north koreans? >> no. >> this comes after president clinton's visit. is it hopeful that with these interactions that there could be some movement in north korea? >> our goal is very simple and very clear. .

>> are you encouraged by them reaching out to a prominent u.s. officials like this? reaching out for a meeting with bill richardson? >> again, you know, what we want to see it is we want to see them agreed to return to the six- party talks. i am not going to stand here and say this is somehow an indication that they're going to return. they just need to tell us they are. >> well, this could be -- don't you think it is a little hypocritical? >> you are not calling me hypocritical, are you? >> a month ago when those girls are in custody, everyone was saying that if they were released, this could give them the face-7 opportunity to come back to the talks and maybe they will reach out to a third party or something in the start to engage. you do not see this as a signal that north korea perhaps wants

to engage? you do not see it as a signal at all? i find that hard to believe. >> i will not call it a negative signal. i will not call it a positive signal either. of course, we're pleased that the two young ladies were able to come back and be reunited with their families. >> former president clinton is not planning on going to visit new mexico, is he? and this is not a broader discussion, is it? >> it is not. >> [inaudible] >> i can assure you, she's not going to new mexico. >> what was approved? >> you have to ask the north koreans. >> were there other stops? >> there were other stops on their proposed itinerary.

>> two of them? when one of the big plays that north koreans might not generally be comfortable with going to? >> disney world? >> a little bit north. are they going to las vegas? >> you have to ask the north koreans that. >> how about los angeles? >> will have to ask the north korean mission. >> on the stamp issued by israel on u.s. citizens going to do is throw, you said you were engaged with the government of israel. more clarification, have you complained to them about this specifically? have you asked them to stop issuing it to your u.s. citizens? you consider it a violation of the oslo accords? >> i think it is something i would not want somebody else to pronoun's on if it is a violation of that. i am not familiar enough with

the oslo accords to be able to make a judgment one way or the other. you know, as our note said last night, we have made it quite known to the israeli government, and this is on the diplomatic level that we expect all american citizens to be treated the same regardless of their national origin, and these kinds of restrictions are considered an acceptable. i am afraid for the israeli government. >> have you specifically ask them to stop issuing these specific stamps? >> we have told them that we cannot accept this kind of practice. >> a d know what what level? the do you know how many americans have complained to the u.s. consulate in jerusalem? >> i am not aware of the kind of numbers of people who have

complained. >> can i go back? first of all, what does that mean, we cannot accept this kind of practice? you also cannot accept continued building of settlements, and the continued to do that. what exactly does that mean? >> it means that this kind of practice is something that the u.s. government believes should not be done. >> yes, but you say -- you have to accept it because that is what they're doing. >> they are doing it nonstop. >> we will continue to protest. >> i mean, it is not a question of whether you can accept it or not because they are doing it. so? >> is what it is. we do not like the practice. >> one more thing on the north koreans, if you could say that

you approved their travel to new mexico, why can you not say that you approved their travel to other places? >> well, i think it is because they're already in new mexico now. " so when they get to the other stop, then you will tell us where they are? >> it is just something we do not normally do. it is a diplomatic exchange between us and the un mission. frankly, we do not want to get into the practice of going into the details of diplomatic notes. >> but you did. >> well, we did because it is already public. >> well, this is -- they are on the state sponsored terrorism list, right? >> rejected comments, ok. " someone is there travel approved for?

>> i am not aware. >> is anybody watching them while they're moving around? >> i will have to refer you to other agencies regarding that. >> just an update to see if you have any on the iran-american hikers -- have you made any progress in getting consular access and securing their release? >> the short answer, unfortunately, is no. we have not made any progress. switzerland has not been granted consular access to the three american hikers. iran has not provided information about their location and whether or not any charges have been filed against them. as you know, there are families in the u.s. who are very, understandably, worried about the health and safety of their loved ones in iran. once again, we remind iran of

their obligations under the vienna convention, and we urge iran to grant consular access to the swiss, to these three american citizens. and we're deeply concerned about their safety and welfare. >> de notes the families have had any contact with them? if -- the degenaro if the families have had any contact with them? >> i highly doubt it. >> says there's no indication of their health? >> through our channels, we do not have any information. >> have you asked any of government other than these was, like the iraqis, to press iran on the case? >> i believe we have, actually. >> he didn't the iraqis make kind of an official -- >> yes, that is what i am thinking about.

>> [inaudible] >> than me take the question the lizette and when i was not here. >> are you going to send another envoy to iran? >> we are not planning on it. >> when was the first envoy to iran? she said another. >> said president clinton over there. >> when was the last time this was tried to go in and requested permission a request information on the location or for consular access? >> do not have a quick answer to that. i imagine it is a pretty continuous thing. >> [inaudible] >> if we can get that information, we will. >> they've been charged with any crime or is there an indication of why they're being held? >> no. nothing official. >> anything official? >> i do not have anything unofficial either. >> moving to a new topic, afghanistan.

>> did you have something else? >> [inaudible] >> on afghanistan, if you talk about the pre-election violence. also, the afghan government does not seem to want the media to report on and the violence going on there. if is that something that was done in coordination with other forces, and what does this do about the afghan -- , well, the afghans are be the lead security for the election, and do you think they are ready? >> first, about the elections, we have been encouraged the the very vigorous debate that we have seen in the run-up to tomorrow's elections. we have seen thousands of afghans, despite all the intimidation, come to rallies. and we have also seen a number of debates on radio and television.

they're very vigorous debates on the issues that are facing the afghan people. of course, there is also a lot of challenges. they are trying to conduct these elections in the conflict zone. there are challenges like weak infrastructure, lack of access, and the difficulty in getting around. there are problems of the literacy. but i think the important thing is that this is the first election in afghanistan that has been ordered by afghan institutions. we have to develop support to develop these indigenous institutions. that is important. it is a milestone in the development of a afghanistan.

on the issue of -- repeat that. >> the violence. >> the violence. you know, i think you heard the secretary yesterday. we're, obviously, very concerned about the violence. we're concerned that there is an attempt here to intimidate people and tried to discourage them from showing up at the polls. i think you have the same kind of dynamic going on in afghanistan but we saw today in baghdad with an effort to undermine people's faith and institutions. but we feel that, again, because of the very strong will of the majority of people in

afghanistan to be very responsible for their own destiny, to have a responsible elected government in place. because this will is so strong, the people who are trying to intimidate people who and deter them from showing up to the elections, that ultimately they will not be successful. >> well, what about the government banning reporting on the violence? >> yes, that. of course, we recognize the sovereign rights of the afghan government to -- >> put restrictions on the media? >> let me finish my sentence. we recognize the sovereign rights of the afghan government and noted their intention to encourage afghans to turn out and vote. we believe that the free media

reporting is associated with the credibility of the elections themselves. it is important that the media be able to cover the elections. and of course, we have told the afghan government that they should also support responsible reporting and support the free press. >> does that mean that if they do not allow it, this will not be a credible election? >> that is not what soap -- that is not what i am single. it is a factor in people's perception of the election. >> but that is kind of a weak word when he said fundamental to the credibility of the elections. instead, it is just kind of an adjunct? >> it is not. a free and unfettered press is a

fundamental for society. >> when is irresponsible reporting, are you saying some are not being responsible? -- when you say responsible reporting,-- you know that we ry kind of figures on the media. we also think that the journalists themselves should adhere to certain standards of reporting. particularly when it comes to acts of violence. you know yourself that there's certain kinds of pictures that you're not going to show, and you're not going to reveal the names of people who have suffered from the violence before the next of kin are notified. that is what i mean by responsible reporting. >> are you talking about the

self-censorship of the media? >> i am not talking about that it all. i am talking about ethics and standards of journalism. >> are you insinuating that the media does not have ethics and standards? >> of course not. other issues. >> i am with the center for american progress. i was wondering if you could also talk a little bit about saddam because in the stand of the secretary clinton met with president mubarak at least once during his visit. did she meet with him yesterday as well? i understand that they did talk about sudan but very little came out of that. i wondered if you might be able to talk a little bit about what they might have discussed. >> yes, i was not in the meeting. so it is difficult for me to talk about what was discussed. i know they did talk about some

significant areas. i know she was in the meeting yesterday. i have an update on the special envoy is trip. >> this sounds great. >> today's special envoy witness the initialing of the bilateral agreement in southern sudan. it was between representatives of the sudan people's liberation movement and the ruling national congress party on advancing the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement. despite significant progress made to date, the parties have been unable to reach agreement on several issues, namely a final determination on the use of census data. for this reason, special envoy will continue to act in his role

as facilitator of this trilateral process and has agreed to return in early september for another round of consultations between the two parties. >> is there a report about the creation of a commission involving the u.s., syria, and iraq to oversee the iraq/syrian border? >> not. i will see if i can find of information. >> there is a report in an israeli newspaper saying that the israelis had concerns about the iea and the things about the nuclear program are not getting out and being critical. a those concerns that the u.s. shares were that the u.s. is aware of? are there concerns about the credibility of information coming out of vienna? >> i am not aware of that.

i do not have information to answer that. >> on friday, in london, the will be hearing on the bid and mohammed case. as you are aware, there is a controversy over the court or judges will release these seven paragraphs of information. what is the latest? as there been contact between this building and the brits recently but what will happen in terms of intelligence sharing of the judges to release this material? >> well, i guess i would make a couple of points, both of which i think you are already quite aware of. we have had a very long standing, very clear, and very public position that he should serve out -- >> no, no. >> is that the wrong one?

>> it has nothing to do with them. >> we will start over. what are you asking? >> i am asking about the case that i am asking a lot. bejamin mohammed, this case. >> i am going to take this one because i do not know this case. sorry. >> thank you. >> yes, thank you. >> coming up shortly, today's white house briefing with press secretary robert gibbs. it is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. eastern time. when it starts, we will have it for you life here on c-span. a news item today, cbs reported that don hewitt, the creator of "60 minutes" has died at 86 years old. he was executive producer of cbs news, the title he took when he

stepped down from "60 minutes" back in 2004. will show our "booknotes" interview with don hewitt coming up today at 7:00 p.m. eastern right here on c-span. tonight on "booktv prime time, at 8:00 p.m. eastern on c-span2, robert frank and gretchen peters will be here. and eduardo galeano. >> how is c-span funded? >> u.s. government. >> backers. >> do not know. >> it is not public funding. >> probably donations. >> i am going to say from me, from a tax dollars.

>> how was c-span funded? america's cable companies created c-span as a public service, a private business initiatives. no government mandate, no government money. >> the health secretary, kathleen sebelius, today said the government is expecting a swine flu outbreak later this year, similar to the outbreak that happened in the spring. she made the comments at a briefing on swine flu guidelines for employers and businesses. we will show you as much as we can before the white house briefing. >> come on up. there we go. >> close and personal. >> thank you all for joining us. the secretary of health and human services, kathleen sebelius, and janet napolitano and spent months on the forefront to combat the h1n1 swine flu virus.

i am glad they joined us today to unveil this fall's guidance to help businesses and employers prepare for what many experts believe to be an active flu season. we're also joined by a doctor from the center for disease control, and the department of labour deputy secretary. they will be on hand to answer questions at the conclusion of our presentations. as all of you know, h1n1 is more than just a significant health issue. it has the potential to affect virtually every aspect of our lives, from our economy to national security, to our educational system. as such, it will take americans from every walk of life, all of us, pulling together and doing our part to mount an effective response. as i have travelled the country the last few months, i have learned the businesses across the country, from mom and pop businesses to fortune 500, are

counting on the federal government to convey accurate, reasons information in a timely way. we already face much economic uncertainty. a flu outbreak is a very scary prospect. and president obama has mobilized the entire federal government to get america prepared. and the interagency effort you see here is further evidence of that cooperation. but government cannot do it alone. for this effort to be successful, we need the business community to do its part. businesses play a key role in protecting employees health and safety as well as limiting the negative impact to the economy and society, whether in regular flu season or during an outbreak of the h1n1. here is what businesses can do to help. first, the can set the right tone within their companies.

the starts with letting their employees know that if the employee is exhibit flu-like symptoms, they should not come to work. and if an employee shows symptoms during the workday, the cdc recommends that that employee be asked to go home. in america, we love to praise the puritan work ethic, and with reason. but this fall, it would serve the country better to fit -- a phrase common sense and responsibility. if an employee stays home sick, businesses need to drive the point that it is not only the best thing for the employees' health but also for the health of his or her co-workers and of the productivity of the committee. second, employers will be able to develop smarter health policies for their employees by staying in touch with local health apartments.

and aligning their guidelines accordingly. that could mean anything from the basics, encouraging employees to frequently washed their hands to cover either mouse and a cough and sneeze, to considering alternative work environments for employees at higher risk for complications from the h1n1 flu. developing sick leave policies that are flexible and non- punitive also makes sense. some businesses now require workers to provide doctors notes are other paperwork to prove that they or their loved ones had to miss work because of illness. that is a requirement that employers should consider dropping. it has the potential to overload the health care system that will likely be stressed during this year's flu season. the third thing that is absolutely essential for american businesses is thorough preparation. even if precautions are taken, some employees will likely get

sick. and parents may have to stay home with a sick child, are even healthy children if a particular school is closed down. that is why companies need to plan for continuity of operations with the depleted work force. plans should be put in place now to allow for working telephone and staggered shares. employees should be cross trained to cover essential functions. if the flu outbreak becomes severe, companies need to take steps to reduce face-to-face meetings or to curtail non- essential travel to reduce the possibility of h1n1 flu transmission. hopefully companies never have to take these steps. but a little planning now will help ensure that our economy withstand whatever the h1n1 virus throes at best this fall. and of companies need more information on how to prepare,

they can give to the federal web site, www.flu.gov. that i flu.gov. you can get a tool kit on how to prepare and plan for and prevent an outbreak of the h1n1 virus from drastically affecting your business operations. now like to invite secretary of hhs, kathleen sebelius, to come up and talk about the steps that american businesses can take to prevent their employees from ever getting sick in the first place. secretary sebelius. >> well, thank you, secretary locke. it is good to have a chance to join you today and be with my colleagues in the flu-5, secretary napolitano. -- the flu-fight. welcome to the others here with

us today. i am pleased to be here at commerce to talk about the role of the private sector can play in preparation and mitigation of the flu outbreak. this is a shared responsibility. so the federal government, as the secretary said, is doing our part, working across agencies, working with our state and local partners to get ready for flu season. but we really rely on the private sector to also work with us to make sure that americans are safe and secure as much as possible. in terms of the steps that employers can take, secretary locke also already talked about the employee policies that need to be reexamined in terms of getting ready for the flu.

but i want to talk for a little bit about the strategy is for mitigation. certainly, the for vaccine is available, before a vaccine becomes ready to go, there are a couple of steps that are critically important. one is encouraging target populations to get their seasonal flu shots. seasonal flu vaccine will be ready. it is ready at some places rain now. it is going to be widely available in september. so we're encouraging -- is so encouraging employees to get the shot and get it out of the way is a good first step. as the secretary said, the two as mitigation strategies involve hands and home. so keep your hands clean, which is frequent hand washing, frequent use of hand sanitizer, but also, covering a sneezes our profs with a sleeve or an elbow, not your hand.

and cleanliness, we know, will stop transmission of germs and go home or stay home. that is the other critical piece of this puzzle because we know that those are two important ways to stop the transmission of the virus. now vaccine we know is one of the best strategy is to immunize the population against this brand new flu strain. so getting employees prepared to receive the vaccine is important. the target population has been identified in, and we hope that employers do some personal of reach to the target population might be in their employment. pregnant women are particularly susceptible to the h1n1 virus and should be strongly encouraged to be ready to get a vaccination once it becomes

available. adults under 65 who have an underlying health condition including asthma are in the kind of respiratory distress, are in the target population we want to make sure are ready to be vaccinated. if employers have younger workers, the target population includes those who are six months of two age 24. i am hoping no one has children working in their shops on a regular basis, but certainly, the 16 to 24-year-old to may be working full-time or part-time our target population. again, i think lawyers can go along way to encourage those people to get vaccinated. health-care workers are critical target population. a lot of the private sector employers deal with health care workers, either on a full-time or part-time basis. hoffparents or guardians of infs

under 6 months old, vaccinations is not appropriate for babies, but the guardians of those kids may stay vaccinated and that will help protect the baby. we have to get the message out to those critical population so that they're ready to get vaccinated. we're working closely with scientists at the national institutes of health, the cdc, the fda, working actively to make sure that an h1n1 vaccine is safe and effective as possible. we know that the health departments will be the best information source for regular information, and we anticipate the same kind of outbreak that we saw in the spring, which is

that, in some areas, there may be a lot of flu, and and in some areas, there is really little. it is hard to predict in advance with that will look like. so staying in touch of local health departments, as an employer, is a way to make sure can monitor responses carefully. flu conditions change rapidly. what we saw this spring is that day-to-date changes are quite dramatic. so local public health officials have the best pulse on the situation. human-resources and leave policies definitely need to be as flexible as possible. hopefully will follow public guidance. so letting employees stay home and the cdc guidance is 24 hours after the fever ceases is the time to stay home. that will vary from person to person. some people may have a two to

three they operate. others may have a long verse series. after 24 hours with no fever, it is safe to come back to work and we engage. and finally, keeping workplaces as clean as possible. again, we know germs are transmitted, often through hand contact. frequent wiping down of services which people are likely to touch, having a protocol in place some of the cleaning is done on a regular basis, and hand sanitizers and opportunities to clean your hands on a regular basis will minimize this flu. again, the website, www.flu.ogv, has information and a regular updates. we hope people take a look at it. now i would like to turn the podium over to secretary of homeland's security, janet

napolitano. >> well, thank you. thank you, secretaries. i do not have too much to add to the comments that you have already heard. but i would like to emphasize a few things. one, protection from the flu is a shared responsibility. in all likelihood, the flu virus will be back on our shores. it has never really left. but we are now going to see it reenergize at the beginning of the school year. that means, from a business perspective, that planning is essential. what is being released today is a systems floor plan. maybe you are busy dealing with a very, very tough economy rain now in business, and you may not have taken time to think through the heavy flu season means. but that is why we're issuing

some plants, some assistance -- some insistence for businesses so they do not have to start from scratch. you can take that document that is on flu.gov. it is on line. think through this. it is not just seasonal flu which will happen. it does every year. as the secretary sebelius said, those shots are available or soon will be. encouraging your employees to get their seasonal flu vaccine, but preparing for absenteeism for the h1n1 virus. particularly in this time we're in now where we're in an flu season for h1n1 but for the vaccine will become available. let's not just play wait and see. let's be proactive. we are being proactive that the level that we're at, but we're now asking the business

community to be proactive and do some planning, too. let me emphasize one part, and that is, business is the control critical infrastructure. to make sure that those operations continue, even if you're absenteeis get, you haveo be ready. monday was down in the gulf coast meeting with leaders in the oil and gas industry. a number of issues, but a key part of our meeting was to guarantee and make sure that they have thought through what needs to have been so their critical employees have back up. cross training has occurred. telecommuting has been explored. whatever needs to be done so that there is a continuation of operations of the critical business level, at the supply chain level, and the like. the department of homeland

security will continue over the bank's weeks with that sort of our reach into the private sector, as we have been doing, all over the summer. again, this is a shared responsibility from individuals washing their hands, coughing correctly, and the like. two, encouragement to get seasonal flu vaccines. especially if you're in the targeted category for that. so that stressor on the health care system is taken care of or is mitigated before the full effect of h1n1 arrives. three is to have a plan for absenteeism and be responsible and understanding about the absenteeism that the it -- that needs to occur with this new strain of the flu. and then number four, we will continue to work on the dhs aspect with critical

infrastructure businesses, in particular. because the country needs to be prepared, but it also needs to be resilient. thank you very much. >> i think some questions are in order. the go-ahead and stand over here. any questions? yes, sir? say who you are and which one you'd like to grill. >> i am from bloomberg news. if the flu spreads despite these measures, are you prepared to put out more drastic guidelines such as encouraging businesses to close down certain branches to stop the spread of flu in that area? >> well, the key is for every business to put in place plans

on how they would continue to operate with perhaps severely reduced work force. so that is going to be up to every business on a case-by-case basis. it will have to decide for themselves when it is most economical to shut down a shaft or assembly line. each company, each business, each industry varies. it is impossible to come up was such a blanket statement. but the key is to come up with the flexible work policies and leave policies to plan for cross training, higher absenteeism, and to develop policies that encourage employees to go home upon the first symptoms of the flu. and to reduce the impact on the public health system, perhaps waiving policies that require notes and verification for medical personnel because the

medical community will be inundated, attending to those who are sick and then having to issue notes and the verification that someone is sick or someone else in the home is sick merely compounds the problem. >> what we know also is that this will change on a regular basis. so this cdc is prepared and ready to issue of dated guidance as situations change. again, we anticipate the variants in local of breaks. so what may be happening in atlanta is not likely to be having in seattle. local health department officials will be the best guy. but the guidance from cdc is based on what we are seeing right now under the recommendations for preparation of getting ready. but we anticipate, as the flu season unfolds in a more outbreaks occur, that they guidance will be updated regularly, and we will keep

people posted as we did this spring as more of bricks occurred and there were some school closures in areas and other missions were taken. we anticipate that that could change as the fall flu season unfolds. >> i have a question for secretary sebelius. first, as i am sure you have seen, there have been reports about the only a fraction of doses were ordered for h1n1 and will make it here by november. wondering how concerned you are about that and know how you fill in the gap. second, you have put up guidelines related to schools. i wonder if that applies this and to colleges and universities verses primary schools, and if not, i your address the difference? >> well, the school guidance for k-12 has been released. later this week, there will be school guidance available for

higher education. and it is somewhat different. stay tuned. that is in preparation right now, in the final stages. i would like to have steve from the cdc answer the specific vexing question. why 30,000 foot view is that we are very much on target. we're working with five different manufacturers. they are preparing, as we sit, for target date of about mid 0- october for the production lines to begin. we never anticipated that all the vaccine would be available day one. it would be on a rollout basis. but i would like to call on the admiral to give you specific update on the vaccine. >> thank you, madame secretary. our -- >> spokesman, robert gibbs.

we're leaving this briefing from earlier today to take you live to the white house or spokesman robert gibbs has arrived for today's briefing. >> she said about the administration's overall legislative agenda, this is an uphill battle and will not happen this week. what are you folks doing right now to energize that base which seems fairly quiet in relation to what one hears daily from those who are opposed, for example, to health care? >> well, again, i think it would dispute the beginning characterization. i think, again, at the events -- with the events is a the president do, i do not think there has been a lack of support for providing health

care reform among those outside of the president's events. at the the president will just continue to do what he promised to do in the campaign. the thing that is what is important for the american people. that is what is important for the people who sent us to washington today. we are committed to getting our economy back on track and killing the foundation for long- term economic growth. addressing the year urgent needs for energy independence, reforming our health care system, making our schools the very best. and making this country and our homeland saver by changing our foreign policy. all of those things are sick with the president promised to do. and that is what he is busy doing in washington.

>> so you are satisfied with what you're hearing from whatever this space is, especially on health care? >> yes, i think there are millions of people out there that no -- they are part of the political base in, and others are independent or republicans a believe it is time the health care system changed. we need reform and cannot continue to do what we're doing now. i think it is precisely it. >> there others, inside and as a, you think you have lost control of the argument and have wondered whether the president has the political muscle to see this through. >> state to end. >> well, you know, how do you respond to the suggestion they lost control of the argument? >> the argument is not over. the discussion is not over. the debate is not over. the legislative process is not

over. >> you did not expect to have this back and forth between the party on the public option? >> [inaudible] >> why do say that? >> i said this this morning. this notion of changing the position on the public health care plan or the public option u pick up on saturday. we did this this morning. none of you did that story. >> said flatly right now so it can all right it down. >> do you have your pen ready? >> the president said we're not -- >> i missed yours. >> lot of people did this. >> i will be happy to look that up. >> so you're not going to cave at all? >> i will reiterate what the president said. he believes we have to get choice in the competition. and our private insurance

market, then have to have the ability to choose among insurers. it will drive down their costs and improve quality. his preference is for public option. if others have ideas about how we can institute choice and competition, he is happy to look of those. >> [inaudible] >> we will fight for whatever is best the brings about the choice and competition. that is what the president has maintained. >> before go further on health care, a quick question on iraq. nearly 100 people have died in the latest bombings in iraq. it is the bloodiest day in a year and comes weeks after u.s. combat troops pulled of the urban centers. what does this say about the readiness of iraqi security forces to take over responsibility, and is there concern that the u.s. pullout of those cities was premature? >> i do not think so. remember, this was determined by

the iraqis as part of agreements that were made. look, i think it shows you that extremists -- the degree to which extremists will always good to recover it through senseless violence that harms innocent lives. i think the president talked about this in his speech in cairo. not only is the violence, the shocking violence, certainly and difference in views, not only is that shocking, but when you factor in the fact that this muslim-on-muslim violence, in the degree to which that underscores the deplorable and a shocking nature of it. the number of attacks is at or

near an all-time low. there will always be those that believe they can should be heard only through this type of violence. it is obvious that the vast number of iraqis believe and want to live in peace and security. we will continue to assist the iraqis in securing their country, until the agreements do know that it is time for us to go. >> any concern that the iraqi forces are not up to the task? >> no, i think we have heard general odierno talk about this in the past. i do not believe it has changed. >> president obama said that health care legislation must include a health care exchange with a public plan as part of

that exchange. are we all wrong in assuming the the word must also applies to public plan or did it only applied to the exchange. >> would have to go back and look at the exact phrasing. i do not know. >> it is one of the most exciting " in terms of people saying this is why president obama is backing off of a public plan. >> i have not looked at that in the last two days. >> >> >> i will pop popcorn and watch your newscast. again, we can quibble about whether he phrased it one way that time. we can quibble about the way he phrased it when he stood here in front of you all. in june and a tug to run on drawing lines in the sand. again, i think the president has stated his position. >> ok. in terms of comments made recently by republicans on the

senate finance committee or in negotiations with the senators. it is still the intention and hope of this white house to have a bipartisan bill in the senate? >> absolutely. the president believes strongly in working with republicans and democrats, independent, any this seek to reform health care, but want to seek cost cuts, coverage increased, insurance reforms implemented. they no longer discriminate against families and individuals. the president strongly believes that we're making progress. he has had conversations with members of the finance committee. friday in montana and others.

and our preference is to work through this process and hopefully come out with the bill that has agreement amon. >> do expect any republicans to vote on this bill? >> think many would like to see some health care reform. i trust the the three republicans working in the senate finance committee are doing so in good faith. i have no reason to believe they are not. >> how was it that you think you can achieve a bipartisan bill when it seems you're having trouble achieving a partisan bill? with the divisions between the democratic party right now, between the blue dogs and of the progressives in the house? >> i think that -- there blue dogs on the energy and commerce committee that voted out a bill on the house side before we left for recess.

so i think this notion that it is impossible even to get agreement on our side on what a health care plan looks like belies the notion of this is a piece of legislation that went through not one, not two, but three committees on the house side. i think the notion that we cannot get something done like that just is not fair. >> i guess i mean more the divisions between the house and the senate. >> that is what we're going to spend the fall doing. part of that progress is going to be what progress the senate finance committee itself can make. working with democrats in the republic since, working together to come up with what we hope is a bipartisan solution. >> this morning, i wanted to clarify something you're asked. you said, in response to this

question -- have there been discussions here strategically but boeing all democratic when it comes to health care reform? and you said no. >> we're focusing on how to get bipartisan support and how to get members of both parties who want to work on a comprehensive health-care reform. the is what we're focused on. >> but even with some of the comments from republicans, you need to say no one in the administration is looking at the strategic possibility -- >> we're focused on the process that continues in the senate. with both parties. the president, again, met with senator baucus on friday in montana, and they discussed the progress that was being made among democrats and republicans

in the finance committee. that is our focus. >> senator grassley, this morning, in response to a question to cnn, talking about broadbased support for legislation said, so far, no one has developed a the kind of support, either in congress or the white house. that does not mean we should quit. it means we should keep working until we can put something together with widespread support. has the white house failed to get white house -- widespread support? >> the white house completely agrees with what senator grassley says there. that is why i said this morning that our preferred option and is to go the route of getting all those involved, better at the table, to agree to something that can be supported by both parties.

i cannot speak to what republicans will ultimately end up doing. the president does not have control over every person's vote on this. he can and will continue to work to try to get agreement on both sides of the aisle with this. the president believes this issue is far too important to not try. to walk away from a perfect opportunity to bring both sides together in order to make progress on an issue but we have seen fell time after time after time. that is why the president is not connected ideologically to devore things but to how we get the best for americans. >> you're talking about clients in the sand. would you say that not raising taxes on anybody making $250,000 or less, as far as

health care is concerned, is a line in the sand? is then ministrations commitment of the public option as equally as strong as the commitment by the administration? >> odinga i have answered this like 12 times. -- i think i have answered this like 13 times. >> so the answer is no. >> i will go slow. no president believes we should have tories in competition -- keep writing. choice and competition for people entering the private insurance market in order to hold down costs and provide quality in coverage, so we have to of choice and competition. the president's preferred way is a public option. if there are others who have additional viewpoints are other ideas in policy and institute for that, he is and we're ready to hear it.

>> is it wrong or correct to say the the president's commitment to not raising taxes on them in this bill is equally as strong as having a public option? >> walmart get into ranking all of those things. . . >> on the messaging front, the guys accept any responsibility

whether on incorrect interpretations of the bill? or is it all just the media's fault? >> no, i do not believe anyone here believes that we have hit a pitch perfect note. we just have to continue to be out there. in your poll, one of the biggest myths two weeks ago was this notion of the government making and of life decisions on behalf of seniors. your poll shows that myth is not actually believe by the american people. i think the president had an impact on people's perception about with the healthcare bill means for those decisions. >> only 45% -- is that a moral

victory? >> 45% is not half the country. if you give 45% in the election, you do not win. we are heartened that a majority of the country -- and i think the same number of seniors believe that that is exactly a myth. does that mean the president will have to deal with other myths? sure, no doubt. if he is speaking to faith leaders today he will do a radio call-in show tomorrow, and continue to try to make progress. i do not know if it did on one of the earlier calls. we will see. >> robert, when you talk about, not to belabor the point too

much further, but is the president open to anything to bring down costs? has he seen anything outside of the public option that will do that? >> we had that discussion yesterday. most people have said they have not yet seen full details of what a coop look like. they cannot fully evaluated because of that. >> concerning the radio call-in, what is it? >> [inaudible] >> second, senate democrats have been meeting for more than one month, turned to figure out what can be done for reconciliation, and what cannot be. they feel like they have made a lot of progress on the parliamentary options. are you saying that the white house has not participated in

those conversations? >> i can check, but not that i am aware of. >> they still call it plan b. could you check? >> our focus is not on what happens if -- our focus is on the here and now. >> do you believe that you can do a significant health care bill 51 votes? >> that is not our focus. >> on afghanistan, what is your sense of the security situation there just hours leading up to the vote? what are the stakes for the president's strategy? >> the president has long said that the presidential and provincial elections are the most important events for

afghanistan this year. we wish the afghans well in their election tomorrow. this is an important event in choosing their own leaders. in terms of security, obviously the president increased our troop commitment based on the belief that the security situation for these elections was tremendously important. we continue to monitor that. look, i think this is an important event and the president's policy is one that he is focused on getting right through a new and comprehensive strategy he announced. it is to defeat, dismantle --

disrupt, this mental and defeat al qaeda and extremist allies. this is important for our national, homeland security, and for the security for the rest of the world. >> what would you like to see changed in the afghan government and how works? >> i do know what to do that before tomorrow. we'll have comment about elections then. >> are you still hoping this will be a legitimate collection process? >> we look forward to observing what happens tomorrow. we hope it is safe and secure. >> talk to me more about the phone call this afternoon. is there some more targeted message he is trying to get across? >> no, i think he had -- he already has completed a call this morning with rabbis.

he was invited to join them as they get ready for their important holidays. the importance for fate leaders, -- faith readers, health care and health care coverage for millions of americans, but the message is not any different for them than for those to go to a town hall meeting or hallin on arabia call in show. his principles are the same. -- or to listen in on a radio call in show. it is to make it more manageable for budgets of the federal, state, and local governments. the important reforms he has discussed throughout the west of

the last couple of days. >> one reporter is quoted as saying "republican leadership has faced the strategic decision that defeating health care thatis [inaudible] is the at -- whose view is that? have you made a conclusion about a strategic business the public has made on this issue? >> there are many in the leadership that appear not to support reform. it is the very thing i just spoke to a ed about. i will go back to a number also in the nbc poll -- the approval rating for republicans in congress on health care. 21 approve, 62 disapprove.

we have heard from both parties that the american people know that something must be done. they cannot continue to watch premiums double, watch small businesses either go out of business or drop coverage that they provide employees. the federal government cannot continue to watch healthcare costs skyrocket and hope to get on a path of fiscal responsibility. not anymore than we can have bureaucrats in charge of health care, neither can we have insurance company bureaucrats in charge of it. the vast majority know we must do something. >> the republican leadership has made a strategic decision to oppose it. >> i have not seen anything to persuade me otherwise. >> what is the utility from the white house perspective of

continuing to pursue a bipartisan agreement? >> we take seriously the fact that there are republicans, three of which are on the finance committee who have said they are committed and dedicated to health care. we believe that unless we're told is not the case. >> [inaudible] >> i have not read a lot of commons from center mcconnell the lead me to believe he is supportive of their efforts. >> mentioning polls, a survey late in july, early august, asks, "should congress approve even if only democrat support it succeeds 59% said no, others said they agreed -- many of those who said no for independents. how does this factor into the way you look at the issue and

will deal with the going forward? >> it factors in precisely as i have spoken about it today. our preference is to move forward working with democrats and republicans. we think that is important. we believed that those who are working to try to get that agreement are doing so because they think healthcare reform is important. we will continue to try to make progress. >> preference does not overtake the desire to achieve some legislative result this year, does it? >> the president has been clear on that. >> you said there was an indication that the three republican negotiators on the committee have said they are in favor of reform. more recently they have said things that apart from that. what was the president's

reaction to senator chuck grassley's comment this week that he would not vote for a bill --[inaudible] >> i am trying to remember whether we tried to talk about it and what he said. obviously, we take it on facebook you that senator chuck russell, senator olympia snowe, and others are working to find a solution and a comprehensive way -- the ticket on face value that centethat senator chuck grassle and others say what they mean. >we believe that those three

individuals and others are working right now in good faith. >> those the white house believed the republican leadership in the senate and/or house is purposely obstructing this bill for political gain? >> i would refer you to what rob said in a store that you wrote. >> is it being obstructionist here? >> i have not seen a lot of action on the part of republican leaders to enunciate clearly what they want to do to cut health-care costs, try to cover those who are unfortunate enough not to have coverage. what they want to do on insurance reforms. i have not seen them overwhelmed with that as a focus.

>> what is the president's view of some conciliatory moves we have seen from north korea? >> stepping back for a second, obviously the president had a good meeting yesterday with former president clinton. look, our goals have not changed. largely because the responsibilities of north korea have not changed. they entered into agreements, signed agreements that require them to abandon their nuclear weapons program. our continued go is a de- cuclearized korean peninsula. we are suddenly hopeful that whatever signals they may or may not send, that it leaves them

back to the process of living up to the responsibilities that they introduced. that has always been our focus. >> after listening to former president clinton yesterday, is he more optimistic? tell us what they talked about. [laughter] >> good try. >> a couple of months back the president asked secretary gates to look into ways to relax the do not ask, don't tell policy. have you heard back on that? >> i can check on them. >> those the president feel any urgency with the buildup in afghanistan? >> the president has long- believe that the policy did not work for our national. interest, national

i will check with them and what progress has been made. just to return to yours for a second. just to reiterate one thing -- that pathway for them to come back and live up to those responsibilities is open. the door is open for them to walk through. we hope that would ever they are doing regardless of the signals that they send, that they will walk through the door and live up to those responsibilities. one of the messages we have had and others have had dealing with north koreans is their belief that a nuclear weapons program will raise their international stature rather than -- it is our strong belief that the program in defiance of the agreement they signed diminishes them.

it further alienates them from the world. >> [inaudible] >> aware from news reports. obviously, the state department has to approve travel outside of a certain radius of new york for diplomats that are acting in any of these meetings independent of the administration. i would ask you to speak to their mission in new york and speak to gov. richards specifically about reasons. >> robert, after the president and former president left yesterday they went into the oval office. did they speak about health care? >> they did continue their

discussion on health care. i said this yesterday -- i am not going to get into what private conversations are had between this president and the former president clinton, or other former presidents. >> it affects us all. >> with a more topics on no. 3 it in that meeting? >> not that i know of. >> are the obama's of splitting the cost with the government for the house in martha's vineyard, and other? >> i do not know. i know that the obama's are paying for their vacation as they have paid for a vacation last august in hawaii and last december in hawaii, as well. >> we talk about tomorrow's

online -- does the president feel that his base supporters need a pep talk were to be a little more proactive to counter some of the efforts from opponents? >> relating to also what steve asked, the president wants to locate those who have been involved with him for a long time in where we think we are on healthcare reform and how we can contributcontinue to keep tm involved with important issues throughout the fall. it is something we have wanted to do for a while. the schedule had an opportunity. >> could they be more involved than they have been? >> look, we know people have busy lives. i think many of these people have been greatly involved and given of their time and money and energy in this and other efforts. we hope they continue to do so.

>> is the white house concerned that the afghan government is going to expelled germans for reporting to be and violence? >> we have expressed our concern and displeasure about the policy. we believe that journalists should have the freedom of access in fully covering tomorrow's elections. yes, sir? >> two quick healthcare questions. do you have a answer on the poker question? >> no, not yet. >> concerning the taxes come game? >> i have a lot of questions to ask the president. >> you're talking about this earlier, the good news that most americans no longer believe in death penalty, but the fact remains that section 1233 was

removed from the house bill. how can you reassure voters? >> i do not follow the thesis of your section that has been pulled out? >> 1233 about the end of life. the report from earlier this week that it has been dropped. is it not true? >> this is a finance committee bill that no one has seen. i think the president is going out there and explain what those provisions are and are not, regardless of what section of what bill they are in. it is something the president has focused on. he has been correcting the record. it has more to do with sustained dialogue to deal with

misrepresentation, rather than if the provision is there. >> there was a meeting on july 7 between the white house and pharma and the senate finance committee. the attendees have never released, can you say who was there? specifically also for the other parties, and the white house? >> i would have to look back that. >> is the white house looking at the positive, negative, neutral concerning this meeting? >> i do not know what is on the docket to discuss. again, without understanding the agenda or reasoning for this meeting, it is our strong hope that the north koreans will pick

up the responsibility they entered into in hopes of seeing a denuclearized korean peninsula. if anything further that goal, it will be positive. >> did the administration enter into the meeting without knowing what it would be about? >> the state department has to prove travel, but [inaudible] >> on the guantanamo closure issue, there's a group of about 30 government people who when not to look at that in michigan last week. has that group or similar one then sent to look at leavenworth in kansas, or the colorado place? is the michigan side of the only one under consideration? in terms of transplanted, the committees around the country have a right to know -- do they have a right to know what side is being looked at? or will it be a fait accompli?

>> part of this is a meeting with local officials. let's not perpetuate this notion that somehow somebody swooped in and nobody knew. >> it was clear you were going to michigan. have you gone anywhere else? >> i have no information that we have done a site visit or evaluation anywhere other than this facility at standish. >> is the only option on the table? >> no final decision was made. it was not a visit intended -- this was and evaluative is it, not a final decision. there are obviously certain things, aspect in a facility

that anyone would like to see. we are evaluating a facility that many of those locals believe would be a good fit and provide dingell employment on a prison that has closed. one more. -- provide gainful employment. >> on the two gubernatorial races, will it affect president obama's referendum? >> no, i think in many ways state elections bring together many factors that determine how people might go. i am from virginia and reminded that -- i live in virginia -- i'm from alabama. alabama. i think if you go back to 1982

or 1970 -- somewhere near that time -- yes, that the party that occupied the white house, the opposite party has held the governor's mansion in richmond. i can do this back to released 1986, i think. -- i can do this back to at least 1986, i think -- it is quite a while. >> did at the white house anticipate the velocity of the attacks from opponents and their philosophy for health care? >> if you go back and watch what

senator john mccain's critique of the healthcare plan from april or may 2008, it is not any different then you hear opponents making now. i would also say that if you go back from a participated in the debate in 1993, 1994, and disappeared from anything political, and were sealed off from news for 15 years and came back and decided to critique health care plan, you would probably pick what they are saying which is not true. i think the attacks are standard. they are tried and true. they have in the past, because of the backing of certain interests, won the day. the president has entered into

this discussion with all of those involved in the healthcare debate in a different way, and hopes and believes the outcome this fall will be different than the one we have seen over the past many years. thanks, guys. >> don hewitt when minted "60 minutes" died today. he was 86 years old. he died of pancreatic cancer,

says cbs. his death was one month after that of walter cronkite. at 7:00 p.m. eastern we will have an interview with don, from a one we talked to him in 2001 about his memoir. you can see that interviewed here on c-span. tonight on "book tv prime time" on c-span2, robert frank, author of the economic naturalist's feel good. then, two other offers. one with a book on al qaeda. >> the u.s. government. >> benefactors. >> i do not know. some of it is government-rays. >> it is not public funding. >> private donations.

>> from me, my tax dollars. >> america's cable companies created c-span as a public service, a private business initiative, with no government mandate or money. >> the white house briefing contained several questions about health care legislation. now a news conference on the issue with a group of anti- abortion activist. this book with reporters yesterday after visiting offices on capitol hill. this is 40 minutes. >> we are here while congress is on break because we could not take a break. not while america is in such desperate need of health care. we support health care for all americans. indeed, we want to make sure that they have the best each of us, that each of us has the

best health care possible. that includes our tiniest, weakest, infirm, and elderly. therefore, you will hear from several of us today. not raising argumentative voices, but voices of hope. my uncle, dr. martin luther king jr. once said he had a dream. that all americans would serve the beloved community. he said he wanted protestants, catholics, gentiles, and jewish people to join in the age old adage "free at last." we're here to join that choir. let's served america from the youngest to the most mature, with good health care. we have speakers. we thank you for coming in when your time is important. so, we have dr. diania harrison,

and others. dr. harrison will come first, then gartner, and nelson. we will then be joined by a bishop harry jackson. we are group of people who have different political persuasions, different vocations, didn'diffet ethnic groups, but we all care about the health care of america. thank you for coming. >> thank you very much. i am dr. donna harrison, president of the american association of pro-life american obstetricians and gynecologists. we're one of the largest groups within that sector. i'm here to tell it to you about hit the credit medicine and how it is involved with the healthcare debate -- talking to about hyppocratic medicine.

that both means that i will not to you or your unborn baby, or your granmdma. i vowed to protect and not destroy human life, but as an ob-gyn doctor and the proposed health-care bill i could lose my job for refusing to kill your unborn chart. the doctor is protected by three new laws, all of which could be wiped out under the proposed health-care reform. the american association for per-life doctors joined in calling president obama to keep his promise to protect the right of conscience of all health care reformerprofessionals. all types who have vowed not to her you or your unborn child or any of your family. we call on the present to change the proposed reform bill to

explicitly included real and not deceptive conscience projections for all health-care professionals. -- protections for all professionals. abortion destroys life. it increases the mother's risk, risks of suicide, depression, substance abuse, and other adverse mental health outcomes. abortion increases her risk of serb policy and pre-term birth. it has of the risks associated with it that are well- documented in medical literature. abortion is targeted at black women. one-third abortions are done on black women. even though they only make up 16 of the population. tax money is used to fund abortion providers under the current bill who are ready to expand operations is

proportionately to black americans. we call on president obama to explicitly exclude any tax funding of abortion from any proposed health-care reform bills, even under the terms of reproductive health. we call on the president to stop all current government subsidy to those organizations who in their roots and actions target the black committee for genocide. healthcare is about life. health care reform must be about making life better for all people. not destroying the lives of people who someone else does not want. thank you. hello, and i want to thank dr. king and think our honorary sponsors, the congressman from arizona and also from louisiana. thank you for being our on responses.

in a time when america is spiraling down into an abyss of debt and economic turmoil, president obama has been putting a lot of his time into a big push to kill as many children as possible. in less than nine months he has the join the mexico city policy which means american tax dollars will be used to pay for foreign abortions and has been working tirelessly to force positions to either kill unwanted children or refer patients to other baby- killers. he has worked to ensure that even more are killed by removing the ban from the embryonic stem cell experiments. since 1973 when the judgment was decided, abortion has killed more than 50 million children. 17 million were black. today for every black baby born another is killed by abortion. planned parenthood is the nation's largest abortion chain.

it has planted them strategically in urban and minority areas. it is no accident. one institute and the center for disease control and prevention show that a huge majority, more than 75% of abortion clinics are located in majori minority neighborhoods. it kills more americans than accidents, heart disease, strokes, crime, hiv aids, and all other deaths combined. it is big business in america. planned credit brought in more than $1 billion last year. it also accepted american taxpayer money. think about that. thousands of americans lost * due to foreclosure. many could have been saved with

$350 million. we coulhave men, women, children living on the streets. fellow americans destitute and homeless. that money could have provided housing and shelter for many. many schools are in shambles. that money could have paid for more teachers, books, and computers. the president's most recent efforts to push the health care goal to mandate taxpayer-funded abortions is next. let's not mince words. abortion is no picnic. it is horrible and gruesome procedure that kills babies by so vacation, decapitation, and dismemberment. in spite of all this, the president is relentless in determination to continue support to the abortion industry and once to force you and me to pay for it.

that is unbelievable. why would anyone be so bent on helping to grow industries that include the butchering and dismembering of helpless human beings? we must all come to realize that if we are truly the america that holds life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness severe, then we must stop this surge of abortion. we are otherwise no better than those who perpetrate conflict in darfur or any other country where human beings are enslaved or butchered just because they are weaker. i'm here to say no, mr. president, abortion is not healthcare, but rather death care and i do not want to pay for. it is that simple. >> good afternoon. my name is dean nelson.

i served as the executive director for the network of politically active christians. we serve as an organization to teach and activate social conservatives, particularly in the african-american committees to be more politically involved. this issue is an important one for our nation, and particularly for me. about five years ago i could no longer afford the health care plan my family and i had. but the record me to do research. i found something that is called health savings accounts. this particular card is an example of golden rule, a face- based accountants found five years ago. the important thing to emphasize today is that five years ago when i first file the plan, over the course of that time i know actually have more health care and it is cheaper for me.

let me state that again because most do not believe that. i actually have greater value in my healthcare by this savings account. it is cheaper than it was. it is primarily because of competition. there is a lot to be concerned about with this 1000 + page health care bill which our electors elected officials change. it would rather pay doctors less and a slowly deprive the elderly of life-providing care. the most tragic of all provisions has nothing to do with healthcare. it is designed to persuade the most vulnerable among us, particularly mothers, not to

have children. the caps and the men which passed despite opposition would mandate federal funding for elective abortions. title 5 would allow planned parenthood to actually be involved with school-based health clinic provisions. our president publicly pledged his devotion to all of planned parenthood's legislative goals in 2007. he is trying to fulfill his promises under the radar. he is determined that the provisions in this bill to encourage abortions among the honorable remained obscure to the general public while at the same time placating the ferocious lobbies that worked so hard to elect him.

let's understand that i loved our president and pray for him continually. when it comes to life particularly among african- americans, we find ourselves almost below replacement level. our president said he wanted to see abortions reduced, but he needs to own up to the policies that undermine that. i'm not the first to wonder if our president himself would have been born have there been a strong public option available for his mother who bore him out of wedlock while still a teenager. i have spoken with many adults who in my lifetime would not be here had it not been for the mothers and ability to procure that $300 needed. the price of a medical hit man might not be the most admirable reason to bear a child, but it has saved many lives.

raising children will always be more work than killing them, but always more rewarding. make abortion free and we will see where the administration intends to do its promised cost- cutting. in the extermination of the people it views as the least desirable. thank you. >> we also have members of the pregnancy would care center committee. the question is often asked, you say do not aboard your baby's. what are you going to do with all the babies who come to war and wanted -- who come unwanted? i have asked members to speak who was not expecting too. she will introduce herself and share for two minutes. do we care beyond abortion? the word abortion may not appear

in the health care bill. that would dignity, leads to assisted suicide, women's reproductive health -- the package often includes abortions. >> hello, my name is laurie carter and i am the director of underserved our reach with care net. it is an organization that represents over with 1100 pregnancy centers across the u.s. pregnancy centers are there in your communities to offer compassionate care for women who find themselves facing an unplanned pregnancy. the services they provide are free and there to meet a woman at her point of need. it is a holistic approach to meeting her need. it addresses are not just from

her physical situation, but also with the emotions, the spiritual, the intellectual, the relational issues she is facing. these pregnancy centers are there just to meet her at the point of need. i found in my position as i reach out to the african- american pastors and community leaders that one of the things important for us as a movement, to discuss with our young women, is to discuss their reproductive rights -- it is not necessary to have the right to abort to have full reproductive rights. right for our generation and the one to come simply means something that will validate the health of the mother. having an abortion -- it is not necessary to have an abortion to

pursue your goals. if a young woman today -- we realize it is not like it was when they beat our grandmothers or great-grandmothers who felt the only way to have a career, education, dreams fulfilled was to have the option to abort in the event of an unplanned pregnancy -- that is old thinking. it is not the way it is today. in women should take part in realize that if they put a specific exclusion in this bill that says abortion is excluded, that will in no way deny eve reproductive rights. i encourage young women to make your voices heard. clarify it is not necessary to do that. thank you. >> as we invite bishop judson to come up and give his statement, i would like to point

out that we brought two open letters today, one for president obama, the first document, and the last in your packet, from a group of african-american leaders and other pro-life leaders. they're from every political party and ethnic group. we all agree as has been eloquently stated, women's reproductive rights should not include abortion, but pro- creative reproductive rights. it should ensure the woman is very healthy all her life. please give your statement and then we will open for questions. thank you. >> i want to think alveda king for her leadership, and others here -- i want to thank her and others who are carrying the torch. i believe this healthcare plan

is being presented and is immoral and ungodly. first, there is a sense that we will have to open up the healthcare system and lower the level of care i people care in america today. three years ago i was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus. the doctors said i had a 50% chance of living. if i had been denied or delayed service i would not be standing here. there is something wrong with the system that says -- the least of these has to be served. we do not care what happens to other sick people. the last time i looked at the scripture math you 25 it says that you visit the sick and poor

-- it is not just the rich sick, it is the sick. if i will have to listen care for some people, and people who are worthy of service, care, do not get served, we have a major problem. in other words, my life is not worth less because i am worth more financially. there is an assumption that if you lived in a certain zip code you can have other options. you have money to take care of whatever healthcare needs you have. that is not true. there is a reverse classism in this issue. we deal specifically with the issue of abortion. it is absolutely immoral to say you're going to pay for an abortion. 41% of all the pregnancies in

washington d.c. are terminated by abortion. if it is correct and abortion that is paid for by the government increases the number, it would come down to one out of every two pregnancies in this city would be terminated. we could just count. you abort, you do not. you aboard, you do not. -- you abort, you do not. that be thithe statistics. it is absolutely racist. three of four babies. black, black, black, white.

black, black, black, hispanic -- that is the way this will go down. don't tell me that this is moral order. it is genocide. it will have a decimating effect on the. whole the rigid on the whole nation. the third reason i think it is immoral does not have anything to do with euthanasia. it has to do with the issue of abortion. i have the staff of 50. we provide health care. under this system, although we have 200 kids in day care, i would have to pay out of the tightest and offerings of church people who do not believe -- of the tithes and offerings -- i

would have to pay for someone else's abortion. we will be forced to participate. none of us think it is right. i believe this particular health care plan as it stands is absolutely ungodly and evil. i resent that there has been an attempt to get progressive ministers to say it is ok and it should be supported. that is politics at its worst. on this one, we hope that everything to do with this health care program winds to a slow halt and we sit down, take stock of morality, look realistically at our problems, and make a moral, got to come alive-oriented decisions in jesus' name.

thank you for your time. >> we would be happy to take questions at this time. >> if the question of abortion orwere to be resolved to your satisfaction, would you then support the broader ends of the healthcare bill? >> we would like to ensure that abortion is never paid for in any program in america, neither euthanasia. now, there are some parts of the bill that can certainly be supportive. we will continue to examine those. before we can answer that question we will have to get abortion and euthanasia out of it.

>> based on what i had shared earlier, first, there are options that currently exist. i am not in favor of the current health care plan. even beyond abortion, as i stated, there are faith-based options currently. the one that i stated before they gave me over five years better coverage. my premiums went down. there are people in the administration who want to push as quickly toward a government- provided health care system. they do not want that message to get out. i have a family of five and we live here in washington, d.c. with a combined income of less than $60,000. we need to look at these type of

health savings accounts and other faith-based programs like medishare that incentivize good behavior. the other option i have heard a little about with regard to the co-ops -- that might be a more acceptable way. as long as we look at programs that incentivize better behaviors and more responsibility for the individual, we will have a better solution. >> concerning euthanasia, the administration is pushing back saying they are providing funding for consultation so that people can decide about a will. why are using is euthanasia arguments? >> it says and death with

dignity -- to say that certain people over a certain age every year would have to have consultation -- and also perhaps understanding their duties to die -- all that is implied. if you have legislation that does not specifically say the "we will not provide funding for euthanasia" then interpretation can be very broad or limited. >> you said if well. the details have to be put forth. we have had a team looking at what is written in the 1000 pages. if this slim on details. i agree with her. >> does anyone else have questions, please? >> if you would like to speak to what i think a lot of people meant about the euthanasia argument is the issue of

rationing. what that actually means. people are focusing on whether there really is a death penalty, or not. but when you look at the effectiveness research in the bill and decide who can have it based on age and quality of life, and projected years, those that he will euthanasia? connie with human events. >> if things are not spelled out and clearly defined it does not matter what is in our mind as an individual. i might interpret it generously toward the elderly, but suppose someone else has a different mind-set and is allowed to interpret accordingly. that is a problem. one of my favorite things to say -- and i am a star trek fan -- that neither the many of wait the few or the one.

collectively, we have to take care of all of our people. so it is not what i personally think, but does america believe that life should have dignity from the womb to a natural death? it is playing with those places. many that i hear say this or that word is not in the bill. but if it is not clearly stated that euthanasia will not occur by any definition, nor abortion by any definition, it can be too broadly interpreted. any of us as individuals can say, well, my grandmother just died recently and i would never have dreamed of euthanasia for her. that is wonderful to hear. but what about the millions who could come under a plan that could cause them every year to have to think about the duty to die?

>> i have a question for dr. harrison. from my perspective i would hate to admit to this that it will still go through one way or the other -- it probably will not with the extreme provisions, but it will go through. the doctors will then have to make more decisions. will they be protected? what will your organization do to protect them? >> that is a big question. . .

>> there ask what they do it but put it was situation where the reports to either euthanize a patient or report them or lose their jobs. they said 89% will quit. that is taking out the physicians who are in the catholic health care system, 1/6 of the health care of the country. that is taking out the positions who are in rural areas, most of the physicians in our group are in underserved areas we will take away the care from the most needy people, not just the unborn and the elderly, but the

most needy people by forcing ethical positions, physicians who have taken democratic oath and will not buy let that go. they will not kill their patients. we will take them out of the health-care system. what will be -- what will we be left with? this bill is not the way to fix the health care problem. >> thank you. thank you very much for coming. we are very glad to see today. goodbye. [applause] &v>> we have a magazine with a good article about light beer you can take it on your way out. -- about life. you can take it on your way out.

>> the white house today told reporters that the president stands firm on its preference for a public option çdhealth insurance plan. a small group of senators is going back to work on a compromise health care plan. the leaders as they will buy -- defied skeptics. max baucus says his group of three democrats and three republicans is on track to reach agreement on a deal that can pass a divided senate. senate majority leader harry reid has given max baucus a september 15 deadline for an agreement. don hewitt, who invented "60 minutes" died today. he was 86. cbs news as he died of pancreatic cancer at his bridgehampton home. his death came one month after that of fellow cbs newsman walter cronkite. we will have an interview with don hewitt at 7:00 p.m.,

eastern. we talk in 2001 about his memoirs. you can see that interviewed here on c-span. >> this fall, enter the home to america's highest court. from the grand public places to those only accessible by the nine justices, the supreme court is coming the first sunday in october on c-span. >> maryland representative elijah cummings recently hosted a town hall about veterans' issues. veterans of wars from vietnam to iraq spoke about their problems and concerns. issues discussed included health care, employment, and readjusting to society after military service. this runs about one hour and a half. behalf of the board of directors, staff, and students, we want to welcome our special

guest to our program. to tell you a little bit about congressman comiummings, he was raised in baltimore, maryland where he still resides today. he obtained a degree in political science from howard university, and graduated phi beta kappa and then with honors from the university of maryland law school. congressman cummings has dedicated his life to uplifting and empowering the people he has sworn to represent. he served for 16 years and became the first ever african- american in maryland history to be named speaker pro tem. he was first born and as the house of representatives in 1996. congressman cummings is in his

eighth term representing maryland's seventh district. he often said that our children are our living message that we send to the future, which we will never see. he is committed to ensuring that our next generation has access to quality health care, education, fresh air and water, and a strong economic -- economy defined by fiscal responsibility. he is a senior member of the house committee on transportation and infrastructure where he serves as chairman of the subcommittee on coastguard and maritime transportation. he is also a senior member of the house committee oversight and government reform. he sits on both the subcommittees of domestic policy and the post office and the district of columbia. in addition to these three

committees, he is a member of the joint economic committee in the house task force on health care reform. is a former chairman and current member of the congressional black caucus, and a co-founder and current member of of the congressional caucus on drug policy. he is also a member of the progress said -- the progressive and get out of iraq caucuses. you conceive of a congressman is a better man. i would rather have my job instead of his. we certainly want to welcome you to the maryland senator for training. -- marilyn center for training. >> good evening, everyone. we can do better than that. good evening, everyone. >> good evening, sir! >> you got me that time.

i what i thank mr. women's -- i want to thank mr. williams for your kind of deduction and all of you for what you have done for our country. so often it is said that our veterans seem as if they are unseen, on notice, on appreciated, and applauded. -- unseen and noticed, he appreciated -- unapprciated, and unapplauded. join me in giving yourselves a hand. but foley began, please join me in showing our appreciation to the wonderful fire for their

inspiring kickoff of this program. since i was in the last time, i don't remember those robes. i thought so. they broke out in those robes. but give them a hand. they were wonderful. my friends, allow me to begin this afternoon by thanking you for coming out. it makes me feel good. it is one thing when you have left town hall and a few people's joke, but every time that i have come here, i have always promised to come back and i keep coming back, but every time i come here we have always had a good audience. i want to thank all of you. we really have every seat filled. i want to like you do in church. if you have a seat beside you, raise your hand so that some of the people who might want to sit

down might have an opportunity. these are empty seats, a gentleman. we might be going for an hour. i recall for you america -- all bomb was inside into what america as you in return. banks are warranted but not nearly enough. my friends, you have served our country and fought to preserve our liberties. now is the time for your nation to help you. u.s. current health care and the other benefits that you were promised. this much is very clear. what all of us understand is that america has a long way to go before we can mark our promise to you paid in full. we must do better and we can do

better, and i think our president and congress are saying that we will do better. our nation's honor and security are at stake. this is the main reason that i returned to you this afternoon. i wanted to report on some progress that we are making in washington and we're keeping our promises to you. many of the things that we have worked on actually came out of meetings and concerns that you have had an request to me, request that you have had in the past. it is my job to take those concerns back to the congress and be a voice. it is not enough for you just to hear from me. i need to hear from you. you are the ones that are going through whatever you may be going through on a daily basis. many of you have seen some good things work like this center. we need to know about those so that we can encourage other centers of this nature to be established throughout the

united states. . >> i want to introduce them -- my guests now. we'll start with dr. george walhojin. who is the director of our local office. [applause] we also have mr. sanford garfunkel who is the regional director of veterans integrated service network 5 which serves maryland and west virginia. give him a hand, please. [applause] we have mr. dennis smith, who is

the medical director for the va maryland health care system. there was an issue that came up about -- in philadelphia with regard to prostate cancer. did you hear about that? there were issues there and i was telling dennis a few minutes ago that as soon as i heard about it, i read about it at 4: 30 in the morning. i was in his ear to make sure that those things were not happening in baltimore by the time he got to the office. when we checked it out, we were told that baltimore has one of the best va medical systems and the country. i want to thank dennis. [applause] miss angela nash is the director

of the baltimore national cemetery complex. she is here to help you -- to assure you that your family'lies are not unduly burdened in the future. upon the death of a veteran, we get the calls to try to straighten out situations so that the family can address the issues that need to be addressed at end. they need those issues addressed in a compassionate way in and a speedy way. we're glad that you can join us. give her hand, please. [applause] finally, on the end, we have miss joanne johnson, who is a team leader at the baltimore vet centers and she is here to talk about your mental health benefits. she will be sitting at a table in the fall.

-- a table in the hall. give her hand, please. [applause] what we are going to do, i will make a brief presentation and we will have your questions and we will join in together to try our best to answer those questions. there may be some things that are very personal and might not be appropriate -- you might not want your business in the street. he will have an opportunity to meet with the folks. they will stick around so if you have a matter that is important for you, you can separate your cells and have them -- they will address you after we finish. if i see us going in that direction, i will ask you to please hold it and address it in a more one on one way.

i hope that you all will respect that. you have taken important step by coming here. usit takes the entire communityo help a veteran heal. veterans call my office every day. many of you have called my office. sometimes, the obstacle is money. at other times, bureaucracy and other human limitations made in the way of getting the job done. i have not forgotten the ultimate responsibility that we all have for our own lives. yet, whatever obstacles you may face or you may have faced in the past, our objective now must be to get the job done. that is why we are here today as a community, to learn and inform each other. i will take a few moments and report on progress and we will hear the questions and we will

hear from our va experts. with regard to health care -- i realize that several obstacles can stand the way of veterans receiving the benefits that you have been promised. congress and the president must provide the department of veteran affairs with financial resources that it needs to do the job. the va is expected to trade 5.8 million patients in the coming year, including more than 260,000 iraq and afghanistan veterans. congress has made it a priority to fund health care and benefits that they were supposed -- that they were promised and that they deserve. we must do that. we have no choice but to do that. if we can send our men and women like you off to war, not

only must we make sure that you are taken care of while you were there but we must take care of you when you come back. that is our commitment. we have to do that. we have to make sure that happens. [applause] we have in our bodies, we must do everything in our power to make you as whole as we possibly can. i have talked to a lot of you, and listen to you, and i think we have got to -- we have this one thing to have the resources. we have got to marry them so you can get done what you have to get done. i found the biggest increase ever was approved by congress this year. the house appropriations bill 3082 provided a path to restoring and revitalizing the services offered to veterans by

adding $14.5 billion in the 2010 budget. in addition, the stimulus bills have another 1.4 billion in increased funding in 2009 to improve the maintenance of va medical facilities, the construction of extended care facilities, and repair of veterans cemeteries. almost as important as the overall funding entries is the certainty with which these funds will be provided. a top priority for veterans would mean the reform of funding process that resulted in 19 at lake va budgets during the last 22 years. that is not right. this year, we got the job done we passed h.r. 1016, the veterans' health care budget, reform and transparent act, with

medical related accounts for the last fiscal year. this legislation is an historic reform to improve the care of veterans received in the future. we know that va operations benefit from advanced notice regarding resource allocation. the ability of the va has been hindered to recruit well trained medical professionals, and maintain facilities, and acquire new equipment. dennis can testify to that. he has hired people to be in the hospital and medical facilities to treat the folks coming in, bought unless he has some kind of notice, that is a major problem. some people may arrive, but the money is not moving as fast as the people are. so what do you have? you have a gap, a problem. thank god that dennis smith has

been able to work around that. the va has been provided funding to adequately maintain facilities and continue services. the va maryland health care system is responsible for providing care to hundreds of thousands of maryland veterans. i also note that according to the center for minority veterans, minority veterans comprise approximately. the mission is to care for people who love borne the battle to honor those who have worn the uniform by providing them with the highest quality health care and benefits possible. however, that mission can only be accomplished if they know the full range of services available. my mother used to have a saying. she said there is nothing like a person who don't know what they

don't know. and that is true. a lot of times things are available to us, but if we do not know about them, it cannot do us very much good. and that is one thing i would ask that you do. a small favor you can do for your congressman and all of us is learn about things today, and pass the word on to people who may not be here, who may be going through some things. that is important. and let me pause here to give you a commercial. on september 12, we will be doing what we call a foreclosure prevention seminar and workshop at woodlawn high school from 9 until 3. a number of you have said you are worried about losing your home's, separate work apart from what you are doing today. and we held one on june 6 and were able to help people stay in

their homes. and if you are worried about how to get to your mortgage payment or whether you find yourself in foreclosure, i want you to give us a call. all of those folks on my staff, right here, we have somebody getting to those issues immediately. the last to know what you to do is to sit around and wait and hope and the next thing you are sitting out, you come home, and all of your stuff is on the front lawn. if you find yourself in that situation, if you have a relative, if you know somebody, please pass the word. and if you are in that situation, do not wait. do not let shame be your enemy. do not let shame be your enemy. too many people are so worried about shame.

foreclosure prevention, september 12 -- in the meantime, we get together with the lender and borrower. i want to get to some questions. we must feel better about reaching out to veterans to informally about resources that are necessary. one of the reasons for the question and answer session that we will be having in just a few minutes is to give you the opportunity to help the va do a better job helping you receive the care you need. basically, what we try to do is make sure and find out what you need, and we want to find out what we can do better to try and address your needs. can i tell you a secret? is your tax dollars. it is your tax dollars that

allow this to happen, so we want to make sure they are being spent in an efficient manner to benefit you and your family. before i move on from health care to other important concerns, i will take a moment to comment on the backlog, because i've concern about this. i do not sit on the affairs committee for veterans, but i pay attention to what they are doing because we have so many veterans. one of them is the subcommittee on disability assistance and memorial affairs. a series of hearings regard a growing backlog in the disability claim process. how many of you have been waiting a long time for the claim? that is quite aew of you. during a hearing on june 9, which questioned if the va could manage 1 million claims, a panelist had this to say. this is what he said. he said, and i quote, unquote

weekend, and we must, because we must not fail those who never failed us." 396,000 backlogs and veterans' claims, and the 177 day average wait for veterans to assess veteran benefits they have earned -- that is very important, that you have earned -- that is why congress has provided the funding for some 7100 new va claim processors, and we feel very good about that. there's something about president obama talking about the urgency of now. the urgency of now. when someone is going through some difficulty, they do not have time to wait. the time they are waiting can literally almost to destroy them, if not destroy them. hopefully, with the 7100 added to their ranks to help the

process, we will get that back on down very, very soon. and that is our downpayment on the challenges we face. to get the job done, the va must be willing to educate claims quickly and accurately. we must also be open to the idea that veterans like yourselves present options like this one. it is so important that you know what we're going through. veterans and their families should no longer have to put their lives on hold while waiting for the much-needed assistance they reserved -- deserve, because they went and did job for us, and we need to were firmer -- a firm the favor. you got on a plane, you went to

iraq or afghanistan and did what you had to do. right now, we have got to do what we got to do. and when you served, he served without hesitation, did what you have to do. allow me to say a few words about homelessness that veterans face. i tell you, on my way here, a few moments ago, i saw a fellow up the street, and he was -- he had a t-shirt that said veteran, and a little army cap, and he was over there by the church, the post office. anybody familiar? i tell you, i felt something.

obviously, he was a veteran. obviously, he was going through some help. i know far too many veterans are having difficulty with housing. when you do not have a house, what does that lead to? almost as. -- homelessness. the number of homeless veterans is a national disgrace. we know that long-term housing, dental, medical, and health care are central to rehabilitation of the homeless. in 1993, the va launched a community, is this assessment local education and networking fund. how many of you are familiar with that? let me tell you about it. challenge is a program designed to enhance continuance of services and the regional office

and surrounding agencies. in other words, takin the local folks, working with veterans, making sure that they get the services with regard to those who might be homeless. the guiding principle behind the project is that the va should work closely with local community to identify needed services and deliver the full spectrum requiredo,h@@@ @ @ @ á >> we passed the homeless veterans reintegration program of 2009 which requires the va to provider -- provide comprehensive services to the homeless. this bill re-authorizes the homeless veterans reintegration program through 2014 which provides grants for job training, counseling, child

care. how many of you all are looking for a job? how many of you don't have a job right now? it seems like the same people. i am certain that the counselors will be able to provide more information about how well this program is working. the challenge of providing jobs -- we know that a central key to ending homelessness for veterans as well as everyone else is a good job. many people do not realize how important a job is. a job is important. i remember when i was practicing law, i practiced for many years, not being able to have a job. the couple did not know that was a problem, but it was underlying

everything, and most folks, men and women, want to work. they want to contribute, and my right? correct me if i'm wrong. most men and women want to work. they want to contribute to their family. not to have a nice lifestyle. they want to be productive. particularly, i would imagine, folks that have been veterans, is probably even more special you contribute, because you have already contributed substantially. obtaining additional trading is the best course to a job, but let me not kid you. we're going through difficult times right now, and you probably know it. i stood on the oversight government reform committee where we investigated how we got into this mess. let me summarize really quickly, because i do not want to get off, it was about greed, dishonesty, about people letting

other people down and not giving a hoot about all of us, but about themselves. we will deal with that. in the meantime, the economy for the entire world almost has come down. ladies and gentlemen, let me say this. you know it better than anybody else. this is a great country. you know this is a great country because of the greatness of the country, we will get through this economically. the question is, not whether we can get through it, the question is, how will we be standing when

the sun comes up? that is the question. will we still have our house? will we have a job? will the company work force still be in existence? will our child have been able to go to college? will we still be married? what questions and with all of these economic issues. a lot of pressure. all i'm saying, part of why we are here today is we're trying to make sure that the benefits that usa has paid for, that you are paying for, that you know about them and that we're able to hook you up with the benefits. because this is bigger than you. and you know it.

this is about your dignity. that is what this is about. i am almost finished. i do not want to get too riled up here. one of the things that made me so mad, i will never forget when we went to walter reed a few years ago and i was part of the initial group that went there and saw our veterans who had come back from iraq sitting for days, sometimes months with nobody to care for them and guide them. that is just not right. so anyway, let me say, i hope you'll take advantage of this, what we call it post-9/11 gi

bill. it allows veterans to receive college education benefits. i know that college is not for everybody. some people say, i've had enough education. i'm not going to college. that is fine. but there are people in this room right now who would make a great teacher. who would make a great medical person. who have the compassion, and i am begging you to take advantage of these benefits. as far of -- we have in it -- just listen to me. i beg you, please, please, do not mistake a comma for a period. please.

listen to me. you all bring something to the table and a lot of people do not bring. you have been faced with danger. you have been faced with difficult circumstances. and we need your experiences combined with education. we need you. how much will we have to do to see these kinds of men in those positions? we are trying to do positive things. am i right? this post-9/11 gi bill began

august 1, august 1. it allowed veterans to achieve a college education, up to four years of benefits, including statements for housing and books. you cannot beat that. another program wanted to mention is the recovery act. the president is funding the most pressing infrastructure needs of the va. our goal was to fund projects to create tens of thousands of new jobs, and we also wanted to take another step in keeping our promises, like a tax credit for bunesses hiring unemployed veterans. so, we have got to get our economy back functioning because we have mechanisms that will help if people are hiring. but you have to make sure they are hiring.

people receiving unemployment benefits for more than four weeks before they were hired. we also provided a stimulus payment of $250 to all disabled veterans receiving va compensation. how many of you got that? the va is looking at a problem with its initiative, vrne carried it is designed to work with coming home to work. it is supposed to help service- connected veterans to achieve their employment and independent living goals as a result of growing demand. the va outsourced the services to contractors. however, the va now says its contract was cancelled as of

july 20, 2009, 10 days ago, because of a contractor's failure to meet performance standards. are you familiar? as a result, hundreds of veterans in need of rehabilitation art trying to receive the services they desperately deserved. it insures that new contractors are capable providing services for veterans. i intend to work with them to assure that we succeed as fast as we possibly can and we go forward with the urgency of now. if there's one word that my staff will hear me say over and over again, it is urgent.

deal with this urgently. we can not get caught in a culture of mediocrity when it comes to you. now it is time for my experts to join me. i will introduce them again. dr. george, director of the regional va office, mr. sanford garfunkel is the regional director for integrated service. dennis smith, medical director for va maryland health care system, and the director of the cemetery complex. and she will go to the side and do whatever you can to address your problems. people have come to me and called me, and i see some of you

in the audience. i want you to listen to me carefully. ladies and gentlemen, we have one life to live. did you hear me? this is it. this is it. this is it right here. and this is no dress rehearsal. and the thing that has hurt me, brothers and sisters have come to me and said, congressman, something is going on in my head. i do not understand it, and i am ashamed to get help for it. i am not the man i used to be. i hear that over and over again. and they worry that if they reveal it, people will say that, no, he is not right.

what i'm saying is that it is so important that we try and address these problems. we have tried every way we know how. we try to keep disinformation confidential, and if you listen to a program, there were so many women that came on that program and talked about the men in their lives who were just phenomenal. great man. strongmen. they said that they wished they would have just gotten some

help. they were so ashamed. i thought, here -- i have not come here to ask you to get help. i am begging you to get help. it is bigger than you. it is bigger than you. you did not ask for whatever you may be going through. you gave. now we have to give back to you. again, if you have those kind of concerns, but addressed and so we can do everything in our power, because we need you. we need you. we need you being the best that you can be. so we're going to open it up for questions right now. i have my panelists.

[applause] >> there is a microphone right here. this is on c-span. it is not live but they will take it. i want you to be brief with your questions. if you have a real personal kind of thing, let's deal with it on the side. >> in 1971, i did two tours of the vietnam. in 1971, i started having symptoms of pds tape. i was not aware. -- ptsd. i started a group for vietnam veterans back then. i did not know what was going on with me. i got worried and the group look like it would help me.

i disappeared for like three years. anyway, it wasn't until 1990 that was first diagnosed with ptsd. i have been on medication cents. i filed claims about five times. records from north carolina in which i was diagnosed as chronic, and i asked the service of the search, well, if i m chronic, why have on my claims been approved? their response to me was that the va does not know where i got it from. i filed again, even with the board of veterans review, but my own records somehow disappeared. that was in 2000. >> ok.

we are going to work with you and try to figure that out. >> thank you. >> you might be prepared to come up to the microphone. c-span needs to be able to do what they are doing. >> hello. i had something similar to him, but mine is totally different. i was on two services, but they have no record of me. but they give me a paper. but i get medical care here. my question, i have a good

primary physician, but it takes two months to three months to see him. >>, appear. >> c-span, you need this, right? you need this. talking to these mikes. >> we do see walking in emergencies the day they happen. so please contact us and we will >> did you see what just happened? that is why we are here. that is what we are here. do you see how he raised the issues?

he did not have to. it is personal business. but let's knock several birds out with one stone. if you have a similar issue, like mr. hamilton's, she is the lady you are going to see as soon as you are finished. so if you have a similar issue, you do not have to come repeated. i appreciate it, but that is not the way we will handle that. >> this is for the director. i recently completed a tour of iraq and i received a dislocated jaw. at the time, there was no pain or discomfort. but when i came home, i started

noticing i was having problems with my jaw at night, things like that. when i went to the va to go to the doctor, and i actually got to see the dentist, i almost got a place to put in my mouth, but then they said 180 days was up and i did not qualify and they could not give me services. and i was trying to figure out why -- i mean, because i did not do that dental peace within 180 days, i did not have anything wrong with my job then, it was not until later on, but now i get to running around to get dental work i need for my job. >> i did not understand exactly the issue. what we have to do is get details. but i thought they changed that. they did not? because you present yourself within 180 days, we should be able to work with you.

we will work with you. we will work it out. >> to all of you, what we are going to do is -- i have a great staff, and i want you, and i have no doubt that dennis smith will do what he said he is going to do, but -- [laughter] if you do not receive satisfaction, get a hold of us. these things are urgent. you have got to be able to -- your mouth as important. you have got to be able to do things. like to chew. [laughter] yes, sir?

>> what i'm going to address this, i have heard a lot of what you said and talk about, and i am all for it, but there is a lot of us out here that were left out five years ago, 10 years ago. when i got out of the service, i had a good job. i've worked a good job. but then my disability allowed me not to be able to work my job, and they said i was not eligible. just because i'm being persecuted, just because i did not need your help before, you will shut me off now? you sit down and say, we cannot help you. there are many of us here who

observed, and all we get from you is, what can we do? we only help the young. what is this? it did not take me long to get down there, to get shot, to lose my eye. [applause] help us. do not forget us. >> i was talking about afghanistan and iraq, and i had to change that, because some of you all -- [laughter] first of all, do you want to deal with that, and then i want to address it from a congressional standpoint. but me say, i agree with you 1 million%. i've back to figure out how to make that happen.

>> i think what we need to do is sit down with you and see what we can do with regard to your job search. i cannot change regulations or the eliminating. . you are talking about roles and regulations. but there are still resources available at the vienna -- va, and counselors to help you with your job search. why not understand what you're trying to say? >> i had my own business in home improvement. i would like to do rehabilitation location, but you have a 12-year stop on it. i cannot do my own thing anymore. >> let me just say this.

that is something -- i want to thank you for bringing that up, because i was thinking about this earlier. we have to take a look at that. what you said is that there are sets of circumstances which put veterans who have been away from service for more than 12 years in just a bad a spot or worse as somebody who just came back from iraq or afghanistan. got that. got that. now, we will work on that. i will do my part. i will do what i can. the other thing is that in our stimulus bill, there is money for retraining. i'm not so much concerned about the retraining. i want you to have a job.

listen up. our office will try to work with you along with these folks to get that training. but the military peace, we will have to revisit that. in the meantime, you have to survive. i understand. i do not know whether you have children or a family, but they have got to survive with you, we cannot let you fall. so they will work with you, and he will work with you, and other people falling in that category will work with you. crystal, raise your hand. she deals with those issues. she will also -- do you have cards year? she will work with you. but we also have to have a long- term solution. by the way, what you said about the 12-year thing is apparently something veterans are going through throughout the country. so coming here and even saying that will hopefully bring change

that will benefit not only you but other people. >> would you make yourself available to sit and talk with a counselor so we could consider claims for an increase, something looking at your particular disabilities and our compensation program, so there's something we can do? do not leave tonight before you talked to staff here getting ready to work with you on a potential claim. all right? thank you. [applause] >> i know he did not say this but if you find yourself in all life third in stance -- a life

circumstance like mr. beckett, you might want to do the same thing he advised mr. beckett to do. do you have me? ok. >> you were talking about our families. my situation, beside the fact that i have three daughters under the age of 18 -- >> i have two. [laughter] >> the va health system has been great, but one reason i am here is because i am so far in debt making sure my daughters and fiancee have gone the care they need outside the system. my youngest is only year-old.

we are just -- her birth was over 20 doesn't dollars that we did not have. i lost my j shortly before she was going. i am in no way paying that money back anytime soon. so what i'm asking is, will be va help veterans and families? >> this is one of the main reasons we need the kind of health care reform the president has been pushing for. we want to make sure we create a situation where all americans

have access to health care. @@@@@@@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you get a certain impalement, there are certain companies that will drop you.

deductibles are going up, you know that? much faster than people are being paid. there was one of my colleagues who was talking about his dollar who has epilepsy. he was saying that if he was not in the congress, it would be impossible to get her insurance. and at the same time, we have a system that has been inefficient. we're spending 50% more for health care in our country but you are not getting the kind of the results. so that is why president obama has spent so much time on this issue, so that we will be able to create situations were all americans have access to health care. in the meantime, we have to address those issues, a folks

getting where you want to go. we have got to address the issues of private insurance companies, and that is why we have this thing in the bill called a public auction -- option. it is basically another type of insurance plan whereby people can get the benefits, and the government competes against other companies. how this will work out in the end, i do not know. these bills are still floating through congress. the house has passed, with three committees. we do believe this legislation is one to open the door for people like the relatives, your fiancee and your children. they will get health care they need.

in the meantime, we have to get to business with regard to making for veterans get their folks taking care of properly. veterans' benefits are not your help insurance -- your health insurance is not affected at all by any legislation going forward. >> i am wondering why the system cannot see my direct family members. my direct family, my children -- why can't they take care of my children? >> the lot does not provide for that unless you're 100% connected.

even if it passed a law tomorrow, we would not have the capacity immediately. we do not provide pediatric care, because we didot have children come. if all this that we need to provide some new services, we would need to expand. the law provides for veterans, not necessarily their families. i wish they could. >> our family suppers just as bad as the service members. >> i agree with you 100%. >> again, hopefully -- we have to go to the next question, but that is a big, broad question, and just hear me out. even with what we were trying to do right now, people try to

swift boat the plan. you understand that. right now, as we are speaking. and we're trying to come up with a plan by which their will be an affordable system. i think one of the best bets is to try to help to push your congressman, that is me -- you are already talked to the choir -- you are already talking to the choir. i cannot know how many of you have operated small businesses, but let me tell you -- almos half of the people -- anywhere from 46 million to 68 million people each day with no health insurance. 0. that is a shame. for one of the most powerful countries in the world -- i hope you can relate when i say this.

we in america are the greatest country in the world. but one of the things that made us great is our moral authority, backed up by military authority. that is about how we treat each other. there is no reason -- and you know what i'm talking about. if i asked everybody in this room right now how many of you know people in the last five years, people lose funerals you have gone too, who you look at them in the casket and you say to yourself something went wrong -- how many would say something? raise your hand. that says something right there. we can do better. this is the united states of america. i hate that you have to say the

words you are saying, but all we can do is try our best to get through these plans for you and your family. remember when i said. you are dramatizing what i said before. i am sure that if you had a choke this -- have a choice, he would rather have your family have health insurance than you have it. and i understand that. i get that. but i do not want you to have that choice. we are dealing with difficult forces. and when we talk about small businesses, about half of the folks are either the families or

people who work for small businesses. they do not have insurance because the premiums are too high, the cost of insurance is going up faster than their paychecks. so you are talking about money coming directly out of your checks, and when you are being denied certain services, it is not unusual for people to call and say, you need to help me. man, they will not give me this, not that. and we've got to fight. we can do better than that. i think that is basically what our president has been saying. we are better than that. and so, again, thank you for raising the issue. we are going to continue to fight.

>> good evening. i'm patrick cunningham from the vietnam era, and when i came to be a vet, i found out i had posttraumatic stress disorder. >> just hold that. if you do not mind admitting it, how much of you believe, not you know it, but you believe that you suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. ok. all right. >> and i was sent to the in- house program for six-weeks at the baltimore va. while in there, i was put on the roll is being outpatient, and by benefits counselor told me they could not do that because i was in the care of that dna and they

had to put me down as inpatient -- i was in care of that va and they had to put me down is impatient. and also, i was awarded 30%, but i do not think that was a fair settlement because of the fact that i lost a whole lot of things in my life because of this problem that i did not even know i had, and it did not know why i asked the the way i did. i lost two wives and my home and everything because i was so out of control, all within myself, and i did not want to be around anybody else. i destroyed my whole life. i'm doing a lot better now. i'm still going to outpatient

treatment, and it is helping me a lot. >> but you feel like you need to continue. >> yes, sir. >> let's see what we can do to try and resolve that. >> thank you, sir. >> thank you so much. with the gentleman who was the last person out there, that is going to be the last question. we have a time issue here. mr. lamar, thank you for being here. >> thank you for coming. welcome to the best program in the world. >> i agree. [applause] i am glad you said that. in a few words, because a lot of people do not know about this, this will be seen all over the country -- tell me why you said

what you just said. why did you say what you just said? just briefly, ok? >> i screwed my life up. i knew at some point that i needed some structure and i needed some direction. the other thing i mean to tell you if i used to refer people here. ok? i'm a vietnam vet. i've retired from the va in d.c. for 35 years. i know how to give back. i'm not appear to ask you for anything for me. i'm here to ask you for something for this program. i need for you to network with your people. i need for mr. smith and mr. garfunkel to network with their people and open up these jobs, doors, open up some profit opportunities for people like this to be available. because we are here to save our lives. .

>> banking for what you said. it means so much because a lot of people will not say it like you said. a lot of times i think folks don't realize -- and the reason i always have this sense of urgency is because i know that somebody needs a bridge at a certain moment. without that bridge at that moment, and it is interesting -- i got a letter today, today, it is in my car, where a lady who was in prison and she wrote

me a letter that says, congressman cummings, i wrote you and thank you for writing me back. because, she said, the day that i got your letter was that day i had already planned to kill myself. -- was the day i had already planned to kill myself. you do not know what your action will do to affect someone else. and what you just said? i will remember that until i die. and more importantly, it ain't nothing to remember. he gives me the incentive to act on it and i hope it does the same for my colleagues. [applause] >> it is a pleasure have you here. what i want to address -- a lot

of us in here have done things to mess up our lives, we have injuries and other things going on with us that we need to address and what not. and there are those of their -- those of us here that need to access some of that money, those financial funds, that have been released by the government. but we don't have the educational skills or training or the finances by which to get those things to learn how to write grants so that we can open up businesses and put that to work. if you give a man of age, you beat him for a day. if you teach him how to fish, you can beat him for a lifetime. -- you can feed him for a lifetime. had you access that money? it's no good of it being out there if we don't know how to get. >> i thank you for bringing

attention to this. you know, one of the things that is frustrating -- i sit on the transportation committee and we are about to, and 18 months or less, put out a bill of $600 billion. and it has eight disadvantaged veterans component, a substantial amount of those funds having to go to businesses owned by minorities. but the thing that is frustrating is what you just said. although the money may be designated, the question is, had you prepare -- first of all, in four people, and then how you make sure that they are able to access it? so that they can dream big and achieve those dreams? i need to sit down and try to see exactly what we have with regard to that type of

preparation. there are all kinds of folks that we could help, if they do not already have it here, work with the men and women here about finding those opportunities and preparing proposals and respondents, those kinds of things. i would be happy to do that because of that maybe -- do we have something like that already here? you do? you need help. >> i am just talking about getting a job. >> i know. >> taking the next that up. doing a businesslike and but some other people to work. i'm telling you. >> because you are where i want you to be, all of you. we will talk about that. i will talk about that in a minute.

i promise i will sit down with them and figure out if there are things that mean to be supplemented -- that need to be supplemented and try to bring the power of our office to that. and let me say this. the gentleman was so eloquent when he said -- you remember what he said when he started off? this is a great program. [inaudible] but, but, but. he said something else. he is not satisfied with the program being a great program. he is saying, we can go to higher heights. that is what he is saying. and that is what we have got to be about. how do we take this to higher heights? and that is what i thought. i promise we're going to jump on that.

we've got the staff member on long from the united states army. [applause] and see, believe me, believe me, if you have a super ally right here. she is so wonderful. [applause] last question and then we're going have to wrap up. the general public is invited to share dinner? oh, ok. what is on the menu? all right, i know why he started laughing when i ask you about the menu. [laughter] stand-up, you are the chef. [inaudible] [laughter] [applause]

>> good day afternoon -- that evening. my name is derek williams. my question is, what can be done to help veterans who had fallen by the way in the judicial system and got caught up and don't have any idea about the programs that are available? no, a lot of us had made poor choices, and several of us have mental illnesses, and some do not even know that they exist. and be done to educate those people about the programs that are available to them said that they can seek the help that they really need, that they desperately need? >> first of all, tell me about this. dollars can i say one other thing? i came up with this question because i was incarcerated about a year ago in hartford county detention center.

they do not have any knowledge about these programs. i am specifically about va programs and they gave me a paper they gave me no information about this program. his detention centers in the same state. >> how did you find out about the program? >> by going through baltimore behavioral health. >> interesting. you think we might need to do a better job of getting the word out about this program? [applause] >> and i might add just one other thing. if i did not look through their entire resource manual, i would not have seen mcvets. it was on the next-to-last page. >> it is one thing to hand a resource and another thing to know about it. hello? we have to work to make sure

that that happens. i want my friend a comment. and then i will close out. >> very quickly and thanks for your question. the dea has two programs and i don't know that we get to that facility. if not, we should. we have two programs to deal with this issues. incarcerated veterans, where they go in and talk to the veterans and tell them about the aid programs and tell about what is available when they get out. the second program is a new program that just started, working with the courts so that a veteran gets arrested for drug use -- rather than putting the veteran and a jail, we work with the courts and say let us put the matter and into a be a facility and we have the veteran -- into a va facility and rehabilitate the veteran. [applause] thank you. so we have several programs that

we are working with. a second one is just getting off the ground. i'll look specifically about hartford facility and see what is going on there. but is not expanding programs and over the next period of several months, we should be in those facilities and in the courts and maryland and d.c., western virginia, all of those courts. thank you. [applause] dollars i am very sorry. i was standing in line. i was waiting for the line to get shorter. islet of last person but i was just sitting down. >> ok. >> i want you -- not want to thank you for coming every year. you give us hope and everything. i have made some bad decisions four years ago. i need is a mental health. i want to thank va, and neither

could do everything but they took care of what they could not do, and they made sure that they took care of it. in all, i got all the schooling. i got all the help. i got mental health, and i don't have any benefits but i waited -- there is no way that mcvet will let nothing slide. i waited and i sat here. and this is my only time i get a chance to say thank you to both. all of my bad decisions [unintelligible] they picked me up enough that that is my boss right there. i am telling you. [applause] and i had to wait a long time. i had to trust that they were going to do it. they kept saying the 02 n -- a setback sec -- they kept saying to go to mcvet.

i wanted a chance to say thank you. [applause] >> there is a lesson in what he just said. sometimes we go through some hell, but we need to tap that sensitivity said that we don't look the other way art just at white people don't matter, because we have been for something ourselves. hello? did the register? so we may be going through some things right now but we will get through this. we're going to get through this. colonel williams was to introduce one person and then i will close out. three minutes, and then there when have this chicken breast dinner. [laughter] for some of us. [laughter]

>> thank you very much. i know most of the folks but we have women here, too. would you please come forward and give us some of your history? [applause] >> thank you. nice seeing you. >> good afternoon, mcvets. ok, all right. [laughter] as most of you know, i'm a combat veteran of the iraqi war. i was over there in 2004-2005. many of you also know a little bit about my experiences, as it was posted in one of the annual

reports. it was a little rough. it was a little rough in the beginning. i was still sort of new being a female veterans, finding out a lot of things, most of -- most of the time with you all. i am getting services like you all. there is no difference. benefits as well. i find out with you all. i no way back, when i was in the military, things were a lot of different to see women out there. when we weren't fighting, we weren't carrying any weapons. were we even in the military? [laughter]

and the lot of people really do not know that the women are out there doing the same thing that the men are doing, on the front lines. everything is green, now. nothing is you are a man or you are a woman. everything is green. right there in the trenches, you are out there on the dangers convoys, if you are out there manning the bridges, the same thing, carrying a rifle, shooting at targets and seeing the same things men are saying. -- seen. going through the same thing, and to be honest, men and women are a little bit different. we have different things that we have to deal with. but out there is the same. i want to represent other women veterans and think the va -- and

thank a va as well. there was a lot of education that i received. but there is a trick to it. everybody is not going to tell you everything. of course, you know that by now. if you want the information, you have got to go and get it, pretty much. and a lot of the information is available. some people, you are not going to be waiting. -- they are not going to be waiting when you trip to say, here is the place. i know that there were some changes in me. i was a different person, period. my i held that for two years. i knew that there was something wrong but i did not know how to address it or wanted to print to one day the -- or wanted to until one day when i decided. you cannot just go to war and

then said it your home like nothing happened. i could not even walk to the corner store. that was a problem. i sought the information out on my own. i went to get help on my on and it took a while. it took about two years to be where i am now. [laughter] [applause] but i definitely want to encourage you to come to a wonderful program. i encourage you to stay and to continue. don't forget those who are still out there. the information is here. do not give up on yourself. every day you wake up as another opportunity. you're not where you could have been. a lot of you know where you could have been. thank god for this opportunity

and know that being alone and being down, the only way to go was where? >> up. >> i thank you. >> miss hunter, i want to thank you for doing that. i know you had not planned to speak. but i think you because you made me think about something else. how to sit down and talk to you to make sure mcvet -- there are things that they need to be dealing with regarding to -- regarding women. you said yourself, things may be a little different in certain areas. and sometimes we need that sensitivity. i've often said that i would hate to imagine that congress of united states without women and i mean that.

there are certain issues that we might not deal with effectively. i want to thank all of you. let me just close. i want to remind you -- they did not put this in my notes. this must be a serious meal. [laughter] >> we need good here, sir. >> please remember that the general public is invited to share dinner with the veterans. $5, and for the veterans -- [laughter] please note that our experts will hang around until 7:00 in the veterans resource room. and i hope -- i hope that you listen to what she said. i hope you listen to what she said. it is not easy to get up and talk about this. but to business out in the street.

i think the reason why she did that was one reason, not to make yourself feel good, but she knows that a lot of you are going through the same thing and she is trying to say, dyes, we have got to get you through this. and maybe we need to get through it with some help. so let's go and get help. am i right, ms. hunter? i am going leave you with this. back in 1988, another friend of mine, and jesse jackson sr., ran for president of the united states. everyone agreed that he did not have much of a chance for winning. but the values he advanced in the campaign had been taken up by millions of american. and that led to barack obama being elected president of united states in 2009. so it is worthwhile to lick -- to remember what jesse jackson said back in 1988. some of you will remember this. jesse reminded the delegates

that if an issue was morally right, it would eventually become a political force. he talked about how rosa parks did not have majority support when she refused to move to the back of the bus, but that rosa parks was morally right. he spoke of how dr. king was advancing an unpopular view point about the morality of the vietnam war, but how more laborite dr. king was. and that was the key. and then jesse jackson talk about the courage to do what is morally right. come on now. what is morally right. even in the face of adversity. it raises as up and helps change the world to a better place. understand, all of this, the discussion we have had today is trying to get us to a point where our country does what he needs to do for you, and we are getting there.

but that is what is morally right. that we do what we're supposed to do for you. jesse ended in these words, and they are written, and i think about this all the time, because it means so much. sometimes i think that we get a little down, ms. hunter was talking about going for some difficulty. sometimes we have a tendency to just quit. i give up. we cannot afford to give up. we need to twist our thinking a little bit and jesse said is. i am tired of sailing my little vboat are inside that harbour park. i want to go out in the deep were the great ones are. and should not frail craft prove too slight for the waves that sweep those below is over, i would rather go down that way

than drowse to death at the shelter short. but mr. hunter was saying that his brothers and sisters, we have to go where the big boats are. we may think that we need to be in a little harbor and not go well were the big boats are because we have gone through some difficulties, because we gave our lives, our sweat, and our tears for our country, because we have a low moments, because we may not have a job right now, because the economy is going through what the economy is going through, but that is why we have programs and you coming to get it at talk about this. i did not ask to stand to be here. but the thing that you are saying today, they will be broadcast all over the country so that other folks can get to where the boats are. at get to where the bid boats are? your comments will go in the

people will hear them, probably the president of united states will hear the comments because it was all meant to be. we did not even know this until a few days that we were even doing this. it is not just about what is happening in this room but about protecting and out into the world's said that we can get to where we have got to go. don't give up. i am begging you, i am begging you, please don't give up, because we need you to much. you've got too much to offer. you have got too much to get. she said. ms. hunter said it. the experiences that you have, most people do not have. you bring with that, again, your education, your experiences coming your hardships -- don't forget your hardships. and the fact that you have compassion, there is no way you could have done the job going into the mallet to it -- the

military unless you have the compassion. so let's go with the bid boats are. and while i am meeting -- [laughter] my chicken breast. and my wings. [laughter] i want to thank you all for coming. may god bless. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2009] >> earlier this week, gene taylor held a town hall meeting with constituents.

many of the questions were on health care legislation. he was also asked about budget issues and hurricane katrina clean them -- clean up your you can see the entire meeting here on c-span. and tonight on booktv prime-time at 8:00 p.m. eastern, robert frank, author of the economic naturalist's field guide. gretchen peters on how heroin is bankrolling the taliban and al qaeda. >> how was c-span funded? >> the u.s. government. >> i do not know. i think some of it is government raised. >> it is not public funding. >> probably donations. >> i would say from my tax dollars. >> how is c-span funded?

america's cable companies created c-span as a public service, a private business initiative -- no government mandate, no government money. >> a house subcommittee has been looking into cyber security. they talk to experts about what they are finding and recommended solution. the hearing is about an hour- and-a-half. [inaudible]

>> cybersecurity for our government. we have already heard of push and pull going on and some of the thorniest questions that that panel will consider -- will consider. we will offer some advice to this committee. we will have the jurisdiction to implement policies that are recommended by the president, and notwithstanding the activities and other committees which we welcome, the jurisdiction for these matters will be here. we will hear from a brilliant set of witnesses, but we will not hear from someone in the administration, for some reasons are obvious and some not so. i don't think they know yet what their policy will be. we are asking them to testify. we won it by design to have a conversation here among

interested parties in the community that would allow us to inform our reactions to the administration's proposals that would be forthcoming. cybersecurity is not a single problem. it is at least three. there are the issues of personal security, issues of spam and nuisance, but also identity theft and the like. this is also an issue of critical infrastructure and protecting the economic security of our country, and frankly, the increasingly internet -- interconnected economies of all the world. and of course this is a national security issue, an issue that has been seemingly increasingly brought to the public's attention, with stories that fell up the news puckers on everything from fighter jet plans to being stolen, to chinese basis spying on some any other country. we've heard just about a story a

day. we will endeavor to ask and answer some of the big questions that the president will be wrestling with. how do we respond to or medicaid or work around the paradox that is the internet? it is open to innovation and democratization, and also its openness to mischief and mischief making, and things worse than mr.. for the most part, congress has been wise in resisting the temptation for heavy-handed intervention. that has served the internet and our country well. we have asked a question that has been dominating discussions at the white house -- who should be in charge of combating than mischief maker, but con artist, or the terrorist? not only what agency of government, but whether it should be government at all, and what relationship between the government and private sector?

you often get the inevitable heavyhanded this and secrecy but you get strong centralized action when it is needed. you also get silos of self interest that don't always make for bigger systemwide debt. one thing is for sure. this cancer cannot be exercised with the tools that we have. -- exorcised with the tools that we have. here is the timeline of one by risk. on december 29, 2008, it is first detected. february 20, conficker c is

discovered and conficker b updates itself to conficker c. it delayed to automatic updates, and prompts safety warnings. the computer downloads by where on to the computer. this is a dynamic that clearly does not lend itself very well to discussing the problem, addressing the problem, and then moving on to the next problem. maybe we do not need a military option, but the apartment -- the approach like the nih for the

food and drug administration. helping with some of the r&d, and letting the private sector go off and implemented. and then there are more provocative questions that we might not have time to touch on today. do we need a new internet office? or provocative title, the future of the internet and how we stop it. the witnesses that we have before us offer an opportunity to answer some but not all of these questions. this is a conversation that inevitably has to take place not only here in congress but in the businesses around the internet, the coffee shops and parlors, people with personal experiences, and of course over at the white house. it is my honor to introduce the witnesses that we have before us today.

dan kaminsky is that ioactive, where his focus is on design capabilities and protocols. he is probably most famous for having discovered the fundamental flaw in the domain name system that would have allowed people to reassigned web addresses, takeover banking sites, or disrupt the flow of data over the end -- over the internet. thankfully he was a good hacker and brought this to the attention to people who were in the position to fix it. dan kaminsky, you are recognized for five minutes. you have presented some testimony already socs feel free to present -- to summarize. >> hello, everyone. please allow me to express my appreciation for giving me this opportunity to testify today. i am the director ioactive

penetration director and spent the last 10 years of my career or cit -- working with fortune 500 companies to help secure their systems. it was an interesting experience mixing the internet, working with all the people that needed to be in a position to actually get the fix out, and ultimately protect the ecosystem. it was an example of a public- private partnership that i communication out to the federal agencies that themselves had to get software out. it was a remarkable experience for all parties. it was a highlight of 2008. 2008 was not an easy year. rise in business puts out a report call but that a breach investigation report. -- verizon business puts out a report called the data breached

investigation report. what they found was astonishing. over 285 million records were compromise last year, just from their customer base. this is some more than every other year that they have seen combined. worse, over 91% of those compromised record, most of which were payment card information, they were traced going back to organized crime. we have worldwide problems and we live in a much more dangerous world than when i first started doing computer security years ago. the reality is that acting is no longer about kids, but people with kids who would like that beat them. they had years to figure out the best ways to monetize their assets. they recently managed to coordinate how widespread attack

against the atm infrastructure in which 49 cities, $9 million were extracted from atm machines. beyond that, extortion is becoming an extraordinary problem, not merely heading the sites are pornography aspects of the economy, but actually standard businesses. you mentioned conficker. it was a remarkable success. if it had come out in 2003, every single computer on the internet -- every windows machine -- would have been compromised. since 2003, when this has become a much more secure platform. -- windows has become a much more secure platform. probably over 99% of machines that otherwise would have been at -- infected by conficker never had a problem.

that is the results from our scans and are monitoring of the situation. that being said, that is still a large number and we have had to deal with millions of millions of machines infected. what was muscari about conficker -- what was most scary about conficker is that we do not know what the authors wanted. there is a lot of buggy software out there, but over 60% of actual penetrations that led to loss of data did not come from buggy code. they came from our simple inability to strongly authenticate notes on the internet. like the passwords or strong passwords, and it turns out authentication is in huge amounts of trouble on the internet today. the data suggest that it is leading directly to compromise

is a personal information. people may say, why are we still using passwords? why is the problem still there? it is the only way that we can reasonably make things work at all. it is something -- if something will not work, people will not use it even if it is theoretically more secure. we have some new technology that is a message to fi -- a method to fix ndns -- dns. it allows us to use dns power to ultimately trust across organizational lines and allows us to apply strength to that trust said that it can be used not just for existing systems or locating system but actually authenticating them. all the millais, authenticating the people on the other side. it will take some work, lot of work, but i see it as the key

toward making a new security authenticating ecosystem. nike. -- thank you. >> our next witness is rodney joffe. he is an expert in problems on the internet. he participated in a national cybersecurity exercise across a variety of infrastructural system for your recognized for five minutes. > >> i am a senior vice president nojeim -- for neustar. it provides trusted communication across network. a major portion of that is

involved with directories. i joined neustar in 2006, when the company that i found it was acquired by neustar. dns is the core directory there really routes traffic on the internet. we all use at all the time. the technology itself basically deals with the fact that as humans, we recognize and are able to use words. computers understand numbers. they require the ip addresses to  use -- move traffic from one site to another. dns is the directory that converts names to numbers and vice versa. ho- and i want to go to house.gov,

dns converts that in the numbers, and direction to the directory. as well as 17 other public demands, a number of country codes. for example, we provide the service for canada, .ca, and other countries. it went tends to reach any of the fortune 500 sites, we served 4000 corporations and government departments around the world, and 15 million domain names. i really appreciate you inviting us to speak about the particular threats and the fact that the committee has actually taken an interest. probably the oldest reason -- there are three reasons. some attacks are just from young and immature people. they have little or no regard

for the damage that they are causing in their attacks. the second and most common is for financial gain. in this case, organized gains of crooks. they include large span e-mails that you mentioned. interception and use of computer data, which you also mentioned. extortion schemes, which had been around for quite awhile. and distributed denial of service attacks. hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions of machines, all working together, previously infected will be used by criminals in the underground, rented out. it is a business. the criminal commands them tuesday reached a specific site. a website is hit by millions of packets at the same time.

it is an attempt to overtake the site and take it down. it would require fewer than 10,000 strategically located compromised machines, with some reasonable knowledge, to disable a sizable portion of the u.s. internet. it does not take many machines. generally, this involves hundreds of thousands because of the people who build these networks have no real cost. they're using our resources, and they automatically in effect. kids come back to school and see how many bots that had added to their bot net. another lesson, which is known as cash poisoning. -- cache poisoning. what happened sewith dns cache

poisoning, your 0.2 update site. when you go to your bank, you end up at a website that looked looked -- that looks just like your bank. it belongs to criminals. they ask you for your password and userid, then they make use of that to make transfers into your account. the third category is cyber terrorism, which really relates to a nation state issues. of the last two years, there have been three public -- publicly reported attacks. estonia, georgia, and others. the wall street journal reported that as you had mentioned, critical infrastructure facilities had been compromised. it is important to note that while people are unaware of the attacks, they are going on all the time, and our industry is

reasonably successful at being able to stop some of those attacks before they become public. but the attacks are occurring all the time. on april 12, the dns servers of a major brazilian isp for compromise. -- work compromise. they compromised of major brazilian bank, compromising the types of things that dan had talked about. users of that bank were redirected to a fake website. it took about five hours before the bank in the isp were able to realize that they had been poisoned. approximately 1% of customers were affected by that. but that represents almost 150,000 individuals who could possibly have had their accounts compromise during one of them. this is an ad in one c