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CNN Saturday Morning News

New Congress Sworn In; Interview with Congressman John Campbell; Interview with Congressman Eliot Engel; Rape Victim Uses Social Media Against Attackers; Pro-Gun Rights Activist Criticizes Proposed Gun Control Laws; Craftsmen Make Model Planes Based on Superman and Super Girl

Aired January 05, 2013 - 10:00   ET

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

RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: From CNN headquarters in Atlanta, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

"Partisan," "unpopular," "ineffective," just some of the words used to describe congress. All morning long, we'll go in focus on whether the House of Representatives is more like a House of cards.

It's the case outraging the nation, a girl's brutal rape celebrated on tape by her attackers. But it isn't the first time social media has played a role in a sexual assault.

"I am not your peasant," why one marine sent that message to Senator Dianne Feinstein and how his letter went viral.

Good morning, everyone, I'm Randi Kaye. It is 10:00 on the east coast, 7:00 a.m. out west. Glad you're with us.

We start with a bombshell from Lance Armstrong. "The New York Times" says that he is ready to admit to doping. In the report, sources close to Armstrong say he's considering it because he wants to persuade anti-doping officials to allow him to get back into professional cycling. But Armstrong's attorney tells CNN that his client is not in talks with U.S. or world doping agencies.

On the phone now is Peter Flax, editor-in-chief of "bicycling" magazine. Peter, good morning to you. So first off, your reaction to this. I mean, would this admission be a part of a bigger negotiation perhaps?

PETER FLAX, EDITOR IN CHIEF, "BICYCLING" MAGAZINE: Yes. My sources also indicate that Armstrong and some of his representatives have been reaching out to people at the U.S. anti-doping agency, at the U.S. justice department and some of the individuals that might have financial claims against him. And he's really seeing if he can negotiate a situation where he could make a confession. And if that happened, even though I've known the accusations to be true for a couple of years at least, there would be a shocking thing to finally see him come out and make that admission.

KAYE: So, but I guess the question is, he's had so much time over the years to do this. Why now do you think? FLAX: Well, I think in the last six months he's really seen just how bad his situation could get. That he's been forced to step down from his leadership role in his charity Live Strong. He's been banned from competing as a triathlete. And I think he realizes now that the best path forward for shim to admit what he did and start taking steps to rehabilitating his legacy.

KAYE: What would this mean for his titles? Those titles were taken away. I'm assuming that he will not get those back.

FLAX: Yes. I would be really shocked if somehow this ended up with him returning a seven-time tour de France champion. But I think in the past the anti-doping agencies have offered more lenient penalties for people who offer a full confession. So I could imagine that he -- he could negotiate on being able to return as an elite triathlete. And have some of his early results held up. So it -- you know, it depends on what he negotiates and exactly what he confesses to.

KAYE: Yes. Whether or not he confesses, this of course also involves the justice department, right?

FLAX: Yes. There's a whistleblower suit that presently one ex-teammate of his, Floyd Landis, is in. It hasn't been clear yet whether the justice department is going to join that case. I think he would have to negotiate or have assurances in advance that the Justice Department isn't going to get involved. Otherwise there could be criminal implications for Lance if he made a full admission now.

And there's also claims that could total into the tens of millions of dollars, and I'm sure that right now they're trying to figure out exactly what kind of financial exposure they could negotiate. Lance has a lot of money, and I think they're trying to see if this was something they could negotiate.

KAYE: Why is it so important for him to return to cycling, and what would it mean if he came back?

FLAX: To clarify, I don't think he'll be returning to professional cycling but to professional triathlon. And I think within the professional cycling world they're looking at this as a positive thing because everybody wants to put the Lance Armstrong situation behind them. This feels like it could be the last chapter. I think he's a guy who's been in the limelight for his entire adult life. And you know, he's an athlete who's super competitive. And I think the way this played out where he wasn't able to compete has been possibly the hardest thing of this last six months. That, you know -- he wants to get back out there and win races. And I think he's trying to negotiate that.

KAYE: Does this help his legacy?

FLAX: It doesn't hurt. I think he's at a low point now, and I think either way in a decade or two he won't seem as much a pariah as he does now. In terms of him being able to get back with his Live Strong Foundation, you know, he needs to be a visible figure and being a professional athlete is what he knows how to do best. So I think in that regard in the short term, if he's able to return to sport that would help him in that way.

KAYE: Peter Flax, the editor-in-chief of "Bicycling" magazine, thank you very much.

FLAX: Nice to be here.

KAYE: Now the next step in president Obama's big cabinet shakeup. Sources tell CNN that the president is likely to nominate Republican Chuck Hagel as defense secretary next week. Hagel is a former Republican senator from Nebraska who retired in 2009. The president explained why he is behind Hagel on "Meet the Press."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, (D) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Not that I see. I'm served with Chuck Hagel. I know him. He's a patriot. He is somebody who has done extraordinary work both in the United States Senate, somebody who served this country with valor in Vietnam, and is somebody who's currently serving on my intelligence advisory board and doing an outstanding job. So I haven't made a decision on this. With respect to the particular comment that you quoted, he apologized for it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: The president is referring to anti-gay remarks Hagel made in the past, remarks that this ad in "The New York Times" points out. The ad from the Log Cabin Republicans also mentions other criticisms of Hagel. He has opposed sanctions again Iran, and some say that he's been less than emphatic about his support for Israel.

We saw it with the fiscal cliff, now the Capitol Hill confrontations over the debt ceiling are expected to get as intense if not worse. The debt ceiling is the legal limit on the nation's borrowing. In his weekly address, the president says he is taking a hard line on the issue.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: One thing I will not compromise over is whether or not Congress should pay the tab for the Bill they've already racked up. If Congress refuses to give the United States the ability to pay its bills on time, the consequences for the entire global economy could be catastrophic. The last time Congress threatened this course of action, our entire economy suffered for it. Our families and our businesses cannot afford that dangerous game again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: As you would expect, Republicans are also drawing a line. Despite approving the fiscal cliff compromise, GOP lawmakers say it was missing something monumental -- long-term spending cuts. Here's a clip of their weekly address.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) REP. DAVE CAMP, (R) MICHIGAN: The simple truth is that we are in this fiscal mess because Washington takes too much of your money and then wastes it. That's the real problem and needs a real solution. We have to make sure Washington is accountable for every tax dollar it spends. We have to make sure that your money is spent efficiently and effectively.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: In Venezuela officials say president Hugo Chavez has a severe lung infection and is "fighting for his health" right now. Despite rumors that the 58-year-old won't be able to be inaugurated to his fourth term next week, the vice president says Chavez can always take the oath at a later time.

Famed Italian designer Vitorio Mussoni, his family, and four other people were aboard a small plane that has disappeared off the coast of the Venezuela. Italian media say the plane went missing Friday morning shortly after takeoff over the Venezuela's Loroquez islands. Officials say the family has been informed while search and rescue efforts continue.

New details emerging about the fatal gang rape of a 23-year-old medical student in New Delhi, a horrific crime that led to protests in India. The victim's male friend, who was also attacked, is speaking out for the first time about this. Here's what he told Reuters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: From where we boarded the bus, they took us around for two, two-and-a-half hours, across overpasses, through all of Delhi. Then they dropped us below an overpass. Then they tried to run over us. We had no clothes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: So far, five men have been charged with murder, rape, and kidnapping in this case. They are scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

In the U.S., another rape case is making headlines. In Steubenville, Ohio, two high school football players are accused of raping a classmate at a party earlier this year. The social media response has taken a life of its own. Hacker activist group Anonymous has released information on those they believe are involved in the assault. They've also planned a rally scheduled to start a few hours from now, their second in a week. In regards to their release of information, the county sheriff has made his outrage clear.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHERIFF FRED ABDALLA, JEFFERSON COUNTY, OHIO: Now listen, Anonymous, whoever's out there, you could say whatever you want to say about me, but when you start attacking children and putting their names out where everybody can see it and their addresses, then I'm coming after you. Anonymous, you're watching it -- I'm coming after you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: We'll go live to Steubenville for much more on this story at the bottom of the hour.

A new Congress with the same old problems. Coming up, I'll talk to two congressional veterans to see if it's possible to get the House back on track, or is the fighting we've become so used to just something we have to live with?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: It was all in the family as senators took the oath of office for the 113th Congress on Thursday. Some senators like Kirsten Gillibrand of New York held their children as they raised their hand in front of Vice President Joe Biden. They're getting in on the act there. Her son certainly not making things easy as we see there, playing with her hair. At some one point Biden picked up the four-year-old daughter of Ted Cruz, from Texas. She was overwhelmed by all this ceremony.

All right, to politics now, we've got a new beginning but an old problem. Partisanship and in-fighting have become the norm in congress. Somehow, work still has to get done. We saw how long it took to get a fiscal cliff deal done. Not very pretty, was it? And now Congress has to get a debt deal done and work on the spending cuts from the last crisis. The broken Congress is our focus this morning.

And joining me now is veteran congressman John Campbell, a Republican in from California's 48th district. Welcome, sir. How are you?

REP. JOHN CAMPBELL, (R) CALIFORNIA: Good morning, Randi. I'm fine.

KAYE: Good. Let's start with that fiscal cliff deal. You were one of the no votes. And this is how you described it -- "I personally hate it. The speaker the day after the election said we would give on taxes, and we have, but we wanted spending cuts. This bill has spending increases. Are you kidding me?" First off, are you surprised that it passed the House?

CAMPBELL: No, I guess I'm not because clearly what was it -- 95 percent of the Democrats in the House voted for it. I wasn't that surprised. It only took a few Republicans -- I think about 35 percent of Republicans voted for it. But if 10 percent had voted for it or 15 percent, it still would have passed.

This is unfortunately, Randi, what's gotten us into the problem that we have is that when you -- when all you do is spend more money and do a lot more special interest tax breaks and different things like that, everybody wins except the deficit. And the deficit is what loses. And that's why we've done this for years now, almost arguably decades. And this is what's creating this gigantic deficit and this gigantic debt. And eventually this is going to explode on us. We have to stop doing it. It's the popular thing to do, what was done last week, but it's not the right thing to do.

KAYE: Yes. But even with your criticism of Speaker Boehner, you still supported him, right, to remain speaker.

CAMPBELL: Yes, I did. And --

KAYE: Why is that?

CAMPBELL: My wife doesn't agree -- my wife doesn't agree with everything that I do, Randi, but we've been married for 33 years. So I didn't agree with what the speaker did on this decision, this agreement. But he's our speaker. I've agreed with a lot of what he's done. As you mentioned coming into this, we have a big challenge ahead in the next 60 days.

KAYE: Talking about the debt ceiling, the speaker said he's not going to be doing negotiating with the president anymore. With the cliff behind us and debt ahead of us and the sequester, do Republicans really have any bargaining power left do you think?

CAMPBELL: Sure, because we have this debt limit. Right now the president's bargaining power in the last few months has been that all we cared about was "protecting tax cuts for the rich." That issue is off the table now.

And so what we're trying to do is reduce the deficit, stop the spending, reform the entitlements in order to reduce costs but also to save them. Only one-third of Medicare is paid for by Medicare taxes. The rest is borrowed every single day. This can't go on. It's not speculation that it can't go on. The only three countries that have a greater debt-to-GDP ratio than us is Greece, Spain, and Japan. And what's happened in all three of those countries the outcome is bad and the outcome for us will be bad. I'm not sure how and when it will manifest itself, but it will be bad. We have to get it under control and under control now. And I think that's an argument that most of the American people understands and support us.

KAYE: Let me ask you about a comment made by Republican Senator John Cornyn. He says the next step for Republicans may be partially shutting down the government. Is that really the way that Republicans are thinking?

CAMPBELL: We don't want to do that, but I can tell you from the perspective of this Republican, if that's what we have to do in order to get the savings that we need to save this country from the debt crisis that absolutely will come in the future, then this Republican is willing to do that. I'm willing to go over that limit and suffer that consequence, which will be of a time of our choosing and totally controllable by us, than let this situation go on for a much worse and greater crisis sometime down the road at a time not of our choosing when we have no ability to stop it.

KAYE: And finally let me ask you about "Business Week's" label of Congress calling all of you babies. Would you like to respond to that that?

CAMPBELL: Unfortunately I guess I didn't read that article, so I'm not quite sure why we're babies. If they're saying because of some of the -- as you when you got into this alluded to, the infighting, there's been bad legislation that's been unanimous. I think the public deserves a vigorous debate. And I think I have to defend my positions, Democrats have to defend theirs. And I don't think there's anything wrong with vigorous debate.

Now, in the end, we have to do something. We can't just debate and have no accomplishments. And that's been the problem of late. But there's nothing wrong with the vigorous debate. If that's what they're calling us babies for, I don't agree with that. If you're calling us babies because we haven't had the courage to do the things popular or unpopular that we need do to get this debt or deficit under control, then I'd probably agree with it.

KAYE: California Congressman John Campbell, thank you very much.

CAMPBELL: Thank you so much.

KAYE: Up next, we get the other side's view. New York Democrat Eliot Engel on the dysfunction in the House and the confusion over super- storm Sandy relief.

But first, trivia for all of you political junkies watching this morning. Which speaker of the House later became president of the United States? If you know the answer, tweet me, @RandiKayeCNN. No Googling or cheating. Be first to tweet me.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: Before the break I asked if you knew the answer to this question -- which speaker of the House later became president of the United States? Drumroll, please. The answer is James Polk. He remains the only president who served as speaker. Big congratulations to Kevin for being the first one to tweet the right answer. Way to go.

We are taking the pulse of Congress this morning, trying to get a handle on whether the new Congress will be any different from the old one. Moments ago I talked with California Republican John Campbell. And joining me now is New York Democrat congressman Eliot Engel. Good morning to you.

REP. ELIOT ENGEL, (D) NEW YORK: Good morning.

KAYE: So let's start with the fiscal cliff deal, passed on Tuesday. For the record, you voted for that deal. Were you happy with it?

ENGEL: Well, it was a compromise. In a compromise you don't get everything that you want. I think this was the best we could get under the circumstances. It shouldn't go down to the last minute. Unfortunately, this is what happens. We feel there are a lot of ideologues on the Republican side who don't understand that when there is a crisis, you have to move to the middle and find common ground. But we did it, and now we live to fight another day. And in two more months we have another battle. I would hope that in the future we could have a permanent agreement, a grand plan so to speak so we wouldn't be having to come back every two months and have another crisis. KAYE: So why should we believe given what we've witnessed in Washington over the fiscal cliff, why should we believe that a debt ceiling deal is even possible? I mean, how ugly is that going to get?

ENGEL: Well, it has the potential to get very ugly. I mean, from my vantage point, you have ideologues on the other side who have an attitude of my way or the highway, particularly the Tea Party people who feel that they don't want to do any compromising. I almost feel sorry for Speaker Boehner. He has a tiger by the tail. He has people in his own conference that won't listen to him. You saw by the vote he barely got enough votes that he need to get reelected as speaker. And I think he's going to have a tough time.

KAYE: The House approved the aid package for super-storm Sandy victims just yesterday. Not the whole aid package, a partial version of it. What does that mean to you and your constituents?

ENGEL: Well, you know, super-storm Sandy was a terrible thing that happened to the northeast. And you know, in the last 20 years, this is the longest it's taken for Congress to step in and give aid in a time of national emergency. And that's why we were outraged on Tuesday evening when Speaker Boehner pulled the bill, which meant it died in the last congress. Now we have to re-pass it in pieces and then send it ever to the Senate and have them once again pass it in pieces.

We're hurting. We need help. New York has traditionally been a donor state. We give more money to the federal government than we get back. I have voted for every other natural disaster that's happened all across the country. And now it's our turn. And so I hope that the speaker doesn't play political games. We passed a piece just yesterday of flood insurance. And now we've got to pass the major pieces, which the speaker says, will pass on the 15th. But it's a push, and we have to make sure that it's done right.

KAYE: And switching gears here, we've been talking this morning about Senator Chuck Hagel. No secret you're not a fan of his. Certainly haven't been. What is your reaction to what many say is his imminent nomination to be secretary of defense?

ENGEL: Look, the president of the United States has the right to support whomever he feels is best. And there will be a hearing in the Senate and confirmation hearing, and they'll make the decision. People have expressed some concerns, but the president's the guy. He's the one who makes the decisions.

KAYE: What are your concerns?

ENGEL: Well, there are certain things that the -- that Mr. Hagel said when he was a senator, both in terms of Iran and Israel. There's been some things that he's mentioned in terms of slur involving someone who's gay. But, look, he's entitled to go through the Senate and have a confirmation. And everything comes out in the confirmation hearings. I support the president's right to nominate whomever he sees fit. And let's see what happens with the Senate hearings.

KAYE: Congressman Eliot Engel, great to chat with you. Thank you. ENGEL: Thank you. Thank you very much.

KAYE: A crime that has shaken an entire community. Now social media taking center stage in the rape case in Steubenville, Ohio. We'll take you there live. We'll also hear from the victim of another sexual assault who got her own justice online.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: Welcome back, everyone. I'm Randi Kaye. Glad you're with us.

Lance Armstrong may be on the verge of crossing a line he has spent years avoiding. "The New York Times" is reporting that Armstrong is thinking about confessing to doping. Armstrong's attorney denies Armstrong is in discussions with U.S. or world anti-doping agencies about making the move. It's been a little more than two months since the athlete was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles for taking performance enhancing drugs, an act that he for now continues to deny. But multiple people say they witnessed Armstrong dope, including a former teammate who spoke to CNN last year.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TYLER HAMILTON, FORMER TEAMMATE OF LANCE ARMSTRONG: What I do know is, yes, back in '99, there was a positive test for cortisone that was covered up with a back-dated prescription. You're allowed to take cortisone if you have a prescription for it.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: So Lance Armstrong got tested positive for cortisone and got a doctor, fake prescription, a doctor to back date a prescription saying --

HAMILTON: A backdated prescription, correct. Correct. And the UCI knew it was going on. They allowed this backdated prescription, you know, to happen.

COOPER: What do you want to say to Lance Armstrong?

HAMILTON: You know, did he call us liars? No, probably not. You know, he's got some -- you know, I understand it's hard. I lied for a long, long time. And you start believing some of your lies. He's got himself backed into a corner. You know, I feel -- I feel for the guy. But I know speaking from what I went through, coming out and telling the truth, it feels great. You know, people will eventually forgive Lance Armstrong. And he's a hero to many. And sure, he's disappointed some people, but, again, people will forgive.

COOPER: I'm curious to know when you look at him -- honestly, after reading this report and the details of it, the evidence is just -- it is overwhelming. And you know, suddenly I would see a picture and was looking at him in a different way. I'm wondering when you see him, what do you see? Do you see a hero?

HAMILTON: Maybe I'm not the best person to answer that question. You know, Lance and I have been through a lot together. He's, you know -- he tried to intimidate me a year and a half ago in a restaurant in Aspen, Colorado. You know, I'm definitely not his biggest fan. So maybe you should ask somebody else.

COOPER: OK.

HAMILTON: I don't --

COOPER: Fair enough.

HAMILTON: I don't care to say anything to Lance.

COOPER: It's interesting, though. You feel like when you did come forward that a weight was lifted?

HAMILTON: Anderson, it was huge. It was huge. I had been lying since my positive test back in 2004. You know, part of the reason for lying was to protect -- to continue with the code of silence within the Pelatone, the top tier of cycling in Europe. I believed that was my only way back into the sport after I served my suspension.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: There are new developments in the Ohio rape case that has torn apart the small town of Steubenville. The lawyer for one of the high school football players accused of raping a 16-year-old during a night of partying back in August says the victim, alleged victim, sent him a text message. CNN national correspondent Susan Candiotti is live in Steubenville. Susan, good morning. You're learning this information exclusively from the attorney for one of the accused, Trent Mays, who you spoke with. What did the message allegedly say?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Randi. Yes, the alleged text message from the 16-year-old girl who police say was raped in this case reads, quote, "I don't think you raped me." Now that is according to the lawyer for the 16-year-old boy Trent Mays, the attacker. He was the one that allegedly received this text.

Now, he has not shown us the text. And we also don't know, Randi, whether there were other texts that preceded this or followed it or what the tone was. We also don't know the -- actually we hear the timing of this, which is also interesting. According to the lawyer, this text message was sent two days after the parties took place.

However, let's remember the context of this. We've seen that blurred photograph, a photograph that was taken of -- according to the liars -- both of their clients carrying this girl who appears to be limp, carrying her by her hands and legs. And there was testimony at a hearing in October that said that this girl was unconscious most of the night and very, very drunk. Of course we went to the victim -- alleged victim's attorney and asked him about the text message. While he wouldn't confirm it, he did say this --

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BOB FITZSIMMONS, ATTORNEY FOR ALLEGED OHIO RAPE VICTIM: This young girl was unconscious. So she wouldn't have the ability to know whether she was raped or not on the day after or two days after, three, whatever the timing of that was. We also don't know whether the defendants were texting trying to coerce or talk people into making statements and trying to build up a defense for themselves after they started realizing this thing kind of unfolded.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: Now, we have reached out to the attorney general who is in charge of the prosecution, Mike DeWine for the state of Ohio, and he has not gotten back to us to comment on the alleged text message.

KAYE: And Susan, the alleged victim may have been unconscious, but there are other witnesses who describe what they claim happened, right? You spoke with the accused's lawyer. We have an interview with him.

CANDIOTTI: That's right. We can tell you that at that -- again, at that hearing back in October, three students testified for prosecutors. And at least one testified that he saw the girl being assaulted. The defense lawyer for Trent Mays says a rape did not occur. And he also claims this -- he claims that that witness and other witnesses in this case were given letters by prosecutors saying that they would not be prosecuted for anything that they did. Some of these boys took pictures and videotapes of what happened that night but then deleted them. The attorney general has flatly denied to us that any deals were made. Randi?

KAYE: Susan Candiotti for us in Steubenville, Ohio. Susan, thank you.

Social media's role in rape cases are not a new thing. Not too long ago a similar incident happened to Louisville, Kentucky, teenager Savannah Dietrich.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It happened inside this modest home in Louisville, Kentucky. Savannah Dietrich was 16 at the time that her life took a detour.

SAVANNAH DIETRICH, VICTIM USED SOCIAL MEDIA AGAINST ATTACKERS: I was unconscious on the kitchen floor.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She had been drinking heavily with a group of friends --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: Those pictures resulted in the two teen boys in her case being accused of felony sexual assault. But the series of events that happened next surprised just about everyone. Savannah joins me live from Louisville, Kentucky. Savannah, thank you for being here. Good morning to you. You say that the prosecutor in the case came to you and said jail for these boys, in your case, was simply out of the question. First of all, why?

DIETRICH: They just assured me that jail wasn't really likely for kids our age and it's just -- it wasn't that -- it just -- they weren't real rapists and jail is for like real rapists, real murderers, real robbers. It was almost like he was making my crime seem -- my assault seem so much less serious than what it was. And I just -- my prosecutor, honestly, I just don't think he was on my side.

KAYE: So he didn't seem them as so-called "real rapists." What was the sentence that the boys received?

DIETRICH: They got 50 hours of community service to do with -- it was 50 or 100 hours of community service to deal with women's -- associated with women. And then they had to go through the department of juvenile justice until 21 instead of for a year and a half.

KAYE: You obviously were not OK with. You were outraged. What did you do next?

DIETRICH: Well, what I did was after that, after I figured out that they were pleading guilty, and I figured out they were pleading guilty the day I went to court and they were pleading guilty, they put an order over me not to talk about anything that happened because they were juveniles and juvenile cases are confidential. And I was completely outraged. That wasn't right. What was -- to me, I felt trapped, I felt like I was taken advantage of. What better way to get the message across to people that they can't do -- they can't walk over to me and walk over me then to go out --

KAYE: Right. Let me get to what do you hear, because you violated a court order by revealing the identity of these teen boys. Do you see how some might say it sets a dangerous precedent here? Are you OK still with what you did?

DIETRICH: I can see that. It's just I think my rights in this situation comes before the boys' rights. But for every situation there's a different outcome. For me I just believe that this was the appropriate way to go about it. I was sending the message across that I can say my attackers' names and I can tell anybody about it. It's my right, and it was my right to reach out to my friends and tell them what happened.

KAYE: A lot of people saw it on twitter as a result. I'm sure you've been following the Steubenville, Ohio, case. Certainly a lot of social media coming into play there. There were emails and cell phone video and videotapes going out, being exposed on YouTube and Twitter and everywhere else. What are your impressions of how social media is playing out in that case in?

DIETRICH: In this case, I think -- I feel so disgusted by how these kids have handled this. I don't understand how people can think something like a crime like this is so funny. It's -- for the girl honestly, I know it's affected her. But it's made her case a slam-dunk case because once something goes out on the internet, it's never done. Whenever you send a text, you forward -- send out pictures or even take a picture, it can't be deleted, and that's going to help her. In the long run, you can't actually delete them. And the same with the pictures that were taken of me, they'll never actually be deleted.

KAYE: Savannah Dietrich, thank you so much for sharing your story with us. You're courageous to do so. Appreciate that. DIETRICH: Thank you for having me.

KAYE: A dramatic story of survival, two Arizona teens trapped on a frozen lake with nothing but a dead tree to save them. You're watching CNN SATURDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAYE: It's 44 minutes past the hour now. Welcome back, everyone. The only thing between two Arizona teens and the bottom of an icy lake was that dead tree you were looking at there. They hung on to it for four hours in 20-degree weather after the ice around them started cracking. Firefighters came to the rescue and later the boys thanked the firefighters and promised never to explore any more frozen lakes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dear firefighters, thank you very much for helping me and my friends be able to get back safely to the ground. We're very sorry about making you come out and do this. We shouldn't have even walked on the ice in the first place.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I regret my choices deeply. Thank you for sacrificing so much to save us. Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAYE: And a third boy who had made it to shore called for help on his cellphone, some quick thinking there.

Take a look at this. That is a passenger. See him there, restrained by zip ties and duct tape on a flight last Thursday? The picture went viral when it was posted on Facebook. The airline says that a disruptive male passenger on a flight from Reykjavik to New York was hitting, screaming, and spitting at other passengers all while yelling profanities. The man was arrested when the flight landed. No charges were fired.

A former marine has a message for senator find stein's gun control bill. You'll hear from that man himself.

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KAYE: Listen to these words - "You, ma'am, have overstepped a line that is not your domain. I am not your subject. I am the man who keeps you free." Those words are from a former marine to Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, telling her that he would not register his weapons with the government even if her proposed ban on assault weapons is passed. The letter started on a CNN iReport and has gained attention on line.

Joshua Boston, an Afghanistan veteran, joins me from Louisville. Your iReports, Joshua, have gone viral. More than a quarter million views in the last few days. What made you write it? And did you ever think it would get so much attention? JOSHUA BOSTON, FORMER U.S. MARINE: I didn't expect it to get as much attention as it did. These things happen. I wrote it because I kept seeing in the news this debate about gun control and all the points being brought up by Senator Feinstein, and a lot of it is misinformation. It's fear mongering that she's spreading and it's being perpetrated by the media, as well. There's just not a lot of double checking, not a lot of facts coming out in this discussion.

KAYE: You wrote this letter. I'm curious, is it in regard to any proposed assault weapon ban or specifically the senator's?

BOSTON: Specifically the ones she posted up on her website a couple of days ago. She said she intends to bring it as soon as possible in this next congressional session.

KAYE: What will you do if an assault weapon ban is passed?

BOSTON: I'm not going to be registered. The precedent's already been set by David Gregory who doesn't have to abide by the laws of Washington, D.C.

KAYE: If you don't register, what do you think might happen to you?

BOSTON: Whatever happens, happens. But I have a right granted to me by my Second Amendment in the Bill of Rights. It says it shall not be infringed.

KAYE: Most if not all assault weapon bans are looking toward the future. They're not retroactive. According to Feinstein, her bill will ban the sale, the transfer, the importation and possession not retroactively but prospectively. It will ban the same for big clips, drums, or strips of more than 10 bullets.

In response to your letter, I want to read the statement that the senator released. She writes, "Senator Feinstein respects Corporal Boston's service. She has heard from thousands including many gun owners who support her plan to stop the sale, transportation, importation of assault weapons and large capacity magazines, strips, and drums that hold more than ten rounds. As Senator Feinstein has said, the legislation will be carefully focused to protect the rights of existing gun owners by exempting hundreds of weapons used for hunting and sporting purposes." that was from her office." What do you make of that?

BOSTON: I'm still confused as to where the hunting and sporting clause is in the second amendment. It's nowhere to be found in the Bill of Rights or constitution.

KAYE: So when you look at the shooting in Newtown or in aurora, Colorado, you don't think there should be any change to the law?

BOSTON: The laws we have are extensive. There's over 2,000 gun laws as it is. And the fact of the matter is predators are amongst us. We have to recognize that fact. We don't live in a utopia. Our citizens have to be armed to protect themselves from these madmen. KAYE: What is the solution then? I mean, is that the solution to stop these tragedies, for everyone to be armed? How do you stop this from happening again?

BOSTON: Not for everyone, but certainly it ups the probability of successfully stopping a shooter before you have 20 dead, 30 dead.

KAYE: Joshua Boston --

BOSTON: People choose whether or not --

KAYE: Go on.

BOSTON: People will choose whether or not to carry if they want to. I've made that choice, as have hundreds of thousands of other Americans. Should we unfortunately ever find ourselves in a situation to protect others in our lives, we will.

KAYE: But the law is the law if it becomes law, and you're willing to break it?

BOSTON: Unconstitutional laws aren't laws.

KAYE: OK, I'll leave it at that. Joshua Boston, thank you very much. And do keep us posted on what comes of your letter.

BOSTON: I will. Thank you, Randi.

KAYE: And to read the full letter and share your comments, we'd love it hear from you. Visit iReport.CNN.com.

It's a bird, it's a plane, wait, what is that thing? Some people think it's superman.

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KAYE: Time now to take a look at the top CNN trends on the web this morning. An early contender for dunk of the career in the NBA, that is the Knicks' J.R. Smith. Take a look at an insane spinning reverse alley-oop dunk last night at Madison Square Garden. It brought the crowd to their feet. The Knicks' bench almost hit the ceiling, too. The Knicks beat the spurs 100-83.

"Gangnam Style" is so 2012. Will 2013 be the year of the one-pound fish then?

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KAYE: "One Pound Fish," 31-year-old Muhammad Nazir has catapulted to fame in Pakistan with this hit, "One Pound Fish." Sing it. Now with 11 million hits, it is spreading around the world. He apparently came up with the song while hawking frozen snapper and mackerel for one British pound at queen's market in London. It's going to take off. It already is.

In California, some people were shocked when they thought they saw superman flying over the coast. CNN's Jeanne Moos explains.

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JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: He may look like the man of steel, but he's actually the man of lightweight foam. Actually his top speed is 30 miles per hour. But the sight of superman flying above the California coast was enough to make a cyclist stop and shoot it. The video went viral and now folks are wondering --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Up in the sky. It's a bird --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a plane.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's superman!

MOOS: Yes, if superman were 5'2" and weighed less than two pounds. He's a sensation on the local news --

The big question, where did they hide the propeller?

It's not nice to laugh at superman. We'll show you on the female version, Super Girl with an electric motor and battery that goes on her head. Otto Dieffenbach has built these figures. He's a former air force test pilot with a long career in aviation. He even customized superman with a cape that he had to shorten to keep his superhero aerodynamic.

GARY GRAF, REMOTE CONTROL MODEL ENTHUSIAST: Aesthetically it adds a lot. Plus it sounds cool when you fly by it.

OTTO DIEFFENBACH, SUPERMAN MODEL CREATOR: Plus, it's removable --

MOOS: Otto and partner Gary Graff plan to launch a business in a few months selling slightly smaller remote-controlled figures for under $500 each. The buyers would assemble and customize their superheroes.

DIEFFENBACH: What I like to show off are her stiletto heels on the back.

MOOS: She's very shapely, actually.

GRAF: She actually started as a nose art like the old aircraft used to have nose art.

MOOS: Modeled after pinup Vargas girls. But Super Girl's anatomy offered engineering opportunities.

You mean her breasts are actually landing gear?

DIEFFENBACH: Yes.

GRAF: Silicone implants so that she would roll along the ground and do graceful landings. MOOS: Reporter: While the males have to resort to sticking their landings. She's shapelier than a speeding bullet.

Jeanne Moos, CNN. Get your hands off her, Gary!

GRAF: Is my wife going to see this?

MOOS: New York.

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KAYE: Much more ahead in the next hour of CNN SATURDAY MORNING. It starts right now.