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Reaction to Murtha Remarks; Weapons Found in 18-Year-Old Murderer's Home; Families Face Eviction For Not Understanding FEMA's Rules

Aired November 17, 2005 - 14:30   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Enter the Pentagon. A Democratic congressman's solitary call to pull troops out of Iraq has set off fiery reactions on Capitol Hill, and the fall-out continues. Here, if you missed him earlier, Pennsylvania Democrat John Murtha.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JOHN MURTHA (D), PENNSYLVANIA: We're charged -- Congress is charged with sending our sons and daughters into battle. And it is our responsibility, our obligation, to speak out for them. That's why I'm speaking out. Our military has done everything that has been asked of them. U.S. cannot accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily. It's time to bring the troops home.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Now the top brass are taking aim. We get the details from Brian Todd at the Pentagon. Brian, what are they saying?

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, we've been talking to defense officials just about all morning and afternoon following the congressman's remarks. I guess you could characterize the response here as measured, but a little bit defensive.

One senior defense official says the remarks by the congressman are quote, "frustrating." Let me make a couple points about his direct reputation of what the congressman said. To the congressman's remark that quote, "Our troops have become the primary target of the insurgency," this senior defense official said, quote, "That's irresponsible. What if you were the mother or father of one of the servicemen and heard a member of Congress call them a target?" This official also called it irresponsible for congressman Murtha to say our military is suffering.

Now, to the congressman's characterization that the United States and coalition troops have done all they can in Iraq, the senior defense official said, quote, "I challenge that. If we have done all we can do, then why are we still engaging in Operation Steel Curtain?" That is that military offensive near the Syrian border. Why are we still engaging in that, he said. "Why are we providing security for the green zone and why are we still looking for Zarqawi?"

This senior defense official summed up the response to congressman Murtha this way, saying, quote, "Our troops should not be put in the middle of a political debate." This official and other officials here, Kyra, have said that the strategy all along is to begin a draw-down of troops once certain conditions on the ground in Iraq are met. Among those conditions, very important ones, when Iraqi forces start taking the lead in maintaining security, when the political climate stabilizes further in Iraq with the December 15th elections coming up, and more public acceptance of those elected leaders and when more Iraqi citizens show a determination on their own to defeat the insurgency -- Kyra.

Brian, let me just ask you -- and I don't know if you had a chance to ask military leaders there at the Pentagon -- but when you look at John Murtha's bio, you know, Vietnam combat veteran, retired from the Marine Corps as a colonel, 37 years of service. It goes on and talks about he received the Bronze Star, Combat V, two Purple Hearts, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Also awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal by the Marine Corps commandment when he retired from the Marines.

So, I mean, he's a colorful marine. He's got a background, he's got awards. Has anyone responded to that? It seems that because of that, he would have a tremendous amount of respect from military leaders and they would be listening to what he has to say, or has that not really come up?

TODD: It has certainly come up. We've asked them about it in just about every office we walked into today. They were not only aware of what he was saying, some -- at a certain time, we walked into an office while he was still making the remarks. It is on -- in the building all over the place here.

Every official we talked to acknowledges his military experience, does say that the congressman is very well-respected on issues of defense because of that experience. But, you know, from the perspective here at the Pentagon, they just don't want this debate to be politicized any more than it already has been. And again, this one senior defense official expressing a certain amount frustration with the congressman's remarks.

PHILLIPS: Brian Todd, thank you.

TODD: Sure.

PHILLIPS: Well, we're getting more details on a story that we've been following. Let's check in now with Fredricka Whitfield. Police finding weapons, I guess, in this the home of this 18-year-old, right?

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. David Ludwig who is now charged with the murder and kidnapping -- the murder of the parents of his girlfriend, the kidnapping of the girlfriend. That taking place in Pennsylvania. A number of court papers were filed today revealing that he is all too familiar with guns.

Allan Chernoff is in New York with more details on this. And why is this discovery, Allan, so significant?

ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, clearly it shows that David Ludwig had easy access to guns and ammunition. Now, this is the result of a police search that actually occurred back on Sunday before David Ludwig was captured Monday in Indiana, 600 miles from his home. Captured with his girlfriend in a Volkswagen Jetta that he had driven.

Now, 54 arms and ammunition found in the home. Included in that cache, three assault rifles. These are civilian versions of military- issued weapons. Also shotguns, handguns, plenty of .22 and .38- caliber Smith and Wessons. Also a .45 caliber handgun.

The family did hunt. In fact, friends, neighbors, say that they have a hunting cabin. And on David Ludwig's Web site is a link to a picture of him actually field-dressing a deer, disemboweling the deer.

Ludwig right now is in Lancaster County Prison, awaiting a pre- trial hearing next Wednesday in this case. And if convicted of these charges, he could spend life in prison -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And Allan, take us back, if you could -- in terms of the date the crime took place. This all began in terms of the murders, took place when apparently the young man and his girlfriend came home, apparently had an exchange with her parents.

CHERNOFF: That all occurred Sunday morning. According to the police report, Ludwig kept his girlfriend out all night Saturday, returned her early Sunday morning to her home in Lititz, Pennsylvania. The parents called Ludwig back to the home and had an extended conversation with him. Apparently, it became heated. And just before 8:00 a.m. in the morning, Ludwig shot the father, one shot to the head, then shot the mother, one shot also to the head, killing them.

The sister of the girlfriend witnessed the shooting of her father, then ran into the bathroom while the mother was shot. And later on, that sister ran out of the home, a younger brother also ran out of the home. They reported all this to the police and that's why police have a very clear record of what they believe did happen. And, as we said, Ludwig arrested on Monday in Indiana, along with his girlfriend Kara Borden.

WHITFIELD: And now -- and police are also issuing a charge of kidnapping against Ludwig. So, Kara, the 14-year-old, went against her will?

CHERNOFF: That's what they believe. They say that Kara is a victim in this case. So, they have her with relatives. She's been reunited with her siblings. She has three brothers, the sister, as well. And they believe, so far, that she is a victim in this case. .

WHITFIELD: All right. A family tormented, and a family torn apart. Thanks so much. Allan Chernoff in New York -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Fred, thank you so much. Allan, thank you.

Straight ahead, FEMA accused of leaving Hurricane Katrina victims high and dry. More than a dozen cases pending against the federal aid agency. We've got one family's story. See what you think about it, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Katrina evacuees staying in hotels at FEMA's expense now have a date, December 1st. That's when most federal aid for hotel accommodations stops flowing. That's 14 days from today. After that, hurricane victims will either pay out of pocket for their hotels rooms or find other arrangements. FEMA says that states can file extension requests two weeks at a time. Hotel subsidies have so far cost the federal government nearly $300 million.

The Hurricane Katrina relief effort is unprecedented in scope, in expense and, increasingly, in anger at the agencies working to help people who lost everything. More than a dozen families are suing FEMA now, saying they've been misguided and left out to dry. CNN's Ed Lavandera reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is what's left of Russell and Tammy Hayward's neighborhood in Long Beach, Mississippi.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was our life.

LAVANDERA: This is everything they own now.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is our new hamper, and pots and pans.

LAVANDERA: All courtesy of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, basic items, to jump start their new life in San Antonio. But the Haywards have no home of their own and have been living with friends. To make matters worse, FEMA is now cutting them off.

RUSSELL HAYWARD, KATRINA EVACUEE: We've basically been denied assistance because we can't give them rent receipts to prove that the money that they give us was spent on rent, so they're done.

LAVANDERA: The problem started when Russell Hayward received a $2,000 check from FEMA, and this letter explaining how the money should be spent.

HAYWARD: "Assistance for housing or other essential needs."

LAVANDERA (on camera): And so to you that meant I can spend this on whatever I need?

HAYWARD: Essential needs.

LAVANDERA (voice-over): Then a second check arrived in the mail, this one for $2,300.

(on camera): And you thought that I got that check, and these same kind of rules applied.

HAYWARD: Exactly. Exactly. So that's why we went out and, I mean, we bought pots and pans, and glasses and dishes, and we didn't buy anything that you don't have in your house.

LAVANDERA (voice-over): But three weeks later another letter arrived, specifying that the second check could only be used on housing. It was too late. The money had been spent, mostly at Wal- Mart. The Haywards don't understand why FEMA has cut them off.

TAMMY HAYWARD, KATRINA EVACUEE: We're not asking them to pay our rent for the rest of our life, just a little start, you know. The first couple of months, and then we can do it ourselves.

HAYWARD (on camera): FEMA refuses to answer questions about the Hayward's case, because they, and 12 other families, are suing FEMA for more assistance. In a statement, FEMA said it's acting as quickly as possible to help all evacuees, but FEMA says they must also act as, quote, "good stewards" of taxpayer dollars.

(voice-over): Russell works in construction, but is recovering from hernia surgery. So he must rest for six weeks. Tammy is still unemployed. And they don't have enough savings to get out on their own.

R. HAYWARD: I've never been through a major storm. I've never had to uproot my wife and uproot my life and relocate just for safe living conditions. I'm not a mind reader. I don't know what to do. But I'm not the only one in this boat.

LAVANDERA: Ed Lavandera, CNN, San Antonio, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Many people with loved ones who perished in Hurricane Katrina are still waiting to give their family members a fitting farewell. Hundreds of bodies remain in Louisiana morgues, including the brother of New Orleans resident, Linda Hymel. CNN's Anderson Cooper talked with Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco about the problems of Katrina's dead.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: We have been following the case of a woman named Linda Hymel. She -- she is, sadly, pretty typical. Her brother died in Katrina. The state has had his body since September 7, more than two months. She's given DNA samples. She's given dental records. She calls Saint Gabriel morgue every day, and is given really no information. And she hasn't gotten the body back.

What is going on?

GOV. KATHLEEN BLANCO (D), LOUISIANA: Well, we feel very sorry for all these folks. It's been very complicated out at Saint Gabriel. And I think that they're working hard. But I know that too many folks are still very frustrated by all of those events.

COOPER: Yes.

Well, I mean, two months ago, you were very critical of FEMA's slow recovery of the bodies, saying, in -- and I quote -- "In death, as in life, our people deserve more respect than they have received."

Can't the same criticism -- criticism -- now be leveled at your state's handling of the dead? You have 838 bodies at the Saint Gabriel morgue. Three hundred and twenty-one of them are still unidentified, no DNA testing done at all.

BLANCO: Well, Anderson, it is very challenging, because it's been a long time. And the remains are -- are very fragile now. And it's just more challenging. And each day that goes by, everybody is working hard to try to meet those challenges.

COOPER: But my understanding of the DNA problem is that the state and -- and FEMA are basically fighting over who should pay for DNA testing.

And -- and, you know, a lot of families, when they hear that, it just sounds like bureaucracy is getting into the way of -- of, you know, reuniting with their loved ones and allowing their loved ones to finally get the dignity they deserve.

BLANCO: I don't think that that's stopping any DNA testing, Anderson. I just think that it is just part of the frustrating process that we have all been going through.

COOPER: October 3, the state called off house-to-house searching for the dead. Since then, 104 bodies have been found. Do you think it was a mistake now to call off the -- the searches so early?

BLANCO: Anderson, you know, we have suffered great tragedies here in Louisiana. And an extensive effort was made to recover all the bodies. The great tragedy is that the nation still doesn't understand the dimensions of our tragedy and how difficult all of this has been on us. We are still asking for help, you know. We have not dismissed the cries for assistance but sometimes we think they're falling on deaf ears.

COOPER: That's a good point, and I want to get to it. But, I mean, the formal searches, massive searches, house-to-house did stop October 3rd. I know they have resumed in some areas because they keep finding these bodies in the homes. Do you know what the thought process was or who made the decision to stop those searches on October 3rd?

BLANCO: Well, I'm not sure who made the decisions or how the decisions were made specifically about that date, Anderson.

COOPER: But you yourself had said that it's important to look back and that mistakes were made at all levels. And, frankly, so far you're the only government official who has had the courtesy to actually step forward on this program and talk to me, because the mayor won't even talk to me anymore. I can't get an interview with him. I'm not trying to be critical or mean or anything but I mean I do think -- and I think everyone agrees that, you know, no one wants this to happen again. Democrats are calling for an independent review of what happened. No one in Washington seems to be talking about that. BLANCO: I would love an independent review. I think that it's important. I am going to Congress, you know, at the behest of the Senate and the House, not a bipartisan effort whatsoever, but partisan committees. And I expect to be answering the specifics, whatever questions they ask me. I'll be happy to tell them what happened and what we did and what our expectations were. And...

COOPER: When you go to Washington, do...

BLANCO: ... what expectations failed us.

COOPER: Do you feel like there's Katrina fatigue?

BLANCO: You know, here in Louisiana, we feel like we are citizens of the United States who are nearly forgotten. It is a very frustrating thing. People are weary. They want to move on. They want us to move on. It's going to take us a while. And we still need help from Washington.

COOPER: Well, when I hear other people talking...

BLANCO: And I'm worried that we're not going to get it.

COOPER: When I hear people talk about Katrina fatigue, I just want to kind of shake them and say, you know, you want to know who has Katrina fatigue, you talk to the people in Louisiana, you talk to people in the Gulf Coast. People in Washington shouldn't be talking about Katrina fatigue.

BLANCO: You are so right. The only people who are deserving of Katrina fatigue are the Louisiana folks who have been in the trenches now for over two months. We are fatigued. And but it's so disheartening not to have enough sympathy.

COOPER: I appreciate you taking the time to talk to us, Governor Blanco. Thank you.

BLANCO: Thank you, Anderson.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: And we just got this word in, a FEMA housing news conference is going to be held today, 4:00 Eastern time.

Vice Admiral Thad Allen, the principal federal official for Gulf Coast hurricane relief and acting FEMA Recovery Division Director David Garrett.

They're going to hold a news conference 4 p.m. Eastern today. We will take that live, so that may answer some of the questions that we've been asking today throughout LIVE FROM.

Now, some closure. As much as possible, hopefully. One of the more upsetting chapters of the hurricane's frightful impact on New Orleans. Recall the first few days after the storm. I'll never forget this image because it came across as we were doing our broadcast live. All by itself showed the city's desperation and state of total emergency. A woman's body still in her wheelchair. She passed away in the fury of the storm and remained there for days. This week, that woman and that image, 91-year-old Ethel Freeman, surrounded by her reunited family was laid to rest, finally in New Orleans.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: All right. A little shout out to my writer Dave Johnson and my editor, Michael Welter (ph).

It's the must-see video of the day. A policeman in the Middle East, not on the beat, but he's got the beat, baby. Pop rock, West Bank style. Place, Ramallah.

He's a Ramallah traffic officer. He bops, he boogies, he trips the stop light fantastic, to the amusement of city drivers and his growing legion of fans. A great lesson for the stress-plagued Middle East. Life is chaotic and it comes from around you in all directions, do what he does. Just shut up and dance.

Now, other entertainment news. The TV biz is getting all 21st century on us, I'm being told. At least when it comes to new ways of getting shows into the masses.

Brooke Anderson live from Hollywood with more on this. Hi, Brooke.

BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra. And I love that police officer having fun while he works, right?

PHILLIPS: Isn't that great? We've all got to start dancing.

ANDERSON: Absolutely.

And what you were referring to, just then. Yes, the means by which people are getting their entertainment is constantly changing.

Here's a great example of that. The mysteries of ABC's "Lost" will soon be coming to your cell phone. In a race to embrace the portable media market, ABC's Emmy-winning drama is expanding its mobility with a brand new series of episodes that you're going to see only on your cell phone.

The new series, titled "Lost Video Diaries" will include about 20 mini-episodes that will introduce two new characters. Those characters, said to be stranded alongside the deserted cast will be new to "Lost" viewers.

The events depicted in the prime time version will influence their storyline. The only mystery left to decide now is which cell phone carrier will get the exclusive rights to the mini "Lost" series. "Lost" episodes are already available for download on your Apple video iPod. Well, actress Sharon Stone is making an about-face on her face lift lawsuit. Forty-seven-year-old Stone filed papers Monday dismissing her complaint against a plastic surgeon, whom she claimed made false accusation that he had given her a face lift.

Attorneys for the Beverly Hills physician maintained the doctor never made such comments and had only discussed a vertical face surgery procedure that he invented.

While in exchange for dropping the suit, the plastic surgeon has agreed to provide his services for free for a charity Stone is involved in that arranged reconstructive facial surgery for children.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We proudly welcome to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Dennis Quaid.

ANDERSON: With more than 40 films and numerous acting awards under his belt, actor Dennis Quaid became a permanent part of history yesterday with his very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DENNIS QUAID, ACTOR: I feel very honored to be here today and it's, it's not just -- not just because of the star and what that means. It's because, even the people that you look at, some of them are still famous today and you recognize us and some of them aren't.

But, all of them were members of the community of Hollywood. All came out here to fulfill some dream that they had and they fulfilled it. And I think that's what gets me the most today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON: Congratulations to him. Quaid will next be seen in a family-friendly comedy, "Yours, Mine and Ours," which opens November 23rd.

And, it won't be the big screen, but rather the small-screen, where you'll be seeing Danny DeVito next.

The FX network has tapped the veteran TV star as a series regular on the hit comedy series, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."

DeVito, who hasn't starred in a TV series since the end of "Taxi" back in 1983, will appear in all 10 episodes of the show's second season. The new season of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" is expected to debut in June.

Kyra, we'll be seeing a lot of DeVito next year, he is also scheduled to appear in three feature films in 2006.

PHILLIPS: Wow, you can't get enough. That guy is hilarious.

ANDERSON: He's hilarious.

PHILLIPS: Isn't he? ANDERSON: But you know, he may not be as tall as some of the other actors in Hollywood, but what a commanding presence he has, right?

PHILLIPS: Yes he does. He is so funny. I love that guy. Thanks, Brooke.

You know who else I love? I love Ali Velshi. He looks nothing like DeVito though, Danny DeVito, right, Ali?

ALI VELSHI, CNN ANCHOR: I'm calling, Kyra,

PHILLIPS: Yes, I just told you to call me. Is the line ringing?

VELSHI: Yes, I wrote, do you want me to call you in the middle of the show?

PHILLIPS: Yes, I did, I just said give me a call, because I want to say get ready for the live feed.

VELSHI: I'm getting ready.

PHILLIPS: Now we're going to get a double dose of you, a little double shot, a little oil, little toys.

VELSHI: Say good-bye to this TV thing, you and I can talk about it.

PHILLIPS: I'm calling you right now. OK, we'll see you after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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