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Zimmerman Can Go Free On Bond; FBI Digging In Lower Manhattan; "I Am Sorry For The Loss Of Your Son"; "You Can't Fix Stupid"; Child Sex Abuse In Hollywood; Fenway Park Is 100 Years Old

Aired April 20, 2012 - 14:00   ET

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

BROOKE BALDWIN , CNN ANCHOR: And not only are we hearing from Zimmerman's wife, we are also hearing from the man himself at the center of this case that's gripped the nation.

I'm Brooke Baldwin. The news is now.

Confessions in court. An alleged mass killer says he studied the Oklahoma City attack and he played the "Call of Duty" video game, all to prepare for a bloodbath.

The gang rape of a teenage girl caught on video.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They were candidly joking with one another.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: CNN speaks with the girl's mother, in an area where some young men see rape as a sport.

Plus, protecting child actors from sex predators. "Different Strokes" star Todd Bridges tells me why he's begging one state to intervene.

And, you can't fix stupid. A comedian's famous joke ends up in a teacher's staff meeting. I'll speak live with Ron White about why he won't rest until one principal gets his job back.

All right, here we go. Top of the hour. Happy Friday to you. I'm Brooke Baldwin.

First story up. He admits shooting Trayvon Martin. He has only been in jail a little over a week now. But George Zimmerman could soon be a free man, at least for the time being. A judge set Zimmerman's bond at $150,000 after a lengthy hearing today. And in a surprising move, we heard from the man himself when he took the stand. Zimmerman apologized to Trayvon Martin's parents, who were in the courtroom.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE ZIMMERMAN, DEFENDANT: I wanted to say I am sorry for the loss of your son. I did not know how old he was. I thought he was a little bit younger than I am. And I did not know if he was armed or not.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Also, for the very first time today, we heard from Zimmerman's wife, Shelly Nicole Zimmerman. She actually had to testify over the phone simply out of concern, fear for her own safety and, of course, the safety of her husband. Here she was.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You also mentioned that you yourself were concerned about your safety, is that correct?

SHELLY NICOLE ZIMMERMAN (via telephone): Yes, I am.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have you yourself personally been threatened by anybody?

S. ZIMMERMAN: Anything that happens to my husband is a personal threat to me.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, ma'am. I don't mean to argue with you, but you yourself have not been threatened, is that correct?

S. ZIMMERMAN: I have received hate mail.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Want to bring in David Mattingly. He was actually inside the courtroom today for that hearing this morning.

David, do we know when George Zimmerman could soon get that fresh breath of air? Get out of jail?

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, in the courtroom, the judge today said it probably won't be today. And Zimmerman's own attorney is guessing it could possibly be multiple days before he gets free. It all has to do with security concerns for Zimmerman himself. He's going to have to come out of jail, somehow escape the notice of the dozens of cameras that are here watching every bit of motion going in and out of the jail facility here. He's also going to have to be able to safely go back into hiding as he works with his attorney on his defense for the duration of this trial. That is going to be no easy task. And that's something the judge wants to make sure of before he's able to get released.

BALDWIN: David, what was the reaction from Trayvon Martin's family?

MATTINGLY: You can imagine it was quite a surprise when George Zimmerman himself got up here on the stand and expressed his remorse for the loss of their son. But I looked directly at Trayvon Martin's parents as Zimmerman was saying this. They seemed absolutely impassive. They seemed like they were not moved whatsoever. And immediately after these proceedings, they walked quickly out of the courtroom. And then we heard from their attorney, who expressed their outrage.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BENJAMIN CRUMP, MARTIN FAMILY ATTORNEY: Zimmerman makes this self-serving apology in court 50 days later. The Real George Zimmerman website, and you all have reviewed it, never once said I'm sorry. Why today? When he made all those statements to the police, why not show remorse there if he was sincerely apologetic for killing this unarmed child?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MATTINGLY: But nonetheless, Zimmerman was given bond today. $150,000 bond. That's something else that he's going to have to work out. We heard from his wife, from his mother and from his father. All of them talking about how little money that they have together. His attorney came out and said he felt like the bond was a little high, but giving no indication, however, that they will not be able to make that bond.

BALDWIN: But there are conditions. The judge set conditions on the bond. Run through those for me, David.

MATTINGLY: Well, first and foremost, he is not -- Zimmerman is not supposed to have any contact whatsoever with Trayvon Martin's family. He laid that out very clearly there in the courtroom after he made that -- Zimmerman himself made that comment directly to the family.

But in addition to that, he's not supposed to be in any possession of any firearms. No alcohol. No controlled substances. He's going to be on a curfew regardless of where he is from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. every day. He's supposed to check in with the sheriff's office every few days about his whereabouts.

He's going to have to be wearing some sort of electronic tracking, a GPS device, to let everybody know where he's going to be. But the judge did say he's going to be allowed to go out of state, where he was before he turned himself in, for his security. So that was a little bit of an interesting concession here by the court for George Zimmerman's safety.

BALDWIN: That is interesting that he could go out of state. Of course, though, checking in with the judge.

David Mattingly, thank you.

I have lots of legal questions I want to bring to Sunny Hostin.

First and foremost, we talked about this for so long. Were you even surprised? We're talking second degree murder charge. Are you surprised the judge granted him bond?

SUNNY HOSTIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: I was not surprised and that's because, in Florida, the burden is so very high on the prosecution. Although it's a non-bondable offense and although the maximum penalty for the offense, of course, is life in prison, the burden on the prosecution is almost beyond, beyond a reasonable doubt. And so I think we all knew that it was very likely that he would get a bond package. Let me say this. I thought that the $150,000 bond was a little low.

BALDWIN: You thought it was low?

HOSTIN: I did. Yes. I mean the prosecution wanted a $1 million bond. I thought that that was a bit high. Bond isn't supposed to be punitive, it's just supposed to make sure that someone comes back. But with $150,000 bond, that means, you know, he really only has to put about $15,000 down. And although it's a family of limited means, I don't know that that really matches the crime alleged here.

BALDWIN: What's normal for second degree murder charge for a bond?

HOSTIN: I would say there is no normal.

BALDWIN: OK.

HOSTIN: It depends on the judge. It depends on the --

BALDWIN: Spectrum.

HOSTIN: Yes, on the facts of the case. But $500,000 would have meant about $50,000 in cash. I thought that that would have been a little more appropriate and I think that -- well, that's what I expected.

BALDWIN: And so he has to put up $15,000. His own attorney, you know, called him indigent. Doesn't really have the money. So then who fronts the money?

HOSTIN: Probably his family. We heard today during the hearing that his parents do have a home. Although they, of course, have a mortgage on that home. His father's a disabled veteran. His mother is also retired. His wife is unemployed. She's a nursing student. But I suspect that they will pull the money together to get bond. And I did have the opportunity to hear from, you know, Mark O'Mara. I thought he was very skillful in the courtroom today. I thought the prosecution was very skillful. So it's really an indication of what we're going to see in this case.

BALDWIN: What about the fact that we actually heard from George Zimmerman? I mean when I think of bond hearings, you think it's fairly quick. To think that we saw George Zimmerman take the stand and his wife call in, did that surprise you?

HOSTIN: That was a wow moment for me.

BALDWIN: It was a wow moment.

HOSTIN: I heard that there was gasping in the courtroom. I was actually anchoring "In Session" on TruTV this morning and I was sitting in the anchor chair. I gasped. BALDWIN: Did you?

HOSTIN: I almost -- I can't imagine that the prosecution expected that. That is something that typically does not happen during a bond hearing.

And I've got to tell you, attorneys always advise their clients not to talk. I don't know that he helped himself very much. I think that there were some inconsistencies. He talked about the fact that he thought that Trayvon Martin was a little younger than he was -- he is, rather. George Zimmerman's 28. He said on those 911 calls that he thought it was a teenager, a kid. That is a very significant inconsistency. And so some were saying it was a very self-serving statement. I'm not so sure.

BALDWIN: I have more questions for you. See you next hour.

HOSTIN: Yes.

BALDWIN: Sunny Hostin, thank you.

Still ahead here, awful, awful video coming in of this deadly plane crash. A plane carrying more than 127 people. We'll tell you about that.

Also, police believe this missing Fort Bragg soldier is in danger. And today her family got very candid.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATT HENSON, MISSING SOLDIER'S BROTHER: You guys need to get your story, which is fine. But this isn't a story for us. You know, this is my sister, you know what I mean? This isn't just, oh, another missing person.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: And apparently got a little confrontational. We're going to explain what's going on there in North Carolina.

Plus, it is one of comedian Ron White's most famous routines. He always says "you can't fix stupid." But a principal is in big, big trouble for using that line in a clip from that routine at his staff meeting. And, Ron white, he wants to say something to me live on CNN. Don't miss it.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: And more news unfolding right now. "Rapid Fire." Roll it.

In New York, a second day here of digging, looking for clues to the mysterious disappearance of Etan Patz. Patz was six years old when he suddenly vanished. It was May of 1979. He became the face of missing children in America. And today police are talking to a handy man who worked in the child's building. Here is New York City's police commissioner on this new interest in the case.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COMMISSIONER RAY KELLY, NEW YORK POLICE: I think what's significant now is there's new technologies involved, there's new chemicals, new techniques that can be used. So I think law enforcement, certainly the FBI and NYPD are hopeful we can give some comforts to the parents.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: And even more drama in the Secret Service sex-capades. This one involves a 2008 campaign stop when Sarah Palin was running for vice president. I want you to take a look at agent David Cheney's FaceBook page. Here you go. There he is. There's the picture. He's already a casualty of the Colombia prostitution mess. It is so tiny, I know you can't see it, so I'm going to read the comment under this Palin photo. Quote, "I was really checking her out, if you know what I mean." Yep, that's what he wrote, apparently. Listen to what Palin had to say about that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SARAH PALIN (R), FORMER ALASKA GOVERNOR: This agent who was kind of ridiculous there in posting pictures and comments about checking someone out. Well, check this out, bodyguard, you're fired. And I hope his wife kicks his okole and sends him to the doghouse.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Flyers, take note. U.S. Airways and American Airlines could be moving closer to a merger. Three unions representing workers at American Airlines are announcing their support of a merger, saying it's, quote, "the best strategy and fastest option" to save the bankrupted airline.

And the brother of a missing Fort Bragg soldier is now reaching out for help in finding his sister.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATT HENSON, MISSING SOLDIER'S BROTHER: I mean you just -- it's so unimaginable to wake up every day and this is the reality, you know, that I'm standing in front of you guys hoping that my sister is found safe and sound.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: His sister, Kelly Bordeaux, hasn't been seen since Saturday when an acquaintance says he dropped her off near her North Carolina apartment.

Recovery teams, they are scouring this crash site here where a plane went down with more than 120 people on board. There are no survivors. The (INAUDIBLE) Air Boeing 737 was traveling from Karachi to Islamabad, Pakistan, when it plummeted into this residential neighborhood. The big question is why. That's still not clear why it crashed, but weather conditions did include thunderstorms and limited visibility.

And take a look at this frothy Starbucks strawberry frappuccino. Maybe you had one this morning yourself. Get ready to be grossed out a little bit. A barista at the iconic coffee and beverage franchise reveals this. That dye that makes drinks like this pink comes from bugs. Yep, bugs. Insects. After a bunch of news reports revealing this bug dye, Starbucks says it will stop using it in favor of a tomato- based product.

And to New York, where local and federal authorities are involved in what they call a, quote, "very painstaking process." As we mentioned a moment ago, they are there -- here -- this is day two of this five-day search -- looking for the remains of Etan Patz. That little boy who disappeared more than 30 years ago. And a handyman's sudden outburst is raising eyebrows. Be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: The FBI is digging today, once again, in lower Manhattan. They are digging right there. See the red building. Piece, by piece, removing every square foot of the basement in there. This is a story we first brought you yesterday, the search for remains -- the remains of Etan Patz, missing for 33 years. Patz was six years old when he disappeared while walking home. Here's the map. You can see how close all of this is. While walking from his home in Soho to a school bus stop. The building where they're digging, you can see it, it's right there in the middle where we marked search. And this renewed search, 33 years later, was prompted by this mysterious comment made by a possible suspect. CNN's Susan Candiotti was on the scene. She has the latest.

Susan.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The FBI has been hard at work all day and into the afternoon tearing apart the basement in the building behind me. They even set up sort of an assembly line to bring out gig big chunks of concrete, while they've been using jackhammers to knock out the wall and dig up the cement ground. The FBI says they plan to go a good four to six feet beneath the surface of that concrete to try to determine whether any of that earth had been moved behind there, below there. They're trying to see whether they can find the boy's remains or any kind of clothing, anything that belonged to him.

Here's what led them to this building. Sources tell us that they were talking to a carpenter who used to work in the basement of that building. And source says that carpenter had spent some time with the little boy, even given him -- had given him a little bit of money and spent some time with him the day before he disappeared in that basement. They've also been able to determine that there had been fresh concrete laid in that building back in 1979.

Now, canines were brought in. They picked up a scent of a human being. That was about 10 days ago. Well, that, among other things, set off alarms. They also interviewed the man and he said during the course of that questioning, quote, "what if the body was moved?" "What if the body was moved?" That's when they set up this excavation work and they plan to be here a good four more days.

The FBI says they feel fairly optimistic that this will lead to some good evidence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TIM FLANNELLY, FBI: I don't want to qualify cautiously optimistic. Again, there is probable cause to believe that there is evidence at this location regarding the Etan Patz's disappearance. Whenever law enforcement executes a search warrant, it's hopeful they're going to find what they're looking for.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: The excavation is going on just a half a block away from where Etan Paetz and his patients used to live back in 1979. In fact, his parents still live in the same place.

Now, they haven't spoken publicly about these latest developments. However, an author who wrote a book about the family years ago has spoken with them and she said they've been learning how to deal with this. They're just playing a waiting game at this point.

BALDWIN: Awful thinking about those patients waiting all these years. Susan Candiotti, thank you.

Coming up, actor Todd Bridges joins me to talk about his latest effort, protecting Hollywood's young stars from child predators. He's going to share his very personal, very painful story of abuse in just a couple of minutes.

Also the man who confesses to a massacre says he got inspiration from al Qaeda, Timothy McVeigh and the "Call of Duty" video game. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: No survivors in a plane that crashed today just moments before it was supposed to land. At least 50 bodies have been located at this crash site in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. More than 120 people were onboard on the Boja (ph) air flight from Karachi to Islamabad. The Boeing 737 crashed in a residential area. So far it looks like no one was hurt on the ground.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I was preparing for evening prayers and I heard a big explosion. The rain was heavy. I thought it was lightning striking and I had wheat next to me (ph). The plane fell in a village and a whole load of wheat caught fire. My younger brother was outside. When I called his name, we came out to see what had happened. There were pieces of the plane all over the place. (INAUDIBLE) and we were afraid of a second explosion. We did not see any survivors. And after 10 minutes, I called emergency.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Obviously it's still too early to determine exactly why this plane crashed, but they say weather might have been a factor. There were thunderstorms, low visibility in this particular area of Pakistan.

And before Norway's mass murderer ever spoke a word on his stand, his smirk alone enraged people inside this courtroom. And before the smirk, Anders Behring Breivik did a Nazi-like salute as he sat down. The Norwegian is on trial now in Oslo after he admitted to killing 77 people in a bombing and shooting last July. With very little emotion, he gave his testimony.

He talked about practicing -- yes, practicing for the mass murder by playing the video game "Modern Warfare II." He said he figured out some of his plan by reading al Qaeda's online magazine for followers and analyzing al Qaeda closely from 2006 to 2011. He also said he was inspired by the attacks at Oklahoma City and the World Trade Center. And Breivik detailed how, at one point in time, he called a local police chief to surrender, but no high level officer would come to the phone, so he took that as a sign that police didn't want him to turn himself in. The only tears Breivik has shed in the trial happened when a portion of his manifesto was played. Breivik said he killed to fight multiculturalism in Norway. The reason you can't hear him firsthand, a judge banned his testimony from being broadcast.

And from that courtroom to one in Florida, George Zimmerman takes the stand today and he apologizes to Trayvon Martin's family. You're going to hear exactly what he said, next.

And later, a principal shows part of a Ron White comedy routine to his staff. Now the principal's in big trouble and the comedian is going to join me live.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Until today we have only heard George Zimmerman's voice on a 911 call just before he shot Trayvon Martin. But this morning we heard from him for the very first time since that fateful night. The judge here granted him a bond of $150,000 at this hearing. And in a surprise move, Zimmerman took the stand and he offered an apology. We're going to show that to you right now. The voice you're going to hear is that of the prosecutor. He's questioning Zimmerman's sincerity.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE ZIMMERMAN, DEFENDANT: I wanted to say I am sorry for the loss of your son. I did not know how old he was. I thought he was a little bit younger than I am. And I did not know if he was armed or not.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I'm sorry, sir, you are not really addressing that to the court. You're doing it here to the victim's family, is that correct?

ZIMMERMAN: They are here in the court, yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I understand, but I thought you were going to address, your honor, Judge Lester, not -- that's really addressed to the family and where the media happens to be, correct, Mr. Zimmerman?

ZIMMERMAN: No, to the mother and father.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tell me, after you committed this crime and you spoke to police, did you ever make that statement to the police? That you were sorry for what you had done or their loss?

ZIMMERMAN: No, sir.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You never stated that, did you?

ZIMMERMAN: I don't remember what you said. I believe I did say that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You told that to police?

ZIMMERMAN: In one of the statements I said I felt sorry for the family.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You did?

ZIMMERMAN: Yes, sir.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So that would be recorded because all the conversations were recorded, right?

ZIMMERMAN: Yes, sir.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK, you're sure you said that?

ZIMMERMAN: I'm fairly certain.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK, so which officer did you tell that to? You made five statements total.

ZIMMERMAN: Yes, sir. I'm sorry, all the names blend together.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK, and do you remember was it a male or a female?

ZIMMERMAN: There were both males and females.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At the time you made that statement that you were sorry?

ZIMMERMAN: Yes, sir.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let me make sure the record is clear. You stated exactly what to those detectives.

ZIMMERMAN: I don't remember exactly what verbatim.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK, but you're saying you expressed concern for the loss of Mr. Martin or that you had shot Mr. Martin that you actually felt sorry for them?

ZIMMERMAN: I felt sorry they lost their child, yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And so you told detectives that you wanted them to convey that to the parents.

ZIMMERMAN: I don't know if they were detectives or not.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Officers, I apologize.

ZIMMERMAN: I didn't know if they were going to convey it or not. I just made the statement.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK, and then you said you called them up, left a message for them to tell them that?

ZIMMERMAN: No, sir.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why did you wait 50 something days to tell them that?

ZIMMERMAN: I don't understand the question, sir.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why did you wait so long to tell Mr. Martin and the victim's mother, the father and mother, why did you wait so long to tell them?

ZIMMERMAN: I was told not to communicate with them.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: There is just a little bit of a portion of that hearing we heard this morning. We also heard from Zimmerman's family during that hearing. We're going to play that for you next hour.

And perhaps you've seen this comedy routine. I know a lot of you have. You can't fix stupid. You know the phrase. Ron White is the one who coined it. A principal showed that clip of this particular routine at a staff meeting.

It offended a lot of teachers. The principal is in trouble and Ron White is joining me live to discuss this. Don't miss this. But first, one actress talks about how the "CNN HEROES" have impacted her life. Check it out.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When I was in involved in "HEROES" in 2008, Carolyn's messages project just touched my heart. When you think about the people in this world that need help, the last people on that list are the children of incarcerated parents. That to me is why I'm coming out here today. So what are the total number of messages delivered by the messages project now?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're right at 9,000.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wow, that's a lot of children that have this opportunity. Gate, please.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So tell me about this facility.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is a maximum security prison, and it is the pilot for California.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know you're angry with me. You should be difficult with me. The difficulties you've faced over the years that's my fault. Hold on a second.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You could see that sadness, that guilt they had, whatever decision they made that's impacted their children for their entire lives.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When you set down these fathers in front of the camera, they're dad. I can't imagine with all the things going on in these children's lives what this means to them. On behalf of all of them, thank you so much.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: You can't fix stupid. Have you ever seen that now classic bit by comedian, Ron White? Some staffers at Columbus High School in Georgia now definitely have. Their principal showed it to them at this after-school faculty meeting and some of them weren't at all too pleased about it. Here's part of this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RON WHITE, COMEDIAN: If your eyes go bad you can have Lasik surgery and they can give you 20/20 vision at any age. If your hearing starts to fail, they can put a device in your ear that makes you hear as good as you could the day you were born. But let me tell you something, folks, you can't fix stupid.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Now, we're not showing you the part right before that where he talk ABC the female anatomy, plastic surgeries. Some of the staffers definitely complained.

The school district gave CNN this statement, quote, "A video clip you can't fix stupid was played in a Columbus High School faculty meeting on April 9 by the principal.

When it was brought to the superintendent's attention, it was deemed inappropriate for professional setting in a school. The principal has been reassigned to another administrative position," end quote.

Now a number of students at Columbus High have been rallying for proms to be reinstated and someone else would like to see him get his job back. Who is it? Ron white himself, the comedian.

Ron White is joining me live. Ron, boy. We're talking of commercial breaks. You called this a fuss. What do you make of this, the fact that he's being, I guess, reassigned?

WHITE: Well, number one, this is probably the cleanest piece of material I've ever written and most quoted lines in the 20 years I've been doing standup.

This is a man who's dedicated his life to educating the children of Georgia. This isn't some guy who showed up that thought they had an opening for a principal. This man is overqualified for this job.

BALDWIN: How do you know that? Do you know him? Have you reached to him?

WHITE: I just researched. I'm going to try to play golf with him. I'm going to be there next Saturday. So for him to be fired for something like this is just an atrocity. I don't think we have a surplus of fine educators in this country that we can start dropping them for no reason whatsoever.

His entire point was he thinks I'm wrong. He believes you can fix stupid. He was just trying to motivate these teachers to go out and give it their all and try as hard as they can to make these kids smarter. I thought it was a very clever way to do it, but they're --

BALDWIN: Well --

WHITE: I don't know who the administrator is that fired him. But I'm going to find out and we're going to go after her job.

BALDWIN: Some of these fellow educators didn't think it was so clever. Let me go back to this golf game. So you're telling me here live on CNN you're going to find this principal and you're going to go play golf with him. And see if you can get his job back and since you're going to be in the neighborhood you're going to drop by the school?

WHITE: Well, we're going to drop by somewhere and have a rally. I'm not sure if it will be the school, but we're going to try to do something. I'm there next Saturday anyway.

I would love to meet Dr. Crums and let him know we're going to do everything we can to make sure awareness is out there so people understand exactly what went down.

The way it was described, female body parts, it could have been anything, but it was absolutely nothing. BALDWIN: Well, you have to see it, though, from other people's perspectives, Ron White. I know this was your bit and a lot of people find it funny, but you have to understand some fellow educators in that room, men and women did not.

WHITE: Yes, but not all of them. A few of them did, but it's not like he showed it to the school. He didn't -- he showed it to the faculty. I mean, if you don't like it, you know, slap him on the wrist with a ruler.

But don't take a man that holds that important a position with this school, taken completely out of the picture because you feel like he made a slight error in judgment. That's ridiculous and it's backwards.

BALDWIN: I'm reminded and I feel like I bring this up so many times with different interviews on this show. There was a Bill Maher op-ed in the "New York Times" a couple of weeks ago and the whole bit was about how we're too quick to apologize. We can't quite take a joke. Do you think our society has a problem laughing things off, Ron?

WHITE: Well, I do laugh shows every night in this country and everybody laughs it up just fine. I think that some people are -- you know, I really don't understand. I can't understand the motivation for letting him go.

I don't think that many people were offended. It was one person's decision to have him fired. Not reassigned, fired from the position he was in and that person is the, I think, the person we need to take a look at.

BALDWIN: All right, Ron White. Good luck with your comedy the next couple of days. Good luck with the golf game. We're going to follow up. If you near in Georgia, you can come on by CNN and we'll see what you're able to accomplish. We'll see what happens with this school and this principal.

WHITE: I live in Atlanta, I'll pop by.

BALDWIN: Well, there you go. Ron White, nice to meet you. Thank you so much.

Coming up, our next guest is probably somebody you watched growing up. Todd Bridges was Willis on TV's "Different Strokes." Now he's taking action to protect Hollywood kids from molesters because he was once a victim. Back in 60 seconds.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: This weekend, keep in mind, it is Earth Day and there are a number of things you can do around the house to save money while being environmentally savvy. CNN photo journalist William Walker takes us out to the yard.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) KAREN MCCAUSTLAND, GEORGIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY: There are native plants all over the United States. They easily adapt to your area, your sail temperatures, your soil types. They're adapted to their regions so you don't have to do extra fertilizing to keep them happy.

We never say don't use things like the mass produce things like pansies in a landscape. I like my pansies in the winter too just for the color.

For the most part, once plants are established, they don't need as much water as we think they do. A rain barrel is a good idea. Rain barrels, you store it and you're able to water your plants.

PATRICK MAGEE, BROOKHAVEN RAIN BARRELS: A thousand square foot roof will produce 600 gallons of water with one inch of rain. This is a rain barrel and what rain barrels are designed to do is capture rain water, you store it and then you're able to water your plants in a dry day.

This rain barrels (inaudible) 50 to 70-foot garden hose anywhere in the property so you can water any tree periodically as you please.

Another way to conserve water is by capturing the condensation from your air conditioner, drip, drip, drip. Just one drip at a time.

STEVE KILBRIDE, THE KINDEST CUT: I've always used a manual mower on my own lawns. It's not like your grandfather's mower. There's a savings on gas and also environmental impact. Power mowers do not have to have catalytic converters as automobiles do. Pound for pound, they are much bigger polluters than automobiles.

We're cleaning up good old rakes and brooms. It is very possible to save money and be environmentally friendly. It is, in fact, a win-win situation.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: You probably know him as Willis, happy, older brother, watching over his younger brother, Arnold, popular sitcom "Different Strokes." He is actor, Todd Bridges. He's all grown up now.

We know the child part of this actor's life was not as happy, not as watched over. Todd Bridges is one of a growing chorus of former child actors coming forward saying they were sexually abused by adults connected with Hollywood.

And he is backing this proposed bill in the state of California that would get very tough for anyone with unsupervised access to child performers.

This bill prompted by recent arrest of his talent manager charged with eight felonies steaming from allegations from a boy pursuing a music career, a casting agent spent five years in prison after kidnapping and molesting an 8-year-old boy.

Todd Bridges joining me live from Los Angeles. Todd Bridges, nice to meet you. Nice to have you on.

TODD BRIDGES, ACTOR: No problem. Thank you very much.

BALDWIN: I want to begin though with your own story. You were 12 from what I understand --

BRIDGES: Yes.

BALDWIN: -- when this abuse began. What can you share?

BRIDGES: Yes, well, I was 12 years old and my publicist basically talked me into doing things that I really want to do. I never had sex before. He kind of convinced me this is the right thing to do. Kind of told me, don't tell your parents. You know, he bought me a bicycle. He always kept doing for things for me that I didn't quite really understand.

BALDWIN: So he kind of seduced you?

BRIDGES: Yes, he seduced me. It started at 11 years old to 12. Finally one day at 12 years old, I realized it wasn't the right thing and what he did was the wrong thing.

When came to my house the next day I attacked him. My mother knew right away what had happened. My mother went after him. My dad stopped him and my dad took his side and didn't believe me.

BALDWIN: Wait, wait, wait, your dad took his side? He didn't believe his own son?

BRIDGES: No. My dad -- the guy had did it. Predators are very smart. They set my father up to know I was going to say something eventually and he got in my father's ear and told him that I was going to say something and it was all a lie.

My father told my mom that I was lying. My mom knew I wasn't lying. She could see it in her child's face. I just attacked the guy. Then after that, the guy stalked me for like two years. That's when they had no stalking laws.

Everywhere I went, the guy was still there. The problem that we have to do is we have to figure out. You know, this bill was shutdown in 2006. We've got to get this bill passed.

We have to make them realize that children need to be safe on these sets and they're not safe because parents want their kids to be in show business so bad they're willing to do anything. They'll send them off with strange people. That's something you just shouldn't do.

BALDWIN: I talk about kids abused sometimes ultimately at the hands of parents, stepparents, ultimately deaths. But we don't often think about kids in Hollywood. It's not on our minds. What specifically would this bill if it passes that you're behind, a number of your colleagues are behind. What would it do?

BRIDGES: Well, it would make sure that anybody that's around a minor would have to be fingerprinted, background checked, his record gone through to make sure he has no convictions.

Some of the guys change their names. They have been child molesters in other states, they came in California change their names. It would prevent kids from being unsupervised around a person who may have been a child molester. It would just protect the children. Do deep background checks on people.

BALDWIN: Because you don't want what happened to you -- I mean talk to me a little bit, Todd.

Let me be clear. Because this man you're talking about, this abuser, never been charged, but it led you and you're sober now and you're acting. But what did that ultimately do for you? What kind of dark, dark places did you go to?

BRIDGES: Ultimately what happens to a child when he's molested he goes through shame. He has a lot of anger, a lot of frustration. And, you know, you just -- it's a dark secret you're keeping inside of your head.

And you don't know how to handle it. When a child is molested, for me, I can't speak for every other child, but when I was molested, it made me feel shame, degradation. It made me feel less than average.

I spent from 12 to 13 years old trying to figure out whether I was homosexual or not. I didn't know. I liked the feeling but I didn't know that was wrong.

If I can keep any child from having to go through what I went to getting the background checks before you become a publicist or a manager, you know, you have to have these before you get around minors in show business.

Show business is an open field to child molesters. There are a lot of kids around and it's very dangerous. And children I don't want them to suffer like I did.

I can't blame my disease of alcoholism on what happened to me, but I certainly can say that contributed to me leading in that direction.

BALDWIN: Todd Bridges, final question here. I hear the passion in your voice and I know you want this legislation passed. But if your alleged abuser sitting next to you today, what would you say to him?

BRIDGES: You know, I probably would ask him why and probably just ask him why. Why would you do that to a child? Don't you know that ruins a child's life?

You know, and some kids get ruined forever. I just want to ask him, it's really -- ask him why, what would he do a child molester is going to be who he is. He likes to victimize children.

If he's sitting next to me, what good is that really going to do for him? The bottom line is people like this need to be locked away until they get the help they need, if they can be helped.

But sometimes some of these people cannot be helped. They just need to be gone away forever because children's lives are being destroyed. I thank God that I was able to get my life back.

BALDWIN: You're looking out for young people in Hollywood. Todd Bridges we're going to follow up and see if this legislation makes its way through. I appreciate it. I appreciate you coming on and sharing your story.

BRIDGES: I hope these guys there let it pass. Thank you.

BALDWIN: We'll follow up. Thank you, sir.

Coming up next, it is one of the most famous stadiums in America. Today, fans in Boston are celebrating 100 years at Fenway. I am going to talk about that with a guy who owns a bar in Boston and he has an interesting take on this one. Be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: The oldest ballpark in the big leagues has a roundup of birthday today. Boston's Fenway Park, the big 100, which is kind of hard to believe here in the age of disposable sport stadiums they're kicking off a wicked big ceremony today.

And wouldn't you know today the Sox face the team, which they've sold Babe Ruth that being the hated New York Yankees. I'll tell you this much today's game is a sell out.

They've sold out every game since May of 2003. Joining me by phone, Dana Van Fleet, he's the owner of Cask 'N Flagon, a popular watering hole right outside those red brick walls. Dana, I imagine folks there are pretty excited.

DANA VAN FLEET, OWNER, CASK 'N FLAGON (via telephone): Yes, it's certainly very exciting. The atmosphere around Fenway Park and inside the Cask 'N Flagon is very exciting with the 100th birthday celebration. It's something we've been anticipating for a long time. I'm excited Fenway Park is there and will be there for decades to come.

BALDWIN: So I never been to Fenway until last fall. I actually took a tour. We have a picture of my iPhone. There's morse code on the green monster. I'm sure you know this, Dana. This is all part of the scoreboard. It translates into the former owners so fun little trivia. You really grew up in the shadow of the green monster. What was that like?

FLEET: Well, it's been a lot of stories, that's for sure. I mean, as you said, it's been in the family for 40 years. I worked there myself for the past 23 years experienced a lot of heartache. It was very exciting for us. Something our family certainly has been waiting for a long time. It was exciting to see the fans and how they reacted to those victories. It was one of the best experiences I've ever had.

BALDWIN: Here's another one of my pictures. It was so fun walking the field at Fenway. Tick off some of the legendary Red Sox who graced the green grass there.

FLEET: I'm sorry?

BALDWIN: Do me a favor, just tick of some of the most famous Red Sox who have been on the grass.

FLEET: Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Johnny Pesky, Yastrzemski, Fred Lynn. You could go on and on. That's what makes Fenway Park so special. That's what makes the Red Sox such an incredible storied franchise with all of the amazing hall of fame baseball players over the years.

When you go there, when you go to a Red Sox game, you have to remember the history that's taken place on that field and some of the incredible baseball players that have had some incredible moments on that fields. That's a major part of what makes that -- Fenway Park so special.

BALDWIN: And I know they haven't even painted over the chair there behind home plate where Ted Williams -- where one of those balls went -- or not behind home plate, out beyond where Ted Williams hit that home run.

Dana Van Fleet, thanks for calling in. I appreciate it.

VAN FLEET: Pleasure.