Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

BP Claims Cleanup Progress, Digital Age Distractions

Aired May 15, 2010 - 15:30   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN NEWS ANCHOR: Hello everyone, I'm Fredricka Whitfield in Atlanta checking our top stories, right now. The ash cloud from the Iceland volcano is back and may cause new travel problems in Europe. Some British airports could shut down as early as tomorrow. Germany says it may close some of its airports on Monday.

And in space, astronauts on board the space shuttle "Atlantis" are struggling with some bulky camera equipment and NASA is keeping an eye on some space junk threatening the fly too close to the International Space Station. Neither problem, however, is expected to delay tomorrow's scheduled docking of the two space vehicles.

And in Pakistan, the prosecution has concluded its case against five Pakistani-Americans facing terrorism charges in Pakistan. The men, all Muslims from Alexandria, Virginia, have pleaded not guilty. The defense is scheduled to present its case next month.

In a news conference just this hour, BP claims that it has made some progress in containing that massive oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. Let's get right to David Mattingly, who is following all of this from New Orleans.

And David, when we say containing, we don't necessarily mean plugging up that hole, that leak, but instead, we are talking about them saying that the dispersants appear to be working.

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: At this moment, they say that they have continued with government -- a watchful government eye, monitoring the progress, the use of this dispersant underneath the water. This is the first case of its kind where they've tried to use this underneath the water instead of on top of the water to disperse an oil spill, but right now, they have resumed the use of that down at the bottom, at the source of this oil leak.

Now, they claim that they are being successful with this, instead of allowing the oil to go up to the top, where it pools up and forms a slick, it is breaking up throughout the water column. This, of course, is an experiment to some degree, to a great degree, because they have never tried this before, so the U.S. government's saying they have set parameters. They are monitoring this, and they will be prepared to stop it again if they see any problems.

WHITFIELD: We also heard, David, you know, when Mary Landry of the U.S. Coast Guard was asked about the dispersants and whether they were indeed the proper, the safest for the environment, she said that these were approved, presumably EPA approved or approved by some other entity?

MATTINGLY: The EPA has a preapproved list of what kind of dispersants can be used. She really didn't get at the question of whether or not these are the best available dispersants that you can be using. There are some less toxic dispersants that are available. The question of why they're not being used wasn't fully answered there. But this is a debate that's going to continue to go on as the effects of this dispersant are being measured.

Again, this has never been done before on this kind of scale, it's never been applied before underneath the water, so the concerns are how are you going to track it. How are you going to find out what sort of long-term problems that are going to exist. All we know right now is what the EPA has been telling us, is that yes, these dispersants that are being used have some toxicity, yes, they are bad for the environment to a certain degree, but they are serving a function here and they are not as toxic as the oil that they are breaking up. So, they said they made this decision not lightly to continue with their use subsea and they'll keep watching this as this experiment goes on.

WHITFIELD: All right, David, and I think we have a little bit of sound from that press conference that took place earlier. Again, U.S. Coast Guard was there, Department of Interior Secretary. as well as BP. Let's listen in a little bit.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DOUG SUTTLES, COO, BP: It appears that the application of the subsea dispersant is actually working. The oil in the immediate vicinity of the well and the ships and rigs working in the area is diminished from previous observations. In addition, our efforts as the admiral's already referenced, to fight this offshore appear to be working. There is oil on the sea, it is quite dispersed across the region, across the area shown on the map here on the right, and we're 23 days since the rig sank and the release began, and thankfully, we've had very little impact to shore, partly due to our efforts and undoubtedly partly due to Mother Nature's.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right, that was the chief operating officer with BP, Doug Suttles. Something we also heard from Suttles, he talked about this insertion tube that has made its way to the floor of the gulf, but he says mission accomplished sometime later on tonight. Can you explain what that's all about?

MATTINGLY: What they had to do when they were trying to get this tube inserted and put together down there, things weren't working quite right. The frame that they have this insertion tube in was not configured correctly so that they could connect to that tube, that hose that will get it all the way up to the surface and into a containment vessel. So they had to bring it up to the surface, they had to make some adjustments to the frame, they have to send it back down and tonight, they feel like they might be able to get that back in place, connected the way it's supposed to be and working. This is a little bit of an improvement on the forecast that we got just a half hour earlier than that announcement that it was going to be a couple of days, but now they think, hearing from the BP spokesman there, directly, that we should be able to see some success with this tonight.

And backing up to the issue of what we heard in that sound bite from BP about the success of this dispersant, yes, it is successfully dispersing the oil, but the success, environmental success, is still being measured on this. Those hydrocarbons are still in the environment and that's still a big question mark out there looming what will these hydrocarbons be doing to that sensitive ecosystem everywhere that they flow through.

So again, the Gulf of Mexico, a huge Petri dish right now, if you want to call it that, as we're using this dispersant, as we're looking at what it does to the oil, but those hydrocarbons, while they're breaking down, are still in the environment and the long-term question of what it's going to do still has yet to be answered.

WHITFIELD: All right, David Mattingly, thanks so much. We're going to talk to, actually, an environmentalist a little bit later on, you're going to hear her point of view where she's now calling what's taking place there in the Gulf of Mexico, the oil along with the dispersants, she's calling it a "toxic stew." Thanks so much, David Mattingly. We'll hear from her a little bit later on.

All right, meantime, they are all disabled. Some were told they'd actually never walk again. So what are they doing on surfboards now? We'll tell you when we introduce you to the latest "CNN Hero."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, how do you overcome tragedy to rediscover your zest for life? Well, if you're Dana Cummings, you focus on what you can do, not what you can't. He is this week's "CNN Hero."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA CUMMINGS, CNN HERO: When I learned to surf it was amazing. You feel such a powerful connection with the Earth and the water.

I'm a veteran. I served in the Gulf War. I came back without injury.

In 2002, I was in a car accident and lost my leg. When you come become disabled, you feel trapped. And when I felt the first breath freedom, of riding that wave, I was, like, this is so good, and it was so inspiring. I wanted to share that feeling that I had with others.

I'm Dana Cummings, and I started an organization to help people focus on their abilities, not their disabilities, through surfing. We work with people with disabilities. A lot of are veterans. We just want you to feel the rehabilitative power of the ocean and surfing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got hurt on my way home in the Navy. I remember waking up in a V.A. hospital and not being able to move my legs.

CUMMINGS: It's just amazing, the recovery he's made, because he was told he would never walk again. Now he's surfing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I owe a lot to Dana and AMP Surf. And what it does physically for me and what it does emotionally, mentally, is priceless.

CUMMINGS: Come on. There you go, Brian. Catch this wave, buddy.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was a little nervous, but once we got started I wasn't scared anymore. It was really great.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I actually got up on the first wave. Definitely coming back to do this again. It was awesome.

CUMMINGS: We always want to give our participants the power and the passion for life that we have. They're going to push themselves to the best of their ability, and if we can give them that self- confidence, that is a gift, no one can ever take that away from them.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: So, in the past six years, Dana Cummings and his group have actually taught more than 300 disabled people how to surf. So to nominate someone you think is equally extraordinary and perhaps even challenging the world, go to CNN.com/heroes. We know you know somebody like that out there.

All right, a look at our top stories, right now. BP claims some success in the battle to contain the massive oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. A spokesman just a short while ago actually, the chief operating officer, said chemical dispersants appear to be reducing the size of the oil mass. He also said a siphon tube is expected to be inserted into the ruptured oil pipe and it just might be working tonight.

And more violence in Bangkok, Thailand from anti-government demonstrators. At least eight people were killed in clashes today. Thailand's prime minister accuses some of the protesters of trying to start a civil war. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department is offering to evacuate family members of its staff from Bangkok and urging Americans not to travel to the Thai capital.

And in California, a former Food Network chef is under arrest in an alleged murder for hire plot. Juan-Carlos Cruz is accused of recruiting homeless people to kill an unidentified person. The plan fell apart when the homeless people he allegedly solicited actually contacted police, according to officials. Cruz was the host of "Calorie Commando." His arraignment is scheduled for Monday.

And this is a portion of the hour we always look forward to, just minutes away now from our weekly look at the latest, greatest viral videos out there. Josh Levs is here to tell us all about it or at least what's ahead? JOSH LEVS, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: We we're going to give a little glimpse, a little reason to stick around. And you're going to love what we got coming up. First of all, maybe the most unlikely vehicle ever featured in a hit rap video, the minivan. This, believe it or not, is going viral and it just might help a troubled automaker.

Plus, as always, we have the cutest video in the world of the week. I'll give you a hint. It's a doggy riding something that you have never seen a dog ride on. And Fred's weekly moment of viral video relaxation bliss, oh, coming up after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Oh, yeah, we're ready. The music gets us all pumped up for this. We will of course have more news coming up but first, it's time for a little viral video and that means Josh Levs is here.

LEVS: We're going to do this. All right, so the one we're kicking off with today is the rap song that's an ode to a minivan. The minivan.

WHITFIELD: I don't think I remember that one.

LEVS: Exactly. Take a look here, brand new rap song. It's a hit online. Let's listen to this for a second.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah, this goes out to all you minivan families out there. (END VIDEO CLIP)

LEVS: (INAUDIBLE) a little bit more of it. This is actually from Toyota and they're using this to push, you know, they're kind of making fun of how everyone makes fun of mini vans, right? Everyone says it's so uncool so they take the total suburban family who drives a minivan. Plus, you know what, it basically ends up being an ad that people watch for free. It's already had 1.5 million views in just the last few days. People go wild over, listen to this guy, again, this is great.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got to swing in the front, a tree house in the back. My No. 1 dad mug says yeah, I'm the mack.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm world's best nurse when my kids get sick I make a mean jel mold that perfected my trick.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEVS: So, people going crazy over this and one of the most watched viral videos in the world over the last days.

WHITFIELD: I believe it. LEVS: Plus with everything Toyota has been dealing with, this is a little bit of their clever way of kind of getting back in the game without even talking about it.

WHITFIELD: Yeah, maybe it is a little lift.

LEVS: It may be.

WHITFIELD: A minivan. Do you have one?

LEVS: A successful ad -- no, I don't. We both have kids.

WHITFIELD: Yeah.

LEVS: Have you done that yet?

WHITFIELD: No. You know, they are cool. Cool in that it is nice to have a lot of space. But just something -- I'm not there yet. I don't want to...

LEVS: I don't know. I just don't like driving a small city everywhere I go.

WHITFIELD: Yeah, exactly.

LEVS: But these guys make it look cool.

WHITFIELD: Yeah, very cute.

WHITFIELD: You have one?

LEVS: No, I don't. We both have kids.

WHITFIELD: Yeah.

LEVS: Have you done that yet?

WHITFIELD: No. They are cool. Cool in that it is nice to have a lot of space. But just something -- I'm not there yet. I don't want to...

LEVS: I don't like the idea of driving it in the city. But these guys make it look cool. I love them all.

WHITFIELD: Yeah, very cute.

LEVS: OK, so every week is a breakout viral video star. You probably heard about this kid. I can't "Viral Video Rewind" without playing him for you. This sixth grade boy sits down at the piano, nails this Lady Gaga song, here's a little bit of him.

(SINGING)

So his name is Greyson Michael Chance, he's a sixth grader. He sits down for a recital, and lots of kids are performing. No one expects him to break out into this version of Lady Gaga's version of "Paparazzi." I put in another section of it, let's get to the next section, guys (INAUDIBLE).

(SINGING)

WHITFIELD: Thirteen and a half million views. He was on "Ellen" within days. And now look, he stands up.

You know what's interesting? If you look at the audience, they all look like either they are stunned, in shock or I don't know. (INAUDIBLE) They don't know what to say.

LEVS: They don't know what to say. It's the same thing with the viewers, they don't know what to say. You can see some of the kids' faces, yeah. You know, huh?

WHITFIELD: Huh? Is there a recording? Is he lip syncing?

LEVS: You know what? OK, here is the thing, not everyone has talent like that, right? But anybody can have some fun with some music and some dancing which is the next video. This is out of Ole Miss -- you know, we always have flash mobs. This is "Jay Ho" flash mob, look at this.

These kids at Ole Miss decided to have one in the cafeteria there. And this is one of those flash mob where people just start dancing and half the people there don't' know about it, so everyone else is like, huh?

WHITFIELD: We didn't know about this. We didn't get that memo.

LEVS: No one told them it was coming.

All right, are you ready for your relaxation video of the week?

WHITFIELD: I'm ready.

LEVS: A moment of bliss. All right, let's just take it. We're always asking our viewers for this, we're saying, what's the most relaxing video. Watch this.

(MUSIC)

This is music by Jai Larkan, I believe out of Australia, Melbourne, Australia. Relaxing music set to beautiful pictures of the earth. As always, all the...

WHITFIELD: You know what I really love, I love the way you bring down your voice. It's like at the end might have yoga class. It's almost down to a whisper.

LEVS: Do I?

WHITFIELD: Let's slow it down.

LEVS: You know, it is all those years of NPR. It just comes back to me.

WHITFIELD: Exhale. All right.

LEVS: And we'll end by lifting back up a little bit. It is the cutest video of the week. You're not going to believe this video. You might love this one even more. Final video of the week, a dog riding something you've never seen a dog ride before. Look at this doggy.

WHITFIELD: Oh, my goodness. No. Is that a real turtle?

LEVS: It is a real turtle. This is a family...

WHITFIELD: And the turtle tolerates this and the dog is digging it.

LEVS: Apparently the family adopted this turtle. The dog his name is "Hope" and the turtle, they found the turtle, they named him "Carl." The turtle goes walking and the dog just hangs out on the turtle. They put in Foghat's "Slow Ride."

WHITFIELD: This is amazing. Wait a minute, what city are we talking about, where they found a turtle of this size?

LEVS: I don't know what city it is in. I have that on my FaceBook page what city it's in. But I know they said that...

WHITFIELD: That's an American car. Now wait a minute, this -- oh, all right.

LEVS: They said they adopted him and name him "Carl."

WHITFIELD: I didn't know, except for sea turtles, I didn't know we had turtles this size. That's a land, you know...

(CROSSTALK)

LEVS: Yeah, it's a big turtle.

WHITFIELD: Land turtle-ish. Land/water turtle.

LEVS: Well, look at the dog, he's just cruising, looking around. It is like he's on top of his convertible.

WHITFIELD: I love it.

LEVS: And the turtle does not seem to mind it at all. I love that little turtle. So, every week we put up the links for everyone online. They're on the FaceBook pages, from that graphic, you can see the FaceBook. You have fun with them. It's the address in the middle, Facebook.com/JoshLevsCNN. You have all my addresses there, but FaceBook makes it easiest to call lots of Web addresses, put them in one place. So, facebook.com/JoshLevsCNN. You can use FaceBook or Twitter to send me your favorites and they may be here next week for Fred to enjoy.

WHITFIELD: I can't wait. I love it. Thanks so much. I know you are a gadget guy.

LEVS: I love gadgets.

WHITFIELD: And I know your kids are too small to be gadget kids thus far, but they're likely to be. So you know what, we're going to have a segment coming up. This is going to be a precursor, a little lesson for you. What you and other parents need to know as it pertains to kids and gadgets and that inseparable relationship they have. We'll be asking "Student News" anchor Carl Azuz he'll be joining us right after this.

LEVS: I'll take notes on my droid.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, less is more. That's the message from President Barack Obama when it comes to how much technology kids should actually use. Speaking at Hampton University in Virginia this week, the president warned students about distractions in this digital age.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA (D), UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: With iPods and iPads and xBoxes and PlayStations, none of which I know how to work, information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment rather than a tool of empowerment, rather than the means of emancipation (ph).

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right a lot of young people are responding to what the president had to say. "Student News" anchor Carl Azuz joins us now. A lot of folks catch him on HLN and also converse with you on Dotcom. So, what are people saying? What are young people saying about this whole can information bog them down, stand in the way, as the president was saying could happen?

CARL AZUZ, STUDENT NEWS: It could happen. Many of them disagreed with that, many of them talk to us at cnnstudentnews.com. We had more than 700 comments come into us on our blog about this. And many of them are saying these tools allow me to interact with people around the world. These tools allow me to seek out information.

On the other side of that, there were some students who were saying, well, we do have a problem with childhood obesity, so maybe some of these gadgets are distracting students from getting outside. But, I want to bring you some comments today that I thought were the most compelling because they were on the fence.

Thomas was the first person who wrote in, I really like this comment, he's saying "Sometimes if a musician hears a song he likes, buys it on his iPad and listens to it, analyzing the chord progression, that's information." He was contrasting that with somebody who wants to just play one level, let's say, in an xBox and winds up playing four or five and can't tear himself away. He was saying that would be more of a distraction.

WHITFIELD: So an instrument versus an addiction.

AZUZ: Maybe. Maybe music versus video games. I mean, a lot of these students were talking to us about it is all how you use it.

You know, another student named Yan (ph) wrote into us as well, and this comment I thought was kind of interesting because Yan's saying he partly agrees with the president, but it's undeniable that these technologies do provide great advantages. Yan believes that children with lack of self-control are more to blame rather than the technologies themselves. So those students who can't OK, I've played for the day, I've researched this, I've done with I needed to do, it's time to move on.

WHITFIELD: OK, so everything in moderation. We hear that as it applies to food, you know, just about everything and now with digital technology.

AZUZ: There seems to be a consensus building around that.

WHITFIELD: Are kids accepting that?

AZUZ: To some extent. I mean our last comment comes from Joe and that's pretty much what Joe is saying about moderation. Joe's comment says that a lot of technology is informational, like this computer he used to talk to us on our blog. He's saying it depends on what technology you're using and how you use it.

So, there seems to be sort of a consensus building among our student audience around well, everything's OK as long as you don't go overboard, you don't, you know, ignore your homework or ignore getting outside and everything else you need to do.

WHITFIELD: Excellent. All right, Carl Azuz, thanks so much and thanks for bringing everybody else's, especially young people's points of view to the forefront.

AZUZ: Pleasure's all mine. Thank you, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Appreciate it. All right.