei, chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency. ElBaradei says winning the prestigious prize boosts the agency's credibility and authority worldwide. Later today, the Nobel Prizes in literature, medicine, physics, chemistry and economics will be awarded.
Today is the deadline set by kidnappers to kill four Western hostages. The captors are demanding that U.S. and Iraqi authorities release all their prisoners. Iraq's interior minister says it's had no contact with the kidnappers today and has no information on the fate of the hostages.
America's peace mom is across the pond today at an antiwar conference in London. Cindy Sheehan said her heart goes out to the four humanitarian workers abducted in Iraq. She urged the kidnappers to rise above violence and let them go. She has taken part in a series of war protests in Britain.
Snow up to a foot deep spreads across the Northeast. Snowplows and shovels will be used throughout the day as people try to dig out. Power company crews will also be getting plenty of overtime, as the storm knocked out electricity to tens of thousands of customers.
NGUYEN: California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is still considering the fate of Stanley "Tookie" Williams. Will his life be spared? The debate rages on as we await the answer.
From the CNN Center, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING, December 10. Good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.
HARRIS: And good morning. I'm Tony Harris. Thank you for being with us.
NGUYEN: There is a bird flu readiness test at the White House this morning. Want to talk about that for a little bit. A virus infecting millions of birds has already spread through Asia and parts of Europe. Now government planners have been working under a worst- case assumption on the number of U.S. infections and deaths. The simulated exercise is expected to get underway at this hour.
And CNN's Kathleen Koch joins us now live to explain exactly how this is going to work. This a tabletop exercise, correct, Kathleen?
KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Betty. And as you mentioned, it is supposed to be beginning right now, right around 8:00 a.m., lasts through noon. And it will be basically be a rehearsal of how every single branch of the federal government would respond if the pandemic began spreading across the United States.
And a very few details, though, have been released, but we are told that when it is over, the homeland security adviser to the president, Fran Townsend, will come out and give us a report on how the drill went, what they learned, what they're going to be taking from it. Now, it was just Thursday that the top Republican in the Senate unveiled the Congressional Budget Office's evaluation of the impact that a pandemic would have on the United States.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BILL FRIST (R-TN), MAJORITY LEADER: The scenario suggests that a severe influenza pandemic would have an impact on the U.S. economy that is slightly larger than the typical recession, the average recession, experienced since World War II. It is huge.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOCH: Well, last month, President Bush announced that he would ask Congress for $7.1 billion in emergency funding for a possible flu pandemic. The Bush administration right now has begun stockpiling vaccine, and it wants to accelerate the development of technology to speed pharmaceutical companies' ability to make enough vaccine to protect each and every American.
Though presidential aides do say that the White House doesn't think that there is an imminent threat of a pandemic, medical experts here in abroad do believe it is a matter of not if but when. So, Betty, the White House certainly wants to be ready.
NGUYEN: That is definitely a frightening thought, and it's better to be ready than not. Kathleen, thank you for that. Of course, we're going to want to get more details on this as it occurs. Thank you.
Well, chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta examines the potential threat of avian flu in a primetime special. CNN travels to Southeast Asia to explore the origins of bird flu in an hour-long special. That's going to air tomorrow at 10:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.
HARRIS: And Betty, Chicago commuters are being diverted around the intersection where a Southwest jet still sits this morning. A live -- is this a live picture, or are we turning tape around in the -- OK, live pictures.
Crash investigators are expected to allow the plane to be moved later today, but say it could take a year before they know what caused the accident. The jet was landing in a snowstorm on Thursday when it slid off the end of the runway, killing a 6-year-old boy in a car on the ground. Interviews with witnesses also begin today. An attorney for the family explains what the boy's father saw.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RONALD STEARNEY WOODS, FAMILY ATTORNEY: Joshua was a typical boy who interested in planes and trucks and that sort of thing. And the father was pointing out airplanes. And as they approached the field, or passing by the field, they heard the noise, the roar of some jet engines, and this noise continued to rise in volume until it was a deafening roar, and then, bang, the plane landed on top of the car. (END VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: We will continue to follow the investigation now to Chicago. And once again, let's see that live picture again. We will sort of monitor this picture to give you a look as it happens when...
How strange that is. In the foreground, you see the bus...
(CROSSTALK)
HARRIS: ... and then the -- it's a busy intersection, very near a residential neighborhood. Residential neighborhoods all around that area. We'll keep that shot up from WLS, our affiliate in Chicago. We're talking about high schools in the area, malls in the area, right on the Internet (ph) runway, and just beyond the retaining wall. We'll keep that picture up and let you see it for yourself if authorities try to move that plane.
NGUYEN: They're expected to move that this morning, so we will be watching and bring that to you when it happens.
All right, well, some of you may be snow lovers, but you know What? What is happening across the Northeast is down right nasty. Heavy snow and ice is blamed for knocking out the power to more than 150,000 utility customers in Massachusetts. Snow and high winds closed Boston's airport yesterday afternoon.
Snowplows are out from Maryland all the way to Maine. A plow was even attached to an Amtrak train to clear the rails. Just think of that, so much snow in the area. The storm is also blamed for five fatal crashes in New Jersey, Connecticut, and New Hampshire.
So what's next in this winter weather? Well, CNN's Brad Huffines has your forecast. That's going to be in about seven minutes. So stay tuned for that.
HARRIS: And officials in Ecuador have released airport surveillance video of a man believed to be Rigoberto Alpizar in the Qito airport. He was later fatally shot to death in Miami by a federal air marshal there. Authorities say he ran off the plane in Miami shouting that he had a bomb. Alpizar's wife, who was traveling with him, says he had a mental disorder, and had not taken his medication. The couple was returning to their Orlando-area home from a missionary trip in Ecuador.
And tougher cell-phone restrictions for drivers could be just ahead in New Jersey. A bill has sailed through the state senate that would make talking while driving a primary offense. If it becomes law, police stop a motorist for talking on a cell phone while behind the wheel.
And actor Matt Damon is a married man this morning. He and his girlfriend tied the knot yesterday in a small private ceremony at New York's City Hall. You notice I didn't try the name again. It happens to be the most popular story on CNN.com right now. Click on and check out the rest of the top stories. NGUYEN: Is it Luciana Bozan...
HARRIS: Ahhh.
NGUYEN: ... Luciana?
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: Anyway, she's a married -- just call her Mrs. Damon, why don't you?
HARRIS: There you go.
NGUYEN: Well, the top choice facing Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, should Stanley "Tookie" Williams live or die? That debate does rage on, and we're going to take a closer look straight ahead.
HUFFINES: And your cold and flu report across the country does show some activity across the Great Lakes and across parts of the Northeast, as well as the Florida peninsula, portions of Texas also seeing a area -- where we're seeing the flu start to outbreak as well, and out West, we're also seeing the flu start to pop out across much of the Western states and across the Northern Plains and Alaska.
Good news is, no local, regional, or widespread activity, but the nation's forecast may not be conducive to this little activity as well. We'll talk about that coming up in just a few minutes on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: (INAUDIBLE).
NGUYEN: Yes, it sure doesn't feel like it outside. Look at that. You can see the snow on the ground there in New York. What a pretty picture there, the sun coming up in the background.
But the temperatures, that's what we want to get out right now. Brad Huffines joins us. And those temperatures got to be way down.
HARRIS: Think the Fourth of July.
NGUYEN: Yes, think warm, happy places.
HUFFINES: Well, it's always nice to see snow...
HARRIS: Yes.
(LAUGHTER)
HUFFINES: ... and be somewhere where you don't have to shovel it.
HARRIS: Better to see it go away ...
HUFFINES: Yes, well, let me show you some live pictures from Boston this morning, speaking of snow, 8.6 inches yesterday. Tony, would you want to shovel that?
HARRIS: Come on, come on, you know the answer to that.
HUFFINES: No, no. No, you're normally shoveling other things here.
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: Ooh, hey, now.
HARRIS: ... hey, now.
HUFFINES: OK, looking at the eight points. By the way, there was a daily record in Boston. Records, now, you don't want to see record snows when you got snow shovels to contend with. Let me show you what's happening outside around the country today.
(WEATHER REPORT)
HUFFINES: We'll talk about the nation's weather again next hour.
HARRIS: Very good. Brad, thank you.
HUFFINES: All right.
HARRIS: And here is a quick check of our top stories, in case you're just joining us this morning. Well, good morning.
A long investigation is set to begin today. Workers will haul the Southwest Airlines plane -- here it is -- involved in Thursday's deadly accident into a hangar this morning. Investigators say it could take up to a year to figure out what caused the jetliner to skid off the runway and into a busy intersection, killing a young boy.
Can the U.S. deal with a possible bird flu pandemic? That question will be put to the test today at the White House. Cabinet secretaries and other top officials will take part in a four-hour drill, which the White House says will push resources to the breaking point.
And finally, the fate of four Western hostages in Iraq hangs in the balance, and time may be running out. Today's the deadline the kidnappers had set to kill the Christian peace activists. The insurgents want the U.S. and Iraq to release all prisoners. An American is among the hostages.
NGUYEN: Ah, the music from Yo-Yo Ma, and a warning from U.N. nuclear chief Mohammed ElBaradei. It all happened at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway. ElBaradei accepted the prize for himself and his agency just under an hour ago. We brought that to you live. Now, in his speech -- here's another live look there at the ceremony that's still taking place. It's a whole weekend full of events. But in his speech just moments ago, ElBaradei said the effort to stop the spread of nuclear weapons is never-ending. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) MOHAMMED ELBARADEI, DIRECTOR GENERAL, IAEA: If we hope seriously to escape self-destruction, then I believe that nuclear weapons should have no place in our collective conscious and (INAUDIBLE) in our security. To that end, we must ensure absolutely that no more countries acquire nuclear weapons.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: It does look like ElBaradei's work is cut out for him. Just this morning a top nuclear official in Iran says his nation will press on with certain nuclear activities, despite a worldwide warning to stop.
HARRIS: Well, Betty, it is an urgent decision, and the time to make it is quickly running out. We're still waiting to hear from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Will he grant clemency to death row inmate Stanley "Tookie" Williams? The Crips gang co-founder faces a scheduled execution on Tuesday.
Los Angeles officials are now appealing for calm after getting threats of a possible outbreak of violence if Williams is not given a reprieve. Williams, seen here in prison, was convicted of killing four people in 1979, but he has since denounced street gangs and has become a strong voice to keep children out of gangs. And that has thousands of people rallying to his side.
Let's talk about all of this with NAACP president Bruce Gordon. He joins us now from Baltimore.
Bruce, good to see you. Good to see you. Good morning to you.
BRUCE GORDON, PRESIDENT, NAACP: Good morning, Tony. How are you?
HARRIS: Ah, great, great. Great to talk to you about this.
I have to ask you right off the top, many are asking you, I'm sure, ask asking me, so I'll ask you, why is this a cause for the NAACP, the oldest civil rights organization in this country? Folks can understand why it may be a cause for you personally, but why for the NAACP?
GORDON: The NAACP has had a policy for years that opposes the death penalty. That's the starting point. So this is not new news in terms of our position on a death penalty. It is a long-standing policy of the organization.
In this particular case, it's not a matter of guilt or innocence, in my opinion, you know. If you assume guilt -- and I don't, by the way, for a whole host of reasons -- but if you assume guilt, the real question here is, what is the right punishment for Stan Williams? Should he be killed, which means his voice will be silenced forever, or should he simply be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole?
And in that case, it affords him the opportunity, if you believe one-tenth of what we've heard over the last couple of weeks, in terms of lives that he's already saved, if you believe that, then a life imprisonment sentence with no chance of parole affords him the opportunity to continue to save many lives.
That's, that's...
HARRIS: Yes.
GORDON: ... the choice. And so that's, in my mind...
HARRIS: Right.
GORDON: ... a fairly straightforward and easy decision.
HARRIS: What do you say to folks who argue that the answer to your question is, he dies. He committed these crimes, he -- unless you believe that he is not guilty, unless you believe that he didn't get due process through the appeals process, the court system in this country, the answer to your question is, he should die.
GORDON: Well, I still question the facts upon which the decision to find him guilty are based. But I've got to be honest with you, Tony. I'm not here to necessarily debate the merits of the case.
HARRIS: You're not, you're not going to retry him.
GORDON: The NAACP...
HARRIS: Yes.
GORDON: ... yes, the NAACP is opposed to the death sentence. In this particular case, this man, in my opinion, is better off to us, our society, alive than dead. It's that clear to me. It's that simple. And
(CROSSTALK)
HARRIS: Well, then -- No, go ahead.
GORDON: If I could just say this to you.
HARRIS: Sure.
GORDON: I know that there are opponents to my point of view, and I know that Joe Hicks is an opponent. Let me say just something. He wrote a book, Stan wrote a book called "Life in Prison." And on the back cover of that book is a statement by Joe Hicks. It says, "Stanley Williams' book is an extremely important element in the quest to rescue all too many young people from a life of violence and crime (ph). He has been there and done that, so his message rings with a truth and clarity that is inescapable, powerful stuff."
That's what my opponent...
HARRIS: Right.
GORDON: ... in this particular issue around clemency says about the value of Stan Williams' work.
So I say, why kill him, if you can have him alive to save lives?
HARRIS: You talked to him in prison. He says he didn't do this. Did he offer, for lack of a better expression, his confession to you? Did he talk to you about what he is responsible for?
GORDON: Stan Williams is totally accountable for his life as a co-founder of a street gang. He doesn't back away from that at all. He detests the person that he was. He understands what led him to that path. He regrets having taken that path, and in no way does he -- or did he, in my conversation with him over two and a half hours -- try to deny that that was a role that he played.
But the Stan Williams of then is very different from the Stan Williams today. You and I have talked about the fact that even the images we see of Stan are the old gang leader Stan. The man that I met at San Quentin is a peaceful, thoughtful, introspective person with a true and serious conviction to try to save lives.
So he is very regretful for where he's been, but very hopeful for where he can be.
HARRIS: OK. Bruce, flat out of time, and I apologize. There were so many other issues that I wanted to get into with you, and particularly your meeting with the president this week. Maybe we can have you back, and we can talk about some of those issues as well.
GORDON: Be happy to do that, Tony.
HARRIS: OK, Bruce. Bruce Gordon, president, executive director of the NAACP, joining us from Baltimore this morning. Bruce, thank you.
Not everyone...
GORDON: Thank you.
HARRIS: ... as Bruce mentioned, thinks clemency should be granted to Tookie Williams. Coming up in our 10:00 a.m. Eastern hour, we'll talk with community activist Joe Hicks, who's taking a much harder line when it comes to the former gang leader.
NGUYEN: Here's another question for you. Are airports doing enough to keep your plane safe on the runway? Well, it doesn't look that way. And we're going tell you why in our next hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
HARRIS: But first, to our e-mail question of the day. What will you be saying this year, Happy holidays, Season's greetings, Merry Christmas? We'll read your responses straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Two members of the Bush family get special attention this time of year. No, not the twins, Jen and Barbara. Instead, it is the dogs, Barney and Miss Beazley. They're starring in their own Christmas film.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Barney, I hear you've been hiding Beazley's gift all around the White House.
Uh-oh. What is it we have here? Now, Miss Beazley, I understand you've been a media hound. Perhaps this is a case of sibling rivalry. Both of you are important part of our family, and you have to remember the true meaning of the holiday season.
Now, you two run on, I've got a lot of work to do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Are you serious?
HARRIS: You got that right.
NGUYEN: Come on. After getting kicked out of the Oval Office, the pair of pooches set out to get a better look at the Christmas trees. This is a doggie cam. Remember that, Tony...
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: ... where they put the doggie cam on?
HARRIS: Yes.
NGUYEN: Then they did what most normal dogs do. No, not that, not that.
HARRIS: What -- oh.
NGUYEN: They chased the ornaments around -- how cute are those dogs?
HARRIS: It's not what my dog does.
NGUYEN: Yes, really.
HARRIS: Dog does it in the yard.
NGUYEN: Yes, train that dog.
(CROSSTALK)
NGUYEN: How cute, Barney and Miss Beazley.
HARRIS: That's good stuff. That's good stuff. Good line reads from the president too.
(CROSSTALK)
HARRIS: Good line reads. Good, good stuff. E-mail question of the day, what are you going to use? I mean, I guess the White House is in the middle of this too, with the holiday, the White House Christmas card as well. And what are you going to say? You going to say, Happy holidays? Merry Christmas?
I don't know why we keep printing these things in this. But you know I can't read this, Betty. You're supposed to help me out here.
NGUYEN: It's really to test your skills here. Read it on the screen.
HARRIS: Well, here we go. "America" -- we don't have any -- we don't know who this came from, but we'll read it anyway. "America has become so diverse. We are a melting pot. We are not solely a Christian society. It is offensive of this nation to promote Christmas and Christianity to the extreme that we do every year. 'Happy holidays' is a much more politically correct or -- and less offensive way."
NGUYEN: Yes, that's from Matthew.
HARRIS: That's Matthew, OK.
NGUYEN: Yes. This next person, I don't have a name on it either, Tony. Says, "This being Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, and New Year's, is the holiday season. So for one to say, Happy holidays, is appropriate, since the U.S. is multiracial, multiethnic, and multi- religion." That is from Curtis.
HARRIS: Thank you for your e-mails. More next hour on CNN SATURDAY MORNING, 9:00 a.m. Eastern, 6:00 a.m. out in the West.
And here's the question, What do you use, Happy holidays, or Merry Christmas? So weekends@cnn.com.
NGUYEN: Well, the changing of the future of America. Women, they are taking charge. You know this, Tony, taking charge of their lives, reshaping the way they live, their families. And they are driving the marketplace. Yes, who's doing all the shopping this holiday or Christmas season, however you want to put it? They are purchasing the homes and all the big big-ticket items as well. So will they also push sales up this holiday season?
We're going to weigh in and find out what women really want. I'll tell you, we just don't have enough time.
HARRIS: All I know is, I'm writing a lot of checks.
But first, fighting the bird flu. Are we prepared for a possible pandemic? Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes a closer look. That is next on "HOUSE CALL."
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