Return to Transcripts main page

At This Hour

California Quake Could Cost $1 Billion; Possible Merger of Burger King, Tim Horton's; V.A. Report to be Released; Recording from When Michael Brown was Shot; Winners and Losers at the Emmys

Aired August 26, 2014 - 11:30   ET

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


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back. We are following breaking news. A senior Palestinian official says President Abbas is said to announce a Gaza cease-fire agreement about half hour from now. But a spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said word of a deal right now, just reports. A senior Egyptian government official tells CNN there is no cease-fire deal but does add we may have an announcement later today or tomorrow.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Meanwhile, more violence today in Gaza. Israel launched a pre-dawn airstrike on a residential tower. Israel's military says the building housed a Hamas command center. Residents evacuated after a warning with Palestinian officials saying 20 people were injured in that attack.

In Iraq, another car bomb has exploded. Police say this time 10 were killed in eastern Baghdad. Sectarian violence appears to be on the rise across the country. Over the weekend, a series of three car bombs and a roadside bomb killed at least 20 people in Kirkuk.

BERMAN: In Napa Valley, you're still seeing the orange vests and the hardhats cleaning up. It's rubble everywhere as that area tries to recover from Sunday's 6.0 quake. Thankfully, no deaths reported, though three were injured critically. Engineers tried to access the integrity of the damaged buildings.

PEREIRA: The areas business leaders are tallying up the economic costs. We saw some aerial footage from a drone and inside some of those wineries. Look at the damage. Overall losses, anywhere between $500 million to a billion dollars. Napa's major industry, wine, was hit very hard.

Joining us is "CNN Money" correspondent, Christina Alesci.

Good to have you here with us.

We should talk about it, people are joking about spilt wine but it really has an economic impact on the Napa Valley?

CHRISTINA ALESCI, CNN MONEY CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. If you want to put it into context, we're talking about a $13 billion industry. Now, we don't know exactly how the damage impacts that specific number but, anecdotally, we've heard from the trade association there that said luckily a lot of wineries are actually north of the epicenter, so they are minimizing the -- the language is definitely minimizing, they still have to go through and assess what the damage is and it's not just about spilled wine here. It's about the equipment. You saw pictures of those barrels. Those barrels cost a lot of money. Hundreds of dollars, sometimes thousands of dollars and then you have to look at the economic impact of reduce the tourism dollars coming into that because people may not want to go with risking that some wineries may still be cleaning up.

BERMAN: There are people there. There are jobs there, but for the rest of us around the country, what does it mean for wine prices? Are we going to be paying more?

ALESCI: That's what you want to know.

BERMAN: I want to sneak that in there.

(CROSSTALK)

ALESCI: Again, the industry being quite defensive about this, saying like 2012, 2013 vintages were among the most abundant harvests so the raw material is there. There's abundant supply, so it shouldn't impact wine prices but again the industry doesn't want to scare away any tourists that may think, oh, maybe my wine will be more expensive, maybe I shouldn't go to Napa.

PEREIRA: At least the vines weren't damage. So there's future production there.

ALESCI: Yeah.

PEREIRA: Can we switch? There is word of a big, big merger. Burger King, Tim Horton's, a beloved donut and coffee chain in Canada. It sounds like this is a quest for smaller taxes by Burger King. They are fleeing north.

ALESCI: If you listen to what the companies are saying is there's lots of logical business reasons for this deal. Right, Burger King can learn about the breakfast market from Tim Horton. Tim Horton can potentially learn about international expansion from Burger King. I would challenge anyone to think this is being done for solely business purposes. I will challenge them with the question of why do you have to move your headquarters?

BERMAN: Exactly.

ALESCI: What is the business purpose of moving your headquarters? Look, the image here is definitely lowering your tax bill.

(CROSSTALK)

ALESCI: The advantage is lowering the tax bill.

(CROSSTALK) BERMAN: They are talking about on Twitter and a lot of critics are saying one of the men helping to grease the wheels on this deal is Warren Buffett. He has a huge cash stake in this. Warren Buffett has been out there talking about tax fairness. His secretary pays a lower tax rate than he does.

ALESCI: The Buffett Rule, right?

BERMAN: Yeah, the whole rule.

(CROSSTALK)

ALESCI: Buffett is all about tax fairness.

BERMAN: Is he being hypocritical here?

ALESCI: I think critics could potentially say that about Warren Buffett. But remember, when he's talking about a more fair tax code, he's talking about income taxes.

(CROSSTALK)

ALESCI: This is corporate taxes, which he says need an overhaul. We've heard this from countless business leaders, right. The corporate taxes need an overhaul, there's gridlock in Washington. One thing is for sure. This recent deal, because it's consumer facing, is putting more pressure on Washington to act specifically on the Democrats and on the Obama administration to do something to stop these companies from taking advantage of these so-called inversions.

BERMAN: A great point.

PEREIRA: It's a really good point.

Business aside, you need to have a --

(CROSSTALK)

BERMAN: I love Tim Horton's.

(CROSSTALK)

PEREIRA: Christine Alesci, always a pleasure to have you with us.

More information on CNNmoney.com.

BERMAN: Ahead for us, @THISHOUR, President Obama about to speak to America's military veterans. Will he address the V.A. scandal? We've got big new news on that scandal as we go live to Charlotte, North Carolina, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PEREIRA: Medical marijuana may just be what the doctor ordered to reduce pain killer-related deaths. A new study finds that states with medical marijuana laws have lower rates of death caused by overdoses of prescription painkillers. Researchers looked at laws and data in all 50 states. The 13 that legalized medical marijuana between 1999 and 2010 saw a 25 percent drop in prescription pill fatalities. The study was led by a doctor at Philadelphia V.A. Medical Center.

Be sure to stay with CNN. Starting tomorrow, we're going to take a closer look at how pain killer abuse can quickly lead to heroin abuse. It's making headlines every day. It's out series called "Deadly Fix." You can watch it on air here on CNN or online.

BERMAN: You are talking about the Philadelphia V.A. Speaking of V.A. hospitals, President Obama getting ready to speak at the American Legion convention. We have some live pictures right now. He's expected to speak at the top of the hour, if he's on time. The White House says he will comment on the sacrifices made by the men and women in uniform.

PEREIRA: His speech will come before the V.A. Department releases its investigation into patient care delays.

BERMAN: CNN investigative correspondent, Drew Griffin, broke the story about the problems of medical care at America's V.A. hospitals. He's in Charlotte.

Drew, early indications from this report are going to say I believe they find no connection between the delays and the deaths of people in that Phoenix V.A.

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, John, the devil is in the details and we have to remember this is just the report of the inspector general on what happened at the Phoenix V.A. Now the V.A. has already admitted to secret lists, to wait-time delays, to at least 23 deaths across the country from people waiting. But there's some leaks coming out of the V.A. itself that says that the secretary has seen this report which, by the way, is going to be released today. It's been moved up to 1:30 today. And that the conclusion was that there was no conclusion that they can come to that says those vets waiting for care in Phoenix actually died because of the wait in care.

I want to caution you that the V.A. has -- the V.A. itself has very little credibility among veterans, in Congress, and those of us in the press who have been following this. So we have to wait to see what the actual report actually says instead of these leaks that are coming out of the V.A. Inspector General is a separate entity from the V.A., John, and Michaela.

PEREIRA: Right. And, Drew, your reporting points to those very issues. And I know you've been hearing from vets. You've been speaking to whistleblowers. Your excellent reporting has brought to light the problems there. What are you hearing from people on the ground who are probably likely to say, look, this is not my reality at all what they are saying? We know very differently.

GRIFFIN: Well, they are very frustrated. Concerned Veterans of America came out with a scathing response to these leaks. Remember, these are leaks. The whistleblower in Arizona has fired off a message to say this is a bold-faced lie. If this report comes back and says we couldn't find anyone who on that wait list died because of the wait, I'm going to personally invite them to talk to the people who -- the families who I talked to have cases of people who have died on those lists -- Michaela?

BERMAN: That report expected as we said in a couple of hours.

We'll have you take a close look at it when it does come out. We'll have much on this next hour so please stay with CNN.

Thanks for that.

PEREIRA: Turning back to a story that we've been following extensively since it all happened. We're talking about Michael Brown. He was laid to rest yesterday. I spoke with his uncle, his great uncle about a newly reveal recording, an audio recording that is believed to be from the exact moment that a police officer opened fire on an unarmed teenager. Interesting comments and his concerns. We'll bring those to you straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: Family members of slain teenager, Michael Brown, are hoping that no new violence will erupt after a new audio recording has emerged. The recording allegedly reveals the moment the unarmed teenager was killed.

PEREIRA: We have known that he was shot multiple times by Officer Darren Wilson. There is new concern that the new audio could add fuel to the racial firestorm over the incident.

Earlier today, on "New Day," I had an opportunity to speak with Brown's great uncle about all of it. Here's some of our discussion.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REV. CHARLES EWING, UNCLE OF MICHAEL BROWN: When I heard the audio, with the regarding what the autopsy report is, stating six shots, but we know, according to some witnesses that there were more shots than the six shots. And I'm not surprised when the audio-video came out, not saying that it's valid right now, but if it is valid, I'm not surprised with the amount of shots that were fired that they hit my nephew.

PEREIRA: There's a three-second pause between those initial shots. And we'll play it one more time. You can hear a pause. Our audio expert says there's 10 and one other, the 11th that you heard, he believes that's an echo. Let's take a listen.

(BEGIN AUDIO FEED)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You are pretty.

(GUNFIRE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're so fine. (GUNFIRE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just (INAUDIBLE).

(GUNFIRE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE).

(END VIDEO FEED)

PEREIRA: Obviously, investigators are going to have to listen to that and comb through that, get their otologists (ph) on it to hear and to try to determine what that pause was.

Are you concerned what the reaction is going to be, if this is going to enrage people?

EWING: I am very concerned, because the fact, we had buried my nephew yesterday and I'm very concerned about the action and the community of these later findings. And I'm very concerned. We're praying for peace in the community and in the nation. I was sharing, we as a nation, we should set an example before the whole world that we must come together. And healing can only take place if people are honest. When things are disclosed, it inbreeds more animosity within the people's hearts and it causes distrust in the community as well.

PEREIRA: People have said there's no justice -- There's no peace without justice.

I want to turn to your eulogy yesterday. Very heartfelt eulogy. They chose you to deliver that for the family. Because we know it was a very, very personal day in a very public fashion. Very hard to have to deal with that for the family and those that loved Michael Brown.

I want to quote something you said yesterday. A bit of a rallying cry. You said, quote, "There's a cry being made from the ground, not just for Michael Brown, but Trayvon Martin, for those children in the Sandy Hook Elementary School, for the Columbine massacre, for black- on-black crime."

You made your remembrance of your great nephew, Michael, more than just about his death.

EWING: Yes, I did. Because the nation is hurting. And we have to realize that something has to be done, you know, with the guns and with the crime that's taking place throughout the nation. My heart goes out to all people of the nation of the United States of America. And we have to come together as a nation. You know, it still holds true. Our flag, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We should set a precedent and example for the whole world. The whole world is watching America. And we must show them an example that we, as a nation as a whole, black, white, regardless of what nationality, that we should come together as a people in order to heal the hurt within ourselves and to come together, sit down at the table and come to an agreement. We must be our brother's keeper. This is one of the other parts of the message that I wanted to portray. We have to look out for one another.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PEREIRA: Peace and unity. That's the message. And the hope that Michael Brown's family certainly has for the country. It was part of obviously the pastor's eulogy yesterday. Very moving. But also a call to action.

BERMAN: It's a few minutes before the hour. Ahead for us, the Emmy Awards were last night. It was a good night for "Breaking Bad." It was a good night for "Modern Family." But not so much for Netflix. We'll break it all down next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PEREIRA: Oh, what a Monday night at the Emmys. You've seen this before. The Dumfies taking it again. "Modern Family" taking its fifth straight Emmy for best comedy series, tying with "Frazier" for the most Emmys in a row.

BERMAN: It was the second straight Emmy for "Breaking Bad" with Bryan Cranston also taking home the Emmy for leading actor in a drama series. Cranston also at the center of the drama last night, stopping award winner, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, --

(CROSSTALK)

BERMAN: -- as she walked up to accept her outstanding actress in a comedy series award.

PEREIRA: The two worked together in the past, on an episode of "Seinfeld."

Joining us, the man with the prettiest eyes on television, Brian Stelter, host of CNN's "Reliable Sources."

He thought I wouldn't say it.

(LAUGHTER)

BRIAN STELTER, CNN HOST, RELIABLE SOURCES: We had a $10 bet that she wouldn't say it.

PEREIRA: I'll do anything on my birthday.

STELTER: Happy birthday to you.

(LAUGHTER)

We're both Virgos.

PEREIRA: We are.

What a show on a Monday night, a school night we should talk about.

STELTER: The ratings haven't come in but I think it probably did well. One of the reasons they moved it from Sunday, it competes with football, competes with other things. Even though it wasn't the most exciting Emmys in the world.

BERMAN: It wasn't exciting because the big names were the big winners.

STELTER: It was like previously on the Emmys. It goes to show the voters love a few of these shows. "Modern Family," "Breaking Bad" is now off the air, so next year, they'll have to pick a different drama, either "Game of Thrones" or "Homeland" or something else.

PEREIRA: What I find interesting is we have seen this movement in the last few years away from network. We've seen cable shows kind of clean up at the Emmys. We've seen these upstarts on Netflix like "Orange is the New Black." Not so much last night.

STELTER: I was predicting "Orange is the New Black" would bring the best comedy award.

PEREIRA: I thought so, too.

STELTER: No only because it's the best comedy but it's new. It's innovative. Not this time. They went with, I think, the easy choice.

BERMAN: Do you think there's a backlash here? I always wonder if they're maybe a little bitter.

STELTER: Netflix is the outsider. It is the outsider. It is the disrupter. Even though it's not actually hurting the cable subscription business, it is creating tension. It is creating anxiety. And I do wonder if that plays on the voters minds. On the other hand, it's a great new outlet for shows.

(CROSSTALK)

STELTER: It should be celebrated for that reason

PEREIRA: And for actors. It's putting actors to work. We see a lot of --

(CROSSTALK)

STELTER: Look at Laverne Cox, the first transgender nominee in Emmy history. She ended up not winning in that category. But to even have that nomination was a big deal. That's the kind of show that Netflix was able to support that other networks in the past may not have, but there's always next year, guys.

(CROSSTALK)

(LAUGHTER)

STELTER: Next year, it won't just be Netflix. I bet it will be Hulu and Amazon.

(CROSSTALK) BERMAN: The internal competition as it were. "Breaking Bad" won't be there. So someone else will win.

STELTER: Someone else will win.

PEREIRA: Look into those eyes and tell me they're not pretty.

BERMAN: I will address this --

(CROSSTALK)

STELTER: I hope I'm not too red. I hope the makeup is covering my blush.

PEREIRA: -- Brian.

BERMAN: You look charming.

And so are you on your birthday. Happy birthday, Michaela Pereira.

PEREIRA: Can I plug his show?

BERMAN: Please do.

PEREIRA: He has one. It's called "Reliable Sources," Sunday mornings, CNN.

BERMAN: Where they will still be celebrating.

STELTER: Plug your show, next Sunday. Try to come back and close the circle.

(CROSSTALK)

BERMAN: That's it for us. Thanks for watching.

(CROSSTALK)

(LAUGHTER)

BERMAN: I'm John Berman.

PEREIRA: I'm Michaela Pereira.

"LEGAL VIEW" with Deb Feyerick starts right now.