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Stopping Steroids; Senate Holds Hearing on Proposed Lobbying Rules; Nine Baptist Churches Burned in Rural Alabama

Aired February 08, 2006 - 13:59   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Baseball and track have had their problems with performance-enhancing drugs, but it's not just the pros who are using them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 850,000 high school athletes admit they've used steroids. Many in Congress have noticed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN (D), DELAWARE: They cheated. They used enhancing drugs.

What would we say if we say, when you go take your SATs, you can use a mind-enhancing drug? We'd automatically say that's just not honorable.

So folks, this is about honor. This is about honor. It's not just about health.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: CNN's Kimberly Osias joins me now with a new campaign to prevent drug and steroid use among teens.

Tell us about it.

KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, as you well know, of course, this has been a real hot-button issue for Congress this past fall with various hearings and then, of course, the NFL taking dramatic measures to crack down on the steroid abuse problem.

Now "Sports Illustrated" magazine is teaming up with lawmakers and researchers to make a difference, getting to kids before they even start.

Now, when you hear about those numbers that you mentioned from the CDC, they are high, but remember, those are just the students that are reporting. So the real "true number" is likely to be even higher -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Not just young men, but young women as well, right?

OSIAS: Oh, that's exactly right, Kyra. I mean, young women and teens, some that aren't even into sports, are injecting themselves with steroids in order to achieve that kind of cut body that you often see in Hollywood. And the problems and side-effects can be very severe, from acne to liver and growth problems and depression. Now, some of you may recall the Texas teen, Taylor Hooten (ph) I believe was his name, who was, to sort of use the vernacular, juicing. His parents say he became depressed and committed suicide -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Not always about appearance, though, and how they want to look.

OSIAS: That's exactly right. I mean, of course there is a lot of money on the line here. I mean, you can take a look at scholarship scholarships, for example. You can be talking about tens of thousands of dollars in educational money and a ticket to the big time.

So obviously these young athletes are going to do whatever they can to get an edge. High school sports coaches that I've spoken with say the pressure on teens is really, quite frankly, enormous, and they also model what they see. Remember this past fall when designated hitter Rafael Palmeiro was suspended for violating Major League Baseball substance abuse policy -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, we know -- sorry about that. I thought we might hear from one of the athletes there. I remember those hearings.

Now, Major League Baseball has obviously tightened its policy. Now, could high school coaches start doing the same thing, start having specific rules? Or will maybe this policy that Major League Baseball implemented affect what these athletes do?

OSIAS: Well, they are certainly looking at everything, really running the gamut, Kyra. I mean, of course with Major League Baseball I think it was 50 first offense, then 100, and then a lifetime suspension.

And really, what everybody is telling me this was sort of a call to action of sorts. "Sports Illustrated" of course partnering with Oregon Health and Science University. It's a peer-led program called Atlas and Athena -- I kind of like that name, maybe a nod to my Greek heritage -- within team settings.

Already this program has seen dramatic results reducing the alcohol, drug and steroid problem in the Pilot area of Oregon to about half. And now with a million-dollar grant from the magazine, they will be able to expand the program's reach and also have some public service announcements within the magazine as well -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: CNN's Greek correspodnent, Kimberly Osias.

Thank you.

OSIAS: You bet.

PHILLIPS: Well, if you go doctor shopping, the government wants to know. The term refers to patients collecting numerous prescriptions from several doctors for such widely abused drugs as OxyContin and Vicodin.

The White House wants to stop it by expanding prescription drug registries. Right now 28 states have registers on the books, but that is not enough for the White House. It's put almost $10 million in President Bush's next budget to set up registries in more states.

Critics worry that the databases could end up trampling on patient privacy rights.

Nothing like a guilty plea to get the wheels turning in Congress. As we speak, and with the spectre of Jack Abramoff ever present, the Senate considers tighter regulations on the lobbyists who compete for their attention.

Our congressional correspondent, Ed Henry, joins me now from Capitol Hill.

And I guess the question is, how tight could those regulations go?

ED HENRY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, I think a couple of weeks ago it seemed like maybe a slam-dunk to some that in the wake of the Abramoff scandal Congress was on a stampede, both parties, to see who was cleaner than the other. And it seemed obvious that maybe there would may be major reform. But I think a lot of wise people who have been in Washington a long time always say when there's a big scandal, just wait, things will die down, and then it turns out that major reform doesn't always happen.

Oftentimes, there is a lot of talk about that. And I think we're starting to see that.

We saw this partisan flare-up with John McCain and Barack Obama, where they were hurling insults at each other, now trying to make peace. But I think also you are seeing a lot of questions now about John Boehner, the new House majority leader, on whether or not he really wants major reform.

He is all but saying he does not want major reform. He thinks it's been an overreaction so far.

So I think what seemed like a slam-dunk really isn't.

PHILLIPS: All right. Now, that's interesting -- are we together? OK.

Are we still together, Ed?

HENRY: Yes.

PHILLIPS: OK. Interesting that you bring up John Boehner not wanting a lot of reform. Now this story surfacing today about his new landlord, a lobbyist, and of course John Boehner is the man that replaced Tom DeLay.

So what's going on?

HENRY: Well, you know, the DNC chairman, Howard Dean, put out a statement today calling it Republican rent control. And as you know, "The Washington Post" revealed that John Boehner lives in a basement apartment here in Washington that's owned by a lobbyist.

His office confirms that to CNN, but -- the arrangement -- but says, look, he's paying fair market value, he's never been lobbied by this guy, and it's also co-owned, the house, by a woman that Boehner's been friends with for years who is not a lobbyist, and on and on with the details. But I think the bottom line is that there may be some Republicans wondering if this is the best perception that they can deal with right now.

And I can tell you, the Democrats are jumping on it, because they said from day one when John Boehner -- as soon as he was elected, you'll remember the Democrats were saying this is the same thing as Tom DeLay.

I think in fairness to Boehner, there hasn't been anything proven here. There have been -- there's been a lot of smoke. And with DeLay, in fairness to him, he is still trying to prove his innocence.

But Boehner, there is a perception that he has a coziness with K Street, some of which he's already admitted that he's friends with a lot of people, a lot of the lobbyists. And that could be difficult politically for the Republicans in this current environment -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Are there standards and guidelines where you have to reveal information like that if you are someone like a Boehner, and especially being put into the position that he's in? Is it -- is it a standard policy that you have to say, look, I just want to let you know, by the way, my landlord is a lobbyist?

HENRY: No, there's really not a good standard on that. I mean, there's basically some baseline financial disclosure forms. A lot of people have criticized them over the years in both parties because they are really very lame and they don't really give a lot of detail, frankly. And also, I think Boehner himself, though, has been saying disclosure is the key.

We'll see if he follows through on that. But that the key is he thinks you should be able to take $100 dinner, say, from a lobbyist as long as you disclose it within 24 hours on the Internet. And if your political opponents make something out of it, you have to -- you have to live, you know, with that criticism.

If it's somebody who you think you shouldn't be having dinner with because it would be embarrassing, then don't have that dinner. And I think there may be some people pushing in that direction, that just have more disclosure, get it out there and be honest about it and up front -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Ed Henry.

We'll keep checking in with you. Thanks, Ed.

HENRY: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: Footprints, tire tracks, a dark-colored SUV, a scattering of clues in the burning of nine Baptist churches in rural Alabama.

CNN's David Mattingly traveled to the scene of one of the latest suspicious fires.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Smoldering ash and cement block steps, that's all that's left of the Morning Star Baptist Church in Boligee, Alabama, one of four burned Tuesday morning in rural western Alabama, one of nine in an apparent arson spree that began in another county on Friday.

REV. JAMES POSEY, MORNING STAR BAPTIST CHURCH: What kind of joy, what kind of satisfaction did you get out of doing what you did? We weren't bothering you. We don't even know you.

MATTINGLY: There is no known motive, no known suspects, but a growing mountain of evidence. Specially trained dogs lead investigators to substances that may have been used to start the fires.

Elsewhere, plaster casts are made of tire tracks in the mud, possible signs of a quick getaway. And broken doors on several churches indicate forced entry.

JIM CAVANAUGH, ATF SPECIAL AGENT: It could be a religious bias. It could be a devil satanic thing. It could be somebody angry at Baptist churches. It could be a number of motives. And we're exploring those.

MATTINGLY: David Mattingly, CNN, Boligee, Alabama.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: A suicide amid a shootout with police. The cause of death revealed for Jacob Robida, the hugely troubled teenager accused of hacking up and shooting up a Massachusetts gay bar. Robida died over the weekend after a police chase in Arkansas, but a prosecutor now says he wasn't shot by police, rather cornered by the cops.

Robida put his gun right to his head. He allegedly killed two other people earlier in the night.

A family feud goes public. At the heart of it, a photo of the lone survivor of the Sago Mine disaster.

Randy McCloy's wife Anna is suing the photographer, her brother- in-law, Matthew, and "The National Enquirer" which paid him to take a picture of her husband in the hospital. She's accusing them both of invasion of privacy.

The tabloid issued a statement which reads in part, "The story was to call attention to the very serious issue of mine safety. No one intended to do anything to harm Randal McCloy."

No comment yet from brother Matthew. He was a legend the moment he got into music business. Now with eight Grammy nominations, John Legend could really make a name for himself tonight. Find out why when LIVE FROM continues right after a break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Red flags in southern California. At the moment, firefighters think they've got a handle on this brushfire in the parched hills above Malibu. Then again, the winds could pick up because the area is so rugged. They are using helicopters to drop water.

Pepperdine University is just five miles away, but fire crews say it's not in any danger nor are any homes.

Fire in the hole in Philadelphia as a UPS plane made an emergency landing overnight. Flames shooting from its cargo hold.

The three-member crew up (ph) to safety on the tarmac. It took firefighters almost four hours to put the fire out. The airport was basically closed thehe rest of the night, delaying a number of flights this morning. No word on what caused that fire or what happened to the packages on board.

Well, it's an ugly, ugly accident scene on the interstate south of Denver. Before dawn today, a Federal Express tractor trailer and a passenger car collided on southbound I-25. The truck left the highway and rolled. That driver is dead. Three people in the car were take ton the hospital.

I-25 was shut down for a while, but police cleaned up the hundreds of FedEx packages that scattered in that wreck.

Well, singers Mariah Carey and Kanye West had huge years. Both have been nominated for eight Grammy awards, but someone you might not have heard of is also at the top of the nominee list. John Legend also has eight nominations, including best new artist.

Just who is John Legend? Well, Brook Anderson and I both know. We both love his music.

Hey, Brooke.

BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. Hi there, Kyra.

Yes, this guy has had quite a year, John Legend. And if you're not familiar with him, I want to introduce you to now this very talented singer, songwriter and elegant pianist.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN LEGEND, SINGER (SINGING): It is ordinary people...

ANDERSON: Ordinary no more. Soulful singer and songwriter John Legend has had a breakthrough year. Legend's debut solo album "Get Lifted" has sold more than one million copies and earned him eight Grammy nominations, including one for best new artist.

LEGEND: To finally have my own project out of music that I wrote and music that has my name on it and my stamp on it is very gratifying.

ANDERSON: Though new to independent success, in recent years Legend has collaborated with popular artists including Alicia Keys and Lauren Hill. His launch to stardom came through a connection with rapper and producer Kanye West.

KANYE WEST, RAPPER & MUSIC PRODUCER: He came over and we played his song. And he did it in one take. And I was so used to working with people that say, "No, I need another take. I need another take."

And he did -- I was like, "Yo, this dude is dope. This is what I'm talking about. He is a real artist."

ANDERSON: Legend's art has been described as neo-soul. The ivy league-educated musician say his influences include everything from hip-hop to gospel and reggae tunes. The results? Legend says his lyrics are inspired by real-life experiences.

LEGEND: I just write about them and try to tell them from my own perspective.

ANDERSON: A musical perspective that has found cross-genre radio play on R&B, pop and adult contemporary stations.

LEGEND: It just shows you the power of a song. Like, if it really does move people and it is something people really can relate to, that it doesn't have to kind of adhere to all the specifications that most songs adhere to.

ANDERSON: Music industry experts attribute Legend's diverse popularity to his raw skill.

SERENA KIM, FEATURES EDITOR, "VIBE" MAGAZINE: It's just so compelling when you just have one man who's extremely talented on the piano who can just make the music and it just sounds so pure and he can express this wide range of emotions.

ANDERSON: Legend was born John Stevens. Friends dubbed him "Legend" because of his affinity for old school musicians, including another artist with an inflated stage name, Stevie Wonder.

LEGEND: No one can do Stevie better than Stevie can do Stevie.

ANDERSON: And if Legend keeps on doing what Legend is doing, he may very well live up to his last name.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANDERSON: He could indeed become something of a legend in the music industry at the rate he's going. And Kyra, I talked to John Legend the day the Grammy nominations were announced. And he was so excited. And of his connection to Kanye West, he has said that Kanye has had faith in him when nobody else really did. So he credits a lot of his success to Kanye.

And then on the other hand, Kanye told us that he believes John Legend will win more Grammys tonight than he will. So he is very, very proud of John Legend. It is just a love-fest here at the 48th annual Grammy Awards.

PHILLIPS: Of course when you love each other and you support each other, we all do better. Well, this could definitely launch his career if he gets a Grammy.

ANDERSON: Absolutely, Kyra. This does so much.

It increases exposure. It boosts credibility. And many times boosts record sales.

And as Kanye West told us, he won three Grammys last year. He told us it provided him sponsorships and endorsements. So it does a lot for a career, especially someone who is new to the business. With this first debut album from John Legend, it could really launch him to another level, absolutely.

PHILLIPS: All right. We'll talk again next hour, Brooke.

ANDERSON: Sounds good.

PHILLIPS: Straight ahead, he is an athlete known for his speaking his mind. Olympic medalist Bode Miller could pick up some more hardware in the Torino games. But can he bow to pressure to watch what he says?

We'll get an answer when LIVE FROM continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Steve Fossett can't stay put. The millionaire adventurer took off this morning from Kennedy Space Center on what he hopes will be a record-shattering 27,000-mile flight. That's once around the world with a second trip over the Atlantic. He plans to spend three and a half days in the air in his experimental plane.

Fossett already holds the record for flying solo around the world in a balloon. He's also the first person to circle the globe solo in a plane without stopping or refueling.

If you are shopping around for a new car, you'll want to hear this next report. Susan Lisovicz has the skinny on the best car values. She's standing by live at the New York Stock Exchange.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) PHILLIPS: They won't get a medal, but it may be a record. Four hundred skydivers taking a flying leap in unison. The so-called World Team composed a formation the size of a football field in the skies over Thailand. They say it's a world record, and the event judges say so.

No word from Guinness or any of those types yet.

Well, just two more days till the winter games, and the buzz is hot and heavy over Bode. That's Olympic skier and all around complicated athlete Bode Miller.

CNN's Larry Smith takes a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LARRY SMITH, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT (voice over): There used to be two Bode Millers. There was the one who dominated both the European ski racing and party (ph) surfing and the one who would only be recognized in the U.S. in his native New Hampshire wearing two Olympic silver medals around his neck.

BODE MILLER, OLYMPIC SKIER: I almost can't go out over there anymore simply because everybody wants an autograph or a picture. And that really ruins a night out on the town when you can't go and do anything. Here, nobody knows who I am. They don't treat me any different than anybody else.

SMITH: That may soon change, if it hasn't already since a controversial "60 Minutes" interview where Miller admitted to sometimes being badly hung over while skiing. He apologized for those remarks, just the latest in a line of non-conformist declarations, including calling for athletes to be allowed to use performance- enhancing drugs.

MILLER: Not at any point in my life have I ever advocated legalizing steroids. And I don't even take vitamins or any medicine for headaches or anything like that. But my point is essentially that the system is really busted up right now. It's just not an effective system.

SMITH: Miller seems to charge at most controversial topics the way he attacks a downhill run, hard and fast.

MILLER: There's drugs like alcohol and cigarettes that one of them kills you outright and they have to put a label on the box. And the other one is, you know, the cause of most of the car crashes and, you know, birth defects and, you know, all kinds of horrible consequences, and the government just taxes those and ships them out to everybody as hard as they can.

SMITH: Those are not the kinds of statements usually coming from a Olympic athletes, but Miller is not the typical Olympian. Besides being the first American to win the overall World Cup skiing title in 22 years, he has his own television show following him around Europe. Ironic since he grew up in a home with no television or electricity, or plumbing for that matter.

And the biggest surprise is he may be the only Olympian who isn't sure he wants to win.

MILLER: The U.S. makes -- it's all about winning, it's all about the trophy, it's all about the championship or the ring or the yellow jersey. But the moment you win it, it's all gone. And that's a tiny moment in time, where as the process leading up to that is years and years and years.

SMITH: When criticized for his occasional all-or-nothing runs, Miller counters that he excels at risk managements on the slopes.

MILLER: It's a tactical battle every turn. It's constantly a decision-making process about how much to slow down. If you just went all out all the time, you would just detonate every run, I think.

SMITH: Maybe that's why there needs to be two Bode Millers, so there's always one left whenever the other one detonates.

Larry Smith, CNN, Torino.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Skiers and ski businesses are digging the record snowfall in Powderhorn, Winter Park and here in Breckenridge, Colorado, where they are at 140 percent of normal snow accumulation. It's a mixed blessing. Firefighters get worried when the snow is deeper than the fire hydrants, and some towns are running out of places to dump cleared snow.

Meteorologist Jacqui Jeras has the forecast at the CNN weather center.

Are you a skier, Jacqui?

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Not really. A little bit.

You?

PHILLIPS: Yes, I love it. I just never get a chance to go enough.

JERAS: Exactly. That's my problem as well.

(WEATHER REPORT)

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