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CNN Live Today

Possible Connection in Madrid Bombing to Grand Central Station; Bomb Kills Iraqi Soldiers and Tribunal Judge is Slain; Homeless Lawyer's Case Before the Supreme Court

Aired March 02, 2005 - 10:00   ET

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

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


RICK SANCHEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR: We are going to pick up on that story you guys are following out of Madrid and any possible links to any potential attack here in our own country. We're going to break for you.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: Right now, let's take a look at what's happening now in the news.

Is there a connection between last year's Madrid train bombing and a possible plot against Grand Central Station? A Spanish newspaper reports a suspect in the Madrid attack apparently had a sketch of the New York rail station. The picture and information about the terminal were found on a computer disk after the Madrid bombing.

Smoke rises from one of two suicide car bombings in Baghdad today. Thirteen people were killed, at least 30 others wounded. The first attack hit an army recruitment center. The second an Iraqi military convoy.

In other Baghdad violence, a judge and his lawyer son were killed by insurgents. The judge was with the Iraqi tribunal that will hear the case against Saddam Hussein.

In the Congo, U.N. peacekeepers launched a ground and air assault against militia that have terrorized and looted villages. At least 50 suspected militiamen were killed. The fighting took place in the area where nine Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed last week. Three militia fighters have been arrested in those deaths.

And Pope John Paul II skipped his regular Wednesday audience with the faithful. Vatican officials say the pontiff needs to rest and is working on regaining his ability to speak. John Paul appeared at his hospital window on Sunday, three days after his tracheotomy. The Vatican's next medical bulletin is due tomorrow.

KAGAN: A good Wednesday morning to you.

SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez.

We're going to start with a developing story. And what we are talking about is potential terrorism this morning, a reported discovery in Spain, and a possible connection to New York's Grand Central Station. A newspaper in Madrid reports that the suspect in the bombings from last March had in his apartment detailed sketches of what appeared to be New York's busiest commuter center. Much of the information is sketchy, we should tell you. Some is still coming in.

So let's get you what we know. And to do that CNN's Madrid bureau chief Al Goodman is joining us. He's via videophone from Madrid.

Good morning, Al.

AL GOODMAN, CNN MADRID BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Rick. Well, this is the newspaper story from "El Mundo" that started this round of information today. Reporting basically an alleged terrorist plot against New York's Grand Central Station. However, a Spanish police source here in Madrid has told CNN that the newspaper report appears not relevant, and appears to have several inaccuracies.

For example, the Spanish police source says that while "El Mundo" is saying there was a detailed drawing or sketch of Grand Central Station, that police here who have seen it think that maybe you couldn't say that was Grand Central Station. Maybe, possibly it looks somewhat like the front entrance.

The newspaper says there was also extensive computer information about Grand Central Station. Again, the police source saying the Spanish police don't give that much credence.

And on the bigger subject of whether suspects in the Madrid train bombing of last March 11, that horrendous train bombing here that killed 191 people. Whether some suspects in that case were linked to this possible plot against Grand Central Station, the police source telling CNN here that you really can't make draw that connection -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Al, you can't help but wonder, after listening to this, if this information was garnished by the folks there in Spain a month after the attacks. Wouldn't it be logical to assume that U.S. intelligence officials have already been advised of this and have vetted it as best, I imagine, as they can?

GOODMAN: Well, Rick, we did talk to a U.S. Embassy official in Madrid who did confirm that in December, last December, just a few months ago, Spanish law enforcement authorities did pass information on to U.S. law enforcement authorities about Grand Central Station. But the embassy official would not get into how important or not that information was.

What the Spanish prosecutor's office has said is that there is ongoing contact between the Spanish law enforcement agencies and U.S. agencies about terrorists, about terrorist movements. Because it's logical that it's in the interest of both nations to keep both nations informed.

But on the basis of this "El Mundo" report, in this newspaper, the substance of it, according to the Spanish police that we talked to saying they are really not giving it too much credence -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: That's good to know. Al Goodman following the story for us, getting us the very latest detail there. He is our Madrid correspondent.

Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

KAGAN: To Baghdad now. Dozens of Iraqis are dead or wounded after separate car bombings target security forces in the capitol.

Let's get the latest from CNN's senior international correspondent Nic Robertson -- Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INT'L. CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn. Well, the first of those attacks came at about 7:00 a.m. in the morning in Baghdad. The target of the attack was an Iraqi training facility. There were Iraqi army recruits lining up outside waiting to get in at 7:00 in the morning, when according to police a suicide bomber driving a white vehicle drove up, detonated his explosives, killing six, wounding 28.

But the police say that the death toll and the casualty toll could have been far higher if it had not have been for the high concrete security barriers that were placed around the entrance to the army camp.

Also about two hours after that, there was another attack against the Iraqi army. This time, an Iraqi army convoy driving through the south side of Baghdad was the target for another suicide bomber driving a car. He tried to ram that car into the convoy, according to police. Seven dead and two wounded in that particular attack.

Also the police over night last night, reporting that in the morning of Tuesday, yesterday, that an Iraqi judge working on the Iraqi Special Tribunal was gunned down outside his house along with his son, who is also a lawyer working on that special tribunal. The tribunal is special because that's a tribunal that will be trying Saddam Hussein and other senior Baathists here in Iraq -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And Nic, what is the status on that tribunal?

ROBERTSON: It has already begun its work. What makes this particular attack on this particular judge very interesting is that he was gunned down within 24 hours of the special tribunal hearing its first case. The first case was the -- with referral stage of Saddam Hussein's half brother and Iraq's former vice president, Barzan al Tikriti and Iraq's former Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan.

Both referred by this court for trial in the next few months. For they stand accused of crimes against humanity for their involvement in the brutal repression of an assassination attempt against Saddam Hussein in 1982.

So the very timing of this assassination of this judge, Barwez Mohammed Mahmoud, the police don't draw too many conclusions that he was involved because he was involved in the tribunal; that that's why he was killed.

They say he was an important Kurdish politician as well. But a lot of people here, Daryn, drawing that connection.

The tribunal starts 24 hours later. A judge -- a senior judge associated with the tribunal killed -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Nic Robertson live from Baghdad. Nic, thank you.

SANCHEZ: Elsewhere in the Middle East, Syria's president says he will soon begin pulling Syrian troops out of Lebanon. This is a vow in an interview with CNN's sister publication "Time" magazine. Now, it comes amid some growing anti-Syrian protests around the world and in Lebanon itself, as we have been showing you this last week.

CNN's senior international correspondent Brent Sadler is in Mukhtara, Lebanon with the latest on this.

Brent, to you.

BRENT SADLER, CNN SR. INT'L. CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Rick. You are seeing here people waiting outside a crucial opposition meeting that is taking place high in the Shouf Mountains of Lebanon, taking place in this remote outpost of one of the opposition leaders, Walid Jumblatt. Because he still fears for his life, he says should this meeting have taken place in the Lebanese capitol some two weeks after the assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Now, the opposition has welcomed Syria's statements through Bashir al Assad to "Time" magazine, saying that Syrian troop withdrawals could take place within months. But other people within the opposition here very skeptical about conflicting statements that have been coming out of Syria over the past 48 hours.

Now this situation, this political crisis in Lebanon has certainly grabbed the attention of the U.S. administration. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been making positive statements in Europe about this popular uprising, that just two days ago saw the collapse of the pro-Syrian Lebanese government here led by Omar Karami. That swept away in the face of a popular uprising, they're calling it the kind of thing that we saw in the Ukraine just a few months back.

And many people are likening this popular protest here to the kind of movement, people power that really saw dramatic changes in Eastern Europe back in the -- 20 years ago. So people here really galvanized, the opposition galvanized by what is being taking place. And tremendous pressure on Syria both here, on the Lebanese front with this opposition meeting now taking place, and at the international level led by the United States.

Back to you, Rick.

SANCHEZ: Just to underscore, Brent, this has been thus far a peaceful uprising, correct?

SADLER: Yes, it has been a peaceful uprising. But many, many Lebanese are fearful about what could happen next. This is a vacuum situation. The Middle East does not like vacuums. And people are concerned that while on the one hand Syria says it could withdraw troops, should withdraw troops, many Lebanese doubt that and are concerned that there could be further acts of violence in these unpredictable circumstances -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Senior international correspondent Brent Sadler, we thank you for that.

KAGAN: Keeping our eye on live events today, President Bush is live in Arnold, Maryland. He is at the Ann Arundel Community College. He's talking about job growth. One note, later today, President Bush at the White House will welcome the world champion Boston Red Sox.

SANCHEZ: Red Sox, White House.

KAGAN: There you go. Not the other way around.

SANCHEZ: Here is another big story that we have been following now for several days. To some he's a killer. To others, he's still just a friend.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Dennis that I knew never -- he'd probably never be out of jail again. So I'll never -- probably will never see him again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: A man whose friend is now accused of being the BTK killer.

KAGAN: Plus new details in the gruesome murders discovered by a Chicago judge.

SANCHEZ: And the 10 Commandments debate goes before the Supreme Court. But the lawyer behind the case will not be in court. We will explain why when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: And we welcome you back.

The Supreme Court today takes up the issue of the 10 Commandment displays on government property. The justices will hear two cases involving displays in Texas and in Kentucky.

Roy Moore lost his position as the Alabama chief justice last year; you remember this, after refusing to remove a 10 Commandments monument from a state courthouse. Moore has filed a brief with the Supreme Court in support of the Texas and the Kentucky displays now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROY MOORE, FMR. ALABAMA CHIEF JUSTICE: They will argue a historical context and minimal references to God and so forth. But they will not argue the sovereignty of God. And certainly it's my position, and the position of the First Amendment, in my opinion, that the acknowledgment of God, the sovereignty of God can be and should be allowed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Thomas Van Orden sued to have the 10 Commandments display removed from the Texas State capitol grounds, but attorney Van Orden will not be arguing his own case before the Supreme Court today.

CNN's Ed Lavandera has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Finding Thomas Van Orden takes time and patience. All we really know about him is that he spends time in libraries.

(on camera): That's the building where the state law library is and where Thomas Van Orden hangs out throughout much of the day. And just a few feet away is the monument of the 10 Commandments, which is just in the shadow of the state capitol here in Austin.

(voice-over): You would think if you wanted to talk to the lawyer, who sued the state of Texas to remove a 10 Commandments monument from public grounds, that you would pick up the phone and call him. But this lawyer does not have a phone, much less an assistant.

(on camera): We are told this is the area that Thomas Van Orden normally hangs out at in throughout the day.

(voice-over): These desks in the state law library are his office. No brass nameplates here, only a newspaper clipping on the wall with his picture.

(on camera): This is where he likes to have lunch that the day. So we will keep looking for him.

(voice-over): Eventually we end up at the University of Texas Law School.

(on camera): We think we have found Thomas Van Orden here at the UT Law School. He is in that room at the end of the hallway there and he's asleep. So we're going to wait for him to wake up.

THOMAS VAN ORDEN, ATTORNEY: I don't think I'm creating...

LAVANDERA (voice-over): A few minutes later he's awake and we go outside for an interview. It's impromptu and we quickly learn he is not your typical attorney.

VAN ORDEN: It's a little of a que sera-sera attitude, you know. I think we all go through life that way sometimes, you know?

LAVANDERA: For the last three years, Van Orden has been writing legal briefs and documents, filing and mailing the paperwork himself. It does not sound like a big deal, except Thomas Van Orden is homeless.

VAN ORDEN: Each day you are writing it's hard to get out of your find that all this is a joke. Because when you finish you don't have any money to make copies. And you don't have any money to send it to an office. That wears on you. It really does.

LAVANDERA: He agreed to share his story of how a homeless attorney, living off $150 a month in food stamps, spearheaded such a controversial Supreme Court case; on the condition that we don't talk about how he ended up on the streets or show you the tent he lives in.

VAN ORDEN: It's just not their business. I mean there may be aspects of their life that would fascinate me too, but I don't go ask them about it. The niceties of polite society apply to me, too.

LAVANDERA: Van Orden describes himself as a Robert Kennedy liberal, a strict believer of separating church and state. But he worries that people think he's anti-religion.

VAN ORDEN: I did not sue the 10 Commandments. I didn't sue Christianity or Judaism. I sued the government.

LAVANDERA: It is said arguing a case before the Supreme Court can be the professional pinnacle of an attorney's career. Van Orden will reach the peak on Wednesday but he won't be there to enjoy it. Another attorney will argue the case for him.

VAN ORDEN: I'll follow it on the news media.

LAVANDERA: Van Orden refused to let friends pay his way to Washington. Instead, he'll find out what happens from the law libraries where his legal journey started. Win or lose, he'll go back to his tent wherever it is to sleep.

Ed Lavandera, CNN, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: By the way, we have taken a poll on this for you. Our latest CNN "USA Today"/Gallup poll asked people about the display of 10 Commandments on government property. More than half of those questioned said such a monument would be appropriate on their state capitol building's grounds. One in five said it was inappropriate. About a quarter of the respondents said it just did not matter to them.

KAGAN: Wasn't that a good Ed Lavandera piece?

SANCHEZ: That was fascinating the way he put that together and found a man who's living on the streets and yet seemed brilliant.

KAGAN: Yes. We sit here, we see so much. And every once in a while a story comes along and surprises even us. So thank you, Ed, for that. Enjoyed it.

Well, they run and they exercise. But they are big and strong. But are they overweight?

SANCHEZ: Still to come, shedding some light on a place where some shedding may need to occur? The football field. We'll put it all together for you straight ahead.

KAGAN: And Gerri Willis is with us.

Hi, Ger.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN-FN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, guys. We're going to have the skinny on what's missing from your 401(k) when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: It's time for Gerri cam and Gerri tips. This week on our ""Top Five Tips," we are going to -- we're going to help you try and clean up your financial act. Today we will look at your 401(k). You may not be getting the very best return on your investment, which means you may need to pay attention to it.

Here is CNN's personal finance editor Gerri Willis with today's "Top Five Tips" on your particular nest egg.

And I guess we have got to begin with you've got to go in there and find out what you are missing. Right?

WILLIS: That's right. You know, Rick, the problem with 401(k)'s is the choices are often so limited that you can end up getting less money than you anticipated or should get. As a matter of fact, a recent study showed as much as 30 percent is how much people are not making in their 401(k) as that they could.

And here is the thing you need to look for. You want diversity in your mutual fund. Make sure there are small cap growth and value funds, large cap growth and value funds, international funds, international bond funds, bond funds. You have got to have a lot of diversity so you get the right mix of investments.

SANCHEZ: Because really it is about the mix, isn't it?

WILLIS: It's about the mix and depending on your age that depends on what kind of asset allocation you're going to have. Look, if you have got more than 10 years until retirement, you're going to have a lot of money in stocks. Maybe 70 percent stocks, 30 percent equities. If you are less than ten years away from retirement, it will be more like 60/40. Sixty equities or stocks, 40 bonds.

SANCHEZ: What if your 401(k) from your particular company does not offer up what you're looking for? Can you find it elsewhere to put your portfolio together?

WILLIS: Well, you're absolutely going to have to save outside the box, Rick. You're going to have to think about saving somewhere else to get what you need so you'll have the right mix. Think about opening a Roth IRA. You can set aside $4,000 a year pre-tax. And invest it say in that international bond fund or international equity fund that will balance out your retirement savings so you get the amount of money you need.

SANCHEZ: When I look at mine sometimes I'll see there's a trend with one particular mutual fund that just is not doing well. In fact, sometimes it has not been doing well for months and months. Should I do something about it? Get out, put it in something else? Or when should I make that decision?

WILLIS: Well, you have got to know when to fold them, Rick. It's like Kenny Rogers says, right? The rule of thumb here is that if you have a fund that is under performing its peers for two years or more, you have got to kick it out of the 401(k).

How do you know that? Well, go to money.com or morningstar.com. They will tell you how your funds are performing compared to peers. And that's the critical measure you want to look at when determining just how well they're doing.

SANCHEZ: But the bottom line, of course, with investing is don't be a nitpicker, right? I mean you have got to stick to your guns with this stuff.

WILLIS: Absolutely. You know, too many people trade in and out of funds as if, you know, it were a game. It's not. 401(k) investing is a serious thing. You want to give those funds time to percolate. Really invest, get going.

So, sure check in on your 401(k) once a year if your retirement is years away. If it's closer maybe once a year. And make sure that asset allocation continues to be right. You know, Rick, one of the problem people run into, stocks may go on a terum (ph). Before you know it, you don't have a 70/30 mix, you have a 90/10 mix stocks versus bonds.

So you have got to make sure to reallocate your assets, make sure it's the mix that you want. And stick to your guns.

SANCHEZ: Yes. So, look at it, change it if you have to, but only if there's a long trend or pattern. And for the most part, leave it the heck alone.

WILLIS: You got it.

SANCHEZ: Got it. Gerri Willis, thank you for that.

WILLIS: You're welcome.

KAGAN: There is a search for a killer going on in Chicago. In our next half hour, are police any closer to killing -- to finding that killer? New details are emerging.

SANCHEZ: This as authorities try to find out who killed a federal judge's husband and her mother? She discovered it when she came home one day.

KAGAN: Well, it's the suspect in the BTK case, how his arrest has shocked and saddened those who have called him a friend.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired March 2, 2005 - 10:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR: We are going to pick up on that story you guys are following out of Madrid and any possible links to any potential attack here in our own country. We're going to break for you.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: Right now, let's take a look at what's happening now in the news.

Is there a connection between last year's Madrid train bombing and a possible plot against Grand Central Station? A Spanish newspaper reports a suspect in the Madrid attack apparently had a sketch of the New York rail station. The picture and information about the terminal were found on a computer disk after the Madrid bombing.

Smoke rises from one of two suicide car bombings in Baghdad today. Thirteen people were killed, at least 30 others wounded. The first attack hit an army recruitment center. The second an Iraqi military convoy.

In other Baghdad violence, a judge and his lawyer son were killed by insurgents. The judge was with the Iraqi tribunal that will hear the case against Saddam Hussein.

In the Congo, U.N. peacekeepers launched a ground and air assault against militia that have terrorized and looted villages. At least 50 suspected militiamen were killed. The fighting took place in the area where nine Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed last week. Three militia fighters have been arrested in those deaths.

And Pope John Paul II skipped his regular Wednesday audience with the faithful. Vatican officials say the pontiff needs to rest and is working on regaining his ability to speak. John Paul appeared at his hospital window on Sunday, three days after his tracheotomy. The Vatican's next medical bulletin is due tomorrow.

KAGAN: A good Wednesday morning to you.

SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez.

We're going to start with a developing story. And what we are talking about is potential terrorism this morning, a reported discovery in Spain, and a possible connection to New York's Grand Central Station. A newspaper in Madrid reports that the suspect in the bombings from last March had in his apartment detailed sketches of what appeared to be New York's busiest commuter center. Much of the information is sketchy, we should tell you. Some is still coming in.

So let's get you what we know. And to do that CNN's Madrid bureau chief Al Goodman is joining us. He's via videophone from Madrid.

Good morning, Al.

AL GOODMAN, CNN MADRID BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Rick. Well, this is the newspaper story from "El Mundo" that started this round of information today. Reporting basically an alleged terrorist plot against New York's Grand Central Station. However, a Spanish police source here in Madrid has told CNN that the newspaper report appears not relevant, and appears to have several inaccuracies.

For example, the Spanish police source says that while "El Mundo" is saying there was a detailed drawing or sketch of Grand Central Station, that police here who have seen it think that maybe you couldn't say that was Grand Central Station. Maybe, possibly it looks somewhat like the front entrance.

The newspaper says there was also extensive computer information about Grand Central Station. Again, the police source saying the Spanish police don't give that much credence.

And on the bigger subject of whether suspects in the Madrid train bombing of last March 11, that horrendous train bombing here that killed 191 people. Whether some suspects in that case were linked to this possible plot against Grand Central Station, the police source telling CNN here that you really can't make draw that connection -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Al, you can't help but wonder, after listening to this, if this information was garnished by the folks there in Spain a month after the attacks. Wouldn't it be logical to assume that U.S. intelligence officials have already been advised of this and have vetted it as best, I imagine, as they can?

GOODMAN: Well, Rick, we did talk to a U.S. Embassy official in Madrid who did confirm that in December, last December, just a few months ago, Spanish law enforcement authorities did pass information on to U.S. law enforcement authorities about Grand Central Station. But the embassy official would not get into how important or not that information was.

What the Spanish prosecutor's office has said is that there is ongoing contact between the Spanish law enforcement agencies and U.S. agencies about terrorists, about terrorist movements. Because it's logical that it's in the interest of both nations to keep both nations informed.

But on the basis of this "El Mundo" report, in this newspaper, the substance of it, according to the Spanish police that we talked to saying they are really not giving it too much credence -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: That's good to know. Al Goodman following the story for us, getting us the very latest detail there. He is our Madrid correspondent.

Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

KAGAN: To Baghdad now. Dozens of Iraqis are dead or wounded after separate car bombings target security forces in the capitol.

Let's get the latest from CNN's senior international correspondent Nic Robertson -- Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INT'L. CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn. Well, the first of those attacks came at about 7:00 a.m. in the morning in Baghdad. The target of the attack was an Iraqi training facility. There were Iraqi army recruits lining up outside waiting to get in at 7:00 in the morning, when according to police a suicide bomber driving a white vehicle drove up, detonated his explosives, killing six, wounding 28.

But the police say that the death toll and the casualty toll could have been far higher if it had not have been for the high concrete security barriers that were placed around the entrance to the army camp.

Also about two hours after that, there was another attack against the Iraqi army. This time, an Iraqi army convoy driving through the south side of Baghdad was the target for another suicide bomber driving a car. He tried to ram that car into the convoy, according to police. Seven dead and two wounded in that particular attack.

Also the police over night last night, reporting that in the morning of Tuesday, yesterday, that an Iraqi judge working on the Iraqi Special Tribunal was gunned down outside his house along with his son, who is also a lawyer working on that special tribunal. The tribunal is special because that's a tribunal that will be trying Saddam Hussein and other senior Baathists here in Iraq -- Daryn.

KAGAN: And Nic, what is the status on that tribunal?

ROBERTSON: It has already begun its work. What makes this particular attack on this particular judge very interesting is that he was gunned down within 24 hours of the special tribunal hearing its first case. The first case was the -- with referral stage of Saddam Hussein's half brother and Iraq's former vice president, Barzan al Tikriti and Iraq's former Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan.

Both referred by this court for trial in the next few months. For they stand accused of crimes against humanity for their involvement in the brutal repression of an assassination attempt against Saddam Hussein in 1982.

So the very timing of this assassination of this judge, Barwez Mohammed Mahmoud, the police don't draw too many conclusions that he was involved because he was involved in the tribunal; that that's why he was killed.

They say he was an important Kurdish politician as well. But a lot of people here, Daryn, drawing that connection.

The tribunal starts 24 hours later. A judge -- a senior judge associated with the tribunal killed -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Nic Robertson live from Baghdad. Nic, thank you.

SANCHEZ: Elsewhere in the Middle East, Syria's president says he will soon begin pulling Syrian troops out of Lebanon. This is a vow in an interview with CNN's sister publication "Time" magazine. Now, it comes amid some growing anti-Syrian protests around the world and in Lebanon itself, as we have been showing you this last week.

CNN's senior international correspondent Brent Sadler is in Mukhtara, Lebanon with the latest on this.

Brent, to you.

BRENT SADLER, CNN SR. INT'L. CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Rick. You are seeing here people waiting outside a crucial opposition meeting that is taking place high in the Shouf Mountains of Lebanon, taking place in this remote outpost of one of the opposition leaders, Walid Jumblatt. Because he still fears for his life, he says should this meeting have taken place in the Lebanese capitol some two weeks after the assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Now, the opposition has welcomed Syria's statements through Bashir al Assad to "Time" magazine, saying that Syrian troop withdrawals could take place within months. But other people within the opposition here very skeptical about conflicting statements that have been coming out of Syria over the past 48 hours.

Now this situation, this political crisis in Lebanon has certainly grabbed the attention of the U.S. administration. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been making positive statements in Europe about this popular uprising, that just two days ago saw the collapse of the pro-Syrian Lebanese government here led by Omar Karami. That swept away in the face of a popular uprising, they're calling it the kind of thing that we saw in the Ukraine just a few months back.

And many people are likening this popular protest here to the kind of movement, people power that really saw dramatic changes in Eastern Europe back in the -- 20 years ago. So people here really galvanized, the opposition galvanized by what is being taking place. And tremendous pressure on Syria both here, on the Lebanese front with this opposition meeting now taking place, and at the international level led by the United States.

Back to you, Rick.

SANCHEZ: Just to underscore, Brent, this has been thus far a peaceful uprising, correct?

SADLER: Yes, it has been a peaceful uprising. But many, many Lebanese are fearful about what could happen next. This is a vacuum situation. The Middle East does not like vacuums. And people are concerned that while on the one hand Syria says it could withdraw troops, should withdraw troops, many Lebanese doubt that and are concerned that there could be further acts of violence in these unpredictable circumstances -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Senior international correspondent Brent Sadler, we thank you for that.

KAGAN: Keeping our eye on live events today, President Bush is live in Arnold, Maryland. He is at the Ann Arundel Community College. He's talking about job growth. One note, later today, President Bush at the White House will welcome the world champion Boston Red Sox.

SANCHEZ: Red Sox, White House.

KAGAN: There you go. Not the other way around.

SANCHEZ: Here is another big story that we have been following now for several days. To some he's a killer. To others, he's still just a friend.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Dennis that I knew never -- he'd probably never be out of jail again. So I'll never -- probably will never see him again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: A man whose friend is now accused of being the BTK killer.

KAGAN: Plus new details in the gruesome murders discovered by a Chicago judge.

SANCHEZ: And the 10 Commandments debate goes before the Supreme Court. But the lawyer behind the case will not be in court. We will explain why when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: And we welcome you back.

The Supreme Court today takes up the issue of the 10 Commandment displays on government property. The justices will hear two cases involving displays in Texas and in Kentucky.

Roy Moore lost his position as the Alabama chief justice last year; you remember this, after refusing to remove a 10 Commandments monument from a state courthouse. Moore has filed a brief with the Supreme Court in support of the Texas and the Kentucky displays now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROY MOORE, FMR. ALABAMA CHIEF JUSTICE: They will argue a historical context and minimal references to God and so forth. But they will not argue the sovereignty of God. And certainly it's my position, and the position of the First Amendment, in my opinion, that the acknowledgment of God, the sovereignty of God can be and should be allowed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Thomas Van Orden sued to have the 10 Commandments display removed from the Texas State capitol grounds, but attorney Van Orden will not be arguing his own case before the Supreme Court today.

CNN's Ed Lavandera has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Finding Thomas Van Orden takes time and patience. All we really know about him is that he spends time in libraries.

(on camera): That's the building where the state law library is and where Thomas Van Orden hangs out throughout much of the day. And just a few feet away is the monument of the 10 Commandments, which is just in the shadow of the state capitol here in Austin.

(voice-over): You would think if you wanted to talk to the lawyer, who sued the state of Texas to remove a 10 Commandments monument from public grounds, that you would pick up the phone and call him. But this lawyer does not have a phone, much less an assistant.

(on camera): We are told this is the area that Thomas Van Orden normally hangs out at in throughout the day.

(voice-over): These desks in the state law library are his office. No brass nameplates here, only a newspaper clipping on the wall with his picture.

(on camera): This is where he likes to have lunch that the day. So we will keep looking for him.

(voice-over): Eventually we end up at the University of Texas Law School.

(on camera): We think we have found Thomas Van Orden here at the UT Law School. He is in that room at the end of the hallway there and he's asleep. So we're going to wait for him to wake up.

THOMAS VAN ORDEN, ATTORNEY: I don't think I'm creating...

LAVANDERA (voice-over): A few minutes later he's awake and we go outside for an interview. It's impromptu and we quickly learn he is not your typical attorney.

VAN ORDEN: It's a little of a que sera-sera attitude, you know. I think we all go through life that way sometimes, you know?

LAVANDERA: For the last three years, Van Orden has been writing legal briefs and documents, filing and mailing the paperwork himself. It does not sound like a big deal, except Thomas Van Orden is homeless.

VAN ORDEN: Each day you are writing it's hard to get out of your find that all this is a joke. Because when you finish you don't have any money to make copies. And you don't have any money to send it to an office. That wears on you. It really does.

LAVANDERA: He agreed to share his story of how a homeless attorney, living off $150 a month in food stamps, spearheaded such a controversial Supreme Court case; on the condition that we don't talk about how he ended up on the streets or show you the tent he lives in.

VAN ORDEN: It's just not their business. I mean there may be aspects of their life that would fascinate me too, but I don't go ask them about it. The niceties of polite society apply to me, too.

LAVANDERA: Van Orden describes himself as a Robert Kennedy liberal, a strict believer of separating church and state. But he worries that people think he's anti-religion.

VAN ORDEN: I did not sue the 10 Commandments. I didn't sue Christianity or Judaism. I sued the government.

LAVANDERA: It is said arguing a case before the Supreme Court can be the professional pinnacle of an attorney's career. Van Orden will reach the peak on Wednesday but he won't be there to enjoy it. Another attorney will argue the case for him.

VAN ORDEN: I'll follow it on the news media.

LAVANDERA: Van Orden refused to let friends pay his way to Washington. Instead, he'll find out what happens from the law libraries where his legal journey started. Win or lose, he'll go back to his tent wherever it is to sleep.

Ed Lavandera, CNN, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: By the way, we have taken a poll on this for you. Our latest CNN "USA Today"/Gallup poll asked people about the display of 10 Commandments on government property. More than half of those questioned said such a monument would be appropriate on their state capitol building's grounds. One in five said it was inappropriate. About a quarter of the respondents said it just did not matter to them.

KAGAN: Wasn't that a good Ed Lavandera piece?

SANCHEZ: That was fascinating the way he put that together and found a man who's living on the streets and yet seemed brilliant.

KAGAN: Yes. We sit here, we see so much. And every once in a while a story comes along and surprises even us. So thank you, Ed, for that. Enjoyed it.

Well, they run and they exercise. But they are big and strong. But are they overweight?

SANCHEZ: Still to come, shedding some light on a place where some shedding may need to occur? The football field. We'll put it all together for you straight ahead.

KAGAN: And Gerri Willis is with us.

Hi, Ger.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN-FN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, guys. We're going to have the skinny on what's missing from your 401(k) when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: It's time for Gerri cam and Gerri tips. This week on our ""Top Five Tips," we are going to -- we're going to help you try and clean up your financial act. Today we will look at your 401(k). You may not be getting the very best return on your investment, which means you may need to pay attention to it.

Here is CNN's personal finance editor Gerri Willis with today's "Top Five Tips" on your particular nest egg.

And I guess we have got to begin with you've got to go in there and find out what you are missing. Right?

WILLIS: That's right. You know, Rick, the problem with 401(k)'s is the choices are often so limited that you can end up getting less money than you anticipated or should get. As a matter of fact, a recent study showed as much as 30 percent is how much people are not making in their 401(k) as that they could.

And here is the thing you need to look for. You want diversity in your mutual fund. Make sure there are small cap growth and value funds, large cap growth and value funds, international funds, international bond funds, bond funds. You have got to have a lot of diversity so you get the right mix of investments.

SANCHEZ: Because really it is about the mix, isn't it?

WILLIS: It's about the mix and depending on your age that depends on what kind of asset allocation you're going to have. Look, if you have got more than 10 years until retirement, you're going to have a lot of money in stocks. Maybe 70 percent stocks, 30 percent equities. If you are less than ten years away from retirement, it will be more like 60/40. Sixty equities or stocks, 40 bonds.

SANCHEZ: What if your 401(k) from your particular company does not offer up what you're looking for? Can you find it elsewhere to put your portfolio together?

WILLIS: Well, you're absolutely going to have to save outside the box, Rick. You're going to have to think about saving somewhere else to get what you need so you'll have the right mix. Think about opening a Roth IRA. You can set aside $4,000 a year pre-tax. And invest it say in that international bond fund or international equity fund that will balance out your retirement savings so you get the amount of money you need.

SANCHEZ: When I look at mine sometimes I'll see there's a trend with one particular mutual fund that just is not doing well. In fact, sometimes it has not been doing well for months and months. Should I do something about it? Get out, put it in something else? Or when should I make that decision?

WILLIS: Well, you have got to know when to fold them, Rick. It's like Kenny Rogers says, right? The rule of thumb here is that if you have a fund that is under performing its peers for two years or more, you have got to kick it out of the 401(k).

How do you know that? Well, go to money.com or morningstar.com. They will tell you how your funds are performing compared to peers. And that's the critical measure you want to look at when determining just how well they're doing.

SANCHEZ: But the bottom line, of course, with investing is don't be a nitpicker, right? I mean you have got to stick to your guns with this stuff.

WILLIS: Absolutely. You know, too many people trade in and out of funds as if, you know, it were a game. It's not. 401(k) investing is a serious thing. You want to give those funds time to percolate. Really invest, get going.

So, sure check in on your 401(k) once a year if your retirement is years away. If it's closer maybe once a year. And make sure that asset allocation continues to be right. You know, Rick, one of the problem people run into, stocks may go on a terum (ph). Before you know it, you don't have a 70/30 mix, you have a 90/10 mix stocks versus bonds.

So you have got to make sure to reallocate your assets, make sure it's the mix that you want. And stick to your guns.

SANCHEZ: Yes. So, look at it, change it if you have to, but only if there's a long trend or pattern. And for the most part, leave it the heck alone.

WILLIS: You got it.

SANCHEZ: Got it. Gerri Willis, thank you for that.

WILLIS: You're welcome.

KAGAN: There is a search for a killer going on in Chicago. In our next half hour, are police any closer to killing -- to finding that killer? New details are emerging.

SANCHEZ: This as authorities try to find out who killed a federal judge's husband and her mother? She discovered it when she came home one day.

KAGAN: Well, it's the suspect in the BTK case, how his arrest has shocked and saddened those who have called him a friend.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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