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Malaysia Releases Preliminary Report, Audio of Tower, Flight 370; Sen. Harry Reid Tells NFL to Learn from NBA, Change Redskins Name; Women in Donald Sterling's Life; George Bush Gives Advice to Brother

Aired May 01, 2014 - 14:30   ET

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

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): That's right, she paints with her lips.

NATALIE IRISH, TYPE-ONE DIABETIC: It's all lipstick. I make a lot of it myself. Everything from dollar stores to boutique brands. This is just a different paint brush.

GUPTA: Kissing the canvas will full-on lip prints, using her lips to smear, smudge and shade in the portraits, Natalie creates masterpieces. She says some of them sell for thousands of dollars and she's using that attention to help raise awareness about type-one diabetes.

IRISH: I have a bit of an audience and people that like my work and then, like, OK, let's talk about this, too. You know?

GUPTA: She says her biggest message, fix the physical but don't forget about the mental.

IRISH: There is a lot of self-blame that can pop up in there. And every day is going to be different. We'll have good days and bad days but it's not our fault.

GUPTA: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PAMELA BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: Malaysia today released its long-awaited preliminary report on the disappearance of flight 370. In addition to the report, the Malaysian government released audio recordings of conversations between the cockpit of flight 370 and air traffic control in Kuala Lumpur. Here are the last words between the tower and the cockpit. Take a listen.

(BEGIN AUDIO FEED)

PLANE: Lumpur Control Malaysian 370.

TOWER: Malaysian 370 Lumpur radar. Good morning. Climb flight level 250.

PLANE: Morning. Level 250 Malaysian 370.

TOWER: Malaysian 370 climb flight level 350.

PLANE: Flight level 350. Malaysian 370.

Malaysian 370 maintaining level 350.

TOWER: Malaysian 370.

PLANE: Malaysian 370 maintaining level 350.

TOWER: Malaysian 370.

Malaysia 370 contract Ho Chi Minh 120 decimal 9. Good night.

PLANE: Good night, Malaysian 370.

(END AUDIO FEED)

BROWN: So there you hear it.

Shawn Pruchnicki is an air safety expert with Ohio State University who has worked in many air accidents investigations.

Tell us, Shawn, you just heard the audio recording there, listening to it, nothing really jumps out. There's no signs of stress or panic. What do you take away from it?

SHAWN PRUCHNICKI, AIR SAFETY EXPERT, OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY: It's basically just that. There are two main ideas here. One, this is a normal routine conversation between air traffic control and these pilots. There is nothing abnormal about the words they are choosing and the way they are speaking. The second thing is I don't hear anything in the background. No alarms. No hurry or distress. Sounds like a quiet flight deck. So between the two of those, sounds like a routine evening.

BROWN: And just to think right after that, the transponder turned off and it disappeared from radar.

Let's talk about the preliminary report. It made a safety recommendation, real-time tracking of planes. Tell us how that would work.

PRUCHNICKI: They choose satellite technology so it's a combination of not only tracking satellites but using GPS location, extremely precise, to be able to follow these aircraft as they go around the globe.

BROWN: So, in this case, in the case of Air France flight, it disappeared from radar. They couldn't find it. It took hours to sort of figure out what was going on. It seems like a no-brainer to have something like this in place, a GPS for planes. Why isn't it in place?

PRUCHNICKI: I think there are several reasons. One is basically the cost and the fact that these events are so extremely rare that it really doesn't jar the industry enough to mandate this. I think that now that we have had two accidents fairly close together where this has played a significant role, has increased heightened awareness. And it has taken these to head us down this path finally where maybe we can actually do this worldwide.

BROWN: Two accidents in five years. Certainly, this is becoming the center of debate, why isn't this in place.

Shawn Pruchnicki, thank you so much for sharing your perspective.

Just ahead, L.A. Clippers Owner Donald Sterling's racist rant has people wondering should the NBA's decision to punish racism go beyond basketball. We're talking about the Washington Redskins. Even Senator Harry Reid says the NFL can learn a lesson from the NBA. We will discuss this right after the break. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BROWN: The next to kicking Donald Sterling out of the NBA is happening today. We will give you the latest on a team owner's meeting this afternoon. They are beginning the process to force Sterling to sell his Clippers after his racist comments went public.

In the meantime, one Senator is calling on other sports to follow the NBA's lead on fight racism. Harry Reid, on the Senate floor, urged the National Football League to end a long-time racial controversy, the name of the Washington Redskins.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. HARRY REID, (D-NV), SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: Commissioner Silver and the NBA leadership have set the standard for how professional sports organizations should act in the face of racism. I wonder today how the leadership of the National Football League, the NFL, that money making machine, wonder if they have taken note of the NBA's decisive action. How long will the NFL continue to do nothing, zero, as one of its teams bears a name that inflicts so much pain on Native Americans?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: Joining me now, CNN political commentator, Marc Lamont Hill; and former Buffalo Bills player, Coy Wire.

Thank you for being with us.

Marc, I'll start with you.

Do you think it's fair for Senator Reid to link the comments of Donald Sterling to the Redskins name controversy?

MARC LAMONT HILL, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: It's not apples to apples. Donald Sterling is in a position that is indefensible. Everybody agreed that Donald Sterling was off base. The Redskins thing is at least a conversation or a debate. But what I do see as a similarity here is that the NBA took the opportunity to deal with something that it didn't have to. There was no crime. There was no law broken. They still dealt with something because it was bad for the league and because it didn't make sense. In 2014, to have a team named the Redskins doesn't make sense. It's bad for the league. It offends a big chunk of the population. The NFL can step in, and as Harry Reid says, follow the NBA's lead.

BROWN: So I want to point out we have reached out to the NFL and the Washington Redskins for a response to the Senator's comments but haven't heard back yet.

Do you think the NFL should take a stand and pressure Daniel Snyder, the Redskins owner, like the NBA has done with Donald Sterling?

COY WIRE, FORMER BUFFALO BILLS PLAYER: I think it's time that we have some conversation with the Native American community and leadership within the community to make sure that everything is OK.

There is a glaring difference here in Donald Sterling and the Washington Redskins organization. Donald Sterling has innate hate. The Redskins organization, the fan base, the players I've talked to in that organization have an innate sense of pride about that logo, about that name, about that brand. They want to represent it well. So I think that's the main thing. I have never seen a team want to be associated with something negative. You will never hear the Green Bay Cowards or the New England Incapables. You want to be associated with something that you believe in and feel is uplifting and something that unifies your team and community. There's major, major differences when you talk about the Washington Redskins and someone like Donald Sterling.

BROWN: But Native Americans have made it clear that some of them find the name offensive.

Marc, as you point out, this is not apples to apples. But do you think there is a disparity in the way that certain ethnic groups are treated?

LAMONT HILL: Absolutely. The idea that a team in 2014 could be called the Redskins is, on its face, absurd. But there are huge pockets of Native Americans who find it offensive. Some don't. Some see pride in it. Some see that they've been able to reclaim the title. I get that. I'm not saying that everyone is on the same page here. But even if 10 percent of America were offended by the name of a team, if 20 percent of a fan base are offended by a team, if the president of the United States are saying this is an issue as well as everyday citizens, it seems to me that it's in our best interest to do it. The owner of the Redskins says its tradition. There are a lot of traditions we need to let go of, including racism. Too many people are upset. A disgruntled minority is not acceptable.

BROWN: Dan Snyder has said, look, we're not going to change the name. He has visited Indian reservations and created a foundation in support of Native Americans.

Coy, let's go back to talk about the fans. Many of them support the Redskins name. Should that matter, if Native Americans find it offensive, shouldn't it go?

WIRE: There are Native Americans who are not supportive of this name, who feel it is offensive, but there are also Native Americans within our community who find it to be fine, and find that it's OK. I look at an example like the Florida State Seminoles. There are some people who are offended by that, but Florida State University has the blessing of the Seminole tribe of Florida. They have talked about it and they understand that this is a positive thing that they wanted to be associated with. They have received the blessing of the Seminole tribe there. I think we can learn from a situation like that.

(CROSSTALK)

LAMONT HILL: That's very different. The Seminoles self-identify as Seminoles. There are not Native Americans who self-identify as Redskins. They term Redskins is pejorative. It's offensive. It's rooted in the legacy of white supremacy. That's different than saying the Seminoles don't mind being called the Seminoles. Yeah, no doubt. It's like if there were a black team that we call the darkies.

(CROSSTALK)

WIRE: No. I think we use this situation to be an impetus for change, to have conversation between the NFL, do due diligence in the situation and see if it is truly -- the intention is bad. If there is racism, then of course this has to change. I don't think that's the case but it's something that we have to look into, and that's why we're talking about it today.

BROWN: And no doubt about it, this debate will continue.

Marc Lamont Hill, Coy Wire, thank you.

COY: Pleasure.

BROWN: Coming up, a closer look at the women in Donald Sterling's life, his mistress, his wife, and one very complicated situation. We will try to sort it out for you up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BROWN: When Donald Sterling's wife heard the phone conversation that has now gotten him banned, she not only listened to her husband's racist comments but also had to listen to her husband argue with his alleged mistress. V. Stiviano has been seen wearing that infamous visor that covers her face and telling the world that she one day wants to be president. But Mrs. Sterling already knew about her and her relationship with her husband. She recently sued Stiviano, saying she wants the $2.5 million in gifts her husband bought with their joint funds returned with interest.

Let's discuss this. I want to bring in family law attorney, Jennifer Brandt; and CNN legal analyst, Sunny Hostin.

Sunny, let's start with you.

She is considered a tough business woman that has been sued very times. But you have a case here to keep the team.

SUNNY HOSTIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: I don't think so. But it's something we need to look at. She's involved in the business dealings. They are partners together in all things real estate. She is often a signature person at the game. She is often a signature person, sitting in the front row. After this story broke, she called the coach -- they have that sort of relationship -- and was able to go to the games. I do think she is sort of a wild card in this. Will she be running day to day operations? And if she does have input, isn't she really just a straw person? She's the person that does Donald Sterling's bidding? I do think that it's something that you need to look at. And I suspect that if he is stripped of his ownership of the Clippers, one of the issues will be, how do you deal with the Sterling family and the Sterling family, very much so, means his wife.

BROWN: And she's been known to be litigious, suing his mistress. Mrs. Sterling referred to her husband as estranged. We heard that. But she continues to support him and not divorce. What about the ones like the Sterlings, who are so close to one another and share so many assets?

JENNIFER BRANDT, FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY: Well, I think she takes "standby your man" to a whole new level here.

(LAUGHTER)

And we have seen it before with people like Spitzer, who recently divorced her husband, is getting a huge settlement. There is definitely a psychology behind this. We're seeing that here. I really see that money is a motivating factor and, unlike Sunny, I believe that she's a shrewd business woman and I would not be surprised if she takes over ownership of the team. In the wake of all of this controversy, she showed her face at the game and got permission to go to the game, and was told, well, it's not about you, it's about your husband. I see her moving forward to the forefront, taking charge of the family business, taking charge of the team. And we will see what she does in the future. I think this is an opportunity for her to come forward.

BROWN: All right. So I was just reading this op-ed on CNN, and basically it just talks about Donald Sterling being somewhat of a victim.

Sunny, he is a victim, even though what he said is inexcusable, reprehensible, because the recording was without permission. That's illegal in the state of California. It's a two-party state. If you're recorded without giving permission, that's considered illegal. So what do you think? Is he a victim and can make a legal case here?

HOSTIN: He certainly isn't a victim. I think he certainly has legal recourse because, you're right, California is a two-party consent state. You can't just record someone without their consent, both people on the line have to --

BRANDT: Yeah, but Sunny -- (CROSSTALK)

HOSTIN: Let him sue her. Let him sue here.

BRANDT: Sunny, if he allowed the recording to go forward while she was recording and he knew about it, then that is implied consent.

HOSTIN: That would be consent.

BRANDT: That may not be what happened here. That's what they are talking about.

(CROSSTALK)

HOSTIN: I got to tell you -- let me respond to that. She is saying that she is an archivist, whatever that is. She is saying that she had permission and consent to take that. I really doubt that someone like Donald Sterling would consent to having this woman, you know, record the kind of rant that we heard.

BRANDT: But if he knew that she was an archivist, then he knew this was something she consistently did.

(CROSSTALK)

HOSTIN: What is an archivist?

(CROSSTALK)

BROWN: That's a good question, Sunny, what is an archivist?

HOSTIN: What's that?

(CROSSTALK)

BRANDT: This is someone who keeps these recordings.

HOSTIN: Come on, you know?

(CROSSTALK)

BROWN: But I have to say, too, as a journalist, if I'm going to be recording someone, I'm going to record them giving their permission, too. So another factor.

All right, Sunny Hostin --

HOSTIN: We'll see.

BROWN: Yeah, we will see.

Sunny Hostin, Jennifer Brandt, thank you for that interesting discussion.

Just ahead, right here on NEWSROOM, we're going to go live to Crawford, Texas, where Jake Tapper sat down with former President George Bush and asked him if there is any chance we will see his brother, Jeb, in the running in 2016. His answer, coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BROWN: Former President George W. Bush revealed hopes for his younger brother, Jeb, as he geared up to host a three-day bike event for veterans at his Texas ranch. The mountain bike event takes off today in Crawford, Texas.

Afterwards, Mr. Bush sat down and spoke to CNN's host of "The Lead," Jake Tapper, about the Bush family, politics, and his push to help veterans.

Jake is live in Crawford, Texas, for us.

Jake, former President Bush is very focused on helping the veterans, especially those dealing with post-traumatic stress. Tell us about that.

JAKE TAPPER, CNN CHIEF WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: That's right. And in fact there are 16 wounded warriors who are on this 100-kilometer bike track on the ranch here. I have to say, as somebody who joined them on the ride for about 12 miles in this rugged terrain, it's amazing that these individuals, some of them with prosthetics are able to do this very rigorous course. Frankly, I fell off the bike twice doing it.

But that said, there are people here in this race as well as hundreds of thousands of veterans who have scars that are not as visible as those individuals who have prosthetics, and I did ask him about that in our interview.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TAPPER: Some of these scars are visible and some of them are not visible. Some of them are traumatic brain injury, TBI, or post traumatic stress?

GEORGE W. BUSH, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Yes, that's exactly right. Many of the men who have PTS will tell you that biking has helped them recover. It's -- PTS is an injury, which means it's fixable overtime.

TAPPER: And I noticed you dropped the "D". It's not PTSD any more?

BUSH: I have dropped the "D." And thank you for reminding the viewers of that. "D" stands for disorder, and we don't view and a lot of the experts don't view PTS as a disorder. It's an injury. That's really important for a lot of reasons. It's important to eliminate stigma.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TAPPER: But, of course, Pamela, I also asked him about his younger brother and a possible 2016 presidential run.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) TAPPER: I have a little brother, so I know what it's like to be protective of a little brother.

(LAUGHTER)

My little brother, like your little brother, is much bigger than me.

BUSH: Yeah, probably much smarter, as well.

(LAUGHTER)

TAPPER: He is probably smarter than me, too.

What advice are you giving him?

BUSH: I have really not talked to Jeb about the presidency. It's hard for people to believe.

TAPPER: I was talking about Marv.

BUSH: Oh, Marv.

(LAUGHTER)

My advice is Marv, don't run.

(LAUGHTER)

I hope Jeb runs. I think he would be a great president. I have no clue what's on his mind and we will talk when he's ready. I noticed he's moving around the country quite a bit and --

TAPPER: Doing well in polls.

BUSH: Yeah. That's fine. It don't mean anything for him. I can guarantee he's not looking at a poll to decide whether or not he wants to run. It's an internal -- he's checking his core. As he said publicly, I'm thinking about my family. And of course, he knows full well what a run for the presidency can do to a family. He has seen his dad and brother run for president. I hope he runs.

So, hey, Jeb, if you need advice, give me a call.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TAPPER: So, Jeb, if you're watching, if you need some advice, give your older brother, George W. Bush, a call.

We will have lots much more on veterans and other issues like Ukraine and the controversial comments by Donald Sterling coming up on "THE LEAD" at 4:00 p.m. Eastern -- Pamela.

BROWN: All right, we will be looking forward to that. Jake Tapper, thank you very much.

And, again, as Jake said, you can watch his full interview at 4:00 p.m. Eastern.

The next hour of NEWSROOM continues right now.