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Giant Squid Captured on Camera; NRA's Influence on Obama-care; David Bowie Has New Single Out; Teen in Video "Regrets Behavior."

Aired January 08, 2013 - 11:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: For the first time ever, a film crew has captured a monster, a stuff of legend, I swear. It's the giant squid. And if you don't think that's a big deal, it is. It truly is legendary. The picture captured in its natural habitat more than a half mile under the ocean's surface and, pardon the pun here, it's making serious ripples.

Joining me to talk about how important this discovery is, is Jack Hanna, because he's the greatest guy to do it. He's the director emeritus at the Columbus Zoo and host of "Jack Hanna's Into the Wild."

Jack, this is such a cool discovery. For Marine geeks, this was almost like the Holy Grail. How did this happen and why is it such a big deal?

JACK HANNA, HOST, JACK HANNA'S INTO THE WILD & DIRECTOR EMERITUS, COLUMBUS ZOO AND AQUARIUM: We're lucky. We've been looking for this animal. They've actually seen them, not very much. I remember "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" when I was a little boy when that giant squid grabbed the submarine. It scared me to death. I've dived oceans all over the world. I've seen squid but nothing like this, obviously. If I saw a giant squid -- well, I wouldn't be at 600 feet. But this animal has eyes as big as a plate, 10 feet long. Can you imagine that? They can grow to 30 feet. Imagine if you're a diver and come across a squid at 30 feet and all those long arms and all those suction cups, I think I would kiss myself good-bye.

BANFIELD: What's incredible about this is, the squid they found is 10 feet long, but it's missing its two main tentacles so if you extrapolate, this little baby is probably closer to about 26 feet long.

Is it because they're almost extinct? Is it because they just dwell at such depths that we don't typically mine those areas for research? Why is it we haven't been able to find it.

HANNA: Exactly. There are none in zoos, by the way, throughout the world. There's other types of squid in aquariums. But remember the mountain gorilla in Uganda, an animal that weighs 450 pounds, the silver-backed gorilla. He was only discovered in 1905, because they live in these real harsh rain forests in Uganda and Rwanda, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

(VIDEO PROBLEM) BANFIELD: Oh, no! Jack, can you hear us? You froze up for a second, so I lost the last part of your audio, after you talked about the gorilla.

HANNA: Can you hear me?

BANFIELD: Now I've got you back.

HANNA: All right.

BANFIELD: I've got you back.

HANNA: What I'm saying is, the mountain gorillas were only discovered in 1905, and they're over 450 pounds. This animal is the same type of thing. They live in these oceans at such depths. They're very shy creatures. They live in the dark, with no light to expose them. This was done because these guys just happened to come up on one in that type of light. So it's kind of like the mountain gorilla. There are nine zoos throughout the world, by the way, but these giant squids could not live in a zoological park right now because of depth, the pressure, all sorts of things, the lighting, everything. So in our world, they'll be in the natural world and hope they can survive out there and researchers -- they don't know that much about them. That's why this is so great that they found it.

BANFIELD: One last question about finding it and the significance of finding it, other than it is extremely cool to find it. Does it tell us anything evolutionarily speaking or with regard to Marine science and the depths of the ocean? What kind of information is this going to yield to us?

HANNA: We find out what they eat as far as other squid, large fish, that type of thing. We know a few things about them, but, yes, the ocean is one of the -- when I traveled all over the world, we have discovered many things. There are still a few things not discovered, but the oceans of the world, there's no telling what's down there. That's what's so exciting about this. It hard to say what we'll find, what's after this? Will it be a prehistoric fish down the road that we find as submarines can go deeper and have more technology? That's what's so exciting about the ocean. It's like space. We don't know what's up there. Same thing with the ocean. On the land throughout the world, we can have sensors, we can sense heat with animals on the ground. It's a much different situation.

BANFIELD: Very cool, and I think you have very good materials.

By the way, I think I misspoke. The show's "Into the Wild" and "Wild Countdown."

Great to have you. Thanks, Jack. Nice to see you.

HANNA: Thank you. If I find one, I'll call you.

BANFIELD: Please do. Take me with you!

(LAUGHTER) Jack Hanna joining us live.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BANFIELD: President Obama is promising to make gun control a big part of his second term, but did you know the centerpiece of his first term, Obamacare, also contains a little known item about guns. Actually bans doctors and others from collecting data about their patients' firearms used. This was put in by the National Rifle Association. At least they lobbied for it. It doesn't affect you.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, our chief medical correspondent, has been digging through this.

Normally, I don't call you for political stories, Sanjay, but it does involve you, as a doctor, as a brain surgeon.

First of all, how did guns end up in Obama-care at all? It just seems an odd match.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: As you said, Ashleigh, the NRA does take credit for this. They've been vocal and public about this, saying they did lobby hard to get this relatively small provision put into the bill. It was ultimately put in by Senator Harry Reid. So it shows how it can make strange bed fellows to some extent, Ashleigh. But basically it does not prohibit doctors from asking patients about guns, but it does the other things you mention, it prevents them from writing it down, charting it, collecting it for the purpose of research, being part of wellness programs.

You talk to the NRA about it, they'll say this information could used to discrimination people in terms of raising their insurance premiums, though there's been no history of that. People on the other side who want to get this sort of information say this is how we develop safety programs with regard to guns. We need this information, this data to make guns safer. So there's the rub. But there is a provision, as you point out, specifically about guns and health.

BANFIELD: So, as a doctor, you could ask me, Ashleigh, do you have a gun? And I can tell you, but you can't write it down. Is that serious?

GUPTA: Can't be transmitted, can't be part of your permanent chart, can't be given to others doctors. You can have the conversation, but it can't be used to the larger purposes of research.

And I should point out, Florida, as well as seven other states, want to do precisely what you're saying as well. They actually -- the governor, saying, in Florida has said the simple asking about guns should also be illegal. In fact, that's what was suggested by the governor. That was subsequently overturned by a federal judge in Florida, saying it absolutely has to be part of the conversation, but that's being appealed. So there's a lot of passion on both sides.

BANFIELD: Wouldn't the -- wouldn't Obamacare federal law trump the state law in that respect, even if the repeal does pass and ultimately Florida does get what they're seeking and Governor Scott gets what he's seeking, which is you may not even ask me about the weapon?

GUPTA: It should. But there's federal law and there are state provisions, especially with regard to, for example, Medicaid. So Medicaid patients, which may be paid in part by state funding, if not now, then ultimately, it's unclear, and why some states could be treated differently than others. I don't how that will shake out right now -- Ashleigh?

BANFIELD: So how do doctors and your colleagues, how are you handling this? How are you processing it?

GUPTA: Just a personal anecdote, I had my physical exam and I was asked about guns, keeping guns in the Household. I have three small children, so it was in the context of that discussion, but it was also in the context of swimming pool, for example, knowing if you have a swimming pool or not, and how best to keep your kids safe if you do have a swimming pool. So I think doctors, as a general rule, consider this a public health issue. And I've talked to a lot of doctors about this.

But take a look at some of the numbers overall. 2008, 2009, children and teens killed and a lot more injured as well.

So in the same way you ask about smoke detectors, swimming pools, doctors have asked about guns, especially with that bottom line there, younger children.

BANFIELD: Third leading cause of death?

GUPTA: Five to 14.

BANFIELD: Yes. I think people would be very surprised to hear that.

Sanjay, I know you have more on your in-depth interview this weekend on "Sanjay Gupta, M.D.," so I'll give you a big plug, 4:30 p.m. eastern time, Sunday morning at 7:30 as well.

Sanjay, thanks. Good to see you.

GUPTA: Thanks for having me, Ashleigh.

BANFIELD: Right back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BANFIELD: Gadget overload. Really? You can't have too many, can you? Not in you're here. Day one of the 2013 consumer electronics show, which means a bunch of people in Vegas are getting to preview very cool and very new high-tech phones, TVs, cameras and other stuff.

Dan Simon is our very own tech guru, and he's one of the lucky people who gets the preview.

First thing I want to ask you about, maybe because it's personal, there's something you found that will help me stop eating so much so fast. What is it?

DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We're going to show you that in a second. First, let me give you the lay of the land. CES gets under way in about an hour from now. There are 2000 companies here. 150,000 people will come through here over the next couple days. It would be impossible to canvass this entire area, 1.8 million square feet of gadgetry.

We're in the health section, where we find this first company, gaining a lot of buzz here at CES. It's called the HapiFork. As you said, it's something that will help people lose weight.

We're here with the CEO. Fabrice Buton is from France. We know the French savor their food.

Does that have a meaning here? Is that how you came up with this idea?

FABRICE BUTON, CEO, HAPIFORK: It's very important. We believe 50 percent of your health is about nutrition. So, yes, you have to enjoy food and you have to be careful with --

SIMON: Ashleigh, this is the fork. This is an electronics fork. It has batteries inside and tracks how you eat.

The real selling point, Fabrice, is if you're eating too fast, it's going to buzz or light up and tell you to slow down, right?

BUTON: Yes. You have a gentle vibration. We can do it here. You see when you have the finger here, it is the same as when I put the food in my mouth, then if I do it so fast, there's a slight vibration. Basically, the HapiFork is connected to your Smartphone.

SIMON: Right.

BUTON: And we're tracking three important things. One of them is the time you start eating. The second is the number of fork servings you do during each meal. The third is the interval between each fork serving. So every time I bring the food to my mouth, if I do it too fast that would be the gentle vibrations. I propose we try to get that.

SIMON: OK, so --

BUTON: So I bring some food, right?

BANFIELD: Hurry up, Dan, do it faster. Let's see what happens.

(LAUGHTER)

BUTON: Within 10 seconds, nothing will happen.

SIMON: OK, you're --

BUTON: Now do it again. Now, before 10 seconds --

BANFIELD: Danny!

(LAUGHTER)

BUTON: It buzzes. It vibrates.

SIMON: If you're doing it too fast.

This is vibrating.

BANFIELD: Is it?

SIMON: That's what happens here.

Now, how can people get their hands on this?

BUTON: This is available in February. It will be available in the United States.

What is interesting, in 2006, there was a study in the United States showing that people eating more slowly eat 11 percent less calories, so that's why eating slowly is important. You can lose weight.

BANFIELD: Hey, Dan?

BUTON: The digestion will be much better because you take more time to chew.

SIMON: I love it. I love it. The HapiFork, good luck with it.

BANFIELD: Yes, Ashleigh?

BANFIELD: I was going to say, tell Fabrice I think he's slim because he's having salmon, rice and vegetables for lunch, too. It may not have anything to do with his fork.

(LAUGHTER)

SIMON: You know --

BANFIELD: I'm kidding.

(LAUGHTER)

SIMON: You look like you're in pretty good shape. It may not be because of the folks. She's saying maybe it's because of the salmon and the vegetables.

(LAUGHER)

Thank you.

BUTON: Nutrition.

SIMON: Ashleigh, that's the HapiFork.

We're going to be at CES for the next couple days showing you innovative technologies like this. This is just one of many products we'll be featuring the next couple of days.

BANFIELD: Awesome. I cannot wait to see the rest.

Dan Simon is live for us in Vegas.

Thanks so much.

Everybody, go to CNN.com/tech -- no, wait --

(LAUGHTER)

CNN.com/tech, to get more information. I just feel terrible that I said that, and he actually repeated it.

We'll be back after the break.

(LAUGHTER)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(SINGING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BANFIELD: So this is one of my favorite songs. I don't know if you remember this or not, depends how old you are, but this is David Bowie belting out "Rebel, Rebel," and the awesome video technology of the '70s. This is back in '74. If you think that Lady Gaga is the most outrageous singer today, I'm sorry, eye patch and spiky orange mullet, that was awesome stuff. He was so out front with his antics long before Gaga or anybody else of her ilk was even born. Take a peek-see at this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(MUSIC)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BANFIELD: Not "Space Odyssey," just odd. But this is new Bowie, folks. His first new single in 10 years. It's called "Where Are We Now," and it's coming on his 66th birthday. David Bowie's 66.

Here to talk about this with me is "Showbiz Tonight" anchor, A.J. Hammer.

Am I nerding out because I love Bowie to much?

A.J. HAMMER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: No. You ask do you remember "Rebel, Rebel "s it gets played on classic rock radio everywhere today. Everybody, no matter your age, you've heard Bowie.

BANFIELD: "Let's Dance." Calling that out this morning. We were all calling out our favorites. Why has this been so long? I realized, how, it has been a long time.

HAMMER: 10 years. It's his 66th birthday. How perfect is he releasing the music today? He hasn't talked about why he's taking a break. Active until 2006. You might remember after the end of the last tour 2004 he had heart surgery. That took him out of play for a little while. And he hasn't been releasing anything. It's understandable that he wasn't producing new music.

BANFIELD: He looks so good.

HAMMER: Looks terrific.

BANFIELD: He's 66. Look at him. Looks incredible.

HAMMER: Yes. It's interesting to see what happens with the new single, the new album. As far as my musicology can tell, last time he had a single chart in the United States was back in the 1980s.

BANFIELD: Oh, lord.

HAMMER: Now we have digital downloads, it's going to change. We'll see what happens with the album.

BANFIELD: Quickly, people who say, you, Lady Gaga, Madonna, so avant- garde. Think about it. David Bowie was the first bizarre glam rocker who may have been the genesis for the ideas.

HAMMER: The one who broke out. '70s, glam rock was going on and brought it to new heights. And so many artists, particularly Lady Gaga credited David Bowie. She used to, in her room, put his makeup on, take it off, put it on, take it off. Influential on what she did.

BANFIELD: Cyndi Lauper, too, people thought it was unique to --

HAMMER: To dye your hair. What a thought.

BANFIELD: Look at her now. They're all taming down. Now the new edge, to be tame and look, you know --

HAMMER: Demure.

BANFIELD: -- look demure, yes.

A.J. Hammer, good to see you. Anchor of "Showbiz Tonight." Thank you.

Back in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BANFIELD: One of the teenagers who was featured on a web video mocking a girl at the center of an Ohio rape case now, quote, "regrets his behavior and his comments," end quote.

In case you don't remember the video, here's part of it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What if that was your daughter?

MICHAEL NODIANOS, APOLOGIZES FOR BEHAVIOR, COMMENTS: But it isn't.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What if it was?

NODIANOS: If that was my daughter I wouldn't care, I'd let her be dead.

(LAUGHTER)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Listen to yourself.

NODIANOS: I'm listening to myself fine.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BANFIELD: Michael Nodianos' attorney says that 18 year old did something dumb but did not commit a crime.

Let's bring in attorney, Joey Jackson, to talk about this.

Two 16-year-olds charged with rape, among other thing, but not that young man.

Yes, that is revolting discussion. Does he face any kind of exposure legally for comments like that?

JOEY JACKSON, ATTORNEY: Ashleigh, the answer is no. Why? You have a right to be despicable, disgusting, off-color, a right to make comments that are insensitive, rude and that people would deem to be totally inappropriate.

The issue is whether it exposes you to any criminality. The answer is no. Even on the web site the jurisdiction put up, the police said, look, this is offensive, we looked at it, investigated it, but find no criminality.

BANFIELD: I want to talk about the photo at center of the case that has gone viral. It shows two young men who now their attorneys have admitted they are at the center of the photo, holding the ankles and the wrists of what appears to be a limp girl.

JACKSON: Oh, boy.

BANFIELD: One of the attorneys for the two young men said it's out of context. You don't know what the circumstance is. She may have been play acting along these lines. However, there's testimony that may refute this or at least support the fact that that's just an unconscious girl being hauled around to a couple of different parties in which alleged rapes occurred. The Ohio attorney general's office released testimony from three eyewitnesses in the case.

JACKSON: Yes. BANFIELD: They said they saw this girl stumbling and vomiting and even eventually unconscious. One of the witnesses said this, "Trent Mays was holding her by her hands and Ma'lik Richmond was holding her by her feet." The question is, how did they get out of the basement that way, and the answer, investigators got, they just -- they carried her out through the door out into the street.

Isn't that the kind of testimony that backs up the allegation that photo is exactly what it looks like?

JACKSON: It really is, Ashleigh. It's not only the photo, but if you combine the testimony with the photo, it becomes compelling and a major concern for the defense here. Now, obviously, the reason why it's so critical, because it goes to the issue of consent, right? This is what these cases are all about.

BANFIELD: You're unconscious.

JACKSON: She's not responsive in that videotape. It doesn't look like a person who has the wherewithal to say yes or no.

BANFIELD: 10 seconds left. Any photos, video that were hacked, admissible or inadmissible?

JACKSON: Admissible. Two reasons.

BANFIELD: Admissible?

JACKSON: Admissible. One, we're talking about a judge evaluating this. Number two, suppression of evidence, exclusion of it relates to state action, governmental action. These hackers are not in government. Therefore --

(LAUGHTER)

BANFIELD: But they could be in trouble.

JACKSON: Yes.

BANFIELD: I asked the attorney general about other investigations that could be going on. Perhaps that's it.

Joey Jackson, out of time. Thank you though --

JACKSON: A pleasure.

BANFIELD: -- for your perspective. Appreciate it.

As I said, that's it for me on NEWSROOM.

But NEWSROOM INTERNATIONAL starts now. Taking the baton is Michael Holmes, who is sitting in for Suzanne Malveaux today -- Michael?