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Seth Rogen Blasts Senators For Skipping His Testimony On Alzheimer's Disease; Man Pronounced Dead Wakes Up In Body Bag; Brooke's First Mardi Gras Adventure; Inside "El Chapo's" Safe Houses

Aired February 28, 2014 - 14:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Bottom of the hour. You are watching CNN. I'm Brooke Baldwin. Let's begin here in Washington because actor, Seth Rogen, he is now blasting senators for skipping out on his congressional testimony earlier this week. He was there testifying speaking really from his heart about the devastating impact of Alzheimer's disease because his mother-in-law has Alzheimer's.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SETH ROGEN, ACTOR: After forgetting who she and the loved ones were, my mother-in-law, a teacher for 35 years then forgot how to speak, feed herself, dress herself, and go to the bathroom herself all by the age of 60. Americans whisper the word Alzheimer's because their government whispers the word Alzheimer's.

Although a whisper is better than the silence that the Alzheimer's community has been facing for decades. It's still not enough. It needs to be yelled and screamed to the point that it finally gets the attention and the funding that it deserves and needs.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: So you saw Rogen and all the people behind him, now just flip it around and this is the camera shot. This is what he was looking at. See all those empty seats? Straight ahead of him, two senators. Two senators stayed to listen to this testimony. So Seth Rogen took to Twitter and has nearly two million followers to express his frustration.

This is what he tweeted. "All those empty seats are senators who are not prioritizing Alzheimer's unless more noises made, it won't change." Here is something else, Illinois Senator Mark Kirk, he tweeted, "Thanks to Seth Rogen for speaking out about efforts to end Alzheimer's." Took a picture with him, but didn't actually stay for the testimony.

And so Seth Rogen fired back here. He said "Senator Kirk, pleasure meeting you, why did you leave before my speech? Just curious." Kirk said he had a meeting with a former astronaut, but he did watch Seth Rogen's testimony later. This got us wondering when celebrities testify on Capitol Hill, are audiences always so small. Our chief congressional correspondent, Dana Bash knows a thing or two about what happens on the Hill. So we just wanted to ask you, you know, lift the veil for us, Dana. When celebrities come to the Hill to testify or even less famous folks, do lawmakers commonly skip out on these hearings?

DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, the answer is yes. Senators come and go. There are many, many times. Hearings are sparsely attended whether it is celebrity or a mere mortal. So unfortunately, Seth Rogen is not so special when it comes to the experience he had. I have been in more hearings than I can count, Brooke.

When the witness is talking to only a few lawmakers. Just one example, though, we are going to pull off, which is a stark example, but it certainly tells the story. Last year, there was a joint economic committee meeting on unemployment, one senator, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota was there for the 90-minute hearing. Just one.

And then just to focus on the hearing of where Seth Rogan testified this week on Alzheimer's, he was the second panelist. Before he spoke, there was a panel with medical experts on this issue, the director of the NIH and the director of the National Institute of Aging.

And it appears for that part for the first panel, it was better attended and in fact, Senator Mark Kirk, who has you mentioned Seth Rogen tweeted on Twitter, he was there for the first panel of medical experts. So that's just one example of how things work. Just keeping Senator Kirk as an example.

He said in a follow-up tweet, that he -- there see him at the earlier part of the hearing. He said he had to leave to meet with Jim Lovell of Apollo 13, but he was also meeting with constituents from his home state of Illinois.

That's another reason senators are often not at hearings because they have other obligations. It does not make it easy or necessarily right for a witness. Seth Rogen or anyone else to sit there and speak to a virtually empty desk, but it's certainly not unusual.

BALDWIN: When do they get up and leave? Just curious. If Seth Rogen was the second speaker, is it at least during the break or are people getting up while he is testifying or while others will be testifying?

BASH: You know what, in almost, in virtually every hearing that happens on Capitol Hill, members of the Senate and members of the House on the committee are getting up and moving around. It is not unusual. In fact, it is common practice for while somebody is testifying or answered questions for senators to be moving around. It happens all the time.

BALDWIN: We were also wondering because Ben Affleck, just another big celebrity up on the Hill is testifying about Congo. He's been very involved with that. We saw the photo op with Secretary of State John Kerry. I'm just curious. That crowd versus the Seth Rogan crowd, same story, different story?

BASH: It was different in a lot of ways. First of all, Ben Affleck came with Cindy McCain who is the wife of John McCain who happens to sit on the board of Ben Affleck's advocacy group, which is the Eastern Congo Initiative. So you can bet John McCain was there and to ask Ben Affleck questions and to listen to him.

But it's also different in that Affleck is already a known figure on this issue in the fight in the Congo. He met with Secretary of State John Kerry on the same day in addition to coming to Capitol Hill. Yes, Ben Affleck appeared to draw a little bit of a different crowd, more buzz on the Hill from young staffers and other who knew he was in the building.

But even so, look at that tape. That is Ben Affleck testifying. Certainly not a full desk. We could count about five senators maximum who were there at least towards the end of his speech. So Seth Rogen give Ben Affleck a call.

BALDWIN: Maybe they can hang out after Seth Rogen is on with Jake Tapper today on "THE LEAD." That will be a fascinating interview for sure. Dana Bash, thank you as always. We want to lift the veil because the camera only shows one thing, but we like to talk to you for the context. Dana, thank you.

Let's go to Mississippi now where you will not believe what happened to one elderly man here. This is 78-year-old Walter Williams and he was pronounced dead of natural causes just after midnight Thursday.

The coroner put Williams' body in a plastic bag and put him in a hearse. Two hours later, the unthinkable happened. His family got a phone call to head to the hospital because something miraculous, their word, had happened.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARTHA LEWIS, WALTER WILLIAMS' DAUGHTER: The mortician said his legs started moving. We had just stopped talking and he said what did y'all stop talking for? Hallelujah!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: How about that? That is Williams's family celebrating and singing his favorite song. His daughter said she doesn't know how much longer he is going to grace her with his presence, but she is grateful he is alive. So Byron Porter is on the phone with me. He is the funeral director at Porter and Sons Funeral Home.

And Mr. Porter, my goodness, I mean, from what I read, you or your workers were about ready to embalm this man who is front of you in a body bag. Tell me what you saw next.

BYRON PORTER, FUNERAL DIRECTOR, PORTER AND SONS FUNERAL HOME (via telephone): As we were preparing to remove him from the body bag, we noted that he had movement. Had a breath. We just kind of observed him for a while, thinking it was the fibrillator or pacemaker that was causing him to have those episodes. After a while we determined maybe this is not what's happening. We called the paramedics and they came and we got him over to the hospital.

BALDWIN: And lo and behold, this man was alive. It's the moment that you all are seeing movement and kicking in a body bag. What were people saying around you? Where they saying anything?

PORTER: No. Really just trying to figure out what was causing this, you know, to happen. What was causing him to move or whether it was the pacemaker or --

BALDWIN: Mr. Porter, how many years have you been doing this, working as a funeral director there?

PORTER: I know about 40 years. All my life our father was in this business. So we just, you know, I kind of grew up around it.

BALDWIN: So in your lifetime or in your father's lifetime, have you ever seen anything like this?

PORTER: No, ma'am.

BALDWIN: What did the family say?

PORTER: They just said that they thank God that their daddy is still with us. It wasn't his time. They believed that it was the Lord, God himself, an act of God.

BALDWIN: Here's the question I should be asking. Did he say anything like get me out of this bag?

PORTER: No, ma'am. No ma'am.

BALDWIN: OK. Byron Porter, what a story you have to tell now. Thank you so much for calling in. Wish that family well, of course. Now to this. SeaWorld is accusing a government investigator of having an unethical relationship with the makers of the film "Blackfish," which of course, aired here on CNN. Just ahead, we will get the latest word on SeaWorld's claim and the government's response.

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BALDWIN: SeaWorld is accusing a government investigator of major ethical violations after the death of a trainer back in 2010. This complaint with the U.S. Labor Department alleges an investigator, Lara Padgett, leaked confidential documents to producers of "Blackfish." The documentary CNN has been acquired and aired multiple times.

Now "Blackfish" focus on the death of trainer, Dawn Brancheau, and criticizes SeaWorld's treatment of killer whales. SeaWorld has said "Blackfish" is misleading and CNN "NEW DAY WEEKEND" co-anchor, Victor Blackwell, is joining us here with more on this complaint. What exactly are they saying?

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN CO-ANCHOR, CNN'S "NEW DAY WEEKEND": Well, essentially they are saying that this inspector for OSHA, Lara Padgett, gave us those documents to the "Blackfish" producers. The question is why would she do it? SeaWorld believes that this woman has an intense bias and she wants to hurt the business and the reputation of SeaWorld.

Now let me give you just 15 seconds of background for people who are just joining the story. In 2010, after trainer, Dawn Brancheau was killed after working with the whale, OSHA inspected the Orlando Park and the lead inspector, Lara Padgett. They found SeaWorld had inadequate safety regulations and also, which might be most important here, they found that there had to be some barrier and distance and limits on the interaction between the trainers and the whales.

Well, SeaWorld says that ruins our shows. I mean, people come to this park to see these fantastic shows. They filed an appeal with the panel of three federal judges. Now to come current day, SeaWorld has now filed this complaint with the Department of Labor and the Inspector General's Office saying that the documents were passed from -- part of this investigation to "Blackfish" producers.

In fact, there is one instance in this more than 200-page report, this complaint that says that -- let me get this right. The associate producer, Tim Zimmerman was a witness for a thumb drive and was later seen at laptop with Lara Padgett, this OSHA inspector. They believe that this is just one example.

There is also photographs of Lara Padgett with the producers, the cast and crew of, and I think we have it to show you, of "Blackfish" at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. You see this here and also at the premier in New York, and at the film festival, she did not have to pay for lodging and so believe that also that quite possibly accepted that from the producers of "Blackfish."

BALDWIN: How were the producers responding to this?

BLACKWELL: Well, we called to -- made calls to Tim Zimmerman and to Magnolia Pictures. We also had a statement from "Orlando Sentinel." They are reporting that in January Tim Zimmerman said this. We can put it up on the screen for you. That they never actually received anything from Lara Padgett.

In fact, we repeatedly tried to secure interviews with her. Her OSHA supervisor, Les Grove, and OSHA Attorney John Black, and will refused each and every time. We reached out to the Department of Labor and have not gotten a response back. The Inspector General's Office confirms they've received it, but they cannot comment.

BALDWIN: OK, thank you very much. Guess what. I'm going to New Orleans to experience Mardi Gras for the very first time this year. I get on the plane in about three hours from now. I thought you know, I need to look for some expert advice how to get the most out of my experience.

My goodness, my goodness. Louisiana native, Donna Brazil and Trombone Shorty, awesome enough to join me. I heard they were crafts involved and clearly there are. Don't miss this. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: All right, Mardi Gras season already in full swing in New Orleans. Revelers already enjoying dozens of parades of floats, wearing costumes and partygoers toss the colorful beads and other trinkets into the cheering crowds. For the first time in my life, I am hopping a plane after this show and I'm heading to New Orleans for my very first Mardi Gras.

But it's actually personal for me and I just wanted to share this photo with you. This is my mother's mother. She grew up there. She loved the spirit of the city. This picture I have in my bathroom. I look at it every day. She was the queen of the (inaudible) at the ball back in 1946. So just trust me. I heard about Mardi Gras for a little while.

So I finally decided it's time to see what the celebration is all about. So I enlisted two people who can help me understand this time of year in New Orleans. Fat Tuesday, just a couple of days away. Two natives. Donna Brazile and Trombone Shorty with the mask and all. Welcome. Nice to have you all on.

DONNA BRAZILE, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: This is from the crew. Hell yes. This is amazing.

BALDWIN: I'm loving this. Can I say this is the craziest job? In my suitcase, I have a (inaudible) gold sequence gown. I have a Wonder Woman costume. I have a tutu. I have a mask and a pink wig and a dress for church. Donna Brazile, what am I forgetting?

BRAZILE: Just a small bag. We call it a wine skin. You might want to start right now and get you a hurricane. You will need something to keep yourself moist and hydrated. Make sure before you leave you get red beans and rice. Make sure that somebody gives you a delicious pancake.

BALDWIN: And Trombone Shorty, here is the thing, because I've been telling people I'm going down to Mardi Gras and they are like, you know. I feel like there is this whole pre-conceived notion and the beads and the debauchery and the Bourbon Street, but it's so much more than that, is it not?

TROY "TROMBONE SHORTY" ANDREWS, MUSICIAN: It's much more than that. You go a block away and you see a bunch of families parade and dancing and dressing up and just second line, a different side of Mardi Gras. It's a lot more than that. You are finding yourself walking around the city and I don't know how you got there and people you never met before and having a great time.

BALDWIN: I've walked through and that's where you are from. Here's my question back to you. You are blowing that horn, I'm curious if there was a person who you are picturing in front of you when you are making that music. Anyone you envision who you are playing for?

ANDREWS: I think Louis Armstrong. You know, I never got a chance -- I'm too young, but I've been a fan of his my whole life and I always wanted to just picture myself and perform for him for what he did opening doors for us. But other than that whenever I play I always see the spirit and to keep it on. Wherever we are, I am always trying to bring that energy to wherever we are.

BALDWIN: Donna, second lining, I have recently come to know what second lining means, but I don't think maybe other people know. Explain what that is.

BRAZILE: It was a form of the dirges. After the funeral services, people will often get their umbrella and they start swaying to the music. You know, I hope that you are ready to move those hips and bring it back and bring it forward. When you say throw me something, Mister, mean it.

BALDWIN: Throw me something, Mister.

BRAZILE: It is a tradition. He is so absolutely correct. People celebrate on their front porch, on the sidewalk. They celebrate in the street. They celebrate with strangers. They make their sandwiches and bring their beans and rice and bring their cold drinks and water and other refreshments so this is an opportunity to give thanks.

You know, Mardi Gras is one of those festive seasons that starts at the Epiphany and it ends right at the beginning of the Lenten season. So for many of us down home it's an opportunity to also to give praise and thanks to our family and our friends.

BALDWIN: Absolutely. My grandmother will not be far from mind. Final question for you, Trombone Shorty. I'm there tonight through Wednesday, what one thing can I not miss?

ANDREWS: Well, you definitely don't want to miss the Zulu parade on the Mardi Gras Day under the bridge. It will be unbelievable.

BALDWIN: Zulu. All right, Trombone Shorty --

BRAZILE: Be careful for the coconut.

BALDWIN: Great to know. Thanks both of you all. And follow me on Twitter @brookbcnn. I will be sharing some of my fun. Thanks, guys.

Now to this. This rant from LinkedIn goes viral on social media. This young woman, she wants a job and gets a fiery response back from the senior person. Coming up, what this tells us about today's job market and the reaction to millennials in the workforce.

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BALDWIN: Now to the rare inside look into one of the former safe houses of the world's most notorious drug lord. Mexican Marines captured Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman after more than a decade on the run and now after being granted rare access inside his safe houses, we are seeing how he escaped capture. Our Nick Parker takes us inside. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK PARKER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: On this quiet residential street in the Sinaloa state, capital of Culiacan, with a school just across the street, is one of five Chapo Guzman's safe houses. We are going inside to take a look.

(voice-over): Before even entering, cameras and reinforced steel doors have the priority of security.

(on camera): I think one of the first things that really hits you when you come in is just how modest and basic it is. You know, a small little kitchen. Some of the bedrooms here are pretty dingy. The marines tell us this was part of his strategy to have a very modest accommodations so that you can hide in plain sight.

In almost every bedroom of the house, there two TV screens, one for security and one for TV. When you go to the bathroom, the picture of a normal house really does transform beneath this bathtub a secret tunnel. If you climb down the steps, you find yourself in the tunnel itself and you can see it has been quite carefully constructed out of wood. You have to crouch a little bit, but you are quite mobile.

There is an electricity system running throughout it. The nearest other safe house from here is three kilometers in this direction. The constructed part of the tunnel ends here. If you go through this door, you find yourself in the sewage system of Culiacan, an ideal escape route. And the tunnel system comes out right here in another safehouse just down the road and as you can see it is a similar set up to the previous one.

(voice-over): In all the houses, evidence of life suddenly suspended. The minutia is often interesting, a child slide, Christmas decorations and a fondness for mayonnaise.

(on camera): This safehouse is perhaps the most significant of all of them. This is where Chapo Guzman escaped when he was being pursued by Mexican Marines. They broke down this door and found they missed him by 8 minutes. This is where he fled to through this bedroom and into this bathroom where as you can see, there is another escape hatch underneath this bathtub.