This program is 28 minutes long
#717596
(Studio: Peter Jennings) Announcement from Senator Trent Lott that he is stepping down from the Senate leadership post quoted.
(Capitol Hill: Linda Douglass) The stunning development for the Republican Party with the Lott fiasco & the rise of Senator Bill Frist featured. [Senator George ALLEN - comments on Lott.] [Senator Pete DOMENICI - suggests Frist be nominated by acclamation.] [FRIST - comments.] [Senator Thad COCHRAN - says it will take work to overcome the damage.]
(Studio: Peter Jennings) The role of the Senate majority leader defined.
(Studio: Peter Jennings; Washington: George Stephanopoulos) The Democratic reaction that the Senate change is a policy change & the factors leading to Lott's downfall discussed.
#717597
(Studio: Peter Jennings) President Bush's cancellation of his Africa trip noted. [At the White House, BUSH - says we expect Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to disarm.]
(Studio: Peter Jennings; State Department: Martha Raddatz) The new intelligence that the US will provide for U.N. weapons inspectors, the administration's impatience with Saddam & the inspection process led by chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix discussed.
(Studio: Peter Jennings) Bombing by US & British planes of Iraqi sites in the "no-fly" zone noted.
#717598
(Studio: Peter Jennings) A rocket attack on a US military post in Afghanistan & the strike by the oil industry in Venezuela reported.
#717599
(Studio: Peter Jennings) Agreement by Wall Street banks to pay over a billion dollars in fines for misleading investors noted.
(Studio: Betsy Stark) The Bottom Line on the settlement by the ten brokerage firms examined; scenes shown from the New York Stock Exchange; details given of the terms of the deal. [New York attorney general Eliot SPITZER††- says investors need to get a fair shake; states the judicial system or arbitration process remains open.] [Columbia University law school John COFFEE†- offers advice about analysts.] Announcement that securities analyst Jack Grubman has reached a deal with the government noted.
#717600
(Studio: Peter Jennings) Stock Market Report; more storms in the West & the appointment by former Alaska Senator Governor-elect Frank Murkowski of his daughter Lisa Murkowski to finish his term reported.
#717603
(Studio: Peter Jennings) Report introduced.
(Studio: Brian Ross) ABCNews investigation into the Air Force policy of having combat pilots use amphetamines to fight fatigue examined; details given about the side effects of the drug called "go pills." [Air Force Gen. Daniel LEAF†- defends the use of drugs to fight fatigue.] [Former White House drug advisor Dr. Robert DuPONT†- says judgement is impaired & wrongful conclusions can be reached.] The recent case in which pilot Harry Schmidt†† was on "go pills" when he fired on Canadian troops in Afghanistan recalled; auditotape played. [Defense attorney Charles GITTINS†- says the pilot was on speed.] [Defense attorney David BECK†- says the blame has been fixed on the pilots.]
(Studio: Peter Jennings) Further coverage on "20/20" noted.
#717605
#717606
(Studio: Peter Jennings) A closer look at the insurance industry introduced; statistics cited.
(Washington: Jackie Judd) The turmoil within the insurance industry because of bad investments examined. [Homeowner Riki ALEXANDER†- reacts to being dropped by her insurance company.] [California insurance commissioner-elect John GARAMENDI†- says just phoning a company causes a black mark.] [Insurance Information Inst. P.J. CROWLEY†- says companies are taking harder looks at claims.] [Texan Linda JOHNSON†- says she feels abandoned by insurance companies.]
#717609
(Studio: Peter Jennings) Report introduced.
(New York: Bill Blakemore) A brief history of the song "White Christmas," written by Irving Berlin, featured; scenes shown of Bing Crosby performing what became the World War II anthem for soldiers away from home. [MAN - comments.]
#717610