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Cardinal's Alleged Evidence Shredding; Rage in Afghanistan over Koran Burning; Arizona Governor Endorses Romney

Aired February 26, 2012 - 18:00   ET

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

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: The violence escalating in Afghanistan. U.S. military workers among those hurt today, just one day after two Americans were killed. And tonight, we're beginning to learn the names of the dead.

The controversy spilling over into U.S. politics on the same day a White House hopeful garners a big endorsement in a key battleground state.

And it promises to be a stellar event as the stars align in Hollywood and up in the heavens, too.

I'm Don Lemon, where the sky's the limit -- and you're in THE CNN NEWSROOM.

(MUSIC)

LEMON: We're going to begin tonight with new developments in the Catholic Church sex abuse scandal.

For years, it has been all about who knew what and when inside the Catholic Church. Now, we may have found a smoking gun, potential proof that a major cleric knew about dozens of suspected priests and ordered the evidence destroyed. All of this has been kept secret now for 18 years.

CNN's Susan Candiotti following the story for us.

Susan, explain what has been found here. This is potentially very explosive.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Don. Did Philadelphia's former Roman Catholic Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua order his staff to deep six evidence about abusive priests?

A 1994 memo has just surfaced that appears to make that claim. Let's take a look. It's a handwritten note on a memo that according to court documents lists the names of 35 priests the church suspected of sex abuse. A bishop writes this, quote, "I shredded four copies of these lists from the secret archives" and he lists four people, including his boss, the cardinal, adding, quote, "This action was taken on the basis of a directive I received from Cardinal Bevilacqua at the directors meeting of 3/15/94." Now, Bevilacqua died last night.

CNN legal contributor Paul Callan calls the memo potentially explosive.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAUL CALLAN, CNN LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR: It's a shocking indictment of one of the highest ranking people in the Roman Catholic Church in the United States.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: That memo is now evidence in the trial against Monsignor William Lynn, believed to be the first high-ranking priest charged with knowing about alleged child abuse and not doing anything about it.

Lynn's lawyers say they hope the memo will help prove that he tried to warn his superiors about abuse but they ignored it -- Don.

LEMON: All right. Susan, how did this document show up after all this time, after 18 years?

CANDIOTTI: You know, Don, it's a stunner. Court documents show the memo was found in a locked cabinet and a related file was found in a safe, put there by the bishop who was supposed to shred the papers. The file was discovered after that bishop died.

Now, a defense motion says the general counsel for the Philadelphia archdiocese found it, put it in a drawer, and somehow did not turn it over to a grand jury.

LEMON: So, Susan, any reaction from the archdiocese or from prosecutors at this point?

CANDIOTTI: That's the tough thing. There's a gag order on all the lawyers, including prosecutors. So, Don, right now, no one is commenting.

LEMON: All right, Susan, thank you very much. We appreciate you joining us on that story.

In the meantime, we're going to move on now and talk about Muslim- American community in New York, angered over newly released NYPD documents. The leaked internal police report allegedly details police surveillance of Muslim-owned businesses and mosques in Newark, New Jersey. It reportedly shows maps and photographs but included no references to terrorism or criminal activity.

Muslim business owners are angry over the surveillance.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HAMIDAH ABDULLAH, BUSINESSWOMAN: It makes me feel like I've been violated, you know, like I've been, like someone has come into my home and has watched me without me knowing. And I don't think that's right.

(END VIDEO CLIP) LEMON: New York's police commissioner Raymond Kelly defending the program as fair, sensitive and legal. But Governor Chris Christie calls the development disturbing and has asked the state's attorney general to investigate now.

The anger in Afghanistan over the burning of Korans at a NATO base shows no signs of dying down. At the same time, U.S. military is mourning two officers killed yesterday in Kabul.

Afghan's rage was clear today in several cities in northern Kunduz province. Several U.S. troops were wounded when the mob attacked their base with hand grenades and guns. A protester was killed in the violence.

Meantime, the Pentagon has identified one of the two officers killed in the Afghan interior ministry yesterday. Lieutenant Colonel John Loftus was a 44-year-old Air Force officer from Kentucky. An Afghan official said the suspected gunman is an Afghan intelligence officer who spent two months in a Pakistani religious school.

With that going on, it is hard to imagine voting taking place in Syria at the same time as a brutal war but that's exactly what happened today. Activists say 45 people were killed today across the country, including 21 in the city of Homs. At the same time, a referendum on the changing of the constitution was being held. Critics say the vote will do little to change the balance of power in Syria.

International Red Cross is still negotiating a ceasefire to deliver humanitarian aid to Homs. Those talks have gone nowhere over the past few days.

A police motorcade escorted former South African President Nelson Mandela home today from the hospital. The anti-apartheid icon was discharged after a short stay that included minor surgery. Government officials say the 93-year-old had an unspecified stomach ailment, but they added that doctors assured that Mandela is in good health. The former president last appeared in government back in 2010. He was hospitalized last year for treatment of an acute respiratory infection.

The high profile legal battle centered around the massive BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has now been delayed. It was said to begin tomorrow but has been postponed a week while settlement talks continue. The trial will determine civil liability for the April 2010 disaster, the worst oil spill in U.S. history.

Among the defendants are oil giant BP, rig owner Transocean and construction contractor Halliburton. Thousands of fishermen, hotel workers, owners and other Gulf Coast residents are seeking compensation. Nearly 5 million barrels of oil leaked from the rig in the months after that explosion.

It has been 30 years since Meryl Streep won an Oscar. But she's a favorite to take home another statue or statuette, as they'll say, at tonight's Academy Awards. Live pictures from the red carpet. It's amazing. Stars already started to arrive now and you can see that. And we're going to have this as well. Speaking of stars, a rare celestial sight in the sky at sundown. We'll tell you where and when you need to look up to catch a glimpse. Or you can watch it right here on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: The 86th Annual Academy Awards.

Rob, they don't want to see my face. Show them the red carpet. That's what everybody wants to see. Show them the red carpet.

There it is. Stars are starting to arrive. Why didn't I get this assignment? Why was this assignment pawned off to A.J. Hammer, who is outside of the, I don't know, used to be the Kodak Theater, I don't know the name of it anymore.

So, as we look now at the gorgeous faces -- is that Jane Seymour, right? You got any favorites for us? Tell us what's going on, A.J.

A.J. HAMMER, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" HOST: Well, first of all, it is the Hollywood and Highlands Center now. The red carpet is rolled out, and yes, the stars arriving.

And, Don, you're right, you didn't get this assignment because I got this assignment, because once again, "Showbiz Tonight" is here for the "Showbiz Road to Gold" gets under way in just 19 minutes and 30 seconds from right now.

But there are a lot of favorites tonight. And, of course, and the best picture category, all odds are on "The Artist" at the moment. But it's the Oscars. You never know what's going to happen -- "The Descendants," "Hugo," giving it a good run for its money. There are nine nominees in the best picture category tonight.

But the real showdowns that everybody's looking are in the best actor and actress categories.

In the best actor category, we've had the great time of having George Clooney up against one of his best friends, Brad Pitt. Of course, Brad nominated for his role in "Moneyball," George for "The Descendants." And because these guys are such good friends and love to play practical jokes on each, other everybody has had fun with that. But I actually think the real competition is going to be between Clooney and Jean Dujardin from "The Artist" in that category.

Of course, Meryl Streep, you mentioned earlier, going for her first Academy Award in nearly 30 years. He won for "Sophie's Choice" back in 1983. She's been nominated 17 times, could win it tonight for "Iron Lady" -- although, Don, my money tonight and I love you, Meryl, my money is on Viola Davis from "The Help." I think it's going to be her year to win the best actress Oscar.

LEMON: She did a great job in that, and that's a tough category as we look at the beautiful people out there. I said I misspoke, I said it was 86th, I'm getting ahead of myself. In the 86th, hopefully, I'll be nominated for something. It's 84th.

So, A.J., this is a huge controversy back and forth -- I was reading the e-mails coming from our Hollywood folks, you guys. Sacha Baron Cohen, what's going on? Is he expected to show up and how? Dressed as what? s HAMMER: Well, is he not expected to show up. Shabazz Aladeen is expected to show up. He is the Middle Eastern sex crazed despot, who actually is just an alter ego character played as you're seeing, by Sacha Baron Cohen. And he's had an awful lot of fun, it's gotten a mileage out of this.

Basically, the short version of the story is Sacha had these plans to show up as the dictator. The Oscar people said, you know what? Thanks but no thanks. We don't want publicity stunts as a part of our red carpet.

There was a lot of back and forth, and in the end, they said, you know what? We welcome you with open arms.

And, Don, quite frankly, I think that happened when the folks from the Academy realized more people are going to tune in to see how Sacha Baron Cohen shows up on this red carpet. So, expect him to show up as the dictator. But I think he wins this one. I mean, look at the amazing amount of publicity that he's gotten. Did you know he was coming out in a movie called "The Dictator"?

LEMON: No.

HAMMER: Now you did.

LEMON: So, there you go. And no publicity is bad publicity.

But, A.J., you're going to be hanging out here. And look, it's good he's coming as a dictator, more clothing than as Bruno. So, that's good news.

A.J. is not going anywhere, stick around. "Showbiz Tonight: Road to Gold," live from the red carpet, begins at the bottom of the hour, right here on CNN. And you'll see Mr. A.J. Hammer there live on the red carpet.

Two of the most hated words in NASCAR, rain delay. For the first time in its 54-year history, the Daytona 500 has been postponed until tomorrow. Can you believe it? Drivers spent the afternoon waiting for the rain to stop. It didn't happen.

There's Tony Stewart, Danica Patrick making her mark this year in NASCAR. She's already made a name for herself, though, in the male- dominated sport but she's had trouble this week. Two wrecks already.

You know, no one maybe more upset by that than Danica herself. She got a chance now to redeem herself in the Daytona 500, finally gets under way. Now, scheduled tomorrow at noon Eastern. NASCAR fans will have to wait and tune in to the Academy Awards, I guess. Straight ahead here on CNN, is Republican presidential contender Rick Santorum paranoid? We're going to ask our political experts n three minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: All right. Less than 48 hours now, polls open in two key primary states, Michigan, Arizona.

Right now, it's a tossup in both states, with Rick Santorum showing a slight edge in Michigan and Mitt Romney with a narrow lead in Arizona.

I want to bring in L.Z. Granderson, a contributor to CNN.com and senior writer at CNN, and CNN contributor Will Cain.

OK, guys, we don't have our normal two hours here that we have here. We got 30-minute show. So, keep your fighting to a minimum, love pats, no hitting, we don't have time for a full-on fight.

Romney picked up a key endorsement on NBC, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. Roll the tape.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. JAN BREWER (R), ARIZONA: He has that pro-business background and he has that political history that I think that he would serve America the best of all the candidates. And so, it was a difficult decision. But I think Mitt is by far the person who can go in and win.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: All right. To you, L.Z., first, is this just another high profile endorsement that will do nothing for Romney? Because we've said endorsements mean much. But does this one mean anything?

L.Z. GRANDERSON, CNN.COM CONTRIBUTOR: I think it means a little bit in terms of being able to get perhaps the attention of the Tea Party to consider him a little bit more than what they had before she endorsed him. Had she endorsed Santorum, I think that would have been really bad for Mitt for wanting to get the Tea Party's vote.

LEMON: OK. I want to move now to Rick Santorum and play something he said on the stump yesterday on a speech to conservative activists.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICK SANTORUM: President Obama once said he wants everybody in America to go to college. What a snob.

There are good, decent men and women who work hard every day and put their skills to the test that aren't taught by some liberal college professor and trying to indoctrinate them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: OK, Will. WILL CAIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Yes.

LEMON: Are conservatives telling kids around the nation right now not to go to college? Is that a big deal? I mean, did he go too far in that?

Remember, I think it's, what, for unemployment a college graduate, it's cut in half but like 8.9 percent now, 8 percent, and then it's like 4 percent for college graduates. What's he talking about?

CAIN: Right. But what was your question to me, are conservatives telling kids not to go to college?

LEMON: Yes, is it a big deal? Did he go too far in saying -- that I don't understand that. Shouldn't there be a goal of at least trying to go to college and doing the best for yourself? No?

CAIN: Yes, there's a lot packed into what he said and you can analyze on a couple of different levels, several of them will never be analyzed. And, unfortunately, those are some of the most intelligent aspects of which we should be focusing on.

Calling Obama a snob and saying college is in for indoctrination, yes, over the line. Not a hard call there. Yes, you're exactly right.

Also, Don, on some of the substance here. Unemployment among people that have college degrees is something like 4 percent. While without a college degrees at 8 percent.

Pay between those with a college degree and those that don't have a college degree is at historical highs.

All that being said while college should be aspirational, and I think President Obama is right in that respect, it should be a goal, we also know that college isn't for everyone and we shouldn't encourage people to spend a year or two figuring that out while they're wracking up debt. There are smart conversations about vocational education and tracks like that, that shouldn't just get swept under the rug.

So, there's a lot in this Rick Santorum statement that would be just brushed away and we'll focus on the snobbery part of it. But there's actually some things in here to discuss.

LEMON: I think you said it very well, although it should be aspirational, college isn't for everyone. And we know that. But it's good if you do aspire to do that.

CAIN: Right, right.

LEMON: So, listen, Santorum has also accused Ron Paul of secretly working with Romney which Paul says is just ridiculous. And you hear stuff like this and the college indoctrination comment, him railing against prenatal screenings. Is Santorum paranoid here?

I'll start with L.Z. quickly and then we'll go to Will. GRANDERSON: Well, I don't know. Is it Ron Paul working with Mitt Romney? Or is it the devil? Because if you remember his speech, the devil is really busy doing things, too, he was worried. I'm not quite sure which of the two evils are working with Romney. But he does seem to be paranoid about someone.

(LAUGHTER)

CAIN: You know, just because --

LEMON: Couple seconds.

CAIN: You got to know, just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you. That's the cliche, right?

I can't imagine the two guys together. That just -- I can't -- I can't reconcile that, Don.

LEMON: I got to go, but to say it all once both of you best picture, who's going to get best picture tonight? Quickly.

GRANDERSON: "The Help".

CAIN: "The Descendants".

LEMON: Thank you. See you next week. Bye-bye.

Get your binoculars, because there's a very rare and very cool sight about to happen in the sky. It is just minutes away. Our meteorologist, Ms. Jacqui Jeras, is here with all the details, right after a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LEMON: Each week on "THE NEXT LIST," our Dr. Sanjay Gupta profiles innovators from all walks of life.

And in the next installment, you're going to meet Dan Ogola. He believes one important key to a nation's productivity is creating a strong community. In Kenya, he's created a support system and a place to exchange ideas.

Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN OGOLA: I founded a community support group to empower the people in Kibera, by sharing knowledge and also providing a platform for people to explore their talents. My thinking was that was another way of breaking the vicious cycle of poverty.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Make sure you catch "THE NEXT LIST" next Sunday, 2:00 p.m. Eastern, right here on CNN. You know, you can catch one of the best shows out there tonight by looking at your TV, but there's another one, too, you can catch by looking up.

Our meteorologist Jacqui Jeras is here with a celestial programming guide.

JACQUI JERAS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes.

LEMON: Well, of course, you can watch us. But then you can also watch this light show. Tell us about this.

JERAS: Yes. It's really cool. It's been out there the last couple of nights, and you might have seen it because it's so prominent in the sky, you almost can't miss it. Our iReporters have captured some really great images, where we can see Jupiter, Venus and the moon. And they're in a kind of triangular formation last night.

This image from our iReporter Matt Harmon which was taken on Thursday. And there you can see, that is Jupiter, that's Venus and that's the moon. They are so very bright.

So, look in the western sky as the sun is setting. This is an earlier in the evening thing that's going to be better for your viewing.

Now, a second light show for some parts of the country, that one you can see across the world tonight. This one, you got to be in the northern tier of the country. We had another CME as we call it or basically a big ejection of plasma here from the sun. And what that does is that enters towards the earth's atmosphere, it creates a beautiful display of the aurora borealis.

And here's a quick look at who's going to be able to see it tonight. Really, we're talking Missouri on northward. So, hopefully, the clouds will stay clear and you can see two great shows tonight.

LEMON: All right. We got to run. We weren't over. Thank you, Jacqui.

I'll see you back here at 10:00. "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" live from the Academy Awards. Red carpet begins in three minutes.

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