Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
Government Shutdown Looms; President Obama's Hollywood Support; Tar Balls Wash Ashore in Florida
Aired April 06, 2011 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: Almost nothing is certain in the showdown over a spending plan to tie the government over through September, but this much we know.
If no plan is passed by midnight Friday and the federal government starts to shutdown, the people who could not make a deal, that would be the members of Congress and the president, well, they won't be furloughed. They're considered essential employees. Eight hundred thousand of their federal colleagues are not so lucky, and tens of millions of non-federal workers will also feel the effects of the first federal shutdown in more than 15 years.
So let's be clear, it hasn't happened yet, but neither have Republicans and Democrats agreed on the size and the source of tens of billions of dollars in spending cuts for the next six months. And midnight Friday draws closer by the second.
If you take a look at our calendar here, there it is, April 8th. That is the deadline day. That's when the latest stop-gap spending bill expires, six months and eight days into the fiscal year.
Republicans floated a one-week extension with $12 billion in immediate cuts and six months of funding for the Pentagon. Democrats said no, and no more high-level meetings are planned. But there is plenty of speech-making, finger-pointing, buck-passing, all of which is downright gut-wrenching to Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski.
In a embarrassing moment for the presiding senator, fellow Democrat Kristen Gillibrand, Mikulski pleaded today with both sides to think of the consequences of a government on hiatus.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BARBARA MIKULSKI (D), MARYLAND: Madam President -- hello? Madam President? Maybe -- I don't know if my speech is not that attention-getting, but could I have your attention?
SEN. KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND (D), NEW YORK: The senator has consumed 10 minutes.
MIKULSKI: Well, then my time is up. But look, maybe the Senate's not paying attention, but the American people are paying attention, and I'm telling you, this is a situation of enormous negative consequences. And I think we're going to rue the day the way we are functioning here. We need to come to the table, and we need to sit around and act like rational human beings.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: We are watching this battle from both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue.
CNN's Kate Bolduan is at the White House, where President Obama, by the way, is not. And Brianna Keilar is on Capitol Hill.
Good to see you both.
Brianna, let's start with you. Where exactly do things stand?
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, let me tell you first where I am, Randi. I'm outside of a room where, in not too long, House Republicans are going to be meeting. They'll be talking about next steps.
We've heard from a senior Republican on the Appropriations Committee that he is expecting that there is going to be a sort of short-term funding measure to bridge the gap between where we are now and to avoid a government shutdown. But, you know, let me just tell you overall, broad strokes, how things are going.
There is no deal. That's really the bottom line. But there was a meeting last night between Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and sources from both sides of the aisle are characterizing that meeting as positive.
We know that today, Speaker Boehner spoke with President Obama for a very brief while. So they did talk, although there was obviously no meeting at the White House. And we are told though by sources that the fact that there wasn't an outright meeting with the White House could actually be read as a positive sign.
So that's where we are at -- Randi.
KAYE: And this isn't really just about numbers, is it? I mean, there are certainly some policy hang-ups here.
KEILAR: That's right. It is about exactly how much do you cut spending? That is part of it, but there's also some other issues.
You'll hear them referred to as policy riders. There are policy provisions that House Republicans want that some Democrats and the White House say are just deal-breakers for them. Specifically, among them, one that would defund health care reform. You can imagine that doesn't fly too well with the Democrats in the White House.
Another one that would defund Planned Parenthood to make sure federal dollars don't go to abortions. That's what Republicans say Democrats say they don't already at this point. And then there's also a provision that would say to the Environmental Protection Agency, you can't regulate greenhouse gas emissions. You can see how Democrats would not be on board with that -- Randi.
KAYE: All right. Now let's bring in Kate.
Kate, first off, where is the president?
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, Randi.
Well, right now, the president, he is actually in the Philadelphia area. And I believe -- I was told in my ear -- I think President Obama is probably walking out to speak.
He's speaking at a town hall at a wind turbine plant outside of Philadelphia. He's there pushing his energy proposal, pushing his energy plan.
But on the way over on Air Force one, on the way over to Philadelphia, White House spokesman Jay Carney, he held a gaggle with reporters. And during that gaggle, off camera, Jay Carney said that the president is monitoring the progress, that it seems there has been progress made, as Brianna was kind of alluding to, on the Hill, and that they will be monitoring.
And because there have been reports of progress, that's why the president has not seen the need to call another meeting here at the White House with the congressional leaders. But Jay Carney said if there is a halt in progress, if they see it, the president is open and ready to call a meeting at any hour of the day, today, tomorrow, or Friday, in order to get this deal done, and that's really what they are pushing here right now.
They are not talking about the ifs of a shutdown publicly at this point, because they are really pushing this right to the wire. The president's spokesman reiterating that the White House believes that the Democrats have come more than halfway to where Republicans have been requesting that they make these cuts in order to fund the government through September. So they are pushing this forward. And the president, he says he is watching and waiting and ready for this deal to be done.
KAYE: Yes, I think yesterday the president said it would be inexcusable if they couldn't reach a deal, so we will continue to watch as the urgency grows and the deadline approaches Friday at midnight.
Kate, thank you very much.
Every part of this potential government shutdown influences your life, so of course we want you to join the discussion about this. Tell us what this shutdown might mean for your home, your job, your school. Tell us what you think about it.
You can leave your comments on our blog, CNN.com/Ali. Also, it would be great, if you can, to record a video using your webcam, and then head to CNN iReport.com, and share your video with us there. We'd love to see those.
If you believe in guardian angels, today's "Sound Effect" is a shout out to one who is really on the ball. And if you don't, well, just call it luck.
The other day, a woman named Wendy Cobb (ph) was driving on a highway in Shelby, North Carolina, when she got a little irritated by some trucks playing cat and mouse in front of her. So, she whipped out her smartphone to shoot some video, never dreaming that she was about to cheat death. Take a look at this.
Oh, my! So, the truck on the left ran over a 2 x 4 on the road and propelled it like a missile, as you saw, right into Cobb's (ph) windshield. She says that she was too shocked to scream or cry, but now knows just how lucky she was to survive without a scratch.
Oh, my. That looks scary.
The long-awaited sex trial of Italy's prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, started today, but it's been adjourned until May. Today's hearing ended actually only after just 10 minutes. Berlusconi was not there.
Prosecutors say Berlusconi paid to have sex with a prostitute at least 13 times. A young prostitute. The 75-year-old politician is also charged with abusing his power to get the girl out of jail. Both deny having sex.
Angry protests broke out between pro-and-anti- Berlusconi demonstrators outside the courthouse. Dozens of police were on hand though to keep the peace.
The fight over money between the NFL and its players is playing out in court today. A federal judge hearing arguments today in Minnesota from lawyers representing the players. Star quarterbacks Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees all filed a lawsuit on behalf of other players to stop the lockout.
The NFL owners and the players are locked in a battle over how to divide the league's $9 billion in revenue. If the judge grants a preliminary injunction, football season could kick off without delay.
I want to take you now to Japan, where emergency workers at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi plant have plugged a leak that sent radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean. The leak was believed to be coming from the crippled number two reactor. The plant's owner says radioactive iodine in seawater around the plant dropped sharply even before workers closed off this leak, but Japanese leaders warn this new nuclear crisis is far from over.
Rocked by aftershocks, explosions, leaks and setbacks, Japan's chief cabinet secretary says, "We cannot be optimistic." Tokyo Electric has also started injecting nitrogen into a containment vessel around reactor number 1 to prevent a buildup of hydrogen from causing an explosion there.
An update now on those fat bonuses given to Transocean executives for their alleged stellar record on safety. This, remember, is the company that owns the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that exploded in the Gulf about a year ago.
Well, now they plan to donate their safety bonuses, as they're called, to families of the 11 workers killed in last April's Gulf oil disaster. The explosion in the Gulf spilled millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.
BP had leased the rig from Transocean. The donation follows outrage over a Transocean financial filing that claimed 2010 was its best year in safety. More than $250,000 will go to the Deepwater Horizon Memorial Fund.
This story has a lot of people talking. Police in Colorado pepper-sprayed an 8-year-old boy. This police report details the little boy's violent temper tantrum while in class back in February.
It says the boy -- his name is Aidan Elliott (ph) -- became enraged and then started spitting and throwing chairs, and even threatening teachers and students and, later, police with a sharp piece of wood. Police were called, and they pepper-sprayed and handcuffed the second-grader when he refused to drop his wooden object.
Aidan's (ph) mother says police should have handled the situation differently.
So we want to know what you think about this. Join the conversation on our blog, CNN.com/Ali. And you can also post on Ali's Facebook and Twitter pages. And you can also post on my Facebook and Twitter page as well.
We want to know what you think. Should this second- grader have been pepper-sprayed by police?
Will congressional leaders start acting like grownups, as suggested by President Obama, or allow the government to shut down? We'll check the sticking points on a budget deal right after this break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Welcome back.
The countdown clock on a possible government shutdown is ticking. Tempers are flaring as well on both sides of the aisle.
So what exactly is holding things up, you ask?
Tom Foreman has been digging into this question and joins us now from our Washington studio.
Tom, I know you have been busy with this, so, first, let's go over the president's proposals.
TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. The president's proposal, this is the tricky part, Randi. You said a minute ago the president is saying everybody needs to be like adults and come back. You know, some Republicans, basically their counter is, Democrats, you were running the House, the Senate and the presidency last fall, when you should have passed this. You didn't, so be careful about throwing around threats now.
Nonetheless, this budget is for October of last year to October of this year. It's important to know that, because there's been all this coverage of Paul Ryan and this new proposal that's making all the headlines. That has nothing to do with what is being debated in the White House right now.
That is for the 2012 budget. We're talking about the 2011 budget. And it was not passed last year.
Instead, what we had was a series of continuing resolutions to keep the government operating at 2010 funding levels. That is where we are right now and that's where we have been.
So, Randi, in that process as they passed these continuing resolutions, Republicans and Democrats have agreed to about $10 billion in cuts from what the president proposed. House Republicans have now passed their version of the bill at $61 billion in cuts to the president's proposals.
And take a guess, Randi. What do you think they want to cut?
KAYE: Tell me. I know you have this all figured out. There's all kinds of things. There's a long list.
FOREMAN: Yes. You know. You know. Democratic programs, yes.
I mean, the simple truth that's what this is. This is about a lot of things, but one of them is about political positioning.
Look at this -- $5 billion from Amtrak and high-speed rail; $1 billion from Head Start and Even Start; $400 million from National Public Radio, basically wiping that out in terms of federal funding: $300 million from NASA; $300 million from Job Corps; $69 million from the Peace Corps.
This is just a sampling of what the Republicans have proposed. And you can see that many of these are items that would fall in areas that a lot of Democrats care a lot about. So you can see that it's not just about price, it's also about an attack on policy.
The Democrats, by the same token, while saying -- well, they're saying, look, we have to find a way to cut the budget, but they are saying, let's look at defense, let's look at other things. And oh, by the way, even if we do these cuts, let's not make them permanent. Let's just make them for now to get through the budget. Some of the Republicans are saying, no, let's actually make the government smaller.
Bottom line, Randi, as you've been reporting all day, where we stand right now is the Democrats have countered with $33 billion in cuts, the negotiations continue. There has been talk about a $40 billion agreement, maybe, or something in between. It seems like it's down to a little bit.
But I'm telling you, Randi, it comes back to what I said earlier. Right now what we are watching here is politics, policy and price. And what this fight is about right now is mainly the politics and the policy, because everybody in Washington who has looked at the economy and who's looked at the budget has said the price has to be controlled one way or the other.
KAYE: Sure.
FOREMAN: The question is, can you settle these two? And they seems like maybe they are getting closer to solving this.
But bear in mind, Randi, we talked about that October to October. We're halfway through the year that they are trying to budget for anyway.
KAYE: Yes.
FOREMAN: And now the 2012 budget is looming.
KAYE: And the debt ceiling. There's all kinds of things going on.
So we appreciate it, Tom. Thank you.
So we have been telling you about this story out of Colorado, where police pepper-sprayed an 8-year-old boy after a tantrum at school. We asked you what you thought about this story, and your comments are flowing right in.
On my Twitter page, Chandler said, "After watching the report, it was necessary."
On Facebook, Natalie says, "The use of pepper spray to control this child is both ridiculous and out of line. We don't want this child to inflict pain on others with a sharp object, so the police reacted in inflicting pain on the 8-year-old. The best way to teach children is to model how we want children to behave, and I'm sure that we do not want an 8-year-old using pepper spray."
That is true.
Joey said on Facebook, "Since the kid threatened to stab his teacher and fellow students, and also spit on the teacher while using profanities, then he gets absolutely no sympathy from me. Kids should realize that in society, they do not run the show, the adults do."
And on our blog, Mimi said, "It is easy to blame the mother or say that the policemen were at fault. Unless you have dealt with children with emotional disturbances, you have no idea what to expect. These children cannot always control their emotions and will have lifelong issues."
So thank you for sending all those comments in, everybody.
Many big names in Hollywood supported President Obama's first campaign. So why are some of them criticizing him now?
We'll tell you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: We want to take you now straight to Pennsylvania, outside Philadelphia, where President Obama is speaking about the budget.
Let's listen in.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And if they start seeing that that suddenly, we may have a shutdown of our government, that could halt momentum right when we need to build it up, all because of politics.
I do not want to see Washington politics stand in the way of America's progress. At a time when you're struggling to pay your bills and meet your responsibilities, the least we can do is meet our responsibilities to produce a budget. That's not too much to ask for. That's what the American people expect of us, that's what they deserve. You want everybody to act like adults, quit playing games, and realize that it's not just my way or the highway.
How many folks are married here? When was the last time you just got your way?
(LAUGHTER)
OBAMA: That's not how it works. Right?
He lifted his wife's hand up -- no.
I mean, the fact is that you have to make compromises as a family. That is what we are, the American family.
So Democrats and Republicans need to get together, work through their differences, keep the government running so we can focus on keeping this economy growing, focus on things like clean energy, driving down the gas prices. That's our job. That's what people want to see, results.
You deserve no less than that.
So, this is a challenging times for America, and we have been through the worst recession since I was -- before I was born. A lot of folks are still hurting out there, but if we come together, if we listen to each other, if we remember that we're one nation, that we're one people, then I am confident that we're going to come out of this period stronger than we were before.
And what makes me confident is seeing all of you and seeing what I see all across America, people who have drive and who have optimism, and who are decent and do right by their families and do right by their communities. That's what has lifted us out of tough times before, that's what is going to carry forward America into the future.
So thank you Kamisa (ph), for the great work you're doing.
And with that, let me take some questions.
Appreciate you. Thank you.
KAYE: All right. We're going to step away from that. We have been listening to the president there, just outside Philadelphia, basically telling us that everyone needs to act like adults and this whole "my way or the highway" just doesn't work, you have to compromise, just like he said American families have to do and keep this economy growing. So we'll see what happens as we approach the Friday deadline.
Meanwhile, when President Obama was first elected, some pointed to all the help he received from big names in Hollywood. Well, now he is officially up for re-election, and some supporters seem increasingly critical.
Brooke Anderson reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm for Obama. That's what I'm coming -- that's what it comes down to. I'm all about Obama.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In 2008, Hollywood was all about Obama. Stars saluted him in song and adopted his talking points.
MATT DAMON, ACTOR: This change that we're all working for and that we all believe in cannot come fast enough.
ANDERSON: But as 2012 approaches, the president's Hollywood support may be softening.
PIERS MORGAN, HOST, "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT": Are you happy with the way that Obama has been running the country? Are you a fan?
DAMON: No.
ANDERSON: Matt Damon was an early and active backer of candidate Obama. But recently, he told CNN's Piers Morgan he's become disappointed.
DAMON: I really think he misinterpreted his mandate.
ANDERSON: Some stars believe the president has been too timid.
DAVID ALAN GRIER, ACTOR: Be bold in thought and deed.
ANDERSON: Others don't like his Mideast policies.
MICHAEL MOORE, FILMMAKER: We didn't want another war president.
ANDERSON: Singer will.i.am, who was so jazzed about Obama in 2008, he created a video to celebrate him --
(MUSIC)
ANDERSON: -- is dismayed over the president's handling of Libya. He tweeted last month, "We can't' and shouldn't fix anyone's problems until we fix our own. We learned that from Iraq. AHHHH. What are we doing?"
MOORE: We say we're going to close Guantanamo and we don't.
ANDERSON: Michael Moore didn't use Twitter, but Joy Behar's show on HLN to voice his complaints. He suggested Obama has lost his moral compass.
MOORE: I wish he would start listening to himself and his wife.
ANDERSON: For environmentalist Robert Redford, the issue that got him upset was the Gulf oil spill. He spoke out last year.
ROBERT REDFORD, ACTOR/DIRECTOR, ENVIRONMENTALIST: The administration is caught off guard because they had bought the song for so many decades. Now they are trying to scramble to take a leadership role.
ANDERSON: "Variety's" Ted Johnson notes the criticism of Obama from some stars only goes so far.
TED JOHNSON, DEPUTY EDITOR, "VARIETY": They are stopping short of saying "I'm not going to vote for him."
ANDERSON: In fact, we found plenty of support for the president amongst stars we spoke with. (on camera): How do you think he is doing?
REESE WITHERSPOON, ACTRESS: I think he's doing a great job. I mean, I can't imagine the difficulty of being a president in this day and age where our country is going through so much and the world is going through so much tumult.
ANDERSON: And comedian Sarah Silverman, who made a video on behalf of Obama in 2008, defended him on CNN's "PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT."
SARAH SILVERMAN, ACTRESS: Let's not forget that he inherited (EXPLETIVE DELETED) storm. Can we remember that for two seconds?
ANDERSON: Johnson notes it's unlikely Hollywood liberals will suddenly leave the Democratic fold.
JOHNSON: They still see Obama as kind of the defense against a Republican Party that has gone even further to the right.
ANDERSON: What remains uncertain is whether the president can unleash the kind of enthusiasm in Hollywood that greeted him in 2008.
Brooke Anderson, CNN, Hollywood.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: More tar balls wash ashore in Florida. Meteorologist Chad Myers is here with all the details on that, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Back now with Chad Myers.
Yesterday, we were talking about these crazy storms and all the damage. I guess today is cleanup day, huh?
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes. Well, clean up what you can.
KAYE: Yes.
MYERS: That's the bottom of a structure. Those are the cinderblocks that used to hold up the structure.
KAYE: Wow.
MYERS: Yes, exactly, out of Georgia. We even have some others ones -- St. Augustine, Florida, and also out of South Carolina, we have had some pictures. So here we go. Let's just move it all around.
That's what the upside down part of a barn looks like, and that's a shed. So I'm not even sure -- the wheels here -- and this is a trailer, literally a trailer that you hook up to a pickup truck, not a mobile home trailer. That's just some kind of machine shed out there in the farm that's blowing around.
And then the wind was really moving. And there's South Carolina, lots of trees down. Lots of trees down in Georgia, too.
The ground has been saturated, and a lot of these trees didn't just break off. They came out with the roots sticking up. And that tells us that the ground was so soft, the trees just didn't have a chance. The roots just couldn't hold it back.
KAYE: Wow. I want to talk to you about something that I thought maybe we saw the last of, these tar balls. Now they're showing up again in Florida?
MYERS: Yes. You want me to prove it to you?
KAYE: Yes. You have one?
MYERS: In my hand.
KAYE: You are connected.
MYERS: No, I went there. I was in Panama City Beach a couple of weeks ago. My son was playing on the beach, and he said, "Daddy, what's that?" And I said, "I don't know, let's go get it." Walked down to the beach, and this was floating in the water, and it washed up on the shore.
KAYE: So, do you think this is still from the BP oil spill?
MYERS: Absolutely. Absolutely. But it's full of sand. It's a tar rock now.
KAYE: It's hard, yes! Because when we were there, they were like very soft -
MYERS: So, in this condition, it is not really toxic.
KAYE: OK, well, that is good.
MYERS: I mean, you don't put it in your mouth, OK. OK, whatever, literally. But you don't have to worry about touching it, and that is why I have it in my hand right now. Most of the volatile chemicals are gone, and this has now turned into -- the oil has gone into the sand, churning the sand, and now the sand is all connected it to. And it is just kind of the hard substance leftover from the crude oil.
KAYE: That is probably not the only one.
MYERS: They will be washing up all season long.
KAYE: Wow. That's too bad.
MYERS: It's OK. Don't let the pets near it and you'll be all right.
KAYE: OK. Or the children. Right! Okay. Thank you, Chad.
MYERS: Sure.
KAYE: Whatever you feel about baggy pants, well, you have got to hear this story. A Florida man says it is because of his baggy pants that he is alive, and that's why he actually survived a gator attack. We'll give you all the details next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Here are the latest headlines and some stories you may have missed.
Time is running out for lawmakers to reach a deal to avoid a government shutdown. The deadline is midnight Friday. Now, if no deal is reached, President Obama and members of Congress won't be subject to furlough. They're considered essential employees. But 800,000 of their federal are not and tens of millions of nonfederal workers will also feel the effects of the first shutdown in more 15 years if it does indeed happen.
Fox News anchor Glenn Beck just revealed his daily show will end later this year. Beck plans to develop and produce a variety of TV projects that will air on the channel. Beck joined Fox three years ago after hosting a show on CNN's sister network, HLN.
Wildlife workers have found a decapitated bald eagle in a drainage ditch in Louisiana. The state's wildlife department is calling it a brutal case of animal cruel cruelty. Agents believe that the eagle had been dead for a couple of days and they are working to track down who is responsible.
A Florida teen says his baggy pants saved him from a fierce alligator attack. Kendrick Williams was walking home Monday night when a large gator took a bite out of his pants before he could actually make a run for it. You saw where the gator's teeth tore a large hole through the fabric. There it is. Wow. Williams says that the gator was about six to seven feet long and he could have lost his leg if not for the lucky baggy pants.
A former U.S. Congressman is now in Libya for expected talks with Moammar Gadhafi. This is video from our affiliate WPIX. So, just who is Curt Weldon, and what exactly is his mission? A live report from Tripoli after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Welcome back. A new bid to end the war in Libya and remove Gadhafi from power. Joining us is Fionnuala Sweeney to tell us all about this. So, what is the latest? We have this former Republican congressman, Curt Weldon, who's there. What does he think he can actually accomplish?
FIONNUALA SWEENEY, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Well, he has met Colonel Gadhafi before, and he believes that he can propose plans to him that would allow him to step down with a degree of grace. He says there's no way Gadhafi can win, and he's hoping to meet Colonel Gadhafi and put forward a proposal which would allow for a cease-fire, allow humanitarian assistance in, allow lawyers to come in from all over the world to help set up a parliamentary commission so that the people could run the country.
Now, whether this is going to make any sense to Colonel Gadhafi and whether he'll want to take that on board is another question. But we know that Colonel Gadhafi in recent days has sent a letter to President Obama through the state department in which he wants NATO to stop the its air strikes. Simply that. And the State Department says it is not taking this letter very seriously. No question of a cease- fire at all.
But speaking of NATO air strikes, the rebels in the eastern part of the country say NATO is not doing enough with its air strikes and it is not helping them.
KAYE: It is so amazing to me that Gadhafi, still, even in this position is making demands of President Obama and the White House.
SWEENEY: Well, he is a man who has stayed in power for many, many years and people like that in those situations don't usually stay in power without a great degree of cunning.
KAYE: Yes, that is true. And we do want to mention before we move on to the Ivory Coast, for much more on Weldon's mission on Libya, you can catch an entire interview with him on "THE SITUATION ROOM" with Wolf Blitzer today. Wolf will interview Weldon, and that starts at 5:00 p.m. right here on CNN, so be sure to catch that.
All right, Fionnuala, let's move on to the Ivory Coast. We have a terrible situation there. Is Gbagbo still in his bunker?
SWEENEY: Essentially he is still in his bunker. There was speculation, more than speculation -- reports that he would be willing to negotiate. And then at the end of the day, he said that he was not going to surrender. He believes that he won the election that took place in November.
So, essentially today, Alassane Ouattara, the man the international community recognizes as having won this election -
KAYE: Right. Because it all goes back to this presidential election.
SWEENEY: It absolutely does. And it is important, not only obviously for the Ivory Coast, but also for the democracy in Africa. And that is why a lot of the world's attention is focused on what's taking place, not least also because of the humanitarian crisis.
So, Alessane Ouattara's forces went in this morning to the presidential compound are where Gbagbo is held up, and they launched an assault. But there is still no word on whether Gbagbo is still in that compound. But generally, the pressure building up, and the U.N. saying again they're not going the rule out once more doing a military air strike on heavy weapons which they say are being used on civilians.
KAYE: We talk a lot about Libya and Egypt, but when it is comes to the Ivory Coast, why is it so critical? Does it go beyond cocoa, which is obviously produced there?
SWEENEY: Well, obviously people look at the finances first of all, but also, it is a humanitarian crisis. And we have seen it so many times in other situations, which maybe have not galvanized the headlines.
It is important for democracy. This election that took place last November was supposed to end the civil war and hostilities and was seen pivotal for the Ivory Coast's future democratic direction. And of course what we've seen now is a man, Laurent Gbagbo, as stalling and stalling, refusing to accept the international community's verdict on this, saying that he is still the true and legitimate leader.
So, many people are watching this around Africa and the international community because they see it as pivotal for the future direction of democracy in the that country. And of course, many other leaders from that continent looking at it from their own point of view.
KAYE: And you wonder what happens to all those who've fled the country.
SWEENEY: Hundreds (INAUDIBLE) have fled into Ghana. Well, we are hearing reports of many, many people killed and injured, in the hundreds if not the thousands. And the international criminal court today saying it might look into these crimes as they are seeing them and investigating them against Laurent Gbagbo.
KAYE: It is a horrible situation there, and we will continue to follow it. Fionnuala, thank you so much for the update. Appreciate it.
The annual South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas is huge, drawing celebrities and ordinary folks from all over the country and overseas as well. This year's bash has something new, creating a whole lot of buzz. Tom Foreman has a look in this "Building up America" report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The South by Southwest festival in Austin is a hot bed not just for music but also for innovation. Twitter, Foursquare and many other tech sensations made early big splashes here. So during this year's festival, CNN.com invited innovators from around the country to pitch their ideas during a short ride in a pedicab. MAX MULLEN, BOUNCER: Hi. My name is Max Mullen, I worked on something called Bouncer, it's built (ph) for e-mail addresses so you can shorten, share and protect your e-mail address.
ALLISON ETTEL, FLY BY MILES: Hi. My name is Allison Ettel (ph) and I'm with Fly by Miles. Booking frequent flier tickets is a nightmare. So we decided to solve that problem by instantly having real time availability of frequent flier seats and be able to book it all from our sites.
ROLAND DILLON: My name is Roland Dylan and I'm representing "Trip Medi" (ph). Our idea is to make medical tourism available to everyone.
FOREMAN: This is more than just interesting. This town and a growing number of others have realized the relatively low investment high return possibility of tech can be enormous draws for young talent.
MAYOR LEE LEFFINGWELL, AUSTIN TEXAS: We have a very strong creative sector here and that's due to a well- educated young workforce and a large component of artists, musicians, people in software business.
FOREMAN: And those people in turn can fuel real estate markets, push tax revenues and build up many more traditional industries all by starting with one idea at a time.
Tom Foreman, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: We have been telling you unless Congress can come together, our government will shut down. But what does that actually mean? Ahead, see what is likely to stay open while others close their doors.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Today's "Big Breakdown" is a monumental shutdown. You know, the shutdown of many federal agencies, offices and functions if a spending plan is not passed by midnight Friday. So, I want to give you some detail.
And first, when I said monumental, I really meant it. Federal monuments, museums, parks would all be closed as of Saturday. So, that one gets a thumbs down. But you will still be able to fly, because the air traffic controllers are actually deemed essential. So, they will keep working. So will the president. That gets a thumb's up. And Congress. That gets a thumb's up. And homeland security, also gets a thumb's up. They will keep going.
Military operations won't be interrupted, so that is pretty good. That's a thumb's up, but troops might have to wait for their paychecks. That is certainly not good news, so we give that a thumb's down. And some of us may have to wait for our tax refunds. It seems that many IRS workers are considered nonessential, so that is going down. Thumb's down on that.
Finally say what you will about the postal service. It doesn't get funding from Congress, so your passports, paychecks and the refunds may not be in the mail, but your bills and the catalogs will be, so that is good news.
Every part of this potential government shutdown influences your life. So, we want you to join us on the discussion. We want to hear your thoughts. Tell us what this shutdown would mean for your home, your job, your school. Leave your comments on our blog at CNN.com ali.
Also, if you would, record a video using your web cam or something, and then head to CNNireport.com to share your story with us. We would love to see the videos as well as your thoughts.
Time now for a CNN political update. CNN's political producer Peter Hamby is joining me from Washington. Peter, good to see you. The 2012 presidential calendar apparently starting to fill up already.
PETER HAMBY, CNN POLITICAL PRODUER: That is right, Randi. We were just here in the calendar, April, May, June. All of these Republican candidates who are thinking of seeking the presidential nomination are traveling around the country. Newt Gingrich will be at Liberty University in Virginia tomorrow speaking to evangelicals. Three presidential candidates will be in the early primary state of South Carolina this weekend, where there is a big straw poll where we will be watching.
But big news today. CNN announced we are partnering with the Western Republican Leadership Conference this October for a big debate in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the Republican presidential candidates.
Why does Nevada matter? It is one of those first four early primary and caucus states. Nevada is the third state. Mitt Romney won the state last time, but it is going to be more contested this time. And the state is also very important because they are dealing with a lot of these flashpoint issues that the candidates are going to be forced to talk about: immigration, the economy, real estate is a huge issue in Nevada.
And don't forget that the state has a very vibrant Tea Party movement, so that this debate is going to be one to watch in Las Vegas, October 18th, Randi.
KAYE: All right. Peter, thank you very much for the update. And your next update from The Best Political Team on Television is just one hour away.
And just ahead, police say that this second grader was so out of control they had to pepper spray him. But was it really necessary? We have a panel, and they're going to weigh in.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: So, an 8-year-old Colorado boy is at the center of a school controversy over discipline. Take a look. This is Aden. He had an explosive temper tantrum at school in February, spitting, throws chairs, even threatening teachers and students with a sharp piece of wood apparently that he held like a knife. He'd apparently ripped it off of the wall.
Well, police arrived, and Aden told the officers that he would kill them. The officers then used pepper spray on the second-grader to get him under control. Yes, pepper spray.
So, the question for today's Stream Team is, was pepper spraying an eight-year-old excessive? Pete Dominic the host of "Stand Up with Pete Dominic" on Sirius XM. And Jennifer Koppelman Hutt is the host of "Whatever, You're Wrong," on the hallmark channel.
So, Jennifer, let's start with you. You go first. What do you think of this?
JENNIFER KOPPELMAN HUTT, HOST, "WHATEVER, YOU'RE WRONG": I think it is horrible. I think two able-bodied police officers should have been able to subdue the child without the use of pepper spray. I think it is excessive. I think between them there were four strong arms. They couldn't have just grabbed the little boy. He is eight years old.
KAYE: Well, he did have a piece of wood apparently that he was yielding like a knife. But Pete --
HUTT: He didn't have a gun! Let me ask you something - what, that he ripped from the wall? Really? Two cops couldn't stop him?
KAYE: Pete, what do you think?
PETE DOMINICK, SIRIUS XM RADIO HOST: A piece of wood? Randi, Randi, listen, if a law enforcement professional can't handle a eight-year-old with a piece of wood and he think he needs chemical weapons, he might want to evaluate his career choice. Listen, I would not put myself in that place, but I tell you what. I think that is really, really definitely their job. I would be willing to say that you need to be willing to take a splinter perhaps to do what we pay you to do.
Again, I'm not going to put myself in the place, but the kid is eight years old. Chemical sprays, a Taser? I don't think so, come on.
KAYE: You know, we should point out --
HUTT: Wait, let me add to that. This could have had horrible consequences, because there are kids who are allergic to the pepper spray. And if you are allergic to that pepper spray, you die.
KAYE: This is actually the third time that the school and the teachers have called police on this boy. Pete, how about the argument, though, that pepper spray was better than physically overwhelming the child?
DOMINICK: I'm not sure what world anybody lives in that would argue that to be the solution. He is an eight-year-old boy. Yes, he is emotionally disturbed and it is their job to protect him from himself. I cannot see a situation where there is not considered excessive.
That is why we are talking about it, Randi, because it's so unusual. We have emotionally disturbed kids in classrooms all day everyday. Law enforcement deals with them. He is eight years old. That is why we are talking about it because of the reason that it is in fact excessive. I don't think that the pepper spray is not going change the kid's behavior and put him in all A.P classes all of a sudden. This needs to be handled in a different way.
KAYE: So, Jennifer, I want to read you something, something from one of our vieweres, and then get your reaction to this. From our blog, Sally says, "The police were absolutely correct in their actions. Maybe they should have arrested him and put a scare in him. By eight years old he should know right from wrong and be properly punished for it."
Do you buy that? I guess not.
HUTT: Are you kidding me? I mean, properly punished for it. So, a kid is bad, we pepper spray him? I understand, he threatened his teachers. He's admitted it himself. Clearly this child has issues and is disturbed and needs help. And yes, it was the third time that the cops have been called in, which arguably, I think the teacher should have been doing a little more to help the kid, like Pete already said, save him from himself.
But I don't believe that the cops were in harm's way, really. Again, two big strong officers couldn't stop this child without the use of a chemical weapon, A? B, the teachers were no longer in danger. This was not a hostage situation. This is a little boy. This is a second grader. I think it is horrible.
KAYE: The teachers were actually, Pete, holed up in an office next door. They had run for their lives, basically, away from the little boy.
DOMINICK: Well, fair enough. I'm not going to go so far as to say I know the situation or I was in the situation. But I mean, unless you are a police officer who is also a vampire, I'm not sure of what the fear of a wooden stick is. This is just really, really silly and really absurd.
And the kid is emotionally absurd, and if you understand child psychology or any psychology, it is not so easy to say we will change his behavior. We'll just make him better. I think that they probably tried it already.
KAYE: All right. We will leave there, Pete and Jennifer, thank you so much. Appreciate your thoughts on this interesting discussion and certainly a controversial issue, judging from the comments on the blogs and e-mails. So, we appreciate it.
Well, you heard what Pete and Jennifer had to say about the police pepper spraying this second grader. It's also the focus of my "XYZ." That's coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Time now for my "XYZ." And you just heard our Stream Team debate the question, did Colorado police and school officials go too far in their decision to pepper spray a second-grade boy? Well, let me remind you, he was threatening to kill his teachers and police.
Aden is in a class for kids with behavior problems. His mother says that she has tried medication and it has not worked. So, on the day in question, witnesses say he became enraged, started spitting and throwing chairs and threatening teacher and students with a sharp piece of wood that he'd ripped off the walls. He was holding it apparently like a knife. He said he wanted to make something that would hurt his teachers.
Well, those teachers called police. What would you have done? The teachers were so afraid of this kid they barricaded themselves in the adjacent office and called the police. This was the third time, in fact, the police had been called for the behavior. Police felt he was such a threat that day that they pepper sprayed him, simple as that.
Apparently, young Aden Elliott was feeling well enough today to make the rounds on network televions. The eight-year-old admitted on ABC that he, quote, "blew up a little," and that he needs to work on cool down his temper.
Well, his mother says he was treated like a common criminal. She's furious with the school and is filing a complaint. His mom says he was handcuffied and crying when she arrived. She wants to know why they didn't talk to him and find out what was bothering him. How exactly, I wonder, do you talk to a makeshift, wooden knife-wielding hysterical eight-year-old? Just asking.
School officials say Aden is welcome to return to school if his behavior improves. Well the odds of that apparently are pretty slim since even the second-grader admits his angry behavior is quote, "just who I am."
CNN NEWSROOM continues now with Don Lemon, in today for Brooke Baldwin. Hi there, Don!
