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AAU Head Accused of Sexual Abuse; Obama's Economy Project; Sixteen People Dead in Syria Today; Funeral for Jorelys Rivera Held today; Another Sex Abuse Allegations for Another Sports Figure
Aired December 10, 2011 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: All right, we're following a new child sex abuse allegation involving another sports figure today. This time, it is the head of one of the country's largest sports organizations, the Amateur Athletic Union. Two men are telling ESPN that Robert "Bobby" Dodd molested them back in the 1980s when they were playing on Dodd's AAU basketball team. CNN's George Howell is in Memphis. He joins us live now. So George, any word now about where this investigation is going?
GEORGE HOWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, we just got off the phone with police and they confirm with us that there is an active investigation into the alleged actions of Robert "Bobby" Dodd. Again, the former CEO and president of the Amateur Athletic Union, as you mentioned, one of the largest sports organizations, non-profits in the country.
This investigation started after two men came forward to ESPN's outside the lines, saying that they had been sexually abused by Dodd back in the 1980s when they were teenagers. Both now grown men say they decided to come forward because of the sex abuse scandals that we have seen play out at Penn State and Syracuse Universities.
Now, one of the men decided to speak anonymously to ESPN but Ralph West spoke on camera, claiming that he was sexually abused, at least six times, back in the 1980s, just listen to what he told "Outside The Lines."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RALPH WEST, ALLEGED VICTIM: I was dead asleep and I don't remember anything, but waking up and he has - he is trying to put his hand in my boxer shorts. And I jumped up, straight out of bed, and he is not there, but he is laying on the floor next to me down by the bed. And you know, of course, I was freaked out.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How did he get in the room?
WEST: He had a key. He always, somehow, had a key to whatever room I was in.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOWELL: We are just starting to see bits and pieces of this story on line, on ESPN. But since this bomb shell story broke, the AAU has launched its own investigation and also contacted police. They also named an interim president. They say that Dodd is no longer president, saying that he was planning to retire this month, dealing with a fight with colon cancer. So at this point, they say they still don't know exactly his whereabouts, now that he is not affiliated with the organization. Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right. George Howell, thanks so much, in Memphis.
We want to warn you that the sound we're about to play for you just might be pretty disturbing. This is from a cell phone video, made in Florida this week.
You can hear gunshots and screams. That was enough for the Broward sheriff's office to charge 66-year-old Cheryl Helpener (ph) with attempted first degree murder. Helpener (ph) allegedly shot her son- in-law as he was coming to pick up his three-year-old son.
Turning to politics now. President Obama says he knows that the economy is not doing well, speaking to CBS's "60 Minutes." He says fixing it is not a short term project.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you over promise? Did you underestimate how difficult this was going to be?
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I didn't over promise and I didn't underestimate how tough this was going to be. I always believed that this was a long-term project. So on the short term project, and - you know, for individual Americans who are struggling right now, they have every reason to be impatient. Reversing structural problems under our economy that have been building up for two decades, that is going to take time. It's going to take more than a year. It's going to take more than two years. It will take more than one term, probably take more than one president.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: And some outrage in the world of U.S. politics and the Arab world over controversial by GOP presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich. Gingrich called the Palestinians, "an inventive people." He made the remark during an interview on the Jewish cable, U.S. cable channel. It is called the Jewish Channel.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NEWT GINGRICH (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The Jewish people have the right to have a state and I believe that the commitments made at a time, remember, there were - there was no Palestine as a state. That is part of the Ottoman empire. And I think that we have had an inventive Palestinian people. Who in fact are Arabs and who historically part of the Arab community.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Gingrich's campaign is now trying to do some damage control. They released this statement saying "Gingrich supports a negotiated peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. However to understand what is being proposed and negotiated, you have to understand decades of complex history."
A top Palestinian peace negotiator is responding this way.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SAER ERAKAT, PALESTINIAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (ON THE PHONE): Very, very low statement. This is a racist statement. And we condemn it with the strongest possible tone and such statement is really inciting for bloodshed of Muslims, Christians and Jews and we don't need such low-level statements.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Newt Gingrich is likely to face more heat for his comments tonight, when he faces of with five of his Republican rivals in a debate in Iowa. Mitt Romney's campaign is already responding. Let's bring in CNN's political producer Rachel Streitfeld, she is in Des Moines following the Romney campaign. So what is being said?
RACHEL STREITFELD, CNN POLITICAL PRODUCER: Well, we have not heard directly from Mitt Romney on these comments. So well look to see if that comes out in the debates tonight. But yesterday, the Romney campaign did make available a supporter, former ambassador Mary Cramer. She said the comments by Gingrich make her nervous and she said they won't help bring about a solution in the Middle east. And then she tied that into a larger attack that the Romney campaign is pushing against Gingrich, which they say he has an undisciplined campaigner. They say he makes off the cuff remarks and his opponent can turn it around against him.
I'm sorry, we will see if Romney makes that argument in the debate tonight. I want to tell you, Fredricka, Romney made a surprise appearance here in Des Moines today. He joined his wife and his son at his campaign headquarters. He spoke to some supporters and after he gave his talk, he invited them to come, shake his hands. He signed autographs and he said he would solicit any debate advice they might have for him tonight. The media asked him afterward if he got anything good. And he said his supporters mostly told him, just be yourself. Fredricka?
WHITFIELD: And so what do you know about any kind of last minute preparations that some of these candidates might be making just hours ahead now of that debate? Any?
STREITFELD: Well one thing can I tell you, Michele Bachmann was scheduled to speak at a veteran's forum today here in Des Moines. But she has actually backed out of that and her husband, Marcus Bachmann, will be speaking instead of her. I think he actually just spoke. And that is because her spokeswoman says that Bachmann wanted to spend more time on debate prep.
WHITFIELD: All right. Rachel Streitfeld, thanks so much. Appreciate that, from Des Moines. So volunteers (INAUDIBLE) across Arlington National Cemetery today putting wreaths on about 100,000 head stones. The group, Wreaths Across America has been laying wreaths at cemeteries and veterans' memorials for the past 20 years now.
Athena Jones has more on this touching holiday tradition.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bless and protect our men and women.
ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A tribute to our nation's fallen.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's my way of paying respect.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's definitely a beautiful thing to see how many have come.
JONES: It is a tradition that began in 1992, when a couple from Maine donated 5,000 wreaths their company had left over near the end of the holiday season to be laid on head stones here at Arlington National Cemetery.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have the freedoms that we have because of those who served and those who served and lost theirs lives.
JONES: Twenty years later, the organization has expanded. With volunteers, veterans and loved ones of fallen service members laying wreaths at more than 740 ceremonies all over the country and in some 25 locations overseas this year.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It is awesome to be out here and just see the patriotic people out here, volunteering, giving their time, giving their weekend.
JONES: At Arlington, more than 10,000 people laid some 90,000 holiday wreaths on head stones as part of the group's mission to remember, honor and teach.
It was an emotional time for some. Joanne Gutcher's (ph) son, Josh, was killed in Iraq. Wings across America flew her up from Florida.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is the first time I've seen my son's head stone. And this is my first trip back since we buried him, almost five years ago.
JONES: Gina Hernandez (ph) was deployed with Josh and she says she owes her life to him, for defending her military convoy from enemy fire.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I felt a personal debt to him. We were on a convoy and I was a driver and we came under fire. And he was the gunner on my truck and killed some of the enemy combatants and pretty much saved our truck and the rest of our convoy. JONES: Early Saturday, a different kind of convoy arrived in Arlington. Volunteers lined up for wreaths and in matter of hours the cemetery was transformed.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is beautiful when you look at it. And after the wreaths are placed on the grave sites. Very, very emotional. I'm a very emotional guy anyhow, but this brings back a lot of memories to me. Not that I did anything near what these people have done.
JONES: A special and important day at Arlington and cemeteries cross the country to honor our troops.
Athena Jones, CNN, Arlington, Virginia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: And this weekend, like past, we are trying to help you "Reclaim Your Career." Getting what you want from your employer, the power of negotiation coming up.
Plus, everyday people changing the world. We look back at five years of CNN Heroes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right. Checking international headlines now.
A Syrian group says a prominent doctor is dead as violence flares again. Security forces are accusing they killed at least 16 people today. Amateur video showed gunfire Friday as mourners tried to bury the dead. The U.N. says over 4,000 people died during the eight-month Syrian government crackdown.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators pack public spaces in Moscow and across Russia today. They're protesting last weekend's parliamentary election. They chanted "Putin Out" referring to the prime minister whose party lost seem to protect the majority in the lower House. Protesters say the vote was rigged and they want a new one.
And the three women who share this year's Nobel Peace Prize got medals today in Oslo. They were recognized for their fight to win women's rights in West Africa and the Arab world.
Tomorrow night, in a live broadcast, CNN will salute the top 10 CNN heroes of the year. Five years ago we started asking you, our viewers, about people in your communities who help others. Well, take a look at the inspiring result.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST (voice-over): Since 2007, CNN viewers have helped us find these rare individuals. Submitting more than 40,000 nominations for more than 100 countries. From those thousands we have honored just 164 men, women and young people worldwide as CNN Heroes. They are all determined, resourceful, passionate and their missions run the gamut. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Go girl. Go, good job.
COOPER: Sustaining life. Preserving dignity.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, good guy.
COOPER: Protecting the powerless. Defending the planet and nourishing the soul.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will be here for you to help you out.
COOPER: They have helped hundreds of thousands of people in 75 countries, creating a legacy of change around the world.
Tonight we gather to honor the best that humanity has to offer.
Each fall we select an even more elite group, top 10 heroes of the year. The award brings $50,000 and global recognition at "CNN Heroes, An All-star tribute," a celebrity studded gala to salute our heroes selfless work.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The people that they find are always pretty amazing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They have been doing absolutely everything from the goodness of their heart. It is great to give those people that attention.
COOPER: That night we also announce the hero of the year, the person with the most on-line votes who receives an additional $250,000 but it's the exposure, the spotlight on the world stage that benefits all our heroes the most. Since 2007, our honorees raised more than $6 million in donations and grants.
With their courage and humanity, our CNN Heroes are still lighting the way, inspiring others to follow their example.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: So tune in tomorrow night at 8:00 Eastern time for the "CNN Heroes All-star Tribute." Anderson Cooper will host the event live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The top 10 Heroes will be there along with celebrity performers.
Nearly two million Americans currently receiving unemployment benefits stand to lose coverage next month unless U.S. Congress extends the program. So residents of which states could lose out the most? Question for you, coming in, at number three, New York state. 126,000 New Yorkers could lose their benefits come January. The next most impacted are Floridians. 131,000 would lose out if a benefits package is not extended. Find out what state would hurt most of all. That in a few minutes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: So what state will lose out the most if unemployment benefits are not extended by the end of the month? The answer, you probably guessed it. The big state, California. More than 305,000 Californians will lose their unemployment benefits.
So every week we focus on ways to get a jump-start in the work force. In today's "Reclaim Your Career," we are talking about the art of negotiation, from job offers to promotions or even time off, knowing how to negotiate will help you get more of what they want hopefully.
Valorie Burton is here to help us out. She is the author of "Where Will You Go From Here?" So Valerie, why is it that strong negotiating skills really will kind of help you put you over the top? It's hard to do.
VALORIE BURTON, AUTHOR "WHERE WILL YOU GO FROM HERE?": It is hard to do. But right now, especially these last few years with everything changing in the economy, you have to find a way to maximize every opportunity to make more money, or just save more money or to get more of what you want. Absolutely.
And so, most people are still a bit afraid to ask for what they want. And so for those who do, you just need to get over it.
WHITFIELD: OK. There is that intimidation thing. People feel like it is difficult to stare at your boss in the eye, to say this is what I want to your supervisor, et cetera. So you get past that, then what?
BURTON: Well, you know, you might have a bit of fear. You want to get rid of that fear, by just saying, you know what, maybe you just have to practice a little bit in the mirror.
WHITFIELD: Rehearsal.
BURTON: Rehearsals, exactly. Just say it, right?
WHITFIELD: Yes.
BURTON: But one of the most important things can you do in negotiations, to make sure that you're not the person that speaks first, you speak last. So when it comes to what you want -
WHITFIELD: Be a good listener.
BURTON: That's right. Being able to say, you know, if it is a job offer, you know, kind of what is the range, if you can get them to speak first. If it is negotiation around price, what is it that you want. So when the other person speaks first, what typically happens is that you are not giving something away. A lot of times people will go a little too low. And once you've already stated your number, that's it. It is hard to go up.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
A lot of people don't realize that. They say, "Let me go ahead and stake my claim, say what it is that I want." But then little do they know, they're undermining themselves. BURTON: That's right. Can you leave a lot on the table that way. So if at all possible, you want to be the one that speaks last.
WHITFIELD: OK. So you know, sometimes, who you are talking to makes a big difference.
BURTON: So who you are talking to make a big difference, particularly when it comes to the second thing that I think is really important, which is just simply ask for what you want. So it is really important that you speak up. And I think for a lot of people this is where the fear comes in. Am I going to come across as being too aggressive? Am I going to come across as asking for too much? Are they going to say no? And that's when those fears come in. You have to just make a decision that you are not going to be a push over. That you are going to actually ask, a lot of times, the difference between those people that are making more or that are getting better deals is simply that they ask for it.
WHITFIELD: And do your homework. Know what the - I guess what the whole field is all about. What the options are? Are you asking for something that's unreasonable?
BURTON: That's right. So you want to do your homework. What is typical in this type of negotiation. You also want to make sure you are asking, what value am I bringing? So a negotiation cannot be all about what you want. You need to look the at other side and do your homework about what is really important to them. What would add value for them? And if there are other examples that you have of people that have gotten what it is that you want, you want to kind of put those in front of them. Here's what worked? So let's try and see if it will work with me.
WHITFIELD: So how you negotiate says a lot about you.
BURTON: Yes. Absolutely. So you want to be willing to leave something on the table. You want to not just be all winning for you but you want the other side to really feel like they've won something as well.
WHITFIELD: So you need to say, not only does this benefit me, but this is how this might benefit you.
BURTON: That's right. That is extremely important. Because that person says, you know what? They understand.
(CROSSTALK)
BURTON: Right. I'm an employer and I understand that my employee is looking out for me, and better ways to serve me, then I'm going to be a far more likely to be able to give in to whatever it is that they are asking for.
WHITFIELD: All right. This is a great month of great treats and accolades. Congratulations again for "Ebony" magazine recognizing you as one of the most 100 Most Powerful. We need to be listening when you're telling us how to negotiate and all those other things. You know, it talks about a number of people who have done some extraordinary things in their fields of interest. Susan Rice, you got Jay-Z, there are so many people that you are, you know, being paired up with.
BURTON: Very good company.
WHITFIELD: Yes. And of course, mentioning CNN as well, that you are a regular here with your "Reclaim Your Career."
BURTON: Well, you know what? It is such an honor. It is so fun to be with you each week.
WHITFIELD: We love having you. It makes us smarter and better about how we approach our careers. Thanks, Valorie.
BURTON: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: Happy holidays.
BURTON: Thank you. You too.
WHITFIELD: All right. A popular birth control pill that could have dangerous side effects. We take a closer look at the potential health risks, next.
Plus, the top viral video of the year. Millions of people dream of having it, but only one actually achieved it. What was it? Our Josh Levs will be along.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Bayer, the maker of birth control pills, Yaz and Yasmin, need to make some changes in the labeling on its product, apparently. That's according to a Food and Drug Administration panel which says the current labels do not adequately warn women about the risks of the dangerous blood clots and the potential of that in the leg and the lungs. It reached that decision after two advisory committees met this week.
Bayer says "It has consistently worked with the FDA and has worked to make label updates as appropriate and will continue to do so." So earlier I spoke to our senior medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen, about these pills.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: These were heavily, heavily marketed drugs. You saw adds for them all over the place. Women drinking together and running through fields and looking happy. In what some are alleging is that studies that were done, not by Bayer, who markets the drug but by independent doctors that they show that this drug has a two to three times higher blood clot risk than what the Bayer studies showed.
WHITFIELD: So they didn't know this before or is this data new? COHEN: Well, here's what is happening here is that plaintiffs, people who are suing, say that in fact, Bayer knew about this and basically hid it. So I want to introduce to you a woman, she's 20 years old. Her name is Elizabeth Rippy and she died on Christmas Eve 2008. They said she was perfectly heavy. She had taken other birth control pills before. But after a couple of months of being on Yaz, she collapsed. It turned out she had a blood clot and doctors say that it was because of Yaz.
WHITFIELD: OK. So now, when someone sees an advertisement for a drug, they figure it's FDA approved. That means it is safe pending on what your doctor prescribes. Should people rethink how they look at ads?
COHEN: I think people, I think people should rethink how they look at ads and here's why. If you see an ad for a drug, it's pretty much by definition new. And new means expensive. They are pushing it because they want to make money. New drugs are not as tested as old drugs. You're seeing an ad like this one here, a new drug hasn't been tried out most likely on millions and millions of people yet. And drugs that have been tried out on millions and millions of people are, we know more about them. They have more of a track record. So before you go to your doctor, and say "Hey, give me that thing I saw on TV." Think again. You might want something older that has more of a track record. And remember, if you are seeing these ads, guess who is in your doctor's office most likely.
WHITFIELD: Interesting.
COHEN: Drug reps pushing the same drug so your doctors been told, this is the greatest thing ever. You're being told this is the greatest thing ever and really, it might be just as good or maybe worse, than drugs already out there.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All right. Elizabeth Cohen there, remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice, coming up.
A look at how volunteers are honoring fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.
But first, a troubled youth gets a second chance to improve his life. Now his art work is part of a permanent collection at the New York Museum of Modern Art.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRISTAN EATON: I'm Tristan Eaton, I'm president and creative director of Thunder Dog Studios.
There are a few projects that Thunder Dog has done that are basically the perfect example of what I love about doing commercial art and collaborating with friends. I was contacted by the Obama campaign. And I ended up creating three posters for the Vote for Change campaign, to be able to be involved formally to do something official was so cool. Because it feels like you are making a piece of history.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: And you can learn more about Tristan Eaton on "The Next List" with Dr. Sanjay Gupta tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time.
And then at 2:30 p.m. Eastern time, Newt Gingrich is at the top of the political polls in the hunt for 2012 Republican nomination. That means he is also the target of many attacks from other contenders. Gingrich has had three marriages and he is accused of flip-flopping from time to time. He converted to Catholicism a few years ago. So tomorrow, we will take an in-depth look at Gingrich's faith. Join us tomorrow at 2:30 Eastern time, in the "CNN Newsroom."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Checking your top stories now. A human rights group says security forces killed at least 16 people across Syria today unrest continues. An opposition group says a prominent doctor is among the dead. This, as Syria's government refuses to bend the international sanction calls for peace. According to the U.N., more that 4,000 people have died during the eight months crackdown.
They gathered last night for candle light vigil at Virginia tech. A campus police officer was shot and killed there Thursday. State police say 22-year-old Ross Truity Ashley (ph) killed the officer before turning the gun on himself. They are still looking for a motive in the shooting.
Funeral services were held today for 7-year-old Jorelys Rivera. She was a little girl abducted and killed near her home in canton, Georgia this week. Her body was found in a trash compactor in the apartment complex where she lived. 20-year-old Ryan Brunn has been arrested for killing Jorelys. He wore a bulletproof vest to his first court appearance Thursday. Brunn worked as a maintenance worker at the park where the little girl was last seen alive.
A new child sex abuse allegation involving a sport figure surfacing today, this time against the head of the Amateur Athletic Union. Two men tell ESPN that Robert Bobby Dodd molested them back in the 80s when they were playing on Dodd AAU basketball team. Police in Memphis, Tennessee opened an investigation. No comment from Dodd, who is battling colon cancer.
Alright, the next story is about an adult subject matter and may not be suitable for all audiences, especially younger children. The charges against former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky have many people telling their own stories about sexual abuse.
CNN's Julie Peterson talked with a woman who was molested in her childhood home.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JULIE PETERSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Married a year and a half, college graduate, Heidi Knoblett, likes her life. Not even her hearing impairment gets in the way. But the 26-year-old has a devastating past. For several years, beginning when she was eight years old, Knoblett said she quietly suffered sexual abuse by her step father.
HEIDI KNOBLETT, VICTIM OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE: Just like in every other incident, I just -- closed my eyes and the only thing that I could think or say in my mind was, Jesus, Jesus. And even though he didn't take Satan away right then, I knew he would get me through it.
PETERSON: When she was 12, the abuse stopped, but when she was 21, her stepfather tried to sexually assault her again. This time was different. Knoblett says she finally told someone, a coworker. The case went to court. Her stepfather, a police officer Benjamin Berks (ph), was convicted of child molestation in 2007. He is in prison serving a 40-year term.
Assistant district attorney Kevin McMurray prosecuted the case.
Why was Heidi's case hard to prosecute?
KEVIN MCMURRY, ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY, COWETA CO., GEORGIA: Heidi's case was particularly hard to prosecute because of the age of the allegations. We didn't have the ability to go back ten years ago and try to gather other evidence. There's a search warrant taken. In that search warrant we found insist pornography in the defendant's home, which was obviously helpful to the prosecution.
PETERSON: Despite challenges and lack of witnesses, Berks (ph) was convicted.
MCMURRY: Heidi was a great witness. She was specific about when, where, how things happened. She had very detailed recollection, which was helpful. There are certain things that I recall about her testimony, that she articulated, and she did it from the perspective of an 8-year-old, which I point out to the jury, that that's hard it fake.
PETERSON: Knoblett worked hard to overcome horrific memories and to learn how to trust man, specifically her husband.
KNOBLETT: You are living with this man and he wants to be intimate with you, and he can just rape you, and just take what he wants and then just leave it like it is and then you are left feeling like you are used, and dirty and nothing. That was really, really hard for me to overcome.
PETERSON: Her strategy for recovery, her deep faith and talking about her ordeal.
KNOBLETT: And now, I have gotten to the point where I let Jesus be in my mind, long enough, to where I can tell myself, Heidi, this is your husband. He loves you very much.
PETERSON: Despite the conviction, Knoblett says many in her family still don't believe the abuse ever happened and she says her relationship with them is destroyed as a result.
MCMURRY: She had no support. Still to this day, I don't believe she has a lot of family support, regarding this. I think the family just had a very, very difficult time believing that this could happen or would happen under their roof while they were there. And they just refuse to believe it.
PETERSON: McMurray says he off then sees denial in molestation cases.
MCMURRY: Is not at all unusual. And to some degree, I can understand it. I think can you too, in that if someone came to you and says your husband was abusing your child, your initial reaction will be, no, I know him. That couldn't happen. It is a very deep dark hidden thing. And that's the way it works. That's the dynamics behind it. And that's the power behind it.
PETERSON: After years of anonymity, the sex abuse allegations are one reason she is going public now. Coach Jerry Sandusky is denying allegations he sexually abused children. Knoblett sees parallel because like the accused college football coach, her step father was in a high profile and well respected position in the community.
KNOBLETT: He also had position of authority where he had to enforce the law. And really he was supposed to be catching guys like himself. Why are you using your position to hurt kids?
PETERSON: Knoblett says she will always deal with the memories, still by going public, she wants it give other abuse victims hope.
KNOBLETT: That they can overcome this there is life beyond abuse.
PETERSON: Julie Peterson. CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: The recent reported child sex abuse case is revealing the difficulties in trying to get these kinds of allegations prosecuted. Too off then the alleged victims don't come forward until many years later, after the statute of limitation has run out.
This afternoon I spoke with B.J. Bernstein about efforts to get these statutes changed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
B.J. BERNSTEIN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: These are very difficult cases because it is the child's word against the adults'. The longer someone waits to report the abuse, the one for the victim, it is harder to get corroborating evidence, although it is no required. It is very helpful. And then in all candor for someone who is accused, there are some wrongfully accused of this is innocent. It is hard it defend yourself, particularly with alibi evidence, if someone comes back after you from 20 years ago.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: As an example of allegations coming out in Memphis today against the head of the Amateur Athletic Union date back to the 1980s.
Volunteers laid about 100,000 wreaths on the head stones at Arlington national cemetery today. For the past 20 years, the group wreaths across America has been laying wreaths at cemeteries and veterans memorials and volunteers say they are happy to participate.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it is important for everybody to be recognized.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is a nice time for everyone to come together and remember why we're here and what we are fighting for and some of these tombstones and graves haven't been visited in years. I think it is amazing we can come here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Wreaths across America is laying wreaths at Arlington and at 500 other cemeteries throughout the U.S. and overseas.
All right, so what was the top viral video of the year? Josh Lev is going to tell us all about it.
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes.
WHITFIELD: Yes, I like the reflections at the end of the year.
LEVS: Yes. And you know what, there are places of America, there are places of the world that is nice it see what is going on there. So, have it. We are about to bring you top virals of 2011, including a commercial, a stunning voice and perhaps the least likely number one viral video ever. The list is right here. We will have some fun right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Alright, so many viral videos have marked our year. Some are very memorable, some, I don't know, maybe you can probably do without. But Josh Levs is going to help us reflect on the year end viral videos.
LEVS: And you know how many people out there trying to create a viral video all the time?
WHITFIELD: Yes.
LEVS: They would like to make this list?
WHITFIELD: And I envy a lot of folks because I think, God, you have that much time on your hands?
LEVS: Yes. I know. Exactly. OK. So, check this out. So, "Time" magazine has this thing they are doing now, that they are calling the "top ten everything" and according to those things, as the top ten viral videos. So, we have time to look at just a few of them. Well start at number three which a super bowl commercial.
WHITFIELD: Wow.
(VIDEO CLIP PLAYING)
WHITFIELD: I love this.
LEVS: You love this little guy. So you remember this ad was from Volkswagen. Starring this young boy dressed up as Darth Vader, max page. He ended up being on our air a few times just talking about this hard to find type.
WHITFIELD: Yes. He ended up on Capitol Hill too.
LEVS: That's right, yes. He was all over the news. A little star out of that commercial. And -- so first, they were watching it at the super bowl then they got tens of millions on-line.
WHITFIELD: Wow.
LEVS: Yes, I know. It's unbelievable.
WHITFIELD: Good. What's next?
LEVS: Number two video of the year was also unlikely. It was called the homeless man with the golden voice. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Hey, want to make you work for your dollar. Say something with that great video voice.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When you're listening to nothing but oldies, you're listening to magic 98.9. Thank you so much. God bless you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEVS: Just stand with me here for a second. This was Ted Williams, a former radio announcer. And that video is from Columbus dispatch. And that his story, then became news. But you know, as they write about this, his redemption was short lived. His criminal record came out and some of his problems. He went back into rehab but recently a video surfaced of him visiting Occupy Wall Street and now looking pretty cleaned up. So, you know, some people think, he looked pretty good in that video.
WHITFIELD: We love happy endings.
LEVS: You want to see happy endings.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
LEVS: You ready for the big video of the year? Number one?
WHITFIELD: Drum roll. What's it going to be? LEVS: Drum roll folks and some people out there is going to cringe. But I'm telling you, it worked. The story of a 13-year-old girl who wanted to be a singer, so, her mother paid a production company to create a music video for her. Little did they know that it would become this huge viral hit because so many people say it is hilariously awful! Take a look.
(MUSIC VIDEO CLIP PLAYING)
LEVS: This is Rebecca Black's Friday. A lot of people are calling it the worst song they ever heard. It hundred hit a hundred million views in April but it made her famous. She got a lot of support and opportunities. She has a new video out and career going, because viral videos can do that.
WHITFIELD: My goodness. So, in the end, what a gamble.
LEVS: I know, right? And I'll tell you --
WHITFIELD: And jackpot.
LEVS: And time is just going by pure numbers. I mean, what they did hear is they look at numbers. So many everyone felt they needed to see that video. You can you see the whole top ten list on my pages at the blog cnn.com/josh. Please look in to twitter, joshlevscnn. And you can weigh in on what the best videos of the year were which is really a whole lot of fun.
WHITFIELD: That's funny. My producer is in my ear, are you serious, you missed that one? So, many viral videos that are so captivating, I overlooked that one.
LEVS: A lot of people say they wished they missed that one.
WHITFIELD: OK. Thanks, josh.
LEVS: See you guys soon.
WHITFIELD: Alright, one story making political headlines in particular today.
Tonight, Republican debate in Iowa. Which candidate gave his opponent new ammunition to use against him perhaps tonight, we'll take a look.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Alright, time for political ticker of the day. We are keeping an eye on all of the headlines at the cnnpolitics.com desk. A here is what is crossing right now.
Newt Gingrich is facing strong criticism for telling a cable station, the Jewish channel that quote, "Palestinians are an invented people." Gingrich went on to say "it was tragic, that Palestinians did not leave the area, when they had the chance." Arab leaders are outraged.
Gingrich's remarks could mean some new tough questions from his political rivals at tonight's Republican debate in Iowa. Six GOP hopefuls are preparing themselves right now to square off in Des Moines. The debate comes less than three weeks before the Iowa caucuses.
And for the latest political news, you know exactly where to go, CNN politics.com.
And we will have much more straight ahead with my colleague, Don Lemon. He joins us in this cozy confine of our new news room.
DON LEMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I like the new studio. We built this just for Fredricka. Do you like it?
WHITFIELD: I do like it. It is cozy and quaint.
LEMON: The temperature fits me too.
WHITFIELD: And I really like it because it is warm in here. You have your turtle neck, bracing for the cold. Now you're in trouble.
LEMON: I knew you had been covering this, Fred. Have you seen the shooting spree in Hollywood, in California?
WHITFIELD: Yes. Well, you can you hear it.
LEMON: Oh, my God. Yes, in the middle of Hollywood. Check out the dramatic video. Let's look at it real quick.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I love you, man. Kill me, I want to die!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Wow. I'm going to be talking to the man who shot the video. This is what we are looking at from his apartment video and a talked to the gunman, Fred, during the shooting freak. The gunman was killed by police. Three people were hit by his bullets. You see, he is just point blank shooting at these people. Something else I know that you will be interested in.
WHITFIELD: This is disturbing.
LEMON: Yes. It is. There he is.
Mega church pastor, TD Jakes talks to me about politics and religion. Is there a political war on religion and Christmas that we have been hearing so much about? Also, we are going to hear his take on the ending of gridlock in Washington. How to do it the occupy movement, recent sex abuse scandals and guess what, he is going to talk to about Bishop Eddie Long which he knows. He knows them, they are friends.
WHITFIELD: Great.
LEMON: Yes. And then also music superstar, Peter Gabriel. Our Shannon Cook is going to talk to him about the creative process. You know him from genesis, I want to be your sledge hammer
WHITFIELD: Yes.
LEMON: And also a possible of an upcoming album, maybe a reunion, all of that. We'll have that for you.
WHITFIELD: Good.
LEMON: And that's me there.
WHITFIELD: Yes. There you are. I like the turtle neck. I like the side burns. I'm feeling a little shaft here. Can you dig it?
LEMON: -- is a bad mother --
WHITFIELD: Can you dig it? We've gone too far. How you doing?
LEMON: Good.
WHITFIELD: OK, much more straight ahead.
LEMON: Straight ahead, coming out.
WHITFIELD: Much more of the news coming up in the newsroom. Thanks so much, Don.
LEMON: All right.
(LAUGHTER)
WHITFIELD: Alright, quite a proposal. We will show you how one man got very creative when it came to popping the question. It's a lovely moment. Isn't that sweet?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Alright, time to check some stories our affiliates are covering.
In New England, police swept through an occupied Boston campsite early this morning. According to The New York Times, 46 people were arrested in what was mostly a peaceful eviction. Boston's mayor says safety was the primary motivation for the action.
In Oklahoma, a trip to an annual holiday lights display, turned into a Christmas gift one woman will never forget. She better not. Her boyfriend had special surprise waiting for her, a sign that said -- there you saw it, marry me, on the knee and everything.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TIFFANY BURKE, BRIDE TO BE: I didn't know what was happening. I felt bad blocking the drive ways. I had never been more surprised in my life.
CHAD LESTER, GROOM TO BE: I t worked out perfect. I was really nervous. I didn't know if the timing and everything was going to work out. But it worked out perfectly.
BURKE: I thought it was someone else's house. Then I heard the song.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: And it worked out perfect too because she said yes. Most important part, right?
(LAUGHTER)
WHITFIELD: Alright, did you wake up in time to see it? If not, we got it on videotape. A total lunar eclipse was visible in some western U.S. cities this morning. The moon passed through the earth's shadow at about 6 a.m. pacific time. This is video of the eclipse in Seattle as well. Nice.
Jacqui Jerks has a lot more on this moment for us.
JACQUI JERKS, AMES METEOROLOGIST: You have to get up early to see it too even if you are on the west coast.
WHITFIELD: Thank goodness for the tape.
JERAS: I know, right? You have to get up early to see id by the way too. So, even if you are in the west coast, maybe you slept through it because it was on at 6:00 in the morning only lasted about 15 minutes and it was the weekend, right?
WHITFIELD: Yes.
JERAS: That's what video tape is for, right and the Internet.
WHITFIELD: Thank goodness.
JERAS: Thank goodness. All right.
Couple of big weather headline this weekend. We are starting now with some of those greater cold temperatures just invading the upper Midwest and great lakes, temperatures are about 15 degrees below where you should be this time of year. And when you get cold there like that moving over the warmer great lakes that creates lake effect snow bands. So, we are getting some really heavy lake effect snows. We could see four to six inches in the next couple of hours. You know, by midnight tonight, I think we will search the TV start to crank down a little bit but reduced visibility as a result of that.
We will take a trip down to Florida, our second weather headline for the day. And we have been getting some incredible downpours on the central Florida coast, on the Atlantic side here. In fact, take a look at some of these rain fall totals from last night. More than seven inches in Jensen Beach, just crazy there. And so much rain in parts of Texas. People are happy about that.
WHITFIELD: OK. Well, that's good for them, then. Not so good for other folks who don't want to as much. Alright Jacqui, thanks so much. We will see you again throughout the evening. Don Lemon is going to be coming u next with much more in the NEWSROOM. I'm Fredricka Whitfield, have a great evening.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
