Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
Barbaro Euthanized; MySpace Targets Online Sexual Predators
Aired January 29, 2007 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. I'm Kyra Phillips, live at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Don Lemon.
Prime hunting ground for online predators -- MySpace turns the tables and launches a new way to protect your kids.
PHILLIPS: They put their lives on the line. Now it's payback time at the Center For the Intrepid. We are going to take you there live to San Antonio, where the wounds of war get a chance to heal.
LEMON: And you can call this one a swing and a prayer. When thieves tried to rip off these parishioners during mass, the faithful put up a heck of a fight.
You're live in the CNN NEWSROOM.
But we start this hour with details on a developing story.
Let's head straight to -- to the newsroom, T.J. Holmes working on that for us.
What do you have, T.J.?
T.J. HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, yes.
We're following a story out of California, the Bay Area, specifically in San Jose, where that man you're seeing there is the man that police call maybe one of the most prolific child molesters in this country's history -- Dean Schwartzmiller sentenced today for the maximum. For the charges he was convicted of, he is getting 150 years in prison for the molestation of two 12-year-old boys.
However, after he was arrested in 2005, police identified -- they found notebooks, memoirs full of pages and pages of descriptions, horribly graphic descriptions of his molestation over the years -- some of the entries marking -- or identifying, grouping the people they think he molested in groups, blond boys, different ages and whatnot -- but, really, a horrible, disgusting background to this story here.
And this man, 64 year olds now -- 64 years old now, has been convicted, over the years, the past three decades, really, several states of different kinds of sexual assault. He has been accused by over 100 people, according to the prosecutors, hundreds, really, over the -- over many states in the U.S., also in Brazil and Mexico, of molestation, dating back to 1969.
But he has now been caught, caught in 2005, convicted last year, and now sentenced to 150 years in prison on 11 counts of -- of abuse and molestation of two 12-year-old boys and another count, a misdemeanor count, of child pornography possession.
But -- but, again, the -- the end to what has really been a -- really a shocking case. I was in California, working there at the time this man was arrested. And the details and the background of this case will just horrify you, and are unbelievable.
But, really, a wrap-up to this case now, and police say this man will -- will not -- will never be free again, serving pretty much life in prison, getting 150 years -- Don.
LEMON: Probably a lot of families and a lot of folks there in California who are relieved...
(CROSSTALK)
HOLMES: To see this -- this one over with.
LEMON: All right.
HOLMES: Tough case.
LEMON: T.J., thank you.
HOLMES: All right.
LEMON: And we want to tell our audience, Jacki Schechner is going to talk to us about protecting your kids online, specifically on MySpace. That is coming up a little bit later on in the NEWSROOM.
Let's talk about this now. People who never watched a horse race in their lives were pulling for Barbaro. Remember Barbaro? Well, today, racing fans and non-fans alike are mourning. The Kentucky Derby winner was put down, after eight months of up-and-down recovery.
And joining us now to talk about it now is Julie Rovner of NPR News.
And, Julie, I think it was your report that I was listening to yesterday. You were explaining this complicated surgery, exactly what was happening -- and now this.
Tell us what you know.
JULIE ROVNER, NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO: Well, we don't know exactly What -- what prompted them to actually put him down.
But we do know that this was kind of a last-ditch effort. He had been having -- you know, this had been sort of an up-and-down thing, as you say. Basically, a horse needs to be able to stand on all four legs. And what has been going with Barbaro, really, the last few weeks is, he has been having more and more discomfort on his left leg, which was the leg opposite the one that broke, where he had had this laminitis last July.
LEMON: Mm-hmm.
ROVNER: And, then last Thursday, they told us that he had had this abscess in his right leg, which was the one that broke that had healed.
That was the first we knew of it. That was not good news. I remember, I sent it off to a colleague, and I said, this doesn't look good. Over the weekend, we heard about this surgery, this very complicated surgery, to take all the weight off of his right hind foot. They put pins sideways through his leg bone, basically, his right leg bone, the one that was broken and had now healed...
LEMON: Mm-hmm.
ROVNER: ... to take all the weight off of his foot.
Basically, he was standing on his leg bone. The veterinarian said that that raised a distinct possibility that that leg could re- break.
LEMON: And, then, also -- also, on that, Julie, because they were trying to take the pressure off that foot, he was using his three other hooves and -- or -- and other legs to support him. And they were concerned that that might even complicate matters from that end.
ROVNER: Exactly.
Well, they were more worried about him standing on his front feet...
LEMON: Yes.
ROVNER: ... which, up to now, had not shown signs of problems. But that was another distinct possibility.
In the end -- and I guess we're going to find out -- there's a press conference in about an hour. We will find out exactly what it was. My guess -- and, as I say, I don't know exactly, you know, what made them decide to do this -- is, he was probably just too uncomfortable.
I'm thinking that he might not have been able to get used to standing on that -- you know, that strange device that they gave him. They just couldn't get him out of enough pain. And...
LEMON: And, Julie...
ROVNER: ... remember, that is what they have said all along.
LEMON: And, Julie, there was also something about this surgery that was unusual. They were sort of unprecedented. They were trying new things and new methods on Barbaro?
ROVNER: Yes. This was something that I think was -- was clearly something that you would only try as an absolute last ditch.
And I think is important. They said this really from the first day. You know, when I was up there back in May, they said, we're not going to continue with this horse if we can't keep him acceptably comfortable. We're not doing this just because this horse is worth a lot of money as a potential stallion. You know, their -- the -- the -- the Jackson, the owners of this horse, clearly care about him. They really want to do it, you know, only because the horse, at that point, seemed to be doing well.
They were able to keep him comfortable, to keep him bright, to keep him happy, despite these injuries. And they have said all along that, when they couldn't keep him comfortable, they were going to stop. And I think that was clearly the point that they got to today.
LEMON: And, Julie, you knew, obviously, the owners and the people who worked with Barbaro and the doctors. I can -- you -- we can only imagine what they're going through right now.
ROVNER: Yes. I think -- you know, particularly because he had been doing so well towards the end of the year. They were talking about maybe taking him out of the hospital to some kind of a rehab facility.
He was walking. You know, the gait was a little bit odd, but he looked fairly comfortable. He was doing, you know, fairly remarkably well, considering all he had been through.
But, really, for about the last two or three weeks, we started to see some of these press releases. They were going back doing and doing cast changes, and starting different kinds of shoes. And it was becoming increasingly clear that they were having more and more difficulty keeping him comfortable.
LEMON: And, Julie, thank you so much for joining us. It was believed that, with this, if they had completed this surgery, that it may have set some sort of precedent when it comes to treating horses who have injuries, especially thoroughbreds, or racing horses, from that end.
But, apparently, it did not work out for Barbaro, and he had to be euthanized.
They are going to have a press conference regarding this coming up today at 4:00. And we will be following that in "THE SITUATION ROOM" -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Another warning today to Iran not to meddle with its neighbor, Iraq. President Bush spoke this morning to National Public Radio.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP, NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: If Iran escalates its military action in Iraq...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
BUSH: ... to the detriment of our troops and/or innocent Iraqi people, we will respond firmly.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Well, the president's latest broadside follows potentially worrisome comments made in "The New York Times" by a key Iranian diplomat.
Tehran's top envoy to Baghdad is quoted today as saying Iran plans to deepen its role in Iraq economically and militarily. He said it will offer training, equipment, and advisers to the Iraqi armed forces, and also plans to place a national bank in Baghdad.
In response, an Iraqi official said his country will take any economic help that it can get.
LEMON: Next-door neighbors with a lot in common, including animosity, suspicion and fear, Iran and Iraq.
Here are some facts.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Relations between Iran and Iraq, since their devastating war in the 1980s, is laced with irony. Both are predominantly Shiite. Both were ruled by unpopular leaders.
Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran and Iraq's Saddam Hussein, both were overthrown, the shah by Islamic revolution, Hussein by U.S. invasion. Now both are ruled by Shiite-led governments. Both are major oil producers. Like Iraq, Iran has its own ethnic Kurdish and Sunni Muslim religious minorities.
There is at least one key difference. Regional experts say, Iraq's most powerful Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, opposes an active political role for clerics, such as the one that is integral to the Iranian system.
The 1980 through 1988 Iran-Iraq War had more to do with politics than religion. Iraqi Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein started the war by invading western Iran because of what he claimed was a territorial dispute over a strategic waterway. The Reagan administration began supplying Saddam with intelligence and weapons two years later, when it appeared Iran was gaining the upper hand.
By the time the war ended, Saddam had used chemical weapons, both capitals had been bombed, and more than a million people killed. Relations remained bitter during Saddam's regime. A breakthrough occurred after Saddam was toppled, when then Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari, a Shiite, traveled to Tehran, the first Iraqi head of government to visit Shiite-ruled Iran in more than a dozen years.
(END VIDEOTAPE) LEMON: MySpace turns the tables on sex predators and teams up with people who track them. Liar, beware -- straight ahead in the CNN NEWSROOM.
PHILLIPS: And a familiar violent story from the streets of L.A. gang violence -- up next in the NEWSROOM, my continued discussion with two former gang members who are fighting to keep others from signing on.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Urban warfare, neighborhoods as killing field, enemies identified not by what they do, but who they are -- we're talking about Los Angeles.
There were 267 gang-related killings in that city last year. And police have launched a major offensive against racially motivated attacks by hundreds of gangs. What's going on and what is being done about it?
We want to continue our talk with Alex Sanchez and Bo Taylor. They both know. They're former L.A. gang members working now to get kids out of gangs.
Guys, thanks for staying with me.
We talked about the problem. We talked about both of your pasts.
The last -- where we took off, Alex, was where you were talking about your organization, Homies Unidos. And -- and tell me exactly what you're doing that's making an impact on these kids. Why are they listening to you? Are you scaring them straight, or are you giving them more of an intellectual approach?
ALEX SANCHEZ, FOUNDER, HOMIES UNIDOS: Well, I think that it's -- it's -- it's a combined approach.
I think that they need to be aware of the current situations, the fact of why they made those choices. Sometimes, you know, we need to address this issue as a health, a mental issue, instead of just being a criminal issue.
One of the things that we're being successful of is that most of the staff members are former gang members. They -- they -- they left that lifestyle, but they're going back into their communities, and they're helping them, speaking, and -- and telling their stories to this youth, to make them not make the same mistakes we did.
We provide -- for the other ones, we provide tattoo removal, because, really -- really difficult for individuals to get a job if they have those tattoos, or being stereotyped by people, or, you know, lose job opportunities because of it.
And it also is a safety issue, because, you know, you go down the street, somebody could kill you just because you have those tattoos. So, it's a variety of things. We also address the issue of, you know, the transnational view of the gang, how it's impacting in Central America and other countries in the Caribbean and Belize, and the fact that many of these individuals are being deported without being rehabilitated. So, that's a major issue.
We know that Antonio Villaraigosa and Bratton are addressing this issue through suppression. But, in reality, we have known that, for the last 35 years, suppression alone has not worked.
(CROSSTALK)
SANCHEZ: So, our work becomes really critical, in regards to bringing -- bringing alternatives to gang-involvement youth.
Our work is done in the -- in the community. It's done in community centers. It's done in the schools, where it's really, really important. So, that's why become -- we have become really effective, because we know our history. Our background has the different approach to our youth and a different effect. They look -- impact -- they look up to us.
PHILLIPS: Of course they do. You guys...
SANCHEZ: And I think that it's only for us to give them that -- that -- that advice.
PHILLIPS: Well, you -- you have been there. You have done that.
SANCHEZ: Exactly.
PHILLIPS: And -- and -- and you have come around, and -- and they respect that. And I know they're listening.
And, Bo, you started unity one, after you saw what happened after the Rodney King riots. Tell me specifically what you're doing in the community that's working.
BO TAYLOR, PRESIDENT, UNITY ONE: Right now, what -- one of the main things that I'm doing is, we have cease-fire agreements that we established with a lot of neighborhoods, 14 different neighborhoods on the West Side, also into Watts, into the three major housing projects, Imperial Courts, Jordan Downs, and the Nickerson Gardens.
But we have individuals who basically don't want to go back to jail, individuals who will give their life to see a better way than the -- than the lifestyle that that they grew up in.
And one of the things that we do is, we try to get a lot of our special relationships, individuals who really care about the community, to come back to the community, be a part of the community.
And we also teach a life-management-skills curriculum. Through Jim Brown's Amer-I-Can program, we're able to get individuals to address issues as early on as 2 years old in their life, where they can start dealing with the fatherlessness in their lives, and joblessness, hopelessness, the fear, and emotion, the anger, the depression, all the things that go on in everyday life.
And those -- those -- those things that take place are not just in African-Americans or Latinos, but those issues address all people from all walks of life.
You know, when you look at gang violence and you look at people going into the streets, you have got to be able to deal with what happened as early as 2 years old in that person's life. What made them, you know, make up their mind to say that it's OK to go to the streets? Well, there's a lot of issues that take place.
You know, people can't get jobs. They can't find food, clothing and shelter on a regular. So, people have to -- they are out there scrambling. I mean, you look at people who -- who really care, who try to give back, who try to open doors and opportunities. Then, there are certain people out there that stand above the crowd.
And people like Pastor Dick from Jubilee up in San Jose, who actually cared enough to introduce us to key people who actually want to put some money up to help in special situations. You look at private donors who mind helping. They see the situation.
This is a crisis that is going on in our community. You look at individuals like a Cathy Hughes, who is the owner of Radio One, you know, who gave me an opportunity this Sunday to have a radio show and to be able to host a show that dedicates time and responsibility and relationships, special community relationships, with people in the community, so that we can talk about some of the issues of violence and race and issues that separate people.
And we can start bringing the city of L.A. back together, which, ultimately, will bring the violence between different rival neighborhoods down, but also get people connected in the neighborhoods who never get a chance to talk to each other.
This woman is a genius for allowing us to be able to talk about some of the issues live on the air, which has never been done before. It's historical for us, February the 1st -- February the 4th, actually, at 12:00 a.m., from 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
PHILLIPS: Is that going to be syndicated, Bo? Is that syndicated or just in L.A.?
TAYLOR: Not...
PHILLIPS: V100 in L.A.?
TAYLOR: It's -- it's -- it's just in L.A., but it covers the major counties, L.A. County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County, San Diego County.
PHILLIPS: Well, that's -- you got to push for syndication, because that -- that's what people need to hear, and that's how people need to -- to get involved.
And you know what? Everyone loves music. And music has brought together all different races through many, whether it's dance, whether it's just listening to the music, whether it's parties. I mean, it's an incredible venue.
And I -- final question, because I have -- I have got to wrap. And I -- I want both of you to be able to quickly just say about this.
Alex, I know you're a dad.
Bo, are you a dad?
PHILLIPS: OK.
TAYLOR: Oh, yes, four children.
PHILLIPS: So, this -- OK.
And I -- and I know, Alex, that's what was a wakeup call to you. You thought: What am I doing? I have got to be a good dad.
Just real quickly, Alex, what do you tell your kids?
And, then, Bo, I want to hear what you are telling your kids.
How are you preventing your own from staying out of this lifestyle?
SANCHEZ: Well, I think that -- that the number-one issue is to develop a -- a communication. And we need to communicate with our kids more. We need to be involved in -- in what they're doing in schools.
And, if they're -- and, if they're doing bad, don't push them for excellence. Don't push them for perfect. Just be there.
PHILLIPS: Accept them for the way they are.
SANCHEZ: They will grow.
I think that we are the guide. We are their number-one teachers. And we are their number-one role models. Whatever we teach them, you know, will affect them negatively or positively. So, I'm just trying to be a good dad to them.
PHILLIPS: Bo, final thoughts...
TAYLOR: And...
PHILLIPS: ... quickly.
TAYLOR: And, for me, you know what? My father left me at than early age of my life. I never even knew who he was, never saw his face, never got a card, never got a phone call.
For me, I always let my kids know that, no matter what, I will never leave them. I will always be a father to them. I will be the man in their life that I always wanted in my life when I was a kid, but, also, that there's nothing wrong with being educated, being smart. You know, never let other people pressure you into being an idiot and being a follower. And those are the things that are key in life.
If you look at the Jewish community, they're -- they -- they really, really -- they hammer it home with education. And, in most cases, in our communities, you know, we don't get that same message.
So, I try to instill in my kids that, you know what? You can be as smart as you want to be and be the smartest one. And, right now, my youngest two are honor roll students.
PHILLIPS: Amen.
Bo Taylor, Unity One is the group.
Alex Sanchez, Homies Unidos.
Both of you, what -- what a pleasure to have you both. I respect you both so much. You're very, very brave.
TAYLOR: Thank you, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: You're doing great things, guys.
TAYLOR: Thank you.
SANCHEZ: Thank you.
PHILLIPS: Thank you.
LEMON: Levee alert -- a government report warns, flood protection structures across the U.S. may not be as strong as they should be -- details coming up on this, straight ahead in the CNN NEWSROOM.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: And I'm Sibila Vargas in Hollywood with your entertainment news.
And the actor goes to Eddie Murphy. I sat down with him the "Dreamgirls" star in a rare one-on-one interview.
And what has got J.Lo up in arms? I will tell you straight ahead in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Are you one of those people who do not wait until the last minute?
PHILLIPS: Yes.
LEMON: Not me.
(LAUGHTER)
LEMON: Yes.
PHILLIPS: Yes.
LEMON: Are you getting documents together to file your taxes already? Well, you may want to hear -- this year, you may want to wait a little bit, because there is something you want to hear from Susan Lisovicz.
Susan, I'm at the post office at midnight. The guy is directing traffic.
(LAUGHTER)
LEMON: Or I'm filing the extension.
LISOVICZ: I am so in your camp. I have been there -- I...
(LAUGHTER)
LISOVICZ: ... hate to say it -- on more than one occasion. It is a real circus at the main postal office in Manhattan.
LEMON: Why do we want to wait, though? Why might some people want to wait?
LISOVICZ: Well, in this case, there is good reason.
It enables procrastinators, but there is a very good reason: because it could save you some dough and a lot of aggravation. Some leading financial services companies are warning that their 1099s will be sent out late this year. And, once they do get mailed, the companies may have to correct them later.
At least five firms, including Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Wachovia Securities, Edward Jones, and Raymond James, have received one-month extensions from the IRS to send out 1099s. Those are the tax forms that list the interest you have earned in capital gains. The usual deadline for companies to mail them out is January 31.
But, because of a new reporting requirement that became law last year, mutual funds will have more analysis to do, which will take more time. It's kind of comforting, Don, to realize that even the big firms have problems...
(LAUGHTER)
LISOVICZ: ... figuring out the tax codes, and, you know, how -- how we should be filling them out.
LEMON: Yes. Obvious question: So, what if you have already filed and then you get a revised 1099? What do you do now?
LISOVICZ: OK. So, you have a couple of others. Tax experts say, if the correction is insignificant, you don't have to do anything. It might not be worth it, if you pay someone else to prepare your tax return. But, if the correction is large, you will need to revise your return. And, if you end up owing more tax, you should revise before April 15, because you could face interest charges. Of course, it's all relative as to what is significant and what is insignificant. You can always, of course, file for an extension as well.
On Wall Street, well, we're not seeing much of an extension when it comes to gains. Major averages, little change -- it is a quiet day, but it is a busy week. We're expecting to hear from hundreds of companies, more corporate earnings. We are also going to get a lot of economic data later this week. And we hear from the Federal Reserve on Wednesday on interest rates. That is the first Federal Reserve meeting of 2007.
Well ahead of that, the numbers are, the Dow Jones industrials up 17 points. The NASDAQ is up three.
Shares of U.S. Airways are up significantly, jumping more than 5 percent. "The Wall Street Journal" says the carrier is offering to increase its bid for Delta Air Lines by $1 billion, to nearly $12 billion. But that's only if Delta postpones a restructuring hearing set for next week. Delta is still in bankruptcy. And it has rejected U.S. Airways takeover efforts.
And that's the latest from Wall Street. I will be back in 30 minutes for the closing bell.
You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Hello everyone. I'm Kyra Phillips live at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta.
LEMON: And I'm Don Lemon.
These parishioners don't turn the other cheek during an alleged robbery attempt. Check commandment number eight. You're live in the CNN newsroom.
So at the bottom of the hour, we've come a long way from the milk carton. Ahead of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on a new weapon in its arsenal. The people at MySpace.com have just donated a database of sex offenders from all 50 states and MySpace has already been using it to screen the site for predators. Joining us now CNN Internet correspondent Jacki Schechner. Hi Jacki.
JACKI SCHECHNER, INTERNET CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Don. There's a lot of moving parts here so let me break it down for you so you can understand what we've got going on. About nine months ago, MySpace hired a chief security officer and ever since then, they've been implementing as many things as they possibly can to make the space safer for children. And one of the things that they've done is partnered up with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. They announced about a month ago that they were going to create this database. It was a national searchable database of sex offenders, registered sex offenders. And what they've now done is implemented that database and donated it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It's being used in a couple of ways.
It's going to be used on MySpace in this way. When somebody signs up for the social networking site, they're going to enter all of their information assuming this is their correct information. It will compare that information with this searchable database and it will try to match up things like name, sex, location, any kind of information they give. The other thing it will do and that's what you're looking at now, is it will match up photographs using image recognition software to find out if the photograph that they've uploaded in any way matches a photograph on this national searchable database. Now what they'll do then is alert the MySpace security team which is now in place 24/7 and that information will either go to law enforcement or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. They will take the profile down and then they'll act correspondingly.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HEMANSHU NIGAM, CHIEF SECURITY OFFICER, MYSPACE.COM: Number one, oftentimes, convicted sex offenders do use their real information. It may be a surprise to many people but that is the reality. Second, even if they don't use all of their real information, if there is even a single bit of information, in our database, we have 123 different types of information we can compare against.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCHECHNER: Now obviously, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is happy to have this tool at their disposal. Again, they are going to use it a little bit differently than MySpace will. They're going to use it more a law enforcement capacity. The databases across the country have always been sort of scattered and now they're going to have all the information of the 600,000 registered sex offenders all in one place. Let's take a listen to what Ernie Allen had to say. He's the CEO of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ERNIE ALLEN, NTL CENTER FOR MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN: I think this is a good step and it is a tool. It is not going to be something that solves the problem in its totality which is why MySpace is doing a number of things and this is a work-in-progress. They are continuing to look at ways. We're continuing to push them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCHECHNER: A couple of other things that MySpace has put in place recently that you might be interested to know about. They're now doing e-mail verification so that when you sign up for MySpace, you can't just put in any e-mail. You'll have to put in a valid e-mail address. They'll send you an e-mail in response to that and you can click on a link. A lot of other types of uses for sometime MySpace is now implementing this to help them weed out any false accounts. Another thing they've talked about putting into place is a software program they're calling zephyr which will allow parents to see if their child has a MySpace profile and see what age their child is claiming to be. And then another thing we've just heard about is tomorrow, there's going to be an announcement that some congressman are introducing bipartisan legislation to require sex offenders to register, not only where they live offline but where they're living online, to register a valid e-mail address. This is legislation that MySpace has been calling for. We've heard a promise on the Senate side. It sounds like tomorrow we're going to get some legislation on the House side, at least an introduction to that. Don.
LEMON: That is something that's very different and unusual. Yeah, never heard of that before. You know what? We're hearing what MySpace is doing. But we often hear that the onus is on the parents to monitor what their kids are doing online. Anybody talking about what more parents can do to do that?
SCHECHNER: Everybody is talking about what more parents can do. That's really where the responsibility starts at home. In addition to being able to monitor what your child is doing online, a couple of things I want to show you. MySpace has introduced their safety tips for parents. This is so easy. Go to MySpace.com. At the bottom it says safety tips. All you have to do - this so easy - go to MySpace.com and at the very bottom it says safety tips, you'll see along the bottom of the screen. Click on that and it will give tips for parents of what to do online. Even if you're not familiar with the Internet, you can teach your children how to be safe and there are some tips that parents can do. No information that you're going to give to strangers in your real life would you give to strangers online. You don't want to go off meeting people that you don't know other than having met them through the Internet. So some obvious points you want to transfer from the real world into the virtual world.
And then there's also some websites online like wiredsafety.org which is an Internet safety group and they have s all sorts of resources that you can check into. I like this animation, see if I can pull this up for you but they did this cute little animation. It's kind of hokey but it shows you that who you meet online may not be the cute 14-year-old girl that you think she is. It may actually be a grown-up. You, as a child or as a parent need to be aware of who you're interacting with.
LEMON: Jacki Schechner, thank you so much for that.
SCHECHNER: Of course. Any time.
PHILLIPS: A blinding snowstorm, a mangled mess. This is I-69 east of Flint, Michigan yesterday. A huge pileup, 24 cars and four semis, at least a dozen people hurt. Part of I-69 closed for hours.
And what must be every news director's nightmare, a TV live truck sinking through the ice. It happened to a WISN crew in Milwaukee, Wisconsin while it was getting video of quote, something ice-related. The crew managed to make it back to shore. It may take another day to get that truck out of there. Cold doesn't even begin to describe it. CNN's Rob Marciano looking at a lot of frigid temps on those weather maps. Let me tell you, Rob, you know how much those sat trucks cost. That is like a million bucks plus right there.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I just hope they got the video back to the station.
PHILLIPS: Exactly. Let's hope it made air!
MARCIANO: The news director may be a little bit lenient that way.
You're right. It's been cold, no doubt about that, obviously not cold enough to melt that ice as thick it would normally be this time of year, places from Minnesota to upstate New York to Maine, not just getting into the swing of things as far as winter is concerned. And boy, we've got cold air and then we have these blue lines which indicate the leading edge of even more cold air. The pattern is such that the eastern two-thirds especially of the country will continue to receive these cold punches of air as we go through time. These are actual temperatures. They do not include the wind, 27 Beantown, 27 Big Apple, 29 degrees in Philly, got to go all the way down to DC to get above freezing.
And when you get this cold air driving off those warm legs as was the case across lower western Michigan yesterday and again today, you get heavy snow from Grand Rapids south all the way to South Bend. This is actually the leading edge of that clipper system that will not have so much moisture as it will cold air. You can see lines of lake- effect snow off Ontario and Erie hitting the usual spots where we have lack-effect snow warnings in effect for upstate New York and northwestern PA and northeastern parts of Ohio.
Some of the upstate New York and New England ski resorts may pick up a little of the snow from this next system and the good news is that the I-95 corridor, at least the bigger cities around that corridor should be for the most part snow-free. Highs today 30 in New York. They'll be 25 in Chicago, 18 degrees in Minneapolis, 40 Atlanta, definitely a chilly start down across the south today.
Tonight, it will be chilly in spots for sure. It'll be one degree in Minneapolis, 10 in Chicago, 12 in Toronto, 21 degrees in New York City. Tomorrow's forecast kind of looks like a mess. But generally speaking, this will be light snow as the big story again will be the next punch of cold air that will roll down to the south and east. Look for a 19-degree high in Chicago, 27 in Kansas City and 27 in Denver. West coast for the most part, aside from a couple of showers possible in So. Cal, looks to be pretty nice. All of the action has shifted for a change of pace over to the east. Kyra, back to you.
PHILLIPS: Thank you Rob.
MARCIANO: You bet.
LEMON: Home away from home for military families in need. This is the newest Fisher House. Check it out. Two are being dedicated in Texas today. The homes allow military families to be close to loved ones who are being treated at nearby medical centers including the brand new center for the Intrepid. That's a state-of-the-art rehab facility that's also being dedicated today.
Singer John Mellencamp performed at the dedication ceremony. We spoke to him last hour and got his thoughts on the center for the Intrepid and its mission.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN MELLENCAMP, MUSICIAN: The stubborn efforts of a few individuals to make this work, you have to be proud of that. You know, in the success of one man, you know, there's hope for all of us. So it was just the amount of work that they did and the way this thing looks and it's just fantastic.
LEMON: You see, as you're talking here, we're looking at all the wounded guys who walked in earlier to this dedication. Have you had a chance to meet with any of these people and tour the Fisher House and tell us your response if you've met any of them?
MELLENCAMP: Well, I'm sure that you've heard this before thousands of times, but it's just amazing the human spirit that some of these kids are just so optimistic and just so full of life and it's really encouraging for someone who has not been in a war type of situation to see these kids come back and smile and laugh and be so engaged and interested in life. It's really inspiring.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Very interesting interview with him and a very interesting ceremony today. Tonight, Anderson Cooper will be live from San Antonio with more on the center for the Intrepid's mission. Healing heroes, the focus of a AC360, 10:00 Eastern, only here on CNN.
PHILLIPS: Eddie Murphy has come a long way since raw (ph). He hit Hollywood gold last night at the SAG awards. Will he go home with Oscar next? Let's check in with CNN's entertainment reporter Sibila Vargas in LA. He Sibila.
SIBILA VARGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey Kyra. It looks like Eddie Murphy is one step closer to his dream of winning an Oscar. The "Dreamgirl" star won his first Screen Actors Guild award for his supporting role in the highly acclaimed musical. Just moments after his win, one of my own dreams came true with a rare one-on-one interview with the elusive star who told me he is elated about his recent success.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EDDIE MURPHY, SAG BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: I'm over the moon about all of the stuff that's going on right now. "Dreamgirls" so well received, all of the attention that it got, to get an Oscar nomination and winning these things and have your fellow actors give you an award. These are heady times.
VARGAS: What does a nomination mean to you at this point in your career?
MURPHY: It's just a wonderful thing. I've been making movies for a quarter of a century and I never been nominated for an Oscar before so this is a great way to celebrate your 25th year in making films and I've done all different types of movies. To do something and step outside of what you do and try to do something a little different and for it to be well-received, that's a really great feeling.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VARGAS: "Dreamgirls" of course had eight Oscar nominations, the most of any film this year, but surprisingly the musical was snubbed out of the best picture category. Here's what Murphy had to say about that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MURPHY: I was as surprised as anyone else. But the movie has been so well-received and people love the picture and it is one of the best pictures of the year and it has great performances in it and Bill (INAUDIBLE) directed it and wrote it. He's a genius filmmaker and there's no bad feeling that anybody can have about "Dreamgirls."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VARGAS: Murphy's Oscar bid puts him in the middle of what is perhaps the most diverse group of nominees in the academy's history.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MURPHY: It's the most multicultural group of nominees in the history of the academy. I just think it's, you know, it's reflective of the times, I think. And it remains to be seen if this year -- times are changing. I really don't believe that this year is an anomaly and that's for just this year. I really think this is indicative of what is going about in the future.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VARGAS: And Murphy also told me that in his future, he'd like to see more dramatic work and he hopes that his role in "Dreamgirls" will help open those doors and I think Kyra that it probably will. PHILLIPS: Well, speaking of future, I hear J. Lo has an upcoming appointment in court. What's that about?
VARGAS: You know Jennifer Lopez is from the Bronx and being a Queens girl myself, you really don't want to mess with J. Lo. But it looks like things are definitely heating up between Jennifer Lopez and her first ex-husband (INAUDIBLE). Lopez is heading to court today to try to block the release of a tell-all book her former hubby has been trying to get published. The book, which would allegedly include what he says are sensitive, private, intimate details about their relationship has been on hold since the 2005 settlement in which the actress paid Noah $125 to keep quiet.
But this week, new details are emerging including Noah's claims that Lopez cheated on him during their 11-month marriage. Now her lawyers are trying and they're asking the judge to keep details from the courtroom battle private.
Some late-breaking news into CNN just confirmed that the California Highway Patrol has recommended that actress and singer Brandy be charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter in a freeway crash that killed a woman motorist last month. We'll bring you more on that story including reaction from Brandy as we continue to investigate.
And coming up on "Showbiz Tonight," more on the Jennifer Lopez scandal. Does Lopez have secrets she's trying to hide? Why is she going to court to make sure her ex-husband keeps quiet? The inside story on TV's most provocative entertainment news show, "Showbiz Tonight," 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific on Headline prime. Back to you Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Thanks Sibila.
Last week on "Showbiz Tonight," you heard about those pictures of Tyra Banks in a swimsuit. The super model is answering critics who attacked her over her weight and she's talking to Larry King about it tonight on the Hollywood pressure to be thin. Larry and Tyra, 9:00 Eastern. She will be taking your calls and e-mails live.
LEMON: Should be interesting.
Holy sacrilege. Thieves stage a heist during a middle of a Sunday mass. Didn't have a prayer against peeved parishioners, forgive us, but the newsroom loves this story. Wait until you see it. We're back in just a few minutes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Somebody hit it big and it wasn't TJ Holmes.
TJ HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was not, but I do want to take you to Missouri where I want to introduce you to a gentleman by the name of Jim Wilson. But Kyra, you can simply call him my new best friend. This is an 84-year-old retired electrician and World War II vet. He's there on the right with his wife there, Shirley next to him and their three sons. Jim bought the winning jackpot ticket, powerball lottery win there in Missouri, the largest in the state's history for $254 million. He and his wife are going to share it with their three sons. Here is his wife Shirley talking about the big win.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I looked at the numbers first like four times I went over 'em. And then I said, Jim, you better come down here and look at this. And we still didn't believe it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: So there you have it again. My good friends, the Wilson's who have the option now of taking $254 million over 30 years, 30 payments over 29 years. That doesn't sound like a good idea or they can take a lump sum payment worth $120 million before taxes. Do the calculation after taxes, that's what, Kyra? About 20,000 or something?
PHILLIPS: Let me punch the numbers. Math was not my strong point.
HOLMES: It's nice to see a World War II vet, a retired electrician, good folks and two of their sons who just lost their jobs actually and they're going to share that money. They're buying tickets for years. So a nice thing to see here.
PHILLIPS: They don't have to worry about it anymore. TJ Holmes, thanks.
LEMON: I can figure it all out for you.
PHILLIPS: There you go plain and simple.
LEMON: A lot is exactly what it is.
He was a good bet in his racing life and it seemed if anyone could buck the odds after a terrible accident, it would be Kentucky Derby champion Barbaro. But then the colt suffered a setback and the doctors didn't think he could beat it. Well, today, eight months after a career-ending injury at the Preakness, he was euthanized. Earlier this hour we spoke with NPR's Julie Rovner about the owners' decision.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VOICE OF JULIE ROVNER, CORRESPONDENT, NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO: They said we are not going to continue with this horse it we can't keep him acceptably comfortable. We're not doing this just because this horse is worth a lot of money as a potential stallion. The Jacksons, the owners of this horse clearly care about him. They really want to do it only because the horse at that point seemed to be doing well. They were able to keep him comfortable, to keep him bright, to keep him happy despite these injuries. They said all along that when they couldn't keep him comfortable, they were going to stop. I think that was clearly the point that they got to.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Well, today, at 4:00 in "The Situation Room," we're expecting a press conference to happen live about that time. If it does happen, "The Situation Room" will bring you that.
Now Sunday morning mass took a bizarre turn for some faithful. Here is what happened when robbers stormed a church. We're going to tell you that a little bit later on here in the CNN newsroom.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: This is a robbery. Four words you never want to hear and never expect to hear in church, but church goers in Ohio heard them yesterday at morning mass and then remembered God helps those who help themselves. Reporter Lindsey Seber of CNN affiliate WBNS in Columbus has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PATTY SCHLAGER, CHURCH WORSHIPER: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
LINDSEY SEAVERT, WBNS (voice-over): Patty Schlager demonstrates her daily ritual.
SCHLAGER: Hail Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now at the hour of death, amen.
I think the blessed Mother will protect me.
SEAVERT: But she's never prayed for protection more, than in Christ the King's 8:00 mass.
SCHLAGER: It was right before communion. I was saying my rosary.
SEAVERT: With the same beads clutched in her hand, a man and woman burst in. They demanded money, wallets and Schlager's purse, all at gunpoint.
SCHLAGER: I thought, Well I'd rather give her my purse than my life. So I gave her the purse.
SEAVERT: Other church members couldn't sit and watch. Schlager says ushers tackled the pair.
SCHLAGER: Kept them down until the police got there, which I think is a hero.
SEAVERT: Then, with the suspect in handcuffs, church somehow went on.
SCHLAGER: And we went up to communion. My hands were shaking so bad when I went to take the host and drink the wine, I thought I was going to drop the wine on the floor.
REV. MICHAEL LUMPE, CHRIST OF KING CHURCH: You don't go into God's house and do these types of things. It's just unheard of, but there again is this a reflection of where we are heading as a society? And if that's the case, God have mercy on all our souls.
SCHLAGER: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
SEAVERT: Schlager believes God heard those prayers. Her purse is back, but her faith renewed.
SCHLAGER: And when it was all over with, there was a serenity. There was something there that, God was saying, I'm with you. I'll take care of you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: And thanks to the fearless parishioners, police arrested 43-year-old Wendell Hollingsworth and 51-year old Celeste Smith. They both have been charged with aggravated robbery.
LEMON: You know where they are going, straight to H E double hockey sticks. Time now to check in with CNN's Wolf Blitzer.
PHILLIPS: Who's standing by in "The Situation Room" to tell us what's coming up at the top of the hour. Hey Wolf.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi guys, thanks very much. We're following the religious battle in Iraq. We'll find out how a messianic cult trying to spark a holy war.
Plus President Bush sinking low, he's hitting bottom in the polls. So mow much can he really get done in the next two years?
And the first lady with a twist. Americans may be ready for a female president but are they ready for Bill Clinton to become the first gentleman?
And death party. We will find out why people want to throw a big party at the orange bowl in Miami when a certain person dies.
Then and we're standing by for that live news conference on why vets euthanized the Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro. All that coming up right here in a few minutes right here in "The Situation Room."
LEMON: All right, Wolf, thank you so much.
PHILLIPS: Closing bell and a wrap of the action on Wall Street straight ahead. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Closing bell about to ring on Wall Street. LEMOON: Susan Lisovicz standing by with a final look at the trading day. Hi, Susan.
SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi Don, hi Kyra. We needed an excuse to roll a funny video aptly titled funny cats. It's on YouTube; it's extremely popular and hopefully we can show it to you. It is just classic! But there is actually a news story connected -- well, with YouTube. So you laugh at this. We can tell you that if you submit videos now to YouTube, you don't get paid for it. You just do it for the love of sharing video with your friends and with the world. But now, one of the cofounders of YouTube says they may actually be able to get to the point where you can get paid for your video.
PHILLIPS: OK now, that's cute.
LISOVICZ: Isn't it wonderful?
PHILLIPS: I'm not hearing a word that you're saying. I'm just looking at the video. Sorry, Susan.
LISOVICZ: Hear this. The closing bell is ringing. So I'll see you guys tomorrow.
PHILLIPS: See you tomorrow.
LISOVICZ: ... on YouTube. The closing bell rings, very quiet day on Wall Street but it's a very busy week for sure. Dow and NASDAQ, little change.
Now to "THE SITUATION ROOM" and Wolf Blitzer.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.voxant.com
