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NYT Dealing with Fallout of Firing Abramson; Hillary Clinton's Run; Nigeria Not Capable of Rescuing Girls; Nick Cannon Speaks Out About Lupus; UN Debates Killer Robots

Aired May 18, 2014 - 16:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Hello. I'm Miguel Marquez.

Topping our news this is hour, "The New York Times" is dealing with a fallout of a high profile dismissal. The publishers of "Times" is disputing claims that sexism fueled the firing of its executive editor. Jill Abramson was the first woman to have that title in the paper's 160-year history. We got complete coverage for you.

Brian Stelter of CNN's senior media correspondent, the host of "Reliable Sources" and a former "New York Times" reporter and Alexandra Field is following the story for us from New York. Alexandra, lets start with you. There are reports that Abramson had complained that at times she was paid less than the man who held the job before her. What's the "Times" saying?

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They're fighting back here. The publisher of the "Times" Arthur Sulzberger Jr. coming out with a big statement this weekend. You know, originally we heard that when Abramson was dismissed this was a management issue. That's how the "Times" have characterized it but now we're getting this more recent statement and in it the publisher of the paper trying to make very clear the point that Abramson was not dismissed for any reason that has to do with gender or pay.

I want to show you part of his statement, he says, "Perhaps the saddest outcome of my decision to replace Jill Abramson as executive editor of "The New York Times" is that it has been cast by many as an example of the unequal treatment of women in the workplace rather than accepting that this was a situation involving a specific individual who as we all do have strengths and weaknesses. A shallow and factually incorrect story line has emerged."

And in fact the publisher actually goes on to try and make there some of the points why he says Abramson was dismissed. It gets kind of get personal here. He cites a couple of reasons including inadequate communication, public mistreatment of colleagues and so and so. Why are we hearing so much from the "Times" right now. You know, days after it seemed like we wouldn't hear much at all, why are we getting this big statement?

Well, that's something that we talked to Sharon Waxman about, she's a media executive. She's the founder of thewrap.com. She sees this as a risk that the "Times" is taking, putting out so much information but she says when you have, you know, even a whiff of an idea of some kind of gender-based discrimination, you've got to respond to it. Here's what she said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHARON WAXMAN, FOUNDER THEWRAP.COM: It would only suggest that the publisher of "The New York Times" is so worried about being regarded as a sexist that he's willing to take the risk of legal liability here by detailing how terrible a manager Jill Abramson was.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARQUEZ: So is this he said/she said? Is this -- this is a comment about women holding powerful positions in the media? What is going on here?

FIELD: Right. You know, we have Jill Abramson's camp sort of feeding this information that we have been talking about, the reports of the salary issues, the statement of "The Times." But yes, the broader narrative here, the reason so many of us we are talking about this is because, lets face it. This is a very high profile position. A lot of people are wondering why we don't see more women in these high profile positions in the field and why do women who do reach that level don't seem to be hanging on there for very long.

BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: Look at this photo. This is Jill Abramson wearing boxing gloves. Her daughter posted this on Instagram, the day after she was sacked. This is basically a warning, a shot across the bow saying there's a lot more to come. She's going to be saying and doing something about this. We just don't know what.

MARQUEZ: Well, you certainly know, you know the culture of "The New York Times." That picture is clearly no mistake. How did you take the statement from Sulzberger?

STELTER: Yes, you know, it was needed, it was necessary but it was probably too late. For three days there has been this narrative that developed that you were describing from Abramson's camp, saying she was the victim of sexist behavior, that was, you know, paid less than her male predecessor and that she was treated poorly and that the descriptions of her as being pushy, as being brusque, that those are sexist descriptions.

It's possible that those are. It's also possible that she was a poor manager, someone that wasn't holding on to the support of the newsroom. In my experiences with her, she was a wonderful editor, a beloved figure of among many reporters in the newsroom but she was also someone that the editors struggled to work with. And I was thinking about leaving the "Times" to come over to this job her at CNN -

MARQUEZ: Struggled to work with how? STELTER: Well, when I was thinking of coming over here, and I met with her and I talked to her and I talked about whether I should leave the "Times," the way she reacted to me made it easier to leave. Because she wasn't very friendly about it. Let's just put it that way. It's that kind of brusque behavior, that kind of aggressive behavior that I think turned people off.

MARQUEZ: And it wasn't in her statement, I don't know if you've been looking at this, as well. It wasn't in her statement but it's been reported now that this was a fight over the other co-managing editor, the managing editor.

STELTER: Right.

MARQUEZ: She wanted to bring a co-managing editor in, hire him and basically and being disingenuous with the upper management about what she was doing and not letting anybody know. Does this sound right? Is this what you're (INAUDIBLE)?

STELTER: It does sound right to me. It sounds like that is probably what was the final straw in this case. And what happened? Well, the publisher of "The New York Times" chose. He has a right to do that. He owns the newspaper so he chose Dean McKay, promoted Dean. He's now the first African-American editor. So like Jill Abramson, he is a historic figure and unfortunately that has been overshadowed because of this.

FIELD: But what's interesting here is that certainly there is this battle for public opinion. You've got "The Times" up against the ropes issuing this statement in their own defense. We haven't heard a word from Jill Abramson. You look at the people who are rushing to her defense. You saw that boxing picture, editing (INAUDIBLE), the article that was in front of Politico.com. So a lot of people speaking on her behalf, sort of coming to her defense. You know, despite what some of their personal opinions of her management style might be but you know, smelling this whiff of sexism and really rallying around her.

STELTER: Because so many women, tens of thousands of women in newsrooms all across the country have experienced the same kinds of things that she said she has. Can I read you one tweet from a reporter at "The Times"?

MARQUEZ: One tweet.

STELTER: Lydia Polgreen, she's a respected correspondent. She says "the very real struggle for equality in the newsroom, it seems poorly served by a very messy and complicated situation involving one person," I agree with that 100 percent. This is an ugly situation but there's very real issues here.

MARQUEZ: Let's leave it at this. It's going to get more interesting. Yes?

STELTER: It is.

FIELD: We'll hear from her tomorrow.

MARQUEZ: All right. Brian, Alexandra, thank you very much.

A huge merger in the works today and it could provide your cable provider. (INAUDIBLE) AT&T is expected to meet to finalize a deal to require satellite TV provider, DirecTV, according to a source who knows about the meeting and if it goes through, that deal worth about $50 billion.

Earlier today, Fredricka Whitfield spoke with economist Stephen Moore who gave his take on how the deal might affect consumers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEPHEN MOORE, CHIEF ECONOMIST, THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION: You're going to see all sorts of vertical integration going on. Again, I don't think there's a lot of people saying, oh my gosh, monopolies are developing. Not in this industry. I mean, you've got so many start- ups that are doing all sorts of incredible things. You know, YouTube now, by the way, a lot of people get their TV on YouTube.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARQUEZ: Now, AT&T and DirecTV are both staying quiet on this for now.

And out of the emotional homecomings happening right now in San Diego County, in California, tens of thousands of people had to evacuate their homes as fast-moving flames from numerous fires moved in but today crews made major progress in the battle allowing officials to lift more evacuation orders. That was a huge relief for everyone whose homes were spared.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: To see my home, oh, it's just such a relief. I feel so bad for the ones that lost everything.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARQUEZ: Cooler temperatures and higher humidity have been a huge help to firefighters all weekend. Meteorologist Alexandra Steele is monitoring conditions there. So, will the good weather continue through the week, Alexandra?

ALEXANDRA STEELE, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Miguel, it absolutely will. You know, in the short term, the next couple of days and into the week or so, forecast wise, things will improve. But you know, the stage has really been set for really a rough wildfire season. So what's happened now, we have this ridge of high pressure in control. Not allowing any rain, allowing heat, strong Santa Anas but that has now been replaced by this area of low pressure. So with that we got a flow off the water.

This southwesterly wind bring in that cool ocean temperature and also the moisture, of course, from the water. So it's increasing the humidity. So you can see it increasing through today and into tonight. The 40s, the 50s, the 60s. So certainly on that score there's more water in the atmosphere. Also, we're seeing water in the atmosphere. We are seeing some rain. So finally now that rain beginning to make the move. It won't get into southern California but it will get into northern California.

So we got moisture, we have also got temperatures moving in the right direction. They have been in the 90s, 97, a few days ago in Los Angeles, down to 70s now. But temperatures coming down, the humidity is coming up. So the weather forecast is certainly favorable for these fires. The fire forecast, less so. This year alone we have doubled the five-year average for fires. So, last year, Miguel, the driest year on record for California. This year, certainly will usurp that. This is the first time in a century the entire state has been in a severe drought or worst. Now, we're working on the third dry winter in a row here. So forecast wise short term, OK. Long term not so.

MARQUEZ: Yikes. Thank you very much, Alexandra Steele, for that not so good news. Thanks.

We are 905 days from the 2016 presidential election but you think it was this year with the attention focused on former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and her potential Republican rivals.

Let's bring in Erin McPike at the White House. Erin, she has a new book tour coming up. She has made a bunch of speeches and she's the talk of the Sunday shows. Is there anything stopping Hillary Clinton?

ERIN MCPIKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Miguel, Republicans are certainly trying to stop her. Like Karl Rove, they're bringing up her health and her record at the State Department to use against her now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MCPIKE (voice-over): Some top Democrats are growing concerned. Hillary Clinton is so far ahead, so early.

GOV. DEWAL PATRICK (D), MASSACHUSETTS: I do worry about the inevitability thing because I think it's off-putting to the average voter. I think that was an element of her campaign the last time.

SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D), CALIFORNIA: Yes. This is hard for me because I did talk with her and thought it would be better that she not get out there early because her favorability was so high that all that could happen in this is go down because somebody would do the stupid things that Karl Rove has just done.

KARL ROVE, FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR: A concussion is by definition a traumatic brain injury.

MCPIKE: Rove and other Republicans kept up the pressure.

DICK CHENEY, FMR. VICE PRESIDENT: Any presidential candidate or vice presidential candidate is going to have to answer questions about their health. REINCE PRIEBUS, REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: Health and age is fair game. Fair game for Ronald Reagan, it's fair game for John McCain.

MCPIKE: Rove insisted she might choose not to run because of her health and said these Bill Clinton comments supported his case.

BILL CLINTON, FMR. U.S. PRESIDENT: (INAUDIBLE) was a terrible concussion that required six months of very serious work to get over.

MCPIKE: There's also Benghazi.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think she clearly bares responsibility for whatever the State Department did or didn't do with respect to that crisis. I do think it's a major issue and I don't think we've heard the last of it yet.

FEINSTEIN: I think it's ridiculous. I think it's a hunting mission for a lynch mob.

MCPIKE: But whatever comes her way, defenders say -

SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL (D), MISSOURI: There's one thing I know for certain. Karl Rove engaging in cheap shots is not going to back off Hillary Clinton.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCPIKE: And Clinton's health came up at a White House briefing earlier this week. White House spokesman Jay Carney was asked, did the White House worry about her health when she was Secretary of State? And he responded just by taking a dig at Karl Rove saying that Rove was the last person to acknowledge that President Obama was headed for re-election and so we generally called into question his judgment, Miguel.

MARQUEZ: Only in Washington, the more popular you are, the bigger the target. Erin McPike, thank you very much. It's going to be an interesting election, if we ever get to it.

There's a lot of uncertainty right now about the horse that could race for the triple crown. California Chrome won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. Only needs to reach the Belmont next month to reach horseracing immortality. The issue is that white breathing strip there on the horse's nose. Something his trainer insists on using. It was not allowed, Chrome's co-owner Perry Martin might not race him according to him the -- according to the trainer, Art Sherman.

Here's a quote for you. "This guy Perry Martin, he might not run if they say you can't run with a nasal strip. He is very funny about things like that." So far the New York Gaming Commission hasn't gotten the request from Chrome's owner. "If a request to use nasal strips is made, the decision on whether to permit them or not will be fully evaluated and determined by the Stewards."

Nigeria has come under criticism for what it has done and hasn't not done to find and rescue those kidnapped girls. We'll tell you what the government is prepared to do now.

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MARQUEZ: Welcome back. I'm Miguel Marquez.

Here are the five big stories crossing the CNN news desk right now.

Turkish police are cracking down on protests triggered by that deadly miner disaster by containing at least 16 people, among those rounded up are several lawyers in town to represent families of dead miners. The government has banned demonstrations saying it wants to maintain peace and is not trying to (INAUDIBLE) dissent. 301 miners died after an explosion and fire in what's the worst mine disaster in Turkey's history.

In a rare and apologetic moment, North Korean officials admitted a deadly accident happened in the country. State media reported today that an apartment building collapsed earlier this week. North Korea isn't known for calling attention to disasters like that and is not clear how many people died in the collapse but as many as 90 families may have been living there.

Rescue crews are carrying people to safety as floodwaters got dangerously high in parts of Serbia. The Red Cross says more than 24,000 people have been told to evacuate in the worst flooding Serbia has seen in a century. In just two days, one town got as much rain as it normally gets in two months.

What a day for Devin Walker. Once a star safety at Tulane University until he was paralyzed on the field, he refused to allow that devastating injury to end his dreams. The Saints signed him to a contract yesterday. The coach calling him an inspiration. Walker also graduated from Tulane with a degree in Cell and Molecular Biology.

A woman who battles fire helps inspire women, more in this week's CNN hero.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I initially got hurt in 2005. I had 46 surgeries and attempts to salvage the leg. I finally decided on amputation. A lot of people view it as a loss but I got my life back.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Very often people are saying, OK, I survived but now what? And we want to be that now what.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good job.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was a world class adventure racer in the world championships I hit the deck and the doctor said, "You're never going to run again."

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I've had four hip replacements. After my first, I said I'm just going to put something on my calendar so that I'm still training for something. It just makes you realize it's about the comeback. So I thought, let's do that for other women.

I started an organization that helps survivors of medical or traumatic setbacks live an adventurous dream as part of their recovery.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Of being a girl.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Being an Athena, you are not just a survivor. You're an adventurer. We give them a different label to put on themselves. And it's something they become.

On their way to the finish line.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

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MARQUEZ: Nigeria is setting up security around boarding schools as the search goes on for more than 200 girls, school girls kidnapped by the Islamist group Boko Haram. The government is under intense international pressure to do more to find and rescue the girls and protect schools.

Boko Haram has allegedly threatened a boy's school in writing. As you know, it's declared war on western education in Nigeria. Our Zain Asher is (INAUDIBLE) from Nigeria. You went to a church service near where the girls were kidnapped. What are you hearing from the folks there?

ZAIN ASHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Nigeria is a very spiritual nation. I actually spent a lot of time in Nigeria, I spent part of my childhood here, and I can tell you that religion is really the backbone for a lot of communities in Nigeria.

I spoke to members of this congregation and in fact, even though this church, 40 (INAUDIBLE) percent of the people that goes to the church are actually from (INAUDIBLE), the very area where those girls were actually kidnapped. And talking to people, they tell me that they have lost faith in the Nigerian government to actually do anything in terms of a concrete plan to rescue those girls and they tell me that all they have to rely right now are simply their prayers. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BIJUDA MALIK, CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN: Our confidence is not in the government. Our confidence is in god, god is going to touch them, intervene in whatever way he is going to do. Somehow with the intervention of the international organizations, I believe he's bringing more results (INAUDIBLE) the government.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ASHER: Right. When I speak to them, they tell me that they're grateful for all the international assistance they've received so far from the likes of America, from the likes of France, the United Kingdom but they're worried that about the fact that America, the U.S. only really have an advisory role. They believe that the Nigerian government simply doesn't have the capacity to actually rescue those girls and they are praying for the international community to basically take on a larger role. Miguel?

MARQUEZ: That's very interesting to hear. We'll see if that plays out in any way. Zain Asher, thank you very much.

(INAUDIBLE) controversial firing at "The New York Times" has sparked a conversation about women in high-profile jobs.

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MARQUEZ: "The New York Times" is now dealing with a fallout of a high profile dismissal. The publisher of the "Times" is disputing claims sexism fueled the firing of his executive editor saying Jill Abramson was dismissed for performance issues and nothing else. Abramson hasn't spoken publicly about it yet. This is also opening up a conversation about women in media and in executive level positions.

Jean Casarez has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In one day, proof of how far women have come and how far some say they still need to go on the job. TV trailblazer Barbara Walters retiring after over 50 years in broadcasting. But as the first female network co-anchor, she wasn't always welcome.

BARBARA WALTERS,: I had great, great difficulties and it was a very difficult -- unhappy experience.

STELTER: She talked about how she was a flop as the first female co- anchor of a nightly newscast and has a male undermined her every chance he got. Those kinds of barriers that she was breaking down decades ago.

JILL ABRAMSON, FMR. EXECUTIVE EDITOR, "NEW YORK TIMES": I'm honored to be the first woman to serve as executive editor.

CASAREZ: At the same time another female pioneer gets the ax. Jill Abramson, executive editor of "The New York Times" since 2011. The speculation as to why. A national conversation with some wondering, does America have a problem with powerful women and female bosses?

It turns out that female CEOs are forced out of their jobs more often than their male counterparts. A recent study found 11 percent more. "The New York Times" says the decision was made because of an issue with management. NPR's media reporter said some who worked with her found her to be brusque, even to the point of rudeness, and close associates are telling "The New Yorker" that she confronted top brass after finding out that she was making less money than her male predecessor. The speculation became so rampant, the publisher of "The Times" issued an internal memo saying, "Compensation played no part whatsoever in my decision that Jill could not remain as executive editor." Abramson isn't talking publicly about her ouster, but her daughter posted this picture of her on Instagram reference criticism of her mother' character with the hashtag #pushy.

Another female first, Hillary Clinton close to clinching the Democratic nomination for president in 2008 but not close enough. In her concession speech, she referenced the struggles even the most powerful women face.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON, 2008 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Although we weren't able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling (AUDIO GAP) time thanks to you, it's got about 18 million cracks in it --

(CHEERS)

CASAREZ: But cracks in the glass ceiling may be replaced with a glass cliff for women who do break through, begging the question whether for women getting to the top is only half the battle. Jean Carsarez, CNN New York.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARQUEZ: All right, thanks to Jean. This week the 9/11 Memorial Museum opens to the public in New York. One woman who lost her sister in the attack says she feels her sister's presence inside that museum. We'll hear her emotional story coming up next.

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MARQUEZ: The 9/11 Museum opens to the public later this week. Some of the victims' family members have already seen it. Our Fredricka Whitfield talked to a woman how lost her sister on that day.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDERICKA WHITFIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: When does the ordinary -- letters, gloves, eyeglasses, pictures -- become extraordinary? When they tell a story. They are on display at the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York -- all sorts of artifacts big and small from that fateful day including video clips, personal items, first responder trucks, ambulances and clothing. All of it to help us remember that day and those who died in the attacks. Many pictures and items have been donated by relatives. One of those relatives is Patricia Reilly who lost her sister in the attack. Good to see you.

PATRICIA REILLY, SISTER DIED IN 9/11 ATTACK: Thank you for having me.

WHITFIELD: So tell us briefly about your sister Lorraine and if you felt her presence when you were at the museum this week.

REILLY: My sister was 37-years old. She was an administrative assistant for Aon Consultants. She worked on the 101st floor of the South Tower. But as a human being she was just a wonderful, funny, loving person who we miss every day. And I do feel her presence there and, you know, I'm very gratified that the memorial and the museum are finally done and that families can go there and feel the presence of their loved ones.

WHITFIELD: So many family members have donated items so indeed you feel the presence of your loved one. In your case, you donated what that represents Lorraine.

REILLY: We donated her I.D. badge. Maybe a year after 9/11 we received my sister's pocketbook back and we received her I.D. badge back and I donated the I.D. badge to the 911 Memorial, and back in 2003/2004 we donated the pocketbook to the Smithsonian.

WHITFIELD: And what was that like when you saw it in the museum?

REILLY: You know, it was a fulfillment of a commitment that I made to my sister that I would -- I would work hard to make sure that she was remembered. And it's so important to me because as people go through the museum and they see her badge, it humanizes her for them because we all use I.D. badges to get into work. It's something, you know, that's very commonplace. And so when they see my sister and her I.D. badge, I think that, you know, they'll see her as a person --

WHITFIELD: Yes.

REILLY: -- as all the people who were killed that day. They were just people going to work, doing the job.

WHITFIELD: And what have you heard from other family members who lost loved ones that day?

REILLY: Yes, everybody felt that the museum really affected them. I didn't expect it. I didn't expect to have -- be affected as much as I was. But it really does bring you back to that day. And for a lot of us, you know, it brings back those questions, you know, where was my sister? Was she scared? You know -- what happened to her? You know, and those are painful, painful things and I wasn't prepared for those emotions.

WHITFIELD: Yes.

REILLY: But I also felt going through the museum, you know, it reminded me also of how New Yorkers came together to help fellow New Yorkers, how the country and the world came together.

WHITFIELD: How did this change your perspective, change your feeling about 9/11?

REILLY: Well, you know, it's not that it changed my perspective but it certainly brought me right back to that day. And it, you know, for me I have of course the story of my sister, but then when you see the other items that belong to other people who also were killed there that day, you know, it reminds you the many stories and the many people who really, you know, were just doing a job, going to work and their lives were cut short senselessly. So I felt that and, you know, looking at the firefighters who came to save the people who were up on those buildings -- you remember the heroism, the police officers, the EMT workers. So it was I think that the museum did a good job on really retelling the day. But they also did a good job of, you know, bringing you out and showing that there was -- there were -- good things that that came from that day, believe it or not, that we as a nation came together, we as a city came together and, you know what? That we remember, and we stopped and we remember because as a society, we value life, and that museum is a tribute to the fact that we in America do value life and we stop and we remember.

WHITFIELD: Thank you so much. Patricia Reilly. Appreciate your time.

REILLY: Thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MARQUEZ: Such a touching story. Up next, late show talk show host David Letterman now says he regrets all the jokes he told about Monica Lewinsky over the years. We'll hear why coming up next. But first this "Impacts the World" report on a big name entertainer, and how he's taking on a disease that threatened to derail his career.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK CANNON, ENTERTAINER: I feel like I'm representing some of my fellow 'lupies.'

MARQUEZ: Nick Cannon seems to be one of the hardest working guys in showbiz. The "America's Got Talent" host is also a producer, musician, husband to Mariah Carey and father of twins.

CANNON: There's a interesting juggle and transition but, you know, I got ahold of it.

MARQUEZ: When he was diagnosed with lupus in 2012, he took it in stride.

CANNON: I took my test and turned it into a testimony. I'm in this fight with you and we can get through it.

MARQUEZ: More than a million and a half Americans have lupus, an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks healthy tissue. It has no known cause or cure. Cannon found out he had lupus when his kidneys failed while on vacation.

CANNON: It was really scary that three weeks, I was just like turn the cameras on and we'll just see where this takes us.

(BEGIN CLIP FROM YOUTUBE SERIES)

CANNON: How did I get here?

(END CLIP FROM YOUTUBE SERIES) MARQUEZ: Those cameras led Cannon to film what he calls his "Incredible Health Hustle," a YouTube series documenting his journey with lupus.

(BEGIN CLIP FROM YOUTUBE SERIES)

CANNON: Getting my kidneys back strong.

(END CLIP FROM YOUTUBE SERIES)

CANNON: I called it the 'health hustle' in the sense of just making sure we're constantly going and not giving up.

MARQUEZ: He's a tireless advocate for the Lupus Foundation of America, realizing his influence can fuel awareness, and more importantly, a cure.

CANNON: I have lupus, lupus doesn't have me.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MARQUEZ: Late night TV feeds off controversy and the people and events that get the country talking. Monica Lewinsky became fodder for the likes of David Letterman, but he's had a change of heart. Here's Brian Todd.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT, REPORTS FOR "THE SITUATION ROOM" SHOW: Monica Lewinsky's venture back into the spotlight has made David Letterman wistful as he fades from that spotlight. Nearing the end of his run as host of the "Late Show" on CBS, Letterman had a reflective chat with Barbara Walters. They brought up Lewinsky's recent essay in "Vanity Fair," how Lewinsky wrote she'd had trouble finding employment. Instead of a Letterman punchline --

DAVID LETTERMAN, HOST OF "LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN": Now I started to feel bad because myself and other people with shows like this made relentless jokes about the poor woman --

BARBARA WALTERS, BROADCAST JOURNALIST AND TELEVISION PERSONALITY: Yes.

LETTERMAN: -- and she was a kid. She was 21/22 or something.

WALTERS: Now she's 49.

LETTERMAN: I feel bad about my role in helping push the humiliation to the point of suffocating --

LETTERMAN: -- number one possible first lines with Monica Lewinsky's new book 'Me and My Big Mouth.' You have to feel sorry a little bit for Monica Lewinsky because, you know, she's a kid, just a kid right out of college, you know, looking for a good job at the White House, and apparently so was client, so --

TODD: Lewinsky ruminated on her own sense of shame in the "Vanity Fair" piece. Fifteen times she used some form of the word 'humiliation,' a feeling she also described when she spoke to CNN in 2002.

MONICA LEWINSKY, FORMER WHITE HOUSE INTERN: I mean it was humiliating to have to give those details under oath, so just even being deposed and being asked questions like that. But for then for them to be disseminated in the way knowing that people were reading them, you just --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

LEWINSKY: -- you just feel naked in front of the whole world.

TODD: Lynn Sweet covered the impeachment scandal for the "Chicago Sun Times." She believes nearly two decades later, people's views of Lewinsky have evolved.

LYNN SWEET, "CHICAGO SUN TIMES": I think people feel more sympathy for Monica Lewinsky now because years later, the Clintons are doing just fine, her life has been ruined.

TODD: It's not just Lewinsky's story where Letterman seemed to reflect, speaking about the recent incident between Jay Z and Beyonce's sister posted by TMZ.

LETTERMAN: Is it funny because they're just famous? Or overall with some perspective do you realize this is a sad human situation?

TODD: And Letterman's not alone in the angst over the Lewinsky scandal. Columnist Maureen Dowd recently wrote in "The New York Times," "Lewinsky's bullies were also the Clintons and their vicious attack dogs who worked so hard to turn 'that woman' as Bill so coldly called her into the scapegoat. We reached out to some Clinton loyalists from those Whitehouse years to talk about Lewinsky and just about the political tone in Washington at that time. We couldn't get any of them to speak to us. Brian Todd, CNN Washington.

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MARQUEZ: Now with all the talk about Hillary Clinton possibly running for president, one heavyweight Democrat is urging caution. Earlier Fredricka Whitfield talked with our chief political correspondent Candy Crowley.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Hillary Clinton is the frontrunner of potential Democratic candidates for president but could Democrats be over confident? Candy Crowley is our chief political correspondent and anchor of "State of the Union." Hillary Clinton sure looks like a candidate with her book tour, her speaking engagements and all the polls saying that she would lock up the Democratic nomination. But one Democrat that you actually had on your show today, Candy, says he's a little concerned. I'm talking about Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick. What's he so worried about?

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: It's interesting and I find that this not just his worry. But I asked him about Hillary Clinton -- just said, 'look, is it Hillary all the way?'

GOV. DEVAL PATRICK (D), MASSACHUSETTS: I don't know. I guess I'm -- I guess I worry a little bit. She's an enormously capable candidate and leader but I do worry about the inevitability thing. Because I think it's -- I think it's off-putting to the average -- the average voter. I think that was an element of her campaign the last time and I would just -- you know, it's -- as a enthusiastic Democrat, I just hope that the people around her pay attention to that this time around.

CROWLEY: Interesting. I asked Dianne Feinstein, a Hillary Clinton supporter, virtually the same question and she said 'You know, I worry that she's out there a little bit too early.' Also I had on California Governor Jerry Brown who knows something about running for president as well as running California, and he said, 'I bet Hillary's really enjoying it.' So, you know, I think the truth of it is, Fred, that in the end it's almost impossible for her to not look like she's running for president because every time she does something, people are there to cover it.

WHITFIELD: Yes. Of course, and even with, you know, some of the concerns being expressed within the Democratic Party, we don't hear anybody else kind of saying they're stepping into the ring. For words (ph) Deval Patrick -- I mean, some would say he looks rather presidential. Maybe even reminds people of Barack Obama. They are indeed really good friends. He's young, he's energetic. What did he say to the notion of whether he would run?

CROWLEY: Not yet I think is the best way I could describe what he told me.

PATRICK: I haven't endorsed, I probably -- I probably won't. I certainly have been asked. I'll help the nominee if the nominee wants my help.

CROWLEY: So pretty Switzerland (ph) right now?

PATRICK: (LAUGHTER). Yes, I got another job to focus on.

WHITFIELD: (LAUGHTER).

CROWLEY: An absolutely no on 2016. He said he promised his wife after he won his second term that he'd go back in private practice. But trust me, Fred, he has the bug. I think if there's an opening past 2016, he'd look at it pretty seriously.

WHITFIELD: All right, so maybe later. All right Candy Crowley in Washington. Thank you.

CROWLEY: Thank you, Fred.

(END VIDEOTAPE) MARQUEZ: Now, robots and machines that move on their own and can kill sounds like a science fiction movie, right? But the reality is closer than you think, and some are asking who would be held accountable?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MARQUEZ: Anthony Bourdain admits, among other things, he had preconceived notions about life, past and present, on the Mississippi Delta. Then, he went there for the latest episode of " PARTS UNKNOWN." Here's a preview of tonight's episode.

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ANTHONY BOURDAIN, CNN "ANTHONY BOURDAIN PARTS UNKNOWN" SERIES: If Mississippi were a country and there were a national hero, dead or alive, by consensus statewide, who would the statue be of?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 1: Elvis.

BOURDAIN: Really? It wouldn't be B.B. King?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It should be -- it should be B.B. King.

BOURDAIN: I mean -- (inaudible).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, but it would be Elvis.

BOURDAIN: But it would be Elvis.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I mean, Mississippi is, you know, the joke is that it's not a state, it's a club. That it's so small that everybody knows everybody.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In the middle of Mississippi, Oxford is an oasis. With thought and in art and literature and feeling and sentiment and everything. They call this place the 'velvet ditch.'

BOURDAIN: Why the velvet ditch?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I guess you just roll it, it's pretty frigging comfortable and you don't care much about getting out.

(LAUGHTER)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right? Right? Am I right?

BOURDAIN: Well no one here seems too bitter about that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARQUEZ: Now, watch tonight at 9 p.m. eastern as "ANTHONY BOURDAIN, PARTS UNKNOWN" heads to the Mississippi.

The United Nations debated something that would have ruined the whole plot of the "Terminator" movie -- whether to allow lethal autonomous weapon systems, more casually known as killer robots, and there's real fear about what might happen if they become aware. CNN's Jake Tapper reports.

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ROBOT IN CARTOON "THE JETSONS": I'm S-M-A-R-T.

JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR AND CHIEF WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: "The Jetsons" gave us the dream of a robot designed to help.

JETSONS ROBOT: I should have all the answers for you in about ten minutes.

TAPPER: The "Terminator" gave us the nightmare of a machine designed to kill. And in some ways, this future is here.

JETSONS ROBOT: Thanks for the (tip/chip).

TAPPER: In Geneva the United Nations is holding its first-ever convention on lethal autonomous weapons systems, also known as killer robot.

PETER W. SINGER, AUTHOR, "WIRED FOR WAR: THE ROBOTICS REVOLUTION": We're living in an incredibly important moment when it comes to the history of weapons and of war. Now we're having to compare weapons by their intelligence, their autonomy. That's something new that we haven't measured before.

TAPPER: Machines like these developed by the Pentagon, still requires human direction and can also take the brunt of physical risks on the battle field. Unmanned drones have enabled U.S. pilots to remotely strike targets as far away as Afghanistan. Both South Korea and Israel have operated semi-autonomous lethal sentry robots near their borders. But what happens when robots can control themselves entirely? Including lethal actions? And who's accountable for those actions?

SINGER: Now chronologically the human decision may be something that's made hours, days, weeks, months beforehand. That's the part that's truly complicating in terms of not just the politics of this, but also the legal, the moral, the ethical side.

TAPPER: Movies like the "Terminator" show Hollywood's version of a machine without human ethics or emotion -- uncontrolled and dangerous. But proponents of real military technology argue the current laws of war would sufficiently apply to so-called killer robots. This week the U.N. discusses whether these killer robots should be restricted in any way as with booby traps or mines from affecting civilians or causing unnecessary or unjustifiable suffering for combatants.

ROBOTIC 'SPOKESBOT' FROM CAMPAIGN TO STOP KILLER ROBOTS: I am a friendly robot, don't harm me.

TAPPER: Groups such as the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots do not want to give it the chance, using this 'spokesbot' to promote its message that any future kill functions should be prohibited outright.

'SPOKESBOT': Ban killer robots. SINGER: We're certainly not there in the world of the "Terminator" yet, but it is true that the technologies are starting to do more on their own. The software programming may be the important part of the decision, and that's a part that's -- they're really not well-equipped to deal with.

TAPPER: Jake Tapper, CNN Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)