they ever did make it to manhattan. i'm brian schachtman. this is "way too early." also, crossing the so-called red line in syria. the white house says the assad regime is using chemical weapons. the question is how will the united states respond? by the way, you got any weekend travel plans? congress actually does. the deadline pushing lawmakers to end the air traffic controller furloughs by the end of the day. first let's get to our top story here at 5:30 a.m. at 30 rock in new york city. we begin with chilling details behind the tsarnaev brothers alleged plot to attack the heart of new york city after, of course, causing so much damage in boston. according to city officials, the two marathon bombing suspects discussed driving to new york to detonate their remaining explosives in a spontaneous assault on times square. at the time their arsenal included five pipe bombs, one pressure cooker bomb, similar to that one, of course, and the two used in last monday's deadly

attack. police say the young brother had visited times square at least once last year. however, their plan fell apart after realizing the mercedes they carjacked last thursday night did not have enough gas to get them to manhattan. a senior official did describe the plan as, quote, undeveloped and aspirational at most, end quote. federal officials learned about the plan following a pre-miranda rights interrogation of 19-year-old dzhokhar tsarnaev. and it appears the younger brother has stopped answering questions about the bombing since he was read his rights on monday night. that is, of course, sparked a debate among lawmakers over how the government should handle domestic terror cases. >> we can't have, in a case like this, the judiciary deciding because it's on tv and it might look bad for public safety exception that is deemed legal by the united states supreme court, that they were going to somehow intercede in this, it's confusing.

it is horrible, god-awful policy and dangerous to the greater community. and we have got to get to the bot omp this and we've got to fix it right now. >> tsarnaev was reportedly questioned by investigators for up to 16 hours over the course two of days answering questions mostly in writing due to the severe injury to his neck. we go overseas to syria. the obama administration facing one of the toughest challenges of his entire presidency. the syrian government, they are saying, has used chemical weapon agents against its own citizens. the white house told lawmakers yesterday that u.s. intelligence agencies have determined with, quote, some degree of varying confidence, end quote, that the assad regime has deployed chemical warfare against at least two times in an attempt to tip the scale of the civil war in their favor. in august, president obama opened the door to potentially increasing america's involvement in the two-year-old conflict while speaking about the so-called red line of chemical

weapons. >> we have been very clear to the assad regime, but also to other players on the groundthat a red line for us is, we start seeing a whole bunch of chemical weapons moving around or being utilized. that would change my calculus. that would change my equation. as we're monitoring that situation very carefully, we have put together a range of contingency plans. we have communicated in no uncertain terms with every player in the region that that's a red line for us. and that there would be enormous consequences if we start seeing movement on the chemical weapons front or the use of chemical weapons. >> that was back in august. we'll see how the reaction is now. yesterday, though, secretary of defense chuck hagel spoke about the government's findings. >> we need all the facts. we need all the information. as to a red line, my role as

secretary of defense is to give the president options on a policy issue. that's a policy issue. and we'll be prepared to do that at such time that the president requires options. meanwhile, senator john mccain who has been a leading voice for u.s. military involvement in syria expressed his disappointment at the obama administration's handling of the crisis. >> we should have intervened long ago, whether bashar al assad was using them or not. he slaughtered 80,000 people while we've sat by and watched. it's been one of the most shameful chapters in american history. >> joining us from cairo, nbc news correspondent atia. how is this being digested in the middle east? >> hi there, brian. well, many people are paying attention to what president obama and washington will do, but it seems pretty clear from secretary of defense chuck hagel that they just have some -- some

possibility that the syrian government has used a chemical weapons, but they don't have conclusive evidence. but for some time now, as you mentioned, president obama has said that it will be a game changer. in fact, he said it just last month during his trip to the region. what is expected is that sarin was used. that's a chemical nerve damaging agent that can be very fatal when used as a weapon of mass destruction, really. it is designated as a weapon of mass destruction by the united nations. but for this syrian regime's part, for some time now, they've said they haven't used chemical weapons. they point the finger at the rebel movement. they say the rebels are actually using those chemical weapons. and right now, many people are just pointing to photographic and video evidence that chemical weapons may have been used. but many intelligence agencies are talking about possible soil and blood samples that were taken to see if this chemical weapon sarin was used. >> atia, i'm just curious.

what is your sense of what the reaction in the region would february the u.s. became more directly involved in this conflict? >> it will be more of a global reaction, brian. when you look at countries such as russia and iran who have been long supporters of the assad regime, they'll not want america to get involved in this war that's now in its third year that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and caused more than a million syrians to be refugees in nations all throughout the world. but many countries, including some in america, as you saw with senator mccain, they'll be happy in america gets involved because they feel assad's regime is massacring the syrians -- syrian civilians. it's an ongoing civil war that's caused many throughout the world to wondier america hasn't gotten involved yet. >> atia abawi, thank you. have a good and safe weekend. teams of rescuers are still on the scene of a building collapse in bangladesh which killed at least 275 people.

wednesday's disaster is the worst of its kind in that country's history. dozens of survivors have been pulled from the rubble but it's still not very clear how many were inside when the structure gave way. police ordered the building evacuated earlier in the week after cracks were discovered in the walls. but factory officials there reportedly ignored the warning and kept thousands of workers on the job. here at home, former president george w. bush says history will ultimately judge his time in the white house. he also has a chance to help shape that narrative as future generations visit his newly unveiled presidential library and museum in dallas. mr. bush was joined by president obama yesterday along with three of their predecessors for the dedication of what is just a massive building. the current occupant of the oval office reflected on the exclusive group who know the pressures of serving as commander in chief. >> when all the living former presidents are together, it's also a special day for our

democracy. we've been called the world's most exclusive club and we do have a pretty nice clubhouse. but the truth is, our club is more like a support group. the last time we all got together was just before i took office, and i needed that because as each of these leaders will tell you, no matter how much you may think you are ready to assume the office of the presidency, it's impossible to truly understand the nature of the job until it's yours. >> former president bill clinton talked about his close relationship with the bush family. >> starting with my work with president george h.w. bush on the tsunami and aftermath of katrina, people began to joke that i was getting so close to the bush family, i had become the black sheep son. my mother told me not to talk

too long today. and, barbara, i will not let you down. >> the experience was an emotional one for the actual former president himself who has stayed out of the spotlight since leaving office. >> there was a time in my life when i wasn't likely to be found at a library, much less found one. frank lynn roosevelt once described the dedication of a library as an act of faith. i dedicate this library with an unshakeable faith in the future of our country. it was the honor of a lifetime to lead a country as brave and as noble as the united states. whatever challenges come before us, i will always believe our nation's best days lie ahead. god bless. >> several members of the bush administration were on hand, including former vice president

dick cheney and condoleezza rice. also there, leaders from around the world who served at the same time as mr. bush. afterwards, the president and first lady travelled to west, texas, to honor the lives lost in last week's fertilizer plant explosion. >> to the families and neighbors grappling with unbearable loss, we are here to say you are not alone. we may not all live here in texas, but we're neighbors, too. we're americans, too. and we stand with you and we do not forget. and we'll be there even after the cameras leave. >> looking over a flag-draped caskets carrying the bodies of 12 firefighters, the president said, quote, no words can describe the courage displayed on that deadly night, end quote. he also met with families of the first responders following that service. 14 people in all were killed and 200 were hurt in the april 17th

blast. tap water is still not drinkable in the area and investigators have yet to nail down the cause of the blast. to lighten things up a little bit, air travelers might have a little relief on the way. the house of representatives is expected to take up a proposal to ease the faa's ability to handle automatic spending cuts from the sequester. yesterday the senate unanimously approved a billen aimed at ending budget-related air traffic controller fur lows. the cuts are blamed for widespread flight delays this week. how did lawmakers put this together so quick, right? well, they've maybe been inspired by a looming congressional recess which lasts all next week and many of them are leaving today. and, of course, they don't want to go home and get yelled at by their constituents either. as always, we want to know why you are awake. shoot us an e-mail or tweet me @bshactman. it's a friday. bring the best ones. we'll read some responses flaert

the show. still ahead, some big surprises of the nfl draft. i mean big. the names that got passed over and the number one pick whose name you probably don't know. also, we hit the water cooler with brian lochte's commercial for his new cologne. pool water. and this coming monday on a more somber note, "way too early" and "morning joe" will be marking six months since superstorm sandy. we'll look at how the region is still struggling to recover. that begins at 5:30 a.m. on monday morning. at tyco integrated security, we consider ourselves business optimizers.

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[ female announcer ] just one swap a day helps keep the calories away. yoplait. it is so good. wake up. times square. waking up on this friday morning. all right, bill. are you a hero or a goat? >> depends where you are. southeast won't be thrilled with their weekend forecast. but the rest of the country looking pretty nice. let's get to it.

temperatures this morning a little cold outside the big cities in the northeast. you'll need your heavier coat but a lot of you will carry it home this afternoon as it will warm up into the 60s in the northeast. we're finally warming it up around minneapolis and the northern plains. that's one section of the country that desperately needs it. rain this morning, though, across missouri. kansas city, st. louis, ozarks, little rock, memphis. have that umbrella gear with you. as for the next 48 hours, the heaviest rain into kentucky and tennessee. let me break down your weekend forecast. the thing you notice mostly is most of the country is warmer. we're no longer frigid. 68 in minneapolis. it will feel great today. as we go through the weekend, gets warmer into montana. not bad. d.c., 72. that's a beautiful spring weekend for you. but the rain will be primarily from tennessee on saturday, northern portions of mississippi and alabama. by the time we get into sunday, you'll be dealing with showers and thunderstorms, too.

the southeast, you need the rain. waters the flowers and the lawn. temperatures still in the 70s. even there, it's not that bad. >> we'll take it. thanks, bill. the first round of the nfl draft, kansas city chiefs fans get excited. >> with the first pick in the 2013 nfl draft, the kansas city chiefs select eric fisher, tackle, central michigan. >> who? eric fisher? does he play chess? a 6'7" left tackle from central michigan. not a flashy first pick but that was the tone of last night's first round. three offensive tackles, two defensive linemen. in the first five picks, the average weight, 287 pounds. that's perhaps the biggest surprise, though, the first round, the names that didn't get picked. manti te'o passed over completely. so was geno smith. only one quarterback was taken,

e.j. manuel from florida state selected by the buffalo bills at number 16. also the first draft in 50 years, too bad i can't make a barnacle joke here because he's not here, that didn't see a running back selected in the first round. of course, coming up on "morning joe" we'll break down the picks, preview tonight's second round with pro football talk's mike florio. let's go to the nba playoffs. miami heat taking a commanding 3-0 series lead against the bucks last night. 104-91. lebron james had 22 and ray allen sets the nba career playoff record for three-pointers. miami has a chance to sweep this series on sunday. all right. a little bit more competitive series. bulls and nets tied at one game a piece in the first. how about this may be the best dunk of the postseason. nate robinson to taj gibson. boom! he embarrasses kim kardashian's ex kris humphries. humphries, okay, sorry, bud. bulls win that one, 79-76.

2-1 series lead there. the grizzlies beat the clippers last night, although l.a. has a 2-1 series lead there. finally, golfers, facing a little different type of hazard yesterday at the zurich classic in new orleans. yep, that is a three-legged alligator, folks. just making its way across the fairway. just one of many alligators living on the course. but it wasn't the only gator incident. this picture tweeted by a pga official. that's a golf ball refth on the back of a gator. i don't know if you can play through on that one. a three-legged gator. a gator protecting a golf ball. kind of reminds me of something. >> what is that? >> give me the ball, alligator. you've got one eye. chubs. you took his hand.

>> i can't remember if that came after billy madison. i was going to say is that his last funny movie? he got beat up by bob barker. we come back here, we huddle around the water cooler. jon stewart is happy to have the "w" back. in and more on the use of chemical weapons in syria. what crossing the red line will actually mean for american policy. ♪ even superheroes need superheroes, and some superheroes need complete and balanced meals with 23 vitamins and minerals. purina dog chow. help keep him strong. dog chow strong. tens of thousands of dollars in hidden fees on their 401(k)s?! go to e-trade and roll over your old 401(k)s to a new e-trade retirement account. none of them charge annual fees

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friday's edition of the cooler. mr. lewis, good morning. >> it's friday. it's a great day. weather will be great according to bill karins. white house correspondents' dinner this weekend. what could be better? >> not much. jon stewart had been licking his chops with george w. bush back in the headlines. he and his correspondent especially liked the exhibit in the new presidential library that gives vifsors the opportunity to make their own calls on some of the former president's biggest decisions. >> it's incredible. decision points theater. amazing. i aced it, by the way. invade iraq, yes. rescue new orleans, no. bail out wall street, pass the checkbook. >> why, knowing what we know now, did you choose yes on

invading iraq? >> well, the choices were, a, leave a mad man in power who will destroy western civilization or, b, be a little [ bleep ]. hard to choose b there, jon. >> just out of curiosity, could you choose b? what if you had chosen not to invade? >> a video of george w. bush comes up and tells you that you made the wrong decision. >> you are making that up, right? >> no, no, no. that's actually grat happens at the george w. bush museum. >> i would expect nothing less. >> i'm curious what's actually in the museum. >> i want to go there and make some decisions. i think i could do the job. >> you are presidential. >> thank you. now next up, everyone's favorite olympian turned reality star is using stories of his pool habits as his chance to expand his brand. >> i'd very much like to talk to you about my newest product

exploration. my newest cologne, pool water. water straight from the pool. i swim in it every day allowing anyone to smell the chlorinated way i smell. there's a special ingredient only i know in there. my personal signature if you will. come on. you know what it is. you remember what i do in pools, don't you? >> smells like you've just been in a pool. >> yeah, baby. it's the gentle musk of a man. and they don't call it eau de toilette for nothing, mama. >> because pools are your toilet? >> i don't even know -- >> this is creepy. >> ryan lochte, had him in a bikini earlier in the week. >> even as a caricature, i'm not sure that's funny. >> who is worse? phelps or lochte? >> lochte is trying to be funny. >> yeah, well, finally jimmy fallon had some weird experiences at his doctor's office and asked viewers if they had any of their own.

>> last night i went on twitter and started a hash tag called my daughter dr. is weird. i asked you to tweet out something funny. this is from sam lampen. my doctor's name is wayne little so any prescription i have says prescribed by little, wayne, on the bottle. >> from at tap dance guy. my doctor has a promotional calendar from a funeral parl norhis waiting room. >> got to drum up business. >> i had a dentist with like a lot of nose hair and it just, as he's hovering over your face, it's just not -- >> that's pretty disgusting. i want to focus on the kitty on the ceiling. >> i have a doctor, a cardiologist. he's got c. love in his name and he's a heart doctor. of course, i bring my girlfriend there and what does she do? she bats his eyes at him. i can't go to him anymore. >> i don't know if that's sweet or what. >> dr. c. love, stay away from my girlfriend. speaking of tweets, next on

"way too early," why are you awake? your tweets, texts and e-mails are next. >> on monday we are revisiting the six-month anniversary of superstorm sandy in three different locations starting at 5:30 a.m. first kid you ready? [ female announcer ] second kid by their second kid, every mom is an expert and more likely to choose luvs than first time moms. after thousands of diaper changes, they know what works. luvs lock away wetness better than huggies for a fraction of the cost live, learn, & get luvs.

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my tie is too short today. why are you awake? the producer john are you awake? >> we have somebody with no tracy. i'm up early to have a yard sale at 7:00 and drink coffee. david on twitter. i haven't gone to bed yet and shopping online. i love the 21st century. i don't have to go outside and can buy all of the "star trek" memorabilia that i want. >> "morning joe" starts right now. ♪ >> when all of the living former presidents are together, it's also a special day for our democracy. we have been called the world's most exclusive club and we do have a pretty nice lu