Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

California Wildfires Ongoing; Veteran Affairs Exposed; Arsonists Profiled; 10 Years of Same Sex Marriage

Aired May 17, 2014 - 16:00   ET

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

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN ANCHOR: You are in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Miguel Marquez, in for Don Lemon. On the west coast right now, firefighters say they have finally the advantage over a ferocious wildfire.

Of course, that doesn't mean the fires are out, far from it. Thousands of acres north of San Diego are still in flames. Dozens of homes and businesses are gone and this western wildfire season has just started.

CNN's Paul Vercammen is in San Marcos, California right now. Paul, what's the picture out there? Is the weather going to get any better for firefighters?

PAUL VERCAMMEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miguel, right now it's getting better by the moment. The humidity is up finally after being less than 10 percent earlier this week. The winds have calmed down. The temperatures are down and you can see behind me at this vast landscape here this is where the fire tore through. In talking to officials they said one thing that happened overnight these cooler temperatures really allowed them to make some headway. Let's take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAPT. CARLOS QUERRERO, GLENDALE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT: We have crews still in all areas of this fire that are cleaning up areas where there's still some hot spots. We had some infrared flyovers that we're mapping out as far as the areas of greatest concern. Obviously the winds can pick up at any moment and what we want to did is try to get it while the winds are calming down today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VERCAMMEN: And so they are in that mop-up mode actively looking for hot spots. Residents not allowed to return to this neighborhood yet. Let's give you a sense of the randomness of these fires as they hopscotch from one house to another. You can see complete devastation here and then just down the road, the next-door neighbor their house completely saved. Again, the fire just blowing through here. This is very close to, by the way, where you saw that fire-nado, that tornadic looking funnel cloud of fire that roared through here, Miguel.

MARQUEZ: And how many houses total and how many businesses destroyed in this one so far, Paul?

VERCAMMEN: They're saying about 20 buildings most of them in the San Marcos area. This is the hardest-hit area. This is also where the university basically was threatened by fire and unfortunately today would have been a graduation ceremony, instead there's a cancellation.

MARQUEZ: Any idea when they're going to finally get completely this fire contained?

VERCAMMEN: This fire is 70 percent contained. They're very close to containing most of these northern San Diego county fire areas in the San Marcos-Carlsbad area, however, we understand there are still some fires burning at Camp Pendleton. That is the next focus.

But the good news is as far as the eye can see, and there were a couple fires burning in this area alone, we do not see any active flanks of flame and we certainly are not seeing the smoke that was pervasive throughout this area earlier in the week.

MARQUEZ: Crazy and so early. We're going to pray for a very, very big June gloom this year. Paul Vercammen, thank you very much in San Marcos, California.

Stay with us, in a few minutes we'll speak with an arson expert why would someone set a fire knowing it could burn down homes to the ground or even kill people? That ahead.

Now to Washington and word of upcoming changes to the Obama cabinet. A government source is confirming a "New York Times" report that the president plans to nominate San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro to be housing secretary. Castro's confirmation would allow Obama to make the current HUD secretary Shaun Donovan his next budget director.

And a top official at the Veterans Affairs Department has resigned after CNN's months-long investigation into a deadly wait time for veterans seeking medical care. The VA's undersecretary for health Dr. Roberts Petzel bowed out one day after testifying before the Senate Armed services committee. Correspondent Erin McPike is tracking the fallout from CNN's investigation.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you solemnly swear -

ERIN MCPIKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): One day after testifying next to Veterans Affairs secretary Eric Shinseki about fixing proks, this high-ranking VA official resigned.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Starting next week we're going to work our way down.

MCPIKE: Shinseki announced the resignation and the White House put out a statement saying, "the president supports Secretary Shinseki's decision." Left unsaid Robert Petzel, the undersecretary for health care at the VA already planned to retire in September.

ERIC SHINSEKI, VETERAN AFFAIRS SECRETARY: It makes me mad as hell.

MCPIKE: Shinseki and the White House have rejected calls for his resignation in the wake of a CNN investigation at this VA medical center in Phoenix. Sources say at least 40 veterans died while waiting for care. Many kept on a secret waiting list to cover up delays. The president's chief of staff, Denis McDonough, tried damage control with CNN's Jake Tapper.

DENIS MCDONOUGH, WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: The president as soon as he heard about this latest outrage in Phoenix called Rick and said, do you know what, Rick, I need to know exactly what happened, I need to know exactly the accountability measures that you have and that you can institute and if it's not enough, then let's change it and make sure that we hold people to account.

MCPIKE: Shinseki's own damage control? The inspector general audit he ordered.

SHINSEKI: We're broadening the look of what I've committed to is whatever comes out of this, whatever substantiated actions will be taken.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Secretary Shinseki -

MCPIKE: Even for some Democrats like Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal, that IG review isn't good enough.

SEN. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (D), CONNECTICUT: Only the FBI has the resources as well as the expertise and authority to do a prompt and effective criminal investigation.

MCPIKE: A prospect Shinseki isn't ready to consider.

SHINSEKI: I'm counting on the IG to provide us a comprehensive review of whatever criminal actions may be required.

MCPIKE: But with the IG report not due out until August, that may not be fast enough for Democrats anxious about the political fallout in November.

BLUMENTHAL: Certainly the system itself needs to be changed. And there needs to be a changing of the team, a changing of the guard. Some folks are going to have to be shown the door.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MARQUEZ: Now, bringing in correspondent Erin McPike at the White House. Erin, what's the Washington reaction to this sudden resignation?

MCPIKE: Well, Miguel, generally skepticism. Now lawmakers on both sides of the aisle really since this story broke have been saying that heads should roll but Republicans especially aren't buying this. And I want to read to you a strongly worded statement from Jeff Miller. He is the Republican congressman who is the chair of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

He said "Petzel's resignation is the pinnacle of disingenuous political doublespeak. Petzel was already scheduled to retire in 2014 and President Obama has already announced his intention to nominate Petzel's replacement."

So characterizing this as a resignation just doesn't pass the smell test and I'd also point out, Miguel, that in his testimony on Thursday, Petzel was talking about the audit over the past week and what they'll be doing over the next few weeks.

MARQUEZ: Sounds like some smell political blood. It will be interesting to see whether this grows over the next few days.

Erin McPike, thank you very much.

Ten years ago today a historic moment for same-sex couples after years of fighting for the right to legally wed, one state became the first to allow same-sex marriage. We'll have more on that.

Plus a huge outcry erupts over data that is the foundation of the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, just what data did Malaysia get from INMARSAT? That ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MARQUEZ: Now to the hunt for Malaysia Airlines flight 370. A war of words is erupting over the most valuable clue driving the entire search operation. Malaysia says it does not have the raw INMARSAT satellite data used to create every single search area off the west coast of Australia.

For weeks heartbroken families begged Malaysia over and over to release that clue. INMARSAT says not so fast, Malaysia. The British satellite company says it gave Malaysia all relevant data and it's up to Malaysia to decide to release any of it publicly. Our aviation analyst Richard Quest explains exactly what INMARSAT give to Malaysia.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RICHARD QUEST, CNN AVIATION ANALYST: The 14 numbers, they are the time that it takes for the aircraft to make its signal up to the satellite and to the ground station and the time for it to get back again. There are seven in orbit as well. You get the 14 numbers. There are no reams of raw data.

Let me say that again. There are no vast tombs, there are no volumes, there are simply two sets of logs. Those relating to MH-370 and those relating to the various specimen flights that they used to make the comparisons. Those logs are - or what is the raw data by which everybody has then gone on to do their analysis. My understanding quite clear -

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

QUEST: - is that that data has been provided to the Malaysians.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MARQUEZ: Now, Richard also says that Malaysia cannot release the data according to an international treaty that guides plane crash investigations. Now, not everybody agrees with Richard.

A vigorous debate broke out last night on Erin Burnett's "Out Front."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Richard, first of all, you are just wrong. Whatever parenthesis you're reading from, my good English friend, I say go back and read a little closer because you are missing the point.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hold on.

QUEST: Listen very careful fill, Arthur -

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am.

QUEST: Arthur is wrong.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Positively inhumane. Where is the humanity of INMARSAT and the Malaysians. Release the data.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MARQUEZ: Now, coming up next hour we'll show you the whole back-and- forth vigorous debate on what INMARSAT gave Malaysia and whether all data should be released publicly.

Ten years ago today Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage and since then 16 states and the District of Columbia have followed suit allowing thousands of same-sex couples to wed. But opposition to same-sex rights continues with legal battles still being fought in courts across the country. CNN's Alexandra Field joins me now.

Alexandra, today represents a significant milestone for gay couples. Why?

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Miguel, I think you can argue that there are few other days that are more significant to gay couples in this country, of course. And this anniversary also marks another victory, gay rights advocates are celebrating the fact that in Arkansas a judge has struck down a same-sex marriage ban.

But the reality of the situation is that gay rights advocates are still fighting for a large share of the country even though they've had a string of successes recently. Frankly in 30 states there are still legal battles where same-sex couples are working to get marriage equality rights. A lot of those couples, of course, inspired by couples in Massachusetts.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FRANK SEVAGGI, SAME-SEX MARRIAGE SUPPORTER: When the Supreme Court voted to allow gay couples to get married and we're, like, we want to do it. We should do this. We should do this. You know, make this our relationship legal. We'd been together for 14 years already. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, we've come a long way in 10 years since that breakthrough win in Massachusetts and couples began marrying and now, of course, 40 percent of the American people live in a state where gay people share in the freedom to marry.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FIELD: And, Miguel, one thing that is interesting while we noted that there are 30 states where litigation continues to try and settle the issue or fight for same-sex marriage there are just three states right now where there's no litigation that's pending. So interesting numbers when you have the 17 states that have legalized in the last 10 years and 30 states where the fight is raging on and the three states that are not very active.

MARQUEZ: It is amazing to look across the landscape and see how history is moving in that direction but it is moving in sort of fits and starts and I assume it will get there eventually.

FIELD: Sure. I spoke to one of the gay rights advocates who opened up his office 10 years ago when this fight was brewing in Massachusetts. The office has now celebrated its 10-year anniversary, of course, and the advocate told me at that anniversary party they said we hope to shut down this office before the 15-year anniversary.

MARQUEZ: Maybe they'll close down doors very soon. Alexandra Field, thank you very much.

A wildfire can reduce whole neighborhoods to ash and ruin, so why would anyone ever unleash a force they can't control and that can cause so much misery and heartache for so many? We'll talk to an arson expert ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MARQUEZ: Oh, those Santa Ana winds and dry terrain aren't the only culprits out in California driving these unprecedented wildfires in the southern part of that state. Three people have been arrested. One charged with deliberately setting or helping spread these deadly fires. Why would somebody do this?

Dr. Kenneth Fineman, a psychologist who treats juvenile and adult arsonists explains why someone would start a fire. What are the drivers here, doctor?

DR. KENNETH FINEMAN, PSYCHOLOGIST: Well, it's very difficult to deal with these people, and in my view this particular profile, the one that I would call the wild land fire setter, is extremely dangerous. And I think they're dangerous because there's three components probably more, but three in my view that contribute.

The first is a vandalistic quality and what I mean by that is these folks seem to not care if they kill people, kill animals, destroy huge amounts of land and property. It's a power play. In other words, they lack in my view empathy. And they are aroused or turned on or reinforced by the fact they now have power over the rest of us. Another quality which we don't always see in fire setters is a quality that I'd call excitement. Meaning they almost get an adrenaline rush frequently when they see fire and especially if it's a fire that they actually set.

And lastly, in this particular triad, I believe there's an issue of what I call revenge, meaning these folks often feel put-upon. They feel life, society has not been just to them and I think there's an element of getting back at the rest of us through the fire.

MARQUEZ: And you think that there is a difference between those who set fires to homes or structures versus wild land fires because of the size of these fires? What is it about wild land fires that's different?

FINEMAN: Well, I think it is the size certainly. In other words, there are fire setters who as an example will set small fires and they know there's small vegetation fires. Oftentimes, these folks are in fact, wanting to set gigantic fires and they're wanting to destroy. I think that's the issue here.

It's not that they don't want help, they're not calling for help per se. They're not usually mentally retarded as an example, though that's a possibility, there's a lot of factors. But in my view it's a matter of power because of the size of the fire, control because they're making huge dents in the resources of California, and the various departments that have to put out the fires, and they also seem to be reinforced, again, as I said before by the fact that they are now getting back at us because they feel we've somehow or society has been unjust.

MARQUEZ: And is it a tougher deterrent that's going to make the difference or some sort of therapeutic help?

FINEMAN: Well, it's a combination. I'm not - I certainly will not say that people who set these kind of fires don't need to be punished. But most can be helped therapeutically. These are the toughest I believe to help, but generally when we deal with juvenile fire setters or young adult fire setters especially if the fire setting was episodic and opportunity as opposed planned, we seemed to be able to help them.

MARQUEZ: Dr. Kenneth Fineman, thank you very much.

FINEMAN: Thank you.

MARQUEZ: Now long do you think it would take for a hacker to break into your phone? A month, a day, how about a few minutes. Ahead, some tricks on how to prevent theft in an interview with another hacker who says he can change traffic lights all by computer.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MARQUEZ: Donald Sterling's recent problems with his basketball team point to one troubling sign, the end of privacy as you know it. You could ask Jay-Z and Beyonce and her sister, Solange, about how they feel. But what does it mean for the rest us? CNN's Laurie Segall asked a group of real hackers how all of us can better protect ourselves.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LAURIE SEGALL, CNN MONEY TECH CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Hey there. Well, we're here in Miami at a hacking conference. It's called Infiltratecon and what's very unsettling is a lot of folks here are talking about how nothing we do is secure. Here's one that's eye opening. Not even traffic lights are secure.

CESEAR CERRUDO, IOACTIVE: So just press this button. I just start sending fake data. Here you can see in the detections column there's a number increasing. That's the amount of cars they are supposed to be detecting.

SEGALL: So essentially you can make a traffic light believe that there are more people on the ground and potentially change no one color or another because of that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right, it's like they would think in one direction there's more traffic so it would put the green light faster at that direction and stay green more time, for instance.

SEGALL: Pretty eye opening. I tell you this, I actually sat next to two hackers at a dinner and I put down my iPhone and one of them looked at me and said I could hack that in eight minutes. That was very eye opening.

So I brought them in to tell me what I could do better and tell everybody what they could do to have a very, very secure iPhone. Listen to what they said.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Most people by default have just a four digit numeric-only pass code protecting this, this is what Tommy was referring to, he could break it in under eight minutes. Because there's only 10,000 combinations possible. Going into the general settings under pass code and you just enter your current password and you change it from simple pass code to a more complex pass code. If you go into the advertising features, you can limit the ad tracking. And that's - well, it doesn't stop it from sending out information but it does tell the advertiser that you don't want to be tracked.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you just make these very, very few basic things to make it a bit more secure like configuration changes, you're all good.

SEGALL: As you can imagine I changed my iPhone settings after that. And I hate to leave you with this, but imagine if someone could look at your mobile activity, what you're doing on different apps and it could piece together a very personalized profile of you using very sensitive data? Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it's happening it's an app called Stalker.

So in 10 minutes you can create almost a digital profile of personal information I unknowingly shared using my phone? ALEX MCGEORGE: Exactly right. And I think people don't necessarily realize all the stuff that goes on all the little bits and pieces of it and the reason that we're able to do this is because you and I are sharing the same network. We got your profile photo.

SEGALL: OK.

MCGEORGE: OK. We can see you are Sally Jones, Sally stick figure. We also got your name as Sally Jones. We're able to tell that you are a 24-year-old female. We're able to grab the address that you're at. We're able to see some of the different applications that you're using. We can see you're using Pandora. We can see you're using Instagram, there's an Amazon one in there.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MARQUEZ: Thanks for frightening us, Laurie Segall, in Miami.

Now, if you want to know the full story of how your privacy could be at risk and how to protect yourself, check out cnnmoney.com and don't miss our special tonight "The End of Privacy" 7:30 Eastern right here on CNN.

L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling is fighting back against the NBA. In a letter to the NBA this week, Sterling said he won't pay the $2.5 million fine and he's rejecting the lifetime ban. He also said he plans to sue the NBA back if it doesn't back down. That punishment was handed down after a recording was released of Sterling making racist comments.

I'm Miguel Marquez, "CNN Newsroom" continues at the top of the hour. Want to learn a new skill? What if I told you it could be done in just about 20 hours?

Right now keep it here for "SANJAY GUPTA, M.D."