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Interview With Colorado Senator Mark Udall; Massive Protests Continue in Egypt; East Coast Travel Delays; New York Police Hunt for Potential Serial Killer; President Obama Moving to the Center?; Protests Continue in Egypt; Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook Fan Page Hacked; Disney Launches New Family Friendly Cruise Ship; President Touts Green Energy as Future of the Economy
Aired January 26, 2011 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Folks, take a look at this and watch and listen. Let me tell you this. If you do not follow Ben Wedeman on Twitter -- our senior international correspondent lives in Cairo -- do it. His handle -- write this down -- @BenCNN.
He is monitoring this, the tear gas, the beatings, the all-out riots going on, on the streets of Cairo tonight. I'm going to go live to him in just a couple of minutes to explain why this is happening.
Also, delays at New York's La Guardia Airport up to five hours right now, that's the latest we're hearing, all because of this stuff, bad weather. In fact -- I was just tweeting about this -- that's why my "Political Pop " buddy Joe Johns trying to get to New York from Washington by train. He's on the Acela Express. Fingers crossed he makes it for his hit at 4:15.
And a lot of D.C. and Virginia offices and schools are closing early. as well. They are expecting it to be very bad very soon.
Pretty picture of the White House, though, huh?
And I want you to look at this. This is video from one of our iReporters. It is fire and smoke on this ferry in New Jersey. Everyone is OK, but then look at the icy water -- if it pulls out eventually. And maybe you will just have to wait for it, the icy water on the Hudson, the snow coming down.
And a little later in the newscast, we are going to get an update from the rehab doctors now treating Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in a news conference which is about to happen there in Houston. We will check in on that when it happens.
But, first, I want to begin with this story today: the missing daughter and the call that came from her own cell phone. Is it possible that a serial killer was taunting her family, and could this be a lead for police in New York City?
The call or maybe calls were placed just days after this woman vanished from the Bronx. She is Melissa Barthelemy, age 24. We told you about her just yesterday. And it's the latest twist in a case we have been following here really for the past six weeks or so, when four bodies turned up off this beach road in Long Island.
Yesterday, we finally were able to give you the names of all four of the victims. And, again, here they are. They are Megan Waterman, missing since June, Amber Lynn Costello, missing since early September. I just told you Melissa Barthelemy missing from the Bronx since July of '09, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes missing from Manhattan since all the way back actually to July of 2007.
And now we have news of this phone call or again possibly calls placed from Barthelemy's phone.
Want to go to our go-to guy on this story, Gil Alba, former NYPD detective, joining me now on the phone once again.
And, Gil, what do we know about this phone call that was placed?
GIL ALBA, FORMER NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT DETECTIVE (via telephone): Well, you know, obviously, you know, she went missing July 12. And her last call was from Long Island.
But now she has -- there was three calls on her cell phone from July 16, July 19, and July 23, and calling the sister up and say -- saying, you know, you're a whore, your sister is a whore.
BALDWIN: Hmm.
ALBA: So, obviously, you know, this could be the serial killer. And those calls came from Manhattan, which is, you know, 45, 50 miles away from where the bodies were.
So, you know, could the police do more with that? I mean, that's -- that's a -- good information. They're starting to get good information coming around. All of these prostitutes were in motels or budget motels in Long Island at certain times and dates.
So, all of this and the way, the manner that they were killed, you know, they're starting to put a picture together a little bit. When -- when a serial killer or that person calls and taunts the family like that, it's almost like he's -- you know, no remorse whatsoever, but he's almost like bragging. And -- and --
BALDWIN: Well --
ALBA: -- and it's almost like a possibility that something happened in his family, and, you know, and -- and throwing that out to -- to the family.
BALDWIN: Well, we don't know if this is a serial killer or not, but why in the world -- if this is the guy, why would he pick up her personal cell phone and take the risk of calling her sister?
ALBA: Yes. No, definitely, they do that.
BALDWIN: Why?
ALBA: You know, they don't think it -- they don't think it's a risk. That's a form -- you know, just like putting the bodies there or -- or taunting somebody, you know, it's almost like a -- a trophy that they're getting. And -- and they want to show what they did.
And they actually want to show off and want to, you know, give it to the family. So, it's really not unusual that -- that he -- you know, somebody would do that under these conditions.
BALDWIN: So, if it is him, if he is, you know, taunting one of his victims' families here using -- I'm not going to say it again -- you said the word he used to describe this young woman -- what might this -- if you're an investigator covering this case here, what would that tell you possibly about the profile that's emerging here about this individual?
ALBA: You know, you -- you could start putting a profile together with -- with the patterns that he did, you know, from -- from dumping the bodies, how they were killed.
And, you know, each serial killer has his own method of killing and his own signature of killing. And that's another way you can tell a lot by that. And, still, they're looking for DNA on the bodies that they may trace back to this individual if -- if he was ever arrested or if they have his DNA.
So, more and more, it's giving a lot more detail to a profile on this particular individual, and maybe where he lived and how far and -- and everything else like that, and how did he get out to Long Island, did he work out there, anything like that. So, it's starting to develop, but, still, it's not an easy case.
BALDWIN: But it would also tell an investigator, I would imagine, that this guy is very brazen. Would it suggest, given that information, that he may strike again?
ALBA: You know what? It's a very good possibility. And that's why -- you know, this guy is very brazen. And serial killers are very brazen because they don't -- they don't get caught. So, you know, the first body was dumped there in 2007. So, that's a -- that's a while ago.
So, he kept dump -- dumping bodies there. Did he do this anyplace else? No, he's definitely brazen. And he could he do it again? Yes. So, that's why, you know, I'm -- I'm sure police are out there on the Internet and on Craigslist --
BALDWIN: Mm-hmm.
ALBA: -- putting stuff out there and looking for him in -- in many ways.
Would he -- would he -- could he strike again? Yes. So, that's why people like -- you know, like prostitutes have to come forward or escorts. And if they had any problem with anybody, just to come along and tell the police, no matter what it was, and especially in that area out there. BALDWIN: Right. Like you mentioned yesterday, perhaps a proverbial nail in the coffin would be a prostitute coming forward and giving the goods on this guy.
Gil Alba, former NYPD, as always, thank you, Gil.
ALBA: Thanks.
(CROSSTALK)
BALDWIN: And I want to -- we're continuing to cover this unbelievable story here out of Egypt. Incredible video, it still keeps coming in here, day two, police and protesters there clashing. And the death toll now is climbing.
Our Ben Wedeman, who was tear-gassed there in thick of things just yesterday, is still in the middle of it all. I'm going to check in with him live.
Also, this:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not a new experience to sit next to a Republican. It's not like they're from Mars or Uranus. Sitting next to a Republican is pretty much like sitting.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Hmm. Talk about an image, Democrats, Republicans sitting side by side at the State of the Union. And it was all because of one senator. He's going to join me live. That is ahead.
And plates flying -- flying, chairs flipped over. No, this is -- who wrote this, Angie Massie? This is not an episode of "The Real Housewives." A restaurant fight caught on camera -- you're going to see this next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: Wait until you see this video, drinks flying, tables flipping, fists swinging, not exactly what you expect perhaps to see at a restaurant. But that's precisely what you're about to see in this cell phone video at a local International House of Pancakes in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Just watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(SHOUTING)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (EXPLETIVE DELETED)
(SHOUTING)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE)
(SHOUTING)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (EXPLETIVE DELETED)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(LAUGHTER)
BALDWIN: Hmm. A few bleeps, the video posted online last Saturday. It has gained tons of views, some 40,000 views, many people who live there totally embarrassed by this attention. Look at them go. I don't know what he's got in his hand.
Well, now the restaurant's parent company is reviewing the video to determine how to produce a safer dining environment at the IHOP.
Spokesman Patrick Lenow e-mailed us on behalf of IHOP. Here's what he is saying -- quote -- "Guests expect a safe environment when they dine, and that is what we deliver. The unacceptable behavior seen in this video is an isolated incident at one franchise location. The franchise owner is cooperating with the police, so that those involved may be brought to justice."
We did also reach out to the sheriff's office for comment. And this is what the interim sheriff had to say -- quote -- "Investigators are identifying the persons who initiated that fight at the IHOP on North Road on Saturday morning. We have reviewed the video footage and we are attempting to identify the aggressors. We are positive that we will be able to bring closure to this incident in the near future."
Now, the sheriff's office would not confirm whether any complaints have been filed at the IHOP.
All right, getting some other top stories here: more signs of progress for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. This is wonderful. Doctors moved Giffords from intensive care to a rehab facility just today. There she goes. They have upgraded her condition now to good. Giffords was shot in the head at a political event in Tucson 18 days ago. And the hospital has scheduled a press conference next hour to update us on Giffords' condition.
We will keep -- keep a close eye on it, and we will pass along anything important they may have to say there.
Also, more fallout from that deadly terror attack at Moscow's busiest airport. Today, in Davos, Switzerland, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev held a moment of silence for all those victims of Monday's deadly blast. He also fired the airport's top security officials. Thirty-five people were killed in that airport attack and more than 100 others were wounded.
Another recall from Toyota here. Listen up. The auto giant is recalling 1.5 million vehicles worldwide, including 250,000 Lexuses right here in the United States, many between the years of 2006 and 2009. The problems this time around, we're told, are faulty fuel pipes that could cause leaks. For a complete list of vehicles involved, all you have to do is go to CNN.com.
How about this? Did you notice this number today? For the first time since June of 2008, the Dow crossed the 12000 mark, as U.S. stocks nudged a bit higher today, optimism sparked by President Obama's State of the Union address last night. There's that number. There's the Dow. Last night believed to have helped push stocks higher, above the 12000 mark, and crossing that threshold may give investors a much-needed psychological boost.
Michael Vick pitching products again. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback has signed his very first paid endorsement deal since pleading guilty to dogfighting charges back in 2007. Vick will be endorsing Unequal Technologies. It's a company that makes shock- absorbing sports gear.
And a lot of talk today about President Obama's move to more of the center, after last night's big State of the Union address. But did he actually win over Republicans? That is next.
And then, you remember my guest from a couple of weeks ago on this very show?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. MARK UDALL (D), COLORADO: I will already do so even if nobody joins me when I come down the aisle of the House -- I served in the House for 10 years.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Well, they did join him -- he is Senator Mark Udall -- sitting next to -- to one another, Republicans and Democrats. And that's why we saw images like this. You saw McCain and Kerry there sitting side by side. I asked that senator to come back on this program after the State of the Union, and he was good enough to accept my invitation -- invitation.
So, Senator Udall on his own idea -- next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: You know, you can tell he saw this coming. He had to. Have a look at the president today getting off of Air Force One in Green Bay, Wisconsin, of course, of all places. I don't think he's talking about the State of the Union address here. Talk about timing.
Three days ago, Mr. Obama's Chicago Bears -- sorry, Bears fans -- lost to the hometown team here, the Green Bay Packers, in the NFC championship game. And take a look at this. Did you see that? They had locals waiting. They passed along a Packers jersey for the first Bears fan. And then, a short time later, the president made this promise. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We will get you next year.
(LAUGHTER)
OBAMA: I'm just letting you know.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: The Bears, he says, will make a comeback.
Jessica Yellin, our national political correspondent.
And, obviously, he's got to be kind of careful what he says in Wisconsin, does he not -- not? I mean, a lot of Packers fans around there.
JESSICA YELLIN, CNN NATIONAL POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Picking on the --
(LAUGHTER)
YELLIN: -- hometown sports team seems a little ill-advised, but, you know, what do I know? Go, Cheeseheads?
BALDWIN: Yes, I guess so.
(LAUGHTER)
BALDWIN: Go, Cheeseheads.
(LAUGHTER)
BALDWIN: Let's -- let's -- let's talk about the State of the Union here. I want to take you back to last night. And if this was meant to -- to -- to elicit an -- an applause line, maybe it missed the mark.
Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: Tonight, I am proposing that, starting this year, we freeze annual domestic spending for the next five years.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: The vice president kind of clapping, somewhat outclapped the audience, vice president. But I guess he's sort of paid to clap, Jess.
(LAUGHTER) BALDWIN: So -- so, why the cold reception to -- to this particular idea?
YELLIN: Well, the Democrats think that it goes too far, there's too much spending cuts or freezing there. The Republicans think the president's proposal doesn't go far enough.
And what the president is really doing is laying out a position to see where he can go with the Republicans on this. So, immediately after the speech, I was outside that chamber where the president was speaking, and I caught up with the Senate minority leader and two of the new Tea Party freshmen who said the president's proposal there just isn't enough.
Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY), MINORITY LEADER: Not enough, because it freezes in a much higher level than we ought to be at, because it takes all the excess spending of the last two years and then freezes it.
REP. TIM SCOTT (R), SOUTH CAROLINA: From last to this year, we have had a $1.7 trillion increase in our -- in our debt. So, this year's spending is too high. We need a find to go beyond 2008 levels and even lower, closer to 2006.
REP. ALLEN WEST (R), FLORIDA: And that was some of the things that we were talking about, freezing that discretionary spending. And we got a lot of pushback from the House Democrats.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
YELLIN: You can see, it was a total scene out there, a lot of confusion -- one thing that was very clear, that Republicans did not like that --
(LAUGHTER)
YELLIN: -- proposal at all. But what the president's done, Brooke, is laid down a position. And, again, he can negotiate from there.
And one of the most conservative people I talked to, Allen West, the last man there, said at times he thought the president did sound like a conservative, someone he could work with.
BALDWIN: Well, you know, we heard in some of those sound bites, you know, do we take it back to the 2008 levels? Do we go back to 2006? I mean, aren't Republicans kind of all over the board when it comes to how much spending they need to cut?
YELLIN: Bingo. Exactly.
BALDWIN: Yes. YELLIN: And that's what the president is capitalizing on, because the Republican leadership wants to pass something to rein in spending, but the Tea Party wants to cut almost $1.5 trillion over 10 years.
That's not where the establishment is. And so how does the Republican leadership massage this, get them over that finish line? If the president has Democrats unhappy on one side and Republicans arguing on the other, that puts him right in the middle and in a position at least to look like the compromising centrist he wants to be going into 2012.
BALDWIN: And -- and then there's a word that Republicans most definitely don't like -- I was talking to Senator Barrasso about this yesterday -- the word investment.
And we heard the --
YELLIN: Right.
BALDWIN: -- president, you know, call for new investments. We heard him say, you know, we need to cut spending.
But -- but maybe that sounds sort of counterintuitive. I mean, which one is it? And -- and does the White House fear perhaps that the president is sending out conflicting signals?
YELLIN: No, the White House doesn't fear that because they think that they -- they want this position, and they want to argue this case. So, how this -- how you see it depends on where you sit.
To Republicans, new investment sounds like spending that is going to explode the deficit. But the president and the White House argue that they don't want to take a meat axe to the budget. They're not going to cut willy-nilly without considering America's future, that -- their language.
And so what they will argue is that they're doing smarter spending to build America's future, and then they believe they can take sort of the optimistic higher road with that message.
BALDWIN: Hmm.
YELLIN: And they're setting up a fight with Republicans over, should there be some government spending on some priorities Americans care about -- a fight they would be happy to have.
BALDWIN: Hmm. A meat axe. You always have all the --
YELLIN: Right.
BALDWIN: -- all the good metaphors there, Jessica Yellin.
(LAUGHTER)
BALDWIN: Jessica, thank you, for us, as always, in Washington. (CROSSTALK)
BALDWIN: And still ahead: Many government offices and schools -- look at this -- they are closing early today because of the winter storm in the Northeast. It is intensifying.
Also, the images were fantastic. Case in point -- you saw one -- lawmakers from different parties sitting together at the State of the Union last night, but was it enough for the senator who first proposed the idea?
Let's ask him -- next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: We are getting word here that the situation in Egypt is intensifying. Today is day two of those demonstrations. And a lot of the demonstrators, thousands of them, out in full force today, saying down with the government, Hosni Mubarak, the president, been in power for 30 years now.
And I want to show you a tweet. This is from our senior international correspondent who lives and is covering and has been tear-gassed here by some of these riots.
And he is tweeting. Ben Wedeman says: "The massive police crackdown does not seem to be working. If anything, it's fueling the protests. Hearing many sirens."
We are also getting reports. There's a city called Suez. It 90 minutes outside of sort of the epicenter of those riots outside of Cairo. And there are reports now that there are buildings on fire. So, the situation is intensifying. We are going to check in with Ben Wedeman live here in minutes.
But I first want to do this. I want to tell you about this story.
Order through law, justice with mercy -- those words appear on the logo for the Houston, Texas, Police Department. But, today, a Houston police officer sits in a jail cell after allegedly violating those standards, that code of conduct.
Here he is. Abraham Joseph is accused of raping a woman on his patrol car while he was on duty and in uniform. And prosecutors say Joseph is suspected in at least four other attacks.
I want you to watch this piece. This is from Lee Trevino (ph) and our Houston affiliate KHOU.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED KHOU REPORTER (voice-over): Houston police officer Abraham Joseph silently walks into court wearing orange jail scrubs and handcuffs. As his friends and family look on, prosecutors tell the judge the officer, who's accused already of raping one woman, may have attacked four others.
NICOLE DEBORDE, ATTORNEY FOR ABRAHAM JOSEPH: I literally know nothing about the cases other than what you heard in the courtroom today.
UNIDENTIFIED KHOU REPORTER: Prosecutors say the victim in this case was a waitress at this nightclub, and that, earlier this month, she was standing outside the club on her cell phone when the officer handcuffed her and took her away in his patrol car. The restraining order against the officer alleges the victim was taken to a dark area and, while she was still handcuffed, he sexually assaulted her.
DEBORDE: He has not previously entered a plea, but we will be entering pleas of not guilty on these charges when given the opportunity.
UNIDENTIFIED KHOU REPORTER: Today, the judge kept his bail at $500,000. Prosecutors fear he's a flight risk because he has four passports, including one from India, where he was born. But his attorney says he's an American citizen, not a flight risk, and that his bond is too high.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BALDWIN: Lee Trevino (ph) with our affiliate KHOU.
Now, we did reach out to Abraham Joseph's defense attorney. Her name is Nicole DeBorde. She says Joseph has pled not guilty. She also says his $500,000 bond is almost five times the usual amount for those charges.
Two weeks ago, when we first heard of this whole idea of Democrats, Republicans mixing it up at the State of the Union, we brought in the guy who hatched the idea.
And here he is again, Senator Mark Udall, Democrat from Colorado.
And, Senator Udall, we were just talking about this a couple of weeks ago, and a lot of people said, no way, this is not going to fly. But it did. And how did it go last night?
SEN. MARK UDALL (D), COLORADO: It -- it -- Brooke, it flew big- time, didn't it?
And, look, again, I want to underline the fact that all I did was give voice to what I think the American people want, which is for us to work together to face the country's challenges.
And I -- I look at the challenges not as problems, but as opportunities. And I think the president made the case last night. We have got to work together to have the kind of future we want. So, it was a resounding success. Sometimes, the good old days are just old.
(LAUGHTER)
UDALL: And I think we have set aside a custom that wasn't serving us particularly well.
BALDWIN: And, you know, even the president last night recognizes what -- the whole seating arrangement, if you will. In fact, let's listen to the president, quickly, speaking last night.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: What comes of this moment is up to us. What comes of this moment will be determined not by whether we can sit together tonight, but whether we can work together tomorrow.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: So, he mentions tomorrow.
And, Senator Udall, you know, looking ahead, where could this go? Could this translate beyond, you know, bipartisan symbolism into action, and how?
UDALL: Well, it can translate into the way we do business here and some changes.
For example, in our committees, we could sit in a variety of ways. We don't have to have an aisle dividing us in our committees. I think there's probably some potential for a bipartisan type of retreat, where we plan and advance the country ahead.
I think the senators ought to get together maybe once a month and have a policy-based luncheon. But that all has to translate into what the president said last night, which is invest in our future --
BALDWIN: Hmm.
UDALL: -- by strengthening our infrastructure and innovating in our -- in our private sector, so that we create jobs.
That's the point of last night, is to find ways to work together. And there's that old saying that function follows form. If you structure yourself in an institution, an organization, often, then you work together in that same way. So, that -- that was the importance of last night --
BALDWIN: Well --
UDALL: -- frankly.
BALDWIN: .. also last night, though -- and -- and, you know, a lot of people got a bit of a laugh, if I may.
You know, I heard our senior congressional correspondent talking about cooties from -- from one of the senators.
(LAUGHTER)
UDALL: That's --
BALDWIN: I mean --
UDALL: That's right. That's right.
BALDWIN: -- this whole thing turned -- this turned into a date night.
(LAUGHTER)
BALDWIN: They were talking prom king and queen.
I mean, Senator, did you even think it would go that -- that direction?
UDALL: I -- I didn't.
But the point, too, is we had some fun --
(LAUGHTER)
UDALL: -- and we put a little lightness in an -- in an important and serious night.
And, look, I sat with Jim DeMint, Senator DeMint. He and I are pretty far apart politically. But we visited about our families. And I learned that part of the reason he wanted to sit with me is, he likes Coors beer.
So, there --
(LAUGHTER)
UDALL: Those are -- those are important facts to know when you're working together.
BALDWIN: Very important. Very important, indeed.
UDALL: Very important.
BALDWIN: Do you think -- this is a question, I think, on a lot of people's minds. Do you think this was a one-time thing, or might Congress look into, you know, sitting together, mixing it up in State of the Unions to come?
UDALL: I -- I think in State of the Unions to come, this will be a part of what happens.
It was -- it -- it does pay off. I mean, I saw senators spending time together, learning about each other. And you saw the same thing between House members. And it added a fun element, as I said, to the evening.
So, I -- I think you will see this be the future of the State of the Union. And, look, it's important to present to the American public this symbol, that we're going to work together, that we take this speech seriously. It is the one time of the year we do all join together. The Cabinet was there, the Supreme Court, the military brass.
BALDWIN: Right.
UDALL: And the people of this country want to know we're working together.
BALDWIN: Well, we will be looking to you to -- to make sure this translates from beyond symbolism to action.
Senator Mark Udall, I asked you to come back.
UDALL: Keep the pressure on all of us.
BALDWIN: We will.
I asked you to come back --
UDALL: All right.
BALDWIN: -- and you did. And we really appreciate it. Thank you so much.
UDALL: Thank you. You helped, Brooke, make this a reality.
BALDWIN: Thank you.
UDALL: Thank you very much.
BALDWIN: Thank you.
UDALL: Yes.
BALDWIN: Check out this iReport we just got. Everyone is safe. You see that black smoke? We'll tell you what happened.
Also, a weather emergency for New York City. So how much snow are they going to get this time around? That is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: Check this out. An iReporter who lives near this ferry stop in Edgewater, New Jersey, shot this and was good enough to send it to us here at CNN.
Now, the coast guard told us there was never an actual fire. You see some of the black smoke coming from the ferry. It wasn't an actual fire, but reports of some sort of fire in the engine room. And obviously the smoke sparked a bit of chaos, but all 27 people were able to get off the ferry safely.
And quite frankly, once we heard that, really I think part of the story is the snow and ice in all of that water surrounding the ferry.
And in New York, take a look at this video. This is what we've gotten from the city there where the mayor has now declared a state of emergency, and flights are being delayed for hours and hours.
(WEATHER BREAK)
BALDWIN: Also, we are looking at some video from Egypt. Let's look. Day two of these demonstrations. Folks, it is intense fighting, police and protestors clashing, reports of buildings on fire as far away as 90 minutes from the city center in Cairo.
Our Ben Wedeman is in the middle of it all. In fact, look at this tweet. He says "Lebanese journalist asks me, who are these thugs with sticks? They make Lebanon seem like a friendly place." We're going to talk to Ben Wedeman, lives in Cairo, knows the Middle East better than a lot of people here at CNN. We'll check with them, next.
Also, the Facebook fan page of a very high-profile individual is hacked. And talk about bad PR for this company. You're smart. You probably can guess who I'm talking about. We'll tell you, coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: Breaking news here. The anger is really intensifying in Egypt as antigovernment protesters clash with police in Cairo for the second day in a row. Look at these crowds. Look at the batons and the police back and forth.
Security forces are cracking down hard on these demonstrators, and the Egyptian government has pulled the plug on Twitter. A lot to talk about a lot developing right now. I want to go to senior international correspondent Ben Wedeman who lives in Cairo. He's there for us live.
And Ben, I've heard there are sirens you can hear and you're even smelling tear gas within your walls. It sounds to me this is getting worse.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It does seem to be getting worse. The numbers of protestors today was smaller, but this morning the Egyptian interior ministry declared there would be no tolerance for any protests. So today they really have been cracking down on anybody trying to demonstrate.
We were at one demonstration where the police just went at the crowd with batons, really whacking them and pushing them back. But the protestors just keep on returning.
And there's been more protests just up the street from here. There's hundreds of police in the road below me, and we're getting some of that tear gas blowing down the road. What we're hearing is protests spreading throughout the entire country.
The government, I have a feeling, is starting to lose control of the situation, simply caught unaware by the demonstrations yesterday and their continuation across the country today. Brooke?
BALDWIN: Ben, I want to talk about the police out there. I know they've been using tear gas and rubber bullets. But we've seen report that's they're actually using live ammunition on some demonstrators. Can you confirm that?
WEDEMAN: Well, what we're hearing, scattered reports, is that in the city of Suez on the Suez Canal there has been live ammunition used, that in fact some ever the police have pulled out of the police altogether simply because the situation is so out of control.
The situation is a bit uncertain at this point, so we can't confirm all of the details, but it does appear that in the outlying areas, away from the capital, the police are using a level of force that we haven't seen in Cairo yet. Brooke?
BALDWIN: We showed the map, and, Ben, I know you're there, you know the lay of the land. But for those of us who do not, this is very much so not just a Cairo story today. This goes as far out to Suez, which is some 90 minutes from Cairo. Can you just talk to me about the geography and how far this has spread?
WEDEMAN: Well, basically, most of the population of Egypt lives along the Nile Valley, in addition to along the Suez Canal. The Suez Canal traditionally has been an area where there's been a lot of political activism.
So these are all areas that traditionally have caused a lot of trouble for the government, and it's not surprising that those cities along the Suez Canal are in a sense more radical than the city of Cairo, which is really just a government center, center of the country. So the outlying areas is where there's less journalists to watch what's going on but there's more radical opinion. Brooke?
BALDWIN: Ben, I'm looking at your shot. I see some lights behind you. But we're also hearing that some lights, some of the electricity, in downtown Cairo has been shut off. Is that correct?
WEDEMAN: Well, I was actually looking out the window from our office, and there are areas that are normally lit that appear to have the electricity shut off. That may be one way to try to quell the protests, but that's a pretty radical way to do it.
Lots of people live in this part of the city, and there's lots of government installations, businesses, restaurants, hotels. And to do that sort of thing is going to sort of start spreading panic in the population because even though the protests are in many parts of the city, other parts of the city life seems to be going on in a normal way. But if they start cutting the electricity away, that's going to disturb people and cause even more uncertainty.
BALDWIN: But, Ben, it's not just electricity. We know that Twitter has been blocked. If you can, just speak to the importance of social media here with this story because this is actually very well organized, initially organized on Facebook.
WEDEMAN: Yes. In fact, two separate Facebook groups were behind these demonstrations. And what's interesting is they don't really have any clear leaders. It's a very popular movement spread by Facebook, spread by Twitter, spread by SMS. And what is interesting is that these demonstrations haven't taken on a religious undertone, that it's very much a secular movement along the lines of what we saw in Tunisia. Now, the Egyptian government denies that they have blocked Twitter or blocked Facebook, but a lot of people say they cannot get on it, and Facebook was blocked beginning this morning, Twitter essentially when the demonstrations really took off yesterday.
But, you know, people here have figured out ways around by using proxies, by using VPNs. So the Twitter traffic has reduced ever so slightly, but it definitely is going on in a torrent here in Egypt.
BALDWIN: Ben, I know you're tweeting or perhaps someone is helping you tweet. I've been following your Twitter. And you were tweeting about the president, Hosni Mubarak, who's been in power for 30 years and about his wife Suzanne, and to your best knowledge they are still in country.
WEDEMAN: In fact I was called by a senior Egyptian official who was at pains distress that they categorically deny the rumors that President Mubarak's wife Suzanne and his son and son's family have left the country. That was a rumor that spread yesterday. No one was ever able to confirm it, and frankly I had my doubts about it simply because that's the kind of act that really seems to spell the end of the regime.
And even though these protests are big and they're growing, this is a very powerful state here, and it will take a bit more to shake its leader out of the top.
BALDWIN: Ben Wedeman for us, impressive reporting there out of Cairo, Egypt. Ben, thank you so much. And stay safe, to you and your crew as well.
And now this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: That was fun.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BALDWIN: Oh, goodness. He just tweeted me. Where in the world is Rob Marciano? We're going to show you. What is he doing? Why can't I get the message? We're going to show you, get a glimpse of some pretty cool new technology and apparently Marciano getting massaged. I don't know what that's about.
Also, Mr. Margaritaville's unexpected visit to the hospital.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: We have Elton John, Jimmy Buffet and the Facebook founder all trending today. I want to bring in entertainment correspondent Kareen Wynter. And Kareen, let's first talk about Elton John. Let's show you this week's "US Weekly," so not hip, along with his partner and new baby. Talk to me about this picture and what is the deal. Apparently a grocery store in Arkansas is trying to cover this up?
KAREEN WYNTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: It appears, Brooke, that this cover is a little too offensive for some in Arkansas. That's right, "US Weekly," the cover featuring Elton John and his partner David and their little new baby Zachary, a supermarket in Mountain View, Arkansas felt it was too much for their customers' eyes. What did they do? The covered their eyes, used a plastic shield.
There's 60 stores in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri. We've reached out to the chain. We want to get some comment but they are not returning our calls. Elton's camp is not commenting, but this is one celeb, Elton John, does not hold back. I interviewed him over the weekend at a junket, and he was really fired up about society still not completely embracing same-sex couples with kids. He says that's really a big concern when it comes to raising little Zachary and of course his safety.
So Elton not speaking out now, but you can bet he'll probably address this sometime in the future.
BALDWIN: Yes, we would like to hear from the grocery store as well. Have them on.
Let's move on to Jimmy buffet. He's in the hospital because what, why?
BALDWIN: Took a little fall, and it's kind of hard to watch it. You're about to see it. He was doing his thing on stage at a concert in Australia when he takes a nasty fall.
BALDWIN: Ouch.
WYNTER: Off stage. Not even on stage, off stage. It happened on Wednesday, and he was rushed to the hospital. The good news is he's going to be fine. The 64-year-old is listed right now in stable condition according to a rep for the hospital. They wouldn't release any details though on his injuries, but a concertgoer tells tmz.com, the celebrity website, that Buffet appeared unconscious for five to ten minutes, and he also suffered a huge gash on his head. So a little banged up there, but he'll be OK.
BALDWIN: Banged up. He'll be all right. And finally, Mr. Facebook getting his Facebook fan page hacked.
WYNTER: Yes, has a little problem on his hands these days. You may have recently seen the Facebook founder portrayed in the Oscar- nominated drama "The Social Network," but now Zuckerberg is dealing with real life drama, his Facebook fan page.
The high-profile site, Brooke, was hacked on Tuesday. A message appeared on his page read, quote, "Let the hacking begin. If Facebook needs money instead of going to the banks, why doesn't Facebook let its users invest in Facebook in a social way? Why not transform Facebook into a social business the way Nobel Prize winner Mohammed Yunnis described it." And the message was later removed, of course, but not before receiving roughly 1,800 lights from visitors. So Facebook is not too happy about this.
BALDWIN: Time to get hack proof, Kareen Wynter. Thank you. Good to see you as always.
WYNTER: Thanks, Brooke.
And we've heard these two words a lot since last night's State of the Union, that being "innovation" and "imagination." And if you want to see an example of what a little bit of both can do look no further than this cruise ship to reach the waters of the Bahamas. And who did we send - CNN's Rob Marciano getting in touch with his inner techo geek at the Disney Dream's maiden voyage.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: All the sparkle and glitz you'd expect from a top of the line cruise ship, this one is brand spanking new. And in the ultra-competitive world of cruise lining, it helps to appeal to more than just the adults.
The newly Christened Disney Dream pushes the technological limits.
The technology on this keeps the kids engaged and also wears them out.
"Imagineer" Bob Zalk shows it off.
BOB ZALK, WALT DISNEY IMAGINEERING: We have some special art that actually comes to life if you stand in front of it. We have facial detection technology so you can stand here, look at it, and all of a sudden it just animates.
MARCIANO: And kids can interact with the pieces at detectives looking for clues inside the painting and solving mysteries throughout the ship. Inside cabins have always been windowless, until now.
MARCIANO (on camera): And you're seeing the waves. You're seeing the action.
ZALK: You're seeing a real time view outside so it's something really unique. Inside state room, got a nice view outside. Visit by Disney and Pixar characters.
MARCIANO: No bad seat in the house.
ZALK: Absolutely, no.
MARCIANO (voice-over): This restaurant lets you interact even more.
MARCIANO (on camera): Interactivity means I can interact with a character. ZALK: Yes, absolutely. We're here. You can talk to Crush from "Finding Nemo."
MARCIANO: Really. Where is Crush?
ZALK: Crush, this is Rob. Rob, this is crush.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, rock 'n' roll. What's up, dude?
MARCIANO: I'm well, crush. How are you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Awesome.
MARCIANO: The technology you have been showing us, the technology on this boat is so up there. Is that a Disney thing, or is that a competitive thing where they just have so much stuff going on at home?
ZALK: There's so much technology available to families at home and the interactivity that they can have at home, that for us as creators and designers at Imagineering where I work, we want to be able to give guests something that they can't get at home.
MARCIANO (voice-over): But it's not all gadgetry. Check out the aqueduct.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This thing is 10,000 gallons of water per minute, 765 feet long. You go out over the side of the ship, 12 feet past the railing and it's 150 feet down to the ground.
MARCIANO: Aqueduct speed record coming at you right now, baby. Let's do this. That was fun.
With all this talk of technology, it's still the human touch that really matters.
Rob Marciano, CNN, cruising the Bahamas.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(LAUGHTER)
BALDWIN: Marciano, if you're watching. I have no words.
But I do have words about this, as I have to move on. Take a look at this live picture here. We're waiting for this press conference. We're going to get an update on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BALDWIN: Now for a "CNN Equals Politics" update, we go to Wolf Blitzer who I think is still in New York, not quite making the trek to snowy Washington, playing it safe in Manhattan, Wolf. How are you, and what do you have? WOLF BLITZER, HOST, "THE SITUATION ROOM": Good, at least for today, back in Washington. It's snowing here in New York. I think it's snowing in Washington as well. We'll see if I make it back. That's all right. Nobody ever stopped me so far with a little snow.
Let's talk about what the president of the United States is doing on this day after his state of the union address. He does what all presidents do after they deliver a State of the Union addresses. He does what all presidents do, they go to the heartland and make their case. They start selling some of the specific ideas that they put forward.
In this particular case the president selling his ideas for some new infrastructure development, especially in clean energy. He thinks that's the wave of the future. He was out in Wisconsin today talking about the need to get one million electric cars on the road here in the United States by the year 2015. That sounds pretty ambitious, but he says that's clean energy. That's the wave of the future. It will create lots and lots of jobs.
The vice president, Joe Biden, was out selling the president's plans from last night as well. The vice president going to Indiana visiting a place where they make electric batteries for cars, a factory that received some significant funding, more than $100 million in the stimulus package, the recovery package, as it's called from last year. So that's what the president has been doing.
At the same time, we're getting specifics on what some Tea Party activists would do to cut the budget. Rand Paul, for example, the in -- the new freshman senator from Kentucky, the son of Ron Paul, he's got a proposal to cut $500 billion in spending on domestic programs this year alone, very dramatic stuff, either eliminating or consolidating the Department of Housing, the Department of Energy, the Department of Education.
He's got a whole list of areas where he would just cut, cut, cut. He doesn't have any great cuts in terms of Medicare, Medicaid, defense spending, where about 80 percent of the budget is, but he's got wholesale cuts all along.
And Michele Bachmann, by the way, who gave that Tea Party response last night, she's got about $400 billion in specific cuts. Neither one of these initiatives likely to go anywhere, but they are making specific cuts, which they have been under pressure to put forward, and they are doing that right now.
Paul Ryan, who gave the official Republican response, the Republican congressman from Wisconsin, less specific in his proposed cuts.
We're going to be speaking about all of this and a lot more. Rand Paul, the new senator from Kentucky, is going to be joining us in THE SITUATION ROOM. We will get a very, very different perspective from the liberal Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. He's got some other ideas. So, we want to make sure we get that perspective. And Jim DeMint, he is putting forward new legislation in the Senate to follow the House of Representatives' lead and repeal the Obama health care plan, so -- the new law -- so, a lot is going on. And we will have a lot of details coming up at 5:00 in an hour in THE SITUATION ROOM.
BALDWIN: Well, we will see you before then. We will check in and see what else you have going on, Wolf Blitzer. We thank you for that.
And I just want to remind everyone we will get another "Ticker" update in about half-an-hour. You can always go online Go to CNNPolitics.com.
