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George H.W. Bush Joins Twitter; Asiana Airlines Crash Hearing; Congress Grills Kathleen Sebelius

Aired December 11, 2013 - 15:00   ET

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

SHANE HOBEL, FOUNDER AND OWNER, THE MOUNTAIN SCOUT SURVIVAL SCHOOL: They stayed together, and they also stayed with the vehicle. More often than not, they wander.

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Why is that key?

HOBEL: Most people feel like, if they're trapped or the vehicle is broken down, they have a better chance of actually making it on their own. The fact of the matter is, is, it doesn't also turn out the best. Stay with your vehicle. Stay with the last point seen. This helps search-and-rescue agencies all across the board.

BALDWIN: A lot of survivalists also say that the biggest enemy isn't necessarily the weather, isn't necessarily the desolate situation, but it's your mind. You could be overwhelmed.

(CROSSTALK)

HOBEL: You're absolutely right. Yes, for sure, it's an overwhelming layer of emotions. You're dealing with not only your children, but now you have somebody else's children. I can't imagine what they were going through, but they did the right thing. They stayed true to the task at hand, and no matter the emotions, acknowledge them, but put them on the side, and keep going with what you have to do.

So, the four basic essentials are shelter, water, fire, food. The fact that he heated up rocks, it's an old technique. It's for heat. You can cook with it, bring it into your shelter, you can dig a ditch, put them underneath the earth, lay on top of it, so brilliant, great thinking for him. The fact he used the tire for a fire and fuel, use the resources at hand.

BALDWIN: What didn't they do? What would you have done differently, maybe starting with the food?

HOBEL: Well, I think preplanning certainly comes a long way. If you're going to take the time to go out and enjoy your recreation, kayaking, hiking, whatever that may be...

BALDWIN: Take some stuff with you.

HOBEL: Take extra stuff with you. You're in the vehicle. They had their vehicle. There's no reason why you couldn't have extra water rations, blankets, or otherwise, even games. Keep yourself occupied, especially when it comes to the children. So preplanning makes a big deal. In terms of telling everybody where you're going, when you expect to come back, what route you're taking, and communication options. Now, I know the cell phone, the ping, helped coordinate this effort. There are a lot of really cool gizmos on the market these days. In fact, they have become quite reasonable. More notably is the little GPS locater for skiers when avalanche occurs.

BALDWIN: Sure.

HOBEL: There's no reason why that that can't be used in a situation like this.

BALDWIN: I suppose it's one thing if you're going out for a while. But if you know you're going out there, think ahead, think ahead and bring some of these with you.

HOBEL: It's insurance.

BALDWIN: Shane, thank you very much, again, founder and owner of Mountain Scout Survival School. Nice to meet you.

HOBEL: Nice to meet you.

BALDWIN: And now happening in Washington, an investigative hearing on the crash of an Asiana Airlines plane in San Francisco, details coming out this hour. This is what we have heard already. And I will share it with you. It's been absolutely stunning. We will get to that in just a moment.

But, first, let's just go back to what happened July 6. Look at this with me. This is new video just in to CNN. This shows the moments when this Flight 214 hit the seawall. This is near the runway at San Francisco International Airport. It's a crash that killed two Chinese teenagers and injured 181 other passengers, and then a third teenager killed by a foam emergency truck here which was responding to the scene.

Now, as the National Transportation Safety Board investigates what caused that fatal crash, we have learned disturbing new details from the first officer who was sitting behind those pilots.

So for that, let's go to Washington to Rene Marsh.

And, Rene, tell me what we have learned from that first officer.

RENE MARSH, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: Well, Brooke, 52 seconds before the crash, we know that the first officer warned the crew that the plane was descending too fast.

Pilots who have flown 777s say that 52 seconds is more than enough time to react and correct the problem, but for whatever reason, the problem was not corrected. Also, we now know that the pilot flying the plane was uncomfortable with landing it visually without the help of instruments to help guide him in. He called visual approaches -- quote -- "difficult and stressful," and we also know that he wasn't very confident about how the 777's automated systems worked. And he felt that, according to what he told to investigators, he should have studied it a little bit more.

As we have been reporting, Brooke, we know that investigators are concerned about pilots' over-reliance on these automated cockpit systems and today at the hearing, we just saw, still going on, they questioned an expert about how these systems work. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAPT. JOHN CASHMAN, RETIRED PILOT: We accept the fact that pilots, as all humans, make errors. We try to make errors that can be corrected and noticed, and, lastly, at least for today, as we apply automation as a tool to aid the pilot, not replace the pilot.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARSH: All right, so just like cruise control in a car, it does not replace the driver. And in this case, we know that the pilot thought that the automated system was preset to a specific speed.

But it turns out the system was not engaged, problematic. One last thing, Brooke, we spoke to a couple pilots. They say this suggests a couple of possibilities. Either, A, they weren't crosschecking that equipment, or, B, they didn't fully understand how to operate this automated system, both of those extremely horrifying if you're a passenger on that plane.

BALDWIN: Can't imagine. And then let's add that this other layer of the story, the conversation also turning to looking more into Korean culture, more of a deferential culture, perhaps this one person, you know, didn't want to speak up.

MARSH: Absolutely. And that was a question that the investigators asked him. They said, did you at any point think about aborting this landing?

And the answer that this pilot gave was that this would be a very difficult decision because the person who was in the cockpit was more senior than him didn't make that call. And he felt that he would have been in a very difficult position to make that call without his senior doing it first, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Rene Marsh, thank you.

Coming up next, a college student killed, shot five times by police. Cameron Redus was on the dean's list. He was co-valedictorian of his high school. Investigators say he resisted arrest, that he assaulted this officer. But his parents, they talked exclusively to CNN about what happened with their son that night. We have that for you.

Also, a community outraged, three teens arrested just waiting for the school bus. They claim they were unfairly targeted so they fought back. And guess what? They got results. A lot of people talking, too, about the supermodel mom. Gisele posted a picture on Instagram. You have to wait for it. We will show you why a lot of moms are praising, but also criticizing her today.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: The family of a Texas college student shot dead by a police officer is talking to CNN about what happened to their son; 23-year- old Cameron Redus, a student, at the University of the Incarnate Word, died after being shot five times last week during this scuffle with campus police.

He had been pulled over for erratic driving. Now, the officer's report cited him as being drunk, being disobedient, violent. That incident is now under investigation.

And CNN correspondent George Howell traveled to Redus' family home in Seabrook, where his family unleashed an outpouring of emotion over the tragic loss of their son.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE HOWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: If you both had one word to describe him, what would it be?

VALERIE REDUS, MOTHER: Adventurous.

MICKEY REDUS, FATHER: Adventurous, I would say, or maybe passionate, because adventure was one of his passions. Friendship was one of his passions. He genuinely cared about people. And so people responded to that.

HOWELL: That picture, that was the last time Cam was with his friends.

V. REDUS: The night ended so tragically, but I was glad that he got to spend it with his classmates. It comforted me to be able to see that picture, see the smiles on everybody's face.

It was -- and, anyway, I was glad to get to meet some of those kids. And it helped me to cope with the tragedy. And they all began to pour their hearts open to us and tell us what a fascinating person he was and how much they wanted to be like him, and how much he encouraged them, inspired them.

HOWELL: The university has put out a statement. The police are releasing some facts. We still don't know all the facts, but, as a family, how do you deal with the contradiction, these two stories about who you know Cam to be and what you're hearing?

V. REDUS: I know the man that I have seen for 23 years. I know what he's become. I know how steadfast and true to the way we brought him up that I just feel like the truth will come out.

M. REDUS: We want to know what happened. And so we're reserving judgment. And we wish that everybody else would do the same, would reserve judgment until the facts are known.

But we do believe, knowing his character, knowing who Cameron was, knowing the boy that we raised to manhood and the young man that he had become, we really believe that, when we get the facts, they're going to show that he did not deserve what ended up happening that night.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: George Howell joins me now.

And, George, so hearing these parents, we hear them say the truth will come out. Let's talk about the investigation. Where does it stand right now?

HOWELL: Right.

Brooke, we understand that this will be a two-week investigation. And during that time, and throughout, we know that Corporal Chris Carter, he has been placed on paid administrative lead. Keep in mind, this officer has reportedly had eight jobs in nine years. They will definitely be looking into his background, also looking into exactly what he says happened that night.

You heard there in the interview the family is just waiting to hear more details. They're trying to withhold judgment until they get the full story. Again, you know, Brooke, this family, they were excited. They were looking forward to a graduation come May, but now we know that they are planning for a funeral that is set for tomorrow.

BALDWIN: George Howell for us in Seabrook, Texas, George, thank you.

Here's a question. How do you reach millions of people in a matter of seconds? Twitter, of course. George H.W. Bush now part of the Twitterverse officially today, so that got us thinking. Which president has the most followers and how does that compare to other big-name celeb tweeters?

And if you are on social media, you probably have heard of this story. Supermodel Gisele posted a picture on her Instagram that has some moms outraged. We will share the picture and talk about the buzz next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: You know the saying, a picture can say 1,000 words. One particular Instagram of just -- she's absolutely gorgeous when you see the picture, but we're going to talk about the implications.

Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen is igniting yet another debate about breast-feeding. She's posted this photo of herself yesterday. This happened yesterday. And here you go. Take a look at it. You be the judge. It shows her with her glam squad, as she called them, while she's breast-feeding her 1-year-old daughter, Vivian Lake.

This is what she said when she posted this Instagram picture -- quote -- "What would I do without this beauty squad after the 15 hours flying and only three hours of sleep? #multitasking #gettingready."

What looks like multitasking for this mom is stirring up more chatter about when and where it is appropriate to breast-feed. This is not the first time this NFL wife and supermodel has fired at social media with her take on this particular topic.

Let me take you back three years. She got some backlash for a comment she made to "Harper's Bazaar," a U.K. magazine, when she suggested that six months of mandatory breast-feeding should be a law. Now, I should tell you that CNN reached out to Bundchen's camp for reaction to the public response over her Instagram. So far, no response.

But let's talk about this with the moms, both sides here, Melissa Musen Gerstein and Denise Albert, creators of the lifestyle Web site TheMoms.com.

So, ladies, nice to see you.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: You say this is awesome.

You say this is obnoxious.

Let's begin with the obnoxious factor. Let's throw the picture back up, Michael, and tell me what is obnoxious about the photo.

DENISE ALBERT, THEMOMS.COM: Well, I think there's a few things that are obnoxious about it.

I think, first of all, breast-feeding is a personal choice. And Gisele, I think this is, as you said, on the heels of her other comments. So, I think it's not really sort of encompassing the whole everyone's different opinions. I get attacked for saying that it's obnoxious and saying that it's a personal choice, but it is a personal choice.

And I think this is not really how America operates, I mean, in terms of the multitasking. It's a very elitist picture. It is obnoxious, and I think that the world can't relate to that. We would all love to be glammed and have glam squads every day.

BALDWIN: I want to come to that notion, because I think there is a whole other layer of that picture beyond the breast-feeding that we will talk about.

Melissa, you say it's beautiful. Beautiful because?

MELISSA MUSEN GERSTEIN, THEMOMS.COM: It's beautiful. It's beautiful because the woman, the mother breast-feeds. And America has to get over it.

ALBERT: Some, not all.

MUSEN GERSTEIN: A lot do. And America has to get over it. And this is her job. She's a model. She hasn't become the biggest supermodel in the world for sitting on her -- all day. She makes a very good living. And this is part of her job. Yes, she's getting her hair and her nails done. I have breast-fed while brushing teeth and scrambling eggs. It's multitasking. It's motherhood.

BALDWIN: But, see, that's the thing. That's what I think. I can just hear, I can hear you, working moms, because you're thinking working mom? She's working by getting her nails done and her face done and her hair done.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: While you're flipping eggs and brushing your teeth. It's not the same thing.

(CROSSTALK)

MUSEN GERSTEIN: That's her reality, that's her job. And if you don't want to look at her Instagram or follow the 1.2 million followers, then you don't have to.

BALDWIN: Then you don't have to.

MUSEN GERSTEIN: And I think by putting that picture out there...

ALBERT: Well, I'm not looking at it, but everyone is talking about it. So, it's a good topic of conversation, because -- but I think the problem is, is, I'm not saying that she shouldn't do her job. That's her job and good for her.

But I think that if she has a statement to make, there might have been a better way to do that. Show me carrying your kid while you're at the supermarket or while you're working on the set.

BALDWIN: Not with the beauty squad.

ALBERT: Bring her to the set of your job. Show me that you're actually working. To me, she's not working in this picture. This isn't work.

BALDWIN: Are we just jealous?

(CROSSTALK)

MUSEN GERSTEIN: Yes. We're jealous and we're judging. And to call her obnoxious is ridiculous. She's feeding her baby, which is a natural thing to do. And it's what mothers need to do.

(CROSSTALK)

ALBERT: But why does she have to post that?

(CROSSTALK)

MUSEN GERSTEIN: That's her Instagram.

ALBERT: She did it for a reason while she's getting her hair and her makeup done. Do it on a set while your kids are playing and you're in between takes. I'm not coming down on her for being a supermodel. This is her job and we all understand that, or for breast-feeding.

It's not even about breast-feeding. It's about that picture and the choices that she made and why she made them to post the picture. Show me you're working. She me yourself working.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Final word.

MUSEN GERSTEIN: She is working. That is her job. And I think that's a great message put out there for working moms today because companies need to take notice and let us feed our babies in the work force.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Boom. Boom. What do you think?

ALBERT: Obnoxious. No.

BALDWIN: Send me a tweet @BrookeBCNN. I would love to hear what you think.

Ladies, thank you very much, TheMoms.com. There you have them.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Coming up next, a touching story about this little girl and her fight to save others from cancer.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GABRIELLA MILLER, CANCER SUFFERER: It's not fair. Just because, you know, we don't know as much doesn't mean we're not important.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Sadly, Gabriella Miller died from a brain tumor just weeks ago. Any minute, Congress will vote on a bill in her name. It would give more money to cancer research. It may have a tough time passing. We will explain the broader context here, the politics at play, and get reaction from Gabriella's parents. They will join me live next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Here we go. Welcome back. I'm Brooke Baldwin.

George H.W. Bush, yes, I'm talking -- love this picture -- about the colorful sock wearing, skydiving octogenarian George H.W. Bush. You can now add him to the former president ranks on Twitter, his first tweet, praising Nelson Mandela and wishing he and Barbara could have joined the U.S. delegation that went to South Africa for his memorial service.

And then today, how about this, President Clinton then tweeting Bush 41 -- quote -- "Congrats on joining Twitter, Mr. President. Easier than skydiving."

Yes, you have it today, presidents tweeting presidents.

Laurie Segall, our CNN tech correspondent, Brian Stelter, our CNN senior media correspondent to talk about all the tweeting among these presidents.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: So, Laurie, let's begin with you. How many presidents are actually on Twitter right now?

LAURIE SEGALL, CNN TECH CORRESPONDENT: Personally, you have got three United States presidents on Twitter, Barack Obama, first one to join. Everybody always knew Barack Obama as like the Twitter president. He was on there before he even became president. He's the fourth most followed person on Twitter. He's got 40 million followers. Bill Clinton, about in April he joined. He has over a million followers, and now, as of today, Bush Sr. on there. He has got something like 63,000 followers and that's going to go up very quickly.

But let's put that in perspective. Katy Perry has 48 million followers.

BALDWIN: Hello.

SEGALL: Justin Bieber, 47 million followers. Barack Obama got in early. He was an early adopter, so he has tons of followers, but you see the appeal for these guys to join. And people want to hear from these former presidents.

BALDWIN: They do. My next thought, though, is, who is really tweeting, Brian Stelter? Right? I know with Barack Obama, right, isn't it the B.O.? That's how we know it's him?

(CROSSTALK)

BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: That's right. He has almost as a strange way to sign off as I do, B.S. B.O. is sort of a strange way to sign your tweets, but I like he does that because you know that it's really the president tweeting.

BALDWIN: Right.

STELTER: Otherwise, it's his staff. There's a whole team who is in charge of tweeting for him.

And I have a feeling that's the case for Clinton and for H.W. Bush as well. You know, these people have a lot of P.R. people all around them to take care of them. BALDWIN: But with the P.R. people come the official tweets and the official photos. Don't you want the Barack Obama selfie on the Twitter page? Come on, White House. That's what I want.

(CROSSTALK)

STELTER: I really liked how the White House tweeted to H.W. Bush the other day, yesterday, and said, welcome to Twitter. How about the crazy socks? I have taken all my crazy sock inspiration from H.W. Bush, by the way.

BALDWIN: Excellent.

SEGALL: It's those pictures where you actually see the tweeting, you feel like you're behind the scenes. That is what makes Twitter special, right, the idea that you could have access to somebody like this, you could see an intimate moment of Bill Clinton with his wife Hillary Clinton in Hyde Park. He tweeted a picture of that recently, just saying, "I'm enjoying a lovely day with my wife."

BALDWIN: I love that.

SEGALL: That's where you feel like you're connected and that is the power of technology, when you use it the correct way.

STELTER: Right. They're definitely sculpting their public personas. They're clearly thinking through every tweet before they post it.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: They have to. They should, right? We may want the screwups, because whatever, but...

SEGALL: If they don't, we will talk about it. Right?

BALDWIN: Exactly.

(CROSSTALK)

STELTER: But it is a great way to make announcements. I remember when the White House got a new dog and it was revealed via YouTube and Twitter. It was a lot of fun to see the dog that way, admittedly in a scripted, organized way, but it was probably the most personal way to release that information.

BALDWIN: Your sock inspiration could also come from Sanjay Gupta.

STELTER: Could it?

BALDWIN: Have you looked at his socks?

STELTER: I don't think I have.

BALDWIN: OK. That's an aside, but you should.

(CROSSTALK) BALDWIN: Brian Stelter, Laurie Segall, thanks.

STELTER: I will tweet him right now and ask about it.

BALDWIN: Perfect. Thanks, you two.

And make sure you watch Brian each Sunday, 11:00 a.m., right here on CNN for "RELIABLE SOURCES."

Guys, thank you very much.

STELTER: Thank you.