-- marketing it properly. they need to be a part of this. i would take the parks and recreation and tourism and separate tourism all and park and recreation doing something out. we have great economic engines in tourism in south carolina but we're not promoting them and they are not coordinating through the technical college system is second to none really need to get our taxes down. when the leader they can get things done. the loss i have gotten through the general assembly, i had the fight for them, but i know how to work with people and get things done. we need to keep the federal government off our back. the thing that they're not doing like immigration, we have to step forward and do that and i know how to enforce those laws. >> miss taylor, 30 seconds. >> i'll get someone there leaves are, spots that thinks outside the box.

i will talk to that person on a daily basis. that will meet with our regional directors on a monthly basis. then look at an example like bowling -- boeing. we are right to work state and we need to keep the unions out. they got tax incentives. 95% of our economy are small businesses. why are we not taking care of them? it makes sense to their bottom line and it makes sense to their profit margin. >> when europe is this person, if you don't think of taxes. it is a part of it but everyone is throwing out tax incentives to new business. when a business comes here, you have to sit down them and give them comfort level, there's going to be a capable workforce. let them know that the government is not one to stop their projects. city and county government have

to be there to let them know that they're ready to work with them. all these things have a combined interest to the person that is actually moving here and a half have a comfort level with the person they are working with. >> i think about economic development, i think about our energy projects. first, tapping into offshore off -- oil and gas reserves. that could be 2200 jobs and royalties that we could use in south carolina has receded. the other side of that is nuclear their four nuclear reactors on the board in south carolina. those four nuclear reactors represent $25 billion investment in south carolina which are real jobs, real growth, and real economic opportunity. >> ms. haley did think questions about your personal life would

respect -- affect your ability to raise jobs? >> not at all, because they are not true. it's funny how there were no questions until two weeks prior to the election and i was a double digit leader in the polls. everything i had done in the general assembly has been pushed for accountability, bring out the truth, whether through term limits are getting legislators to disclose their incomes were showing spending on one, that is very important. i will tell you that my husband and i had been faithful for 13 years. i think it is sad that south carolina politics is at its worst. i was called by gov. mitt romney and sarah palin, and they said that this is what happens when you start to lead. it will not get any better for you just fight your way through. i am proud to say that the phone has not stopped running out of positive calls. everyone had been incredibly

supportive. i will lead the way i alt -- i always have led. i will work for the people of the state. that is what the people of this date 13 i've gone against the general assembly on a lot of things if they do not like that that is not going to stop me from fighting. all continue to do that despite the attacks. >> 37 to 3 >> having run against the governor's son and members of the legislature and against the establishment all of my life, they've always supported someone else, they've gone after every bit of my personal life out there. i don't know what else is left. >> maybe they can find something. >> i am sure they will try. >> andre bauer is a good guy. i deplore what is happening to her. it has no place in south carolina. south carolina deserves better

and expects more. but unfortunately character does matter. my dad told me early on that is not one thing that matters, it is the only thing that matters. we need a rowboat -- leaders above reproach to date. we have to turn the page and south carolina. >> the golden era all people is always under a microscope. you have to do the right thing. and we've all been subject to unfounded personal attacks. i've got one newspaper in columbia that has been following my children around for a couple of weeks now, trying to find something. unfortunately, nikki, as you know, it is part of politics but it should not be. if you try to attack the problem that we have and work hard, you will be all right. judith our next question is for lieutenant governor bauer.

>> your senior citizen fraud program has been criticized for duplicating services offered in the private sector. how'd you reconcile that for reduction of government assistance? >> the federal government and the state government depended and require that i do something about that. sure, the private sector says that they do it. but why is their summit senior fraud in south carolina? and why did they come together and say, lieutenant governor, please do something? one person's mother was cheated out of thousands of dollars and someone said that we have to take up the cause. and now that taxpayers get a check back every year when people sign up for this program. they get the money back. we got private businesses having to be vetted before they do business with the seniors. they have some where they can go to make sure they have a comfort level second to none when they come to people that are going to

be in their homes. they don't have to worry about someone taking advantage of them. that is what government is supposed to do. the seniors are better off because of it. >> in my government experience i've never seen anything the government can do better than the private sector. we've got to do everything we can within our power of the governor to streamline the process. you cannot tell me that the educational programs are effective. the time has come to spend a taxpayer dollars wisely as precious resources, not duplicate service, but figure out how we can do it better. >> basically the government in washington is growing bigger and bigger, taking more and more money, putting us into perpetual debt. we may have already been taken off a cliff and things got worse

and we cannot do anything for it the same is true in a lot of state government. i guarantee if i am government -- gov., i'll be using the veto pen. we will not grow government for it will streamline government third we will pass my plan to abolish parole and and establish a court system that will save us all hundred million >>. >> as an accountant, i'm going to audit every agency and my cabinet. government tends to pass a lot of programs and then never go back and see if they were. they never faltered we would go with every one of those agencies. we will start here and say what we have to have and work our way up. we always need to understand that the private sector works best all the time here they are more efficient, but quality is better, and they are more effective than government. government messes up more than it favors. we should let private sector do what it does and leave the rest of government.

>> you've mentioned a couple of times and eight-step plan and touched on the topics. what can you do to continue to maximize the network of interstate highways and the port of charleston and the port of georgetown for that matter and other manufacturing infrastructure to continue to grow the economic opportunities for workers in south carolina? >> part of the eight-step plan his tax form, that helps business. but infrastructure is extremely important. one of the major infrastructure -- and i will say it again, the number one project in south carolina. what is good for the lower part of the state is a good for the upper part of the state. we're too small to ight about it. i live about 17 miles from the i-85 corridor. we can duplicate that process across the state but it takes

forward thinking predicted planning. a perfect example -- volkswagen came to my district, wanting to put a plant there. we tell them that we would put in the roads and bridges in two years. but they would with tennessee because they signed a contract one day, and started turning dark and next. it is a $40 billion multiplier premier 18 months away from making major infrastructure decisions so where were ready. i talk to the mayor, and a half ago. he said that he get six different answers. we have to have a governor to roll up his sleeves and the people in the same room. lock the doors and say, we are not leaving until we solve this problem. when infrastructure is right, the whole state can grow. we can gain that growth. but it is not just the port of charleston. it is that jasper and georgetown ports.

>> mr. mcmaster, 30 seconds. >> the charleston port can take more ships at high tide. george and has an enormous opportunity and jasper will be there when we maximize charleston. we all agree on the basic ingredients that we have. that difference with me is that i say that we can think big, think globally, and there is no end to what we can do, but we have to work together to accomplish real change. the sanford years and showed me what you can -- what can happen when you do not do that. i am a positive conservative leader who of gone things done in the executive branch and i'm ready to expand it from the governor's office. >> your question was on course and how to maximize interstate highways. we need to learn from georgia. they ran with it because

governor per do with greek people at the ports and thank them for their business. that would walk away and let the courts do their business. in south carolina, the governor was not engaged in a legislator will not let go of the report so that they can do their job. we need strong ports, we need rails and distribution centers, expanding our interstate highways so that we're not congesting our interstates with trucks. that is how we maximize the amount afraid that comes in. >> we've got to have an intermodal port. i went to other ports and met with them. we got to plan ahead and find someone that will go about that. we need to have specialty 43 georgetown, jasper, they should be the best agricultural port in the entire united states. hone your skills, make as

efficient and effective. we did something about the sow #5 which containerships burned three kids them an incentive to come to south carolina and burn that fuel instead of at another port. >> a question from harry logan for henry mcmaster. >> our next question comes from the voice of the voter project. he would like to know what you would do to better educate the people of south carolina? >> well, good question, harry, because that is where we are really falling short. unfortunately, our education system from top to bottom is almost dysfunctional, i believe. there is very little accountability. i am for choice and educational excellence, good schools, and new ideas. but here's the problem that we hear. if you have a government wants to do something about education, at you have no direct authority

other than the power to persuade and that the tube pan. and then there's some that may not agree with the governor on phase but he does not have power over 17 members of the state board of occasions, also elected by groups of legislate taurus around the state. most people do not know who is on the board. you have 85 school districts, 86 if you count charleston, and they do have some authority but they're not compelled to do much from above. below that coming about principals and teachers, that is where the rubber is meeting the road right there. but they cannot teach. the wonder is not that we're doing badly but that we're doing as well as we are. i differ from my colleagues on this. we need to focus on early touted education. if we cannot get into that first grade, and reading by the third grade, so that they do not drop

out and then to an academic or technical college, both of which we have plenty of, we're never going to get ahead. that is what i would do. trichet ms. haley, 32nd. >> i live in rural area where we did not know we did not have. now represent lexington county where every public schools like a private one. you go in there and there is a smart board in every classroom. where i grew up, they do not know what a smart board even is. when we start to do that, including merit-based pay for teachers, incentivizing and mentors, we will have to think outside of boston and understand is all our communities get involved. we have to reform education if we want to see any changes in the inequities in this state -- as a substitute teacher, the money ought to be in the classrooms. but do not be fooled. we continue to hear about money

for it if you don't put discipline back in the classroom and give parents in these struggles back engage in their child behavior and their child's education, you never fix the education system. we have schools that are great. their schools better filled with parents that are engaged -- go to other schools and they cannot make you work no matter how much money you pour into them. my right hand man graduate from the worst schools in the country. like me, he came from what could -- a poor home. his mother decided that education was first and foremost and he got it done. >> congressman and first graders at a lot and common. no child should leave the third grade hatter about third grade education. that is a long-term goal and we can fix that. we have to get the dollars for the class record we also need discipline in the classroom. we need to have the ability for teachers and principals to decide where the fed job beats

to leave the classroom three we also need school choice for my children were home school. they went to a christian school in a proudly graduated in public schools. one size education does not fit all. >> our next question also comes from the voice of the voter prided. were you stand on the state gambling laws which outlaw cards and dice? would you support repealing them to make gambling legal and possibly create jobs along with additional revenue? jet and there's a lot of things that we need to focus on 31 is creating good jobs and making sure that we of 44,000 open jobs in the state that are south carolina businesses need to fill. i don't want my focus to be on creating a gambling jobs or anything else. i think we need to compromise in the name of jobs. i think it is not about what is banned but about how you stand. it is not about what the and

firemen is but where the environment needs to go. you do not handle things for today. you look it for three and five and seven and say where you want to go with the state. you want to turn around and make sure that there are other ways. we do not have to compromise our state in any way whatsoever to bring could commissions to the state, to bring good jobs to this date, and good quality businesses to the state. >> know. >> could answer. >> mr. barrett, you get 30 seconds. >> no one thought video poker any harder than i did. absolutely not. i will not do anything to allow any type of gambling in south carolina. >> the answer is no. amylin is outlawed by our constitution and we should not attempt to bring it back anyway. governor campbell had a right.

is the kind of good job -- it is not the kind of good job that we want to be known for. if we were making money out of gambling, it causes a whole lot of problems. back to that previous question, because education is so important. how would make the state board of education advisory and i will work every day to see that children are educated in the state because that is where the answer is. that is where the future is. >> the next question is directed to lieutenant governor-elect the -- lt. gov. andre bauer. >> jonathan shelton was an of south carolina is faced with the same issues that arizona had, as governor, how would you work with congress to do with that issue? >> we've got to address the root

problem. nobody wants to talk about it. they talk about it as if it is just illegal immigration. we deal with the fact that there are jobs out there that americans no longer want to do. let's call a spade a spade. time and time again, people get so much from the government that they will not do labor- intensive job. hanging she wrought, working in a hotel, the reason why we have immigration problem is because we cannot find people that want to do their jobs and nobody wants to talk about you know what i am saying is the truth. until you get people that will get off their duff better able bodied people, you're going to continue to have an immigration problem. sure we should enforce the law, but second -- we of the so that toughest job until arizona path fares. we need to go back and say why do we have this problem. the reason why is that we get more and more ways -- more moral way to able-bodied people.

new jersey said five years and you're off of welfare. we have to look at why we have an immigration problem, and the government giveaways, and people have chosen to take those persons working. >> god bless the governor of arizona. she is trying to take back her state. the federal government has failed to enforce immigration laws. we need to pass an arizona-style common-sense immigration law. we need to hold our implores accountable. and three, we've got three counties in south carolina doing the right now, a program for free trade our law enforcement officials on how to enforce immigration laws so that we in of our own destiny. >> it is a problem and we have a

problem with the obama administration and congress passing things like the individual health care mandate which threatens our sovereignty and our liberty and doing nothing about immigration. dan brewer did the right thing and made it a crime. we have a lot that -- a lot that punishes employers. -- a law that punishes employee. i expect to get a constitutional amendment passed. i am the only one here in the business of enforcing laws and we will get them in 43 >> i think it arizona did what they had to do because the federal government failed to react. i applaud arizona for doing that. i'm a co-sponsor of the arizona- style legislation. i will push for it to be that way. the immigration law that they pass two years ago, there was not the first dollar put in the

prosecution fund. one more example of how the government passes things and never make sure that they can do what they are supposed to. it's about holding government accountable. had those prosecution dollars been in there, we would not have to worry about an immigration law being proper not. >> the next is for the congressman. >> what bills did you get past to the congress that haae helped create jobs to bring economic development to south carolina? >> part of the bills that i passed was extending the bush tax cuts we keep our federal government that wants to be the nanny state. the of the federal government that wants to come -- tells you who did the and what to be and how to be it. how much you're going to make, and we're going to get to health care. i did washington for the last 7.5 years and i can tell you straight face sitting here tonight that the answers to this

nation's problems are not in washington, d.c. there's an amendment in the constitution called the 10th amendment which is about state'' rights. general understands that. we need to stand up and say, we're not doing it anymore. we're taking back our country. i'm working on a bill right now which is a simple idea. south carolina is a donor state when it comes to transportation dollars. for every dollar we send out, we only get back ninety-four cents. you know what the federal government? we'll take care of our roads. we keep our own dollars and we solve our own problems. that is what states are for three states should be the hotbed of experimentation and freedom. if the federal government that wants to come and. empowering people, not government. government has a role. setting the table. once we set the table, we need

to get the heck out of the way. >> in my position i've done a number things. i have one case going to protect our precious water supply from north carolina taking too much. it is in the supreme court. i've got a lot of legislation passed, mainly in the public safety area. the sexual predator network, we got that done. i've got securities legislation passed, and are metal legislation passed, gang legislation passed, and met and that means. those are major issues of legislation. i had a fight like the dickens for some but i've got them done. i've got more legislation passed and i am not in a legislative body. >> i served on the worker's compensation committee to make sure the small businesses had stronger workers' compensation job. i served on the coastal

insurance committee because it is also many investors pulling their money out because interested gone so high. that was a way of keeping jobs. we're going to make sure that every single legislature has the vote on the measure. when you can hold them accountable, we can make sure that we have a good government for the state of south carolina. >> i travelled over 20 countries as your lieutenant governor and one -- and not ones that you were -- did you paper cup of coffee. it was all pay for privately. a company is going becoming and putting in a fortune 500 country. i sat down with them a few weeks ago because they are interested in moving their corporate headquarters to south carolina. nobody other than myself as met with them. i met with one person who wants to put a solar farm in south carolina. he has already visited a couple of counties.

i've done a lot for economic development is the no. 2 guy. >> the next question for henry mcmaster. he didn't you say that you're committed to a knowledge-based economy. our research university as a catalyst for reaching that goal. will that or any other private play in your plan? >> people will know that they are intricately involved and there is a lot of talent in this place. i seek dr. carter sitting right there. we have all sorts of talented people in our colleges. i differ littleefrom some of my colleagues. i do not want close any of the schools down three we have 35 publicly supported institutions here in south carolina. we ought to use them all and we are not doing it. some of them want to be cutting back. yet the u.s.c. branch right next

to a technical college. some people see that it duplication. i see that as opportunity. i want to fill them up. i note that the answer is getting children through school and getting them educated, the only way we will get into this new knowledge-based economy, that we have all the assets for 33 major research universities -- every time you think great economic prosperity, every time, you see a great university involved in there somewhere. and you see a network of educational institutions that are pushing people to the top of the personal pathways to success that was a trail blazed here, that's what we ought to follow. we need to get those children on the first rung of that water in early childhood education. move them on how into an academic college or technical college. if we do that with all the innovative businesses and industries that we have here, if

we network where the governors' leading that charge, we can compete with a whole world. >> that with dr. fred carr -- dr. fred carter, the president of the university where we are tonight. >> we need to make sure that we hold all higher educational institutions accountable for it if you take state funds, we decide your funding by in-state purses out of states students. what do your programs that actually helps south carolina businesses through we do not on schools -- it needs to be because they are effective for the student and the families that pay for the status to go there, that it is working and effective in terms of helping with our south carolina businesses, and we make sure that the money going into the classroom is right. i want results and accountability with every institution of higher education. >> i had been at francis marion all over the last several years. one time i'm mad to take over

from the government. i called and asked is if it buys. francis marion is providing a service is so many people in this community. they cannot take all the students that would like to come to this university. that is the role of some many universities educating our young people and providing new opportunities that they would not have without it. hyde voted to keep all the colleges and universities in south carolina open because we had the demand. what his providing here is a wonderful thing. . not be a quarter with the governor is not sitting down with the head of these research institutions to talk about how we can work together and better serve south carolina and how we can co-op our two- year institutions. i call them community colleges. we have to work together and figure out how we can collaborate.

figuring o collectively how to move education for work. >> the next question is directed to nikki haley. >> you want the support of the party and sarah palin. what did you do right away as governor of the state to work within the existing power structure in columbia and washington to make sure south carolina did what it's -- gets what it needs. >> i have fought for people to know the power of their voice. i also fought for elected officials to remember who it i they work for. i will have an agenda every year. i will take that to the general assembly and say pick three major items. what ever items they pick, i will tell all of the publi about it. i want the public to know about

legislation before it happens. will work on the committee level and set level and hse level so that it will have been a team effort by the time it gets to my desk. for all of this legislators that go against good gornment reform, i will go in their districts and hold their hand to the fire because the people deserve to know that. when we were dealing with he record voting, the bill came up in one legislator came up and said we wanted to note that we are going to kill the bill. i said if you do that, i will say it is very clear the republican leadership does not accountable. he passes bill, i will say it is clear that republican leadership understands the importance of being accountable. the person that was going too kill it moved for its passage. when you give them the option to do the right thing, t legislature will make the right

decision 70% of the time. at the end of the day, we are going to get things done. our days of debating are over. it is time for action would say she does not have of the tea party. a lot of them are supporting me. the most successful governor in the history. -- and the governor of the state was carol chambers from the -. ey have given money back, including part of my pay. if we got that done working with the legislate. >> in my lifetime, there has never been a better governor than carroll campbell. think about what he did. the change he instituted, you do not have to lose your

conservative principles to be a good leader. it is working together. we had legislars and economic developers and professors across the state to formulate a plan so when it goes forward, it is our plan, not my plan. that is how you have to gn. >> >> i am only write about one thing? >> i think governor campbell did a superior job. they did things the string -- the same way. there were strong leaders. they kept st of the debate behind the scenes. all of those kinf things were behind the scenes. i think they recognize that an effective leader is one that has to get things done. you have to stick to your conservative principle. i am not blaming anybody but the sanford yearhave taught us that you have to work with people in order to get things done.

i have been getting things done for eight years. >>e have another question from the voice of the voter project. each candidate has one minute to answer. this comes from richard gregory. he wantso know how mh funding will you give to the interstate 73 project to help the economies of northeastern south carolina at diversify and get better? thank you for that question. >> i would say this, we need to look at where we are getting funding from. we should let the private sector run rest areas. find new ways to create revenu without asking the taxpayers. we can come up with creative ways to have revenue. myrtle beach is subsidized so ch of the state. we take so much money from them and did not send much back. we have to send that back to one

of the crown jewels. revee.rings in some much that money has to come back. i would look at all kinds of things. hire a new architect whenever we build a new school. and why not build template drawings and use it again? you save $500,000 for every school building. costs would come down 30% on every building. that can be passed on to the i- 73 corridor. we know we will have a lack of funding next year. >> i-73. >> i said earlier, the number one project needs to be eye-73. it is more than an economic engine. it is a safety route. imagine if a hurricane hits during the middle of peak season. we have to be sure we can keep

citizens safe and secure. when we talk about securing funding, i am excited about the energy project. it is how we can bring jobs and growth to north carolina. there are 4 billion cubic feet of natural gas off of south carolina. the national petroleum institute says it could be to lend it $50 million of ralties. that is money we can use as we see fit. i imposed we use 70% for infrastructure and poll but charges. couple that with nuclear energy, we have a tremendous tax base for thaof the structure. >> until we get our 73 done, t grand strand will nev reach its full potential. it is almost impossible to get in or out. that is primarily a federal

responsibility. there is another exaaple of washington not doing what it should be doing. what i would do as your customer is working as hard as i could with their congressional delegation. you have to work with people to see tha it is funded. we are sending the money up there and we are not getting it back. we need to be sure we get the money back. that will open up our economic engine. you can get to those places. greenhill has become economic engi because of the enlightened leadership and the kind of team approach i am talking about. i would take the department of natural resources and give them parks and recreation. keep terrorism as a separate agency. tourism is to sell myrtle beach every day globally. >> 73 is important f a couple

levels. tourism is our number 2 industry. we need to understand we need to do whatever we can to reduce complications in getting to myrtle beach. you see the lossf companies coming inecause it is hard for them to do that. what i will do is meet with the federal delegation every quarter so we understand exactly where we are and go back and understand it is nothat you spd but what you spend. it is priorities and unrstanding that if we think tourism is important, we need to show what. we need to show what by the way that wend an act. >> because of time constraints, we will cut the clong statements to one minute of peace. we will start with andre bauer. >> i am running for governor to take on the tough issues. most of them to not wanto talk about theolitically increct things going on in south carolina. sobody has to have this discussion.

we know schools are struggling. we throw money added. that is n fixing the problem. we have to do something to get this parents engage. whether you look at these social programs, we cannot afford them. we had the smallest amount of paychecks coming from private business and the large number of people receiving government goods and services. we have to wake up and have these discussions. i am the only es that has been out there to bring it r eight years. i am the only one that gav up their detriment paycheck. over $400,000 for my agency. i am a businessman first and foremost. thank you for being here and i hope you give me my vote -- your vote. >> gresham barrett >> ielieve in god. possible.th him all things are%-

i believe if we are going to take this nation ba, it is on state at a time. if i did not pick the that, i would not be here tonight. you want to see a sta with your sons and daughters to get toead and take jobs or the next job is across the street. not across the nation. entrepreneur is are the heart and soul of this company. we have our best days ahead of us. we need a did that can pull south carolina to get tre. i have been blessed to be a congressman for the past seven and half years and i would be honored to be your governor. tonight, i ask for your support inour vote. god bless. >> henry mcmaster. >> from upstate to the didn't

come out from the mountain to the sea, ou carolina is a wonderful sight to behold. we see it everyday. we are blessed with talented and innovative people and plentiful resources. i believe we can achieve any drm that we set our minds to. i have a plan to put south carolina back on the path to prosperity. of the candidates, and they are good candidates, i believe i am the one that has executive leadership experience, a record of accomplishment, where king with the legislature, sometimes fighting them and sometimes pullin them, but a record of accomplishment and the maturity, judgment, and credibility to get it done. as governor, i will lower taxes, recruit high-paying jobs and reunite our economic engines. i want to ask you to join me. i believe our new day is about to begin a i want us all to work together to show the world

what south carolina can do. thank you. >> thank you. nikki haley. >> thank you. this - the elections matter on the state and federal level. have seen a lot of republicans that will learn the talking points but did not know the actions. one thing we consistently noticed and my business is how hard it was to the fifth of his hits was for government to take it. we have to make government understand that these people pay this money and how we spend it matters. by and the only one on this panel that has opposed the stimulus package. it just ran up the credit card debt. we are going to be in its budget crisis. we will do that. am in aorma that understands that all things are possible. i am the daughter of immigrant parents that remind us every day

how blessed we are. i and the sister of a man who fought in dese storm and i remember what it was like when we did not know if he would come home. i am the mother of twohildren in public schools and i care about their education and i care about what type of overnment they have. i am it legislat that knows what good government is and i want people of the state to know what that feels like. >> thank you. thank you for being here and your serviceo our state and to our country. speaking of thank yous, we would likeo show our gratitude to all the people of francis marion. we also want to thank our other partners. ny of them are with us tonight. we also -- remember, coastal carolina baltic states in just

under 48 hourss the democratic gubernatorial candidates take place in our second day. -- second debate. th is scheduled for thursday night. it will be broadcast live on channel3 and nationally on c- span. th will be 7:00 eastern time. we also want to thank the audience. it is now up to you and all the people watching to have your voice heard at the ballot box next voting day. vote, it is so important. the primaries are june 8. r more about -- tha >> thursday, three democrats face off to be their party's

nominee to be the state governor. state senators robert ford and vincent shahid will participate in an hour-long debate hosted by wbtw news 13. live coverage on c-span, c-span radio and c-span.org begins at 7:00 p.m. eastern. >> new british prime minister and conservative party leader david cameron answers questions in his first prime minister's questions as head of the coalition government. live from the british house of commons wednesday at 10:00 a.m. eastern. >> this weekend, noted feminist, author, and legal scholar martha nussbaum has written or contributed to more than 20 books on liberal education, ethics, sexism, and legal justice.

live sunday on c-span 2. >> nv's primary election is june 8. republican candidates are vying for senate majority leader harry reid of's seat. this form was held a couple of weeks ago and is moderated. >> he is the most reviled man washington among conservatives, and now southern republicans are offering the right to take on u.s. senate majority leader harry reid. next, on "face to face." >> this is "face to face." >> welcome to "face to face." we bring you news and commentary you won't find anywhere else.

the second of our two-part debate. you can see the first part on our web site. let's meet the candidates. the former state assemblywoman from reno, he has returned to run for office. we have a state assemblymen. a former state senator and serves as chairman of the republican party. she has run a couple of unsuccessful bids for office. let's get into issues and foreign policy. will start -- let's talk about social security. there is a study out this week, $5.30 trillion in the next 75 years will be the shortfall. increased payroll taxes, reducing -- increasing the

retirement age. how are you going to fix it? >> i would have an actuary, and it is not that hard. we tell young people like you, john, that you're going debt -- you have to retire at 65 or 70. you have the plan for a different way of retiring. social security is not your only way to retire. don't depend on it because it is not going to be there. it is going to take political courage for someone to say that, but when i have spoken at town hall meetings and have told people that we're changing the date, social security was first put out there as a means for retirement. people were dying at 6566. people are living until they are 90 or 100, so we have to change the age. >> you're not for increasing the

payroll tax? any of the other proposals? >> we can look at everything, but i would not increase the payroll tax, no. this is a case where government has actually given -- it is a big guy of you. -- a big iou. feces on our guards. so i realize that some in this body, some around this couldn't -- around the country, want to help terrorists and they believe if we'll just be nice to them, everything will work out fine. that's not the case. it is absolutely not the case. we have to give people an opportunity to buy into the old system or gore for a new system where you have your own health care. they have their own retirement savings account which is affordable and goes with them from job to job.

those of us that are entering the work force right now have come on to a new system. >> the system doosn't even look like the one that was created. it intended to be a true safety net for the downtrodden in america. your question about should we chase -- change the age? yes. we have a couple of other things. years ago, for every one person paying out, we have to 0.5 people playing in for one person paying now. he changed the age, you probably have the courage to talk about means testing. my parents don't need social security. we engage in a conversation about changing that over time, and we build private savings and requirement. you can get away without raising payroll taxes, and you can

create a sustainable system. people aren't paying their money and is being saved. i take this to my parents can retire. we're going to have to get back to understanding that. >> the system is broken because president johnson took the money that was supposed to be in all walks park -- lock box. we're seeing this happen with obama and read right now. we have to downsize the government. >> i would be an agreement of racing games, but we have to get the money back in the social security to pay those people, and we do that by downsizing government. the federal government has no business being involved in some places like the department of education. >> the funding that was being paid into social security will go back canal lock box where it should have been. >> which shows a security's

money. the answer is to cut back. >> 75 years, 5.3 trillion dollars. >> we definitely need to see from our legislators is that our leadership has got to adopt the principle or the attitude of if we don't have the money, we don't spend it. to continue to run up deficits, the program is not going to have enough money. there will not be enough money in the general fund to be able to pay for it. i look at a three-tier system. either we change the age or it remains the same. at the break point, they continue to receive the benefit. and refined out who is in the middle area that might still be sitting on that. >> you don't mean those rich people? >> those were the disadvantage or the people that absolutely depend on that continue to receive it whether it be of age

or it is for another reason, and in the second, that would be a phase out tier. i don't expect that my kids are going to be able to have that benefit. i doubt is going to be there when i hit my retirement age. that is the message we have got to get forward, this can't be -- >> the american enterprise institute has said that just changing the age is not going to be sufficient to make a sustainable system going past 2040. if you do the math, you will have to -- in the end, we have the train americans to come back and say it again. how're you going to train young people to put money away at a private retirement accounts of the government doesn't have to be there -- >> you cannot do that overnight. >> all of this is long term.

>> personal accountability is at an all-time low. until that changes, the issue of the dependence on government whether it is state, local, or federal government absolutely going to have more of our u.s. senate debate of the republican nomination debates in the most watched race in the country. if you don't believe me, as one of our trillions of yours. >> if you want to comment or have mr. program, go face to facebook or you can click on links to the "las vegas sun." ♪ >> welcome back, this is "face to face." a very long general election,

the second in a lot -- the longest in the state's history. early warning went up and five of their republican candidates in the u.s. senate here on face to face. this week, secretary of state hillary clinton announced to deal with the other security council members, and new economic sanctions, a new plan against iran. is this a good deal? would you do more or less? >> do everything we can in our power to support iran. however, i would like the state of israel to be able to protect itself. i want to give them all the support >> but what will work with iran? >> you don't know what is going to work with iran. i doubt they give up their

nuclear weapons program. that is why we have to support israel and provide them with the means to defend themselves. we have to use all the sanctions possible, work with the international community, and if they don't, we have to stand shoulder to shoulder with israel. >> what do we do? >> we do whatever we need to do to protect themselves. >> israel is not going to stand to allow iran to get nuclear weapons. >> i have always promoted sanctions, but i have not seen hillary clinton with specific sanctions. i like to say we're not going to put refined petroleum back into their economy. there are really some things that we can do to put a lot of pressure on iran, and i think we should do that. i think we should also begin to think about the other folks that are in this whole oil situation.

we have a problem with being dependent on foreign oil. we have to come back here and build our own -- we have a lot of options, but we should not take any of those options off the table. reagan said the best defense is a strong defense. we need to let them know that we're not going to let them play this game with us and we need to stand strong, stand tough. >> we are concerned about the behavior of this state, and we should be. it is designed to basically eventually create a threat. we have to engage people, like turkey yesterday wrapping around the idea of shipping enriched uranium out of the country in a program that no one really believes it is going to eliminate the threat. if we're going to get sanctions, we need to be serious about it.

if you engage with iran this way, we're going to have to look at sanctions with you, too. >> we have been playing with iran for a long time. i don't believe it is going to produce anything different. >> what do we do? >> you apply pressure. we have, but not enough. we have been talking about applying pressure for a long time. it is misguided and not focused on creating a change. >> they are coming to the table more than they have before, and it is encouraging, i think. it would be good for iran not to be nuclear. when i heard that they were at the table, they are finally serious about sanctions and i think it is a very good thing. all options should be on the table. >> we are going to take a break,

a lot more issues to talk about with the five leading candidates for the u.s. senate. nobody yet has said i have missed the point or i am cynical, so i am the head of the game. ♪ welcome back to "face to face." . .

we need to have domestic resources in this country. there are using this argument to cut up the debate about why we are not using the domestic thing. >> they were overseeing this project. devaney to pay the cost of this bur. >> there needs to be a higher cap. what is going to be the cost? we are not getting numbers thrown out at us. there has not been anything specific pretty you cannot raise

the rate. it is so high. you the companies that do not want to go into the business. you cannot do it so high that companies did not want to engage. >> what about the responsibility of the government? why not bring them in? that is part of the problem as well. >> we do not know what happened. we have to find out what happened. we have to find out which agency was watching it. it is a battery that went dead. that is amazing to me. >> the personal responsibility is gone in our country. they are overseeing this project. the businesses themselves made the mistake.

>> if you make it too high, you are going to put people out of business. >> take a look here in nevada. it is so expensive to even start the process to be able to distract the minerals out of the ground. you know this, too. my concern is that we know there is someone who wants to shut down any exploration. it to be devastating for our economy. >> it is going to be $18 billion cap to go from setting $5 million to $10 million. coming from harry reid, it makes it very difficult for offshore exploration. >> there is a $20 billion cap, nothing goes wrong. by e.d. they should not have to pay at all? >> i never said that.

now you are being cynical again. the issue is due in need of sure drilling? right now since we have no gas, we needionanatural it. berglund to have to have offshore drilling. they will inform us about what should be the appropriate liability caps. we could have another one of these problems. these kind of mistakes happen. that of a nice thing to have. that involves some leadership about where we are going to find energy.. we are not out. >> i have an energy plan on the web site. they are utilizing the natural resources. >> a plan to give you a chance. >> i will say mine. the issue is presenting this

from happening. liability capstan not prevent that. overregulation does not prevent that. what prevented is finding out what happens. these companies do want to be responsible. . >> we have to take a break. when we come back, we are glad to answer the question everyone was in a the question to, who is the strongest debate? who's the best face harry reid? do not go away. >> welcome back. five candidates want to face it. we do have some that it out there.

it will not hurt you in the general direction. >> those things are there. they did not complain when the attacking. you can go blow by blow. i won. the people in the data once something more than secretary reported they want someone will listen to the people of nevada. they want someone who has real ideas and submission. that is what my campaign has been based upon. >> there are all kind chicken jokes going around about you. your plummeting. why are you the best canada? what if you want someone on the ballot, i am not your gal. if you want someone who has been a businesswoman and very active in the community, someone you have some experience of politics, affixing workers' comp, privatizing it, if you want someone like that, i am probably work out. i am not someone the you see

over and over again. i think people want someone new. the united states and knees along with business sense. >> you have no political base or of money. harry reid is clear to the study. >> i represent the largest legislative district in the state by far. there is a district that has elected me seven times. on top of that, i also have a significant base in my church. i know the church of the heavily engaged in the selection. i have been able to show them that this is the work i have done over the last eight years. i bring records and resumes. >> you have lived in nevada for 30 years. wall street is very evil. how can you beat harry reid? >> this is how you fix the american economy.

there is no one in this group of people that have the skills to do it. i have a plan about how to shrink government. in the end, the american people want truth and accuracy about how the government has changed. in the end to win this race, yet to give republicans and independents how to really change government. i believe i can. >> it is going to take some of the independents. you are going to be purchasing two far right. we cannot win the general of the action. >> i have voted no over hundred times to get tax -- taking cases all the way to the supreme court, and getting the ronald reagan freedom agenda. and building a coalition based on that record. they have measured the record

and said "she is the one." fromalso heard conservative democrats and republicans. groups are going to have me do this. i cannot do it alone. >> we are out of time. i pre sure -- i appreciate willingness to come out. >> on the next face to face, one of the most powerful seat in the state. for democrats are competing. we will find out where they stand in an exclusive debate. that is in the next face to face. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] >> today, president obama said bp could face criminal charges over the gulf of mexico oil spill. he also named avp inquiry commission. then we will hear from eric holder air who is in the gulf

region. akmal fatmarks from abnorm allen. -- admiral that allen. >> on "washington journal, "daniel weiss joins us to discuss the government's response to the p oil spill. after that, paul light on ways to streamline the federal government. later, an update with martin obama of the dow jones news wire on tax practices that they have been working on. later, warren buffett testifies before the financial crisis inquiry commission. he'll talk about the reliability of credit rating agencies. live coverage begins at 8:30 p.m. eastern. >> new british prime minister

david cameron those questions from members of parliament in his first prime minister's questions. it is live from the british house of commons wednesday on 10:00 a.m. eastern on c-span. >> this weekend, noted feminist author martha: nussbaum written or and treated to more than 20 books on liberal education. to join our 3 our discussion. >> we have new c-span books for you. each has a unique, a contemporary perspective and something new to use about lincoln, the nation's highest court, and the lives of america's president. to order, it could to c- span.org/books.

each one is also a great gift idea for father's day. >> president obama introduced the co-chairman of an independent commission that will investigate the bp oil spill. he is a former democratic senator from florida william reilly that the environmental protection agency. from the white house rose garden, this is almost 10 minutes. >> i just met with these

gentlemen. they will lead the national commission on the bp oil spill in the gulf. this is not the greatest environmental disaster in history. their job will be to thoroughly examine the spill and the causes and the way we never faces catastrophe again. we are continuing our efforts to contain the damage from this disaster in extent of the people of the gulf the help they need. with a yardy mounted the largest cleanup efforts in the nation's history. we continue to monitor the efforts to halt are captured the flow of oil from the wrecked well. until it stopped, we will multiplied our efforts to meet the growing threat. what is being threatened, what

is being lost is not just a source of income but the way of life. there are now more than 20,000 men and women in the region working among the clock. we of authorize more than 17,000 national guard members terrorist bomb. more than 1700 buses are aiding in the response. it will insure all things are pursued as we await the completion. containing this leak are pursued as we await the completion of horni've also directed homeland allen, who is the national incident commander,

to triple the manpower in those places within 24 hours of impact. as well. we've ordered bp to pay economic injury claims, and we will make sure they deliver. the small business administration has stepped in to help businesses by approving loans and allowing deferrals of existing loan payments. we've stationed doctors and scientists across the region to look out for people's health and monitor any ill effects felt by cleanup workers and residents. and we will absolutely continue to hold bp and any other responsible parties accountable for financial losses borne by the people in the region. but our responsibility doesn't end there. investigate what went wrong and needed so that we never have to again. if the laws on our books are insufficient to prevent such aif oversight was inadequate to enforce these laws, oversight has to be reformed. if our laws were broken, leading to this death and destruction,

my solemn pledge is that we will bring those responsible to justice on behalf of the victims of this catastrophe and the people of the gulf region. when interior secretary ken salazar took office, for example, he found a minerals and management services agency that had been plagued by corruption for years -- corruption that was underscored by a recent inspector general's report that uncovered appalling activity that took place before last year. took steps to clean up that corruptionn but this oil spill has made clear that more reforms are needed. too cozy relationship between oil companies and the agencies that regulate them. that's why we've decided to separate the people who permit offshore leases, who collect revenues, and who regulate the safety of drilling. in addition, we've placed a six- month moratorium on drilling new deepwater oil and gas wells in the outer continental shelf. and now that a 30-day safety and environmental review is complete, we're making a series

of changes. the review recommended aggressive new operating standards and requirements for offshore energy companies, which we will put in place. and i've also called on congress to pass a bill to provide critical resources to respond to this spill and better prepare us for any spills in the future. now, all that has to do with dealing with the crisis at hand. but it's critical that we take a comprehensive look at how the oil and gas industry operates and how our government oversees those operations. that's why i signed an executive order establishing this national commission. and i'm extraordinarily pleased that bob graham and bill reilly have agreed to be its co-chairs. bob served two terms as florida's governor, represented florida in the senate for almost two decades. and during that time he earned a reputation as a champion of the environment, leading the most extensive environmental protection effort in the state's history. bill is chairman emeritus of the board of the world wildlife

fund, and is also deeply knowledgeable of the oil and gas industry. he also was epa administrator during the first bush administration, serving during the exxon valdez disaster. so i can't think of two people who will bring greater experience or judgment to this task. i personally want to thank both of them for taking on this arduous assignment -- for demonstrating a great sense of duty to this country. very soon i'll appoint five other distinguished americans, including leaders in science and engineering, to join them. and they'll work alongside other ongoing reviews, including an independent examination by the national academy of engineers. and i've authorized the commission to hold public

hearings and to request information from government, from non-for-profit organizations, and from experts in the oil and gas industry both at home and abroad, as well as from relevant companies -- including bp, transocean, halliburton, and others. i just said in our meeting, in doing this work, they have my full support to follow the facts wherever they may lead -- without fear or favor. and i'm directing them to report back in six months with options for how we can prevent and mitigate the impact of any future spills that result from offshore drilling. as a result of this disaster, lives have been lost. businesses have been decimated. communities that had already known great hardship now face the specter of sudden and painful economic dislocations. untold damage is being done to the environment -- damage that could last for decades. we owe all those who've been harmed, as well as future generations, a full and vigorous accounting of the events that led to what has now become the worst oil spill in u.s. history. only then can we be assured that deepwater drilling can take place safely. only then can we accept further development of these resources as we transition to a clean energy economy. only then can we be confident that we've done what's necessary to prevent history from repeating itself. thank you very much, everybody.

>> eric holder confirmed that a criminal investigation into the oil spill has been ongoing for several weeks. mr. holder spoke with reporters following a tour of the gulf region. from new orleans, this is about 10 minutes. >> the afternoon. this morning i surveyed just one small portion of the damage caused by what is the of the

largest oil spill in the history of the united states. i was briefed by coast guard officers involved in the massive effort and surveyed the early signs of oil in shooting into the ecosystem. it is all too evident. it is heartbreaking to see. this afternoon, our team from washington met with u.s. attorneys on the district's on coastlines and two citizens have been impacted by this disaster to discuss how we can work together to respond to this spill. as you know, the president on friday reiterated that he is stopping the leak, containing and cleaning up the oil and helping the people in this region get back on their feet and to return to their normal

what we saw this morning was oil for miles and miles and miles. it was all the we know has already affected plant and animal life along the coast and has impacted the lives -- the livelihood of too many in this region. this disaster is nothing less in a tragic. it is not being borne by our environment. the initial explosion also took the lives of 11 rig workers.

this we must never forget. i want to assure the american people that it is not the prices people paid. during the early stages, i sent a team of attorneys and the head of our civil division to new orleans to lead our efforts to protect the american taxpayer and those that reside in the gulf. they have been working diligently and percents their coordinating the -- ever since they are courting the response. we will be guided by relatively simple principles. people in sure that every cent of tax payer money will be repaid and the damages will be

reimbursed. we will make certain that they clean up the mess. we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the lot anyone who is violated the law. among the many stat sheets that are revealing include the clean water act, which carries civil penalties and fines as well as criminal penalties, the oil pollution act which can be used. it provides there are a wide range of possible violations under the statute.

we will closely examined the actions of those involved in this bill. if we find evidence of illegal behavior, we will be forceful in our response. we have already found all relative parties to shed light on the facts surrounding this. we will be meticulous. we will be aggressive. we will not rest until justice is done. it will respond to the environmental disaster. it will answer the american people do not fit the bill for this disaster and that our laws are enforced to the extent. that is our responsibility. we will do nothing less. we will be glad to respond to any questions.

>> we have begun both a criminal as well as a civil investigation, as is our investigation under the law. our laws are very clear. we have a responsibility to enforce it. the priority is stop the spill into clinic the oil. we will ensure that we do nothing to jeopardize the response effort. there is a predicate for us. we have we think is a sufficient basis for a criminal investigation.

>> [inaudible] >> we are considering that. there are a wide range of things that we can produce. there are birds that have been harmed in killed. >> some rumors have to emerge about the well-planned [inaudible] it is approved. it is named to the department of interior. how the reconcile that? would you have to defend mmf? >> we bullet that thesis that have been filed. we will take what action is

appropriate. the focus of our effort is on making sure that we act in a way that is consistent with cleanup and thht we are responsible for doing what we can to make sure we hold accountable the people who are responsible for the spill. >> i do not want to describe who is under investigation. at this point, this investigation has been ongoing for some time. i would not want to specify at this point who we target. we are not in a position where we have come to conclusions as to who should be ultimately held liable. i do not want to cast aspersions unnecessarily. investigation has been ongoing. we are not need the end of that investigation. we began weeks ago. >> [inaudible]

>> we certainly have these two divisions. we have lawyers. we have investigated agents from a variety of agencies that work in the federal government. we are taking the full weight of our investigative capabilities to look at this matter. >> would you say your focus is more environmental? i use same bp miss led the public -- misled the public? [inaudible] >> i do nothi think.

there is nothing that is up the table at this point. >> what sort of criminal investigation? >> we have begun a criminal investigation. the threshold has been passed but . we feel there is a substantial predicate for the investigation. the threshold has been passed. >> [inaudible] >> these were all u.s. attorneys as well as people from washington. we just met with the state attorney general from mississippi, alabama. with the state attorney general from texas as well and louisiana. we just met with them.

we are all on the same page. we are dedicated to pursuing this action in all the things we do in concert with one another we are trying to form a working so we can be most efficient at protecting the people who we are sworn to serve. >> i will simply say that there are actions that we have been taking. we have been coordinating them. we will be coordinating them to another degree as a result of the meetings we just concluded. >> coast guard animals that allen said it could be three days before bp is able to install a new pipe from collecting oral from the pipe. he is the top government official in the gulf. he also talks about new areas

where oil is being discovered and the efforts to prevent it from coming onshore. this is about half an hour. >> it is great to be here in new orleans. i want to talk about how we will be communicating in the couple of days. we will talk about her work we are conducting. we have leadership transition inside the command in louisiana. he has been coordinating the response so far. this coincides with the start of hurricane season and the need to be focused on the larger a ray of threats. it has been a pretty remarkable and unprecedented response.

the interagency folks have been involved. i know he is commented on the coast guard. there the king for a challenging season. he is in right decider, helping her. we are going to be in good hands. the goal is to have me speak to you on a daily basis. most the time, it to be here in the region. we will make assets -- access there for you. the goal is to create a broad picture of what is going on. will be able to answer your questions. i'm glad to answer any questions about that. a couple of things i like to talk about.

later on we will convene a meeting of federal partners and representatives of academic. we will talk about the proposal as atted by the louisiana la measure against oil. this is a topic of intense discussion with the president last week. he directed me to convene a meeting to obtain transparency on information associated with this. are there potential environmental impacts what did the informations the wany to move forward. i will assemble the information that is dry. we will report that back to the president. we are in the first process and

giving it the ability to control the oil leakage. they are three different talk and hills may. we have gone to oil containment. we will attend to get that to as close of the package as we can and make it as defined a cuts the reason we want to do that is we have two options. one is called a top cap it would insure a minimum amount of oil leaked out.

another would potentially cause oil leakage. we want that first option if we can do it. we are in the middle of the first cut right now. we will be reporting from our various ones. we will take it to the service -- as in mid to containment. it introduced some risk factors bellini to be aware of. the flow rate estimates that we could see a 20% increase in oil flow. we discussed there will be a

period of time where there will be tighter conference coming out of the well. it is a put the top hat in place. we are going to be producing the oil out of this well at a low rate. we are going to have to have a way to consider hurricane weather and what to do about that. there are a couple of options that would include a floating production facility. the plans are being finalized and now. our concern is there is a possibility that we would do

have a way to do things i treat the oil. the plants have been requested. it has a large perimeter. as the law has come to the service, there have been different positions regarding wins and tides. it has moved in different directions. it is starting to move up toward mississippi. we have dispatched survey teams

to see what the impact is out there. that is an update today. >> there is a representative from the coast guard didn't know [inaudible] >> well, i'm not sure what information you're talking about. no one that i'm aware of has -- [inaudible] >> why will there not be more a joint press conferences?

>> well, first, there are a couple things in play. number one, our people in robert, louisiana will be handling the press briefings that have been going on. [inaudible] -- with bp. that doesn't mean with bp but -- with him. and we need to understand what to do. >> [inaudible], radio. i have yet to see or hear what for what is happening with the operations. can you help us out with the time frame? >> what's going to happen is, as soon as the sheer cut is made, that will remove the weight of most of the riser pipe and send it across the ocean floor. they are -- wire saw to refine a horizontal cut. . once that's done and the pipe is removed then they will take a look and evaluate how soon

-- one of two options, you call top cap or top hat. top hat involves much freer integrity of steel including a rubber band around that -- less oil be released. if we can't do that then top hat will be applied. we use two different devices starting at this point. [inaudible] -- sea beds and what you call -- storage. and there will be a period of time where -- [inaudible] once those caps are on, whichever one is determined, then we'll -- to hook that to the enterprise to set up a riser pipe and start reduction -- [inaudible] there is a fine line between when that cut is made and the cap is in place. it could be anywhere from 24 to 36 hours -- maybe up to 72 hours -- reduction. as we get further into it, as we get further into it, we know whether or not we can recycle those numbers for you. i would take that as a [inaudible] yes, ma'am.

>> there is been a lot of discrepancy at this time. it is much larger than what bp s to make it. how much will be rebuilt? >> you can talk about how much is all well right now. we need to think about the impact. it is in places to the west. . then cemented a proposal. he can talk about how much oil as onshore. the extent is defined by the state of louisiana. >> [inaudible] >> we have conducted to be apro type prada -- to be a prototype.

this is a complicated proposal. it is never been contemplated before. everybody understands that there is a physical barrier that have a positive affect on oil in the marshlands. this is supposed to be done in an environment is sensitive area. there will be construction going on. it might be or what is going on. those discussions we will have this afternoon watch the pros and cons. >> [inaudible]

do you have any estimate on that? >> we are getting in to a debate. the best thing for us to do is to sit down and come up with a common metric. miles of shoreline does not equate to the impact we are looking at. we will reconcile and give you a baseline. >> [inaudible] can he give us an update on the public health? >> first of all, i had a discussion this week with deputy secretary harris. we agreed that we need to be

completely integrated. people have been working, the thing that occupational health. what i felt we needed to do, where in the process of he department of labour. we will bring them into the command staff. need to look a workplace safety violations. we need to develop a commission. when we pull the fishermen out of the water last week because of the nosher, we pulled all those people together. by telling needed a more formal way we have ongoing negotiations. wherever we get an indication, we will go there. >> there were a couple of issues there.

your time of occupational health and safety? the issue dispersants has been raised. i'm not sure we really understand there is a connection between the air delivery and incidents of folks some of being impacted by that on land. to that end, epa has been doing air sampling. we are doing water sampling. we do not want to rule anything out. he wants to keep public confidence moving forward. epa will continue to monitor. the protocols, certain conditions have to be met. we will continue to follow up on the. >> [inaudible]

>> it is not the same one. that is a different containment device. this one is much smaller. and made the right of the top. -- one make it right over the top. i do not want to trivialize it. it is a difference between a garden hose with a rubber gasket or not. cap is the one with the tighter still. hat is not quite as sealed. it is not in it now. ap think of the insertion, that is what the devices are intended to do. there is an issue of simultaneous operation. a lot is being stage. there is a certain amount of

density. it is not in right now. >> [inaudible] >> we are not talking about capping the oil anymore. we are talking about containing the well. there is a difference it recapping and being able to hold back until the relief well is completed. we are containing the well. we are taking the hydrocarbon sector coming up and bring in into the service and producing oil. we do not want to restrict the flow. i do not think he knows the condition of the third of what we want to do is to get the oil of. if the have production going on, it involves the surface.

and is not a silly about the interaction with the weather. the need to have plans -- you need to have plans. you can bring in larger platforms. there may be a time we will have to disconnect in except the fact there will be well flowing up there. the ultimate solution will be sometime in august. >> i think there is a the level of confidence that one will go on. as we said all along, we continue to break new ground. we will wait and see how it comes out. >> operator, where open for calls.

>> president obama said the federal government has insisted a relief will be drilled and how it has been extended. will be secured from another? >> when the second rig was deployed, it was an opportunity to bring a blow out out to the site. that was on the deep driller.

it is about a million pounds. it takes the drilling at practice to employ this. they put a second block out her venture. they stop drilling. they were ready to put it in. >> [inaudible] equipment will be used for oil.

i do not know what it means. they have requested equipment. we will send it over this week. >> we are libby at the offices of foreign assistance. there different types of skimmers. we are reaching out to the netherlands. we want to make sure that the tighter resources beneath our what we need. where the thing that every supplier for that type of equipment. that is what we will be bringing

him. >> good afternoon. i wanted to ask about the ratio feed. it has caused quite a stir worldwide. is it for training what is going on? >> i think you make a crippling. everyone wants to make information about this. the are frustrated. they are mad. it creates an urgency to do something about it. we are looking at two dimensional video.

it put a bunch of folks together to develop the flow rate estimates. we will get an estimate that we thought was more accurate and reliable. we need to understand that is just one picture what is going on. we have to keep our head in the game and our shoulder to the wheel. the american public needs to understand going into bring this through. >> good afternoon. the call quality has been extraordinarily bad. i've not and is to most of it. he mentioned something about

reports about oil. i was wondering if you could go through that again. >> these are initial reports. tomorrow is concerned above original and formation. we understand there is a report in the or let this thing in contact. there are reports of tar balls. we are going to investigate the right now. >> can you characterize the actual chance of success. it has been perhaps wishful thinking.

[inaudible] >> could you repeat the first question? >> i will tell you this. we directed a second natural as a risk amid a bitter. we are trying to do see the pie. it is good to have the backup. >> if we have to say second one, we will. i'm not sure want to put a percentage associated with that.

we are dealing with some long distances. regarding oil, there is talk about rather 1000 or 5000 was the right number. we return so much equipment out there. our resources were not constrained by that estimate fet. we are trying to understand the potential impact. we needed a better model for that. we revised the estimate higher. it but cannot lustily. we have better numbers. they are still in a range. out caution everyone aware still dealing with information 5000 down when there is no human access.

i think we are still working with in a range. we will continue to do that. >> what specifically will hurricanes mean for in your team? >> i am sure it the yardy stood up at a higher readiness level. there regarding the containment prices. and trying to bring vessels letter much more seaworthy in. we would only have to do it in the most extreme weather.

thank you, folks. >> that option is off the table? >> there is a series of other incidents. what happens is to get the larger domes. . .

do you have any evidence? >> i think in about 24-36 hours, but, again, that is a rough estimate, and it has to be conditions based. >> what has that been -- >> we cannot cap the well. thank you. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] >> new british prime minister

and conservative party leader david cameron fields questions from members of parliament in his first prime minister's questions as head of a coalition government, live from the british house of commons at 10:00 a.m. eastern wednesday on c-span. >> after "prime minister's questions," john ashcroft will discuss the legal rights of terrorism suspects at guantanamo bay. you can watch it live at 11:00 a.m. eastern. >> this weekend on "in depth," the university of virginia law professor who has written or contributed to more than 20 books on liberal education, ethics, sexism, and legal justice. join our three-hour conversation on "in depth," on c-span2. >> we have got to read news c-

span books for you. "," "the supreme court" -- " abraham lincoln." to order, go to c-span.org/book, each one a great gift for father's day. >> this weekend, bp announced the failure of their effort to stanch the flow of crude oil into the gulf of mexico. the radio program "inside new orleans" talked about it. here is a part of the program, hosted by eric. >> those of you watching around

the nation on c-span, i do not have to introduce you to our next guest. he is a true louisiana hero, a hero after katrina, and he has proved to be a hero in trying to save the very history of his parish. he joins us on the station. how are you? >> i am doing good. we are on the way over to the island. the administration is going to decide whether to task bp. >> tell the folks your proposal for trying to stop this oil was about an 80-mile land burma -- butberm and your frustration -- an 80-mile land berm.

small poron to begin with? >> my frustration is growing as we have across the river. there appears to me that this a stacked deck against those from the beginning, with no one that has been on our team putting it together on the panel. i am liable to go to jailefore this hearing is over because th is absolutely ridiculous. the president requested a roundtable discussion to discuss the pros and cons. now what was like a roundtable discussion, a dog and pony show. if it turns out thatay, i will be on the phone complaining to the white house promising the president that before i go on of a goat andson cooper" i will give him the opportunity to do the right time -- right thing, to demand that bait -- that bp

pay for all these barrier land. >> the concept was almost in place that you had read requested and got no dreads that would begin to dredge outside the pish long before the oil leak was happening to protect unit -- protected from the next form surge. >> we had three barrier islands that we had planned to protect the coast of louisiana this was the third thing, a lot more expensive. we modified it to get the most ng for our buck and wlt we had to do it to give ourselves adequaterotection. had we started this when we first asked, it would almost be complete. the marshes impact would not have happened. we will not have lost the

pelicans and the wildlife in great numbers now. >> what does, the audience watching us around the nation on c-pan, explain to them how long ago if you went to the coast guard, , the corps of engineers with this concept, and what has been the hold up to be helped build a barrier island to protect our precious wetlands and actuaries? >> we heard everything from you cannot do it to if you can have a normal impact, too expensive, all the excuses. everyone has excuses. show me a better plan. the blooms are not wking. they're throwing band-aids it is. and we're sitting here watching this oil piece by piece destroy our livelihood and our wetlands, and that is unceptable.

chev>> when you look at the plat for the sand berms, this is something thathad been vetted by the corps of engineers, so why e holdup? >> it is easy to point the fingee and say it is bp is fault, the coast guard's fault. you know what i cannot even understand, especially since the last, that bp has not stepped up to the plate and said we're going to do the right thing. we see that it cant be cleaned up by tomorrow. that had 20 crews out ttere to clean itp and it is still not clean up. lik we said from the beginning, is impossible to clean this sticky cute out of the march. it is destroying the marsh piece by piece. if we do not build this barrier island, we will see more loss

from this oil and katrina, christoph, and i combined. -- gustav and ike combined. they got their numbers together. there are 3,000 acr of land lost already. what is it going to tke for somebody to it playing around and allow these burns to be built? >> the president of the paris joins us on the radio. -- of the parish joins us. you've been out so many times into the louisiana wet lines with b gov. bobby jindal and others. for those that have never been to one of our w ones, explain what it would normally be like this time of year, and what you have seen as you've gone through on airboats.

>> you have thousands of people out there fishing. these are degrading fishing grounds in the world. -the greatest fishing grounds in the world. many species start their life cycle here in the marshlands of louisiana. the plants are dying. all the fish, all the while light is dead. we wl of lost hundreds of birds, thepelican's just got off the endangered species list. i bet when th is over it will be back on it. we've lost hundreds of pelican, their eggs are covered with young -- with oil. someone needs to step up and do absolutely everything physically possible to keep this oil from destroying our eye. it is unthinkable. >> billy, en you start talking about the problems that we're dealing with, you've been very

articulate in expressing to no just those in louisiana but around the country. we are truly fighting an enemy that we cannot see because of the dispersants sprayed in the gulf of mexico. normally the blooms would be of texas oil for reaches are estuaries and wetlds. but because the dispersants have been sprayed, the oil is coming under the boom and it hits the land. and that that is one of the reasons why we need this sand bermbelt now. >> absolutely. bp said it would not come ashore. we knew that that was not true. the president of bp yesterday visited and said he does not believe the large firm underneath the water would do

anything. we would like to take him off shore, duncan down, and see what these days. there are large ones of oil under the surface. for him to say that it does not exist is theile and he is an embarrassment. >> i do not believe a word out of anybody from bp. all they are doing is cya at this point. talk about your conversation with president obama and ultimately the response to the biggest ecological disaster in the history of this country. >> this meeting is because of that meeting. i thank the president for that. the panel that i am looking at the start reprt the people -- though not represent the people and hopefully we can commenin this meeting, beuse

the panel was handpicked. we will see the arguments and the outcomes. but anything less is unacceptable. we will wage war on whoever we have an -- have to to protect the wetlands. that is what is happening as we speak. >> whose specifically do you not like on this panel that will again that when the louisiana can build these sand berms, 80 miles with a sand berms, that were there, that nature intended to be there before we cut a path toallow the oil coanies to go again and build the pipeline canals so that we could refined petrochemicals for the rest of the country? >> absolutely. there was supposed to be a

roundtable discussion to prest our case. that's what i was told in a meeting with the president. i've got an invitation late last night. we will see what happens. it is shaping up to be a dog and pony show, and if it is, god help them. we need truth, honesty, transparency. we did in need -- we do not need cover-up and smoke and rrors to make it appear that we took everybody's opinion. we're going in with our guns loaded and we will seewhat happens. but the truth needs to be told, the whole truth. .

it is unacceptable. the whole system is broke. somebody needs to take charge to has a passion to save these wetlands and quit playing games with our future. >> that was the parish president. thank you so much for your time. we appreciate it. to the telephone lines, we go. to the state of massachusetts and john. john, welcome. hey, john. >> i am with him. just so you know right off of the bat, massachusetts is

definitely behind in new orleans, -- behind new orleans. i was not fighting or anything, but i was an engineer,,and i agree that the engineer was sub work. the money was not spent the way it could have been. that is money. no doubt about it. they use it because it was a the money. i think pp, what we really need, like he was saying, somebody needs to step up -- because we need the money. i think really, that is what we need. b.p. is out of here. >> i would agree. bp has the expertise. again, that is doubtful. doubtful.

we were sold a bill of goods. how can you drill in deep water if you did not have a contingency plan in case something goes wrong? because of the incestuous relationship between mms and they will companies and lobbyists role they state and country, the people of the analis of america were not told the truth there were not told about the ability to drill safely and deep water. bottom line is at this point, the federal government needs to take control of this response. they should have from day one. we should have learned a lesson from katrina a 9/11. this is an assault on our people and way of life. when you start talking about what louisiana meese to this country, we are, in many cases, tied into the oil companies and exploration. we want to do it safely. we went to protect our way of life and death to savannah, georgia.

welcome. >> are you getting any feedback? i had a question. you were talking about the 9500. according to the coast guard, i read an article where one of their notices where they wer spraying to different was. the bad one was allowed to be sprayed. when i went on the website, i am retired so i have nothing else do, i found out that is a bad boy. the stuff being sprayed. course i was not aware of that product. what i have been able to find out is that the 9500 is made by exxon, was originally made by

exxon. when you start talking about louisiana sweet crude, there is a dispersant which 100% effective on our south louisiana crude and not as toxic as what is being used. it is incredulous to all of us in south louisiana on why the more toxic dispersant was used. the head of the epa is a louisiana native asking them to stand down on the amount of this person they're using. this might have made sense iwe were in turtle bay and have the heavier crude. not when it was south louisiana. this dispersant would have worked much more effectively. we did not have it in the volumes that bp needed because they knew how much oil was coming out. affecting our great coastline.

of course, up until now, the beautiful gulf of mexico. we are with you until 3:00 this afternoon. you can listen. we thank you it all of you who are turning and on c-span acrs the country. wanto conclude that your life? this is mini storage on the go. >> when she gets here, we have

got a telephone call. [inaudible] take the hassle out of traditional mini storage. on the gulf coast, all of the way to baton rouge, a toll-free. >> authentic mexican cuisine, fresh squeezed margaritas. this is absolutely the best mexican cuisine. everything is made fresh to order. traditional dishes are prepared.

filet mignon, fresh fish. >> for those of you watching on c-span, one of the things we have been fighting for is our fair share of revenue. that is in jeopardy now. that we may abandon deepwater drilling. i think any of us that live in louisiana are on pins and needles bause when you look oil exploration in shallow water, we are told that in many cases, there are now a lot of oil reserves left in shallow water. the majority of the oil reserves that are untapped and the gulf of mexico right now or in deep water. louisiana in several cases -- have been asking for our fair share of offore oil revenue and 0 c yes revenue. we are set to be able to get on+ quarter, up 37.5% in 2017 of

offshore oil revenue derived from the outer continental shelf. when you talk about where we cms is, we give more money to the united states treasury in terms of money derived from the extraction of minerals than any other state in the union. right now, when you talk about louisiana, we are getting a pittance of money that is coming in from oixploration and terms ofhe royalties. states that are landlocked in many cases, those in your -- wyoming, utah and wyoming, you derive more money from the extraction of minerals and oil and gas on federal land, you get 50%. and to your state treasury. in 2007, wyoming that 925

million. the mexico got five and $52 million. colorado, $122 million. california, $61 million. montana, 39 million. louisiana, with more pipeline than any other state, with the exploration of oil offshore, with the amount of refineries we have up and down the mississippi river, only got $24 million from the minerals and royalties from the drilling on federal land. anything outside of 3 miles. the senator has pushed the federal government's to give us 40% of those revenues now. here is the key going forward. in louisiana, what we have done asoon as there was an opportunity for us to be able to get our portion o offshore

outer continental shelf revenue, we immediately dedicated goes to post a restoration, to the restoration of the barrier islands and the restoration of our wetlands. this was iediately after katrina. any money derived from minerals and royalties from the federal government on the drilling of federal land immediately goes into rebuilding what had been lost because of salt water intrusion on drilling off our shores and the pipeline that have been cut through our marshes and what plans and barry are islands. the united states army corps of engineers trying to harness the mississippi river in terms of navigation which stopped the nutrients that would ea spring feet those wetlands so they could be vibrant. we put our money where our mouth

is. any money derived from this offsho oil from killing -- drilling in federal waters, would go into our wetlands. right now, we get a pittance. in many cases, we have to share one quarter or with louisiana, texas, mississippi. louisiana and the rest of the gulf coast cant waithat long. we need to those dollars now. it is in limbo because we did not know if we will be drilling ofthe continental shelf anymore because we did not know how safe it is. >> our number 2 of inside new orleans.

you can listen live at wist.com. we would like to welcome those of you who are watching on c- span across the nation. thank you for coming in and getting a taste of what we are feeling down here. joining us now on the program is a coastal scientist from the environmental defense fund. somebody who has louisiana ties. angelina friedman is a coastal scientist for the environmeal defense fund. welcome. >> thank you. >> there have had the opportunity to go out and to our estuaries and wetlands and along the shoreline as a coastal scientist. for those watching along the cable and satellite networks on c-span and those that are listening around the world, describe for the country and the world at you have seen how

this oil has inundated our wetlands. >> i went out to the grand isle area and the oil had reached the shore already. it was in pools the sand and going into the substrate. and unfortunately, there were animals that were affected. it was on the rocks and in the water. i also went out a few times this week down the delta a saw the wetlands. the oil had come in and coated bottom of the wetlands and was pulled around th. i have seen some oil off the coast to. >> as a scientist, when you see the oil on e wetlands, what is your first thought? >> it is never good.

it can cause chemical and physical damage to the wetlands. some of themave a certain amount of resilience to them but nothat they will has not been capped, something continuous and potentially is something we have not seen before. the impacts are not even known. >> if you have been involved and looking at what lines -- wetlands. u have sn oil. talk about this from the habitat for a lot of our migrating birds. this is the migrating season. birds are coming in from all over the world through louisiana before they had to south america. we have a lot of nesting birds that are here. when you talk about the wetlas in terms of the fisheries, the very young fish from shrimp to

oysters to those involved in our ecosystem, this is the breeding ground for a lot of our fisheries. explain to the audience that is listening or around the world and watching on c-span, the impact on wildlife and fisheries. >> like you said, this is the nursing grounds for the fish basket of the u.s. having that oil and the wetlands where the breeding grounds are are very detrimental. it is nesting season. d.c. of the pelicans and shore birds where the oil reaches the shore. those effects, like the toxicity of the oil and the dispersant, can have long-range the fact that we did not know about. >> that is what scary. if there is an unknown. the dispersant has been sprayed in large amounts into the gulf of mexico. we are being told that it breaks

it up into small droplets. those are subsurface. we are being told that we have these large oil plumes. bp denieshat. this could really be detrimental to our wildlife and fisheries all the way up and down t food chain, especially when you talk about the possibility of this oil on the golf bottom. for these people that do not understand how detrimental this can be, talk about how this affects the entire food chain from plankton up. >> some of the smaller organisms are affected first. butncreases up the food chain. the bigger animals eat the smaller animals. the larger species and the ocean each species did not produce as 10% to kill off of them is a

really big effect. >> we saw in alaska after the exxon valdez, the hearing did not come back. they are still trying today to make sur that there could one day be a harvest of herring. we have a lot of species that have just been discovered and some that have had longevity and as part of the world. they are now on the brink of possible extinction but at the very least, we can see those species affected 4 may be the next 10 or so years for the audience that may be funding this unbelievable, exain to them how this affects for fisheries long term. >> it is an unknown. it depends on hopefully when the well is capped, but also wh the dispersant. some of the dispersants have shown on oysters to rede their

productivity. something like that can cau it really long-term effects. >> angelina freeman is a coastal scientist with the environmental defense fund and went to louisiaaa state university. tell us about your background. >> i went to lsu. i just graduated with my ph.d. last week. >> you have been out on so many ship how many times have you been to the wetlands on the coast itself? >> since the oil spill cost of our -- since the oil spill? with five times. >> what are you hearing from the science -- from the fishermen? >> that is it really tough time for them. the people are canceling tir trips.

that could be long term. >> in terms of building that the wetlands, we know that it is possible down the line to build back wetlands but it wi be a difficult and arduous proce. we are told once oil reaches the rosa can, that it could be between five and seven days before that the carrier rates. a lot of the plant life that holds together the land of berms that are there. once that starts to die off, that has the possibility of turning into openater. talk about that process. we have seen that over the life of our wetlands. >> those wetlands are at the mouth of the mississippi and are already very stressed. this is on top of a lot of

planned loss -- land loss and additional stress. >> is there a remedy out there? ther has been a lot of talk about the possibility of going in there with their boats and cleaning up this oil once it hits the louisiana wetnds. we are also being told that our wetlands are so fragile that they will not be able to stand up to a man to win out there and doing a clean-up operation. they are so fragile and delicate. >> they are very fragile. there has been research done on some of the cleanup. cleaning up on san is easier. >> that is one of the reasons why we have been begging for the opportunity to build a sand bar to fill in the 40 passes which

were cut in many casses for -- cases for oil exploration. to stop this from inundating our wetlands. it is easier to plan oil that comes up on a sandy beach rather than when it comes up to the wetlands. you would agree with that? >> it is easier to cle ioff the sand. >> as far as how this would affect our wildlife going forward, has there ever been a case where we have seen the in addition of an estuary like this and if so, how long does it take after the cleanup for wildlife to come back? >> it all depends on the type of oil and how long the innovation is. takes me ores it less time. in alaska, it takes longer. the colder climate.

>> whawould you like toell the rest of the nation that is watching on c-spanight now as a scientist about what you have seen? alert them on where we are going forward in terms of not only trying to clean this up but to protect our wetlands and the wildlife that in a lot of cases is living there during this time? >>his is an amazing ecostem. we must restore it and restore the process is and make it more resilience. >> why is it important? we have been told that this is the fisheries for the entire gulf of mexico. many species start off in the wetlands of louisiana. some of the great fishing that we see in the gulf itself all starts in the releasend a wetlands. >> exactly. it is vitally important economically for the entire nation for the fisheries production, for oil and gas, and

economically, and also for the animals. flyways for birds from all over. >> no doubt about it. thank you so much for being with us. from the environmental defense fund. we take a break. when we come back, we go to the phone lines. for those of you that are listening online and watching us on c-span our relationship goes back a couple of years. in the aftermath of katrina, we were trying to look for options to be able to try to rebuild our

wetlands and to build our barrier islands back, and he introduced me to a man named don, and he introduced us to a grass, vetiver grass. this is a very resilient strain of marsh grass that has been used in countries that can literally been used -- be used in louisiana to fight this oriole intrusion, and we will talk a little bit about that coming up, its uses -- to fight this oil intrusion. these barrier islands and hold them in place. we will we will also -- todd has

come up with a website called dredgebabydredge.com we are trying to get the message out why it is so important to protect our very fragile estuaries and we have an answer on how we can keep those barrier islands in place and more importantly how we can rebuild the wetlands because of the innovation of hydra chemicals. this grass could beat the -- this grass cld be the answer to that.

>> welcome back. i want to thank you all who are watching on the cable and satellite stations around the country, c-span. we are live on wist radio. joining us is a wetlands ecologist. he is the co-founder of dredge, baby, dredge. welcome. thank you for coming back. you were with me a couple weeks ago. i wanted to introduce you grass to the rest of the country. your expertise not just in marsh grass but the marshlands and knowing a bit about what is happening with the wildlife

being affected by this. welcome. >> good to be back. >> you can all take it from here. we have been talking a lot aut the building of the barrier islands, filling in those 40 passes. you guys have been all over this. let's talk about why it is impoant to build this sand barrier to protect the very fragile louisiana estuaries and wetlands. >> the oil is goingo be so much easier to kick it off the face and substrate rather than have it in a day the marsh grasses. as in telling justaid, once that oil is adhered to by that marsh grass, it will literally

suffocate the entire plant and the plant cannot breathe. literally. we are breathing and oxygen. plants are breeding co2 that we breathe out. they use that to make food. if the oil is coated over their route and leaves and stem, they cannot take in that co2 and they literally starveo death. we had a conversation on what it is important to be able to build this sand berm. one of the this that the corps of engineers was concerned about the sediment that could be used to build this continuous chain of islands that would protect the gulf coast and wetlands, that some of the soil could be contaminated with oil. talk a bit about how we can overcome this. there are products out there

that can be used to be able to mixed with the spoil at can allow us to not compound the problem down the line of building a land berm that can be toxic because of the oil and that may be settling on the bottom of the gulf right now. >> once u do recover the land and pump in the sediment, he will be pumping from the bottom the gulf of mexico. there is a tremendous amount of oil down there with hydrocarbons. you are going to have to eat it with microorganisms, oil eating microorganisms. they will eat it. they will work for about 21 days and get rid of the hydrocarbon. you want to dge your bet because you have to plant vegetation on this land you are recovering. >> we get high tide, we have hurricanes, those lands we are ilding stay in place. >> exactly. you need vegetation there with a good root system.

you get rid of the hydrocarbons to the microorganisms, you are hedging your bets. >> it take21 days for them to turn it into an cents. >> which really, we can take the spoil which is the segment that we get from the bottom of the gulf and we can mix it with microorganisms and the microorganisms will start the process of eating the hydrocarbons which will at that point make the sand berm at least nontoxic. >> more suitable. >> a company in alabama manufactures these microorgisms. >> i met with a company here. they are producing these micro organisms. the harvested these microorganisms from the exxon valdez. these companies have been in business for quite some time. what they said they could do is in check it into the soil.

you can treat 24 inches. it will work 21 days. you can also and checked it up to 20 feet under wheee you really get a massive amount of the micro organisms eating the hydrocarbon. after 21 days, when the soil is suitable, you come back in plant. it is a propagation process. you plant it where you wanted and planted 8 ches apart from each other. when these plants mature, they will interlock each other with the root system. i've got a picture of a healthy root system. that picture there, this plant is approximately 10 years old. it is a very fibrous root syem. it is about 14 or5 feet in depth. >> this route sysm grows horizontal it.

it will not harm any of the natural plants that are and our wetlands or that we would proliferate on a sand berm. >> correct. it grows straight down. it does not have runners. it will not be an invasive species. it is being used in over 100 countries. >> what is it being used for? it is being used by third world countries to make sure the banks of the river stay in place. talk about the uses and we will kick into why this would work -- get into why this would work. >> it is planted where every to have coastal erosion and a problem with keeping the soil together. they are using it in hawaii. there is using it all over africa. they have used it in south -- in central louisiana.

>> once this is planted, it grows very rapidly. within three months, you could not pull out of the ground. the root system would be about 7 feet and three months. what happens is it maintains itself where it is very resilient. it stands up well against flooding come up against drought. it can go for long periods of time in water, without water. you can burn it. but it will grow back. it takes the nitrates and phosphates out of the soil and water. it takes the heavy metals out of the water. >> in this case, with our weapons being inundated with heavy crude, this wod be ideal to not just plant on the sand berms we want to build but as we ild back our wetlands, this woulbe the perfect plant species to put into the wetlands because of its ability to be able to take in those hydrocarbons to almost clean the area. >> we are not sure how much of

the hydrocarbons at could clean at this point. that is an unknown. we know it can withstand some. that is why we put like to treat the settlement before planting . that is just the head to the bet to make sure we are not putting it into an undesirable atmosphere. what is nice about it is it can take the water. when the current comes in and washes out, it traps the sentiment in these areas. as it is buried, it just grows taller. it is not -- as the settlement covers it up, it will not smother it. >> i guess the main thing is, it is resilient. it can holland in place know bett what the toxicity of the area. >> without a doubt. " it is one of the most resilient plants i have ever seen. i have done studies with it for about five years. we met, todd teaches an

exceent college course on what plants. we started working together quite a bit on this. talk about how you became acquainted with his grasp. why d't you show the audience about what it looks like? it looks similar to the rosacane. >> it gets mistaken for, progress. >> but it is not and they said. >> it is not. >> very benign. >> i met don about 10 years ago. he started a nonprofit i 1981n . we back when he was starting to be compassionate about the wetlands, he kw back then we were losing our coastline at an alarming rate. we are losing about an ae every 38 minutes.

don samples stumbled upon this grass and researched it. he found out that this could be a short-term answer. we do not have enough time to open up the mississippi river and allow the natural hydraulics. we have less than 10 years to build a plant and plant this crest to hold the soil together. we need a fast-growing plant. right after katrina, don samples was a champion for this grass. >> from what i understd, you have been in contact with the parish president. he is aware of the grass and the uses and its ability to withstand the hydrocarbons and the inundation of oil and the ability for this grass to grow very quickly to hold a land mass that w would build along louisiana coastline in place.

>> i met with billy a couple times. if the first time i met with him was about three months ago. it was about two months before this incident. billy knew about it. he is on top of things. he is really doing his homework. we were talking about putting the root system down to preserve th levies for theurricanes. it had nothing to do with oil. as of last week, we met again. i will tell you, i have a whole new found respect for billy. it is amazing. he was conducting five meetings at one time. he was still fielding phone calls. this guy has the tenacity. he is a worker. people in the busy and it should be proud of this that. >> he is aware of the uses? " yes, he is. he knew more abo that then i would have thought.

we started talking. he asked what i knew and we went into detail. >> why this and not some of the natural species that are on our barrier islands or in our wetlands? with time is of essence. we need a fast-growing plant. it makes an excellent nurse plant. you plant it, it will hold the soil together. you then come in and plant the native vegetation. you then let that flourished after a few months. if you want to get rid of it, all you have to do is put a few rounds of roundup on it and it will kill it. it is very sensitive to round up. >> why would you want t >> exactly. we have to deal with hurricanes on a yearly basis. if we have a plan with a boisterous rich system, why would you want to be pulling

that out? why would you want to taae it out when it will ultimately hold that land in place? one thing we are worried about as the natural grass is involved in the wetlands begins to deteriorate, we will start to lose landmass very quickly. with the mississippi river not allowing the natural flow to feed the wetlands with its nutrients and sediment. it is a no-brainer. will not compete with the native vegetation. it is non invasive. it will stay put. the number one argument in planting this, according to the army corps of engineers, the whiz at department of public fisheries, is the fact that it is not a native species. they are worried that it might become invasive and takeover like the water hyacinth which

is an aquatics vegetation that grows in fresh water that has taken over a lot of areas. >> the science is there that shows it is not an interesting plan. >> exactly. we are so frustrated. if the scienceays it will not take over. it will hold the soil. it will not compete with the native vegetation. it wl actually help the native education -- vegetation. a nutria is basically a swamp rat. it was brought here 100 years ago from argentina. it has taken over. you will not see native muskrat anymore. they key to the native vegetaon but they will not eat this. that is another advantage. >> talk about why this plant is used in third worlcountries. there are third world countries

that use this to be able to keep the banks of the rivers in place to protect their coast from demise. why is this being used but here where it is needed, especially if we spent $350 million in building a land berm, we wanted to stain place. we want to have a species that will hold the wetlands in place. >> there have been cases where it will sp sediment runoff which was killing wreaths and killing shellfish. it was used in cases like that. in 10 years, the reefs are healthy again andhellfish are flourishing. they're using it in 100 countries right now. >> literally. >> scientists are ung microorganisms to treat the sediment. if we know there is grass out there that would be resilient to

hydrocarbons and be able to hold the islands in pla, what is the holdup? the science is there. you guys are involved in this. what is the problem? >> what is the holdup with the dredging of those terms? same thing. politics. what is the holdup? politics. we have good science on our side to say we can start doing this today. and planting this today. building a plant, holding the sediment, trapping the oil, " to the beach and mechanically scoop it up which is much easier. the science is there. >> it is a questn that many people are asking. i think that the federal government is distracted. they did not take the initiative to realize what was going on. that has been the biggest

downfall to route this entire scenario. tell people about dredgebab dredge.com and how they can get involved. >> we were driving around the parish. we started seeing signs in the window. billy, you for the man. billy, we love you. i saw that and thought that seem so long. we needed a rallying cry. my wife just said not drill, baby, a drill, stretch, baby, stretch. i said that is it. a few minutes later, she said dredge dat. i looked better and said that is

great. we went home and created a website. you go to dredgebabydredge.com and you can donate an part of the proceeds will go to the united commercial fishermen's association which was the association that was helped by gulf aid. part of the aids by t-shirts and bumper stickers urging part of theroceeds -- part of the proceeds could to t-shirts and bumper stickers so people ca see the ima and feel an emotion about what is going on. just an image and emoon. i thought about the the we see in that state bird which is t brown pelican which is affected right now. the we stand is referred to as the pelican state. the pelican state. imagine a