ABC World News With Diane Sawyer   View more episodes

Aired at 04:30 PM on Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011 (1/26/2011)      View all transcripts from this day

Transcript

00:00:02Our reporter gets caught in the as.
00:00:04, a mistake of two pennies threatens a veteran's health insurance and we spring into acti.
00:00:14, >>> good evening from washington, where tonight, we are given a new window into the mind of a disturbed killer.
00:00:32The alleged killer in tucson.
00:00:35How jared lee loughner spent the hours beforehe shooting, , browsing the internet as so many people do, but with a very specific purpose.
00:00:44And we begin on all of this with pierre thomas who is here tonight.
00:00:47Pierre?
00:00:48>> Reporter: Diane, sources tell us that loughner's planning for that deadly rampage appears to have been much more meticulous , loughner was apparently contemplating every aspect of his assault, including the likely punishment.
00:01:01According to an official familiar with the investigation, loughner used his home computer to browse a website with information about , the source says he appeared to want to know what death by injection felt like.
00:01:14Lethal injection is the method of capital punishment imposed by the federal government.
00:01:20Loughner also allegedly browsed the internet for information about sol dare confinement and perhaps more, disturbing, he had been researching political assassins.
00:01:32It paints a picture of cold-blooded fore thought and an obsession with assassinating congresswoman giffords.
00:01:41Some believe the new evidence makes an insanity defe,nse a long shot for success even more difficult.
00:01:44>> The extent to which he planned the shootings makes it seem inconsistent with someone who doesn't know what he's doing or doesn't know right from wrong.
00:01:52>> Reporter: Legal scholars say loughner has left his defense attorneys limited, options, and diane, I can tell you the man i saw in court myself, opening grinning and smiling, appeared to have no remorse.
00:02:05>> You were telling me when he walked in the door he seemed to be in a different place because of the way he was smiling.
00:02:12>> Reporter: All the reporters seemed to gasp when he walked in because he was smiling.
00:02:14, >> pierre thomas reporting on the killer, the alleged killer, tonight.
00:02:18And I know you saw that picture last night, pierre, of mark kelly, the astronaut, mark kelly, holding his wife's hand in the icu as he watched the state of the union.
00:02:28Well, tonight, 18 days after the shooting, gabrielle giffords is , at last been moved out of the icu and into rehab.
00:02:36And her doctors have upgraded her condition from serious to good.
00:02:39But there are still so many medical questions.
00:02:41What does she comprehend?
00:02:43And can she mouth words?
00:02:44, >> Reporter: It was just a two-minute trip, but a major step forward for congresswoman gabrielle giffords, as her husband made the short ride in the ambulance with her.
00:02:57Mark kelly gave the thumb's up as she was moved from the trauma ward three blocks to the rehabilitation center at, tear memorial hermann, ready to begin her intensive therapy.
00:03:07>> In terms of recovery for brain issues, this is really at lightning speed.
00:03:12>> Reporter: Earlier concerns about fluid accumulation in the brain have subsided.
00:03:18The drain inserted to balance, out the fluid levels was removed two days earlier.
00:03:21What about infection?
00:03:22No infection?
00:03:22>> No infection.
00:03:23Which, you know, everybody is ecstatic about.
00:03:25>> Reporter: Swelling in the brain has go down.
00:03:27Her doctors are beginning to discuss options for closing her skull, a procedure that is still , doctors plan to replace a standa standa standard trache tube in her throat with currently prevents her from making any sounds.
00:03:49Once that is taken out, do you think she'll be able to speak?
00:03:51>> That is a big -- everyb,ody hopes that that will happen.
00:03:53>> Reporter: Rehab often works on both the physical ability to speak and the mental process of speaking.
00:03:56Even if she's got the physical ability to speak, she might have inability to remember the words?
00:03:59>> Or speak the words or remember words.
00:04:02What I tell the family and we all talk about this, for all trauma patients is, nobody comes through this exactly the same as, they went into it.
00:04:10Nobody.
00:04:11>> Reporter: This recovery is actually very exhausting, a lot of work, but the doctors are saying she's actually sleeping a lot less now and she's actually awake much longer now, which means that she will probably be, reaching a normal sleep schedule very soon.
00:04:26Diane?
00:04:26>> All right, bob, thanks to you.
00:04:31>>> And tonight, the snow-weary people on the east coast are asking, how much more?
00:04:35There is a brand new winter storm, more havoc on the roads and the tarmac.
00:04:39More than 2,000 flights canceled , and here's ron claiborne on the states fighting that snow, even when the budget is busted.
00:04:46>> Reporter: It is all painfully familiar.
00:04:47More snow.
00:04:49>> I think it's too much.
00:04:51I just want it to stop.
00:04:52>> Reporter: More cold.
00:04:53>> Yes, I'm already sick of it.
00:04:55Because it just doesn't seem to want to stop.
00:04:56>> Reporter: More mi,sery.
00:04:57>> Enough, man.
00:04:59>> Reporter: So much snow in this boston suburb, they've carted it away and piled up a mountain 50 feet high and four acres wide.
00:05:07So much snow, towns are getting creative.
00:05:09 lee, new jersey, is using salt water, like the brine pickles come in, as a first line defense to keep their roads ,clear.
00:05:16>> You spray it on your streets, before the storm, day or two before, and then when it snows, it will hit it, it will melt it to a point.
00:05:25After three quarters of an inch, it will just start to stick.
00:05:27>> Reporter: Snowplow driver joe , good invention?
00:05:32>> Good invention.
00:05:33It costs the town nothing.
00:05:36>> Reporter: In syracuse, new york, they're mixing beet juice with rock salt.
00:05:40The juice acts as an insulation to the salt, making it more effective in cold weather.
00:05:43But while salt water and beet juice help, they cannot stop this winter's financial , boston has already blown through two-thirds of its $16 million snow removal budget.
00:05:53Worcester, massachusetts, after running through all its snow money, kicked in another $300,000 and spent that, too.
00:05:58And new york city exhausted all $38 million it set aside for , snow four storms ago.
00:06:05It's so bad, new jersey today asked fema to help bail them out.
00:06:07Governor chris christie is pleading for $53 million in federal aid for battling the post-christmas snow, saying all this snow calls for " in fact, all of the ,hardest hit northeastern states are struggling right now with budget deficits.
00:06:22The last thing they needed, diane, was this.
00:06:27>> It would take a lot of pickle juice for that one, ron claiborne.
00:06:32Thank you so much for reporting tonight.
00:06:33>>> Well, even, the president felt the weather today, landing , right here, after a day trip out in the country, riding a wave of last night's state of the union address.
00:06:45President obama flew to wisconsin to amp up his message about spending money to make american k,ids smarter, on science education, for instance.
00:06:55But at the same time, he said he wants to cut the deficit.
00:06:59So, we asked jake tapper to give us a reality check on whether the president can have both.
00:07:03Good to see you tonight.
00:07:04>> Reporter: Thanks, diane.
00:07:04We learned today that the federal deficit is projected to 5 trillion.
00:07:08That is not going to help the president as he goes out to make his case to combine deficit reduction with new spending programs.
00:07:16The chicago bears-loving president had his team's sunday loss to the green bay packers rubbed in during a trip to , but he was focused on a different kind of boosterism, continuing his state of the union pitch on how the united states can win the future and quoting vince lombardi.
00:07:33>> There is no room for second place.
00:07:37There is only one place in my game and that's firs,t place.
00:07:39>> Reporter: Which means, the president argued last night and today, taking action to reduce the skyrocketing federal deficit.
00:07:46He proposed freezing some domestic spending, saving $400 billion over the next decade, ending the lower tax rates for the wealthiest 2% of americans, an increase of , $700 billion to the treasury, $78 billion in pentagon savings, ending tax breaks for oil companies, $40 billion, and banning earmarks, $80 billion.
00:08:093 trillion in , but the president also pushed for new spending, for innovation.
00:08:19>> Tonight, I challenge you to join me in setting a new goal.
00:08:20By 2035, 80% of america's electricity will come from clean energy sources.
00:08:24>> Reporter: Overall, an , analysis estimates all his clean energy goals would cost $500 million.
00:08:32Other goals?
00:08:33>> I ask congress to make permanent our tuition tax credit, worth $10,000 for four years of college.
00:08:39>> Reporter: Roughly $60 billion over ten years.
00:08:42Redoubling efforts to improve, infrastructure?
00:08:44Another $400 billion.
00:08:45Giving 80% of americans access to high-speed rail?
00:08:48$100 Billion.
00:08:50Total new spending?
00:08:51$1.1 Trillion.
00:08:55So it almost looks l between his new ideas for cutting and new ideas for spending.
00:09:00, Even some supporters in wisconsin today seemed skeptical of this approach.
00:09:05>> The math is not -- it's going to be hard.
00:09:07>> Reporter: Republicans are already attacking president obama for pitching too much spending and not taking deficit reduction seriously enough.
00:09:14And diane, he's also facing , trouble with democrats, senate majority leader harry reid calling the proposed earmark ban an applause line that's only for show.
00:09:25>> From his own party.
00:09:28Well, as you know, jake, if last night's state of the union was a prize fight of ideas about the, budget, the man in the corner across from the president was budget chairman congressman paul ryan, champion of urgent, deep cuts.
00:09:39A 40-year-old congressional rebel with a cause and jon karl spent the day with him.
00:09:44>> Reporter: He's been given more power over the federal , paul ryan, the republican with the budget axe.
00:09:55He's a little like the guy in the movie "dave," the accidental president who sets out to fix the budget, line by line.
00:10:04>> That's another $47 million, so, this is good.
00:10:05We're doing good.
00:10:07>> Reporter: But in the movie, dave only has to find $650 million in savings.
00:10:13Ryan wants to cut several trillion over the next ten years.
00:10:18I mean, how do you go in here and find the kind of, savings you want to find and how do you -- >> I've been reading these things since I was 22 years old.
00:10:26You go through it line by line.
00:10:28Direct loans, this is perfect.
00:10:29That is a new spending on auto pilot that has no congressional oversight and it gave the illusion that they were cutting spending.
00:10:36>> Reporter: He's a 40-year-old father of three who worked a,s a congressional staffer before getting elected in his own right at just 28 years old.
00:10:43At a forum last year, he questioned the president with his son in his lap.
00:10:47But to democrats, ryan is a villain, who would balance the budget on the backs of seniors , >> in the nicest way, I have to say, he doesn't know what he's talking about.
00:11:00>> Reporter: But rhinos what he sees.
00:11:01>> Look at these numbers.
00:11:02We're going to have a $25 trillion debt in ten years and the president wants to cut $400 billion over ten years?
00:11:07That's really nothing.
00:11:08That's peanuts.
00:11:09>> Reporter: So, paul ryan is on, a mission, determined to do the seemingly impossible.
00:11:15Actually balance the federal budget.
00:11:17Jonathan karl, abc news, capitol hill.
00:11:20>>> And, overseas tonight, anti-government demonstrators in egypt exploded in new violence , at least six people were killed.
00:11:27Almost 900 arrested.
00:11:30In two days of bloody clashes.
00:11:33And abc's alex marquardt is there.
00:11:37>> Reporter: Today, the egyptian " , protesters punched as they were dragged away.
00:11:46Despite the police being far more aggress i, these protesters are clearly not backing down.
00:11:53You can hear tear gas canisters being fired in the distance.
00:11:54Here, the protesters are breaking stones and burnin,g tires, hoping for a showdown with the police.
00:12:01They didn't have to wait long.
00:12:02Watch out!
00:12:04Watch out!
00:12:06The police moved in, our crew caught in the middle.
00:12:09>> Get down.
00:12:13>> Reporter: We just got tear gassed.
00:12:14They're shooting , indiscriminately at anybody o is in the streets.
00:12:24The protesters are emboldened by tunisia and seething with anger at the 30-year rule of president , "we have no dignity," this man " >> you cannot repress thousands or tens of thousands of people.
00:12:38It's better to find a compromise >> Reporter: But the clashes are spreading and compromise does , alex marquardt, abc news, cairo.
00:12:51>>> And still ahead on "world news," do breast implants cause a rare form of cancer?
00:12:59>>> And, a desperately ill veteran loses health insurance over two pennies?
00:13:01, >>> and, are there three words that can put americans back to work?
00:13:14resume.
00:13:14you.
00:13:15You know what, tell me, what makes Peter, Peter ?
00:13:17Well, I'm an avid catamaran sailor.
00:13:19I can my o,wn homemade jam, apricot.
00:13:21And I really love my bank's Raise Your Rate Cd.
00:13:24I'm sorry, did you say you'd love a pay raise Asap ?
00:13:27Uh, actually, I said I love my bank's Raise Your Rate CD.
00:13:30You spent 8 days lost at sea ?
00:13:33No, uh...
00:13:33You love watching your neighbors watch TV ?
00:13:34, At Ally, you'll love ourRaise Your Rate CD that offers a one-time rate increaseif our current rates go up.
00:13:41Ally.Do you love your bank ?
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00:15:02Taking PLAVIX alone or with some other medicines, including aspirin, may increase bleeding risk, , so tell your doctor when planning surgery.
00:15:09Tell your doctor all medicines you take, including aspirin, especially if you've had a stroke.
00:15:13If fever, unexplained weakness or confusion develops, tell your doctor promptly.
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00:15:24Other rare but serious side effects may occur.
00:15:38, >>> and now, we want to tell you about an important health warning tonight from the fda about a possible link between ,breast implants and a rare form of cancer.
00:15:57The latest in a long line of concerns about breast implants.
00:16:01Lisa stark reports that investigators are now alerting women and their doctors.
00:16:05>> Reporter: The warning involves both saline and silicone breast implants.
00:16:10The government says they may be , linked to a rare form of lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system.
00:16:18There are some 60 cases worldwide in as many as 10 million women with implants.
00:16:22That may not sound like much, but it's dramatically higher than the risk of the disease , the lymphoma can develop years, even decades, after the implants are put in, the cancer showing up in fluid and scar tissue.
00:16:37>> We don't want women to panic, they shouldn't panic.
00:16:39But if they're having symptoms, they shoul,d absolutely go to see a doctor.
00:16:44>> Reporter: Symptoms can include swelling, pain, lumps or asymmetry of the breasts.
00:16:50The fda says women with no symptoms should simply continue with their regular medical check-ups.
00:16:56They are not recommending they remove their implants.
00:16:59This is yet another twist in the tortured his,tory of breast implant safety.
00:17:04The fda banned most silicone implants nearly 20 years ago, concerned they could cause auto-immune diseases and cancer.
00:17:15But then, five years ago, the fda deemed, they were safe and put them back on the market.
00:17:19Today, the plastic surgeon's association still downplayed any danger.
00:17:21>> I want patients out there with implants to know that they have a higher chance of being struck by lightning than they have of getting this disease.
00:17:31>> Reporter: The vast majority of breast implants are put in for cosmetic reasons,.
00:17:33Those women may now have second thoughts, but a new york breast cancer surgeon says, for her patients, the benefits outweigh the risks.
00:17:42>> When a womawakes and she looks underneath the sheet, she has a breast there.
00:17:45She feels whole.
00:17:45She feels like herself again.
00:17:47>> Reporter: Tonight, the fda is calling on d,octors and implant patients to be on the lookout for more cases of this rare cancer.
00:17:55Lisa stark, abc news, washington.
00:17:59>>> And coming up, a veteran and cancer patient is two pennies short on his health insurance bill and they cut his insurance , ,, nana.
00:18:38I'm friend, secret-keeper and playmate.
00:18:42Do you think I'd let osteoporosis slow me down?
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00:18:53, he said reclast can helprestrengthen my bones to help make them resistantto fracture for twelve months.
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00:20:44>>> Imagine this.
00:20:45A vietnam veteran has cancer and is awaiting a stem cell , transplant when suddenly, the insurance company revokes his coverage.
00:20:58Revoked because his premium payment was two cents -- two cents -- short.
00:21:02When we learned of this story from our denver station, kmgh, , david muir picked up the phone to get answers and got results.
00:21:08>> Reporter: It's a doctor's appointment they will never , forget.
00:21:10Ronald flanagan, fighting cancer, was just moments away from getting a bone biopsy when his wife, in the lobby, heard this.
00:21:18>> They told me, well, you know, you don't have no insurance.
00:21:21>> Reporter: The couple was stunned.
00:21:25Especially because ron was soon to get a stem cell transpl,ant.
00:21:27Doctors had found a match.
00:21:29But their cobra insurance, coverage they were paying for after his wife was laid off, had suddenly been cut off.
00:21:36All because of a two-cent discrepancy.
00:21:39, frances paid $328.67.
00:21:44Two cents less, by accident.
00:21:46>> Everybody is very surprised that two cents is enough to do this.
00:21:52>> And now we're just pulling teeth and trying to figure out what's the next step.
00:21:57>> Reporter: Today, we called up, that cobra provider, ceridian.
00:22:04It's david muir at abc news.
00:22:06First, put on hold, then told by another worker we'd get a call back.
00:22:08And this afternoon, we heard from them.
00:22:11Could this possibly be true that they were dropped over two , >> we've reviewed the situation thoroughly and to establish facts and we're pleased to say that we've been able to work with theloyer and mr.
00:22:24Flanagan's cobra coverage was reinstated.
00:22:27>> Reporter: I just got off the phone with his wife and they have not been told that yet.
00:22:30>> We're in the process of , >> Reporter: The flanagans confirmed after so much worry over that two-cent error, it's finally over.
00:22:38What would you say to mr. flanagan tonight?
00:22:40Would you offer an apology?
00:22:43>> For what specifically?
00:22:46>> Reporter: Knowing that ,they were dropped because of a two-cent discrepancy as he waits for a stem cell transplant?
00:22:51>> We followed the normal processes, which are in complete compliance with the law and the regulations.
00:22:59>> Reporter: flanagan says he's been back on the phone with the transplant coordinator telling him he has his insurance, back now, trying to get back on that schedule.
00:23:06Diane?
00:23:08>>> And when we return, do you know how many items in your house, in the room where you're watching us now, were actually made in america?
00:23:16, staying active can actually ease arthritis symptoms.
00:23:26But if you have arths, staying active can be difficult.
00:23:29Prescription celebrex can help relieve arthritis pain so your body can stay in motion.
00:23:34Because just one 200mg celebrex a day , can provide our relief for many with arthritis pain and inflammation.
00:23:42Plus, in clinical studies, celebrex is proven to improve daily physical function so moving is er.
00:23:48And celebrex is not a narcotic.
00:23:50When it comes to relieving your arthritis pain, ,you and your doctor need to balance the benefits with the risks.
00:23:55All prescription nsaids, including celebrex, may increase the chance of heart attack or stroke, which can lead to death.
00:24:00This chance increases if you heart disease or risk factors such as high blood pressure or when nsaids are taken for long perio nsaids, including celebrex, , increase the chance of serious skin or allergic reactions or stomach and intestine problems, such as bleeding ann occur without warningand may cause death.
00:24:16Patients also taking aspirin and the elderly are at increasesk for stomach bleeding and ulcers.
00:24:21Do not take celebrex if you' had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergies t,o aspirin, nsaids or sulfonamides.
00:24:27Get help right away if you have swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing.
00:24:31Tell your doctor about your medical history and find an arthritis treatment that works for you.
00:24:36Ask your doctor about celebrex.
00:24:38comto learn more about how you can move,toward relief.
00:24:42Celebrex.for a body in motion.
00:24:57,,,, W/ diane sawyer >>> finally tonight, one idea, three words.
00:26:10And at a time when we all want more jobs in this country, the power to create a change.
00:26:16We wanted to let you know about , a groundbreaking project here at " it's all about those three " >> we need to outinnovate, outeducate and outbuild the rest of the world.
00:26:32>> Reporter: The mission, clear.
00:26:33>> Made in america.
00:26:34>> Made in america,.
00:26:35>> Made in america.
00:26:35>> Made in america.
00:26:36>> Reporter: The gauntlet thrown.
00:26:37>> We want to create and sell products all over the world that are stamped with three simple words.
00:26:41Made in america.
00:26:42That's our goal.
00:26:43>> Reporter: American workers making american products right here and selling them here.
00:26:48And overseas.
00:26:49, if every one of us spent an -made goods, it would create almost 10,000 new jobs in this country.
00:27:01Look at your living room right now.
00:27:05Your television, your sofa, do you really know if it was made , in the usa?
00:27:09Can you guess which one of these appliances was 100% manufactured in america?
00:27:15So, here's our challenge.
00:27:16Imagine emptying your home, one treasure, one utility, one room at a time and refurnishing it, with only american-made products.
00:27:24Could it be done?
00:27:25What would it look like?
00:27:27And what would it cost?
00:27:32In the coming weeks, join us as we find a house, buy american and get answers on what it , an extreme makeover for homeland improvement.
00:27:43Made in america.
00:27:47And stay tuned.
00:27:49We will do this together.
00:27:51To all of you a good night from , hope you have a wonderful evening.
00:27:56We'll see you tomorrow.
00:28:07>>> Developing news, live tonight at the end of a two mile east bay police pursuit.
00:28:12A chase with fatal consequence autos with liberty and justice for all.
00:28:17A local elected official refuses to say the pledge of alliegance with her colleagues.
00:28:23>> Oo in sacramento after being slammed as slush funds, big city mayors come to set the records straight on redevelopment money.
00:28:34>> And another car is fished from a central valley channel.
00:28:40How much longer can this go on?
00:28:49>> Good evening, frantic calls to 911 in oakland this afternoon led to a high-speed chase police.
00:28:55>> This and the suspect's car crashed a couple miles later.
00:29:03>> And we're live where the crash ended.
00:29:08>> Police just briefed us on this case.
00:29:11That, as you said ended up here this, is at 85th avenue and san leandro street.
00:29:18This is where the suspect's car described at this point as an infinity ended up this,

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