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Starting Point with Soledad O'Brien
Gunman Arrested in University Shooting; Attorney for Trayvon Martin's Family Interviewed; Kentucky Wins NCAA Championship; Gunman Kills Seven On Oakland Campus; Three Kayakers Vanish In New Mexico; Plane Crashes Into Florida Supermarket; Obama Warns Supreme Court; Al Qaeda Websites Down; Pay Up For Your Carry On; Randy Sounds Off; "Comic Con: Episode IV" Documentary
Aired April 03, 2012 - 06:59 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN HOST: Good morning, everybody. Our STARTING POINT this morning, that tragedy in Oakland, California, a gunman who lines up his victims and shoots them down.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sometimes, you hear the firing, boom, boom, something like that, three or four times I hear that. If I didn't lock the door, I think we might be dead today.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: And this morning, we're learning more about the man who's accused of shooting and killing seven people at a small Christian college in California. This morning, we'll take a look at One Goh, his family, his history with the school and also what may have been the motive in the shooting.
Polls opening right now. It's primary day in Wisconsin and Maryland and in Washington, D.C. Mitt Romney is looking for a sweep. Rick Santorum is looking to survive.
And $7,000 for sushi. A government agency in charge of cutting costs spends more than $800,000 in Vegas. There's fallout this morning. We'll tell you what it is.
Plus, cutting down the Nets, Kentucky, oh, come on, Kentucky beat Kansas. Yes, really. I know.
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: I did. I had some money on that, actually.
(LAUGHTER)
O'BRIEN: Am I allowed to say that? A little. Kentucky won its eighth national title, capping off a pretty good year. Gunfire ruined the celebrations back at home.
WILL CAIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Come on, Kentucky.
O'BRIEN: It is Tuesday, April 3rd. STARTING POINT begins right now.
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O'BRIEN: Chris Brown "Turn Up the Music," off of Abby's playlist. Abby Huntsman joins us, a conservative political commentator, also the daughter of Jon Huntsman. Morgan Spurlock is with us. He's a documentary filmmaker, and we'll talk about one of your new films coming up. And also Will Cain is with us. He's a columnist for TheBlaze.com.
We begin, though, with our STARTING POINT, which is new information in that terrifying account of the shooting rampage that happened at the small college private college in Oakland California. The college is called Oikos University. And we're learning more about the suspect, 43-year-old One Goh, a former student apparently seeking revenge. Records show that Goh, a Korean native and naturalized citizen lost both his mother and his brother in the past year and he was struggling with more than $20,000 in tax debt. He was a student at Oikos but then was kicked out several months ago.
We begin this morning with the Oakland police chief, Howard Jordan. Nice to talk to you, sir. Thank you for being with us. We certainly appreciate it. Your investigators have had a chance to sit down and talk to Mr. One. What has he said to you about the motivation at this point?
HOWARD JORDAN, OAKLAND POLICE CHIEF: Good morning. Yes, he said to us that he was upset with the administration. He was a student there and while he was a student he had been picked on, wasn't treated fairly by students, and the administrator, and he wanted to get back at them. We're not certain exactly what type of problems he was having with students but he was very upset, distraught about the administration and the way they had treated him in class.
O'BRIEN: So he had been kicked out of the school, is that correct? When did that happen?
JORDAN: Yes, he was expelled, according to our reports, several months ago, probably the beginning of this year or sometime right after that.
O'BRIEN: The word that we're getting about what transpired yesterday morning was that he came into a classroom and then lined up the students. Is that correct? Can you tell me what else happened?
JORDAN: Yes, he entered the building right across the street from us here. He took the secretary into the classroom and began to line up the rest of the students in the classroom. He was there specifically to look for someone. I can't reveal who that person is. That person was not there.
Once he realized that she wasn't there, he first shot the secretary and then began to shoot the other members in the classroom. He then left, came back, and went throughout the school shooting into several classrooms, went on a shooting rampage looking for other victims before he eventually left out the back door, stole a car that belonged to one of the victims, drove to a neighboring city five miles away from here where he surrendered at a local grocery store.
O'BRIEN: When you say he was looking specifically for an individual, I know you can't tell us who this individual is, was day teacher, administrator, was it another student?
JORDAN: We believe it was an administrator, but I don't have any other information besides that.
O'BRIEN: What was his demeanor like not only when awe rested him but also as your investigators questioned him?
JORDAN: I'm sorry, can you repeat that?
O'BRIEN: Sure. What was his demeanor like? Was it difficult to bring him under alameda, a few miles away? Was he confrontational? Did he admit to the shootings?
JORDAN: Yes, he was very cooperative, very matter-of-fact, very calm, and did not offer any resistance at all at the time of the shooting. He surrendered as I mentioned earlier, and during the investigation with our investigators, he does not, he was very cooperative, remembered very good details about what happened, does not appear to be remorseful at all, but did provide us with enough information, we believe, to start putting the pieces of this puzzle together.
O'BRIEN: I'm told the weapon was a 45 millimeter handgun. Have you recovered that yet? Last I read it hadn't been recovered.
JORDAN: No, that weapon has not been recovered. We are going to be searching for that later on today, and we're hoping we can find that weapon.
O'BRIEN: And has he given you any indication of what happened to it, if he's ditched it?
JORDAN: No. Our investigators were very determined to find out what happened. However, he did not, he was not cooperative with us when he came to the actual location of the weapon so we're going to be doing some follow-up work to find out what happened to that weapon.
O'BRIEN: What are you expecting to charge him with, seven counts of murder?
JORDAN: The D.A. will have to decide that. We will present the case to her sometime in the next couple of days, and the D.A. will have to decide based on the evidence that we present to her what charges she will file against the suspect.
O'BRIEN: Chief Howard Jordan of the Oakland police department, thanks for your time this morning, sir. We appreciate the update.
JORDAN: You're welcome.
O'BRIEN: Let's get right to Christine with other headlines for us. Good morning. CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Soledad.
Three crucial GOP primaries today with nearly 100 delegates on the line in Wisconsin, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Polls open in Maryland and D.C. right now. Mitt Romney leading the polls in all three of today's contests. Wisconsin is the big prize with a haul of 42 winner-take-all delegates. Rick Santorum showing no signs of backing down. He's vowing to stay in the race even if he loses all three primaries today.
Martha Johnson, head of the General Services Administration, has resigned and two of her top deputies have been fired for lavish, over- the-top spending at a conference in Las Vegas. Four managers of the GSA have been placed on leave. The conference cost more than $800,000 and featured a mind reader and a clown.
Former president Bill Clinton will join forces with President Obama to raise some serious dough later this month, a big fund-raiser in Virginia at the home of former DNC committee chairman Terry McAuliffe. It will be the first of three fund-raisers President Clinton is holding for Obama.
The U.S. is now offering a $10 million bounty for an alleged terrorist accused of orchestrating attacks in mum buy that killed 166 people, including six Americans in 2008. Hafiz Saeed is the alleged leader of an Islamic militant group based in Pakistan. The Pakistan government has condemned the group. But U.S. officials say Pakistan isn't cracking down hard enough on its activities.
"Minding Your Business" this morning, U.S. stock futures are down slightly. The Dow is down about 20 points right now. Remember markets are near four-year highs. We're waiting for a new report later this afternoon on auto sales. A lot of people saying that auto sales are improving because people are feeling better about the economy, more confident. They're buying big ticket items like cars and they're tired of driving their old cars they've been holding on to for ten years so long.
Pennsylvania beef products company AFA has filed for bankruptcy protection after a public outcry over the ammonia treated beef filler dubbed "pink slime." Several big chains including Kroger and Safeway banned the sale of so-called "pink slime" in their stores in light of the controversy. No word yet how many jobs will be lost.
Look at Kentucky fans celebrating the big NCAA championship win last night. Things got out of hand pretty quickly. Thousands poured into the streets. More than 30 fires set. Police say one man was wounded in a shooting. They arrested dozens of people, all this after the big wildcats win over the Kansas Jayhawks, 67-59, to take home Kentucky's eighth national championship. Carlos Diaz live at the site of the game in New Orleans. Good morning.
CARLOS DIAZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. Yes, you know, it's one thing to say that you had 30 fires last night in Lexington, but it's an improvement over the 50 fires they dealt with in Lexington Saturday night after Kentucky beat Louisville, their in-state rival. But it is Kentucky's eighth national championship and wildcat fans had been waiting 14 years to celebrate. John Calipari, the head coach of the Kentucky wildcats has been waiting all his life to cut down the nets. He's never won a national championship even though he has led three teams to the final four including U Mass, Memphis, and Kentucky.
So it is a big win for the number ranked team in the nation, and coming into the tournament they were the overwhelming favorite. So it's not too often that in a tournament where 68 teams are competing and playing only one game to see who is going to win it that the best team does win. The best team did win last night.
ROMANS: Carlos Diaz thank you so much. Soledad, are we the only country in the world where 40 percent of our kids go to college, ready for college material but riot when they win?
O'BRIEN: And even riot when they don't quite win.
(LAUGHTER)
CAIN: Yes, right, in the semifinal. Not like we didn't have warning. They rioted after the semifinal win.
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: It was practice for the actual rioting later. Christine, thank you.
Still ahead this morning on STARTING POINT, a sharper look at George Zimmerman, just minutes after he shot and killed Trayvon Martin. Could it in fact prove that he was attacked? We'll talk to the Martin family attorney coming up next.
Plus get real -- ice cream trucks banned by empowered parents in a town in New York. Check out our live blog of the entire show at our website, which is CNN.com/startingpoint. We leave you with George Benson "On Broadway." You're watching STARTING POINT.
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O'BRIEN: A Florida prosecutor is firing back at the family of Trayvon Martin today. He calls their version of what happened the night that Trayvon was killed outright lies. New reports show that state attorney Norm Wolfinger met with Sanford police chief Bill Lee on the night of the shooting and reportedly disregarded detectives' advice to arrest George Zimmerman. The family wants the Justice Department to investigate how Wolfinger handled the case. Wolfinger says this, it didn't happen. He says "I encouraged the Justice Department to investigate and document that no such meeting or communication occurred. I have been encouraging those spreading the irresponsible rhetoric to stop."
Joining us this morning is Jasmine Rand, an attorney for Trayvon Martin's family. Nice to talk to you. Thanks for being with us. Let me walk through this, because his reaction, Wolfinger's, is based off a letter from another family attorney Benjamin Crump. He says "We learned that Bill lee met with Norm Wolfinger." You heard Wolfinger say the meeting did not happen. He wants the Justice Department to document that did not happen. Both cannot be true. Which one is lying?
JASMINE RAND, ATTORNEY FOR TRAYVON MARTIN'S FAMILY: You know, obviously we believe our version of the facts. I cannot reveal our source but we believe that our source is credible and that a meeting did take place between Wolfinger and chief Bill lee that night, and perhaps more influential is even their decision not to take the lead homicide investigator, Chris Soreno's advice and make an arrest for manslaughter charges of the killing of Trayvon.
O'BRIEN: Soreno has an affidavit to say that was his position and I haven't seen any evidence of an affidavit as well. Do you have that evidence of an affidavit, also talked about in the letter?
RAND: I do not have a copy of that affidavit, but he did prepare an affidavit. I believe several news sources obtained a copy of it. And I think the fact that he prepared an affidavit is telling how strongly he felt about his position. It's very unusual someone would prepare an affidavit of that nature.
O'BRIEN: The letter goes on to say "We believe that family members," meaning George Zimmerman's family members, "were present at the police department." Which family members? Are you alleging there was undue negotiation between Zimmerman's family and the police?
RAND: We are calling that into question. We're asking the police to look at -- I'm sorry the United States department of justice to look at a totality of the circumstances and just ensure that there was no improper action on behalf of any government officials that night, and if there was that they are brought to justice accordingly.
O'BRIEN: Do you believe there was improper action on the part of the state attorney? Do you think he was unduly influenced in this case?
RAND: I do believe so. That's why we wrote this letter. And you know, something doesn't sit right with us about this incident, like I said we have credible sources stating that Wolfinger and chief of police Bill Lee did meet that night. So that's why we've asked the United States department of justice to make inquiry into that specific meeting and why they chose not to press charges.
O'BRIEN: I know you're not going to reveal your sources but can you tell me a little bit more about them generally, one source or two sources, and what are their roles in the investigation in its entirety?
RAND: I can't say anything with any more specificity.
O'BRIEN: Can you tell me if it's one source or two sources?
RAND: I believe that it's multiple sources that know of the meeting that took place that night.
O'BRIEN: OK. I want to talk to you about this videotape, we've seen it a lot and talked about it a lot over the last few days of George Zimmerman getting out of a police vehicle, and it's all sort of recorded. It's now been enhanced and if you look more closely, you can actually see it does seem to be there's some kind of injury kind of on the top of his head. Do you think that this injury, some people were saying, that he had not been injured in this scuffle that was described in the police report. Do you think that injury does, in fact, support his version of the events, that he was attacked, as he has told police, by Trayvon Martin?
RAND: Absolutely not. I have not personally seen the enhanced version, but I think the most telling sign is that the second ambulance that was originally called out to the scene to respond for any potential injuries to George Zimmerman was canceled because they said he was not in need of medical attention. He arrived at the police station in a cop car. He did not arrive in an ambulance. And in the version that I saw there's no apparent serious bodily harm or injury. And he went home that night. He didn't go to a hospital. And Trayvon went to the morgue.
O'BRIEN: His family members have said that a medical exam will show in fact his nose was broken and it happened in a scuffle with Trayvon Martin.
RAND: That does not change our position. Once again, George Zimmerman was the aggressor. He pursued Trayvon in this instance. If he did have any medical injuries, that did not give him the right to use deadly force and shoot and kill Trayvon.
O'BRIEN: Let's talk about this audio clip. We had it analyzed yesterday, and talked with the audio expert who was analyzing it, and what he found is that he could not confirm that it was George Zimmerman's voice as George Zimmerman claimed in the police report to the officers. Here's a little bit of what the expert told us yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OWEN: If we're comparing Zimmerman versus the screams, then we're getting a likelihood ratio of 48 percent and a false rejection rate of 12.35 percent, and a false acceptance rate of 14.9 percent. Those low numbers get translated as it's very unlikely that it is the same person.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: The upshot of what he's saying there and kind of walked us through that math yesterday, that he does not believe that is George Zimmerman's voice screaming on the tape, but what he could not confirm that it was Trayvon's voice either because he doesn't have the original, you know, voice to match it to do the tests on it. Will you get to him an audiotape of Trayvon's voice so that you could do that test? Would you like to see that?
RAND: I know that Mr. Park stated yesterday we would provide that audio recording. I do not have any personal knowledge whether or not we have an actual audio recording of Trayvon's voice. O'BRIEN: The FBI is out canvassing the neighborhood, this gated community. What sort of conversations are you having specifically with the FBI at this point?
RAND: I'm not having any conversations with the FBI at this point. They are conducting their investigation.
O'BRIEN: Interesting. All right, thanks for updating us on what is happening in the case. We certainly appreciate it. He we know the department of justice has been called in to investigate the police as well. Jasmine Rand is an attorney for Trayvon Martin's family. Thank you.
RAND: Thank you.
O'BRIEN: Coming up on our text hour one of George Zimmerman's neighbors, Frank Taffee. He really had an interesting thing to say about Trayvon-like dudes that had been in the neighborhood. And while he was talking about race he didn't think was involved in the case but all of the Trayvon-like dudes. We'll discuss what exactly he meant by that later this morning.
Ahead on STARTING POINT, a mock movie poster is warning New York City that Al Qaeda is coming back. It is setting off red flags in the intel community.
And then banning ice cream, why parents are trying to ruin the summer in your neighborhood, Morgan.
MORGAN SPURLOCK, DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER: Thanks a lot, yes.
O'BRIEN: We'll go to your playlist. This is "Testimony." You're watching STARTING POINT.
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(MUSIC)
O'BRIEN: Van Halen's "Ice Cream Man," a very important song for this next segment.
SPURLOCK: Perfect intro.
O'BRIEN: Yes it is. Our "Get Real" this morning, talking about one neighborhood in Brooklyn called Park Slope, Brooklyn, happens to be where Morgan Spurlock lives.
SPURLOCK: It is an amazing place to raise kids. It's a wonderful place to have a family but there are some crazy parents in that neighborhood.
O'BRIEN: Are they enthusiastic? Overaggressive?
SPURLOCK: The fact they want to ban ice cream trucks, god forbid you got to be a parent and tell your kid no. O'BRIEN: So we should give everybody the backstory, which is a blog post on parkslope.com. A mother complained about a day at the playground ruined, ruined, ruined by ice cream vendors so of course that means it must be stopped and don't you know about park slope, the enthusiastic over-empowered parents, she was starting this movement to try to get the ice creamed vendor banned.
SPURLOCK: Darn your sugary goodness.
O'BRIEN: Along with the first truly beautiful day of the year, and here is a little bit of how it went back and forth.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Go somewhere else, go on another corner.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a little extreme. A little treat is a good thing.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They're walking down the street my kid wants every toy they see? Should we banish the toy stores? I don't agree with that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it's honestly really stupid.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: Go out on a limb.
SPURLOCK: There were parents. That was amazing, being parents, saying no to their children. Good for them.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: One mom said it was unfair being ostracized.
O'BRIEN: That's the best thing about this story. It gives you insight into Park Slope parenting.
SPURLOCK: And if one child has ice cream all the children should have it. I only have one.
O'BRIEN: How old?
SPURLOCK: When he doesn't get ice cream I don't worry about it.
O'BRIEN: One mom asked to remain anonymous for fear of being ostracized by the other parents, this is your neighborhood.
SPURLOCK: This is my hood.
O'BRIEN: We don't have is in Chelsea.
SPURLOCK: I'm already ostracized so it's fine.
O'BRIEN: Ice cream and a soda.
(CROSSTALK)
ABBY HUNTSMAN, CONSERVATIVE COMMENTATOR: You can't ban ice cream trucks. What says America more than an ice cream truck?
O'BRIEN: Exactly.
SPURLOCK: Next thing the hotdog vendors and pretzel guys, then what?
O'BRIEN: America, destroyed, its fabric. My final line is from "The Nanny," who says this -- by the way the park where it is happening is called Harmony Park. The nanny says this, "They're obnoxious" about the parents. "There's no harm in this." I'm surprised she used her real name on that.
SPURLOCK: She's not worried, already being ostracized.
CAIN: Save me from having to say no to my children.
O'BRIEN: Yes.
Still ahead on STARTING POINT, the top story this morning, focusing on the gunman who lined up his victims and then shot them. Police are giving us new details about this rampage that happened on a college campus. We'll take you live to the scene and talk to some witnesses to the shooting.
Plus "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson will join us this morning, the best and the worst moments of the season, who he thinks is going to win and probably most importantly talking about diabetes, talking about that for him.
And you knew this was coming -- you knew this was coming. You have to pay for your carry-on luggage now.
SPURLOCK: I thought you already did on airlines.
CAIN: No that was the checked luggage, the carry-on.
HUNTSMAN: No one is going to want to travel. There are so many rules.
O'BRIEN: We leave you with the Beastie Boys, Christine's playlist. We're rocking out this morning.
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O'BRIEN: Abby, I'll give you a guess on whose song this is.
HUNTSMAN: Will would pick country.
O'BRIEN: Yes, he would. George Strait "Blue Clear Sky."
This morning, we're talking about the shooting out in Oakland, California, now today a motive is emerging for that deadly shooting spree, left seven people dead at a small Christian college.
Oakland's police chief says the former Oikos University student, One Goh, lined up his former classmates and also a receptionist and gunned them down execution style. He gave CNN chilling exclusive detail this is morning. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He lined up all the victims and began shooting at them, and left for a short period of time, came back, went through other parts of the school. Just shooting going in what we call a shooting rampage throughout the school, then casually walked out and left in one of the victim's vehicles.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: Brian Snow was a witness to the shootings and he joins us live this morning. Brian, good morning, thanks for talking with us.
I understand you were literally sort of walking out when this happened out of a bank, a credit union. Can you describe for me what you saw?
BRIAN SNOW, WITNESSED SHOOTING AT OIKOS UNIVERSITY: When I first walked out, it was pretty chaotic. I went to check on my aunt and make sure she was OK and after that, guns were fired and then I saw during that process I saw a lady with a hole in her arm. It was really chaotic at the scene.
O'BRIEN: That was the young woman and I think we have videotape of her wearing an army t-shirt and she was grabbing her arm. Apparently, she had been shot with a .45, which would lead a gaping wound in the arm.
Tell me a little about was it a chaotic situation? Were you able to jump in and help anybody or what was happening around you that you saw?
SNOW: Well, at the time, all I was really worried about the most was trying to get as many people as possible in a safe environment somewhat, so I called my job, and I made sure they were OK.
I called my credit union, told them to lock down the doors. I did as much as I can to help, but at the time, all I could do is just lay on the ground and wait after the guns were finished being fired.
O'BRIEN: So did you -- were people around you screaming or did it seem like the police sort of had it under control?
SNOW: To tell you the truth, the police somewhat, most of the part had it under control. The ambulance I felt like the ambulance came through at a good time because it was a little bit chaotic at the moment. So we didn't know what to expect. So the police took care of most of it. O'BRIEN: Do the police stop you eventually when they were there? I understand that as you were trying to sort of go back into the credit union and also help your aunt that they thought maybe you were a suspect in some way. Is that right?
SNOW: Well, they didn't think I was a suspect. They were trying to protect everybody in the area so they didn't want people walking in and out and back and forth. I did try to go to the credit union. I did walk around the block, the opposite direction, to get to the credit union.
O'BRIEN: When you look at what happened at this school, were you aware this was even a school. I understand it's not particularly well marked and some people didn't even understand that it was a small college.
SNOW: Actually, I've come to this credit union a lot so when I saw, heard what was going on, I was surprised myself. Because I know there is a school, a Christian based school, but I didn't really expect for anything to happen like this at the school. So I heard it was a pretty positive school.
O'BRIEN: You must be pretty surprised today. Brian Snow witnessed the shooting at Oikos University. Thank you, Brian. We appreciate your insight into this.
SNOW: Not a problem.
O'BRIEN: Let's get to Christine. She's got the other headlines. Hi, Christine.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, thank you, Soledad.
Two Fort Bliss soldiers and a civilian have reportedly vanished from a weekend trip in New Mexico. Specialist Alton Weber and Sergeant Nicholas Mummert joined a civilian on a kayaking trip.
None of the three have returned. Police found a white suburban Monday. They believe the group was driving on that trip to the river. Investigators say they've not uncovered anything suspicious, but the three have vanished.
An incredible sight as a plane crashes into a shopping center. No one was hurt when the small plane crashed into the roof of a public supermarket in Deland, Florida.
Witnesses say the twin engine plane was sputtering when it went down. But everyone in the store and in the plane managed to walk away without serious injuries. This is close to Orlando.
President Obama warning the Supreme Court against a lack of judicial restraint. He says if justices overturn his health care law, it will be a case of judicial activism. This as he insists he's confident the law will be upheld.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: I'm actually continuing to be confident that the Supreme Court will uphold the law. And the reason is because in accordance with the precedent out there, it's constitutional.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: The decision on the health care law is expected sometime in June.
On the CNN Security Watch, a mystery for terrorism experts. Key al Qaeda websites used to recruit terrorists and call for attacks on the west have been dark for the past two weeks.
Some believe they were taken down in a cyber attack, but no one has claimed responsibility and come to your screen and take a close look at this disturbing new poster.
It shows the New York skyline with the words "Al Qaeda, coming soon again in New York." This has been posted on several Arabic language web sites. Police and the FBI are investigating where the poster came there from, but they say right now there's no specific credible threat.
One day after a new report said the skies are friendlier and more efficient than ever. You're about to get hosed again. Starting tomorrow, budget airline Allegiant Air will start charging passengers $35 for carryon bags.
You'll be allowed one free personal item that's a purse or a brief case, but anything bigger than that that needs to be stored overhead bin that isn't under the seat in front of you.
That's going to cost you 35 bucks. Soledad, I'm telling you this isn't going away. This ala cart, you know, you pay for different fees for what you use on a plane. They're making a ton of money, it's going to stay.
O'BRIEN: That's crazy. You could check that bag and then it would be carry on it would be your checked luggage. That's insane.
ROMANS: I know. Well, I don't know how much they're charging for checked luggage. That's a good point.
O'BRIEN: I wouldn't get charged $7 for a pillow and I think a blanket on JetBlue on a 2:00 a.m. flight. I have to sleep. I refused to pay it. My husband is like just pay it.
WILL CAIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: We did this story where Americans are pleased with their airline industry service.
O'BRIEN: I don't get it. What do you mean?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here is $35 more.
O'BRIEN: I'd like to pay more. I think that's crazy. I think people will revolt again. See I'm using that word again.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They'll start walking.
O'BRIEN: That's it, I'm walking.
CAIN: I'll show you.
O'BRIEN: I'm going to walk to Texas.
CAIN: Take that, United.
O'BRIEN: Still ahead this morning on STARTING POINT, Nerd Heaven.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Morgan Spurlock here to solve crimes and do magic.
O'BRIEN: He'll talk about his new film come quick on. Also this morning, we're going to be joined by Randy Jackson, last of the original "Idol" judges is going to talk to us about "American Idol" is that him in our green room. Hi, Randy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm here.
O'BRIEN: Also talking to him about diabetes as well. You're watching STARTING POINT. We'll take a short break. We're back in a moment.
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O'BRIEN: That's from the album, Randy Jackson's Music Club. Paula Abdul singing "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow," which we like to do on this program.
It is, of course, one of America's most popular shows watched by millions, making stars out of virtual unknown. "American Idol" is now in its 11th season.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENNIFER LOPEZ, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: You're a phenom. You are an absolute angel from heaven. I don't even know, that voice is just God sent, God sent.
STEVEN TYLER, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: Crazy. You have towed the line. You sing a song like it should be sung. You make it bleed, you got perfect pitch and you got that star quality.
RANDY JACKSON, "AMERICAN IDOL" JUDGE: You just innately have this unbelievable talent. I look forward to hearing you every night. I think you're one of the best singers I've heard in many a year.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: Running all the positive comments. Let's make it bleed. Randy Jackson is with us. Of course, you've been on the original panel of judges since 2002, right?
JACKSON: It's 2002, yes, our 11th season and it's going strong.
O'BRIEN: Yes, how has it been, new judges.
JACKSON: Yes, last season, we brought in Jennifer and Steven and that was Simon's exit. It's been great. I mean, you know, they came in, and got it right away.
I mean, Jennifer had been a fan of the show before. I don't know if Steven had even seen it before, but I think they just jumped right in and got right to it. So it's been fun.
O'BRIEN: You're here to talk a little bit about diabetes, and I want to talk a little bit about how you discovered that you were diabetic. How do you know?
JACKSON: I just teamed up with Merck on taking diabetes to heart, an amazing program that we have going on with awareness and education to help people manage their Type II diabetes. A lot of people with diabetes don't even know they have it.
O'BRIEN: Did you know you had it?
JACKSON: I didn't know I had it until I wound up in the ER with a blood sugar over 500. So I was just shocked. Of course, it ran in my family. I thought, you know, it's hereditary, whatever, whatever.
But you never think it's going to happen to you so like me a lot of people don't know they have it. They don't know that they're two to four times at higher risk for heart disease or stroke.
So you know, we have this amazing program that urge people to talk to their doctor. You need to talk to your doctor. We have a thing called the ABCs.
It's your A1C, which is your blood sugar, your blood pressure and your cholesterol. Sometimes blood sugar is not enough to control Type II diabetes. So I was amazed at how little I spoke to my doctor and I know a lot of people --
O'BRIEN: You used to be heavy. You lost a ton of weight.
JACKSON: Man, listen, I was --
O'BRIEN: Your doctor never said that you were at risk for diabetes?
JACKSON: No, he said that, you know, but listen lose weight, but that's the time you go in once a year, right? You go in once a year for your yearly checkup and then you never see the doctor again.
So this is just a great educational program. We have an amazing Web site, takingdiabetestoheart.com. People can find out a lot of info. What they should do and make that doctor your friend and talk to them, find out the right treatment plan if you have it. O'BRIEN: Who is the right person on the show, who's either lasted or has been kicked off? Kejian?
JACKSON: No, my favorite this year is still there. Kejian is a funny, charismatic kid. I mean, you know, I said to him. Listen, he'd make a great sitcom star.
O'BRIEN: And he's like yes, you gave him advice that had nothing to do with singing, all about, wait, I think we have a clip of that. Let's run that clip.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACKSON: Dude, you have to get into acting. You've got to stick with -- I'm telling you, you could be awesome. You could be a superstar. Dude, trust me. I'm telling you, dude. Listen, you crack me up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CAIN: Dude, do something else. Please leave here immediately.
JACKSON: Extend your brand now so you've got singing. He wasn't ever going to win the show, so you've got singing. He's a good singer, but I think he could be great. Couldn't you see him on "Big Bang."
O'BRIEN: Sure.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's got the whole package. He can do it all.
JACKSON: Something like that.
CAIN: He's a double threat.
O'BRIEN: So if he's not your favorite who is. There are eight contestants left now.
JACKSON: There's a bunch of favorites.
O'BRIEN: Who is your favorite. That was a diplomatic answer. Who do you like? Are you allowed to say?
HUNTSMAN: Just tell us.
JACKSON: No, listen, I mean those ones that are left, I love Jessica. I mean, I love Colton, I love Phillips. Joshua is amazing, Scott, I mean --
O'BRIEN: That's everybody. That is literally everybody.
JACKSON: They all have a shot, but that's what I said last week. He was like you act like this is a boxing match. Who is going to win it? Throw the gauntlet down, Soledad, throw it down. Who wants this? O'BRIEN: No one ever wants to hear my singing. There's so much competition. You have "X Factor." You have "The Voice." But take away from product -- I mean, usually when everybody jumps in.
JACKSON: I think this space is a little crowded, yes. I think there's a lot of singing shows on, but I think there's room for everyone. They all have their good points you know what I mean?
O'BRIEN: So you're so diplomatic this morning.
JACKSON: No, it's true. Listen it's true. I mean, "X Factor" Simon started "Idol" with us. I mean, he, I, Ryan and Paula started something nobody would have thought it would become as big as it became.
So of course, he's going to go to "X Factor" and he knows what he's doing. He will be successful there as he is and "The Voice" with some superstar judges. However you can get discovered, do it. However you can find your doctor, find them, talk to them about your ABCs.
O'BRIEN: Right, thanks for coming back to where we begin. I love it. We appreciate that.
JACKSON: It happens to be all relative.
O'BRIEN: Randy Jackson nice to have you.
JACKSON: Just slightly. Yes.
O'BRIEN: Nice to have you. Thanks so much.
JACKSON: I like this panel.
O'BRIEN: We like you.
Still ahead this morning on STARTING POINT, some of Hollywood's proudest geeks taking you inside of nerd culture.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was looking out my hotel window and saw three ninja turtles impatiently checking their watches.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: We're going to take a sneak peek at Morgan Spurlock's new film "Inside Comic-Con Culture." You're watching "STARTING POINT." We're right back after this.
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O'BRIEN: All right, that's Morgan's playlist. White Knuckles "Okay Go." From Star Trekers to storm troopers, movie stars and geeks that is the scene at comic-con, the Annual Comic Book Convention that's become much, much more. Listen. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Welcome to comic con.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sit in my chair. Let me make you look dead.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was looking out high hotel room window and I saw three Ninja turtles really impatiently checking their watches.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Excuse me. We have to check that in.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In the mind of every comic book theme, comic con is answer to your prayers. It's like heaven as much as they tell you when you go to heaven everything you lost is going to come back to you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: That's a clip from Morgan's new documentary, "Comic Con: Episode IV: A Fan's Hope." It looks for someone who has never been to comic con, you were trying to do the story sort of authentically for people who have been there and experience it.
MORGAN SPURLOCK, DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER: And for people that have never been. This is a film, you know, about fans, for fans, people who are fan who have never been. If you have never been, you'll see what you're missing. You have been before, you'll see what you love about this place.
O'BRIEN: You have some clips that you talk about how they were worried that you would be sort of mocking the folks.
SPURLOCK: That's right ad we put together this amazing dream too of people to produce this film. You know, Stanley, the creator of Spiderman, Josh Leeden, the director of "The Avengers." Thomas Told, the CEO of Legendary Pictures. Henry (inaudible). Like we had -- created this film. We had this geek brain trust that kind of came into make this movie. It was amazing.
O'BRIEN: Was it hard to get permission to go in and shoot it?
SPURLOCK: It's amazing like for the past two decades people have come forward saying we want to make a movie and they said absolutely not. This is the first time when they said it might work.
O'BRIEN: Let me run a clip and then we'll talk on the other side. This is a clip called "The Proposal." Set it up for me.
SPURLOCK: Yes, so one of the couples we follow, one of the characters is boyfriend/girlfriend, James Darling and (inaudible) who they met the year before because of comic con. They met in a coffee shop as they were looking at their books.
I'm going comic con. They went together. They started dating. Fell in love. This comic con they are going together and she doesn't know that he wants to propose to her. O'BRIEN: Here it is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We started dating one year ago at comic con. And I was wondering --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where is she?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stand up! Stand up!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If she would be willing to marry me and spend our lives together.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: The crowd goes wild. Kevin Smith is like --
SPURLOCK: It's 6,000 people like standing ovation for them. It is one of the most beautiful parts of that movie.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did he give you a power ring?
SPURLOCK: He actually had the company that manufactures the Lord of the Rings, rings make the ring for her.
O'BRIEN: Technically he did.
SPURLOCK: So he did have the one ring to rule them all.
O'BRIEN: What do you make of the growth of comic con? It's small.
SPURLOCK: It started very small with comic book dealers and then it was about collectibles and it became about bringing in celebrities that surrounded this kind of world and now it's grown.
Comic con has -- it's great. I think it's fantastic. It touched all of us. All of us have a geek inside of it whether you want to admit it or not.
O'BRIEN: I love that he got on one knee. I think that's the cutest thing.
SPURLOCK: You got a "Green Lantern" T-shirt. I know you do.
CAIN: How much is about big movies coming up next year based on comic characters?
SPURLOCK: Well, that's the thing is that the people -- the movie industry has destroyed comic con. The movie industry destroyed media coverage of comic con. The only people who talk about the movies that are coming are the press. Like you go to comic con, there are 150,000 people there, 6,000 watching the launch of movies. There are 144,000 that are not watching the release.
O'BRIEN: I love it. It looks great.
Still ahead this morning on STARTING POINT, an $800,000 government party that we paid for, a clown, a comedian, a mind reader. Not good enough to say you're going to be in a lot of trouble when this is over.
We'll talk about that straight ahead. Also Whitney Houston's final performance. We'll take a look at the new movie "Sparkle." I'm dying to see this. You're watching STARTING POINT. We're back in a moment.
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