Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Saturday Morning News
Gingrich and Perry Fail to Qualify for Virginia Primary; Most Embarrassing Videos of 2011; Pakistan-India Border Dance; NFL Slapped with New Concussion Suits
Aired December 24, 2011 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TJ HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR, SATURDAY MORNING: Good morning, everybody. From the CNN center in Atlanta, Georgia, it is Christmas Eve. I am TJ Holmes. Good to spend some time with you this weekend. We're going to get you caught up on everything you need to know this weekend so you can get back to maybe doing some shopping and spending that family time.
This is not a good gift for these two guys. Two Republican candidates, they won't even be on the ballot in one key primary state. The problem for Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry now.
Also thousands of people, thousands of shoppers out there going in a mad dash. We're seeing violent scenes even. They're tearing down doors, people being arrested and you know what they're all after -- a shoe. Not just any shoe, though, an Air Jordan. We'll explain.
Also, possible ground breaking lawsuit against the NFL. A number of former players suing over concussions they say they got while playing the game. One of those players, Jamal Lewis, in studio with me in just a matter of minutes. Don't miss that.
But let me start with this major political roadblock now for Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry. Both candidates failed to qualify for the Virginia primary. Neither of them came up with enough valid signatures. This means now that there are only two candidates that will square off in Virginia's March 6th showdown. Let me bring in our Athena Jones. Athena, first of all, just how could this happen? How could they not make the ballot?
ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Virginia has some pretty stringent rules when it comes to getting on the primary ballot, among the most stringent of all the states. You have to get at least 10,000 signatures from across the state including at least 400 from each of the state's 11 Congressional districts. And so it's a little more complicated than it is in other places. Gingrich's campaign - it's interesting, on Thursday he told a GOP breakfast in Virginia that he was going to have 12,000 to 14,000 signatures. Now, we don't know exactly where he fell short. Maybe he did have enough of the 10,000 but didn't have every one for each of the Congressional districts. It's a little complicated there.
You know, TJ, this is all about Newt Gingrich's ground game and there's been a lot of concern and questions in recent weeks when he was surging to the polls earlier this month. There were still questions about whether that kind of caught his campaign off guard. He doesn't have nearly as much organization as a Mitt Romney, for instance. So this is really telling here, TJ.
HOLMES: And also only two names on the ballot now.
JONES: Exactly. So Mitt Romney and Ron Paul are going to get to divide up that state's 49th delegates. That state, Virginia, allocates its delegates in kind of a complicated way. But still, the fact of the matter is it's now a race between two people in that state. You know, recent polls have shown Gingrich ahead. He was at the top of the recent Quinnipiac (ph) poll just about five points over Romney so not a big lead, but still he looked to do pretty well in that state which is where Gingrich lives. So not good news for Gingrich and Perry this Christmas.
HOLMES: All right. Athena Jones, thank you so much for us in Washington and just how big of a blow is this? We'll be talking more about Gingrich and Perry asking our Maria Cardona (ph) and Lenny (ph) McAllister, you know them well. They'll be here with us next half hour.
Meanwhile, South Carolina's newly passed voter ID law is already running into some trouble with the Federal government. Justice Department is blocking the law from going into effect saying it would, quote, create significant racial disparities. South Carolina's governor calls the decision outrageous. You can join CNN Tuesday, January 3rd. The Iowa caucuses, finally it's time to start voting. A special, "America's Choice" 2012 coverage of the Iowa caucus, 7:00 Eastern right here on CNN.
Just three minutes past the hour now, some headlines from overseas for you. A bloody debris on the streets of Damascus, Syria. Two suicide car bombers blew themselves up there yesterday, 44 people killed, more than 160 hurt. Both President Assad's office and the anti-government movement blamed the other for the attack. State run media reports said the bombs carried the blue prints of al Qaeda.
Also today tens of thousands of protesters surging into Moscow for a day of demonstrations. They're turning out in sub zero weather to protest what they claim are rigged elections. This is also seen as a challenge to the domination of Vladimir Putin over Russia. Security is tight in Moscow right now where Russian media is reporting bus loads of riot police lining up along the streets. Similar protests taking place all across Russia.
Britain's Prince Philip will spend Christmas eve in the hospital. Queen Elizabeth's husband, you see him there, he had a procedure yesterday to unblock the coronary artery. Prince Philip is 90 years old.
Also the Cuban government will pardon and set free almost 3,000 prisoners. The Castro administration published an announcement saying prisoners over the age of 60, women, as well as six inmates are among those being released. President Raul Castro cited the upcoming visit by Pope Benedict XVI as the reason for this mass pardon. Meanwhile an American contractor who has been in prison there since 2009 is not among those to be freed.
At five minutes past the hour let me get you to your all important travel weather. For the weekend, for the holiday, got problems?
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Looks like we're going to see some, especially in the lone star state of Texas where we have rain, some sleet, even some snowfall. In speaking of snow, the big question a lot of people have is will we or will we not have a white Christmas or is it going to be, well, quite frankly, one without snow? We'll have that answer coming up for you in just a few moments, plus we'll get a game day forecast showing you some of the big NFL games we are going to have this weekend, what you as the fan can expect.
HOLMES: All right, Reynolds. We'll check in with you in just a moment. Thank you so much. Meanwhile, fist fights. Police using pepper spray, glass being smashed. These are shoppers doing all of this stuff. Why, because they're after a pair of shoes, Air Jordans. There it is. Retro Jordans being re-released and people are kicking down doors and kicking each other to get them. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Coming up on eight minutes past the hour taking a look at some stories making news across the country. In Aurora, Colorado three firefighters had to be taken to the hospital after a chimney exploded. They were trying to put out flames inside a home and that back draft you hear about sometimes, it caused an explosion, knocked them off their feet. A back draft happens when a fire suddenly flares up after being exposed to fresh air.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED SOLDIER: Grab on. Go get them!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: That's one way to put it. Grab 'em, go get 'em! And they did. This is in Orlando. Military families got quite the gift for the holidays. A hundred and twenty eight Army reservists returning home after spending six months in Iraq. They are some of the last soldiers to leave that country.
Also we see this every year, Santa surfing. This is in Malibu, California. No sleighs required here. I-reporter Julie Ellerton says surfing Santa was taking part in his annual wave ride at surf rider beach. Santa was joined by the Mrs., Frosty. That was even a surfing elf out there. Nine minutes past the hour now. You remember Spike Lee told us, it must be the shoes.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And this is my main man, Michael Jordan. This is a pair of Nikes. This is something you can buy. This is patented. This is high flying, 360 slam dunk. This is something you cannot do. Let me repeat myself. This you can buy. You cannot do this. Can, can't, can. No! (END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: Yeah. Must be the shoes, right? Here we are 20 years later. It is still the shoes. A new version of Air Jordans went on sale yesterday. It is actually an updated version of an old shoe, actually version 11. There are long lines out there. That's understandable. People want to get the shoes. Everybody's in line. But people went into a frenzy in many places. Take a look at this. This is an all out sprint. This is at mall in Kansas City, Missouri. Look at these folks going after shoes. But here, this one got a bit ugly. This is in Indianapolis. Hundreds of people rushed the door at two separate malls. At this store in particular you see some people getting trapped on the floor down there and people just trampling over them. They tore the doors off their hinges. Also in Georgia four people arrested as they tried to get a pair of shoes. Our affiliate WSB is reporting that also a mother actually left her two young children in the car to go in and try to buy the shoes. Also in Omaha, Nebraska a man called for police backup when crowds there got out of control. John Oakley picks this up for us from our affiliate KATV.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN OAKLEY, KATV CORRESPONDENT: Police descend on Crossroads Mall after help an officer calls go out. The reason -- large crowds trying to get inside to buy the newest Jordans.
MATTHEW MONTGOMERY, SHOPPER: All these cops came up here, AR-15s, it was fights and crazy. It really wasn't worth it. I wish I could have ordered them online at midnight. Internet was crashing so I had to figure out a way to get them.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Just a lot of pushing and shoving and excitement ready to get in there and get these shoes.
OAKLEY: This is the prize. Jordan Concord 11s retail around $175 bucks. Montgomery waited five hours.
MONTGOMERY: For a shoe, holiday season shoe. Everybody had to get them and I was lucky to get them.
OAKLEY: Same story at Village Point, large crowd gathering at Finish Line for one thing.
RICK PANE, SHOPPER: They're a real popular shoe and everybody wants them. You see the demand for them. There are just not of them enough for everybody. That's the bad thing.
OAKLEY: Pane got out there at 10:00 p.m., the crowd quickly disappointed when the store ran out.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Folks, they are out of the shoes. You might as well go.
OAKLEY: John Oakley, KATV, news watch 7.
(END VIDEOTAPE) HOLMES: A shoe, folks. It's a shoe, $180 shoe. All right. So we're asking you this morning. Go ahead and be honest with us. Have you ever stood in long lines for something and maybe got a little crazy? What item was it you went crazy over? We've been talking to some of you on Twitter, got that up on my desk right here right now. Send me a message there. You know where to find us on our blog as well as on Facebook. Also up next, a white Christmas? Well, doesn't always live up to the hype. Reynolds Wolf with your ice and holiday weekend travel forecast.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: All of us from Arkansas know how to play the saxaphone. We do.
WOLF: Basically you learn how to walk, your first steps are walking to pick up some of the brass and you did and it is amazing how you developed that skill over the years.
HOLMES: I stayed with it. I kind of put it down for a little while but I'm glad I have that talent.
WOLF: Man, that skill. A reed instrument would be tough to play in cold weather like today.
HOLMES: OK. Cold weather. We got Texas, the southwest is having issues.
WOLF: Right.
HOLMES: But travel this weekend. Who is going to have a problem?
(WEATHER REPORT)
HOLMES: Game day forecast coming up in a little bit.
WOLF: Very soon. I know you want to see that. We'll share it with you.
HOLMES: All right Reynolds, thank you, buddy. Also in a few minutes we'll be talking NFL again because this week, we saw a number of former NFL players come out in lawsuits suing the NFL saying they did not do enough and they did not inform players properly about the risks of concussions. We got a former running back Jamal Lewis here in studio with us. Stay here.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Just in case you weren't getting enough Christmas music at the mall, we thought we'd torture you a little more this morning. No. We've been having a lot of debates about Christmas music this morning, but there is another little jingle for you. Well, we got a timely story for the holiday right now, about karma and good things really happening to good people. Jeffrey Peltier is a good example. You see him there. A few months back he found some money in an envelope just lying out in the middle out of the street but instead of keeping it, he went through the effort of tracking down the rightful owner and he returned it. Now something nice has just happened to Jeffrey in time for the holidays. He joins me now from his home in Massachusetts to tell this story. Jeffrey, first of all, tell me how much money did you find?
JEFFREY PELTIER, RETURNED LOST MONEY, WON NEW CAR: They said it was about $2,000. I seen it on the road. I thought it was fake. Lo and behold it was real. I had seen a deposit slip, added it all up.
HOLMES: OK. $2,000. Be honest with me here. How much thought did you give to maybe going ahead and pocketing that money?
PELTIER: About two seconds.
HOLMES: Two seconds. That's all?
PELTIER: Yeah. That's it.
HOLMES: OK.
PELTIER: I really wouldn't want to.
HOLMES: How difficult was it to go through that process and how long did it take to track down the rightful owner of that money?
PELTIER: It was pretty quick. Her house was right around the corner and her name was on the envelope. I just put it in my GPS and went right to the house.
HOLMES: So you returned it to her. It sounds like just a matter of, from the time you had the money in your hand to the time she got it back was how long?
PELTIER: Probably five minutes. She didn't even know it was gone. She really didn't.
HOLMES: OK. Now, Jeffrey, the woman when she saw you, she had to have been a little shocked.
PELTIER: I knocked at her door. I had an envelope. She's looking at me like what? I'm like, I think this is yours.
HOLMES: Was she appreciative?
PELTIER: Oh, yes. Yes she actually was. Yes she was.
HOLMES: OK. Now you tell me what just happened to you not too long ago. You ended up being a pretty big winner of an item I assume can help you out in your day-to-day life.
PELTIER: Yeah. It really could. I won a new car. My old car was about 14 years old. We need one. We really did.
HOLMES: We're showing a picture of it here now. How did you end up winning the car?
PELTIER: I filled out a raffle that was during a radio marathon for giving food to homeless people through the open pantry I believe and rock 102 in Springfield. They're a local station with two great disc jockeys. They were just -- they sat out in a trailer for two days and collect food for homeless people.
HOLMES: Jeffrey, would you say you've been a lucky person? Are you one that wins raffles? Are you that kind of guy over your lifetime? Are you one that never really wins anything?
PELTIER: Well, I win quite a lot. Small things but nothing like a car.
HOLMES: Nothing like this. Now, what are your thoughts now? Because I think a lot of people, even, not necessarily they're bad people but around the holidays, tough economic times right now, find $2,000, they would consider that part to be lucky and they would be blessed by that. But what are your thoughts, now, that it's kind of come back around and something nice and really nice and really timely has happened to you? What is the lesson here you have learned at least and you'd like other people to know about karma?
PELTIER: Basically I think if you're a nice person people will be nice to you. That's pretty much it. I don't know how to add to that. I really don't.
HOLMES: Jeffrey, could you have used that money?
PELTIER: Absolutely. Absolutely.
HOLMES: But only gave it a couple seconds thought and now something nice has happened to you. Jeffrey, we love this story. When we heard about it, and good to see that something good happened to a good person and you did the right thing when it wasn't convenient necessarily. Like you said, it could have helped you out. Thank you for spending time with us on this Christmas eve. Congratulations on the car and happy new year and Merry Christmas. Thanks so much for taking the time.
PELTIER: Thanks. Merry Christmas to you.
HOLMES: All right. Jeffrey, thanks so much, good story, karma. It pays off sometimes to do the right thing even when it might not be convenient for you.
Well, coming up next we go from that positive story to another positive story. Politics -- just kidding. We have a story here though about presidential politics and the Republican presidential nomination. There is going to be a problem for these two men. They failed to get on the ballot in a key state. We'll explain exactly what happened to them.
Also ahead, this is video that we just love here on CNN Saturday and Sunday morning. We showed it to you. See that guy on the left? He is the head of state. You see that pen in his hand? He thinks he's slick. Whoa. Transfer it over here. Let me get it into the pocket. Yes. He got caught on tape with some sticky fingers. This is some other embarrassing moments caught on tape when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: We are coming up on the bottom of the hour on this Christmas eve. Thanks for spending a little time here with us. You had a busy weekend and we'll get you caught up on things you need to know including some of these top stories.
Over in Syria the president there is blaming terrorists for twin suicide bombings in Damascus. Opposition groups say yesterday's attacks are the work of the regime. One opposition group says violence this week killed almost 300 people. The UN says more than 5,000 have died since President Mishar (ph) al Assad started a crackdown on anti- government protesters back in March.
Also, Cuba announcing it is pardoning more than 2900 prisoners from dozens of countries. But American Allen Gross (ph) is not one of them. President Raul Castro says Pope Benedict XVI's upcoming visit motivated the move. Also President Obama's delayed vacation now under way, got a little pep in his step as he arrives in Hawaii. He got there of course after that fight in DC over the payroll tax cut extension. He met up with his wife the first lady and their daughters. They have been out there a week ahead of dad.
We got the news overnight. Both Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry have failed to qualify for the primary, the Virginia primary. How big of a deal is that really? Let's bring in our good friends, start a little early on this Christmas eve. Political contributor and Democratic strategist Maria Cardona and Republican strategist Lenny McAllister, good to see you both.
Lenny, let me start with you since we're talking Republicans here. Big deal that they wouldn't be on the ballot in Virginia?
LENNY MCALLSITER, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Yes, it's a big deal. It's Virginia. Listen, I don't know how in the world you can have all the money that Rick Perry has and you can be the frontrunner like Newt Gingrich is/was, and not get on the Virginia ballot. This is a fumble of epic proportions.
And unfortunately, what it signals to supporters out there that are still undecided is, look, we were wrong about Rick Perry. The debates, what we saw from him were absolutely correct. And this Newt guy, we wanted to believe in him. He did really well at the debates, but maybe he's not as serious a contender as we thought he was if he can't even get on the Virginia ballot.
HOLMES: OK. Wait. Maria - I mean, yes, it's a little embarrassing, but for practical intents and purposes is it really going to change the game and their ability to get the nomination?
MARIA CARDONA, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Well, if they're serious about getting the nomination, absolutely, T.J. And I agree with every single word that came out of Lenny's mouth. So, Merry Christmas.
HOLMES: Wow.
MCALLISTER: Of course, you do. Of course, you do. CARDONA: And I have to say, you know, Lenny is right. This goes to credibility. This goes to competence.
Look, you can't say that Gingrich and Perry just got into the race and so therefore you might be able to excuse them not getting on the Virginia ballot. Let's remember, the race for the nomination, you know, we can talk about Iowa and New Hampshire and all the early states and whether you do well and then you can go on, but it is all about the number of delegates that you get.
And so not qualifying for a state as important as Virginia in terms of delegates, in terms of perception, it's an important swing state. It's in the South. Everything that you can talk about that is something that you want to avoid in terms of being a presidential candidate and not qualifying for it is absolutely astounding. I think it goes to credibility.
HOLMES: Well, we've only got two on the ballot. Romney and Ron Paul are the only two qualified in Virginia, so we'll see if that plays to somebody's advantage. But let me get back to Ron Paul here. Lenny, in Iowa now we know he's been doing really well in the latest polls we have seen, even leading in a lot of those polls, but he is being dogged now by these newsletters from the '80s and '90s that had his name, but they had some really provocative, just explosive racial comments on them.
Is he going to survive that? Can he hold on now that maybe a lot of people are not paying attention because of the holiday, paying some attention, you get what I'm saying there, but is that going to cause a problem for him in Iowa?
MCALLISTER: Well, you got two things going on. Number one, the Ron Paul structure is very good for a caucus-type situation so his supporters are still going to be lock, stock and barrel behind him.
However, let's see if Mr. Paul has a Herman Cain moment. It's not necessarily the actual incident. It's how you respond to the incident. And he hasn't responded very well when Gloria Borger tried to ask him about this. His responses to those questions did not come across as smooth as a presidential candidate should come across this.
How is he going to respond to respond to this in the last week leading up to the caucus will determine if he can be that surprise winner in Iowa or not.
HOLMES: Go ahead, Maria.
CARDONA: It must be Christmas because I agree with everything that Lenny -
HOLMES: Oh, wow.
CARDONA: -- said yet again. And I think what's important, though, here, is I don't think that this will affect Ron Paul in Iowa because his supporters are dug in. And in fact, they see something like this and they think that it's either a media conspiracy or it's something that his rivals have dug up.
But I do think if he gets out of Iowa and he comes out of there first or second with some real credibility in terms of his competence, it is something that he will absolutely have to deal with because with the broader electorate, this is atrocious. And he has not answered it to the extent that he needs to in order to be credible moving on after Iowa.
HOLMES: OK. And before everybody gets a little too excited about this peace on earth and good will towards Lenny and Maria this morning, you all are coming back for another segment and we're going to be talking about this payroll tax cut fight. And I give everybody my word they will not be in agreement completely on this one.
Lenny, Maria, good to have you all on Christmas Eve.
CARDONA: Good to see you, T.J.
HOLMES: I'm going to see you all again.
MCALLISTER: Good to be here.
HOLMES: Again, they're coming back for their regular time in just a bit.
CARDONA: Absolutely.
HOLMES: See you shortly, guys.
CARDONA: Happy Holidays.
HOLMES: Well, coming up, a video we just couldn't forget and can't get enough of. An embarrassing moment for the Czech president, the man got caught stealing a pen. We've got it on tape. That is just one of the embarrassing moments we've got to show you from 2011 that was caught on tape.
Also, look at this. Dancing and cheering in the most unlikely of places. Pakistan and India take patriotism to a whole new level.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MARIAH CAREY'S "ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU" PLAYING)
HOLMES: One of only two Christmas songs that I can stomach is that one. Love that song. We'll be playing plenty of this morning Christmas jingles for you today.
NADIA BILCHIK, CNN EDITORIAL PRODUCER: I love Christmas music.
HOLMES: Do you really?
BILCHIK: It puts me in such a great mood.
HOLMES: Only some of them, though, Nadia. BILCHIK: The woman we are about to talk about today loved Christmas music too much and she loved Christmas drinks too much so she got rather inebriated and got off a train in England, yes, in Barnsley Station in Yorkshire, England. And she was so tipsy from her Christmas drinking that she literally gets off the train and -
HOLMES: Uh-oh!
BILCHIK: -- wiped out. That's called fall down drunk. And the video was released to warn people not to do that.
HOLMES: Well, I wonder how she feels about this video being released.
BILCHIK: Well, put it this way. I'm sure it's embarrassing but she is fine. She was just slightly injured.
HOLMES: OK. We have some of the other embarrassing videos of the year. That's a pretty good one. Can you top that one?
BILCHIK: Absolutely. Well, the woman at the Pennsylvania mall this year, you remember that? She was texting.
HOLMES: Oh, yes.
BILCHIK: She was so busy texting that she fell into the fountain. Of course, the caveat was that after this she then sued the mall saying you should have warned me. And anyway, she hated that the video was released.
HOLMES: The judge threw the case out I certainly hope.
BILCHIK: I think so. But you loved the one of the Czech Republic president -
HOLMES: This is great.
BILCHIK: -- when he took that pen. Do you remember? There was the pen encrusted with gold and lapis lazuli and there he is with the Chilean President Sebastian Pinera and this is what he does. Let's take a quick look.
He takes that pen and he very surreptitiously puts it in his pocket and then you're about to see him closing his jacket.
HOLMES: Well, wasn't this the case where he didn't realize he could take the pen so he thought he had to steal it?
BILCHIK: Something like that. But then the Czech republic government said, you know, that's what people do. We take ceremonial pens. It's part of our tradition.
HOLMES: Embarrassing.
BILCHIK: But one - something was very embarrassing for an entire country in the Maldives. Now, people go to the Maldives -
HOLMES: Oh, yes.
BILCHIK: -- to get married. It's a tourist attraction. And here you have a couple, a Swiss couple going to renew their vows and there you have the celebrant, the person who conducts the ceremony doing this in and he's doing it in Divehi, which is the native language of the Maldives, but really he's cursing them.
The most terrible thing is I can't even tell you how bad they were cursing them and wishing them a terrible life.
HOLMES: They had no idea.
BILCHIK: That was very embarrassing.
HOLMES: I wonder how they're doing, the couple.
BILCHIK: Well, put it this way. Let's wonder what happened to their marriage.
HOLMES: Yes.
BILCHIK: Was it cursed? How powerful was the celebrant?
Anyway, and then this week, very famous video now. FedEx guy arrives and look what he does with this television monitor.
HOLMES: Hey, at least it arrived on time, maybe.
BILCHIK: Exactly. But, you know, again, what does this all say? I wonder if that monitor broke. That's what I want to know.
HOLMES: Yes. Definitely the guy -
BILCHIK: And we don't know that yet.
HOLMES: -- the guy went to look. He said because it arrived and it had broken and then he checked out this video - the surveillance video that was up and sure enough that explains why it was broken. FedEx, of course, they said the guy I think he was punished, but they said they were shocked by the video as well.
BILCHIK: Well, put it this way. They say no advertising is bad advertising. So what video will make it in 2012? Let's see.
HOLMES: Let's see. I'm sure they'll come up with something.
But other video I know you like here. We had something to show you here. The daily closing of the gates at the Pakistani-India border.
BILCHIK: Beautiful video.
HOLMES: Yes, beautiful video. It's a patriotic display here. It's a light moment despite pretty intense tension there, relationship between the two countries. But you'd want to listen to what Reza Sayah has to say and show you right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
REZA SAYAH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Who's tougher? Who's stronger? Who's got more swagger?
This is the daily showdown between nuclear neighbors Pakistan and India at the Wagah Border crossing just outside of Lahore.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is intense.
SAYAH: This war dance is a symbol of six decades of bad blood and mistrust sparked by a violent separation in 1947 after British rule and fueled by three wars, a nuclear standoff, and a seemingly endless barrage of accusations from both sides.
Ever since 1959, the long-time rivals border guards have met here at sunset and faced off in a flag-lowering ceremony.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And it's just the most (INAUDIBLE) and, you know, patriotism -
SAYAH: Each angry stomp, each glare, another dagger in this battle of bravado.
(on camera): If you want to know what India and Pakistan's often bitter rivalry feels like this is where you come.
(voice-over): The ceremony starts with a furious, 50-yard march to the border gates. Then comes the stare downs followed by the synchronized lowering of the flags.
The event is one of the region's most popular tourist attractions. Thousands line the stands on each side of the border. The stronger the scowl, the louder the war.
Few electrify the Pakistani crowds more than Sergeant Tarek Mahmoud. At 6 feet 6 inches tall, 240 pounds, no border guard here is bigger. The towering figure who doesn't speak on camera but makes clear that his country is not to be messed with.
(on camera): But over the past year or so, there's been some developments and some signs that show maybe - just maybe this icy relationship is gone.
(voice-over): Pakistan and India are meeting again. Leaders are talking peace, not pointing fingers. And work is under way to expand trade.
Despite signs of improved relations, the border gates are still slammed shut after every ceremony. Erasing half a century of mistrust takes time, analysts say. Until then, conflict, not peace defines Pakistan-India relations.
Reza Sayah, CNN, Wagah, Pakistan.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: Yes. I told you you'd want to stick around and see that.
Well, coming up next, a fearsome running back in the NFL. We're on (ph) the NFL now. Jamal Lewis, he's here in the studio with me this morning and like a lot of young football players, he led with his head on the field, got his bell rung more than once and now he and a number of other former NFL players are suing the NFL. He'll explain.
Stay with us for that conversation.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(NAT KING COLE'S "THE CHRISTMAS SONG" PLAYING)
HOLMES: OK, that's another good one we pulled out here, from Nat King Cole there.
All right, we're going to turn to some sports here now, but not what you're thinking, maybe. A lot of you sports fans out there, a lot of you have a son or a daughter, grandchild, maybe, who plays sports. But what I'm about to tell you now could be a game changer.
It's about some sports related lawsuits now that deal with players and their safety. Some former and some big name football players now hitting the NFL with a couple of new lawsuits. It's the latest in a wave of cases casting a harsh light on the sports world and how it deals with concussions and brain injuries.
Two new lawsuits we're talking about here. First, on Tuesday, a lawsuit was filed in Manhattan Federal Court by three retired players. They're asking the league to establish a medical monitoring program. Then, one day later, this past Wednesday, the NFL was hit with another, a separate lawsuit filed in district court in Atlanta. That case was brought by former players - four former players.
One of them, Jamal Lewis, running back for the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns, you probably know the name and know the face, used to beat some people up out there on the field. He joins me now, along with the lead attorney in the case, Mike McGlamry. Thank you, gentlemen, both for being here.
Let me start with you. I guess why the lawsuit, and also just what have you been going through since your playing days? What kind of physical issues have you been having?
JAMAL LEWIS, FORMER NFL RUNNING BACK: I think why the lawsuit, it's mainly - it's not really about the lawsuit, it's more about the awareness being put out there about concussions and the fact that everybody needs to know, you know, exactly these symptoms so you can monitor things and these parents can monitor their kids even - even better when they're out there on the field, playing this sport.
HOLMES: And what have you gone through yourself? You know, I - I asked Jerome Bettis this question when he was in the studio with me once. What would you guess - how many concussions would you say you've had? Not diagnosed concussions, but how many would you think you've had in your playing career?
LEWIS: Now, knowing the symptoms and everything, I would probably say, you know, probably eight to nine, maybe 10 concussions or whatever. But mainly just a memory loss, eyes very sensitive to light, migraines, nausea -
HOLMES: And these are issues you deal with now?
LEWIS: And these are things that you pretty much deal with somewhat, you know, periodically. But these are symptoms that - that arise in trying to get over, you know, what - what is due (ph) to the post- concussive syndrome.
HOLMES: And I'll ask you, you said you want the attention now. I'll ask you, but will the lawsuit not seek any type of - of damages into - from the - or monetary damages from the - the league?
MIKE MCGLAMRY, ATTORNEY FOR NFL PLAYERS: Sure, it will, T.J. I mean, any lawsuit that's filed these days, and this is a personal injury type of lawsuit, can only ask for damages, and in this case it's financial damages. But it is asking for a change in awareness.
I know you mentioned the other lawsuit, talking about medical monitoring. It's to provide for these guys in the future to make sure that they're treated for this and that they are compensated for these injuries.
HOLMES: And what are we talking about here, from the league at least, from the NFL? Were they telling you you're OK and can - not necessarily concussions aren't anything to worry about. We - we all know that. It's just a matter of common sense. But are you saying they - they had some interest in you all not knowing the full extent?
I mean how would your playing have changed? How would you have changed the type of player you were on that field if you knew about concussions, what we know now?
LEWIS: Basically because it's just you being aware and knowing your body and yourself, and being able to know that these symptoms are from a concussion and from a brain injury. And it will kind of - I would think it would - it would change your decision about going back on the field after a certain hit, or if you're feeling a certain way, letting somebody know.
HOLMES: Now, you have to explain it, because we have seen, even with all the attention to concussions now, just about every week there's some case of a player getting his bell rung and just fighting to get back on the field. I mean, even with all the information we have now. Are you sure that would have changed anything? Because we see these guys still doing this.
LEWIS: Well, I think it - it would have changed, and I think it's on the individual. It's on the individual person. And, of course, you know, due to football and the competitive edge and the competitiveness of the sport, you want to get back out there. You want to fight for your position. You don't want anybody to step in that place. But, at the same time, being aware and knowing the consequences of a concussion and - and what could actually happen and the results in the future, it would probably alter your decision about going back out there.
HOLMES: What would be in the NFL's interest of - do - do you actually believe the NFL misled the players, or do you -
LEWIS: Absolutely (ph).
HOLMES: You're saying yes, so why would they want to mislead? Haven't we just all learned more about concussions and brain injuries over the past several years?
MCGLAMRY: Well, we're learning more about it now because the focus is on it. But what you asked Jamal about going back in the game, the key here is not just Jamal and these players. It's the league. The league has known now for almost two decades the long-term effects of concussions, and it's dealing with those players when they have those symptoms and diagnosing those symptoms from the sideline and doing something about it.
HOLMES: And you say they've known but they didn't tell the players is what you're saying?
MCGLAMRY: They - they didn't tell the players. And, very much like the - the tobacco industry, with cigarettes, it's downplaying whatever research there is out there and saying there's no causal connection. And only till - until 2010, when the league changed their committee on concussions, did they acknowledge that. And - and you're seeing more, obviously, even day by day.
HOLMES: And - and last thing to hear - hear to you, Jamal, a lot of people look at this, and just like you - you mentioned cigarettes, no matter what, everybody knows cigarettes are bad for you. You - you have to know that. You don't necessarily need research. The warning on the side of the - the package.
You chose a career where every play you're getting knocked around in some way, form or fashion. How much responsibility do you bear for choosing that career, one, and putting yourself in that position, for leading with that head sometimes? How much of this is personal responsibility?
LEWIS: Well, I think going into the sport you know that there are going to be injuries, there are going to be things that happen or whatever. But, being aware and knowing what's going on and knowing that you could possibly have brain trauma or some kind of brain injury, like I said, it helps alter that - alter your decision.
I played 10 games - I played about 10 weeks with a concussion, and not knowing that I had these different symptoms until I actually brought it out to the forefront and made them get me checked out for a concussion and found out I did have it. So if I would have known beforehand, I could have made a different decision and not played 10 games and constantly put myself through more brain trauma. HOLMES: I want to put up a statement here we did get from the NFL, saying, "Any allegation that the NFL intentionally sought to mislead players has no merit. It stands in contrast to the league's actions to better protect players and advance the science and medical understanding of the management and treatment of concussions."
So this really could, as we say, could be a game changer in this all. But again, Mike McGlamry, attorney for - lead attorney on this case. And also Jamal, appreciate you both for being here, and we'll follow this down the road, and merry Christmas to you both. Thanks for -
(CROSSTALK)
MCGLAMRY: Same to you, T.J. Thanks.
LEWIS: Thanks so much.
HOLMES: We're getting close to the top of the hour now.
Speaking of football, here we go. Reynolds Wolf is going to be talking football here in a second. A lot of people going to actually be concerned about the weather. A couple games today. We'll have that for you.
Also, we've been asking, is there anything that you would stand in line hours to get, like some people did for those Air Jordans yesterday? Got plenty of your responses. Keep sending them in. Stay with me.
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: And I'm Alison Kosik, reporting live from Jersey City, New Jersey, and it's down to the wire. And you say you haven't even started your Christmas shopping yet?
No worries. I've got some top tips - some top gift ideas for you, and I'll show you why people are procrastinating. That's coming up after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: All right. Reynolds, you've got the forecast. Travel forecast, yes, we'll get back to that in a second. But game day.
REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Go ahead and show. Go ahead and show.
HOLMES: No, I'm like -
WOLF: You're a journalist.
HOLMES: They won't notice. They won't notice.
WOLF: OK. First game we're going to talk about is the one that's taking place at East Rutherford, New Jersey. It's the Giants, or the Giants, and New York Jets. Kickoff is going to be at 1:00 P.M. It's an outdoor game. We're not expecting any precipitation. It's going to be pretty but still certainly on the nippy side. We're talking 38 degrees. That'll be your expected high for game time.
Now, in Ford Field in Detroit, certainly it's going to be an indoor game. We have San Diego, the Chargers and the Tigers - or the Tigers. Heavens to Betsy, (INAUDIBLE) talking about the Detroit Lions, rather. If you're going to walk around, say, Greektown or even making that walk from the People Mover to Ford Field, it's going to be chilly out there.
Kickoff is going to be at 4:05, temperature at 36. Winds south- southwest at five or 10 miles an hour. My apologies to all you Lion fans.
All right, and the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, we're talking about the Eagles and the Cowboys. Kickoff is at 4:15. Yes, it's a dome, but if you plan on doing any outdoor, say, cooking, maybe doing some grilling and that kind of thing, well, you're going to have to dodge the raindrops, 40 percent chance of showers.
And then we fast forward to tomorrow. Christmas Day, there will be a game in Chicago, or rather at Green Bay. It's going to be Chicago, the Bears at the Packers. Kickoff is at 8:20 P.M. at Lambeau Field. Temperature around 30 degrees or so. Winds going to be a little bit stronger by later in the game, so with the wind chill factor, by the fourth quarter we're looking at the low 20s. It's going to feel a lot cooler than that.
T.J. let's send it back to you.
HOLMES: That sounds about right.
WOLF: Yes. Absolutely.
HOLMES: We're just going to put up these comments now. We've been asking you - been showing you those pictures of people just about rioting over the new Air Jordans that came out, but we've been asking you, what have you stood in line and maybe gotten a little crazy for?
One coming from reallogiclady saying, "Do you remember the Furby?"
WOLF: I remember that disaster. Sure.
HOLMES: Do you, really?
WOLF: Yes. Absolutely.
HOLMES: OK. Says she waited for hours in line for her kid. The kid's now 18, can't even remember the toy.
Another from Steve saying - and everybody would like to wait in line for this - "A new political system, one that lives by "For the good of all" rather than "for the good of me and us."
Another here saying he'd wait in line and go crazy for a good paying job.
And another from John saying a, "Willy Wonka golden ticket."
Another - I've got a few more people saying a ticket to heaven, they'd wait in line for. Somebody else saying Taylor Swift, they'd wait in line for.
WOLF: Taylor Swift. All right.
A ticket to heaven, Willy Wonka - what was the other one? The Furby? She wrote the Furby idea for her 18-year-old kid, doesn't even remember that.
HOLMES: Yes.
WOLF: Yes, it's - this is kind of like the old Tickle Me Elmo thing. I mean, I stood in line and waited for one of our kids, the Tickle Me Elmo. Gone.
HOLMES: Don't even know where it is?
WOLF: No idea. Discarded -- it's in the trash dump of broken and forgotten toys.
