thanks for joining us. i'm dan harris. tonight on "world news," brace for impact. terrifying words from a flight attendant all recorded on video. tonight, the passengers are calling the pilot a hero. running scared? barack obama and bill clinton campaigning in the bluest of blue states. just how much trouble are the democrats in right now? the battle begins. thousands of american troops move into a taliban stronghold, as the surge in afghanistan enters a crucial phase, and our reporter is on the front lines. fighting back. a powerful conservative pastor goes before his congregation to explain allegations that he lured young men into having sex. and, last laugh. a governor turns the table on the comedians who mocked him. good evening.

we've all heard recordings from inside the cockpit as pilots deal with danger. but rarely do we see video from inside the passenger cabin during an emergency. tonight, though, we have pictures from delta flight 4951, forced to land at new york's kennedy airport last night because the landing gear wouldn't come down. through it all, the pilot remained remarkably calm. captured the announcement you never want to hear from a pilot. >> brace for impact. >> reporter: that was followed by this terrifying command from the flight attendant. >> heads down. stay down. heads down. stay down. >> reporter: as emergency crews arrived on the runway, the >> rescue one. there are 64 souls on board and 3,000 pounds of fuel. >> reporter: the pilot told the control tower -- >> 4951 roger, and, uh, better work. >> reporter: as the jet touched down, the right wing scraped the

tarmac. sparks flew, clearly visible out the window. but miraculously, no fire. the passengers were surprisingly calm as they were evacuated. emergency crews stood at the ready, but weren't necessary. >> i don't know. i'm just really happy to be here. >> reporter: this man shot some of the cell phone pictures. he was still commending the pilot today. >> the pilot, you know, did a wonderful job. just got to put your life in their hands and hope for the best. >> reporter: and they certainly got the best possible outcome. no one was hurt. this despite the fact they made the landing with only two sets of landing gear, and dan, it's supposed to have three. >> reporter: so, once the passengers were evacuated, what did they do next? >> reporter: the passengers took a shuttle bus to their final destination, the rest of the way, which was white plains, new york, about a 40-mile trip. >> i can imagine they didn't want to get back on a plane. >> reporter: exactly. >> linsey davis, thank you very much.

politics now, and with congressional elections just 37 days away, the democrats brought out the big guns. bill clinton hit the trail today, president obama tomorrow. where they are campaigning though speaks voms about the party's problems right now. here's john hendren. >> reporter: president clinton is campaigning today to protect an endangered species. incumbent democrats. >> nobody but nobody in the house has done more to help build back the american dream than barney frank. you ought to be there for him on election day. >> reporter: clinton is campaigning deep on home turf in the once solid blue states of connecticut and massachusetts. >> it means there is no such thing as a staff state for democrats this year. there's no such thing as a dark blue state. there's no such thing as a safe slam dunk election. >> reporter: even 30-year congressman barney frank. >> we can do better. >> reporter: who crushed his last opponent 2 to 1. but democrats are also on the offensive, with a war room using republic republicans' personal histories from tax records to divorce

filings in harsh attack ads. >> got rich while his construction company overcharged taxpayers. >> he's a predatory real estate speculator. he snatched up nearly 300 foreclosed homes. >> he's been sued over 400 times for fraud, discrimination and more. >> reporter: messages only likely to grow harsher as november nears. president obama isn't on the sidelines. he'll be campaigning this week in four states. and another even more popular white house resident is hitting the trail. in the coming weeks, first lady michelle obama plans to hit five states. dan? >> john hendren, thank you. a lot to talk about here, so we want to call in our senior washington editor rick klein for his weekly "political insights." rick, is it really so dire for the democrats right now that even long-serving democrats like barney frank are in actual trouble? >> reporter: dan, this is such a potent political environment, almost no democrat in the country can look in the mirror and say, i don't have anything to worry about at all this fall.

democrats are playing defense wherever they can. that's why you are seeing president clinton campaign throughout new england, some of the bluest states in the nation. and that's why we see president obama visit four battleground states this week. all states he carried. all states have endangered democrats. democrats know if they hold onto enough of these seats, they're able to hold onto their majorities in the house and the senate. >> what is the generally accepted prognosis in washington right now about how democrats will fare? >> reporter: it going to be a difficult year. but there's a little bit more of a bounce in their steps. their chances of holding onto the senate significantly improved when christine o'donnell won in the delaware senate primary. add to that some polls that democrats are a little bit more optimistic about. they looked at these gallup numbers. a month ago, voters said by a ten-point margin they would rather see a republican, rather than a democrat in their congressional seat. those numbers are now much better for democrats.

they hold a one-point age in the latest numbers. democrats know it's going to be difficult, but they like the fact that the numbers are moving. >> fascinating as always. rick klein, thank you. >> reporter: thanks, dan. one of president obama's signature politics, is surge in afghanistan, is facing a huge test tonight. thousands of american troops have launched a new offensive, hoping to drive the taliban out of a key stronghold. abc's miguel marquez filed this report by satellite phone from the combat zone. >> reporter: at least 20 insurgents have been killed in the fighting here so far. the biggest threat to soldiers, ieds, or homemade bombs. but the military has a very powerful way to deal with those. soldiers of the 101st airborne division continued their explosive march, deep into this river valley. with this mission, u.s. forces are moving into areas where they've never been before, and holding their ground. necessary if they're ever going to succeed here. >> in one of the homes, we found some radios, binoculars, the

cord they use to make the ieds with. >> reporter: the threat of homemade bombs is so intense, the military is clearing roads and suspected mine fields with this. the assault breacher vehicle rockets a 2,000-pound rope of it clears everything. a backpack version of an abv. it's an anti-personnel obstacle still, in this jungle-like terrain, soldiers have found dozens of bombs. here are some they found in just the last 24 hours. today, first lieutenant evan peck found this bomb the hard way. a broken wire prevented an explosion that would have killed him. >> i figure i got really lucky and didn't step on it square. i stepped on the corner of it. >> reporter: officials say the fight here is essential to stopping the taliban's

this river valley, an insurgent move everything from weapons to this is the heaviest fighting we've seen in this river valley, and likely to go on for months. at the end of it, the hope, the afghan government will be able to stand up and take charge. >> that is a key question. miguel, thank you. miguel marquez in afghanistan tonight. tonight. the pentagon confirms it bought and then destroyed 9500 copies of a new book about the war, because it contains classified information. lieutenant colonel anthony pentagon for clearance first, but analysts raised objections only after it was published. a new edition will be printed with some passages redacted. these are tense and tenuous hours in president obama's push for peace in the middle east. we are about to hit a key deadline tonight, and some voices are warning of a possible

new war there. simon mcgregor-wood is in jerusalem. simon, good evening to you. >> reporter: good evening, dan. that's right, the deadline you referred to is israel's temporary freeze on new construction in jewish settlements. jewish settlements, don't forget, built on land that palestinians want for their state. that's why this is such a crucial issue. the deadline has passed. that temporary freeze has now expired. and there is still no sign of a compromise deal. the palestinians say no building freeze, no talks. the israelis say that's an unacceptable precondition. netanyahu to extend the freeze has been intense. >> we believe the moratorium should be extended. >> reporter: but so is the pressure on palestinian president abbas not to walk away. on saturday, he said israel had a choice between settlements and peace. with arab leaders before in jewish settlements today,

there was little sign of compromise. here, a ceremony for a new kindergarten. despite the obvious symbolism here, there's a determination to start building again. and the settlers are capable of exerting real pressure on prime minister netanyahu. and in this settlement, hundreds counting down to the release of 2,000 balloons, the number of new homes ready for new buildings that could herald the end of this process and according to the king of jordan, that would be a disaster. >> if we fail on the 30th, expect another war by the end of the year. >> war by the end of the year. and more wars that i foresee in the region over the coming years. >> reporter: dire words there from the king of jordan, dan, and some sign of that trouble already tonight. another shooting incident in the west bank. palestinian gunmen targeting a car full of jewish settlers. a heavily pregnant woman lightly injured. dan? >> such a visceral issue, these

settlements. simon mcgregor-wood, thank you. and one note from chile, where a milestone has been reached in the effort to rescue the 33 miners trapped deep underground. the first of three capsules, specially built to bring the men mine. these tubes, which as you can see are large enough to fit a man inside, will lift the miners once the rescue holes are drilled far enough to reach them. coming up here on "world news" this sunday, one of america's most powerful pastors, accused of coercing young men into having sex, faces his congregation today. will they forgive him? the country's fastest growing drug problem, as close as your medicine chest and as your backyard. why are chicken coops the new must-have item for so many suburban families? g a good deal?

you should talk to the specialist. the specialist? he compares rates side by side. you could save hundreds. it's easy. great. okay, pickles! do your thing. [ bell rings ] that's amazing! i trained him myself. i meant the... okay. same coverage, more savings. now, that's progressive. call or click today.

just don't feel .like they used to. are you one of them? remember when you had more energy for 18 holes with your buddies? [ glass shatters ] more passion for the one you love? more fun with your family and friends? it could be a treatable condition called low testosterone, or low t. c'mon, stop living in the shadows. you've got a life to live. [ male announcer ] so don't blame it on aging. talk to your doctor r and go to isitlowt.com to find out more.

[meow] desperate for nighttime heartburn relief? for many, nexium helps relieve heartburn symptoms caused by acid reflux disease. and for the majority of patients with prescription coverage for nexium, it can cost $30 or less per month. headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are possible side effects of nexium. other serious stomach conditions may still exist. ask your doctor if nexium can help relieve your heartburn symptoms. if you can't afford your medication, astrazeneca may be able to help. today one of the most powerful black pastors in america, a man who has campaigned against gay rights, spoke to his congregation about the lawsuits filed by four young men claiming he coerced them into having sex. steve osunsami is on that story. >> reporter: outside new birth missionary baptist church this morning. >> we love you bishop! >> he's an innocent man! give him the benefit of the doubt. >> reporter: when bishop eddie long finally appears, he's seen

more like a rock star than a pastor accused of pushing sex onto teenage boys. >> i've been accused, i'm under attack. i want you to know, as i said earlier, i am not a perfect man. but this thing, i'm going to fight. >> reporter: under the advice of his lawyers, he said very little. even at the news conference he held after his first service where he took no questions. for some this was enough. >> i want the world to know, i will support bishop eddie long until the day i die and go to heaven. >> reporter: currently, there are four lawsuits, and there's the matter of these pictures. attorneys say long sent them to one of the teenage boys. there were mothers and fathers in church that could not turn a blind eye. >> he didn't just come right out and say, people, i didn't do it. >> so you think he might be guilty? >> um, yes. >> reporter: according to long, homosexuality is a manifestation of the fallen man. his critics say that his

life-long crusade against gays makes him a hypocrite. in black churches, there have always been gay men and women sitting in the pews. but so much of the ministry is bent against them, many worship in silence. >> it pushes them into kind of closeted secret identities and existences. >> reporter: bishop long says that's not him. >> i feel like david against goliath. but i got five rocks and i haven't thrown one yet. >> reporter: steve osunsami, abc news, atlanta. and at least 100 other pastors around the country today defied the government by endorsing political candidates from the pulpit. churches risk losing their tax exempt status if they engage in political activity. these pastors hope to provoke a court case to challenge that law. but so far, the government has not taken the bait. and in california, the so-called act toe mom, nadya suleman, now says she is broke and faces foreclosure. this weekend, she tried to pick

up some extra cash with a yard sale, including a lot of baby clothes. shoppers could also buy a photo with her for $10 and a photo with her and her octuplets for $100. and, when we come back, the epidemic of drug abuse that may start in your bathroom medicine cabinet. itset cover everything. i don't want to spend my life worrying about what would happen if one of us got sick. [ male announcer ] now more than ever, ! you may be wondering: do i have the right medicare coverage? talk to the health plan experts at securehorizons to get the answers you need. [ woman ] life's too short to worry about health care. i hate to worry. [ male announcer ] in these changing times, the name on your medicare health plan may be more important t than ever. choose a company you can depend on. call now. fortunately, there's new crest pro-health clinical gum protection toothpaste. it helps remove plaque at the gumline, helping prevent gingivitis. and it's even been clinically proven to help reverse it in just four weeks. new crest pro-health clinical toothpaste.

it helps to eat calcium-rich foods like yogurt, spinach, and cheese. but calcium, vitamin d and exercise may not be enough to keep your bones strong. so ask your doctor about once-monthly boniva. boniva works with your body to help stop and reverse bone loss. studies show, after one year on boniva that's exactly what it did for nine out of ten women. and that's what it did for me. (announcer) don't take boniva if you problems with your esophagus, low blood calcium, severe kidney disease, or can't sit or stand for at least one hour. follow dosing instructions carefully. stop taking boniva and tell your doctor if you have difficult or painful swallowing, chest pain or severe or continuing heartburn, as these may be signs of serious upper digestive problems. if jaw problems or severe bone, joint, and/or muscle pain develop, tell your doctor. i've got this one body and this one life, so i'm glad boniva helped me stop losing and start reversing. ask your doctor about boniva today. (announcer) to get one month free, plus more tips and recipes, visit boniva.com or call 1-800-4-boniva.

my name is...peggy. callyou have problem?dit. peggy? ok, i've been waiting for fifteen minutes for someone to pick up. you're tenacious like bull. i like. please hold. no, no, no...pe- so pretty. anncr: want better customer service? switch to discover, where you can talk to a real person in less than a minute. it pays to discover. and those people are what i like to call wrong. metamucil is the only leading fiber supplement with psyllium, which gels to help remove waste and reduce cholesterol. metamucil. ask more of your fiber. you may know this, but the fastest growing drug problem in america right now has nothing to do with illegal drugs. it's all about legally prescribed medicine. every year, nearly 2 million

teenagers in this country take drugs prescribed for somebody else. so, this weekend, the government launched a massive new program to get americans to clean out their medicine cabinets. here's t.j. winnick. >> reporter: america's fastest growing drug problem doesn't involve cartels or drug wars. it's as close as your medicine cabinet. >> kids are having parties now days where that's the topic of the party is prescription drugs. >> reporter: outside of seattle, nine teens wound up in the hospital this past week after antidepressants and painkillers were passed around as a school bus stop. in philadelphia last summer, an 18-year-old accidentally overdosed on painkillers. >> someone gave him additional pain medication from their own medicine cabinet that tragically ended my son's life. >> reporter: this weekend, for the first time, the dea made a push to empty out medicine cabinets, setting up 4,000 dropoff points across the country. >> take the labels off, make sure there's nothing on there. >> reporter: no questions asked.

tell me what you brought down to the station here today. >> i think codeine, two things of codeine. >> reporter: this woman told us she had these bottles for nearly 30 years. >> i didn't know what to do with them, so i just pushed them to the back of the cabinet. >> reporter: another benefit of safely getting rid of the old medication? it makes the water we use in our homes every day safer. but prescription drugs aren't just found in the medicine cabinet. public water supplies can contain trace amounts of everything from birth control to antidepressants if they're disposed of improblemerly. >> the concern is, we don't know what these chemicals do in the body over a lifetime of exposure. >> that's why the epa is working with states and companies like united water in new jersey to learn more about the health effects. now researchers want the pharmaceutical industry on board. in fact, at least one drug company still advises their customers on those bottle labels to flush leftover medication down the boy let, where water experts say it eventually winds up back in our drinking water. >> and t.j. is with us now. fascinating, this information about the drinking water. i had no idea.

so, here's the question. what do i do if i've got extra bottles in my cabinet? what do i do with them? >> reporter: all right, well, the epa says we should first seek out a local pharmacy or government agency nearby that may have a take-back program like this past weekend. that's the ideal solution. if not, they say we should actually take the leftover drugs, mix it with cat litter or old coffee grounds, take that mixture, put it in a disposable container and then put that in the trash. >> interesting. t.j. winnick, thank you very much. and on a very much lighter note right now, new york governor david paterson has, as you may know, repeatedly been the butt of jokes on "saturday night live." last night, he was out for comic revenge. cast member fred armisen was imitating the governor, who is legally blind, and that's when paterson showed up on stage. >> working in albany is just like watching "saturday night live." there are a lot of characters, it's funny for ten minutes and then you just want it to be over.

>> reporter: paterson also made light of his blindness, wandering aimlessly in front of the camera alongside fred armisen at the end of the sketch. coming up next, the newest fad in locally grown food. eggs, from chickens -- in your backyard. ckyard. but a rethink. with lunesta. lunesta is thought to interact with gaba receptors associated with sleep. lunesta helps you get the restful sleep you need. lunesta has some risk of dependency. when taking lunesta, don't drive or operate machinery until you feel fully awake. walking, eating, driving or engaging in other activities while asleep without remembering it the next day have been reported. abnormal behaviors may include aggressiveness, agitation, hallucinations, or confusion. in depressed patients, worsening of depression, including risk of suicide, may occur. alcohol may increase these risks. allergic reactions such as tongue or throat swelling occur rarely and may be fatal. side effects may include unpleasant taste,

headache, dizziness, and morning drowsiness. stop fighting with your sleep. ask your doctor if lunesta is right for you. get lunesta for a co-pay as low as zero dollars at lunesta.com discover a restful lunesta night. words alone aren't enough. our job is to listen and find ways to help workers who lost their jobs to the spill. i'm iris cross. we'll keep restoring the jobs, tourist beaches, and businesses impacted by the spill. we've paid over $400 million in claims and set up a $20 billion independently-run claims fund. i was born in new orleans. my family still lives here. i'm gonna be here until we make this right.

they are the pets that keep on giving. not cats or dogs, chickens. with food budgets tight, chickens are showing up in some surprising places. here's erin hayes. >> reporter: these kids are city kids. in the front yard, they play on the sidewalk. but in the backyard, they run with the chickens. six chickens that provide fresh eggs every day. they're among thousands of

families raising backyard chickens from portland to brooklyn. >> once you eat fresh eggs, you just can't go back. >> reporter: bill rupert craves fresh eggs. so, he built a super coop in his suburban st. louis yard. >> we have eight eggs today so far. you're doing a good job. >> reporter: the martin family lives nearby. their chickens are popular with the neighbors, especially since this summer's salmonella scare with commercial eggs. >> definitely. and i have a lot more people asking for eggs now than i ever have. >> here, chicken. >> reporter: more and more -- >> you like them. >> reporter: -- people want to know where their food is coming from. >> i have a lot more control than just going to the grocery store and picking up a carton of eggs. >> they're free, which is really nice. and, there's an unlimited supply, so -- i'm never without. >> reporter: most cities that allow backyard chickens do set limits, usually no more than a dozen hens. and no roosters. and not all cities allow chickens. >> i have six. >> reporter: teresa cunningham

lives in springfield, missouri, where backyard chickens are technically against the law. some city leaders are trying to change that. >> a lot of people have come to us and said, i want chickens. and i'm just inclined to go -- yes, ma'am. >> come on, girls. >> reporter: a trend, maybe. coming to a backyard near you. erin hayes, abc news, st. louis. and that is going to do it for "world news" on this sunday. i'm dan harris. diane sawyer is right back here tomorrow night. she'll have that exclusive first interview with bob woodward about his new book on president obama for all of us here at abc news, thank you for watching, and good night.

>> carolyn: a few blocks apart, san francisco police to respond to two situations. officers open fire on one suspect, and a man barricaded himself inside his room in another. that situation is ongoing tonight. we're live at the scene of that standoff where several streets are still closed. >> reporter: about two blocks in each direction, actually, near this building here on franklin street. a heavy police presence. police say the suspect barricaded himself in his room this morning. its took the investigators a few hours to declare this a critical incident. it was around 11:00 this morning when the s.w.a.t. team raced to franklinre