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GOP Tries Funding only some Pieces of Government; Police Seize Biker Swarm Video; Life with Siri; Miley Smacks Down Sinead O'Connor
Aired October 04, 2013 - 10:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
REP. LOUISE SLAUGHTER (D), NEW YORK: Now and shortly after lunch we are going to be voting I think unanimously in the House to retroactively pay the federal workers, as we should. But the logical question then is if we're going to pay them why don't we let them go to work?
Well I think the reason for that is as long as they keep this going and they know full well that the Senate is not the going to take this up, but they get great satisfaction and believe, I think, that they're going to get away with saying to people, well, we did do clinical trials. We did do something for the veterans.
And I want to tell you all the veteran's programs that I've heard from are pretty sore about it. (INAUDIBLE) and Bob Dole put out a special report on what they thought what they were doing to veterans. So they're playing a game, a great example of what a little foolery runs the world.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: So if this is game in your view --
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: You know at what point does the game end?
(CROSSTALK)
SLAUGHTER: Oh yes, no, no I don't think -- they're serious. Well they're serious, let me tell you. But to those of us who know how government is supposed to run and what the rules are supposed to be, that doesn't matter to a great number of these people. They didn't come to benefit the government or to help us all move forward. They came to hurt the government.
WHITFIELD: Well how is it supposed to run? Because I think people are forgetting now. How is it supposed to run? Because if you hear some folks who say it's about compromise, it's about meeting the middle ground, it's about coming to agreement, and the next thing you know everything comes to a stop and it's all or nothing.
SLAUGHTER: Well, let me tell you how it runs.
WHITFIELD: Explain.
SLAUGHTER: You're supposed to -- you're supposed to propose a piece of legislation. It's supposed to go to the committees. You have a full committee process. Everybody on the committee, both sides, Republicans and Democrats, have a go at it. After they finish with it, they vote it and it goes to the rules committee where I sit. We do the finishing touches. It goes to the floor. They don't do that.
We are at the point right now where the rules committee is about the only committee that ever sees bills. All the things we did last night they just made up yesterday afternoon. Now they know the Senate is not going to pass that. There's no question about it.
But you know, you heard one of our members of Congress say yesterday she had never seen her colleagues so happy and so content. They seem to have no perception of what's happening to the United States. It's not their problem.
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: So -- so if I'm a federal worker -- I'm a federal worker, I've been furloughed and whether retroactively I get a paycheck, that's a wonderful thing, but right now I'm having a hard time paying my bills. I'm not sure how I'm going to pay for groceries tonight. What do you as a lawmaker tell me, the furloughed federal worker, who is very frustrated and worried about the end of my day if not tomorrow?
SLAUGHTER: Let me tell you what's happening. We're going to have the biggest brain drain. We've already been losing scientists all from NIH because a lot of our members of the House don't believe in science and evolution is just anathema to them.
So we're trying it to work with people like that to move ahead on the Human Genome Project and what we can do to cure cancer. And all of the things we do that has come to a stop. We cannot run the United States this way. It is an embarrassment. It is dreadful, it is destructive. And they have no end in sight.
One of the things that I found out last night they're really worried about is that we will go back and do away with sequestration. They are terrified of that. And you know that the transportation bill was pulled off the floor of the House because the number that they had to deal with the transportation was so low that even their own members wouldn't vote for it.
Now our infrastructure is crumbling and falling apart every single day. We have a hurricane coming to Louisiana; 80 percent of FEMA people are on furlough --
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: And with that -- and on that point -- and on that point people that have been furloughed, but then there are as many federal workers, FEMA workers who are on furlough --
SLAUGHTER: They're working without pay.
WHITFIELD: And they're working without pay.
SLAUGHTER: Yes, yes. It's crazy.
WHITFIELD: So it is -- it is crazy. And it is very frustrating --
(CROSSTALK)
SLAUGHTER: Yes.
WHITFIELD: -- especially for those who have been furloughed. Where is the end in sight?
SLAUGHTER: Don't try to make sense out of it.
WHITFIELD: I mean give us some or give them, the light at the end of the tunnel. How does this end?
SLAUGHTER: The end -- it ends because the President of the United States is not going to play this volley and the Senate of the United States is stopping this thing cold as they should. What we need to do is really get back to running this country in a sensible way.
The best thing the United States could do not just for our economy but for the world, not just go fighting wars all the time but have a strong economy here, and what they've done to the economy is awful. We don't even know the figures this week, by the way, because there are not enough people at the Labor Department working to do that.
How could we have ever said the United States of America would come to this position? It's a shame. I think it's malpractice legislation.
WHITFIELD: And in the end or at the core it seems, it's the health care law. That is at the core of these failed talks.
SLAUGHTER: Well they've given that up. They've given that up. In New York the first day 10 million people tried to access the computer system. I've heard them say now they may still try to unfund it and I think the Supreme Court is going to have a crack at it this year. But that's not their main -- if you really -- if you really scratch down underneath and what they are worried about is --
WHITFIELD: What do you mean?
SLAUGHTER: -- those sequestration numbers.
WHITFIELD: All right our Representative Louise Slaughter thank you so much for your time.
SLAUGHTER: You're welcome. I'm mad as a wet hen.
WHITFIELD: And of course folks want you all to get down to business and get things cranking so the government can get reopen again.
SLAUGHTER: I've been doing it for 12 hours a day. I'm right there.
WHITFIELD: All right we'll keep at it. Thanks so much.
SLAUGHTER: You bet. Thank you. WHITFIELD: All right. Still to come, there has been a break in the case of that SUV driver beaten after he plowed through a swarm of motorcyclists. We'll have the latest on the investigation.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Police say they are closer to finding a motorcyclist suspected of playing a key role in that biker swarm on an SUV driver in New York. A law enforcement source tells CNN the biker is suspected of using his helmet to smash into the driver's window. Well police say they know who that biker is and expect to have him in custody soon. Authorities also have the original copy of this video which launched the encounter into the national spotlight.
National correspondent Susan Candiotti has the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Police have now tracked down the motorcyclist who shot this helmet cam video. They found him in this home in Bell Port, New York, questioning him and taking the video as evidence.
Until now we've only seen an edited version posted online. It cuts off moments before authorities say Alexian Lien was pulled out of his SUV, beaten and slashed in front of his wife and two-year-old child.
The family now issuing its first statement since the incident: "Our plan last Sunday was to celebrate our wedding anniversary by having a nice family day out with our two-year-old daughter. Unfortunately, instead we were placed in grave danger by a mob of reckless and violent motorcyclists."
Lien's wife defended her husband's decision to peel away from the crowd surrounding their SUV rolling over bikers in the process, critically injuring one. "My husband was forced under the circumstances to take the actions that he did in order to protect the lives of our entire family."
CNN has learned it was Mrs. Lien who made the last of three 911 calls the couple made as her husband was being attacked. "We would like to thank the brave citizens who risked their own safety to intervene on our behalf. They truly helped save our lives."
New video emerging today showing bikers gathering before Sunday's rally and riding on sidewalks -- prompting the politicians who released it to call for more enforcement.
ADRIANO ESPAILLAT (D), NEW YORK STATE SENATE: I don't see why you can have 500 motorcycles that are doing wheelies and that are out of control stopping traffic, totally stopping traffic in the highway or some streets and doing whatever they want.
CANDIOTTI: One of the motorcyclists Jerome Davis, witnessed the confrontation and told "OUTFRONT" they're not just some wild gang.
JEROME DAVIS, WITNESSED BIKER SWARM ATTACK: It's not a gang, we're not a gang.
ERIN BURNETT, CNN HOST: And how would you describe it?
DAVIS: As a gang.
BURNETT: Yes I mean, instead of a gang, what's the right word, do you think?
DAVIS: Family, unity, friends.
CANDIOTTI: One biker has been arrested for slowing down and causing that very first collision with the SUV. His lawyer says his client is not guilty.
(on camera): Meantime, police continuing to search for more witnesses and looking through videos of the incident frame by frame for every bit of evidence.
Susan Candiotti, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Now police have dropped charges against the second biker who they say might actually have been trying to help the driver. Another biker who was hit by the SUV is still in the hospital.
All right still to come, you probably recognize this voice.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
SUSAN BENNETT, SIRI VOICE: Hello. I am Susan Bennett. You probably know me. I'm the voice actor who provided the voice for Siri.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Ok. The after the break we'll reveal the whole Siri and offer some advice for what you should not do when Siri isn't as helpful as you'd like her to be.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BENNETT: Time for "NEWSROOM". Fredricka Whitfield is in for Carol Costello.
WHITFIELD: That was the real thing. Many of us can't even imagine getting through a day without her.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is it going to be chilly in San Francisco this weekend?
SIRI: Not too cold. Maybe down to 61 degrees in San Francisco.
I overheard you saying something about selling me. I'm afraid I cannot let that happen. I don't know what you mean by www.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Guess what, she is not even just a voice. Siri is a real person. I bet you thought it was computer generated or something. Well, just this morning for the first time ever, she actually came out from behind the iPhone.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BENNETT: I am the voice of Siri.
MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN HOST: There she is. I kind of got chills. Her name -- her real name is Susan Bennett. She's here with us this morning. Let's ask her questions.
Siri why is one foot longer than the other?
BOLDUAN: Siri, what is the driving time from New York to L.A.?
CUOMO: Great to meet you.
PEREIRA: Siri, are you happy to be here this morning?
BENNETT: I am sorry, Michaela, I cannot answer those questions.
BENNETT: People think that they came up with the phrases that she speaks originally, but originally it was just a bunch of sentences and phrases that were created so that every single combination of vowels and consonants and syllables could be spoken.
I know some people have had difficulty with Siri. By the way, please don't curse at Siri because she's very sensitive.
(CROSSTALK)
PEREIRA: How does it feel to pull back the curtain a little bit and reveal yourself?
BENNETT: I don't know yet. I'll let you know later today.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: We're glad she revealed herself. However Apple will not confirm Bennett's identity. But her colleagues and an audio forensic expert says that's the real deal. She is Siri.
Still to come, Sinead O'Connor pens not one but two letters to Miley Cyrus and guess what, Miley smacks her down in a tweet -- the nerve. The latest on the feuding singers next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MUSIC) WHITFIELD: Remember that? Now it has evolved into a battle of dueling divas. Miley Cyrus, this is kind of similar, is lashing out at Sinead O'Connor after O'Connor penned an open letter expressing concern over Miley's highly sexualized antics like in this video for her song "Wrecking ball".
CNN entertainment correspondent Nischelle Turner is following story. Nischelle, this has gotten ugly.
NISCHELLE, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: I just want to say, ladies, to your respective corners, please. You know, Fred, this has been so fascinating this public back and forth between Sinead O'Connor and Miley Cyrus. And you know, Sinead has now posted yet a third letter to Miley that you can find on her Facebook page.
But it was the first letter to Miley that started this whole feud. Sinead took to her Web site and she wrote what she called a spirit of motherliness and with love, this note to express her concern to Miley that the music industry is starting to sexualize and exploit her.
And I kind of feel like if she really wanted to express her concern, maybe a private letter or maybe a phone call could have been more effective but, anyway. Miley has basically been firing back at Sinead on Twitter. She called the star the original Amanda Bynes and she posted a string of old tweets from Sinead as she was suffering from some mental health issues.
She also Fred posted a picture of Sinead ripping up a picture of the Pope on "Saturday Night Live" almost exactly 21 years ago.
WHITFIELD: Oh, boy.
TURNER: Yes. And you know Miley probably alluded to "Saturday Night Live" as you can see from this direct tweet because she said that, "I don't have time to write you an open letter because I'm hosting and performing on SNL this week. So if you'd like to meet up and talk, let me know in your next letter.
WHITFIELD: Oh my God.
TURNER: In the next letter Sinead didn't say, let's have coffee. She did respond to Miley's response. The last two letters of Sinead have been pretty direct. They've been occasionally profane. Here is what she said in her last note. She said, "Your hosting SNL is a BS reason for not taking five minutes to do the right thing and your behavior yesterday will rebound upon you very badly."
Well Fred, that's a mouthful. And I'm just wondering really, what did these celebrities do before Twitter and Facebook when they wanted to feud?
WHITFIELD: I don't know. And why are they using it to take license with just, you know, all stream of consciousness. I mean, I don't know, self-edit a little bit.
TURNER: You know, I do think though that Sinead came in to this with some very good points and I do think she was trying to be helpful and give some advice, although I'm not really sure Miley is in a place where she wants to hear that. So when you're not in that place to receive it, all you get is like that brick wall.
WHITFIELD: Yes. Well it sounds like they're -- I mean Sinead is one of many artists who, particularly female artists, who have tried to convey their thoughts to Miley and it really has fallen on deaf ears and I guess in this case kind of backfired. Nasty.
TURNER: And it's almost like Sinead saying, "Listen, I've been there honey. I've been where you're at. Just listen to what I'm saying so you don't make the same mistakes and travel down the same road.
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: Yes. SNL, been there done that. Ouch, babe.
Ok. Nischelle, thank you so much. Nischelle Turner in New York today.
TURNER: Absolutely Fred.
WHITFIELD: We could go on and on.
All right. The Rivalry Express rolls into Lincoln, Nebraska. Carlos Diaz has his own pep rally.
CARLOS DIAZ, CNN SPORTS: Yes, that's right, Fredricka. Rivalry Express coming to you from Nebraska this weekend and we have the cheerleaders, we the dance team. We have the band. My question is where are all the fans? I want to know where the fans are.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Oh, the Rivalry Express Bus goes rolling through the country checking out the wacky side of collegiate sports, football in particular. Carlos Diaz is in Lincoln, Nebraska today where Nebraska Cornhuskers have a big homecoming week. Where is your Cornhusker hat?
DIAZ: Well, if you must insist on it, I'll put it on, thank you very much. There we go. Ok.
WHITFIELD: Much better.
DIAZ: Now that my journalistic integrity has gone out the window, let's talk some sports, shall we? It is the first time that these two teams, Nebraska and Illinois have played in over 25 years, but we found out that this is a rivalry in the making and it's a crazy one. Check this out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DIAZ: Bob, you have a corn cob on your head.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Carlos, you have a corn cob on your head.
DIAZ: That's because we're in Nebraska.
We have a Robin Meade supporter right here. Nebraska, Robin, Nebraska.
Look at his hair. Look at this quaff this is beautiful.
You guys are a bunch of smart alecks.
Bob rides bulls, look at Bob riding the bull here.
Tasting hogs head on live TV.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got the four beers you ordered.
DIAZ: Not now, Jerry. Not now.
And then you do this. Ok. I think this looks a lot easier. I'm going to stick with just this right here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Ok. Rah-rah, Carlos. You're into it -- all the way.
DIAZ: That's how crazy it is here in Nebraska as they take on Illinois tomorrow right here on campus. See you guys.
WHITFIELD: All right. Very fun. Thanks for taking us there. Appreciate it.
All right. That's going to do it for me. I'll see you throughout the weekend. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.
"LEGAL VIEW" up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
