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Rick's List

Deadly Philippine Hostage Standoff

Aired August 23, 2010 - 20:00   ET

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

RICK SANCHEZ, HOST: You're going to see these miners who are like 2,300 feet under ground stuck in a small den. You're going to see them through a tiny little camera like nothing I've ever seen before.

Here's what else we got on RICK'S LIST.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ (voice-over): Here's what's making THE LIST tonight in prime time.

What a scene -- like a movie of the week -- a bus and its passengers taken over by a madman. The challenge: to save the passengers without more people getting killed. You'll see it.

Thirty-three miners are alive and a country rejoices. The bad news: they're still trapped 2,000 feet underground and crews may not be able to reach them until Christmas.

A wrong-way driver police say was under the influence and out of control. And she's a teenager. All this and, of course, breaking news changes everything -- like the news we don't stop. It's live, it's urgent. It's your list. It's now.

(MUSIC)

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: And hello, again, everybody. I'm Rick Sanchez.

Here we go. We're going to begin THE LIST in primetime with our most controversial video. This is about a bus that's filled with tourist in the Philippines. It's held hostage by a machine gun- wielding former police officer. He's angry about losing his job.

How many dead? And what made this gunman snap? You hear reporters there describing what's going on. We're all over this story. And we've got more on it in just a little bit.

But here's the number five most controversial stories of the day: A staggering number of eggs, more than half a billion, are now being recalled. And one of the farms that those tainted eggs came from has a checkered past. A company that owns Wright County Egg has admitted to several counts of animal cruelty at another one of its farms in Maine. You got this? The massive salmonella outbreak has now made as many as 1,300 people sick in the United States alone -- though the number could really go much higher, maybe in the tens of thousands.

Salmonella poisoning can be deadly.

The egg salmonella scandal is reviving a long stalled bill in Congress to make the food supply safer by making recalls mandatory -- mandatory, pardon me -- and not voluntarily.

Here now, number four most controversial: should you be allowed -- think about this -- should be you allowed to breastfeed your baby at a McDonald's?

Mothers of dozens of babies crowded a McDonald's in Phoenix, Arizona, for an unusual protest this weekend. The group held a breastfeeding revolt. It was triggered when a McDonald's manager gave a nursing mother and her kids the boot nearly two weeks ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JENNIFER REID, PROTESTER: The assistant manager followed them out to the parking lot, wrote down her license plate number. She felt very harassed and threatened. Her kids were scared.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: The owner of the McDonald's apologized, swearing this will never, ever happen again. Not in her restaurant.

But guess what? It's too late. The breastfeeding incident has grabbed supersized headlines, generating plenty of criticism.

Here now, number three most controversial on this day: just when you thought that airlines had run out of ways to make passengers lives a living hell, I want you to take a look at this -- cots in a terminal. Cots for 159 passengers stranded at Boston's Logan Airport, through no fault of their own.

American Airlines says there really wasn't any other way to put these passengers of Flight 172 up for the night. That flight started out in New York and was on its way to Europe when turbulence forced it to land in Boston.

People are angry. The airline says its staff there was unprepared for the dropped-in flight and there was no room at any nearby inn, they say. So, out came the cots in the public terminal. Passengers left for Belgium this morning.

Here number two most controversial: A hefty bill at a nail salon near Atlanta is causing this controversy. Michelle Fonville had a pleasant manicure, pedicure and eyebrow waxing experience there, until she got hit with the bill. Michelle realized that she had to pay $5 extra.

When she asked, "Why do I have to pay $5 extra," she was told she's too fat. Too fat for the way the manicure chairs are designed. That's right. The salon manager told Michelle that the fat surcharge pays for costly repairs of the chairs that keep breaking when big people sit on them. She says it cost more than $2,000 to fix. She told Michelle if she doesn't like it, then she can take her business elsewhere.

Who's right? You tell me.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REPORTER: More gun shots. More gun shots. We don't know if it's coming from inside the bus or out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: So, what is the number one most controversial story of the day? It's really about a madman -- a madman on a bus, armed to the teeth. He starts shooting and this is all caught on tape.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(GUNFIRE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ten-fifty, I've just been hit by the individual.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Can you believe this? That's a highway patrolman you are seeing there. He's going head-on with a teenager who's going the wrong way on a highway, at full speed. This is a remarkable story that we're going to bring you from Utah.

This is RICK'S LIST at full throttle, where you get more than boring talk and we don't tell you what to think. Your list, your national conversation -- we're going to be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Talk about controversy. Many of you are chiming in on the story we told you about with the lady at the nail salon. Let me just read you an example of some of the tweets that I've been getting just during this last commercial.

"If she doesn't break the chair, why should she have to pay for someone else's damages to it?"

A lot of those have been coming in. I'll be sharing 'em with you as well. That's from the people that are relevant to the stories that we tell.

We're back with our top controversial story tonight. What do you think this is? Well, it is indeed a horrible story.

This is a hostage drama that has developed in the Philippines. A gunman takes control of a busload of tourists. Police and authorities have no idea what they're going to do.

The hostage taker is a former police officer. He's got a machine gun. He was fired last year, just months from retirement, and he's still angry about it. He lost his pension. And now, he wants his job and his benefits back and he commandeers this bus.

SWAT teams surround the bus and then about 10 hours later -- hell, it's mayhem.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REPORTER: More gunshots. More gunshots. We don't know if it's coming from inside the bus or out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: This goes on for quite some time. They bust the windows down. They start shooting. They try and storm the bus. It goes on and on.

You see the firing. You hear the reporters crawling under the bus, many of 'em running for cover. When the shooting is finally over eight hostages and the gunman are dead -- all this in front of live television cameras.

Here's the next list we have for you now: the top five political stories of the day that you've been following and we follow for you.

Let's begin with number five: you scream, I scream, remember the Dean scream? Well, here's Howard Dean in a normal tone of voice speaking with Candy Crowley about ice cream.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CANDY CROWLEY, HOST, "STATE OF THE UNION": You're a doctor. You know good things to eat for you and bad things to eat for you. What is your worst habit?

HOWARD DEAN, FMR. DNC CHAIRMAN: My worst habit is ice cream pie. My daughter loves it. And every time -- her birthday is right around now, we make it every time and I have four slices instead of the one I should have.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Can you believe he actually said ice cream? The former DNC chair told the White House during that interview, by the way, that they need to pay more attention to the people who put them there, specifically, progressive voters.

Number four: Tonight, Republican Chuck Hagel -- Chuck Hagel has crossed party lines. He is getting into a crucial Senate race but he's not backing the Republican. That's right and it's different.

Tomorrow, the Vietnam vet will endorse a fellow military man, Retired Navy Admiral Joe Sestak. Sestak wants to be the next senator from Pennsylvania replacing Arlen Specter. It appears to be an important endorsement because Democrat Sestak is locked right now in a tight battle with Republican Pat Toomey.

Here now, number three: A shout-out for Elizabeth Warren. Will the Obama administration appoint the progressives' choice to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? These guys seem to hope so.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (rapping): Wall Street, you better watch out. Giddyap, giddyap, giddyap. Sheriff Warren's what we need-o. She's not about the money and the green-o. She's about working class families and bring them out of the crisis and tragedies. She wants to expose the banks, and all the greed, and get rid of unnecessary fees --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Not bad, huh? The video was posted by a consumer advocacy group that's called the Main Street Brigade.

Jessica Yellin joins me now live in Arizona where she's covering tomorrow's big primary there.

Jessica, why is -- why is Elizabeth Warren such a big deal to liberals?

JESSICA YELLIN, CNN NATIONAL POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Because she's the Harvard professor who came up with the idea for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. She has been aggressive about speaking out about what she calls -- so called "tricks and traps" that banks create and credit cards, mortgages, et cetera, to get consumers. And they think she'll be a fierce advocate for consumers against big banks.

The president has -- the power to pick her has not yet. A decision could come as soon as -- perhaps right after Labor Day. We'll see, Rick.

SANCHEZ: So, if the Democrats, specifically the White House, wants to gain back some of those disaffected progressives or liberals, however they want to call themselves, they choose Elizabeth Warren, they're back in the game?

YELLIN: No. If only it were that easy for them, right?

The point is, they've bungled this so far that progressives had to fight so hard to get Warren. They have launched petitions, online campaigns, organize -- I mean, you saw the rap. So, they feel that it will be a little bit too little too late, but it will be something, an olive branch, and they're looking for that now.

SANCHEZ: Thanks, Jess. I'm going to be talking to you in just a little bit about something else.

Here now, number two on our political list: There's no place like Florida. No race like Florida.

Have you seen what's going on down there? Self-funded candidates are all the rage. Rick Scott, health care mogul, spent $50 million. Scott's own money to win the Republican nomination for governor. My interview with him about a fraud charge against his company is still going viral.

Then, on the Democratic side, there's Jeff Greene. He's running for the U.S. Senate with $15 million of his own money. The beef on him is how he made his money during the subprime meltdown and photos that he's taken with Mike Tyson and Lindsay Lohan, both led early and now they both trail. The primary is tomorrow.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

J.D. HAYWORTH (R), ARIZONA SENATE CANDIDATE: You only become the LION of the Senate by LYING to your constituents in Arizona.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: What is the number one story on our political list on this day? Have you heard the rest of what J.D. Hayworth says about John McCain? Some in Arizona are calling it a reaming. You will, too.

And guess who's making the people's list tonight? Sarah Palin's worst nightmare makes it official. I'm going to tell you what he wants to be called for real lists and more lists of stories you need to it know about, minus the bloviating.

I'll be right back. Stay with us. This is your national conversation.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: I just gave you five or four I should say of the biggest political stories of the day. So, now five. This is number one.

The number one political story on our list: J.D. Hayworth is apparently not afraid to say what he thinks. Is it too much or is it just right? Here it is for you.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HAYWORTH: Twice denied the presidency. Mr. McCain believes that his place in history is to now become the lion of the Senate. Well, you only become the LION of the Senate by LYING to your constituents in Arizona. He will rush back to D.C. and lurch so far to the left to win the acceptance of the elites in Washington, D.C., that if he's granted a last term in office, not only will we be treated to the unfortunate denigration of Mr. McCain from a senior statesman to a political shake shifter, we will have them there as a shameless panderer to the left.

(END VIDEO CLIP) SANCHEZ: A liar and a shameless panderer -- nasty race. Wow. What did John McCain do to prompt something like that?

Jessica Yellin has been talking to J.D. Hayworth. She joins me once again.

What's going on here? Why the hate?

YELLIN: Well, it's been a very -- there was a time when it was a close primary. And John McCain looks like he might actually lose, so it got quite bitter. At one point, he spent about $20 million, Rick, John McCain has, in the primary, which is a record here in Arizona. J.D. Hayworth obviously felt -- he's felt frustrated by the onslaught of attacks ads, et cetera. McCain, at one point, called Hayworth a huckster. Hayworth has called McCain a shape shifter.

Even in that interview I did with Hayworth, he said of John McCain, "I believe only one perfect being walked the earth."

So, it's very bitter at this point, Rick.

SANCHEZ: Yes.

YELLIN: I'll tell you, the McCain campaign did respond to this comment by J.D. Hayworth to us and told us, quote, "Congressman Hayworth is going to lose this race. It's just sad that he's going down with such little dignity." You can see how personal it is.

SANCHEZ: No, it is personal. And when you start going on national television and calling a man a liar like that, it certainly gets very serious. But, you know, what's interesting about this race -- hasn't McCain come from way -- I remember when you and I were having conversations about J.D. Hayworth doing very well. The polls now show McCain is doing well.

How did he turn this around?

YELLIN: Well, one is the money I told you about that he just spent so much on advertising. Some of it attack ads and some of it also -- some of it, I mean, attack ads characterizing Hayworth as somebody who's not electable. And then also, John McCain moved to the right.

And, as you know, immigration was a big thing here. And he really did embrace the tough on illegals, build the fence position. And that's what the electorate in the primaries seemed to want, and it's worked for him in the polls.

SANCHEZ: Especially in Arizona. Thanks so much, Jess. I'll be looking forward to your reports from Arizona tomorrow during the primary and we'll also be covering Florida in a very big way.

So, who is making the list of our top five people in the news?

Tiger Woods is making news once again and it's not what he wants. But it's what she wants. But it's what she wants. What are the details of his divorce? Yes, tonight, it's official, folks.

But as we go to break, I got to ask you if you have any vices? It's OK. Listen, we all got vices. I got vices.

Now, did you know -- did you know that some of your vices can actually be good for you? Here we go.

According to "Health Magazine," a girl's night out is not only good for you it can lead to a longer life.

Here's number four: Chocolate. Studies have shown that antioxidants in dark chocolate and coco can actually bring down blood pressure and cut your chances for a stroke. But you probably already knew that, right? You've read that in all those magazines.

Here's number three: sexual healing. Sex is the most pleasurable form of exercise. Did you know that? And if do you it more than once a week, you'll be better off. Whoo-hoo!

What's better than that? What's number two? What's number one? That's next on RICK'S LIST.

I can't believe I just read that. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Welcome back. I'm Rick Sanchez. This is a new and improved version of RICK'S LIST.

So, what are top two vices that are actually good for you? You know we like doing lists. We love this list.

These are vices that you don't have to even feel bad about. Are you ready?

Number two: Playing hooky. Studies now reveal that a little time off can relieve a whole lot of stress, especially for Americans, that compared to the rest of the world, especially Europe, put in a lot more hours.

And, finally, what is the number one -- what is the number one vice that you shouldn't have to feel guilty about? Sleep. You may feel bad for oversleeping once in a while. But experts are now saying it is virtually zero -- zero health drawbacks. So, it's one treatment you probably don't want to skimp on.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One more time. Trotting out toward Larry Barnett.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I think Lou just found out that he's been ejected from the game.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: There he goes, ejected once again. He throws his hat. He steps on his hat. He throws the bases.

He screams at umpires. He kicks the dirt. He kicks his hat. He gets in their faces.

He's a man's man and he's on the list of people making huge news today for something that is nothing like any of that.

But we begin with number five: a Utah highway patrolman is forced to tackle a serious head-on. His name is Cameron Carter and he's faced with an apparently drunk teenager going the wrong way on a major highway.

Let me show you some of this. This is Interstate 15 near Lehi, Utah. Carter makes a U-turn and speeds down the freeway to meet the driver and then this.

Go ahead, Cal. Let's take this sound straight up.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ten-fifty, I've just been hit by the individual. Ten-Fifty, blocking number one.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Can you believe that? The driver of that car was 19 years old. Her name was Haylee Arnell. And when police gave her a breathalyzer test, they found her to be very intoxicated, more than twice the legal limit. In fact, both Arnell and Carter walked out without serious injury and Carter is being hailed as a hero for putting himself in harm's way to help protect innocent traveler -- innocent travelers on the interstate. Look at that.

Now, here is number four. Sebastian Pinera, he is the president of Chile. He announces that 33 miners are alive after being buried for 17 days in a gold-and-copper mine. The country rejoices.

This is a really big deal. Have you been watching this?

All right. I want you to watch this now. This is taken by a miniature camera more than 2,000 feet underground. You see these miners are trapped in a tiny space.

Everyone thought they were dead but they're alive. They're alive. It's more than 90 degrees and they're shirtless. So, they're alive and they're being kept that way with tubes of gelatinous food and water, plus air.

But here's the bad news: Rescuers don't think they will get them out of there for at least another four months.

Here's my conversation with CNN correspondent Patricio Martinez who's right there on the scene.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SANCHEZ: I get chills thinking about what it would be like to be in a tiny little hole 2,000 feet below the ground where it's 97 degrees and you can't see anything. I mean, how long can a human being -- any human being -- stay in those conditions without either physically breaking down or mentally breaking down? Intiendes, no?

PATRICIO MARTINEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): Yes. Yes. Well, they had a leader. (INAUDIBLE) down there and that he's helping to keep the spirit. They had water in there and they have some oxygen and not very good conditions of oxygen. But, of course, these two elements were necessary to keep alive. Those they have but not too much. And so, they are very hungry right now. And that is why they are receiving food, some kind of saline solutions, (INAUDIBLE), and then they will have solid food.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Can you imagine?

Here now number three: Levi Johnston. It's official. He has filed to actually run for office, presumably to try to be the next mayor of Wasilla, Alaska. The same office Sarah Palin held before becoming governor of the state.

Earlier this month, a production company confirmed to CNN that they are shopping a reality series that's called "Loving Levi: The Road to the Mayor's Office." Looks like the wheels are officially in motion.

Let's go to the Twitter board. Here we go. What's America think?

Here's what you think. "This is funniest thing I've heard today -- wow -- Levi Johnston. It just gets better and better. Laugh out loud."

And then, finally, "Thank you, TMZ. Levi Johnston's official letter of intent. Show me the birth certificate." Huh! You got to love that.

OK. Here now the number two most important persons of the day in news. This is the fiery manager of the Chicago Cubs, Lee Piniella, perhaps best known for having a short temper. And there you again. Can we see this enough?

As a player, Piniella was an all-star and three-time World Series champion. He's managed five teams, including the Yankees, by the way. And with each team, he's been known for going a teeny bit crazy with umpires. He especially likes throwing dirt and dirtying their spikes and throwing whatever he can find into the outfield, including bases.

But finally, he will throw stuff no more. Why? He's calling it quits.

And now, I want you to watch what happens to "Despicable Me" Lou. That's a movie that's out. I saw it with my kids yesterday -- when he melts down at the thought of quitting baseball.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LOU PINIELLA, RETIRED CUBS MANAGER: I cried a little bit after the game. Emotional. I'm sorry. I'm not trying to be. This will be the last time I put on a uniform. It's been -- it's been very special.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: It's kind of like the first time you see your dad cry. What was it Tom Hanks said in "A League of Their Own"? There's no crying in baseball. Lou Piniella, he gets a pass.

By the way, there's a tweet on this I want to share with you. And here we go to the Twitter board. Let's turn things around. "Cubs.com -- respect for Piniella clear as Cubs bid farewell." That's from the Chicago Cubs. So, glad we got that tweet as we move on.

Is Lou Piniella number one on the "People" list? No. So then who is? Let's just say he is about to shell out maybe hundreds of millions of dollars to his ex-wife. What is going on in New York? Well, when both sides of the mosque debate go after each other.

We got this one for you. And as we go to break, look, I love sharing the process with you so I want to show you a clip now. This is from early this morning when we first started putting this newscast together. All right. This is about 11:00 in the morning. My staff records this. They call it the "Rick vid." Strange name, but here it is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: People on television, it's like a movie of the week, the situation that's going on in the Philippines. The problem is, you know, how do we set the hook well enough to make Americans, our viewers, care? Sometimes the best part of a good story is just letting the story be a good story and getting out of the way. And I --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Welcome back. This is RICK'S LIST. I'm Rick Sanchez. And man, we mean list. You're ready?

We're back now with the number one person making news on this day. The number one person. It's official. Tiger Woods. He's it.

And his wife, they're divorcing. His countless affairs and sex rehab visits have ended with a joint announcement today. Elin Nordegren moved out with their kids. It all began with an accident that left him looking dazed and left reporters with many still unanswered questions. Here now, their joint statement today. "We are sad that our marriage is over and we wish each other the very best for the future. While we are no longer married, we are the parents of two wonderful children. The primary focus of our amicable discussions has been to ensure their future well-being. The weeks and months ahead will not be easy for them which is why our privacy must be a principle concern."

Fellow athletes are all coming out in support of Tiger today. Like Jared Dudley of the Phoenix Suns. He's on our NBA list and he tweeted this. And we caught it for you. "Give Tiger three or four months getting used to single life and getting into a routine where, you know, when he can see his kids. He will be back."

Popular comedy blog, Funny or Die, is on our laugh list tonight. They're tweeting about this, as many Americans. "Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren's divorce is final. Maybe now he can get back to doing what he loves. Playing 18 hoes." Wow.

Now for the follow-up list. Stories we told you about that have changed. Number three, remember Pastor Terry Jones? He landed on our "List U Don't Want 2 Be On" earlier this month for planning to burn Korans on the anniversary of 9/11.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PASTOR TERRY JONES, DOVE WORLD OUTREACH CENTER: It is time to stand up and speak out on what we believe in.

SANCHEZ: But --

JONES: We believe that Islam is of the devil. It is causing billions of people to go to hell.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Well, now, a group of religious leaders is planning an interfaith counter protest. That's right. They are protesting his protest. They hope to draw 50 times as many people the night before.

Just last week, the Gainesville, Florida, fire chief denied Jones a permit for the book burning event not because they're Korans but because of fire safety rules. Isn't that interesting? The fire chief said no way, can't do it. But Pastor Jones' church sent an e-mail newsletter saying we will still burn Korans any way.

Meanwhile, the "Wall Street Journal" today is reporting one jihadist Web site is vowing to conduct suicide bombings in Florida to avenge their Koran burning. Here's number two on our follow-up list.

A very different type of 9/11 memorial. And I want you to take a look at this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE, BREMERTON, WASH, FIRE DEPT.: Even though that happened back in 2001, it's still very deep in my heart and I'm sure it's deep in a lot of peoples' hearts around here today. So, I think it's a great thing that we could bring this over here from New York and to remind people of what happened and that we'll never forget it ever.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: This is an emotional cross-country journey. It came to an end yesterday. Two steel beams from the World Trade Center made the long trip from New York to Washington State. The giant pieces of twisted metal traveled nearly two weeks on a flat bed truck. The beams will be used as a memorial to 9/11 heroes in Kitsap County, Washington, set to be completed by September 11th next year.

Here now number one. It brings us back to the Islamic community center and mosque that's planned for Ground Zero. Have you been keeping up with this?

Over the weekend it got kind of ugly. Hundreds of opponents and supporters of the project faced off yesterday in New York. There were plenty of strong words.

Also, this weekend, the wife of the imam leading the project said that her group might consider moving the project to a different site but there are no plans yet. Meanwhile, the imam himself who has been pretty quiet when it comes to talking to the press lately is going on the record praising the freedoms that Muslims enjoy under the U.S. Constitution like freedom of religion, which has been put to the test in this whole controversy.

Imam Feisal Abdul-Rauf, while on a State Department sponsored trip to the Middle East did an interview published today with a newspaper in Bahrain where he said, quote, "The U.S. Constitution protects our rights and what exists in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution is much better than what is found in many Islamic countries."

Now that we know those miners in Chile are Ok, I want to know what on earth will it be like for them if they can't get out for months and months? I mean, what's it going to be like for them down there?

In our trending list tonight, I pose that question to a man who survived another extreme situation. Do you remember the movie "Alive," the 1972 plane crash in the Andes where he ended up having to -- well, they ended up having to eat some of the dead to survive. What was that like?

Also, trending, Tropical Storm Danielle is now a hurricane. Chad Myers is going to tell us all about this. Stay with us.

And as I go to break, I want to bring you up to date now on what else is going on with our list. We'll bring those to you in just a little bit. Stay with us. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) SANCHEZ: Welcome back. I'm Rick Sanchez. Just talked to Brooke Baldwin. She promises that she's going to be coming back very soon, but she's not here today. And I still have our pulse on what is trending as she follows for us. And here's what you're talking about on social media tonight. We keep tabs for you.

Number three, whether a man in Saudi Arabia accused of paralyzing another man by stabbing him in the back have been sentenced to actually be paralyzed himself? Is it possible? Well, a high ranking Saudi government official now tells CNN no. That the judge in the case has never considered such a punishment.

As for earlier reports that the judge had asked several hospitals if they can carry out such a punishment, a Saudi official tells a local newspaper that was just to convince the paralyzed man who had asked for the punishment that it was impossible. In Saudi Arabia, corporal punishment is offered by judges regularly though. But Amnesty International raised specific concerns about this case not only saying it amounts to nothing less than torture but also that they had information this man was convicted and sentenced following a trial where he was said to have no legal assistance. This man is already been sentenced to seven months in prison.

Here's number two. You think you had a bad commute today? I want to you check this out. Ready?

It's at traffic jam just outside of Beijing, China. And it's more than 62 miles. Yes, 62 miles long. Started nine days ago. State run media reports that it's the result of a construction in the area, but some fender-benders are now adding to the mess. Some drivers are apparently passing the time by playing cards, and there are now reports that nearby food vendors are taking advantage of the situation and jacking up their prices right there on the roadway.

Here is number one. I told you earlier the good and the bad news about those miners that were trapped in Chile. The good news, they've made contact with rescuers. They are alive. The bad news? It could be four months before they're actually pulled out of there.

And it made me think about what it would actually be like to be in a situation like that. So I asked somebody who knows a thing or two about surviving in such extreme situations.

Roberto Canessa made it out alive after a 1972 plane crash in the Andes. Remember that, right? It was called "Alive. It was a movie. Chad, you saw that movie, right?

CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: I read the book.

SANCHEZ: Unbelievable. I want to know from him even if you can handle it physically, how do you survive something like this? I mean, how do you survive something like this mentally?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTO CANESSA, SURVIVED 1972 ANDES CASH: There are kind of rules that your mind establishes in those circumstances. You change abruptly the way you behave.

SANCHEZ: How so?

CANESSA: In the sense that our main thoughts were perhaps tomorrow, one step at a time. And why there's life, there's hope.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Where there's life, there's hope. And he did confirm to me, in fact, that some of them did have to it eat some of the survivors just so they could survive themselves otherwise they would have perished.

One more thing starting to trend. You know that hurricane in the Atlantic that's getting stronger and the National Hurricane Center says Danielle could reach Category 3 by Wednesday. Chad Myers standing by now. He's come back to pay a visit to let us know what's going on.

You know, any time you find out that something -- being from Florida --

MYERS: Yes.

SANCHEZ: -- any time you find out that something has turned into a hurricane in the Atlantic you start to worry and you want to know, OK, where are the models taken this thing? Is it going for Florida? Is it going to the gulf? And you say what?

MYERS: It is not going to Florida.

SANCHEZ: Good.

MYERS: It is not going in the Gulf of Mexico. But it could approach Newfoundland -- Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, as it makes a big hard right turn, missed Bermuda Triangle.

SANCHEZ: That's a big hard right turn because you're not --

MYERS: Oh, sure.

SANCHEZ: -- because you're not talking about the outer banks of North and South Carolina.

MYERS: No. No.

SANCHEZ: You're not talking about the coast of Georgia.

MYERS: No.

SANCHEZ: You're talking way up there.

MYERS: High pressure here where it is now. That's going to slide it this way. High pressure here that's going to stop it from going any farther. There's low in between. That's going to be its buffer. It's going to turn right and it could go up. The problem is there's another one right behind it.

SANCHEZ: Really.

MYERS: Not yet a hurricane.

SANCHEZ: Show me, Chad. Show me.

MYERS: Not yet, sir, a hurricane but something to be concerned about with now a high pressure system here --

SANCHEZ: All right.

MYERS: -- that is moving this wind this way for now for the next couple of days. As the high moves farther to the east, that arrow will change to be this direction and that will take the storm on up. That's storm number one.

Storm number two doesn't even exist. But this is Danielle, Category 3 hurricane out here in the Atlantic. Far, thousand miles from the coast of America. We're not going to have to worry about it, but there could be some erosion from the waves that this generates. There also probably, Rick, will be some, of course, some surfing and so we'll have to watch that again, of course.

But now here's Danielle. Here's the coast of the U.S. right here. Here's Cuba. There is another system behind it farther to the south. So if this one does this and this one stays farther to the south and goes something like this --

SANCHEZ: Ah, oh.

MYERS: -- it gets closer and the closer it gets to the outer banks you've got right there, and this is a whole now -- September 10th, the peak of hurricane season. We're getting there.

SANCHEZ: You know what we ought to do, Chad, this year, if you and I are sent out -- you know how you and I always get sent out to cover hurricanes. Come back here.

MYERS: OK.

SANCHEZ: Come back here. I got to tell you something.

If you and I are sent down there to cover hurricanes where we do 98 live shots in one hour, you know, for just about everything that CNN owns, we have to take Larry King with us this year.

MYERS: Yes.

SANCHEZ: We're going to prop him up. We're going to prop him up. We're going to tie him to a tree or something like that. And we're going to get him to file live reports.

MYERS: It will be a weekend with Larry instead of "Weekend with Bernie."

SANCHEZ: He loves this stuff, I'm telling you. Larry King joins us now live. What's going on?

(LAUGHTER)

What's up? What's up, babe?

LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": Rick, once at the radio station, we had a hurricane. Do you remember the hurricane that did a u-turn and went back?

SANCHEZ: Yes.

KING: It passed us and then made a u-turn and came back. Everybody left the station. I was in the middle of the 79 (INAUDIBLE). But you work at seven, right?

SANCHEZ: Right. Right there, the wonderful isle of dreams.

KING: Yes. I worked (INAUDIBLE). I was the only one in the station, me and the engineer. And we were the only radio station in town with a generator. I was the only one on the air for 14 hours. I ran out of cigarettes. I had to break the cigarette machine. I had no money. I would stick the microphone out the window so they can hear what it sounded like.

MYERS: I want to party with you, "batman."

KING: Oh, boy.

SANCHEZ: Mr. Larry King lives (ph) forever.

KING: I'll go with you.

SANCHEZ: All right.

KING: I'll go with you. Let's go together.

SANCHEZ: We will do it. We'll do it.

Hey, what do you got coming up tonight? I can't wait. Whatever it is, it's going to be great.

KING: Oh, stay in the water.

SANCHEZ: Yes.

KING: The death of that SeaWorld trainer by a killer whale is back in the news, Rick. We're going to talk to a former park employee, going to make some shocking allegations on the day that OSHA has fined SeaWorld for serious safety violations.

SANCHEZ: Wow.

KING: It's a prime time exclusive. And more on that egg scare. Could half a billion eggs be tainted with salmonella?

SANCHEZ: Yes. KING: It's a question you'll have asked. You know that Americans consume -- every American consumes over 200 eggs a year.

SANCHEZ: Really? I didn't know that.

KING: Yes.

SANCHEZ: Did you know that, Chad?

MYERS: I'm one for two maybe.

(LAUGHTER)

So somebody else is eating 400. I'm not doing nearly that many.

KING: I'm not eating them either.

SANCHEZ: Larry King, ladies and gentlemen. That's bound to be good. All right.

By the way, after facing corruption charges, a jury has found him guilty and now he's got jokes. Are you kidding? Find out what is so funny when we reveal "The List That U Don't Want 2 Be On" tonight. Stay right there.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Welcome back. I got to tell you about this guy. There's a guy who always seems to be a front runner for "The List That U Don't Want 2 Be On." But now, this former governor of Illinois is officially turning himself into a -- can we say cartoon character? Let's roll it.

On Tuesday morning of last week, Rod Blagojevich faced 24 corruption charges. On Tuesday night, a grand jury found him guilty of just one of those counts. Deadlocked. A single juror reportedly decided there wasn't enough evidence to convict him on most of the serious charges. So the judge declared a mistrial. And now, prosecutors are planning a potential retrial.

So facing round two, what does Blago do? Does he go quietly into the night? Does he keep his mouth shut?

No, he sets up his very own booth at Comic Con in Chicago. You know, where "Batman" and "Superman" take a break from fighting injustice to mingle with fans. And since Blago apparently sees himself as a superhero, he charges people $50 for autographs. $80 for a picture with him. Yes, the latest example of how he's making money off his troubles with the law. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE, DRESSED AS "SUPERMAN": We're just here to say hi and give him our support.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE, DRESSED AS "BATMAN": All I can say is uphold the law.

ROB BLAGOJEVICH, FORMER ILLINOIS GOVERNOR: I met "Batman." I met "Shaft." And, you know, I know something about getting the shaft.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: This guy is incredible. As Blagojevich hangs out with "Batman," investigators have already spent six years and millions of dollars looking into his affairs. Taxpayers may again be on the hook for a sequel to this circus and it's all because he's accused of taking corrupt politics to a whole new level, according to Chicagoans, and for some reason he's still making a joke out of it.

It's been a long time coming. But today, Rod Blagojevich earns top honors on "The List That U Don't Want 2 Be On."

Most guys would just buy a girl flowers, but this Oakland A's ball boy had a more creative way of asking a girl out. Did she say yes? You're going to find out in our favorite segment. You know, the one with the good music. "Fotos," that's next.

And as I go to break, I want to tell you now what I've learned from you. You say that your money is being wasted. You tell me that politicians of all stripes could give a crap about you. And you say that too often the media just puts you in a spin cycle hoping to keep you there long enough to collect. And what do you get? You get what you're supposed to accept as conventional wisdom.

What is conventional wisdom? If what we're told is generally believed by the experts, those experts are too often just plain wrong. Conventional wisdom more often than not it's really like "conventional Idiocy."

And that's the name of my book. It's as bold as you are. In fact, it's from you. It's dedicated to you. Because if we connect, you and me, we can change things. Available in bookstores in two weeks.

I'm excited about this. I hope you are too. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Hey, welcome back. Guess who's coming to TBS in November? Conan O'Brien. This is RICK'S LIST, and we keep lists of a lot of people so o might as well. Heck, he's going to be in the family. Let's throw him into the mix, right?

We saw this tweet from Conan O'Brien. It's on this massive egg recall. He can't help his funniness. He has to do it even when she doesn't have a show on the air.

Here we go. "The FDA egg recall has hit a total of 380 million eggs," tweets Conan O'Brien. "I can't wait until they find the tired, evil hen that did this."

Reading a tweet with him and a monkey on his back, yes, yes, it's funny.

All right, let's do this. It's hard enough for a young man to approach a pretty girl who catches his fancy. So this next guy, he had to do it in front of thousands of screaming fans. You know what it's time for. It's time for "Fotos."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ah, dios mio.

SANCHEZ: Watch this. An Oakland A's ball boy didn't need a fancy pickup line to start with the flirtation. A woman in the stands and just a few foul balls. He gave the same woman four -- no five foul balls over a course of last night's game. Just kept going back and back.

Good news, persistence pays off, boys. After the game, the two reportedly finally set up a date. Yes, she gave him her telephone number. Way to go, young man.

Queens, New York, looked more like Venice, Italy, this weekend after heavy rains flooded streets all over the borough. Check out this bus driver who got stranded in the water and escaped to the roof. He climbed up there to wait for help after calling for a tow.

And now, watch as these two smoke stacks -- this is at Cape Canaveral, by the way. They send their plumes of smoke into the sky, but the towers were brought down using explosives to make way for a new billion dollar power plant. Environmentalists are excited. The new plant is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 percent.

That, my friends, is "Fotos." And you could see them for yourself whenever you want by just going to my blog and seeing the rest of really groovy stuff we have on there for you at CNN.com/RickSanchez.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ah, dios mio.

SANCHEZ: Did I just say groovy? My kids are going kill me. By the way, someone just tweeted, "Hey, Rick, make a list for Larry. It would be a nice tribute."

You know what? She's right.

That's our show for tonight. I'm Rick Sanchez.

"LARRY KING LIVE" starts right now.