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CNN Saturday Morning News
Checking Out the New iPad; Should Apple Be Held Responsible For Policies at Foxconn?; Kofi Annan Meets with Syria's Al-Assad; Bike Wrappers Light Up San Francisco; One Year Since Japan's Triple Disaster; New Fight for Veterans
Aired March 10, 2012 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: From CNN Center, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
It's 8:00 a.m. in the East, 5:00 a.m. in the West. Good morning, everyone. I'm Randi Kaye.
In Syria, there are efforts to end the violence.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: He said I'm not responsible for crashing. That's when everybody started freaking out.
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KAYE: I'll talk to the passenger who shot this video.
And if you're a big fan of Apple one probably can't wait to get your hands on the new iPad. Our own tech expert weighs in.
Syrian President al Assad says he's reportedly ready to end nearly a year of unrest that's gripped his country. Kofi Annan met with al Assad today. The Syrian leader blamed terrorist groups for blocking a peaceful solution.
Thousands of anti-government demonstrators filled the streets in Moscow today. They're furious over Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin's polls at the Sunday. There are reports of some arrests and scuffles with police. But in a sign the opposition may be losing some of its momentum, today's protest was significantly smaller than previous ones.
President Obama telephoned Russian President Putin yesterday to congratulate him. The two discussed how U.S. and Russia can cooperate on trade and investment relations. They also touched on Syria and missile defense.
In Washington state, officers are hunting for a man who shot a deputy, stole her gun and stabbed a judge inside a county courthouse. Multiple agencies are scouring the area for this guy. Police have identified the suspect as Michael Thomas. The judge who was stabbed talk with our affiliate, KMIO.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
When I went to assist the deputy, he had a weapon, a knife or something and he was stabbing at her.
He got the gun away from the deputy and went, pop, pop. And turned and looked at me and went --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE : We're told the judge will be OK. Police still do not have a clear motive for those attacks.
A final group of parolees pardoned by former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour could leave prison today. The state supreme court has upheld the pardons. The Mississippi attorney general says he's looking into his next openings after the court rejected the challenge. Barbour said the former inmates have been rehabilitated.
The latest figures show third straight month of gains in jobs above the 200,000 mark. And the private sector continues to lead the way with 233,000 new jobs. In his weekly address, President Obama touted private firms, which have added jobs every month since March 2010.
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BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: More companies are choosing to bring jobs back and invest in America. Manufacturing is adding jobs for the first time since the 1990s and we're building more things to sell to the rest of the world. Stamped with three proud words, "Made in America."
And it's not just that we're building stuff. We're building better stuff. The engine parts manufactured here in Petersburg will go into the next generation planes that are lighter, faster and more fuel efficient. That last part is important because whether you're paying for a plane ticket or filling up your gas tank, technology that helps us get more miles to the gallon is one of the easiest ways to save money and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
KAYE: Some Republicans say it will take more than jobs to spark a turnaround in the U.S. economy.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
As a nation, what progress has been made to balance our annual budget deficit? Has any real spending reductions been proposed by the democratic majority in the Senate? Has President Obama made any real attempts to reduce spending? All we see are budgeting games. The American people are growing tired of the constant pleas for tax increases from this administration. Long before any real proposals appear for depending reductions.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
KAYE: A Labor Department says less than half of the 8 million jobs lost during the recession have been recovered so far.
Kansas Republicans will have their say in the GOP presidential delegates today. Some candidates are already looking forward to next Tuesday's primaries.
Paul Steinhauser is in Arkansas -- Paul.
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN POLITICAL EDITOR: Caucuses in Kansas kick off later this morning. At stake, 40 delegates. The caucuses are closed, which means only registered Republicans can take part in the GOP presidential contest.
Rick Santorum can do well there with the state's conservative voters. Ron Paul is there today, the second straight day he's campaigning in Kansas. And neither Romney nor Newt Gingrich stumped in the state. They're spending all their time in Alabama and Mississippi. Romney is trying to appeal to southern voters.
MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I got started right this morning, with biscuits and cheesy grits. It tell you, it was delicious.
STEINHAUSER: And he's lowering expectations.
ROMNEY: I realize it's a bit of an away game, but I also realize we're going to pick up some support in the states that remain.
STEINHAUSER: Santorum is hoping wins in both case could knock Gingrich out of the case.
RICK SANTORUM (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: If you go out and deliver a conservative victory for us, on Tuesday, this race will become a two-person race.
STEINHAUSER: Gingrich says he's not about to give up.
NEWT GINGRICH (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I believe I will become the nominee with your help.
STEINHAUSER: But doing well in Alabama and Mississippi is crucial for Gingrich.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: Thank you, Paul.
Mitt Romney can add a few more delegates to his winning column. He's won all nine delegates in Guam. That brings his total to 438 for Mitt Romney, 170 for rick Santorum, 118 for Newt Gingrich and 67 for Ron Paul.
The search is on for a warlord accused of atrocious crimes against children. You'll hear the reaction, next.
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KAYE: Joseph Kony , a man who wasn't widely known until this.
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UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: We are going to make Joseph Kony a household name, not to celebrate him, but to bring his to life.
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KAYE: The clip has been viewed over 70 million times. It's part of a group to bring an end to more than two decades of violence to light. While the group's documentary is causing outrage among many, some in the Ugandan government is concerned that children's aid won't reach the people who need it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: These are, in fact, images in the national community is to -- some are afraid to say.
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KAYE: A spokesman for Invisible Children says any money generated from the film will help build schools in Uganda. CNN has been unable to verify any of the group's activities in Africa, but a member of the court which wants Kony for crimes against humanity had this reaction.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Justice -- and all are in agreement and Ugandan troops now supported by U.S. troops to arrest him. This is -- we need to arrest Kony to stop the crimes and now we have Ugandan troops supported by U.S. troops pushing for them.
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KAYE: And some high profile names in Hollywood are praising not only the film, but also the movement trying to bring Kony's justice.
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UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: I don't think I know anybody who works -- and he's an extraordinarily horrible human being. It's lovely to see the young people being raised up, as well.
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KAYE: Twitter messages about the documentary has been sent to 20 celebrities.
Tomorrow on CNN SUNDAY MORNING, one international journalist says the recent attention Kony has brought to Invisible Children may be doing more harm than good. We'll talk with her to find out why she thinks that.
And Uganda isn't the only place women and children have fallen to war criminals like Kony. Tomorrow, we take a closer look at the worldwide problem.
An American Airlines flight attendant disrupts the flight telling passengers the plane will crash. It's all caught on video.
Later, you've heard the hype. Is the new iPad worth it?
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KAYE: Well, it sure is a beautiful morning in Atlanta. Good morning, Atlanta. It's about 13 minutes past the hour. Welcome back, everyone, to CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
Here is a question for you. What would you do if your flight attendant told you that your plane was going to crash. That's what happened yesterday on an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Chicago. Passenger said the woman got on the airline started screaming about the airline's bankruptcy, saying she wouldn't be responsible if the plane crash and she even referred to the 9/11 attacks.
Listen.
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UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: She said, I'm not responsible for this plane crashing and that's when everybody started freaking out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
That's actually the flight attendant on the intercom screaming like that. But earlier this morning, I spoke with one of our iReporters who were on that flight and caught all of that drama on tape.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAURIE GRABE, PASSENGER (via telephone): At first, it seemed that she was confused and mistakenly turned on the p.a. and just made some comments, then shut it off. And then came back on a couple times. And then, the last time, she stated she was not going to be responsible if the plane crashed. Then everybody is kind of perked up like no, what's going on here. Meanwhile, the plane was taxing down the runway.
KAYE: How concerned were you?
GRABE: I was very concerned. All that was going through my mind was, please do not let this plane get in the air.
KAYE: So then, other flight attendants and passengers helped restrain her. Could you see that as it was going on?
GRABE: Yes, I was just behind first class as you can see from the video. I think the flight attendants were little confused. Don't know to do obviously even they know this woman and who are probably very upset about what was going on.
KAYE: What do we not see on the video? Is there anything else that was taking place on board? GRABE: Not really other than the, you know, all the passengers were quite confused as to what was going on and obviously concerned about getting in the air unless this thing stop. We didn't hear from the captain, which I don't think they can hear what's going on in the back. But we had no assurance that, you know, things were going to be OK, and not until the police came, you know, and escorted us back.
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KAYE: Passengers and cabin crew restrained the flight attendant who is now being treated at a local Dallas hospital.
Police in Georgia arrested a naked man who led them on a chase. The 21-year-old suspect was wanted on several felony charges out of Florida. Police say they found the man sleeping inside his van. Yes, he was naked. They tried to arrest him, but the suspect had some other things on his mind and drove off in the van. He clearly didn't have time to put off some pants. When the road comes to a dead end, the suspect jumped out, bearing all and tried to get away on foot. Not very smart.
Two years after the first one hit the market, Apple is rolling out another iPad. What's different about this one? And does it live up to all the time? I'm talk about it with that guy right there, Mario Armstrong, who is joining us next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: Southwest Festival is taking place. You get to go to all the fun places, Mario. I'm telling you.
MARIO ARMSTRONG, CNN DIGITAL LIFESTYLE EXPERT: It's a great job, ran did I.
KAYE: I know it is. We're all very thankful that you have it. But I want to talk about this new iPad. Does it live up to the hype? Have you had a chance to look at it and try it out a little bit?
ARMSTRONG: No, I haven't had a chance to specifically look at it. We know some of the obvious things that have come out about it, the four times resolution, it will have 4G connectivity, which means you'll be able to download movies and other things off the internet super fast. It's a major advancement, really, on the display. You can also shoot video in full HD.
But the biggest thing that's really changed, Randi, is the software in it. You can create your own storybooks with videos and my favorite feature is something called jam band where you can have four different iPads, each playing a different instrument but al being synced together. It's new trudge driven by the software that makes the hardware of that tablet so special.
KAYE: And it doesn't have an official name, right?
ARMSTRONG: No. They've simply called it the new iPad. I think the strategy was they don't want to have to continue to say 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. KAYE: Let's talk about number 2. Apple is dropping the price on the iPad 2. What kind of impact do you think that's going to have?
ARMSTRONG: That's going to have a huge impact. I'm holding three different iPads right here. The iPad, the Amazon Kindle, the HP, which this one has died. So blackberry is on the ropes. They're fighting for sustainability. And the iPad still remains to be the top leader. So the iPad 2 has been reduced down to $349.
My biggest complaint with Apple's stuff is that it's too expensive for most folks. So if we can get access to technology at a reduced rate, I think it's a great thing.
KAYE: So there aren't any challenges on the market for Apple?
ARMSTRONG: No. We want that. We want competition in the marketplace. People want other devices. They set the bar super high. They got it right out of the gate. They were first and it's been very hard for others to catch up. If you're thinking about what do I do with my olds technology --
KAYE: I'm one of those people.
ARMSTRONG: Oh, you are.
KAYE: I bought the one.
ARMSTRONG: You have the one, OK. So you have a first generation. So we did a little research and we looked up your first generation iPad, 64 gig on Wi-Fi. If you go to gazelle.com, send in your device and they'll send you a check. I like gazelle because they give you good value. You can get $135 and apply that money to a new tablet.
KAYE: I'm writing it down, gazelle.com. Got it.
ARMSTRONG: You know you don't need it. You've got the big bucks. You were good to go.
KAYE: I thought you were going to get me a gift for coming on the show and all that, but no, that didn't happen.
ARMSTRONG: I'm working on that.
KAYE: The new iPad is in the mail.
ARMSTRONG: Yes, I'll see you later. Bye, Randi.
KAYE: Thank you.
Join us every Saturday at this time and Mario Armstrong will give us the scoop on the latest technology.
A lot of folks want to get their hands on the iPad, but factory workers in China are making strong allegations about their working conditions. Apple is under fire for their manufacturing ethics. And of animals. Enough money?
Enough money? Right now, Ms. Chen says she earns less than $1 an hour.
So let's take a look at the math. A 32 gig iPad 2 costs about $600 according to research company iSupply. So Foxconn workers say they make less than $3 an hour, labor is negligible. Apple makes about $277 of pure profit.
Joining me to break it all down is Heather White. Nice to have you on the show.
Is Apple at all concerned about Foxconn manufacturing their product?
HEATHER WHITE, FOUNDER, VERITE: Yes, they are. And very recently they started to make some changes. Allegations started coming out in 2006. But as a result of more serious developments in the factories during 201 with suicides and explosions in two factories as well as a media campaign, Apple has now announced quite a few plans to try to be more transparent, to put more pressure on the factories and to report out publicly what the improvements are as they go forward.
What about Foxconn, is it responsible at all to the market of allegations facing the company?
WHITE: Foxconn doesn't speak out much publicly. It's very rare to hear something coming from their CEO in terms of the working condition. And they're a Taiwanese owned company so they're not working as a Chinese owned and very rarely do they address these reactions directly and as a result, Apple cop assumers are holding Apple responsible for the problems in the working practices.
KAYE: When you look at these Apple products, would they cost more if they were made here in America?
WHITE: Well, Steve Jobs said that if the Apple iPhone had been produced in the U.S., it was going to cost about $35 more. Over the last couple of months, I spoke to quite a few people asking them if they would be willing to pay $35 more for the iPhone and everyone has said that they would.
KAYE: You look at this company, Apple, shouldn't Apple know better than this? Does it surprise you at all that it's been caught in this web of negative pr?
WHITE: Actually, I have been surprised because Apple is unique in that they set such a high bar in terms of their industry standards and they're one of the most -- the most profitable company in the world right now with $10 billion in cash in the bank.
They certainly could afford to make sure that all the working conditions in their factories throughout China, they have over 100 suppliers there, were at least meeting Chinese minimum wage laws and the other labor laws in terms of taking care of workers health and safety. There's been concerns around 17 suicides that happened over the last 17 years. This is definitely a very serious problem for Apple and I'm sure that they could do a lot better and I'm hoping that they will be having full time staff and all of their suppliers rotating through on a daily basis. I think that would help a lot.
KAYE: And apparently there's appear investigation earn way because Apple's CEO Tim Cook said they're having the labor practices. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
The audit that they're creating is probably the most detailed in the history of mass manufacturing.
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KAYE: So you think the audit is a good idea, but what do you think really needs to happen at that factory to make conditions better?
WHITE: I think Apple needs to sit down and be very clear in their expectations with suppliers, especially with Foxconn, and say that they won't tolerate any more violations of Chinese laws and standards. A lot of people don't know it, but the Chinese labor laws are quite strong and if they were met, workers would be dealing with much better working conditions and they would be paid according to the law. In some cases, they're working seven days a week.
KAYE: So are they making the best possible product for the least amount of money here?
WHITE: I think they're definitely taking advantage of the situation in China where workers are not able to join trade unions, there's no collective bargaining and they're not able to negotiate their salary directly with management. So Foxconn I think has taken advantage and Apple has benefited.
KAYE: That was certainly an interesting discussion and much need given that the new iPad is out.
Appreciate your time. Thank you very much.
Pushing for an end to the bloodshed in Syria, new, deadly violence over-shadows talks.
Plus, an actor who starred in "Kill Bill" is arrested for allegedly attacking his teenage son. The latest on that, coming up.
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KAYE: It's the bottom of the hour. Welcome back, everyone. I'm Randi Kay. Thanks for starting your day with us here.
Checking top stories now, the GOP race is on in Kansas. The ultra conservative state is holding its caucuses today. Rick Santorum is hoping to narrow the field where 40 delegates are at stake. The last group of parolees pardoned by former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour could leave prison as soon as today despite challenges from the state's attorney general. The state's Supreme Court ruled Barbour's controversial pardons of more than 200 convicts were legal. Among the 214 inmates pardoned by Barbour were four convicted murderers who worked as trustees at the Governor's Mansion.
Actor Michael Madsen who starred in the movie "Kill Bill" was arrested after getting into a fight with his teen son. Deputies were called to Madsen's home in Malibu on Friday. Deputies say the 54-year-old actor appeared to be drunk. Madsen faces a charge for cruelty to a child. His son did not need medical attention.
At least 13 Palestinian are dead, 16 others injured after a series of Israeli air strikes overnight. Israeli authorities say the air strikes targeted suspected militants across Gaza. Among those reportedly killed a Hamas military leader. Israeli police say the airstrikes were a response to attacks on southern Israeli communities.
The diplomatic efforts are underway in Syria's capital to try to stop the violence that has gripped the country but even as former U.N. Chief Kofi Annan met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus opposition activists say dozens of people have been killed in new violence Syria.
Just a short time ago, I spoke with the Syrian activist in the besieged northern city of Idlib. He told me there has been an intense military build-up around Idlib. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ABDEL AZIZ, SYRIAN ACTIVIST: Demonstrations are everywhere, in villages, towns and cities. But now in Idlib, nobody can get out of his house, you know, because of the heavy machine gunfire and tanks everywhere, you know and nobody can just even take, you know anyone from the street especially those angered and killed. They are you know just in the streets nobody can even open a window.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: According to Syrian state television, President al-Assad is blaming the unrest on terrorist armed gangs.
CNN's Nic Robertson is monitoring developments from Beirut, Lebanon. He joins us now. Nic any progress from this meeting today in Damascus?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, if you listen to state television which, of course, all those in Syria who support Bashar al-Assad will be doing, they will think that there has been some kind of progress. He has told Kofi Annan according to the state media that he will do whatever he can to spare no effort to get -- resolve the situation, to get Syria through this current crisis.
But he is also quoted by state media as telling Kofi Annan that there can be no resolution while there are still terrorist groups in the country and that is exactly how he describes the opposition uprising as terrorist groups. The two statements in Kofi Annan's objective to try and get ceasefire to bring about political dialogue don't seem to gel with those statements from state media.
But it was also noted on state media as well that Kofi Annan had told Bashar al-Assad and this again is according to state media that he would work honestly and independently and openly to help resolve the situation in Syria.
So it definitely seems that Syria state television is putting a positive spin on this. But at the same time, continuing its crackdown, tanks moving into the northern city of Idlib, 31 people across the country reported dead so far 19 of them around that city of Idlib and 16 according to activist -- we cannot independently confirm this -- but 16 of those people killed in Idlib were free Syrian army fighters according to activist who were killed in an ambush -- Randi.
KAYE: So what happens, Nic? I mean, after all this, what -- what is the outcome of today's talks? I mean, what if the talks fail?
ROBERTSON: There seems to be the distinct possibility that these talks will -- if -- perhaps the most positive outlook that anyone can put on them is that they will go on for some time. There is a current meeting right now with the Arab League in Cairo to try and come up with a common platform on what to do about Syria.
There are great divisions there about the way forward. There are great divisions among the opposition activists within the country. So it seems that whatever comes out of these meetings, there won't be an immediate end to the violence because that's not Bashar al-Assad's apparent intention.
It really seems that the best that can come out of these meetings is that the killings may slow down a little and the worst would be the killing full paced as has been witnessed on some days. The U.N. itself just last weekend saying that -- on many days more than 100 civilians -- civilians are killed -- Randi.
KAYE: Nic Robertson with an eye on Syria for us. Nic thank you very much.
Just ahead, this bus isn't a ride to school. It's a getaway vehicle. We'll show -- we'll show you what happened when police chased it down in New, Mexico.
But first, are you looking for some place maybe to spend a few relaxing days? In today's "Travel Insider" CNN'S John Zarrella takes us to where he goes to unwind and get away from it all.
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JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): I'm John Zarrella. This is the southern tip of the Florida Everglades and this is Florida Bay here behind me. People from all over the world come here to canoe, to kayak, to bird watch. But what I like to do when I come down here is fish. (voice-over): Sunrise, even on a cloudy day is spectacular out here. Florida Bay is a giant nursery and home to dozens and dozens of species of fish. Mangrove islands crop up everywhere like chocolate chips on a cookie and that's the best place to fish.
(on camera): So this is what we come out here for primarily, the redfish. This one is a good size, it's about 23 inches. This is Jack. Jack is Jerry Simonson's son -- my cameraman is behind the camera.
(voice-over): We changed spots a couple of times.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you like that, boys? That's called the Keys fishing, baby, homestead Ever Glade national park.
All right, we've got to put the anchor into the boat. That's a good size snapper.
ZARRELLA: Jack is having all the luck.
Unless the weather is bad, there are always folks out here and always dolphins swimming nearby -- Tough to catch on camera, teasing us today. So we're heading in. We had a great day out here on the water and now everybody knows my favorite spot and the kind of fishing you can do out here. So the only thing I ask, don't tell everybody.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
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KAYE: Welcome back.
Please take a look now at a few stories making news across country. We'll start in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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KAYE (voice-over): It's not every day you see a low speed bus chase barreling down the Interstate. Police say they're not sure why the 28-year-old suspect decided to take a school bus for a joy ride, but it wasn't his first bus. It was the second. The suspect allegedly stole another bus that was found near the ditch in the original lot. The driver eventually run over several spike strips before the tires blew out. But police had to shoot the suspect to bring him down he's expected to live.
A five year old girl in Houston, Texas probably won't forget this birthday. A Chuck-E Cheese worker called police Thursday night about an abandon child left in the restaurant. The girl's mother did report her missing, but not until the next morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEFF MINK, BRAZORIA CO., TEXAS SHERIFF'S OFFICE: The mother called 911 when she realized the child was missing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Police say the mother of ten was upset. Meanwhile, the child has been placed in the custody of Child Protection Services.
Spotted in San Diego, former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalyn, cruising down the Coronado boardwalk on a couple of three- wheeled scooters called a Trikke. They even invited the President of the California based company to join them.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN SIMPSON, TRIKKE PRESIDENT: When the President asked me to go for a ride, the Trikke ride, wouldn't you say yes?
KAYE: The Carters are in town raising support for the Carter center, a non-profit organization that fights healthcare problems.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: Well, you can say goodbye to an extra hour of sleep. Coming up it is almost time to spring forward.
But first, a new idea to make cyclists more visible when riding their bikes at night; Reynolds Wolf has more in today's "Start Smart, Think Small".
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: San Francisco is considered to be one of the nation's best bike towns. And that attracted Brent Thomas.
BRENT THOMAS, CYCLISTS: I'm a big cyclist, I -- I rode bikes, I mountain bike, I commute to the city on my bike, I actually biked across the country with a friend back in 2007.
WOLF: But even an avid cyclist in a bike-friendly town is prone to accidents.
THOMAS: I probably bike two to three times a week at night. Yes I've been hit a couple of times, thankfully nothing serious.
WOLF: But they did knock an idea into his head, a product that makes cyclists more visible at night; it's called "bike wrappers".
THOMAS: Well, it's funny; you see a lot of cars slow down which is a good thing but I think they're also a little confused as to what it is because it's so bright.
WOLF: It's a specialized reflective material made out of spandex and nylon and it attaches to a bike with Velcro. Bike wrappers are slowly starting to light up San Francisco.
THOMAS: Cycling is a big part of this city and it's got a great bike culture. Cycling around the country has become very popular with people getting to work. WOLF: Still working out of his bedroom, Brent is expanding on bike wrappers with a line of reflective dog products. Brent is hoping all of his bright ideas can pick up speed quickly.
Reynolds Wolf, CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: This time last year, a deadly earthquake and tsunami were less than 24 hours away from hitting the shores of Japan and killing near 16,000 people. Tomorrow, March 11th marks the one-year anniversary -- this just one of many powerful images. The magnitude 9.0 earthquake triggered this massive tsunami. Entire communities you may recall were engulfed and then swept away in just a matter of minutes.
What we know now is the earthquake would unleash not only this tsunami, but also the world's worst nuclear meltdown since Chernobyl disaster.
An author dressed up as a contractor was actually able to sneak in to the Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant and he says that the dangers are still very real.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOMOHIKO SUZUKI, AUTHOR (through translator): "Stop lying," he says.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What is this lie that you're talking about?
SUZUKI: "There's no way you won't be radioactively contaminated if you work at the nuclear plant," Suzuki says.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAYE: The total damage from the disaster has been estimated at about $300 billion.
Nadia Bilchik is joining me now with this morning's passport and one solution I guess to saving lives in future disasters you have found is actually giant air bags.
NADIA BILCHIK, CNN EDITORIAL PRODUCER: Yes. The Air Danshin system is quite brilliant, Randi. It is like a giant air bag underneath a home so it separates the home from where the tremor is or the earthquake is.
Let me take you through this step by step. It's very ingenuous. Starts off when an earthquake activates the sensor. Step two is the sensor activates a large air compressor which forces air into the home's foundation like a large air bag or balloon. Step three, the home would levitate around three centimeters off the ground and it will ride out the shaking in that way so it sort of forms, as you said, a cushion or a buffer and then the person in the home will let out the valve and the house will actually settle down.
KAYE: It sounds like one of those things that's under one of those jumpy houses, you know, that kids like to go in, right?
BILCHIK: Exactly.
KAYE: I mean that's kind of what it sounds like.
BILCHIK: It's exactly that. What it does is the house is not actually on the ground and won't have the effect of the earthquake. So quite brilliant.
KAYE: So can it be used in homes and other places, as well?
BILCHIK: Well, right now, it's in around 88 homes and they are looking to use this in larger buildings. But it's going to require slightly different technology.
On the subject of large buildings --
(CROSSTALK)
BILCHIK: -- to China today.
KAYE: Ok. What have you got?
BILCHIK: I got some hotels there, right? Five-star hotels, 30 story five-star hotel built in 30 days.
KAYE: That's pretty fast.
BILCHIK: Isn't that extraordinary? And this video went viral because it was incredible once you realized that yes, it's fast but it's not only fast on video and speeded up, but very fast in real life. All of 30 days because 93 percent of the building materials were, in fact, premade.
KAYE: Very smart. You just bring it to the site and put it all together.
BILCHIK: Bring it to the site. But also extraordinary is how eco- friendly this building is and it even has quadruple paned windows. So they say it's earthquake resistant and beside the rooms and various suites -- now the suite might be not a suite as we know it -- (INAUDIBLE) large suites because the building is more like a best western or a Days Inn --
KAYE: It looks like it probably has some pretty good features.
BILCHIK: Pretty good features. They even have an air pad, a gym, a pool.
KAYE: They built all that in about 30 days?
BILCHIK: In 30 days. And a new trend in building is a billionaire builder is involved, says by 2013 this is where building is going to be. This is going to be the trend of not only sustainable, but very fast.
KAYE: Wow. Very cool. Nadia, thank you very much.
BILCHIK: Innovation from Japan and China.
KAYE: All over -- you have the world covered for us. Thank you.
Well, even after they returned home from the wars, some veterans find themselves facing a new battle. Coming up: a look at one man's struggle with mental health issues.
And Washington is keeping a close eye on the violence gripping Syria. Could the unrest lead some of Syria's top ranking officials to defect? We're taking a much closer look at that.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAYE: As troops return home from war, more and more veterans are finding themselves in need of treatment for mental health issues. Many of them end up having to wait for long periods to get the help that they do need. Athena Jones spoke with one family.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JESSICA RAINES, WIFE OF VETERAN: Another army achievement medal.
ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Jessica Raines is proud of her husband's service. Paul Raines spent his tour in Iraq investigating IED and suicide bomb attacks.
PAUL RAINES, IRAQ WAR VETERAN: You see a lot. One of the bombings in the market, they killed women and children. I mean, it changes your whole perspective on life.
JONES: When he returned to civilian life in Maryland, he had a hard time coping. He learned later that he had post traumatic stress disorder.
P. RAINES: I drank like a fish when we got back. Really, I was just trying to suppress and kill the pain of what I saw over there. So it took a little while for me to actually get around to the idea that, ok, I need help.
JONES: The Raines contacted the Veteran Affairs Medical Center last May.
J. RAINES: I didn't have a choice. It was time to make a change. His moods were all over the place. His eating habits were up and down. We weren't even sleeping in the same bed because he would have flashbacks or nightmares.
JONES: Paul got an appointment with the primary care physician, but he says the doctor didn't perform a full evaluation and instead gave him medication to combat anxiety and depression. The Veteran's Health Administration mental health handbook says all new patients must receive a comprehensive evaluation and treatment planning evaluation within 14 days. The VA says 95 percent of cases meet those requirements. But the department's own survey found 37 percent of those have to wait longer than 14 days for an appointment. And once referred to a specialist, 52 percent have to wait more than two weeks to be seen.
That was the case for Paul. The pills he was prescribed in May only made matters worse and he didn't receive therapy. By July, he was suicidal.
P. RAINES: They admitted me into the psychiatric ward over at the VA clinic for a period of almost a week. I didn't meet the PTSD specialist until the end of August.
J. RAINES: After being --
(CROSSTALK)
P. RAINES: Even though they all knew I had PTSD, it was the end of August before I actually could meet with an actual PTSD psychologist.
JONES: Lawmakers are putting pressure on the VA to improve.
SEN. PATTY MURRAY (D), WASHINGTON: When a veteran has the courage to stand up and ask for help, VA must be there with not only timely access to care, but also the right type of care.
JONES: The VA says it's reviewing mental health services at all its facilities. For the Raineses, some things are improving. They say Paul's psychologist is great, but they meet just once, sometimes twice a month.
P. RAINES: I know I'm heading in the right direction. The question is, will the VA actually be there to stand by me and help me through the process.
JONES: Athena Jones, CNN, Frederick, Maryland.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAYE: Selection Sunday for March Madness is tomorrow. And we want you to join our bracket challenge. I'm filling out a bracket, myself. Yes, I admit getting a little bit of help here. Are you filling out a bracket? If you are test your bracket skills against mine and my very helpful producer. Go to cnn.com/bracket to join the March Madness CNN group.
Time now to check in with Christine Romans for a look at what's coming up on "YOUR BOTTOM LINE" at 9:30 a.m. Eastern. Hi, Christine.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN HOST, "YOUR BOTTOM LINE": Good morning. Is football too rough for growing kids? Some of what your kids are coached to do on the field would be, well, an assault anywhere else. As the National Football League deals with a scandal where players were rewarded for injuring their opponents, we wonder how far down that bounty mentality reaches. Add in the harm of hard hits on the brain, some parents this week have been wondering, does football belong in school? We ask former football giants wide receiver Amani Tumer (ph).
Plus, from Sarah Palin to Sandra Fluke, is political rhetoric these days demeaning women?
And I've got four things that you can do to save hundreds of dollars right now around the house.
That's all coming up at 9:30 a.m. Eastern.
KAYE: All right. That's very nice.
