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NSA Reveals Foiled Terror Plots; Internet Companies Try to Explain Government Surveillance; 3 Sports Radio Personalities Fired Over ALS Jokes; Study: Drinking While Pregnant OK.
Aired June 18, 2013 - 13:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: This is at a hearing a short time ago. They revealed details of planned attacks they say were stopped by those surveillance programs. They include a plot to bomb New York subway station system. Another to attack the New York Stock Exchange and a Danish newspaper. More than 50 plots in all. That's according to authorities.
Now Congressman Peter King, chairman of the House Committee and Homeland Security, he is pushing on whether the intelligence could have prevented terrorists from launching the September 11th attack. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. PETER KING, (R), NEW YORK: Prior to 9/11, there was phone messages from Yemen that you did not have the capacity to follow through hat could have prevented the 9/11 attack. Either General Alexander or Mr. Joyce, can you explain how the attack could have been prevented?
SEAN JOYCE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, FBI: I don't know, Congressman, if it could have been prevented. What I can tell you is that is a tool not available to us at the time of 9/11. When there was actually a call was made form a known terrorist in Yemen to Khalid Midar (ph) in San Diego, we did not have that tool or capability to track that call. Now, things may have been different and we will never know that, unfortunately.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: The information about foiled plots, not enough to satisfy some of the lawmakers. Michele Bachmann she pressed the head of the NSA about whether the not the government is compiling information on individuals. Listen to this exchange.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. MICHELE BACHMANN, (R), MINNESOTA: Does the federal government have a database with video data in it --
JOYCE: No.
BACHMANN: -- tracking the whereabouts of the American people?
JOYCE: The FBI does not have such a data nor am I aware of one.
BACHMANN: Do we -- does the American government have a database that has the GPS locations of Americans whereabouts of American, whether by our cell phones or by any other tracking device? Is there a known database?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: NSA does not hold such a database.
BACHMANN: Does NSA have a database that you maintain that holds the contents of Americans' phone calls? Do you have recordings of all of our calls? So if we're making phone calls, is there a national database that has the content of our calls?
GEN. KEITH ALEXANDER, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY: We're not allowed to do that, nor do we do that, unless we have a court order to do that. And it would be only in specific cases an almost always that would be an FBI lead, not ours.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: There are questions that many Americans want to know.
Internet companies are also weighing in on all of this, responding to concerns about how much of our information does the government actually have access to. Yahoo! is the latest to try to explain, joining Apple, Facebook, Microsoft.
I want to bring in our Laurie Segall, joining us to talk about Yahoo!
What do they have to say?
LAURIE SEGALL, CNN TECH CORRESPONDENT, CNNMONEY.COM: Hey, Suzanne. You're right. We're hearing from these major Internet companies. Yahoo! is the latest. We've heard from Apple. We heard from Facebook. We heard from Microsoft over the weekend. Yahoo! saying they received 12,000 to 13,000 requests for data in the last six months. We're beginning to wrap our head around, what are these requests for.
Let me read you some of the most common requests that they said. And they put out a blog post this morning about it. Number one is fraud. They're looking for that kind of information, homicides, kidnappings and also other criminal investigations.
What I think we should keep in mind here is how large are these data questions. Because one data request could be for sweeping information. That's something I've spoke to sources within law enforcement, who say keep that in mind. But we're really able to see that a lot of this is used for law enforcement. Facebook said over the weekend that sheriffs have used this to find missing children. That's really kind of what they're getting into with this.
MALVEAUX: The leaker, if you consider him to be a credible source, Edward Snowden, what did he say about what they looking for from these companies? SEGALL: Snowden emerged a little bit yesterday. In a Q&A with "The Guardian," he said, "As a result of these disclosures and the clout of these companies, we're beginning to see more transparency and better details about these programs for the first time since their inception."
He did go on to the say that they have an ethical obligation for transparency. But I think we should make it a point to say a lot of these Internet companies we're hearing from are pushing for more transparency. They say they want to be able to differentiate the certain reports that are for FISA requests then some of the other national security threats. So we will -- I can only say that this story is ongoing. And we'll probably, likely hear from more of these Internet companies involved.
MALVEAUX: Oh, yeah. We will hear from many more. Laurie, an ongoing story, to say the least.
Thank you. Appreciate it.
SEGALL: Thank you.
MALVEAUX: We're also following ongoing stories as well.
A former hit man back on the stand, testifying against James "Whitey" Bulger. Bulger has pleaded not guilty to 19 murder charges. Prosecutors say he was the head of the Irish mob in Boston for almost two decades. His former best friend, John Martorano, has been telling the jury gruesome details about the murders he committed. He says he was ordered to do it by Bulger.
One footnote to the story. Some of our earlier reporting on the story inadvertently misidentified photos of the convicted ex-FBI agent, John Connelly, as mobster, John Martorano. Well, CNN regrets the error.
Attorneys for both sides in the George Zimmerman trial are grilling down further on what potential jurors have heard about this case in the media. Jury selection resumed a short time ago after a break for lunch. The former neighborhood watch captain is charged with second- degree murder for the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, an unarmed teenager, in Sanford, Florida, last year. He says -- Zimmerman shot the teenager in self-defense. An extended short session yesterday failed to settle whether or not the prosecutor will be able to play those 911 calls from the night of the shooting. The recordings are considered some of the most critical pieces of evidence in this trial.
We are looking at live pictures. This is Vice President Joe Biden there. He's at the White House touting the administration's progress in the gun debate. Since the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, last December, President Obama has issued 23 directives, basically aimed at curbing gun violence. But, today, what you see there, Biden updating us on whether or not the administration stands today -- where are those directives. We'll watch closely and monitor that event and bring you any details, anything that comes out of that. A host of a sports radio show poked fun at a former football player with ALS. Now, they have been fired. Coming up, my personal experience with the player they mocked.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MALVEAUX: Three sports radio hosts in Atlanta have been fired for mocking former New Orleans Saints player, Steve Gleason, and his battle with the fatal disease ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Gleason leads an organization trying to raise awareness and find a cure for ALS.
As you can see, Gleason is paralyzed. He uses a machine to talk because the disease has taken away his ability to speak on his own. He has a lot to say.
The morning radio show used a fake automated voice as Gleason. Listen to this.
(BEGIN AUDIO FEED)
UNIDENTIFIED D.J.: You listening in New Orleans?
FAKE GLEASON VOICE: I am. (INAUDIBLE). How was the Jersey Shore?
UNIDENTIFIED D.J.: I just don't know if I want to play.
(LAUGHTER)
FAKE GLEASON VOICE: I wish I could play.
UNIDENTIFIED D.J.: Yeah, you cannot play anymore, right?
FAKE GLEASON VOICE: No.
Knock-knock.
UNIDENTIFIED D.J.: Steve. No, Steve. We do knock-knocks on Thursday. We don't do it on Mondays. We do it on Thursdays.
FAKE GLEASON VOICE: I may not be here on Thursday.
Knock-knock.
UNIDENTIFIED D.J.: Who's there?
FAKE GLEASON VOICE: Smother.
UNIDENTIFIED D.J.: Smother who?
FAKE GLEASON VOICE: Smother me. Do me a favor.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Just cruel. All three radio hosts were fired today. The general manager apologized. Fired host, Chris Dimino, posted this message on Facebook, saying, "So Where to begin. The obvious and rightful place is with an apology and the reality of knowing that falls short. No matter what I say is heartbreaking. The sheer stupidity of trying to put this as a failed attempt at humor is not lost on me. The words 'should have known better' mean nothing to me and shouldn't to you right now. I would like to offer my apology."
Steve's ALS organization, Team Gleason, put out this statement. I reached out to them personally. They are saying, "At this time, we don't feel the need to issue a statement as it just takes time away from the important things that Steve and Team Gleason is doing. Currently, Steve is enjoying a much-needed vacation in the northwest spending time with friends and family."
I would like you to know I had an opportunity to spend a lot of time with Steve Gleason, his wife, Michelle, their 2-year-old son, Rivers. This was in New Orleans and it was back in March at their home. I've come to know them very well because I'm going to be doing a series on ALS. Steve is a pretty amazing guy. You have to see this. He was just 33 years old when he got the diagnosis. Knowing he was going to lose his ability to speak soon, he recorded himself reading bedtime stories -- you see those pictures there -- which he now plays for his son. He's raising millions of dollars to promote technology to improve the quality of life for ALS families. He is passionate about just living for every moment.
You see this picture here? This is his last year going skydiving on the one-year anniversary since he got the diagnosis and last month he was away. He tweets with his eyes. Next week, he will be holding a summit on ALS in New Orleans to help to educate people.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVE GLEASON, FORMER SAINTS PLAYER, ALS ACTIVIST: ALS is a brutal disease that destroys the physical body but it leaves the mind strong.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: We're going to go in-depth on ALS next week. We'll hear more about Steve's story, plus see how families are helping people cope with this disease. Our Own Dr. Sanjay Gupta, as well, will join us to talk about what is being done in the medical world to come up with a cure. That's next Wednesday through Friday, 1:00 p.m. eastern, here on CNN.
Women have been told for years not to drink alcohol while pregnant. That's now changing. What they are saying, up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MALVEAUX: If you're expecting a baby or know someone who is, you have to listen to this. A study by British researchers found that moderate drinking during pregnancy -- that's defined as three to seven drinks a week -- had no harm on children's neurological or cognitive function as measured by ability to balance. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology continue to recommend that pregnant women should not drink any form of alcohol.
After hovering near record lows, mortgage rates starting to pick up again. If you're looking to buy, Christine Romans has three little words for you -- "Lock it in." This is this week's "How to Speak Money."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Suzanne, the lowest mortgages rate in history are starting to move higher. Just in the last month, we've seen mortgages go from around 3.5 percent to nearly 4 percent. That's according to Freddie Mac. Let's be clear. 4 percent is still incredibly low.
This track goes back to 1971. Look at that. We have never seen rates so low. But most analyst say there's only way they can go, higher.
GERRI DETWEILER, DIRECTOR OF CONSUMER EDUCATION, CREDIT.COM: If you are either in the market to buy a house or you've been on the fence about refinancing, I would say do not wait. One of the big issues of mortgages has been that the underwriting standards are pretty high. So what happens when interest rates go up is that it becomes even more difficult to qualify for a mortgage.
ROMANS: To get the best rate on a mortgage right now, you have to be looking to close within 60 days, put 20 to 25 percent down for the best rates, and have a very good credit score.
DETWEILER: You can get a mortgage even with a mediocre credit score, in the 600s, maybe mid 600s, but you're going to pay a lot less if your credit score is above say 750, 760.
ROMANS: We're talking about real money. At 3.5 percent, on a $250,000 home with 20 percent down, you pay about $898 a month. The same 30-year fixed rate at 4 percent is going to cost you 954 bucks. That's $56 more a month or $672 a year.
The story about mortgage rates today can be summed up in three little words, "lock it in" -- Suzanne?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX: All right, thanks, Christine.
The latest Superman film, starting from the beginning, when Clark Kent was sent to earth to save mankind. Some are saying that his character reminds them of Jesus. It's no coincidence. We'll take a look at the Hollywood marketing strategy behind that, up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: I have to believe that you were sent here for a reason. And even if it takes the rest of your life, you owe it to yourself to find out what that reason is. (END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: This is the new Superman movie, "Man of Steel." It is breaking box office records. It took in more than 125 million bucks in the opening weekend. It is not the only thing people are talking about, however. Some are saying the "Man of Steel" reminds them of Jesus.
Erin McPike has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(MUSIC)
ERIN MCPIKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When "Superman, Man of Steel" landed in theaters, it got a surprising boost from the pulpit. Warner Brothers partnered with a Christian public relations firm to get pastors across the country into advanced screenings of the film.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Somewhere out there, you have another father. He sent you here for a reason.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MCPIKE: The marketers have also prepared an entire sermon titled, "Jesus, the Original Super Hero," complete with clips from the film, all aimed at pointing out how Superman could be interpreted as an allegory for Jesus.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: Look at the people above and give them an ideal to strive towards. You'll help them accomplish wonders.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUINTON SCOTT, SHILOH CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH: You can actually see exactly what is being projected here.
MCPIKE: Pastor Quinton Scott, from Shiloh Christian Community Church, in Baltimore, attended one of the screenings.
SCOTT: There was a push.
MCPIKE (on camera): Did you take it seriously at first? What did you think?
SCOTT: Truthfully, no.
(LAUGHTER)
When I sat and I looked at the movie and started to see how it was the story of Christ, and the love of God was in the story, I was very excited. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: What's the "S" stand for?
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: It's not an "S." In my world, it means hope.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Here, it's an "S."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MCPIKE: All of this may seem strange, but Hollywood has long known that they could make movies miracles occur. Not just like overtly religion movies like "The Passion of Christ," but also with general family oriented fare. The formula, get pastors talking and congregations start walking right into the box office.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: You have to decide what kind of man you want to grow up to be, Clark.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TED BAEHR, MOVIEGUIDE: I think it's a very good thing that Hollywood is paying attention to the church as a market place.
MCPIKE (voice-over): Ted Baehr runs MovieGuide.
BAEHR: Where it gets sticky is when they try to manipulate the market. Where it gets sticky is where the churches try to manipulate Hollywood. I think in this case you have a good match.
SCOTT: Here we have a message about Superman and really an underlying message about the original Superman, Jesus Christ.
MCPIKE (on camera): Are you concerned that this studio is using you and religious groups to sell this movie?
SCOTT: They're using us but, in fact, we're using them. If you give me another opportunity to talk to someone about Jesus Christ, and I can do it because of your movie, that's a win for me because it is about spreading the gospel.
MCPIKE (voice-over): Erin McPike, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MALVEAUX: Just want to add Warner Brothers, like CNN, owned by Time Warner. For more on this, visit our religious blog at CNN.com.
They just wanted to reach the top of the mountain, right? But when they got there, they couldn't get back down. How they got stuck at 8,000 feet. We're going to bring you the dramatic rescue, up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) MALVEAUX: Now a story of a daring rescue. 16-year-old boy was camping with his family. This is in northern California on Saturday, over the weekend. He and a friend decided they'd climb up a peak to take some pictures not even realizing that they might have gone just a bit too far. We're talking about 8,600 feet up. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED TEEN: We thought we were -- we could walk across a ridge. When we got up there and saw the other side it was heartbreaking. That's when we realized we were in trouble. As we went up there we made decisions to get up that ended up making it so we couldn't get back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Luckily, someone saw them in distress, made a call for help. Really, pretty amazing when you take a look at this. Despite the wind gusts, they were able to do this. They plucked the boys to safety. Awesome video.
Take a look at this. First Lady Michelle Obama on a lunch date with Bono. Yeah, that's right. They ate at Finnegan's Pub. This is in a suburb of Dublin, Ireland. Mrs. Obama toured the area with her daughters while the president was at the G-8 summit. Good for them.
That's it for me. CNN NEWSROOM continues. Have a good afternoon.
Brooke Baldwin takes it from here.
