Nightline (ABC) - 2009-02-26
Channel: malgent
Transcript
Language: English (original, YouTube automatic captions)
[0:00] Tonight
[0:06] on Night Line 401 not okay. You've
[0:10] watched your retirement savings plummet.
[0:12] So is now the time to give up on the
[0:15] market. Tonight everything you need to
[0:17] know about preserving what's left of
[0:19] your nest egg. And stolen children. The
[0:23] adoption scam that's ripped families
[0:25] apart. and the innocent toddlers traded
[0:28] between unwitting parents. It's a
[0:30] nightline investigation. Plus, grow your
[0:33] own. Victory gardens are suddenly
[0:36] sprouting up everywhere as green thumb
[0:38] Americans plant a seed and harvest at
[0:41] home is tonight's Sign of the Time.
[0:44] >> From the global resources of ABC News
[0:47] with Terry Moran, Martin Basher, and
[0:50] Cynthia McFaden in New York City. This
[0:52] is Night Line, February 26th, 2009.
[0:57] >> Good evening. I'm Cynthia McFaten and we
[0:59] begin tonight with the economy. The Dow
[1:01] Jones dropped for a second straight day,
[1:03] closing down 88 points. For anyone
[1:06] investing in a 401k retirement plan,
[1:08] that's more bad news. Consider the Dow
[1:11] is down more than 40% in just months. So
[1:15] while you have patiently tucked away
[1:17] income for years and in many cases
[1:19] decades to prepare for the day
[1:20] retirement arrives, you are now watching
[1:23] your nest egg crack. So while your
[1:25] instinct may be one of panic, the answer
[1:28] may be patience. As Vicky May now
[1:31] reports,
[1:35] that giant sucking sound you hear is
[1:37] probably your 401k plan shrinking down
[1:41] to a 2011k.
[1:44] Well, those of us that have money
[1:46] invested in the stock market, we're kind
[1:47] of having a home alone moment. You know,
[1:49] it's like,
[1:52] you know, so it it's a freef fall. It's
[1:54] an amazing time that we're in. The Dow
[1:57] is down 40 45% over this time last year.
[2:00] And uh for the most seasoned of
[2:03] investors, it it is a hard thing to not
[2:05] be very very concerned, worried, or even
[2:07] panicked. help. With those kinds of
[2:09] numbers, you think the advice would be
[2:11] to run as fast as you can from investing
[2:14] in your retirement plan, but that's
[2:16] exactly what our experts say not to do.
[2:19] >> I may be proven to be a buffoon later,
[2:21] but uh it'll be with my money as well
[2:23] because my 401k is staying right there.
[2:26] I think this is the exact wrong time to
[2:28] get out. It's it's hard to have that
[2:30] much courage right now, though.
[2:32] >> A little history here. 30 years ago,
[2:34] when Americans started sacking money
[2:36] into 401ks, they were meant to be the
[2:39] third leg of a three-legged stool, a
[2:41] triumvirate of social security, pension,
[2:44] and individually funded retirement
[2:46] account. But along the way, the pension
[2:49] part got knocked out from under some of
[2:50] us. According to the Pension Rights
[2:52] Center, some companies, big companies
[2:55] including Verizon, IBM, and Motorola,
[2:58] phased out or reduced their pension
[3:00] plans, which is what makes the losses in
[3:02] our 401k accounts even more devastating.
[3:05] >> The 401k system is a 30-year experiment
[3:08] that this year has shown itself to fail.
[3:11] Terresa Gillarduchi, who's an economist
[3:14] teaching at the New School, says roller
[3:16] coaster markets like this one prove it's
[3:18] time to overhaul the 401k system. You
[3:22] have, I now know, some radical ideas
[3:24] about 401k plans.
[3:26] >> They were a lot more radical a year ago.
[3:28] Um, right now they are becoming um a bit
[3:31] mainstream. Gillarduchi argues that 401k
[3:34] plans gave corporations permission to
[3:36] cut pensions and put the burden of
[3:38] saving for retirement squarely on the
[3:40] employee.
[3:41] >> The number that you cited that most
[3:43] Americans don't feel they can live um
[3:45] comfortably in retirement has only
[3:47] gotten worse.
[3:48] >> She presented her recommendations for
[3:50] overhauling the system before Congress.
[3:53] >> Um and the panic now actually tops off
[3:56] um chronic anxiety that we've been
[3:58] seeing for the last 10 years. Here's how
[4:00] her plan would work. Employees would
[4:03] have to contribute 2 and 12% of their
[4:05] salary into an account. Their employer
[4:07] would have to match that 2 and 12%. The
[4:10] government would guarantee that money
[4:12] would grow by 3% a year.
[4:16] The purpose for retirement accounts is
[4:18] for a safe, secure retirement for the
[4:20] rest of your life. With 401k systems,
[4:23] you have to actually bet that you die um
[4:27] before your money runs out. To start
[4:28] with, government can't solve everything.
[4:30] So, I think Teresa's plan is stupid. I
[4:32] don't want a 3% rate return. That's
[4:34] losing money every day.
[4:35] >> In terms of mandating any contribution
[4:38] rate, I believe in free markets and in
[4:41] the American people's decision-making
[4:45] rights.
[4:46] >> Giller Duchi's critics counter that the
[4:48] key to saving money for retirement isn't
[4:51] seeding control to the government, but
[4:53] educating the American worker. This is
[4:55] something that drives me crazy that in
[4:58] high school in America today, you can
[5:00] take wood shop or auto and there's no
[5:03] investing class.
[5:04] >> I'm going to challenge people that if
[5:05] they want to retire with dignity that
[5:08] they need to actually get a clue about
[5:10] their money. People spend more time
[5:11] studying what toaster to buy than they
[5:13] do what to do with their retirement.
[5:15] >> We're a nation filled with very good
[5:17] nurses, teachers, astronauts, um tool
[5:20] and die makers, auto mechanics. We're
[5:23] not a nation filled of professional
[5:25] investors. That kind of skill set that
[5:27] most people don't have is a retirement
[5:29] system that's based on fantasy.
[5:31] >> In the meantime, you've already got that
[5:33] evershrinking keep working I mean
[5:36] retirement plan. So what should you do
[5:38] with it?
[5:39] >> What I invest in and what I've
[5:40] recommended for 20 years is what I'd
[5:42] still recommend today. And that's I put
[5:43] a fourth of my money in growth and
[5:45] income, a fourth in growth, a fourth in
[5:48] international, and a fourth in
[5:50] aggressive growth. And that aggressive
[5:51] growth is really fun right now. It's a
[5:54] roller coaster ride. It's wild.
[5:58] You know, that same aggressive growth in
[6:00] the late 90s made me 106% on one fund in
[6:02] one year.
[6:03] >> If you're in your 20s and 30s, you
[6:05] should be 100% in stocks because you
[6:08] have decades to ride out the volatility
[6:11] of the market. Time is completely on
[6:14] your side. In your 40s, again, you start
[6:16] to ratchet back. In your 50s, ratchet
[6:18] back more in terms of stocks. In your
[6:20] 60s, ratchet back even more. And in your
[6:23] 70s, ratchet back again.
[6:24] >> And Melody Hopson points out many
[6:27] companies are still matching a
[6:28] percentage of your contributions, which
[6:30] she says is free money. But which stocks
[6:33] should you have in your portfolio? Dave
[6:35] Ramsey advises sticking with time-tested
[6:38] winners. If Home Depot, Google,
[6:40] Microsoft, Lowe's, and Dell, uh, and
[6:44] Coca-Cola and McDonald's and IBM are all
[6:47] gone completely and worth zero in 10
[6:49] years, we got a lot bigger problems in
[6:50] our 401k.
[6:52] >> There's historical precedent, our
[6:54] experts say, for steering into the skid.
[6:57] >> Got to remember in 1973 74 when Nixon
[6:59] and Agnu resigned, the market dropped
[7:01] 42%. It took it 61 months, 5 years and
[7:04] one month to recover. We're probably in
[7:07] a situation like that.
[7:09] After the Cuban missile crisis, the
[7:11] market took a real hit. A year later, it
[7:13] was up 25%. After President Kennedy was
[7:17] assassinated, the market took a hit. A
[7:19] year later, it was up 15%. Few people
[7:22] remember after 911, when the stock
[7:24] market was closed for several days and
[7:27] opened up extraordinarily weak, a year
[7:30] later, the market was up 18%. This is a
[7:33] once- ina generation, literally once in
[7:36] a lifetime financial crisis. We will
[7:39] probably not any of us ever see this
[7:42] again in our lifetime, but it is a point
[7:45] in time. It will not last forever.
[7:49] >> We hope. This is Vicky Mabry for Night
[7:52] Line in New York.
[7:54] >> We hope. Our thanks to Vicky Mabry. When
[7:57] we come back, the investigation into an
[8:00] international adoption scam that's
[8:02] tearing families apart.
[8:06] >> ABC News Night Line brought to you by
[8:09] Sprint.
[8:16] We live in a mobile society. Our
[8:18] customers can access the internet at 3G
[8:20] speed almost anywhere today, but some
[8:23] people are still tethered to their home
[8:24] or office when they don't need to be.
[8:27] Wireless is more than just a word. It's
[8:29] a way of living. Try America's most
[8:31] dependable 3G network. With Simply
[8:33] Everything Plus mobile broadband, you
[8:34] get wireless 3G for your laptop and
[8:36] unlimited email, web, and talk for your
[8:38] phone. Cut the cord and save $599 a
[8:40] year.
[8:41] >> I'm working from the road today.
[8:44] >> Thermicare wants to know, "Where does it
[8:46] hurt?
[8:47] >> My aching back."
[8:48] >> Target the pain with Thermicare heat
[8:50] wrap. Thermicare is clinically proven to
[8:52] deliver real heat that penetrates deep
[8:54] to relax tight muscles all day. Try
[8:56] Thermicare heat wrap and wear it where
[8:58] it hurts.
[9:00] >> This is a Centrum multivitamin complete
[9:02] from A to zinc. This is Corowise, a
[9:04] natural ingredient that can lower
[9:06] cholesterol. Put them together and you
[9:08] get Centrum Cardio. The first and only
[9:10] complete multivitamin that can lower
[9:12] cholesterol. Centrum Cardio.
[9:16] Through the years, many things pass from
[9:18] father to son. Like Aqua Velva
[9:21] aftershave. Smells great. Cools, firms,
[9:24] and tones.
[9:26] Cool. Aqua Velva. Men get it.
[9:31] This Saturday, Ace is having a 20% off
[9:34] bag sale with 20% off almost anything
[9:37] you can fit in an Ace shopping bag. So,
[9:39] what's on sale is pretty much up to you.
[9:42] This Saturday at Ace, the helpful place.
[9:44] Crest ProHealth whitening helps reveal
[9:46] our teeth's natural whiteness by
[9:48] reducing up to 80% of surface stains and
[9:51] also protects all these other areas
[9:53] dentists check most so your smile is
[9:56] always at its best. Crest ProHealth
[9:58] whitening.
[10:00] >> This is more than my easy button. It's
[10:02] my save so much on ink we could stop
[10:03] shaking the cartridges button.
[10:08] >> Now recycle any brand of Inker toner and
[10:10] get $3 back in Staples rewards. Staples.
[10:14] That was easy.
[10:14] >> I'm Jimmy. I'm I'm here to save the
[10:17] economy. Tonight from brothers and
[10:18] sisters Kalista Flockheart and Monday,
[10:20] Jimmy's exclusive first interview with
[10:22] the Bachelor after the shocking twist.
[10:24] >> Why would you come back and do this
[10:25] again? Revenge.
[10:26] >> All new Jimmy Kimmel Alive. Coming up on
[10:28] ABC. Friday, March 6th. Don't miss You
[10:31] Too, the Morning Concert event on Good
[10:34] Morning America.
[10:36] >> At Dodge, we're working to earn your
[10:37] trust in your business by delivering the
[10:39] best quality and reliability in our
[10:41] history. And now we're announcing
[10:43] employee pricing plus plus on nearly all
[10:45] our vehicles. You get our employee price
[10:47] plus a $1,000 cash allowance, which all
[10:50] adds up to over 4,400 in savings on a
[10:52] new Dodge Ram. Plus, wellqualified
[10:55] buyers get 0% financing. Now getting the
[10:58] vehicle you want has never been easier.
[10:59] We don't want to be just any car
[11:01] company. We want to be your car company.
[11:03] See your Dodge dealer today.
[11:14] Adopting a child from overseas is
[11:16] typically a lengthy, expensive, and
[11:18] emotional process. But what if you
[11:20] learned that your child's biological
[11:22] parents had been tricked into permitting
[11:25] their son or daughter to be adopted?
[11:27] You're a now with an investigation into
[11:29] a heartbreaking fraud and its emotional
[11:32] toll.
[11:33] >> Your name is Aaliyah.
[11:35] >> I love you. I love you.
[11:37] >> Michael Nyberg talking on very long
[11:40] distance to his adopted 8-year-old
[11:42] daughter, Aaliyah, nearly 4,000 miles
[11:45] away on the Pacific island of Samoa.
[11:48] >> I love you, daddy.
[11:49] >> I love my little girl, and you know, um,
[11:52] she's close to my heart, just like my
[11:55] own flesh and blood.
[11:56] >> But today, she is back with her birth
[11:58] parents, her actual flesh and blood.
[12:00] Because 5 years ago, when the little
[12:02] girl was brought to the United States,
[12:04] it was under false pretenses by an
[12:06] overzealous adoption agency which told
[12:09] the Nybergs she had been abandoned and
[12:11] was eligible for adoption.
[12:13] >> She was never an orphan. She was never
[12:16] in foster care.
[12:18] She was taken directly from her parents
[12:20] and given to us.
[12:21] >> When the little girl arrived in the
[12:23] United States, Nyberg knew almost
[12:25] immediately something was wrong. Aaliyah
[12:27] was crying for parents she wasn't
[12:30] supposed to have.
[12:31] >> She cried herself to sleep every night
[12:32] for the first three weeks she lived with
[12:34] us. And the thought came to mind, this
[12:37] doesn't sound like a little girl that's
[12:38] been in foster care. So I got curious
[12:42] and uh decided to look around a little
[12:47] bit.
[12:47] >> Nyberg's suspicions led to the
[12:49] unraveling of an international adoption
[12:51] scam. The defendants were charged for
[12:53] their conduct related to fraudulent
[12:56] scheme to bring children from Samoa to
[12:59] the United States.
[13:00] >> And the conviction yesterday of four
[13:02] adoption workers in Utah who targeted
[13:05] poor families in Samoa and allegedly
[13:07] tricked them into giving up their
[13:09] children.
[13:14] >> Their only purpose was to give them a
[13:16] good future as they couldn't afford to
[13:18] give them. Prosecutors say the adoption
[13:21] agency Focus on Children promised the
[13:23] Samoan families their kids would be
[13:25] educated in America by loving families,
[13:28] but allowed to visit, talk, and share
[13:30] their lives when in fact they were
[13:32] legally signing away their rights and
[13:34] might never see them again. This mother
[13:36] gave up five children.
[13:38] >> He also told us that when they hit 18,
[13:41] we're going to get the kids back.
[13:43] >> When Nyberg found out what happened, he
[13:45] went straight to Samoa. and in the
[13:47] interest of his beloved daughter made
[13:49] the hardest choice of his life. He
[13:51] returned to her family.
[13:53] >> I felt that she deserved to see her
[13:56] parents and they see her and see that
[13:58] she was okay. And so we chose to make a
[14:00] trip to Samoa and and meet the parents.
[14:03] What a wonderful experience it was to
[14:05] see the tears when they came around the
[14:08] corner and saw this little girl
[14:11] and to know how much they missed her.
[14:14] Um,
[14:17] you know,
[14:19] it was just a great experience to be
[14:22] able to have that reunion.
[14:23] >> But Nyberg did not stop there. He also
[14:26] took his story to federal authorities,
[14:28] including the State Department, whose
[14:30] investigators went to Samoa and found
[14:32] horror story after horror story of an
[14:35] agency accused of tricking at least 37
[14:38] families.
[14:39] >> They thought that these children were
[14:41] going to be returned. Um there was a lot
[14:43] of tears, a lot of emotions. Um and for
[14:47] our agents, uh very frustrating and uh
[14:51] very sad. This was a an egregious act
[14:55] committed by Focus on Children Deception
[14:58] all through it.
[14:59] >> US Attorney Bert Coleman met personally
[15:01] with Mr. Nyber and thanked him for his
[15:04] help. You have made great sacrifice in
[15:06] this case and you've done it with um I
[15:12] know with your your chin up, but it's
[15:14] not been easy.
[15:15] >> Tolman also sent his investigators to
[15:17] Samoa to try to work out a resolution
[15:20] between the families in both countries
[15:22] so they could spare the children from
[15:23] more pain.
[15:24] >> As you know, investigators and and
[15:26] prosecutors from my office were recently
[15:28] in Samoa. Um, they were able to take uh
[15:31] photos of your adopted daughter. Oh, she
[15:34] looks good. She even gave you a little
[15:35] smile, didn't she? This is her cousin
[15:37] here.
[15:38] >> Because the adoption agency agreed to
[15:40] stop, its four executives were allowed
[15:42] to plead guilty to much less serious
[15:44] charges. They didn't admit to lying, but
[15:47] instead agreed they broke immigration
[15:49] laws by labeling the children orphans on
[15:51] federal forms and were sentenced only to
[15:54] probation with the promise that they
[15:56] will do two things. first contribute
[15:58] money to help the children communicate
[16:00] with and travel to see their families in
[16:02] Samoa and second never work in adoption
[16:05] again.
[16:06] >> They stole children and one of them is
[16:08] mine.
[16:10] >> A charge the defendants still deny. But
[16:12] Elizabeth and her husband Gary are so
[16:14] fearful lawyers will now try to take
[16:16] their child back to Samoa. They don't
[16:18] want their last names revealed and will
[16:20] only say they live in Texas somewhere.
[16:22] They wanted the defendants to go to
[16:24] jail. God reserves the deepest, darkest,
[16:27] and hottest places in hell for people
[16:29] like you who harm children. Mallerie.
[16:32] >> But in Fondelac, Wisconsin, single
[16:34] mother Patty Sawyer plays with her
[16:36] adopted 9-year-old Jaden, who joined her
[16:38] family four years ago. A mom who now
[16:41] knows her daughter came here as part of
[16:43] a painful loss.
[16:45] >> I was told that she was found in the
[16:48] public bathroom. Well, in all reality,
[16:50] she came from a very happy family. She
[16:52] has eight brothers and sisters.
[16:54] And this family turned her over to the
[16:57] agency in hopes that she could come to
[17:00] America and have opportunities.
[17:02] >> Which again explains why even at 5 years
[17:05] old, Jaden would often try to tell her
[17:07] new mother about the day she left Samoa
[17:10] and her birth mom.
[17:11] >> She says, "I remember my mommy coming in
[17:14] and in taking my me in my pajamas and
[17:17] taking me to a house and saying, I love
[17:19] you. I love you, honey." and saying
[17:21] goodbye and then crying and crying and
[17:23] crying and crying and then she left and
[17:26] never came back.
[17:27] >> Now Patty Sawyer worries her daughter
[17:29] may have to suffer a second separation.
[17:32] >> I can't sit and look at Jaden and wonder
[17:33] if I'm going to have her today or
[17:35] tomorrow or the next day or if someone's
[17:37] going to come and and grab her away.
[17:39] >> So Patty concentrates on sharing Jaden,
[17:42] hoping her Samoan family still wants her
[17:44] to have that American education and be
[17:46] cared for by a loving family here. Let
[17:49] your mom and dad be very proud of you
[17:51] when they
[17:52] >> one that now knows the full story and
[17:55] will send pictures, allow visits and
[17:57] phone calls.
[17:58] >> They wanted her to be here to have
[18:00] opportunities. They wanted to have
[18:02] letters, pictures and visits.
[18:05] So my thought is if we can live up to
[18:07] the spirit of that agreement
[18:10] and that's what they wanted that things
[18:13] could maybe go on as they are group.
[18:17] But as all 37 families now know, there
[18:20] is no guarantee. The children loved in
[18:23] two countries now live in legal limbo.
[18:26] For Night Line, Jim Avala, ABC News, New
[18:29] York.
[18:30] >> An incredible story. Jim Aala reporting.
[18:33] We'll be right back.
[18:39] >> Hot waffles. The smell of warm maple
[18:42] syrup.
[18:43] >> You know the smell after it rains?
[18:45] That's it. Leather bound books. Classic.
[18:50] >> Whatever scents fill your household,
[18:51] Tidy Cat Scoop offers a new range of
[18:53] products specially formulated to
[18:55] neutralize odors in multiple cat homes.
[18:58] Keeping your house smelling like it
[19:00] should, smelling like home. New Tidyat
[19:03] Scoop. Keep home smelling like home.
[19:23] This Saturday, Ace is having a 20% off
[19:26] bag sale with 20% off almost anything
[19:29] you can fit in an Ace shopping bag. So,
[19:31] what's on sale is pretty much up to you.
[19:33] This Saturday at Ace, the helpful place.
[19:36] >> Math is the only language all human
[19:38] beings share. Math can better predict
[19:40] financial markets.
[19:41] >> Stop a pandemic.
[19:43] >> Tell us how jets fly before we even
[19:44] build them.
[19:45] >> Math can help us make the world work
[19:46] better.
[19:47] >> Here's an equation that can help you get
[19:48] to work on time.
[19:50] >> Math can do anything.
[19:50] >> Predict commutation.
[19:52] >> It's the economy.
[19:52] >> Protein folding.
[19:53] >> Telematics.
[19:54] >> Math can make the world smarter.
[19:55] >> Smarter houses.
[19:56] >> Smart.
[19:57] >> Smarter systems.
[19:58] >> Grocery stores.
[19:58] >> Supply chain math.
[19:59] >> Solomons.
[20:00] >> That's what we're working on.
[20:02] >> I'm an IBMER. Let's build
[20:04] >> Let's build a smart
[20:04] >> smarter planet.
[20:06] Want color that shines all year long?
[20:09] Spend 10 minutes a month with Natural
[20:10] Instinct. It's the healthier way to
[20:12] blend away gray. How? It's antioxidant
[20:15] rich and ammonia free. In fact, the more
[20:17] often you use it, the healthier your
[20:19] hair looks. Natural Instinct. It's all
[20:21] good.
[20:22] >> The Reader is a provocative thriller
[20:23] full of sexual intensity, dark secrets,
[20:26] and deep betrayal.
[20:27] >> How could you let this happen?
[20:29] >> And now it's an Academy Award winner for
[20:31] best actress Kate Winslet.
[20:33] >> So that's why you came back. The reader
[20:35] read it all. Now playing
[20:36] >> Friday. These two beautiful young girls
[20:38] were lucky to survive a horrible car
[20:40] crash, but that's where their luck ran
[20:42] out.
[20:43] >> Oh, it was really scary.
[20:44] >> They had no idea the rescue to save them
[20:46] would be the real nightmare.
[20:47] >> I cried for help.
[20:48] >> If it's Friday night, the real drama's
[20:50] on 2020.
[20:53] >> With a selection like this, you'll find
[20:54] the perfect dining room set. And with
[20:56] prices starting at 2.88, you'll save a
[20:58] lot of money. At City Liquidators, we
[21:00] have over,200 dining sets in stock. Buy
[21:03] it today. Get it today.
[21:05] >> City liquidators east end of the
[21:06] Morrison Bridge.
[21:08] >> It's spin and win time at the new
[21:10] Phoenix Casino. A winner every spin up
[21:13] to $1,000 eight times a day, Monday
[21:16] through Saturday, 5:00 p.m. to midnight.
[21:18] It's free. It's fun. And if we draw your
[21:21] name on Sunday, you can win up to
[21:23] $5,000. To find out more and to get your
[21:26] free $25 match play, log on to
[21:29] freecashwinner.com.
[21:30] The new Phoenix Casino in Lenner,
[21:32] Washington. Exit 16 off I5. The short
[21:35] drive to big fun.
[22:02] Winter is no match for Quattro. See for
[22:05] yourself at an Audi dealer today.
[22:08] With a selection like this, you'll find
[22:10] the perfect leather sofa. With prices
[22:12] starting at 488, you'll save a lot of
[22:14] money. At City Liquidators, we have over
[22:16] 3,000 pieces of leather in stock. Buy it
[22:18] today, get it today.
[22:20] >> City Liquidators, East End of the
[22:21] Morrison Bridge.
[22:25] >> Night Line continues from New York City
[22:28] with Cynthia McFaten.
[22:31] >> Self-reliance, it's a quality most
[22:33] important when times are tough perhaps.
[22:34] And so in this recession, it may come as
[22:37] no surprise that more and more Americans
[22:39] are heading for the backyard. Seed and
[22:42] spade in hand, ready to sew. The victory
[22:45] garden is back. And for Brian Rooney,
[22:47] it's a sign of times.
[22:52] These are scallions. These are our
[22:54] carrots.
[22:54] >> Living in Venice, California, Tommy
[22:56] Rosen makes his living as a kind of echo
[22:59] entrepreneur. He can certainly afford to
[23:01] buy vegetables, but he likes growing his
[23:03] own in the backyard, too.
[23:05] >> We try to get as much into each square
[23:06] foot as possible. So, you can notice
[23:08] that the spinach is bunched together.
[23:10] Different lettucees are bunched together
[23:11] with other lettucees.
[23:12] >> In backyards and public garden patches
[23:15] all across the country, growing
[23:16] vegetables and calling it a victory
[23:18] garden has become the latest thing. It's
[23:21] a victory over high food prices, a
[23:23] victory over going to the store, maybe
[23:25] even a small victory over global
[23:27] warming.
[23:28] >> So, this is a green zebra. It's a green
[23:29] tomato. You eat it this way.
[23:31] >> Christy Wilhelm started a company called
[23:33] Garden Nerd and teaches people how to
[23:36] farm their yards.
[23:37] >> An early variety.
[23:43] >> It's sort of a a union of patriotism and
[23:45] environmentalism where they come
[23:47] together to support the country by
[23:50] growing a little dedicating a little bit
[23:51] of land in their own homes to growing
[23:54] their own food.
[23:55] >> She's got a green thumb and a green
[23:57] business. There are a few things that
[23:59] just about anyone can grow that will
[24:01] definitely succeed. Beets are one of
[24:04] them. And I grow them even though I hate
[24:06] beets because they have virtually no
[24:08] pests and diseases. And you just throw
[24:11] them in the ground and water them and
[24:12] they come up and they're bright and
[24:13] pretty.
[24:13] >> There is a primeval satisfaction to
[24:16] watching things grow and knowing where
[24:18] your next meal is coming from. Of
[24:21] course, fewer people remember this, but
[24:23] the victory garden comes from the last
[24:25] century, World Wars 1 and two.
[24:27] >> Luscious raspberries are ripening.
[24:29] >> Patriotic Americans were called upon to
[24:31] grow their own fruits and vegetables so
[24:34] more could be sent to troops at the
[24:35] front. In the 1940s, as many as 20
[24:38] million gardens grew 40% of the nation's
[24:41] produce.
[24:42] >> No work, no turnup, no tank, no flying
[24:46] fortress, no victory. Bear that in mind
[24:49] all you victory gardeners and work for
[24:52] victory.
[24:54] >> Now in another time of national duress,
[24:57] the victory garden lives on in little
[24:59] plots all across the country. Of
[25:01] >> course, this is way cheaper than a
[25:02] hybrid car or a solar system.
[25:04] >> Chris Payne made the movie Who Killed
[25:06] the Electric Car? His house has solar
[25:08] power and he drives only electric cars,
[25:11] although he didn't save any money on
[25:12] this one. But growing vegetables goes
[25:14] with his whole deal.
[25:15] >> In what sense is it a victory garden?
[25:17] Well, it's a victory over sort of this
[25:19] nonsustainable
[25:21] lifestyle we've all been living for
[25:22] years and years.
[25:24] >> If you think it's all just a little
[25:25] trendiness, consider this. The
[25:28] 133year-old Burpee Seed Company reports
[25:31] that sales sprouted 30% last year and
[25:34] may shoot up another 20% this year.
[25:37] Among the best sellers, green beans,
[25:39] cucumbers, peppers, carrots, and squash.
[25:42] A $3 pack of tomato seeds can grow as
[25:44] much as $1,000 worth of store-bought
[25:47] tomatoes.
[25:47] >> No visit to the garden is complete
[25:49] without having some peas. They're
[25:51] delicious.
[25:53] >> And it brings quite a bit of relaxation
[25:55] and satisfaction, too. Just think of all
[25:58] those hurried trips to the grocery store
[26:00] you can avoid. I
[26:01] >> I can't tell you how much joy I get from
[26:03] working in this garden. It's I come out
[26:05] and I have quiet time by myself, just me
[26:09] and the vegetables that I'm growing. And
[26:11] at the end of the day, dinner is out
[26:13] there just a few steps from the kitchen
[26:16] and the joy of cooking your own. This is
[26:19] Brian Rooney for Night Line in Venice,
[26:21] California.
[26:23] >> Small victory, but a victory
[26:24] nonetheless. Brian Rooney reporting.
[26:26] When we come back, the Department of
[26:28] Defense announces a change of policy
[26:30] regarding casualties of war is the
[26:32] subject of tonight's closing argument.
[26:41] ABC Sunday. Because of a natural
[26:43] disaster, they've not only lost their
[26:44] home, they've lost their ability to help
[26:46] others. They'll get a makeover that's
[26:48] wilder than the Wild, Wild West.
[26:51] ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition. All
[26:53] new Sunday 87 central on ABC.
[26:57] >> We love coming to A&W for one reason.
[27:00] Hot dog.
[27:02] >> Now get 21 pieces of crunchy shrimp with
[27:05] fries. All for only $3.99. It's a shrimp
[27:08] lover's dream come true now at A&W.
[27:11] >> My place.
[27:12] >> Lexus of Portland's 2008 model year end
[27:14] sale is happening now. Special factory
[27:17] incentives mean special prices for you
[27:19] on all new models, including hybrids.
[27:21] Don't wait. These are the best prices of
[27:23] the model year and the sale is on now at
[27:25] Lexus of Portland.
[27:27] >> You are smoking hot.
[27:29] >> It's official. You're on fire.
[27:31] >> Your culinary creativity is burning a
[27:33] hole in that frying pan. Man,
[27:35] >> you must have got those skills at
[27:36] Western Culinary Institute.
[27:38] >> A hot new career smells pretty good
[27:40] right about now.
[27:41] >> Prepare for sizzling and new career
[27:43] opportunities and train to be a chef,
[27:44] pastry chef, caterer, and more. Just
[27:46] call for your free career guide. 1866
[27:48] WCI chef 18669242433
[27:52] or log on to www.portlandchef22.com.
[27:57] >> I love being a chef and I'm glad that
[27:59] last commercial has you thinking about
[28:01] becoming a chef, too. If you love to
[28:03] cook and want to learn more about this
[28:05] exciting career, just call the number on
[28:07] your screen and we'll send you a
[28:09] complimentary brochure. It'll give you
[28:10] the scoop on where you could work and
[28:12] what it's like being a chef, pastry
[28:14] chef, and more. This could be your
[28:16] chance to learn about a career you'll
[28:18] love. Isn't that worth a phone call to
[28:20] find out more?
[28:21] >> Call Western Culinary Institute 1866 WCI
[28:25] Chef.
[28:27] Get any size mattress, twin, full,
[28:30] queen, or king for as little as$129 each
[28:32] piece when you buy the set. The Simmons
[28:34] and Cely any size, one price event on
[28:37] now at Sleep Country.
[28:42] >> K2 News this morning on your side with
[28:45] breaking news and headlines, live
[28:47] trafficer, storm tracker weather.
[28:49] >> Plan your day with an accurate forecast.
[28:51] >> K2 News this morning starting at 4:57
[28:54] a.m. on your side.
[28:57] Broadway Toyota at the Rose Quarter
[28:59] would like to invite you to bask in the
[29:02] savings of our moving sale. That's
[29:05] right, we're moving, baby. One block
[29:07] down the street and quadrupling our
[29:09] size. So, right now, every single used
[29:12] car is clearly marked up to 40% off
[29:14] Kelly Blue Book retail. And every new
[29:17] Toyota is clearly marked well below
[29:19] MSRP. Just get off at the I5 Rose
[29:21] Quarter exit at two blocks east and see
[29:24] why Broadway is the only way.
[29:27] >> K2 News first at four.
[29:30] >> There she is. We're in. Nice work, lady.
[29:33] You're happy about that, aren't you?
[29:34] >> There it is.
[29:36] >> We have light. Nice work out of you.
[29:39] Thank you for watching, too.
[29:41] >> The Furniture Connection is having its
[29:42] yearly floor sample sale. We're getting
[29:44] rid of closeouts and one of a kinds for
[29:46] pennies on the dollar. 30, 50, up to 70%
[29:49] off. Buy it now, get it now. The
[29:50] furniture connection now at the Lloyd
[29:52] Center Mall and in Gresham at Northeast
[29:54] 181st and I 84.
[29:56] >> It all started with our father, Dick
[29:57] Inyukai.
[29:58] >> And now 24 years later, our family
[30:01] continues the tradition of value with
[30:02] our $1,000 price guarantee.
[30:04] >> Bring in any dealer ad to Dick McKenzie
[30:06] Ford and we'll meet or beat the price
[30:07] and we'll give you a,000 bucks.
[30:10] >> Right now, get $16,000 off MSRP on all
[30:13] 2008 F250 and F350 Superduty diesels in
[30:16] stock.
[30:17] >> Hurry in for best selection.
[30:19] Come see us today. We're easy to find in
[30:21] Hillsboro or online at nixautogroup.com.
[30:24] >> You just got to know where to go.
[30:26] >> Many companies talk about superior
[30:27] highdefin TV, but Comcast delivers the
[30:30] best high-deaf experience. Our fiber
[30:32] optic network makes Comcast TV more
[30:34] powerful, and we're transforming our
[30:36] network again to provide even more HD
[30:38] than ever before. We offer over a,000 HD
[30:41] choices anytime, and there is no
[30:43] additional HD service charge to get HD.
[30:46] Connect with Comcast. Cable TV packages
[30:48] start at less than $25 a month. Comcast.
[30:53] Future ready.
[30:56] >> Now more than ever, isn't it time for
[30:58] some good news? Your Pacific Northwest
[31:00] Hyundai dealers who already have
[31:01] America's best warranty. Introduce the
[31:03] Hyundai Assurance. If in the next year
[31:06] you lose your job, rest assured. Just
[31:08] bring your Hyundai back without
[31:10] affecting your credit. Plus, Hyundai
[31:11] Access, lowest priced new vehicle on the
[31:13] road. 9970. Hyundai Genesis 2009 North
[31:17] American Car of the Year only $3.99 a
[31:19] month. Plus, right now get up to 5,500
[31:21] in savings, including auto show bonus
[31:23] cash. Visit your Pacific Northwest
[31:25] Hyundai dealer.
[31:26] >> The Furniture Connection is having its
[31:27] yearly floor sample sale. We're getting
[31:29] rid of closeouts and one of a kind for
[31:31] pennies on the dollar. 30, 50, up to 70%
[31:34] off. Buy it now, get it now. The
[31:36] Furniture Connection now at the Lloyd
[31:37] Center Mall and in Gresham at Northeast
[31:39] 181st and I 84.
[31:43] >> New at 6, the transformation. The girls
[31:45] basketball team at Franklin High. Two
[31:47] years ago, they won just one game the
[31:49] entire season. Not anymore.
[31:52] >> It's great. It's different. Yeah, it's
[31:54] fun.
[31:55] >> The three women at the heart of the
[31:56] transformation tonight at 6.
[31:59] >> The 2008 presidential campaign has been
[32:01] put to music and will soon hit the
[32:03] London stage.
[32:07] >> Republicans.
[32:11] Obama on my mind is set in a small
[32:14] campaign office in a small American
[32:16] town. Obama is ahead in the polls when
[32:19] news breaks that he slipped 20 points
[32:20] because of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.
[32:23] There is no actual Obama character in
[32:25] the musical. The story focuses on the
[32:28] people who support him in the small
[32:30] town. The creator says it's the first
[32:32] musical about a presidential campaign.
[32:34] I'll bet.
[32:35] >> Yeah, right. Well, Nightly News is
[32:37] ahead. We all know it's bad, but when
[32:39] will the economy get better? The signs
[32:41] to look for that will signal an economic
[32:43] recovery.
[32:44] >> Plus, making a difference, a church that
[32:46] meets in Starbucks and donates every
[32:48] collection dollar right back to the
[32:50] community.
[32:51] >> That and much more next on NBC Nightly
[32:52] News. And we'll see you back here in one
[32:54] half hour.