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CNN Saturday Morning News
Gadhafi Warns of Escalated Violence Against Protestors; U.N. Security Council Deciding on Sanctions Against Libya; Wisconsin Pressure Cooker: Clock Ticking as Budget Deadlines Loom; Health Tracker: Football and Head Injuries; Academy Awards Predictions: Who's Going Home With Oscar?
Aired February 26, 2011 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
A crisis in Libya intensifies with reports of armed men killing protesters and towns near Tripoli under siege. But to leader Moammar Gadhafi is the day for Libyans to dance and celebrate apparently. The disconnect is frightening and has the United States and the United Nations on guard this morning.
Then there's that battle between labor and lawmakers in Wisconsin. The governor's not budging. In fact, he's promising sweeping teacher layoffs perhaps as early as Monday. We're tracking developments as the clock ticks down.
Need help with your Oscar office pool? Well, if you can't tell the "Social Network" from "Toy Story 3" and you still haven't picked your favorite actor or actress, we have you covered. It's early and we're on it.
From CNN Center, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It's February 26th, I'm Randi Kaye, so glad you're with us.
In just around two hours, the United Nations Security Council is expected to meet to discuss harsh new sanctions against Libya. President Obama already slapped new sanctions on the Gadhafi regime last night trying to immediately stop the flow to and from any Libyan interests here in the U.S.. This all comes as violence escalates on the streets.
Inside Libya, protesters continue to take to the streets. Clashes with pro-government forces are contending in and around the capital, Tripoli. But much of the rest of the country is relatively quiet now. Leader Moammar Gadhafi made another appearance on state TV warning protesters that he may escalate the violence against them.
Here's how one protester described the situation in the capital city.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTOR: I start hearing people shouting. I joined them, and we went maybe for 100 to 150 meters. And then the security came back and started to - to fire tear gas and live ammunition. And then I just decided to go home and wait what's going to happen.
Later we heard that people were coming from the east with a huge crowd. But then I think there were snipers on top of buildings, and they started shooting people, at least three people killed, seven were arrested. Well, we already scared, you know. It's scary stuff.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon estimates at least 1,000 people have been killed during the protests across Libya. The U.S. initially held off on increased sanctions against Libya fearing possible retribution against U.S. citizens. They wanted to make sure that everybody was safe. But now the State Department believes most Americans that wanted out are out. That includes nearly 200 aboard a ferry that finally made it to Malta last night.
Earlier I talked to one American teacher who was among those evacuees and asked about her escape and what comes next.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JUDITH DROTAR, EVACUATED FROM LIBYA (via telephone): Good morning.
Yes, absolutely. I slept better and longer, which was the optimum word. I'm feeling very refreshed this morning.
KAYE: Were you at all concerned that you weren't going to be able to get out? I know this ferry was delayed, of course, due to weather.
But what was that feeling like, that anticipating as you waited to leave Libya?
DROTAR: Well, you know, things deteriorated really quickly. I met with the board on Sunday afternoon, and we opted to continue running the American School because we didn't feel like there was imminent threat. Most - everything that was going on was going on in Benghazi. And, you know, there were a lot of pro-government demonstrations going on in Tripoli. So we opted to keep the school open.
But probably about two hours after that, the phones went down. And when I got home, I could hear protests in our suburb. And I have, you know, 24 teachers spread out over maybe a seven-mile radius, like in different villas. And the thought of not being able to get to them was really horrific for me.
So when the phones went back on early in the morning, we I - I notified them and we all moved to the school as a safe haven.
KAYE: Your - your daughter
DROTAR: So KAYE: Your daughter had actually been on speaking with CNN. She was very concerned about you in - in recent days.
DROTAR: I know.
KAYE: Did you have a conversation with her?
(CROSSTALK)
KAYE: What was that first phone call like for the two of you, once you got to Malta, if you've had that phone call?
DROTAR: Oh, she was ecstatic, and she had a group of friends there, and they were all going hooray, hooray.
And of course, I don't feel - I've never felt, you know, totally threatened. It's just that I - I - I didn't know what was going to happen - none of us did - because, as I told you, things deteriorated so rapidly that we didn't know what to expect.
So the uncertainty was just horrific. And --
KAYE: And how long do you plan to stay in Malta? I mean, are you making some plans to try and get out?
DROTAR: We're going to be here a couple of days. Yes, we're going to be here for a couple of days to rest and - and get our flights sorted out.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: The State Department says while they've suspended operations at the embassy in Libya, they will keep their evacuation task force up and running just in case there are any Americans left in Libya who do want to leave. But again, they don't think that there are many big pockets of Americans that are looking to get out.
Meanwhile, back here at home, that budget stalemate in Wisconsin not letting up. Republican Governor Scott Walker's budget repair bill removes most collective bargaining rights for teachers and public workers.
Live now to our Ted Rowlands in the capital city, Madison.
Good morning, Ted. We heard reports that the government hopes to talk with some of the 14 democratic senators who fled the state in order to prevent a vote on this plan.
Do you know if that conversation has happened yet?
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: No, we don't, Randi. And at this point the 14 are still in Illinois and the governor is still standing on his stance that he's not going to budge on the collective bargaining. Clearly though, the clock is ticking here and this game of chicken is getting a little bit more intense. And that next week, earlier next week, it's Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, at some point they're not going to be able to restructure some bond debt. So you're talking about some significant taxpayer money down the toilet if they don't come up with something.
So they - the pressure is definitely building, but at this point, the governor says he is not going to budge and he wants those 14 senators back to Wisconsin to in his words do their job.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. SCOTT WALKER (R), WISCONSIN: Overwhelmingly, people across the state no matter what their opinion, for, against, or somewhere in between on the budget repair bill, I think overwhelmingly the sentiment out there is the place you have that debate is right here in the capital. So again, I'm calling on, I'm asking, I'm pleading with people all across the state to call their state senators and ask them to come back to the capitol and vote on this bill.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROWLANDS: And yesterday, Randi, the governor went around to all of the districts of the senators and tried to apply pressure by appealing to their constituents trying to get them to pressure them back. But at this point the senators say no way, we're not coming back until there's some movement on this collective bargaining.
KAYE: All right. Ted Rowlands for us this morning in Madison, Wisconsin. Thank you, Ted.
And an out of this world job tops our look at other stories in our "Weekend Wheel." The shuttle "Discovery" docks at the International Space Station later today. This morning, the crew is checking the shuttle's protective thermo tile. This is the last mission "Discovery" will fly. It will become the first shuttle to be retired and will get turned into a museum exhibit.
If you traveled through Denver International Airport this week on Tuesday or you know anyone who did, well, take note because the State Department of Public Health says people in concourse "C" may have been exposed to the measles.
A passenger with the highly contagious virus was there for several hours it turns out that night. Health officials say anyone who was there should keep an eye out for some symptoms - high fever, hacking cough, or red watery eyes would be a clue. And keep an eye out for those at least through March 12th.
In suburban Atlanta, a 14-month-old girl is safe and sound this morning after being rescued from a bank vault last night. The toddler wandered into the time-locked chamber. She's the daughter, it turns out, of a bank employee. But when authorities discovered that there was limited air inside this vault, they quickly called a lock smith turned safe cracker.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) RON SNIVELY, HELPED RESCUE TODDLER: She was crying before I got to her. She was scared because of the drilling noise and all that. But once I heard her crying, I knew everything was OK. Just a matter of time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: It took three hours to get the little girl out, but word this morning is she's OK and mom is fine too.
A couple of original Tuskegee airmen are participating in a black history event in Rockford, Illinois, this weekend. These World War II veterans were the nation's first African-American military pilots. The event organizer says that he hopes it will educate the younger generation about their sacrifices.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
L.C. WILSON, EVENT COORDINATOR: I would hope that they would see that African-Americans took a real big part in World War II. Something that a lot of young people do not know much about.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: The all black unit sent 350 pilots to fight overseas during World War II.
And this next story you don't want to miss. A couple finds a way to survive five days trapped in a snow bank with only water and their faith to keep them going. We're back with their story right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Listen to this story. Could you live for five days in your car with nothing but water? Well, a Washington couple both reportedly diabetic did exactly that before their rescue last night from a snow bank. They said that they stayed in their jeep to keep warm, periodically running that engine to warm up the car until it ran out of gas.
Reynolds, isn't that an incredible story?
REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Five days.
KAYE: Five days. With nothing but water.
WOLF: My goodness, could you do that?
KAYE: I don't think so. First of all, I don't carry enough snacks, I don't carry enough water with me. But I think it's a real sign of this is a couple how strong their relationship must be.
WOLF: Absolutely.
KAYE: Five days trapped in a car. I don't know. WOLF: I couldn't live with five hours with my kids in a minivan. My gosh, that's with food too. Scary times.
Thankfully though in parts of the Pacific northwest, it's getting better. The mountains though a different story in parts of California. Let's go right to that. We're going to show you plain as day some of the heaviest snow. Come on, computer - there we go. Heavy snowfall, very easy to see. You see scattered showers in places like Los Angeles and San Diego, but you're also seeing some white pop up on radar.
KAYE: Let me help you out there.
WOLF: Radar.
KAYE: Radar.
WOLF: I'm still thinking about kids in the minivan. Huh, my gosh. Yes, on radar, we're seeing some of that pile up. You know, in terms of the snowfall, it's really going to get, I guess, more intense later on this afternoon, into the evening hours too.
And it's not just going to be in parts of California, but also in the Wasatch range, the Central Rockies, one to two feet, other places two to three feet, and coupled with that especially on parts of i-15, you're going to have some wind gusts topping 40 to 50 miles an hour. So it's going to be a tough driving up there. There's no question about it. But it does seem like this is the winter that will never end.
Meanwhile, we're catching a little bit of a break across parts of the nation's midsection. Not a whole lot of activity there. High pressure's building in, but cool air is going to be filtering in from the U.S.-Canadian border clearly down towards parts of the south. And with that, you're going to be feeling especially in place like Kansas City, 39 degrees, the expected high, 67 in Memphis, 69 degrees in Atlanta today with a mix of sunshine clouds.
New York and Boston, temperatures into the 40s, and thankfully in most (INAUDIBLE), Boston cool, with a high of 35. The wind that was so strong yesterday, some wind gusts topping 55 miles per hour, that did cause some damage especially in parts of Pennsylvania. That will weaken today and to wrap things up, 13 in Minneapolis, 52 in Denver, 38 in Seattle, and 77 in El Paso. There's a quick snapshot of your forecast. More coming up, but Randi, for now, let's send it back to you.
KAYE: Well, I want to keep you here, Reynolds. Because I know that you're a big "Star Wars" fan, right?
WOLF: Oh, yes.
KAYE: Yes. Well, this I think falls into the men will be boys category. This guy in Winterport, Maine, Chris Beckwith is one of the most popular kids in the neighborhood even though he's 40 years old. Well, that's because of his spectacular, and when we say spectacular, we really mean it.
His "Star Wars" collection is something. It includes a custom- made light saber and some of the rarest "Star Wars" figures ever made. His wife, yes, he's married. He does not live with his parents.
WOLF: Yes.
KAYE: She says that she fully supports his obsession but drew the line at costumes at their wedding. Reynolds, hello, what do you think?
WOLF: I think - that's Wookie for that's a little bit weird. Just a little bit strange. You got to draw the line somewhere. Weddings - I have to take her side on that one.
KAYE: Yes, costumes at the wedding. I think that was the right call.
WOLF: Even Chewbacca would agree.
KAYE: There you go. He's actually my favorite. So, I'm all for Chewbacca.
WOLF: There you go.
KAYE: All right. Reynolds, we'll check in with you again in a little bit.
On a tougher note here, all this week we've been following the news about concussions and football players. And a former NFL star's tragic tale is what we're looking at right now. Did he take his own life to help other players? His former coach Mike Ditka speaks out, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Welcome back, it's 20 minutes past the hour.
In today's "Health Tracker," we're looking at football and head injuries. An incident earlier this month has sparked new conversations about the safety of the game and the danger of concussions.
Just over a week ago, 50-year-old former Chicago Bears and New York Giants player Dave Duerson committed suicide by shooting himself in the chest. You may be wondering why in the chest because his last wish was actually to have scientists examine his brain to see if repeated hits to the head had a visible effect. His death shocked his family and former teammates.
Mike Ditka was Duerson's coach with the Bears. He's also known as one of the NFL's all-time tough guys. Here's what he had to say about the game and concussions.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) MIKE DITKA, PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME: Football's a violent game. People hit hard. You put a helmet on somebody and the helmet becomes a security blanket. People have no fear of striking with their head or striking in the head because the helmet provides protection for them. But when you also collide helmet to helmet, a lot of things can happen to the head and the brain.
And basically that's what's happened. You know, you can't just let leg hit on a football because it is a physical sport. But what the league has done now on concussions. They've done a good job because they're holding a guy out who has a concussion for at least one week. He has to be passed by an outside doctor, not a team doctor. If he's passed, then he can play the following week. So they're doing the right thing. Can they stop it? I doubt it because football is football.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Be sure to tune into CNN this afternoon for much more on concussions and football. CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta hosts "Head Games." That's today at 2:30 p.m. Eastern time. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Tomorrow is officially the biggest day in Hollywood. Ten films up for best picture, best actor, actresses, and they're brimming with the finest talents in town. But who will take home the statuette? Here to give us his predictions is Tom O'Neil.
Tom, good morning.
TOM O'NEIL, GOLDDERBY.COM: Good morning, Randi.
KAYE: As creator of goldderby.com, a web site devoted to predicting the top showbiz awards. I want to ask you first about best picture. The last time we talked I think you were predicting "Social Network" and now have you changed your mind?
O'NEIL: Yes, this is the craziest Oscar season ever. Because never before have we seen a season where all of the early awards went to one picture and then there was a sudden change and all of a sudden another picture took over. But all the critics like "Social Network" and the minute we got into these guild awards and Oscar voters are in those guilds, it all switched to "The King's Speech" this year. That's fascinating.
KAYE: So that's your pick now?
O'NEIL: Yes, it looks as if we're going to see a "King's Speech" coronation. The question is how extensive will it's rule be. It'll certainly win best picture and best actor and best screen play. The question is, will it win director in some of these crafts categories like art direction and costumes, as well?
KAYE: So you do think that Collin Firth for "The King's Speech" will take home best actor?
O'NEIL: Yes, he cannot possibly lose, Randi. He's got the Oscar trifecta. Think about this, he portrays a real life person. He plays a real life person with a handicap. And he lost last year, so he's got an Oscar IOU.
KAYE: He sure does. Wouldn't it be really cool, though, if James Franco won best actor for "127 Hours" since he's actually co- hosting this year. That would be kind of cool, right? How would they handle that? But speaking of the co-host, how do you think he's going to do with Anne Hathaway?
O'NEIL: Well, I think this is the greatest choice for hosts in recent years because the mistake that the Oscars have been making lately is they've been bringing in these rent-a-clowns from New York, like John Stewart and Chris Rock and David Letterman. They all bombed. And while they're all great talents, they're not Oscar hosts. Come on, this is Hollywood's family reunion. Somebody should preside over it from the family. And while we normally get the senior statesmen like the Steve Martins and so forth, it's great that we have the young, hip, and sexy stars this year.
KAYE: Right.
What about best actress? Who is your pick there. I know that Annette Bening is getting a lot of talk from "Kids Are All Right." I actually saw that. I didn't see "Black Swan" but Natalie Portman is a front-runner, no doubt, right?
O'NEIL: Yes, Natalie Portman has won all the early awards and she has done the physical transformation. She actually learned to become a ballet dancer here. But watch out for Annette Bening. Because while normally the young lovely wins this award, voters have actually been treating this category like a beauty pageant in recent years. Annette Bening has a lot of things going for her. She plays gay. And you win an Oscar if you do that. Sean Penn and Tom Hanks won Oscars. But also, she's the ultimate Oscar insider because she's a member of the Academy's Board of Governors.
KAYE: She was really good in that movie. But what about best supporting actress? Who's your pick there?
O'NEIL: Well, this is where the upsets happen all the time. You know, if you look back - if you're doing your Oscar pool every year and you say I want to go out on a limb somewhere. This is where you want to go. Because just in the last 10 years, Juliette Binoche, Tilda Swinton, you know, Marsha Gay Harden pulled off upsets here. So this year everyone's saying Melissa Leo is going to win and she's the odds on favorite. You got to watch out for -
KAYE: From "The Fighter?"
O'NEIL: From "The Fighter." But you have to watch out for Halle Steinfeld from "True Grit." She's only 14 years old and Oscars love the kids especially the female and then you also have to watch out for Helena Bonham Carter because if there's this big "King's Speech" sweep, she goes along for the ride.
KAYE: All right. We leave it there. Tom O'Neil, it's great to see you, great predictions. We won't hold you to them though, just in case.
O'NEIL: OK. Thanks, Randi.
KAYE: And this reminder, tomorrow night "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" will be live at the Oscars starting at 7:00 Eastern. Join A.J. Hammer and Brooke Anderson for "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: ROAD TO GOLD." That is tomorrow right here on CNN.
We'll take a break here and we'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Teachers in the crosshairs, cities across the country are making educators a prime target in their budget battles. So why are teachers now fair game? We're set to examine the issues and the solutions.
A special edition of "YOUR BOTTOM LINE: EDUCATING AMERICA" starts right now.
