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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Controversy Over Ebola Quarantine; ISIS Releases New Hostage Video; Targeted By Texts; World Series Game Six Tonight
Aired October 28, 2014 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: EARLY START continues right now.
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BERMAN: The controversy growing this morning over how to treat people returning to the United States from Ebola-stricken countries in West Africa. The CDC issuing new guidelines. Some states, though, push even further. This as the quarantined nurse is freed from her isolation tent in New Jersey and U.S. soldiers returning home from the frontlines of Ebola in Liberia are quarantined in Italy. We are breaking down all the latest developments.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Troubling new propaganda this morning from ISIS. ISIS releasing video of British hostage John Cantlie filmed in a key battleground Syrian city. What makes this video so different from those in the past? We are live with the very latest.
BERMAN: And targeted by text. The new details this morning of the deadly shooting inside a Washington high school cafeteria.
Good morning, everyone. Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm John Berman.
ROMANS: I'm Christine Romans. It is Tuesday, October 28th, it's 5:00 in the East.
Up first this morning, the controversy rages over the Ebola quarantines and there are new guidelines from the Centers of Disease Control. Should health care works and others returning from West Africa be subject to automatic quarantine?
The CDC advises against it and instead advises different measures for different levels of risk. A person considered high risk needs daily, active monitoring and must avoid public places. This will be someone who has had direct contact with an infected person's bodily fluids. Someone, for example, who may have been pricked by a needle in the process of treating a patient.
An individual with some risk must be monitored and use common sense in restricting movement. This would be someone who has had contact with an infected person but wore protective gear.
At low risk, someone should be monitored, but not restricted. This is someone with minimal contact with an Ebola patient.
And no risk, no monitoring. This is someone who had contact with an infected person before they were symptomatic.
A number of state, though, taking additional steps on their own. Six states monitoring everyone coming to the U.S. from the Ebola zone. In New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, officials must check on travelers every day for 21 days asking them about their temperature and other possible Ebola symptoms.
In New York, New Jersey and Illinois, anyone who's had direct contact with someone in west Africa will be quarantined for 21 days. The White House acknowledges that states can do as they wish here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOSH EARNEST, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: State and local authorities have the authority to make these kinds of decisions about how to implement quarantine policies in ways that --
REPORTER: Put people on tents, they can do that?
EARNEST: Well, subject to the laws of these individual states. What we hope and what we think has been true and the vast majority of circumstances is that these kinds of policy decisions should be driven by science.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: So, Kaci Hickox, the nurse who railed against the quarantine in New Jersey, despite testing negative for Ebola, she has been released and she is heading back home to Maine. But no apology from Governor Christie who insists he did the right thing by quarantining Hickox against her will after she arrived back here from Sierra Leone.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE (R), NEW JERSEY: She was running a high fever and was symptomatic. You live outside the state and you are symptomatic, we're not letting you go on to public transportation. It makes no common sense.
I'm telling you guys, this is now become a national policy eventually. Eventually, the CDC will come around.
If she is uncomfortable, and no one likes to be in the hospital. But she was under supervision by the CDC and our health officials at all times.
Now, I'm glad that she is getting to go back home and hopefully her health will remain being good. And if it is, that's good for her, her family, and everybody else. But we're not going to take any risks with the public health in New Jersey.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Insisted that she was not symptomatic.
It's good news for a 5-year-old boy who had just returned from West Africa and is being treated for Ebola at New York's Bellevue Hospital. Those tests came back negative for that little guy. Bellevue is also where New York's first Ebola patient Dr. Craig Spencer is now in isolation. Hospital officials say Spencer remains in serious, but stable condition this morning. He contracted Ebola while working for Doctors Without Borders in Guinea.
BERMAN: U.S. military taking it's own precautions now against Ebola. Right now, a contingent of Army troops, including a major general is effectively quarantined in Italy. The soldiers arrived there from an Ebola aid mission in Liberia.
CNN's Al Goodman following the developments for us. He is live in Madrid this morning.
Good morning, Al.
AL GOODMAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: John, he is the commander of U.S. Army Africa. He had a surprise when he landed back at this base in Italy on the weekend, according to Pentagon officials. He was met by Italian authorities in full CDC suits and taken with about ten other military personnel to a separate part of the base where they are under controlled monitoring, is the term that the Pentagon is calling it, effectively quarantined.
Now, he had been a key member of the advance force in Liberia to deal with the Ebola issue, had been there for a month, and had said, told reporters while there he was taking the precautions. The White House weighed on this development with the White House press secretary saying this does not reflect a department wide, as Defense Department- wide policy for all U.S. troops, which he understands, the press secretary understands is under development.
But CNN reporters covering the Pentagon say the Pentagon has published guidelines, initially guidelines on who might be quarantined, among troops, who might not. So, they are working on this issue -- John.
BERMAN: And, of course, there are political considerations inside each country. What will happen where you are, Al, when U.S. troops transition through Spain on their way out of these three West African nations?
GOODMAN: Well, that's already happening. About 100 marines from one of the bases in south of Spain are in Liberia as part of advance force. But Spain has granted permission to the U.S. for outbound flights, Spain to the Ebola countries in Africa.
But no people coming back except for some flight crews who have taken the soldiers down there, have not gotten off the plane, minimal time on the ground had come back. But clearly, a political issue between the U.S. and its allies in Spain and also in Italy -- John.
BERMAN: All right. Al Goodman for us in Madrid, thanks so much. ROMANS: A chilling new twist this morning in the war against ISIS.
The terror group released a propaganda video that shows a British hostage John Cantlie in the Syrian border town of Kobani. John Cantlie is telling the world that the town is firmly under ISIS control.
What is striking about this video is that Cantlie, who has been held captives since 2012 appears as if he is reporting from the scene. Here's a clip.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN CANTLIE, BRITISH HOSTAGE: Hello. I'm John Cantlie. And today, we are in the city of Kobani on the Syrian and Turkey border. That is, in fact, Turkey right behind me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: CNN's Nick Paton Walsh is live for us just over the border in Turkey. It certainly appears as though he is there in Kobani and it appears as he's being used for propaganda to sort of give a different spin on the news from the region.
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, certainly. We have no idea of his state of mind. This man who has been held captive for ISIS for months. Yes, the geography of where he's standing from our observation makes it pretty clear he is in Kobani.
He says there to counteract what he considers to be Western media accounts of the fight which calling Kurdish officials and White House officials, he scorns the ISIS message presumably. They want to scorn the half billion dollars worth of munitions that he says the coalition dropped on Kobani, but says ISIS is still able to hold ground and moving forward with light weaponry.
What is chilling is about the cynical use of the man held hostage. He looks relaxed in the role to some degree. He seemed to warm to it as he speaks. We have no idea what pressure he is under to be in that situation.
And this chillingly high tech, I have to say, Christine. We are looking at a group which -- while, they don't have the laser guided bombs that the coalition do. They do have the ability to use social media adeptly, to use drones, to use graphics, to enhance the drone footage and do a high definition video of a British hostage talking through their propaganda points about what's happening in Kobani.
Christine, let me just one bit of breaking news we are hearing about the fights for Kobani. There has been a lot of debate about when and if Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters would join the fight inside that city. We are hearing from the spokespeople at the Peshmerga ministry in northern Iraq that they could be en route today or tomorrow, bringing older heavy weapons with them, that they travel either by land or air. But that help debated so publicly between Turkish and Syrian and Iraqi Kurdish government. That help could be on the way in a matter of hours -- Christine.
ROMANS: In a matter of hours.
All right. Nick Paton Walsh for us this morning across the border in Turkey -- thank you, Nick.
Nine minutes past the hour. Time for an early start on your money this Tuesday morning.
European stocks higher. U.S. stock futures are up after barely budging yesterday. Energy stocks fell as crude oil drop to $80 a barrel.
You see that chart there. Production is booming in the U.S. global demand is weak. Those falling oil prices expected to persist. That is driving gas prices down.
One stock to watch this morning, Twitter, folks. Shares down 10 percent before the bell. Twitter revenue is growing quickly, but user base is not, causing concerns the site does not have a broad appeal of something like Facebook. A year after its IPO, the company still doesn't make any money. Not unusual for tech stocks, but there's scrutiny to that, how quickly that user base is growing.
All right. Nine minutes past the hour.
New details on how the Washington high school shooter lured his victims as one of those injured students shares a message he has for the cousin who shot him.
BERMAN: Plus, residents evacuating their homes as lava inches closer and closer. Not the only problem they are facing. This is a very dangerous situation. We'll have the very latest right after the break.
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ROMANS: A disturbing detail in the deadly shooting in Marysville high school in Washington. Authorities say 15-year-old Jaylen Fryberg lured his victims texting them to join him in the cafeteria where the shooting took place.
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SHERIFF TY TRENARY, SNOHOMISH COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE: We know that the shooter had arranged to meet with friends at the lunch hour on Friday. Witnesses confirmed that the five victims were at the table when the shooter opened fire, striking the victims before turning the gun on himself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Two students were killed, three others are hospitalized, two in critical condition. One of the victims, the cousin of the shooter, posted a Twitter message saying he forgives Jaylen. Police say Fryberg send a picture of himself to an ex-girlfriend showing him holding a gun sometime before the shooting.
BERMAN: Not confident to stand trial. That is the ruling from a federal judge in the case of accused White House fence jumper Dominic Adesanya. He was dragged screaming from the courtroom on Monday after ranting at the judge.
Adesanya was arrested after jumping the White House fence last week. He punched and kicked two Secret Service dogs. Those dogs eventually took him down. He will remain in custody for more psychiatric evaluation and treatment until a court appearance in December.
ROMANS: Secretary of State John Kerry attends the military funeral for Corporal Nathan Cirillo in Ontario this afternoon. The Canadian soldier was shot and killed last week while serving as a ceremonial guard at the National War Memorial. After the noon ceremony, members of the public will be able to pay their respects as Cirillo's funeral procession winds its way through the city of Hamilton.
BERMAN: It's going to be an emotional day.
ROMANS: Yes.
BERMAN: Five criminal cases in Ferguson, Missouri, have now been dismissed because the prime witness in each case, Police Officer Darren Wilson, he failed to show up in court. Wilson, of course, is the officer who shot and killed unarmed teenager Michael Brown. He has not been seen in public since the August incident. No comment from the Ferguson police or Officer Wilson's attorney.
ROMANS: All right. Politics now. Senate Democrats launching a round of attack ads. This is a last-minute bid to hold on to Senate majority. Those ads accuse Republicans of harboring plans to slash Social Security and Medicare. The spots are airing in states with critical Senate races, Iowa, New Hampshire, Louisiana, and they primarily are targeting the elderly votes.
BERMAN: Yes, one week until election day.
President Obama is on the campaign trail today. He is planning appearances in six states this week to boost support for the Democrats who will have him to hold or win governorships. His first stop is in Milwaukee where he is going to attend a rally for Democrat Mary Burke who is locked in a tight race with the incumbent Republican Governor Scott Walker.
ROMANS: House Speaker John Boehner trashing President Obama's foreign policy record. While stumping for congressional hopeful Dr. Miller- Meeks in Iowa, he criticized the president's response to Russia's takeover of Crimea. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R-OH), HOUSE SPEAKER: And when you look at the chaos going on -- does anybody think Vladimir Putin had gone into Crimea had George W. Bush been president of the United States? No. Even Putin is smart enough to know that Bush would have punched him in the nose in 10 seconds.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Punched him in the nose.
But the thing is, back in 2008, Putin did invade another former member of the Soviet Union and a key U.S. ally. He invaded the Republic of Georgia when Bush was president. Bush did not punch Putin or Medvedev in the nose. But like Obama, he was criticized by some for not acting more forcefully against in Russia.
So, they have something in common John Boehner and the president.
BERMAN: The absence of nose punching. No nose punching.
ROMANS: No nose punching.
BERMAN: Both Clintons pitching in to help Democrats. Bill Clinton today headlining a rally in Denver for Senator Mark Udall and Governor John Hickenlooper there.
Hillary Clinton was stumping for New York Congressman Sean Maloney on Monday. She had to back pedal on comments last week about job creation. She says what she meant to say is that the economy only thrives when tax breaks are not given to corporations that outsource jobs.
ROMANS: What she had said was --
BERMAN: Corporations don't create jobs.
ROMANS: Right.
Bob Dole wants Mitt Romney to make another run for the White House. The one time GOP presidential nominee, he made those remarks Monday night. He was campaigning in Kansas for Senator Pat Roberts. Romney brushed off the remarks, chucking it up to a joke, saying in part, quote, "You never know what a 90-year-old will say. Do you?"
BERMAN: You know, it is great to see Bob Dole on the trail. He has been out in the Senate race. He looks great and he sounds great. And it's great to see him.
Doug Ford's hope of carrying on the ford legacy as Toronto's next mayor, those hopes have been dashed. Doug Ford lost the mayoral race to John Tory, a former cable company executive. Doug Ford stepped in when a can cancer diagnosis forced his brother out of the race, but Rob Ford will be returning to city hall. He won a seat on Toronto's city council.
ROMANS: All right. Slowly but surely, lava from the Kilauea volcano. The lava flow is within 70 yards of the nearest home and in that path of Pahoa, which could spell disaster.
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TIM ORR, USGS GEOLOGIST: It's burning through thick brush and fern. A lot of smoke coming off the front. Methane explosions are going on. So, it's a noisy situation out there from all of the burning vegetation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Interesting. I would not think it would be noisy. You think the slow-moving lava.
Interesting. Many village residents have fled. There are reports of those homes being targeted sadly by looters.
BERMAN: All right. Chad Myers with an early start on your forecast -- Chad.
CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Hey, good morning, guys.
Warm weather today in New York City and cold for the rest of the week. So, I'm calling it hooky weather to hockey weather. Although I don't think we use the word hooky anymore. Just say skip class.
Warm in New York today, all the way up into the 70s. D.C. all the way to 81. Here comes the colder air.
And then the really colder air for the weekend, a couple of showers possible overnight tonight and storms across the Ohio Valley today. But look at New York, 71 to 58. By Saturday morning, the low is 36.
So, you get the idea. Today, we are well-above normal. D.C. almost record-breaking at 16 degrees above normal. Tomorrow, you're still above normal, but not as much. And then by Thursday and Friday, it just keeps going down from there.
It will be -- when I was growing up in Buffalo, I never got to wear my costume for Halloween on the outside of my coat. Maybe we're somewhere in between there. Cover up a great costume with a parka coat. And you never know what you're going to be anyway. But even for today, cooler in Kansas City, but good day, good night.
ROMANS: I'm with you, Chad. I'm from Iowa. You had a 50/50 chance of anybody knowing what you were, 50/50 chance. Seize the day. It will be a nice day. So, enjoy it.
BERMAN: All right. Thanks so much, Chad.
Just seeing Chad in a costume, warms my heart.
So, tonight, could be the night the San Francisco Giants could win the third World Series title in five years? Or will the heroic Kansas City Royals force game seven?
And did the Redskins really win last night? I saw reports of this and I need confirmation.
Andy Scholes with answers in the "Bleacher Report", next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BERMAN: I literally did not believe this when I woke up and saw it. Redskins down to the third string quarterback on the road, against the 6-1 Cowboys. No chance to win. Right? Wrong.
ROMANS: Andy Scholes is here with the "Bleacher Report". Berman is confounded.
ANDY SCHOLES, BLEACHER REPORT: You know, you can throw out the record out the window, and these two teams get on the field together.
One of the best rivalries in the NFL. Cowboys and Redskins. Picking up in the third quarter, 10-7. Robinson sacks Tony Romo. Romo with the bad back, he stayed down. It looks like he reinjured his back. You could see laying on the field right there. He would go to the locker room for treatment.
In the meantime, Texas native and former Longhorn quarterback Colt McCoy making all kinds of great plays in overtime. Jordan Reid with the pass and catch. That is enough to go ahead for the field goal. Romo returns to the game, but did not look like himself overtime.
Redskins shocked the Cowboys, 20-17 in O.T.
The World Series could end tonight in Kansas City. Giants lead 3-2. They're looking to win their third World Series title in the past five years. It's going to be Jake Peavy on the hill for San Fran, trying to close it out. He's going up against hard throwing Yordano Ventura for KC. First pitch set for 8:00.
The wait is over for the NBA season. It tips off with the world champion San Antonio Spurs hosting the Dallas Mavericks. Spurs are a popular pick to repeat this season. The original big three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are all back once again. But will father time finally catch up today.
BERMAN: They played together for 37 years now, right?
SCHOLES: That's exactly how old Tim Duncan is I believe.
Now, I sat down with the crew from inside the NBA yesterday and Charles Barkley, he says the veterans Spurs are not going to have enough left in the tank to repeat its change.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHARLES BARKLEY, TNT NBA ANALYST: I'm going to say it is the end of the Spurs for their 2-0. I said it 12 years in a row. You know, the thing that is weird, I was right 11 straight years then they won last year. So, I'll write them off again of age.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCHOLES: All the action gets started on TNT with inside the NBA at 7:00, Mavs and Spurs. The guys from inside the NBA, they said they are excited about this season because it is wide open. You know, the west is as tough as ever. One through team, any of those teams could go to the western conference finals. Then, you've got great storylines, like Becky Hammond, the first female assistant on the bench tonight.
LeBron back in Cleveland. They get the season started on Thursday night.
BERMAN: Andy Scholes, please stay. We love it when you are up here.
ROMANS: Nice to see you, Andy. Thank you.
SCHOLES: All right.
ROMANS: New guidelines and controversy over how to treat people returning to the U.S. from West Africa. CDC rolling out new rules and some states push even further. This as a quarantined nurse, she gets to leave her isolation tent in Jersey. All of the new developments after the break.
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