ortho weed b gon max. get order. get ortho®. ♪ there's absolutely no place in the nba family for ignorance, intolerance, comments that are unacceptable and not fitting for what this league is all about. >> he shouldn't own a team anymore. and he should stand up and say i don't want to own a team anymore. >> if somebody want to be racist, that's all right. that's their thing.

but when you're in a position of power and you can take jobs and economic opportunity from people, that's what crosses the line. >> we found a way to make this the greatest game in the world. and for comments like that, it takes our game. we can't have that. we can't have it from a player, owner, fan, so on. it doesn't matter if you're black, white, hispanic, whatever the case may be. we can't have that part of our game. >> no, we can't. present and former players talking about the big news over the weekend. good morning, everybody. it is monday, april 28th. we have donnie deutsch. thank you for coming in. >> my pleasure. >> i have a bracelet like you. >> what's that for? >> that's for memory of a girl in my town. i don't know what yours is. probably a chick magnet. former bush senior adviser,

nicole wallace. and former democratic congressman harold ford jr. it doesn't stop there. in washington white house correspondent for "the huffington post," sam stein. good to have you on board. >> thank you. >> you're welcome. we have a lot of big stories to get to this morning. president obama just announced a new round of sanctions against russia. it's an effort to punish president putin's allies and make moscow pay for meddling in ukraine. is it going to make a difference and where a europe in all this? ian brzezinski standing by to talk about this including an ongoing hostage situation. we'll get to that in just a moment. back here at home, multiple states still on high alerts with tornado watches. at least 17 people are dead in the severe outbreak. tornadoes carved a path of destruction outside little rock. the damage is just coming to light. and look at this. it's a war zone.

bill kairns will have an extended report in just a few minutes of what's happening there. but first from across the globe, the leader of the free world is weighing in on a controversy involving the nba. the league is now investigating one of its owners after alleged racist remarks were leaked to the press. president obama spoke on the controversy. >> when ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance, you don't have to do anything. you just let them talk. that's what happened here. i have confidence that the nba commissioner adam silver, a good man, will address this. obviously the nba is a league that is beloved by fans all across the country. it's got an awful lot of african-american players. it's steeped in african-american culture. and i suspect that the nba is going to be deeply concerned in

resolving this. >> tmz released an audio of the argument they belief between donald sterling, the owner of the los angeles clippers, and his mistress at the time. take a listen. >> people call you and tell you i have black people on my instagram and it bothers you? >> yeah, it bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you're associating with black people. how about your whole life, every day, you could do whatever you want. you could sleep with them. you could bring them in. you could do whatever you want. the little i ask you is not to promote it on that and not to bring them to my games. >> look at all this negativity coming from -- >> there's no negativity. i love everybody. i'm just saying in your lousy [ bleep ] instagrams you don't have to have yourselves walking with black people. you don't have to, do it. >> if it's white people it's okay?

if it was larry bird, would it have made a difference? >> you're just a big fighter. i can see. who would want to live with a woman like you? >> the clippers organization responded to the audio recording, and let's set the scene on the basis of this. we do not know if it's legitimate or if it's been altered. we know the woman on the tape is the defendant in a lawsuit brought by the sterling family alleging she embezzled more than $1.8 million telling mr. sterling she would get even. we're talking about a tmz tape that's not legitimatized. but you have mr. sterling not denying it was him. and quite frankly his reputation poring over this when the president is talking about it across the world. >> he had a history of this. he had to paid fines for discriminatory behaviors in housing he owns against blacks, hispanics, even against people with children. here's what's going to happen

here. people say throw him out of the league, throw him out of the league. the constitution of the nba is secret at this point. what will happen, what will force him out of the league is the free market system. because what's going to happen is this. it's simple. players will not go -- i'm not saying in this playoffs but as far as signing for this team will not sign. fans will stop going. and most importantly advertisers will advertise on the local cable network will not advertise. they can't. his revenue streams will dry up. basically this asset will shrink. so the people will speak and he will be forced out of the league. >> i think the comments are so appalling i think you're absolutely right. nba commissioner adam silver says he's nod ready to take action. last night the clippers held a silent protest of sterling's remarks during the pregame practice they took off their warm-ups at mid court revealing their shirts turned inside out

to hide the clippers logo. since the audio leak, the response across the league has been unanimous. michael jordan also tells usa today, quote, i'm appalled this type of ignorance still exists in our country at the highest levels of our sport. in a league where the majority are african-american, we must not tolerate discrimination at any level. kobe bryant kept it simple saying he couldn't play for a team owned by donald sterling. so there's a lot of different responses here, harold ford jr. i think at this point this guy's done on some levels. but what could the nba do? i mean what do you do when an owner acts up? >> i think donnie's place is the free market will handle this. but to his point about the bylaws of the nba, adam silver spoke over the weekend and said he had broad authority.

when he was asked what could he do, he said the bylaws allowed him broad authority to take action. he did not expand on what that might be. i sense from his words and the best player in the game lebron james, you have the greatest player of the game michael jordan saying this will not be tolerated. you have his team not showing the jersey. i think he will be out of the nba in the next few weeks. >> i understand he was about to get an award. >> he was about to get a lifetime achievement award from the naacp. >> so any idea, shoot in the dark here, why the naacp would even consider giving this guy an award given his reputation. this is one of the problems, i think, still sort of left over in our society where we just kind of overlook bad behavior. politicians, people who have power and money who own teams or own whatever else. they behave badly and they get these awards. for what?

what would that award have been for? thank god they're not giving it to him, but he had to quite literally you know what the bed to make that happen. >> that was clearly awkward timing on this award ceremony. i'm not sure why they would give it to him considering his history with racist remarks and housing practices. you know, comes down to the fact that he's wealthy and he has a lot of money. people who are wealthy and have a lot of money get showered with awards like this. there is sort of a precedent on how to handle this. mark scott, owner of the cincinnati reds, was fined and suspended heavily by major league baseball for racist comments that were almost flattering of hitler. and it looks like the nba does have the legal authority to do something like that. they could fine donald sterling if these comments prove to be true. they could suspend him. his net worth is roughly estimated to be $1.9 billion if

you fine him $2 million, $5 million which in most circumstances would be a hefty fine. that's a drop in the bucket for the guy. he might just laugh it off. they need to figure out how to make the free market force this guy out of his position, basically. >> in the same week of this rant, this genius, we have -- i guess where it shows it sadly here you have this most blue collar cowboy, somebody you could expect that from possibly to this multi-billionaire, sophisticated. and racism still exists rampantly in our country. >> who makes his money from african-american players. >> but there's a threat here which is these guys are of an older generation. and i hate to say it, but that mentality does not exist in younger generations. >> i don't believe that jerry

bussman is this way. >> as the generation moves forward we get further away from it, but it is unfortunately a big part of our culture. >> what we've got today is a couple of guests framed around this story. i think there will be developments as we go around. but i want to turn to the crisis in ukraine where europe is being drawn in. five different can country officers are being held. captured eight unarmed monitors on friday accusing them of being spies for nato. they were put on display at a news conference yesterday hours after video e many early morninged of agents also being held captive. >> i can only say please help us. thank you. we are really waiting for it. >> one of the observers was released for health reasons, but the militants say the other men will not be freed unless there's a prisoner swap with kiev.

there are reports of more buildings being seized. pro-russian separatists took control of the tv station in an effort to broadcast pro-kremlin views. what year is this? seriously. this is the kind of thing you would think would happen a long time ago. meanwhile, the daily beast is reporting that president vladimir putin has issued to stop all talks with the obama administration. president obama announced that as expected new economic sanctions would be issued later today against russia. >> the goal here is not to go after mr. putin personally. the goal is to change his calculus with respect to how the current actions he's engaging in in ukraine could have an adverse impact on the european economy over the long haul. and encourage him to walk the walk not just talk the talk when

it comes to diplomatic resolving the crisis. >> so let's bring in ian brzezinski with more on this. the president gets a lot of criticism in terms of the sanctions not working. what do you think of the new sanctions that have been announced this morning? will they go far enough? >> mika, we don't know the exact details of the sanctions, but it appears it's going to be a marginal expansion, targeted selective sanctions against the oligarchs and russian entities. i don't think that's going to have the impact ta the president entires. that is to change putin's calculus. it won't have the weight necessary to have an impact to directly and forcefully hit the russian economy. as a result i think putin will steadily press on. >> is america viewed by europeans as instrumental in this? powerful? making a difference? or are we viewed as being pretty

impotent at this point? >> i think the general consensus in europe is the united states is not playing a strong leadership role in this crisis. our policies, our reactions have been hesitant. if not anemic. everything from the economic to the military reflects hesitation, caution, fear of escalation. the sanctions have been limited to just a bunch of oligarchs. our response has been on the military side sending a ship here, couple planes there, and 600 troops to poland and the baltics. and another company to romania. this in the face of russia throwing in 20,000 to 30,000 troops into crimea, special forces into yeern ukraine. flying jets over ukraine. mobilizing tens of thousands of troops of armed forces and aircraft on ukraine's border. it's just an inadequate balance of action and reaction. >> if i could follow-up, in europe is the anemic response

solely blamed on president obama or do they view the entire american people as being disinterested in this grave crisis? where is european sentiment on that? >> first, i think, you know, our hesitancy reinforces growing concern that we're no longer committed to their security. but the europeans are to blame on this too. they've been equally hesitant and anemic. if you look at the european economy, the eu for example has a gdp of $12 trillion. russia's is $2 trillion. a factor of six. you back the united states, another $15 trillion economy and the eu $12 trillion economy and it's hard to see why we're not being more economically assertive against a country that's smaller. >> if europe closed in on russia as much as we were, wouldn't that make more of a difference? and why aren't they? >> well, they're afraid of economic blowback from sanctions. they're afraid of russia's

leverage on their energy sector. but the fact remains that if there was a real economic showdown between russia and the eu, russia would feel some plain. they get 30% of their gas from russia. but the russians rely on the eu as its number one trading partner, primary source of direct investment. 75%. if there was a showdown, europeans would hurt, but the russian economy would come to a grinding halt. >> sam stein, real quick. >> the case against moving too fast on sanctions as i understand this and i love your response which is if you don't have a united european/u.s. front, if we sanction a sector of the russian economy, then the europeans would back front that. what's the counterargument to that? why should we move fast if moving fast is feckless? >> leading from behind is never proven to be an example of great

leadership. we're going to have to step forward. right now we're being as hesitant if not more hesitant on multiple fronts in this crisis. >> ian, we're go i think to bring you back at 7:00 and talk more extensively and talk about other options here. thanks very much. moving on to other news now, more than a dozen people are dead after a series of tornadoes tore through the middle of the country. the worst of the damage appears to be in arkansas. officials have confirmed at least 16 people were killed in the suburbs of little rock. the state is reporting widespread damage with now the area being compared to a war zone. >> i saw some of the biggest trees just turned upside down and literally the houses picked up and set on top of cars. over there some of the garages are just literally in the yard. it's a mess. >> at least one person was killed in oklahoma by another tornado. several other states experienced severe storms as well. and there is more bad weather expected later today. let's go to bill kairns, nbc

meteorologist, with more on this monitoring it all. >> our fears came true as we headed into the weekend. we knew it was a possibility. we knew we could have a three-day event. you heard the numbers and fatalities. dozens more injured on top of that. hundreds of homes destroyed. that's just the beginning of it. we haven't added it all up from last night. where do we stand right now? we still have two large tornado watches for areas of the deep south. it looks like we're going to go around the clock here with the tornado threat. until 8:00 a.m., we have a tornado watch from the memphis area. until 1:00 this afternoon, central and northern louisiana into central mississippi, i'm sure there'll be one following that later on today. let me show you kind of what happened yesterday. because yesterday was a full fledged outbreak. 31 tornado reports from nebraska to iowa. we had one in missouri. we had one on the border of kansas. we had one in louisiana late last night. and also one in northern mississippi.

it was the area in arkansas that was the worst. that's where you're going to see the pictures from today. one thunderstorm, one supercell thunderstorm lasted for two and a half hours producing tornadoes. they had a large wedge tornado with it. that was a half mile wide at one point. they had at least 150 mile-per-hour winds. that went for 100 miles with damage being done. where is the greatest threat today for tornadoes? we have a moderate risk of severe weather from nashville through northern alabama, straight through much of mississippi. that's who's at the greatest risk of the tornadoes. here's the closer view of that. go from jackson, mississippi, draw a line to nashville. about 50 miles on either side of that is the greatest risk of tornadoes from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. this evening. some days you get missed by these big storms but looks like more strong tornadoes later on today. while these people are cleaning up, we get another round. it's ugly and we're paying the price.

>> bill kairns, thanks. we'll talk to you about it a bit later. coming up, congressman aaron schock, actor edward norton. but you're watchi ining "mornin joe," we'll be right back. ♪ just take a closer look. it works how you want to work. with a fidelity investment professional... or managing your investments on your own. helping you find new ways to plan for retirement. and save on taxes where you can. so you can invest in the life that you want today. tap into the full power of your fidelity greenline. call or come in today for a free one-on-one review. pcentury link provides reliable yit services like multi-layered

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it's more of everything you want, for less. because, c'mon. no one ever takes the second biggest cookie. get more with our best plans on the best network. for best results, use verizon. ♪ okay, mika just wrapped a two-day event alongside the great arianna huffington. the thrive event. amazing, tremendous buzz. what were the takeaways? >> we had so much fun. we started the event in bed together. and it went down hill from there. >> it was not the first time. >> no, it wasn't. that's my mom. one of the highlights of my life

happened there. those are her sculptures. part of thriving is having things in your life that bring you wonder and joy even if it's your job. and my mother's been a sculptor for 60 years. we brought her trees on stage. they were literally several tons. >> where was that? >> at the city center. that's my daughter. it's all about family, wonderment, health, sleep, and the things we need to do to sort of feel whole when the day was done. >> where was this again? >> at the city center. there were 2,000 people there. >> that's incredible. really great. >> yeah. >> good for you. >> thank you so much. time now to look at the morning papers from our parade of papers "the san francisco chronicle." one person is missing after two small planes collided. one plane crashed into the water and the other was able to land

safely. debris was spotted in the water following the incident, but the pilot is still missing. passengers in the other plane were not hurt. donnie? >> staten island advance, michael grimm is expected to r surrender this morning. he faces multiple charges connected to the alleged campaign finance violations. he threatened a tv reporter on camera a few months ago. >> and just finally before we let you go, we had a chance to talk about -- >> i'm not speaking about anything that's off topic. thank you. >> all right. so congressman michael grimm does not want to talk about some of the allegations concerning his campaign finances. we wanted to get him on camera on that. but as you saw he refused to talk about that. back to you. >> let me be clear to you. you do that again i'll throw you off this [ bleep ]. if you ever do that to me again -- >> why? why? it's a valid question.

>> you're man enough. you are not man enough. i'll break you in half like a little boy. >> what the heck? >> dude, the camera's rolling. do they not teach you that in congressman school? >> "the washington post," high schools are reporting an 88% graduation rate. schools across the country have been taking action to address dropout rates. graduation rates also improving for hispanic and african-american students. projecting 90% national graduation rate by 2020. >> the daily mail, a deadly virus is taking aim at the nation's pig population. more than 10% has already been impacted and it's sending pork prices soaring. since last june 7 million pigs have died to the illness. no cure in sight.

$3.53 a pound now. >> jury selection begins today and experts say it will have a huge impact on sex discrimination cases. at anheuser-busch, a woman is suing saying she was not properly compensated. she says the company is like a frat party where women are discriminated against working just as hard as men. >> "washington post," a school in new york is facing major criticism after canceling its kindergarten show to ensure kids are, quote, college and career ready. a letter was sent home after parents expressed concern. let them be children. >> s.a.t. prep.

it's new york city. was that new york city? >> i believe that. >> let them be kids. >> you know what? they grow better that way. anyhow, let's go to politico. with us now chief white house correspondent for politico mike allen here with the morning playbook. good morning. >> happy monday. >> wall street republicans dark secret, hillary clinton 2016. what does wall street think about a potential hillary clinton presidency? >> you know, this was a real surprise that maggie haberman and ben white turned up as they talked to a couple dozen people that work around or in wall street. in the financial services world they said their first choice would be jeb bush. their second choice would be chris christie. but what if neither of them is available in 2016, these republicans say they would be perfectly happy to have hillary clinton. they say that they see her as approachable. they have a track record with her. she was the new york senator for

eight years. so the number of wall street people were advisers to her. she worked making money for the clinton foundation. and she's been out on the circuit among the many places -- >> i smell a rat. i smell a rat. >> okay. >> these republicans, they want to say that because it will then ultimately hurt hillary. won't it? right? >> listen, you hear this not just on wall street. you talk to republicans around the country who are disappointed in governor christie. they are sensing jeb bush's ambivalence and they shrug at the end of the conversation and say hillary won't be so bad, would she? >> but a story on wall street saying we like hillary is a story to hurt hillary in the primary. >> it probably does not energize the democratic base to hear that, but you talk about a broader business community, i think there's a big sentiment that she understands that a

growing america means a growing business community. we oftentimes in new york confine it to a conversation about wall street. but main street has to grow. >> that's great. but right now main street isn't growing. the big banks are bigger than ever. wall street supporting her is ultimately saying we don't want anyone in there who will level the playing field. >> one could argue the country only grows if we change struggle. one could argue we reform our tax code. >> you guys are having the debate that's going to play out in the democratic primary. >> exactly. >> the democratic party is going to feel the way you do. and moderate democrats make the case you just made. >> by the way, wall street was very behind barack obama. >> this president has been as friendly to wall street than any president. >> we're looking at minimum wage. we're looking at the state of the middle class.

we're looking at the economy. >> she's for economic growth and job growth. and she believes perhaps a little differently than some democrats including some on this show recently that you have to have a thriving business community that's supported, not coddled, but government. >> thrive. let them thrive. >> i want business to thrive. it puts me in a bad position. i'll take it. i want business to thrive so more people can work. >> but the story's not good for hillary clinton. >> i don't agree. >> this is the elizabeth warren and hillary clinton divide. this is two women can't be on the podium together. this is going to be fascinating. >> by the way, that tilts heavy hillary. i think in this day and age -- >> heavy hillary in the democratic primary? >> excuse me? >> you think it tilts heavy to hillary in the primary? >> of course it does. i think the average voter is sophisticated enough to draw the distinctions that harold is making that it is not an either/or in this situation and you can be pro business and

still be pro upping the minimum wage. >> i don't think that describes the typical democratic primary rhetoric. >> but she's so far ahead in the democratic polling. >> mike, jump in. >> what this shows is hillary clinton is not frightening, not scary. what these republicans are saying they would rather have her than someone with an r after their name who's further to the right. >> okay. maybe i'm too cynical. >> who do you think they want? >> what they don't want is hillary clinton. okay? because hillary clinton can beat any of their candidates. sam stein wants to jump in. sam. >> i just want to make the point that it's april of 2014. >> thank you. >> everything we say now is totally irrelevant because the primary is not for a year. >> a year from today we will probably be witnessing our first

presidential debates. i'm like you. i wish we wouldn't talk about these things early, but the reality is -- >> politico put it on their website. >> mike. all right. >> these politico guys, they're rabble-rousers. >> sam and i are going to get together later and talk about 2020. >> yes. much more exciting race. >> politico's -- no, i'm not. i know how the game is played. politico's mike allen. >> have a great week. >> thank you. coming up, the clippers seem to be in the same boat in the pregame. but did it unify them during the game? we'll be right back. blap ♪ why is our arizona-based company

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we'll refund your program fee from the previous quarter. it's no guarantee against loss and other fees and expenses may still apply. chuck vo: standing by your word, that's what matters the most.

♪ speaking of amazing -- all right. >> amazing lewis. >> so excited. last time he was on tv he had on that bear outfit. >> oh, the bear outfit was bad news. >> that wasn't bad. but it's time for sports. the nba playoffs. let's start with the rockets and trail blazers. houston trailing by two at the end of the fourth.

hantding off to dwight howard who throws it down to too tie the game. williams has a chance to win at the buzzer. but the deep three is no good. this one going to overtime. it's a three-point game at the end of ot. rockets with the ball as time winds down. 3-1 series lead. >> good story telling. >> now let's go to oakland where the warriors are hosting the clippers. golden state's steph curry came out nailing a three. he is on fire. let's go, curry finishes with 33. warriors pass the clippers. series now tied at two games a piece. they're going to head back to staples center for game five tomorrow. doc rivers says it might not be much of an advantage. >> we're going home now, and usually that would mean we're going to our safe haven. and i don't know if that's true.

>> now let's get a check on the rest of the scores. the wizards beat the bulls 98-89. and the raptors beat the nets. now let's head to the ice to the stanley cup playoffs. here's a look at some of the top plays. >> shot score! dominic moore. 3-o rangers. >> around in front. he's hooked. and it's in! >> looks back. scores! the overtime winner and the anaheim ducks win the series! >> some amazing hockey there. the ducks down in overtime. also moving on are the blackhawks. and the rangers take a 3-2 series lead after beating the flyers. now let's head to the pitch for some champions league soccer. chelsea and liverpool. no score in the 47th minute.

and you see there joe scarborough and mark halperin in the stands biting their nails. chelsea takes the lead 1-0. and in the 92nd minute, chelsea finds another opportunity. 2-0 the final. and i think that joey scarborough is sipping a glass of champagne and joe scarborough is -- >> not happy. but he loves soccer. >> and mark halperin was just happy. >> how about that sports report. >> lewis, you did okay. >> excellent. >> let's go to the ice. and the head moves to the side. >> don't have your maternal intingts. >> i thought it was great. >> you were okay. i know you're tired. >> work to be done. >> lewis, your mom loved it. >> she did. >> i loved it. >> that was for you, mom. i'll do better next time. these scripts have nothing on them. >> i know. you're unbelievable. what can i say? coming up, everyone is weighing in on the alleged racist remarks by owner donald

sterling even though the nba is withholding judgment for now. we have steve stoute standing by. don't go away. we'll be back with much more "morning joe." ♪ [ female announcer ] who are we? we are the thinkers. the job jugglers. the up all-nighters. and the ones who turn ideas into action.

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and selling her car wouldn't fly. we helped sydney manage her debt and prioritize her goals, so she could really turn up the volume on her dreams today...and tomorrow. so let's see what we can do about that... remodel. motorcycle. [ female announcer ] some questions take more than a bank. they take a banker. make a my financial priorities appointment today. because when people talk, great things happen. ♪ sterling was upset after she posted an instagram photo of her with magic johnson. >> wow. that is genuinely shocking. an 80-year-old man knows about instagram, but look. i'm sure he'll win his way back into everyone's good graces. who can stay mad at that racist face? >> time now for the must read opinion pages. joining us now the founder and

ceo of marketing firm translation, steve stoute. good to see you. >> i'm always glad to come here. >> all right. must reads. we're going to talk about this topic. i have a question for you. out of bill's piece in the los angeles times saying it's time for him to leave the building. the saddest thing about the latest glimpse into sterling's soul isn't the picture swathed in ignorance and hate. the saddest thing is we've seen it before. one didn't need to wake up and click on the audio of a racist rant to know that the owner of the clippers is, in fact, a racist. this is not a one-day story. this is a 30-year saga of intolerance documented by alleged racist quotes, sworn testimony, and the largest payout ever for a rental housing discrimination lawsuit settlement. it is not news that the only thing worse than donald sterling's win/loss record as a clippers owner is his views on

minorities. the difference here, the hope here is that the nba finally has a leader with enough guts to take donald sterling down. adam silver must strike. so steve, let's back up. it seems like everybody knew this guy was a complete jerk. >> yeah. hand was caught in the cookie jar. >> why would he get an award from the naacp? >> probably gives them money. >> i was going to say that. >> even the girlfriend, you could tell the girlfriend knew because she was asking leading questions. she knew what was going to come out of his mouth. >> to me, i'm not focusing on the naacp as bad here. but why was he getting an award? this guy is a complete jerk, a known racist, doesn't live a healthy, good life. and is cruel to people. why would you award him with anything if you're an organization that represents african-americans across the

board? >> not just african-americans but civil rights and freedom and justice. >> thank you. >> that's unfortunate. but, you know, it was the los angeles chapter of the naacp that was going to offer him that. you know, he probably -- if you look into it, he donated money. unfortunately you can buy certain things like that. but it doesn't change the fact that this guy does have -- yeah, well. it's true. >> it is what it is. >> donnie's point this morning was about the free market system dictating that players won't go, their advertisers will pull dollars. is that in your estimation what happens here? >> it has to happen. i think david stern the prior commissioner never had enough evidence to force him to sell the team. i think adam silver has to come down on him very hard. this is bad. and advertisers have to run away from this guy. i think players in the past,

baron davis complained about him. elgin baylor complained about this guy for a long time. talk about an upstanding citizen, a great representative of the game of basketball. elgin baylor. he complains about this. >> when? >> he played years ago. >> but he complained five years ago. >> so then why haven't -- why hasn't there been enough evidence? >> need the smoking gun. >> going back to the economics, say you're the staples center. staples pays $50,000 a year for the name on the building. saying we didn't sign up for this. the dominos will fall. he will not be the future owner of this team. the economics are such that the other owners won't let it happen. >> are there ramifications or other owners too? bryant gumbel was on "meet the press" yesterday talking about the houston rockets owner who had a suit settled against him in the wrong way and raised the

question maybe there are bad behavior to be looked at there. should other owners be worried as well? what does this say about how the market system may determine other matters? >> i think that -- well, i think that this incident is going to put everybody on warning across all sports. you can't have comments like this. it also gives the players an opportunity right now to make a stand. what guys did in the '60s, put their career on the line. the bill russells, the jim browns, the kareems. they said civil rights was more important than this sport. if we allow this to happen for an african-american, for this man to get away with this, we set the clock back to the '50s. >> the players are going to protest, but i wouldn't compare it to the guys in the '60s. they're not at risk. lebron james said what he said, it's not affecting his career. >> i'm just saying for what those guys did, we can't allow this. >> and the current guys will

not. >> we can't let this happen. >> sam stein, i want to bring you in, but before, you mentioned bryant gumbel. one thing he said is why is anyone surprised, this guy is a known racist. i have to tell you, i think everyone looked away. because he has money? >> until there's proof, you can't look into the souls of people and say this is -- >> okay. i'm going to argue. there's proof this guy is a complete -- go ahead. >> elgin baylor when he was working under donald sterling sued him. and in the lawsuit he said that sterling said this quote, quote, personally i would like to have a white southern coach coaching poor black players. that's what elgin baylor said he told him. to mika's point, there was a history of this.

it wasn't necessarily swept under the rug, but to donnie's point there wasn't enough avenues for recourse. i'm still skeptical about the avenues for recourse. adam silver can fine the guy, suspend the guy. but until there's some mechanism to force him to sell the team, it's not going to come from the commissioner's office. he's going to have to be forced out by the team market. >> comments on saturday said he had broad authority. he again did not enumerate or specify what that was. but i suspect the commissioner understands that he can convene these owners who don't want to be tarred with this guy to take action. >> the other owners have financial interest. if one of the teams is going to hurt the revenue streams coming in, when the clippers come to visit the garden and people aren't showing up -- this is the other owners have been vested

interest. >> they have to. i'm wondered why they didn't before. steve? >> the players -- unfortunately this is the playoffs right now. the players play for each other to win the championship. they don't play for the owners. it's tough for them. >> really tough for the players. >> whatever what happens in this playoffs, i don't know going into next year, i don't know if he's going to have a team. i don't know anyone will participate for an owner like this. >> you look into his background, you can see money drove this guy's success like the penn state scandal. people refused to speak up to him. people refused to report on him. >> they did. elgin baylor did. he filed a suit against -- he did. he unfortunately didn't win. and the housing people did. and they did win. so people have been speaking up. there is unfortunately -- >> the voice. you want somebody to speak up like from the league or somebody and keep the constant pressure.

the elgin baylor thing happened and kind of went away. this racism has been present in this man's life. you wanted somebody to hold his feet to the fire for a time. >> can you imagine what we don't know about? >> we're going to find out. >> i'm going to give a sad fact. do you think there aren't unfortunately ceos, heads of businesses that are, unfortunately, bigots but it's not factual and it's not -- i mean, come on. it's sad, but we live in a country where you can't just throw people out based on kind of what you know and what you feel. there does have to be proof like this. >> you are correct. >> more stunning is the majority of his employees are black. >> thank you so much. >> love coming in. it's a pleasure. unfortunate circumstance, but hey. >> come back. on tomorrow's show, former met great mookie wilson. former senator and republican

presidential candidate rick santorum and author and comedian lewis black is going to be here on "morning joe." >> love him. >> we'll be right back. ♪ [ male announcer ] the wright brothers started in a garage. mattel started in a garage. disney started in a garage. amazon started in a garage. ♪ the ramones started in a garage. my point? some of the most innovative things in the world come out of american garages. introducing the lighter, faster cadillac cts. 2014 motor trend car of the year. ain't garages great? if yand you're talking toevere rheuyour rheumatologistike me, about a biologic... this is humira. this is humira helping to relieve my pain. this is humira helping me lay the groundwork. this is humira helping to protect my joints from further damage.

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♪ welcome back to "morning joe." joining us now, the director of the earth institute at columbia university, economist dr. jeffrey sachs. and in washington senior fellow back with us ian brzezinski. good to see you as well. >> morning. >> we'll get to details in a moment. but first, more than a dozen

people dead after a series of tornadoes tore through the middle of the country. the worst of the damage appears to be in arkansas. officials have confirmed 16 people were killed in the suburbs of little rock. the state is reporting widespread damage with the area now being compared, as you can see, to a war zone. 12k3 >> i saw some of the biggest trees turned upside down and houses picked up and put on cars. it's a mess. >> at least one person was killed in oklahoma by another tornado. several other states experienced severe storms as well. and there even more bad weather expected later today. let's check in now with the weather channel's mike seidel. mike? >> good morning, mika. we're out here in may flower, arkansas. a tornado, a strong tornado rolled right through here across interstate 40 yesterday. about 7:35. and the death toll alone in this

state now at least 16. look at this damage. this is an rv store or was. it looks like it was hit by a bomb. vehicles flipped on their underside piled everywhere. back here we have a huge tow truck. this is the kind of tow truck that would tow semis and heavy trucks. the debris has been blown in a pile. this is not just basic debris. this is huge pieces of steel work and iron back here. this is at least an ef-3. that would put the winds 150 miles an hour. on the top end, it could be even stronger. then you go downwind and downstream and the tornado's next stop was velonia. this town had the last killer tornado on april 25th three years ago when four were killed. that town is also in shambles and all the roads between there and here were impassable until late last night. we went down some of them. it was a massive cleanup effort to get all the trees and power

lines off the road. as far as the weather goes today, we're in much better shape. the threat for tornadoes has moved south and east of here. we should have some sunshine and better weather for a long cleanup. under 20,000 customers without power here in the state of arkansas. again, mayflower, velonia, the hardest hit towns here. not far from little rock. little rock itself in good shape this morning. >> horrific. thank you. we'll check back in with bill kairns for more on the extreme weather in the midwest in a bit. now let's turn to the crisis in ukraine where europe is being drawn into the center of the conflict. a group of military observers from five different european countries are being held hostage by pro-russian militants in the eastern part of ukraine. kid knapped eight unarmed monitors accusing them of being spies for nato. they were put on display at a press conference.

>> we can only say please help us. that we will be released. thank you. we're really waiting for it. >> one of the observers was released for health reasons, but the other men will not be freed unless there is a prisoner swap with kiev. there are reports of more buildings being seized by separatists in the east. pro-russian separatists took control of the tv station in an embattled city in order to broadcast pro-kremlin views. the daily beast is reporting that putin has ordered all russian officials to end all talks with the obama administration. it comes just moments -- as just moments ago president obama announced that as expected new sanction would be issued against russia. >> the goal here is not to go after mr. putin personally. the goal is to change his calculus with respect to how the

current actions he's engaging in could have an adverse impact on the economy over the long haul and encourage him to actually walk the walk and not just talk the talk when it comes to diplomatically resolving the crisis in ukraine. >> let's bring in the senior fellow at the atlantic council ian brzezinski. is there anything at this point lacking in the administration's response to this crisis? anything else they could be doing at this point? >> i think the administration's response has lacked the robustness necessary to change, to use the president's words, putin's calculus. look at the events of the last week you outlined. you had the monitors seized and paraded around brazenly by the separatists in eastern ukraine. you've had russian jets violate ukrainian air space. you've had the russians mobil e mobilizer troops on ukraine's frontier. you had threatening to shut off

gas supply to ukraine. putin is continuing to escalate the crisis, acting more aggressively. and the administration appears to be basically stuck on the same track. none are going to be effective in deterring putin. >> but what could? jeffrey sachs, do you agree with ian there is still some lacking sneer what else could be done? >> i think the president is doing the right thing for now which is step by step increasing measures. there's no doubt in moscow they're noticing this. >> are they? >> absolutely. the economy already is shaking. there's tremendous amount of capital flight. interest rates went up, bonds are being downgraded. every top business leader in moscow knows the dangers right now. and the sanctions have a good chance of narrowing in right on putin's stronghold, perhaps his personal wealth. i think the president is making

a very measured response. of course if russia crosses the border, it doesn't matter what we say today. there's going to be a massive political and diplomatic and economic response. i think the results for russia would be devastating in the medium. >> ian, is ukraine going to be ultimately smaller when all this is said and done? >> it already is. >> exactly. and why is the eu so hesitant to jump in and support aggressive sanctions? >> well, those are two big questions, mika. will ukraine end up being smaller? only time will tell. that i think will be largely driven by how forceful the west responds and the support it gives to ukraine and to the punishment it's willing to met out to putin. as for the europeans, europeans have been politically weak in this. i think they're terrified over the economic relationship they have with russia and putin's ability to manipulate the energy

dependence europe has over -- russia has over europe. i think it's a little bit -- europeans are being too soft on this. they have more economic leverage than they recognize. eu's a $12 trillion economy in gdb. russia is a $2 trillion gdp. if they were going to impose sanctions to russia, it would have blowback and they'd feel pain. >> but then why not use it? it's the criticism to where the president actually misplaced. >> i think that's exactly what would happen. if for instance, there is any attempt of really invading eastern ukraine. and i think that ian's right in the sense of what would happen. and i think that this is step by step. right now sanctions are being

put in place that is the correct thing to do. we're hoping actually that this crisis does not simply spin out of control, but that putin does back down from these provocations. that elections take place on may 25th. that the president of ukraine is elected. so we don't want this to just spin out of control. take it step by step and right now the russians are recognizing that there are limits beyond which exactly what ian's saying would happen. >> yeah. by the way ian, john mccain was on on friday, he says hello and you're a great man. sam stein has a question and then donnie and nicole. >> ian, if we work backwards, if the goal here is to make sure putin leaves eastern ukraine and crimea, then you have to give him an exit ramp of sorts. it strikes me if you are aggressive with russia and putin, you won't get that exit ramp. i don't see how putin would walk

away because of sanctions. so what do you have to do to allow him to sort of save face, get out of ukraine and de-escalate the situation? >> one as mika pointed out, russia is in eastern ukraine. operating freely in eastern ukraine. that invasion has sort of begun. i tend to be less worried about off ramps in de-escalation. i think it's communicated weakness in the lack of resolve. i think we need to be more forceful, provide more military assurance, hit the russian economy much more aggressively. and if you want an off ramp, the message should be clear. we're willing to wosh with russia if it's going to respect ukraine's sovereignty and building its economy. a prosperous, democratic, european ukraine is a full partner of russia.

>> jeffrey, two questions. and they're both -- lead up to a concerning outcome. "wall street journal" wrote a piece that this is what russia has to do, they need a land grab to keep going forward. that's number one. number two more concerning, this is a human being putin. i'm not a psychologist, but touching on a bit of what sam said, you can't see any measures, any rational measures working on this guy. it's like a -- there's a difference -- seems to be a different thing at play. a pure sense of -- he's a dictator. and it's about power. and it's about -- it is detached from reality. and, you know, just what's going to push this guy down? and the rational economic sanctions are not going to work. >> first of all, clearly it's -- this is a path that russia's on right now which will be devastating for their economy if

they continue down this path. this is not a land grab that they need for their economy. this will disassociate them from the very things that could bolster their economy. this is not economically rational at all. that's why most people in moscow outside of the very inner circle say this is absolutely -- >> this is a one-vote country. >> it is not necessarily. everybody should not jump to war or irrationality as the only measure. we've been through many crises, take it a step at a time. if it is true that putin carries out the next step, believe me, there will be a response no matter what we say. right now it makes no sense to turn this into a military confrontation. >> i don't think anyone is saying that. ian -- >> excuse me. but what everybody is saying what's wrong with the sanctions right now. they're putting on sanctions step by step.

what else are you recommending? >> but i think what donnie asked about with psychological and ian, i think you talked about this in the 6:00 hour, putin respects strength. what ian has talked about is we have not projected strength around the world. >> that's a mistake of thinking that how loud you shout is the measure of strength. >> i don't think anyone is suggesting that obama shout louder. >> what's happening is step by step. they are building the kind of constraints that if we're not going to have a military confrontation causes them to understand the extremely high costs of the path that they're on. and those costs would be very high actually. >> i don't think anyone is unaware of the cost. but i think when you talk about dealing with putin, we all act like he's some mystery. i think putin has made his plan and vision abundantly clear. ian, we were talking in the 6:00 hour about how we're seen in europe. europe has a history of responding more vigorously when

america leads. and i think there's been an absence of american strength and clarity. not just shouting louder, but speaking clearly. >> i actually don't think that's right. there's a lot of things happening behind the scenes, a lot of discussions takes place, a lot of very clear steps about what sanctions can and should be ratcheted up step by step. and that's why a lot of people in moscow understand that the next steps would be very, very dangerous. they may take them or not take them, but they understand clearly. i don't think there's a lack of clarity about the dangers of further steps. >> ian, you've worked behind the scenes on other situations. six years in the bush administration. so you have a sense of some of the other things going on right now. is it an issue of being more clear? is it an issue as you put of arms? or does dr. sachs have a point that we are acting in a measured way and we're looking for collective support here? >> well, our rhetoric is very

strong. the united states and the european allies are clearly articulating their outrage but the rhetoric isn't matched by actions. and if you look at the fact that we've been in this crisis now since february 26th, all we can do is pinprick sanctions and we may do a few more pinprick sanctions later today. russian actions have not turned course at all. in fact, they have steadily increased as you pointed out earlier in the show with these overflights, the parading of the monitors, the mobilization of russian troops on ukrainian border. the continued special operations actions that are occurring in ukraine resulting in the fall of a few more cities. russia continues. our pinprick sanctions have done nothing to deter or slow down russia's course of action. what needs to be done is more serious economic sanctions, more

serious deployments in europe and serious military assurance to the ukrainian military providing weapons, providing trainers, providing of surveillance assets. maybe even on exercise in ukraine. these are i thinks that changed the landscape that putin will read. these are actions he will understand and he's more likely to respect than a bunch of symbolic pinprick sanctions. i mean, the fact we're deploying only a company in poland six weeks after this invasion which involved the mobilization of 150,000 russian troops shows how inadequate our response has been. it's not being taken seriously. >> ian is now officially a member of the "morning joe" family because apparently john tower has wrapped him four times and he's kept going. >> thank goodness. >> you're good. don't apologize. look. two very different -- i'll end with this. very different points of views in terms of our approaches here.

the only thing i'll say to ian's point because we don't necessarily agree, we're in separate parties, but it doesn't seem like putin cares about his people. if you're dealing with someone who doesn't care about his people, then economic sanctions, then ruining the economy of the country, it doesn't get in the way of what he wants to do. is that a fair concern at least? >> if you're talking -- >> if we find out in a day or week or ten days that that presumption is correct, there will be a next step. it will be a next step not too late. because we're not going to put troops on the border of east ukraine. so let's get real. we don't know what these assumptions are right now. we'll see what these assumptions are. >> okay. >> and it is not correct that these are pinpricks. right now serious people in moscow, i talked to them, i've met them recently, know that the economic dangers of this path are extremely real.

this is not pinpricks. this is not tiny things. they know that russia is finding its links with europe and the united states. >> so -- >> if they invade, we would know. >> rematch, ian. >> come back. we'll continue talking. >> let's discuss. thank you. >> thank you. >> before we go to break, pope francis, canonizing two popes at once. >> great day yesterday in the vatican and for me really particularly wonderful because i remember meeting twice with pope john paul ii. >> me too. >> what a great man. how he made history. >> that's you, jeffrey. >> wow. >> there we are. yes. >> you were a little chubby back then. >> that's right. i was his economic adviser among others in 1991. that was a great moment. and yesterday was a great day.

i'm excited this weekend i'll be at the vatican where they're taking up the sustainable development. >> still ahead -- sometimes it's best not to speak, donnie. coming up, actor edward nar ton is here with his new project crowdrise. let's get clips of his movie. because he's brilliant. and later author salman rushdie and swoosie kurtz. that's "morning joe." we'll be right back. the day we rescued riley was a truly amazing day. he was a matted mess in a small cage. so that was our first task, was getting him to wellnes

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gentlemen? >> inspector hank. by order of the commission of police i hereby place you you should arrest for the murder of madam. >> i knew there was something fishy. we never got the cause of death. she's been murdered and you think i did it. >> hey! >> brilliant movie. brilliant actor. i don't usually stay and watch an entire movie. i watched this entire movie. >> i'll take that as a compliment. >> you should. >> oscar nominated actor edward norton who's the author of crowdrise, for people to raise support for the causes they're passionate about. it's great to have you. >> thanks. good morning. >> how do you feel about "grand budapest hotel"? >> i'm his biggest fan as well as being a member of his troop now. >> he's crazy specific about his

directing, isn't he? about his entire vision. >> yeah. i would say there's very few directors who you know it's their film 30 seconds into the film. he's one of those people that has his own aesthetics. >> everything from the colors to the lines and the actions and physicality of the actions. everything says wes. >> he is one of the great american originals. he's a highly original director. >> was it pain staking to work for him? >> it was like being part of a theater troupe. it's really fun. >> that's a great movie. anyhow, crowdrise. tell us about it. great idea and why you're so passionate about it. >> i've been involved with charity work all my life, and it was clear that so much of the way a younger generation's starting to relate to causes is through online networking and things like that. we felt that, you know, if facebook is sort of a platform for you to socialize and things

were coming along like linkedin to manage a professional network, we think there ought to be a platform that was just specific to helping people implement their charitable impulses. we built it as that. it's sort of like twitter or facebook or instagram, this is a place where you have your own account and you can -- you get assistance doing all the creative things to help support the causes you care about. >> i went on last night and you make abundantly clear that this is a for-profit undertaking. is that just almost to insulate yourselves from any criticism that a profit is not been turned? you almost outsmart any critics by saying it yourself first. >> it's an interesting question from a republican. isn't it? >> you believe in the free market, i assume. >> what is wrong with making a profit? >> nothing. but it's clever to, you know, lead with it.

>> we -- there's a couple reasons. it's a company that's based in detroit. we wanted to build a technology company in detroit. we employ about 30 or 40 young people there. you know, the thing about -- the thing that people who are involved in charitable work know, we all know when we go to dinners and stuff like that, charities spend a lot of money to raise the money. part of our mission was to reduce those costs radically. online fund raising tends to carry cost profile of like 6% or 7%, you know, compared to 25% to 30% costs to fund raise generally. >> what's so great about this is if you base yourself in detroit and you're hiring people in detroit, you're actually giving back in a different way even though you're making a profit. >> wait. basically you're helping somebody raise a million dollars for a charity. and if you're taking a couple percent to help them facilitate

it, it's a win/win. >> we've tried to do better than that which is a lot of organizations try to get donors to actually support their overhead costs as well. we've implemented a new feature where the donor can elect to cover all of the fees associated not just with the platform with the credit cards. we're getting 96% of donors saying we understand. >> it's the transparency is my point. you make it clear. >> it cost them .4% for the boston marathon. which is literally almost free. we're froud of it. >> you can check out crowdrise online. great job, edward norton. >> thanks for having me. up next, joni ernst wants to make it to the capital. love her.

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what is this place? where are we? this is where we bring together reliably fast internet and the best in entertainment. we call it the x1 entertainment operating system. it looks like the future! we must have encountered a temporal vortex. further analytics are necessary. beam us up. ♪ that's my phone. hey. [ female announcer ] the x1 entertainment operating system. only from xfinity. tv and internet together like never before. why did you pick this race of all races? >> because we need more hard core conservative women who won't back down, who will get there to washington, d.c. and do

the right thing to put the country on the right track. i've got faith in joni. >> i've got faith in joni. that was sarah palin in an exclusive interview with "morning joe" joining us now from chicago nbc news political reporter kasie hunt who interviewed palin and has the latest edition of state plays. how'd the trip go? >> the trip went well. she has a lot of faith in joni and she was throwing her weight around again in the first in the nation caucus state. and this time she's backing joni ernst. ♪ >> watch out, washington. joni ernst, she's a momma grizzly ready to take a stand against the russian bear. >> sarah palin is back in iowa. >> gloves are off.

that's what we need. time is short. >> it's not a presidential race, but the strengths are still high. >> well, i would just give anything to be there when joni runs into somebody like harry reid for the first time in the senate dining room. >> palin endorsed senate candidate joni ernst after she promised to make washington squeal. >> i grew up castrating hogs on an iowa farm, so when i get to washington, i'll know how to cut pork. >> what does castrating hogs involve? >> a very delicate hand, let's put it like that. >> ernst is just one candidate in a crowded republican primary. and she's struggled to raise money, but she's assembled a broad coalition. mitt romney also endorsed her and so did the senate conservatives fund. >> so it's not just one or the other. i'm showing a wide variety of different types of conservatives stepping up saying this is the

right candidate. >> critics say she's too conservative to win. she thinks paul ryan's budget doesn't go far enough. >> i think we're headed in the right direction. we need to pay down any debt we have. we need to do it faster. >> she's neck and neck in the primary with mark jacobs. he says he's focused on creating jobs. >> i know what it's like with fiscalness. >> jacobs moved back to his home state of iowa two years ago. he got rich as ceo of reliant energy. some candidates have sacrificed their government salaries. is that something you'd be willing to do? >> i don't think u.s. senators make that much money, but i'm willing to make significant investment of my time and energy here to help solve the problems we have in this country. >> u.s. senators make $174,000 a year. fewer than 10% of iowans make

that much. and jacobs has already spent $1.6 million on his campaign. >> i'm committed to running the type of campaign that's not only going to be successful in the primary here. >> democratic congressman bruce braley grew up in brooklyn, iowa. >> this is he high school i went to. this is the field where i played. i think i'm the right choice because i spent an entire life living, working, getting an education in iowa. >> braley was considered the odds on favorite to win here. but then he was caught on video insulting iowa farmers and chuck grassley. >> you might have a farmer from iowa who never went to law school, never practiced law serving as a next chair of the senate judiciary committee. >> what did you learn from that episode? >> well, i learned what i've known for a long time.

and that is people say things they regret. and the important thing is to accept responsibility for it, which i did. >> and do you think that somebody who doesn't have a law degree is qualified to lead the judiciary committee? >> yes, i do. senator grassley through his long work and hard work has earned the right, but it's no different than asking a group of farmers whether they think a lawyer would be more qualified to chair the senate agriculture committee. it was not intended in any way to be disparaging to senator grassley or to farmers. >> iowa is considered a swing state, but president obama carried it twice and polls show braley is still the favorite to win. he defend the health care law. and unlike many other democrats running for senate, he says he'd be happy to host president obama. >> well, the president is very busy. and if he has time in his schedule and thinks that it's important to come to iowa, i would be happy to welcome him.

he's the president of the united states. >> so iowa's system means it's still possible no republican will get 35% of the vote which is what it takes to win the primary outright. that would send the decision to an unpredictable convention. >> so many pigs to castrate, so little time. >> under the thrive double standard, what would happen to a male politician if he was running on spaying female animals? >> we have a republican running with an obsession with female genitalia. how's that for a tease? now we have carrie sheffield. sarah palin coming to town to campaign for joni ernst. of course i don't think i'm in the demo. i'm like how does that help her? >> it does help her. she has undeniable draw within the republican base and also within iowa. from the heritage foundation, jim demint pointed out that sarah palin is is the most

popular. her endorsement brings the most weight. and within iowa, breitbart.com posted she was the most popular candidate. >> is that because it's a beginning part of a race, a primary, whatever. because i think didn't we learn, nicole, that being able to generate a crowd doesn't necessarily mean you will win. >> i think it comes a lot to dollars. and so her primary opponent has outspent her 10 to 1. but it's largely coming from his own pocket as kasie mentioned. she also mentioned mitt romney. when you're talking about within the party, you have such diverse party appeal, that's going to help her with the big donors. >> carrie, do you think sarah palin and joni ernst can rewrite the script for republicans, not just republican women but republican men and -- >> the whole war on women thing.

>> that war on women. how do you think they can help undo that? >> first, i think this war on women is fake. it's about as real as manti te'o's girlfriend. it's not real. so this magician. they just did a documentary about him. the amazing randy. like dangling a shiny object over here and the real object is obamacare. women are going to see conservatives want real choice. they want choice of who their doctor is, where they send their child to school. i think women are smarter than to fall for this. >> hold on. sam stein wants to jump in. go ahead, sam. >> af question for kasie if she's still there. did mark jacobs really tell you i don't think u.s. senators make that much money? and is he a politician? do you know you shouldn't say things like that? what is that about? >> you know, i think i was a little surprised to hear him say that. i will say his campaign was very quick to issue a clarification

to us on this point. his campaign adviser said that he's, quote, never really looked into how much u.s. senators make. the point he was trying to make is no matter what u.s. senators make, he's not doing it for the money. he wants to be able to reflect back on his life and know he's done something for his country and for his family. and this is that part of his life and he wants to contribute to public service. so clearly they wanted to take some steps to clarify what he said to us in the interview. >> exactly. you thought joni ernst was interesting when she said let's make them squeal. take a look -- because another candidate in the race is independent bob quast who put out this ad to combat the real war on women. >> if you're the sociopath that murdered my sister and you come to my door to hurt my daughters, i'm going to blow your balls

off. >> i wanted to talk about prevention and funding in my lynnette's law i've been trying to get people to pay attention to for three years. i would keep crazy people who do bad things in prison. my case would help other people. my story is not unique. it happens a lot and we let people out far too soon that then do damaging things to society. >> carrie sheffield, your gut. what's more effective castrating pigs or blowing balls off? >> castrating. any time somebody says castrating, ears perk up. >> all right. carrie sheffield, we're glad you chimed in on that. kasie hunt, good job as well. still ahead, salman rushdie is here. you're watching "morning joe." we'll be right back. ♪ red and seventy-seven thousand dollars per minute.

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45 past the hour. live look at the white house on this beautiful monday morning. here with us now on set in new york, esteemed author salman rushdie. it's very good to have you on with us this morning. >> thank you. >> you're going to be receiving the penn allen literary service award tonight. given the nature of this award and given your career and your life's twists and turns, what does this award mean to you? >> well, it's been given to wonderful writers in the past. it feels extraordinary to be in the footsteps of phillip roth and tony morrison et cetera. the fact that tony morrison is coming out to present it, that feels pretty extraordinary too. it's a big week for penn because actually today the penn festival starts which is like 150 writers from all over the world coming to new york for the week.

i'm the outgoing chairman. >> but tonight receiving the highest honor. >> it's amazing. and real work happens. you're on the front lines of fighting for -- you know, we take our right to tweet pretty casually in this country. >> there's a big problem in turkey right now. one of the others being honored is twitter is fighting right now of being banned in turkey. so that's one of the fights that we have. yes, you can't take it for granted, free speech. and penn, it's the world's oldest human rights organization. >> we have sam stein in washington who has a question for you. >> more like a congratulations. 25 years after the issue, you've made it this far. and looking back 25 years ago, if you ever envisioned being at this point in your career, if you were scared throughout the process. can you recount what it's been like? >> well, first of all i'd say it's been over for a long time.

>> yes. >> i've been living in new york for 15 years. yes, it was a terrible time. and it was a long time. i thought i wouldn't make it this far. >> insanely 60 people were killed as a result of it, no fault of your own. if you had to do it all over again, would you not write the book? >> no. i'd write the book. i'm extremely proud of the book. people are able to just read it like a novel again. >> the way it was written. >> and seem to like it. >> thank you very much for coming on the show this morning. congratulations on your award tonight. enjoy the moment, for sure. thank you so much. >> isn't willie's book up? >> no. neither is "obsessed." thank you very much. still ahead, she's an emmy and tony winning actress and now she's here with a memoir. swoosie kurtz standing by. you're watching "morning joe."

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♪ ♪ >> he's still in the back room. >> i've been in enough back rooms to know nothing good ever happens there. >> oh, he's on the move. he's dragging a big box into the

dining room. >> that son of a [ bleep ]. >> what? >> how does he have a dining room? i thought we had the same floor plan. >> now he's headed toward the bedroom. >> he better not have a walk-in closet. >> that was a clip of swoosie kirtz on the hit sitcom "mike & mollie ". she's joining us right now to talk about her brand new memoir, "part swan, part goose." which made you cry. >> i asked what the real meaning of the book was and it made me cry. >> certainly my life is in the

book but the heart of the book is really my parents, especially my mother. my parents were really two icons of the greatest generation. my dad was the most decorated air force pilot of world war ii and he was on three olympic diving teams. my mother was a writer. he died in 1996, but my mom and i have been on a very intimate journey the last seven years or so, i've been taking care of her. she's my 98 1/2-year-old toddler. >> we were talking on the break, i lost my dad, who was my best friend, last year. there's no play book, it's a life stage no, different than birth or getting married. an entire generation of our peers are either going through it or have gone through it. >> seem peers, especially baby boomers. there's no rule book for it, as

you say, and we're not prepared. my parents were always there for me. we were so close. i'm an only child and they were always there for me and i always needed them. and suddenly to have the tables turned and them need you, i suddenly find myself parenting my parent. >> you just mentioned you're an on child, which leaves it all on up, to an extent. and if you are able and lucky enough to have the means to bring in others, that probably has its layer of guilt and if you have siblings, that can be complicated, too. there is no handbook and it's the hardest thing ever.

>> at one point my mom needed to be intubated and i didn't know what to do and the doctor said i would do it if it was my mother. i so at that time wanted to turn to my brother bruce and said what should i do? >> now i don't have to explain this anymore. it's on the cover, my parents and i standing in front of the plane that my father flew during the war. it's in the museum, which is where i'll be soon. >> i hope you'll relate to so many people.

>> i think it will be a lighthouse of sorts to people taking care of their parents. >> swoosie kurtz, thank you. still ahead, alleged racist remarks by the owner of the clippers. how should the league respond in we'll give you our take next when "morning joe" returns. ♪ ♪ ality of the network. it means you'll be able t post from the breakroom. great! did it hurt? when you fell from heaven (awkward laugh) ...a little.. (laughs) im sorry, i have to go. at&t is building you a better network. [ banker ] sydney needed some financial guidance so she could take her dream to the next level.

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in the nba family for ignorance, intolerance, reprehensible comments that are unacceptable and not fitting for what this league is all about. >> he shouldn't own a team anymore, and he should stand up and say i don't want to own a team anymore. >> if somebody want to be racist, that's all right, that's their thing. but when you're in a position of power and you can take jobs and economic opportunity from people, that's what crosses the line. >> we've found a way to make this the greatest game in the world, and for comments like that, it tants oints our game. we can't have it from a player, from an owner, from a fan and so on. it doesn't matter if you're black, white, hispanic, whatever it may be. we can't have that as part of our game. >> it's 8:00 on the east coast, 5:00 a.m. on the west coast, good morning. we have donny deutsch with us,

nicolle wallace harold ford, jr. and sam stein. >> the league is now investigating one of its owners after alleged racist remarks were released to the press. president obama spoke on the controversy. >> when ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance, you don't really have to do anything, you just let them talk. and that's what happened here. i have confidence that the nba comm commissioner, a good man, will address this. obviously the nba is a league that is beloved by fans all across the country. it's got an awful lot of african-american players, it's steeped in african-american culture and i suspect the nba

will be deeply concerned in resolving this. >> tmz released a tape between sterling and his mistress. take a listen. >> people tell you that i have black people on my instagram and it bothers you? >> yeah, it bothers me a whole lot that i am associating with black people. how about your whole life, every day. could you do whatever you want. you can sleep with them, you can bring them, in you can do whatever you want. the little i ask you is not to promote it. there's no negativity. i love everybody. i'm just saying in your lousy [ bleep ] insta grams, you don't have to advise yourself yourself being with black people.

>> if it was white people, it's okay? if it was larry bird, would it have made a difference? >> you're just a big fighter. i can see -- who would want to live with a woman like you? >> the clippers organization responded to the recording. "we do not know if it's legitimate or if it's been altered. we do know that the the woman on the tape, who we believe released it to tmz is the defendant in a lawsuit brought by the sterling family. also quite frankly, his reputation poring over this, donnie, when the president is talking about this across the world. >> he had to pay $2.75 million in feigns in diskrcriminatory

behavior. and in housing and also against children. what will happen hand will force him out of the league, thank god, is the free market system. what's going to happen is this, it's very, very simple. players -- i'm not saying as far as this playoffs but players will not signs, fans will stop going and advertisers who advertise on the local cable network, will not advertise. so the people will speak and he'll be forced out of the league. >> nba commissioner adam silver said he's not ready to take action against silver but vows to act quickly. last night the clippers, who are playing in the nba playoffs, held a silent protest of sterling's alleged remarks. during the pregame practice, the players took out their uniforms

at mid court and played with their shirts inside out to hide the clippers logo. and michael jordan said, "i am appalled that this type of ignorance still exists within our country and at the highest levels of our sport. kobe bryant said he couldn't play for a team owned by donald sterling. i think at this point this guy's done on some levels, but what could the nba do? i don't think theres a precedent in place. >> i think donnie's point, the free market will handle this but to donnie's points about the bylaws of the nba, adam silver, the commissioner, spoke over the weekend and said he had broad authority -- he was at the

oklahoma city/thunder game in oklahoma city and he said he had brought authority on what to do. you have the best player, lebron james, the greatest player michael jordan saying this will not be tolerated and his own team not willing to show his jersey. >> i understand he was about to get an award. >> a lifetime achievement award from the naacp. >> any idea why the naacp would even consider giving this guy an award, given his reputation? this is one of the problems still left over in our society, where we overlook bad behavior, politicians, people who have power and money who own teams and whatever else. they behave badly and they get these awards. for what? what would that award have been

for in thank god they're not giving it to him butch he had to literally, quite frankly you know what the bed to make that happen. >> that was clearly awkward timing on this award ceremony. i'm not sure why they'd give it to him considering his history has been littered with racist remarks and racist living practices. comes down to he has a lot of money. there is sort of a precedent for how to handle this. marge scott, owner of the cincinnati reds, was find and suspended heavily by major league baseball for racist comments -- comments that were almost flattering of hitler, and this was a year ago. and it looks like the nba could find donald sterling, they could suspend him. the problem he's now worth --

>> why is that a problem? >> if you fine him $2 billion if you foul him $2 million, that's a drop in the bucket. you have to have the free market force him out of his position basically. >> and we turn to the crisis in ukraine. a group of military observers from five different european countries are being held hostage in the eastern part of ukraine. the insurgents kidnapped eight unarmed monitors on friday, accusing them of being spies for nato. >> i can only say please help us. that we will be released. thank you. we are really waiting. >> one of the observers was released for health reasons but the militants say the other men will not be freed, unless there

is a prisoner swap with kiev. there are reports of more buildings being seized by separatists in the east. pro-separatists took control of the tv station in an embattled city in order to broadcast pro-kremlin views. what year is this? this is the kind of thing you would think would happen a long time ago. mean while, vladimir putin has ordered russian officials to end all talks with president obama. it came as president obama announced new economic sanctions would be issued today against russia. >> the goal is not to go after putin purposely, the goal is to change the calculus on how the current conditions could have an adverse impact on the russian economy over the long haul and to encourage him to actually walk the walk and not just talk

the talk when it comes to diplomatically resolving the crisis in ukraine. >> let's bring in senior fellow ian brzezinski. what do you think of the new sanctions that have been announced this morning? will they go far enough? will they have an impact? >> mika, we don't know the exact details. expansion. it appears it's an expansion of the current sanctions. unfortunately i don't think that's going to have the impact that the president desires. it just won't have the weight necessary to have an impact directly and forcefully hits the russian economy. as a result, i think putin's calculus is going to remain the same. he's going to steadily press on. >> nicole. >> is america viewed by europeans as relevant in this,

powerful, as making a difference or are we viewed as being pretty impotent at this point? >> i think the general consensus in europe is that the united states is not playing a strong leadership role in this crisis. our policies, our reactions have been hesitant, if not anemic. everything from the economic to the military reflects hesitation, caution, fear of clags. the sanctions have been limited to just a bunch of oligarchs. our response has been on the military side sending a ship here, couple plane there and 600 troops to pull in the baltics and another company in romania. this in the face of russia throwi throwing. it's just an inadequate balance in terms of action and reaction. >> real quick, go ahead.

>> if i could follow up. in europe is the anemic response solely blamed on president obama or do they view the entire american people as being disinterested in this grave crisis? where is european sentiment on that? >> well, first i think, you know, our hesitancy reinforces concern that we're not longer committed to their security. but the europeans have been equally hesitant. russia's gd 3/is $2 trillion, a factor of six. you back the united states, another $15 trillion economy and the e.u., $12 trillion economy and it hard to see why we're not being more economically assertive against a country that's economically smaller. >> but if you're closed in on russia as much as we were, wouldn't that make more of a

deference and why are they? >>. >> if there was a real showdown between russia and the eu, they would feel some pain. the russians rely on the eu. if there was a showdown, the europeans would hurt but the russian economy would come to a grinding halt. >> sam stein, real quick. >> the case against moving too fast on sanctions, is if you don't have a united european front, then they would back fill our sanctions, send them weapons, so the u.s. would be kind of toothless. why should we be moving fast if

moving first is kind of feckless. >> leading from behind has never been great union ship. >> moving on to other news now, more than a dozen people are dead after a series of tornado tore through the middle of the country. the worst of the damage appears to be in arkansas. authorities have confirmed at least 15 people are killed. the area of little rock is being compared to a war zone. >> i saw some of the biggest trees upside down and houses left in the garage. i a several of the states experienced severe storms as well and there even more bad weather expected later today. let's go to bill karins with more on this, monitoring it all.

bill? >> fears came true as we headed into the weekend. we knew we could have a three-day event. you heard the fatalities, dozens more injured, hundreds of home destroyed. that's just the beginning. we haven't even added it all up last night. we still have two tornado watches for areas of the deep south. looks look we're going to go pretty much around the clock here with the tornado threat. until 1:00 this afternoon, central, northern louisiana and central mississippi, i'm sure there will be one following that in northern alabama and tennessee later today. let me show you what happened yesterday. yesterday was a full fledged outbreak. 31 tornado reports from nebraska to iowa, one in kansas and one in northern mississippi. it was that area in arkansas

that was the worst. one super cell thunderstorm lasted for two and a half hours, producing tornadoes. it had a large wedge tornado with it, that was a half mile wide at one point. it had at least 1350 mile-per-hour winds. that went for -- so where is the place today? down through nashville through mississippi, that's pretty much who is in danger. about 50 miles on either side of that is the greatest risk for tornadoes. some days you get hit, some days missed by these big storms. but it looks like more strong tornadoes. we get another round. we're paying the price.

>> coming up, is hillary clinton wall street's deep, dark secret? you're watching "morning joe." we'll be right back. ♪ [ girl ] my mom, she makes underwater fans that are powered by the moon. ♪ she can print amazing things, right from her computer. [ whirring ] [ train whistle blows ] she makes trains that are friends with trees. ♪ my mom works at ge.

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♪ ♪ time now to take a look at the "morning papers" from our parade of papers. "san francisco chronicle," one pilot is missing this morning after two small planes crashed.

the u.s. coast guard said debris was spotted in the water following the incident but the pilot is still missing. passengers in the other plane were not hurt. >> "staten island advance," senator michael grimm is set to -- >> we haven't had a chance to talk about -- >> i'm not talking about anything that's off topic. this is only about the president. thank you. >> so michael grimm does not want to talk about any of the allegations involving campaign finance but as you see he refused to talk about that. >> why? why? it's a valid question.

>> what the heck? >> dude, the camera's rolling. did they not teach you that in congressman school? specific charges will be announced after he turns himself in. >> "the washington post," public high schools are reporting an 80% graduation rate. schools have been taking action to address dropout rates. researchers project a 90% national graduation rate by 2020. >> "the daily mail," a deadly virus is taking aim at the nation's pig population. more than 10% have been impacted and is sending pork prices soaring. three states have reported cases of virus with no cure in sight.

park bellies are at an all-time high at $3.50 a pound. >> the "st. louis post-dispatch." the former highest ranking female executive at anheuser-busch is suing over claims she was not properly compensated during her 20 years with the company. she says the company is run like a, quote, frat party, where women are paid significantly less despite working just as hard as men. the beer manufacturer says the claims are false. >> "the washington post," a school in new york is facing major criticism african selling its annual end of the year kindergarten show. the school says it is responsible for preparing children for college and career with valuable life long skills. let them be children!

>> s.a.t. prep! it's new york city. >> i believe that. >> just let them be kids. >> they actually grow better that way. anyhow. let's go to politico. mike, good morning. >> happy monday. >> wall street's dark secret, hillary clinton 2016. what does wall street think of a potential hillary clinton presidency? >> this was a surprise. republicans say in the financial services world say their first choice would be jeb bush. their second choice would be chris christie. but what if neither of them is available in 2016? these republicans say they would be perfectly happy to have hillary clinton. they say they see her as approachable, they have a track record with her.

she was the new york senator for eight years. a number of wall street people are advisers to her, she's worked with wall street for raising money for the clinton foundation -- >> okay, i smell a rat. i smell a rat, mike. these republicans, they want to say that because it will then ultimately hurt hillary, won't it? >> you hear this not just and wall street. you talk to republicans who are disappointed in chris christie and are sensing jeb bush's di indecision and they say, okay, hillary. >> there's a sense in the

countr country, dem democrats and republicans alike, that she understands that -- >> but main street isn't growing, big banks are bigger than ever, too big to fail exists and wall street reporting her is saying we don't want somebody in there who can level the playing field. >> but one could argue that we reform our tax code -- >> but you guys are having the debate that is going to play out in the democratic primary. >> exactly! >> the moderate democrats make the case that you just made. >> wall street was very behind barack obama. >> this president has been as friendly to wall street as any president. >> we're looking at minimum

wage, we're looking at the state of the class. >> hillary is for economic growth and job growth and she believes perhaps a little different than some democrats that you have to have a thriving business community to support it, not coddled by government but supported by public policy to let that happen. >> thrive. let them thrive. >> i want business to grow so more people can work. >> but this story is not good for hillary clinton. >> this is the elizabeth warren -- this is going to be fascinating. >> i just think in this day and age -- >> heavy hillary in the democratic primary? >> excuse me? >> you think it tilts heavy for hillary in the democratic primary? >> course it does.

it is not an either or -- >> i don't think that describes the typical democratic primary voter. >> nicole, she's so far ahead in the democratic polling. >> mike, jump in. >> what this shows is with this broader business community, that hillary clinton is not frightening and not scary. the republicans are saying they would have to have her than somebody with an r after their name who is much further to the right. >> politico's mike allen is next. coming up, we'll ask chuck about this photo. ♪ ♪ when salesman alan ames books his room at laquinta.com, he gets a ready for you alert the second his room is ready. so he knows exactly when he can check in and power up before his big meeting.

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republican congressman aaron schock has been traveling like nobody's business. we'd like to turn to your instagram, if we could. what's going on here? what the hell? seriously. >> it was good friday and some

people -- >> yes, it was. i can see that. >> some people golf and i don't golf so my friend, the congresswoman in hawaii, said why don't we try and get you up on the surf board. i said i've never surfed. she said i think we have an instructor who can get you up. and here i am. >> there's a lot of pictures with your shirt off. >> as opposed to swimming with my shirt off. >> it happens to be that you're sculpted perfect and the angle is right and you instagramed it. >> why not? someone is in good shape, it shows they're disciplined. if most people in congress took their shirts off, it isn't something you'd want to see. >> you do have something on

washington. >> what's that? >> what donnie just said. they're out of shape. >> tomorrow i launch the fitness caucus with one of my democratic colleagues. as much as we talk about health care reform, the one conversation nobody wants -- >> my money's on mika. go! go, go! >> he's good. >> all right, all right. >> nicole. >> seriously, 80% of our health care costs are spent on preventable diseases. so we can joke all we want but what we put in our mouth contributes more to our health care costs. >> you were talking about you're just back from asia, about people saying privately they have concern about not just america's credibility but our

strength and our follow-through. >> i was with -- two messages: one, america will continue to support its allies in the region -- >> is there doubt that we will? >> privately it came up in nearly every meeting. we have seen the inaction in syria, we're very concerned about the inaction in ukraine. what does that mean about our commitment if we were to get into a conflict. japan has doubled their domestic spending and abe, the prime minister, has asked for a reinattorney p terpation to allow for self-defense of their country. so those a bit unprecedented and it because of the uncertainty

they feel to america's commitment to the treaty. i think it's why the president was asked that same question later in the week when we visited. >> sam. >> i'm surprised the producers didn't find my shirtless insta grams. >> i would have lost. >> and how -- last week a video surfaced of your speaker, speaker boehner, almost mocking his own party for the trepidation to take up reform. your thoughts? >> there are plenty of folks in congress who, you know, say they

want to make tough decisions, come to congress to do the right thing but when push comes to shove, they find it difficult to do so. but i think the house of representatives is the place for immigration reform to be april dressed. our body faces the electorate every two years. i've been very outspoken in pushing my leadership and on my views for the need for reform and agriculture and manufacturing, both of them demand immigration reform. >> let me ask you, do you see those comments from the speaker as a positive sign for the prospect of a bilk introduced this session? >> well, a bill -- i don't think there will be a single bill as the speaker has mentioned. >> but the step-by-step approach. those singular bills are introduced.

the border security already passed out of the homeland committee unanimously. there's a piece of legislation being con confused. at the end of the day he represents a conference of congress and we are a reflection of our constituents. i respect other people in my conference who have differing views. but i think at the end of the day this will take democrats working with republicans to get it done. i think the primary season, let me just say this, has made it difficult not just on immigration but a whole lot of other this evenings. >> we're running out of times. it's very important. mika had a thesis earlier in the show, it was a thing that came out that if the republicans

don't get either christie or jeb bush that the business community would love to see hillary clinton run and her feeling is, that's because the republicans were afraid. >> tar her in the democratic primaries. are you as cynical as miss brzezinski? >> or complicated? >> i suppose that's like being the democrat as favorite republican. you don't want to be the republicans' favorite democrat. i think at the end of the day, business individuals will do what's best for business individuals, as evidenced by who they gave money to on both sides of the spectrum. >> so the answer is yes. now i'm going to give you some media advice. so your staff should not instagram you on your instra gram because then it looks like you enstam grammed yourself locking hot on a surf board. >> i. >> which is what i do. >> let me give you a news flash. that's my instagram and i

control the instagram. as you know, in public office, nothing as private. >> other people have to post hot pictures of you, not you, okay? take the advice of mika. >> i'll keep that in mind. congressman schock, ilt good to have you on. redefining money and power next, coming up here on "morning joe." ♪ ♪ new car!

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our thrive conference, there were award winning artists, designers and ceos. plus we had massive tree sculptures on the stage and a bed. yes. take a look. ♪ ♪ >> i'm a little nervous. there's so many people. >> i live mika. >> really? >> yes. she's really gorgeous. >> welcome to thrive. are you ready to thrive? >> by example, my dear friends, we can show others to thrive. >> what i learned more than anything was how you don't have to wait when things are doing

well to thrive. >> and if you feel called to dough so, you may open your eyes and mile big with your teeth at yourself. you will have a better day. i promise. >> i invite you today to rest in the awareness of your breath. i invite you to stop, to slow down and to take a breath. >> let's just feel that being breathed. life is about, you know, your relationship to one another, to your friends, to your significant other, to your children, to your family, to the world. >> to having it be that there's a focus on the uniqueness of the creature and their styles of learning. there's all these different kinds of intelligences and each person is so unique. >> my mom's out there. i'm so excited. >> her amazing mom and her amazing sculptures on the stage, the amazing trees.

>> emily brzezinski is an accomplished artist known for her monument an tree sculptures. and at 82 years old, she still uses that chain saw. >> what drives me is an idea. i just love the sawdust and the smells of the wood in front of me. somehow things don't get into each other's way. >> what about dad? >> that's a different problem. >> she defied gravity to be able to find her way to thrive. i can't be more impressed than any other woman on the place of this earth, than my mother, emily brzezinski. >> whatever you are doing, that is the moment you have and if we

are not fully present, we miss that moment and we miss part of our lives. >> i like busting your chops, but you have taken this kind of perch and really used it to help women to push a lot of stuff forward and good for you. congratulations. >> and to show your family. i think that a lot of people don't relate to people, they don't see what's dear to them. to see how dear your mother and daughters are are you -- >> my mother's the real -- everyone was blown away by her sculptures. >> she's like wow. she's like wow. she definitely kicked your father's butt. >> she did, she did. >> that's why he can -- >> dr. brzezinski, no insult. >> i'm stuttering right now. it was a wonderful day. and my thanks to my friend arianna huffington. that whole event was born out of a discussion that we had. >> somebody tell me if she's

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welcome back to "morning joe." here with us now, executive director of the human rights campaign, chad griffin. good to you have on board. >> good morning. >> there's a little controversy brewing, right? there's a new book written by joe becker, "new york times" reporter, took a really close look at prop 8, the case in california, and it stirred up a lot of passions. >> you know what, it did. first of all, this movement is not lacking of passion. in fact, we have won these battles all across the country by the incredible passion that exists around this country. this book is about one chapter, one chapter. but the story of the history of lgbt in this country is a long, long chapter, where people who have been fighting for it for decades. some colleagues are leading the movement today. this book is an important story because, as you well know, nicole, our opposition fought very hard to keep anyone from knowing what was happening in that courtroom. and this book tells the story of

four real heros, our plaintiffs in that case, their families, their struggle. >> i think it's always been about the plaintiffs and marriage equality. i think what was so interesting was to see how raw nerves were within the movement that, there were activists who were so offended. can you talk about the divisions? it seems like this case should have been a win-win, should have been viewed as something that advanced the cause. you brought so many more people into the effort in a shared mission for marriage equality. >> exactly. what was great about the prop 8 case is it put discrimination on trial and discrimination lost. meanwhile, many hearts and minds were changed over the course of that case. what we all do agree on are a couple of things. number one, so many people deserve so much credit. heros across this movement. people like mary bonato and evan

wilson, they set the stage decades ago, before i had the courage to come out of the closet as a kid arkansas to be honest. there are people all across the country today that didn't feel the reach of those decisions by the supreme court. lbgt young people, especially cross the south, states like arkansas, mississippi, alabama. >> what's going on across the country. >> project one, if you look at this country today, we are deeply divided into two americas. you have the coast and really great brie spoght spots, a few e middle. but the vast number of lgbt people, they still live in the middle. in arkansas and alabama, there's no laws, so they can be fired

from their jobs, evicted from their homes, based on who they are. >> i was asking who these two knew each other. >> i was happy to be a spokesperson from chad was a part of this organization. >> strange bedfellows. >> thanks for having me. >> up next, what if anything did we learn today? every day of the week. when laquinta.com sends him a ready for you alert the second his room is ready, ya know what salesman alan ames becomes? i think the numbers speak for themselves. i'm sold! a "selling machine!" ready for you alert, only at lq.com.

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welcome back to "morning joe." time to talk about what we learned today. >> i have a new favorite brzezinski. ian brzezinski. >> i have a question. how many more brzezinskis are there floating around who we don't know about? >> matthew, my cousin. he's an expert on russia. my mom and dad, too. love you, too. kristen welker is up next with "the daily rundown." >> where's chuck? >> in the philippines. high alert. dozens of tornadoes tear through the heart of the country, killing 18 and leaving a path of destruction. and the threat isn't over for some states this morning. meantime, shocking racial comments allegedly by an nba owner shake the entire league and even prompt a response from president obama on the other side of the world. >> and pope francis sendswo