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South Korean Lawmakers Deciding President's Fate; Civilians Caught in Crossfire in Aleppo; Trump's Twitter Habit Comes Under Fire; Breaking News, South Korean Lawmakers Vote to Impeach President; Black Eye Peas' Taboo Battles Cancer, North Dakota Oil Pipeline; Britain's MI6 Opens Headquarters to Media; Remembering John Glenn. Aired 2-3a ET
Aired December 09, 2016 - 02:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[02:00:12] JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCHOR: This is CNN NEWSROOM live from Los Angeles.
Ahead this hour --
(HEADLINES)
VAUSE: Hello, everybody. Thank you for staying with us. I'm John Vause. We are into the third hour of NEWSROOM L.A.
Our top story, lawmakers in South Korea have finished voting on whether to impeach President Park Geun-hye for her alleged ties to a corruption scandal. They're now counting the ballots Ms. Park denied any wrongdoing.
Paula Hancocks is outside of the national assembly in Seoul.
Paula, the voting is done, the counting is under way. How long is this expected to take in and then what happens?
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John, we are hearing anything from minutes to a half hour, but not long at all until we know whether or not lawmakers have approved that Park Geun-hye should, in fact, be impeached. We are just hearing from one of the local media saying 299 people voted. There are 300 lawmakers on an average day. So, what they need to have is two-thirds of that to be able for this to go through. Then what happens, if the impeachment does go ahead, then President Park Geun-hye is instantly suspended. Her prime minister takes control of the day-to-day running of South Korea. And then this goes to the constitutional court. They have six months to decide whether or not to uphold this impeachment. They have 180 days to figure out if the evidence against President Park Geun-hye is strong enough for impeachment. If they decide it is, they have 60 days before there's another election for a new president. The constitutional court can reject this impeachment, which means she would then be reinstated.
So, we could be minutes away from finding out whether or not lawmakers believe the President Park Geun-hye should be impeached -- John? VAUSE: Paula, tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the
streets for weeks in Seoul. It sounds as if they are still at it where you are right now. How much anger is there in South Korea directed at the president for this scandal?
HANCOCKS: There's a tremendous amount of anger directed towards the president. There are hundreds, in fact, if not thousands that gathered there, all shouting "Down with President Park Geun-hye, resign President Park Geun-hye." There have been hundreds of thousands. Organizers say a candlelight vigil for her to step down.
Most people believe she lost legitimacy. Her approval rating is 5 percent. That's up. It was 4 percent last week. Let's face it, that's not a good approval rating. The disapproval rating, those that thought she should be impeached was 81 percent, according to Gallup, Korea. It gives you a sense of the frustration that many are feeling towards her -- John?
VAUSE: Thank you, Paula Hancocks, live in Seoul. We will come back to you the moment we have the result of the impeachment vote. Thank you for staying with us.
As Syria's civil war rages on, Russia says it is set to meet with the U.S. over the weekend to discuss a militant pullout from Aleppo. The announcement came as Russia foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, met with U.S. counterpart, John Kerry, on Thursday. Even as CNN crews continued to hear mortar fire in Aleppo, Lavrov made this claim.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SERGEI LAVROV, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER (through translation): I can tell you that today all active military operations of the Syrian army in eastern Aleppo have been suspended to allow for another, so far, the most wide-scale operation, to evacuate civilians from eastern Aleppo.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Lavrov's comments come as Syrian rebels are close to losing their last Aleppo stronghold in the wake of a brutal government assault. They only hold pockets of the city's embattled east. Civilians are fleeing and find themselves often caught in the crossfire.
Here's CNN's Fred Pleitgen reporting from Aleppo.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
[02:04:53] FRED PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As the rebels lose their grip on Aleppo, Syrian armed forces continue to pound the besieged areas, many killed and wounded in the crossfire.
We came here as a man was being evacuated, claiming he was shot by rebels as he tried to flee.
"They shot me as I was running out," he says. "They won't allow anyone to get out. They said, are you going to regime areas?"
The opposition strongly denies its fighters would harm civilians but the rebels acknowledge they won't be able to hold out in Aleppo much longer. And that realization is leading to an avalanche of people trying to flee.
(SHOUTING)
PLEITGEN: Syrian troops throwing some bread but not enough to quell the hunger of many starving for months.
(on camera): The military Syrian has made major advances once again in the past 24 hours. We can see that as the army moves forward, more and more people are coming out of the former besieged areas.
(voice-over): Many of those fleeing, families with small children, struggling to carry the few belongings they were able to take. Many overpowered by emotions. Some with barely enough strength to walk. Others too frail to walk at all.
The Syrian army has amassed a massive force at the front line. The local commander with a clear message to the rebels.
"Look at this. These are your families. Surrender yourself and drop your arms and come back to the country."
But for now, the fight goes on. This family one of the many to cross into government-controlled territory, now in safety but still agony.
"Things used to be good," this elderly woman says. "May God act out revenge on those who brought us these difficult circumstances and may God protect us."
And so, they walk on, weak and traumatized, moving into an uncertain future.
Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Aleppo.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Iraqi troops are meeting fierce resistance from ISIS fighters as they push towards the city center of Mosul. They briefly seized a hospital believed to be a base for the militants but were forced to withdraw after heavy fire and car bombs. Residents say the troops were able to establish a base for tanks nearby after days of fighting. Civilians in the city are desperate for food, water and other supplies. Iraqi police fired shots as residents threatened to overrun a U.N. aid distribution site in eastern Mosul. ISIS has had control of the city since 2014.
Indonesia's president promises to rebuild after visiting the region devastated by Wednesday's earth quake. He met with survivors in the province of Aceh. Some of the residents used makeshift tents after their mosque and homes were destroyed. The president told them reconstruction of the mosque will start on Saturday. The 6.5 magnitude earthquake killed at least 100 people and more than 3,000 are without homes.
In the U.S., Donald Trump's Thank You tour continues. The president- elect made a stop in Iowa on Thursday. He used the rally to tell Americans he will bring jobs back and more products will be made in the USA.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE UNITED STATES: My administration will follow two simple rules -- buy American and hire American.
(CHEERING)
TRUMP: Remember, years ago, we used to proudly display "made in the USA." You go to get a car and it says "made in the USA." Have you ever seen it? I don't see it anymore. We ought to start doing that. Any of the manufacturers -- we are doing a lot of talking to a lot of companies that were thinking of leave. And I don't think they will leave so fast anymore.
I know we will succeed in bringing our jobs back. I also know that China, who's been so tough and competitive, and frankly dealing with people that didn't get it, but I'll tell you what, we're going to have mutual respect. We're going to have mutual respect. And China's going to benefit and we're going to benefit.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Trump also introduced Iowa's Governor Terry Branstad as his ambassador to China. He called Branstad a man who knows and likes China. Meanwhile, Trump nominated Andrew Puzder as labor secretary. Puzder is a fast-food CEO, opposed to the $15 minimum wage and overtime pay for low-income earners and opposed to Obamacare, saying they are bad for business.
Right now, Trump's Twitter habits are coming under fire. Critics point out there is a different standard when you are president than someone sitting down, watching television.
Brian Stelter explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
[02:10:00] BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT & CNN HOST, RELIABLE SOURCES (voice-over): If you are ever wondering what president-elect is watching on TV look at his Twitter feed. It may be a good indication.
ALEC BALDWIN, COMEDIAN & ACTOR: Another great retweet.
(LAUGHTER)
STELTER: Trump often weighing in on content, especially when it is about him. On Saturday night, he called "SNL" "unwatchable" while the show was still on.
He has an instant feedback loop, watching, tweeting, watching more.
TRUMP: Having Twitter is great.
STELTER: Trump has 17 million followers. So, the consequences can be serious.
At 7:20 p.m., on Wednesday, union leader, Chuck Jones, told "Outfront" he was disappointed by Trump's job saving Carrier deal.
CHUCK JONES, PRESIDENT, UNITED STEEL WORKERS: I wish he had the numbers down and he had been up front with 800 people's jobs staying here.
STELTER: 20 minutes later, Trump castigated Jones, saying that he's done a terrible job representing workers. So, Jones came back on CNN to respond, later telling reporters he was getting threatening messages due to Trump's tweet.
Trump critic, Robert, Reich warned of the dangers of a president intimidating a private individual.
ROBERT REICH, FORMER LABOR SECRETARY & POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Because Donald Trump is probably watching right now, let me just say stop this. This is penalizing people for speaking their minds.
STELTER: Trump tweeted again, telling the steelworkers union to spend more time working and less time talking.
It is hard to know what compels Trump to complain but this TV- tweet/TV-tweet cycle was on display all campaign season long.
When he likes a show, or is on the show, he tells people to watch. When he hates the show, he gets personal, blasting anchors like Megyn Kelly.
BALDWIN: I just retweeted the best tweet. Wow, what a great, smart tweet.
(LAUGHTER)
UNIDENTIFIED COMEDIAN: Mr. Trump, we're in a security briefing.
STELTER: "SNL's" Alec Baldwin, a top target recently.
Some wondered if Trump's Boeing message saying a new Air Force One order should be cancelled was triggered by this "Chicago Tribune" story quoting the Boeing CEO's concerns about anti-trade sentiment.
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said it is fascinating and clearly good for Twitter, but is it good for America?
JACK DORSEY, CEO, TWITTER: We are entering a new world where everything is on the surface. We can all see it in real time and have conversations about it. So where does that go? I'm not really sure.
STELTER (voice-over): The Twitter CEO asking a vital question right now.
Here in Washington, President Obama was often criticized for not caring enough about cable news and not engaging enough in the day-to- day cycle. If anything, we're seeing the opposite from Donald Trump. This TV-Twitter/TV-Twitter cycle, where he reacts to private companies or private individuals or shows like "SNL" or channels like CNN, seems to be bound to continue as he moves toward the Oval Office.
Back to you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Breaking news. Lawmakers in South Korea have voted to impeach President Park Geun-hye for her alleged ties to a corruption scandal.
Paula Hancocks is live in Seoul with the latest details.
I guess this was no surprise. Do we know what the vote ended up being here, Paula?
HANCOCKS: We do, yes, John. It was pretty convincing to impeach President Park Geun-hye. 234 lawmakers voted in favor. Just 56 voted against. That's, of course, very much within the realm of the two- thirds majority they needed to impeach, but it also means many of her own party would have voted against her.
We can see the protesters a little further away. There were some fireworks let off just at the moment when it was announced the impeachment had gone ahead. There will be some happy people in South Korea today, not the 56 that voted against the impeachment, and not the president herself -- John?
VAUSE: We know the prime minister will take over in a caretaker role. But this certainly isn't done, not by a long shot.
HANCOCKS: This could take another six months before it's resolved. In theory, even then, it may not be resolved. The constitutional court takes over. The lawmakers have spoken. They'd like the President Park Geun-hye to be impeached. Nine judges will decide whether or not they think it is enough evidence against her, the charges that lawmakers made that she should be stripped of power. Within that 180 days, if they decide she should be impeached and step down, then they have 60 days to call a new election. Of course, if they decide there's not enough evidence against her she will be reinstated -- John?
VAUSE: How realistic is it that the court may not uphold this?
We might leave Paula to catch her breath. I think she's -- looks like it is cold out there in Seoul right now.
But our breaking news, the South Korean parliament has voted to impeach Park Geun-hye. She was linked to a corruption scandal with her close aide because of her relationship with Park. So, we will continue to follow this story and bring you details as we get it. [02:15:16] Of course, now, another longer process is underway in
South Korea to determine the future of Park Geun-hye. But she is now being suspended as president and the prime minister takes over in an acting role.
We'll take a short break. When we come back, the tale of a dinosaur that lived a million years ago. More details on that later this hour.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(MUSIC)
TABOO, BAND MEMBER, BLACK EYED PEAS: What if this was your last day?
What's up. Ya'll this is Taboo.
What if today, they say that I'm not one of the survivors. I took that darkness and created the song "Fight."
(SINGING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: The new single by Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas. It's called "The Fight." He's been doing a lot of fighting lately. He's been on the front lines with Native Americans trying to stop the Dakota Access Oil Pipeline from being built on their sacred land. And he recently revealed his own battle with cancer.
Taboo is joining us in Los Angeles.
Great to have you with us. Thank you for coming in.
TABOO, BAND MEMBER, BLACK EYED PEAS: I appreciate that.
VAUSE: Good to have you here.
Good news on two fronts. Start with the cancer. You are all clear, been clear for two years. Why go public with the battle with cancer.
TABOO: It was a long process of doing dee chemotherapy. There were moments where I wanted to give up. Luckily, I continued my fight and got through the rounds of chemo and I wanted to rehabilitate myself fully. When you are doing chemotherapy you usually get chemo brain. It is psychological and physical and I needed to heal before I came on and said anything. Along my journey of healing, I had a baby daughter, a baby girl who came as a surprise because they had told us we weren't going to be able to have no more kids.
VAUSE: Wow, that's great.
TABOO: By the grace of the creator, we were able to have our baby girl.
VAUSE: Congratulations. That's awesome.
TABOO: Thank you, man.
I wanted to make sure that that, as well as healing and making sure I was in the right state of mind, no more chemo brain and throughout my journey I built a partnership with the American Cancer Society and I said to myself, you know, with my music career I'm able to speak to over 70 million people. How can I use that platform and be a voice and help millions of people with the fight I went through, the same struggle? I utilized that moment as a momentum to become part of ACS. That's why it took me a while to come out and tell my story.
[2:20:01] VAUSE: Let's talk about what is happening in North Dakota. There seems there is a win. The Army Corps of Engineers have come out and said essentially the pipeline will not go across sacred lands. Many protesters, as well as yourself, believe this is not necessarily winning the war, but more of a delay. Why's that?
TABOO: We are protectors, not protesters, to clarify that. I think there is a misconception, and I want to educate the media and let people know that a lot of people say we are protesting, but how do you protest protecting sacred land that's been there for thousands of years, hundreds of years. I feel like it was my calling as a Native American, but more than that, as a human being to stand in solidarity with North Dakota, with my people that are there from different tribes, different ethnicities coming together. There were 9,000 people the day after Thanksgiving at the camp site. I feel like it's a small step forward in this battle but we still have a lot of work to do.
VAUSE: We have a statement from the company behind the pipeline, two companies, in fact. This is what it reads, "ETP and SXL are fully committed to ensuring that this vital project is brought to completion and fully expect the complete construction of the pipeline without any additional rerouting in and around Lake Oahe. Nothing this administration has done today changes that in any way."
Clearly, they are not giving up. In 40 days or so, President Obama will not be in the White House. There will be President-elect Trump and he is more sympathetic to the pipeline. What are you expecting?
TABOO: The power of the people is stronger than people in power. I feel like the fact we have come together and stand with our brothers and sisters at Standing Rock, there's a lot of us that have the same mentality of there's a lot of fight in us. It's not like actually a fight where we will be causing a ruckus or pulling out weapons. That's a misconception.
I always see that, the protesters are burning down cars and doing, you know, all of the chaotic type of behavior and that's a misconception. I want to clarify. I went to Standing Rock the day after Thanksgiving. What I saw a family environment, a family environment, children at the camp site. I saw a sense of community. Something that is not painted by the media. I feel like we need to have more people, like yourselves, that are really addressing it and bringing that topic to the world. VAUSE: I want to talk about people coming together for this. There's
been a star-studded cast of musicians, Dave Matthews, Jane Fonda was out there. And it has united Native American communities, as well.
I will play a quick clip.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(SINGING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: It seems like an anthem.
TABOO: It is. The fact I was able to bring these talented artists, produced as part of our team, Tony Duncan, all of these amazing artists to create a song and stand in solidarity with Standing Rock. It's our way of saying thank you to the protectors for being at the front lines, for putting their lives on the line. We can't know the water cannons was going to kill anybody, hypothermia, pepper spray, mace, whatever they were using -- I'm not too sure, because I wasn't there -- but I saw a lot of activity that was pretty cruel. I want to uplift the spirits of the people with an anthem. I feel like bringing these amazing artists together that need to -- I need to shed my light that I have gotten through my career with the Black Eyed Peas and show the world how amazing these artists are anymore.
VAUSE: Bringing the native communities together like never before.
[02:25:04] TABOO: Yes. I'm the voice. I'm going to be the voice. I will be the voice that brings all of my people together. Whether it is here in north America or whether it is aboriginals in Australia, in New Zealand, south American indigenous people, people in Brazil, Amazon, that's my new perspective in life and my new purpose. Yes, I'm in the fight against cancer. That's without being said. But now how do I channel that energy and give these brothers and sisters a platform for them to express themselves as well.
VAUSE: Good luck. Thank you so much.
TABOO: Thank you.
VAUSE: Great to meet you.
TABOO: Thank you.
VAUSE: Now that dinosaur story I know you have been waiting for. This dinosaur lived 99 million years ago, discovered in Myanmar. It was thought to be some kind of plant until a Chinese paleontologist look closer. The hardened tree resin contains bone fragments and feathers and adds to fossil evidence that many dinosaurs had bird-like plumes. It was the size of a tiny sparrow. And experts are excited, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime find.
We will take a quick break.
"State of America" with Kate Bolduan is next for our viewers in Asia.
Next here on NEWSROOM L.A., remembering a national treasure who had all of the "Right Stuff," John Glenn, astronaut, Senator and hero.
Also, we'll go inside the ultra-secret British spy agency, MI6. You have seen it in the James Bond movies, and now it seems it's kind of similar.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[02:30:15] JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCNHOR: Welcome back, everybody. We are in the home stretch of CNN NEWSROOM live from Los Angeles. I'm John Vause.
We'll check the headlines.
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VAUSE: For the first time, Britain's MI6 has opened its headquarters to the media, and it seems the British spy agency has a few things in common with the James Bond movies.
Details from Elise Labott.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(MUSIC)
ELISE LABOTT, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESEPONDENT (voice-over): In the world of James Bond, the head of Britain's super-secret intelligence agency, MI6, is known by a single letter, "M." In an agency that's so secret it doesn't actually exist, it's agents known by those three memorable numbers.
DAME JUDY DENCH, ACTRESS: Not quite, 007.
ALEX YOUNGER, CHIEF, MI6: Good morning. I'm pleased to welcome you here to Vauxhall Cross.
LABOTT: But today, big-screen fiction and real-world fact collided in London as the chief of the real MI6, whose real code name is "C," made a rare appearance on camera.
YOUNGER: Our value depends on our ability to keep secret that which we must.
LABOTT: Alex Younger, the head of MI6, came out of the shadows to talk about the global fight against terrorism and to dispel myths about his agency.
YOUNGER: I'm conflicted about James Bond. He's created a powerful brand for MI6. As "C," the real-life version of "M," there are a few people who will not come to lunch if I invite them.
LABOTT: For the first time, Younger allowed cameras inside Vauxhall Cross, the agency's fortress-like complex on the south bank of the River Thames, blown up on screen in the Bond movie "Sky Fall" --
(EXPLOSION)
LABOTT: -- attacked in real life with a Russian-made rocket by the IRA in 2000.
YOUNGER: -- disrupt immediate threats.
LABOTT: During his speech, the spy chief said Britain is facing, quote, "hybrid warfare," with cyberattacks, propaganda and attacks on democracy.
Younger, who first joined MI6 as the Soviet Union was crumbling, also pointed to Russian President Vladimir Putin's support of Syria's civil war as one of his country's biggest threats.
YOUNGER: We cannot be safe if from the threats that emanate from that land unless the civil war is brought to an end.
LABOTT: While Younger said the hard-charging 007 of the big screen is not the model for his agents --
YOUNGER: Were Mr. Bond to apply to join MI6 now, he'd have to change his ways.
LABOTT: -- he also admitted that at least some of the Bond movie magic and all of the gadgets are rooted in a little bit of truth.
YOUNGER: The real-life cue would to say that we enjoy and need a deep gross of gadgetry. But that's pretty much where the similarity ends.
LABOTT (on camera): Now, the U.S. and Britain are the closest intelligence partners. And Younger said he is repeatedly asked about the future of the intel cooperation in the wake of the Brexit vote and the election of Donald Trump. He predicted the partnership would continue, saying, "Given the threats out there, the need for intelligence sharing and cooperation is only going to only grow." And he was determined to make sure MI6 was ready to be an effective partner.
Elise Labott, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Mick Jagger, the Rolling Stones front man, is a dad again. His 29-year-old ballerina girlfriend gave birth to baby boy on Thursday, Mick Jagger's eighth child. He is age 73.
And Mick was the butt of a few jokes on late-night TV.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIMMY KIMMEL, HOST, JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE: The baby looks just like his dad, all wrinkly.
(LAUGHTER) When this kid turns 18, Mick Jagger will probably be --
(LAUGHTER)
He'll probably be having another baby with another woman.
(LAUGHTGER)
That's what he'll be doing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[02:35:04] VAUSE: Quite possibly. Fun fact, Mick Jagger has a great grandchild, that's great grandchild, who is two years older than his new son.
Still to come here on CNN NEWSROOM, remembering John Glenn, an astronaut, Senator and hero of the American space race.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
VAUSE: Breaking news out of South Korea. Moments ago, lawmakers voted to impeach President Park Geun-hye for her alleged ties to a corruption scandal. Ms. Park has denied wrongdoing. Under the South Korean constitution, impeachment requires a two-thirds majority of the 300 members, and the vote was 234 to 56. Ms. Park will now be suspended. The country's prime minister will be the acting president. Ms. Park will not be permanently removed from office until the country's constitutional court upholds today's vote.
A war hero, who became the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the earth, died on Thursday in hospital. John Glenn is considered an American hero, a symbol and an icon of the space age. He will be buried in a private ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. NASA sent out a tweet saying it is "saddened by Glenn's death," and ended with these words "God speed, John Glenn."
Martin Savidge takes a look back at John Glenn's remarkable life.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): John Glenn, one of America's first astronauts, one of seven men known as the Mercury Seven, chosen to take part in the United States' first attempt to put men in space.
He had already made history in 1957 by breaking the transcontinental speed record, flying from Los Angeles to New York in three hours and 23 minutes.
In 1962, the military test pilot became the first American to orbit the earth. As Glenn lifted off in his "Friendship 7" capsule, fellow astronaut, Scott Carpenter at Mission Control uttered some of the most memorable words in U.S. history.
[02:40:20] SCOTT CARPENTER, FORMER ASTRONAUT: God speed, John Glenn. SAVIDGE: Three revolutions in four hours and 55 minutes later, he
returned an instant legend. He was awarded the Congressional Space Medal of honor. And New York threw him one of the signature ticker tape parades.
Later in life, Glenn would poke fun at the risk.
JOHN GLENN, FORMER ASTRONAUT & SENATOR: We used to joke about in the past when people would say, what do you think about on the launch pad, and the standard answer was, how do you think you would feel if you knew you were on top of two million parts built by the lowest bidder on a government contract.
SAVIDGE: Until Glenn's flight, the Russians had led the space race.
JOHN F. KENNEDY, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNTIED STATES: -- this decade is out --
SAVIDGE: Glenn's success bolstered America's spirit, and gave credence to President John F. Kennedy's pledge to put men on the moon. Glenn would not be one of them. JFK ordered NASA not to fly him again. He was too valuable as an American figure. He resigned from NASA in 1964.
In 1983, the Mercury Seven were immortalized in the movie "The Right Stuff."
GLENN: I didn't much care for the movie. I thought it was dramatic enough without Hollywood doing its number on it. We had no control over that at all.
SAVIDGE: He learned to fly as part of a college course and went on to join the Marine Corps in 1943. Glenn flew 149 combat missions in World War II and the Korean War before becoming a test pilot.
After leaving NASA, he spent the next decade as a businessman. But in 1974, he ran and won a U.S. Senate seat from Ohio. When he announced he would retire at the 105th Congress, Glenn had served 24 years. He was widely regarded an effective legislature and moderate Democrat.
Not everything went perfectly for Glenn. In 1984, he ran for president.
GLENN: With the nomination of my party, I firmly believe I can beat Reagan.
SAVIDGE: John Glenn never gave up on his dream of returning to space. He got to be, as he often called it, a willing guinea pig once again. At the age of 77, he flew on a nine-day space shuttle mission. The mission was to learn about the aging process in space. The flight proved once again that Glenn was a man who embraced a challenge.
(APPLAUSE)
SAVIDGE: In 2012, President Obama recognized that, and all of his accomplishments, by awarding the former astronaut and Senator the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
For most people, fame is fleeting. For John Herschel Glenn, it lasted a lifetime.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VAUSE: Thank you for watching CNN NEWSROOM life from Los Angeles. I'm John Vause.
"World Sport" is up next.
You are watching CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WORLD SPORT REPORT)
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[03:00:10] GEORGE HOWELL, CNNA NCHOR: South Korea's parliament votes to impeach its president. We'll talk about what's next --
