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ISIS Recruiters Use Apple Pie And Video Games; Hong Kong Crowds Expected To Swell; Michigan QB Allowed To Play With Concussion

Aired September 30, 2014 - 15:30   ET

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


BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Still go through this. But I really do appreciate your strength and your time that you've taken with me today. And just raising awareness that all these young women have gone missing in the same part of Virginia. Trina Murphy, thank you for me this afternoon.

Just a quick programming note, make sure you tune into "AC360" tonight, because Morgan Harrington's mother will live joining Anderson at 8:00 Eastern here on CNN.

Coming up next, though, here a message from an ISIS recruiter to people in the west. Quote, "I am just like you." We're learning more about tactics the terror group is using to try to convince people in the U.S. to join their fight.

Plus, we are getting breaking news in that three-week manhunt for that alleged police officer killer. There is now word crews have spotted Eric Frein in the past 24 hours and two pipe bombs have been found. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Just past bottom of the hour. You're watching CNN. I'm Brooke Baldwin. Got some breaking news, I just want to pass along to you. Police in Pennsylvania finding two fully functional pipe bombs in the manhunt for the suspected cop killer.

It has been three weeks now since Eric Frein disappeared after he allegedly shot and killed that officer during an ambush. And, listen to this, we have also learned investigators have spotted Frein in the past 24 hours in the wooded area they've been searching in for quite a while.

Keep in mind, police have also said several times they were either closing in on the suspects or getting close to finding him. But again, the news coming out to CNN right now, two fully functional pipe bombs found in the manhunt. Updates as we get them.

All right. Happening right now, listening to the fierce battle as ISIS militants close in on the Syrian border city of Kobani. Kurdish troops trying to hold them back. And essentially with terrorists knocking on Turkey's door, a country which has been pretty quiet so far may now have no choice, but to join the U.S.-led war against ISIS. We are also hearing this. Turkey is submitting a motion to its parliament to, quote, "Extend its scope of potential action against ISIS." That's what's happening with regard to Turkey's parliament. But now this quote. I want you to think about this.

"Put down the chicken wings and come to jihad, bro." That's a direct quote from an ISIS recruiter and that's just the beginning of the recruiting tactics using social media to try to entice teenagers into joining the brutal terrorist group. CNN Money's Laurie Segall is here with more. Bro, really?

LAURIE SEGALL, CNN MONEY CORRESPONDENT: Bro. I mean, it's unbelievable to see how these guys are targeting westerners in particular and we've heard about ISIS using Facebook, using Twitter. But what's really scary, they've moved beyond social networks to one specifically focused on teenagers. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEGALL (voice-over): Question, favorite dessert? Answer, ice cream on top of a hot apple pie. How do you maintain your beard? Shampoo scented oils and a comb. Have you ever fallen in love? The day I embraced Islam.

These are the questions posed to an alleged ISIS recruiter on ask.fm, a site that's popular among teens. Approachable to the curious, accessible to the masses, his tag line, I'm just like you.

CNN cannot independently verify the man's identity. But terrorism analyst confirmed this man is likely an ISIS recruiter based on the social media presence.

MUBIN SHAIKH, FORMER TALIBAN RECRUITER: He's a recruiter putting himself out there to some kid who might be trolling, looking to see if he can cash in. Also on this little jihadi adventure that they all think they're on.

SEGALL: Shaikh would know. He's a former recruiter for the Taliban who later defected to work with Canadian intelligence. Over the last few years, he's been tracking ISIS tactics on western social networks from a variety of recruiters collecting Instagram pictures like this one before it was removed.

It likened the ISIS fight to the video game "Call of Duty." Propaganda posters full of heavy arms. Tweets telling readers to put down the chicken wings and come to jihad, bro.

Post that make them look like average guys playing Xbox. Pictures of what they ate for dinner. On ask.fm, curious readers inquire about how ISIS married life. Do they own a house or get paid.

Answer, they are paid $700 per wife. Another asks if he could join even if he doesn't speak Arabic. In some of those answers, you'll see a user name encouraging users to message on a private app.

As the process continues, some users are directed to more secure sites, like this password protected jihadi web form. In a statement to CNN, ask.fm says it's focused on being able to understand and catch specific threats.

The company says it's been removing profiles end up recruiting young people. Instagram says they don't allow terrorist groups like ISIS to promote their causes on the site.

But Shaikh who has been monitoring the activities for two years says the western world is playing catch-up.

SHAIKH: Recruitment's been going on for a long time. It will be on the decline. But it might be a little too late because now the individuals are already there, they're part of the group, they're part of the threat and they're welcome to bring the threat back.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SEGALL: What is so terrifying is that these guys seem so accessible. And, you know, the ask.fm site that we showed you in the beginning of the piece that is still up. That hasn't been taken down. And Brooke, it took me about 10 minutes to find that online. It was very simple, pretty unbelievable.

BALDWIN: I was just asking while we're watching the piece, how the heck you find this stuff in the first place. What about the State Department?

SEGALL: You know, there's actually a group called digital operators at the State Department. There are about 50 of them and they actually go on some of these forums and they publish anti-Islamic state messages.

They actually have a hash tag where they say #thinkagainturnaway. So they're trying to counter this. That being said, there are 50 of them doing this. This has been going on for a couple of years. So it's a massive game of catch-up and a lot of the damage has already been done.

BALDWIN: Just can't believe the mac & cheese, the bro.

SEGALL: They seem so approachable. It's unbelievable.

BALDWIN: Laurie Segall, thank you very much. Great report.

And coming up here on CNN, I want you take a look at the scenes here playing out in Hong Kong, over there, it's already Wednesday, and crowds are expected to get even bigger because it is a national holiday. Why are they gathering? One of the demonstrators spoke to CNN. You will hear from him directly next.

And did a college football coach put winning a game above the safety of one of his players? The coach had some harsh words for his critics. We'll explain what led to that controversy coming up here on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BALDWIN: Tonight in Ferguson, Missouri, the first in a series of town hall meetings to address communication between city leadership and those who live there. Ferguson has been in turmoil really ever since the shooting of a local black man, Michael Brown, by a white police officer, Darren Wilson.

Long simmering racial tensions flared over the August killings sparking violent protests. Tensions had started to calm down a bit earlier this month, but escalated after a memorial for 18-year-old Michael Brown was destroyed by a fire last Tuesday.

And it is almost 4:00 in the morning in China, start of a new day, and possibly critical day for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. But if all these leaders in Beijing are worried, they sure aren't showing it.

As they attended ceremonies just a short time ago marking the start of a national holiday. This is the 65th anniversary of the founding of Communist China. You can bet they are watching events in Hong Kong very closely.

Most Chinese workers do have the day off and that means this pro- democracy crowd, this massive crowd here in Hong Kong, it is expected to grow even larger in the coming hours.

And my colleague and host of "THE LEAD" Jake Tapper is all over this. Jake, who do you have on today?

JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST, "THE LEAD": Well, we're going to be talking to a protester on the ground there because obviously there's a lot of tension and the executive in charge of Hong Kong has said that the protesters need to disperse, that they promised they would do so if things got out of control, things have gotten out of control.

Of course, a lot of people blame the police in Hong Kong for firing tear gas. We spoke specifically with one young protester named Edward Tsoi about what is it like to be in the thick of this protest?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EDWARD TSOI, PRO-DEMOCRACY DEMONSTRATOR: It's a bit terrifying. Because it's according to my memory, it's the first time for the Hong Kong police to actually launch tear gas on his own people. So we are terrified. We don't know what the government will do next.

We have tried different means and different -- have tried to talk to the central government, it didn't work. We have tried peaceful demonstration. Just for one day, it didn't work. We have to do this movement to try to force the government to hear what we are really talking about.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TAPPER: And as you have covered before, Brooke, the Chinese promised that by 2017, the people of Hong Kong would be able to democratically elect their own rulers. They're attempting to renege on that promise having the slate of candidates handpicked by Beijing.

That's what has so many people in Hong Kong so nervous. And these big crowds we're going to see likely today because of the Chinese national day will likely only inflame matters. We're going to keep an eye on Hong Kong, of course -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: Right, it's like Beijing is saying, you know, pro-democracy, you get to choose your leaders, but we're going to choose the pool of leaders for you first. Jake Tapper, we'll be watching for that interview coming up on your show. Thank you, sir, at the top of the hour "THE LEAD."

Meantime, the most decorated Olympian ever arrested for drunk driving.

And just in to CNN, a statement from Michael Phelps, what he is saying next. We'll share that with you.

Plus, controversy over how a college football coach handled an injury to one of his players. Critics say the quarterback should never have been in the game. So why did he continue to play? What the coach is now saying next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Just in to CNN, Olympic swimmer, Michael Phelps, reacting to his dui arrest earlier this month in Baltimore. Police say he was going 84 in a 45. Among issues on Twitter, Phelps said this, quote, "Earlier this morning I was arrested and charged with dui, excessive speeding and crossing double lane lines.

I understand the severity of my actions and take full responsibility. I know these words may not mean much right now, but I am deeply sorry to everyone I have letdown.

Keep in mind, this is not Phelps first dui. Back in 2004, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months probation.

University of Michigan's football program under fire for a game time decision during last Saturday against Minnesota. You see its star quarterback, Shane Morris, took a huge hit that left him staggering and needing the help of his teammates just to get up.

He stumbled after the hit, came off the field, but was back in the game mere minutes later. That decision has put the head coach of this team on the defensive when it comes to players' safety and the well- being of his team.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your interest in the well-being of the students athletes, is that paramount?

BRADY HOKE, MICHIGAN HEAD FOOTBALL COACH: That's why you coach. That's why I got into coaching, to help kids. Well, helping kids is also their welfare and their health. I mean, we would never, ever, if we thought a guy had a concussion, keep him in the game, and never have.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Michigan's athletic director released a statement this morning in part, quote, "As of Sunday, Shane was diagnosed with a probable mild concussion and a high ankle sprain." That probable concussion diagnosis was not at all clear during the game on Saturday or in the examination that was conducted post-game.

Joining me now, CNN's chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta. I mean, you have done documentaries. You have talked so much about football concussions. Your response to this?

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: This, I think, was a mistake. I'm a Michigan guy. I went to Michigan. I was watching the game on Saturday.

BALDWIN: That's right. Forgive me.

GUPTA: And I saw that hit and it was a pretty significant hit. It's not an exact science to diagnose a concussion, but I could tell you anybody who is watching that probably knows that it was a big hit. He was down on the ground for a period of time.

And then eventually was motioned out because a neurologist on the sideline, Brooke, saw that he was stumbling around. Wasn't entirely sure, obviously, whether he had suffered a concussion because he hadn't examined him yet.

He was brought out of the game. What I understand, I read the same statement from the athletic director that you did, that neurologist was to examine Shane Morris before he went back in and because of some miscommunication that didn't happen.

And this player, who had just taken this big hit was put back in the game. Let me say as well that they make a big point of saying, look, the concussion wasn't clear. It wasn't even clear post-game. That's fine.

Again, this is not an exact science. But one of the mantras that people have talked about, who have been very serious about this issue for some time is, when in doubt, you sit it out.

BALDWIN: Right.

GUPTA: Because this is not the sort of thing you want to take a chance with. If somebody takes a second hit after suffering a concussion, we're not talking about just being out for a few seconds. We're talking about having a catastrophic brain injury even dying from that.

That second impact syndrome and that's exactly what you're trying to prevent. I think that they fell down on the job when it came to this particular player.

BALDWIN: Here's what I don't get. I don't understand how -- as many times as you have been on the television explaining the dangers, explaining these hits, explaining when in doubt, sit it out, yet something is still obviously being lost in translation that this is still happening at the college level and perhaps beyond.

GUPTA: Yes. And it's a little bit befuddling given how important this is. You saw Coach Brady Hoke there talking about fact that the welfare of the players is his concern. I think that's true. I think that he's also not the guy in a position to be able to say, you know, does this player have a concussion? Are we worried about him to bench him or not?

There was significant miscommunication on the sideline. You had a neurologist there who said, look, I'm concerned. Let's fool this player. He does come out apparently when a neurologist is coming down to examine him to make a decision and he's put back in before that examination takes place. That just is not right.

I will tell you just because I'm a football fan, the other quarterback that went in got his helmet knocked off. By NCAA rules, he's got to sit out the next play when you get your helmet knocked off. They could have brought in a third string quarterback at that point.

But instead they put in Shane Morris again, the guy that just got a significant blow to the head. And I think that was the mistake -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: Well, little did they know a different neurosurgeon would be watching the game himself and calling it out and saying it was a mistake. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thank you so much. I appreciate it.

And coming up next, more on our breaking news here, in this three-week manhunt for this alleged police officer killer. There is now word, crews have spotted Eric Frein in the past 24 hours and have found not just one but two fully functional pipe bombs as well in this search. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Breaking news here to us at CNN, police in Pennsylvania finding two fully functional pipe bombs, see this picture, in the manhunt for a suspected cop killer. It's been three weeks since Eric Frein disappeared after he allegedly shot and killed a police officer during an ambush.

We have also learned that investigators have spotted Frein in the past 24 hours in this wooded area they have been searching for quite a while, but then again police said several times they were closing in on the suspect.

And finally, a Massachusetts judge is hearing motions today in the murder case against former New England Patriot, Aaron Hernandez. The defense is trying to convince this judge to suppress some evidence. They also want the trial moved to a different venue.

Aaron Hernandez is accused of killing three people, including a semi- professional football player named Oden Lloyd. He's pleaded not guilty. And for much more on the case, I want you to watch tonight, "Downward Spiral Inside the Case Against Aaron Hernandez," 9:00 Eastern tonight on CNN.

That's it for me. I'll see you back here tomorrow. I'm Brooke Baldwin. "THE LEAD" with Jake Tapper starts right now.