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Top Gingrich Staffers Ditch Him; Romney Skipping Key Iowa Straw Poll; NATO Could Face "Irrelevance"; Syrian Army Launches Revenge Attacks; Wikileaks: Deadly U.S. Mistake; Alabama Immigration Law Draws Critics; Crowe's Stand Against Circumcision; Satellite to Monitor Salty Seas
Aired June 10, 2011 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: And it's 10 a.m. on the East Coast, 7:00 a.m. out West. I'm Kyra Phillips, thanks for joining us.
It's a new day and new beginning for Newt Gingrich. A mass resignation takes place in his senior campaign staff. Today, he faces questions about what went wrong.
In Arizona, firefighters finally gaining ground on the massive wildfires. It contained 5 percent of the worse blaze and hoped to make even more progress with weaker winds today.
Bean sprouts grown in Germany now confirmed is the cause of the worst E. Coli outbreak in European history. At least 23 people died, more than 2,300 sickened.
Newt Gingrich, he's looking for a new presidential campaign staff this morning. Just about his entire senior staff is leaving. Still, Gingrich says he'll soldier on.
Our Paul Steinhauser live in Manchester, New Hampshire. So Paul, big shakeup. What's the deal?
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIRECTOR: You know, Kyra, I think of the seven people on the stage Monday night at our debate right here in Manchester, New Hampshire. Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker, he may be the one with the most to prove.
I mean, this was a very big deal yesterday, as you said, nearly all his top staff. His advisers, his officials of his campaign jumped ship. They said they had differences with the former House speaker over how committed he was to the campaign.
Over how he was fund raising and probably over some policy issues maybe as well. Also some talk that maybe Newt's wife, Calista Gingrich was not too enthusiastic about Newt Gingrich spending that much time on the campaign trail.
Gingrich has responded very quickly. Yesterday, he put on his Facebook page that he was committed to this campaign. That he would be at our debate. That he would also be at an event this Sunday night in Los Angeles to give a speech.
And I learned that he will also be next week, next Thursday at an event for the Republican candidates in New Orleans and Gingrich this morning telling reporters also that he remains committed. Now Kyra, this may also open the door to Rick Perry. The governor of Texas is thinking, thinking about running for the White House.
Two of the top people who resigned from Gingrich's staff yesterday, are two people who advised Perry, in his successful re- election run last year. So stay tuned and keep a close eye on Rick Perry as well. Kyra --
PHILLIPS: You're keeping a close eye on Mitt Romney too. He's in Iowa today.
STEINHAUSER: Yes, and big news about Romney in Iowa. He announced he will not be partaking in the Aims' straw poll. That's a big event out there in Iowa. It's a major straw poll. He was there four years ago. He won that one.
He put a lot of money and effort into it, but Mike Huckabee came in second and kind of grabbed all the spotlight. We know what happened after that. Romney did not win the Iowa caucuses. He did not win in New Hampshire and South Carolina.
It seems this time around for the former Massachusetts governor, as he makes his second dip for the Republican presidential nomination. He's not going to concentrate as much in Iowa, maybe more right here in New Hampshire. Kyra --
PHILLIPS: All right, Paul Steinhauser, thanks. Join us as Republican hopefuls face off the debate the big issues, the New Hampshire Republican presidential debate, Monday night 8:00 Eastern only on CNN.
President Obama's defense secretary slamming NATO for its mission there, war planes repeatedly bombing Moammar Gadhafi's Tripoli compound reducing it to rubble, but the dictator still reigns.
Secretary Gates, not impressed. Earlier this morning, here's what he said, quote, "The mightiest military alliance in history is only 11 weeks into an operation against a poorly armed regime in a sparsely populated country yet many allies are beginning to run short of munitions, requiring the U.S., once more, to make up the difference."
Nic Robertson has been following this war closely. So Nic, what's the deal? Is NATO not striking hard enough?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Or it's not getting the right targets, Kyra. I mean, Germany said, if you want to overthrow Gadhafi, you need to kill him or force him from power, which mean focusing pretty much all your efforts towards him.
Because it doesn't matter how much you beat his army to protect the civilians in the country as U.N. resolutions calls for, Gadhafi is quite happy to see his army hit and to stay in power himself. So everything has to be about Gadhafi.
We've seen NATO step up from not aircraft, jet aircraft, bombing, drones added into that mix, UAVs, unmanned aerial vehicles, now helicopters, attack helicopters are patches flown by the British- French attack helicopters so the effort has stepped up.
But 11 weeks into this, Gadhafi doesn't seem to be any further moved at this stage to leaving. So there is a frustration. There's a growing feeling amongst the international community that Gadhafi's days are numbered. But nobody is willing to put a time on it.
So I think what we're hearing here is a level of frustration that the job isn't done, despite all of this effort, expensive effort, nobody quite knows when the tipping point is going to come, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: We're waiting. Nic Robertson live in London. Nic, thanks.
New demonstrations and violence in Syria, the Arab country that's been embroiled in anti-government protests. The tension there is building and thousands of residents fleeing to the border with Turkey.
They are afraid that a government crackdown will lead to slaughter of civilians and those concerns rippling across the world now. CNN's Max Foster in London with our international headlines. Facts.
MAX FOSTER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, this is really difficult because foreign journalists are banned from the country so we're having to rely on Syrian state TV. But very clearly today, Syrian TV talking is about operations to restore security in Jshr al- Shagur. Read into that what you will.
The Turkish certainly very worried about the situation. The prime minister, is -- has been pretty reluctant in the past to criticize Syria. This is what he told the news agency, he said that the Assad regime was committing atrocities against antigovernment demonstrators.
The Irish independent talking about this today, saying the west fails to impress in wanting real change from Syria. Saying that while the U.S. and its allies want to raise pressure on Syria to end its violent crackdown, there are a few signs the west let alone the Arab world is ready for robust action that might make a difference. They're not getting involved basically.
Gulf News talks about divisions over al-Assad's future, talking about the leader of the country, focusing on the president. Despite the most repeated cliche in every Arab country facing protest, Syria saying this case is different because all parties do not leave al- Assad is weak enough to be overthrown yet.
So you were talking there to Nic about Libya, a lot of anti- Gadhafi feeling there. You don't have the same sort of anti-Assad feeling in Syria. So it's a different situation, one very delicate for the west to deal with.
PHILLIPS: Max, thanks. Still ahead, Americans in battle, civilians at risk and a horrible mistake now under the microscope.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAJ LARSEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: So, if they did everything by the book, is there something wrong with the book?
BRIG. GENERAL MARK KIMMITT, U.S. ARMY (RETIRED): I don't think so. The book doesn't have every scenario, doesn't have every possible outcome.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Haunting questions brought to life by whistle-blowing web site, Wikileaks. We'll take a look one tragic incident and the bigger issues that are demanding answers.
Also ahead in just a few minutes, a rocket set to blast off carrying a satellite into space to observe the salty seas. Rob Marciano is going to tell us why this is so cool and so important.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Live pictures quickly as the drama continues in the Casey Anthony trial. First, she left sick that was yesterday. Now today breaking down in court in tears. We're following the murder trial of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee. We'll continue to update you on what happens.
All right, Julian Assange, the self appointed champion of free speech who founded Wikileaks has dare to reveal the secret of both dictators and democracies.
Well, this Sunday, the CNN presents documentary "Wikiwars" takes you inside Wikileaks and in this excerpt, CNN's Kaj Larsen explores one of the most controversial leaks.
A video that showed American soldiers in an Apache helicopter shooting at people who would turn out to be civilians and we want to warn you images and the subject matter are pretty disturbing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LARSEN: And I want to move to the van video. And what you see is a van that's coming to help grab some of the wounded people on the ground. The Apache crew asked for permission to engage.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come on, let us shoot.
KIMMITT (voice-over): Again, this is an active battlefield. That van could have other fighters inside of it with weapons. Those fighters could put our soldiers at risk, could kill those soldiers that they're fighting. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We can say in this video, that the young pilot in the Apache helicopters have become debates in their character.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Look at that, right through the windshield.
JULIAN ASSANGE, WIKILEAKS FOUNDER: They are playing video games with real human lives and looking for excuses to kill people.
LARSEN: It turned out that there were children inside of the van.
(on camera): Sir, as you know, I have almost a decade in naval special warfare. You're obviously 30 years in the army, soldier to sailor, ground pounder to ground pounder. Should these men have exercised more restraint?
KIMMITT (on camera): I don't think so. What we have here from everything that I have seen is that we follow the proper procedures.
LARSEN: So if they did everything by the book, is there something wrong with the book?
KIMMITT: I don't think so. The book doesn't have every scenario, doesn't have every possible outcome.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: With us now with "a closer look," a special coming up, so what do you think the future is of Wikileaks? What's your take?
LARSEN: What's interesting right now, Kyra, is that the leaking landscape is becoming decentralized and what you're seeing are these rifle leaking organizations coming up.
One of the key lieutenants from Wikileaks left and started his organization called "Openleaks" and so you're seeing more and more of that. As Wikileaks itself is under the microscope.
PHILLIPS: And of course, we hear all of the hype. Everything across the internet, and we're covering this story and so many journalists talking about it. But with your background and your insight, and your sources within the intelligence community now, is this still a concern for our military and could it get worse?
LARSEN: Well, it's unclear whether Wikileaks is still a threat. Their organization is under the legal spotlight right now and it's unclear whether they can still be actively leaking major secrets.
But speaking in broad strokes, from the perspective of the intelligence community, I think they're kind of circling the wagons right now and they're really trying to shore up their defenses against these kinds of anonymous leaks.
That being said, Kyra, we live in a digital age. More and more things are online, making more and more of these sort of key pieces of intelligence vulnerable to this kind of activity.
PHILLIPS: This is something the military didn't have to worry about decades ago. Now all of a sudden, it sort of -- they are having to combat a different kind of war and that's the internet war.
LARSEN: Yes, I mean, I think that there is a sort of long legacy of espionage. If you think about, you know, the cryptology and the enigma machines back in World War II.
But there is something about that required, really boots on the ground intelligence. Here somebody can conduct cyber espionage from a continent away. That is a new phenomena.
PHILLIPS: Kaj, great to see you and nice to finally meet you in person.
LARSEN: It's great. Thank you.
PHILLIPS: All right. Well, you can of course see more on in this weekend. CNN Presents, "Wiki wars, The Mission of Julian Assange" that's Sunday night, 8 Eastern.
All right, let's check some of those stories cross country now. Alabama's governor is signing an immigration bill said to be tougher than Arizona's. It actually requires employers and schools to verify an employee or students' legal stats. The critics promised a court challenge, of course, and supporters say, well, the law is going to survive.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN MERRILL (R), ALABAMA LEGISLATOR: We want anybody who wants to make their home here to be able to do that. But we want every one of them to do it the right way through legalized immigration, through processed employment. We don't think that's asking too much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Now, police in Brooklyn, New York are searching for the triggerman in yesterday's shooting. On the brighten beach boardwalk, a teenage girl died, four men were hurt.
And two weeks after the final Oprah Winfrey show aired, there's report now of impending pink slips at Harpo Studio for unspecified number of employees.
A Delta 2 rocket all set to blast into space. It's carrying a satellite that will keep track of the saltiness of the ocean. We're going to tell you why this is important to all of us right after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: We always have something saucy for A.J. to talk about. This time it's Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe sparking a Twitter debate about circumcision. A.J. Hammer joining us live from New York with more on the controversy. Boy.
A.J. HAMMER, HOST, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT": Yes, nothing I would rather talk about on a Friday morning, Kyra. Russell Crowe now in the middle of a Twitter fuehrer, the Oscar-winner decided to wait into the debate about male circumcision.
Of course, this is a topic that always makes men wince. Crowe seems to think it's a practice that should stop. Listen to what he first tweeted. Circumcision is barbaric and stupid. Who are you to correct nature? Is it real that God requires a donation of foreskin? Babies are perfect.
Now Crowe aired this whole debate on his Twitter page and in the back and forth, he was asked about the Jewish practice of having a ritual circumcision. This is what he tweeted about that, many Jewish friends, I love my Jewish friends. I love the apples and honey and the funny little hats, but stop cutting your babies.
Now about the funny little hats didn't go over so well so Crowe had to back up on that comment. Just about an hour ago, he tweeted this, my personnel beliefs aside. I realize that some will interpret the debate as me mocking the rituals and traditions of others, I am very sorry.
But that doesn't mean Crowe feels any differently. One of his tweets this morning was this, wasn't intending offense, certainly wasn't intending to provide fodder for lazy journalists. I can't apologize for my heart-felt belief.
Russell, you and I go back a long way, my friend. Are you calling me lazy? Kyra, I think he's calling me lazy.
PHILLIPS: You know what? I'll handle him. Don't you worry. He doesn't scare me. I've always got your back, my friend.
Well, I would love to keep chatting, A.J., but we have a rocket launch to talk about. All right, we're about 15 seconds away. Don't forget, A.J. Hammer, "Showbiz Tonight" every night HLN, 11 p.m.
Meanwhile, NASA all set to launch this satellite. Rob Marciano, you're on it. Live pictures.
ROB MARCIANO, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Come on, baby. There it is - the Aquarius, Delta 2 rocket.
Launching from Vanderburgh Air Force base. Who doesn't like that? Come on. That thing is taking off in a hurry. It's going to reach Mach 1 in about 25 seconds from now. All you see is smoke right now. There it is.
Here's where the satellite is. That's where the money is. That's the money maker. Want to get that puppy up to space. It's got three solid rocket boosters - the main engine has liquid oxygen and you mix that with a little kerosene, ba boom, you get this kind of lift real quick.
Three solid rocket boosters that are about 42 feet high, they help for the first 60 or so seconds much like they did in the Saturn Four or Saturn Five rocket era so all of those engines are powering this puppy eventually to a height of about 600 miles above the earth's surface for a three-year mission, which is going to measure some salinity in the ocean.
So I'm kind of stall in here waiting for those rocket boosters to be - much like the two solid rocket boosters are fired off from the space shuttle.
PHILLIPS: Do you want to listen a little bit?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Standing by for separation.
PHILLIPS: Should be happening any second now and we have separation command. Separation, 1:45 in the Delta 2 vehicle weighs half to what it did at launch. Weighing about 800 pounds per second.
MARCIANO: Almost 2:00 into it now, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: We've been talking all about sea salt. Climate, the purpose of this mission, give us some details.
MARCIANO: Well, you know, normally the way weigh measure sea salt or salinity in the ocean is a lot has to do with ships that are being -- traversing the Atlantic or the Pacific via shipping lanes.
There's huge hole in the data set where's ships don't usually cruise. So these satellites - this satellite which is going to about 600 miles above the earth is going to be able to pluck measurements of how salty the ocean's surface and that's important because that will determine, you know, salinity and density go on hand in hand.
We live in a three dimensional world and ocean climate system, and the salinity will directly affect the way the currents move up and down and around the earth and that will in turn affect how our climate reacts to this. This is going to be a huge deal. We'll fill in big holes in our data set and hopefully understand things a lot better.
PHILLIPS: Cool stuff. I haven't heard you get that excited in a long time.
MARCIANO: It is a rush.
PHILLIPS: It is a rush. All right, Rob, thanks so much.
We're following, still, the live pictures out of Florida as the Casey Anthony murder trial continues. Sunny Hostin, our lawyer extraordinaire following this as well. We just dipped in Sunny just a little bit ago. I don't know if we still have the live pictures or not. It's taped. OK, got you
Here was the new video that we got. And the drama just continuing, Sunny, yesterday she falls ill. Today, she breaks down crying in court. What's your take? What's going on here? Does she know how to work the jury or is this just everything kind of unfolding naturally here?
SUNNY HOSTIN, LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR, "IN SESSION": You know, Kyra, I mean, certainly, there are those on my Facebook page that are saying that she should win an academy award for the tears yesterday and today.
But I will tell you that the past couple of days have been game-changers in this case. I mean, what we've been seeing before, beautiful pictures of little Caylee anthony, alive, well and smiling and happy.
Now the jury has seen pictures of little Caylee Anthony's remains, her skull, duct tape wrapped around the remains of her face and so certainly, that's a very a sobering moment for the prosecutor, for the defense attorney, for the jury, but no question about it for Casey Anthony.
I've seen this kind of reaction in defendants before, when they realize, wow, there's a significant amount of evidence that the prosecution is presenting against me. So it's hard to tell what she's reacting to. Certainly there are those saying they feel sorry for Casey Anthony and not Caylee Anthony.
But there are those that think that this is genuine shock, I will say this. Often times, defense attorneys have already shown their client the evidence that the prosecution intends to show. So it sort of seems odd to me that she would never have seen these pictures of Caylee's remains, but it is certainly possible. I haven't confirmed that with the defense team.
So it's hard to tell, but you know, statistically a lot of juries that are polled after guilty verdict have indicated, when they see this kind of emotion from a defendant, they think it's evidence of guilt.
So it probably isn't helping her very much, if the statistics are true that she is behaving and displaying this kind of emotion in the courtroom.
PHILLIPS: Sunny Hostin, we'll keep following it with you. Good to see you by the way. Sunny, thanks for joining us.
All right, well, you've seen his work dozens of times in your favorite movies and TV shows, you just don't know it. Veteran stuntman pushing Hollywood to recognize his people and add a best stunt Oscar. We're going to talk to him and see some of his craziest moves coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Congressman Anthony Weiner says he won't resign, despite the pressures. Conan O'Brien fully supports that decision.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) CONAN O'BRIEN: Here's the latest, both Democrats and Republicans are calling for Congressman Wiener to resign. Meanwhile, late night comedians are calling for him to hang in there. Please. Just another four years, is all I want.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: And of course, once again, Congressman Weiner leads off our political buzz. What a buzz-worthy week it's been. The buss, a rapid fire look at the hottest political topics of the day and each of our steamed political observers answers three probing questions as the clock counts down.
Today, Robert Zimmerman, member of the Democratic National Committee, he leans left, of course. Dana Loesch is a radio host and Tea Party leader who leans to the right and Erroll Lewis, host the show on New York City's politics.
OK, folks. At least one person, I guess defending Weiner, right now. Alec Baldwin and he's writing an op-ed piece, quote, "My thought on Weiner is that he is a very busy man. Like other politicians, he needs something to take the edge off."
Robert, whatever happened to a martini?
ROBERT ZIMMERMAN, DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE: You know, when I first heard about this essay, I snickered like everybody else. And I read Alec's essay on "Huffington Post." He wrote with great compassion. Did not excuse Anthony Weiner's behavior but wrote with great sadness for his family. I recommend sticking to a martini, working out, or therapy, not running for public office if you have those issues.
PHILLIPS: Errol.
ERROL LEWIS, POLITICS ANCHOR, NY1 NEWS: I suspect there's a martini or two exchanged between with some of the people engaged in the very behavior that got Anthony Weiner in so trouble. I think just based on his off-shirt looks, his bare chest, he looks like he's been doing some working out. That will take the edge off. Do a little bit more.
He also needs to shake a lot of hands if he wants to run for office again. That'll take the edge off too. Go out and meet some voters.
PHILLIPS: Dana?
DANA LOESCH, CNN CONTRBUTOR: What happened to a nice jog in the evenings? And I mean, if you want to have sexy time Facebook chats was people, why not his wife? I'm sure she had access to a computer. It just -- I don't understand the defense that anyone can defend him.
PHILLIPS: Yes, Dana, that one thing we've all been talking about. Our hearts definitely go out to the Mrs. right now. It's got to be tough. All right. Second question, Sarah Palin and the e-mail trove that's going to be released in ls than three hours now. Predictions on the juiciest find. Dana?
LOESCH: I love how certain media outlets have said for so long said she's so irrelevant! But let's go through all of her e-mails and let's crowd source everything. I think even if nothing -- I don't know what will be found. But even if nothing is, something will still be made of it. Just like something was made of Trig Palin's birth and Bristol Palin's pregnancy and everything else. They'll make something out of it.
PHILLIPS: Robert?
ZIMMERMAN: I guarantee you, Dana, they're not going to find any great government theories or any great policy papers in that treasure trove. But I don't really much care about what the e-mails show about her shopping sprees in New York, why she fired the police chief for curbing drinking in Wasilla. Bottom line is, if I want to read good summer fiction, I'll read Candace Bushnell's "Summer in the City."
PHILLIPS: Oh, plug for the book! Errol, what will you be reading? Or will you be reading the e-mails?
LEWIS: I think, in all seriousness, there's got to be a fair amount of information how the husband in particular got involved in the operation of state government. However, it's sort of irrelevant at this point. It's a couple of years behind us now. I don't think they're going to find any crimes or anything like that. It will be an unflattering, very intimate look how government gets run. And the last trove of e-mails showed that -
(BUZZER SOUNDS)
LEWIS: -- the husband, Todd Palin, was doing a lot of stuff.
PHILLIPS: All right. Buzzer Beater time, guys. Ten seconds each. Newt Gingrich said he's still running for president but, as we've been reporting all morning, top staffers jumping ship.
So, what's his Plan B, Robert?
ZIMMERMAN: Put the Tiffany jewelry close to $500,000 on eBay and take another vacation on another cruise.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Oh, my goodness. Dana?
LOESCH: Oh, I think right now his Plan B would be to join Rick Perry's campaign.
PHILLIPS: Errol.
LEWIS: I recommend he not do Rick Perry's campaign, but there are a lot of other ones to look at. Maybe a cabinet position in a future administration. Probably won't be Rick Perry.
PHILLIPS: All right, guys. Appreciate you weighing in on the buzz. Dana, Robert, Errol, always good to see you three. Thank you so much.
Well, most parents - pleasure -- will tell you that having children is a priceless experience. Well, to those parents, I say, listen up. The government put a price tag on the cost of raising a child. Alison Kosik tallying it all up for us. Are you ready to have, about, oh, I don't know, eight to 10 kids?
ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: I think I'll stick with the two at this point. You know what? Listen to the latest estimate from the USDA. If you have a kid, it will cost you $226,000 and $920 from when your child is born up to the age 18. That's for a middle-class family. That number is up two percent from last year.
And you know what? Your income matters with this. Because generally the more you make, the more you shower on your children. The big caveat here is guess what, Kyra? This doesn't even count college. And that can cost as much as another $50,000 a year at the current rate. Why don't you have another two more, right?
While I'm at it, Kyra, since I know you just did have -- you just had twins. Congratulations.
PHILLIPS: Thank you so much. And I already did the projection what it will cost to send them to college. And it's frightening!
KOSIK: Well, let's see how your knowledge is with this. OK? Let me ask you this. What do you think is the bigger expense? What's the biggest expense: health care, child care or housing?
PHILLIPS: Well, going through what I'm going through now, I would say child care.
(LAUGHTER)
KOSIK: You know what? I'm with you on that. I completely agree. But the USDA said housing. I'm with you about the child care. But housing - we're going to have to pay for housing anyway. We need a roof over our head. But the USDA said housing is 31 percent of the overall cost that we pay for our kids. That's followed by child care, then food.
I got some good new for you, since you have twins. Your expenses per child will drop as you have more kids. See, you can have a third! Because what happens is they wind up sharing bedrooms, hand-me-down clothes and toys and stuff and the discounts at private schools. So, it gets better.
PHILLIPS: Believe me, they are sharing everything, including the crib right now. So, I'm supportive of that.
All right. Look at stocks. KOSIK: Oh, stocks not doing well. Dow falling below 12,000 for the first time in three months. Dow right now, a little bit over. But we've been watching it slide below that. You know what? Not a lot of economic reports out today to guide investors. Analysts are saying what's happening is investors focusing on the negative reports we've gotten lately. Especially on some new news today on traveler's insurance warning. It's going to face $1 billion in losses because of those storm in the Midwest and South. Travelers' shares falling more than threee percent right now. Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Alison, thanks.
Coming up, it's a dangerous job. But somebody's got to do it. Some people risk their lives to make stars look good. So, why wouldn't the academy recognize them? We're talk to a veteran stunt guy about his Oscar campaign and his awesome career.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Well, they jump out of buildings, smash into walls and then get blown to kingdom come. Oh, yes. Stunt men and women bring the firepower to movies, like this '80s action flick, "The Exterminator." They break more bones than Evil Kinevil. And the stunts have only gotten bigger and badder. Sure. There's a lot of special effects here. But there are real guys taking real risks.
So, where the heck is their recognition. I tell you one place it isn't, the Oscars. That's why we're talking to Jack Gill. Veteran stuntman and stunt coordinator, he's been for years to get the Academy to add a Best Stunts category. So, Jack, why do they keep rejecting you?
JACK GILL, MOVIE STUNT COORDINATOR: I have no idea. I mean, for 20 years, I think this is going to be the one. But for every year, we keep getting voted down. So, I keep trying different things. But like I said, I am baffled at this point.
PHILLIPS: So, they are actually going meet again this week, which is why we're talking. Do you think this is your year? Do you think they've got any glimmer of hope here?
GILL: Well, I think we do. Only because we've got Don Hudson in there, who is taking the reigns from Bruce Davis. And Bruce has been fighting our cause for 20 years. And I hope both of them can convince the 43 board members that we really dobelong in the Oscar ceremony.
PHILLIPS: All right, and just to prove why you should belong - and believe me, we're fighting for your cause - let's take a look. I want to kind of walk us through a stunt. All right? I want to roll a clip. We picked this from "The Rock" from 1996. One of our favorite movies, of course. And we want to point out that as we look at this clip, that it wasn't Nic Cage that was gunning that yellow Ferrari. It was actually you.
(VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Still there, Jack?
GILL: Yep.
PHILLIPS: OK, sorry about that.
GILL: And it's --
PHILLIPS: I want you to kind of take us through the clip here. It wasn't Nic Cage, which, of course, the movie makes it look like it is, it was you in that car. Tell us about that stunt. What it took to pull that off, what it felt like -- and, by the way, did you break any bones?
GILL: Well, that one, I didn't break bones. But we are involved way before the filming takes the process, because we have to design the entire sequence and make sure everybody is safe in something like that. Even the stunt people. You know you have to keep the crew safe, but you also have to keep the stunt people and all of the people around the filming process safe as well.
But when you go in to to double an actor, you have to kind of adapt his mannerisms and all of the character traits that he has for that character, and it's tough. Different characters have different things they do. And as a stunt person, you have to adapt to that.
And like we say, you're going to get hurt. It's just the way it is. It's like a football player. Eventually, you are going get hurt. You just hope in our profession, you don't get killed.
PHILLIPS: Yes. And unfortunately, we have seen that happen.
So, I'm curious, when you see stars like a Sean Connery or a Nic Cage, even The Rock, and these fans rush up and say, oh, my God. Great stunts, man. That's so cool. And you're sort of sitting back going, OK, I did that, I did that. Does that drive you crazy or is that just part of the job?
GILL: That's always part of the job. And we understand that the public wants to see the actors doing their own stunts. We always adapt to that. As a stunt coordinator, that's what you try and do. You try to put the actor in as many action pieces that you can.
But you are also walking a fine line. Because if you hurt that actor, if he even breaks a finger, they point the finger at you and say why are you doing this? Now we're shut down for two or three weeks, while the actor heals.
So, a movie I just finished was "Fast Five," and we had a very enthusiastic action sequence in the end chase with the volve (ph). You have to put both actors in there as much as possible. And you are very particular about what you can put them in.
But I know the audience wants to see the actors doing, and we are good about trying to put them in there.
PHILLIPS: And you're also good about doing the stunts as well. "Fast Five" was a pretty hot movie. I would love to go driving with you. Jack Gill, tell us what happens next week. We're rooting for you.
GILL: Well, I think the vote happens on Tuesday. And hopefully -- I have a meeting later on today with Don Hudson. And hopefully if they can get this through and understand that we do belong. I mean, when you look at a movie like "Titanic" that had 11 nomination and the stunt coordinator was never acknowledge, and that was an action-packed movie. So, maybe on Tuesday, we'll get the vote and we'll be acknowledged next year.
PHILLIPS: We'll pay attention. Thanks, Jack.
GILL: Thanks again.
PHILLIPS: You bet.
Today's "Daily Dose." Some surprising stats from CDC. It estimates nearly 235,000 accidental but nonfatal injuries requiring a visit to the emergency room happen annually in U.S. bathrooms. More than four-fifths of reported injuries involve falls, usually involving the shower or bathtub. And numbers suggest women are more likely to be hurt than men.
And maybe not so surprising, the injury rates rise with age. You can get all the details online at the CDC's Web site.
Mexican drug cartels, using cash and sex to corrupt U.S. border and custom agent. The latest on a shocking government investigation next.
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PHILLIPS: Mexican drug cartels using other weapons besides violence to get their way. Weapons like cash and sex to bribe U.S. customs agents. In return, they get their drugs past the border, even getting protection from the people who are supposed to be busting them.
CNN Latin affairs editor Rafael Romo covering the story for us. Pretty shocking report out of Washington, but I guess to some, not a big surprise.
RAFAEL ROMO, CNN LATIN AFFAIRS EDITOR: That's right, Kyra. Just incredible. They are supposed to protect our borders, but top security officials say dozens of border agents have been complicit with Mexicans drug cartels, allowing drugs and illegal immigrants through inspection lines, testifying before a Senate subcommittee.
Charles Edward, acting inspector general at the department of Homeland Security, said border and customs agents have been bribed with cash and -- listen to this -- sexual favors. Edward said that a total of 127 agents have been arrested or indicts for acts of corruption, including drug smuggling, alien smuggling, money laundering and conspiracy with organized crime. The corruption investigations against agents have been going on since 2004. Last year, the inspector general's office launched a record 870 probes against agents who were acting suspiciously. Customs and Border Protection commissioner Alan Bersin told the Senate that the government is doing everything in its power to root out corruption.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALAN BERSIN, U.S. CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION: We recognize that there are bad apples in the barrel, and it is our job to minimize those. And it is our job to prevent corruption, detect it when it happens, prosecute it after investigating it, with -- in concert with other federal agencies and the United States attorney's office and the Department of Justice.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMO: As an example, Bersin spoke about an agent who is serving a 20-year sentence after pleading guilty for conspiring to smuggle 100 kilograms of marijuana into the United States. She also looked the other way to a lot of traffickers to smuggle undocumented aliens. So, all in all, still an investigation that's going on.
And the message here, Kyra, they're not going to tolerate any sort of corruptions from these agents.
PHILLIPS: All right. We'll track it. Rafael, thanks.
200,000 CitiGroup customers had their online accounts hacked. The thieves didn't get their Social Security numbers, but did make off with key personal information.
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PHILLIPS: Well, 200,000 CitiGroup customers have learned an ugly truth. Online banking is not a hundred percent secure. And all those customers had their accounts hacked. CNN's Brian Todd reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If you do any banking online, you will see that reassuring template, here is how we will protect your money, your identity. Citigroup has got it, but Citigroup just got hacked. The company says someone accessed the personal information of about 200,000 North American customers. It won't say how much money was lost. The hackers didn't seize Social Security numbers, dates of birth or card security codes, the company says, but did view customers' names, account numbers and contact information.
(on camera): Can they still do damage getting names, account numbers, contact information?
MARK RASCH, CYBERSECURITY CONSULTANT, CSC: Sure. With just your name and you contact information, what hackers can do is they can sell that information for identity fraud or identity theft. They can try to poach customers from Citibank. But more importantly, they can use that information to try to trick Citibank tellers or other operators into believing that they are the actual customer.
TODD (voice-over): Mark Rasch is a former cybercrime prosecutor at the Justice Department. He says the banks' built-in protections only go so far.
(on camera): On the same page of its Web site where it says how you are protected, Citigroup says it uses 128-bit secure sockets layer encryption technology, the most widely used method of securing Internet transactions available today. Sounds impressive, but can it really protect you?
What does this even mean?
RASCH: What SSL is, it means that from your browser, from this window here, to their computer, there is like a secure pipe that's really hard to break into. It doesn't mean anything about -- it's like driving to the bank. When you're driving to the bank, you're secure. But once you get inside the bank and engage in a transaction, it doesn't mean anything about the security of that transaction or the files when they're stored in their filing cabinet.
TODD (voice-over): Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Brian talked to experts who say that so much is at risk because the defenders -- banks, the military have to protect themselves against every possible threat. Hackers only have to get lucky once.
Life after the tsunami. The situation in Japan' damaged nuclear power plant still dire. And the radiation is spreading further than the government once thought.
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PHILLIPS: Many conservative voters just don't seem satisfied with the GOP presidential options out there right now. So, they are looking to the sidelines. Jim Acosta explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A Ronald Reagan bumper sticker on the Cadillac parked out from is just the first sign. Tammy's Diner in Roundhill, Virginia serves conservative politics right along with the country ham.
And it's a good thing the list of likely GOP candidates is not on the menu. Some of these Republicans might just stick with coffee.
MIKE MOREL, REPUBLICAN VOTER: I like somebody who is a staunch conservative. Staunch Republican. There's no model. No perfect guy sitting right there right now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Obama is going to get elected again. None of these guys can beat him.
ACOSTA: You don't think so?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Uh-uh. Not right now.
ACOSTA: There may be another reason why voters in Roundhill are looking for some other options. A few big-name politicians acting like presidential teases.
QUESTION: What about they said this is over, Governor? Are you going to think about it?
GOV. RICK PERRY (R), TEXAS: Yes, sir.
QUESTION: You're going to think about running?
PERRY: I'm going to think about it. But I think about a lot of things.
(LAUGHTER)
ACOSTA: Texas governor Rick Perry is stoking speculation with plans to stage a national prayer event later this summer. Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani keeps popping up in New Hampshire. And Sarah Oalin not only has a campaign-style bus, there's a pro-Palin movie coming soon.
QUESTION: What do you think the odds are that you will run?
SARAH PALIN, FORMER GOVERNOR OF ALASKA: I don't know, I honestly don't know. It's still a matter of looking at the bill and considering much.
ACOSTA: New Jersey governor Chris Christie is headed to Iowa for an education conference next month, but insists he's not running.
GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE (R), NEW JERSEY: I made a commitment to the people of New Jersey when I asked them for four years as governor.
ACOSTA: These of these Republicans as specials of the day. Not quite on the GOP menu but not quite off. A new CNN/Opinion Research poll shows Republicans do want alternatives. Two-thirds of GOP voters would like to see Giuliani jump into the race. A slightly smaller, though not-too-shabby majority wants Palin to run as well. Another recent poll found 40 percent of Republicans aren't happy with their choices.
PEGGY MACKEY, REPUBLICAN VOTER: If the election were tomorrow, it would probably be Mitt Romney, but that's only because of the lack of choice.
ACOSTA: Back at Tammy's Diner, even the prospect of some new choices like Palin don't sound too 'advertising.
JEREMY AIKEN, REPUBLICAN VOTER: Are you going to get elected to president and leave halfway through? Give me a break. Shouldn't do that.
ACOSTA: A sign that when it comes to the GOP field these days, not every Republican is a satisfied customer.
While this field has its critics, it may also have a frontrunner. Mitt Romney is the leading Republican according to a slew of new polls. The only question is whether Romney can fight off any new flavors of the month that are added to the GOP menu.
Jim Acosta, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: And don't forget to join us for the New Hampshire Republican presidential debate, Monday night, 8:00 Eastern, only on CNN.
Hope you have a fabulous weekend. Still have a little more time though to watch CNN.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: You going to go golf a little?
PHILLIPS: Yes. We're talking about it. You know, the twins are great caddies at 3 months old. They think about those shots.
MALVEAUX: They've been before though. You've golfed before with the twins.
PHILLIPS: That's right.
MALVEAUX: That's pretty cool.
PHILLIPS: Two down, many more to go.
MALVEAUX: OK. Have a great weekend.
PHILLIPS: Have a great weekend. All right, Suzanne.
