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Biden Mentioned Binders, Women's Issues in Florida; Israel Stops Gaza Bound Ship; Swing States Could Affect Tight Presidential Race; Trayvon Martin School, Social Media Records to be Handed Over; Sandusky Lawyers Seek New Trial; Judge Agrees with Texas Cheerleaders in Free Speech Case; Rolling Stones Celebrating Tour, Film
Aired October 20, 2012 - 17:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Hello everyone. Thank you for joining us.
Here is what is happening right now on the first anniversary of the brutal killing of Moammar Gadhafi. There is news that the youngest son of the Libyan leader has also been killed. Official sources reported Khamis Gadhafi's death, the Libyan television, there are reports that thousands have rushed into the streets of Tripoli to celebrate. The youngest son's death has been reported several other times. He played a role in the battle for Misrata. We'll follow that story for you.
Meantime, Libya's government is claiming a high-profile arrest, Reuters citing, the Prime Minister's offices, Moammar Gadhafi's former spokesman Moussa Ibrahim has been captured. His arrest has been mistakenly reported in the past as well. Ibrahim was the public face of Libya's war against the rebels. He was infamous for holding bizarre late-night news conferences in Tripoli.
A diplomatic cable will approves that Libyan Ambassador Chris Stevens was deeply worried about security in Benghazi just hours before his death. The cable was sent shortly before an attack on the consulate left him and three other Americans were dead. It was released Friday by the republican chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Democrats say, the GOP is playing politics with this issue.
The numbers have jump higher in the deadly fungal meningitis outbreak. According to data released by the CDC just a short time ago, 284 total cases, including three joint infections and 23 deaths are now tied to the outbreak. This week, the FDA rated the company in Massachusetts that is blamed for causing the cases, most patients got sick after being given contaminated steroid injections used for back pain and neck pain.
A spate of random shootings in South Eastern Michigan is bringing back memories of the sniper attacks in Washington, D.C. 10 years ago. Fifteen shootings targeting motorists have happened over two days, in the suburban Detroit area leaving many on edge. So far, no one has been hurt but there have been some really close calls. Investigators from three counties are taking part in the investigation. No arrests had been made in that case. Police in Inglewood, California searching for a gunman who opened fire on a family before setting fire to a nearby house. A 30-year-old man and his four-year-old son died in the early morning attack. The man's wife and their two young children remain in critical condition.
Police are now searching for a 55-year-old black male who was last seen wearing a dark hat and painter's mask. Some reports say the suspect was recently evicted from his home.
Ship trying to break the sea blockade of Gaza today didn't make it to shore. The Israeli military intercepted it, boarded it, and took everyone on board into custody. The passengers are trying to call attention to the plight of people living in in the Palestinian territories. Israeli officials praise the operations. Critics say, the ship was in international waters at the time. Israel and Egypt have been forced to blockade of Gaza since 2007.
Still no definite word on who set off a massive car bomb in Central Beirut yesterday. The explosion killed Lebanon's intelligence chief and at least nine other people, more than 100 others were hurt. People who live in Beirut turned out today to show support and mourn the casualties. Many senior political figures in Lebanon blame the Syrian government for ordering the bombing.
People in the U.K. say, enough is enough, thousands turned out today to protest harsh budget cuts. The opposition says, Britain's government is putting the burden on ordinary workers. The ruling party says, only painful decisions can put the country on track. The rally was peaceful, but a police spokesperson said, they responded to some incidents.
Just 17 days, can you believe it, until Election Day? And two days until the last presidential debate. The countdown is on, President Obama is hunkered down at Camp David today, preparing for the debate. Mitt Romney is outside as well, he is in Florida getting ready for the debate. Their running mates hit the battleground states today, Congressman Paul Ryan stump in Belmont, Ohio. Vice President Joe Biden campaign in St. Augustine, Florida.
The last debate between Mitt Romney and President Obama happens on Monday night, make sure you watch the showdown live right here on CNN, it starts at 7:00 Eastern.
Vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan zigzag to two key battleground states today, Pennsylvania and Ohio, a new FOX News poll shows a very tight Ohio race with 46 percent of likely voters supporting Obama and 43 percent of likely voters supporting Mitt Romney. Ohio has 18 electoral votes. Few hours ago, Paul Ryan stumped in Belmont, Ohio. Earlier, he worked the crowds in Pennsylvania. Ryan focused his remarks on rebuilding the economy and job creation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. PAUL RYAN (R), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We are not going to duck these dump issues, we're going to run at our country's economic and fiscal problems before they get out of our control. That is what leaders do. And when you look at the engine of economic growth and job creation in this country, it is small businesses. It is risk- takers. It's entrepreneurs, it's the workers that work over time to make those small businesses worked and succeed. We're going to champion these small businesses. We'll not going to keep taxing these small businesses, and regulating them and spending us into a debt crisis.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Also, Ryan waved a terrible towel for the Pittsburgh Steelers fans today. Vice President Joe Biden zeroed in, on the battleground state of Florida, a few hours ago, Biden stump in St. Augustine as we reported and hit -- hit on some similar themes.
Shannon Travis joins us, live. Shannon, how are you? The Vice President still hammering away on those binders thing?
SHANNON TRAVIS, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, that seems to be a winning issue, at least Democrats fell like it is a winning issue, Don. Republicans feel otherwise, but you know that the polls have tightened in terms of women voters. Mitt Romney has been able to narrowed that gap, President Obama still leads in a lot of polls in terms of women voters. But the Democrats, the Obama campaign know that that is a winning strategy voting bloc for them, women voters. So they are seizing on this comment from Mitt Romney in the last debate about "binders full of women," take a look and listen at what just happen a short while ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VICE PRES. JOE BIDEN (D), UNITED STATES: They decimate education, they eliminate health for middle class families who want to send their kids to college, like that beautiful baby over there. I don't blame her for crying. I don't blame that baby for crying. That baby -- that baby -- that baby knows what is in store for him or her if Romney wins.
On Tuesday, when Governor Romney was asked a direct question in the last debate about equal pay for women, he started talking about binders.
(LAUGHTER)
Binders. But all of a sudden, Romney claims he doesn't have a five trillion tax cut. Where did it go? The President -- well you got it. The President has a new term. He calls it "Romnesia".
(CHEERING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: So Shannon, first thing --
TRAVIS: And Don -- LEMON: -- those binders first, obviously, the other thing that run was not binder's thing, he was trying to quiet a baby and he rift off that.
TRAVIS: That's right.
LEMON: So, first, let's talk about the binders' thing and then we'll talk about the baby thing. Do they stand a chance of hitting on something that is not resonating with people, this whole binders' thing. Is this overkill on something that possibly may have been a slip of the tongue?
TRAVIS: Well, they're using the binders comment from Mitt Romney to illuminate the larger issue, right? The Lilly Ledbetter act, the first act that President Obama signed into office which basically deals with gender, equal pay for women, versus men. They feel that that is an issue that resonates with independents, with women, with a lot of single women, of course. So of course they're making light of the binders full of women thing, but for them it illuminates the larger issue that they feel pulls a lot more voters to their side.
So it is no laughing matter for them. I must tell you, though, that the Romney campaign feels that the Obama campaign is making a big deal out of nothing. I got a statement from them, a short while ago, I just read a little bit of it. Quote, "Four years ago, the candidate Obama said the following, if you don't have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as somebody people should run away from." It goes on to say, "With no records to run on, and no agenda for second term, President Obama has become the type of candidate that he once decried." So, the Romney campaign even some conservatives says, you know, what? The President is seeming small running on some of these things.
LEMON: Yes, and the other piece sound there, we showed the vice president, he is very quick on his feet. The baby started to cry. He used it in his speech.
TRAVIS: That's right.
LEMON: All right, Shannon.
TRAVIS: Going after the baby vote, Don.
LEMON: Yes. Thank you very much, and we appreciate it.
You know it is not just the candidates talking, there are also some influential newspapers making some picks of their own. "The Denver Post" is throwing its weight behind President Obama. The newspaper published in Op-Ed on Friday writing that the President has shown that quote, "He is a steady leader who keeps the interests of a broad array of Americans in mind."
Newspaper said that his opponent Mitt Romney, "has not presented himself as a leader who will bring his party closer to the center. His comments on 47 percent of Americans who refuse to take personal responsibility and care for their lives were a telling insight into his views and a low point of the campaign."
Another newspaper endorsement for the president. This is unusual, since Mitt Romney has ties in Utah, this time from its "Salt Lake Tribune," the Utah newspaper wrote, quote, "the president has earned a second term. Romney, in whatever guise, does not deserve a first. The Tribune endorsed the President in the last election and President Bush in 2004.
But Mitt Romney wasn't shut out in the paper in Orlando. Sentinel gave their support to him. The newspaper wrote that quote, "We have little confidence that Obama would be more successful managing the economy and budget in the next four years. For that reason though, we endorsed him in 2008, we're recommending Romney in this race." CNN, it's your choice, for the third and final presidential debate, of course the focus will be on foreign policy. Live coverage from Boca Raton, Florida begins Monday, 7:00 Eastern right here on CNN.
Other big news now, Lance Armstrong, no longer heading the Livestrong Organization and now dropped by his biggest sponsors. Doping allegations never went away despite his never failing a drug test. The seven time Tour de France winner spoke last night in Austin, not about the charges against him but about the organization he chaired for 15 years.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: You have been a proud supporter of this organization for many years. Has anything changed for you in the last days?
SEAN PENN, ACTOR: In the last days, no. I think, you know, I think it is an organization that was developed by somebody who has been an enormous inspiration to so many, and to myself. And has done an incredible amount of good. And I expect it will continue.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Lance Armstrong can still count on his a-list friends to stand by him for now, at least.
And tomorrow, Lance Armstrong makes another public appearance at a cycling event to support fellow cancer survivors. And I want you to stay with CNN, because becoming up later tonight, a big dollar donor to the Livestrong Organization says, he wants his money back. He feels ripped off and blames Lance Armstrong. It's going to be a fascinating conversation later on tonight right here on CNN.
The presidential race, neck and neck right now. And if you feel like you have election anxiety, you are not alone. And --
(MUSIC PLAYING)
Tickets for their concert sellout in minutes. But some of the Stones managed the make time for CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) LEMON: Human rights activists set out to make a statements today in support of people living in Gaza. They did exactly that.
A boat load of people tried to slipped through the sea blockade patrolled by the Israeli navy and they don't get very far.
Here is CNN Sara Sidner.
SARA SIDNER CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It has taken more than ten hours for the Israeli military to bring in the ship, Estelle, to the port here in Ashdod. Now, the activists on the ship had hoped to get into Gaza with humanitarian items such as medical equipments, toys and books as well as tons of cements to help rebuild Gaza.
Now, they are saying that this is also a trip to highlight the injustice against the Gaza, that Israel should not be allowed to have this blockade, not be allowed to treat more than a million people, the way they have treated them. Israel though has countered that, saying that there is no humanitarian crisis there and I want to read you what the Prime Minister of Israel has just released on a statement, he said that, "Even the people who are on the ship know that there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Their entire objective was to create a provocation and blacken Israel's name."
And went on to say more very strong words, "If human rights were really important to these activists, they would have sailed to Syria." Now, those in the ground, the United Nations, it's active there says that there is indeed a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, that there is a lack of educational items, a lack of medical equipment, some of the things that were going to be brought in by this boat. But the government says, it really was just a provocation, these activists know that they would be stopped and they were just trying to get the world's attention in any way that they could.
The military says it was a peaceful mission. The activists say they were attacked. Although we have heard, no indication that there were any injuries on this boat. Now we do know that the boat will be brought into Ashdod, that it will -- that people on the boat will be questioned, those who answer, they will be deported if they are not from this country, though there are several Israelis on this boat. But all in all, this boat has taken quite a while to get here, but the Israeli military says, they did so without incident.
Sara Sidner, CNN, Ashdod, Israel.
LEMON: All right. Sara, thank you. A union envoy in Damascus making the case for a temporary ceasefire during a Muslim holiday next week. But even as he makes the push for peace, comes word of yet another atrocity in Syria.
Opposition groups say, more than 80 bodies were discovered in a mass grave there in an eastern city in Deir Ezzor, they were among 245 people reported dead on Friday. Activists say, another 80 people were killed nationwide just today.
He was sentenced to no less than 30 years in prison for sexually abusing boys, but Jerry Sandusky's lawyers are trying to change that. We'll look at his chances for appeal.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Every single word coming out of the candidates' mouths, being analyzed. Every item of clothing, every facial expression given the spin treatment. Not to mention those of you living in one of the so-called swing states, being flooded with phone calls, and TV ads, most of them negative.
We need some therapy here, so let's bring in Jeff Gardere, a clinical psychologist. Dr. Gardere, I have never been happier to see you.
A lot of people are, I said, are you guys -- are you ready for the election? I said, I was ready before a year ago, I'm sick of it --
JEFF GARDERE, PSYCHOLOGIST: Oh, yes.
LEMON: So, every four years, the American people go through a period of anxiety as they wait to see who the next president is going to be. No one ever really talks about this, but is this just one of the side effects of living in a democracy? This anxiety?
GARDERE: Well, anxiety is part of life. And those of us who in fact, experience it and acknowledge it, it is a good thing. Because it really is about waiting, holding our breath to see who will be leading the nation. So as a shrink, I have to tell you, Don, I believe that anxiety can be a good thing. But I think we're taking it way too far in this particular presidential election.
LEMON: Yes, yes. Just as I was speaking to you as we were coming on, I glanced over and I looked at, you know, some of the responses, people were ongoing -- Romnesia, he has Romnesia, he said this. And the other side is going Obamnesia, and I'm like, you cannot analyze every single word. The whole binders thing which is being so much as being made which is really much to do. If you're going to examine every single word that someone says.
GARDERE: Well, you know, here is what I'm hearing from a lot of people. This is what I'm hearing from the ground, people realize that the pundits are analyzing every word that is being said. Some of the stuff that comes from the mouth of the candidates, of course, is ridiculous. A lot of it may have not be true what they're saying, but in many ways they are trying to be earnest, and they are trying to be honest. And people now are afraid even if they are not on the air, even if they're not in the media, that people will start judging every little thing they're saying.
And now, they're trying really hard to be politically correct, as far as talking in the locker room, or talking you know, at the office. And that is becoming an issue, and making people really get anxious. So you are on to something here. I think we have gone way too far in over-analyzing what is happening with this particular election.
LEMON: Yes, and over-analyzing everything comes out of all the candidates' mouths, from Biden, to Ryan, to Romney, to the President, everybody's mouth, everyone says something stupid, I do live television a lot. And sometimes stupid things come out of your mouth, and as it's coming out, you go, wait a minute, that is not what I meant. That's not what I meant.
GARDERE: Right.
LEMON: But everyone weighs on every word. So, how do you handle that, how do you handle the pundits, because it does create anxiety for people.
GARDERE: Well, look. Let's face it, we can't live without the pundits, we watched them on television. They are very well informed. They're experts in their fields, but we have to realize that hey, they're fallible. They can't predict every single thing. They don't have an accuracy rate of over 85 percent or 75 percent. So you have to go with your gut, so for all of those people who thought that President Obama at one point didn't have much of a chance, and now we see that it is neck and neck.
Or they thought Romney wasn't going to come back, and he came back in the first debate, did sort of decent in the second debate, here I am being a pundit, we have to realize, we have go now with our gut. It's about taking a step of faith, believing in the candidate that you want. And realize at the end of the day, it is going to be OK. Whomever is elected, yes, things may change dramatically. But we have to move on, we have to carry on and we have to be strong as Americans and keep that process going. Our lives don't hang in the balance on each one of these elections.
LEMON: I have to tell you, as we were preparing for this, we went through "Binders full of Psychologists," and we --
(LAUGHTER)
GARDERE: Much ado about nothing. It is OK.
LEMON: Oh my gosh! Stop it people.
GARDERE: You're still politically correct.
LEMON: Yes. Yes, thank you. Thank you very much doctor. I appreciate it.
GARDERE: Pleasure, Don.
LEMON: All right. As we mentioned, the Vice President is in Florida today. And it is one of many visits by the candidates. And they are not just there for the weather. The sunshine state may hold the key to the election.
Don't forget you can stay connected. You can watch CNN live on your computer, you can do it from work, just go to cnn.com/TV.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Half past the hour, we want to get you almost half past the hour and get you caught up on the headlines right now. Candidates are hitting overdrive which is 17 days left until the presidential election, Vice President Joe Biden zeroed in the battleground state of Florida when he stumped in St. Augustine just a few hours ago. Biden hit on some familiar themes. Women's issues, education and health care.
Vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan focused on two other battleground states, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Mr. Ryan focused his remarks on the rebuilding of the economy and job creation. A new FOX News polls shows a very tight Ohio race with 46 percent of likely voters supporting President Obama, and 43 percent of likely voters supporting Mitt Romney. Ohio has 18 electoral votes.
The numbers have jumped higher in the deadly fungal meningitis outbreak. According to data released by the CDC just a short time ago, 23 deaths are now tied to the outbreak, there are 284 total cases, including three joint infections. This week, the FDA raided the company in Massachusetts that is linked to the injections, most patients got sick after being given contaminated steroid injections used for back and neck pain.
A father who died while trying to protect his children, is the victim of a vicious attack in Inglewood, California. Police say, a gunman opened fire on the man and his family early this morning, before setting fire to the house and the back of the main property. A four- year-old boy was also killed, and three people remain in critical condition, including two other young children and their mother. Police still searching for the suspect in that case.
One person was killed, and six others seriously injured after a bus full of Australian tourists crashed near the Arizona-Nevada border. Authorities say, the driver lost control of the bus and ran into a ravine after he had a heart attack behind the wheel late Friday night. The driver was killed. The bus was returning to Las Vegas after taking passengers on a tour of the Grand Canyon.
It can't come soon enough, with just over two weeks to go until the presidential election, CNN or see opinion poll puts President Obama and republican challenger Mitt Romney in a statistical dead heat in Florida. That's where Monday's final presidential debate will be held.
CNN's Jim Acosta takes a look at how Florida and the other swing states could make or break this election.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JIM ACOSTA, CNN NATIONAL POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): While Mitt Romney is preparing for his final debate with President Obama in Florida, he and his running mate Paul Ryan are testing out the campaign's message for the next battle to come for swing-state voters.
MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, they have no agenda for the future. No agenda for America, no agenda for the second term. It is a good thing, they wouldn't have a second term.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
ROMNEY: They have -- they have been reduced to petty attacks, and silly word games. Just watch it. The Obama campaign has become the incredible shrinking campaign.
We have to work on a collaborative basis.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ACOSTA: Another part of that swing-state pitch can be found in this new Romney campaign ad that casts the GOP nominee as a bipartisan problem-solver.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROMNEY: But we need to have leadership, leadership in Washington that will actually bring people together and get the job done, and could not care less if it is a Republican or a Democrat.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ACOSTA: It is a change in tone for a candidate who once called himself a severely conservative governor in the primaries, prompting the president to accusing Romney of Etch-A-Sketching his past.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We have to name this condition he's going through.
(LAUGHTER)
OBAMA: I think it is called Romnesia.
(LAUGHTER)
ACOSTA: The president is getting a burst from new unemployment numbers, showing the jobless rate dropping in Florida, Ohio, Nevada, Colorado and Wisconsin.
Romney had a joke for the improving economy at a benefit dinner in New York where he and the president exchanged punch lines.
ROMNEY: You're better off now than you were four weeks ago.
(LAUGHTER)
ACOSTA: Friday's map reads like a calendar, with more candidates and surrogates flooding into battlegrounds, the closer the election.
JOE BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The American people are so much stronger, take so much more responsibility neither Congressman Ryan nor Governor Romney give them credit for.
ACOSTA: newspaper endorsements are starting to come in. After picking President Obama four years ago, "The Orlando Sentinel" chose Romney, saying, "We have little confidence that Obama would be more successful managing the economy and the budget in the next four years." But "The Denver Post" stayed with President Obama, saying, "The economy has made demonstrable, though hardly remarkable progress."
In Daytona Beach, where there is a biker convention is in town, Florida voters are getting revved up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm undecided. Leaning towards Romney.
ACOSTA (on camera): And why is that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, because I am not crazy about what Obama has done in a nut shell.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I really don't like Romney that much. I would have voted for him if he actually had respect for women.
ACOSTA: After the debate, the candidates will be where in swing states. Romney and Ryan heading off to Colorado, while the president stays in Florida.
Jim Acosta, CNN, Daytona Beach, Florida.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Jim, thank you.
CNN is your choice for the third and last presidential debate. This Monday night the focus will be foreign policy. Live coverage from Boca Raton, Florida begins Monday, 7:00 eastern.
And a Washington high schooler has achieved something no NFL kicker has ever done. The amazing play that's making news across the nation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(SHOUTING)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: A Florida judge has ruled that Trayvon Martin's school and social media records can be handed over to the defense team of his alleged killer, George Zimmerman. The family of the slain 17 year old were trying to keep the information private.
CNN's David Mattingly has more from Seminole County, Florida.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: For the first time in almost three months, we were able to see George Zimmerman entering a courtroom. This time, he appeared to be much heavier than we had seen him in the past. But he sat quietly during the proceedings. It was also the first time in front of this new judge, Judge Deborah Nelson. And it was a good day for the defense team. The judge ruling that attorneys for George Zimmerman are allowed to subpoena the school records of Trayvon Martin, as well as whatever posts he may have put on Facebook, and any sort of comments he may have made on Twitter.
This is important going forward, as the defense may argue that it was Trayvon Martin who was aggressive that night in the fight that ended when George Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon Martin.
MARK O'MARA, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: I am not going to sit back and say anything about Trayvon Martin. I know very little about him. But I think my client has the right to find out more about him to make that decision. And that's the only point about right now, with discovery, is we have the right to get the information. Then the conclusions can be made, most probably by the judge in a self-defense immunity hearing. And if that is not successful, by a jury, which is where this is supposed to be.
MATTINGLY: Trayvon Martin's parents meanwhile are announcing that they are beginning a new push that might change Stand Your Ground laws all across the country. They are soliciting money so they can contribute to candidates and to organizations that will help them. They say it is their goal to change Stand Your Ground laws here in Florida, and elsewhere, so that somebody who starts a fight would not be eligible for of immunity that this kind of law might provide.
In the meanwhile, George Zimmerman's attorneys say that they might be requesting their Stand Your Ground hearing for George Zimmerman sometime in the spring. If they are successful, George Zimmerman will go free. He will not go to trial.
David Mattingly, CNN, Seminole County, Florida.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Another court case. Now, for the first time, the man known as victim number one in the Jerry Sandusky trial, speaking out. Here is what Aaron Fisher told ABC News.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ABC NEWS CORRESPONDENT: You were not able to say --
AARON FISHER, SANDUSKY ABUSE VICTIM: No.
UNIDENTIFIED ABC NEWS CORRESPONDENT: -- this guy is a monster, he is sexually assaulting me?
FISHER: I couldn't do it.
UNIDENTIFIED ABC NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Why?
FISHER: Embarrassment, fear of not being believed. The victim means people feel sympathy for you. I don't want that. I would rather be somebody that did something good.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Well, Fisher wrote a book about the abuse.
Meanwhile, Jerry Sandusky's lawyers are asking for a new trial. He filed an appeal arguing there was not enough evidence to convict Sandusky and they didn't have enough time to prepare. So Sandusky was sentenced to at least 30 years in prison for sexually abusing at least 30 boys over 15 years.
Criminal defense attorney, Holly Hughes, is here.
Holly, new trial, likely?
HOLLY HUGHES, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY & FORMER PROSECUTOR: No, not likely. And technically speaking, it is not even an appeal. An appeal is where you go to the court above where you had your trial. When you file a motion for a new trial, you're asking the very same judge who sat over the trial in the first place to basically reverse himself, to say, hey, I did make a bunch of mistakes. Instead of asking somebody else to review his work, you're asking that very same judge. And especially in a high-profile, very sensitive, very tragic case like this -- we're talking about abused children. I don't think any judge will be brave enough, quite frankly, or crazy enough -- you never know which it is --
LEMON: To go back.
HUGHES: -- to be the one to say, yes, we're going to make the state spend all the money and re-traumatize the victims to give you a new trial.
LEMON: But in addition to requesting a new trial, his lawyers filed a motion Thursday to reconsider his sentence.
HUGHES: Correct. Right. They're -- basically, it is a motion to modify. They're saying this is so excessive. It's the argument the defense is making. I don't think it will be successful, and here is why, Don. Remember how many victims we're talking about. We're talking about 10 different victims. So if you average out that 30 years, what is that, three years per victim? It is not a mathematical equation when the judge sentences something. That is not what it boils down to. But there were so many people outraged on how light they thought the sentence was. So I don't think they will be successful. Because, once again, when you ask to modify that sentence, you're going right back to the exact same judge that sentenced you, and saying, judge, we want you to admit things, change things up.
LEMON: All right, let's move on to our next story. Some good news for a group of Texas cheerleaders who say they should be allowed to display Christian messages on their banners at their high school's football games. So what did the judge decide?
HUGHES: The judge actually sided with the cheerleaders. He said, hey, this is freedom of speech. Because -- and this is why, he pointed out, because it's a public school, so the people who oppose it say, hey, this is a public school. You're forcing religion on the people who don't necessarily have a Christian viewpoint. And what the judge in his ruling said was no. And here is the reason why. Because these cheerleaders came up with it all on their own. This is not a school-sponsored thing. The coach didn't come up and say you must have a religious banner. The girls got together and said, we're Christians, we hold this strong belief, and this is the banner used we want to use. No school supplies used. No money from the school. All the cheerleader uniforms, pompoms, the parents pay for it.
LEMON: But you said school-sponsored thing? So how do you differentiate between the school-sponsored and then private -- school- sponsored speech and private speech?
HUGHES: Right. Again, because the attorney who presented on behalf of the cheerleaders said was this was not an idea what the administration of the school came up with. This isn't something the coach came up with.
LEMON: So this wasn't school-sponsored speech. This was private citizens.
HUGHES: Right. This was the group of cheerleaders --
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: Even though it was at the school?
HUGHES: That is exactly -- what the judge based his ruling on. And, of course, there will be a series of appeals. This is a state court ruling. The federal courts tend to be a little stricter in their construction of freedom of religion versus freedom of speech. So we'll see how it pans out. But what he did was give them an injunction, which lasts throughout the entire season, so the cheerleaders will be able to continue to display their faith on their, their messages on their banners.
LEMON: Just to go back to a story that we need earlier, we were talking about the social media and school records for Trayvon Martin.
HUGHES: Yes. Right.
LEMON: Just because they're allowed, they're admissible doesn't mean they will be used.
HUGHES: No, no. here is the deal. Just because they're discoverable, just because the other side gets to look at them, doesn't mean the judge will rule them inadmissible if there is a trial.
LEMON: Got it.
HUGHES: So even though he says, in an abundance of caution -- you can look at it, Mr. Defense Attorney, but if you try to use it in court and there is an objection, I might sustain the objection and keep those records out.
LEMON: That was an important distinction that you made as the story was running.
HUGHES: Yes. Right.
LEMON: And I thought our viewers should know that.
HUGHES: Great. Absolutely.
LEMON: Thank you, Holly. We really appreciate it.
HUGHES: Absolutely. Thanks.
LEMON: Speaking of social media -- social media, it's already changed the way people connect. We'll show you how small business owners are embracing a new way of doing business.
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LEMON: Surviving and staying relevant in today's world takes a lot of work for any small business owner. Your customers don't live around the block anymore. They live around the world. Their language is social media. And if you don't understand it, you will be out of business.
Here is Christine Romans with today's "Smart is the New Rich."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: There is Twitter Pinterest, Google Plus and Instagram, just to name a few. The tangled web of social networks leaves small business owners, like Flora Shapelski (ph), scratching their heads.
Flora's business manufactures and sells high-end wigs. The cost, anywhere from $2,000-10,000. Today, though, she is not giving the customer a makeover, she is getting one from social media expert, Gary Vaynerchuk.
GARY VAYNERCHUK, SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERT: If you're not on Facebook and Twitter in 2012/13, you're basically not a relevant business in our society.
ROMANS: 53 percent of small businesses use social media. That is up from 44 percent last year. But Vaynerchuk says that few use it effectively.
VAYNERCHUK: Everybody thinks about social media as promotions, as e- mail, as talking. Twitter, more than Facebook or anywhere else is about listening. Less pushing the P.R. that you have got or that you have opened the store, and more searching on Twitter to jump into the conversations.
Facebook is different. If you were to jump into somebody's conversation on Facebook, they would be upset. Facebook is much more private. It is your profile. But you have had 102 people like this page. They want to receive information. ROMANS: The goal, to get people online to spread Flora's message. But to find those people, she needs to look beyond Facebook and Twitter.
VAYNERCHUK: If you're lucky enough to be in the women demo and really try to story tell to women, Pinterest is becoming almost a must. Then, if you're looking for the hipster, younger crowd, you get into Tumbler. By you taking pictures on Instagram, taking those pictures and putting them out, people will see them 15, 20, 30 people at a time, not in one lump sum, but they will share it, and that's one platform. I think Instagram is a must for you, as well.
ROMANS: Christine Romans, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Come on, guys, get with the picture. Get with the program.
All right, do you want to see a kid cool under pressure? I want you to take a look at Austin Rico booting a 67-yard field goal.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(CHEERING)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, no, no.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, no, no, no, no.
(CHEERING)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow!
ANNOUNCER: He made it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: 67 yards -- that is four yards longer than the NFL record. And he had to hit it to put it in -- his team overtime. He had to do it to go into overtime, which he did, helping them eventually win. And incredibly, though, the senior has not had a single four-division- one scholarship offer, yet. So there is a chance the kick will change his life. I am sure he will get a lot of offers now.
The upcoming hockey season will probably be a lot shorter if it happens at all. The National Hockey League has postponed all games until November one. The NHL is trying to negotiate a contract with its players. Many are already playing for teams in Europe and Russia. There are no new negotiations planned, as of today.
You know it is a line out of the Rolling Stones song "Jumping Jack Flash." A London red carpet debut of "Crossfire Hurricane," a new documentary about the Stones. But all the buzz is about their 50th anniversary tour.
And don't forget, wherever you go, we go too. You can watch CNN live on your computer at work or even on your Smartphone. Head to CNN.com/tv.
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LEMON: Rolling Stones fans will be getting some "Satisfaction" from the legendary rockers as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. The group is going on tour. And a documentary chronicling their rise to fame is in theaters.
Neil Curry caught up with the band on the red carpet.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NEIL CURRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I was born in the summer of 1962, an event of little consequence in British cultural history. But in the months that followed, there was a phenomenon in the birth of British talent -- the Beatles, the first James Bond film and the first gig by a band which became known as the Rolling Stones in this building behind me in London.
(SINGING)
CURRY: 50 years on from that first gig at the Marque Club, the band members are preparing to haul themselves on stage once more to play hits such as "Paint It Black" and "Brown Sugar".
KEITH RICHARDS, ROLLING STONES: Soon, we'll be back on stage.
MICK JAGGER, ROLLING STONES: Playing for you in --
CHARLIE WATTS, ROLLING STONES: -- two cities.
RONNIE WOOD, ROLLING STONES: And know how to rock and roll.
(SINGING)
CURRY: With a total of just four performances in London and Newark, it's not so much a tour but a celebration of the career that has spanned three generations of fans.
(SINGING)
CURRY: With a new hits album on the way and a new documentary, "Crossfire Hurricane," about to hit cinemas, the Stones defied their combined 273 years and walked the red carpet with a spring in their step.
(on camera): Can you tell me what it was like in the early days?
WOOD: Well, I had so many songs to rehearse. Like 300 songs later, I had so many songs in my head in Montreal (ph) when I first was rehearsing. Keith and I would stay out day after day and just churn through the songs. And I luckily know them all in my head. I was blessed.
CURRY: And what about the stage craft? How did you learn to own the stage? WOOD: Well they kind of make you feel welcome and take you under the umbrella of feeling comfortable within the Stones. And luckily, I felt that comfort before I joined.
(MUSIC)
CURRY: What sets the Rolling Stones apart from other bands?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, they're very, very talented and very clever. And they've been together 50 years. That's quite an achievement. And they make the greatest music in the world.
CURRY: How are you looking forward to the new gigs?
WOOD: Really, a lot, yes. The rehearsals in Paris are going fantastic. And we're playing the old material and combining it with an old cross section right through the years. It's really good fun.
(SINGING)
CURRY (voice-over): The band's gross earnings broke through the billion-dollar barrier more than a decade ago. And some fans are lamenting the high ticket prices, which start at $150, while others consider it a small price to pay what could be the last chance to see one of the most essential bands in the history of rock and roll.
(SINGING)
Neil Curry, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Still going strong. It helps us old guys, you know?
It is a bird, it's a plane, it's a wing man? One of the stunts you definitely do not want to try at home.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: President Obama and Mitt Romney went skydiving together. OK, not really. Two guys dressed up as Obama and Romney. They took the plunge yesterday -- there they are -- in a 12,000-foot parachute jump, celebrated the upcoming national skydiving championships in Arizona. That's weird. The guys behind the mask are part of a California parachuting team.
Check out these pictures. Dare devils in China took part in the wing suit flying world championship. Looking like bird men, the fearless fliers glided down from a 460 feet peak in the country's Hunan Province. The winner was a South African dare devil who swooped to the ground in less than 24 second.
We're back in an hour. And here's a look at what we're covering an hour from now. For some students headed of to high school, it will be important to remember their homework, books, lunches and baby wipes. We'll explain that, coming up. I'm Don Lemon at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta. See you back here an hour from now.
In the meantime, "THE SITUATION ROOM" with Wolf Blitzer begins in just a moment, right here on CNN.
