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Survivor Speaks at Slain Family's Memorial; China Detains Star News Anchor; Rand Paul Takes Aim at Rick Perry; Honoring Teachers at MLB All-Star Game

Aired July 14, 2014 - 10:30   ET

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

LAURIE SEGALL, CNN MONEY CORRESPONDENT: And I should mention that these women were both part of a startup that was acquired by Yahoo and when they went to go live in temporary housing the executive requested to live with this young woman and asked her if she could and that's where the sexual harassment started -- Carol.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: This isn't the first time though we've heard of sexual harassment in the Valley. Why is this becoming more of a problem in Silicon Valley?

SEGALL: You know, it's not the first time and unfortunately, I don't think it's going to be the last time. You know, my first instinct is to say that Silicon Valley is a male-dominated culture so a lot of young guys. But if you look at this case -- it's a case with two women.

And I actually spoke to Nunn who filed the complaint -- I spoke to her attorney and what he said is that any place, Carol, where there's a lot of money and a lot of power, which we got to look at Silicon Valley -- that's exactly where that is -- this kind of thing can happen. But what he did say to me is the reason Silicon Valley is different than other big corporations and that kind of thing is because Silicon Valley is all about perception.

So what the attorney said is the way Yahoo has handled this is their first instinct is to deny, deny, deny, instead of deal with it. So obviously, we're going to be looking at this. We'll see -- I've actually -- I'm going to be interviewing Nunn in the next couple of days and I'll have more details on that -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right. We'll check back. Laurie Segall -- many things.

SEGALL: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Checking other top stories for you at 30 minutes past the hour.

Two and a half years after it crashed and killed 32 people off the coast of Italy, the Costa Concordia cruise ship is floating again. That's according to the company's CEO. The ship will be eventually be towed away in one of the biggest maritime salvage operations in history. Workers slowly lifted the vessel by pumping air into tanks attached to the ship. The ship's final journey is to the Italian port of Genoa. It will be dismantled there. This week in July is typically one of hottest of the year, but instead a cold snap will bring temperatures down -- and I mean way down. Things will be a whole lot cooler this week for millions of Americans. And the Midwest is expected to see historic lows with temperatures 10 to 20 degrees below average.

Violence erupted across Argentina Sunday night, following its loss to Germany in the world cup. Fans had initially gathered to celebrate Argentina's best performance in the World Cup in almost a quarter century. But dozens of rowdy vandals started smashing shop windows and attacking journalists. Fifteen police officers and at least five others were injured in the clashes. At least 30 people were arrested.

Her mother and father, her brothers and sisters all brutally murdered in their own home. But Cassidy Stay, the sole survivor of the deadly shooting spoke publicly for the first time this weekend at a memorial service for her family.

The 15-year-old quoted a Harry Potter character saying "Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light."

CNN's Poppy Harlow was following the story for us. Good morning.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CASSIDY STAY, SHOOTING SURVIVOR: I'm really thankful for all of the people that have been praying for me and keeping me and my family in their thoughts.

POPPY HARLOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: An unbelievable show of resilience and strength from 15-year-old Cassidy Stay, the only survivor of the mass shooting last week that killed her whole family. Stay was speaking at a public memorial for her parents and four siblings ages four to 13, who were brutally murdered in their Texas home.

The teen witnessed the whole ordeal. She herself was shot and critically wounded, surviving by playing dead.

STAY: I would like to thank all of the first responders, nurses and doctors that have taken care of me. I'm feeling a lot better. I'm on a very straightforward path to a full recover.

HARLOW: Authorities say Ronald Lee Haskell first barged into the family's home demanding to know where his estranged wife Melanie Haskell who was related to the victim. She wasn't there but Haskell allegedly proceeded to shot and killed them all except Cassidy who called 911 after Haskell left to warn police the suspected shooter was on his way to her grandparents' home.

Stay's grandfather credited the teen for saving lives.

ROGER LYONS, CASSIDY STAY'S GRANDFATHER: She has learned in Sunday school that God has the power to send angels to protect his children in times of great need. After she had been shot on Wednesday, she said it felt as though those angels were there with her putting their hands over her mouth whispering to her to be quiet.

HARLOW: And she explained her outlook for a hopeful future as only a teen could do.

STAY: In "The Prisoner of Azkaban", Dumbledore says "Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light." I know that my mom, dad, Brian, Emily, Beckett, and Zach are in a much better place and that I'll be able to see them again one day.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: She is an incredibly strong young woman. When I saw this first over the weekend, Carol, I was stunned at her strength and I think we are all amazed by her. You know, after she spoke, they released those balloons into the air and they played "Over the Rainbow". I can also tell you that the alleged shooter Ron Haskell collapsed in court on Friday when those six capital murder charges were read out. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

As for why this happened so many people are asking questions, scratching their heads. His attorney did say in court that his defense will likely be mental illness. He noted that Haskell was in and out of the hospital and not exactly compliant with taking his medications.

Still a lot of questions in this tragic case but what we should focus on is the strength of this amazing young woman.

COSTELLO: Absolutely. Poppy Harlow, thanks so much.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM. It is a war of words that just won't let up -- Rand Paul and Rick Perry lashing out at one another over foreign policy. Up next, why Paul says Perry -- Perry got it all wrong.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: China's government has ensnared -- actually China's government has arrested a big name in China in its widening crackdown on corruption. An iconic and controversial news anchor has been detained and he joins a long list of military and political leaders accused of selling their influence and betraying public trust.

CNN's David McKenzie has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: On China's most popular business show Friday, there was one major thing missing, its star male anchor -- just an empty chair.

Controversial anchor Rui Chenggang is known for fast cars and big interviews. But he was taken away on corruption allegations by investigators right before air. Dubbed a shameless self promoter, Rui has never missed an opportunity for publicity. Here he is a few years back on "The Daily Show".

RUI CHENGGANG, CHINESE NEWS ANCHOR: We have probably 200 to 400 million viewers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 200 to 400 million.

MCKENZIE: Unashamedly pro China, he helped kick Starbucks out of the Forbidden City and likes to bait senior U.S. diplomats.

CHENGGANG: I'd like to begin by asking the ambassador -- you flew coach from Beijing to (inaudible). Was that a reminder that the U.S. still owes China money?

MCKENZIE: Even taking on President Obama.

CHENGGANG: Unfortunately I hate to disappoint you President Obama on actually Chinese but --

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's wonderful to see you.

CHENGGANG: I think I represent the entire Asia.

MCKENZIE: With two popular memoirs and more than 10 million social media followers, he's the most popular personality on China's central television. He earlier denied he's being investigated.

Senior executives at CCTV an arm of the communist party government have already been detained by investigators. The party says no one is immune in their anti corruption crackdown.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MCKENZIE: Even one of China's best known TV personalities, Rui was known as the new face of China. For now, he won't be getting much face time at all.

David McKenzie, CNN, Beijing.

COSTELLO: John Walsh is forever linked with the pursuit of "America's Most Wanted" but it wasn't always that way.

In today's "American Journey", Anderson Cooper has more on the tragic case that changed Walsh's life forever.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST (voice-over): In 1981, John Walsh then 36 years old had a great life. Successful hotel developer he lived in South Florida with wife Reve, and a six-year-old son named Adam. But that summer, tragedy changed their lives forever. Reve had taken Adam to the local shopping mall and left him alone to look at video games.

JOHN WALSH, CNN HOST, "THE HUNT": She said I'm going to go over two aisles away and pay for this lamp. You stay right here. She came back about four minutes later and he was gone. COOPER: Adam's disappearance started a frantic search, but there was no sign of the missing boy.

WALSH: I'll never forget the first night we had some searchers and I was so naive I think back and I thought, you know, this has to be parents who lost their child to a drunk driver or maybe a woman who had miscarriage. Who would take a six-year-old boy?

COOPER: Walsh went on a national media campaign begging the public for help.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The contributions just for the reward fund for Adam are well over $120,000.

COOPER: Sixteen days after Adam went missing, Walsh was in New York for an appearance on "Good Morning America" when he heard the awful news: the severed head of a little boy was found in a Florida canal. It was Adam.

WALSH: I trashed that hotel room. I don't even remember it. I broke everything in the room, and the security came in, and calmed me down. They brought a doctor. I said I have to do the toughest thing I have ever done in my life. I got to call my wife. I've got to find my wife and tell her.

COOPER: Adam's body wasn't found, neither was his killer.

WALSH: Everything was falling apart, couldn't work, I've lost 20 pounds.

COOPER: Soon after Adam's funeral, Walsh went to speak with the medical examiner who told him to make sure Adam didn't die in vain. Walsh says it was the best advice he ever got.

Along with his wife, he started the Adam Walsh Child Resource Center which later merged with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Then in 1988 he started his own television show, "America's Most Wanted".

After 23 years on the air, the show and Walsh contributed to the capture of more than 1,000 criminals, including the high profile capture of Elizabeth Smart's kidnappers. But throughout the years of helping solve other crimes, Walsh always kept the hope that his own son's killer would be found and brought to justice.

He always suspected serial killer, Otis Toole, was responsible for his son, Adam's death. Toole died in prison while serving a life sentence for other crimes, but it wasn't until 2008, nearly three decades after Adam was murdered, that police finally named Toole as the likely killer.

WALSH: For 27 years we've been asking who could take a six-year-old boy and murder him and decapitate him, who? We needed to know. We needed to know and today we know.

COOPER: Anderson Cooper, CNN, New York. (END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And you can catch John's new show, "THE HUNT WITH JOHN WALSH" Sunday, 9:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: I mentioned this at the top of the show. But it is now official, Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl held captive by the Taliban for five years, has now completed the final phase of the reintegration process. This is according to the U.S. Army.

Bergdahl is being assigned to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio where he'll be returned to regular duty within the command where he can contribute to the mission. Those are the words of the army. The Army's investigation into his circumstances surrounding his disappearance from his outpost in Afghanistan and his capture is still ongoing. Of course, we'll keep you posted.

In other news this morning Texas Governor Rick Perry, he is very much in the news these days perhaps because he wants to again run for president. Not everyone thinks that is such a good idea. Take Kentucky Senator, Rand Paul, for example. He's lashing out at Perry after being called an isolationist by the governor.

This morning Paul writes this in an op-ed on "politico". Quote, "there are many things I like about Texas Governor Rick Perry including his stance on the 10th amendment to the constitution but apparently his new glasses have not altered his new perception of the world or allowed it to see it any more clearly", end quote.

Let's talk more about this with host of CNN's "CROSS FIRE" and former GOP presidential candidate, Newt Gingrich. Good morning Newt.

NEWT GINGRICH, FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Good morning. Great to be with you.

COSTELLO: Nice to have you here.

I kind of like Governor Perry's new glasses, don't you?

GINGRICH: I think Rick did a very good job with glasses. I frankly think he did a very good job last week with President Obama in Texas. This is a very healthy argument for he and Rand Paul to be having. It's good for the country.

And I'm delighted to see two serious people willing to actually talk about ideas. I think it elevates from a lot of the junk we have nowadays that unfortunately clutters our political system.

COSTELLO: I'd have to agree with that. So after this snarky comment about the governor's glasses, Rand Paul then accused Perry of suggesting a plan to deal with terrorists in Iraq that's a lot like President Obama's.

Now, if you're a Republican, that's a big ouch, isn't it? GINGRICH: Well, it is but I think it's an important debate. I think the challenge to Perry is to explain how his approach would work and why it's important. He is a veteran himself. He is also as the head of the Texas National Guard been deeply involved in national defense matters for many, many years. He's making one case.

Rand Paul is making a very different case and, of course, Rand Paul has to work very hard to make sure people don't mistake his caution for isolationism. I think that's why you saw him react so sharply to Governor Perry's comments, the word isolationism would have dramatically cripple Rand Paul's political campaign.

So both of them have a lot at stake here. But the key thing is to recognize that 12 and a half years after 9/11, the United States is not safer, our strategies have not worked and we need in both parties this kind of national debate about what are we going to do in an increasingly dangerous world?

COSTELLO: Really, the United States isn't any safer than it was 12 years ago?

GINGRICHY: No. I think if you look at what's happening around the world today, it's almost impossible to say that we are safer. You have forces from Nigeria across to Syria to Iraq and frankly you have terrorist forces in Thailand, terrorist forces operating in the Philippines -- the world wide scene is not a very safe scene and there's no evidence that our strategies have worked. And this is why --

COSTELLO: There hasn't been any major terrorist attack within the United States since, right?

GINGRICH: That's right. That's right -- because we have been. But this is the challenge say for Rand Paul. We have been very aggressively taking the fight to the terrorists. Now to the degree that we start to back off and they begin to occupy large parts of Syria and Iraq, for example, or they occupy northern Nigeria with Boko Haram, at what point do they start launching more attacks?

As Governor Perry points out, recently four people were killed in Europe at a Jewish museum by a terrorist who had come back to Europe. And we just had over the last few days, the attorney general of the United States say that he regards the rise of this new Islamic state in northern Iraq as an enormous threat to the United States and he made clear the attorney general did, and this is in the Obama administration which has not been very aggressive, he made clear he thinks it's a great threat to somebody coming to the U.S., with terrorism.

COSTELLO: It sounds like you are very much in Rick Perry's camp. Do you think he should run for president and would you support him?

GINGRICH: I think both he and Rand Paul would make very exciting candidates. I'm delighted that they are having a serious conversation. I hope they can keep it at the level of being serious.

COSTELLO: Oh, come on, Newt, pick one.

GINGRICH: No, I'm not going to pick anyone in my party. I'm for the nominee for the Republican Party in 2016.

COSTELLO: All right. Newt Gingrich -- thanks so much for the conversation. I appreciate it. Don't forget to watch CNN's "CROSSFIRE" tonight at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM a baseball hall of famer and a legend in the classroom. We'll talk to Cal Ripken and (inaudible) baseball honors teacher at the all-star game.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Let's take a look at Target Field where tomorrow night's baseball all-star game will not only showcase the best players of the big leagues but all-stars in another field -- that would be education. Just like each team will be represented by at least one player at the game, each team will also be represented by a teacher from their city. In all, 30 teachers will be honored at a pregame ceremony.

Thomas Arentz won the fan vote for Baltimore teacher -- he joins us from Minneapolis with Orioles' legend and hall of famer, Cal Ripken. Welcome to you both.

THOMAS ARENTZ, BALTIMORE TEACHER: Hello. Thank you.

CAL RIPKEN, FORMER MLB PLAYER: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Hi, nice to have you.

So Cal, I want to start with you. Can you remember a teacher making a big impact on your life?

RIPKEN: Yes, I had a teacher that taught Trigonometry and Algebra 3. His name is Mr. Unger. He encouraged me to actually work harder and harder. And work on this part of my game as opposed to my athletic process. And I had success in that classroom and ultimately went on to have success that was as great as some of the baseball things I've been able to accomplish.

COSTELLO: Yes. You are a pretty successful businessman at the moment, too right. So yes.

Thomas -- I must say Thomas --

RIPKEN: The math helps.

COSTELLO: Yes, it does. Thomas, congratulations to you. I know you are an English and Latin teacher at (inaudible) Point High School. But you also teach evening classes at a community college, you teach bible studies as well. What do you love so much about teaching?

ARENT: It's a calling, I think, and I think it's one of my gifts, the fact that I can work with people and teach them something, whether it's how to write a paper, how to speak a different language or a different kind of skill. I love interacting with people, that's one of my gifts is being able to communicate with people either as a group or one on one and let them take away something, something they weren't able to do before or didn't know before.

COSTELLO: And in addition to all of that, I just said, You also coach your son's baseball team. Where do you find the time?

ARENTZ: Yes, yes. When I find the time? Very little sleep. I've actually coached both of my sons' teams this year. I was very lucky to be able to coach both my son's teams. So every night of the week we're on a baseball field so -- best time of my life.

COSTELLO: And now you have a guy sitting right next to you that can help you out.

RIPKEN: I was going to add that teachers in the classroom maintain their calmness usually, and they are very put together when they are in front of their kids, but if you put the teacher out on the baseball field with a little bit more emotion, I kind of look at where did your patience go.

They want to impact things right now and then but, you know, my dad was a teacher and the magic of bringing a kid along and gaining confidence either in athletics or the classroom is a gift.

ARENTZ: Yes. I agree with that.

COSTELLO: Before we go, I just wanted to ask Cal Ripken a question about the home run derby, because I think you were in the first home run derby, right, Cal?

RIPKEN: Yes. That was in Minnesota. They kind of put it together and asked if anybody wanted to be involved and they went all the way down to me and I said yes.

COSTELLO: It was 1985. It cost fans two bucks at the time. Today, the home run derby is tonight, it can cost upwards of $2,000 for the fan to watch into the home run derby. Did you ever think that it would turn into something like that?

RIPKEN: Well, I thought showcasing the skills of the big leaguers in many different ways is a good idea. But I couldn't have fathomed how the homerun derby has grown. It is a major event and people are dying to get into it and it is very entertaining.

COSTELLO: It is very -- I know, I'll be watching tonight.

Cal Ripken, Thomas Arentz, thank you so much for joining me. I appreciate it.

RIPKEN: My pleasure.

ARENTZ: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Thanks to all of you for joining me, too. I'm Carol Costello. "@THIS HOUR WITH BERMAN AND MICHAELA" starts now.