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Ukraine's Ousted President Blames U.S.; California Residents Told To Evacuate Now; Dangerous Cold Blasts Midwest, Northeast; Cause Of Radiation Leak At New Mexico Federal Radioactive Waste Site Still Unknown; Supreme Court Secretly Filmed In Session; Helping "Young Men Of Color" Succeed

Aired February 28, 2014 - 10:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Heart disease is our nation's number one killer. And that's partly because a lot of people don't know the warning signs for a heart attack. And as a result they wait too long to get medical help.

According to the American Heart Association, about 325,000 Americans a year die of a heart attack before they even get to a hospital. Now the best way to survive is to be aware of the early warning signs. So today, we decided to give you the top five, chest pain, obviously. In most attacks, the discomfort usually comes from the center of the chest and lasts a couple of minutes. It can go away and then reoccur.

Now many patients talk about a feeling of fullness, tension, or squeezing pain that can then move to others parts of the body as well sometimes the back, the jaw, or the arm. Shortness of breath. This may happen with or without chest pain. Cold sweats, usually come with the pain. What happens is your skin will start to feel cool and clammy. That sweating can cause a lot of fatigue.

Other signs that come with the pain may be nausea or dizziness. You get this feeling you can't focus. The key here is to heed the signs and act quickly. I have seen so many patients that are reluctant to call an ambulance thinking their pain is indigestion or gas. Don't be afraid to call 911. Get to a hospital right away. It could save your heart as well as your life.

Good morning, everyone. I'm Carol Costello. Thanks so much for joining me. Ukraine's ousted president in exile and now, on the attack. This morning, Victor Yanukovych railed against the interim government that has succeed him and the United States and other western powers that he said toppled him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VIKTOR YANUKOVYCH, OUSTED UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): Nobody has overturned me. I was compelled to leave Ukraine due to a direct threat of my life and my nearest and dearest.

(END VIDEO CLIP) COSTELLO: And those cold war themes play out against an ominous back drop. Armed men in military uniforms sweep into two airports in Crimea, a region that borders Russia. One Ukrainian official accuses Russia of an armed invasion. CNN's Frederick Pleitgen is live in Moscow to tell us more. Good morning.

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Carol. Yes. It is really unclear who those armed men actually are. As you say they are wearing military uniforms, but they don't have any sort of insignia that could indicate whether they are Russian soldiers or not. So far, the Kremlin is saying that its forces in that area and it does have a lot of military bases in that part of the Ukraine were not involved in any operations at those airports.

They did say they have stepped up their anti-terror operations there simply because they feel like the situation may be going out of control. They have a lot of military personnel on the ground there and they say they want to ensure the safety of that military personnel.

Now, as you said, the former president of Ukraine, Victor Yanukovych, in his first time there. He has been seen since being ousted from office, came and said that he still believes he is the president. He called the opposition taking power illegal. He vowed to come back and fight. He says he wants to wait for his security situation to be such that he would be able to come back. He also of course accused the U.S. of instigating his ouster -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Frederik Pleitgen reporting live from Moscow.

The rising tensions in the region and the cold warlike divisions between east and west are causing concerns in Washington. According to one former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, the situation should not be taken lightly.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL MCFAUL, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO RUSSIA: It is a very dangerous situation, extremely tense. You have soldiers with guns, very well- armed in Crimea, a part of Ukraine saying they want to be are now loyal to Russia. A very, very dire situation.

It reminds me, unfortunately, of other parts of the former Soviet Union where you had breakaway regions that were in this kind of suspended sovereignty, neither here nor there that eventually led to conflict. I am thinking principally of Georgia in August of 2008. So I am quite nervous about what is happening there right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Let's head to the Pentagon and CNN's Barbara Starr, what are they saying there, Barbara?

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, I think it is really interesting what the ambassador said, Carol, because you hear the same thing here in the Pentagon. Is this Georgia, 2008 again when there were a series of provocations over a period of time. Finally, Russia chose to go into Georgia. That's what worries the Pentagon and many of the agencies across Washington.

They don't see any indication of Russia right now wholesale moving into Ukraine. Nobody thinks that is on the table. As this instability continues, as you see these armed forces at individual airports, bases, sites across Ukraine, are you going to start seeing the kind of instability, potential provocation and uncertainty that then might down the road lead to Russia taking some sort of security steps in Ukraine.

Right now, the U.S. is relying totally on diplomacy along with its European neighbors and NATO. We are told that is the strategy to try and calm things down and ensure that the interim Ukraine government can work and function and that Russia calms things down. It is a hard time right now to see the exact way ahead in the coming days and weeks -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Barbara Starr reporting live from the Pentagon. People across the Midwest and northeast are dealing with dangerous single digit windchills again. It is so cold in Detroit that water mains are break everywhere. Crews are on standby to make sure they don't freeze.

In California, heavy rain is threatening flash floods and mudslides across drought-stricken communities, they are urging 1,000 families to evacuate. Some places in California could see more than two inches of rain. Let me put it this way. Some places in California could see more rain over the next two days than they have had in two years.

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ED HEINLEIN, HOMEOWNER: This will look like Niagara Falls. Once it gets dark and the rain starts, nobody should be here because this stuff comes down quickly, unexpectedly.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: A wild fire that hit the area just last month, Indra Petersons has a detailed look at the nation's weather woes.

INDRA PETERSONS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Carol, once again today that cold air spread even into the northeast where high today will be below freezing. We are talking about 20-25 degrees below where they should be for this time of year. The bigger story is still out west. We are talking 26 percent of the state at the highest level of drought.

Now you are talking about the biggest rain storm they have seen in three years. The ground cannot handle it. The flood concerns are high. This storm is expected to impact so many of us. Once it exits California, it is going to make its way across the country. We are going to have to model.

One brings a heavy snowstorm Sunday and Monday towards New York City. The other snow storm notice the purple, a little bit farther to the south, around D.C., we are going to have to look to see where this storm goes. Keep in mind, this cold air we have been dealing with, another burst is expected.

By next week, we are still going to be talking about temperatures well below normal. That means even for you, Carol, talking about below normal temperatures, making its way into even the southeast.

COSTELLO: I keep thinking spring is around the corner, spring is around the corner. Thanks, Indra.

Officials still don't know exactly how a radiation leak that contaminated 13 workers in New Mexico started or just how bad it is. That's according to CNN affiliate, KRQE. The radioactive leak at the waste isolation pilot plant started two weeks ago in South Eastern New Mexico. That plant stores low-level, nuclear waste deep below the ground, but residents fear no one is actually telling them what's going on.

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ROBERT ORTIZ, CARLSBAD, NEW MEXICO, RESIDENT: I don't think that people know what's going on. It has always been very secretive.

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COSTELLO: Workers are still being tested. More than 180 are on the job. Officials say the radiation detected so far is 1/10 of what someone would get from a chest x-ray.

For the first time ever, a secret recording of the U.S. Supreme Court in session has been leaked online. Now this is a serious breach of protocol. The video is from Wednesday's oral arguments on a patent case. It was posted online by a group called 99rise.org. That group is fighting the influence of money in politics.

Watch what happens moments later when a protester stands up to demand a change in campaign finance laws.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I rise on behalf of the vast majority of the American people who believe that money is not speech, corporations are not people and our democracy should not be for sale to the highest. Overturn Citizens United keep the cap in McCutcheon. The people demand democracy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: The justice has just ignored him and as you can see he was escorted out. CNN's justice reporter, Evan Perez, joins me live. It was interesting to see the inside of the Supreme Court because most people never get to see that.

EVAN PEREZ, CNN JUSTICE REPORTER: That is quite true. It is a very surreal scene. I have been turned back at the door if I didn't have the right notebook. There are very tight security restrictions on getting into that room. It just never happens and so that's what makes this so unusual. For years, people have been pushing to try to get cameras in the Supreme Court and for years the justices have had a recent ad campaign to push the issue. It has gone nowhere. It probably was his cell phone, right?

PEREZ: You know, we don't know actually. That's actually a big mystery. I mean, obviously, you go to the spy wear store and you might find small tiny little cameras that fit. We don't know, actually. So that's something that the Supreme Court police says they are still investigating.

The name of the protester is Noah Newkirk. He is from Los Angeles and he is charged with making a loud harangue or loud utterance in the Supreme Court building, which is apparently a crime. He could face up to 60 days in prison for this violation. There are all kinds of rules in this court. This is definitely one of the big one that has been violated -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Interesting. Evan Perez, thanks so much.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM, the president makes an emotional plea to help the nation's young men of color to a path for success. Does it come too late? We'll talk about that next.

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COSTELLO: Checking our top stories at 14 minutes past the hour, we are hearing for the first time today those 911 tapes from a political scandal that will not go away for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Officials in Fort Lee released these tapes just a short time ago. We expect them to lay out a better timeline of how tough last year's massive tie-ups on the George Washington Bridge actually were. CNN is going through 20 hours of recordings right now. We will keep you posted.

Manholes exploding in downtown Columbus, Ohio. As you might expect, power was out, but it is expected to be fully restored this hour. Those underground explosions happening overnight. Manhole covers blown off damaging nearby buildings. No one was hurt. The local electric company says the blast were probably caused by an equipment fire.

A Mississippi man back from the death. A coroner pronounced 78-year- old Walter Williams dead, zipped him up in a body bag and sent him to a funeral home, but a few hours later, Walter was kicking to get out of that bag.

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MARTHA LEWIS, DAUGHTER: The mortician said something wasn't right. His legs started moving. It was not my day. I don't know how much longer he is going to grace us and bless us with his presence but alleluia, we thank him right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Williams is now recovering in a hospital. The coroner says his pacemaker may have stopped working and then started up again. A California school that told students to take off their American flag shirts on Cinco Mayo want its case in court. Students had sued over freedom of speech, but the school argued it was just trying to protect these kids. The court agreed saying the student's safety takes precedence over their free speech rights. That suit dates back to 2010 when there had been racial tensions at the school.

President Obama making an emotional plea to help America's young men of color, urging young people to take responsibility for their lives, but stressing it is also our responsibility as a nation to help these young men with the building blocks to succeed. The president revealed just how personal this issue is for him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: When it was my turn, I explained to them, that when I was their age, I was a lot like them. I didn't have a dad in the house. I was angry about it even though I didn't necessarily realize it at the time. I made bad choices. I got high without always thinking about the harm that it could do. I didn't always take school as seriously as I should have. I made excuses.

Sometimes I sold myself short. I remember when I was saying this, you may remember this after I was finished. The guy sitting next to me said, are you talking about you? I said, yes. The point was, I could see myself in these young men. The only difference is that I grew up in an environment that was a little bit more forgiving.

So when I made a mistake, the consequences were not as severe. I had people who encouraged me, not just my mom, grandparents, wonderful teachers and community leaders. They pushed me to work hard and study hard and make the most of myself. If I didn't listen, they said it again. If I didn't listen, they said it a third time. They would give me second chances and third chances. They never gave up on me.

So I didn't give up on myself. I told these young men my story then. I repeat it now. I firmly believe that every child deserves the same chances that I had.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Joining me to discuss this program, Michael Blake, senior adviser for "Operation Hope" and a former White House aide, and CNN's Don Lemon. Welcome, gentlemen.

DON LEMON, CNN: Good morning, Carol.

COSTELLO: So Don, this program is called "My Brother's Keeper." How does it work?

LEMON: They are figuring that out now. Basically, it is very simple. What the administration is doing is overseeing a number of different organizations through philanthropists and financiers. They are going to take programs, mentoring programs, grooming programs, programs across the country that are working and successful and try to repeat them in as many places as possible using the money from the Bloomberg organizations. That's basically what it is.

COSTELLO: Michael, the president's words were so emotional, obviously touched the young men standing in the audience. But some critics say it should have happened a long time ago. Why didn't it?

MICHAEL BLAKE, SENIOR ADVISER, "OPERATION HOPE": Let's focus on what is happening right now. I was at the White House where the president made clear that you matter, regardless of your circumstances your situation. You matter. We are not just going to talk about it. We are going to be about it. The California endowment, Operation Hope, let's elevate those that are fighting for these communities.

When you have one in three black men right now that are born recognizing they may go to prison, one in four for Latino men, something has to happen. So "My Brother's Keepers" is saying to you, you matter. We are going to put together initiatives to say right now we are not going to let you sit on the waste side. We are going to stand right next to you and make sure you have a shot in this community.

COSTELLO: It sounds like a great program, but Don, as you well know, it takes more than money and programs to solve racism. Do you think the president will continue to be vocal, to be blunt since his term is ending, is this a time to be America's black president?

LEMON: You know, Carol, I said last night, I wrote a commentary at the end of my show. I did a special last night at 11:00 and I said, today, Barack Obama, became the black president, meaning he became the black president that he mentioned he has been criticized about this, it came a little bit too late or what have you. It doesn't matter.

Now that we are here, OK, let's figure out where we go. I think Michael is exactly right. But yes, he became the black president, and not in a bad way. I want you to hear me out because what he realized is that he is in a unique position to help people who are like him, but help a group of people who need the help the most. When the auto industry needed help the most, he bailed them out. He helped the auto industry.

That did not mean he was the president just for autoworkers. When Wall Street needed help, when financiers needed help, it didn't mean he was just president for Wall Street. He realized at that particular moment that this particular group needs my help. That's why I said he became the black president. That's not such a bad thing. I think he realized that these young men are ultimately his legacy.

COSTELLO: Michael, what was the spark that made the president came out and announce this initiative in such an emotional way?

BLAKE: For so many of us, that are a part of the Obama family, I directed African-American and minority business outreach, we have been working on how to fight for the community across the board from the inception. When the Trayvon Martin verdict came out, it sparked an energy that something has to happen. We can't let our young men feel like you don't have a chance to society and I saw so many members who demonstrated this is the moment where we have to fight for so much more.

Last night, I had a chance to speak with Ron Davis, you know, obviously the father of Jordan Davis. He said, this shows us that we matter and Jordan is smiling down right and Trayvon is smiling down right saying that we matter. For someone like me who is from the Bronx, like the president said, from his community as well, you have to fight for our communities. We go from no house to the White House and now we go back to your house right now.

LEMON: Michael and Carol, if I could jump in, here is what I think happened. I know he mentioned Trayvon Martin. That was important to him because he came out and spoke and he was very candid. He went into the briefing room and spoke about that. But I think the moment was when a group of kids from Chicago called bam, becoming a man, he met with them in February of last year and then he invited them back to the White House.

They went in July. They bought a father's day card for him. The mentor didn't know the kids were bringing it. They signed the father's day card and gave it to him in the oval office. They said, I have never signed a father's day card for anyone, the kids in the oval office. The president looked at them and said, you know what, I've never signed a father's day card as well.

I think he realized at that moment that he grew up without a male role model, without a father in the home. They grew up that way and they were a kindred spirit. He is in a unique position to help them. I really think that that was the bigger impetus even beyond Trayvon Martin.

COSTELLO: And the last question for you, Michael, this program, will it last beyond President Obama's term?

BLAKE: Absolutely. This is a continual legacy right now. Over the next 90 days bringing together allies in the federal sector and the private sector to say, you know, what are the best practice that are working, you know, to save our streets in the Bronx, California, as I mentioned earlier and then this goes beyond just a president legacy.

Let's make sure we keep in mind the anniversary of the civil rights act to be in a place where we have an African-American president standing up and saying, I'm going to fight for you. This goes beyond the presidency. This shows that this is beyond just one election. Elections do matter.

It is going to be sustained beyond that. So we are excited about that. Others who are doing this work to make sure our communities understand that you have a fighting voice and you matter.

LEMON: I know you have to go, Carol. Like the Clinton initiative for AIDS, this is President Obama's initiative beyond his presidency.

COSTELLO: Michael Blake, Don Lemon, thanks so much for being with me. I appreciate it. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COSTELLO: Moments ago, a New York jury acquitted Kerry Kennedy, the daughter of the late Senator Robert Kennedy of driving while impaired. Joining me now, Ashleigh Banfield, host of CNN's "LEGAL VIEW" along with Jeffrey Toobin and Jean Casarez. Good morning to all of you. Is Jeffrey Toobin on the phone? That's why I don't see him.

Ashleigh, let me start with you, you know, run down this verdict for us.

ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, HOST, CNN'S "LEGAL VIEW": So pretty simple, they just decided that what her lawyers had put in court before them sounded pretty darn plausible, that is that she mixed up medication in the morning, instead of taking a thyroid, she took an Ambien pill and then set out for her day of errands, including going to the gym, Carol. Who takes an Ambien with plans to go to the gym?

Once on the highway, while driving erratically, her experts clearly convinced this jury that she couldn't be responsible for knowing she was driving erratically because of this drug. They just decided that that sounded plausible enough to them that there was reasonable doubt that these prosecutors said, she is a Kennedy.

They quoted her book to seek truth for justice in their closing. This he decided that her defense sounded like something they should understand.

COSTELLO: When you say she was driving erratically. She was driving a Lexus SUV, right, and she was swerving down the road and she swerved in front of a tractor-trailer, right?

BANFIELD: And there was a crash too, but no one was hurt. This is a critical issue. This is an interesting defense. This kind of drug has what you called an amnesia effect. This jury believed her expert. By the way, what's even more interesting is they did not believe, necessarily, what the prosecutor's expert was trying to promulgate because under cross examination, the prosecutors own expert had to conceive she wouldn't have been aware. On this particular drug, she wouldn't have been aware that she was driving erratically.