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House to Vote on Payroll Tax Cut Extension; Barry Bonds Sentenced; Radioactive Material Found in Russian Flight to Iran not Used in Nuclear Weapons; Last Detainee of U.S. Forces in Iraq Not Extradited to U.S.; Penn State Assistant Coach Testifies in Jerry Sandusky Trial

Aired December 16, 2011 - 15:00   ET

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

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, here we go, top of the hour. I'm Brooke Baldwin.

Several stories breaking for you now, busy Friday.

First, the House about to vote on extending the payroll tax cut. Also, out in San Francisco, Barry Bonds just sentenced for that obstruction of justice charge. And the case against the army private accused of leaking top secrets to WikiLeaks.

Time to play "Reporter Roulette."

We will begin with Kate Bolduan on Capitol Hill.

Kate, to you, it looks like I guess the House is kind of on a roll here today. I know a short time ago, they took action to avert a government shutdown. So, one down.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: One down and now all eyes are on where's the next one?

So they have averted a government shutdown. The House voted this afternoon on this megabus, as they call it around here, the massive spending bill to fund the government through the end of September.

So, this has been negotiated for months now. And congressional leaders came to agreement late yesterday evening finalizing this massive spending bill, the House voted on it today, so a government shutdown has been averted. The Senate is expected, they could still vote on it -- I guess, ostensibly, they could vote on it still today, but it's most likely the Senate will be in working tomorrow and will vote on it tomorrow.

But then the big question of what really kind of started this whole standoff and this brinksmanship up here, the latest round of brinksmanship is where do things stand on extending the payroll tax cut? Short answer, Brooke, they're still negotiating, they're still talking, and we don't have the details of when we could be hearing an answer of if they are going to be able to beat the deadline of the end of the year or not.

But we know both the top Republican in the Senate, top Democrat in the Senate today seemed very optimistic, very upbeat they were going to be able to find agreement around some way to extend the payroll tax cut as well as other important end-of-the-year provisions, like extending unemployment assistance to the long-term unemployed, but they are negotiating.

There are still hurdles they have to overcome. One hangup, I'm told, is that they're still discussing how to cover the cost of such a package. But we can expect they will be working late this evening and likely be in tomorrow for a Saturday work session, Brooke.

BALDWIN: All right, work, work, working, we like that. Kate Bolduan on the Hill, Kate, thank you.

Next on "Reporter Roulette," let's go to Brian Todd in Fort Meade, Maryland, for the military hearing for Bradley Manning, the Army private accused of being behind the biggest intelligence leak in U.S. history.

Brian, we know Manning's attorney made a surprise move, pretty much right off the bat this morning.

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: He certainly did, Brooke.

David Coombs, Manning's defense attorney, came out firing today, essentially accusing the presiding officer of this hearing of being biased against his client and demanding that he recuse himself. David Coombs, the defense attorney, saying this judge, this man who is acting essentially as the judge, he's called the investigating officer, he's a lieutenant colonel, Paul Almanza, that because he works in his civilian job at the Department of Justice as a prosecutor, that he is biased against Bradley Manning.

The Department of Justice conducting a separate investigation into WikiLeaks. David Coombs laid down other points, too, to make the case that this officer is biased, saying he has let in a disproportionate amount of prosecution witnesses into the case vs. defense witnesses, not many on that score, that he's biased this case by opening it up to the public and to the media to see the proceedings, and that he has allowed in unsworn witnesses.

But this officer has just now refused that request, saying, I don't believe I'm biased. I have consulted my legal my legal counsel here and we believe that I'm fine to go ahead. He has just refused that request to recuse himself, but some fireworks. It's kind of a marker laid down by Bradley Manning's attorney on how tough he is going to be, how contentious he wants to make these proceedings and possibly to make a case if this doesn't go Bradley Manning's way, he has got maybe some case to appeal this hearing as we go forward.

This is of course, a preliminary hearing to determine if Bradley Manning will stand court-martial. At the end of all of it, he could face a life sentence for, among other charges, aiding the enemy. So that is really the high-stakes here game for Bradley Manning.

BALDWIN: Depending on which way this goes, possibility for an appeal on behalf of Manning. Brian Todd in Maryland, Brian, thank you.

Next on "Reporter Roulette," let's shoot out to San Francisco.

Dan Simon is there, where Barry Bonds just now learning his punishment, came down that sentence not too long ago for misleading a grand jury that was looking into steroid use among professional athletes.

Dan, tell us what he got.

DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, no prison time, Brooke, that's the important thing. He could have gotten anywhere from 15 to 21 months. Instead, the judge sentenced him to 30 days home detention. He has got to wear an ankle bracelet.

Keep in mind, that is not too bad for Barry Bonds. He lives in a 10-bedroom mansion in Beverly Hills. And then after that, he has got two years probation and he also has to pay a $4,000 fine. But here's the thing, Barry Bonds is appealing his sentence, he's appealing his conviction, so the sentence is stayed.

So, this could drag on for a couple more years but if you're Barry Bonds, it's a pretty good day. Of course, this case has been dragging on for many years and, of course, his reputation has been sullied because of these steroid allegations. And his legacy will be debated for many, many years. But for Barry Bonds, he has got to be pretty glad he is avoiding any sort of jail time -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: We were seeing the slow-mo shot of him walking into the courthouse today. I know it's federal court, no cameras. Were you in there? What was his reaction?

SIMON: He sort of had this pleasant demeanor on his face. Obviously, he was glad. He just really didn't show a lot of expression. But I guess could you say he just sort of had this pleasant look on his face.

He actually looks pretty good. He lost a lot of weight. He doesn't look like the player we saw a couple of years ago when he broke the record, has, of course, the most home runs. So, Barry Bonds walked out of court, I guess about five, 10 minutes ago, hopped in his SUV, and he is off. But he will probably be back in this courtroom in the not-too-distant future because this case is now on appeal.

BALDWIN: Broke that home run record August '07, not too far from where you are standing, Dan Simon. Thank you very much for us in San Francisco.

BALDWIN: Next on "Reporter Roulette," a frightening sight in China. I don't know if you have seen these pictures yet. There is this river, it has turned blood red. No, not the sign of the coming apocalypse, but it is something illegal.

And for that, we go to Reynolds Wolf.

REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN METEOROLOGIST: With further ado, we need to go right to the video. It really is compelling and it is just perfect.

BALDWIN: Let's look at t.

WOLF: It's perfect, beautiful for the holiday season.

BALDWIN: And you are matching it, very, very lovely of you.

WOLF: Well, this actually used to be a white handkerchief. And we just went over there. Pardon me. I'm just getting all choked up about it.

(CROSSTALK)

WOLF: This is the dye that we have.

BALDWIN: It's bright red. Why?

WOLF: It is. Well, here is what we believe is the situation. This river we are showing you is a river that runs to the city of Luoyang, China, in northern China.

The river normally has a different color, but recently did turn red. It is now back to normal. What they believe happened is there was an illegal factory just right upstream. People were actually rinsing out some bags that had dye and thus, the dye dyed the river that reddish color.

What kind of dye was it? Have you ever seen fireworks? You know how sometimes are encased in like a tube that is a reddish color? It is that dye, that dye that actually caused the water to stain. And locals say that the water has been several different colors, including green. It has been a greenish hue. If you have your green, you have your red, they are perfect holiday season colors. You see where we are going with this.

BALDWIN: Were they chucking the dye in the river and they weren't supposed to be doing that?

WOLF: Well, I think the intentions were good. They were actually trying to recycle the bags. They were takings the bags. They were rinsing them out in the water.

BALDWIN: Got it.

WOLF: The dye got into the water and then you see what happens.

But the good news is environmental groups have tested the water. They said that although it has this gnarly appearance, it isn't dangerous. Doesn't contain toxins, doesn't contain any metallic, any kind of chemicals. So it's a bit of good news.

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Just a lot of red hands...

(CROSSTALK) WOLF: And red hankies.

BALDWIN: Hey, Reynolds, good to .

WOLF: Always good to see you, too.

BALDWIN: Thank you.

Coming up, got a busy hour for you. First, the prosecution's star witness takes the stand in that alleged cover-up at Penn State University and what Mike McQueary says he saw in that locker room is horrifying. Find out the secrets he is revealing today in court.

Plus, it is the oil spill that devastated the Gulf. So, why the heck is BP getting paid $250 million for the accident?

Also, this:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now, an interesting little twist here, the passenger who was due to fly on a flight from Moscow to Tehran fled, disappeared.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: A disturbing discovery found inside a passenger's luggage, a passenger going from Russia to Iran.

And he is already making millions of dollars, but the feds say an NFL player wanted to become a drug kingpin. New developments in this stunning undercover sting. Stay right there.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(NEWS BREAK)

BALDWIN: Coming up next: a stunning undercover sting investigation, 22 pounds of cocaine, 1,000 pounds of pot. That's what the feds say an NFL player wanted and they believe he is one of the top dealers in the city of Chicago.

This could be a huge mess for America's most popular sport. I'm going to speak live with someone who knows Hurd very well, has been covering him for all the months he has been in Chicago.

And he is revealing why Homeland Security spoke to the player just before he signed his million-dollar contract. You got to hear this one.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: So we just mentioned wide receiver of Chicago Bears Sam Hurd facing major federal drug conspiracy charges. We are going to talk to Chicago sports writer "Chicago Sun-Times" here in just a moment. I am told we can't talk to him right now because there is a news conference happening right now with the Chicago Bears.

So, as soon as that wraps up, we will get the fresh news for and you and also dig a little bit deeper as to what he knows, what Sean Jensen knows about this man, about these allegation and also perhaps what this player is saying as well, what fellow players are saying. We will get to that in a matter of minutes.

Meantime, each and every week right here, we introduce to you someone who has achieved something remarkable despite having to overcome major challenge.

And for Sarah Werner, fighting cancer was a challenge, but it was her desire to be a mom that became her biggest fight. Dr. Sanjay Gupta has this week's "Human Factor."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SARAH WERNER, CANCER SURVIVOR: Yes, he looks like his momma.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Being a mom was always Sarah Werner's dream. She never imagined it would take the help of a total stranger, Denise Bennett (ph), to deliver that dream. At 26, Sarah got devastating news. She had advanced cervical cancer and needed a hysterectomy.

WERNER: I went obviously completely into menopause, infertile in a matter of weeks after the diagnosis. so, emotionally, it was a pretty tough pill to swallow.

GUPTA: But before she would undergo any cancer treatment, surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, she fought to keep her dream alive and she found a doctor willing to try to help.

WERNER: I made it very clear that I wanted to be a mother no matter what it took. Doctor Mitch (ph) is like, we are going to harvest your eggs, we're going to make embryos. But we had to move very quickly.

GUPTA: Ten years later, despite being divorced, Sarah was ready to be a mom. And while she is cancer-free now, she cannot carry a child. And then she found Denise, who agreed to be her surrogate.

WERNER: To sit back and see that first ultrasound was more than just -- it was more than just realizing a dream of becoming a mother, but it was like I could finally relax and it wasn't going to be a fight anymore.

GUPTA: Denise carried and delivered a healthy baby boy. As Sarah prepares to take little Chase (ph) home from the hospital with her boyfriend, Matt, firmly by her side, she is overcome by the joy of having her dream finally come true.

WERNER: When I first had my hysterectomy and they told me that I could get a surrogate and have a baby, you know, that was to me like going to the moon, like I didn't know anybody else that had done that. It sounded so crazy to me. So to sit here and have this little baby produced -- you know, it took effort on so many people's behalf, but it -- I mean, it can happen. And I guess that's like the one thing that I would -- I would love to just tell somebody who was in my shoes, because there were times when I really just didn't think it could ever happen.

GUPTA: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: Sanjay, thank you.

Up next: a fascinating look at the so-called king of paparazzi. He chases celebrities and gets some of their most candid moments on camera. You got to see this CNN report.

Plus, incredible and dare I say bizarre video? What is going on here? We are going to tell you what this guy is doing and more importantly why. Don't miss it. We will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: News just into us here at CNN. The Chicago Bears wide receiver arrested in a massive drug bust has now been cut from the team. I'm talking about Sam Hurd. He was busted by federal agents just two days ago for allegedly trying to set up a massive ongoing drug deal.

According to federal charges, the scope was mind-boggling.

"Chicago Sun-Times" columnist Sean Jensen has known Hurd since he arrived from the Dallas Cowboys just this past July, joins me by phone.

Sean, I know you were in that newser. You're at Chicago Bears headquarters right now. Who spoke and what did they say?

SEAN JENSEN, "CHICAGO SUN-TIMES": It was Bears general manager Jerry Angelo. He addressed reporters. He typically doesn't do that during the football season, but obviously given the extenuating circumstances, he wanted to provide clarity on the team's position with Sam Hurd.

His points were that the Bears had no idea of any of this. There weren't any facts, there weren't any red flags about Sam Hurd, who didn't have a criminal background or anything. And he made clear that the Bears will release him later this afternoon, via the NFL's official process. And so, Sam Hurd, by the end of the day, will not be a Chicago Bear any longer.

BALDWIN: So, presumably, Jerry Angelo shocked, shocked by this and the rest of the team.

JENSEN: Absolutely.

Everybody -- everybody throughout this building is shocked by this revelation the other day. The team didn't know anything of it until Thursday morning, when Sam Hurd wasn't in the usual receiver meeting. That is when they started asking around and figuring out what happened.

And so this is a shock. If you would have asked me -- if you would had said there was a going to be a Bears player who would have federal drug charges levied against them and gave me 30 guesses, Sam Hurd would not have been one of those guys. He appeared to be a Christian. He would hum and sing gospel songs walking around the building, and he was one of the most cordial, friendly and accountable players on this team.

And his teammates, yes, they really liked and respected him. So, this is a shock.

BALDWIN: OK, Sean Jensen, let's back up, because here's this guy, he's a wide receiver, Chicago Bears, $5.1 million three-year contract, just came from the Cowboys, came on to Chicago in July.

But let's get into the numbers, because the numbers here tell the story, at least allegedly, as to what he's potentially involved in. Let's go back to Wednesday night and the steak dinner. Who was there? What was he involved with?

JENSEN: Well, I don't know exactly who was there, but, you know, we reported that he was in Morton's Steakhouse in Rosemont, which is just a suburb right near the airport between the city and O'Hare International.

And what we do know for sure is that Sam Hurd was there and that an undercover agent that Sam Hurd believed was a supplier was at the dinner. And Hurd told this -- you know, this undercover agent that he was already moving four kilograms of cocaine a week and that he needed five to 10 more, and that his current supplier couldn't do it.

And so he said that, allegedly, according to the Homeland Security report. And then he accepted a kilo of cocaine, walked out of the restaurant and then he was arrested in the parking lot. That's what we know. Again, Bears officials didn't know anything of it until Thursday morning. And as details come out, it's just -- people here are shocked.

They are trying their best because on the football field this team has to win. They are looking on the -- they are on the outside looking in for a playoff spot and they are in a must-win situation on Sunday. But there's no question that this is a big distraction for this football team right now.

BALDWIN: Sean, let me also ask you about this, because I know there is a radio station in Chicago that is reporting there is a list that exists that details fellow players who Sam Hurd was allegedly selling to. Can you confirm that? CNN has not been able to.

(CROSSTALK)

JENSEN: Exactly. "The Sun-Times" has not been able to confirm that report . And I just got off the phone with Sam Hurd's attorney, David Kenner, who is based in L.A.

He told me that from all the information that they have gotten, that there is no indication that this is true. They simply don't believe that this is an accurate report and they are just -- they're not buying into this at this point. And so that obviously would be huge if that were the case. But, again, we have not been able to confirm that and the attorney is refusing to accept that and saying that that is not the case.

BALDWIN: Sean, I know you said, you know, he has no criminal record. You told one of our producers that, you know, obviously, the Bears, as per protocol, did background checks, but also interestingly, he was interviewed by Homeland Security before he essentially inked the deal. Homeland Security? Why is that?

JENSEN: I think it was the timing of it happening down there in Texas. I think it was just a routine traffic stop that initially, that one of his cohorts had his vehicle, $88,000 in cash.

And I'm not exactly sure why Homeland Security was roped in.

BALDWIN: OK.

JENSEN: I'm just -- the only thing I can wonder if maybe that source, you know, for this cohort of his was maybe, you know, purchasing drugs from a Mexican supplier. That's the only reason I could think of, of why Homeland Security was initially involved in it.

BALDWIN: But we don't know for sure. We don't know for sure. So we don't want to go with that.

JENSEN: Exactly.

BALDWIN: Sean Jensen, NFL columnist "The Chicago Sun-Times," thanks so much for hopping on the phone and breaking the news. Bears G.M. Jerry Angelo announcing that Sam Hurd cut from the team effective today.

All right.

Admit it, you look at pictures of celebrities, some of you do maybe taken by paparazzi. Maybe you don't. But here's a story about one of those guys who wields the camera, shoves it into the faces of these celebrities.

In his own words, here is E.L. Woody, the self-proclaimed king of paparazzi.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What's up?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (EXPLETIVE DELETED) out of here.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don't. Don't.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How are you doing, Mr.Hoffman?

E.L. WOODY, PAPARAZZO: Hey. My name is E.L. Woody. I'm king of the paparazzi.

I'm the guy that goes out and gets those pictures you see on television and the newspapers every day around the world, pictures you want to see. I'm a paparazzo.

Hi. Can we get you? Let's do an interview real quick.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. Are you guys from TMZ?

WOODY: No. We are the people that TMZ imitates.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, OK.

WOODY: The secret of this to be able to see history happening, pick out one little section of history and record it accurately.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know, it's just been super-fabulous.

WOODY: That's what we have been doing. We have been recording the history of Hollywood, frame by frame, for 19 years.

We have had everything from the Eddie Murphy with the transvestite hooker and the cop, the Jim Carrey wedding on the side of the mountain, got that exclusive out in Malibu. The number-one story on all network news. We live off of our exclusives. We get stuff that no one else gets.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is going really well.

WOODY: The prices being paid for video and stills has dropped drastically since the large corporations moved in and took over these paparazzi companies. We are struggling to survive.

I'm in foreclosure now in my house. I'm behind on bills. I have never been this way in all the 30 years I have been doing this. I have always been ahead.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have about doing this close to 20 years. It has definitely changed. I think -- I think the main thing is just there's too many paparazzi and that drives the prices down. We used to be able to make $15,000 a month easily. And now if you can make $3,000 for $4,000 a month, it's tough sometimes.

Here's the park right here. Gwen Stefanie comes here and Jessica Alba, Heidi Klum. You'll see a bunch of paparazzi here to the left just kind of hanging out, a line of Priuses. Back 10 years ago, we would shoot Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Michael Jackson, you know, all these big celebrities. And then it kind of changed and people were kind of interested in shooting Paris Hilton.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Celebrity fame used to be based upon talent and skills. Today it seems to be just based on how much publicity you can generate. You can't buy a great picture. You got to take a great picture.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It won't get better than this.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: Speaking of great pictures, we couldn't pass this one up, so let's share it. Not making this up, you are going to see it for yourself. This is the Zukata fly board. I guess it's like a boogie board but way cooler. Unlike the waterpower jet pack, which was so last year, the fly board's thrust comes from the feet. Look at this guy go. It kind of looks fun. Hold your nose though, I guess. A skilled user can do amazing things, dive in and out of the water like a dolphin, flipping around. Hey, holidays are just around the corner. The Zukata fly board could be yours.

And just into us here in CNN involving the very last detainee the U.S. is holding in Iraq. He's accused of killing American soldier. Arwa Damon just stepped in front of the camera for us in Baghdad. We're going to go live to Arwa next.

Also, we're getting more breaking news this hour involving the alleged Penn State cover up. We will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Two stories just into us here at CNN. First, a judge in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, ruling this case involving Penn State can go to trial. It was against both Tim Curley there in this hearing today, former AD, former athletic director, and also Gary Schultz, former university vice president and also oversaw campus police. They were charged with perjury and failure to report those 2002 incidents involving Jerry Sandusky.

We heard Susan Candiotti a little while ago on our air talking to me about the prosecution's star witness, Mike McQueary, that assistant football coach who alleges to have seen Jerry Sandusky and a young boy very much so inappropriately in one of the shower rooms on the Penn State complex, and he essentially testified that he did, in fact, report this to these men and these men are essentially saying that they did not get all of the -- all of the details until ultimately now. We are learning based upon the evidence that will go to trial.

Also, just into us here, he is the last detainee the U.S. is holding still in Iraq. For that I want to go to Baghdad, live to Baghdad, to Arwa Damon. What are you learning, Arwa?

ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Brooke, that would be Ali Musa Daqduq. And this particular detainee has been a highly sensitive subject and the subject of many high-level negotiations between the U.S. administration and the Iraqi government. And that is because the U.S. accuses Daqduz of organizing what at the time was a fairly sophisticated and well-coordinated attack against the U.S. back in 2007. The attack took place in the southern city of Karbala and led to the killing and kidnapping of five American soldiers.

The Americans detained Daqduq shortly thereafter. The negotiations failed. The U.S. was trying to have Daqduq transferred to a U.S. military court to try to try him there because at the end of the day, they do not have that much faith and they have concerns about the Iraqi judicial system itself. But Daqduq now has been handed over to the Iraqis.

We have been hearing many concerns voiced by different American politicians, people in government about what the Iraqis are going to do now that they have Daqduq in their custody, because there are great concerns he could potentially be released. And if we just look at Iraq's recent history, those concerns are fairly well-founded. At the end of the day two brothers who were also detained, also accused of helping to carry out that very same attack, when they were transferred from U.S. custody into Iraqi custody, they were eventually released. Brooke?

BALDWIN: OK so this final detainee to stay in Iraq as you are now reporting, and not to be taken to the U.S. to face military trial. Arwa Damon in Baghdad. Arwa, thank you. Make sure you watch all day tomorrow for CNN's special reporting only the way CNN can. Home from Iraq -- Barbara Starr shares soldiers the stories of all the soldiers who served in the war there, many of them she brings us their first- hand impressions of the country they are leaving behind and what they hope for their future.

Coming up next, the man who says he saw Jerry Sandusky with a boy in the shower takes to the stand. Mike McQueary, the prosecution's star witness, what he is revealing about this alleged cover-up is horrifying, as we are now learning this case is going to trial. Sunny Hostin is going to join me and talk with a breaking development just into us here on CNN on the case, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: The star witness in the Penn State scandal testifies today he did, in fact, see Jerry Sandusky molest a boy in a locker room shower. Assistant football coach Mike McQueary also told the court he told Penn State officials about the abuse.

Sunny Hostin "On the Case." Sunny, this was a preliminary hearing for these two former Penn State officials accused of covering up this alleged rape. We just had the news, this judge in Harrisburg now ruling these men will go to trial. What role did McQueary's testimony play today, do you think?

SUNNY HOSTIN, CNN LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR: Well, he was certainly the star witness today. He was unflappable, he was unflinching, unequivocal. He certainly stuck to what we thought he was going to say, Brooke, in that in front of the grand jury he indicated that he saw Jerry Sandusky in a bathroom with a boy who appeared to be 10- years-old, and he believed he saw some sort of sexual active you the.

He explained that he did not necessarily see intercourse, but he felt that he saw something that went over the line, something that was sexual in nature, and he reported exactly what he saw, not only to Gary Schultz, not only to Tim Curley, but even to his father, who also testified today by the way, and supported his son and supported what his son had told him. So certainly I think all in all, McQueary was the star witness today.

BALDWIN: Today is significant for a myriad of reasons, one being this is the first time his lawyers have been able to question Mike McQueary, and I imagine the defense attorneys tried to rattle him a little bit.

HOSTIN: They certainly did. But by all accounts, again, this was a witness who appeared to those in the courtroom as credible, unflappable, unyielding, not tripped up at all. He's big guy, is my understanding, and they say he sat tall in that seat and was very, very clear as to what he believed he saw and as to what he reported he saw to these two men. Remember, they are being charged now and going to trial for failing to report sex abuse and also to lying to the grand jury as to what they knew. They claim that they didn't understand that there was a schedule encounter between Jerry Sandusky and a young boy. But mike McQueary indicated that he did tell them exactly what he saw and that was something of a sexual encounter in nature with that young boy.

BALDWIN: I want to stay on the subject of child rape. I know you have the allegations of Penn State and former Syracuse assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine has been accused of molesting three boys. Prosecutors say they can't charge Fine because of the statute of limitations for that crime. I want to read something. A senior writer at "Sports Illustrated" is calling for an end for the statute of limitations on child sex crimes, John Wertheim. He wrote for CNN.com. I want to quote, "The very nature of the crime is predicated on secrecy and shame and manipulation. It often takes years, decades even, for victims to grasp what has happened, that an adult, often a trusted authority figure or a family member, did horribly wrong by them."

A vast body of research indicates that the effects of childhood sexual abuse often span a lifetime. The opportunity to seek justice should last just as long."

Why? Why is there a limit, Sunny?

HOSTIN: You know, typically there are these statutes of limitations because witnesses die, memories fade. You don't want a defendant to be responsible for something, you know, hanging over his head for many, many years. So there are valid reasons, Brooke, for statutes of limitations.

But I think Wertheim's piece is so poignant. I felt that I could have written it myself. I have been making this argument for many, many years that in particular child sex abuse cases should not be subject to limitations because of the shame, because of the humiliation and manipulation involved in these kinds of cases, oftentimes young victims, it takes them years to come forward, like we are seeing in these cases.

And so I believe these are the types of cases that should not have statutes of limitations. There have been changes in the law, and I think there are more changes to come.

BALDWIN: That is what I was going to ask. Ultimately what would it take for this law to change?

HOSTIN: Unfortunately, usually takes tragedy to see the changes in the law. Remember, we have amber alerts now because of what happened to Amber. We have the Adam Walsh act because of what happened to Adam Walsh. And so I think one of the good things that could come out of these terrible cases that we are hearing about so often these days in terms of child sex abuse is that there will be changes to the law.

Because of the Adam Walsh act, now federally you don't see these statutes of limitations when it comes to first degree child sexual abuse, first degree child rape. And although these laws have to be changed state by state, I don't think we are going to see this uniform sort of state law, that's not going to happen.

BALDWIN: You don't?

HOSTIN: But I do believe states will re-evaluate their laws and that we are moving as a society toward not having statutes of limitations for child sex abuse cases. And that's where the law should be.

BALDWIN: Unfortunate it does take tragedy for things to change, as you point out. Sunny Hostin, thank you very much.

Now this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now, an interesting little twist here, the passenger, who was due to fly on a flight from Moscow to Tehran fled, disappeared.

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BALDWIN: If tensions with Iran aren't high enough, now this happens. Nuclear material is found in some guy's luggage, a guy heading to Iran. We are going to go to Moscow, next.

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POPPY HARLOW, CNNMONEY.COM CORRESPONDENT: Time for the help desk, where we get answers for your financial questions. And joining me this hour, Gary Schatsky, a financial planner and the president of ObjectiveAdvice.com, Gail Cunningham is with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. Thank you both for being here.

Gary, your question comes from Robinson in Texas. Robinson wrote in "I have $5,000 saved up but I do not want to invest in the stock market. What would be a good investment for me?"

GARY SCHATSKY, PRESIDENT, OBJECTIVEADVICE.COM: First of all, he is not alone. A lot of people are hesitant about the market. The key is to create some sort of balance. But assuming he definitely doesn't want to get into the market, I got to say, one of the greatest investments many families can look at is paying down debt. It doesn't sound exciting or sexy, but it's one of the guaranteed ways to reduce costs or effectively earn a lot of money. And you're guaranteed to not owe anyone that money.

HARLOW: Absolutely, living out of debt is a beautiful, beautiful thing.

Gail, your question from David in St. Paul. David wrote, "I'm 54-year-old and self-employed. I put the maximum amount into my IRA each year. What else can I do to prepare for retirement?"

GAIL CUNNINGHAM, NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR CREDIT COUNSELING: I totally agree with what Gary just said, pay down debt. Entering retirement debt-free is the way to be. But to get there people need to track their spending. The NFCC's financial literacy survey revealed 56 percent of us have no idea where our money goes. OK, don't be one of them. See what you spend your hard-earned money on. That's the way you can plug the holes then dedicate that found money to debt repayment. Also consider downsizing, make that a fun, not a sad thing to. And also, hey, what about continuing to work during retirement?

HARLOW: Now we are seeing more and more of that now, absolutely.

Thank you both so much. If you have a question you want answered just send up on email any time to CNNHelpDesk@CNN.com.

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BALDWIN: This just in. Legendary blues singer Etta James is terminally ill. The 73-year-old singer was diagnosed with leukemia and hepatitis C a year ago and Alzheimer's disease in 2009. And according to the singer's manager and a friend, she is now in the final stages of her terminal illness. Etta James.

More details now on a story we had mentioned before, a man tries to board a flight to Russia from Iran with radioactive materials from his luggage. Phil black has the latest from Moscow. Phil?

PHIL BLACK, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Customs officials at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport say they were screening baggage that was due to move on a flight from Moscow to Tehran when a control system notified them of unusually high radiation levels in a set of baggage. They took a closer look. What they found they say were 18 individually stored metal objects in their own steel cases. They say radiation levels from them were 20 times higher than normal, and further tests showed what they were dealing with was radioactive isotope known as NA 22.

Now, the Russian atomic energy agency says that's not normally hazardous. It's an isotope used commonly in medical applications. And the radiation levels reported by customs are no higher than passengers would normally be exposed to on any airline flight. They said the isotope is not formed in nuclear reactors nor is it used as fuel for them.

Medical experts have told us that this isotope is commonly found in radiation laboratories around the world and they do not believe it can have any possible weaponized application. It is allowed to be moved by air, but there are regulations, paperwork that have to be followed. In this case, they weren't. And as for if the passenger who had the baggage, he boarded for the Iranian capital, and Russian official don't know where he is now, but they are very keen to talk to him.

Phil Black, CNN, Moscow.

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BALDWIN: Now let's go to New York and check in with Wolf Blitzer, see what he has coming up on "THE SITUATION ROOM." Wolf Blitzer, I'm looking forward to that Michele Bachmann interview.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST, "THE SITUATION ROOM": We taped it just a little while ago and she's very, very tough. I don't know if you've interviewed her on many occasions. I have. I just tweeted about this as well. She really goes after Newt Gingrich for some of the comments he's been making about her, suggesting she has her facts wrong. She denies she has her facts wrong.

And she's saying the way he behaves toward her is condescending, a direct quote, "condescending and insulting." Pretty strong words from a Republican presidential candidate. And I did press her on whether or not she thinks he was in her opinion a condescending and insulting because she's a woman. This is an issue that is out there. I know you're going to be anxious to hear what she has to say. She's not a shy lady. She is outspoken. She's got strong views.

Iowa is essential for her if her candidacy is going to go anywhere. She was born in Iowa. She spent a lot of time there. For her to move on in this campaign, she's got to do well in Iowa. So she's got a lot at stake. That's coming up in "THE SITUATION ROOM." Brooke, back to you.

BALDWIN: Wolf, thank you. We look forward to it. Have a good weekend.

This is not something you see often. Look at this.

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(SINGING)

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BALDWIN: Not so often you hear lawmakers singing a Disney tune, but John Boehner is certainly not the only one. It is a musical. Political Pop if you will, a little special Friday for you. Joe Johns has the fun, next.

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BALDWIN: Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow seems to be a hot topic late in the sports world. Certainly you've heard of Tebow- ing. But he had stayed out of the political realm at least until last night's debate. Listen, if you will, to Texas governor Rick Perry.

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RICK PERRY, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: There are a lot of people out there, I understand it, that said Tim Tebow wasn't going to be a very good NFL quarterback. There are people that said, well, he doesn't have the right throwing mechanisms, or he's not playing the game right. And he won two national championships and that looked pretty good. We were the national champions in job creation back in Texas. And so I'm already for the next level. Let me tell you, I hope I am the Tim Tebow of the Iowa caucuses.

(LAUGHTER)

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BALDWIN: Joe Johns, political pop. Politicians and the old sports analogy, do they ever go together well?

JOHNS: Actually, for years, I think maybe for decades, there's been a push to get sports analogies out of politics. He's on the five yard line. People say it cheapens the democratic process. Be that as it may, nobody told Rick Perry, who went sort of all in last night. This is the final debate before the Iowa caucuses.

But you know what, Brooke? From a purely tactical point of view, this is actually a pretty good play to evangelical voters in places like Iowa and South Carolina. And the values voters do, they do tend to show up. Perry's been pushing real hard in his political ads as well as his public appearances to try to get those people who believe in prayer to vote for him. So invoking the name of Tim Tebow is actually pretty smart.

BALDWIN: Less than 30 seconds. Got to get to this.

JOHNS: I know.

BALDWIN: This is hilarious.

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(SINGING)

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BALDWIN: Why is he singing, Joe?

JOHNS: You know, the truth is, he's singing so that people won't ask him questions and he doesn't feel obliged that he has to stop and answer. There are a lot of politicians who have been singing all over the Capitol for years and years. It makes some people uncomfortable, some not. What can I say, it was cute, right?

BALDWIN: It worked. I suppose it was cut. Now, it's officially stuck in my head. Thanks so much for that. Joe Johns, have a great weekend to you. That's it for me. You have a wonderful weekend as well. Now to Wolf Blitzer in New York. "THE SITUATION ROOM" starts now.