management. he never had a job. why didn't the american -- mainstream media that into some him inble degree -- vet some reasonable degree? guest: i am not challenging what you are saying, but i do not personally know there was no vetting. if we look, i'm sure there are some stories that might have looked into controversies in depth, but i think what he means is there were not as widespread of media coverage of the controversies like there might have been if a republican had the same controversies in his past, and he is probably right about that. i call that substitution gain in my book, and i cannot explain why that is the case, but many times when you look at how a topic or politician is treated

by the media, and you substitute that person with someone from the opposing party, and you say to yourself would that have been treated the same way if this person had done the same thing, i think you will have to conclude the answer is the treatment is sometimes disparate, and there was a sense of the media in general, certainly not everyone, but rooting for this president. a lot of people were excited, including journalists, about having an african-american president, someone that promised more transparency than ever. the idea that a president will issue a directive that gives you more tools to do your job and try to reverse something that had been going wrong in recent years -- that is very exciting. healthcare.gov, we were a little bit asleep at the switch in some respects, we in the media, perhaps we wanted to see something succeed and we saw a need for it and we did not

dig with full vigor into some of the controversies that probably where there. roger in sanford, florida. you're on the air with sharyl attkisson. go ahead. caller: thank you for nonpartisan c-span and the work that you do. thank you, sharyl attkisson, for your courage and braves -- bravery. have you thought about collaborating with jayna davis, an investigative journalist to uncover the cover of by the clinton administration in oklahoma city on april 19, 1995? of that anniversary attack on our homeland will be next april. it will be of great value to the public interest for you to collaborate with geena davis to bring that truth out in which the clinton administration covered up the involvement of al

qaeda terrorists that collaborated with timothy mcveigh, and had the american and itknown that truth had not been covered up by the clinton administration, then the entire war on terror would have been recognized much earlier by the american people and 9/11 might not have happened, and the steps would have been taken to prevent future al qaeda attacks and 5000 soldiers dying in the iraq war. host: all right, roger. sharyl attkisson? guest: i am not familiar with that, but i will look it up and do some reading on it. host: oklahoma. democratic caller. ms. sharyld morning, attkisson. i love you on cbs. i want to know on these network

shows, when they have exclusive interviews -- does the network pay these people for it, and one more question, you would have been perfect on "60 minutes." guest: thank you. [laughter] what types of explosives. cbs had a policy, as far as i knew to not pay for interviews and exclusives, but that does not mean other favors might not take place. pay to flyight someone somewhere, of course, might pay to have their family fly in, have their hair and makeup done -- things like that, but generally paying for an interview or exclusive is heavily frowned upon in the news industry. there has been a blurring of lines. i talked about this in the book. now, notsee interviews necessarily exclusive, on the

so-called news, that look nothing more like nothing more more-- that look nothing than advertisements, like the ceo of taco bell getting an interview to talk about the new cool ranch doritos flavors. i think there might be some financial interest at play to explain why that apparent newstisement appears as a segment. there are many examples. soap had a news story at a time when i was seeing -- when nbc was seeking sponsorship. there are things taking place on the news that are not really direct payments. host: here is a question from twitter --viewers on

why was our ambassador in benghazi, or was he arranging with cia for weapons to transfer to syrian rebels, now known as issiis? guest: i do not know exactly what he was doing. there was a gap between principal officers serving in benghazi so you intended to be there for a couple of days during the gap. the state department knew about this despite the fact they implied they almost said they are not even sure they knew he was down there. that was part of communications. could find for sure was that he was there dealing with feed a principal officer at an important post between other principal officers serving their. host: one last phone call. leo from jacksonville, florida. an independent. forer: hello, and thank you

taking my call. from the broader perspective of what you have been discussing -- we, the public, we do not need, nor do we want, nor should the media be attempting to shape or direct public opinion. my question that i will to know your thoughts on, what can we do to bolster objectivity and transparency in what gets reported in the media? i believe in being informed and coming to my own conclusions. guest: good for you. i believe in that, too. even when i think i might have facts of a story, able to prove a corporation has provided false information, it is still up to you after that truth or those facts are reported as to how much you want to believe and what conclusions you draw from it. i agree that to often it seems -- and i did run into this at cbs, often, they want to shape whatever the public's conclusion

is going to be, and i found myself saying a couple of times it does not matter what the public concludes. we have to put the facts out there. wem not trying to tell them have to find the same conclusions i may have drawn based on evidence and documents. i wholeheartedly agree with him and i would just say i do not have the answer, but keep drawing attention when you see journalism that you think is unfair or trying to point you falsely in a direction that is overstepping its bounds. point it out and draw attention to it. host: where can people find your reporting now? guest: i try to cross-post anything i write on a website. host: also active on twitter. the book is "stonewalled -- my fight for truth against the forces of obstruction, intimidation, and harassment in obama's washington." thank you for being here and talking to our viewers. guest: thank you. host: coming up next, we will

return to where we began this morning, talking about police departments be on high alert following the killing of police officers in new york. we will divide the lines. we will get to your cause hearing just a minute. first the news update from c-span radio -- calls here in just a minute. first a news update from c-span radio. [no audio] >> here is a look at the programs you will find on christmas day. at 10:00 a.m., the lighting of the national christmas tree. : by celebrations with michelle obama. just after 12:30 p.m., celebrity activists talk about their

causes. , samuel alito and jeb bush about the bill of rights and the founding fathers. then, venture into the art of steve pinkerwith thethen jill lepore six secret history of wonder woman. then on c-span3, the fall of the berlin wall with c-span coverage from president george bush and bob dole. ladyon experts on first style choices. at 10:00 p.m., tom brokaw on his more than 50 years of reporting on world events. that is this christmas day on the c-span networks. schedule, go to c-span.org -- for a complete

schedule, go to c-span.org. >> "washington journal" continues. host: we are back. we will wrap up the show with your thoughts on the killing of the two new york police officers and the call for unity from the mayor of new york as well as police departments being on high alert. law enforcement we want to hear from you. -- number is 202-78 202-748-8000. the phone lines are open. on can join facebook, twitter, or e-mail us. we will get to your thoughts here in a second. first i want to show you what the new york mayor yesterday had to say at a news conference about the way forward. [video clip] i also think in a democracy people express their desire for a more fair society and that is right and proper but they must do it peacefully.

there can be no violence against those who protect us and to represent our society. the police are our protectors and they must be respected as such. i think the most important reflection in answer to your question -- the most important reflection i can give you right now is in this tragedy, they we find some way of moving forward that would be an appropriate way to honor these officers that are in pain right now -- somehow knit our city together, bring police and our community closer together. i have always believed we could. there is never been a doubt in my mind that we are working toward a day where there is greater harmony between police and community. it is achievable and it must be achieved. devotedoner bratton has his entire life to this mission and i learn from him every day about how much perseverance it takes to get there, but we have

to get everyone to move away if therer and hatred are differences. we have to address them peacefully. we have to give people faith their concerns can be heard peacefully across the spectrum, and we have to move forward. the kind going to be of city it was meant to be if there is a division between our city and our community. new york city mayor bill de blasio talking about the way forward after the police shootings and asking for c. alm "the washington post" reporting the police commissioner you saw there, william bratton met with members of the union including one who accused the positive of having blood on his hands

john in north carolina. what are your thoughts? go ahead. guysr: yes i saw these turned their -- turned their back on the elected officials. what they did was insubordination, and they should be absolutely fired. this society cannot afford a police state. this is not the tone tumbled coot. independent, democratic country, and we cannot -- no society will survive as a police state, and this is what we had today in america. morning inad this your first segment from the head d.c.,ice right there in if that does not tell you that this is a police state some of

that statement from that guy -- he should be fired. host: i am not sure if you are referring to this -- jean ryan, the baltimore police president. it was posted on the facebook page of the national association of police organizations. is that what you are referring to? caller: yes. that is absolutely backwards. they work for us, not the other way around. their power is derived from we, the people. servantyou have a civil saying things like that -- the guy in ohio did the same thing and the police slapped him down. this guy in new york -- i hope the velocity of fires the head of the police -- mayor deblasio fires that of the police union.

thanks for taking my call. i wanted to say this -- the biggest behemoth in the room is the obsession of the gun culture in our country. unfortunately, we have so many guns out there, and that --reotypes that blacks face if you want to look for a reference, there was a wonderful book by a gentleman, his name is tvonald's -- blacks in white . it is still available, but the stereotypes of blacks on tv, tv crime shows and movies is horrendous. hispanics, --em seen hispanics, blacks, asians portrayed in a positive manner? have nothing to

fear but fear itself, and today on the media we have everything to fear by this fear mongering. when my wife and i were in london, i asked a british policeman -- he was in front of parliament, and i said why are you not carrying a gun, and he said we do not need guns here in england, the united kingdom. they had eight murders in england, the u.k., this past year. i believe they had zero-six murders in japan because of the gun restrictions. those on the side of law enforcement and the civilian population. in san diego.a you are on the air. caller: yes. i wanted to share the point that it is pretty dangerous when the police tell the mayor or anyone else do not question with us, unless you are with us 100%, you are against us. secondly, to tell anyone that speaks out like pro sports

players you are against us, it sounds like they want the players -- if you are not with us, you are against us. this is a dangerous statement coming from the police department. i am so sad for the loss of the officers and my prayers are for the family, but we as a nation have to get things in perspective -- the police department works for the people. however, you hear toenail it is from the police department either you are with us, totally, do not question who we kill, do not question anything we do unless you are against us. another point i want to make is when you have officials in high places, which the media do not portray, like senators putting out the separation we against them, especially the republican party since we have had an african-american president, have

really been pushing the racism, yet no one speaks about this coming from high places, so no wonder the police department -- and you have to admit, there are those in the police department that are racist and they do not want to be questioned about how they look at black people and people of color. at the same time, you have to address the congressman that are telling the nation this black president is not one of us -- is a communist, a socialist, he does not belong in office. when you have people in high places promoting hate, the media do not check them, so they are propelling the hate, too. host: got it, priscilla. aboutay" has this story high alert as the rank-and-file are being warned to where bulletproof . ts.ves

it says the killing of the officers on saturday afternoon in brooklyn heightened fear. say aftergoes on to the officer's, a union-generated message at the 35,000 officer nypd tom, in saratoga springs. you are part of law enforcement. what you do? caller: i'm a former navy officer and a former deputy sheriff. what i am trying to do is get

u.s. navy to give training to the new york state police and the new york city police department at little creek, virginia, where the navy seals training, because i got a little of that training. i am not a seal, but i got some training, and it has kept me alive, i believe. part of it has to do with situational awareness, because patrol, you out on have to be aware when your attacker is getting close. host: ok. speaking of training, "usa today " has the story -- "30,000 trained to confront shooters here, -- shooters."

authorities declined to discuss specific tactical training sessions, but they teach officials forthis is new training first responders, police officers, in light of the school shootings in recent years. cynthia. albuquerque, new mexico. good morning to you. go ahead. caller: good morning.

i am so tired of hearing these myths. we areders have to say the leaders of everyone, not just a few. these riots have been disruptive to everyone. i am an hispanic, and i am tired of being used by our president trying to pretend that he likes us so that he can get votes, and where is clinton now? he is the one that started all of this crap. and the other thing, the woman from cnn and the other lady -- i cannot rumor her name now, the minute obama came in, they started showing pictures of the past where he had all of those things when blacks were treated so bad, and this is not time for the president to be out there golfing.

he needs to be over here taking care of us, taking care of our country. post" has washington a story -- "the washington times" with quotes from experts on race relations saying he should not believe in the spotlight to the mayor of new york or the civil rights activist, reverend sharpton. desmond in florida. good morning. what we have to do is look at the cause of this problem, and the cause of this problem is simply when something happens civilian,police and a whether he is black or white, it trial whereto open people can see what is happening.

is withoutppened policeman, for instance, in california, where the woman was the on the -- we have policeman, for instance, in california, where the woman was the on the beaten one road -- the side of the road, but the oferal public has no idea his suspension, his fine, or whatever it was. you have the same thing when you have prosecutors who are giving the trial, and not giving information to the police. when you have a prosecutor coming out after he presents his case, and seeing that he knew one of his main witnesses worse -- was lying, yet he presented them to the grand jury, and the man gets off, it leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth. bill in santa rosa,

california. caller: this follows up on your last caller's comment. it seems to me a lot of the protesters, especially michael brown's, ignored the fact that when the evidence came out, when the da had his narrative and announce no charges were filed, that his hand, arms were not up. that became the symbol of the protesters. it seemed to me that most of them were misinformed about the actual evidence, and having their arms up, and all of those protests, sort of, proves that. host: all right, bill. we are getting your thoughts on the shootings of those police officers in new york. the mayor is calling for calm and unity. what do you make of the situation? the phone lines are open.

we are dividing them like this dialing in now. we have a little less than five minutes to go with this conversation. "the wall street journal" has a milwaukeee -- officer will not be charged. the justiceo say department will open a federal review of the case that in "the wall street journal." also in "the wall street

journal," they have this -- that the shootings have led to soul-searching and other police departments. in pittsburgh, police will not use single-manned vehicles. in phoenix, where crowds have protested the police shooting of a black man in early december, police are being especially vigilant, monitoring social media and encouraging officers to wait for backup on calls. reported allpolice for patrols conducted in pairs. new york state lawmakers plan to introduce legislation that would require law enforcement vehicles to be equipped with a lip roof glass -- bulletproof glass.

sugar grove, north carolina. go ahead, ann. caller: i want to piggyback on the woman who tells about the shootings in japan and the united kingdom -- how many they have compared to what we have, and after world war ii, our rebuildnt helps them their government and our constitution, and one of the things in their constitution is they have no gun rights there, and i find that ironic that we help them build their constitution, and they have no gun rights, and we do. so, that is why that happens. thank you for taking my call. host: thanks. think you for watching today's "washington journal." we will be back tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. eastern time with more of your phone calls, e-mails, and tweets.

enjoy the rest of your day. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2014] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] journal" ashington authors series continues tomorrow. tomorrow, shane harris. thursday, martha bayles. on friday, author clarence page. "q&a" is 10 years old now.