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CNN Saturday Morning News
Nevada Caucuses Happening Now; U.N. Security Council Meets on Syria; Ramping up Pressure on Iran; Unemployment Drops to 8.3 percent; Pay Taxes When You're Unemployed; Adding Up Super Bowl Ads; New Kennedy Assassination Audiotapes Released; Pet Obesity on the Rise; Biracial Embrace Stirs Controversy in South Africa; Security Council Debates Syria Motion
Aired February 04, 2012 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SUSAN HENDRICKS, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It is February 4th. It's great to see you. I'm Susan Hendricks.
Right now the U.N. Security Council is meeting about the deadly violence exploding in Syria. We'll bring you a live report.
Also chaos, confusion, and grief. Long lost JFK audio tapes allow us to hear events as they happened right after President Kennedy was shot. We will listen to some of those recordings.
And you'd better check your fridge. A massive hardboiled egg recall is under way in 34 states.
Today the Nevada caucuses, the first contest in the West began just about an hour ago. Voters are concerned about widespread foreclosures as you can imagine in Nevada, high unemployment rates. Mitt Romney is expected to sweep the Mormon vote.
Political editor Paul Steinhauser is at a caucus site in Las Vegas. Paul, what kind of activity are you seeing out there?
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN POLITICAL EDITOR: Yes good morning again, Susan. We're at Becker Middle School here in the northwest part of Las Vegas. And things are just getting under way here.
Just a couple of minutes ago, the volunteers who will working in the caucus site were briefed by state and local party officials. And in about an hour from now the real action will get going. The caucuses will open and people can speak for the candidates that they're supporting, and then there will be a vote. So that's the picture right here.
But what about the big picture? We've got 28 delegates at stake today here in Nevada. And it's proportional. So unlike Florida which was a winner-take-all state. It is proportional here. And it's only -- like Florida, though, it's only open to registered Republican.
We've got 125 caucus site across the States. I'm at one of them right here obviously in Las Vegas about 125 overall. And unlike Iowa, remember in Iowa all those caucuses started at the same time in the evening? Here is different. It varies by county. Here in Clarke County, which is the Las Vegas area, most of the caucuses are in the morning. Some are going to be in the afternoon elsewhere and there's actually one evening caucus as well. The first results we'll be getting probably about 8:00 Eastern, 5:00 local -- Susan.
HENDRICKS: Could there be any surprises here? We're seeing in all the polls that Mitt Romney is going to come out ahead but what about Ron Paul? Are we counting him out?
STEINHAUSER: You know, Ron Paul spent a lot of time here and there is a strong libertarian streak in the state. So yes he could do well.
You mentioned Mitt Romney, listen it's almost like home field advantage for him. You mentioned the -- the Mormon vote which is one out of four voters in the Republican side are Mormons. And he is a Mormon and he swept that vote four years ago.
Take a look at this. This is the most recent poll from the Las Vegas Review Journal. And there is Mitt Romney up top, 20 points ahead of Newt Gingrich. You can see Paul and Santorum further down.
Listen, Gingrich his organization, nothing at all like Romney's in the state, Romney has been here a lot. Gingrich is trying to play catch up. As for Paul and Santorum, Paul spent some time here, but they've both moved on. Paul today in Minnesota and Santorum in Colorado, those states voting on Tuesday.
Susan you can see behind me, more activity here, more volunteers getting ready. And guess what? There's also a rummage sale happening right outside the school. So you cannot only vote today in the caucus but check out the rummage sale -- Susan.
HENDRICKS: All right, I can't wait for that. As the day goes on, the activity will increase. Paul thanks so much.
And a program note. Join Fredricka Whitfield every Sunday afternoon at 4:00 Eastern for a special hour dedicated to the presidential contenders in the 2011 election.
And be sure to stay with us throughout the day for updates from Nevada where Paul is. And tonight our expanded coverage starts at 6:00 p.m. with a special edition of "The Situation Room". Then join the Best Political Team on TV: Wolf Blitzer, John King, Anderson Cooper for all the results.
Right now the U.N. Security Council is meeting about the deadly violence exploding in Syria. The details are horrific from what we've heard. Women and children involved as well. While that is happening a wave of protests are going on there.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(PROTESTS IN SYRIA)
(END VIDEO CLIP) HENDRICKS: In Syria, anti-government activists say the military is randomly bombing residential neighborhoods in Homs. Activists say as many as 260 people have been killed in one day. CNN has not independently confirmed those accounts though. Here is what one activist told our Anderson Cooper last night.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
"DANNY", SYRIAN ANTI-GOVERNMENT ACTIVIST: They've been bombarding an area in Homs school (INAUDIBLE) for like three hours. They've been bombarding with mortar bombs and tank shells. At least T-72 tank shells because a part of a Syrian army defected and went to that place. The civilians went down to welcome the Syrian Army. So they bombarded it randomly with mortar bombs and tank shells, Tanks T-72.
In the first half hour we've got 40 people dead. Now we've got about 200 dead all around Homs. There's still people underneath the destruction. We can't move them. All the buildings are full of bodies, of human beings. There's kids dead, women dead, men dead. We can't get medication into Tazi (ph).
They're shooting at the (INAUDIBLE) avenue. They're shooting the civilian cars. We're trying to get medication in there. We can't help them. And now it's happening all around Homs. They're bombarding us.
People are trying to move bodies out of the street and putting their life on risks. People are getting killed just to move a body from the street. Just to move the body so they can bury them and they're getting killed for moving the bodies.
That's bravery. No one's helping us. U.N. isn't doing anything about it. The Arab nation isn't doing anything about it. The discussion of while it happening in the middle of the discussions people are sitting here and they're dying
The Syrian people are not going to stop. They're going to kill millions. We will remember that no one did anything about this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HENDRICKS: It is chilling to hear that account. That is Danny on "AC360" last night.
Joining me now is senior United Nations correspondent Richard Roth. And Richard, as you heard from that account, Danny is saying the U.N. is not doing anything about it. What are -- what are their options and really what's on the table today?
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT: Well you began the program with a report from Las Vegas, if I can make that cheap segue, the odds are all over the board right now on whether the Security Council will indeed act this morning in New York regarding Syria.
The Russians are really, depending on your viewpoint either stalling or asking for a more balanced resolution. The Russian ambassador entered along with many other ambassadors from the Security Council for a rare Saturday session. They're all behind closed doors right now but Russia had some late amendments to the resolution.
The key thing about this resolution that the ambassadors are considering is that the Arab League came to the New York Security Council table and said we need you to back our peace plan which calls for a transition of power in Syria with President Assad giving up control to a deputy.
Now that was dropped from this resolution. But still in the resolution really is the heart of the plan, the endorsement of that plan. If the Russians don't really want to go along with that because they're a main Assad ally, well, then there could be a Russian veto and for the second time in three or manpower months a Syria resolution would go down in flames here.
The U.S., the French, the German ambassadors furious beyond patience now. They say it's time to act. The Russian foreign minister, Susan, in Munich today said, that look, we just want a constructive approach by the Security Council and then we'll, you know we don't have a problem with the resolution. Some say this is just stalling tactics, so we're going to find out. There could be some real furious words over the Security Council table in a few hours. They're right now still discussing for about an hour and a half this resolution yet again. Back to you.
HENDRICKS: We'll see what happens. Richard Roth, thank you.
You know, thousands of demonstrators braved frigid weather in Moscow today to rally against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. They are demanding changes in the wake of disputed elections that took place in December there. There's also a pro-Putin rally going on in Moscow. These demonstrations are seen as a test for Putin with just about a month to go until he runs for president.
In Washington the Occupy D.C. camp is being raided right now by police.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(POLICE RAID OCCUPY D.C. CAMP)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HENDRICKS: That was earlier today. They're in full hazmat gear, checking tents at a downtown park near the White House. Police told the crowds that they were not there to evict protesters but to check for compliance to the no camping laws. The move comes after a federal judge Tuesday rejected an Occupy D.C. demonstrators' request to keep park police from enforcing a ban on camping in two parks.
The group of hackers known as "Anonymous", they're at it again. This time they secretly recorded a phone call between the FBI and Scotland Yard discussing the investigation into hacking attacks. A law enforcement source tells CNN that this is basically vandalism. The FBI is now investigating.
If you are enjoying hardboiled eggs this morning, consider this. A Minnesota company is recalling around a million precooked eggs that went to 34 states. You see them in yellow. The eggs could be tainted with listeria in all of those states which can sometimes cause deadly infections. None of the eggs went straight to consumers, though. Mostly they went to grocery stores and other stores so you may find it in egg salad and other prepared salads, for more information just go to fda.gov.
Israel warns time is running out for Iran to abandon its nuclear program. Iran is issuing its own warning will the U.S. intervene? We'll take an in-depth look next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HENDRICKS: There is a growing chance that Israel could attack Iran over a suspected nuclear weapons program. U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is suggesting that, as Israel continues to put pressure on the U.S. to take more action against Iran.
CNN's Chris Lawrence reports.
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well Susan, Defense officials tell us that the U.S. is navigating a very fine line, trying to convince Iran that military action is real and something to be feared, but at the same time trying to convince Israel not to attack until tougher sanctions have time to take effect.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAWRENCE (voice-over): Thousands shouted their support for Iran's Supreme Leader Friday as he issued a direct threat to American.
IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER (through translator): They say all options are on the table, including war. The war itself will be ten times detrimental to the U.S.
LAWRENCE: On Friday, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta stood firm saying again the U.S. is, quote, "Prepared to respond if Iran doesn't abandon its nuclear program". But Israel says time is running out.
EHUD BARAK, ISRAEL DEFENSE MINISTER (through translator): Dealing with a nuclear Iran will be more complicated, dangerous, and expensive in blood and money even stopping it. Whoever says later may find that later is too late.
LAWRENCE: Even some former diplomats say Iran is full of hardliners who may not back down from sanctions.
JAMES RUBIN, FORMER ASSISTANT U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: And so I'm worried that the overall strategy of -- of ratcheting up the pressure and the hopes that Iran will -- will somehow say "Uncle" is not based on a good reading of the Iranian government.
LAWRENCE: A senior congressional official says the relationship with Israel right now is the strangest he's seen. And he's convinced the Israelis aren't going to tell us if they strike Iran. Former Defense Secretary Bob Gates told CNN's John King, "The U.S. and Israel disagree on what happens after any attack on Iran's nuclear facilities".
ROBERT GATES, FORMER U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY: I think most American senior officials believe that Iranians will in fact retaliate and -- and not just narrowly but potentially across the entire region.
LAWRENCE: The chairman of the Joint Chiefs just traveled to Tel Aviv, the highest ranking official to try and convince Israel to give sanctions more time. But a source says when the head of Mossad (ph) visited Washington this week it was primarily to gauge what the U.S. would do if Israel struck Iran.
Just this month Iran started enriching uranium to 20 percent at its facility in Qom. If they enrich enough of it, a U.S. official say it would cross the Israeli's red line because it's an easy jump from there for 90 percent weapons grade.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LAWRENCE: U.S. officials are taking Iran's threat very seriously. One told me Iran has been improving its capabilities just for this moment. So it would be able to mine shipping lanes and raid oil tankers, destabilize Iraq and go after American embassies and soft targets all over the world -- Susan.
HENDRICKS: Chris Lawrence, thank you.
Coming up, it is a double whammy. If you're unemployed, things are probably a little rough already, but don't forget the tax man. Coming up, our expert says you still have to pay your share, but he has some have advice for you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HENDRICKS: Some good news from the unemployment front today. The economy added nearly 250,000 private sector jobs last month. That drops the unemployment rate to 8.3 percent down from 8.5 percent in December. According to chief business correspondent Ali Velshi at this rate, the 4.5 million jobs lost during the Obama Administration could be recovered by Election day. The President is stressing, though, cautious optimism.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: These numbers will go up and down in the coming months, and there are still far too many Americans who need a job or need a job that pays better than the one they have now.
But the economy is growing stronger. The recovery is speeding up. And we've got to do everything in our power to keep it going.
Here are the groups that saw the biggest gains. We're going to break it down for you. African-American unemployment still the highest of any ethnic group, but it came down more than two full percentage points in January. Hispanics dropped a half a percent and white men over 20 dropped 0.3 percent.
Those jobs numbers had a profound impact on the market. Take a look. The Dow jumped more than 150 points to finish at its highest level since the economy started to tank in 2008. The Nasdaq also soared hitting it highest in more than a decade.
All right. I hate to spoil all the news but I want to talk taxes for a moment. It is that time of year and before you know it, the tax filing deadline will be here. And if you're out of work, that does not exempt you from paying taxes but the tax laws do offer some extra help for you.
Earlier I spoke with financial analyst Clyde Anderson who said the unemployed can qualify for some special deductions.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLYDE ANDERSON, FINANCIAL ANALYST: There are so many things you can write off that a lot of people aren't aware of as far as the things that you do for a job search, the coaching, maybe a job search site that you have to pay for, the phone uses, the mileage, the printing of the resumes. All those things you can deduct.
HENDRICKS: So if you're unemployed and you're looking for a job --
ANDERSON: Yes.
HENDRICKS: Those steps that you are taking to look for a job could be written off.
ANDERSON: There you go. There you go.
HENDRICKS: So if you get some coaching, your cell phone, you were mentioning.
ANDERSON: Exactly. You can write those things off because you're using them. As long as you're using them to get that job you can write them off. And also, if you do get a job and they make you relocate, the moving expenses can be deducted as well.
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: Or if you move 50 miles away from your job or the new job, they can deduct the mileage as well.
HENDRICKS: And if you think about the stress, we know the numbers of unemployment, they are up there. It's the number one issue during the presidential caucuses, the debates. What will you do for us financially?
So many people out of a job and if you think about the stress, can you actually file for an extension if you are unemployed? ANDERSON: Yes, you still can file for an extension, just like you do your normal taxes. A lot of people think it's some sort of a government benefit, but it's actually a wage replacement. So, they are wages that you are earning. So, it's wage replacement. That's why you are paying taxes on them.
So, you can do the same thing as we do regular income.
HENDRICKS: It's very easy, Clyde, to get down when you think about it, people out there you've seen it happen before. They're out of a job. They get discouraged.
What advice do you have for them in terms of just continue to keep looking?
ANDERSON: Yes. I mean, you got to keep going. You got to keep pushing.
Right now, it's what I call the new normal. It's different, it's interesting out here. But you got to keep pushing.
And you also have to try other things. And maybe this is not the field and you may explore a new field.
There are also credits out there that you can apply for lifelong learning credits and things that you can get deductions on as well if you learn a new skill or get continuing education. So learn more and just keep pushing. I know it's hard but you got to keep pushing.
HENDRICKS: That's a good point. So, if it's your field that you are used to, your field of expertise, you may want to branch out. You can also write that off?
ANDERSON: You can write that off as well. So those are wonderful things.
A lot of people are exploring entrepreneurship right now. So, they are the unexpected entrepreneurs that people that kind of fell into entrepreneurship.
So, use your gifts and talents and tap into something that you know you can do while you're looking for that job as well. Just don't stop.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HENDRICKS: Some good advice there.
Advertisers pay big money for ads during the Super Bowl, which is tomorrow. But will the big spending convince people to buy their products if you know what they're even selling. We'll check the figures after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HENDRICKS: It is Super Bowl weekend and everyone it seems is trying to cash in on all the hype and advertisers are spending big money to showcase their products. But will that actually help sell their goods? Patricia Wu takes a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PATRICIA WU, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Susan. These days, advertising on TV isn't enough. It's all about the Internet. A lot of Sunday's commercials are already online trying to generate buzz.
We spoke to marketing expert Mark Stevens. He says advertising during the Super Bowl is a popularity contest and does little to sell a product. For example, one ad set to air Sunday from cars.com has a guy with two heads talking to a dealer about buying a car while his smaller head sings.
It's a little weird. Mark Stevens claims it's a waste of money.
MARK STEVENS, MARKETING EXPERT: It has nothing to do with cars, nothing to do with cars. It has everything to do with the Beavis and Buttheads of the agency trying to be cool and trying to win an award. And let me tell you business owners who are not playing with corporate treasury dollars would never, ever give their own money for that. That to me is the acid test.
WU: Stevens says you need a strong message that resonates long after the Super Bowl ends and you need to make sure the product is the thing people remember. Otherwise, there are probably better ways for a company to spend its ad dollars; unless, of course, that company is one that advertises every year, like Coca-Cola or Budweiser. It's almost as if it's not the Super Bowl without a good commercial from one of those guys.
These companies have deep pockets, large ad budgets and can afford to spend millions of dollars on a flashy ad. Stevens says that's fine, but the primary purpose of the ad isn't to boost sale.
STEVENS: There is a place for Super Bowl advertising in a well- rounded company like Anheuser-Busch. Budweiser is a very well-managed business. They don't rely on the Super Bowl to be their primary driver of success.
Generally speaking from what I've seen -- and I've studied this -- they do not return the investment. It's not really an investment, it's a cost because they don't return the cost of this Super Bowl commercial. What it does however is make the company or the advertising agency feel good as a pride factor.
WU: The real winner from a marketing standpoint is the NFL and the networks airing the game. The Super Bowl continues to get huge audiences and that means the networks can keep raising ad prices. Prices this year are $3.5 million to $4 million for a 30-second spot -- Susan.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HENDRICKS: I'm looking forward to watching those. Patricia, thanks. New recordings from the moments after the JFK assassination hidden away for decades. Now offering a rare glimpse into the confusion that followed the President's murder. Hear them for yourself next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HENDRICKS: It's 11:30 on the East Coast. Checking top stories now.
Reverend Al Sharpton and his National Action Network are holding a tribute right now for "Soul Train's" Don Cornelius in Harlem, New York. He is remembered for his visits to that area and finding talent and giving them a national platform on "Soul Train." Cornelius died earlier this week of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 75.
Champion cyclist Lance Armstrong says he is, quote, "gratified" the Justice Department is dropping an investigation into claims that he used performance-enhancing drugs. Fellow cyclists claim that he was doping when he won the Tour de France seven times. The Justice Department is not explaining why it dropped the case.
For the first time, relatives of a teenager who survived this fiery pile-up on the I-75 in Florida are speaking out on camera. Fifteen- year-old Lidiane Carmo is hospitalized in fair condition. Sadly, her parents, uncle and sister all died in Sunday's crash. Members of her church say they're afraid she could be deported back to Brazil. CNN's Martin Savidge spoke exclusively with the teenager's aunt.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LUCIANE BOUTIN, LIDIANE CARMO'S AUNT: If I have to move to Brazil, I will move. Whenever we can have our family together will be the best place for us to stay together! Whether that is here or there, I'm sure she'll prefer to live (INAUDIBLE) three years-and-a-half when we first arrive. We come together. And she's an American girl.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HENDRICKS: Just so heartbreaking. U.S. immigration officials say she is not facing deportation.
Voters in Nevada are choosing their GOP presidential candidate at caucuses across the state today, and the latest poll number show Mitt Romney getting 45 percent of the vote. It's not over yet, though. Only registered Republicans can take part in the caucuses.
So what about the weather on caucus day in Nevada? Reynolds Wolf is at the CNN Severe Weather Center with that and the rest of the day's forecast. Pretty nice this time of year there?
REYNOLDS WOLF, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes. (INAUDIBLE) in Nevada. Yes.
HENDRICKS: Nevada, Nevada.
WOLF: Nevada, Nevada.
HENDRICKS: Don't want to get in trouble. WOLF: France, France.
(LAUGHTER)
WOLF: You know, you have a bunch of -- it doesn't matter how you say it, the weather there is going to be great. We can expect temperatures to be mainly in the 40s, nice and dry for you, plenty of sunshine, just the opposite of what you'll find on the Gulf Coast, especially in parts of Louisiana.
Let's take these maps. Well, you see it there. The top half of the screen, you got mainly some snow, but when you get down to the Gulf Coast, the situation is altogether different. How different is it? It's about this different.
Take a look at this. We've got that area of low pressure that's going to be moving across. And with that (INAUDIBLE) we're going to have flash flood watches and warnings in parts of Louisiana. And as this system crawls its way to the east, we're going to see snow pile up in parts of the northern Plains.
The question is how much snow are we going to see? Well, in some places, it could get up to about a foot or so. It's 44 degrees in Kansas (ph) City (ph). Not going to see a whole lot there in Minneapolis, but it will be in parts of, say, Nebraska and back in towards, say, Omaha, where you're going to see the snow where it could really be an issue for people.
But as we fast-forward the forecast, you're going to notice that low lifts (ph) out into the Atlantic as we get into Monday, so that is certainly the good news.
But what's left behind is going to be a lot of work for people in the central Plains, in fact, with that snow in some places anywhere from 8 to 12 inches. And we can expect the winds to be 15 to 30, so whiteout conditions there. Also, limited visibility to portions of the Dakotas back into parts of, say, Montana, due to the very rough, foggy conditions. We can expect parts of I-90 could be really, really tough driving, no question about it.
But again -- but what you're asking about, I would say today, as people go out and vote, conditions are really going to be nice for the most part, a bit on the nippy side. But after all, I mean, it is winter.
HENDRICKS: And a lot of delays in Colorado past few days because of the airport and the interstate shut down in certain areas. How is it looking today? It's clearing out?
WOLF: It looks like it's going to be clearing out. You know, as that systems moves out, I mean, the conditions that you have in Nevada today are actually going to move into parts of Colorado -- dryer, better, beautiful conditions. But still a lot of snow on the ground, no question about that. So the clean-up continues.
HENDRICKS: Nevada, Nevada. WOLF: There you go.
HENDRICKS: Taught me a lot.
WOLF: Good and good.
(LAUGHTER)
HENDRICKS: Reynolds, thanks.
WOLF: You bet.
HENDRICKS: We are getting a rare and intriguing glimpse inside one of the darkest days in American history, thanks to the audiotapes hidden away for 50 years. CNN's Brian Todd has revealing new details surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They were among the most anxious, gut-wrenching hours in American history, the chaos following President John F. Kennedy's assassination. Everyone, including top administration officials, was scrabbling for accurate information. Newly released audiotapes offer fascinating insight into the confusion and the government's response.
Listen to this phone call from White House physician Admiral George Burkley, who was in Dallas, to Army Surgeon General Leonard Heaton on where to take the president's body.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ADM. GEORGE BURKLEY, WHITE HOUSE PHYSICIAN: ... regards to the taking care of the remains of the -- of President Kennedy, and we are planning on having the president's remains taken directly to Walter Reed. Probably Mrs. Kennedy will also be going out there, but we will clarify that later.
GEN. LEONARD HEATON, ARMY SURGEON GENERAL: Oh. All right.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
TODD: But it wasn't clarified. Just minutes earlier, Secret Service head Gerry (ph) Behn had called another official with the president in Dallas, saying the remains should be taken to another military hospital.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
GERRY BEHN, SECRET SERVICE: Arrangements have been made for a helicopter for the Bethesda Naval Medical Center.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
TODD: The president was taken to Bethesda. For decades, critics said his autopsy was incomplete, mishandled, maybe even part of a conspiracy. I listened to the tapes with historian Max Holland, who has a different take.
MAX HOLLAND, AUTHOR, "THE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION TAPES": The government had no protocol for having an autopsy of a president. It was just never -- something no one had ever thought would be necessary. They were completely unprepared.
TODD: The tapes were discovered by the Raab Collection, historical document dealers. They got them from the estate of General Chester Clifton (ph), a top aide to President Kennedy, then donated them to the National Archives.
The recordings were made by the White House communications agency and include radio traffic from the president's plane, Air Force One.
(on camera): Part of the recordings which are not new are still riveting, like when a distraught Lyndon Johnson and his wife get on the phone from Air Force One to console President Kennedy's mother.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I wish to God there was something that I could do. And I wanted to tell you that we were grieving with you.
ROSE KENNEDY, PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S MOTHER: Yes, well, thanks a mill -- thank you very much.
Thank you very much. I know. I know you loved Jack and he loved you.
LADY BIRD JOHNSON, FIRST LADY: Mrs. Kennedy, we feel like we've just had...
KENNEDY: Yes. All right.
LADY BIRD JOHNSON: We are glad so that the nation had your son as long as it did.
KENNEDY: Yes. Well, thank you, Lady Bird. Thank you very much. Good-bye.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
TODD (voice-over): It leaves us all wanting to hear more, but some of these recordings we may never hear. Officials at the Raab Collection say at least two hours of the raw tape are still missing. Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HENDRICKS: Those tapes certainly are fascinating.
Coming up: Bet you didn't think of this. A new study sheds light on an epidemic. Obesity is striking pets like never before.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anxious to get more exercise? What do you think?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HENDRICKS: Our Josh Levs has information that pet owners all over the country need to know. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HENDRICKS: As many Americans struggle with their weight, our pets' waistlines -- they're expanding, too. A new study finds obesity is on the rise among dogs and cats across the country. Our Josh Levs got some advice for pet owners.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm with Ernie Ward. He's a veterinarian and the founder and current head of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. We're talking about the growing problem of obesity among pets in the United States, and a new report that shows more than half the pets in this country are overweight or obese.
So now we have some questions from our iReporters that I want to toss at you, OK?
ERNIE WARD, FOUNDER, ASSN. FOR PET OBESITY PREVENTION: Yes. Great.
LEVS: All right, great. So here's one -- it comes from Elizabeth Gutierrez. One cat takes the food from another cat.
WARD: Well, she's dealing with what we call a food bowl bully, right? So you have -- we see this all the time, one fat cat in the household, one skinny cat. Number one, make sure you've got plenty of space between those two food bowls, right? So whatever you do, give them enough space. Second thing is simultaneously feed them. So that means put down the food at the same time.
LEVS: This is from another one of our iReporters, Jennifer Smith. She's asking about, "What about the addition of human food like scraps to a dog's diet? Even if it's a small amount, does that play a big role in weight gain?"
WARD: I'm not against feeding human foods to pets, right? I like whole foods, real foods whenever possible. Where we make the mistake is we give them junk food. So we're having pizza, we share it with a dog. Want a hamburger? Here you go, buddy. So all those bad foods we wind up, you know, feeding to our pets, that's where the problem is.
LEVS: Some people are saying that they know the animal needs to exercise, but that the animal won't do it. What do you do to inspire your animals to go lose the weight?
WARD: Talk to your veterinarian because I can tell you right now, very few cases have I ever encountered in my 20 years that I couldn't train to walk on a leash. So it just takes a little bit of work. You have to be the boss. You're in control of the leash. Get them out there and start walking.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HENDRICKS: So that dog right there, his name is Dodger.
LEVS: That was Dodger (INAUDIBLE)
HENDRICKS: He doesn't look obese. So how do you know...
LEVS: I know.
HENDRICKS: ... if your pet is?
LEVS: And this is part of the problem. Sometimes (INAUDIBLE) thought that. Some of the animals, you take a look, you can tell.
HENDRICKS: You know with some of those cats!
LEVS: Those are some real fat cats. This dog here, Dodger, we met last hour, this is interesting because I took a look at him and I said, He doesn't look obese to me. The thing is, the weight on a lot of these animals is not in width and it's not in the face. It's in the belly, getting lower and lower to the ground.
So the veterinarian you met there took one look at him and said, Oh, yes, he's obese. And the doctors have said that. And we -- you know, it's adorable to see these animals, but they also are facing serious health problems. They've got diabetes. They've got kidney failure. They've got in some cases some cancers they're facing. And some animals are dying two, two-and-a-half years younger than other animals because they're obese.
So it's a serious problem for all the millions and millions of people out there, about one in three homes that have a dog or a cat.
HENDRICKS: They may look cute and cuddly when they're chubby...
LEVS: Right.
HENDRICKS: ... but you're going to keep them around longer if you do what's right. And it's tempting to give your dog treats all the time.
LEVS: It's tempting. And you know, he has some interesting advice. I'll tell you this. He says if you -- you know, if you're going (INAUDIBLE) treats, make them healthy treats.
He also told me, you know, part of this is that Americans are becoming obese and feeding the animals the same way. He told me in his years of experience, he has seen a correlation, and when he sees an obese animal, he says it's a harbinger for an obese child in the same home because, in general, people aren't eating well enough, aren't getting enough exercise.
You all can ask a lot more questions and get answers. He's watching right now and answering questions on my Facebook, Joshlevscnn, also Titter, and at the blog, CNN/josh. We want to empower you all with information. Help keep those animals and everybody else in the household as healthy as possible.
HENDRICKS: More with your one on one with Dodger.
(CROSSTALK)
LEVS: ... exclusive.
HENDRICKS: Josh, thanks.
(LAUGHTER)
LEVS: See you.
HENDRICKS: Something as simple as a poster is igniting some long- dormant racial feelings in South Africa. We will talk about the controversy coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HENDRICKS: South Africa has made great strides on the racial front, but a poster sponsored by a student organization is creating a lot of backlash.
Earlier, I spoke about it with producer Nadia Bilchik.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NADIA BILCHIK, CNN EDITORIAL PRODUCER: And there it is, this beautiful man and beautiful woman in an embrace. Well, it has caused major controversy on all sides. So all they wanted to do was say to people, Let's have a tolerant South Africa. The actual motto of the poster was, In the new South Africa, as it is, you won't look twice if you had to see these two people embracing.
HENDRICKS: So the intention was a bigger message. They knew it would cause some sort of stir, but maybe not this much of a stir?
BILCHIK: I think they really did it to say, Let's be tolerant, let's be racially embracing, and that was the idea. They had no clue about the amount of controversy it would cause. White supremacists are saying things like, Why are two people together in this way?
And then there's backlash from the African National Congress who say it shows a male in a dominating position of white supremacy with a black female. So all kinds of comments have come up. I just thought it was very beautiful and looked like a Calvin Klein ad.
HENDRICKS: So did I! People are over-analyzing this. Between the Web, billboards and TV, Nadia, we see images like this every day, but it's still controversial in South Africa.
BILCHIK: But doesn't (INAUDIBLE) 20 years on the end of apartheid. But doesn't it also show that you create an ad with your best intention, but you can never be sure how other people will interpret it, given their perception. But Mboli Ntuli (ph), who is the chairperson of the organization, said, We have engaged South Africa in a very frank debate about tolerance. And as far as she was concerned, the ad had been very worthwhile and very successful because of all the debate around it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HENDRICKS: And NEWSROOM continues at the top of the hour with Fredricka Whitfield. And Fred, what do you have for us? The "Legal Guys" -- always colorful, right?
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Always! Yes, Richard and Avery will be along with us. They're always fantastic. This time, you know, a warning. Be careful what you tweet, especially if you're planning to fly. We're going to delve into the case of a couple flyers, or at least they were hoping to be passengers on board a flight. They tweeted a few things, the TSA raised a few eyebrows, and they were unable to board. We're going to discuss that case.
And then, you know, you might be able to identify -- sometimes you take the stresses from the workplace home.
HENDRICKS: Yes, you do.
WHITFIELD: Well, apparently, that happens more often among women than it does men. Valerie Burton is going to be along with us, lifestyle coach, who's going to give us some idea, men and women, what do you need to do to kind of try and defuse some of that stress, de-stress yourself?
HENDRICKS: Oh, we do want to hear that one.
WHITFIELD: Yes, that's coming up later on today at 2:00 o'clock Eastern hour.
And then, of course, today in Nevada, big caucusing day. Wolf Blitzer is going to be along. He's part of "The Best Political Team on Television." Of course, our live coverage of the results beginning at 6:00 o'clock Eastern time. But before that, 4:00 o'clock Eastern time, he's going to help us understand the dynamics of Nevada and beyond.
Romney won the Nevada caucuses back in '08, but what's different this time? Does he really have an advantage in all of the electorate as it pertains to Nevada this go-round, or has he alienated himself, particularly among the Latino community, with his position on the Dream Act? We're going to talk to Wolf Blitzer 4:00 o'clock Eastern time. So you want to stick around beginning noon. It's a long day. Lots to talk about, lots to cover.
HENDRICKS: And a lot to de-stress. You don't have to bring your stresses home.
WHITFIELD: That's right.
HENDRICKS: Fredricka, thank you. Looking forward to it. WHITFIELD: We'll have the candles burning and everything.
(LAUGHTER)
HENDRICKS: And the Super Bowl is tomorrow! The "End Zone" we all know.
WHITFIELD: Oh, yes.
HENDRICKS: It's a place to dance and celebrate. It's become an NFL staple, really. Look at this. This guy can dance! He has a lot of people taking notice of his moves. He certainly hopes to be showing them off during the big game tomorrow. He knows how to salsa! You'll meet him.
WHITFIELD: Oh, and we saw a little Madonna doing that earlier, too, right?
HENDRICKS: Oh, yes!
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HENDRICKS: Let's take a look now what is happening cross country.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): In San Diego, controversial video of sailors dressed in blue uniforms wrestling in an alleged hazing incident. In response to the allegations, U.S. Navy officials discharged eight sailors from the USS Bonham Richard (ph). One sailor claims they were just roughhousing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I say -- I say it's horseplay, and they say hazing.
HENDRICKS: He also told affiliate KGTV the victim lied to investigators, and added the Navy rushed to judgment without having all the facts. KGTV reports the sailors have an opportunity to appeal, but are unsure whether any of them have pursued that course of action.
An officer beating the odds in South Carolina. After losing part of his leg in a motorcycle accident last February, Keith Soles (ph) earned a spot back on his SWAT team. What drove the hero to come back?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The gratification of taking somebody who's wanted for a violent felony and bringing them to justice, so there's always that aspect of it that's real rewarding.
HENDRICKS: And a dramatic dog rescue caught on camera in Rhode Island.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It kind of happened quick, so you're just, you know, trying to do what you've got to do to get out there as quickly and safely as possible. HENDRICKS: Brave firemen breached freezing waters for about 15 minutes to pull this lucky black lab out of the ice. He was about 30 yards offshore, and now back on dry land. Lucky guy.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HENDRICKS: Want to take you live now to the U.N., where a vote is under way to help the strife and the chaos in Syria going on now. Let's listen.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Mr. President, first and foremost, may I express the congratulations of Morocco on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for this month. Similarly, we would like to express our appreciation for the efforts made by Ambassador Obusso Andalo (ph) and his colleagues during their presidency of the Council last month.
Mr. President, I would like to express our great regret and disappointment because of the fact that the Council has not been able to adopt the draft resolution we submitted three days ago. We hope most sincerely that the fact that we were not able to adopt this draft resolution in the Council would not be a pretext for any backsliding, more dangerous backsliding in the fraternal country of Syria and an increase in the number of civilian casualties there.
It should be recalled, Mr. President, that when Hamid Bengossen (ph), who is the chairman of the Arab Syrian committee, Mansour al Araby (ph), the secretary general of the Arab League, when they made their presentations to the Council, there was also a request made quite clearly and in an urgent manner to come to the support in the Council of a regional organization which has come up with an initiative which was bold, complete and integral, based on virtue of dialogue and understanding and international -- or national understanding in order to reach a peaceful solution for a situation which is only getting worse with time.
Morocco, on the basis of its responsibility as the Arab member of the Security Council and in close cooperation with other member states in the Council and non-members, especially Arab countries, we have made continual efforts in order to reach a consensus which might enable the Council to speak with a single voice, and this after about a year of this crisis in neighboring Syria.
Morocco highly appreciates all members of the Council who have submitted this draft with us for their reaction. And here I am referring to the reaction of members of the Council without exception, without exception regarding their proposals. And we duly appreciate the understanding and the flexibility reflected, as you know, in the draft resolution.
With these efforts, we have worked together and we have endeavored to reach a common agreement which would not be at all controversial, the immediate end to all hostilities and acts of violence, and to encourage productive dialogue which would enable the Syrian people to establish its national political institutions, also preserve the territorial integrity and social unity of Syria, and no less important, to forestall any external military intervention.
