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@THISHOUR WITH BERMAN AND MICHAELA

Obama to Hold Meetings on Ferguson; Rams Players Protest on Field, No Discipline; FBI Warns Military on ISIS Threat; Janay Rice Speaks to NBC; The Danger of Concussions

Aired December 1, 2014 - 11:00   ET

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


MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN CO-ANCHOR: ISIS terrorists going after members of the military here at home. The FBI's frightening warning and why they're telling servicemembers to watch what they post online.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: An Ohio state football player is found dead of an apparent suicide. Why his mother thinks concussions might be to blame.

PEREIRA: And will Ray Rice be forgiven for knocking out his fiancee in an elevator? It didn't end his football career or even his relationship.

His wife is now talking about what happened and how they are trying to move on.

BERMAN: Hello, everyone, I'm John Berman.

PEREIRA: It's December 1st, John Berman. Can you believe that?

BERMAN: It's Monday, too.

PEREIRA: Where has the year gone? I'm Michaela Pereira. We'll have those stories and so much more for you, ahead @THISHOUR.

BERMAN: Ferguson is the focus at the White House this morning. The president is about to start a series of meetings following all the unrest that happened there. He's looking for ways to improve relationships between law enforcement and minority communities.

PEREIRA: These talks come a week after a grand jury decided not to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown. Wilson had resigned from the force. He's turned in his badge. He is no longer a police officer.

We're covering both angles of this story. Our Jim Acosta is at the White House. Ed Lavandera is live with us from Ferguson.

Jim, we'll start with you first. Give us an idea of what's planned for this day-long set of meetings and who will be in attendance.

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: The president is certainly wading back into the politics of Ferguson after taking a long holiday weekend break. He is going to be meeting with members of his cabinet at around noon in just about an hour from now, and he's going to be talking about not only this issue of this lack of trust in minority communities in police departments, but he also wants to get an update of a review that he ordered of Pentagon excess military equipment being sent to law enforcement agencies around the country.

There's been a lot of talks, as you know, guys, about this issue of whether police departments are overmilitarized so the president will get an update.

Later on this afternoon, he'll meet with young civil rights leaders, and then following that, there's going to be a much larger meeting over in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. That's the large federal building next to the White House where the president, vice president, law enforcement groups, church leaders, faith leaders and also civil rights groups will be meeting, all sort of coming together to get this national dialogue going.

But, John and Michaela, the one question we have not answered yet is whether or not the president is going to be going to Ferguson. That's one thing that the White House has not really answered the question on.

But we should point out that the attorney general, Eric Holder, he'll be in Atlanta later today. He's going to be doing sort of a tour of various cities around the country to also get that dialogue going with civil rights leaders and faith leaders around the country.

BERMAN: Jim, again, the big question as you say is will the president go and if so when.

But I suppose another question is, is today just about talk or can we expect any kind of action?

ACOSTA: You know, I don't think we're at the action phase yet. I think we here in the talking phase for sure, John.

But no question about it, this is a country that probably needs to start a conversation on this issue. It's a question that has lingered for some time during this presidency, and President Obama has struggled with this issue from time to time.

You've heard African-American leaders, civil rights leaders, really go after this president and say he hasn't done enough. And so this is really a first step for the president to get that conversation going.

But no question about it, I think the symbolic gesture of the president going to Ferguson, Missouri, would do a huge amount of good, I think, in the civil rights community in terms of shoring up his support in that community.

They're still thrilled that President Obama is in the Oval Office, but you are starting to hear members of that community question whether or not this president has done enough, and I think that conversation gets going today. And I think having police groups in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building with the president and the vice president, sitting down with civil rights leaders, I think getting that conversation started is also very valuable, even though there might not be any big executive orders coming out of this meeting.

PEREIRA: Fair point. Thank you so much, Jim.

Ed, I want to turn to you. It's interesting, Jim talking about symbolic gestures there. We know over the weekend Officer Darren Wilson resigned.

Do you think that's being viewed as a symbolic gesture, or do you think it is a step that will be seen as a -- I don't know-- inching towards some healing in that community?

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, this is a situation where I don't think many people here in the Ferguson area, whether you support Darren Wilson or you didn't, could ever have envisioned a situation where Darren Wilson would be patrolling these streets.

Many people you speak with here in Ferguson say it was a necessary step, something that had to happen to get things moving along.

BERMAN: And, Ed, I know a lot of people are talking about what happened on a football field nearby this weekend when the St. Louis Rams, five of them, before the game started, they put their hands up as they ran on the field in that gesture so many people identify with the protests in Ferguson, the "hands up, don't shoot" gesture.

How was that received in Ferguson?

LAVANDERA: There are a lot of people who thought it was perfectly appropriate or appreciated the gesture

But, you know, this controversy is also interesting that it happens on a day when you have so many people talking about people bridging gaps. The mayor of Ferguson is outlining some steps they want to take to bridge these gaps between the police department and the African- American community here.

And then you have this controversy where the St. Louis Police Officers Association criticizing in very strong language what these football players did on the field yesterday afternoon.

So, you know, here you have on one side people talking about bringing people together to have these conversations, and then you have these diametrically opposed situations that unfolded yesterday here, so it's kind of a case in point of how both of these sides need to come together.

PEREIRA: We actually just gotten am interesting response here. The NFL, the league, is responding to the St. Louis Police Officers Association statement.

This is how the league responded. I think it's worth bringing up. It says, quote, "We respect and understand the concerns of all individuals who've express views on this tragic situation."

When our sports departments sort of pressed them on whether they have any intention of disciplining them, they went on to say, "We do not have nothing further to add. No discipline."

So no discipline those five players will be facing for this gestures at the game over the weekend.

BERMAN: All right, Ed Lavandera, Jim Acosta, thanks so much for being with us. Appreciate it, guys.

PEREIRA: We actually have a disturbing warning from the FBI to members of the military. ISIS is going after them here in the United States.

In a security bulletin, the FBI says, quote, "Overseas-based individuals are looking for like-minded individuals in the U.S. to carry on these attacks."

It goes on to say, "We also request members of the military review their online social media presence for any information that might attract the attention of violent extremists."

BERMAN: Our justice correspondent Pamela Brown joins us now from Washington.

Pamela, what's behind the FBI issuing this warning? And there are some specifics in it as well, talking about social media.

PAMELA BROWN, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: That's right, John and Michaela.

According to a law enforcement source, this latest bulletin is based on new information suggesting ISIS is renewing calls for attacks, particularly against U.S. military members in the homeland this morning

It was sent Sunday night by DHS and the FBI, and it basically says that ISIS members overseas are looking for homegrown violent extremists currently living in the U.S. to carry out these attacks.

This is all based on recent online chatter on social media, on these extremist forums, and this bulletin also suggests that members of the media -- of the military, rather -- be cautious with what they post online, review their online social media presence for any information that might attract the attention of violent extremists.

And this bulletin follows the recent attack in Canada against a solider. I think that contributed to this concern. And also intelligence sources I have been speaking with have expressed this growing concern in recent months that ISIS could inspire recent individuals in the west to carry out small-scale attacks against all kinds of individuals, not just military members, but also law enforcement, even members of the media.

John and Michaela?

PEREIRA: Pamela Brown, thank you for that update. We appreciate it.

Ahead here, he went missing and then was later found dead. Did a series of concussions lead to this young football player taking his own life?

BERMAN: Then did a Republican staffer go too far when she said that the Obama girls need to show a little class and respect their position?

I think the real thing that she said that have people talking about is she criticized their clothes and their appearance. We'll discuss that coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PEREIRA: @THISHOUR, some NFL teams might be looking to give Ray Rice a job, now that he's been reinstated by the league. ESPN is reporting that at least four teams are showing interest in him, so it's possible Rice could get back on the field this season.

BERMAN: Also, going on really for the first time since this all broke this fall, Janay Rice is talking about what went on in that elevator earlier this year when her then-fiancee Ray knocking her out.

Janay Rice is talking to NBC about the episode. She's also talking about what has happened since.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JANAY RICE, RAY RICE'S WIFE: When I saw that it was horrible. You can't make excuses for anything, but we were highly intoxicated, and in the moment you're not thinking about, oh, my god, I'm on camera in an elevator.

So of course people are going to read into everything and pick at everything about this situation. We understand that.

MATT LAUER, NBC NEWS: Prior to what we have now seen in that elevator, was there ever any incident of violence in your relationship with Ray, or has there been any incident of violence since then that elevator incident?

RICE: No. No. No. There's no way. He knows what he would have to deal with if this was something -- I'm not going to sit there in silence and let something happen to me and, you know, God forbid, in front of my child and just let it happen. There's no way.

LAUER: There's something else on that tape. The punches, obviously, outrageous. But there's something that happens after the punch and there's -- it's mostly seen from outside, and, Janay, you are unconscious. You're out cold on the floor.

And instead of being so freaked out that he kneels down and takes your daughter's head in his arm and strokes her face and her hair and says, "I'm sorry," he stands there for a long time.

What did you think when you saw that part of the tape?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was very upset by that part. And I told him so. I basically told him that I didn't care who was out there at the elevator, you should have never left her there like that.

RICE: I did tell him that. And I asked him, after I saw it, why did you just leave me there like that?

LAUER: Did you see that part? From the outside? Why didn't you comfort me?

RICE: Yeah. He said he was terrified.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: So interesting to hear her speak on her own terms, not with a Baltimore Ravens backdrop there. She did give that news conference --

PEREIRA: And with her mother by her side, too, interesting perspective.

BERMAN: Very interesting. Let's talk about this. We have Rachel Nichols here with us, also Brian Pinero from the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

PEREIRA: Brian, I think one of the things that we want to talk about with you is because you know this all so well. She says right after the incident she knew in her heart that she wasn't going to leave him; it wasn't going to be the end of them. She urges teams to look past what he did to her and hire him. She's standing by him. What do you make of that?

BRIAN PINERO, NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE: Well, you know, what I make of it is it's not any different from what I've heard on phone calls in my time here when I've talked to victims. There's still love in that relationship. And to expect her to all of a sudden, once that punch happened -- there was still a marriage. And it didn't end with that punch. So part of this is this is natural. Victims love their abusive partner, no matter what happens.

I also think this is just part two for her, is like there's an amount of embarrassment attached to this because of the judgment that comes with it, and frankly victim blaming that we've heard. So I think wanting -- for her wanting to support her husband is also at the same time wanting to support what she believes is the love that she has for her husband.

BERMAN: Hey, Brian, you've seen so much ugliness, I think, in probably all your work with domestic abuse. Have you seen any stories turn out well? Is it possible that there will be some storybook ending now for Janay and Ray Rice?

PINERO: I believe that there are endings in which people change, otherwise I wouldn't be doing this work. And the people who answer the calls here wouldn't. I think we do hear from people who contact us back, who come back and say, hey, I was able to get the change. I can remember talking to a young man who contacted me who was actually in the military who said I really want to change. I don't like that way that I'm behaving with my partner and he wanted the steps laid out of how he could change. So I do know that people want to change and I do believe that people can change. But, again, just like abuse is a choice, change is a choice.

PEREIRA: Change is a choice. And, Rachel, obviously now that he's been reinstated by the NFL, what does the future hold for Ray Rice? We've talked about the fact there are some teams expressing interest. How does he move forward? And does he move forward without his name being tarnished?

RACHEL NICHOLS, CNN HOST, "UNGUARDED": Yes, teams have expressed interest which means basically they've made a phone call. That's a far leap from we're signing him. In fact, a couple of the teams who have expressed interest have then put it -- made it known throughout NFL circles we're not going to sign him; we just made the phone call.

So it will be interesting to see if a team takes a chance on him this season. It's late in the season. He didn't have a very productive season, just in football terms, didn't have a very productive season last season. There's a lot of controversy associated with him right now so that's a big question mark.

I would think it would be more likely that we would see him back on a team maybe next season. And, look, America is a country of second chances. There are not a lot of people who think that if you have done something and paid a price for it, you deserve to never work again in your entire life. I think there will be some public acceptance if he comes back on a football field, but there will also be protests.

BERMAN: Let's talk a little about Roger Goodell. You've had some awfully tough questions for him yourself.

What's going on in the Rice household is almost a separate issue between what went on and what is going on in the NFL. This has got to be a slap in the face to Roger Goodell to have him, Ray Rice reinstated over his suspension here. It's an arbitrator essentially saying you got it wrong.

NICHOLS: Yes, and not just that, but the way she said you got it wrong. In her decision, she specifically said that Roger Goodell's punishment was, quote, "arbitrary". We don't like arbitrary justice in this country, first of all. And, second of all, she made the point of saying she disagreed with what Roger Goodell said in the aftermath of that elevator tape being shown.

I want to remind everyone what happened. He suspended Ray Rice initially for only two games. Then the TMZ tape comes out, everybody goes crazy over it, as they should have after seeing that, and said, "Wait a minute, if you knew this, why didn't you suspend him for more?" And he came out and in an effort apparently to save face and said no, no, no, Ray Rice misled me about what happened in that elevator. He did not tell me the truth.

So he basically tried to pin his initial two-game suspension being light on Ray Rice. And say oh no, no. We didn't have the information. The arbitrator came out last week and said yes, you did.

BERMAN: You kind of did.

NICHOLS: Not you kind of did. She specifically said you did. It is my finding that he told you the truth.

So that is now one more strike against Roger Goodell. But I want to say, very strongly, the NFL owners are not going to use this to fire him. This is going to be maybe a hit on his credibility in the public sphere, but he is going to keep his job and he will continue to march forward.

PEREIRA: Rachel Nichols, thank you so much for that. Brian Pinero, thank you so much for the great work you're doing on behalf of domestic violence victims out there. Keep on doing it, OK, my man? Appreciate it.

PINERO: Thank you.

BERMAN: Ahead for us @THISHOUR, the Ohio State football player complained of having confusion after concussions. So did sports injuries contribute to his death?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: New unanswered questions today about the tragic death of an Ohio State football player. Police say 22-year-old Kosta Karageorge apparently shot himself after sending his mother this text. It reads, "I'm sorry if I'm an embarrassment, but these concussions have my head all f'd up."

The defensive tackle's body was found in a dumpster with a handgun nearby.

PEREIRA: His mother told police her son had suffered several concussions, had even complained about having these spells of confusion. The team reported him missing last week when he didn't show up for practice.

Joining us now to talk about this terrible story, our medical analyst Dr. Seema Yasmin. It is such a pleasure to have you here; I'm sorry it's under these circumstances, talking about the loss of a 22-year- old man in the prime of his life.

I'm curious what you can tell us about what the science is pointing to in terms of concussions. We've been talking about it a fair amount, it seems, when it comes to football in the last few years. Is the research pointing to, over time, repeated concussions could lead to someone, I don't know, feeling suicidal thoughts?

DR. SEEMA YASMIN, CNN MEDICAL ANALYST: Absolutely, Michaela, it is. In fact, there's a brain bank in Massachusetts that looks at the brains of people who've played football and who've then passed away. They've looked at 128 brains of people who played either professional football, semi-professional football, or college or high school football, and found upwards of 80 percent of them had some kind of chronic brain injury. And even the NFL recently, in court documents, has said they expect about a third of their retired players to suffer some kind of brain injury and consequences like dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

PEREIRA: But isn't that the key there, is that those are generally retired players? This was a young man. He was only 22; he's playing college football.

YASMIN: The thing is, though, with concussion, you're getting this traumatic brain injury, the brain is literally shaking inside of the skull, and the symptoms can initially be quite subtle. They can be things like headache; patients sometimes say they feel like they're stuck in a fog, they can't concentrate, they can't remember. But parents will say to them, well, their personalities have changed since they've had a few concussions, especially when it's been repetitive.

We know that, in this instance, sadly, this guy was also a wrestler as well, and playing different kinds of contact sports and having repeat concussion cans increase the chance of things like depression as well.

BERMAN: I want to talk a little bit more about the warning signs here, because it's not just retired football players. I mean, people talk about concussions now in high school sports for boys and girls. So it's affecting so many people in so many sports.

So what do you look for if you're a parent? I mean, this kid, this poor kid, he obviously had an idea that concussions were somehow causing him depression if nothing else and maybe being suicidal. But short of that, what are some of the signs?

YASMIN: The concern is, John, you don't need loss of consciousness in order to have a concussion, so folks might be watching a game and think, well, that person fell over, they knocked their head, but they got back up again, they didn't pass out. They could still have had a concussion. The symptoms and the signs can be really subtle. As I mentioned, a headache, just some changes in mood, but really be careful about those and look out for those. Seek medical treatment and make sure that you give yourself the time to recover and heal.

We know that once somebody's had a concussion, the ten days after that are absolutely crucial. In those ten days, there are much increased chance of having a second concussion. So it's important they see a doctor and sit out a few games if that's necessary.

BERMAN: That's why there are these enforced protocols now in college and pro sports; if you have a concussion you have the come off the field, you got to sit. And they have all these things in place. Not enough, I think in some cases.

PEREIRA: No, and they've got to make sure that protocol's being followed down to when the kids are starting to play.

Dr. Seema Yasmin, thank you so much for joining us. We appreciate it.

YASMIN: Thank you.

PEREIRA: Ahead @THISHOUR, this has certainly become a symbol for protesters supporting Michael Brown. "Hands up, don't shoot". You've seen this before. But the question is, does it have a place on the football field?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)