>> the president of the united states. >> reality check. one day after the rhetoric. predictions for the u.s. proposals. washington gridlock, what will and won't get done. crisis in yemen. new developments in the rebel stand off at the presidential palace and new evidence of former yemen leader is fueling the unrest. and al jazeera exclusive. high-level talks in havana. the deep diplomatic differences over america's migrant policy.

how the white house plans to improve the plight of people struggling in the center of the income scale. >> this is al jazeera america live from new york city. i'm tony harris. tonight the speeches are over. president obama has now laid out his vision for his last two years in office. but will his request through congress ever become reality? president obama wasted no time to taking his state of the union proposals on the road. mike viqueira? >> reporter: tony, the president is doing what presidents do, he is is building on the momentum and exposure by taking his case out of washington and into the american people. but even as he tells new proposals there are questions about what he put in the speech and what he left out. president obama the day after. on the road in boise idaho

pressing his agenda even as many dismiss it as a pipe dream. >> for six years we've been working to rebuild our economy on a new foundation. what i want people to know thanks to your hard work and resilience, america is coming back. >> president obama seemed self assured and defiant after turning the page on the economy and conflict abroad. he has been downed the robin hood approach in the process the president coined a new page. >> that's what middle class economics is. the idea that this country does best when everyone gets their fair shot. everyone does their fair share. everyone plays by the same set of rules.

we don't just want people to chair in america's success. we want everyone to contribute to our success. >> it's music to the ears to many on the left but a challenge to republicans who are not likely to go along. so what is the point? as al jazeera america monmouth university poll suggestion many americans feel little to no benefit from the growing economy. the president is trying to get ahead of the oncoming debate of stagnant wages and lighting a fire under a largely disaffected base. instead of painting a rosy picture, the president simply ignored hot spots and arm groups that may pose a threat to national security. in the 2013 speech president obama spoke of helping libya fight terrorism.

yemen was raised the last two years. but this year with both countries spiraling towards chaos, nothing. nor did he talk of boko haram the group responsible for killing of thousands of nigerians. the president failed to mention yemen-based al-qaeda in the arabian peninsula which claimed responsibility for the attacks in paris. >> we stand united with those around the world who have been targeted by terrorist. >> for the latest on yemen. they say the president has been briefed yesterday and briefed today. they've been watching the situation minute by minute. they standled to evacuate the remaining personnel at the american embassy if that becomes necessary. >> thank you for that. most of what the president wants to accomplish depends on cooperation from congress. he called for action on cuba and isil and cooperation does not

seem likely. the president promised that he would work with the g.o.p. how are republicans reacting? >> reporter: well, tony, he may have pledged to work across party lines but that defiant tone has been matched by an equally aggressive republican party, and they're out to paint mr. obama as the one blocking progress. >> good morning everybody. >> he's not the commander in chief, but house speaker john boehner is taking foreign policy in his own hands just one day after the state of the union inviting israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu to address congress next month. >> i don't believe i'm poking anyone in the eye. >> the speaker framing it as a rebuke with president obama's nuclear negotiations with iran. >> there is a serious threat that exists in the world and the president last night kind of papered over it.

>> republicans eager to impose more sanctions on tehran if negotiations stall and warning of a nuclear iran. >> you go the timeline of what they're able to achieve, it's been impressive. another five years maybe we'll build the bomb for them. >> republicans say on the home front there is still hope for bipartisan agreement like corporate tax reform and cyber security. >> if the president is willing to put the veto threats away, and a design to to put talking points aside we can still cooperate to get smart things done for the people we represent. >> the republican-controlled congress is plowing ahead on its own agenda a keystone xl pipeline bill working its way through the senate, already passed in the house. >> we're going to continue to reach across. i don't mind leaving the table with a half loaf the bread. but it's not going to be his way

or no way. >> but some republicans are ignoring the current president instead setting their sights on 2016. >> we'll layout the agenda for the debate for the next presidential of the united states. and it will be determined by the next election, not by this one. >> there is agreement in washington tony, that the middle class needs help. but republicans are dismissing the president's plans as tax and spend. they say instead they create jobs through infrastructure and development projects. so there is little expectation of cooperate on that front. >> libby casey in washington for us. thank you. the speakers' invitation to the israeli prime minister ruffled some feathers at the white house. the move is not just political theater. there could be deep geopolitical consequences. michael, what's the real problem here? >> the real problem the faith problem or the problem that's being talked about is the breach of protocol. that is not really the crux of

the argument the white house is making. any time a foreign head of state comes to the united states it's always protocol to go through the white house before an invitation has been accepted. it does not many that netanyahu has accepted the invitation, but it's not the first time that he or any other israeli prime minister has addressed the congress. congress is now considering because president obama as we heard talking talked about it, sanctions against iran. the president is saying let's not put sanctions in there. if you do put sanctions in i'm going to veto it. well last week david cameron the prime minister of the united kingdom was here, and he said that he had spoken to senators. he was doing his own lobbying. he said if he could do it, so could benjamin netanyahu. boehner said if the president is striking a deal, we want to be able to say hell know no to

that deal. that's a quote. >> what could thiswhat kind of affect could this have on president obama's relationship with the israelis? >> one thing to keep in mind. this visit would happen 18 days before the israel-american packet meeting. so there is a lot of money at play here. some think that's what it's all about, trying to get the money from the israel lobby here having netanyahu here, showing support. but i think that if the white house can reach out to netanyahu, reach out to israel right now, it's not going to sour relations but the president, as you saw last night in the speech alluded to by mike and libby, he was very forceful about what he believes here and what he is going to veto. he wants to give this deal a

chance to work in the senate. a senate committee was considering legislation or vote in the senate to have a vote as to whether or not to accept that deal. there is a lot of play here in the united states and israel. >> michael appreciate it. the state department is reminding u.s. government workers not to ride public buss in israel after a stabbing left 13 people injured today. the suspect attacked the driver first and then established passengers on the bus before trying to escape. the 23-year-old palestinian man was chased down by police officers who shot him in the leg and then placed him under arrest. during the last state of the union speeches president obama spoke of unrest areas. but nothing was mentioned of yemen last night. a short time ago yemen's president announced a deal that could end the crisis. it reportedly allows the

president and his government to take back control. according to yemen's state news agency houthi fighters agreed to the withdraw of from the presidential residence and military base and other check points. the draft constitution will be amended in response to houthi demands. although the new constitution will also make yemen a federal government keeping control centralized, this is important centralled in sanaa. al jazeera obtained a leaked phone conversation suggesting that yemen's former president ali abdullah saleh has been according with the houthies since september. >> reporter: in audio leaked to al jazeera we hear who we believe to be former president

ali abdullah selah speaking to the houthi leaders. in the phone call saleh tells him to speak to his people secretary general of people's cropping at the time and military holy spirit to saleh and his son-in-law leading the g.o.p. figure. >> saleh then appears to refer to the take over of sanaa by houthies. and urging him to stop plane operation so president hadi can't leave.

>> former adviser to the yemen my prime minister said he's not surprised. saleh has been calling the shots from behind the scenes since he was pushed out of office in in 2012. >> ali abdullah saleh has been undermining from the start. he never had intentions of leaving power. they have been looting the yemeni people of millions of dollars for over a year. >> they said they want a new government and to bring back fuel subsidies. their supporters say that they should do that any way they can. >> if you are in a war, it's not the houthi who look for that,

and you can expect anything this is something that happens not something to be ashamed off. >> the question now is how will other yemenis react when they learn that saleh has been calling the shots despite being pushed out of office three years ago. >> joining us now is a senior fellow at the center for american progress and former assistant secretary of defense. very good to see you again. we'll get to the former president in just a moment here. but yemen's current president has agreed to give the rebel houthi movement more say in the government. we're talking essentially about a more representative government. a good thing bad thing or necessary thing to stabilize the country? >> well, i think it's a good thing and necessary thing given the fact if you didn't do that you would have some sort of armed conflict, which is the last thing the region needs the people need, and we need. >> the united nations made it

clear, i think it was just agreed that it stood in support of president hadi. i may be suggesting something ahead of the story but is it possible that a possible chapter seven resolution that authorize the use of force might have led to the two sides and this disagreement? >> i think so remember what happened in libya when things got out of hand the international community did get involved. >> yes the former president ali abdullah saleh he has always rejected his ouster from power. he's felt it was a coup that cast him out. is he the main obstacle to stability in yemen right now?

>> yes very definitely. the existing government and the houthies basically their disagreements are about what we in this country would call federalism, how much power a region should have. >> and saleh's relationship would best be described as maybe tepid. should the united states try to revisit that relationship given that he seems to be something of a pow broker in the country? >> well, there is no doubt about the fact that we need to insure that yemen does not become a haven for al-qaeda and the peninsula. that they're able to launch attacks against the united states and their allies. that's our main concern. the great irony is that the houthies are our best rivals because they don't like al-qaeda at all, of course, they're a shia group. >> do these new realities in yemen suggest or maybe require

another level of engagement in that country in yemen beyond airstrikes and sort of military training and assistance, aid to areas where this fighting is going on in the south of the country? >> i don't think you're going so eanything more on the part of the united states. the last thing we want to do is go in there and try nation building like we tried in afghanistan and iraq. our main concern is that they don't use this as a base to launch attacks. that's why we killed the american-born cleric back three years ago who interestingly enough the people in the paris bar, they say that was arranged by him. even though he has been dead for three years. >> lawrence, good to see you. joining us from washington, senate minority leader harry reid is having eye surgery. he injured his eye during a work out accident last month.

doctors say surgery is needed to restore full vision in his eye. he's expected to work from home as he recovers next week. history talks kick off in cuba. we're live in havana. that's next. also the people who pick up their guns to keep an eye on their local police. replace property against the worst mother nature has to offer. >> experts forecast how to stay safe. >> i'm standing in a tropical windstorm. >> in extreme weather. >> oh my god. >> techknow's team of experts show you how the miracles of science... >> this is my selfie, what can you tell me about my future? >> can affect and surprise us. >> don't try this at home. >> "techknow" where technology meets humanity. saturday at 7:30 eastern. only on al jazeera america.

>> for the first time in decades high-level talks between the united states and cuba are under way in havana. the discussions have been described as productive, but immigration remains a major point of contention. we have more now from havana. >> reporter: these migration talks were so important because for decades cubans have been going to the united states. some legally and some using

illegal means to get there. they do it because they know that once they step foot on u.s. soil they're allowed to stay in the united states, and also then they get permanent asylum. cubans are some of the old people in the world who have this right when they reach u.s. soil. the cuban government for years now have been saying that these laws need to be revoked because they say all it does is encourage illegal and dangerous migration of cubans to the united states and put lives at risk. now the cubans were hoping to get some sort of concession from the americans on this, but they clearly did not. the u.s. delegation say for now these laws will stay in place. the cubans voiced their displeasure and said they would continue these talks in good faith. the talks that will really kick off on thursday when the top state department official will be meeting with their counterparts here in cuba, when they're going to be rolling up their sleeves in havana trying

to hammer out some sort of agreement where this new relationship between the u.s. and cuba will go. the first thing they're going to focus on are diplomatic issues, how to establish the u.s. embassy, and likewise how the cubans can establish an embassy in washington, d.c. >> the historic change in relations is expected to draw tens of thousands of americans to the island nation, but both the u.s. and cuba say a fully functioning tourism industry could be years away. real money is in havana. this country is still stuck in the past. is it ready for what might be a few years off here? >> you know, that is a good question tony. when people live to president obama's speech and raul castro's speech they listened to what they wanted to hear. president obama in a dark shoot and castro in fatigues.

you get a sense from those optics and from being on the ground here that things in cuba are moving slower. when we talk about hotel availability and talk about the different things that people are accustomed to in the united states and just don't exist here. you still need a cuban visa to get in this country. just because the united states says it's okay doesn't mean that cuba does. this is a country in transition now. there is hope on the streets that things are changing you yets not really as easy as a lot of people think. [music] >> in the last century an embargo cut off american trade and tourism and kept cuba frozen in time. but times are changing, and president obama's new policy while not entirely lifting the ban from visiting cuba, is

making the island more accessible to americans than it's been in decades. we decided to head to cuba to get a first-hand look at the island since president obama pledged to normalize relations with america's old cold war foe. more and more people are heading there. we spoke to airplane officials who say the numbers are way up. and the once forbidden island is now starting to open up. thousands of cubans are visiting family and friends. numbers are expected to double as a result of the new policy. while the embargo still makes u.s. tourism illegal there are 12 categories of exceptions which range from religious groups educational travel or

just sustaining a conference. americans no longer have to ask permission from the u.s. government to travel here. instead they have to find out if they fit into one of those 12 categories and it's all based on self-reporting. it's not whether americans are ready to head to cuba. it's whether cuba is ready for them. those accustomed to five-star hotels may find current accommodation as little bear bones. in a country with crumbling infrastructure and shortages. >> we bring our own toilet paper, from the states. >> and with just 35,000 hotel rooms in havana, space is limited. while u.s. tourists will be able to use credit cards and debit cards from banks for now cuba remains a cash-only economy. >> i think it will take a while for the city to get ready for american tourists in volume. >> still just the better relations with washington and

more trade with the world's largest economy have some here in havana hopeful that this new policy is actually just the beginning. >> i tell you man i tell you i tell you no more embargo. everybody is going to be welcomed here. >> in the meantime tour guys will have their hands full with more and more americans descending on the island. >> now just because the united states and cuba have begun this road of normalization with each other and have become a little more neighborly doesn't mean you can go on a delta website and simply book a flight to cuba. there are specific chart flights that are specialized in this. you see air carriers from united trying to get in the game here, but it's a process. democracy abounds here. so the transition that we see here in cuba and it's relationship with the united states, it's a work in progress.

>> david clue us in on a bit of a discussion there in havana. will this norm normalization lead to a political upheaval there in the country or will it ultimately strengthen the regime? >> you know, it's interesting that you mentioned that. over the course of the last 50 years more than a dozen presidents we've seen all these different attempts to stableize the castro regime. president obama is creating a situation where more micro fansing financing comes into the country. it create different levels of income. stratas of wealth that they're really supposed to do away with. in a way this new policy towards cuba is starting to undermine that old system. perhaps it had to be that way because of the fall of oil prices and subsidies have

diminished. and it might be what cuba is looking for but it could be at the expense of what we know is the cuban system. >> david for us. thank you. last night president obama talked a lot about what he called middle class economics. up next the course of looking at what that really means and what some of the most powerful people in finances say about it. also what happens to an oil boomtown when prices fall to the floor?

>> president obama wrapped up a speech in boise idaho where he continues his theme.

>> this is what middle class economics requires. number one it means helping working families feel more secure in a constantly changing economy. it means helping folks afford child care. and college and paid leave at work and healthcare. and retirement. and i'm sending congress a plan that will help families with all of these issues. >> let's take a deep dive on president obama's economic proposals. joining us from washington, d.c. is gordon gray, director of fiscal policy at the american action forum. good to see you. thank you for your time. mitt romney senator rand paul two republicans believe inequality is a problem in this country. the president said that it is key to moving the country forward. do you believe it is is problem and if you do, what should be done about it? >> i think there are a number of

economic challenges that the nation faces, and i think its just a matter of priorities. i think the most important challenge that we face is that we're six years past a recession, and we're only just now seeing some of these signs of recovery, yet we're only projected to grow at 2-point% to 2.5% over the next ten years. i did not hear from the president how he's going to change that project tore. >> what did the numbers suggest in your mind should be done? >> i think if you ask anybody out there about our tax code, i think just about everybody would agree that it's broken. i think we can all agree that the rates should come down and we should clear out some of the under brush that are these-- >> the rates should come down across the board is that what you think? >> absolutely. i think that there is a pretty broad agreement in economic literature that rates matter.

they change how we save and invest and incentive to work. that's an essential part of any reform. the white house had an opportunity to go for a tax reform and decided to pick a fight instead. >> all right, picking a fight the president wants to triple the child care tax credit and make community college free and pay for it with tax increases on on the wealthiest in the country. you think that's a bad idea. you think that's picking a fight. >> well, we all knew in advance that he was picking a fight. but i think rather than tinkering around the edgers of the tax code, raising rates and tweaking tax credits. why don't we do a deep dive and go after the whole thing. a lot of people from across the political spectrum agree that the tax is broken on the

individual side and cooperate side. cooperate--corporate side. i think there is room for an overhaul, and instead the president decided to tinker around the edges. >> how do you explain the widening gap from the 1980s on? how do you explain it? >> i think there is an i don't know going debate in the economics literature of how big this gap is. i know in "the new york times"," really they drove this idea home but it didn't take into account some important things. taxes and government transfers that narrow that gap. and i think-- >> you don't think that the gap is as wide as being advertised? >> i do not. i do not think it's as big and i think what we need to go focused on, particularly when we talk about economic policy we're talking about priorities. i think we need to be focusing on growth.

>> okay, and you also think that if we're not talking about growth you can't be talking about facing cooperations and wealthy individuals and talking about growth at the same time. you think that's a disincentive and will bring about flat or no return. >> people have to work somewhere. when you talk about wages and the stagnating wages those raises have to come from somewhere. they have to come from interferes. as long as you're making it your agenda of taxing employers, it does depress i think wages in hiring and i think its just the wrong direction for a country that needs a growth agenda. >> gordon gray director of fiscal policy at the american action forum. joining us from washington, d.c. thank you for your time. let's bring in real money's patty sagba. i got questions here. you listened to gordon. what are your thoughts. >> well, it is very interesting when you talk about economic growth. two-thirds of our gdp is

generated by spending. one of the very interesting things about these middle class tax credits is what they do is they put money right in the pockets of the middle class. one thing. when the middle class gets a windfall or $3,000 windfall for child care when they get that windfall they spend it. that's money that circulates right back into the economy. that's really what we need to see to grow the economy more consumer spending. there is some logic by saying middle class tax breaks can help the economy because that's money that would circulate right back in. >> he's not convinced. i guess we've got a chart that indicates kind of the wealthy income gap. i don't know which one it is. he doesn't quite believe in that. >> there are lots of arguments with the wealth gap. nobody says that the wealth cap doesn't exist. just how acute is it. by some measurements in is the 79 the top 1% have seen their

wages increase 123%. whitel bottom 90% got a small pay raise. >> the crux of this most of the middle class get their paychecks from wages and salaries. versus the wealthy who get most of their money from dividends and capitol gains. >> right right. >> this is the difference. the top rate of tax on wages and salaries right now is 39%. >> let's put it back up. >> whereas the top tax rate on the capitol gains where the wealthy get their income from is at 8%. the president is talking about raising that to 28%. and there is talk about whether

that harms the economy and slows growth. but there is scant evidence of that. >> not according to gordon. we did this poll with monmouth university what is the biggest concern facing your family right now? one, two three down to 15. the top 15 responses are all about the economy. all about pocketbook issues. what is the reality for working class families in this country? >> here's the key to economics. you want to strip out the ideology of economics take a look at backward looking data. i can project a model that supports any argument. let's pull up that chart on median household income. this is why many more americans are feeling under pressure. >> right. >> in 2013 the median household income was 51,939,000 adjusted for inflation. >> there it is. >> that compares to 2007 right before the great recession

$56,436. >> we have have slide. >> those median household incomes have gone down 8%. that's an 8% drop. that's why-- >> what is the wage stagnation. >> there are three factors driving wage stagnation. one is technology. >> automation. >> it's cheaper to use a robot for factory floor. but now we're seeing the services jobs. we're seeing a lot of services jobs lost to software programs. that's one reason. another is because a lot of jobs have labor intensive jobs have gone overseas. >> outsourcing. >> to places like china. labor costs have gone up in china. as labor cost gas up, we see more companies redriving. and then there is this breakdown in the social contract between management and workers. >> what does that mean?

>> that's when companies see workers not as assets that you want to keep, but costs to be cut. >> that's strong stuff. patty sagba. appreciate it. >> leaders and economists were 140 nations are in davos switzerland for the economic forum. this year there is a class for middle class economics in line facing other nations. we speak to economic leaders hoping to find a solution. >> tony, one of the biggest issues here in davos is the issue of global inequality. yesterday there was a report saying that next year the world's top 1% will pull in more wealth than the rest of the 99% in the world. this is an issue coming up in context of middle class globally that is under pressure as it is in the united states. i had a chance to sit down with laura tyson chairman of the council of economic advisers under president clinton.

you'll remember back then the economy looked a lot like it does today. you had home prices increasing. you had stock market increasing. you had low unemployment and jobs being created. the difference was back then wages were increasing. they're not these days. aid chance to get into it with her about that. >> a lot of job loss in the u.s. the technology-enable movement and i think that's one of the challenges we have in the developed countries. the recovery period from the internet short live recession at the beginning of 2000 to the deep recession in 2008-2009, that recovery was not a recovery period from the middle class. that's a time when middle class income was showing signs of stagnation and being hit with healthcare and housing all the things that they provide to

their families. >> amongst the other issues being discussed inequality and the troubles facing the middle class globally are major themes this year. we're talking about terror and instability in the middle east and another big topic is russian aggression in the ukraine. >> ali, appreciate it. the drop in global oil prices continue to be felt here in the united states. energy sector jobs are being cut, and small towns like williston in north dakota are taking a hit. they're diversifying to try to stop the boom from turning into a bust. >> this is the town that fracking built. in the past five years local farmers and homeowners discovered they were sitting on a mountain of oil now made accessible through hydraulic fracturing. >> they say its mailbox money. i don't have to work for it, but here it's coming so i could have a better quality of life.

>> real willis ton, north dakota is a boomtown built on oil and testosterone. the growth has had its headaches headaches{^l"^^}. rents rocketed from $120 in 2010 to $2,000 a month. once eager retailers are now beginning to reconsider. >> with oil prices down people will start to think maybe this is not such the real deal and it will go away like it has in the past which i don't think that's going to happen. i think it will rebound. i think we're going to be around an industry that will support us for at least 40 years. but i see some that have slow down there. >> just four years ago williston was an agriculture town of 4,000. since then it has tripled in

time. the city expanded it's limits to accommodate the growth. now the oil slump. up in headlines now speak of job cuts. so far the slow down has fallen short of an oil bust. the college has increased six-fold. the students remain confident. >> i'm going to apply for other jobs. i'll be needed and i know i'm going to get it. >> but they're holding off hiring another driving instructor. >> i think they'll work on retaining the workforce they have. a lot of people say to me, do you think it's going to stop? will we lose these people and lose that bust cycle? i don't think so. i think you'll see the level lean off. >> if so it may give boomtowns

type to catch up with the growth they've already had. al jazeera williston, north dakota. >> a murder trial in washington has cost $10 million in opening statements. the cost of a death penalty. that's next. a group in texas watching police and carrying guns the entire time.

>> opening statements have just gun in a closely watched trial in washington state. anderson's family were killed on christmas eve in 2007. six men's of that family and pursuit of justice has cost the state millions. adam schauffler is live in washington state. what is the prosecution going for and hoping for in this case? >> well, tony, what they're hoping for is conviction and

eventually a death sentence in this case. but we're seeing a very expensive legal process and once again people in the state of washington are dealing with difficult questions of what it costs to kill a killer with the defense side and the prosecution side split on who is to blame for this rise in price tag. >> a jury has finally been chosen for joseph mcenroe's trial, but it took seven years and $10 million to get to this point. for mcenroe and the woman charged for the same killings, michelle anderson. $8million was in defense spending. issues have gone to the state supreme court three times unprecedented delays, legal experts say. the defense has challenged the way documents are sealed, and the prosecution's right to consider the quality of evidence while pondering the death sentence. recently they challenged the is constitutionality of jurors being paid a daily stipend and

they want a minimum wage paid instead. six dead on christmas eve in 2007. not much information about all this coming out of the king county courthouse right now. it's a high profile capitol case. prosecution and defense not willing to talk about the proceedings and cost to this point. but they have not been shy about an accusing defense teams intentionally make death penalty cases cost more than they have to. >> i'm very much opposed to the death penalty on a lot of grounds. >> we spoke with katie roswell before jury selection. she denies inflating costs saying her team is doing exactly what the law requires, providing a vigorous defense. and she cite's cost.

>> it's not deliberate. >> but deliberate--deliberate in the cause of saving a man's life. >> mark roe won't comment on the mcenroe case but after 30 years on the job and seeking the death penalty twice himself he has no doubt that cost is a bargaining chip. >> you can't be making the argument that you are creating yourself. it's too expensive. with a lot of credibility when it's a tactic and strategy that you've decided to use. >> with joseph mcenroe's trial just beginning and michelle anderson scheduled later this year the $10 million price tag may eventually sound cheap. and the defense is more than willing to say look, you don't like the price tag in this case,

maybe you shouldn't have sought the death penalty in the first place. >> there you go. allen schauffler for us. following high profile shootings departments across the country have begun to use body cameras to monitor officers while on the job. but in texas one group of activists are taking a different approach to try to hold police accountable? sara, we were talking about this as you were preparing it, shooting it, editing it. tell us more about this texas group. >> for the last year we have a group of enthusiasts who advocate for the right of having your gun out in the open. they're taking cop watching up a whole new level. the police scanner crackles to life. he travels to the traveling stop with his gun and camera in hand.

>> for more than a year the gun-toting texan and a small band of enthusiasts have taken to the streets. >> more now than ever we need police accountability and we need people recording. it's not just in our area. it's all over the country. >> watkins and his team film police traffic spots including confrontations with officers and post their encounters on social media. >> i'm going to place you under arrest for impeding my investigation. >> i'm not impeding your investigation. >> yes, you are. >> he openly carries his ak-47 while on patrol. in texas it's legal for him to carry a long begun. >> why cop watch with that weapon? >> why not. it's my right to do so, and i want to exert my freedoms in the most powerful way in the biggest

way possible. >> but exercising his freedom has caused friction with the local police. police chief say filming and carrying the weapon is not a problem. >> it's a combination of factors coupled with the physical action where the officer could no longer focus on the tasks they were doing. >> this fall arlington police say watkins himself got too close. watkins, his wife janie and fellow cop watcher joseph tie were arrested for interfering with a traffic stop. but they say that cop watchers can sometimes go door far. we were sown this interaction with watkins and members of the group. the department has reached out to watkins and requested a meeting, a request that has gone unanswered. an open confrontation remains an

uneasy one. but watkins is not backing down any time soon. >> i can't even imagine african-americans doing this. this story would blow up like crazy. it's a big story now and it's great that you're covering it. could what they're doing now be replicateddous of texas? >> i don't think so. texas is set up for this. it's on the books and up openly carry these weapons. if you were walking down the streets of brooks lynn with an ak-47, you would not get to the story. this is an unique scenario here in texas. it's the fact that the police department knows that. tune in later on for the whole story. >> i can't prove the theory we suggested here that i wouldn't make it to the corner. >> true. >> but i believe it. >> sarah. appreciate it. thank you. schools in parts of south africa are going digital but some say the money would be better spent elsewhere.

and then "real money." >> which one of the proposals stand a chance in the republican-led congress. and in switzerland trying to solve the world's economic problems.

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this is what we do. al jazeera america. >> so many south african children return to school this month to a bit of a surprise. they walk in the classrooms that were newly connected to the internet. not everyone considers that money well spent. >> reporter: it's a big day for these students. from now on tablets will replace their school books. several schools are switching from pain for screens thanks to public and private partnerships and sponsors.

>> excited about the investment and her future. >> education is the key. so when using tablets its easier than writing and you get to do more work and stuff like that. so it's more important and it's going to help a lot of people in trying to get jobs. >> that's important to the country where most school graduates are unemployed. >> everybody will know that you come from here, and this is the school of the future. >> reporter: but the future is expensive. it will cost $1.5 billion for tablets and internet connectivity for schools. while this school is propelled into the digital age most schools in south africa don't have libraries. some don't have flushing toilets, and many are under resourced and under staffed.

a group called equalation led equal education led protests. it's pleased at the digital plan but it has lots of questions. >> is this an approach that is cost effective and sustainable and can be rolled out all across the country? and most importantly is it going to deliver on its promise of providing a better education for all? >> that may all depend on whether these students can improve the examine pass rate at their school and on how many of them go on to find jobs. tonya page, johannesburg. >> the development of deplate gate. the nfl is looking allegations that the patriots used under inflateed football. the league found 11 of 12 game balls were not fully inflated. under inflation makes it easier

for players to grip and catch the ball. the nfl investigation is expecting to wrap up by the end of the week. that's all of our time for this new hours. "real money" is up next with david shuster in tonight for ali velshi. . >> triumphant and swaggering president obama. the political battle has begun and we'll look at if any of the president's economics stand a chance in the g.o.p.-led congress. we'll show you in havana that could make things tough and in the mountains of switzerland some of the most smartest and powerful people in the world are trying to solve the most pressing economic problems